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The NBA's postseason review office decided not to upgrade Victor Wembanyama's two-handed shove of Jalen Brunson in Game 3 of the NBA Finals to a flagrant foul, meaning the Spurs star stays at two flagrant foul points this postseason—one short of the four-point threshold that triggers an automatic suspension. The league's senior vice president, Monty McCutcheon, acknowledged the foul should have been called on the court but declined to escalate it retroactively. Ben Maller's reaction was immediate and blunt: "Wemby is getting treated like he's the adopted son of Adam Silver."
The Wembanyama Protection Program
Maller argued that the NBA is giving Victor Wembanyama obvious preferential treatment, and he sees it as both predictable and problematic. The league's history, he said, has always been about protecting its stars—going back to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird nearly 50 years ago. "Wemby is the teacher's pet," Maller said. "He's the lucky star at this point. And he's the darling." The NBA Finals are on ABC, and Maller framed it bluntly: "Wemby is the lead actor. Everyone else, an extra."
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What you'll learn
- 1 (03:44) **NBA Finals: Wembanyama Shove Controversy** - Ben opens with the NBA's decision not to upgrade Victor Wembanyama's shove on Jalen Brunson to a flagrant foul, sparking debate about preferential treatment.
- 2 (10:57) **Stephon Marbury Calls for Retaliation** - Ben discusses former Knick Stephon Marbury's social media rant urging the Knicks to physically retaliate against Wembanyama in Game 4.
- 3 (15:56) **LeBron James Declares Himself the GOAT** - Ben reacts to LeBron James telling Time Magazine he won't take anyone over himself in the GOAT debate.
- 4 (23:07) **Aaron Donald's Potential Return to the Rams** - Ben discusses Adam Schefter's report that it's "more likely than not" Aaron Donald will return to the Rams for the 2026 season.
- 5 (29:32) **Kyler Murray Complains About Sharing Reps** - Ben covers Kyler Murray's complaint about splitting practice reps with J.J. McCarthy during Vikings mini-camp.
- 6 (33:26) **Jets Get Zero Primetime Games** - Ben discusses the New York Jets being shut out of primetime games for the first time since 2007.
- 7 (40:44) **A.J. Brown's Wall Graffiti** - Ben briefly comments on A.J. Brown signing a wall at the Eagles facility and declaring himself the "best to ever play here."
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Show Notes
Big Ben talks about the NBA declining to upgrade Victor Wembanyama's shove of Jalen Brunson to a flagrant foul, reports that Aaron Donald is more likely than not going to return to the LA Rams, Maller to the Third Degree, #QueenOfHearts w/ LaReina, Password: Word Game of the Stars, and more!
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