1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:01,880 Speaker 1: The volume. 2 00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:15,840 Speaker 2: This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What is up 3 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:21,880 Speaker 2: Straight Fire, fam, It's me Jason McIntyre, Straight Fire for Tuesday, 4 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:27,000 Speaker 2: May twenty third. We are recording this about forty minutes 5 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 2: after Lebron and Ad came up just short in Game 6 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:33,920 Speaker 2: four of the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers are done 7 00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 2: season over, folks. They got swept. Yes, Lebron got swept 8 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:41,559 Speaker 2: by Joker, no time All Star Jamal Murray, who made 9 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 2: an outstanding play at the end of the game. He 10 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:48,280 Speaker 2: actually played defense tonight and a feisty Denver Nuggets team 11 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 2: that and Lebron said a lot after the postgame I 12 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 2: wanted to wait for him to talk before jumping on 13 00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:55,800 Speaker 2: to talk to you guys. Lebron said, this was the 14 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 2: best team that he and Ad have faced since they 15 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 2: got together. And this Deadver team really just punished the Lakers. 16 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:05,520 Speaker 2: They were down fifteen and a half, storm back in 17 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:07,680 Speaker 2: the third quarter, and then of course the game winning 18 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 2: bucket by Nicole Jokic, and we'll get to him and 19 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 2: his dominance, triple double records and all that, but I 20 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 2: need to start the podcast obviously with Lebron, James and 21 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 2: the Lakers. It's strange. So the game ends, you know, 22 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 2: and Rob and I are starting to talk, all right, 23 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:26,280 Speaker 2: when are we gonna record and all this stuff? And 24 00:01:26,319 --> 00:01:28,520 Speaker 2: I'm like, oh, Lebron's gonna talk too, Let's just wait, 25 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:30,640 Speaker 2: you know. And my wife goes to walk the dog 26 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: and I'm sitting there shending the kids upstairs get to bed, 27 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 2: waiting for Lebron to talk. And Lebron's talking, and I, 28 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 2: you know, get out of my chair. I'm like, you know, 29 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 2: kind of close to the TV, a little nerdy about it. 30 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 2: And Lebron's talking. He's got his hat low, and it was, 31 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:49,559 Speaker 2: to me riveting television, just Lebron answering questions about what's 32 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 2: going on, what happened in the series his future, which 33 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 2: I thought was a little bit silly, but people are 34 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 2: gonna make a big deal out of it. You're gonna 35 00:01:57,520 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 2: hear that tomorrow. And I'm just sitting there kind of 36 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 2: with my arms crossed, looking at the TV as if 37 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 2: to say, wow, Like it started to sink in that 38 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 2: like this season's over for Lebron. We just watched Hall 39 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 2: of Famer in Carmelo Anthony, who came into the NBA 40 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 2: with Lebron, retire at the start of Monday. He opened 41 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 2: the week with his retirement even though he didn't play 42 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:23,799 Speaker 2: this season whatever. And then I watched Lebron losing the 43 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:27,919 Speaker 2: playoffs at age thirty eight, twenty a season complete. He 44 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 2: was heroic, thirty one point first half. I think, let 45 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 2: me see what the total point totally finished. Lebron finished 46 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:39,360 Speaker 2: with forty points ten boards nine a sis the oldest 47 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 2: forty point game in the NBA playoffs ever. I think 48 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 2: he had thirty eight, and it was just one of 49 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 2: those amazing performances. As he's talking, I'm in like rapt attention, 50 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 2: just listening, and it's kind of sinking in, you know, like, 51 00:02:52,960 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 2: let's cheeris these moments, these postgame moments, they're dwindling for Lebron, 52 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 2: who basically, hell, you know, I get out of college, 53 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 2: I'm goofing around in New York City trying to be cool. 54 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 2: I end up meeting my wife, you know, in New 55 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 2: York City, and Lebron comes into the league and I've basically, 56 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 2: you know, the entire time I've known my wife, Like 57 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:19,760 Speaker 2: Lebron's been an NBA player my entire time. Starting the website, 58 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,120 Speaker 2: the Big Lead, we moved out to the suburbs, we 59 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 2: had kids, all of this moved out to La like 60 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,839 Speaker 2: Lebron's been part of this and it just weirdly sunk 61 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:30,400 Speaker 2: in the Damn. The end is kind of near and 62 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 2: Lebron ended the press conference with a quote, I have 63 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 2: it right here. Again. I don't read too much into it, 64 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 2: but a lot of people are saying, you know, the 65 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 2: vibes were low key, and Lebron I don't know. Is 66 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 2: he gonna come People are gonna start to do that nonsense. 67 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 2: Of course he's coming back, people. But his quote was, 68 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 2: I got a lot to think about, to be honest, 69 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 2: and just for me personally going forward the game of basketball, 70 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:54,160 Speaker 2: I got a lot to think about. Now, A lot 71 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:55,839 Speaker 2: of people read that and it's like, how low it's anger. 72 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:57,640 Speaker 2: Is he gonna play? We know the answer. He's gonna 73 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:00,520 Speaker 2: stick around, so he plays with Bronny for at least 74 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 2: a season. Okay, the Ken Griffy junior factor. We've talked 75 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 2: about that at nauseam. My guess is what Lebron meant was, Damn, 76 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 2: I carried this team with thirty one points in the 77 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 2: first half. Anthony Davis was basically a bystander just watching 78 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 2: a good game. David showed up in the fourth quarter, 79 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 2: a couple buckets, a couple of blocks. But I know 80 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 2: people will look at the box score and be like, oh, 81 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:23,440 Speaker 2: A d had a good game. He finished with the 82 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 2: Internet slow of course, twenty one and sorry, Anthony Davis 83 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:32,280 Speaker 2: finished with damn It. Twenty one points, fourteen boards, three blocks. 