1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 1: The Volume. All right, welcome to Hoops Tonight. Here at 2 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:20,079 Speaker 1: the Volume, Happy Friday, everybody. Round one coverage of the 3 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:22,479 Speaker 1: NBA Playoffs. Here at Hoops Tonight is brought to you 4 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:26,439 Speaker 1: by Chase Freedom Unlimited. How do you cash back? Well? 5 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: The Los Angeles Lakers, after being a dominant defense throughout 6 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: the entire series, get a legendary performance from Anthony Davis, 7 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 1: and they finally break out offensively after being stuck in 8 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 1: the mud all series long, and get a monster win 9 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,640 Speaker 1: over the Memphis Grizzlies to advance to the second round. 10 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 1: I have a bunch of different angles I want to 11 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,519 Speaker 1: hit from this game and looking forward for the Lakers 12 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:53,600 Speaker 1: into the rest of the postseason. You guys know the 13 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 1: Joe before we get started. Subscribe to the Volumes YouTube channels. 14 00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: You don't miss any more of our videos. Follow me 15 00:00:58,280 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: on Twitter at Underscore Jason lt. You guys don't miss 16 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 1: any show announcements. And if for whatever reason, you guys 17 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:04,479 Speaker 1: miss one of these shows and you can't get back 18 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:06,400 Speaker 1: over to YouTube to finish, don't forget. You can find 19 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 1: them wherever you get your podcasts under Hoops Tonight So 20 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 1: I have I want to go into every single player 21 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 1: who played in the core rotation for the Lakers for 22 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: at least a minute. And I want to talk about 23 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:22,559 Speaker 1: some crucial adjustments that Darvin Ham made that I thought 24 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:25,559 Speaker 1: swung the tide of this game early. But I can't 25 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 1: say another word without getting to who I thought had 26 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:33,320 Speaker 1: one of the most dominant performances I've ever seen from 27 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 1: an individual basketball player to dominate a game on both 28 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 1: ends of the floor in the playoffs. Anthony Davis had 29 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: a similar performance strictly on the defensive end in twenty 30 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 1: twenty in Game six of the NBA Finals, kind of 31 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:49,880 Speaker 1: a similar situation. Disappointing Game five defense all around on 32 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: the team wasn't quite where it needed to be, and 33 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:56,240 Speaker 1: in Game six, AD left nothing to doubt in single 34 00:01:56,240 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 1: handedly crushed the Miami Heat offense on his to his 35 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:03,080 Speaker 1: first NBA Championship. Similar type of vibe in this game, 36 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: just a level of effort and energy that started with 37 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: AD but flowed through the entire roster. And we're gonna 38 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 1: hit on everybody. But you know, here's the thing, Anthony 39 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 1: Davis has never won a defensive Player of the Year aboard. 40 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:19,320 Speaker 1: When I talk about who the best defender in basketball is, 41 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:22,680 Speaker 1: I usually say Yiannis, And the main reason why is 42 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 1: he has a lot of the similar tools and versatility 43 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 1: to Anthony Davis. But his big thing is he just 44 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 1: he's healthy all the time and he plays incredibly hard 45 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 1: all the time. So in terms of like actually building 46 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 1: a defense around a player for an entire season, you 47 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:41,080 Speaker 1: can't do much better than a guy like Janna Santana Kumbo. 48 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 1: Anthony Davis has a impact on the game with his 49 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 1: length and his defensive IQ and his and his mobility 50 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 1: that I believe nobody else in the league has. Everything 51 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: with him is health and available health and an effort. 52 00:02:57,440 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 1: He can fade in and out of games at times. 53 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 1: He can have some games where he shows up and 54 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 1: you're like, man, like, where's Anthony Davis? What is he doing? 55 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 1: And obviously health keeps him off the floor from time 56 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:10,920 Speaker 1: to time. But when he's like that, when he's healthy 57 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 1: and locked in, there's nobody who can do what he 58 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:20,639 Speaker 1: can do. Not Rudy Gobert, not Draymond Green, not Giannison Tennecompo, 59 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 1: not Brook Lopez. None of these guys are close to 60 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: as good as what he can do around the rim. 61 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 1: All of those guys are amazing but when Anthony Davis 62 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 1: is right, he's another level above that. It just clearly 63 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 1: he probably had what five or six blocks in this game. 64 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 1: I didn't even look at the box score. I'm sure 65 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: he changed at least fifteen sixteen shots. I can't tell 66 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: you how many times the Lakers would make a catastrophic mistake, 67 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 1: you know, like a there's play Lebron just throws the 68 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 1: ball away on a fast break, just turns it over, 69 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 1: and there's a Tias Jones runout, and Anthony Davis is like, no, 70 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna force you to the other side of 71 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 1: the rim, make you taking him possible reverse lamup. You're 72 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:03,800 Speaker 1: gonna miss it. Oh and Jared Jackson's trailing the play. 73 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna grab it before he can get there 74 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 1: either and just blow up a two on one fast 75 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: break by myself, or somebody will gamble out of position 76 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:15,600 Speaker 1: and give up a driving lane, and Anthony Davis is 77 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 1: just there, you know, so Jaron Jackson posting up and 78 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 1: or I think it was actually John Moran like kind 79 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 1: of working in an ISO, didn't even see Anthony Davis 80 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:29,359 Speaker 1: just swoops him from behind, just takes the ball away. 81 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 1: Now we're going the other direction. But what was unique 82 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 1: about this performance that made it different in my opinion, 83 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:37,599 Speaker 1: than the one in the twenty twenty finals was he 84 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:42,160 Speaker 1: also absolutely torched Memphis in their switching attack on the 85 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: other end of the floor. And this is why I 86 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: tweeted out like there are only a small handful of 87 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 1: players in the entire NBA that can impact a game 88 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:51,599 Speaker 1: as much as Anthony Davis did in that first half, 89 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: because in addition to everything he was doing defensively, just 90 00:04:56,320 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 1: like otherworldly impact on the d defensive vent, on the 91 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 1: other end of the floor, Memphis was switching pick and rolls. 