PMT DB
PMT DB
Michael Davies on Barstool Van Talk, Jeopardy, and NBA/NHL Playoffs
A massive sports weekend is in the books, and the vibes in the office are predictably chaotic. Between the Sixers and Celtics being knotted up at 2-2 and the sun shining in Miami for F1, there was plenty to unpack. Max is riding high after a massive James Harden performance, while Hank is already starting to play the "bad body language" card as the Celtics let another one slip away in overtime.
Sixers-Celtics Chaos
The series in the East is delivering exactly the kind of drama we craved. After a wild Game 4, Big Cat is already mapping out the path to a Game 7. While Joel Embiid had his moments, Big Cat isn't ready to crown him over Jayson Tatum just yet, especially after watching Embiid look gassed late in the game.
Big CatJayson Tatum is better than Joel Embiid in the playoffs
[Jayson Tatum] is the best player on the court. He's better than Joel Embiid. I'm sorry, like in playoffs, Joel Embiid, he had a very good game, but the fourth quarter he looked like the most gassed person in the world.
Despite the Sixers' resurgence, the guys are still looking ahead to how this impacts the rest of the bracket. Hank is convinced that the winner of this heavyweight battle is essentially punching their ticket to the Finals, largely because the Heat and Knicks look like they're playing a different sport entirely.
HankThe winner of the Celtics vs. Sixers series will go to the NBA Finals
Obviously now I would say whoever wins the Sixers-Celtics series is going to go to the finals. But the whole time I was like with the Celtics, they're gonna smoke whoever wins [Heat-Knicks] series.
Speaking of the Heat, Erik Spoelstra continues to prove why he’s the best in the business. Big Cat is officially done counting them out, especially since the Heat have a way of making every series ugly and efficient.
Big CatErik Spoelstra is the best coach in the NBA
Spoelstra is the best coach left in the Eastern Conference. Probably in the NBA. I think in the NBA. It does feel like they have the edge there and a lot of these series do come down like to adjustments in game to game because you start to know your opponent so well.
LeBron's Longevity and Bronny to USC
LeBron James continues to defy the laws of aging, leading the Lakers against the Warriors while simultaneously celebrating Bronny's commitment to USC. PFT is convinced that LeBron has no intention of slowing down, even if he has to manage his minutes within the quarters themselves to stay fresh.
PFT CommenterLeBron James will play three or four more years and will not decline in quality
I think LeBron's gonna play what, maybe like four more years. Three more years maybe? And I don't think he's even gonna get worse. I think he kind of is what he is at this point and old less, slightly less athletic LeBron is still a fucking monster and so he's just gonna play until he decides to walk away and he's still gonna be super healthy at that point.
However, the ultimate goal remains playing with Bronny, and PFT thinks LeBron will do whatever it takes to make that happen, even if it means cutting the college experience short.
PFT CommenterLeBron James will be a bad father by making Bronny leave college early to play with him on the Lakers
LeBron's about to be a bad father because he's going to deny his son a degree just so that he can draft him to get him to play on the Lakers.
Suns, Nugs, and Owner Flops
Out West, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant are putting up video game numbers to keep the Suns alive. With Chris Paul sidelined, the team seems to have found a different gear. PFT thinks the absence of CP3 might actually be a net positive for the team's offensive flow and overall energy.
PFT CommenterThe Phoenix Suns are better without Chris Paul
I think in a sick way they definitely are better without Chris Paul. 100%. Because if you got Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, those guys, they can both create their own shots... they're not reliant on Chris Paul to run their offense.
We also had the bizarre sideline incident where Suns owner Mat Ishbia turned into a world-class flopper after a brief encounter with Nikola Jokic. Big Cat was incensed at the idea of the Joker facing any discipline for trying to get the ball back from an owner who wouldn't let go.
Big CatIf Nikola Jokic gets suspended for shoving Mat Ishbia, it's absolute bullshit
That was a crazy scene because if Nikola Jokic gets suspended, that will be absolutely bullshit because Mat Ishbia... he grabbed the ball, wouldn't give it up, and then he kind of like chested into Jokic and then Jokic gave him a little shove. If Adam Silver suspends Jokic for this game, it's bullshit.
Michael Davies Joins the Show
Legendary TV producer Michael Davies joined the guys to talk about his new project, Jeopardy Masters, and reflect on his storied career. Of course, the conversation eventually turned back to the one-episode wonder that was Barstool Van Talk. Davies confirmed what we all felt at the time: the show was destined for greatness based on the numbers.
Michael DaviesBarstool Van Talk was going to be a hit TV show
Barstool Van Talk was gonna be a hit TV show. And as I poured over the 18 to 34 demo results of that first episode, that was a hit TV show. So that was the one that got away.
Davies also talked about the unique position Jeopardy holds in the cultural landscape. In an era of streaming, it remains one of the few pillars of broadcast television that can actually compete with live sports for eyeballs.
Michael DaviesSports and Jeopardy are the only things left worth watching on broadcast TV
The only show on television out-rates Jeopardy is the NFL. There's the NFL then Jeopardy, then every drama, every new show, every comedy, everything else. And Jeopardy still has those moments... all that's left is sports and Jeopardy really for me and TV. There's nothing else.
Before letting him go, Davies walked through the transition from Alex Trebek to the current hosting situation and why Ken Jennings holds the crown in the trivia world.
Michael DaviesKen Jennings is the undisputed GOAT of Jeopardy
The host is Ken Jennings, who is the GOAT. He's the greatest Jeopardy player of all time. Won the most consecutive episodes... When they played a primetime event named GOAT to determine the greatest of all time, Ken Jennings won that against James [Holzhauer].
Between the King's Coronation, a horse named Mage winning the Derby, and the Maple Leafs being on the verge of a classic second-round collapse, it was a weekend for the ages.
Hopefully, Max doesn't have a literal heart attack before Game 5 tips off.
