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Visit www dot one eight hundred gambler 33 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: net in West Virginia. All right, Welcome to Lakers Tonight, 34 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:32,920 Speaker 1: presented by fan Duel. Here on the volume, I am 35 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: Jason timp Happy Saturday, everybody. I hope you all had 36 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:38,640 Speaker 1: a great week and that you're having a good weekend 37 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:42,640 Speaker 1: so far. That was definitely a much more competitive basketball 38 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: game than I think any of us really expected that. Said, 39 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:49,640 Speaker 1: there have been a few times this season, namely that 40 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 1: early season game when Lebron was out when they beat 41 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:56,360 Speaker 1: the Miami Heat, or that Utah Jazz game from about 42 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:59,360 Speaker 1: a month ago, and then tonight, where when you would 43 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 1: have expect acted this team, after everything that's happened to 44 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 1: this point in the season, to fold or to fracture 45 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:11,760 Speaker 1: rather than to show a little bit of competitive spirit. 46 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: And I don't think that that's a coincidence, because regardless 47 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 1: of how you feel about the way this team has performed, 48 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: and regardless of how you feel about the roster, there's 49 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: still a gap there. Even though the roster is nowhere 50 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:30,519 Speaker 1: near what it needs to be in order to win 51 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 1: a championship, which we're gonna talk more about later. Even 52 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:37,680 Speaker 1: though it's not to that level, it's certainly not as 53 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 1: bad as it has looked often this season. And I 54 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:43,240 Speaker 1: think a lot of that has to do with the 55 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 1: fact that there have been scapegoats for people to point 56 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:51,400 Speaker 1: that and to make excuses for and to take the 57 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:55,680 Speaker 1: responsibility off of themselves for one reason or another. Right, 58 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 1: it's really easy to be like, it's Frank's fault, he 59 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 1: doesn't run the right, deep sense of scheme with what 60 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:05,080 Speaker 1: we're doing. It's real easy to say it's Rob Polinka's 61 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 1: fault he didn't give us good enough veteran minimum players. 62 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 1: It's easy to say it's Genie Buss's fault she let 63 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 1: Alex Caruso go. It's easy to blame the Russell Westbrook 64 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 1: trade or to blame Russell Westbrook himself. But the fact 65 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: of the matter is the talent that has actually been 66 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:24,839 Speaker 1: on the court for the Lakers for the most part 67 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 1: this season has underachieved, even relative to what that standard 68 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 1: should have been. And I think that that was a 69 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:38,480 Speaker 1: subtle message that Rob Polinka and Genie Buss tried to 70 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: send to this team at the deadline. I don't think 71 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: those two are blameless, so I'm certainly not lifting them 72 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:48,919 Speaker 1: up as some sort of you know, uh, you know 73 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:52,000 Speaker 1: lighthouse here that is the one leading the way, because 74 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 1: they both have made absolutely inexcusable mistakes over the course 75 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:58,840 Speaker 1: of the last couple of years. So they are not 76 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:03,120 Speaker 1: off the hook by any stretch. But Rob Polincoln decided 77 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: not to make any moves at this deadline, and he 78 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 1: had a quote in the press conference this weird little 79 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:14,600 Speaker 1: proxy war that took place between Clutch and the front 80 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 1: office immediately after the deadline, where Rob says, there's you 81 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:22,839 Speaker 1: know an understand He basically implied that Lebron and a 82 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:26,919 Speaker 1: D agreed with their decision to not move make any moves, 83 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: used the word alignment, and then Robin a D, Lebron 84 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:33,719 Speaker 1: and a D immediately go through Dave McMenamin to the 85 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 1: press to be like, heck, no, there wasn't. We did 86 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: not agree with this. We wanted there to be moves. 87 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 1: And I think that it's funny because Rob's quote that 88 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:46,359 Speaker 1: he had in that press conference, he says, when it 89 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 1: comes to finding success when a team is not winning, 90 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 1: I think the most important action is for everyone to 91 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:54,279 Speaker 1: look in the mirror and be better. That includes the 92 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:57,839 Speaker 1: front office, it includes the coaches, it includes the players. 93 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 1: And I think one of the things that Bob did 94 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 1: by not making a move is he took away the excuse. 