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Spurs Win Game 7, Knicks and Finals With Mike Breen, SCF With Keith Yandle Plus Who’s Back Of The Week

Monday, June 1, 202624 takes · Transcript ↓

Spurs take Game 7 and get to the NBA Finals. We talk everything from Saturday night, Wemby’s emotional response, Chet’s no show and more (-). Champions League final and it seems like the whole world hates Arsenal (-). Who’s back of the week including Bryson being a weirdo and PCA going tarps off (-). Mike Breen joins the show to talk NBA Finals, his love for the Knicks and being unbiased, analytically banging the Spurs more and the time his career almost ended in the 94 Finals with the Knicks (-). Keith Yandle joins the show to break down the Stanley Cup Final, what makes the Hurricanes so hard to play, the Knights ruthless organization and how they keep winning and more (-). We finish with lottery ballsYou 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 San Antonio Spurs are officially back. After a grueling seven-game series against the Thunder, Wemby and the Spurs have punched their ticket to the Finals to face the New York Knicks. Big Cat and PFT are buzzing about the matchup, especially the way San Antonio refused to blink in Game 7. While SGA was doing everything humanly possible for OKC, the Spurs' youth and fearless defense—highlighted by a massive Luke Kornet block—ultimately carried the day. Big Cat couldn't help but notice how one specific big man seemed to shrink as the lights got brighter.

Win
Jun 1, 2026
#30612
Big CatBig Cat

Chet Holmgren was emasculated and scared of the moment in Game 7

I've never seen anyone get more like emasculated and scared of the moment than Chet Holmgren in this series. And specifically in game seven. I What do you guys think? He says after the game in the locker room, do you think he's like, like does he try to crack a joke being like, man, he really is seven five.

Chet's stats and tentative play in the fourth quarter of Game 7 support the observation of him being overwhelmed.

PFT noted that the intensity was personal, especially between the two young bigs. The rivalry is already at a fever pitch despite these teams being so young, largely because it feels like one side is playing with a vendetta.

Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30613
Big CatBig Cat

Victor Wembanyama genuinely hates Chet Holmgren

Wemby hates Chet's guts. Like truly, truly hates him. I think if Chet could go back in time, he would give back that under 17 World Cup Gold medal because that was the start of the Wemby being like, I'm going to destroy Chet Holmgren's life. And it's just not reciprocated by Chet whatsoever.

While their on-court intensity suggests a rivalry, claiming 'genuine hate' is a subjective interpretation of competition.

The Knicks' Final Hurdle

Transitioning to the Eastern Conference, Big Cat is fully bought into the Knicks' magic. Between the Villanova chemistry and the depth of scoring options, he sees a team that is built to finally bring a title back to the Garden. The conversation turned to how OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson will have to handle the impossible task of guarding Victor Wembanyama, but the confidence levels in the studio are at an all-time high.

Open
Jun 1, 2026
#30615
Big CatBig Cat

The Knicks will win the 2026 NBA Finals

I'm getting more and more confident The Knicks gonna win this series. I really do. I I, I was thinking about it last night... The Knicks are completely different in the fact that it feels like everyone can score with The Knicks right now.

The NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs have not yet concluded as of the episode date.

Big Cat even found a way to bridge his Big East obsession with the Finals, pointing out that the conference is well-represented on the game's biggest stage.

Push
Jun 1, 2026
#30616
Big CatBig Cat

Half the starters in the 2026 NBA Finals played in the Big East

Big East stat. Yeah. Big great. Sta sta half the starters in the NBA finals played in the Big East. Great stat. It's pretty good stat.

It is technically 4 out of 10 starters (Brunson, Hart, Bridges for NY; Castle for SA), making the 'half' claim slightly incorrect.

Mike Breen on the Garden Buzz

The legendary Mike Breen joined the show to discuss the surreal feeling of calling a Knicks Finals. Growing up a diehard fan in New York, Breen admitted the electricity in the city is unlike anything he's ever seen. He touched on Jalen Brunson’s legacy and how the star point guard has completely altered the trajectory of the franchise.

Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30621
Mike BreenMike Breen

Jalen Brunson is already in the conversation as one of the all-time great Knicks

He's in the conversation as one of the greats. Can I put him ahead of Clyde or Patrick Ewing? I I think that might be early even though he wins the title. Not only that, but when he arrived, they were on one of the darkest stretches that the franchise has ever been on... He's absolutely in the conversation.

