1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What's up, straight 2 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: Fire Fan, It's me Jason McIntyre, Straight Fire for Thursday, 3 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:19,280 Speaker 1: February seventeen. Then, oh boy, it was a rough night 4 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:22,560 Speaker 1: in the McIntyre household. Folks. Uh, it's a tough one 5 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 1: watching Anthony Davis go down. I'm not gonna lie. A 6 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:31,240 Speaker 1: couple of trupidacious damn that butchered that didn't trepidacious, will 7 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 1: not be seeing that one on word. All moments after 8 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: a d went down, you could it was like silent 9 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:39,879 Speaker 1: in Staples, slash crypto, whatever you wanna call it. And 10 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 1: you could hear Anthony Davis just screaming the F word, 11 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: just grabbing his ankle. Man. It was. It was tough 12 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 1: for the Lakers, And it just so happens that earlier Wednesday, 13 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:52,400 Speaker 1: I was able to record in an interview with Rick Buker. 14 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:54,680 Speaker 1: You guys know, I do TV with him at Fox. 15 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 1: He's been at ESPN, he's been everywhere, and you know, 16 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: Rick and I get along. And I asked him a 17 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 1: question in the middle of it about the Lakers, and 18 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: I said, you know, I think their best chance to 19 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 1: the Western Conference Finals is dot dot dot and Rick 20 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 1: just starts laughing, like they have no chance whatsoever. And 21 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 1: I'm like, listen, Rick, they were for we're forgetting. This 22 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: was a healthy Laker team last year that had the 23 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:23,199 Speaker 1: Sons who lost in the finals in six or seven, 24 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: whatever was. They had the Sons of the Ropes. They 25 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 1: were up. They were dominating that series, rolling will not dominating, 26 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 1: but they were up to one and I think they 27 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: were winning. In Game four, a D goes down and 28 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: it's a wrap and then it will Rick, Okay, I understand. 29 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: And it's weird because a few hours later I'm watching 30 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 1: Lakers and na D goes down and it's like, well, 31 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: there goes to season. And I am as eternal and 32 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:52,600 Speaker 1: optimists as you will find about the Lakers as you 33 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: will hear later with Rick Puker. But guys, there is 34 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 1: no path to success without Anthony Davis. You know, I know, 35 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 1: and I know the bron would love another All NBA 36 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 1: First Team and he's well on his way there. Um, 37 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:08,919 Speaker 1: But this scenario of Lebron shutting it down is very real. 38 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 1: I mean, he's only got so many good years left. 39 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 1: Like fighting for a spot in the play in game 40 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:16,079 Speaker 1: if you don't have a D. So you can get 41 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,679 Speaker 1: Curb stomped by Chris Paul in the first round. That's 42 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 1: a prime shut it down for Lebron spot. Now this 43 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: let the front office off the hook a little bit. 44 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 1: I don't think you can fire Vogel, not that I 45 00:02:27,480 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: would have fired Vogel anyway, but you know, Lakers are 46 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:32,960 Speaker 1: just in a really tough spot. And and I know 47 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 1: you guys aren't gonna want to hear this, but the NBA, 48 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: Adam Silver and company, the TV networks, they don't want 49 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:41,080 Speaker 1: the Lakers to lose. Are kidding me? They need the Lakers. 50 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: Remember the Lakers Warriors play in game last Remember the 51 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:46,919 Speaker 1: ratings on that bad boy the juice Lebron versus Curry 52 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:51,480 Speaker 1: Portland with Anthreny Simons as hot as any player in 53 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 1: the league right now, My gosh, I joked on Twitter 54 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 1: that would the Lakers give up Westbrook for Anthony Simmons 55 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 1: and all these people took me see reviously, Meanwhile, I'm 56 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: sitting here crying about the Anthony Davis injuries, just trying 57 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 1: to laugh through it, you know, and people thought I 58 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:09,359 Speaker 1: was serious, Like every Simmons is on fire right now. 59 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:12,639 Speaker 1: This dude is explosive. It's to the point where he's 60 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:14,840 Speaker 1: been so hot that you know, people are like, wait 61 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 1: a minute, wait a minute, why didn't they trade c J. 62 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 1: Mccomnell earlier. C J. McCollum and unleash Um, the Great 63 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 1: Anthony Simmons so got crappy news about Zion. I'm just 64 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 1: done talking about Zion Williamson for now. It's pretty clear 65 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:30,959 Speaker 1: he does not want to play, he's not feeling good, 66 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:33,679 Speaker 1: he's overweight, blah blah blah. Pelicans have no shot. I 67 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 1: don't see the Spurs making a run. I personally like 68 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 1: Deer and Fox and Davian Mitchell um with Davian Mitchell 69 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:44,160 Speaker 1: top five nickname in the league off night. I would 70 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 1: love it if they made a run to the play in, 71 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 1: but that's not happening. They're not good. So the Lakers, 72 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:52,600 Speaker 1: even without a D do they make the plane? We'll see. 73 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: I mean, the Clippers don't seem to be going anywhere. 74 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:58,720 Speaker 1: They've got a million wings. The Minnesota Timberwolves or the 75 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 1: seven like they just so down this year. I mean 76 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 1: Denver's injuries, Utah lost angles. It's just very strange. And 77 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 1: I say down, like nobody really thinks of memphisis like 78 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 1: a championship team, right, Golden State, Let's see what happens 79 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: with Draymond as I'll talk to Rick Bucker about shortly. 80 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:22,719 Speaker 1: Like the Sons are forty seven and ten. But guys, 81 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:27,160 Speaker 1: let's remember Chris Paul's hurt every postseason. He wasn't hurt 82 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: last year, not really did have something. He had an 83 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,480 Speaker 1: injury um the shoulder, but he'll I don't think he 84 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 1: missed much. And if he's out, like Sons are very beatable. 85 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 1: So Lakers need to get a healthy Anthony Davis man. 86 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 1: It is super depressing. And I talked earlier in the week. 87 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 1: I think I may be going to Lakers maths in 88 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks after the All Star break. Maybe 89 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: the Lakers catch a break right with the All Star break. Here, 90 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:53,720 Speaker 1: a D gets basically a free week of rest without 91 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 1: missing any games. Well, maybe you'll miss one, but you 92 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:58,520 Speaker 1: know you can't have a D missing three weeks with 93 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:00,480 Speaker 1: an ankle sprain if you want to make the loffs 94 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:06,919 Speaker 1: and then no playoffs after last year's rough uh oustir 95 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:09,719 Speaker 1: after winning the finals two years ago, and I maintained 96 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 1: any series of Lakers walk into with a healthy Lebron 97 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:15,479 Speaker 1: and healthy a D. They will have two of the 98 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 1: three best players on the floor. Guys, they're just is 99 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 1: not a third player on the Sun's better than Anthony Davis. 