WEBVTT - Joel Embiid is BACK, Jamaal Murray's Injury, Brunson MVP? ft. Rajon Rondo | Episode 21 | BULLY BALL 0:00:00.080 --> 0:00:02.920 The college basketball Tournament is down to the final four 0:00:03.120 --> 0:00:06.240 and all roads lead to that final NCAA Championship game 0:00:06.240 --> 0:00:09.119 at State Farm Stadium on Monday in Glendale, Arizona. 0:00:09.160 --> 0:00:09.960 Look, there's been. 0:00:09.920 --> 0:00:13.239 Upsets, comebacks, rivalries, and huge moments so far. 0:00:13.320 --> 0:00:14.840 There's been the thrill in it all. 0:00:15.160 --> 0:00:17.560 But if your bracket is a bust, well you're not 0:00:17.600 --> 0:00:21.080 the only one. DraftKings They've got your back. You can 0:00:21.079 --> 0:00:24.200 still experience the thrill of live betting and wager on 0:00:24.239 --> 0:00:26.000 the rest of the games in the tournament. Who do 0:00:26.000 --> 0:00:27.360 you think is going to win it all? And cut 0:00:27.400 --> 0:00:30.200 down the nets. You can make your picks now on DraftKings. 0:00:30.640 --> 0:00:33.240 All new customers who bet just five dollars will unlock 0:00:33.280 --> 0:00:36.120 one hundred and fifty dollars and bonus bets instantly using 0:00:36.159 --> 0:00:39.640 code Bullyball. That's right, New customers can bet just five dollars. 0:00:39.720 --> 0:00:42.600 You get one hundred and fifty dollars and bonus bets instantly. 0:00:42.840 --> 0:00:45.680 Download the DraftKings app. Sign up now you can use 0:00:45.720 --> 0:00:48.240 my code bullyball. The crown is yours. 0:00:53.200 --> 0:00:54.120 What's that? Bullyball? 0:00:54.160 --> 0:00:54.360 Fan? 0:00:54.560 --> 0:00:57.880 Concert season and festival season are fast approaching, and whether 0:00:57.920 --> 0:01:00.000 I'm going to the desert for Coachella or seeing Bruce 0:01:00.040 --> 0:01:02.480 Springsteen at the Forum. I'm ready to go with buying 0:01:02.480 --> 0:01:05.000 my tickets with just two clicks in seconds using the 0:01:05.040 --> 0:01:08.280 game Time app. Game Time prides itself. I'm being customer 0:01:08.319 --> 0:01:11.080 centric and finding the best prices for tickets so I 0:01:11.080 --> 0:01:13.200 don't have to worry or stress when I'm planning a 0:01:13.240 --> 0:01:15.800 good time. When I pick tickets, I can actually see 0:01:15.800 --> 0:01:19.520 the real seat. It's a panoramic photo. It's not digitally created. 0:01:19.720 --> 0:01:21.600 So when I pick my seats, I can see a 0:01:21.600 --> 0:01:23.840 band on stage, people in the crowd. I can really 0:01:23.959 --> 0:01:25.959 envision how my experience is going to be. 0:01:26.240 --> 0:01:26.920 That's so cool. 0:01:27.080 --> 0:01:29.959 They also have the most flexible customer service. Part of 0:01:30.000 --> 0:01:33.679 their game Time guarantee is event cancellation protection twenty four 0:01:33.720 --> 0:01:35.440 hour returns. Those are guaranteed. 0:01:35.520 --> 0:01:37.600 They also have job assurance. This is so cool. 0:01:37.600 --> 0:01:40.280 They understand life and the unexpected happen, so if you 0:01:40.319 --> 0:01:42.960 get tickets and you find yourself without a job, they 0:01:43.000 --> 0:01:45.920 actually have your back. And they have the best prices 0:01:45.920 --> 0:01:48.040 on last minute deals. I've seen them up to sixty 0:01:48.040 --> 0:01:51.920 percent off. They present and provide upfront pricing without any 0:01:52.000 --> 0:01:54.480 hidden fees popping up right before checkout. So take the 0:01:54.520 --> 0:01:57.520 guesswork out of buying tickets on game time. Download the 0:01:57.560 --> 0:01:59.640 game Time app. You can use my code Bullyball for 0:01:59.640 --> 0:02:02.720 twenty off your first purchase. Terms apply, of course, but 0:02:02.800 --> 0:02:06.080 create an account redeem the code Bullyball. Download the game 0:02:06.120 --> 0:02:17.079 Time APT today, last minute tickets, lowest price guaranteed. Welcome 0:02:17.120 --> 0:02:20.799 to Bullyball, presented by DraftKings. I am Rachel Nichols, as always, 0:02:20.840 --> 0:02:23.680 mister DeMarcus Cousins across the way from me and joining 0:02:23.720 --> 0:02:26.359 us once again. I love this is becoming regular thing. 0:02:26.840 --> 0:02:30.760 Mister Rajon Rondo, Welcome. What fabulous locale Are you joining 0:02:30.800 --> 0:02:31.600 us from dough. 0:02:34.520 --> 0:02:35.040 My home? 0:02:37.840 --> 0:02:40.600 That's a James Bond answer, because people are watching on 0:02:40.639 --> 0:02:42.960 YouTube knowe that that is not your normal background. 0:02:43.000 --> 0:02:45.080 So I just we're gonna let you keep it a mystery. 0:02:45.160 --> 0:02:48.280 I'm just saying, if you hear some big spy mission 0:02:48.360 --> 0:02:50.920 that comes off this week, just everyone out there be 0:02:50.919 --> 0:02:52.760 aware Dough might be involved. 0:02:52.760 --> 0:02:55.520 I don't know, Boogie, you have no plan. This is 0:02:55.600 --> 0:02:57.000 this disturbs plan today. 0:02:57.120 --> 0:03:01.640 No plan today, man, And it's actually it's all like 0:03:02.320 --> 0:03:04.960 coming to you know my mind, that is messing up 0:03:05.000 --> 0:03:07.920 my energy this morning. Dog coming along with it. With 0:03:08.040 --> 0:03:10.640 his negative energy. My plan is missing. So I'm a 0:03:10.639 --> 0:03:12.639 little off this morning. So y'all just working. 0:03:13.520 --> 0:03:17.720 We'll have to have to raise that level during the show. Yeah, 0:03:17.960 --> 0:03:19.800 dope came on and the minute he got on here 0:03:19.840 --> 0:03:21.320 today he was busting himself. 0:03:21.560 --> 0:03:26.040 Yeah, he on one this morning checks things you said 0:03:26.120 --> 0:03:29.040 last week that were not so great. 0:03:29.120 --> 0:03:29.560 New week. 0:03:29.600 --> 0:03:33.000 It's a new week, though. You gotta let this next 0:03:33.680 --> 0:03:34.760 next play mindset. 0:03:35.200 --> 0:03:37.640 Hey man, you made a statement about a player in 0:03:37.680 --> 0:03:41.520 the league that was supposed to have picked up the 0:03:41.720 --> 0:03:46.520 assist slack for a player that is injured. So right there, Oh, 0:03:46.560 --> 0:03:52.000 come on, go ahead, raise my fuck. 0:03:53.640 --> 0:03:55.120 Let's talk a little bit of college ball. 0:03:55.280 --> 0:03:59.400 My friends Alabama, YU Kind, NC State and Purdue in 0:03:59.440 --> 0:04:00.360 the final four. 0:04:00.520 --> 0:04:01.680 It was quite the weekend. 0:04:01.880 --> 0:04:05.640 North Carolina State Duke was leaning halftime, That's all I 0:04:05.720 --> 0:04:08.680 got to say. And yet nc stage is now America's sweetheart. 0:04:09.040 --> 0:04:11.040 What do you make of the big man matchup between 0:04:11.040 --> 0:04:11.960 Burns and EATI. 0:04:13.680 --> 0:04:16.560 I mean, I think this is coming down to just 0:04:16.720 --> 0:04:20.120 being an old school type matchup where you got two 0:04:20.240 --> 0:04:23.720 dominant biggs in the college basketball scene that have been 0:04:23.800 --> 0:04:27.719 leading the teams all year, two different type playing styles. 0:04:27.760 --> 0:04:31.200 You know, DJ Burns is a guy that's you know, 0:04:31.279 --> 0:04:33.760 with his play lately, he's getting a lot of comparisons 0:04:33.800 --> 0:04:36.919 to Zach Randolph. And you know he's him being a 0:04:37.000 --> 0:04:39.600 left handed, you know, not as athletic big man, but 0:04:39.640 --> 0:04:43.000 with a wide base and just the ability to move 0:04:43.000 --> 0:04:46.799 the opposing defenses with his with his strength and size, 0:04:47.400 --> 0:04:49.599 that's a matchup nightmare for anybody. 0:04:50.200 --> 0:04:52.719 And then you got the big man EATI and Purdue 0:04:54.240 --> 0:05:01.240 seven foot plus plus plus. 0:05:04.760 --> 0:05:07.159 That's a lot of plus. That's a lot of plus. 0:05:07.360 --> 0:05:09.760 Yeah, that's that's a big matchup. So I think this 0:05:09.880 --> 0:05:12.640 matchup is going to be one for the ages. I'm 0:05:12.800 --> 0:05:15.760 I'm really excited for because we're getting back to the 0:05:15.800 --> 0:05:18.440 foundation of basketball, which is you know, going through the 0:05:18.440 --> 0:05:19.000 big man. 0:05:20.640 --> 0:05:22.160 I think this is much watch TV. 0:05:22.320 --> 0:05:27.320 I think this tournaments has exceeded expectations, and I'm excited 0:05:27.320 --> 0:05:29.719 for so looking forward to this matchup. 0:05:30.680 --> 0:05:32.520 I don't know, I feel like Yukon has been so 0:05:32.680 --> 0:05:36.040 good and so dominant, the whole thing feels a little, 0:05:36.240 --> 0:05:38.320 you know, like it's lack and suspense for me. Everyone 0:05:38.320 --> 0:05:40.080 can go do their thing in these games, but we 0:05:40.120 --> 0:05:43.279 all know Yukon. I mean, man, they are a giant 0:05:43.400 --> 0:05:45.880 to me, it's almost like the women's matchups have been 0:05:45.920 --> 0:05:49.320 a little bit more interesting at this stage, at this round, 0:05:49.400 --> 0:05:54.000 especially with this Elite eight. We've got Monday night Yukon 0:05:54.160 --> 0:05:58.120 versus USC LSU versus Iowa. Of course that's the rematch 0:05:58.160 --> 0:06:03.080 Caitlin Clark Angel Reese from last year. But what do 0:06:03.120 --> 0:06:05.760 you feel like though, when you look at this and 0:06:05.800 --> 0:06:08.599 this happening this early. Is that a disappointment that they're 0:06:08.600 --> 0:06:10.560 meeting this early or is it just juiced up a 0:06:10.600 --> 0:06:11.240 little bit for you? 0:06:11.800 --> 0:06:12.880 I think it keeps it spicy. 