1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:03,200 Speaker 1: Welcome in What's Right with Nick Wright A quick emergency 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: reaction show to Thunder one fourteen Timberwolves eighty eight in 3 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:12,800 Speaker 1: a game that sounds like a blowout because it was 4 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: a blowout, but for the better part of three quarters 5 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:19,040 Speaker 1: it certainly didn't feel like and it wasn't a blowout 6 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:22,640 Speaker 1: as Minnesota went in, went into halftime with a four 7 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,440 Speaker 1: point lead, had a four point lead around midway through 8 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: the third quarter, and then the Thunder did what the 9 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 1: Thunder do, which is go on these defense generated runs. 10 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:38,239 Speaker 1: We talked about it last week that they have the 11 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 1: ability to go on these fifteen to two runs without 12 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:45,519 Speaker 1: running any offense. That just forces steel, get a lay up, 13 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 1: forces steel, get a lay up, force a bad shot, 14 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:51,880 Speaker 1: get out in transition, and that seemingly is what happened 15 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:54,000 Speaker 1: the entirety of the second half as they beat the 16 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 1: Timberwolves seventy to forty in the second half in route 17 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 1: to a twenty six point victory. And here is the 18 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:10,560 Speaker 1: problem with discussing that game. The Thunder deserve a ton 19 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 1: of credit. I compared them glowingly to the nineties Bulls, 20 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:23,560 Speaker 1: the second version of that, those teams that had Pippin 21 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:29,760 Speaker 1: and Rodman and Jordan defensively, and that they could just 22 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 1: swarm you as you had tried to just move the 23 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: ball up the court and wreak so much havoc on 24 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 1: defense that they could win games that way. I said 25 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:46,039 Speaker 1: on this show and on the TV show back in 26 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: November after seeing the Thunder in person for the first 27 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: time this year when I was in LA and watched 28 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 1: Lakers pre Luca, Lakers against the Thunder, that I thought 29 00:01:57,040 --> 00:02:00,160 Speaker 1: the Thunder were the best team in the league. That 30 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 1: what made me pick the Lakers to win the championship 31 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 1: was seeing that the Lakers dealt with the Thunders so 32 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 1: well in their two regular season matchups at the end 33 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:15,960 Speaker 1: of the year when they got Luke a d Ancic, 34 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:18,919 Speaker 1: Because I thought the Thunder were the team to beat 35 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:21,919 Speaker 1: and I thought the Lakers could beat them. And there 36 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:26,919 Speaker 1: last night, even if you remove just remove garbage time, 37 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 1: the Thunder played ten guys and got solid contributions from 38 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:35,959 Speaker 1: nine of the ten. Really, Aaron Wiggins is the only 39 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: one who didn't do much, but Isaiah Joe gave him 40 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:42,519 Speaker 1: good minutes. Obviously, Cason Wallace gave them good good minutes. 41 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 1: They didn't even play the other Jalen Williams in that 42 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: man rotation they were running. So you would like to 43 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:57,560 Speaker 1: have this story be a team that has been intelligently built, 44 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:02,800 Speaker 1: that has a souper star scoring champ about to be 45 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: League MVP, a you know, kind of up and coming 46 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 1: second and third options in JDub and Chet and this 47 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:20,920 Speaker 1: team just absolutely annihilating Minnesota in the Thunder's first conference 48 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: finals game since KD was there. You'd love for that 49 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:30,799 