Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show Episode: Hour 1 – Finger-Pointing in New York, Rockies Are BAD
Release Date: June 2, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Dan Patrick Show, host Dan Patrick delves into the New York Knicks' recent performance, scrutinizing key player contributions and team dynamics. The discussion centers around the Knicks' advancement to the NBA Finals, the criticism directed at Carl Anthony Towns, and the broader implications for the team's future. Additionally, the show touches upon the Colorado Rockies' dismal season performance. Engaging with callers and leveraging live poll results, Patrick and his panel offer a comprehensive analysis of the current state of these sports franchises.

Knicks' Playoff Performance and Historical Context

The episode kicks off with enthusiasm over the Indiana Pacers clinching their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. Dan Patrick reflects on the significance of this achievement, noting,
"The Pacers over the Knicks, advancing to their first final since 2000. You know when you go, wow, hey, they haven't been here since 2000. Doesn't seem that long ago."
(00:38)

This advancement marks a quarter-century milestone, underscoring the rarity of such success for the Pacers.

Criticism of Carl Anthony Towns

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the New York Knicks' defensive struggles, with Carl Anthony Towns taking the brunt of the blame. Patrick highlights the team's frustration with Towns' defensive performance during the playoffs.
"Carl Anthony Towns doesn't play defense. No one should be surprised because he has never been able to."
(05:15)

Marv Paulie adds,
"He's a forward. He's really good at scoring. Really good at scoring. And he's good at letting the other team score as well. But he's not a rim protector."
(04:58)

The panel debates Towns' role, questioning his fit as a power forward and his impact on the Knicks' defensive schemes.

Potential Trade Scenarios Involving Giannis Antetokounmpo

The conversation shifts to trade rumors, particularly the speculation surrounding Carl Anthony Towns as a potential trade asset for Milwaukee Bucks' star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Patrick muses,
"Would you trade Carl Anthony Towns straight up for Giannis? I go, wait, if I'm Milwaukee? No, if I'm the Knicks, of course, would you trade Carl Anthony Towns straight up for Kevin Durant? Sure."
(07:40)

The feasibility of such a trade is examined, with emphasis on what the Knicks would need to offer to secure Giannis. The complexity of acquiring a player of Giannis' caliber is acknowledged, highlighting the need for substantial assets.

Team Dynamics and Coaching under Tom Thibodeau

The role of Knicks' head coach Tom Thibodeau is scrutinized, especially regarding his defensive-minded approach. Jalen Brunson's performance is also discussed in relation to Thibodeau's coaching philosophy.
"Is Tom Thibodeau the right coach for the Knicks? No. No, I do not."
(12:30)

Brunson's candid responses about Thibodeau’s suitability raise questions about the coaching strategy and its alignment with the team's needs.

Listener Poll and Caller Opinions

A live poll conducted during the show asked listeners whether the Knicks should make a big move or opt for minor tweaks in the offseason. The results leaned towards minor tweaks with approximately 60% of the vote. Dan Patrick reflects,
"This offseason, the Knicks need to make a big move or just some minor tweaks. Right now, 'minor tweaks' have about 60% of that vote. Boy, it feels like it's going to be a little more than a minor tweak there."
(24:00)

Callers further elaborate on their perspectives:

• Gus in LA praises the Dodgers' performance against the Yankees but expresses concern over player injuries impacting team dynamics.
• Kenny in LA discusses the odds of the Pacers winning the title and draws parallels with NBA legends like Michael Jordan.
• Adam in LA shares excitement over the Pacers reaching the finals and laments a disappointing moment at the Spanish Grand Prix.
• Arnaldo in Charlotte debates whether the Knicks' season can still be deemed a success despite falling short of the championship.

These interactions provide diverse viewpoints on team performance and strategic decisions.

Colorado Rockies' Disastrous Season

Shifting focus to baseball, the panel discusses the Colorado Rockies' historically poor performance, noting,
"The Rockies were swept again, third fastest to 50 losses in baseball history. They're now 9 and 50."
(18:45)

Comparisons are made to past teams with similar records, emphasizing the severity of the Rockies' struggles: "The White Sox last year, which were all-time bad, got outscored by 310 runs. So they're nine and 50. Third fastest to get to 50 losses."
(19:15)

The discussion underscores the unprecedented challenges faced by the Rockies, highlighting potential areas for organizational overhaul.

TNT Crew's Move to ESPN

A segment of the show addresses the transition of the TNT broadcast crew to ESPN. Callers express mixed feelings:

• Bake from Atlanta likens the move to the transition of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck to Monday Night Football, anticipating challenges in maintaining the show's integrity.
• Another caller voices concerns over potential overexposure and the need to preserve the original charm of the TNT broadcasts.

Dan Patrick underscores the importance of maintaining the unique chemistry and authenticity of the TNT crew amidst their new roles at ESPN.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Dan Patrick emphasizes the need for strategic decisions by the Knicks' management to address defensive weaknesses and consider impactful trades. The discussion also reflects on the broader implications of team performance on fan sentiment and organizational reputation.

"They didn't take advantage of it. Do Milwaukee do something with Giannis? I believe so. Do the Celtics do something? Do the Cabs do something? So it's not just do the Knicks do something?"
(21:50)

The episode concludes with optimism for future improvements, contingent upon the Knicks' ability to make informed and effective changes in the offseason.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dan Patrick (00:38): "The Pacers over the Knicks, advancing to their first final since 2000. You know when you go, wow, hey, they haven't been here since 2000. Doesn't seem that long ago."
• Marv Paulie (04:58): "He's a forward. He's really good at scoring. Really good at scoring. And he's good at letting the other team score as well. But he's not a rim protector."
• Dan Patrick (07:40): "Would you trade Carl Anthony Towns straight up for Giannis? I go, wait, if I'm Milwaukee? No, if I'm the Knicks, of course, would you trade Carl Anthony Towns straight up for Kevin Durant? Sure."
• Jalen Brunson (12:30): "Is Tom Thibodeau the right coach for the Knicks? No. No, I do not."
• Dan Patrick (24:00): "This offseason, the Knicks need to make a big move or just some minor tweaks. Right now, 'minor tweaks' have about 60% of that vote. Boy, it feels like it's going to be a little more than a minor tweak there."
• Caller's Quote (19:15): "The White Sox last year, which were all-time bad, got outscored by 310 runs. So they're nine and 50. Third fastest to get to 50 losses."

Final Thoughts

This episode provides an in-depth analysis of the New York Knicks' current challenges, particularly focusing on defensive shortcomings and potential trade-offs to enhance team performance. Through engaging discussions with callers and the live poll, Dan Patrick offers listeners a multifaceted perspective on the complexities of managing a professional sports team. Simultaneously, the bleak outlook for the Colorado Rockies serves as a cautionary tale for strategic planning in baseball. Overall, the episode underscores the intricate balance between player performance, coaching strategies, and organizational decision-making in achieving sporting excellence.