All Ball

Defector’s resident Knicks fan, Giri Nathan, joins Drew and Roth this week! After dropping

Game 3, how is Giri feeling about his team? The series seems to hinge on whether or not Victor Wembanyama is dialed in. Why has his play in this series been so inconsistent? And why has the reffing been so lousy? Then, Giri talks about his experience at the French Open, and reveals his favorite sandwich he had while there. Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from listeners!

Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

Stuff We Talked About

• 200-year-old fossils
• Little Long Island Billy Joel aficionados
• Going to town on some sorbetto
• Richard Dawkins coded

Sponsors

- Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order

- Storyworth, where you can save up to $20

- Download the Reddit app for hot takes, fresh memes, and a group chat that never sleeps

Credits

- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth

- Producer: Brandon Grugle

- Editor: Mischa Stanton

- Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts

- Subscribe to Defector!

About The Show

The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leander Shaerlaeckens (author of the book The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts) joins the show for a World Cup preview! We’ll get the skinny on the unique challenge that is hosting a soccer championship in Donald Trump’s America, and how much each team’s homegrown sense of play might contribute to the American style of play - imitation, of course, being the most sincere form of flattery. And we’ll dig our snouts into the Funbag, and get some thoughts about how to name your dog.

Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

Stuff We Talked About

• A tray of lemons to absorb negativity
• The calves we’re looking for
• Tying our feet behind our back
• André 3000 (the dog)

Sponsors

- Raycon, where you can get 15% off

- MeUndies, where you can get up to 50% off your first order, plus free shipping

Credits

- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth

- Producer: Brandon Grugle

- Editor: Mischa Stanton

- Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts

- Subscribe to Defector!

About The Show

The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth are joined by David Grann, bestselling author of The Wager, Killers of the Flower Moon, and other precious tomes, and staff writer at The New Yorker! And, better yet, the Knicks made the finals for the first time since 1999! Is this the best Knicks team of David’s lifetime? And what celebrity Knicks fan annoys him the most? Could David take Timothée Chalamet in a fight?

Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

Stuff We Talked About

• NBA state of the art
• Mark Cuban’s Folly
• Game day disguises
• Courtside Pazuzu
• Let’s Make a Deal contestant Spike Lee

Sponsors

- Factor, where you can get 50% off and free daily greens per box

- Mint Mobile, where new customers can get three months of premium wireless service for $15 a month

Credits

- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth

- Producer: Brandon Grugle

- Editor: Mischa Stanton

- Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts

- Subscribe to Defector!

About The Show

The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth are joined by Ian Livengood, an NYT puzzle editor who works on Pips (Drew’s true joy) and the Midi! Ian shares behind-the-scenes info on how puzzles are constructed, edited, and sent out to solvers. Then, they all give their takes on the NBA finals as they stand. And finally, they open up the funbag to help a listener with his mosquito problem.

Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

Stuff We Talked About

• Crazy baby games
• Resident sports guy
• Zarfs
• Taking time in the fill
• Professional enabling
• Getting to queen bee
• The optimal way to kill (mosquitos)

Sponsors

- Reddit, where you can download the Reddit app for hot takes, fresh memes, and a group chat that never sleeps

Credits

- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth

- Producer: Brandon Grugle

- Editor: Mischa Stanton

- Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts

- Subscribe to Defector!

About The Show

The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s time to get serious about the NBA playoffs, so Drew and Roth welcome fellow Defector and host of Nothing But Respect and Only If You Get Caught Patrick Reford to the show! They start in the West with the Spurs and Timberwolves, then head to the East where the Knicks swept the Sixers. Are the Knicks, at long last, legit? Then, can Patrick sell Drew on the Cavs/Pistons series? Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from listeners!

Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

Stuff We Talked About

• College kid sleeping powers
• Comparing Trader Joe’s hauls
• Making the talent feel comfortable, but not TOO comfortable
• Putting in reps behind the desk
• Being the only normies at the Phish concert of a lifetime

Sponsors

- ZocDoc, where you can find and instantly book a doctor you love today

- Reddit, where you can download the Reddit app for hot takes, fresh memes, and a group chat that never sleeps

Credits

- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth

- Producer: Brandon Grugle

- Editor: Mischa Stanton

- Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts

- Subscribe to Defector!

About The Show

The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re excited to share a preview of a new podcast we think you’d enjoy: No Such Thing

No Such Thing is a show where three best friends and journalists settle their dumb arguments — and yours — by actually doing the research. Hosts Manny Fidel, Noah Friedman, and Devan Joseph start each episode with an argument using just their gut feelings. Then they go out into the world, investigate, talk to experts, and conduct some experiments. Finally, the guys bring their findings back to the group to see if they can change minds, enlighten each other, and move past their emotional truths.