92 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,480 Speaker 1: They started doing this in the middle of the series, 93 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 1: and it was a problem when Lebron had the ball 94 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 1: because they were switching you know, Brooks and Jaron Jackson 95 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,599 Speaker 1: or Xavier Tillman and Jaron Jackson, and they weren't really 96 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:17,839 Speaker 1: gaining much of an advantage. But I disagreed with this 97 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 1: strategy from Taylor Jenkins. But he started switching pick and 98 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 1: rolls with the guards. So now all of a sudden, 99 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 1: you're ending up with John Morant or you know, someone 100 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:31,480 Speaker 1: like John Contar or Desmond Baine guarding Anthony Davis rolling 101 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: to the rim on a switch, and I thought the 102 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: Lakers did a really nice First of all, credit to 103 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 1: Anthony Davis. He was rolling hard, quickly and quickly ceiling 104 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:42,560 Speaker 1: and getting positioned. Why is that important? Getting there quickly 105 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:44,720 Speaker 1: makes it so that you're there before the defense can 106 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 1: load up on you. Memphis was trying to do a 107 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:48,760 Speaker 1: lot of work, fronting Anthony Davis in the posts and 108 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 1: bracketing from behind. It. It's a coverage to talk about 109 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:53,200 Speaker 1: a lot on this show. Like when you front you 110 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:55,360 Speaker 1: offer backside help. It makes that over the top pot 111 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:58,599 Speaker 1: pass extremely difficult. Right, But if you go quickly and 112 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:01,360 Speaker 1: seal before they even react, you can beat him there. 113 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:04,840 Speaker 1: All of the Laker guards did an amazing job getting 114 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:08,160 Speaker 1: Anthony Davis quick feeds up high where only he could 115 00:06:08,160 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 1: get them, and he could quickly turn around and finish. 116 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 1: Just unbelievable dominant basketball from Anthony Davis. Again, everything I've 117 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 1: said about Anthony Davis from the moment he put on 118 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 1: a Laker jersey, has had nothing to do with what 119 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 1: he's capable of. I have consistently insisted that when he 120 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 1: is right, he is every bit as good as Nikolae 121 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:30,839 Speaker 1: Jokic and Joel Embiid. I very passionately feel that way. 122 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 1: He's not the same franchise Cornerstone, because you're not gonna 123 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,279 Speaker 1: get it for eighty two or over the course of 124 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:39,600 Speaker 1: eighty two to the same extent you're gonna get from 125 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:43,159 Speaker 1: Embiid and Jokic. But for any playoff series or any 126 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:45,920 Speaker 1: small sample size, as long as Anthony Davis is playing 127 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 1: at his best and is healthy, he's every bit as 128 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:50,840 Speaker 1: good as those as those guys because he's on a 129 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 1: different stratosphere defensively, and he dominated that game tonight. I 130 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 1: want to talk about Lebron first second too, because like 131 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 1: he had a rough game in Game five, I wasn't 132 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:05,919 Speaker 1: particularly worried about it. Lebron's one of those guys like 133 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 1: he's much more susceptible to poor shooting Knights. He has 134 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,760 Speaker 1: had stretches of sloppiness, but for as long as I 135 00:07:14,800 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 1: can remember, with Lebron James, at least since probably since 136 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 1: twenty twelve, I'd say, if there's a big game and 137 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 1: his team has a real chance to win, you can 138 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 1: depend on him to play great and to impact winning 139 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 1: to a great extent. It's the only player that I 140 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 1: can think of in my time following the NBA who's 141 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 1: that dependable. Even guys who are considered his peers around 142 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 1: the league, guys like Kevin Durant and Steph Curry, they're 143 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: a little susceptible to shot result. Shots aren't going in, 144 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 1: not as much impact. Lebron James was struggling on the 145 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:54,560 Speaker 1: ball in this series because a couple different reasons. It's 146 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 1: a very physical series. Dylan Brooks is one of the 147 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: best perimeter defenders in basketball, and Memphis in general was 148 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 1: loading up on driving lanes. But Lebron James is a 149 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 1: very smart basketball players, very versatile. I did an episode 150 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 1: with Colin Coward months ago where I pointed out we 151 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 1: were having a conversation around Kevin Durant, and I said, like, 152 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: you know, Lebron James is underrated as a plug in 153 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 1: play player because of all the different roles that he 154 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 1: can fill on both ends of the floor. So Game six, 155 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 1: he can tell early early in the game, oh, Dangelo 156 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 1: Russell has it going. Austin's playing better, ads locked in, 157 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 1: they're winning on these switches. I don't need to have 158 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:40,199 Speaker 1: the basketball in my hands. Let me just be a 159 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:45,199 Speaker 1: stereotypical NBA big And he just started screening and roll 160 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 1: into the basket, crashing in the glass, working in spot 161 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 1: up situations, and just getting out in transition to it, 162 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:55,320 Speaker 1: all of these other things to impact the game on 163 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:58,000 Speaker 1: the offensive end of the floor alongside an offense that 164 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 1: was running through everybody else. So much of the ball 165 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 1: was in d'angela, Russell and Ousin Reeves's hands tonight, and 166 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 1: a big part of that is just the way the 167 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 1: series shook out. From a matchup perspective, the Laker guards 168 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 1: had the better matchups in the series. It made sense 169 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:13,680 Speaker 1: to float through them, at least when they were playing well. 170 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 1: D'Angel Russell had some rough stretches, but in this particular 171 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: game it paid off. But Lebron completely altered his approach 172 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 1: on the offensive end of the floor and as a 173 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 1: result had hit one of his more efficient and productive 174 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:31,199 Speaker 1: offensive