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What's Wright - Nick Wright REACTS to USA's GOLD MEDAL vs. Canada, 2026 Winter Olympics + Jaylen Brown NBA MVP? - The Herd with Colin Cowherd | Wave AI Podcast Notes

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What's Wright - Nick Wright REACTS to USA's GOLD MEDAL vs. Canada, 2026 Winter Olympics + Jaylen Brown NBA MVP?

The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Wed Feb 25 2026

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd — “What's Wright: Nick Wright REACTS to USA's GOLD MEDAL vs. Canada, 2026 Winter Olympics + Jaylen Brown NBA MVP?”

Date: February 25, 2026
Host: Nick Wright (with co-host Damanze)
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts | The Volume)

Episode Overview

This special episode features Nick Wright, hosting from a hotel on the West Coast, as he discusses a jam-packed sports week. The show dives deep into Team USA’s dramatic gold medal win over Canada in Olympic hockey, a moving reflection on Alysa Liu’s figure skating gold, and an in-depth NBA MVP debate featuring Jaylen Brown’s rise. Nick also recounts his latest foray into high-stakes poker, complete with fresh Vegas rivalries and infectious storytelling.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Opening Banter & Travel Update

Timestamp: 02:43 – 05:04

Nick jokes about possibly moving to the West Coast after travel delays ("I maybe just live here now… my wife’s family’s out here, who knows.").
Light banter about travel woes and a brush with danger (“I think [I] avoided being caught literally in the epicenter of a Mexican Cartel War by 12 hours…”).

2. Figure Skating: Alysa Liu's Gold & The Power of Transcending Sport

Timestamp: 06:05 – 15:56

Nick confesses he does not understand technical figure skating, but was deeply moved watching Alysa Liu’s performance.
Quote:

“I watched that young lady do that four and a half minute routine and it was literally breathtaking. By the end I was, I almost had tears in my eyes. And I immediately watched it again… I can't define what made that break through to me as, oh my God, I'm watching something specifically excellent.” (Nick, 06:53)
Nick recounts Liu’s unique backstory—her return to the sport, her non-traditional look ("doesn't really have the look from body type, hair, piercings, anything to traditional figure skaters"), and her joy.
Reflects on how feats of athletic brilliance are universally felt, comparing sports to art and music, but noting that greatness in sport needs less explanation.

3. Team USA Men’s Hockey Wins Gold Over Canada

Timestamp: 15:56 – 24:30

Historic significance: USA defeats Canada in hockey gold for the first time since “Miracle on Ice” (1980).
Explores the emotional and patriotic aspect of rooting for USA, acknowledging the ability to hold pride and political disappointment simultaneously.
- Quote:
  
  “There is something to be said for being proud and prideful in what a nation is supposed to represent and can represent… while being upset and disappointed… You can feel that way and still feel pretty awesome that Team USA Hockey as a huge underdog, went and beat Canada.” (Nick, 13:57)
Nick compares this to major upsets in other sports, calling it a “holy shit” Olympic moment.
Discussion about the context of team quality (“Is the US really that much worse than Canada?”).
Shoutouts to key players:
- Goalie Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets, three Vesna Trophies, 2026 Olympic MVP)
- The Poignant Brothers Story: Two American brothers—each scoring OT game-winners in separate rounds.
  - Quote:
    
    “That's really sick. That's really like it. That. So there's just cool Olympic stories like that.” (Nick & Damanze, 22:27)
Quick nod to the controversial figure Eileen Gu representing China, but more focus on her intelligence and maturity.

4. Olympic Moments: Pride vs. Politics & The Meaning of International Sport

Timestamp: 13:20 – 16:59 / Throughout Olympic segments

Nick argues for “patriotism wrapped in sports,” and the right to love nationhood in context, even if "you feel a different type of way".
Champions the idea that international events (Olympics, World Cup) provide rare, profound moments (“If we found a way to get those [major global sporting events] on three-year rotations so every year we had one of them would be sick…”).

5. NBA Segment: Jaylen Brown’s MVP Leap, Celtics Dynamics, and the Tatum Quandary

Timestamp: 29:56 – 40:30

Jaylen Brown MVP Debate

Damanze sets up the question: “No Tatum, no problem. Jaylen Brown has carried my Celtics this year… Where do you think he stacks up in the MVP race right now?” (30:01)
Nick confesses he underrated Brown in the past, even calling him “a homeless man’s Kawhi Leonard” when he first got a large extension.
Quote:

"It would have been incomprehensible to me that Jalen Brown could play at this level for this. Good." (Nick, 31:22)
Nick currently ranks JB 3rd in the MVP race (Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ahead).
Damanze and Nick discuss the ambiguity between Tatum and Brown as #1 on the team.
Debates whether the Celtics can win a title without Tatum and explores the awkwardness if they do so.

The Tatum Injuries & Return Dilemma

Nick explores Tatum’s impossible situation:
“He is in his success in this rehab has put him in an impossible position…” (38:26)
Pros and cons discussed for Tatum resting until next year, coming back for the playoffs, and how fans/legacy might judge it.
Quote:

"If I left the TV show, I would want Wilds and Brew to do really well. If they all of a sudden ripped off a couple Emmys in a row when we never won one, I would… be like, damn, what the heck? That’s kind of tough. And so… that's just human nature, right?" (Nick, 36:26)
Both agree the Celtics ceiling is capped without Tatum, but Brown has elevated the team.

6. Profound Athlete Soundbite: Eileen Gu on Self-Improvement and Neuroplasticity

Timestamp: 41:10 – 43:39

Played audio of skier Eileen Gu’s viral answer to: “Do you think before you speak?”
Quote: (Eileen Gu, 41:10)

“I think, overall, I'm just a pensive person. I'm an introspective young woman… I journal a lot. I break down all of my thought processes… You can control what you think. Like, you can control how you think. And therefore, you can control who you are. And especially as a young person, like, I'm 22, so with neuroplasticity on my side, I can literally become exactly who I want to be. How cool is that?”

“The fact is, I get to become every day the kind of person that me at age 8 would revere… I would be obsessed with me today… That's the biggest flex of all time.”
Nick lauds this as a “great message” for listeners of any age.

7. NBA Hypotheticals: LeBron, Pat Riley, and the Heat “What If?”

Timestamp: 48:31 – 52:10

Nick breaks down the LeBron/Pat Riley discussion about if LeBron had stayed in Miami.
Cites Dwyane Wade’s decline, Chris Bosh’s sudden blood clot diagnosis, and how LeBron’s move to Cleveland was smart in both basketball and legacy terms.
Quote:

“I think eventually LeBron would have won at least one more championship. But I think LeBron was doubly was smart, strategic and lucky in leaving.” (Nick, 48:45)
Final word: “Leaving Miami was smart. I do think he would have got another one [championship] there.”

8. 2026 Lakers Outlook: Ceiling, Roster, and Giannis Dreams

Timestamp: 52:30 – 58:41

Lakers “absolute ceiling” = Conference Finals, more likely 2nd round exit.
- Quote:
  
  “When they've played the big boys they've gotten clocked… if the game is going according to Lakers script and LeBron can control the chessboard at the end, they're in great shape, but otherwise they're in bad shape.” (Nick, 54:10)
Warns Lakers fans that losing LeBron doesn’t clear cap space or fix roster holes.
“If LeBron walks away… how many championship level starters do the Lakers have on the roster?” (Nick, 55:49)
The only true path to Giannis is if he specifically demands a Lakers move ("That's the only path. Anything else is not a path").

9. NFL: The Tush Push Controversy

Timestamp: 59:04 – 60:55

Nick predicts the Eagles’ “Tush Push” play will be banned after lingering officiating headaches and aesthetics:

“I just wonder if there’s going to be a late push, no pun intended, to get rid of it.” (59:20)

10. Vegas Poker Recap: New Rivalries and a Big Win

Timestamp: 64:02 – 79:34

Nick shares colorful tales from his time at the “No Gamble, No Future” streamed cash game (PokerGo in Vegas).
Game started as a $25/50 game, escalated to $100/200-$800 with $10,000 PLO flips, recounting absurd Vegas excess and wild hands.
Describes a rivalry with "Senor Tilt/Kiki"—a braggadocious, etiquette-averse player (“He travels everywhere with two security guards and a camera crew. I’m like, okay, man.” 70:52).
Nick calls out bad poker etiquette (leaving early when up big, needling, and angle shooting):

