The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 2

Episode Title: Chris Mannix, Who Cares about the NBA All-Star Game?
Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick
Guest: Chris Mannix (Sports Illustrated)

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Dan Patrick Show" dives into the state of the NBA as All-Star Weekend approaches, with in-depth discussion about tanking, load management, and the All-Star Game's fading relevance. Dan and the Danettes take listener calls, debate quarterback contracts in the NFL, and bring on Chris Mannix for an analysis of NBA issues, including the current tanking landscape, how the league could address it, and the chronic problems with the NBA All-Star Game format.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Quarterback Contracts and Viewer Calls (01:30–15:00)

• CJ Stroud’s Contract Situation:
  Dan recaps a heated call from a previous hour about Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud and whether he deserves a contract extension after his rookie year.
  • "Do I want to give him $60 million or do I want to bolster the offensive line? You might not be able to do both." (02:10)
  • Staff and callers debate whether it's smart to pay promising young QBs early or wait for more proof.
  • Dan clarifies: “I have no bias whatsoever. Hey, if he’s great, pay him $60 million. Couldn’t care less.” (03:20)
  • Compares Stroud's situation to Bryce Young and Andrew Luck, warning against spending on QBs without investing in their protection (offensive line).
  • The panel amusingly compiles a list of QBs they’d take over Stroud, leading to a humorous moment of self-awareness:
    • “Somehow by getting upset and listing 35 quarterbacks you would take over him... see? Told you. That’s the beauty of this show. I never know what direction we’re going in because it’s not scripted.” (15:00)

2. Lighthearted Interlude & Show Banter (06:49–08:50)

• Jersey Number Hijinks:
  The Danettes recount a funny incident involving jersey numbers at a San Jose Sharks event:
  • Todd wanted #10 or #69:
    “Do you really think they were going to give you number 10 if 69 was the other option?” (07:19)
  • Todd shares a story about accidentally texting a suggestive message about his “Fritzy 69” jersey to a family group chat including his kids.

3. Caller Segment: NBA All-Star Weekend, NBA Cup, and League Concerns (09:06–12:00)

• Callers Weigh In:
  • Chris in Syracuse criticizes ESPN for excessive Super Bowl self-promotion and raises issues with NBA suspensions after the Pistons-Hornets melee.
  • He argues the league should focus on regular season interest, not just All-Star Weekend or gimmicks like the NBA Cup.
  • “What they really should be worrying about is increasing interest in the regular season. And I don’t think the NBA Cup is the answer.” (09:37)
  • Raises concern about Giannis partnering with a gambling site; Dan agrees the optics are bad.
• Load Management & Tanking:
  • Another caller blames the Spurs for “load management” infecting the NBA.
  • In a humorous digression, Dan recounts filming the iconic Stone Cold Steve Austin folding chair ESPN commercial.
• Idea to Prevent Tanking:
  • A caller proposes giving the #1 pick to the best record missing the playoffs, not the worst team, echoing an idea Dan has floated before.

Main Interview: Chris Mannix (Sports Illustrated) on the NBA (23:53–38:04)

4. Poll of the Day: Load Management vs. Longevity (23:53)

• “Would you rather a player play 60 games for 15 years or 82 games for 11 years?”
  • Mannix picks longevity: “I would much rather have the guy for four extra years playing 65 regular season games if I can get him for the postseason. The regular season is close to irrelevant for a contender.” (23:57)

5. Origins of Load Management & Tanking (24:12–25:24)

• Popovich & Spurs as the Start:
  • Mannix credits the Spurs (mid-2010s) with normalizing sitting stars (“DNP-rest”), especially for older players.
  • Toronto’s load-managed title run with Kawhi Leonard in 2019 accelerated league-wide adoption.

6. The Tanking “Crisis” (25:24–29:02)

• Utah Jazz as Exhibit A:
  • “Utah is trying to throw games at the end. Like simple as that.” (25:38)
  • Points out how the Jazz and other teams deploy regular players, build a lead, then bench them to lose late intentionally.
  • “This is the first time in league history that... before the All-Star break, roughly a third of the league does not care about winning games. That is a five alarm fire for Adam Silver to address.” (27:01)
• Other Tanking Teams:
  • Indiana, Washington, and several others are mentioned as blatant tankers.
  • Ethically, tanking’s become engineered, not accidental.

7. How to Fix Tanking (Short-Term and Long-Term) (27:10–29:22)

• Penalties and Disincentives:
  • “Short term... people in the league are pushing for a fine with a warning.” (27:15)
    • Fine teams for egregious tanking, escalate to lost draft picks or lottery odds reduction.
    • Suggests the commissioner has authority to reduce a team’s ping-pong balls in the lottery.
• Systemic Overhaul vs. Tweaks:
  • “There are two camps: put band-aids on the bullet holes... or, blow up the whole system and figure out something else.” (28:18)

8. Identifying “Real” Injuries vs. Tanking (29:02–30:30)

• Dan asks: “How do I know if Trey Young is not hurt? ...What does Adam Silver do?”
  • Mannix: “It doesn’t take Inspector Gadget...” (29:22), noting obvious fake injuries and the need for more medical transparency with league oversight.
  • The league needs to review injury reports before approving sitting out, to avoid subterfuge.