95 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 1: The dirty little secret is is even if the Lakers 96 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 1: had made a trade, would it have improved them. Yes, 97 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 1: if they would have brought in two NBA level starters 98 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 1: to help slot players further down than they are right now, 99 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 1: it absolutely would have helped the team. But the truth 100 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:23,600 Speaker 1: of the matter is it would not have fixed all 101 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:27,280 Speaker 1: their problems, because they have a boatload of problems with 102 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 1: their basketball character, their willingness to buy into rolls, their 103 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 1: willingness to do the dirty work, their willingness to take 104 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: responsibility for the outcome rather than to blame other people, 105 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 1: and Rob essentially at the deadline says, this is on you, guys. 106 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 1: I'm not going to make a panic trade here to 107 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 1: bring something in. This is on you, guys. That I 108 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 1: disagree with that strategy. I think Rob should have made 109 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 1: a move, or at least a move anything to mix 110 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 1: things up. The reason being is that Lebron and a 111 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:05,040 Speaker 1: D are so good. You have to capitalize on these 112 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: handful of years they have together, and punting one of 113 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 1: those years is terrible management when you factor in the 114 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 1: limited window that they have here. But that said, even 115 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 1: though I disagree with that strategy, I understand the message 116 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 1: that Rob Plinker was trying to send because this team 117 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:28,080 Speaker 1: that went into Golden State tonight and nearly one, they 118 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 1: literally would have one if they got anything out of 119 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 1: Lebron in that fourth quarter. Lebron had an absolute horrific 120 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 1: fourth quarter, and if they get anything out of him, 121 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 1: they probably win the game. But that team that went 122 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 1: up to Golden State tonight and nearly beat Golden State, 123 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 1: that team is not four games under five. That team 124 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:52,040 Speaker 1: is not a playing team. That's a team that's right 125 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: up there with the Utah Jazz in the Memphis Cruizlies. 126 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: Maybe they're not a bona fide contender, but they're a 127 00:07:57,720 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 1: heck of a lot better than that where they are 128 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 1: right now. But the bottom line is that team that 129 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 1: we saw tonight has been an exception to the rule. 130 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 1: It's been a rare occurrence. It hasn't been the consistent 131 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 1: product that we've seen from this team. And I like, 132 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 1: I do like that Rob took that blame game out 133 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 1: of the picture and said, it's on you guys to 134 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 1: figure this out. Like, here's the thing, Lebron. You can 135 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: blame the role players all you want, and we're all 136 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 1: gonna sympathize with you in the sense that we know 137 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 1: that there's not enough talent on this team to win 138 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:36,319 Speaker 1: the title. But you have to be better. Your role 139 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: players tonight played well enough to beat Golden State. Your 140 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:43,160 Speaker 1: role players tonight played well enough to give you a 141 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:45,120 Speaker 1: chance to win on the road against one of the 142 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 1: top tier championship contenders in the league, and you fell 143 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:52,839 Speaker 1: apart in the fourth quarter. Sloppiness, sloppie passes, throwing the 144 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:55,199 Speaker 1: ball away, inability to finish around the rim with all 145 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 1: the length, a couple of miss defensive assignments as well. 146 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:02,240 Speaker 1: You how to be better, man. That's on you. Now, 147 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:04,840 Speaker 1: We're gonna cut you some slack. You're not Russell Westbrook. 148 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:07,320 Speaker 1: This hasn't been what you've done for the most part 149 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 1: this season. You've been very reliable all season. But I 150 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 1: like that. I like that the accountability is being shifted 151 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:17,079 Speaker 1: back to the players. Lebron can't go up to the 152 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:19,800 Speaker 1: podium tonight and blame the role players. Lebron can't go 153 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 1: to the podium tonight and blame Rob Polinka. It was 154 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:24,320 Speaker 1: him that didn't hold up his end of the bark. 155 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 1: And the same thing with Anthony Davis. Anthony Davis was 156 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:29,600 Speaker 1: as had one of the most dominant defensive performances that 157 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 1: I've ever seen from a player in the first half, 158 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 1: but just did not bring enough offensively in this game. 159 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 1: You are a player that has been compared to honest 160 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 1: Antenna Coompo. You have to be able to score at 161 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 1: will against the Golden State Warriors team that doesn't have 162 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 1: dreamon Green. The accountability is on you guys as well. 163 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 1: Does Rob have a responsibility? Yes, he has to in 164 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 1: the next month hit two or three home runs in 165 00:09:56,559 --> 00:10:00,920 Speaker 1: the buyout market. He has to. That's his job. Frank 166 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 1: Vogel has to be better. He has to play Reeves 167 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:07,600 Speaker 1: more than Avery Bradley, which he did tonight but very 168 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:10,679 Speaker 1: much did not do in the UH in the game 169 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:13,960 Speaker 1: against the Blazers when he played Reeves fifteen minutes and 170 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:17,079 Speaker 1: Bradley thirty five minutes. So franc has to be better. 