1 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 1: The volume. This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What 2 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: is up Straight firefam, It's me Jason McIntyre. Straight Fire 3 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: for Thursday, March seventh. Your boy had a late night 4 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 1: last night, went to the Lakers game with a buddy 5 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:32,600 Speaker 1: and oh my gosh. We'll talk about that shortly, Holy 6 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: Cow Lakers. Oh my goodness. One of those all time 7 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:38,480 Speaker 1: kind of games. But we have a great guest today, 8 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:42,480 Speaker 1: Joe Varden from the Athletic. He wrote an awesome story 9 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 1: I had to ask him about, and then we talked 10 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:48,519 Speaker 1: about Donovan Mitchell and the Lakers and Donovan Mitchell getting traded. 11 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,480 Speaker 1: Joe covers a lot of calves. He's covered Lebron for years. 12 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: It's good, insightful stuff. Programming note, I will be hosting 13 00:00:56,440 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 1: The Herd Friday. Colin Cowherd is headed to his favorite 14 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:03,840 Speaker 1: city in America, according to him, a Chicago. So your 15 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 1: boy is coming off the bench to pinch hit in 16 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:09,040 Speaker 1: a big spot. I will just put this out there now. 17 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: I have reached out to Cam Newton's people to see 18 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 1: if he'll come on the show. We will see. They 19 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:18,200 Speaker 1: asked what time we'll see. He knows. I don't know 20 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 1: if he'll come on, I don't know if it'll be combative, 21 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,319 Speaker 1: I do I'm not looking for that. I just want 22 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:25,119 Speaker 1: to talk football and quarterbacks and all that fun stuff. Okay, 23 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 1: before we get to joke, I'll be kind of brief 24 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: on the Lakers. So, you know, we show up to 25 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 1: the game, Lakers to get out of the gate hot. 26 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 1: They are on fire, they're not missing. Lebron is dealing. 27 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:40,679 Speaker 1: Lakers go up thirty seven to eighteen in the first quarter. 28 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 1: They lead by nineteen points. My buddy was like, I 29 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:46,760 Speaker 1: just for fun, I at the King's money sorry, Lakers' 30 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 1: money line first half. I was like, oh, dude, that's 31 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 1: in the bag. Bro up nineteen in the first quarter. 32 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 1: And then, of course, you know, because we bet that. 33 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 1: I'm sure you guys saw the bet on ig, the parlay, 34 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: the money line parlay. We're sweating out the Iowa State 35 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:04,760 Speaker 1: BYU game, and we're watching it while we're at the 36 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: Laker game. Money at Steak had to watch while we're 37 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 1: watching that, you know, kid on Iowa State missed two 38 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:12,680 Speaker 1: free throws, then, b why you turned it over? Then 39 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: they could I make free throws? Oh maybe three minutes. 40 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:17,680 Speaker 1: All of a sudden, the Kings just erupted and it 41 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,080 Speaker 1: was Malik Monk goes off and next thing you know, 42 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: like Kings are in single digits by the end of 43 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 1: the quarter. What happened? Okay, it'll be fine, and then no, 44 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: it wasn't fine. Deer and Fox goes off, Malik Monk unstoppable, 45 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,119 Speaker 1: Davion Mitchell hit four threes, and the Lakers are down 46 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:38,720 Speaker 1: at halftime and they are fixing to get blown out. 47 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 1: They're gone down twenty in the third quarter. It was 48 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:43,079 Speaker 1: one of those games. I just I don't recall being 49 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 1: in an arena when you're up nineteen and then within 50 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 1: I don't know, twenty minutes, you're down double digits. The 51 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 1: NBA's crazy. This is why I won't bet NBA during 52 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:54,000 Speaker 1: the regular season. I mean, it's just I'm not doing it. 53 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 1: It's suicide. Malik Monk and Deer and Fox could not 54 00:02:57,680 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 1: be stopped. Now, listen, I have been a big time 55 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: at avate of Austin Reeves and I'll just say this. 56 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 1: He had a difficult, difficult game against dearon Fox like 57 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:12,080 Speaker 1: Fox cooked him. It could not stop him. And Fox 58 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:13,799 Speaker 1: cooks a lot of people. He's an All Star, He's 59 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:17,839 Speaker 1: an All NBA player. He's excellent. D'Angel Russell couldn't even 60 00:03:17,919 --> 00:03:23,200 Speaker 1: come close to sniffing dearon Fox, just couldn't. I'm glad 61 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 1: they didn't put on him. D' Angelo Russell I think 62 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:28,920 Speaker 1: had more complaints to referees than baskets. He was three 63 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,959 Speaker 1: for ten, three for ten, three turnovers. I think he 64 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 1: had like seven complaints referees just winding the whole game, 65 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: and he was complaining. I saw him complain significantly once 66 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 1: about Austin Reeves not passing. Disappointing. I'll just say this. 67 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:48,080 Speaker 1: Lebron was tremendous, thirty one thirteen, ten of sixteen shooting, 68 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:52,320 Speaker 1: attacking the bucket, no rim protector for the UH for 69 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 1: the king. So Lebron's just just abusing them. And at 70 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 1: one point in the third quarter, you know Lakers are 71 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 1: down a bunch and you see Darvin ham sending in 72 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: three subs and Lebron looks over and goes, I'm not 73 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: coming out. No, I'm not. He just refused to come 74 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 1: out of the game. He wants to win. No, he's 75 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 1: not getting any help. Anthony Davis was absolutely horrific. I mean, 76 