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Scott Van Pelt and Mike Portnoy

Friday, June 16, 201722 takes

It is officially Mt Rushmore season. The guys talk about their trip up to ESPN on Thursday plus Mayweather/McGregor and the US Open ( - ). Scott Van Pelt joins the show to discuss the Mt Rushmore of bald people ( - ). The people's lawyer, Mike Portnoy, joins the show to debate the Mt Rushmore of life's minor inconveniences ( - ). Segments include 15 seconds with Rick Pitino. Trouble in Paradise Lebron vs Draymond, Respect the Biz for Odell Beckham's new cleats, Sabemetrics for Lavar Ball's new autographed trading cards, and Jimbo's of the week.

SVP and Mike Portnoy on Mount Rushmore Season Kickoff

Mount Rushmore season is officially here. For the uninitiated, this is the most glorious time of the year where the sports calendar empties out and Big Cat and PFT Commenter embrace debate to fill the void. To kick things off, the guys welcomed two legends from the Mount Rushmore of recurring guests to tackle two very specific lists. But before the drafts began, the talk of the town was the official announcement of the Mayweather-McGregor fight.

While the world is buzzing, PFT isn't pulling any punches about what this means for the sport of boxing if the Irishman actually pulls it off.

Void
Jun 16, 2017
#19756
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

If Conor McGregor beats Floyd Mayweather, boxing should just jump off a cliff

If McGregor wins, boxing should just jump off a cliff. This is the only time, at least that I can remember, that if one person wins in a matchup, he has the ability to defeat an entire sport. Just close an entire sport down.

Floyd Mayweather won the fight via TKO, so the 'entire sport' of boxing was spared this fate.

Big Cat and Hank were right there with him, though Big Cat admitted that despite knowing better, he's already preparing to set his money on fire by betting on the underdog. Hank thinks the world is ready for the chaos.

Void
Jun 16, 2017
#28206
HankHank

The whole world would benefit from Conor McGregor beating Floyd Mayweather

The world needs McGregor to win. That would be the best. The whole world would benefit from McGregor winning.

This is a subjective opinion about the entertainment value of a sports outcome.
Loss
Jun 16, 2017
#19757
Big CatBig Cat

Mayweather vs. McGregor will likely end in a disappointing decision that leaves everyone regretting the purchase

Because I've watched every Mayweather fight in the last decade, I'm going to say it's probably going to be a decision. We're all going to be disappointed and be like, damn, why did we pay $200 for that?

Mayweather won by TKO in the 10th round, not a decision.

The Mount Rushmore of Bald People with Scott Van Pelt

Scott Van Pelt joined the show to draft the definitive Mount Rushmore of bald people. The draft got off to a hot start with SVP taking the ultimate bald icon, Michael Jordan. He even shared the moment he realized his own hair journey was over after a blunt assessment from a friend in a Vegas pool.

Void
Scott Van PeltScott Van Pelt

Michael Jordan is the GOAT

Michael Jordan. The GOAT.

The GOAT debate is inherently subjective.

Naturally, the conversation turned to LeBron James and his ongoing struggle with his hairline. SVP has seen enough athletes go through the stages of grief to know where this ends for the King.

Win
Scott Van PeltScott Van Pelt

LeBron James is still fighting his inevitable baldness but will eventually have to give in

See, [LeBron] is fighting it. He's really still fighting it. Eventually, he'll come home, but he's putting up the good fight.

LeBron eventually began shaving his head much closer/completely bald in various off-seasons and later years.

Life's Minor Inconveniences with Mike Portnoy

The people's lawyer, Mike Portnoy, joined the show for a relatable Mount Rushmore of life's minor inconveniences. While PFT shared his hatred for airport Wi-Fi and Spirit Airlines, Mr. Portnoy went deep on the struggles of the aging man, including the "pocket issues" that arise when your fanny pack starts sliding down to your knees.

Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

I would rather get attacked by a dog than fly on Spirit or Allegiant Air

Spirit and Allegiant Air, I would rather get attacked by a dog than fly on any one of those airlines.

This is a hyperbolic subjective preference.

Big Cat brought up the absolute nightmare of switching cable companies, a process so painful he'd rather uproot his entire life to avoid it.

Void
Big CatBig Cat

I would rather move across the country to keep my current cable provider than move down the street and have to change it

I'd rather pick up all my stuff and move across country if I could keep my cable providers than move down the street if I had to change them.

This is a hyperbolic subjective preference.

Mr. Portnoy agreed, pointing out that being in the business of confusing your customers is actually a brilliant, if frustrating, business model.

Void
Mr. PortnoyMr. Portnoy

Cell phone and cable companies are the best businesses because customers are ignorant but need the product

There are two businesses that you really should be in... the cell phone business and in the cable business. Because when you are in a business where the customers don't understand what it's all about, what the bills are all about, but they need it, what better business could that be?

This is a subjective business philosophy.

Hank rounded out the draft with his tech frustrations, specifically the conspiracy surrounding iPhone chargers and the absolute mess that is the current state of credit card machines.

Loss
HankHank

Apple purposefully sells iPhone chargers that break so you have to buy more

My number one [minor inconvenience] is buying iPhone chargers from, like, a gas station, and then when you plug them in, they just don't work... [Steve Jobs] basically has made a charger that cannot be duplicated... They have chargers that you can charge your iPhone once and it's just charged forever. They just won't sell them to us.

While planned obsolescence is a debated topic, the claim of a 'forever' charger is factually unfounded.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

We should bring back shoplifting until credit card machines are streamlined

I'm going to bring back shoplifting. Just stealing from gas stations. Until they figure themselves out. I don't want to wait in line to pay for something. Martial law.

This is a satirical suggestion.

Trouble in Paradise and Respecting the Biz

The segments were loaded, starting with Rick Pitino facing a five-game suspension and the potential removal of Louisville's 2013 championship banner. Big Cat and PFT spent a quick 15 seconds honoring the coach in their own special way before moving on to the burgeoning feud between Draymond Green and LeBron James.

Win
Jun 16, 2017
#19766
Big CatBig Cat

Louisville will likely have to take down their 2013 championship banner

The sanctions just came down... Five ACC games. And it looks like they might have to take down the banner for the 2013 championship team. We don't know yet.

In 2018, the NCAA officially vacated Louisville's 2013 National Championship title.

Big Cat is fully leaning into Draymond's role as the "all-time classic heel" and hopes the Instagram back-and-forth continues all summer long, even if PFT thinks Draymond might cross a line eventually.

Loss
Jun 16, 2017
#28210
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Draymond Green will eventually take his trash talk too far and start calling LeBron James' children ugly

I can see Draymond getting way, way, way too mean in the next class... Like Draymond might post pictures of his kids and be like, your kids are ugly. Like Draymond is a guy that takes it way too far too fast.

While the rivalry remained heated, Draymond did not publicly attack LeBron's children in this manner.

In Respect the Biz, the guys looked at Odell Beckham Jr.’s new media-trolling cleats. While the papers are ready to jump on him for skipping voluntary OTAs, Big Cat defended the Giants star as a true pro who is just there to do his job.

Loss
Big CatBig Cat

Odell Beckham Jr. is actually a workmanlike professional who just goes about his business

I'm kind of on Odell's side here because those newspapers and all those media outlets have unfairly criticized him. He's just a guy who goes about his business, doesn't make things about him... Workmanlike. Punch in, punch out. So I'm on his side.

OpinionFootballHotSarcastic
This is a satirical characterization that contradicts OBJ's actual high-profile behavior at the time.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Every season is ass-eating season

It never goes out of season. Well, maybe like the dog days or something. August is not for asses. Asses are like Europe. They just take August off.

This is a recurring comedy bit, not a verifiable claim.

Jimbo's of the Week

The show closed with a heavy dose of Jimbos, including a scientist who accidentally put his lab on lockdown after a particularly potent fart and a caddy who got fired while drunk, forgot, and went back to get fired again while sober the next day. However, the most haunting Jimbo came from a listener who had to be saved by his fiancée using the Heimlich maneuver.

Void
Jun 16, 2017·Jimbos
#28212
Big CatBig Cat

I would rather die than have my fiancée save my life with the Heimlich maneuver

I'd rather die. I'd rather die. You can't have someone just walking around being like, I saved your life.

OpinionLifeHotSubjectiveSarcastic
This is a hyperbolic subjective preference.

Just remember to check your liver markers and keep the fanny pack straps tight.

mount-rushmoremayweather-mcgregorrick-pitinolebron-jamesdraymond-greenodell-beckham-jr

More Takes

Loss
Jun 16, 2017
#19758
Big CatBig Cat

I am going to bet on Conor McGregor because my dumb brain will talk me into it

I'm going to break the news now. I'm going to bet McGregor because my dumb brain will talk myself into it. I'm looking forward to knowing I shouldn't bet him and knowing that he's going to lose and still doing it.

McGregor lost the fight, so the bet was a loser.
Void
Jun 16, 2017
#28207
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Phil Mickelson shouldn't have taken a spot in the US Open if he wasn't committed to playing

I feel bad for all the kids and their families up there in Wisconsin that they get one chance a year to see their favorite golfer. And the dads probably buy tickets... And then big superstar decides to sit this one out. That doesn't happen in other sports.

This is a subjective moral judgment delivered with comedic intent.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

The 'full sock overhaul' is a life-changing hack where you throw out all socks and buy 60 identical pairs

I did this a couple years ago. It changed my entire life... I called it a full sock overhaul. And I threw out all my socks, and I went and I bought the exact same pair of socks. I bought like 60 of them. So that way you can never actually lose one.

This is a personal lifestyle choice and subjective hack.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

Elon Musk should stop trying to get to Mars and focus on giving us retina credit cards

Elon Musk, if you're listening to this and we know you are, quit trying to get to Mars, you fucking nerd. Just give us retina credit cards.

While biometric payments exist now, Musk did not pivot to this; he continued his Mars focus.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Draymond Green is an all-time classic heel

I'm a big fan of [Draymond Green]... all-time classic heel. He had a shirt that said Quickie in the Quicken Loans font... I need this feud, though, to keep going... because I think Draymond clearly gets under LeBron's skin.

This is a subjective evaluation of a player's persona.
Loss
Jun 16, 2017
#28211
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Brandon Marshall will take Odell Beckham Jr. under his wing this season as a major media storyline

I think that Brandon Marshall, because he's big under my wing guy, he's going to take Odell under his wing. That's going to be a storyline this summer. Take him under his wing, show him how to keep his cool.

Brandon Marshall's season ended after just five games due to injury, and the mentor storyline did not become a defining theme of the season.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

LaVar Ball is on a mission to sell the shittiest products for the highest prices possible

I think LaVar Ball is on a mission to sell the shittiest products for the highest prices possible. Yes, the least desirable products. It's actually a smart move of him, though, to limit the number that he could sell this time.

This is a subjective interpretation of a business strategy.

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