Ben Stiller Clashes With Pat McAfee Over Pacers-Knicks Hype Speech!

1. At Game 4 of the Knicks vs. Pacers matchup, local hero Pat McAfee took to the microphone in the arena to fire up the fans in attendance.

With his background in WWE, McAfee expertly crafted a speech that prompted loud boos from the audience every time he mentioned a Knicks fan. Here’s what McAfee passionately exclaimed:

“Folks of Indianapolis, Indiana, tonight we have some high-profile guests from the Big Apple. Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Timothée Chalamet are among us. Let’s make sure these folks head back to New York tonight.”

Stiller, however, seemed less than thrilled about being called out, responding to a tweet that shared the video by commenting, “Yes. Strange. It was great to support our team, and apart from that, the fans in Indy were fantastic.”

When another Twitter user reassured Stiller it was all in jest and not meant to be harmful, Stiller responded, “Thank you for that. But it’s something that wouldn’t occur in N.Y.”

I really don’t want to say anything negative about Ben Stiller because let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy Meet the Parents, Dodgeball, the underappreciated Starsky & Hutch, the basketball scenes in Along Came Polly, and of course, his performances on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Nevertheless, I have to be honest. Stiller’s comment that such antics “Just wouldn’t happen in N.Y.” is a bit tough to digest, especially after Knicks fans recently harassed Brian Windhorst outside Madison Square Garden.

McAfee’s spirited rally was harmless, and as someone from New York, I can affirm that claiming “Just wouldn’t happen in N.Y.” is not a valid defense for anything.

2. The Pacers now lead the series 3-1 against the Knicks, and the upcoming game on Thursday might spell the end of two eras.

If Indiana secures a win at Madison Square Garden, it will not only conclude New York’s season but also mark the end of TNT’s 36-year stint broadcasting NBA games.

Although TNT will stop airing NBA games after the Eastern Conference Finals, Inside the NBA will continue with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal staying on board. The program will still be produced by TNT but will be broadcast on ESPN/ABC.

The specifics of when Inside the NBA will appear on ESPN are yet to be fully disclosed, though ESPN’s president, Burke Magnus, hinted in a November interview on SI Media With Jimmy Traina that the show might air on Fridays or Saturdays.

The future of Inside the NBA was uncertain for a while before the ESPN deal materialized. Following the announcement, TNT highlighted the news with Johnson giving a poignant speech to his colleagues.

With only a few days left in TNT’s partnership with the NBA, Inside the NBA has released a video of Johnson’s address, among others, paying tribute to the show’s legacy.

3. Here is a shocking audio clip of Brandon Astle, the play-by-play announcer for the Abbotsford Canucks, narrating an AHL playoff game when suddenly someone barges into the broadcast booth and hurls a chair at him.

Despite being understandably shocked, Astle managed to inject some humor into the unsettling incident.

4. Chris “Mad Dog” Russo didn’t hold back during a power outage at Wednesday’s First Take, seizing the moment to direct a sharp remark at Stephen A. Smith.

5. The rationale behind opposing a salary cap in Major League Baseball remains a mystery to me.

6. The recent episode of SI Media With Jimmy Traina features a discussion with Tony Reali from ESPN.

Reali shares insights on the termination of Around the Horn after a 23-year run, despite its strong ratings, touches on his contractual situation with ESPN, possibilities of continuing with the network, and what lies ahead for him personally.

Additionally, Reali discusses one particular regret from his time hosting the show, whether his low profile on social media and interviews impacted his career, his plans during his break, and how he aims to maintain a connection with his audience.

Following Reali, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins the segment “Traina Thoughts” to talk about the Knicks-Pacers Eastern Conference finals, the desired NBA Finals matchup for ESPN/ABC, the Juan Soto situation in the Subway Series, a new Netflix documentary on Brett Favre, the passing of George Wendt, and a dilemma involving free Knicks tickets.

You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast below or on Apple and Spotify.

You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Sports Illustrated’s YouTube channel.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Recall the tragic incident involving Harambe, the gorilla shot at the Cincinnati Zoo when a young child entered his enclosure? It’s been nine years since that day, which inspired one of Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s most memorable tirades.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram.