Running It Back

Bam Adebayo: 83 Points, No Apologies

Did that actually just happen? In an era of load management, Bam Adebayo just sent a shockwave through the league by dropping 83 points on the Washington Wizards. Join Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray for an emergency session of Running It Back as they break down one of the most surreal scoring outbursts in NBA history. We examine whether this was a pure display of physical dominance or a manufactured "barnstorming" moment against a G-League-heavy roster.

In this episode, we dive into the "A'ja Wilson Effect" and whether Bam went supernova specifically to show off for the WNBA GOAT in the stands. We also analyze the "purity" of the scoring output by comparing it to Kobe’s 81-point game and Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100 in a chocolate-scented gym. We discuss the reality of the Wizards' tanking efforts and how a lack of starters allowed Bam to rack up a record-breaking 43 free throw attempts. Finally, we look at what this says about Heat Culture, as Coach Erik Spoelstra and the rest of the roster rallied to help Bam plant his flag on the mountain.

Whether you think it was a masterpiece or rec league stat-padding, you can't deny the greatness. Bam didn't apologize for the free throws, and we aren't apologizing for this pod.

Read: Wilt Chamberlain's 100-Point Game: The Associated Press Original Report (1962)

Timestamps:

00:00 Emergency Pod Setup

01:10 Bam Showing Off

02:12 New Hip Update

02:55 How They Heard

03:58 Wizards Context

05:05 Breaking Down 83

06:40 Wilt Comparisons

08:19 What Makes 80 Plus

10:38 Kobe Purity Debate

12:26 Hershey Legend Talk

13:34 Box Score Deep Dive

14:32 Comparing 100 81 83

15:37 Kobe Comeback Context

15:58 Smush Parker Detour

16:18 Stat Lines Breakdown

17:56 Free Throw Backlash

19:17 Chasing Records Debate

20:08 Celebrate Bam Night

21:29 Playoffs Versus Regular

22:28 Sports Cliches Segment

23:22 Leadership Team Lessons

24:54 NBA News Cycle Wins

28:14 Final Thoughts Signoff

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Running It Back Super Bowl XL Preview!

It’s Media Week 2026, and while the league builds the stage for Super Bowl XL, a coaching "Red Wedding" has left the NFL landscape looking like a chaotic game of musical chairs. In this episode, Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray break down the fallout of the massive coaching turnover and a Super Bowl matchup defined by redemption stories and "Harvard-style" job interviews.

The guys dive deep into the hiring trends of the year—from the rise of the quarterback-influenced front office to the confusing lockout of the winningest coach in history from the Hall of Fame . We're also paying homage to the 11th anniversary of the 2015 Marshawn Lynch era, reminding everyone that sometimes—"We’re just here so we don’t get fined" .

Key Takeaways:

🏈 The Quarterback Bequeathment: In an act of "tremendous generosity," Mike hands Drake May over to Tarlin while betting his own reputation on a Sam Darnold redemption tour .

🤡 The HoF "Clown Show": Why Bill Belichick's first-ballot denial is being labeled a total farce and what it means for the future of coaching legacies .

🩸 The Coaching Red Wedding: From Eric Bieniemy’s demanding accountability to the "Harvard interview" essays in Cleveland, we track the bloodbath across the league .

🧬 Bloodlines & Systems: A look at the Kubiak family tree—Clint, Clay, and Klein—and how coaching dynasties are tightening their grip on the NFL .

📉 A Low Watermark: A candid look at the current state of minority head coaching hires in 2026 and why the numbers are hitting a historical low .

Timestamps:

00:00 Tactical shovels and the "sharper, more substantive" way to dig out of a Brooklyn snowstorm

02:35 Tarlin’s "Titanium Hip" update: The bizarre experience of meeting a surgeon for 20 minutes and then being "released to the wild"

03:55 Media week and the all-time press conference GOATs: From "Practice" to "I'm just here so I don't get fined"

06:55 Bequeathing Drake May: Why Mike is holding onto the "distressed asset" of Sam Darnold for the Super Bowl

15:55 Bill Belichick and the Hall of Fame snub: Is the voting process a "clown show"?

18:45 The Red Wedding: Analyzing the Eric Bieniemy dilemma and the "accountability" he brings back to Kansas City

31:30 Mike McCarthy goes home: The "Yinzer" homecoming in Pittsburgh and the end of the Mike Tomlin era

37:45 The Rooney Rule final tally: Exploring the "low watermark" and the movement of coaches like Robert Saleh

39:15 Super Bowl predictions: Can Sam Darnold actually matriculate himself to the Vince Lombardi trophy?