171 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 1: Francast to find defensive schemes and offensive schemes that actually 172 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 1: fit his personnel. He has a job. The role players 173 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:25,840 Speaker 1: have to be better, but Lebron and Anthony Davis also 174 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:28,440 Speaker 1: have to be better. They also have not been good 175 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:31,080 Speaker 1: enough on a day in and day out basis this 176 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:34,839 Speaker 1: season to propel this team to where they need to go. 177 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 1: And so as much as I've had problems with Rob 178 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: and what he's done this season, kudos to him for 179 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,000 Speaker 1: making everybody look in the mirror and be like, you 180 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 1: guys are gonna have to figure this out. Our best 181 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 1: chance to use this that he thinks their best chance 182 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 1: to use the assets is in the off season, and 183 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 1: I get that. I disagree, but I get that. But 184 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 1: he's right in the sense that this team needed to 185 00:10:57,520 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 1: look inward before they looked anywhere else. From the standpoint 186 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:06,720 Speaker 1: of Russ, I thought we saw an interesting dynamic tonight 187 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 1: at play with Russ. That is interesting projecting forward for 188 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 1: this team because once again after our trade deadline special 189 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:19,199 Speaker 1: Russ had a comment shortly after when the Lakers had 190 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 1: practice where he took a pot shot at Frank Vogel, saying, Hey, 191 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 1: the reason why my back is flaring up is I'm 192 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:32,160 Speaker 1: sitting down for too long, which is ridiculous, completely ridiculous, 193 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:36,240 Speaker 1: and an obvious shot at the head coach. And if 194 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: you're going to actually make a run at this an 195 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: attempt to win the championship via the plan, and I 196 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 1: don't care whatever the route is. If you're gonna if 197 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 1: you're gonna really make a run at it, you can't 198 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 1: have him out content on the team. You can't have 199 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: a player who is deliberately going out of his way 200 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:55,160 Speaker 1: to complain or to be a source of negative energy. 201 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:57,319 Speaker 1: Any of you guys out there who have ever played 202 00:11:57,320 --> 00:12:00,200 Speaker 1: competitive sports at a serious level, you Guys under stand 203 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:02,839 Speaker 1: when I'm talking about You've been in locker rooms where 204 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 1: everybody messages and has the same goal, and you've been 205 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:08,400 Speaker 1: in locker rooms where there's that one guy who doesn't 206 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:12,199 Speaker 1: like what his specific role is or what his specific 207 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: circumstances is, and he starts to talk, and he starts 208 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 1: to try to form a click in the locker room, 209 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:21,320 Speaker 1: he tries to find supporters, and it becomes an issue 210 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 1: that can't happen with Russ. So the question becomes, do 211 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 1: you send him home or do you keep him around 212 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:33,559 Speaker 1: and try to make it work. And I do think 213 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:36,679 Speaker 1: you send him home if he continues to be a malcontent. 214 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 1: But Russ, at this point in his career is still 215 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:45,880 Speaker 1: capable of having a positive impact in basketball games. So 216 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 1: you have to try to communicate with him and convince 217 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 1: him to buy in. And I think that role is 218 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: as a bench player. So tonight, as has been the 219 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: case in throughout this entire season, when Russ is playing 220 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:07,240 Speaker 1: with the first unit alongside Lebron James and Anthony Davis 221 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:10,679 Speaker 1: and against the best defensive players on the other team, 222 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 1: especially against the top tier teams, he's been ineffective, to 223 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:20,560 Speaker 1: say the least, that's me being nice, okay. But in 224 00:13:20,640 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 1: specific settings, for instance, against limited defensive teams or specifically 225 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: with bench groups when Lebron or Anthony Davis are off 226 00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:35,079 Speaker 1: the floor and he's also going against the lesser defensive 227 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 1: players that come off the bench for the other team, 228 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:42,080 Speaker 1: he can be impactful. And you saw that again tonight. 