1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:12,159 Speaker 1: This is straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What is up, 2 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:17,639 Speaker 1: straight Fire fan, It's me Jason McIntyre. Straight Fire for Thursday, 3 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: December sixteenth. Then if you went to bed early last night, 4 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:24,919 Speaker 1: oh boy, you missed the big NFL news in the 5 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: middle of the night. We'll get to the NBA shortly, 6 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 1: We'll get to our guests in a moment, we'll get 7 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:32,200 Speaker 1: to the best bet for Thursday night football. But before 8 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:38,280 Speaker 1: all that, Urban Meyer canned. I mean, it's unbelievable. Listen, 9 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:42,519 Speaker 1: I will do a Obviously, right off the top, I 10 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 1: was wrong on urban Meyer. I thought the Jags wouldin 11 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:48,240 Speaker 1: the play get to the playoffs, win the division. You 12 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:51,239 Speaker 1: got Trevor Lawrence, you got urban Meyer. Like, come on, 13 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:53,319 Speaker 1: that's a winning combo. And I could not have been 14 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 1: more wrong. What a spectacular disaster urban Meyer was in Jacksonville. 15 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: And frankly, he goes right to near the top of 16 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 1: the list for worst coaches in NFL history. I mean, really, 17 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 1: you know, I mean you look at a guy like 18 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 1: Hugh Jackson, his record three thirty six and one, Marty 19 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:18,640 Speaker 1: morning Wig five and twenty seven. Um, Bobby Petrino has 20 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:21,479 Speaker 1: to be up there. Everybody remembers history, takes over the Falcons, 21 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 1: and decides almost near the end of the season, I 22 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: can't hack it. I'm out of here. Leaves a laminated 23 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 1: note for each of his players in their locker, a 24 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:34,040 Speaker 1: couple of sentences, Hey, you know, blah blah blah, good ride. 25 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: I had to go, you know, like Bobby Petrina. That 26 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:40,399 Speaker 1: was a guy who failed miserably in Atlanta and listen, 27 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 1: Lane Kiffin was awful with the Raiders. I think his 28 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:46,760 Speaker 1: record was five and fifteen. But I gotta be honest, 29 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: I did not see Urban Meyer not getting to Christmas 30 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 1: with the Jags. Um, this is a stunner, like he 31 00:01:56,320 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: failed in every way possible. Um, I'm anything you want 32 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 1: to look at. In his career, he's been a winner. 33 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:07,640 Speaker 1: He dominated at college. Um. He first at Utah with 34 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 1: Alex Smith, and he goes to uh, well no, actually 35 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 1: I think Bowling Green first, right, and then Utah, and 36 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 1: then he gets to Florida crushes it. He gets to 37 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 1: Ohio State, he's dominant. Uh. This is a guy who 38 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 1: basically one everywhere he went. But his key was I'm 39 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:28,639 Speaker 1: gonna get five star guys, and they're gonna be your 40 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:30,960 Speaker 1: four star guys. Because I'm urban and I can recruit, 41 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:34,920 Speaker 1: and that doesn't work in the NFL. Everything everybody's a 42 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:38,679 Speaker 1: four or five star guy. He just you know, he 43 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 1: just had no chance. I mean yeah, at Utah twenty 44 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:45,600 Speaker 1: two and two, a couple of national titles at Florida, 45 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: Wait did he win three? No? Just two national titles 46 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:51,480 Speaker 1: of Florida looks like um, and then winning at Ohio 47 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 1: State and he ends his NFL career at two and eleven. 48 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:59,640 Speaker 1: Oh boy, this is uh, this is a big one. Um. Obviously, 49 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: there's a ton of other NFL news happening this week, 50 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 1: so maybe this goes away. Maybe Chargers Chiefs is a 51 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:09,920 Speaker 1: thriller and this isn't that talked about. But I just 52 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:12,639 Speaker 1: I'm stun folks. Now you could start to see the 53 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:14,920 Speaker 1: writing on the wall, like, hey, this is heading sideways 54 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:21,640 Speaker 1: in recent weeks, but fired after thirteen games, got handed 55 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 1: Trevor Lawrence. I mean this sets back Trevor Lawrence. Obviously. 56 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 1: Now Jaguar is like, gosh, the locker room. Now, I 57 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 1: will say this, if you're looking for one bed, I 58 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: will be giving out tomorrow on weekend. NFL best bets 59 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 1: for Week fifteen. The Jags are gonna be one of them. 60 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: You guys know the history. You fire the coach, everybody 61 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: gets amped up to play for the new guy. The 62 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:47,160 Speaker 1: bad guys gone. Every players locked in and of course 63 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: they play Houston this week, so you know they're going 64 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 1: to perform well. But that's the big story today. Urban 65 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 1: Meyer dismissed and he's gonna go down. But whether you 66 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 1: guys like him or not, he's I know, he's got 67 00:03:57,080 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 1: a lot of fans in Ohio state in Florida as 68 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: one of the big his failures in NFL history. All right, 69 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 1: let's get to the NBA. Fox Sports Radio has the 70 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of 71 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 1: our shows at Fox sports Radio dot com and within 72 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 1: the I Heart Radio app search f s R to 73 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 1: listen live. Jason likes to think he knows everything when 74 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 1: it comes to sports. I know what sports dance want. 75 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,920 Speaker 1: But for everything he doesn't, he knows a guy who does. 76 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: Let's just say, I know a guy who knows a 77 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 1: guy who knows another guy. All right, let's welcome into 78 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 1: straight fire a guy he's been here before. He loves 79 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:40,920 Speaker 1: putting out NBA stories, source of stuff that really ruffle 80 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 1: feathers around the league. We like that. We like, um, 81 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:46,320 Speaker 1: trouble I don't know, troublemaker, maybe a strong Jake Fisher, 82 00:04:46,560 --> 00:04:49,159 Speaker 1: How are you, Jake? Thank you? Some people who think 83 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 1: I'm a troublemaker, Um, that's good. I think I'm just 84 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 1: trying to put out real stories that might not gotten 85 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,200 Speaker 1: other otherwise. So yeah, we had we had a guest 86 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: on yesterday talking about the NFL and it was like, listen, 87 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: the NFL doesn't want you to report a bunch of 88 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:05,640 Speaker 1: stuff when they give you the okay you can report it. 89 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:07,600 Speaker 1: The NBA is kind of getting there too, right. The 90 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 1: NFL is not allowed in locker rooms. Um, I mean 91 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:13,120 Speaker 1: in the NBA, like they want to keep the media 92 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:17,280 Speaker 1: at bay and keep the stories positive. Right. Yeah. I 93 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 1: don't think anything I'd write is necessarily negative. I mean 94 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 1: I have definitely put out details that I don't like 95 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 1: the league or team would have got. I was the 96 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 1: first report that UH Minnesota's GM gris from Ross got 97 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:33,039 Speaker 1: fired because of an inappropriate workplace relationship. But the stuff 98 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 1: that I got fee little mad this week is that 99 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 1: the Lakers are you know, um, I don't think they're 100 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 1: calling every instead they're calling every team shopping Russell Westbrook. 101 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 1: But they certainly called Philly about it, and people are 102 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 1: talking about the future Jayleen Brown and Boston I brought 103 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:50,359 Speaker 1: that to light and Saltic Sands got mad about that. 104 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:55,559 Speaker 1: So I think it's more about um clandestine conversations coming 105 00:05:55,960 --> 00:06:00,120 Speaker 1: into the public eye make people sensitive. Yeah, yeah, I 106 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: would a hundred percent agree. And when it reaches to 107 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:04,839 Speaker 1: the level of like woes and those guys putting out it, 108 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 1: there's probably a done deal. You know, you're ruffling feathers. 109 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:12,480 Speaker 1: What's happening early and this rust thing, you know, is interesting, 110 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:15,680 Speaker 1: but it shouldn't be, shouldn't. I mean Jake the fifteen 111 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 1: and thirteen, and I know they've had uh th h 112 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 1: t was hurt and again th HD not even an 113 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 1: All star, but he matters. He's part of the rotation. 114 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:24,719 Speaker 1: One of the few guys who was actually there last year. 115 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:28,160 Speaker 1: Kendrick Nunn, Uh, you know, hurt. Uh. Trevor Reason hasn't 116 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: played and I know people are gonna scoff, Oh, thirty 117 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:31,919 Speaker 1: five year old Trevor Reason. What does that matter? But 118 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,159 Speaker 1: I mean Jake. They basically had three holdovers from last 119 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 1: year and then a bunch of new guys and then 120 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:38,840 Speaker 1: a bunch of guys are hurt and you know they 121 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 1: don't look good, and Lebron has missed I believe, twelve games. 122 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:45,120 Speaker 1: They're five and seven in those games, and Russ has 123 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:47,039 Speaker 1: played in all of them. And these are the games 124 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: he was winning last year. So when you're talking about 125 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 1: internal discussions to trade Russell Westbrook, how serious should they be? Remembered? 126 00:06:56,200 --> 00:07:00,600 Speaker 1: Two years one million dollars left on his awful contract. Um, 127 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,680 Speaker 1: I think you kind of mentioned the roster construction there. 128 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:07,240 Speaker 1: Taylor Horton Tucker was somebody that the Lakers did not 129 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 1: put in trade talks for Kyle Lowry before last year's trade. 130 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: That line, he's also represented by the same agency that 131 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: is Lebron James agency, Sam m Kendrick Nunn who also 132 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 1: signed there this summer with an idea that he had 133 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 1: a chance to be in the starting lineup, and like 134 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 1: you mentioned, he hasn't been able to get out there yet. 135 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 1: So I doubt those two guys that they're really keen 136 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: on them at this point. The only other player on 137 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,600 Speaker 1: their roster outside of Lebron James and Anthony Davis who 138 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 1: isn't on a minimum contract is Russell Westbrook. So if 139 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 1: you are being irresponsible and forward thinking and um aggressive 140 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:45,080 Speaker 1: minded front office that has a gold winning a championship 141 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: around Lebron James. You are going to meet, as every 142 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:51,239 Speaker 1: single team met and made calls to other front offices 143 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 1: ahead of this December fifteenth date that we're at today. Um, 144 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 1: you know you're gonna look at your options to see 145 00:07:57,120 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: how you can upgrade your roster, and there's very few 146 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 1: was outside of moving Russell Westbrook, which there are very 147 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 1: few options for that to even happen either. I don't 148 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 1: think it's going to happen. I would not expect Russell 149 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 1: Westbrook to get traded, but I think it's only right. 150 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: If I work for the Lakers, I would certainly be 151 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 1: trying to look and see how I could upgrade my 152 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: roster right now as well, and that would be probably 153 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 1: the most um clear path in terms of players that 154 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,880 Speaker 1: I'm not necessarily married to. Yeah. Now, I don't want 155 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:28,280 Speaker 1: to be perceived as a Russell Westbrook hater. I know 156 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 1: people will scoff at that, but Jake, something clearly is 157 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 1: going on. If you look at the number of shots 158 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: he was taking earlier this season, every game, it's like 159 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 1: thirteen eighteen Jake Uh, here we are December and Russ 160 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:46,840 Speaker 1: took eight shots against Okay, see, he took nine against 161 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: Memphis and eight against the Clippers. So something's going on. 162 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 1: I don't know what, but either they had an internal 163 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 1: discussions and they're like, yo, dalla back, what do you 164 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,559 Speaker 1: think's happening with Russ and his volume of shots going 165 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:03,319 Speaker 1: signal fincidly down. Um. I can't speak to that definitively. 166 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 1: Those conversations do happen around the NBA. It's certainly possible, um, 167 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,559 Speaker 1: But a lot of those times, sometimes it's circumstantial. Sometimes 168 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 1: it's matchup based. Sometimes, Um, you know, Lebron, maybe he 169 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 1: has decided to change his approach, you know, he he 170 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: very I mean I remember I was sitting courtside at 171 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 1: the Garden, not during a game, like at shoot around, 172 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 1: like I was on the Knicks actual bench one day 173 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 1: when Lebron was still in Cleveland and it was the 174 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:33,840 Speaker 1: year that Kyrie was hurt and Isaiah Thomas was hurt, 175 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 1: and he was basically playing point guard for the Calves, 176 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 1: and he was like openly yelling kind of at me, 177 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: not like not like in a in a demonstrative way, 178 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: but I was talking to Channing Fry about basically what 179 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 1: it's like to play with Lebron. I was doing a 180 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: story about how that CALVS team had all these former 181 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 1: playoff rivals Derek Rose and Dwyane Wade, who obviously was 182 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 1: his teammate, but and Jay Crowd and Isaiah Thomas and 183 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: Kyle Korver. So I was asking Chaining Fry about, like, 184 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:03,440 Speaker 1: what it's like you become a former Lebron adversary on 185 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:05,600 Speaker 1: his team, and Lebron Is kind of piped up and 186 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: was like, I didn't think I was gonna play point 187 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:09,679 Speaker 1: guard this year, but here I am playing point guard 188 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,679 Speaker 1: like he does kind of pick and choose what position 189 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 1: and what role he wants to play on the fly. 190 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:18,440 Speaker 1: Has happened in the past, So couldn't have happen. Yeah, 191 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: did it happen? I don't know. Defenderly, and I will 192 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 1: not say that. Do you think that the the the 193 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 1: Russ talk that you reported that they had an internal 194 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,720 Speaker 1: discussions about trading got to Russ and he has changed 195 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:31,200 Speaker 1: his game because he don't want to go nowhere because 196 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 1: he's an l A guy. Um, he definitely doesn't want 197 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:36,880 Speaker 1: to go anywhere. I also think, you know, for them 198 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 1: to actually make a trade like that, Um, you know, 199 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 1: it would certainly take agreeance and um back channel messaging 200 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 1: or whatever to all those top players involved. I mean, 201 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:52,360 Speaker 1: the way this deal came about was Lebron and a 202 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:55,080 Speaker 1: d and Russ having conversations, just like they talked with 203 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 1: the margin Rosen and talked with Dame and Lebron made 204 00:10:57,679 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: Overatris to Chris Paul like those over sactions do happen? 