If your GM forced you to write a "Harvard-style" essay just to keep your job, would you cite your sources or just walk out like a coach heading to Cancun?

Join the Conversation:

🚀 Follow the show on your favorite podcast app to catch every breakdown of this 2026 coaching cycle.

⭐ Leave a Review: Does Bill Belichick deserve to wait for the Hall of Fame, or is "Spygate" old news?

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Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray are back after a crazy weekend of NFL football to do some after action review on the games from the Divisional Round, breaking down each of their QB's performance and prospects heaiding into the conference championships.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Series Overview00:32 Divisional Round Quick Takes00:50 College National Championship Preview01:23 Quarterback Performances and Analysis01:58 Fantasy Football Insights02:43 NFL Playoffs and Quarterback Picks04:03 Josh Allen and Caleb Williams Comparison06:22 Team and Player Evaluations10:18 Houston Texans and Playoff Scenarios12:48 Remaining Playoff Teams Discussion13:04 Jarrett Stidham's Journey13:56 Sean Payton's Big Moves14:56 Backup Quarterbacks in the Spotlight16:17 Rams vs. Seahawks Analysis20:23 Indiana vs. Miami Showdown25:20 Coaching Carousel and NFL Updates

Welcome Back to the Gridiron: Hips, Heists, and the King in the North

Tarlin Ray is officially back on the other side of major surgery. Seven days after a total hip replacement, he moved from a walker to a cane, and now he is trading the PT exercises for the hottest NFL takes of the 2026 postseason. In this episode of Running It Back, Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray dive deep into the divisional round, debating the "That's My Quarterback" draft and dissecting the chaotic coaching carousel currently spinning out of control.

From the "no asshole policy" in front offices to whether Sam Darnold is a reclamation project or a playoff ghost, the guys look past the box scores to find the real stories. They discuss why Tennessee might be the most attractive job in the league and whether Caleb Williams is the future of Chicago or a fantasy football headache. Plus, Tarlin shares the humbling reality of relying on caregivers and why it took him ten days to finally get in the shower.

Get ready for sharp analysis, a little modern medicine appreciation, and a lot of intellectual honesty.

That's My Quarterback! NFL Divisional Playoffs

Mike and Tarlin kick things off with the "Ethics Bowl" QB Draft where Tarlin bets on the cajones of CJ Stroud while Mike counters with the "twinkle toes" and scampering ability of Drake May. They move to the "King in the North" matchup, debating if Josh Allen is still America’s man-crush or if Bo Nix is ready to fly high at Mile High. The conversation shifts to the Rams and Bears as they weigh the veteran poise of Matthew Stafford against the rising Gen Z energy of Caleb Williams. Finally, they wrap up the games by looking at Sam Darnold’s history of "seeing ghosts" versus the underdog story of Brock Purdy, the 262nd pick in the draft.

Coaching Carousel

The second half of the show tackles the coaching carousel, starting with the massive $20 million culture-building hire of John Harbaugh by the New York Giants. They explore the end of the Mike Tomlin era in Pittsburgh and whether the Rooney family might make a bold statement by hiring Brian Flores. They also analyze the curious case of Mike McDaniel, who looks less like a biology teacher and more like a character from Breaking Bad these days. The episode concludes with professional lessons on when to take the CEO jump and when to stay in "grooming" mode, using the career moves of Ben Johnson and Dante Moore as a guide.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Tarlin is back and reporting live after major surgery 03:55 – Is the hip replacement the new GLP-1 06:50 – Tarlin joins Instagram and struggles with the buttons 08:50 – Divisional Round: Texans vs Patriots (Stroud vs May) 14:15 – The King in the North: Josh Allen vs Bo Nix 17:35 – Rams vs Bears: Stafford’s veteran status vs the future of Caleb Williams 20:45 – Vikings/Seahawks/49ers: Sam Darnold vs Brock Purdy 26:50 – The Coaching Carousel: Harbaugh to the Giants and the Tomlin legacy 33:45 – The Rooney Rule, Brian Flores, and the No Asshole Policy 36:35 – Evaluating Mike McDaniel and offensive coordinator strategies 39:15 – Career Advice: When to take the promotion vs when to wait for grooming

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Welcome to a high-octane episode of Running it Back, where the lessons of sports leadership meet the chaos of the 2026 NFL postseason. Host Mike Palmer is joined by Tarlin Ray and Isaac Tellechea to break down the systems, the carousels, and the "crocodile tears" defining this year’s quarterback drama.

