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Well, here 21 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 1: we are with two and a half left to go 22 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 1: in the fourth quarter, and it is a one ten 23 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:13,360 Speaker 1: one oh two lead for the Pacers over the Thunder. 24 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 1: They finally started hitting a couple of threes and it 25 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: looked like it could have been lights out for the 26 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:24,839 Speaker 1: Thunder after a big turnover Tyre's Halliburton breaking down court, 27 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:26,720 Speaker 1: it's an eight point lead. A hoop would make it 28 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,840 Speaker 1: ten with just over two minutes left to go, and 29 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 1: Alex Caruso absolutely picks Tyre's Halliburton's pocket at mid court. 30 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:38,199 Speaker 1: He picks up the ball, goes in for the layup. 31 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 1: They're looking at it right now to see if it 32 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:42,959 Speaker 1: is a flagrant foul because he was kind of tomahawked 33 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 1: from behind. This could not only just cut it to 34 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 1: a six point lead, but it could be even closer 35 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: than that. So you go in this This possession is 36 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 1: absolutely huge because this was it could have been ten 37 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 1: points and that's it right like it's over, okay, and 38 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 1: instead now it could wind up being a five point 39 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:01,840 Speaker 1: game when it's all said and done, off of what 40 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:04,600 Speaker 1: goes on, depending on how this has ruled off this position. 41 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: There was no attempt at the ball, No, it's it's 42 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 1: a two hand chop over the top on Caruso trying 43 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: to grab both arms and Andy and he grabs it, 44 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 1: grabs him around the groin too, like he gets the 45 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 1: shot like like that, like I gotta think that's gonna 46 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 1: that's gonna be the call there. Look, that would be 47 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:22,920 Speaker 1: the and the bonus. Look Nee Smith comes back and 48 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 1: he tries to make the play and I you know, 49 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: you panic a little bit because it's an eight point lead, 50 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 1: Like okay, you know Halliburton turns it over and they 51 00:02:30,639 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 1: go in for the layup, all right, but you got 52 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 1: to not make a bad play worse. And that's what 53 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 1: Neie Smith did by going in. Clearly, you could do 54 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 1: it with one hand, go in and try to Anthony arm. 55 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:41,400 Speaker 1: But when you go in, both hands over the top, 56 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,600 Speaker 1: over both of Caruso's shoulders, like I don't think you 57 00:02:44,639 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: have any choice but to make that make the ground 58 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 1: be absolutely shocked. If this wasn't ruled unintentional, I mean, 59 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:55,359 Speaker 1: and creates chaos, right, that's that's against the extra shot. 60 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 1: As you said, the arm extended all the way down. 61 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:00,919 Speaker 1: That that's just not right. He did it get wrong. 62 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 1: Now you wonder because so far tonight the calls have 63 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:06,320 Speaker 1: not been going the thunder way. And I'm not saying 64 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 1: that this is something that no, No, not what I'm saying, 65 00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 1: are you What what I'm saying is that is that 66 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 1: you look at you look at a situation which SGA 67 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: has been to the free throw line six times, right, 68 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 1: and they they just showed he had a turnaround jumper 69 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 1: where he got he got clubbed on the court, you know, 70 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 1: and and they didn't blow the whistle. He winds up 71 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:32,560 Speaker 1: hitting the jumper. So this is a game in which 72 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:35,280 Speaker 1: he doesn't get to the free throw line, uh, you know, 73 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 1: more than six times. So okay, they're already not getting it. 74 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 1: And Frostburg's telling me right now, somehow they're not calling 75 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 1: that a flagrant foul. I don't understand how that's not 76 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 1: going wowed. I mean, look, maybe the NBA wants the 77 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: Pacers to win this game because it's like, hey, it 78 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 1: looks like it could wind up being a series. I 79 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: don't know, but uh, that's incredible. That really is incredible. 80 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: That's not a flagrant fowl. That really is Well it's funny, 81 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:00,760 Speaker 1: right because we're in the studio obviously, show on, so 82 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 1: no audio for us, and there was no real reaction 83 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 1: from the crowd one way or another. Like I really 84 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 1: can't tell if you said hey, bet which way you 85 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:12,119 Speaker 1: think this is being called? As the official is literally 86 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 1: in the camera giving the explanation, like all the people 87 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:18,880 Speaker 1: behind him. There's no reaction, no cheering, no booing, no 88 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:22,719 Speaker 1: nothing like, well that was that was widd very crazy. 89 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:25,560 Speaker 1: But Cruso gets the line, hits both shots, and we're 90 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:29,039 Speaker 1: back to game action. But that that's not intentional with 91 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 1: some of the what we've seen over the course of 92 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: the playoffs, like they've allowed a lot of physicality, don't 93 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:36,200 Speaker 1: get me wrong, But then you've had a number of 94 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 1: these reviews like, oh yeah, that's intentional. It's like really 95 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:42,720 Speaker 1: and this one it seems clear as day and doesn't 96 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 1: get the call, you know, just like in uh in 97 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:51,159 Speaker 1: in the in the Thunderbolts asterisks where at the end 98 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:54,320 Speaker 1: sorry spoiler where some might know it as the New 99 00:04:54,360 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 1: Adventures exactly where where where you see this? Uh you know, hey, 100 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:07,839 Speaker 1: oh wait wait they're the Thunderbolts. They're the new Avengers. Okay, great, 101 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 1: like like like Tony Brothers has become like the new Extender, 102 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 1: you know, like true, I mean, look, you need more 103 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 1: than one, you got you gotta have an extra, you know, 104 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: the Avengers aren't available. No, that is true. That is true. 105 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 1: That is true. Yeah, yeah, you know you're right, right, 106 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 1: I mean right to stay with the Thunderbolts theme. I 107 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 1: mean they might not be available other battles. The Avengers 108 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 1: not coming us. Scott Foster is not coming. You need 109 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 1: Julie Luis Rafe is saying, Scott Foster is not coming. Okay, 110 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:41,159 Speaker 1: he is not coming to this game, right, just just 111 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 1: we might be able to get her to put some 112 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,839 Speaker 1: vocals to that. Can you do me a favorite jo? 113 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 1: Like you regret that Scott for what are you talking about? 