100 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 1: I'll give you Devin Booker. Chris Paul's up there, But 101 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 1: no way are you taking Chris Paul over Lebron Chris 102 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:31,239 Speaker 1: Paul over a d the way Golden State has Curry 103 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: none of the other guys. I'm sorry, Draymond not taking 104 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:37,599 Speaker 1: them over a d um And that's why the Lakers 105 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 1: will have a shot. But I've gone long enough. Let's 106 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: just bring him in here, Rick Bucker of Fox Sports 107 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 1: and uh, he's got a podcast to you. Gotta check 108 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: it out here he is. Fox Sports Radio has the 109 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 1: best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of 110 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 1: our shows at Fox sports Radio dot com and within 111 00:05:57,360 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 1: the I Heart Radio app search f s R to 112 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:06,599 Speaker 1: said live. Jason likes to think he knows everything when 113 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:09,799 Speaker 1: it comes to sports. I know what sports dance want, 114 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 1: but for everything he doesn't. He knows a guy who does. 115 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 1: Let's just say I know a guy who knows a 116 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:19,360 Speaker 1: guy who knows another guy. All right, let's welcome into 117 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:21,680 Speaker 1: straight fire. A guy you know, well, he's covered the 118 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:26,279 Speaker 1: NBA for twenty five years, maybe ESPN Fox at this one, 119 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:30,760 Speaker 1: the Bay Area legend, uh Rick boker Rick, how are 120 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 1: you man? I'm doing well. We got we got a little. 121 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,559 Speaker 1: We had a late start in the recording because because 122 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 1: your producer sent UH Robert sent it to my A 123 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 1: O L account. I just did it that anymore. I 124 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 1: just did a podcast with UH with some high school 125 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: students from my son's high school, and we got into 126 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 1: I was talking about about my career and at one 127 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:59,360 Speaker 1: point I had an opportunity to double my salary by 128 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:03,719 Speaker 1: doing a notes column and a weekly NBA notes column 129 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:07,840 Speaker 1: for A O L. While I was at UH at 130 00:07:07,839 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 1: the San Jose Mercury News covering the Warriors. Huh. When 131 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 1: I said A O L account, the the mystified look 132 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 1: on their faces, like I had to explain what the 133 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: hell ao L was. They had no freaking idea it was. 134 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 1: It was really funny, and it made me feel really 135 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 1: really old. No it should not, but that that's interesting. 136 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:36,559 Speaker 1: You're a big media guy, You've been around the block. 137 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 1: I shouldn't talk about this, but during Super Bowl week, Um, 138 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 1: I don't want to say a big name, but a 139 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 1: guy who people know was it? ESPN and according to 140 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 1: you know people, I know, you know, they kind of 141 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 1: low balled him on the offer, and you know he 142 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 1: didn't want to take it, so he ended up leaving 143 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 1: for Draftkicks. And you know, DraftKings just like what AOL 144 00:07:56,440 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: was years ago, right, kind of a new operation. What 145 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 1: do they need to do? They need to overpay talent 146 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 1: to bring them in. So you just said they were 147 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:07,560 Speaker 1: willing to double your salary for an NBA column, right, 148 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 1: So DraftKings is kind of the new venture where they 149 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 1: need to just get guys. They need to get bodies 150 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:17,200 Speaker 1: and promote DraftKings. Now, Eric, obviously you work for a 151 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: lot of folks. I am curious where you are on 152 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 1: the whole gambling stuff as it pertains to the NBA. 153 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:30,040 Speaker 1: I um, I'm I'm okay with it. I'm I'm curious 154 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: about what its impact is going to have on the 155 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:36,320 Speaker 1: game and on the atmosphere and all of those things. 156 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 1: But I look at it very much from a clinical 157 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:42,840 Speaker 1: standpoint and not a moral standpoint or like this idea 158 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:46,600 Speaker 1: that gambling is, you know, the root of all evil 159 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 1: or whatever. I'm I I mean. As soon as I 160 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 1: saw this trend starting, I started to read um books 161 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:56,679 Speaker 1: on gambling, and I've always been fascinated by it, like 162 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: in the same way like I'm a blackjack player, um 163 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 1: and I and I like it because there's a strategy 164 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: and there's methodology to improve your percentages. The thing that 165 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 1: gets me about gambling on on teams and UH and 166 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:18,200 Speaker 1: and sports is that there's really two diverse ways to 167 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:21,199 Speaker 1: approach it. There's a way to approach it in which 168 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 1: you have your favorites and you have your opinions on 169 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 1: like who the best teams are or all of that. 170 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:34,600 Speaker 1: Your your your your your personal assessment of abilities and 171 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 1: how those abilities are going to result in wins and 172 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:42,240 Speaker 1: losses and performance, right. And then there's the clinical aspect 173 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:48,160 Speaker 1: of gambling where you figure out what how you get 174 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:51,440 Speaker 1: the best odds, like how do you make how do 175 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 1: you get the best percentages to win within that knowledge 176 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:59,480 Speaker 1: of who's winning and losing. So there's there there there's 177 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:03,959 Speaker 1: really two, I think streams of thought when it comes 178 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 1: to gambling and gambling on sports, and the vast majority 179 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:11,560 Speaker 1: of people approach it from just their pure assessment of 180 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,160 Speaker 1: the talent. You know, who's gonna win and who's gonna lose, 181 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:19,080 Speaker 1: and what their beliefs are or their research tells them. 182 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 1: And then there's the like, how do you hunt the 183 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:27,199 Speaker 1: best odds? How do you how do you find the 184 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 1: best um, you know, the best betting lines out there? 