84 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 2: Oh he had a good game. No, not really, not really, 85 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 2: he's doing his alternative game shit where he struggles after 86 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 2: having a good game. He was good in game three. 87 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 2: I thought game four he was invisible bo by the way, 88 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 2: his counterpart Yo Kicch thirty fourteen and thirteen, and Lebron 89 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:49,840 Speaker 2: could not stop raving about him in the postgame presser. 90 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 2: I will add Aaron Gordon played tough inside for Denver, 91 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,479 Speaker 2: had twenty two points, six boards, five assists. So like 92 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:00,719 Speaker 2: AD miss me with AD's having a great game. Okay, 93 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 2: But I want to just go back to Lebron's quote. 94 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,680 Speaker 2: So he's talking at the press conference and I'm kind 95 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,279 Speaker 2: of like standing there in rapt attention, and my wife 96 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 2: walks in with the dog and she thought like I 97 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 2: had started recording the podcast or something, or I was 98 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:16,360 Speaker 2: talking to you guys as to what we're gonna say, 99 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 2: and she was like, you look so sad, And I 100 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 2: did not consider it. But I was a little sad 101 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:22,360 Speaker 2: that the Lakers lost. I was a little down of 102 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 2: the dumps, like I did not bet the game. I 103 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 2: did tell you guys to bet Lebron props yesterday on 104 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:28,160 Speaker 2: the pod. They did not have the numbers when we 105 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 2: were recording. Hopefully he found up Lebron props in cash 106 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 2: because that was an easy point total over I don't know. 107 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 2: I'm assuming it was like in the twenty five to 108 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:36,839 Speaker 2: twenty nine range and he ended up with forty, so 109 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 2: it was an easy winner. I didn't even have money 110 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:42,280 Speaker 2: on the game. You know. I didn't want the Lakers 111 00:05:42,279 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 2: season to end. I wanted basketball on Wednesday night. Now 112 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 2: there's no hoops on Wednesday. There's hoops tonight. There's a well, 113 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 2: we got Celtics Heat Game four that could be a 114 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 2: blood bath. And then and I have the schedule here. 115 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 2: The finals don't start until June first and Denver. Now, 116 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 2: as you guys know, I am taking a Vaca, which 117 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 2: we got very fortuitous. So the the not the Broncos, 118 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:09,840 Speaker 2: the Nuggets are looking at about nine days Tuesday through 119 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:13,160 Speaker 2: next Wednesday. I guess technically I can't count, so that's 120 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:17,040 Speaker 2: eight and then the finals will start June first. As 121 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:18,839 Speaker 2: a fun fact, if you want to file this away, 122 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:23,040 Speaker 2: I'm hosting the Herd yes me, second time. I've done it, 123 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 2: second time solo. That'll be on June first, so that 124 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 2: should be fun. But this Lebron press conference, like there 125 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:33,679 Speaker 2: were so many kernels of wisdom and he just sounded 126 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:38,920 Speaker 2: like really one of the all time greats speaking knowing 127 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:40,839 Speaker 2: like the end is near, and it's tough for me 128 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:42,839 Speaker 2: to say the end is near. When Lebron plays forty 129 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 2: eight minutes, sits out for four seconds. They were like 130 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:47,039 Speaker 2: at the end of the first half, I guess he 131 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:48,279 Speaker 2: had to go to the bathroom or something and there 132 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:49,600 Speaker 2: was a foul and Lebron's like, I've just got to 133 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:51,479 Speaker 2: take off for the locker room, peels off his jersey 134 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:53,919 Speaker 2: and takes off. Did not come out in the second half. 135 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 2: Forty eight minutes, fifteen of twenty five. A heroic performance, 136 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 2: and it wasn't good enough, and you feel bad. Of course, 137 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 2: the Michael Jordan fanboy Jabroni's are gonna come in and 138 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,720 Speaker 2: be like, oh he got swept. H Jordan never got swept. Well, 139 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 2: he did early in his career against the loaded Celtics. Well, 140 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 2: this Detroit team, I'm sorry, this Denver team is really 141 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:16,680 Speaker 2: really good. And I'll tell you right now, they're probably 142 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 2: way better than those bad boys teams of the eighties. 143 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 2: Isaiah Thomas. I mean, I don't know, Bill Ambier, Rick Morner. 144 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 2: They can Danny Jokic, like, get the hell out of here. 145 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 2: Like this is an awesome Denver team. Denver going to 146 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 2: the finals for the first time in franchise history. This 147 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:33,240 Speaker 2: was the first time they've swept anyone in the playoffs. 148 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 2: And before I bring in Rob g I know he's, 149 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 2: you know, a despondent Laker fan. He had Lakers and six. 150 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:41,840 Speaker 2: I had Denver and seven. Neither of us were remotely close. 151 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:45,040 Speaker 2: But there was a play late in the game that 152 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 2: a bunch of people were sharing on social media. So essentially, 153 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 2: Lebron has this situation. They're down two with about thirty 154 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 2: seconds left, and he calls for the switch. Aaron Gordon 155 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:00,960 Speaker 2: was guarding Lebron. He calls for Aaron. Anthony Davis comes over, 156 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 2: sets the screen. They switch, so it's Joker on Lebron 157 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 2: and you could see Lebron like, Okay, which way am 158 00:08:05,960 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 2: I gonna go? How am I gonna take him? At 159 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 2: this point, Joker has five fouls. Remember he picked up 160 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 2: two quick charges against Lebron, and you're sitting there, Okay, 161 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 2: Lebron take them, Lebron take them. But what you don't 162 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 2: really see is the Nuggets were just crowding the lane. 163 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 2: They were just packing everyone in. So they were saying, 164 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 2: you know, we're not letting you beat us, Lebron. You 165 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 2: beat us with a hoop the last time down the court. 166 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 2: We're not letting that happen again. Lebron had to concede. 167 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 2: Passed a shrewder who hot potatoes over the reeves, but 168 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:31,800 Speaker 2: it goes out of bounds and they get Lakers end up, 169 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:35,120 Speaker 2: you know, frittering the possession away. They get the ball 170 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:37,040 Speaker 2: back and Lebron is stopped at the end of the 171 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 2: game by Jamal Murray, my guy. You know, I'm a 172 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 2: huge Jamal Murray guy. And that's that Lebron's done. So 173 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:47,199 Speaker 2: you know, rob g I listen. I know it was 174 00:08:47,240 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 2: a tough ending for you. Ruyjachimra played like garbage. We 175 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:52,679 Speaker 2: talked about role players, D'Angelo Russell coming off the bench, 176 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 2: two or four in fifteen minutes, he was a plus six. 177 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:59,600 Speaker 2: It didn't matter. He barely played Lonnie Walker, barely played 178 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:03,440 Speaker 2: Tristan Thompson. A ten minute cameo Jared Vanderbilt went from 179 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 2: starting to no minutes. Mobamba your guy, Rob, he was out, 180 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 2: he was there, did not play. But let's be real. 181 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:14,680 Speaker 2: You cannot bag on Lebron. You cannot bag on the Lakers. 182 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 2: This is a Denver team that will win the championship. 183 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,600 Speaker 2: I think I saw they were minus two fifty whether 184 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: they faced the Heat or Celtics in the finals. They 185 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 2: will host Game one June one, as long as they 186 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,000 Speaker 2: don't give up Game one to the Heat. Miami is won. 187 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:30,800 Speaker 2: I saw this stat. This is crazy. Six straight game 188 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:34,440 Speaker 2: ones in the playoffs, and three of those this season 189 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 2: on the road. So, Rob, how you feel about your 190 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 2: Lakers after that devastating loss? 191 00:09:40,440 --> 00:09:41,840 Speaker 1: Well, I don't feel great, Jason. 192 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 3: You know, I was trying to LeVar Ball ask will 193 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 3: it did to exist as Lakers and seven before the 194 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 3: game started. So when they were up fifteen and a half, 195 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 3: I was like, we're onto something, you know, get ready, 196 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:59,720 Speaker 3: and then obviously that came falling apart. Look, Lebron James 197 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:03,680 Speaker 3: played phenomenally in the first half. Second half not so much. 198 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:08,239 Speaker 3: He kind of Oh, I mean even during the broadcast, 199 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 3: which you know, I had to watch on my phone 200 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 3: for reasons I don't want to get into, but they 201 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:14,520 Speaker 3: were mentioning how Lebron everything he did in the first 202 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:16,080 Speaker 3: half he stopped doing in the second half, and it 203 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:19,319 Speaker 3: could just be he was tired, Like that's totally reasonable 204 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 3: to expect. But even said, I don't think it's on him. 205 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 3: I think that Game four and this series in totality, 206 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 3: was said more about Darvin Ham than anything about the Lakers. 207 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 3: Game one, he makes the mistake of starting small against 208 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:42,439 Speaker 3: a ginormous Denver Nuggets front court and doubling Nikola Yogic, 209 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:45,240 Speaker 3: So not only was he getting his on the offensive glass, 210 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 3: but he was getting everyone involved. 211 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:50,720 Speaker 1: So that trick away. Game one done. Game two. 212 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:55,199 Speaker 3: He and Game three for the most part, he decides 213 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:58,520 Speaker 3: that he's not going to pull D'Angelo Russell because he's 214 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 3: worried he might lose him. So de'angelo Russell, you know, 215 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:03,839 Speaker 3: is easily the worst player on the floor for either team. 216 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:05,719 Speaker 3: You're both of those games, and obviously they lose those two. 217 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:10,880 Speaker 3: And then last night here in game four, he is 218 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,600 Speaker 3: so married to the idea of I'm gonna roll with 219 00:11:13,640 --> 00:11:17,840 Speaker 3: these five guys lebron A, d Reeves, Rui and shrewder 220 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 3: and Rui obviously didn't have it like we saw that. 221 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 3: The final numbers don't even do it justice. He was 222 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:26,720 Speaker 3: getting abused by Jokic, which everyone does, but then he 223 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:28,720 Speaker 3: wasn't making a pay on the other end by making baskets. 224 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:31,360 Speaker 3: I think he finished what was for three of Yeah, 225 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 3: he was three of twelve from the field, zero three from. 226 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: Three and hold on. 227 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:36,760 Speaker 2: This is a classic wait hold on, This is a 228 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 2: classic Ruiy line. This is what the knock was before 229 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:41,959 Speaker 2: he got to the Lakers. What else does he do? 230 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 2: Rob forty two minutes, zero assists, zero steals, zero blocks, Like, 231 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:51,800 Speaker 2: what is he doing out there? He did get seven 232 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:55,840 Speaker 2: boards in forty two minutes, one offensive rebound. Just again, like, 233 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 2: if he's not getting the ball, is he moving? Is 234 00:11:57,880 --> 00:12:00,440 Speaker 2: he a factor? Like you're not gonna make of Draymond Green, right, 235 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 2: nobody expects that, but at least fill up the statue, 236 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 2: like do stuff like you look at Austin Reeves. He's 237 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 2: filling up the statue. Dennis Shooters, Trustling his butt off, 238 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 2: even though he wasn't great, but he just needed a 239 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:14,560 Speaker 2: little more from RUI seems like he's in the cards 240 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:15,960 Speaker 2: for next year, so we can we can bash him 241 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 2: next year when you. 242 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, of course, I mean it seems like they needed 243 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:21,319 Speaker 3: more from everybody, you know. Like that was the difference 244 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:24,080 Speaker 3: in this series between the Denver Nuggets and the Los 245 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 3: Angeles Lakers is that their stars played well every game, 246 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 3: you know, even the Jamal Murray when he started off 247 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:32,360 Speaker 3: really slowly in the first three quarters, exploded in the 248 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 3: fourth quarter. Jokish never had a bad game in my opinion, 249 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:39,120 Speaker 3: even if his stats weren't always otherworldly, you know, like 250 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:43,199 Speaker 3: Knights and Night Basis Lebron and ad you know, alternated 251 00:12:43,240 --> 00:12:45,679 Speaker 3: between great half bad half, great half bad half, and 252 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 3: then the other guys. The role players for Denver were 253 00:12:49,320 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 3: lights out going into Game four. Their role players were 254 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:58,200 Speaker 3: shooting over sixty percent on uncontested jumpers, which is incredible. 255 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:00,920 Speaker 3: I'm sure no one probably even went up after Game four. 256 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:02,839 Speaker 3: But to me, like I said, this series said more 257 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:05,679 Speaker 3: about Darbnham than anything else. He looked like a rookie 258 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 3: head coach out there game four. He's married to his 259 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 3: lineup he was gonna stick with those five guys even 260 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 3: though he wasn't playing well. Dennis cooled off considerably after 261 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 3: the first quarter, and in the decided third quarter, they're 262 00:13:17,080 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 3: up fifteen and Denver boat racism in the first eight minutes. 263 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 3: If they're minus sixteen in that stretch, he calls no timeouts, 264 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 3: makes no subs. He just stood there and watched it. 265 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 3: And those are the things you have to deal with 266 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 3: with the rookie head coach. So I anticipate that most 267 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:34,559 Speaker 3: of these guys will be back next season, and we'll 268 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:35,720 Speaker 3: see if they can give it one more go. 269 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:39,280 Speaker 2: That is, of course, Lebron, What do you mean most 270 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:44,080 Speaker 2: of which guys? I think Shooter Shooter ain't coming back. 271 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:46,840 Speaker 2: No Shooter's got I think Anthony Davis is, Jan Brown's gone. 272 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 1: Oh maybe not. 273 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 3: Who else is gonna offer him anything more than a 274 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 3: that minimum so much. 275 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 2: Somebody surely will pay him a three and d wing 276 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:57,720 Speaker 2: like they could talk themselves in him. Lonnie Walker's probably 277 00:13:57,720 --> 00:13:59,040 Speaker 2: getting paid elsewhere. 278 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 1: By who he was out of the rotation. He was 279 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:05,560 Speaker 1: out of the rotation for two months. 280 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 2: First pick. I think somebody's got to grab Lonnie Walker. 281 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:12,440 Speaker 3: I'm choosing to ignore Lebron's cryptic message there at the end, 282 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:14,440 Speaker 3: I think that was more about a power play than 283 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 3: him actually retiring. 284 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:17,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, he's gonna get what he wants, and that's that. 285 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:20,000 Speaker 2: Then it becomes and I put this on social I 286 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 2: talked about it yesterday on the podcast, so a bunch 287 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 2: of people hit me up. You know, is there a 288 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 2: world where they can afford Lebron, A d and Kyrie Irving? 289 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,040 Speaker 2: And you know, obviously D'Angelo Russell thirty one mil is 290 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 2: out the door. They declined the Malik Beasley sixteen million 291 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 2: dollar team option. They package Bomba their draft pick, I 292 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 2: guess Jared Vanderbilt for whatever they can get, and then 293 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:52,680 Speaker 2: next year their roster essentially is Lebron, A, D, Kyrie Ruy, 294 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 2: Hachi Mora, Austin Reeves, Max Christie, and then six other 295 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 2: guys who are making the minimum. Could that work and 296 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 2: we'll see it? Sounds like rob the league is trying 297 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 2: to end these like dynas dynastic three star teams with 298 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 2: this new apron. I haven't read all about it yet, 299 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 2: and I'm sure we're gonna hear about it as we 300 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:15,280 Speaker 2: get closer to July one. But I think if the 301 00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:18,360 Speaker 2: Lakers can add Kyrie to this. You know, I've been 302 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 2: anti Kyrie for the longest time. Okay, Like, I don't 303 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:24,840 Speaker 2: hate the idea of addingm Kyrie. Now in the long run, 304 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 2: it's gonna be bad, but they were close. Now, if 305 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 2: this team lost in the first round, I'd say, no 306 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 2: way ad Kyrie, rob But if you can add him, 307 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:32,560 Speaker 2: I know, reason is gonna have to get a big 308 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:35,520 Speaker 2: uptick and pay. You know, can you find six guys 309 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 2: who are ring chasers, who are sick Tristan Thompson type 310 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 2: players who are just like, yeah, I'll come along for 311 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 2: the ride and provide minutes. The problem is eight goes down? 312 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 2: What else you got? Lebron goes down, which he probably will, 313 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 2: Kyrie IVN goes sideways, and now you got a crap 314 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 2: season in Lebron's toast in La. 315 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, and look, I'll say this, the only way I'm 316 00:15:55,880 --> 00:16:00,320 Speaker 3: on board with any Kyrie Irving acquisition is if they 317 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 3: can keep Reeves and Hachimura. Otherwise it's a non starter 318 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 3: for me because we we've we've seen this play out 319 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 3: already with Russell Westbrook. Obviously, Kyrie is a better player 320 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:12,520 Speaker 3: and a better fit than Russell Westbrook. But when you're 321 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 3: that top heavy, all it takes is one guy to 322 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:19,080 Speaker 3: miss time to your point, or you know, one guy 323 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:21,440 Speaker 3: to have an off night because the rest of the 324 00:16:21,560 --> 00:16:25,520 Speaker 3: roster is not capable of elevating the floor after that. So, 325 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 3: you know, and if they if they're gonna, if it 326 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 3: comes down to we gotta you know, only keep Reeves 327 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:33,480 Speaker 3: and that that's Kyrie, then I'm not really feeling that 328 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 3: one because I think you're you're in a much better 329 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:39,760 Speaker 3: situation running it back. Even with the Angelo Russell. You know, 330 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:41,880 Speaker 3: obviously his price tag is cratered, so you probably get 331 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 3: him for cheaper than what you would have. You can, 332 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 3: you can you can flip the Beasley and the Bomba 333 00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:52,200 Speaker 3: contracts for you know, Buddy Heal type, Daurrian Finny Smith, 334 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 3: whatever your favorite three and D guy is. And I 335 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 3: think there's enough move that can be made on the 336 00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 3: margins with this team where they can be competitive again. 337 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 2: Brooke and claims they were getting an offer of two 338 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:04,639 Speaker 2: firsts for Dorian Fitty Smith, So I don't know if 339 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,879 Speaker 2: that okay. So we spent twenty minutes hyping up the 340 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:10,359 Speaker 2: Lakers as we should. They're you know, one of the 341 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 2: marquee teams. I live out here in LA like it's 342 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:18,320 Speaker 2: the Lakers, it's Lebron. I'm sorry, we're gonna give Denver 343 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:20,639 Speaker 2: their due. I do want to ask you Rob about this. 344 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 2: And I had a buddy text me and this was weird. 345 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 2: But this is a smart guy. I played pick up 346 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 2: with him. He's a former water polo college guy, I 347 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 2: think at UCLA or whatever. And he says to me, 348 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:40,120 Speaker 2: you know, Yokics was pretty good. I wonder if those 349 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:44,720 Speaker 2: Kendrick Perkins comments scared people away from voting for him 350 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:47,000 Speaker 2: for the MVP back in and I looked it up 351 00:17:47,119 --> 00:17:50,639 Speaker 2: March and ended up giving him be the MVP. Because 352 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:53,160 Speaker 2: if you watched any of these playoffs, and I'm assuming 353 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:57,000 Speaker 2: listeners at this pod watched all the damn games, folks, 354 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,639 Speaker 2: it's not even close. It's I mean, Yoka chet the 355 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:03,600 Speaker 2: record now past Wilt. Eight triple doubles in this postseason. 356 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 2: Wilt had seven in nineteen sixty seven. Yo kicch thirty 357 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:13,199 Speaker 2: fourteen rebounds, thirteen assists. He is unbelievable. I mean, this 358 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:15,080 Speaker 2: idea that he's probably the best passing big man of 359 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 2: all time. I think you got that. That's probably there already. 360 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:22,240 Speaker 2: And he's not even thirty. This idea that Kendrick Perkins, 361 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:24,880 Speaker 2: who blocked me on social media about a year ago 362 00:18:24,920 --> 00:18:26,560 Speaker 2: because I called him out for some dumb shit that 363 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:28,720 Speaker 2: he said, which is what he does. I don't even 364 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:29,919 Speaker 2: know if we can curse on it with a new 365 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:32,919 Speaker 2: video component here, but you know Josh will believe it out. 366 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:37,639 Speaker 2: But this idea that Kendrick Perkins can sway an MVP discussion, 367 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 2: and apparently he did because after he made these comments 368 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 2: and I'll read them to you, apparently he's saying that 369 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:47,879 Speaker 2: there's like inconsistent criteria for what is the MVP at 370 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:51,760 Speaker 2: it favors white players, which is just ridiculously asinine, and 371 00:18:51,840 --> 00:18:53,760 Speaker 2: JJ Reddick called him out and they got into it. 372 00:18:55,080 --> 00:18:57,639 Speaker 2: I happened to look this up. So Yokich one of 373 00:18:57,720 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 2: two years in a row before that, the last white 374 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,640 Speaker 2: got when it was like twelve thirteen years ago, Dirk 375 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 2: Davitski in two thousand and six, two thousand and seven. 376 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,119 Speaker 2: And I will agree with one thing. We don't know 377 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:11,359 Speaker 2: what the criteria is for MVP. Is it best player 378 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:14,359 Speaker 2: in the league, is it most valuable? Because we know 379 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 2: Jokic took some time off at the end of the season, 380 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:17,840 Speaker 2: you know what to get ready for the postseason, which 381 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 2: is smart. And Beiid wanted to play a ton for 382 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:22,720 Speaker 2: Philly late and then he ends up getting hurt and 383 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 2: hands a shell of himself and just wasn't good because 384 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 2: you know, it's the postseason and Joel Embiid always comes 385 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 2: up small in the postseason. But the reality is Nikola 386 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:33,639 Speaker 2: Yoka should have won his third MVP award. And I 387 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:35,440 Speaker 2: know that sounds ridiculous, like, come on, is he the 388 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 2: best player in the league, folks? I mean Yanich just hot, 389 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:42,399 Speaker 2: Giannis is hot potatoing the ball against Miami because he 390 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:45,479 Speaker 2: missed twelve free throws in the decided game. Okay, I'm 391 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:47,080 Speaker 2: as big as Lebron guy as anybody. He wasn't the 392 00:19:47,160 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 2: MVP this year. I like Jason Tatum a lot. I 393 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:51,399 Speaker 2: thought he should. He's gonna get MVP votes. I like 394 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:54,320 Speaker 2: Luca a lot. He can't be Luca can't be the 395 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:57,560 Speaker 2: MVP if he's not making the playoffs. So I think 396 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:02,120 Speaker 2: it's ridiculous that Kendrick Perkins can say you're essentially allude 397 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:05,520 Speaker 2: that you're kind of racist if you vote for Jokic 398 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:08,199 Speaker 2: because he's won it the last two years, and all 399 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:10,240 Speaker 2: of a sudden, we watch the postseason and anyone with 400 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:13,040 Speaker 2: a brain is watching Jokic dominate Rob. I mean, he 401 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:17,000 Speaker 2: is utterly unstoppable. Whether it's Ruey, whether it's Anthony Davis, 402 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:20,320 Speaker 2: whether it's Lebron, whether they're doubling him, He's making all 403 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,600 Speaker 2: the great passes. I mean late in the game. I 404 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:24,920 Speaker 2: have it down on here on my notes because I'm 405 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:29,440 Speaker 2: taking notes like a loser. Essentially, Jokic at the foul line, 406 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:33,399 Speaker 2: at the elbow, he's unstoppable. He sees stuff, the Aaron 407 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:36,840 Speaker 2: Gordon dunk, the back door cuts, ksep he sees everything. 