Speaker 1: to be the story, but it's not the story. The 50 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 1: story is and there's no way around it. And I 51 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:43,520 Speaker 1: think you guys know from as I interrupt myself my 52 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 1: hesitation across sports to blame officials, and I'm not blaming 53 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 1: the officials for this one, but the officiating is the 54 00:03:54,800 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: story because the dyke between how the thunder Guard, which 55 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 1: is awesome playoff physical defense, and the way Shae is 56 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:17,920 Speaker 1: allowed to be guarded, and the way Shae courts contact 57 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:23,440 Speaker 1: or initiates contact and then reacts as if there were 58 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 1: a sniper in the crowd and just flails to the 59 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:33,720 Speaker 1: ground and time after time after time gets rewarded for 60 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 1: it is utterly maddening. And we have seen listen, James 61 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 1: Harden was different stylistically than Shae, but did a lot 62 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:55,480 Speaker 1: of this same stuff. Obviously, maybe this feels more jarring 63 00:04:56,040 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 1: because Harden's teams were not the best defensive team we've 64 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: seen in a quarter century or at least twenty years. 65 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:10,719 Speaker 1: That was on the other end of the court, roughing 66 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:17,040 Speaker 1: everyone up. But it is impossible to watch, and I 67 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 1: like it. By the way, the way Caruso and Dort 68 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 1: and Wiggins and Wallace and j Dubb are allowed to 69 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:33,279 Speaker 1: guard and then see on the other end of the court, 70 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 1: how Shay gilgeses Alexander is treated by the refs as 71 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 1: if he's playing by a different set of rules. Miles Brown, 72 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:50,559 Speaker 1: who is someone I quote a lot on this show 73 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: because I think he's a smart guy, and I also 74 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 1: think he has very funny twitter. He's at Mt Brown. 75 00:05:57,920 --> 00:06:02,159 Speaker 1: He tweeted, the way gets to play football on one 76 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:06,480 Speaker 1: end of the court and behind museum glass on the 77 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:10,200 Speaker 1: other is infuriating, And that is exactly how I feel. 78 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 1: And I do think there is a knock on effect 79 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: from when Shae gets When Shade draws four fouls in 80 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:24,720 Speaker 1: the first five minutes of the game, not only does 81 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:29,600 Speaker 1: Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert and others get in foul trouble, 82 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 1: but and go beart. Listen, go Bert got two fouls early. 83 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:37,039 Speaker 1: One was offensive, so maybe he's the wrong example. He 84 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 1: actually didn't fall again after that, but he was kind 85 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:43,080 Speaker 1: of seemingly knocked out of the game impact wise after 86 00:06:43,080 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 1: those opening two fouls. But the knock on effect is this, 87 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: when the refs make it clear immediately we are going 88 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:56,280 Speaker 1: to reward Shay's flopping because that's what it is. It 89 00:06:56,400 --> 00:07:04,160 Speaker 1: is shameless flopping. Then later in the game and you 90 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: saw it in the second half, guys feel like, well, 91 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: I have to give him space or else he's going 92 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: to draw the foul even if the foul didn't exist, 93 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 1: and all of a sudden, shaken totally comfortably step into 94 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 1: that seventeen footer that he's the best in the league 95 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:37,080 Speaker 1: at and we have the the bad acting, dopey agenda Layden, 96 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: folks who have been trying to tell you for the 97 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 1: last five years the league is dying because the league 98 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 1: had the audacity to be to try to have some 99 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 1: type of social conscience. Those folks who've been in hiding 100 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: this postseason because the ratings have been off the charts, 101 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 1: because the games have been great. Those folks obviously have 102 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 1: not ign knowledge that the first two rounds of these playoffs, 103 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:06,640 Speaker 1: the ratings were some of the best we've seen in 104 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 1: more than ten years in this league through the first 105 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 1: two rounds. Now, part of that is the games have 106 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:17,400 Speaker 1: just been awesome, but it have that type of rating 107 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: when Steph really only played around, when Lebron only played around, 108 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,600 Speaker 1: when Durant didn't make the playoffs at all, when Giannis 109 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 1: only played one round is a testament to the fact 110 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: that the audience has enjoyed the way these games have 111 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 1: been played and officiated. That this postseason we are allowing 112 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:45,679 Speaker 1: a level of physicality and a level of contact that 113 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: is so unlike what is allowed in the regular season. 114 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:54,600 Speaker 1: The audience likes it, and the teams have adjusted. And 115 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 1: it's not even accurate to say that that has applied 116 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:03,840 Speaker 1: to every team, accept the Thunder, because it absolutely has 117 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 1: applied to the Thunder's defense. Alex Crusoe's awesome and I 118 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:15,679 Speaker 1: give him massive credit. Alex Crusoe was basically allowed to 119 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 1: take out a police baton on Nikola Jokic. The refs 120 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:22,400 Speaker 1: are like, whatever, man, you're six inches taller than him, 121 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: deal with it fine. I am not complaining about that. 122 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 1: I thought that was great. But when you compare that 123 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 1: to the way the refs are saying you have to 124 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:44,200 Speaker 1: guard Shay and these are laughable plays. And credit to 125 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:50,079 Speaker 1: Doris and to Richard Jefferson for acknowledging it during the broadcast, 126 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 1: but these are Shay. It's not even like the old 127 00:09:56,679 --> 00:09:59,720 Speaker 1: hard and hook the guy's arm and then go up it. 128 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:05,840 Speaker 1: Just take a take a step and act like you 129 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:10,120 Speaker 1: got hit and collapse to the floor while tossing up 130 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 1: a shot. Some of the most egregious ones yesterday he 131 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: actually made the shot while falling. There was one truly 132 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 1: egregious one that the Timberwolves challenged in won. But you 133 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:28,679 Speaker 1: don't have endless challenges and you don't want to use 134 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:41,080 Speaker 1: them early, and it's just unbecoming. And I was one 135 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 1: of the reasons I had a level, not huge, but 136 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:52,200 Speaker 1: a level of thunder skepticism. Was I wondered, was Shay 137 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 1: going to get the whistle and the playoffs that he 138 00:10:56,880 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 1: got in the regular season and up to this point 139 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:05,200 Speaker 1: the answer is absolutely yes, if not a better one, 140 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 1: because he's averaging this well, probably about the same whistle 141 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:14,720 Speaker 1: his free throws in each game of these playoffs. Seven 142 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:17,319 Speaker 1: in the first game of the playoffs, he only played 143 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:21,400 Speaker 1: twenty three minutes because they won by fifty four. In 144 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 1: game two of the playoffs, when they won by twenty 145 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 1: nine in Game three, thirteen in the deciding game against Memphis, 146 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:37,800 