Hour 2 – NBA Finals Preview, Charles Barkley

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 2 – NBA Finals Preview with Charles Barkley

Release Date: June 2, 2025

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Introduction

In the second hour of The Dan Patrick Show, host Dan Patrick delves deep into the upcoming NBA Finals, bringing in seasoned commentator and basketball legend Charles Barkley to provide expert analysis and insider perspectives. The episode, titled "NBA Finals Preview, Charles Barkley," offers listeners a comprehensive overview of the current NBA landscape, team dynamics, and what to expect in the Finals showdown.

Oklahoma City Thunder: The Unexpected Favorites

[03:50] Dan Patrick: Dan opens the discussion by highlighting the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) as one of the biggest favorites to win the NBA title in recent years. He emphasizes their under-the-radar status, largely due to playing in one of the smallest markets in the NBA.

[04:30] Charles Barkley: "The Thunder are the biggest favorites to win a title since only the 2018 Warriors," Charles remarks, pointing out the team's impressive odds despite limited national recognition.

Dan attributes OKC's success to their star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), examining the trade that brought SGA to the Thunder. He compares this trade to the infamous Paul George deal, suggesting that OKC's acquisition of SGA and subsequent draft picks has been a game-changer for the franchise.

[07:00] Dan Patrick: "The Thunder are the biggest favorites to win a title since only the 2018 Warriors. So if you go back to 2005, only one team and that had star power, the Warriors against the Cavaliers."

Charles adds that the success of the Thunder highlights how effective strategic moves and patient team-building can yield championship contenders, even without the immense star power seen in other top franchises.

Knicks Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses

The conversation shifts to the New York Knicks, who recently advanced to the NBA Finals. Dan and Charles dissect the team's performance throughout the season and the playoffs.

[08:00] Dan Patrick: "If you ask a Knicks fan, was this a successful season, they might say no, because Cleveland was out, but Boston was banged up."

The duo critically examines center Karl-Anthony Towns' (CAT) performance, particularly his defensive shortcomings. They highlight how opposing teams have strategically targeted CAT, exploiting his lack of defensive prowess.

[09:42] Charles Barkley: "When they single you out, that's when you know you're a bad defender."

Dan notes that while CAT has been effective offensively, his defense has been a liability, leading to increased pressure from rivals and questions about his long-term fit with the team.

[11:55] Paul Pabst: "Players that average more blocks per game than Carl Anthony Towns in the playoffs include Derek White, Anthony Edwards, and Ben Simmons."

This comparative analysis underscores the defensive gaps in the Knicks' lineup, prompting discussions on potential trade moves or roster adjustments to bolster their defense for future seasons.

Charles Barkley’s Transition to ESPN and TNT

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Charles Barkley's recent career transition. He shares insights into his new role with ESPN while maintaining his position on TNT's Inside the NBA.

[23:26] Charles Barkley: "I signed a deal with TNT last week. I'm going to trust them because that's been my biggest concern."

Charles discusses the challenges of balancing commitments between ESPN and TNT, expressing enthusiasm about working with ESPN while candidly critiquing a recent pilot for TNT's new NBA show.

[27:12] Charles Barkley: "We got to be going up against the NBA game on every night. Anybody who likes basketball ain't going to turn off an NBA game to watch four dudes sit around and talk about nothing."

He emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality content that complements, rather than competes with, live NBA coverage. This transition marks a new chapter in Barkley's broadcasting career, aiming to bring fresh perspectives to NBA analysis.

Michael Jordan’s Enduring Impact on the NBA

The conversation takes a nostalgic turn as Charles reflects on Michael Jordan's monumental influence on the NBA and sports marketing.

[30:02] Charles Barkley: "Magic and Bird started the transformation. Michael Jordan took it to a whole new level. Because of Michael, I was making millions from wearing Nike. Nobody had signature shoes making a hundred million dollars a year."

Charles credits MJ with revolutionizing athlete endorsements and the overall commercial landscape of the NBA. He marvels at how Jordan's Air Jordans set the standard for athlete-driven branding, changing how players engage with fans and companies alike.

[34:34] Charles Barkley: "I played in those heavy ass Air Jordans one game. It was like I had bricks on my feet."

Sharing a personal anecdote, Charles humorously recounts his experience with the notoriously heavy Air Jordans, highlighting both the performance and marketing prowess behind the iconic footwear.

Best and Worst of the Weekend

Towards the end of the hour, Dan and his co-host Paul Pabst transition to the segment "Best and Worst of the Weekend," where they recap notable sports highlights and disappointments.

Best Moments:

• Paul Pabst: "My first best is PSG winning the Champions League without stars like Mbappe, Neymar, and Messi."
• Dan Patrick: "Massive accomplishment for them."

Worst Moments:

• Paul Pabst: "Dallas Wings' Paige Beckers had to enter concussion protocol after a foul by Chicago Skies' Courtney Vandersloot."
• Charles Barkley: "Andrew McCutcheon hitting his 240th home run as a Pittsburgh Pirate, tying Roberto Clemente on the all-time home run list."

The segment offers a balanced look at the highs and lows across various sports, providing listeners with a concise roundup of the weekend's most talked-about events.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a brief overview of upcoming topics, including an imminent interview with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. Dan Patrick teases further analyses and discussions, promising an engaging lineup for listeners anticipating the NBA Finals and other major sports events.

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Notable Quotes:

• Dan Patrick [07:00]: "The Thunder are the biggest favorites to win a title since only the 2018 Warriors."
• Charles Barkley [09:42]: "When they single you out, that's when you know you're a bad defender."
• Charles Barkley [30:02]: "Magic and Bird started the transformation. Michael Jordan took it to a whole new level."
• Charles Barkley [34:34]: "I played in those heavy ass Air Jordans one game. It was like I had bricks on my feet."

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This episode of The Dan Patrick Show offers a multifaceted look into the NBA's current state, enriched by Charles Barkley's seasoned insights. From unexpected favorites like the Oklahoma City Thunder to critical analyses of the New York Knicks, listeners are provided with thoughtful commentary and engaging discussions that illuminate the complexities of professional basketball.

Transcript

[Dan Patrick]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Paul Pabst]

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[Dan Patrick]

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[Paul Pabst]

The NBC Nightly News legacy isn't handed.

[Dan Patrick]

Down or NBC News.

[Charles Barkley]

I'm Tom Brokaw.

[Dan Patrick]

We hope to see you back here.

[Paul Pabst]

I'm Lester Holt. It's carried forward. Tom Yamas is there for us. Firefighters are still working around the clock. As the world changes, we look for what endures. We are coming on the air with breaking news Right now. We look for a constant and from one era to the next. Trust is the anchor for NBC Nightly News. I'm Tom Yamas. A new chapter begins NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas.