408 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 2: His vision is timing. It's unbelievable. And in this mythic 409 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:45,400 Speaker 2: best player in the League debate, well, it was Lebron, 410 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:46,920 Speaker 2: and then it was Kobe, and then it was Steph 411 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:49,680 Speaker 2: Curry because he won two straight MVP Awards, and then 412 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:53,399 Speaker 2: it's back to Lebron, and then it was Yiannis And like, 413 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:57,399 Speaker 2: I think it's undeniably Nicola Jokic right now, right it 414 00:20:57,520 --> 00:21:01,440 Speaker 2: has to be. I don't know, Rob, is there even 415 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 2: any debate over who the best player in the league is? Now? 416 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:06,520 Speaker 2: I know part of the argument's gonna be well, it's 417 00:21:06,520 --> 00:21:09,840 Speaker 2: a regular season award. Well that's stupid. Who's the best 418 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 2: player for eighty two games when half the league doesn't 419 00:21:12,119 --> 00:21:16,960 Speaker 2: care and isn't trying. What is that like? It just 420 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:19,920 Speaker 2: doesn't make sense to me why we're giving and beat 421 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:22,840 Speaker 2: all these props. Joel Embiide had a great season, fantastic, terrific, 422 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:25,640 Speaker 2: outstanding job. He ain't the best player in the league. 423 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 2: I'm sorry, Rob, I just I don't like sometimes what 424 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 2: the media does, and not to go too hard at 425 00:21:32,359 --> 00:21:34,359 Speaker 2: Kendrick Perkins. I think I called him an ask clown whatever. 426 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:37,600 Speaker 2: But Rob, let's be real, Like you watch Jokicic in 427 00:21:37,600 --> 00:21:39,840 Speaker 2: the series like there's no denying it. He is the 428 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 2: best player in the NBA. 429 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:43,200 Speaker 1: Uh. 430 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:45,480 Speaker 3: I'm one hundred percent old on that, and I just 431 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:47,919 Speaker 3: watch him beat the Lakers ass for four straight games. 432 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:51,200 Speaker 3: I still think Giannis is the best player because I 433 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:55,800 Speaker 3: think Giannis impacts the game on both sides of the ball, well, 434 00:21:55,800 --> 00:21:56,440 Speaker 3: both sides of the. 435 00:21:56,359 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 1: Floor, more than Jogic. 436 00:21:57,640 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 3: Says Jogic offensively far superior, but his defense, to me, 437 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:05,359 Speaker 3: is still average. You know that's being polite, you know, 438 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:07,399 Speaker 3: I mean, the Lakers gotten the paint whenever they wanted 439 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:09,879 Speaker 3: to throughout the series, and they just whether or not 440 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:12,280 Speaker 3: they finished was that was really on them. Ad missed 441 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:14,199 Speaker 3: a lot of bunnies. Lebron miss bunnies, you know, and 442 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,679 Speaker 3: that it is what it is and that's ultimately why 443 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 3: they are out and four instead of it being like 444 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 3: tow two heading into game five. So as far as 445 00:22:22,920 --> 00:22:25,119 Speaker 3: best in the world, if he's not number one to me, 446 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:26,679 Speaker 3: he's number two. Like, I don't think anything. 447 00:22:26,680 --> 00:22:28,320 Speaker 1: There's no shame in being the second best player in 448 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:29,720 Speaker 1: the NBA. I think yo, which is fantastic. 449 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:32,280 Speaker 2: Let me ask you this question. So we're starting a 450 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:37,080 Speaker 2: team rub age matters. We can't take contract into account. 451 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:39,760 Speaker 2: I mean if we want to, we can't. Are you 452 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:43,919 Speaker 2: taking Yanis over and beat over Jokic? Because if you 453 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:46,359 Speaker 2: gave me those two choices, now, personally, I would take 454 00:22:46,440 --> 00:22:49,480 Speaker 2: Luca because I think he elevates everyone. But like you said, defense, 455 00:22:49,520 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 2: he doesn't play an me. I think I think you 456 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:53,560 Speaker 2: have to go Jokic over Yannis. 457 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:56,280 Speaker 3: I would probably and that and that's not the passer 458 00:22:57,600 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 3: and that's an area I probably because I think he 459 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:01,560 Speaker 3: because I think he'd be easier to build around. The 460 00:23:01,560 --> 00:23:04,720 Speaker 3: same thing with Luca The thing that Jokic and Luca 461 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:06,920 Speaker 3: have going for him, and just like Lebron back in 462 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:10,320 Speaker 3: the day, is you can build a team very quickly 463 00:23:10,359 --> 00:23:13,280 Speaker 3: around them because they're such good passers, they're very unselfish, 464 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:15,840 Speaker 3: they're very skilled, so there's a lot of different ways 465 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:18,199 Speaker 3: you can you can manufacture a team around them. A 466 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 3: guy like Giannis not as skilled, obviously, he's more just 467 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:23,320 Speaker 3: like a brute force kind of a player, and so 468 00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:26,359 Speaker 3: it might be more difficult because you need to have 469 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:29,400 Speaker 3: more highly skilled players around him to really reach their peak. 470 00:23:30,440 --> 00:23:32,400 Speaker 3: And it's just a different kind of roster construction. As 471 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:36,320 Speaker 3: far as the MVP, though, I had no issue whatsoever 472 00:23:36,359 --> 00:23:38,480 Speaker 3: would m bead winning the because it's a regular season 473 00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:43,000 Speaker 3: award and we cannot re litigate things just because a 474 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 3: guy flames out in the postseason. Like if it was 475 00:23:45,680 --> 00:23:48,240 Speaker 3: just about who the best player is, then Kobe would 476 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:50,640 Speaker 3: probably have like four or five, Steve Nash would have zero, 477 00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 3: Lebron would probably have ten or twelve. 478 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:54,800 Speaker 1: You know, like, oh, well. 479 00:23:54,720 --> 00:23:58,360 Speaker 2: How about you recurrent? He have two? 480 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:00,560 Speaker 1: Yes, two, right, so yeah, he'd have exactly the same number. 