1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 1: This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What is up 2 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:15,600 Speaker 1: straight for Fire fam? It's me Jason McIntire, Straight Fire 3 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:19,959 Speaker 1: for Tuesday, May tent and I think we got a 4 00:00:19,960 --> 00:00:23,279 Speaker 1: good podcast on the horizon for y'all. The reaction to 5 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 1: Monday's pod was largely positive. A couple of Heat fans 6 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 1: not thrilled that I said Jimmy Butler has a right 7 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: to ask out. I did see some stuff about Duncan 8 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:36,479 Speaker 1: Robinson probably gonna play tonight, which is good news for 9 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:38,680 Speaker 1: the Heat who are desperate for offense. But the focus 10 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 1: of this podcast is going to be on the shenanigans 11 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 1: that went down in Milwaukee and in Golden State. I 12 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 1: don't know if the East Coast stayed up late enough 13 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: last night for Warriors. Memphis way closer than it was. 14 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:54,360 Speaker 1: I mean Golden State was supposed to was it? I 15 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: think a ten and a half point favorite when John 16 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,279 Speaker 1: Morant was ruled out might have gone to eleven, and 17 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: they did not lead until there were forty five seconds left. 18 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 1: They basically slept walk through the game. The bigger takeaway 19 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:09,199 Speaker 1: is Memphis actually plays defense without John Morant on the court, 20 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 1: and Golden State could do nothing offensively. It's listen. I 21 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,400 Speaker 1: know we killed Luca Dantes for offense. We'll we'll get 22 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:19,120 Speaker 1: to John Morant's lack of defense later in the pot. 23 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:22,320 Speaker 1: I actually think the bigger story is Buck Celtics, because 24 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 1: this game was everything for Boston. If they had lost 25 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 1: to Milwaukee season over, you'd go down three one to 26 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:31,000 Speaker 1: Janice good Luck beating him three times in a row. 27 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:35,400 Speaker 1: And I just didn't see that happening. Um, yes, they 28 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 1: would have had to two at home, but what went 29 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: down in the fourth quarter was just extraordinary. I mean 30 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 1: Al Horford, who two years ago was washed, could not 31 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 1: get off the bench in Philly. Remember he was with 32 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: him beat and Simmons said like, ah, this is clunky, 33 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 1: it's not working, and it was like, forget it. Horford's done. 34 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 1: They'd ship him to Okay. See, it was like a 35 00:01:56,920 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 1: salary dump wind up in Boston. And as we've talked 36 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 1: about on this podcast for the new listeners, smart organizations 37 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 1: find ways to use talented people. The dumb organizations let 38 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 1: the smart people go. I mean Al Horford, do you 39 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:15,520 Speaker 1: know how many teams he could be helping now? Guy 40 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 1: had thirty points his first NBA thirty point game in 41 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:21,639 Speaker 1: Boston's biggest game in the season, and they came back 42 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:24,680 Speaker 1: to bit Milwaukee. It was a tremendous game. Al Horford 43 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 1: got him through the first half of the fourth quarter, 44 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 1: and you know who took him home, My guy, Jason Tatum. 45 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,839 Speaker 1: Unbelievable performance. Now, listen, Tatum had his worst I think 46 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:37,639 Speaker 1: it was his worst career playoff game in Game three. 47 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: He was abysmal and they nearly won. You knew he 48 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 1: wasn't going out like that. That's not Tatum style. In 49 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: the middle of the fourth quarter, as Tatum is going 50 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:49,240 Speaker 1: volcanic on a helpless Milwaukee defense, my buddy Dan, a 51 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 1: regular listener, text me, boy, your j T take is 52 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,799 Speaker 1: looking pretty damn good tonight. And Tatum was unstoppable. I 53 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:57,639 Speaker 1: don't care who was guarding him. They had Janisan and 54 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:00,359 Speaker 1: they had Holiday on him. He took every but into 55 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 1: school thirty thirteen and five and I wrote this down. 56 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 1: There was a stretch right in the fourth quarter, and 57 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:10,640 Speaker 1: if you haven't seen the fourth quarter yet this morning, 58 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: go on YouTube and just look it up. From six 59 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 1: o nine left to two fifty left, Tatum at twelve points. That's, 60 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:21,919 Speaker 1: by the way, a little more than four minutes sorry, 61 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:25,240 Speaker 1: a little less than four minutes, twelve points. He just 62 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 1: went off. They went from down two to up nine 63 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 1: because Tatum took over the game. And my big sweeping 64 00:03:32,919 --> 00:03:35,400 Speaker 1: takeaway obviously Boston saved their season and I think they 65 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:39,040 Speaker 1: got the series. I have to Number one is I 66 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: think Jayson Tatum cemented himself as a top five player 67 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 1: in the NBA with an incredible fourth quarter dominating the Bucks. 