114 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:51,920 Speaker 1: Sure you're gonna pay me? Yeah? All right, then I'll 115 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:54,040 Speaker 1: say I don't care. All right, I'll say that's fine, 116 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 1: that's absolutely fine. Well, I mean, is she on a 117 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 1: cameo or any of those services? Hey? Could you read 118 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 1: these lines for me? What's it for? Is it for 119 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 1: commercial purposes? Baby? My goodness? So again one ten one four, Uh, 120 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:13,039 Speaker 1: Indiana with the lead and the thunder with the basketball 121 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: SGA just put up a really bad force jumper that 122 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:18,840 Speaker 1: was off by a lot boy. It cut like the 123 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 1: back iron side of the rim Pacers go pace. They 124 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 1: go down the floor for a layup, and it's a 125 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: one to twelve one oh four lead for Indiana with 126 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: a minute nine left to go, and it looks like, 127 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 1: barring disaster, it's the Pacers taking Game three of the 128 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:37,600 Speaker 1: NBA Fund and the Thunder due to the Pacers what 129 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:42,160 Speaker 1: we've seen them do so many times. I was trying 130 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,359 Speaker 1: to get away from the word do uh. But that 131 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 1: was just an awful effort defensively by Sga too, because 132 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,039 Speaker 1: he's back on Nismith and just watch watches him walk 133 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:53,719 Speaker 1: to the rim. But this is this is when we 134 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 1: when we talked about this last night and I said, 135 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 1: how do I see this series right? And there's there 136 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 1: was a you know, the big push from from experts 137 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 1: and analysts were well, the Thunder really figured figured it 138 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:07,240 Speaker 1: out in game two and boy they should be up 139 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 1: two games to none and now they know what the 140 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 1: Pacer are doing. No, this is a series again. The 141 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: series is going seven right because each team is gonna 142 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 1: have their nights where they can impose their will on 143 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 1: the game. And so far tonight the Pacers are imposing 144 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 1: their will on the game, mainly because Benedict Mathern is 145 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:26,320 Speaker 1: still scoring twenty five a game off the bench. I mean, look, 146 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:28,280 Speaker 1: the guy's got a gun. He's got twenty five tonight, 147 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 1: he's nine out of twelve. He's keeping them in this 148 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: game on a night where they can't hit any threes. 149 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 1: They've hit nine threes tonight and somehow he's kept them 150 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 1: in the game and they have the lead. Like this 151 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 1: is just how it's going to go. Now, this is 152 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 1: a game the PACER's playing at home. We told you 153 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 1: their bench was gonna play better at home. Obviously they 154 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 1: would play better in Game three, and that is clearly 155 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 1: the case because you got twenty five from Matherin, you 156 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 1: got ten and five assists from TJ McConnell, eight and 157 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 1: six from Obi Topping, clearly out playing the entire bench 158 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 1: of the Thunder. Right, But now this next game. We 159 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 1: watched the Thunder adjust from game one to game two. 160 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 1: They will adjust here. It's not gonna be another day 161 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 1: where SGA gets the free throw line six times. I'm 162 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 1: sure they'll impose their will on the game. In game four, 163 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: we're gonna be tied going back to Oklahoma City and 164 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:14,280 Speaker 1: it's gonna go seven Like this is This is not 165 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: a series where it's, oh, hey, the Pacers are gonna 166 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: be able to throw the hammer down on the Thunder 167 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 1: or vice versa. That's not. Just watching the first two games, 168 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: you can tell that's not how it's going to go. 169 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 1: Thunder sloppy with the basketball tonight in Indiana making them pay, 170 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 1: which makes up for the lack of three point acumen. Today, 171 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:35,120 Speaker 1: we've seen some very curious decision making on some of 172 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: these late offensive possessions by SGA that we've chronicled along 173 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,840 Speaker 1: the way. But for the Pacers, you know, the key 174 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:47,480 Speaker 1: for the the McConnell line. He's got ten points, he's 175 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:52,679 Speaker 1: got five steals, right, so create a havoc taking away possessions, 176 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 1: making the most of free throws more or less a 177 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 1: wash at this point in the game. But when we 178 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 1: talk about the bench, it's the mathering game, right, because 179 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:04,200 Speaker 1: they were doing this early early ont of the game. 180 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:06,600 Speaker 1: It's like the bench scoring is this, Like, yeah, it's 181 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 1: all mathern. Okay, Now you know top and had that 182 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 1: big flush. You heard MONSI play it before, right, So 183 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:16,040 Speaker 1: now you know he's gotten involved and you're looking at 184 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:19,199 Speaker 1: a total of forty seven points from the bench. They 185 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:21,320 Speaker 1: got thirty nine going back to game one, right, in 186 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: addition to the six of nine shooting from three point 187 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:28,080 Speaker 1: range when Okac went broke the bench did come to 188 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 1: play that game and obi top and was great from 189 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 1: the three point arc there. Now you're looking at at 190 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:37,880 Speaker 1: a Pacer squad and Halliburton, you know, he's up over 191 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:41,320 Speaker 1: twenty points on the game, but he's really affected it 192 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 1: in so many ways. He had that terrible turnover and 193 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:46,079 Speaker 1: we're talking about whether it should have been an intentional foul, 194 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 1: but assists, rebounds and controlling pace of play all night long. 195 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 1: Uh So one twelve, one oh five, the Thunder have 196 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: the basketball after a missed free throw with thirty five 197 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 1: seconds left to go, and yes it's the matherin game. Right, 198 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:05,079 Speaker 1: we've seen Halliburton series against and look, you want to 199 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 1: go through and talk about this because you want to 200 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:09,480 Speaker 1: talk about the the biggest players that the Pacers have 201 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,080 Speaker 1: had the entire playoff. Right, Siaka has been really good. 202 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 1: He's had a couple of games Halliburton obviously getting all 203 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 1: the attention, but he's had games where he has looked ordinary. 204 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 1: But like, if you say, what, what's the biggest juice 205 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 1: that is that that has hit this team, this is 206 00:10:22,960 --> 00:10:25,120 Speaker 1: that Matthick who's had been a really good, you know, 207 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 1: really good bench guy, and you have aged sixteen points 208 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 1: a game, which is terrific. But he has been otherworldly 209 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 1: off the bench in this playoffs, right, He's had like 210 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:35,720 Speaker 1: seven or eight games where it's like, dude, you can't 211 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:38,440 Speaker 1: stop the guy right like that. You know. Usually, you know, 212 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 1: you want you want your bench to come out and 213 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: be able to contribute, but you're not expecting one player 214 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 1: to get incredibly hot, not in a finals game, not 215 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:49,200 Speaker 1: not deep in the playoffs, when hey, we're playing you 216 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 1: night after night, you know, and when you're one out 217 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:53,959 Speaker 1: of eighty two, Hey, guys comes off the bench. Hey, 218 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 1: we're not we're not into you know. Obviously we're working 219 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 1: on Halliburton and Siakam. Matherin's a guy that, hey, we're 220 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 1: not really good planning for him. He can have big games. 221 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 1: You do that during the season, but in the playoffs 222 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 1: when when now you're game planning for Okay, when he 223 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 1: comes in, we have to do X, Y and Z. 224 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 1: The fact that he can still have these games is 225 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 1: insane and like he's the he's the X factor when 226 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:16,320 Speaker 1: you say, how do the Pacers get this far? And 227 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 1: how then he be able to be on the cusp 228 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:20,440 Speaker 1: of a two to one lead in the finals and 229 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 1: beating the Knicks, because yeah, as great heroics as Halliburton 230 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:25,800 Speaker 1: has had, it's it's Mathron. When when you have a 231 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 1: guy like what can you do when you say, Okay, 232 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:30,760 Speaker 1: we've done enough to hold the Stars down as best 233 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:34,559 Speaker 1: as we can. Right, Siakam hasn't taken over. Halliburton hasn't 234 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 1: taken over. This is a game we have to win instead. Nope, 235 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:39,680 Speaker 1: Bennett Mathron off the bench for twenty five points like that, 236 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:42,880 Speaker 1: Like that's just such backbreaking stuff. Man, Like he needs 237 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 1: to be getting way more attention than he should. Sixth 238 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:48,480 Speaker 1: pick in the twenty twenty two draft, averaging about sixteen 239 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 1: points per game for his career. So you look at 240 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:54,640 Speaker 1: what he's been as a consistent contributor. The thing I 241 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:57,000 Speaker 1: like about him and we watched it, you know, last 242 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: series as well, Like he's not afraid to get into it. Right, 243 00:12:00,679 --> 00:12:04,200 Speaker 1: he's a scorer, but he's an agitator. And he's one 244 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: of those guys that becomes a fan favorite if he's 245 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:09,200 Speaker 1: your guy and the guy that you hate seeing check 246 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 1: in if he's the opponent. Oh yeah, yeah, right, it's 247 00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:13,439 Speaker 1: not just oh, you know, their second unit. As a 248 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:15,200 Speaker 1: guy that can score, it's like No, this guy will 249 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 1: also go and he'll have the hard fall. He'll play 250 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 1: you tight on d and he's gonna smile at you 251 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 1: the whole way. Yeah. I mean, really, the the Pacers bench, 252 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 1: the Pacers rotation has been absolutely perfect. I didn't think 253 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:30,679 Speaker 1: they could keep it up in the NBA Finals. I 254 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:32,720 Speaker 1: didn't think they win more than one game, and here 255 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:34,679 Speaker 1: they are about to take game their second game of 256 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:36,600 Speaker 1: the series, take a two games to one lead and 257 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: really put the Thunder in a must win or basically 258 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,400 Speaker 1: the series is over type deal for Game four goes 259 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:46,680 Speaker 1: into that final year of his rookie deal after these 260 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 1: final finals end. You know, I talk about a guy 261 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:51,960 Speaker 1: who's making himself a lot of money, right, restricted free 262 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:55,920 Speaker 1: agency and all that fun stuff. But what he's showing 263 00:12:56,040 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 1: in these playoffs and now into the finals, three point 264 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 1: acumen and toughness and all of that is on display. 265 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:06,320 Speaker 1: And for the Pacers, we talked about it very and 266 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 1: chronicled even before the Knick series was just how they 267 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 1: had heroes stepping up. Haliburton doing his base right, you 268 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: want you called for more and tonight he gave you 269 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 1: the scoring to go with it. Right. He's a rebound 270 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:21,720 Speaker 1: shy of a triple double. But seeing all the ancillary 271 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:25,200 Speaker 1: players come up big. Yeah, I mean look wait time 272 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 1: after time, look you know, but but for a guy 273 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:28,680 Speaker 1: like math and it's like, yes, we saw him be 274 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:31,800 Speaker 1: this big scorer in Arizona, right, he was really good. Right, 275 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 1: It's not like all of a sudden, who is this guy? Like, no, 276 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 1: he was terrific in Arizona. And now you know, you're 277 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 1: joining this Pacers team that has a lot of guys. Right, 278 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:43,080 Speaker 1: we got dudes, right, we got dudes that did that 279 00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:45,839 Speaker 1: need the ball and take shut and he's still able 280 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:47,720 Speaker 1: to do this Like this is this is one of 281 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 1: the most stunning, you know, individual performances just because of 282 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 1: the numbers the ship. It's not like, hey, I'm averaging 283 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:56,640 Speaker 1: twelve a game off the bench or sixty. Hey guess 284 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 1: what you know? No, this is like instead of sixteen, 285 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:00,959 Speaker 1: it's you got to keep it to sixteen. Like when 286 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:03,760 Speaker 1: he's at twenty five twenty eight, like what can you do? Right? 287 00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: Like that spurt ability that that second quarter was ridiculous, right, 288 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 1: Like what do you have? What do you have twenty 289 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 1: four and twelve minutes against the Knicks? I mean, come on, 290 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 1: I mean it's it's that's insane. So here we are 291 00:14:14,679 --> 00:14:17,720 Speaker 1: the Indiana Pacers are seconds away from a two games 292 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 1: to one lead in the NBA Finals. We break it 293 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:23,400 Speaker 1: down coming up next. Right here, Jason and Mike. You're 294 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 1: listening to Fox Sports Radio. From searching online to asking 295 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: your friends and family, there's lots of ways to look 296 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 1: for jobs. 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To 312 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 1: start your job search today. 313 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 2: Be sure to catch live editions of The Jason Smith 314 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 2: Show with Mike Harmon weekdays at ten pm Eastern, seven 315 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 2: pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app. 316 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 1: Fox Sports Radio The Jason Smith Show with My best 317 00:15:35,160 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 1: friend Mike Harmon. Be sure to check out the Fox 318 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: Sports Radio YouTube channel. Just search Fox Sports Radio on YouTube. 319 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:43,800 Speaker 1: You'll see a whole bunch of video highlights from our shows. 320 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 1: Be sure to subscribe so you never miss our very 321 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 1: best Fox Sports Radio videos on YouTube. Well, the Pacers 322 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 1: win it over the Thunder one sixteen to one oh seven, 323 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 1: and they take a two games to one lead in 324 00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 1: the NBA Finals and the team that goes up to 325 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 1: one wins the NBA Finals eighty one percent of the time. 326 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:12,200 Speaker 1: Eighty one percent, Terrell Owens Andre Reid eighty one? Yeah, 327 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 1: was he eighty or eighty one? Eighty one percent of 328 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 1: the time. Now, two big things coming off this game. 329 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:23,080 Speaker 1: We just watched the Pacers beat the Thunder and a 330 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: game in which the Pacers didn't do their A and 331 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 1: B things really well, which is hit threes and get 332 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:36,000 Speaker 1: superstar games from their star players, but it doesn't matter. 333 00:16:36,240 --> 00:16:38,760 Speaker 1: They were still able to win. Benedick mathern off the 334 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:41,960 Speaker 1: bench with twenty seven points. TJ McConnell had ten and five, 335 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:47,720 Speaker 1: right Obi Toppin had eight and seven. They're eight to no. 336 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: Now with Caitlin Clark in attendance at games, that's a 337 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:52,560 Speaker 1: big deal. She showed up and you knew you were 338 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 1: in trouble. Here's the first one that gets us to 339 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:56,680 Speaker 1: the bigger point, right. The first one is I kind 340 00:16:56,680 --> 00:16:59,360 Speaker 1: of said this half kiddingly last week, but now it 341 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 1: really you look at this again, eighty one percent chance 342 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:05,200 Speaker 1: to win the finals. Doesn't it look like the Pacers 343 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:09,439 Speaker 1: are a team of destiny This entire NBA Playoffs, the 344 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:12,800 Speaker 1: comebacks in the first round against the Bucks, the second 345 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 1: round blowing out the Cavs, the way they did that 346 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:18,159 Speaker 1: incredible series with the Knicks and the greatest comeback in 347 00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 1: the history of the NBA, and Halliburton making the choke sign, 348 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,359 Speaker 1: and Halliburton's dad getting banned from games because he stood 349 00:17:24,359 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 1: in front of Giannis and was mocking him and trolling him. 350 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:28,159 Speaker 1: Then he gets to come back to the games, and 351 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:31,199 Speaker 1: they still find ways to hit shots and win, and 352 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:34,720 Speaker 1: the small market team, feel good story. Like last week 353 00:17:34,760 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 1: it was eh, yeah, but now it feels like, oh, 354 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 1: we've been missing it all along. They look like a 355 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:42,800 Speaker 1: team of destiny. Whatever they need, they're gonna get. Hey. 356 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:45,919 Speaker 1: Good game from Haliburt tonight? Really good game? Was he 357 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:47,400 Speaker 1: over the top dominant? 358 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 3: No? 359 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 1: Really good game from Siakam tonight? Was he over the 360 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 1: top dominant? No? But hey doesn't matter because you had 361 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 1: Matherin off the bench for twenty seven points. It feels 362 00:17:55,840 --> 00:17:59,439 Speaker 1: like anything they want when they need to, they get it, 363 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 1: and it doesn't matter who they play. They should have 364 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:03,960 Speaker 1: probably lost to the Bucks, doesn't matter if Bucks where 365 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:06,120 Speaker 1: the Bucks were hamstrung, but they still need a big 366 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:09,200 Speaker 1: comebacks they want, not the better team against the Calves Caves, 367 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:11,680 Speaker 1: better regular season team doesn't matter. They beat the Calves, 368 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 1: Knick's higher seed, more excitement, better starting five, doesn't matter. 369 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 1: They wind up winning this thunder best team in the NBA, 370 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: Stars everywhere, perfectly a place team when it comes to 371 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:24,760 Speaker 1: how it's constructed, doesn't matter. Up two games to one, 372 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 1: they find a way even when they don't have an 373 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:30,120 Speaker 1: A plus night like they seem like a team of destiny. 374 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:34,480 Speaker 1: Destiny destinies I don't know if you're supposed to pluralize 375 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:38,480 Speaker 1: it or not. The team team of deston Team of Destiny, 376 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:42,440 Speaker 1: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The Indiana Pacers 377 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:44,560 Speaker 1: are the team of Destiny. Yeah, I was just thinking 378 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: maybe we need a different word, because clearly that got 379 00:18:47,040 --> 00:18:49,720 Speaker 1: co opted shortly after we said it. But all of 380 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 1: that to say, it has been a magical run, no 381 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:57,360 Speaker 1: question about it. In terms of balance and definition, right, 382 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:00,240 Speaker 1: steal a little from Arnold Schwarzenegger and pumping iron. I'm 383 00:19:00,280 --> 00:19:03,119 Speaker 1: at at it right. Always work for balance and definition 384 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:05,960 Speaker 1: and finding guys off the bench. And this is where 385 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:09,240 Speaker 1: we talked about the team depth coming into the series, 386 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:12,640 Speaker 1: to give them a little better than the what minus 387 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,359 Speaker 1: seven hundred I believe were the series odds for the 388 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 1: Thunder coming in. I mean I got it to six. 389 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:20,880 Speaker 1: Looks like I could be wrong. It could be six 390 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:24,399 Speaker 1: going the other way. But then it wasn't going to 391 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 1: be a walk over by any by any in any way, 392 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:32,080 Speaker 1: shape or form. Just the team's too good, too creative 393 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 1: and fast paced. Right, they're gonna make you pay. And 394 00:19:35,520 --> 00:19:38,919 Speaker 1: we watched it tonight. You look at Shay Gilgers, Alexander 395 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 1: playing a little bit recklessly with the basketball. He ends 396 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:45,720 Speaker 1: up with six turnovers. I think that was a career 397 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:49,359 Speaker 1: playoff high. You look at Alex Cruso, who's been money 398 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:52,240 Speaker 1: for them off the bench. He's minus fifteen and got 399 00:19:52,280 --> 00:19:56,160 Speaker 1: worked in time and again, and you just watch all 400 00:19:56,200 --> 00:20:00,600 Speaker 1: these secondary players show up and it's not to it's 401 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 1: just saying your headliners are Siakam, your leading scorer in 402 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:08,159 Speaker 1: the regular season, and Halliburton, who filled the stat sheet 403 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 1: in every category today. But you got the huge bench 404 00:20:11,359 --> 00:20:14,639 Speaker 1: contribution in the second quarter. What you got out of 405 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:20,119 Speaker 1: Matherin and McConnell was just ridiculous, and that helped carry 406 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:24,399 Speaker 1: you towards this victory. When you got a great start 407 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:27,040 Speaker 1: from Chat On the other side, you got three point 408 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:30,159 Speaker 1: acumen from lou Dort, didn't matter. They took care of 409 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:32,720 Speaker 1: your turnovers and turned them into points, something that both 410 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:36,359 Speaker 1: teams have struggled doing earlier in the series. Jason Smith 411 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 1: Mike Harmon Life from the Fox Sports Radio Studios. Now 412 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:41,920 Speaker 1: the big reason because now the thunder have gone from Boy, 413 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:44,720 Speaker 1: they're a fun story. I hate the Knicks, so hey, 414 00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:47,439 Speaker 1: I'm glad they beat the Knicks. Boy, Halliburton's kind of 415 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 1: fun now it's whoa. This team is on the cusp 416 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:52,960 Speaker 1: of winning the NBA title, right, this team's on the 417 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:55,640 Speaker 1: cut and kind of playing off the team of Desney. 