1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:15,400 Speaker 1: The volume. This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What 2 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: is up Straight Fire, fam, It's me Jason McIntire, Straight 3 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:25,639 Speaker 1: Fire for Monday, June twenty sixth, folks. I gotta be honest, 4 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: this was one of those rare weekends where I had 5 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: no kids sports to shuttle them around to, so I 6 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:33,760 Speaker 1: got to play a lot of hoops on Saturday, two 7 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:36,560 Speaker 1: straight hours of basketball, followed, of course, by the league 8 00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:39,600 Speaker 1: game on Sunday. Didn't have to shuttle the kids to 9 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:42,280 Speaker 1: any sports, and also did not have to be wedded 10 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 1: to a television to watch NBA playoffs obviously no NFL. 11 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:49,720 Speaker 1: It was like it was kind of a heavenly weekend 12 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 1: I did. I was not no, I had no obligations whatsoever, 13 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: so I took a bike ride on the beach with 14 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: my kids. I did watch USA Jamaica soccer. I have 15 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: some deep thoughts on that, but it's a opening game 16 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: of pool play at the Gold Cup, so I'm not 17 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 1: gonna go deep. Not a great showing from the US, 18 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 1: although they did not have all their stars. Wouldn't you 19 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: know it that the biggest sports story of the weekend 20 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 1: came from someone who didn't make the NBA finals is 21 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 1: not a free agent, and there was like no news 22 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 1: that it was backed by essentially Kevin Durant. Mister rabbit 23 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:29,960 Speaker 1: Ears saw that a bunch of guys had opened something 24 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 1: called Twitter spaces, and you know a lot of NBA 25 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 1: nerdy dudes who think they know the league went on 26 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 1: this Twitter spaces thing and had a topic called Kevin 27 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 1: Durant is not a top five player in the league. 28 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:44,160 Speaker 1: And I guess Kevin Durant saw that because you know, 29 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:47,480 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant, as I've said many times, does not have 30 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 1: a family. Okay, Kevin Durant is not married, He does 31 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 1: not have any kids. I don't even know if he 32 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 1: has an animal like a pet, a dog, a cat. 33 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:57,800 Speaker 1: He's got no obligations. So Kevin Durant's jet setting around 34 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:01,520 Speaker 1: the country doing his thing, having on it. He's like, oh, 35 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: guys are talking trash about me on Twitter saying I'm 36 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 1: not a top five player. So what does Kevin Durant do. 37 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant jumps into, yes, this is a real thing, 38 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:13,359 Speaker 1: jumped into Twitter spaces and went off on these guys. 39 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,919 Speaker 1: I tried to write down some of his comments. So 40 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:23,320 Speaker 1: he essentially says one that the dumb way to look 41 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:27,360 Speaker 1: at things is team success. He actually said, like, how 42 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 1: are you judging players on team success? Like that doesn't matter. 43 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:34,519 Speaker 1: I mean, Kevin Durant essentially wants to build his argument 44 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:37,000 Speaker 1: on are you good or not? Well, this is a 45 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:40,519 Speaker 1: news flash, Kevin Durant. If you're in the NBA, right, 46 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:45,239 Speaker 1: NBA has thirty teams, rosters are tiny, Fewer than five 47 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 1: hundred players make the league. Five hundred players globally have 48 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 1: made the NBA currently five hundred maybe less. Are you 49 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:55,520 Speaker 1: good or not? If you're in the NBA, you're good 50 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 1: at basketball. I mean, that's just the reality. You're good 51 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 1: at basketball. So if you're in the NBA, you're good. 52 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant, check what's next. And that's where he gets 53 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 1: all like vague about everything. It's like, well, I'm Kevin Durant. 54 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 1: I've played at a high level, I've won titles, I've 55 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 1: won MVPs, I've won finals MVPs. I know what's good 56 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 1: and I know what doesn't. And this is Durant continues 57 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:19,400 Speaker 1: to lose me. And it's kind of a bummer because 58 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 1: you know, last week it was, well, you know who's 59 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:25,520 Speaker 1: influential that nobody talks about Russ and Harden and Kyrie. 