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Blake Griffin and Michael Rapaport

Monday, June 19, 201726 takes

US Open recap and why we're disappointed in the Golf Course ( - ). Draft trade between the Sixers and Celtics ( - ). Who's Back of the week ( - ). Blake Griffin joins the show as our 3rd member of the recurring guest Mt Rushmore and we discuss the Mt Rushmore of the best NBA Cities ( - ). Michael Rapaport joins the show to do the Mt Rushmore of sitcom dads ( - ). Segments include Bad Visual for Kevin Durant's twitter . Olympic Update - Michael Phelps vs a great white shark. Thoughts and Prayers for Vince Young. Tebow update and the debut of our segment "Higher Education" where we give our 18 year old intern tips on going to college.

Blake Griffin and Michael Rapaport on NBA Cities and Sitcom Dads

We are officially in the teeth of the summer, which means it is Mount Rushmore season. To celebrate the peak of the sports calendar, Big Cat and PFT are joined by two absolute titans of the recurring guest rotation: Blake Griffin and Michael Rapaport. The energy was high as the guys navigated through a wild weekend that included the U.S. Open and some NBA draft drama that has Danny Ainge looking like a certified pick addict.

Erin Hills and the Beauty Tax

Brooks Koepka took home the trophy at Erin Hills, but Big Cat and PFT aren't exactly ready to buy a shirt. The main issue? Koepka is simply too good-looking and his life is too perfect for the common man to root for him. We need a winner with some visible struggle, like a bad hairline or some Phil Mickelson-level physique issues.

Loss
Jun 19, 2017
#18073
Big CatBig Cat

Brooks Koepka is too attractive to win a major tournament

[Brooks Koepka] is way too attractive to win any kind of major tournament. Usually you need a receding hairline, some Phil Mickelson man boobs, some Tiger Woods inner demons. Give me one flaw that I can make fun of you for on Twitter and make me feel better as a person.

Koepka ended up being one of the most dominant major champions of his era, winning five total majors despite his good looks.
Void
Jun 19, 2017
#28188
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Attractive people shouldn't be good at anything because it makes them impossible to make fun of

If you're an attractive person, you shouldn't be good at anything. Give me one flaw that I can make fun of you for on Twitter and make me feel better as a person. [Brooks Koepka] has an attractive girlfriend. He just won like $3 million. He's attractive. He's the U.S. Open winner. Fuck this guy.

This is a purely subjective comedic stance on the correlation between attractiveness and talent.

Beyond the winner's aesthetics, the course itself was a massive letdown. For a U.S. Open, you want to see professional athletes questioning their life choices in the fescue. Instead, we got a target-practice session that looked more like a local muni on a Tuesday afternoon.

Win
Jun 19, 2017
#18074
Big CatBig Cat

The U.S. Open course at Erin Hills was way too easy

The golf course lost. I expect more. I want to see the U.S. Open golf course. I want to see Jim Nance giving his tie to the course. Everyone was just hitting it right down the middle the whole time. Easiest golf course I've ever seen. So USGA, figure it out.

Erin Hills 2017 saw record low scores for a U.S. Open, with Koepka finishing at -16, supporting the idea that the course setup wasn't as punishing as traditional U.S. Opens.

Ricky Fowler also took some heat for his Sunday performance. While the orange is his signature, it might be time to admit that bright, neon colors don't exactly scream "champion" when the pressure is on. PFT thinks it's time for a wardrobe change to fill a void left by a certain legend.

Win
Jun 19, 2017
#18075
Big CatBig Cat

Ricky Fowler can't win a title wearing 'candy-ass' bright orange uniforms

We do have the theory that candy-ass uniforms can't win titles. So, are we a little nervous? He had that bright orange on Sunday. Maybe, like, I was just thinking, hey, is Ricky Fowler playing for the Dolphins? Because... This sucks.

Rickie Fowler has famously never won a major championship, often wearing his signature Sunday orange.
Loss
Jun 19, 2017
#28189
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Ricky Fowler should start wearing red on Sundays since Tiger Woods is no longer in contention

Tiger's not going to be in contention on Sundays anytime soon. Somebody needs to swoop in and grab the red over. Take those reds. I'm so dumb that I will root for any golfer that makes playing in red on Sundays his thing now. Because that's as close as we're going to get to cheering on Tiger again.

Rickie Fowler never made red his Sunday color, remaining faithful to his Oklahoma State orange.

The NBA Trade Machine is Humming

The Celtics and Sixers pulled off a blockbuster trade for the number one pick, and while Sixers fans are screaming "Trust the Process," Danny Ainge is just doing what he does best: hoarding future assets like a doomsday prepper. PFT isn't sold on the hype surrounding incoming rookies anyway, mostly because he hasn't seen them play against actual NBA players yet.

