PTI - NFL Free Agency Frenzy, Wemby vs Celtic's and WBC Fireworks

Episode Date: March 10, 2026

Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser break down a chaotic NFL free agency, Wemby vs the Celtics and dive into all the drama of the World Baseball Classic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, sports fans, the ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows, and originals across every ESPN network and service. And now you can check if you already have ESPN Unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional calls. Visit activate.esPN.com to learn how to access your account or sign up, then start streaming in the ESPN app. It's all of ESPN all in one place. Sign up or activate now. On the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. My voice sounds terrible today, Tony, but I'm ready to play hurt. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

You sound like Yoda. Damn. You do like Yoda. Not Louis Armstrong, not Satchmo. No, Yoda. Oh. Man. And I've been sneezing all day, and I'd like to go lie down.

So let's finish this show in a hurry. Let's do this. Welcome to PTI boys and girls in today's episode. The Celtics Meet the Spurs. USA beats Mexico and the World Baseball Classic, and Kendrick Perkins joins us to five good minutes. But we begin today with more player movement than the NFL. The Jets' new quarterback is their old quarterback

as they landed Gino Smith and a seventh from the Raiders for a sixth. The Patriots got their replacement for Stefan Diggs in former Packer, Romeo Dobbs. The Lions filled their need for a second running back by agreeing to terms with former chief Isaiah Pacheco, and the bills held on to tight end Dawson Knox. Wilbon, which move stands out most to you? Well, it won't be the Jets and another quarterback.

My God, it's just I know you've got to be tired. That's the team of your youth. They just embarrass themselves every time they do anything. So I'm skipping right over that. Tony, for me, this is really clear cut. It's Dobbs going to the Patriots. I mean, Diggs. So Diggs is not there anymore.

He's seven years older. Dobbs is 25 Diggs. I believe it's 32 years old. Dobbs is really productive. He can be even more productive for New England. where he can be sort of a clear number one and Tony, I'm not going to try to turn this in to Randy Moss in 2007. I'm not going to get carried away.

I won't. I promise you, I won't. I'm not going to say you got Mossed. But come on now, the Patriots are looking at very few areas of deficiency, if any. On the offense, they might want to tinker with their offensive line, but I'd say it's that receiver's spot. and he's been with the Packers. He's been with the organization

where he knows what it means to be an adult. And so I think that's near a perfect fit for the Patriots. Yeah, I'm interested in the Pacheco deal because Kansas City doesn't need him anymore because they picked up Kenneth Walker. And David Montgomery was out of there already for the Lions. So now Pacheco gets to work with, come on who's the running back? Help me out here with Kansas City.

With Gibbs. With Gibbs. Yeah. Jemir Gibbs. He gets to work with him, which is exactly what Montgomery did. So we have a circle that is unbroken. I have to talk about the team of my youth getting Gino Smith. He started there.

He was a second round pick in 2013. 12 and 18, I believe, as a quarterback. But this is a fabulous statistic. Two statistics are fabulous. 28 touchdown passes. 36 interceptions. That's too many interceptions. But those.

12 wins that he has are tied for second most of a Jets quarterback in all those ensuing years because the Jets destroy their quarterback. I do. You know, and that's what I think is going to happen here. I am still waiting, though, Mike. I got to be honest. I am still waiting. I want to see Kyler Murray.

Where does he go? Because quarterback is the coin in the morning. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. He can be sorry tomorrow. Where does he go? And where does Kirk Cousins go? Where did they go?

I'm waiting for that. Let's move to the NBA in tonight's featured game, the Boston Celtics at San Antonio. Both teams were off last night and had time to think about this one. The Celtics are in second place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 43 and 21. The Spurs are in second place in the Western Conference with a record of 47 and 17. Oh, goodness. The Celtics have won 5 of 6 and 14 of 17. And if you think that's good, and it is.

The Spurs have won 9 of 10 and 15 of 16. Will by what intrigues you most about tonight's match. My God, Tony. There's so many places you can start. I'm going to start with Jason Tatum on the screen right there. and maybe having played two good games already, had a little practice time, some rest. If he's out there for any minutes,

I want to see how San Antonio defends Jason Tatum, if they attack him, if they say, we're putting the old playbook from the rest of the earlier this season away, and we're dealing with you like you are first team, all-MBA Jason Tatum, not some dude coming off nine months off. So I'm interested to see how that happens

and who they use in that way. And also, of course, what are the Celtics going to do defensively against? You know who? Wimbi. The more we go with Wimbaniama this season, and it may be he and Jalen Brown that are out there leading the way,

sorry, SGA, for the moment we're going to concentrate on these other two dudes for MVP. Wimbabayama, Tony, every night seems to add something. Jailen Brown doesn't need to add. anything. He's got a ring. He's been great. You pointed this out. You were on this in November. I give you full credit. But I want to see Wimbabon Yama. And you know he takes him seriously. I don't want to track over everything you've said. I agree with all of it. I want to see how the Spurs defend Tatum if they get all over him because they think he's still shaky because he has it.

He's only played two games. I want to see how they defend Jalen Brown. I want to know if Wemboniama is going to go out and Chase Brown and Tate him. them on the three-point line. Yeah. I mean, because they can do that, and I want to see all that. I just want to get to a couple of things. Since February 1st, okay, the San Antonio Spurs have the best record in all the basketball. The Celtics are second.

Since February 1st, the Celtics have the best defense in all the basketball. San Antonio is second. And since February 1st in something called net rating, San Antonio is one and Boston is two. I believe that San Antonio will win this game. I do. I think they're going to win this game. But if Boston were to win this game, it would be enormously impressive. It would be big.

Enormously impressive. Even for a regular season game, it would be impressive. And now to Team USA's 5-3 win over Mexico in the World Baseball Classic last night. American Ace, Paul Skeens, struck out seven over four scoreless. Aaron Judge Gunder runner down at third from right field when the game was scoreless. and then his home run, along with Roman Anthony's three-run shot, provided all the offense the U.S. needed in one inning because Bobby Wittslick played short helped hold Mexico in check. Tony, the biggest highlight to you from last night was what? Well, it's schemes.

I mean, he went four innings. I thought he would go three and not four. He threw 60 pitches. He had seven strikeouts. He gave up one hit. That's what he gave up as one hit. the runner that you're talking about with Aaron Judge, they didn't allow a runner all the way to third

because Aaron Judge cut down that run in the top of the third. Yeah. Right, and then they come back. Here, look, the second highlight is what happened in the bottom of the third when the United States scored all the runs. And I have a bone to pick with the Mexico manager, Benji Gil. Because in that inning, Bryce Harper hit a very hard line drive off the pitcher's foot.

Yes. And then everybody goes out to the mound to see if the pitcher can pitch. And the pitcher convinces everybody, including the match. manager that he can pitch. Here are the next five batters, okay? Judge home run, Kyle Schwerber single, Bregman strikes out, Cal Roly hit by pitch, Roman Anthony, 417 feet. So I don't think they should have left him in. That's my position. Should not have left them in. Yeah, you know, when he got hit, and it looked like it was right on the ankle, or maybe an inch off of it, I'm thinking, ugh, especially. How do you push off? Tony, with all the attention we've devised. We've devised.

the last few days and they've devoted to how to handle pitchers in this particular competition, I'm thinking, you know what, you might want to get him out here. And then it's what I thought. The hit by pitch said to me, okay, we've seen enough now. Go get him. So I thought sort of the game hung then in the balance. But you know what, Tony, judge. Look, there's a lot of great players right now.

There are a lot of great individual stars in baseball just across the, country from New York to Seattle and certainly down to Los Angeles. And I can't wait to see more of Shohei in this tournament. But Tony, Judge, when Judge is going and he gives you that kind of defense and hits it out like that and gives you a stake your team to a 2-0 lead, who's better than him? Yeah. Except maybe Shohay. Maybe.

Yeah. You have to talk about them together. You do. You cannot separate them. Let's take a break. Coming up. How should teams deal with Victor Wambayama when he asked Kendrick Perkins. We'll also ask him about Lou Dort and his latest flagrant foul on the Joker.

Stop fouling the Joker. Jamir Gibbs, Tony. You had written that down. You should have known that. He's a great running back. And that circle is now complete. But you know what Tony, I don't know if Pacheco's is tough as Montgomery. Montgomery's a tough dude.

You know, I don't know. They're trying for it. They're trying to just. actually replaced body for body. Yep. We've got some NBA questions for our great friend from NBA today, ESPN NBA analyst, Kendrick Perkins.

Let's start with this. The Celtics and the Spurs are going to play tonight. I got to go right to Victor Wimbunyama because he is backing up all the hype. I accused Wilbonne of slurping him for like a couple of years, but he's backing it up. It seems like

he gets nothing but better all the time. You're a big man, you know that position. Where do you look at him and think he still needs work? Well, let me add more to it, Tony. The San Antonio Spurs are going to have to pay him five-year, $1 billion. That's how much he's worked. He's that box office, okay?

