The Best of The Dan Patrick Show

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show – "The Best of The Dan Patrick Show"

Date: May 26, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Host: Dan Patrick
Guests: Vincent Goodwill (ESPN), Reggie Miller (NBA Analyst)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the NBA Playoffs and Finals picture, focusing on the New York Knicks’ surprising dominance and path to the Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers' collapse (and the James Harden conundrum), key NBA narratives, and the nuances of legacies, fandom, and future storylines—including a possible LeBron James return to Cleveland. The tone is sharp, humorous, and rich in insider perspectives, featuring engaging banter among Dan Patrick, his team, and NBA insiders.

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Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. Knicks Roll to the Finals & Cavaliers Collapse

Timestamp: [02:09 – 10:00]

• The Knicks sweep the Cavaliers and wait for the Spurs/Thunder winner in the Finals.
  • Dan analyzes what went wrong for the Cavaliers, particularly after the addition of James Harden.
  • Discussion on the controversial notion of “quitting” in professional sports. Dan questions the use of the term and searches for a “softer word,” emphasizing the gravity of that accusation for paid professionals.
  • Notable Stat: The Knicks outscored the Cavs in second-chance points, 32 to 5—a reflection of mentality and effort.

"If you have a suggestion on a different word for quit, I'm all ears for that." — Dan Patrick [05:35]

• Harden’s playoff struggles highlighted: more turnovers than field goals, lack of meaningful impact, raising legacy questions.
• Reflections on how losses can echo through a series and define seasons.
• Dan alludes to sports history and legacy—certain athletes rise in the postseason even if their regular season isn’t as dominant.

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2. The Knicks’ Future: Finals Matchup Preferences

Timestamp: [10:00 – 13:55]

• Studio banter weighs whether the Knicks should fear the Spurs’ size and Wembanyama or the Thunder’s depth:
  • Dan leans toward preferring to face OKC due to their injury issues and lack of Finals experience.
  • Conversation about rest vs. rust as the Knicks wait for the West.

"It almost feels like no matter what happens, whoever gets to the Finals, the Knicks will lose Game 1, ‘cause they’re gonna— you know, Cleveland should have won Game 1 in this series, too." — Dan Patrick [09:46]

• Discussion: Are the Knicks “likable”? Dan and the crew agree this is a gritty, team-oriented, and hard-playing squad, led by Jalen Brunson and role players like Josh Hart and OG Anunoby.
• The importance of “winners”—guys who’ve won at earlier levels—like the ‘Villanova Knicks’ theme.

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3. Knicks Legacy: Is This Season Already a Success?

Timestamp: [14:39 – 16:23]

• Marvin suggests that, win or lose, this Knicks run will be remembered, much like ‘94 or ‘99.
• Dan and Dylan push back: In New York, it’s about winning the title, and there are no consolation prizes for falling short.
• Comparison with other NY teams (Yankees etc.)—expectations and how they're different for Knicks given their history.

"You gotta win. Gotta win." — Dan Patrick [15:27]

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4. Interview with Vincent Goodwill (ESPN NBA Senior Writer)

Timestamp: [20:35 – 38:33]

Knicks Road to the Finals & Expectations

• Goodwill expected this team to at least get to the Finals given how the east unfolded (injuries to rivals, easy path), but didn't anticipate their dominance.
• On whether Knicks fans should treat this season as a triumph if they fall short:

"When you ain’t never been no damn where for 25 years, Dan, people are going to remember this night... this has been a remarkable run up until this point, one of the more dominant runs in NBA history. It is really damn hard to get to the NBA Finals. And it should be celebrated." — Vincent Goodwill [23:50]

• Dan pushes for a “title-only matters” stance; Goodwill argues context: for NY, just getting here after decades of dysfunction is worthy of joy.
• They preview the West: Thunder would be favorites over Knicks, Spurs matchup more even.

Cavaliers Post-Mortem

• Goodwill blunt: Cavs lost because “they’re not that good.” Losing Game 1 was the mental turning point.

"There comes a point in every playoff series, especially when you lose a game in devastating fashion... You knew the Cleveland Cavaliers would not win the game... The Knicks were going to sweep." — Vincent Goodwill [27:26]

• Takes shot at Harden’s repeated playoff flops and the emotional fatigue of Cleveland.
• Sacramento Kings called out as an “NBA feeder system”—trading away Halliburton, Fox, firing Mike Brown, all who’ve thrived elsewhere.

LeBron’s Future and Cavs’ Options

• Dan and Goodwill assess possible LeBron return: financially unworkable due to cap rules and Harden's likely extension. Goodwill points out LeBron’s L.A. life is established, and he won’t take a pay cut.

"Last I checked, LeBron has not taken a discount since coming back to Cleveland in 2014... That baby knows about Los Angeles..." — Vincent Goodwill [31:21]

• Argument: Is it better for LeBron’s legacy to retire a Laker or a Cav? Not as clear as it is for Kobe or Magic.
• Playful banter comparing Dan to John Stockton—he “just dishes.”

Western Conference Finals Preview

• Goodwill: Favors OKC if healthy, but closely matches up with the Spurs. Wonders about energy levels, injuries, and SGA needing an iconic performance in the decisive games.

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5. Interview with Reggie Miller

Timestamp: [42:23 – 61:00]

Knicks Finals Outlook & Rust Factor

• Reggie reiterates the Knicks’ supreme confidence; rest from the early sweep could help heal, especially OG Anunoby.
  • Playoff “rest vs. rust” debate — Knicks managed this effectively after their previous series.
  • Cavaliers’ body language, coaching, and possible offseason overhaul discussed.

"I would like to see LeBron go home. I think that should be something that's on the table." — Reggie Miller [45:19]

James Harden Critique

• Both regret the Cavs’ Harden gamble—brought in for the deep playoff run, he failed to deliver when it mattered most.
• Playoff collapses—“quitting”—how that’s a hard word to use for pros, but the optics for Cleveland were damning.

SGA, Flopping, and Officiating

• Reggie defends Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: critiques are misplaced, the officials and defensive undiscipline are more to blame.
• SGA “sold” fouls, but numbers don’t show excessive free throw hunting.
• Hints that criticism is overblown and the focus should be more tactical.

"People think he's going to the free throw line 15 times a game... He's only going eight times, people. So these podcasters, y'all just need to stop... he's not calling these fouls on himself." — Reggie Miller [51:04]

Wembanyama’s Development and Defenses

• OKC needs to keep Wembanyama from feasting in the paint, force him outside.
• Wemby’s continued development likely includes strength and a face-up game, referencing Tim Duncan as a model.

