S4 E9 NY Knicks Are NBA Champions!

S4 E10 Jets 2026 Training Camp Preview/Off Season Recap: Special Guest Paul "Boy Green" Esden Jr.

Segment 1: Paul's experience at the NFL Draft (starts at 1:41) * He was in the "Pit," just a few away from the draft stage; one of only 11 fans in these pits per NFL team * Historic draft: three first round picks; huge fan of the event, important to Jets fans * Loves concept of the event being held in different cities Segment 2: Insights of the Jets 2026 NFL Draft (8:50) * Jets draft observations * Goal going in: find 4 starters...check * Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech will start after team was 31st in sacks last season * Paul preferred Avril Reese, Ohio State, post-draft comments that Reese was not coached much in college * Forever link: Bailey's and Reese's careers will be inextricably linked after Giants drafted Reese No. 5; both playing in same market, stadium * TE Kenyon Sadiq will start, missed all of minicamp and last week of OTAs, expected to be ready for training camp * WR Omar Cooper, Jr. another weapon for Frank Reich, Geno Smith * CB D'Angelo Ponds, likely to be penciled in as slot CB * Jets traded up 18 spots for rookie QB Cade Klubnik, most in franchise draft history; Paul supportive of the move; taking a swing on Day 3 of the draft low-risk, high-reward decision * 3 possibilities for Klubnik's career according to Paul (40 career college starts) * Paul has confidence in the new Jets offensive coaching staff to develop a QB; Frank Reich has forgotten more football than most people know * All agree it's a good plan to take a QB in every NFL Draft for competition, eventually will find a gem * Paul shares his interesting personal approach to meeting new people Segment 3: Current Roster Construction (28:55) * Free Agent Moves * Paul loved improvements on D line especially DT David Onyemata, strong run stuffer * Wanted vet LB Demario Davis to rejoin the team for the third go-round (leadership and set personal mark for most tackles in a season) * Loves Chicago DB Nashon Wright signing -- turnover machine last season; had success in Bears system, expected to be the same being installed with Jets * Trades * High on bringing in S Minkah Fitzpatrick for 7th round pick; played HS football in NJ * Edge Jermaine Johnson sent to Tennessee for run-stuffing DT D'Vontre Sweat * Challenge stopping the run when Bailey and Edge Will McDonald IV are on the field at the same time? * Offense * Optimism for improvement: Two first round investments, Breece Hall resigned, a long extension for RG/C Joe Tippman, upgrade at QB, Geno Smith capable of running the offense, brought in new LT from Raiders, Dylan Parham * Geno highly accurate as a starter past 3-4 seasons * Team high on WR AD Mitchell who is good at getting separation * Have added weapons and speed (Sadiq a matchup nightmare) * OC Frank Reich loves using TEs in his offensive packages * Discussion around Geno's recent off the field challenges * Backup QB options to add: slim pickens, opps will increase during the preseason * Saints backup Spencer Rattler intriguing option * Field goal kicker a position to watch after letting steady vet Nick Folk leave for Atlanta; with $27M of salary cap space available, head scratcher to be $1M apart in negotiations for K who led the league three years in a row Segment 4: Major Challenge for HC Aaron Glenn going into season 2 (1:08) * Incorporating 10 new coaches, roughly half the staff * Week 1 important: after 0-7 start last year, and playing former coach Robert Saleh, getting a win would be huge leading into playing the tough NFC North in games 2-4; set the tone at 1-0! New era, get buy in Segment 5: Training Camp Priorities (1:15) * Stay healthy! Garrett Wilson, O line, QB * Aaron Glenn operational plan to get ready to both be head coach/CEO and call the defensive plays; show competency * Good gauge of progress: joint practices with Tampa Bay * Be competitive

S4 E9 NY Knicks Are NBA Champions!

Segment 1: The chronology of a championship (starts at 1:31) * First title since 1973, one of the most dominant playoff runs in NBA history (15-3, 13 wins in a row) * Leon Rose hired as head of basketball operations as the architect in March, 2020 * Signed Jalen Brunson as a free agent, traded for Josh Hart from the TrailBlazers, OG Anunoby arrived from Toronto (trade), traded 5 No. 1 picks -- 4 wasn't enough? -- for Mikal Bridges, fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, hired Mike Brown, final piece of championship piece was the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns * You could call this team the (Villa)nova Knicks (Brunson, Hart and Bridges played together at Villanova and won two NCAA championships...Brunson and Bridges 2, Hart 1) Segment 2: Thoughts on Game 5, Series (14:03) * Spurs have great talent and a very bright future * Expect Wemby to get bigger, stronger and better conditioned, needs to make better shot selections * Horrific, one-sided officiating throughout the series, protecting Wemby * Wemby committed some fouls that would be considered a penalty in hockey, obvious flagrant fouls not called so he would not miss a game (another flagrant and he would have served a one game suspension) * Spurs the more talented team, but the best player/closer on the floor was Jalen Brunson (45 points in Game 5, most in franchise history in the NBA Finals) * San Antonio still learning how to win, how to close games * Not one player hit two consecutive free throws in the last two minutes * Wemby went 44-104 from the floor, and 9-33 from downtown in the series * Rinse, lather, repeat: each game Spurs built a lead and the Knicks chipped away and found ways to win * Basketball IQ: Brunson drew several fouls when shooting 3s by using fakes, led to many free throws * Emotional moment after the game: Brunson hugging his father (Knicks assistant coach) * "Tired legs can't hit jumpers" * Knicks won all four series clinching games on the road * Savor the only Knicks championship in many fan's lives so far Segment 3: Wemby Post Game Remarks (30:00) * Wemby sound bite