68 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 1: Janice could not stop him and they tie the series 69 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 1: at two. Tatum, I know he hasn't been great in 70 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 1: this series. He his Game three, as I said, was 71 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: his worst playoff game ever, but last round he eviscerated 72 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:04,440 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant head to head. I think he blocked a 73 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 1: shot like four times, which is unheard of. Nobody blocks 74 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:10,120 Speaker 1: Kevin Duran shot. It just I don't want to say 75 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 1: punked him because I'm a Durant guy, but he went 76 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: to work on KD and this series he saved Boston's 77 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 1: bacon in the fourth quarter when it mattered most. Just 78 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 1: unstoppable inside and out. The kid is tremendous. I don't 79 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:27,080 Speaker 1: know how you don't like him. And again I'm conditioned 80 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 1: to not like Boston athletes, as I was born in 81 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: New York. I just I don't like him, any of 82 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 1: them Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins, if you care, Patriots, and 83 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 1: make an exception for Brady, I mean, he's a goat. 84 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: But Tatum was just incredible. Now I know the storyline 85 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:47,599 Speaker 1: is al Horford and as well it should be right Horford, 86 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:50,480 Speaker 1: um got dunked on by Janice and then Horford said, 87 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 1: I'm gonna make this personal. But they don't get home 88 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: without Tatum because Horford spent everything in the first couple 89 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 1: of minutes of the fourth I think he had ten 90 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:00,120 Speaker 1: points in like three minutes and it was just, oh 91 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:03,559 Speaker 1: my gosh, what is happening. Jalen Brown was in foul trouble, Um, 92 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: Peyton Pritchard again like ineffective. They basically said this game 93 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 1: was everything Tatum forty two minutes, Horford forty two minutes, 94 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:14,760 Speaker 1: Smart forty one minutes. And when I say Tatum is 95 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:19,159 Speaker 1: the top five player now again, it's right now like 96 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 1: this moment may ten. Okay, it's tough for me to 97 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 1: put given what happened last year and this year Lebron 98 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 1: in the top five? Is he top ten currently at 99 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:36,840 Speaker 1: the age of thirty seven of course, yeah, he's top ten, 100 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: but they couldn't get to the playoffs. I know the injuries, 101 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: ad A D I get it. Now. This is not 102 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 1: a slight on Lebron, but Tatum has extra time to work. 103 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:52,039 Speaker 1: He's in the playoffs. He swept Brooklyn, the favorites coming 104 00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:55,440 Speaker 1: into the season. Okay, So I have Tatum in the 105 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:58,160 Speaker 1: top five with Joannie Yokich, who just won an m 106 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,719 Speaker 1: VP Award, his second, which is listen, it's a little comical. 107 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: Kobe has one m v P. Rob can check me 108 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 1: on this, but I think Shack also has one m 109 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 1: v P and now Yokich has too, Like I don't know, 110 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,839 Speaker 1: we could do a whole pot on this, Like okay, 111 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 1: Yoki's top five guy Luca Dante obviously, and then the 112 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 1: fifth guy, I have Steph Curry, And I know there's 113 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 1: gonna be outrage. Where is Kevin Durant? Where is Kevin Durant? 114 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 1: And it's gonna be so where where is Joel embiad 115 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:27,800 Speaker 1: Where what's going on right now? Now? If you do 116 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:30,760 Speaker 1: if we did this exercise two months ago, Joel embiads 117 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 1: in the top five for sure because he was, like 118 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:38,120 Speaker 1: I think the MVP runner up but currently Joel Embiad 119 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,719 Speaker 1: has a thumb that needs surgery and his face is broken. 120 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 1: He's a good player, but he's not the dominant player 121 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 1: he was two months ago when he was to a 122 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:51,359 Speaker 1: thirty seven and eighteen and four blocks on the reg Like, 123 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:54,560 Speaker 1: he's just not that guy right now. I mean, they're 124 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:59,000 Speaker 1: putting Bam out of Bio on Harden and Maxie and 125 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 1: they're letting Jimmy Butler and p J. Tucker tussled with 126 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 1: him Bead to kind of slow him down. So like, 127 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:10,440 Speaker 1: trust me and beat is just not right this moment. 128 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 1: He's not. And for the Curry haters who are scoffing, Oh, 129 00:07:13,320 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: by the way, Steph Curry thirty two points. I think 130 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 1: he had eighteen in the fourth quarter, Okay, but you know, 131 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: winning time, clutch time. We always talk about Kyrie Irving 132 00:07:24,760 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: not a winning player. Stef created eighteen in the fourth 133 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 1: I think he was six for six from the line 134 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: in the final ninety seconds. That's winning, that's clutch. That's 135 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 1: what he does. So I know Tatum has not been 136 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 1: incredible in the series. His shooting percentagees they're down a 137 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 1: bit again. When you're facing Janice and Drew Holiday, two 138 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: of the I don't know ten best defenders in the league. 139 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:48,800 Speaker 1: Tatum shooting thirty seven percent from the field, which is 140 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: Clay Thompson like from three, averaging five and five from 141 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 1: the line. Like he's having a good series, not great, 142 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 1: but they're at two two and it's mostly because of 143 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 1: what he did in the final six minutes of the 144 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 1: fourth quarter on the road against the defending champs. Now, Rob, 145 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 1: I'm sure there will be a lot of pushback on 146 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 1: Tatum being a top five player, But I had guys 147 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 1: asking me who would you rather build around Luca or Tatum, 148 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 1: And I'm like, I can't answer that. Those are like, 149 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 1: you know, like when you pass the baton, I think, 150 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 1: you know, the baton for best player was like Lebron 151 00:08:26,440 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 1: and then Kevin Durant and then I think Lebron got 152 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:33,360 Speaker 1: it back, and I think Janice has it now like 153 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:37,680 Speaker 1: it's evolving constantly. But I think Tatum is in the 154 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: running to get that in the next five years. And 155 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 1: I know that's gonna sound insane to some people, but 156 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:47,480 Speaker 1: when you watch Jayson Tatum, he is one of the 157 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 1: best one on one players in the league. He's right 158 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:53,560 Speaker 1: there with the Kobe Bryant skill set, like that's what 159 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 1: his bag is ridiculous. He the way he can take 160 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 1: over games. I'm just reminding you, guys against Kevin Durant 161 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:05,439 Speaker 1: last round, forty from the field for from three average 162 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:09,360 Speaker 1: twenty nine and seven assists. And oh, by the way, 163 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 1: he blocked Kevin Durant shot a couple of times. Like 164 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 1: this guy is one of the best players in the league. 