The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2: Cade Cunningham Collapsed Lung, Tracy McGrady

Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show
Host: Dan Patrick & The Danettes
Date: March 19, 2026
Guests: Tracy McGrady

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show features a fast-paced, humorous, and wide-ranging discussion of the hottest stories in sports, including NBA MVP eligibility rules in light of Cade Cunningham’s injury, the impact of superstar absences, the legend of Nikola Jokić, favorite sports “days” of the year, and a lively interview with Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady. The group also debates sport culture phenomena, including jersey retirements, the legacy of Steph Curry, and experiments with alternative basketball leagues.

Key Topics & Discussions

1. Celebrity Bracket Challenge & Star Power in Sports Media

Timestamp: 02:56–06:00

• Dan and the crew joke about Todd’s efforts to recruit celebrities—often beautiful women with tenuous show connections—into their NCAA bracket contest.
  • "Fritzi was reaching out to people. Basically, women in Hollywood ... Jessica Alba has no attachment to the show." (Dan, 03:04)
  • Todd defends his methods, referencing old show connections and movies (Rachel McAdams, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Garner).
• Celebrity and athlete participants in the bracket challenge include Dale Earnhardt Jr., Alex Ovechkin, Reggie Miller, and more.

2. Cade Cunningham’s Collapsed Lung & NBA MVP Implications

Timestamp: 06:00–08:00

• Breaking news: Cade Cunningham (Pistons) diagnosed with a collapsed lung.
• Dan explores how this affects Cunningham’s eligibility for the MVP, noting recent rule changes (must play at least 65 games).
  • "If Cade Cunningham is out three weeks, will he...not be eligible?" (Dan, 06:33)
  • SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) is the clear MVP favorite if he keeps playing.
• Joke about "WEMVP" if Wembanyama sneaks into contention.

3. Nikola Jokić’s Apathy for Awards & Legendary Quotes

Timestamp: 07:50–08:54

• Reminiscing on Jokić’s humorous indifference to NBA honors.
  • "Somebody did ask Joker who was his GOAT. And he goes, 'I don't have goats. I have horses.'" (Dan, 07:50)
  • Story about Jokić’s confusion over the parade after winning the title:
    • "'What is this parade?' ... 'I'm out of here.'" (Dan, 08:27)
  • Paulie and Dan tell stories of Jokić being brought to tears over horse racing victories—a true "horse guy."

4. Best Sports Day of the Year Debate

Timestamp: 09:00–15:16

• Dan and the Danettes launch into a passionate poll discussion: Which is the best sports day of the calendar year?
  • Candidates: March Madness opening, Masters Sunday, Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Draft, College Football New Year’s bowls, NBA Christmas, Olympics Opening Ceremony, Thanksgiving NFL Games.
  • "I'm going to take that [MLB opening day] off the board." (Dan, 10:36)
  • Consensus leans to March Madness Day 1, Masters Sunday, and NFL Draft for universal excitement.
  • "The NFL draft is the right answer... everybody's involved in this." (Dan, 13:58)

5. Jersey Number Battles & Recruits’ Demands

Timestamp: 15:29–16:33

• Dan shares a listener’s story about USC football allowing coveted recruits to wear retired jerseys to sign them, and tales of DeSean Jackson picking Cal over USC because he couldn’t have jersey #1.
  • "That doesn't seem crazy to you?...I'm going to transfer because I want to wear number one." (Dan, 16:21)

6. Will Robots Replace Football Players? (AI in Sports)

Timestamp: 16:49–18:03

• Caller proposes a wild scenario: Would teams ever spend on AI 'robot' players instead of stars like Max Crosby?
  • Dan: "Will we have an NFL AI league? ... You could see that." (Dan, 17:38)
  • The group jokes about robot fighting leagues and Jake Paul fighting a robot. "He could unplug them, I guess." (Paulie, 18:24)

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHT: Tracy McGrady

Timestamp: 26:15–38:26

Topline Subjects

• Did Steph Curry "ruin" the NBA?
• NBA expansion and talent dilution
• Individual scoring feats in the NBA
• Launching and relaunching the 'ONES' 1-on-1 basketball league
• Sports fandom, athlete ownership, and the Cowboys
• Football skills and past
• Pitching 1-on-1 to NBA All-Star events

Did Steph Curry Ruin the NBA?

• Dan: "Did Steph Curry ruin the NBA?" (26:51)
  • Tracy McGrady: "No. How he ruined the NBA, he actually can shoot the ball." (26:51)
• Both lament there are too many imitators, and bad coaching/GMs seeking “the next Curry” leads to poor basketball.

NBA Expansion Talent Pool

• Dan questions whether expansion franchises will spread NBA talent too thin.
  • Tracy: "The talent... there's a lot of talent... But where is, like, the Steph Curry, the Dame Lillard that can carry the franchises?" (27:31)

Scoring Feats: Bam Adebayo & Personal Records

• On Bam scoring 83 in a game:
  • "If it was me in that position, to make history, I'm going for it." (28:45)
  • Tracy feels he could have scored 70 or 80 in his prime if given the minutes.

Who Could Score 90 Today?

• Dan: "Who do you think could get to 90 in today's game?"
  • Tracy: "I think Donovan Mitchell, I think Devin Booker... [Luka] can generate that." (30:01–30:32)

Ones Basketball League (OBL) Relaunch

• Tracy details efforts to create a city-based 1-on-1 league, giving local influencers and former stars GM/ownership roles (Jadakiss for NYC, Vince Carter for Orlando, etc.)
  • "I have eight teams and eight GMs that I'm bringing on board and giving these guys 15% equity..." (31:39)
• Big goal: Give local players recognition, model ownership for others.

