Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3 with JJ Spaun & Brian Scalabrini Release Date: June 17, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging third hour of The Dan Patrick Show, host Dan Patrick welcomes two prominent sports figures: JJ Spaun, the reigning U.S. Open champion in golf, and Brian Scalabrini, a seasoned NBA analyst and former player. The episode delves deep into the intricacies of both professional basketball and golf, offering listeners insightful analysis, personal anecdotes, and expert opinions on recent sporting events.

Section 1: NBA Finals Analysis with Brian Scalabrini

Brian Scalabrini kicks off the discussion by analyzing recent performances in the NBA Finals, focusing on player decisions and game strategies.

• Tyrese Halliburton’s Performance and Injury Concerns

  Brian expresses concern over Tyrese Halliburton's participation despite not being fully fit:

  "He's not 100%, it's pretty clear, but I don't think he's going to miss the next game." ([03:44])

  Dan Patrick counters by noting Halliburton's determination:

  "He's not 100%, you know, and there's..." ([04:00])

  The conversation highlights the delicate balance coaches must maintain between leveraging star players and managing their health.

• Rick Carlisle’s Coaching Decisions

  The discussion touches on Rick Carlisle's strategic choices during crucial moments:

  "But he was the one limping now. Guys are going to be banged up. But he was noticeably limping there. That's the difference." ([04:15])

  Brian appreciates Carlisle’s approach, emphasizing the importance of not overusing injured players.

• Bench Performance and Team Dynamics

  Brian praises the depth of the team, mentioning standout performances from role players:

  "Tyrese Halliburton scoring four points, he didn't score a basket. It was a two-point game with eight and a half minutes to go." ([05:00])

  The analysis underscores how bench contributions can turn the tide in high-stakes games.

Section 2: JJ Spaun’s U.S. Open Victory and Personal Insights

Dan Patrick introduces JJ Spaun, celebrating his triumph at the U.S. Open and delving into his personal journey and strategies.

• Winning Shot at Oakmont

  JJ recounts a pivotal moment during the tournament:

  "The tee shot on 17 on Sunday... that was the strategy all week long, is to send driver up there and just try to get up and down." ([08:34])

  He describes the tension and exhilaration of executing a crucial shot without visual confirmation:

  "Once I hit it, the ball kind of you can see it one hop, and then it disappears, and all you hear is just this growing roar." ([09:23])

• Rain Delay and Its Impact

  Discussing the unforeseen rain delay, JJ explains how it served as a strategic reset:

  "I wanted to feel like a completely different person going out there because I had 10 holes to play." ([13:04])

  This pause allowed him to regroup and maintain focus, contributing to his eventual success.

• Personal Challenges: Daughter’s Illness

  JJ opens up about a personal challenge faced during the tournament:

  "My daughter caught some sort of stomach bug... she was crying for water, poor thing. She's 2 years old." ([11:16])

  He shares how balancing professional responsibilities with personal worries tested his resilience.

• Celebrating the Victory

  Dan and Michael extend heartfelt congratulations to JJ, highlighting his remarkable achievement:

  "A lot of fun. As Rich Lerner said on the Golf Channel, that you beat the best, but you beat the beast as well. That was Oakmont." ([14:28])

  JJ humbly accepts the praise, emphasizing teamwork and strategic planning.

Section 3: Continued NBA Insights and Listener Interactions

The episode transitions back to NBA discussions, with Brian Scalabrini providing further analysis and engaging with listener calls.

• Underdog Teams in the Finals

  Michael Kasson addresses a listener’s question about underdog teams in NBA Finals history. Brian provides a comprehensive overview, stating that no team has been an underdog in every game of the Finals since 2008 and emerged victorious.

• Cooper Flag’s Exceptional Skills

  Brian draws parallels between Cooper Flag and LeBron James, highlighting Flag’s extraordinary basketball IQ and processing speed:

  "He's probably the best scorer who doesn't guard." ([42:53])

  This comparison underscores the rare talent Flag brings to the game, positioning him as a formidable player despite defensive limitations.

• Best Performances Witnessed

  Brian reflects on memorable personal experiences, citing LeBron James’ iconic performance in Game 6 against the Celtics and Paul Pierce’s 48-point second half:

  "Probably LeBron in Game 6 against the Celtics when they were down 3-2 against Miami." ([37:08])

  These anecdotes serve to illustrate the extraordinary capabilities of elite athletes under pressure.

Section 4: Lighthearted Moments and Closing Remarks

The latter part of the hour features humorous exchanges between Dan, Michael, and Brian, including playful banter about defending NBA players and memorable sports moments.

• Humorous Comparisons and Sports History

  The trio reminisces about classic sports events and shares lighthearted jokes, fostering a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.

• Final Takeaways

  Dan wraps up the discussion by highlighting the key lessons learned from both the NBA Finals strategies and JJ Spaun’s championship mindset.

Notable Quotes

1. Brian Scalabrini on Tyrese Halliburton:

   "He's not 100%, it's pretty clear, but I don't think he's going to miss the next game." ([03:44])

2. JJ Spaun on Executing the Winning Shot:

   "Once I hit it, the ball kind of you can see it one hop, and then it disappears, and all you hear is just this growing roar." ([09:23])

3. Brian Scalabrini on Cooper Flag:

   "He's probably the best scorer who doesn't guard." ([42:53])

4. Dan Patrick on Team Performance:

   "He tried to hold off." ([05:03])

Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show offers a rich blend of in-depth sports analysis and personal storytelling. With expert insights from Brian Scalabrini and an inspiring account from U.S. Open champion JJ Spaun, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of high-level competition in both basketball and golf. The engaging dialogue, punctuated by memorable quotes and relatable anecdotes, makes for a compelling listen that resonates with sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

Listen to the Episode

For those interested in the full conversation and more exclusive content, tune into The Dan Patrick Show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.