481 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:05,000 Speaker 3: Yees, twelve, Oh my god, I mean, if that's what 482 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:07,280 Speaker 3: it was, if it was just who the best player 483 00:24:07,320 --> 00:24:08,200 Speaker 3: is and that's what would happen. 484 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:09,000 Speaker 2: Joe l. 485 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 3: Embiid was the leading scorer in the NBA on a 486 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:16,000 Speaker 3: team that was in the tougher conference at the top 487 00:24:16,480 --> 00:24:19,600 Speaker 3: and had I believe, the same record as Denver. Denver 488 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:24,119 Speaker 3: was floundering down the stretch, and they obviously took. 489 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:26,840 Speaker 2: The final two weeks off ready for the postseason. 490 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:29,679 Speaker 3: And that's fine, but that means that that cost you 491 00:24:29,720 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 3: regular season awards. That's part of the tradeoff in that situation. 492 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:36,120 Speaker 2: Well, I mean I blame the voters like I don't. 493 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:38,159 Speaker 2: I don't blame Jokics for taking time off. That's smart. 494 00:24:38,359 --> 00:24:41,200 Speaker 2: What matters more some dumb regular season award or going 495 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:43,040 Speaker 2: too the finals for the first time in franchise history. 496 00:24:43,240 --> 00:24:45,720 Speaker 2: I mean, you know, you look at Yoki's forty five minutes. 497 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:48,400 Speaker 2: I mean, Embiid's not playing anything like that. He can't 498 00:24:48,440 --> 00:24:50,720 Speaker 2: handle that kind of especially if they even made the 499 00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:53,520 Speaker 2: conference finals. I mean, the BIG's never made the conference finals. 500 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:56,200 Speaker 2: Jokics is now going to the finals. Jokic just minutes 501 00:24:56,200 --> 00:25:00,760 Speaker 2: in the series two thirty eight, forty five series before 502 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:03,920 Speaker 2: that against Phoenix thirty three, that blowout, Well, he played 503 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 2: less than that series because they had some blowouts. But Rob, 504 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:08,320 Speaker 2: have you looked at the final schedule? I mean there's 505 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:12,119 Speaker 2: two days off between every game except for one. Like, 506 00:25:12,280 --> 00:25:16,399 Speaker 2: I actually think that's a huge benefit to whoever deadver faces. 507 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:20,080 Speaker 2: We it's probably Miami, but Boston have a shot. 508 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:20,960 Speaker 1: Probably not. 509 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:24,000 Speaker 2: That's actually huge for Miami. I just don't know how 510 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:28,120 Speaker 2: they would defend Jokic. And and it's weird because Rob, 511 00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:33,919 Speaker 2: there is a chance that Jamal Murray goes postal and 512 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:36,920 Speaker 2: has a volcanic series the way he did against the Lakers. 513 00:25:37,040 --> 00:25:40,399 Speaker 2: And I mean there's a chance Jamal Murray's MVP of 514 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:42,560 Speaker 2: the Finals, and then we have another one of these, 515 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:46,240 Speaker 2: Wow Jokic, I don't know. Jamal Murray's very good, no 516 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:49,080 Speaker 2: time All Star Jamal Murray. I need dad, my guy, 517 00:25:49,200 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 2: Jamal Murray. Remember we had the Jamal Murray booker discussion 518 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:52,800 Speaker 2: and he changes on that. 519 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:55,760 Speaker 1: By the way, uh No, I still lean Jamal Murray. 520 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:59,119 Speaker 3: Remember I said in the playoffs with one of the 521 00:25:59,160 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 3: great postseason formers of the NBA's ever seen. 522 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:05,199 Speaker 2: He's I mean, the guy's incredible. Now. I know he 523 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:07,360 Speaker 2: did not make a three against the Lakers in Game four, 524 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:09,919 Speaker 2: but it didn't matter. He was everywhere. His defensive presence 525 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:11,520 Speaker 2: was incredible. Let me see if I have anything else 526 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:14,359 Speaker 2: in my notes. Hey, by the way, can I give 527 00:26:14,359 --> 00:26:16,399 Speaker 2: a shout out quickly to Aaron Gordon? Can we do that? 528 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:19,120 Speaker 2: I mean, I know nobody really cares and I look 529 00:26:19,160 --> 00:26:21,480 Speaker 2: it up. So Aeron Gordon was the fourth overall pick 530 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:25,240 Speaker 2: in twenty fourteen. He was a seventeen and seven guy 531 00:26:25,280 --> 00:26:27,840 Speaker 2: at his apex with Orlando and they were losing a 532 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:31,240 Speaker 2: billion games, getting fifteen shots a game, taking the most shots. 533 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:33,400 Speaker 2: He was the alpha in Orlando. It just did not work. 534 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:39,280 Speaker 2: He goes to Denver Game four, he had a really 535 00:26:39,280 --> 00:26:42,639 Speaker 2: good game against the Lakers, but by and large, Michael 536 00:26:42,680 --> 00:26:44,560 Speaker 2: Malone told him, hey, check your ego at the door. 537 00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:46,520 Speaker 2: We know you were the number four pick. That's great. 538 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:48,920 Speaker 2: You were the number one option or Orlando. That's great. 539 00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:53,679 Speaker 2: You're gonna be now our fourth option. You're gonna make 540 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:55,840 Speaker 2: a lot of money and you're gonna win games. And 541 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:58,160 Speaker 2: Aaron Gordon did not have any beef like a guy 542 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:02,520 Speaker 2: like D'Angelo Russell should really look hard at what he 543 00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:06,440 Speaker 2: just saw from Aaron Gordon. Play defense, catch a bunch 544 00:27:06,440 --> 00:27:08,960 Speaker 2: of rim running dunks, be ready to put flush it 545 00:27:09,040 --> 00:27:11,120 Speaker 2: when Jokic gets it to you. And by the way, 546 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:13,720 Speaker 2: if you're open for three, shoot the ball. And Aaron 547 00:27:13,760 --> 00:27:16,000 Speaker 2: Gordon has best game game four. But this is a guy, 548 00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:18,560 Speaker 2: rob fourth overall pick. He was the alpha in Orlando 549 00:27:18,600 --> 00:27:22,480 Speaker 2: for about three years and he's now taking a step 550 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:26,400 Speaker 2: back to take a step forward. Okay, this I mean, 551 00:27:26,520 --> 00:27:28,959 Speaker 2: I just love that about Aaron Gordon, a guy who 552 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:30,760 Speaker 2: I'm easy to root for. Obviously have him in the 553 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:33,719 Speaker 2: player points pool. I'm gonna win that bad boy. Now 554 00:27:33,720 --> 00:27:36,520 Speaker 2: that Jamal Murray and Eric Gordon to Gord to the finals, 555 00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:39,400 Speaker 2: nobody has anybody from the Heat, not that you guys care, 556 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:43,879 Speaker 2: but this this Aaron Gordon situation, Like they got him 557 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:46,000 Speaker 2: on a pretty good contract and he's making like twenty 558 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:47,960 Speaker 2: one million dollars nineteen million, twenty one a year or 559 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:50,840 Speaker 2: whatever it is. But this team is really solid and Rob, 560 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:54,159 Speaker 2: they're not going anywhere. They're only thirty year old. In 561 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:57,160 Speaker 2: the rotation is Jeff Green, who has been on nine 562 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:01,600 Speaker 2: teams in eight years. Gordon's locked in, and Bruce Brown 563 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:03,800 Speaker 2: is the guy they probably would lose. He could there 564 00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:06,399 Speaker 2: certainly make more than six million a year. But like 565 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:10,679 Speaker 2: KCP another guy, hey man, Rob, you watched was KCP 566 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:12,200 Speaker 2: the third best player on the Lakers in the bubble 567 00:28:12,280 --> 00:28:12,919 Speaker 2: or was it Kuzma? 