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NBA Finals With Kirk Goldsberry, FSU Head Coach Luke Loucks, Myles Garrett To The Rams + Memes Vs Zac

Wednesday, June 3, 202625 takes · Transcript ↓

We start the show with a first as we were forced to play the numbers we had recorded earlier to give some background to the red hot Zac vs Memes fight that went on all day (-). Myles Garrett traded to the Rams and AJ Brown is a Patriot. NBA Finals picks (-). Hot Seat/Cool Throne including Russ Wilson is now in media and World Cup a week away (-). Kirk Goldsberry joins the show to talk NBA Finals, how to stop Wemby, what makes him so different, how the Knicks can win and more (-). FSU Head Basketball Coach Luke Loucks joins us in studio to unveil the FSU banner, talk his incredible rise in coaching, his close relationship with Mike Brown and going to De'Aaron Fox’s honeymoon (-). We finish with guys on chicksYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Netflix. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/pardon-my-take

The vibes were at an all-time high and an all-time low simultaneously to start today's show. In a PMT first, Big Cat had to play the ending of the show at the very beginning to explain why Zac and Memes were ready to go to war in the booth. It turns out Zac snagged Memes’ go-to lottery ball number, 11, and actually hit it, leading to a meltdown of epic proportions. Memes was so heated he demanded a trade and retracted his Knicks fandom, which is a tough look with the NBA Finals starting today.

NFL Trade Chaos

While the booth was imploding, the NFL decided to go nuclear with two massive trades. Myles Garrett is officially heading to the Rams, and AJ Brown is now a New England Patriot. Big Cat actually likes the deal for Cleveland because they aren't competing for anything real this year and need to stock up on assets.

Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30632
Big CatBig Cat

The Myles Garrett trade to the Rams is a win for both teams

I know this is lame, but My take is wins all around. [The Rams] have proven that they can do this... basically, as an organization, realized that they can figure out a way to still compete without having draft capital. And the Browns, I think is, it's, it's very smart for them because they weren't gonna compete this year for anything meaningful. Now they have two first round picks.

This is a subjective evaluation of a major trade in the show's 2026 timeline.
Open
Jun 3, 2026
#30648
Big CatBig Cat

The Browns are positioning themselves to draft a franchise quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft

It feels like the Browns are building to a point where they gotta get the QB next year in the draft. And if they do, a lot of the other things are starting to fall into place. ... they now have two first round picks. Now they have flexibility.

The take refers to the 2027 draft (next year from the 2026 season's perspective); the outcome remains pending.

Big Cat also pointed out that we are witnessing history with Garrett moving, as he’s a defensive player of the year in his absolute prime.

Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30633
Big CatBig Cat

Myles Garrett is the best player at his peak to ever be traded in NFL history

I would say he's probably the best player who's ever been traded in terms of he's the defensive... he just set the sack record. He's the defensive player of the year. I'm saying like the peak, peak powers, Myles Garrett just had.

While historical trades exist (Walker, Faulk), Garrett being a reigning DPOY and sack record holder makes this a strong, albeit debatable, claim.

On the other side of the league, Hank is over the moon about AJ Brown landing in Foxborough. He thinks getting a true WR1 for Drake Maye is the move of the century, especially since the chemistry in Philly was clearly toxic.

Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30634
HankHank

Jalen Hurts is a 'drama king' compared to Drake Maye

Drake Maye not a drama king. So I, I don't anticipate, you know, the reason it's not, it wasn't the players or the skillset [in Philly], it's just they had drama that they couldn't get over. [Jalen Hurts] by deductive reasoning is a drama king.

The locker room dynamics of the 2025/2026 Eagles are subjective to internal reporting.
Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30649
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

AJ Brown sought out the Patriots because he craved the accountability he was lacking in Philadelphia

AJ Brown, deep down he craves accountability. And he knew that he wasn't getting it in Philadelphia. ... He needs a real like head coach, like stern figure telling him like, 'Hey, when you step across this line, you're a member of the Patriots organization.'

This is a subjective psychological assessment of a player's motivations.

Max, predictably, isn't buying the hype and thinks the Diva tendencies that plagued AJ Brown's time with the Eagles will eventually follow him to the AFC East.

Open
Jun 3, 2026
#30635
MaxMax

AJ Brown will eventually turn to 'shit' in New England because of his diva personality

I disagree with the fact that you think that this isn't gonna turn to shit because it probably will turn to shit at some point because that's just what AJ Brown does. He was really excited to get traded to the Eagles. He was really excited to play with his best friend, Jalen Hurts... and then he went on to Mike to say like, you guys all thought I was a hater... well, you can't say that I'm not.

