Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre

Latest Episodes:

NFL Players Pushing Back on COVID Vaccine Protocols + FOX Sports college football analyst RJ Young Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the NFL’s new COVID-19 vaccination protocols. The NFL isn’t mandating that every player get vaccinated, but the protocols are written in such a way that it would behoove you to do so. If guys like DeAndre Hopkins would rather retire altogether than get the jab, then that’s their prerogative. Nobody can force you to do anything that you’re not comfortable doing. As is the case with any controversial decision, though, let’s just hope that he’s willing to live with the consequences. Later, FOX Sports college football analyst RJ Young swings by to explain why Oklahoma and Texas' proposed moved to the SEC doesn't make sense and is premature to even consider at this point, the role Texas A&M might play in this whole saga, why Oklahoma and Texas changing conferences might actually hurt them in the College Football Playoff picture, if Spencer Rattler or Baker Mayfield was the better NFL prospect coming out of college, why Texas should be viewed as developmental football program at this point in time, if Name Image and Likeness could lead to jealous and infighting within college sports programs, and much more!

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Giannis Took the Easy Route, Texas and OU to the SEC? & the Worst Interviewees in Sports Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into Giannis Antetokounmpo's assertion that he did things the 'hard' way by staying in Milwaukee rather than joining a Super Team. We love Giannis, but he's dead wrong on this one. Staying in your comfort zone in a city where you are adored is easy; Joining a Super Team and accepting the ridicule and pressure that comes along with it is hard. Not everybody can handle the instant hatred and constant scrutiny that comes along when you take your career into your own hands and leave to greener pastures. Do you remember what LeBron James had to go through when he left the Cavaliers and took his talents to South Beach? Did you forget how quickly Kevin Durant became the most hated man in the NBA when he jumped ship to the Warriors? It's part of the reason why guys like Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal have yet to publicly demand a trade out of their respective towns. Later, Jason shares a quick thought on Oklahoma and Texas' plan to leave the Big-12 and join the SEC. We're not expecting it to happen, but the fact that they're trying to do it shouldn't come as a surprise. We saw something similar happen in European soccer a few months ago. If there's money to be made, these sports entities will do everything they can to make it happen. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick stroll down memory lane - inspired by 'Don't call me Deion' Sanders' press conference that went viral this week - in which he discusses his worst experiences as an interviewer.

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Giannis is More Wilt Than Shaq, Bucks are a One Night Stand & CP3's Future Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a full breakdown of the Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA Finals series victory over the Phoenix Suns. First, kudos to Giannis Antetokounmpo for putting on an epic performance in Game 6. With this ring and Finals MVP award, the Greek Freak has joined some elite company in NBA History. That said, as great as his performance was, let’s pump the brakes on all the Shaquille O’Neal comparisons. Shaq was bulldozing through defenders back in his heyday while Giannis is more likely to explode around them. In many ways, Giannis is much more like Wilt Chamberlain than he is like Shaq. Later, Jason looks into his crystal ball to determine whether or not the Bucks have any chance at repeating as champions next season. In a word: No. In a few words: Hell No. This is not the start of a Bucks Dynasty; It’s the culmination of a One Night Stand. Milwaukee had a magical run where everything seemed to break in their favor, and credit to them they were able to capitalize. Just don’t’ expect them to have such a charmed path again. Finally, Jason closes the show by sharing a quick thought on Chris Paul’s future with the Phoenix Suns. NBA Twitter is clamoring for CP3 to join forces with LeBron James in Los Angeles, but that’s hard pass on J-Mac’s end. Paul – and the Lakers – would be better off if he just stayed in Phoenix.

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ESPN Basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla on Team USA Basketball, the NBA Draft & The Tournament Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, ESPN basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla swings by for an extended conversation on a myriad of hoops topics, including: how the condensed NBA season has played a role in Team USA's struggles so far in exhibition play, why the 2024 Olympic Games will be a much better indicator of where American basketball stands on the global scale, why JaVale McGee could be more impactful than you think during the Olympics, why Jalen Green may have the highest upside in the NBA Draft but Cade Cunningham is the safer bet at #1 overall, why Evan Mobley reminds him so much of Chris Bosh, why he refers to Chris Duarte as 'baby Klay Thompson', what makes The Tournament so great, and much more! Later, Jason closes the show with a very special NBA Finals Game 6 edition of the Best Bet.

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Stop Hating on Space Jam, Damian Lillard's Future in Portland & the Suns' CP3 Problem Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

On today’s episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a quick defense of LeBron James' new movie - 'Space Jam: A New Legacy'. Is it a great movie? No, but it wasn't supposed to be. Is it surprising that the critics mostly hated it? No, but it wasn't made for them. The target demographic seems to love it, and that's all that matters in situations like this. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Damian Lillard's future following Henry Abbott's report on Friday that Dame would be requesting a trade in the coming days. Lillard tried to shoot down the report the best he could... only to go ahead and explain all the reasons why he would request a trade if he decided to. You can't blame Lillard for wanting out, and you can't hold his past comments about loyalty against him. Only a fool would keep the same opinion without bothering to consider new information. With Draymond Green and Steve Kerr heading over to Tokyo with Lillard and the rest of Team USA in the coming days, don't be surprised to see Dame connected to the Golden State Warriors when they all return. Finally, Jason and Rob G close the show with a full breakdown of the NBA Finals. The last 3 Phoenix Suns losses have been an indictment of Chris Paul. Period. Devin Booker has been sensational for most of the series, but with CP3 looking more and more like a 36-year-old point guard, it's hard to imagine Phoenix coming back in this one. What's more, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are all peaking at the right time for the Milwaukee Bucks. This series just feels over.

