Dan Levatar’s podcast, featuring insights from the DraftKin Sports app, centers on the legitimacy of the Las Vegas Raiders as a competitive team, citing strong defensive play and key performances by players like Nicobie Dean and Max Crosby. He argues the Raiders have a real shot at the playoffs, especially with a weak division. The segment also critically examines how sports media often glorifies players with serious off-field misconduct, using Tony Gonzalez as a prime example—highlighting the problematic trend of celebrating recovery without addressing past actions. The discussion extends to broader issues in sports culture, such as how narratives are shaped by performance, loyalty, and media bias. It also touches on the Miami Heat’s new offensive approach, likening Jimmy Butler to Magic Johnson, and underscores the enduring value of work ethic and team culture. LeBron James is noted for enduring chronic injuries, reflecting the physical toll of elite sports at an advanced age. The podcast blends sharp commentary with humor, drawing parallels between player development, media narratives, and the absurdities of modern sports culture. Through a mix of observation, satire, and personal anecdotes, Levatar offers a candid, critical take on the state of professional sports, both on and off the field.
You are listening to the Dan Levatar show in partnership with the DraftKin Sports app now live in all 50 estates In this time for it to share his game notes No one in the media will tell you what happened better than my boy. I mean We can't observations is brought to you by Miller light Legendary moments start with the light Damn You scoff every time the topic is broached Your attitude is dismissive at best Downright this respectful at worst You claim history is on your side And you definitely don't believe in the quarterback But I believe the time has finally come where we can say without any humor hesitation or equivocation Are the raiders for real No, we can't say it. We've been saying it for 25 years and it's just not a question that ever ends and yes there for real No, I I was a Paul to hear the show today you talk about all these other games Lincoln the game of the day was raiders chiefs They lost in hostile territory. They lost all he was a great game. It was a great game. Wasn't hostile territories. They're territory There's hostile Kirk cousins Played like he's worth every penny of that ridiculous nine-figure deal. He is inevitably going to get Fernando Mendoza We're running finance workshops over year-long Magic my homes Remains undefeated lifetime in the legion stadium. That's including super balls Never lost You know what he says when he pulls up to the legion stadium never long. This is my homes This is my homes It's home, but also his name is my home Game is Winston Is a Disney movie in the making Remains to be seen if that movie is any given Sunday to or radio to Haha Remember when price young was a bust Eppridge farm remembers Travis Hunter Jook T Higgins so hard I think his shoes are still out there on the field right now Remember when Drake May was a bust Eppridge farm remembers Had a dream that Greg Cody went on vacation in Russia and met Vladimir Putin And they who became instantly smitten and enamored by him Then Greg and his catch praises became propaganda tools that Putin used to make himself more likeable Such a specific and odd dream The Miami Heat Cruise passage Toronto Raptors 129 to 107 and preseason. Yep The Odyssey's debut saw in post 9 points and 7 assists in just 14 minutes After the game they usually reserved Eric Spolstra Compared the honest to Magic Johnson Or as the minister of heat propaganda Ryan Cortez so eloquently put it It's over for you hose Just remember That guy want to pull it sir My Miami Heat and Rockstar games announced that they will team up for a night and vice city That'll transform the Cassais Center into vice city showcasing the Miami inspired setting of Grand Theft Auto 6 For a first of its kind sports crossover experience that will see the heat play on a special court Introducing new uniform never previously worn And roll out unique game programming and live elements like stealing a helicopter And firing a bazooka from it Games gonna be nationally televised on ESPN Then do you know who the opponent is? I do not The Milwaukee Bucks What a way to rub it in we get it you want the honest deal congrats Bob Carrington The rare case when someone needs to shut up and trouble for totally non-political social commentary purposes You guys hear about this Bob Carrington yeah, yeah, we were raving about yeah about uh Tony's beloved wizards Yeah, he say yeah, what we tank We didn't play as hard because we wanted AJ like you're not supposed to tell the media that buddy Nicolio kitsch Give me a break that's a forward pass Not like Dan on any given Sunday not the movie any given Sunday by any Sunday What am I supposed to do with this? I just want to ask everyone around the room They explained this to me and then instantly disagree with whatever explanation they come up with Easy That's the show 20 years Carly Urse Gordon Boy she seemed like a swell boss to work for I love the idea of her sitting me down at the end of this and going