The Dan Patrick Show – May 6, 2026: Hour 3 – Dabo Swinney Gets Loose, Dave McMenamin

Episode Overview

In this third hour of The Dan Patrick Show, Dan and the Danettes reflect on the late Ted Turner’s remarkable life, analyze controversial comments from Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney, and dig into the NBA Playoffs with ESPN's Dave McMenamin—focusing especially on the Lakers, LeBron James, and the shifting landscape of the league. The hour blends candid opinions, sports nostalgia, and locker-room banter, demonstrating Dan’s signature mix of deep sports insight and humor.

Remembering Ted Turner

[03:38–07:18]

Dan shares the news of Ted Turner’s passing at 87, calling him “truly, truly remarkable.”
Highlights from Turner’s legacy:
- Created CNN and TBS, owned the Atlanta Braves.
- Made the Braves a national team by launching the Superstation.
- Was an early innovator in broadcasting sports and wrestling.
- Was passionate about conservation, notably buffalo herds.
- “He lived a life,” Dan says, noting encounters with Turner in Atlanta and NYC, remembering his brashness and authenticity.
Anecdote about Turner briefly managing the Braves during a losing streak:
- Paul: “He sent the manager on a road trip and took over as manager that night... Baseball said, you can’t own and manage at the same time.”

Dabo Swinney's Comments & The Changing College Football Landscape

[07:18–14:56]

Dabo Swinney’s Podcast Comments
- Audio from Dabo Swinney on Clemson’s limitations compared to larger programs:
  
  “We’re three and one against Ohio State. We’re four and two against Notre Dame... They print their own money. They got, like, a money machine in the backyard... We’ve beaten Nick Saban in Alabama, two national championships. And, so, you know, we’ve done all of that at Clemson.” – Dabo Swinney ([07:51])
- Dan and the Danettes react:
  - Dan: “So what’s he complaining about? If you’re good enough to beat everybody, then what’s the complaint?”
  - Points out Clemson had nine NFL draft picks but only won seven games last season.
  - Questions if Swinney’s going public with funding complaints to motivate boosters.
- Todd: “Now you see schools like Alabama and Clemson that were meeting for the national championship year in and year out... can’t dominate like you once did.” ([10:22])
- Mark: “Why can’t coach have that conversation behind closed doors? Because then it looks like whining.” ([11:01])
- Dan: “Dabo didn’t want any part of [the transfer portal]. And I’m thinking, you are a dinosaur, man. And we know what happens with dinosaurs, certainly in the college ranks.” ([11:20])
- Paul: “It’s a bit of a blame shift by Dabo. He could be right and weirdly wrong.” ([12:32])
Discussion of Clemson’s recent struggles, with nostalgia for successful QBs of the past.
- Dan: “Trevor Lawrence isn’t walking through the door.”
- Marvin: “They’ve had a couple years of underperforming quarterbacks... Cade Klubnik, his draft stock went down.”
- Evaluation that Dabo’s message may be poorly timed or poorly targeted given results.

NBA Playoffs & LeBron James with Dave McMenamin

[22:35–40:14]

