Overview of PMS 2.0 1558
This episode of Pardon My Take / PMS 2.0 was a fast-moving sports roundup built around two big interviews — Wayne Gretzky and PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai — plus plenty of reaction to the NBA and NHL playoffs, Aaron Rodgers’ likely final NFL season, and a handful of breaking news items across sports. The show leaned heavily into the idea that it’s a huge time for sports: every league had meaningful games, big personalities, and shifting storylines.
Major Topics Covered
NBA Playoffs: Thunder, Knicks, and Cavs
- The crew opened with Oklahoma City’s playoff win and the controversy around the Thunder’s physical style, especially Isaiah Hartenstein battling Victor Wembanyama.
- They discussed:
- the Thunder’s depth and star power
- SGA’s late-game takeover
- complaints about flopping and free throws
- The Knicks’ 22-point comeback over the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the East finals was a major talking point.
- Jalen Brunson was praised for his poise and killer instinct.
- James Harden drew criticism from Kendrick Perkins for struggling defensively and offensively.
- The Cavaliers’ lack of late-game adjustments and leadership was also debated.
NHL Playoffs: Canes, Canadiens, Golden Knights, and Avalanche
- A major portion of the show focused on the NHL postseason, with the hosts emphasizing how entertaining the playoffs have been.
- Key storylines:
- Carolina vs. Montreal in the Eastern Conference Final
- Vegas vs. Colorado in the West
- the importance of home-ice energy and physical playoff hockey
- The crew highlighted:
- Carolina’s intimidating home crowd
- Montreal’s fatigue after a long series
- Colorado missing Cale Makar as a major issue
- Vegas getting elite play and strong coaching from John Tortorella was actually discussed in the context of strong veteran leadership, though the name was likely meant as a coaching reference elsewhere; the main point was Vegas’s bench leadership and execution
Baseball: Ohtani, Pirates, and Prospects
- Shohei Ohtani was praised for continuing to dominate as both a pitcher and hitter.
- The show also touched on:
- the Pirates’ young talent and their place in a crowded NL Central
- the rise of Miz (Jacob Misiorowski) as a power arm with massive upside
- the fun, fan-driven “tarps off” baseball culture spreading in places like St. Louis and Pittsburgh
- A big takeaway: baseball’s most exciting players are becoming must-watch nightly storylines.
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers
- One of the biggest NFL moments came when Rodgers told reporters: “This is it.”
- The panel interpreted that as Rodgers clearly signaling that 2026 is likely his last season.
- They discussed:
- the Steelers’ “all-in” vibe
- how Rodgers’ presence creates urgency
- the idea that the team can now build with clarity around his timeline
- There was also optimism that Pittsburgh’s offense could be much better than expected if Rodgers stays healthy.
Breaking NFL / Team News
- Jack Campbell received a new deal from the Lions, with the crew praising his role as the heart of Detroit’s defense.
- The Raiders were discussed as a team with surprising upside:
- Fernando Mendoza was described as an exciting, smart, physically gifted quarterback prospect
- Brock Bowers was labeled a football “robot from heaven”
- the overall roster build was seen as aggressive and potentially promising
Guest Interviews
Wayne Gretzky
Gretzky was the standout guest of the show. The conversation covered:
- the growth of hockey globally
- the NHL’s increasing parity and entertainment value
- why hockey is thriving in the current era
- his praise for the league’s athletes and personalities
- memories of Sidney Crosby as a young phenom
- how Gretzky views all-time greats like Crosby, McDavid, Mario Lemieux, and others
Key Gretzky takeaways
- Hockey is growing because the players are marketable, skilled, and likable.
- The league’s parity makes almost every playoff series feel winnable.
- He still believes the sport is in a strong upward trend.
- He praised Canada, the U.S., and international hockey growth.
- He emphasized that today’s players are bigger, faster, and stronger than his era.
Aaron Rai
The PGA Championship winner discussed:
- winning the PGA Championship
- the difficulty of the course and the tough scoring conditions
- his lifelong comfort as a putter
- why he wears two gloves
- how his wife helps keep his life balanced
- what the victory means for the rest of his career
Key Rai takeaways
- He’s been a two-glove player since childhood, originally for warmth, then for feel and grip.
- The win is career-changing because it gives him major exemptions and access to elite events.
- He and his wife keep golf from taking over every part of life.
- His win was celebrated in a low-key but meaningful way, including a Chipotle stop the next day.
Kendrick Perkins and P.K. Subban Appearances
Both guests brought strong opinions and lots of energy.
Kendrick Perkins
- Focused on the Thunder’s physicality and the controversy around Hartenstein’s defense on Wembanyama.
- Criticized James Harden’s defense and questioned Cleveland’s execution.
- Praised Alex Caruso as one of the best role players of his generation.
- Was highly skeptical of the Cavaliers after Game 1.
P.K. Subban
- Talked about the Canadiens, Hurricanes, and the speed/skill demands of playoff hockey.
- Argued that Montreal needs to be faster and more connected against Carolina.
- Praised Mitch Marner and explained why Toronto fans are wrong to blame him.
- Broke down skating edges, hockey IQ, and the elite movement skills of top NHL players.
- Also admitted to warming up fish in the ESPN office, which became a running joke.
Notable Moments and Running Jokes
- The “ethical ball” conversation around Oklahoma City’s physical style.
- Multiple jokes about “goons,” flopping, and playoff hard-nosed hockey.
- A long-running bit about bees affecting internet service at AJ Hawk’s house.
- A “tarps off” celebration trend in baseball.
- Several humorous references to New York celebrities, Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, and the Knicks’ vibe in Madison Square Garden.
- The crew repeatedly joked about how many sports stories were happening at once.
Key Takeaways
- Sports are delivering everywhere right now: NBA, NHL, MLB, and golf all had major storylines.
- Wayne Gretzky reinforced hockey’s momentum and its growing appeal worldwide.
- Aaron Rai’s PGA win feels like a career-defining breakthrough.
- Aaron Rodgers’ “this is it” comment was treated as a real signal that his final season may be here.
- The playoffs are physical, emotional, and unpredictable, which is exactly why the show kept calling this a great time to be a sports fan.