Win
Jun 19, 2017
#18076
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

NBA prospects suck until they actually prove it in the league

I'm of the mindset that the best players in the world are currently in the NBA, and if you're not in the NBA yet, then you suck. I don't see anybody competing against the superstars for the next five to ten years. I haven't seen [Markelle Fultz] play, so he must suck.

Markelle Fultz's career was famously derailed by injuries and shooting issues, making him one of the most disappointing #1 overall picks in NBA history.

Big Cat, however, thinks the Celtics actually might have known what they were doing by passing on Markelle Fultz in favor of a guy who fits their defensive identity better.

Loss
Jun 19, 2017
#18077
Big CatBig Cat

Josh Jackson is a better fit for the Celtics than Markelle Fultz

Josh Jackson fits what the Celtics have more than Markelle Fultz. He's going to be able to defend a bunch of positions. He's going to be able to play a role that you guys need.

The Celtics actually drafted Jayson Tatum, not Josh Jackson. Jackson underperformed in the NBA compared to Tatum and Fultz.

Mount Rushmore: NBA Cities and Sitcom Dads

Blake Griffin joined the show to tackle the Mount Rushmore of NBA Cities. While he was careful not to make it a free agency pitch, his list gave us a glimpse into the life of a traveling superstar. He started with the Mecca, despite a traumatic childhood incident with a freight elevator.

Void
Blake GriffinBlake Griffin

Madison Square Garden is the best place to play in the NBA

My number one pick, my favorite city always to visit is New York. The Garden is one of the most fun places to play. Just the energy, even when they're not as good or even if they have more hype. It's always a good crowd, great city.

This is a subjective player opinion widely shared by many NBA stars.

Blake also went with some sleeper picks, showing love to the desert and our neighbors to the north for their diverse culture and, more importantly, the tax benefits.

Win
Blake GriffinBlake Griffin

Phoenix is a sleeper NBA city with huge potential

Number two, kind of a sleeper city for me, is Phoenix. Young. It's a good time. Great weather always. I like to get in there a little early. Just take my claim, put them on the Mount Rushmore, and then when they do blow up, it's like, hey, I was here from the beginning.

The Suns eventually became a powerhouse and top destination again with the arrival of Chris Paul and Kevin Durant.
Void
Blake GriffinBlake Griffin

Toronto is a premier NBA city because it is culturally diverse and a great tax city to play in

Number three, I'm going Toronto. North of the border. Toronto's great, culturally diverse country. Solid fans, great tax city to play in. Also Drake, you could be friends with Drake.

This is Griffin's personal opinion on city quality, though his mention of tax benefits is factually debated by players.

Michael Rapaport hopped on next to draft the Mount Rushmore of Sitcom Dads. In true Rapaport fashion, he was highly judgmental of the other lists and brought his signature New York intensity to the debate. While PFT went with the animated GOAT, Rapaport stayed old school, even if it meant calling out some "beta" behavior from classic TV icons.

Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Homer Simpson is the greatest sitcom dad of all time because every man aspires to live like him

Number one, I have Homer Simpson. That's a no-brainer. We all grew up idolizing Homer. In fact, every man's life is spent getting to a place where he can just live his life like Homer Simpson. Every man's dream. How'd you know I wanted to always dress in a muumuu?

This is a subjective ranking of fictional characters.
Void
Michael RapaportMichael Rapaport

Mike Brady is a beta male for raising kids that aren't his

Mike Brady [is] raising somebody else's kids. He's got to pay for all their education and their trips to Disney World. Those weren't even his kids. He's not a real man. He's a beta male. He's stuck paying for an alpha male's problem.

This is a hyperbolic comedic opinion about a fictional character.

Quick Hits and Higher Education

The show rounded out with a check-in from Chris Long, who called in to face the music after being snubbed from the recurring guest Mount Rushmore. He tried to win back favor by breaking the news of his new jersey number and his recent drug test results.

Void
Jun 19, 2017
#18086
Chris LongChris Long

Number 56 makes a defensive end look the fastest on the field

I believe as a 32-year-old white defensive end, I would decide on picking the number that made me look the fastest. [Number 56].

Subjective player preference regarding jersey aesthetics.

We also got a bad visual for Kevin Durant, who is apparently spending his championship high arguing with people on Twitter about whether or not he enjoys being farted on. Big Cat thinks KD should just lean into the weirdness to finally become a relatable figure.

Void
Jun 19, 2017·Bad Visual
#18084
Big CatBig Cat

Kevin Durant should lean into the 'fart face' rumors to be relatable

The reason why people hate you [Kevin Durant] right now is that you joined a 73-win team to win a title. Give us something to make you relatable. Be the fart face guy. It actually humanizes him a little bit, doesn't it?

