The Dan Patrick Show – C&R: "NBA Cup...Who Cares? & O.J.'s Number!"
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich)
Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Steve Covino, Rich Davis & Dan Byer
Special Segments: Shaquille O’Neal (Shaq Diesel Trivia)
Overview
In this episode, Covino and Rich blend sports talk with holiday humor, debating the cultural impact (or lack thereof) of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament, sharing personal stories about inviting friends to ‘fight night’ gatherings, and sparking a spirited discussion about the karma of wearing O.J. Simpson’s legendary (yet infamous) #32 for the Buffalo Bills. Shaq Diesel drops by for some NBA trivia, and the gang also touches on NFL matchups, the nature of school recitals, and the value of karma in sports and life.
Episode Highlights & Key Discussion Points
1. Celebrating 21 Years & Holiday Banter
- Covino & Rich mark 21 years on air together, reflecting that their "show could legally drink now."
- Anecdotes about starting careers young, including a memorable early encounter with a teenaged Dave Chappelle at KROC in New York.
- “I walk out there and it’s a young ass Dave Chappelle… He was there to see Howard Stern, but it was a day off.” – Steve Covino (04:09)
- Lighthearted back-and-forth about holiday plans, fight nights, and who’s invited—emphasizing the nuance in adult social invitations: Is it “bros night” or “family night”?
2. Fight Night & Social Etiquette
- Discussion on how hosting a ‘fight night’ changes with age and family life.
- “When you get older, your family's like five people. You need to specify: do you want to come watch the fight, or bring the whole crew?” – Rich Davis (07:19)
- Call-ins from listeners Barb and Judge in Kentucky highlight the importance of clarity in invitations, especially during holidays.
3. School Concerts — Parental Realities
- Producer Dan Byer shares the struggles of attending his son’s first school concert, prompting humorous recollections about the etiquette and patience required at such events.
- “The worst is when your kid goes first and then you have to sit through hours… I had to sit through three hours for a three-minute dance!” – Rich Davis (11:30)
- Tips on savoring the moment instead of recording it all—and the joys and quirks of kids’ performances.
4. NBA In-Season Tournament (NBA Cup): Indifference & Debate
Main Segment – "Who Cares about the NBA Cup?" (17:02+)
- Rich and Covino express bewilderment at the lack of buzz for the NBA Cup finals—Knicks vs. Spurs featuring star rookie Victor Wembanyama (Wemby).
- “I haven’t had one buddy be like, tonight’s the cup. My wife’s from San Antonio—none of her friends care either.” – Rich Davis (17:53)
- “If you go to LeBron James’s Wikipedia page, NBA Cup Champion is at the bottom—that says it all.” – Rich Davis (20:03)
- Consensus: Only some players (especially on smaller contracts) might care because of bonus money; fans and general sports media are largely indifferent.
- Dan Byer adds, despite favorable matchups (Lakers with LeBron, Knicks, Wemby), the tournament hasn’t caught on:
- “If you look at the run, they’ve hit a lot of best-case scenarios… and it still isn’t getting people interested.” – Dan Byer (18:40)
- Reflection that new traditions take time to build, e.g., World Baseball Classic, but skepticism remains for the NBA Cup finding traction.
5. Karma, Jersey Numbers & O.J. Simpson’s 32
- News: Kicker Michael Badgley joins the Bills practice squad and is assigned #32—O.J. Simpson’s iconic number.
- “Would you wear O.J. Simpson’s uniform number if you were on the Buffalo Bills? Is there some kind of bad karma?” – Rich Davis (36:49)
- The group delves into the ethics and superstition of wearing infamous numbers, comparing it to living in homes with a tragic past or accepting symbols with negative associations.
- “It's a tainted number, that's why I think you stay away from it… Like would you buy a home if someone was murdered there?” – Steve Covino (38:34)
- Parallel drawn to Cowboys’ revered #88 and Aaron Hernandez’s #81 after his scandal.
- Ultimately, most suggest avoiding the number out of respect, bad luck or PR caution.
6. Shaq Diesel NBA Trivia (29:03–34:46)
- Shaquille O’Neal leads a lively, multiple-choice NBA trivia contest with Covino, Rich, Dan, and listeners competing.
- Fun banter about his movie "Kazaam" being more exciting than the NBA Cup, and a spirited atmosphere of friendly competition.
- Notable Trivia Q&A and Quotes:
- Q: “Who has the highest career free throw percentage?” A: Steve Nash.
- Shaq: “Your instinct’s wrong… I used to break bad boys; now breaking records for FSR radio.” (29:35)
- Judge in Kentucky wins with his knowledge of LeBron being the youngest to 30,000 points.
7. NFL Updates & More Karma Talk
- Dan Byer delivers rapid NFL injury and roster news (35:28), with a peculiar highlight:
- “Buffalo Bills have signed kicker Michael Badgley… he’s wearing number 32 for the Bills.”
- More reflection on “bad energy” around numbers and property, as well as sports karma, reinforced by tales of tragedies or dubious inheritances.
Notable & Memorable Quotes
- “We started very young… Our show could legally drink now.” — Covino (03:22)
- “Is there anyone that’s pumped up about [the NBA Cup]? Maybe some of the players because there is bonus money involved.” — Rich Davis (18:14)
- “From the very beginning… we thought it was too Euro. It’s not for America.” — FSR Security/Producer (19:42)
- "Would you wear O.J. Simpson’s uniform number...? Is there some type of bad karma or bad feelings?” — Rich Davis (36:49)
Key Timestamps
- 03:20 – 21st show anniversary, Dave Chappelle story
- 07:03 – Fight night invitations & adult social rules
- 11:04 – School concert etiquette & kid performance war stories
- 17:02 – NBA Cup indifference discussion begins
- 19:22 – NBA Cup hasn’t captured public or media interest, despite big stars
- 20:03 – NBA Cup’s lack of meaningful legacy, LeBron’s CV mention
- 29:03 – Shaq Diesel NBA trivia contest kicks off (runs through 34:46)
- 35:28 – NFL Week 16 updates, Badgley gets O.J.'s number
- 36:49 – In-depth O.J. #32 karma discussion
Tone & Style
The conversation remains light, self-deprecating, and peppered with relatable anecdotes. Hosts poke fun at themselves, audience expectations, and the sometimes arbitrary traditions of sports culture, always mixing in listener calls and on-air camaraderie.
For Listeners Who Missed It
This episode is a vintage Covino & Rich ride—funny, topical, and thoughtful, with a holiday undercurrent. The NBA Cup "debate" doubles as a window into how sports traditions are (or aren’t) born, and the ongoing O.J. Simpson number debate neatly encapsulates sports’ unique collision of legacy, superstition, and current events. You’ll also enjoy lively trivia, useful nuggets on party invitations, and classic Shaq humor.
For more Covino & Rich, follow @CovinoandRich or catch their live show weekdays on Fox Sports Radio.