1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,600 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. 2 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:05,120 Speaker 1: Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox 3 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:08,319 Speaker 1: Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to 4 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at 5 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 1: Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every 6 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:17,799 Speaker 1: day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio 7 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:18,720 Speaker 1: or FSR. 8 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 2: This is the Best of the Herd with Colin cowher 9 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:25,960 Speaker 2: on Fox Sports Radio. 10 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 3: Happy Monday, everybody, Welcome to the Herd. It's me Jason 11 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:39,199 Speaker 3: McIntyre in for Yes vacationing once again Colin Cowherd. I'm 12 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:41,959 Speaker 3: joined by Rachel Nicholson. I'm just gonna say, right out 13 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 3: the gate, Holy coow, do we have a monster show? 14 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 3: It is an incredible week. You need to match my energy. 15 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 4: People. 16 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 3: There is so much happening. I just learned of a 17 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 3: huge NFL trade, fine, not huge, but involving my Jets 18 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 3: and the team I disliked the most, the Kansas City Chiefs. 19 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 3: We got March Madness starting third. Rachel Nichols, I know 20 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 3: you're fired up. I know you're Northwestern Wildcats. Yeah, did 21 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 3: not make the tournament, but you still love March Madness absolutely. 22 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:08,959 Speaker 5: I used to be a silent reporter for March Madness 23 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 5: with CBS. 24 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:14,200 Speaker 3: I love that game, remember yeah, March Madness World Baseball Classic. 25 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 3: I mean, folks, we are just so blessed to these 26 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 3: sports fans. I'm going to start the show by turning 27 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 3: back the clock a couple of days to Saturday night. 28 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 3: My family, you know, we had plans so I couldn't 29 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 3: go to the Lakers game, the Lakers Nuggets game. I mean, 30 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 3: I'm not embarrassed to say. You know, we went to 31 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:34,640 Speaker 3: the cheesecake factory. Haven't done that in a decade. Took 32 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:36,480 Speaker 3: the kids. It was great. But I had to cue 33 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 3: up Lakers Nuggets because it was arguably one of the 34 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 3: biggest games of the season. And folks, I don't know, 35 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 3: two weeks ago, maybe on the show, other shows out there, 36 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 3: people were saying Lakers are not a championship team. What 37 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 3: are you guys talking about? You can't want a title 38 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 3: with Luca. Well, here we go. Lakers in overtime stun 39 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:59,120 Speaker 3: the Nuggets for their third straight impressive win. They take 40 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:02,320 Speaker 3: down the Knicks, they take down the Timberwolves, and they 41 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 3: beat the Nuggets. And oh, by the way, they swept 42 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 3: the Timberwolves this season three and zero and they're two 43 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:09,240 Speaker 3: and one against the Nuggets. So all that talk Lakers 44 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 3: can't beat the good teams, Well, they've beaten three in 45 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:16,320 Speaker 3: a row now, so are they contenders? And I asked 46 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 3: this because the consensus seems to be a Luca. Come on, 47 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 3: he's overweight. What are we talking about? Look at that 48 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 3: game winning shot, folks with less than a second left 49 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 3: over Spencer Jones, Luca's first game winner with the Lakers. Okay, 50 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:33,040 Speaker 3: And how everybody's back on the Laker bandwagon. A lot 51 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:35,360 Speaker 3: of people are hopping off. You know your boy, I 52 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:38,640 Speaker 3: went nowhere. Okay. Now, some things have changed in the 53 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 3: last few weeks for the Lakers, but I want to 54 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 3: start with the positive. Let's go to JJ Reddick after 55 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:47,040 Speaker 3: the win. Look at the smile from the Lakers head coach. 56 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 4: Is Coales A word? 57 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 6: I think? 58 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 3: So? 59 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 4: Is it the right word for coming together? 60 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 3: Yeah? 61 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 6: Gelling Coales, you've reatten my work. I don't use words 62 00:02:57,639 --> 00:02:57,919 Speaker 6: like that. 63 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:00,240 Speaker 4: Okay, that's I. 64 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 7: I think it feels like we're coalescing right now in 65 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 7: a really nice way. 66 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:07,240 Speaker 4: Still got a long way to go. 67 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:11,079 Speaker 7: We've still got a long way to go, but certainly 68 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 7: optimistic with how we've handled this stretch of games and 69 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 7: going eight to nine over the stretch is it's big time. 70 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 3: Big time is one way to put it. That's for sure. 71 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 3: I love this Lakers team. I do think they're going 72 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 3: to be dangerous. But what has changed? And that's the 73 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 3: interesting angle here. We know Luke is the man all 74 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:35,680 Speaker 3: this He's not First team All NBA, stop, folks. He 75 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 3: leads the league in scoring, averaging thirty two, eight and eight. 76 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 3: He's having a tremendous season, one of the best scores 77 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 3: we've seen in the NBA history. Okay, he's unstoppable. Austin 78 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 3: Reeves is starting to become the wingman that we thought 79 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 3: he could be. And why is all this happening? It's 80 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 3: in part due to Lebron James. So, if you guys 81 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:58,000 Speaker 3: recall back on February ninth, after the Lakers lost to 82 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 3: the thunder Lebron was asked, Okay, see they won the championship. 83 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 3: That's a championship team. Are you guys a championship team? 84 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 3: Here's what Lebron said on February ninth. Do you want 85 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 3: me to compare us to them? No? 86 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 6: I want to know where you saying? Show of that? 87 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 6: Like if you sort of as his team. 88 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 8: Is on it's that's a championship team right there. We're 89 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 8: not We're so on Werner's thing. 90 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 6: What are the biggest things you think that are keeping 91 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:23,160 Speaker 6: this team has this? 92 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 9: I can't sustain energy and that for forty eight minutes 93 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 9: and they care. That's why I won a championship. 