229 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 1: His first shift was awful. He had to basically pick 230 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 1: six turnovers. One was a turnover and the other one 231 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:50,720 Speaker 1: was a miss layout where he didn't get back either 232 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 1: in they scored, and wasn't really offering anything on either 233 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:58,200 Speaker 1: end of the floor. But in the second quarter and 234 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:01,840 Speaker 1: in the third quarter, he had two short stints with 235 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:05,440 Speaker 1: each in each case with either Lebron or Anthony Davis 236 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: off the floor and for the most part with step 237 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 1: off the floor and going against the other teams lesser 238 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 1: players that came off the bench, and he had some 239 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: success getting to the rim, making things happen in transition, 240 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 1: creating shots for his teammates, and just being a positive force. 241 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 1: And that's not a surprise. We had this conversation last week, 242 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:30,360 Speaker 1: like Russ is not a Russ is not so bad 243 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:33,120 Speaker 1: that he doesn't belong in the n B A he's 244 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:35,920 Speaker 1: just going through the NBA's version of a midlife crisis. 245 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 1: He's just struggling adapting to his waning physical skills. There's 246 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 1: still in in in Russ's bag that he brings to 247 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: the arena every night. There is enough to be a 248 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 1: productive basketball player. He's your textbook off the bench point guard, 249 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 1: in my opinion, who attacks the other teams lesser defenders. 250 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:58,560 Speaker 1: Almost every bench guard in the league is a bad 251 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 1: defensive player. That's usually why they're bench cards. That's why 252 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: Malik Monk comes off the bench for the Lakers. So 253 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:10,000 Speaker 1: let Russ feast against those guys. And then you established 254 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:15,040 Speaker 1: with Russ in a conversation that depending on how focused 255 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:17,920 Speaker 1: you are on those little details of the game, that 256 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 1: we might not play you with the closers. And so 257 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 1: the idea there is you have to sit down with 258 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 1: us and be like, here's the situation. Man. We wanted 259 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 1: to move you at the deadline and we couldn't. We 260 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:34,720 Speaker 1: are going to move you in July. That's going to happen. 261 00:15:34,920 --> 00:15:37,760 Speaker 1: This was a bad fit. There's too much bad blood. 262 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:40,040 Speaker 1: This thing is over. This partnership that we have here 263 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:44,480 Speaker 1: is over in July. But we have this four or 264 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:48,880 Speaker 1: five months stretch here where we have two decisions. You 265 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:52,360 Speaker 1: can either buy in to this smaller role that we 266 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:55,720 Speaker 1: have for you as someone who primarily operates with bench 267 00:15:55,760 --> 00:16:00,320 Speaker 1: lineups and closes when you're bought in, or you can 268 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 1: go home, because if you're going to be a mount content, 269 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 1: we can't have you around that kind of honesty upfront 270 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: with Russ. At least you put the ball in his 271 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 1: court to make that decision. I believe that as a competitor, 272 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: Russ would rather play, and that Russ would rather try 273 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 1: to make this work. So I expect him to respond 274 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:23,640 Speaker 1: well to something like that. But you have to have 275 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 1: that conversation. And you know, I thought Austin Reeves, who 276 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:32,960 Speaker 1: played amazing tonight, showed so much and demonstrated what I've 277 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:37,120 Speaker 1: been talking about that we need from Russ. You know, 278 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:39,080 Speaker 1: there's been a lot of talk starting with the Utah 279 00:16:39,160 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 1: Jazz game. Russ had about a ten game stretch where 280 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:44,480 Speaker 1: he put up decent numbers. He average about eighteen points 281 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 1: and shot about from the field and somewhere right around 282 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 1: like thirty six percent from three. He had an okay 283 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 1: stretch of offensive basketball, but I didn't think he was 284 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:55,800 Speaker 1: very good in that stretch that he was okay, I 285 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 1: thought he was less harmful than usual, but he wasn't 286 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 1: very good in that stretch. And the reason why is 287 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:06,720 Speaker 1: because statistical output alongside Lebron and Anthony Davis doesn't carry 288 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: the same value that statistical statistical output brings when he's 289 00:17:10,840 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 1: the focal point. So, for instance, Austin reeves only at 290 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:18,239 Speaker 1: thirteen points