[Charles Barkley]

Evenings on NBC.

[Paul Pabst]

I know a lot of cops. They get asked all the time, have you ever had to shoot your gun? Sometimes the answer is yes. But there's a company dedicated to a future where the answer will always be no. This is Absolute Season one Taser Incorporated. I get right back there and it's bad. Listen to Absolute Season 1 Taser Incorporated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Why is a soap opera western like.

[Charles Barkley]

Yellowstone so wildly successful? The American west with Dan Flores is the latest show from the Meat Eater Podcast Network. So join me starting Tuesday, May 6th where we'll delve into stories of the west and come to understand how it helps inform the ways in which we experience the region. Today.

[Paul Pabst]

Listen to the American west with Dan Flores on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Dan Patrick]

You are listening to the Dan Patrick show on Fox Sports Radio. Hope you had a great weekend. Everybody. Gang's all here, ready to go. The king of comedy, Fritzi Seton, Marv Paulie, yours truly, the backroom guys and you, whether you're listening on your radio or you're watching at home, Peacock is our streaming partner, iHeartRadio, Fox Sports Radio, part of our affiliates over 400 cities that carry the program here. Stat of the DAY is always brought to you by Panini America, the official trading cards of the program. We have a new poll question. We have the NBA and NHL all set with the Stanley Cup Final and the NBA Finals. We'll have hockey on Wednesday, basketball on Thursday. Charles Barkley will stop by, fresh off saying goodbye to Inside the NBA on TNT. Inside the NBA. The ESPN version will be coming up next season. 877.3D P show best and worst of the weekend. What you saw that you liked, you didn't like. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey will join us coming up in an hour from now. And Seaton, you want to give us the poll question for our two, please?

[Paul Pabst]

Yeah, we got up there right now.

[Dan Patrick]

The Knicks in the off season. Do they need to make a big.

[Paul Pabst]

Move or just some minor tweaks?

[Dan Patrick]

Right now, Minor tweaks has about 63% of that vote. We're also putting up their better Finals, Pacers, Thunder, Oilers, Panthers. Okay. All right. What I find interesting, I don't want to say ironic, but I'll say interesting. And that is the Oklahoma City Thunder, relatively unknown nationally. You do have the mvp, Chad Holmgren. Maybe you know of him because he's in the commercial with SGA. Played at Gonzaga, 7 footer. Other than that, probably not their head coach. Probably not playing in one of the smallest markets in the NBA. But they're one of the biggest favorites we've had in the last 25 years. That doesn't. I mean, those things don't go together. The Thunder are the biggest favorites to win a title since only the 2018 Warriors. So if you go back to 2005, only one team and that had star power, the warriors against the Cavaliers. I mean, it says a lot for how good they are that they can still be under the radar. And you're the favorite, prohibitive favorite, one of the biggest favorites we've had in 20 years. And you'd be hard pressed to name their starting lineup, hard pressed to name their coach Everybody's going to get sga. And by the way, there's a lot of revisionist history going on right now because everybody's talking about Paul George. Both of these teams were helped, assisted by trading away Paul George. You go back and listen to some of the, you know, experts talking about the trade. They were not talking about sga. They weren't talking about these draft picks. It was, hey, the Clippers, they got the better end of this deal. They got Paul George all pairing him with Kawhi. Okay. And then nobody knew about Tyrese Halberton. I mean, I did, but, you know, I don't have a life. And I was watching Sacramento. And so when that trade was announced, you know, Sabonus and I went, halberton's really good. I think you guys looked at me like, really? He's really good now. I love Sabonus, too, but, you know, Tyrese Halberton is what they needed. Great player. And, you know, when you're trading away Paul George and this is what you get in return, there are a lot of people who have forgotten that they were all in on these teams getting Paul George. And let's face it, Paul George was a great player, but these teams, they were patient. They didn't have to win now. And look at what happened with sga. This was about all the draft picks that OKC had. This wasn't about getting sga. The Clippers didn't know what they had in sga. If they. If they did, they wouldn't have given up him for Paul George. Yes.

[Paul Pabst]

Marvin, Oklahoma City didn't know either. If you said, this guy's going to.

[Charles Barkley]

Be the MVP of the league. Of what league?

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. Well, then you would go, all right, we don't need four first round draft picks. We. We can get by with two first round. No, they're like, we want all the first round draft picks you have. And, you know, so then you get all these drafts. That's what it was supposed to be about. It's almost like SGA was a throw in. Hey, we'll give you a player, too. Yes, Martin.

[Paul Pabst]

This is almost like if the New Orleans Pelicans got to the finals and.

[Charles Barkley]

Brandon Ingram was league MVP because they traded away Anthony Davis, like, oh, you know, we'll throw in Brandon Ingram and he ends up becoming, you know, this great player. This is kind of the same thing.

[Paul Pabst]

Yes, Paulie, I actually, this is not a good thing for the Paul George trade. I saw a piece on NBA TV comparing thing. If OKC wins, the Paul George trade is The Herschel Walker trade of the NBA. And that's not a trade you want to be part of unless it's on the good side.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, because I don't know. It's one of those draft picks. Chad Holmgren. Do we know what the first round draft picks.

[Paul Pabst]

Marvin Jalen Williams was their second pick of that draft. They earned Chet Holmgren in the lottery with the second pick, but Jalen Williams was the gift from the Clippers.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, okay. All right. Spend a little bit of time talking about the Knicks in the first hour because we tend to focus on the team that has been eliminated. We have plenty of time to talk about Pacers and okc, but the Knicks are interesting because if you ask a Knicks fan, was this a successful season, they might say no, because Cleveland was out, but Boston was banged up. All you had to do is get by Indiana and you're going to the NBA Finals. That feels like it's a disappointment. Now you have the finger pointing. Now it feels like Carl Anthony Towns is the guy who is in question right now. Offensively, he was great during the postseason, certainly in that series, scoring and rebounding. He just. People woke up to the realization that he doesn't play defense, which I find amazing. If you had watched him in Minnesota, you would have realized that you traded for him. So obviously, you have to get guys who are going to be defensive players. Like, I'm not relying on him to be a great defensive player. Am I relying on him to be an average defensive player, serviceable? And the answer is yes, because there are a few players. I. I'm not relying on Luca to play defense. Now. Would I like for him to put out some effort so he's not. When they single you out, that's when you know you're a bad defender. When they, like, the Cavaliers said, we're going right at Tyler Herro.

[Paul Pabst]

We're.

[Dan Patrick]

We're telling him we're going right at you. The Pacers went right after Carl Anthony Towns. They like, hey, pick and roll. Every single time. You could see it happen when they single you out and they go, we're. You know, we're going right at Luca. There's no mystery here. Right at Luca. That's when you know you're a really bad defender. Yes, Marvin, I was upset.

