1 00:00:01,440 --> 00:00:02,120 Speaker 1: The volume. 2 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 2: The NBA eighty two game grind is done, and now 3 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:10,480 Speaker 2: the real fun begins. The NBA Playoffs are here and 4 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:12,920 Speaker 2: it's time for all the high stakes drama, clutch moments, 5 00:00:12,960 --> 00:00:14,280 Speaker 2: and jaw dropping plays. 6 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:15,040 Speaker 3: I can't wait. 7 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:17,919 Speaker 2: If you're looking to make the playoffs even more exciting, 8 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 2: DraftKings Sportsbook has you covered as an official sports betting 9 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:23,439 Speaker 2: partner of the NBA from the playing games all the 10 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 2: way through to the finals. Now's the time to back 11 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 2: your favorite players and teams as they chase glory. All 12 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 2: season long. DraftKings has been the go to spot for 13 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:33,159 Speaker 2: NBA player props and that does not stop now. Want 14 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 2: to make your playoff experience even more intense, try placing 15 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 2: a bet on your favorite players performance well they drop 16 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 2: thirty points, forty or more, it's your call. Ready to 17 00:00:41,479 --> 00:00:44,200 Speaker 2: place your first bet? Download the DraftKings Sportsbook a gap 18 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:47,520 Speaker 2: Now lock in your bets. Let's make this playoff run unforgettable. 19 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 2: Here's something special for first timers. New DraftKings customers. Bet 20 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 2: five dollars to get two hundred dollars in bonus bets. 21 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 2: Instantly make it a playoff run to remember With DraftKings. 22 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 2: Download the DraftKings sportsbook gap and use code hoops. 23 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 3: That's h oops. 24 00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:04,840 Speaker 2: That's code hoops for new customers to get two hundred 25 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 2: dollars in bonus bets when you bet just five bucks 26 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:08,560 Speaker 2: only on DraftKings. 27 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:09,919 Speaker 3: The Crown is yours. 28 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 2: Gambling problem called Wayne hundred gambler In New York call 29 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 2: eight seven seven eight hope and why, or text hope 30 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 2: and why to four six seven three sixty nine. In Connecticut, 31 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 2: help us available for problem gambling Call eight eight eight 32 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,000 Speaker 2: seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or. 33 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 3: Visit CCPG dot org. 34 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 2: Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothill Casino and Resort 35 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:33,160 Speaker 2: in Kansas twenty one plus. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. 36 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 2: Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire one 37 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:40,120 Speaker 2: hundred and sixty eight hours after issuance. For additional terms 38 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 2: and responsible gaming resources, see dkang dot co. 39 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 3: Slash audio. All right, welcome to Hoops tonight. 40 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 2: You're at the volume heavy Monday, everybody of bald You 41 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:02,279 Speaker 2: guys had a great weekend. 42 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 3: Got a jampacks show for you guys. 43 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 2: Guys. This morning, we're going to be reacting to the 44 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 2: Indiana Pacers beat down of the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. 45 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 2: I was trying to think of a way to express it. 46 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 2: Here's the best way I could express what happened to 47 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 2: the Calves last night. They outscored the Pacers seventy to 48 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 2: forty nine in the second half and lost by twenty 49 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:23,440 Speaker 2: with one of the most destructive performances I've seen in 50 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 2: my time as a basketball fan, as the Pacers beat 51 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 2: up on the Caves to take a three to one 52 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 2: lead in that series. We'll be breaking down that game 53 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:33,680 Speaker 2: from the perspective of both teams. Then after that, we're 54 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 2: about halfway through the second round at this point, and 55 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 2: I want to take some time just to zoom out 56 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 2: and look at all four series, and I want to 57 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:42,680 Speaker 2: talk about, like where I'm at with all those series 58 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:44,640 Speaker 2: at this point, what I think will happen moving forward, 59 00:02:44,919 --> 00:02:48,680 Speaker 2: and what I've learned about the teams involved with those series. 60 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 2: So we'll briefly touch on all four series at the 61 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 2: tail end of the show. You guys are the joke 62 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 2: before we get started. Subscribed to the Hoops Tonight YouTube channels. 63 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 2: Who don't miss any more of our videos. Follow me 64 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 2: on Twitter at Underscore JNLTC. You guys, don't miss announcements. 65 00:02:58,320 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 2: Don't forget about o podcast fee, where we get your 66 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 2: pop castner hoops tonight. It's also super helpful if you 67 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 2: leave a rating in a review on that Fron Jackson's 68 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:06,959 Speaker 2: doing great work on our social media feeds on Twitter, Instagram, 69 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 2: and Facebook. Make sure you guys follow us there. And last, 70 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:11,960 Speaker 2: but not least, keep dropping mailbag questions in the YouTube 71 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,800 Speaker 2: comments so we keep hitting them throughout the remainder of 72 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 2: the postseason. All right, let's talk some basketball. So we 73 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 2: talked after Game one. If you remember about how that 74 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 2: game was an awesome introduction for any casual fan who 75 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 2: doesn't really know what the Pacers do. It was an 76 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:31,920 Speaker 2: opportunity for them to learn about Pacers basketball and what 77 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 2: it looks like. And yet somehow last night put even 78 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 2: that performance to shame. It was a complete two way 79 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 2: dominance in the first half that left absolutely no chance 80 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 2: for recovery, as the Pacers outscore the Cavs eighty to 81 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:51,640 Speaker 2: thirty nine in the first half, making it so that 82 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 2: even though they got blown out in the second half, 83 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 2: they still ended up winning by twenty. They dominated literally 84 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 2: every single facet of the game. I want to start 85 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:04,040 Speaker 2: with their defense. They completely flummixed the Calves offense with 86 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 2: relentless ball pressure picking up before any any guard had 87 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 2: a chance to like get ahead of steam going up 88 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 2: the court, they're running into a pacer that was flattening 89 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 2: them out and getting rid of any of that pace 90 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 2: that they were trying to bring into the front court. 