In short
The episode is a wide-ranging sports discussion focused on NBA and NHL playoff intensity, plus a major NFL officiating development.
Topic
- NBA playoffs: Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, including betting talk and whether the series could be a “4-0” sweep.
- Player narratives and officiating: debate over whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) “flops”/embellishes versus simply drawing fouls.
- NHL playoffs: Colorado Avalanche dominance and physicality, with examples of rough play and star scoring.
- NFL: report that NFL and the NFL Referees Association negotiations are far enough along to schedule a ratification vote Thursday night; guest Ian Rapoport explains implications for officiating quality and offseason training.
- Golf: Cam Young’s recent PGA success and how he handled the breakthrough.
Guests (backgrounds)
Ian Rapoport
ESPN/NFL Network senior NFL insider (NFL reporting).
Kendrick Perkins
15-year NBA veteran and NBA champion; former player/TV analyst.
Cam Young
PGA golfer; recent Players Championship winner (also referenced as Cadillac champion).
Shams Charania
NBA reporter (mentioned in guest list; not detailed in transcript excerpt).
Gary Bettman
NHL commissioner (mentioned in guest list; not detailed in transcript excerpt).
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Chicago Cubs player (mentioned in guest list; not detailed in transcript excerpt).
Key claims
- Lakers are in trouble because Luka Doncic and Jalen Williams injuries/absence change the matchup; without Luka, Perkins expects only one Lakers win (gentleman’s sweep).
- OKC’s defensive plan (double-teaming SGA) forces others to beat them.
- SGA’s foul-drawing is real, but some theatrics/embellishment fuel “flopping” accusations.
- NFL referee deal vote likely passes; better training/accountability expected, reducing “replacement ref” fallout risk.
- Avalanche are built to overpower opponents in the playoffs; Minnesota is being “pounded.”
Notable examples
- Lakers’ Vanderbilt dislocating/popping a pinky in Game 1 vs OKC (gruesome injury discussion).
- OKC’s regular-season dominance over the Lakers: 4-0 head-to-head, ~29.9 average margin.
- LeBron betting line discussion: LeBron +15.5 and Shea points bet; both outcomes contrasted with actual results.
- Diggs found not guilty in a public court case; discussion of how that affects free agency.
- Cam Young’s tournament win and “Scotty lurking” anecdote about a clutch moment.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOInjury Updates and Avalanche Dominance
0:45 to 2:49
Discussion on player injuries in playoffs and the Colorado Avalanche's performance.
“We got all, all the boys, the lads in the back saying, oh, that's disgusting.”
LeBron James and NBA Playoff Dynamics
2:49 to 7:10
Exploration of LeBron's playoff challenges and the performance of other teams.
“Let's go to the toxic table at Boston Conner and toxic tone.”
Debate Over Basketball's Greatest
7:10 to 9:44
A lively debate on whether LeBron or Jordan holds the title of greatest basketball player.
“Completely evolved, flipped on its head, certainly by far absolute dog in the history of dogs.”
Referees and NFL Developments
9:44 to 12:20
Discussion on recent NFL news, including referee negotiations and implications for fans.
“Aiden had a double-double, but he wasn't really impactful.”
Continuing the LeBron Debate
13:22 to 14:02
Ian Rapoport joins the ongoing conversation about LeBron and the NBA.
“I also like how last time we spoke, you guys were debating Kobe and LeBron and Jordan, and now I come on, you're still debating LeBron and Jordan.”
Generational Perspectives in Sports Media
14:02 to 15:10
Discussion on how age influences sports media perspectives, particularly between Jordan and LeBron.
“And I think a lot of people that have sat on these particular microphones haven't been of the age that we are.”
NFL Ref Association Vote Insights
15:11 to 19:45
Exploration of the upcoming NFL Ref Association vote and its implications for officiating.
“I'm sure you don't feel like you're just wasting life away right now, so we will get to this as quickly as possible.”
Stephon Diggs' Legal Outcome and Future
19:46 to 23:04
Analysis of Stephon Diggs being found not guilty and what it means for his free agency prospects.
“I think there's probably going to be a little bit of a – if I had to guess, I think those refs probably got a good bit of more money, if I had to guess.”
Patrick Mahomes' Recovery Update
23:05 to 25:29
Discussion on Patrick Mahomes' rehab progress and expectations for the upcoming season.
“I mean, no disrespect to a lot of those players.”
Aaron Rodgers' Future Speculations
25:30 to 26:58
Speculation on Aaron Rodgers' potential landing spots and contract situation.
“I don't know how he's going to be in the NFL, but I do know he can spin it and he can move, and he's got a lot of moxie.”
Show all 69 chapters
Debate on NBA Free Throw Strategies
28:00 to 29:40
Discussion on free throw strategies and players' abilities to draw fouls.
“I was just kind of saying what everybody was thinking.”
LeBron's Impact on the Lakers
29:40 to 31:30
Analysis of LeBron James' performance and its effects on the Lakers' playoff chances.
“LeBron James afterwards obviously getting a lot of shit because he didn't answer something exactly how they wanted him to answer it whenever he said, Luke, we're missing a guy that averages 37 points.”
Austin Reeves' Performance Post-Injury
31:30 to 33:40
Discussion about Austin Reeves' struggles after returning from injury and the expectations for him.
“And Connor actually said LeBron's greatest basketball player of all time actually to start this entire show earlier.”
Timberwolves' Prospects and Player Development
33:40 to 36:15
Insight into the Minnesota Timberwolves' playoff chances and key player performances.
“Well, that's why Foxy just put that up as fast as possible.”
Interview with Cam Young: Success and Challenges
36:15 to 42:00
Cam Young discusses his recent golf successes and the support system behind him.
“The Minnesota Timberwolves can win the NBA championship this year.”
Celebrating Success in Golf
42:00 to 43:39
Learn how personal support and belief fuel success in golf.
“It seems like it's only benefited your game.”
The Pressure of Leading in Golf
43:40 to 45:20
Discover the challenges and pressures faced when leading a tournament.
“your first reaction is, holy shit, I can't believe this just happened.”
Golf Rules and Integrity
45:21 to 46:29
Understand the complexities of golf rules and the importance of integrity.
“because there are so many rules in golf.”
The State of the PGA and Live Golfers
46:30 to 47:52
Examine the current dynamics between the PGA Tour and Live golfers.
“doesn't need to be a penalty, but just kind of how it's always been.”
Navigating the Return of Live Golfers
47:53 to 50:36
Explore potential pathways for Live golfers to reintegrate into the PGA.
“Now, speaking of your sport, a lot coming about your sport, And we're not expecting you to give some political answer, but there's certainly some things brewing amongst the PGA Tour at this point.”
The Impact of Experience on Success
50:37 to 52:19
Learn how experience shapes success in major golf tournaments.
“So, yeah, up to people smarter than me to figure out how it all is going to work out.”
Glimpses into Golf Technique and Culture
52:20 to 56:00
Delve into golf techniques and the cultural aspects of the sport.
“Oh, we can make this a lot worse if that's what you're looking for.”
Golf Round Discussion
56:00 to 56:53
Hosts discuss the intensity and challenges of a recent golf round.
“It was 1 ,000 degrees at that hole, potentially.”
NBA Updates and Player Insights
58:12 to 1:03:36
Discussion about injuries and player performances in the NBA playoffs.
“We got some breaking news out of the NBA.”
Shams Sharanya's NBA Insights
1:03:37 to 1:09:02
NBA insider Shams Sharanya shares details on player injuries and game predictions.
“Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, to kind of tell us anything else that we need to know for tonight's games.”
Cultural Misunderstandings and Celebrations
1:09:03 to 1:10:00
Hosts discuss misconceptions about Cinco de Mayo and its historical significance.
“when the French got knocked on by the Mexican forces.”
Cinco de Mayo Discussions
1:10:00 to 1:10:40
The hosts discuss their children's education about Cinco de Mayo.
“I tell you what, my second grader knew that.”
French Cuisine and Humor
1:10:40 to 1:11:10
The conversation humorously shifts to different French foods and related anecdotes.
“She wasn't part of the no-hits, only bangers.”
NHL's Rising Popularity
1:12:06 to 1:14:18
Gary Bettman discusses the NHL's current success and rising ratings.
“Last time we saw each other, my neck was a little bit...”
Competitive Balance in the NHL
1:14:18 to 1:16:37
Bettman explains the importance of competitive balance in the league and its rules.
“I think that heated rivalry for some people introduced a whole new group of people to the game as well.”
The Role of Officials in the NHL
1:16:37 to 1:19:01
The hosts discuss the training and importance of referees in the NHL.
“And so as a result, every team can compete and can afford to compete because we have a salary cap and revenue sharing.”
NHL Draft and Integrity
1:19:01 to 1:20:52
Bettman talks about the draft lottery system and its integrity.
“and video replay for us has really vindicated their performance even more.”
Toronto Maple Leafs and Fan Culture
1:20:52 to 1:23:58
The discussion includes the scrutiny on the Toronto Maple Leafs and their cultural significance.
“Hey, you were Sinatra out there hosting this entire thing.”
Passion for Hockey in Canada
1:24:00 to 1:24:59
Discussion about the intense passion for hockey in Canada and its growth.
Evaluating the NHL Playoff Format
1:25:00 to 1:26:08
Gary Bettman discusses the current NHL playoff format and its effectiveness.
“And we get longer series as a general rule.”
Exciting NHL Playoff Matches
1:26:09 to 1:27:14
Exploration of the thrilling nature of current NHL playoff games.
“Do you think the Avalanche should have to play with somebody in the penalty box the entire game?”
Gary Bettman's Busy Schedule
1:27:15 to 1:28:54
Discussion on Gary Bettman's travel and commitments during playoffs.
“And then the inverse of that, I was in Tampa on Sunday night.”
NHL's Growth and Future Prospects
1:28:55 to 1:29:44
Exploring the NHL's potential for growth and the current state of the league.
“There's never a time where I've accidentally interacted with Gary and he's not doing something.”
The Competitive Nature of NHL Playoffs
1:29:45 to 1:30:24
Discussion on the unpredictability of NHL playoffs and potential underdog victories.
“NHL, literally any team can have a hot goalie or someone who just catches fire.”
Innovative Ideas for Hockey Viewing
1:30:25 to 1:31:30
Ideas for making hockey games more engaging and viewer-friendly.
“That is what the ice is doing from the TV.”
The LIV Golf Controversy
1:31:31 to 1:32:28
Discussion on the impact of LIV Golf on the PGA and its players.
“We need to do the Savannah Bananas of hockey.”
The Future of Golf Tours
1:32:29 to 1:38:00
Discussion on the future of golf tours and the implications for players.
“Rom's gone in there and said, hey, they're really good at contracts.”
The Path Back to the Tour
1:38:00 to 1:38:38
Discussion about fairness in professional sports contracts and career paths.
“There's got to be a path where you can play your way back on the tour.”
Introducing Pete Crow Armstrong
1:38:38 to 1:39:25
Introduction of Pete Crow Armstrong and discussion about the Cubs' success.
“That was right after the golf fix when you put the tube in the thing.”
Cubs' Winning Streak
1:39:25 to 1:40:39
Pete shares insights on the Cubs' current seven-game win streak and the excitement in Wrigley.
“is a guy who currently has an 839 OPS over the last nine games.”
The Competitive NL Central
1:40:39 to 1:42:30
Discussion about the competitiveness of the NL Central and the Cubs' position.
“And I'm thankful for you and many of the lads of the World Baseball Classic for that, for me being in there.”
Defensive Strategies in Baseball
1:42:30 to 1:44:41
Pete talks about defensive plays and the importance of quick ball retrieval.
“You know, if anything, it's fun to be a part of a division that is kind of taking the game by storm this year with a lot of fun call-ups to be aware of and Connor Griffin and J.J.”
Managing Plate Discipline
1:44:41 to 1:47:26
Conversation about balancing aggression and discipline at the plate.
“whatever stats can measure your defensive run saved is cool.”
Impact of ABS on Hitters
1:47:26 to 1:49:09
Pete discusses the effect of the Automatic Ball Strike system on hitters.
“Go out there and start swinging at everything.”
The Torpedo Bat Discussion
1:49:09 to 1:51:44
Exploring the use and mechanics of the torpedo bat in baseball.
“And then, you know, like, late innings, having them is big.”
Bat Specifications and Regulations
1:51:44 to 1:52:00
Discussion on bat specifications and what is allowed in baseball.
“I swing a 34-31, so that's 34 inches, 31 ounces.”
Baseball Equipment Insights
1:52:00 to 1:53:39
Discussion on various baseball bat sizes and preferences.
“A lot of guys swing like a 33-and-a-half, 31.”
Future of Sports Conversations
1:53:40 to 1:54:48
Reflections on the next generation of athletes and their impact on sports.
“The next generation of sports in a great place.”
Information Overload and Its Consequences
1:54:49 to 1:55:51
Exploration of how society handles excessive information and misinformation.
“I've been trying to figure out who they is for 42 years now.”
Cruise Ship Virus Discussion
1:55:52 to 1:56:58
A humorous take on the hantavirus and its implications.
“Let's just be careful joking about this virus.”
Impact of Coaches Association Vote
1:59:47 to 2:03:28
Discussion on the implications of the AFCA's recent vote regarding college playoffs.
“There's some votes though that are happening.”
Concerns Over College Football Schedule
2:03:29 to 2:06:00
Analyzing the challenges and schedule changes in college football seasons.
“I think the coaches are saying that as well.”
The Challenges of College Football Schedule
2:06:00 to 2:07:00
Discussion on the implications of college football's scheduling on players and coaches.
“But for the portal and everything, the coaches want it to end earlier than January 25th.”
Financing College Programs
2:07:00 to 2:08:20
Exploration of the financial aspects and loan options for college sports programs.
“I think everybody is in the mindset of trying to make it better.”
The Cost of Free Gifts
2:08:20 to 2:10:50
Discussion on the implications of accepting gifts and the potential strings attached.
“but also it would not be considered a good amongst what comps are for getting money, if that makes sense.”
Casual Conversations about Marshmallows
2:10:50 to 2:14:20
Light-hearted banter on marshmallows and personal anecdotes about food experiences.
“Like, I do, like, it doesn't have to be that way, I should say.”
Sharing Embarrassing Stories
2:14:20 to 2:17:40
Sharing humorous and embarrassing incidents related to bodily functions.
“But in my best life, that from the very beginning would have had no marshmallows in it.”
Traveling and Food Experiences
2:18:20 to 2:20:00
Discussion about the challenges of finding good food while traveling.
“I don't know what the Tim Robinson pants are, but yes, we should try to buy them.”
Logistical Nightmares and Food Preferences
2:20:00 to 2:21:20
Discussing food logistics and preferences among the team.
“I think that's going to pay off for us at some point.”
Aaron Rodgers' Future in Question
2:21:20 to 2:23:30
Speculating on Aaron Rodgers' next move: Cardinals, Steelers, or retirement.
“or if it's going to be the Pittsburgh Steelers or if it's going to be a retirement tour?”
Bryson DeChambeau's YouTube Journey
2:23:30 to 2:28:10
Examining Bryson DeChambeau's transition from golfer to content creator.
“First of all, love Jackson Smith and Jigba kind of opening up training for college guys looking to do or be the next generation.”
The Future of LIV Golf and Player Contracts
2:28:10 to 2:30:50
Discussing the viability of LIV Golf contracts and potential return to PGA.
“And I think if he was to just go YouTube, he'd feel like he'd be representing the YouTube golfers out there in the majors.”
Upcoming Game Predictions
2:30:50 to 2:34:00
Making predictions for NHL and NBA playoff games tonight.
“And maybe we got all the best golfers battling every single weekend at every single PGA tournament.”
Game Predictions and Player Performances
2:34:00 to 2:37:26
The hosts discuss upcoming NBA games and predict outcomes based on player performances.
“It's tough to – I don't know how he does anything.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Pat McAfee:Welcome to our humble abode, the Thunderdome, on this big sports Wednesday, May 6, 2026. This program begins now. Sports! Sports are the greatest and playoffs are happening every single night in the NBA and the NHL and keeping us wildly entertained and we can't think the athletes out there doing it enough for everything that they're putting on the line. Even some guys, okay, Mr. Vanderbilt for the Lakers last night, four years on the team, mostly a defensive specialist, in a game one against Oklahoma City, in Oklahoma City, getting their asses beat, actually dislocates his pinky so much that it pops out of his skin, and the Oklahoma City team sees it and get immediately disgusted.
0:42Pat McAfee:What do you got going on? Oh, geez. We got all, all the boys, the lads in the back saying, oh, that's disgusting. Now we're hearing, obviously, that he's going to have to get that stitched up. obviously put the bone back in the skin, but that's possible at any time that any of these players' injuries obviously can be much worse than just a pinky popping out of their skin, but that is certainly something that is very gruesome and disgusting, so we appreciate what all these guys are going through every single night for us to be entertained in the sports world. The NHL swinging a hot bat, and guess what?
1:10Pat McAfee:The hottest bat of them all might be in Colorado over there. This mile-high team in the Avalanche, they're bigger, stronger, tougher, and better than you. I mean, that's just what they are. Coming into the Stanley Cup playoffs, everybody that knew hockey, which is obviously not who you're claiming to be, the super-duper hockey experts. But everybody that is deemed hockey experts go, I mean, that's just tic-tac-toe right there in the playoff. That's against a very good Minnesota Wild team. They're just basically playing with them, playing with them. That's goal, that's goal. Everybody's a goal.
1:36Pat McAfee:McKinnon's killing people and also scoring goals. This team coming into the playoffs is being talked about as baby being one of the best in the history of hockey with how great they are with the run that they can go on. And they're proving to do just that. They are pounding teams. And it's not just scoring more goals. Hate! It's not just scoring more goals. It's beating the shit out of him. Here's Quinn Hughes, obviously American legend. We appreciate him. That's McKinnon, star of the Colorado Avalanche, obviously superstar. Quinn Hughes lost an edge a little bit there. But let's look at this one here.
2:02Pat McAfee:Night-night. That's down 5-2, the Minnesota Wild guy. Getting bodied off the thing by the star of the other team late in the game. It's just like this Avalanche team is rude. This Avalanche team is strong. And this Avalanche team will actually go ahead and bang! Bunch of ref right in the head as well. It is an avalanche run, kind of like an avalanche happening in the NHL playoffs. It'll be exciting to see who can keep up with them. The NBA, obviously, always delivering. We have Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner. Kendrick Perkins joining us today. Cam Young, PGA champion, multiple time now this season, obviously, an absolute superstar.
2:40Pat McAfee:And Pete Crow Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs joining us. So, we have a pretty big little sports day here. We're thankful for it all. Also, Junior Rap Sheet will be joining us here in a matter of moments because there's big NFL news. Let's go to the toxic table at Boston Conner and toxic tone. Con man, playoffs delivering every single night. Always having a little bit of controversy as well. You know, always a little controversy. Last night, LeBron James was facing his biggest underdog spread in the history of him playing the playoffs. 15 and a half points. And I thought to myself, as somebody that is a LeBron supporter, has been since the beginning, LeBron's going to war right now.
3:18Pat McAfee:The biggest he's ever, you know, had to kind of take on. I'm going to ride with him. Okay, why not? I never know if this will happen again. I'm going to ride with him. Then the other thought was I just watched the Knicks just absolutely pummel a team. Oh, yeah. And this Oklahoma City team has kind of been a team that is not scared to kind of pummel a team. And would this Lakers team get pounded by this Oklahoma City team? There's certainly a chance that that could happen. Is LeBron about to lose by more than 15 and a half? I don't care. I'm riding with him. So I ride with LeBron, plus 15 and a half.
3:46Pat McAfee:I also bet on Shea. to have at least 25 points because he scores 20 points literally in his sleep. Every game, yeah. What happens? Shea doesn't score 20 points for the first time since he's 12 years old or something like that. I forget the numbers. It's been forever since he's done it, so I lose that bet. LeBron plus 15 and a half? No, nowhere near. Nowhere near. Shea scores 18 points, and they just pummel the Lakers. LeBron was asked afterwards, like, hey, how do you think you keep up with this team? He goes, I mean, let's just be honest. Luka Doncic is Luka Doncic because he scores more points than anybody else.
4:20Pat McAfee:He averages like 37. We don't have 37 points. Do you know what this game would look like if we had 37 more points out there? That would certainly be great. But the thought about the conversation about this Oklahoma City team is, obviously, J.J. Redick attempted to eliminate SGA. Every basketball person that we talked to this morning was like, J.J. Redick is a little bit of an extremist. He's certainly going to do what he has to do to try to eliminate. The rest of the Oklahoma City team absolutely dominated con man. And you ended up picking, I believe, Oklahoma City minus 15.5 whenever you were pushed, come to shove, to gamba a little bit, I think.