0:06:13.600 --> 0:06:13.760 You know. 0:06:13.760 --> 0:06:15.720 Obviously we won't have to send the rematches last year, 0:06:15.760 --> 0:06:18.440 but to have it this early on in the in 0:06:18.520 --> 0:06:22.160 the games, I'm excited for it, especially with injuries, the 0:06:22.200 --> 0:06:25.120 way she's been talking shit the whole season, She's continued 0:06:25.160 --> 0:06:28.240 to be a standout. You know, She's handled all the 0:06:28.240 --> 0:06:30.919 criticisms throughout a whole a couple of years at LSU. 0:06:31.000 --> 0:06:32.920 So I'm looking forward to the matchup again and I'm 0:06:32.960 --> 0:06:35.359 excited to watch those ladies play tonight. 0:06:35.560 --> 0:06:36.560 Who you got, bug. 0:06:37.920 --> 0:06:38.120 Man? 0:06:38.520 --> 0:06:41.760 I'm actually hoping this LSU team can pull it out. 0:06:42.960 --> 0:06:46.400 You know, I think they've been great for women's sports. 0:06:46.480 --> 0:06:49.320 I think they've been a great representation regardless of people 0:06:49.440 --> 0:06:53.400 you know, agree with their playing style or not. You know, 0:06:53.640 --> 0:06:56.159 I have a lot of similarities when it comes to 0:06:56.200 --> 0:07:00.200 Angel Rees. You know, the trash talk, the energy she brings, 0:07:00.240 --> 0:07:02.520 the grit she plays with every night, and. 0:07:03.320 --> 0:07:06.000 Just her being able to accept criticism. 0:07:05.440 --> 0:07:09.480 And play through all this, you know, adversity while being 0:07:09.720 --> 0:07:11.600 you know, one of the biggest stars in college. I 0:07:11.600 --> 0:07:14.120 think that's remarkable and I don't think she gets enough 0:07:14.120 --> 0:07:18.320 credit for it. When they when they entered this stage 0:07:18.320 --> 0:07:21.200 a couple of years ago, nobody expected it to you know, 0:07:21.320 --> 0:07:24.000 turn into this and you know, like I said, I 0:07:24.040 --> 0:07:26.760 think they've been a great representation for women's sports. They've 0:07:26.760 --> 0:07:30.960 definitely elevated the sport. And I think these young ladies 0:07:31.000 --> 0:07:35.480 are are you know, a newfound a new age pioneer 0:07:35.520 --> 0:07:38.800 when it comes to you know, just putting women's sports 0:07:38.840 --> 0:07:41.560 on this new pedestal. And uh, you know, as of recently, 0:07:41.640 --> 0:07:44.000 the women's game has been better than the men's game. 0:07:44.080 --> 0:07:47.840 And that's okay. So you know, credit to these ladies 0:07:47.880 --> 0:07:48.840 for what they're doing. 0:07:49.880 --> 0:07:52.280 Yeah, I mean, look, for me, it's just them being 0:07:52.320 --> 0:07:54.560 allowed to be as competitive as they should be. I 0:07:54.600 --> 0:07:57.480 thought all of the crap that Angel Reese took after 0:07:57.480 --> 0:08:00.720 the National Championship game last year. It's just such bullshit. 0:08:01.200 --> 0:08:03.160 It's just all about like, oh, women need to be 0:08:03.240 --> 0:08:06.440 more polite, girls, you know, need to be sportsmanlike that 0:08:06.520 --> 0:08:07.160 kind of crap. 0:08:07.240 --> 0:08:08.800 I mean, these women are athletes. 0:08:09.440 --> 0:08:11.560 They are doing the exact same thing out there that 0:08:11.600 --> 0:08:15.160 their male counterparts are doing. You think Angel Reese invented 0:08:15.240 --> 0:08:17.360 that this is my ring championship sort of thing. 0:08:17.360 --> 0:08:19.680 I mean, come on, no, it's. 0:08:19.560 --> 0:08:22.240 Because men have been doing that for years and years. 0:08:22.600 --> 0:08:25.560 So to pretend like when she does it, it's some violation 0:08:25.720 --> 0:08:28.320 of an unwritten rule. Where where do you think she 0:08:28.400 --> 0:08:32.679 got it from? It just it is blood boiling that 0:08:32.760 --> 0:08:35.040 these women aren't sort of allowed in the public spirit 0:08:35.080 --> 0:08:37.160 to be as competitive as they should be allowed to 0:08:37.320 --> 0:08:40.360 because they are playing a sport. So my hope is 0:08:40.360 --> 0:08:43.079 that things have evolved enough this past year that whoever 0:08:43.320 --> 0:08:46.040 wins IOWA LSU can trash talk the hell out of 0:08:46.080 --> 0:08:48.720 the other person and it's fine with the players. Caitlin 0:08:48.760 --> 0:08:51.319 Clark said at the time, she goes, please, that's great, 0:08:51.559 --> 0:08:52.640 we should be competitive. 0:08:52.679 --> 0:08:53.280 Angel's great. 0:08:53.320 --> 0:08:56.520 I have no issue like we're off court friendly, but 0:08:57.320 --> 0:08:59.000 I just want them to be able to play the 0:08:59.040 --> 0:09:01.480 way basketball players should get to play. So that is 0:09:01.520 --> 0:09:05.000 my hope for tonight, for these coming up women's tournament games, 0:09:05.080 --> 0:09:07.439 is that everyone gets to see them as the standout 0:09:07.480 --> 0:09:10.880 athletes that they are. All right, guys, big news, Joel 0:09:11.040 --> 0:09:14.600 Embiid appears to be making a return, may even be 0:09:14.640 --> 0:09:17.920 coming back as quick as Tuesday night versus okay, see, 0:09:18.000 --> 0:09:21.920 we'll see. He missed twenty eight straight games. Now, I 0:09:21.960 --> 0:09:23.640 have to look at where the Sixers are. They're number 0:09:23.640 --> 0:09:26.319 eight in the East starting out the week seven games 0:09:26.400 --> 0:09:28.520 left to play, they're two back of the sixth spot, 0:09:28.559 --> 0:09:29.920 which is of course where they want to be. They 0:09:29.920 --> 0:09:32.560 want to be out of the plan in what do 0:09:32.679 --> 0:09:35.440 you guys think, Buggie, where are you on this? Do 0:09:35.480 --> 0:09:39.000 you think that seven games is enough when you look 0:09:39.040 --> 0:09:41.760 at the standings here for Joel Embiid to help the 0:09:41.760 --> 0:09:43.320 Sixers get to number six? 0:09:44.200 --> 0:09:48.880 Well, you know, seventy eighty percent join Embiid is still 0:09:50.400 --> 0:09:53.360 better than ninety eight percent of the bigs in the league. 0:09:53.400 --> 0:09:54.679 So with that being. 0:09:54.600 --> 0:10:01.120 Said, true, that being said, obviously I think the Sixers 0:10:01.160 --> 0:10:04.280 are going to get better. They are missing their foundation 0:10:04.400 --> 0:10:09.240 in the Big Fella. But you know, thinking about it 0:10:09.280 --> 0:10:12.120 from a realistic standpoint, like, this is a tough task 0:10:12.200 --> 0:10:16.960 to do. You have seven games regular season. History has 0:10:17.440 --> 0:10:20.240 shown us that you don't have the greatest conditioning coming 0:10:20.280 --> 0:10:24.000 back from these type situations. Hey, maybe this situation he 0:10:24.040 --> 0:10:26.160 approached it a lot differently. He was on a strict 0:10:26.240 --> 0:10:29.080 diet through this whole time. Maybe maybe you know, maybe 0:10:29.160 --> 0:10:31.520 he's figured it out, and I hope he has. But 0:10:32.600 --> 0:10:36.040 from what history has shown us, there will be some 0:10:36.080 --> 0:10:38.680 type of conditioning issues, and that's expected. You miss that 0:10:38.760 --> 0:10:42.760 many games, you're sitting for that long. The knee injury 0:10:42.840 --> 0:10:45.440 isn't something where you can just, you know, go jog 0:10:45.520 --> 0:10:48.040 down the street the next day and keep your wind up. 0:10:48.080 --> 0:10:51.120 Those things just aren't aren't realistic things. So I think 0:10:51.120 --> 0:10:53.840 conditioning will play a part in it. I don't think 0:10:53.880 --> 0:10:57.679 seven games is enough to prepare you for a playoff atmosphere, 0:10:57.800 --> 0:11:00.520 especially when you know you're the folk a point of 0:11:00.559 --> 0:11:04.240 every defense. So that's another challenge in itself. But I 0:11:04.280 --> 0:11:09.240 do think the sixers will improve. I can't I can't 0:11:09.600 --> 0:11:11.200 go out on the limit say I think they'll get 0:11:11.240 --> 0:11:14.320 to the six spot just because he returns. I think 0:11:14.360 --> 0:11:18.680 there will be some russ like I said, conditioning will 0:11:18.679 --> 0:11:21.360 be a factor, but the sixers will get better. So 0:11:21.559 --> 0:11:22.800 I know they're happy about that. 0:11:23.840 --> 0:11:24.840 Dell, what you got. 0:11:29.679 --> 0:11:32.320 Making into the sixth I'm not sure about that making 0:11:32.400 --> 0:11:33.880 to the six spot, But to me, I don't know 0:11:33.880 --> 0:11:37.000 if that's the concern. I think they're very confident that 0:11:37.040 --> 0:11:40.720 they possibly could end up facing Miami in the first 0:11:40.800 --> 0:11:43.720 round in the playing game. So with them be back, 0:11:44.240 --> 0:11:46.920 having these seven games