That's number one. Number two, he's improving every single night. The only thing that I could see that could cause him problems is him being even killed through a seven-game series, not getting too high, not getting too low. But when it comes to checking all the boxes, he's doing that. He has found that balance of being able to mix it up as being able to be a force in the middle offensively

and take you out on the perimeter. It's nothing that he can't do. I'm watching a 75, 7, 7, 6, 7, 7, 7, however tall he is, come off a pin down action. I'm watching him catch lobs and do freaking shes freakish things with him just because he wants to show off. I'm watching this young man cry after a regular season win because that's how bad he wants it.

That is scary. He has an old soul, and I'm telling you right now, he is ready to lead this San Antonio Spurs team, and he's trying to go win the championship this year, not next year or the year after next, this year. Spread this out for a second perk. after facing the spurs tonight, the Celtics have the thunder on Thursday.

I've sat with you for a million regular season games, and you always tell me, stay calm, stay calm, it's the regular season, don't get carried away. Perk, we're at an interesting point of the season. How much do these games now count? Well, the playoffs has started, especially when you look at the spurs. The spurs are trying to get to that number one.

spot. The only thing that you could say that's wrong with them is that they don't have experience. So they want as many games as they possibly can on their home court. Now, the Celtics, on the other hand, yes, they have the most championship experience out of any team in the Eastern Conference, but I'm looking at Jalen Brown. After what SGA did last night put on that MVP of performance against Yokic and the Nuggets, I'm looking at Jailen Brown that respond. The only way that he could respond to what SGA is doing since he's returned is by dominating these next

two games and keeping his name alive individually in the MVP conversation. That's what I'm looking forward to. And by the way, he's going to be matched up against a guy that gave Kay Cuddenham hell, that somewhat frustrated

SGA, and I'm talking about Stefan Castle, the other beats defensively for the San Antonio Spurs. So it's a lot of individual matchups, but it's also a lot of individual goals, especially with Jalen Brown, that I'm looking into in these next two games. I'm glad you mentioned SGA, though, because he was so incredible last night in beating the nuggets, and he ties Wilts record with his 126 consecutive game of 20 plus points.

Perk, how significant is that specific record to you? I mean, anytime you break Wilk Chamberlain, anytime you catch Wilk Chamberlain, that's enough said in itself. You know, like, I come on here as part of the PTI family and I'm coming on here with two legends, two greats.

Y'all make me better. We watched SGA yesterday make other guys around him better. Why still going to get his 30 plus while hitting the game winning three-point shot? Jalen Williams had 29. Isaiah Joe chipped in. All the guys were getting easy looks

because of the attention and the growth of SGA. Kevin Garnett told me something way long time ago when we was with the Celtics. He said, Perk, I go home and I watch all these up-and-coming young superstars because I need to see growth. I said, what's growth to you? He said, when you're able to go get your 30

and make guys around you better where they finish with 20 and 15 because of your doing, that's what we're witnessing right now from SGA. We will get you out of here on this. Lou Dort flagrantly fouled Nicole Yokic again and then apologize to him after the game. What did you think of that foul and what did you think of the apology? Well, look, one, I feel like this little Denver, Oklahoma City is becoming somewhat of a bit of a robbery, right?

Like the getting into each other face. Did you see SGA emotions? Luke Dort is never going to change. But that's who he is. He's a physical presence. He's an enforcer. He brings tenacity. And I knew he was going to apologize because I played for that organization, right?

And I did some crazy stuff while I was playing. I got ejected. I got flavoring files. And the next morning, you know what happened? You end up getting called to the principal office, to principal Presti. And he ended up telling you some real stuff and telling you what this organization is about, not trying to take away from what you bring, but trying to make sure that you keep the main thing, the main thing. Because one thing we know, in order for them to go and repeat,

Lou Doherty is going to have to be available. And you can't be available by doing dump stuff. You've got to be able to stay on the floor, stay in the moment, because all it's going to take is one game for you to be suspended or ejected, and you cost your team an entire series. Yeah. As always, Perk, thanks so much for being able to us. Thank you.

Thank you. Appreciate child, legends. Thank you. Let's take one last break still to come. Top ranked Duke. deals with injuries to two key contributors. As Kendrick Perkins to say, keep a cool booty. That's what Lou Dork better do now then.

Five conference championship games tonight could produce more March madness. Keep a cool booty. I thought it was a cheap shot. You didn't think it was a cheap shot? Yeah. But the apology is what sets it apart. Now, how does Denver feel about that?

