Throwbacks with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara
Episode: Rudy Gay Joins the Show, Rick Pitino’s Rise at St. John’s & Shooter McGavin: Legendary Villain
Release Date: March 20, 2025

Introduction and Entourage Movie Premiere Anecdote

The episode kicks off with Matt Leinart reminiscing about the Entourage movie premiere, where he first encountered Rudy Gay and Wesley Matthews on the red carpet. Matt recalls a playful rivalry between Rudy and Wesley, debating who dunked on whom.

Matt ([00:00]): "The first people I run into when I walk in is you and Wesley Matthews. You guys are talking about one of you dunked on the other and the other person swearing it wasn't on them."

Reggie ([00:15]): "I love you too, West. Yeah, stay out there, bro. Don't get into that pain."

Guest Introduction: Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay joins the show, bringing his insights as a recently retired NBA player. The hosts welcome him warmly and delve into his current life and career transitions.

Personal Updates and Parenting Stories

Rudy shares personal updates, including celebrating his wife Josie’s birthday and reflecting on his late mother’s anniversary.

Rudy Gay ([01:17]): "My wife and my mom share the same birthday. Happy birthday to my wife. Also, my mother’s been gone for eight years now."

He also discusses the challenges of parenting, particularly dealing with his younger son's first lost tooth and the subsequent tooth fairy excitement.

Reggie ([08:03]): "My younger kid Will probably did you care, like, when Cole stopped believing in that stuff, did you even care?"

Rudy Gay ([09:35]): "The tooth fairy, it's like that innocent conversation you'll remember, and then in about six years, when your boys become to you and Bre, you're gonna be like, I wish he would just believe in the tooth fairy."

Discussion on College Basketball and Rick Pitino’s Rise at St. John’s

The conversation shifts to college basketball, focusing on Rick Pitino’s efforts to elevate St. John’s University through significant investments and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals.

Matt ([17:30]): "I love Patino. I've always loved Patino."

Reggie ([19:54]): "Mike Rapoli from the body armor nil world..."

Rudy and Reggie discuss the implications of billionaire investments in college sports, comparing St. John’s strategies to traditional powerhouses like Duke and Kentucky. They highlight how unlimited funds and NIL deals are reshaping the competitive landscape.

Impact of NIL Deals and Billionaire Investments in College Sports

The hosts delve deeper into how Patino’s significant financial contributions are transforming St. John’s basketball, allowing the university to attract top talent and build a competitive team akin to elite programs.

Rudy Gay ([22:02]): "Patino gets hired. He reaches out to Phil Knight, Oregon, some of these other big dogs..."

They explore the balance between maintaining team integrity and the influx of talent driven by financial incentives, emphasizing the long-term vision Patino has for St. John’s.

March Madness and Bracket Predictions

As March Madness approaches, Matt and Rudy discuss their plans for engaging with the tournament, including bracket predictions and their favorite teams.

Matt ([25:23]): "My big pick that I did for Bet MGM was Colorado State was like my underdog."

Rudy Gay ([78:56]): "Florida would be the odds on favorite. I do like Duke and Auburn."

They share their excitement for the tournament, reflecting on past experiences and current favorites, while also touching on the strategic aspects of betting and bracket challenges.

Athletes and Media Control: Player Podcasts

The conversation shifts to the modern landscape of athletes hosting their own podcasts, debating the benefits and challenges of controlling one’s narrative in the age of social media.

Reggie ([57:32]): "I love it, though. Me, personally, I don't know what. In my prime, I don't know if I would have done it."

Matt ([60:23]): "It's like, in today's landscape is much different than, you know, early Facebook, Twitter..."

They acknowledge how athlete-hosted podcasts offer authentic insights but also come with the pressure of public scrutiny and managing personal stories.

Personal Reflections on Sports Careers

Reggie and Rudy share personal reflections on their sports careers, discussing the transition to retirement and the emotional aspects of leaving professional sports.

Reggie ([64:22]): "It was kind of like a death. Like you killing your former self."

Rudy Gay ([66:36]): "As I get older, you do appreciate... it was a great run."

They highlight the challenges of redefining oneself post-retirement, focusing on family, business ventures, and personal growth.

Fun and Gaming Stories

The hosts lightheartedly discuss gaming experiences, particularly playing basketball video games where Rudy humorously recounts being excluded from digital lineups.

Reggie ([45:16]): "I was on one of them and I was looking at the starting lineup and I wasn't in it."

They laugh about generational gaps in gaming preferences and the amusing interactions between their athletic pasts and current hobbies.

Listener Mailbag Segment

In the mailbag segment, Matt and Rudy engage with listener questions about sports movie villains, March Madness moments, and personal anecdotes.

Chris in Utah ([74:02]): "Shooter McGavin... something like a legendary villain."

Matt ([76:17]): "He's up there for me because I love golf. It's rare that you get like the comedic sports villain."

They rank iconic sports movie villains, sharing their favorites and comparing characters from various films, adding a nostalgic touch to the discussion.

Closing Remarks and Final Banter

The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the discussed topics, gratitude towards guests, and encouragement for listeners to rate and review the podcast.

Matt ([30:50]): "Something that does help us is when you rate and review us."

Rudy Gay ([73:10]): "You're coming on, yeah you had a hell of a run."

They also share humorous stories about dealing with personal challenges, such as Rudy’s battle with a flea infestation, adding a relatable and light-hearted end to the episode.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Matt: "And I'll read one right now. This one is Shay631. She left a review on, I think it was Apple podcast, which she said, not a pairing I was expecting from a podcast, but it's incredible. Great chemistry, amazing stories, really fun." ([30:50])

• Rudy Gay: "We need a coffee sponsor because also rarely these days do you time the caffeine out where you peak, it's like a performance." ([01:37])

• Reggie: "He was manipulating you to think that he didn't care about things that he really cared about." ([71:24])

Conclusion

This episode of "Throwbacks with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara" offers a rich blend of personal anecdotes, insightful discussions on the evolving landscape of college sports, nostalgic reflections on professional careers, and engaging interactions with guests and listeners. Rudy Gay’s presence adds depth to the conversation, providing firsthand perspectives on retirement, parenting, and the dynamic changes in the sports world. Whether debating iconic sports villains or sharing parenting woes, Matt and Rudy create an engaging and relatable narrative that resonates with sports enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.