Speaker 1: and then nine in Game one against Denver, eleven in 147 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: Game two against Denver, just five in the overtime loss 148 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:48,480 Speaker 1: to Denver, than twelve, then six, then eleven, then nine, 149 00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:58,200 Speaker 1: and last night fourteen. And this is going to sound 150 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: und sportsman of me, but it is sports and this 151 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 1: is part of it. If I am Minnesota and this 152 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:16,280 Speaker 1: is how they are going to I'll give it game 153 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:20,200 Speaker 1: too and see what type of whistle he's getting. But 154 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 1: if it's clear any type of contact he is going 155 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 1: even if he generates it, even if it's borderline fraudulent, 156 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 1: he's just going to get that whistle, then you guys 157 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 1: need to decide as a team if we're going to 158 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: get our money's worth on these fouls, because right now 159 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:51,040 Speaker 1: he is getting the best of all worlds. He's living 160 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 1: at the free throw line, and he's leaving the game 161 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 1: physically feeling better than he came into the game. Because 162 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 1: there's no hard contact. Last night. There wasn't a single 163 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 1: foul that was like, oh, that's a hard playoff foul. 164 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 1: And I'm not talking about dirty plays. I'm not talking 165 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 1: about undercutting him anything like that. The audience knows what 166 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:18,000 Speaker 1: I'm talking about here, and I hate that that's the story. 167 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: But that's the story of Game one, and it is 168 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:25,679 Speaker 1: why people got And I sometimes I say things on 169 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:29,600 Speaker 1: the TV show were on here, and I say ahead 170 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:33,360 Speaker 1: of time that I know I'm gonna get killed for this. 171 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:38,160 Speaker 1: Don't care. It's just how I feel. I owe the 172 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:41,079 Speaker 1: audience honesty. So I'm gonna give him honesty. And when 173 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:45,000 Speaker 1: I sat on the show yesterday, I think the thunder 174 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:47,520 Speaker 1: of the best team, I think they're going to win. 175 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:52,439 Speaker 1: I hope the Timberwolves win. Part of it was because 176 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:58,319 Speaker 1: I do not like this style of play being rewarded. 177 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 1: I just don't the foulbating, flopping nonsense. And I'm glad 178 00:14:07,320 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 1: I got that takeout prior to Game one because I 179 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 1: feel like a lot of America watching that game joined me. 180 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: And here's the other part of it. He doesn't have 181 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:32,200 Speaker 1: to do this, So take later stage, Jimmy Butler, who 182 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:36,240 Speaker 1: was not a volume or a good three point shooter 183 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 1: who was not a crazy explosive athlete, and in order 184 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 1: for him to be peak effective, he had to be 185 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:54,200 Speaker 1: drawing fouls. But he drew fouls kind of the old 186 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 1: fashioned way. He would pump, fake, get you in the air, 187 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:02,960 Speaker 1: and go up and that can be annoying, but that's 188 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 1: not grifting. That is it's a frustrating guy to go 189 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 1: against because you're like, just stay on the ground. He's 190 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 1: not going up with his first shot, and guys would 191 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 1: have a hard time with it. Shay is just kind 192 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 1: of wildly throwing himself into the lane, falling sideways, looking 193 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 1: for minimal contact, selling it like Daniel day Lewis, and 194 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 1: being rewarded by it in a playoffs when for other 195 