Thunder vs Lakers Game 1 Recap
- Dan: “Dave McMenamin was there. He witnessed the kind of, I don’t know, average game for OKC... SGA didn’t have a great game and LeBron showed up. But anything that you didn’t expect happen last night?” ([22:35])
- Dave: “...Thunder look like the team that beat the doors off you in the regular season... They’re going to have to find a way to turn the page.” ([22:59])
Three-Point Shooting & Adjustments
- Discussion about whether teams adjust in-game when shots aren’t falling.
- Dave: “The Lakers from the All Star break onward were a top 10 three-point shooting team. The one guy missing from that equation...has been Luka Doncic, their most lethal three-point shooter.” ([23:58])
LeBron’s Perspective on Injuries/Losing
- Dan: “LeBron was asked about...you’re not scoring. And he reminded the media that, ‘Hey, we don’t have Luka here.’”
- Dave: “It was just addressing the obvious elephant in the room... If you don’t take those two pieces of context into consideration, you’re being a little disingenuous.” ([25:26])
- No update on Luka’s status; week-to-week, could return for Games 3/4. ([26:09])
Thunder’s Title Chances
- Dan: “Is OKC beatable?”
- Dave: “Certainly they are... but then you watch the game last night...and you’re like, man, if they can do this on a night where Shay literally has his worst scoring game...they do seem like in a class of their own right now.” ([27:08])
LeBron’s Future and Stat Padding
- Dan: “Is there a scenario where this is how [LeBron] wants to go out?”
- Dave: “I’d be pretty shocked if this was his last season. His game is still elite...if they make some adjustments, they should be right there... doesn’t make sense for him to walk away.” ([28:16])
- Dan: “Does he ever talk about padding his stats?” ([29:38])
- Dave: “He cares about his...assists to Bronnie James... With the context of winning — if there was not a chance to contend, I really believe he would walk away.” ([30:09])
Inside the Mind of LeBron: The 23 Questions Project
- Dave details how he peppered LeBron with personal, quirky, and basketball questions throughout the season.
  - Dave: “He played ball, there wasn’t one of them he said no to. There was some insightful answers.” ([31:33])
  - Example: LeBron doesn’t model his post-retirement life after broadcaster friends, wants his own path.
  - Dave: “He flatly rejected that... I thought that was pretty revealing.” ([33:08])
LeBron vs. Jordan
- Dan: “Do you think deep down, maybe not deep down, LeBron thinks he’s better than Michael Jordan?” ([37:14])
- Dave: “I didn’t talk about ‘goat’, but about aspects of their games. He admitted...Michael’s mid-post game was better...the will to win was something LeBron admired.” ([37:20])
- Conversation on the narrative around LeBron’s Finals record, comparing it to Jerry West, Brady, and golf legends like Jack Nicklaus.
  - Dan: “You can’t win it if you don’t get there. And I always thought that was a shame...that it was viewed as a negative.” ([38:58])
  - Dave: “That’s something that should be celebrated. LeBron’s been playing in June with something to play for. I don’t think we’ll see another player [do that].” ([39:52])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Ted Turner’s Eccentricities:
Dan: “He was who you thought he was. Like, you saw him and he lived a life.”
On Dabo Swinney’s Comments:
Dan: “You had nine guys drafted and you won seven games. That has nothing to do with Notre Dame or Ohio State.”
On Transfer Portal & NIL:
Dan: “Dabo didn’t want any part of that. And I’m thinking, you are a dinosaur, man. And we know what happens with dinosaurs, certainly in the college ranks.” ([11:20])
On LeBron and “Stat Padding”:
Dave: “He’s had two assists to Bronnie James thus far in his career. He wants to add to that. And he’s had one assist he’s received from Bronnie James. Like, that’s certainly a counting stat that he wants.” ([30:09])
LeBron on Not Following Friends’ Example For Retirement:
Dave: “[LeBron] flatly rejected that. He puts his mind what through what they’re going through at all. I thought that was pretty revealing.” ([33:08])
LeBron vs. Jordan:
Dave: “He admitted to me... Michael’s mid-post game... the will to win... that’s the reputation of Jordan... he’ll probably never overcome.” ([37:20])
On Finals Losses Being Held Against LeBron:
Dan: “I always thought that that was a shame, that it was viewed as a negative. Oh, he can’t win the big one—Jerry West only won one title.” ([39:39])

Fun Bits & Show Banter

Throwback to old Clemson QBs—“Trevor Lawrence isn’t walking through the door.”
Pizza Wednesday Recap: The Danettes discuss the day’s pizza selections and pizza insert for their grill ([03:23–03:38], [40:59–41:11]).
Locker-room humor and phone calls: Listeners call in to share stories, compliment the team, suggest Dylan needs hazing, and share old-school sports anecdotes.

Key Timestamps & Segments

[03:38] – Remembering Ted Turner; unique sports legacy
[07:18] – Dabo Swinney audio and college football debate
[10:22] – Discussion of transfer portal/NIL and its effect on traditional powers
[11:20] – Is Swinney a “dinosaur” in modern college football?
[22:35] – NBA Playoff talk begins, Dave McMenamin joins
[28:16] – Will LeBron retire? Dave predicts he stays
[29:38] – Does LeBron care about stat-padding?
[33:08] – LeBron’s view of post-retirement role models
[37:20] – LeBron vs. Jordan, candid comparisons
[39:39] – Finals “losses” and the narrative around LeBron

Final Thoughts

This episode captures the tone and spirit of The Dan Patrick Show with equal parts sports dissection, nostalgia, and lighthearted ribbing. Dan and his team tackle the big questions—legacy, adaptation in sports, how to judge greatness—while always anchoring the discussion in humor and authenticity.

For fans who missed the show:
Expect memorable stories about sports legends, fresh takes on college football change, and a headline-level view of what drives elite athletes like LeBron—plus, of course, some pizza talk.

