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Author Jeff Pearlman criticized Pat McAfee after McAfee said on his show that he used advance information from ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania to place a bet on LeBron James’ free agency destination. Charania had told McAfee ahead of time that he would want him on the show that day, which McAfee said signaled that James had made his decision before it became public. Pearlman argued in a TikTok video that the moment showed ESPN had abandoned its claim to journalistic credibility. McAfee recounted the exchange on his show, saying, “We were told by Shams, ‘You’re gonna want me on the show today.'” He continued, “So it’s like, OK, decision’s being made. I just hammered top four. He was at +700.”
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations and general manager, said that the organization wanted to give James the space and time necessary to figure out whatever he plans to do next. Team sources have said that stance has not changed. James’ agent, Rich Paul, told Pat McAfee Friday that he hadn’t even discussed options for next season with James (though he mentioned interest from a third of the league should James decide to continue playing).
ESPN anchor Pat McAfee pricelessly referred to former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg as “some very rich guy” after the billionaire was nearly crushed in the crowd when Knicks guard Jose Alvarado leapt into the stands chasing a loose ball. “Alvarado’s sitting on some very rich guy,” McAfee joked on the alternate broadcast of Game 3 of the NBA Finals. “Oh, that’s Mayor Bloomberg!” he quickly added after realizing who the courtside fan was.
Pat McAfee: Shams Charania: "Austin Reaves could play on Wednesday in Game 5.. Luka Doncic will not be returning in this series"
Pat McAfee: "Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs believed that he was cleared to play in game three.. He was pissed that he wasn't able to play"
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Pat McAfee: "I think the Rockets are preparing to play without Kevin Durant in game five.. They're gonna be looking to lean on that young core moving forward" ~ @ShamsCharania
Shaquille O’Neal: When you're talking about that goat conversation, I would like to hear all the names. And I'm about to add one more name cuz he's unbelievable. I rather than just going Mike and LeBron, which is fine. It's your choice. Got to put Kobe in there. Just put him in the conversation. And now I'm saying it here on the Pat McAfee show, got to put Stephen Curry in there. The only thing Steph Curry has not done those other guys have done is the finishing dunk. Think about what I'm saying. Like all the other guys they have, they have a finishing dunk play. But Steph Curry behind that line is… The impact is similar to a finishing dunk. But you definitely got to put him as one of the greatest players of all time. Kobe, Mike, LeBron, Steph.
Pat McAfee: "The reality is we're watching the end of a relationship between LeBron James and the Lakers.. The end is near however you wanna slice it.. Whether he retires at the end of the season or if he signs somewhere else as a free agent"
Pat McAfee: "These conversations between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have been happening since May.. Recently these conversations about his future have only intensified" ~ Shams Charania
Pat McAfee: "The frustration that Giannis Antetokounmpo has is at an all time high.. I've been hearing for months that the writing is on the wall for Giannis and the Bucks.. It's just how do they get there and when do they get there" ~ Shams Charania
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Pat McAfee: "Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it very clear that he wants to compete for championships.. That isn't what has transpired in Milwaukee this season.. The Bucks and Giannis have major decisions to make the next two weeks" ~ @ShamsCharania
Pat McAfee: "This is now reaching different levels.. This situation between Giannis and the Bucks was a lot more sheltered in the offseason" -- Shams Charania
This week, NBA commissioner Adam Silver sounded a wee bit responsible in telling Pat McAfee he had asked the NBA’s gambling partners to “pull back some of the prop bets” for lower paid players. If they do, it’d be removing a teaspoon from the ocean. Almost 20 years ago on TrueHoop I interviewed one of the smartest economists in the world. Justin Wolfers also happens to be a former bookie, who has thought deeply about sports gambling. His take: prop bets and point spreads make cheating too easy. You can corrupt a player or coach merely by getting them to do things that mean nothing to athletes and coaches, like fake an injury in the second quarter or place a call about someone not starting. The economic incentives are misaligned: I can tell you something I care little about in exchange for money I care a lot about. Wolfers’ recommendation: legalize gambling on wins and losses only. His guess is that coaches and players have genuine passion for those things, and would be very tough to corrupt.
ESPN's Pat McAfee asked Silver if the NBA could consider moving its games on Christmas Eve and give way to the NFL on Christmas Day. Silver was candid with his response. “No, we're not (playing) on Christmas Eve, that's a traditional day off in the NBA. That's the trade-off, right? Guys are home on Christmas Eve, and they play on Christmas, and the NFL has joined us. We got more competition,” said the 63-year-old commissioner with a smile. When McAfee tried to push his idea further, Silver stayed firm. “There's no plan to do it at the moment,” stressed Silver, who took the helm of the NBA in 2014.