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 1: guys it has been if you're not bleeding from the nose, 196 00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:56,560 Speaker 1: it probably wasn't a foul and it's just wildly frustrating. Now, 197 00:15:56,680 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 1: was that again? Was that the reason the Thunder won 198 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:03,440 Speaker 1: by twenty six? They outscored him seventy to forty in 199 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 1: the second half, So was that that was the story 200 00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: of the game. But was that the reason the Thunder one. No, 201 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 1: And we'll get into the reason the Thunder one right now, 202 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: which is every single player on Minnesota except for Julius Randall, 203 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:24,880 Speaker 1: played poorly, every single one. If you just go down 204 00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 1: the box score, Jaden scored I think five immediate points 205 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 1: to the rest of the way, got in foul trouble, 206 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 1: couldn't be as effective, fouled out. Rudy got two thousand 207 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:42,400 Speaker 1: the first one hundred seconds of the game, went to 208 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 1: the bench, finished the game twenty minutes, two points, three rebounds, 209 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 1: no impact. Conley hit the one big three in the 210 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 1: four in the third quarter to I think put them 211 00:16:55,600 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 1: up three, up four. Other than that, nothing A man. 212 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 1: I think Ant, I'm gonna look real quick. I think 213 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: Ant had sixteen in the first half and then finished 214 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 1: the game with eighteen. I should have had that in 215 00:17:19,600 --> 00:17:21,679 Speaker 1: front of me. But I can get it right now. 216 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 1: Series stats for this that game. I want to see 217 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:28,640 Speaker 1: what Ant had in the second half of this game. 218 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:32,399 Speaker 1: Ant had five points in the second half, so we 219 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 1: had thirteen at halftime in the third, yeah, he had 220 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,680 Speaker 1: zero in the fourth. I mean they were getting blown out, 221 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 1: but I mean going into the fourth, No, they weren't 222 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:43,639 Speaker 1: getting blown out. That's wrong. They got blown out in 223 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 1: the fourth. Going into the fourth, they were down ten 224 00:17:47,119 --> 00:17:51,960 Speaker 1: he had, so Ant didn't attack enough. Ant took five 225 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 1: two point field goals, and you know, wasn't getting teammates 226 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 1: involved the way he had earlier in the postseason, so 227 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:05,639 Speaker 1: he wasn't great. Naz Reid has been on I don't 228 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:08,240 Speaker 1: I think it's too strong to say he's cost himself 229 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 1: a ton of money. I think that's too early, but 230 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:16,240 Speaker 1: because he's a free agent this offseason. But nas Reed 231 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:24,120 Speaker 1: has had two good playoff games this year, Game one 232 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:30,160 Speaker 1: against the Lakers and Game one against the Warriors, which 233 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 1: they lost. He was so big for them in last 234 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:42,320 Speaker 1: year's postseason and in this year's postseason, he has just 235 00:18:42,400 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 1: not delivered the way I expected him to. Now, maybe 236 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:49,719 Speaker 1: that bounces back, but last night was another game. I mean, 237 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:54,080 Speaker 1: he's won for eleven, zero for seven from three. Dante 238 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:58,760 Speaker 1: came in hit two big threes at various times when 239 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 1: the thunder were running away to kind of keep the 240 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:06,159 Speaker 1: Timberwolves attached. But he's three for fourteen, three for twelve 241 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:12,520 Speaker 1: from three. And Nikil Alexander Walker, Shay's cousin, they were 242 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:17,719 Speaker 1: just content leaving him wide open and he couldn't make 243 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:25,919 Speaker 1: him pay. So nas Dante and Nikile Alexander Walker combine 244 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:30,600 Speaker 1: to go what is that five for twenty six from three? 