NBA Lore, Coaches, and Favorite Teams

• Nostalgic talk about Isaiah Thomas’ all-time starting five, old NBA battles, and the deeply felt MJ-Isaiah rivalry.
• Reggie and Dan swap classic NBA trash talk and moments, including the “push-off anniversary” and MJ’s grudges.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Patrick (on the Cavs):
  "Some losses are more than just one loss. And you saw that because it kind of permeated through the Cleveland Cavaliers. And I felt bad for Donovan Mitchell. He's trying to fire up his team... you should not need a cheerleader." [03:47]

• Vincent Goodwill (on Knicks fans):
  "People are going to remember the journey... This has been a remarkable run up until this point. One of the more dominant runs in NBA history." [23:50]

• Reggie Miller (on SGA and officiating):
  "People need to stop this. I'm serious. For as much hate as a two-time MVP gets, this guy has a polished game... He's playing the game of basketball. He's not calling these fouls on himself." [51:04]

• Dan Patrick (on NY sports expectations):
  "I don't think you get a consolation prize. Boy, look at what we did against the crappy Hawks team, a crappy Sixers team, and a Cleveland Cavalier team that maybe quit. Hey, we got to the NBA Final. You gotta win." [15:27]

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Important Timestamps

• [02:09] – Knicks sweep Cavaliers, Cavs’ struggles, “quit” debate
• [06:45] – Harden’s post-defeat comments
• [09:13] – Knicks’ potential Finals opponents: Thunder or Spurs
• [14:39] – Team legacy and “no consolation prize”
• [20:35] – Vincent Goodwill interview: Knicks’ run, Cavs analysis, NBA futures
• [27:26] – Emotional turning point for Cavaliers
• [31:21] – LeBron financial/legacy discussion
• [36:42] – WCF preview: OKC vs. Spurs
• [42:23] – Reggie Miller interview: Knicks rest, Cavs future, SGA officiating, Wemby’s growth
• [45:19] – Harden/Cavs future, LeBron as a Cav again
• [51:04] – SGA flopping, free throws, NBA officiating
• [54:31] – Wembanyama’s next evolution
• [56:04] – MJ/Isaiah, NBA rivalries and starting fives

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Summary Table: Main Episode Threads

| Topic | Main Speaker | Timestamp | Key Takeaway | |-----------------------------------------|----------------------|---------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Knicks sweep, Cavs reflection | Dan Patrick | 02:09–10:00 | Dominance by NY, collapse by CLE, defining “quit,” Harden’s legacy | | Knicks’ preferred Finals opponent | Dan & Crew | 09:13–13:55 | Thunder favored, but Spurs physical; rest vs. rust for NY | | Are the Knicks’ Finals run meaningful? | Dan, Marvin, Dylan | 14:39–16:23 | NY needs a title, no consolation; history matters differently for Knicks than Yankees | | Vincent Goodwill interview | Vincent Goodwill | 20:35–38:33 | Knicks’ path, Cavs’ failings, Kings as feeder system, LeBron future, WCF preview | | Reggie Miller interview | Reggie Miller | 42:23–61:00 | Knicks’ rest, Cavs’ overhaul, Harden criticism, SGA/fouls, Wemby’s development, NBA nostalgia |

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For New Listeners

This episode delivers a sharp, context-rich recap of the current NBA playoff landscape, focusing on the Knicks’ ascension, Cavaliers’ disappointment, and the complicated calculus of legacies in a league where collapsing under pressure, flourishing in the clutch, and the weight of expectations shape careers and fandoms. Through entertaining interviews and generous basketball storytelling, it’s an insider’s tour of playoff narratives—with the humor, intelligence, and warmth that defines The Dan Patrick Show.

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End of Summary

Transcript

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[Dan Patrick]

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[Dan Patrick]

You are listening to the Dan Patrick show on Fox Sports Radio. The Knicks roll the Cavaliers. Jaylen Brunson is your mvp and now they wait since the spurs and the Thunder are tied at two games apiece. When you think about the Cavaliers because normally what we do before we move on to talk about the team that advanced, we talk about the team that didn't. And for the Cleveland Cavaliers, they brought in James Harden. They took a swing. The reason why they didn't win a game or they didn't advance is not on James Harden now. He's part of the problem, not part of the solution. And at his age, he's no longer that offensive machine. And you saw that throughout this series. And I think we got to come up with a different word, maybe a softer word for quit. Because Charles Barkley, the Inside the NBA guys talked about the Cavaliers quitting, and I don't know what that word is because I think it's. It's dangerous to throw that word out. They are professionals. They get paid a lot of money to play. And how do you just decide to quit? Like, is it said, do you talk about it? Because it was a team then that quit? And I don't know if it's kind of systemic that all of a sudden you see somebody not really hustling and. And I look at second chance points, and this is what the Knicks dominated, you know, 32 to 5. And to me, that's just attitude. That's wanting something more than the other person does. Now you might say, well, they're down three, zero. Okay, go back to the first game. There's no excuse for that. And if they win that game, does that change anything in this series? Like, are the Knicks that much better than the Cavs? That the Cavs had their moment, lost their moment, and then never found their moment again? And I talked about that loss after game one. I said, some losses are more than just one loss. And you saw that because it kind of permeated through the Cleveland Cavaliers. And I felt bad for Donovan Mitchell. He's trying to fire up his team. You're in the Eastern Conference finals. You should not need to be. You should not need a cheerleader. And that was what was surprising there. So if you have a suggestion on a different word for quit, I'm all ears for that. We'll have a poll question. Play of the day, Stat of the day. All of that forthcoming first hour brought to you by Liberty Biberty, Liberty Mutual Insurance. Why pay full price when you can customize and save? Switch to Liberty Mutual. They'll customize your home and auto insurance so you only pay for what you need. I know I'm saying this isn't about James Harden, but I do have to mention a couple of things. Once again, more turnovers than field goals. And if you start to look at the players he's played with, he's, you know, First Battle hall of Famer. We know that one of the great scorers of all time, he's played with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Joe lnb, Tyrese Maxey, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell. Sometimes you're the problem because you played with a lot of talent, but there are certain guys who are built for the regular season and certain teams that are built for the regular season. And then you got guys who were built for the postseason. And it's always interesting when you see, you know, like John Smoltz for the Braves was probably the third best pitcher on his staff behind Maddox and Glavin. Get into a postseason. Maddox and Glavin were average. John Smoltz became a Hall of Famer. Kurt Schilling, good regular season pitcher, put him in a postseason. Hall of Famer, in my opinion. Jack Morris, really good pitcher, regular season, postseason, became a Hall of Famer. This is where legacies are defined. This is when we look back, we'll look back on Jalen Brunson's career, probably with this season in mind and rightfully so. He has a chance to be the greatest New York Knick of all time. If he wins the NBA Finals, he wins the mvp. Well, it's a short list, but Jalen Brunson is doing what you want and a great player. Maybe SGA does this again. If Wemby has to do this, we'll look back and say, man, he won a title at 22. And if you get Knicks in the spurs in the NBA Finals, everybody is a winner. All right, Dylan, what's poll question? By the way? One more item with James Harden. He was asked this question after yesterday's loss. How much better if they're better are the Knicks than. Than you guys?

[Theodore]

I can't even answer that question honestly. You know what I mean? Like, yeah, it was 4 0, but I don't think we gave, we had a chance as far as our best shot. You know, from, from a standpoint of the circumstances, you know, obviously they just, they, they dominated us 4 0. But yeah, I don't know if I can necessarily answer that question just because genuinely I do feel like we, we are, we are the better team series wise. You know, I didn't show it. So tough question to answer.

[Dan Patrick]

I get it. You know, you just lost. It's embarrassing. And you're asked, you know, are they better than you? How much better? I guess the easy answer would be 4 0. That's how much better. Because you have to have clarity and, and be based in reality. If you're the Cavaliers moving forward now, it's not incumbent upon James Harden to be like, you know, what we should be doing in the off season. I did wonder this when the game ended, and not to make this about him. LeBron James. Does LeBron see the opening here? You get rid of James Harden, LeBron comes in, you bookend your career, and maybe, maybe you're able to do something one more time. I did think that because we do have LeBron kind of in limbo, I still feel like the money is too great that he'll stay with the LA Lakers. But I did wonder that if they had gone to the Finals, I don't think LeBron would be entertaining the Cleveland Cavaliers and vice versa, no matter what happened. Because they might say, hey, we're right there. I mean, this isn't like Kevin Durant, where you're going to beat the Golden State Warriors. No, you don't. You guys collapsed. Now I'm going to join the Golden State Warriors. At this point in LeBron's career, I did wonder about that. Does this outcome have anything to do with what his immediate future is going to be? All right, Dylan, poll question today. Yeah, Dan, we got a couple. If you're the Knicks, who would you rather see in the Finals, the Spurs or the Thunder? I would probably rather see the Thunder because they're not healthy. Even though they have the mvp, they have the experience. They. They won the title. I think Wemby is. You just don't have an answer for Wemby. And I think they're a little healthier than okc.

[Theodore]

Now.

[Dan Patrick]

OKC is deeper, but I would probably look at maybe OKC just because of some injuries that they have. But I. It's pretty close. I mean, the Knicks are on a historical roll. I mean, they're. They're blowing people out. They're not just winning. They're embarrassing teams. And I don't know if they. Now you're going to have the rest versus rust, but you got this Knicks team that's going to be sitting and waiting and waiting. And then I wonder, it almost feels like no matter what happens, whoever gets to the Finals, the Knicks will lose Game 1, because they're going to. You know, Cleveland should have won Game one in this series, too. Yes.

[Marvin]

Mark, if you're the Atlanta Hawks, you're like, man, we had a really good season. We beat the Knicks two times in the postseason.

[Dan Patrick]

I know. Yes.

[Dylan]

Paulie, imagine being a Knicks fan today,

[Dan Patrick]

and your issue is, who do you want to face next in the Finals? Golly. Yeah. It's a nice dilemma to have. Yes. Yes. Dylan, it does seem like you're getting A little bit of a raw deal, though. It's like you're whoever pick your poison, really, Right. With the Thunder and the Spurs, I mean, it's not. You know, that'll be their toughest test by far, so. So far. Yeah. Well, you can't be choosy here. You got to take who is ever in front of you. But I would just say I'd probably rather face okc. Here's another thing that happens a lot of times. We'll watch a sport. We might not watch a team, and then you're forced to watch that team. And then when you watch that team, you go, like the spurs when they were winning championships, you weren't watching during the regular season, but you had to watch during the postseason. And then you go, oh, they're not very excited. No, they weren't. They were just great okc. You don't watch them during the regular season, but now you're forced to watch them. And then you're watching sga, and then you're going, golly, does he flop? Yeah, for the last couple of years, he's been doing that, but you haven't been watching. Now you're forced to watch. And then everybody is outraged that he gets these calls. I. I don't blame him. Now you can say, oh, you're a basketball purist. Would you have a problem with this? No, no. Whatever I can get away with. I mean, blame it on the officials. Don't blame it on sga. If they stop calling, he'll stop flopping. Right. That's what happens. So I'm going to blame the NBA for sga, but if I'm sga, I take advantage of everything, Anything. I want an edge. Oh, you know, the route that you're taking, you know, that's not basketball worthy. That's not, you know, MVP worthy. But now you're forced to watching. And now you're watching all the plays, not just clips. Oh, I don't watch the NBA because they flop. Well, how do you know they flop without watching? But I'm curious how things will be officiated in the NBA finals. Because you want to have the best game on display. You don't want it to be, oh, look at this. You know, like, we would watch soccer for years, and I would go, oh, I hate watching it. All they do is flop. Well, that's because you're watching highlights, maybe, and not the full game to give it full context. But, yes. Does sga. Is he a foul merchant? Yes, he is. He's mastered it. It's A master class. Harden used to do this. Mastered it. Main peak. Harden was all about initiating contact and you are the one that gets called for the foul. But that's what's going to be interesting. You're going to be able to see this Knicks team and you're going to get this question, are they likable? I heard that a couple of times over the weekend. Hey, do you think the Knicks are likable? I go, yeah, like they, they play hard. Great home court advantage. Your star acts like a star. It's a team effort. I love watching Josh Hart. Cat has sacrificed. OG Anunoby has been great. They, they found a team. You know, Landry Sham it like, you're just. You find a team and if you look down through the years, you gotta have a Josh Hart or Caruso. I mean, throughout history there was always one of those guys, Andre Iguodala. Like, you gotta have that guy who. He's kind of the glue. What do you need? I'll do it. Not everybody can be a star. And just about everybody was a star when they were in college or high school. Here they have a true team effort. And I think that's what's really incredible about this run. And it starts with Brunson. He's going, he is going to give you everything that he possibly has. And I think because of that, it's, it kind of just trickles down. And I do believe there is something about bringing in players who win. Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson won in college. You know, the Villanova Knicks. I do think that that's really important to have winners, guys who know what it takes. They won before. I think that's really, really important. And you're seeing that. It's an incredible run by the Knicks, but you got to win the title. You got to win the title. Yes, Marvin.

[Marvin]

I think they're kind of in a win win situation. So say if they win the NBA title, obviously, unbelievable, one of the greatest runs ever. But if they lose, people will always remember this run. Say if they go to six or seven games against the spurs of the Thunder, people will look at them just like you do the 99 or the 94 Knicks. You're going to look at them that way.

[Dan Patrick]

They don't even think about the 99 Knicks because the spurs were so much better and you had, you know, Ewing injury. And I don't think they, they go, oh, remember the 99 season?

[Marvin]

If you're a Knicks fan, you do because we say, what, for the first time since what, 1999. Now 1994, John Starks comes back to a great ovation every single time he's in the garden.