[Paul Pabst]

Four Knicks fans watching every single play.

[Charles Barkley]

In the fourth quarter.

[Paul Pabst]

Hey, Tyrese Halliburton is literally, hey, come over here. Come over here.

[Dan Patrick]

And that's that high screening role. Oh, my goodness.

[Charles Barkley]

And car.

[Paul Pabst]

Andy Towns wouldn't even step up.

[Charles Barkley]

And that floater is a layup to Halliburton. That's a shot.

[Paul Pabst]

He practices with regularity and you don't.

[Dan Patrick]

Step up on him during warm ups. Even prior to warm ups, Halliburton is practicing the floater. You know that that's where he wants to go. That's what he wants to do, you know, so. All right, he might take a deep three, but he does like getting in the lane. The floaters there, you can see what he wants to do. It's right there. But yeah, I got to point some fingers here and I guess it's Carl Anthony Towns. Now what do you do? Can you add. Are you going to trade Carl Anthony Towns? Can you trade him? What do you get for him? What is it exactly that you want? Because he is a very skilled seven foot shooting guard. That's what he is. But he, you know, he went to the hoop, he was aggressive, his knee was bothering him. He just doesn't play defense. And that's what I find amazing that Tom Thibodeau would say, yep, bring him in. He's a defensive minded guy. You already got Brunson who doesn't play defense very well. Now all of a sudden you go, I need Josh Hart. You got to play even more defense and better defense. And Mikhail Bridges and O.J. anunoby. You gotta play really, really good defense. Okay. Because those guys aren't going to. Yeah, Paulie.

[Paul Pabst]

Players that average more blocks per game than Carl Anthony Towns in the playoffs. Point guard Derek White, Shooting guard Anthony Edwards. Point guard Tyrese Halliburton, Josh Hart, Cade Cunningham, James Harden. Average more blocks per game than Carl Anthony Towns. Ben Simmons average more blocks per game.

[Dan Patrick]

Wow.

[Paul Pabst]

And I double checked it because I was shocked. Steph Curry and was tied with Carl Anthony Town's blocks per game.

[Dan Patrick]

Here is Tom Thibodeau, the head coach of the Knicks. The question and his answer.

[Charles Barkley]

What is the message to the team after a game like this? After the run you guys have had in the postseason? And yeah, I think, you know, and again, there's disappointment because you fall short of what your goal is, right? And there's. In the end, there's only going to be one team that achieves the goal. And so I think the challenge for us is to look at it for what it is. And it's, you know, we finished in the top three, but it's, we're falling short of the ultimate goal. And so for us is to use that for motivation and determination to work all summer to prepare ourselves to make the final step and keep improving so we can achieve our goal.

[Dan Patrick]

All righty. Whatever that means. Are you keeping Carl Anthony Towns? Yes, Todd.

[Paul Pabst]

Why top three instead of top four? Because they won one more game than.

[Dan Patrick]

The Western Conference finals.

[Paul Pabst]

That makes them the third best of the four.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Paul Pabst]

They're top four, too, technically. Six games versus the five games.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay. Yes, Marvin.

[Charles Barkley]

No, I think because they were the three seed.

[Dan Patrick]

So you got the Thunder, big favorites, Pacers getting nine. Game one getting nine. The title odds. The Thunder minus 700. The Pacers plus 500. For entertainment purposes only. Yes, Paul.

[Paul Pabst]

This is a classic bet on the Pacers to win outright in game one. Because they shouldn't win game one or.

[Dan Patrick]

I'm going to guess on our gambling podcast, Dan Patrick Takes a Gamble, [e-mail] this is one where Dylan takes the Pacers outright to win the title. Probably why Dylan is always down money. He's always, you know, in the. In the red. But I could see him taking a flyer on the. The Pacers. And that's where the money is if you're going to make a bet. I. I saw where Joe Flacco had some comments about Shador Sanders, the quarterback room, and had some, you know, complimentary things to say about Shador Sanders. He said that right now in the meeting rooms. He's made me crack a smile. And that's. And that's what it's about. He's a young guy trying to learn some football and come out here and practice well and do those things. He's been a lot of fun. So I don't know what that means, though. He's like, hey, he's saying nice things about Shador. Can he play? I'm hearing really good things, okay. I'm hearing really good things that he. He is acting like a rookie. He's acting. He's not, you know, nepotism or privileged or any of that, that he's actually playing well, doing the right things. The problem is Dylan Gabriel is getting some negative reviews. Yeah. Yeah. There was a reporter. Brown's reporter said, doesn't look like an NFL quarterback. Shador Sanders is going to be a starting quarterback with the Browns at some point this season. Just going to be. Because if you're Cleveland, what do you have to lose? Joe Flacco is not your future. Kenny Pickett's not your future. Dylan Gabriel might not be your future then it might be Shador Sanders. Yeah, Paulie.

[Paul Pabst]

I'll put a. Dylan Gabriel takes a snap in a regular season game before Shador Sand.

[Dan Patrick]

Whoa, whoa. Who wants a piece of that Dylan Gabriel gets in before Shador Sanders.

[Paul Pabst]

Yes. And since it's the Browns on theme. Fritzy chocolate cream pie. Oh, yeah.

[Dan Patrick]

Let's have some fun with that. Okay. And just like that, we have a bet. Yes. Seaton. So not only is Paul saying that.

[Paul Pabst]

Dylan Gabriel will be second string.

[Dan Patrick]

Over Shador, Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett, at least. At least two of those other quarterbacks are going to be cut, right? Well, yeah, you're. You're not keeping five. Deshaun Watson's not playing, so we can take him out of the equation.

[Paul Pabst]

All right, so then he's going to.

[Dan Patrick]

Beat out Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and Shador. Yes, that he will. He will take a snap. No, he'll take a snap before Shador Sanders.

[Paul Pabst]

I don't know what string.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, right. Okay, right. Well, he would have to be second string. You would think, Right.

[Paul Pabst]

Or maybe third string. And then somebody gets hurt.

[Dan Patrick]

And then somebody.

[Paul Pabst]

So who is the starting quarterback there?

[Dan Patrick]

I get the feeling it'll be Kenny Pickett, but. So then Kenny Pickett is the starter. Joe Flacco is second string. Probably.

[Paul Pabst]

Maybe that means Dylan Gabriel would then be third string. But then for some, that means Kenny.

[Dan Patrick]

Pickett goes out hurt or something.

[Paul Pabst]

Joe Flacco is in and then he's pulled.

[Dan Patrick]

Exactly. And then Dylan Gabriel comes in before Shador.

[Paul Pabst]

Perfectly summarized.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay. All right.

[Paul Pabst]

We'll trying to get the parameters of the bit.