245 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:34,160 Speaker 1: The Thunder as a whole go fifteen to fifty one 246 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:38,440 Speaker 1: from three. Julius the only one, I mean outside of 247 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:44,720 Speaker 1: Julius Randall, they're ten of forty five from three. So 248 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,840 Speaker 1: that's not gonna be good enough. Obviously, so none of 249 00:19:47,880 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 1: their guys played well enough. But the story is how 250 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 1: honestly unattractive of a game that was thanks to the way, 251 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:06,280 Speaker 1: in my opinion, the reps called it with sha and 252 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:08,919 Speaker 1: how that impacted how they were able to guard him 253 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:12,520 Speaker 1: the rest of the game, how they instantly rewarded it 254 00:20:12,920 --> 00:20:15,880 Speaker 1: in the opening minutes of the game, and how they 255 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:19,520 Speaker 1: didn't then decide, all right, we're just gonna call it 256 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:24,280 Speaker 1: super tight on both sides. That's not what happened. And 257 00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:28,159 Speaker 1: this was a game you can't call it a must 258 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:33,560 Speaker 1: win for the Timberwolves. But when you're more rested, when 259 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:39,280 Speaker 1: Oklahoma City's coming off of seven game war, when rust 260 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 1: wasn't a factor like it was in Game one against 261 00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:46,719 Speaker 1: Golden State, you're up for at halftime, to just fold 262 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:50,200 Speaker 1: in the second half like that, it does not bode 263 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 1: well for your chances because now if you're Minnesota. You 264 00:20:56,400 --> 00:21:01,359 Speaker 1: either have to win four of the next five or 265 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:06,399 Speaker 1: three of the next five plus a game seven in 266 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:12,640 Speaker 1: Oklahoma City, which is a hell of an ask. But first, 267 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 1: let me tell you guys, NBA's eighty two game grind 268 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:19,160 Speaker 1: is done and the real fun has begun. 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From action pack 303 00:23:28,920 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 2: live events to gripping behind the scenes documentaries to hard 304 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:37,120 Speaker 2: hitting investigative pieces and in depth profiles of athletes, coaches, teams. 305 00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:40,760 Speaker 2: Vice Sports captures the raw energy, drama, and passion that 306 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:44,680 Speaker 2: makes sports truly unforgettable. Catch live events and other exclusive 307 00:23:44,720 --> 00:23:49,160 Speaker 2: sports programs only on Vice TV. Go to vicetv dot 308 00:23:49,160 --> 00:23:51,600 Speaker 2: com to find your cable channel. 309 00:23:56,280 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 1: All right, the other thing I want to do quickly 310 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:03,480 Speaker 1: here is just talk for a moment about Pacers Nicks, 311 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:09,399 Speaker 1: which is I want to be like very clear, I 312 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:12,880 Speaker 1: think the Pacers are really good. I think they are. 313 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:19,199 Speaker 1: They they have been. What did they start the year like? 314 00:24:19,240 --> 00:24:22,080 Speaker 1: Because the Pacers, I'm gonna again this was something I 315 00:24:22,119 --> 00:24:25,720 Speaker 1: probably should have pulled up before, but I'll just do 316 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:31,960 Speaker 1: it in real time after. So they started the season 317 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:39,960 Speaker 1: ten and fifteen. Okay, since then they finished the year 318 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,919 Speaker 1: with fifty wins. They're eight and two in the postseason, 319 00:24:43,359 --> 00:24:49,159 Speaker 1: so they are now fifty eight and thirty four. So 320 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:54,760 Speaker 1: after starting ten and fifteen, they have gone. They have 321 00:24:55,040 --> 00:24:59,119 Speaker 1: They're forty eight and nineteen. Is that right? Yeah? That 322 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:02,480 Speaker 1: is right. Let me figure out what that is. Over 323 00:25:02,520 --> 00:25:07,240 Speaker 1: the totality of a season, forty eight divided by sixty seven. 