94 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:33,600 Speaker 3: So that was dispiriting at the time, and I remembered 95 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:35,360 Speaker 3: it because I was like, why is Lebron selling you? 96 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:38,840 Speaker 3: What's going on now? His his buddy Rich Paul had 97 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:41,600 Speaker 3: been parroting this a week or so before, and it 98 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 3: was like, huh, what's going on in Lakerland? Well, guess what? 99 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:48,799 Speaker 3: The Lakers have adjusted and Lebron's been a big adjustment. 100 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 3: If you guys have noticed. It's a small sample size, 101 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 3: but Lebron's numbers this month are way down when it 102 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:58,440 Speaker 3: comes to shots and three point attempts. His minutes are 103 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 3: the same. He's just not the offensive threat he used 104 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:03,839 Speaker 3: to be. Now he can still score. We know he 105 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 3: makes big plays. He's a smart player. He's the greatest 106 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,479 Speaker 3: player in basketball history. But he has forty one years old. Okay, 107 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 3: now here's where it gets fascinating. Listen to how Lebron's 108 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 3: tone has changed from February ninth. This was him after 109 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:19,600 Speaker 3: the win over the Nuggets when they were carried by 110 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 3: Luca and Austin Reeves. 111 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 10: I just want to continue to keep building good habits, 112 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 10: continue playing again in the right way. And Denver's a championship. 113 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 10: You know, ball club a corps with ag and Jamal 114 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 10: and Yoke. They want a champ with Christian Brown, they 115 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:37,159 Speaker 10: want a championship. So they have that championship DNA. So 116 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:38,919 Speaker 10: you know, that's what we're trying to That's what we 117 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 10: strive for. 118 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:43,159 Speaker 3: So before we're not a championship team. Now we're striving 119 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 3: for it. It's all changed, folks. I don't know if 120 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:47,839 Speaker 3: you've watched closely. I know a lot of you vikers. 121 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:49,920 Speaker 3: I'm so sick of them. They're a great show. You 122 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 3: got to pay attention. Lebron has shifted into full on 123 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 3: role player now JJ Reddick, we admit he's a great coach. 124 00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 3: Has he got Lebron to buy in? So I mentioned 125 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:02,719 Speaker 3: the stats. There was a moment in the fourth quarter 126 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:06,280 Speaker 3: of that Nuggets game where Lebron did the full Superman 127 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 3: extension dive. Okay for a loose ball. I leapt out 128 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:13,920 Speaker 3: of my little uh we were in like a little 129 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 3: cubicle there. Not a cubicle obviously, But here's the play 130 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:20,360 Speaker 3: right there on the screen. Lebron diving for a loose ball. 131 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 3: He kind of pulled a groin or whatever. He's old man, 132 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:26,039 Speaker 3: that's what happens. But look at this now. Him and 133 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 3: Reddick joked about it afterward. I'm telling you, I kind 134 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:32,279 Speaker 3: of laughed about it in the morning meeting. Remember, Luca 135 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 3: went to the Finals with the MAVs. We've been saying 136 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 3: for months. In that Kyrie Irving role, ken be Austin Reeves. 137 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 3: That makes Lebron like PJ. Washington. Now, don't scoff. Okay, 138 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 3: don't scoff. PJ Washington was integral. He had one win 139 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 3: over the Thunder in that postseason run by himself. With 140 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 3: the corner threes and defense. Lebron he seems to have 141 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 3: been bought into his new role. He's taking fewer shots, 142 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 3: he's playing more defense. Obviously, there are question can you 143 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 3: have him on the court in the final minute of 144 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 3: a pivotal game as a defender, given he's forty one 145 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 3: years old, people want to attack him. I would say, fine, 146 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 3: I trust Lebron one of the smartest players the league 147 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 3: has ever seen. We're talking about a guy who memorizes 148 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,239 Speaker 3: plays for the opponents and calls them out before they happen. 149 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 3: I'm just telling you. Lakers have a massive game tonight 150 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 3: in Houston, and they play Houston again Wednesday. Okay, Lakers 151 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 3: are third in the West for all this, Oh, they're 152 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 3: not contenders. Nonsense from some shall we say, some people 153 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 3: that are paid by the league to talk about the 154 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 3: league but aren't nice about the league. Lakers are contenders. 155 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 3: They're seventeen games over five hundred. Okay, Lebron's bought in 156 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 3: Lucas cooking. I can't wait for Lakers Rockets tonight. All right, 157 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 3: let's pivot to the World Baseball Classic. And guys, I'm 158 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 3: watching that game last night against the Dominican Republic, and 159 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 3: I do not know when the World Baseball Classic became 160 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 3: such a huge deal. I had to look this up. 161 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:00,880 Speaker 3: It only started twenty years ago, so it doesn't have 162 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 3: the length in the history of the Olympics or the 163 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 3: World Cup. Side note, Oh my gosh, how good is 164 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:10,440 Speaker 3: this year for sports? You had the winner Olympics USA 165 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:13,640 Speaker 3: Canada hockey. What a game now you've got the World 166 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 3: Baseball Classic, another USA team that everybody's enjoying the throw ride, 167 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 3: and then we got the World Cup this summer here 168 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 3: on American turf. This is gonna be maybe one of 169 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 3: these sports years of the century, folks, when you aline 170 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 3: all that stuff up and the growth of the World 171 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 3: Baseball Classic. So the USA wins two to one to 172 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:36,199 Speaker 3: advance to the final. They will play the winner of 173 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:41,360 Speaker 3: Italy Venezuela tonight. Now, obviously everybody loves the vibes and 174 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 3: the energy. It just jumps off the screen. Look at 175 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 3: that plane just gutting them out it at third. Just 176 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 3: phenomenal stuff. Okay, this is what Aaron Judge said last 177 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 3: night after the win, and I will admit I was 178 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 3: gobsmacked by this comment. 179 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 11: Figure out better than the plisies, which says, like I said, 180 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:03,840 Speaker 11: the fashion that these fans have represent their country, representing 181 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 11: some of their favorite players, there's nothing like it. And 182 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 11: that's what you dream of as a kid. I always 183 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 11: been in my backyards playing with football. This is the 184 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:16,040 Speaker 11: moments to dream O. Vic Spots, big situation, and it 185 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 11: just it gives me chills. Right now, think about how special. 