205 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 1: Is it they related? I can't say for sure now? Um? Alright, 206 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 1: So now the the one question that everybody's asking. Okay, fine, 207 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 1: they had talks about trading Russ, well, who the hell 208 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 1: is gonna want them? And your speculation I mean was 209 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:20,160 Speaker 1: basically Ben Simmons is one name salary wise, talent wise 210 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:23,480 Speaker 1: that could work. But do the Sixers want anything to 211 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 1: do with Russell Westbrook? No? And that that is the 212 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:31,240 Speaker 1: one definitive external call that I know the Lakers have 213 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: made on gauging Russell Westbick's trade value was to Philadelphia. Um. 214 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,079 Speaker 1: But the way it was described to me from Philadelphia 215 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:40,839 Speaker 1: side of things when I talked to people there on Monday, UM, 216 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,559 Speaker 1: was that the conversation went very quickly. They basically the 217 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 1: Lakers said we're interested in ben Um and the Sixers said, well, 218 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:50,600 Speaker 1: you know, how could we get there? It became obvious 219 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:53,760 Speaker 1: who the only real contract would be. The Sixceress quickly 220 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: said no, And I think that's really much how it went. 221 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:59,400 Speaker 1: Outside of that, the only other players who were making 222 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:02,560 Speaker 1: thirty US million dollars who are pretty eligible for trade 223 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 1: right now, and that's that's what you have to start with. 224 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 1: To just match Russell salary like a Kevin Love in Cleveland, 225 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:12,200 Speaker 1: you still have to put Ricky Rubio salary um out going, 226 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 1: and he's been a great addition to the Calves this year. 227 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:17,559 Speaker 1: The Calves from people I've talked to, the Cleveland don't 228 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:20,320 Speaker 1: seem to have much interest in Westbrook either um, so 229 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:22,720 Speaker 1: that that's not really an alternative. Then the only real 230 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:26,559 Speaker 1: options left on the board are c Jim McCollum, and 231 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 1: John Wall. I don't I really don't foresee Russell Westbrook 232 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:34,640 Speaker 1: coming to Portland and being the change that the Trailblazers 233 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 1: needed around Damian Lillard. And the whole dynamic with Houston 234 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:40,680 Speaker 1: and John wall is already pretty messy with you know, 235 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 1: that whole structure with wanting the Rockets clearly want John 236 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:47,760 Speaker 1: Wall to just sit on the sidelines and bubble wrap 237 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 1: and wade out this contract. Um or then they they 238 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:52,680 Speaker 1: love to buy him out, but John Wall has no 239 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 1: interest in doing so. Um, So I don't really know 240 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:59,040 Speaker 1: how sticky that situation is in terms of like how 241 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:01,120 Speaker 1: it relates to making to deal with the Lakers. And 242 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:03,520 Speaker 1: John Wall also has played twenty games in the last 243 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: three years. Like, are the Lakers are? It's just what 244 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:09,840 Speaker 1: it is? Are Are the Lakers going to have real 245 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:13,520 Speaker 1: legitimate interests in swapping so Westbrook? Who is playing for them? 246 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 1: Who is at least active, and um, he's not I 247 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:19,079 Speaker 1: don't think an overall negative player right now, not yet. 248 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 1: So yeah, but I mean, really, what's the market for 249 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: a thirty three year old, high volume shooter who takes 250 00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 1: long twos, can't shoot threes, and wants the ball in 251 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:33,240 Speaker 1: his hands all the time. Like, there's just no market 252 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 1: for that. So the Lakers are gonna have to go 253 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:36,880 Speaker 1: with what they've got. I will. I know that this 254 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:40,319 Speaker 1: is like nine straight minutes of negative Lakers talk, But 255 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:42,080 Speaker 1: we have a lot, we have a large Lakers audience 256 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:47,199 Speaker 1: that I'm out here in l A. But last, oh yeah, 257 00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:49,679 Speaker 1: of course you're winning them all over. But let's be positive. 258 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:52,880 Speaker 1: For sec last ten games since Lebron has been back, 259 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 1: Frank Vogel has tightened up the defense, and their defensive 260 00:13:57,080 --> 00:14:00,439 Speaker 1: unit has rated top five inefficiency over the last and games. 261 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,000 Speaker 1: Now and again that what is that saying? Okay, see 262 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 1: Orlando Sacramento. There's some jokers in there, Pistons, but it's 263 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 1: it's a progress progressive sign, right, I would think. So, 264 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:12,680 Speaker 1: I mean, the defense was I think the biggest calling 265 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:15,400 Speaker 1: card of that Lakers CHAMPIONSHS team as much as a 266 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 1: D and Lebron obviously delivered offensively and moving eight the 267 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:22,600 Speaker 1: five was so important. Um, I think the defensive side 268 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 1: of things was clearly the Lakers calling carden and Frank vocalis. 269 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 1: It's been Frank voglis calling card throughout his head coaching career, 270 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:31,440 Speaker 1: dating back to his days in Indiana. Right. He was 271 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 1: the guy who kind of coined verticality with Roy Hibbert. Um, 272 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:38,960 Speaker 1: So that's always been his strong suit and I think, um, 273 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:42,520 Speaker 1: that's been what he's preached from day one, both publicly 274 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: and privately. Um. For the Lakers, it was. It was 275 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:47,120 Speaker 1: a big part of the recipe to win the title. 276 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:50,200 Speaker 1: In so it makes sense that that's kind of something 277 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:52,640 Speaker 1: that they need to shore up and have taken steps 278 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:54,920 Speaker 1: for being that they have not they before that stretch, 279 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: they were definitely not a good defensive team so far 280 00:14:57,200 --> 00:15:00,680 Speaker 1: this year. Yeah awful. Uh, Now, Jake, we know in 281 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 1: the NBA, when something gets reported, you've got to like 282 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:05,560 Speaker 1: take a step back and say, like, oh, I wonder 283 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 1: why that came out now. So I think about a 284 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 1: week ago, there was a big story that Damian Lillard 285 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:16,240 Speaker 1: is eligible extension and he may want two years a 286 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:19,240 Speaker 1: hundred and seven million or whatever the ridiculous numbers. He 287 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:20,680 Speaker 1: wants to be the highest paid player in the league. 