[Dan Patrick]

You got to win the title.

[Marvin]

Oh, of course you, you have to.

[Dan Patrick]

But I don't think you get a consolation prize. Boy, look at what we did against the crappy Hawks team, a crappy Sixers team and a Cleveland Cavalier team that maybe quit. Hey, we got to the NBA final. You gotta win. Gotta win. Yes, Paul.

[Dylan]

I would agreed with Marvin if the Knicks hadn't been rolling the past three

[Dan Patrick]

weeks and dominating the past three weeks. They really upped the expectations dramatically. Yeah, you got to win. That's what it's. That's what New York's all about. Nobody talks about what the Yankees got to the World Series against the Dodgers. It's. We got embarrassed in the World Series against the Dodgers.

[Marvin]

Yes, Mark, but we're talking about the Knicks, not the Yankees. The Knicks have two NBA titles, not 27. So it's a different animal.

[Dan Patrick]

You think a Knicks fan is going to be okay with this and go, hey, we made it to the finals and we took the spurs to six games after that.

[Marvin]

No, but in hindsight, they'll always remember this run.

[Dan Patrick]

Yes, Dylan. Also the 94 Knicks, the Rangers won the Stanley cup that year, so they got overshadowed in their own building. Be sure to catch the live edition of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at 9am Eastern, 6am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio in the iHeartRadio app. This is Rob Parker and I'm here with an important public service announcement. Whatever you do, do not listen to

[Dylan]

the Paulie and Tony Fusco show.

[Dan Patrick]

Fox Sports Radio asked me to do a promo, but I'm here to do

[Dylan]

a no Mo, as in don't listen

[Dan Patrick]

to this show no Mo, the host

[Dylan]

of two fools from Philly who have

[Dan Patrick]

the dumbest takes ever in all of sports talk. And you know, if I'm saying that

[Theodore]

they must really be bad.

[Dan Patrick]

I have no idea why Fox Sports

[Dylan]

Radio picked this up, but.

[Dan Patrick]

But I know where to put it down in the trash can. So please don't listen to the Paulie

[Dylan]

and Tony Fusco show. No way, no how busy morning or

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[Dan Patrick]

Friday at the end of the show, I said, the weekend's ready to start. When you hear this, it's Miller time. I raised my glass to Miller Lite. They've been doing it for 50 years now. They are iconic. They are the original. They're legendary. That's why I reach for a Miller Light. And you should too. Enjoy Miller time by enjoying Miller Lite in a place where you're free to enjoy yourself, you can have a walk with a family member. Now's the time. Because the best beers are the ones you don't expect. A taste you can depend on. Great beer. Trusted by beer lovers for 50 years. Simple ingredients, molted barley, that rich balanced toffee note flavors and and that iconic golden color looks gorgeous and it tastes great. Cheers to legendary moments with Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. You go to millerlight.com Patrick you'll find delivery options near you. Or pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time all the time, anytime. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories, 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. It's Miller time.

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[Dan Patrick]

Learn [e-mail] probably not the first time you'll hear this music as it relates to the New York knicks. Yes, it's 1999 when the Knicks lost to the San Antonio Spurs. Vincent Goodwill Vincenzo Goodwill Jr III, ESPN NBA Senior Writer he was there for the Game 4 Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and the Cavs. If I would have told you in October the Knicks would be in the NBA Finals, you would have said what it better be.

[Dylan]

That's what that's clearly what the edict was going to be late even before James Dolan said it on January 5th. You know, in October, everything was laid out for the New York Knicks. Dan no Jason Tatum and we didn't know what Jason Tatum was going to look like. We knew there was no going to be no Tyrese Halliburton who got hurt in the opening minutes of Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Everything was laid out for the Knicks to get to this point. Now how and all the other ways could not predict it. Couldn't have predicted them bludgeoning these teams and doing it in the manner that in which they've done it. But as far as getting to the NBA Finals, I would say this is more this feels more like 1994 to 1999 as far as predictability.

[Dan Patrick]

Vegas source told me that if the Knicks played the Thunder, Thunder would be a pretty good favorite. If the spurs play the Knicks, it would probably be a pick them who did the Knicks want to play?

[Dylan]

I think the Knicks probably want to play San Antonio because remember, if you go back a few months, several months, the NBA had that cup thing in Vegas and San Antonio was there and the Knicks were there and the Knicks won that that game. They corralled Victor when Benyama now granted completely different circumstance, right? The Knicks were a much different ball club at that point and they still handled the spurs. But the spurs were a different ball club too. I think it comes down to a matter of who's healthier. If Shai Gilders Alexander shakes up out of this slump and gets Oklahoma City to the Finals. Where's Jalen Williams health? Like he's the second best player on this team. Like where's Chet Holmgren as far as his fatigue? Where's Victor Wembanyama as far as his fatigue and all those Guys, they haven't played this long, like Dan, you know how fatiguing this is. The Knicks have had the benefit of beating teams coming out of very fatiguing seven game series. That's Philadelphia after their first round tilt with the Celtics coming down from 31 and Cleveland after going seven games with Detroit. And the Knicks have pounced on them. When the finals happen, there could be a three day break, but it's not one day. And then game one and then you can't really get from behind the eight

[Dan Patrick]

ball with the Knicks. This has been a historical run. And we were just talking about. There's no consolation prizes with New York sports teams, right? So you've come this far, you get to the finals. It's not a question of, hey, if we win, you have to win, I think, to, to come away from this saying, I feel good about this season. Well, I can tell by your facial gestures you don't agree with me.

[Dylan]

No, I can't say that. I used to be the person that says, well, winning is only winning. But when you ain't never been no Damn where for 25 years, Dan, like, people are going to remember this night. People are going to remember that, that Sunday in Philadelphia, Mother's Day. Like, they're going to remember the journey. They're going to remember the despair that they felt when they lost, when Tom Thibodeau was fired, when they lost to Indiana last year, man, we may not ever get back here again. And then you wind up getting to this stage so far. And I was telling a lot of people last night, yeah, Knick fans should celebrate. Not just because June is coming and you have no idea what happens there, but this has been a remarkable run up until this point, one of the more dominant runs in NBA history. It is really damn hard to get to the NBA Finals. And it should be celebrated. Like for whatever reason, when baseball teams clinch their divisions, because their divisions, they have beer baths and celebrate, and they do it in every round. And in the NBA, for some reason, it's like, you can only win the championship or else. I no longer subscribe to that theory.

[Dan Patrick]

The Atlanta Braves won one World Series, but they were always in contention. Do you think that they came away going, hey, you know, we, we lost another World Series, we had a great year. It's about winning. The Knicks should be good. They should be good.

[Dylan]

Dan, have you not seen the New York Knicks in the way that they have operated for 30 damn years?