186 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 3: That was, all right, listen, you guys know I love 187 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:25,440 Speaker 3: hot Take Happy Hour. Come on, is that a little 188 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 3: bit much bigger than the World Series? Now, some jokers 189 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 3: in our morning meeting this morning to peel back the 190 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:34,000 Speaker 3: curtain just a little bit, we're like, Wow, Aaron Judge 191 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 3: is never going to win a World Series. So he's 192 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 3: saying this only thirty four years old. Lakers not the Lakers. 193 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 3: Yankees are going to be there for sure in the 194 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 3: postseason and in the mix. I don't know if they'll 195 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 3: pull off a World Series. But for him to say 196 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 3: that about the World Baseball Classic, that says a lot. 197 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 3: And obviously Wednesday's final is going to be enormous regardless 198 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:57,280 Speaker 3: of who we play. Obviously Italy is on quite a run. 199 00:09:57,559 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 3: But here's Mark de Rosa after last night's win talking 200 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 3: about the thrilling, thrilling victory. 201 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:05,880 Speaker 4: That was high level baseball at its finest. 202 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:08,080 Speaker 12: I mean, for our bullpen to come in and do 203 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:11,080 Speaker 12: the job they did, Dominican never stop. It was like 204 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 12: constant traffic, never relaxed, just just a game more remember forever. 205 00:10:18,840 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 3: Right, boy? That was unforgettable. Now, I will admit there, 206 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:27,200 Speaker 3: you know, you look in the archives and see who 207 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 3: played in previous years in the World Baseball Classic and 208 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:33,720 Speaker 3: obviously the talent this year is off the charts. And 209 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 3: I did see that Wembin Yama played in the All 210 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:40,760 Speaker 3: Star Game and was talking about it back in the February. 211 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 3: He wants to compete, and you saw it raise the 212 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 3: level of everyone else. And I just wonder if so 213 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:48,720 Speaker 3: many good players are in it in the World Baseball 214 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 3: Classic now that everybody stoked for it. And obviously the 215 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 3: final is. The semifinal is tonight and the final is 216 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:59,720 Speaker 3: tomorrow night. The USA will play the winner of Italy Venezuela. 217 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:03,480 Speaker 3: It'll thrilling. It's on Fox tomorrow. Tonight's game is on 218 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,760 Speaker 3: FS one. I don't know about you, guys. I'm extremely 219 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,440 Speaker 3: fired up for it and the USA chance will be 220 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 3: ringing loudly on Tuesday night coming up next here on 221 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 3: the herd NCA Tournament. We'll do our bracket picks later 222 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:22,320 Speaker 3: in the show. But I have an interesting comparison for 223 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 3: a certain mister boozer on Duke. You're probably not gonna 224 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 3: like it. He doesn't have the sizzle and the flash 225 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:32,080 Speaker 3: of Cooper Flag and Zion Williamson. But there's a certain 226 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 3: MVP who he reminds me of that's next. 227 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 2: Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays 228 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 2: and Noone Eastern non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio 229 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:44,120 Speaker 2: FS one and the iHeartRadio app. 230 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 3: Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning 231 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 3: on my podcast, Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. This isn't 232 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 3: your typical sports pod pushing the same tired narratives down your. 233 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:56,839 Speaker 9: Throat every day. 234 00:11:57,080 --> 00:12:00,600 Speaker 3: Straight Fire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest 235 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:03,560 Speaker 3: sports headlines, accurate stats to help you win big at 236 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:06,320 Speaker 3: the sportsbook, and all the best guests. Do yourself a 237 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:09,960 Speaker 3: favor and listen to Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre on 238 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 3: the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 239 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 3: Welcome back our number two here on the Herd on 240 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 3: a Monday. Lots of sports happening. Try to maintain yourselves, folks, 241 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:31,720 Speaker 3: It's very difficult. We got exciting baseball in March. We've 242 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 3: got March madness. We've got the hot Lakers playing the 243 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:38,680 Speaker 3: Rockets tonight. My guy Jovon Bouja here in the studio 244 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,720 Speaker 3: here in about I don't know. Six minutes after I 245 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:47,959 Speaker 3: prattle on about my final four picks, joined by Rachel Nichols. Rachel, 246 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:49,199 Speaker 3: how was the weekend? By the way, didn't get to 247 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:50,959 Speaker 3: ask you that at the outset. I was so nervous, 248 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 3: you know, the Monday is a busy show. 249 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 5: I mean that we had so much going on in 250 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,520 Speaker 5: this show. But yeah, I was actually unveiled this week out. 251 00:12:56,559 --> 00:12:59,840 Speaker 3: It was a lovely show. What a baller. The sales 252 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:03,319 Speaker 3: was there snow or no? No, not allot just vacationing. 253 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:04,680 Speaker 5: Huh friends, friends, birthday. 254 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:08,199 Speaker 3: Oh, it's a nice birthday. I was schlupping my son 255 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 3: to a chess tournament. Oh, he had a brutal loss 256 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 3: in the championship. 257 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:13,599 Speaker 5: Wait could you watch it? 258 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 3: Money? 259 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 5: First of all, both of our kids are all on 260 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 5: chess teams, which is hilarious. 261 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:18,560 Speaker 3: This is really smart. 262 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:22,199 Speaker 5: And they don't let the parents in on my kids tournaments. 263 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,200 Speaker 3: And I'm one of those weirdo parents like taking photos 264 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 3: and like trying to engage, and. 265 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:26,959 Speaker 5: You're a weirdo parent. 266 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 3: I'm shocked, very shocking, shock, unbelievable. All right, let me 267 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 3: quickly get to the final four. You guys. I love 268 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 3: March Madness, very exciting. Basically, my life takes a hiatus 269 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 3: I already told the wife. Listen, I'm not really available 270 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:42,679 Speaker 3: this weekend. Thursday, Friday, Saturday Sunday are four of the 271 00:13:42,760 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 3: best days of the year, so please don't ask me 272 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 3: to drive to school pick up. I'm not making dinner. 