through every observation beef by beef Now what did you mean about this on any given Sunday with Dan? Portland trailblazers fire broadcasted for tweets he made when he was 15 Makes me glad they didn't have Twitter when I was 15 Then again, there are a whole ass episodes of cinephal that will probably get me shot into the sun by the blazers Carly Urse Gordon has every instance written down. She's really discussed them with me mid episode And what does you mean here when you said 20 CB? What does that exactly stand for? Speaking of cinephal Did about episode 326 bad teacher starring Cameron Diaz Justin Timberlake at Jason Seagal The movie that gave us one of the greatest on screen sports debates of all time Copping on LeBron has six championships That's the only argument is the only argument I need Sean He's so unhinged look at him Also has the more underrated quote from Miss Squirrel quote I'm a math terrorist with close ties to Al Jabra and I have weapons of math instruction cinephal wherever you get podcasts Sacramento Kings rookie Immanuel Sharp was that's His top three movies of all time and he answered Jason Statham's wrath of man The lone ranger starring Johnny Depp and that other guy that got canceled on the army hammer. Yeah. Yeah And bird box Who I like bird box you sound like you like army hammer - you got in there quick your big pro cannibalism guy. You like army hammer? Winkle boss twist when pressed on when pressed on the lone ranger being a particularly horrible movie He replied and I'm not making this up quote. You're crazy Any movie with Johnny Depp being terrible is crazy My man. Let me introduce you to Mordecai Y'all don't remember that one pepper farm remembers Disney plus Drop the trailer for its new animated series called Messy and the Giants The show centers around a 12 year old Leo Messy Trapped in an alternate reality ruled by Giants. I guess everyone to him is a giant Can't wait for the episode where he gets his injections You think that happens in the pilot or do they wait for the flashback episodes in episode eight How old is he He's 12 years old. Yeah, I already got him It's weird to me. That's not it. It was your life. You want to give immunity to the 15-year-old broadcaster But you don't want to give immunity to the 12-year-old who needed a growth spurt from his hormones because you're so hateful for Messy In the show then he has to return home by competing in soccer like battles and taking on legendary Giants Again, I think they just regular sized beautiful and he's just I know Unlike his opponent. This is my favorite part. This is straight from the press release. I swear to God unalter Unlike his opponents Leo can't use the world's code powers to boost his game So he has to rely on skill teamwork and determination. Are you sh- He can't use boosters? About Sean Aston digging a pool Sean Aston digging a pool in hell speaking of hell Argentina Those are the weekend observations. He can't use boosters. There's a they're playing in our faces right now Down-leba-tars and judge coach with Chris Cody. I should say hello. This is the down-leba-tars show There's a new report from Dave McMahon that LeBron is dealing with chronic arthritis and his left foot His daily training routine starts with monitoring the condition as well as his lower back He missed the first month of last season while dealing with sciatica Also in the McManaman story He's the first one to arrive at the facility every morning at 745 Even though he lives a hundred miles away in New York City because his helicopter just lands on top of the Sixers business office next to the practice facility What are your thoughts? He's
year on i would imagine at some point lebron's got a age i mean his body his held up i i don't know if i can call that an unprecedented body but it's pretty close to being unprecedented to be able to do what he's doing at his age no it's an unprecedented and and but the aging has already started when you look at what's happened over the last however many seasons he doesn't get through them like unscathed anymore he's always got things that he's dealing with and that's just that's to be known and that's to be considered and that's where the sixers also to use him judiciously you can't play him like he's thirty two or thirty three he's pushing up on what's that forty two now it's gonna happen sooner or later where it's like those little kind of tweaks are happening so then also when you talk about he's getting there first i know they're gonna be people like wow let's see that's the professionals and whatever that just reflects how much work he needs in order to be ready to play right and that we talk to any older player who's the last speaking of older players Alexander Ovechkin has announced this is his final season continuing no more bands no more bands will make them dance yeah so any older player that the process of getting ready to play and the process of cooling down after playing is the thing that's changed the most about their career they got to get there on the training table early they got to do all this extra work afterwards I got a ice tub and hot tub and and stem work and all this stuff just to be able to perform again the next day so it