The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 2 - Criticism Ratchets Up for Luka Doncic, with Jim Jackson

Date: March 6, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick
Guest: Jim Jackson (Fox NBA and College Basketball Analyst)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts / Fox Sports Radio

Episode Overview

Hour 2 of The Dan Patrick Show dives into several sports and pop culture topics, with an emphasis on two main threads: the recent surge of criticism regarding Luka Doncic’s body language and play with the Lakers, and the NBA landscape featuring rising star Victor Wembanyama ("Wemby"). Special guest Jim Jackson joins Dan to lend his insights on Luka’s situation, MVP discussions, and memories from his own playing career. As always, the show is sprinkled with humor, side discussions, and some lively debates among the Danettes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Changing Landscape of College Basketball Loyalty

[01:45–06:59]

• Dan shares a surprising statistic: only 22 major conference scholarship players will have played their entire four/five-year college careers at one school this season.
  • "A total of 22 major conference scholarship players can celebrate senior night as they've been at their school for four or five years. At one school." (Dan Patrick, 04:31)
  • The Danettes debate the nature of the question and joke about the show's unscripted chaos.
  • Commentary on how the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals have shifted player loyalty.

2. Show Banter and Controversial Food Choices

[07:00–08:18] | [44:18–47:32]

• Meat Friday is more dramatic than usual: Indian food is served, leading to divided opinions.
  • Todd expresses reluctance to try Indian food.
  • Callers chime in, both defending and teasing the crew for their culinary hesitation.
  • "You guys are being soft... Indian food is fantastic. Butter chicken with some of the rice and the garlic naan. It's great." (Turzo, Caller, 44:18)
  • Dan and others ultimately commit to trying the food.

3. Luka Doncic: Is the NBA Turning On Him?

[08:19–17:43] | [30:20–36:08]

• Dan sets up the growing wave of criticism directed at Luka Doncic. Among the issues discussed:
  • Complaints about Luka’s body language, frequent arguing with officials, and defensive effort.
  • The challenge facing the Lakers to convince Luka this is his long-term home.
  • "Optically, his body language doesn’t look good... that's always been there. Now, it's being exposed." (Jim Jackson, 31:26)
• Jim Jackson on Luka’s situation:
  • The importance of distinguishing between perception and reality, since outside observers aren’t privy to daily team dynamics.
  • Luka’s visible frustration and complaints have alienated some fans and referees.
  • Jackson explains that historical stars (Jordan, Magic, Isaiah, Kobe, Larry) also argued with officials, but Luka’s reputation now “has gone overboard.”
  • On officials' response: "If they're tired of it, tech him up."_ (Jim Jackson, 33:25)
  • Dan notes Luka is close to a suspension for technical fouls.

Luka and Defense

• Jackson stresses that effort is the non-negotiable:
  • "I'm not saying that he has to be the best defensive player... but you gotta give the effort. You just can't lay on the screen... not run back... not rotate over." (Jim Jackson, 35:03)
  • Compares Luka to Steve Nash’s defensive shortcomings but notes Nash always tried.

4. The MVP Race and the "Wemby" Phenomenon

[08:19–09:31] | [36:28–39:59]

• The show debates whether Victor Wembanyama ("Wemby") could steal the NBA MVP.

  • Jim Jackson is cautious: "I don't think he can this year... I think when he [Wemby] is out of the lineup, that's how I think they start to determine MVP." (Jim Jackson, 36:28)
  • Discusses how value and statistics are weighed in MVP voting—sometimes numbers, sometimes team impact.
  • Commentary on Cade Cunningham’s impressive play and value to Detroit.
  • Points out that the new 65-game eligibility rule may exclude Jokic or SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) from MVP contention.
  • Jim supports the 65-game rule, championing that it forces players to prioritize participation.