185 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 1: And that's a whole different that's a whole different way 186 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:38,679 Speaker 1: to approach it. Yeah, I mean, like for super Bowl week, 187 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 1: you know, you can't just say, oh, I'm gonna go 188 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:42,040 Speaker 1: to them the place I bet and I'm gonna place 189 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 1: my bets. You shop around, you have, you have multiple books, 190 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 1: many options. Maybe there's a better odds here than there, 191 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 1: and like, you know, you get down a lot of money. 192 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 1: But I brought it up because I know, you know, 193 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 1: even on this podcast, we've had gambling sponsors. Um, eventually 194 00:10:57,080 --> 00:11:00,880 Speaker 1: they're gonna start creeping to writers and say, hey, we 195 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 1: want you to promote are already have? I already turned 196 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:09,280 Speaker 1: down an offer to to work for to write for 197 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 1: an outlet that is backed by a ton of gambling money. 198 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:15,880 Speaker 1: And I didn't turn it down because of who was 199 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 1: backing them, It just, um, I wanted to keep everything 200 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: in house with Fox Sports. So I'm writing for the spot, 201 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 1: fox sports dot com and the Fox Sports app. But yeah, 202 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 1: it's it's already happening, and I just wonder. You know, 203 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 1: we haven't had an NBA Playoffs where gambling has been 204 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 1: really huge yet, and I feel like this one probably 205 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 1: will be the first. The bubble one, you know what, 206 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:40,280 Speaker 1: not a factor. And then last year, I know this 207 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 1: is gonna be popular, but you know, Suns Bucks did 208 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 1: not really move the meter. Rick. I think this year, 209 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 1: depending on who we think is gonna go to the finals, 210 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 1: you're gonna get Suns Bucks. And again there's a very 211 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:53,560 Speaker 1: good chance you're gonna get Suns Bucks again. Yeah, no 212 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:56,240 Speaker 1: shot of Warriors debts. Oh no, I think the Warriors 213 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:59,120 Speaker 1: have a shot and I think the Brooklyn Nets have 214 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:04,680 Speaker 1: a long shot. But outside of that, I said it 215 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:06,720 Speaker 1: at the beginning of the year that I thought it 216 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:11,520 Speaker 1: was we were going to get Sons Bucks. Uh two, 217 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 1: And there's nothing that's happened to this point that makes 218 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:19,320 Speaker 1: me believe that I have to move off of that position. 219 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:21,880 Speaker 1: It's funny I have here in my notes nobody talks 220 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:25,800 Speaker 1: about the Suns. It's It's true, man, I don't know why, Like, 221 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 1: is it because they're a kind of a dead market 222 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:29,800 Speaker 1: or they play on the West coast? Like what what 223 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 1: do you think it really is. I don't have an answer. 224 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 1: Their record is ridiculous. I think I think some of 225 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:42,960 Speaker 1: it is Chris Paul's past being like a draw and 226 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 1: Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton aren't there yet and being 227 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:51,400 Speaker 1: in Phoenix, and I was like, I mean, honestly, it's 228 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 1: kind of hard to look at their game and say 229 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 1: that they're exciting, like they just killed not not not 230 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 1: in the way that the Warriors are or you know, 231 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:04,199 Speaker 1: they don't they don't have this. I mean, what Steph 232 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 1: Curry does is freakish, what Compo does is freakish, What 233 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant does is freakish. But Chris Paul does is 234 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:15,840 Speaker 1: not freakish or or Devin Booker or DeAndre They're just 235 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 1: they're just really good, really deep, well coached. But yeah, 236 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:22,320 Speaker 1: I'm with you. And you know what's funny is like 237 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:26,240 Speaker 1: we just got but there is there is an audience 238 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 1: for them, like among the top online online though, right, yes, yes, 239 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:33,920 Speaker 1: and there's time you do one of those shows. Nobody's 240 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 1: ever there's never a sudden topic and ever unless it's 241 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 1: like the NBA Finals. But like, you know, it's weird 242 00:13:39,440 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 1: because Devin Booker has kind of crossed over a little bit. 243 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 1: Now he's dating the Kendall Jenner and they're at the 244 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:46,560 Speaker 1: super Bowl together and he's like hanging out with Justin Bieber. 245 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 1: So you'd think he would help bolster the Sun's any 246 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 1: nuts you can get, and it still is not really 247 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:56,080 Speaker 1: doing the trick. I mean, I don't know. I feel 248 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:58,439 Speaker 1: like the Memphis Grizzlies right now, Rick have more juice 249 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 1: than the Phoenix Suns. And I'm talking, which is just just crazy, 250 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 1: which is great. No, but I think you're right. But again, 251 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:08,520 Speaker 1: John Morant freak what he does is freakish right at 252 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:12,959 Speaker 1: that size the highlights, Uh that and that's an easy 253 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 1: that's an easy team and then just the whole job 254 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:18,280 Speaker 1: Morant versus I on Williamson, Like, there's a lot that 255 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:21,960 Speaker 1: I think that generates excitement about the Memphis Grizzlies. But 256 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 1: you're right, Like for a market like Memphis arguably the 257 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:31,920 Speaker 1: worst smallest market, I mean next to New Orleans or yeah, 258 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 1: it is pretty amazing. Yeah, And be honest, Uh, NBA 259 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: would not be thrilled if the Memphis Grizzlies made the finals. 260 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 1: I know they're exciting, but they I mean, Rick, come on, 261 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: that is and the NBA unlike the NFL does kind 262 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:47,480 Speaker 1: of need the big market teams to pop up, no question, 263 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 1: no question, like you need. I mean honestly that that's 264 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:54,440 Speaker 1: the reality. Now, I don't go so far to the 265 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:57,800 Speaker 1: to this. I don't go in with the conspiracy to 266 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 1: say that the NBA purposely tries to get the big 267 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 1: markets in there, because the reality we've we've seen too 268 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:09,480 Speaker 1: much evidence of the Utahs and the san Antonio's and uh, 269 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:14,080 Speaker 1: you know down the line small market teams getting there 270 00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: and and Cleveland having success. So um, I think the 271 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 1: one thing with Memphis is the star power of job. 272 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:29,080 Speaker 1: It's not there yet, but but he has. And nobody's 273 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 1: ever gonna touch Lebron's star power wherever he goes. But 274 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: Jaw has a chance to be maybe a tier down 275 00:15:37,400 --> 00:15:40,880 Speaker 1: from that in terms of being an attraction and being 276 00:15:40,920 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 1: a national attraction. That would not make it as damaging 277 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 1: as