60 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 1: They're influential, they change a game. And now he's saying, 61 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:33,679 Speaker 1: you know, he's definitely a top five player in the 62 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 1: league right now. Well, let me first shoot that down 63 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 1: and Rob, I'm sure you'll push back on this. But 64 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: when I look at top five players in the league 65 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:44,840 Speaker 1: right now, I think before I just list the guy's names, 66 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 1: what are the criteria. Obviously you've got to be great 67 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 1: right now. I don't care what you did three years ago. 68 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:52,960 Speaker 1: It is irrelevant, it's not to right now, or you're 69 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 1: a top five player in the league. So, for instance, 70 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 1: let's go with Joel Embiid. He was the MVP of 71 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 1: the league last year. He was very very good last season. 72 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:06,720 Speaker 1: I don't have him in my top five. Now does 73 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: that mean I don't think individually he's one of the 74 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 1: five best? Correct? Would I have him on my team 75 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: above the guys I do have in the top five? No? 76 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:17,120 Speaker 1: Is Joel Embiid an awesome basketball player? Hell yeah, but 77 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,040 Speaker 1: he's not a top five player for me right now. 78 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:22,880 Speaker 1: Just because MVP criteria is one thing that doesn't make 79 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 1: them a top five player. Let's be real, guys, we 80 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: saw Joel Embiid stink up the joint in Game six 81 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 1: at home and in Game seven on the road in 82 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:34,280 Speaker 1: Boston in a playoff series and they lose. Does a 83 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 1: top five player do that? I don't know. You know, 84 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:40,720 Speaker 1: one of the guys in my top five is Steph Curry, 85 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 1: and people say, oh, he's not the guy he used 86 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 1: to be. Okay, But Game seven on the road in Sacramento, 87 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:52,040 Speaker 1: who dropped fifty? Steph Curry? It was the first fifty 88 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:58,200 Speaker 1: point game seven in the history of basketball. Fifty. He's 89 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 1: in my top five. That's clutch. Now. A guy I'm 90 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 1: sure will be controversial is Jason Tatum also in my 91 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:06,360 Speaker 1: top five. And I know Rob g I'm sure he's 92 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:10,560 Speaker 1: rolling his eyes already, But Rob, Jason Tatum had I 93 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 1: believe fifty one in Game seven at home. Jason Tatum 94 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:16,600 Speaker 1: is an awesome basketball player. Did he struggle against the 95 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 1: heat at time, certainly, But when it mattered most Game 96 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:24,839 Speaker 1: seven elimination game, Tatum showed up. I know Coward is 97 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 1: not the biggest Jation Tatum guy, and that's fine. I'll 98 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 1: push back against him all the time. Jason Satum is 99 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 1: twenty five, He's still ascending, but if you told me 100 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: right now. Oh by the way, just for the Kevin 101 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:36,280 Speaker 1: Durant fans out there, the last time they met head 102 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 1: to head in the playoffs, Tatum and Durant, do you 103 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: guys remember what happened? Yeah, Tatum swept him. It was 104 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:46,920 Speaker 1: brooklyn Nets final year. It was I think and Rob 105 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 1: can check me, KD and Kyrie and Jalen Brown, Tatum 106 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:57,719 Speaker 1: and company smoked him. It was an evisceration for Game Suite. 107 00:05:57,880 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: And then of course that was when Durant's like, I 108 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 1: think I'm done here, Kyrie Irving, get me out of here, 109 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:04,760 Speaker 1: and it's the beginning of the end. Now, Durant. The 110 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 1: last time I thought he was like transcendent and prime 111 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant, superstar, one of the top players in the 112 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 1: league was the year before that series against Milwaukee where 113 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: the Bucks ended up beating him, end up winning the title. 114 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:19,799 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant was unbelievable in that series. But since then, listen, 115 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:22,920 Speaker 1: the injuries are mounting and if I'm having a draft, 116 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 1: Jason who again, top five player in the NBA, best player, 117 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:28,599 Speaker 1: you want him on your team? Forth to the franchise. 118 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 1: I just I have Durant behind Tatum. So for now, 119 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 1: for me, the guys I have Tatum and Curry, Jokic. 