Durant never embraced the rumors and continued to struggle with his public image on social media for years.

Finally, the debut of "Higher Education" saw the guys giving advice to intern Billy Football as he prepares for college. The first lesson was simple: do not be the weirdo who requests a single room.

Void
Big CatBig Cat

Freshman should always get a roommate instead of a single

Got to get a roommate. The guy who gets the single, he's immediately judged like, oh, you're better than us. And it becomes a party room. You're a freak. The guy who has a single room, there's always questions. Freshman year, just get a roommate, deal with it.

This is subjective life advice.

If Tim Tebow can just find a way to relieve some tension, the Mets' minor league system might finally be safe from his flying bats.

nflnbagolfmount-rushmorekevin-duranttim-tebow

More Takes

Void
Jun 19, 2017
#28190
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The ESPN Trade Machine is the most fun role-playing game in existence

The ESPN trade machine is back in a big way. I don't even know what the hell I'm doing on it. I'm just clicking on players' names, and when you get one that says, 'this trade is successful,' you feel like you've beaten a level in a video game. The trade machine is the most fun role-playing game that you'll ever play in your life.

The entertainment value of a website tool is entirely a matter of opinion.
Push
Jun 19, 2017·Who's Back
#18078
Billy FootballBilly Football

High school football is officially back in June because grad parties are over

High school football is back. Grad parties are over. Coaches are distributing helmets and shoulder pads. It's June. Mini camps in full effect.

While summer workouts happen, high school football doesn't truly return until late August.
Loss
Jun 19, 2017·Who's Back
#18079
Big CatBig Cat

Icing Bros will inevitably make a comeback

I'm going to call it right now. Icing Bros is going to come back. That's going to suck. Take a knee and chug. That was a tough summer of 2008 or 9, whatever it was.

Icing has seen periodic ironic resurgences but never returned to its 2010 peak of cultural dominance.
Void
Blake GriffinBlake Griffin

Boston is a top-four NBA city to visit and play in

I'll tell you, I went with Boston as number four. Great call. I think definitely half of me [loves it]. I mean, half of me loves it. The other half, it's hit and miss. It depends on who I run into.

The quality of a city is a subjective preference of the speaker.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Indianapolis is a top-tier walkable and 'scootable' sports city

I have never had a bad time in the city of Indianapolis. It's a very walkable city... I hate DUIs even more [than walking]. It's a very scootable city. If you have a scooter, it's easy to get around.

This is a subjective experience frequently touted by sports media members who cover events in Indy.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Portland is the #1 NBA city because the fans have nothing else to do except hike and watch basketball

I actually, along those same lines, I went Portland. Especially with the old Jailblazers. Those guys used to have a real good time out there. I think Portland has some of the best fans... That's because they're homeless, so they don't have anywhere else to go. No one in Portland has a job. They move around from bookstore to food truck to Trailblazers games.

A satirical claim about city demographics and fan passion that cannot be objectively verified.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Frank Costanza belongs on the Mount Rushmore of TV dads

My number one, Frank Costanza. Yes, that's a good one. Classic, classic. Frank is definitely on my Mount Rushmore of TV dads. And he hates George.

Subjective ranking of a TV character.
Void
Michael RapaportMichael Rapaport

Alan Thicke is a top-four sitcom dad because he launched Leonardo DiCaprio's career

My fourth and final pick: The late, great Alan Thicke, Growing Pains. Iconic, launched the career of the biggest movie star and the consummate stick man, Leonardo DiCaprio. Alan Thicke rounds off my top four of sitcom dads.

DiCaprio did get his breakout role on Growing Pains, but Thicke's ranking as a top-four dad remains subjective.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

Michael Phelps is definitely coming out of retirement for the Tokyo Olympics

Does anyone actually think that Michael Phelps isn't racing in Tokyo? The guy can't go a year without having to get into a race with a great white shark, and this is the guy who's retired? He's definitely going to race in Tokyo.

Phelps remained retired and did not compete in the Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021) Olympics.
Void
Jun 19, 2017
#28197
Big CatBig Cat

Kevin Durant is a 'baby back bitch' for refusing to come on the podcast to address 'fart face' rumors

Kevin Durant has answered my tweet. He said, nah, I'm good. Appreciate it. I asked him to come on the podcast to discuss. And I guess he does not want to discuss the fart face shit. So too bad. Maybe I was right all along when I said he was a baby back bitch.

This is a subjective insult used for comedic effect in a feud.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Tim Tebow just needs to have sex to fix his baseball issues

Tim Tebow just needs to have sex. It's gotten to that point, Tim. That's too much aggression. I mean, a bat going into the first five rows, that happens. A bat going into the second deck. That's a guy who needs to have some sex. Just come once.

This is a comedic theory that cannot be verified.

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