say San Antonio versus Detroit, Right like I hold 278 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:54,240 Speaker 1: hold on Jamra, is he in the tier same tier 279 00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 1: as Donovan Mitchell or above it? Because I'm gonna put 280 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 1: him above it. I'm gonna put him above it just 281 00:16:00,640 --> 00:16:06,320 Speaker 1: because Donovan has been injured. Donovan's kind of game has 282 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 1: been up and down. That's a good playoff runs. Though 283 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 1: never really like him, well him individually. He's been explosive 284 00:16:14,760 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: in the playoffs, but the team always think he was 285 00:16:16,880 --> 00:16:18,720 Speaker 1: you know what he was. He was great in the 286 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 1: playoffs coming out of the gate, and he set the 287 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: bar really high, like when they like right out of 288 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:29,160 Speaker 1: the gate. But he hasn't, Matt, he hasn't. He hasn't 289 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:32,640 Speaker 1: exceeded that. You know. I took down Okay sees Paul George, 290 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:36,120 Speaker 1: right and uh and Russ that's right, yes, And that 291 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 1: was that was the big splash, him taking down the 292 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 1: two established stars. He hasn't matched that yet. I mean 293 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,320 Speaker 1: he look he he ended up losing to the Clippers 294 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 1: without Kauai. Yeah, that was that was brutal, all right. 295 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:57,080 Speaker 1: Speaking of teams that people care about, How the hell 296 00:16:57,120 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 1: are the Chicago Bulls still in first place in the 297 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 1: Eastern Conference Caruso uh Alonzo's hurt, injuries, up and down 298 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:06,560 Speaker 1: the roster Chicago Bulls, Rick, how are they doing this? 299 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:08,800 Speaker 1: I myself have done. I like the Bulls this year. 300 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,119 Speaker 1: They're over wind. Total is gonna cash. I like them. 301 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:13,399 Speaker 1: I said playoffs, but I did not say anywhere near 302 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:15,440 Speaker 1: the first place in the Eastern Conference. Yeah. I think 303 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 1: there's a couple of things going on. Obviously, DeMar de 304 00:17:17,359 --> 00:17:21,600 Speaker 1: Rose and incredibly motivated. Uh and and and what happens 305 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:24,359 Speaker 1: when you take a player who's kind of been dissed 306 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 1: and you put your arms around him and say you're 307 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:29,760 Speaker 1: our guy, and he goes to the wall for you, 308 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 1: and and and and and themar is in that sweet 309 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:34,399 Speaker 1: spot of of being able to do that. I think 310 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:38,360 Speaker 1: the other part is they've just uh. The second thing 311 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:43,120 Speaker 1: is nobody's still taking the Chicago Bulls seriously, like they 312 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:46,480 Speaker 1: just nobody gets up to play the Chicago Bulls. It's 313 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:49,480 Speaker 1: just three and they're not getting everybody again, getting anything 314 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:54,280 Speaker 1: close to everybody's best shot. And then three you know 315 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:58,640 Speaker 1: they're they're not just Caruso and Alonzo ball. Those were 316 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:04,160 Speaker 1: really nice at dish. It's but they've got enough other pieces. 317 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:07,119 Speaker 1: And Billy Donovan is pretty good at mixing and matching 318 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 1: is but he's probably a better coach than he's given 319 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:12,919 Speaker 1: credit for. I think those three combinations, and then you 320 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:16,680 Speaker 1: just the other part is look at the East, like 321 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:20,439 Speaker 1: the nets are a mess. This it's almost like they've 322 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:24,560 Speaker 1: risen or stayed up there. Because everybody else keeps falling off. 323 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:28,639 Speaker 1: The Charlotte Hornets fall off, the Brooklyn Nets fall off, 324 00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 1: the like everybody just the box are just kind of coasting. 325 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 1: A lot of people had the Hawks in the knicks, 326 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:38,800 Speaker 1: you know, top six and the terrible call the Hawks. 327 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 1: I'm still like, baffle that, what the hell is going 328 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:46,840 Speaker 1: on with the Atlanta Hawks. They everybody back, right, They're like, oh, 329 00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: we'll bring everybody back, We'll run it back, you know, 330 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:52,280 Speaker 1: maybe Eastern Conference finals, and it just feels like, I 331 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 1: don't know, maybe they got fat and happy last year 332 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:58,720 Speaker 1: after the success. Yeah, I just I feel like there's 333 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:02,000 Speaker 1: some chemistry issues there with that team that go well 334 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:08,960 Speaker 1: beyond Camp Reddish not being happy that. I mean, he 335 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:11,119 Speaker 1: would have to be at the heart of it somehow now, 336 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:14,920 Speaker 1: whether it's justified or not, Like like there's times where 337 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:19,640 Speaker 1: Bogdanovitch to me just doesn't look happy, or I will 338 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 1: say he looked happiest when Trey Young was out. Now, 339 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:25,719 Speaker 1: I'm really I could very well be reading into something 340 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:28,560 Speaker 1: I'm not. I'm not in any way suggesting that I 341 00:19:28,680 --> 00:19:31,640 Speaker 1: know something. It's just there's there's some there's a feel 342 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 1: about their their team and about the hype around Trey 343 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:40,360 Speaker 1: that I just don't get the sense that all of 344 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 1: the Atlanta Hawks believe that, like Trey Young is good, right, 345 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 1: does Trey Young make them all better in the way 346 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:52,399 Speaker 1: that Steph Curry like the guys When you hear the 347 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 1: guys with the Warriors talk about playing with Steph and 348 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:59,159 Speaker 1: him having confidence in them, and there the confidence they 349 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:03,000 Speaker 1: get out of no that they have Steph, I just 350 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: haven't heard that on the same level with Trey, right, 351 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 1: Like Steph is a galvanizing element with the Warriors, And 352 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:14,480 Speaker 1: I only make that comparison because Trey is so often 353 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:19,199 Speaker 1: compared to staff still Young. He question and I'm not. 354 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:21,359 Speaker 1: This is not I'm not even saying it's fair or 355 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 1: right with Trey. I'm not. I'm not I'm not indicting 356 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 1: him for it. I'm just saying I haven't heard that. 357 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:31,399 Speaker 1: Like if if there's jealous if there was jealousy on 358 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:36,199 Speaker 1: the Atlanta Hawks toward Trey Young, I would not be 359 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:40,439 Speaker 1: the least bit surprised, Let's put it that way. I 360 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:42,840 Speaker 1: want to I know the Lakers are the fun most 361 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:44,400 Speaker 1: fun topic in the league right now, but I want 362 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:45,960 Speaker 1: to back up for a sec on the Lakers so 363 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 1: I remember this, James Harden basically said, I in Houston, 364 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:51,800 Speaker 1: I don't want Chris Paul anymore. I want to try 365 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:55,680 Speaker 1: Russell Westbrook. And they paired up fizzled quickly. So James 366 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 1: Harden wanted Russell Westbrook. So then last summer A D 367 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:01,720 Speaker 1: and Lebronson, we want Russell Westbrook like they could have 368 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:04,400 Speaker 1: had to Rosen. Apparently they could have had Buddy Heald. 