568 00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:14,320 Speaker 1: It was KCP. 569 00:28:14,640 --> 00:28:16,679 Speaker 2: I think it was KCP. And now he goes to 570 00:28:16,800 --> 00:28:18,680 Speaker 2: Denver and it's like, Bro, you're gonna be the fifth 571 00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:22,600 Speaker 2: option because Michael Porter junior third, Jamal Burray's second, Yo 572 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:25,359 Speaker 2: kich is one, and Aaron Gordon's four. You know what 573 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:28,120 Speaker 2: KCP said? Yes, Sirree, I would love to go back 574 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:30,600 Speaker 2: and win win another championship. He's going to the finals, 575 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:32,760 Speaker 2: and I just think when it comes to team building, 576 00:28:32,760 --> 00:28:34,920 Speaker 2: and you know, I'm obsessed with that, Rob. Given now 577 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 2: that we well it, you know, I'm a minority owner 578 00:28:38,480 --> 00:28:41,400 Speaker 2: in two teams basketball team in New Zealand soccer team 579 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:44,360 Speaker 2: in Mexico. Like, I love the team building aspect, and 580 00:28:44,480 --> 00:28:47,120 Speaker 2: I just I love everything about Denver, Rob. I mean, 581 00:28:47,160 --> 00:28:52,479 Speaker 2: this team is I mean, find me a weakness in Denver? Like, 582 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:54,920 Speaker 2: what is there? Another bench isn't super deep, But what 583 00:28:55,080 --> 00:28:55,720 Speaker 2: is the weakness? 584 00:28:57,080 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 3: I think they have two, one of them being the 585 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:02,160 Speaker 3: bench that you mentioned, the other one being interior defense. 586 00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:05,120 Speaker 3: You can get to the rim on them. The problem, though, 587 00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:07,920 Speaker 3: is those weaknesses that we've seen in this postseason are 588 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:11,720 Speaker 3: not glaring enough to offset how awesome they are offensively, 589 00:29:12,520 --> 00:29:16,080 Speaker 3: Like they're they're just they're they're great. And then to 590 00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 3: your point about Aaron Gordon, I know he showed out 591 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:21,200 Speaker 3: there in Game four, but we definitely need to give 592 00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:23,640 Speaker 3: him his flowers for what he's done throughout this postseason. 593 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 3: You can argue that he's had the toughest path for 594 00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:31,720 Speaker 3: any defender in this postseason. He opens up, he credibly 595 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:34,920 Speaker 3: guarded Anthony Edwards and Carl Towns in the first round. 596 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:39,160 Speaker 3: He followed up with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant for 597 00:29:39,200 --> 00:29:41,520 Speaker 3: long stretches in the second round, and then he was 598 00:29:41,560 --> 00:29:45,000 Speaker 3: guarding Lebron James and Anthony Davis when they took Yokichaut 599 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:48,480 Speaker 3: in the third round. So he's guarded all of these 600 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:52,040 Speaker 3: all NBA, all world level guys who are all so different. 601 00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:54,800 Speaker 3: They all play differently, they all have different strength and weaknesses, 602 00:29:55,160 --> 00:29:57,040 Speaker 3: and obviously you're not gonna shut any of those guys down. 603 00:29:57,240 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 3: But the one thing you can say about any good 604 00:29:59,080 --> 00:30:01,160 Speaker 3: defender is did he make can work for his baskets? 605 00:30:01,560 --> 00:30:06,000 Speaker 3: And Aaron Gordon made every single one of those guys struggle, 606 00:30:06,360 --> 00:30:11,000 Speaker 3: whether it was on a possession by possession basis like 607 00:30:11,080 --> 00:30:13,200 Speaker 3: it was with the Lakers, or it was a game 608 00:30:13,240 --> 00:30:15,480 Speaker 3: to game bass which would happen with the Phoenix Suns 609 00:30:15,480 --> 00:30:17,000 Speaker 3: where they kind of just ran out of gas because 610 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:19,600 Speaker 3: after these guys wearing on you all game for forty 611 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:22,960 Speaker 3: eight minutes, that takes its toll. And Aaron Gordon the 612 00:30:23,080 --> 00:30:25,240 Speaker 3: unsung hero him and Bruce Brown, in my opinion of 613 00:30:25,240 --> 00:30:26,520 Speaker 3: this Denver nuggetine really good. 614 00:30:26,680 --> 00:30:30,040 Speaker 2: I had thought about that, and looking forward, he now 615 00:30:30,120 --> 00:30:32,720 Speaker 2: has nine days to watch tape of Jimmy Butler and 616 00:30:32,800 --> 00:30:35,120 Speaker 2: every post up move that Jimmy Butler has in his bag, 617 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:38,840 Speaker 2: which is really nice. And oh, by the way, word 618 00:30:38,840 --> 00:30:41,960 Speaker 2: to Aaron Gordon, do not do what Grant Williams did 619 00:30:41,960 --> 00:30:43,959 Speaker 2: on Friday. Rob. We still haven't even talked about that, 620 00:30:44,440 --> 00:30:46,880 Speaker 2: the poking the bear, Like listen, I don't mind Grant 621 00:30:46,920 --> 00:30:49,200 Speaker 2: Williams getting in his face and stuff. I don't like 622 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:51,760 Speaker 2: them making the three and then going and talking to 623 00:30:51,880 --> 00:30:54,560 Speaker 2: him Jimmy Butler like, laugh that off. That was classic 624 00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:57,960 Speaker 2: Jimmy Butler did. Did you notice Aaron Gordon kind of 625 00:30:57,960 --> 00:31:00,120 Speaker 2: got into it with Lebron with the arm hooking and 626 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:03,560 Speaker 2: Van Gundy and I think Mark Jackson. The announcers were like, 627 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:07,320 Speaker 2: that's playoff defense, Like what's the problem, and Lebron did 628 00:31:07,320 --> 00:31:09,560 Speaker 2: not like it. Lebron was cooking. He had thirty points 629 00:31:09,600 --> 00:31:11,280 Speaker 2: and a half. I'm sure people were like, hey, Lebron 630 00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:15,720 Speaker 2: had a forty point game. Listen, it's Lebron James you're guarding. 631 00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:18,000 Speaker 2: I believe the greatest player in the history of basketball, 632 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:20,600 Speaker 2: Aaron Gordon, like you said, credibly did a good job 633 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:24,040 Speaker 2: against him. Third quarter they had that offsetting technical. He 634 00:31:24,120 --> 00:31:28,040 Speaker 2: wasn't backing down from Lebron either. Like, Denver Nuggets team 635 00:31:28,040 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 2: is really really well built. They've got to open next 636 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:34,200 Speaker 2: season regardless of what happens in the finals as the favorites. 637 00:31:34,400 --> 00:31:36,520 Speaker 2: It's Denver team a lot to like. All right, that's 638 00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:41,440 Speaker 2: a long podcast. Obviously, Tomorrow we have the what do 639 00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:46,760 Speaker 2: we got Celtics? Yes, is Celtics heat. Hopefully a good game. 640 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:48,760 Speaker 2: And oh, by the way, as of now, we have 641 00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:51,160 Speaker 2: a special guest. I probably shouldn't tease the person anymore. 642 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:53,440 Speaker 2: It's a big name. Think you guys will enjoy it. 643 00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:54,360 Speaker 2: Talk to you tomorrow.