Running It Back

53 years of waiting is officially over. New York is officially Knick-a-bonkers. The gentleman’s sweep of Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs is complete, and Mike and Tarlin are back for Year 6 of Running It Back to unpack the definitive lessons learned from the 2026 NBA Finals. From Jalen Brunson’s masterclass in footwork to the elite grit of the Nova Knicks, we are breaking down how culture, character, and clutch timing systematically dismantled Vegas's favorite "alien." Pop a top, shrug off the NFL media takeover, and let's run it back. 🎧 Episode Timestamps 00:00 — Year 6 of the pod, NFL trade distractions, and the upcoming NBA Draft ("wingspan," not arm length!). 01:15 — The 53-year drought is over: Brunson-sanity takes over Brooklyn. 04:00 — Tarlin’s dispatch from enemy territory (Times Square) and escaping JFK lightning strikes. 05:40 — To The Victor Goes The L: The 63 Saturday night arrests and why Macy's wooden escalators are lucky to still be standing. 07:45 — Taylor Swift's crumpled hat & the Knicks as America’s Team. 08:30 — The Lamppost Theory: Why analytics failed the Spurs. 10:00 — Lesson 1: You always want an OG as your wingman (and the legend of "Twinkle Toes" Brunson). 12:10 — Lesson 2: Who let the dogs out? Real grit vs. genetic lotteries. 15:30 — Lesson 3: Experience matters. There are no shortcuts to the mountaintop. 21:50 — Basketball Intelligence: A San Diego callback to the Luka vs. Brunson debate. 24:15 — Roster Construction: How Leon Rose and Worldwide Wes built a culture of underdogs. 28:45 — Can you coach heart? (Spoiler: Hell yeah you can). 30:50 — The Explicit Outro: Don't get enamored of youth, the street meat metaphor, and putting Draymond Green on absolute blast. 32:45 — Ticker Tape Parade Predictions: Will Jose Alvarado end up on top of a street light? 🏀 Key Lessons From The 2026 Finals You Want an OG as Your Wingman: Everyone thought KAT was Brunson's primary shield, but OG Anunoby proved to be the ultimate, introverted, cold-blooded killer when it mattered most. Analytics Are a Lamppost: The analytics said the Spurs were the better team on paper. The basketball court said otherwise. "Analytics are like a lamppost to a drunk person. They'll hold you up. They're not gonna get you anywhere." — Josh Hart (quoting Jay Wright) Don't Get Enamored Of Youth: Talent is great, but Gen Z can’t win championships alone. Unseasoned street meat is a stay-away; you need mature, battle-tested veterans who know how to close out the fourth quarter when the game slows down to "winning time." Character Over "Wingspan": The Knicks built an entire identity around New York grit. From trades for Mikal Bridges to elite bench minutes from Jose Alvarado, they hired for character and reaped a championship. 🌶️ The Clean-Up Crew (EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING) We managed to keep it PG-13 for most of the run, but the final whistle required some explicit, lyrical flow. Mike finally crosses the line to clear up a massive cultural misconception: Street meat is NOT about the white sauce. Draymond Green, consider yourself officially put on notice. As for Thursday's ticker tape parade? Let's just hope the city greases the poles, because Jose Alvarado is definitely climbing a lamppost by noon. Hit that Subscribe button, leave a 5-star review, and let us know in the comments: Will the Knicks repeat in 2027?

Tarlin and Mike are back to chop it up about the Knicks Pacers rivalry through the years heading into the big series starting this week. Tarlin asks in on the Knicks bandwagon. Mike extols Brunson's leadership, doesn't fear Haliburton, the Pacers, Pat McAfee, or even Hans Perez, the firefighter who wore a Haliburton jersey to the midtown New York celebration outside MSG on Friday night. Mike and Gilbert Arenas are saying Knicks in 5. Tarlin is on Knicks in 6--It sounds good, doesn't it? Where do you stand? Which half of Knicks Nation do you belong to? Or are you riding or dying with the House of Haliburton? Listen in and learn. Subscribe wherever you get your pods. Video episodes up on Youtube and Spotify.

Get ready for a high-energy episode of Running It Back! Mike and Tarlin deliver instant analysis of the latest NBA drama: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton. We dissect the controversial end-of-game moments, the heated aftermath, and the unexpected involvement of family members. Is Halliburton soft or clutch? Is Giannis a philosopher or just tired of the drama? We’re also talking overrated players and the rise of the crazed sports parent. It's a jam-packed episode with all the hot takes you crave! Tarlin challenges Mike's assessment of Halliburton, offering a compelling defense of the young star while Mike doubles down on his "soft" critique. We explore the complexities of Halliburton's game, his interactions with other players (including Dame Lillard!), and the surprising revelation that he was voted one of the league's most overrated players. Beyond the player face-off, we delve into the escalating trend of overzealous parents in youth and professional sports. The guys discuss the John Halliburton incident, comparing it to other examples of parental interference and debating the impact on the players and the game itself. It's a conversation that goes beyond the headlines to examine the changing culture of sports.

Alright, sports fans, buckle up for a high-energy episode of "Running it Back"! The crew is back, and they're diving headfirst into the NBA playoffs, where the stakes are high, and the drama is hotter than a five-alarm fire! The guys kick things off with a little smack talk. Tarlin Ray is feeling the heat in a step challenge, while Mike Palmer is dodging those "microaggressions"! But don't worry, they quickly pivot to the hardwood! Nico Harrison is in the spotlight, stirring up buzz with his "defense wins championships" mantra. Is it just coach speak, or is there a deeper message? The crew breaks down the stats, debates Luka Doncic's defensive game (or lack thereof), and even throws in some LeBron comparisons for good measure! They dissect the "eye test" versus the stat sheet, pondering whether Luka's offensive brilliance outweighs his defensive deficiencies. And can we read between the lines of Nico Harrison’s press conferences? Like what you're hearing, subscribe, spread the word, and let us know what you think.

