Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1

Episode Title: Nico Harrison Fired, A New NBA All-Star
Date: November 12, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network)

Overview

In this fast-moving hour, Dan Patrick and the Danettes dig into two major headlines: the NBA's new All-Star Game format pitting Team USA against a "World" team, and the shocking firing of Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison after a disastrous Luka Doncic trade. The crew riffs with their trademark humor on national pride, All-Star politics, worst sports trades ever, and quarterback chaos in the NFL. The show is lively, irreverent, and full of sharp takes and memorable quotes.

Main Topics and Key Insights

1. College Football Playoff Rankings (02:00–06:00)

• Dan briefly reviews the new rankings, noting there are "no real surprises."
• He compares the annual playoff predictions to a Rubik’s Cube:

  "It just all seems to fit... You keep twisting and turning, and then all of a sudden it matches up." (03:35 – Dan)

• The must-win game of the weekend is Notre Dame vs. Pitt.
• Playoff implications for teams like Stanford, Syracuse, Ohio State, and Oregon discussed.

2. NBA All-Star Game: USA vs. World Format (06:30–23:00)

• Dan credits NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for "finally adopting" his formats:

  "I have to credit this commissioner because he has to be brilliant because he listens to the show all the time." (07:05 – Dan)

• Key changes Dan claims as his ideas:
  • Positionless All-NBA teams
  • 65-game minimum for postseason honors
  • USA vs. World All-Star format

Roster Construction & International Stars

• Dan and the Danettes debate the World team's potential starting five:
  • Nikola Jokic (Joker), Victor Wembanyama (Wemby), Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), Luka Doncic
• Joking about pride:

  "Joker talked about... a bronze medal at the Olympics meant more than the NBA championship to him." (09:40 – Dan)

  • Marvin: "It’s not good when the US is going to depend on Steph, LeBron, and KD, per usual. You don’t have any young American stars."
• Discussion of MVP odds:
  • All favorites are international players; American favorite is a longshot (Cade Cunningham)

  "Is there an American in the top 10 for MVP?" (12:00 – Dan) Paulie: "Austin Reeves. Then a steep drop off to Cade Cunningham." (12:20)

• Joking about international player eligibility (Canada, US Virgin Islands, SGA, etc.)

Fun Moments & Notable Quotes

• Dan on the new format:

  "I love it. I love it. But it’s because I hated [the old format] before, you know, where it was just going up and down and, you know, it was like layup lines." (13:00)

• Paulie admits Dan was right:

  "[Years ago] I lightly poo-pooed it... I think I was wrong. Would it be better for the NBA for the world to win this game? Yes. Yes, because it’s a world sport." (19:15)

• Discussion on naturalized NBA stars (Embiid, McClung) and All-Star snubs.

3. Nico Harrison Fired: Fallout from the Luka Doncic Trade (23:00–37:00)

Background and Critique

• Nico Harrison fired after trading superstar Luka Doncic.
• Dan deeply critical of the decision and the ownership:

  "Ownership approved this. It's not like Nico Harrison said, 'Don’t tell ownership, but I’m trading Luka.'” (25:10) "You made a move that was supposed to make you better and it didn't and it cost you your job. And you will go down in history as someone involved in one of the worst NBA trades of all time.” (36:30)

• Dan’s criteria for acceptable blockbuster trades:

  "You can’t make that move without [winning a championship]."

• Discussion of returned players – Kyrie and Anthony Davis – and health/age risks.
• GM accountability versus owner accountability—ownership should take responsibility.