[Dan Patrick]

Yes, we'll take a break. Charles Barkley joins us next year on the Dan Patrick show. Fox sports radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our [e-mail] and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen live. Hey, Steve Covino.

[Paul Pabst]

And I'm Rich Davis, and together we're Covino and R on Fox Sports radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio. And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.

[Dan Patrick]

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in.

[Paul Pabst]

The world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss.

[Dan Patrick]

And the fact that we've been friends.

[Paul Pabst]

For the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right?

[Dan Patrick]

So check us out.

[Paul Pabst]

We like to get you involved, too.

[Dan Patrick]

Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say.

[Paul Pabst]

I'd say the Most Interactive show on Fox Sports Radio maybe the most interactive.

[Dan Patrick]

Show on planet Earth.

[Paul Pabst]

Be sure to check out Covino and Rich Live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Ko Vino and Rich wherever you get your podcasts and of course on social media, that's Covino and Rich. T Mobile stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network. Switch now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off at the $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com keepandswitch up to 4 lines of your virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service support in 90 plus days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Required card has no cash access and expires in six months The American west.

[Charles Barkley]

With Dan Flores is the latest show from the Meat Eater Podcast Network. Hosted by me, writer and historian Dan Flores and brought to you by Velvet.

[Paul Pabst]

Buck, this podcast looks at a West available nowhere else.

[Charles Barkley]

Each episode I'll be diving into some of the lesser known histories of the West. I'll then be joined in conversation by guests such as wall Western historian Dr. Randall Williams and best selling author and.

[Paul Pabst]

Meat Eater founder Stephen Rinella.

[Dan Patrick]

I'll correct my kids now and then.

[Charles Barkley]

Where they'll say when cave people were.

[Paul Pabst]

Here and I'll say it seems like.

[Dan Patrick]

The Ice Age people that were here.

[Paul Pabst]

Didn'T have a real affinity for caves.

[Charles Barkley]

So join me starting Tuesday, May 6th.

[Paul Pabst]

Where we'll delve into stories of the west and come to understand how it.

[Charles Barkley]

Helps inform the ways in which we experience the region today.

[Paul Pabst]

Listen to the American west with Dan Flores on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. I know a lot of cops and they get asked all the time, have you ever had to shoot your gun? Sometimes the answer is yes. But there's a company dedicated to a future where the answer will always be no. Across the country, cops called this Taser the Revolution. But not everyone was convinced it was that simple. Cops believed everything that Taser told them from Lava for good and the team that brought you Bone Valley comes a story about what happened when a multi billion dollar company dedicated itself to one visionary mission. This is Absolute Season 1 Taser Incorporated. I get right back there and it's bad. It's really, really, really bad. Listen to new episodes of Absolute Season 1, Taser Incorporated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Binge episodes 1, 2, and 3 on May 21 and episodes 4, 5 and 6 on June 4 ad free at Lavafor Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Dan Patrick]

This Pride Month, we are not just celebrating, we're fighting back. I'm George M. Johnson, and my book All Boys Aren't Blue was just named the most banned in America. If the culture wars have taught me anything, it's that pride is protest. And on my podcast, Fighting Words, we talk to people who use their voices to resist, disrupt, and make our community stronger.

[Paul Pabst]

This year, we are showing up and showing out. You need people being like, no, you're not going to tell us what to do.

[Dan Patrick]

This regime is coming down on us, and I don't want to just survive. I want to thrive. You'll hear from trailblazers like Bob the Drag Queen to freedom Angelica Ross.

[Paul Pabst]

We ready to fight? I'm ready to fight.

[Dan Patrick]

And Gabrielle Union.

[Charles Barkley]

Hi, George. And storytellers with wisdom to spare.

[Dan Patrick]

Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Charles Barkley]

I'm Clayton English.

[Paul Pabst]

I'm Greg Lott.

[Charles Barkley]

And this is season two of the War on Drugs podcast. We are back in a big way.

[Paul Pabst]

In a very big way. Real people, real perspectives.

[Charles Barkley]

This is kind of star studded a little bit, man. We got Ricky Williams, NFL player, Heisman Trophy winner.

[Paul Pabst]

It's just the compassionate choice to allow players all reasonable means to care for themselves. Music stars Marcus King, John Osborne from Brothers Osborne.

[Dan Patrick]

We have this misunderstanding of what this quote unquote drug thing is.

[Paul Pabst]

Benny the Butcher, Frenchman Smith from Shinedown. Got be real from Cypress Hill, NHL enforcer Riley Cote, Marine Corvette, MMA fighter Liz Karamouche. What we're doing now isn't working and.

[Dan Patrick]

We need to change things.

[Paul Pabst]

Stories matter and it brings a face to them.

[Charles Barkley]

It makes it real.

[Dan Patrick]

It really does.

[Paul Pabst]

It makes it real.

[Charles Barkley]

Listen to new episodes of the War on Drugs Podcast, Season 2 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And to hear episodes one week early and ad free with exclusive, exclusive content. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcast.

[Dan Patrick]

Hall of Famer Charles Barkley back on the program. Are you unemployed right now?

[Charles Barkley]

No, I signed a deal last week, Dan.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, when do you. When do you start working with espn?

[Charles Barkley]

Next year when the season starts.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, okay, so there's nothing going on from now until the start of next season.

[Charles Barkley]

No, you know, I took my time trying to figure out my. My big thing was the work schedule. And I got together. I spent working on it for, like, two months, and I got together with TNT last week, and I signed a deal.

[Dan Patrick]

So how many days a week are you going to work at the Mothership?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, you know, I don't even think they know the exact schedule, to be honest with you.

[Dan Patrick]

You better know the exact schedule because.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, I'm gonna trust. Trust them, you know, because that's been my biggest concern.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

So, like I say, I didn't officially assign it to last week. I said I'd work for two more years, and that's. That's what I agreed to. And I'm gonna have to trust them. But I listen, you know, if I. If they start trying to work me too much between espn, tnt, I'm just gonna walk on home, you know, because, listen, I actually have seven years left on my contract. I'm like, yeah, there's no way I'm working seven years. I says, you know, I'm gonna be a good soldier for Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq and the people I work with, because I love the people I work with, especially behind the scenes. I said, but the best I can do is two years, and the mother, five years. They got no chance of happening. So I said, you know what? I gave y' all two years. They're like, can we get three? I said, I just told you I ain't gonna get you. You know, dad, it was so fun. I said, I'll get. I'll give you two years. That's. Can we get three? I said, I just told you I was going to do.

[Dan Patrick]

Welcome to the ESPN way of life, though.

[Charles Barkley]

This is the TNT people. Because. Because my. My. I think my. My contract technically is still with tnt.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, okay. Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, I'm gonna be a good soldier.