4:49Pat McAfee:And you looked up what happened in the regular season between these two teams. This might be a four-no-more type series here, and I don't like that at all, Conman. Yeah, you're referencing the 4-0. OKC was 4-0 against the Lakers in the regular season, and their average margin of victory was like 29.9 points, so 30 points. They were basically beating the brakes off of the Lakers consistently. Luka Doncic, you mentioned, I believe he got hurt actually against OKC in the last game that they played against one another. Now the whole like, hey, 37 points is a difference. We're missing Luka Doncic. Definitely huge.
5:26I saw yesterday they were talking about Donovan Mitchell being number two in playoff points per game, you know, per, you know, every single year, whatever, all time. And Luka Doncic is actually fourth. So it is a massive loss. OKC's also dealing with their second best player, Jalen Williams, being out. That's huge. You know, you think about that. So both teams a little banged up. But, yeah, this is why the NBA playoffs are just different than the NHL playoffs. You know, the NBA playoffs, we're talking about the greatest basketball player of all time getting the doors blown off his team by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
5:57Like, that doesn't really happen very often.
6:00Pat McAfee:Can we put a pause there real quick? You just said with, like, an exclamation point. He did. Fox, did you hear that? The greatest of all time. Basketball player of all time. Let's go to nine-year NFL vet, Darius J. Butler here joining us. D-Bot, you look incredibly cool. Great week. Appreciate you traveling up here, as always. I love it. Connor just, I believe, kind of. Put a stamp on it. He did. He kind of just put his flag down. What are we talking about? I don't know why we're doing this. I've never been a Jordan or LeBron guy, but when it comes to just basketball as a whole, he's the only guy that's top ten in every single category.
6:35Pat McAfee:D, but Connor's just saying the same thing that Kyle Hamilton's saying. Baltimore Ravens. It's sad. Some people will leave this earth and not think LeBron's the greatest. Got to be like living life in black and white. Yeah. You know, there's a lot of upgrades. Now they've got 8K, 9K. He's saying, hey, you're talking real old school if we're not talking about this guy being the greatest. I would like to let everybody know, I do not participate in this particular debate strictly because I think they're playing two different sports. I think they're playing two different sports. I feel like you've participated a lot over the last week or so.
7:05Pat McAfee:I think the sport that was being played, okay, that Michael Jordan completely changed. Completely evolved, flipped on its head, certainly by far absolute dog in the history of dogs. I think he's the greatest in that particular game. Okay. This guy, I do not have memories really without this guy being the best player to ever walk. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I'm 39. I got my second child on the way, okay? I'm into a second career pretty deep into this thing. This guy is still doing it. I don't know how the most playoff games, the most points, the most this, the most that, the most what.
7:43Pat McAfee:But he doesn't have Michael Jordan's killer instinct. He can't do what MJ did. I haven't seen him go cradle underneath the thing. And it's like, okay, are we nitpicking everything? Two different sports. LeBron would have been great back then. Jordan would have been great now. Greatest of each sport. Same sport. Sport that I'm alive for to watch. LeBron's definitely the guy. Last Dance did not help. I had a lot of people tweeting me telling me that I need to watch Last Dance and learn basketball a little bit about what Michael Jordan did. And it's like, really? Do I need to do that? Because I saw some misses.
8:12Pat McAfee:I had never seen those before from Michael Jordan. I'd only seen the makes. I had never seen a single miss. Exactly. And I was seeing some of the other people that he was playing against, and they were dribbling that ball as if they were on the Harlem Globetrotters as the highest dribblers in the history of dribbling basketballs. I mean, it was just – it was tough for me. They would both be great. They're both the greatest. I'm on the fence. They're both the greatest. There's errors. We can go all the way back to Bob. And I mean, I wear Jordans every day. I don't know why we're doing this. This is not the point of anything.
8:41Pat McAfee:You said it. This is not the point of anything. You said it. But if we're going to talk, it's like, we should go all the way back to Bob Cousy. We shouldn't just go to – It should be errors. We should go all the way to the 50s. Cousy. Then Russell. Then, I mean, of course, the Mike and – how can we leave out the Mike and drill? Then we can go to Dr. Dre. and Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. But really, if we're talking about greatest of all times, I mean, it's hard to put anybody above Bob Cousy just because of what he did. No, you already saved. No, no, we're doing everything. I'm doing everything.
9:13Usually it's just LeBron Jordan. If we're including everybody, Bob Cousy, baby. And you can throw in Bill Russell there, too, because he won 11 titles. Okay, I'm surprised you didn't try to sneak in Bird, too, just because you smoked cigs in between.
9:24Pat McAfee:Larry's saying a lot of stuff. We've learned a lot about it. Larry's putting up Bron numbers before Bron. But with that being said, 41 years old, he still kind of did his part last night. Look, the team is overwhelmed. But it's the other guys. We always talk about the other guys. You talked about J.J. Redick and how he tried to take or limit SGA. But the other guys were hitting a bunch of shots. That was not the case for the Lakers. Austin Reeves didn't really show up. Aiden had a double-double, but he wasn't really impactful. Rui kind of did his thing. They missed a ton of open shots. And, look, this is just a better team.
9:56It's the reason why they were 15-and-a-half point dogs. They'll win this series in commanding fashion.
10:01Pat McAfee:Is SGA flopping? I'm seeing a lot of theatrics. I'm seeing a lot of theatrics. That ain't a question. It's a bucket getter. 5-12. First quarter. Now, Brick Center, I do believe on X, certainly took some liberties on what was a flop, what was not a flop, what was maybe over-dramatized. But a lot of it was happening in the first quarter. It felt like the tone was being set by SGA to maybe try to get a call maybe they wouldn't give him a call, so then the internet went crazy. I think there was maybe a few floppity-flops throughout the game by SGA, but I think there's also a lot of, like, he just lets people know that a foul just happened.
10:38Pat McAfee:You know, like, he's pretty dramatic. Yeah. Like, he is pretty. It's kind of the league, you know, it's the league today. He's zany with it. Yeah, he's got a lot of pizzazz on his fouls. I think, like, actual fouls, though. Like, I, after watching him live last year, and I keep saying this all the time, and I'm just trying to put into perspective how TV versus real life works. It's hard for me to act like SGA getting fouls is the reason why he's good whenever you watch him in real life, and it's just like this guy. This guy's everywhere all the time, and he's so good at basketball, and he's so smooth, but I think he is a little bit overdramatic on the actual fouls because Brick Center put one out where the guy clearly hits him in the elbow, but then he does a full – Kind of makes sure he sees it.
11:23Pat McAfee:Exactly. So I think there is a little bit of embellishment potentially happening, which I think is a soccer thing that happens as well. But I think SGA gets falsely accused of being a free throw merchant because they think all his embellishment are flops, if that makes sense. I think personally. And just people, I think, universally know how good he is and they get more upset at the fact that he doesn't have to do that stuff. I think like you mentioned the brick center. There's multiple in that video that were fouls for sure. But people who just watch it, just, it's another reason to pile on them.
11:54I think the majority.
11:56Pat McAfee:That's because he's flailing. That stuff. But you know, and B we see it damn near every night. People do that. Like both teams argue about the other team doing it to them, but it's more so just like, Hey, SGA, we know you don't need to do this. So that's why people get so upset. SGA, you play your game, but they're in the middle of a dynasty right now. And they are very, very good at the basketball. Let's pivot away from the NBA, which we'll talk to Kendrick Perkins here in about 15 minutes. Can't wait to catch up with Big Perk. We appreciate the fact that he's joining us today. And the NBA has been awesome.
12:24Pat McAfee:It has been a lot of fun. The NHL has been crushing it. And the NFL always staying alive. Big news kind of broke yesterday quietly via Seifert tweet alongside Kalen Kaler. The negotiations between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association have progressed far enough that the union has scheduled a ratification vote on Thursday night. And they're not scheduling a vote for no reason. They think this is a vote that could potentially get passed. Now, will there be bickering amongst the refs' association and maybe a vote does not come back? Yes. Possibly. I guess any time you have a vote, that is certainly possible.
12:54Pat McAfee:But I don't think this refs' association is one that is dissected much. They are a tight bunch. So if they are putting it to a vote, I assume they've already made that decision. Congratulations to all football fans, if that is the case. To give us more information, ladies and gentlemen, Joining us now, junior NFL insider at ESPN, senior NFL insider at NFL Network. Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise for Deuce Ian Rappaport. Hey, baby, Rappaport. What up, Junior? I mean, I mean, come on. I also like how last time we spoke, you guys were debating Kobe and LeBron and Jordan, and now I come on, you're still debating LeBron and Jordan.
13:34This happens a lot lately, Rappaport. Every time before I come on. Welcome to ESPN, baby. Welcome to ESPN. Welcome to the family. Hey, great to have you. Do you have any thoughts? Is the next segment going to be how Micah doesn't get any calls? Because that's really like dating back to his Cowboys days, plus Packers, plus ref controversy. I feel like that's sort of the next level of discussion debate.
13:56Pat McAfee:We'll see whenever we get to that. It's right around the corner for sure. But LeBron's 41 now, a warrant of conversation. And I think a lot of people that have sat on these particular microphones haven't been of the age that we are. Like, I'm 39 years old. LeBron's older than me. So I have grown up much like how a lot of other sports media people grew up with Jordan as somebody they were a fan of. So I do think we come from a different perspective. But on that note, people do love watching it, we've learned. I mean, there is just the Jordan LeBron. Oh, really? Yeah, the internet stuff. Internet reactions are just immediate numbers.
14:31Pat McAfee:I thought it was the opposite. It literally happens. I would say, just speaking from my group chats, it happens a lot. Yeah, dude, it's an immediate buzz. which is why it became the thing. But we're not going to continue to do that. We're done with it. We didn't mean to. You. Old times we didn't mean to. You. No. You. No. The greatest basketball player on planet Earth in the history of planet Earth. It just kept rolling. I mean, that's because I thought it was just kind of a matter of fact. I wasn't even bringing it up. Exactly. Which does become the whole thing. And I don't want to get into it.
15:01Pat McAfee:I didn't mention Jordan. Wrapped in a car. Wrapped in a car. He's got somewhere to go. He's got a luncheon. Thankfully, he is not driving. Please tell Miss Leah we say thank you for the time here. All right, let's talk about the refs. They say thanks. Big pop. Hi, Miss Leah. Good to see you. Thank you so much for the time. I'm sure you don't feel like you're just wasting life away right now, so we will get to this as quickly as possible. The NFL Ref Association putting this to a vote on Thursday night. We believe, because of how tight the Ref Association has proven to be over the years, this means that this is something that is passing.
15:34Pat McAfee:This is a huge, huge piece of information as we look ahead to the next season because with the replacement refs of the past, it became state fair football. And with how popular the game is, where the league is trying to go, and everything else we got going on, especially with sports gambling and the amount of money being wagered and everything that's taken place, the replacement refs I think would have been a detrimental blow to the NFL and its steam that it has going on. I think it's a big deal. Tell me how we got here, Rap, and tell me what you think this means. I agree with you. I think this is a really, really big deal.
16:06And, you know, it's weird because you have some topics like we just discussed that are hot button and people like have to get into it, have to weigh in, have to. This is sort of not one of them. You said, you know, use the word quietly when you talk about the break of this like yesterday. I would agree because people are like, OK, well, it's going to get done. Yes, I do think eventually it will get done. The real story would have been if it had not gotten done, what kind of disaster would it have been for all the reasons you mentioned? It certainly seems like it's headed toward ratification. You're right.
16:36If the ref association is scheduling a vote, you've got to believe that they have supreme confidence that there's going to be a deal that their members are going to ratify. And as far as like what this all means and kind of, you know, looking forward, I would say it represents a pretty good investment from the NFL and from the owners in officiating, in training, in development, in, you know, sort of using the referees more than just like on Sundays or Thursdays and Mondays during the season, you know, making better use of them during minicamp, during joint practices, during training camp. sort of, you know, shortening the amount of dead time that they have and just getting them on the field to work.
17:19And I think that's, you know, that's something just more reps is better. And I think that's something that's going to help. The other thing that I wouldn't be surprised to see is a little more focus on sort of accountability and less on seniority, right? Like more of a focus on if you are good, you will get rewarded and we will see it. And if not, then we will not see you as much and you will not have as many high profile assignments. So I think those are sort of the hot button important points here is that this is going to lead to better officiating, which is good.
17:54Pat McAfee:Okay. So the NFL wanted all those things. They wanted accountability. They wanted off season work. They wanted a little bit more of that. The NFL ref association, I believe they wanted more money. I believe that was a part of the negotiation. We can assume that both sides probably put their swords down for a little bit of an agreement. And do we expect the NFL Ref Association to come out of this very, very happy and excited about what the new day could be alongside technology and development in the offseason? Or is this going to be like a process of weeding out all the old refs that are going to hate everything about this and a newer class of refs that are kind of coming through?
18:25Now, there has been some, I would say over the last maybe four or five years, there has been some weeding out of older refs or refs that haven't been, nothing related to age, but refs that have not been performing in a way that they wanted. So we've sort of already seen that. I would expect the Referees Association, considering how much sort of drama was in this, how much angst and frustration all the way through, Once you get to a point where you're on the cusp of a deal, I would expect both sides to be pretty happy. But, you know, this has been, like, stressful. Like, I started calling around yesterday when I started hearing this before Seifert and Kalen scooped me.
19:07And nobody would talk about it. I know, right? I know. Nobody would talk about it because they were kind of like, don't want to mess it up, don't want to do anything to spook it or jinx it. Like, I think everyone's in a good place. I think they just want to get it done, and it is extremely good for the game that it will get done.
19:21Pat McAfee:I think it is extremely good for the game. Shout out to the refs getting it done before the deadline. That's them wanting the game to get better as well, especially if they're being tasked with becoming more accountable, which no group wants to contractually sign to. I don't think that is something that necessarily a union wants to sign up for, especially when they haven't really had it for a long time. So thank you to the refs for getting that deal done. And also shout out to the NFL for getting the deal done, understanding that this is a big deal. I think the money is going to have – I think there's probably going to be a little bit of a – if I had to guess, I think those refs probably got a good bit of more money, if I had to guess.
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19:54Pat McAfee:That would be true. And the good thing is none of us will care. Nope. As long as they're getting better and the accountability is real. And I think that's what the NFL probably realized whenever they were negotiating. It's like, hey, if we have to tell the owners that we're paying the refs this amount of money, but the game is going to get better, and the fans aren't going to care either way. Actually, kind of a good thing. We do this. Way to get a deal done. That could have been a disaster. A disaster. Yep. Last time was not great. AJ was on the field for that fail Mary up there. I mean, it is.
20:27Pat McAfee:That was just one play that people remember. That was every play, every down in the NFL. Because there's so many things. Putting the ball on the right hash or the left hash or in the middle or the yardage marker or spotting things or what ball is in the game, whose balls are in the game. I mean, just like so many, just the logistical bullshit that is not even like a real thing. That's every play. And then obviously in the NFL professional football, if the ball is on the left hash as opposed to the right, there's probably a different play call potentially. So then the ball is supposed to be on the left hash.
20:57Pat McAfee:We're calling a play in. Well, actually the ball is now on the right hash. Now, how is the ball on the right hash? Then somebody calls down. Yeah, it should be on the left hash. Got to stop the thing. Hey, we're going over to the left hash. That's second down now. Okay, that's second play of the game. I mean, that's just one thing. And with the eyes and everything, with how the league is viewed, thank God. Thank God. Way to go over there, Rod. Good work, everybody. Way to go, refs. Great job. All right, let's talk about some other deals that could potentially be lingering. Obviously, there's a lot of big-name free agents still available, but it feels like one name of interest could have got a little bit more interesting.
21:32Pat McAfee:Yesterday, Stephon Diggs was found not guilty on all of his charges in a very public court case that was taking place from his chef. He, Stephon Diggs, has to feel very vindicated after everything that we saw in this particular situation. In case, obviously, it was very, very public. I assume there was a lot of people watching to learn what the details were on this around NFL teams to see where we're at, what we're at. What does this mean for Stephon's career, you think, as free agency looms? And I saw him back on a treadmill already on his IG story. Always working. Yeah, I mean, he has, from the beginning, maintained his innocence.
22:05Talked to agent, lawyer. They have been adamant to wanting to fight this because they have firmly, firmly believed that he is not guilty for a variety of reasons. It will come out. It will come out. And then he had his day in court and found not guilty basically exactly like they said. I would say this. He is still – he's 32 or 33. Still very good. Still very productive. There's a lot that goes into signing him. But I think he showed last year with the Patriots with a really good team. Now, you know, the off-the-field stuff, obviously that got handled. But as a player, it seemed like it went well.
22:42Like, you know, there can be a lot for him. And I think there's been a couple places where maybe he's worn out his welcome. In the right situation, it seemed like it went well. And he was good and productive and reliable. So I would imagine the teams who were waiting for this have gotten the kind of answer that they had hoped. And I would expect him to have a pretty good market. because you look around and how many game-changing receivers are there? I mean, no disrespect to a lot of those players. I mean, there still can be some guys who make an impact, but he's got to be close to the top of the list among really healthy players.
23:18Tyreek Hill would be in the same category, obviously not healthy yet, but this was a very good day for Stephon Diggs, no doubt.
23:23Pat McAfee:And Connor thinks maybe he comes back to the Patriots, especially with the June 1 trade potentially lingering with A.J. Brown. Who knows what the deal would look like for Stephon Diggs after last year with the Patriots or elsewhere. he's always in the best shape. He recovered from an injury with no problem. Let's talk. You mentioned Tyreek Hill there. Tyreek's been obviously a topic of conversation, maybe going back home for a reuniting of sorts. Deebot has a question for you. Yeah, Diggs had a miraculous healing almost. It seems like the same thing is going on with Patrick Mahomes out in Kansas City.
23:54Any update with the Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes? So they're going to have OTAs in pretty soon, actually. And I wouldn't be surprised based on the words of Andy Reid if he's out there, right? It's ACL, it's LCL. The Chiefs have an excellent medical and training staff, so they're going to make sure that if he is on the field, he is out of harm's way and he's okay. The thing I would say is, you know, rehab sucks, and players hate it, and it's miserable. And to allow him to be on the field is a little bit of a reward for the work he's done. He has been working. Like, surgery immediately, in the next day for seven hours.
24:33like he has been working. So this feels to me like the team is like, you know what? You have earned the right to be on the field for OTAs. What I would say is this does not necessarily mean that he's going to be on the field when the season starts. That is all very different, and that's really more like medical and training milestones where he hits them. If he is not on the field, I think this team will be okay, and obviously trading for Justin Fields, they've prepared for this. But either way, whether he's on the field in September or whether he's on the field in October, he's still not going to be 100 ,000 % like he was.
25:09So they're still going to have to run the ball and protect him for a little bit this season.
25:13Pat McAfee:All right, if he's not 100 ,000, maybe he'll be, you know. 100 would be cool. 99 ,000 or maybe 98 ,000. And I know Justin Fields is over there. Nussmeier can move and spin it. Look out. Okay, Nussmeier can move. He's seventh-round draft pick. That's going to be interesting. That's going to be really interesting. I don't know how he's going to be in the NFL, but I do know he can spin it and he can move, and he's got a lot of moxie. Yeah, so I think he'll be liked over there. But Justin Fields obviously has NFL experience, and whenever he has the ball in his hands, he's the most electrifying guy on the field.
25:46Pat McAfee:Yes. Now when he throws it, his owner comes out and says, we don't have a quarterback to complete a pass. So Andy Reid fixed that. We shall see. Maybe. Last question here before we have to move to the NBA because they're in the middle of the playoffs. Good con, man. Yeah, Rapsheed, he was just kind of floated through the rumor mill. But Rodgers to Arizona, does that have any legs whatsoever? Or is he probably most likely going back to the Pittsburgh Steelers? No legs for that one. What? I certainly don't expect it. Sorry. Sorry to disappoint everyone. Don't expect that. I do not expect him to sign in Arizona.
26:20I expect if he is going to play, to play for Pittsburgh. And, you know, you're sort of getting to that point where you'd really like an answer. but we're in the same situation we've been, which is that, like, it's Aaron Rodgers, so you don't want to be like, hey, we need an answer, because he might go, no, you don't. And then they don't. Like, they don't. They would like one. I would like one. Everybody would like one, but you sort of don't. So when he decides to play football, if he decides to play football, I expect it to be for the Steelers. I expect it to be for the contract where they sort of figure it out based on the UFA tag.
26:53Like, I just, you'd sort of like it to be before OTAs or at least minicamp, and that's getting to be pretty close here.
