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 Hanes, 3 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:17,280 Speaker 1: Di's go time, Mark Stein, Di's show time. Chris Hanes 4 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: and Mark Stein, This ligue, uncutt is underway and then fire. 5 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:26,799 Speaker 1: This should be a good one. We are indeed under way. 6 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 1: And yes, this trade season it was on fire. Kyrie 7 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:38,080 Speaker 1: Irving in the Western Conference for the first time, traded 8 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 1: to the Dallas Mavericks future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook 9 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 1: part of a big three team trade involving the Lakers 10 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:51,239 Speaker 1: and the two teams that we saw a hook up 11 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: in July for the Rudy Gobert blockbuster Utah in Minnesota 12 00:00:55,080 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 1: doing business again, and Russ goes from Hollywood laker Land 13 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: to Salt Lake City and eventually the buyout market because 14 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 1: I'm pretty sure Russ is never going to play a 15 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 1: game for the Utah Jazz. And then the whopper, Kevin 16 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:18,400 Speaker 1: Durant from Brooklyn to Phoenix. More than sixty players people 17 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 1: traded in the last week of the deadline. That is 18 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:27,200 Speaker 1: a new NBA record, topping fifty eight players in the 19 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: same span last year. This is what you get NFL 20 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: for daring to schedule games on Christmas Day. You moved 21 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:41,559 Speaker 1: in on the NBA's turf. Now the NBA strikes back 22 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 1: and dominates super Bowl week. Now, I guess you can 23 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: go ahead with your little Super Bowl. But the NBA 24 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 1: has dominated the news all week long and covering all 25 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:58,920 Speaker 1: of it along. So I mean, I was certainly plugged 26 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: in this man. Even more were plugged in. I think 27 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 1: we're catching him at in LA. I don't even know 28 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:07,040 Speaker 1: where he is. He's been in like five cities in 29 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: the last few days, cross country travel, two sideline gigs. 30 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 1: Chris Haynes from Turner Sports, how are you holding up? Man? 31 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 1: After this? After this wild week? So I had the 32 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:24,160 Speaker 1: I was working the Lakers Bucks game last night, and 33 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 1: as soon as I got to my hotel after the game, 34 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: I crashed, completely crashed. I haven't gotten five hours sleep 35 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:36,320 Speaker 1: in I don't know, seventy two hours, maybe even a 36 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: little bit more than that felt really good, It felt 37 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:42,239 Speaker 1: really good, But I'm headed. I'm headed Stein last minute 38 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 1: changed with plans. My family actually came to La to 39 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:49,200 Speaker 1: be with me on the you know, these couple of days, 40 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 1: just in case Lebron was going to break the record 41 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: on Thursday's game, which he did at Stein. I know 42 00:02:56,800 --> 00:02:58,960 Speaker 1: you were hoping for that. I told you was not 43 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:02,359 Speaker 1: going to happen. As soon as I saw Lebron Tuesday 44 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 1: come into the arena with an all black attire on 45 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 1: I knew it was over. I'm like, oh, he's I've 46 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 1: seen that before. I was covering Lebron with the calves 47 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 1: when um they were down three up, three one to 48 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:23,840 Speaker 1: the Warriors. He came up to practice the next day 49 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:27,960 Speaker 1: wearing all black, and so I've seen I've seen that 50 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 1: story before him. But I got a little bit asleep. 51 00:03:30,720 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 1: I'm good. I'm actually headed last minute change with plans. 52 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 1: I was going home this morning, but I got an 53 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 1: invite from a very special friend in Phoenix to attend 54 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 1: uh this type of a little little party going on 55 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 1: in Phoenix super Bowl, you know, doing super Bowl Week. 56 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:52,600 Speaker 1: So I'm actually headed there this afternoon, staring nice. Can 57 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: you tell us who? I cannot tell you who it is? Star? 58 00:03:56,680 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 1: I could. I could tell you, I wish I could. 59 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 1: I could not. I can tell me you have to 60 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 1: kill me if I tell you on this pot. I 61 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 1: have the key, but I could tell you off the pot. 62 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,120 Speaker 1: All Sorry, everybody, we will not reveal that maybe someday 63 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 1: I'm gonna keep working on see if we can get 64 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 1: it out of him. Um Man, well, it's good that 65 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 1: you're going to Phoenix because that's where all the chaos is. 66 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 1: That's where yes, I mean that was well, that's not true. 67 00:04:23,480 --> 00:04:28,160 Speaker 1: Chaos was everywhere, but they had the most chaos. And 68 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:32,160 Speaker 1: it's it's interesting because I have to say I had 69 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: people during the week whispering in my ear, do not 70 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 1: rule out a Durant trade this week. And I think 71 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:44,800 Speaker 1: the bulk of the chatter was no. The Nets. They 72 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 1: insisted on Dorian Finney Smith and Spencer Dinwittie because they 73 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:50,200 Speaker 1: want it was a wind Now trade. Those are wind 74 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 1: Now players. They're gonna keep Durant. Durant's gonna be gone 75 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 1: in the summer. This is probably his last year's in Net. 76 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 1: But no, the Nets will finish out the season with Durant. 