1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:09,879 Speaker 1: This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. 2 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:15,640 Speaker 2: What is up, Firefam, It's me Jason McIntyre, Straight Fire 3 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:21,040 Speaker 2: for Thursday, February twenty seventh. The month is almost over. 4 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:23,439 Speaker 2: Oh man, I can't wait for March. You know, I 5 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 2: love me some March madness. But before we get to March. 6 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 2: Great guest on Today's pod Rick Buker. I've known him 7 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:33,200 Speaker 2: for a while. Many moons we go back. I mean 8 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:35,480 Speaker 2: it's probably at least six seven years. We've been working 9 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 2: together at Fox. On occasion, we love to spar I 10 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 2: think you like today's podcast heavy on the NBA before 11 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 2: without giving away too much, and there is some sparring 12 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 2: way that we like each other. I think. 13 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:46,239 Speaker 3: I don't know. 14 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 2: I don't really text him or anything, but he seems 15 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 2: like a reasonable guys. We're just talking NBA. You know, 16 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 2: it's not personal. Quickly, I don't want to get into 17 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 2: this because I know both parties involved. I'm sure you 18 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 2: guys have seen this by now. But there was a 19 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:07,880 Speaker 2: report from Fox's Jordan Schultz that said Matt Stafford was 20 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 2: being wooed by Tom Brady hanging out with him in Montana. 21 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 2: They went skiing, blah blah, blah. Within a couple I 22 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:18,200 Speaker 2: was like, holy cow, Oh my gosh, Tom Brady the 23 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:20,640 Speaker 2: Raiders wooing Matt Stafford to the Raiders. Oh wow, that's 24 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 2: a big story. And within like two hours, Ian Rappaport 25 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:28,320 Speaker 2: comes out and says, not the case. It was merely 26 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:31,400 Speaker 2: a bump into on the slopes and they hung out. 27 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: There was no hosting, none of that stuff. And of 28 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 2: course Schultz fires back on social media. Oh yeah, okay, 29 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:42,960 Speaker 2: if you believe that Matt Stafford and Tom Brady just 30 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 2: happened to bump into each other on the slopes and 31 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 2: start hanging out, I've got a bridge to sell you. Okay. 32 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:53,800 Speaker 2: So everybody got a chuckle. Then apparently, somehow Ian Rappaport 33 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:56,520 Speaker 2: of NFL Network and Jordan Schultz were both in Starbucks, 34 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 2: and the way Rappaport phrased his tweet on it kind of, 35 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 2: you know, made it sound like Schultz had no idea 36 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:06,880 Speaker 2: what he was talking about. So Schultz kind of verbally 37 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 2: was like, you know, blah blah blah, and then I 38 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 2: guess kind of stepped into Ian space. Now again, I've 39 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:17,079 Speaker 2: known Ian for probably fifteen years. Super nice guy. My 40 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:19,119 Speaker 2: kids met him at Chargers camp He's a nice guy. 41 00:02:19,919 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 2: I've known Jordan Schultz much shorter timeframe, but i've you know, 42 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:28,079 Speaker 2: he played I think D two college basketball. He's much 43 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:32,119 Speaker 2: bigger than Ian Rappaport. Rapaport. According to this report from 44 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:38,360 Speaker 2: Pro Football Talk, Rapaport felt somewhat threatened called security and 45 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,360 Speaker 2: you know that was that it. Listen, this is silly stuff. 46 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 2: This is the kind of stuff that goes on at 47 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:47,840 Speaker 2: the combine, right, and I listen, I know both parties, 48 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 2: so I'm not gonna I'm not gonna weigh in here. 49 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 2: I like both of the guys. I've known Rapaport longer. 50 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:56,959 Speaker 2: I will be honest. I do believe, firmly, firmly that 51 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 2: this was not a bump into. Okay, do you guys 52 00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 2: remember how McVeigh ended up hanging out with Stafford the 53 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:11,160 Speaker 2: random bump into on the beach in Cabo. Yeah, listen, man, 54 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 2: this idea that there isn't recruiting is silly. Now, the 55 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:20,840 Speaker 2: Rams did give Stafford permission to go check out the 56 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 2: market and see what we could get, So I don't think 57 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 2: there's anything untoward here. That's my read on it. But 58 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 2: obviously a funny story to start the podcast. Anyway, without 59 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 2: further ado, let's get to our guest, Rick Buker, Fox 60 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:36,600 Speaker 2: Sports NBA Analyst. 61 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: You know a guy Jason likes to think he knows 62 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 1: everything when it comes to sports. 63 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 2: I know what sports fans. 64 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 1: Want, but for everything he doesn't. He knows a guy 65 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: who does. 66 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:48,200 Speaker 2: Let's just say, I. 67 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 3: Know a guy who knows the guy who knows another guy. 68 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 2: All right, he's back on straight fire. Everybody's favorite. I 69 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 2: can't open by calling him a Lebron hater, although him 70 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:01,960 Speaker 2: and Lebron have a rich history going back many years. 71 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 2: Rick Bucker, Fox Sports NBA Analyst, Rick, how are you man? 72 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 3: I'm good, Mac, how are you? 73 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 2: I'm excellent. Listen, the NBA has really gotten a hot 74 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 2: fire in the last what two three weeks. Jimmy Butler 75 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 2: traded to the Warriors. They're on fire, Luca and Lebron 76 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 2: joining forces. You've got the seventy six ers cratering, the 77 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 2: Phoenix Suns going down the tubes. I don't where do 78 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 2: you want to start, Rick, So much happening around the 79 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 2: league right now. 80 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:30,719 Speaker 3: Well, I think we have to start with Luca and Lebron, 81 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 3: considering we just saw them play against the Nuggets and 82 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:38,800 Speaker 3: then against the Mavericks, and now everybody has them as 83 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,839 Speaker 3: going to the NBA Finals and winning another championship. So 84 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:45,720 Speaker 3: something like that, I guess we should start right there. 85 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 3: Are you? Are you among that? 86 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 2: Are you? 87 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:49,039 Speaker 3: Are you on that wagon? 88 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 2: I didn't jump on the wagon, but as soon as 89 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:53,159 Speaker 2: the trade was made, I you know, kind of looked 90 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:55,120 Speaker 2: at the landscape in the West, and you know, at 91 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 2: that time it was we didn't know about the Warriors. 92 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 2: You know, the Sons were still mired, was still playing. 93 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 2: But I don't I'm not a firm believer in OKAC 94 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,320 Speaker 2: is a playoff team, like in the playoffs or you know, 95 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 2: they referee different at different sport in the playoffs. And 96 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:11,360 Speaker 2: I don't think Denver's as good as they were two 97 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:13,719 Speaker 2: years ago when they won the title. So I do 98 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 2: believe the West is open, and I think the Lakers 99 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:17,479 Speaker 2: are going to the Western Conference finals, and I do 100 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 2: believe now they're probably headed to the NBA Finals. I 101 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:24,600 Speaker 2: just I love what that when they put Luca Reeves 102 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:27,039 Speaker 2: and Lebron on the court, they are really tough to defend. 103 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 2: It has the feel rick of a little Celtics light 104 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 2: with Tatum Brown and Holiday just much less defense. Obviously 105 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:37,279 Speaker 2: with Luca, Lebron and Reeves. 106 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 3: Well, there you go, and that's that's a big, a 107 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:44,040 Speaker 3: bigger caveat than you are giving it credit for. And 108 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 3: I would also say, I don't know that the pieces 109 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 3: like who's the Christaps Porzingis in. 110 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:54,560 Speaker 2: That, I would guess, ruey Hachi Mora. 111 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:57,479 Speaker 3: No, no, no, no, you gave me a big three. Like 112 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:00,120 Speaker 3: if I'm going to look at the Celtics and I'm 113 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:05,520 Speaker 3: going to say big three, I'm saying probably Tatum, Jalen 114 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:11,599 Speaker 3: Brown and Porzingis. But well, look, I would put holiday 115 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 3: in that I don't believe in big threes. I should 116 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 3: probably start there. But if we're going to talk big three, 117 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 3: and we're going to compare the Lakers to the Celtics 118 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:24,279 Speaker 3: because of their top three, and I've seen this elsewhere, 119 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 3: I believe my my colleague Emmanuel Otro made the same 120 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 3: point about this, that Austin Reeves has joined the big three, 121 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:34,840 Speaker 3: has created, has allowed the Lakers to create a big three. 122 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,159 Speaker 3: And now that's the same as the big three that 123 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 3: Lebron had in Miami and that he might have had 124 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:45,040 Speaker 3: in Cleveland at one point. 125 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 2: And so. 126 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 3: To me, the big three has always been sort of 127 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:57,400 Speaker 3: a false concept in terms of leading to championships. But 128 00:06:57,520 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 3: you bring up a point in terms of, like, let's 129 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 3: stop short and making the Lakers the next Celtics, because 130 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:07,440 Speaker 3: what the Lakers don't have as good as those top 131 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 3: three are looking to be. I like Dorian Finney Smith 132 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:19,960 Speaker 3: as a piece, right, Ruie Hotcha Mura doesn't really fill 133 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 3: a void that the top three already provide. And so 134 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 3: it's a matter of what's your depth and your versatility, 135 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 3: Like where are the other pieces when I look at Boston, Tatum, 136 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 3: Brown and Porzingis. But then I've got Drew Holliday, I've 137 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 3: got Derek White, I've got you know, even Al Horford 138 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:44,880 Speaker 3: is still a serviceable player. At this point, I have 139 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 3: all these pieces that can amplify what the big three are. 140 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 3: And then those big three kind of do different things, right, 141 00:07:55,960 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 3: Tatum is rebounder and defender, and Jalen is your go 142 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 3: to guy, whether you want him to be or not, 143 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 3: and then Brezingis is your room protector and your stretch four. 144 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 3: And so I think that that's where I'm not so 145 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 3: quick to say that the Lakers are are going to 146 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 3: be conference finals, and even in watching them against Denver. Look, 147 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 3: here's the reality. It was a big, big game for 148 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 3: the Lakers, and it was a big big game for 149 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 3: JJ Reddick in particular, Like I need to show that 150 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 3: I can coach my team up in a way that 151 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 3: my predecessor did not, particularly against the Denver Nuggets. And 152 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 3: there's a pretty easy I would say it's easily formed, 153 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 3: it's not easily done, which is, we're just going to 154 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:41,440 Speaker 3: crowd the hell out of Jokic and we're gonna make 155 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 3: somebody else beat us, right, And that's essentially what they did. 156 00:08:45,280 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 3: They muddied up the floor, they fronted him, they backed 157 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 3: him like they just made him play in a crowd 158 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 3: the entire time. Nuggets, conversely, did nothing to adjust to 159 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 3: this particular version of the l They played them like, 160 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,440 Speaker 3: you know what, we haven't always played them well, But 161 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 3: we play in the fourth, we get to the fourth quarter, 162 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 3: we start to execute, we end up winning. Like that's 163 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,320 Speaker 3: just the way it's been and that's the way they 164 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 3: approach that game. And so I don't want like, I 165 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:18,760 Speaker 3: think it's great for the Lakers in terms of their 166 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:21,439 Speaker 3: confidence and their belief in JJ and all of that. 167 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 3: It was a huge positive. It it pretty much erased 168 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:29,439 Speaker 3: the debacle against the Hornets only two or three nights earlier. 169 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,280 Speaker 3: But the idea that they're going to be that team. 170 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 3: I would take the Dallas Mavericks reference, and they had 171 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:45,720 Speaker 3: difficulty beating them without Anthony Davis, without Derek Lively, like 172 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,880 Speaker 3: without the frontline pieces that make the Dallas Mavericks a 173 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 3: dramatically different team. So I love I love what I'm 174 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:56,920 Speaker 3: seeing from the Lakers. I'm happy for Lakers fans that 175 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 3: like there's something meaningful going on. And I agree with you. 176 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 3: I think the West is wide open. I think the 177 00:10:03,559 --> 00:10:05,680 Speaker 3: entire league is wide open. I don't think there is 178 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 3: necessarily a team to. 179 00:10:06,760 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 2: Be interesting, but. 180 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 3: Like to say that the Lakers are. You know, they're 181 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 3: the ones with the little star next to their name 182 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:20,440 Speaker 3: shooting up the charts. Not quite ready to give them that. 183 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 2: So let's forget one offs like Denver and Dallas and Charlotte, 184 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:28,720 Speaker 2: forget those. The last nineteen games over that sample size, 185 00:10:28,760 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 2: the Lakers have the number one defense in the league. Now, 186 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 2: obviously they are caveats. I think six or seven of 187 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 2: those were with Ad. We're five with Luca. Yeah, and 188 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:40,840 Speaker 2: they did some of the early games on that schedule 189 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 2: were pretty rotten teams. But again, in nineteen games, sample 190 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 2: size is not exactly trivial. 