tonight, only had three rebounds and only had 291 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 1: to assists, But he was all over the place on 292 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:25,000 Speaker 1: both ends of the floor, did an amazing job moving 293 00:17:25,040 --> 00:17:27,399 Speaker 1: his feet and competing on defense, had a handful of 294 00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:30,760 Speaker 1: just outrageous defensive place how to chase down block on 295 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:35,680 Speaker 1: Clay Thompson. And then on offense, just a majestic performance 296 00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 1: attacking closeouts. Every time he caught the ball after attention 297 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 1: was devoted to Lebron or devoted to Anthony Davis, he 298 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 1: just made the right play every single time. It was 299 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:51,720 Speaker 1: a magnificent performance from him. Thirteen three and two, No one, No. 300 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:54,639 Speaker 1: If you were looking at the box score, it's the 301 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 1: most indiscriminate performance that you'll see. But all of us 302 00:17:59,040 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: who watched the game saw what Austin brought to the table, 303 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:06,320 Speaker 1: and that's what I'm talking about with Russ as the 304 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 1: third guy, as the guy alongside Lebron and Anthony Davis. 305 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:16,440 Speaker 1: It's not about doing Russ stuff. It's about doing basketball 306 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:19,960 Speaker 1: stuff that the third, fourth, and fifth guy on the 307 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:23,560 Speaker 1: floor usually have to do alongside the best players in 308 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:27,359 Speaker 1: the world. 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In Michigan 337 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:15,159 Speaker 1: one eight seven seven eight hope and why or text 338 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 1: hope and why two four six, seven, three six nine 339 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:23,760 Speaker 1: in New York, Tennessee redline one eight eight nine nine 340 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:28,800 Speaker 1: seven eight nine. In Tennessee, visit www dot hundred gambler 341 00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:31,680 Speaker 1: dot Net in West Virginia. And so that's the conversation 342 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:34,719 Speaker 1: you have with Russ. Hey Man, you've been in out content. 343 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:37,960 Speaker 1: I'm willing to let it all slide. Let's let Frank 344 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,320 Speaker 1: have the conversation. I'm willing to let it all slide. 345 00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:43,600 Speaker 1: I'll look forget about everything you said about me in 346 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:47,000 Speaker 1: the media. But let's make a run of this thing 347 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:51,160 Speaker 1: in this different role because either way, you're gone in July, 348 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:54,720 Speaker 1: so let's try to make it work. I think you 349 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:58,600 Speaker 1: have to have those that those types of conversations, especially 350 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:00,879 Speaker 1: now in light of everything that's been going on in 351 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 1: recent weeks, because this team is close to fracturing, and 352 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:07,959 Speaker 1: the only way to avoid the fracturing is to have 353 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:11,359 Speaker 1: the tough conversations and to make sure that everybody in 354 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:14,960 Speaker 1: the locker room is bought it. Because you could have 355 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 1: that same conversation with Lebron James and Anthony Davis, like, 356 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:22,080 Speaker 1: hey man, we don't think we have enough talent to 357 00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:27,520 Speaker 1: win the championship this year. So are we gonna make 358 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:30,920 Speaker 1: a run at this thing, like really try for this 359 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:33,399 Speaker 1: or are we gonna b s through the end of 360 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,520 Speaker 1: the season, get the nine or ten seed and get 361 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:41,560 Speaker 1: blown out or swept by the Phoenix Suns like, because 362 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 1: if we b s through the end of the season, 363 00:21:43,359 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 1: that's what's gonna happen. So from that standpoint, it's like, Hey, 364 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 1: if that's what's gonna happen, why even put the wear 365 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:52,440 Speaker 1: and tear on your knee, Lebron, your fluid filled knee, 366 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:56,119 Speaker 1: your thirty seven year old knee, your most mileage in 367 00:21:56,240 --> 00:21:59,480 Speaker 1: NBA history knee. That's the conversation that you have to 368 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:02,720 Speaker 1: have on that run. Russ has to buy into the role. 369 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 1: But Lebron and a d have to decide if they 370 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:08,040 Speaker 1: really want to go for this or not. Because if 371 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:10,280 Speaker 1: they don't want to go for it, what's the point. 372 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:13,200 Speaker 1: There's if there's if they don't want to go for it, 373 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:16,639 Speaker 1: packet it. If you think you can flip us with 374 00:22:16,640 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 1: two first round picks for some good stuff this summer, 375 00:22:19,320 --> 00:22:20,879 Speaker 1: and if you think you can flip th h t 376 00:22:20,960 --> 00:22:23,199 Speaker 1: and Kendrick Nunne for some good stuff this summer, and 377 00:22:23,240 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 1: you guys think you have no chance and you plan 378 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:27,200 Speaker 1: on mailing it in on a nightly basis through the 379 00:22:27,240 --> 00:22:29,719 Speaker 1: end of the season, send Lebron and a Dye home too. 380 00:22:30,720 --> 00:22:33,639 Speaker 1: That's my thing. Because I think all of those guys, 381 00:22:33,680 --> 00:22:36,720 Speaker 1: I think russ Lebron and a D would respond to 382 00:22:36,760 --> 00:22:40,480 Speaker 1: that conversation insulted. I think they would look you in 383 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:42,760 Speaker 1: the face and be like, hell, no, I'm not going home. 384 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:46,399 Speaker 1: Let's go get this thing. Appeal to their competitive nature, 385 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:49,920 Speaker 1: try to get that part of them to drive them 386 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:52,359 Speaker 1: across the finish line here. I think that needs to 387 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:55,359 Speaker 1: be the goal. The last thing I wanted to hit 388 00:22:55,359 --> 00:22:58,359 Speaker 1: it on. The hit on the Lakers front was the 389 00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:02,359 Speaker 1: this buyout situation. So one of the stories that came 390 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:06,040 Speaker 1: out today was from the Athletic having to do with 391 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:09,159 Speaker 1: this idea that Boston is likely to buy out Dennis 392 00:23:09,160 --> 00:23:12,040 Speaker 1: Schroder and that the Lakers would want it now. As 393 00:23:12,160 --> 00:23:14,439 Speaker 1: is always the case around this time year, you have 394 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:17,480 Speaker 1: conflicting reporting, because then David Benneman came out shortly after 395 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:19,159 Speaker 1: and was like, actually I heard that they're not going 396 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:20,760 Speaker 1: to buy at the Dennis Shroudder. So who knows what's 397 00:23:20,760 --> 00:23:23,440 Speaker 1: gonna happen. But the names that have been thrown out 398 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:26,679 Speaker 1: most frequently have been at the point guard position, Dennis 399 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:30,119 Speaker 1: Schroder and then Gore and Drojic who Adrian Morganowski reported 400 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:32,680 Speaker 1: today that the Lakers are gonna make a significant attempt 401 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,520 Speaker 1: to get and then on the wing, you'r hair in 402 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:37,840 Speaker 1: names like DeAndre Bembry is like a six five to 403 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:41,320 Speaker 1: guard who does dirty work pretty well. And Gary Harris Jr. 404 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:43,480 Speaker 1: More or less the same player, better athlete, better shooter, 405 00:23:43,520 --> 00:23:46,320 Speaker 1: but more or less the same type archetype of player. 406 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:51,720 Speaker 1: And what I would say is this, I like Dennis Schroder. 407 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,399 Speaker 1: He was fine, he competed while he was here. I 408 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:57,800 Speaker 1: thought he was a better defensive player than Russ. He 409 00:23:57,880 --> 00:24:00,320 Speaker 1: was less volatile than Russ, didn't have the ups side 410 00:24:00,320 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 1: that Russ had, wasn't as good as a switching defender 411 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 1: rust as well when you get him on an island 412 00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:08,560 Speaker 1: against bigger offensive players. But one of the biggest problems 413 00:24:08,560 --> 00:24:12,399 Speaker 1: for the Lakers all season has been size and athleticism. 414 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:16,679 Speaker 1: So bringing in a six foot tall, very skinny Dennis 415 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 1: Schroeder doesn't help you on that front. So my thing 416 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:22,920 Speaker 1: is like, look, if if Russ doesn't respond well to 417 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 1: the conversation and he goes, get me out of here. 418 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:26,280 Speaker 1: I'd rather hang out with my wife and kids and 419 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:30,159 Speaker 1: not get lacerated by the Lakers Twitter fan base NonStop 420 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:33,199 Speaker 1: every day. Okay, fine, then you can look at somebody 421 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:35,000 Speaker 1: like Schroeder to fill into that role. But if you're 422 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 1: looking for more off ball guys to play around lebron 423 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:39,880 Speaker 1: A d and Russ, they can't be small. That has 424 00:24:39,920 --> 00:24:43,200 Speaker 1: to be completely off the table in terms of options. 425 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:45,560 Speaker 1: That's what's so hilarious about people saying, no, Kendrick Nunn 426 00:24:45,600 --> 00:24:47,560 Speaker 1: can come back and bring a big boost. Kendrick Nunn 427 00:24:47,600 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 1: is a good player. He's going to help them, but 428 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 1: he doesn't solve their problems. He's too small. They need 429 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:55,680 Speaker 1: size and athleticism. So from that standpoint, that's where I 430 00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:59,080 Speaker 1: would look at the guys like DeAndre Bembry or like 431 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:03,920 Speaker 1: Gary Harris Jr. You need to get athletic, talented, skilled 432 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:06,840 Speaker 1: guys between six five and six eight that can guard 433 00:25:06,920 --> 00:25:10,359 Speaker 1: multiple positions, that can operate in Frank's switching scheme, and 434 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:12,400 Speaker 1: that can shoot and attack close outs. That's what those 435 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:15,400 Speaker 1: two guys can do. So those are the direction. That's 436 00:25:15,440 --> 00:25:17,440 Speaker 1: the direction that the Lakers need to look. You need 437 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:21,639 Speaker 1: Trevor Ariza was awful tonight. He got caught on every screen. 438 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:24,280 Speaker 1: He's a big part of why Clay Thompson got going. 439 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:27,879 Speaker 1: He lost him a bunch of times he looked really, 440 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:31,280 Speaker 1: really as washed as I've seen him. Look, those are 441 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 1: the types of swaps that you're looking to make get 442 00:25:34,119 --> 00:25:38,399 Speaker 1: somebody like DeAndre Benbury playing Trevor reasas minutes. You know, 443 00:25:38,920 --> 00:25:41,400 Speaker 1: find a way to make it so that Avery Bradley 444 00:25:41,440 --> 00:25:44,080 Speaker 1: doesn't play twenty six minutes a night, but maybe he 445 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:46,840 Speaker 1: plays a shift in each half, so he's right around 446 00:25:46,840 --> 00:25:49,600 Speaker 1: fifteen and you need to give those minutes to a 447 00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:53,000 Speaker 1: better player. That's where the guy, guy like Gary Harris 448 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:55,840 Speaker 1: comes in. I was very intrigued by the Gore on 449 00:25:55,920 --> 00:25:58,439 Speaker 1: dragage thing. You know, I think the only way that 450 00:25:58,440 --> 00:26:00,639 Speaker 1: the Lakers could get him is by missing him a 451 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:05,639 Speaker 1: starting spot. But I I that that type of negotiation 452 00:26:05,720 --> 00:26:08,080 Speaker 1: from the Lakers has not gone well in recent years. 453 00:26:08,840 --> 00:26:13,119 Speaker 1: The there was reporting that the Javaial McGee was intent 454 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 1: on starting per his contract in the championship season, and 455 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:19,840 Speaker 1: that ended up being an issue as Javail really struggled 456 00:26:19,840 --> 00:26:23,040 Speaker 1: in the playoffs in particular, and the Lakers kept him 457 00:26:23,080 --> 00:26:24,960 Speaker 1: in the starting line up pretty much until their back 458 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:27,359 Speaker 1: was against the wall. Like that. I don't like that. 459 00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:29,480 Speaker 1: And then the same thing happened with Andre Drummond. Andre 460 00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 1: Drummond was clearly bogging things down for the Lakers because 461 00:26:33,040 --> 00:26:35,240 Speaker 1: a D at the four just wasn't good for their spacing. 462 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:38,760 Speaker 1: Yet they repeatedly played Andre Drummond because there was some 463 00:26:38,880 --> 00:26:41,679 Speaker 1: under the table promise of playing time to Andre Drummond. 464 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:44,720 Speaker 1: So I don't love that idea. But Gore on Dragic 465 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:50,399 Speaker 1: isn't actually actually actually fits the mold of a basketball 466 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:52,760 Speaker 1: player that Lebron would like playing with. I think he 467 00:26:52,800 --> 00:26:55,520 Speaker 1: thought Russ was that kind of guy. I think Lebron 468 00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:59,320 Speaker 1: thought Russ was more cerebral than he actually was, and 469 00:26:59,359 --> 00:27:01,520 Speaker 1: I think that's been big part of why this hasn't worked. 470 00:27:01,920 --> 00:27:05,280 Speaker 1: But Gore and Dragic is very much a cerebral basketball player. 471 00:27:05,359 --> 00:27:07,760 Speaker 1: He's a guy who plays with pace, and I don't 472 00:27:07,800 --> 00:27:12,080 Speaker 1: mean speed. I mean he can slow himself down. He 473 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 1: can come off the screen and pin the defender on 474 00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:17,840 Speaker 1: his back and wait for a play to develop and 475 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:20,959 Speaker 1: make a read rather than pulling a China shop down 476 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:22,320 Speaker 1: the lane, just throw it up there and hope for 477 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:26,119 Speaker 1: the best. And so I actually like that fit. And 478 00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:28,520 Speaker 1: then if the team is going towards switching, which they've 479 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:30,560 Speaker 1: been doing most of the season, that's where Gore and 480 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:33,399 Speaker 1: drag it's being a little bit bigger, gives you just 481 00:27:33,480 --> 00:27:37,440 Speaker 1: a better weapon on that front. But you know, the 482 00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 1: bottom line is that I think coming into this season, 483 00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 1: Laker fan, all of us massively underestimated how important the 484 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:48,919 Speaker 1: role players are. You know, I used to joke with 485 00:27:49,040 --> 00:27:54,800 Speaker 1: Raj that in season, if the role players played okay, 486 00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:56,720 Speaker 1: and Lebron and a D, we're out there being Lebron 487 00:27:56,800 --> 00:27:59,160 Speaker 1: and n a D. You were gonna win. Would be ugly, 488 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:03,240 Speaker 1: but you were gonna win. And if they played good, 489 00:28:03,720 --> 00:28:06,520 Speaker 1: then you were gonna blow the other team out. That 490 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:09,320 Speaker 1: was the anatomy of that team. And the reason why 491 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:13,120 Speaker 1: is because even when the role players struggled offensively, they 492 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:16,200 Speaker 1: all competed their ass off on the defensive end of 493 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:20,040 Speaker 1: the floor. That's what that group did. What you've seen 494 00:28:20,119 --> 00:28:24,959 Speaker 1: with this group is that if they're not absolutely making 495 00:28:25,080 --> 00:28:27,119 Speaker 1: everything on the offensive end of the floor, so if 496 00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:31,680 Speaker 1: they're not playing great, the Lakers will lose because they're 497 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:34,440 Speaker 1: not giving you much on the defensive end of the 498 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:37,040 Speaker 1: floor in all of the hustle areas of the game. 499 00:28:37,560 --> 00:28:41,480 Speaker 1: And so that that's where you know, Lebron after the 500 00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:44,560 Speaker 1: Milwaukee Bucks game, he got asked, you know, do you 501 00:28:44,600 --> 00:28:46,440 Speaker 1: think you can ever get to the level that the 502 00:28:46,480 --> 00:28:49,320 Speaker 1: Milwaukee Bucks are at. And he said no, and I 503 00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:51,600 Speaker 1: agree with him. I think all of us need to 504 00:28:51,640 --> 00:28:53,560 Speaker 1: come to terms with the reality that this is not 505 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:59,720 Speaker 1: a championship team. However, that it's still worth going for 506 00:29:01,480 --> 00:29:04,720 Speaker 1: if Rob Polinka hits an absolute home run in the 507 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:09,600 Speaker 1: buyo buyout market and finds three functional pieces that can 508 00:29:09,640 --> 00:29:12,920 Speaker 1: send guys like Trevor Aresa out of the rotation, send 509 00:29:12,920 --> 00:29:16,240 Speaker 1: guys like Avery Bradley to the bench, send Russell Westbrook 510 00:29:16,280 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 1: to the bench. If you can do that, you change 511 00:29:19,040 --> 00:29:20,600 Speaker 1: a lot of things with slotting, and you give this 512 00:29:20,600 --> 00:29:24,000 Speaker 1: team a chance. But no matter what, Lebron and A 513 