120 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:39,560 Speaker 1: Obviously I'm gonna have Giannis in there. You guys know 121 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:42,800 Speaker 1: I'm not the hugest Giannis fan of all time. They 122 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:45,719 Speaker 1: did get dumped in the first round four to one, 123 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:50,880 Speaker 1: blowing two fourth quarter double digit leads in the last 124 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: two games. Bad, But you can't chose a player by 125 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 1: just two games. Just as the Tatum fifty point Game 126 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:00,359 Speaker 1: seven is it at the end, all be all but 127 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:03,039 Speaker 1: again and a game seven elimination game is massive for 128 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: Curry and Tatum. That's a huge win. By the way, 129 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 1: where was Kevin Durant in the Denver Game six at home? 130 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 1: No less, he wasn't doing anything, you know, awful first 131 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 1: half and they lose by fifty. And then the last 132 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 1: guy I have, which I'm sure people will not like, 133 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 1: is Luka Doncic because I don't believe anyone in the 134 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 1: league makes their teammates better than Luka. Jokic has risen 135 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: up and I think he's number two now. Lebron was 136 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 1: number two for a while in terms of making your 137 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 1: teammates better. Luka Doncic. I know they didn't make the playoffs, 138 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 1: and I'll take a big fat l on that one. 139 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 1: Blame Kybrie for that obviously, But if you're just talking 140 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 1: about best players in the league, top five, those are 141 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 1: my five. Luka, Yannis Jokic, Curry Tatum. Right on the 142 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 1: outside would be Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant. I would put 143 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant ahead of Embiid, but Rob, I guess my 144 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:59,920 Speaker 1: big question is, first of all, to spend your week 145 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 1: and jumping into a Twitter space is arguing with essentially 146 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:08,440 Speaker 1: randoms from around the country. What are you trying to do, 147 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 1: Kevin Durat? Are you trying to sway the masses? Because 148 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 1: it's it's not gonna work. You can't win against You're 149 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 1: fighting a losing battle. It's like when Kyrie Irving said 150 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 1: he was gonna play the guy who rates pizzas on 151 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:24,200 Speaker 1: barstool one on one, Like there's zero win for Kyrieving. 152 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 1: You win twenty one nothing, Okay, you were supposed to 153 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: you know, you win twenty one to two. Oh that 154 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:31,560 Speaker 1: guy scored on you, Like there's a zero win. Kevin 155 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:36,079 Speaker 1: Durat can win nothing by going on an internet space's 156 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: place and at arguing with people about who's top five. 157 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 1: You know, we're to stage ROB in America where we 158 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 1: can't change people's minds. I think politics has crept into 159 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 1: sports a little bit and people are hungered down in 160 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 1: their camp. Michael Jordan's the best player in the league. 161 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: He's a best player of all time. That's the guy. 162 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:57,760 Speaker 1: Well what about this, that and that from Lebron James. Well, no, no, 163 00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 1: Michael Jordan's still number one. Really, what about this now Jordan? 164 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 1: And this knock and this dock? No, no, Jordan's Like 165 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 1: people just don't want to hear it. They're like, I'm 166 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: in this tribe or I'm in this tribe. And when 167 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 1: it comes to Kevin Durant, I feel like he's kind 168 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: of a man without a tribe. Because he's bounced around 169 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 1: the league with some of which I've defended, and because 170 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:19,600 Speaker 1: he's admitted I'm not a leader, and because he beefs 171 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 1: with people on the internet. I just don't know where 172 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 1: he's going with this Rob, Like, what is the endgame? 173 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: And it, frankly, it's a little bit sad. Kevin Durant. 174 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:30,200 Speaker 1: ROB is turning thirty five in September, like he ain't 175 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 1: getting better. 176 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 2: It's funny when you put in that perspective, because I'll 177 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 2: be turning thirty five in August. So to think that 178 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 2: Kevin Durant and I are the same age, you never 179 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 2: know based on our career successes and anything like that. 180 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 2: But I'm I feel my wife says, I'm on Twitter 181 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:47,800 Speaker 2: too much, right, I'm on my phone too much. It's 182 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 2: like five hours a day. 183 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:50,080 Speaker 1: It's part of the job. 184 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:53,719 Speaker 2: Yeah, tell, it's part of my job. And even then 185 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:57,280 Speaker 2: I feel like, well, I'm distracted by the missus stuff 186 00:09:57,320 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 2: at home. You know, having a little girl makes a 187 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 2: big deal, you know, a lot of things. And she says, 188 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 2: I'm on it too much. So I can only imagine 189 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:08,320 Speaker 2: if I didn't have those