273 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:51,320 Speaker 3: I'm fine ordering pizza every meal. Okay, I need to 274 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:53,439 Speaker 3: lock in. So I'm starting to fill out the brackets 275 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:55,560 Speaker 3: and I've got my final four. We're just gonna go 276 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 3: with the final four to start, and then we'll break 277 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 3: down the semifinals and finals. So my final four teams 278 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:04,520 Speaker 3: not gonna shock anybody, but I'm going with Cam Boozer 279 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 3: and Duke. I've got them in the final four coming 280 00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:11,079 Speaker 3: out of the East. Mild surprise. Illinois coming out of 281 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:14,040 Speaker 3: the South. The South is the toughest region, if for 282 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 3: being honest. Okay, Florida is the one seed there. I 283 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 3: like them, don't love them. The problem is they just 284 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,440 Speaker 3: got smoked by Vandy by over twenty this past weekend. 285 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 3: Vandy also in that region. Houston very dangerous. I'm going 286 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:31,040 Speaker 3: with Illinois because I like offense. I like gosh, I 287 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:34,800 Speaker 3: hate saying this. I like European players in march Arizona 288 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 3: has many these guys are smart, savvy, they played professionally. 289 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 3: I'm just telling this Illinois team very dangerous. Obviously, in 290 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:44,479 Speaker 3: the Big Ten Tournament they had a bad loss, but overall, 291 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 3: I think Illinois gets to the final four coming out 292 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 3: of the West. I've got Arizona. They are the best 293 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 3: team in the country. Folks, Listen, I watched a lot 294 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 3: of Arizona this season. Bet on them. They are cash cow. 295 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:57,760 Speaker 3: They've got five guys who are going to be drafted, 296 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:00,960 Speaker 3: four probably in the first round. And the guy who 297 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:03,360 Speaker 3: may not go first round was the conference player of 298 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 3: the year who hit the game winner over the weekend 299 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:08,240 Speaker 3: against Iowa State in a tremendous game. And then my 300 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 3: final team in the final four Michigan, no huge surprise. 301 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 3: I'm not going to read too much into that loss 302 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 3: to Purdue on Sunday. So those are the final four. 303 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 3: In the semifinals, I've got Arizona advancing. I got CoA 304 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 3: Pete Burrey's this kid, Burry's keep an eye on him. 305 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 3: They're calling him baby SGA. Yes, that's the thing. And 306 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:29,840 Speaker 3: I've got Illinois beating Duke in the other That's not 307 00:15:29,840 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 3: gonna be popular at all. Illinois doesn't play defense. Duke 308 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:36,240 Speaker 3: I don't think has enough offense. So I've got Arizona 309 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:39,880 Speaker 3: Illinois in the championship and i got the Wildcats cutting 310 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 3: down the nets in India. I know a lot of 311 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 3: people are like, wait, what about Purdue. Can they get 312 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 3: to Indianapolis? Eh? I think they shot their wad in 313 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 3: the Big Ten Tournament. By the way, last time Purdue 314 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 3: won the Big Ten Tournament, lost in the first round, okay, 315 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 3: as a one to a sixteen. So I like Arizona. 316 00:15:57,880 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 3: I'm just telling you, man, they got dudes. I think 317 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 3: four guys get drafted in the first round. Just a 318 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 3: great team, fun to watch. You only lost two games 319 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,360 Speaker 3: all season CoA Pete right there, you see he missed 320 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 3: one of them. So Arizona's my pick. We'll get into 321 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 3: some bets and individual games in the next couple of days, 322 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 3: but yeah, those are my final four picks. All right, 323 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 3: Let's bring on our guests. He covers the NBA and 324 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:22,600 Speaker 3: the Lakers. He is on cloud nine right now because 325 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 3: he's got a contender on his hands. Jovon bo who 326 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 3: was in the building for Lakers Nuggets. I know it 327 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:33,240 Speaker 3: was a thriller. I was watching on my phone from 328 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 3: the Cheesecake factory. Hey, you got to do family stuff, 329 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:39,720 Speaker 3: as you know, was a mood like in the locker 330 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:40,480 Speaker 3: room after the game. 331 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 13: That was an incredible win, the win of the season, 332 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,040 Speaker 13: I think for the Lakers, and I mean that the 333 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 13: vibes are high right now. They've won five in a row, 334 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:52,640 Speaker 13: eight of nine and five. You know, among those five wins, 335 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 13: three of them have been against top ten teams in 336 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:57,640 Speaker 13: the NBA with New York and Minnesota and Denver, So 337 00:16:58,240 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 13: the vives are high in there. 338 00:16:59,640 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 4: Yeah. 339 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 3: Now, Jovon, you'll remember he has Boujas Block. He does 340 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:05,880 Speaker 3: a YouTube show, and he was the one who came 341 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:07,960 Speaker 3: on the show in the summer and was like, hey, Jake, 342 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 3: la Ravia is a good signing, and everybody, what what 343 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:12,760 Speaker 3: is this guy talking about? Listen man? The bench for 344 00:17:12,800 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 3: the Lakers has looked better recently. It's like Luke Cannard 345 00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:19,879 Speaker 3: is showing up Laaravia. It almost feels like Reddick is 346 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 3: pushing all the right buttons. 347 00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:21,440 Speaker 4: I think. 348 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:24,879 Speaker 13: So I just tweeted this out, but with the starting 349 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 13: group there are a plus seven net rating coming out 350 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:29,679 Speaker 13: of the All Star break with the Big three. 351 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:30,520 Speaker 4: This was the big. 352 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 13: One because when I was on a month ago We 353 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,919 Speaker 13: talked about three keys for me coming out of the 354 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:37,440 Speaker 13: All Star break for LA where to get healthy, which 355 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:40,199 Speaker 13: they've been trending in the right direction. Wanted them to 356 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 13: optimize the Big three, which coming into the All Star 357 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 13: break they had a minus ten net rating with the 358 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 13: Big Three. Coming out of the All Star break, now 359 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,119 Speaker 13: plus twelve point six net rating with those three, So 360 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 13: it's foot entirely where they're dominating people with those three 361 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 13: on the floor, and then plus seven net rating with 362 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:58,159 Speaker 13: the starters. And then I also want to see some 363 00:17:58,160 --> 00:17:58,919 Speaker 13: statement wins. 364 00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 4: They just be the Knicks. 