77 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: But you know, like I said, I had two or 78 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 1: three people whispering at me, don't keep checking, like, don't 79 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 1: don't sleep on a Phoenix deal. And I was actually 80 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 1: in a TV studio Wednesday night working on Bally Sports 81 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:17,960 Speaker 1: Southwest doing pre and postum Kyrie's debut in La and 82 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:20,800 Speaker 1: I got one of those calls right before he went 83 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:23,160 Speaker 1: on the post game, and I thought, okay, well, this 84 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:25,479 Speaker 1: will be a deadline day deal. I can focus my 85 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:31,279 Speaker 1: whole Thursday on this. Durant to Phoenix, these murmurings. Nope, nope, nope. 86 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 1: While we're on the air doing post game on Kyrie's 87 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 1: first about Kyrie's first game, deal goes off, I know 88 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:41,800 Speaker 1: you were tracking this thing even closer than me, way 89 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:44,680 Speaker 1: closer than me. Like now that we can step back 90 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 1: from this twenty four hours later, Durant as a son, 91 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:50,719 Speaker 1: just hit me with your immediate kind of reaction. No, 92 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 1: I was definitely shot. I can't lie about that. I 93 00:05:53,800 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 1: will say this. Um, they I spoke to Chris Paul. 94 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 1: This was It was the day that I called and 95 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 1: I said this on my part last time when I 96 00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 1: called and and asked, you know, asked if he was 97 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 1: okay with me putting out that, you know, his name 98 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: was being included in a potential Kyrie trade and um, 99 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 1: but it was in that call where he was like, Chris, 100 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 1: watch what we do next? He told me that watch 101 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 1: watch what we do? And I was and I didn't know, 102 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:30,480 Speaker 1: like I wasn't think I knew. I knew Phoenix were 103 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 1: gonna do something. You know, they had to do something. 104 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 1: It's a team that's like that, something like that. I was, 105 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 1: I'm like, okay, cool, you know dismissed it. Yeah, I know, 106 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: y'all do something. I was not expecting that. I was 107 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:47,799 Speaker 1: not expecting that. So as soon as I got word, 108 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,359 Speaker 1: I went back to Chris Paul and his words to me, 109 00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: and I was like, wow, wow. But the way that 110 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 1: the way that Brooklyn and the Sons handled it, it 111 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 1: was you know, it was a situation that and I 112 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 1: don't know, as far as my career goes, like, I 113 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:09,479 Speaker 1: haven't really seen or experiencing anything like that where they 114 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: kept this thing pretty close to the vest. And this 115 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 1: wasn't This wasn't like a trade request where everybody hears 116 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 1: about it and then all the teams get to put 117 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 1: their bids in. This was exclusively between the Nets and 118 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: the Suns. And I believe, you know, I was told 119 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:31,240 Speaker 1: that Kevin Durant his agent Rich Climbing. You know, it 120 00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:33,920 Speaker 1: was a collaborative effort with Sean Marks and Joe Side 121 00:07:34,040 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 1: to see to make sure that they got what was 122 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:41,480 Speaker 1: best for both both sides, and they felt like they did. 123 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 1: Both sides that are happy. There's no bad blood. I 124 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:47,160 Speaker 1: was told everybody leaves on good terms. And this was 125 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 1: kind of like a like we're gonna do you know, 126 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:53,760 Speaker 1: do you right type of situation because KD requests the 127 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 1: trade last offseason, rescinded it, and they were told at 128 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:01,160 Speaker 1: that time they were evaluated if it gets to a 129 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 1: dire juncture, and that it was a dire junction once 130 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: Kyrie IRV requested out and it ended up working out. 131 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: This is where Kevin Durant wanted to be all along 132 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: the Phoenix Suns. And so now you got Chris Paul, 133 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 1: Devin Booker, Kevin Durant owned that squad. You got some 134 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 1: pretty good complimentary pieces over there already. They're only going 135 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 1: to add to the pot with some buyouts that you know, 136 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 1: we'll talk about later. But that's pretty much how That's 137 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 1: pretty much how everything went down from my perspective, and 138 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 1: as I heard it, Yeah, like I felt it was 139 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 1: somewhat of a trade request, but like, don't only trade 140 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 1: me to Phoenix. If we can't do a Phoenix trade, 141 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 1: let's just finish out the season. And I think you're right. 142 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 1: That's that's how it it stayed quiet. But I'm glad 143 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:48,960 Speaker 1: you brought up CP because that's I got a list 144 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 1: of questions and topics here, and that's a that's a 145 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:54,559 Speaker 1: prime one. From my kind of faraway seat, I've been 146 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:59,319 Speaker 1: wondering how mad was Chris about almost being traded or 147 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 1: at least off for Kyrie Irving. And it's public that 148 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:05,640 Speaker 1: he was trading for Kyrie Irving. But but it sounds 149 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: like he knew, you know, he had a pretty he 150 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 1: had some confidence that this was this was the way 151 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:12,440 Speaker 1: it was going to turn out. So maybe now he's 152 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 1: he's fine and good. Yeah, I mean, he took it, 153 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 1: but he was a he was a professional, like he 154 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 1: he understood how the business, how the business works. And 155 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:23,720 Speaker 1: you know, I wouldn't say he was shocked or anything 156 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:26,800 Speaker 1: like that. He was just like, oh okay, okay, like 157 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:31,959 Speaker 1: he he he was aware, he was aware before I um, 158 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: before I told him so when I when I when 159 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 1: I called him, it was just actually like just to 160 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:39,839 Speaker 1: see if he was cool, because I, you know, I 161 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 1: value I valued the relationships out there, you know, so 162 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 1: if if he wasn't cool with it, I wouldn't have 163 