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Jason McIntyre talks Team USA’s chances in Tokyo and author Matt Sullivan joins the show! Jul 17, 2021

Show notes

Jason McIntyre kicks off his final Saturday show by trying to make sense of what’s going on with Team USA ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, and FS1 NBA insider Ric Bucher joins the show! Previewing tonight’s pivotal Game 5 matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, Can’t Knock The Hustle author Matt Sullivan joins the show to talk about the Nets with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, FSR legal analyst Amy Dash joins the show to talk about the Richard Sherman incident, and much more!

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Replacing Beal on Team USA, NBA Finals Game 5 Preview + The Ringer's Mirin Fader Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the cancellation of Friday's USA Basketball exhibition game against Australia stemming from Bradley Beal's positive COVID test. With the Delta variant running rampant around the world, are we sure at this point that the Olympic Games will go off without a hitch? And assuming they do, who should Team USA call up to replace Beal on the roster? Anthony Davis? Zion Williamson? This whole thing is definitely something to keep an eye on. Later, Jason does a quick preview of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. With the series shifting back to Phoenix we can assume the Suns' role players will play well. Will Bucks' role players be able to match the intensity? Finally, The Ringer staff writer and author Mirin Fader swings by to discuss the impending release of her new book 'GIANNIS: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP' and how the timing worked out so well, how the COVID restrictions actually forced her to become a better journalist, why Giannis is the American dream personified, how Giannis' path to the NBA is so much different than other international prospects like Luka Doncic, why loyalty played such a big role in his decision to stay in Milwaukee, the possibility of Giannis becoming the Face of the League, and much more!

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Bad Night for The Point God, Fear the Deer + FOX Sports MLB analyst Ben Verlander Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off by sharing his thoughts on the Milwaukee Bucks’ victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Khris Middleton had 40 for the Bucks and Devin Booker dropped 42 for the Suns, but the big story to come out of the game was the underwhelming play of the Point God Chris Paul. Paul had five more turnovers in Game 4 – including a critical one in the final minutes – and had arguably his worst game of the playoffs. In fact, CP3’s play has gotten worse pretty much every game of these NBA Finals. With Paul slowing down and Giannis Antetokounmpo looking like the most dominant player in the series, it feels like the Bucks are in full control. Later, FOX Sports MLB analyst Ben Verlander swings by to discuss what it was like meeting his sports hero Shohei Ohtani at the MLB All-Star Game, his own experience as a two-way player in college, why he’s only slightly optimistic that we’ll see more two-way players moving forward, how Twitch helped him prepare for a career in sports media, and much more!

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End of an Era at FOX Sports Radio + The Athletic NBA insider Joe Vardon Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a little story time related to his Saturday morning FOX Sports Radio show. The path to radio, television and podcast glory wasn't linear, to say the least. Let's just hope that whoever takes over the Saturday show cares about it as much as Jason did for the past 6 years. Later, The Athletic NBA insider Joe Vardon swings by to discuss his viral back-and-forth with Gregg Popovich following Team USA Basketball's loss to Australia, the idea that Popovich might not be the right coach for Team USA, how the decision to value playmaking and shooting on the roster over size and rebounding could come back to bite them as we get deeper into the tournament, why the pressure to get things back on track should fall mostly on Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard, what the impending arrivals of Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Devin Booker mean for the rest of the roster moving forward, which teams could cause them problems in the medal round, and much more!

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Just Call Him Showtime Ohtani & the Slow Death of Team USA Basketball Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Pete Alonso went on to win the event but the story of the night - as has been the case all season - was Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani. Few players can captivate the imagination of the casual fan quite like Ohtani. Later, Producer Rob G joins the show for a deep dive into what's gone wrong for Team USA Basketball. They've lost 2 straight exhibition games after dominating international competition for over a decade, and now hoops fans are trying to decide who to blame. Has head coach Gregg Popovich lost his ability to connect with superstar players since the Kawhi Leonard Era ended so abruptly? Is the roster filled with too many score-first players like Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine? With players like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum at the forefront, Team USA should be able to out-talent every team they go against. But, does that all that talent matter when half the guys are only on the team to build their personal brands overseas. In any event, we can all agree that there seems to be a disconnect between what Team USA says they want to be and what they actually are on the floor. Finally, the guys do a quick preview of Wednesday night's NBA Finals Game 4 between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks. Will the extra time off be enough to help the Suns regain control of the series? We'll find out soon enough.

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