288 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 1: So that came out I don't know week ten days ago, 289 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:26,360 Speaker 1: and lo and behold, as you said, December is a 290 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: kind of a big date in the NBA because the 291 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 1: majority of players who signed contracts last summer are trade eligible. 292 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 1: What did your read on the Damian Lillard report from 293 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 1: last week? His alleged demands and Portland's stinking this year 294 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:42,840 Speaker 1: and Lillard maybe getting moved. So I want to be 295 00:15:42,880 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 1: clear and saying that, well, for my reporting, at least, 296 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:49,120 Speaker 1: I try to bring stories and information to light when 297 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 1: they seem relevance based off of conversations I'm happening. But yes, 298 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:56,200 Speaker 1: there definitely are certain reports out there that do tend 299 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 1: to you can I don't. I don't play that game 300 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 1: public league, but yes, I understand what you're saying. So 301 00:16:03,040 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 1: you know how the agent game was. Yeah, and I'm 302 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 1: not saying the agents are hitting you up for stuff 303 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 1: because you're reporting. I think it's a little different, like 304 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 1: this was a pretty clear plant on Damian Lope, thank you. So, 305 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 1: I you know, the overall sense from Portland I get 306 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:20,840 Speaker 1: right now is that there is no and will not 307 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:24,800 Speaker 1: be any initiative from the Blazer's side of things to 308 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:28,680 Speaker 1: move Damian Lillard until he gives them a trade request. Now, 309 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 1: He's come out publicly time and again since you know 310 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: the summer's hysteria whatever you want to call it, and 311 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: preached his unwavering commitment to Portland, right he said, multiple 312 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 1: multiple times. But he also whatever it was in the 313 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 1: in the off season in Las Vegas, during that Team 314 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 1: USA minicamp before the Olympics, he used his public platform 315 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:55,160 Speaker 1: to call out the ROSSA for not being good enough. 316 00:16:55,240 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: He threw his his preferred head coaching Canada out there 317 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 1: and racing Kidd after they fired Terry Scotts. He's doing 318 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:07,560 Speaker 1: and has conducted himself, um in a way of which 319 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:10,159 Speaker 1: superstars who are trying to use leverage and use the 320 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:14,639 Speaker 1: threat of leaving to their benefit to get to improve 321 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 1: the situation that they're currently and as they see fit. Right, 322 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 1: We've seen it time and again with top players in 323 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:24,359 Speaker 1: the league making votes of confidence or votes of not 324 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:26,959 Speaker 1: confidence for head coaches, players with them, you name it. 325 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 1: So with all that being said, especially with the change 326 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 1: at the top of the l Shay now rival teams 327 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:36,200 Speaker 1: are absolutely looking at that situation and wondering that if 328 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:39,440 Speaker 1: the Blazer's season continues to sputter as it has, if 329 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:41,879 Speaker 1: they're I mean I don't I haven't checked the standings today, 330 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:44,000 Speaker 1: but they're basically right on the cusp of being out 331 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 1: of the play tournament altogether. You have obviously be a 332 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 1: catastrophic failure for Portlands right now. They have the longest 333 00:17:51,119 --> 00:17:53,880 Speaker 1: active playoff streak in the league of eighth straight years. 334 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:57,879 Speaker 1: So wow. So they're eleven and seventeen currently tied with 335 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 1: sacrament but they would lose out um whatever the tiebreaker is, 336 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:05,040 Speaker 1: UH division conference record, whatever that is. But you're right, 337 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:07,040 Speaker 1: they they've lost six in a row. But Jake, what's 338 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 1: even more interesting, so they can the coach and now 339 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 1: the GM whatever that I don't even know what the 340 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 1: hell happened there. He got there was like a work 341 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:20,120 Speaker 1: very general boarding, workplace culture firing. Basically no detail. Now 342 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:23,600 Speaker 1: people are on the league are are pretty confident that 343 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 1: the Trailblazers have been searching for ways to part ways 344 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:32,240 Speaker 1: with THEE for a bit here, and that they were 345 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:34,399 Speaker 1: looking to fire him with cause to get out of 346 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:36,800 Speaker 1: this several years of guaranteed money he had left on 347 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 1: his deal. I wouldn't expect this is the last we 348 00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 1: hear from. It might be quiet, it might go on 349 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:45,800 Speaker 1: behind the scenes, but he he's essentially got stripped of 350 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:47,639 Speaker 1: a lot of money that was coming away. If this 351 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:49,880 Speaker 1: is going to mean, the wording and the press release 352 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 1: is pretty uh direct. It was vague, but it was 353 00:18:54,080 --> 00:18:57,160 Speaker 1: pretty direct that he violated the Trailblazers code of conduct, 354 00:18:57,280 --> 00:18:59,560 Speaker 1: right which with what is the code of that? And 355 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 1: that's what they people like, what does that even? That's 356 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:03,320 Speaker 1: the thing? I mean. It would seem to suggest that 357 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:07,440 Speaker 1: their investigation who found something of inappropriate behavior that would 358 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:10,280 Speaker 1: be fireble for cause to allow him to get off 359 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:13,160 Speaker 1: the hook for paying and that that is what every 360 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:15,960 Speaker 1: executive I've spoken to has pretty much viewed that situation, 361 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 1: and people I've talked to inside the Blazers as well. 362 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,760 Speaker 1: And he was the guy kind of protecting C. J. McCollum, 363 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:24,879 Speaker 1: right because he had a rich history with McCollum. We 364 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:27,879 Speaker 1: talked about it. He yeah, he drafted McCollum. He's a 365 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:29,840 Speaker 1: big fan of him, and he didn't want to break 366 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 1: up the back waduo, Well the coach is gone. Now 367 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:35,840 Speaker 1: you fire McCollum's guy. And McCollum's got a baby on 368 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:37,920 Speaker 1: the way. He had like a collapse. It's just all 369 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:42,639 Speaker 1: falling apart right now. Yeah. Yeah, because he's all around 370 00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:47,480 Speaker 1: good guy. I do wonder Jake like, like, why would 371 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:49,680 Speaker 1: I don't think Dane wants to stay? Is that your read? 372 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:54,160 Speaker 1: He he has definitely said he does. And there's people 373 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:57,480 Speaker 1: I've talked to and one person recently that I spoke 374 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:00,600 Speaker 1: to um about the situation and is damon as well 375 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 1: as anyone who said that even though there are people 376 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:07,360 Speaker 1: around him, like the guy I spoke to, who are 377 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:11,199 Speaker 1: certainly in Dame's ere saying, look, there are better opportunities 378 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:13,680 Speaker 1: out there. If you to compete for a championship, that Dame, 379 00:20:14,200 --> 00:20:16,719 Speaker 1: in his heart of hearts, absolutely wants to stay in Portland. 