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 1: I wouldn't have reported it. But yeah, he he was 164 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 1: just like, you know, it's a professional, you know, it's 165 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 1: a this is a professor league. And it even said 166 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 1: it publicly like teams are gonna do what's best for them. 167 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:58,080 Speaker 1: That's why players have to do what's best for them 168 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 1: as well. But he he did say, you know, once 169 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:04,679 Speaker 1: the trade was done, he was like, watch what we do. 170 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 1: I'm like, wow, boom, they're the favorites in the West. 171 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: Now I have to go wide open West. When we 172 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 1: woke it's amazing when waking up today, this West is 173 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: so weird. Only two teams in the West. We're on 174 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:24,440 Speaker 1: a fifty win pace and Memphis barely because Memphis has 175 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 1: been in a spiral. Three through thirteen, they're all on 176 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:31,680 Speaker 1: a less than fifty win pace. And Denver. I don't 177 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:36,080 Speaker 1: think Denver. You know, Denver does not scare. It's not 178 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: going to scare a team that has now added Kevin 179 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:43,359 Speaker 1: Durant to Devin Booker, Chris Paul DeAndre eight and everybody 180 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 1: knows how good I mean these are. What did Chat 181 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 1: call him the midrange Mafia last night on TNT, because 182 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 1: you know, Booker, Durant, CP three, they're all so good 183 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 1: in the mid range. They can all shoot it deep. 184 00:10:56,640 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: They're gonna be really tough to guard. But let's be honest. 185 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 1: I mean, these all in trades in recent all in 186 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 1: trades of recent vintage have not worked out great. You know, 187 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 1: the Nets Super team ended up being the super flop 188 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 1: of all time. The Clippers, you know, they gave up 189 00:11:18,400 --> 00:11:23,960 Speaker 1: a bazillion firsts and Shay Giljist Alexander to put Kauai 190 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 1: and Paul George together, and those guys don't have a championship. 191 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 1: And Shay Giljist Alexander, he's been the best player in 192 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:34,599 Speaker 1: the trade. And the Lakers. Yes, they did win a 193 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:39,160 Speaker 1: Bubble championship, but the Lakers did not trade for Anthony 194 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:42,400 Speaker 1: Davis to just win one championship. They expected to win 195 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 1: multiple championships with that team. And they're looking at multiple 196 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:48,480 Speaker 1: seasons not even making the playoffs if they don't get 197 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 1: this thing turned around. So really to me in you 198 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:55,560 Speaker 1: know again, all in trades of recent vintage, the Drew 199 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:59,199 Speaker 1: Holiday one is the one that worked because Milwaukee hadn't 200 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,160 Speaker 1: won a title for fifty years. They won one. It 201 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:06,200 Speaker 1: doesn't even matter what else happens. That trade was unequivocally 202 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 1: worth it. I don't know that the Lakers and Laker 203 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:12,640 Speaker 1: fans could say that they're all in trade was unequivably 204 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 1: worth it. And obviously Nets fans and Clipper fans definitely 205 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 1: can't say it. So you tell me, looking to the 206 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 1: looking to your friends, no crystal ball, and tell me 207 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 1: what do you see for the new Suns. I think 208 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:32,880 Speaker 1: the only thing that will hold them back is injuries. 209 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 1: That's that's what I think. I hear you when you're 210 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,439 Speaker 1: you're talking, you're given, you're providing context, You're you're you're 211 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: providing historical Uh, you're you're you're adding historical context. But 212 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:52,920 Speaker 1: I look at Chris Paul, I look at Kevin Durant, 213 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 1: Devin Booker. These are smart basketball players. These are players 214 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 1: who want to win now that they're there and when 215 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 1: now mode Chris Paul, Yes, you can say he's declined 216 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 1: a little bit. Still very much if we're talking about 217 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 1: pure point guards, probably still the top pure point guard 218 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 1: we have in this game. Kevin Durant, once he gets back, 219 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:18,120 Speaker 1: once he gets back from that that injury, we still 220 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:23,079 Speaker 1: know he's a top three player in this league. Devin Booker, 221 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 1: he was playing at a stellar pace before his injuries. 222 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:32,080 Speaker 1: Getting back to form look, I don't see a Stein. 223 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:33,960 Speaker 1: I think the only thing that's going to hold them 224 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: back are injuries. I feel like if they get the 225 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:41,480 Speaker 1: complimentary players to fill out the rest of the roster, 226 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:46,959 Speaker 1: they they they are just not the favorites. I would 227 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:50,600 Speaker 1: expect them to win the whole damn thing. They're They're 228 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:55,160 Speaker 1: that good. And I think for a person of Kevin 229 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 1: Durant's caliber, you have to go all in, have to, 230 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: And I understood stand for Phoenix it was a tough 231 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 1: decision and shipping out Kail Bridges four unprotected. First they went, 232 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 1: they went all the way in. But look, man, it's 233 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: a window. There's a window. You knew. You knew when 234 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 1: they once they signed Chris Paul to his extension, you 235 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:18,480 Speaker 1: knew there was a window. There was a window. And 236 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:23,560 Speaker 1: over the last year or so, that window was diminishing 237 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:28,480 Speaker 1: mightily in Phoenix, you know, even with them being whole. 238 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 1: You know, I know they've had injuries all throughout the year, 239 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 1: but it was it was dwindling. Now with KD you 240 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 1: open up that three four year window again again. And 241 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 1: Mark Stein, let me tell you, man, I was told 242 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:47,920 Speaker 1: Phoenix Suns had visions of having Kyrie and Kad this season. 