Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2 with Cedric Maxwell and Sue Bird

Episode Information:

• Title: Hour 2 – Cedric Maxwell, Sue Bird
• Release Date: May 8, 2025
• Host: Dan Patrick
• Guests: Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell, Sue Bird
• Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Introduction

The second hour of The Dan Patrick Show features insightful discussions with former NBA legend Cedric Maxwell and WNBA superstar Sue Bird. The episode delves into recent NBA playoffs, player performances, strategic evolutions in basketball, and a compelling interview with Sue Bird about her illustrious career and new leadership role in USA Basketball.

Celtics' Playoff Performance and Knicks Series

Dan Patrick opens the discussion by analyzing the Boston Celtics' recent struggles in the playoffs, particularly their losses to the New York Knicks. With the Celtics down by 20 points in consecutive games, concerns about their offensive execution and defensive strategies are raised.

Cedric Maxwell’s Analysis: Cedric Maxwell provides his expert take on the Celtics' performance:

• “They didn’t play with any ferocity. They didn’t play any defense. And the Knicks just deserved to win.” [12:45]
• He emphasizes the importance of teamwork and the need for other players to support Jayson Tatum when he's not shooting effectively: “If Tatum isn’t shooting the ball well, Brown has to step up. The others have to do better.” [15:30]

Discussion on Technical Adjustments: Maxwell discusses the potential strategic adjustments the Celtics might need to make to counter the Knicks’ physical playstyle:

• “Be aggressive, shooting threes is still important, but you need to take the ball to the paint more.” [18:20]
• He highlights the evolution of basketball, comparing it to past eras: “Steph Curry changed the game with the three-pointer. Players today are programmed to shoot threes first.” [22:10]

Steph Curry’s Injury Impact on the Warriors

Dan Patrick shifts focus to the Golden State Warriors, discussing Steph Curry's injury and its implications for the team's playoff run.

Key Points:

• Steph Curry has been downgraded from being out for "the next couple of games" to likely missing at least a week, potentially returning for Game 5.
• Maxwell suggests that without Curry, the Warriors need to rely heavily on their defense to remain competitive: “Golden State can steal this game by playing great defense again.” [25:55]

Jayson Tatum’s Standing Among Top Players

The conversation turns to Jayson Tatum's prowess and his ranking among the NBA's elite players.

Maxwell’s Perspective:

• Maxwell firmly places Tatum in the top five players, acknowledging his defensive skills and rebounding: “Tatum is a hell of a defender, and he's also been a great rebounder.” [30:40]
• He contrasts Tatum with other rising stars like Luka Dončić and Anthony Edwards, ultimately prioritizing Giannis Antetokounmpo over Tatum in his rankings: “I put Giannis over Tatum because Giannis had a better year.” [33:15]

Listener Calls and Audience Engagement

Throughout the hour, Dan Patrick engages with listeners, discussing topics such as the Knicks' potential to advance in the playoffs and the Celtics' coaching strategies. Notable interactions include:

• Listener Tim from New York:

  • “The Knicks are going to take out the Celtics.” [38:50]
  • “Steph Curry not playing again? I'm out.” [42:10]

• Listener Rick from Florida:

  • Raises concerns about the Celtics’ physical endurance: “After an eight-month grind, the Celtics’ legs are gone.” [45:30]

Interview with Sue Bird

In a standout segment, WNBA legend Sue Bird joins the show to discuss her transition from player to leadership within USA Basketball, her views on the growth of women’s basketball, and her new podcast, Bird’s Eye View.

Sue Bird’s Insights:

• Career Reflections:

  • Sue reflects on her decorated career, highlighting her five Olympic gold medals and four WNBA championships: “It's been an incredible journey, and now I'm excited to give back to the next generation of players.” [52:00]

• Leadership Role:

  • Discusses her new role as USA Basketball Women's National Team Managing Director: “It's about building a team that complements each other and focuses on winning gold without the distractions of personal gifts or favors.” [55:20]

• Olympic Team Selection:

  • Addresses the selection controversy regarding Caitlin Clark: “I trusted the committee's decision. It's always challenging to balance individual talent with team chemistry.” [58:10]

• Future of Women's Basketball:

  • Sue Bird shares her optimism for the future, citing the global growth of the sport: “Countries like France and Nigeria are producing incredible talent, and the WNBA is expanding its reach.” [1:02:30]

• New Podcast Launch:

  • Announces her podcast, Bird’s Eye View, launching on May 16: “I want to provide a platform to discuss the intricacies of the game and the stories behind the athletes.” [1:05:00]

Conclusion

Dan Patrick wraps up the episode by reflecting on the in-depth discussions with Cedric Maxwell and Sue Bird. The episode offers a blend of expert sports analysis and personal insights from one of basketball's most respected figures. Listeners are encouraged to tune into Sue Bird’s upcoming podcast and follow the evolving Celtics-Knicks playoff series.

Notable Quotes:

• Cedric Maxwell: “They didn’t play with any ferocity. They didn’t play any defense. And the Knicks just deserved to win.” [12:45]
• Cedric Maxwell: “If Tatum isn’t shooting the ball well, Brown has to step up. The others have to do better.” [15:30]
• Cedric Maxwell: “Golden State can steal this game by playing great defense again.” [25:55]
• Cedric Maxwell: “Tatum is a hell of a defender, and he's also been a great rebounder.” [30:40]
• Sue Bird: “It's about building a team that complements each other and focuses on winning gold without the distractions of personal gifts or favors.” [55:20]
• Sue Bird: “I want to provide a platform to discuss the intricacies of the game and the stories behind the athletes.” [1:05:00]

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show serves as a comprehensive exploration of current NBA playoff dynamics and offers valuable perspectives from basketball veterans like Cedric Maxwell and Sue Bird. Their combined insights provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the game's strategic elements and the evolving landscape of professional basketball.

Listen to the full episode on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.