  Notable Quote:
  "If the 65-game rule is going to be put into effect, and these are the number of games that you have to play... you gotta make it stick."
  — Jim Jackson, 39:59

5. Poll Questions and Lively Fan Engagement

[09:31–11:07]

• Current poll questions up for debate:
  • “The DJ Moore trade will make the Bills better, the Bears better, both, or neither?” (Audience leans Bills)
  • “If you could eat only one cuisine by ethnicity? Italian leads, Mexican close behind.”
  • “For the Bills: better to lose in the AFC title game or the Super Bowl?”
    • Most panelists prefer getting to the Super Bowl even if it's another loss.

6. The “Sports Emmy” Analogy

[11:07–16:43]

• The Danettes examine what’s more painful: losing in the big game or not being recognized at all, likening their six consecutive Sports Emmy losses to the Buffalo Bills’ Super Bowl streak.
  • "We are the Buffalo Bills of the sports Emmys. In fact, we're even worse ... from the standpoint of always losing." (Dan Patrick, 12:07)
  • They debate if they’d want to know if they consistently finished last in voting.
  • Lighthearted, self-deprecating banter about working harder after setbacks.

7. Iconic Nicknames in Sports

[24:28–29:41]

• Inspired by a caller, the crew debates the greatest sports nicknames.
  • “The Greatest” (Ali), “The Great One” (Gretzky), “Magic” (Johnson), “Air” (Jordan), “Tiger” (Woods), “Doc/Dr. J” (Julius Erving).
  • "Magic Johnson is the greatest nickname. Because they call you Magic instead of Irving.” (Marvin, 25:19)
  • Extended appreciation for Dr. J’s coolness and cultural impact; Jim Jackson shares a personal story of meeting his childhood idol.

8. March Madness Flashback: Jim Jackson on Playing and Losing at OSU

[39:59–42:22]

• Dan asks Jim which was worse: losing an NCAA Elite Eight game in overtime to Michigan, or just losing at that stage in general.
  • Jackson says the pain was about missing a Final Four, not the opponent.
  • Candidly admits he still can’t watch the replay, hoping for a different outcome.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Luka's Complaints:
  "If they're tired of it, tech him up..." — Jim Jackson, 33:25
• On Defense and Effort:
  "You just can't lay on the screen... not run back after you take a bad shot." — Jim Jackson, 35:03
• Dan Patrick as the Awards Underdog:
  "We are the Buffalo Bills of the sports Emmys... worse than the Buffalo Bills." — Dan Patrick, 12:07
• On Nicknames:
  "Magic Johnson is the greatest nickname. Because they call you Magic instead of Irving." — Marvin, 25:19

Important Timestamps

• [01:45] – College basketball loyalty stat and ensuing debate
• [08:19] – Introduction to the Luka Doncic criticism discussion
• [30:20] – Jim Jackson on Luka’s body language, Lakers dynamic
• [33:25] – Jim Jackson: what refs should do about Luka’s complaints
• [35:03] – Jim Jackson: how Luka could improve on defense
• [36:28] – NBA MVP conversation, 65-game rule, Wemby’s candidacy
• [39:59] – Jim on the pain of falling just short in March Madness
• [44:18] – Callers react (and defend) the show’s Indian food adventure

Tone & Style

The show’s signature blend of insider sports talk, pop culture asides, listener call-ins, and group ribbing keeps the tone conversational and inviting. Dan Patrick is both authoritative and self-effacing, with Jim Jackson providing veteran player candor and articulate analysis. The lighter moments—culinary complaints, nickname debates, Emmy groans—add texture and make the episode accessible whether you’re a deep NBA fan or just tuning in.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a snapshot of what makes The Dan Patrick Show popular: in-depth but approachable sports analysis, honest insight from those who’ve played and covered the games, and a wide-open forum for the personalities around the mic. The Luka Doncic conversation offers a rare mix of player- and coach-level perspective, while the MVP debate and pop culture detours keep things light and engaging. The episode is an excellent primer on the current NBA landscape—and on why everyone from players to hosts cares so much about those losses and honors, whether they’re on the court or at the Emmys.