191 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 3: No, But for the Lakers it comes good. 192 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 2: Mac, I love you. 193 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:52,600 Speaker 3: Like I don't even I don't need to comment on this. 194 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 3: You just made every point that I would make. What 195 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 3: look at the schedule? Who did they play? 196 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:00,240 Speaker 1: Uh? 197 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 3: Third of those A third of those games were without 198 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:09,840 Speaker 3: Anthony Davis. Look Jared. Getting Jared Vanderbilt back helps certainly. 199 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 3: Lebron feeling like I have to you know, I have to, 200 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:15,439 Speaker 3: I have to make up for some of Ad being gone. 201 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:18,600 Speaker 2: Helps Yeah, But look so Rick, for instance, down the 202 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:21,200 Speaker 2: stretch in a close game, the Lakers, we know they're 203 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 2: gonna play Lebron, Luca Reeves and Ruy. Those are your 204 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:28,160 Speaker 2: four horses, And from my opinion, every night could be 205 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 2: different for that fifth spot. It might be Vando for 206 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:33,559 Speaker 2: defensive purposes. Maybe they're playing a Trey Young type and 207 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 2: they want gave Vincent back there. Maybe it's a Dulton 208 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 2: connect hit six threes, Hey, we're gonna play him down 209 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:40,679 Speaker 2: the stretch. He's hot. Maybe it's Jackson as and I 210 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 2: like that flexibility. Again, I look around the West. Denver 211 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:47,160 Speaker 2: just doesn't scare me. At this point, I don't think 212 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:48,960 Speaker 2: they're as formidable as they were a couple of years ago. 213 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 2: The injuries have mounted for Murray Gordon doesn't really look 214 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 2: like the same player he was, Michael Porter junior, eh 215 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:58,439 Speaker 2: and and then the other team is okay, seeing a 216 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:00,960 Speaker 2: great regular season team, they feel a little like the 217 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:03,840 Speaker 2: like the Baltimore Ravens. Hey, we're gonna smash you. We're 218 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 2: very exciting and fast and all the and then you 219 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:08,319 Speaker 2: get to the playoffs and Luca dismantled him last year. 220 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 2: Luca took apart the Timberwolves. Okay, he's got a better 221 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:13,200 Speaker 2: supporting cast I think with the Lakers than he had 222 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 2: with the MAVs last year. And you look at that. 223 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 3: I don't know there, well, I would not go again. 224 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 2: Lebron. Lebron's better than Kyrie Irving. Lebron this year's better 225 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:23,839 Speaker 2: than Kyrie Irving was last year. You know in Austin 226 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 2: Reeves is your three. It's PJ Washington better than him. 227 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:27,200 Speaker 2: I don't know PJ. 228 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:29,959 Speaker 3: Washington well, but it's not I mean better and better 229 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:34,719 Speaker 3: how And I'm not I'm not just sputing who does more. 230 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 2: PJ Washington works great with Luca awesome Go sitting in 231 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 2: the corner. I'll find you because I'm a great wizard 232 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:42,959 Speaker 2: with passing. Right now, you take away Luca and it's like, oh, 233 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:46,520 Speaker 2: well PJ. Washington not as effective. Well, Kyrie Irving doesn't 234 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,560 Speaker 2: really pass. I just think Nico miscalculated this so badly, 235 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 2: thinking like, hey, I'm the man who brought in PGO stuff, 236 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 2: I drafted live, I traded for Gaffley, I did all this. 237 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 2: Luca's fat and he's out of shape and he doesn't 238 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 2: want to listen. By the way, what do you make 239 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:00,720 Speaker 2: of all this? 240 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:04,960 Speaker 3: Unless you've been reading Nico's emails, you can't You can't 241 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:09,320 Speaker 3: suppose that you know why Nico did it. And and 242 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 3: by everything we've heard, this was not Look, does Nico 243 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 3: have issues as people have had issues with Luca's lifestyle 244 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:25,520 Speaker 3: and conditioning. I mean it was the question if you 245 00:13:25,559 --> 00:13:28,319 Speaker 3: look at what he accomplished in Europe, he should have 246 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 3: been the number one pick, no doubt about it, no 247 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 3: doubt about it. But people had concerns about his body 248 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 3: and his lifestyle. And are those are the concerns that 249 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 3: the Dallas Mavericks have going forward? And it's not just 250 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:48,560 Speaker 3: it's not look all things being equal, he's probably still 251 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 3: in Dallas if not for the fact that they're looking 252 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:54,160 Speaker 3: at signing him to a five year, three hundred and 253 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 3: forty five million dollar extension. And I look at some 254 00:13:57,240 --> 00:14:00,320 Speaker 3: of the guys who have been poor in conditioning, have 255 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,480 Speaker 3: issues with their bodies. Who those guys and have had 256 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:08,920 Speaker 3: injuries like Shaq Joel Embiid. Those are centers on Zion Williamson, Well, 257 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 3: he's two seventy, he's Zion as a center. 258 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:19,320 Speaker 2: So I look by the way Lucas lucas career injury 259 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 2: history in the NBA has not been significant Yon Embiid. 260 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 2: Those guys are missing like full seasons. Lucas missed nothing 261 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:27,000 Speaker 2: like that, Right, No. 262 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 3: But he's played with injuries and he's had the same 263 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 3: calf injury three times in the last year. 264 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 2: Obviously, Right, you're gissing on an injury to trade the franchis. 265 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 2: By the way, the two guys drafted ahead of them, 266 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 2: Trey Young, who the Hawks could not trade anywhere if 267 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 2: they wanted to, Right, he had no value. And I 268 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 2: believe Marvin Bagley with the other guy, what's he doing? 269 00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 2: Is he delivering door dash now in the Bay Area? 270 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 3: What's a good question exactly where he is right now. 271 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 2: Horrific decisions to take out. 272 00:14:56,240 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 3: Understood, understood. I'm not I'm not debating any of that. 273 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 3: I'm just saying, you have new ownership in Dallas, somewhat 274 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:10,280 Speaker 3: new to the NBA, and they're just looking at five years, 275 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:12,880 Speaker 3: three hundred and forty five million dollars for a guy 276 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 3: who has had the same injury three times in the 277 00:15:17,120 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 3: last year and is not playing and is not changing 278 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 3: his diet. Didn't come into the season any different after 279 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 3: losing in the finals because he wasn't in shape and 280 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:31,120 Speaker 3: because he was getting picked on defensively. He came back 281 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:35,320 Speaker 3: no different than he had been. So it is there 282 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 3: is no question that is a roll of the dice. 283 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 3: And if Luca decides, you know what, I'm going to 284 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:43,960 Speaker 3: start taking care of my body. I'm going to start 285 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 3: eating and living better, I'm going to drink less, then 286 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,160 Speaker 3: he could transform himself and this will this will have 287 00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:54,560 Speaker 3: been a huge mistake by the Dallas Mavericks, by the way, 288 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:58,960 Speaker 3: but it goes the other direction then J Mack, we're 289 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:02,080 Speaker 3: gonna have a conversation about how prescient the Dallas Mavericks 290 00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:04,480 Speaker 3: were in that they didn't go let's put it this. 291 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 2: I'll put it simply your odds. 292 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 3: Hold on, do you think wait, hold on, hold on? 293 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 3: Who do you think feels better about their decision right now? 294 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 3: The Los Angeles Clippers not resigning Paul George for what 295 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 3: he wanted or letting him go sign with the Philadelphia 296 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:23,680 Speaker 3: seventy six ers. And that's not getting anything back in return. 297 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 3: That's not getting a Defensive Player of the Year candidate 298 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 3: in return, that's not signing him to that money and 299 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 3: just letting him walk. 300 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:33,920 Speaker 2: So wait, thirty five year old Paul George, who's never 301 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:37,400 Speaker 2: led anybody anywhere since leaving Indiana, since his early days 302 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:38,840 Speaker 2: in India, hasn't anything. 303 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 3: I take that back. No, no, no, no, no, no no 304 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 3: clips Okay, see Clippers with Kawhi out if I'm not mistaken, 305 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:46,920 Speaker 3: did they not? 306 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 2: I think they lost to the Jazz Or did they 307 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:49,360 Speaker 2: beat the Jazz? 308 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 3: No? No, no, they went second round, third round, the double. 309 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 3: I want to say, they went to the conference finals 310 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:54,760 Speaker 3: and then you just got smoked. 311 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 2: But Luca in his prime, early prime, just took the 312 00:16:57,440 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 2: matter to the final. Yes, Like, I don't think that's comparable. 313 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 3: We're not We're not paying him for what he's done. 314 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:04,080 Speaker 3: We're not paying him for what he's done, but next 315 00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 3: five pays him for what he's going to do over 316 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:08,639 Speaker 3: the next five years. 317 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:11,119 Speaker 2: Twenty five to thirty, twenty six to thirty one, that range. 318 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:13,360 Speaker 2: I have zero concerns for Luca. Maybe he gets hurt. 319 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 3: You have zero concerns. You have no concerns about Luka Doncicic. 320 00:17:18,840 --> 00:17:19,520 Speaker 3: I really remember? 321 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:21,600 Speaker 2: Okay, how's this? How's this? Do you remember Kyrie Irving 322 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:23,880 Speaker 2: before Lebron went back to Cleveland. He was the number 323 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 2: one overall pick, massive ego, super talent, but couldn't win 324 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,919 Speaker 2: twenty five games, couldn't win thirty games. Yep, Lebron shows up. 325 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 2: Everybody falls in line, Kyrie grows up quickly. Yeah in 326 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:35,720 Speaker 2: the finals. 327 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 3: Okay, I think it took that. I think it took 328 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:39,320 Speaker 3: a little longer. And here's the. 329 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:41,879 Speaker 2: Difference Kyrie got. But you you're alongside Lebron. Do you 330 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:43,920 Speaker 2: think Luca's going to show up like wreaking of alcohol 331 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 2: and out of shape? No? 332 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:46,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a scene. 333 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,920 Speaker 2: It's his team. I don't know, no way Lebron's letting 334 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:52,400 Speaker 2: that happen. No shot, Plus, what Lebron. 335 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:52,680 Speaker 3: Going to do? 336 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:54,359 Speaker 2: You live out here in California. 337 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 3: You know sameybody's I heard the same argument. You know what, 338 00:17:57,160 --> 00:18:03,440 Speaker 3: Rus Westbrook, He's gonna fall online like, oh, well, Luca 339 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 3: is and this is Luca's team. 340 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:11,959 Speaker 2: It is Lebron there. What Lebron's still there. It's okay, 341 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:12,960 Speaker 2: but it's not his team. 342 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:15,960 Speaker 3: It's Lucas team. 343 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:18,879 Speaker 2: You're making this sound like a Kobe Shack kind of 344 00:18:18,920 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 2: thing where one's going to get shoved out. I don't 345 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 2: think there's shoving Lebron anywhere. This team is. 346 00:18:24,920 --> 00:18:27,679 Speaker 3: They've just said, you're this is the difference. This is 347 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:30,879 Speaker 3: the difference. It's it is sort of a Kobe Shack comparison. 348 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:35,399 Speaker 3: But when they re signed Kobe, Kobe didn't have a 349 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:37,919 Speaker 3: problem with Shaq Stang. Shaq had a problem with being 350 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:42,440 Speaker 3: number two, right, he said, I want out. I don't 351 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:47,439 Speaker 3: know that Lebron if if, if Luca can get him 352 00:18:47,480 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 3: another ring, Lebron's not gonna have an issue with it. 353 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:54,479 Speaker 3: But Lebron's not driving this bus. No, Lebron is not 354 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 3: leading this parade exactly. 355 00:18:57,119 --> 00:19:00,480 Speaker 2: That's not to admit. If Luca is for tigue, like 356 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:03,120 Speaker 2: you saw against Dallas, he was worn down emotionally, He's 357 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:04,080 Speaker 2: still not one hundred percent. 358 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:08,280 Speaker 3: Oh my god, here we go here. Emotionally, he's not 359 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:10,800 Speaker 3: in shape. He hasn't been in shape. 360 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 2: The fourth quarter seven of nine shooting just took over 361 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:16,320 Speaker 2: the game because he's rested. He's not running the friggin' offense. 362 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 2: I mean, they got Austin Reeves running the offense and 363 00:19:18,440 --> 00:19:21,119 Speaker 2: Luca a lot. Lebron's almost saving himself for the fourth quarter. 364 00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 2: There's just so much love. All right, Let's move on 365 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:25,160 Speaker 2: from the Lakers, get to your Warriors real quick. 366 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:28,600 Speaker 1: Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in 367 00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 1: the nation. Catch all of our shows at Foxsports Radio 368 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:36,240 Speaker 1: dot com and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to 369 00:19:36,359 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 1: listen live. 370 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 2: Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry hard charging out of the play in. 371 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:43,760 Speaker 2: Do you think they end up with six or five seed? 372 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:44,159 Speaker 2: I don't know. 373 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 3: Boy, the West is just so thick that I don't 374 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:51,120 Speaker 3: know if they get out of the play in. Now, 375 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:53,840 Speaker 3: I do like their chances if they're in the play 376 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 3: in of getting to the playoffs overall, whether it's getting 377 00:19:57,160 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 3: to the six seed or it's being seven. They're eighth, like, 378 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 3: I think they can get to one of those spots. 