to kind of get his feet 0:11:46.960 --> 0:11:50.120 back underneath them. Obviously he'll be in a minute restriction 0:11:50.240 --> 0:11:53.320 coming back, so that's going to play a factor. Like again, 0:11:53.360 --> 0:11:56.960 he's not going to probably finish games. We'll see how 0:11:57.000 --> 0:11:58.800 they manage his minutes as far as kind of a 0:11:58.840 --> 0:12:01.599 hockey sub letting them get you know, getting them a 0:12:01.600 --> 0:12:03.600 little stiff on the sideline. But for the most part, 0:12:03.880 --> 0:12:05.600 his health is the main concern. I feel like they 0:12:05.600 --> 0:12:08.360 can get in the playoffs. They're fine with that versus 0:12:08.360 --> 0:12:10.199 trying to get to the sixth seed by trying to 0:12:10.200 --> 0:12:12.800 extend his minutes. The guys that's been playing, you know 0:12:13.000 --> 0:12:14.920 throughout the season without them, it's going to continue to 0:12:14.920 --> 0:12:17.240 have to step up. And obviously having your best player 0:12:17.240 --> 0:12:20.120 backs and gives you confidence. Like I said last week. 0:12:20.160 --> 0:12:22.160 You know, those guys having that experience with him out, 0:12:22.280 --> 0:12:24.520 you know, guys getting more shots to buy some stepping up. 0:12:24.880 --> 0:12:26.120 Tyresis shooting the head out. 0:12:25.960 --> 0:12:26.160 Of the ball. 0:12:26.200 --> 0:12:28.080 So it's like those guys still have their confidence, but 0:12:28.120 --> 0:12:30.280 what they biggerman back, they will be better. But I 0:12:30.280 --> 0:12:32.079 don't think it's solely a focus gon'n get to the 0:12:32.120 --> 0:12:34.720 six spot versus having him healthy to go in the 0:12:34.760 --> 0:12:37.040 first round to possibly play Miami and then end up 0:12:37.040 --> 0:12:37.960 probably getting Yeah. 0:12:37.800 --> 0:12:40.240 I mean, that's the thing. I think you guys are 0:12:40.280 --> 0:12:41.760 right that it is going to be hard to do. 0:12:41.920 --> 0:12:44.040 I mean, making up two games and only seven to 0:12:44.120 --> 0:12:46.520 play is I mean, it's very, very difficult. 0:12:46.160 --> 0:12:49.200 Right, But there is such a huge difference. 0:12:49.120 --> 0:12:52.520 Between being in the eighth seed and maybe facing the 0:12:52.559 --> 0:12:54.840 Celtics in the first round, definitely facing the Celtics in 0:12:54.840 --> 0:12:57.360 the first round, or being even in the seventh seed 0:12:57.400 --> 0:12:59.640 and facing Giannis in the Bucks in the first round. 0:12:59.720 --> 0:13:01.560 Versus is, if you can make it up to that 0:13:01.640 --> 0:13:04.480 six you're facing some version of either the Knicks or 0:13:04.480 --> 0:13:07.120 the Cavs with the Magic no matter who of those 0:13:07.120 --> 0:13:11.120 three teams is. That's a huge step difference from either 0:13:11.160 --> 0:13:13.839 the Bucks or the Celtics. So I think you guys 0:13:13.880 --> 0:13:16.000 are right, it's going to be very hard. But I 0:13:16.040 --> 0:13:18.040 think that is why they are so eager to have 0:13:18.120 --> 0:13:19.880 him back. And I was just with the Sixers last 0:13:19.880 --> 0:13:22.360 week talking to Nick Nurse, talking to some of the players, 0:13:22.760 --> 0:13:24.120 and you know. 0:13:24.080 --> 0:13:26.199 They've been waiting and waiting and waiting for this. 0:13:26.400 --> 0:13:29.400 I just hope that Joel was able to do what 0:13:29.440 --> 0:13:31.760 they all think he is able to do. Honestly, the 0:13:31.760 --> 0:13:33.680 reason he was out a lot of this time was 0:13:33.720 --> 0:13:36.520 because of pressure put on him to play when he 0:13:36.600 --> 0:13:38.040 was more hurt than he should have been out on 0:13:38.080 --> 0:13:40.280 the court for. And that is how he agreed, you know, 0:13:40.360 --> 0:13:42.240 that is how he ended up with a much worse injury. 0:13:42.360 --> 0:13:44.760 So I'm hoping this isn't the same kind of pressure. 0:13:45.000 --> 0:13:47.200 I fear a little bit it could end up being 0:13:47.240 --> 0:13:50.520 that way inadvertently. I am curious from you guys. And 0:13:50.559 --> 0:13:52.720 we'll talk about a little bit of this with Karl 0:13:52.760 --> 0:13:55.120 Anthony Towns a little later in the show as well. 0:13:55.480 --> 0:13:58.719 When a guy is quote working his way back, is. 0:13:58.679 --> 0:14:01.680 It for the other guys in floridough like say, say 0:14:01.720 --> 0:14:03.839 for the other guys there, is it just hey, Joel 0:14:03.920 --> 0:14:06.440 being out there as such? A presence and he makes 0:14:06.440 --> 0:14:09.040 the defense change and it's a huge advantage even if 0:14:09.080 --> 0:14:11.560 he is maybe eighty percent the way book said, or 0:14:11.720 --> 0:14:14.439 is it that gosh, he's not quite himself and you've 0:14:14.440 --> 0:14:16.599 been doing this running this other thing. Like from a 0:14:16.640 --> 0:14:18.760 point guard perspective, what is it like when someone like 0:14:18.800 --> 0:14:19.680 that comes back. 0:14:22.440 --> 0:14:22.640 To me? 0:14:22.680 --> 0:14:24.160 It's night and day to have you a big fellow 0:14:24.200 --> 0:14:26.960 back being able to anchor the defense, ankor offense. 0:14:27.120 --> 0:14:31.560 If he's even if he's seventy, he's. 0:14:31.400 --> 0:14:33.960 Still gonna draw double triple teams. You know, he's still 0:14:34.720 --> 0:14:37.280 you know, continue to be a willing passer, creating the 0:14:37.360 --> 0:14:40.320 mismatches and then creating close outs. You know, your shooters 0:14:40.320 --> 0:14:43.480 are getting better shots now Tyres doesn't particularly have to 0:14:43.480 --> 0:14:45.760 make every particular play down the court, so it takes 0:14:45.760 --> 0:14:47.920 a lot of pressure off the offense completely. And again 0:14:47.960 --> 0:14:50.120 with him being seventy percent, like Culs said, it's better 0:14:50.160 --> 0:14:52.680 than ninety nine percent of the big men in the game. Besides, 0:14:52.880 --> 0:14:56.240 you know, one or two guys possibly, so you know 0:14:56.240 --> 0:14:58.080 they're not going to play on one on one. And 0:14:58.160 --> 0:15:00.360 with that being said, like I said, Earl, he's going 0:15:00.440 --> 0:15:02.520 to He's going to make these guys have easier shots. 0:15:02.600 --> 0:15:05.640 So yeah, absolutely, having him back on a different a 0:15:05.640 --> 0:15:07.960 different flow of the game again, he's going to give 0:15:08.000 --> 0:15:10.360 his teammates confidence. He's going to give Nick Nurse confidence. 0:15:10.400 --> 0:15:12.320 So uh, they don't even to be a hundred percent 0:15:12.400 --> 0:15:14.960 right now. They wanted obviously to see high, high flows 0:15:15.040 --> 0:15:18.040 and gradually slow to get back to where you were. 0:15:18.440 --> 0:15:21.040 He was playing so well right before he got knocked out, 0:15:21.120 --> 0:15:22.920 and it's such a shame he had to lose a 0:15:23.000 --> 0:15:26.040 chunk of this season. We hope good health for everyone 0:15:26.040 --> 0:15:28.520 in the league and him in particular coming back. 0:15:28.560 --> 0:15:29.400 We'll see how he does. 0:15:29.640 --> 0:15:31.080 I do want to talk about some of those other 0:15:31.080 --> 0:15:34.080 teams in the East though, because the Knicks, man, I mean, 0:15:34.400 --> 0:15:37.560 they've got key starters out and yet here they are, 0:15:37.600 --> 0:15:41.000 they're still challenging for the number three spot. We don't 0:15:41.040 --> 0:15:43.640 know when Julius Randalla is going to return. He has 0:15:43.680 --> 0:15:47.360 a dislocated shoulder. Og Anobi was out and then back 0:15:47.360 --> 0:15:49.400 in and then out again. He was on the floor 0:15:49.440 --> 0:15:51.840 at practice, but he's not even clear for contact yet 0:15:51.880 --> 0:15:55.120 with that elbow injury. So we had Josh Hart say 0:15:55.640 --> 0:15:58.760 postgame on Sunday, we have to approach every game and 0:15:58.840 --> 0:16:01.680 the end of this season, that these guys aren't coming back, 0:16:01.800 --> 0:16:04.239 and if they do, we have to be pleasantly surprised. 0:16:04.760 --> 0:16:07.480 So that cause that quote caused a lot of panic 0:16:07.720 --> 0:16:10.440 that the Knicks players who are hurt just aren't coming back. 0:16:11.080 --> 0:16:12.960 If you listen to Josh Hurt, he's a little bit 0:16:12.960 --> 0:16:14.760 more when he explained, just saying, Hey, that's how I 0:16:14.800 --> 0:16:17.400 approach every game. But but what do you think of 0:16:17.440 --> 0:16:19.520 that if they can't get these guys back. I mean, 0:16:19.720 --> 0:16:21.880 even is it worth having the discussion about what they're 0:16:21.880 --> 0:16:22.640 doing in the playoffs. 0:16:22.640 --> 0:16:25.000 They're still playing pretty well without especially OG. 0:16:26.280 --> 0:16:31.400 I think this next team is built strictly off toughness. 