other commitments to keep me busy, 190 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 2: you know, would I be Kevin Durant. Would I be 191 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:14,040 Speaker 2: reading all the comments and you know, feeling the urge 192 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:17,680 Speaker 2: to respond. The only thing that I will defend, Katie, 193 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 2: if then you want to call it defending, is He's 194 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:23,960 Speaker 2: always been like this, right, Like this isn't a new 195 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 2: thing where it's just ever since he got to Phoenix 196 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 2: or ever since he got to Brooklyn that he's started to, 197 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 2: you know, engage the trolls, the unwashed masses. As you 198 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:35,680 Speaker 2: call him. This is just who he is, right, and 199 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 2: he's said it, you know numerous times that he enjoys 200 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 2: the discourse or the debate or the back and forth 201 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 2: of people. I personally don't understand why, you know, just 202 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:51,679 Speaker 2: from a bird's eye viewsed situation. But as long as 203 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:54,640 Speaker 2: it doesn't impact him in his day job, which is 204 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 2: playing in the NBA, then I guess you're free to 205 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 2: do whatever you want. It's just to your point. I 206 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:04,760 Speaker 2: don't see what he's trying to gain from engaging like this. 207 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, there is there any world where Michael Jordan is 208 00:11:09,160 --> 00:11:12,440 Speaker 1: in the comments section debating his greatness. That's just that's 209 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:14,920 Speaker 1: not something that would happen. Now. I will defend kad 210 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:18,840 Speaker 1: on one part. It seems that what really irks Kevin 211 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: Durant is the narrative about rings and if you don't 212 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 1: have a ring or you don't have many rings, like 213 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:27,720 Speaker 1: you're a loser. And I think that's real weird. Now, Rob, 214 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 1: I don't totally get this. In the NFL, Dan Marino 215 00:11:32,559 --> 00:11:35,480 Speaker 1: doesn't have a ring. He went to the Super Bowl 216 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 1: I think in year two, never got back, did not 217 00:11:38,280 --> 00:11:41,640 Speaker 1: get a ring. He's considered one of the best quarterbacks 218 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:44,959 Speaker 1: in the history of the sport. He's considered better than 219 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:49,280 Speaker 1: Ben Roethlisberger, who has zero wings. He's considered better than 220 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:52,319 Speaker 1: Troy Aikman, who has three rings. He's considered better than 221 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:56,920 Speaker 1: I don't know if he's if he's considered better than Rogers. 222 00:11:56,920 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: But basically, Dan Marino is considered one of the top 223 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 1: five all time quarterbacks and he has no rings. In 224 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 1: the NBA, nobody without a ring is sniffing the top ten. 225 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 1: You're just not You're just not getting up there. And 226 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 1: I've tried to think about why this is. And again, football, 227 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 1: I know, is eleven on offense, eleven on defense, and 228 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:23,079 Speaker 1: then you got special teams. And in the NBA, it's 229 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 1: really just five and five. So Dan Marino, a lot 230 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 1: of it was out of his control. And somebody, when 231 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 1: I talked about this Dan Marino stuff earlier months ago, 232 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:35,120 Speaker 1: somebody sent me the DVOA defense for the Miami Dolphins 233 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 1: during the Dan Marino tenure. And basically he had garbage defenses, 234 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:42,120 Speaker 1: like bottom twelve in the league, twenty to thirty two 235 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: for almost his entire career. So like he was like 236 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 1: fighting with one arm tied behind his back, and there 237 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 1: isn't really an equivalent in the NBA, unless you say 238 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 1: the front office, which Lebron ran into in Cleveland his 239 00:12:55,520 --> 00:12:58,719 Speaker 1: first time around. But I guess that would be the 240 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:03,000 Speaker 1: only argument why not having a ring in the NFL 241 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 1: is not as cumbersome as it is in the NBA. 242 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: And I guess you know, NBA listen, it's if you're 243 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 1: one of the top five players in the league, a 244 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:14,439 Speaker 1: number one, as I like to say, then you should 245 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:17,680 Speaker 1: be getting rings. You know, we could go into Charles 246 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 1: Barkley not having a ring and Tracy McGrady not having 247 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 1: a ring, and Patrick Ewing not having a ring. Some 248 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: of my guys that I like, I love me some 249 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:29,960 Speaker 1: team back back in the day. But the problem is 250 00:13:29,960 --> 00:13:34,840 Speaker 1: is Kevin Durant has two rings. So him pushing back 251 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 1: against rings culture. I know people say, well he was 252 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:40,079 Speaker 1: on a stacked team. Well, okay, who