PMT DB
PMT DB
Boban Marjanović and Bret Bielema on NBA Legacies, Recruits, and Game 7
Basketball fans everywhere finally got what they wanted: a Game 7. The Indiana Pacers absolutely dismantled the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6, and Big Cat and PFT are riding the high of the first NBA Finals Game 7 in nearly a decade. While the Pacers looked like the ultimate team with TJ McConnell and Obi Toppin leading the charge, the Thunder looked like they were already booking their flights back home. PFT is already setting the stakes for Sunday night, though he has a weird way of framing the pressure on SGA and company.
PFT CommenterGame 7 is a legacy game for the Thunder and Thunder Princess
I'm calling it tonight. This is a legacy game. Game seven for Thunder and Thunder Princess. This is what it's all about. ... If the Thunder win this game seven, then they're gonna have to answer questions for the rest of their lives about how they tarnished their legacy with this NBA championship.
Max wasn't as kind to the Thunder's young core, specifically taking aim at Chet Holmgren after a performance that left a lot to be desired.
MaxChet Holmgren is not the guy
[Chet Holmgren] is not the guy... not a guy.
Big Cat, ever the detective, noticed a strange coincidence involving the upcoming Netflix documentary *Starting 5*. With both Tyrese Haliburton and SGA being the focal points of the show, he couldn't help but wonder if the streaming giant had their thumb on the scale to ensure the series ended with the highest possible drama.
Big CatNetflix might have paid extra to rig the NBA Finals for the 'Starting 5' documentary
Do you think Netflix maybe paid extra to have this [Pacers vs. Thunder] be the finals matchup and a game seven? ... Netflix is two for two for getting the finals guy actually. Oh, okay. So yeah, I'm just saying, just throwing it out there.
The Business of Basketball and Baseball
Beyond the court, the business side of the NBA is getting weird. The Lakers recently sold at a $10 billion valuation, following a trend of iconic franchises like the Mavericks and Celtics changing hands. PFT thinks the timing is more than just a coincidence and might be a sign that the league's economic bubble is reaching its limit.
PFT CommenterIt is a red flag that prominent NBA owners are cashing out right now
Isn't it interesting that the Lakers got a screaming good deal on what's going to be the face of their franchise for the next 10, 15 years right before they sold? ... Mark Cuban sold the Dallas Mavericks, the Celtics got sold... Is that a good sign for every other owner if all the preeminent owners are selling their teams right now? ... Are we hitting the bubble?
Switching to the diamond, PFT is officially all-in on the Washington Nationals' rising star James Wood. After a massive walk-off, the hype train has left the station, and PFT is predicting a meteoric rise for the young lefty.
PFT CommenterJames Wood will be the face of baseball within two years
Buy all the James Wood stock that you can get right now. ... 22 years old. I think he's got 20 dingers right now. 50 some RBIs. ... I think we're gonna have a James Wood face of baseball conversation in the next two years.
Boban Marjanović: The Best Teammate in the World
One of the most beloved figures in sports, Boban Marjanović, joined the show to talk about his acting career, his love for soup, and his desire to get back into the NBA for a tenth season. Boban is a walking vibes factory, but he also reminded everyone that he isn't just a mascot—the numbers back up his impact on the floor.
Boban MarjanovićI am statistically a better basketball player than Kevin Durant and Steph Curry
Career player efficiency rating. [Big Cat: Yours is 25.3. It is higher than... Kevin Durant, Charles Barkley, Tim Duncan, magic Hakeem and Steph Curry.] ... Statistically you only show statistically we only show the numbers. This is the number.
Beyond the stats, Boban is convinced that if you combined the talent from the former Yugoslavia into one international squad, the United States wouldn't stand a chance on the world stage.
Boban MarjanovićA team of former Yugoslavia countries could beat the United States in basketball
I believe in that. We'll be really good. We'll be amazing. I know we can beat United States... I think we have big chance. It's not be like easy for [United] States to beat the team.
Before he left, Boban made his pitch to GMs across the league, noting that his presence is essentially a guaranteed trophy based on his recent international success.
Boban MarjanovićIf an NBA team wants to win a championship, they must sign me
If you want to win, you must sign Boban in the team. ... Winner. We even wait, we, we even go there. But we don't believe in that story too. It was like we just, we just, we just, we just throw the story there. And believe they'll bite.
Bret Bielema on the State of the Illini
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema stopped by the studio looking lean and ready for the Big 10 season. He opened up about his time with Bill Belichick, the infamous Iowa tattoo, and his specific philosophy on building a roster. When it comes to recruiting, Bielema doesn't just look at the kid; he looks at the family tree—specifically the uncles.
Bret BielemaThe best indicators for a recruit's success are the uncles on the mother's side
If you can meet mom and then if you meet one of her brothers. The uncles from mom's sides are usually the greatest indicators of what you're gonna get... DNA means a lot.
Bielema also stood his ground on his offensive philosophy. In an era where everyone wants to air it out like a video game, the coach remains a firm believer that you win in the trenches and by keeping the ball on the ground.
Bret BielemaTeams that throw it all over the place cannot win consistently
I think the balance of running... the teams that throw it all over the place, just you can't win consistently. You can get a hot hand, you got a great quarterback, maybe some receivers, but you can't win consistently.
Fyre Fest and the Connor McDavid Situation
Things are getting tense in Edmonton. Following their heartbreaking loss, rumors are swirling about Connor McDavid's future with the Oilers. Big Cat thinks the fan base might actually be at peace with him moving on if the front office can't build a winner, but he warned that the team cannot afford to let him walk for nothing.
Big CatThe Oilers cannot allow Connor McDavid to hit free agency
If they are going to move on from him, they gotta do it now because they can get a lot for him right now. He's got one year left. Like, you can't, you can't let him be a free agent.
Big CatOilers fans will not blame Connor McDavid if he leaves Edmonton
Conor McDavid is such a special talent. I'm wondering if there's maybe parts of the Oiler fan base... If he did leave, I bet you there'd be some Oilers fans who'd be like, we don't blame you. You've done everything you can for the Oilers and they just aren't able to put the full team around him.
We wrapped things up with Fyre Fest of the week, featuring an update from Hank at Pebble Beach and a heated debate over ice cream cones and salty nuts. Big Cat is officially out on the sugar cone as a vessel for soft serve.
Big CatSugar cones with soft serve ice cream is crazy
I think sugar cones with soft serve is crazy. I think it's crazy. Soft serve ice cream will drip. ... Sugar cone's guaranteed dripping. ... Sugar cone is a classic ice cream cone [for scoops], not a soft serve cone.
Meanwhile, PFT and Max got surprisingly passionate about the quality of nuts. While PFT is planting his flag on Pistachio Mountain, Max is just looking for the highest sodium content possible to ruin his blood pressure.
PFT CommenterPistachios are a grand slam nut
I would put pistachio on my Mount Rushmore of nuts. ... Peanut is a double off the wall. I enjoy peanuts. But you talk about a grand slam, now we're talking pistachios. ... It might be my favorite nut.
MaxUnsalted nuts suck; the saltier the better
Unsalted nuts suck. ... There's nothing worse than when you see like a, a thing of nuts and you take a little handful and it's unsalted nuts. Oh, unsalted nuts suck. No saltier the better.
Good luck to Hank’s scorecard and everyone’s liver this weekend.