9. All-Star Game: Why the Format Is Failing (30:30–34:40)

• Mannix Unfiltered:
  • “No, no, no. I don’t like anything about this. Anything.” (30:41)
  • The dunk contest is especially maligned: “Nobody knows who these guys are... We can’t even get the top young guys in the league to play it.” (30:53)
  • On the US vs. World format: “The greatest defenders of All Star indifference are the Europeans... Jokic can’t get him to care about an All-Star Game. Luka Doncic...can’t get him to care.” (31:15)
  • Mannix’s solution: Add “spice”—such as putting Dylan Brooks (notorious antagonist) on the World team to provoke tension and viewer interest. (32:31)
  • Both agree “style of play” is the core problem: it’s glorified pickup, not real competition.
• Dan: “It’s the style of play in the All Star Game... It’s just running up and down and dunking and shooting threes and... that’s not their style.” (32:19)
• Mannix is deeply skeptical of any format change yielding real improvement, predicting a "Pro Bowl" style future for the NBA All-Star Game.

10. LeBron and Giannis: NBA Free Agency Futures (34:40–37:56)

• LeBron’s L.A. Exit?
  • Mannix: “I’m going to say no... His desire to be in LA goes beyond basketball now.” (34:44)
  • Factors: Lifestyle, family, business interests. But a “lowball” Lakers offer could change things.
• Giannis More Likely to Leave Milwaukee:
  • “From what I hear out of Milwaukee... they’re going to spend the next few months thinking about who they can get to bring in to convince Giannis to stay.” (36:23)
  • Mannix predicts more likely Giannis moves than LeBron.
  • A fun note: “If Cam Thomas winds up saving Giannis’s future in Milwaukee, that will be the greatest plot twist in NBA drama history.” (37:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tanking:
  “This is the first time in league history that... roughly a third of the league does not care about winning games. That is a five alarm fire for Adam Silver to address.” — Chris Mannix (27:01)
• On the All-Star Game:
  “No, no, no. I don’t like anything about this. Anything.” — Chris Mannix (30:41)
  • “We can’t even get the top young guys in the league to play it.” (30:53)
• On Viewership and Format:
  “We are on the path to the Pro Bowl is what we’re on with the NBA All-Star Game. And I don’t think there’s anything that’s going to stop it.” — Chris Mannix (34:37)
• On the Dan Patrick Show’s Unpredictable Nature:
  “That’s the beauty of this show. I never know what direction we’re going in because it’s not scripted.” — Dan Patrick (15:00)
• On Trepidation About Extending QBs:
  “There has to be a proof of concept here. I gotta realize or find out if this is sustainable… I’m not picking on C.J. Stroud.” — Dan Patrick (21:32)

Additional Insights

• Callers and Cultural Differences:
  • Dan and the Danettes discuss how All-Star Games are an American sporting staple but are meaningless to many international players and audiences. (44:11)
• NBA Attempts to Make the All-Star Game Matter:
  • Skepticism abounds that pitting “World” vs. “USA” can instill real pride or competition.
  • “Serbia is important to them. Canada is important to them. But the world... this is a last-ditch effort.” — Marvin (45:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------| | NFL QB contract/Stroud debate | 01:30–15:00 | | Jersey number and family text mishap | 06:49–08:50 | | NBA All-Star, Cup, and load management calls | 09:06–12:00 | | Poll question: 60 games x 15 years or 82 x 11 | 23:53 | | Chris Mannix on load management/tanking | 24:12–29:22 | | Fixing tanking and league penalties | 27:10–29:22 | | NBA injuries vs. fake tanking | 29:02–30:30 | | All-Star Game critique & solutions | 30:30–34:40 | | LeBron/Giannis free agency futures | 34:40–37:56 | | Cultural disconnects with All-Star Games | 44:11–47:13 |

Episode Tone & Presenter Style

• Dan Patrick maintains his usual blend of sports expertise, dry wit, and relaxed banter. He's not afraid to poke fun at himself or the unpredictability of his own show.
• Chris Mannix is incisive, direct, and candid in his criticism of NBA management and the league, while also providing thoughtful solutions.
• The Danettes (Show staff) contribute humor and relatable sports fandom, keeping the show light amid serious topics.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a frank, engaging look at the NBA’s lingering issues — tanking, load management, and the fading All-Star Game — with Chris Mannix providing sharp analysis and solutions. Wrapped in the show's signature wit, it’s a must-listen for NBA fans and sports business watchers, skeptical of league gimmicks or unafraid to ask, “Who actually cares about the NBA All-Star Game?”