Yes, we’re back. It was only Dan that left the country for a week, but still, now the show is back.
Dan checks back in with Ken, and they talk a little trade action. Then Dan does something that’s never been done on this show.
In the next segment, Dan talks with Josh Levin, of Slate.com, writer and host of the Hang Up and Listen podcast. Josh is originally from New Orleans, which gave them a chance to talk about the sports scene there (Super Bowl relevant!) as well as the Hornets (NBA Podcast relevant!)
We’ll be honest, there’s some static-y noise in the talk with Josh. We did the best we could about it. It’s probably Ken’s fault.
Songs from the episode:
“Come On Feet” - Quasimoto
“All Tomorrow’s Linoleum” - Autechre
“Perception” - Kylesa
“Ease Back” - The Meters
“The Saints Are Coming” - The Skids
He’s an odd interview subject. He’s probably as slick as ever, and he’s obviously a top all-time player who should be given respect for his playing career, but how does someone do a legitimate interview with him without being openly disrespectful when asking about everything else?
“How do you feel about being considered the worst executive of all time?”
“Did you try to kill yourself?”
“If so, did you try to kill yourself because of how much basketball fans made fun of you?”
It’s either a fluff interview with no relevance or it’s awkward– either way, maybe you shouldn’t listen either.
Dan and Ken get back together and try to shake the cynicism and negativity that’s out there. And what better way to feel joy than talk a little about Sundiata Gaines?
Another way to spread joy? Helping NBA players find other activities to do on the plane, instead of gambling. Dan and Ken try to do their part.
There’s some other stuff Ken and Dan talk about that isn’t so positive. It couldn’t be helped.
“A Joy” - Four Tet
“Smile A Little Bit More” - Al Green
“2+2=5″ - Radiohead
“The Cure for Stagnation” - Sia and Yeshua
“The Other Jesus” - Swervedriver
Congratulations to Tas and Skeets on 500 episodes. The quality and quantity of their output is absolutely nuts. Dan and I have trouble finding an hour a week to record and we don’t even plan what we are going to talk about until 3 seconds after it comes out of our mouths. Do Canadians sleep?
Recording on Monday night, Shoals joins Dan, which is nice, considering all the otherpodcasts he’s been on lately.
Since Shoals already talked about Gil plenty, we try to find other things to talk about. And we succeed!
First, we talk about whether or not the Celtics are bullies. This leads to a long discussion of Kevin Garnett and his antics/tactics. Again, we recorded this on Monday night. It was before this poll was released voting KG the NBA’s worst trash talker.
Now, we’re not saying we had anything to do with the way this poll came out, just so that our conversation would seem that much more relevant. We would never say that. That’s not the kind of thing we say out loud.
There is also some discussion of long losing streaks, the joys of following mediocre teams when they win, complaints about work, and a history lesson for Dan.
Since this was recorded on Monday there was no talk of the earthquake in Haiti. NBA Cares is supporting the relief effort, and if you can help, even a little, it is needed.
Songs from the episode:
“Walk and Talk (Demo)” - Velvet Underground
“Bad Touch Example” - Company Flow
“Career Finders” - Perceptionists
“A Tender History in Rust” - Do Make Say Think
Dan is joined by Ken, who was first on an old computer and then on an old phone.
Ken says he used to have good equipment, but that his dog ate it.
This dog:
Anyway, they still managed to get in a good discussion of the Bucks playing defense, Brandon Jennings playing point guard, the Thunder playing defense, the Knicks playing decently, Nate Robinson playing, John Wall playing incredibly, the poor play in the Kentucky-Louisville game, and Gilbert playing with guns.
No playing!
Songs from the episode:
“Brand New Day” - Dizzee Rascal
“Great Expectations” - The New Year
“Tron Man Speaks” - Antipop Consortium
“It Ain’t Nuthin’ (The Chapter Remix)” - MF Doom
“Freaks in Charge” - Superchunk
For reasons best left unexplained, I was reading old Sports Illustrated articles today, and came across the following quote from a 1967 column by Frank Deford. While in Lawrence, Kansas, Deford ends up talking to Phog Allen, who says this:
All through the land, no matter how small the town, a basketball gym became like a city hall, like a community meeting place. That’s part of it, and the game. It’s artistic, fast, and clever. It has action and scoring. That’s what people want. And then there’s the emotion. There’s so much that I don’t think people can ever appreciate it in the right way. There’s just so much emotion.
Phog Allen knew it in 1967 as much as we do today. It’s a great time to love basketball, and it always has been.
Have a safe, happy, and healthy New Year, everyone!
Dan is joined by Bethlehem Shoals to talk about the NBA on Christmas. And about making lists. And answering letters. And New Year’s wishes for the NBA.
And Carl Landry’s teeth.
This all sounds kind of nice, doesn’t it?
Trust us, though. People will be offended anyway.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Songs from the episode:
“HandJobs for the Holidays” - Broken Social Scene
“Lisztomania” - Phoenix
“Eyes And Teeth” - High on Fire
“December” - Unwound
“Christmas in Hollis” -Run DMC
And, if you like the show, please do us two favors:
