The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 2: Luka Looks Unstoppable, Mike Golic Jr.

Date: November 26, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show
Host(s): Dan Patrick & Team (Seaton, Marvin, Paulie, Dylan in for Fritzi)
Notable Guest: Mike Golic Jr.

Overview:

In this episode, Dan Patrick and his crew explore the marvel of Luka Dončić’s play style and what makes certain NBA stars seem “unstoppable,” blending expert basketball insight with humor and personal anecdotes. The hour also features an engaging interview with Mike Golic Jr., who provides deep analysis on college football’s most urgent storylines heading into rivalry weekend. Throughout, Dan and the team touch on Thanksgiving traditions (and menu debates), field calls from listeners, and discuss broader sports narratives across football and basketball.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Luka Dončić and the Art of Playing at Your Own Pace

[03:02–15:13]

• Luka’s Performance Recap:
  Luka’s recent stat line (43 pts, 13 assists, 9 rebounds against the Clippers) sparks discussion about his unique dominance. LeBron and Austin Reaves’ exploits are also noted, but Luka is the hour’s focus.

• The “Unstoppable” Style:
  Dan marvels at Luka’s ability to control the pace of the game ("He doesn’t move fast, he doesn’t move quick, but he moves with purpose." [04:51]).
  He compares Luka’s methodical play to legends like Kawhi Leonard, Jokic, Tim Duncan, and Steph Curry, emphasizing the value of court intelligence and angles over pure athleticism.

• Basketball’s “Local YMCA” Mythos:
  Dan likens Luka to the unexpectedly dominant older guy at a pickup game: "He moves at his pace… seems to find, if I get there, I’m going to take advantage of you." [06:06]

• Evolving NBA Archetypes:
  Paulie: “You can make the case that the top three players… Jokic, SGA, and Luka. They all play with measured, controlled pace and they're not explosive guys.” [09:36]
  Marvin compares Luka’s body type and feel for the game to Paul Pierce, adding: "Besides Kevin Durant, the only other person that I saw that gave LeBron the most problems was Paul Pierce." [10:24]

• Basketball Intelligence vs. Athleticism:
  Dan challenges the obsession with explosiveness: "We get caught up in… Man, you see that guy jump? Yeah, but he can’t shoot or… doesn’t understand angles. Basketball is all about angles." [05:41]

• Sustainability and Uniqueness:
  The crew debates if young players could (or should) model their games after “slow but skilled” stars, with Dan reminding: "There’s no next Larry Bird… these guys have all created something unique." [13:26]

Memorable Quotes:

• Dan Patrick:

  "Luka at 6'8", …he loves to use your body against his. He'll find the separation. He doesn't move fast, he doesn't move quick, but he moves with purpose." [04:51]

• Paulie:

  "The top three players in the NBA are Jokic, SGA and Luka. They meander around the court, they find their spots." [09:36]

• Marvin:

  "Paul Pierce got his shot off whenever he wanted to against whoever. Didn’t even matter. … He got to his spot and he got his shot off." [10:24]

2. Thanksgiving Menu Debates and Sports-Infused Banter

[03:02, 17:15–19:23]

• Thanksgiving Feasts:
  Ongoing gags about Dylan (in for Fritzi) cooking a historically accurate 1621 Thanksgiving underscore the show’s comic mix of food, history, and sports.
• Audience Polls:
  • "Which Thanksgiving menu do you prefer, original or modern?"
  • "Which side dish wins the bracket?" (Stuffing leads at ~40%). [17:15]
• Light Moments:
  • Pilgrim jokes, awareness of 1621’s problematic history, musings on why cranberries are only eaten at Thanksgiving ("You only have it one time. … I don’t think you ever have cranberry any other time" [18:05]).

3. Interview with Mike Golic Jr.: CFB Rivalries, Coaches, and Culture

[23:31–34:23]

Must-Win Game of the Weekend

• Ohio State vs. Michigan:
  • Golic Jr.: "The most must win… is the game for Ryan Day… this is the last remaining box to check." [24:05]
  • He outlines how Ryan Day’s job security and status among fans still hinges on this game, despite past accomplishments.