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:21,240 Speaker 1: this is the mystery that is Anthony Davis okay, he 77 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 1: can't handle Jokic, abused, then goes away. It's OKC and 78 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:29,600 Speaker 1: looks like the world beater Anthony Davis. Now against Sabonis, 79 00:04:30,279 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 1: he gets pushed around, bullied. Sabonis by the way sixteen points, 80 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:40,240 Speaker 1: twenty rebounds, twelve assists, a triple double ad fourteen eleven 81 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 1: and he was in foul trouble. It just didn't help. 82 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: I don't know what it is, folks. The Kings are 83 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:49,360 Speaker 1: now three to zero against the Lakers. They've dropped one thirty, 84 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:53,880 Speaker 1: two five, and one thirty in the three meetings. It's 85 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 1: a good thing the Lakers won't have to face the 86 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 1: Kings of the last. This is just a bad matchup. 87 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:04,040 Speaker 1: I mean, Fox is a horrible matchup for the Lakers. 88 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:06,360 Speaker 1: They don't have any I gave Vincent maybe, but he's hurt, 89 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 1: he's missed like the entire season, Folks. I just I 90 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:12,279 Speaker 1: don't see. This is one of those games where you 91 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 1: just left kind of slack jawed, like what how can 92 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: the Lakers look so good against the number one seed? OKC. 93 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:20,280 Speaker 1: I know the OKAC was on a back to back 94 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,839 Speaker 1: and then look so bad for three quarters. After dominating 95 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 1: the first quarter against the Kings, who I think lost 96 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 1: of the bulls this week. NBA is truly mystifying. And 97 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 1: I'll just say this, I gotta look up a stat 98 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 1: real quick about Anthony Davis versus I Bonis. I had 99 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 1: somebody tell me this week, Yep, this stat's true. Okay, hey, 100 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 1: j Mac, you want to take He said, sure, What 101 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 1: do you got? He said? Anthony Davis cannot handle European 102 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:57,680 Speaker 1: big men. Nurkic had like twenty five boards against him. 103 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:01,559 Speaker 1: Jokic dominates him. And I was like, well, Yochis dominates everyone. 104 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 1: He's like, he can't beat Sabonis. I was like, what 105 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 1: do you mean. He's like, Sabonis dominates him. Sabonis owned 106 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:11,080 Speaker 1: him tonight. And then the stat demonta Sabonis is nine 107 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 1: and O head to head against Anthony Davis nine And 108 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 1: oh what, I had no clue that was a real stat. Now, 109 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:22,040 Speaker 1: I didn't watch telecast, obviously, I was in the arena. 110 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:26,120 Speaker 1: But a d versus European centers, no, boy, no. And 111 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:31,840 Speaker 1: here's the other problem. Sabonis, Nurkic, Jokich all in the West. 112 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:34,599 Speaker 1: Not great for Anthony Davis. All right, without further ado, 113 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 1: let's get to our guest Joe Varden of The Athletic. 114 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:42,479 Speaker 1: You know a guy Jason likes to think he knows 115 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:45,880 Speaker 1: everything when it comes to sports. I know what sports 116 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: fans want, but for everything he doesn't, he knows a 117 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 1: guy who does. Let's just say I know a guy 118 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:55,840 Speaker 1: who knows the guy who knows another guy. All right, 119 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 1: let's welcome into straight fire. A guy you know, he 120 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 1: covers the NBA. He's been on the pod before. He 121 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 1: just wrote an awesome story. I read it this morning. 122 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 1: You guys know I'm big into foreign basketball players. They're 123 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: obviously taking over the NBA. We've talked about it for 124 00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 1: I think a couple of years now, and you got 125 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 1: to read the story on the Athletic. Let's welcome in 126 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 1: Joe Varden. Joe, how you. 127 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 2: Doing, man, I'm good. 128 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 3: It's always good to be on and I'm excited to 129 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 3: talk about the story now. 130 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 1: I didn't mention the kid's name because it is one 131 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 1: that is going to be prone to butchering his first 132 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 1: name common or common or come on, come on. It 133 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 1: reminds me of that line from Office Space, where you know, 134 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 1: the guy's bringing the guys into the office and they're sitting, 135 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: they're like Namir Shamir Damir is not gonna work here anymore, 136 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 1: and they start laughing. I don't know how to say 137 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: this guy's last name, but bottom line, he's a seven 138 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 1: foot two prospect out of South Sudan and he's only 139 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:53,240 Speaker 1: seventeen and he could potentially grow to the size of 140 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 1: Webbin Yama. I'm just curious, even for people who don't 141 00:07:56,080 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 1: care about this kid, they'll see him in the Olympics 142 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:00,600 Speaker 1: this summer, right, I'm just curious where you are on 143 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 1: the whole international players taking over the NBA. 144 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:05,280 Speaker 2: Well, yeah, I. 145 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 3: Mean it's it's like thirty percent of the league has 146 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 3: players who were born outside of the US. The NBA 147 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 3: has played a major role in building these pipelines all 148 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:26,360 Speaker 3: over the all over the world with multiple academies that 149 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 3: are plugged in to you know, grassroots level basketball teaching organizations. 150 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:37,599 Speaker 2: And the NBA. 151 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 3: Has scouts all over the world and they they picked 152 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 3: these players and send them to these schools. There's one 153 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 3: in Mexico, there's one in Australia, there is one in Africa, 154 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 3: and there's a fourth one. 155 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 2: The location escapes me. 156 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:58,680 Speaker 3: But they they they go there for free. They're all 157 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:01,679 Speaker 3: taught school that they're all you know, they're given a 158 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:06,840 Speaker 3: curriculum which includes English, so they all end up speaking 159 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 3: better English than I do. And and they come from 160 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:14,239 Speaker 3: these programs already where. 161 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:16,960 Speaker 2: Practice is. 162 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:22,559 Speaker 3: Stressed much more than in the American style of play 163 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 3: as many games as you can in a day, like 164 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 3: the AAU style. 165 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:29,319 Speaker 2: And this has been going on. 166 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 3: You know, the academy stuff is relatively new, it's like 167 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:34,200 Speaker 3: seven or eight years old. 168 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 2: But this idea of the way that. 169 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 3: The fundamentals are stressed in various European programs, even in 170 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:48,720 Speaker 3: Australia some other places overseas, is really taking hold. And 171 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 3: and these players just they have like more fully developed skills, 172 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 3: they understand the game better. You know. The the international 173 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:01,319 Speaker 3: game is little bit tougher too, you know, it's a 174 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 3: little more physical. There's not as much spacing, and that 175 00:10:05,520 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 3: that has all you know, had an impact certainly, and 176 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,359 Speaker 3: and and so you're you're seeing it now. 177 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 2: I think that. 178 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:17,320 Speaker 3: And then on top of it is like we're in 179 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:20,440 Speaker 3: this sort of this awkward stage where like we had this, 180 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:26,840 Speaker 3: you know, certainly a generation of absolutely wonderful, dominant Hall 181 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:31,160 Speaker 3: of Fame, you know, transcendent players, led of course by 182 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 3: Lebron and they're you know, every generation behind him is 183 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:38,079 Speaker 3: the same. But but the Lebron generation was as good, 184 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 3: is as good as any previous one. And they're getting old, 185 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 3: you know. I mean, Lebron's thirty nine, and we still 186 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 3: don't know who will take over the mantle, like the 187 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:55,000 Speaker 3: mantle from him, certainly from an American perspective, and you know, 188 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:58,480 Speaker 3: you think about the problems with John Morant, the trouble 189 00:10:58,520 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 3: with with Zion, so so we don't have a successor. 190 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 3: And then and then also the proliferation of the game 191 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 3: and the talent all over the world, like is it's 192 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 3: kind of like a confluence of factors that has led 193 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:14,320 Speaker 3: to this moment. 194 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:17,199 Speaker 1: It's weird. People don't talk about it, Joe, but baseball 195 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 1: has gone through this with all the young prospects, the 196 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 1: like the good up and coming young players are from 197 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:27,839 Speaker 1: like Central America, South America, Caribbean, and then now you're 198 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:29,960 Speaker 1: seeing them come over from Asia. But it's not like 199 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 1: a topic in baseball. It is in the NBA. And 200 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:36,040 Speaker 1: and I think you're spot on, like listen, there's nothing 201 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:38,960 Speaker 1: wrong with the international flavor. Like the game's getting better, 202 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:41,719 Speaker 1: you know, in the NFL, you don't see I mean, 203 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: maybe you'll see the occasional rugby players show up, but 204 00:11:44,559 --> 00:11:46,880 Speaker 1: like Joe, how many plays, how many guys from Europe 205 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 1: every year entering the NFL and those rosters are massive, Like, 206 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 1: it's just it's not happening. I think it's good for 207 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 1: the NBA. Somehow it's being painted as like not good. 208 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:57,559 Speaker 1: Do you get that vibe from it. Maybe it's just 209 00:11:57,600 --> 00:11:59,120 Speaker 1: social media and I need to get stay to hell 210 00:11:59,120 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 1: off that. 211 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:03,560 Speaker 3: No, I actually I don't think it's social media. 212 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:05,079 Speaker 2: I think it's very real. 213 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:08,640 Speaker 3: And the reason I think this is look at the 214 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 3: ratings for Milwaukee, for Denver, you know, look at Jersey sales, 215 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 3: look at these things like and I don't I don't 216 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 3: mean this in any. 217 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:21,920 Speaker 2: Other way, and just look at the numbers. 218 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:25,440 Speaker 3: But if are if the best players in the sport, 219 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 3: at least the guys who are perennially right now finishing 220 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 3: in the top three or four and the MVP voting, 221 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 3: if we are to believe they are the best players 222 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:36,959 Speaker 3: in the league, their sales and their ratings. 223 00:12:36,559 --> 00:12:37,320 Speaker 2: Do not match. 224 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 3: And that's a problem, that's a business problem for the NBA. 225 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 3: These players, maybe you know, with with last names that 226 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 3: are not We're not used to in the US. They're 227 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 3: not selling as well, and so that is a problem 228 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 3: for the NBA. 229 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:59,959 Speaker 2: That, of course is a business. And then if you 230 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:01,080 Speaker 2: want to think about. 231 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 3: From a competition perspective, you know, the gap certainly has 232 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 3: narrowed when it comes to international basketball and Team USA 233 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 3: and the competition that that the Americans face both at 234 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 3: the World Cup and even at the Olympics, which we're going. 235 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:17,720 Speaker 2: To see again this summer. 236 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 3: So yeah, I mean there there there is a lot 237 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 3: of discussion going on, and there is a lot of 238 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 3: even to the point where Adam Silver at the All 239 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 3: Star Game, you know, one day before I did this 240 00:13:29,559 --> 00:13:35,960 Speaker 3: really nice interview with with come On, he mentioned that 241 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 3: that what they've been doing overseas is working and he 242 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 3: actually kind of wants to see that formula brought to 243 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:47,960 Speaker 3: the US. So at that level, the NBA commissioner is saying, like, 244 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 3: we need to rethink this in the United. 245 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 1: States, that's not happening. But I'll get back to that 246 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: in a second. I just looked up the top selling 247 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 1: jerseys for this season. Obviously Curry won, no surprise, Tatum two, 248 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:02,559 Speaker 1: Lebron three. Then come the international guys. Wee bin yamnianis 249 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 1: at four or five, and then Luca also at six, 250 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,440 Speaker 1: and then Booker Durant. But it's interesting these guys are 251 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: ahead of Jokic, Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia, LaMelo Ball, who 252 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:18,000 Speaker 1: I don't think he's played a playoff game, right, play 253 00:14:18,040 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 1: in game, but I don't think he was in a. 254 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 3: Series right, No, gosh, no, of course yeah. 255 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 1: John Morant, who you know can't escape the law, and 256 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 1: now injuries all ahead of Jokic. It is kind of weird. 257 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 1: I don't know, it's weird the product. I feel like 258 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:35,280 Speaker 1: the basketball is at the best it's ever been. Sorry 259 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:38,440 Speaker 1: to Jordan fans, but you're right, some of it's getting 260 00:14:38,600 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 1: lost in America. I don't know, Joe, you mentioned like 261 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 1: Adam Silver's complaining, like bro, I'm sorry, I don't I 262 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 1: don't know how if you have kids or how old 263 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 1: they are. But my kids play club sports and they 264 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:53,479 Speaker 1: go to these cattle call tournaments, and it is unbelievable 265 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: how much profit is in these gyms, from paying to 266 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 1: everybody to park twenty bucks, paying to enter to watch 267 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 1: kid play basketball twenty bucks. Then if you have a sibling, 268 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 1: come and we just don't do that. Because it's like, oh, 269 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 1: ten dollars to come in and watch your brother play 270 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 1: play volleyball or basketball. It's like, what's happening here? It 271 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 1: is a cash cow. It's capitalism is its finest and Joe, 272 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 1: you know, respectfully, they can't say, hey, you guys could 273 00:15:18,280 --> 00:15:20,880 Speaker 1: come and use the gym to practice when they can 274 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 1: get tournaments two teams on the court, back to back, 275 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 1: flipping every hour. I mean, it's just it's a it's 276 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,320 Speaker 1: literally a cash cow. And that's why AAU is. It 277 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 1: may be hurting the NBA, but it's profitable. I don't 278 00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 1: know how you split that, baby, if you will, like 279 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:35,720 Speaker 1: that's even the right saying. 280 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:36,840 Speaker 2: No, that's a great point. 281 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 3: And I don't know, fortunately or unfortunately that this is 282 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 3: way above my pay grade to figure out how you 283 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 3: solve the problem that you've just mentioned. But it's it's 284 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:51,560 Speaker 3: something that they that I mean, the NBA has recognized 285 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 3: that the college game isn't as good as it used 286 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 3: to be, and they think they think that with nil 287 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 3: money now now, like the better player might want to 288 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 3: be in college for longer, you know, enjoy that experience 289 00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:11,400 Speaker 3: and make a little money. That can help. But we've 290 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 3: got to find a way. 291 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 2: To teach, to teach. 292 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,360 Speaker 3: You know, the the American player. 293 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 2: How to you know, whether. 294 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:24,640 Speaker 3: It's practice or understand the game, or be more physical, 295 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:29,280 Speaker 3: or do the things that is allowing you know. 296 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 2: The rest of the world to catch up. 297 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, no doubt. All right, let's get to the league currently. 298 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 1: Now you cover the entire league, obviously you do a 299 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:38,800 Speaker 1: lot of Calves stuff. I'm going to start here. Every 300 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 1: time I mentioned, you know, Donovan Mitchell could be the 301 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 1: number one target this offseason if he complains and asks out, 302 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 1: so many Calves fans get upset at me. They're like, listen, 303 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:51,480 Speaker 1: they're not moving him. I said, hold up, if Joe, 304 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:54,360 Speaker 1: here's the scenario Calves play in the playoffs this year. 305 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:56,920 Speaker 1: Let's say they lose in the first round too. I 306 00:16:56,960 --> 00:17:02,120 Speaker 1: don't know, Knicks, Okay, what do you believe happens this 307 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 1: offseason in Cleveland. 308 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 3: Well, first of all, if the playoffs were today, we'd 309 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:10,920 Speaker 3: have a three to six with Cleveland Miami. 310 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:15,679 Speaker 2: That's uh, that's not great. That would scare you. 311 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:19,359 Speaker 3: That would scare those of us here who can see 312 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:23,639 Speaker 3: Lake Erie from our driveways. And yeah, if that goes 313 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 3: that way, I just I don't see I would not 314 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 3: see Donovan Mitchell agreeing. 315 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:32,120 Speaker 2: To an extension. 316 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:35,640 Speaker 1: Okay, I just don't think the Cavs have a decision 317 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,880 Speaker 1: to make. No, we trade him before he asks out, 318 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:40,880 Speaker 1: at which point you could just start pulling picks off 319 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:43,720 Speaker 1: the table if he demands out. I think his history 320 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:47,439 Speaker 1: has shown you get less right, so you need to 321 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: move him quickly and quietly before it becomes one of 322 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:53,960 Speaker 1: those like Mitchell's complaining, or do you say, you know what, 323 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:56,720 Speaker 1: screw it, we're rolling the ice, We're going into next season. 324 00:17:56,720 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 1: What if we start next season twenty and four, you know, 325 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:02,199 Speaker 1: and convinced Donovan by the All Star break, this is 326 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:03,959 Speaker 1: the place you want to be, Like, maybe things are 327 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:08,679 Speaker 1: different next year. Is that a scenario that could play out? 328 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:10,080 Speaker 1: It is? 329 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 3: I think organizationally, their their problem would be they would 330 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:18,600 Speaker 3: think about how much they gave up the three first 331 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 3: round picks and then understanding that if they go that 332 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 3: route they may get actually nothing for him, which is 333 00:18:26,040 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 3: sort of a top to bottom organizational edict that that 334 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:35,359 Speaker 3: will never happen again because of twenty three. Okay, but 335 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:39,760 Speaker 3: if you keep him and you start twenty and four, 336 00:18:40,040 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 3: and you know you have one more great run, I 337 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:47,159 Speaker 3: mean you know, it's that turns out to be like 338 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:52,159 Speaker 3: a really nice, fun year for your fans, and you know, 339 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:54,879 Speaker 3: you sort of take that last swing like you did 340 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:57,199 Speaker 3: in twenty eighteen when you kind of knew that Lebron 341 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:01,359 Speaker 3: was going to leave. But again, I just because of 342 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 3: Lebron and everything that that that has happened, I just 343 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:08,159 Speaker 3: don't I don't think the Calves would do that. I 344 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:12,720 Speaker 3: think the Calves would try to do anything they could 345 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:15,960 Speaker 3: to to placate him. And I'm actually surprised at some 346 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:20,359 Speaker 3: level that more wasn't done this this season. 347 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:25,280 Speaker 2: I just you know, like Donovan is a smart guy. 348 00:19:25,400 --> 00:19:29,840 Speaker 3: He's I think he's like low key shrewd, Like he 349 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:33,280 Speaker 3: certainly understands what's going on. And Donovan would never say 350 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:37,520 Speaker 3: or do anything publicly that you would point to and 351 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 3: say that's it, that's that's to tell he wants out. 352 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:45,879 Speaker 3: But there's all this smoke, uh, and there's all this 353 00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:51,760 Speaker 3: discussion about things that that happened when we aren't watching 354 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:55,919 Speaker 3: that suggests that that, you know, this is still an issue. 355 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:58,440 Speaker 1: And and I give me an example, what like what 356 00:19:58,440 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 1: what would be something? 357 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 3: Oh? I mean there's been all kinds of you know, 358 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:09,720 Speaker 3: discussion about you know how Donovan's comfort level with you know, 359 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:12,680 Speaker 3: how much he has used like how much, how much 360 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 3: they play him and how much they run through him. 361 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 2: You know, are he and JB. 362 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:23,640 Speaker 3: Bickerstaff on the same page? And then you know, does 363 00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:26,120 Speaker 3: he want to be in Cleveland? You know, he didn't 364 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:28,880 Speaker 3: ask to be traded there, like these these are all 365 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:31,560 Speaker 3: these are all things, these are all things that are 366 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:36,399 Speaker 3: talked about all the time, and you know, they just 367 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:40,240 Speaker 3: they have not come, they have not blown up, uh, 368 00:20:40,320 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 3: in part because you know Donovan, when he plays, he 369 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:48,439 Speaker 3: plays hard, he plays to win, and he is not 370 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:53,680 Speaker 3: someone who is critical publicly. So all you're really left 371 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 3: to do at this point is say, everybody knows that 372 00:20:58,280 --> 00:21:02,120 Speaker 3: if the Cavs don't win more than they did last 373 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:05,160 Speaker 3: year and show progress enough to make him want to stay, 374 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:07,879 Speaker 3: that he probably will not accept the extension. 375 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:12,720 Speaker 1: Interesting, Okay, so what if they went to him and said, hey, 376 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:15,960 Speaker 1: what do you think of Alan and Mobley? We're more 377 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:18,640 Speaker 1: than willing to move heaven and Earth to keep you here. 378 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:23,320 Speaker 1: Who would you rather keep? Evan or Evan or Jared? 379 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:28,400 Speaker 1: And I I like to think they would pick Mobiley, 380 00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:34,160 Speaker 1: But Alan has proven he's really good and like and invaluable. 381 00:21:34,200 --> 00:21:36,080 Speaker 1: I don't I don't know what the answer is there, 382 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:38,800 Speaker 1: but it's almost like would you say they're a better 383 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:40,639 Speaker 1: team with one big on the floor. 384 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:45,640 Speaker 3: Well, Jason, this is another problem that's going that's going 385 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:50,000 Speaker 3: on here. Evan is extension eligible this. 386 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:51,720 Speaker 1: Summer, and. 387 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:56,920 Speaker 3: They thought so highly of him that when they traded 388 00:21:56,920 --> 00:22:01,240 Speaker 3: for Donovan last summer or the summer before last, they said, 389 00:22:01,720 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 3: we will contend when Evan is ready to contend. So 390 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:09,560 Speaker 3: it wasn't even like, Okay, Donovan's here, he's our best 391 00:22:09,600 --> 00:22:12,479 Speaker 3: player now and everything runs through him and we go 392 00:22:12,520 --> 00:22:14,840 Speaker 3: as far as he takes us. That that was not 393 00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:18,040 Speaker 3: what they said. They said, we're ready when Evan's ready. 394 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:19,679 Speaker 2: It's two years later. 395 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 3: Evan isn't any is not noticeably better in any facet 396 00:22:25,560 --> 00:22:28,160 Speaker 3: than he was maybe even two years ago. Now that 397 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 3: that doesn't that sounds a lot worse than it is. 398 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:33,399 Speaker 2: Like he was a good player as a rookie. 399 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:36,760 Speaker 3: He was an All first team NBA defender last year, 400 00:22:36,800 --> 00:22:41,000 Speaker 3: so like he's already good enough to have a really nice, long, 401 00:22:41,320 --> 00:22:45,959 Speaker 3: productive career in the NBA, but he has not taken 402 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 3: that step towards the garnet, you know, sort of like that, 403 00:22:50,520 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 3: that kind of player who, of course he's a Hall 404 00:22:52,560 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 3: of Famer, but he has not taken that step towards 405 00:22:55,359 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 3: the comparisons that he was drawing. And now the Cavs 406 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:02,520 Speaker 3: are in the situation where as the league goes farther 407 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:07,640 Speaker 3: and farther away from playing two bigs who can't really shoot, 408 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:10,159 Speaker 3: that's what they do that that's what they're left with 409 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:14,239 Speaker 3: when they play Mobley and Allen together. And you know, 410 00:23:14,640 --> 00:23:17,440 Speaker 3: Mobley is gonna be out for for quite a while 411 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:18,600 Speaker 3: now with the sprained ankle. 412 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:20,040 Speaker 2: He's gonna miss multiple weeks. 413 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:23,720 Speaker 3: The last time he was out over a six week stretch, 414 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:27,560 Speaker 3: the Cavs were the best team in the NBA. And yeah, 415 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:30,520 Speaker 3: and so that's like it's like, I mean, you could 416 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:33,199 Speaker 3: you could say, well, that's an anomaly. Of course we're 417 00:23:33,359 --> 00:23:37,679 Speaker 3: We're not better if he's out, But they play so 418 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:41,920 Speaker 3: much differently, and the way they play is probably better 419 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:44,000 Speaker 3: for the rest of the talent on this team when 420 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:46,920 Speaker 3: they're not playing two bigs together. I guess the only 421 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,480 Speaker 3: caveat I would add is they also look pretty good 422 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:53,160 Speaker 3: when Evan is on the floor and Jared is off, 423 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:59,600 Speaker 3: So like, yeah, so you know, Evan's younger he probably 424 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 3: still had as a bigger upside, but you know, sort 425 00:24:02,760 --> 00:24:05,240 Speaker 3: of the lack of development that he's shown over the 426 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:08,359 Speaker 3: last year and a half with the contract situation that 427 00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:12,199 Speaker 3: he has coming up, and then the Donovan situation, like 428 00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:15,439 Speaker 3: there is a lot going on right now that is 429 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:18,359 Speaker 3: going to directly impact the long term future of this team. 430 00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:21,480 Speaker 1: Get in on the action with Draftking Sportsbook and official 431 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:24,840 Speaker 1: sports betting partner of the NBA. 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See dkang dot com 448 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:31,200 Speaker 1: slash football for eligibility and deposit restrictions, terms and responsible 449 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:35,040 Speaker 1: gaming resources. Interesting you brought up, Kevin Garnett. I decided 450 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:37,840 Speaker 1: to quickly take a look and compare those two at 451 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:41,240 Speaker 1: the three year mark. So just the counting stats, KG 452 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:46,680 Speaker 1: in year three was eighteen nine about two blocks fifty 453 00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:51,480 Speaker 1: percent shooting. Mobile year three fifteen ten one and a 454 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:55,520 Speaker 1: half blocks fifty eight percent shooting. The numbers aren't that different. 455 00:25:55,560 --> 00:25:58,320 Speaker 1: And it's and this is unfair to some of the guys, 456 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:00,680 Speaker 1: and I know some people in Mobile circle in LA guy. 457 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:04,560 Speaker 1: But like, let's be real, Kevin Garnett didn't become KG 458 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:05,880 Speaker 1: until like you're five six. 459 00:26:06,160 --> 00:26:06,680 Speaker 2: Yeah. 460 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:09,320 Speaker 1: The problem is nobody has any patience now, especially with 461 00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:12,919 Speaker 1: the with the Mitchell situation kind of bubbling up a fuel. 462 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:17,280 Speaker 1: Is there a world where they I mean they probably 463 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:20,040 Speaker 1: have to move one of Garland or Mitchell and they 464 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:23,639 Speaker 1: probably have to move one of Mobili or Alan, Right, 465 00:26:23,680 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 1: they're just kind of built, funky. They don't have an 466 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:27,200 Speaker 1: awesome wing situation. 467 00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:29,280 Speaker 2: No they don't. 468 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:31,640 Speaker 3: Well, I mean they they you know, they went out 469 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:35,040 Speaker 3: and got Max Strus, you know, as the three and 470 00:26:35,119 --> 00:26:36,320 Speaker 3: D type player. 471 00:26:37,240 --> 00:26:39,400 Speaker 2: He's not an all star, you know, so to. 472 00:26:39,320 --> 00:26:44,280 Speaker 3: Your point, you know, they have Darius Garland under contract 473 00:26:44,320 --> 00:26:46,359 Speaker 3: for a while. He's actually had a rough year too, 474 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:49,200 Speaker 3: like and rough you put that in quotation marks, because 475 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:53,240 Speaker 3: he's still averaging like eighteen and I don't know seven Yeah, 476 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:55,359 Speaker 3: I don't know, right, but but yeah, like he's not 477 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:59,320 Speaker 3: he hasn't looked up to that all star caliber that 478 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:02,520 Speaker 3: he was to years ago. So yeah, so like there's 479 00:27:02,800 --> 00:27:06,560 Speaker 3: there's this confusing formula. I guess when you're trying to 480 00:27:06,560 --> 00:27:09,720 Speaker 3: figure out where Evan is now versus where KG was. 481 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:13,320 Speaker 3: I mean we have to agree or recognize that this 482 00:27:13,400 --> 00:27:15,480 Speaker 3: is a different sport now. 483 00:27:15,520 --> 00:27:16,439 Speaker 1: That's also true. 484 00:27:16,560 --> 00:27:18,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean teams are averaging one hundred and ten 485 00:27:18,600 --> 00:27:23,240 Speaker 3: points a game now and and and you know you 486 00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:25,360 Speaker 3: have to be able to shoot threes like Kevin Garnett 487 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:28,680 Speaker 3: didn't have to do that. That's good, you know, mobiley 488 00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:32,640 Speaker 3: does or to play the way the Calves are wont 489 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:35,080 Speaker 3: to play like that position has to be able to 490 00:27:35,080 --> 00:27:35,679 Speaker 3: step out. 491 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:38,680 Speaker 2: And shoot three, so you know it is unfair to him. 492 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:41,240 Speaker 3: The other thing with Garnett is he was on a 493 00:27:41,840 --> 00:27:46,359 Speaker 3: lousy team in Minneapolis and was able to like he 494 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:48,680 Speaker 3: was going to be the guy on a bad got 495 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:51,800 Speaker 3: to learn that way. And when the Calves drafted Evan, 496 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:54,879 Speaker 3: you know they they were they made the play in 497 00:27:55,160 --> 00:27:58,720 Speaker 3: that year, but they didn't have Donovan Mitchell. And now 498 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:01,879 Speaker 3: he's like Mobiley's like the fourth or fifth option on offense. 499 00:28:01,920 --> 00:28:04,680 Speaker 3: It's it's hard to develop that way. 500 00:28:04,680 --> 00:28:07,720 Speaker 1: Have you got any hints as to what Mitchell wants? 501 00:28:07,760 --> 00:28:09,520 Speaker 1: Where does he want to go? Obviously the Knicks have 502 00:28:09,560 --> 00:28:12,119 Speaker 1: been a potential landing spot for a few years now. 503 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:16,280 Speaker 1: I pretty sure his dad played with the Mets. I 504 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:18,639 Speaker 1: don't know. Do you have you heard anything where Mitchell 505 00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:21,080 Speaker 1: would demand a trade, because the interesting thing with Dame 506 00:28:21,240 --> 00:28:23,480 Speaker 1: was when he asked out, he was pretty clear, I 507 00:28:23,480 --> 00:28:26,320 Speaker 1: want Miami, settles for Milwaukee, I know, settles for an 508 00:28:26,400 --> 00:28:28,920 Speaker 1: NBA champ whatever. But he just gave that interview where 509 00:28:28,920 --> 00:28:30,760 Speaker 1: he's like, I'm not really happy. Obviously he's got the 510 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:34,240 Speaker 1: off court stuff happening, but he just doesn't sound thrilled. 511 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 1: Bucks are finding finding a groove. But remember you don't 512 00:28:37,320 --> 00:28:40,200 Speaker 1: always get what you want. I think Paul George when 513 00:28:40,240 --> 00:28:41,760 Speaker 1: he was with the Pacers, said I want to go 514 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:45,720 Speaker 1: to La. I'm from LA or Fresno or wherever he's 515 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:49,240 Speaker 1: from out here in LA and he gets shipped to 516 00:28:49,240 --> 00:28:51,600 Speaker 1: OKC and it was like peaches and cream with Russ 517 00:28:51,640 --> 00:28:53,720 Speaker 1: for I don't know eight months and then it was like, Okay, 518 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:56,160 Speaker 1: it's over. I don't know what. What's you read on 519 00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:57,840 Speaker 1: Mitchell's potential destinations. 520 00:28:58,200 --> 00:29:01,680 Speaker 3: That would be a mistake if if Donovan were to 521 00:29:01,720 --> 00:29:05,960 Speaker 3: go so far as to demand a trade, he should 522 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:09,640 Speaker 3: do what he is doing, you know. 523 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:12,719 Speaker 2: Be an All Star, being all an All NBA player. 524 00:29:13,040 --> 00:29:15,840 Speaker 3: If you don't want to be in Cleveland, simply refuse 525 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:18,520 Speaker 3: the extension. Put the ball in their court. He would 526 00:29:18,600 --> 00:29:20,760 Speaker 3: only have one year left. And if you think about 527 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:25,880 Speaker 3: Dame versus Donovan, first of all, Dame is is older 528 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:29,280 Speaker 3: than Donovan and certainly was when when he made the 529 00:29:29,720 --> 00:29:34,520 Speaker 3: trade demand. But also, like the Blazers like weren't good anymore, 530 00:29:35,720 --> 00:29:40,160 Speaker 3: the Calves are certainly a good regular season team, that's inarguable, 531 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:43,320 Speaker 3: and they're gonna be a playoff team this year, They're 532 00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:45,959 Speaker 3: gonna be a playoff team next year with him. And 533 00:29:46,040 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 3: so if you have one year left on your deal 534 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:51,400 Speaker 3: and then you you're gonna have your pick of the litter, 535 00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:58,040 Speaker 3: don't don't like sort of sully your reputation and go 536 00:29:58,120 --> 00:30:01,440 Speaker 3: through like the the ugly of forcing your way out 537 00:30:01,480 --> 00:30:05,880 Speaker 3: of a situation. Just just say no thanks to the extension. 538 00:30:06,480 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 3: Uh And and you know, I think things would would 539 00:30:09,640 --> 00:30:12,000 Speaker 3: take would take care of itself. I mean, you know, 540 00:30:12,040 --> 00:30:15,120 Speaker 3: it's funny, like there's been reports about, well, the Lakers 541 00:30:15,200 --> 00:30:18,160 Speaker 3: are going to try to to get him, and you know, 542 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:21,440 Speaker 3: of course Donovan is very interested in playing in New York. 543 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:25,080 Speaker 3: You know, there's two teams there, not just one, there's two, 544 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:30,680 Speaker 3: and he's interested, you know, but he can't do that 545 00:30:30,880 --> 00:30:34,440 Speaker 3: on his own, like with like on his own until 546 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:38,560 Speaker 3: the following summer. So like if the Lakers want him now, 547 00:30:39,640 --> 00:30:42,240 Speaker 3: like I don't even I can't even imagine the trade 548 00:30:42,280 --> 00:30:44,240 Speaker 3: that they would that they could come up with to 549 00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:47,680 Speaker 3: acquire him that would pair him with Lebron and ad 550 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:49,440 Speaker 3: like I just I don't know. 551 00:30:49,520 --> 00:30:54,000 Speaker 1: And then the Knicks, well, Austin, Austin Reeves is your 552 00:30:54,040 --> 00:30:58,400 Speaker 1: new wing with Ruy and you know whoever else and 553 00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:00,000 Speaker 1: then the three first round picks that they can give up. 554 00:31:02,440 --> 00:31:05,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean well, yeah, I mean yeah, you need Yeah, 555 00:31:05,080 --> 00:31:05,600 Speaker 2: you would. 556 00:31:05,360 --> 00:31:09,520 Speaker 3: Need a player outside of Austin to make the money, 557 00:31:09,880 --> 00:31:10,760 Speaker 3: make the money work. 558 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:16,560 Speaker 1: D'Angel Russell probably not super interesting to Cleveland. You get 559 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:20,600 Speaker 1: a third team involved, I don't know. I'm just spitballing. Yeah, 560 00:31:20,640 --> 00:31:23,040 Speaker 1: but I guess we could wrap up with this. Seeing 561 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:24,880 Speaker 1: a lot of teams in the East come through Cleveland, 562 00:31:24,920 --> 00:31:28,520 Speaker 1: I'm just curious, Joe, can anyone push Boston in a 563 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:30,360 Speaker 1: seven game series? Anyone in the East? 564 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:37,360 Speaker 3: Uh? Yeah, yes, can they push them? Yes? I was 565 00:31:38,480 --> 00:31:43,840 Speaker 3: watching Boston on Tuesday night in Cleveland and was just 566 00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:47,480 Speaker 3: enamored with their depth. And I was watching thinking like, 567 00:31:47,640 --> 00:31:50,080 Speaker 3: they're not the Celtics aren't even playing well tonight and 568 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:53,200 Speaker 3: they have this game comfortably in hand. Yeah, and then 569 00:31:53,600 --> 00:31:58,560 Speaker 3: they showed a very rare for this season, like sort 570 00:31:58,560 --> 00:32:01,920 Speaker 3: of the under their under They showed it again and 571 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:05,240 Speaker 3: it was like this like sort of inability to play 572 00:32:05,240 --> 00:32:08,440 Speaker 3: with poise down the stretch that has cost them late 573 00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:12,120 Speaker 3: in games in playoff series. And it was Jalen and 574 00:32:12,200 --> 00:32:18,480 Speaker 3: Jason Again, I feel like Drew Holliday. His presence was 575 00:32:18,520 --> 00:32:21,720 Speaker 3: supposed to mitigate that, and I still think it will 576 00:32:22,240 --> 00:32:25,920 Speaker 3: in most playoff scenarios. But you know, the sort of 577 00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:28,800 Speaker 3: what happened last night was enough just to give you 578 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:32,560 Speaker 3: a brief pause to say, Okay, as good as this 579 00:32:32,680 --> 00:32:37,080 Speaker 3: team is, as deep as this team is, they obviously 580 00:32:37,160 --> 00:32:40,720 Speaker 3: still have at least the potential to sort of crack 581 00:32:40,800 --> 00:32:45,440 Speaker 3: under pressure. So they've been awesome all year and they deserve, 582 00:32:45,840 --> 00:32:48,920 Speaker 3: like we should recognize like that a veteran team has 583 00:32:48,960 --> 00:32:51,959 Speaker 3: played as hard and done as well as they have 584 00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:54,640 Speaker 3: in a regular season that is so unimportant now in 585 00:32:54,680 --> 00:32:58,440 Speaker 3: the NBA. But yeah, I mean, yeah, you know, I 586 00:32:58,440 --> 00:33:02,320 Speaker 3: mean Milwaukee they have their top Heavy and the calves 587 00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:05,880 Speaker 3: are deep, and you know the heat, I mean the 588 00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:09,040 Speaker 3: heat just they're made of the right stuff. So you know, 589 00:33:09,080 --> 00:33:13,400 Speaker 3: I think I like those three teams to make it interesting. 590 00:33:13,000 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 1: With Boston interesting. You did not mention Milwaukee. 591 00:33:18,360 --> 00:33:21,760 Speaker 3: No I did, Oh you did top heavy, Damon Giannis. 592 00:33:23,040 --> 00:33:25,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, but I mean this is a team with a 593 00:33:25,840 --> 00:33:30,880 Speaker 1: new coach. They're getting very old with brook Lopez Middleton, 594 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:35,800 Speaker 1: they're sort of aging out. Top Heavy's accurate. What happened. 595 00:33:35,880 --> 00:33:40,240 Speaker 1: Let's just fine, We'll extend the question. Let's say Milwaukee 596 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:44,040 Speaker 1: doesn't take down Boston. It was only one year with 597 00:33:44,080 --> 00:33:47,520 Speaker 1: damonianis as you said, top heavy. Do they say this 598 00:33:47,680 --> 00:33:50,360 Speaker 1: just did not work or do they give it another 599 00:33:50,520 --> 00:33:53,840 Speaker 1: go with this tandem? I mean, is the option to hey, 600 00:33:53,880 --> 00:33:55,840 Speaker 1: maybe we do need to move Dame. I don't know. 601 00:33:57,160 --> 00:34:00,479 Speaker 3: Wow, you know, I hadn't really thought about that. I mean, 602 00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:04,640 Speaker 3: I think, you know, they they brought Damien to Milwaukee 603 00:34:04,680 --> 00:34:08,239 Speaker 3: because Giannis wanted to play with him. And Okay, I 604 00:34:08,320 --> 00:34:12,000 Speaker 3: don't think that Giannie is at a point yet where 605 00:34:12,040 --> 00:34:14,000 Speaker 3: he thinks that that this doesn't work. 606 00:34:14,080 --> 00:34:14,759 Speaker 2: I think that he. 607 00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:20,319 Speaker 3: Enjoys the potential that that they see, that they that 608 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:25,279 Speaker 3: they show. But like the organizationally, you know, they had 609 00:34:25,320 --> 00:34:31,279 Speaker 3: sort of inched away from the defense first that one 610 00:34:31,440 --> 00:34:33,200 Speaker 3: that they won with in twenty twenty one, and then 611 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:36,440 Speaker 3: when you bring Damien in that is such a large 612 00:34:36,600 --> 00:34:40,759 Speaker 3: leap from Drew Holliday and what Drew brings that you 613 00:34:40,880 --> 00:34:44,839 Speaker 3: can't go back. So, you know, Damien is still an 614 00:34:45,360 --> 00:34:49,560 Speaker 3: he's an All Star, he's a terrific offensive player. The 615 00:34:49,600 --> 00:34:53,040 Speaker 3: Bucks are defending better now in the short term. Uh, 616 00:34:53,080 --> 00:34:55,360 Speaker 3: they had a oh yeah, they had they had a 617 00:34:55,360 --> 00:34:57,279 Speaker 3: good win the other night against the Clippers when they 618 00:34:57,320 --> 00:35:00,919 Speaker 3: were down. So let's see how this goes. I'm I'm 619 00:35:00,920 --> 00:35:05,440 Speaker 3: on the minority that Doc is a little underrated. Yeah, 620 00:35:05,560 --> 00:35:09,160 Speaker 3: I I you know, I don't blame him for James. 621 00:35:09,600 --> 00:35:12,160 Speaker 3: I don't blame him for Joelle getting hurt as often 622 00:35:12,160 --> 00:35:16,279 Speaker 3: as Joel does in the spring. And so I you know, 623 00:35:16,360 --> 00:35:18,560 Speaker 3: I'm gonna give Doc a chance here to work with 624 00:35:18,600 --> 00:35:21,920 Speaker 3: these these two players who definitely want to win. You 625 00:35:21,960 --> 00:35:25,920 Speaker 3: cannot question Giannis or Dame's uh sort of all in 626 00:35:26,040 --> 00:35:27,000 Speaker 3: commitment to winning. 627 00:35:27,080 --> 00:35:28,680 Speaker 2: So let's see how this goes. 628 00:35:29,239 --> 00:35:31,479 Speaker 1: I'm all in for chaos. So if the Bucks losing 629 00:35:31,520 --> 00:35:33,720 Speaker 1: the first or second round and Giannis has hits the market, 630 00:35:33,840 --> 00:35:35,760 Speaker 1: I don't know. I just think that would be fun. Anyways. 631 00:35:36,040 --> 00:35:39,120 Speaker 1: Joe Varden the Athletic go check out his awesome piece 632 00:35:39,120 --> 00:35:41,080 Speaker 1: on the seven foot two kid seven foot two and 633 00:35:41,120 --> 00:35:44,000 Speaker 1: growing kid from South Sudan who's you'll see at the 634 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:46,440 Speaker 1: Olympics and maybe this is the next web in Yama. 635 00:35:46,520 --> 00:35:48,120 Speaker 1: Thanks Joe, thanks for having me.