418 00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:58,359 Speaker 1: Thing a little bit is that when we talk and 419 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:01,800 Speaker 1: really Halliburton is at the forefront of this, right, but 420 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:04,280 Speaker 1: it gets much bigger than him. Right. You want to hey, listen, 421 00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:07,240 Speaker 1: I'll tell you take this and use this in conversations 422 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:08,800 Speaker 1: with your friends to mark because I'm sure're gonna see 423 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:12,360 Speaker 1: it on TV and on the radio. Uh. Halliburton has 424 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 1: been a player who feeds off of the you overlook me, 425 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 1: you overrate me, right, that'll the thirteen sell said he 426 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:22,720 Speaker 1: was the most overrated player. Moncey Bolanos is buying T shirt. 427 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:28,119 Speaker 1: He's probably hit. Bonzi bought like ten of those Halliburton 428 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:31,120 Speaker 1: T shirts. She's got the next decade. Overrate this, right, 429 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:34,080 Speaker 1: And Halliburton's been at the forefront of that. Right. He's 430 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:36,920 Speaker 1: been of Hey, you know what I am. When when 431 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:41,399 Speaker 1: you when you overlook me or you think I'm not great, 432 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 1: that's motivation for me. And I talked about how you'll 433 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:46,200 Speaker 1: listen when you're truly one of the greats, you gotta 434 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:48,920 Speaker 1: do it every game, right, You can't just hey, now 435 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 1: I'm motivating right now, You got to give it to 436 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 1: me every game. But overall, why are the Pacers this good? Right? 437 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:58,080 Speaker 1: Why are the pick? They're a fifty win team, they 438 00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:00,200 Speaker 1: get into the playoffs, and all of a sudden they 439 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:02,720 Speaker 1: play like they have a chip on their shoulder because, 440 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:05,000 Speaker 1: you know why, because most of their players do. Right, 441 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:07,600 Speaker 1: you'd want to talk about a team that's filled with 442 00:22:07,720 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 1: guys that have been overlooked or not getting the attention 443 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:14,440 Speaker 1: they deserve. Right, you have Halliburton, right, who was drafted 444 00:22:14,440 --> 00:22:17,439 Speaker 1: by the Kings, gets traded to the Pacers, and he 445 00:22:17,440 --> 00:22:19,560 Speaker 1: had a pretty good first year and a half of Sacramento. 446 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:21,880 Speaker 1: But then he gets traded the Pacers. All of a sudden, 447 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:24,320 Speaker 1: he blossoms right, scores six more points a game, and 448 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 1: now he's an all NBA type player back to back years, 449 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:31,800 Speaker 1: completely overlooked. Pascal siakam right, Okay, Saka was a really 450 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:34,840 Speaker 1: good player, but well, Kawhi Leonard is better and Fred 451 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:37,880 Speaker 1: Van Vliet was better. Siaka was kind of a glue guy. Hey, 452 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:41,399 Speaker 1: really talented, No guess what overlooked his career. Look at 453 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:43,960 Speaker 1: where he is right now and he plays He's playing 454 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,720 Speaker 1: like Peek Kevin Durant over the course of right, do 455 00:22:47,760 --> 00:22:50,280 Speaker 1: you have Matherin of course coming off the bench, who 456 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:53,440 Speaker 1: you know, he's playing for a big contract someplace else 457 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:55,359 Speaker 1: where I can go and be a starter. Right, This 458 00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:58,920 Speaker 1: is Mattherin being motivated because hey, I'm overlooked. I should 459 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:01,760 Speaker 1: be a starter somewhere in the TJ. McConnell's been overlooked 460 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:04,440 Speaker 1: his entire career. And I play like I'm the guy 461 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:07,159 Speaker 1: in the pickup game that you absolutely hate because my 462 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:10,520 Speaker 1: motor always goes and I treat you with disdain and 463 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:13,160 Speaker 1: you are the most hated player. Just seeing TJ McConnell 464 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:15,120 Speaker 1: dribble the ball on the court, you hate him, right, 465 00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:17,200 Speaker 1: But oh we said that going back to the fort 466 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:20,399 Speaker 1: long before he vanquished your Knicks. But he's everything you 467 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:22,840 Speaker 1: want in a player like that. It's everything you want 468 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 1: in McConnell, who comes in and his motor is at 469 00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:28,280 Speaker 1: a million. Obi Toppin right, overlooked by the Knicks. Well, 470 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:30,919 Speaker 1: I hey, first round pick came in. The Knicks you know, 471 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:33,320 Speaker 1: brought him along really slow. But then it was what 472 00:23:33,359 --> 00:23:35,359 Speaker 1: are we gonna do because we have Julius Randall playing 473 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:37,920 Speaker 1: your position. Obi Toppin never got the chance to play 474 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:41,480 Speaker 1: enough minutes. Overlooked goes to the pacers, Right, these are 475 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:43,120 Speaker 1: these are their most These are some of their most 476 00:23:43,119 --> 00:23:45,800 Speaker 1: important guys who are here that that are that are 477 00:23:45,840 --> 00:23:48,639 Speaker 1: that are able to play and are able to succeed. Right, 478 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:50,879 Speaker 1: And then you have guys like Nee Smith and and 479 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:52,760 Speaker 1: and I can't say his name because of the three 480 00:23:52,880 --> 00:23:56,080 Speaker 1: less times hard right, but I mean like and and 481 00:23:56,119 --> 00:24:01,200 Speaker 1: even even the still miracle from last year. But now, 482 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 1: but you have a guy like Miles Turner who's played 483 00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:07,240 Speaker 1: his entire career in Indiana, right, and he's came in, Hey, 484 00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:09,840 Speaker 1: he could might maybe he could be the next superstar player. 485 00:24:09,840 --> 00:24:13,200 Speaker 1: But instead he's been a nice thirteen to fifteen point 486 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:15,560 Speaker 1: a game guy for his career. But still, hey, now 487 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:17,920 Speaker 1: I am here in the spotlight for the first time 488 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:20,240 Speaker 1: in the finals. And even though he has a bad game, 489 00:24:20,280 --> 00:24:22,480 Speaker 1: it seems like he always hits a three at some 490 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:24,560 Speaker 1: point in the game. That makes no sense, right, But 491 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:26,520 Speaker 1: you know that's to a lesser extent. But you look 492 00:24:26,520 --> 00:24:28,440 Speaker 1: at some of the guys who just talked about, they've 493 00:24:28,480 --> 00:24:31,439 Speaker 1: all been overlooked, they've all been overrated or all, Yay, 494 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:33,280 Speaker 1: maybe you're not as great as we think you are, 495 00:24:33,640 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 1: and they all feed off of that. I look at 496 00:24:36,880 --> 00:24:39,640 Speaker 1: a team that when I see the Pacers play, they 497 00:24:39,680 --> 00:24:42,320 Speaker 1: are hungrier than the other team on the court at 498 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:45,320 Speaker 1: all times. And it doesn't matter, Hey, Halliburton and Siakam 499 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:47,560 Speaker 1: come out of the game, doesn't matter because here comes Topping, 500 00:24:47,800 --> 00:24:51,880 Speaker 1: here comes McConnell, here comes Matherin, and they they pick 501 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:53,840 Speaker 1: up that they kick into that next year when they 502 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:56,480 Speaker 1: come on the court. Okay, great, and they they keep playing, 503 00:24:56,520 --> 00:24:58,440 Speaker 1: They keep reving that engine at the top and when 504 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:01,880 Speaker 1: the fourth quarter comes, every buddy's fresh because they play rotation. 505 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:04,679 Speaker 1: So it's not like, boy Halliburton looks like Brunton at 506 00:25:04,680 --> 00:25:06,000 Speaker 1: the end where he's dribbling up the ball, it looks 507 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:08,000 Speaker 1: like a fifty five year old man because he's been 508 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:10,200 Speaker 1: playing heavy minutes the whole game. No, they are there 509 00:25:10,200 --> 00:25:13,240 Speaker 1: at the end and they're all fresh because everybody contributes. 510 00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:17,680 Speaker 1: They are just hungrier. The overlooked players are always hungrier. 