doesn't shock or surprise me probably the shock or surprise the sixers but it is something to keep in mind was everyone has all their projections of the sixers are gonna run away with the eastern conference that there is a management portion to this that they're gonna have to do all see what's like what Vince Carter said because when you say chronic arthritis in his left foot yeah 25 years 30 years of basketball is gonna end up doing chronic arthritis in the left foot but when Vince Carter says is yeah I could still dunk it's landing that's the problem and and the thing about guys like that like Vince like LeBron like Tom Brady this is the part I think none of us really fathom or grass he's been an NBA player longer than he's been not an NBA player like the majority of his life has been spent as an NBA player yes there's wear and tear from high school and AU and all that's up but we're talking about high level 82 games a year 35 plus minutes a game each time out most of his life has been this so yeah there's gonna be some wear and tear and arthritis and all these sciatica and all these other conditions I mean did you see much of the heat on Saturday night and specifically I mean I get it obviously it's one game and it's one preseason game but they're gonna be fine shooting threes like they have guys who can shoot threes right I had this conversation with Jason Jackson who did the radio call up there in Quebec City and I said this is such a refreshing thing not only for heat fans but for Eric Spolstra because for however many years and I remember I said this in 2023 when they went to the finals and will man so on all the other local people got upset when I said this I said the heat can't out-talent anybody every victory every march every battle that they do is a function of we do everything the right way attention to detail execution we wait for you to mess up and we take advantage of that but they can't just show up and out-talent anybody and everyone got upset but I'm like yeah like Boston was more talented than they were even though the heat succeeded in winning this time for the first time maybe since 2013 2014 they heat have a team and say oh could you just out-talent people I'm not saying that they're going to do that not saying that they're gonna just give up on execution and all those attention to detail things I'm saying this is the first time legitimately they're gonna be like you just can't stop us you can't guard us we're gonna give it to that seven foot freak and either you help and we've got wide open shooters or you don't and he's gonna dunk on everybody and we can just do that over and over again and that's got to feel so repression after so long of being kind of like in the grind and in the mud I was taken aback though by spo immediately invoking magic though that that suggests to me something that they're planning around Yannis in the reinvention of whatever the next stage of his career is that feels a bit like what Dantonie said to James Harden when they started playing around him where they're like James's response to Dantonie saying you're gonna have 15 assists a game was to say coach be tripping they're gonna have Yannis playing a style of game that really makes them good from three not a little bit good they're gonna be really good from three because all their threes are gonna be wide open I think to me Dan what I read into it is Spon never talks like that about anybody like for him to say that before a single meaningful game has been played right and he didn't just say it like all kind of magic is like I was talking to Pat about this that was his quote I talked to Pat about this and you didn't say magic he said another big guard that played for pat in the eighties yeah we know you're talking about magic so to me that's that's not a little thing when when Spost says something like that they're just calling him a guard but just calling him a guard yeah like what do you do that magic Johnson I believe his rookie season I believe he was like over 21 from three or something absurd because he couldn't shoot he wasn't really somebody you wanted shooting threes either I had not heard Yannis referred to as a guard before this had you not since maybe his second year or something like that I know Jason kid early on as his head coach put him in the guard position the same way he did for Cooper flag in Dallas and the whole thing wasn't like all this guys a guard it's just like hey let him learn guard skills because that'll help him as he grows as a star player and it sure did but like you I hear Spowe talking about that and it's just like oh this is what we talk about when people say Eric Sposter is the best coach or one of the three best coaches in the NBA this is what we're talking about this guy's got a creative mind and a way of looking at the game that's so different from everyone else and he brings with it the attention to detail and all the other things I talked about the execution but for again a decade he's been having to do it the hard way he's been having to go out and hunt for his meals and skin him and roast them on an open fire and that's what he's been feeding his family and everyone else and now for the first time he's like hey Spowe