379 00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:06,199 Speaker 3: But I mean, look, Minnesota looks like it's coming on 380 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 3: a little bit. I expect, you know, depending on when 381 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:13,439 Speaker 3: the Mavericks get healthy, that they're going to be in 382 00:20:13,480 --> 00:20:17,440 Speaker 3: the mix. I'm I'm over the Kings having some sort 383 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:21,000 Speaker 3: of a renaissance. I don't expect Houston like I don't 384 00:20:21,040 --> 00:20:23,680 Speaker 3: the teams that are up top. I don't expect them 385 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:28,199 Speaker 3: to crater. So we're just it's a log jam. I mean, 386 00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:30,080 Speaker 3: they could, they could play well, and they could. Look 387 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:32,120 Speaker 3: at the Look at the Western Conference, We've got nine 388 00:20:32,160 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 3: teams with winning records. Look at the Eastern Conference, we've 389 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 3: got six teams with winning A winning record guarantees you 390 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:43,560 Speaker 3: a playoff spot in the East. A winning record in 391 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 3: the Western Conference doesn't even guarantee you necessarily a play 392 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 3: in right now. So that's how that's how competitive it is. 393 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:53,520 Speaker 2: I'm looking at a strength of schedule. Rick Minnesota currently 394 00:20:53,640 --> 00:20:58,720 Speaker 2: is twenty ninth in it's basically the second easiest remaining schedule. 395 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 2: Number one feed we'll get you shortly, then Sacramento, Denver 396 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:04,160 Speaker 2: and the Lakers or fourth. We know they back end 397 00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:06,520 Speaker 2: the lebron schedules because so he could be on TV 398 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:11,000 Speaker 2: when there's no NFL. But it's gonna be tough for 399 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:13,639 Speaker 2: Phoenix to make the playoffs. Golden State, if you're curious, 400 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:17,560 Speaker 2: is at twenty one? I think they're I mean, we're 401 00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 2: gonna see some teams like the Sixers tank here. I 402 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:21,520 Speaker 2: think the Warriors are going to steal that sixt seed. 403 00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:23,320 Speaker 2: I would not want to face them. 404 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:27,639 Speaker 3: I'm not well. Yeah, I think more than ever, matchups 405 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:30,920 Speaker 3: are really going to dictate, you know, exactly who gets 406 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 3: who's who's standing at the end. I do love the 407 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 3: addition of Jimmy Butler. He solves so many of their issues. 408 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:41,440 Speaker 3: I didn't know this until they looked it up because 409 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:43,760 Speaker 3: I was curious because I was like, Jimmy's getting to 410 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:47,320 Speaker 3: the line a lot, and he is shooting at like 411 00:21:47,359 --> 00:21:51,080 Speaker 3: a ninety percent clip from the free throw line. He's 412 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 3: he's averaging nine free throws a game since he's come 413 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:58,600 Speaker 3: to the to Golden State. Golden State was bottom third 414 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:05,400 Speaker 3: in free throw attempts and dead last in free throw percentage. 415 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:09,840 Speaker 3: So he fills that void in a big, big, big way. 416 00:22:09,880 --> 00:22:12,400 Speaker 3: And especially when you got three thirty somethings that you're 417 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:15,639 Speaker 3: leaning on getting to the free throw line a lot, 418 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 3: that's like built in rest that's Lebron and ad I 419 00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:22,200 Speaker 3: lived off of that in the bubble and have been 420 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:25,000 Speaker 3: living and lived off it all the years that they 421 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:28,359 Speaker 3: played together. It's a huge plus there. And then you 422 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:32,920 Speaker 3: look at where he's scoring from. He scores more than 423 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 3: a third of his or attempts more than a third 424 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:40,880 Speaker 3: of his shots at the rim. Andrew Wiggins was attempting 425 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:44,320 Speaker 3: half of that, like fourteen percent of his shots at 426 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,400 Speaker 3: the rim. Both shoot about sixty percent there. So he's 427 00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 3: added dynamics. And then defensively he's been as good, if 428 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:53,400 Speaker 3: not better than Wiggins. And I think the biggest thing 429 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 3: is Jimmy's got like swagger, Jimmy's got residence, Jimmy's got 430 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:04,639 Speaker 3: like you know that, he's got bravado, And since Draymond 431 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:09,159 Speaker 3: has fallen off a little bit, his bravado doesn't resonate 432 00:23:09,240 --> 00:23:11,720 Speaker 3: the same way. And so I think Jimmy, just from 433 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:16,959 Speaker 3: a culture standpoint, a chemistry standpoint, has added something that 434 00:23:17,080 --> 00:23:19,680 Speaker 3: is intangible. Now I don't know that I get them. 435 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:22,280 Speaker 3: I don't see them going past the second round, but 436 00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:24,960 Speaker 3: I see them as a playoff team and as a 437 00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:28,320 Speaker 3: as a a dark horse to win at least one round. 438 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:31,520 Speaker 2: Quick question regarding the Warriors before we get to the Suns. 439 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:34,399 Speaker 2: So there's been no adversity yet for the Warriors with 440 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:37,439 Speaker 2: Jimmy Butler. We know Draymond runs hot. He had issues 441 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:41,159 Speaker 2: with Kevin Durant. He has barked at many players. It 442 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:45,399 Speaker 2: doesn't usually uh end well, Jordan Poole, we know how 443 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:48,760 Speaker 2: that did. There's no shot he's yelling at Jimmy Butler, right, 444 00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:51,240 Speaker 2: there's zero chance that he's going to be barking stuff 445 00:23:51,240 --> 00:23:53,480 Speaker 2: at Jimmy Butler, who is an alpha in his own right. 446 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 3: Those guys are twins. 447 00:23:55,320 --> 00:23:58,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, I don't so so the same. I don't. 448 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:02,119 Speaker 3: I don't see. I mean, what's he gonna yell at 449 00:24:02,160 --> 00:24:06,440 Speaker 3: Jimmy about. Jimmy's all about defense. Jimmy's about sharing the ball. 450 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 3: When when Jimmy's motivated and feels like he's being treated fairly, 451 00:24:13,359 --> 00:24:17,480 Speaker 3: then he's a great teammate and he's a great presence 452 00:24:17,520 --> 00:24:20,320 Speaker 3: he has. He checks all the boxes. It's when he 453 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:24,439 Speaker 3: thinks that Miami, like, oh, you're not gonna pay me. 454 00:24:25,160 --> 00:24:26,399 Speaker 3: I need to get out of here because this is 455 00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:28,800 Speaker 3: my last you know, this is my last swing at 456 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 3: the big pinata, Like I need to be someplace else 457 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 3: you're saying you're not gonna trade me. I'm gonna make 458 00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:40,560 Speaker 3: everybody so miserable that you're gonna have no choice. That's 459 00:24:40,640 --> 00:24:44,160 Speaker 3: Jimmy just being Jimmy. But when Jimmy is right, boy 460 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:44,880 Speaker 3: is he right? 461 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:49,120 Speaker 2: Pretty pretty impressive stuff. Let's wrap up with the Phoenix Suns. 462 00:24:49,640 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 2: Rick probably the biggest disappointment. I know the Sixers are 463 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:54,040 Speaker 2: up there, but the Suns, I think have to be 464 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:57,000 Speaker 2: like everybody thought, Okay, you guys got swept by the Timberwolves, 465 00:24:57,160 --> 00:25:00,600 Speaker 2: you're gonna bounce back. They've been relatively healthy. I know, 466 00:25:00,840 --> 00:25:03,919 Speaker 2: you know, Bils missed some gains. Kd's missing gains. This 467 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:08,280 Speaker 2: has been just probably like the biggest cluster for KD 468 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:11,159 Speaker 2: since leaving the Warriors, And I just I've got to 469 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:13,639 Speaker 2: ask you, like, nobody thinks Kd's gonna stay with the 470 00:25:13,640 --> 00:25:17,119 Speaker 2: Suns after this. I just don't know where he lands. 471 00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 2: The only team I keep coming back to is if 472 00:25:19,520 --> 00:25:21,560 Speaker 2: a Houston were to go down in the first round 473 00:25:21,800 --> 00:25:23,800 Speaker 2: and they're like, we need more firepower, maybe they make 474 00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:26,359 Speaker 2: a trade for him. But other than that, like I 475 00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:29,000 Speaker 2: don't you know, I floated to the Washington Wizards. Maybe 476 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:32,639 Speaker 2: he goes home Wizards get Cooper flag, You've got KD. 477 00:25:32,840 --> 00:25:36,280 Speaker 2: Cooper flag, and I don't know whoever whatever, Jordan Poole, whatever, 478 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:38,440 Speaker 2: but that seems like a long shot. I just don't 479 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:41,399 Speaker 2: know what becomes of Kevin Durant. Who He's really screwed 480 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:44,520 Speaker 2: things up man, that departing the Warriors, that injury against 481 00:25:44,560 --> 00:25:47,240 Speaker 2: the Raptors in the finals. I mean, nothing's ever been 482 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:48,680 Speaker 2: the same. I know his toe was on the line 483 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:51,600 Speaker 2: against the Bucks, but it's just it's been disappointing for 484 00:25:51,880 --> 00:25:52,480 Speaker 2: Kevin Durant. 