Overview of PMS 2.0
Pat McAfee and the crew opened with a big night in sports: the Canadiens survived a Game 7 overtime thriller in Buffalo to advance, and the Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1 instantly became an all-timer with Victor Wembanyama delivering a superstar, future-of-the-league performance. The episode leaned heavily into playoff hockey, playoff basketball, and a few major college football/NCAA storyline updates, with guest appearances from Chris Paul, P.K. Subban, Iman Shumpert, Jack Hughes, Pete Thamel, and A.Q. Shipley.
NHL Playoffs: Game 7 Drama, Montreal Momentum, and Bettman News
Canadiens advance, Buffalo hearts break again
- Montreal beat Buffalo in Game 7 overtime to reach the Eastern Conference Final.
- The crew raved about the atmosphere, the road crowd in Buffalo, and how playoff hockey delivers exactly what fans want from a Game 7.
- Buffalo was praised for the effort, but the group also jokingly lamented the city’s long run of sports heartbreak.
Montreal vs. Carolina preview
- P.K. Subban made the case that Montreal’s run is powered by:
- elite goaltending,
- young legs,
- playoff momentum from two Game 7 wins,
- and the emotional lift of Montreal’s hockey culture.
- Carolina’s long layoff was framed as both a benefit and a potential rust issue.
- The takeaway: Montreal’s energy and goaltending make the series dangerous, but Carolina’s forecheck and rest will be a major test.
Other NHL note
- Pat broke a news item on the Vegas Golden Knights appeal regarding missing media obligations.
- The reported result: the original punishment stood — a $100,000 fine and a second-round pick loss.
NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama’s Star Turn in a Double-OT Thriller
Spurs-Thunder Game 1 lived up to the hype
- The crew described the game as one of the best basketball games they’d watched.
- Wembanyama was the centerpiece:
- clutch logo-range and step-back shots,
- dominant defensive presence,
- 48 minutes of high-impact playoff basketball,
- and a clear understanding of the moment.
- The Thunder responded well, with big nights from role players like Alex Caruso, but Wemby’s two-way impact stole the show.
Big themes from the game
- The matchup felt like “future of the NBA” basketball.
- OKC’s depth and coaching were praised.
- San Antonio’s youth movement was highlighted as historically promising:
- Wembanyama,
- Stephon Castle,
- Dylan Harper,
- Devin Vassell,
- and the Spurs’ overall belief and chemistry.
Wemby vs. Chet Holmgren
- Multiple guests emphasized the competitive edge between Wemby and Chet Holmgren.
- The subtext was that the matchup had been building for years and gave the game extra juice.
- The crew repeatedly framed Wemby as a “killer” and a true alpha competitor, not just a freak physical specimen.
Chris Paul Interview: Wemby, Coaching, and the Knicks-Cavs Series
On Wembanyama
- Chris Paul said Wemby’s big shot was not a surprise; he’s always been a great shooter.
- He explained that Wemby is evolving as an inside-out player and trusts the big moments.
- CP also stressed Wemby’s work ethic, competitiveness, and willingness to improve every part of his game.
On the Spurs’ future
- Paul pushed back on the idea that Wemby’s size and wear-and-tear automatically limit his long-term future.
- He said Wemby is prepared, detail-oriented, and obsessive about getting better.
On the Thunder’s defensive approach
- Chris explained that elite teams “load up” and force stars like SGA into walls of defenders.
- He noted that it becomes a team-wide shot-making test, not just a star scoring battle.
On the Knicks vs. Cavs
- Paul said the Knicks’ new offensive balance, especially Karl-Anthony Towns as a playmaker, changes how defenses can guard them.
- He viewed Game 1 as critical for Cleveland if it wants to steal one in New York.
- He also said the Knicks’ rest advantage could help or hurt depending on how sharp they come out.
Iman Shumpert Interview: Spurs’ Swagger, OKC’s Challenge, and Knicks-Cavs Outlook
On Spurs-Thunder
- Iman agreed the game had real playoff intensity and a “we don’t like each other” edge.
- He thought Wemby imposed his will late and questioned why Chet wasn’t on him more directly.
- He praised the Spurs’ culture and coaching, saying San Antonio’s winning DNA shows up in how young players are prepared.
On OKC and De’Aaron Fox
- Shumpert said OKC should be worried if San Antonio is already this good without De’Aaron Fox.
- His point: adding Fox only makes the Spurs more dangerous and gives them another layer of creation.
On Knicks-Cavs
- Iman liked the Knicks’ current structure, especially the way Towns changes the scouting report.
- He said Cleveland needs to try to steal Game 1 in New York because once the Knicks get rolling, they’re hard to slow down.
- He also emphasized Donovan Mitchell’s scoring variety and Cleveland’s need to start hot.
College Football and NCAA: Brendan Sorsby, Gambling, and Precedent
Pete Thamel’s report
- The big college-football story centered on Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby and his gambling-related eligibility case.
- His legal team filed for an injunction against the NCAA.
- The goal: allow him to play in 2026 despite betting-related issues.
- Thamel said the case is highly unusual because:
- it involves gambling rather than a typical eligibility issue,
- the NCAA has not officially ruled yet,
- and the matter could become a major precedent for college sports.
Why it matters
- The crew repeatedly framed it as a “seismic” issue for the NCAA.
- The timeline discussed included:
- a June hearing,
- a June 22 supplemental draft deadline,
- and the possibility that a court could force a faster answer than the NCAA normally gives.
Big Ten punt-rule aside
- Thamel also mentioned a new punt rule discussion at Big Ten meetings.
- Coaches reportedly hate the rule; officials are pushing for it.
- The segment was a reminder that even obscure special-teams policy can become a big offseason talking point.
Other NFL and Sports Notes
A.Q. Shipley on Jacoby Brissett
- Shipley said Brissett deserves more money if he’s going to start for Arizona.
- He praised Brissett’s timing, command, and ability to make the offense look functional.
- He argued the Cardinals should consider him a stabilizing veteran rather than treating him like a backup placeholder.
Jackson Smith-Njigba trophy typo
- The show also touched on a trophy engraving error for JSN after he won offensive player of the year.
- The crew treated it as embarrassing but fixable, and joked he should keep both trophies.
Jack Hughes and hockey’s growth
- Jack Hughes said he’s enjoying the offseason after a whirlwind year that included the gold medal run and the playoff finish.
- He called the NHL playoffs the best part of the sport and praised the atmosphere in Buffalo and Montreal.
- He said he’ll ramp back up in June and get back on the ice hungry.
AJ Hawk’s beekeeping hobby
- AJ revealed he’s been getting into beekeeping.
- He described catching a feral swarm and moving it into a hive.
- The group joked about bees, honey, allergies, and how “nail gun” energy applies to hockey and bees alike.
Key Takeaways
- Wembanyama looks like the NBA’s next true superstar.
- Montreal’s playoff run is being fueled by elite goaltending, young legs, and a loud hockey culture.
- The NCAA gambling/eligibility case involving Brendan Sorsby could become a major precedent.
- Chris Paul and Iman Shumpert both stressed that coaching, preparation, and mentality explain why these playoff games are so high-level.
- The show’s central theme was clear: the playoffs are where legends are made, and this week delivered a lot of evidence.