91 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:21,239 Speaker 2: It was affecting everybody, Even Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland 92 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 2: were struggling against the pressure. They were picking up after missus. 93 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 2: They're picking up after makes it completely shut down any 94 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 2: of the transition opportunities that are such an important part 95 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 2: of the Caves offense. The Cavs log just two transition 96 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 2: points total in that first half during that run, and 97 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 2: that again, you're just cutting off the most important part 98 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 2: of that Calves offense. Again, we talked about this before 99 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:46,839 Speaker 2: early in the season when when we were discussing like 100 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 2: the three things that made the Calves a different team 101 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 2: than last year. If you guys remember, it was just 102 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 2: the overall improvement of Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Both 103 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 2: of them are injured in this series. Darius Garland playing 104 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 2: on a toe that's apparently splinted up so tight that 105 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 2: it relieves pain, but that he can't actually bend the toe. 106 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 2: And then Evan Mobley playing on a bad ankle, and 107 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:10,359 Speaker 2: so you get the two guys that are bringing the 108 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 2: gigantic improvement year over year both banged up. Secondly the 109 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:20,280 Speaker 2: switching and forcing turnovers and thirdly the getting out in 110 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:23,880 Speaker 2: transition and so essentially a little bit of talent influx 111 00:05:23,920 --> 00:05:27,080 Speaker 2: with Garland and Mobley, and then they're turning teams over 112 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:29,479 Speaker 2: by switching and playing passing lanes, and they're playing a 113 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 2: ton of transition basketball with a lot of pace moving 114 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:34,599 Speaker 2: the ball around, and so Pacers don't turn the ball over. 115 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:37,839 Speaker 2: They're picking you up and preventing your transition pushes with 116 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 2: ball pressure. 117 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:41,280 Speaker 3: And the two you. 118 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:44,360 Speaker 2: Know, talent ads so to speak, for the Cavs this year, 119 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:48,159 Speaker 2: are not anywhere near one hundred percent physically, and that 120 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:51,720 Speaker 2: has just completely flipped this dynamic to becoming a massive problem. 121 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 2: Even Donovan Mitchell struggled, though Donovan Mitchell has killed the 122 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:57,479 Speaker 2: Pacers in this series, and he was just three for 123 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:01,640 Speaker 2: eleven with zero assists and two turnovers in that first 124 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 2: half run for the Pacers. The Pacers dominated the glass, 125 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 2: They out rebounded the Cavs twenty two to fifteen in 126 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 2: the first half, and then they just put on an 127 00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 2: offensive clinic a one point fifty seven offensive rating in transition, 128 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,560 Speaker 2: a one thirty six offensive rating in the half court, 129 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:21,680 Speaker 2: which is astronomical. They generated fourteen catch and shoot jump 130 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:24,960 Speaker 2: shots and made ten of them. That's two point one 131 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 2: four points per shot. They hammered post mismatches right away 132 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:31,720 Speaker 2: to start the game. Like one of the first possessions, 133 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 2: it's Aaron Nee Smith is posting up Darius Garland and 134 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,039 Speaker 2: they throw it to him. He draws a double team 135 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 2: swing swing, wide open three. They're posting Siakam against Max Strus, 136 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 2: They're posting Miles Turner against a bunch of the Cleveland guards, 137 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 2: and they Cleveland just didn't have the ability to prevent 138 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 2: those mismatches from burning them. One of the things that 139 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 2: Indiana does really well is they throw the skip pass, 140 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 2: and when you throw the skip pass, that's what burns 141 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:03,560 Speaker 2: a typical post front bracket coverage. So we talked about 142 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:05,480 Speaker 2: this coverage a lot with like the Miami Heat, because 143 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 2: they post, they front the post all the time, but 144 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 2: when you try to front the post, there's a passing 145 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 2: angle over the top. You try to close that window 146 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 2: by having a guy come from the weak side and 147 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 2: basically bracket on the other side of the post player. 148 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 2: But that's what opens up the skip pass, and the 149 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 2: Calves are so paranoid about the skip pass that that 150 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 2: guy's staying home, and so there's just a huge passing 151 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 2: window to float the ball over the top to these 152 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 2: against these post fronts, and the Pacers just made really 153 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 2: good post entry passes all night and just continually burned 154 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 2: the Calves every single time they switched ball screens. 155 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 3: They lit up the zone. 156 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 2: We talked after game two about how the Pacers kind 157 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 2: of started to figure out the zone in the second half. Well, 158 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 2: they did really well against it again tonight. They faced 159 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 2: it eight times in the first half and scored on 160 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:54,440 Speaker 2: six of those possessions. Every which way they beat it 161 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 2: by flashing middle, getting the ball to Siakam and shooters 162 00:07:57,400 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 2: relocating off of it. They generated a wide open three 163 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 2: frame nemhard that way. They beat it with the skip 164 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 2: pass TJ McConnell on the right wing. The low man 165 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 2: on the left side was sunk all the way into 166 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 2: the paint. Rifles will skip past to Thomas Bryant, who 167 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 2: it's a mildly contested three out of the left corner. 