26:59Pat McAfee:All right, we'll see how it all goes. We know he's busy. Yeah. Super. And then when he's done. Is he? He's getting busy again. Yeah. He's working out. Yeah. Working, you mean like. He's doing the apre lunch that you and Leah are about to go to. You know what I'm saying? You're the man. We appreciate the hell out of you and Leah. Thank you, guys. See you in rap sheets. Goodbye. I did see someone yesterday say, and I can't remember who it was. It was on Twitter that, you know, Aaron did hate replacement refs. So maybe who's waiting to see if they get a deal done. Yeah. Fail Mary was also a part of his legacy as well out there.
27:35Pat McAfee:Joining us now from the NBA, the association man, who got drafted straight out of high school, 15 year veteran of the NBA, a champion and a man who obviously lights up every television that he pops on formally would say carry on after everything. He's kind of buried that got everything else. It's brand new. Ladies and gentlemen, Big Perk. Yeah, Big Perk! Carry on. Hey, I got greatness behind me, baby. I got greatness behind me. Was I listening right? Did I hear Conor complaining about SGA? I wasn't complaining, Perk. I wasn't complaining. I was just kind of saying what everybody was thinking. Well, everybody needs to stop thinking that, and that narrative needs to stop because I can remember at one point in time We used to praise Michael Jordan for his ability to get to the free throw line.
28:25We used to praise Kobe Bryant for his ability to get to the free throw line. I thought all greats got to the free throw line. That's what Paul Pierce used to do when I was playing with him. When he wasn't able to get, when his shot wasn't falling, I'm going to get to the free throw line. And that's the truth. Yeah, I think it looked a little different. Let's not act like selling calls just started in 2026. Thank you, Perk. He's been around.
28:50Pat McAfee:You got a branch in the air. It's unethical, man. Why does everybody from the NBA carry this guy's water? I'm sick of it. This is ridiculous. Everybody in the NBA has been the same thing. We just said Michael Jordan, Coen Fry, and SCA. Oh, you said we don't know more. Did they all do that? No, they went to the bucket and they got fouled. I respect and appreciate Paul Pierce. I love the way he operates. Everybody needs to understand that. It's the truth. I love everything about him. Did he get wheeled out one game? He had to poop. Okay. That's different. He had to poop. Did he have to – he got wheeled out.
29:21Let's not compare. I'm not saying it's a bad thing. He had to poop. This is not the same as getting wheeled out for no reason.
29:30Pat McAfee:It was poop. Actually, pretty good content getting wheeled out for no reason. Yeah, we saw Lamar do it. Kevin Nash, he had to poop too. Exactly. All right, let's move along. Carry on. Let's talk about the Oklahoma City Thunder. LeBron James afterwards obviously getting a lot of shit because he didn't answer something exactly how they wanted him to answer it whenever he said, Luke, we're missing a guy that averages 37 points. It's going to be hard to go offensively whenever we don't have that with us. What are your thoughts about the Lakers' chances? How do you feel about the way J.J. put double team on SGA and basically said everybody else has to score, and they were able to do as such?
30:03Pat McAfee:What are your thoughts as that as a whole there? Is this going to be 4-0? Is this going to be 4-0 over there? Well, number one, Bron didn't lie. So he didn't lie. They are missing the – Luka led the league in scoring. and they only scored 90 points last night. So obviously, yes, they're missing Luka, and they need Luka in order to stay alive or even be in this series. Without Luka, I got the Lakers getting one game. This is going to be a gentleman's sweep. But the game plan was perfect. You're supposed to walk into a series and say, you know what? We're going to take the ball out of the best player's hands in SGA, one of the most efficient players to ever play the game.
30:43No, somebody else is going to have to beat us, And that just showed you how deep and the depth of the Oklahoma City Thunder. And Chad Holmgren, way to fucking step up. Because what I wanted to see and what I want to continue to see is can he be a reliable second option? Can he be a Robin to SGA? And he got off to a great start last night because we don't know how long J-Dub is going to be out. And we don't know when J-Dub, when he does return, is he going to be 100 %? Probably not. We know how to pick them hamstrings. So, again, LeBron knows what a championship team look like. He's just telling you, hey, we're going against the champs.
31:26We're going against one of the greatest defensive teams that we've ever seen in NBA history. Ain't nothing wrong with what he said.
31:34Pat McAfee:Yeah, I agree. And I'm on Team LeBron, though. And Connor actually said LeBron's greatest basketball player of all time actually to start this entire show earlier. Come on, man. We kind of got into that entire convo. What's that? Good for Connor. Okay. You like that he took that stand there? It wasn't a stand. It was just a throwaway comment. It was not. It was not meant to be a thing. It became a full thing because it's obviously this guy's 41 years old. And, you know, I think you mentioned it about the first series. Like, if he wins this all by himself here, the GOAT conversation is over. But what he's doing, I mean, he's not done, right?
32:06he's playing next year too we assume right i don't know he's doing a retirement tour no he said he's not doing a retirement oh did he say that okay okay see haters you said he's the greatest player on earth what are you saying he's not gonna do a retirement tour we know lebron tim duncan didn't say hey next year i'm not doing a retirement tim duncan just all of a sudden left in the middle of the night okay great he's got yeah right yeah now that is how you do it you don't even bring it up he already brought it up and honestly that's because we brought it up because he's the greatest player of all time in your words.
32:37He deserves a retirement.
32:38Pat McAfee:Okay, let's move along here. Let's talk about other basketball happening, Perk. We appreciate you. What do you think? You think he continues to play? I think Brod could play until he's 45, to be honest with you. I think he has another four years of this level of play. Like, real talk. And I'm not even BSing. I'm dead serious when I say this. What he did, like, what he's been doing in this postseason, last night he did his part. But last night he was fantastic. He just didn't have the help. Guys in the backcourt like Marcus Smart and, you know, Austin Reeves, they didn't play well. And one thing, let me get this off my chest.
33:17All right. Can people lay off of Austin Reeves for a second, please? No. No, listen. He just got back two games ago. Two games ago. You know, it usually take at least five to ten games. Come on! That's what we're talking about! Well, you know who's attacking him, right? Take the fucking shot, Austin. You know who's attacking him, right? No! LeBron fans.
33:39Pat McAfee:No! Well, that's why Foxy just put that up as fast as possible. Who needs help, man? It is LeBron fans. He does need help. Help the king! Are you just a jester? King doesn't need help. But what I'm saying is, we know when a guy come off an injury, he was thrown right into the fire, man. Like, you need five to ten. He's got a wrap on his leg? Yeah. He's got that wrap. Caruso put him in a bag. Ant-Man tore his knee off his leg and got back in nine days. Let's talk about that. 11 points to the fourth. They might be cheating. I don't know what the fuck Anthony Edwards got going on. He should not have been back.
34:14Pat McAfee:That thing was disgusting. Now, on that note, that series, you've made some predictions there as well. Go ahead, D.B. Absolutely. I know coming into the playoffs, I believe you had the Spurs coming out of the West and maybe even winning this whole thing. And you've kind of changed your tune lately after that first loss. What's your expectations for Wimby and the Spurs going forward? Well, look, Wimby, the future is bright. It's just not this year. They're not getting past the Minnesota Timber. And, look, Wimby got to understand in these moments, I want him to continue to be a big man with guard skills.
34:49Going 0 for 8 from the three-point line, that's not going to get it. And I understand he's going against a physical team. He's going against one of the better defensive teams that we have in our league. But this Minnesota Timberwolves team, they're playing with a certain spirit, edge, and tenacity. And it reminded me in this game one, in that game one, that this team has a lot of experience. We're talking about a core group that has been to back-to-back conference finals. And when Anthony Edwards said, I get another cuss word, right? I always get two. Yeah, yeah, maybe three, four. When Anthony Edwards said, fuck what the doctors are talking about.
35:31I'm playing. I ain't trying to hear nothing. I'm not sitting out. I am going on the floor, and I'm going to compete with my guys. And he went out and did it in great fashion. That told me everything I needed to know. So Coach Finch is coaching his ass off right now. When you talk about the different lineups, when you talk about him empowering guys, maxing out guys, dealing with injuries, knocking off the Denver Nuggets, getting the crucial game won, Terrence Shannon, all of a sudden he's empowered, he got the confidence. That is coaching. That is coaching. We are watching a coach that is writing his own legacy right in front of our eyes.
36:15And I'm telling you this now. The Minnesota Timberwolves can win the NBA championship this year.
36:20Pat McAfee:Oh, oh, oh, Park. I like hearing that. Especially if you're able to heal from a bone bruise from a hyperextension in nine days and be able to tell doctors I don't want to hear it and then drop 18 off the bench and be an absolute stallion down the stretch without even missing a hitch. And then is Gobert going to be able to handle Big Wemby? And then we were talking to some people around the league, and they're saying if you look at the Minnesota Timberwolves outside of the 7 '10 guy, that San Antonio has. Minnesota Timberwolves are a pretty physically imposing team. I mean, they're going through chess.
36:49Pat McAfee:They are actually kind of about it. You're saying the big wagon that is the Timberwagons over there in Minnesota could potentially win the entire thing this year? Because I thought this was Oklahoma City's entire dance. I thought they were supposed to be the ones that would be able to walk away with this. Well, here's the thing. We don't know what J-Dub is going to look like. But I will say this. Jaden McDaniels has been one of the best stories in this postseason. If I had to give out an MVP award for the first round, he was getting the MVP trophy. It's not just what he did, it's how he did it.
37:23Right? To talk his noise and to back it up. He's already, in my opinion, the best wing defender that we have in this game. But now we're watching him get into his bag offensively. Jaden McDaniels is different. Right? And what he's doing right now, I'm telling you, it's just you got to give a lot of credit to Coach Finch and the coaching staff for the player development and the confidence that he is putting into these others outside of Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards. They are playing with an edge. And let me tell you, Chris Finch is petting his hair too. I love what he said after the game. They chose us after the series.
38:07They chose us. He is playing a great – he is doing it – he is game playing his own point. And last but not least, he is doing an outstanding job playing my games with the officials. You heard what he said after games won, right? Yeah, Wimby had a lot of blocks and a lot of them were goaltending. Like that is putting it out there. I love this Minnesota Timberwolves team. Yeah, sounds like you're pretty jacked up. I like Ant-Man. Perk might be overreacting because all y 'all NBA guys say every game takes on a life of its own. Don't overreact. They stole one in a row. It feel like you're overreacting right now, Perk.
38:45Perk, you're not overreacting.
38:47Pat McAfee:Uh-oh, Perk. Uh-oh, Perk. Perk. Listen, I am not a delusional Knicks fan, right? Like the Knicks, they fan base. They overreact. Like they're the ones that had a parade because they won game one. I still think that series is going seven games. I think that series is going seven games because what people don't understand is when you come off a tough seven-game series and you have a quick turnaround, one, you don't have time to prepare, right, like you can. Like your scout is different mentally and physically. You're exhausted from all the energy you had to put out into that series, and then you have a quick turnaround.
39:28I expect the 76ers to be better. Here's why I'm not overreacting when it comes to the Timberwolves. When you know, you know. And I'm telling you, I can feel the energy through the television. I see A-Rod sitting on the sideline, they chest bumping. He fired up. It's something that is going on through that organization that I wish I was a part of.
39:54Pat McAfee:You keep saying what you're saying. It might just adopt you in there, pal. I think the Timberwagons are certainly filling up right now. Now, especially Ant-Man is an easy person to get to. Yeah. I mean, that is an easy, holy hell, I cannot believe this is happening right now. Jaden McDaniels as well. If they were to win a title in Oklahoma City's league right now, wow, would be insane. We appreciate the hell out of you, Big Perk. Thank you for taking time. I appreciate it. Okay, so you got the Sixers tonight, and you got the Timberwagons. No, no, no. No, no. I didn't say I had the Sixers. I said I'll see this series going seven games.
40:27That don't mean the Knicks are not going to win, but it's not going to be a blowout again. We're going to see a better version of the 76ers. Now, I will say this. This is a must-win situation for the San Antonio Spurs. This game two, if they don't win game two, they're going to get swept. Oh, no. All right, all right. You're not going into Minnesota down 0-2 and expecting to get a win in that hostile environment where they're undefeated in the postseason. This is a must-win situation for the San Antonio Spurs. This is not the Portland Trail Blazers. Your ass could go down 0-2 if you want tonight, and you're going to get sent home, really.
41:09I'm telling you that now.
41:10Pat McAfee:Ladies and gentlemen, that's 15-year vet and NBA champion Kendrick Perkins. Kendrick Perkins! He's talking about maybe the Timberwagons becoming champion. How about becoming a champion in golf? How about winning the Players' Championship earlier in the year telling the entire world you have arrived, and then go ahead and compound it. Cadillac champion from this past weekend. Winner by six strokes. Could have been seven. Could have. If he wasn't since such a gentleman. Yeah. Great guy. Stand up, lad. Absolutely. Ladies and gentlemen, Cam Young. Yay, Cam! How you doing, bud? Good. Good. It's been a nice few weeks.
41:43Pat McAfee:Yeah, you've been living pretty good, huh? How is the mind? Pretty clear? Have you just kind of been enjoying it all? How have you kind of handled the massive success? Because I believe there's a stat about your first 103 events. I'm sure you've heard about the not winning. And then all of a sudden, hey, over the last few, we've been winning a lot. How has it been handling the success? It seems like it's only benefited your game. Yeah, I think so. I mean, what I've said for a long time is basically that, you know, each good result you have is kind of proof that what you're doing works. And, you know, as more of that stacks up, it's easier and easier to believe in what you do.
42:18It's hardest when it's not going your way to kind of believe in what you're doing. And right now, things going well. I feel like it's been really nice to kind of see the fruit of that work and, you know, start to believe in what we're doing.
42:30Pat McAfee:Yeah, I don't want to get too deep here, but probably your whole family and friends and everybody, right? I assume everybody's like super pumped, like, hey, yeah, we've always said you're the guy. You've always believed you're the guy. Now you're getting a chance to celebrate it, and the world's getting a chance to celebrate it. I bet you that's cool for the whole family, yes or no? Yeah, absolutely. I mean, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that is not me between, you know, all my kids, my in-laws, my parents. There's a whole group of people that deserves probably a lot more credit than they're getting.
42:59So, if not all me, I just am the fortunate one that gets to do the golfing.
43:03Pat McAfee:All right. Well, shout out to you remaining so humble, obviously, as the bank account continues to massively grow. Oh, yeah. Just grow through the weeks, obviously. Congrats to you all earned in the entire team. And I mentioned your family, you know. Obviously, we learned your story. your dad, like PGA Golf Pro up there. Sleepy Hollow Club, I do believe. Lad from Scatterboro. Sleepy Hollow is the club. And then I believe you went to Fordham Prep down there. In high school, took the train down there. We did a lot of learning about you. New York kid becoming this golf sensation. But your dad, obviously, you're raised in the golf world.
43:36When that ball rolls on Sunday with you in the lead,
43:42Pat McAfee:your first reaction is, holy shit, I can't believe this just happened. and then now I have to say something, right? That is kind of how it goes? Yeah, I just watched Scotty hit driver-driver onto the first green and make birdie. And my ball rolls over. I'm like, man, here we go. So it's just one of those times. I mean, it moved. I don't think anyone probably could have seen it. But, yeah, I mean, stuff like that. You've got to think of it. If you're doing the right thing, good stuff's got to happen at some point because of it. and at least you can feel good about what you do. So just one of those times.
44:16It was super unfortunate, but it did move. And I couldn't say that it wasn't me. So just had to take it and move on.
44:23Pat McAfee:Well, I want to let you know, everybody talks about what they would do in the moment, what they would do. Sunday, okay, Scotty lurking. Lurking. Lurking is the closer. He's always lurking. And then you're just at a beautiful shot. A lot of money on the line. So much money. Legacy. I mean, fuck, there's so much in there. And everybody thinks about what they would want to do. I'd be a hero. Yeah, I'd call it if I do it. You actually in the moment did it. So for that, hey, good on you, Kyle. Good on you, Kyle. Appreciate that. And I hope a lot of people have told you that because for the good of the game and in our sport, if something like that would have happened, I'd say 35 to 85 % of the people would not have called it.
45:01Pat McAfee:Yeah, they would. That's a good range, 35 to 85. 85, yeah. It's like – because it could be – That's a big range. Depends on when in the season is, what's the game for. You won yet this year. Yeah, no, what does the season look like? Like, yeah, there's a lot of different things that could happen. But what we're saying is you showcased your sport well in that moment. And it was a cool, cool thing for all of us to witness. Go ahead. While we're on there, I just want to ask you, because there are so many rules in golf. And I feel like, you know, you see the guy have to come over, the referee. Is there one rule that you – look, we have a high school golfer in our building who was admitted to cheating in every tournament he played in pretty much.
45:34But is there one rule that you would change in golf? um that would change um i don't know i mean golf is strange in that way because i feel like there's so many unique scenarios that can go on we're just in the habit of calling a rules official pretty much no matter what happens even if it's a very routine one that we all know just because if they're there you basically can't be faulted for it um so i don't know i mean the the ball moving one is pretty pretty relevant right now i mean obviously i wasn't i wasn't trying to hit the ball. I didn't try to give myself a better lie. I had already, we were playing lift clean in place, so I had already put it basically up on a tee.
46:15So there was no advantage to me doing what I did to move the ball. All I did was put my club down. So, you know, that's one of those ones that, you know, obviously there was no intent to do anything that was going to help me. I already had the best lie I could ask for. It seems like maybe that one doesn't need to be a penalty, but just kind of how it's always been.
46:34Pat McAfee:Yeah. But now think about every single golf coach, every dad or mom trying to teach their kids how to golf, they say, hey, on a Sunday, in the middle of a tournament you call this. This is like, you almost it's a passing of a baton, it feels like, of the sport to another generation whenever something like this happens, because there's been the alternate, right, where somebody at home caught something on the internet, then it became like a firestorm, and then all of a sudden it's like, oh, I thought golf was supposed to be whatever. So, like, I love that you did it. I would be that kid that's an asshole, I was like, he was up, he was up six, five strokes.
47:08If he was down a stroke, would he do it, Dad?
47:10Pat McAfee:Yeah, well, exactly. And also, I think Scotty even said to you, who cares? Nothing happened. Yeah, he basically just said that there's no way that you moved it. And I was like, well, I mean, the timing was certainly suspicious, but I don't really think I moved it either. Who knows? So just kind of one of those. You just got to beat it. Can Scotty, like, kind of testify for you there to the rules official, or is that just an automatic ruling there? Yeah, I think it's just a ruling. I mean, I don't think anyone was watching closely enough to really see. I mean, you had to be kind of right on top of it.
47:45Oh, my God.
47:46Pat McAfee:You're such a good guy. Let's move along. Okay, hey, good for you. Thank you for doing that for your sport. Literally, thank you for doing that for your sport. Now, speaking of your sport, a lot coming about your sport, And we're not expecting you to give some political answer, but there's certainly some things brewing amongst the PGA Tour at this point. Go ahead, Conman. Yeah, Cameron, if you don't want to answer at all, you can just tell me to shut up and we can move on to the next question. But we had a very heated debate this morning just about kind of the reintegration of the Live Golfers with everything going on over there back into the PGA.
48:18It felt as though the PGA Live rivalry over the last couple of years has kind of gone to the wayside and no one really cares anymore and we're all just trying to golf as a player on the PGA Tour. How do you feel about kind of everything going on? I know Koepka is already kind of going through the process. Is that something you think everybody should go through? Should it be some different, separate thing we kind of threw out there? Do they be the groundskeepers maybe on Tuesdays and Wednesdays?
48:47Pat McAfee:Wednesdays for the tournaments. Thursday, Friday for the tournaments. Asshole. Hey, we're brainstorming. We're brainstorming. Yeah, just things that they should do. Build the bleachers. Build the bleachers up, take them down on Sunday, which is even worse sometimes. Jesse, if you guys – we'll tell Rollap, too. If you need any ideas, we can do all these things. Let's turn them into construction work. That's what I'm getting here. Yeah, and then once they win a tournament, you can take off the construction hat. Then it's done. That's good. But on that note, we assume there is a lot of different feelings because I think at the time of Liv starting, you were top 20 in the world.
49:20Pat McAfee:I assume that was a conversation with you about going over there. Massive amount of money, allegedly, for everybody. and it did feel like it was a you're taking the money not going to be ever going to do business with pga again at the moment it felt like that now we're at a different time how does kind of the locker room feel about it all and are you guys even being asked what your thoughts are at this point if you don't have any all good too yeah i mean i haven't been asked much um you know it's i feel like it's a little bit tricky because i think it's been great to have brooks back you know he's a fan favorite he's a great golfer um you know great major championship player so i'm happy to have him back i think it's good for the pga tour i think it's good for the game to get to see him more um but i mean the tour did have the system that they put in place for him they had you know the opportunity this january for some of those guys a select few to come back um and brooks is the only one to take that opportunity so now i mean it's it's not up to me, but I think the PGA Tour, I'm sure, will have, you know, I imagine they will find a way for some of those guys to come back, but I don't know if it will be as simple as it was for Brooks.
