The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3
Date: December 17, 2025
Guests: Tony Gonzalez, Reggie Miller
Episode Overview
The third hour of The Dan Patrick Show featured lively and insightful conversations with NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and NBA Hall of Famer Reggie Miller. The episode’s main themes revolved around timely sports headlines: the New York Knicks’ NBA Cup victory and whether the team should hang a banner, the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback controversy, concerns over NFL playing surfaces, and the evolution of NBA toughness. Both guests offer their unique perspectives as former elite athletes, with plenty of humor and storytelling from Dan and his crew.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Knicks' NBA Cup Banner Debate
(03:14 - 06:26, 22:00 - 23:52)
- The crew debates if the Knicks should hang a banner at Madison Square Garden for winning the NBA Cup.
- Marvin: “Yes to both.” (04:27)
- Paulie: “I actually don't think they have a choice. And the NBA will absolutely make sure they do.” (04:30)
- Dan Patrick: “We gotta make this important. And we would like for you to hang the banner. Should they hang the banner? No, they should not.” (04:38)
- The NBA’s interest in amplifying the Cup’s significance is discussed; the consensus is that a banner is likely, but some feel it’s overly celebratory.
Most Overrated Franchise? MSG vs. The Knicks
(05:14 - 06:18)
- Theodore calls the Knicks “the most overrated franchise.”
- The focus is more on playing at the Garden than playing the Knicks themselves.
College Football's Transfer Market
(05:37 - 06:18)
- Dan shares insight: “The going rate for a quarterback right now, transferring—a good quarterback is three to four million dollars.”
[Guest] Tony Gonzalez on Dolphins QB Switch:
(07:11 - 18:14)
- Dan Patrick: "How surprised are you? Quinn Ewers is starting for the Dolphins and Tua has been benched?"
- Tony Gonzalez: "I'm pretty surprised. I don't think who saw that coming...maybe this is the end of the road for Tua." (07:11)
- Discussion on concussion history, Tua’s contract status (one year left, $50 million cap hit), and whether a new coach will want “his own guy.”
- Tony: "I think, going forward, maybe they want to get a look at Quinn because maybe this is the end of the road for Tua...But if the cap hit is at that $50 million mark, I got to believe they're gonna—whoever's in there, I would keep him." (08:21, 08:29)
Playing With a Quarterback Without a Big Arm
- Dan: "What's it like to play with a quarterback who doesn't have a strong arm?" (08:56)
- Tony: "I'm a tight end, so...just give me the ball, put it up high so I can go get it." (09:02)
Concussion Talk
- Dan: "How many concussions do you think you had?" (10:24)
- Tony: "Shoot, I know for sure two, because...but I went back in the game...It was a different game back then." (10:27)
- Tony recalls vivid moments of seeing “the light open up” after hits, articulating the cumulative effects: "Your head gets a little bit softer as you get older, you can't take the hits like you used to..." (11:19)
Advice for Travis Kelce
- Dan: "Kelsey's 36. What advice would you give him if he hasn’t made a decision about next year?" (11:47)
- Tony: "If he hasn’t made a decision...It ain't what it used to be...What do you come back for? Are they rebuilding now? Probably heading towards that way." (11:55)
- Fun moment: Tony says he’d attend Kelce’s wedding if invited; Dan jokes about being his plus one. (12:44 - 13:03)
Rams-Seahawks Game Preview & NFL Surface Debate
(13:06 - 18:14)
-
Tony: Believes the Rams are the most complete team, praises McVay’s evolving offense and Stafford’s toughness.
-
Surface debate:
- Dan: The NFL has specific data ranking playing surface injuries.
- Tony: "Ask any player. They all prefer grass. It’s easier on your body. It’s natural. That’s the stuff you want to play on for sure." (16:04)
- On 18-game seasons: "I think that's silly. I think it's stupid. I don't understand it...You look at guys are dropping like flies anyway as it is right now." (14:46, 14:50)
-
On Matthew Stafford's Mentality:
- Dan: “How do you view your quarterback when he hangs in there?” (17:12)
- Tony: “Matthew Stafford is one of the toughest damn quarterbacks who's ever played the position...” (17:46)
[Guest] Reggie Miller on Knicks, NBA Cup & Playoff Picture
(22:00 - 38:49)
Banner Hanging & NBA Narrative
- Dan: “Should they...will they hang a banner...after winning the Cup?”