0:16:31.520 --> 0:16:31.760 One. 0:16:31.840 --> 0:16:34.960 I think Jalen Bronson should be one of the top 0:16:35.040 --> 0:16:37.240 names when it comes to MVP this season, the way 0:16:37.280 --> 0:16:40.040 he's been carrying this next team through the ups and downs, 0:16:40.080 --> 0:16:42.520 Like he just came off of sixty point performance, even 0:16:42.560 --> 0:16:47.160 though it came with a loss. But this guy has 0:16:47.200 --> 0:16:51.480 been performing and exceeding all expectations coming into this year. 0:16:52.320 --> 0:16:55.160 You put him in that top five MVP conversation. 0:16:54.720 --> 0:16:57.080 I do? I do? I think he's done? 0:16:59.320 --> 0:17:00.880 Can we get a top five real quick? 0:17:03.240 --> 0:17:05.639 Right now? Let me let me finish my statement. 0:17:07.000 --> 0:17:09.560 In jo but it can't take someone out. That's the problem. 0:17:09.680 --> 0:17:10.640 Everyone's in the top five. 0:17:10.920 --> 0:17:13.160 Everybody's in the top five until it's time to name 0:17:13.200 --> 0:17:19.399 the top five. Let me give this guy's flowers? Can 0:17:19.440 --> 0:17:20.480 I give him his flowers? 0:17:21.080 --> 0:17:25.640 He's been playing incredible, man, he's been leading, Yes, even 0:17:25.680 --> 0:17:28.920 through injury, missing you know, key pieces to the team 0:17:28.920 --> 0:17:29.320 and O. G. 0:17:29.760 --> 0:17:30.600 Julius Randall. 0:17:31.000 --> 0:17:33.960 I think he's done a great job leading his team 0:17:34.000 --> 0:17:35.720 when it comes to Josh Hart's comings. 0:17:35.720 --> 0:17:38.000 So I'm not mad at that mindset. 0:17:39.400 --> 0:17:43.560 If that helps you, you know, meet the criteria every 0:17:43.680 --> 0:17:46.399 night and come out ready to play like every game matters. 0:17:46.440 --> 0:17:50.479 I'm cool with that and that being my role player's 0:17:50.600 --> 0:17:53.560 mindset while our foundational pieces are out. I think that's 0:17:53.600 --> 0:17:56.360 a great mindset to have because it could carry over 0:17:56.480 --> 0:17:58.880 and keep things to floating to your stars are able 0:17:58.920 --> 0:18:00.920 to get back and join the team. 0:18:01.320 --> 0:18:05.600 Well said, Well, answer me this with the Jalen Brunson factor. 0:18:06.040 --> 0:18:08.960 When you break down how he plays, how successful he's 0:18:09.000 --> 0:18:12.200 been sixty one points the other night, and yet he's 0:18:12.200 --> 0:18:14.040 about six feet tall. I mean, what, what do you 0:18:14.160 --> 0:18:16.080 see the translation into the player? 0:18:16.280 --> 0:18:18.880 They got him listen to this, They got him listen 0:18:18.880 --> 0:18:21.399 to six two, but I think he's I played at 0:18:22.000 --> 0:18:25.080 six and to be able to average twenty eight, five 0:18:25.160 --> 0:18:28.000 and eight in this game. I know the game has changed, 0:18:28.000 --> 0:18:29.760 its faster faced, but still the way he's able to 0:18:29.800 --> 0:18:32.680 get into the pain attack shoot a high percentage over 0:18:32.720 --> 0:18:36.080 forty eight percent from the field. He's definitely been impressive, 0:18:36.119 --> 0:18:37.800 and I think he's been underrated his whole career and 0:18:37.800 --> 0:18:41.600 he's okay with that and seeded all expectations, his work ethic, 0:18:42.280 --> 0:18:44.639 his mindset, and shout out to coach Tibeau. You know, 0:18:44.680 --> 0:18:47.400 coach said earlier their their defensive mind to hard nosed 0:18:47.400 --> 0:18:50.600 team and it starts with your coach. So for them 0:18:50.640 --> 0:18:52.400 to be in a position they are now without their 0:18:53.119 --> 0:18:56.600 you know, their main guys, Julius randall Og a couple 0:18:56.640 --> 0:18:58.800 of the guys's been out throughout the season. He's been 0:18:58.800 --> 0:19:01.960 their rock. They're missed consistent and uh, you know, shout 0:19:01.960 --> 0:19:03.920 out to Jalen. He's he's a hell of player to watch. 0:19:04.000 --> 0:19:05.760 I even have my son watch as much as possible. 0:19:05.760 --> 0:19:07.720 You know, he's the best guard and that I would 0:19:07.720 --> 0:19:09.600 say he's playing off the two feet and it goes 0:19:09.640 --> 0:19:11.200 back to when he was telling about how he trained 0:19:11.200 --> 0:19:12.480 and billing over how he was able to get in 0:19:12.560 --> 0:19:14.960 the paint and uh, you know, learn how to learn 0:19:14.960 --> 0:19:19.280 how to pivot. So at that position, maybe behind Kyrie, 0:19:19.320 --> 0:19:22.000 he's the best post up guard in our game, you know, 0:19:22.119 --> 0:19:24.600 six feet six two and under. Uh, he doesn't get 0:19:24.680 --> 0:19:26.159 enough credit for that. Like I said, he's one of 0:19:26.200 --> 0:19:28.480 the best mit ranger mid range players in the game. 0:19:28.680 --> 0:19:30.560 So for him to be able to do this at 0:19:30.560 --> 0:19:32.720 the point guard position, night in night out. I know 0:19:32.720 --> 0:19:35.239 they've lost the last two, but before that, they've been 0:19:35.280 --> 0:19:37.480 they've been rolling, they've been hot. So it's gonna be 0:19:37.520 --> 0:19:39.440 interesting to see how they do the last five six 0:19:39.480 --> 0:19:43.080 games of the regular season without those guys. But he's 0:19:43.119 --> 0:19:46.480 a tough load now in the playoffs again, he's been 0:19:46.520 --> 0:19:49.240 turned up last year. I think he played eleven games 0:19:49.280 --> 0:19:53.320 last year. He's average twenty eight, five and five. I 0:19:53.359 --> 0:19:56.399 don't see him slowing down. You know, defenses will uh 0:19:56.680 --> 0:19:59.320 you know, predicate try to stop there in your entire 0:19:59.400 --> 0:20:02.360 defense is slow him down. But the sets they run, 0:20:02.480 --> 0:20:05.040 whether he's able to manipulate the game, I don't see 0:20:05.080 --> 0:20:06.560 that he's going to. You know, he's going to tail 0:20:06.560 --> 0:20:08.600 off anytime soon. With his averages in the playoffs. So 0:20:08.600 --> 0:20:10.680 it's just a matter of his teammates around him being 0:20:10.680 --> 0:20:13.440 able to step up consistently, you know, night in and 0:20:13.520 --> 0:20:15.400 night out. And that's why I think that they might 0:20:15.560 --> 0:20:17.400 you know, tail off and not get the w's because 0:20:17.400 --> 0:20:20.280 of that. But him his performance, he'll he'll be where 0:20:20.320 --> 0:20:20.800 he's going to be. 0:20:21.200 --> 0:20:23.760 Does the high thing come into play differently in the 0:20:23.760 --> 0:20:26.760 postseason with the way No, No. 0:20:27.359 --> 0:20:29.840 No, it's it's just amount of thing. It's a mindset. 0:20:30.480 --> 0:20:33.240 And again he's done it all season. He's faced every 0:20:33.280 --> 0:20:35.800 scouting port that he's played against this year is the 0:20:35.800 --> 0:20:38.200 defense has been predicated to stop him, and he's still 0:20:38.320 --> 0:20:41.760 putting up sixty you know, forties, thirty. I think he's 0:20:41.800 --> 0:20:44.000 had twenty nine thirty point games this year. So he's 0:20:44.720 --> 0:20:46.280 he has a defense figured out. As a matter off, 0:20:46.280 --> 0:20:48.120 his teammate stepped up and making a big shots when 0:20:48.160 --> 0:20:49.480 need because. 0:20:49.240 --> 0:20:50.640 That was very emphatic head. 0:20:50.480 --> 0:20:57.480 Not child man, that was great child. 0:20:57.560 --> 0:20:57.720 Yeah. 0:20:58.920 --> 0:21:00.840 Look, you guys got Orlando in there too. I mean, 0:21:00.880 --> 0:21:02.919 NEROK has to worry about them. They're they're five in 0:21:02.960 --> 0:21:04.800 the East as we sit here right now, but they've 0:21:04.800 --> 0:21:08.720 played so well. They're number two overall in defensive break rating. 0:21:09.160 --> 0:21:11.440 And I'm just curious if they can get that number 0:21:11.440 --> 0:21:13.440 three spot or even if they end up in number four, 0:21:13.960 --> 0:21:16.920 sort of do you see the Magic as a legit 0:21:17.040 --> 0:21:18.840 dark horse in the East. Do you think they can 0:21:18.840 --> 0:21:21.000 get out of the first round to do They've got 0:21:21.000 --> 0:21:25.000 the East standings up here to do what I want 0:21:25.080 --> 0:21:26.240 to win the title? 0:21:27.080 --> 0:21:30.320 Yeah, yeah, that's there, not to. 0:21:30.280 --> 0:21:30.960 Win the title. 0:21:31.040 --> 0:21:32.800 I just mean, so look at the standings here there 0:21:32.840 --> 0:21:35.920 right in front of you. You know, they would play 0:21:35.960 --> 0:21:38.439 the Knicks in the first round if things ended today, 0:21:38.520 --> 0:21:40.639 and even if those guys switched four or five or 0:21:40.680 --> 0:21:42.359 even you know, or maybe they end up in the 0:21:42.400 --> 0:21:45.200 three spot like I just and they play the Pacers. 0:21:45.440 --> 0:21:47.760 I'm just sort of curious where you guys see this 0:21:47.920 --> 0:21:50.000 Orlando team. Is it sort of you be they got 0:21:50.000 --> 0:21:51.960 in the playoffs and good for them, or do you 0:21:52.000 --> 0:21:53.480 think that they are someone they could win a first 0:21:53.520 --> 0:21:54.119 round matchup? 