165 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 1: And I get bunch of guys, yeah, he's not it. 166 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:21,440 Speaker 1: And my second layer to this, which I'll get to, 167 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 1: I need Rob's input before I continue down this road 168 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 1: of Jayson Tatum a top five player, but when I 169 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:33,240 Speaker 1: watch him, I think there aren't five guys in the 170 00:09:33,320 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 1: league I'd rather start a team around than Jayson Tatum. 171 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 1: I mean, yeah, Luca, but I'll tell you right now, 172 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:41,319 Speaker 1: like I'm not starting a team around the center. I'm 173 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: not building around Yoka Cher and Beat I'm not doing that. 174 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:45,960 Speaker 1: Look at these playoffs. You need a wing. Look at 175 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: Memphis down the stretch against Golden State trying desperately to 176 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 1: cling to a lead without John Morant, and who do 177 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 1: they have for offense? They got nothing. You can't go 178 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:57,599 Speaker 1: to Steven Adams, you can't go to Jaren Jackson. I 179 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:00,000 Speaker 1: mean Jared Jackson tried like a twenty seven ft three 180 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:03,160 Speaker 1: point where there was there was blocked by Draymond. You 181 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:06,840 Speaker 1: can't build around Biggs right now. I know Jason and 182 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:09,079 Speaker 1: Beat hit that three against the Raptors. I got it, okay, 183 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 1: nice first round Raptors favorite, settled down. I can't build 184 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 1: around Biggs right now. I mean, looking forward, it's like 185 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 1: it's it's Janice, it's Tatum, and and it's it's Luca. 186 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:26,560 Speaker 1: That's I think the next gen now Zion can make 187 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,320 Speaker 1: a case in John Moran will ultimately have a say 188 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 1: they get the right pieces around them. But I don't 189 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: know to talk to me off the ledge, rob Am, 190 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 1: I going crazy here early under Tuesday Morning. Well you 191 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: said a lot during that runt, so I'm gonna try to, 192 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:43,440 Speaker 1: you know, parse it out as best as possible. Um. 193 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 1: I am a huge fan of Jayson Tatum, uh or. 194 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:49,520 Speaker 1: I'd like to call him hashtag future Laker Jayson Tatum 195 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 1: because I think he's coming in a couple of years. 196 00:10:52,040 --> 00:10:55,960 Speaker 1: But that's that's besides the point. Um. I can't fully 197 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:57,959 Speaker 1: get on board with your take that he is the 198 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:03,280 Speaker 1: top five player right now because during this postseason, he 199 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 1: has yet to really put it all together in the 200 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: way that he did in the second half of the 201 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 1: regular season. In the Brooklyn series, I know, his numbers 202 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:15,840 Speaker 1: were were, you know, great, there was a twenty nine, 203 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:18,679 Speaker 1: four and seven and and But what I thought stood 204 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 1: out to me was the defense. And you pointed out 205 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:23,960 Speaker 1: his defense on Kevin Durant was at last. It was 206 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:25,599 Speaker 1: some of the best defense I've seen on k D 207 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:31,960 Speaker 1: probably since he was like what like this the SuperSonics days, Like, 208 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 1: I haven't seen anybody really challenged Kevin Durant like that 209 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:40,079 Speaker 1: in a very, very long time. In this Milwaukee series, 210 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:43,199 Speaker 1: I mean, it's hard to really get it a feel 211 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 1: for it because the first two games were blowout. Was 212 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 1: the third game he was terrible. The fourth game he 213 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:53,480 Speaker 1: was super clutch, he was great. Unfortunately for him, he's 214 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 1: been very uneven. Just looking at the Baker, I know, 215 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: if if the eye test will tell you, he's been 216 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:00,960 Speaker 1: at that worst they can best player on the floor 217 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,880 Speaker 1: and pretty much every game he's played. But he's now 218 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 1: played eight playoff games in this In this run, three 219 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 1: of the games he shot under thirty three of them 220 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:14,319 Speaker 1: he shot over. So it's been a little bit inconsistent 221 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: from him on the offensive end, and I don't know 222 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:20,200 Speaker 1: if he's really being challenged in the same way defensively 223 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:23,439 Speaker 1: in this year. He's just because you know, Milwaukee doesn't 224 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:25,280 Speaker 1: have a wing guy to go to right now because 225 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 1: of of Middleton being out, and Janice is just too big. 226 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 1: It's not fair to expect him to slow down Jannie. 227 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:35,480 Speaker 1: So until you see him put it all together, where 228 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:37,679 Speaker 1: he is defending the wing the way he did against 229 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:40,599 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant, where he's scoring the way that he was 230 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: scoring in the regular season, where he is clutch in 231 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:47,079 Speaker 1: the same way he was clutched last night against Milwaukee, 232 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 1: I think then that's where I'll be able to be 233 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 1: more on board with him being a top five player. 