Podcast Summary: PMS 2.0 1366 - NBA Finals Game 7 Recap, Kendrick Perkins, Shams Charania, Darius Butler, & AJ Hawk

Release Date: June 23, 2025

1. Introduction and Championship Victory

Pat McAfee kickstarts the episode with exuberant news, announcing the Oklahoma City Thunder's historic first NBA Championship win. Celebrating key players and moments from the series, Pat highlights the performance of stars like SGA (Pascal Siakam), Chad Holmgren, and Paisano Caruso.

Pat McAfee [00:13]: "Do you think he did Terror's Achilles... Yeah, life is good. We're going to win the NBA title."

2. Indiana Pacers' Heartbreaking Finale

The episode delves into the Indiana Pacers' journey to Game 7, emphasizing the critical injury to Tyrese Halliburton. The discussion reflects on Halliburton's determined performance and the subsequent Achilles injury that derailed the Pacers' championship hopes.

Pat McAfee [02:39]: "Heartbreaking. I was sick to my stomach, felt so bad."

AJ Hawk and Ty Schmidt express their dismay over Halliburton's injury, highlighting his role as the team's cornerstone.

AJ Hawk [04:38]: "73 days till NFL football. That's not that bad."

Pat extends sympathy and speculates on the implications of Halliburton's injury for the Pacers' future.

Pat McAfee [04:43]: "We're gonna celebrate the hell out of Oklahoma City today, okay?"

3. Kendrick Perkins Joins the Discussion

Kendrick Perkins, an NBA champion and ESPN pundit, joins the show to provide expert insights. He commends both the Thunder and Pacers, praising the Pacers for their underdog spirit and the Thunder for their strategic rebuilding.

Kendrick Perkins [17:09]: "No losers in this run. The Indiana Pacers are not losers."

Perkins elaborates on the Thunder's organizational strength, highlighting key management decisions and player acquisitions that led to their championship success.

Kendrick Perkins [19:27]: "They stayed down pat. They stayed down meaning when Kevin Durant left and went to Golden State... They are deserving of this title."

4. The Dominance of Oklahoma City Thunder

A detailed statistical analysis underscores the Thunder's exceptional season, comparing their performance metrics to legendary NBA teams. The team is lauded for their scoring margin, number of 10 and 15-point wins, and overall dominance throughout the regular season and playoffs.

Pat McAfee [12:00]: "They can go down in conversation as the most dominant team in the history of basketball."

The conversation includes comparisons to the 2016-2017 Warriors and the 1995-1996 Bulls, emphasizing Oklahoma City's place among the greats.

AJ Hawk [13:22]: "So good."

5. Impact of Tyrese Halliburton's Injury

The segment focuses on Halliburton's injury, discussing the likelihood of a torn Achilles and its repercussions. Shams Charania provides a medical perspective, confirming the injury and outlining the expected recovery timeline.

Shams Charania [135:35]: "He has been diagnosed with a torn right Achilles. Of course, any Achilles injury... leads to a long period of absence, usually 10 to 12 months."

Pat and co-hosts reflect on the emotional and competitive impact of losing a key player during a championship-deciding game.

Pat McAfee [122:21]: "It was like game seven... you've got to roll. He knows his body. He's going through different things."

6. Kevin Durant's Trade to Houston Rockets

The discussion transitions to the high-profile trade of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. Kendrick Perkins analyzes the trade dynamics, explaining how the Rockets secured Durant and the strategic benefits for both Durant and the Rockets.

Kendrick Perkins [38:11]: "The trade happened because the Suns had to act quickly with the draft approaching. Houston valued Durant highly and offered key assets in return."

Shams Charania adds that Durant's influence was pivotal in finalizing the trade, emphasizing Durant's significant role and the Rockets' preparedness to support him.

Shams Charania [75:03]: "Kevin Durant is eligible for a two-year, $121 million extension. This is a partnership aimed at ending his career in Houston."

Durant's age and performance are examined, with Perkins proclaiming him as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history despite his age.

Kendrick Perkins [25:32]: "He is the best player in the league. He has taken over the throne in my opinion."

7. Future Outlook for Teams

Perkins discusses the future trajectories of both the Thunder and Pacers. While the Thunder are seen as potential dynasty contenders, the Pacers face a rebuilding phase without Halliburton.

Kendrick Perkins [35:23]: "Their goal now is to re-sign Miles Turner and continuously improve the squad through the draft and smart acquisitions."

Shams Charania speculates on potential moves for other star players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the strategic decisions teams might make in the off-season.

Shams Charania [137:24]: "Giannis Antetokounmpo's future is not tied to the draft or free agency. He is in the peak of his career and has the ability to dictate his next move."

8. Other Sports Highlights

Beyond basketball, the podcast touches on various sports events:

• Golf: Coverage of the Travelers Championship, highlighting Keegan Bradley's dramatic victory.

  Pat McAfee [54:00]: "Keegan Bradley does the two-stroke swing on the 18th hole to win the Travelers. Congratulations to Keegan Bradley."

• Flag Football: Discussion about the USA's performance and the challenges faced in international competitions.

  Pat McAfee [108:46]: "We can't be losing in flag football at the Olympics in the United States of America. That cannot happen."

• College Baseball: Recap of the College World Series, including controversial umpire decisions and LSU's performance.

  Pat McAfee [50:11]: "They pitch the coach or they kick out the coach in the first inning. How is this even possible?"

• Shohei Ohtani's Recovery: Updates on Ohtani's pitching performance and his dual role as a top hitter.

  Ty Schmidt [146:54]: "He is a monster. Monster."

9. Memorial for Fred Smith

The podcast honors the legacy of Fred Smith, CEO and founder of FedEx, highlighting his American Dream story from Marine to Fortune 100 CEO.

Pat McAfee [116:00]: "American Dream Story as we continue digitally on YouTube, ESPN Plus, Disney plus, and TikTok Live, we can't thank you enough for allowing us to do this for a living. Congrats to Oklahoma City."

10. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Episodes

Pat wraps up the episode by congratulating the Thunder, expressing disappointment over the Pacers' loss and Halliburton's injury, and teasing future discussions, including an upcoming interview with Aaron Rodgers.

Pat McAfee [115:33]: "Tomorrow on the program... Aaron Rodgers... I'm not playing."

Notable Quotes

• Pat McAfee [02:39]: "Heartbreaking. I was sick to my stomach, felt so bad."

• Kendrick Perkins [17:09]: "No losers in this run. The Indiana Pacers are not losers."

• Shams Charania [135:35]: "He has been diagnosed with a torn right Achilles... expecting a lengthy rehab."

• Kendrick Perkins [38:11]: "The trade happened because the Suns had to act quickly with the draft approaching."

• Shams Charania [75:03]: "Kevin Durant is eligible for a two-year, $121 million extension."

• Pat McAfee [122:21]: "It was like game seven... you've got to roll."

Conclusion

This episode of The Pat McAfee Show offers an in-depth analysis of the Oklahoma City Thunder's championship victory and the Indiana Pacers' valiant yet ultimately heartbreaking postseason run. Through expert commentary from guests like Kendrick Perkins and Shams Charania, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal moments, player performances, and future implications for both teams. Additionally, the show branches out to cover significant events across various sports, providing a holistic view of the sporting world.

Stay tuned for more episodes as Pat McAfee and his team continue to deliver insightful and entertaining sports commentary.