485 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:56,880 Speaker 3: This is the wildest part of all this. I don't care. 486 00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:01,080 Speaker 3: Like Kevin Durant can go wherever he wants to, like 487 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:05,280 Speaker 3: do I think it's going to change the power dynamic 488 00:26:05,320 --> 00:26:09,440 Speaker 3: of the league. Wherever he goes, do I suddenly go, oh, 489 00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:15,159 Speaker 3: those are now championship contenders. Like he's part We have 490 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:16,919 Speaker 3: to look at it. For as talented as he is 491 00:26:17,920 --> 00:26:22,240 Speaker 3: and as innocuous as his presence is with teams, he's 492 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 3: not necessarily a trouble maker. But he's also I mean, 493 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:28,800 Speaker 3: this is, this is and this is the mistake that 494 00:26:28,840 --> 00:26:32,040 Speaker 3: I made is I looked at the Phoenix suns. I 495 00:26:32,040 --> 00:26:35,320 Speaker 3: looked at the way Devin Booker played with the Olympic team. 496 00:26:35,680 --> 00:26:38,040 Speaker 3: I looked at the way Kevin played with the Olympic team, 497 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:39,720 Speaker 3: and I was thinking, you know what, these guys are 498 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:45,639 Speaker 3: going to springboard off of this experience being around those 499 00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:49,199 Speaker 3: great players, and they are going to come back and 500 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:51,360 Speaker 3: they're going to be different guys and they're going to 501 00:26:51,520 --> 00:26:55,719 Speaker 3: lead this Phoenix Suns team. And it simply hasn't happened. 502 00:26:56,160 --> 00:27:00,359 Speaker 3: And I had I had a GM. I told him, 503 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:02,439 Speaker 3: I said, this is what I was thinking, and he 504 00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:06,080 Speaker 3: was like, he goes, Look, Devin Booker came off the 505 00:27:06,119 --> 00:27:10,440 Speaker 3: bench at Kentucky. He's a great he's a great scorer. 506 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:14,240 Speaker 3: He's never had to lead and when he had his 507 00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:17,000 Speaker 3: greatest success, Chris Paul was there to lead the team. 508 00:27:17,080 --> 00:27:20,760 Speaker 3: Like He's never stepped into that role and at this point, 509 00:27:20,800 --> 00:27:22,240 Speaker 3: I don't know that he ever will. He can be 510 00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:24,440 Speaker 3: a he's a good guy. I think he's a very 511 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:28,880 Speaker 3: talented player. But who's the leader of that Phoenix Suns team. 512 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:31,840 Speaker 3: Kevin Durant has said many times. 513 00:27:31,600 --> 00:27:32,399 Speaker 2: I don't want to am. 514 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:36,480 Speaker 3: Don't ask me for that. I show up, I work hard, eyeball, 515 00:27:37,640 --> 00:27:40,040 Speaker 3: I'm not I'm not. Don't ask me to be a leader. 516 00:27:40,080 --> 00:27:41,520 Speaker 3: Don't ask me to be the face of the franchise, 517 00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 3: don't ask me to do any of that stuff. I'm 518 00:27:43,080 --> 00:27:46,639 Speaker 3: not interested in that. And I'm like, okay, fine, But 519 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:49,399 Speaker 3: then you get what you get because you're on a 520 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:54,119 Speaker 3: team that has a vacuum. And honestly, I feel like 521 00:27:54,240 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 3: KD could. I feel like if KD wanted to embrace 522 00:27:57,640 --> 00:28:01,680 Speaker 3: that role, guys would follow him. But there's a responsibility 523 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:06,320 Speaker 3: that comes with that, and there's a weight, and but 524 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:09,080 Speaker 3: he doesn't want it, and so as a result he 525 00:28:09,119 --> 00:28:11,520 Speaker 3: doesn't want it, Devin Booker doesn't know how to do it, 526 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:15,560 Speaker 3: and the Phoenix Suns, as a result, are immensely talented 527 00:28:16,119 --> 00:28:18,880 Speaker 3: and to your point, probably not going to make the playoffs. 528 00:28:18,880 --> 00:28:19,600 Speaker 2: You know, you look at it. 529 00:28:19,640 --> 00:28:20,240 Speaker 3: It's amazing. 530 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:22,439 Speaker 2: You look at any list rick of the top ten 531 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:24,840 Speaker 2: players of all time, and everybody's got like a a 532 00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:28,200 Speaker 2: couple of different ones. You know, one common thread among 533 00:28:28,240 --> 00:28:30,720 Speaker 2: all those guys is they were all alpha leaders in 534 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:34,320 Speaker 2: the locker room with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, all those guys, 535 00:28:34,480 --> 00:28:35,359 Speaker 2: big time leaders. 536 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 3: You didn't have to ask him to be leader, and 537 00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:40,200 Speaker 3: they were like, I am leader. 538 00:28:40,680 --> 00:28:42,120 Speaker 2: I don't think you can. He's not a top ten 539 00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:44,480 Speaker 2: guy all time Top fifteen. He has a strong case. 540 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:49,000 Speaker 2: But like again, you compare the careers of Curry and 541 00:28:49,080 --> 00:28:51,960 Speaker 2: Durant and I'm sorry, I think it's Curry and it's 542 00:28:52,120 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 2: not particular. 543 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:56,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, I look. I think where we get tangled up 544 00:28:56,560 --> 00:28:59,720 Speaker 3: is if you look at just in terms of pure 545 00:28:59,840 --> 00:29:05,760 Speaker 3: ability scoring wise and ability to score at three levels, 546 00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:08,760 Speaker 3: and you look at Kevin size, you look at it 547 00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:13,400 Speaker 3: and you go, well, he's a more accomplished scorer. The 548 00:29:13,480 --> 00:29:17,640 Speaker 3: game comes easier for him in scoring just because of 549 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:23,680 Speaker 3: his combination of skills and physical size and gifts. It's 550 00:29:23,760 --> 00:29:26,560 Speaker 3: much tougher for Steph to get a shot. I mean, 551 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:29,880 Speaker 3: it really is remarkable that he makes the shots that 552 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:31,960 Speaker 3: he does and he gets the shots that he does. 553 00:29:32,840 --> 00:29:36,320 Speaker 3: But the difference, and I don't know that people really 554 00:29:36,320 --> 00:29:39,200 Speaker 3: can appreciate this unless you've been around both of them 555 00:29:39,640 --> 00:29:43,560 Speaker 3: and you've seen their impact on a team. Steph Curry 556 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:48,320 Speaker 3: is we talk about gravity on the floor, the gravity 557 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:51,640 Speaker 3: that he provides when it comes to bringing a team 558 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:55,920 Speaker 3: together and making everybody feel like they're capable and part 559 00:29:56,000 --> 00:29:59,360 Speaker 3: of and the way he celebrates them. I know that 560 00:29:59,360 --> 00:30:02,880 Speaker 3: that sound like Harry high school type stuff, but there's 561 00:30:02,960 --> 00:30:11,000 Speaker 3: a real legitimate aspect to Steph Curry's indistinguishable belief and 562 00:30:11,080 --> 00:30:15,360 Speaker 3: the confidence that he infuses his teammates with and the 563 00:30:15,520 --> 00:30:19,000 Speaker 3: example that he sets. Because everybody wants to look at 564 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:21,920 Speaker 3: the Draymond Green and Jordan Poole thing, the first thing 565 00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:26,680 Speaker 3: I remember is Jordan Poole taking a stupid shot and 566 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:32,160 Speaker 3: Steph Curry throwing his mouthpiece. Like Draymond Green wasn't the 567 00:30:32,160 --> 00:30:34,720 Speaker 3: only one who had issues with the way that Jordan 568 00:30:34,800 --> 00:30:36,680 Speaker 3: Poole played, He is the only one to play that. 569 00:30:36,760 --> 00:30:41,360 Speaker 3: Draymond Green decided to do something about it in a 570 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:44,640 Speaker 3: more violent way than anybody deciding it. 571 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:48,080 Speaker 1: Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in 572 00:30:48,120 --> 00:30:51,480 Speaker 1: the nation. Catch all of our shows at Foxsports Radio 573 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:55,720 Speaker 1: dot com and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to 574 00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:56,480 Speaker 1: listen live. 575 00:30:56,960 --> 00:30:59,200 Speaker 2: All right, Rick, let's wrap up real quick. So I 576 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:01,720 Speaker 2: had this really take a couple maybe a month or 577 00:31:01,720 --> 00:31:05,320 Speaker 2: so ago, that inside the NBA has been bad for 578 00:31:05,400 --> 00:31:08,560 Speaker 2: the league in that it is so negative among the 579 00:31:08,600 --> 00:31:13,040 Speaker 2: best teams and players that it's tuning fans out. It's like, 580 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:15,760 Speaker 2: if the number one show is gonna be so negative, 581 00:31:16,280 --> 00:31:18,520 Speaker 2: then why would fans be negative? Why would they tune in. 582 00:31:18,920 --> 00:31:20,560 Speaker 2: They keep. All they do is bash the product. Too 583 00:31:20,560 --> 00:31:23,400 Speaker 2: many threes wearre's are soft, Kevin Durant's a bus driver 584 00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:26,600 Speaker 2: or whatever, not a bus driver, whatever. All the negative comments, 585 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:32,480 Speaker 2: and quietly we've heard Channing Fry come around. Yeah, TV 586 00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:35,320 Speaker 2: League partners are being too negative. They're hung up on 587 00:31:35,400 --> 00:31:38,520 Speaker 2: Michael Jordan. And then you hear Gilbert Arenez come out 588 00:31:38,960 --> 00:31:42,880 Speaker 2: and hey, the negativity coming from some of these popular shows. 