has a ring 253 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:44,080 Speaker 1: that wasn't on a loaded team? Any team essentially this 254 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:48,120 Speaker 1: century looks like they were loaded, Like what did Kobe 255 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 1: do without Shack? Nothing? And then pal Gasol shows up 256 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:54,080 Speaker 1: and all of a sudden, the Lakers are winning more 257 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:57,120 Speaker 1: titles and it's like, well, who was Palgasol? Well, Palagaso 258 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:00,480 Speaker 1: was really good in Memphis. He wasn't an all NBA guy, no, 259 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: because he was in Memphis and he was the man. 260 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 1: So then he became number two to Kobe and it 261 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:07,520 Speaker 1: was like, oh, these two together are a major dandem 262 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 1: And it's like, okay, well, let me try that with 263 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant. Well Rob, he had Russ and Harden and 264 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 1: they got to the finals. Then the GM traded Harden 265 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: and then KD and Russ got pretty far. They made 266 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: some runs, didn't get back to the finals. Then KD 267 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 1: had Kyrie Irving. Then KD had James Harden and Kyrie Irving. 268 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:34,600 Speaker 1: Then KD had Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving. I don't 269 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:36,560 Speaker 1: although I don't know how many games they actually played together. 270 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 1: And then KD had Devin Booker and Chris Paul and 271 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:45,160 Speaker 1: it's like, oh, he's had a lot of teammates. Why 272 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:47,160 Speaker 1: is he not as many titles as some of the 273 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:50,720 Speaker 1: other guys. And that's where kd's title argument falls apart. Rob. 274 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:53,800 Speaker 1: Now we've done fifteen rounds on this before. I'm not 275 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 1: a believer that championships are the end all be all. 276 00:14:58,040 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 1: You know, Brady is the goat in the NFL because 277 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 1: of the rings, but he played forever and was just 278 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:05,680 Speaker 1: utterly dominant in I mean, he had like what three 279 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 1: Super Bowl comeback victories, although as a big favorite, he 280 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 1: did lose twice to the Giants. I don't know. I 281 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 1: don't love the rings argument, but Katie, it doesn't really 282 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 1: apply to him, so I don't know why he even 283 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 1: brings it up. Does that make you get what I'm saying. 284 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I think you're getting to a bigger conversation 285 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 2: with Kevin Durant because I believe I think even the 286 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:30,400 Speaker 2: two years ago, I think I may have said it 287 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 2: on this podcast and got some blowback from you and 288 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 2: you know, the the unwashed masses in the comment section, 289 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 2: But I think it was during that Milwaukee Net series 290 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 2: when I said that Kevin Durant, for my money, is 291 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 2: a top ten player all time, and that was based 292 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:50,480 Speaker 2: on his skills and his his you know, there's no 293 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:53,080 Speaker 2: flaw in his game. You could really point out. He's 294 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:57,000 Speaker 2: just he's a freak. He's awesome. He's one of the 295 00:15:57,040 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 2: most talented basketball players I think we've ever seen, regardless 296 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 2: of position. I think he's that good. And I think 297 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 2: Kevin Durant likes to focus on that aspect of it 298 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 2: because you really can't point out flaws in his game, 299 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 2: like there's really nothing he can't do. What you can 300 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:18,680 Speaker 2: point out though, And this is what separates the elites 301 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 2: of the elites in NBA history is all of those 302 00:16:23,560 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 2: guys that you mentioned wan leading teams to championships. You know, 303 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 2: pick your favorite guy in the top ten. If it's Jordan, Kareem, Lebron, Magic, Kobe, Duncan, Shaq, whoever, Steph, 304 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 2: you know, Steph's your guy. You have been top ten. 305 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:43,160 Speaker 2: I don't, but you do. The thing that separates them 306 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 2: and other guys is that they were able to be 307 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 2: the captain of the ship on teams that wan championships, 308 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 2: and that, like it or not, is going to be 309 00:16:54,320 --> 00:17:00,440 Speaker 2: the separation between two players who are similar in skill sets. 310 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:04,040 Speaker 2: I'll give you an example. There was a long stretch 311 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:06,000 Speaker 2: of time. People don't remember this, but there was a 312 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:09,280 Speaker 2: good three or four year window where it was a 313 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:16,359 Speaker 2: legitimate debate who's better Kobe or Temac. Tracy McGrady I 314 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 