PMT DB
PMT DB
Paul Bissonnette on Playoff Hockey, Phil’s PGA Win, and Big Cat’s New Baby
The energy in the studio was electric this Monday, mostly because Big Cat is officially a twice-dad and Phil Mickelson just pulled off the unthinkable at Kiawah Island. As members of Team Brooks, it was a bittersweet weekend, but watching a 50-year-old Lefty outdrive kids half his age while rocking those truck-stop sunglasses was objectively awesome. PFT noted that for a certain demographic of golf fans, this was basically a spiritual awakening.
PFT CommenterPhil Mickelson's victory is the 'Burning Man for Gen Xers'
Standing next to Phil Mickelson, like what you saw in the 18th hole, that's Burning Man for Gen Xers. That's as close as they'll get to taking drugs and going to a music festival and discovering their inner selves for three days.
While the world celebrated Phil, the guys had to stay loyal to their guy, Brooks Koepka. Despite the second-place finish, the vibes remain high for the rest of the major season. Hank is already looking ahead, convinced that a fully healthy Brooks would have turned the tournament into a blowout.
HankBrooks Koepka would have won the PGA Championship by 15 strokes if his knee was healthy
[Brooks Koepka's] knee is hurting him, and he wasn't able to get all the way low to read putts, and the putter is what kind of killed him today and this weekend. So Ipso facto, he probably would have won this tournament by 15 strokes if his knee was okay.
Turning to the hardwood, the NBA playoffs officially kicked off and the Nets looked every bit the juggernaut people feared. Even though the Celtics hung around for a half, the sheer shot-making of Brooklyn’s stars felt inevitable. Big Cat pointed out that while KD and Kyrie get the headlines, the beard is the one making the engine purr.
Big CatJames Harden is the 'straw that stirs the drink' for the Nets
He's [James Harden] the guy who keeps it going because when he was out, they were a different team. He's a straw that stirs the drink.
HankThe Celtics vs. Nets series is basically over after Game 1
Obviously, the Celtics lost. That first half, though. They had a great first half. They had a chance. Kemba Walker played terribly in the second half, and the series is basically over. Sweep. Maybe gentlemen's sweep.
In the East, the Bucks and Heat are already providing the physical, grinding series we expected. After a wild Game 1 that saw Giannis nearly get whistled for a 10-second violation on every free throw, Big Cat is convinced this one is going the distance.
Big CatThe Heat vs. Bucks series is going seven games
The Heat, Bucks, I think that's going seven. Giannis [free throws]... Well, not in 10 seconds.
Down in Philly, Ben Simmons put up a stat line that was so uniquely Ben Simmons it almost defied logic. He dominated every facet of the game without actually putting the ball in the hoop, leading Big Cat to crown him with a very specific title.
Big CatBen Simmons is the greatest basketball player who cannot score of all time
He went six points, 15 rebounds, 15 assists. He might be the greatest basketball player who cannot score of all time. He's broken the game. He can't score. You would think that it would be impossible for a guy that is bad at shooting to be an elite basketball player. But he's somehow figured out a way to be insanely good at basketball while also not scoring points.
LeBron James also provided his usual playoff theatrics during the Lakers' loss to the Suns. After a scuffle broke out, LeBron managed to find his way to the center of the action just to collapse again and ensure the cameras caught his "pretty much broken" shoulder. Despite the Game 1 loss, Big Cat isn't blinking when it comes to the Lakers' prospects in Game 2.
Big CatThe Lakers money line in Game 2 against the Suns is the lock of my lifetime
I responsibly, 1-800-GAMBLER, if you have a problem, I think the Lakers game two is the lock of my lifetime. I think LeBron will answer. And AD, like we said, he forgets that he's a seven-footer. He thinks he's a mouse. He's an elephant. The Lakers will be fine in this series, and LeBron will start dominating, and it will all be for naught.
PFT CommenterThe Suns will win their first-round series against the Lakers
I disagree with you. I think the Suns are going to win. I think they're going to win the series. I've just been down this path too many times. It's just too many times for LeBron to give up game one and to be like, oh, there it is.
Madison Square Garden was finally rocking again for the Knicks, and even though Trae Young silenced the crowd with a late game-winner, the atmosphere felt like a return to form for New York. Big Cat argued that getting your heart ripped out by an opposing superstar is actually the most authentic Knicks experience possible.
Big CatThe epitome of Knicks basketball being 'back' is a star player ripping their souls out at the Mecca
Isn't the epitome of Knicks basketball being back is to have an awesome player go to the Mecca and just rip the soul out of all Knicks fans? That's kind of Knicks basketball, at least since I've been alive. That actually should feel really back.
Big CatThe Knicks will win their first-round series against the Hawks
I do think the Knicks are going to win this series. I do think they'll make adjustments. And I love that the Mecca leads the league in dudes rocking jerseys with nothing underneath. It's fucking awesome.
Our good friend Paul Bissonnette joined the show to talk all things Stanley Cup playoffs, and he did so while intermittently napping on the studio couch. Biz broke down the terrifying incident involving John Tavares and discussed the "Vegas Flu," though he insists playoff intensity usually cures any desire to hit the strip.
Paul BissonnetteThe 'Vegas Flu' is real during the regular season but players lock it in for the playoffs
Vegas flu is real during the regular season. ... No, playoff times, you guys lock it in. You're an absolute degenerate if you're chasing it in playoffs. I think there's enough times during the regular season where you can kind of unload.
Big CatJohn Tavares will be out for the remainder of the NHL playoffs
And also that John Tavares got hurt and is probably out. Do you think he's out for the playoffs? I would assume. I don't know.
Before heading back to his nap, Biz gave his final prediction for who will be hoisting the Cup when the dust settles, though his understanding of North American geography left PFT and Big Cat a little confused.
Paul BissonnetteThe Stanley Cup Final will be the Colorado Avalanche vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning
I would say Colorado, Tampa in the finals. So Tampa will be going for it back to back. ... I would say Colorado, Tampa, and that would be good for hockey. Two Southern markets in the United States thriving.
Paul BissonnetteColorado is a Southern team because it is south of the Canadian border
Based on the North American scale, Colorado is considered Southern. No, he's saying in the middle of the country, not North America. You're saying North America? I meant all the teams in play, they're one of the southern teams. Anything south of the Canadian border is southern.
To wrap things up, Big Cat shared the heartwarming story of his son meeting his new baby sister and immediately trying to gift her a dog toy. It’s officially #GirlDad season in the Barstool office.
Don't let the door hit you on the way out, unless you're a cicada looking for a recipe.