168 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 2: They beat it by screening the top man ball screen 169 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:17,600 Speaker 2: at the top Obi top en rolls out of it, 170 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 2: ball in the pocket, left handed layup. Similar type of 171 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 2: thing Tyre's Halliburton with Thomas Bryant. Thomas Bryant rolls. When 172 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 2: he rolls, the low man has to grab him. Tyree 173 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 2: swings the ball. It gets skipped all the way back 174 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 2: to the corner because the guy who would be responsible 175 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:33,600 Speaker 2: for the corner is now guarding Thomas Bryant on the roll. 176 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:37,040 Speaker 2: Another wide open three on the weak side that goes in. 177 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 2: They beat it with the flair screen. The three that 178 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 2: Tyre's Halliburton hit that was like twenty seven to twenty 179 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 2: eight feet off of the right wing. All that was 180 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:46,679 Speaker 2: is they flare screen the top man. Max Struce was 181 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 2: the other top man, but he was sunk into the 182 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:51,800 Speaker 2: paint covering a flasher skip over the top wide open 183 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:55,199 Speaker 2: three for Tyre's Halliburton, it goes in. The Pacers basically 184 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 2: just ran their same man demand principles that they always 185 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 2: run against the zone and it worked extremely well as 186 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:05,560 Speaker 2: they basically just played the calves out of that zone. 187 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:09,160 Speaker 2: I look at the Indiana Pacers like a machine, and 188 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:12,439 Speaker 2: that machine was operating at peak efficiency on both ends 189 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:14,640 Speaker 2: of the floor last night, and it just chewed up 190 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 2: and spit out the Caves and they had absolutely no chance. 191 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:20,200 Speaker 2: When the Pacers are playing like that, you just get 192 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:22,840 Speaker 2: to lose. And it's an interesting dynamic to keep in 193 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:26,800 Speaker 2: mind for the Conference finals. There's just a higher level 194 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 2: that they can get to on both ends of the 195 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 2: floor this year, as all of their players have made 196 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 2: moderate improvements, even their star Tyree Saliburton, just because he's 197 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 2: healthier than he was in years past. So before we 198 00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:40,679 Speaker 2: get to the Calves, I just want to go into 199 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 2: our next segment because I think this will be a 200 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:44,760 Speaker 2: good kind of format for us to touch base on 201 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 2: the series kind of zooming out as well as what 202 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 2: the Calves are going through in terms of the slander 203 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:52,679 Speaker 2: that they're catching all over the NBA world today. So again, 204 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:54,080 Speaker 2: what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna go through all 205 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:56,520 Speaker 2: four series and we'll start with Pacers Calves. But I 206 00:09:56,559 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 2: want to just talk with where I'm at with the 207 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:00,920 Speaker 2: series in terms of just what I expect moving forward, 208 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:02,839 Speaker 2: and then I want to talk about what we've learned 209 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:06,679 Speaker 2: about the teams involved, So Pacers, Calves. Where am I 210 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 2: at at this point? It's certainly not over. We know 211 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:12,319 Speaker 2: the Calves can beat the Pacers at home, they basically 212 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 2: did in Game two, they just tricked it off. And 213 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:17,199 Speaker 2: we know that the Calves can beat the Pacers in Indy. 214 00:10:17,280 --> 00:10:19,320 Speaker 2: They just did it in Game three they blow them out. 215 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 2: But they're just operating so far below their ceiling right 216 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:26,760 Speaker 2: now that I view it as pretty unlikely. They're completely 217 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 2: shook by just the dynamic at play and they're losing 218 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:32,079 Speaker 2: confidence and a lot of specific parts of their roster, 219 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 2: like Ty Jerome came in and immediately started turning the 220 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 2: ball over again. 221 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:37,080 Speaker 3: It's I've. 222 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 2: As big of a drop off from regular season performance 223 00:10:41,320 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 2: to playoff performance in this series that I can remember 224 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 2: from a player, Like he was the best guard that 225 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 2: I watched off the bench in the NBA this year. 226 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:50,920 Speaker 2: I actually thought he was better than Peyton Prichard, and 227 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 2: Peyton Richard was amazing in Madison Square Garden in Game 228 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 2: three and has been a deeply useful player for the 229 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 2: for the Celtics, and Ti Jerome has been like has 230 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:06,319 Speaker 2: literally decomposed in this series. It's absolutely wild DeAndre Hunter 231 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:10,680 Speaker 2: came in and was missing jumpers so bad wide left 232 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:13,600 Speaker 2: that you could literally tell on the broadcast as the 233 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 2: ball was coming out of his hands that it was 234 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:16,720 Speaker 2: going to be off to the left, Like he was 235 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:20,319 Speaker 2: just completely out of sorts with his jump shot. Jared 236 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 2: Allen was like brutally bad on defense in this game, 237 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 2: like consistently out of position, just like misreading plays, like 238 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:31,080 Speaker 2: overplaying a like a random pressure of a high post 239 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 2: catch from like Thomas Bryant that ends up giving up 240 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:36,120 Speaker 2: a layup, or jumping onto the wrong side of a 241 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:39,160 Speaker 2: screen with Dean Wade and giving up a driving lane 242 00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:41,640 Speaker 2: going to the opposite side of the screen like he 243 00:11:41,760 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 2: was bad in this game. Garland looks like a shell 244 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:46,679 Speaker 2: of himself. And then again, this was the first game 245 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:49,320 Speaker 2: where they held Donovan Mitchell in check. So like, I 246 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 2: even though I think we all know the Cavs can 247 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:54,280 Speaker 2: win this series, Like it's really simple. You go home 248 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 2: and you beat the Pacers. Go and beat the Pacers 249 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 