NBA Finals: Historic Comeback In Game 4

Segment 1: Knicks' comeback for the ages leads to a 3-1 series lead (1:54) * A number of records set in Game 4, Knicks 107, Spurs 106 * The largest comeback in NBA Finals history (29 points) * Spurs 76-49 lead at halftime was the largest lead by a road team in NBA Finals history * Spurs' 14 three-pointers were the most in a first half in Finals history * Knicks now one win away from their first championship since 1973 * Game 4 highlights * This series reminiscent of NBA physical play in the 1990s * Disasterous first quarter from a Knicks perspective * KAT called for two quick fouls, on the bench for the majority of the this half * Spurs led 41-22 after 1, 76-49 at the half * Mitchell Robinson's flagrant foul against Wemby was too obvious, yet somewhat satisfying based on Wemby's physical and sometimes cheap shot play (throwing down Jalen Brunson, no foul call) * Major challenge for Spurs to keep hitting 3's at that torrid pace. Would likely revert back to the mean * Second half: * Knicks cut the lead to 15 after 3 * Spurs outscored 58-30 in the second half * Experience from both a coaching and player standpoint favored the Knicks * San Antonio kept shooting, did not milk the clock * Where were the adjustments when the Spurs got cold from the field? * why not bring in a few 7 footers on the floor on the Knicks final possession? * Big plays * Wemby missed two free throws at 1:47 (went 4-7 from the line) * exhausted, played 44 minutes, which led the team * his shooting in the first half typically better than second half (energy?) * Wemby: 8-27 from downtown in the series so far * Jalen Brunson floater gave the Knicks their first lead of the game (1:22 left) * Stephon Castle hit a pair of clutch free throws with 30.3 second left, SA up by one after offensive rebound * Josh Hart: two rough moments * missing wide open layup/dunk...indecisive whether to jam * did not box out Castle which led to a foul and 2 free throws * OG made two huge plays * first defensively: 16.1 second left, Fox takes a shot OG blocks it, instead of holding the ball to run the clock and force a foul to stop the clock * 5 second left: OG inbounds to Brunson who misses a deep 31-foot 3-pointer, OG sprints to the basket, jumps over two Spurs and taps in the game-winner * OG and Brunson combined for 69 points, rest of team scored 38 * Wemby inexperience * Game 2: Wemby turnover and missed last shot * Game 4: Misses two crucial free throws late in game * Continues to fire up and miss the majority of 3-pointers * Not blocking shots late in game due to exhaustion * Part of very young, talented team, could be the start of a dynasty Segment 2: Game 3 Recap (28:30), Spurs 115, Knicks 111 * Wemby: 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals * why have Knicks big men not been more physical with him? * frustrating officiating clearly favoring Wemby (calls and non-calls) * seen committing two flagrant fouls, including grabbing and throwing Brunson to the floor * Castle the best player on the court * Spurs consistently get two hands on a player and push...clear fouls Segment 3: Game 5 Preview (32:40) * Expect the Spurs to come out flying, play well on their home court * 5 point lead/deficit at the half: would like the Knicks' chances * Knicks need to play better from the start and have Hart, Bridges, Shamet et al contribute way more than Game 4 * Nigel: Deuce McBride could "not hit a school with a guided missile" * Dylan Harper having a great series

