The Dan Patrick Show: "The Best of The Dan Patrick Show"

Date: March 17, 2026
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Best of The Dan Patrick Show" delivers Dan Patrick’s signature blend of in-depth sports talk and pop culture humor, featuring A-list guests from the NBA and MLB. The primary focus is March Madness, NBA narratives, and baseball’s international growth, with a strong lineup of candid, entertaining conversations. Guests include Carlos Boozer (ACC Network basketball analyst and NBA vet), John Smoltz (Hall of Famer, MLB analyst), and Reggie Miller (NBA Hall of Famer, broadcaster). Each brings personal stories, game insights, and strong opinions on trending topics in their respective sports.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Carlos Boozer: NBA Stories, Family, & Coach K (03:00–15:32)

Prince Renting Boozer’s House

• Boozer recalls the infamous story of Prince renting his LA home for a year:
  • Prince transformed Boozer’s house: "I get there and everything is purple... He had his picture everywhere in the house. One of the cool things... he turned my weight room into like a nightclub."
    (Carlos Boozer, 04:01–04:35)
  • Prince returned everything to normal before moving out.
• On memorabilia: Boozer only received a signed photo from Prince, not a guitar.
  (05:17–05:29)

Playing with LeBron James as a Rookie

• Reflects on the hype during LeBron's NBA debut: "There was probably, it seemed like there was 300 cameramen at the baseline... we had a hard time warming up..."
  (Carlos Boozer, 06:15–06:36)
• On LeBron’s longevity: "There's no way I would have believed that. The fact that he's still playing and I retired in 2017... is remarkable."
  (Carlos Boozer, 07:19–07:34)

Basketball Family & Recruiting

• Boozer's sons started receiving college interest in 8th grade. He emphasizes letting them make their own choices:
  • "They have to recruit the boys and the boys have to make that decision for themselves..."
    (Carlos Boozer, 08:17–08:44)

When His Son Surpassed Him

• Boozer stopped playing one-on-one with his kids at age 16–17: "As a dad, your dad is the only person that wants their sons to be better than them."
  (Carlos Boozer, 09:29–09:46)

Life as an Analyst and Duke Bias

• Finds it harder to watch his sons than to play himself: "As a player, you actually get to go get a rebound... But I'm proud of my kids no matter what, though."
  (Carlos Boozer, 10:13–11:06)

Favorite Coach K Story

• Vivid locker room memory: Coach K covered the room in papers saying "attack" and rolled in with a somersault after hip replacements, playing the Braveheart scene to motivate the team.
  (Carlos Boozer, 11:15–12:46)

Growing Up in Alaska

• Discusses hunting, cold weather, and starting in travel ball to find high-level basketball competition.
  (Carlos Boozer, 14:29–15:13)

2. John Smoltz: World Baseball Classic & MLB’s International Flavor (16:46–25:01)

World Baseball Classic Intensity

• Discusses the high energy and star factor:
  • "The intensity and the passion has gotten more and more... That to me has been single handedly very, very obvious."
    (John Smoltz, 17:10–17:47)
• Notes Latin American fan presence outweighs American fans in Miami.

Team USA Roster Construction

• Explains the challenges: "It starts a year in advance... There's absolutely no upside unless you want to manage in the big leagues. And it starts with a star player buying in."
  (John Smoltz, 18:13–18:53)
• The buy-in from stars like Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper is crucial.

Injury Concerns & Pitching

• Addresses the inevitability of pitcher injuries and defends Paul Skenes’ participation:
  • "Nobody's escaped it... But what I'm more impressed is the mentality of what he's doing and how he's doing it."
    (John Smoltz, 19:25–20:30)

How to Grow the Tournament

• Suggests a midseason break:
  • "You make it bigger when you do it in the middle of the season. Shut it down for a week... you'd have everybody wearing that uniform in midseason form."
    (John Smoltz, 22:01–22:35)

US vs. The World Concept

• Smoltz advocates for an international All-Star format akin to the NBA’s USA vs. The World, arguing baseball’s deep global talent pool could make it compelling:
  (23:19–24:26)

March Madness & Bracket Habits

• Admits he hasn't filled out a bracket due to travel but roots for Michigan State and Tom Izzo.
  (24:29–24:57)

3. Reggie Miller: March Madness Memories, Fab Five vs. UNLV, NBA Storylines (25:15–42:25)

Reggie’s March Madness Reflections

• Recalls losing to Wyoming’s Fennis Dembo in his senior year at UCLA, a classic March upset:
  • "We overlooked Wyoming, and this was a blockbuster game for them. And Fennis punched his ticket to the NBA from that game."
    (Reggie Miller, 25:29–26:33)