00:29:24,120 --> 00:29:27,640 Speaker 1: d have to be absolute world beaters in order for 514 00:29:27,680 --> 00:29:31,800 Speaker 1: this to work. And that's why I appreciated what Rob 515 00:29:31,880 --> 00:29:35,280 Speaker 1: Polinka did in that press conference. Put there put the 516 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:39,880 Speaker 1: responsibility on Lebron and Anthony Davis. Alright, So the last 517 00:29:39,880 --> 00:29:41,000 Speaker 1: thing I want to hit to night before we get 518 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:44,160 Speaker 1: out of here really quick, is just Lebron passing crying 519 00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:47,880 Speaker 1: up Buil Jabbar on the all time scoring list for 520 00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:50,360 Speaker 1: regular season in playoffs. Now, this is a debate that 521 00:29:50,400 --> 00:29:53,920 Speaker 1: you have with everybody because do you count the playoffs 522 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:55,520 Speaker 1: with stuff like this, I think you should. I thought 523 00:29:55,560 --> 00:29:59,440 Speaker 1: it was ridiculous when Barry Bonds was hit seven fifty five, 524 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 1: how they completely discounted postseason home runs. I don't understand 525 00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:05,400 Speaker 1: that dynamic and sports like the playoffs are the most 526 00:30:05,480 --> 00:30:08,960 Speaker 1: important games. Why do we discount with those things what 527 00:30:09,520 --> 00:30:12,600 Speaker 1: that all means. But I think Lebron is starting to 528 00:30:12,680 --> 00:30:16,800 Speaker 1: build an unbelievable case for being the best basketball player 529 00:30:16,800 --> 00:30:19,560 Speaker 1: that ever lived. He'll never be able to match Michael 530 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:23,840 Speaker 1: Jordan's dominance. When you're talking about Michael Jordan's case, it 531 00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:27,000 Speaker 1: always centers around dominance. When you win six titles and 532 00:30:27,040 --> 00:30:31,000 Speaker 1: eight tries in eight years, there's just there. It's just 533 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:34,280 Speaker 1: impossible and for for Lebron to ever have a stretch 534 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:36,720 Speaker 1: that can match that at this point in his career. 535 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:39,760 Speaker 1: But you start to work down the line and it's like, Okay, 536 00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:44,200 Speaker 1: he scored more than anybody ever already, in addition to 537 00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:46,680 Speaker 1: being one of the best playmakers to ever play the game, 538 00:30:47,200 --> 00:30:49,760 Speaker 1: in addition to being one of the most versatile defensive 539 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:52,600 Speaker 1: players to ever play the game. Then you combine that 540 00:30:52,640 --> 00:30:56,800 Speaker 1: with the versatility of his success, you have him getting 541 00:30:56,800 --> 00:30:58,880 Speaker 1: all the way to the finals. With Larry Hughes and 542 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:03,440 Speaker 1: Drew Gooden inside Journe Sogaskis. Then you have him getting sixty, 543 00:31:03,640 --> 00:31:06,760 Speaker 1: having sixty win seasons and making it to the Eastern 544 00:31:06,760 --> 00:31:11,240 Speaker 1: Conference finals with Delante West and Moe Williams and Shaquille 545 00:31:11,240 --> 00:31:14,080 Speaker 1: O'Neil right, And then you go into Miami and he 546 00:31:14,120 --> 00:31:16,520 Speaker 1: wins two titles with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Then 547 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:18,320 Speaker 1: you go into Cleveland and he wins the title and 548 00:31:18,360 --> 00:31:20,880 Speaker 1: makes four finals with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. He 549 00:31:20,880 --> 00:31:23,080 Speaker 1: actually made it to the finals again without Kyrie Irving. 550 00:31:23,200 --> 00:31:26,360 Speaker 1: Then he gets into uh To with the Lakers and 551 00:31:26,360 --> 00:31:28,240 Speaker 1: he's playing with Brandon Ingram and a Lonzo Ball and 552 00:31:28,280 --> 00:31:30,640 Speaker 1: Kyle Kuzma, and they're always hurt and they still won 553 00:31:30,720 --> 00:31:32,960 Speaker 1: over half their games when he played. Then he wins 554 00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:35,720 Speaker 1: a title playing with Anthony Davis. There's all of this 555 00:31:35,840 --> 00:31:40,280 Speaker 1: variety to Lebron's success that has started to frame his career. 556 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:43,960 Speaker 1: As you know, when we're trying to talk about circumstances, right, 557 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:47,440 Speaker 1: the things that differentiate between these two guys. Circumstances are 558 00:31:47,480 --> 00:31:52,600 Speaker 1: always you know, they're debatable, they're what ifs, they're hypotheticals. 559 00:31:52,600 --> 00:31:55,080 Speaker 1: It's impossible to draw the line between those two, right, 560 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:59,000 Speaker 1: But Lebron has so much variety to his success that 561 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:03,040 Speaker 1: it's unassailable. I can't I can't doubt whether or not 562 00:32:03,040 --> 00:32:06,440 Speaker 1: with Lebron would succeed in one era or one environment 563 00:32:06,600 --> 00:32:09,760 Speaker 1: with one co star, with one coach, with one system. 564 00:32:09,840 --> 00:32:12,560 Speaker 1: I can never debate that because he's done it in 565 00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:16,360 Speaker 1: every situation. And and we're we haven't even gotten to 566 00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:19,320 Speaker 1: a half dozen other things that are huge hallmarks of 567 00:32:19,400 --> 00:32:23,000 Speaker 1: Lebron's MVP case or his goat case, like his longevity, 568 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:24,880 Speaker 1: for instance. We can get we can go on for 569 00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:27,800 Speaker 1: days and days, but it's crazy because that that dominance 570 00:32:27,800 --> 00:32:31,880 Speaker 1: piece he may never be able to touch. But everything else, 571 00:32:31,960 --> 00:32:34,360 Speaker 1: I think he's got it. And that's where it becomes 572 00:32:34,440 --> 00:32:35,840 Speaker 1: one of those things where it's it's it's all in 573 00:32:35,880 --> 00:32:38,240 Speaker 1: the eye of the beholder. But Lebron is starting to 574 00:32:38,800 --> 00:32:40,800 Speaker 1: give you a lot of stuff to look at, if 575 00:32:40,840 --> 00:32:43,000 Speaker 1: that makes sense. All right, That's all I had for 576 00:32:43,040 --> 00:32:45,000 Speaker 1: you guys tonight. Thank you guys so much for coming 577 00:32:45,040 --> 00:32:47,840 Speaker 1: to hang out. We have no show tomorrow because of 578 00:32:47,840 --> 00:32:50,680 Speaker 1: the super Bowl, but we will be back Monday, Tuesday, 579 00:32:50,800 --> 00:32:53,480 Speaker 1: and Wednesday of next week. As always, I appreciate the 580 00:32:53,520 --> 00:33:19,200 Speaker 1: support and I'll see you guys in a couple of days, 581 00:33:03,640 --> 00:33:21,880 Speaker 1: and the volume