511 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:20,280 Speaker 1: And this is a perfect moment in time where the 512 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:23,080 Speaker 1: Pacers have all of these players at one time and 513 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:25,359 Speaker 1: you're seeing it right now. Yeah, I think to pull 514 00:25:25,359 --> 00:25:28,280 Speaker 1: it back just to that next level is then you 515 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:31,720 Speaker 1: look at Rick Carlisle. I don't know that Adam Silver 516 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:33,800 Speaker 1: wants to hear this because I know he's been doing 517 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:36,200 Speaker 1: his media rounds so that it's like it's showing again 518 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:40,159 Speaker 1: your regular season. We shouldn't really read a whole lot 519 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:43,280 Speaker 1: into it, and there's a lot of basketball to be played. 520 00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:47,240 Speaker 1: I'm not vanquishing the Thunder, but we're encapsulating things where 521 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:50,400 Speaker 1: we stand in this moment. The eighty one percent likelihood 522 00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:54,080 Speaker 1: of finishing again, the Thunder came into the series minus 523 00:25:54,320 --> 00:25:58,920 Speaker 1: seven hundred favorites. You should triple underscore that as you will. 524 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:04,160 Speaker 1: But the Rick Carlisle appreciation post and recognizing again it's 525 00:26:04,160 --> 00:26:08,080 Speaker 1: all about pacing and being ready for your second season. Right. 526 00:26:08,119 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 1: While they finished in the middle of the pack as 527 00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:15,440 Speaker 1: far as playoff teams go for the Eastern Conference, they've 528 00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:18,399 Speaker 1: had the best record other than the Thunder since the 529 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:21,760 Speaker 1: first of January, Right, So fifty wins doesn't matter, right, 530 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:23,800 Speaker 1: Look what happened with Cleveland, Ah a lot of wins. 531 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:29,159 Speaker 1: Nobody cares you go home, you play hard, you finish. 532 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:31,640 Speaker 1: So it's something we've been talking about a little bit 533 00:26:31,640 --> 00:26:33,960 Speaker 1: behind the scenes, right in terms of load management and 534 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:36,119 Speaker 1: all those other things. In terms of pulling the strings. 535 00:26:36,119 --> 00:26:38,639 Speaker 1: When we look at Rick Carlile, maybe there's a greater 536 00:26:38,720 --> 00:26:42,760 Speaker 1: appreciation for the coach he is coming out of this run, win, loser, draw, 537 00:26:42,920 --> 00:26:45,840 Speaker 1: whatever this series ends up at this point, and what 538 00:26:45,920 --> 00:26:47,800 Speaker 1: he's been able to do with this roster, whatever the 539 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:53,520 Speaker 1: motivation is. Externally, Yeah, Halliburton's had plenty of things and 540 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:57,199 Speaker 1: bulletin board material and thought pieces off TV and sports 541 00:26:57,240 --> 00:27:00,360 Speaker 1: talk radio and in the blogg Is sphere that we seen, 542 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:04,959 Speaker 1: but being able to know when to insert macom right 543 00:27:05,000 --> 00:27:07,720 Speaker 1: when we need that energy matherin, all right, go get 544 00:27:07,760 --> 00:27:12,280 Speaker 1: it right, it's now your time and just keep shooting right. 545 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:15,199 Speaker 1: And he's he's been highly efficient in his minutes. But 546 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:18,359 Speaker 1: to trust that you're going to be able to spell 547 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:20,399 Speaker 1: where there's not the anxious moment. How many times do 548 00:27:20,440 --> 00:27:24,280 Speaker 1: we see say your knicks. Brunson's there like he's he's 549 00:27:24,320 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 1: waiting for the bell to ring, like all right, let 550 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:28,680 Speaker 1: me back in, let me come on, tag me back 551 00:27:28,680 --> 00:27:31,720 Speaker 1: in already, whereas Haliburton's just sitting down waiting. It's like, 552 00:27:32,040 --> 00:27:34,359 Speaker 1: all right, you ready, Yeah, it's your time, go back in. 553 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:37,480 Speaker 1: Like there's a it's a more measured approach versus break 554 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:39,600 Speaker 1: glass in case of emergency. Well yeah, hey, we we 555 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:42,480 Speaker 1: were lying. Look and Jalen Brunson is a bigger superstar. 556 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:47,000 Speaker 1: But but the Pacers, they have a numerous guys that 557 00:27:47,040 --> 00:27:52,120 Speaker 1: can make trust of that balance. Halliburton is the big one, 558 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:53,800 Speaker 1: but it doesn't matter. The end of the game. Could 559 00:27:53,800 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 1: be Siakam, it could be Halliburton does is great at 560 00:27:56,040 --> 00:27:58,280 Speaker 1: getting his own shot, even in tight covered so that's 561 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:00,640 Speaker 1: why you default to him, Jalen. That's why the Knicks 562 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:02,879 Speaker 1: to fault to Jalen Brunston. But Brunson's not giving the 563 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:05,440 Speaker 1: ball up like Halliburton. Give it up to Siakam, give 564 00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:07,560 Speaker 1: it up to Nen Bark, give it up to to Nismith, 565 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:10,840 Speaker 1: give it up to to anybody, right, Matt, I'd be 566 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:12,920 Speaker 1: happy if Mathern's taking the final shot of it. Give 567 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:15,320 Speaker 1: it off to We're gonna keep going on. I mean, 568 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:17,960 Speaker 1: he's mad, but it's there's a there's a difference. You 569 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:21,440 Speaker 1: see that everybody wants the ball, right, Everybody wants the ball, right, 570 00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:24,480 Speaker 1: look Sga wants the ball, right, Chet wants the ball. 571 00:28:24,520 --> 00:28:27,280 Speaker 1: Everybody wants the ball. But I see, I don't see 572 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:30,520 Speaker 1: that absolute blood in your eye, hungriness at give me 573 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:33,000 Speaker 1: the ball. Then I'm seeing from the pacers, and again 574 00:28:33,040 --> 00:28:34,959 Speaker 1: it's a big moment in time for them because clearly, 575 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:37,399 Speaker 1: look as time goes on, Obie Toppin's gonna want a 576 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:39,760 Speaker 1: big contract. He wants to start somewhere. Matherin's gonna want 577 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:42,080 Speaker 1: a big contract, start somewhere. All these things are gonna 578 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:44,880 Speaker 1: have to happen. But right now they have that great 579 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:48,400 Speaker 1: mix of a great rotation that we can go eight 580 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:51,440 Speaker 1: to nine deep and that pace of play doesn't change 581 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:54,120 Speaker 1: at all. There's no hey, we hope to steal a 582 00:28:54,120 --> 00:28:55,960 Speaker 1: couple of minutes right Like to use the Knicks for 583 00:28:56,040 --> 00:28:59,000 Speaker 1: an example, when Brunson goes to the bench, the Knicks hope, hey, 584 00:28:59,040 --> 00:29:01,800 Speaker 1: can we steal or four minutes and keep the score 585 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:06,120 Speaker 1: the way it is still, let's keep where it is. 586 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 1: Where the pacers they change, it's like, hey, McConnell and 587 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:11,959 Speaker 1: Toppin and Matheren committed and say let's push this lead out. 588 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:15,800 Speaker 1: It's almost like like the Warriors in the very beginning 589 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:18,240 Speaker 1: of their dynasty, where hey, you feel like you're getting 590 00:29:18,240 --> 00:29:20,320 Speaker 1: a breather when Stephan Clay go to the bench, but no, 591 00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:24,040 Speaker 1: here comes Sean Livingston and and iguidala and suddenly it's Hey, 592 00:29:24,040 --> 00:29:26,800 Speaker 1: their bench comes in and a twelve point lead. When 593 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:28,520 Speaker 1: the when the starters come back in, Oh, it's a 594 00:29:28,560 --> 00:29:31,280 Speaker 1: sixteen point lead. Like this is what that reminds me of, 595 00:29:31,320 --> 00:29:34,440 Speaker 1: And it's the their absolute hunger and they're playing at 596 00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:37,040 Speaker 1: that pad. This is a perfect moment in time for them, 597 00:29:37,240 --> 00:29:38,760 Speaker 1: for the way this team has been put together. And 598 00:29:38,800 --> 00:29:41,000 Speaker 1: I give Rick Carlyle a lot of a lot of credit. 599 00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:43,760 Speaker 1: In fact, I can't believe in the postgame press conference 600 00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:46,920 Speaker 1: James Dolan's not going to be there asking Rick Carlyle, Hey, 601 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:48,520 Speaker 1: do you want to leave me become my head coach? Now? 602 00:29:48,560 --> 00:29:50,920 Speaker 1: Is that James Dolan in the beard and glasses? No, 603 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:53,040 Speaker 1: it's not mean he starts playing harmonica. He's wearing a 604 00:29:53,080 --> 00:29:56,120 Speaker 1: trench coat like a boom box over his head with 605 00:29:56,200 --> 00:29:58,760 Speaker 1: some song. I expect that to happen. Hey, Rick, do 606 00:29:58,760 --> 00:30:00,280 Speaker 1: you want to come? Do you want to come coach 607 00:30:00,280 --> 00:30:01,680 Speaker 1: the next next year? Really? I mean, I mean, I know, 608 00:30:03,040 --> 00:30:06,520 Speaker 1: come the finals and when they're the next to deny 609 00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:10,000 Speaker 1: the request, right, yeah, I mean, hey, I know you're 610 00:30:10,040 --> 00:30:12,920 Speaker 1: down to one, but hey, we got okay, I will wait, 611 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:14,600 Speaker 1: We'll wait. Okay, that's fine. We'll wait a little bit. 612 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:16,440 Speaker 1: We'll wait little bit. It's okay, It's okay. I mean, look, 613 00:30:16,440 --> 00:30:18,760 Speaker 1: and even Rick Carlile when you want to talk about 614 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:20,840 Speaker 1: guys who have been overlooked, Like Rick carl has been 615 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:23,800 Speaker 1: a great coach entire career. But Rick Carlile's that you know? 616 00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:26,520 Speaker 1: Did you mentioned Rick Carlile's name when its name of 617 00:30:26,560 --> 00:30:28,560 Speaker 1: great coach in the NBA? No, we talk about Kerr 618 00:30:28,600 --> 00:30:30,960 Speaker 1: and we talk about Spolstra and Jason Kidd's gotten a 619 00:30:30,960 --> 00:30:32,360 Speaker 1: lot of run the last week games. You talk about 620 00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:35,360 Speaker 1: Greg Popovic, But does Rick Carlyle get a lot of run? Known? 621 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:37,560 Speaker 1: He's been a great idea is a long time right, alright? 622 00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:39,520 Speaker 1: He is a champion. Is a guy with a lot 623 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:42,280 Speaker 1: of fifty win seasons under his belt. I mean there's 624 00:30:42,320 --> 00:30:44,320 Speaker 1: a lot, there's a lot to there's a lot to 625 00:30:44,400 --> 00:30:47,440 Speaker 1: say for putting a bunch of talented guys together who 626 00:30:47,440 --> 00:30:49,920 Speaker 1: are overlooked. And you can buy in for that, right, 627 00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:52,440 Speaker 1: You can't buy in for a long period of time, 628 00:30:52,480 --> 00:30:54,680 Speaker 1: Like that's not a four or five year buy in. 629 00:30:54,760 --> 00:30:56,719 Speaker 1: It's more of a moment in time. But that's all 630 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:58,720 Speaker 1: the Pacers care about right now, is this moment in 631 00:30:58,760 --> 00:31:00,960 Speaker 1: time right, and then you find the next batch of guys. 632 00:31:00,960 --> 00:31:03,640 Speaker 1: If you have that run of continuity and Carlisle still 633 00:31:03,640 --> 00:31:05,920 Speaker 1: getting after it, you go find the next batch of 634 00:31:05,960 --> 00:31:08,520 Speaker 1: guys that have been discarded and are disgrundled and get 635 00:31:08,520 --> 00:31:11,240 Speaker 1: them to play the same way. Exit out about a 636 00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:14,560 Speaker 1: Fresco exit swollen down the Jason Smith Show with my 637 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:16,960 Speaker 1: best friend Mike Harmon. Time got to find out what's 638 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:18,880 Speaker 1: trending in the wide rule of sports with someone who's 639 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:21,760 Speaker 1: been called the Obie Top in a Fox Sports Radio 640 00:31:24,160 --> 00:31:24,840 Speaker 1: She can dunk? 641 00:31:29,240 --> 00:31:30,000 Speaker 3: What's that brand? 642 00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:31,280 Speaker 2: Fisher Price? 643 00:31:31,960 --> 00:31:35,600 Speaker 1: A Fisher Price? Yeah, I was like, what's the toy brand? Yeah? 644 00:31:35,600 --> 00:31:37,760 Speaker 1: I can definitely don't want you dunk on a six 645 00:31:37,760 --> 00:31:45,080 Speaker 1: foot rim? Maybe fe okay, you can jump. I can't jump. 646 00:31:45,080 --> 00:31:45,520 Speaker 3: I can jump. 647 00:31:45,520 --> 00:31:47,200 Speaker 1: I've never, I've never. You know, I don't know at 648 00:31:47,320 --> 00:31:50,680 Speaker 1: least the mini basketball, whether we're there the controls there 649 00:31:50,720 --> 00:31:53,520 Speaker 1: for the full Yeah, yeah, I think honestly, Yeah, five 650 00:31:53,520 --> 00:31:54,560 Speaker 1: and a half foot rim. 651 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:57,440 Speaker 3: Let's do it. Then at that I'm going, you know, 652 00:31:57,680 --> 00:31:59,360 Speaker 3: under my leg and doing a. 653 00:32:00,200 --> 00:32:03,480 Speaker 1: Sixty with a slam dunk contest. That's what I'm saying. 654 00:32:04,040 --> 00:32:07,240 Speaker 1: That's what I'm saying. Yeah, going to a courtyard near you. Oh, 655 00:32:07,360 --> 00:32:08,080 Speaker 1: let's do it. 656 00:32:08,200 --> 00:32:08,920 Speaker 3: Let's do it. 657 00:32:08,840 --> 00:32:12,840 Speaker 1: It's like Kenny sky Walker, just between your legs exactly, 658 00:32:13,440 --> 00:32:14,720 Speaker 1: helicopter dunch, show. 659 00:32:14,640 --> 00:32:17,000 Speaker 3: That or a little maybe, you know, Vince Carter put 660 00:32:17,040 --> 00:32:19,520 Speaker 3: my whole elbow in it. I could do all those things. 661 00:32:19,680 --> 00:32:21,560 Speaker 1: Okay, let's do it. Let's do it. 662 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:24,160 Speaker 3: I'm gonna basically perform as well as the Pacers did 663 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:27,000 Speaker 3: in the fourth quarter against the Thunder in Game three 664 00:32:27,040 --> 00:32:29,120 Speaker 3: of the NBA Finals. You know, Thunder were up going 665 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:30,880 Speaker 3: into the fourth quarter, not by a lot, but they 666 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:32,760 Speaker 3: were up with five or six points or something like that. 667 00:32:33,080 --> 00:32:35,960 Speaker 3: But the Pacers ended up outscoring them thirty two to 668 00:32:36,040 --> 00:32:38,480 Speaker 3: eighteen to win Game three. Indiana takes a two to 669 00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:42,920 Speaker 3: one series lead. Uh. Pacers also protected the ball way 670 00:32:42,960 --> 00:32:45,080 Speaker 3: better than they did and especially in Game one, only 671 00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:50,160 Speaker 3: thirteen turnovers while OKC the TV had eighteen turnovers. ESPN 672 00:32:50,200 --> 00:32:53,320 Speaker 3: has seventeen turnovers. But yeah, a lot of turnovers for 673 00:32:53,480 --> 00:32:57,480 Speaker 3: OKAC in this one. Other NBA news, the Sons and 674 00:32:57,560 --> 00:32:59,800 Speaker 3: Kevin Durant, along with his reps, have begin talks and 675 00:32:59,840 --> 00:33:02,480 Speaker 3: moving him out of Phoenix this offseason. Some of the 676 00:33:02,520 --> 00:33:06,760 Speaker 3: teams that could be possible destinations Rockets, Spurs, Timberwolves. He 677 00:33:07,080 --> 00:33:09,360 Speaker 3: and the Necks. Hey, the Knicks. 678 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:11,280 Speaker 2: Looking for a coach, maybe. 679 00:33:12,760 --> 00:33:13,280 Speaker 1: Everybody. 680 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:16,400 Speaker 3: Maybe they get KD and he can be a coach too. 681 00:33:17,160 --> 00:33:17,920 Speaker 3: At the same time, you. 682 00:33:17,920 --> 00:33:19,720 Speaker 1: Think he would say no to that. He would say, yeah, 683 00:33:20,960 --> 00:33:23,560 Speaker 1: let's go, let's get contract Ray. 684 00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:26,080 Speaker 3: So they're still looking for a coach, but they've been 685 00:33:26,120 --> 00:33:30,440 Speaker 3: denied permission to speak to Bulls head coach, MAVs head coach, 686 00:33:30,520 --> 00:33:33,520 Speaker 3: and Hawk's head coach, so they're still looking. Celtics guard 687 00:33:33,600 --> 00:33:36,280 Speaker 3: Jalen Brown had author Scopprick surgery on his knee, but 688 00:33:36,320 --> 00:33:38,640 Speaker 3: he's expected to be ready by the start of training camp. 689 00:33:38,960 --> 00:33:41,560 Speaker 3: In Major League Baseball, one game that was still going 690 00:33:41,600 --> 00:33:44,200 Speaker 3: on and it is still Giants on top of the 691 00:33:44,280 --> 00:33:46,400 Speaker 3: Rockies ten to seven. It is the bottom of the 692 00:33:46,480 --> 00:33:49,360 Speaker 3: ninth inning in Colorado and the Rockies have a man 693 00:33:49,400 --> 00:33:52,000 Speaker 3: on first base, but they are down to their final out. 694 00:33:52,200 --> 00:33:54,320 Speaker 3: The Astros all over the White Sox ten to two 695 00:33:54,440 --> 00:33:56,840 Speaker 3: was the final score. The Twins outscore the Rangers six 696 00:33:56,920 --> 00:33:59,360 Speaker 3: to two. The Yankees defeated the Royal six to three. 697 00:33:59,400 --> 00:34:01,959 Speaker 3: Aaron Judge with home run number twenty five on the season. 698 00:34:02,240 --> 00:34:04,520 Speaker 3: The Mets shut up the Nationals five zero. They have 699 00:34:04,560 --> 00:34:06,520 Speaker 3: a record of forty four and twenty four, and it 700 00:34:06,760 --> 00:34:09,200 Speaker 3: edges the Tigers, who have a record of forty four 701 00:34:09,200 --> 00:34:12,000 Speaker 3: and twenty five. They lost today to the Orioles ten 702 00:34:12,080 --> 00:34:13,120 Speaker 3: to one. 703 00:34:13,160 --> 00:34:16,480 Speaker 1: It edges them for what, Monci. It edges the Tigers 704 00:34:16,480 --> 00:34:17,000 Speaker 1: out for what. 705 00:34:17,600 --> 00:34:21,799 Speaker 3: For the best record in base one? Ah record in 706 00:34:21,920 --> 00:34:22,560 Speaker 3: base fine. 707 00:34:23,840 --> 00:34:26,080 Speaker 1: Just beat the Padres in San Diego five to two. 708 00:34:26,480 --> 00:34:29,360 Speaker 1: Back to you, guys, play you runch MONSI, Jason Smith, 709 00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:32,440 Speaker 1: Mike Harmon live from the tire rack dot Com Studios. 