234 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 1: But for now, I think that's a little bit prettymature, 235 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: real quick to counter. I looked at Janice um his 236 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:05,000 Speaker 1: shooting percentages to last night Game three, three, game two, forty, 237 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:08,400 Speaker 1: game one, thirty six. Listen, it gets tougher in the playoffs. 238 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:11,439 Speaker 1: Right there there, we know defenses are much tougher. It 239 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 1: is difficult to find open shots and open looks because people, 240 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:19,120 Speaker 1: you know, other than the Memphis Squizzlies play actual defense. 241 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 1: So you know, I understand the shooting percentages down a bit. 242 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: They're obviously look sub forty is not ideal, obviously, um, 243 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 1: but I'm just curious, who would you replace Tatum with 244 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:33,680 Speaker 1: in the top five. I was local Kevin Durant. I 245 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 1: think Kevin Durant as until further notice, he's at worst 246 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 1: the second best player in the NBA. That's in my opinion. 247 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 1: But I will I have something that I don't know 248 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 1: if this is a hot take, but this might make 249 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 1: you feel good about your Tatum uh take that you had. There. 250 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 1: Given the choice to choose who I'd rather have to 251 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:56,080 Speaker 1: build my team around, Luca or Tatum, I'm taking Tatum 252 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 1: over Luca over Luca, and and here's the reason why 253 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:07,080 Speaker 1: Luca is phenomenal. He is tremendous. However, I believe that 254 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 1: there is a cap as to how good your team 255 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:12,960 Speaker 1: can be when your best player doesn't really play any 256 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 1: defense and doesn't do much out off the ball. Because 257 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:18,760 Speaker 1: if Luca does not have the ball in his hands, 258 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 1: he is what of what his peak can be like. 259 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:26,520 Speaker 1: He's not he's not a dead eye shooter from the outside. 260 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: He doesn't move without the ball because he's not in 261 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:31,120 Speaker 1: shape enough and he doesn't defend. So I believe that 262 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 1: it's easier to build around a guy like Tatum, even 263 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 1: though I think Luca has that Lebron factory. But Luca 264 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 1: and four guys and will probably lead you to the 265 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:41,200 Speaker 1: playoffs just because he's that good. But if I'm trying 266 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 1: to win a championship, I think you got Jason Tatum, 267 00:14:44,120 --> 00:14:46,040 Speaker 1: who can defend their best player. He can score, he 268 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:48,640 Speaker 1: can pass it a little bit again rebound. I think 269 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,320 Speaker 1: it's easier to find a guy to fit next to 270 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 1: him and have that person be the best version of 271 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 1: themselves than it is to the guy like Luca. I 272 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 1: don't disagree with that. While we're on lack of defense, 273 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: who plays Steve, John morantor Luca. Fox Sports Radio has 274 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all 275 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:13,440 Speaker 1: of our shows at Fox sports Radio dot com and 276 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 1: within the I Heart Radio app search f s R 277 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 1: to listen live. So the other thing, I noticed Rob 278 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 1: in Celtics Milwaukee. And this is a bit of a rant, 279 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 1: and I had to write something down here because I 280 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:28,080 Speaker 1: wanted to break it down a little bit. So Drew 281 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 1: Holiday is a really good player, right, He was a 282 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:36,040 Speaker 1: number two to Anthony Davis in New Orleans and you 283 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 1: know All Star a couple of times, but then he 284 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,360 Speaker 1: goes to Milwaukee and makes the jump to oh, Drew 285 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:44,920 Speaker 1: Holiday like he's awesome. He's a great defender. But he 286 00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:47,000 Speaker 1: went from being a two in New Orleans right to 287 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 1: a three after Janice and Middleton and Drew Holiday is 288 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 1: the perfect three. We would agree on that, everybody would agree. 289 00:15:55,440 --> 00:16:00,120 Speaker 1: But with Middleton out, Drew Holiday has had to if 290 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 1: it rolls to be the number two. And wouldn't you 291 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 1: know it, but Drew Holiday in the number two spot. 292 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 1: It's kind of going through it. And again, this is 293 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 1: not a knock on him. It's man on one side, 294 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 1: you gotta go defend Jaylen Brown, Jason Tatum, Marcus Smart 295 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 1: and then, oh, by the way, we need your offense 296 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:26,400 Speaker 1: because Chris Middleton, an All Star, is out and and 297 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 1: I feel a little bad because Holidays, for all accounts 298 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:30,280 Speaker 1: is a good guy and I know a couple of 299 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 1: dudes who know him. And this is not a knock 300 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:37,040 Speaker 1: but I looked it up. Rob during the season, he's 301 00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: between eleven to sixteen shots a night, right, that's what 302 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 1: like a third guy is eleven to sixteen shots a 303 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 1: night go we'll look at his monthly numbers, but due 304 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 1: to the injury to Middleton, he's up to twenty three 305 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: shots a night in this Boston series, and he's strongly 306 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:57,080 Speaker 1: he was five for twenty two last night. He's shooting 307 00:16:57,160 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 1: thirty from the series from the field than the series 308 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:06,120 Speaker 1: from three and he's just not a number two. And 309 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 1: and this is not a knock, but it just shows 310 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 1: this is why I think the defending champs are done 311 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:16,119 Speaker 1: if Middleton doesn't come back like it is hugely difficult 312 00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:18,920 Speaker 1: to win when you lose a one or two or two. 313 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:20,879 Speaker 1: And I looked at this Robin. Let's see if we 314 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: agree on this, right, So, going by Janice is of 315 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:27,440 Speaker 1: one Middleton to Holiday three. Would you agree Tatum Brown 316 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:31,280 Speaker 1: Smart are the one to three? Yes? Okay, So when 317 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 1: you get thirty points from Alford, that is absolute gravy 318 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:37,679 Speaker 1: and you're gonna win that game. When you get a 319 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:40,840 Speaker 1: non top three guy going postal, you're gonna get something awesome. 