Overview of Pardon My Take: Spurs Win Game 7, Knicks vs. Spurs Finals Preview, Mike Breen, Keith Yandle, and Who’s Back
This episode is a big NBA-and-NHL crossover show built around the Spurs winning Game 7, the upcoming Finals matchup against the Knicks, and two strong interviews: Mike Breen on calling the NBA Finals and being a lifelong Knicks fan, and Keith Yandle on the Stanley Cup Final. The hosts also hit their usual mix of sports chaos, including “Who’s Back of the Week,” internet sports stories, and a few running jokes about refs, flopping, and playoff narratives.
Main Sports Topics
Spurs vs. Thunder Game 7
- The hosts spent most of the first half of the show breaking down the Spurs’ Game 7 win over the Thunder.
- They praised:
- Victor Wembanyama’s intensity, emotion, and overall dominance.
- The Spurs’ poise in a high-pressure Game 7.
- Stephon Castle’s defensive fire and “always ready to fight” energy.
- They also singled out key moments and players:
- Luke Kornet’s block as one of the defining plays of the season.
- SGA as the best player in Game 7, even in defeat.
- Chet Holmgren as the biggest disappointment, with the hosts saying he looked overwhelmed and scared of the moment.
- Luguentz Dort had a rough game offensively, and his presence hurt spacing.
Knicks vs. Spurs Finals Preview
- The crew treated the Finals as a dream matchup:
- Knicks as the emotional, big-market, battle-tested team.
- Spurs as the young, rising, possibly dynasty-level team built around Wemby.
- They repeatedly framed it as:
- A historic New York title chase.
- Potential early dynasty territory for San Antonio.
- They also discussed:
- How the Knicks’ depth and scoring options could help them.
- How the Spurs’ defense and Wemby could create massive problems.
- Why both fanbases are fired up.
- One big theme: this could be one of the most exciting Finals in years.
Mike Breen Interview Highlights
Breen on Calling the Finals and Being a Knicks Fan
- Mike Breen talked about how special it is to call the Knicks in the Finals while being a lifelong fan.
- He said he will remain neutral on the broadcast, even though emotionally he obviously wants New York to do well.
- He acknowledged that fans will complain no matter what, but that he’s focused on doing the game justice.
Breen on Broadcaster Craft
- He discussed:
- Expanding his vocabulary over time.
- Learning from Clyde Frazier’s creative phrases.
- Words he sometimes trips over, like “pivotal.”
- He shared how much he enjoys the emotional part of broadcasting and how a call doesn’t need to be perfect to feel great.
Knicks and Jalen Brunson
- Breen was effusive about Jalen Brunson:
- Said Brunson is absolutely in the conversation among great Knicks.
- Emphasized how much Brunson has changed the franchise’s direction.
- He also credited:
- Jay Wright / Villanova for Brunson, Hart, and Bridges’ mental and technical foundations.
- Breen described the current Knicks buzz in New York as unlike anything he’s seen.
Wembanyama, Spurs, and the Finals
- Breen called Wemby a “force of nature” and the “great discourager” on defense.
- He agreed the Spurs are much more than just Wemby, especially defensively.
- He noted that the Knicks haven’t faced a defense quite like San Antonio’s in this playoff run.
Best Breen Moments / Quotes
- He joked about his own broadcasting instincts and how he’d handle a potentially iconic Knicks title call.
- He was also warned about “bang” opportunities and the possibility of accidentally saying something too wild on TV.
- He laughed along with the hosts about the absurdity of NBA broadcasting moments and crowd reactions.
Keith Yandle Interview Highlights
Stanley Cup Final Preview: Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights
- Keith Yandle gave his take on the Stanley Cup Final and said he’s come around on Carolina.
- He praised the Hurricanes for:
- Playing as a true team.
- Forechecking hard.
- Having a consistent identity and commitment to team hockey.
- He also acknowledged Vegas’ quality as an organization and their ability to reload year after year.
Why People Don’t Love Carolina
- Yandle explained that a lot of NHL players dislike Carolina because:
- The facilities/travel/hotel setup has historically been rough.
- The wind tunnel at the arena is annoying.
- The team’s style can be exhausting to play against.
- He also noted that Carolina’s structure and effort make them fun to watch despite the hate.
Goaltending and Roster Notes
- Yandle discussed:
- Freddie Andersen’s strong play.
- Carter Hart’s value and why he might be the better long-term goalie.
- The way Vegas has been ruthless with roster moves and team-building.
- He praised Vegas for being aggressive and willing to make win-now decisions.
Crank-Off, Weather, and Hockey Culture
- The conversation got very PMT-esque with “crank-off” jokes, arena sirens, and comparisons of team introductions.
- Yandle was also asked about the South’s growing influence on hockey, and he agreed that warm-weather markets have advantages for players and families.
Who’s Back of the Week
Hank: AI in Golf
- Hank chose AI as his “Who’s Back” after Bryson DeChambeau talked about using AI to analyze and fix his golf swing.
- The segment joked about how Bryson might become the first golfer with Neuralink-like brain tech or AI-driven swing adjustments.
Calipari’s Tournament Idea
- Hank also mentioned John Calipari’s idea of moving the SEC tournament earlier in the season.
- The crew debated whether college basketball has already been ruined enough that such a change would actually make sense.
U.S. Men’s National Team
- One of the hosts highlighted the U.S. men’s national team beating Senegal in a friendly and said it was a positive sign ahead of bigger matches, including Germany.
PCA / Cubs Clip
- Another “Who’s Back” centered on Pete Crow-Armstrong hitting a homer into the Cardinals’ “tarps off” section.
- The hosts loved the reaction of the Cardinals fan who failed miserably trying to throw the ball back.
Caleb Williams / Madden Cover
- The crew reacted to the leaked Caleb Williams Madden cover, debating whether the Madden curse is still real.
- They checked recent examples and concluded the curse is inconsistent at best.
Sidemen / KSI Rumor
- There was also a long discussion about a possible fake or real breakup involving KSI and the Sidemen.
- Zach explained the internet rumor, and the group treated it like one of those official-looking social posts that causes instant panic.
Other Notable Bits
Arsenal and Champions League Hate
- The crew talked about how much people seem to hate Arsenal.
- They discussed Arsenal’s “Invincibles” season, fan culture, and the weird mix of celebrating a domestic title while losing a bigger European one.
Bryson, LIV, and Golf Internet Drama
- The show also touched on LIV Golf and a fan-protester-style post from someone refusing a refund for a paid LIV stream product that was being discontinued.
- The hosts made fun of how golf media and golf fandom can turn into extremely niche loyalty signaling.
Funny Trivia and Running Jokes
- The show included a bunch of classic PMT-style trivia and absurd stat drops:
- NBA Finals teams often featuring former Wizards.
- Weird historical overlaps involving Harrison Barnes and the Thunder.
- Jokes about Wemby’s size and Chet Holmgren needing to gain weight.
- A long tangent about the shortest country in the world and why geography questions always stump everyone.
Bottom Line
This episode was mostly about:
- The Spurs winning Game 7
- The Knicks making the Finals
- Wemby’s rise
- Mike Breen’s emotional and professional perspective on calling the Finals
- Keith Yandle’s take on the Stanley Cup Final
- A classic PMT mix of sports analysis, jokes, and internet rabbit holes
If you want one sentence: it’s a hype-heavy, offseason-to-finals bridge episode that treats both the NBA and NHL playoff races like they’re setting up the next big era.