[Dan Patrick]

No, this year, this year they should be good. Because last year they should have been in The NBA Finals, they should be here. Boston was wounded. People still were skeptical of Cleveland. We didn't trust the 76ers to stay healthy. How the Hawks got in and you know, took a 2:1 series lead, I mean they should be here. They were, they were, they were a really good team this year.

[Dylan]

They should be here. You're talking about them winning it. You're going against potentially, let, let's just look ahead.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Dylan]

You are potentially going against the current in theory dynasty dynastic team in the Oklahoma City Thunder with a two time MVP and a reigning champion that could have very well have won 70 games this year if not for going 1 and 4 against the San Antonio Spurs. And that's the other team on the other side of this, another 60 win team with an alien that you have no answer for. So while I'm not saying the Knicks should be satisfied, I'm saying let's keep this all in perspective. Remember Dan, Remember this. Stephon Marbury. Amari Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Phil Jackson. Hey, should we trade for Giannis? Maybe we should trade for Giannis. You traded five first round picks for Mikhail Bridges in their own way for the better part of 30 years. So to say, hey, this is the only thing that matters is winning this championship. If you're the Boston Celtics, yes. If you're the Los Angeles Lakers, yes. You know the phrase that we say sometimes in black households, we go somewhere new, act like you've been somewhere before. Don't embarrass me. That's what we say. That's what we should be saying to the Knicks. They act like they've been nowhere before. They've never been nowhere.

[Dan Patrick]

We're talking to Vincent Goodwill, ESPN NBA Senior writer. The Cavaliers got swept because

[Dylan]

they're not that good. Like, let's. Sometimes the clearest answer is the answer that's in front of your face. For one, when they lost game one, that was it. I don't know what Kenny Atkinson is saying. I don't know if he shows up for game five. And what if they hang a banner for the analytical. I don't know what the analytics said about last night. Right. But there comes a point in every playoff series, especially when you lose a game in devastating fashion. Like you knew in 2018 when, when J.R. smith didn't realize time and score in Game 1 of the Finals. And that destroyed LeBron's best singular performance of his career. You knew the Cleveland Cavaliers would not win the game. When I'm going to take it even further back to you Dan. The Memorial Day miracle of Sean Elliott. The San Antonio spurs, when they beat Portland in that game too, after Portland had a 20 point lead. You knew that series was over. Just like you knew this series was over. I predicted this week from the beginning. You can go check it. The Knicks were going to sweep this series because the Cavs were tired already at the two seven game series and then were emotionally worn out. And then we got the guy in James Harden who says, hey, is the series over? I will help with that. And he will then help with that with a turnover, with not getting back on defense. That's what last night looked like. That's what this entire series look like.

[Dan Patrick]

I'm wondering what Sacramento Kings fans feel like today. They traded Tyrese Halliburton. He leads the Pacers to the Finals. They traded Dear. And Fox, he's in the Western Conference finals. They fired Mike Brown. He's now headed to the NBA Finals. The Kings are kind of like a AAA team, a feeder system here for some of these teams in the NBA.

[Dylan]

Look well, Vivek Ranadive. It just shows you that, Dan, this thing starts at ownership and the great NBA owners routinely get out the way. The more we speak about your name, it's probably not in the positive context. All right. How many times have we said the name Jim Dolan outside of him saying we better get to the Finals? Outside of that, he's been, he's been regularly quiet. But when you talk about the Kings and some of these other franchises, they that can't get it right. It's usually because ownership can't stop meddling. Now, Sacramento has had, you know, crossroads. Well, do we take Halliburton or do we take Fox? And you wind up taking Fox and then that winds up going sideways. After having a couple of good years with Mike Brown as your head coach, they have a mess that they have to work themselves out of. But good to great teams identify the marks that they can eat off the trough of. And Sacramento to large degree has been built, has been building NBA Finals teams for the better part of the past couple years.

[Dan Patrick]

I did think about LeBron James last night, as I always do. You know, Having worked at ESPN for 18 years, you always have to think of LeBron James.

[Dylan]

You were thinking about LeBron James last night, as you always do. You want to rephrase that, Dan?

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. Well, not late at night, but just in the evening. I was thinking of LeBron because if the Cavs got to the Finals, I don't know if they would be entertaining the idea of LeBron or maybe Vice versa. The fact that you get embarrassed in the Eastern Conference finals, I don't know if it changes the percentage of LeBron going to the Cavaliers or staying in LA. In your mind.

[Dylan]

That's a great question. I think, Dan. It comes down to dollars and cents. Like the Cavaliers are the 1 NBA team in this very punitive second apron, which means they don't have the mechanisms to pay a player like LeBron James as their roster is currently constituted. And then you add on the possible or likely James Harden extension because you don't trade for James Harden at this age and trade a point guard who's 10 years younger for James Harden for a one year rental. Like you don't do that. Even if you think LeBron James coming back. I think the most they can offer him is $3 million. Even though LeBron is no longer peak or prime, LeBron James, he's still an all star. He's still an all NBA capable player. As we've seen through these regular season in the playoffs, the Cavs don't have the money. And last I checked, LeBron has not taken a discount since coming back to Cleveland in 2014 to ask him to move his family to move that baby. That baby don't know nothing about Cleveland. That baby knows about Los Angeles. And to say we're going to move to Ohio, everybody and Ohio winners and we're going to take a, a 40 something million dollar pay cut, then you got to make that make sense.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, but the kids are out of the house and maybe, you know, it's one year, it's, it's, you know, like going on a winter vacation. You know, you're, you're going to be gone for a while. It'd be a cool story. He's already a billionaire. Now I know you don't want to walk away from 50 or 60 million dollars, but what's LeBron playing for now? He's playing, he's playing for LeBron. So what is going to help you? Another good season with the Lakers. You're not getting through OKC in San Antonio. You can go to the east and your path might be less crowded.

[Dylan]

Okay, let's also flip this, Dan. You ain't turning out a dime. You're not turning down a dime at this stage of your career. You think LeBron is. That's point one. Point two. Did you hear Kenny Atkinson say, you know, analytically, we're up two games to one in this series. Can you imagine if LeBron James was on that team and that Was his head coach saying that LeBron would lose the remaining follicles atop his head if he had to deal with supporting all of that. I don't know if the Cavaliers are as close as this conference finals run has indicated. Like, we don't look at the Knicks as this historical great 60 win team. I look at them as a team that won a great historical run that had some breaks go their way. The Cavs win seven games with the Toronto Raptors. The Cavs went to seven games with the Detroit Pistons, who are going to be as bad this year as they will ever be for the next few years. That is a monster that is growing out there. And I don't know if Cleveland with a one year LeBron rental, if that makes the most sense. And here's the other part. Retiring as a Los Angeles Laker and being a Laker for life or retiring as a Cleveland Cavalier and being a Cleveland Cavalier for life, which he's always going to be anyway.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, he's not going to be a Laker for life. He's not homegrown. It's just different. They might give him a statue or something, but feels like a lot of people are getting statues homegrown.