let's go to a supermarket what it's just there I just I just pick it up and and scan it and then I can go yeah are you surprised that they're still gonna play that fast that they're not gonna change what they're doing because Janus is already saying he did an interview with the athletic and he's saying you know is heat culture just clever blending to glorify work the way every team does and he's like no it's real and it's real and he's like it's about togetherness how serious they are communication yesterday we had a meeting it was probably one of the most exciting entertaining meetings there were two Navy seals and they were telling their story and we were doing push-up it's real I love every bleep in second of it I'm not even gonna lie it gives me goose bumps it's almost like being alive again and quote you got you got to take the context of where Janus has been the last few sees I'm not gonna say his entire Milwaukee tenure obviously they had great teams there but the last few seasons younger teammates not as accomplished teammates teammates who don't have as much experience and teammates that probably let's just say don't take the NBA privilege to heart the way he does the way a kid that was selling trinkets on the streets of Athens to make to help his family get by Janus has an appreciation his work that comes from an incredible appreciation for wow how lucky we are to even be able to do this and so you get to Miami and like yeah some of it is a little look at me Louis on it got Navy seals talking while we do push-ups I had to chuckle at that but the part we saw about the seriousness man everyone who comes to Miami to play that's the first thing they recognize it's like they are so serious and so on point here and is that the only way to be successful and winning in the league absolutely not but if you're Janus out in a couple and you just came from watching Kyle Kuzma do whatever the hell he was doing for last couple years and then you come here it's not even about playing with the great player like bam out of bio or great role players like Claire Thompson and Tim Hardaway it's like man I see how what Myron Gardner and how these guys are approaching and attacking the day and man they're really gonna have to finally people who share my sentiment and my zest for this incredible opportunity that we all have I don't know how many people are paying attention to Bucks basketball last year but Bobby Portis and Miles Turner weren't in physical shape Bobby Portis has lost 20 pounds because he knows what it is that he's entering here but those guys were heavy for NBA basketball players you can see that they weren't moving around well is because they didn't seem to care very much about the basketball they were playing I saw I saw it from media day I think it was Jacelle who sent down with Clay Thompson and she was like have you ever had a croqueta and he's like no he's like you want one and he's like you can see instantly on Clay Thompson today's like I shouldn't be doing this and again that's a sentiment that I don't know exists at 30 or 29 other NBA media days where someone is being presented a small item of the local fair and the players first instinct is like they're gonna be on my ass for this one I can use a good good you can't get started otherwise he's gonna be 400 pounds Clay Thompson at 400 pounds is not gonna be a good two-way defender one-way defender good seeing you I mean I appreciate your time I have a number of things that I still wanted to get to here and just for the record Clay ended up eating the whole croqueta just so that we're because you can't that's not a croqueta that you can
resist. I want to go back for a second to a story that we touched on because I think that even though the Arizona Cardinals lost in a heartbreaking fashion yesterday, they're at the goal line and a pick six at the end goes the other way even though they had four downs to win the game, first and goal, second and goal, third and goal, fourth and goal. I believe Trey McBride feels very good because he's gotten Jeff Seaman into a lot of trouble. And by pointing, let's just look at all of this again so that you can see how Trey McBride points to the camera. He was saying, please, you're ruining the game. And he points to the camera. And now this is a genuine controversy, not for McBride. Like the one who's a stain on the profession is the lineman who shouldn't be telling players to bleep off. And he's I think the snitch feels good in this spot pointing to the camera and being like, look what I've brought upon you. This was a private conversation. It's now going to be popular. It was reported by a CBS sideline reporter that what Trey McBride said beforehand was please. That's what happened. The last two games now for the New York Giants, have ended in their own end zone and they get a like a compelling turnover. Guys, if you want to be in the barn and get cursed at by an NFL referee, there's only one place that you can go. Game time. That's where I hide. Get all your friends together. Say, hey, let's watch the NFL. Let's get tickets and be in this environment. Tell them it's game time. Download the game time map. Green Account and Use code Dan for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply again. Green Account and Use code DAN for $20 off being a snitch. That must be why God loves the Giants more. So I am waving my hand underneath my nose in a universal no matter. Your language symbol for something that smells bad. And I've got four stories to put in front of you from the something that smells bad file. First Penn State football. That's good. That's that's the good way to start this segment. Thank you. Second, a Jed York getting suspended six games and five hundred thousand dollars. That is an expensive trailer park beach. Yes, that's correct. I'll watch it. The Colorado State defensive coordinator being relieved of his duties and simply leaving the sidelines during the game. You Jed York was really for his duties. And also Doug Gottlieb, Doug Gottlieb, our friend Doug Gottlieb, who just says things all the time that are silly says that the coach is way more important than the player in arguing on behalf of protecting college sports act with protecting the coaches and not the players. Beth, they're full. Down laboratory. I ain't never met nobody in the world. That's the head on great nomination. Like who don't like blues clothes, man? If you don't like blues clues, you're a loser. Ju-ju Gottlieb. Look, you get one pop print. That's the first clue. You put it in a notebook. Now what do you do? Blues, blues, blues, clues. Sit on the chair and think about it. This is the down laboratory show. Let's go out to Tony for Tony's top five to see what it is that we can update you on as it regards all of football musings. I am at the end of my 112 observations. I have now used all of them. Let's see if Tony's got five more. What do you have Tony? Hey, Dano excited to get this top five really quick. I love what Chip Kelly is doing with the later part of his career. I want to see if we can put up the picture of him in a hard hat with Northwestern. They ran the ball and had 413 yards rushing against Penn State. He was running the wing tee, Dan. He was doing traps. He was doing Sally. He was doing everything he wanted. They ran for literally almost a mile of actual yardage. It was insane. That's not Northwestern being good, right? Or their new stadium being good as much as it is Penn State being dreadful, right? You get dragged, you get dragged. Northwestern impressed me with Hayden Charles being tough and being able to make plays with his legs. He's different. Yeah, no, no, but did you watch the Indiana game? They were right there. That game was in the bounce for a while. All right. At Batalito, the quick hit, the Bears had 34 first downs. The Jets ran 32 plays total. 34 first down for the Bears. Jets ran 32 plays total. At Bunkwondo, the flag plan, the Vikings are 4-0 and the best team in the NFC North. And Dan, they're still a quarterback away. Kyla Murray stinks. I'm going to reach a really quick stat. Vikings are 30 second in yards per play. Kyla Murray is 30th among 30 qualifiers in QBR, and they haven't scored a touchdown in two of their games. They're 4-0 and legit the best team in the NFC North. Some contacts, Hawkinson passed up a touchdown. He did, but still that, that, you know, that is what it is. As you understand the rules, how football works, why that's the smart play? It's not a smart play. It's a really low way to play way more teams score twice in a short time than a fumbled kneel down. Yeah, so you think you think it's more likely for a team to score twice, touchdowns, including an on-side kick than it is for a team to fumble snap. That ever happens. Yes. Okay. Low IQ there from Zaz. By now, the deep dive, Dan, you had spoken about it. Philly was up by 10 with a third and goal from the two yard line with eight minutes left and lost the game after having a 96% win probability. Let's see how that happened. Dan Jalenhurtz had 68 net passing yards on 31 attempts. He also went five for 15 for 46 yards versus the Blitz. It's his second lowest total EPA versus the Blitz out of 89 career games. So basically half of his attempts were blitzes and he threw for 46 yards, 68 net passing yards, the entire game crazy. La Croquette, the hot take. We really haven't spoken about this game at all because Dan's been just like pushing it to the back burner. I think the Raiders make the playoffs is here. I think the Raiders are a legitimate football team. Their defense is great. Nicobie Dean has been incredible for them. Max Crosby has been great creating pressures. The offense is doing kind of what it needs to do. Like genties, a good runner. Bowers is back. Mayors playing well. If they go to Fernando Mendoza at some point in the season, maybe, but Kirk's been playing well. They have a legit shot especially in their in their division with the chargers being bad with the Broncos. I don't really trust them all that much. Like they could make the playoffs. And I think there will be the definitive take of the NFL weekend. Another thing we also touched on briefly, but I do want to give some context for Dan. The Jaguars are a legit contender in the AFC, but they're doing it on defense. They held the Bengals to 23 rush yards. Fourth lowest game in franchise history. They haven't allowed a 75 yard rusher in 21 consecutive games. Fourth