games in the series. And then on the defensive 175 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:33,000 Speaker 1: end of the floor, he did exactly what you ask 176 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:37,880 Speaker 1: of him, which is just stay engaged, hard closeouts on shooters, 177 00:09:38,280 --> 00:09:41,559 Speaker 1: active around the rim, playing passing lanes, and getting out 178 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 1: in transition. Before we get to some of the Laker 179 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: role players, I wanted to talk about a couple of 180 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 1: specific adjustments that Darvin Ham made that I thought were 181 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 1: really smart again. I was critical of Darvin ham earlier 182 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 1: in the series for a couple of specific reasons, namely 183 00:09:57,559 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 1: just like being a little bit too hesitant to call 184 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:02,560 Speaker 1: time out when Desmond Bain was getting going in the 185 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:05,880 Speaker 1: second half of Game four. I believe if I remember correctly, 186 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: guess what happened in this game, Desmond Bain finally hits 187 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 1: a three. I believe it was in a transition situation. 188 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:16,080 Speaker 1: If I remember correctly, it's turnover quick run out just 189 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 1: ribbled into a pull up three on the left wing. 190 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:22,800 Speaker 1: Darvin Ham Boop immediately calls a timeout. That's an adjustment. 191 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 1: We let Desmond Bain get going by letting the game 192 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 1: run for too long. He's killed us for two games 193 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:33,360 Speaker 1: after that. Not doing that. Tonight he hits one three. 194 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 1: We are calling a timeout. Overall in the coverage, he 195 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:40,280 Speaker 1: made two specific adjustments, one adjustment that he started to 196 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 1: make in the second half of Game five, and then 197 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 1: that had to do with Anthony Davis just coming way 198 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:48,200 Speaker 1: higher out of his screen doing one of two things 199 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:50,719 Speaker 1: he was mixing up, like a high show to take 200 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: away the pull up, and then Anthony Davis would sprint 201 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 1: back to Xavier Tillman to get back in the lane, 202 00:10:55,960 --> 00:10:58,200 Speaker 1: and then in other situations he would straight up blitz 203 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 1: and drag Desmond Bay out to forty feet onto live dribble, 204 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:03,560 Speaker 1: and then as soon as he picked up his dribble 205 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 1: then he would sprint back. But that was an adjustment 206 00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:09,000 Speaker 1: they started in the second half of game five, but 207 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 1: they continue that into game six, which was smart because 208 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 1: that's when they slowed Desmond Band down for the first time, 209 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:17,840 Speaker 1: which was in the second half of game five. But secondly, 210 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 1: and this was the most important one I thought early. 211 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 1: I think if I remember correctly, it was the very 212 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: first play in game five in Memphis. Desmond Bain had 213 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 1: just played a great game. He had thirty six points. 214 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: In game four, they run a a complicated like screen 215 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: the screen or action underneath the basket, and Desmond Bay 216 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 1: comes flying off to the elbow wide open because Austin 217 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 1: Reeves gets caught on the screen. And throughout that game, 218 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:48,600 Speaker 1: Austin Reeves was really struggling with the complicated screening actions 219 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:52,319 Speaker 1: that Taylor Jenkins was running again, lock and trail position. 220 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:55,720 Speaker 1: It's a lot easier said than done, especially even in 221 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: a single screen situation. It's easier said than done. But 222 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:01,600 Speaker 1: as soon as it gets to the point where there's 223 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 1: multiple interchanges, it gets really difficult to do, and Austin 224 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 1: look like, obviously he's not the most athletic dude in 225 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:12,079 Speaker 1: the world. But it was more about just the actual 226 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:15,120 Speaker 1: action itself and the fact that it was too much 227 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: to ask one player to navigate all of that than 228 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:20,880 Speaker 1: it was about his athletic tools. I thought it was 229 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 1: a schematic thing, so I wanted to see if Darvinham 230 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:26,200 Speaker 1: would make an adjustment. One of the early plays in 231 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: this game, in the first quarter, Desmond Bay is coming 232 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: off in action I believe it started on the left wing, 233 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:34,559 Speaker 1: and he's coming off towards the top of the key 234 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:36,559 Speaker 1: and Austin Reeves gets caught. It was a double screen. 235 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:39,480 Speaker 1: Austin Reeves gets caught on the first screen, and rather 236 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:42,120 Speaker 1: than asking Austin to just keep fighting through and let 237 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:45,520 Speaker 1: Desmond Bank come off wide open, D'Angelo Russell, who's guarding 238 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:50,680 Speaker 1: one of the screeners, jumps in and takes Desmond Bay again. 239 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 1: Like that's a simple idea. In a single screening action 240 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 1: with the big you just have Anthony Davis show and 241 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 1: you ask Austin to chase. But if it's a multiple 242 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 1: screening action where Anthony Davis is at the end of 243 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: the screen, but there's another guard involved. Have the other 244 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:11,559 Speaker 1: guard fight through one of the screens, because then he 245 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:13,720 Speaker 1: only has to fight through one. Austin gets caught on one, 246 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:16,320 Speaker 1: he can jump in and catch him on the second one. Right, 247 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:19,960 Speaker 1: they were just much more willing to have Austin peel 248 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,920 Speaker 1: off onto a screener rather than just leaving him on 249 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 1: an island to chase Desmond Bain around, And as a result, finally, 250 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:29,720 Speaker 1: after for two straight games, Desmond Baine looked like the 251 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:32,559 Speaker 1: best player on the floor, the guy consistently getting to 252 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:34,719 Speaker 1: his spots and the only guy in the series who 253 00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:36,640 Speaker 1: was comfortable knocking down jump shots. I think they held 254 00:13:36,679 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 1: him to five or sixteen tonight, shot him down when 255 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:42,679 Speaker 1: they needed to. So, you know, a lot of Laker 256 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 1: fans were critical of Darvingham all season. I was critical 257 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: of him earlier in the series for being slower to 258 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 1: make some of these adjustments. But here's the bottom line. 259 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:55,679 Speaker 1: The