PMT DB
PMT DB
David Ortiz on Triples, Dallas Braden's Unwritten Rules, and Kawhi to Toronto
The sports world was rocked by the news of Kawhi Leonard being traded to the Toronto Raptors for DeMar DeRozan. While Kawhi reportedly wants nothing to do with Canada and might just sit in his hotel room watching the hotel's default welcome channel for a year, Big Cat sees the vision for a Raptors team that desperately needed to shake things up after years of playoff trauma.
Big CatI like the Kawhi Leonard trade for the Raptors because their old core wasn't working
I actually like this move for the Raptors because you couldn't, after you lose to LeBron 4-0 in your best season in franchise history... And everyone says these guys are a mental mess. DeMar DeRozan didn't even play in game three in crunch time. You need to do something different.
While the Spurs might be entering a weird transitional era with Manu Ginobili as the last man standing, the Raptors are getting a legitimate superstar if he actually decides to lace them up. Big Cat isn't concerned about the drama because the talent level is undeniable.
Big CatKawhi Leonard is a top five NBA player when healthy
Kawhi is, if he's healthy, which I assume he is, is a top five NBA player. And now you have one of the best defenses in the NBA.
On the flip side, the Spurs' haul was less than inspiring for a team moving a generational talent. Dealing away Danny Green on top of Kawhi for a package centered around DeRozan feels like a rare loss for the San Antonio front office.
Big CatThe Spurs got the worst part of the Kawhi Leonard trade
The Spurs probably got the worst part of this trade because DeMar DeRozan, okay, he's a nice player, but he's obviously not Kawhi, and you didn't get top draft picks, and you had to give up Danny Green, too.
College Football Media Days and the War on Fortnite
College football is officially back in the air, and that means coaches are finding new things to be angry about. This year, the enemy is Fortnite. Steve Adazio doesn't know what it is, Mike Gundy thinks it's replacing farming, and Larry Fedora thinks it's part of a larger conspiracy against the game itself. Big Cat is already calling which coach will be the first to embrace the Battle Royale lifestyle to connect with the youth.
Big CatDabo Swinney will be the first coach to win a game of Fortnite to impress recruits
I'm going to make a prediction. I'm going to try to call my shot. Dabo [Swinney] is going to be the first one to ever win a game of Fortnite. To battle royale number one. Because he's going to start playing and being like, check it out, guys. I play Fortnite like you do.
Fedora also went on a passionate rant about the fall of football leading to the fall of the country, which felt a bit dramatic, even for a guy named after a hat. However, Big Cat understood the core of the frustration regarding the constant rule changes intended to make the game safer.
Big CatChanging the rules to make football safer will eventually make it a different sport entirely
Larry Fedora is a little over the top. I understand his underlying premise that if you keep changing the rules year after year, eventually we're going to get to a point where you're basically just not playing football.
Big Papi and the Triple Reward
Big Cat and PFT Commenter caught up with David Ortiz at the All-Star Game in D.C. where it was roughly 100 degrees and felt like a soup. Despite the heat, Big Papi was in high spirits and finally addressed the legendary rumor about why he was suddenly legging out triples during his final season in 2016. It turns out, the motivation was purely domestic.
David OrtizI tried to hit triples in 2016 because my wife promised me special 'rewards' for them
My wife made me some offer behind the scenes. That's why I always want to accomplish a triple. One game I hit two. I don't know if you remember that. My wife take off running.
Unwritten Rules with Dallas Braden
Former A's pitcher and Starting 9 host Dallas Braden joined the show to give some second-half MLB predictions and dive into the messy world of unwritten rules. While the guys grilled him on the A's chances, Dallas remained a firm believer that Oakland is going to make some noise in September.
Dallas BradenThe Oakland A's will make the Wild Card in 2018
The Oakland A's will happen to creep into that Wild Card spot in the AL. The Oakland A's will be playing meaningful and potential postseason baseball come the finish of... late September.
Then the conversation shifted to the Mount Rushmore of Unwritten Rules. Dallas defended the necessity of these silent laws as a way for the players to handle their own business without the league getting involved.
Dallas BradenUnwritten rules are necessary to provide policing in baseball
For the most part, what I believe unwritten rules do are provide a sort of policing that players on the whole can either understand at the minimum, even if they're not on board with. They kind of have an idea of why this is happening. Why am I getting drilled right now?
The draft got weird quickly, with Hank using his picks to voice his frustrations about the systemic oppression of left-handed athletes in the infield. He’s ready to be the bridge to a new era of baseball.
HankLeft-handed players should be allowed to play shortstop
Lefties can't be shortstops. It's always bothered me. Someday someone's going to break the mold. ... Someone's got to be the change out there.
Mount Rushmore of Zoo Animals
Before letting the guests take over, the cast drafted the best animals to see at the zoo. PFT went with a sentimental and slightly disturbing pick with Gorillas, citing the deep, emotional connection he feels when staring into their eyes.
PFT CommenterGorillas are the best zoo animal because looking into their eyes is life-changing
Right off the bat, I'm going gorillas. Gorillas are great for so many reasons. Have you ever looked into a gorilla's eyes in the zoo when they make eye contact with you? It is a life-changing conversation. If you can get past the tears that are flowing out of them. It is a life-changing event.
Hank opted for the high-energy entertainment of the penguin exhibit, though PFT pointed out the best part of the experience is watching them lose their dignity on the ice.
HankPenguins are the most entertaining zoo animal because they trip and fall
My number two, definitely the most entertaining zoo animal, penguins. When penguins are running around, a penguin diving into the water is just pure joy.
To wrap up the show, the guys defended Jimmy Garoppolo’s right to date whoever he wants after the internet shamed him for going out with a porn star, with PFT comparing the move to Michael Jordan switching sports.
Jimmy G is just getting some reps in against the highest level of competition.