longest streak in Super Bowl era history. Plus Travis Hunter, who they're like as they play offense as they play defense, he's not really playing much of anything. Travis Hunter looks to be an actual lockdown corner led the team with 76 defensive plays. Six targets allowed three receptions for 21 yards and had two past deflections and a 58.3 pass rating allowed. He also stole T Higgins' soul with that juke move, Dan. He said speed. I am speed. So a couple of things to add to what it is that he was saying there about the rush defense when he says the Jags are good at rush defense. The longest streak in the history of the league is presently owned by the Seattle Seahawks. They have not allowed a hundred yard rusher in 33 games. That's two seasons of not allowing a hundred yard rusher. You cannot run the football against the Seattle Seahawks, but circling back around on the Jags real quick, it's not just that their defense is good. Dishon Watson looked incompetent against them. Drake may looked incompetent against them and Burrow lost both of his receivers because they took out both of his receivers because of how violent they are. Thank you, Tony. Appreciate the top five. I want to, since I mentioned Dishon Watson, I want to mention something that happened last week because the Browns are now three and one and somehow Dishon Watson has gone after looking incompetent in game one and having reports say that if he did not win game two, he was going to lose his job. When I saw him come back against Carolina, Chris Myers was a little breathless in his description of the tapestry that gets woven on Sundays when you're telling the stories of these players. And when you talk about Dishon Watson and what he's coming back from, it's not actually hard to use the right language to dance around this. All you have to do is say coming back from an assortment of self-inflicted wounds, not a comeback story like Demar Hamlins, not a comeback story that has Tony Gonzalez under fire because there is no nuance or perspective in how it is that you're describing something that has an undercurrent of foulness that feels criminal and shouldn't be glossed over because a quarterback happens to have won three games after being one of the worst contracts in history and after a short
involves his bad behavior. Not anyone else's bad behavior. All he's coming back from is stuff that he did. So let's play the Tony Gonzalez sound so that you can hear for yourself what made a lot of people recoil. - You can't say enough about this, I'm lost. And we talked about it in the pre-game show, that versity that he's gone through, on the field, off the field. Everybody doubting him the whole crowd right here, they're gonna be cheering him from here on out. - Right, the stuff that he's gone through, you have to take your hat off to him. - That's a goddamn disgrace, Dan, it really is. That is such a disgrace. You have to take your hat off to him, the adversity that he's gone through, Tony Gonzalez should be embarrassed with himself, immediately after those words come out of his mouth. The adversity that he's gone through, to come back and do what he's doing right now, take your hat off to him, take my hat off to him. - Gonzalez would never take his hat off for anybody, he's not taking his hat off. - Ah, that's a disgrace, that really bothers me. - I mean, he is playing in the league. I'm not saying I would say nice things about him, but it's a tough spot, what are, so every time if he plays really well, they should be like, he's a piece of-- - No, no, talk about how he played that's fine, but don't tell me the adversity he has overcome. - That's fair. - Get the hell out of here. - It can just be, if you're going to talk about the Sean Watson in positive terms, you have to throw in there and allegedly sexually assault every time. - Every dozens of women. - I'm asking. - I'm not saying every time, I'm saying in the context of taking your hat off to him and talking about all the adversity he's overcome, there can be a framing in which you're talking about the specifics of the adversity, because you can say it's adversity, it is adversity, but it's adversity of his own making. - I think the other thing too, is he said on the field and off the field, like on the field he has had adversity, right? Coming back from the Achilles injury, like coming back from the dead off the field. - Back from sucking. - Back from sucking, like that's adversity. So he said off the field too, which that's-- - I just want to make it clear, I am leaving my hat on for the Sean Watson. - You made it clear? No, I understand if I got scared. - Look, I don't think the broadcasts have ever been good at this. Watch any Packers game and see how they talk about the Josh Jacob stuff and how they don't talk about sealed records and how nobody actually wants to see the details of what that is, because once you see the details, you're gonna be horrified by what it is that Josh Jacobs is not allowed to play football with when the Sean Watson allowed to play football. Josh Jacobs is gets put on a commissioners list and the league is trying to find out what it can about what happened there. I will not say that these leagues have ever done a good job or