Lakers are moving on to the second round because 260 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:57,640 Speaker 1: in large part they were able to slow down things 261 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 1: that were beating them earlier in the series. That's coaching 262 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 1: and that's making adjustments, So shout out to Darvin Ham. 263 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 1: And honestly, like between that and Taylor Jenkins foolishly switching 264 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:10,080 Speaker 1: the guard Anthony Davis screens to allow Anthony Davis to 265 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:12,839 Speaker 1: get switched on too smaller defenders, I thought Darvin Ham 266 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:15,439 Speaker 1: just flat out out coached Taylor Jenkins in this game, 267 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:18,280 Speaker 1: and at the end of the day that ended up 268 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:20,880 Speaker 1: playing a significant role. So shout out to Darvin Ham. 269 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 1: I want to talk about Austin Reeves and D'Angelo Russell 270 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 1: for a minute. I thought it got a little carried 271 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:31,120 Speaker 1: away at certain points in the series before tonight, in particular, 272 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 1: in large part because Austin and Di Loo just played 273 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 1: really well tonight. At certain points in this series it 274 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 1: felt like the Laker guards were co opting the offense 275 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 1: too much. But it's a matter of matchups, and we've 276 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:45,360 Speaker 1: talked about this a lot on the show over the 277 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 1: course of the season, but it's about staggering, right, So 278 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:52,880 Speaker 1: if Anthony Davis is drawing Jaron Jackson and he has 279 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: great role gravity because like, look at how many lobsy 280 00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: caught tonight, just because you could just throw it up 281 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 1: anywhere around the rim, and because Lebron James is dragging 282 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 1: their best perimeter defender and Dylan Brooks Away and the 283 00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:10,040 Speaker 1: other players on the floor are John Morant, bad defensive player, 284 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 1: Desmond Baine average defensive player, Xavier Tillman average defensive player. 285 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 1: You know, they went small a lot, played a lot 286 00:15:18,280 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 1: of guys like Tyas Jones and Santi al Dama. Those 287 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 1: guys are both of them are average to below average 288 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:28,640 Speaker 1: defensive players, so there's better matchups out there for other players. 289 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 1: Ruey Hatcha Mura got off a lot in this series. 290 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:35,840 Speaker 1: In the Santi Aldama matchup, D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reeves 291 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:38,600 Speaker 1: attacking the other Memphis guards had quite a bit of success. 292 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 1: Danzel Russell was given John Morant serious problems in this game, 293 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 1: so matchups allowed those guys to have better opportunities. And again, 294 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 1: like in a series where because of the physicality, Anthony 295 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 1: Davis and Lebron James just could not make a jump shot. 296 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:54,480 Speaker 1: Although credit to Lebron, he made a couple of big 297 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: ones in the first half of this game. I thought 298 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 1: that kind of softened things up a little bit on 299 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 1: the On the offensive end of the floor, Austin and 300 00:16:03,440 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 1: Dilo made jump shots and made pull up jump shots 301 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:08,480 Speaker 1: in the mid range. And that was a huge part 302 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 1: of how this Again, like we knew, I've been preaching 303 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 1: the Laker defense ever since the trade deadline. There was 304 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 1: a stretch where Anthony Davis played without Lebron, and there 305 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 1: were some stretches with Lebron, But like throughout it all 306 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: up and down, regardless of what happened, there was one 307 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,360 Speaker 1: consistent thing through it all was their defense. And they 308 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 1: had several stretches where their defense was absolutely stifling, but 309 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 1: never really did they like really click offensively against a 310 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 1: good defense. And tonight that happened, and that's the most 311 00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 1: encouraging part because that defense is good enough to beat 312 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 1: the Grizzlies. That defense with that offense, that's good enough 313 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 1: to win the trophy. And it's it's the it's the 314 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:56,240 Speaker 1: total package. It's Anthony Davis and Lebron James applying legitimate 315 00:16:56,280 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: rim pressure. It's their defense allowing them to get out 316 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 1: transition consistently. It's Ruy Hachimura's matchup attacking on the wing 317 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:09,400 Speaker 1: that pressures the rim, and it's three guards that bring 318 00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:16,280 Speaker 1: completely different punches. D'Angelo Russell this super slow, methodical you know, 319 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:20,640 Speaker 1: kind of like Finesse game, and then it's Austin Reeves 320 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:24,960 Speaker 1: with this like he has an underrated handle, like Austin 321 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 1: Reeves legitimately might have a top twenty handle in the NBA, 322 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:31,399 Speaker 1: which is insane for a player as young as he is. 323 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:34,119 Speaker 1: But he's really good at setting up his man in 324 00:17:34,160 --> 00:17:37,400 Speaker 1: ball screens and great at getting downhill and engaging screen defenders, 325 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:41,240 Speaker 1: drawing fouls, and is such a great passer in those situations. 326 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: Had another while behind the back pass in this game 327 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:47,880 Speaker 1: to Jared Vanderbilt in the corner, and then Dennis Schroeder 328 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:53,000 Speaker 1: just your stereotypical dribble drive guard. And then on the 329 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:55,639 Speaker 1: other end of the floor, guys like Dennis at the 330 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:59,640 Speaker 1: point of attack, Lebron and Anthony Davis on the back line, 331 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: Jared Vanderbilt, Ruey Hatchamura taking perimeter defensive signments like Ruey Hatchi. 332 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 1: Mura did an excellent job defending Desmond Baine in this game, 333 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 1: Like what a luxury. Let's just put Rui like another 334 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:17,359 Speaker 1: random little diamond in the rough, like we were able 335 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:21,320 Speaker 1: to discover, you know, from Darvin Ham's perspective, he was 336 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:24,560 Speaker 1: able to discover that he had another defender that could 337 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:26,639 Speaker 1: do a significant job on who I thought was the 338 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:28,359 Speaker 1: best player on Memphis in this series, and that was 339 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:32,400 Speaker 1: Desmond Bain. All of it was really impressive. A couple 340 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:34,679 Speaker 1: of specific things I wanted to shout out Dangela Russell. 