365 00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:02,720 Speaker 13: They just beat the Timberwolves, they beat the Nuggets, and 366 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 13: ot like they're playing their best basketball the season at 367 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:06,680 Speaker 13: the right time. 368 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:09,399 Speaker 4: So I think that they're as sending when they need to. 369 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 3: So Rachel and I were talking this morning about this whole, 370 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:15,440 Speaker 3: like you know, endgame situation. It's like the Big three 371 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:19,119 Speaker 3: weren't playing great together, especially defensively, all of a sudden 372 00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:21,959 Speaker 3: the numbers flip. What do you think has changed? Are 373 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:24,000 Speaker 3: other teams not playing as hard or the Lakers just 374 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:26,359 Speaker 3: playing harder? Why they change? 375 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:28,280 Speaker 13: I think that the starting group has been optimized with 376 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:29,479 Speaker 13: Marcus Smart in there. 377 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:30,720 Speaker 4: If you look at all the lineup data. 378 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:33,720 Speaker 13: Marcus Smart has led this group in plus minus net 379 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:36,640 Speaker 13: rating all season, and I think promoting him full time 380 00:18:36,680 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 13: to being a starter and the Lakers getting healthier at 381 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:42,080 Speaker 13: the right time. I think the Luke Canard could addition 382 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 13: has been huge with his off ball shooting and gravity 383 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 13: and just the way that teams have to guard him. 384 00:18:48,440 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 13: He's also been a nice playmaker for them. One term 385 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 13: that JJ likes to use is called the blunder when 386 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:56,679 Speaker 13: like you penetrate and then you get the defense scrambling 387 00:18:56,720 --> 00:18:59,280 Speaker 13: and rotating, like Luke Canard is really good at triggering that. 388 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:00,760 Speaker 4: I think, like. 389 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 13: Luca has been playing at an MVP level. Austin Reeves 390 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 13: the last few games, he has three straight games. 391 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:09,520 Speaker 4: Thirty plus, four straight with twenty plus. 392 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:12,560 Speaker 13: First time he's done that since that end of November 393 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,480 Speaker 13: early December stretch. So we're talking about multiple months ago. 394 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 13: Lebron came back and it is really bought into being 395 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:21,920 Speaker 13: I think more of the third option right now. Then again, 396 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:23,840 Speaker 13: you got a bunch of role players playing well, so 397 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,359 Speaker 13: you put that all together and they've won eight or. 398 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:28,760 Speaker 3: Nine, So do we know, and again this is tough 399 00:19:28,960 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 3: with the Lebron situation. Do we know why all of 400 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:35,399 Speaker 3: a sudden he bought in. Was there a meeting, Was 401 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:38,159 Speaker 3: there a film session that just kind of spook Lebron's Like, 402 00:19:38,359 --> 00:19:40,600 Speaker 3: you know, I got to roll into the PJ. Washington 403 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:44,359 Speaker 3: spot now from Luca's MAVs days, like be a role player. 404 00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:45,359 Speaker 4: Yeah, I don't think so. 405 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 13: I think it's been more so we've seen like when 406 00:19:47,880 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 13: Lebron first came back, I think people forget like he 407 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:54,000 Speaker 13: took a step back offensively and it was more Luca 408 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:55,760 Speaker 13: and Austin because those have been the two guys, Like 409 00:19:55,840 --> 00:19:57,680 Speaker 13: Lebron came back during the d had a seven game 410 00:19:57,680 --> 00:19:59,359 Speaker 13: win streak early in the season. They started the season 411 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:02,160 Speaker 13: fifteen and four, and Lebron came back during that win streak. 412 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 4: So I feel like there's. 413 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:05,720 Speaker 13: Been a narrative out there that they like never won 414 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:08,160 Speaker 13: with Lebron this season, or like he kind of made 415 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 13: the team worse and some of the lineup that earlier 416 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:14,240 Speaker 13: in the season was definitely negative what we'll say, But 417 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:17,840 Speaker 13: like he came into that win streak and he adapted 418 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:20,399 Speaker 13: and he took a step back. Then Austin Reeves got injured, 419 00:20:20,440 --> 00:20:22,680 Speaker 13: and if you look at the usage when Austin Reeves 420 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:25,359 Speaker 13: came back, he was more the number three guy, and 421 00:20:25,359 --> 00:20:27,920 Speaker 13: he because Lebron then found his footing and Lebron was 422 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:30,080 Speaker 13: playing his best basketball in the season. 423 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 4: When Austin was out. 424 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:33,280 Speaker 13: So I think it's been more so when one of 425 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:38,040 Speaker 13: the Big three, or more specifically Lebron or Austin is out, 426 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:41,119 Speaker 13: the other one assumes more usage, scores more, has a 427 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:44,120 Speaker 13: bigger role than the new guy coming back is sort 428 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:46,119 Speaker 13: of like, all right, I'm going to assimilate. I'm going 429 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:48,760 Speaker 13: to kind of find my role. So with Lebron going 430 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:51,119 Speaker 13: out here for a few games, I think that jump 431 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:53,400 Speaker 13: started Austin and now you're seeing him playing his best 432 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 13: basketball in months. And now Lebron's come back in as 433 00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 13: the number three. 434 00:20:56,720 --> 00:20:58,320 Speaker 3: So you're you know, I've been to games and seen 435 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:01,879 Speaker 3: you court side, obviously covering the team. Talk me about 436 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:05,200 Speaker 3: through the Reeves missed free throw? Did JJ Reddick signals 437 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:07,520 Speaker 3: is something I worked on in practice because it just 438 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:09,439 Speaker 3: lined up perfect. I mean, that was one of the 439 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:10,399 Speaker 3: great plays of the season. 440 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:12,520 Speaker 13: Yeah, I mean one of the players of the season. 441 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:15,800 Speaker 13: So what's funny is JJ had said he told Austin 442 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 13: to miss to the right because they're trying to anticipate 443 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:22,760 Speaker 13: where the second nugget what was going to be in 444 00:21:22,880 --> 00:21:25,400 Speaker 13: terms of rebounding. So they were telling him to miss 445 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:26,960 Speaker 13: to the right because they thought that was going to 446 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:30,600 Speaker 13: be the single side to go then corral the offensive rebound, 447 00:21:31,160 --> 00:21:33,200 Speaker 13: but that it ended up going to the left because 448 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:35,560 Speaker 13: that's where there was only one nugget. I think the 449 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 13: underrated part of that play is look at DeAndre eight 450 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:42,720 Speaker 13: and sees Nikola Jokic and just that allows Austin to 451 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:45,879 Speaker 13: get that shot up, you know, barely deterred. But I 452 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:47,840 Speaker 13: mean that that might be the most impressive play of 453 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 13: the season. 