their broadcast partners have ever done a good job of talking about any of this stuff. - That's just a league, it's society. - Yes, but it's the league and the partnerships with the streaming services that are less inclined than ever to fall on the wrong side of the leagues because they want to be able to sell a product to you that is palatable to everybody, even while making the moral decisions to offer this guy more guaranteed money than has ever been gotten by a quarterback when he was available because of how desperate and valuable the position is. But you can frame what you're saying with the all of it, Chris, to answer your question. You can have Tony Gonzalez say what he's saying and have someone else on the set point out with plenty of talkers on the set, hey, how about we slow down a little bit on that one and offer a little bit of context on what it is that you're saying because any woman who's watching this who cares about football is left to find everything about what just happened there to be football not actually caring about what women think about anything. If a three-in-one start to your football season allows you to just skip merrily past what is on this guy's resume. - It's, you know what I have trouble talking about talking about DeShawn Watson through the prism of him being a really effective quarterback too. And we're all gonna have to learn how to deal with this because we all wrote him off. And I think that's a larger point that he's trying to make is there's gonna be plenty of ample opportunities now to seize on these broadcasts because DeShawn Watson was an afterthought and now he's making himself relevant within the sport again. And so there's a lot of potholes here and people have to do better. - My point is that it's three games and the hyperventilation has already started. Let him get the browns to the playoffs to see how much more difficult this ends up becoming when I found myself winsing at the way Chris Myers was doing just at the end of the Carolina comeback. And that was two games. That's, it's just starting is my point. And some of these people who are talking about this are gonna have to get some teaching moments 'cause there was blowback on Tony Gonzalez. Like Zaz is not alone in this. The blowback was fairly immediate in terms of people being disgusted by how hyperbolic the language was celebrating someone who's got, you know, criminal behavior on his resume. - It's disgusting. It is, I just, I don't, again, I don't have a problem with praising his play. I don't. And I don't even think that you have to also throw in the caveat of what he has done off the field or has been alleged to have done off the field. But don't tell me how proud of him you are for what he's overcome. - Get out of here. - That part. - It's the praising of who he is off the field to be able to overcome some sort of adversity. And you can talk about his play. Like we do this with all sorts of players. We did it with Tyree Kill. We're gonna do it with Josh Jacobs. This is just gonna be a part of it because it's a part of this league. It's a part of many professional sports leagues. It's having to look past violence or sexually abusive behavior against women. It's really a part of this league as many star players in this league become marketed beyond all of that. This is a situation even beyond most of what we've seen. And yet there seems to be this extra fervor. Maybe because he's a quarterback. Maybe that's what it is. Maybe because he was Davos Sweeney's Michael Jordan. But there is this fervor to cement him as not only back, but this like hero amongst men. And that I simply don't understand. It's not super dissimilar to the way we've celebrated James Winston specifically for his personality. Very different cases, very different results. But it's not right to celebrate the human being. Celebrate the football player if that's what you have to do. - I think that there is a scenario if you feel confident that someone has rehabilitated, feels sympathy for what they did to their victims and is really trying to own up to what they did and do better. Dishon Watson does not do any of that. This is so what are we doing? - People are gonna have to learn how to talk about this if the Browns are gonna be relevant and he's gonna be the best quarterback that they've had in a long time. Like they're gonna have to figure out in the meetings how to sit down with Tony Gonzalez and be like, "All right, Tony, this is how we're gonna do this if you're gonna do it." - You wouldn't ask an offensive lineman a play wide receiver. You need the right person and the right equipment for the job. That applies to football and it definitely applies below the waist. That's where the lawn mower line up from man scape comes in. Trusted by over 14 million men worldwide. The lawn mower go with slim, sporty and straight forward. Or if you like your grooming tools fully loaded, there's the all new lawn mower Ultra Gen 6 engineered with a premium alloy body. 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Podcast Summary
Key Points:
Dan Levatar asserts the Las Vegas Raiders are a legitimate football team, praising their strong defense and key players like Nicobie Dean and Max Crosby.