"Best sports docuseries I've ever watched!" - That's high praise from co-host Tarlin Ray, and it's exactly what we're diving into on this episode of Running It Back. We're breaking down Netflix's "Court of Gold," the captivating documentary that takes you inside the Paris Olympics and the quest for basketball gold. Relive the drama with Steph Curry's Olympic debut, Kevin Durant's pursuit of history, and LeBron James's behind the scenes presence as Team USA faces fierce competition from teams like Serbia, France, and Canada. We analyze Steve Kerr's coaching, the clash of big personalities, and the incredible access that puts you in the locker room and on the sidelines. We'll also discuss the standout performances from players like Nikola Jokic, Evan Fournier, Nicolas Batum, and Bogdan Bogdanovic and more, plus debate the future of the NBA All-Star game. Is an international vs. USA format the answer? We're looking at you, Adam Silver. If you loved "The Last Dance" or any great sports documentary, "Court of Gold" is a must-watch, and this podcast episode is your perfect companion.

Welcome to Running It Back, the podcast that dives deep to find lessons from the latest sports news and its the biggest games. In this episode, Tarlin Ray and Mike Palmer are back as we navigate the NFL playoffs, its head coaching carousel, and explore new sports leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. First, we break down the NFC and AFC Championship games, highlighting the underdog stories and the potential for upsets. Can Jayden Daniels lead the Commanders to an unexpected victory over the Eagles? Will Josh Allen and the Bills overcome the Chiefs' dominance? We analyze the key players and predict the outcomes. Next, we delve into the NFL coaching carousel, discussing the recent hires and analyzing the impact of these changes on the league. We also debate the qualifications of Eric Bieniemy and explore the reasons behind his struggles to secure a head coaching position. Finally, we shift our attention to the innovative sports leagues TGL and Unrivaled. We discuss the unique format of TGL, its potential to revolutionize televised golf, and the challenges it faces in delivering a compelling viewing experience. We also touch upon Unrivaled, the new women's basketball league, and its potential to elevate the sport. Join us for this exciting episode as we cover the latest sports news and share our insights on the games that have everyone talking. Don't forget to subscribe to Running It Back on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts to stay up-to-date on the latest sports discussions. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Back to the Podcast 00:39 Reflecting on the LA Fires 03:22 NFL Playoffs and Championship Weekend 04:52 Rookie Quarterbacks in the NFL 09:12 Commanders vs. Eagles Analysis 11:57 Kansas City Chiefs: The Overdogs 16:15 Coaching Carousel and NFL Draft 17:00 New Blood in Coaching: Kevin O'Connell's Extension 17:19 Jaguars' Coaching Drama: A Real Housewife Moment 17:52 Pete Carroll Joins the Raiders: A Culture Reset 18:45 Coaching Carousel: Eric Bieniemy's Struggles 24:13 TGL: The Future of Golf Entertainment 28:18 Unrivaled: The New Women's Basketball League 30:35 Sports Nostalgia and Future Innovations 31:44 Final Thoughts and Hopes for LA Sports

In this episode of Running It Back, Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray dive into the start of the NBA season, keying off of the Mind the Game podcast and reflecting on LeBron and Bronny James' father-son debut and offering thoughts on how Bronny will navigate the league. We also pay tribute to Fernando Valenzuela, discussing his legacy and recent passing. Tarlin shares his insights on key NBA players to watch this season, including JJ Redick, Lonzo Ball, and Ja Morant. Mike shouts out a surprising dark horse for NBA Comeback Player. As always, we weave in lessons in management both on and off the court, exploring the importance of emotional intelligence, strategy, and leadership in sports and beyond. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at RunningItBack.fm for more lessons learned from the world of sports. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Banter 00:51 Remembering Fernando Valenzuela 02:12 Mets and Dodgers Talk 06:46 NBA Season Kickoff 09:03 JJ Redick and Coaching Insights 19:24 USC Hoops and Juju Watkins 19:44 LeBron and Bronny: A Basketball Legacy 20:33 Famous Father-Son Duos in Sports 22:16 Bronny's Role and Future in the NBA 24:39 Pharrell's Prolific Career 26:15 Jason Tatum and Caitlyn Clark: The Revenge Tour 28:44 Lonzo Ball's Comeback 29:42 Ja Morant and the Grizzlies 32:12 NBA Season Excitement and Future Episodes

In this episode of Running It Back, Tarlin Ray and Mike Palmer dive into the 2024 Paris Olympics, exploring the captivating stories and performances that have captured the world's attention. We discuss the remarkable comeback of Simone Biles, highlighting her resilience and continued dominance in gymnastics. Check out our episode about Biles at the Tokyo Olympics for more on this. We also shine a spotlight on the "pommel horse guy," Steven Nedoroscik, and his crucial role in securing a bronze medal for the U.S. men's gymnastics team. And as promised, here's Christopher Guest and Martin Short from SNL doing their legendary Men's Synchronized Swimming Skit back in the day. We explore the impressive showing of host country France, particularly in swimming, where Léon Marchand is making waves with his performances. We touch on the heartwarming sportsmanship displayed by Michael Phelps as he cheers on Marchand's success. The episode also covers the controversies and dynamics within Team USA basketball, analyzing player selections and on-court chemistry. We discuss the unexpected benching of star players and the adaptability of others to the international style of play. Throughout the episode, we draw parallels between Olympic team dynamics and effective management in professional settings, offering insights on specialization, individual contributions, and team cohesion. We wrap up by expressing our excitement for the upcoming track and field events and looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.