2: at home, you're certainly capable of it. You go back 250 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,560 Speaker 2: to Indy and you beat them like you did in 251 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:02,240 Speaker 2: game three, and then you have Game seven at home 252 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:04,600 Speaker 2: where anything can happen. I just don't think the Calves 253 00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:06,320 Speaker 2: are playing like the Calves right now. If you really 254 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:08,560 Speaker 2: zoom out of this series, the only game where they 255 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 2: really looked like the Calves was Game three, and in 256 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 2: all three of the other games, even Game two when 257 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 2: they won, it was like they were kind of hanging 258 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 2: on for dear life for the most part and getting 259 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 2: the shit kicked out of them in most of the 260 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 2: moments of the series. And so I'm guessing the Pacers 261 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 2: end up closing this out in six. I bet they 262 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:29,440 Speaker 2: go up to Cleveland drop Game five, and then come 263 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 2: home and blow out the Calves to win in Game six. 264 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:35,520 Speaker 2: But certainly the Calves have a chance, But at this 265 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:37,839 Speaker 2: point I would be surprised if the Pacers didn't win. 266 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:38,920 Speaker 3: Now what have I learned? 267 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,960 Speaker 2: Honestly, the series hasn't gone that much differently than I expected. 268 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:48,040 Speaker 2: I picked the Calves in six. I specifically said to 269 00:12:48,120 --> 00:12:50,679 Speaker 2: Carter in our series preview that I thought Indiana was 270 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:53,839 Speaker 2: a very similar team to Cleveland that would cause them 271 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:56,600 Speaker 2: lots of issues in the series, and I expected them 272 00:12:56,600 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 2: to win multiple games. What has happened is the Racers 273 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 2: stole a game they should have lost. They were down 274 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:05,959 Speaker 2: seven with forty seconds left in Game two and stole 275 00:13:06,040 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 2: that game. And then the Calves are also pretty substantially 276 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:11,680 Speaker 2: beat up by injuries, and so those two things have 277 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:14,920 Speaker 2: been enough to flip the outcome to where Indiana looks 278 00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 2: like the better team by a reasonable chunk, similar to 279 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:20,439 Speaker 2: what I expected from the Calves before the series. That said, 280 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 2: I want to be clear, even though that dynamic has flipped, 281 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:26,840 Speaker 2: I've also been super impressed by Indy. The way that 282 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 2: their offense and their defense has had this level of 283 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 2: success against a very good Calves team has given me 284 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 2: a lot more optimism that they absolutely can beat a 285 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 2: Boston in the Conference finals. They certainly could beat in 286 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:44,679 Speaker 2: New York. So I viewed the Pacers as a substantial 287 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 2: finals threat now in a way that I didn't see 288 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:50,559 Speaker 2: them last year, because they're in just such a great 289 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:54,560 Speaker 2: offensive groove and they're so connected defensively right now. And 290 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:58,199 Speaker 2: so yeah, like the Pacers have shown themselves to be 291 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:00,640 Speaker 2: the better team at this point. There's just some context 292 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 2: in terms of the Calves operating well below their peak 293 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 2: in terms of some injuries. But credit to Pacers this 294 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 2: is it's equal both ways. Like the Pacers have blown 295 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:13,160 Speaker 2: them out in two of these games, and if you 296 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:15,840 Speaker 2: really kind of zoom out, the Pacers have had a 297 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:18,560 Speaker 2: ton of success that has been related to just how 298 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 2: great the Pacers are. That is separate from some of 299 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:23,640 Speaker 2: the issues that the Calves are having with injuries and 300 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 2: their flow and their confidence and that sort of stuff. So, 301 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 2: like again, like I just want to I just want 302 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 2: to make sure that we give that credit to the 303 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 2: Pacers as well, and that it's. 304 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 3: Not just a Calves thing. 305 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:36,400 Speaker 2: On the Calves front, I see a lot of people 306 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 2: burying them today. I've seen a lot of the twenty 307 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 2: fifteen Hawks references getting thrown around. And here's all I'll 308 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 2: say about that. I was a basketball fan during that age. 309 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 2: I remember watching the twenty fifteen Hawks. The twy fifteen 310 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 2: Hawks were a mediocre basketball team that just beat up on. 311 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 3: The Eastern Conference. 312 00:14:56,680 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 2: This Calves team showed an obvious upside and had an 313 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 2: obvious like talent level that they had in terms of 314 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 2: the level Darius Garland was playing at before he got hurt, 315 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:09,880 Speaker 2: the level Donovan Mitchell was playing at all season, the 316 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:12,880 Speaker 2: level Even Mobley was playing out all season. Jared Allen 317 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 2: kind of encroaching on that top seven, top six centers 318 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:18,920 Speaker 2: in the NBA, the level of play they were getting 319 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 2: from ty Jrome off the bench, the elite catch and 320 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:24,840 Speaker 2: shoot play down the roster. This is a more talented, 321 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 2: more dynamic team by a substantial margin than the twenty 322 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 2: fifteen Hawks. They run into a very hot, very good 323 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 2: Indiana Pacers team, and they're way below their peak efficiency 324 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 2: because Darius Garland is like the guy that drives their offense. Darius, 325 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:47,480 Speaker 2: Like I talked about this all year. I like Donovan Mitchell, 326 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 2: I really do. I think he's a great player, but 327 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:50,760 Speaker 2: I've talked about it throughout the year that I view 328 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:54,200 Speaker 2: Darius Garland as like their most important offensive player because 329 00:15:54,240 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 2: he's the guy that the dynamic I kept talking about 330 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 2: all season was just his ability to get dribble penetration. 