454 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:49,199 Speaker 4: It's got to be up there. 455 00:21:49,200 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 3: And then you see Austin I love you to the basket. 456 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:54,080 Speaker 3: I mean, listen, Austin rings Is. I don't know if 457 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:55,840 Speaker 3: I read it from you or somewhere else, but he 458 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:59,440 Speaker 3: is such a like everybody loves him. He's maybe the 459 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:03,000 Speaker 3: most loved Laker because they drafted him. You know, I 460 00:22:03,160 --> 00:22:04,919 Speaker 3: just don't see them parting with him. 461 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 4: It just keeps up right, I don't see it either. 462 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:08,479 Speaker 13: I think it's just a matter of like how much 463 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:10,879 Speaker 13: money he's going to make, and that will ultimately be 464 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:12,600 Speaker 13: determined by the rest of the season, and. 465 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 4: How the playoffs go. 466 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:16,520 Speaker 13: But he's going to make thirty if not thirty five 467 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:19,640 Speaker 13: plus million annually and I think a sign a four 468 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:21,160 Speaker 13: or five year deal with the Lakers this summer. 469 00:22:21,320 --> 00:22:23,879 Speaker 2: Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays 470 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:27,440 Speaker 2: and Noone Eastern non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio 471 00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 2: FS one and the iHeartRadio app. 472 00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 3: So I don't know if we could play the audio, 473 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:35,120 Speaker 3: but about on February ninth, Lebron was asked about OKAC 474 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:39,200 Speaker 3: beat you, and Lebron's like, yeah, they're a championship team. 475 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 3: We're not. And it sounds like his tune changed a 476 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:45,679 Speaker 3: little bit after the Nuggets win. Do you think that, Lebron, 477 00:22:45,840 --> 00:22:48,720 Speaker 3: I mean, he's being serious. He's not really smiling during 478 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:51,399 Speaker 3: the interviews. I don't know. Do you think he's enjoying this? 479 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:53,720 Speaker 3: If that's maybe that's a weird question, But he doesn't 480 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:56,920 Speaker 3: seem like, oh my gosh, we do have this sound 481 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:58,600 Speaker 3: all right here here it is here, here's the audio. 482 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:02,080 Speaker 4: Do you want me to compare us to them? 483 00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:02,359 Speaker 11: No? 484 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:03,800 Speaker 6: I want to know where you saying out of that, 485 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:06,040 Speaker 6: and Blake you sort of guys, this team is on it. 486 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:08,639 Speaker 8: It's like that's a championship team right there, We're not 487 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:11,720 Speaker 8: We're so on ore Inner saying, what are the. 488 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:14,360 Speaker 6: Biggest things you think that are keeping this team has 489 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:15,800 Speaker 6: this You can't. 490 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:19,639 Speaker 9: Sustain energy and for forty eight minutes, and they can. 491 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:21,720 Speaker 9: That's why I won a championship. 492 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:27,320 Speaker 3: So it sounds like he was defeated almost at that point. 493 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:30,159 Speaker 3: And then if you fast forward to this past weekend, 494 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 3: it's like, wait a minute, we just beat the Knicks. 495 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:34,639 Speaker 3: We swept the Wolves this season, and I would take 496 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:36,159 Speaker 3: it two out of three from Denver. I know Yokah 497 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 3: didn't play in one of them, but are they a 498 00:23:38,880 --> 00:23:41,520 Speaker 3: championship team? Like do you think Lebron is quote unquote 499 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:44,320 Speaker 3: happy or is he thinking what's going to happen this summer? 500 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:45,879 Speaker 3: Do they want me back? Where do I go? You 501 00:23:45,960 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 3: know that uncertainty? Nobody likes that. 502 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 13: Yeah, I'm not going to pretend to know what Lebron's 503 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:52,359 Speaker 13: thinking on this, but I can say that I feel 504 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:55,359 Speaker 13: like the belief in this group has increased with this 505 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:59,000 Speaker 13: recent stretch. And I mean to that point, like I 506 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:01,200 Speaker 13: came on here a month ago and talked about it, 507 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:03,480 Speaker 13: like they had not been beating the best teams in 508 00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:05,959 Speaker 13: the NBA entering this past weekend. 509 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:08,000 Speaker 4: When you know, about a week or so ago. 510 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:10,200 Speaker 13: When they first beat New York, they were four and 511 00:24:10,280 --> 00:24:13,800 Speaker 13: twelve against teams with a six hundred win percentage or better, 512 00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:17,160 Speaker 13: which functionally is like the top ten teams in the NBA. 513 00:24:17,520 --> 00:24:20,000 Speaker 4: They had lost twelve of thirteen. 514 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:22,720 Speaker 13: Games against those teams, and ten of those twelve losses 515 00:24:22,760 --> 00:24:25,159 Speaker 13: had been by double figure. So basically every time the 516 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:27,879 Speaker 13: Lakers had played a top ten team, they were getting 517 00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:28,360 Speaker 13: blown out. 518 00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:30,560 Speaker 4: So while the record was still. 519 00:24:30,440 --> 00:24:33,200 Speaker 13: Impressive and they were beating up on under five hundred teams, 520 00:24:33,560 --> 00:24:35,399 Speaker 13: the last kind of thing, if you wanted to nitpick 521 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:38,320 Speaker 13: their sort of standing was like they just can't beat 522 00:24:38,359 --> 00:24:41,400 Speaker 13: I mean, think about like Christmas Day against Houston getting 523 00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:44,360 Speaker 13: blown out by OKC San Antonio. Like they had out 524 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:47,000 Speaker 13: all these blowout losses. Even recently a few weeks ago 525 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:49,679 Speaker 13: they Boston, right, they lost by twenty plus the Boston, 526 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:51,879 Speaker 13: so it was like they had yet to pass. That 527 00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:54,120 Speaker 13: was like the final test that they needed to show. 528 00:24:54,680 --> 00:24:56,440 Speaker 13: We could beat to New York, we could beat in Minnesota, 529 00:24:56,480 --> 00:25:00,080 Speaker 13: we could beat to Denver at full strength with Yolkic. 530 00:24:59,800 --> 00:25:01,159 Speaker 4: Back, and they've done that now. 531 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:03,720 Speaker 13: So I think that just the general optimism with this 532 00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 13: group has obviously been trending upward over the past week 533 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:08,199 Speaker 13: or so. Now they have a huge road trip coming up. 534 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 13: Play Houston twice played Detroit. Miami and Orlando are both 535 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:13,840 Speaker 13: rolling right now that those have been two the hottest 536 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:15,800 Speaker 13: teams in the East. So like, this is a tough 537 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:18,240 Speaker 13: six game road trip and this will show us I 538 00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:21,480 Speaker 13: think kind of where they're ultimately at in the West. 539 00:25:21,600 --> 00:25:23,399 Speaker 3: Let me drill down, SOD you mention the Rockets. They 540 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:26,119 Speaker 3: play the Rockets tonight in Houston, then Wednesday they are 541 00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 3: I think I think the Rockets won the first meeting. Yes, yes, 542 00:25:28,920 --> 00:25:31,120 Speaker 3: so the Lakers need these two for any tie breakers. 