[Dylan]

And Shaq is a Laker.

[Dan Patrick]

Well, Shaq did bring him three titles too.

[Dylan]

I'm with you.

[Theodore]

Yeah.

[Dylan]

I don't disagree with you.

[Dan Patrick]

All right. I just throw things. My job is to ask questions, Vincent. That's all. That's all. I just asked. I'm John Stockton. I just dish. That's all. Whatever you do with it after that, it's on you. I just dish. That's it.

[Dylan]

I have a John Stockton take. I'm. I'm, I'm g. Let it. I'm. I'm. I'm going to. I'm going to let that one ride. I'm. Oh, because you had Isaiah on last week.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Dylan]

And I give you credit for having Isaiah on last week. I, I meant to text you about that. I give you much props for having Zeke on and, and not baiting him. Don't bait me today.

[Dan Patrick]

Sometimes you don't have to bait Isaiah. And did you hear him when I said give me your all time starting 5? And he waited on Michael Jordan. He. I go, wait a minute. You pause. He goes, yeah, I was thinking Kobe. I was thinking LeBron. I went, Damn. I.

[Dylan]

He was thinking of a team. For one, he was thinking of building a team. And for two, he put himself there and he said, me and Michael Jordan played well together, which they did when they played together in All Star Games. I give Isaiah credit for maturity because, Dan, you want. You were trying to get him to the point to say something else. You were trying to get him to go viral.

[Dan Patrick]

Yep, yep. Just doing my job. That's it. That's all I do.

[Dylan]

And you're very good at it, Dan.

[Dan Patrick]

I'm Scott Skiles. That's all I want to do. I just want to, you know.

[Dylan]

30 assists, 1991. Good, good job. I know, Dan. I like that.

[Dan Patrick]

I still like that. Skiles, when he was at Michigan State is yelling at John Thompson on the sidelines to get somebody out here who can bleep and guard me. During the game, Skiles is dribbling over by the bench and he yells to Big John, get somebody out here who can bleep and guard me.

[Dylan]

I don't know if that's the smartest move to be yelling at big John Thompson who could flatten you without even moving the towel from his shoulder. I would say I would tell Scott Skiles to relax. There's a few men that I wouldn't mess with. Big John Thompson is one of them. The late great Paul Silas is another one. There's just trees you don't bark down. That's all I'm saying. I get it. I get it. You're feeling great, but don't hurt yourself.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. Play the long game. All right. So who comes out of the West?

[Dylan]

Man, I still think the champs are the champs. And I got questions and I have questions about their health. I'm not sure about Jalen Williams's health. Like when you repeatedly hurt the same soft tissue that hamstring. That's a question for me. My biggest question is how much energy do the San Antonio spurs have left? I just saw the Cleveland Cavaliers run out of gas like one. They quit. Right? Cleveland quit. I don't think San Antonio is going to quit. But I wonder how much energy do the spurs have at this point to go to a game 5, 6, 7. Playing every other day and asking Victor Wembanyama to carry this against this really good team in Oklahoma City, that's just not playing well. And at this point, here's the other thing. Shea Gilders Alexander is a two time mvp. He's lived a pretty charmed life up until this point. He's going to have to show up and not by showing up, by falling on the floor. He's going to have to give you a suitable for framing game five, six, impossible seven in this series. That's going to be required of him in the next five or six days. I'm anxious to see if he's up to it.

[Dan Patrick]

Suitable for framing. Seems like you've maybe written that before, haven't you?

[Dylan]

Nah, nah. The only thing I've said, Dan, is June belongs to no one. And that's what we are finding out in these playoffs. And you know, with all the parody in the NBA, so it could be the champs or it could be San Antonio's time. Because the league moves faster than ever. Quicker than ever. Nobody would have expected the New York Knicks, the team that routinely broke themselves every year because Tom Thibodeau drove them so hard, to be the team that breaks everybody else. In game four, Game six of these playoff series, the Knicks have broken their opponents. And I could not have predicted that. I don't think anybody could have predicted that.

[Dan Patrick]

Vincenzo Goodwill Jr. The third ESPN NBA senior writer thank you. We appreciate it, Vince.

[Dylan]

Hey, happy belated birthday too, Dan.

[Dan Patrick]

Thank you, man. That's Vincent Goodwill. Always fun having him on. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our [e-mail] and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen live.

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[Dan Patrick]

Learn [e-mail] hey everyone, it's Kal Penn. I'm the host of Irsay the Audible and I Heart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Ray Porter, the narrator of Andy Weir's audiobook project, Hail Mary Massive sci fi adventure about survival and science and what happens when you wake up alone, very far from Earth.

[Dylan]

I really had to make a decision because I caught myself getting that frog in my throat and starting to get teary as I'm narrating some of these sections and it's like, okay, yo, yo, yo, is this indulgent? And I really thought about it. I was like, no. At this point it would kind of be betraying the trust the author and the listener have in telling this story if I don't go through it. But there's places in this book that that deeply, emotionally affected me and I left it on the mic. That's great because it served the story. People will say like, oh my God, I cried at the end. It's like, yeah dude, me too.

[Dan Patrick]

Listen to Irsay the Audible and I Heart Audiobook Club on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile.

[Theodore]

I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for 15amonth plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail]

[Bethenny Frankel]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3

[Dan Patrick]

month plan equivalent to $15 per month Required intro rate first 3 months only,

[Bethenny Frankel]

then full price plan opt taxes and

[Dan Patrick]

fees, extra fee, full [e-mail] you know, the more I think about Kenny Atkinson talking about the analytics, he could have been talking about Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics. Remember the lead singer? Maybe he was saying, you know, according to Annie Lennox instead of analytics. Maybe not. Reggie Miller will be on the call tonight. He's an okc. It's the Spurs. Thunder. Thunder favored by five and a half. He'll be there with Mike Tirico, Jamal Crawford, tip off 8:30 Eastern on NBC. And Peacock.

[Theodore]

That was pretty good, Theodore. Well played. That was very good.

[Dan Patrick]

How about my Knicks?

[Theodore]

How about our next no, I remember, I remember three weeks ago when we were doing our weekly pop and you asked me legitimately how many Teams could win this if you remember that question and I threw the Nixon being one of those and I said if, if Karl Anthony Towns obviously raises his game, which obviously he has. And the Knicks changed things around in that Atlanta series after that third game when they were down two one Cat became more of a facilitator and you saw his assist go up. He stayed out of foul trouble the rest of the way and he has started to make shots. And this team, look, they are obviously in the finals, but they very well could. They could win this whole thing the way they're playing at both ends of the floor.

[Dan Patrick]

Theodore, who do the Knicks want to face?