[Dan Patrick]

What was that feeling like last show?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, I was fine until Ernie started getting emotional, and then I started tearing up. And I'm glad that they only had the camera on him, you know, because Kenny and Shaq, you know, they were just talking. I was like, okay. But Ernie was emotional. The crowd was great. But like I say, man, you've been. I've been with these people for 25 years. It's a great thing. You know, the NBA family has been tremendous to us. The fans have been tremendous for us. But, you know, I will admit, you know, I'm looking forward. You know, ESPN is the most famous sports brand ever, and it's going to be inter. It's going to be awesome working for them. And nobody knows what's going to happen. I mean, I think that's the only thing that, like, what are we actually going to do? So I think that's, that's the only thing. But like I say, I did not want to leave people out in the cold, so I was, hey, you know what? Let me do it for a couple years and then y' all can have it.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, but does the show look like the show? It's just, it's inside the NBA, but it's on espn. Is that how you're, like, positioning this?

[Charles Barkley]

We don't even know. Okay, see that, that, that's one of the reasons I was waiting. Like, yeah, I don't know what we're doing. And, and then TNT is trying to do something stupid behind the scenes. We taped a pilot about a month ago, and it was the stupidest shit I've ever seen in my life, you know, because, because, because we're not going to be on ESPN as much as people think.

[Dan Patrick]

Wait, what do you mean you taped a pilot?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, because espn. Cause we're only probably going to be working for ESPN like half the time to one third of the time. So I think TNT wants to do something and we taped a pilot about a month ago, and it was the stupidest shit ever.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, so you're still gonna do a show, an NBA show on TNT and you're gonna do a show on espn?

[Charles Barkley]

Yes.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, good.

[Charles Barkley]

But like I say, if they're being honest, we gotta probably work on ESPN 1/3 or half the time. But they're trying to do something stupid at tnt, which is number one, It's a stupid idea for a couple reasons. Number one, we won't have basketball highlights. But also we're probably going to be going up against the NBA game, and anybody who likes basketball ain't going to say, hey, you know what? Let me turn off an NBA game that's on Amazon, ESPN or NBC to go watch these four dudes sit around and talk about nothing. So it, it's complicated. And like I say, we taped a pilot doing stupid stuff, and it was just stupid stuff. And it, I, I, I wouldn't want to go out like that.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, is this like a second screen or a manning cat? Like, what are we doing here?

[Charles Barkley]

Hey, they don't know. They listen.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, my God.

[Charles Barkley]

I'm telling you, Dan, it was interesting. We were sitting there taping it. Well, I will admit one thing. I get TNT credit. They did say it was awful. Pilot.

[Dan Patrick]

They were honest with you?

[Charles Barkley]

They were honest. They were honest because it was like we just. So they want to do something. But like I say, the problem we got, we're going to be going up because they're going to be probably much. Well, no, there's going to be an NBA, NBA game on every night. So whenever we do it, it's going to be up against the NBA game. So that's the first problem. So. But I guess they want to feel like they're doing something to make us earn our money from tnt.

[Dan Patrick]

Charles Barkley joining us Inside the NBA on tnt. Is it going to. Okay, what's the show called on TNT and is it. What's the show called on espn?

[Charles Barkley]

First of all, I guess Inside the NBA, I think. And, and I guess it's got to be just inside the NBA on espn, abc. I think that's easy.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Charles Barkley]

But I think so, I forget. I think the pilot's called Inside the NBA.

[Dan Patrick]

That's not confusing.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, you know, you know the thing that was hilarious about it, Dan? We didn't have any NBA.

[Dan Patrick]

You have no rights to the NBA, but you're inside the NBA.

[Charles Barkley]

That's right. We can't show highlights. We can't show highlights. So.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, no.

[Charles Barkley]

We were sitting there for like an hour and a half taping this pilot and we're looking at each other. What the hell are we doing? But like I say, I give TNT credit. The first thing they said after the pilot. Yeah, that was really stupid. We got to figure something out.

[Dan Patrick]

What role do you think Michael Jordan is going to play with NBC's coverage?

[Charles Barkley]

That's a great question. I don't know. I don't see Michael being on television a lot. I mean, I don't see Michael being on television a lot, to be honest with you.

[Dan Patrick]

Why do you think he's doing this?

[Charles Barkley]

I have zero idea. I think it's great that he's going to be part of the NBA. I mean, he's, in my opinion, no disrespect to Kobe or LeBron, he's the greatest player I've seen. I have no idea why he's doing it, but it's a welcome addition. I mean, young man, I, you know, this is going to be interesting going forward because there's so much money out there right now, Dan. Like, I, I, they got to do everything in their power to engage fans. I mean, the money NBC, Amazon and ESPN are paying, you know, you know, I tell people we were paying about $1.2 billion a year and it goes up to 2.5 billion. Those numbers don't compute. So you're gonna have to do everything in your power to draw fans. I think it's going to be fascinating going forward how this thing is going to work.

[Dan Patrick]

What do you think Jordan would get paid today if he was playing well.

[Charles Barkley]

He'D be the first hundred million dollar player. Well, first of all, we're going to have guys making 78 and 90 million dollars. Three to four years.

[Dan Patrick]

Yes.

[Charles Barkley]

You know, but yo, man, bless these guys. As long as they appreciate how lucky they are and don't think they're making all that money because they're great players. They were just born at the right time. We got a bunch of great players, but man, these guys, I just hope they appreciate how lucky they are and stop this BS with low management. You know, we can't keep crap it on the fans where we're like, yeah, wait, yeah, you're making $70 million. You can't play basketball four days a week. You can't work two days in a row. And you want doctors and nurses and firemen and cops and people in the military and people who got like work in the cement factory. Like, wait a minute, I make $20 an hour. This dude makes $70 million and he can't play back to back? Come on, man. I, I, I think that's an insult to the fans and it might be a problem. It was already a problem. But when this money like double and triple the fans gonna like, yeah, I'm not watching this crap anymore. These dudes can't play two games in a row. Can you imagine you're a fan and you get like a great player who comes west to east or east to west. He's only coming one time a year and the tickets are ridiculous that you're like, yeah, he played last night. So I think there's some things we got to answer as basketball players going forward.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, but you're making whatever $20 million a year and you only want to work two days a week.

[Charles Barkley]

I show up every day, though. Listen, I show up, I show up every day, Dan.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, back, back to back though.

[Charles Barkley]

Back to back. Wait, like doing the playoffs, you know, we work like six days a week and I show up every day for those six days. Hey, Dan, you know what?

[Dan Patrick]

These guys, you know, I apologize, I apologize. I didn't realize the work schedule, the workload you have. My bad. Oh, you just, oh, there you go. Are you back? You just, yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

You can't hear me?

[Dan Patrick]

Not, no, you froze up right after I said that with the apology. And I thought you were, you know, it was a dramatic pause there, so.