“Everybody kind of always lets him get away with this shit. And I just wasn't into it… [I told him] Unless it is, in fact, your plane… it almost gives the impression you're trying to sound like a big shot who has a plane when you don't.” (73:49)
The drama goes viral when Kiki posts incomplete game stats; Nick corrects on-air, revealing he ended up as the biggest winner of the night ($137,000 up, his career best payday).
Poker world texts Nick with gratitude for "putting Kiki in his place"—hilariously concludes:

“That entire plane bit culminated in me being stranded on the west coast doing the podcast from a hotel room because I, in fact, do not have a plane.” (79:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Segments

“There is something about feats of athletic brilliance that the human brain just intuitively recognizes as great…” (Nick, 08:33)
“That’s the biggest flex of all time…little younger you be proud of you today.” (Eileen Gu, 42:09)
"Jaylen Brown…was always the guy who I feel like was a little bit more aggressive…this gave Jaylen Brown a chance to be his actual self.” (Damanze, 32:02)
On poker drama: “That way you have something to sell when the money runs out.” (Nick, 75:32)
On international sport: “You can hold those ideas in different parts of your brain. And so listen, I just, I love the Olympics. I love the Olympics.” (Nick, 15:10)

Timestamps for Major Segments

02:43 — Personal update/travel stories
06:05 — Figure Skating: Alysa Liu
15:56 — Team USA Hockey gold, Olympic pride/politics
29:56 — NBA: Jaylen Brown MVP & Celtics
41:10 — Eileen Gu soundbite on neuroplasticity
48:31 — LeBron/Pat Riley Miami “what if”
52:30 — Lakers roster outlook & Giannis scenario
59:04 — NFL Tush Push rule talk
64:02 — PokerGo Vegas recap/Kiki rivalry story

Final Thoughts

Nick Wright’s passion for the transcendent moments of sports is front and center in this episode, blending sharp analysis, relatable fan perspective, and signature humor. From Olympic inspiration to candid poker tales, the show is both insightful and entertaining—essential listening for sports fans and those who love great stories.

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Transcript

Demons A (0:00)

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Mind Games Narrator (1:31)

What if mind control is real?

Demons A (1:33)

If you could control the behavior of anybody around you, what kind of life would you have?

Mind Games Narrator (1:36)

Can you hypnotically persuade someone to buy a car?

Co-host or Guest (possibly Damanze) (1:39)

When you look at your car, you're going to become overwhelmed with such good feelings.

Mind Games Narrator (1:43)

Can you hypnotize someone into sleeping with you?

Demons A (1:46)

I gave her some suggestions to be sexually aroused.

Mind Games Narrator (1:49)

Can you get someone to join your cult?

Demons A (1:51)

NLP was used on me to access

Mind Games Narrator (1:53)

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Demons A (6:13)