320 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:46,040 Speaker 1: Sixs Now, this one just stay with me. People embid 321 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: Hardened Harris. Okay, that was the projection when they got 322 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:54,280 Speaker 1: Hardened right much of the season, obviously, the emergence of Tyrese. 323 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,879 Speaker 1: Maxie helps them, and that's why they're a contender, because 324 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:00,359 Speaker 1: you have a guy like Maxie who probably is in 325 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:03,879 Speaker 1: that top three, but he's not always legit in the 326 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:06,600 Speaker 1: top three, right, He's still a young guy and prone to, 327 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:10,360 Speaker 1: you know, streakiness. I think that's a good top three. Now, 328 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 1: Harris can disappear, but again, Maxie could give you thirty tomorrow, 329 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:17,639 Speaker 1: right that That's how exploded to that trio is Miami's 330 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:22,119 Speaker 1: is difficult? Butler number one. I went Hero Bam for 331 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,640 Speaker 1: two three. I know people are gonna argue Lowry based 332 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:28,399 Speaker 1: on his salary, but given his age and the numbers 333 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 1: this year, I think it's Butler, Hero Obam And if 334 00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:34,359 Speaker 1: you just look at those top three in each I 335 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:38,600 Speaker 1: think Miami pretty much has the weakest trio, right Butler 336 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:41,160 Speaker 1: Hero Obam And I love Butler, And you would say 337 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:44,000 Speaker 1: without Middleton will Ship, it's gonna be Boston in the 338 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 1: sixers in the conference finals, and I think that's where 339 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:49,439 Speaker 1: we may be headed. Let's see what happens tonight with 340 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:51,680 Speaker 1: the huge game. But then I go to the West 341 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: and Rob we can use this as a pivot point 342 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: to get to Golden State. Memphis again the Big three 343 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 1: Golden State. Now you're going to disagree here, as most 344 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:04,679 Speaker 1: people would Curry Clay Wiggins. I think that was the 345 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:09,760 Speaker 1: projection coming in right. But Jordan's Pool is like a 346 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 1: Maxie in that he's just gonna go volcanic and erupt. 347 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:18,000 Speaker 1: And he's not really a four or five. He's really 348 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:20,880 Speaker 1: your two. And Clay, by the way, I can't continue 349 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 1: to kill Clay, but goodness gracious, he just can't. He 350 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:27,680 Speaker 1: can't make any shots, like he's just I don't know 351 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 1: what's wrong with the guy. Like that late turnover, You're 352 00:19:29,800 --> 00:19:32,320 Speaker 1: just like, are they gonna sub him out? Like he's 353 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,920 Speaker 1: really he's on the struggle bus. Clay cannot do anything right. 354 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 1: Um oh for seven from deep Again in game four 355 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 1: he's shooting tent from three. He's still jacking. But they 356 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:46,560 Speaker 1: have pool, which is why they're fine. Sons. I went 357 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:50,120 Speaker 1: Booker CP three eight and again you get a guy 358 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 1: like Mile Bridges who's gonna have thirty one points in 359 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:54,919 Speaker 1: the decisive Game five against the Pelicans. You're winning that 360 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:57,600 Speaker 1: game if you can get someone else to go off. 361 00:19:58,080 --> 00:20:02,679 Speaker 1: Jordan Poole, Terry Smack see uh mckel Bridges, Al Horford 362 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:08,720 Speaker 1: You're in great shape, Dallas, perfect situation. I went Luca Brunson, Dinwoodie, 363 00:20:08,840 --> 00:20:10,639 Speaker 1: but it's starting to look like Din wed He's not 364 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:13,840 Speaker 1: the three anymore. And when you get Dorrian Finney Smith 365 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 1: hitting eight three pointers, you're gonna win, which brings us 366 00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:21,920 Speaker 1: to Memphis. And when you hear this, you're gonna be like, 367 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:25,480 Speaker 1: how the hell are these guys here? John Moran obviously one, 368 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:29,720 Speaker 1: but I think Jaren Jackson's too, or was too and 369 00:20:29,800 --> 00:20:33,680 Speaker 1: Desmond Bain three. Desmond Bain's back as balky. It's hurt. 370 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:36,280 Speaker 1: He's not the same guy. His numbers are missed priced. 371 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:38,800 Speaker 1: It was an easy underwinner on his point total. I 372 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:40,440 Speaker 1: think it was eighteen and a half and he ended 373 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:43,000 Speaker 1: up with like nine points. He's not even shooting last 374 00:20:43,119 --> 00:20:47,399 Speaker 1: round against Minnesota, he was the best player on their team. 375 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:50,960 Speaker 1: And Jaren Jackson, listen, I don't I don't want to 376 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:53,080 Speaker 1: go as far as like I called Karl Anthony towns 377 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:55,879 Speaker 1: of fraud and people thought that was a little harsh. 378 00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:58,880 Speaker 1: Jaren Jackson's not a fraud. This is just what he is, right. 379 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:01,879 Speaker 1: Jaren Jackson as a guy who's going to give you 380 00:21:01,920 --> 00:21:05,159 Speaker 1: fifteen five fouls, ten rebounds, it's some really dumb place. 