710 00:34:32,480 --> 00:34:35,719 Speaker 1: Coming up next, we stick with the NBA. Yes, still 711 00:34:35,760 --> 00:34:38,480 Speaker 1: more breakdown of what we saw from the Thunder and 712 00:34:38,560 --> 00:34:43,040 Speaker 1: the and the Pacers tonight. But straight ahead, there is 713 00:34:43,080 --> 00:34:46,680 Speaker 1: one player who has now unanimously been named as this 714 00:34:46,760 --> 00:34:50,600 Speaker 1: is the guy that's gonna solve all your problems next year. 715 00:34:53,000 --> 00:34:58,839 Speaker 1: He's not tell you why. Jason and Mike Fox call 716 00:34:58,880 --> 00:35:03,919 Speaker 1: the Bucks four Doc, Just call the box for Doc. 717 00:35:05,640 --> 00:35:08,280 Speaker 2: Be sure to catch live editions of The Jason Smith 718 00:35:08,280 --> 00:35:11,400 Speaker 2: Show with Mike Harmon weekdays at ten pm Eastern, seven 719 00:35:11,440 --> 00:35:13,720 Speaker 2: pm Pacific Fox. 720 00:35:13,560 --> 00:35:16,600 Speaker 1: Sports Radio The Jason Smith Show with My best friend 721 00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:19,560 Speaker 1: Mike Harmon. We get back in the Game three of 722 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:23,160 Speaker 1: the NBA Finals coming up in ten minutes, A fearless 723 00:35:23,239 --> 00:35:26,640 Speaker 1: bold prediction for Game four, after we just watched the 724 00:35:26,680 --> 00:35:31,240 Speaker 1: Pacers take Game three, two games to one lead. Winner 725 00:35:31,280 --> 00:35:34,120 Speaker 1: of Game three, people go to one. You win the 726 00:35:34,120 --> 00:35:40,399 Speaker 1: finals eighty one percent of the time. Eighty eighty one. 727 00:35:40,719 --> 00:35:44,879 Speaker 1: But how about that big bull prediction ten minutes away. Meanwhile, look, 728 00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:48,320 Speaker 1: there's three stories in the NBA all going on. Concurrently, 729 00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:52,000 Speaker 1: you have the NBA Finals, the Nicks incredibly embarrassing search 730 00:35:52,040 --> 00:35:55,120 Speaker 1: for a head coach that continues to show you there's 731 00:35:55,160 --> 00:35:58,040 Speaker 1: no such thing as rock bottom. We hit the floor 732 00:35:58,080 --> 00:36:02,440 Speaker 1: and we continue to dig, and with free agency trades 733 00:36:02,440 --> 00:36:05,439 Speaker 1: coming up around the corner, Kevin Durant apparently is going 734 00:36:05,480 --> 00:36:08,920 Speaker 1: to solve everybody's problem. Right, no matter what your team is, 735 00:36:08,960 --> 00:36:11,799 Speaker 1: and whatever the composition is, he's the guy, right, it 736 00:36:11,800 --> 00:36:16,160 Speaker 1: doesn't matter. Today we saw the story break that Kevin 737 00:36:16,360 --> 00:36:20,720 Speaker 1: Durant and the Suns are weighing trade options right. Teams 738 00:36:20,760 --> 00:36:24,080 Speaker 1: that potentially are interested in Kevin Durant include the Rockets, 739 00:36:24,120 --> 00:36:27,280 Speaker 1: the Spurs, the Heat, the Timberwolves, the Knicks. Also, according 740 00:36:27,320 --> 00:36:31,720 Speaker 1: to Sean Stranias, several other suitors made inquiries on Durant 741 00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:34,879 Speaker 1: the past seven to ten days. Okay, Now I want 742 00:36:34,880 --> 00:36:36,520 Speaker 1: to tap the brakes on this for a second, because 743 00:36:36,520 --> 00:36:39,319 Speaker 1: I look, I'm clearly clearly the Knicks are gonna wind 744 00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:41,799 Speaker 1: up with with Kevin Durant. So, okay, I saw him 745 00:36:42,080 --> 00:36:45,880 Speaker 1: shopped into a pistage jersey or hey, Piston, why not, right, Pisson? 746 00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:48,840 Speaker 1: Is he to score like that or what? I don't 747 00:36:48,920 --> 00:36:55,240 Speaker 1: understand the all the the sudden belief that Kevin Durant 748 00:36:55,320 --> 00:36:58,600 Speaker 1: can help all these teams to a title like this 749 00:36:58,680 --> 00:37:01,440 Speaker 1: is not twenty nineteen, Okay, this is gonna be a 750 00:37:01,480 --> 00:37:04,160 Speaker 1: thirty seven year old Kevin do thirty seven in a row, 751 00:37:04,400 --> 00:37:06,799 Speaker 1: who was still a terrific scorer. Right, Kevin does still 752 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:10,960 Speaker 1: terrific scorer, still a good enough defender. Okay, But how 753 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:13,399 Speaker 1: do you think suddenly you're gonna PLoP him on your 754 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:16,720 Speaker 1: team and suddenly you're going to win. Kevin Durant hasn't 755 00:37:16,760 --> 00:37:22,640 Speaker 1: been a difference maker in six years. Six years. Last 756 00:37:22,640 --> 00:37:25,359 Speaker 1: time was a difference maker was with the Warriors, then 757 00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:28,320 Speaker 1: blew out his achilles, went to Brooklyn. Was he a 758 00:37:28,360 --> 00:37:29,239 Speaker 1: difference maker there? 759 00:37:29,360 --> 00:37:29,440 Speaker 3: No? 760 00:37:29,560 --> 00:37:31,759 Speaker 1: And he had great players he played with, right, didn't 761 00:37:31,760 --> 00:37:33,759 Speaker 1: work out? It was him and it was Harden and 762 00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:36,200 Speaker 1: it was Simmons and it was Kyrie. Didn't work. Okay, 763 00:37:36,440 --> 00:37:38,640 Speaker 1: I go to Phoenix, Guess what, you got great players there, 764 00:37:38,680 --> 00:37:41,040 Speaker 1: you got Booker, and now you bring in Bradley Beale. 765 00:37:41,280 --> 00:37:43,759 Speaker 1: Guess what. They couldn't do anything either. So it's not 766 00:37:43,880 --> 00:37:46,919 Speaker 1: like he went to teams that he's their lone star 767 00:37:47,360 --> 00:37:49,839 Speaker 1: and I can't lift them because it's just me. He 768 00:37:49,920 --> 00:37:52,839 Speaker 1: was on teams with other stars. Did they have any 769 00:37:52,840 --> 00:37:55,799 Speaker 1: playoff success. I don't know why people suddenly think, just 770 00:37:55,800 --> 00:37:59,520 Speaker 1: because he potentially wants out of Phoenix, that he's going 771 00:37:59,560 --> 00:38:01,719 Speaker 1: to be a big difference maker. I don't understand. I 772 00:38:01,920 --> 00:38:04,239 Speaker 1: don't get I guess he is a terrific scorer. He 773 00:38:04,280 --> 00:38:06,960 Speaker 1: is still a terrific player. But he's played on teams 774 00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:09,319 Speaker 1: with really good talent the last six years and they 775 00:38:09,320 --> 00:38:11,680 Speaker 1: haven't gone anywhere. But suddenly he's gonna show up in 776 00:38:11,920 --> 00:38:15,080 Speaker 1: Houston and San Antonio and Miami or the Knicks in 777 00:38:15,080 --> 00:38:17,640 Speaker 1: Minnesota and they're gonna be great because KD is there. 778 00:38:17,680 --> 00:38:20,000 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, I've seen it. He's a guy that gets 779 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:22,960 Speaker 1: his points, he gets his numbers, he gets his stats right. 780 00:38:23,000 --> 00:38:25,279 Speaker 1: It's kind of like Lebron James up until when when 781 00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:27,680 Speaker 1: when the Lakers traded for Luca Hey, Lebron gets his, 782 00:38:28,080 --> 00:38:31,080 Speaker 1: But is he leading the Lakers anywhere? No, he wasn't. 783 00:38:31,400 --> 00:38:35,240 Speaker 1: And KD KD gets his, but is he leading teams anywhere? 784 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:38,520 Speaker 1: He's not. But just because KD wants out something, he's 785 00:38:38,719 --> 00:38:40,839 Speaker 1: really any team could have had him when he went 786 00:38:40,880 --> 00:38:43,319 Speaker 1: to the w went to the Suns and was like, yeah, 787 00:38:43,360 --> 00:38:45,000 Speaker 1: I don't know about it. But now suddenly a couple 788 00:38:45,000 --> 00:38:47,239 Speaker 1: of years later and he's older. Yes, Kevin Durant's the guy. 789 00:38:47,440 --> 00:38:50,600 Speaker 1: I'm sorry. KD is still a terrific scorer, right, great 790 00:38:50,600 --> 00:38:53,640 Speaker 1: player his entire career. But I'm looking at my team. 791 00:38:53,840 --> 00:38:55,400 Speaker 1: I want to take that next level jump, and all 792 00:38:55,440 --> 00:38:56,880 Speaker 1: these teams I just talked about want to take that 793 00:38:56,920 --> 00:38:59,000 Speaker 1: next level jump. Right, The Rockets want to become a 794 00:38:59,040 --> 00:39:01,400 Speaker 1: title contender, the Knicks one to become an NBA Finals winner. 795 00:39:01,520 --> 00:39:04,560 Speaker 1: So do the Tea Wolves. Kevin Durant's that guy. I'm sorry, 796 00:39:04,560 --> 00:39:06,640 Speaker 1: he's not. I what last six years I've watched he 797 00:39:06,719 --> 00:39:09,480 Speaker 1: doesn't raise teams level of play enough to do it. 798 00:39:09,520 --> 00:39:12,000 Speaker 1: But even he circle back a couple of years ago, right, 799 00:39:12,120 --> 00:39:14,600 Speaker 1: even in Brooklyn, they won at a pretty decent clip 800 00:39:14,640 --> 00:39:18,400 Speaker 1: when he played, looking at two thirds of their games, 801 00:39:18,680 --> 00:39:21,200 Speaker 1: What does it matter when you're playing over one hundred 802 00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:24,520 Speaker 1: games on the year. How many is he missing? Is 803 00:39:24,560 --> 00:39:26,680 Speaker 1: he ready for prime time? And what's it take to 804 00:39:26,719 --> 00:39:29,960 Speaker 1: bring him in at this point in terms of roster 805 00:39:30,080 --> 00:39:33,120 Speaker 1: composition where you're going, Would it be intriguing to watch 806 00:39:33,200 --> 00:39:38,439 Speaker 1: him with San Antonio and the rozah Ghoul Wemby, Hell yeah, 807 00:39:38,680 --> 00:39:41,880 Speaker 1: Taron Fox and what they've assembled there, Vassal, I mean, 808 00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:45,520 Speaker 1: you've got a pretty good squad that's been put together. Sure, 809 00:39:45,520 --> 00:39:48,279 Speaker 1: I'd love to watch it, but does it win? I 810 00:39:48,320 --> 00:39:50,480 Speaker 1: don't know how many of those guys are available for 811 00:39:50,520 --> 00:39:53,480 Speaker 1: a full season and going through the rigors of the 812 00:39:53,520 --> 00:39:57,719 Speaker 1: Western Conference? Right if he goes to New York intriguing? 813 00:39:58,280 --> 00:40:01,200 Speaker 1: What's that roster composition look like? How many games am 814 00:40:01,239 --> 00:40:03,480 Speaker 1: I getting out of him? All of these things? No 815 00:40:03,560 --> 00:40:06,399 Speaker 1: matter what? Like that's the the ultimate question. Hey, what's 816 00:40:06,440 --> 00:40:09,520 Speaker 1: he looking like in April and May? What's that roster 817 00:40:09,640 --> 00:40:12,520 Speaker 1: look like in April? Yeah? I mean, look, yeah, you 818 00:40:12,920 --> 00:40:14,839 Speaker 1: worry about his help, But I'm just saying, just if 819 00:40:14,840 --> 00:40:17,319 Speaker 1: he's healthy, let's save he's out. What does he done? 820 00:40:17,640 --> 00:40:19,560 Speaker 1: How does he he hasn't fit in with any team 821 00:40:19,680 --> 00:40:22,360 Speaker 1: to take them anywhere. Right Like he get he gets 822 00:40:22,360 --> 00:40:24,840 Speaker 1: his points. That's what he does. He gets his points 823 00:40:24,880 --> 00:40:26,279 Speaker 1: at this point. That's what he does in his career. 824 00:40:26,320 --> 00:40:27,759 Speaker 1: Is Hee a guy willing to come in and be 825 00:40:27,880 --> 00:40:29,960 Speaker 1: like a fourth or fifth option to where you've got 826 00:40:30,000 --> 00:40:33,879 Speaker 1: team depth. I don't know, like Indiana or O Casey. No, 827 00:40:34,200 --> 00:40:36,960 Speaker 1: I mean really, but everybody thinks suddenly, oh, Kevin Durants 828 00:40:37,000 --> 00:40:39,000 Speaker 1: the guy. Go get Kevin Ray. Yeah, okay, good luck 829 00:40:39,040 --> 00:40:41,520 Speaker 1: he's good for us, though, good luck. It's grat He's 830 00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:43,839 Speaker 1: always been blunt. You don't like it, He's great. No, 831 00:40:44,080 --> 00:40:46,480 Speaker 1: you don't like it. Don't watch Exit about a Fresca 832 00:40:46,560 --> 00:40:48,920 Speaker 1: exit swollen dome. Jason Smith Mike Carman live from the 833 00:40:48,920 --> 00:40:52,399 Speaker 1: Fox Sports Radio Studios. Coming up next, a Big Bowl 834 00:40:52,440 --> 00:40:55,360 Speaker 1: prediction for Game four and boy are we going bold? 835 00:40:55,760 --> 00:40:57,480 Speaker 1: That's next. Jason and Mike, you're listening