The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 1 - "The Thunder Win It All"

Release Date: June 23, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Description: Listen to Dan's daily radio show. With exclusive insider access, Patrick brings A-list guests from the world of sports and entertainment to the show. Sharing his perspective on pop culture and sports, Patrick also brings a dose of humor to his fans.

1. Introduction to the NBA Finals Outcome

Timestamp: 00:05 – 12:30

Dan Patrick opens the episode with heartfelt congratulations to the Oklahoma City Thunder, celebrating them as "the best regular season team, the best postseason team." He acknowledges the hard-fought seven-game series against the Pacers, emphasizing the impact of Tyrese Halliburton's injury.

Dan Patrick:
"The Pacers held on for dear life. They pushed it to seven games, but the Tyrese Halliburton injury was tough to overcome."
[12:15]

Patrick draws parallels to Kevin Durant's previous Achilles injury, highlighting the emotional and strategic ramifications for the Thunder.

2. Highlighting SGA's Stellar Performance

Timestamp: 12:31 – 24:45

Shifting focus to key players, Dan praises Shea Gilgis Aleksander (SGA) for his exceptional performance throughout the season and the Finals. He underscores SGA's "old school" playing style, noting his efficiency and versatility without over-reliance on three-point shooting.

Dan Patrick:
"When you're going to be the regular season MVP scoring champ, you're going to win an NBA title, finals MVP. And he did it in an effortless way."
[18:50]

SGA's ability to score "on three different levels" is lauded as a cornerstone of the Thunder's success.

3. Poll Discussion: Memorable Finals Moments

Timestamp: 24:46 – 35:20

Dan introduces the poll question regarding what listeners will remember most about the NBA Finals. The options include:

• Oklahoma City's first title
• SGA cementing himself as a superstar
• Tyrese Halliburton's injury
• Kevin Durant's trade to the Rockets

Listener Paul Seaton:
"I would say Tyrese Halliburton's injury... gave them hope, and hope went down and didn't get back up last night."
[28:10]

Paul emphasizes Halliburton's pivotal role and the long-term impact of his injury on both the team and the Eastern Conference's competitive landscape.

4. In-Depth Analysis of Kevin Durant’s Trade

Timestamp: 35:21 – 55:00

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Kevin Durant's trade to the Houston Rockets, marking his fifth team in the NBA. Dan and his co-hosts delve into the implications of this move for Durant's legacy and the Rockets' championship aspirations.

Dan Patrick:
"Durant being traded and Houston, I thought did pretty well here. It's a young team, aggressive team, good defensive team, and now you got a guy who can go get you a bucket..."
[42:30]

They debate whether Durant's addition will elevate the Rockets or hinder the development of younger players. The conversation also touches on the broader Eastern Conference dynamics, including Giannis Antetokounmpo's potential moves and the unpredictability of future NBA landscapes.

Chris Mannix (Guest from Sports Illustrated):
"If you don't have Tatum and you don't have Halliburton and those are the best players on the best teams right now, east is wide open."
[48:15]

5. Best and Worst of the Weekend

Timestamp: 55:01 – 1:05:30

Dan transitions to the "Best and Worst of the Weekend" segment, where listener Gus from LA shares his thoughts.

Listener Gus:
"This was the small market Finals. Viewership was down about 20% with the ratings... the Durant trade."
[57:45]

Dan and co-hosts discuss the challenges faced by smaller market teams like the Thunder in gaining viewership compared to big-market teams, despite their on-court success.

6. Listener Phone Calls

Timestamp: 1:05:31 – 1:30:00

a. Jeff from Massachusetts: Career Strategy Advice
Jeff seeks advice on investing in the front five versus the bench for championship success.

Dan Patrick:
"You still have to have your marquee guys... It's about keeping the core and managing the roles effectively."
[1:10:20]

b. Marshall from South Carolina: Personal Gratitude
Marshall shares his experience with a traumatic brain injury and expresses gratitude for the show.

Dan Patrick:
"I always tell my kids it doesn't cost anything to be nice... Focus on being a good person."
[1:20:40]

Dan responds with heartfelt encouragement, emphasizing the importance of kindness and personal growth.

7. Special Guest Preview: Gilbert Arenas

Timestamp: 1:30:01 – 1:35:00

Dan previews an upcoming interview with Gilbert Arenas, highlighting Arenas' insights into the NBA and his experiences.

Dan Patrick:
"Gilbert Arenas will join us next hour. We'll talk about the Kevin Durant trade and more."
[1:34:50]

8. Play of the Day and Stats

Timestamp: 1:35:01 – 1:40:00

The segment features a highlight play from the NBA Finals, showcasing Shohei Ohtani's impressive performance.

Play Highlight:
Kicks the pitch, swings a hard ground ball, triples to score the winning run.

Stat of the Day:
"Shohei Ohtani has 10 career games with both a triple and a home run. Among active players, only Mike Trout has more with 14."
[1:36:15]

9. Closing Remarks and Final Advertisements

Timestamp: 1:40:01 – End

Dan wraps up the episode, thanking listeners and reminding them to tune in live on Fox Sports Radio or via the iHeartRadio app. Brief advertisements and promotional content for sponsors like Albertsons, Safeway, and T-Mobile are interspersed.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Patrick:
  "When you're going to be the regular season MVP scoring champ, you're going to win an NBA title, finals mvp. And he did it in an effortless way."
  [18:50]

• Listener Paul Seaton:
  "Tyrese Halliburton's injury... gave them hope, and hope went down and didn't get back up last night."
  [28:10]

• Chris Mannix:
  "If you don't have Tatum and you don't have Halliburton and those are the best players on the best teams right now, east is wide open."
  [48:15]

Key Takeaways:

• Oklahoma City Thunder's Triumph: The Thunder secured their first NBA title in a dramatic seven-game series against the Pacers, with significant performances from SGA and the unfortunate injury to Tyrese Halliburton.

• Impact of Tyrese Halliburton's Injury: Halliburton's calf injury, feared to become an Achilles tear, played a crucial role in the Thunder's Finals journey and will have lasting effects on both his career and the Eastern Conference's competitive balance.

• Shea Gilgis Aleksander's Legacy: SGA's versatile and efficient playing style positioned him alongside NBA legends, setting the stage for a promising future and potentially transforming his legacy.

• Kevin Durant's Trade: Durant's move to the Houston Rockets introduces a new dynamic in the NBA, raising questions about team strategies, player development, and the shifting power structures within the league.

• Eastern Conference Future: With key players like Tatum and Halliburton facing uncertainties, the Eastern Conference landscape remains open and highly competitive, possibly leading to groundbreaking team performances in the coming seasons.

• Listener Engagement: The show fosters a strong connection with its audience through interactive segments like polls and listener calls, providing diverse perspectives and personal stories that enrich the overall discussion.

Conclusion:

Hour 1 of The Dan Patrick Show delves deep into the dramatic conclusion of the NBA Finals, celebrating the Oklahoma City Thunder's victory while analyzing pivotal moments such as Tyrese Halliburton's injury and Kevin Durant's trade. Through expert insights, listener interactions, and engaging discussions, Dan Patrick offers a comprehensive and entertaining overview of the NBA's current landscape, setting the stage for future episodes filled with exclusive interviews and in-depth sports analysis.