324 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:10,960 Speaker 1: That's right, forty eight nineteen. Yeah, that's a seventy one 325 00:25:11,960 --> 00:25:14,760 Speaker 1: winning percentage. Over the course of eighty two games. That's 326 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:18,720 Speaker 1: a fifty nine win pace. So they have been an 327 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:24,120 Speaker 1: excellent team basically for the totality of the season after 328 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 1: the first twenty five games, so not the totality of 329 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 1: the season. But you guys understand what I mean. Since 330 00:25:28,920 --> 00:25:36,040 Speaker 1: mid December they've been awesome and since you know, they 331 00:25:36,600 --> 00:25:39,240 Speaker 1: went into the new year sixteen and eighteen, and so 332 00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:43,359 Speaker 1: you guys, they have been again playing at almost a 333 00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:47,080 Speaker 1: sixty win pace for quite some time. And obviously they 334 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:52,399 Speaker 1: were awesome in Round one and Round two of the playoffs. 335 00:25:52,760 --> 00:26:03,240 Speaker 1: They also have seven guys they really trust and an 336 00:26:03,280 --> 00:26:06,240 Speaker 1: eighth they'll play in a pinch, not I mean they'll 337 00:26:06,240 --> 00:26:07,960 Speaker 1: play more than in a pinch, but an eighth and 338 00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:12,920 Speaker 1: Obi Top and that they're fine with. But Haliburton Siakam Turner, 339 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:19,720 Speaker 1: that is in today's NBA more than competent top three. 340 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:25,920 Speaker 1: When you have nemhar Nies Smith, Mathin McConnell rounding out 341 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:29,480 Speaker 1: your real seven man rotation and Obi Top and when 342 00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:35,280 Speaker 1: you need him, that's plenty. So I think the Pacers 343 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:41,920 Speaker 1: obviously can win. I, however, do not think that they 344 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:45,399 Speaker 1: are better than the Knicks, and I will take the 345 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:48,679 Speaker 1: Knicks in this series. I will take the Knicks tonight, 346 00:26:49,119 --> 00:26:51,359 Speaker 1: and I will take the Knicks in six games for 347 00:26:51,400 --> 00:26:55,880 Speaker 1: the series. And I do think last year's series against 348 00:26:55,880 --> 00:27:01,560 Speaker 1: the Pacers for the Knicks is instructive in that that 349 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:06,399 Speaker 1: series went seven. Julius Randall, who obviously doesn't play for 350 00:27:06,440 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 1: the team anymore, but he was out for the series, 351 00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:14,119 Speaker 1: and they didn't have Karl Anthony Towns in that game seven. 352 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:22,119 Speaker 1: Og Ananobi, you know, was attempted to play, made two shots, 353 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:24,760 Speaker 1: then could do nothing. You can be like, well, but 354 00:27:24,800 --> 00:27:27,720 Speaker 1: they don't have Hartenstein like they used to. That's true. 355 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:31,640 Speaker 1: But Hartenstein in that game seven was a total non factor. 356 00:27:32,040 --> 00:27:36,040 Speaker 1: I think he had zero points. And Mitchell Robinson was hurt. 357 00:27:36,359 --> 00:27:40,120 Speaker 1: And obviously Jalen Brunson got banged up in that series, 358 00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:42,879 Speaker 1: and in that game seven, the Knicks were in a 359 00:27:42,920 --> 00:27:46,920 Speaker 1: position in that game seven were precious and Alec Burks 360 00:27:47,400 --> 00:27:52,440 Speaker 1: combined for like fifty some minutes. Duce McBride, if I remember, 361 00:27:52,480 --> 00:27:56,120 Speaker 1: correctly led the team in minutes that game. So they 362 00:27:56,160 --> 00:28:01,840 Speaker 1: are a very different team. He didn't obviously, didn't have bridges, 363 00:28:02,080 --> 00:28:06,679 Speaker 1: didn't have towns. Randal was hurt, so you it's not 364 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:08,719 Speaker 1: a wash like, well, they didn't have towns, but they 365 00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:15,439 Speaker 1: had Randall, no the and so I think last year's 366 00:28:15,480 --> 00:28:19,800 Speaker 1: series of anything should give the Knicks a little more confidence. 