0:21:54.400 --> 0:21:59.679 I definitely think first off. When this season is, I 0:21:59.680 --> 0:22:03.400 think exactly shout out to coach Mo. He's done an 0:22:03.400 --> 0:22:07.240 incredible job. I think he I think he just got 0:22:07.280 --> 0:22:12.879 extended right the season is the first thing that you 0:22:13.000 --> 0:22:16.040 do is extend coach like without a doubt. But I 0:22:16.080 --> 0:22:18.320 think this is a season for them where it is 0:22:18.359 --> 0:22:22.880 you know, you know, being excited about their progress this season, 0:22:23.520 --> 0:22:26.720 but as far as you know, championships, I don't think 0:22:26.760 --> 0:22:30.320 this team is there yet. I think they are now 0:22:30.400 --> 0:22:32.800 on the right path as to you know, where their franchise. 0:22:32.880 --> 0:22:36.320 First round, not championships, first round, first round. 0:22:36.600 --> 0:22:41.960 I can see them getting in the first round. But 0:22:42.040 --> 0:22:44.200 I think they're on the right path. I think they're 0:22:44.400 --> 0:22:47.640 They've set their foundation, they have their guys moving forward. 0:22:49.240 --> 0:22:51.960 One of the guys that I've been super impressed with 0:22:52.040 --> 0:22:53.919 this year who's been through a lot since coming in 0:22:53.920 --> 0:22:56.840 the league is Jonathan Isaac. He's dealt with a lot 0:22:56.880 --> 0:23:02.320 of injuries coming in, but man, this dude's playing lights out. Marco, 0:23:03.160 --> 0:23:08.800 everybody they've played, they've played way over expectations. But uh, 0:23:09.000 --> 0:23:11.679 I feel like this is just them growing as a 0:23:11.720 --> 0:23:14.560 young team, and next year and the years to come, 0:23:14.640 --> 0:23:17.159 that's when we'll start seeing them put things together and 0:23:17.560 --> 0:23:20.200 players in place to start competing for a championship. 0:23:20.600 --> 0:23:22.880 Well do you think though, that that Orlando's a free 0:23:22.880 --> 0:23:25.639 agent destination with the way this young team has been playing. 0:23:25.720 --> 0:23:27.960 I mean, you've got some guys there who they could 0:23:27.960 --> 0:23:32.080 be interested in DeRozan, Play, Tobias s Buddy heild Lo, 0:23:32.280 --> 0:23:34.280 they all, they're all kind of going to be floating. 0:23:33.920 --> 0:23:36.280 Out there, especially for those guys. 0:23:37.560 --> 0:23:38.440 Taxes in Florida. 0:23:38.600 --> 0:23:42.520 Yes, if I'm definitely I'm definitely considering Orlando. 0:23:42.640 --> 0:23:45.159 One is it is a tax free state. Two, I 0:23:45.200 --> 0:23:46.520 mean it's hot. 0:23:46.400 --> 0:23:48.160 Tax rasee every day you wake up. 0:23:49.920 --> 0:23:50.720 For the old bones. 0:23:50.760 --> 0:23:55.040 And again the expectations low media coverage, you won't face 0:23:55.080 --> 0:23:58.080 a lot of criticism. Expectations aren't you know, the biggest. 0:23:58.080 --> 0:24:00.160 So again you go into a situation like that where 0:24:00.200 --> 0:24:03.160 again you got a young coach. The energy is going 0:24:03.400 --> 0:24:06.199 flowing great through the season, throughout the organization, I mean 0:24:06.240 --> 0:24:09.240 the culture. He's changed the culture, and I think, you know, 0:24:09.240 --> 0:24:10.600 you definitely want to be a part of a as 0:24:10.600 --> 0:24:12.879 a veteran coming in as a OG, coming in a 0:24:12.920 --> 0:24:16.160 lot of young guys. Everybody's hungry and expectations. You don't 0:24:16.160 --> 0:24:17.959 have many. You know that there's not much. So when 0:24:18.000 --> 0:24:20.520 you come in and pass those expectations, it's a winn 0:24:20.560 --> 0:24:23.360 win situation and getting paid and because they attax read 0:24:23.480 --> 0:24:26.320 so definitely definitely destiny give me. 0:24:26.400 --> 0:24:27.480 It's gonna be interesting. 0:24:27.760 --> 0:24:30.159 The free agency class this summer is not like you know, 0:24:30.200 --> 0:24:32.800 it's not like crazy superstars. But I think there will 0:24:32.800 --> 0:24:35.600 be some move the needle guys, and I think Orlando 0:24:35.640 --> 0:24:37.720 could be in that derby, so we'll see what happens there. 0:24:37.880 --> 0:24:39.960 Let's get over to the Western Conference though, guys, because 0:24:39.960 --> 0:24:43.119 Denver just beat Cleveland by twenty nine points. That was 0:24:43.119 --> 0:24:46.680 without Jamal Murray, which makes it very impressive. Except also, 0:24:46.840 --> 0:24:50.040 Jamal has missed five straight is the second injury he's 0:24:50.040 --> 0:24:52.080 had in his right leg. He's actually missed twenty one 0:24:52.119 --> 0:24:54.200 games total with some sort of you know, being beat 0:24:54.280 --> 0:24:56.480 up in one place or another this season, and that 0:24:56.640 --> 0:24:58.640 is a concern because Denver won last night. 0:24:58.680 --> 0:25:00.320 But guys, they are twelve and nine. 0:25:00.480 --> 0:25:03.240 When Jamal Murray doesn't play, they obviously are not going 0:25:03.280 --> 0:25:06.439 to be able to win another title without him. And 0:25:06.520 --> 0:25:09.520 right now you've got okay, see Denver in Minneapolis, all 0:25:09.600 --> 0:25:12.000 within a game of each other, within a game of 0:25:12.040 --> 0:25:15.600 each other for the top seed in the standings. I'm curious, 0:25:15.680 --> 0:25:17.920 there's seven left to play with Denver, we can put 0:25:17.960 --> 0:25:20.960 the West standings up Heeer as well. What is your 0:25:21.040 --> 0:25:23.919 level of concern and is it better in some ways 0:25:24.040 --> 0:25:26.480 if Jamal isn't quite right for them to try to 0:25:26.520 --> 0:25:30.919 not be in first maybe facing the Lakers, let's say, 0:25:31.359 --> 0:25:33.320 or the Warriors or one of those other teams in 0:25:33.359 --> 0:25:33.920 the first round. 0:25:34.000 --> 0:25:36.040 Do they want to drop down to say third? 0:25:36.119 --> 0:25:39.280 And I'm not saying that the Pelicans are slouch or 0:25:39.320 --> 0:25:41.399 anything like that, but do they I don't know, what 0:25:41.400 --> 0:25:43.000 do you see for these next seven games? 0:25:43.000 --> 0:25:47.560 Book If they are to be in a position of 0:25:47.960 --> 0:25:51.600 facing the Lakers or Warriors team with Jamal Murray being out, 0:25:51.920 --> 0:25:56.760 that's definitely a concern for the Nuggets. Obviously when it 0:25:56.800 --> 0:25:59.960 comes to those who's teams at the nine and ten 0:26:00.160 --> 0:26:02.120 spot with the Lakers and Warriors. 0:26:02.920 --> 0:26:05.720 They are their sons and Kevin Durant and Booker, you know. 0:26:05.880 --> 0:26:11.520 I mean there's but it's also where. But even with 0:26:11.600 --> 0:26:13.520 that being saying, those are three teams that I don't 0:26:13.520 --> 0:26:16.280 think anybody wants to see in a one game type 0:26:16.320 --> 0:26:18.920 situation when it comes to, you know, an elimination game. 0:26:18.920 --> 0:26:19.880 But then when it comes. 0:26:19.720 --> 0:26:23.800 To a first round series, these are guys that have 0:26:24.000 --> 0:26:25.160 seen this time and time again. 0:26:25.160 --> 0:26:27.080 They've been in this position time and time again. 0:26:28.480 --> 0:26:31.639 I'm a I'm a big believer in experience, wins, wins 0:26:31.640 --> 0:26:33.560 basketball game and championships. 0:26:33.560 --> 0:26:36.080 So Uh, those three teams are full of experience. 0:26:36.240 --> 0:26:39.280 Those teams have champions, those teams have guys that have 0:26:39.400 --> 0:26:42.840 been there multiple occasions. So uh, if I'm the Nuggets, 0:26:42.840 --> 0:26:46.280 I'm definitely nervous, especially with my second start being out. 0:26:47.119 --> 0:26:49.080 That's a lot of pressure on Yolkish to try to 0:26:49.119 --> 0:26:52.520 carry a team through the first round with matchups like that. 0:26:53.960 --> 0:26:56.240 If I'm the Nuggets, I wouldn't be mad at seeing 0:26:56.280 --> 0:26:59.199 the Pelicans team, and I'm to piggyback off of you. 0:26:59.280 --> 0:27:02.359 It's not that the Pelicans are a pushover. I just 0:27:02.480 --> 0:27:05.320 rather meet a team with you know, less experience in 0:27:05.320 --> 0:27:08.280 the playoffs. Like I said, compared to the Suns, Lakers, 0:27:08.320 --> 0:27:12.160 and Warriors, I think my chances are better a more 0:27:12.480 --> 0:27:15.400 a younger, more inexperienced team. I think the chances are better, 0:27:15.440 --> 0:27:17.280 and I think the Nuggets will be able to more 0:27:17.320 --> 0:27:20.119 sol cruise through that situation compared to facing one of 0:27:20.119 --> 0:27:24.400 those dominant teams, well not dominant, but more experienced teams, 0:27:24.680 --> 0:27:25.720 you know, in the first round. 0:27:26.119 --> 0:27:28.560 Absolutely, if I'm Nuggets, I'm looking at the seating. I 0:27:28.640 --> 0:27:30.879 might try to get to three and kind of what 0:27:30.920 --> 0:27:34.359 you all said, face the Pelicans, especially if Jamal is 0:27:34.440 --> 0:27:36.760 where he needs to be and kind of being able 0:27:36.760 --> 0:27:38.879 to get through the first round with him maybe you know, 0:27:38.920 --> 0:27:41.920 playing fifty percent of the games and not necessarily using 0:27:41.960 --> 0:27:44.560 him over thirty minutes a game obviously kind of minute 0:27:44.560 --> 0:27:47.760 managing them. So but again, if I was to face 0:27:47.800 --> 0:27:51.680 the Lakers or Warriors, I'm having a little bit of concerns. 