341 00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:37,280 Speaker 1: You know, this is this guy that has not had 342 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 1: a successful playoff career, and I think what makes it 343 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:44,920 Speaker 1: work in this particular situation is he's finally slotted properly. 344 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:49,639 Speaker 1: He's basically the fourth option. Austin and Anthony Davis and 345 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:55,479 Speaker 1: Lebron are better offensive players in drawing better defenders, Desmond 346 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: Bain is guarding Austin Reeves, and he got D'angela Russell 347 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:02,240 Speaker 1: drew the worst of on Memphis, which is John Morant, 348 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 1: which helped him to get going and most importantly like 349 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:11,240 Speaker 1: getting him off the ball. This was a revelation early 350 00:19:11,280 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: in the season with Minnesota, but Danzel Russell's legitimately like 351 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 1: a really good spot up shooter, and so putting him 352 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:20,640 Speaker 1: in that situation off of Lebron James and Anthony Davis 353 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 1: really really helped Reuly. I thought I had a great series, 354 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,119 Speaker 1: did a lot of things on the glass defensively and offensively. 355 00:19:28,560 --> 00:19:30,600 Speaker 1: Jared Vanderbilt. I think he made three threes tonight, did 356 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:33,480 Speaker 1: a great job defensively on John Morant, made a bunch 357 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:36,679 Speaker 1: of big plays in the passing lanes as well. Dennis 358 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:38,720 Speaker 1: Schroeder had a stretch there in the second quarter where 359 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 1: his point of attack defense was frightening, and I actually 360 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 1: think that he's going to play a massive role in 361 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:46,479 Speaker 1: the next round, regardless of who they play, whether it's 362 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 1: Sacramento or Golden State, just because of the job he 363 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:50,399 Speaker 1: can do at the perimeter, which is going to be 364 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:54,119 Speaker 1: so much more important against that particular team. And then 365 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:57,159 Speaker 1: when Gabriel came in, what do you play like a 366 00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:59,199 Speaker 1: three and a half minute stretch there to start the 367 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 1: second quarter and just did enough to float the ship, 368 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 1: and that unit was plus one with Anthony Davis off 369 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: the floor. Little things that can help you win an 370 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 1: NBA championship or playoff series at least. I'm glad we 371 00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:15,680 Speaker 1: had some time tonight to actually get to every single 372 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:17,960 Speaker 1: one of those players, because every single one of them 373 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 1: deserves a massive shout out and a team performance in 374 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:25,080 Speaker 1: what I thought was the most dominant performance in the 375 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:27,159 Speaker 1: first round from any NBA team, which we'll talk a 376 00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 1: little bit more about a minute. The Lakers are in 377 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:33,639 Speaker 1: great shape right now because in the early game tonight, 378 00:20:33,680 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 1: the Golden State Warriors brought a laxadaisical effort at home. 379 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: My friend samos FONDIII covers the Warriors for the Light 380 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:44,600 Speaker 1: Years podcast. He had a really interesting point in his 381 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:49,679 Speaker 1: opening rant, and basically what he said was like he 382 00:20:49,720 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 1: said he was like I wished, so I wanted so 383 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 1: badly after Game five to think that's last year's team, 384 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:59,639 Speaker 1: But he said, the regular season is the regular season. 385 00:20:59,840 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: And you know, one team was hungry and tough all 386 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:08,720 Speaker 1: year in Sacramento, and one team was kind of complacent 387 00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: all year, and that was Golden State. And I agree 388 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: with him. That doesn't mean Golden State's not gonna win 389 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 1: the series the verywell might I have that Game seven 390 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 1: on Sunday as a total coin flip. But I love 391 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:22,760 Speaker 1: that Sam pointed that out because it's a super interesting 392 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 1: example of something I've talked about a lot over the years, 393 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:27,879 Speaker 1: which is like the regular season doesn't matter, but it 394 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 1: does matter. It doesn't matter in the standings. This year 395 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:34,360 Speaker 1: has been the resounding example of that, Like there's too 396 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:37,280 Speaker 1: many good teams, so regardless of where you're situated in 397 00:21:37,320 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 1: the standings. It's really more about home court advantage than 398 00:21:39,359 --> 00:21:43,600 Speaker 1: anything else. Like, there are seven great teams in the West, 399 00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 1: seven of them six if you take out the Clippers, 400 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:49,639 Speaker 1: who lost Kawhi Leonard. But with Kawhi, they looked like 401 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:53,040 Speaker 1: a pretty damn good team, you know, So like you're 402 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:55,040 Speaker 1: not gonna get a good matchup in the first round 403 00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 1: even Minnesota, Like, look like Denver beat him in five, 404 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 1: but Minnesota was in though those games, like every one 405 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:07,680 Speaker 1: of them, at least three of the five. So like, again, 406 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:11,159 Speaker 1: seeding doesn't matter as much. But what the regular season 407 00:22:11,320 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 1: is is it's a great time to build habits, to 408 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:20,879 Speaker 1: build continuity, and to set the foundation for what you 409 00:22:20,960 --> 00:22:23,120 Speaker 1: need to be as a basketball team in the playoffs. 410 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:28,240 Speaker 1: And one thing I'll say about this Laker team, this 411 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:32,600 Speaker 1: is a continuation of a regular season trend. Yes, they 412 00:22:32,600 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 1: were bad in the aggregate for the whole year or 413 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:38,080 Speaker 1: forty two or forty one, and I don't even remember 414 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:42,159 Speaker 1: what their record was forty three and thirty nine. But 415 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:46,399 Speaker 1: post deadline, they were what the second best defense in 416 00:22:46,440 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 1: the entire league? Oh, big shock, Now they're defending at 417 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:51,200 Speaker 1: a high level. They won most of their games oh 418 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:53,720 Speaker 1: big shock. They're four and two so or five and 419 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:57,520 Speaker 1: two so far in postseason games. Like it's a continuation 420 00:22:57,640 --> 00:23:02,720 Speaker 1: of a regular season trend. But most importantly, with the 421 00:23:02,720 --> 00:23:07,240 Speaker 1: Warriors trick in that game off, it buys the Lakers 422 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 1: two points of optimism. First of all, extra time off. 423 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:18,359 Speaker 1: The Lakers just finish an extremely physical series against that 424 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:23,679 Speaker 1: Memphis Grizzlies team, and now because of Golden State losing, 425 00:23:24,359 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 1: they are guaranteed all day Saturday, all day Sunday, all 426 00:23:29,160 --> 00:23:32,320 Speaker 1: day Monday off, and they'll play Game one on Tuesday. 