50:29You know, his relatively time-wise, you know, he didn't have to sit out or anything like that, so I really have no good information on what will happen, but all in all, I mean, I play golf to play golf against the best players in the world, you know, that's one of the main things that drives me is to is to compete and i don't know to me there's there's a handful of really really good players that are over there and you know seeing them four times a year i'd probably rather compete against them more so uh if you're asking me i'd probably like to see them back in some capacity however they decide it's going to work out um and you'd like it to be fair to both sides i think i don't think there's any reason to unduly punish them uh coming back but at the same time And like you said, it felt like kind of an all or nothing decision to go.
51:17So, yeah, up to people smarter than me to figure out how it all is going to work out.
51:23Pat McAfee:I genuinely don't know if it's smarter than us. Definitely the people are smarter than us. Let's say that. But I think it is like the diplomacy of how it's going to be dealt is certainly an interesting. Because the February 2nd deadline, I believe, is the one you were referring to about books entering into. And I think his contract was up at the time. Now, Rumble has come out and said, like, hey, my contract's not until, like, 2032 or something like that. And then, well, they said, well, what if the league isn't around him? It's just there's so many crazy conversations. I think all of us just want to see.
51:52Pat McAfee:We just want the leaderboard to be packed. But on that note, maybe build the bleachers, boys. Yeah. Maybe have to hammer and nail. Can't do what you did and just come back scot-free, okay? Maybe hammer and nail, you know, stacking them barrels out there to get back into the good graces of the BGA. Bartend. Yeah, maybe bartend. Yeah, you get cut on Friday. And hey, guess what? You got to work the bar Saturday, Sunday. An eight-hour shift. Maybe caddy. Yes, caddy. Maybe caddy. For nobody. You walk. You just have to walk. Stop. You just want to walk. Over and over again. First, you are the opening tee, too.
52:23Pat McAfee:Yeah. The opening tee time. And you got to throw up your ball. Yeah. This is just something to think about. I don't think they want you in charge. I feel like you guys are on the way. Oh, we can make this a lot worse if that's what you're looking for. Fair enough. We would like to see the leaderboard pack, though. And you talked about the four times a year. Go ahead, Tone. Yeah, Cam. We talk a lot about here, like, when there's a young and up-and-coming team, like, they have to lose first before they can win a championship. You obviously have top fours now in every single major, coming off third at the Masters.
52:57Is that similar in the golf world where you, like, have to learn how to play at a Masters, maybe learn how to not get the top spot at the Masters, learn how to have heartbreak at a major before you can go and finally get a major? or is that just a stupid thing for me to say? I like that. No, I think experience can help. I mean, I think it can go both ways. You know, you build up kind of too much scar tissue and it stays kind of in your head negatively, then it can hurt you. But I think for me, I mean, the main thing is just continuing to build belief and, you know, continue stacking results just so you have so much more to look back on.
53:35And, you know, I've played golf in majors well enough to win and just haven't quite gotten over the finish line. You know, and I don't think generally much fault of my own. This year at the Masters was a really nice chance, and I just didn't make anything on the back nine. I didn't feel out of place. I didn't do anything wrong. I just didn't make anything. So I think in a lot of cases, yes, having some high finishes and, you know, getting some experience playing late on Sunday in the majors is great. But it doesn't stop, you know, young guys from coming out and having chances to win too. So there's going to be plenty of instances with young, relatively inexperienced players winning majors too.
54:12I mean, I'm sure there'll be more of that in the future. So, yeah, it can be a mixed bag. It kind of depends how you're treated, I think.
54:19Pat McAfee:Situations are situational. Obviously, ignorance can be bliss. You don't know what you don't know, especially whenever you're just blindly in there. You have no idea how big it actually all is. And then once you get too many of those and it doesn't work out, then it's like, oh, no, now it's becoming a thing, which obviously everybody hates. But golf feels like that is a constant kind of conversation with everybody. Cam, I have a quick question for you. Nelly told me, Nelly Korda. Okay, Nelly. Pretty good player. Pretty good player. Yes. Came off back-to-back. Her and you winning. That's what you guys are doing.
54:49There you go.
54:50Pat McAfee:She told me to go Coca-Cola. Okay, with my golf swing. Okay, that's what she told me to do. Maybe a little slower. Coca-Cola. You, we're still watching every time. Yeah. Coca-Cola!
55:08Pat McAfee:Okay. I can do that with my golf swing. Can I technically take that thing up to here, over to here, to where you are, and then swing from there? Yeah. Yeah, I mean, the backswing is basically, you know, lift, hinge, and turn. So you can do them all in whatever order you want, as long as you get up there and you can do it over and over again. Oh, I can do it over and over again. There you go. Boom. Bang. Boom. Yeah, easy. Cola. You know, I'm not even doing the coca at the beginning. Sure. Hey, can we get on a course at some point in your guys' offseason, which I don't know what it is, and can we just see the difference of you golfing for ourselves?
55:49Pat McAfee:Because I watched you at 12 at Augusta. You didn't say anything? Yeah. Thanks for that. Left me hanging in front of all my new friends. Kind of dialed in. Yeah, you're kind of focused there. I was busy. That hole was so hard. So hot, too. It was so hot. Yeah. It was 1 ,000 degrees at that hole, potentially. But, like, watching how locked in you guys are with everything, I would love to be able to do a round. I don't think I've ever done a round. Can I make that happen? It's going to be putting you on a spot publicly here, but I would like to experience that. I think it would make me a better conversator about golf.
56:17There you go. Yeah, we'll get a group together in Florida then.
56:20Pat McAfee:You guys looking at that green was insane. Like, the amount of shit that was happening with all the things. It was like, those guys are killers out here, and I've never even thought of any of this. yeah well you you get that hole it's like six yards between the front bunker and the back bunker it feels like it anyway and you get the 11th flag stick and the 12th flag stick blowing opposite directions and you're sitting there like what do i do and you know that's why we're not looking up there in the crowd i think i was there real bad i almost got hit with a ball at one point here the man ladies and gentlemen an absolute sensation pga chomp cameron y 'all thank you we're back on the other side be a friend tell a friend something nice it might change their life.
56:58Pat McAfee:I think we're going to get beat at the golf course. Yep.
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58:19Pat McAfee:Sports are the absolute greatest. We got some breaking news out of the NBA. Ladies and gentlemen, Sixers Knicks tonight. Ben Stiller in attendance. Maybe. Sure. That's Talks Table at Boston Conner and Toxic Tone. Nine-year NFL vet Darius J. Butler is right over yonder sitting in tone seat as Ty is celebrating life for the foreseeable future. Yeah. Yeah. Hey, Ty, we love you guys. Hell yeah. How you doing? Congratulations. So happy for you. Live from Manatic in Ohio, ladies and gentlemen, a college football national champion, Super Bowl champion. I just got shown a tweet by a man. Ryder Cup winner, ladies and gentlemen, A.J.
58:58Pat McAfee:Hawker. Like a funny tweet? Hawker, how you doing, pal? I'm doing good. I'm curious about what this tweet is you just read. Well, the tweet was Joel Embiid at tonight, okay, for Sixers-Knicks. And then I said Stiller was going to be in attendance, obviously, because he'll be there for the Knicks game per use. And then Bruce Brown just dropped into this little monitor. He said, just want to remind Ben Stiller, remember, my man, seriously, I thought we were good. Ben Stiller put me out to, obviously, his followers. Ben, we are good. But I do have to say what I saw Timothy Chalamet do. He was there.
59:36It was something that I will hold in high regards.
59:39Pat McAfee:Now, Timothy Chalamet came through college game day. New ball. Parker Navarro. Absolutely crushed it. I mean, just absolutely killed it. So I had him in, you know, Timothy Chalamet also doing, I mean, Timothy Chalamet, you know, Michael Phelps, Tom Brady. That was the speech he gave after winning an award. Yeah, the SAG Award. Super sports guy. Okay, so I was holding him in high regard. He could have certainly won the Met Gallup. He said, I'm going to the Knicks game. So we immediately had to judge his Knicks father, Ben Stiller, for not going. But then we heard, obviously it's a family affair, we found some tape from before the Met Gala that I think will justify everything that Ben Stiller is saying to us.
1:00:23Let's go, Nick! All right, yeah. You wish I was there?
1:00:29Pat McAfee:I wish I was there. Oh, quick, too. Wyatt in the car. Wyatt, veteran of the game. So we know he'll be back. Yeah, it does. Grow up, go to the game if you want to go. Ben. Ben's a good man. Tim, wait. It's our fourth year in the second round. Happy wife, happy life. Ben, listen to Bruce Brown. Oh, so they don't care anymore because we're in the playoffs a lot? Are you going to watch the game tonight or no? Because it's the fourth time in a row we've been in the second round. Obviously, I'm going to watch the game tonight. It's not like I've been in Madison Square Garden and I live here. But yeah, you know, he'll be there for all the finals games.
1:01:00Pat McAfee:Listen, lunch isn't canceled. Due to lack of attending basketball games. No, lunch is not canceled because of this. Okay? We ain't doing none of that, okay? He's no average Joe. He's allowed to do whatever the hell he wants to do. He's a Knicks heavyweight, this guy. And he's not simple. Not anymore. He's a middleweight now. No. He missed the game. What are we talking about? We made him bleed his own. Diehard fan, we called him. He won by 40. Who took his feet? Jimmy should have gone to the Gollum. Jimmy Fallon. I think it was Jimmy Fallon was there. Now, granted, his show immediately followed the game.
1:01:33Pat McAfee:So, I think that was probably. Tracy Morgan. I don't know. Tracy Morgan, obviously, in the building. He could have went to the Met Gala. Peter Schrager was at the game. He could have went to the Met Gala. Shabuzi certainly could have went to the Met Gala. He ended up at the game. Shabuzi's a Knicks fan? Yeah. Why?
1:01:53Yeah, he was there last year during the ECF as well.
1:01:56Pat McAfee:I think all Shabuzi really does is make bangers, by the way. Every song I've heard from Shabuzi is an absolute smash, so I certainly appreciate him doing that. But, Ben, you knew we were going to have to point this out in sports world. knew it was going to have to happen. Now, orange tie. He wanted us to just sweep it under the rug, didn't he? He didn't do that. That's interesting. His lady has the blue dress on as well, too. They were on there. He felt like he had to represent. Obviously, blue steel. It's a fashion night. Had to do his thing. Actually, he kind of half-assed it. That fit isn't goofball enough for the Mecca.
1:02:28Pat McAfee:It's because he was not there. His body was there. His soul was at the Mecca. his soul was watching the Knicks do their thing to the 76ers. So you can go to that and not be a goofball? I guess so. I don't like it. No, if you do that, when you get in there, they make fun of you a ton, and then they basically force you to go home. No, I don't think that's the case. Yeah, if you dress normal, they basically make you a dunce for the whole night. Whatever the case, we know Ben Stiller will be back, and we'd like to let him know, with Joe Owen beat out and him back in the building, and they lose, they're going to say it's him.
1:02:59Oh, no.
1:03:00Pat McAfee:They're going to say it's him. And I don't like that because we like Ben Stiller. We are big fans of Ben Stiller. Severance, dude. He's super serious stuff we even like. We think he's a very, very special talent for society. We want the bat for him. Obviously, we would certainly do that because he's a sports fan. On that note, you missed the first game. They kill him. They kill him. Maybe he should stay away. Which he has mentioned. He has said, maybe I don't go to the next one. It's like, ooh, fascinating. This guy doesn't want to go to games anymore. That's the read I'm getting. He wants the Knicks to win.
1:03:32Sure. No doubt about it. He doesn't want to do the whole song and dance, and he doesn't want to go anymore.
1:03:36Pat McAfee:All right. Well, that feels like big news. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, to kind of tell us anything else that we need to know for tonight's games. A little bit later than I potentially thought, but certainly can hit a drive-by if we need it. Ladies and gentlemen, Sham Sharanya. Yeah, Shamay. Sham's drive-by. Just need a hot five. What's going on in hoops? We don't need a deep dive. Sham's drive-by. Just need a hot five. What's going on in hoops? We don't need a deep dive. Ladies and gentlemen, Shams Sharanya here. Shams, okay, Joel Embiid out. This feels like a very big deal for the entirety of the NBA, especially with how Embiid had been playing against the Celtics.
1:04:15Pat McAfee:He was back all the way to being who we thought and hoped he could be. What happened and how long is this going to last? Yeah, it's going to be at least this game. But, I mean, so this is what I was on a call right before, right as you guys are FaceTiming me, because I wanted to figure out what exactly is going on with Joel Embiid. And he's dealing with a hip injury. He's dealing with an ankle injury. And he was hoping in the lead up to tonight's game that he would be able to get both of those things to loosen up, to get both of those in the right place to be able to play. And I was told he spent all morning on the training table.
1:04:49They had shoot around this morning. They had other team meetings. He literally was stuck on the training table trying to get treatment, trying to get his ankle and his hip ready to the point where he could try to play. And it just did not give. And the team ruled him out just literally about 10 minutes ago for tonight's game. The Sixers made the decision to rule him out here tonight. We know Joel Embiid's history. He's played through ligament issues in his knee, damage in his thumb. He's dealt with facial fractures. Bell's palsy in his face. And now this postseason, he came back after appendicitis after just over two weeks.
1:05:29And we saw him get hit in that area. I think it was Mikael Bridges who knocked him right in the stomach area. Whether you want to call it a stomach, a hip, he's dealing with pain in that hip area now as well as an ankle.
1:05:40Pat McAfee:Okay, the spread goes from 7.5 to 10.5 immediately for the Knicks to be favored. They've obviously at one point in the last three games have been up 30 over their opponents. First time that has ever happened in playoff. Feels like blowouts are happening, even though it won't take place for the second game that's happening tonight. Antman, can you tell us a little bit about him? Obviously, last game it was a miracle, seemingly him coming back after nine days of the hyperextension. Where's he at now after playing a full game? Are we just expecting the same thing from him coming off the bench? What should we?
1:06:10Pat McAfee:This guy's unbelievable. It's insane. How often in football does it happen where a team is like, no, no, you're not playing. No, no, you got to play it safe. and a player is just like, no, I'm playing, and I'm good, and I'm going to show you I'm good. And that's literally the process that happens in Minnesota. All the time. All the time. Every damn week. All the time. Thanks for asking. Thank you. Well, I think in the NBA we're accustomed to seeing one-on-one, two-on-two, three-on-three. Anthony Edwards didn't go through any of that. He didn't go through any practice. He did a couple individual workouts, and he told the team, I'm ready to play, and I'm going to prove to you I'm ready to play.
1:06:53He passed all the medical testing that they had. They weren't expecting to evaluate him at all to play until after game two. They thought game three, game four at the earliest. But Anthony Edwards, he went through multiple different treatment options. I heard he spent multiple sessions in the hyperbaric chamber. Reminds me of the hyperbolic time chamber. Shout out to Dragon Ball Z fans. But he went through everything to try to see if he could play, and he was able to get on the court. And I do think his knee's feeling better, and I think the hope is in game two tonight, bump his minutes up just a little bit more and see what he can do.
1:07:27And in other injury news, Ayo DeSumo, who missed game one, he scored, I think it was 43 points in that game against Denver last week in game five. He is set to play tonight.
1:07:41Pat McAfee:All right, Ayo. Way to go, Ayo. So Goku is from the thing you're talking about? Yeah, he went super scion on that shit. There you go. There you go, BC. Which one? Is that the one that is a little bald? It's a hobbit. Yeah. Come here. And what do you do? You guys do cards? Is that what it was? Don't you guys me. Don't you guys me. What was the one you said? You said it was Pokemon? Dragon Ball Z, guy? Dragon Ball Z. Is that the one where they run like this? No, Pokemon was the cards. That's Naruto. That's Naruto. The one that runs like this? That's Naruto. Is that from this one? No, a different one.
1:08:13Pat McAfee:What's this one from? That was Naruto. No, I'm not an eager eagle. That's the Gary Vee Mons. Which one did he just mention there? Dragon Ball Z. Dragon Ball Z. But Naruto is that one. That's the run. BC knows all about Dragon Ball Z. He's holding out on us right now. I don't know shit, bitch. It was pretty... I mean, Dragon Ball Z took over there for a while. Oh, yeah. My ADD didn't let me get into it. There is actually a video game coming out that I am rather excited about. I'd play it for sure. Dragon Balls? Yeah, Dragon Balls. God, that's going to be a good game. Hopefully. It should be. A lot of hype.
1:08:49A lot of hype.
1:08:50Pat McAfee:All right, Shams, we appreciate you, man. Thank you for bringing that nerd. Hey, May the 4th been with you, too, the other day. We know that was probably a big day for you. We appreciate the hell out of you joining us here. Happy Cinco de Mayo, belated Cinco de Mayo as well. Okay, you like to celebrate the Battle of Puebla in 1862 down there when the French got knocked on by the Mexican forces. That is something we like to celebrate as well, Shams. You didn't know that. You thought it was Mexican independence day. and that's how I know that you need to stop spreading that lie. Wake up. That's not what it is.
1:09:21Pat McAfee:You're the best. Ladies and gentlemen, Sean Sharanya. Sean Sharanya. AJ, I said that yesterday because people that we know, not us. No. Not us, AJ. Nobody here. Nope. None of us thought Cinco de Mayo was Mexican Independence Day. None of us thought that. No. That's much different. Much different. Yeah, we didn't go like, okay, July 4th, but for Mexico, let's go ahead and have a good time. We didn't do that. People we knew did that. Because on May 5th, 2025, you actually explained the Battle of Puebla last year, too. Exactly. That's kind of our mission at this point. It's like, hey, something – Independence Day also, very cool.
1:09:57Pat McAfee:It's a huge deal. Yeah. You should have seen this 300 story that happened with the Battle of Puebla. And that's what Cinco de Mayo is. AJ, you knew that. I did know that. I tell you what, my second grader knew that. He came home and explained it all to me as well. Watched the program? No, not from the program. They actually – I guess at school, they were trying to teach them, like, hey, this is what it is. In Ohio? Yeah, that's crazy. I didn't know you guys taught stuff over there in Ohio. I do. Well, actually, in Ohio, they were like, this isn't actually very impressive. It was against the French.
1:10:22So that was kind of what they taught in Ohio. You might be right. I don't know exactly how they presented it. That's the Ohio narrative.
1:10:27Pat McAfee:Okay, we won't talk about the opponent. We'll just talk about what they had. It's about us, guys. It was a really weak strength to schedule. It's about us. Just like the Bucca. It wasn't. French, obviously. I don't want to get into it. A lot of good things. We talked about it the other day. Talked about it the other day. There was a lot of good things. French onion dip we forgot. Oh, so good. French toast. So good. You don't like French onion dip? No. All right, let's move along, please. Menage a trois. Terrible. Oh, I forgot about that. Thank you. French onion. Vous avez vous couché avec moi.
1:10:54Pat McAfee:C 'est soi, says Christine Aguilera. Noted French pittsburger. Yes. Okay, so noted French onion. She's from the Berg. Yeah, she is. She wasn't part of the no-hits, only bangers. Frickin' let's have a good time, hell of a time tailgate. I was bummed out about that as well. Christina Aguilera could have definitely been out there crushing something. She'll be able to sing forever. She's the answer. Obviously, no problems at all there. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is a man that I actually saw in Pittsburgh. In just an open lobby. Just an open lobby. This man might be the most humble, would be just too basic of a term to say, relatable commissioner I've ever seen.
1:11:37Pat McAfee:Just walking around the arena. Like a Don. Just literally just walking around the arena. It was mind-blowing to me. I did not expect this. Sit down right next to a nachos in Jack and Diet. Literally right there. Have a chance. Sitting there, talking to people, walking out. Go sit in seat, watch the game. Most casual, but also a man who's in the middle of quite a bump in popularity and obviously action for the league in which he is the commissioner. Ladies and gentlemen, the NHL commish, Gary Bettman. How are you, man? I'm doing great. How are you? I'm good. Last time we saw each other, my neck was a little bit...
1:12:19Gary Bettman:But everybody wanted to see you. They could have cared less about me. You're the most relatable star.