NBA Finals: Knicks Up 2-0, Games 3 and 4 at MSG

Segment 1: NBA Finals Recap of Games 1 and 2 (starts at 0:30) * Spurs heavy favorites going into the NBA Finals; that changed after Game 1 win by Knicks * Knicks sweep games 1 and 2, lead 2-0 going home for games 3 and 4 at MSG * Quick comparison of last Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals in 1999 * Game 1: Knicks 105, Spurs 95 - 13th straight playoff win, second longest streak in NBA playoff history * Scary when Knicks star Jalen Brunson went down twice with knee and ankle injuries; he was money late when it counted most, led all scorers with 30 points (12-31 FG, 2-9 from 3) after rough shooting night * KAT played well (18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists) * Josh Hart game 1 unsung hero with 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 1 block, despite 3 points scored * Knicks turned up defensive intensity when needed in second half * Knicks erased another huge deficit -- this time 14 points late in the game * Wemby led team with 26 points * Game 2: Knicks 105, Spurs 104 * Strong start for the Spurs by going to the rim relentlessly, leveraging their speed advantage * Coaching mistakes: * why let Wemby dribble upcourt? Key turnover late in game, dribbled ball off his foot earlier in contest * Wemby took potential game-winning shot (and missed 20-footer) after crucial turnover; needed to get shot off earlier to provide opp for offensive rebound * Foul calls clearly one-sided in favor of San Antonio; Spurs very physical * Critical call by Knicks bench to challenge non-foul call on OG 3-pointer; call overturned, led to 3 points by OG at the line, for a 100-97 Knicks lead * Major issue: Spurs don't have a player they can count on to score outside of Wemby * Fox could be that player, clearly impacted by high ankle sprain suffered in Western Conf finals * Game 1: 7 points, 3-13 FG, 0-4 from 3 * Game 2: 20 points * Mitchell Robinson scored 7 points which helped; Bridges four 3-pointers were huge * Josh Hart had rough game: 5 fouls, no points * Series Observations * KAT outplaying Wemby based on the first two games (21 points. 13 rebounds in game 2) * Wemby appears tired (emotionally and physically?) since Game 7 win in Western Conf Finals in OKC * Knicks D able to make stops and generate extra offensive possessions, though playing inconsistently * Spurs forced 16 turnovers and lost Game 2...not a great indicator they can win at MSG, though team came back from 3-2 deficit and beat the defending champs including game 6 in OKC * Wemby taking many 3-point shots not the best strategy; want him in the paint for easy buckets, offensive rebounds and creating fouls on Knicks' front line; Wemby through two games: 4-15 from downtown * Knicks playoff experience becoming a key factor in this series vs. young, playoff-inexperienced Spurs * Knicks larger front line competing well vs taller, leaner San Antonio big men * Impressed with KAT's leadership on the court, on the bench (in interviews talks about his late Mom, feeling her energy); KAT's huddle talk much different vs. Wemby's Segment 2: Preview of Games 3 and 4 (22:00) * Spurs streaky shooting, causing turnovers, then running out of gas late in games. Will that continue? * San Antonio doesn't need many adjustments, one shot away from being 1-1 * Wemby needs to be fresher at crunch time * Fox or Champagnie needs to be the No. 2 scorer to take pressure off of Wemby * Expect to see more of Dylan Harper * Spurs Coach Mitch Johnson's message to his team could be: * we beat OKC in Game 7 * we came back down 3-2 in that series * we let the Knicks win two games on our floor * let's get game 3 and then take the series back home * Games 3 and 4: * Expect foul calls to be more even at MSG than the lopsided ones favoring the Spurs in San Antonio * Anticipate Spurs going at KAT to get him in foul trouble early * Mike Brown outcoaching Spurs' Mitch Johnson; will that continue? * No team has ever come back from 3-0 down in the NBA Finals and won * Game 3 obviously critical for San Antonio; can the Knicks sweep?

S4 E6: NBA Finals Preview: Knicks vs. Spurs

Segment 1: Western Conference Finals Observations (starts at 1:00) * Spurs' special season continues, coming back from a 3-2 deficit against the defending champs * San Antonio had 7 players in double figures, doing a great job spreading the ball * OKC players gassed in the 4th quarter, missed two of their key players for Games 6 and 7: guards Jalen Williams (left hammy strain), Ajay Mitchell (left calf/soleus strain...what the heck is a soleus?) * Questionable game plan and coaching by OKC (burned through timeouts early and used up both challenges by mid 3rd quarter), having SGA go 1-on-3 * Thunder managed just 14 points from their frontcourt starters -- 7 from their starting forwards combined -- did not get the needed production from the bench including Caruso who had a good series * Spurs moved the ball around, very "Knicks-like" though a bit sloppy handling the ball with a lead * No love lost between Spurs star center Victor Wemanyama and Chet Holmgren, who was not a factor in Game 7 or the series Segment 2: Knicks on a Historic Playoff Run (14:06) * Knicks have won 11 straight playoff wins, all by double digits, won all 3 series on the road * Have outscored playoff opponents by 19.4 PPG, best point differential in NBA playoff history * Back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years * Major changes have worked out: hired Mike Brown the right coach/leader (likely the 7th or 8th choice) to replace Tom Thibodeau after the team made the Eastern Conference Finals last year; sent message to players and fans to raise expectations; and trading for Karl Anthony Towns swapping Julius Randle * Knick players stepping up big-time compared to regular season including Mikal Bridges, playing their best basketball * Two teams met 3 times during the season, NYK winning the season series 2-1, including the in-season tournament and a dominant 114-89 win at MSG. Segment 3: Key Matchups (21:30): Rematch of the In-Season Tournament Final * Wemby vs. Brunson * Spurs built completely around Wemby; Knicks bigs KAT and Mitchell Robinson vs. Wemby...critical Knicks don't get in foul trouble early on. Will need both KAT and Robinson to lean on Wemby * Jalen Brunson vs. Spurs guards...can Brunson get to his spots and score * Knicks offense vs. Wemby: Knicks go the basket well...need to get Wemby away from the rim to open us the Knicks offense. KAT will play a key role here * Key question: how effective will Mitchell Robinson be dealing with the broken right pinky * Are the Knicks a team of destiny? * Check out Nigel's hilarious Sopranos' analogy * And Nigel is focused: will not answer any group chat messages while watching the NBA Finals * Will Knicks come out flat after a 9 day layoff during most of Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 vs. Cleveland?