369 00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 1: They said we want Westbrook. And now it's quickly fizzling out. Rick, 370 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:11,159 Speaker 1: what are the players hardened? Adi and Lebron? What are 371 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:14,119 Speaker 1: they seeing in Russell Westbrook that you and I and 372 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:16,919 Speaker 1: anyone else who watches the league is like, no, no, no, 373 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 1: I I it's probably not gonna work. Russell westbrooks a 374 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:21,720 Speaker 1: ball hog. He doesn't set screens, he can't shoot, he 375 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:24,719 Speaker 1: doesn't defense. What do the players see that? Like, we 376 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:29,040 Speaker 1: don't that he's fearless, that he's always going to be 377 00:21:29,040 --> 00:21:32,720 Speaker 1: coming at you, that that he I mean, And I 378 00:21:32,760 --> 00:21:34,679 Speaker 1: will say this for him, and I feel badly for 379 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 1: him because what's going on with the Lakers and him 380 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:43,280 Speaker 1: getting all the blame, Like he's trying to make it work, 381 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:48,359 Speaker 1: He's trying to change his game. He just doesn't have 382 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: I believe at this point I and I believe this. 383 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:55,120 Speaker 1: Actually before he got to l A like, I think 384 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 1: he wanted to make it work with Harden. I think 385 00:21:57,840 --> 00:21:59,800 Speaker 1: he wanted to make it work with Beal, but he 386 00:22:00,040 --> 00:22:03,000 Speaker 1: is at his best after Bill got hurt. Uh, he 387 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:05,280 Speaker 1: never made it work with Harden because I just don't 388 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:09,639 Speaker 1: know that he has the requisite ability or understanding of 389 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:14,640 Speaker 1: the game to be able to integrate his game with 390 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:18,560 Speaker 1: someone else's now. And and a big part of it 391 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 1: was the reason that he was as successful as he was, 392 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:24,879 Speaker 1: particularly with with k D, was because he was just 393 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 1: so damn athletic. I mean, pound for pound, maybe the 394 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 1: most athletic guy in the league, And so you could 395 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:34,719 Speaker 1: make it work. He was just such an overwhelming force 396 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:38,160 Speaker 1: that even though the chemistry wasn't perfect, both of those 397 00:22:38,160 --> 00:22:41,000 Speaker 1: guys were so good they could get you pretty far. 398 00:22:41,840 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 1: Not unlike like Joel Embiiden and James Harden, like so good, 399 00:22:46,359 --> 00:22:49,280 Speaker 1: they're gonna have some success. But do they Are they 400 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 1: integrated enough that they can win it all? I I don't. 401 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:54,760 Speaker 1: I don't believe that. I think that's where I think 402 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:58,320 Speaker 1: that's where it is, like, that's it's why Lebron. Lebron 403 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 1: kicked Damar's ass in the playoffs, like routinely looked like, dude, 404 00:23:04,040 --> 00:23:07,480 Speaker 1: you were not a threat to me. But when he played, 405 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:13,240 Speaker 1: when he played, uh the okay see in the finals 406 00:23:13,640 --> 00:23:17,119 Speaker 1: and the thunder like Russ, Russ was coming Like, guys, 407 00:23:17,119 --> 00:23:19,080 Speaker 1: see that. You know, Russ is in the end. Russ 408 00:23:19,160 --> 00:23:21,400 Speaker 1: is in the All Star Game, and he's like, screw 409 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:23,239 Speaker 1: all you guys, I'm gonna win m v P. I'm 410 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:25,520 Speaker 1: gonna take all the shots. Like in a weird way. 411 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:31,840 Speaker 1: Players respect that. It's it's just it's it's a completely 412 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:35,160 Speaker 1: different view than from the outside where you go that 413 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:38,520 Speaker 1: that doesn't work being a dog, being a like being 414 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:42,760 Speaker 1: like fearless players, players respect the hell out. I can 415 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:44,800 Speaker 1: only get you so far, do you is It is 416 00:23:44,840 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 1: a logical comparison. Alan Iverson, a guy who was fearless 417 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:54,400 Speaker 1: but never really was a great shooter, love to drive, 418 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:58,240 Speaker 1: athletic as hell, uh, loved by the fans, the other 419 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:02,360 Speaker 1: players love him, and I don't know from a talent standpoint, 420 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 1: it's not a bad comparison. The difference I would say 421 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:13,919 Speaker 1: is that Alan like couldn't he couldn't accept being anything else, 422 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:18,640 Speaker 1: anything less than not just a star, but the star 423 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:22,680 Speaker 1: like That's why he could have played at least three 424 00:24:22,760 --> 00:24:25,000 Speaker 1: or four more years. He could have been like Grant 425 00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:29,000 Speaker 1: Hill or Jason Kidd like guy off the bench. Uh, 426 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:33,720 Speaker 1: second or third score easily could have continued to play. 427 00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:37,400 Speaker 1: He just couldn't stand the idea of like when when 428 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:38,920 Speaker 1: it was when he was in Memphis and the idea 429 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:40,720 Speaker 1: was like floated, maybe he'll come off the bench and 430 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 1: be the you know, six man and just score. Like no, 431 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:48,080 Speaker 1: I'm gonna retire. I would rather retire than do that. Russ. 432 00:24:49,040 --> 00:24:51,960 Speaker 1: Russ wants to figure it out like he and he 433 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:55,440 Speaker 1: and he's still look, shouldn't you make him the sixth man? 434 00:24:55,840 --> 00:24:58,080 Speaker 1: Say hey, we're gonna have you come off the bench 435 00:24:58,080 --> 00:25:00,720 Speaker 1: while surround Lebron was shooting. And unless you can run 436 00:25:00,720 --> 00:25:03,240 Speaker 1: the second unit like you did in Washington, you had 437 00:25:03,359 --> 00:25:05,800 Speaker 1: free reign. Do whatever the hell you want, get points, 438 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:08,359 Speaker 1: get rebounds. It's this we don't care, go make things happen. 439 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:11,440 Speaker 1: Why why you get that? Can vocal just not pitch that. 440 00:25:11,520 --> 00:25:15,360 Speaker 1: It's a nonstarter. Uh I I don't even know if 441 00:25:15,359 --> 00:25:17,760 Speaker 1: it has been pitched, but I don't see why not, 442 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:23,000 Speaker 1: Like I don't I don't at this point, might not 443 00:25:23,040 --> 00:25:25,840 Speaker 1: try it. I don't know that this is this is 444 00:25:25,840 --> 00:25:29,720 Speaker 1: the other difficulty. Like you're asking Frank and and and 445 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:32,200 Speaker 1: and coming off the bench. She I mean that's already 446 00:25:32,240 --> 00:25:36,159 Speaker 1: Carmelo Anthony scoring territory. So now you got Russell and 447 00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:39,400 Speaker 1: you've got Carmelo running with the second unit. That's two 448 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:43,320 Speaker 1: guys who don't defend. It gets complicate. It gets complicated 449 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:46,560 Speaker 1: in a hurry. Like here's my thing. Like I think 450 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:49,680 Speaker 1: that they could be infinitely better not moving Russ around, 451 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:54,400 Speaker 1: but Lebron deciding I'm I'm gonna worry a lot less 452 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:57,560 Speaker 1: about scoring and I'm gonna be a playmaker and I'm 453 00:25:57,560 --> 00:26:00,359 Speaker 1: gonna get because if you watch, like one of one 454 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:04,320 Speaker 1: of the tells for me is Malik Monk's numbers when 455 00:26:04,320 --> 00:26:08,679 Speaker 1: he's playing without Lebron and he's playing with Lebron. When 456 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:12,440 Speaker 1: when Malik is allowed just take like twenty shots a game, 457 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:16,639 Speaker 1: that dude, that dude fills it up. Now when he 458 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 1: plays with Lebron, he's taking eight or nine. It's it's 459 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:23,200 Speaker 1: he's got to kind of fit in around around Lebron 460 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:26,600 Speaker 1: trying to score. And I just feel like Lebron could 461 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:29,520 Speaker 1: get Lebron is the only guy that I look on 462 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:33,640 Speaker 1: at on that roster that can get guys other shots, 463 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:37,480 Speaker 1: that can get guys shots. He's the only true playmaker 464 00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:41,520 Speaker 1: on that team. And yet T come on, what h 465 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:44,480 Speaker 1: T T H T A D give me all the 466 00:26:44,720 --> 00:26:47,560 Speaker 1: give me all the initials and none, none of them. 467 00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:49,200 Speaker 1: I don't know where the hell what's his name? That 468 00:26:49,280 --> 00:26:53,320 Speaker 1: Kendrick Nunns? I mean, goodness, gracious, was that damn the playmaker? Either? 