380 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:19,400 Speaker 1: That that's the sense I've gotten all along. Fox Sports 381 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:22,119 Speaker 1: Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. 382 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:25,359 Speaker 1: Catch all of our shows at Fox Sports Radio dot 383 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:28,399 Speaker 1: com and within the I Heart Radio app search f 384 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:31,480 Speaker 1: s R to listen live. Jake. This goes back to 385 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 1: a point that people are sensitive when I bring this up. Okay, 386 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 1: So Kevin Durant left, Okay see for Golden State, and 387 00:20:39,119 --> 00:20:41,160 Speaker 1: everybody said, oh, he's soft. It's the easy way out, 388 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 1: and I've countered no, that is the hard way out. 389 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 1: When Kevin Durant said I'm out, everybody hated him around 390 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:50,560 Speaker 1: the league. Twenty nine teams, Oh gosh, he's He's the worst. 391 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant stinks. Um. They're burning his jersey. They hate him. 392 00:20:54,040 --> 00:20:58,359 Speaker 1: And okay, see, he's booed throughout the league like Instagram, Twitter, 393 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:00,960 Speaker 1: every day people are inundating him with eight. It takes 394 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:03,479 Speaker 1: a lot to be able to deal with that. I 395 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:06,000 Speaker 1: think Damian Lillard has seen what happened to Anthony Davis 396 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: when he left New Orleans and Paul George Way said 397 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 1: I'm out of Indy um, and like everybody kind of 398 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 1: hate you, and I don't think Dame wants to be 399 00:21:13,119 --> 00:21:16,159 Speaker 1: hated by Portland's. And he's trying to thread that needle 400 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: of how do I get out of here without looking 401 00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:21,400 Speaker 1: like a jerk? And I think, you know the problem 402 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:24,240 Speaker 1: is that's impossible. So so then he's either stuck with 403 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:25,640 Speaker 1: I'm gonna stay there and make a ton of money 404 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:28,080 Speaker 1: and never win Jack Squad or I forced my way 405 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 1: out and everybody hates me. Is there is there a 406 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 1: way to thread that needle, Jake, Because listen, when Lebron 407 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 1: left Cleveland, you know it was ugly. The manner he 408 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:37,720 Speaker 1: left wasn't great. But there is no easy way out. 409 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 1: It's easier to just stay and be loved and then 410 00:21:41,119 --> 00:21:43,680 Speaker 1: just be called oh he couldn't win a big game. Yeah, no, 411 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 1: it's it's It's a topic that comes up every time 412 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 1: we hear about a superstar being on the fence of 413 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:51,879 Speaker 1: whether or not they want to request the treator if 414 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:53,639 Speaker 1: they want to leave in for agency. Like like people 415 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:56,920 Speaker 1: around those players always talk about this guy doesn't know 416 00:21:56,960 --> 00:22:00,119 Speaker 1: if he wants to become but the bad guy, the 417 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:03,919 Speaker 1: black hat to to your to answer your question, I 418 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:07,480 Speaker 1: don't know if there is a way to thread the needle, 419 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 1: but I really don't think it matters because Kevin Durant 420 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:13,040 Speaker 1: pretty beloved right now. Right when he was leading team 421 00:22:13,040 --> 00:22:15,520 Speaker 1: you say to It Metal, everyone was talking about how 422 00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 1: this guy is the and same thing about going toe 423 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:21,240 Speaker 1: to toe with Milwaukee. Um, he's the greatest player in 424 00:22:21,280 --> 00:22:24,360 Speaker 1: the world. Lebron is you know, Lebron. Lebron's guy has 425 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:26,200 Speaker 1: his hat. All these guys are gonna have their haters, 426 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:29,120 Speaker 1: but Lebron's the Lakers saber and I won them a title. 427 00:22:29,359 --> 00:22:32,800 Speaker 1: And James Harden, you know, people were calling for him 428 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:36,040 Speaker 1: being one of the most like disrespectful. This guy's taking 429 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 1: a basically a massive dump on the Houston Rockets. You 430 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:41,879 Speaker 1: could you get trade into Brooklyn, and all of a sudden, 431 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:44,320 Speaker 1: all the people who were crying foul by James Harden, 432 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 1: we're arguing that he had an m v P case 433 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 1: last year. So yeah, no, that's a great point. I 434 00:22:49,520 --> 00:22:53,080 Speaker 1: don't necessarily like sure, I understand it is definitely real 435 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:56,080 Speaker 1: that these star players considered the fact that they don't 436 00:22:56,119 --> 00:22:57,960 Speaker 1: want to be considered the bad guy when they make 437 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:00,159 Speaker 1: these moves. But at the end of the day, the 438 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:03,760 Speaker 1: fan base seems to have collected amnesia about those situations 439 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 1: when you end up being good when you win a title. Yeah, 440 00:23:07,520 --> 00:23:09,679 Speaker 1: they don't. They don't care. Now, one of the more 441 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:12,080 Speaker 1: interesting things that Stall in your column this week was, 442 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:15,320 Speaker 1: and again maybe I'm reading this wrong, but James Harden 443 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:18,919 Speaker 1: still hasn't signed his NETS extension and is there a 444 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:24,879 Speaker 1: possibility that Harden reunites with Darryl Morey in Philadelphia in 445 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:28,320 Speaker 1: a Hardened Simmons swap. Now, Harden has not played well 446 00:23:28,359 --> 00:23:32,640 Speaker 1: at all this year. I don't know if it's injury apathy. Um, 447 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:35,159 Speaker 1: this is Kevin Duran's team, it's not my show. I 448 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:37,320 Speaker 1: don't know what's going on with Harden. But what's your 449 00:23:37,359 --> 00:23:40,320 Speaker 1: current read on Hardened in the Nets? So, just like 450 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:44,400 Speaker 1: with Bradley Beale, for Harden, it doesn't make any sense 451 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:47,840 Speaker 1: for him to have taken a contract extension at this point. Um, 452 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:52,640 Speaker 1: and I specifically with Harden, I know I know that. Um, 453 00:23:52,720 --> 00:23:55,200 Speaker 1: with Bill, just wait until this offseason. You can sign 454 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:57,679 Speaker 1: a deal. It's an extra year, fifty million dollars more, 455 00:23:57,720 --> 00:23:59,920 Speaker 1: all type of stuff. Harden, I think there's another situation 456 00:24:00,240 --> 00:24:02,840 Speaker 1: where he could even opt in like Harden has the 457 00:24:02,840 --> 00:24:06,720 Speaker 1: opportunity to opt out um and signing a new deal 458 00:24:06,800 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 1: this summer, or he can extend again and then have 459 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:13,119 Speaker 1: an even richer extension offered to him in the following summer. 460 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:16,520 Speaker 1: But the fact that that situation isn't solidified and he 461 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:19,880 Speaker 1: theoretically could test the open market this summer, it's absolutely 462 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 1: left the door open for a potential signs trading opportunity 463 00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:27,199 Speaker 1: to fit up where and he's like, he's absolutely at 464 00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:29,160 Speaker 1: the top of the Sixers list as well. I mean, 465 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:31,800 Speaker 1: they literally do have a list of some two dozen 466 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:35,520 Speaker 1: players that they will take back for Ben And obviously 467 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:38,400 Speaker 1: they went after James Harden before Harden went to Brooklyn 468 00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:40,639 Speaker 1: and more. Who wait, who's higher on the list? Jake? 469 00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:41,720 Speaker 1: I mean, I don't know if you've seen it, but 470 00:24:42,440 --> 00:24:44,879 Speaker 1: James Harden higher or Damian Little. I haven't seen the list, 471 00:24:45,240 --> 00:24:47,239 Speaker 1: but I don't know who's high. I don't know who 472 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:49,000 Speaker 1: would you guess out of those? You know? The next 473 00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:50,880 Speaker 1: time I talked to Philip people, I'm gonna ask this 474 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:52,960 Speaker 1: is this is interesting. I want to ask if they're ranked, 475 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 1: Like I wonder if it's just a group of guys 476 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:57,720 Speaker 1: in no order, if there is a rank. There's got 477 00:24:57,720 --> 00:25:00,560 Speaker 1: to be a ranking. Yeah, I mean about I mean 478 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:05,639 Speaker 1: whether Jalen Brown, Dame and Harden. Um. I mean, if 479 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:07,960 Speaker 1: you want to extend the window, it's gotta be Jaylen Brown, 480 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 1: if you want to win this year, Dame or Harden. 