589 00:31:43,040 --> 00:31:46,200 Speaker 2: You're starting to hear people come to my side now again, 590 00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:48,080 Speaker 2: it's just a couple of people. I know you've known 591 00:31:48,120 --> 00:31:52,120 Speaker 2: Barkley forever. You're tight with Shack. I'm not. I wasn't 592 00:31:52,160 --> 00:31:55,360 Speaker 2: blasting those guys. I just rick. I feel like any 593 00:31:55,400 --> 00:31:57,360 Speaker 2: time I turned it on, it was they were taking 594 00:31:57,360 --> 00:31:59,960 Speaker 2: a dump on somebody Anthony Edward z one, you know, 595 00:32:00,720 --> 00:32:04,000 Speaker 2: and I just got sick of it. Your thoughts and 596 00:32:04,040 --> 00:32:06,080 Speaker 2: you could disagree with me, I'm not gonna be bothered. 597 00:32:06,200 --> 00:32:10,240 Speaker 3: Well, I think we remember them dumping on people because 598 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:14,360 Speaker 3: it one they don't hold anything back, they go overboard, 599 00:32:14,840 --> 00:32:18,000 Speaker 3: and and two because nobody else does, particularly when it 600 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:20,960 Speaker 3: comes to the broadcast partners. I get as sick to 601 00:32:21,040 --> 00:32:27,000 Speaker 3: my stomach when I hear players being lauded that for 602 00:32:27,120 --> 00:32:31,400 Speaker 3: things that that are not laudable and and are being 603 00:32:31,880 --> 00:32:36,120 Speaker 3: or or are overwrought of in terms of of what 604 00:32:36,160 --> 00:32:39,960 Speaker 3: they are doing. And maybe that's me kind of seeing 605 00:32:40,000 --> 00:32:43,160 Speaker 3: it as a whole or being you know, having come 606 00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:45,320 Speaker 3: up as a journalist and you want to be objective. 607 00:32:45,880 --> 00:32:48,120 Speaker 3: But I don't think you can lie to the fans either. 608 00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:50,120 Speaker 3: I don't think you can be out there and saying, well, 609 00:32:50,400 --> 00:32:52,560 Speaker 3: this is the great the game's never been better and 610 00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:53,840 Speaker 3: all these three points. 611 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:57,800 Speaker 2: Shott, what's that? Do you think the game has been 612 00:32:57,800 --> 00:32:59,320 Speaker 2: better than it is right now? Oh? 613 00:32:59,520 --> 00:33:01,920 Speaker 3: Hell yeah? The game this is the dumb This is 614 00:33:01,960 --> 00:33:04,440 Speaker 3: such a dumb down version of the game. 615 00:33:04,960 --> 00:33:06,280 Speaker 2: Now you have to have it deep. 616 00:33:06,480 --> 00:33:10,240 Speaker 3: Plenty of highlights, right, but the game I'm watching like 617 00:33:10,280 --> 00:33:15,280 Speaker 3: I'm watching Hornet's Warriors. It was like an AAU game, 618 00:33:15,560 --> 00:33:21,080 Speaker 3: like even Lakers, MAVs, like humans all over the place. 619 00:33:21,200 --> 00:33:24,520 Speaker 2: Like carmel take a top twenty player all time. Let's 620 00:33:24,680 --> 00:33:27,040 Speaker 2: alone top Carmelan is a top twenty player all time. Right, 621 00:33:27,560 --> 00:33:30,880 Speaker 2: great player went to the finals twice. Who is more skilled? 622 00:33:31,920 --> 00:33:35,080 Speaker 2: Pallo Bankaro or cal Malone? Take your time on this one. 623 00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:38,479 Speaker 3: As of right now? Yeah, Camelone, No way. 624 00:33:39,240 --> 00:33:41,760 Speaker 2: I love Ben Carrol has way more in his bag already. 625 00:33:41,960 --> 00:33:42,920 Speaker 2: He's a better shooter. 626 00:33:43,120 --> 00:33:44,320 Speaker 3: I mean, what does that mean? 627 00:33:44,480 --> 00:33:44,640 Speaker 2: Where? 628 00:33:44,680 --> 00:33:46,520 Speaker 3: Where are the where are their land of magic? Right now? 629 00:33:46,560 --> 00:33:48,920 Speaker 2: If you I don't care, well I said Pallo ban Caro, 630 00:33:49,000 --> 00:33:50,760 Speaker 2: I didn't say the magic. If you give Paalo the 631 00:33:50,760 --> 00:33:52,360 Speaker 2: ban Caro the ball at the top of the three 632 00:33:52,360 --> 00:33:54,720 Speaker 2: point line, he can take almost anyone off the dribble, 633 00:33:54,760 --> 00:33:55,680 Speaker 2: get to the ten and score. 634 00:33:56,120 --> 00:33:59,840 Speaker 3: I love look big, I love. I love as much 635 00:33:59,880 --> 00:34:02,880 Speaker 3: as anybody. He's in the book that I'm just wrapping up, 636 00:34:02,920 --> 00:34:06,200 Speaker 3: the manuscript that I'm just wrapping up. So you're singing 637 00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:09,399 Speaker 3: to the choir when it comes to Paolo. But this, this, 638 00:34:09,760 --> 00:34:16,760 Speaker 3: to me, what you just did is exactly why people 639 00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:20,839 Speaker 3: like Charles Barkley and maybe even me, and why there's 640 00:34:20,880 --> 00:34:25,080 Speaker 3: so much negativity out there because we don't go. Paolo 641 00:34:25,160 --> 00:34:27,440 Speaker 3: Benkaro is a great player, and look at all the 642 00:34:27,480 --> 00:34:30,760 Speaker 3: skills he has. We have to immediately take an all 643 00:34:30,800 --> 00:34:35,480 Speaker 3: time great who went to the finals twice, who has 644 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:38,080 Speaker 3: done all these things for years and years and years 645 00:34:38,080 --> 00:34:40,960 Speaker 3: and never missed games like all the things that Karl 646 00:34:41,000 --> 00:34:44,439 Speaker 3: Malone did, and we're gonna say yeah, paalagamn CAA's better. 647 00:34:45,080 --> 00:34:48,879 Speaker 2: Well a skill, that's a fair point, that's a great literally, but. 648 00:34:48,760 --> 00:34:51,000 Speaker 3: That's not how you framed it. And that's what happens 649 00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:53,680 Speaker 3: all too often we're saying, you know what, Anthony Edwards, 650 00:34:53,719 --> 00:34:56,760 Speaker 3: Anthony Edwards looks a lot like Michael Jordan, or somebody 651 00:34:56,880 --> 00:34:59,560 Speaker 3: does a fade away to you know, turn around jumper 652 00:34:59,600 --> 00:35:01,160 Speaker 3: and they go, you know who, does that remind you 653 00:35:01,200 --> 00:35:04,200 Speaker 3: of Kobe Bryant. I'm like, okay, yeah, the shot reminds 654 00:35:04,200 --> 00:35:06,400 Speaker 3: me of Kobe Bryant. The player does not remind me 655 00:35:06,440 --> 00:35:10,240 Speaker 3: of Kobe Bryant. Anthony edwards athleticism reminds me of Michael 656 00:35:10,280 --> 00:35:14,000 Speaker 3: Jordan's athleticism. Anthony Edwards does not remind me of Michael 657 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:16,799 Speaker 3: Jordan in any way, shape or form. So when we 658 00:35:16,960 --> 00:35:20,920 Speaker 3: start putting those two names together just at this point, 659 00:35:21,719 --> 00:35:25,520 Speaker 3: like that's what gets people worked up about saying like, 660 00:35:25,840 --> 00:35:29,440 Speaker 3: that's what causes the negativity is that we crown guys 661 00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:32,839 Speaker 3: way before they've accomplished anything that's fair. 662 00:35:32,920 --> 00:35:36,480 Speaker 2: Now, again, like this group of young guys who are 663 00:35:36,520 --> 00:35:41,520 Speaker 2: like six', ten The Wagner Bankaro Cooper, flagh they're at 664 00:35:41,680 --> 00:35:44,520 Speaker 2: such a different skill level than we've ever seen for 665 00:35:44,560 --> 00:35:46,759 Speaker 2: six foot. Ten six foot ten guys used to be 666 00:35:46,800 --> 00:35:49,800 Speaker 2: power forward bruisers That Charles oakley were of the. World 667 00:35:50,000 --> 00:35:53,040 Speaker 2: then you got a Couple Rishard lewis who could just hit, 668 00:35:53,080 --> 00:35:55,000 Speaker 2: threes but they're not going to really take you off 669 00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:57,960 Speaker 2: the bounce that. Often these guys are a combination of 670 00:35:58,040 --> 00:35:58,520 Speaker 2: the big. 671 00:35:58,360 --> 00:36:01,839 Speaker 3: Breed pretty Much Kevin garnett's out. 672 00:36:01,840 --> 00:36:05,400 Speaker 2: There uh that's not a terrible. One, YEAH i, mean 673 00:36:05,560 --> 00:36:09,000 Speaker 2: these guys are immensely, skilled and that's WHY i think 674 00:36:09,000 --> 00:36:10,520 Speaker 2: the league now is better than it's ever, been AND 675 00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:13,480 Speaker 2: i don't think it's even close. Now is the is 676 00:36:13,520 --> 00:36:16,520 Speaker 2: it as pleasing on the eyes because there's so much 677 00:36:16,560 --> 00:36:18,120 Speaker 2: more on the? Eyes LIKE i could go on my 678 00:36:18,160 --> 00:36:20,279 Speaker 2: phone and doom scroll for an hour and miss two 679 00:36:20,400 --> 00:36:23,640 Speaker 2: quarters of a game and not miss. Anything, well that's also. 680 00:36:23,719 --> 00:36:24,799 Speaker 2: You you're saying not to miss. 681 00:36:24,880 --> 00:36:26,040 Speaker 3: Anything, YEAH i mean. 682 00:36:25,920 --> 00:36:28,360 Speaker 2: Meanwhile in like nineteen eighty, SEVEN i had to watch 683 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:31,440 Speaker 2: ONE nba game a week IF i were home and 684 00:36:31,440 --> 00:36:33,560 Speaker 2: it were ON tv BECAUSE i didn't have, cable and 685 00:36:33,640 --> 00:36:35,000 Speaker 2: there's just wasn't. 686 00:36:35,000 --> 00:36:38,880 Speaker 3: ANYTHING i, MEAN i think the exposure to the game 687 00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:45,560 Speaker 3: is it's that's that's been here for a while and 688 00:36:45,560 --> 00:36:49,719 Speaker 3: and there Are, look we have players that play in 689 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:54,200 Speaker 3: a unique style, today more of them than we did 690 00:36:54,239 --> 00:36:56,680 Speaker 3: in the. Past but that's because the game has changed. 