The show highlights the Raiders' potential playoff run, especially in their division, due to weak competition from the Chargers and Broncos.
A major theme is the critique of media and commentary overhyping players with controversial off-field histories, using Tony Gonzalez as a case study where praise for recovery is seen as inappropriate.
The discussion reveals deep concerns about how professional sports narratives often overlook or romanticize misconduct, especially when it comes to quarterbacks.
Eric Spolstra’s comments about Jimmy Butler being "like Magic Johnson" are interpreted as a sign of a new, aggressive offensive philosophy for the Miami Heat.
The show emphasizes the importance of work ethic, team culture, and attention to detail as key factors in team success, citing the Heat and Janus as examples.
LeBron James is noted for managing chronic injuries and continuing to perform at a high level, highlighting the physical toll of a long career in elite sports.
The narrative includes a mix of satire, nostalgia, and commentary on player development, media bias, and the absurdity of sports culture.
Summary:
Dan Levatar’s podcast, featuring insights from the DraftKin Sports app, centers on the legitimacy of the Las Vegas Raiders as a competitive team, citing strong defensive play and key performances by players like Nicobie Dean and Max Crosby. He argues the Raiders have a real shot at the playoffs, especially with a weak division. The segment also critically examines how sports media often glorifies players with serious off-field misconduct, using Tony Gonzalez as a prime example—highlighting the problematic trend of celebrating recovery without addressing past actions.
The discussion extends to broader issues in sports culture, such as how narratives are shaped by performance, loyalty, and media bias. It also touches on the Miami Heat’s new offensive approach, likening Jimmy Butler to Magic Johnson, and underscores the enduring value of work ethic and team culture. LeBron James is noted for enduring chronic injuries, reflecting the physical toll of elite sports at an advanced age.
The podcast blends sharp commentary with humor, drawing parallels between player development, media narratives, and the absurdities of modern sports culture. Through a mix of observation, satire, and personal anecdotes, Levatar offers a candid, critical take on the state of professional sports, both on and off the field.
FAQs
Yes, the Raiders are considered a legitimate team with a strong defense and key performances from players like Nicobie Dean and Max Crosby. They have a solid shot at making the playoffs, especially in their division.
The phrase 'any given Sunday' refers to a long-standing sports commentary trope, often used to describe unpredictable outcomes in football or basketball. It's referenced in the context of Dan Levatar's show to highlight the unpredictability and drama of sports.
Yes, reports indicate LeBron James is managing chronic arthritis in his left foot and sciatica, which has affected his training and game preparation, especially in the latter part of his career.
Eric Spolstra describes the Heat's success as rooted in execution, attention to detail, and a relentless work ethic, not just talent. He references their ability to out-think opponents and create open looks, especially from three-point range.
Trey McBride was seen pointing to the camera during a game, allegedly telling players to 'stop bleeping off.' This sparked controversy as it was seen as a lineman 'snitching' on teammates, leading to debate over player conduct and professionalism in the NFL.
Tony Gonzalez's post-game comments about overcoming adversity have drawn criticism because they ignore or downplay allegations of off-field misconduct. Critics argue that praising a player's comeback without addressing past misconduct is inappropriate and harmful.
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