481 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:14,160 Speaker 1: I just I don't know. I don't know how how 482 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:16,359 Speaker 1: James Harden would fit with a big guy, because didn't 483 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:18,359 Speaker 1: it not go that well with Dwight Howard in Houston. 484 00:25:18,560 --> 00:25:22,560 Speaker 1: It is a question especially and Bed does love to 485 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:26,239 Speaker 1: operate a lot with touches um rather than coming up 486 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:27,720 Speaker 1: in the high pick and roll. Like he's not Clint 487 00:25:27,760 --> 00:25:31,040 Speaker 1: Capella all right, which is the type of Hardon had 488 00:25:31,080 --> 00:25:34,160 Speaker 1: the most success with. It is it is an interesting fit, um, 489 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:37,440 Speaker 1: but in Bead has shown throughout the Spen Simmonds partnership 490 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:39,600 Speaker 1: that he's willing to do things like stand out on 491 00:25:39,600 --> 00:25:42,480 Speaker 1: the perimeter more and shoot some threes, to be complimentary 492 00:25:42,520 --> 00:25:44,440 Speaker 1: and be a team player, like he has to rely 493 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:48,520 Speaker 1: unselfish star from from all Yeah. But when the chips 494 00:25:48,520 --> 00:25:50,800 Speaker 1: are down and it's games five, six, and seven, I 495 00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:53,000 Speaker 1: mean he vomited all over himself against that Hawks. I 496 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:57,760 Speaker 1: think he had eight turnovers and games injured, not great 497 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:00,040 Speaker 1: against the Hawks at all. He's always hurt. I'm I 498 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:02,680 Speaker 1: don't know everybody loves to beat. I'm not the biggest fan. Um, 499 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:04,800 Speaker 1: I want to go back to be a real quick. Um. 500 00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:07,000 Speaker 1: Remember Washington started hot. I think they were like ten 501 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:09,200 Speaker 1: and two first to the East. Well, here we are 502 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 1: middle of December and Washington slip sliding to seven. But 503 00:26:12,840 --> 00:26:16,040 Speaker 1: the funniest part is, Jake, they're a mirror three and 504 00:26:16,040 --> 00:26:21,640 Speaker 1: a half games away from being in the East. Uh, Jake, 505 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:24,520 Speaker 1: if you had to guess, um Valentine's Day, where are 506 00:26:24,560 --> 00:26:26,960 Speaker 1: the sixers top dead in the East? And then it 507 00:26:27,040 --> 00:26:31,120 Speaker 1: becomes well, you know, Bradley Bill, are you gonna stay? So? 508 00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:34,919 Speaker 1: I think UM an interesting thing with the Wizards, and 509 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:36,879 Speaker 1: it kind of applies to a lot of teams in 510 00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:40,280 Speaker 1: the league right now. The play and tournament has dramatically 511 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:44,119 Speaker 1: changed the way that teams operate in terms of expectations, 512 00:26:44,320 --> 00:26:48,800 Speaker 1: and that that expectations ultimately play the greatest context and 513 00:26:48,880 --> 00:26:52,240 Speaker 1: decisions these teams make right and making the playoffs. Making 514 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:55,440 Speaker 1: the postseason is now a much more attainable goal, being 515 00:26:55,480 --> 00:26:58,840 Speaker 1: that two more teams make make the picture. And with that, 516 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:02,040 Speaker 1: like there's how many teams in the league, like Washington, 517 00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:04,440 Speaker 1: who are right in the middle of the pack, who 518 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:06,439 Speaker 1: could end up being a four seed or granted being 519 00:27:06,440 --> 00:27:08,760 Speaker 1: a ten seed. And I think a lot of those 520 00:27:08,760 --> 00:27:11,080 Speaker 1: teams are kind of gonna hold their chips here even 521 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:14,120 Speaker 1: though we're in this unofficial trade season and more guys 522 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:16,320 Speaker 1: are eligible to be moved. I don't know if we're 523 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:19,080 Speaker 1: gonna see a Floyer activity right now until February, because 524 00:27:19,400 --> 00:27:22,040 Speaker 1: teams exactly like the Wizards, they don't know how good 525 00:27:22,040 --> 00:27:24,440 Speaker 1: they are, Like like they started off really hot. They've 526 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:26,840 Speaker 1: got this all NBA superstar Bradley Beale and a bunch 527 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:30,560 Speaker 1: of componmentary pieces. It is certainly possible that by the 528 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:33,040 Speaker 1: time we get the February fourteenth, I mean, he Florida 529 00:27:33,119 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 1: with it um before the draft like it started because 530 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:40,120 Speaker 1: Russell Westbrook, just like when he and James Harden were 531 00:27:40,119 --> 00:27:42,879 Speaker 1: looking at each other in Houston, Russ was getting was 532 00:27:42,880 --> 00:27:44,560 Speaker 1: getting worried about l A. He wanted to go to 533 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:46,359 Speaker 1: l A. He was also kind of hearing that Brad 534 00:27:46,560 --> 00:27:50,080 Speaker 1: was thinking about the trade like it's it's it's the 535 00:27:50,119 --> 00:27:52,400 Speaker 1: same thing with Damian Lillard and the fact that once 536 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:54,880 Speaker 1: the door has kind of been opened, even if it's 537 00:27:54,920 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 1: closed and he's happy and he's back with that team, 538 00:27:57,680 --> 00:27:59,720 Speaker 1: it could open again. I'm not saying it's gonna happen 539 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:02,640 Speaker 1: this year, but teams around the league who are looking 540 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:06,439 Speaker 1: at hunt for stars, Boston looking upgrade Philly, especially with 541 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 1: Ben Simmons, Like any team that New Orleans, um, you know, 542 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:12,480 Speaker 1: that has a ton of picks at their disposal. Any 543 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:15,240 Speaker 1: team that's looking to go big game hunting and improve 544 00:28:15,280 --> 00:28:19,840 Speaker 1: their roster, they're certainly strategizing with an opportunity to go 545 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:22,320 Speaker 1: and get Bradley deal at some point between now and 546 00:28:22,359 --> 00:28:25,560 Speaker 1: the start of twenty three seasons. So yeah, we'll see 547 00:28:25,560 --> 00:28:28,479 Speaker 1: how good the Wizards do movement over all, Right, we'll 548 00:28:28,520 --> 00:28:31,000 Speaker 1: touch on two more teams real quick. Um. First of all, 549 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:34,399 Speaker 1: you just mentioned New Orleans. So listen, this is a 550 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:37,520 Speaker 1: subject that makes me very sad and depressed, the Zion situation. 551 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:41,040 Speaker 1: But it is getting ugly. I mean, I had somebody 552 00:28:41,040 --> 00:28:42,880 Speaker 1: tell me, why is he even pursuiting up this year? 553 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:44,640 Speaker 1: They stink They're not going anywhere. What's the point of 554 00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:47,880 Speaker 1: rushing back. He wants out of there anyway. Um. Currently 555 00:28:47,920 --> 00:28:52,400 Speaker 1: New Orleans dead last in the West eight and twenty one. 556 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:55,720 Speaker 1: The Zion is not getting this team to the play 557 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:59,600 Speaker 1: and they've had injuries. Um, you know, they the coaching situation, 558 00:29:00,120 --> 00:29:03,720 Speaker 1: it's just it's all around, bad, bad, bad situation. Jake, 559 00:29:03,760 --> 00:29:07,440 Speaker 1: what's your read on the Pelicans Zion this year and beyond? No, 560 00:29:07,920 --> 00:29:13,440 Speaker 1: it's funny, not funny, Um, but it's interesting you said 561 00:29:13,440 --> 00:29:17,320 Speaker 1: about um you know why he comes back this year. 562 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:20,160 Speaker 1: The conversation for years has been the Pelicans have to 563 00:29:20,240 --> 00:29:23,000 Speaker 1: do everything they can to convince Zion to sign that 564 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:25,440 Speaker 1: MAX extension. And now the conversation of the last week 565 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:27,760 Speaker 1: or so is starting to shift a little bit too. 566 00:29:28,320 --> 00:29:32,840 Speaker 1: Would the Pelicans even offer the full unprotected MAX? Oh please, No, 567 00:29:33,120 --> 00:29:36,160 Speaker 1: I'm I'm not saying I'm asking that, but people who 568 00:29:36,200 --> 00:29:38,240 Speaker 1: are starting to ask that, which is it's just crazy 569 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:41,640 Speaker 1: how things can flip so fast. But they absolutely will. 570 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,960 Speaker 1: And I think, um, I think they're going to still 571 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:47,320 Speaker 1: operate with the under the assumption that he is going 572 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:50,240 Speaker 1: to come back and that he can be that type 573 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:52,600 Speaker 1: of guy. I mean, there's still only five six games 574 00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:56,560 Speaker 1: out of that. That's another ripple effect of that plan 575 00:29:56,680 --> 00:29:59,120 Speaker 1: to him. Like I was just talking about, it does 576 00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:02,280 Speaker 1: come back by January, and there's still only seven eight 577 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:05,680 Speaker 1: games out of it, Like, theoretically, he's got the talent 578 00:30:05,760 --> 00:30:08,400 Speaker 1: and the ability to push them up a couple of 579 00:30:08,440 --> 00:30:11,400 Speaker 1: games into that conversation. So I think as long as 580 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:15,600 Speaker 1: there's an opportunity for him to still feasibly realistically returned, 581 00:30:15,600 --> 00:30:17,600 Speaker 1: they're going to be buyers. They're going to try to 582 00:30:17,680 --> 00:30:21,880 Speaker 1: upgrade their roster and find some more compmentary pieces to 583 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:24,280 Speaker 1: surround Zion and brandon Ingram with and try to make 584 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:27,760 Speaker 1: the play in tournament. But you're right, the longer he 585 00:30:28,320 --> 00:30:30,880 Speaker 1: um he sits out, it does start to um. I mean, 586 00:30:31,360 --> 00:30:32,760 Speaker 1: you don't just want to sit the year when you're 587 00:30:32,800 --> 00:30:36,640 Speaker 1: healthy and could have played. But people are doubly starting 588 00:30:36,640 --> 00:30:39,240 Speaker 1: a question if and when he will actually make his 589 00:30:39,280 --> 00:30:42,000 Speaker 1: return here. Yeah, I don't know. I don't have a 590 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:45,320 Speaker 1: good feeling about Zion long term in New Orleans, but yeah, 591 00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:47,040 Speaker 1: do you is your reading? I know it's still a 592 00:30:47,040 --> 00:30:52,400 Speaker 1: couple of years out at least, but Nicks probably, I mean, 593 00:30:52,680 --> 00:30:55,360 Speaker 1: the Knicks are saving their chips and have been saving 594 00:30:55,400 --> 00:30:58,960 Speaker 1: their chips to go run, and all these guys Doman 595 00:30:59,000 --> 00:31:01,160 Speaker 1: Mitchell's are definitely on their list. Zion is gonna be 596 00:31:01,240 --> 00:31:03,120 Speaker 1: on their list. Cat's gonna be on their list, like 597 00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:07,920 Speaker 1: especially anyone who's been represented by CIA, the connections are obvious. Um, 598 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:11,680 Speaker 1: so I think those are three guys, Uh who are 599 00:31:11,880 --> 00:31:16,520 Speaker 1: um who I just mentioned? So, yeah, I don't I'm 600 00:31:16,520 --> 00:31:18,200 Speaker 1: not saying those guys are going to the Knicks the 601 00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:21,640 Speaker 1: second they reach freeguency. I'm not saying that. But yeah, 602 00:31:21,760 --> 00:31:25,600 Speaker 1: the players, the actors on their teams that are pulling 603 00:31:25,920 --> 00:31:27,720 Speaker 1: the strings and calling the shots and trying to keep 604 00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:31,200 Speaker 1: those guys happy in market, they are definitely aware that 605 00:31:31,240 --> 00:31:34,280 Speaker 1: the Knicks are coming down the pipeline. And finally, the 606 00:31:34,320 --> 00:31:36,160 Speaker 1: Detroit Pistons, I know they're the worst team in the 607 00:31:36,240 --> 00:31:38,760 Speaker 1: league four and twenty two. Uh, they lost twelve in 608 00:31:38,760 --> 00:31:42,760 Speaker 1: a row. They got Jeremy Grant in free agency. I 609 00:31:42,760 --> 00:31:45,920 Speaker 1: don't know. I think last year he is really strong. Um, 610 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:49,640 Speaker 1: good player, obviously hasn't played that well in Detroit. Do 611 00:31:49,680 --> 00:31:51,720 Speaker 1: you think they're sellers for Grant and look to pick 612 00:31:51,800 --> 00:31:55,080 Speaker 1: up any picks they can. Grant leads him in scoring. Um, 613 00:31:55,480 --> 00:31:58,280 Speaker 1: you know, he's not shooting great from three, but again, 614 00:31:58,320 --> 00:32:01,080 Speaker 1: it's tough to when you're surrounded by the ineptitude in Detroit. 615 00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:03,960 Speaker 1: I mean, where does it make sense for Jeremy grant 616 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:06,280 Speaker 1: to land a three and D wing is in high demand, 617 00:32:06,560 --> 00:32:10,480 Speaker 1: especially come postseason. Behind demand for sure, Um, I I 618 00:32:10,520 --> 00:32:13,440 Speaker 1: haven't been able to. I mean, the landing spots haven't 619 00:32:13,480 --> 00:32:16,920 Speaker 1: really materialized yet. But I'm I've kind of started comparing 620 00:32:17,000 --> 00:32:19,560 Speaker 1: him to last year, to Aaron Gordon, where I think 621 00:32:19,560 --> 00:32:22,200 Speaker 1: the Pistons are going to hold out and see who 622 00:32:22,280 --> 00:32:24,960 Speaker 1: ultimately ends up being the highest bidder for his services. 623 00:32:25,400 --> 00:32:27,959 Speaker 1: His contract number, his contract number is pretty low, all 624 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:30,520 Speaker 1: things considered. It's round twenty million dollars somewhere in there, 625 00:32:30,880 --> 00:32:32,480 Speaker 1: where you know, we're in the league now with so 626 00:32:32,480 --> 00:32:36,400 Speaker 1: many guys making thirty plus UM, and he's got one 627 00:32:36,400 --> 00:32:38,680 Speaker 1: more year left on his deal after this meeting. He 628 00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:42,600 Speaker 1: is theoretically a potential flight risk for the Pistons and 629 00:32:42,680 --> 00:32:45,200 Speaker 1: trading him now for a team that could get a 630 00:32:45,240 --> 00:32:48,400 Speaker 1: half a season with him, plus another season next year 631 00:32:48,560 --> 00:32:50,560 Speaker 1: under that contract before they have to make their own 632 00:32:50,560 --> 00:32:53,920 Speaker 1: fratity decision with him. It's a pretty attractive opportunity, just 633 00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:57,440 Speaker 1: like Baring Gordon last year in Orlando. So I think 634 00:32:57,440 --> 00:33:00,880 Speaker 1: he'll get moved. I definitely do. Um. When he got hurt, 635 00:33:01,360 --> 00:33:03,960 Speaker 1: he's gonna be out some six weeks or so. Some 636 00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:06,240 Speaker 1: ligament and his thumb when that when he got hurt, 637 00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:07,840 Speaker 1: I had a bunch of people that I talked to 638 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:10,160 Speaker 1: regular on the league text me something along the line. So, well, 639 00:33:10,160 --> 00:33:12,960 Speaker 1: there it goes Jeremy Brands value. We'll see. I mean, 640 00:33:13,240 --> 00:33:15,880 Speaker 1: there's a long time away between down February tenth for 641 00:33:15,920 --> 00:33:18,640 Speaker 1: him to get healthy in return, but I think that 642 00:33:18,720 --> 00:33:20,720 Speaker 1: the Pistons will ultimately be able to get a pretty 643 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:24,240 Speaker 1: strong pack, which back for him. Interesting, all right, Jake 644 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:27,400 Speaker 1: Fisher Bleacher Report. Uh, you know, Jake, what what else 645 00:33:27,440 --> 00:33:30,000 Speaker 1: are you working on besides the NBA? Any books in 646 00:33:30,040 --> 00:33:32,200 Speaker 1: the pipeline? I mean, you're really starting to blow up 647 00:33:32,200 --> 00:33:35,400 Speaker 1: as an NBA guy. My my first book came out 648 00:33:35,400 --> 00:33:37,480 Speaker 1: in May. I think that's why we first talked us 649 00:33:38,080 --> 00:33:39,920 Speaker 1: to lose how the NBA is tanking or a change 650 00:33:39,960 --> 00:33:41,760 Speaker 1: the league forever. It's been out for a bit. It's 651 00:33:41,760 --> 00:33:43,560 Speaker 1: like half off now on Amazon. If you want to 652 00:33:43,560 --> 00:33:46,400 Speaker 1: give it a chat um, I'd appreciate that. I've got 653 00:33:46,480 --> 00:33:48,320 Speaker 1: some other products in the work. We've got a proposal 654 00:33:48,320 --> 00:33:50,440 Speaker 1: out to publishers right now and hoping to have an 655 00:33:50,440 --> 00:33:55,720 Speaker 1: announced by in the January. And yeah, we're we got 656 00:33:55,720 --> 00:33:58,120 Speaker 1: some loves in the works. So I appreciate the support 657 00:33:58,160 --> 00:34:02,960 Speaker 1: and hope to deliver on on your in good stuff. Dude, 658 00:34:03,000 --> 00:34:07,360 Speaker 1: keep up the good work, all right, Jake. The only 659 00:34:07,400 --> 00:34:10,200 Speaker 1: thing better than sitting on your couch watching the game, 660 00:34:11,239 --> 00:34:15,080 Speaker 1: he's making money while you do it. Here's your best bet. 661 00:34:17,080 --> 00:34:19,839 Speaker 1: Great stuff from Jake Fisher. Really like having that guy on. 662 00:34:20,440 --> 00:34:22,759 Speaker 1: The only disappointment with all this is like we get 663 00:34:22,760 --> 00:34:26,239 Speaker 1: all excited to talk about potential trades December, and y'all 664 00:34:26,280 --> 00:34:28,560 Speaker 1: know not much is gonna happen. We'ress and getting moved. 665 00:34:28,560 --> 00:34:31,960 Speaker 1: It's not to talk about maybe something happens with Ben Simmons, 666 00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:35,560 Speaker 1: maybe Portland makes a big move, but with backup GM 667 00:34:35,640 --> 00:34:39,160 Speaker 1: or sorry uh Phil in GM? Unlikely um at anyway, 668 00:34:39,239 --> 00:34:42,080 Speaker 1: let's get to the best bet here for Thursday night 669 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:44,600 Speaker 1: football on paper was supposed to be an awesome game 670 00:34:44,760 --> 00:34:48,800 Speaker 1: Chargers Chiefs. I have a little fomo already because some 671 00:34:48,880 --> 00:34:53,160 Speaker 1: buddies out here are going to the game, and I 672 00:34:53,239 --> 00:34:55,080 Speaker 1: was all excited that the Charges would have a chance. 673 00:34:55,120 --> 00:34:57,279 Speaker 1: Like earlier this week, I was like, wow, lines going up, 674 00:34:57,320 --> 00:35:00,799 Speaker 1: that's weird. What what what are people sing in the Chiefs? 675 00:35:00,840 --> 00:35:02,360 Speaker 1: And I was like, okay, Chiefs defense, it'll be a 676 00:35:02,360 --> 00:35:05,760 Speaker 1: close game divisional matchup Chargers. I I think the Chargers 677 00:35:05,800 --> 00:35:08,520 Speaker 1: can hang here and then the COVID stuff happens and 678 00:35:08,680 --> 00:35:11,280 Speaker 1: the Chargers are out there. Left tackle the rookie Slater 679 00:35:11,280 --> 00:35:13,880 Speaker 1: who's been playing incredible And again, I don't know how 680 00:35:13,880 --> 00:35:17,480 Speaker 1: many of you have the Pro Football Focus subscription, but 681 00:35:18,080 --> 00:35:20,959 Speaker 1: if you look at what what's his name is done 682 00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:24,400 Speaker 1: at left tackle this year, UM Slater has been awesome. Like, 683 00:35:24,760 --> 00:35:27,360 Speaker 1: really do you see rookies that high slide in and 684 00:35:27,719 --> 00:35:31,360 Speaker 1: utterly dominant. Um. He's created out as the thirteen best 685 00:35:31,520 --> 00:35:33,799 Speaker 1: left tackle in the league as a rookie, thirteen out 686 00:35:33,800 --> 00:35:36,400 Speaker 1: of eighty two. That's pretty damn good. Just so happens, 687 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:40,080 Speaker 1: his backup is a guy with the last name Pimpkins. 688 00:35:40,840 --> 00:35:43,600 Speaker 1: Honestly never heard of him. Um, he is going to 689 00:35:43,640 --> 00:35:45,959 Speaker 1: be the backup. We will see how that works out. 690 00:35:46,360 --> 00:35:52,239 Speaker 1: Oh by the way, Trey Pimpkins Pipkins, sorry Pipkins. Um. 691 00:35:52,320 --> 00:35:55,319 Speaker 1: He's played five offensive line snaps this year and he's 692 00:35:55,360 --> 00:35:59,120 Speaker 1: probably gonna be going up against Melvin Ingram and who's 693 00:35:59,120 --> 00:36:02,640 Speaker 1: the other edge rusher for the Chiefs, Frank Clark. Both 694 00:36:02,640 --> 00:36:04,759 Speaker 1: of those guys can reak havoc off the edge. Now 695 00:36:04,840 --> 00:36:07,680 Speaker 1: Here's where it gets even worse for the Chargers. Austin 696 00:36:07,719 --> 00:36:12,080 Speaker 1: Ekeler game time decision, Derwin Jane's game time decision not ideal, 697 00:36:12,719 --> 00:36:15,080 Speaker 1: Derwin James great in the box, safety, good run stopper. 698 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:18,400 Speaker 1: These are just three three probably of the Chargers like 699 00:36:18,560 --> 00:36:22,359 Speaker 1: eight best players. One definitely out to maybe out. Now. 700 00:36:22,360 --> 00:36:24,319 Speaker 1: It's not awesome for the Chiefs either, because they lost 701 00:36:24,360 --> 00:36:28,120 Speaker 1: Chris Jones to the COVID list. However, however, there's a 702 00:36:28,200 --> 00:36:30,680 Speaker 1: chance if he has two negative tests in twenty four 703 00:36:30,719 --> 00:36:33,920 Speaker 1: hours that he plays. I haven't seen anything yet this morning, 704 00:36:33,960 --> 00:36:37,120 Speaker 1: but we're recording super duper early. If there, if Chris 705 00:36:37,160 --> 00:36:39,279 Speaker 1: Jones plays, it's a game changer. I listen. I know 706 00:36:39,360 --> 00:36:42,440 Speaker 1: defensive lineman outside of t J. Watt, Miles Garrett probably 707 00:36:42,440 --> 00:36:45,160 Speaker 1: aren't worth half a point to the spread. That being said, 708 00:36:45,400 --> 00:36:47,480 Speaker 1: Chris Jones is a game changer. They had to play 709 00:36:47,560 --> 00:36:50,040 Speaker 1: him on the outside earlier this year because they just 710 00:36:50,080 --> 00:36:53,240 Speaker 1: didn't have the bodies, and you noticed the Chiefs defense stunk. 711 00:36:53,640 --> 00:36:56,480 Speaker 1: Then they pick up Ingram, they get Frank Clark healthy, 712 00:36:56,640 --> 00:36:58,920 Speaker 1: they moved Jones to the inside, and now the defense 713 00:36:59,239 --> 00:37:02,560 Speaker 1: is dominating. They have been carrying this team outside of 714 00:37:02,560 --> 00:37:05,480 Speaker 1: the two Raiders games during this hot streak. The Chiefs 715 00:37:05,480 --> 00:37:07,000 Speaker 1: are the best team in the a f C. Sorry 716 00:37:07,000 --> 00:37:11,600 Speaker 1: Patriots fans because of the defense right now, but Willie Gay, 717 00:37:11,719 --> 00:37:14,960 Speaker 1: the linebacker who I believe is their best linebacker. I 718 00:37:14,960 --> 00:37:18,360 Speaker 1: mean again, Pro Football Focus stats aren't everything, but Willie 719 00:37:18,400 --> 00:37:20,759 Speaker 1: Gay has been very, very good for them. He's gonna 720 00:37:20,800 --> 00:37:22,719 Speaker 1: probably be replaced by the rookie, the kid out of 721 00:37:22,719 --> 00:37:26,200 Speaker 1: Missouri Bolton, who is a second round pick. He's played 722 00:37:26,239 --> 00:37:29,640 Speaker 1: a bunch, but it's certainly a down grade, no doubt 723 00:37:29,640 --> 00:37:32,480 Speaker 1: about it. Willie gave very good coverage linebacker. They like 724 00:37:32,600 --> 00:37:37,000 Speaker 1: him a lot. Um. I don't know, I mean I 725 00:37:37,000 --> 00:37:39,000 Speaker 1: I just don't know if the Chargers can take advantage 726 00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:42,839 Speaker 1: of this uh with with missing Um Slater and not 727 00:37:42,920 --> 00:37:46,800 Speaker 1: having ecklercent so that now it basically falls upon Justin 728 00:37:46,840 --> 00:37:50,879 Speaker 1: Herbert to attack the outside. Sneed will not be playing again. 729 00:37:50,920 --> 00:37:54,319 Speaker 1: He had the family tragedy and um he's back with 730 00:37:54,440 --> 00:37:57,200 Speaker 1: the team, but they listed him is out on on 731 00:37:57,280 --> 00:38:00,279 Speaker 1: the injury report. So can Herbert take advantage on the 732 00:38:00,320 --> 00:38:03,319 Speaker 1: outside of the Chiefs And almost certainly yes, But at 733 00:38:03,320 --> 00:38:05,040 Speaker 1: the same time, what the hell is going on with 734 00:38:05,080 --> 00:38:08,720 Speaker 1: the Charger secondary? I mean their rookie who has been 735 00:38:09,120 --> 00:38:13,439 Speaker 1: extremely good. He's had the concussion, um and he's missed 736 00:38:13,440 --> 00:38:16,640 Speaker 1: several games. Without him, the secondary has been awful. Um. 737 00:38:16,719 --> 00:38:20,200 Speaker 1: I know he's young, but he's Sante Samuel Jr. The 738 00:38:20,200 --> 00:38:23,840 Speaker 1: the son of the great former Patriots quarterback Chris Harris 739 00:38:23,840 --> 00:38:25,880 Speaker 1: has been in out of the lineup, and like, you know, 740 00:38:25,920 --> 00:38:28,280 Speaker 1: you take away Durwin James and it's like, oh my gosh, 741 00:38:28,360 --> 00:38:31,200 Speaker 1: what are we missing two or three starters? So let's 742 00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:33,319 Speaker 1: see what happened. It's tough to wager on this game, 743 00:38:33,640 --> 00:38:36,040 Speaker 1: honestly until we get word later in the day. If 744 00:38:36,080 --> 00:38:39,640 Speaker 1: Chris Jones is in was later out, I I think 745 00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:42,520 Speaker 1: this will go up to Chiefs four. My official prediction. 746 00:38:42,680 --> 00:38:46,000 Speaker 1: It's listen. We saw that Chargers game Chargers Chiefs game 747 00:38:46,040 --> 00:38:48,319 Speaker 1: earlier in the year, really good game. Chargers won the 748 00:38:48,360 --> 00:38:50,960 Speaker 1: fourth quarter and they were able to ultimately come back 749 00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:55,160 Speaker 1: and win the game. Um, but ultimately you could say, hey, man, 750 00:38:55,560 --> 00:38:57,479 Speaker 1: I thought the Chiefs were a better team in that game. 751 00:38:57,719 --> 00:39:00,759 Speaker 1: It was a really good game Chargers with the finishing kick. 752 00:39:00,840 --> 00:39:05,920 Speaker 1: But remember they they did lead early fourteen nothing and 753 00:39:05,960 --> 00:39:07,880 Speaker 1: then the Chiefs storm back, and then of course you 754 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:12,880 Speaker 1: get the touchdown with thirty seconds left. Uh with riverboat gambler. Um, 755 00:39:13,200 --> 00:39:15,600 Speaker 1: what's his face? Oh my gosh, I'm I'm spacing on 756 00:39:15,640 --> 00:39:18,200 Speaker 1: his name. Brand's stately the new coach going forward on 757 00:39:18,239 --> 00:39:20,880 Speaker 1: fourth down multiple times, going for the touchdown, not settling 758 00:39:20,880 --> 00:39:23,879 Speaker 1: for the field goal. Um. But again like heading into 759 00:39:23,880 --> 00:39:26,640 Speaker 1: the fourth quarter, Chief's leading Chief's lead with six minutes 760 00:39:26,680 --> 00:39:30,279 Speaker 1: to go. Uh, Chargers ended up coming back and tying 761 00:39:30,280 --> 00:39:32,240 Speaker 1: it up. But you know, you look at the stats 762 00:39:32,239 --> 00:39:33,920 Speaker 1: from that game, it's like the Chief's rang up four 763 00:39:34,320 --> 00:39:37,360 Speaker 1: thirty seven yards of offense, but they had four turnovers, 764 00:39:37,400 --> 00:39:40,680 Speaker 1: Like they were dominant in that in that game, with 765 00:39:40,719 --> 00:39:42,600 Speaker 1: the exception of the turnovers, they moved up and down 766 00:39:42,640 --> 00:39:44,840 Speaker 1: the field. And again, these are things that you have 767 00:39:44,880 --> 00:39:46,719 Speaker 1: to you know, you have to really watch the game 768 00:39:46,760 --> 00:39:50,719 Speaker 1: to know. But the Chargers two touchdown drives in the 769 00:39:50,719 --> 00:39:53,439 Speaker 1: first half fifty one and fifty three yards, both came 770 00:39:53,480 --> 00:39:58,640 Speaker 1: after Chiefs fumbles. Okay, in the second half Chargers offense, 771 00:39:58,800 --> 00:40:02,200 Speaker 1: they did have one long drive um uh for a 772 00:40:02,200 --> 00:40:04,840 Speaker 1: touchdown midway in the third quarter. But the Chiefs second 773 00:40:04,840 --> 00:40:10,600 Speaker 1: half possessions touchdown, touchdown, touchdown interception. Remember Mahomes really bad 774 00:40:10,640 --> 00:40:13,480 Speaker 1: pick um and then of course, uh, they got the 775 00:40:13,480 --> 00:40:15,319 Speaker 1: ball back and everybody thought, oh they they got this 776 00:40:15,400 --> 00:40:16,759 Speaker 1: and they could not pull it off in the final 777 00:40:16,840 --> 00:40:20,080 Speaker 1: thirty seconds. So I know people aren't gonna like it, 778 00:40:20,640 --> 00:40:23,160 Speaker 1: but this is a game time decision. For me, I 779 00:40:23,160 --> 00:40:27,319 Speaker 1: would lean chief set three, but if, if, if this 780 00:40:27,320 --> 00:40:29,279 Speaker 1: gets to four, I would probably buy back on the 781 00:40:29,360 --> 00:40:33,399 Speaker 1: Chargers in the hopes of is there a chance uh 782 00:40:33,640 --> 00:40:35,840 Speaker 1: this will go higher than four. I doubt it, but 783 00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:42,600 Speaker 1: to me, this is a uh twenty three twenty Chiefs 784 00:40:42,600 --> 00:40:46,880 Speaker 1: win or like one seventeen Chiefs win, So I would 785 00:40:47,000 --> 00:40:50,560 Speaker 1: lean slightly to the Chiefs. But again, this is a 786 00:40:50,600 --> 00:40:53,799 Speaker 1: tough weekend for games. There's much more I like that. 787 00:40:53,920 --> 00:40:56,680 Speaker 1: We will get you on tomorrow's podcast for best bets, 788 00:40:56,719 --> 00:40:58,920 Speaker 1: but um, just be careful on Thursday night giving all 789 00:40:58,960 --> 00:41:01,800 Speaker 1: the covid UH. Enjoy the game, guys, talk to you tomorrow.