[Charles Barkley]

Well, because it was a dramatic pause. You sure changed me, Dan. Don't do that.

[Dan Patrick]

I didn't shaw shank you.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, you short changed.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, I thought it was Shawshanked. Oh, yeah, I shortchanged you, but I didn't shawshank you.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, okay, but. But you know, these guys out there, you know, I'm so old, we flew commercial and played back to back. And these guys got the best private planes, they got the best medical staff, they got these cold water plunges, they got these hyperbaric chambers. I mean, they got the best shoes and they can't play basketball two days in a row for 50, 60 million dollars. That's the craziest stuff ever, man.

[Dan Patrick]

Well, this will be crazy, I'm sure to you, but I brought this up to Stephen Jackson last week. I said, you know, can you see a time or get ready for Larry Bird dropping out as one of the top 10 players of all time? Like, could you see a scenario where Larry is not ranked in the top 10 all time?

[Charles Barkley]

Well, let me say this. The three most important figures in NBA history are Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. You know, there are a lot of great players, but there's only few guys who transcend the sport. I'll throw Kobe in there, I'll throw LeBron in there. I'll throw Steph in there. And there are a lot of really, really good players, but nobody can take away the historic, significant. Remember Dave Carwins, one of the greatest ever gets mad when I say this. Before Maddie Johnson, Larry Bird, the league was too black, too thuggery. The average salary was $200,000. Now the average salary is like $12 million. And Magic and Bird started transformation. Michael Jordan took it to a whole nother level. He got guys making $100 million from Nike now and other shoe brands. That's all Michael Jordan. Because you look at the same thing in golf. Garrett, Player, Arnold and Jack, they're the three foundational pieces. And Tiger woods, that once in a generation player who was Michael Jordan in golf. There are a lot of great players. Phil Mickels is probably the only other person in that conversation in golf. But. But there's very few athletes in every sport that people can say, oh, you know, yeah, he's playing, I'm going to watch. That does not mean we don't have a lot of great players. Like right now, we got Shay, we got the Joker, we got giannis. We got LeBron, Luke, all these guys. But there are very few players that transcend their sport. So no matter what happens with Bird, as far as that, him and Matty Johnson are the two most important figures in NBA history, in my opinion. Then I say, then we all owe Michael. Because when Michael, you know, when he started doing commercials, that changed everything for everybody. Now, because of Michael, I was making millions of dollars from wearing Nike. Nobody was doing that. Nobody had a signature shoe where they were making a hundred million dollars a year. That's all because of Michael. That's why, regardless of all this other stuff, this LeBron stuff, this Kobe stuff, people buy shoes because of Michael freaking Jordan. That's it. I mean, and that's no disrespect to anybody. Yeah, some of these other guys out here selling shoes, they. Michael tried to make people wear shoes to wedding. Nobody ever thought about wearing shoes to weddings until Michael Jordan. Think about that. Dan.

[Dan Patrick]

Did you ever wear Air Jordans when you played?

[Charles Barkley]

I'll tell you what's interesting about that. When Michael had pulled me aside and told me we went out smoking cigars the last time, he said the mod had flew down. He said, I got something to tell you guys. He flew down to Houston, and he takes us out. We go out to dinner. We go out, smoke some cigars. He says, guys, I'm just giving y' all a heads up. I'm gonna retire at the end of the season. I'm like, what? And me and Ahmad was like, I think he's serious. He said, yeah, I'm gonna retire at the end of the season. So I called him, like, a week later, and I said, yo, man, that was a tribute because, you know, remember when Matty Johnson announced he had aids? I wanted to pay homage to him. I called Billy Cunningham and said, hey, can I wear your jersey to celebrate Magic Johnson? He says, sure, no problem. I said, because I. And I called Urban. I said, hey, man, for everything you did for me and my family, I'm gonna wear number 32 all year. So I wore 32 one year. But I called Michael and I said, hey, send me a pair of shoes. I just want to tell you how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Give me that. Give me that advice on that Nike stock. That made me understand $30 million.

[Dan Patrick]

And that wasn't insider trading, was it?

[Charles Barkley]

No, because, you know, at the time, I was making about $3 million a year, and we were playing golf, and he said, chuck, I was talking to somebody. So I want you to quit taking 3 million take a million and take the other 2 million in stock options. So I called my people and they say, hey, Michael told me to do that because Mike has always been a brilliant businessman. And they're like, this is risky. You think he's going to be that great? I says, man, I ain't never seen nobody like that dude. Because I had met him at the Olympic trials. I said, he going to be amazing. He says, and we did it. And like I said, I ended up probably making seriously another $50 million, to be honest with you. But he made me trade that in. But the point I was making, man, I put his shoes on one game I had. He definitely did. The greatest damn basketball player ever, Dan. Those were the heaviest damn things ever played in. In my. I'm not even joking, because when I designed my shoes, I wanted them really, really light. I played in those heavy ass air joints one game. It was like I had bricks on my damn feet, Dan. And I'm being 100% serious. I called him, man. I actually called him after the game. I said, yo, man, what the hell you be putting in these damn shoes? I mean, they were so damn heavy, Dan. I said, hey, I played in them one game as a tribute to him. How these shoes too damn heavy for me, man. That's a true story, Dan.

[Dan Patrick]

It makes it even more amazing what Mike did in those Air Jordans.

[Charles Barkley]

You really are the damn goat. You play these big ass bricks.

[Dan Patrick]

Do you. Do you think he could have had them design a special pair for you that maybe were a little heavy? You know, Mike's very competitive.

[Charles Barkley]

No, because I. He got them to me, like in two days.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, okay, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Charles Barkley]

No, he had time to put no bricks in them, but, man, them shoes were heavy as hell, man.

[Dan Patrick]

Before I let you go, what kind of chance do you give the Pacers against okc?

[Charles Barkley]

I think they can make it competitive, but I've been saying for months, nobody can beat that team four times in a week. The Pacers got a good team, but the okc, they're one of the best teams I've seen a long time. They're the deepest. They might be the deepest NBA team I've ever seen. They be playing guys who don't even play, like the last series. And they put them in the game. They're like, damn, where he been? So. And that's going to really negate the Patriots. The Pacers bench, which beat them to help them beat the Knicks. Because the Thunder, they're bringing better players off the bench than the Pacers. The Pacers got a terrific bench, but Oklahoma City got better bench players. So I hope it's a good series, but I don't think anybody can beat OKC four times in a week.

[Dan Patrick]

Great to talk to you. Perhaps I'll see you in Tahoe.

[Charles Barkley]

You a coward, Dan?

[Dan Patrick]

No, no, I'm going to go out there.

[Charles Barkley]

Oh, you're not going to play?

[Dan Patrick]

Well, they didn't invite me. I might be working.

[Charles Barkley]

You won't be working. We play on a Friday afternoon and Saturday and Sunday.

