1 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: Welcome to this League uncut in the world of twenty 2 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:10,680 Speaker 1: four hour NBA news. Just do you lose Chris Haines, 3 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:16,959 Speaker 1: it's time, Mark Stein, It's show time Loop shakalaka Chris 4 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:21,119 Speaker 1: Hanes and Mark Stein. This line, uncutt is underway and 5 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 1: on fire. This should be a good one. Stein and 6 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: Haynes back again with you on this league uncut. We're 7 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:34,880 Speaker 1: recording on a Wednesday night. It'll be out Thursday morning, 8 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 1: but it means given when we're actually at the MIC's here. 9 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant just made his long awaited debut for the 10 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 1: Phoenix Suns tonight. Nice little twenty three points in twenty 11 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 1: seven minutes. Kadie always does this. This is the third 12 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:57,720 Speaker 1: time he's come back from this kind of knee brain injury, 13 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: and you know, he always he seems to make these 14 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:05,680 Speaker 1: things look like they didn't even slow him down when 15 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 1: he when he gets back on the court so quickly. 16 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 1: And look, I don't I don't think we want to 17 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 1: read too much into it when they're playing a Charlotte team, 18 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:16,440 Speaker 1: even though Charlotte had won a few games in a row. Here, 19 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:20,199 Speaker 1: no LaMelo Ball, Obviously, LaMelo ball season is over. After 20 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:25,160 Speaker 1: the ankle injury he just sustained and had to undergo surgery. 21 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: So I don't I don't want to make too much 22 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 1: of it. But for a first look at the Phoenix Suns, 23 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: Durant looked great, Devin Booker looked great, and I think 24 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 1: they gave us a glimpse of why everybody is not everybody. 25 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 1: But so many people think that the Suns can win 26 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 1: the West now because I mean, their two main guys 27 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 1: are just absolutely dangerous. What were you looking for tonight 28 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 1: out of Kady? Oh? What was I looking for from Kady? 29 00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 1: I don't think I was looking anything related to Kady. 30 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:02,840 Speaker 1: I was looking at how the other guys were going 31 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: to play and how they were going to mess with him. 32 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 1: That's what I was looking forward to. I think you 33 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 1: saw early on guys were kind of deferring to KD, 34 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: trying to get him acclimated and get on some shots 35 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 1: early on, and they did a good job. But you know, 36 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 1: I'm not surprised by anything. KD was the last person 37 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: I was looking at to try to see if he 38 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:24,800 Speaker 1: was going to be into form or not. He was 39 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 1: going to be ready. Like you said, this is not 40 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 1: the this is not the first time he's gone through 41 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 1: something like this. But you know, I think that you know, 42 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: they showed again it is Charlotte Hornets, but you know, 43 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 1: they they're still trying to get a field for one another. 44 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 1: And I think, you just they just have really smart guys. 45 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 1: I'm talking about the star players, Chris Paul, Devin Booker 46 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:44,600 Speaker 1: and KD. These guys are too smart not to figure 47 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 1: it out. And I think once they figure it, figure 48 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:48,799 Speaker 1: it out, man, And I think the only thing that's 49 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 1: going to be able to stop them is an injury. 50 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 1: So you know, so far, so good. It looks good. 51 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: Chris Paul didn't have that a good game offensively, but 52 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: he still had eleven assists and so he's still going 53 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:04,079 Speaker 1: to be effective. And you know, they're just still getting comfortable. Man, 54 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 1: They're right now. I still I feel like they're going 55 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: to be the team to be for sure. Yeah. Well, 56 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 1: I remember we had Jamal Crawford on not that long ago, 57 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 1: and Jamal was saying that he thinks KD will get 58 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:19,560 Speaker 1: acclimated here in record time because these guys are all 59 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:23,080 Speaker 1: so skilled. But I mean, it is it is a 60 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 1: pretty fascinating contrast that the Suns are really gonna get 61 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 1: not even twenty games, because I'm sure there's going to 62 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 1: be a game here too down the stretch where you know, 63 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 1: they don't have all three, they don't have Chris, Paul 64 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,840 Speaker 1: and Book and Kad. I'm sure one of them is 65 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 1: going to miss at least one game here for down 66 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 1: the stretch, So they're not even gonna get twenty games 67 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 1: together until the playoffs. And the other three teams that 68 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 1: I think are recognized as the best in the league 69 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: Denver in the West, Boston and Milwaukee in the East, 70 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 1: and even if you want to throw Philly in there, 71 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:01,760 Speaker 1: all these teams have a lot more continuity. So it 72 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: is such a contrast to see how the Sons can 73 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 1: they you know, can they mesh super quick and become 74 00:04:12,480 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 1: an instant factor and they're going to have to overcome 75 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: top contenders who have so much more time together. But 76 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:24,600 Speaker 1: I mean, you know, I live in Dallas. Obviously, the 77 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving trade has not worked anywhere close to what 78 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: the MAVs had hoped coming off the bat. They're you know, 79 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:35,680 Speaker 1: one and four when Kyrie and Luca both play, and 80 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:38,559 Speaker 1: you know that win was the only win was against 81 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:42,359 Speaker 1: San Antonio. But the anticipation for Sunday's game here in Dallas. 82 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 1: I'm actually surprised I'm going to be at a big 83 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 1: game and you are not, unless you're planning on making 84 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 1: a surprise trip here Sunday. That I don't know about 85 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:53,600 Speaker 1: that Suns MAVs game. The Sons and MAVs already hate 86 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 1: each other after last season seven game playoff series. But 87 00:04:57,160 --> 00:05:00,919 Speaker 1: now to see k d in here with all those 88 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 1: familiar Sons faces and taking on Luca and Kyrie, that 89 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:10,360 Speaker 1: that that is going to be a wild Sunday afternoon Sunday. 90 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 1: So that's not going to be a nationally televised game there, huh. 91 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 1: I think it is. No, it's I mean, it's a 92 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: noon start, so it has to be. I think it 93 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:19,279 Speaker 1: has to be on national TV. It's a great question. 94 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:22,839 Speaker 1: I haven't I haven't looked. I just assumed at noon 95 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 1: that it is a national TV game. I'm actually gonna 96 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:27,800 Speaker 1: check now, but I think it's got to be if 97 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 1: it's that, because a noon tip off in Dallas is 98 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:33,360 Speaker 1: really early. You know, you say, you know the Lakers 99 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 1: MAVs last Sunday was two thirty. Yeah, it's ABC. It's 100 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:40,840 Speaker 1: an ABC game. Okay, that's going to be a real 101 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 1: You know what, Stein, if I didn't have to fly 102 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 1: to Minnesota the next day, I probably would be at 103 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:49,320 Speaker 1: that game. I probably would be at the game. That's 104 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:51,600 Speaker 1: going to be a very interesting game. But you talk 105 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 1: about Steyn, you talk about guys still mashing and teams, 106 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 1: you know, still trying to figure things out, trying to 107 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:01,280 Speaker 1: implement these new guys. I just I'm covering the Clippers 108 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 1: this week. So I had the Clippers Timberwolves Tuesday for TNT, 109 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:10,720 Speaker 1: and now I have the Clippers Warriors Thursday, which is 110 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 1: tonight for T and T as well. And Russ is 111 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 1: not to blame for sure, but they have yet to 112 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:21,159 Speaker 1: get a win since Russ has been on board. They're 113 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: O and three, so they're still trying to figure things out. 114 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: Kyrie still trying to figure things out with Dallas. Who else? 115 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: This seems like somebody else is going through a bit 116 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 1: of a process here since being DEALT dropped the Clippers 117 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,840 Speaker 1: up because we were talking before we started what else 118 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 1: we did we want to get into, and I forgot 119 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,839 Speaker 1: I did want to bring up the Clippers since you 120 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: you you are seeing them, So do you think are 121 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 1: they you know? I think you summed it up well, 122 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: they're oh and three since since Russ joined them. But 123 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:51,919 Speaker 1: you know, Russ has played well and he's done what 124 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 1: they want him to do. I mean it's not just him. 125 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,159 Speaker 1: I mean he had seven turnovers in his Clipper debut, 126 00:06:57,200 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 1: but he also add what I think seventeen seven, seventeen, 127 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 1: fourteen and five, and I mean they are a high 128 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 1: turnover team. That's not just on him. How do you 129 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 1: think they're kind of coping with the slow start because 130 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 1: they were playing well before they got him. They were, um, look, 131 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 1: they're a high turn I'm glad you mentioned that they 132 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:23,760 Speaker 1: are a high turnover team. And last night for Tuesday Night, 133 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 1: Paul George will turning the ball over. They all were. 134 00:07:26,040 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 1: I think they had twenty five turnovers in that loss 135 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 1: to the Temples. And Russ looks good. Russ looks good 136 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: with them. I don't know what it is with this 137 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 1: spadum ty Lou. You know, I spoke to him at 138 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 1: the end of the third quarter and he was talking 139 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 1: about guys playing with heart and effort, and you know, 140 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:49,280 Speaker 1: talking like that this late in the season, that's not 141 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 1: really encouraging. You know, if you're a team that's trying, 142 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 1: if you're a team that has aspirations of winning the championship. 143 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 1: So they got some things to figure out. Man. That 144 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: definitely did some twitter noise that that in game interview 145 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 1: you had with ty Lu because basically he I mean, 146 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 1: he said they weren't playing hard enough, right, I mean 147 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 1: that's basically what he said. Yeah, you don't You don't 148 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: hear that. Again, you don't hear that this late in 149 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 1: the season from a team that we expect, or we 150 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: we think has a legitimate shot to be amongst the 151 00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:23,600 Speaker 1: final two. But I don't know. This is not a 152 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:27,559 Speaker 1: rust thing. It's not a rust thing for sure. But God, 153 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 1: they gotta figure they gotta figure something out. You know, 154 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 1: they got the Warriors. You know, here tonight in Golden State. 155 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 1: I'm here. The water is beautiful, by the way, beautiful weather, 156 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 1: beautiful weather. Oh loo. I love the bay. I love 157 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 1: the base. I don't know if I told you that. No, 158 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:47,120 Speaker 1: it's not in the come on now, well we don't 159 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:51,320 Speaker 1: get much snow in the base time. It's beautiful, man, beautiful. 160 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 1: So you know, they got their work cut out. They 161 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 1: definitely have they work cut out. The Clippers that is. 162 00:08:57,400 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 1: And look, let's not forget that the Warriors here with 163 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 1: no Steph. Draymond's been banged up a little bit recently, 164 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 1: they've actually managed to win a few without these guys, 165 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:12,880 Speaker 1: and they've creeped back up into the top six. And 166 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 1: it's really what they did the first time Steph got 167 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:21,440 Speaker 1: hurt with a long term absence this season. I remember 168 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:24,320 Speaker 1: talking about it with him when I caught up with 169 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: the Warriors on the road and had a chance to 170 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 1: visit with him in January. And this is now the 171 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:32,320 Speaker 1: second time this season that the Warriors have managed to 172 00:09:32,360 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 1: string some wins together in the face of injury, and 173 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:38,960 Speaker 1: it sounds like Steph's coming back next week and suddenly, 174 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: finally we've been waiting for them to, you know, turn 175 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 1: it on and look like some semblance of the defending champions. 176 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:52,560 Speaker 1: But I'm sure that there's I mean, they have to 177 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 1: be feeling good right now too. I mean, a three 178 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:58,160 Speaker 1: game winning streak normally wouldn't be caused for celebration when 179 00:09:58,160 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 1: you won four championship in eight years, but in this 180 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 1: season's West, you win three in a row and you 181 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 1: go skyrocketing up the standings, which is what's happened. Yeah, 182 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 1: that's what that's the situation. A lot of teams in 183 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: the West, you know, see themselves in right now. Three 184 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: game losing streak could really put you down. Three game 185 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:21,199 Speaker 1: winning streak could really take you up. There's still a 186 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 1: lot of time, and that's why this race is gonna 187 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 1: be really it's gonna be really good, you know, as 188 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 1: we get you know, towards the latter part of this 189 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 1: regular season. I think it's gonna make it for a a 190 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 1: great TV. There's gonna be a lot of teams in, 191 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:35,839 Speaker 1: a lot of teams out. The play in is gonna 192 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 1: be that much more I wasn't a fan of play 193 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 1: in implementation a few years ago. I think it's going 194 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: to be that much more compelling now, you know, with 195 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 1: how tight the race is with these teams, and so 196 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:48,079 Speaker 1: they go to State Wars. You're looking at st I'm 197 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:49,880 Speaker 1: looking at the schedule for to go to State Wars, 198 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:52,559 Speaker 1: and you know, they got the Clippers Thursday, they got 199 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 1: New Orleans Friday, then they're at Lakers Sunday and at 200 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:04,079 Speaker 1: Okac Tuesday. I'm thinking about I don't have any intil 201 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 1: on this right now, but if I'm Steph and the 202 00:11:07,160 --> 00:11:12,200 Speaker 1: word is he could come back next week. Uh, that 203 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 1: March seventh game against Okac. OKC looks pretty good. You 204 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 1: know you think about like when when when star players 205 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 1: like to come back from long hiatus, is from an injury. 206 00:11:27,760 --> 00:11:29,960 Speaker 1: You know, you look at you look at some of 207 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 1: those games, look at the schedule, you look at the UH. 208 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:37,320 Speaker 1: You just look at the UH the competition of what 209 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:41,360 Speaker 1: that team presents. And I think OKAYC makes a lot 210 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:44,200 Speaker 1: of sense. Again, don't have any intail, but I just 211 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:48,480 Speaker 1: see OKAYC on the March seventh Tuesday. Then after that 212 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: they got Memphis, Milwaukee, Phoenix. It's it's tough. They gotta 213 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:58,439 Speaker 1: the Warriors got a tough schedule. Okay. Oh they well, 214 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: they're they're gonna they're they're gonna cut They're gonna cut 215 00:12:00,679 --> 00:12:03,600 Speaker 1: off right before you said that, so they're not gonna 216 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: get that warning. One more thing about the clip. Since 217 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 1: again you just saw them with your own eyes, I 218 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 1: have not seen them yet since Russ joined them. Does 219 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:17,320 Speaker 1: Russ look comfortable to you? He's looking good, man, He 220 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 1: looks good stuff. He looks really good. He's not he's 221 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 1: more in control right now. And I think he's probably 222 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:26,560 Speaker 1: more in control now because they have a lot of 223 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: guys who hand to the ball with Lakers. It was 224 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:31,559 Speaker 1: pretty much him and Lebron. You know, here you got 225 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 1: Paul George handles the ball a lot, Kawhi handles the 226 00:12:33,960 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 1: ball a lot. Ye Terence Man who comes off the 227 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:38,319 Speaker 1: bench and handles the ball a lot, so he doesn't 228 00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: have to do as much. But he's looked he's looked 229 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 1: really good. You know. I overheard him, you know, as 230 00:12:44,320 --> 00:12:47,480 Speaker 1: as a sideline reporter, you're allowed to, you know, go 231 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 1: behind the team's bench during the time out huddles, and 232 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:52,679 Speaker 1: at one point, and I said it on the air, 233 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:55,400 Speaker 1: at one point he was like the real vocal guy 234 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: telling everybody to get back in transition and explain to 235 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: him to how, you know, I half court defenses is great, 236 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,960 Speaker 1: but Minnesota is getting their their points because we're not 237 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 1: getting back in transition and we're not finding a guy. 238 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 1: So he was really vocal. And if you look at 239 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:11,959 Speaker 1: that Clippers roster, they don't have a lot of vocal 240 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,240 Speaker 1: guys on that roster, and so that that that's a 241 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 1: void right there that I think, you know, he takes 242 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 1: care of and I think it's a good addition. I 243 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,960 Speaker 1: definitely think it's a better fit for him with the Clippers. 244 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:27,839 Speaker 1: I do got a question. Play started as I looked 245 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 1: this up. It's pertained to rush total. Me. Let me 246 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:39,120 Speaker 1: look up this stat real quick. Okay, this season Russ 247 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 1: has started, damn that's it. He started a total of 248 00:13:42,760 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: six games total, and he's played in a total of 249 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:49,040 Speaker 1: fifty five fifty two with the Lakers, three for the Clippers, 250 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:51,959 Speaker 1: and it looks like he's going to be the starter 251 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:56,599 Speaker 1: from here on album Does this eliminate him from the 252 00:13:56,760 --> 00:14:01,160 Speaker 1: six men a year? Candacy? The rule is, the official 253 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 1: rule is as if he plays as long as you've 254 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:07,560 Speaker 1: as long as you've come off the bench one more 255 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:12,040 Speaker 1: game than you start, you're eligible. So even if he 256 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:15,000 Speaker 1: starts every game he plays for the Clips, he's going 257 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:18,040 Speaker 1: to be way under fifty percent. And so he's good. 258 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:20,680 Speaker 1: But I guess the biggest way to explain is if 259 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:23,760 Speaker 1: he had if he had played seventy games, if he's 260 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 1: played thirty six off the bench and thirty four as 261 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 1: a starter, he's eligible. All right with you saying that? 262 00:14:30,840 --> 00:14:33,080 Speaker 1: And I'm not trying to start something here, but what 263 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 1: you saying that, Stime? You know, I spoke to somebody 264 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 1: from the Clippers yesterday and I was asking, you know, 265 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:42,080 Speaker 1: how teams start to towards the end of the year, 266 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 1: they start to send out these packets or these gifts 267 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:50,520 Speaker 1: to media members to get you to vote for whatever 268 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 1: candidate that they're trying to promote, whether that's MVP or whatever. 269 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 1: And so I asked about what the Clippers, will you 270 00:14:56,920 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 1: guys be trying to advocate for run to get six 271 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:03,280 Speaker 1: man a year even though he's not going to be 272 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:08,880 Speaker 1: a six man prospect for you guys, And what I 273 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 1: was told was no, they would likely only do it 274 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 1: for Norm Powe. Well, look, I mean the reality is 275 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:22,840 Speaker 1: he's not going to come off the bench for them, 276 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 1: so I guess I could see it to a degree. 277 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: But on the flip side, yeah, like he is their 278 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 1: player now, and if that's the award Russ is eligible for, 279 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 1: I mean it would be I think it would be 280 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:37,240 Speaker 1: weird if the Clippers are sending out all this And 281 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:39,480 Speaker 1: like you said, you know so many teams send us 282 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 1: paraphernalia to try to get us to vote a certain way. 283 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,680 Speaker 1: I have not been an active voter since twenty seventeen. 284 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 1: I still make my picks public, but they're not official picks. 285 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:53,080 Speaker 1: It's just the ballot that I do for publishing purposes. 286 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 1: So I haven't. I haven't actually voted on anything since 287 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 1: since twenty seventeen, which was the year that Russ won MVP. 288 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:01,840 Speaker 1: And yes I did vote for Russ. And no, I'm 289 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 1: not taking that one back. I think he deserved the 290 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 1: MVP that year. But we'll get into that one. We'll 291 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:11,680 Speaker 1: get into that one another for Russ that year as well. Um, 292 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 1: the Rockets were mad at me. The Rockets were mad 293 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 1: at me that year about because I told him, No, 294 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 1: I told him because Russ wanted the last few weeks 295 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 1: of that season. You know, I had hardened, Like I 296 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:25,240 Speaker 1: was telling people, you know, look like Harden is gonna 297 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 1: get it. That's where my vote is gonna go. And 298 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: and Russ just had a crazy two weeks span. Has 299 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:35,280 Speaker 1: has some game winners in that last two weeks. You know, 300 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 1: that's a that's a different topic for the day. But yeah, no, 301 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:41,400 Speaker 1: same thing. I thought that that was the season that 302 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:44,800 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant went to the Warriors, and I thought Oklahoma 303 00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:46,480 Speaker 1: City was going to fall off the face of the 304 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 1: NBA map. They I think, won forty seven games, and 305 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:54,800 Speaker 1: Russ average the first triple double since uh since Oscar 306 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 1: And for me, forty seven wins with that team after 307 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: losing in k D and the Oscar Feet. To me, 308 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:05,920 Speaker 1: it was close enough to fifty wins that Russ got 309 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:07,959 Speaker 1: my vote. And that's always been the standards, you know, 310 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 1: since since I've been covering the league. You got to 311 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:13,399 Speaker 1: go all the way back to Moses Malone in the 312 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:17,840 Speaker 1: early eighties with Houston for the last MVP from a 313 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:21,520 Speaker 1: non fifty win team except the two exceptions. I'm doing 314 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:23,399 Speaker 1: this off the top of my head, so if if 315 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:25,480 Speaker 1: I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me. But I 316 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:29,879 Speaker 1: think the only two MVPs we've seen since Moses with 317 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:33,439 Speaker 1: less than fifty wins were Russ and Yokich last year, 318 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:39,040 Speaker 1: So I do I'm with you. I thought he deserved it. 319 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:42,080 Speaker 1: But again that I'm sure now we're gonna get a 320 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:43,960 Speaker 1: We're gonna get a lot of a lot of a 321 00:17:43,960 --> 00:17:45,639 Speaker 1: lot of people who don't like either one of us 322 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,640 Speaker 1: after we can rebrought We brought that back up. But look, 323 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:50,879 Speaker 1: it's a tough six man field. Powell certainly in it, 324 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:54,160 Speaker 1: Malcolm Brogden certainly in there, Tyrese Maxie certainly in there. 325 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:57,359 Speaker 1: But that was a great question that you asked the Clippers, 326 00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:59,639 Speaker 1: because that's kind of a that is kind of uncomfortable 327 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: for them, Like Norman Powell is he's been a Clipper 328 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 1: all year, but Russ is a Clipper now, so it's like, 329 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:12,119 Speaker 1: do they just not promote him? And that was you know, 330 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: I didn't get the chance to talk to Russ. We 331 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:17,960 Speaker 1: you know, we said what's up before the game, but 332 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:19,960 Speaker 1: I didn't get the chance to talk to him about 333 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:22,359 Speaker 1: I'm curious to see how he feels about it, Like, 334 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 1: is that an award? He really wants it because it 335 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:28,120 Speaker 1: took a lot for him to buy into that role 336 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 1: and then he bought into it and he excelled. So 337 00:18:31,720 --> 00:18:33,400 Speaker 1: you know, I'm interest in the scene and how how 338 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:36,480 Speaker 1: he feels about it. Does he feel like that that's 339 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 1: an award that he should still be in the running 340 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:42,000 Speaker 1: for it, even though he's like he's going to be 341 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 1: a starter. Maybe you'll get that chance to ask him 342 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:49,399 Speaker 1: before Thursday's game to work at India, to work at 343 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:54,840 Speaker 1: India coverage. I'm sure he's gonna be glad to see you, Russ. 344 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:57,160 Speaker 1: You know, Russ's hitting this man. You never know what, Russ. 345 00:18:57,560 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 1: I'm absolutely furious. I can't believe you're doing that game 346 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:03,840 Speaker 1: instead of the game that's in my city. You could 347 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:05,639 Speaker 1: have been you know, you could have been on you 348 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: could have been on Sixers, MAVs six things. What day? 349 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,760 Speaker 1: What day is that? That's that's the first game of 350 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:19,640 Speaker 1: the doubleheader. Wow, Sixers, Sixers, MAVs than Clippers, Warriors. They 351 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 1: I mean, you're a West Coast guy. Let's face it, 352 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:26,920 Speaker 1: you're they sent me. They're sent to me to Minnesota Monday, 353 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:32,560 Speaker 1: Minnesota Sixers. I love Minnesota. Minnesota for a visit. Now. 354 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:35,160 Speaker 1: I don't know if I could live in Mines in Minneapolis, 355 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 1: but I love visiting Minneapolis. Yeah, it's I've gravitated to 356 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 1: it more of the last few years. But no, typically 357 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:51,520 Speaker 1: I prefer to get away from the snow. Start. I 358 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:57,440 Speaker 1: got a snow story, Can I say it? Now? Start? Yeah, yeah, 359 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 1: we got we all we're always ready for a story. 360 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 1: You know. It's like an old bad I got a 361 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:08,880 Speaker 1: story to tell. So when I I'm from California, born 362 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:12,520 Speaker 1: and raised Fresno, California. Never really lived outside of California 363 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 1: until I took the Cleveland Cavalier. No excuse me when 364 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:18,119 Speaker 1: I moved to Portland. Moved to Portland when I was 365 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:22,320 Speaker 1: like twenty seven. But then When I moved to Cleveland 366 00:20:22,359 --> 00:20:25,600 Speaker 1: to cover Lebron, I was what thirty and this was 367 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:30,160 Speaker 1: twenty fourteen, So that was my first time really outside 368 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:32,840 Speaker 1: the West Coast. Spent about three to four years in 369 00:20:32,880 --> 00:20:35,920 Speaker 1: Portland before that, but California my whole life. So so 370 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:39,440 Speaker 1: I don't know if you noticed, but in California, if 371 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:42,240 Speaker 1: you if you come up in the hood, right, we 372 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:45,840 Speaker 1: tend to have beat up cars. You know, we tend 373 00:20:45,880 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 1: to buy cars for around five hundred a thousand dollars 374 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:54,159 Speaker 1: and you know it's not the best of shape, but 375 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 1: they get you from point A to point B. And 376 00:20:56,720 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 1: for a lot of our cars, we ten to fill 377 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:08,159 Speaker 1: the radiator up with water opposed to something else that 378 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:10,479 Speaker 1: I will talk about later. But so you know a 379 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:12,639 Speaker 1: lot of times you know your car may be leaking, 380 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:17,359 Speaker 1: and you know with with uh maybe leaking in you know, 381 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:20,399 Speaker 1: we put water in your your car's over heating, we 382 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 1: put water in it. Put water in it. Pull up 383 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:26,480 Speaker 1: to pull up to your homeboys porch, get the water holes, 384 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:29,800 Speaker 1: put water in the radiator to take you where ever 385 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:32,239 Speaker 1: you need, wherever you need to go. All right, So 386 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:35,720 Speaker 1: that's always been my philosophy. So now I'm in Cleveland Star. 387 00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:40,720 Speaker 1: And I just moved to Cleveland and I'm there for 388 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:44,120 Speaker 1: a few days and I had to go to Brazil. 389 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:48,680 Speaker 1: The Calves were playing the Miami Heat. Uh preseason. Did 390 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:51,399 Speaker 1: you go to that too, Star, No, you didn't go 391 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 1: to that? Okay, all right, So win Horse was there. 392 00:21:56,119 --> 00:21:59,639 Speaker 1: Win Horse was there. So anyways, I leave my car, 393 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:05,320 Speaker 1: which I drove from Portland to Cleveland. Leave my car 394 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:09,240 Speaker 1: to the airport. From Portland to Cleveland. No problems. Yes, 395 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:11,440 Speaker 1: car made it all the way from Portland to Cleveland. 396 00:22:11,560 --> 00:22:13,560 Speaker 1: It's a little it's hoopedie. I have made it all 397 00:22:13,560 --> 00:22:17,200 Speaker 1: the way from Portland to Cleveland. So I'm at the 398 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 1: I'm at I'm in Brazil. And while I'm gone for 399 00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:23,879 Speaker 1: that week's time, a snowstorm happened in Cleveland. It's like 400 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:28,840 Speaker 1: one of the coldest periods and in a while. So 401 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:31,880 Speaker 1: I get back to Cleveland snow. I've never really seen 402 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:34,600 Speaker 1: snow like that, never been in snow like that. So 403 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:36,680 Speaker 1: I get to my car in the parking lot of 404 00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:40,720 Speaker 1: the airport. Try to start it. It wouldn't start. It's 405 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:43,720 Speaker 1: making a noise I've never heard it make before. You know, 406 00:22:43,760 --> 00:22:47,400 Speaker 1: I've been in lots of cars where it wouldn't start up. 407 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:51,560 Speaker 1: But I've never heard a sound like this before. Never 408 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:54,880 Speaker 1: ever could have explained the sound to you if I tried. So, 409 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:57,920 Speaker 1: get the car towed from the airport to the mechanic, 410 00:22:58,960 --> 00:23:02,960 Speaker 1: and a mechanic evaluates it and said, bro, I've never 411 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:05,240 Speaker 1: seen anything like this. And I'm like, what are you 412 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 1: talking about? He said, your engine it's frozen. I'm like, 413 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:11,959 Speaker 1: what you mean, my engine is frozen. I said, well, 414 00:23:12,160 --> 00:23:15,760 Speaker 1: you know it's snowing out here, like the snow can 415 00:23:15,880 --> 00:23:18,879 Speaker 1: freeze the engine. It was like, no, your engine is 416 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:22,280 Speaker 1: frozen because you've been putting water all throughout your system 417 00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:25,760 Speaker 1: and it froze everything and it cracked your engine. He 418 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:29,040 Speaker 1: was like, you have to put Annie freeze in here. 419 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:31,240 Speaker 1: You're supposed to put Addie freeze. And I'm like, hold on, 420 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:34,880 Speaker 1: I said, so Addie freeze don't freeze. He said, yes, 421 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:41,840 Speaker 1: that's why it's called Antie freeze. Start. I'm from California. 422 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:45,240 Speaker 1: I had no clue how Annie freeze works. Man, I 423 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:48,879 Speaker 1: had no clue. I messed up a perfectly good vehicle 424 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:57,160 Speaker 1: because I was doing my California regiment in Cleveland, and 425 00:23:57,560 --> 00:23:59,239 Speaker 1: so you had to get a new car. I had 426 00:23:59,240 --> 00:24:02,679 Speaker 1: to get a new car. What was the car? What 427 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:07,080 Speaker 1: kind of car was it that you lost? This was 428 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:13,480 Speaker 1: a god are you familiar? Oh? This car was only around, 429 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:17,080 Speaker 1: I want to say, for like a five year window. 430 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:19,960 Speaker 1: And I'm ashamed to say it, but a brother was 431 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:23,720 Speaker 1: struggling back there. I wasn't on my feet financially back then. 432 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:26,520 Speaker 1: But do you remember the cars they called a Sterling? 433 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 1: Do you remember those? I don't. It was a it's 434 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:37,200 Speaker 1: a foreign car. They were probably around for Oh, they're 435 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:42,879 Speaker 1: probably around for seven years, probably seven years if that. 436 00:24:44,560 --> 00:24:47,160 Speaker 1: They started having a whole bunch of problems and they stopped. 437 00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:54,400 Speaker 1: They stopped making them. It's called a Sterling. Are you looking? 438 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:56,960 Speaker 1: You looking at up Stein, You see it. It's a 439 00:24:57,040 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 1: Sterling old in North America from nineteen eighty seven to 440 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:06,520 Speaker 1: nineteen ninety one, So I had to have the latest 441 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:17,440 Speaker 1: version of ninety one in twenty fourteen. The car was done. 442 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:21,600 Speaker 1: It was really the car was Uh, it was as savable. 443 00:25:21,640 --> 00:25:23,800 Speaker 1: I mean, you could probably could argued the car was 444 00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:27,479 Speaker 1: done even before that incident. But it got me from 445 00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:29,159 Speaker 1: point A to point B. Yeah. I got you all 446 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:30,920 Speaker 1: the way from the five O three all the way 447 00:25:30,920 --> 00:25:34,880 Speaker 1: to Cleveland. Yeah, man, yeah, that so that's my story. 448 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 1: So Anna freeze doesn't freeze everybody. So that's how you know. 449 00:25:40,119 --> 00:25:42,359 Speaker 1: But again in California, we don't know. We don't. We 450 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:44,679 Speaker 1: didn't have to do that. We didn't have to use that. 451 00:25:44,720 --> 00:25:47,200 Speaker 1: Throw some water in there, your car run, your car 452 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 1: runs five. That is not the story I thought you. 453 00:25:53,680 --> 00:25:58,280 Speaker 1: I don't even know how weega. Now we haven't even 454 00:25:58,359 --> 00:26:03,320 Speaker 1: talked about Lebron yet and the most serious derail the 455 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:05,320 Speaker 1: Lakers season. And I'm supposed to come up with a 456 00:26:05,359 --> 00:26:09,480 Speaker 1: clever segue after that story. Well, okay, well let's let's 457 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:11,879 Speaker 1: let's go. Let's get to Lebron. You know, my car's 458 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:16,000 Speaker 1: not running. Lebron's not running right now, so let's go. 459 00:26:23,880 --> 00:26:25,960 Speaker 1: I know they're saying two to three weeks and they'll 460 00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:29,399 Speaker 1: be reevaluated. I mean, so what I can say on 461 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:33,760 Speaker 1: Lebron is that sources didn't inform me that you will 462 00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:38,440 Speaker 1: not require surgery. That's good news. And so that's that's 463 00:26:38,520 --> 00:26:40,760 Speaker 1: good news for the Lakers. So right now, it's all 464 00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:46,280 Speaker 1: about time in the rehabbing process. And this this is 465 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:48,399 Speaker 1: this is why it's the crucial period. You know, the 466 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:53,200 Speaker 1: Lakers have to really do what they can to buy 467 00:26:53,280 --> 00:26:55,719 Speaker 1: him some time. And what I mean by that is 468 00:26:56,040 --> 00:26:59,360 Speaker 1: they gotta win. They gotta win. They gotta win. They 469 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:03,040 Speaker 1: gotta win a chuck of games, move up these standings 470 00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:06,840 Speaker 1: to keep buying Lebron some time. That's what it's gonna 471 00:27:06,920 --> 00:27:10,800 Speaker 1: take during this process. Could Lebron get out there and 472 00:27:10,840 --> 00:27:15,880 Speaker 1: play right now? You know, it'll be a risk, but 473 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:19,640 Speaker 1: I think he probably could, you know, if he if 474 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:22,720 Speaker 1: he just necessarily had to. But it's too much of 475 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 1: a risk, it's too much pain right now. The plan 476 00:27:26,680 --> 00:27:30,719 Speaker 1: right now is to give him as much time to heal, um, 477 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:33,520 Speaker 1: you know, for this rehab process. But the Lakers gotta win. 478 00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:35,359 Speaker 1: They gotta win. They gotta keep winning. They gotta buy 479 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:37,880 Speaker 1: on time. But the good I mean they manufactured to win. 480 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:42,600 Speaker 1: They manufactured a big win tonight. Yeah nod with no Lebron, 481 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:47,000 Speaker 1: no AD, no DeAngelo Russell. I mean, look, everybody now 482 00:27:47,119 --> 00:27:49,800 Speaker 1: is pointing at a D and saying, you know, he's 483 00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:52,080 Speaker 1: the one who's gotta you know, be the savior and 484 00:27:52,160 --> 00:27:54,359 Speaker 1: all that, and and I do get that, but I 485 00:27:54,359 --> 00:27:57,480 Speaker 1: don't know, I just I feel like a D. I mean, look, 486 00:27:57,480 --> 00:28:00,840 Speaker 1: the numbers are the numbers, and the past three seasons 487 00:28:00,840 --> 00:28:03,879 Speaker 1: since the bubble. He's he's basically missed half the games. 488 00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:06,960 Speaker 1: There's no getting around that. But you can also say, 489 00:28:07,720 --> 00:28:11,800 Speaker 1: I mean the reality is Lebron. If if Lebron misses 490 00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:14,479 Speaker 1: two three weeks and then comes back, I mean, this 491 00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:17,920 Speaker 1: is gonna be the third successive season that Lebron has 492 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:21,920 Speaker 1: lost thirty thirty percent of the season or more to 493 00:28:22,119 --> 00:28:26,040 Speaker 1: injury too. So it's it's not all just a d 494 00:28:26,320 --> 00:28:30,159 Speaker 1: And I don't know, I just I just I you know, 495 00:28:30,240 --> 00:28:32,119 Speaker 1: it's it's easy to go after him and you know 496 00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:35,080 Speaker 1: every you know, street clothes and day to day Davis 497 00:28:35,119 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 1: and all that stuff, and I just think it's too much. 498 00:28:37,359 --> 00:28:39,920 Speaker 1: I think it's gone too far. He is still such 499 00:28:39,960 --> 00:28:43,440 Speaker 1: a good player. I mean, you saw what he did 500 00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 1: in Dallas on Sunday. The guy is still a monster, 501 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:52,520 Speaker 1: great player, great player. He's one of my favorite players 502 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:55,720 Speaker 1: to watch, you know, just the versatility of his game, 503 00:28:56,920 --> 00:29:01,560 Speaker 1: you know, And I told him that, But yeah, I mean, Wronka, right, 504 00:29:01,960 --> 00:29:04,320 Speaker 1: He's going to get a bulk of the credit and 505 00:29:04,360 --> 00:29:06,360 Speaker 1: a bulk of the blame that the Lakers fall short 506 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:08,760 Speaker 1: because this is such a pivotal period right now, because 507 00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:11,080 Speaker 1: again they have to hold down the fort not even 508 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:13,000 Speaker 1: hold down the fourth. They got to move up the fort. 509 00:29:13,560 --> 00:29:14,880 Speaker 1: You know, they got to move up in the fort 510 00:29:15,240 --> 00:29:17,920 Speaker 1: while Lebron James is out, which is not an easy task. 511 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:21,560 Speaker 1: But I think they still have the depth to do it. 512 00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:24,479 Speaker 1: They just have to. Ad has to play like a monster. 513 00:29:24,960 --> 00:29:26,880 Speaker 1: He has to get the most out of his guys. 514 00:29:27,520 --> 00:29:30,400 Speaker 1: And you know, look, man, nobody's gonna feel sorry for him. 515 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:32,760 Speaker 1: You know, this is the Los Ange Lakers. Nobody's feeling 516 00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 1: sorry for. Everybody outside the Laker Land is you know, 517 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:39,040 Speaker 1: hoping they don't make it. I mean, here's the thing. 518 00:29:39,080 --> 00:29:41,000 Speaker 1: A month ago, they didn't have that. They did not 519 00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:43,360 Speaker 1: have the depth. I mean, now they really do. When 520 00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:48,400 Speaker 1: you bring in Russell and Vanderbilt and Hatchet, Mura and Bomba, 521 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:51,400 Speaker 1: you know they've they've made all these editions, so they are, 522 00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 1: you know, Malik Beasley, They're a much deeper team than 523 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:57,600 Speaker 1: they were, There's no question about it. So there is 524 00:29:57,720 --> 00:30:00,840 Speaker 1: more firepower there for them to get through. I mean, 525 00:30:00,880 --> 00:30:03,560 Speaker 1: it sounds like D'Angelo Russell should be back soon, so 526 00:30:03,600 --> 00:30:05,520 Speaker 1: I mean it'll be he and he and a D 527 00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:08,560 Speaker 1: leading the way. But then then the other thing is, 528 00:30:08,600 --> 00:30:12,240 Speaker 1: you know, I I don't know it's just some of 529 00:30:12,280 --> 00:30:14,440 Speaker 1: the some of the discourse to me is just crazy 530 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:19,800 Speaker 1: because before this injury, when Lebron missed three games, Lebron 531 00:30:19,840 --> 00:30:23,080 Speaker 1: pass Kareen to get the all time scoring lead. But 532 00:30:23,240 --> 00:30:26,040 Speaker 1: then the left foot issue, he missed three games in 533 00:30:26,080 --> 00:30:29,120 Speaker 1: a row. You came on this podcast and talked about 534 00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 1: how he's been playing through way more pain than people realize. 535 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,040 Speaker 1: But there were there. You know, you still see that 536 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:38,040 Speaker 1: chatter out there that Lebron's had he just wanted the 537 00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:41,000 Speaker 1: record and he's he's good with the record. No, he's 538 00:30:41,040 --> 00:30:44,040 Speaker 1: not just good with the record, because I think he's 539 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:46,920 Speaker 1: going to get the most blamed if the Lakers missed 540 00:30:46,960 --> 00:30:50,360 Speaker 1: the playoffs, whatever the circumstances, no matter how many games 541 00:30:50,400 --> 00:30:53,480 Speaker 1: ad misses, no matter no matter how many other injuries 542 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:57,920 Speaker 1: there are, Lebron's resume will take the hardest hit. It 543 00:30:57,960 --> 00:31:01,560 Speaker 1: will be three non playoffs seasons out of five, and 544 00:31:01,640 --> 00:31:04,520 Speaker 1: if he's on the team, he's the one who's gonna 545 00:31:04,520 --> 00:31:06,440 Speaker 1: bear the brunt of it. That's all. That's the way 546 00:31:06,800 --> 00:31:10,600 Speaker 1: it is. He is the face of that franchise, and 547 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:14,120 Speaker 1: so you know he's the one, I think who really 548 00:31:14,240 --> 00:31:16,840 Speaker 1: is going to take the brunt of it. If the 549 00:31:16,920 --> 00:31:20,520 Speaker 1: Lakers missed the playoffs again. So, um, I'm sure if 550 00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:22,480 Speaker 1: he can get back out there, he's gonna find a 551 00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:26,000 Speaker 1: way because you know, to just to to to miss 552 00:31:26,040 --> 00:31:28,560 Speaker 1: the rest of the season and and and this thing 553 00:31:28,600 --> 00:31:32,520 Speaker 1: and badly again. I mean, I don't even know where 554 00:31:32,560 --> 00:31:36,360 Speaker 1: the Lakers go from here if that happens. Yeah, and 555 00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:39,920 Speaker 1: that's that, that's that same foot stein And again, you 556 00:31:39,920 --> 00:31:42,240 Speaker 1: know I said it back whenever I said that a 557 00:31:42,240 --> 00:31:46,880 Speaker 1: few weeks ago. You know, Lakers were not putting that 558 00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:52,040 Speaker 1: injury on the on the injury list it was. They 559 00:31:52,040 --> 00:31:55,360 Speaker 1: were saying it was his ankle, and I was hearing 560 00:31:55,400 --> 00:31:59,000 Speaker 1: it was that right foot. So I don't hear it 561 00:31:59,040 --> 00:32:03,120 Speaker 1: was the same foot. Not mean I guess what it 562 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:08,360 Speaker 1: was that same foot, Yes, that same foot. And I 563 00:32:08,400 --> 00:32:10,680 Speaker 1: don't know, you know, I don't want to, you know, 564 00:32:10,720 --> 00:32:14,680 Speaker 1: I don't want to jump to conclusions and say that 565 00:32:14,680 --> 00:32:19,600 Speaker 1: that injury or what was bothering him led to ultimately, 566 00:32:19,960 --> 00:32:23,600 Speaker 1: you know, this injury. But you know it's hard not 567 00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:26,760 Speaker 1: to try to connect the dots right there. Yeah. Look, 568 00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:30,440 Speaker 1: you know they're not publicly, they're not saying very we 569 00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:34,400 Speaker 1: have very few specifics about what this injury that has 570 00:32:34,480 --> 00:32:38,880 Speaker 1: Lebron sideline now actually is. But it's obviously severe enough 571 00:32:38,920 --> 00:32:41,920 Speaker 1: for him to have a boot covering his whole lower leg, 572 00:32:42,440 --> 00:32:44,720 Speaker 1: and it's severe enough for him to be not be 573 00:32:44,840 --> 00:32:48,440 Speaker 1: playing when the Lakers are in an absolutely desperate situation, 574 00:32:48,440 --> 00:32:52,760 Speaker 1: because again, Lebron knows how this works better than anybody 575 00:32:52,840 --> 00:32:56,040 Speaker 1: in today's NBA. You could talk about all the games 576 00:32:56,600 --> 00:32:59,520 Speaker 1: that Anthony Davis has missed, you can talk about how 577 00:32:59,560 --> 00:33:02,080 Speaker 1: long it took the Lakers to make moves to upgrade 578 00:33:02,080 --> 00:33:05,200 Speaker 1: the roster, but it ain't gonna be a d or 579 00:33:05,320 --> 00:33:09,320 Speaker 1: Darvin Ham or Rob Pelinka or Genie Buss. The blame, 580 00:33:09,800 --> 00:33:14,320 Speaker 1: the blame will be foisted first on number six. You know. 581 00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:18,040 Speaker 1: That's you know, Charles Barkley always says it. That's the NBA. 582 00:33:18,120 --> 00:33:20,200 Speaker 1: The stars get the credit, the stars get to blame. 583 00:33:20,600 --> 00:33:23,640 Speaker 1: And he is. He is the foremost star on that team, 584 00:33:23,680 --> 00:33:26,560 Speaker 1: and he knows it. So I'm sure if he can't play, 585 00:33:26,840 --> 00:33:29,239 Speaker 1: he can't play. It's not because he wants to go 586 00:33:29,280 --> 00:33:32,480 Speaker 1: watch the super Bowl. He can't play. I mean, this 587 00:33:32,600 --> 00:33:40,520 Speaker 1: is a legit issue. Will Stein. I wouldn't call this 588 00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:43,360 Speaker 1: an issue, but I'm a little before we get out 589 00:33:43,360 --> 00:33:49,200 Speaker 1: of here, Stein, you're wearing a brand a hat that 590 00:33:49,400 --> 00:33:53,080 Speaker 1: I haven't seen really since I was probably in high school. 591 00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:54,920 Speaker 1: And I don't know if this is a tennis thing, 592 00:33:54,920 --> 00:33:58,520 Speaker 1: but you have a FeelA hat on it is is 593 00:33:58,560 --> 00:34:03,400 Speaker 1: that brand is that prominent of tennis thing? And you 594 00:34:03,520 --> 00:34:06,680 Speaker 1: are you are not wrong. I was. I've been there 595 00:34:08,040 --> 00:34:10,320 Speaker 1: this time of year. I have been known to sneak 596 00:34:10,360 --> 00:34:12,640 Speaker 1: away and get in a little tennis, which is um 597 00:34:13,280 --> 00:34:16,560 Speaker 1: really my first sporting love. So I actually spent four 598 00:34:16,640 --> 00:34:22,120 Speaker 1: days at a tournament in Waco, Texas. I missed MAVs Lakers, 599 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:26,120 Speaker 1: I missed MAVs Pacers. I had to sacrifice two pretty 600 00:34:26,120 --> 00:34:29,919 Speaker 1: important home games to see some live tennis, but I did. 601 00:34:29,920 --> 00:34:32,040 Speaker 1: And yes, I am. I mean, I'm glad that we 602 00:34:32,080 --> 00:34:35,560 Speaker 1: don't have video on this podcast because I'm literally wearing 603 00:34:35,600 --> 00:34:37,640 Speaker 1: tennis gear head to toe and I'm sure you would 604 00:34:37,680 --> 00:34:41,080 Speaker 1: get a good laugh if you saw me, and a 605 00:34:41,200 --> 00:34:44,239 Speaker 1: great laugh, I'm pretty sure I would. Sources may or 606 00:34:44,360 --> 00:34:48,080 Speaker 1: may not say that there is further tennis in my future, 607 00:34:48,200 --> 00:34:51,480 Speaker 1: because you know, March is always March is a month 608 00:34:52,120 --> 00:34:55,360 Speaker 1: that features the two best tennis tournaments in the United States, 609 00:34:55,360 --> 00:34:57,880 Speaker 1: besides the US Open, ones in Indian Wells in the 610 00:34:57,960 --> 00:35:02,360 Speaker 1: desert near Palm Springs, and then there's Miami. So is 611 00:35:02,360 --> 00:35:07,000 Speaker 1: there potentially more tennis in my life and more clothes 612 00:35:07,040 --> 00:35:09,880 Speaker 1: that would make you laugh harder than you did it 613 00:35:09,960 --> 00:35:13,319 Speaker 1: your anti free story. Yes there are, but now now 614 00:35:13,320 --> 00:35:15,680 Speaker 1: that you're onto me, I will never wear this gear 615 00:35:15,719 --> 00:35:22,160 Speaker 1: again on the I'm just curious. I'm just curious. Fila 616 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:28,120 Speaker 1: was held a big place in my high school years. 