The Tony Kornheiser Show: "Who is Eating My Flowers?" – May 21, 2025

Hosted by: Tony Kornheiser
Guests:

• Hakeem Jeffries – House Minority Leader of the United States
• Mark Feinsand – Baseball Analyst
• Tim Legler – NBA Analyst

1. New York Knicks' Road to the Conference Finals

Timestamp: [02:20]

Tony Kornheiser kicks off the episode by welcoming House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, highlighting Jeffries as the second most famous graduate from Binghamton University, right behind Flo from Progressive Insurance. The conversation immediately dives into the New York Knicks' unexpected surge to the conference finals, a significant achievement given the team's historical struggles.

Key Discussions:

• Knicks' Early Days:
  Jeffries reminisces about his early memories of the Knicks from the 1980s, mentioning legends like Michael Ray Richardson, Bill Cartwright, Marvin Webster, and Bernard King. He emphasizes Bernard King's impact, noting:

  "His career, of course, was cut short by injury. But a phenomenal player, phenomenal scorer."
  [04:28]

• Current Team Dynamics:
  The discussion shifts to the present-day Knicks, focusing on players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Jeffries praises Brunson, stating he's a "top five Knicks" player with a "four-year body of work." He attributes the team's current success to a combination of Brunson's grit, unselfishness, and the supporting cast's performance.

  "He's got a great supporting cast. Last year when we lost to Indiana... he's a quintessential Knick enemy. Almost like the second incarnation of Reggie Miller."
  [09:54]

• Rivalry with Indiana Pacers:
  The Knicks-Pacers rivalry is dissected, with Tony and Jeffries delving into the historical playoff battles between Patrick Ewing's Knicks and Reggie Miller's Pacers. They recount memorable moments like Miller's "8 points in three seconds" and discuss the mutual respect yet intense competition between the two franchises.

  "They battled each other five times... The Knicks won three of those series and the Pacers won three."
  [07:34]

• Coach Thibodeau's Impact:
  Tony raises a point about Coach Thibodeau's demeanor during games, mentioning how he often appears in pain and doesn't vocally lead the team during critical moments. Jeffries acknowledges this, noting that while Thibodeau's defense has been inconsistent, there have been flashes of his traditional defensive strategies, which are crucial against high-octane offenses like the Pacers.

2. Baseball Insights with Mark Feinsand

Timestamp: [03:15]

Mark Feinsand joins the show to discuss recent developments in Major League Baseball, focusing primarily on the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen woes and the broader implications for the season.

Key Discussions:

• Alvarado's Suspension:
  Feinsand explains the severity of pitcher Alvarado's suspension, emphasizing that postseason ineligibility is a significant penalty beyond the 80-game suspension.

  "And people are talking about this, that he's unhappy... but he's still, producing to some extent."
  [29:50]

• Phillies' Bullpen Challenges:
  He highlights the Phillies' need to bolster their bullpen, citing the ineffective performances of relievers like Jordan Romano and the loss of Alvarado. Feinsand predicts that GM Dave Dombrowski will seek trades to acquire reliable relief pitchers to stabilize the bullpen for the postseason.

  "The bullpen wasn't very good to begin with... Alvarado was sort of the anchor of that bullpen and he's gone for a half a season now."
  [28:18]

• Baltimore Orioles' Struggles:
  Feinsand expresses disappointment with the Orioles' performance, attributing their struggles to poor pitching and inconsistent player development. He criticizes management decisions and underscores the difficulty in maintaining a competitive team amidst these challenges.

  "They can't really pitch very well... their bullpen hasn't been great."
  [31:36]

• Managerial Accountability:
  The conversation touches on the recent trend of firing managers in struggling teams. Feinsand argues that while managers play a role, the responsibility also heavily lies with players and front-office decisions.

  "I'm not generally a big managerial credit or blame guy... Derek Shelton is a respected baseball guy."
  [34:02]

3. NBA Conference Finals Preview with Tim Legler

Timestamp: [36:39]

Tim Legler returns to the show to provide an in-depth analysis of the NBA conference finals, focusing on the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series and the Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers matchup.

Key Discussions:

• Minnesota vs. Oklahoma City:
  Legler commends Oklahoma City's defensive prowess, highlighting their ability to limit paint points, defend the three-point line, and minimize transition opportunities. He contrasts this with Minnesota's reliance on three-point shooting, which fell short in Game One.

  "They lead the league in defending the three-point line also, and they lead the league in the fewest transition points."
  [42:54]

• Jalen Brunson's Impact:
  Both Tony and Legler discuss Brunson's exceptional performance, with Legler surprised by Brunson's ability to control games and score prolifically despite initial expectations of him being a steady backup.