QUICK CHECK-IN

QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSIES AND LESSONS LEARNED

THE SUNK COST OF TUA: The Dolphins’ season is a "train wreck," leaving Tua Tagovailoa as an emergency third-stringer despite his massive contract.

THE SYSTEM VS. THE TALENT: The crew debates if organizations fail quarterbacks more than the other way around.

BRYCE YOUNG AND DREW BREES: Tarlin draws a parallel between Bryce Young and a young Drew Brees, arguing that elite "closers" need the right offensive coordinator to unlock their potential.

THE CALEB WILLIAMS BLUEPRINT: In Chicago, Ben Johnson is credited with "speeding up" Caleb Williams by forcing faster decision-making.

DURABILITY IS THE TOP ABILITY: Mike emphasizes that while talent is great, durability is the ultimate asset, comparing the "horse" that is Josh Allen to the injury concerns surrounding Jaxon Dart and Tua.

2026 PLAYOFF AND SUPER BOWL PREDICTIONS

"Josh Allen is like Jon Snow pulling the sword out for the big battle *Battle of the Bastards),. If you extend that analogy, then, clearly Matthew Stafford is clearly the Night King." — Mike Palmer.

TIMESTAMPS

The latest episode of Running It Back dives into the "unceremonious" exit of Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers, a move Mike Palmer views as a masterstroke in locker room management. Mike and Tarlin Ray are joined for the first time by Isaac Tellechea, the newest addition to the Running It Back team who will be helping behind the scenes and joining the occasional taping. Isaac jumps right into the fire, offering a Miami Heat fan’s perspective on what real veteran leadership looks like versus the "Too Alpha" style that might be holding CP3 back in his twilight years.

The trio debates whether Chris Paul’s legendary high expectations have crossed the line into toxicity. Tarlin, the resident "Chris Paul Apologist," argues that a 6-foot point guard who controls the game with a legendary IQ deserves a sunset tour. Mike, however, isn't buying the "Point God" narrative without a championship ring to back it up, suggesting that CP3’s rigid style makes him less of a leader and more of a "ball-dominant" force that can eventually alienate a roster.

The conversation covers the aging Clippers roster and the friction caused when Paul reportedly tried to switch defensive assignments for Kawhi Leonard, which legendary coach Jeff Van Gundy noted was outside Paul's latitude. Isaac compares Paul’s current stage to Udonis Haslem, questioning why CP3 hasn't transitioned into a "Yoda-like" player-coach role that elevates teammates without the alpha friction. The guys also engage in a lightning round ranking Paul against the likes of Isiah Thomas, Jason Kidd, and John Stockton, while wondering if there’s a graceful ending left for him—perhaps babysitting Bronny on the Lakers.

Episode Time Stamps

[00:00:00] Welcome to Running it Back: Leadership and Point Gods. [00:01:00] Introducing Isaac Tellechea: The newest "eyeball witness" to the pod. [00:01:50] Fantasy Football updates and the status of Tarlin's dog, Chia. [00:02:40] The "unceremonious" Clippers exit: Chris Paul sent home. [00:05:00] Friction with Kawhi Leonard and Jeff Van Gundy's reaction. [00:07:50] The Alpha Debate: Does leadership require a "chip" for validation? [00:12:30] Comparing leadership: Steve Jobs and driving results through "toxic" environments. [00:15:30] "Too Alpha": Comparing CP3 to Jordan, Kobe, and Jalen Brunson. [00:18:40] The Udonis Haslem (UD) comparison: Learning to downshift leadership. [00:20:50] CP3’s Phoenix impact vs. his current statistical "downshift". [00:25:20] The Russ (Westbrook) vs. CP3 comparison: Wild energy vs. calculated dominance. [00:26:40] Lightning Round: Ranking the greatest PG leaders in NBA history. [00:30:50] Future Forecast: Would you hire Chris Paul as a head coach? [00:32:30] Final thoughts on CP3's legacy and wrapping up Isaac's debut.

Season 6 Kickoff! Mike and Tarlin are back for a special edition of Running It Back, diving into the biggest sports stories for lessons in leadership, accountability and the struggle for growth.