2: don't think ever got out of the first round until 315 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:20,240 Speaker 2: he got to San Antonio, and he was kind of 316 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:23,120 Speaker 2: ring chasing there at the end. And that's the difference 317 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 2: that yeah, but that's the difference between Kobe being a 318 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:32,160 Speaker 2: top five ish player in NBA history and Tracy McGrady, 319 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 2: Like it's debatable whether or not he deserved to get 320 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:36,840 Speaker 2: in the Hall of Fame if you just looked at 321 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 2: their skill sets. Tracy McGrady could do basically everything that 322 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 2: Kobe could do. He was bigger, he was like two 323 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:45,680 Speaker 2: inches taller, and he could He could score just as well. 324 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,040 Speaker 2: He could pass as well. He maybe not as good 325 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 2: of a defender, but he was probably a I think 326 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,200 Speaker 2: a more creative creator, like as far as running the 327 00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:59,679 Speaker 2: show when Kobe was. But those intangibles, those things that 328 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:02,119 Speaker 2: you can can't quantify, those things that don't show up 329 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:05,200 Speaker 2: in a statue, the things that happened behind closed doors 330 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:08,520 Speaker 2: in the locker room, on the sidelines, that's what separates 331 00:18:09,119 --> 00:18:13,600 Speaker 2: the great talents from the all time great players. And 332 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:16,760 Speaker 2: Kevin Durant, as great as he is as a talent, 333 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:21,119 Speaker 2: the knock on him is going to be he's never 334 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:24,240 Speaker 2: been the guy to lead a group of players to 335 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 2: a championship, even though he was the best player with 336 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:29,560 Speaker 2: the Warriors. In my opinion, it was viewed as steps 337 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:30,440 Speaker 2: team to one. 338 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:34,280 Speaker 1: He was the finals MVP twice, Like they lost the 339 00:18:34,359 --> 00:18:37,679 Speaker 1: year before he got there, and then he shows up 340 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:39,760 Speaker 1: and he's the finals MVP twice. Like it's tough to 341 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:42,119 Speaker 1: say he didn't lead them. I don't like. Then you 342 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:44,440 Speaker 1: get into like who's leading the huddle and blah blah blah. Right, 343 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:47,359 Speaker 1: but to point out it's interesting you said that nets 344 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,639 Speaker 1: Buck series. So Katie averaged and he was unbelievable in 345 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 1: the series. He was thirty two years old. He averaged 346 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 1: thirty five ten five, shot forty nine percent, thirty five 347 00:18:58,040 --> 00:18:59,719 Speaker 1: percent from three. He had a couple games that were 348 00:18:59,720 --> 00:19:03,560 Speaker 1: just believable. Ultimately, what hurt him in the seven game 349 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:06,080 Speaker 1: series was Kyrie Irving played four of the seven games. 350 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:09,240 Speaker 1: James Harden played four of the seven games. Like he 351 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:11,960 Speaker 1: was by himself, all alone, and he you know, it's 352 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: not fair. It's interesting, I guess if you're looking to 353 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:20,920 Speaker 1: sum it up, to put this politely as possible, Kevin 354 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:23,600 Speaker 1: Durant needs to get a life. He does. He needs 355 00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:25,760 Speaker 1: to go out and have fun and forget about what 356 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:29,440 Speaker 1: the jabbronis are saying on social media. Kevin Durant, get 357 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 1: a life. You think you're helping your cause by debating 358 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:36,080 Speaker 1: this with random dudes on the internet. You're hurting it, 359 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:38,919 Speaker 1: that's what you're doing. Michael Jordan doesn't jump in the 360 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 1: comments section, Okay, Steph Curry doesn't give a rats ass 361 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 1: with these guys on the internet are saying about whether 362 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:48,080 Speaker 1: or not he's a top ten guy or not. Kevin Durant, 363 00:19:48,119 --> 00:19:51,119 Speaker 1: let your resume speak for itself. You've got a phenomenal resume. 364 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:54,480 Speaker 1: You wanted the Olympics, you want in the NBA, You finals, MVP, 365 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:58,640 Speaker 1: NBA MVP. I mean, you're one of the seminal fifteen 366 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:02,160 Speaker 1: guys in the history of the Why are you debating 367 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:04,439 Speaker 1: it with a bunch of knuckleheads on the internet. This 368 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 1: is a no win situation, KD. Why don't you go 369 00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:12,879 Speaker 1: out and focus on what you can control, which is basketball. 370 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:15,600 Speaker 1: Working with Devin Booker, working with the new coach, working 371 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 1: with Bradley Beal. Like, you got a lot on your plate, man, 372 00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 1: the last thing on your mind should be whether or 373 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:21,560 Speaker 1: not you're a top five player. You know what you 374 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:24,200 Speaker 1: can do to shut these guys up. Go out and 375 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:26,480 Speaker 1: get to the finals and win the damn thing. Then 376 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 1: nobody's going to talk about you is your top five player, 377 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:31,199 Speaker 1: then you know what the discussion will be obviously, right, 378 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:35,120 Speaker 1: Rob Well, whose team is it? Bradley Beal or Kevin Durant? 