0:27:51.680 --> 0:27:55.200 Even though yolkas playing aways, planning all year, you still 0:27:55.240 --> 0:27:57.160 I don't think one guy could be those teams, particularly 0:27:57.160 --> 0:27:59.000 four times before they beat you four times. 0:27:59.000 --> 0:28:01.520 Well that's what's herd though, because there's definitely two schools 0:28:01.520 --> 0:28:04.560 of thought on this, right is, some people in management 0:28:04.640 --> 0:28:07.600 or coaching have said, hey, you do want to try 0:28:07.600 --> 0:28:09.359 to hunt a match up a little bit, especially if 0:28:09.400 --> 0:28:11.120 you have an injured player or a player coming back 0:28:11.119 --> 0:28:14.480 from injury. We all know that facing a Lebron James 0:28:14.560 --> 0:28:17.120 team early in the playoffs when you don't have one 0:28:17.119 --> 0:28:19.080 of your best players or a limited use of one 0:28:19.080 --> 0:28:20.200 of your best players is. 0:28:20.160 --> 0:28:21.320 Not the ideal situation. 0:28:21.920 --> 0:28:24.520 However, there are also coaches management out there who will 0:28:24.560 --> 0:28:27.640 tell you that hunting matchups is a dangerous game and 0:28:27.680 --> 0:28:30.000 that you might end up, you know, with who you 0:28:30.000 --> 0:28:32.000 think you're getting in one round, but then you know, 0:28:32.040 --> 0:28:33.960 something happens at a later round that you don't expect. 0:28:34.000 --> 0:28:35.960 Your path is different than you thought. You know, I 0:28:35.960 --> 0:28:38.320 it's bad karma. The basketball guys don't like it. I mean, 0:28:38.360 --> 0:28:40.680 I could list off all the things. Where are you 0:28:40.720 --> 0:28:42.920 guys with your head at on whether that would be 0:28:42.960 --> 0:28:44.840 smart or you just don't mess with fire and you 0:28:45.000 --> 0:28:46.360 try to win every game and you play what you 0:28:46.360 --> 0:28:49.120 should play. 0:28:49.760 --> 0:28:51.280 I think you try to win every game. You know, 0:28:51.280 --> 0:28:53.120 you don't want to have a losing metality or trying 0:28:53.160 --> 0:28:55.800 to jockey because again the race is too tight, like 0:28:55.960 --> 0:28:59.720 Phoenix and Sack could both slide den I mean with 0:29:00.080 --> 0:29:04.280 the ranging schedules from the leak out Phoenix to lose 0:29:04.320 --> 0:29:06.040 five out of the next eight games and go to nine, 0:29:06.200 --> 0:29:08.240 you know what I mean. So it's like you can't say, 0:29:08.240 --> 0:29:10.280 all right, we're going to face we don't want to avoid, 0:29:10.320 --> 0:29:12.200 we want to avoid the Lakers, but then Lakers mess 0:29:12.240 --> 0:29:14.200 around to get to the seventh spot, and then it's 0:29:14.200 --> 0:29:16.960 a different type of seasons. So I would say went out, 0:29:17.680 --> 0:29:20.000 especially if you don't have the experienced veteran team. Denver 0:29:20.080 --> 0:29:23.080 has guys that have one, obviously, but there's still be 0:29:23.120 --> 0:29:25.400 some pieces that they helped win them championship last year, 0:29:25.400 --> 0:29:27.479 So I wouldn't just say they can just say all right, 0:29:27.560 --> 0:29:29.720 let's just take a couple of games and we'll figure 0:29:29.720 --> 0:29:31.240 out where we're going to be. You know, you want 0:29:31.240 --> 0:29:33.560 to win out. You want to go into the playoffs 0:29:33.560 --> 0:29:36.120 with the win a mentality. You never want to take 0:29:36.120 --> 0:29:38.440 any games except me, I mean, except if you're trying 0:29:38.480 --> 0:29:41.480 to tank for the draft. Is not what we're talking about. 0:29:41.960 --> 0:29:43.480 You agree both because you guys both just said they 0:29:43.480 --> 0:29:45.440 should try to get to number three, So which is it. 0:29:45.920 --> 0:29:48.080 I don't think they have options like necessarily and that 0:29:48.120 --> 0:29:52.080 I think Minnesota's will be will fare out, Okay, I 0:29:52.120 --> 0:29:54.520 think their strengthen schedule. Isn't it the best? Or isn't 0:29:54.520 --> 0:29:58.480 it's hard because of you know, the remaining schedule. Yeah, 0:29:58.600 --> 0:30:01.680 and then along with Okac, so I think by default 0:30:01.680 --> 0:30:03.880 they'll end up even probably getting a third spot anyway, 0:30:04.600 --> 0:30:08.160 But again, you just never know. Seven games left and 0:30:08.360 --> 0:30:10.440 everybody's a half game behind each other, and it would 0:30:10.480 --> 0:30:10.840 be interesting. 0:30:10.880 --> 0:30:12.320 I'm a certainly a good point. They could end up 0:30:12.360 --> 0:30:13.120 there anyway. 0:30:13.200 --> 0:30:15.440 And as I said, they're twelve to nine without Jamal, 0:30:15.520 --> 0:30:17.320 so if he keeps missing games, they're going to not 0:30:17.400 --> 0:30:18.600 win a chunk of their games. 0:30:18.640 --> 0:30:20.160 That's just the way things have been. 0:30:20.200 --> 0:30:22.720 I mean, Minnesota is in an interesting spot too, because 0:30:23.160 --> 0:30:24.960 they would like to get the number one seed in 0:30:24.960 --> 0:30:27.640 the West. They have an eight and four record without Cat. Now, 0:30:27.680 --> 0:30:30.600 they did lose to Chicago yesterday, but these things happen. 0:30:31.920 --> 0:30:34.760 Do you think that they if they go without Cat 0:30:34.760 --> 0:30:36.680 in the first round and I have a hard time 0:30:36.720 --> 0:30:39.160 thinking he's he's certainly not going to be Cat even 0:30:39.160 --> 0:30:41.560 if he's back, and he might not come back until 0:30:41.600 --> 0:30:43.480 midway or even toward the end of the first round, 0:30:44.960 --> 0:30:49.080 do you think that without him they can still make 0:30:49.120 --> 0:30:49.560 a run? 0:30:49.920 --> 0:30:50.200 Bog? 0:30:50.240 --> 0:30:51.600 I mean, what if they face the Lakers in the 0:30:51.640 --> 0:30:53.240 first round, how do you see that matchup going? 0:30:55.840 --> 0:30:59.600 See what I did there? You think this job is easy? 0:30:59.680 --> 0:31:04.320 It's I think this. 0:31:04.800 --> 0:31:07.960 I think this team he will seem has the pieces 0:31:08.400 --> 0:31:13.479 to still get through the first round. Obviously, the matchup matters. 0:31:14.640 --> 0:31:16.840 I'm a I'm a big fan of nas Read. I 0:31:16.880 --> 0:31:20.200 think he comes in Obviously, he's not going to produce 0:31:20.200 --> 0:31:22.760 at the same rate as Cat right now. I think, 0:31:22.960 --> 0:31:24.720 you know, later on in his career we'll see a 0:31:24.720 --> 0:31:26.400 guy putting up big numbers. 0:31:26.400 --> 0:31:27.160 But as of right now. 0:31:27.200 --> 0:31:30.000 He's not quite there yet, but he's not a bad, 0:31:30.160 --> 0:31:32.920 uh you know, replacement for Cat. I think he can 0:31:32.920 --> 0:31:35.160 step up and feel that voyd for this team in 0:31:35.160 --> 0:31:39.360 his absence. So I think it comes down to the matchup. 0:31:39.400 --> 0:31:42.320 If it is a Lakers team, it could possibly get 0:31:42.320 --> 0:31:46.240 a little shaky for him. I think AD they go down, 0:31:46.360 --> 0:31:49.040 I think Ad becomes real relaxing knowing that Cat isn't 0:31:49.080 --> 0:31:50.120 on the other end of the floor. 0:31:50.880 --> 0:31:53.040 So I will I will give though his credit. He 0:31:53.160 --> 0:31:53.720 said that. 0:31:58.120 --> 0:32:01.760 I don't know before court buttonless push, but it was 0:32:01.880 --> 0:32:05.200 like absolutely they would still win without Cat. 0:32:05.920 --> 0:32:07.520 Anthony Wards. 0:32:11.480 --> 0:32:14.440 On the Lakers to guard Anthony Edwards. But that's that's 0:32:14.480 --> 0:32:24.040 another topic. But man, I like the pieces that are 0:32:24.080 --> 0:32:27.400 around Anthony Edwards and Cat. I think it's some young, 0:32:27.520 --> 0:32:32.120 undiscovered talent on this team. We'll see how this plays out. 0:32:32.160 --> 0:32:34.719 But I mean, for me, it comes down to what 0:32:34.840 --> 0:32:37.480 team they end up matching up with if they have 0:32:37.840 --> 0:32:40.360 to worry about coming out of the first round. 0:32:40.960 --> 0:32:44.480 That Laker matchup though, yeah, I mean without Cat. The 0:32:44.600 --> 0:32:47.040 Laker matchup without Cat, I don't I don't see them 0:32:47.080 --> 0:32:49.760 getting it done, not only offensively, you know, you missing 0:32:50.520 --> 0:32:53.360 twenty three and nine. But the defensive president as well, 0:32:53.400 --> 0:32:54.320 you know what I mean, Like I said, they are 0:32:54.320 --> 0:32:55.960 the number one. He was the rating team the league. 0:32:56.000 --> 0:32:57.080 Who's defense was. 0:32:59.400 --> 0:33:03.560 I mean, he's so I just everything doesn't stand out 0:33:05.600 --> 0:33:09.560 talking about having having him two big boys, and I mean, 0:33:09.600 --> 0:33:11.120 I know how many years is not. 0:33:11.200 --> 0:33:11.680 Been the league. 