543 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:35,159 Speaker 3: I do need to ask about the Rockets. So Shngon 544 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:37,320 Speaker 3: unclear if he's going to play. What's going on? But 545 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:39,600 Speaker 3: he has cratered since the All Start breaking. And you 546 00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:43,159 Speaker 3: remember what happened to the All Star break Katie's text, Yes, A, 547 00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:46,440 Speaker 3: do you think there's any correlation there be? What the 548 00:25:46,480 --> 00:25:47,639 Speaker 3: hell's going on with the Rockets? 549 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:50,000 Speaker 4: I don't know what's going on with the Rockets. 550 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:52,280 Speaker 13: They have been like day to me, are now the 551 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:55,280 Speaker 13: sixth best team in the West, right and probably going 552 00:25:55,359 --> 00:25:57,919 Speaker 13: to lose in Round one and we'll see how competitive 553 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 13: that even is. Like, I wouldn't if you told me 554 00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:02,800 Speaker 13: they got like swept or lost in five in round one. 555 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:06,160 Speaker 13: I wouldn't be that surprised at this point. But yeah, 556 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:07,639 Speaker 13: I mean I think there's got to be like a 557 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:11,440 Speaker 13: little bit of a correlation of you know, if it 558 00:26:11,560 --> 00:26:14,480 Speaker 13: comes out that you're texting about Rachel, like, I don't 559 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:17,359 Speaker 13: think she's gonna love that right from some burner, So 560 00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 13: you know, it's just I think it was like a 561 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:23,040 Speaker 13: human element to it, right, So I would like they 562 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:25,480 Speaker 13: I mean, I think they were trending down a little 563 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 13: bit before then, so you know, there could be some 564 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:31,320 Speaker 13: causation versus correlation within some of this, But for sure, 565 00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:33,440 Speaker 13: I don't think if your teammate is you know, comes 566 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 13: out there have a burner behind your back and saying 567 00:26:36,800 --> 00:26:39,280 Speaker 13: some of the things he said about his teammates, like, yeah, 568 00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:40,120 Speaker 13: that's got to be tough. 569 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:43,680 Speaker 3: Not just the Rockets. Have you noticed Julius Randall's play 570 00:26:43,720 --> 00:26:47,040 Speaker 3: has declined significantly for the Wolves and they all of 571 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:48,880 Speaker 3: a sudden, like they went to the conference finals twice 572 00:26:48,880 --> 00:26:50,800 Speaker 3: in a row. Chris Finch comes on the show. I 573 00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:53,119 Speaker 3: love talking to that guy. He is awesome. Yes, but 574 00:26:53,760 --> 00:26:56,440 Speaker 3: they tried to trade Randall for Rannest. It's very well 575 00:26:56,520 --> 00:26:58,840 Speaker 3: known and Randall's numbers have sad. Do you think there's 576 00:26:58,880 --> 00:26:59,920 Speaker 3: a correlation there as well? 577 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:01,320 Speaker 4: There could be something. 578 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:06,040 Speaker 13: I mean, I think Minnesota deserves like difference for me 579 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:09,040 Speaker 13: between Minnesota and Houston, as Minnesota has proof of concept 580 00:27:09,119 --> 00:27:11,639 Speaker 13: of they've made back to back Western Conference finals, so 581 00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:15,480 Speaker 13: I think that like I trust them more than I 582 00:27:15,480 --> 00:27:16,040 Speaker 13: trust Houston. 583 00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 4: Houston's unproven, right like this group. 584 00:27:18,119 --> 00:27:20,040 Speaker 13: They lost in seven last year to the Warriors, that 585 00:27:20,119 --> 00:27:21,920 Speaker 13: they've yet to win a playoff series. They've got to 586 00:27:21,960 --> 00:27:24,240 Speaker 13: play in a playoff series with KD. So we just 587 00:27:24,280 --> 00:27:27,479 Speaker 13: don't really know what we're getting from Houston in mid 588 00:27:27,560 --> 00:27:30,200 Speaker 13: to late April. With Minnesota, there's an element of like 589 00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:33,440 Speaker 13: they can be a little jekyl and high and like 590 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 13: their highs are very high, their lows are very low. 591 00:27:35,760 --> 00:27:37,680 Speaker 13: And then I think come playoff time they become a 592 00:27:37,720 --> 00:27:40,800 Speaker 13: serious basketball team. So I think there'll be a tough 593 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:43,080 Speaker 13: first round out if they don't make the second round. 594 00:27:43,160 --> 00:27:46,040 Speaker 13: But yeah, I mean, Julius Rail's got to be better, right, 595 00:27:46,119 --> 00:27:48,080 Speaker 13: Like I mean, last year he was probably a top 596 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:50,600 Speaker 13: twenty player I would say based on like his play, 597 00:27:50,680 --> 00:27:51,879 Speaker 13: especially toward the end of the season. 598 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:53,240 Speaker 4: He's not been that this season. 599 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:56,160 Speaker 3: To go back just because you said Anthony Edwards, I remember, 600 00:27:56,240 --> 00:27:59,440 Speaker 3: so the Lakers played such good, d on Ant he struggled, 601 00:27:59,480 --> 00:28:02,159 Speaker 3: and then Murray Saturday was like one of thirteen. 602 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:05,600 Speaker 4: Yeah, and Jalen Brunson j Robson shut down to. 603 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:07,920 Speaker 3: So now I'm asking because I don't know. So the 604 00:28:08,040 --> 00:28:09,800 Speaker 3: last time you were on, you were like, well, Marcus 605 00:28:09,840 --> 00:28:12,159 Speaker 3: Smart's been amazing, and in my head, I'm like, bro, 606 00:28:12,280 --> 00:28:16,879 Speaker 3: come on, West's not been that good. He's unreliable, is 607 00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:19,120 Speaker 3: Marcus Smart. The reason all three of those guys struggled 608 00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:19,800 Speaker 3: is big. 609 00:28:20,040 --> 00:28:22,200 Speaker 13: Big, big part of it, Like the Lakers defense has 610 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:24,679 Speaker 13: been trending up, so most of the season, they've been 611 00:28:24,720 --> 00:28:26,840 Speaker 13: a bottom ten defense, and that's been the achilles heel 612 00:28:26,920 --> 00:28:29,080 Speaker 13: for this group is just they don't have a but 613 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:31,800 Speaker 13: like if you compare their best defenders to basically any 614 00:28:31,880 --> 00:28:34,920 Speaker 13: other Top West team's best defenders, there's a pretty clear 615 00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 13: gap there. So like they don't have an Amen Thompson, 616 00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:40,160 Speaker 13: they don't have an Aaron Gordon, they don't. 617 00:28:40,040 --> 00:28:41,480 Speaker 4: Have a Wemby, Like. 618 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 13: Okay Soe, his whole team is like an all defense 619 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:47,720 Speaker 13: team like that, they're just loaded. So that the Lakers, 620 00:28:47,880 --> 00:28:50,320 Speaker 13: it's been more of a team defense than an individual defense. 621 00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:53,040 Speaker 13: But I give Marcus Smart a lot of credit where 622 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:56,080 Speaker 13: he had five steals in that game against Denver and 623 00:28:56,440 --> 00:28:58,640 Speaker 13: he made five threes on the other end, so like 624 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:01,400 Speaker 13: he to me is their fourth best player this season 625 00:29:01,760 --> 00:29:04,800 Speaker 13: and is their fourth most important player. And if the 626 00:29:04,880 --> 00:29:07,360 Speaker 13: Lakers make any noise in the playoffs, if they win 627 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:10,120 Speaker 13: around or even a couple, it's going to be because 628 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:12,800 Speaker 13: Marcus Smart is playing a big role. But yeah, his defense, 629 00:29:13,040 --> 00:29:15,680 Speaker 13: he's always guarding like one through three the best defender. 630 00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:18,240 Speaker 13: Lakers do switch a lot. They've been playing some more zone, 631 00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:20,960 Speaker 13: so he's not like the possession of possession. He might 632 00:29:21,040 --> 00:29:22,960 Speaker 13: be switched off, but like I mean, he had some 633 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:25,680 Speaker 13: nice possessions against Kich, And I think in general the 634 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:28,200 Speaker 13: Lakers physicality, Like I give Austin Reeves a lot of credit. 