The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3 “Manipulating the Madness, Reggie Miller”
Date: March 9, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Overview
This episode of The Dan Patrick Show’s final hour delves into the madness of March — NCAA Tournament selection and matchups, NFL offseason chaos, and the culture of participation trophies in sports. NBA legend Reggie Miller joins Dan for a wide-ranging, insightful, and entertaining discussion spanning Victor Wembanyama’s rise, the mentality of elite competitors, the Jordan/Kobe/LeBron GOAT debate, and the authenticity of success. The show’s lively banter keeps things energetic, with memorable anecdotes and plenty of listener interaction.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
A. NFL Offseason Chaos & Free Agency (02:11–04:11)
- NFL Trades and Free Agency:
Dan runs down recent NFL news, including massive trades (Max Crosby, Rashan Gary to Cowboys, Tua Tagovailoa released, DJ Moore trade), and the domino effect these moves will have. - Free Agency Spending Correlates to Success:
Dan draws a connection between teams that spent the most in free agency recently (Patriots, Seahawks) and subsequent Super Bowl appearances/wins, noting how quickly a team’s trajectory can change. - Key Question:
Where will quarterbacks like Tua, Geno Smith, Kyler Murray, and Malik Willis land? - Notable Quote:
“The team that had the most money in free agency last year went to the Super Bowl … So it can be done.” (03:42, Dan Patrick)
B. NCAA Tournament Selection: Manipulation & TV Matchups (04:11–06:45)
- Poll Question:
Most questionable recent signing: Cardinals (Kyler Murray) vs. Dolphins (Tua); 72% of listeners vote for Dolphins/Tua. - Understanding Contracts:
Most fans admit to being confused by NFL contract intricacies (57% know “very little”). - Selection Committee Skepticism:
Dan addresses a source from the March Madness selection committee denying they manipulate matchups for TV, but Dan expresses doubt:“Some of those matchups made-for-TV didn’t just happen accidentally. I refuse to believe that.” (05:24, Dan Patrick)
- Paulie’s Perspective:
Paulie explains the committee first seeds teams, then places them in regions, making it possible to arrange for sensational matchups.
C. Listener Calls & Lively Banter (06:45–16:02)
- Best/Worst of the Weekend:
- Mid-major conference championships
- UConn’s loss to Marquette
- J.J. McCarthy’s prospects as reclamation project QB (Dan is skeptical on his upside: “He didn’t have off speed… I would give him another year, but not more.” — 07:27)
- Virginia’s surprising basketball season under Ryan Odom
- Debate over dirty play by Michigan State’s Jeremy Spears
- Marathon Medals Debate:
LA Marathon allowed runners who completed 18 miles (instead of full 26.2) to receive same finisher’s medal due to heat.- Dan and the crew are against “participation medals.”
- “Once you get, like, the race really starts at 18 miles… I can’t do a participation medal.” (12:52, Dan Patrick)
- “You should just get a bumper sticker… ‘I ran part of the marathon.’” (13:41, Stugotz)
- Anecdotes:
- Seaton recalls the agony and sense of accomplishment of finishing a full marathon.
- Dan retells the story of his wife running the NYC Marathon — and her companion vomiting at the finish line, then flying home “wrapped in some kind of aluminum foil.” (14:33)
D. Reggie Miller Joins the Show (21:50–41:50)
1. The Victor Wembanyama Phenomenon (21:50–26:00)
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Wemby’s Versatility and Growth:
- “WEMBY. Wemby again. Wemby. Both ends of the floor, inside and out…” (21:50, Dan Patrick)
- Reggie is impressed with how Wemby is adapting to the NBA's physicality:
“He’s embracing how teams are playing him… using it against them… you truly do not know what you are going to see.” (22:20, Reggie Miller)
- Compares Wemby’s “must-see” status to MJ and Steph Curry.
-
Wemby’s Passion:
Dan admires how much Wemby cares:“You saw him in the All Star game, the Olympics, he truly cares about the outcome… That’s rare.” (24:26)
Reggie:
“He wants to be out there every minute… He competes so hard in just his third season and sets a precedence.” (24:50)
2. Building For the Future & NBA’s Next Five Years (26:02–27:13)
- Who Would You Take for The Next 5 Years?
Reggie, without hesitation:“I would take [Wemby] because of what he does at both ends of the floor…” (26:09)
3. Jason Tatum’s Comeback & Eastern Conference Race (27:13–28:58)
- Jason Tatum’s return to the Celtics isn’t cautious — “they didn’t ease him in.”
- Reggie predicts Boston is the team to beat in the East, but Detroit still a threat.
- “This is a guy that’s been off for 10 months with an Achilles injury… absolutely remarkable.” (27:25, Reggie Miller)
4. The GOAT Debate: MJ, Kobe, LeBron (28:58–34:26)
- MJ Refusing to Enter the Debate:
- Dan: “Why would Mike get involved in the goat debate?”