[Theodore]

It doesn't matter. It really when you get to the finals, I've only been there once and you've got a 50% chance of winning. Both teams that they would be facing coming out of the west, the champs in the Thunder and the upstart young San Antonio spurs, both would give them a run for the money. But what the Knicks and the confidence they are playing with and the rest they will have coming into this, they don't. The finals don't begin until a week from this Wednesday, so they're going to have a lot of time off to prepare hill bodies. OG was kind of nursing that hamstring. I think he'll be at full strength even though he's played the last couple ball games. Rest will help because these two teams that I'm covering, they're beating each other up. There's injuries, there's players going down and yes, you'll have time to recover whatever team makes it to the Finals. But the longer that finals goes these days that the the Knicks are banking and rest, they will help them.

[Dan Patrick]

But having this amount of time off after you've played so well. I know we talk about rest versus rust. Where do you stand on that?

[Theodore]

They. The Knicks had this after that Philadelphia series. They had a lot of rest coming into Cleveland and they swap them. Now again, game one was. Was different. They were down 22 with seven minutes to go and found a way to win that game. And that just zapped Cleveland up. You can't do that in. You can't. That can't happen. It can't. It happened, but it can't happen and it's embarrassing. And that set the tone for the series. And the Cavs were never the same after Game one.

[Dan Patrick]

What's the Cavaliers future?

[Theodore]

They've got to change some things up. They do. I didn't like body language. I know Harden is looking for an extension or a Redo of his con. They're gonna have to look hard at that. I think they're gonna look hard at Kenny Atkinson, some of the decisions he made in Game one. Unexcusable. They're inexcusable. You can't. That can't happen. And I'm sure they'll look harder, long and hard at this. This is what I would like to. I would like to see LeBron go home. I think that should be something that's on the table.

[Dan Patrick]

Can the Cavaliers contact LeBron now?

[Theodore]

I don't know. I don't know what the free agent rules are. Yeah, the season's.

[Dan Patrick]

Overall.

[Theodore]

I don't know why. Why they couldn't. I'm sure there was. There'll be preliminary conversations between Rich Paul and Cavs management, but that would be. That would be kind of cool that I think that will be an option for LeBron.

[Dan Patrick]

I think there's too much money that he'd leave behind, probably.

[Theodore]

But if I'm the Cavs, I ask him, what do you want? I would get LeBron whatever he wants.

[Dan Patrick]

But it goes back to. They traded away Darius Garland, who's 10 years younger than James Harden. You got Harden, I'm guessing, for this moment, this time. And he has. His track record is terrible.

[Theodore]

It was disappointing. It was disappointing to see James again. We all should have known better because of the track record you just alluded to, but it was disappointing to see, because you're right. They brought him in for the playoffs to compete. Now, again, he did help get them to the conference finals, but he. He wasn't playing great. He didn't play great in Toronto. He didn't play great in that Detroit series, so. But he did help the team. It is a team game. And he did help the team get to the conference finals, but those four games were embarrassing.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, because I don't like to use the word quit when it comes to professionals. I give. If a fellow player or an opposition or coach says we quit, fine. I'm in no position to say you quit. But I don't know what word or words are applicable for me to say. Not somebody who played the game.

[Theodore]

Look, I will say this. Did Detroit quit in game seven versus Cleveland at home? You can make a case that way. Did Cleveland quit in this series? You're right. You and I, we're not in the huddles. We're not in practices. We're not on plane rides, bus rides. We don't know. You and I are talking about the optics of what we were seeing, and it looked Like a team that didn't want to be there. And that's why you're going to have to tinker in the off season with this roster.

[Dan Patrick]

Talking to Reggie Miller, he'll be on the call. Mike Tirico, Jamal Crawford. That will be tonight, 8:30 Eastern on NBC. And Peacock, we've talked about it, but we're watching the games. A lot of people are watching SGA now because people weren't watching probably during the regular season. You see them because you have to watch him because these are big games. Now everybody's got an opinion on SGA and flopping. I don't blame sga. The officials have to call this. And I don't know if the officials are going to change what they're, what they're seeing or what they're willing to call, but it is a problem when you watch it. I think the aesthetics for the casual basketball fans like this is not what we want to see. Like star players in soccer falling down all the time. We don't want to see it. You who flopped as well as anybody, you sold fouls. How's that? You sold.

[Theodore]

There you go. There you go. Okay, I, I understand we, we've got to have this conversation, but also too, people have way too much time because it's SGA's job to play the game of basketball. He's not playing the game and officiating the game. So I be more upset at the officials and how they have called it. He's not blowing the whistle for himself. But if you look at this series, he took nine free throws in game one, only six free throws in game two. He took 12 in game three. But remember, it was all in the third quarter when it was a 45 minute quarter. And that's when he was doing the pump fake and listening to head coach Mitch Johnson from the Spurs. Defensively, we got out of character. That's when they were jumping and they would come down on him. That's not on him. That was on the spurs being out of position. And in game four, he only shot seven free throws because they were better disciplined. So he is below his average, his season average. He's only averaging eight and a half free throws in the four games in this series. So people think he's going to the free throw line 15 times a game. He's only going eight times, people. So these podcasters, y' all just need to stop. He's playing the game of basketball. It's the same. He's had three technical fouls this season. Three, nine in his Career. It's not like Luka getting up every play, complaining to the officials, staying back, hanging back. How about this? Every time he falls to the floor on a non call, who has the advantage now? The opposing team is five on four.

[Dylan]

So make them pay.

[Theodore]

They're not making a pay because he doesn't get up complaining. He gets up and runs back. I think he's built up goodwill towards the officials. People need to stop this. I'm serious. For as much hate as a two time MVP gets, this guy has a polished game, a pa. We weren't saying this about mj. MJ was going to the free throw line. MJ never complained. He had more technical fouls than sga. People need to stop. I'm not trying to defend him, but he's not calling these fouls on himself.

[Dan Patrick]

And I think you bring up a great point that if you're going to play defense on sga, then don't go for his pump fakes, don't go for

[Theodore]

the pump fakes and don't go for the reach. Be aggressive. But in some of these calls, the spurs were being way over aggressive. Trying to reach in you reach in you reach you. I teach. That's the saying. So he made them pay when they were disciplined in game four. Castle was. Castle, Visell and Dylan Harper were very disciplined defensively in game four. Only six free throw attempts and they cost four turnovers. You cannot.

[Dan Patrick]

This is.

[Theodore]

This goes back to when James Harden was one of the mvp. Remember guys used to reach and he would hold the ball out. Same with Chris Paul. You can't put your hand in the cookie jar. Play defense with your feet and your chest and your hands back, which they have and you see the results.

[Dan Patrick]

What's OKC do to Wemby tonight?