00:00 Introduction and Season Kickoff

00:40 Unexpected Dog Incident

01:58 Mets' Season Recap and Ownership

04:21 NFL and Fantasy Football

05:34 WNBA Leadership and Player Issues

15:29 Napheesa Collier and Cathy Engelbert Beef

15:44 Kawhi Leonard and the Aspiration Deal Controversy

17:29 Steve Ballmer's Aggressive Ownership

19:28 Kawhi's No-Show Deal and Leadership Lessons

21:17 Mark Cuban's Skepticism and Aspiration's Ponzi Scheme

24:21 Ryder Cup Leadership and Team Dynamics

29:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Get ready, fantasy football fans, because we're officially running it back! After a well-deserved summer hiatus, your favorite sports podcasters are back and ready to kick off the NFL season in style. This episode has everything you love: a healthy dose of signature banter, some wild personal updates, and a deep dive into the world of fantasy football—from its surprising origins to the drama of your home league.

Don't miss a single second as we tackle the big topics:

The Origins of Fantasy: We're talking 1960s, a league with a mouthful of a name (The Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League), and the very first player ever drafted in fantasy history. Tarlin, with his deep Gemini research, connects the past to the present with players who play both sides of the ball.

The Modern-Day Fantasy Grind: The guys break down their own league obsessions, from old-school in-person drafts with stickers to the new "Guillotine League". We also get a look into Mike's "Palmertron 5,000" and the eternal debate of bros versus cos.

Running Backs and the Art of General Management: Is the running back dead? The guys debate strategy, assess player health, and reveal their own plans for the upcoming drafts. Tarlin even has a new rule he's trying to pass to "make tight ends great again".

The Flores Lawsuit and the Rooney Rule: We shift gears to a serious but crucial conversation about the NFL's ongoing legal battles. The guys discuss the Brian Flores lawsuit, the fact that he's still a defensive coordinator while suing the league's owners, and what it all says about the Rooney Rule and the future of minority coaches.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran with a "war room" and multiple leagues or a rookie looking to get a leg up, this episode is a must-listen. So grab your draft magazines, open up your pre-draft spreadsheets, and get ready because you know we're Running It Back.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter

01:07 Baseball Talk and Team Loyalty

02:05 College Preparations and Nostalgia

04:25 Transition to NFL and Fantasy Football

06:00 Deep Dive into Fantasy Football

07:42 Fantasy Football Strategies and History

09:34 Fantasy Football Leagues and Rules

11:28 Fantasy Football Drafts and Management

19:47 Bros Over Cos: Fantasy Football Draft Strategies

20:17 The Value of Running Backs in Modern Fantasy Football

22:08 Quarterback Draft Picks: Who to Watch

23:27 Wide Receivers: Top Picks and Strategies

25:13 The Impact of the Rooney Rule and Minority Coaches

26:56 Brian Flores' Legal Battle Against the NFL

30:21 The Future of Minority Coaches in the NFL

37:43 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Topics

Get ready for an unfiltered and energetic breakdown of the NBA playoffs as we, Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray from Running It Back, dive headfirst into the latest on the hardwood!

We kick things off by dissecting the Knicks' recent playoff run, asking the tough questions about what went wrong and what's next for Mike's beloved and Tarlin's bandwagon team. Tarlin connects Coach Thibs' firing to a fascinating historical trend—it seems winning Coach of the Year can be a bit of a curse. Meanwhile, Mike remains optimistic that this shake-up opens up exciting new possibilities for the Knicks in the trade and free agent markets.

Then, we shift gears to marvel at the Indiana Pacers' surprising success. We're talking about Tyrese Haliburton's incredible clutch shooting and Rick Carlisle's brilliant coaching. While we might not label Haliburton a "superstar," you'll hear why Mike concedes he is an elite point guard who consistently delivers in the clutch. Tarlin even drops some compelling stats, drawing comparisons between Haliburton and Chris Paul.

Of course, we can't ignore the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC). We delve into their suffocating defensive intensity, and I'm even bold enough to make a finals prediction you won't want to miss! We're exploring the evolving landscape of basketball, celebrating deep teams that bring high intensity for all 48 minutes, rather than relying on just one "alpha" superstar. And Tarlin makes a powerful point: it's about the quality of basketball, not just who's the "face of the NBA."

So, join us for all this and more—we promise a fun, insightful, and passionately debated journey through the world of NBA.

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.

Where do you stand? Which half of Knicks Nation do you belong to? Or are you riding or dying with the House of Haliburton?