381 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 1: But he's a good defender, so so you need him 382 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:10,080 Speaker 1: in there and then John Moran out. So like, how 383 00:21:10,119 --> 00:21:14,840 Speaker 1: did Memphis have any chance at all in Game four? Well, 384 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:17,120 Speaker 1: this comes and it's not because Steve Kerr was out 385 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:20,119 Speaker 1: with COVID and Mike Brown was filling in. It's because 386 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:24,280 Speaker 1: John Morant doesn't play a lick of defense. Rob And 387 00:21:24,359 --> 00:21:26,480 Speaker 1: I know people want to kill Luca. I mean you 388 00:21:26,520 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 1: even took a job at him. Luca doesn't play d 389 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:31,040 Speaker 1: and he's not a great defender. But if he's not great, 390 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:36,040 Speaker 1: explain to me how Memphis nearly won that game in 391 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:39,760 Speaker 1: Golden State without their alleged best player, who everybody thinks 392 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:42,480 Speaker 1: he's a top ten player. I don't know that he is. 393 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 1: Oh well yeah, yeah, I'm rolling, I'm excited. Well look, 394 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: I mean I know that the Memphis at least were 395 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:55,919 Speaker 1: twenty and five entering last night's game without John Moran. However, 396 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:58,320 Speaker 1: they have lost four in a row without John Morant, 397 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:01,760 Speaker 1: so it seems like the NBA has called up to them. Um, 398 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:05,480 Speaker 1: I wouldn't say that they're better without John Morant or 399 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:10,960 Speaker 1: anything like that. You know, to your point, the Warriors 400 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:13,400 Speaker 1: slept walk through most of that game like they were. 401 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:16,800 Speaker 1: They were off to a historically slow start relative to 402 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:18,560 Speaker 1: the way they were shooting the ball, especially from deep. 403 00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:24,800 Speaker 1: And I know Clay Thompson's struggling, but in what world 404 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:30,480 Speaker 1: do you expect Pool Curry Thompson to shoot a combined 405 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:34,040 Speaker 1: four for twenty four from three point land like that. 406 00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:36,160 Speaker 1: That's just not something you can count on. There there's 407 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:38,880 Speaker 1: things that you can say. Look, we should be able 408 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:41,560 Speaker 1: to beat them on the defensive boards, which Memphis has 409 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:43,520 Speaker 1: not done this entire series, which is really might be 410 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:45,320 Speaker 1: there their biggest achilles heal, because they were the best 411 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:47,840 Speaker 1: rebounding team in the NBA come into this this round. 412 00:22:48,359 --> 00:22:51,360 Speaker 1: We should be able to switch all of their actions 413 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:53,960 Speaker 1: because for all of their bald movement and player movement, 414 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:56,800 Speaker 1: the Gold State War is not very athletic. They're not 415 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:58,520 Speaker 1: very big. We should be able to just kind of 416 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:04,440 Speaker 1: cross match whatever they do. But Desmond Bane is hurt, 417 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:07,720 Speaker 1: John Morant is now hurt. Dylan Brooks was suspended and 418 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 1: then proceeded to come back and have what I think 419 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 1: is the worst game in NBA history. Oh gosh, people 420 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:15,640 Speaker 1: are killing Dylan. Look, let me just say this He's 421 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:18,240 Speaker 1: lucky he's not a Laker, because I promise you that's 422 00:23:18,280 --> 00:23:19,840 Speaker 1: the kind of game that gets you traded in the 423 00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:22,760 Speaker 1: off season when you're in a big market team with 424 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:27,480 Speaker 1: like legitimate championship aspirations every season, and you turn into 425 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:30,440 Speaker 1: performance like that off of a suspension five of nineteen, 426 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:33,960 Speaker 1: including what Jim Jackson, who was the nicest guy I 427 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:36,119 Speaker 1: think in all of sports media. He's a friend of 428 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:38,720 Speaker 1: both of ours. He's like, look, man, Dylon Brooks playing 429 00:23:38,720 --> 00:23:40,280 Speaker 1: a little bit here, too much hero ball and that 430 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:42,159 Speaker 1: could be a kind of costume there that last that 431 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:45,840 Speaker 1: last possession. Let me just interrupt. Dylan Brooks miss fourteen shots? 432 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:49,800 Speaker 1: You know who else miss fourteen shots? Johnson? I mean, 433 00:23:49,840 --> 00:23:53,320 Speaker 1: I Clay was that It was a I thought Rob honestly, 434 00:23:53,359 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 1: I thought down the stretch he wasn't in the game 435 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:57,320 Speaker 1: at the seven minute mark, the six minute mark, I 436 00:23:57,400 --> 00:23:59,040 Speaker 1: was like, oh my gosh, are they gonna bend him 437 00:23:59,040 --> 00:24:01,480 Speaker 1: down the stretch? And then they subdoubt Otto Porter, who 438 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:04,240 Speaker 1: was pretty good for Golden State. Uh continue. That was 439 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 1: one of those reputations of like, you know, but you know, 440 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:12,359 Speaker 1: I just don't think that the way Memphis is built 441 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:15,960 Speaker 1: that they're built to win at a high level in 442 00:24:16,160 --> 00:24:18,960 Speaker 1: this level and the playoffs without John Moran, which is 443 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 1: why I don't think they can they can say that 444 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:24,680 Speaker 1: they're better without him. Yeah, I mean, it's it's being 445 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:28,120 Speaker 1: a little silly. I think I'm just needling the John 446 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:31,080 Speaker 1: Moran crowd a little bit with the whole, like they're 447 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:34,960 Speaker 1: better without him. But I mean Golden State had let 448 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:37,880 Speaker 1: me see, is that correct? Thirty eight points at halftime? 449 00:24:38,840 --> 00:24:41,119 Speaker 1: That doesn't happen. They just dropped a hundred and forty 450 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:44,480 Speaker 1: eight on you, guys. If Jack comes back, and I 451 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:47,880 Speaker 1: don't doesn't sound like you. He wasn't even like going. 452 00:24:48,160 --> 00:24:50,000 Speaker 1: He didn't even go through warm ups right or shoot 453 00:24:50,040 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 1: around or anything like. That's not a good sign. It 454 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:55,920 Speaker 1: wasn't like he's close and there's not any extra time off, 455 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:59,960 Speaker 1: So I don't feel optimistic. Um, But I am curious 456 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:02,240 Speaker 1: where where are you on the whole? Like you need 457 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:06,160 Speaker 1: three guys And yeah, I know they're not in the playoffs, 458 00:25:06,160 --> 00:25:08,159 Speaker 1: but I'm curious who's the third guy on the Lakers? 