427 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:35,680 Speaker 1: So that buys Lebron James and Anthony Davis in particular 428 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:40,639 Speaker 1: some time to rest their bodies vitally important. Secondly, I 429 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:43,840 Speaker 1: have no idea who I'd pick in a Lakers Warriors series. 430 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:49,160 Speaker 1: Those two teams are kind of uniquely equipped to give 431 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:54,320 Speaker 1: each other problems. But I know for a fact that 432 00:23:54,359 --> 00:23:57,400 Speaker 1: I would pick the Lakers over to the Kings. It's 433 00:23:57,440 --> 00:24:01,879 Speaker 1: a terrible matchup for them. They like Harrison Barnes and 434 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:05,439 Speaker 1: demonis the bonus, and Trey Lyles having to navigate Lebron 435 00:24:05,480 --> 00:24:08,199 Speaker 1: James and Anthony Davis for seven games is it is 436 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:13,320 Speaker 1: a disaster waiting to happen. I you know, I pointed 437 00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:15,800 Speaker 1: this out to a couple of my buddies. Well, I 438 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:19,160 Speaker 1: was texting during the game. But if you guys remember 439 00:24:19,240 --> 00:24:22,879 Speaker 1: last year, Golden State just ends up in this like 440 00:24:23,040 --> 00:24:27,400 Speaker 1: physical war with Memphis, right, and Memphis beats the shit 441 00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:30,159 Speaker 1: out of them in game five, even game six, even 442 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:32,800 Speaker 1: though the Warriors won comfortably at the end, like they lingered, 443 00:24:32,840 --> 00:24:35,960 Speaker 1: Memphis lingered throughout most of the game like it was 444 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 1: a battle. And Golden State did not look overly impressive 445 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:43,640 Speaker 1: in that series. And then they went and played Dallas, 446 00:24:43,720 --> 00:24:47,600 Speaker 1: a finesse team that was undersized at most positions on 447 00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:50,480 Speaker 1: the floor, and the Warriors just ripped through them like 448 00:24:50,560 --> 00:24:54,200 Speaker 1: tissue paper, went up three to zero, and aside from 449 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:59,080 Speaker 1: mailing in Game four, dominated that series. Right, That's kind 450 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:02,600 Speaker 1: of how I see a Lake King series, going them 451 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:05,600 Speaker 1: dealing with just this blood bath of a Memphis physical 452 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:09,399 Speaker 1: defense and then going to like it would be like 453 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:12,760 Speaker 1: if Lebron James and Anthony Davis played an entire series 454 00:25:12,800 --> 00:25:16,159 Speaker 1: with a twenty pound weight vest on and then for 455 00:25:16,240 --> 00:25:18,120 Speaker 1: the second round they just took the weight vest off. 456 00:25:18,280 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 1: That's what it's gonna feel like for those guys, For 457 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:22,920 Speaker 1: Lebron James to go from a low center of gravity, 458 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:26,480 Speaker 1: super physical defender to a defender in Harrison Barnes that 459 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:29,520 Speaker 1: Lebron James has torched his entire career with a high 460 00:25:29,560 --> 00:25:31,320 Speaker 1: center of gravity that he's gonna be able to move 461 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:34,720 Speaker 1: off of his spot all the time, to a defensive 462 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:37,440 Speaker 1: center in Demona Sabonis who is literally hopeless to guard 463 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:41,679 Speaker 1: Anthony Davis. It's gonna be such a breath of fresh 464 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:46,280 Speaker 1: air for those guys. And then as part of that process, 465 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:50,080 Speaker 1: it's gonna draw multiple defenders all series long. And the 466 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:53,399 Speaker 1: strength of the King's defense is their guards. And I 467 00:25:53,440 --> 00:25:55,399 Speaker 1: don't think it's gonna be as much of an Austin 468 00:25:55,440 --> 00:26:00,879 Speaker 1: Reeves and D'Angelo Russell series. But if all those guards 469 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:03,840 Speaker 1: have to double and shade over to Lebron James and 470 00:26:03,840 --> 00:26:06,400 Speaker 1: Anthony Davis, they're gonna get a bunch off ball opportunities. 471 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:10,280 Speaker 1: So again, like that Game seven, Golden State Sacramento is 472 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 1: a total toss up. Even though I agree with Sam's 473 00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:15,560 Speaker 1: overall point about your regular season identity, I think that 474 00:26:15,600 --> 00:26:17,680 Speaker 1: has more to do with the Warriors just bringing a 475 00:26:17,720 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 1: laxadaisical effort in a close out game. But at the 476 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 1: end of the day. I do think the Warriors are 477 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:25,640 Speaker 1: a better team than Sacramento. Sacramento has home court advantage, 478 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:30,400 Speaker 1: so easy little trade off there. I think that evens out. 479 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:32,760 Speaker 1: I think it's a total coin flip, and in a 480 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:36,320 Speaker 1: huge stressful game, the Warriors are gonna feel a lot 481 00:26:36,359 --> 00:26:39,320 Speaker 1: more comfortable in that setting than Sacramento. So I will 482 00:26:39,320 --> 00:26:43,680 Speaker 1: not stop betting the Warriors just because I refuse to look. 483 00:26:43,720 --> 00:26:46,280 Speaker 1: I'd rather go down betting on the people who have 484 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:49,280 Speaker 1: been there before and that have been in these moments, 485 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:51,880 Speaker 1: and that I trust. I'd rather look at. I'd rather 486 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:54,560 Speaker 1: lose that bet and come back and be like man 487 00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:57,040 Speaker 1: like I guess I guess this was the end of 488 00:26:57,040 --> 00:27:00,000 Speaker 1: the rope. Then to put my energy and effort behind 489 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:02,560 Speaker 1: that Sacramento Kings team who's just never been there before. 490 00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:06,240 Speaker 1: So I definitely believe Sacramento can win. I believe they'll 491 00:27:06,280 --> 00:27:09,639 Speaker 1: be a slight favorite, but I can't go off of 492 00:27:09,640 --> 00:27:14,800 Speaker 1: my Warriors pick. That said, if Sacramento wins, what an 493 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:17,600 Speaker 1: amazing matchup for the Lakers, And no matter what, getting 494 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:20,520 Speaker 1: that little bit of extra rest is huge. Last note 495 00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 1: I want to hit before we get out of here. 496 00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:25,520 Speaker 1: I thought that was the most impressive performance as a 497 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:30,600 Speaker 1: team in the first round in terms of like most shocking. 498 00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:33,399 Speaker 1: Of course, it's gonna be Miami over Milwaukee. But if 499 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:36,040 Speaker 1: you really dig into it, it's like Giannis doesn't play 500 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:39,119 Speaker 1: the first three games essentially, and in the last two games, 501 00:27:39,119 --> 00:27:42,280 Speaker 1: the Bucks outplay the Miami Heat pretty thoroughly for three 502 00:27:42,320 --> 00:27:43,840 Speaker 1: and a half quarters. I mean, they were up sixteen 503 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 1: in the fourth quarter of Game five, and then at 504 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:48,080 Speaker 1: the end of the games, Miami stole the games with 505 00:27:48,119 --> 00:27:51,679 Speaker 1: like amazing execution and shot making and defense, coaching, all 506 00:27:51,720 --> 00:27:55,040 Speaker 1: those different things. Like they stole that series, which impressive 507 00:27:55,119 --> 00:27:57,120 Speaker 1: is not even the right word. Miami's probably the most 508 00:27:57,160 --> 00:28:01,679 Speaker 1: impressive win. But in terms of dominance, nothing trump's what 509 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:04,240 Speaker 1: the Lakers did to the two seed in the Western Conference. 510 00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:06,720 Speaker 1: The Memphis Grizzlies had the fifth best record in all 511 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:09,160 Speaker 1: of basketball this year, and the Lakers beat the shit 512 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:13,800 Speaker 1: out of them. That's not the same as Philly sweeping 513 00:28:14,160 --> 00:28:18,160 Speaker 1: the trade filler from the Kevin Durant deal, and it's 514 00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:21,439 Speaker 1: it's it's it's just that that to me, is the 515 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 1: best any team has looked in the first round. Is 516 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:26,679 Speaker 1: the Lakers to end that series against Memphis winning three 517 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:30,480 Speaker 1: of their last four games. So look, I'm not about 518 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:33,200 Speaker 1: to make him my championship favorite. I think by default, 519 00:28:33,840 --> 00:28:36,359 Speaker 1: looking at the easy path going out of the Eastern 520 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:40,120 Speaker 1: Conference with Joel Embiid being hurt and James Harden not 521 00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:44,120 Speaker 1: playing well, going into like, Boston's in really good shape there, 522 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:46,400 Speaker 1: and then in the Conference finals they're gonna face an 523 00:28:46,480 --> 00:28:51,160 Speaker 1: undermanned Knicks or Heat team. Undermanned relative to Boston, I 524 00:28:51,240 --> 00:28:55,560 Speaker 1: think Boston now becomes the safest bet to win the title. 525 00:28:56,280 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 1: But man like, if you're a Lakers fan, you should 526 00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:01,760 Speaker 1: be feeling great because in that tier right below Boston, 527 00:29:02,520 --> 00:29:07,360 Speaker 1: I pretty much have Warriors, Lakers, Nuggets, Suns all kind 528 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:09,800 Speaker 1: of on the same level, and whichever one of those 529 00:29:09,800 --> 00:29:11,800 Speaker 1: teams comes out is gonna have a great chance to 530 00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:14,760 Speaker 1: beat that Boston team too. I want to give some 531 00:29:14,840 --> 00:29:18,040 Speaker 1: credit to Sacramento first, most importantly, just for their approach 532 00:29:18,120 --> 00:29:22,360 Speaker 1: to this game. They were zero to four in Chase 533 00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:25,720 Speaker 1: Center this season. They lost there twice early in the 534 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:29,320 Speaker 1: regular season, and then they lost there twice during this series, 535 00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:32,600 Speaker 1: once a blowout in Game three and then Game four. 536 00:29:32,640 --> 00:29:34,800 Speaker 1: I know Harrison Barnes had that look at the end, 537 00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:37,440 Speaker 1: but I mean, really, when we dive into it. There 538 00:29:37,480 --> 00:29:39,960 Speaker 1: was that weird Steph time out, there were some turnovers, 539 00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:43,600 Speaker 1: like the Warriors were several possessions ahead of them, and 540 00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 1: just happened to trick that game into position where Harrison 541 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:50,560 Speaker 1: Barnes had a look. So they've pretty much dominated the 542 00:29:50,640 --> 00:29:56,040 Speaker 1: series ever since. That two to ozer deficit now essentially 543 00:29:56,280 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 1: what got them beat in the first two games. If 544 00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:00,760 Speaker 1: you guys remember when I would do the breakdowns from 545 00:30:00,800 --> 00:30:04,000 Speaker 1: those games, I talked a lot about perimeter defense and 546 00:30:04,080 --> 00:30:07,960 Speaker 1: dribble penetration leading to shot quality. Shot quality is a 547 00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:10,720 Speaker 1: tough thing to focus too heavily on with the Warriors 548 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:14,040 Speaker 1: because they specialize in making tough shots. They've got two 549 00:30:14,120 --> 00:30:16,200 Speaker 1: of the best pull up jump shooters in the history 550 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:18,920 Speaker 1: of the league, and Klay Thompson and Steph Curry. Clay 551 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:20,240 Speaker 1: a little bit more of a movement shooter, but you 552 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:21,960 Speaker 1: hit some stuff off the bounce as well. Steph is 553 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:24,960 Speaker 1: probably the best pull up jump shooter to ever play 554 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:27,360 Speaker 1: in the history of the league. And they just would 555 00:30:27,440 --> 00:30:30,520 Speaker 1: go over drop coverage and knock down crazy shots. They 556 00:30:30,520 --> 00:30:33,560 Speaker 1: won a championship doing it last year game four, down 557 00:30:33,600 --> 00:30:36,680 Speaker 1: two to one against Boston, Steph just made difficult shot 558 00:30:36,720 --> 00:30:39,360 Speaker 1: after difficult shot after difficult shot. That's what they do. 559 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:42,520 Speaker 1: So you can't focus too much on shot quality for 560 00:30:42,560 --> 00:30:44,080 Speaker 1: the Warriors. If they just get a bunch of wide 561 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:46,320 Speaker 1: open looks, you're just gonna lose, like you're gonna lose 562 00:30:46,320 --> 00:30:48,160 Speaker 1: by forty if you just give Steph Clay and all 563 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:51,000 Speaker 1: them driving kick looks all game long, right like you 564 00:30:51,040 --> 00:30:53,640 Speaker 1: expect them to take and make tough shots. But on 565 00:30:53,680 --> 00:30:55,400 Speaker 1: the other end of the floor, the Warriors do have 566 00:30:55,480 --> 00:30:58,440 Speaker 1: to force teams into difficult shots. And in the first 567 00:30:58,440 --> 00:30:59,960 Speaker 1: two games, I told you guys, I thought the King 568 00:31:00,160 --> 00:31:04,160 Speaker 1: we're getting higher quality shots because of dribble penetration. There's 569 00:31:04,160 --> 00:31:07,440 Speaker 1: a huge difference between flattening out drives in straight line drives. 570 00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:10,520 Speaker 1: So when you have a straight line drive, it engages 571 00:31:10,560 --> 00:31:12,680 Speaker 1: the help defense in a way that goes above and 572 00:31:12,760 --> 00:31:15,840 Speaker 1: beyond the way that a flattened out drive will engage 573 00:31:15,840 --> 00:31:20,960 Speaker 1: help defense. When Malik Monk goes flying down the lane, 574 00:31:21,040 --> 00:31:23,920 Speaker 1: it forces a guy like Steph to come out of 575 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:27,160 Speaker 1: the corner to help, which is going to leave Darren 576 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:31,000 Speaker 1: Fox wide open on the wing right. However, if you 577 00:31:31,080 --> 00:31:33,280 Speaker 1: flatten out that Malik Monk drive and make him kind 578 00:31:33,280 --> 00:31:36,120 Speaker 1: of take a banana route and you're kind of engaged 579 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:39,240 Speaker 1: on his hip. Now Steph can maybe just dig at 580 00:31:39,280 --> 00:31:42,800 Speaker 1: the ball or stay home entirely right, and that forces 581 00:31:42,920 --> 00:31:45,120 Speaker 1: Malik Monk to either take a contested shot over the 582 00:31:45,120 --> 00:31:47,640 Speaker 1: top or to try to throw a pass to a 583 00:31:47,680 --> 00:31:50,440 Speaker 1: player that's being guarded, which can lead to turnovers. Perimeter 584 00:31:50,560 --> 00:31:53,360 Speaker 1: defense is not only the best form of rim protection 585 00:31:53,440 --> 00:31:55,160 Speaker 1: that there is, but it is the best way to 586 00:31:55,200 --> 00:31:58,440 Speaker 1: force turnovers because it allows your other defenders to stay 587 00:31:58,760 --> 00:32:01,960 Speaker 1: in passing lanes. In the first half, it was very 588 00:32:02,680 --> 00:32:06,640 Speaker 1: effort related. I thought the Warriors brought an incredibly poor 589 00:32:06,760 --> 00:32:09,680 Speaker 1: level of effort and execution in the first half, and 590 00:32:09,760 --> 00:32:11,640 Speaker 1: they were just getting like they'd get a basket and 591 00:32:11,720 --> 00:32:13,680 Speaker 1: Darren Fox would just dribble all around them all the 592 00:32:13,680 --> 00:32:15,720 Speaker 1: way down the floor and lay the ball in. It 593 00:32:15,840 --> 00:32:20,200 Speaker 1: just easy transition pushes with no resistance for easy baskets 594 00:32:20,800 --> 00:32:23,120 Speaker 1: at the rim. Then in the second half, the Warriors 595 00:32:23,120 --> 00:32:25,239 Speaker 1: did pick up the effort a little bit, but they 596 00:32:25,320 --> 00:32:29,120 Speaker 1: just couldn't contain Maleik Monk. They and again, like when 597 00:32:29,160 --> 00:32:31,720 Speaker 1: it's really hard to get that engine running that late 598 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:33,800 Speaker 1: in the game, it's like you kind of set a 599 00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:37,040 Speaker 1: tone and especially once you've given the other team hope. 600 00:32:37,440 --> 00:32:40,280 Speaker 1: They're gonna bring their engine. They're gonna be running at 601 00:32:40,280 --> 00:32:42,640 Speaker 1: a high level that's gonna be difficult to match. That's 602 00:32:42,640 --> 00:32:45,880 Speaker 1: why it's so important to crush hope with teams like this. 603 00:32:46,120 --> 00:32:48,600 Speaker 1: We're about to go check out Lakers Grizzlies here in 604 00:32:48,640 --> 00:32:50,840 Speaker 1: a minute, and like, I think