Childhood Fandom & Team Loyalty

• Grew up a Cowboys fan due to Florida legends (Emmitt, Deion, Michael Irvin); switched to Buccaneers with age and mediocrity of the Cowboys.
  • "If we're going to be mediocre, I might as well stick with the hometown team." (34:19)
• Now part-owner of the Buffalo Bills.

NFL Dreams and Inspirations

• Tracy played QB and receiver as a kid, idolized Randall Cunningham.
  • "My favorite player is Randall Cunningham. My first ever autograph." (35:24)

1-on-1 at NBA All-Star Weekend

• Tracy is pushing for a 1-on-1 tournament to be part of All-Star Saturday, sees it as a huge fan draw:
  • "I think that will be the draw of All-Star Weekend." (36:31)
  • Dan: “But Tracy, I gotta get stars to be in it ... nobody cares if you don’t know who they are.”
  • Tracy: “That is the point... If they get on this platform, that creates stars." (37:04)
• Both discuss the impossibility of guarding Victor Wembanyama 1-on-1.

Best One-on-One NBA Player

• "He [Wembanyama] will be a very difficult draw... Seven-five, you can't [affect his shot]." (37:57)

Notable Quotes from McGrady

• On expansion: “There’s a lot of talent...but where is the Steph Curry, the Dame Lillard that can carry the franchises?”
• On Bam’s 83: “If it was me in that position...make history, I’m going for it.”
• On All Star weekend and 1-on-1: “I think that will be the draw...these kids...will go crazy.”

Additional Segments & Memorable Moments

Show Banter, Humor, and Listener Engagement

Rapid-fire throughout — timestamps provided:

• Broken Sammy Sosa statue skit (47:33–52:11):
  • The guys conduct a mock newsroom investigation trying to find out who broke a studio trophy; full-on “True Crime” parody.
• 'Just Go With It' movie story (40:29):
  • Dan recalls acting nerves with Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman: “Kidman's a serious actress. I had my lines and I went as scripted and then I stop and then Sandler go in front of everybody: ‘Danny, Danny, ad lib.’... I felt like I was 2 feet tall” (40:29)
• Paulie’s Journalistic Ethics (48:13):
  • “As a person, I’m not a narc. As a journalist...”

Callers

Multiple segments

• Mike in Wisconsin (25:26): asks whether JJ Redick is overlooked as a three-point revolution pioneer due to "Duke hatred."
• Nathan in Virginia (16:49): triggers the AI/robot player discussion.
• Josh in Florida (39:13): heartfelt thanks to the show, brings up Dan’s movie role.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:00 – Recruiting celebrities for bracket challenge
• 06:40 – Cade Cunningham injury and MVP eligibility
• 08:00 – Nikola Jokić’s humor, media coverage
• 09:10 – NCAA Tournament: chalk vs. chaos poll
• 10:13 – "Best Sports Calendar Day" debate begins
• 15:29 – Story: Jersey numbers and football recruiting
• 16:49 – Listener: AI robots and football’s future
• 26:15 – Interview: Tracy McGrady
• 36:31 – McGrady on 1-on-1 basketball league at All-Star
• 40:29 – Dan’s "Just Go With It" film story
• 47:33 – Sammy Sosa statue (comedy/news bit)

Notable Quotes

• Dan Patrick:

  • “The NFL draft is the right answer because how many fan bases, how many people you get hope that day...”
  • “Did Steph Curry ruin the NBA?” (26:51)

• Tracy McGrady:

  • “He actually can shoot the ball. I want to see him shoot. But you got all these imitators now...” (26:51)
  • “If it was me in that position, to make history, I’m going for it.” (28:45)
  • “I think Donovan Mitchell... Devin Booker... Luca can generate that.” (30:01–30:32)

• Paulie:

  • "I’m not a narc. As a journalist..." (48:13)
  • “That bothers me...Not watching the Sunday of the Masters—that’s a six, seven hour noon to six. It’s lovely.” (13:48)

Tone & Style

• Dan Patrick: Dry wit, self-deprecating, quick to needle his crew and himself with humor.
• The Danettes: Comfortable banter, occasionally playful debate, blend stats with storytelling and inside jokes.
• Tracy McGrady Interview: Direct, candid, insightful about modern basketball culture and business.

Summary Takeaways

• NBA MVP race is being shaped by injury (Cade Cunningham’s collapsed lung) and new eligibility minimums.
• Nikola Jokić’s legendary nonchalance remains a source of amusement and admiration.
• Best ‘day’ in sports produces passionate debate, with March Madness, Masters Sunday, and NFL Draft topping the list.
• Tracy McGrady’s interview covers Steph Curry’s legacy, perils of NBA expansion, one-on-one basketball, and his journey in sports fandom and ownership.
• Show remains a mix of sports insight, pop culture, comedy, and interactive storytelling—embodied by the in-house Sammy Sosa statue saga and movie tales.
• Tracy McGrady’s push for 1-on-1 basketball at All-Star weekend highlights the appetite for new stars and alternative formats.

For listeners who missed the episode, this hour offers classic DP Show energy: in-depth sports takes, inside stories, and comedic chemistry, all punctuated by strong guest perspectives and community engagement.