Find No Such Thing on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. New episodes out Wednesdays

Listen here: No Such Thing

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defector’s chief hockey officer Lauren Theisen is back! Drew and Roth ask her how it’s possible that the Sabres hadn’t made the playoffs in 14 years. Also, Drew bought a Quinn Hughes jersey while stoned – was that a bad purchase? Then, they move to the NBA. Will we actually see the Knicks in the finals? And finally, they end with musical theater talk and opening up the funbag.

Check out Lauren’s upcoming book, Every Time a Bell Rings, when it comes out this holiday season!

Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

Stuff We Talked About

• Uninsulated bathrooms
• The secret room above the vent
• Singing while ice fishing
• The “Real” Bedford Falls
• A musical that makes you question if you really even like musicals

Sponsors

- Blueland, where you can get 15% off your first order

- Raycon, where you can get 15% off the Essential Open Earbuds

Credits

- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth

- Producer: Brandon Grugle

- Editor: Mischa Stanton

- Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts

- Subscribe to Defector!

About The Show

The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a classic Drew and Roth solo joint, and they’re finally talking about currently ongoing sports instead of indulging Drew’s NFL fetish. Is there any reason to believe that this Knicks postseason won’t end the exact same way every Knicks postseason has ended the past few years? Then, it’s time for their semi-annual politics talk. And finally, they dig deep into the voicemail inbox to answer your questions!

Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

Stuff We Talked About

• The opposite of Rumspringa
• Steely Dan internet
• The Achilles’ fairy
• DJ Dominic Squiggliucci
• Mussolini the pastry
• Impossible vertical sandwiches
• Sandwich bag wallets

Sponsors

- Factor, where you can get 50% off and free daily greens per box

- Mint Mobile, where new customers can get three months of premium wireless service for $15 a month

Credits

- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth

- Producer: Brandon Grugle

- Editor: Mischa Stanton

- Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts

- Subscribe to Defector!

About The Show

The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew and Roth are joined, for the first time ever, by Aaron Schatz, Chief Analytics Officer at FTN Fantasy, ESPN NFL writer, and founder of Football Outsiders! Football data companies are being screwed over by venture capital and aligning with gambling interests. How does Aaron feel about this shift? Then, this year’s NFL draft class is awful. How will teams deal? How does Aaron feel about AJ Brown coming to his Patriots? Finally, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from Distraction listeners.

Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

Stuff We Talked About

• Drew “Two Cavities” Magary & David “Sleep Injury” Roth
• Fantasy (not the Swords & Sandals stuff)
• Proud Worcesterites
• Faintly remembering some guys
• Praxis on the O-Line
• Making noises at Jim Nantz

Sponsors

- Storyworth, where you can save up to $20

Credits

- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth

- Producer: Brandon Grugle

- Editor: Mischa Stanton

- Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts

- Subscribe to Defector!

About The Show

The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Schur is back, and we’re talking baseball! The MLB has rolled out its automated ball strike challenge system, but how do Mike and Roth feel about it? Will they trash CB Buckner for having six of his six strike calls overturned? Then, Roth must face the reality of his Mets being in last place. Next, Drew requires more wild food takes from Mike, like his hate for hot fruit or his belief that onion is the only good pizza topping. And finally, they open up the funbag to finally solve what movie you should be watching in the bathroom.

Check out Mike’s new book, Big Fan, May 19th!

Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0!

Stuff We Talked About

• Cards that don’t appreciate (but don’t depreciate)
• A little piece of salami
• Hugging your BFF on the field
• Apple pie and espresso in the dugout
• The Ulysses S. Grant of the MLB
• Falling down the Exorcist steps
• Onions are the only good pizza topping
• A bathroom trip in THX

Sponsors

- Raycon, where you can get 15% off the Everyday Earbuds Classic

- MeUndies, where you can get up to 50% off your first order, plus free shipping

Credits

- Hosts: Drew Magary & David Roth

- Producer: Brandon Grugle

- Editor: Mischa Stanton

- Production Services & Ads: Multitude Podcasts

- Subscribe to Defector!

About The Show

The Distraction is Defector's flagship podcast about sports (and movies, and art, and sandwiches, and certain coastal states) from longtime writers Drew Magary and David Roth. Every week, Drew and Roth tackle subjects, both serious and impossibly stupid, with a parade of guests from around the world of sports and media joining in the fun! Roth and Drew also field Funbag questions from Defector readers, answer listener voicemails, and get upset about the number of people who use speakerphone while in a public bathroom stall. This is a show where everything matters, because everyone could use a Distraction. Head to defector.com for more info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.