it's imperative for the 605 00:32:50,920 --> 00:32:53,400 Speaker 1: Lakers to get an early lead to sap some of 606 00:32:53,440 --> 00:32:55,520 Speaker 1: the energy from the Grizzlies. If they allow it to 607 00:32:55,520 --> 00:32:58,440 Speaker 1: stay close, it's a one point game in the third quarter, 608 00:32:58,800 --> 00:33:01,960 Speaker 1: that's where Memphis is you full energy and athleticism and 609 00:33:01,960 --> 00:33:04,600 Speaker 1: physicality is going to become an advantage for them. And 610 00:33:04,920 --> 00:33:06,760 Speaker 1: in the second half just from and it's been like 611 00:33:06,840 --> 00:33:09,600 Speaker 1: this the whole series, but in Games three, four, and five, 612 00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:13,880 Speaker 1: the Warriors did a much better job containing dribble penetration 613 00:33:14,280 --> 00:33:17,080 Speaker 1: from Deer and Fox and Malik Munk. You know, we 614 00:33:17,120 --> 00:33:19,080 Speaker 1: talk a lot about schemes on the show, not as 615 00:33:19,160 --> 00:33:20,560 Speaker 1: much as some of the other shows. There are guys 616 00:33:20,560 --> 00:33:23,960 Speaker 1: that like really heavily focused on sets and counters and 617 00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:26,360 Speaker 1: all that sort of thing, And I think that can 618 00:33:26,400 --> 00:33:28,320 Speaker 1: get a little in the weeds for the way that 619 00:33:28,400 --> 00:33:31,320 Speaker 1: we do it here. I prefer to focus a little 620 00:33:31,320 --> 00:33:34,840 Speaker 1: bit more on a balance between personnel, other basketball concepts, 621 00:33:34,840 --> 00:33:36,920 Speaker 1: and then some scheme stuff. And one of the big 622 00:33:36,920 --> 00:33:39,360 Speaker 1: reasons why is because I think that at the end 623 00:33:39,400 --> 00:33:42,240 Speaker 1: of the day, regardless of what sets you run or 624 00:33:42,240 --> 00:33:46,320 Speaker 1: how complicated your counters are, your personnel has to execute. 625 00:33:46,680 --> 00:33:48,400 Speaker 1: So it doesn't matter if you run the perfect set, 626 00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:50,640 Speaker 1: if a guy doesn't set a solid screen, or you 627 00:33:50,640 --> 00:33:53,160 Speaker 1: can blow a play up defensively just by not allowing 628 00:33:53,200 --> 00:33:56,360 Speaker 1: yourself to get screened. More often than anything having to 629 00:33:56,440 --> 00:33:59,160 Speaker 1: do with the sets, it does come down to personnel, 630 00:33:59,640 --> 00:34:02,760 Speaker 1: sheer force of force of will in combination with your 631 00:34:02,800 --> 00:34:05,720 Speaker 1: athletic tools and the skill set you have that you 632 00:34:05,760 --> 00:34:08,359 Speaker 1: can use in conjunction with those athletic tools. And in 633 00:34:08,400 --> 00:34:11,719 Speaker 1: this game, that push and pool, that pull, that that 634 00:34:11,960 --> 00:34:15,160 Speaker 1: tug of war that takes place in dribble penetration. That 635 00:34:15,280 --> 00:34:17,440 Speaker 1: was a battle the Kings won in game one and two, 636 00:34:17,880 --> 00:34:20,040 Speaker 1: and then the Warriors got control of it, and then 637 00:34:20,080 --> 00:34:21,880 Speaker 1: they let go of the rope tonight, and then they 638 00:34:21,960 --> 00:34:24,360 Speaker 1: ended up getting their ass kicked at home. The series 639 00:34:24,440 --> 00:34:28,160 Speaker 1: is not over. I believe the Kings will probably be 640 00:34:28,200 --> 00:34:30,960 Speaker 1: a slight favorite in game seven, probably a one point favorite, 641 00:34:31,120 --> 00:34:33,440 Speaker 1: but the Warriors have a very good chance to win 642 00:34:33,480 --> 00:34:35,880 Speaker 1: that game because, in large part I did think effort 643 00:34:35,960 --> 00:34:39,640 Speaker 1: and energy played a huge role in Game seven. Sacramento 644 00:34:40,040 --> 00:34:41,759 Speaker 1: was in a similar motivation. It was in an even 645 00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:45,120 Speaker 1: better motivational position in Game five coming off of two losses, 646 00:34:45,400 --> 00:34:49,480 Speaker 1: and the Warriors went into Sacramento and just soundly outplayed them. 647 00:34:49,520 --> 00:34:53,120 Speaker 1: So it's not over, but a very disappointing effort from 648 00:34:53,120 --> 00:34:54,600 Speaker 1: the Warriors. I want to give a bunch of guys 649 00:34:54,680 --> 00:34:58,239 Speaker 1: specific credit on the Kings. Darreon Fox in that first half, 650 00:34:58,280 --> 00:35:02,720 Speaker 1: his transition impressure was incredible. Malikue Monk in the second half. 651 00:35:02,880 --> 00:35:04,560 Speaker 1: I covered him with the Lakers last year. He was 652 00:35:04,560 --> 00:35:08,360 Speaker 1: one of my favorite players on that team. Rob Plinkett 653 00:35:08,360 --> 00:35:10,840 Speaker 1: was incapable of retaining him because the only offer he 654 00:35:10,840 --> 00:35:13,480 Speaker 1: could make without without hard capping the team was that 655 00:35:13,560 --> 00:35:16,239 Speaker 1: Lonnie Walker contract at about six million a year, and 656 00:35:16,280 --> 00:35:17,960 Speaker 1: the Kings were able to give him ten million a year. 657 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:19,759 Speaker 1: So it just it wasn't realistic that they were going 658 00:35:19,840 --> 00:35:21,239 Speaker 1: to be able to keep him. But he was one 659 00:35:21,239 --> 00:35:24,120 Speaker 1: of my favorite players that season. He had great chemistry 660 00:35:24,160 --> 00:35:26,600 Speaker 1: with Lebron James. He was a reliable scorer. He was 661 00:35:26,640 --> 00:35:29,160 Speaker 1: one of their best plus minus guys, and watching his 662 00:35:29,280 --> 00:35:32,040 Speaker 1: game manifest really well at this level has been impressive 663 00:35:32,080 --> 00:35:34,920 Speaker 1: and honestly like it's the latest example of if you 664 00:35:34,960 --> 00:35:38,440 Speaker 1: have an one elite skill, like truly elite skill, you 665 00:35:38,480 --> 00:35:41,759 Speaker 1: can be an impact player in the NBA playoffs. In 666 00:35:41,840 --> 00:35:44,640 Speaker 1: Malik Monk, it's just impossible to keep him in front 667 00:35:44,680 --> 00:35:47,959 Speaker 1: off the dribble because of his combination of quickness, athleticism, 668 00:35:48,160 --> 00:35:50,520 Speaker 1: and pull up shooting that forces you to play up 669 00:35:50,920 --> 00:35:56,080 Speaker 1: on him. Sabonis has been struggling a lot in this 670 00:35:56,120 --> 00:36:01,080 Speaker 1: particular series. He struggled a lot in that in the 671 00:36:01,160 --> 00:36:03,000 Speaker 1: later portions of this game, he actually got off to 672 00:36:03,080 --> 00:36:05,440 Speaker 1: a good start in this game. It's actually one of 673 00:36:05,520 --> 00:36:08,240 Speaker 1: the wildest subplots of this series is that the Kings 674 00:36:08,239 --> 00:36:11,719 Speaker 1: are tied three to three, basically getting nothing out of Sabonis, 675 00:36:11,760 --> 00:36:15,759 Speaker 1: But Trey Lyles is a different type of perimeter oriented player, 676 00:36:15,800 --> 00:36:17,600 Speaker 1: a little more comfortable off the dribble, a little more 677 00:36:17,600 --> 00:36:21,640 Speaker 1: comfortable comfortable from the three point line. It holds up 678 00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:23,600 Speaker 1: well enough defensively to not be a huge drop off 679 00:36:23,600 --> 00:36:26,000 Speaker 1: from Sabonis, who's not a great defender either, and he 680 00:36:26,040 --> 00:36:27,719 Speaker 1: actually helps them a lot on the offensive end of 681 00:36:27,719 --> 00:36:29,760 Speaker 1: the floor. I thought he played pretty well. Kevin Herder 682 00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:32,800 Speaker 1: hit a bunch of big shots after struggling throughout the series. 683 00:36:33,040 --> 00:36:35,319 Speaker 1: I am so impressed by this Kings team oh to 684 00:36:35,320 --> 00:36:39,680 Speaker 1: four here in Chase Center through this point in the season, 685 00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:42,480 Speaker 1: and they it'd been so easy to just let go 686 00:36:42,520 --> 00:36:44,319 Speaker 1: of the rope and be like, I don't believe we 687 00:36:44,320 --> 00:36:47,239 Speaker 1: can win this game. No, they came in confident and 688 00:36:47,360 --> 00:36:51,719 Speaker 1: flat out pumped the Warriors on their home floor. But 689 00:36:51,960 --> 00:36:54,239 Speaker 1: that said, the Warriors are defending champs for a reason. 690 00:36:54,280 --> 00:36:57,799 Speaker 1: They're four time champs. I expect them to bounce back 691 00:36:57,840 --> 00:37:00,480 Speaker 1: and bring a great effort in Game seven. Expect that 692 00:37:00,560 --> 00:37:03,000 Speaker 1: to come down to the wire and be an incredible 693 00:37:03,040 --> 00:37:05,600 Speaker 1: basketball game. I'm very very excited for that. All right, guys, 694 00:37:05,640 --> 00:37:07,920 Speaker 1: that is all I have for today. I have a 695 00:37:08,040 --> 00:37:11,359 Speaker 1: series preview for six Ers Celtics that's coming out tomorrow morning. 696 00:37:11,400 --> 00:37:13,600 Speaker 1: I've already recorded it's I believe it's going up at 697 00:37:13,600 --> 00:37:17,000 Speaker 1: about like eight thirty something Pacific time, might even be 698 00:37:17,080 --> 00:37:18,840 Speaker 1: up earlier than that. So when you wake up tomorrow, 699 00:37:18,880 --> 00:37:22,719 Speaker 1: that series preview should be on the feeds. And then tomorrow, 700 00:37:22,840 --> 00:37:25,600 Speaker 1: like I said, we're celebrating my wife's birthday, so not 701 00:37:25,760 --> 00:37:28,799 Speaker 1: covering Game one of Nuggets Suns until Sunday morning. But 702 00:37:28,920 --> 00:37:31,960 Speaker 1: then on Sunday afternoon, I'm sure we're gonna have something 703 00:37:31,960 --> 00:37:33,920 Speaker 1: big plan for King's Warriors. It'll either be me or 704 00:37:33,960 --> 00:37:35,960 Speaker 1: me and Collin something along those lines. So keep an 705 00:37:35,960 --> 00:37:37,279 Speaker 1: eye on the feeds and I'll keep you guys posted. 706 00:37:37,320 --> 00:37:38,720 Speaker 1: All right, Thanks guys, You tomorrow