Heartbreak of Tournament Loss

• Reflects on moving past a tough final college loss:
  • "You dust yourself off and move on. But it's one of those losses that you hope you grow from. And sometimes when you have losses like that, that's your best teacher."
    (Reggie Miller, 27:09–27:29)

Fab Five vs. UNLV Debate

• Cultural impact:
  • "Culture wise, I'll go with the Fab Five. But... those Running Rebels teams, they did win a championship."
    (Reggie Miller, 27:40–28:24)
• On raw talent:
  • "More talented would be the Fab Five."
    (Reggie Miller, 28:32–28:35)

Lakers’ Recent Resurgence

• Dissects team dynamics and LeBron’s evolving role:
  • "Let's give Marcus Smart a lot of credit. He's not getting enough... Defensively, he's been unbelievable for them."
    (Reggie Miller, 29:57–30:35)
• Stresses Lakers’ defense as key to playoff success.

SGA & "Foul Baiting" (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)

• Defends SGA’s playstyle:
  • "I don't understand what foul baiting is. We didn't say this about MJ... James Harden was in that same category."
    (Reggie Miller, 32:07–32:39)
• Encourages players to "learn and adapt," noting inconsistent officiating.
  (33:07–33:19)
• Highlights SGA’s two-way value: "He's been top five in steals, so he does play defense. He is a two way player."
  (Reggie Miller, 34:15–34:24)

SGA vs. DeMar DeRozan Comparison

• Considers the comp "fair," elaborates on their bucket-getter mentality and closing ability.
  (34:15–35:54)

Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Game

• Celebrates the feat and criticizes the backlash:
  • "You have to at least attempt to go for it by any means necessary... We should be celebrating him like, oh, my God. A guy that never, ever gets the shine..."
    (Reggie Miller, 37:26–39:41)
• Notes how NBA scoring expectations have drastically changed.

Modern NBA Scoring Explosion

• Discusses how 130-point nights are routine—contrasts with 1990s basketball.
  (41:37–42:06)

Closing Remarks

• Well wishes for Reggie’s UCLA Bruins in the tournament.
  (42:06–42:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carlos Boozer on Prince:
  "I come in and he basically turned all the rugs purple and black. He had his picture everywhere in the house. One of the cool things... he turned my weight room into like a nightclub."
  (04:01–04:35)

• Carlos Boozer on LeBron's Longevity:
  "The fact that he's still playing and I retired in 2017 and started my career before him is remarkable."
  (07:19–07:34)

• Reggie Miller on March Madness Upsets:
  "And that's the beauty of March Madness when it doesn't matter what seed you are... Everyone is somewhat equal because of these neutral sites."
  (26:33–27:04)

• Reggie Miller on SGA Criticism:
  "I don't get it. I don't understand what foul baiting is. We didn't say this about MJ... Learn and adapt. That's what you've got to do."
  (32:07–33:19)

• John Smoltz on WBC Growth:
  "You make it bigger when you do it in the middle of the season... you'd have everybody wearing that uniform in midseason form. There'd be no restrictions... You truly get to see the Goliath going against the Goliath."
  (22:01–22:22)

• Reggie Miller on Bam Adebayo’s 83 points:
  "We should be celebrating him like, oh, my God. A guy that never, ever gets the shine... I don't care how he got it. He got it."
  (39:41–40:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:00 – Carlos Boozer interview begins (Prince story, LeBron as a rookie, raising basketball sons)
• 11:12 – Favorite Coach K story (the “attack” locker room)
• 16:46 – John Smoltz on WBC, USA baseball, building a roster
• 22:01 – Smoltz on mid-season WBC, MLB’s international future
• 25:15 – Reggie Miller March Madness memories
• 27:40 – Fab Five vs. UNLV debate
• 29:57 – Lakers’ recent play, team roles
• 32:07 – SGA “foul baiting” debate and NBA officiating
• 34:15 – SGA vs. DeMar DeRozan comp
• 37:26 – Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game, scoring inflation in the NBA
• 41:37 – Comparing today’s NBA scoring to past decades

Tone & Style

Dan Patrick brings his signature mix of humor, curiosity, and deep sports knowledge, encouraging guests to share personal stories and strong opinions. The guests are candid, self-effacing, and enthusiastic, providing both nostalgia and sharp present-day analysis on sports culture.

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