- Reggie Miller: “Yes they will. They absolutely should. Yes they should. This is a big moment for the Knicks.” (22:19)
- Suggests NBA commissioner encouraged Lakers to hang theirs, expecting the Knicks to follow: “100%.” (23:40)
Cup as a Team-Building Step
- Reggie points out previous winners (Lakers, Bucks) didn’t go past the second round; calls it a “building block” for teams like the Knicks and Spurs.
- “...the Knicks are a better team than those last two champions...In the east is not as dominant as the West. So I think the Knicks are sitting pretty good right now.” (24:39)
NBA Playoff Landscape
- Predicts four contenders in the West: “OKC, Denver, Houston...A lot would have to happen with the Lakers, but they can.” (27:23)
- Surprised by Cavs’ lack of fight; “right now, Detroit, the Knicks are the two clear cut favorites in the East.” (27:59)
- On the Knicks’ shot this year: “I'd be absolutely shocked if the Knicks do not represent the East.” (29:12)
- “The ball is going to be in the hands of Jalen Brunson and the dude just delivers. I just trust the Knicks more.” (29:12)
Dennis Rodman’s Vegas Trip—Movie & NBA Fables
- Reggie’s reaction to the upcoming Dennis Rodman movie: “I’ve heard stories about that 48-hour trip for the worm...Rodman, strip clubs, alcohol and 20 rebounds—I don’t know what order.” (31:07, 31:09)
- Reflects on the NBA’s changing culture: “Aren't we living in a different time? Could you imagine if there was TikTok and Instagram back then, what this would have looked like?” (31:38)
NBA Toughness: Then and Now
- Reggie discusses toughest players, shares stories of Rick Mahorn, Ron Artest (“current player I’d take over all these dudes...no one was going to mess with my dude.” (35:55)), Vernon Maxwell, and Alvin Robertson.
- “If he fouls you, you say ‘my bad’ when he fouls you.” (37:49)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Tony Gonzalez on concussions:
“You got your bell rung. Get back in there. How many fingers am I holding up?...Go back in there.” (10:27) -
On Kelsey's future:
“What do you come back for?...Are they rebuilding now? Probably.” (11:55) -
Tony on NFL surfaces:
“They have data to prove it. That grass is the best...I don't understand it, but I guess, you know, I also don't own a football team.” (14:46) -
Reggie Miller on hanging the NBA Cup banner:
“Remember in the inaugural season when the Lakers won it...What did the Lakers end up doing? Hanging a banner in Crypto. So yes, absolutely, if I’m the Knicks...” (22:19) -
Reggie on team-building:
“These are great building blocks for a young team...when he’s on minutes restrictions, so we didn’t see the full capability of him. If I’m the Spurs, I’m in a great position right now.” (26:35) -
Reggie on NBA bad dudes:
“I've never seen anyone play defense like [Ron Artest] before...He was so gifted defensively, but he was tougher than...I wish I would have had Ron when I had my superpowers...” (36:19)
Segment Timestamps
- 03:14 – Knicks’ NBA Cup banner and NBA motivations
- 05:22 – Knicks as "the most overrated franchise", MSG attraction
- 05:37 – College football transfer market: $3–4 million for QBs
- 07:11 – Tony Gonzalez interview begins: Dolphins QB, Tua injury history
- 08:56 – QBs with weak arms; Tua’s deep ball
- 10:24 – Concussion talk and football’s changing awareness
- 11:47 – Travis Kelce’s future; Kelce wedding jokes
- 13:06 – Rams-Seahawks preview, NFL field surfaces, 18-game debate
- 17:12 – QB toughness; playing for Matthew Stafford
- 18:15 – Tony Gonzalez signs off
- 22:00 – Reggie Miller interview: Knicks banner, NBA Cup context
- 24:39 – Cup as a stepping stone, previous winners’ playoff struggles
- 27:23 – Western Conference contenders; East playoff favorites
- 29:12 – Knicks “should represent the East”; trust in Jalen Brunson
- 30:39 – Dennis Rodman movie and wild Vegas stories
- 31:38 – NBA’s “different time”—social media and player freedom
- 35:46 - 38:49 – NBA enforcers, old school vs. new school toughness
Tone & Style
- Lively, witty, and conversational—a blend of sharp sports analysis and locker room storytelling.
- Dan Patrick uses dry humor, pokes fun at himself and others, creates rapport with guests.
For Listeners
This episode gives a full-spectrum look at sports culture in 2025—how new traditions (NBA Cup) are established, how locker room values change, and how legends view current headlines. Tony Gonzalez and Reggie Miller both bridge the generations, drawing smart parallels between their playing days and the present, making this a rewarding listen for even the most casual sports fan.
Advertisements and non-content segments skipped for clarity and focus.