So here's the thing, and this is, you know, I joked about this with KW on TV yesterday, that he always says I love sport, not sports, I love sport. And there are moments in the Olympics in particular where that is proven to simply be true. And I will get to the hockey in a moment, which should have just been an awesome story, but because we just live on the dumbest timeline, there's, you know, a tiny bit of controversy attached to it, I guess. And I guess there's maybe even people could find a way for there to be some controversy in the Alyssa Liu Figure Skating Gold but here's why I wanted to start with this. I do not know anything about figure skating. When I'm watching I can see if somebody did more rotations than the previous jump, but I don't know if something's a double or a triple. I certainly don't know the difference between a toe loop and an axel. And I know that the guy who got nervous and kind of screwed up his individual, they called him the quad God. And I learned, you know, I didn't learn that was because he could do a quadruple axle. I, you know, I did. I do remember watching the figure skating movie the Cutting Edge when I was a kid and I remember obviously Kerrigan Harding and that controversy. Okay, with that said, there is something maybe a little like sanguine if not corny here, but I don't mind. There is something truly beautiful and touching about athletic feats that have the ability to transcend the understanding of a sport. So if you watched Alyssa Lou's four and a half minute gold medal winning routine cold as I did, I watched it bleary eyed on a plane from Vegas to San Francisco at 6:30 in the morning after having slept for maybe a combined two and a half hours in the previous two days. And I was scrolling Twitter and it seemed like every fourth tweet was this four and a half minute video. So I was like, I've got to watch it and I'm not lying to you. I say two minutes in. I was like, am I getting choked up? By the end I was, I almost had tears in my eyes. And I immediately watched it again. I don't know why. I can't explain it. I don't, I can't define what made that break through to me as, oh my God, I'm watching something specifically Excellent. And there is something to sports where you, you can walk into an art gallery and maybe be taken aback by something. But very often the best art, someone kind of has to explain to you why it's great. You can hear music and really like it. But very often the best, like, oh my God, this is historically excellent. Someone who's an expert has to explain why this was, you know, why this composition or whatever was so difficult or so important. I think a lot of people have read some of the greatest books ever and walked away from them and like, okay, I thought that was good, but I don't totally understand why this is a classic. There is something about feats of athletic brilliance that the human brain just intuitively recognizes as great. And I watched that young lady do that four and a half minute routine and it was literally breathtaking. And then afterwards you read about her story and about how, I mean, she was quite literally born to do this. Her dad really, really wanted, you know, I don't want to get it wrong, but it seems like her dad was a Michelle Kwan figure skating superfan and tried to have, you know, a daughter that could follow in those footsteps. And then she competed in the Olympics at 16. And then the pressure of this is the only thing I've ever been, you know, allowed to do or told to do or I was built for. She retired and then came back at 18 and is a very, you know, is very individual. Doesn't really have the look from body type, hair, piercings, anything to traditional figure skaters. And she was just out there with utter and complete joy, crushing in the single biggest moment of her life. And I thought it was just spectacular. And so I don't listen, I understand there are actual figure skating experts that are, you know, said, well, you know, she used she blade edged on one of her jumps or this, I don't care. I, I've watched that performance four times. I'll watch it again. And it was a truly beautiful feat of athleticism by a young woman who the figure skating community was intimately familiar with. I was not and I thought it was a privilege to be able to see. So that was the, you know, the first for me, holy shit. Moment of the Olympics. And then you have, for the first time in my life, for the first time since the Miracle on ice, Team USA Hockey wins the gold over Canada. Canada, you know, the best hockey nation in the world. Team USA lost in the four nations gold medal game to Canada. And now we beat him in overtime of the Olympics after they beat us in overtime of the Olympics in the gold medal game when Sidney Crosby hit the goal. I don't know. Was that 2010? I don't, I am not quite certain. And that was just awesome. And our women's team won as well. And here is what I would say about, Here's what I would say about the, when I say the controversy, the, the folks feeling, folks, some folks who share my politics sometimes feel very funny about being usa, usa. And I'm here to tell you again, you feel however you want, but I shouldn't say you shouldn't. I wouldn't feel that way. And I would say, pardon me, I'm not getting choked up, I promise. I just my voice At 6:30 in the morning over here. The. There is something to be said for being proud and prideful in what, you know, a nation is supposed to represent and can represent and what its foundational principles are built upon, while being upset and disappointed that you feel it is not living up to that promise each and every day or some of our political actors on the largest stage are not fulfilling that promise. You can feel that way and still feel pretty awesome that Team USA Hockey as a huge underdog, went and beat Canada. And that type of patriotism wrapped in sports I think can be really profound. And it's not. You can feel that way and feel prideful about it. Even if you feel a different type of way of the director of the FBI taking the FBI's jet to Chug beers in the locker room after like those. You can hold those ideas in different parts of your brain. And so listen, I just, I love the Olympics. I love the Olympics. I think Simmons idea of if instead of every four years, winter, summer, World cup, if we found a way to get those three international events on three year rotations so every year we had one of them would be sick. But this year, because there are four year rotations, yes, that does mean some years we have neither, but this year we get both. This year we have the Winter Olympics and then in a few months we have the World Cup. And so I, I thought it was Awesome. I know you have a couple follow ups here to mon. Before we get to the other stuff,

Demons A (24:32)