459 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:11,479 Speaker 1: Is it Malik Monk, It ain't Westbrook. I mean at 460 00:25:11,560 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 1: this point in the you know, I don't know if 461 00:25:13,600 --> 00:25:15,320 Speaker 1: they have three guys in their rosters and then they're 462 00:25:15,320 --> 00:25:18,280 Speaker 1: all free agents. So but yeah, I guess you would 463 00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:20,679 Speaker 1: say Malik Monk is probably the third guy. I don't 464 00:25:20,760 --> 00:25:25,520 Speaker 1: think that you necessarily need a big three, so to speak, 465 00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:29,880 Speaker 1: provided that your top two are legitimate, you know, all 466 00:25:29,920 --> 00:25:35,400 Speaker 1: star caliber players, and your three through five, three through 467 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:40,080 Speaker 1: six is kind of interchangeable because I mean, Memphis is 468 00:25:40,119 --> 00:25:42,720 Speaker 1: kind of the perfect example. They have one, which is 469 00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:45,960 Speaker 1: John Morant. You can call Jared Jackson to two. I 470 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:48,959 Speaker 1: don't personally see it because he's been hurt for so many, 471 00:25:49,040 --> 00:25:50,520 Speaker 1: you know, years of his career. It is hard for 472 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:52,760 Speaker 1: me to really say that he's definitely their second miss player. 473 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:55,200 Speaker 1: But what they're saving graces is why they win so 474 00:25:55,280 --> 00:25:59,000 Speaker 1: much in the regular season. Is that Desmond Bane, Dylan Brooks, 475 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:03,080 Speaker 1: you know, uh Tyas Jones, Brandon Clark, all of those 476 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:05,800 Speaker 1: guys on any given night can give you twenty So 477 00:26:05,840 --> 00:26:08,399 Speaker 1: if you have enough of those guys, you know you 478 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:09,920 Speaker 1: can you can win a lot of games. It's just 479 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:11,920 Speaker 1: when you get into the postseason is where it gets 480 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:15,360 Speaker 1: really tight. And that's the key. Like in the postseed, 481 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:17,920 Speaker 1: like you're right in the regular season, you know you've 482 00:26:17,920 --> 00:26:21,480 Speaker 1: got guys you can win. You know, that's fine, But 483 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:25,840 Speaker 1: when it comes to the playoffs, we're seeing guys um 484 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:29,160 Speaker 1: Datum struggling and still Boston's in this. I mean, you're 485 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:31,640 Speaker 1: seeing what Phoenix is doing. Luca Donche, it doesn't matter. 486 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:35,840 Speaker 1: He's getting his um Curry bad night, but still comes 487 00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:38,600 Speaker 1: through with the free throws like DeAndre Ayton ghost Like 488 00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:40,800 Speaker 1: I haven't, I have a feeling he could go off tonight. 489 00:26:41,520 --> 00:26:44,440 Speaker 1: Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in 490 00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 1: the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox sports 491 00:26:47,560 --> 00:26:50,680 Speaker 1: Radio dot com and within the I Heart Radio app 492 00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 1: search f s R to listen live. The only thing 493 00:26:55,800 --> 00:26:59,880 Speaker 1: better than sitting on your couch watching the games, make 494 00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:07,119 Speaker 1: money while you do it. Here's your best beat. By 495 00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:09,160 Speaker 1: the way, I guess we should probably get in to 496 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:12,600 Speaker 1: tonight's games unless you have further thoughts on the Warriors, 497 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:16,840 Speaker 1: who if they win this and the Maps are able 498 00:27:16,880 --> 00:27:20,960 Speaker 1: to push it to seven, I guess we could make 499 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 1: an argument that this hugely helps Golden State and Phoenix, 500 00:27:26,520 --> 00:27:29,640 Speaker 1: which has an old Chris paul and injury prone Chris 501 00:27:29,680 --> 00:27:32,760 Speaker 1: paul Um, comes out the loser, even though they do 502 00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:36,000 Speaker 1: have home court advantage. But I'm hopeful in that scenario 503 00:27:36,440 --> 00:27:38,040 Speaker 1: I just thought i'd get that off my chest. It's 504 00:27:38,040 --> 00:27:41,520 Speaker 1: a Warrior's fail. Well, let me just say that, assuming 505 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:43,000 Speaker 1: in the Golden State war At this done in five, 506 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 1: which I think they will before the series, so I 507 00:27:45,119 --> 00:27:48,439 Speaker 1: feel smart about that one. Whoever they get between Dallas 508 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:52,720 Speaker 1: and Phoenix, I think you're gonna see some massive matchup issues. 509 00:27:53,119 --> 00:27:56,160 Speaker 1: If it's Luca for for either for whatever, If it's 510 00:27:56,200 --> 00:27:59,639 Speaker 1: Phoenix or Dallas, who whoever one comes into that next round. 511 00:28:00,040 --> 00:28:02,840 Speaker 1: Either Luca is gonna average fort twelve and ten because 512 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:06,960 Speaker 1: there's absolutely nobody on that Golden State Warriors roster that 513 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:09,800 Speaker 1: can that can match up with him physically, or DeAndre 514 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 1: Aden is gonna be looking like the future what is it? 515 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:16,879 Speaker 1: Max contract extension Deandred because he's gonna be giving you 516 00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:20,320 Speaker 1: twenty five and seventeen because they have no size over there. 517 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:22,880 Speaker 1: You know you think Warriors lose to either, I don't 518 00:28:22,920 --> 00:28:25,080 Speaker 1: think that. I think that there there's some of their 519 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:28,159 Speaker 1: parts is probably where I would probably lean Warriors in 520 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:30,199 Speaker 1: either of those series. But it's just gonna be one 521 00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:32,040 Speaker 1: of those ones where everyone's gonna be talking about, Wow, 522 00:28:32,080 --> 00:28:34,160 Speaker 1: can you believe what Luca did? Wow? Can you see 523 00:28:34,160 --> 00:28:36,760 Speaker 1: what DeAndre is definitely worthy of a max contract. You 524 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 1: see what he did the Golden statement. It's like, well, yeah, 525 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:40,840 Speaker 1: either one of those guys are doing to those It's 526 00:28:40,840 --> 00:28:45,160 Speaker 1: funny you mentioned Luca. I've noticed that Tius Jones, the 527 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 1: former Duke point guard. He was really good people. I 528 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:49,840 Speaker 1: don't people don't talk about him enough. I think he's 529 00:28:49,840 --> 00:28:51,640 Speaker 1: one of the better backup point guards in the league. 530 00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:54,960 Speaker 1: He had nineteen six and five one turnover in forty 531 00:28:54,960 --> 00:28:59,080 Speaker 1: one minutes. That's pretty damn good. And the Warriors put 532 00:28:59,080 --> 00:29:01,240 Speaker 1: Andrew Wiggins on him down the stretch like that's their 533 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:05,120 Speaker 1: defensive stopper. It ain't Clay Okay, Jordan Pool doesn't guard anybody, 534 00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:08,680 Speaker 1: and they hide Curry. So Andrew Wiggins was supposed to 535 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:11,360 Speaker 1: be the defensive stopper. Is that the guy they're gonna 536 00:29:11,360 --> 00:29:16,680 Speaker 1: put on Luca? Dontrich Draymond on him because Draymond will 537 00:29:16,680 --> 00:29:19,120 Speaker 1: get a foul trouble. So you're right that that's a 538 00:29:19,160 --> 00:29:21,360 Speaker 1: tough matchup. I need to look at the season series. 