The Dan Patrick Show – May 6, 2026: Hour 3 – Dabo Swinney Gets Loose, Dave McMenamin

Episode Overview

Remembering Ted Turner

[03:38–07:18]

Dan shares the news of Ted Turner’s passing at 87, calling him “truly, truly remarkable.”
Highlights from Turner’s legacy:
- Created CNN and TBS, owned the Atlanta Braves.
- Made the Braves a national team by launching the Superstation.
- Was an early innovator in broadcasting sports and wrestling.
- Was passionate about conservation, notably buffalo herds.
- “He lived a life,” Dan says, noting encounters with Turner in Atlanta and NYC, remembering his brashness and authenticity.
Anecdote about Turner briefly managing the Braves during a losing streak:
- Paul: “He sent the manager on a road trip and took over as manager that night... Baseball said, you can’t own and manage at the same time.”

Dabo Swinney's Comments & The Changing College Football Landscape

[07:18–14:56]

Dabo Swinney’s Podcast Comments
- Audio from Dabo Swinney on Clemson’s limitations compared to larger programs:
  
  “We’re three and one against Ohio State. We’re four and two against Notre Dame... They print their own money. They got, like, a money machine in the backyard... We’ve beaten Nick Saban in Alabama, two national championships. And, so, you know, we’ve done all of that at Clemson.” – Dabo Swinney ([07:51])
- Dan and the Danettes react:
  - Dan: “So what’s he complaining about? If you’re good enough to beat everybody, then what’s the complaint?”
  - Points out Clemson had nine NFL draft picks but only won seven games last season.
  - Questions if Swinney’s going public with funding complaints to motivate boosters.
- Todd: “Now you see schools like Alabama and Clemson that were meeting for the national championship year in and year out... can’t dominate like you once did.” ([10:22])
- Mark: “Why can’t coach have that conversation behind closed doors? Because then it looks like whining.” ([11:01])
- Dan: “Dabo didn’t want any part of [the transfer portal]. And I’m thinking, you are a dinosaur, man. And we know what happens with dinosaurs, certainly in the college ranks.” ([11:20])
- Paul: “It’s a bit of a blame shift by Dabo. He could be right and weirdly wrong.” ([12:32])
Discussion of Clemson’s recent struggles, with nostalgia for successful QBs of the past.
- Dan: “Trevor Lawrence isn’t walking through the door.”
- Marvin: “They’ve had a couple years of underperforming quarterbacks... Cade Klubnik, his draft stock went down.”
- Evaluation that Dabo’s message may be poorly timed or poorly targeted given results.

NBA Playoffs & LeBron James with Dave McMenamin

[22:35–40:14]