617 00:35:28,360 --> 00:35:31,080 Speaker 1: Gret Hill brought you know, basketball hoops. Who's oh yeah, 618 00:35:31,120 --> 00:35:35,359 Speaker 1: Gret Hills, Jerry Stackhouse. This is gonna hurt you then, 619 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:41,840 Speaker 1: like I literally have in the garage eight ten. I 620 00:35:41,920 --> 00:35:46,560 Speaker 1: don't know why Phila brought all those shoes back from 621 00:35:46,719 --> 00:35:49,680 Speaker 1: the Stackhouse, the Grant Hill. They brought them all back, 622 00:35:50,000 --> 00:35:53,640 Speaker 1: and they just kept sending me these pairs. But I 623 00:35:53,680 --> 00:35:56,200 Speaker 1: know you said you were you're like a size fifteen. 624 00:35:56,400 --> 00:35:59,200 Speaker 1: I'm not size fifteen. So like, yes, I have all 625 00:35:59,200 --> 00:36:01,960 Speaker 1: these shoes that I would happily hand to you, but 626 00:36:02,000 --> 00:36:04,480 Speaker 1: they're way too small for you. I was only I'm 627 00:36:04,480 --> 00:36:07,960 Speaker 1: only a ten and a half. Yeah, yeah, I couldn't 628 00:36:07,960 --> 00:36:11,280 Speaker 1: do nothing with that, but they still they still got 629 00:36:11,400 --> 00:36:14,920 Speaker 1: Grant Hill. Yeah, these are all remakes, but it's like 630 00:36:15,200 --> 00:36:19,920 Speaker 1: the Stackhouse, the Grant Hill. I mean they're mm hmmm yeah. 631 00:36:20,239 --> 00:36:25,600 Speaker 1: Hold hold, hold, hold the deep place in my heart up. No, 632 00:36:25,880 --> 00:36:28,080 Speaker 1: I didn't. I didn't play in them. I would wear them. 633 00:36:28,360 --> 00:36:33,319 Speaker 1: I wouldn't play in them. Not not that I didn't like, 634 00:36:33,760 --> 00:36:35,719 Speaker 1: you know, playing in them, but it's just shoes like that, 635 00:36:35,840 --> 00:36:40,040 Speaker 1: signature shoes unless they were our team shoes back in 636 00:36:40,080 --> 00:36:42,640 Speaker 1: the day, but signature shoes. I would just wear them 637 00:36:42,640 --> 00:36:45,120 Speaker 1: with with my clothes. I'm gonna have to take I 638 00:36:45,120 --> 00:36:47,200 Speaker 1: didn't watch some of these boxes in my garage, and 639 00:36:47,239 --> 00:36:49,480 Speaker 1: you're gonna gonna, yeah, you gotta do that because they're 640 00:36:50,160 --> 00:36:52,879 Speaker 1: not not just me. I think everybody else listening will 641 00:36:52,920 --> 00:36:57,000 Speaker 1: be shocked. Oh I'm no. Look, I'm a closet sneakerhead, 642 00:36:57,040 --> 00:37:01,520 Speaker 1: but it's I have a very narrow, a very narrow 643 00:37:02,080 --> 00:37:04,480 Speaker 1: lane of the of the sneakers that I love. But 644 00:37:04,719 --> 00:37:08,800 Speaker 1: I think you would be surprised. MAVs general manager Nico Harrison, 645 00:37:09,360 --> 00:37:12,440 Speaker 1: who of course spent many many years at Nike before 646 00:37:12,480 --> 00:37:16,520 Speaker 1: he moved into the mass front office even he's been 647 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:19,960 Speaker 1: surprised at at at some of my like I said, 648 00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:22,040 Speaker 1: of course, because I'm a I'm a nerd and a weirdo. 649 00:37:22,120 --> 00:37:24,480 Speaker 1: So like I said, my yeah, I think the bar 650 00:37:24,600 --> 00:37:27,720 Speaker 1: is kind of low. I think that's why it surprise. 651 00:37:29,120 --> 00:37:31,160 Speaker 1: You'll be surprised I got I got some I got 652 00:37:31,160 --> 00:37:33,160 Speaker 1: some interesting ones in my collection. But like I said, 653 00:37:33,200 --> 00:37:38,160 Speaker 1: I don't know Jordan's zero Jordan's for me, but you know, 654 00:37:38,360 --> 00:37:41,839 Speaker 1: gave me the vintage Georgetown hoy isshoes from the eighties 655 00:37:42,640 --> 00:37:47,880 Speaker 1: I got. I got some stuff that would surprise you. Hm. Well, 656 00:37:46,920 --> 00:37:51,720 Speaker 1: but before we go, Before we go, I do want 657 00:37:51,760 --> 00:37:57,560 Speaker 1: to just intribute and kind of dedicate this episode in 658 00:37:57,600 --> 00:38:02,120 Speaker 1: the NBA. On Wednesday, we lost someone in our world, 659 00:38:02,280 --> 00:38:06,200 Speaker 1: David Benner, who was the long time pr man for 660 00:38:06,280 --> 00:38:09,200 Speaker 1: the Indiana Pacers, and I know you worked with him, 661 00:38:09,239 --> 00:38:12,240 Speaker 1: and he worked with so many of us in the media, 662 00:38:12,440 --> 00:38:16,960 Speaker 1: and I really just wanted to sing his praises and 663 00:38:17,040 --> 00:38:21,520 Speaker 1: just just at least give a mention of how respected 664 00:38:21,600 --> 00:38:23,880 Speaker 1: and how loved he was in our community. You know, 665 00:38:23,920 --> 00:38:26,319 Speaker 1: we had Dame on recently, and you heard me say, 666 00:38:26,640 --> 00:38:29,759 Speaker 1: I'm a basketball romantic. I love that Dame stays with 667 00:38:29,800 --> 00:38:32,799 Speaker 1: the Blazers. I love that Reggie Miller spent his whole 668 00:38:32,840 --> 00:38:36,160 Speaker 1: career with the Pacers. Okay, Reggie Miller didn't win a championship. 669 00:38:36,160 --> 00:38:40,040 Speaker 1: But Reggie Miller is synonymous with the Indiana Pacers, David 670 00:38:40,080 --> 00:38:45,160 Speaker 1: Benner was also synonymous with the Indiana Pacers. For me, 671 00:38:45,800 --> 00:38:49,600 Speaker 1: David Benner used to actually be a sportswriter in the 672 00:38:49,640 --> 00:38:54,719 Speaker 1: eighties and for into the nineties, and then the year 673 00:38:54,760 --> 00:38:59,040 Speaker 1: that I started covering the league ninety four, right around 674 00:38:59,080 --> 00:39:02,759 Speaker 1: that time, he made the jump from our side of 675 00:39:02,800 --> 00:39:06,440 Speaker 1: the fence to become the Pacers PR guy, which is 676 00:39:06,600 --> 00:39:10,160 Speaker 1: it's very rare, it doesn't happen too often that a 677 00:39:10,239 --> 00:39:13,880 Speaker 1: sportswriter becomes the PR man. But basically, for my whole, 678 00:39:14,280 --> 00:39:18,839 Speaker 1: my whole thirty years covering the league, David Benner was 679 00:39:19,160 --> 00:39:21,920 Speaker 1: synonymous with the Pacers, just like Reggie Miller. And of 680 00:39:21,960 --> 00:39:24,600 Speaker 1: course they're great friends. And I'm sure you've seen, you know, 681 00:39:24,680 --> 00:39:26,919 Speaker 1: Reggie used to make it part of his pregame Richel 682 00:39:26,960 --> 00:39:29,839 Speaker 1: to get in David's face and you know, chew him out, 683 00:39:29,840 --> 00:39:31,560 Speaker 1: even though it was all fake and for show, but 684 00:39:31,640 --> 00:39:34,080 Speaker 1: it was great scenes. And I'm sure the next I 685 00:39:34,080 --> 00:39:36,720 Speaker 1: don't know if you're working with Reggie at this Clipper 686 00:39:36,760 --> 00:39:38,880 Speaker 1: Warrior game, but I you know, I know Reggie is 687 00:39:38,880 --> 00:39:41,839 Speaker 1: devastated and and David Benner was just he's just an 688 00:39:41,840 --> 00:39:45,799 Speaker 1: absolute NBA all teimer and I loved him, and a 689 00:39:45,840 --> 00:39:47,360 Speaker 1: lot of us loved him, and he's just going to 690 00:39:47,400 --> 00:39:51,839 Speaker 1: be deeply, deeply missed. No, don't doubt I didn't know. 691 00:39:52,280 --> 00:39:55,959 Speaker 1: David Bennet was such a joy one, a true rare, 692 00:39:56,120 --> 00:40:03,360 Speaker 1: great pr gentlemen that we have left in this field. 693 00:40:04,120 --> 00:40:07,040 Speaker 1: Really took his job seriously. I didn't know that he 694 00:40:07,160 --> 00:40:12,200 Speaker 1: was ascribed before he went over to pr for the pacers. 695 00:40:12,400 --> 00:40:15,840 Speaker 1: I saw David Aldgets write something eloquently on his Facebook 696 00:40:15,880 --> 00:40:19,239 Speaker 1: page about it, so that, yeah, so that's that's where 697 00:40:19,239 --> 00:40:22,000 Speaker 1: I learned it and learned about it. But now he 698 00:40:22,440 --> 00:40:24,239 Speaker 1: was a pleasure man, and I just want to get 699 00:40:24,280 --> 00:40:27,400 Speaker 1: my condulecens out to his family, his loved ones, all 700 00:40:27,400 --> 00:40:30,400 Speaker 1: of his friends who were closer to him than we were, 701 00:40:30,840 --> 00:40:32,799 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, my thoughts and prayers are with 702 00:40:32,880 --> 00:40:35,160 Speaker 1: them and that they will be able to grieve and 703 00:40:35,440 --> 00:40:40,120 Speaker 1: and just know that they got support if they needed. 704 00:40:40,239 --> 00:40:43,160 Speaker 1: So now that's that's a tragic loss in the NBA community, 705 00:40:43,160 --> 00:40:48,120 Speaker 1: for sure. There is no good way to sign off 706 00:40:48,120 --> 00:40:51,480 Speaker 1: on a show after that. But um, I'm glad we 707 00:40:51,520 --> 00:40:53,719 Speaker 1: did talk about mister Benner, because, like I said, he 708 00:40:53,880 --> 00:40:58,480 Speaker 1: is an absolute legend and an absolute fixture in this 709 00:40:58,600 --> 00:41:02,080 Speaker 1: league and someone that we both worked with and all 710 00:41:02,120 --> 00:41:05,400 Speaker 1: of us worked with. So beautiful words from you there. 711 00:41:05,440 --> 00:41:08,120 Speaker 1: Everybody thanks them ill for being with us. Chris and 712 00:41:08,160 --> 00:41:12,520 Speaker 1: I back Monday with another edition of This League Uncut. 713 00:41:12,600 --> 00:41:17,040 Speaker 1: You guys know what to do. Please rate, review, subscribe 714 00:41:18,080 --> 00:41:20,920 Speaker 1: and we'll be back with you very racy and that'll 715 00:41:20,960 --> 00:41:23,319 Speaker 1: do it for us. See you next time. This League 716 00:41:23,400 --> 00:41:25,080 Speaker 1: Uncut is an iHeartRadio production