1:12:25Pat McAfee:Oh, thank you for that. It was in Pittsburgh, so a lot of people knew me. I'll tell you, I did not expect for us to be meeting where we were meeting. I thought for sure that was an aggressive decision as I was getting walked in there. And I'm like, as you're literally walking through there, Hey, how you doing? Are you enjoying yourself? You actually like boots on the ground commissioner was so cool to see strictly because you love your sport. You love your league. It was very obvious. And right now we're in an up into the right time. Can you tell me about the league success that we're having ratings, obviously, through the roof?
1:12:54Pat McAfee:Obviously, the new media deal has boded well. But why do you think the league in the sport right now is as hot as it is from your perspective?
1:13:02Gary Bettman:That's a great question. So let me start a little bit further back. I think in the U.S., round one was the most watched opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs ever. And we were up something like 68 percent over last year. And round two is off to an incredible start. Saturday's game won on ABC between the Flyers and Carolina was the most watched round two game won on record. and Sunday's Game 1 on TNT was the most viewed Game 1 in the second round on cable. We were up in the regular season somewhere between 25 % and 30 % on our ratings in the U.S. And, you know, it's a really good time, and we don't even have the biggest markets.
1:13:56Gary Bettman:This is really about how good the hockey is. So to begin to answer your question, what's going on on the ice in terms of our competitiveness, how exciting and entertaining the games are, check that box. Secondly, I think Four Nations a year ago and the Olympics this year had an impact in bringing people to the game. Check that box. I think that heated rivalry for some people introduced a whole new group of people to the game as well. And so when you mush it all together, because it's never one thing, I think that's how you can account for it. But I've always said, and I say it to my people here when we're marketing and promoting, authenticity, how good the game is, that's more important than anything else.
1:14:46Gary Bettman:And I think that's what's driving us right now. And we've got a lot of great players doing amazing things.
1:14:52Pat McAfee:Yeah, I think the sport is obviously spectacular. the U.S. Olympics and United States winning will obviously bring a lot of patriotic meatheads to the table. Yeah, our sport, women and men, we're better than you, especially with, you know, Canada always being able to do that. I also believe the deal that you guys made media-wise to have everything so accessible as opposed to how hard it potentially was before is also brilliant. I think the rules that you guys implemented after the lockout or the holdout that you guys had way back in the day has made the game more exciting. I think you relaxing on the wanting to ban fighting there for a bit, but then you kind of relax on it.
1:15:30Pat McAfee:We don't want staged fighting. If fighting is still going to happen, like I think you have kind of – I think you've done a good job, Gary. I just want to let you know that. I think you've done a good job kind of finding the right content, product, and placement of your league. I think you've done – you guys have navigated it very well, and I think you're only up and to the right from here, don't you think? The more people that see the game, the more people that love the game.
1:15:48Gary Bettman:Well, first of all, thank you. And yes, we we want the game to be accessible. Our relationships with ESPN, the Walt Disney Company, with ABC as well, and with Turner on TNT and their networks has been great for us. Easy to find the games. You're not searching. We're generally in one of two places. It's worked very well. And both entities have done a great job of producing the games and promoting the games and scheduling the games. So, yeah, but it all starts with the game. Fighting, we haven't changed the rules a lot. What's really happened, and you alluded to the rule changes 20 years ago after we lost the season, the fact is we have, because of our system, extraordinary competitive balance.
1:16:35Gary Bettman:I think it's the best in sports. And so as a result, every team can compete and can afford to compete because we have a salary cap and revenue sharing. because the competitive balance is so good you need to have skilled players you can't have players who just fight even if you're a tough guy and you're defending your teammate and in the heat of the moment you engage in a fight which kind of acts as a thermostat on the game because you know it's pretty emotional pretty physical and the guys are carrying sticks but the fact is you're all your players have to be able to play or you really can't compete yeah you can get exposed if you have a
1:17:13Pat McAfee:weak link out there obviously everybody's bigger stronger faster than they've ever been more talented than they've ever been but i like the business will get handled last night a ref caught a punch right to the face on that note aj has a question for you commish yeah commish obviously nfl is going through some situations right now their nfl or the ref union and everything we hope they get a deal worked out but when it comes to nhl hockey i feel like you guys you do a great job we don't talk about the referees or the linesmen we don't we're not really focused on them they don't seem to get into the you know the talking points unless something like this happens and It's awesome.
1:17:43He just continues to do his job. But what do you guys do, I guess, to train these referees? Obviously, they have to be super talented, be able to skate, be in shape. But what is your program, I guess, finding new refs and keeping them?
1:17:54Gary Bettman:That's a great question. Stephen Walkham runs our officiating program. We do combines over the summer. We recruit from all around the world. He looks for players who played in the Canadian Hockey League or in college who couldn't quite make it but have a feel for the game and can skate. And we do clinics and we recruit from all over the place. And then we work the officials, the unofficials, through the ECHL and then the AHL. And then the good ones work their way up. You've got to be knowledgeable about the game. You've got to have a feel for the game. You've got to be passionate about the game.
1:18:35Gary Bettman:and you have to have the commitment to go through the rigors of being an official at the NHL. I don't think there's a harder job to officiate, and our guys don't get the credit they deserve. I mean, they are moving with the flow of the game. They've got to skate like the players. It's physical. They've got to stay out of the way. There's a lot going on really fast, and it is remarkable how good a job they do and how much they get right. and video replay for us has really vindicated their performance even more.
1:19:09Pat McAfee:Yeah, and I like that they've adapted with the video replay as opposed to fight against it, it feels like. And it makes sense that it's ex-players, a lot of them, that are kind of getting in there because that's the chirps, the refs chirp. They're like, they do make-up calls too. Like, hey, had to get you in for one. No, no, no, no, no, no. They call, you know, they used to be the old thing. Yeah, sorry, yeah, they definitely don't do that. But if there is a mistake, it does feel like the refs and the players are all on the same page on like, hey, this is how this has to kind of go. We love the synergy, it feels like, that the refs have with the players because obviously they're all sharing it.
1:19:43Pat McAfee:And I'll say this, the refs are in incredible shape. I mean, we're talking massive quads. They're skating a lot. They have to be.
1:19:50Gary Bettman:You know, it's interesting. When I took over the league, you know, in the Stone Age, the fact is that we had two linesmen and one referee. I mean, and to think that one guy could have called it all was nuts. And one of the first things we did was say, we need to go to a two-man system. One, to have more eyeballs, twice as many. But also, it kept our guys in the game longer because they didn't have to skate quite as much and didn't have quite the same responsibility. But again, our officials are trained and recruited and critiqued on an ongoing basis. They're held accountable. The amount of video that they get after each game and it's circulated among all of them, if there's a particularly interesting or difficult call, I'm really proud of our officiating department.
1:20:41Pat McAfee:Yeah, you should be. Sounds like everybody's trying to aim for it. I think the NFL will have a vote on Thursday to ratify a new deal with the Refs Association. Hopefully it models a lot of what you guys have going on. Now, let's talk about the future of your game. last night. Hey, you were Sinatra out there hosting this entire thing. Go ahead, Con, Matt. Yeah, Gary, fantastic work last night with the lottery. It was very fun to watch. It was very entertaining. Hopefully this is something that even the NBA maybe considers doing as a whole, but the Toronto Maple Leafs end up getting the first overall pick.
1:21:14Of course, people on the internet aren't happy, but specifically Bruins fans and Flyers fans weren't too happy about it. Was Was there a thought going into it about the fallout with the next couple drafts between the unprotected pick and this being technically the Bruins pick, but it was protected, so now it's moved forward? How is that whole thing going to work out?
1:21:34Gary Bettman:Those are the terms of the trade, and because we have a lottery system and teams can move up, frequently the terms of the trade have a protection in there under certain circumstances because I'm not sure anybody wants to feel like they've traded away the number one pick if that wasn't their intention. What was interesting about last night, and ultimately we don't care who wins, we want the system to be pure and have integrity, which it does. But when you see the result last night, there's no incentive in our game to lose to get a better pick. The fifth team moved up to the first slot. The ninth team ranked in terms of inverse order.
1:22:18Gary Bettman:of the standings from the regular season moved up to the second slot. And so if you lose more, it doesn't necessarily assure you of anything. Yeah, it may increase your odds a little, but not enough that anybody's perceived to have an incentive to lose. And I think that's the most important thing, both for the draft and leading up to it at the end of the regular season.
1:22:40Pat McAfee:Yeah, I think with your sport, it feels like your culture is not of one to ever give up or try to lose in anything so to have a system to benefit that is i think a good thing the toronto uh maple leafs obviously are in the middle of a big change right now uh they just hire a new gm people are really pumped about it sounds like that press conference went great but the toronto maple leafs for american people that aren't like hockey fans i think they're viewed as like the dallas cowboys in canada a lot of hype a lot of fans a lot of fans everywhere not as many cups though you know as the entire thing.
1:23:14Pat McAfee:So everything Toronto does, highly scrutinizing. Is that accurate, Gary? Everything they do. And now Gavin McKenna going in to the mixer up there with Austin Matthews. Maybe Toronto, maybe a Canadian club wins a Stanley Cup. That's all possible now because of the NFL draft lottery last night.
1:23:31Gary Bettman:You know, I think that even in the United States, the original six clubs of which Toronto and Montreal all are a third of the original six they carry a cachet not just throughout our league and particularly in Canada but they also carry cachet in the United States and I think that the hockey fans in the U.S. while they pay attention to all of our teams I think they particularly pay attention to Toronto and Montreal because of the histories that they have yeah I like watching uh biz just
1:24:05Pat McAfee:kind of crash out you know it feels like there's uh there's a lot of them there's a lot of canadians that ride public canadians that ride with the toronto maple leafs and listen the passion for
1:24:16Gary Bettman:the game particularly in canada is great i mean we're in canada we're like the nfl is here but
1:24:22Pat McAfee:on steroids yeah second best in the world too women and men's hockey it's pretty good
1:24:26Gary Bettman:that was a subtle jab but that's okay yeah for canada now canada certainly take a couple of me
1:24:35Pat McAfee:as well but on that note we love the sport we love hockey we're very appreciative of it let's talk about what's happening right now not only numbers up obviously the style of play you name it everything's great how we got to this point certainly a conversation piece go ahead tone yeah commissioner obviously you changed the playoff format about a decade ago uh going away from the one through eight and focusing more on the divisions and division matchups i know it's a hot button topic every playoff uh every playoff season are you guys happy with the current playoff format or is there any thought of ever going back to the one through eight well some people have
1:25:08Gary Bettman:that thought i personally don't what we have has worked really well in terms of the series that develop in terms of how the playoffs play out in terms of the races to get into the playoffs with the wild card our regular season goes down to the wire for virtually all of our clubs maybe we had a handful of less teams that weren't in it for the last couple of weeks. And we get longer series as a general rule. We had six of our eight first round series win at least six games. That's extraordinary. You get more games, you get more compelling seasons. I mean, yes, there are people who are always going to have preferences for other things.
1:25:49Gary Bettman:One of the great things about sports and particularly sports fans is their passion and their wanting to constantly debate things. But from our standpoint, mine at least, I think it's working well, and I don't see the need for a change. But we always talk about everything, because if there are things we can do to tweak what we have and make it better, we're not adverse to at least considering it if we don't do it.
1:26:11Pat McAfee:Do you think the Avalanche should have to play with somebody in the penalty box the entire game?
1:26:17Gary Bettman:They're playing awfully well, as is Carolina, by the way. Oh, yeah. So, you know, but the playoffs are off to a great start, which is why the ratings is where we started this conversation, or as strong as they are, it all starts with what takes place on the ice and how terrific our game and our players are.
1:26:36Pat McAfee:Yeah, we're big fans of the Caniacs down there. They've been riding down there for a long time. Now they get a chance to potentially ride. That Colorado team, though, looks, I mean, they're rude. They're rude, too. Love physicality. I mean, they are rude. They, 5-2, they're up at the end, still pounding. Hey, listen, we're still playing here. This is a game.
1:26:55Gary Bettman:I mean, the first game, you know, 15 goals. I mean, it was crazy in a good way. It was fun to watch. 14 goal scorers.
1:27:05Pat McAfee:14 goal scorers, Gary. That is, yeah, I'd say that's an okay night for just a casual hockey fan to turn it on. Holy shit, does everybody on the ice score? Is this how this thing goes?
1:27:15Gary Bettman:And then the inverse of that, I was in Tampa on Sunday night. and that series, every game was decided by one goal. It was incredible to see.
1:27:26Pat McAfee:Yeah, it's been a great playoff. Now, on that note, go ahead, D-Butt. Yeah, Kamish, Pat mentioned seeing you in Pittsburgh last round. What's the travel schedule like now, and how do you decide which games to go? That Lulu hoodie might be hopping on the plane here soon. How do you decide? I like that, huh? Very, very clean.
1:27:44Gary Bettman:I try to get to places I haven't been. When I saw Pat in Pittsburgh that week, I was in five games in five nights, and I was back in the office every day because we're in the middle of doing budgets, so I have to do my day job as well. So I bounce around and I try to get to places when I don't have other commitments that I have to take care of in the office.
1:28:09Pat McAfee:How's the budgets going? We're doing pretty good, huh? Yeah, things are going well.
1:28:13Gary Bettman:Yeah, we're working on it. It's a work in progress. Everybody always, all the department heads always want to hire more people and spend more money, which is good.
1:28:20Pat McAfee:Yeah, bureaucracy is great. Remember, meritocracy is the champ, though. And you guys certainly have all the talent in the world. Tell Paisano we appreciate the connection here, and thank you for taking the time, Mr. Kamish.
1:28:33Gary Bettman:Pat, it's always great to be with you and your guys, so thank you for having me, and enjoy the playoffs.
1:28:38Pat McAfee:You're the man. He does look cool in that little. Very clean. It's a great hoodie. Let me go back to this P &L sheet here. What's going on here? The man. Ladies and gentlemen, Gary Bettman. Yay, Gary! He's in it. Oh, yeah. Every day he's in it. Anytime we talk to him, he's doing something for hockey. Anytime. There's never a time where I've accidentally interacted with Gary and he's not doing something. He is always in there. And that's like a super growing league. Not saying the NFL doesn't have the hungry dog kind of motive. but you listen to jesse cole with savannah bananas they sold 102 000 tickets uh down there in texas a and m it's like he's he's thinking about still so much growth like trying to become it's like gary bettman and the nhl are still thinking like how can we get this game to more people all the time like all the time not that the nfl isn't thinking that but i'm just saying the nhl knows that it can still grow immensely and their sport is certainly only getting better and they already have the business in place they're already making money it's like the nhl is in a great spot and i think the more people that watch hockey the more people love hockey yeah and it's hard to argue that they there's other sports that can do what they can do you know it's probably the last sport where the lowest seeded team can go on and win the entire thing like even in the nfl if you're talking about seven seed in the wild card making a run sure that can happen hasn't happened for a very very long time at least since they've gone to 14 teams seven in each conference baseball typically not the thing because of the spending nba we've seen it really seven and eight seeds can't get the job done in the end.
1:30:10NHL, literally any team can have a hot goalie or someone who just catches fire. McKinnon, who's hitting everybody scoring three points a night. That can happen in hockey, and it is one of those things. The more eyes we get on this thing, the more people are going to love it.
1:30:24Pat McAfee:Really bright. It's on like day mode. I don't know what your phone is. It can be day mode or night mode. You need lights on to watch it. Hockey is very bright yeah that 10 o 'clock game you might as well just have a flashlight on in the bedroom a lot of white you know what i mean that thing is just put if you had to follow the put no yeah certainly i'm just saying it's a really bright game that's what i'm realizing with these super late hockey games and it gets loud sometimes exactly the barns get really raucous which we love and sometimes i'll have them fall asleep maybe and i miss the whole second period and then middle of third period something goes crazy i open my eyes it's like i'm walking out of a casino in vegas at 6 a.m the sun is just blinding me.
1:31:06Pat McAfee:That is what the ice is doing from the TV. So if we could somehow figure that out, I'd appreciate that. That'd help. I could have a setting on my television that would basically say, hey, if you think I've fallen asleep, you know me pretty good at this point. Maybe we dial that fucker down a little bit. Because that thing is on phone, iPhone flashlight all the way up. That's not a dial. That thing is really white. A thousand percent. Maybe get some Boise State type rinks. You know, the Colorado Avalanche. Let's get some blue ice. Now we're talking. We need to do the Savannah Bananas of hockey.
1:31:37Yeah. Yes. Dark ice. Yeah, put a black tarp under the ice. Leave my sport. Cosmic hockey. Fans will love that. Traditional fans will love this. Hockey but louder. Bring the glow. All right. That worked out. Hockey but louder.
1:31:55Pat McAfee:I'll tell you, Liv was an ass execution of an idea that had a$5 billion budget. It's not that yet. You say it was. What do you mean it was? I thought they were getting a fusion of cash, aren't they? I saw Louis Vuitton, Travis Scott. I have faith in him. That was good to see. I thought he looked cool. The guy who's the new CEO of Liv. I hope he does a great job. They've already used$5 billion. I don't know if they have access to another$5 billion, but maybe they won't need it because it's a completely different direction and maybe he has great ideas. It feels like Liv is dead. It does feel like that's the case.
1:32:27Pat McAfee:People's contracts are for another few years. Rom's gone in there and said, hey, they're really good at contracts. Yeah. So, I don't know how I'm getting out of this thing unless the entire thing folds, which I guess could happen in the future. But the PGA community obviously now has to live with how, who, who do we let. Cam Young had interesting answers. I won't play against the best, man. That's what I do. Just let's go ahead. He did. But he also – no, he didn't say just let him in. But he also said it did feel like you were going all in or not. He says a handful of them over there that he wants to play against every week.
1:32:57And that's the only ones we really care about, too, as spectators.
1:33:01Pat McAfee:Yeah, and I think we are kind of pitching this entire conversation just for a few people. Oh, yeah. Two to three. Now, those people, though, were the ones that were poached to go take on. Yeah. Oh, yeah. So that's why I think. They were the biggest of factors. Did you see us groundskeepers, maybe, for the tournaments a couple of those? Yeah. Did you see that? Yeah. The old construction worker angle, like, yeah, make them work their way back into a tournament. Yeah, I guess it's not the worst idea. What if they're a tee box? We've seen John Daly do it before. What do you mean? Put a tee between your butt cheeks.
1:33:31Pat McAfee:Okay. Yeah, I don't know. Maybe Roll App will do that. Something to think about. Another idea was they come back to the PGA, they have to play all the events. Every single one of them? That's why all the events. That'd be hilarious. Welcome back. Yeah, for like two or three years, you play every single possible event. All the events until you win one. And then if you win one, you kind of test your way out of that. I like that. Okay, yeah, I like that. Yeah, but you got to play at all of them. And for me as a fan, I'll turn on some shitbag golf tournament on a Sunday, and I'll see two names that I know, and it'll be good for the PGA.
1:33:59Pat McAfee:It'll be good for me as a golf fan. That's a good idea. You're back in the PGA. Okay, let's – congratulations, you're playing in Wyoming at the who gives a damn thing, whatever it is. But it's on my TV because it's a PGA tournament, and now you have to play this because you're back in the PGA. I like this idea a lot. You could also start with strokes. Like, oh, you got$150 million from, you know, Liv. Boom. You're plus 15 to start this weekend. Oh, because they do that with the FedEx Cup, so they already have precedent on giving him strokes. Bingo. So this would be no different. Nope. Same exact thing.
1:34:30It's just kind of a PIF tax.
1:34:32Pat McAfee:That's what we're saying, though. We can think of so many ideas. I felt like we were kind of just shooed away on the – Just roll out the red carpet, let him back in. And tell him thank you on the way back. Those fat checks, those elevated events. Yeah, those other players better thank him. This weekend, the no-cut signature event, ton of money. You're welcome. Thank you, Liv. The 150 flat rates, you're not just wasting 40 grand just in case you don't make the cut on Friday, and then you have to get back to it on Monday or Tuesday and do all that BS with the sponsors that they used to have to do.
1:35:02A lot of participation for every bullshit talk going on right now. You're welcome.
1:35:05Pat McAfee:Well, I like what you guys are spending. I agree that it certainly made the PGA better to its players, treated the players better, I think. That is very true and real, and I think they would admit that as well. But when it happened, it was very clearly like, Oh, yeah, it was a war. It was going to kill you. It was a war. Now. It's messed up. That dissipated. They lost. It's messed up. And it kind of didn't fizzle out. But there's going to have to be something. And especially whenever they say, hey, if you come by February 2nd, you're back. Is there a path now, though? Is there a path for anyone to come back?
1:35:36I think somebody's gone through a year's suspension or something.