Memorable Moment

• Dan, on Anthony Davis:

  "I’m trading a 25-year-old star who can get you 30 [points] and be out of shape. Now he can always get in shape. Anthony Davis can’t get healthy." (28:55)

4. Debate: The Worst Trades in Sports History (37:00–55:00)

• Dylan’s poll question: "What’s the worst trade in sports history? Herschel Walker, Babe Ruth, Luka Doncic… or other?"
• Dan and the crew go deep on past disastrous deals:
  • Top pick: The Red Sox selling Babe Ruth to Yankees

    "That’s the worst trade in sports history." (41:15 – Dan)

  • Others dissected:
    • Herschel Walker (Vikings–Cowboys): built Cowboys dynasty
    • DeShaun Watson (Texans–Browns): "as risky as it gets"
    • SGA for Paul George (Clippers–Thunder)
    • Nets’ KG/Pierce for Celtics’ picks (yielded Tatum & Brown)
    • Broncos trading for Russell Wilson: "one of the worst trades in NFL history"
    • Mookie Betts to Dodgers
    • Barkley to Suns, Pedro Martinez trade, Dr. J, Wilt Chamberlain
  • Paulie: "It was bad for the entire country of Canada when Gretzky got traded." (53:05)
  • Marvin: "The funny thing about the DeShaun Watson thing is it's not even Monday morning quarterback speak. We thought it was a bad idea as soon as they did it." (50:20)

5. NFL Odds & Quarterbacks: Jameis Winston Era, Russell Wilson Woes (55:00–67:00)

• Current Super Bowl odds: Chiefs (5–4), followed by Rams, Lions, Eagles, Seahawks, Colts, Bills.
• Jameis Winston to start for the Giants. Classic Jameis jokes:

  "Jameis giveth and taketh away—the first 30 for 30 guy in NFL history. Touchdowns, interceptions..." (57:30)

• Career highlights:

  "He’s got 154 career touchdown passes and 111 picks." (59:10 – Paulie)

• Russell Wilson:

  "For Russell Wilson, you get kicked to the curb and I’m surprised that they still have him on the roster." (60:45 – Dan)

• Brief shoutout to Tommy DeVito ("Tommy Cutlets") catching up with Patriots, Instagram, Italian restaurant visits.

6. Other Notable Segments

• Brief college/NFL updates: Travis Hunter’s season-ending injury, rookie struggles, balancing offense/defense snaps.
• Light caller banter: Listener checks on Danettes’ well-being, friendly in-studio rivalry.
• Seaton reports from the road in St. Louis, roughing it in the "Mako van", good fan turnout, local treats (gooey butter cake), Dan jokes about accident repairs. (70:00–73:30)

  • "St. Louis gets it, all right... They made a little sign for me... bunch of people turned out. Somebody just brought kolachi for me." (71:40 – Seaton)

Notable Quotes

• Dan Patrick:

  "This is the last chance. But I do like this. I do like the United States against the rest of the world. And you’re going to have two teams and a round robin format there. I applaud the commissioner." (09:15)

• Marvin:

  "It’s not good when the US is going to depend on Steph, LeBron and KD, per usual, like, you don’t have any young American stars..." (13:10)

• Paulie:

  "Years ago, you brought up USA vs. the World... I lightly poo-pooed it...I think I was wrong there." (19:15)

• Dan Patrick on the Luka trade fallout:

  "You will go down in history as someone who was involved in one of the worst NBA trades of all time." (36:30)

• Marvin, on the DeShaun Watson trade:

  "We thought it was a bad idea as soon as they did it." (50:20)

• Paulie (on international sports trades):

  "It was bad for the entire country of Canada when Gretzky got traded." (53:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:00 – College Football Rankings, Playoff Scenarios
• 06:30 – NBA All-Star Format: USA vs. The World
• 23:00 – Nico Harrison Firing, Luka Doncic Aftermath
• 37:00 – Worst Trades in Sports History Debate
• 55:00 – NFL Odds, Quarterback Chaos: Jameis Winston, Russell Wilson
• 70:00 – Seaton O'Connor’s Road Report from St. Louis
• 73:30 – Listener Calls & Danettes Banter

Conclusion

This episode is an energetic mix of real-time NBA innovations, acute GM accountability, and classic sports debate. With frequent detours into football and high-profile trades, plus the crew’s natural comedic rapport, it offers both diehard and casual fans fresh perspective, hot takes, and plenty of laughs. The Dan Patrick Show’s blend of insight and wit is on full display.