PMT DB
PMT DB
Mark Cuban on Cost Plus Drugs, Mavs Contenders, and NBA Stars
Big Cat and PFT Commenter open the show by reading the room on the global situation before quickly pivoting to the sanctuary of sports. Jake is back in the studio after his benchmark trip to Iowa, just in time for the best month on the calendar. The guys look ahead to March Madness, specifically debating whether the current top dogs have what it takes to survive a single-elimination gauntlet.
Big Cat isn't sold on the current rankings, particularly when it comes to Bruce Pearl's squad. He thinks they lack the closing power needed for a deep run.
Big CatI'm not a buyer in Auburn; they have fatal flaws at the end of games
I'm not a buyer in Auburn. I think Auburn's got some fatal flaws. I don't trust them at the end of the day, if you're going to your fourth option in an end of the game scenario like that, that means that you don't have any true scoring threats that can like you can't run an ISO.
PFT also used the segment to double down on a long-standing grudge against the Big Ten's most famous face in East Lansing. He’s been waiting years to be proven right about the Spartans' head coach.
PFT CommenterTom Izzo is a fraud and extremely overrated as a coach
I'm finally being vindicated on my take I've been squatting on for six years... since 2016, about Tom Izzo. You think he's a fraud, that he's overrated... If you're saying he's an all-time great, he's definitely overrated.
While the guys were skeptical about some favorites, Jake is planting his flag in Lexington. He believes a healthy Wildcats roster is the clear frontrunner to be the last team standing in New Orleans.
Jake MarshIf Kentucky is healthy, they are winning the national championship
Gun to head, if Kentucky is healthy, they're winning it all. If they're healthy, I really think they can win it all.
The All-Clone Team Hypothetical
The conversation took a turn into the truly absurd with a hypothetical about which NFL player you would want 11 clones of to fill out an entire starting lineup. PFT kicked things off with a specific shot at the current quarterback carousel in Washington, explaining why he’d prefer a fleet of former Bears over a certain former Colt.
PFT CommenterI'd rather have 11 Mitchell Trubiskys playing every position than Carson Wentz at quarterback
I saw that the Washington Commanders were targeting Carson Wentz as their quarterback. I would rather literally have 11 Mitchell Trubiskys playing every position than Carson Wentz at quarterback.
Big Cat eventually landed on the physical peak of the quarterback position, arguing that a team of 11 prime versions of Superman would be entirely unstoppable due to the pure size and athletic freakishness.
Big CatPrime Cam Newton is the ultimate choice for a team of 11 clones
Prime Cam Newton without a doubt would be [the choice]. I'm switching mine to prime Cam Newton... think about how big and strong and fast he is and can throw. He would have the one thing prime [would need].
Mark Cuban in Studio
Mark Cuban joined the show to discuss his new venture, Cost Plus Drugs, which aims to bring total transparency to the pharmaceutical industry. Cuban explained how he's trying to bypass the middlemen who jack up prices for life-saving medication. He isn't doing it for the money; he's doing it to break a broken system.
Mark CubanBy the end of the year, Cost Plus Drugs will carry 2,000 generic medications
Right now we've got about 110 different generics at costplusdrugs.com. By the end of the year we'll have 2,000. So if you have any type of prescription, check it out, you know, if we have your drug, we will save [you money].
Moving to the NBA, the guys discussed the lackluster All-Star Weekend and the perceived disconnect between modern stars and the fans. PFT pointed out that the dunk contest has become a shell of itself, wondering if the stars even care about the spectacle anymore.
PFT CommenterThe 2022 NBA Dunk Contest was embarrassing and the stars don't care enough about the fans
The dunk contest, I know it's not a big deal, but it was lame... It does feel like the stars don't care as much about the fans. Like that to me is like, hey, fans are investing in this, why isn't anyone want to step up to the plate?
Cuban offered a different perspective, arguing that the modern player is actually more adjusted and mentally healthy than the generations that came before them. He credits a shift in locker room culture for making the league a better place to play.
Mark CubanNBA players are happier today than they were 20 years ago because of mental health awareness
I think they're happier because... they're also more mental health aware. You know, they're not just like, oh, don't be a pussy. Right? It's like, get yourself some help. Right? I'm with you, bro. Let me show you some love.
As for his own team, Cuban is feeling very bullish on the Dallas Mavericks. With a top-tier defense and a generational talent in Luka Doncic finally hitting his stride, the owner thinks the Mavs have officially entered the inner circle of teams that can win it all.
Mark CubanThe Dallas Mavericks are officially contenders to win a championship this year
Are we officially contenders? For sure. I mean, you know, it takes time to adjust to a new coach. We're 18 and six over the last 24 games. Our defense is top three and our offense is top 10. If you're a top 10 offense and a top five defense, you have a chance to compete for a title.
Fyre Fest of the Week
Fyre Fest of the week featured PFT grappling with his favorite hockey player, Alex Ovechkin, being caught in the middle of a massive geopolitical mess. It's a tough spot for a Caps fan who just wants to watch goals but can't ignore the headlines.
PFT CommenterAlex Ovechkin is the greatest goal scorer of all time but I disavow his political ties
He's a great hockey [player], probably the greatest goal scorer of all time... I disavow Putin, OVI. [Ovechkin] was raised from a child being an elite athlete in Russia... he's been indoctrinated.
Big Cat shared a nightmare scenario involving his son's school closing and being forced into the seventh circle of hell: a parent WhatsApp group. It turns out that while having kids is great, the administrative baggage that comes with them is a different story.
Big CatInteracting with other parents is the absolute worst part of parenting
My son's school closed because of construction permanently and I got stuck in a WhatsApp thread with a bunch of parents who wanted to sue. This is not what I like—being a parent is awesome of your children. Having to interact with other parents is the worst.
Hopefully, Big Cat can mute the notifications long enough to enjoy the start of the conference tournaments.