Notre Dame’s Title Prospects

• Physical Football or Balanced Attacks:
  • Golic Jr.: "The engine that still makes it all go is Jeremiah Love. … I absolutely think he's a great enough player for them to ride to a title." [27:31]

Lane Kiffin and Coaching Drama

• Ole Miss Uncertainty:

  • Golic Jr.: "What a disservice to the players… we're all wondering if their coach is even going to be with them." [27:56]
  • On possible exit: "The whole situation, it just is bizarre. … I feel bad for the players who have put so much into the season." [28:35]

• Transfer Portal & Timing in CFB:
  Golic Jr. explains why coaching decisions and rumors happen mid-season ("that urgency of ‘if I’m going to take this next opportunity, forever’s got to start tonight’…"). [31:29]

Special Teams & Safety

• Kickoff Rule Parity:
  On why college football hasn't adopted NFL-style safer kickoffs:
  "No one runs this in college football… there's no one here that's going to amass the data that cares enough about it to implement it." [32:22]

Family Thanksgiving Competition

• Golic Table Dynamics:
  "It was a competition for resources at the table every year in the Golic family Thanksgiving, …just had to get in there and get what you thought was yours. … That’s where the competitive fire was born." [33:52]

Memorable Quotes:

• Mike Golic Jr.:

  "For Ryan Day… if you want to stamp your place now in the lore of this rivalry… I think you gotta win this weekend." [24:05]

• On Notre Dame:

  "The ability Notre Dame has this year that makes it different… the engine that still makes it all go is Jeremiah Love." [27:31]

• On Ole Miss drama:

  "You got a team that's in the top 10 of college football …and now it seems like everyone involved might be willing to walk away." [28:21]

4. Callers, Stories & Miscellaneous Sports Takes

[34:23–50:43]

• Callers Weigh In:

  • Thanksgiving well wishes, sports chaos wishes for NFL underdogs, and stuffing debates (including oyster stuffing, a New England tradition [49:16]).
  • Renate from Austria introduces international cranberry sauce uses:
    "We have wiener schnitzel that gets served as cranberry sauce…. You put a dollop of cranberry sauce in [a canned pear half] and eat with any fried meal." [48:27]

• Inside College Football:

  • Dan shares insider info about Brian Kelly’s lack of recruiting presence at LSU:
    "He doesn't recruit… He spent a lot of time golfing… just seemed disconnected from the kids." [35:29]

• NFL & CFB Game Previews:

  • Quick rundown of matchups and storylines: e.g., Packers-Lions, Chiefs-Cowboys, Oregon-Washington, quarterback discussions (Stafford praised as MVP favorite, [45:18]).

Notable Quotes (with Attribution & Timestamps)

• Dan Patrick on Luka Dončić:
  “He doesn't move fast, he doesn't move quick, but he moves with purpose.” [04:51]
• Paulie on Modern NBA Stars:
  “They all play with measured, controlled pace and they're not explosive guys. They meander around the court, they find their spots.” [09:36]
• Marvin on Paul Pierce vs. LeBron:
  “Paul Pierce got his shot off whenever he wanted to against whoever. … He got to his spot and he got his shot off.” [10:24]
• Mike Golic Jr. on Ohio State/Michigan Stakes:
  “If you really want to stamp your place now in the lore of this rivalry and at the helm of this team, I think you got to win this weekend.” [24:05]
• Mike Golic Jr. on Notre Dame:
  "The engine that still makes it all go is Jeremiah Love. And I absolutely think he's a great enough player for them to ride to a title." [27:31]
• Mike Golic Jr. on CFB Coach Openings:
  “That urgency of, ‘if I’m going to take this next big opportunity, forever’s got to start tonight,’ like, we’ve got to get going on this now because if we don’t, we’re already behind...” [31:29]
• Dan on Brian Kelly:
  “He doesn't recruit... He spent a lot of time golfing... just seemed disconnected from the kids.” [35:29]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Luka/Modern NBA Analysis: [03:02–15:13]
• Thanksgiving Menu & Show Polls: [17:15–19:23]
• Mike Golic Jr. Interview: [23:31–34:23]
• College Football Inside Scoops & Callers: [34:23–50:43]

Tone & Style

• Inviting, irreverent, and knowledgeable: The episode mixes deep sports analysis, nostalgia, easy banter among the crew, and lighthearted audience engagement.
• Authentic opinions, story-driven breakdowns, and self-deprecating humor (especially about Thanksgiving and food rituals).
• Guests and listeners treated as part of the community, with Dan facilitating diverse perspectives and anecdotes.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• You'll get a deep dive into what makes “slow” NBA stars like Luka Dončić, Jokic, and SGA so special—and why they're redefining stardom.
• College football fans will appreciate the insider takes on Ohio State-Michigan, Notre Dame’s chances, and the Lane Kiffin/Ole Miss saga via Mike Golic Jr.’s candid analysis.
• Non-sports banter (Thanksgiving, food quirks, family stories) keeps things lively and accessible, even if you’re not a hardcore sports fan.
• Listener calls provide a fun, unpredictable “human touch” to the show.

A compelling hour filled with sharp sports commentary, locker-room storytelling, and the friendliest Thanksgiving argument about stuffing you’ll hear all week.