That's what's worth asking going forward. Happy time, people. Happy 61st birthday, Rob Woodson. The great defensive back is in both the college and pro football halls of fame. Woodson was the 10th pick in the 1987 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Purdue. In 1993, he was defensive player of the year while with the Steelers. That season, Woodson had eight interceptions, including one for a touchdown and 95 tackles. In 2000, Woodson was part of the defense that propelled the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl win. Woodson played 17 NFL seasons for the Steelers, 49ers, Ravens, and Raiders.

He is third all-time in interceptions with 71, and first all-time in pick-sixes with 12. Tom, when you talk about greatness in the secondary in Pittsburgh, I got to start, giving my age, with Mel Blunt. I do. But it's possible that Woodson, when you read his credentials, my God, he's in the discussion for the goat, not just of the... The Steelers secondary, but anybody's secondary. Yeah, but we're old, and he's a kid to us, and it's blunt for us. A not-so-happy anniversary, Rudy Gobert. On this day, six years ago, the Jazz Center was ridiculing concern for the rapidly spreading coronavirus

at a post-shoot-around session with the media, then deliberately touched every microphone and tape recorder in front of him like he was doing a comedy sketch. Two days later, karma called. Gobert experienced flu-like symptoms and was diagnosed with COVID. The first NBA player to get it, patience zero. The Jazz Thunder game was immediately canceled, and within days the NBA shut down for months. Gobert is now with Minnesota, averaging 11 points, 11.4 rebounds,

and he is shooting 70.8% from the field. He is a four-time defensive player of the year. He's having a great season, Tony. You know, looking back on that six years ago, it was the symbolic beginning of COVID in sports, because right after that, it wasn't just the end. NBA. It was March madness. It was where everything had to go away. And you tie it to Rudy Gobert. I'm not sure that was fair, but that's what was. Well, I think the behavior contributed

to the tie. No doubt. Happy trails to two top contributors at Duke, the Blue Devils announced this morning that starting point guard Caleb Foster suffered a broken foot against North Carolina. He would be out indefinitely. Foster was averaging 8.5 points and three assists per game. Also out with a foot issue is the big man Patrick Gungba the second who will miss the ACC tournament. Gungba is averaging 11 points and six rebounds per game. Wilbon, how big a deal are these injuries to the number one team in the nation? Tony, it may not be a big deal for the ACC tournament or the first weekend of March Madness, but you've got some real threats out there, even to Duke in Michigan.

And, you know, you don't want to have to miss those guys, and it's too bad. They're injured and out for now. And they melancholy trails to Matt Snell. The Ring of Honor Jets running back passed away this morning at the age of 84. In Super Bowl 3, Snell rushed for 121 yards and scored New York's only touchdown in the Jets' upset win over the heavily favored Colts. Snell's performance was key to Joe Namath delivering on his legendary guarantee. Tony, I couldn't separate as a youngster Snell and Boozer. I know you could because these were your guys.

That was sort of like a thunder and lightning situation. wasn't it? Yeah, yeah. Matt Snell was a power runner right up the middle, and Emerson Boozer would flare out to the side. Look, we kid the Jets all of the. Jets have one highlight. This is the highlight. Namath doing this as he

walks off the field. That's their only highlight. That was indeed the team of my youth. Just like the 69 Mets were the team of my youth, and the Nix, everybody's got one championship in him. That's all they got. Well, the Nix had two. But it's been, I don't know, 50 years. So it is with

With great fondness that I remember that Jets team with great fondness. Let's go to the big finish. Let's do it. The Pistons can snap their four-game losing streak tonight at the Nets. Will they do it? By 30, they'll do it. Red's ace, Hunter Green. Need surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow.

He's out until July, Tony. That's a huge deal. Yeah, he was 7 and 4 last year with a 276 R.A. Yeah. The Panthers could shut down Brand Marchand for the season with a lower body injury. Does that make sense? I mean, the Panthers are tired. They're exhausted.

They're worn out. And Marshaan being worn out to reflects the whole deal. Maine eliminated Binghamton, no, in the semis of the America East Women's Tourney last night. Did you watch? No, I didn't watch.

It's not on any TV I have, but my heart was in it. We only lost by four on the road. That's not bad. And Belabucci had 24 points. Last one, championship games tonight in the WCCC-C-C-A-Northeast, Horizon and Metro Atlantic pick some winners for us.

They're all worthy. Santa Clara Gonzaga. That's really worth your time. I got Santa Clara winning that game, Tony. Had a great win last night against St. Mary's. We're out of time. Try to do better than the next time. Kayla Yaakov, shout out.

I'm Mike Lilbon. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads.