1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,600 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. 2 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:05,120 Speaker 1: Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox 3 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:08,319 Speaker 1: Sports Radio in noon to three eastern nine am to 4 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at 5 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 1: Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every 6 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:17,799 Speaker 1: day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio 7 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:18,720 Speaker 1: or FSR. 8 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,640 Speaker 2: This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowver 9 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:25,960 Speaker 2: on Fox Sports Radio. 10 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:31,400 Speaker 1: Here we go. It is Friday. We have had a 11 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: great week today maybe our best. We have all sorts 12 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:38,319 Speaker 1: of topics. We're live. It's the Herd wherever you may 13 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:41,239 Speaker 1: be and however wherever you may be listening. Thank you 14 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:45,560 Speaker 1: for making us part of our day. Rachel Nichols, who 15 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:47,720 Speaker 1: really we feel like it's part of the staff. Jmack 16 00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 1: took the day off. He's got his kids tournaments he's 17 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: going to. And Rachel steps in, who, for the record, 18 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 1: does have an MVP votes in the NBA. We're going 19 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:02,160 Speaker 1: to talk about that today because I think the race 20 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:05,080 Speaker 1: is Wemby and SGA. I like Wemby, many like SGA, 21 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:07,959 Speaker 1: some like Luca, but I do think Rach. I'm going 22 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: to start with a game. Laker fans don't want to 23 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 1: talk about. But that was ugly last night. I mean, 24 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 1: I took a nap. I was going to stay up 25 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:19,399 Speaker 1: and watch it, and I'm about seven minutes in and 26 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:23,000 Speaker 1: that was the Lakers moved up, let's say, in weight 27 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,119 Speaker 1: class and got knocked out in the first round. And 28 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:29,120 Speaker 1: Oklahoma City is led by thirty at half three times 29 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: this season, twice against the Lakers. And sometimes it's hard 30 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,480 Speaker 1: to tell a fake Louis Vaton bag from a real 31 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 1: one until they're next to each other. And I think, 32 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:41,120 Speaker 1: you know what I'm getting that once a team wins 33 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:43,479 Speaker 1: a championship, like the Thunder last year, they don't care 34 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:45,959 Speaker 1: as much about the regular season. But here's what the 35 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: Thunder care about, humbling the Lakers and going after Luca 36 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 1: to get Sga the MVP. They made a point from 37 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 1: the very beginning to not only hunt Luca defensively, but 38 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: make him work for every basket. And before he limped 39 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 1: off in the third quarter, he was one for seven 40 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 1: on threes, three for ten was six turnovers. They made 41 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:13,520 Speaker 1: a point to go after Luca on both ends. And 42 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 1: this has been my I've been preaching this for two months. 43 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 1: The Lakers are going to struggle with OKC, San Antonio 44 00:02:21,919 --> 00:02:26,320 Speaker 1: and Minnesota. Austin Reeves will get hunted. Last night, Oklahoma 45 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:30,839 Speaker 1: City players shot seventy percent if Austin Reeves guarded him 46 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 1: and sixty five percent if Luca guarded him. So in 47 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:37,640 Speaker 1: a nutshell, last night, the Lakers got blown out in 48 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 1: five minutes. Lebron was minus thirty seven, a non factor, 49 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 1: only took seven shots. Austin Reeves got hunted first possession 50 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 1: on and Luca limped off. So let's stop thinking the 51 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 1: Lakers are a championship team. I also think you know 52 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 1: games like this again, when you put him up against 53 00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 1: the heavyweight champ, the new ownership group looks at Lebron 54 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 1: and wonders, oh, this is this is a real champion 55 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 1: and we're not close. And now Luca is going to 56 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 1: have an MRI. He's out of the MVP race. He 57 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:13,360 Speaker 1: won't qualify. Doubt he plays for two weeks. He also 58 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 1: probably won't work out for two weeks. And we've talked 59 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 1: about this. He not only in March had his biggest 60 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 1: minutes per game average, he leads the NBA in usage 61 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 1: Drake by a mile. And because the Lakers are a 62 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 1: lobsided roster, they really depend on his volume and his 63 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 1: minutes and his scoring. He doesn't, you know, Let's let's 64 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 1: be honest. In a game like last night, sometimes you 65 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: get Lebron with energy, sometimes you don't. And Okase makes 66 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 1: Austin Reeves play defense, so you don't get his offensive production. 67 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 1: So last night, when when Luca got hurt, it wasn't 68 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 1: a collision. It's a soft tissue issue. At halftime, they 69 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 1: were working on it. His body just collapsed in the 70 00:03:57,720 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: third quarter. And that's all those So all that stuff 71 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 1: we talked about in March and fifteen and two, and 72 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 1: I kept saying, guys, the regular season is different. If 73 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 1: you're a great half court offensive team, it is hard 74 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: in the regular season to prepare for you on no 75 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:17,279 Speaker 1: rest or one night's rest. But having a team face 76 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:21,239 Speaker 1: the Lakers, a good team like Okay, see San Antonio Denver, 77 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 1: night after night after night, seven straight games, they are lobsided. 78 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: They are so dependent on Luca's offense. And so here 79 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 1: was Lebron after the humiliating drubbing last night. 80 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 3: Well, I mean, it's never a time to get comfortable 81 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:42,160 Speaker 3: in this league. The only thing we do know is 82 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 3: that we won't be in the playoff to play in 83 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:46,599 Speaker 3: So we have that week. 84 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:49,240 Speaker 4: But I mean, health is wealth. 85 00:04:49,279 --> 00:04:52,160 Speaker 3: I mean obviously, and like I said, we have we're 86 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 3: already out with Marcus right now and now Luca. We 87 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:58,520 Speaker 3: don't know what the time tame we is, but obviously, but. 88 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 1: We're saying cements okay, just to show you. And when 89 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 1: I turned that game on last night, it had a 90 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:09,440 Speaker 1: playoff feel to it. They were all ready to go 91 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 1: in Oklahoma City. It was gonna be tough. So Luca 92 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: against the Thunder this season, a great defensive team that 93 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: hunts him on the defensive end, Luca averages fifteen points. 94 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 1: Luca shoots thirty three percent fourteen from three. Those are 95 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:32,120 Speaker 1: all lowest of any opponent. So I don't care about 96 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: Luca against the Rockets. They don't have anybody he has 97 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:36,719 Speaker 1: to guard. I don't care about him against Detroit or 98 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 1: the Pistons Portland, or I don't care about that Minnesota. 99 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: Ok see San Antonio. He has to play defense, Austin 100 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:48,279 Speaker 1: Reeves has to play defense. Lebron's got to play defense. 101 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: You see what happens last night, Fake Louisvton Bag, Real 102 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 1: Louisvton Bag. All Right, our final four is set Saturday 103 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 1: is going to be fun. Arizona, Michigan, you connon Illinois. 104 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:07,479 Speaker 1: In my opinion, and you know, as you age, maybe 105 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 1: my long term memory phades. It's probably the most stacked 106 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 1: Final four I ever remember in terms of composition of rosters, 107 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:19,640 Speaker 1: elite brands, great head coaches. There are in the first 108 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 1: round alone ten players who will be drafted from those 109 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 1: four teams. And I know y'all love the Hoosiers. I 110 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 1: know it was a great movie. I loved it too, 111 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: But I like dunking. I like length, size, quickness, skill. 112 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:35,680 Speaker 1: Michigan Arizona jumps off the television. So in college basketball 113 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,599 Speaker 1: is doing something. It offers something that the NBA is 114 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 1: struggling with. In college basketball, you get a diversity of offense. 115 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 1: I mean, Arizona doesn't shoot threes. In the NBA, you 116 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 1: gotta shoot thirty, forty fifty or if you're the Celtics, 117 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:54,239 Speaker 1: some nights there's eighty. It's homogeneous. It's repetitive. This college 118 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 1: basketball is not. And so one of the things we've 119 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 1: talked about is that people were very, very worried is 120 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 1: it only the big dogs and the big brands would 121 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:10,440 Speaker 1: eat with the nil So I went back to the 122 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 1: last four final fours, including this one, all during the 123 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 1: NIL era. Well, what do you know, going back to 124 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three, twenty twenty four, twenty twenty five, twenty 125 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 1: twenty six, fourteen of sixteen teams unique only Yukon keep 126 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 1: showing up. Yes, no Rich Kentucky, no North Carolina, no 127 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: Texas Longhorns or Aggies. With all that oil money people, 128 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 1: I'll be honest, little social commentary here. People, especially men 129 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 1: and young men that live on the internet and are 130 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 1: pulled in by fear and grievance. It's fear mongering. They 131 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 1: don't like when people financially separate from them, and they 132 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: just they get they're on the internet too long and 133 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 1: they're afraid of everything that is pulling away from them. 134 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:08,920 Speaker 1: And NIL is big money and big brands, and it's 135 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 1: just a bunch of nonsense. Indiana Hoosiers just won a 136 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:17,400 Speaker 1: national championship in football Iowa low nil team had a 137 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 1: great tournament run, knocked off big money Florida. The only 138 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 1: team that keeps coming back to this thing, pre nil 139 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 1: and post nil is the great Dan Hurley and the 140 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 1: Yukon Huskies. And he can't wait for tomorrow. 141 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 5: They deserve to have, you know, good twenty four to 142 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:40,800 Speaker 5: thirty six hours of joy. It was an incredible moment, 143 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:44,959 Speaker 5: incredible accomplishment to get here. But you know, at Yukon, 144 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 5: we uh, you know, we're about rings and banners, and 145 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 5: you know we don't. We don't hang banners for final fours, 146 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:53,679 Speaker 5: and you don't get rings for getting to the final four. 147 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 5: You get a watch. So you know, we're locked in 148 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 5: on Illinois right now. 149 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 1: Ratings, record, revenue, loaded rosters, kids staying in school longer 150 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 1: now get her getting better coaching from the tom Izzo's 151 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 1: and the Rick Patinos, not G league coaches, and kids 152 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 1: finally getting paid for all the hours they put into it. 153 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:22,199 Speaker 1: An aisle's great, like the ABS system in baseball. Nine 154 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 1: out of ten things about it are unbelievable. Yeah, it 155 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: needs more guidelines. It's a little wild wild West. You're 156 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:35,720 Speaker 1: not sure where are all the money's coming from. Somebody's got 157 00:09:35,720 --> 00:09:38,960 Speaker 1: a good bank in Switzerland. But this is a great, 158 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:46,680 Speaker 1: great final four, fantastic Illinois, Michigan, Arizona that doesn't shoot threes, 159 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:53,320 Speaker 1: Yukon the powerhouse, no Kentucky, no Carolina. Duke Golmals got 160 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 1: there and didn't all right, Rachel. You know, it's it's 161 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:02,920 Speaker 1: really interesting watching last night because I do think, and 162 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:06,760 Speaker 1: I've talked about this before, the NBA season is long, 163 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: and I think if you're a skilled offensive team, you're 164 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 1: very hard to prepare for in the regular season. I mean, Lebron, Austin, 165 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 1: Luca eight and walk into town and if you know, 166 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:23,280 Speaker 1: you have a five to ten minute film session, and 167 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 1: it's very hard to ask your players in an eighty 168 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:28,959 Speaker 1: two regular season game schedule to play great defense every night. 169 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 1: The travels, you know, it's it's the whole country and 170 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 1: college basketball thirty five games, NBA eighty two. So I 171 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:43,000 Speaker 1: do think great defensive teams sometimes don't wow us in 172 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 1: the regular season. Then you get to the playoffs. But 173 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 1: it felt like to me watching last night, this was 174 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,200 Speaker 1: one of the three or four regular season games that 175 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:54,840 Speaker 1: Okse said, Okay, we're gonna play playoff defense. 176 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:55,440 Speaker 5: Yeah. 177 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:56,680 Speaker 1: Didn't it feel like that to you? 178 00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:01,320 Speaker 6: Oh? Absolutely, just the energy of the swarmingness. Also, there's 179 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:03,960 Speaker 6: been a big conversation over the last month of is 180 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 6: Luca catching up to SGA and the MVP race, and 181 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:09,560 Speaker 6: this was a way for them to show, oh, he's 182 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:12,560 Speaker 6: not all that. I think they really took that defensive 183 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:15,320 Speaker 6: challenge against him even before he got hurt. And it 184 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:17,960 Speaker 6: also works on the flip side, Colin. The Lakers have 185 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,679 Speaker 6: had success defensively by mixing in a lot of zone 186 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 6: over the last few months, and you can't play as 187 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 6: much zone in the playoffs because teams again have that 188 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 6: extra twenty four to thirty six hours to prepare for 189 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 6: you good stuff. 190 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 1: So we've been waiting in the NBA for the baton 191 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:39,560 Speaker 1: to be passed or taken from Lebron Stephen kd. You 192 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 1: watched last night and the last week and it's official 193 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 1: and we'll talk about that next. We're live in Chicago, 194 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:45,720 Speaker 1: She's live in La. 195 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:46,360 Speaker 4: It's the Hurt. 196 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 2: Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays 197 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:59,600 Speaker 2: and noone Easter not Am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio 198 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:02,040 Speaker 2: one and the iHeartRadio app. 199 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 1: It's me Rob Parker. 200 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 7: Check out my weekly MLB podcast, Inside the Parker for 201 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:12,960 Speaker 7: twenty two minutes of piping hot baseball talk, featuring the 202 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:16,200 Speaker 7: biggest names and newsmakers in the sport. Whether you believe 203 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:19,560 Speaker 7: in analytics or the I Test, We've got all the 204 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 7: bases covered. New episodes drop every Thursday, so do yourself 205 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 7: a favor and listen to Inside the Parker with Rob 206 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 7: Parker on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast. 207 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 1: I've said this in the last couple of years, you know, 208 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 1: sports or cyclical outside of the NFL, which just keeps 209 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:42,199 Speaker 1: getting more popular. College football got very very regional, very Alabama, Georgia. 210 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 1: Now it's much broader college basketball, I think in the 211 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:50,480 Speaker 1: last three years, they're just so much talent. Of the 212 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 1: size of college teams, Quickness is no longer the name 213 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:58,280 Speaker 1: of the game. It's just get big, be like Illinois 214 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:02,880 Speaker 1: and Michigan. Just get big. Mick cronin his Bruins faced 215 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 1: all four of these teams in the Final four, with 216 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:08,200 Speaker 1: different results. He's joining us now live twenty two years 217 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: coaching in college basketball, won seventy percent of his games 218 00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 1: UCLA and everywhere. Okay, let let's start with Illinois. That 219 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 1: was one of the wildest games of the year in 220 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:19,800 Speaker 1: the sport. It was ninety five ninety four. You beat 221 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 1: him by a point. Your guards they're bigs, you know. 222 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 1: It was just a wildly entertaining game. Is there a 223 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 1: secret to beating Illinois, Mick, or do you just have 224 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: to acknowledge they're going to score on you. They're big. 225 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:37,120 Speaker 1: I mean you when you beat them, did you go 226 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,319 Speaker 1: into that game thinking, listen, this is going to be 227 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:41,280 Speaker 1: a high scoring game. It's just the way they play. 228 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:44,640 Speaker 8: Yeah, coin, I thought it was going to take eighty 229 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 8: to beat them, for sure. They look they're so well 230 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 8: put together with Vogler at the point as an elite freshman. 231 00:13:56,600 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 8: So you have the NBA guy checked, you have Kylin Boswell, 232 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:05,000 Speaker 8: the senior grizzlvet guard. You got that box checked. You 233 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:08,440 Speaker 8: got shooters all around checked. You got two seven foot 234 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 8: two guys rotating in the middle checked. 235 00:14:12,040 --> 00:14:13,679 Speaker 4: And a great coach and Brad. 236 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:17,320 Speaker 8: Underwood and Stoyokovich is a great slashing wing. They just 237 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 8: got great components. 238 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 4: What the difference for. 239 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:23,080 Speaker 8: Them in the tournament has been, As you guys know, 240 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:26,040 Speaker 8: their defense has really stepped up in the NCAA tournament. 241 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 4: They don't give up twos at the rim. 242 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 8: You got to make shots to beat them, and we 243 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 8: were able to make double double digit threes and obviously 244 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:38,040 Speaker 8: a last second basket to beat them. But it's really 245 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 8: hard to score on them at the rim. 246 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:43,480 Speaker 1: Okay, So you narrowly lost to Arizona in a more 247 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 1: normal game sixty nine to sixty five. But you held 248 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:50,520 Speaker 1: Bury's and a CoA Pete. You held those guys to 249 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:54,680 Speaker 1: single figures. They did not play particularly well. So Arizona 250 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 1: a lot of people think Arizona could win this whole thing. 251 00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 1: You had success against two of their stars and that 252 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:04,320 Speaker 1: game was different tempo. Talk a little about Arizona and 253 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:07,200 Speaker 1: the success you had slowing them down a little. 254 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:12,320 Speaker 8: Bit well in fairness playing them, and I believe it 255 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 8: was late November. You've got three freshmen starting right, there's 256 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 8: so much better now. Braden Burry's has played himself into 257 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 8: the top ten of the NBA draft, Kart Schenkoff is 258 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 8: also going to be an NBA player, and Cole Pete's 259 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 8: gotten better as well. So again they checked the box 260 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:37,040 Speaker 8: with senior grizzle point guard in Bradley, and look they're 261 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:42,400 Speaker 8: two big guys. Tobya Waco and Moe Krebas are big 262 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 8: time strong guys now. And look, we play every year 263 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 8: and obviously we played more than that in the Pac twelve, 264 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:50,320 Speaker 8: so we know each other. So our games tend to 265 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 8: be uglier, grind it out games. But there's so much 266 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 8: better than they were. Colin back in November. It's not 267 00:15:56,640 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 8: like when I watch them play, like they don't shoot 268 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:02,120 Speaker 8: a lot of three. But Burry's card, Shank Golf and 269 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 8: del orso they can do it when they need to 270 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 8: do it. You can't just not guard those guys, so 271 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 8: they may they may be the most complete team right 272 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 8: there with Michigan, I think as you see the Ken 273 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 8: Palm thing where they yeah. 274 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 4: They're two of the best. 275 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 8: They're two of the best four teams in the last 276 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 8: twenty five years from metrically. 277 00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:23,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, so you played in Michigan. It was your worst 278 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:25,560 Speaker 1: loss of the year. It was also gone Zaga's worst loss. 279 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 1: My take on I watched them last week live. I 280 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 1: went to the United Center and I was upstairs. So 281 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:34,000 Speaker 1: they're passing. Feels like an NBA team. Their size is excellent. 282 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: If they're hitting shots. To me, as a college team, 283 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: they're virtually unbeatable. If they're hitting threes. You, I mean, 284 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 1: sometimes there's just a team coach and you're just like, guys, why, 285 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 1: I'm not sure we match up. Did it feel a 286 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 1: little bit like that with Michigan. 287 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 8: Yeah, it was forty thirty eight and to half, and again, 288 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 8: I know you got to get eighty to beat them, 289 00:16:56,600 --> 00:16:58,600 Speaker 8: and you know we weren't able to keep scoring with 290 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 8: them in the second half. They're so so hard to 291 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:04,480 Speaker 8: contain offensively because they can beat in so many ways. 292 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 8: And look, Yoxel is a guy that would pre nil 293 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:13,560 Speaker 8: he's in the NBA Colin right, I mean, you know 294 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:16,119 Speaker 8: he is not in and that's what and you mentioned, 295 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:18,960 Speaker 8: you know, as we let in right, College basketball has 296 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:22,560 Speaker 8: gotten so much better in the last four years because 297 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:26,159 Speaker 8: guys aren't making mistakes by going pro too soon, and 298 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:29,439 Speaker 8: it's going to elongate their NBA career by doing it. 299 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:31,280 Speaker 8: It's good for the players as well, not just that 300 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 8: they're making money. You don't have guys making mistakes going 301 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:37,320 Speaker 8: out too soon trying to get to some money. So 302 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:40,680 Speaker 8: but he is, he is so good. I mean, he's 303 00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:43,119 Speaker 8: the best player in the final four. And then you 304 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 8: put you know, Lamara and Johnson their first round picks 305 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 8: around him. And look Trey McKinney off the bench, Like 306 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 8: when you bring guys going to play in the NBA 307 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 8: off the bench, which Michigan does, Tray McKenny will play 308 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 8: in the NBA someday. 309 00:17:56,880 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 4: That's how good they are. 310 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:01,600 Speaker 8: I agree with you'n be a tough out for anybody. 311 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:04,480 Speaker 4: But look, Arizona's really good. 312 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 1: So you lost to Yukon. You know, it's funny. So 313 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 1: because I used to live in Connecticut, I follow Yukon 314 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 1: and I watched them throughout the year. They had a 315 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 1: bad loss to Marquette, but you know I all year. 316 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 1: My takeaway is they need another guy. I don't you know. 317 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:20,959 Speaker 1: They got an old school big. Taris reed. He's an 318 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:25,200 Speaker 1: old school big. So I appreciate that. Are you surprised 319 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 1: they beat you? Guys? Are you surprised they're here? Or 320 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:32,200 Speaker 1: when you played them, did you say, well, they're physical, 321 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:34,480 Speaker 1: they're Yukon, they're well coached. You do you kind of 322 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:35,560 Speaker 1: thought they may end up here. 323 00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:38,760 Speaker 4: Yeah, there's no surprise to me. 324 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 8: I thought Duke obviously, you know, Duke dominated most of 325 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:45,800 Speaker 8: that game. But you know, it's college basketball and anything 326 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:46,880 Speaker 8: can happen, and in. 327 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:48,400 Speaker 4: This case it did. At the end of the game. 328 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 8: I didn't think that they would get blown out. One 329 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 8: thing about Yukon, and I don't know how far it's 330 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 8: going to carry him, Like they're fighting spirit of in 331 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:01,760 Speaker 8: their culture that coach are he is built there is 332 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 8: so good. I imagine they're playing with a guy with 333 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:07,040 Speaker 8: two championships. 334 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:11,760 Speaker 4: Caravan. Alex Caravan has two championships. I don't know. I mean, 335 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:12,840 Speaker 4: is kareemed? 336 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 8: I mean, when's the coach Wooden's guys who are the 337 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:19,080 Speaker 8: last guys to be playing for their third championship? So, 338 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,880 Speaker 8: I mean that just tells you like about their DNA 339 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:25,679 Speaker 8: in their program is so deep. I mean, they just 340 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:28,080 Speaker 8: you know, they're not going to go quietly into the night. 341 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:30,199 Speaker 8: You're going to have to play the final buzzer to 342 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 8: beat Yukon. But I think Illinoli's got better players, so. 343 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:36,320 Speaker 1: Do I That's what I think. I think I'll tell you. 344 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:39,360 Speaker 1: I want to talk Keaton Woggler, the guard who came 345 00:19:39,359 --> 00:19:43,440 Speaker 1: from Kansas, nobody recruited in Minnesota did, and Illinois did, 346 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:46,159 Speaker 1: and he got onto campus. And Brad Underwood told me 347 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 1: this week, you know, when he was playing around in 348 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,320 Speaker 1: the summer, the players on the team's head coach, you 349 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:55,760 Speaker 1: got to come see this kid is something else? Have 350 00:19:55,840 --> 00:19:58,960 Speaker 1: you ever had a guy like that? Because it's funny. 351 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:01,000 Speaker 1: The Dallas Mavericks have a sixth pick. I said, have 352 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:04,720 Speaker 1: you put him with Cooper Flag? Oh my lord, have 353 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:07,520 Speaker 1: you ever had a kid that came onto your campus, 354 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 1: whether it was Murray State, Cincinnati, Ucla, and you're like, 355 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:14,240 Speaker 1: he is way better than we thought. 356 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:16,879 Speaker 4: Not to that extent. 357 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:20,960 Speaker 8: I've had some guys that are have been better than 358 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:24,399 Speaker 8: you thought they were going to be, but very rarely. 359 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:28,240 Speaker 8: His parents are quoted as saying they dropped him off 360 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:31,320 Speaker 8: to red shirt his freshman year when they dropped him 361 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:33,479 Speaker 8: off at school, and I think they both played college 362 00:20:33,520 --> 00:20:35,199 Speaker 8: basketball and they were all for it. 363 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 4: Very rarely. 364 00:20:38,320 --> 00:20:42,399 Speaker 8: Look, he's probably NIO wise, their lowest paid guy turns 365 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:45,560 Speaker 8: out to be your best player. It's a great story, 366 00:20:46,320 --> 00:20:48,399 Speaker 8: you know, and good for him. He seems like an 367 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:52,320 Speaker 8: unbelievable kid. He's humble, but with his size and skill 368 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:55,639 Speaker 8: and he just plays with great pace. Yukon's going to 369 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:59,480 Speaker 8: challenge him physically. The one thing they're playing Yukon last 370 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:03,800 Speaker 8: week up close. They're really physical with your guards, and 371 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:06,200 Speaker 8: we had great guards this here at UCLA and they 372 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 8: threw our guards off with their physicality. But he's handled it. 373 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:11,240 Speaker 8: I mean, he's played in the Big Ten all year. 374 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:16,600 Speaker 1: You know. Tommy Lloyd announced today he's staying at Arizona, 375 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:20,879 Speaker 1: and my take was, there's so much fluidity to the 376 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: sport now with nil and transfer portal that if you 377 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:27,960 Speaker 1: can get a good job and you're aligned with your administration, 378 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 1: you don't want to be I mean, I'm for mobility, 379 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:34,520 Speaker 1: but there's so much mobility in the sport now that 380 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:36,480 Speaker 1: I think you're better served as a coach that just 381 00:21:36,520 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 1: stopped job hopping. If you've got a good job top fifteen, 382 00:21:39,359 --> 00:21:43,239 Speaker 1: just stay there. Are you surprised Tommy Lloyd State or 383 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:45,160 Speaker 1: do you kind of agree? I mean maybe you see 384 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:45,720 Speaker 1: it differently. 385 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 4: No, No, I'm totally You're right on the money. 386 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 8: Look, very rarely does do power coaches hop to other 387 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:58,359 Speaker 8: power schools and with if you have the NIL support 388 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:01,879 Speaker 8: and you have the strait of support, I think the 389 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:06,399 Speaker 8: only reason you would see somebody leave is lack of 390 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:11,639 Speaker 8: alignment with the administration, right, because why else would you 391 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:15,439 Speaker 8: go to think you can get better players? Like you know, 392 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 8: I coached at MA Alma Maters Cincinnati thirteen years A 393 00:22:18,280 --> 00:22:21,639 Speaker 8: long time, but honestly, I thought I'd be able to 394 00:22:21,640 --> 00:22:24,280 Speaker 8: get better players. There was no NIL, there was no portal. 395 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:28,879 Speaker 8: UCLA's UCLA, you know, I mean, you know how it is. 396 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:31,640 Speaker 8: You lived in LA It's I mean west Woods bell Air, 397 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:35,639 Speaker 8: Like it's such an advantage in recruiting. But then Nil 398 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:39,320 Speaker 8: comes along and now it's all business. 399 00:22:39,359 --> 00:22:40,920 Speaker 4: So no, North. 400 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:42,600 Speaker 8: Carolina is a great job and they're going to get. 401 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:46,320 Speaker 4: A great coach, but it's not what it used to be. 402 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:49,040 Speaker 8: As far as the advantages, the advantage, you can have 403 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:53,640 Speaker 8: the same advantages at Texas Tech. You know, in love 404 00:22:53,680 --> 00:22:56,440 Speaker 8: with Texas if you have the money, so you don't 405 00:22:56,640 --> 00:23:00,000 Speaker 8: and if you're happy there and you have support, especially 406 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:02,920 Speaker 8: if you have alignment, your administration is on the same page. 407 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:05,960 Speaker 8: That's really important. What you know, it'd be no different 408 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,399 Speaker 8: than an NBA coach with his front office and his 409 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 8: owner and you have that good relationship, there's just no 410 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 8: point in leaving. 411 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:17,000 Speaker 1: Okay, Michigan Arizona. I think Arizona's going to have to 412 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:20,680 Speaker 1: shoot some threes to win. They don't necessarily. I like Michigan. 413 00:23:21,400 --> 00:23:27,560 Speaker 8: Your thoughts, Yeah, I says, pick them. I think everybody 414 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:31,480 Speaker 8: thinks what you're thinking about Arizona. You know they're they're 415 00:23:31,520 --> 00:23:33,199 Speaker 8: going to have to make threes. They're going to have 416 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:36,240 Speaker 8: to make threes. And what I would tell you is 417 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:38,199 Speaker 8: they do when they need to. 418 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:41,399 Speaker 4: They just don't settle for threes. 419 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:45,560 Speaker 8: So what Tommy does They put so much pressure on 420 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:48,720 Speaker 8: the rim and the paint on every possession they colin. 421 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:52,440 Speaker 8: When they shoot them, they're usually wide open. They don't 422 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:58,000 Speaker 8: shoot first past threes and transition. They don't shoot desperation 423 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:02,000 Speaker 8: or hard shots from three. It's usually because you've helped 424 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:04,760 Speaker 8: so much in the paint that those guys are now 425 00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:07,880 Speaker 8: playing force on the outside and they can make them. 426 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:11,240 Speaker 8: Karlschenkov's gotten way better. Like we said, Brydon Burry's is 427 00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:14,240 Speaker 8: a different player. He's a lottery pick and even Avery 428 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:16,840 Speaker 8: badly can make them. And then del Orso comes in, 429 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:19,720 Speaker 8: So I don't think that'll be their problem. You know what, 430 00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:22,560 Speaker 8: simple could these games like this could come down to 431 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:26,320 Speaker 8: free throws or foul trouble in a one game shot. 432 00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:28,680 Speaker 8: You know there's somebody this bad night at the line, 433 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:31,879 Speaker 8: like Kansas did against Syracuse. I think back in the 434 00:24:31,960 --> 00:24:35,840 Speaker 8: day when coach Beahon won his title, Kansas missed like 435 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:38,399 Speaker 8: fifteen to seventeen free throws in that game. 436 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:39,879 Speaker 4: So it could come down. 437 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:41,600 Speaker 8: To foul trouble as well, because there's going to be 438 00:24:41,640 --> 00:24:43,280 Speaker 8: a lot of physicality at the rim. 439 00:24:43,240 --> 00:24:45,560 Speaker 4: In this game and officiating is going to be important. 440 00:24:45,880 --> 00:24:48,719 Speaker 1: I like Illinois over Yukon close your thoughts. 441 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:52,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think it's going to be a low scoring game. 442 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:55,320 Speaker 8: I think Illinois defense has really improved, and I believe 443 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:58,959 Speaker 8: in Yukon's defense and their toughness. The question is going 444 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:02,879 Speaker 8: to be for me, Tarus Reid has carried Yukon colin 445 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:06,800 Speaker 8: on the interior. Yeah, but he's playing against two seven 446 00:25:06,840 --> 00:25:11,840 Speaker 8: foot two guys Yeah, that he hasn't seen and is 447 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:13,720 Speaker 8: he going to be able to bull rust them and 448 00:25:13,840 --> 00:25:15,600 Speaker 8: power power layups? 449 00:25:15,640 --> 00:25:17,200 Speaker 4: And he had twenty six last game. 450 00:25:17,240 --> 00:25:21,880 Speaker 8: I mean, if he can't score inside, Yukon's in trouble 451 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:25,800 Speaker 8: because that they really need that, because that's kind of 452 00:25:25,840 --> 00:25:26,400 Speaker 8: how they're build. 453 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:27,520 Speaker 4: It's from him on out. 454 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:28,159 Speaker 1: Uh. 455 00:25:28,359 --> 00:25:29,480 Speaker 4: And you know, because. 456 00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:33,280 Speaker 8: Caravan is he's got to get shots off screens and 457 00:25:33,680 --> 00:25:36,119 Speaker 8: off of you doubling down on Taras Reid. So if 458 00:25:36,119 --> 00:25:38,480 Speaker 8: they're able to stop Reid, it's going to really sway 459 00:25:38,520 --> 00:25:40,439 Speaker 8: in Yukon's or in Illinois's favor. 460 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:43,359 Speaker 1: Finally, I asked Tom Izzo about this when he was on. 461 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:45,600 Speaker 1: I said, you know, Tom, with the nil and the portal, 462 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:48,000 Speaker 1: does it change the way it coached? Can you yell 463 00:25:48,040 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 1: a little less? I've always said the best players ever 464 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:56,320 Speaker 1: like like confrontation they kind of like it. Your thoughts 465 00:25:56,320 --> 00:26:00,320 Speaker 1: on and Patino Hurley, you know most of the great 466 00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:03,159 Speaker 1: coaches use volume. What's your take on that. 467 00:26:04,359 --> 00:26:07,520 Speaker 8: Yeah, it's an interesting phenomenon that people had focused so 468 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:10,360 Speaker 8: much on on the way people. 469 00:26:10,119 --> 00:26:12,359 Speaker 4: Coach, you know, delivery. 470 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:15,199 Speaker 8: What I would tell you is, for instance, you know, 471 00:26:15,240 --> 00:26:17,639 Speaker 8: I like I have got on my team. Eric Daily 472 00:26:17,720 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 8: now is like he's every coach you've got to be. 473 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:21,440 Speaker 8: You got to get up more honest, more like we're 474 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 8: better when you're honest. I May Hawkes, I mean he 475 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:29,560 Speaker 8: was all about it, like all about it at all times. 476 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:33,199 Speaker 8: Tiger Campbell just great toughness. So I couldn't agree with 477 00:26:33,240 --> 00:26:35,320 Speaker 8: you more. It's hard to have a really good team 478 00:26:35,359 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 8: if your best players don't want you to coach him. 479 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:40,680 Speaker 8: You remember the story where Kareem had the bad game 480 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:43,960 Speaker 8: against Boston, sat in the film session, he told pat Riley, 481 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:45,960 Speaker 8: come on, give it to me, just give it all 482 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:48,080 Speaker 8: to me, you know, don't hold back. And then he 483 00:26:48,119 --> 00:26:50,080 Speaker 8: came back and like he had saw the fountain of 484 00:26:50,119 --> 00:26:51,840 Speaker 8: youth and dominated the next game. 485 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:54,080 Speaker 4: And that's why he's Kareem Abdul your bar. 486 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:57,000 Speaker 1: Yeah that Jason Tatum jokes that he had a game. 487 00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:00,400 Speaker 1: Hrschewski came in at half and the whole half time 488 00:27:00,720 --> 00:27:03,119 Speaker 1: with Shrychevsky on Tatum. Tatum's scored twenty eight in the 489 00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:05,360 Speaker 1: second half at Duke and he's like, you know, He's 490 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:06,879 Speaker 1: like it just he didn't do it much to me, 491 00:27:06,960 --> 00:27:08,760 Speaker 1: but about once a year, twice a year, and I 492 00:27:09,720 --> 00:27:12,600 Speaker 1: you know what, Dad, My dad got mad at me 493 00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:16,359 Speaker 1: one time. He told me, Mick, he was going, I 494 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:17,880 Speaker 1: gotta tell the story. I don't think I've ever told 495 00:27:17,880 --> 00:27:20,280 Speaker 1: this story. So my dad was going to work. He 496 00:27:20,320 --> 00:27:23,080 Speaker 1: was an optometrist. He had the white jacket on, and 497 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:25,160 Speaker 1: he was going to move the sprinkler in the yard 498 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:28,720 Speaker 1: and he said, tiger, squeeze the squeeze it so that 499 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 1: and my dad got to it and I let it 500 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:34,040 Speaker 1: go and the sprinkler nailed my dad at seven in 501 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:37,200 Speaker 1: the morning, Mick, I never did that again. I never. 502 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:39,960 Speaker 4: I'm sure you did. Well. 503 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:42,800 Speaker 8: I can tell you my dad's the greatest of all time. 504 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:44,639 Speaker 8: I had great parents, and I wouldn't be here if 505 00:27:44,640 --> 00:27:45,600 Speaker 8: he wasn't hard on me. 506 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:46,480 Speaker 4: I can tell you. 507 00:27:46,560 --> 00:27:48,800 Speaker 8: If you know, there's some stories. It was a little 508 00:27:48,800 --> 00:27:52,639 Speaker 8: bit different growing up in our era. Colin it Wouttle 509 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:54,000 Speaker 8: bit different than it is now. 510 00:27:54,240 --> 00:27:58,720 Speaker 1: Great seeing coach. Thanks for having me, you bet, yeah, 511 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:02,280 Speaker 1: you know, Rachel, I to this day, you don't. Dad 512 00:28:02,320 --> 00:28:04,239 Speaker 1: went out there and he was moving that sprinkler and 513 00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:06,399 Speaker 1: I don't know what got into me, and I let 514 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:09,280 Speaker 1: it go and it just started, and oh he was 515 00:28:09,840 --> 00:28:14,760 Speaker 1: glasses jacket. But I never did it again. I was coachable. 516 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:16,560 Speaker 1: I made a mistake, and I was coachable. 517 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:19,480 Speaker 2: Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays 518 00:28:19,480 --> 00:28:23,040 Speaker 2: and newone Easter non am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio 519 00:28:23,320 --> 00:28:25,520 Speaker 2: FS one and the iHeartRadio app. 520 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:30,600 Speaker 1: So I had said a couple maybe it was last week. 521 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:33,080 Speaker 1: I said, I think there's only three teams that can 522 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:40,320 Speaker 1: win it. Spurs Celtics and Oka see Okac's defense, Spurs 523 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:43,960 Speaker 1: depth is insane, and Wemby and I think the Celtics 524 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:47,640 Speaker 1: offensive efficiency. They just don't commit turnovers. It's a very clean, 525 00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:51,160 Speaker 1: smart Jalen Brown and Tatum, very heady guys. So it's 526 00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 1: a very clean, smart, efficient team. They don't have a 527 00:28:53,400 --> 00:28:56,200 Speaker 1: real weakness. They got a little old with Horford and 528 00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:59,600 Speaker 1: Porzingis and they moved off them. Now they're younger, little 529 00:29:00,240 --> 00:29:03,000 Speaker 1: more nimble in the front court. So I really like 530 00:29:03,080 --> 00:29:07,400 Speaker 1: the Celtics. So Rachel, she's got an MVP vote. She 531 00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:10,160 Speaker 1: is in arenas all over this country on a regular basis. 532 00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:12,720 Speaker 1: We always have to call and say, hey, are you available? 533 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 1: If not, she said, so more on a plane going 534 00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:17,600 Speaker 1: to this. So let's start. We can have a little 535 00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:20,800 Speaker 1: little light NBA music. Let's start with the Eastern Conference. 536 00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:25,640 Speaker 1: I'll set it up for you, all right. Pistons one seed, 537 00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:27,840 Speaker 1: Hornets eight seed. Who do you like? 538 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:31,120 Speaker 6: And why I'm putting an asterisk on my pick here? 539 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:33,520 Speaker 6: I have the Pistons coming out of this, but it 540 00:29:33,640 --> 00:29:37,360 Speaker 6: really depends on Cake Cunningham. The expectation is he's back 541 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:39,920 Speaker 6: for the playoffs. But with a collapse lung, it's not 542 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:41,959 Speaker 6: like you can do conditioning in the meantime. Right If 543 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:43,760 Speaker 6: you have like a shoulder injury, you can still run 544 00:29:43,840 --> 00:29:46,160 Speaker 6: in the meantime. You can't do that when you have 545 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 6: a collapse lung. So I'm very curious to see what 546 00:29:48,200 --> 00:29:50,560 Speaker 6: he looks like when he comes back, because even though 547 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:52,800 Speaker 6: this is the number two rated defense in the NBA, 548 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:56,320 Speaker 6: he's what makes that offense run Without him. The Hornets 549 00:29:56,360 --> 00:29:58,200 Speaker 6: have been spicy, man, Colin, I don't know how much 550 00:29:58,240 --> 00:30:01,520 Speaker 6: you've been paying attention there five and eight in their 551 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:03,480 Speaker 6: last thirty three games, and that's, by the way, like 552 00:30:03,520 --> 00:30:06,640 Speaker 6: forty percent of the season. So if Kate isn't himself, 553 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:08,920 Speaker 6: or if he certainly isn't back, I might go back 554 00:30:08,960 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 6: on this, But for now, I gotta say Pistons. 555 00:30:11,280 --> 00:30:13,760 Speaker 1: For that one. Yeah, they're a better defensive team. They're 556 00:30:13,920 --> 00:30:18,360 Speaker 1: very physical team. I think Caroline has been a great story. 557 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:21,880 Speaker 1: I don't think they're ready to beat Detroit. I think 558 00:30:21,880 --> 00:30:25,800 Speaker 1: Detroit's just got just got a little more time tested. 559 00:30:25,840 --> 00:30:28,280 Speaker 1: So I'll take Detroit. Okay, Calves Hawks, I never know 560 00:30:28,320 --> 00:30:30,640 Speaker 1: what to make of this Cavs team. Caves Hawks, what 561 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:31,160 Speaker 1: do you got? 562 00:30:31,520 --> 00:30:34,280 Speaker 6: I'm gonna go Cavs here, no asterisks, no reservations. I mean, 563 00:30:34,280 --> 00:30:36,400 Speaker 6: the Hawks have had some plucky moments this season. But 564 00:30:36,800 --> 00:30:39,880 Speaker 6: I like the idea of James Harden on this Cavaliers team. 565 00:30:40,120 --> 00:30:42,640 Speaker 6: I'll continue to talk about this through this segment, but 566 00:30:42,720 --> 00:30:45,440 Speaker 6: we've seen Harden run out of gas in the playoffs. 567 00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:47,560 Speaker 6: Right when he said this crazy high usage rate during 568 00:30:47,600 --> 00:30:50,360 Speaker 6: the season, He's now not going to be the primary 569 00:30:50,400 --> 00:30:53,440 Speaker 6: offensive guy, and he wasn't with Kawhi. But Kawhi was 570 00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:56,160 Speaker 6: in and out during the playoffs because of injuries. Donovan 571 00:30:56,200 --> 00:30:58,880 Speaker 6: Mitchell has had a rock star season. I just saw 572 00:30:58,920 --> 00:31:02,080 Speaker 6: them the other night, and I'm curious to see what 573 00:31:02,200 --> 00:31:04,400 Speaker 6: James can do next to Donovan. They obviously have some 574 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:07,000 Speaker 6: strong defensive play there, you know, with the big guys. 575 00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:08,720 Speaker 6: So I think this will actually be pretty easy for 576 00:31:08,760 --> 00:31:10,240 Speaker 6: the Caps to handle this first round. 577 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:12,760 Speaker 1: All right, Nick's very reliant and they're starting five. Not 578 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:16,840 Speaker 1: much bench scoring, don't generate free throws attempts either, so 579 00:31:16,880 --> 00:31:19,960 Speaker 1: they need Jalen Brunson then Kat to deliver. They take 580 00:31:19,960 --> 00:31:22,040 Speaker 1: on the Sixers. I like New York, what say you? 581 00:31:22,560 --> 00:31:24,240 Speaker 6: I like New York, but I got to tell you, 582 00:31:24,400 --> 00:31:27,480 Speaker 6: I am conflicted about this one because New York has 583 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:30,400 Speaker 6: not beaten a team with a winning record in nearly 584 00:31:30,520 --> 00:31:33,800 Speaker 6: a month. Colin and the floor just fell out on 585 00:31:33,840 --> 00:31:36,280 Speaker 6: them the other night versus Houston. They didn't look good 586 00:31:36,320 --> 00:31:39,160 Speaker 6: against the Thunder. They're having some of the stagnation issues 587 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:41,280 Speaker 6: they had last year. There still seems to be a 588 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:43,400 Speaker 6: bit of a role thing with Kat what does he do? 589 00:31:43,560 --> 00:31:47,240 Speaker 6: And Brunston's undergone some criticism and all of that. So look, 590 00:31:47,440 --> 00:31:50,640 Speaker 6: Philadelphia certainly has looked so much better in recent weeks. 591 00:31:50,680 --> 00:31:52,960 Speaker 6: They've got all their guys back. Jewell's sick right now, 592 00:31:52,960 --> 00:31:56,480 Speaker 6: but in general, Paul George at forty points the other night, Yeah, 593 00:31:56,840 --> 00:31:58,280 Speaker 6: I just I got to give the next to the edge. 594 00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:00,560 Speaker 6: They were the preseason pick to come out of this conference. 595 00:32:00,680 --> 00:32:03,040 Speaker 6: But this is going to be very spicy, and I 596 00:32:03,080 --> 00:32:04,480 Speaker 6: think it's gonna be one of the most fun first 597 00:32:04,520 --> 00:32:05,200 Speaker 6: round matchups. 598 00:32:05,480 --> 00:32:08,800 Speaker 1: Number two in offensive efficiency, Celtics and the Raptors. Pretty 599 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:10,280 Speaker 1: obvious here, right Yeah. 600 00:32:10,320 --> 00:32:12,239 Speaker 6: I mean, look, I'm picking the Celtics to come out 601 00:32:12,280 --> 00:32:13,680 Speaker 6: of the East. We'll see that in a minute. And 602 00:32:13,720 --> 00:32:15,560 Speaker 6: I don't think this is going to be if it's 603 00:32:15,560 --> 00:32:17,320 Speaker 6: not a sweet but it might be a gentleman's one. 604 00:32:17,480 --> 00:32:17,800 Speaker 4: Yeah. 605 00:32:17,920 --> 00:32:20,040 Speaker 1: Okay, then we go up back to the top the 606 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:25,240 Speaker 1: number four. Now we go Pistons Calves again. If Kaid's healthy, 607 00:32:25,280 --> 00:32:26,719 Speaker 1: I like Detroit, what about you. 608 00:32:27,480 --> 00:32:28,920 Speaker 6: I'm going to go with the Cavs on this one. 609 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:30,520 Speaker 6: I you know, I'm not going to pick them to 610 00:32:30,560 --> 00:32:33,080 Speaker 6: win the East. You'll see that. But I do think 611 00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:35,840 Speaker 6: that this is a stronger team than people think. And 612 00:32:36,160 --> 00:32:38,560 Speaker 6: I do think if Jared Allen can stay healthy and 613 00:32:38,680 --> 00:32:40,920 Speaker 6: in there, I think that they will do some damage 614 00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:43,880 Speaker 6: here and the Pistons just they still don't have quite 615 00:32:43,880 --> 00:32:46,560 Speaker 6: the offense that they need to get as far in 616 00:32:46,600 --> 00:32:50,360 Speaker 6: the playoffs as I think their fan base deserves. And 617 00:32:50,600 --> 00:32:52,200 Speaker 6: I'm interested to see what they do in the off 618 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:54,120 Speaker 6: season because I don't think they were at their best 619 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:56,600 Speaker 6: at the trade deadline, and I think the Caves will 620 00:32:56,640 --> 00:32:57,520 Speaker 6: come out of this winners. 621 00:32:58,040 --> 00:33:00,800 Speaker 1: So again, the Knicks are very reliant on starting five. 622 00:33:00,840 --> 00:33:02,720 Speaker 1: They don't get into the free throw line, they don't 623 00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:04,840 Speaker 1: have a lot of points in the paint. Kind of 624 00:33:04,840 --> 00:33:07,360 Speaker 1: depends on if Brunson and Cat are hot. Sometimes Kat 625 00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:10,000 Speaker 1: won't be in the game late. I think this. I 626 00:33:10,080 --> 00:33:12,320 Speaker 1: don't like the match up here for New York against Boston. 627 00:33:12,360 --> 00:33:14,479 Speaker 6: To you, I do not, And look, you know New 628 00:33:14,560 --> 00:33:17,680 Speaker 6: York was legitimately beating the Celtics last season when Jason 629 00:33:17,720 --> 00:33:19,320 Speaker 6: Tatum got hurt, so that I think they would have 630 00:33:19,360 --> 00:33:21,800 Speaker 6: won that playoff series anyway. But this is a different year, 631 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:25,600 Speaker 6: different teams, different coach, and I just think the way 632 00:33:25,720 --> 00:33:28,920 Speaker 6: Tatum has so seamlessly come back in is shot making 633 00:33:28,960 --> 00:33:31,000 Speaker 6: isn't exactly what it used to be, but that doesn't 634 00:33:31,040 --> 00:33:33,560 Speaker 6: have to be that way. I'm picking the Celtics in 635 00:33:33,560 --> 00:33:36,080 Speaker 6: this one and I'm I'm not conflicted about that one. 636 00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:39,840 Speaker 1: A lot of talent. Boston and Cleveland in the Eastern 637 00:33:39,880 --> 00:33:43,840 Speaker 1: Conference final. Again, you just Tatum and Brown had been 638 00:33:43,880 --> 00:33:45,880 Speaker 1: in so many big games. They I think they have 639 00:33:45,960 --> 00:33:48,280 Speaker 1: the fewest turnovers in the league. They're a clean team. 640 00:33:48,760 --> 00:33:52,480 Speaker 1: If they're like Michigan basketball, if they're shooting well, I mean, 641 00:33:52,480 --> 00:33:54,480 Speaker 1: they could win this thing in four or five games. 642 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:55,320 Speaker 1: Your thoughts on it. 643 00:33:55,440 --> 00:33:57,680 Speaker 6: Yeah, absolutely, I mean, they have an elite coach, they 644 00:33:57,680 --> 00:33:59,600 Speaker 6: have elite players. Jalen Brown is going to be an 645 00:33:59,640 --> 00:34:03,120 Speaker 6: MVP conversation this year. Tatum obviously, we know what he 646 00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:05,720 Speaker 6: can do. And it is boring Colin when they just 647 00:34:05,800 --> 00:34:08,200 Speaker 6: launch all these three after threes, but it is effective. 648 00:34:08,239 --> 00:34:10,200 Speaker 6: The math problem we talked about in the NBA three 649 00:34:10,239 --> 00:34:12,560 Speaker 6: is worth more than two. I think that they will 650 00:34:12,600 --> 00:34:15,240 Speaker 6: be able to overpower anyone that they see in the East. 651 00:34:15,280 --> 00:34:17,280 Speaker 6: And they're just I mean, the more you see them play, 652 00:34:17,520 --> 00:34:18,920 Speaker 6: they're the class of the conference. 653 00:34:19,040 --> 00:34:19,239 Speaker 3: Yep. 654 00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:21,520 Speaker 1: All right, let's go to the West, which is considered 655 00:34:21,640 --> 00:34:24,760 Speaker 1: certainly middle up the better conference. Number one Thunder against 656 00:34:24,800 --> 00:34:26,959 Speaker 1: the Blazers. Is it a sweep? What do you think? 657 00:34:27,520 --> 00:34:32,160 Speaker 6: I yes, I never like to say sweep. You never know. 658 00:34:32,239 --> 00:34:34,799 Speaker 6: People can be gritty, but man, the Thunder all about 659 00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:37,279 Speaker 6: their business. You saw that last night. And they're just 660 00:34:37,400 --> 00:34:40,080 Speaker 6: so consistent. They've got a bunch of injured players who've 661 00:34:40,120 --> 00:34:42,640 Speaker 6: come back, and I see this as a super easily 662 00:34:42,840 --> 00:34:44,160 Speaker 6: handibl bull series for that. 663 00:34:44,320 --> 00:34:46,719 Speaker 1: Okay, Denver, if they're healthy, is a handful. I think 664 00:34:46,760 --> 00:34:48,960 Speaker 1: they could end up in the conference finals. Houston has 665 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:51,200 Speaker 1: a big issue whereas they don't have a true point guard. 666 00:34:51,239 --> 00:34:54,200 Speaker 1: They're bad and clutch situations and you're not blowing Denver out. 667 00:34:55,320 --> 00:34:57,880 Speaker 1: Rockets are a fun team for me to watch, but 668 00:34:57,920 --> 00:35:00,920 Speaker 1: they're also frustrating. Who do you like here? 669 00:35:01,160 --> 00:35:03,920 Speaker 6: I Nuggets certainly. I mean, look, the Brackets did have 670 00:35:03,960 --> 00:35:05,960 Speaker 6: another great win the other night over the Knicks, but 671 00:35:06,040 --> 00:35:08,239 Speaker 6: I just don't think when you face Nikola Jokic and 672 00:35:08,320 --> 00:35:10,319 Speaker 6: Jamal Murray when he's in the playoffs, and the way 673 00:35:10,360 --> 00:35:13,040 Speaker 6: that team has gotten more depth this year, I pick 674 00:35:13,040 --> 00:35:14,480 Speaker 6: the Nuggets pretty easily in this one. 675 00:35:14,560 --> 00:35:17,319 Speaker 1: Okay. I think the most interesting first round series in 676 00:35:17,400 --> 00:35:21,560 Speaker 1: either conference is Lakers Tea Wolves. Now you know, and 677 00:35:21,920 --> 00:35:25,200 Speaker 1: is going to hunt down Austin Reeves and Luca. There's 678 00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:28,520 Speaker 1: a little wild card here. How many games does Luca 679 00:35:28,600 --> 00:35:32,600 Speaker 1: play in the series with a hamstring, he possibly won't 680 00:35:32,640 --> 00:35:36,000 Speaker 1: be in great shape when he plays. I think it's 681 00:35:36,040 --> 00:35:38,880 Speaker 1: a really really interesting series. I think JJ Reddick's a 682 00:35:38,920 --> 00:35:41,160 Speaker 1: better coach today than he was a year ago. Today. 683 00:35:41,360 --> 00:35:42,959 Speaker 1: I think it's a close series. What do you think? 684 00:35:43,320 --> 00:35:45,400 Speaker 6: I think it's close, and I'm putting an asterisk on 685 00:35:45,440 --> 00:35:48,799 Speaker 6: my Lakers pick because of the Luca factor. But I 686 00:35:48,840 --> 00:35:51,440 Speaker 6: actually don't think that if Luca is at full strength's 687 00:35:51,640 --> 00:35:53,040 Speaker 6: this is going to be as close as you do. 688 00:35:53,080 --> 00:35:55,200 Speaker 6: We'll have to see who's right. But you know, the 689 00:35:55,280 --> 00:35:58,359 Speaker 6: Lakers have handled the Timberwolves all season. I think they're 690 00:35:58,400 --> 00:36:01,480 Speaker 6: three to zero against them, and the last time that 691 00:36:01,520 --> 00:36:04,239 Speaker 6: they played the Timberwolves, couln't shoot their way out of 692 00:36:04,239 --> 00:36:07,840 Speaker 6: a paper bag. I just think over time a seven 693 00:36:07,840 --> 00:36:11,200 Speaker 6: game series, the Lakers offensive firepower will win out in 694 00:36:11,280 --> 00:36:13,160 Speaker 6: this one. But it will be close for sure, and 695 00:36:13,200 --> 00:36:15,400 Speaker 6: it could go six or seven games. And if Lucas hurt, 696 00:36:15,760 --> 00:36:18,920 Speaker 6: then absolutely I see Anthony Edward's running roughshout there. 697 00:36:19,560 --> 00:36:24,360 Speaker 1: Phoenix was good for them, surprisingly interesting this year. I 698 00:36:24,400 --> 00:36:26,880 Speaker 1: mean we thought it was a tire fire for Phoenix 699 00:36:27,160 --> 00:36:30,520 Speaker 1: about a year ago. We're like, and they actually played 700 00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:34,600 Speaker 1: their butts off. The chemistry was good. Good luck against 701 00:36:34,640 --> 00:36:36,279 Speaker 1: the Spurs. What's the series going to look like? 702 00:36:36,560 --> 00:36:39,000 Speaker 6: By the way, I'm going to recommend that the Sun's 703 00:36:39,040 --> 00:36:41,760 Speaker 6: marketing staff put that on a poster to season ticket holders. 704 00:36:41,760 --> 00:36:46,880 Speaker 6: Colin Cowherd, Phoenix, good for them. But yeah, I totally 705 00:36:46,920 --> 00:36:49,480 Speaker 6: agree with you. Look, I have been very impressed with 706 00:36:49,520 --> 00:36:51,440 Speaker 6: what they have done this season. Devin Booker as a 707 00:36:51,520 --> 00:36:54,399 Speaker 6: from he is just so good. But I don't think 708 00:36:54,440 --> 00:36:57,239 Speaker 6: they would stand a chance in this. And you know, 709 00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:59,640 Speaker 6: I've been on Victor Webinava before he even got drafted. 710 00:36:59,640 --> 00:37:01,279 Speaker 6: I think he's going to be a top ten, top 711 00:37:01,320 --> 00:37:03,239 Speaker 6: five player of all time and he is out for 712 00:37:03,280 --> 00:37:04,680 Speaker 6: blood in this playoffs for sure. 713 00:37:05,440 --> 00:37:08,239 Speaker 1: Okay, Okay, see Denver your thoughts. 714 00:37:08,520 --> 00:37:10,880 Speaker 6: Yeah, I'm going to go with Oka. See here, just Denver. 715 00:37:11,120 --> 00:37:14,279 Speaker 6: You know, there's been enough little issues in little tells. Now. 716 00:37:14,320 --> 00:37:17,960 Speaker 6: These guys had a great playoff series last season. It 717 00:37:17,960 --> 00:37:20,360 Speaker 6: could have gone either way. I got to give the 718 00:37:20,400 --> 00:37:23,560 Speaker 6: Thunder the Edge raining champions just all the sort of 719 00:37:23,560 --> 00:37:26,439 Speaker 6: complete play that they have. But Nicolie Okichman, I still think, 720 00:37:26,480 --> 00:37:28,360 Speaker 6: if you know, if he's not the best player in 721 00:37:28,400 --> 00:37:31,160 Speaker 6: the NBA, he's one of two so I think this 722 00:37:31,239 --> 00:37:32,640 Speaker 6: will be another six or seven gamer. 723 00:37:32,880 --> 00:37:35,319 Speaker 1: I also think okay See, you saw it last night, 724 00:37:35,360 --> 00:37:37,640 Speaker 1: will shift gears. I think once you win a title, 725 00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:39,720 Speaker 1: you don't get the true team in the regular season. 726 00:37:39,719 --> 00:37:42,279 Speaker 1: I think okay See is going to shift gears and 727 00:37:42,440 --> 00:37:45,560 Speaker 1: going to look clearly in that series better Lakers, Spurs 728 00:37:45,640 --> 00:37:49,520 Speaker 1: again wildly entertaining a lot of veteran Laker players, very 729 00:37:49,560 --> 00:37:51,040 Speaker 1: young Spurs team. What do you got? 730 00:37:51,280 --> 00:37:53,200 Speaker 6: Yeah, I'm going Spurs on this one. I know a 731 00:37:53,239 --> 00:37:56,240 Speaker 6: lot of Lakers fans, especially before last night, were like, oh, 732 00:37:56,400 --> 00:37:58,040 Speaker 6: we could beat the Spurs. You know, we could probably 733 00:37:58,080 --> 00:38:01,319 Speaker 6: beat the Thunder. I don't think so. I mean again, look, 734 00:38:01,360 --> 00:38:04,080 Speaker 6: we'll see. And it's fun to have a big offensive 735 00:38:04,120 --> 00:38:06,080 Speaker 6: output series if that's what this turns out to be. 736 00:38:06,160 --> 00:38:08,160 Speaker 6: And I would trust Luca in the last thirty seconds 737 00:38:08,200 --> 00:38:11,520 Speaker 6: of any game. That being said, I just so firmly 738 00:38:11,520 --> 00:38:14,400 Speaker 6: believe in the Spurs team. If anybody can break the 739 00:38:14,400 --> 00:38:16,880 Speaker 6: sort of NBA truism of you got to fail in 740 00:38:16,920 --> 00:38:19,160 Speaker 6: the playoffs to win in the playoffs, I think it's 741 00:38:19,200 --> 00:38:22,160 Speaker 6: this team. And I just love women Yama's focus and 742 00:38:22,200 --> 00:38:24,560 Speaker 6: the way he's so determined this season to not just 743 00:38:24,960 --> 00:38:26,800 Speaker 6: do better than last year, but do best. 744 00:38:27,440 --> 00:38:27,880 Speaker 3: Yeah. 745 00:38:27,920 --> 00:38:30,440 Speaker 1: So the Spurs, for the record, have eight players averaging 746 00:38:30,480 --> 00:38:33,040 Speaker 1: doublele figures. In the history of the NBA that has 747 00:38:33,160 --> 00:38:36,239 Speaker 1: never happened, so their depth is unbelievable. They also have 748 00:38:36,760 --> 00:38:39,759 Speaker 1: the greatest defensive player of all time, Wemby. I like 749 00:38:39,840 --> 00:38:42,600 Speaker 1: San Antonio over Okay, see in a six game series, 750 00:38:42,880 --> 00:38:43,480 Speaker 1: what say you? 751 00:38:43,719 --> 00:38:45,800 Speaker 6: It's you and me and the dark Colin. I am 752 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:48,280 Speaker 6: with you, and we are pretty much the only ones. 753 00:38:48,760 --> 00:38:51,120 Speaker 6: Most people you know looking at this matchup will pick 754 00:38:51,160 --> 00:38:54,880 Speaker 6: the Thunder. I'm with you. I think that the Spurs. Obviously, 755 00:38:55,400 --> 00:38:57,760 Speaker 6: we saw what they did to Oklahoma City this season. 756 00:38:57,760 --> 00:39:00,200 Speaker 6: I think they went three out of four, and I 757 00:39:00,320 --> 00:39:03,400 Speaker 6: just think Wemby is unanswerable, and I actually think the 758 00:39:03,480 --> 00:39:07,240 Speaker 6: longer series go, the more advantage he has the strength 759 00:39:07,280 --> 00:39:09,359 Speaker 6: of playing against Wemby right now is you can throw 760 00:39:09,440 --> 00:39:11,799 Speaker 6: him things he hasn't quite seen before. That's not going 761 00:39:11,880 --> 00:39:13,399 Speaker 6: to happen for three or four games in a row 762 00:39:13,440 --> 00:39:15,560 Speaker 6: because he will have seen it and then he had 763 00:39:15,680 --> 00:39:17,720 Speaker 6: just and he's shown that over and over again. 764 00:39:18,200 --> 00:39:20,600 Speaker 1: Finally, this would be a great final, the very young, 765 00:39:20,840 --> 00:39:25,319 Speaker 1: emerging Spurs against the veteran Boston Celtics. I think this 766 00:39:25,360 --> 00:39:28,480 Speaker 1: will be This is where Boston has an advantage. Missoula 767 00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:32,319 Speaker 1: has been there, the roster's been there. I think it's 768 00:39:32,320 --> 00:39:35,160 Speaker 1: a really good series. I will probably go san Antonio. 769 00:39:35,280 --> 00:39:38,520 Speaker 6: You I'm going, san Antonio. I'm gonna I'm this. I'd 770 00:39:38,600 --> 00:39:41,360 Speaker 6: rather be early than late on this team. And you know, 771 00:39:41,440 --> 00:39:44,239 Speaker 6: I think super highly of the Celtics, but I'd love 772 00:39:44,360 --> 00:39:46,879 Speaker 6: to see the energy in the NBA that shift you're 773 00:39:46,920 --> 00:39:49,759 Speaker 6: talking about generationally. If the Spurs can go out and 774 00:39:49,800 --> 00:39:51,880 Speaker 6: win this, I mean, how great would that be for 775 00:39:51,920 --> 00:39:54,200 Speaker 6: the league. And to have Wenby just sort of raining 776 00:39:54,280 --> 00:39:54,759 Speaker 6: over it all. 777 00:39:55,080 --> 00:39:57,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, and Stefan Castle since the All Star Break is 778 00:39:58,000 --> 00:40:01,560 Speaker 1: shooting the lights out on the three point shot. He's 779 00:40:01,560 --> 00:40:05,200 Speaker 1: always had every other element to his game. Defense, aggressive, 780 00:40:05,320 --> 00:40:07,719 Speaker 1: can finish at the rims tofon, Castle is on an 781 00:40:07,760 --> 00:40:11,520 Speaker 1: absolute two month heater from the perimeter, and I think 782 00:40:11,560 --> 00:40:14,240 Speaker 1: that is the difference. Because Boston's gonna have those games 783 00:40:15,000 --> 00:40:18,040 Speaker 1: when they are on fire, you gotta have somebody to 784 00:40:18,080 --> 00:40:20,200 Speaker 1: match them. I don't worry about the Spurs on the interior. 785 00:40:20,719 --> 00:40:23,040 Speaker 1: Rachel Nichols filling in today for you were great. Thank 786 00:40:23,080 --> 00:40:26,839 Speaker 1: you so much on late notice for filling in absolutely 787 00:40:27,600 --> 00:40:30,520 Speaker 1: great stuff, nice shows, good good week. Mit cronin stop 788 00:40:30,560 --> 00:40:34,759 Speaker 1: by Daniel Jeremiah. You know the Draft next week we 789 00:40:35,120 --> 00:40:37,800 Speaker 1: really start getting closer to the draft. The NBA playoffs 790 00:40:37,800 --> 00:40:40,160 Speaker 1: are around the corner. We'll keep you updated on Luca 791 00:40:40,200 --> 00:40:44,719 Speaker 1: Dantac and that situation. MRI will wait for results. We'll 792 00:40:44,719 --> 00:40:47,239 Speaker 1: see him Monday.