635 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:30,680 Speaker 13: He's been a guy that teams will target or try 636 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:33,240 Speaker 13: to attack with like a big man, like he was 637 00:29:33,280 --> 00:29:35,560 Speaker 13: switching on to Yokich and you're tipping the ball loose 638 00:29:35,600 --> 00:29:38,920 Speaker 13: and generating steel. So like the Lakers overall physicality I 639 00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:40,080 Speaker 13: think is ramped up Palinka. 640 00:29:40,160 --> 00:29:43,280 Speaker 3: Good signing by him. Okay, a couple more. Steph Curry's 641 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:46,720 Speaker 3: my favorite player in the league. He's talking about coming back. 642 00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:47,840 Speaker 3: What are you hearing anything? 643 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:49,000 Speaker 4: I think he's gonna be back. 644 00:29:49,280 --> 00:29:53,400 Speaker 13: I mean, they have nothing to not play for, right, 645 00:29:53,520 --> 00:29:55,800 Speaker 13: So I mean there's the whole like pick and what 646 00:29:55,920 --> 00:29:58,400 Speaker 13: happens with that. But they're trying to win, and I 647 00:29:58,680 --> 00:30:02,520 Speaker 13: don't think they're going to do much like they'll probably 648 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:05,200 Speaker 13: be if they make the playoffs, they'd probably be the 649 00:30:05,240 --> 00:30:08,240 Speaker 13: eight seed and losing round one to Okay, see in 650 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:11,080 Speaker 13: four or five. But they're kind of locked into the 651 00:30:11,120 --> 00:30:13,480 Speaker 13: play and if you look at the standings, the furthest 652 00:30:13,520 --> 00:30:16,719 Speaker 13: they could drop is tenth. So if you're already going 653 00:30:16,760 --> 00:30:18,440 Speaker 13: to be in the play in like this is assuming 654 00:30:18,720 --> 00:30:21,800 Speaker 13: he's actually clear to return, right, And I think if 655 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:23,800 Speaker 13: he can return, he will return. I think it's going 656 00:30:23,880 --> 00:30:26,160 Speaker 13: to come down to just is he physically capable of 657 00:30:26,360 --> 00:30:28,640 Speaker 13: not some Shenanigans of like them trying to hold him 658 00:30:28,640 --> 00:30:31,200 Speaker 13: out because like they want it, like the Warriors want 659 00:30:31,240 --> 00:30:33,840 Speaker 13: to go out with pride. So I think if he plays, 660 00:30:33,880 --> 00:30:35,040 Speaker 13: they have a shot, I think to be the eight 661 00:30:35,080 --> 00:30:38,160 Speaker 13: seed and then from there you'll probably loose to Okay, see, I. 662 00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:40,280 Speaker 3: Hope he's on a real team next year. Okay, so 663 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:43,280 Speaker 3: Rachel's rolling with the Celtics as her favorites. I like 664 00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:44,240 Speaker 3: the Knicks in the East. 665 00:30:44,280 --> 00:30:48,200 Speaker 4: Two you got so I'm of both minds. 666 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:51,680 Speaker 13: I'm gonna give you an answer going into the season. 667 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:56,480 Speaker 13: I've been a Knicks guy, so my preseason prediction was, Okay, 668 00:30:56,520 --> 00:30:59,520 Speaker 13: see New York, and I'm off that. 669 00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:03,400 Speaker 4: Now I'm on Boston. I think Boston's getting. 670 00:31:03,200 --> 00:31:04,680 Speaker 3: Back because Tatum's looked pretty damned. 671 00:31:04,680 --> 00:31:05,560 Speaker 4: Tatums looked pretty good. 672 00:31:05,720 --> 00:31:07,479 Speaker 3: I just I go back to that series last year, 673 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:09,760 Speaker 3: so the Knicks were up on them when before Tatum 674 00:31:09,800 --> 00:31:12,520 Speaker 3: got hurt. They're kind of a good matchup. They Og 675 00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:14,760 Speaker 3: and Bridges are as good as you can do on 676 00:31:14,840 --> 00:31:16,560 Speaker 3: the wings against Brown and Tatum. 677 00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:19,760 Speaker 4: They I don't know about the other spots, Like I 678 00:31:19,840 --> 00:31:20,360 Speaker 4: don't think. 679 00:31:20,280 --> 00:31:23,000 Speaker 13: Kat's been the same players as last season. 680 00:31:23,200 --> 00:31:24,560 Speaker 4: Another guy, I like their death. 681 00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:27,000 Speaker 13: I like their I mean, I think the top four 682 00:31:27,040 --> 00:31:28,840 Speaker 13: in the East, Like if you told me any of 683 00:31:28,920 --> 00:31:32,840 Speaker 13: those four Detroit, Boston, New York, Cleveland, I think those 684 00:31:32,880 --> 00:31:34,360 Speaker 13: are going to be the four teams that advanced in 685 00:31:34,400 --> 00:31:36,320 Speaker 13: the second round. And then it's really going to come 686 00:31:36,360 --> 00:31:40,720 Speaker 13: down to matchups, momentum, injuries, all that stuff. But I 687 00:31:41,080 --> 00:31:44,320 Speaker 13: think right now Boston they're I mean, they've been so 688 00:31:44,480 --> 00:31:47,040 Speaker 13: good without Tatum, and he has been like he's just 689 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:50,640 Speaker 13: been a seamless fit. And if you look at it, 690 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:54,120 Speaker 13: like his per possession and per thirty six numbers, he's 691 00:31:54,160 --> 00:31:57,880 Speaker 13: basically back to last season minus the efficiency, like the 692 00:31:58,560 --> 00:32:00,959 Speaker 13: field goal percentage three point percent. It has not returned yet, 693 00:32:01,080 --> 00:32:03,240 Speaker 13: but I think that is just a matter of time. 694 00:32:03,360 --> 00:32:06,160 Speaker 13: So yeah, I mean they've been the second best team 695 00:32:06,200 --> 00:32:08,320 Speaker 13: in the East this season, and then you add in 696 00:32:08,640 --> 00:32:09,800 Speaker 13: your best player back, Like. 697 00:32:10,160 --> 00:32:11,480 Speaker 3: I don't know how he's going to hold up against 698 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:13,160 Speaker 3: the playoff riggers. You know, it's a it's a lot 699 00:32:13,240 --> 00:32:15,640 Speaker 3: tougher game, and I would take him personally. Got them 700 00:32:15,760 --> 00:32:20,840 Speaker 3: all right? Final question, Webin Yama zerr MVP. I know 701 00:32:20,920 --> 00:32:23,760 Speaker 3: everybody wants to SGA. You go on sgah, Sure can 702 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:25,600 Speaker 3: web Yam at least win the title this year? 703 00:32:25,880 --> 00:32:31,120 Speaker 13: Yes, And I've been arriving at this point recently where 704 00:32:31,360 --> 00:32:34,080 Speaker 13: I think you can make a case. I mean, right 705 00:32:34,120 --> 00:32:36,680 Speaker 13: now they are arguably the second best team in the league, 706 00:32:36,720 --> 00:32:38,400 Speaker 13: but like, I think there's a real case for that 707 00:32:38,760 --> 00:32:43,280 Speaker 13: in the playoffs and just this team's just amazing and 708 00:32:43,920 --> 00:32:46,880 Speaker 13: you look at like, what what in some several of 709 00:32:46,880 --> 00:32:49,360 Speaker 13: those games against OKAC where they've gone four and one. 710 00:32:49,800 --> 00:32:52,440 Speaker 13: Webby didn't even play thirty minutes in those games and 711 00:32:52,520 --> 00:32:53,400 Speaker 13: they're beating Okay. 712 00:32:53,440 --> 00:32:53,640 Speaker 4: See. 713 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:55,600 Speaker 13: So like I think there's I mean, they got to 714 00:32:55,680 --> 00:32:58,320 Speaker 13: get to the conference finals first, but if they can 715 00:32:58,400 --> 00:33:00,800 Speaker 13: get to the conference finals, I think they're a really 716 00:33:00,880 --> 00:33:03,600 Speaker 13: tough matchup for OKC and one of maybe only two 717 00:33:03,640 --> 00:33:05,160 Speaker 13: teams in the West that can beat OKA. 718 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:05,480 Speaker 3: See. 719 00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:09,200 Speaker 13: So I yeah, I mean typically we do if if 720 00:33:09,240 --> 00:33:10,920 Speaker 13: you look at some of the recent champions right, like 721 00:33:11,360 --> 00:33:14,040 Speaker 13: Boston had several runs to the conference finals before they 722 00:33:14,120 --> 00:33:15,720 Speaker 13: finally broke through Oka. 723 00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:16,520 Speaker 4: See, there was the. 724 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:21,240 Speaker 13: Ascension of first round exit, second round exit championship going 725 00:33:21,280 --> 00:33:23,320 Speaker 13: back to like last decade with the Warriors, it was 726 00:33:23,800 --> 00:33:26,400 Speaker 13: second round, first round, then they broke through won the title. 727 00:33:26,440 --> 00:33:29,720 Speaker 13: So typically teams like this need a year or two 728 00:33:30,080 --> 00:33:33,920 Speaker 13: of getting your your playoff experience under your belt. 729 00:33:34,120 --> 00:33:35,760 Speaker 4: That would be like my one thing with them, But 730 00:33:36,520 --> 00:33:37,760 Speaker 4: I think they're they're ready. 731 00:33:37,960 --> 00:33:41,560 Speaker 13: Like they've beaten, they've won like basically every big matchup 732 00:33:41,560 --> 00:33:44,360 Speaker 13: they've had, they've beaten everybody this season. They've been dominant 733 00:33:44,400 --> 00:33:45,720 Speaker 13: on both ends of the floor, and then the top 734 00:33:45,800 --> 00:33:46,600 Speaker 13: five offense, like for. 735 00:33:46,680 --> 00:33:49,400 Speaker 3: The Spurs Lakers were Lakers, sat everybody, and Webb had 736 00:33:49,440 --> 00:33:50,920 Speaker 3: like twenty five in the first quarter. 737 00:33:52,080 --> 00:33:52,520 Speaker 10: Were there. 738 00:33:52,560 --> 00:33:54,920 Speaker 3: I was like, oh my gosh, it's crazy, all right. 739 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:59,600 Speaker 3: Jovon Buha obviously great stuff. Check out his buhas block 740 00:33:59,680 --> 00:34:02,640 Speaker 3: Podcas asked, great stuff as always, Buddy, Thanks a lot.