- Reggie:
“Because we’re his minions. That’s our job.” (29:11)
“All [MJ] needs to do is hold up this [six fingers], and that’s it… He’ll never win if he interjects — that’s our job.” (29:22–29:47, Stugotz/Reggie Miller combined)
- Stacking the Legends:
- Reggie:
“The best player of the three is MJ. Kobe is a clone — a better version… LeBron’s had the best career.” (31:31–32:45)
- Reggie:
- Defensive Strategy Against Kobe & MJ:
- Reggie made it “a marathon” to guard them, tiring them out by running constantly (33:33–34:26).
5. Marathon Medals & Participation Trophies (34:26–36:02)
- Both Reggie and Dan are adamant that only finishing the entire marathon counts.
- “If you run 18 miles, you get the same medal as those who completed the full marathon? … That can’t happen…We’re giving out participation medals for just going 18 miles. No.” (35:00, Reggie Miller)
- Reggie rails against participation trophies for kids as well:
“That’s not how life works. In the business world, it does not work. You do not get a participation trophy for coming in second or third.” (35:24, Reggie Miller)
6. Pain of Losing in the Finals vs. Earlier Exit (36:43–41:33)
- Reggie would always prefer making the Finals than losing earlier — even if the pain is greater:
“I'll always take the Finals… anything can happen once you get there. But it hurt. Trust me. It stings much more.” (36:52, Reggie Miller)
- Dan: “Would you give up part of your pinky finger on your left hand for a championship?”
- Reggie: “Yes, I would.” (37:47–38:10)
- “When you’re that close and you can taste it and see the finish line, but you can’t get to the finish line…” (38:16, Reggie Miller)
- Kobe’s Step-back Move:
Reggie shares a story about Kobe “stealing” his step-back jumper move after a friendly one-on-one:“That fool was writing it down and using those moves against me in the finals. Ain’t this something! Smart, dude. Smart. Kobe. Rest. God rest. I know you’re looking down on this interview right now, smiling, saying, ‘Yeah, Reg, I got you.’” (40:29, Reggie Miller)
E. Final Segment: Losing in the Finals or Missing Playoffs? (45:58–47:41)
- Dan reads a listener scenario: If you’re the current Buffalo Bills, would you rather go to four Super Bowls in a row and lose or miss the playoffs four straight years?
- Crew largely prefers the pain of the Super Bowl — “progress,” “gotta make the playoffs.”
- Notable Humor:
“Seems weird, though, to be like, we haven’t made the playoffs in four years … It’s going exactly how we want it.” (47:30, Marvin)
Notable Quotes by Timestamp
- “The team that had the most money in free agency last year went to the Super Bowl … So it can be done.” — Dan Patrick (03:42)
- “Some of those matchups made-for-TV didn’t just happen accidentally. I refuse to believe that.” — Dan Patrick (05:24)
- “Once you get, like, the race really starts at 18 miles… I can’t do a participation medal.” — Dan Patrick (12:52)
- “He’s embracing how teams are playing him… using it against them… you truly do not know what you are going to see.” — Reggie Miller on Wemby (22:20)
- “He wants to be out there every minute… He competes so hard in just his third season and sets a precedence.” — Reggie Miller (24:50)
- “The best player of the three is MJ. Kobe is a clone — a better version… LeBron’s had the best career.” — Reggie Miller (31:31–32:45)
- “If you run 18 miles, you get the same medal as those who completed the full marathon? … That can’t happen…We’re giving out participation medals for just going 18 miles. No.” — Reggie Miller (35:00)
- “That’s not how life works. In the business world, it does not work. You do not get a participation trophy for coming in second or third.” — Reggie Miller (35:24)
- “That fool was writing it down and using those moves against me in the finals. Ain’t this something! Smart, dude. Smart. Kobe…” — Reggie Miller (40:29)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 02:11 — NFL free agency dominoes and offseason trade talk
- 04:11 — NCAA tournament poll, “manipulation” debate
- 06:45 — Listener call-ins: college hoops, dirty plays, marathon stories
- 12:10 — LA Marathon finisher’s medal controversy
- 21:50 — Reggie Miller interview begins
- 22:20 — Wemby NBA impact analysis
- 28:58 — Jordan/Kobe/LeBron GOAT debate
- 34:26 — Medal for 18 miles: participation trophy debate
- 36:43 — Losing in the Finals versus earlier playoff exits
- 40:29 — Kobe “stealing” Reggie’s step-back move
- 45:58 — Would you rather lose four Super Bowls, or never get there?
- 49:23 — This day in sports history: Most NBA blocks in a single game
Conclusion
The hour seamlessly blends major sports news, behind-the-scenes tournament talk, listener interaction, and high-level analysis with Reggie Miller — including compelling stories of competition, character, and legacy. With warmth, humor, and candor, the show navigates both current headlines (NFL, NCAA, NBA) and timeless questions: What does it mean to truly compete? Who’s the greatest? And what is the real value of finishing what you start?
For listeners who missed the show:
This summary captures the episode’s highlights, spirited debates, and sharp insights — especially from NBA great Reggie Miller. Whether you care about March Madness, NFL chaos, marathon medals, or legendary NBA showdowns, this episode delivers a winning mix.