379 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:37,960 Speaker 1: Is that next? Is that? What's next? Because that's coming? 380 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:41,679 Speaker 2: Yeah? I mean well, I guess the difference is that, 381 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:45,200 Speaker 2: you know, the Phoenix versus the Golden State is because 382 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:47,439 Speaker 2: Golden State had already won before, it was always going 383 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 2: to be viewed as STEP's team Phoenix. Their best season 384 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 2: ever was losing four to two right to Milwaukee in 385 00:20:56,640 --> 00:21:01,120 Speaker 2: the finals. So in that regard, maybe Kevin Durant gets 386 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:03,880 Speaker 2: a pass they wouldn't have ordinarily gotten because he could 387 00:21:03,880 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 2: be seen as the guy who got them over the 388 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:07,240 Speaker 2: hump when they had never gotten there before. 389 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:09,959 Speaker 1: That's fair, I should point out as we wrap up 390 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:15,680 Speaker 1: this topic, Devin Booker was kind of Kyrie before Chris 391 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:18,520 Speaker 1: Paul showed up. They didn't win anything. Now they did 392 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:20,439 Speaker 1: win more than like thirty games, but they didn't win 393 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:23,959 Speaker 1: anything of consequence. Then Chris Paul shows up, and now 394 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:26,640 Speaker 1: they're winning and they're in the finals. Now Chris Paul's gone. 395 00:21:28,960 --> 00:21:31,919 Speaker 1: I know it's Devin Booker's team and Bradley Beal's got 396 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 1: to find his way in. But at some point Kevin 397 00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:35,919 Speaker 1: Duray's gonna have to be like, yo, I want this title. 398 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 1: He's gonna have to stop him and be a leader. 399 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 1: I know he said it's not him, but at some 400 00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:43,639 Speaker 1: point you've got to be rob. I quickly want to 401 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 1: touch on this. We had mentioned it last week after 402 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:50,399 Speaker 1: the draft that there was this weird story percolating about 403 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:54,200 Speaker 1: how on Thursday morning, like I don't know, eight hours 404 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 1: before the draft or whatever, Scham's Sharania put out a 405 00:21:57,720 --> 00:22:03,360 Speaker 1: tweet saying there is serious momentum toward Scoot Henderson going 406 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 1: number two to Charlotte, and ESPN did not touch it. 407 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:12,280 Speaker 1: It was just a Sham's report. Of course, number two 408 00:22:12,359 --> 00:22:15,080 Speaker 1: pick comes up, it's Brandon Miller, and then the WoDES 409 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:18,520 Speaker 1: tweet about how all along it was Brandon Miller. There 410 00:22:18,560 --> 00:22:21,879 Speaker 1: was no doubt about it, and a lot of people 411 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:24,280 Speaker 1: pointed out, we'll wait a minute. As soon as Sham's 412 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 1: tweeted that a bunch of the gambling odds shifted. While 413 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 1: Shams is employed by FanDuel, they pay him money. I'm 414 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:35,760 Speaker 1: not nefarious enough to think that there was something between 415 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:40,400 Speaker 1: those two. In terms of this report, it was probably 416 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:46,320 Speaker 1: more likely. Hey, Shams, it's Joe over here in Charlotte. 417 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:49,520 Speaker 1: Can you do me a solid. We're trying to just 418 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:53,560 Speaker 1: see if we can get any trade bait out. We're 419 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:55,879 Speaker 1: wondering maybe if we can get Zion, maybe we can 420 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 1: get something. We're really looking at scoot at number two, 421 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 1: you know, But they weren't really looking. They were just 422 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:03,440 Speaker 1: putting that out there as like a flag, like if 423 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:08,840 Speaker 1: anybody wants the number two pick, Hey, it's possible. And 424 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:11,679 Speaker 1: Shams took the bait, maybe doing a favor for one 425 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:13,639 Speaker 1: of his guys, and then the gambling odds shifted, so 426 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:16,159 Speaker 1: the Wall Street Journal picked up the story, and the 427 00:23:16,160 --> 00:23:18,600 Speaker 1: Wall Street Journal was able to find some random dude 428 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:21,840 Speaker 1: who said, I trust Shams. He's so good. I put 429 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:24,480 Speaker 1: five hundred dollars on it. I called my sister and 430 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:27,560 Speaker 1: my girlfriend's brother, whoever it was, and I told them 431 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:29,720 Speaker 1: to bet on this because Shams is a sure thing. 432 00:23:30,280 --> 00:23:34,280 Speaker 1: And they lost a ton of money and Rob. When 433 00:23:34,320 --> 00:23:36,639 Speaker 1: we start talking about the Wall Street Journal writing about this, 434 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:39,960 Speaker 1: I don't necessarily think this story is gonna go away. 435 00:23:42,040 --> 00:23:45,280 Speaker 2: No, it's definitely not. We are in a seminal moment 436 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:52,399 Speaker 2: in sports, as it relates to the relationship between the 437 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 2: actual on field, on court product and the gambling space. 