  "Jalen Brunson is proving that you need strength and balance."
  [52:38]

• Indiana Pacers Analysis:
  Legler emphasizes the Pacers' offensive efficiency and the importance of containing Tyrese Halliburton, whose playmaking drives the game's pace. He believes that if the Pacers can restrict Halliburton's movement, they have a strong chance in the series.

  "Tyrese Halliburton is a problem now. He is dictating the entire pace of the game."
  [46:15]

• NBA Parity and Dynasties:
  The discussion broadens to the topic of NBA parity, noting the trend of different champions each year. Legler attributes this to player movement, injuries, and the short windows teams have to capitalize on their rosters.

  "There’s an element from a fan perspective, that you want the villain, too. You want the team you’re tired of someone trying to take down."
  [47:41]

• Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Cooper Flags:
  Tony poses a hypothetical trade scenario involving trading Cooper Flag for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Legler staunchly declines, citing Flag's unparalleled potential and attributes, describing him as a "generational talent."

  "I would not."
  [49:07]

4. Listener Mailbag and Community Stories

Timestamp: [54:37]

Tony engages with listeners through the mailbag segment, featuring a variety of humorous and heartfelt messages that range from gardening woes to personal anecdotes.

Highlights:

• Gardening Predicaments:
  Tony shares his frustration with his flowers being devastated by what he suspects are deer or rabbits, leading to a humorous exchange about potential solutions.

  "I can't hire someone to be a guard... They have things like seaway spray that works, but every time it rains, it smells terrible."
  [16:37]

• Personal Birthdays:
  A listener named Mike Roseberry from State College, Pennsylvania, shares that he and his family will be celebrating multiple birthdays on the same day, adding a personal touch to the show.

  "Later this month, my mom, my son, and I will all be celebrating our birthdays on the same day."
  [57:40]

• IndyCar Enthusiasm:
  Kevin Lee from Indianapolis expresses his appreciation for the show's coverage of the Indy 500, sharing excitement for upcoming races and supporting the event's transition to Fox Sports.

  "I greatly enjoy Mr. Tony sharing his love for the Indy 500 each year."
  [58:26]

• Creative Musings:
  Listeners contribute creative and humorous emails, including fictitious scenarios about potato planting and playful banter about sports events, showcasing the show's community engagement.

5. Capital Zen: Original Music Feature

Timestamp: [21:20]

Capital Zen, a local band from Glens Falls, New York, is featured as a segment where they share excerpts from their upcoming album, "The Phoenix." The band discusses their creative process, inspirations, and upcoming performances, including their participation in the Camp David Music Summit.

Key Points:

• New Music Releases:
  The band introduces tracks like "Touch Your Body," "Lonely Stranger," and "Crunchy Dirt," explaining the themes and stories behind each song.

  "Crunchy Dirt is about being envious of creatures that are unburdened by memory."
  [21:20]

• Live Performances:
  Capital Zen announces their gig at the Camp David Music Summit on May 30th and 31st, inviting listeners to attend and support their music journey.

  "We'll be playing at the Camp David Music Summit... on May 30th and 31st at the outskirts of Lake George, New York."
  [40:03]

6. Concluding Remarks and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [63:32]

As the show wraps up, Tony shares final thoughts on the day's discussions, reiterates gratitude towards his guests and listeners, and encourages continued engagement through various platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Audacy.

Closing Highlights:

• Acknowledgments:
  Thanks to guests Hakeem Jeffries, Mark Feinsand, Tim Legler, and the featured band Capital Zen.

  "Thanks to our guests today and today's sponsors. Remember, you can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Audacy."
  [54:07]

• Final Listener Shoutouts:
  Tony recaps some humorous and light-hearted listener emails, blending personal anecdotes with playful banter, maintaining the show's friendly and engaging atmosphere.

Notable Quotes:

• Hakeem Jeffries on Bernard King:

  "Bernard King had the quickest jump, quickest release in the history of basketball."
  [04:28]

• Mark Feinsand on Phillies' Bullpen:

  "Alvarado was sort of the anchor of that bullpen and he's gone for a half a season now."
  [28:18]

• Tim Legler on Cooper Flag vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo:

  "I would not."
  [49:07]

• Tony Kornheiser on Jalen Brunson:

  "Jalen Brunson is a rock."
  [52:08]

Final Thoughts

In this episode of "The Tony Kornheiser Show," listeners are treated to an engaging blend of sports analysis, personal stories, and community interaction. From the Knicks' unexpected rise in the NBA playoffs to deep dives into baseball team strategies and bullpen dynamics, the show offers comprehensive coverage of current sports topics. The inclusion of Capital Zen introduces a refreshing musical element, while the mailbag segment fosters a strong connection with the audience. Tony Kornheiser's dynamic hosting, combined with the expertise of his guests, ensures a rich and informative listening experience for both dedicated fans and newcomers alike.