539 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:22,840 Speaker 1: I don't want to get ahead of myself because they 540 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:25,760 Speaker 1: might not even advance. But um, any any thoughts on 541 00:29:25,800 --> 00:29:28,600 Speaker 1: tonight's games. I have a feeling the home teams hold serves, 542 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:30,320 Speaker 1: so I would I would look at the money line, 543 00:29:30,400 --> 00:29:33,280 Speaker 1: parlay on the Heat winning at home, and um, the 544 00:29:33,320 --> 00:29:36,160 Speaker 1: Sun's winning as well. I'm so upset that you said 545 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:38,680 Speaker 1: that because I like, look, I know a little bit 546 00:29:38,720 --> 00:29:41,320 Speaker 1: about sports wage you're definitely not as much as you. 547 00:29:41,720 --> 00:29:43,680 Speaker 1: So where I make my money is on the money 548 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:47,880 Speaker 1: line stuff. I'm getting very small, very small incremental winds, 549 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:50,280 Speaker 1: but I'm getting them. And you know you're you're good 550 00:29:50,280 --> 00:29:52,680 Speaker 1: with the teasers and the spread and everything like that. 551 00:29:53,120 --> 00:29:55,520 Speaker 1: So if you tell me to pick these games, I 552 00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:56,960 Speaker 1: want to take the Heat in the Sun. But when 553 00:29:56,960 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 1: you tell me Soun's mine is six, and I'm just like, oh, 554 00:30:00,280 --> 00:30:02,320 Speaker 1: I don't know about that. And that's why it's easy 555 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:04,200 Speaker 1: for me to cop out and say, just give me 556 00:30:04,240 --> 00:30:06,040 Speaker 1: the money line and I want you to take the 557 00:30:06,040 --> 00:30:08,600 Speaker 1: tough answers with the with the spread. So when you 558 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:11,320 Speaker 1: do that to me, I mean, listen. I haven't bet 559 00:30:11,360 --> 00:30:13,520 Speaker 1: a lot of spread sides because I don't think there's 560 00:30:13,520 --> 00:30:16,200 Speaker 1: an edge. I mean, I thought Boston Milwaukee last night 561 00:30:16,280 --> 00:30:19,959 Speaker 1: was a coin toss. I'm not betting on the Warriors 562 00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:21,840 Speaker 1: saver by ten and a half when I don't know 563 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:23,600 Speaker 1: if John RAN's gonna play. So I didn't even take 564 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:27,080 Speaker 1: a side, and the sides have been tough. That's honestly there, 565 00:30:27,120 --> 00:30:31,040 Speaker 1: I don't know that there's an edge there. Um and 566 00:30:31,040 --> 00:30:34,240 Speaker 1: and frankly, like, I think the Sixers could win this 567 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:36,600 Speaker 1: game out right, we haven't seen him be he'd go 568 00:30:36,640 --> 00:30:39,080 Speaker 1: to Miami during the series. I mean, they looked awful 569 00:30:39,120 --> 00:30:42,520 Speaker 1: without him, and with him they look competent. Miami should 570 00:30:42,560 --> 00:30:46,240 Speaker 1: make threes at home and win. And you know, I'm 571 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:49,360 Speaker 1: my problem with Dallas Phoenix is rob I'm openly rooting 572 00:30:49,400 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 1: for the Mavericks like I want them to win. I 573 00:30:52,320 --> 00:30:55,800 Speaker 1: want Luca to advance like for me, he's the show. 574 00:30:55,880 --> 00:30:57,840 Speaker 1: You know, I'm not a huge Chris Paul guy. And 575 00:30:57,880 --> 00:30:59,680 Speaker 1: by the way, just to put a bow on the 576 00:30:59,760 --> 00:31:02,600 Speaker 1: Chris Paul mom thing. Did you see the statement that 577 00:31:02,720 --> 00:31:08,400 Speaker 1: was released the unwanted hugs? Yeah, this is crazy. I'll 578 00:31:08,400 --> 00:31:11,200 Speaker 1: get the exact wording here because I uh oh here 579 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:15,240 Speaker 1: it is American Airline Center and the MAVs security concluded 580 00:31:16,120 --> 00:31:20,200 Speaker 1: the incident was too unruly. Fans attempted to give unwanted 581 00:31:20,320 --> 00:31:25,479 Speaker 1: hugs and have conversations with Chris Paul's family on the 582 00:31:25,520 --> 00:31:28,480 Speaker 1: public concourse so Chris Paul's mom is walking around in 583 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:34,760 Speaker 1: general population with the unwashed masses. Okay, Um, so the 584 00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:37,040 Speaker 1: fans have will not be allowed to return to the 585 00:31:37,080 --> 00:31:41,160 Speaker 1: arena until so I guess they're suspended for the rest 586 00:31:41,160 --> 00:31:46,760 Speaker 1: of the calendar year. But Rob, first of all, who 587 00:31:46,840 --> 00:31:51,880 Speaker 1: wants to hug Chris Paul's I'm assuming sixty year old mom? Like, 588 00:31:52,880 --> 00:31:55,440 Speaker 1: what is that about? Was it a drunk I asking 589 00:31:55,520 --> 00:31:58,000 Speaker 1: can I hug you? Well? Wasn't it that the young 590 00:31:58,040 --> 00:32:00,000 Speaker 1: kid that we were talking about yesterday from the video? 591 00:32:00,040 --> 00:32:02,120 Speaker 1: That's who I thought? Why would a seventeen year old 592 00:32:02,200 --> 00:32:04,800 Speaker 1: kid want to hug Chris Paul's mom. Is it possible 593 00:32:04,840 --> 00:32:07,600 Speaker 1: Chris Paul got the wrong person? My My initial thought 594 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:09,680 Speaker 1: after reading that, you know, I don't know if you 595 00:32:09,720 --> 00:32:11,760 Speaker 1: call it a report, but that press release that got 596 00:32:11,760 --> 00:32:14,800 Speaker 1: put out by the MAVs was this was one of 597 00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:17,720 Speaker 1: those situations where you have a fan or in this case, 598 00:32:17,720 --> 00:32:19,880 Speaker 1: two fans who are very excited about what's going on. 599 00:32:20,760 --> 00:32:23,040 Speaker 1: They're a little bit obnoxious, and they go and put 600 00:32:23,080 --> 00:32:26,040 Speaker 1: their arms around somebody and say, hey, look what's going on? Yeah, 601 00:32:26,200 --> 00:32:29,000 Speaker 1: go MAVs, what's up with your sons? What's going on 602 00:32:29,040 --> 00:32:31,840 Speaker 1: with Chris Paul blah blah blah, And it's not really 603 00:32:31,880 --> 00:32:34,000 Speaker 1: a threat, but it's enough to just make somebody feel 604 00:32:34,080 --> 00:32:37,560 Speaker 1: uncomfortable because someone's in your personal space. Usually you see 605 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:39,880 Speaker 1: that with drunk people. In this case, I think that 606 00:32:39,920 --> 00:32:42,040 Speaker 1: guy may have been too young to be drunk, and 607 00:32:42,080 --> 00:32:45,440 Speaker 1: it was just you know, overly excited. So it definitely 608 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:47,640 Speaker 1: was not the threat put hands on me the way 609 00:32:47,720 --> 00:32:50,960 Speaker 1: that Chris Paul tweeted out. Though, yeah, yeah, that made 610 00:32:50,960 --> 00:32:54,240 Speaker 1: it look bad. Um at any rate. All right, so 611 00:32:54,960 --> 00:32:59,000 Speaker 1: do we have it? Um? I these this playoffs have 612 00:32:59,080 --> 00:33:03,920 Speaker 1: been tremendous, Like they're really the games the drama. I 613 00:33:03,960 --> 00:33:07,360 Speaker 1: think tonight the Sixers heat will finally have a really 614 00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:09,480 Speaker 1: good game. They haven't had like a five minutes left, 615 00:33:09,480 --> 00:33:12,760 Speaker 1: one possession game yet. UM. Game four was kind of close, 616 00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:16,120 Speaker 1: but not that close. Harden had had some at some moments. 617 00:33:16,280 --> 00:33:18,960 Speaker 1: But if Philly wins, man, my mentions are gonna be 618 00:33:19,040 --> 00:33:23,440 Speaker 1: all blown up. Ro you know, I've I've been taking 619 00:33:23,440 --> 00:33:26,560 Speaker 1: shots at him bed never making a conference finals. He 620 00:33:26,640 --> 00:33:29,520 Speaker 1: will be one win away. But DC Rivers is still 621 00:33:29,560 --> 00:33:31,520 Speaker 1: on the sideline, so there's a good chance they blow it. 622 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:35,360 Speaker 1: And frankly, Boston has nobody to hang with Joel Embiid. 623 00:33:36,480 --> 00:33:39,520 Speaker 1: Nobody like, who's hanging with him? Beat now, I don't 624 00:33:39,520 --> 00:33:42,840 Speaker 1: know who's staying in front of taintum and brown um. 625 00:33:43,320 --> 00:33:47,440 Speaker 1: Al Horford may want revenge on the franchise. The jettisoned him. Um, 626 00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:50,200 Speaker 1: remember they paid him and then they were like, oh, 627 00:33:50,520 --> 00:33:53,840 Speaker 1: this is a bad fit. Al Horford Revenge season. What 628 00:33:53,960 --> 00:33:56,320 Speaker 1: a game from him? Turn back the clock baby, love 629 00:33:56,360 --> 00:33:58,280 Speaker 1: it all right, guys, thanks for listening. We'll talk to 630 00:33:58,320 --> 00:33:58,760 Speaker 1: you tomorrow.