Thunder vs Lakers Game 1 Recap
- Dan: “Dave McMenamin was there. He witnessed the kind of, I don’t know, average game for OKC... SGA didn’t have a great game and LeBron showed up. But anything that you didn’t expect happen last night?” ([22:35])
- Dave: “...Thunder look like the team that beat the doors off you in the regular season... They’re going to have to find a way to turn the page.” ([22:59])
Three-Point Shooting & Adjustments
- Discussion about whether teams adjust in-game when shots aren’t falling.
- Dave: “The Lakers from the All Star break onward were a top 10 three-point shooting team. The one guy missing from that equation...has been Luka Doncic, their most lethal three-point shooter.” ([23:58])
LeBron’s Perspective on Injuries/Losing
- Dan: “LeBron was asked about...you’re not scoring. And he reminded the media that, ‘Hey, we don’t have Luka here.’”
- Dave: “It was just addressing the obvious elephant in the room... If you don’t take those two pieces of context into consideration, you’re being a little disingenuous.” ([25:26])
- No update on Luka’s status; week-to-week, could return for Games 3/4. ([26:09])
Thunder’s Title Chances
- Dan: “Is OKC beatable?”
- Dave: “Certainly they are... but then you watch the game last night...and you’re like, man, if they can do this on a night where Shay literally has his worst scoring game...they do seem like in a class of their own right now.” ([27:08])
LeBron’s Future and Stat Padding
- Dan: “Is there a scenario where this is how [LeBron] wants to go out?”
- Dave: “I’d be pretty shocked if this was his last season. His game is still elite...if they make some adjustments, they should be right there... doesn’t make sense for him to walk away.” ([28:16])
- Dan: “Does he ever talk about padding his stats?” ([29:38])
- Dave: “He cares about his...assists to Bronnie James... With the context of winning — if there was not a chance to contend, I really believe he would walk away.” ([30:09])
Inside the Mind of LeBron: The 23 Questions Project
- Dave details how he peppered LeBron with personal, quirky, and basketball questions throughout the season.
  - Dave: “He played ball, there wasn’t one of them he said no to. There was some insightful answers.” ([31:33])
  - Example: LeBron doesn’t model his post-retirement life after broadcaster friends, wants his own path.
  - Dave: “He flatly rejected that... I thought that was pretty revealing.” ([33:08])
LeBron vs. Jordan
- Dan: “Do you think deep down, maybe not deep down, LeBron thinks he’s better than Michael Jordan?” ([37:14])
- Dave: “I didn’t talk about ‘goat’, but about aspects of their games. He admitted...Michael’s mid-post game was better...the will to win was something LeBron admired.” ([37:20])
- Conversation on the narrative around LeBron’s Finals record, comparing it to Jerry West, Brady, and golf legends like Jack Nicklaus.
  - Dan: “You can’t win it if you don’t get there. And I always thought that was a shame...that it was viewed as a negative.” ([38:58])
  - Dave: “That’s something that should be celebrated. LeBron’s been playing in June with something to play for. I don’t think we’ll see another player [do that].” ([39:52])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Ted Turner’s Eccentricities:
Dan: “He was who you thought he was. Like, you saw him and he lived a life.”
On Dabo Swinney’s Comments:
Dan: “You had nine guys drafted and you won seven games. That has nothing to do with Notre Dame or Ohio State.”
On Transfer Portal & NIL:
Dan: “Dabo didn’t want any part of that. And I’m thinking, you are a dinosaur, man. And we know what happens with dinosaurs, certainly in the college ranks.” ([11:20])
On LeBron and “Stat Padding”:
Dave: “He’s had two assists to Bronnie James thus far in his career. He wants to add to that. And he’s had one assist he’s received from Bronnie James. Like, that’s certainly a counting stat that he wants.” ([30:09])
LeBron on Not Following Friends’ Example For Retirement:
Dave: “[LeBron] flatly rejected that. He puts his mind what through what they’re going through at all. I thought that was pretty revealing.” ([33:08])
LeBron vs. Jordan:
Dave: “He admitted to me... Michael’s mid-post game... the will to win... that’s the reputation of Jordan... he’ll probably never overcome.” ([37:20])
On Finals Losses Being Held Against LeBron:
Dan: “I always thought that that was a shame, that it was viewed as a negative. Oh, he can’t win the big one—Jerry West only won one title.” ([39:39])

Fun Bits & Show Banter

Throwback to old Clemson QBs—“Trevor Lawrence isn’t walking through the door.”
Pizza Wednesday Recap: The Danettes discuss the day’s pizza selections and pizza insert for their grill ([03:23–03:38], [40:59–41:11]).
Locker-room humor and phone calls: Listeners call in to share stories, compliment the team, suggest Dylan needs hazing, and share old-school sports anecdotes.

Key Timestamps & Segments

[03:38] – Remembering Ted Turner; unique sports legacy
[07:18] – Dabo Swinney audio and college football debate
[10:22] – Discussion of transfer portal/NIL and its effect on traditional powers
[11:20] – Is Swinney a “dinosaur” in modern college football?
[22:35] – NBA Playoff talk begins, Dave McMenamin joins
[28:16] – Will LeBron retire? Dave predicts he stays
[29:38] – Does LeBron care about stat-padding?
[33:08] – LeBron’s view of post-retirement role models
[37:20] – LeBron vs. Jordan, candid comparisons
[39:39] – Finals “losses” and the narrative around LeBron

wavePod

Hour 3 – Dabo Swinney Gets Loose, Dave McMenamin

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show – May 6, 2026: Hour 3 – Dabo Swinney Gets Loose, Dave McMenamin

Episode Overview

Remembering Ted Turner

Dabo Swinney's Comments & The Changing College Football Landscape

NBA Playoffs & LeBron James with Dave McMenamin

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Fun Bits & Show Banter

Key Timestamps & Segments

Final Thoughts

Transcript

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show – May 6, 2026: Hour 3 – Dabo Swinney Gets Loose, Dave McMenamin

Episode Overview

Remembering Ted Turner

Dabo Swinney's Comments & The Changing College Football Landscape

NBA Playoffs & LeBron James with Dave McMenamin

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Fun Bits & Show Banter

Key Timestamps & Segments

Final Thoughts