0:33:13.200 --> 0:33:17.600 That sounds right, okay, but again Cat's president can't go 0:33:17.640 --> 0:33:21.760 over fifty any given and with that, with that off 0:33:21.800 --> 0:33:26.800 the floor, true, that's who with that off the floor, 0:33:27.320 --> 0:33:29.640 I just don't see that ratings, you know, off of 0:33:29.720 --> 0:33:31.800 the scoring power with Anthony Edwards. Again, he's gonna be 0:33:31.880 --> 0:33:34.360 tough to stop. And you can double triple team all 0:33:34.400 --> 0:33:38.120 you want, but getting the legas first round be a problem. 0:33:38.840 --> 0:33:41.959 Now they get they get a different look. Possibly they 0:33:41.960 --> 0:33:43.840 could face someone else and they might have a chance. 0:33:43.880 --> 0:33:46.320 But I just feel like you're right, that matchup is 0:33:46.440 --> 0:33:49.520 problematic specifically just because of all the length on the Lakers. 0:33:49.600 --> 0:33:52.120 You know, if they are faced off against the Warriors 0:33:52.240 --> 0:33:55.800 or the Suns or some of these other teams early, 0:33:56.320 --> 0:33:58.440 I just think the matchup is different. And I do 0:33:58.600 --> 0:34:01.560 believe in Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. I know he's 0:34:01.600 --> 0:34:03.640 not your favorite person, but Cousins, but he is going 0:34:03.680 --> 0:34:06.640 to win his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award 0:34:07.640 --> 0:34:08.120 this year. 0:34:16.080 --> 0:34:18.520 I mean, they are on depensirating team in the league, 0:34:18.520 --> 0:34:20.680 and I think because he's not in any of the 0:34:20.719 --> 0:34:23.560 top categories. He's got in block steels, but. 0:34:23.520 --> 0:34:25.920 I mean, he's like the runaway favorite. If you look 0:34:25.960 --> 0:34:29.440 at the betting odds, it's ridiculous. It's great, and you 0:34:29.480 --> 0:34:31.759 know that's going to be his fourth and I think 0:34:31.800 --> 0:34:33.320 Ben Wallace and. 0:34:33.200 --> 0:34:35.560 Hakeem are the only players who've ever done it that before. 0:34:35.640 --> 0:34:39.400 I just think that to book your larger point, I 0:34:39.440 --> 0:34:42.080 think that I think that that this team, even without 0:34:42.120 --> 0:34:45.759 Karl Anthony Towns, should get credit for still being extremely dangerous. 0:34:45.840 --> 0:34:48.120 It's just they might not be dangerous when they face 0:34:48.200 --> 0:34:51.879 a matchup like LA. So yes, we'll see what happens there. 0:34:51.920 --> 0:34:53.680 I don't know which of these teams do you think 0:34:53.680 --> 0:34:56.520 needs home court advantage the most? If you think about 0:34:56.520 --> 0:35:00.320 all the playoff teams in either conference, who will be 0:35:00.360 --> 0:35:02.080 helped the most by home court advantage? 0:35:04.239 --> 0:35:09.800 I think the Clippers. For me, yeah, I think the Clips. 0:35:09.960 --> 0:35:10.360 Clippers. 0:35:10.480 --> 0:35:15.000 Yes, in that four or five spot, I think that matters. 0:35:15.360 --> 0:35:17.560 Okay, seem. 0:35:19.800 --> 0:35:22.960 Okay, see he's good just because they're young and that building's. 0:35:22.520 --> 0:35:26.160 Crazy, Yeah, just because of young experience like that. The 0:35:26.200 --> 0:35:31.480 role players play that at home versus a role I mean, 0:35:31.520 --> 0:35:35.040 everybody's us. 0:35:36.760 --> 0:35:37.520 Except the Warriors. 0:35:37.600 --> 0:35:39.839 Last year, the Warriors couldn't win a game on the road, right, 0:35:39.920 --> 0:35:42.760 and then today or sorry, this year there are road. 0:35:42.560 --> 0:35:45.879 Records much better than their home records. So who knows. 0:35:45.960 --> 0:35:48.279 I like I like the okay, see pick, that's good. 0:35:48.400 --> 0:35:50.359 I like the Clippers pick too, though, because they need help. 0:35:51.560 --> 0:35:53.759 All right, let's go to three stats. You know what 0:35:53.800 --> 0:35:56.680 time that is to truth in a lietime, my friends? 0:35:56.760 --> 0:36:00.799 Oh yes, Nate. Nate keeps putting these in so late 0:36:00.840 --> 0:36:02.480 that I haven't seen them yet. So let me read 0:36:02.480 --> 0:36:03.800 these a lot to you and we'll go through this 0:36:03.880 --> 0:36:06.960 journey together. And he's doing that on purpose, by the way, 0:36:07.000 --> 0:36:09.000 because he does not want me to know what it's going. 0:36:08.920 --> 0:36:09.399 To be said. 0:36:10.200 --> 0:36:13.560 Okay, see top five and defensive rating that is one stat. 0:36:13.680 --> 0:36:16.760 Stat number two the Spurs lead the league and blocks 0:36:16.800 --> 0:36:21.000 per game. Number three Luca leads the leads in turn 0:36:21.200 --> 0:36:24.400 leads the league in turnovers per game. I don't know 0:36:24.440 --> 0:36:26.520 what do you guys think of those three stats? 0:36:27.400 --> 0:36:29.440 Do you start us out. What are the two truths 0:36:29.480 --> 0:36:30.120 and what's the lie? 0:36:35.320 --> 0:36:39.000 Uh? I think Luca does lead the league of turnovers. 0:36:44.680 --> 0:36:45.000 I know. 0:36:46.520 --> 0:36:49.239 Winby leads league in blocks, but is that Does that 0:36:49.280 --> 0:36:54.040 mean that Spurs lead the league in blocks? I'm stunned 0:36:54.040 --> 0:36:56.439 on this one. And okay see, top five defensive rating teams. 0:36:56.440 --> 0:36:57.360 But you got anything. 0:36:59.880 --> 0:37:02.200 I feel like they're all the truth and at the 0:37:02.200 --> 0:37:03.440 same time, they're all alive. 0:37:07.480 --> 0:37:10.480 I want to say, okay, I'm gonna go with okay see. 0:37:11.000 --> 0:37:13.319 I want to say, okay see's the truth, and I'm 0:37:13.320 --> 0:37:18.200 gonna say Luca leading the league in turnovers, it's also true, 0:37:18.280 --> 0:37:20.600 Spurs lead the league in blocks is false? 0:37:22.360 --> 0:37:25.640 What do you got, Doe? What do you think? 0:37:28.840 --> 0:37:31.160 I'm gonna go with the last two are true? Okay see, 0:37:31.200 --> 0:37:34.359 it's not top five. You know you're the best team 0:37:34.440 --> 0:37:38.439 in the league. Yeah, I'm gonna say that. I'm gonna say, 0:37:38.440 --> 0:37:39.399 okay see's not top five. 0:37:40.320 --> 0:37:42.640 My tiebreaker is I think the Spurs one is the 0:37:42.680 --> 0:37:44.480 live for producer Nate, you get in here, what do 0:37:44.480 --> 0:37:44.960 you think? 0:37:45.560 --> 0:37:46.480 What do you got for us? 0:37:49.600 --> 0:37:58.400 Yes, there we go. Producer Nate has spoken, bok. How 0:37:58.400 --> 0:37:59.880 do you feel about your victory? This is like you 0:38:00.040 --> 0:38:06.520 those courts sight interviews like you worked hard, cousins, you 0:38:06.600 --> 0:38:09.399 worked hard. How did it feel to achieve this win 0:38:09.719 --> 0:38:10.680 over vershon Rondo? 0:38:11.080 --> 0:38:14.400 Man, I hit this long stretch towards the end of 0:38:14.480 --> 0:38:16.680 My teammates just really picked me up and helped me 0:38:16.719 --> 0:38:18.440 get over that hump, and you know I was just 0:38:18.480 --> 0:38:22.040 able to, you know, pull this game out for us, and. 0:38:22.200 --> 0:38:24.919 You know, it really really feels good to be right. 0:38:26.440 --> 0:38:29.839 Let's go on to I'll take that bet presented by DraftKings. 0:38:30.120 --> 0:38:34.000 MVP adds they're getting a little bit interesting, guys. DraftKings 0:38:34.000 --> 0:38:37.680 still has Jokic far and away the favorite minus seven hundred. 0:38:37.840 --> 0:38:39.840 The next we see is Luke up there. He's plus 0:38:39.880 --> 0:38:43.640 five hundred. But man, the internet does not agree. Luca 0:38:43.800 --> 0:38:46.040 played in that game last night. I think he dropped 0:38:46.040 --> 0:38:50.640 what thirty two in the first half, and people went nuts. 0:38:50.800 --> 0:38:51.800 If this doesn't win. 0:38:51.680 --> 0:38:54.320 An MVP, I don't know what the voters are thinking. 0:38:54.719 --> 0:38:58.399 That was definitely the feel across the fan base last night. 0:38:58.600 --> 0:38:59.879 Where are you guys on this? 0:39:00.040 --> 0:39:02.320 When you look at what Yokich has done this year, Luca, 0:39:02.640 --> 0:39:05.120 the Mavericks are now in fifth in the Western Conference. 0:39:05.160 --> 0:39:08.040 We've had m vps as low as six Russell Westbrook 0:39:08.080 --> 0:39:10.719 I voted for him that year, even though Oklahoma City 0:39:10.800 --> 0:39:13.680 was a sixth place team. To me, what Russ did 0:39:13.719 --> 0:39:16.319 that year, the year after Katie left, the way he 0:39:16.360 --> 0:39:18.560 won all those clutch shots that he hit. I think 0:39:18.600 --> 0:39:20.680 he was top in the league and clutch shots that year, 0:39:21.600 --> 0:39:24.000 he was the MVP to me. So I understand the 0:39:24.000 --> 0:39:27.000 people who feel like g they might be in fifth place, 0:39:27.040 --> 0:39:28.360 but Luca is their MVP. 0:39:28.760 --> 0:39:31.520 Where Jo Kich? What he has done this year, you know, 0:39:31.560 --> 0:39:34.759 he makes it look so easy. Where are you, guys? 0:39:35.239 --> 0:39:37.239 I think people are getting bored with Yokich numbers. He's 0:39:37.239 --> 0:39:41.279 putting up like it's normal and disrespectful at the same time, 0:39:41.320 --> 0:39:43.360 again because he still has to go out and performing tonight. 