331 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 2: He gets dribble penetration on everyone, and that just instantly 332 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 2: compromises your defense from like the start of the shot 333 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 2: clock and you're just chasing your tail the rest of 334 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 2: the possession because Darius Garland is so damn fast that 335 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:14,840 Speaker 2: he can get to wherever he wants to on the floor. 336 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:18,520 Speaker 2: Darius Garland with a bad toe can't. Like there was 337 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 2: a possession against TJ. McConnell in the first half where 338 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 2: he's just trying to dribble around him on the left wing, 339 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:25,920 Speaker 2: and like TJ, looks faster than him, and like TJ 340 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:28,880 Speaker 2: is a very good athlete, TJ is like one of 341 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:32,080 Speaker 2: the most underrated dribble penetration guys in the league. But 342 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 2: Darius is faster than him, and Darius would look slower 343 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 2: than him in that matchup on the left wing. And 344 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 2: so like Darius Garland is like quote unquote the head 345 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:42,720 Speaker 2: of the Snake for their offense in terms of their 346 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 2: ability to get the defense and rotation. Donovan Mitchell is 347 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:47,880 Speaker 2: a capable passer who has grown as a passer over 348 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 2: the course of his career, but he is a scorer. 349 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:52,720 Speaker 2: That is what he does, and he has tried to 350 00:16:52,760 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 2: solve problems in this series by scoring the basketball. Darius 351 00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 2: Garland is the guy who greases the wheels of their 352 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 2: offense and gets the ball moving from side to side, 353 00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 2: gets the defense into rotation, and so having him be 354 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:10,879 Speaker 2: operating that far below his capability has substantially changed the 355 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 2: way the Calves play offense from the regular season, even 356 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 2: if you watched that first half, just the level of 357 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:19,520 Speaker 2: involvement from Darius Garland compared to what it would look 358 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:23,360 Speaker 2: like when you'd watch the Calves back in like January, December, February, 359 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:27,880 Speaker 2: it's just so different, missing that bit of explosion from 360 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:30,680 Speaker 2: Darius Garland. So like, here's the thing. Were the Calves 361 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:33,880 Speaker 2: as good as the thunder No? Were the Calves as 362 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 2: good as the Celtics. 363 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 3: No. 364 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:38,399 Speaker 2: Coming into the playoffs, I ranked them as the fourth 365 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 2: most likely team to win the championship. So I wasn't 366 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:44,119 Speaker 2: quite as high on the Calves as everyone else was. 367 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 2: That said, after that Heat series, their offense was clicking 368 00:17:47,760 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 2: at such a level that I did view them as 369 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 2: a legitimate threat, a puncher's chance threat to beat the 370 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:56,360 Speaker 2: Boston Celtics, so much so that I was like, at 371 00:17:56,440 --> 00:18:00,480 Speaker 2: least considering the idea that I would potentially pay them 372 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:04,200 Speaker 2: in a Celtic series. But then Darius Garland gets hurt. 373 00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:07,760 Speaker 2: They're never able to recapture that offensive verb that they 374 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:11,119 Speaker 2: had before the Darius Garland injury, and now it just 375 00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:13,720 Speaker 2: looks like they're dead in the water. And so again 376 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:16,920 Speaker 2: I think it's a little bit of both. Are they 377 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,679 Speaker 2: a little bit overrated from what they looked like as 378 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:23,760 Speaker 2: a sixty four win regular season team. Yes, are they 379 00:18:23,800 --> 00:18:28,400 Speaker 2: the twenty fifteen Hawks? No, they're They're certainly better than that. 380 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 2: That's kind of how I felt about the Calves after 381 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:33,200 Speaker 2: tonight and the last night, and honestly, like, as far 382 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 2: as the future holds for the Calves, like Darius Garland 383 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:40,879 Speaker 2: has had perpetual injury issues throughout his career, and it's 384 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 2: just something to keep in mind that he finally has 385 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:45,080 Speaker 2: this super healthy season where he looks like an All 386 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:49,320 Speaker 2: NBA caliber guard and then he just breaks down at 387 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:51,359 Speaker 2: the tail end of the season. It's just super unfortunate. 388 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 1: Blending Vice's signature dynamic storytelling with the high octane world 389 00:18:56,600 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 1: of sports, Vice Sports brings an exciting and diverse range 390 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 1: programming that goes beyond the game. From action pack live 391 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:06,399 Speaker 1: events to gripping behind the scenes documentaries to hard hitting 392 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:11,040 Speaker 1: investigative pieces and in depth profiles of athletes, coaches, teams, 393 00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:14,719 Speaker 1: Vice Sports captures the raw energy, drama, and passion that 394 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:18,640 Speaker 1: makes sports truly unforgettable. Catch live events and other exclusive 395 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:23,080 Speaker 1: sports programs only on Vice TV. Go to vicetv dot 396 00:19:23,119 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 1: com to find your cable channel. 397 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:29,840 Speaker 3: All Right, Boston, New York? Where am I at? With 398 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:33,880 Speaker 3: the series? Right? Now, the Knicks. 399 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:36,119 Speaker 2: Only needed to win one game at Madison Square Garden 400 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 2: to put themselves in great spot to win the series. 