469 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:56,960 Speaker 1: He's something No, no, not on the level we're talking about. 470 00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:00,000 Speaker 1: Kendrick nunn is not going to distribute and get shots 471 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:04,080 Speaker 1: for Carmelo Anthony and Russ Westbrook and assists a game 472 00:27:04,080 --> 00:27:08,719 Speaker 1: out of Kendam nut four five assists in his hands. 473 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:12,080 Speaker 1: I mean he's thirty seven. Rick Lebron cannot continue at 474 00:27:12,119 --> 00:27:15,920 Speaker 1: this pace for another moment this year, playoffs next year. Well, 475 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:18,080 Speaker 1: that's I mean, that's the thing is. That's why I 476 00:27:18,119 --> 00:27:20,680 Speaker 1: think that he's just settled for. I'm gonna take my 477 00:27:20,760 --> 00:27:23,560 Speaker 1: mid range, I'm gonna take my threes. I'm not gonna 478 00:27:23,680 --> 00:27:25,439 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna, you know, when I have to post 479 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:27,520 Speaker 1: up or when I have to play make I'm gonna 480 00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:29,480 Speaker 1: three quarter it and work out of the pinch post. 481 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:33,440 Speaker 1: So that like, tell me the last time you saw 482 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:38,640 Speaker 1: Lebron get the ball no matter who was on him, uh, 483 00:27:38,840 --> 00:27:43,840 Speaker 1: Cody Zeller and faced up and took him off the bounce, 484 00:27:44,600 --> 00:27:47,399 Speaker 1: off the dribble. The last time you saw Lebron James 485 00:27:47,400 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 1: face somebody up at the top of the key and said, 486 00:27:50,440 --> 00:27:54,560 Speaker 1: I'm gonna dance on you. I cannot recall the last time. Now, 487 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:57,720 Speaker 1: I'm not talking about transition. Can do that? Rick? What 488 00:27:57,920 --> 00:28:00,160 Speaker 1: are we sure he still can do that? At Oh, 489 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:05,480 Speaker 1: I'm not. I'm not. That's why I'm I'm saying knowing 490 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:08,400 Speaker 1: that he can't do that. He's gone to a different 491 00:28:08,440 --> 00:28:11,560 Speaker 1: type of game in order to preserve himself so that 492 00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:15,920 Speaker 1: he's you know, it will be around when Brownie is Yes, whatever, 493 00:28:16,280 --> 00:28:21,640 Speaker 1: I'm looking at over seven and six, he's shooting fifty 494 00:28:21,680 --> 00:28:25,040 Speaker 1: two and thirty five career best, career best in like 495 00:28:25,040 --> 00:28:27,919 Speaker 1: ten years in the line now because now look at 496 00:28:27,920 --> 00:28:30,960 Speaker 1: his assists. Yeah, there's six point five, lowest he's had 497 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:34,400 Speaker 1: in l A lowest since the final year in Miami 498 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:38,080 Speaker 1: when they were um getting smoked by Kauwhi Leonard and 499 00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:40,760 Speaker 1: one of the minutes. So I think you're looking at overall, 500 00:28:40,840 --> 00:28:43,840 Speaker 1: look at look at it. Pretty six minutes a game 501 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:46,160 Speaker 1: is way too much for Lebron. That's just you know, 502 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 1: I don't know, all right, and sister and and give 503 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:51,200 Speaker 1: me a sister turnover ratio. I guarantee this is the 504 00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:53,000 Speaker 1: worst of this. I do not have that, but it's 505 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 1: probably quite bad. Let me ask quick, do you think 506 00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:57,520 Speaker 1: the Lakers could salvages to get to the Western Conference 507 00:28:57,520 --> 00:29:06,360 Speaker 1: Finals or anything? Wow? Wow, oh my goodness. Oh okay, 508 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:12,040 Speaker 1: here's the scenario, Mr bay Area, uh Draymond does not 509 00:29:12,160 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 1: come back Memphis. Did you say Western Converse Final? I did. 510 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:20,840 Speaker 1: I don't think that they're still gonna get on the 511 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:22,680 Speaker 1: court and have two of the three best players with 512 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 1: Lebron and a D. If they're healthy against anybody? What 513 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:30,280 Speaker 1: is it? Who else in the West? Well? Actually, well, no, Curry, 514 00:29:30,400 --> 00:29:32,520 Speaker 1: I'm Andrew Wiggins is not bet than LEBRONO a D. 515 00:29:32,960 --> 00:29:36,760 Speaker 1: Clay Thompson is not bet than lebrono a D. So 516 00:29:37,080 --> 00:29:41,840 Speaker 1: maybe Phoenix with Chris Paul and Booker DeAndre Ayton is 517 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:47,200 Speaker 1: better than Anthony Davis. I don't know. Lakers were in 518 00:29:47,280 --> 00:29:50,880 Speaker 1: control of that series until a D went down. That 519 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:53,920 Speaker 1: was a year ago. My friend. I know they were 520 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:56,800 Speaker 1: winning that series against and it was a different team, 521 00:29:56,800 --> 00:30:01,240 Speaker 1: completely different team. I don't think they have no chance 522 00:30:01,240 --> 00:30:03,480 Speaker 1: of Western Conference finals. I mean I think they have. 523 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 1: I think there are a lot to make, uh to 524 00:30:07,040 --> 00:30:10,440 Speaker 1: be either the eighth seed or in the play I mean, 525 00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:11,880 Speaker 1: I think there are a lot to be in the 526 00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:15,160 Speaker 1: play in tournament. A lock. I don't see. I don't 527 00:30:15,200 --> 00:30:18,320 Speaker 1: see anybody jumping up New Orleans might take out Portland's 528 00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:22,960 Speaker 1: and because if let's say it's New Orleans and Minnesota 529 00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:26,360 Speaker 1: among the playing teams, the Lakers just have to beat 530 00:30:26,400 --> 00:30:28,680 Speaker 1: one of those to be in the playoffs, regardless of 531 00:30:28,680 --> 00:30:31,680 Speaker 1: where they are seating wise, if they can dodge Phoenix 532 00:30:32,040 --> 00:30:36,200 Speaker 1: in the first round, right get the seven seed, there's 533 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:38,280 Speaker 1: a chance they face Memphis or Golden State. And if 534 00:30:38,320 --> 00:30:40,800 Speaker 1: Draymond is not there, Memphis has never won a playoff 535 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:42,200 Speaker 1: series with you, so they can win. So they can 536 00:30:42,200 --> 00:30:44,479 Speaker 1: win a playoff series. They can win around and if 537 00:30:44,480 --> 00:30:46,120 Speaker 1: they face the two or three, then they in the 538 00:30:46,160 --> 00:30:48,440 Speaker 1: next round they face either Memphis or That is where 539 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:50,040 Speaker 1: this is where you're getting a little. Now you're in 540 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:53,400 Speaker 1: deep water. Now you're going too far. I think I 541 00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:55,920 Speaker 1: think there's I think there's a scenario where they make 542 00:30:55,960 --> 00:30:59,080 Speaker 1: the playoffs and they went around I think that I've 543 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:01,280 Speaker 1: thought that's from the beginning of the year, but it 544 00:31:01,400 --> 00:31:07,120 Speaker 1: hasn't changed. Like, I don't see them getting beyond that. 545 00:31:07,920 --> 00:31:10,320 Speaker 1: I just don't so who who right now? Do you have? 546 00:31:10,480 --> 00:31:13,400 Speaker 1: Obviously Phoenix at the best in the West, but again 547 00:31:13,440 --> 00:31:16,760 Speaker 1: without Draymond Green, Golden State is nowhere near as good 548 00:31:16,760 --> 00:31:19,600 Speaker 1: as they should be. For sure. For sure. Again, It's 549 00:31:19,640 --> 00:31:25,240 Speaker 1: why I'm staying with the Sun's Bucks Red because because 550 00:31:25,920 --> 00:31:28,520 Speaker 1: Andrea Gudala has to be right, Draymond Green has to 551 00:31:28,520 --> 00:31:30,200 Speaker 1: be right. Steph Curry has to be right there there. 552 00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:33,120 Speaker 1: And I questioned their size, do they really have enough size? 553 00:31:33,160 --> 00:31:35,720 Speaker 1: With Kavan Looney and the question about you know, James 554 00:31:35,720 --> 00:31:40,520 Speaker 1: Wiseman and his availability I have. I have questions about 555 00:31:40,800 --> 00:31:46,080 Speaker 1: the Golden State Warriors, but the Sons are five times 556 00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:49,320 Speaker 1: better than they were last year and they're extremely good. 557 00:31:49,680 --> 00:31:52,960 Speaker 1: And the Memphis Grizzlies I think are going to be 558 00:31:53,000 --> 00:31:55,480 Speaker 1: a tough out in spite of their lack of general 559 00:31:55,560 --> 00:32:01,880 Speaker 1: playoff experience. I just the Lakers can't defend to save 560 00:32:01,960 --> 00:32:06,200 Speaker 1: their lives, and I just don't see that changing. And 561 00:32:07,160 --> 00:32:11,560 Speaker 1: there's too many. There's there's too many matchups where I mean, 562 00:32:11,600 --> 00:32:14,240 Speaker 1: I look, I hear, I hear you. Which is why 563 00:32:14,760 --> 00:32:18,400 Speaker 1: in terms of the experience and and still the belief 564 00:32:18,480 --> 00:32:22,000 Speaker 1: that you get into a series and a D and 565 00:32:22,080 --> 00:32:25,240 Speaker 1: Lebron show whatever they have left there's their best selves. 566 00:32:25,320 --> 00:32:30,240 Speaker 1: Like it's it will be intimidating for a team to 567 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:34,040 Speaker 1: line up in the playoffs against Russ Carmelo, A D 568 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:38,400 Speaker 1: Dwight Lebron, no matter what they've done in the regular season. 569 00:32:39,240 --> 00:32:41,760 Speaker 1: But I just think once you start to be able 570 00:32:41,800 --> 00:32:46,720 Speaker 1: to hone in on the Lakers weaknesses, it's pretty easy 571 00:32:46,760 --> 00:32:49,320 Speaker 1: to pick them apart. And you get the opportunity to 572 00:32:49,400 --> 00:32:51,400 Speaker 1: do that in the postseason, you get a whiff of 573 00:32:51,560 --> 00:32:54,720 Speaker 1: You remember the Phil Jackson Kobe team that I think 574 00:32:54,760 --> 00:32:58,640 Speaker 1: got swept by Dallas. Was it in the playoffs near 575 00:32:58,800 --> 00:33:01,720 Speaker 1: near the end, and you're just like blown away by 576 00:33:01,720 --> 00:33:05,480 Speaker 1: how old and creaky the Kobe Lakers look. They got destroyed. 577 00:33:05,480 --> 00:33:08,560 Speaker 1: There was like a hard Andrew bind him foul against 578 00:33:08,560 --> 00:33:11,240 Speaker 1: I don't remember who the guard was, maybe Berea, And 579 00:33:11,320 --> 00:33:12,720 Speaker 1: I mean I think it was a sweep and it 580 00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:15,959 Speaker 1: was just like there was we think the Lakers are 581 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:18,520 Speaker 1: gonna fight and fight and they got swept. And there 582 00:33:18,600 --> 00:33:20,400 Speaker 1: is a whiff of that with this Lakers team, Like 583 00:33:20,440 --> 00:33:22,880 Speaker 1: if they go down to oh I would not shock 584 00:33:22,960 --> 00:33:24,880 Speaker 1: me if they got swept. That's the thing is. And 585 00:33:24,920 --> 00:33:26,920 Speaker 1: I was just one last thing. I sho we're seeing it. 586 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:28,840 Speaker 1: I mean we're seeing it during the regular season. Yes, 587 00:33:29,160 --> 00:33:34,560 Speaker 1: they they do not look motivated. What's soever Phoenix? Just 588 00:33:34,640 --> 00:33:37,760 Speaker 1: a quick thing on Chris Paul. Before last year, Rick, 589 00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:40,920 Speaker 1: I think almost every postseason Chris Paul had been in 590 00:33:41,120 --> 00:33:43,840 Speaker 1: there had been an injury. Last year was the almost 591 00:33:43,840 --> 00:33:48,600 Speaker 1: the first time he was he shoulder had shoulder at 592 00:33:48,640 --> 00:33:51,360 Speaker 1: one point. I know we want to crown Phoenix or 593 00:33:51,400 --> 00:33:53,880 Speaker 1: the best team, but let's see Chris Paul's health, right, 594 00:33:54,000 --> 00:33:58,560 Speaker 1: I agree? I agree. I mean one thing is he 595 00:33:58,600 --> 00:34:01,040 Speaker 1: hasn't missed a game this year. It's just true. I 596 00:34:01,080 --> 00:34:03,480 Speaker 1: wonder if they're playing it too much. You could say 597 00:34:03,520 --> 00:34:06,600 Speaker 1: good or bad. He hasn't missed one this year. I 598 00:34:06,680 --> 00:34:11,520 Speaker 1: do believe that what they're finding our ways. I mean, 599 00:34:11,520 --> 00:34:14,719 Speaker 1: this is the beauty of the Sun's in that they 600 00:34:14,719 --> 00:34:17,160 Speaker 1: have so many guys who are just getting better. Mcal 601 00:34:17,239 --> 00:34:20,000 Speaker 1: Bridges is getting better, DeAndre Ayton is getting better, Devin 602 00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:24,040 Speaker 1: Booker Cam Johnson like they're they're other than Chris Paul. 603 00:34:24,640 --> 00:34:28,440 Speaker 1: They're all guys that you could argue haven't even entered 604 00:34:28,480 --> 00:34:31,799 Speaker 1: their prime yet, and they went to the finals last year. 605 00:34:32,440 --> 00:34:36,480 Speaker 1: That's what is very encouraging. On the flip side, they 606 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:40,280 Speaker 1: are not anywhere near the same team without Chris Paul. 607 00:34:40,360 --> 00:34:44,439 Speaker 1: They don't have a guy that can replicate what he does. 608 00:34:45,120 --> 00:34:48,040 Speaker 1: Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in 609 00:34:48,040 --> 00:34:51,040 Speaker 1: the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox sports 610 00:34:51,160 --> 00:34:54,239 Speaker 1: Radio dot com and within the I Heart Radio app 611 00:34:54,280 --> 00:34:57,680 Speaker 1: search f s R to listen live real quickly. In 612 00:34:57,760 --> 00:35:00,799 Speaker 1: the East, UM Celtics of one nine in a row, 613 00:35:00,920 --> 00:35:03,640 Speaker 1: but I want to quickly go to the team that um. 614 00:35:03,680 --> 00:35:05,439 Speaker 1: I think the Sixers are losing in the first round. 615 00:35:05,480 --> 00:35:09,200 Speaker 1: I am not buying this embiid hardened thing. I don't 616 00:35:09,200 --> 00:35:12,000 Speaker 1: know if they have the offensive firepower. I'm really curious 617 00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:15,000 Speaker 1: how MAXI is gonna work with Harden. Bible cannot score. 618 00:35:15,320 --> 00:35:17,920 Speaker 1: I'm not a Tobias Harris believer, and I can just 619 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:20,759 Speaker 1: see with it, you know how embiad kind of unravels. 620 00:35:21,080 --> 00:35:23,880 Speaker 1: It's my team. I'm the Alpha. If Harden is not 621 00:35:23,920 --> 00:35:25,640 Speaker 1: showing up and he's kind of out of shape like 622 00:35:25,680 --> 00:35:27,640 Speaker 1: he was the West Coast trip over the next just now, 623 00:35:27,760 --> 00:35:30,839 Speaker 1: like I would not be shocked if the Sixers lost 624 00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:34,160 Speaker 1: in the first round. There are a ton of chemistry 625 00:35:34,239 --> 00:35:36,960 Speaker 1: questions when it comes to the Sixers. My, my, the 626 00:35:37,000 --> 00:35:41,880 Speaker 1: first one is what happens to Joel embiads m v 627 00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:45,680 Speaker 1: P chances, Like, like everybody is saying, oh, you can't 628 00:35:45,760 --> 00:35:49,480 Speaker 1: waste Joel em beads m v P season, And I'm thinking, 629 00:35:49,960 --> 00:35:52,200 Speaker 1: you just traded for James Harden. You just killed his 630 00:35:52,360 --> 00:35:56,480 Speaker 1: MVP season because his usage rate has to go down, right, 631 00:35:57,040 --> 00:36:00,000 Speaker 1: his numbers are gonna go down, So even if they 632 00:36:00,120 --> 00:36:04,080 Speaker 1: end up winning, he's now sharing the credit for that 633 00:36:04,520 --> 00:36:10,839 Speaker 1: with lesser numbers. So from a statistical standpoint, like this 634 00:36:11,000 --> 00:36:15,000 Speaker 1: may the reason Joel Embiid was in the conversation was 635 00:36:15,400 --> 00:36:18,480 Speaker 1: part statistical, part narrative, Like we were not expecting the 636 00:36:18,480 --> 00:36:21,320 Speaker 1: Philadelphia seventis to be nearly as good without Ben Simmons 637 00:36:21,440 --> 00:36:25,239 Speaker 1: lo and behold, they were better, and Joel Embiid was 638 00:36:25,280 --> 00:36:27,279 Speaker 1: getting the lion's share of the credit because everything was 639 00:36:27,320 --> 00:36:31,080 Speaker 1: running through him. That's a full stop now, like that's 640 00:36:31,160 --> 00:36:33,920 Speaker 1: just James Harden is going to be a floor spacer, 641 00:36:34,040 --> 00:36:39,120 Speaker 1: And like I mean, and then they were working with 642 00:36:39,160 --> 00:36:42,120 Speaker 1: Tyrese Maxi to be an on the ball guy. Like, 643 00:36:43,440 --> 00:36:45,839 Speaker 1: and you don't have Seth Curry, who was who was 644 00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:49,000 Speaker 1: your best floor spacer. You don't have Andre Drummond who 645 00:36:49,040 --> 00:36:51,560 Speaker 1: get you could still play big and and give and 646 00:36:51,680 --> 00:36:53,880 Speaker 1: be too blow when you needed to. Like, there are 647 00:36:53,920 --> 00:36:58,399 Speaker 1: a lot of questions about this Sixers team and how 648 00:36:58,400 --> 00:37:01,319 Speaker 1: it's going to fit together, and of course starting with 649 00:37:01,360 --> 00:37:03,120 Speaker 1: em beat and heart from two guys who want to 650 00:37:03,160 --> 00:37:06,040 Speaker 1: be the alpha. And if Ben Simmons left because he 651 00:37:06,120 --> 00:37:07,920 Speaker 1: knew that Darryl Morey was trying to trade him and 652 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:09,920 Speaker 1: that you know, whatever happened, that it was gonna be 653 00:37:10,000 --> 00:37:13,040 Speaker 1: Joel em beats team. Well, how's Joel embad gonna feel 654 00:37:13,080 --> 00:37:15,760 Speaker 1: now that Darryl Morey is there and James Harden his 655 00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:19,520 Speaker 1: boy and and it may not be his team much longer? 656 00:37:19,680 --> 00:37:23,560 Speaker 1: Second time, Morey has stolen Hardened from Kevin Durant back 657 00:37:23,760 --> 00:37:26,320 Speaker 1: of course Houston and okay, see, but you keep mentioning 658 00:37:26,360 --> 00:37:28,680 Speaker 1: the Bucks real quick, um, let me just make a 659 00:37:28,719 --> 00:37:32,960 Speaker 1: case for by the way, DeAndre picking up DeAndre Bembrey 660 00:37:33,080 --> 00:37:40,080 Speaker 1: with Pat Conatton hurt? What about Lopez? Question? Significant question? 