[Theodore]

I think you got to continue to be physical. When they've been physical with him and forced him out the paint. Those are the two wins. You look at games one and games four. Wimby dominated the paint and to me this will be Fox and Castle's job. If they can play downhill, they can get into the paint, collapse the defense, get those lobs. In game three, the game that the Thunder won on the road, Wimby had one lob. He had like five lobs in game four because the guards were aggressive getting into the paint, collapsing the defense. But you've got to get Wimby, which is easier said than done, out of the paint at that 7 foot 4 frame. And if he's going to make jump shots, so be it. He can make Them. But I would much rather live with him being out there because even a missed shot by him in the paint, you see those tip ins.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Theodore]

He's throwing the ball to himself. No one else can go up there and get it. So anytime he catches it into the paint, he is hurting the Thunder.

[Dan Patrick]

Every great player adds something each year. You try to add something new to the arsenal. And I'm wondering if Wemby is working with Jamal Crawford on ball handling. Maybe Akeem Olajuwon with footwork here. I'm curious. You know, Jordan famously went down on the blocks later in his career. You're adding to your game. What does Wemby add in the off season? If you said you have to work on this,

[Theodore]

I think, and we see a little bit of this in his pregame routine with the trainers being very physical and holding him and hitting him, I think he'll get stronger. But there's a guy that I believe played with the spurs who's arguably the greatest power forward of all time, and Tim Duncan, I would love for him to get a back to the basket game and then face you 8 to 10ft out. You know how great Timmy was using the bank shot and facing you up in those mid range. I think that's the next evolution. We've seen a couple of these moves and I think we've called him out in the game. He has a little Dirk Nowitzki when he turns around and puts that right leg up. So we know he's capable of playing that way. But this guy is, you know, Jamal worked with him and he talked about, you know, how much of a genius and how quickly he picks things up. I could see him working with Timmy this summer to work on a face up game in that mid range level area.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, that little turnaround bank shot that Duncan had, Isaiah was on last week and I said, give me the retired player over 50 who can still shoot. And he said, you so appreciate that, coach. Yeah, just. I don't. I don't know if he was friendly towards you when you played against the Pistons. Probably not. He did talk about. There's a video where he punches Rick Mahorn in the side of the face and Horn just turns and looks at

[Theodore]

him like he was like, like, little man, what are you doing? And Isaiah, he really could have snapped Isaiah in half, right. But it's almost like he was holding him like this and. And Isaiah's like scratching and hitting them like this. And he's just holding them like this, like, dude, yeah.

[Dan Patrick]

Isaiah said, I thank Rick Mahorn I thank him every time I see him. I thank him because he could have killed me. I did ask him, give me his best starting five, and the only position he paused at was shooting guard.

[Theodore]

Of course,

[Dan Patrick]

he did pick Jordan. But he goes, you know, I said. You pause.

[Theodore]

He probably said between him and Kobe.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, yeah. He talked about Kobe in there as his two guard.

[Dylan]

Who did he have?

[Theodore]

His point guard? Did he have Magic?

[Dan Patrick]

No, he had Curry? No, he had him.

[Theodore]

Okay, that's fair enough. All right.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Theodore]

I thought maybe he would have excluded himself.

[Dan Patrick]

Small forward.

[Theodore]

Did he go with Larry or did he go with LeBron? He probably with LeBron.

[Dan Patrick]

No, Larry.

[Theodore]

Okay. Power forward, I would say Isaiah probably went with James Worthy.

[Dan Patrick]

Tim Duncan. Okay.

[Theodore]

Tim Duncan go with that. And I bet you center. He went with Kareem.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. Yep. Kareem. Yeah.

[Theodore]

Okay, That's a good.

[Dan Patrick]

He was looking at LeBron or Kobe for the two guard with Michael, and that's why he paused. No love lost there still, right? No, no.

[Theodore]

Some of those fires burn deep. They do.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay. But if Barkley and Jordan can get reunited, how they. They. They're going to play golf, Charles.

[Theodore]

Well, I want to see it. I gotta see it first. Charles.

[Dan Patrick]

Charles says he's. You know, him and Mike are probably. I gotta see you play golf. Isaiah and Mike, maybe there's something they could do together.

[Theodore]

If there's any one interview I would love, love to navigate, it would be that interview. I would. I would die. Like when I did Isaiah and Larry a couple years ago, it was like heaven for me because there was some tension there, but there was also a lot of respect between the two.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, but why don't you try to navigate this?

[Theodore]

I would. Don't you think I've. I've tried.

[Dan Patrick]

Michael's not going to do anything.

[Theodore]

Michael's not. Michael will not do it.

[Dan Patrick]

Just. Michael dislike you more than he does Isaiah.

[Theodore]

I don't know.

[Dan Patrick]

I don't know.

[Theodore]

I don't know these things. I don't know. I. I hope MJ knows that I have. I respect the hell he knows that. He knows, but some fires burn teeth. Come on.

[Dan Patrick]

But if you want to be hated by Jordan, don't you want to be the number one guy hated by Jordan?

[Theodore]

Do you think I'm the. You think I would be the number one guy hated by him?

[Dan Patrick]

No, no, no.

[Theodore]

I think he has other guys.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Theodore]

Dude, that's six times. I have zero. I think he probably hates Isaiah more than he would probably hate me. But Isaiah has. I have. I have nothing. I Have nothing. He looks at me like my horn was looking at. He's looking at me like, yeah, sit down.

[Dylan]

Go in the corner.

[Dan Patrick]

But you got in a fight with him.

[Theodore]

So what? That means nothing to him. Nothing.

[Dan Patrick]

Everything meant something to him.

[Theodore]

Nothing.

[Dylan]

He.

[Theodore]

I guarantee he probably doesn't know my name.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, will you stop?

[Theodore]

He probably doesn't know my name by now.

[Dan Patrick]

Have fun tonight.

[Theodore]

Let's go. Game. 5, 2, 2, swing game. Are you kidding me?

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, by the way, push off anniversary today.

[Theodore]

What?

[Dan Patrick]

Push off what?

[Theodore]

What push off?

[Dan Patrick]

When you assaulted Greg Anthony or Michael Jordan. I should say that was. That's the push off anniversary of you and Mike.

[Theodore]

Did he push off on Brian Russell?

[Dan Patrick]

Yes, he did. Yeah.

[Theodore]

Okay, then maybe it is because if you said no.

[Dan Patrick]

Statute of limitations.

[Theodore]

That's right.

[Dan Patrick]

No, Mike pushed off. Absolutely.

[Theodore]

Okay, that's the point with sga. That's what people get upset about. Because SGA has that move where he creates space. Right? And people say he's pushing off. No, he's creating space.

[Dan Patrick]

Have fun tonight.

[Theodore]

Appreciate you, Theodore. Love you, Dan.

[Dan Patrick]

Reggie Aloysius Miller Jr. III. He'll be on the call tonight.

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