No like for. And the other tricky thing about that is like I don't exactly know how it works because she was injured in Italy. Her you know, the surgeon she has worked with in the past, her doctor, all that stuff are us certified doctors. It seems like they let her doctor come over to do the surgeries. I don't know. You know what I mean? You any stuff like that foreign country, there's different rules and stuff. So the. I just loved the Olympics and shout out listen the broadcast they did a good job. Shout out to everyone involved. All right, we're gonna get to some NBA and we're gonna play you that island goose sound in a bit. But first, today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock bet Florida Sportsbook. I know it can be tough with no football, but like the song says, I bet I'll survive With Hard Rock Bet, there's always something to bet on every night. Hoops, hockey, so much more. Plus the great same game parlays, live betting player prop options you're used to. And did you know Hard Rock BET is the official sports betting partner of the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. So they know hoops. If you haven't signed up with Hard Rock BET yet, there's never been a better time. New Signups can double their winnings on their first 10 bets. Max $50 that's right. If you would have won a hundred bucks on your bet, make that 200 hard rock bet sportsbook app is the only legal sportsbook for whenever you're in Florida, and it's also live in Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Colorado and Michigan. Coming soon to more states. Plus, Hard Rock Bet offers new promos daily, so whenever you're listening, just open the app and check out what they've got. Any day of the week, download the Hard Rock Bet app and make your first deposit payable and bonus bets. Not a cash offer offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida, offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital LLC and in all other states must be 21 plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia. To play terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida? Call 1833 play wise in Indiana. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem wants help, call 1-800-9 with it gambling problem, call 1-800- gambler Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia don't you wish everything was

Demons A (43:39)

And so what she is saying there I thought was just like a good momentum profit. It's a great message. And so, and again, I know some people really don't like that woman because of the. She skied for China instead of the US Again I, I, the I, this is not me trying to like avoid criticism of China. This is purely something where I am simply going to say I, I have done, I have done as much research on that topic as I've done on heliskiing. Which is to say none. I know. And so you call me ignorant for it. It's fine. I'm just talking about that message right there. I know, it was awesome. And the other thing she said that I this is where I'll show my ego a bit that I really took to heart. But I think is a really cool idea for people to consider as they make life choices or as they hit a fork in the road is am I making the decisions and living the life or on the path to being the type of person that young me would admire. Like, I think that's a really like I when when she said young me. Eight year old me would be obsessed with me right now. I think it's because 8 year old her was a d. Wanted to be the greatest skier in the world. She is the greatest skier in the world. She's like I would be my own superhero. And so I just think that was awesome. And that lady's question was great. And it was, she's right. It was like that was a very extemporaneous, thoughtful bang, bang, bang. And so I don't know. I the, you know, these athletes parachute in metaphorically to our lives every four years if you're not a die hard of the sport. And I just think it's, I think it's phenomenal. All right fellas, let's be real. Buying men's jewelry used to be a nightmare. It was low quality junk, snapped after a week. Or it could be insanely overpriced with ridiculous markups. That's why I like to rock. With gld, they've changed the game. You get quality jewelry that's built to last without breaking the bank. And unlike a lot of other companies, GLD only uses real gold. Every single stone is meticulously handset plus their proprietary production process makes sure you're getting the highest quality jewelry. You can literally see and feel the difference. And listen, don't just take my word for it. Over 2 million customers and 50,000 5 star reviews back it up. Not to mention it's worn by some of the biggest names out there. Justin Bieber, Micah Parsons, asap, Rocky, and a ton more. Best part, every single piece guaranteed to guaranteed for life. Pardon me. It's literally built to last for the rest of your life. GLD is an official collab with the NFL. So you can get every NFL team on a pendant this season. They also have official collabs with the NBA, wnba, mlb, ncaa, mls, and even DC Comics. Chains and pendants that let you rep what you love, work hard and change the game. For a limited time only new customers are getting an insane deal. Use code right to get 50% off gld.com that's 50% off with code right@gld.com after you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them our show sent you. All right, Damani, let's jump down to the LeBron stuff. LeBron and Pat Riley and I also have a question for the producer. Say in my ear.