This prediction depends on Brown's future behavior in New England throughout the 2026/2027 seasons.

NBA Finals with Kirk Goldsberry

Friend of the program Kirk Goldsberry joined the show to give us the analytical deep dive on the Spurs vs. Knicks matchup. The big story is obviously Wemby, who Kirk says has a "Nope" factor that literally forces players to turn around mid-drive.

Win
Jun 3, 2026
#30643
Kirk GoldsberryKirk Goldsberry

Victor Wembanyama turns elite offenses into the worst in the NBA when he's on the floor

He essentially turns really good offenses into terrible offenses... in these playoffs when he's on the court, the opponents have a offensive rating of 99.2. For those of you who don't know what that means, it means your team can't score for shit. It would be the worst offense in the NBA.

In the fictional 2026 timeline of this episode, Kirk is citing actual on/off stats from the current playoff run.
Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30644
Kirk GoldsberryKirk Goldsberry

Victor Wembanyama is already the best defender of his generation

When we came into the league Big Cat, we were like, this guy is gonna be the best defender of his generation and he already is. It's incredible. And it's not just the blocks... it's a lot of invisible stuff that he does that just deter shots.

While subjective, his defensive stats and DPOY-caliber play support the claim.

While Wemby is a freak of nature, the Knicks have a secret weapon in their Nova-style toughness. Kirk explained that if the Knicks' role players can keep the floor spaced, the Spurs might be in trouble.

Open
Jun 3, 2026
#30653
Kirk GoldsberryKirk Goldsberry

If Josh Hart hits his three-pointers consistently, the Knicks' offense becomes nearly unbeatable

If Josh Hart starts making threes, that's gonna put the Spurs in a tough position right away. And to your point, it might make The Knicks just unbeatable because The Knicks are the hottest offense in the league right now.

The outcome depends on Hart's performance and the Finals result.

He also put into perspective just how much a title would mean for Jalen Brunson. Forget just being a Knick legend; we’re talking about entering the pantheon of New York sports immortals.

Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30645
Kirk GoldsberryKirk Goldsberry

Jalen Brunson will reach Jeter-level status in New York if the Knicks win the NBA title

If they win this. This is like Jeter. He would be elevated to folklore status immediately. 'Cause this would be the most important championship in New York in a very, very long time for a fan base that's been starved.

The level of fandom for the Knicks makes this a reasonable cultural comparison.

Florida State’s Return to Glory

FSU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Luke Loucks made his studio debut and brought along the legendary 2020 "COVID Champion" banner that Big Cat has been obsessed with for years. The banner is officially staying in the Barstool office, and Coach Loucks was a great sport about the team’s weirdest piece of memorabilia.

Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30655
LL
Luke Loucks

The 2020 FSU basketball team was a Final Four caliber squad before the tournament was canceled

That team was rolling as probably a Final Four team. ... they had four draft picks, two lottery picks and two second round picks. ... they were loaded for a college team. And that's why they had a good amount of, like, to me, the best college team, best basketball teams. ... That team to me had it all.

A hypothetical tournament result is inherently subjective.

Coach Loucks also shared some insane stories from his time with the Warriors, specifically regarding the work ethic of Steph Curry. Hearing about Steph hitting 105 straight corner threes while Loucks was just trying to keep up as a young coach puts the greatness in perspective.

Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30647
LL
Luke Loucks

Steph Curry works harder on his conditioning than anyone in the history of sports

He works harder on his condition than anyone in basketball I've ever seen. And it's, it is nonstop... even before Play Style, I was teaching and coaching these guys... He ran off 67 straight threes... he runs off 105 straight corner threes. I'm like, what am I looking at? This is this, there is a few moments in that where as a young coach, like, what am I watching right now?

While 'hardest worker ever' is an opinion, Loucks's specific stories about 100+ consecutive made threes are widely corroborated anecdotes.

Bears Stadium and Hot Seat/Cool Throne

Big Cat took some time to vent about the never-ending disaster that is the Chicago Bears stadium situation. Between Indiana offering the world and Chicago politicians playing games, Big Cat is pointing the finger at the guy at the top.

Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30639
Big CatBig Cat

Bears President Kevin Warren is most to blame for the stadium debacle

If I went blame power ranking the blame, I'd say Kevin Warren one just because before Kevin Warren was hired, the Bears had purchased Arlington Heights... And it has gone sideways since then. I do think Kevin Warren is somehow bungled this whole thing because he's the one who's supposed to be... hired to seamlessly get this done.

The complexity of the stadium politics makes this an opinion-based judgment.

For Hot Seat/Cool Throne, PFT is getting back into his golf lab for the internet invitational, while Zac suggested a White House cage fight to settle the presidency. PFT, ever the D.C. native, is mostly worried about the humidity and the gnats.

Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The White House cage fight is a bad idea due to the oppressive D.C. heat and humidity in June

My concern with this... being from DC I can tell you that late June, mid to late June, oh it's gonna be hot outdoors. ... It's gonna be 90% humidity and you're gonna get gnats buzzing around your head. ... I think it's a bad idea.

This is an opinion on the quality of an event's setting.

To wrap it all up, the guys hit on the new College Football Playoff schedule, which Big Cat thinks was designed by someone who hates logic.

Void
Big CatBig Cat

The College Football Playoff schedule is poorly designed with a nonsensical month-long gap between rounds

The college football playoff schedule officially announced And it fucking sucks. January 25th is the national championship game. The first round is taking place over a month prior December 18th is the first game. That is so fucking stupid.

This is a subjective critique of scheduling.

Max capped off his redemption day by hitting his number 44 on the lottery ball machine, proving that sometimes the sun shines on a spicy meatball.

nba-finalsnfl-tradesfsubearslottery-ball

More Takes

Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30636
MaxMax

AJ Brown is arguably the best Eagles receiver of all time

He's probably the best Eagles receiver you can make the argument that he's the best Eagles receiver of all time. He's had two of the highest single season receiving yards in franchise history.

Statistically, Brown has some of the greatest seasons in franchise history, making him a legitimate candidate.
Void
Jun 3, 2026
#30650
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Patriots won the AJ Brown trade by acquiring a top-tier receiver without giving up a 2027 first-round pick

I think the Patriots won this trade to not even have to give up a, a first round pick next year is crazy. They, I hate to say it, I gotta go with Hank. I think the Patriots won this trade.

The 'winner' of a trade is inherently subjective and based on long-term performance and pick value.
Open
Jun 3, 2026·Picks
#30637
HankHank

The Spurs will win the NBA Finals in six games

Spurs in six... I think the Spurs have to win the first two games, though. I think if they have to go up two, nothing, and then they can get it done.

The outcome of the 2026 NBA Finals between the Spurs and Knicks is currently pending.
Open
Jun 3, 2026·Picks
#30638
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Knicks will win the NBA Finals in seven games with help from Adam Silver

I have Knicks in seven. I think we're gonna get a game seven. I think that Adam Silver is entering his David Stern era where he's making sure that these things happen... like the frozen envelope, just doing a big market a solid.

The outcome of the 2026 NBA Finals is pending.
Open
Jun 3, 2026
#30651
Big CatBig Cat

The Bears stadium dispute will eventually resolve with the team building in Arlington Heights

I still think if I had to go gun to my head, I still think there's a special meeting or whatever happens in the middle of the summer and they're like, alright enough of this shit. Arlington Heights.

The stadium saga is ongoing as of the episode date.
Open
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The smartest World Cup betting strategy is to bet a draw for every group stage game

I'm gonna bet a draw for every single game. And you can usually get decent odds. And there's always crazy draws in the opening groups where you have like really good teams that have just like a brain fart or let down spot... I'm gonna bet draw every game in group stage.

The 2026 World Cup results will determine the profitability of this strategy.
Void
ZacZac

The winner of the White House cage fight should automatically become the President

We're doing a fight club at the White House... I think that person should have to become president. The winner. You'd think they get elected on spot if you [win].

This is a satirical take on the intersection of MMA and politics.
Open
Jun 3, 2026
#30654
Kirk GoldsberryKirk Goldsberry

Cameron Boozer is the analytics favorite to be the number one pick in the 2026 NBA Draft

I'm Boozer curious at number one, dude. ... And all the nerds are, when you look at the draft models... Boozer comes up number one as his ability to Duke Kevin Love. ... He is sort of a boring, double-double machine.

The NBA Draft occurs in late June 2026.
Open
Jun 3, 2026
#30646
Kirk GoldsberryKirk Goldsberry

The Spurs will beat the Knicks in the NBA Finals in seven games

I am picking the San Antonio Spurs in seven games. But it was a tough pick... I'm picking the Spurs in seven and a real great classic series.

The outcome of the 2026 Finals is pending.
Open
Jun 3, 2026
#30656
LL
Luke Loucks

Incoming FSU freshman Marist Ponder will have a massive immediate impact on the court

From day one he's gonna be able to step in with a huge impact. ... He was the number four ranked center in the country coming outta high school. ... this kid is an animal. I mean, the way he works and his competitive nature.

Ponder's performance will be evaluated during the 2026-27 season.

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