243 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 1: They had visions of that. They had an agenda to 244 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 1: make that happen. I don't know how they were going 245 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 1: to do it, but they had visions of having KD 246 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 1: and Kyrie this season. So don't dismiss the possibility that 247 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 1: Kyrie could be added for next season as well. So 248 00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:12,440 Speaker 1: they're they're all in, and I think they should be. 249 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:18,360 Speaker 1: UM injuries, that's the only thing. Injuries. I'm saying injuries. 250 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 1: But I expect that they will make good on the 251 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 1: buyer market. That's what I expect. So with that move 252 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 1: to Phoenix, if they do get Kyrie. Look, I'm only 253 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:33,600 Speaker 1: an hour and ten minute flight from Phoenix from my 254 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:38,400 Speaker 1: home in Sacramento. I'm okay, I'm okay. You won't be 255 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 1: flying anywhere else if that happens. I'll tell you this time, 256 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: there's no more like from my schedule there we have 257 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:52,040 Speaker 1: no more UM Phoenix Suns games UM on the schedule. 258 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 1: I think for me, I think I don't have any. 259 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 1: But I think there's we have one more National Suns 260 00:15:57,320 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 1: game on T and T. I would think that's going 261 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:04,480 Speaker 1: to be changed. I think we're gonna fleish some of those, right. Yeah, 262 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:38,080 Speaker 1: they will have to they have to. Well, look, I 263 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: think you're totally right on the injured front. I mean here, look, 264 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant, you could argue was playing as well as 265 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 1: he ever has this season. And I will still say 266 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 1: in terms of regular season moments that stick with me, 267 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 1: and this is my thirtieth season on the NBA. Beat 268 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 1: one of the coolest things I've ever seen this November 269 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:06,119 Speaker 1: Brooklyn and Dallas and Kad took it upon himself second 270 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 1: half to stick Luka Donchech and guard him like I've 271 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:15,600 Speaker 1: never seen him lock in on d before picking Luca 272 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:19,359 Speaker 1: up full court. He was It was fascinating to watch. 273 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:22,320 Speaker 1: I mean, there's nothing on a basketball floor that this 274 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:26,720 Speaker 1: man can't do. And you know, the Achilles tear has 275 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 1: always been the most feared NBA injury. He's come back 276 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 1: as good as he ever was thirty four. He is 277 00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:39,120 Speaker 1: still an MVP candidate, But you can't avoid this fact. 278 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:42,399 Speaker 1: He has not played more than fifty five games since 279 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 1: his last year as a Warrior, And that's the reality. 280 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:48,120 Speaker 1: And we know Chris has been dealing with injury after 281 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:50,360 Speaker 1: injury after injury in recent years. So the injury thing 282 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: is a very real concern. But yeah, I'm pure talent. 283 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 1: I mean, I think Boston and Milwaukee and maybe Philly. 284 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 1: I mean those team teams are gonna give I think 285 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:04,720 Speaker 1: those teams give Phoenix more of an issue than anybody 286 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 1: else in the West. No disrespect to Yokich. The Nuggets 287 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 1: have been an amazing story. Jamal Murray is back to 288 00:18:10,119 --> 00:18:13,639 Speaker 1: playing the way Jamal Murray was on his assent before 289 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:18,919 Speaker 1: his injury, and Yokich has just been absolutely ridiculous. The 290 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:23,640 Speaker 1: triple doubles the efficiency. But if it's Denver and Phoenix 291 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:28,679 Speaker 1: in the conference finals, Denver will be the underdog no 292 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:31,520 Speaker 1: matter what the seedings say. For sure, the records so 293 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:34,640 Speaker 1: Stein after you got to give credit to the new owner. 294 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:38,000 Speaker 1: Matt should be as well man coming in there first 295 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:40,879 Speaker 1: day on a job, the day, I believe it was 296 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 1: the day of his press conference, opening press conference, and 297 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:47,640 Speaker 1: then coming in and get in this done. He talked 298 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 1: a good game. You know, you hear a lot of 299 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:52,120 Speaker 1: owners or people who take over companies the first day, 300 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:55,439 Speaker 1: you know, just talk with so much boldness, and you know, 301 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:59,560 Speaker 1: so you know, so many promises they they put out there. 302 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:02,680 Speaker 1: He made it. He made it happen. This was a 303 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:06,439 Speaker 1: big bold move from from the gate, going all in 304 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:09,439 Speaker 1: with the first round pigs, you know, leverage in the 305 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 1: future for now when now, And I applaud them, Man, 306 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:16,200 Speaker 1: I applaud them because there were There are a lot 307 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:19,000 Speaker 1: of teams out there, a lot of gms who claim 308 00:19:19,119 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 1: to be doing everything they can to try to make 309 00:19:23,119 --> 00:19:29,640 Speaker 1: their prospective teams M Championship continent teams. But some people 310 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:31,919 Speaker 1: are scared to pull the trigger. And I have to 311 00:19:31,920 --> 00:19:34,520 Speaker 1: give them props on that. Yeah, you know what, I'm 312 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:37,919 Speaker 1: sure Suns fans are pumped because this franchise might I 313 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:41,439 Speaker 1: actually looked this up. The very last piece I wrote 314 00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:45,360 Speaker 1: for The New York Times July twenty twenty one. It 315 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:47,959 Speaker 1: was heading into the NBA Finals. The Suns had just 316 00:19:48,119 --> 00:19:51,240 Speaker 1: booked their spot in the finals to take on Milwaukee, 317 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:54,879 Speaker 1: and I wrote a whole piece about what a tortured 318 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:59,439 Speaker 1: history franchise has had, literally from since I was born. 319 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:03,840 Speaker 1: When they lost the coin flip for Kareem in nineteen 320 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:07,159 Speaker 1: sixty nine, and you know, they traded for Barkley and 321 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 1: ninety three and lost, you know, lost such a tough 322 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:14,160 Speaker 1: finals to Michael and the Bulls, and then all the 323 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:17,520 Speaker 1: Nash years when they had great teams and just constantly 324 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:20,879 Speaker 1: something year after year after years, something went crazy. Here's 325 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 1: one that you know that I will never forget them 326 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:27,479 Speaker 1: trading for Shack, which was such a huge departure from 327 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:30,359 Speaker 1: the way that that Sun's team played. It's so funny 328 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:32,520 Speaker 1: because this is two thousand and nine, so this is 329 00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:35,680 Speaker 1: Twitter had just started. I don't think I had it. 330 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 1: I don't I had. I know I had. Actually I 331 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: did not get on Twitter until June two thousand and nine, 332 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:43,399 Speaker 1: so I didn't have Twitter. There was no TikTok. People 333 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:46,639 Speaker 1: were not filming stuff on their phones. I remember when 334 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:50,959 Speaker 1: I saw Steve Kerr then the Son's GM after that trade. 335 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:54,000 Speaker 1: He probably isn't gonna love that I'm telling this story. 336 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:59,760 Speaker 1: Steve Kerr did the Sam Casselle big Ball Dan after baking. 337 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 1: That trade for Shack is actually the It's actually the 338 00:21:03,119 --> 00:21:07,600 Speaker 1: Pedro Serrano for Major League made it popular in the NBA. 339 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 1: But that trade didn't work, and then ten years out 340 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:13,879 Speaker 1: of the playoff ten straight years, the Sons were the 341 00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:17,160 Speaker 1: first team ever to make the finals after ten straight 342 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 1: years out of the playoffs. So these fans have been 343 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:22,359 Speaker 1: through it, this city has been through it. They're overdue 344 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:24,879 Speaker 1: for a championship, and you're right, HbA, right off the 345 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 1: bat has gone all in. You know, four unprotected first 346 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 1: round picks would scare the hell out of me. I 347 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 1: mean we talked about it. The Lakers did one unprotected 348 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:37,159 Speaker 1: first for Anthony Davis, and look how much that that 349 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:40,919 Speaker 1: still could potentially backfire on the Lakers. But yeah, I 350 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:44,399 Speaker 1: mean it's gonna be people in the desert have to 351 00:21:44,440 --> 00:21:49,399 Speaker 1: be absolutely sighted there. Look, this was so this was 352 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:53,400 Speaker 1: my I believe my twelve or thirteenth year covering the NBA, 353 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:56,880 Speaker 1: probably my sixth or fifth or six as a national 354 00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:05,000 Speaker 1: NBA reporter. I can't remember a trade deadline of this magnitude. 355 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:07,639 Speaker 1: And you know, I haven't looked at I believe you 356 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:12,360 Speaker 1: tweeted out some you tweeted out some numbers of trades. Yeah, 357 00:22:12,359 --> 00:22:14,639 Speaker 1: and it's funny because those numbers are changing now because 358 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:16,960 Speaker 1: some of these deals got folded into the other. Yeah. 359 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:19,639 Speaker 1: It's actually I think canna end up being like closer 360 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:22,200 Speaker 1: to ten or twelve trades instead of sixteen. But the 361 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:25,240 Speaker 1: number of players that's a record. I mean, we're still 362 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:27,560 Speaker 1: trying to get a final count because again the way 363 00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:30,080 Speaker 1: they announced, you know, the trades get we report the 364 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 1: trades and pieces, and then when they actually turned the 365 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:35,680 Speaker 1: trades into the league office, some of them get compacted, 366 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:38,640 Speaker 1: some of them get combined, and it really does take 367 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:40,439 Speaker 1: like a full day to get a handle on all 368 00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 1: the details. But sixty or sixty one players, that's my 369 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:47,520 Speaker 1: best most accurate count as we're recording this pod. So 370 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,000 Speaker 1: that's a record for the last week of trade season, 371 00:22:50,040 --> 00:22:52,440 Speaker 1: and last year it was fifty eight. We've seen sixty 372 00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:55,600 Speaker 1: guys move in the last week. It felt like it. 373 00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:57,399 Speaker 1: It felt like it was a record that it was 374 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:00,560 Speaker 1: a flurry. Man, that was and I mean, obviously Kevin 375 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:05,320 Speaker 1: Durant that one since shock Waves, Um, we've seen Russ, 376 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:08,480 Speaker 1: We've seen, right, I actually reported, So you talk about pieces, 377 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:10,439 Speaker 1: So I reported, what was it last week or one 378 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:15,480 Speaker 1: week ago about Lakers and the Jazz heating up on 379 00:23:15,880 --> 00:23:22,359 Speaker 1: talks and yeah, and so you know, I didn't I 380 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:24,359 Speaker 1: didn't have the intail that it was a three team 381 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:28,760 Speaker 1: three I knew, I knew a third team would probably 382 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:30,639 Speaker 1: have to be involved, but I didn't. I didn't have 383 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:33,280 Speaker 1: that intail at that time. So I reported what I knew. 384 00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 1: But you know, you talk about Russ. We knew that 385 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:38,480 Speaker 1: was going to we knew that was going to happen. 386 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:41,959 Speaker 1: We knew that was going to happen. So where I mean, 387 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:45,639 Speaker 1: let's let's talk about the Lakers real quick, stile. So 388 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:49,720 Speaker 1: they bring on. They got shooting, got Malik Beasley, somebody 389 00:23:49,760 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 1: who was on our pot just last week. I encourage everybody, 390 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:55,240 Speaker 1: if you haven't listened to that episode, please do. Malik 391 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:58,120 Speaker 1: was a treasure man. You dropped some gems. Laker fans 392 00:23:58,240 --> 00:23:59,639 Speaker 1: get to know him. You'll get to know him a 393 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:02,040 Speaker 1: little bit better listening to our that pod from a 394 00:24:02,119 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: league last week. But they got my league, they got D'Angelo, 395 00:24:05,359 --> 00:24:10,680 Speaker 1: Russell von Re, they got more bomba. Am I missing someone? Oh? 396 00:24:10,840 --> 00:24:16,080 Speaker 1: Jared Vanderbilt. Jared Vanderbilt so from yeah and Ruey from 397 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:19,600 Speaker 1: the yeah yeah from last week. So this is a 398 00:24:19,760 --> 00:24:24,280 Speaker 1: roster that is much more well rounded. Um, they feel 399 00:24:24,359 --> 00:24:29,280 Speaker 1: some fill a hole at the shooting position. Um, defensively, 400 00:24:29,320 --> 00:24:31,800 Speaker 1: you still wonder if they can cover defensively on the perimeter. 