1:35:39Pat McAfee:And then Brooksy was an alternative, I think, for a couple or something. Yeah, he is at the elevated vents. The last two of them, he went there as an alternate. and no one dropped out of the field, so he left on Thursday. So he has not played an elevated event yet. But, yeah, Brooks,$5 million to charity or whatever. But he was – like, they had an option. Cam said it. Like, all these guys had an option. Brooks was the only one that took that option. And now that Liv is folding, they're like, oh, shit, I want to jump on that train. Brooks was never all in. Let's talk about – he had Nike. He stuck with Nike the whole time.
1:36:11Pat McAfee:You're right. Feels like he kind of – we watched the Super Swing series. The Full Swing, yep. There it is. and Brooks is in a bad spot. Felt like watching Brooks when he made that decision to go to live. He thought he was never going to be able to hit a golf ball to where he was aiming it again. That's what I learned from Super Swing. So when he gets offered$200 million for golf, I think he thought, this is it. This is all I got. Then he found his game again. He was like,$200 million. But who am I playing against? Let's see. Hey, everybody else had to give up their Nike deal. I'm not doing that.
1:36:43Pat McAfee:I'm keeping my Nike deal. Okay. You're going to wear your Range Goats hat? No. I'm wearing a Nike hat. Smash Mouth GC? No, I'm wearing a Nike. That's a sick name. Smash Mouth? Yeah. Smash GC. Do they still own these teams? Remember they were talking about how you get equity in the teams and all that? Are they worth anything? Yeah, they're making a ton. Investors? Possibly you. The team owners, Phil and Bryson and Bobo, they're making a ton. I was pumped to see the amount of money go to the athletes. I don't want to continue to just say that. That's why I stuck up for Liv because so much money was going to athletes and everybody was grandstanding about where the money was coming from.
1:37:16Pat McAfee:It's like, well, there's a lot of that money everywhere. Okay? So let's not get mad about, and now we all know that. Now everybody on earth knows that a little bit more than it did maybe in 2022. So I didn't like that the athletes were the only ones that were getting grandstanding the ball. I'm like, you can't take that money because it's bad money. It's like, well, I just got Starbucks. I just watched it. I was down. They're in everything. Their money, their money. We're tracing money for everything. so i was always seemingly people would tell me that i was a pro live guy i'm pro these guys getting a shit ton of money to be athletes now i had eyes and i tried to find the live thing couldn't find it and it was ass when i found it and i think i was pretty open about that for a while about that so i'm happy the pga and its professionalism and what it is continues to reign but i would like to see everybody but i don't think the people that made the decision take 200 million dollars being waltzed right back in is fair at all to the guys that turned down $150,$200 million at the time and basically were forced into a you're bad people trying to take on things.
1:38:16Pat McAfee:So I think there has to be something. That's all I'm saying. There's got to be a path. There's got to be a path where you can play your way back on the tour. You shouldn't have to start from the absolute bottom. There's got to be some kind of way if you have status somehow and you are a guy that's won. You've got to find a way back. What was that show, The Big Break? Is that what they used to do? They used to break the glass. Tic-tac-toe with the glass, the whole thing. Late night. That was right after the golf fix when you put the tube in the thing. Unduffable. Yeah, that's why I bought this.
1:38:44Pat McAfee:That's why I bought this. Right here, the unduffable. Big break. They weren't using this. Is that like a fairway wood? I think it's a wedge. It's unduffable. It's a wedge. I don't duff. Can you turn it sideways? Can we see it? I want to see the full... I thought it was almost like a wood. And by the way, put that head on a brick wall. Yep. Coca. Coca.
1:39:17Pat McAfee:Cola. Perfect. Yeah, that's all you got to do. Ladies and gentlemen, a man who might be able to teach us about batting balls around a little bit is a guy who currently has an 839 OPS over the last nine games. That's good. A man who's on a team that is currently in the middle of a seven-game win streak. It started to feel like good old days with the lovable reunion as Grandpa Rossi is continuing to talk about what this Cubs team used to be. Young Chicago Cubs star who just signed a massive deal at the beginning of the season, living up to the hype, enjoying a winning streak. Ladies and gentlemen, Pete Crow Armstrong.
1:39:50Pat McAfee:Yeah, PCA! I like that. Wear with a clap for yourself. Hi, boys. Because if you didn't clap, you would have looked weird. So I appreciate you doing that. We kind of put you in a little bit of a predicament. I think you handled it well, just like you're handling the season well. How's life, brother? Seven-game win streak feels good, I assume? Oh, every time, yeah. It's fun playing good baseball at Wrigley. It's fun, you know, we were just delayed for like an hour and hour and a half the other day, but we still had 32 ,000. It's always fun when, you know, when the boys are coming up in big spots, you got everybody, you know, one through 13 in this offense kind of just making it count when they're called upon.
1:40:31Pat McAfee:Okay, so seven-game win streak. I don't follow many baseball seasons in my existence. This year I am, though. This year I'm in. And I'm thankful for you and many of the lads of the World Baseball Classic for that, for me being in there. Seven-game win streak. Is this normal throughout a good season? Like, what is kind of – because you guys play so many games, I assume you drop games and you just, like, don't kind of care. You've got to kind of move on. Is this a good length for a win streak, and what is the most you guys have experienced? uh i mean we had i think we had a 10 game uh earlier this year um you know i mean you're taking you're really taking anything you can get throughout the course of the year grand scheme of things i mean um you know seven seven's a lot so you know you walk away from each one of those games kind of you know feeling really good and celebrating those wins because they're hard to come by um as you are probably starting to find out watching this sport a little bit more is like, you know, we're playing a division rival and they were hot before they came here.
1:41:36So, you know, they could turn it on at any point as well. And it's just our job to kind of match that at any point.
1:41:44Pat McAfee:Yeah, you're certainly doing that. What if this just becomes, what if you just win every game going forward? That'd be crazy. What if just through the entirety of the rest of the season, you guys never lose again? I guess that is possible. Now, I think there's one side of the entire Major League Baseball that's doing great. And then the other side of baseball is kind of ass right now. AL Ass League is what they're saying right now. Only three teams over 500 in the AL. That's what they're saying. That's what they're saying. But the NL is a completely different story. Go ahead, Tom. Yeah, Pete, I do have a question.
1:42:12Only three teams over 500 in the AL. Oh, but look at that. One, two, three. All five teams are over 500 in the NL Central. Obviously, you guys are up at the top there. Is that talked about at all with you guys and just being in the NL Central and how good the NL Central is right now, or is that something that you'll worry about farther down the line? I mean, will we ever worry about it? Probably not. You know, if anything, it's fun to be a part of a division that is kind of taking the game by storm this year with a lot of fun call-ups to be aware of and Connor Griffin and J.J. Weatherholt. Sal Stewart.
1:42:55Sal. Sal's balling. You know, I think it's really good for the game. I don't think the Central is really – to me it's never felt like the division until this year, but everybody's really fun to watch and it's fun to be a part of. So at the end of the day, no, we're never going to worry about the standings until they tell us where we're going to be seated in the playoffs. I mean, the goal is to just make sure that you come out on top.
1:43:23Pat McAfee:Know that the AL is ass right now. They're bad. They're bad, bad over there. You know, in the NL Central, yeah, Skeen's cooking. Yeah, Skeen's starting to cook there. Yeah, he's on the bump, so let's make sure we look alive out there. Okay? And, you know, yeah, thank you, PCA. You get it. You understand the deal. You understand what's going on. They're fucking hoisting cones over there, too. I don't know if you've got a chance to be on the other side of that. They're dunking on people with cones right now. I haven't really seen it, but I've heard the cone, Laurie. Yeah, I have. Oh, you don't want to feel it, brother.
1:43:52Pat McAfee:I'm telling you, that is not something you want to feel, BCA. Now, I will say the Pirates aren't trying to feel any type of PCA way either. We got a Hembo stat because you were coming on the show. We asked defensive run save, DRS, Doctors, is a stat that dates to 2003. That's 23 years ago. Season record, 42 of them. Okay, shout out to Androut and Simmons. That guy was a fucking Spider-Man out there. Season outfield record, 37. Kevin Claremaier. Pete Crow Armstrong, he's currently on pace for 45. Tell me, did you know about this stat? And do you feel like you're having your best defensive year or best year of your life thus far?
1:44:32I'm aware of doctors. But, I mean, my job is just to go make sure the ball doesn't hit the floor. So, like, whatever stats can measure your defensive run saved is cool. But we've been taking a lot of pride in other little, like, baseball-y things that people may not appreciate as much. Yep.
1:44:57Pat McAfee:Tell me these things so I can act like I know what they are whenever I'm having conversations with people. Yep. So when we're in L.A., right, Andy Pages or Andy Paz, the center fielder for the Dodgers, um he threw two guys out at home plate um there was just this relay where he kind of like fielded the ball and threw it on the run and normally you don't really see that from an outfielder but um when you got an arm like that that guy he uh it was just in a super impressive place so we're all we're all super focused on just like getting the ball in clean to the right spot really quick and efficiently um so you know like wrigley's a tough place to play so when you can take away runs um that's huge because it's not always the easiest place to hit but um you know yeah this yeah this was one of the more impressive things i've i've ever seen like i feel for our third base coach here because he sees that ball get get all the way to the wall just about and next thing you know it's it's in the shortstop's hands so really it's just rare that you see an outfielder make a throw like that and and i think that is such an important part of the game that that goes unnoticed sometimes so is this a doctors right here this is a doctor this is a doctor it's gotta be it's gotta be i don't know i don't know enough about doctors but to me to me that's just a that's just a damn good play i like that you're learning constantly learning and also complimenting somebody else immediately upon us saying you might be the greatest in uh the history d bud has a question free of PCA.
1:46:26Yeah, when your bat is as hot as yours is right now, how do you kind of manage, I guess, the aggression versus having, maintaining that plate discipline? Because when I'm out here playing wiffle ball, I want to swing at everything anytime I touch that ball. So how do you manage that? How do you balance that? Hey, I'm a lot like you. That's always been the hardest thing for me, really. I mean, I love to swing the bat. I love to try and make stuff happen with the bat. So, you know, I think the plate discipline was actually a little bit better, like I would say a little over a week ago and before that.
1:47:02But, you know, when I start feeling sexier and I do start putting more balls in play, more balls in the air to the pull side, like I do end up swinging more. So I'm inevitably going to chase more. And that's just, I think that just, that's something I got to accept about myself. But I'm just, I'm not going to walk that much, man. But when the bat's feeling good, then I got to let it rip sometimes.
1:47:24Pat McAfee:Okay, you said when you're feeling sexy, some days you just go ahead and walk through that clubhouse. You take a little look at the mirror. Hell yeah, you. Today's a good day. Hell yeah. Today's a good day. Go out there and start swinging at everything. I enjoy that. Did ABS affect you guys at the beginning, you hitters? Because we thought Aaron Judge was maybe overthinking the ABS at the beginning, maybe coming out. If it's not a strike, it'll be able to get fixed if it's a strike. Like, was that messing with anything with you at all? Or is that just kind of us making up bullshit for you guys that kind of stunk at the beginning and now are doing great?
1:47:58I mean, I think if you look at, like, the numbers or the success rate, like, I think catchers, maybe pitchers, just because they've probably challenged less, have the best success rate. But I think it's catchers.
1:48:10Pat McAfee:I think catchers are like 69 % or something like that. I forget the number. There you go. Makes sense. I mean, I think as a hitter for me, it's tough. Again, like the zone awareness is something that's kind of a work in progress for me. So like it definitely messed with me a little bit. I was 0 for 2 to start the year on the challenges. And I was just kind of like, I'm never going to do this again. If I'm a guy like Aaron Judge who does handle the zone very well, if I was Aaron Judge at all, I'd be confident in every single one of my abilities. But our team's been pretty solid with it. But me, not so much.
1:48:45But again, I'm not going to be the guy that's, like, really making most of those challenges at all.
1:48:50Pat McAfee:Do you love it or hate it? Has it been an overall good or bad for game, you think? I think we've definitely seen some moments where it's been really good. And then we've had, like, honestly, I think we've had one game where it's kind of come back to bite us in the ass. But, like, for the most part, we've made the most of the challenge system and made it work for us. And then, you know, like, late innings, having them is big. But with our catchers, like, our catcher's been so solid with that. So I'd trust those guys to kind of just go do it whenever. What's that bat that got introduced to my life?
1:49:22Pat McAfee:Torpedo? Torpedo bat. Are we using those? Are we still using torpedo bats? Many are. I'm not, man. I can't, I can't, I can't find, I can't figure out where the barrel is on those bats. Like, it's just. It's in a sweet spot. That's what it is, I heard. I heard it actually makes this. Yeah, they like, sorry, they just, they move it down. Like, they move the sweet spot a little lower and, like, closer to the hands, and that's just a weird concept for my brain and my hand connection to grass. Where's he going, man? We got a couple whoop-all type torpedo bats. Yeah. We saw what all the guys who were cheating were doing.
1:49:57Pat McAfee:They got it a little different. You know, they got this thing looking like a cricket stick, but it's got a bigger down here from what I've been told. And then this is old school here, just kind of the funnel effect, you know, because you used to cut off the top of these, obviously. and uh cork yeah louisville chugger right at the top oh that yeah yeah this thing and then obviously a torpedo hey you good all right see you soon so this thing here it was like a cheat code for a bit and you're saying some guys just swing differently and for you it's not like that i mean i think the the point of it is to like move it's to move the density of the of the like sweet spot down in a way that it actually helps your your misses more so like the balls you maybe wouldn't hit as well with the with like the normal barrel um i'm pretty sure you get more forgiveness or at least like a higher exit velo or better contact um on the balls you miss hit so i don't know i just don't like feeling like the barrel is closer to my hands because that's usually when i get jammed so yeah me too it's just not a concept i can grasp so are you guys allowed to use three bats if you can hold it?
1:51:05Pat McAfee:Like, if you felt pretty comfortable, would you be able to? Because it feels like this would be a much better success rate. What is the biggest? What is the biggest? Is there a barrel size? Is there a barrel size that you have to? Yeah, because what do we want that thing to be the biggest? Is it minus three still? Like Fred Flintstone. Bingo. Dabba-dabba, do that shit. Can we get that thing? Hard to keep up the bat speed, I would assume. No, not for PCA. But what if you could? Yeah, what if you're jawed? How big is your bat allowed to be? what is your bat? What is a normal bat? And how big is a bat allowed to be?
1:51:36Pat McAfee:We're just trying to brainstorm here how you could become, you know, maybe Mark McGuire without eating all the you know, the vegetables, the vegetables, the vitamins. Well, I appreciate you looking out. This could help me in the long run. I swing a 34-31, so that's 34 inches, 31 ounces. Like pant size. That's standard. Yeah, yeah. This is 34-31 and a half. There you go. Boom. Yeah, that's close to what I swing. That's just a half-ounce heavier. Give it a cut. Yeah, sorry. I do. I have a cup in there. A lot of guys swing a similar size. A lot of guys swing like a 33-and-a-half, 31. I don't know, man.
1:52:22I have this Jose Bautista bat from when he played, and it's like the Fred Flintstone club. It is a dense piece of wood. And I don't know if it's legal anymore, but I wish I could tell you what the legal limit was for barrel size.
1:52:45Pat McAfee:2.61 inches in diameter, 42 inches in length. Okay. Is that the girth there, the diameter it's talking about? That is the girth. Okay. So 2.61 inches in girth that these things can have. And that makes sense. You know what I mean? Especially for you baseball guys. That makes a lot of sense. You know what I mean, PC? Pretty on brand, yeah. You're the man. Thank you so much for taking time. Good luck to your Cubs as you guys continue on this win streak, hopefully, of good times. Maybe until the season's over. Yeah, yeah. Fuck, why not? Could happen. Why not? Let's just not lose ever again. Get the 2.61, non-flastic.
1:53:25Pat McAfee:Get this thing to 42. Let's start banging balls all over towns, all over the place. We appreciate you, ladies and gentlemen. That's Pete Cray-Warmstrom. Yeah, PCA. Pete's a bra. Pete's a bra. Yeah, he's awesome. Love Pete. How old's he again? Do we do it? 25, 24, 25. 24, I think. Because Cam Young, he's 28. 28, I believe. He's 24. I mean, come on. The next generation of sports in a great place. We're incredibly lucky that we get to have those convos because we can start acting like we did them. Hey, the doctor's on that one guy for the Angels who robbed three home runs in the outfield. It's got to be outrageous.
1:54:00Pat McAfee:Andy Pott has? Yeah, more on that tomorrow as SportsCenter takes it away from here. I think, you know, the show that's going to follow us is going to be a big announcement. Really? Oh, really? That was a good ending. Jeez, what a team. Big announcement. I think there is a potential. SportsCenter? Okay. Is there really? I don't know. I don't know. I know too much, but not enough. You know, this is one of those things. That's a good spot to be in, though. Sometimes. No, I think it's the worst place to be, which is kind of where society is right now. You're right. I was thinking the opposite. You know, you know.
1:54:29Pat McAfee:We all know too much, but not enough. You want to be a little, but not enough. That's kind of where we are. People think they know a lot. Bingo. A little bit of information is dangerous. Yeah, but we have a lot of information all of a sudden, but we don't really know what it is. You're flooded with it. It's all part of the plan. Yeah, exactly. They flood you with a bunch of information, so you never really know what the truth is. Whose plan are you talking about? Let's talk about they. Who's they that you're talking about? I don't know. I've been trying to figure out who they is for 42 years now.
1:54:54I can't figure it out.
1:54:55Pat McAfee:You know what I'm not doing? I'm not joining them on a cruise ship ever again. No. Yeah, I think we're going to take that away from, you know, the McAfee plans. The Rolodex. Forever. Now, Age, we know you love a good cruise. But, boy. What is this virus? This weird virus? It's a Hunter virus. It's a Hunter virus. Like Fanta, but Hunter. Don't you want a Hunter? We don't want a Hunter. It is. That has to be worst case scenario. You know, it took us back to the poop cruise. You remember that a couple years ago? A great little doc they did on that. That would be scary, man. That would be a scary situation.
1:55:33Pat McAfee:Obviously, T's a piece for everybody. But that one sounds like it's kind of hit the algo pretty good. Yeah, but not new. Just so we can clarify. It's not some virus that is brand new. No. I think we're going to learn a lot about a lot of that, hopefully, finally. Yeah, sure. But they'll probably just over-information everything, and then we probably won't learn anything but then aaron rogers will come out and say he should come on to talk about this i think he's a little more occupied now is he doing yeah he's not doing those five you know page he's boning he's doing 500 pages of boning potentially he might be writing a book on i mean how long is the kama sutra uh good question has he been to the jungle too you know there's so many different well we know yeah that's where the haunted virus is well welcome to the jungle you know what he's bringing a lot of pain.
1:56:24There's wood. Let's just be careful joking about this virus. I'm sick of you always doing this. This isn't a new virus. I'm just saying, last time this happened, Foxy said, oh, yeah, this will be done in two days and we're done with it forever. Foxy or Foxy? You're right in two years later.
1:56:41Pat McAfee:Foxy or Foxy? I had to hear what you said because there was a couple people over talking that because I was told two weeks officially. Now, I will say, us, we didn't miss a day. Nope. No. We were safe, six feet. We didn't make eye contact for a few days as we were told not to do that. None of us got it. Got vaccinated. But there was no way any of us could have expected what happened then. Losers. We would like everybody to get up and exit the arena immediately. Do not panic, but if you do not leave, everybody could die. Do not panic. Please get out of the fucking arena. The NBA has been canceled.
1:57:16Pat McAfee:Everything has been canceled. Stay in your house for fucking ever. Do not panic. actual yeah can't be having that again as a society no let's go and fight this haunter let's haunt haunter so is it only on a cruise ship right now as far as humans go no because it has been uh it has occurred other places i believe there's a guy in switzerland like this isn't this is a common thing i think because it's on a cruise ship the cruise ship itself tiny is a bigger is a bigger deal yeah it's almost not even like it's not carnival Did they burn it? What's that? Did they burn the cruise ship once they got all the people off?
1:57:53They're still on it. I don't know if they got everybody off. I saw news they did get off. No, the Canary, Spain said go land on the Canary Islands. Yeah, but I saw it recently up in. Yeah, I think Canary Islands.
1:58:03Pat McAfee:Whatever the case, we hope everybody's okay. Wow. We hope everybody's okay. We're not doing the whole thing again. The whole thing again. Yeah, I refuse. World shutdown? Can't. I feel like a lot of people would probably resist more this time. three evacuated off cruise ship with suspected hantavirus cluster world health organization says it's a fatality right nope we're not getting into it because it's i think bailey mccombs did some research earlier which is always fascinating and he dropped some percentages on us okay yeah let's not share any percentages he dropped exactly thank you but he might be right and we don't need to michelle smallman here paypal is now the official peer-to-peer payment sponsor of the NFL, which means all the money moments that fandom creates, whether splitting tailgate costs or chipping in on tickets and game day food between friends are covered.