Demons A (48:45)

Yeah, I think eventually LeBron would have won at least one more championship. But I think LeBron was doubly was smart, strategic and lucky in leaving. I think he was smart in leaving in this way. He saw more than anybody that Dwyane Wade, who's one of the 30 greatest players in the history of the sport, was. Was done as an elite player that in 2014, in the regular season they load manage D. Wade, he still only averaged 19 a game. And then they did that. So in the playoffs he would be peak D. Wade and in the playoffs he averaged 18 a game. His, you know, his style of play demons A. I don't know if you remember, you're so young, but when he first came into the league, seeing the files, but yeah, but also there was an ad campaign for his shoe company. I think it was Adidas, but it was D. Wade driving to the basket and getting knocked down. Driving to the basket, getting knocked down. And the ad campaign was not get knocked down seven, get up eight. With the idea being just be relentless. And that was his style and he was a brilliant player. But when that's your style, your career can get compressed. And that's what happened to him. So this is not a criticism of D. Wade, it's just a reality. And LeBron saw, you know, up close and personal, when this guy is. This guy's time as an elite player is not ending. It has ended. And so there was that piece of it. The good fortune is I said LeBron good for. This is not good fortune. So I want to retract that comment. LeBron obviously did not know Chris Bosh was about to be diagnosed with career ending blood clots. So. But where I. So that's bad luck for everyone involved. But I'm saying had he stayed, that would. It's not like Chris Bosh wouldn't have gotten the blood clots like that. He still would have had to deal with that. So it was strategic in seeing what was happening with D. Wade. It, you know, the Chris Bosh thing happened, which would have really been probably was problematic for the Heat. And then the legacy piece was, let's say he would have won two more rings in Miami. They would not have weighed nearly as heavily as the one in Cleveland, much less the one in Cleveland, plus one more than with the Lakers. So, yes, I think LeBron, you know, still would have. You know, he had multiple years left. He. After he left Miami, he had the next Four years he was by a wide margin the best player in the sport still. And you could argue up until the year after the bubble he was the best player in the sport. But leaving Miami was smart. But I do think he, he would

Demons A (52:45)

absolute everything breaks perfect ceiling is the conference finals real realistic ceiling is win around and lose in round two. I. And this is tough, man. Well, and this is where, this is where the Lakers should be really concerned. Okay, so they're, they're off, you know, they're I think 7 and 11. I had this. You know what, I just don't say. I think I can just tell you exactly what they are because Josh, our great stats guy sent it to me yesterday. Sorry, I have to go through 50 flight emails before I can find. Here it is. So the Lakers this year against teams one through 10 in the West. So the other west playoff or play in teams are 9 and 13 being outscored by 7 points per game. Not good. Yeah, the Lakers against the top four in the east and West. So the top eight teams in the league are 2 and 11 getting outscored by 17 points per game. So when they've played the big boys they've gotten clocked. Now they are the best clutch team in the league and they are 25. And oh, when leading after three quarters, which has been a trademark of LeBron's last year in Cleveland. That Cavs team I believe was playoffs and regular season. I believe 54. And oh, when leading after three quarters. LeBron had a Lakers team that was like I think with AD when they won the championship they were like 44 and one when leading after three quarters. Like that's if, if the game is going according to lakers Script and LeBron can control the chessboard at the end they're in great shape but otherwise they're in bad shape. And here is where. And I know, I know folks are like, well, this albatross of a LeBron contract, guys, I'm not going to revisit this too much. If LeBron had opted out this off season and walked away and taken his $54 million salary off the books, the Lakers would have opened up $0 of cap space. Okay, so like I've explained that multiple times. It is just the facts. People don't want to accept it, that's fine. And you also have to contend with the fact that LeBron is not the problem with the Lakers. He's either the second or third best player on the team. And if you were the Lakers demons A and LeBron leaves. Here's my question. Because the Lakers pending free agents

Demons A (64:17)