401 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:41,119 Speaker 2: So even though they lost Game three, it's certainly not 402 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:42,879 Speaker 2: over for them. They have a very good chance to 403 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:45,720 Speaker 2: win Game four tonight. So the way I would express 404 00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:48,800 Speaker 2: their chances is like this. I think tonight they have 405 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:51,639 Speaker 2: about a coin flip chance to beat Boston. If Boston 406 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:53,440 Speaker 2: goes in and doesn't shoot the ball as well, it'll 407 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:56,119 Speaker 2: be another rockfight, and in a rock fight, if they 408 00:19:56,119 --> 00:19:59,159 Speaker 2: can keep things close enough, Jalen Brunson has the ability 409 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:01,080 Speaker 2: to close things late, So call it about a coin 410 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:04,440 Speaker 2: flip chance. If they win that game, they're up three 411 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 2: to one, and the next three games you're in Boston 412 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:10,560 Speaker 2: for Game five, back to MSG for Game six, and 413 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:13,359 Speaker 2: then in Boston for Game seven. I think they have 414 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:16,359 Speaker 2: about a coin flip chance to win one of those 415 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:20,760 Speaker 2: next three games, because even an MSG game in game six, 416 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 2: if it's three to two, that's an elimination game. You're 417 00:20:25,359 --> 00:20:27,400 Speaker 2: going to get a better effort from Boston. Then you'll 418 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:30,639 Speaker 2: even get tonight necessarily, right, So I viewed about a 419 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:33,160 Speaker 2: fifty percent chance to win a win tonight and about 420 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:35,480 Speaker 2: a fifty percent chance to win one of the following 421 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:38,800 Speaker 2: three games if they win tonight. So a basic, you know, 422 00:20:38,920 --> 00:20:40,879 Speaker 2: kind of a transitive way to look at it is 423 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 2: fifty percent, fifty percent is twenty five percent. So I 424 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 2: look at it like seventy five twenty five in favor 425 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 2: of Boston to win the series at this point, moving forward, 426 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:54,399 Speaker 2: now with each team, what have we learned With the Celtics. 427 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:57,639 Speaker 2: I said coming into the postseason that I viewed them 428 00:20:57,680 --> 00:21:01,120 Speaker 2: as the best team available among all the sixteen teams 429 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:03,679 Speaker 2: because of their combination of two way talent. They just 430 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:07,640 Speaker 2: have the best assortment of players that can successfully play 431 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:10,400 Speaker 2: on both ends of the floor in the playoffs, combined 432 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:13,520 Speaker 2: with the veteran experience necessary to be comfortable and to 433 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:15,399 Speaker 2: make adjustments and to do all the things that you 434 00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:17,919 Speaker 2: to handle all the things that you encounter typically in 435 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:22,280 Speaker 2: the postseason. I think that through this series that ceiling 436 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:26,080 Speaker 2: has been expressed. I should say through this postseason to 437 00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:30,359 Speaker 2: this point, they've shown their ceiling. Game three against New 438 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 2: York was a perfect example of it. I still believe 439 00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:37,639 Speaker 2: in that ceiling. However, Boston has demonstrated that they're just 440 00:21:37,680 --> 00:21:41,680 Speaker 2: a little bit more rickety, a little bit more prone 441 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:47,119 Speaker 2: to showing their floor than we originally thought, to the 442 00:21:47,119 --> 00:21:50,320 Speaker 2: point where they dropped a very very important Game two 443 00:21:50,359 --> 00:21:55,160 Speaker 2: at home showing that floor. So like, while I feel 444 00:21:55,359 --> 00:21:58,360 Speaker 2: kind of still the same way about the Boston Celtics 445 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:00,600 Speaker 2: and what they can reach in terms of their top end, 446 00:22:00,960 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 2: I kind of view their range of potential outcomes as lower. 447 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:07,359 Speaker 2: So like I'm at this point, like I wouldn't be 448 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:09,520 Speaker 2: surprised that they won the title, but I also wouldn't 449 00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:12,480 Speaker 2: be surprised that they lost in this round. And that 450 00:22:12,600 --> 00:22:14,960 Speaker 2: just kind of shows the wide range of outcomes. And 451 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:17,879 Speaker 2: the main thing that is really manifested in terms of 452 00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:20,560 Speaker 2: the basketball side of it is they don't have an 453 00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:25,640 Speaker 2: audible when their drive and kick generate quality three's offense 454 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:30,639 Speaker 2: doesn't work. They don't have offensive versatility in terms of 455 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:36,280 Speaker 2: finding a legit like fifty plus percent guy who can 456 00:22:36,320 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 2: get down ten feet inside of the basket and hit 457 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:42,800 Speaker 2: a hook shot or a short turnaround or anything at 458 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:46,639 Speaker 2: at a level that is impervious to variants. 459 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,520 Speaker 3: They are inherently. 460 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:53,439 Speaker 2: Vulnerable to variants, and that is the part that kind 461 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:56,919 Speaker 2: of brings that low floor into the equation. And so 462 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:59,640 Speaker 2: that just kind of makes them vulnerable as a defending champion. 463 00:22:59,680 --> 00:23:03,960 Speaker 2: Here on the Knicks fronts basically basically been the quality 464 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:05,800 Speaker 2: of their defense that has impressed me. They did not 465 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:08,879 Speaker 2: defend very well in Game three, but they've had extended 466 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 2: stretches between the Piston series and this series where they've 467 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 2: shown some really high level defense. Jalen Brunson in particular, 468 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:18,640 Speaker 2: I think is having one of his better defensive postseasons. 469 00:23:19,160 --> 00:23:22,920 Speaker 2: Kats still struggling, but overall their defense has been sturdier 470 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:25,639 Speaker 2: than I expected it to be in this series, and 471 00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:27,960 Speaker 2: so I think we deserve the Knicks deserved to get 472 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:31,600 Speaker 2: some credit on that end of the floor. Denver OKC, 473 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 2: I feel like both of the Western Conference series, I've 474 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:38,600 Speaker 2: had pretty good feel for this series. I've been pretty 475 00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:40,560 Speaker 2: much on top of I said before the series that 476 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:44,200 Speaker 2: I picked OKCE in seven. I said that Denver would 477 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 2: legitimately threaten them with their size. I thought it was 478 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:49,840 Speaker 2: a favorable matchup and that they would have a legitimate 479 00:23:49,960 --> 00:23:52,760 Speaker 2: chance to win. And they did have their legitimate chance 480 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:55,280 Speaker 2: to win. It was yesterday. It was in the fourth 481 00:23:55,320 --> 00:23:57,919 Speaker 2: quarter when they were up eight on a Peyton Watson 482 00:23:57,920 --> 00:24:00,720 Speaker 2: hook shot with about eleven and a half minutes left 483 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:03,880 Speaker 2: that put them in commanding position to take a three 484 00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:06,600 Speaker 2: to one lead in the series, and their best player 485 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:09,479 Speaker 2: could make a shot, and that really was the series. 486 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:09,720 Speaker 3: To me. 487 00:24:09,960 --> 00:24:13,359 Speaker 2: If Nikola Jokic played like the guy that he was 488 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:16,560 Speaker 2: capable of being the best player in the world as 489 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:18,640 Speaker 2: a shot maker on the offensive side of the ball, 490 00:24:19,119 --> 00:24:21,960 Speaker 2: I think Denver's up three to one and wins this series. 