401 00:24:32,119 --> 00:24:35,320 Speaker 1: But I think buying large, this is a better roster 402 00:24:35,440 --> 00:24:39,480 Speaker 1: than they had a week ago. With that being said, 403 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:42,600 Speaker 1: is it enough? So Stein, when you look at that 404 00:24:42,720 --> 00:24:47,200 Speaker 1: roster and I'm what I mean, is it enough? I'm 405 00:24:47,240 --> 00:24:51,760 Speaker 1: talking Lakers standards, what they want, what Laker fans or 406 00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:55,120 Speaker 1: what Lakers organization, what they gravitate to every single year, 407 00:24:55,119 --> 00:24:58,200 Speaker 1: and that's the championship. Is this roster the way it's 408 00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:00,160 Speaker 1: as symbol right now? Do you feel like it it's 409 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:04,400 Speaker 1: enough to contend for a championship. No, it's not enough 410 00:25:04,440 --> 00:25:06,560 Speaker 1: to contend for a championship. But I will say this, 411 00:25:06,760 --> 00:25:10,520 Speaker 1: I like what they did. And you know, Rob Polinka 412 00:25:10,520 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 1: has been beaten up pretty good for not wanting to 413 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:17,960 Speaker 1: trade both first and holding on, you know, holding on, 414 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:23,119 Speaker 1: holding on, you know, preaching patients. I think they've done 415 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:26,080 Speaker 1: as well as they've as they could. And you know, 416 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:29,119 Speaker 1: some people they should have gone all in for Kyrie 417 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:33,240 Speaker 1: and traded both firsts and just rolled the dice. They 418 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:36,800 Speaker 1: try they try st Yeah, no, not like they try 419 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:38,760 Speaker 1: to they try to give them both first. Yeah, we 420 00:25:38,920 --> 00:25:41,800 Speaker 1: covered that ground. And you know, based on everything I 421 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:45,560 Speaker 1: was told, the Nets asked from the Lakers way more 422 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:50,600 Speaker 1: than they asked from any other team for Kyrie. And 423 00:25:51,320 --> 00:25:53,720 Speaker 1: you know, they didn't just want the two first and rust. 424 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:57,040 Speaker 1: They wanted they wanted Reeves, they wanted Christy, they wanted 425 00:25:57,160 --> 00:26:00,199 Speaker 1: Ruey in a separate deal. You know, they like they 426 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:03,520 Speaker 1: wanted up. They wanted everything the Lakers had, and and 427 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:06,399 Speaker 1: you know, I think they took less from the MAVs. 428 00:26:06,560 --> 00:26:10,280 Speaker 1: But you know, you know, we can, we can, you know, 429 00:26:10,359 --> 00:26:13,960 Speaker 1: I think we've done that debate. But look, they held 430 00:26:14,040 --> 00:26:17,919 Speaker 1: onto one unprotected first for future business. They've shaped up 431 00:26:17,960 --> 00:26:20,840 Speaker 1: the roster considerably. The problem the Lakers have is, you know, 432 00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:24,480 Speaker 1: they lost again last night. They've put themselves in such 433 00:26:24,560 --> 00:26:27,400 Speaker 1: a hole twenty five and thirty one. When they woke 434 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:34,000 Speaker 1: up Friday, thirteenth in the West now Utah Portland, even 435 00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:37,920 Speaker 1: the thunder to a small degree, you know, made trades 436 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:41,119 Speaker 1: that suggest that they could be slipping down. Now the 437 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:43,560 Speaker 1: thunderplay so damn hard, though I'm not sure they're gonna slip, 438 00:26:43,600 --> 00:26:46,520 Speaker 1: but you know, Utah obviously is gonna fall somebody. And 439 00:26:46,800 --> 00:26:49,600 Speaker 1: you know, but but the Lakers are thirteenth. I mean, 440 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 1: they've got a leap frog three teams just to get 441 00:26:52,520 --> 00:26:55,000 Speaker 1: in the plane. And that's really the question. Have they 442 00:26:55,160 --> 00:27:00,159 Speaker 1: left themselves enough time to move up? They are? You know, 443 00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:03,520 Speaker 1: they're as looking at the standings, they're four and a 444 00:27:03,560 --> 00:27:07,960 Speaker 1: half games out of number six. So realistically the play 445 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: in is their ceiling. They're gonna have to play their 446 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:13,720 Speaker 1: way in so how far can they really go in 447 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:16,679 Speaker 1: the playoffs? Same thing. Health will decide it. They obviously 448 00:27:16,760 --> 00:27:18,720 Speaker 1: need a D on the court for the rest of 449 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:20,399 Speaker 1: the season. They need Lebron on the court for the 450 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:24,120 Speaker 1: rest of the season. But Kyrie Irving to me, remains 451 00:27:24,240 --> 00:27:28,119 Speaker 1: such a wild card, so unpredictable. His dependability has been 452 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:31,920 Speaker 1: so all over the map. Since he left the Calves 453 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,280 Speaker 1: after the twenty sixteen five I mean, since the twenty 454 00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:37,920 Speaker 1: sixteen finals, his reliability has been a question mark. So 455 00:27:38,800 --> 00:27:41,439 Speaker 1: I think the Lakers might end up this might end 456 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:44,600 Speaker 1: up being the better option for them. But if it's enough, 457 00:27:44,800 --> 00:28:17,440 Speaker 1: I can't I can't answer that. I will say this, 458 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:22,280 Speaker 1: you're talking about Lebron and durability with players over there, 459 00:28:23,119 --> 00:28:27,920 Speaker 1: I could say this. I was told that Tuesday game, 460 00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:32,199 Speaker 1: the record breaking game. I was told Lebron was severely 461 00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:36,720 Speaker 1: struggling with that foot injury he has. It's something that's 462 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:40,840 Speaker 1: been nagging him for a few weeks already, but it 463 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:44,160 Speaker 1: gets two points where it just gets unbearable and he 464 00:28:44,320 --> 00:28:47,760 Speaker 1: plays through it, and he was really People that talked 465 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:50,520 Speaker 1: to me said he was really struggling with that foot 466 00:28:50,560 --> 00:28:52,080 Speaker 1: and the way it was explained to me is that 467 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:56,240 Speaker 1: sometimes it fare flares up, you know, different sides of 468 00:28:56,320 --> 00:29:01,320 Speaker 1: his foot depending on I guess the cut, the way 469 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:05,120 Speaker 1: that he plants certain times. But the way it's explained 470 00:29:05,160 --> 00:29:07,880 Speaker 1: to me is that that might be something that lingers 471 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:11,760 Speaker 1: all season long. But it reached a dire point. But 472 00:29:11,960 --> 00:29:15,360 Speaker 1: it was interesting is that he set out Thursday game. 473 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:17,640 Speaker 1: He said a Thursday game, they said because of an 474 