PMT DB
PMT DB
Ernie Johnson on Shaq, Barkley, and NBA Playoff Sleepers
The NBA playoffs are finally here, which means the guys are entering a multi-month stretch of sleeping three hours a night and watching every single game. Big Cat kicked things off by highlighting the reports that everyone in the NBA officially hates Steph Curry. While the league might hate Curry for his talent and titles, PFT and Big Cat are more focused on the petty stuff, like the mouthguard chewing and the Bitmojis.
Before the bracket locks, the guys checked in on the state of the Western Conference. PFT has officially diagnosed the Los Angeles Clippers as a team that has been permanently relegated to a specific social standing in the league.
PFT CommenterThe Clippers are officially in America's 'friend zone'
Here's the thing about the Clippers. They're not a threat to do anything. They're in the friend zone. They're in America's friend zone... I'm totally comfortable with them taking me home on a late night and walking me back. I know it's going to be a hug and I'm going to go into my house.
As for the Eastern Conference, Big Cat is convinced that LeBron James and the Cavaliers are actually terrified of a certain .500 team from the Midwest.
Big CatThe Cavaliers are scared of the Bulls and punted the number one seed to avoid them
Are the Cavs scared of the Bulls? Because it all signs point to yes they have punted on the number one seed which means we have the inter podcast matchup Celtics-Bulls.
NHL Playoff Storylines and Empty Nets
The Stanley Cup made its way into the Barstool office today, but Big Cat wasn't impressed because he expects to see it in person in early June as per tradition. PFT is trying a bold strategy with his Capitals fandom by attempting to reverse-jinx them through pure volume of negativity. He is, however, concerned about the specific branding of the team.
PFT CommenterThe Capitals' only weakness is that their red is 'Russian Red'
Tell me a weakness that the Washington Capitals have. They're not candy ass colors, their red is dominant. It's Russian red, so there's your weakness right there. You can't win a Stanley Cup with a Russian.
Hank is most excited for the gambling aspect of the postseason. He noted that there is no bigger rush in sports than betting an over-under and watching a team pull their goalie late in the third period.
HankBetting over/unders in NHL playoffs is the biggest rush in gambling due to empty netters
My favorite part about the NHL playoffs is betting the over-unders. There's no bigger rush in gambling than the last minute empty netters.
The Point Guard of Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson joined the show to discuss his new book, *Unscripted*, and what it is really like to manage the egos of Shaq and Charles Barkley every night. He described his role as a point guard trying to get the ball to his teammates where they excel, even if that means letting Shaq talk himself into a corner about not knowing which city the Golden State Warriors actually play in.
When asked about the future of the league, Ernie gave his honest assessment of whether the 82-game grind needs to be changed.
Ernie JohnsonI wouldn't be opposed to the NBA shortening the 82-game regular season
Well, I wouldn't be opposed to shortening it [the NBA season] a little bit. I think the bigger issue of rest and all that is what you have to address first.
Despite the depth of talent in the league, Ernie isn't high on anyone outside of the big three making a serious run at a championship this year.
Ernie JohnsonNo team besides the Spurs, Warriors, or Cavaliers has a real chance to win the NBA title this year
Can you give us a team, not named the Spurs, Warriors, or Cavs, that can win the NBA title this year? [Ernie]: No.
If he had to pick one sleeper to actually cause a stir in the East, he pointed to a team in the nation's capital, though it came with a caveat about Wes Unseld having a big series.
Ernie JohnsonIf forced to pick a sleeper team for the title, the Wizards are the only other option
If I have to name one [other team to win], Wizards.
United Airlines PR 101 and Tony Romo
In the wake of United Airlines dragging a doctor off an overbooked flight, the guys offered some free consulting to the airline. While Big Cat thinks they should lean into the violence by sponsoring the UFC, PFT suggested a more carnal approach to fixing their image.
PFT CommenterUnited Airlines should fix its PR by making people horny with porn links
If you make us horny, guess what? We're not angry anymore... Just tweet out porn. Be like, hey, it's now being reported that this guy was a porn freak or something. Be like, hey, you know who else was a porn freak? United. And then just start giving us free links.
Finally, the show addressed the bizarre news of Tony Romo suiting up for the Dallas Mavericks for a night. Big Cat is worried about what this publicity stunt does to Romo's athletic reputation, especially given the current state of his physique.
Big CatTony Romo's legacy is taking a hit because he looks unathletic and has man breasts
Tony Romo's legacy is taking a hit from this because, one, he looks super unathletic. Two, part of that is I now see that he has man breasts.
PFT made it clear that if Romo doesn't actually force his way onto the court for a few minutes of garbage time, he is officially off the list of guys who love the grind.
PFT CommenterTony Romo is a coward if he doesn't check into the Mavericks game
I'd just like to say that if Tony Romo doesn't play, if he doesn't choose coach out to get in that game, he's a coward. Doesn't love the game.
Try to find some Blackberry moments today, even if it’s just eating a Flaming Hot Cheeto roll at AJ McCarron’s new restaurant.