491 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:25,720 Speaker 2: He wasn't credit Okac's defense too. We went over it 492 00:24:25,800 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 2: last night. It's the specific dynamic of having a sizable 493 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:32,399 Speaker 2: center in Isaiah Hartenstein that can be on the ball 494 00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:36,440 Speaker 2: while also having a center that can protect the rim behind. Essentially, 495 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:39,439 Speaker 2: we've seen teams put their four man on Jokich and 496 00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:42,080 Speaker 2: put a rim protector behind him, but that fore man 497 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:45,320 Speaker 2: is not big enough to handle Jokic. Only Minnesota and 498 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:48,160 Speaker 2: Oklahoma City have shown the ability to put two fives 499 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:51,280 Speaker 2: on the floor, and the idea of having a legitimate 500 00:24:51,359 --> 00:24:55,800 Speaker 2: five on Jokic while also having a Rudy Gobert or 501 00:24:55,880 --> 00:24:59,199 Speaker 2: chet holmgrin behind him forces him to make over the 502 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:04,160 Speaker 2: top shots. In the Minnesota series, Jokis was actually able 503 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:06,480 Speaker 2: to make over the top shots and so the games 504 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:09,199 Speaker 2: were more competitive. They had better chances to win. But 505 00:25:09,480 --> 00:25:13,399 Speaker 2: in this series, Yokich has had a nightmare time making 506 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 2: anything outside of like three feet in front of the rim, 507 00:25:17,119 --> 00:25:19,160 Speaker 2: and so as a result of that, they just haven't 508 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:23,160 Speaker 2: been able to generate enough offense to keep this series 509 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:26,359 Speaker 2: within reach for them. So it looks like at this 510 00:25:26,520 --> 00:25:28,560 Speaker 2: point if I had to guess what will happen. If 511 00:25:28,600 --> 00:25:31,480 Speaker 2: I had a guess right now, I actually think okay 512 00:25:31,480 --> 00:25:34,760 Speaker 2: C's gonna win this thing in six. The main reason 513 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:37,720 Speaker 2: why is I think that we're gonna see I think 514 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:40,320 Speaker 2: that we're gonna see Denver get their butt kicked in 515 00:25:40,359 --> 00:25:42,920 Speaker 2: game five. I think Okaye's gonna get them pretty good. 516 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 2: And then it's I feel like that Game six at home. 517 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 2: A big part of it is belief. You need your 518 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:51,479 Speaker 2: guys to actually feel like they have a real chance 519 00:25:52,040 --> 00:25:54,480 Speaker 2: to go back on the road and win a game seven, 520 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:56,640 Speaker 2: and I think that they'd have a pretty small chance 521 00:25:56,640 --> 00:25:58,920 Speaker 2: to win Game seven. So I wouldn't be the least 522 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:02,040 Speaker 2: bit surprised if we actually saw Denver lose this series 523 00:26:02,080 --> 00:26:05,040 Speaker 2: in six, drop Game five up in Oklahoma City and 524 00:26:05,160 --> 00:26:07,800 Speaker 2: end up losing back at home. I wanted to pull 525 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:11,200 Speaker 2: these these shot making numbers because I think these are fascinating. 526 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:16,200 Speaker 2: This is from the last three games. Jokich is four 527 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:19,280 Speaker 2: for fifteen on above the break threes, that's twenty six 528 00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:23,200 Speaker 2: point seven percent. He's zero for two on corner threes, 529 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 2: mid range jump shots. This is an area where he's 530 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:29,760 Speaker 2: usually been really efficient. He's just five for fifteen from 531 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:33,200 Speaker 2: the field. That's just thirty three percent in the paint, 532 00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:35,720 Speaker 2: non restricted area. So these are like the floaters and 533 00:26:35,760 --> 00:26:38,359 Speaker 2: the touch shots. These are shots that Jokic has routinely 534 00:26:38,440 --> 00:26:42,600 Speaker 2: in his career hit sixty five sixty five, seventy percent 535 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:46,320 Speaker 2: of He's just seven for seventeen in the last three games. 536 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:48,720 Speaker 2: That's forty one point two percent. And then in the 537 00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 2: restricted area, a place where he's typically north of seventy percent, 538 00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:55,359 Speaker 2: He's just five for nine in the last three games, 539 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:58,360 Speaker 2: which is just fifty five point six percent. So Jokicic 540 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:01,280 Speaker 2: has just really really struggled with his shot making, and 541 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:03,440 Speaker 2: I just don't think he's in like, I think he's 542 00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:06,359 Speaker 2: just kind of missed an opportunity to steal this series. 543 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:09,639 Speaker 2: So on the Denver front, I do think their championship 544 00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:13,120 Speaker 2: pedigree has shown their experience, their willingness to execute down 545 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:16,800 Speaker 2: the stretch, of games. Them turning what has been basically 546 00:27:16,840 --> 00:27:20,040 Speaker 2: a dominant Oklahoma City performance for four games into two 547 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:23,879 Speaker 2: wins is actually super impressive, and it led Jackson and 548 00:27:23,920 --> 00:27:25,720 Speaker 2: I when we were talking last night, to kind of 549 00:27:25,760 --> 00:27:29,600 Speaker 2: acknowledge that Denver's probably the best team since Kevin Durant 550 00:27:29,680 --> 00:27:32,399 Speaker 2: left the Warriors, either them or Boston. But I have 551 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:34,360 Speaker 2: a lot of respect for Denver and what I've seen 552 00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:38,160 Speaker 2: to this point, but I think they lost their chance losing. 553 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:38,560 Speaker 3: That game last night. 554 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:40,719 Speaker 2: On the Oklahoma City front, I feel like I've been 555 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:42,600 Speaker 2: spot on with these guys. I feel like they have 556 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:46,760 Speaker 2: this clear championship ceiling, but they have obvious vulnerabilities in 557 00:27:46,840 --> 00:27:49,400 Speaker 2: terms of their week side catch and shoot players going 558 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 2: very cold this time. In this case Lou Dordan particular, 559 00:27:53,119 --> 00:27:55,400 Speaker 2: Ja Dubbs struggling to knock down shots. Chet Holm, We're 560 00:27:55,680 --> 00:27:58,000 Speaker 2: struggling to knockdown shots. There was actually the bench guys 561 00:27:58,040 --> 00:28:01,600 Speaker 2: who came in and saved them yesterday. But also just 562 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:04,080 Speaker 2: the overall like kind of like lack of perimeter size 563 00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:07,159 Speaker 2: has been on display in a few cases these and 564 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 2: how when the offense bogs down, it basically just turns 565 00:28:11,040 --> 00:28:14,160 Speaker 2: into Shay and j dubb just taking one on one, 566 00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:16,640 Speaker 2: you know, taking turns at the top of the key, 567 00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:18,959 Speaker 2: attacking guys one on one, and how their offense can 568 00:28:19,040 --> 00:28:21,159 Speaker 2: kind of bog down in that way. And so they 569 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:23,280 Speaker 2: kind of are in similar way to what we were 570 00:28:23,280 --> 00:28:26,399 Speaker 2: talking about with Boston, a very high ceiling, low floor 571 00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:29,159 Speaker 2: type of team, and so what that always manifested like 572 00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:31,480 Speaker 2: from me with Oklahoma City coming into the postseason, I 573 00:28:31,480 --> 00:28:33,480 Speaker 2: said they were the second most likely team to win 574 00:28:33,520 --> 00:28:37,119 Speaker 2: the championship. When I look at them moving forward, I 575 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:39,360 Speaker 2: look at them as a team that I wouldn't be 576 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:41,800 Speaker 2: surprised if they hoisted the trophy. I also wouldn't be 577 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:44,760 Speaker 2: surprised if they ended up losing in this round or 578 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:47,360 Speaker 2: next round. They are a team that is very beatable 579 00:28:47,520 --> 00:28:51,440 Speaker 2: in my opinion, while also obviously having that championship ceiling, 580 00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:54,240 Speaker 2: and I think that that's been revealed in this series. 