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:22,360 Speaker 1: ankle injury, not the foot. So that's something to monitor 475 00:29:22,440 --> 00:29:24,880 Speaker 1: as the season goes along as well. Like I think 476 00:29:24,960 --> 00:29:27,040 Speaker 1: that's going to be something he's probably gonna deal with 477 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:29,760 Speaker 1: through the course of this season. He may get asked 478 00:29:29,760 --> 00:29:32,160 Speaker 1: about it now, especially after this pie, may get asked 479 00:29:32,160 --> 00:29:34,200 Speaker 1: about it. See see what he has to say about it. 480 00:29:34,280 --> 00:29:37,760 Speaker 1: But yeah, I was told it reached it reached a 481 00:29:37,840 --> 00:29:42,320 Speaker 1: pretty unbearable point Tuesday against Old Kase. He must clearly 482 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:44,800 Speaker 1: be well shy of one hundred percent because the Lakers 483 00:29:44,840 --> 00:29:46,719 Speaker 1: are in a position now where every game is must win. 484 00:29:46,800 --> 00:29:48,560 Speaker 1: I mean, they sure don't have time. You know, they 485 00:29:48,840 --> 00:29:51,720 Speaker 1: they're fifty six games in, they're down to their last 486 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:54,920 Speaker 1: twenty six games. And you know, if he didn't play 487 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:57,720 Speaker 1: last night, that tells you that he ain't right, because 488 00:29:57,720 --> 00:30:00,560 Speaker 1: they haven't. They have no more margin for air. I mean, 489 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 1: they've got to start stringing some wins together in a hurry. 490 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:07,600 Speaker 1: Now we're gonna there's so much that happened, we're gonna 491 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:09,520 Speaker 1: we're gonna cover the rest of it in Monday's pot. 492 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:11,880 Speaker 1: But let's kind of let's kind of focus here before 493 00:30:11,960 --> 00:30:14,280 Speaker 1: we go on the buyout market. You know, you said it, 494 00:30:14,360 --> 00:30:16,479 Speaker 1: you think Phoenix will will make a splash. I mean, 495 00:30:16,560 --> 00:30:20,360 Speaker 1: there are a lot of interesting names. The buyout market 496 00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:23,240 Speaker 1: is super deep. Obviously, Russell Westbrook will be at the 497 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:25,280 Speaker 1: top of the list. But you got John Wall, you 498 00:30:25,360 --> 00:30:29,920 Speaker 1: got Patrick Beverley, Duwayne Deadman, Danny Green, Reggie Jackson, Nerland's no, well, 499 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:34,040 Speaker 1: maybe Will Barton will be in there, Terence Ross, Sergebaca, 500 00:30:34,120 --> 00:30:37,120 Speaker 1: George Hill, maybe Corey Joseph. I mean, there there there 501 00:30:37,160 --> 00:30:40,360 Speaker 1: are a lot of veterans here who are gonna be 502 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:42,600 Speaker 1: in play. We certainly don't know how all these are 503 00:30:42,640 --> 00:30:45,120 Speaker 1: gonna turn out yet, but I mean, let's start with 504 00:30:47,080 --> 00:30:50,320 Speaker 1: Let's start with Russ because I mean, this is you know, 505 00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:52,440 Speaker 1: I have a soft spot for Russ. I don't know 506 00:30:52,480 --> 00:30:54,000 Speaker 1: if he has a soft spot for me or you, 507 00:30:54,160 --> 00:30:58,560 Speaker 1: but I do. I don't like the negativity that has 508 00:30:58,600 --> 00:31:01,560 Speaker 1: been thrown in his face. Now he brings some of 509 00:31:01,640 --> 00:31:05,520 Speaker 1: it on himself because he is just not a malleable teammate. 510 00:31:05,960 --> 00:31:09,040 Speaker 1: But you know this stuff. You know, his Laker tenure 511 00:31:09,280 --> 00:31:13,920 Speaker 1: ended in chaos, in a lot of negativity. I mean, 512 00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:16,959 Speaker 1: you know, I'm sure you heard the rumbles louder than 513 00:31:17,080 --> 00:31:19,440 Speaker 1: me that if they couldn't have found a trade for him, 514 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:23,680 Speaker 1: maybe they even end the experiment there because this team 515 00:31:23,840 --> 00:31:27,640 Speaker 1: was just the vibe around this group was so it 516 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:30,440 Speaker 1: was just in the wrong place and headed in the 517 00:31:30,520 --> 00:31:34,000 Speaker 1: wrong direction. But Russ is going to be a free 518 00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:36,080 Speaker 1: agent here. Where where do you think he ends up? 519 00:31:38,560 --> 00:31:42,760 Speaker 1: That's a good question. So I know the Miami Heat, 520 00:31:43,560 --> 00:31:48,520 Speaker 1: Chicago Bulls, and the LA Clippers are interested. That's what 521 00:31:48,680 --> 00:31:56,920 Speaker 1: I know. Without having any concrete intel as of right now, 522 00:31:58,680 --> 00:32:03,040 Speaker 1: my gut feeling tells me he would probably like to 523 00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:09,720 Speaker 1: stay home in LA. So that's my gut feeling, without 524 00:32:09,800 --> 00:32:13,600 Speaker 1: any intel, without having spoken to anybody from his camp 525 00:32:13,720 --> 00:32:18,160 Speaker 1: as as it pertains to his next destination. So I 526 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:21,640 Speaker 1: feel like the Clippers have a really good shot of 527 00:32:21,960 --> 00:32:30,840 Speaker 1: landon Russ and league business. Definitely, he stays in the 528 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:33,880 Speaker 1: same building most definitely. I mean, I think you, um, 529 00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:38,320 Speaker 1: the storylines people always people always talking about the NBA 530 00:32:38,440 --> 00:32:40,680 Speaker 1: is so scripted. It's so scripted. You know, it's like 531 00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:43,080 Speaker 1: you know what's going to happen. These storylines are just 532 00:32:43,240 --> 00:32:45,920 Speaker 1: from you know, like from a movie. I mean, and 533 00:32:46,080 --> 00:32:48,720 Speaker 1: that that would be definitely one storyline you stay. You know, 534 00:32:48,840 --> 00:32:51,160 Speaker 1: he's been so vilified as a member of the Los 535 00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:53,800 Speaker 1: Angeles Lakers that you go over to the crosstown rival 536 00:32:54,400 --> 00:32:58,920 Speaker 1: play for that team, maybe even a postseason matchup between 537 00:32:59,000 --> 00:33:02,600 Speaker 1: those teams, and Russ gives the Lakers the business. I mean, 538 00:33:02,760 --> 00:33:05,600 Speaker 1: it's set up. It's just set up right there. You know, 539 00:33:05,920 --> 00:33:08,720 Speaker 1: it's set up for him to and even just set 540 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:10,680 Speaker 1: up for him to if he does end up with 541 00:33:10,760 --> 00:33:14,520 Speaker 1: the Clippers, to have, you know, to have a fan 542 00:33:14,640 --> 00:33:18,120 Speaker 1: base that would support him and you know, so he 543 00:33:18,160 --> 00:33:21,800 Speaker 1: could be supported at home. But again, without having any 544 00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:27,120 Speaker 1: intel as of right now, Mike gut Feelings just says 545 00:33:27,160 --> 00:33:32,000 Speaker 1: that he doesn't want to leave LA. What about yourself, Steyn, Yeah, 546 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:35,440 Speaker 1: I mean, look, Miami, we know has has liked Russ 547 00:33:35,520 --> 00:33:37,960 Speaker 1: for a long time, and we know pat Riley is 548 00:33:38,080 --> 00:33:43,840 Speaker 1: never you know, supposed difficult or strong personalities, reclamation projects. 549 00:33:43,920 --> 00:33:48,400 Speaker 1: The Heat love to embrace those. And look, the Heat 550 00:33:48,800 --> 00:33:51,280 Speaker 1: did very little at the trade deadline, so they need 551 00:33:52,080 --> 00:33:56,040 Speaker 1: they need some sort of infusion of talent. So the 552 00:33:56,160 --> 00:34:01,520 Speaker 1: Heat wouldn't surprise me. You know the Clippers, Yeah, I mean, 553 00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:05,080 Speaker 1: you know Paul George, we know loves Russ. I mean, 554 00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:09,040 Speaker 1: that would be fascinating. I can't call it yet. I mean, 555 00:34:09,160 --> 00:34:12,120 Speaker 1: my best buyout intel. I don't think Kevin Love is 556 00:34:12,239 --> 00:34:16,000 Speaker 1: getting bought out. And last night I reported Minnesota is 557 00:34:16,040 --> 00:34:19,319 Speaker 1: actually not yea to pursue Patrick. I saw that seat style. 