The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3: Insights with Mike Breen and Greg McElroy (January 9, 2025)

In this engaging episode of The Dan Patrick Show, hosted by Dan Patrick from the iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network, listeners are treated to in-depth conversations with esteemed guests Mike Breen, ESPN ABC NBA Play-by-Play Commentator, and Greg McElroy, former Alabama quarterback and ESPN college football analyst. The episode delves into the impressive start of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA season, player analyses, signature broadcasting quirks, and an insightful discussion on the current state of college football playoffs.

1. Analyzing the Cavaliers’ Stellar Start

Mike Breen, known for his vibrant commentary, joins Dan Patrick to discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' remarkable 32-4 start to the NBA season. The game against the Oklahoma City Thunder was highlighted as feeling like an early preview of the Finals, emphasizing the Cavaliers' dominance and potential.

• Spectacular Performance: Mike describes the energy and intensity of the game, noting, “They knew it. The crowd knew it. It was really wonderful.” (05:41)

• Historical Comparison: Dan remarks on the Cavaliers’ achievement, stating, “This is one of the great starts in the history of the NBA.” Mike agrees, adding, “It's one of the greatest starts that the league has ever seen.” (06:13, 07:42)

• Team Basketball Approach: The Cavaliers are praised for their team-first mentality, which has contributed to their success despite previous playoff disappointments. Mike attributes their consistency to “playing such fun basketball to watch because they play team basketball.” (06:49)

2. Spotlight on Shea Gilgames Alexander

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Shea Gilgames Alexander, a standout player for the Cavaliers. Mike provides a comprehensive analysis of Shea’s abilities and his potential to become a franchise superstar.

• Skillset and Poise: Mike describes Shea as having “magical control of his body” and possessing “supreme confidence but at the same time humility.” (08:44)

• Comparison to Kawhi Leonard: Dan draws parallels between Shea and Kawhi Leonard, noting their shared ability to control the game's tempo despite not being the fastest players. Mike responds, “Neither one of them, you would say are fast. They're both athletic, but that's not what they rely on.” (08:33, 09:56)

• Versatility Across Eras: Mike elaborates on Shea’s adaptability, stating he “could play in any era” and incorporates elements from different basketball eras into his game. (09:56, 10:47)

3. The "Bang" Phenomenon with Mike Breen

Dan and Mike delve into Mike’s signature exclamation, “Bang!”, exploring its origins and impact on his broadcasting style.

• Origin of "Bang": Mike reveals the tradition of his “Bang” shout, inspired by Johnny Most from the Celtics radio broadcasts. “I did bang in a Celtic game and I said, that's dedicated to the great Johnny Most.” (12:14, 12:48)

• Fan Interactions: Mike shares anecdotes about fans requesting him to say “Bang,” highlighting the enthusiasm and connection with his audience. “Sometimes it gets a little much. But I'm so flattered by it that this one word has been so good to me.” (11:00, 11:30)

4. Future NBA Predictions and Player Rankings

The conversation shifts to future prospects within the NBA, including potential MVP candidates and retirement speculations.

• Victor Wembanyama’s Potential: Dan expresses confidence in Wembanyama’s future, predicting multiple MVP awards before age 25. Mike concurs, stating, “I wouldn't bet against you on that.” (13:19, 13:52)

• Retirement Speculations: Dan questions the longevity of stars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. Mike posits that Durant and Curry are likely to continue playing, with LeBron potentially considering retirement due to his hints about extending his career indefinitely. “KD is going to keep playing for a long time. Steph is still loving, and LeBron is still loving, too.” (15:00)

• Ranking Across Eras: When asked if LeBron could ever be ranked higher than Michael Jordan, Mike avoids direct comparisons, emphasizing the challenges of evaluating players from different eras. “I refuse to rank players from different eras. It's just impossible.” (16:27)

5. Transition to College Football with Greg McElroy and Todd Fritz

In the latter part of the episode, Dan introduces Greg McElroy and Todd Fritz to discuss college football, focusing on playoff systems, team performances, and coaching strategies.

• Playoff System Critique: Todd Fritz critiques the current playoff selection process, advocating for stronger non-conference schedules to ensure a more merit-based selection. “I would like to see stronger non-conference play because that benefits all of us.” (37:14)

• Analysis of Notre Dame vs. Penn State: Greg and Todd analyze the upcoming Notre Dame vs. Penn State game, discussing key players and potential game outcomes. Todd emphasizes the importance of defensive strategies in close matchups. “It's going to be pretty remarkable and it's probably going to be a defensive slugfest.” (25:43, 27:38)

• Coaching Tactics: The discussion highlights how coaches like Bill Belichick effectively out-coach opponents by making strategic adjustments at critical moments. Todd shares insights from past games, illustrating the impact of timely coaching decisions. “Great coaches know how to just tweak and create that slight edge to steal a possession.” (31:17)

• Bias and Fairness in Commentary: Greg addresses concerns about maintaining fairness and objectivity while covering teams from dominant conferences like the SEC. “If you do your work professionally, I could care less what patch they have on their jersey.” (34:47)

6. Closing Thoughts and Future Segments

As the episode wraps up, Dan Patrick engages with listeners through polls and shout-outs, maintaining a lively and interactive atmosphere. The guests share final insights and sentiments, reinforcing the depth and breadth of the discussions.

• Future Appearances: Dan hints at future episodes featuring other guests, such as Chris Fowler, promising continued in-depth analysis and engaging conversations. “Greg McElroy will be on the call with Sean McDonough tonight.”

• Listener Engagement: The episode concludes with Dan interacting with listeners, addressing names like Ray and Aaron, and encouraging audience participation for future show segments. “Let us know when we're going, we'll get suggestions.”

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Breen on Cavaliers' Performance: “There was a spectacular field. You could tell the players were so fired up and so into it.” (05:41)

• Shea Gilgames Alexander’s Impact: “He's got this supreme confidence but at the same time humility.” (08:44)

• Origin of "Bang": “Johnny Most used to say bang.” (12:48)

• Wembanyama’s MVP Potential: “He’s going to win multiple MVPs, that's for sure.” (13:52)

• Avoiding Player Rankings Across Eras: “I refuse to rank players from different eras. It's just impossible.” (16:27)

• Playoff System Improvement: “I would like to see stronger non-conference play because that benefits all of us.” (37:14)

• Coaching Strategy: “Great coaches know how to just tweak and create that slight edge to steal a possession.” (31:17)

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show offers listeners a comprehensive look into the current NBA landscape with Mike Breen and transitions smoothly into a thoughtful discussion on college football playoff dynamics with Greg McElroy and Todd Fritz. Whether you're a basketball enthusiast or a college football aficionado, the episode provides valuable insights, expert opinions, and engaging commentary that enriches your understanding of the sports world.