[Dan Patrick]

I think I might bring the show out to Tahoe.

[Charles Barkley]

You bring it out and I do. I should do. How long you on the. How long you on?

[Dan Patrick]

Three hours.

[Charles Barkley]

I'll give you an hour. One day, me and you. Okay, so last time you came to Tahoe, you missed about six little three inch putts. So you. Normally they give you those.

[Dan Patrick]

I know, I know.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah, yeah. I said, dan, we have to put out.

[Dan Patrick]

I know, I know. I did pick up my ball one time. Like, that's good, right? And then I was like, oh, no. People looked at me like, what are you doing? I go, wasn't that good? And like, no, you got to play them. Got to play them all the way to the cup. I know.

[Charles Barkley]

Yes, you do, brother.

[Dan Patrick]

All right. Yeah, I'll see you maybe in July.

[Charles Barkley]

All right, brother. Be safe.

[Dan Patrick]

Thank you, man.

[Charles Barkley]

Be safe out there.

[Dan Patrick]

All right. That's Charles Barkley. We'll take a break. When we come back, we will give you our best and worst of the weekend. After this, be sure to catch the live edition of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at 9am Eastern, 6am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.

[Paul Pabst]

T Mobile stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com KeepAndSwitch up to four lines of your virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service report in 90 plus days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.

[Charles Barkley]

The American west with Dan Flores is the latest show from the Meat Eater Podcast Network. Hosted by me, writer and historian Dan Flores and brought to you by Velvet.

[Paul Pabst]

Buck, this podcast looks at a West available nowhere else.

[Charles Barkley]

Each episode I'll be diving into some of the lesser known histories of the West. I'll then be joined in conversation with by guests such as Western historian Dr. Randall Williams and best selling author and.

[Paul Pabst]

Meat eater founder Stephen Rinella.

[Dan Patrick]

I'll correct my kids now and then.

[Charles Barkley]

Where they'll say when cave people were.

[Paul Pabst]

Here and I'll say it seems like.

[Dan Patrick]

The Ice Age people that were here.

[Charles Barkley]

Didn'T have a real affinity for caves. So join me starting Tuesday, May 6th.

[Paul Pabst]

Where we'll delve into stories of the west and come to understand how it.

[Charles Barkley]

Helps inform the west in which we experience the region today.

[Paul Pabst]

Listen to the American west with Dan Flores on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. I know a lot of cops and they get asked all the time, have you ever had to shoot your gun? Sometimes the answer is yes. But there's a company dedicated to a future where the answer will always be no. Across the country, cops called this Taser the Revolution. But not everyone was convinced it was that simple. Cops believed everything that Taser told them. From Lava for Good and the team that brought you Bone Valley comes a story about what happened when a multi billion dollar company dedicated itself to one visionary mission. This is Absolute Season 1 Taser Incorporated. I get right back there and it's bad. It's really, really, really bad. Listen to new episodes of Absolute Season 1 Taser incorporated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Binge episodes 1, 2 and 3 on May 21 and episodes 4, 5 and 6 on June 4 ad free at Lava for Good. Plus on Apple podcasts.

[Dan Patrick]

This Pride Month, we are not just celebrating, we're fighting back. I'm George M. Johnson and my book All Boys Aren't Blue was just named the most banned book in America. If the culture wars have taught me anything, it's that pride is protest. And on my podcast, Fighting Words, we talk to people who use their voices to resist, disrupt and make our community stronger.

[Paul Pabst]

This year we are showing up and showing out. You need people being like, no, you're not going to tell us what to do.

[Dan Patrick]

This regime is coming down on us and I don't want to just survive. I want to thrive. You'll hear from trailblazers like Bob the Drag Queen to freedom Angelica Ross.

[Paul Pabst]

We ready to fight? I'm ready to fight.

[Dan Patrick]

And Gabrielle Union.

[Charles Barkley]

Hi chores and storytellers with wisdom to spare.

[Dan Patrick]

Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charles Barkley]

I'm Clayton English. I'm Greg Lodd and this is season two of the War on Drugs podcast. Sir, we are back in a big way.

[Paul Pabst]

In a very big way. Real people, real perspectives.

[Charles Barkley]

This kind of star studded a little bit, man. We got Ricky Williams, NFL player, Heisman Trophy winner.

[Paul Pabst]

It's just the compassionate choice to allow players all reasonable means to care for themselves. Music stars Marcus King, John Osborne from Brothers Osborne.

[Dan Patrick]

We have this misunderstanding of what this quote unquote drug fans.

[Paul Pabst]

Benny the Butcher, Brent Smith from Shinedown got be real from Cypress Hill, NHL enforcer Riley Cote, Marine Corvette, MMA fighter Liz Caramouche. What we're doing now isn't working and.

[Dan Patrick]

We need to change things.

[Paul Pabst]

Stories matter and it brings a face to them.

[Charles Barkley]

It makes it real.

[Dan Patrick]

It really does.

[Paul Pabst]

It makes it real.

[Charles Barkley]

Listen to new episodes of the War on Drugs podcast Season 2 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And to hear episodes one week early and ad free with exclusive content. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Dan Patrick]

Time to give you our best and worst of the weekend. Not before we recap a little bit of Charles Barkley. Feels like there's a second screen type thing coming up with tnt that they still have contracts at tnt, but then you also have them working at espn. Doesn't sound like they are. Well, they got a lot of time before the start of next season, but when Charles doesn't know what's going on, I'm gonna guess Shaq doesn't. And Kenny and Ernie. But TNT's still trying to do something. When you're inside the NBA but you don't have the rights to the NBA, it's tough to be inside the NBA under those restrictions there. Yes, Todd, because then you're saying like.

[Paul Pabst]

Trust us, that was a good dunk.

[Charles Barkley]

That we can't show you right now.

[Paul Pabst]

It's going to be a little awkward.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, or maybe you just reenact certain plays or something. Like, oh, the unbelievable play by Joker. Here's Kenny and Shaq to reenact it. There's. All right, let's go around the room. Best and worst of the weekend. Todd, I'll start with you.

[Paul Pabst]

Best Friday night, the ravine between the Yankees and Dodgers. Aaron Judge Homeward in the top of the first. Shohei responds at the homer in the bottom half. First time to reigning MVPs homeward in the same inning of the same game. Oh, Tiny went yard again in the sixth inning, starting a four run rally. And the Dodgers come from behind with an 85 win. Worst of the weekend, the Dallas Wings announcing on Friday Paige Beckers had to be put in concussion protocol after getting fouled by Chicago Skies Courtney Vandersloot on Thursday. Hopefully Paige won't miss too many games going forward.

[Dan Patrick]

All right, Seton o' Connor. Best and worst. I'm going to go two bests because I'm a positive person.