691 00:36:56,719 --> 00:36:59,560 Speaker 3: Too like a lot of these guys couldn't get on 692 00:36:59,600 --> 00:37:02,200 Speaker 3: the floor or if they didn't have a post game 693 00:37:03,600 --> 00:37:09,319 Speaker 3: right like they've they've developed skills that fits today's. Game, 694 00:37:09,440 --> 00:37:13,000 Speaker 3: now WHERE i take issue with is suggesting That Michael 695 00:37:13,120 --> 00:37:15,919 Speaker 3: jordan Or Karl malone or any of these guys who 696 00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:19,480 Speaker 3: perfected their skills to the nth degree to fit the 697 00:37:19,600 --> 00:37:22,799 Speaker 3: game that they, played would not be able to do 698 00:37:22,840 --> 00:37:26,400 Speaker 3: the same in today's. Game and the, question and the 699 00:37:26,520 --> 00:37:30,239 Speaker 3: question THAT i have is because it was so physical 700 00:37:30,680 --> 00:37:34,400 Speaker 3: and it was so tough back in the, day and 701 00:37:34,440 --> 00:37:38,520 Speaker 3: there was so many bigger bodies clogging the, paint and 702 00:37:38,560 --> 00:37:40,760 Speaker 3: that's where you have to score the three point. Shots, 703 00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:43,640 Speaker 3: simply it wasn't it wasn't part of the. Strategy it 704 00:37:43,680 --> 00:37:47,640 Speaker 3: wasn't because people couldn't shoot. It it was because coaches 705 00:37:47,719 --> 00:37:52,600 Speaker 3: didn't game plan for. IT i my issue, is you 706 00:37:52,719 --> 00:37:55,440 Speaker 3: take any of those guys and you put them intoday's, 707 00:37:55,520 --> 00:37:58,600 Speaker 3: era they are going to Adopt they're gonna they're gonna 708 00:37:58,600 --> 00:38:00,879 Speaker 3: have the same games that we have today and who 709 00:38:00,920 --> 00:38:04,680 Speaker 3: would be better or. Not that's that's impossible to. 710 00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:07,480 Speaker 2: Impossible it's it's just a fun discussion that you have 711 00:38:07,520 --> 00:38:08,879 Speaker 2: with the buddies at a game or at a bar 712 00:38:09,000 --> 00:38:11,080 Speaker 2: or whatever you're hanging out and which is which is? 713 00:38:11,120 --> 00:38:14,960 Speaker 3: Fine but but you know the. Declarative so you got 714 00:38:14,960 --> 00:38:18,600 Speaker 3: me all riled. Up Pallo bankaro is way better Than 715 00:38:18,640 --> 00:38:21,359 Speaker 3: kyle CARL i would. STAND i can't stand on the. 716 00:38:21,280 --> 00:38:24,200 Speaker 2: Bill is immensely. BETTER i, MEAN i don't even think it's, 717 00:38:24,200 --> 00:38:24,799 Speaker 2: close but it was. 718 00:38:24,960 --> 00:38:29,640 Speaker 3: That But polo is allowed to do things and has 719 00:38:29,719 --> 00:38:31,560 Speaker 3: been developed to do. 720 00:38:31,680 --> 00:38:36,400 Speaker 2: Things, Yeah Jerry slan might have, pulled was not LIKE i, 721 00:38:36,400 --> 00:38:37,840 Speaker 2: MEAN i had another. ONE i, know you got to 722 00:38:37,880 --> 00:38:40,440 Speaker 2: go And i'm running. Late, SORRY i. Said Austin reeves 723 00:38:41,040 --> 00:38:43,720 Speaker 2: is as good of a player right, now or better 724 00:38:43,880 --> 00:38:45,840 Speaker 2: Than Mark price was in his best season when he 725 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:49,080 Speaker 2: was ALL nba and a bunch of heads. EXPLODED i have, Friends, 726 00:38:49,280 --> 00:38:50,880 Speaker 2: jason what are you talking? About Mark price was so 727 00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:53,600 Speaker 2: good my, dad no, ship he was really. Good Austin 728 00:38:53,640 --> 00:38:56,480 Speaker 2: reeves he could do Everything Mark price did and, oh 729 00:38:56,480 --> 00:38:57,120 Speaker 2: by the, way he's six. 730 00:38:57,200 --> 00:39:01,120 Speaker 3: Seven Can Austin? Reeves Can Austin reeves lead a? Team 731 00:39:01,200 --> 00:39:04,160 Speaker 3: the way That Mark price did because he's never been that. 732 00:39:04,160 --> 00:39:07,680 Speaker 2: Team he's never been At, Doherty Ron Von, Harper Larry Mark. 733 00:39:07,719 --> 00:39:10,759 Speaker 3: Price Mark price was the engine of that. Team and 734 00:39:10,840 --> 00:39:13,480 Speaker 3: if you give, me if you, Say Austin reeves is 735 00:39:13,520 --> 00:39:16,480 Speaker 3: now going to be What Lebron james, Was he's going 736 00:39:16,560 --> 00:39:20,200 Speaker 3: he's going to be the focal point of your offense 737 00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:24,120 Speaker 3: night in and night, out and he's going to take 738 00:39:24,200 --> 00:39:27,840 Speaker 3: this team to the. Playoffs If Austin reeves was your 739 00:39:28,160 --> 00:39:32,200 Speaker 3: your point guard or your primary, playmaker could he take 740 00:39:32,200 --> 00:39:34,400 Speaker 3: a team to the? Playoffs could he take him to 741 00:39:34,440 --> 00:39:34,840 Speaker 3: the second? 742 00:39:34,880 --> 00:39:36,600 Speaker 2: Round, Yes Mark Mark. 743 00:39:36,680 --> 00:39:40,839 Speaker 3: Price that's What Mark price. Did on a consistent. 744 00:39:40,920 --> 00:39:42,799 Speaker 2: Base he Got i'm looking it up. Now he got 745 00:39:42,800 --> 00:39:45,160 Speaker 2: to the second round. Twice they got swept By jordan 746 00:39:45,520 --> 00:39:47,719 Speaker 2: and then they lost four to three to The. Celtics, 747 00:39:48,040 --> 00:39:49,800 Speaker 2: Okay i'm. Sorry, yeah they lost four to three To. 748 00:39:49,840 --> 00:39:51,960 Speaker 2: Celtics so how many times did they go to the? 749 00:39:52,000 --> 00:39:54,040 Speaker 2: Playoffs almost every? 750 00:39:54,080 --> 00:39:54,279 Speaker 1: Year? 751 00:39:54,840 --> 00:39:57,239 Speaker 2: What? What? What almost every? YEAR yea very. Good they 752 00:39:57,239 --> 00:39:59,560 Speaker 2: had good. Teams they were good fifty win teams that 753 00:39:59,640 --> 00:40:00,439 Speaker 2: didn't up. 754 00:40:00,320 --> 00:40:03,040 Speaker 3: In the led led by my there's a reason why 755 00:40:03,080 --> 00:40:06,839 Speaker 3: he was The ALL nba. Guy they were led by 756 00:40:07,040 --> 00:40:09,680 Speaker 3: him between his, scoring HIS i, mean you talk about 757 00:40:09,719 --> 00:40:13,759 Speaker 3: pick and roll champions like formidable he, was he was 758 00:40:13,800 --> 00:40:16,319 Speaker 3: amazing And JUSTIN i don't want to take anything From 759 00:40:16,320 --> 00:40:22,080 Speaker 3: austin is Like austin tortures. Guys i'm a Little i'm 760 00:40:22,080 --> 00:40:24,879 Speaker 3: still amazed that he gets the love that he does 761 00:40:24,920 --> 00:40:29,360 Speaker 3: from the officials because he is very good at drawing. 762 00:40:29,400 --> 00:40:33,040 Speaker 3: Fouls half of the fouls that he gets are not. 763 00:40:33,200 --> 00:40:36,760 Speaker 3: Fouls if you, look you, LOOK i, mean he is really. 764 00:40:36,800 --> 00:40:39,680 Speaker 3: Perfected like he's as good as any flopper in the. 765 00:40:39,760 --> 00:40:43,360 Speaker 3: League he does the herky jerk and shot like he 766 00:40:43,440 --> 00:40:48,400 Speaker 3: makes everything look like he just got. Barreled and the 767 00:40:48,440 --> 00:40:50,719 Speaker 3: reality IS i was just watching the. Game the game last. 768 00:40:50,800 --> 00:40:54,120 Speaker 3: Night there was at least three three. Calls three of 769 00:40:54,160 --> 00:40:56,600 Speaker 3: them are legit, forced you, know the defender got him off, 770 00:40:56,640 --> 00:40:59,640 Speaker 3: balance created the. Contact, good you're going to the. Line 771 00:40:59,719 --> 00:41:02,719 Speaker 3: there's three of. Them you, watch you watch, It i'm, 772 00:41:02,760 --> 00:41:07,000 Speaker 3: like there's nothing happened other Than reeves made it look 773 00:41:07,080 --> 00:41:07,520 Speaker 3: like something. 774 00:41:07,560 --> 00:41:11,319 Speaker 2: Happened he's selling, stuff is good at. 775 00:41:11,400 --> 00:41:14,600 Speaker 3: It but usually guys that are like the you, know 776 00:41:14,840 --> 00:41:20,080 Speaker 3: undrafted ad, guy like the role player role, players usually 777 00:41:20,160 --> 00:41:23,359 Speaker 3: don't get the calls That austin. Gets it's pretty. Impressive it. 778 00:41:23,400 --> 00:41:25,120 Speaker 2: Is, yeah maybe it's the head, band all, Right, RICK 779 00:41:25,160 --> 00:41:27,200 Speaker 2: i kept you wait too. Long Rick buker's super. Busy 780 00:41:27,239 --> 00:41:29,560 Speaker 2: you can find him. Everywhere he's been covering the league. 781 00:41:29,600 --> 00:41:32,399 Speaker 2: Forever i'm excited about this new. Book is there one 782 00:41:32,400 --> 00:41:34,160 Speaker 2: guy headlining? It or what do you want to tease 783 00:41:34,160 --> 00:41:35,480 Speaker 2: it or? Not? Really, no IT'S. 784 00:41:37,120 --> 00:41:40,680 Speaker 3: I Talk i've been promoing in my in my. Podcast it's, 785 00:41:40,760 --> 00:41:44,479 Speaker 3: coachable the difference between good and. Great and it looks 786 00:41:44,520 --> 00:41:49,880 Speaker 3: at athletes and sports across the. Spectrum uh From Steve 787 00:41:49,920 --> 00:41:54,160 Speaker 3: young To Brandy chastain To Landon donovan To rojang To 788 00:41:54,360 --> 00:41:57,600 Speaker 3: Caroline marks the surfer who just won gold medal at The, 789 00:41:57,640 --> 00:42:02,759 Speaker 3: olympics To Dark novitsky To Palo, Bancaro fred Van feliet 790 00:42:03,520 --> 00:42:10,759 Speaker 3: and and how there they and their parents' willingness to 791 00:42:10,920 --> 00:42:14,200 Speaker 3: allow them to face adversity as they were coming up 792 00:42:14,760 --> 00:42:16,960 Speaker 3: and synthesize who and what they wanted to be with 793 00:42:17,040 --> 00:42:18,960 Speaker 3: someone else's vision of who and what they could be 794 00:42:19,680 --> 00:42:22,120 Speaker 3: is what allowed them to accomplish what they did as 795 00:42:22,120 --> 00:42:25,320 Speaker 3: opposed to now where it's like AND i just experienced 796 00:42:25,320 --> 00:42:29,399 Speaker 3: this firsthand with my, Kids like if you're you, know 797 00:42:29,760 --> 00:42:32,400 Speaker 3: if your kid isn't getting A d one scholarship or 798 00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:35,799 Speaker 3: they're not starting on THEIR aau, team well it must 799 00:42:35,800 --> 00:42:40,600 Speaker 3: be the. Coach it's, like can be my? Kid LIKE 800 00:42:40,760 --> 00:42:42,879 Speaker 3: i gotta go find another. TEAM i gotta go find 801 00:42:42,920 --> 00:42:44,840 Speaker 3: somebody who's gonna put my. Kid OR i need my 802 00:42:44,920 --> 00:42:46,919 Speaker 3: kid needs to be. SEEN i just. NEED i need 803 00:42:46,920 --> 00:42:48,680 Speaker 3: my kid to be. Seen, no your kid needs to 804 00:42:48,760 --> 00:42:52,719 Speaker 3: learn how to play and how to accept failure and 805 00:42:52,760 --> 00:42:55,359 Speaker 3: to look at their shortcomings and work on. Them that's 806 00:42:55,400 --> 00:42:56,000 Speaker 3: the things that's. 807 00:42:56,040 --> 00:42:59,200 Speaker 2: AWESOME i love That Rick buker continued. Success my, Friend 808 00:42:59,280 --> 00:42:59,719 Speaker 2: i'll see you. 809 00:42:59,760 --> 00:43:00,600 Speaker 3: Soon you got, it