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1:59:53Pat McAfee:There's some votes though that are happening. I don't know if you guys heard about this. Wait, what? Big news coming out of the American Football Coaches Association, which is the union for the coaches. They voted in a vote last week. The AFCA board swung its support behind one, a playoff with max participants, 24. Two, discontinuing conference championships as a whole. Okay, the game that decides a champion where you play all season to earn your way in there. that has become quite a hot-button topic over the last few years as teams that are trying to make it into the playoff are forced to play in a conference championship.
2:00:24Pat McAfee:Don't want to play in a conference championship because if they lose in a conference championship, it's going to be held against them for the playoff. But if they didn't play in a conference championship like some of their foes, they wouldn't have another loss. So now all of a sudden, does a conference championship game matter? Why are we doing this? It's actually going to be people who get hurt that are going into the playoff or somebody to potentially make their resume even worse going into the playoff. A lot of the big conferences have hated the conference championship game over the last few years.
2:00:44Pat McAfee:I assume that the fans will still love it and everything like that, but the Coach Association said we're good with it. And then also we'd like to end the college football playoff by the second week of January. Okay, second week of January. This year the upcoming national championship is January 27th. Damn. Second Monday of January could be January 8th technically or if the math was to work out with a Monday being January 1, which would obviously be great for everybody's schedule. You start a new week, you start a new year. But nonetheless, they're trying to take a few weeks off. They're trying to say no more conference championship games.
2:01:19Pat McAfee:There's also, I think, a bye week that goes from two down to one. So this has been voted on by the American Football Coaches Association. Now, upon hearing this, we go, oh, this ain't a bad idea. Okay, okay, it's nice. It certainly does mean something. Then we reach out to Source. Says. And they told us basically, that's cute, coaches. Okay, we're fucking in reality here. All right. We got five, six, seven more years of deals with a lot of money going to a lot of your pockets and a lot of your schools that are having a conference championship game. And the dates have already been. So we appreciate your vote.
2:01:58Pat McAfee:Duly noted is kind of what we were told that this vote was kind of a piece of it. But the AFCA has voted in things in the past, and it's gone publicly broadcasted, and that ended up happening. So I do think this is a massive sign of like the coaches just basically saying, hey, we would be good with this if you guys were to pass this. And I think the people that are to pass it say, OK, well, wouldn't it be nice to maybe vote on this if you understood what we kind of have to do and are kind of a part of. So I think that is kind of where we lie right now, AJ. Man, yeah, I guess just putting it out there on the radar.
2:02:31But when I first saw this, I'm initially thinking, OK, like what if us as a show got together and we voted something we wanted the NFL to do? We're just suggesting something. That's basically what's happening, right?
2:02:41Pat McAfee:Yes, that is kind of what this is. Funny you weren't in. So we made multiple calls this morning just to kind of see what this meant. You were not here. You did not get to experience this. I'm appreciative of you thinking the same exact way that I kind of thought as well. As soon as I heard this, I was like, I don't think this matters. So then we call a couple people, and everybody that we called that would know was like, cool, thank you. We hear what you're saying. But this doesn't, no, this means absolutely nothing. And we're also told that the coaches were not given any information or ask for any information about things that are like kind of non-negotiable.
2:03:12Pat McAfee:You know, so from my understanding, this is the coaches saying we'd be OK with this. But the actual, you know, decisions that have to be made are happening by people that are like, we can't. Thanks for putting that out into the universe. Now we look like even bigger assholes whenever we have to do what we have to do, because that's not the reality of this current situation. Because although people hate it and it certainly is something that people can say ruins things, the money and the business behind it all especially now for college football is a massive piece of it and there's some things i think that like some of the people that are voting on this are like are you taking pay cuts then so we can get out of if that's what you're voting is that what you want to do because we have to find a billion dollars somewhere to give back if we want to do all these changes so i think we're nowhere near a final decision being made on all this but i do appreciate the fact that we're all trying to push it to like, hey, we need a better schedule.
2:04:04Pat McAfee:We need better this. We need this. I think the coaches are saying that as well. Yeah, it's cool for football, for the coaches. Like, yes, all these things are done. One last game. The season's over. Basically, before the portal or around when the portal is so those teams don't miss out on as much. But we celebrated it yesterday. The Big Ten made, what,$1.3 or$1.4 billion, and every single school got$75 or$78 billion. Those conference games, more games in the entire year basically, that is what it's all about. And it's not just football. That money that the schools get helps a lot of sports, not just football.
2:04:45So even if it's just the football coaches, you would also think the schools themselves would probably want it to be the way it is now and not these changes. The funny, just the reaction of, okay, was awesome.
2:04:59Pat McAfee:I'm telling you, it was one of the greatest reactions I've seen to something in a while. Multiple, multiple responses just going, we already got enough on our plate. We know, geez, we got a thousand things we got to answer. And now coaches are doing a vote without information. And now it's getting public. And it's like, I think everybody wants the right thing. What is the right thing? What's reality too? Like what's actually possible in it all? because January 27th National Championship, that one's locked in. That's crazy. I think that one is locked in. That's the one that needs to be figured out.
2:05:28Because the last week of the season. 25th, sorry, not 27th. The regular season is, what, November 28th or whatever it is? It's the last week in November, Thanksgiving weekend. And then you have three or four weeks off until the playoffs. And then after the semifinals, you have, I think last year was like 13 days or whatever between the semifinals and the finals. That's absurd. Like the coaches are putting these things out, just kind of trying to throw things out there. I think the schedule, because we've talked to coaches, I think the schedule is the one that they probably feel most passionate about ending closer to January 1st.
2:05:58Maybe not January 1st. That's probably why they didn't put it there. But for the portal and everything, the coaches want it to end earlier than January 25th. Yeah, it's late. We would like to think. For the players. We would like to think. Player safety. Yeah, the player safety, long season. And, you know, the player's going to the next level. Like you're ending at the end of January. where the combine is what, a few weeks later? A month later. You got pro days, you got prep for draft. Like, that's a long, long time.
2:06:23Pat McAfee:Right in the longest season of your life coming up in the NFL, which is obviously hard. The rookie wall is a hit for everybody, especially for those that play late into the college football playoff. If it gets to 24 teams, I mean, without any adjustments that these coaches have voted for, I mean, this thing's going to go until past Super Bowl. Yeah. So hopefully there is some changes. I also can appreciate the fact that the coaches are like, nobody listens to us. nobody listens to us this decision is being made by suits and people that aren't a part of this entire thing maybe we should just fucking we'll just put out everything that we say whatever we've all agreed on we would like the world to know that we as coaches think that this would be the right answer and then the suits that have to make decision are like that's not possible i wish we had a golden plated road that we could all just walk down in this entire thing it's like well we're just letting the world know this is what we want so fucking make it happen it's like we got four different networks five different streaming companies uh we got five different leagues that have five different contracts we have uh deals that were just negotiated we got some off games to cw i think is having something like yeah we got a lot of there's a and there's a lot of sports there's a lot of timing they did go down from one transfer portal there right it used to be two now went down to one coaches voted for that publicly that ended up happening so So I think they are trying to get it done.
2:07:42Pat McAfee:I think everybody is in the mindset of trying to make it better. I do believe that. How we get there, though? So much money on the line. That's what I'm saying. If you have, like, a solution, you've got to find a way to make up for the money you would lose if you didn't do it the way they're doing it now. Speaking of the money, the Redbird private equity Big 12 deal. Yes. $30 million per team if they wanted to tap into it. We did a little research. I think it's a pretty high-interest loan, basically. Oh, okay. I think there's other options for money that have much less interest rates if universities needed money.
2:08:17So I think it is at the point where you could definitely get it, but also it would not be considered a good amongst what comps are for getting money, if that makes sense. Yeah, there was always. We knew there was something.
2:08:30Pat McAfee:Yeah, because nobody was taking it. Correct. So you've got to be giving up a lot here. It turns out it's just like a loan. The payback is. Yeah. It's right at 10%, just under 10%. so it's like a 9.99 i think there's other options that people could potentially get yes yeah i i took out a couple loans some low yield bonds totaled in forty thousand dollars in college because of commercial i saw one third you get a good rate it's like 27. like the like the lockout loans guys were taken yeah exactly i did that at west virginia university right from my dorm 20 000 bucks first i didn't think about the lockout how many loans are being taken out oh yeah oh yeah like 40 interest yeah yeah they got me but i just thought i'd be in debt like everybody else if i didn't make to the league yeah if i made to the league i'd be able to pay it back i mean i paid it 75 000 bucks back on that 40 000 worked out i didn't know i'm joking i uh i certainly did but you know there's the uh cash advance places that obviously taking it like there's always the interesting thing of getting money for what you're giving up is always the constant convo you know fuck we've been having it i've been having it yeah it's like everything it's a constant conversation you know like what do you take what is owed what's going to be held over your head all the time it's kind of like what you need to balance in this life whether it's uh money whether it's uh uh anything literally getting something free you know if someone wants to gift you something cool hey i don't i don't want the strings attached that's gonna that's gonna come with that never it's one of my rules it's literally one of my rules i think it's one of the first things that I teach.
2:10:03Pat McAfee:I said to you the other day. Yeah, I think Foxy legit. Am I your only boss of that golf course, I guess, that you didn't really work at? Yeah, basically. Yeah, so one of the first things Foxy, I taught him, was like, hey, nothing's free, bro. We don't take shit. People hold something over your head for the rest of your life if you take a pair of pants from somebody. So just, hey, remember I fucking. No, you didn't. No, you didn't. No, you did not. I mean, we get sent stuff here, and then all of a sudden we get fucking attacked. Exactly. Someone puts it up on auction. Bingo. Who the fuck did that?
2:10:32It was us. It was us that did that, of course. What are we talking about?
2:10:35Pat McAfee:Yeah. I mean, it's just a never-ending, you know, you can't do it. Nothing is free. Nothing is free in this world, okay? Especially in the mind of the person that is giving the thing. That is a, you'll give me that later. Yep. But you give stuff to people with no strings attached. Like, people still do that. Like, I do, like, it doesn't have to be that way, I should say. But it is. It's good business, I guess. It's good business, what they say. How about Gary Bettman? Good combo. Gary's great. He was chill, relaxed. Casual Gary, I like it. I was in the middle of balancing the budget. Five games back in the office every single day.
2:11:13Well, that's the thing. That's why he's so casual. The Canadian Sabres is going to – like, we love the Stars. The Wilds. Sorry, the Wilds in the Avalanche, but that's kind of one-sided. Like, he's got the seven-game banger coming up here tonight in the best arena. In the Barnes. Yeah. He's probably going to Buffalo tonight. Yeah. You know, that's so close to where they are.
2:11:31Pat McAfee:I haven't seen the Bladen boys from Buffalo. No? They'll be outside. They've been icing their feet, icing their legs, getting ready. We've got a few days off. I'm glad. I'm not glad. I'm bummed out the Bruins lost. I'm so excited now to kind of not root for the Sabres, but appreciate them even more now that we don't have to go up against them. Experience this one. Experience the Sabres more. Like, I'm excited to see what the Blades boys do with the Canadiens jersey on some sort of doll that they are fighting with their rollerblades on in the middle of downtown Buffalo. Yeah, I'm pumped for it as well.
2:12:01Pat McAfee:And then Ducks, Golden Knights, hello, electricity. Remember last time, Coach for the Ducks, who kind of looks like a cartoon character, almost had his head explode whenever he was so pissed off about a non-icing call that led to the game-leading goal. Ah, yes, he's got some looney tunes in him. Okay, push the guys back. They're always just at the boulder neck. They're always worried he's going to hit him in the back of the head. My daughter watched a movie recently. He's a character. I forget which one it was. Maybe up. There's probably a bunch of them. Yeah, I think Up, you're taking Up, I bet.
2:12:31Pat McAfee:Yeah. There's a new one, Swapped, that just came out. On Netflix? Really? Yeah. I almost watched that. Animated thing? It's an animated thing. It was number one in the kids' thing. And obviously, any animation is going to capture Kenzie for a bit. It's so talented. It's crazy what all these kids' movies are, man. They're so negative at the beginning. Just to lock in. Teach resilience. Just to lock in. The battle of adversity. like i mean it's right there that's the that's the disney kind of formula let's kill the parents right away and then let's bring them back it was the lorax is what i see oh lord says look like that yeah guy sold air or sold air on that he's kind of loraxy i'll tell you what i enjoyed the lorax lorax is cool yeah protector of the forest he's also got the bugs bunny hunter you put the lorax up a little bit maybe can we put them next to each other is that yeah oh back to him wow That looks like...
2:13:29He looks like the hunter that tried to kill Bugs Bunny.
2:13:34Pat McAfee:Not as fun when the rabbit has the gun. Yeah. I hope we see him that I explode. He might. Loraxes love marshmallows. Maybe the refs should think about giving the coach a marshmallow. Shut up, Joel. I'm not a big marshmallow guy. Me either. What about with s'mores, though? What about put it on fire? Not a big s'mores guy. It's never something I'm going to buy. Not a Rice Krispie Treat guy, even? I'll do a s'more. That's different. I'll do a s'more because it's the vibe. It's the community. S'more is a thing. You're very rarely doing that by yourself. Exactly. I will do the s'more activity, but boy, I'd much rather just have the graham cracker with the Hershey chocolate.
2:14:15Pat McAfee:What? Just eat that. Just don't make me burn my fingers. I'm with you. Okay? Don't make me have to do it, but I'll do it for the community. I'll light that fucker on fire. Put that thing right in there. That thing will seep out over my thumb. I'll get third-degree burns. Do the whole thing. There's music playing. We're boozing pretty good. Probably some smoke happening. I'll do it for the vibes. But in my best life, that from the very beginning would have had no marshmallows in it. Wow. Yeah, agreed. That's a key ingredient. So that bag of shmallows just laying around, you're not just – Never.
2:14:47You do? Yeah. What? When do you have one laying around, though? When you're in a shmores. Or maybe the kids want to make some Rice Krispie Treats. Whatever that bag is laying around. Especially the jumbo ones. When I was a kid, I roasted and ate like 8 to 10 marshmallows in a night. And later that night, ended up catching the flu. So I puked all night. Marshmallows. I haven't touched one since. I think I was about 7 years old.
2:15:12Pat McAfee:I had that with orange juice. Just the worst dumps as an 11-year-old, I think. Just running right through. I might have pooped my pants in public. I had that with so cold in mind. Because of orange juice? That's what I blamed it on for my whole life. I blamed it on it. I assume it was something else that I had that was probably expired or something. It probably wasn't the orange juice at all, but I remember being very embarrassed publicly because I pooped my pants. That'll happen. How old were you, 20-something? Age, I already said I was fucking like 11 years old. I didn't hear that part. It cut out.
2:15:42Yeah, I'm sure it did. Adults poop their pants and talk about it. All the time.
2:15:46Pat McAfee:So, sounds like guys that poop their pants here. All the time. You guys jumped right off. Sharting? Sharting you're talking about poop in your pants? No, no. Bullshit. Full dump. That should not be happening. That should not be happening. How old are you? That should not be happening. 30, 38? I don't think I should. How old are you? You're taking a full dump in your pants, though. Huh? Like my daughter in her diaper where there's a little. I did, but I know people who do. Who? Adults? You know them, too. How old are they, 90? They're migrating. Don't talk about the window washer like that. Joe Hadley's not pooping his pants.
2:16:20Pat McAfee:Joe forces other people to poop their pants. And if he did, he had the tools to clean them right away. And exactly. If you like your windows cleaned in western Pennsylvania, you need to call Joe Hadley. 412-795. I'm joking. I don't know what his number is. Joe Hadley's window cleaner. Just Google it. And his schedule is booked. Don't fucking call him. Call him. He needs you. He's got a family. A beautiful one. Yeah. Growing, obviously. But no, Joe Hadley's not pooping his pants. Who's pooping their pants? Caboli has pooped his pants. Oh, yeah. Caboli's definitely pooped his pants. I have full diarrhea in my pants, if you remember, like three years ago over February break after the Super Bowl.
2:16:58Oh, yeah. You had to talk us. Yeah. And that's probably the only experience I've had with food from one specific place that I'll never do again. But aside from now, like if you – Were you at home? No. I was on my way home. I was walking home. But if you just get back up – Walking home.
2:17:13Pat McAfee:So that was a – Oh. No, that's when it started. and it didn't actually happen until in my apartment. You pooped your pants in your apartment? Yeah, dude. It was crazy. You made it all the way to the apartment and then just let loose as soon as you get in there? I felt fine once I got back. I was like, okay, I'm good. Like, I just... All sat down. Yeah. Didn't even shower after. Just went to bed. That's not true. Smart play. Took me like two hours to come up. Not a smart play. Oh, can you imagine? That's the most efficiency. Yeah. Fucking army crawl to the bathroom. How do we... Yeah, you got to put plastic bags around your feet.
2:17:44What do you do? I got close. I was in the bathroom when it happened. I was right there. Oh, no.
2:17:49Pat McAfee:Diary on the wall? I've peed on my pants before accidentally. I haven't peed my pants in a long time. Yeah, that happens to me a lot, actually. I've peed on my pants. Sure. That's a moment you got to have with yourself. I'm in public right now. Yeah. How's that work, dude? You're an adult. You got to go speak to these people. Go to a hand thing. Or splash like your whole... That's right. Fashion? You do fashion? You do fashion? Oh, sorry, guys. The sink exploded or something. Or buy the Tim Robinson pants. That would be funny. I don't know what the Tim Robinson pants are, but yes, we should try to buy them.
2:18:25Pat McAfee:The splash of water just to make it look like it's a fashion movie. Got to. Water pressure is crazy. A lot of guys had mayonnaise issues there for a while on their pants, too. Remember that? People were having a lot of sandwiches. Yeah. I think Foxy was a big male. Yeah, he was. I hate male, actually. Dork. All right, dude. Who the fuck hates me? I'm with you, Fox. Yeah, I'm not a mayonnaise guy. What the fuck? We know you wouldn't be. Yeah, you don't eat food. I love coleslaw, though. And I hear it's in coleslaw. We've had this talk. But yeah, I do love coleslaw. But I would never put mayonnaise on anything else.
2:18:58Pat McAfee:I don't know if I've had that conversation with you, but I do appreciate the fact that you've had that before. It sounds like you've had to kind of defend your mayonnaise hate while also liking something that mayo's in. That happens to me with, like, any creams. Sour cream, cream cheese. I don't like them. But then they're in recipes, you know? You don't like cream cheese? No. Dude. And I say I hate mail, but it's based on every sack of subs we get, and I still eat it. Same. Yeah, so do you actually hate it? Yeah, exactly. I can't see it. If it's snuck into a sack of subs, the sub's going down.
2:19:32But if I'm getting a sub made in public, I'm not telling them to put mail on shit.
2:19:37Pat McAfee:I am starting to figure out. We got to figure out how to get good subs whenever we're traveling. I'm about sick of the shit. They have to leave the condiments off to the side. Let us put those on ourselves. I have no complaints about the sack of socks. No, but there are sometimes a soggy sack of socks. How about the wings, though? Wings are always 10 out of 10. We're starting to figure out how to be a mobile operation. That's going to pay off, I think. I think that's going to pay off for us at some point. But we are kind of rolling stones. Not the band, but actually just kind of pick up and move where we're at.
2:20:12Pat McAfee:And we've kind of got it figured out at this stage. I like what we're doing. I'm pretty proud of us. Karen, also Miss Karen knows exactly when, where, how, what needs to be there. We got a good little system going. I'm proud of us. That's a logistical nightmare, I assume, for a lot of people. Definitely. All that shit. Half the battle. Miss Karen, kind of a dog. A bit of a dog. A super dog. But the wings have become. Always 10 out of 10. Always a deliverer. The Sacco Subs, just because half of it is sometimes soggy, doesn't mean you can't just take it off and turn it into like a sub pizza. It's just as delicious.
2:20:43And a way to maybe beat that is just we have like a designated psycho subs schedule where someone just picks it up on the way. The only way it gets soggy is if it sits there for a while. If we pick it up.
2:20:54Pat McAfee:And we know how some of the people, you know, they get soggy biscuit. Bingo. Sitting on it. What? What's that? What are you talking about? What are you talking about? I don't know. I'm genuinely confused. Catch up, man. AJ always eats all the cheese. Soggy biscuit. I do like cubes of cheese. If it's on a plate, I'm eating it. If it's not fancy cheese. Let's do some news, please. Have you heard from Aaron if it's going to be Arizona Cardinals this season or if it's going to be the Pittsburgh Steelers or if it's going to be a retirement tour? We want answers now. I am not the guy to come to if you need answers about this situation.
