Overview of PMS 2.0 1562 - Feel Good Friday with PK Subban, Quentin Richardson, Brittany McKinney, Shams Charania, Jeff Passan, Adam Schefter, Cody Campbell, & AJ Hawk
This Feel Good Friday episode of The Pat McAfee Show was a wide-ranging sports grab bag: NBA playoff fallout, college sports realignment and policy, women’s college softball, hockey, baseball labor talk, NFL OTAs, and a few viral sports moments from around the world. The through-line was simple: big games, big personalities, and a lot of optimism heading into a massive sports weekend.
NBA: Game 7, the Knicks’ health, and the Mitchell Robinson pinky
The show opened on the San Antonio Spurs’ blowout win over Oklahoma City, forcing a Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals. Pat emphasized that while Game 6 was ugly, Game 7 is still the prize everyone wants. The discussion centered on:
- Victor Wembanyama’s response: He was praised as a “dog” and “killer” for bouncing back after losses.
- Oklahoma City’s identity: The crew noted the Thunder’s style of play could become the league-wide blueprint if they keep winning.
- Game 7 implications: The Thunder’s response to getting blown out was framed as a major storyline.
The Knicks also came up heavily, especially the Mitchell Robinson pinky injury. The crew discussed how the injury looked more concerning at first, but ultimately seemed manageable. The bigger takeaway was that the Knicks may be the freshest team left, having had more rest and health than in recent playoff runs.
Key Knicks takeaways
- More healthy than they’ve been in years
- Rest could matter more than rust
- Their rebound dominance was highlighted with a Hembo stat: 631 rebounds to opponents’ 498, the largest margin in postseason history through 14 games
College sports: Texas Tech, Texas, and the future of college athletics
A major chunk of the show focused on Joey McGuire, Texas Tech, and the possibility of a Texas vs. Texas Tech opening-week showdown. McGuire’s comments about Texas and the possibility of playing the Longhorns in Lubbock became a centerpiece of the conversation.
Pat and the crew riffed on the idea of a “hypothetical, hypothetical” opening-week mega-game that could be played on Thursday night to kick off the season, potentially as a new model for college football showcase matchups.
Cody Campbell on college sports reform
Cody Campbell joined to discuss a major proposed college sports bill aimed at stabilizing the system. His key points:
- The bill is meant to restore rules and control to college sports
- It is intended to protect Olympic and women’s sports
- It would create clearer limits on transfer chaos
- It would regulate agents and predatory commission structures
- It seeks a bipartisan solution that can pass in Congress
Campbell argued the bill is both pro-athlete and anti-chaos, and said the goal is to preserve college sports rather than let the current system spiral.
Big picture from the college sports segment
- The show discussed a proposed 24-team College Football Playoff
- The SEC is seen as the main holdout
- The conversation repeatedly returned to TV networks, money, and the growing role of business in college athletics
Women’s College Softball World Series with Brittany McKinney
Brittany McKinney helped break down the Women’s College World Series and why this year feels especially open and compelling.
Biggest storylines
- Mississippi State beating Oklahoma was a massive upset
- Oklahoma’s dynasty-level run has been disrupted
- Texas Tech is becoming a legitimate powerhouse in softball, just like it is in football
- The sport is loaded with elite pitching, speed, and emotional storylines
Notable insight
McKinney highlighted Mississippi State pitcher Delaney Everett, whose huge upset performance came with a personal backstory involving the death of her father. The line of the day was:
“An underdog is still a freaking dog.”
She also explained the major differences in pitch types and velocity in softball, including how dominant a 70+ mph pitcher can be when combined with movement and a strong changeup.
Hockey talk with PK Subban
PK Subban joined for a strong hockey segment centered on the Canadiens vs. Hurricanes matchup.
Hockey themes
- Carolina was praised for its aggressive forecheck and pressure
- Montreal was urged to play faster and more physically
- The Canadiens need to create offense instead of just surviving pressure
- The show also touched on the emotional impact of Claude Lemieux’s passing
PK’s comments were thoughtful and personal, emphasizing the fraternity of hockey and how the sport brings people together. The segment ended on a reminder to appreciate people while you can.
Insiders Only: Shams, Passan, Schefter
The back half of the show featured rapid-fire insider updates.
Shams Charania: Mitchell Robinson and NBA tanking reform
Shams reported that Mitchell Robinson had surgery on his right pinky / hand area and is expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. He also broke down the NBA’s new anti-tanking framework, including:
- Flattened lottery odds
- Less incentive for bottoming out
- Restrictions on repeated top picks
- A reform intended to discourage intentional losing
Jeff Passan: MLB labor and salary cap debate
Passan discussed the beginnings of another major labor battle in baseball:
- MLB’s initial proposal includes a salary cap
- The players’ side strongly resists it
- Both sides are just at the beginning of negotiations
- A work stoppage would be disastrous given baseball’s current momentum
Adam Schefter: NFL OTAs and injury news
Schefter covered early NFL offseason storylines, including:
- Injury updates on several players
- Bucky Irving’s shoulder issue
- Chris Rodriguez’s foot injury
- The Josh Jacobs arrest situation
- A belief that C.J. Stroud will likely get paid before the season starts
Fun / viral sports moments in the “not ass” and “oh no” segments
The show also featured a bunch of quick-hitting sports clips and reaction commentary.
Highlights that “aren’t ass”
- A spectacular Mecca Abuka catch in Tampa Bay OTAs
- Breck Shea spinning and scoring in the TST soccer event
- Yonathan Perlaza in Korea using a breakdancing-style move to avoid a tag at home plate
- A kid negotiating a first-home-run ball deal on the phone like a seasoned agent
- Darius Butler dominating in a South Florida men’s league hoops clip
- Luke Littler winning the Premier League Darts title at age 19
“Oh no” moments
- A scary horse-racing spill at Aqueduct
- Jannik Sinner cramping and collapsing in a major tennis loss
- A trophy breaking immediately after being lifted in Russia
- A brutal Oklahoma drill-style collision in Australia
Final feel-good message
The episode ended in classic Pat McAfee fashion: gratitude for the audience, the crew, the guests, and the fact that sports keep producing stories worth caring about. The overarching message was that this weekend is loaded with huge events, and the show believes there’s a real chance for another unforgettable stretch of sports.