Best of The Ben Maller Show

From Vegas of all places, we just watched the league hand out a made‑up Cup and call it a title, so yes, the Knicks ‘won’ something Adam Silver dreamed up in December.

Q: Does this Cup change anything for the Knicks? A: It’s a stocking‑stuffer, not a banner you brag about; Brunson got the shiny MVP, OG filled it up, they topped Wemby, and the trophy looks like a tourist snow globe, not a Larry O’Brien.

Q: Why the pushback? A: The whole thing felt contrived, streamed off TV, and everyone played along because money talks; hanging a banner for this is like framing kindergarten art at the Louvre.

Q: What about Barkley torching the Cup? A: Preaching to the choir; it’s embarrassing you have to dangle cash to get regular‑season effort when the median salary is massive and the minimum is seven figures, and the league enabled this by protecting load management for years.

Q: Who was cheerleading? A: Broadcasters fawned, and it came off like sucking up to the office; give me unfiltered Barkley over corporate salesmanship every time.

Q: What’s the read on the new Chris Paul‑Clippers leak? A: Classic team‑side spin that paints CP3 as uncoachable and a locker‑room drain after a spat with Jeff Van Gundy, while they slow‑roll his exit to box him in; sounds like irreconcilable differences, not one saint and one sinner.

Q: Did Mike McDaniel hint at benching Tua? A: The seed is planted; when a coach says everything’s on the table after a clunker, the clock starts, and it stings more because they already paid him like a thoroughbred while the production lately looks glue‑factory bland.

Q: If Tua is done in Miami, where next? A: Warm weather or a dome only—think Saints, Raiders, Cardinals, maybe Rams—because once the temps dip, the arm looks floaty and the turnovers pile up.

Q: Will CBS demote Tony Romo midseason? A: Zero chance; they adore him, he’s locked in on a megadeal through the end of the decade, and even if the act feels less explosive now, nobody eats that kind of money to move him down the depth chart.

Q: With the Chargers winning through injuries, is Jim Harbaugh coach of the year? A: Love the guy, but no—this leans Mike Vrabel territory, with a side case for Liam Coen in Jacksonville.

Q: Redo the 2025 draft number one—who you got? A: Weak class, almost no impact up top; Ted McMillan pops, while Cam Ward has been, in his own words, rough.

Q: Is Jonathan Gannon safe in Arizona? A: The Cardinals will rise again, but probably under someone else.

Q: Break up by text, call, or ghost? A: If there’s no real bond, disappear; otherwise, send the text and keep it clean.

Q: Wrapping gifts or laundry? Caroling yay or nay? A: Wrapping is fun and I’m all in on holiday songs, even solo; YouTube can make your corners look pro.

Q: Hemorrhoids and intimacy—any tips? A: Use a mild numbing cream and avoid positions that add pressure until it calms down.

Q: Bow tie or necktie for a jacket‑required party? A: Go bow if you can tie it and want the spotlight; pick a standard tie if you’d rather blend.

Q: She says don’t buy a gift—do you anyway? A: An adult toy can be a shared win that keeps the mood light and playful.

Q: Nervous about an ex and current at the same party? A: Leave the props at home and remove reasons for rivalry; less fuel, fewer fireworks.

We closed with our game and it spiraled into glorious overnight chaos—clues missed, words mangled, everyone yelling over each other, and that’s exactly how we like to land the plane.