Brunson's status as a Knicks great is widely accepted given his All-NBA seasons and deep playoff runs.

Big Cat and PFT tried to help Breen stay impartial by suggesting a "bang-a-meter" to ensure the Spurs get their fair share of signature calls. Breen also broke down why he thinks Mike Brown’s leadership style has been the secret sauce for this specific Knicks run.

Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30629
Mike BreenMike Breen

Mike Brown is the most collaborative coach in the NBA.

Mike Brown, who is, he's the most collaborative coach I've ever watched in covering the NBA. He's so open to suggestions and not just from assistant coaches, from the players. And not only is he open to the suggestions, he's not afraid to install them and try them.

Subjective evaluation of coaching styles.

Keith Yandle Previews the Cup

Our good friend Keith Yandle stopped by to break down the Knights vs. Hurricanes Stanley Cup Final. Yandle admitted he used to hate watching Carolina's style of play, but he’s finally come around on the "old school" grit that Rod Brind'Amour has instilled in that locker room.

Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30623
Keith YandleKeith Yandle

The Hurricanes are a true old-school hockey team

I've totally switched my tune on them. The way that they play... Rod the Ball fun group to watch just 'cause they all play the same way. They're like a true old school hockey team that everyone, you know, the saying, everyone ropes, everybody rides, nobody rides for free.

This describes the team's known identity and culture.

On the other side, the guys discussed the Vegas Golden Knights' ruthless approach to winning. Whether it's firing coaches mid-season or trading away franchise icons, the Knights have proven they only care about the trophy. Yandle thinks that cutthroat culture—combined with the draw of playing in a tax-free, low-media-scrutiny market—has made them a powerhouse.

Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30631
Keith YandleKeith Yandle

NHL players increasingly prefer playing for Southern markets so they don't have to deal with intense 24/7 media scrutiny.

Guys don't want to be in these big time markets where you're getting, like Mitch Marner for example, like he's in Toronto... I think the draw of playing in those big cities is, has came down a little bit and you know, guys wanna live in nice weather... But if you're in Tampa or Fort Lauderdale or Vegas or even more South Colorado, like those, those, those guys can, they can, they can live their lives and and also enjoy the, the fruits and labor of being in the NHL.

Subjective opinion on player psychology and preferences.

When it came time for predictions, Yandle is riding with the mojo in Vegas. He thinks the combination of experience and their ability to find "erasing" defenders like Keandre Miller will be too much for the Canes to handle over a long series.

Open
Jun 1, 2026
#30626
Keith YandleKeith Yandle

The Golden Knights will win the Stanley Cup in six games

I'm going Vegas in six. I hope it goes seven, but I'm going Vegas in six. I I think they, I think they got the mojo going right now and at the end of the day, man, can you, can you root against your guy Liam Blattman?

The 2026 Stanley Cup Final results are pending as of the show date.

Who's Back and the Madden Curse

The show wrapped up with a heated Who's Back of the Week. Hank went after the NCAA for potentially expanding the tournament, while Zac brought some Chicago-centric anxiety to the table regarding the new Madden cover. With Caleb Williams reportedly gracing the front of Madden 27, the fear of the curse is officially back in the Windy City.

Open
Jun 1, 2026·Who's Back
#30620
ZacZac

Caleb Williams will be on the cover of Madden 27

My who's back this week is gonna be the Ice Man. Caleb Williams... the they elite. The the Madden cover for this year. Madden 27. Caleb's on the cover, I guess could be depending on, Hey, look at it. Some guys believe in the Madden Curse, some don't.

The Madden 27 cover would typically be announced in summer 2026, so this remains pending.

Between the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup, and the start of Mount Rushmore season just two weeks away, it’s officially the best time of year to be a sports fan.

Good luck to the Knicks, but keep an eye on the Spurs—Wemby might just be the "Great Discourager" the Garden isn't ready for.

nba-finalsstanley-cupknicksspursgolden-knightshurricanes

More Takes

Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30608
Big CatBig Cat

Victor Wembanyama is the current face of the NBA

Wemby is the future face. He is the future face of league. I think the current, maybe even current face of this league.

While subjective, Wemby's rise to the NBA Finals in his third year supports his status as a primary league focus.
Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30609
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Luke Kornet is the greatest chase-down blocker in NBA playoff history.

I think it's like when you're talking about chase down blocks in the playoffs, it's Luke Kornet, then it's everybody else.

Subjective, though clearly heavily exaggerated.
Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30610
MaxMax

Luke Kornet's block on Isaiah Hartenstein was a foul on the body.

That's a fucking foul. Oh, here we go. On the body. Look at his, look at his mid section goes right into his dick.

Subjective refereeing interpretation.
Win
Jun 1, 2026
#30611
Big CatBig Cat

I'm not that impressed by Victor Wembanyama's athleticism because of his height

I'm not that impressed by Wemby because he's the one guy in the NBA who, if I, if Wemby had my athleticism, he could still dunk. I looked it up. It's like four inches. You gotta jump four inches.

Wemby's standing reach is 9'7", meaning he literally only needs to jump 5 inches to touch the rim.
Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30614
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Losing to the Spurs in seven games is more impressive than the Thunder winning the title last year

Losing to the Spurs in seven is way more impressive than beating the Pacers in seven in the NBA finals. This thunder team better than last year's team. A hundred percent.

The 2025 Thunder won the title over the Pacers in 7; the 2026 Thunder lost in the WCF. Comparing the 'impressiveness' of a loss vs a title is subjective.
Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30617
Big CatBig Cat

The NBA needs to stop calling fouls to stop flopping

Stop calling all the f like don't call as many fouls and guys will stop flopping because it's a disadvantage when you fall on the ground. Players are gonna do it if they think they can get an advantage. The refs Adam Silver fix it.

This is a subjective proposal for league rule changes.
Open
Jun 1, 2026·Who's Back
#30628
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Bryson DeChambeau will be the first person to volunteer for a Neuralink brain implant to improve his golf game.

My prediction is he's gonna have Neuralink implanted into his brain somewhere. He will be like in the first he'll, he will volunteer himself to be like a, a Guinea pig for that.

Pending whether Bryson gets a brain implant.
Void
Jun 1, 2026·Who's Back
#30618
HankHank

The NCAA has already ruined the tournament by expanding it

The NCAA tournament's. I mean, basically gonna be ruined from here on out 70, 72 teams or whatever it is. And it's just gonna keep getting more and more. I would much rather it be 64 teams. Like that's crazy. I'm not, I don't want it to be the way it is.

The tournament did expand, and the 'ruined' status is purely a matter of preference.
Win
Jun 1, 2026·Who's Back
#30619
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The USMNT's 3-2 win over Senegal is a sign for optimism

We beat the Africa Cup co champions kind of Senegal today in a friendly three to two... utter domination. This should make you at least a little bit optimistic about what the team could look like. I would give us a b plus.

In this 2026 timeline, the US beating Senegal 3-2 is stated as a fact within the show's universe.
Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30622
Mike BreenMike Breen

A Knicks championship would be the #1 sports moment for New York City

I think it'd be number one... for the city. It's such a basketball town... to think that it's been 53 years since they won it all, that would just be over the top. I think it would be number one.

Subjective ranking of sports significance.
Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30630
Mike BreenMike Breen

The Knicks and Spurs matching up in the NBA Cup Final will have zero impact on their NBA Finals series.

I love the NBA cup, but its impact on this series is nil nothing... both teams are so dramatically different. I mean, that's way, that's many months ago. The Knicks are so much better, but so are the Spurs so much better.

Subjective opinion on momentum and game film transferability.
Win
Jun 1, 2026
#30624
Keith YandleKeith Yandle

The Golden Knights are a ruthless and cutthroat organization

Vegas is very, very cutthroat and they've proven that... if you're not producing for it, they'll get rid of you... They trading all their draft picks because they wanna win. They wanna win now. And I, I don't see it stopping.

Vegas's history of trading favorites like Fleury and Marchessault supports this 'ruthless' reputation.
Void
Jun 1, 2026
#30625
Keith YandleKeith Yandle

Mitch Marner will be the player everyone in hockey roots for to win the Cup

I think everybody in hockey except for Toronto, people are rooting for Mitch... with the abuse that he's taken in the media, I think he's a guy you want, you wanna see him win that cup... He just looks like he's playing with the house's money right now.

In this timeline, Marner is a Golden Knight. Rooting interest is subjective.
Open
Jun 1, 2026
#30627
MaxMax

The Golden Knights will sweep the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final

Knights in four. Knights in four. Yep. Nice. VG, K All Retweet Knight and four. Okay. Nice.

The results of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final are pending.

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