All time, 48 hours before I even get to the game, I want to just shout out some people because the poker community in Vegas has really embraced me and I really appreciate that. And so in it I'll get to the no gamble no future streamed game that you guys hopefully watched on this channel. But then after that I would like to shout out Crazy Mike for allowing me maybe foolishly on my behalf, you know, more than three, less than 11 McAllen's into the night to briefly join his 400800 mixed game at Resorts World where I, I looked to my left, I'm like, that's Chino Ream, that's Jesse Lonis, that's Angry John Manette. I yeah, you know what, I probably shouldn't be sitting in this game. And I left. But they let me sit there briefly shout out to them. The next day I stumbled over to Bellagio to play a different 8160 mix game. My pal Peter runs that. I don't know if he runs the game, but it feels like it's his game. The table was full. He allowed me to sit in for maybe he thought it was going to be a bit. I played for nine hours with my buddy Elliot Lazara who's just a legend of the game, won a little bit in that game. And then into the night going back to the my room at Aria, I'm like, well I got to go stop by the poker room at 1 in the morning, 6am flight and I see my buddy MJ running his 2550 no limit game. I'm like, ah, I'll sit in that game for a bit play. And he played there until about 3:30 in the morning for I had to get on my flight. So shout out to all those folks and shout out to their games. I appreciate in the different properties replayed. But I went to Vegas for the no Gamble, no future cash game streamed cash game and this was initially going to be a 2550 game where people bought in for around 10 grand. Then my pal Antonio Sfandiari got his hands on it. He ended up setting the lineup. He ended up setting the game they played the day before as well. Somehow it turned into a 100200 game and somehow Antonio in the first night of it lost. I mean it's Documented. He won't mind me saying $380,000. And so night two. It's certainly not going to. He's not going to play smaller. And now it's a 100200 game with like a $400 straddle, sometimes an $800 restraddle. And when Antonio had something to say about it, a 1600 dollar re restraddle. And by the way, every two hours they wanted to do 10k PLO flips, which means everybody puts 10,000 in the middle. We all get four cards. The dealer then runs out a five card board. You do nothing, you turn your cards over and whoever has the best hand gets the 70 from the table back somehow.

Demons A (75:34)

And I referenced a different guy who, similarly to him about a couple years ago, burst onto the poker scene, was kind of Mr. Big Shot everywhere, and is nowhere to be seen these days because the money ran out. And now, listen, maybe this guy's got infinite money a lot. Who knows? I don't know. But then right after that, demons a, he packed up his chips and left. And left. Once again, to his credit, left, winner in the game. But here's the other here's the addendum to the story. So. Oh, he also did a whole. He did the whole thing to me about, you know, how many hands are you playing? You're only playing aces, whatever. And I knew he was wrong. I was like. I was like, I guarantee you and I have played about the same amount of hands. We can bet anything you want. And he, of course, didn't bet it, but I also knew what the stats were. But then yesterday. So then he. Then he's like, tweeting through it. He's all mad. He's the. But doesn't matter. Fine. It's no problem. But then yesterday, he posted the stats from the two nights, the two games, and how he's the big winner and what everyone else wanted. And I saw my name on there, and I'm like, that's not. None of this is not even close to accurate. And so I did a little research. This guy posted the final stats for the game for. As if the game ended when he left. Yeah, when he left, because. And here is the, you know, the end of the story. This game that was too big for me, that I shouldn't have been playing in, that I brought backup money to, but I ended up buying in for $25,000. Antonio bought in for a quarter of a million. I bought in for 25. I cashed out for 162, which made it the biggest win of my life by a decent margin. Me, your guy, Nick Wright, the biggest winner of the night on day two. And it was announced at the end of the broadcast that for future. No gamble, no future episodes that I'm not playing in, I'll be broadcasting. I'm going to do it with my guy, Brent Hanks, which is so exciting. Yeah. So all of that is really great. And I have a nice little poker rivalry. And if somebody sends this to. Kiki, a word, just a friendly piece of advice, man, you would be stunned, man, how much of the poker world must be sick of your shit, because folks who I've never heard from got my number, sent me the clips and thanked me for it. So maybe, maybe tone down the look at me, Louie stuff. Maybe. I don't know. To each their own but wildly successful weekend. And as the producers put it, because I was. I was funny and I was targeted, but I was kind of a jerk. And you know what? That entire plane bit culminated in me being stranded on the west coast doing the podcast from a hotel room because I, in fact, do not have a plane. Talk to you guys later. That's Right.