558 00:34:19,360 --> 00:34:21,359 Speaker 1: I was surprised because you know, we've been I've been 559 00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:23,640 Speaker 1: here in all season alone, that Pat wouldn't mind a 560 00:34:24,440 --> 00:34:26,840 Speaker 1: reunion in Minnesota, and so I was surprised when I 561 00:34:26,880 --> 00:34:29,360 Speaker 1: saw that, you know, you report that Pat wants it. 562 00:34:30,120 --> 00:34:32,160 Speaker 1: But the look the Wolves would have the Wills don't 563 00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:34,680 Speaker 1: have a roster spot, so they would have to open 564 00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:38,120 Speaker 1: up a roster spot. They would have to basically eat 565 00:34:38,200 --> 00:34:40,440 Speaker 1: some money to bring him in. But but yeah, the 566 00:34:40,560 --> 00:34:42,719 Speaker 1: vibe I'm getting is, as it stands, that's not a 567 00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:47,640 Speaker 1: direction they want to go. I've also been told that 568 00:34:49,440 --> 00:34:51,440 Speaker 1: you know, Dallas is expected to be active in the 569 00:34:51,480 --> 00:34:53,640 Speaker 1: buyout market. But I'm also told they will they do 570 00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:56,320 Speaker 1: not plan at this point to go after Patrick Beverley. 571 00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:58,520 Speaker 1: So I don't know where Pat bev is going. We 572 00:34:58,600 --> 00:35:01,240 Speaker 1: don't have clarity yet on where John wall is going. 573 00:35:01,960 --> 00:35:04,279 Speaker 1: But yeah, there are so many buyout so many good 574 00:35:04,360 --> 00:35:06,200 Speaker 1: names in the buyout market. I think you know, we're 575 00:35:06,239 --> 00:35:08,319 Speaker 1: gonna be talking about this for at least the next week. 576 00:35:08,880 --> 00:35:12,200 Speaker 1: I think you can. I think Phoenix will be interested 577 00:35:12,239 --> 00:35:15,719 Speaker 1: in Will Barton as well. I want to throw that 578 00:35:15,800 --> 00:35:18,520 Speaker 1: out there, so that's something to keep man shut up. 579 00:35:18,680 --> 00:35:21,560 Speaker 1: And you said, you said Reggie Jackson, right, Reggie Jackson 580 00:35:21,600 --> 00:35:25,320 Speaker 1: as well, Yes, you know they Phoenix has been seeking 581 00:35:25,360 --> 00:35:28,760 Speaker 1: a ball handler for a while over the last few years. 582 00:35:29,160 --> 00:35:32,200 Speaker 1: That's something that Chris Paula's needed a secondary ball handle 583 00:35:32,239 --> 00:35:35,200 Speaker 1: on that squad. So Reggie Jackson would be the perfect 584 00:35:35,280 --> 00:35:38,520 Speaker 1: fit over there. I want to make something clear. I 585 00:35:38,600 --> 00:35:41,840 Speaker 1: want to make something clear. So I went on. I 586 00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:45,640 Speaker 1: went on inside the NBA yesterday before the Lakers Bucks game, 587 00:35:45,719 --> 00:35:48,160 Speaker 1: and I was talking about the buyout market, and I 588 00:35:48,520 --> 00:35:53,320 Speaker 1: was talking about strictly Phoenix, and so we're talking about Phoenix, 589 00:35:54,400 --> 00:35:59,239 Speaker 1: and I just started naming potential buyout guys and I 590 00:35:59,480 --> 00:36:03,680 Speaker 1: named Bev, and somebody I forgot who texts me it 591 00:36:03,760 --> 00:36:06,000 Speaker 1: might have been my brother. Somebody texts me there's no 592 00:36:06,160 --> 00:36:10,200 Speaker 1: way Pat Bev is going to Phoenix and teaming up 593 00:36:10,200 --> 00:36:13,160 Speaker 1: with Chris Paul. And I was like, man, I did 594 00:36:13,320 --> 00:36:14,560 Speaker 1: you know what I mean? I saw a couple of 595 00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:16,759 Speaker 1: people tweet at me saying that. I'm like, no, that's 596 00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:19,320 Speaker 1: not what I was naming. Buy out, guys. I wasn't 597 00:36:19,440 --> 00:36:24,400 Speaker 1: saying that Pat Bev would be an answer for Phoenix. 598 00:36:24,560 --> 00:36:26,880 Speaker 1: I don't see that at all. I agree with you 599 00:36:27,040 --> 00:36:29,600 Speaker 1: guys who were trying to correct me, So I wouldn't 600 00:36:29,640 --> 00:36:33,080 Speaker 1: just put that out like our friend Jake Fisher says, 601 00:36:34,239 --> 00:36:37,920 Speaker 1: the only podcast name that can rival this league Uncut. 602 00:36:38,480 --> 00:36:44,440 Speaker 1: Jake's calling show is called Please don't aggregate this. Please 603 00:36:44,719 --> 00:36:49,120 Speaker 1: don't aggregate this or miss or miss a. You know, 604 00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:52,359 Speaker 1: aggregate it right, that's all. Aggregate it right. Shout out 605 00:36:52,360 --> 00:36:56,839 Speaker 1: to Jim Ice Want the NBA photographer videographer man extraordinary. 606 00:36:57,239 --> 00:37:00,920 Speaker 1: He just sent me sent me a photo me chopping 607 00:37:01,040 --> 00:37:03,960 Speaker 1: up with Lebron last night. The game Man. Jim Mices 608 00:37:04,120 --> 00:37:07,400 Speaker 1: is awesome. Man, Jim Mice is awesome. See he doesn't 609 00:37:07,800 --> 00:37:09,879 Speaker 1: I don't see Jim Mice much. Maybe now I will 610 00:37:09,880 --> 00:37:13,319 Speaker 1: because Kyrie's here. Because to this point, the MAVs haven't 611 00:37:13,320 --> 00:37:17,400 Speaker 1: played enough games that to get Jim Mikes come out here. 612 00:37:17,440 --> 00:37:19,600 Speaker 1: But now that Kyrie is here, you know when Phoenix 613 00:37:19,719 --> 00:37:21,640 Speaker 1: is here in March. Something tells me he'll be here 614 00:37:21,760 --> 00:37:25,600 Speaker 1: for sure. You gotta get on another plane and go 615 00:37:25,719 --> 00:37:28,600 Speaker 1: to your festivities in Phoenix. Your tops, your top secret 616 00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:32,719 Speaker 1: can't reveal festivities in Phoenix. But we're gonna keep trying 617 00:37:32,719 --> 00:37:34,640 Speaker 1: to trick you into telling us what it is. We 618 00:37:34,840 --> 00:37:37,440 Speaker 1: left a lot on the table here. Why didn't Memphis 619 00:37:37,520 --> 00:37:40,120 Speaker 1: do something bigger? Why didn't New Orleans do something bigger? 620 00:37:40,440 --> 00:37:43,719 Speaker 1: Why didn't Toronto make a move? So we still got 621 00:37:43,840 --> 00:37:46,120 Speaker 1: We have a lot more to get into about this 622 00:37:46,239 --> 00:37:49,120 Speaker 1: trade deadline. We will be back Monday to talk about 623 00:37:49,200 --> 00:37:53,520 Speaker 1: everything that we didn't get into here. Thanks to mill 624 00:37:53,640 --> 00:37:57,719 Speaker 1: for listening. Hold all Star, hold on a little. Let 625 00:37:57,760 --> 00:37:59,520 Speaker 1: me just put this out there because I wasn't able 626 00:37:59,560 --> 00:38:02,360 Speaker 1: to use it during the telecast on T and T 627 00:38:02,560 --> 00:38:04,800 Speaker 1: last night. But it was just Jay Crowder. Got a 628 00:38:04,800 --> 00:38:08,320 Speaker 1: mess from Jay Crowder, who hasn't spoken yet since being traded, 629 00:38:08,680 --> 00:38:12,240 Speaker 1: just wants to relay this. He said, I am thankful 630 00:38:12,280 --> 00:38:15,279 Speaker 1: for the opportunity to join the Bucks. I'm excited to 631 00:38:15,320 --> 00:38:18,120 Speaker 1: get the work and add on to what is already 632 00:38:18,400 --> 00:38:21,080 Speaker 1: a great team. And I already feel a love from 633 00:38:21,120 --> 00:38:24,759 Speaker 1: Bucks fans all over. I'm ready. So just putting that 634 00:38:24,880 --> 00:38:28,080 Speaker 1: out there, that's from Jay Crowder. I don't know if 635 00:38:28,160 --> 00:38:30,200 Speaker 1: we can pull this off, and I shouldn't say we, 636 00:38:30,360 --> 00:38:32,400 Speaker 1: because what I'm really saying is you, You're the only one. 637 00:38:32,480 --> 00:38:34,640 Speaker 1: It was a chance we need to try to get. 638 00:38:34,840 --> 00:38:37,000 Speaker 1: We need to try to get mister Crowder to join us. 639 00:38:37,840 --> 00:38:40,319 Speaker 1: Maybe we can convince him to give us a visit here. 640 00:38:40,800 --> 00:38:43,080 Speaker 1: I think we got a good shot at that. All right, 641 00:38:44,400 --> 00:38:47,760 Speaker 1: travel safe, don't get in too much trouble this weekend. 642 00:38:48,280 --> 00:38:52,560 Speaker 1: Enjoy the desert, man. I love Phoenix. I mean, in 643 00:38:52,680 --> 00:38:54,719 Speaker 1: the Nash years, I went there so much. I haven't 644 00:38:54,760 --> 00:38:56,879 Speaker 1: been there as much in recent years. But something tells 645 00:38:56,920 --> 00:39:00,200 Speaker 1: me that even I with my limited travel budget, will 646 00:39:00,200 --> 00:39:03,120 Speaker 1: be back in the desert in the near future. Thanks 647 00:39:03,160 --> 00:39:07,280 Speaker 1: to Mill everybody for being with us. Please rate review, 648 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:11,919 Speaker 1: subscribe to this league, uncut, and Chris and I will 649 00:39:11,960 --> 00:39:14,840 Speaker 1: be back with lots more on this circus of a 650 00:39:14,880 --> 00:39:22,600 Speaker 1: trade deadline on Monday. Talk soon peace and now they'll 651 00:39:22,640 --> 00:39:25,520 Speaker 1: do it for us. I signed this league. Cut is 652 00:39:25,520 --> 00:39:26,760 Speaker 1: an iHeartRadio production