661 00:37:40,320 --> 00:37:42,759 Speaker 1: Big question? And there are people, there are people in 662 00:37:42,760 --> 00:37:45,399 Speaker 1: the league who will say to you, they need brook 663 00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:49,919 Speaker 1: Lopez to be able to win an anchor on that defense. Yeah, 664 00:37:49,960 --> 00:37:54,520 Speaker 1: anchored the defense. It's I don't argue with that, my 665 00:37:54,520 --> 00:37:58,040 Speaker 1: my own, My only caveat is I thought that they 666 00:37:58,080 --> 00:38:01,719 Speaker 1: won the championship. And I still think that for long stretches. 667 00:38:01,800 --> 00:38:04,560 Speaker 1: Their best team is when nice Is at the five, 668 00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:10,000 Speaker 1: is at the five, Portis Is at the four, uh 669 00:38:10,320 --> 00:38:15,400 Speaker 1: Connatent or whoever, or Grayson Allen, uh, Drew Holiday and 670 00:38:15,440 --> 00:38:19,720 Speaker 1: Chris Middleton. To me, that's your finishing lineup, and and 671 00:38:19,719 --> 00:38:23,319 Speaker 1: and Janice is just playing. I think he's the best 672 00:38:23,320 --> 00:38:25,160 Speaker 1: player in the in the game right now. I think 673 00:38:25,200 --> 00:38:29,000 Speaker 1: he's the best two way, best overall player in the 674 00:38:29,080 --> 00:38:31,040 Speaker 1: league right now. The way he's shooting the three, the 675 00:38:31,080 --> 00:38:35,080 Speaker 1: way he's making free throws, the way he's playmaking, I 676 00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:36,719 Speaker 1: mean tough to argue. By the way, I didn't even 677 00:38:36,760 --> 00:38:44,520 Speaker 1: realize Portis from three Holiday. This is a strong team. 678 00:38:44,680 --> 00:38:46,960 Speaker 1: And you know why. And you know why because because 679 00:38:47,160 --> 00:38:51,239 Speaker 1: Janice is creating below the free throw line in a 680 00:38:51,280 --> 00:38:55,960 Speaker 1: way that he never has before. He forces attention and 681 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:59,440 Speaker 1: he's making the right pass on a consistent basis I do. 682 00:39:00,120 --> 00:39:02,440 Speaker 1: I know they won the championship and everybody was excited, 683 00:39:02,480 --> 00:39:06,040 Speaker 1: and obviously Janice was incredible. They only made the finals 684 00:39:06,080 --> 00:39:08,520 Speaker 1: because Kevin Durant's toe was on the line. I think 685 00:39:09,000 --> 00:39:14,319 Speaker 1: you and Marcellus reality rick. And again I'm not I'm 686 00:39:14,360 --> 00:39:17,840 Speaker 1: not poo pooing uh that you know, the Bucks getting 687 00:39:17,880 --> 00:39:23,240 Speaker 1: the finals winning the championship. But if durant toe is okay, 688 00:39:23,320 --> 00:39:27,200 Speaker 1: and if why Leonards shot doesn't bounce twice on the rim, 689 00:39:27,239 --> 00:39:30,960 Speaker 1: I mean, I dare say you could look at every 690 00:39:31,000 --> 00:39:35,960 Speaker 1: almost every championship run and find a play that was 691 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:40,920 Speaker 1: the difference maker. So yeah, I'll give you that, but 692 00:39:41,920 --> 00:39:45,919 Speaker 1: you know, ultimately that's a part of every championship run. 693 00:39:46,800 --> 00:39:51,560 Speaker 1: And and so that was to get there, right, That 694 00:39:51,600 --> 00:39:55,200 Speaker 1: was that was too, That was part of the narrative 695 00:39:55,239 --> 00:39:59,320 Speaker 1: for them to win their first championship. But now once 696 00:39:59,360 --> 00:40:03,440 Speaker 1: you've won one and you have that confidence and understanding 697 00:40:03,600 --> 00:40:08,080 Speaker 1: of what it takes to win a championship, like that's 698 00:40:08,120 --> 00:40:13,480 Speaker 1: an invaluable element. You're like, now you there's no situation 699 00:40:13,600 --> 00:40:17,120 Speaker 1: you look at and say we can't overcome that, or 700 00:40:17,360 --> 00:40:19,640 Speaker 1: or it's it's too big for you, Like you you've 701 00:40:19,640 --> 00:40:23,560 Speaker 1: already stared down every big situation and come out on top. 702 00:40:24,080 --> 00:40:26,960 Speaker 1: And the confidence that the collective confidence that gives you, 703 00:40:27,480 --> 00:40:29,040 Speaker 1: I just I don't know how you measure that. I 704 00:40:29,080 --> 00:40:31,479 Speaker 1: just know that it's a big factor. There's two ways 705 00:40:31,520 --> 00:40:33,080 Speaker 1: to look at that. What the other is, are they 706 00:40:33,080 --> 00:40:36,840 Speaker 1: going to be as hungry and on that quest for 707 00:40:36,840 --> 00:40:39,160 Speaker 1: the championship after they just won one? But see, here's 708 00:40:39,160 --> 00:40:43,160 Speaker 1: the beauty of that is that nobody's talking about the 709 00:40:43,200 --> 00:40:47,080 Speaker 1: Milwaukee Bucks just like everyone nobody is talking about the 710 00:40:47,080 --> 00:40:49,160 Speaker 1: Milwaukee Bucks. I mean, I think the Phoenix Suns have 711 00:40:49,239 --> 00:40:51,040 Speaker 1: the same thing going for him. We have the best 712 00:40:51,080 --> 00:40:54,120 Speaker 1: record in the league, We're kicking ask nobody's talking about 713 00:40:54,400 --> 00:40:57,080 Speaker 1: and and and the beauty of it for the Bucks 714 00:40:57,840 --> 00:41:03,200 Speaker 1: is normally like normally there's all kinds of talk about 715 00:41:03,560 --> 00:41:06,200 Speaker 1: are you measuring up to what you were? Or was 716 00:41:06,239 --> 00:41:09,719 Speaker 1: it fools Gold last year or anything like, it's not 717 00:41:10,080 --> 00:41:11,960 Speaker 1: I mean people are talking about them at all, about 718 00:41:12,000 --> 00:41:15,200 Speaker 1: anything like they're not even poking holes in them. They're 719 00:41:15,239 --> 00:41:18,520 Speaker 1: just letting them coast along. And I think that like 720 00:41:18,560 --> 00:41:22,560 Speaker 1: they're they're not having to expend additional energy trying to 721 00:41:22,680 --> 00:41:27,160 Speaker 1: answer questions or I do think people like you get 722 00:41:27,160 --> 00:41:29,359 Speaker 1: a chance to play the Bucks. You know you gotta play. 723 00:41:29,640 --> 00:41:32,239 Speaker 1: It's not the it's not the same as you know, 724 00:41:32,280 --> 00:41:35,120 Speaker 1: it's not the same as playing the Warriors or even 725 00:41:35,160 --> 00:41:38,080 Speaker 1: with the Lakers. I think people go in like, like, 726 00:41:38,120 --> 00:41:40,480 Speaker 1: we want to kick Lebron. We finally get an opportunity 727 00:41:40,520 --> 00:41:43,319 Speaker 1: to kick Lebron, and A d and and west and 728 00:41:43,320 --> 00:41:46,359 Speaker 1: and and Westbrooks asked like, let's go do it, right, 729 00:41:47,080 --> 00:41:48,640 Speaker 1: you don't even, I don't know even there's a whole 730 00:41:48,640 --> 00:41:51,560 Speaker 1: lot of satisfaction and beating nice and Chris Middleton and 731 00:41:51,640 --> 00:41:56,359 Speaker 1: Drew Holiday point that way. Rick Buker, so where middle 732 00:41:56,400 --> 00:41:59,960 Speaker 1: of February he's going with Bucks Sons in the finals? 733 00:42:00,040 --> 00:42:02,759 Speaker 1: I will go completely off that I will the Warriors. 734 00:42:02,880 --> 00:42:05,960 Speaker 1: Nets uh and he laughs. Sexy do you always go 735 00:42:06,040 --> 00:42:08,960 Speaker 1: for the sexy pick? I mean I'm rooting for sexy. 736 00:42:09,080 --> 00:42:12,960 Speaker 1: I need that for this podcast for everything. Oh hey, 737 00:42:13,040 --> 00:42:15,920 Speaker 1: d and Steph going head to head for a for 738 00:42:15,960 --> 00:42:18,920 Speaker 1: a race and get signed me up. Let's be real, 739 00:42:19,040 --> 00:42:21,520 Speaker 1: the NBA kind of could use one of those bumps, right, 740 00:42:21,560 --> 00:42:23,200 Speaker 1: I mean, it's it's kind of it's not been a 741 00:42:23,239 --> 00:42:26,480 Speaker 1: great season, would you agree, I don't know, yeah, I 742 00:42:26,480 --> 00:42:29,839 Speaker 1: mean it's been how I mean, so much of it's 743 00:42:29,840 --> 00:42:32,839 Speaker 1: difficult because Covid still overhead, and and and guys are 744 00:42:32,840 --> 00:42:36,120 Speaker 1: in and out of the lineup like Kyrie and Ben Simmons, 745 00:42:36,160 --> 00:42:38,719 Speaker 1: who we didn't talk about. Like. It's just it doesn't 746 00:42:38,719 --> 00:42:42,160 Speaker 1: feel like it's been an awesome season yet because because 747 00:42:42,160 --> 00:42:45,239 Speaker 1: everybody's beatable, and because there's so much parody, and the 748 00:42:45,320 --> 00:42:49,879 Speaker 1: NBA does not have its greatest success, and that that's 749 00:42:49,880 --> 00:42:53,239 Speaker 1: the NFL model. Teams use it all the time. You 750 00:42:53,320 --> 00:42:57,279 Speaker 1: need you need to have super teams. You need to 751 00:42:57,360 --> 00:43:01,600 Speaker 1: have somebody everybody's gunning for, and you need to have uh, 752 00:43:01,640 --> 00:43:03,600 Speaker 1: and you need to have a villain. And and it's 753 00:43:03,600 --> 00:43:08,080 Speaker 1: not that I'm saying you need players, you know, getting 754 00:43:08,080 --> 00:43:12,799 Speaker 1: together and creating super teams, however you get them. You 755 00:43:12,920 --> 00:43:15,640 Speaker 1: just need super teams. I'm still of the mind that 756 00:43:16,120 --> 00:43:18,720 Speaker 1: a better built super team is better for the league, 757 00:43:18,719 --> 00:43:21,040 Speaker 1: and teams are better built as super teams, that the 758 00:43:21,040 --> 00:43:23,600 Speaker 1: players aren't deciding who plays. I've been saying it for 759 00:43:23,640 --> 00:43:26,200 Speaker 1: five years. Now, give me super teams or give me death. 760 00:43:26,560 --> 00:43:28,840 Speaker 1: I love it in the NBA, all right, Rick, good stuff. 761 00:43:29,000 --> 00:43:30,880 Speaker 1: You can catch him on FS one. Where else are 762 00:43:30,920 --> 00:43:34,800 Speaker 1: you these days? Rick? Um? Well, you got the podcast. 763 00:43:34,840 --> 00:43:37,960 Speaker 1: You got my own podcast on the ball right, and 764 00:43:38,040 --> 00:43:40,920 Speaker 1: obviously Fox Sports Radio. Where else do you want? The 765 00:43:42,960 --> 00:43:45,719 Speaker 1: Fox Sports? The Fox Sports app, you can read. You 766 00:43:45,760 --> 00:43:48,680 Speaker 1: can read my my piece on why Andrew Wiggins is 767 00:43:48,719 --> 00:43:53,520 Speaker 1: the unlikeliest All Star starter ever ever. Oh I buy 768 00:43:53,600 --> 00:43:56,399 Speaker 1: that Bay Area baby all right? Rick, thanks a loving 769 00:43:56,800 --> 00:43:57,239 Speaker 1: you got it.