2:21:32I tell you what, Ian Rappaport, he and Leah, though, they reported that Arizona does not seem like a likely outcome, right? I think I tried to say that yesterday.
2:21:40Pat McAfee:So anytime AJ says something that somebody else says, that's him finding out what's allowed to be said and then putting it on them as opposed to himself. We've seen it many times in the Aaron Rodgers offseason sagas. AJ just said, what did Raps say? Not happening? Okay, I'll go with what he's saying. That is AJ knowing and finding who he can retweet. That one. Sure. We've seen it before. We appreciate him doing that. He's done this in the past. Somebody said that he's still going to play football, right? I think that would be the most logical thing. Because remember, there was a time where he was going to potentially retire.
2:22:13Oh, yeah.
2:22:13Pat McAfee:Then he went in a dark hole. I think he was planning on retiring. Comes out of the dark hole. Holy hell, he was Amish there for 48 hours. Had no lights, no power, no contact with the world. Had a bunch of text messages. He basically gets shooed out of the Packers. Oh, that's not how he wanted to go out. Nope. And now is he chasing a perfect finale? Feels like it. Will that ever happen at AA Arizona? Nope. You never know. I'll go, what about the New York Jets? There was that photo rolling around. I don't know if it was real or not of him wearing that Jet sweatshirt recently. Have you heard anything about that?
2:22:47He was wearing a Jet sweatshirt recently? I think it was an old photo. I think someone, yeah, just, it was good internet and they got a lot of people. There's some new accounts that people aren't aware yet that are just troll accounts.
2:22:58Pat McAfee:Oh, we're talking aggregating trolls. No, even worse. More like, hey, this is a, to what Foxy just said. Hey, this account says football. Let's say it's called Football Crave. They're the newest one. And they are the ones that are taking old photos and then basically making the caption like Aaron Rodgers bought it in a New York Jets hoodie leaving his hotel in Malibu. I'll tell you what, the internet will get me sometimes, especially if it's like a highlight tape or a video from training or something like that. Gets me all the time. Was Malachi Tony wearing pants? Yep. Caprice. What, he was? Caprice.
2:23:31Pat McAfee:With JSA? Yeah, when he was training down there. First of all, love Jackson Smith and Jigba kind of opening up training for college guys looking to do or be the next generation. Also love the Malachi Tony, already established, already famous, already a dog. So comfortable in what he's doing. He just wears baggy clothes to a wide receiver workout. I love everything about it. That's a statement in and of itself by Malachi. Yeah, he's an absolute dog. And I love him crafting out there with, I would say, coming into this season, the best wide receiver in the National Football League right now. So you're always trying to get that edge down there in South Florida.
2:24:01A lot of these guys do this. College guys, high school guys, pro guys. It's one of the edges you get down there.
2:24:07Pat McAfee:Are those snap pants? Are those throwback snap pants right there that Malachi was wearing? I do wonder. When he ran, when we saw the – geez. My knees would just blow up. Good luck covering that. Yeah, absolutely. Are those snaps? They do look like it. I thought they were jeans. Those are snaps. Swiss with some sauce on them. I see some snaps. They snap pants? Yeah, there are snaps. Malachi's snapping. Those are snaps. Yes, they're back. No way. I love it. Wait till you guys feel the swooshy pants, snappy pants combo that's about to take over. You guys have no idea. Walk into a place. How you doing?
2:24:46Pat McAfee:Keep it moving. Now, I will say, for the new snap community, you will very rarely unsnap any of those. Those will just become pants with snaps down the side. And every once in a while, one or two of them will get kind of unsnapped, and it'll be uncomfortable. There'll be a breeze that'll get through that you did not expect. Snaps, in theory, great. Didn't really live up to their potential, except for basketball warm-ups. Yes. So cool. Basketball warm-ups, very cool. Yeah, that's about it. Costumes. That's about it. Life, not so much. Malachi Tony, he said, I want fucking sails around my legs, so it slows me down, so I have to train harder.
2:25:16Pat McAfee:I like what he's doing. He's like he's training at altitude. I don't know if those are snaps. Definitely snaps. Look at it. There's a couple undone. Right there. Snap, snap, snap, snap. Those don't look like the Amazon snap pants I have. Those look a little nicer. Remember back in our school, everyone started going commando because everyone was pulling their snaps off, and it was like, oh, joke's on you. I'm wearing nothing underneath. Yeah, it was always you had to prepare for an outcome when you put the snap seat on. Just in case. Yeah. That's not really jokes on the guy pulling the pants if old buddy's dong is out.
2:25:46It's like, hey, joke's on you, buddy. It depends on your dong. Yeah, it depends on how you feel about yourself, pal. Yeah, you're right. It depends on how flaccid you might be, but yeah.
2:25:52Pat McAfee:Thank you for letting me show this off. I've been waiting. That would be awesome. Now, on that note. It's not even my fault. Getting them back. Hold on. Hold on. Take a picture. It's the last time. Leaving the bottom two, snapping down at the bottom, kind of loose. Sure. Always. Those are the days. Malachi gets his throwback. That's old school. Old school players. He's fucking snapping his pants. Yeah. It's crystal ball, boys. I don't know if they're... What's that? Why are they Capri-style snaps? I don't understand. This is their generation. They're always going to do their own shit, this generation.
2:26:28Pat McAfee:Bryson DeChambeau said, I'm going to be a YouTuber, then fuck off. And that was quite a big statement. Yeah, it was. Bryson said, I love you. Bryson, massive git for Liv. Massive git. One of the most popular golfers on tour. Obviously, big golf ball wacker guy on tour. He was an attraction. He became an incredible YouTube content creator. Very relatable. We started learning a lot about DeChambeau. And obviously, he takes his talents over to Liv. still able to play in the majors, played the best, I think, out of all the live players on a regular basis, also became the most famous, most relevant in the entirety.
2:27:05Pat McAfee:Now getting back into the PGA from the live seems like something that might not be the easiest, it sounds like, from Bryson DeChambeau's point. He's all just focused on YouTube, bro. So I like that he's just potentially, is he just viewing himself as a retired golfer? I'm just content creator, and then he'll get to play in the majors and then just kind of keep it moving, and this is his life now because he's already been paid a couple hundred million dollars from his last tour? It's a great question. I believe this was like he said, if live forward. So obviously we'll still have to see what's happening there.
2:27:31I would love to see how he would fare if he only did YouTube golf and then played the majors. Feels like something that probably wouldn't go well. This is a guy who did the crime and doesn't want to pay the time. Okay? That's kind of what Bryson's doing here. Everyone drop your egos, but he's not willing to pay any concessions for what he did. But everyone's going to drop their egos except for Bryson. Have fun hitting balls over your house and in little red cups and then see how it fares at the majors.
2:27:55Pat McAfee:Jeez, sounds like you're pretty passionate about this. Did not expect that. I love when he was chipping it over his house 21 days or whatever it was. I enjoyed the content. Him showing up at majors, being able to play well, will certainly be a question mark. That's kind of been the live story of this whole thing. You guys got paid a lot of money. Do you still care about golf? DeChambrough has done well. And I think if he was to just go YouTube, he'd feel like he'd be representing the YouTube golfers out there in the majors. He came here. Huh? He's coming to the back of the Thunderdome. He was.
2:28:19He did. I can't believe you're saying this about Bryce. But he'll be back in the PGA. Yeah, he's one of the five guys we talked about earlier. young mentioned there's a handful of people he's one of them now if john rom says that his contract is pretty tough to get out of till 2029 i'm assuming bryson de chambeau's contract is the exact same so if there's just a little inkling of live where there's 25 people going to a muni and they're going to put on a some sort of tournament which is kind of what i'm expecting at this point and they're going to pour about you know five million dollars into it over the next three years he's going to be there with john romp what's that bruce raising his hand in the back
2:28:53Pat McAfee:with some clarification maybe? If PIF is pulling out, who's enforcing Liv's side of the contract and won't they eventually run out of money for lawyers to enforce said contract? Louis Vuitton, Travis Scott. Yeah, they have a CEO. Scott O 'Neill. Is Bryson really shocked? Bryson said he was shocked that Piff pulled out. Really? He said there was communication. This guy's got no... What are you talking about? Everybody was told that they were in it to win it. Described as a bottomless pit. It doesn't matter if you have$7 quadrillion. You don't want to keep dumping trillions and billions into it and not getting any return.
2:29:31That's kind of what we were. If you have$7 quadrillion, you're not worried about$5 billion. Especially when there's a force majeure situation. Yes, you are.
2:29:40Pat McAfee:But it did feel as if they kind of changed it all. It feels like they kind of changed it all. Because at the beginning, this was kind of the money that they had over there. They said it was golf, but louder. There's no way you could do this again. And they said, we will support you. Okay, I'm watching it. They put everything in there. Five billion worth in there. And they said, you got everything you possibly need. We're going to go ahead and do golf, but louder. Zoom that in. Are you jamming in with your other fingers? Why do you have to jam in with your thumb? What are you doing? I jam in with whatever you want.
2:30:11Pat McAfee:Don't cover your mouth. You put it in your mouth. No, no, no problem. You take all that money. Uh-huh. Watch this. And now what are you left with? Piff said we're out. So Liv's got... Oh! Holy shit. Wow! Where'd it go? Nothing. It's gone. Money's gone. So maybe we'll get DeChambrough back in PGA because they won't be able to uphold the contract because they're supposed to pay him a certain amount of money. So maybe there'll be a breach on their end. Maybe Rombo won't be able to get a paycheck from Liv who doesn't have the Piff backing, so that's a breach on their end. And maybe the boys are welcomed back into the PGA after they go ahead and groundskeep a little bit.
2:30:50Pat McAfee:Yeah. And maybe we got all the best golfers battling every single weekend at every single PGA tournament. That is possible, and I like that. That'd be cool. That'd be the one. Is Piff still doing boxing? We're hopeful. What's that? Are they still doing boxing? Yeah, Zufa's still going. Ring Magazine's still going. I didn't know if they're going to pull out of that, too. Probably down the road. Turkey is separate from this PIF venture he is. Oh, okay. I did not know that. Yeah. He's operating on his own accord as long as the Crown Prince, God bless him, allows him to do so. And they didn't say that they're going to – they basically said, we're done with this.
2:31:24Pat McAfee:We're not done with – I think. Right? Didn't they know what they said? They said, this one, not. Yeah. They handed over the production of that thing to some doofus. I mean, I don't know who – I assume it was somebody. That was the dumbest shit. I mean, absolutely. How do you put all that money into the thing and then just hand it over to a – I think they actually thought the live events would carry it. and it's like no you need a tv copy that people watch in thousands and hundreds and millions of people watching it no sense and i love bryson and his youtube career and i love all youtubers out there i genuinely do i need him on sundays i don't care about his youtube career i need him to do that the tracker oh a little left way left then he got decent little talking to his guy brand new club he just 3D printed in a clubhouse hours beforehand?
2:32:19Pat McAfee:It got approved, thanks. Yeah, actually it takes longer, okay? Yeah, stupid question. You want to make some picks for tonight's games, AJ? Let's do it. You got in the NHL, you got the Canadians and the Sabres. Game one, that's going to be electrifying, obviously. Conman just talked about how he can't wait to see what the Blade Boys are up to there in Buffalo. Who do you like? How do you like it, AJ? I mean, I have a hard time picking against the Blade Boys, so give me Buffalo here, for sure, at home. Yeah, D-butt, your thoughts? I'm Buffalo as well. Plates. Talk to town. Plates. Con Man. Oh, man.
2:32:55I hate to say it, but I might go Canadian.
2:32:58Pat McAfee:Didn't you just say you can't wait to ride home? I can't wait. But, yeah, La Habiton just has something going about it. Marty St. Louis. But, hey, look, we're all winners because that place is going to be fucking crazy. I'm going to take the Sabres, obviously. I'm not a psychopath. Let's go. Ducks at Golden Knights. 9.30 on TNT. This is going to be one of those flashlight ones that's going to kind of get you in the third period. Who do you like? How do you like it, AJ? I'm riding with Torts here in the Golden Knights, for sure. They're up 1-0 in the series. D-Butch? I'll pick the Golden Knights as well.
2:33:28Pat McAfee:Tone? They're a bit of a wagon right now, so yeah. Okay, you like the Knights as well. And Conman? I mean, quack it up, dude. I'm taking the ducks. I appreciate you saving the graphic. I love everything about it. Golden Knights, obviously, playing the best hockey. They have played the Lorax, though, for the Ducks. I don't think he's going to lose after that happened. I mean, it was 1-1 with five minutes left, so it was good hockey. I'll quack with you. Let's go with them. Let's go to the NBA playoffs tonight. Sixers at Knicks. Obviously, that went from 7.5 to 10.5 immediately upon Joel Embiid being ruled out this evening with hip and knee.
2:34:06Yeah.
2:34:07Pat McAfee:Ankle. Hip and ankle stuff happening with him. Obviously, he's a giant of a man. It's tough to – I don't know how he does anything. I don't know how Wemby does anything, which we'll talk about here in a second. And then the Knicks obviously on fire. Ben Stiller back in the building, we assume. And obviously Celebrity Row going to be electric. Who do you like? How do you like it, AJ? I'm going to ride with the Knicks at home, even though Ben Stiller will be there in the front row cheering him on. I don't think he will be bad luck. But 10.5 feels like a lot. But I'll take the Knicks to cover. Okay, you got Knicks minus 10.5.
2:34:35D-butts. Yeah, it shouldn't feel like a lot after that ass whooping they just put on him. But I'm sticking with the Sixers. I think they cover tonight.
2:34:44Pat McAfee:Sixers plus 10.5 says D-Butt. Let's go to the toxic table. Tone, who do you like? Yeah, basketball gods. Tyrese Maxey's got the ball in his hands a lot more this game. Give me the Sixers. Okay, Sixers. Both guys on the stage thus far. Connery, is that a clean sweep? No, I'm taking the Knicks minus 10.5. Yeah, me too. I will take the Knicks minus 10.5. And then let's go Timberwagons. A little bit of a buzzsaw taking on the San Antonio Spurs. Perk calls this a must-win game for San Antonio because you think you're going back to Minnesota and getting a win? Yeah, right. Timberwolves rolling. AJ, who do you like?
2:35:16Pat McAfee:How do you like it as the Spurs are favored by 10-1⁄2? Yeah, I love everything about Ant-Man and what he's doing, but I'm taking the Spurs here minus 10-1⁄2 at home. D-Buck? Ooh. Damn, I'm torn on that. Bounce-back game. Bounce-back game. After Perk, Perk got me. I'm going to go to Spurs. Spurs bounce back. You're right. They win, and they win big at home. Okay, Spurs minus 10.5. They win, but they don't cover. Like the Wolves? Yeah, Wolves plus 10.5. That's a twofer there from Tone from Hammer. God. Con man? Yep, with them. Close game, Wolves cover. Spurs win. Can we see Ant getting taken out in the fourth quarter to rest?
2:35:52No.
2:35:53Pat McAfee:Spurs up. Oh, well, yeah, if they're up a ton. Does this become one of those? If they're up 20, yeah. In my mind, I just saw that. A bounce back game for the Spurs, I think. I don't love that I just saw that. But everything tells me about Wemby is he would not let that. They're going to go crazy, I think. I mean, definitely take the Wemby points tonight. If we're talking point bets, he went 0 for 8 from three last time. That won't happen again. You can count on his points tonight. Fucking Gobert is tough, man. Gobbert cannot cover outside the paint. So, hopefully, if Wemby can hit one or two of those threes.
2:36:30Pat McAfee:So, tonight's spreads are both double digits. Yep. Not good for ball. I believe in Ant-Man. Give me Ant-Man. Give me Ant-Man plus nine and a half. Okay. What am I talking about? For two hours, I talk about how much I fucking love the guy. And then what, he's going to let them just get blown out? You like Wemby, too? It's an alien. I love Wemby. But Wemby's never been here. Nine lob dunks tonight. You don't have to like Wemby like ten and a half times more. You can just like him to get points. I think they should have called a timeout with 7.2 seconds left. I think he should have went to the front court, and I think they should have Wemby go like this and tip it in and go to overtime.
2:37:08Pat McAfee:That's what I think they should have done at the end of the game. Instead, they get a wide up in three. They miss it. They should have won that game in their eyes probably. Yeah, probably. The crowd will be in it. They'll always be in it. Great crowd. Give me the Spurs minus 10 and a half. Let's get out of here. Be your friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change your life. We're in this thing together. AJ, great show. How are you today, Paul? Good job, guys. You too. Are we hoisting a candidate, Paul Skeen's pitch? Skeen's day. How's the show? hey don't show he's still pitching the show he's pitching really well he's not hitting very well oh so if ty was here ty would take dishes kind of what we're talking about nobody's been able to really do both at a super high level just not possible that's what i would say i believe shohei said like if i was hitting better i assume i'd be hitting on pitching days but he's not so and that's because he's focusing more on pitching because he is a pitcher and he's up for the award yeah he's been mowing guys very very good i mean that that thing's moving and sweep.
2:38:04Pat McAfee:See you later. He made Altuve look real bad. It's got like a .7 ERA. Somebody on the internet said Altuve missed by an entire Altuve. Two Altuves. Two Altuves. I mean, that's what the internet said. Because Altuve is not the biggest guy, but it was certainly a big old whiff on it. Here it is right here. This is from Pitching Ninja. Yeah, he missed. That's the shit I'm saying. Yeah, yeah. Somebody actually put... Oh, look at that movement. Instead of a bat, they put Altuve in his hands and had him swing himself. Still a strike. Oh, boy. Yeah, I mean, that's what the internet, Altuve, great hitter.
2:38:38Pat McAfee:We know that. We've seen him running the bases. We've seen him coming home a lot. We've talked about that. Champ. Over the last few years. Shohei, though, unbelievable. I think his bat will heat up. Yeah, for sure. All right, we appreciate you all for allowing us to do this for a living. It is a joy. We are in the middle of up to something season. There's a lot of things cooking right now. It's all crazy. And it only happens because of you.
2:39:04Pat McAfee:can i get a little bit more faith whenever these next couple announcements roll out from you you know because it feels like some up to something seasons i get like really proud of and we get like really happy about and a lot of things have gone into it and then all of a sudden when it gets announced some of you use it as a way to just attack me as a human and i'm like what the fuck have i done so if i can have a little bit more faith if we could have a little bit more faith from all of you they won't we will continue to be wildly grateful for all of you as we as a team us and you are doing cool shit for sports we're very lucky and thankful to do it all you are the best thank you for letting us do this be a friend tell a friend something nice it might change your life debuck great work this week you too brother safe travels thank you thank you team Team on me.
2:39:59Pat McAfee:Team on three. One, two, three. Team. Goodbye. Hey, sports fans. The ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows, and originals across every ESPN network in service. And now you can check if you already have ESPN Unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional cost. Visit activate.espn.com to learn how to access your account or sign up, then start streaming in the ESPN app. It's all the BSPN all in one place. Sign up or activate now.
From the publisher
On today's show, Pat, Darius Butler, AJ Hawk and the boys cover the latest in the NBA and NHL playoffs, golf, and the NFL. At the top of the show, we are joined by ESPN’s newest NFL Insider Ian Rapoport to discuss the news that the NFL and the NFL Referees Association are close to a new deal, with a vote on ratification set for Thursday Night, Stefon Diggs acquittal, Aaron Rodgers future, and more. After Rapsheet, we are joined by NBA Champion, 15 year NBA veteran, Kendrick Perkins joins us to recap the Pistons Game 1 win, everybody complaining about SGA foul baiting, how long LeBron could keep playing, why he likes the Timberwolves to beat the Spurs in their series, and more. After Kendrick, winner of the Cadillac Championship & reigning Players Champion Cameron Young stops by to take us into his recent run of success, the reasons why he called a one stroke penalty on himself, his thoughts on the LIV players returning to the PGA, and more. To start the second hour we are joined by ESPN’s NBA Insider Shams Charania to cover the breaking news that Joel Embiid will be out tonight as the
76ers take on the Knicks in Game 2. After Shams, we are joined by the NHL
Commissioner Gary Bettman to talk about the amazing viewership of the NHL playoffs so far, what goes into being an NHL referee, the NHL Draft Lottery last night, the quality of play on the ice, and more. To wrap things up we are joined by MLB All-Star, Cubs Centerfielder, Pete Crow-Armstrong, who tells us about the Cubs 7 game win-streak, the hot start to the season for the entire NL Central, how he feels when he’s hitting the ball well, and more. Make sure to subscribe to youtube.com/thepatmcafeeshow or watch on ESPN (12-2 EDT), ESPN’s Youtube (12-3 EDT), or ESPN+. We will be back tomorrow LIVE from the ThunderDome. Cheers.
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