[Paul Pabst]

My first best psg, winning the Champions League.

[Dan Patrick]

Massive, massive accomplishment for them.

[Paul Pabst]

Especially considering since they had Mbappe, they had Neymar, they had Messi, all of them have since left and now they won without all of them, which is an interesting storyline. My other best is Wright State upsetting Vanderbilt.

[Dan Patrick]

That's a massive upset.

[Paul Pabst]

Yeah, that's pretty great.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. College baseball. Wright State Raiders, Dayton, Ohio. Yeah. Named after the Wright brothers. Marvin. Best and worst of the weekend.

[Paul Pabst]

Best hall of Very Good.

[Charles Barkley]

A guy. Andrew McCutcheon hit his 240th home run.

[Paul Pabst]

As a Pittsburgh Pirate, tying Roberto Clemente on the Pirates all time home run list.

[Dan Patrick]

Worsted what ain't done a whole Very Good. He's hauling good.

[Charles Barkley]

He's got an MVP award.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Paul Pabst]

Hall of Very Good. MVP gets you in the hall of Very Good.

[Dan Patrick]

All right.

[Charles Barkley]

Terry Pendleton's in the hall of Very Good.

[Paul Pabst]

I just.

[Charles Barkley]

Mvp. Well, let's not start this getting a.

[Paul Pabst]

Little crazy with hall of Very Good. I gotta admit.

[Charles Barkley]

Yeah.

[Dan Patrick]

Do you think we're being a little too lenient?

[Paul Pabst]

I think we're letting a hell of.

[Dan Patrick]

A lot of people in hall of Very Good was you.

[Paul Pabst]

You.

[Dan Patrick]

You're not almost a Hall of Famer, but man, you're this close to being a Hall of Famer. I agree.

[Paul Pabst]

So I'm just going to keep Andrew McCutcheon in and take Terry Pendleton out.

[Charles Barkley]

All right.

[Paul Pabst]

Worst what we just talked about the.

[Charles Barkley]

Hall of Very Good standards.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay. Anything else?

[Paul Pabst]

Connecticut sun lost by 48 points to the New New York Liberty.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, Paul. I'll go.

[Paul Pabst]

Worse of the weekend. I felt bad for Tyrese Halliburton as he's going to the NBA finals. The jab step when he thought he was mvp. That's a tough little video to be out there, but what are you gonna do? Best of the weekend. LSU, Shreveport. The baseball team. They completed the 59. 0 season, claiming the 2025 NAIA Baseball national championship. No college baseball team has ever finished a season undefeated whilst winning a title. Obviously. And they did it. LSU, Shreveport 59. 0.

[Dan Patrick]

Sawyer in Maine. Hi, Sawyer. What's on your mind?

[Paul Pabst]

Hey, bud. 5, 10, 174. Dan.

[Dan Patrick]

I'm actually a fourth generation veterinarian from Oregon out Here in the manly state of Maine for a wedding. Yeah, my wife and I. My wife took me thrifting slash antiquing.

[Paul Pabst]

Yesterday, just about my favorite activity. And I came across a poster from the 1998 ESPYs.

[Dan Patrick]

Lots of scribbles around the perimeter. What caught my eye is in the.

[Paul Pabst]

Lower left corner, Mr. Dan Patrick signed it. And then from there, a lot of lesser famous people.

[Dan Patrick]

Will Ferrell, Tiger Woods, Joe Namus, John OA, Stuart Scott, Norm MacDonald, Evander Holyfield.

[Paul Pabst]

Lots of names.

[Dan Patrick]

Question is, I paid 100 bucks for this thing.

[Paul Pabst]

Did I overpay, underpay, or did that seem just about right?

[Dan Patrick]

I think it's priceless. I mean, those are big, odd if. If everybody actually signed them or it was just a poster and they manufactured, you know, reproduced everybody's signature. But if you got, like, legitimate signatures on there, then, yeah, that's. That's a hundred bucks well spent, in my opinion. I actually thought Sawyer was going to donate that to the man cave. I thought he was like, it was a big build up there, and I'd like to present it to you, Dan. Put it in your main studio. Two hours in the books, one more to go. The SEC commissioner, Greg Sankey, he'll join us coming up next.

[Paul Pabst]

Why is a soap opera western like.

[Charles Barkley]

Yellowstone so wildly successful? The American west with Dan Flores is the latest show from the Meat Eater Podcast Network. So join me starting Tuesday, May 6, where we'll delve into stories of the west and come to understand how it helps inform the ways in which we experience the region today.

[Paul Pabst]

Listen to the American west with Dan Flores on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I know a lot of cops. They get asked all the time, have you ever had to shoot your gun? Sometimes the answer is yes. But there's a company dedicated to a future where the answer will always be no. This is Absolute Season 1 Taser Incorporated. I get right back there, and it's bad. Listen to Absolute Season 1, Taser Incorporated on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Dan Patrick]

Your gut microbiome and those healthy bacteria.

[Paul Pabst]

Can actually have positive effects. Your mental health, your immunity, your risk of cancer, almost any disease under the sun.

[Charles Barkley]

This week on Dope Labs, Titi and I dive into the world of probiotics. The hype, the science, and what your gut bacteria are really doing behind the scenes. From drinks and gummies to probiotic pillows. Yes, really probiotic pillows.

[Paul Pabst]

We're breaking down what's legit and what's just brilliant marketing.

[Charles Barkley]

With expert Insight from gastroenterologist Dr. Roshi Raj.

[Dan Patrick]

Listen to Dope Labs on the iHeartRadio.

[Paul Pabst]

App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This Pride Month, we are not just.

[Dan Patrick]

Celebrating, we're fighting back.

[Charles Barkley]

I'm George M. Johnson, author of the.

[Dan Patrick]

Most banned book in America. On my podcast, Fighting Words, I sit down with voices that spark resistance and inspire change.

[Paul Pabst]

This year, we are showing up and showing out. You need people being like, no, you're not.

[Charles Barkley]

What? You tell us what to do. This huge mean is coming down on us, and I don't want to just survive.

[Dan Patrick]

I want to thrive. Fighting words is where courage meets conversation. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charles Barkley]

I'm Clayton English. I'm Greg Lod, and this is season two of the War on Drugs podcast.

[Paul Pabst]

Last year, a lot of the problems of the drug war. This year, a lot of the biggest names in music and sports.

[Charles Barkley]

This kind of star studded a little bit, man.

[Paul Pabst]

We met them at their homes. We met them at their recording studios. Stories matter, and it brings a face to it.

[Charles Barkley]

It makes it real.

[Paul Pabst]

It really does. It makes it real.

[Charles Barkley]

Listen to new episodes of the War on Drugs Podcast, Season 2 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Dan Patrick]

This is an iHeart podcast.