Digest

This podcast episode features a diverse range of topics, including women's sports, the 1936 Olympics, Team USA basketball, the Dallas Cowboys, Lamar Jackson, and Charles Barkley's departure from TNT. The episode begins with an introduction to "Good Game with Sarah Spain," a podcast dedicated to women's sports. It then transitions to Malcolm Gladwell's announcement of a new podcast series titled "Hitler's Games," which explores the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin and the intersection of fascism, anti-Semitism, racism, and Olympic ideals. Grant Hill, Team USA basketball managing director, discusses the challenges of assembling a team for international competition, highlighting the differences between NBA basketball and international play. He explains the philosophy behind Team USA's roster selection, emphasizing the importance of defense and the team's discovery of a strong partnership between Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis. Hill also discusses the growing influence of international players in the NBA and the potential need for a re-evaluation of grassroots development in the United States. The episode then shifts to football, with Ross Tucker discussing the contract situation surrounding the Dallas Cowboys, particularly the holdouts of CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. He criticizes Jerry Jones's approach to contract negotiations and compares the Cowboys' situation to the Eagles, who have successfully managed their roster and contracts. Tucker also discusses John Harbaugh's recent praise of Lamar Jackson, questioning the timing of the praise given Jackson's history of missing practice and games due to illness. He suggests that Harbaugh may be trying to defend Jackson against criticism, particularly regarding his playoff performance. The episode concludes with Charles Barkley discussing his upcoming departure from TNT and the NBA, expressing sadness for the people he works with who will lose their jobs. He reveals his 10-year, $210 million contract and explains his refusal to take a pay cut, potentially leading to his free agency next summer. Barkley discusses potential future opportunities after his departure from TNT, acknowledging conversations with other networks but emphasizing his current intention to retire. He expresses his love for TNT and the people he works with, making a return to another network unlikely.

Outlines

00:00:00

Women's Sports and "Good Game with Sarah Spain"

This segment introduces the podcast "Good Game with Sarah Spain," focusing on women's sports. It highlights the podcast's mission to provide the latest news, stories, and analysis on women's sports.

00:01:01

"Hitler's Games" Podcast Announcement

Malcolm Gladwell announces a new podcast series on the 1936 Olympic Games, titled "Hitler's Games." He describes the series as exploring the collision of fascism, anti-Semitism, racism, and Olympic ideals in the lead-up to the controversial games.

00:01:37

Team USA Basketball and International Play

Grant Hill, Team USA basketball managing director, discusses the pressure of putting together the team and the challenges of international play. He highlights the differences between NBA basketball and international competition, including the shorter game length, emphasis on ball movement, and officiating styles.

00:05:39

Team USA Roster Decisions and Philosophy

Grant Hill explains the philosophy behind Team USA's roster selection, including the decision to leave Jaylen Brown off the team. He emphasizes the importance of defense and the team's discovery of a strong partnership between Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis.

00:09:21

International Talent in the NBA and Team USA's Future

Grant Hill discusses the growing influence of international players in the NBA and the challenges Team USA faces in keeping up with this talent pool. He acknowledges the dominance of international players in recent years and suggests a potential need to re-evaluate grassroots development in the United States.

00:12:17

LeBron James's Continued Dominance

Grant Hill shares his observations on LeBron James's continued athleticism and leadership at age 39. He praises James's dedication and impact on the team, highlighting his impressive performance in practice and exhibition games.

00:14:49

Cooper Flagg's Potential and Future

Grant Hill discusses the potential of young basketball player Cooper Flagg, who had a strong showing in a Team USA exhibition game. He acknowledges Flagg's talent but emphasizes the need for further development before considering him for the Olympic team.

00:20:53

Dallas Cowboys' Contract Situation and Jerry Jones's Approach

Ross Tucker discusses the contract situation surrounding the Dallas Cowboys, particularly the holdouts of CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. He criticizes Jerry Jones's approach to contract negotiations and compares the Cowboys' situation to the Eagles, who have successfully managed their roster and contracts.

00:32:48

John Harbaugh's Praise of Lamar Jackson

Ross Tucker discusses John Harbaugh's recent praise of Lamar Jackson, questioning the timing of the praise given Jackson's history of missing practice and games due to illness. He suggests that Harbaugh may be trying to defend Jackson against criticism, particularly regarding his playoff performance.

00:39:05

Charles Barkley's Departure from TNT and Future Plans

Charles Barkley discusses his upcoming departure from TNT and the NBA, expressing sadness for the people he works with who will lose their jobs. He reveals his 10-year, $210 million contract and explains his refusal to take a pay cut, potentially leading to his free agency next summer.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the key differences between NBA basketball and international play, according to Grant Hill?

  Grant Hill highlights several differences, including the shorter game length, which makes every possession more valuable. He also notes that international teams often rely more on ball movement and player movement, while NBA teams tend to rely on individual talent. Additionally, he points out that officiating styles differ, with international play often favoring defensive players.

• How did Team USA's roster decisions reflect their philosophy of building a team?

  Grant Hill emphasizes the importance of defense in Team USA's roster selection. The decision to leave Jaylen Brown off the team was based on the team's need for strong point-of-attack defense, which Derek White provides. The team also discovered a strong partnership between Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis, leading to a shift in their roster strategy.

• What are the challenges Team USA faces in keeping up with the growing influence of international players in the NBA?

  Grant Hill acknowledges the dominance of international players in recent years, particularly in terms of MVP awards. He suggests that Team USA may need to re-evaluate its grassroots development model to ensure it continues to produce top-tier talent.

• What is the current contract situation surrounding the Dallas Cowboys, and what are the potential implications?

  The Dallas Cowboys are facing contract negotiations with key players like CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. Ross Tucker criticizes Jerry Jones's approach to these negotiations, suggesting that the Cowboys' lack of playoff success may be due to their unwillingness to pay top dollar for their best players. He believes that the Cowboys may be willing to move on from Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy if they don't achieve significant success this season.

• What is Charles Barkley's current contract situation with TNT, and what are his plans for the future?

  Charles Barkley has a 10-year, $210 million contract with TNT, but he is not willing to take a pay cut. He believes that TNT will have to guarantee the full contract or he will become a free agent next summer. While he currently intends to retire, he is open to listening to offers from other networks.

Show Notes