367 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:26,080 Speaker 1: I also think that the Knicks' demolition of Boston the 368 00:28:26,119 --> 00:28:29,720 Speaker 1: way they did in that Game six should give them 369 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:37,360 Speaker 1: a little more confidence. And the other thing about that 370 00:28:37,480 --> 00:28:43,840 Speaker 1: playoff series or that Game seven against the Pacers was 371 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:50,280 Speaker 1: the Pacers, if you remember it, were just shooting lightning 372 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:54,720 Speaker 1: bolts out there ass the entirety of that game. I 373 00:28:54,720 --> 00:28:56,760 Speaker 1: don't know if it was like the best percentage from 374 00:28:56,760 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 1: the field of any team in a Game seven. Ever, 375 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:01,960 Speaker 1: it was something insane. They scored one thirty, They shot 376 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:05,240 Speaker 1: like sixty five percent from the field. And so I now, 377 00:29:05,240 --> 00:29:07,440 Speaker 1: maybe that's too much time talking about Game seven, but 378 00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:10,360 Speaker 1: we haven't seen Game one yet when we're recording this. 379 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:13,360 Speaker 1: I like the Knicks tonight. I like the Knicks in 380 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 1: the series. And now I will say fair is fair 381 00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:26,320 Speaker 1: A lot of the foul baiting stuff that we that 382 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:31,040 Speaker 1: I just ranted about with Shae if Shae is the 383 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:37,920 Speaker 1: gold medalist of it this NBA season. Obviously, Brunson is 384 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:44,920 Speaker 1: the silver medalist, but Brunson has not been rewarded this 385 00:29:45,040 --> 00:29:48,440 Speaker 1: postseason the way Shay is Man. Brunson didn't have a 386 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:52,760 Speaker 1: single game against the Pacers. I'm sorry against the Celtics 387 00:29:53,080 --> 00:29:58,480 Speaker 1: where he got to ten free throws, shot seven four seven, 388 00:29:59,800 --> 00:30:04,040 Speaker 1: and and so listen, Brunson will do more of the 389 00:30:04,080 --> 00:30:07,280 Speaker 1: hardened stuff, try to hook your arm and do it. 390 00:30:07,720 --> 00:30:12,000 Speaker 1: He'll do less of the I just fell down. But 391 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:15,720 Speaker 1: that could be a very annoying and very difficult for 392 00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:19,080 Speaker 1: the reps NBA Finals if that's what we get, and 393 00:30:19,280 --> 00:30:22,160 Speaker 1: I think that's what we're gonna get. I think it 394 00:30:22,280 --> 00:30:26,160 Speaker 1: is going to be OKC versus the Knicks, and to 395 00:30:27,120 --> 00:30:29,440 Speaker 1: kind of circle back to where we were on this. 396 00:30:30,320 --> 00:30:33,880 Speaker 1: If this is how the rest of this series is 397 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:37,760 Speaker 1: going to be officiated, in the Western Conference Finals, you 398 00:30:37,840 --> 00:30:43,280 Speaker 1: are going to have the incredibly rare event of the casual, 399 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:49,800 Speaker 1: uninvested NBA fan or sports fan rooting for the team 400 00:30:49,880 --> 00:30:53,920 Speaker 1: from New York over the team from Oklahoma City, because 401 00:30:53,960 --> 00:31:00,640 Speaker 1: that is not going to be something fans in fans 402 00:31:01,880 --> 00:31:06,760 Speaker 1: enjoy or or want to see rewarded as the champion 403 00:31:08,480 --> 00:31:17,760 Speaker 1: Now listen. Oklahoma City is now seventy five and eighteen 404 00:31:17,880 --> 00:31:21,600 Speaker 1: on the year. They have one of the best defenses 405 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:23,880 Speaker 1: in the league has seen in the last maybe the 406 00:31:23,920 --> 00:31:26,640 Speaker 1: best defense league has seen the last twenty years. They're 407 00:31:26,640 --> 00:31:30,320 Speaker 1: incredibly deep, and at some point the NBA is going 408 00:31:30,400 --> 00:31:34,240 Speaker 1: to announce league MVP, and it's going to be Shay 409 00:31:34,320 --> 00:31:36,920 Speaker 1: and it should be Shay said I said throughout the 410 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:39,400 Speaker 1: year when this, you know, once, not throughout the year, 411 00:31:39,440 --> 00:31:42,360 Speaker 1: but in the final couple months, once there had been 412 00:31:42,440 --> 00:31:45,880 Speaker 1: real evidence that Shae was the league MVP, and rightfully so. 413 00:31:48,440 --> 00:31:53,920 Speaker 1: The thunder are a great, great team. I would just 414 00:31:54,200 --> 00:31:57,080 Speaker 1: I hope for the rest of the conference finals they're 415 00:31:57,080 --> 00:31:59,680 Speaker 1: playing by the same rules as everybody else has been 416 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:04,800 Speaker 1: this postseason. All right, I'm headed to Indianapolis. I might 417 00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:08,760 Speaker 1: try to do an emergency show or a reaction show 418 00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:11,680 Speaker 1: from Indy. I got to figure out what the tech 419 00:32:11,760 --> 00:32:13,880 Speaker 1: set up in the hotel I'm going to be in is, 420 00:32:14,360 --> 00:32:18,680 Speaker 1: so like rate subscribe review that way you get these 421 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:23,720 Speaker 1: delivered right to you. But I'll be on TV later 422 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:27,240 Speaker 1: today or maybe I already was on TV, depending on 423 00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:30,640 Speaker 1: when you're watching this. Then I'm heading to indianapolisse first 424 00:32:30,680 --> 00:32:32,520 Speaker 1: things first, gonna be live from the Indy five hundred, 425 00:32:32,600 --> 00:32:33,640 Speaker 1: talk to you guys. Then what's right