0:39:44.000 --> 0:39:46.160 Like I said earlier, every defense is predicated on how 0:39:46.200 --> 0:39:48.040 to slow him down. They still haven't figured out the 0:39:48.040 --> 0:39:53.040 answer to that. And give hims credit, He's had historical numbers. 0:39:53.360 --> 0:39:55.600 I've seen the cult that came out of the about 0:39:55.600 --> 0:39:59.360 Tony KUKUKX, comparing them to with a Sabonus and somebody 0:39:59.400 --> 0:40:03.080 else that was I mean, like I said, that's just 0:40:03.280 --> 0:40:05.399 more the disrespect of what he's done in this game, 0:40:05.440 --> 0:40:07.640 and it was able to manipulate and down the game 0:40:07.640 --> 0:40:11.920 you're blocked. So it's just until you can top those numbers. 0:40:12.360 --> 0:40:15.480 Along with his team being you know, jocking in one, 0:40:15.560 --> 0:40:19.200 two three spot in the West, it's just tough to put, 0:40:19.239 --> 0:40:22.720 you know, these numbers over over Lucas and credit to Lucas. 0:40:22.719 --> 0:40:26.239 Have been a lot of MVP snubs throughout our game, 0:40:26.280 --> 0:40:27.880 our history of the game, and that's part of it. 0:40:27.920 --> 0:40:30.480 But nevertheless, I got to. 0:40:30.480 --> 0:40:31.000 Go with Joker. 0:40:31.040 --> 0:40:32.960 He's still he's still running the show. He's still the 0:40:32.960 --> 0:40:35.200 best player in the game, and he's he's been showing it. 0:40:35.239 --> 0:40:37.560 He's been dominating for years and it's come off a championships. 0:40:37.600 --> 0:40:39.960 So until you take it from him, I don't think 0:40:39.960 --> 0:40:43.440 he's done enough to take it. And Jokers might VP. 0:40:44.680 --> 0:40:45.560 I'm not mad at that. 0:40:46.480 --> 0:40:49.720 I actually agree with everything you know Doe said speaking 0:40:49.760 --> 0:40:53.000 on Jokic, But uh, you know, for me, I think 0:40:54.000 --> 0:40:56.760 I think it's two guys that have you know, played 0:40:56.800 --> 0:40:59.279 at a higher level than the Jokic, which is kind 0:40:59.280 --> 0:41:03.359 of crazy to even here or say, but uh, that's 0:41:03.440 --> 0:41:08.439 Luca and Sga. For me, when it comes to Luca, 0:41:08.520 --> 0:41:10.960 I think we all know what Luca does. You know, 0:41:11.040 --> 0:41:14.360 since he stepped foot in this league, he continues to dominate. 0:41:14.400 --> 0:41:17.080 He continues to put up big members, He continues the league, 0:41:17.520 --> 0:41:19.840 you know, his team on a yearly basis, So I 0:41:20.120 --> 0:41:23.319 feel like that can't go unnoticed. And uh, I think 0:41:23.880 --> 0:41:26.960 with the way SGA has performed, nobody expected Okay See 0:41:27.040 --> 0:41:27.759 to be this type of. 0:41:27.680 --> 0:41:28.399 Team this year. 0:41:29.520 --> 0:41:32.840 Not only are they, you know, a real contender, but 0:41:32.920 --> 0:41:35.120 they're doing it in the West. In the West, this 0:41:35.239 --> 0:41:38.000 is probably the best the West has been in a 0:41:38.040 --> 0:41:41.080 few years. Like from top to bottom, it's every team 0:41:41.160 --> 0:41:45.040 is you can lose on a night basis. So, but 0:41:45.440 --> 0:41:47.640 SGA to be dominating the way he is in the West, 0:41:48.560 --> 0:41:50.880 leading his team the way he is, I just I 0:41:50.920 --> 0:41:52.400 don't feel like that can go unnoticed. 0:41:52.400 --> 0:41:54.359 On top of that, he's playing on the other side 0:41:54.400 --> 0:41:55.200 of the ball as well. 0:41:55.239 --> 0:41:57.600 I don't think when it comes to, you know, the 0:41:57.719 --> 0:42:00.359 MVP conversation, I don't think that gets brought up enough. 0:42:00.680 --> 0:42:02.600 A guy that plays on both sides of the ball. 0:42:02.640 --> 0:42:05.000 And it's no knock to Jokic, but we know he's 0:42:05.040 --> 0:42:07.560 going to dominate on the offensive end on a nightly basis. 0:42:07.600 --> 0:42:09.200 The same thing goes to Luca. We know he's going 0:42:09.239 --> 0:42:11.200 to dominate offensively when. 0:42:11.080 --> 0:42:12.879 It comes to those guys playing on the other side 0:42:12.880 --> 0:42:15.719 of the floor, it's not quite the same conversation. So 0:42:15.800 --> 0:42:18.839 I feel like SGA has to get a little more 0:42:18.840 --> 0:42:21.959 credit for not only dominating offensively and leading his team 0:42:22.000 --> 0:42:24.640 in the West, but also being dominant on the defensive 0:42:24.680 --> 0:42:26.400 side of the ball with leading the league and still 0:42:26.560 --> 0:42:29.840 so I think that has to be considered. So I 0:42:29.880 --> 0:42:34.280 think I'm rolling more so with Luca and Sga compared 0:42:34.320 --> 0:42:37.239 to Jokic. And it's no knock to Jokic, Like, like, 0:42:37.440 --> 0:42:40.040 I agree with everything you know Doe said, but for me, 0:42:40.120 --> 0:42:42.480 those two guys have performed at a higher level. 0:42:43.640 --> 0:42:45.400 M Yeah, I don't know. 0:42:46.160 --> 0:42:47.959 Part of it comes down to what I've been talking 0:42:48.000 --> 0:42:49.920 about for years, if it really depends on what you 0:42:50.000 --> 0:42:52.759 think MVP is. And to me, we need more of 0:42:52.800 --> 0:42:56.279 a standard for our most important award. You know, I've 0:42:56.320 --> 0:42:58.520 always said we should have something like the NFL has, 0:42:58.600 --> 0:43:00.920 like the NHL has for goal scoring. We should have 0:43:00.960 --> 0:43:04.480 some sort of best stats, best season award that kind 0:43:04.520 --> 0:43:07.880 of says, wow, these guys stats are otherworldly. That is 0:43:07.920 --> 0:43:12.319 not always necessarily the most valuable player, right, and again 0:43:12.360 --> 0:43:14.880 this goes back to say, I mean the Russell Westbrook, 0:43:15.960 --> 0:43:18.839 you know, MVP from years ago. I voted for him 0:43:18.840 --> 0:43:21.720 because he was definitely the most valuable to his team 0:43:21.800 --> 0:43:25.759 that year. Kevin Durant leaving left that organization, that fan base, 0:43:25.800 --> 0:43:28.560 that franchise just sort of reeling the idea that Russ 0:43:28.560 --> 0:43:31.160 picked everybody up, he got them to where they got them. 0:43:31.400 --> 0:43:34.080 He was the centerpiece during games, he was hitting all 0:43:34.120 --> 0:43:36.120 these clutch shots. He had a couple just sort of 0:43:36.200 --> 0:43:39.920 signature outings. To me, felt like the most valuable player 0:43:39.960 --> 0:43:42.960 as opposed to the best stats that year. And some 0:43:43.160 --> 0:43:46.040 years those are the same people, right, whoever's putting up 0:43:46.040 --> 0:43:48.920 the best stats is definitely the most valuable player. Some 0:43:49.080 --> 0:43:51.160 years it's not, though, And I don't I don't know. 0:43:51.200 --> 0:43:52.839 I couldn't say yet if this is one of those 0:43:52.920 --> 0:43:56.000 years or not. But you look at what Luca has 0:43:56.040 --> 0:43:59.600 been doing, seven game winning streak that they're on, you know, 0:43:59.719 --> 0:44:02.200 it's so impressive. To your point about SGA, they just 0:44:02.239 --> 0:44:04.880 wouldn't be there. They would not be maybe even in 0:44:04.920 --> 0:44:07.520 the playoff picture if it wasn't for them much less 0:44:07.600 --> 0:44:10.160 fighting for the number one overall seed. And then you 0:44:10.280 --> 0:44:12.480 go back to Yokic, it's not like Denver would be 0:44:12.480 --> 0:44:15.960 where they are without Yokich either, And I don't know 0:44:16.000 --> 0:44:18.120 if that's just we're so used to it, right, So 0:44:18.160 --> 0:44:20.959 like every argument that you give, like oh, Luca pushed 0:44:21.000 --> 0:44:23.320 them to a great streak and he's put up numbers 0:44:23.400 --> 0:44:25.160 or SGA, they wouldn't be there without him. 0:44:25.200 --> 0:44:28.040 Well that's all true about Nicola also, So it's just 0:44:28.680 --> 0:44:29.040 I don't know. 0:44:29.120 --> 0:44:30.960 I think this is this is actually a little bit 0:44:31.000 --> 0:44:33.560 of a tougher MVP race than people have given it 0:44:33.600 --> 0:44:36.440 credit for. I think once Joelle went down, people were like, eh, 0:44:36.560 --> 0:44:39.800 Jokic the runaway winner. I think there is momentum building 0:44:39.800 --> 0:44:42.120 for some of the other candidates and it's going to 0:44:42.160 --> 0:44:42.680 be interesting. 0:44:43.360 --> 0:44:44.280 Friends, you can. 0:44:44.160 --> 0:44:46.920 Catch all episodes of Bullyball in the DraftKings Network. You 0:44:46.960 --> 0:44:49.960 can catch us on the All the Smoke Productions YouTube channel. 0:44:50.320 --> 0:44:54.640 You can get these guys recommendations for smoking products privately, 0:44:54.920 --> 0:44:57.520 and you can listen to us wherever you get your podcast. 0:44:57.600 --> 0:44:59.759 We will catch you next week. Please rate us, please 0:44:59.760 --> 0:45:02.239 rep you us. Always great to have you with us. 0:45:02.320 --> 0:45:06.000 We'll see I'll say. 0:45:05.000 --> 0:45:07.400 H m hm, m 0:45:12.320 --> 0:45:12.719 Mm hmm.