581 00:28:54,280 --> 00:28:56,720 Speaker 2: And then lastly, Minnesota Golden State. I also feel like 582 00:28:56,760 --> 00:28:58,320 Speaker 2: I've been pretty on top of this one. I feel 583 00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:00,480 Speaker 2: like if Steph was healthy, I think the Years would 584 00:29:00,480 --> 00:29:04,080 Speaker 2: have won this series. And even without him, I think 585 00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:06,480 Speaker 2: we've seen some of Golden State's advantages show up in 586 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:09,080 Speaker 2: big ways in terms of just how good their defense 587 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 2: is and how their ball in player movement can confuse 588 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:15,480 Speaker 2: Minnesota's defense at times. Now, what I think will happen 589 00:29:15,480 --> 00:29:18,360 Speaker 2: at this point, Golden State has their chance. They have 590 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:21,720 Speaker 2: a you know, a chance to win tonight and tie 591 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:24,720 Speaker 2: the series. They have the chance to potentially get step 592 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:27,160 Speaker 2: back in Game six, but I would view it as 593 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:30,320 Speaker 2: a substantially lower chance than like the Nick Celtic situation 594 00:29:30,400 --> 00:29:33,360 Speaker 2: that we talked about, Like, I view it as less 595 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:36,480 Speaker 2: than fifty percent that Golden State wins tonight, and if 596 00:29:36,520 --> 00:29:39,040 Speaker 2: they were to win that game, a less than fifty 597 00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:41,920 Speaker 2: percent chance of being able to win two more games 598 00:29:41,920 --> 00:29:44,240 Speaker 2: before the end of the series. And so I would 599 00:29:44,280 --> 00:29:46,920 Speaker 2: be shocked at this point if Minnesota didn't win. I'd 600 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:48,800 Speaker 2: go as far as to say, if Minnesota won tonight, 601 00:29:48,800 --> 00:29:51,160 Speaker 2: I wouldn't even try to bring Steph back at any 602 00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:53,320 Speaker 2: point in the series. So I do think Minnesota will. 603 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:54,640 Speaker 3: End up winning. Now, what have we learned about the 604 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:56,640 Speaker 3: two teams? Golden State? 605 00:29:56,760 --> 00:29:58,960 Speaker 2: I think they've shown that they have a legitimate championship 606 00:29:59,080 --> 00:30:03,120 Speaker 2: level defense, and with that, in combination with how good 607 00:30:03,120 --> 00:30:05,480 Speaker 2: Steph has shown himself to be in this postseason run 608 00:30:05,720 --> 00:30:08,200 Speaker 2: the fit with Jimmy, I think They've proven that they're 609 00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:10,520 Speaker 2: worth investing in, and so I think that we'll see 610 00:30:10,520 --> 00:30:12,800 Speaker 2: a more aggressive trade approach over the course of the 611 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:15,000 Speaker 2: summer with Golden State to try to bring in more talent, 612 00:30:15,480 --> 00:30:18,560 Speaker 2: identifying that there's a legitimate chance to win a championship here. 613 00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:22,959 Speaker 2: I think that that is a big like, you know, 614 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:26,400 Speaker 2: if you're looking for a silver lining after what would 615 00:30:26,440 --> 00:30:29,120 Speaker 2: be a super depressing finish to the season, like Golden 616 00:30:29,120 --> 00:30:31,840 Speaker 2: State trades for Jimmy Butler, kick everybody's butt down the 617 00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:35,240 Speaker 2: stretch of the regular season, beat the Houston Rockets, steal 618 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:36,520 Speaker 2: game one against Minnesota. 619 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:38,080 Speaker 3: You're in great shape. 620 00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:41,560 Speaker 2: Steph Hursus Hammy obviously a huge bummer, But I think 621 00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:44,440 Speaker 2: they've proven that they have a legitimate championship ceiling that 622 00:30:44,560 --> 00:30:46,720 Speaker 2: is worth investing in, and so that is a silver 623 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:49,560 Speaker 2: lining as you head into next season and then Minnesota. 624 00:30:49,600 --> 00:30:51,880 Speaker 2: I just think they're vulnerable to certain types of matchups. 625 00:30:51,880 --> 00:30:54,400 Speaker 2: I think it'll be interesting to see Oklahoma City doesn't 626 00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:56,680 Speaker 2: have the ball in player movement that Golden State does, 627 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:58,640 Speaker 2: so it'll be a little bit easier for their defense 628 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:00,640 Speaker 2: to handle. And I do think that they'll have extended 629 00:31:00,680 --> 00:31:05,080 Speaker 2: stretches of success against Oklahoma City's defense or excuse me, 630 00:31:05,120 --> 00:31:09,000 Speaker 2: against Oklahoma City's offense with their defense, but when they 631 00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:11,920 Speaker 2: have the ball, I think Oklahoma City is an even 632 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:16,920 Speaker 2: better defense. And I think Golden State is a better 633 00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:20,000 Speaker 2: defense for this type of matchup in terms of the 634 00:31:20,040 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 2: way they could confuse Minnesota. But I think Oklahoma City 635 00:31:24,560 --> 00:31:27,000 Speaker 2: is a more talented defense in terms of just the 636 00:31:27,080 --> 00:31:30,280 Speaker 2: level of athleticism in rim protection they had, and so 637 00:31:31,600 --> 00:31:35,640 Speaker 2: I think they will equally flummix Minnesota in different ways, 638 00:31:36,200 --> 00:31:39,000 Speaker 2: less so with confusing them, more so with just the 639 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:41,440 Speaker 2: athletic traits that they put on the floor. And I 640 00:31:41,440 --> 00:31:43,280 Speaker 2: think Minnesota is going to really struggle to score in 641 00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:46,400 Speaker 2: that matchup. And so with Minnesota, it's it's very matchup dependent. 642 00:31:46,400 --> 00:31:50,440 Speaker 2: If they get Denver, Denver beats Okay, see, I absolutely 643 00:31:50,480 --> 00:31:52,520 Speaker 2: think they could win that series, they have a great 644 00:31:52,600 --> 00:31:54,760 Speaker 2: chance to then go to the finals. And so I 645 00:31:54,760 --> 00:31:57,560 Speaker 2: think Minnesota is a very good team that is very 646 00:31:57,640 --> 00:32:00,720 Speaker 2: matchup dependent in terms of what they can produce on 647 00:32:00,800 --> 00:32:03,479 Speaker 2: a series by series basis. All right, guys, that's all 648 00:32:03,520 --> 00:32:05,560 Speaker 2: I have for this morning. Is always a sincerely appreciate 649 00:32:05,560 --> 00:32:08,000 Speaker 2: you guys for supporting me and supporting the show. Colin 650 00:32:08,040 --> 00:32:09,920 Speaker 2: ended up rescheduling from last night, so we'll still have 651 00:32:09,920 --> 00:32:11,920 Speaker 2: a calling episode and we'll just be out later tonight. 652 00:32:12,560 --> 00:32:15,680 Speaker 2: We're recording it, i think after the Draft lottery, and 653 00:32:15,720 --> 00:32:18,480 Speaker 2: then I'm still planning on going live on YouTube after 654 00:32:18,520 --> 00:32:21,880 Speaker 2: the final buzzer of Warriors Wolves as well as playback 655 00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:24,560 Speaker 2: after that, so we will see you guys later tonight. 656 00:32:24,920 --> 00:32:25,480 Speaker 3: What's up guys. 657 00:32:25,520 --> 00:32:28,280 Speaker 2: As always, I appreciate you for listening to and supporting 658 00:32:28,320 --> 00:32:30,920 Speaker 2: OOPS tonight. It would actually be really helpful for us 659 00:32:30,960 --> 00:32:32,840 Speaker 2: if you guys would take a second and leave a 660 00:32:32,960 --> 00:32:35,520 Speaker 2: rating and a review. As always, I appreciate you guys 661 00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:37,120 Speaker 2: supporting us, but if you could take a minute to 662 00:32:37,160 --> 00:32:39,200 Speaker 2: do that, I really appreciate it. 663 00:32:41,040 --> 00:32:41,720 Speaker 1: The volume