438 00:23:56,840 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 2: The minute we started having sports books inside NFL stadiums, 439 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:07,879 Speaker 2: we're in an uneasy place because all of these relationships 440 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:16,440 Speaker 2: are so incestuous that it's very difficult for people to 441 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:22,679 Speaker 2: separate the actual integrity of the sport and the news, 442 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:28,760 Speaker 2: information or entertainment aspect of it. So sham Sharanya, who 443 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:30,200 Speaker 2: does a great job. I wish you can get him 444 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:32,440 Speaker 2: on the show one time. He doesn't for whatever reason, 445 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:37,320 Speaker 2: is one of the best newsbreakers in sports period, not 446 00:24:37,359 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 2: even just the NBA, just period. And is it his 447 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:45,320 Speaker 2: fault that he also works for FanDuel and that him 448 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:50,440 Speaker 2: doing his job, you know, as reporting whatever he's hearing, 449 00:24:50,480 --> 00:24:53,280 Speaker 2: whatever he's being told, leads to a shift in the 450 00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:56,760 Speaker 2: gambling markets. I don't think that's his fault, but unfortunately 451 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:04,000 Speaker 2: that's gonna be the situation moving forward. Like if the 452 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:08,800 Speaker 2: Washington Commanders put out a injury report that says downgrades 453 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:11,879 Speaker 2: a guy to questionable two hours for kickoff, and it 454 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:14,240 Speaker 2: leads to some kind of action in fantasy football or 455 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:19,000 Speaker 2: at the betting markets or whatever, and the guy ends 456 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:23,600 Speaker 2: up playing. It's like, well, is that they're you know, 457 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:26,080 Speaker 2: what do they do wrong? They're doing what they've always done. 458 00:25:26,119 --> 00:25:28,119 Speaker 2: Sham's doing what he's always done. It just so happens 459 00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 2: now that because he works for fan Duel, that's considered 460 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:35,159 Speaker 2: a problem. And it's just a weird time to be 461 00:25:35,240 --> 00:25:37,560 Speaker 2: alive right now. I think in sports, well, you. 462 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:43,400 Speaker 1: Probably remember last draft, everybody had Jabari Jabari Smith going 463 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:47,320 Speaker 1: number one to Orlando or historically Orlando had drafted long wings. 464 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:52,600 Speaker 1: The wingspan was huge. Everyone and every reporter had Jabari 465 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:56,960 Speaker 1: Smith going one, and then people were looking at it like, 466 00:25:57,000 --> 00:26:00,520 Speaker 1: wait a minute, Pellow bank Carro is better, and a 467 00:26:00,560 --> 00:26:03,919 Speaker 1: lot of people bet Palo Bangko despite what the reporters 468 00:26:03,920 --> 00:26:06,320 Speaker 1: were saying, and a lot of people cleaned up and 469 00:26:06,359 --> 00:26:09,840 Speaker 1: won like good six figure sums off of Palo Bankaro 470 00:26:09,920 --> 00:26:13,360 Speaker 1: going first. Sportsbook got their clock cleaned at the twenty 471 00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:16,200 Speaker 1: twenty two NBA draft. I'm not saying that they want 472 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:20,200 Speaker 1: to pay back, but I crunch some of the numbers quickly. 473 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 1: You guys don't how many states gambling is legal in 474 00:26:23,560 --> 00:26:27,560 Speaker 1: over half the country, and you know, you look at 475 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:30,840 Speaker 1: the populations of those states. All you needed was fifteen 476 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:35,480 Speaker 1: thousand people across twenty some odd states betting fifty bucks 477 00:26:35,800 --> 00:26:41,000 Speaker 1: on who's going one or thereabouts, and you've got a 478 00:26:41,359 --> 00:26:45,960 Speaker 1: near seven figure swing to other sportsbooks. So these reporters, 479 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:47,960 Speaker 1: I know, they were in a spot and some are 480 00:26:47,960 --> 00:26:50,320 Speaker 1: paid by gambler, some are not, or gambling companies and 481 00:26:50,359 --> 00:26:52,080 Speaker 1: some are not. But we're in a position now where 482 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:56,240 Speaker 1: that stuff's going to be heavily scrutinized. When you've got reporters. Now, 483 00:26:56,280 --> 00:26:59,439 Speaker 1: there's a difference between an opinion guy versus a reporter. 484 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 1: I'm not out there reporting what front officers are doing. 485 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:05,960 Speaker 1: I'm having takes and opinions, my hot scorching takes, my 486 00:27:06,080 --> 00:27:10,000 Speaker 1: straight fire takes, and yes, I will give gambling advice 487 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 1: on games and events, but I'm not using my insider 488 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:17,200 Speaker 1: tag and then being paid by gambling companies. As of now, 489 00:27:17,200 --> 00:27:19,840 Speaker 1: I'm not paid by a gambling company. That could change. 490 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:22,119 Speaker 1: But at the same time, like I think this that 491 00:27:22,160 --> 00:27:24,320 Speaker 1: the Wall Street Journal latched onto this, we're gonna see 492 00:27:24,320 --> 00:27:27,679 Speaker 1: some oversight for sure, something new will come of it. 493 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:31,320 Speaker 1: All right, guys, that's a lengthy Monday pod. We'll be 494 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:34,160 Speaker 1: back the rest of the week, obviously, with podcasts leading 495 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:38,399 Speaker 1: into NBA Free agency, NFL Who knows what. Maybe we' 496 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:41,080 Speaker 1: dabble in college football. I don't know. Talk to you tomorrow.