1 00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:05,400 Speaker 1: You're listening to Fox Sports Radio Radio eleven the dream 2 00:00:05,440 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: once again here on a fully loaded Sports Saturday. 3 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:12,560 Speaker 2: This is Fox Sports Saturday, and we're broadcasting live from 4 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 2: the ti iraq dot com studios, tier rack dot com. 5 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 2: We're gonna get you there and on match selection, fast 6 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:22,840 Speaker 2: ree Shipping, free road, azerd protection, over ten thousand recommending installers, 7 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 2: ti iraq dot com the way tire buying should be. 8 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 2: We got one hell of a playoff game going on 9 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,559 Speaker 2: right now between the Nuggets and the Clippers. Clippers have 10 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:35,640 Speaker 2: led for most of this game, but right now three 11 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:37,240 Speaker 2: zho six to go in the fourth court and the 12 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 2: Nuggets have a ninety three to ninety two lead, So 13 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 2: we are going to be all over this game. We 14 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 2: got games coming up. Obviously, we got the Pistons taking 15 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,239 Speaker 2: on the Knicks, and then later on the Timberwolves and 16 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:54,320 Speaker 2: the Lakers. Already Indiana did some serious damage on the 17 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:58,960 Speaker 2: Milwaukee Bucks. So the NBA playoffs are definitely underway. And 18 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 2: of course we've all also got the NFL Draft that's 19 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 2: going to be coming up here on Thursday. Adam Kaplan 20 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:09,000 Speaker 2: is going to be joining us our NFL insider and 21 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:11,400 Speaker 2: he'll give us the latest not only on how the 22 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 2: top of the draft looks right now, but also the 23 00:01:14,360 --> 00:01:17,480 Speaker 2: latest on the Aaron Rodgers situation. Will he be a 24 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 2: Pittsburgh Steeler or is he not going to be a 25 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,920 Speaker 2: Pittsburgh Steeler? Is he going to announce his retirement? So 26 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 2: we'll have all the NFL news for you. We're hooking 27 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:30,559 Speaker 2: up with Ryan right now. And the great thing about 28 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 2: having Ryan Hollins on is not only the fact that 29 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:36,399 Speaker 2: he is my fellow bruin, is the fact that he 30 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 2: has also been the color analyst for the Houston Rockets 31 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:43,120 Speaker 2: for the last four seasons. So he'll give us a 32 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 2: little previews the Rockets will open up their series against 33 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 2: the Golden State Warriors this weekend and get obviously his 34 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 2: inside on everything about the NBA with these exciting playoffs. 35 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:58,440 Speaker 2: I was actually at into a dome on Tuesday to 36 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 2: check out Clippers pract this and they were a very 37 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 2: confident bunch going in. So right now ninety five ninety 38 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 2: four Denver leading the Clippers two forty two to go on, 39 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 2: Ryan is joining us, my fellow bruin. Ryant's great to 40 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:12,839 Speaker 2: hook up with you again. How are you, man? 41 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 3: What's going on? Brother? 42 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 2: How you been I've been great. I mean, you've been 43 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 2: busy obviously the last four seasons. Now the analysts for 44 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 2: Houston Rockets Basketball, and we got plenty of talk about 45 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 2: with the Rockets and their series coming up with the Warriors. 46 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:28,399 Speaker 2: But let's talk about this game that's going on right 47 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 2: now again. Nuggets leading the Clippers ninety five ninety four. 48 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:35,800 Speaker 2: We got two twenty two to go in this game. 49 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 2: As I mentioned, I was out with the Clippers, your 50 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 2: former team, one of your former teams on Tuesday out 51 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 2: of practice. Talk to Zubots, talk to Hardin obviously talked 52 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 2: to ty Lou. This is a different Clippers team this year. Ryan, 53 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:52,639 Speaker 2: They're healthy. You know, you feel like if they can 54 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 2: keep Kawhi on the court, this team could go deep. 55 00:02:56,040 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 2: But think about it. How many teams have four guys, 56 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:03,920 Speaker 2: I mean, guys like a Kawhi Leonard, a Viatza, Zubots, 57 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 2: James hard and Norman Powell that can take over games. 58 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 2: Not a lot of teams have that luxury. 59 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 3: No, no, they don't. And here's the thing. You know, Kawhi, 60 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 3: when he's healthy, you could argue that he could be 61 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:19,639 Speaker 3: the best player on the planet at any time. And 62 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:22,920 Speaker 3: we got a chance to see the Clippers as the 63 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 3: season ended, and James James Harden looks as close to 64 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 3: form as he did to his Houston days. Uh, they're 65 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 3: defending at a high clip. But again, I think the 66 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:37,080 Speaker 3: scariest thing that we saw was just Kawhi Leonard with 67 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 3: a pop a pep and his step and he still 68 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 3: has that that kind of you know it factor when 69 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 3: he wants to take over basketball games so very easily. 70 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 3: This game that we're watching, this series with the Clippers 71 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 3: in Denver, two of these teams could come out the West. 72 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean when you talk about I mean, as 73 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 2: a former NBA big yourself, Ryan, it beats a Zubots. 74 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:00,440 Speaker 2: What a story. I mean, he's he's probably if he 75 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 2: doesn't win the two awards, he'll be a finalist for 76 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 2: both Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year. 77 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 2: In a game where he's going yep against Jokich, I 78 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 2: mean he's sitting there right now with six offensive rebounds 79 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 2: in this game. This guy's development, You've watched him over 80 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:17,720 Speaker 2: the years. The Lakers essentially gave him away to the 81 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:21,279 Speaker 2: Clippers for next to nothing. Could you have ever imagined 82 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 2: that this guy would be this level of player in 83 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 2: the NBA. 84 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 3: No, it did surprise me, and I think the Lakers 85 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 3: just they weren't sure the investment that they were going 86 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 3: to put into him. And he's one of those guys 87 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:37,479 Speaker 3: where you know, it's kind of all or nothing, and 88 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 3: I don't know if they knew what they'd be beginning. 89 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 3: But you know, keep in mind Zubach meturation this season, 90 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:46,240 Speaker 3: a lot of that comes from James Harden. You know, 91 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:50,600 Speaker 3: James Harden gets more of a known for what is scoring, 92 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 3: you know, some of the lack of defense in moments, 93 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,560 Speaker 3: but when he's really at his best, he's passing the 94 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 3: ball around the horn, he's getting guys involved, and he 95 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 3: is he is really really good for the big man. 96 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 3: Think about Clint Coppella. Clint Capella got eighty million dollars, 97 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:09,599 Speaker 3: you know, of James Harden, you know, and that was 98 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:11,680 Speaker 3: at a time when eighty million was a really good 99 00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 3: number and it still is, but an NBA term is 100 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 3: not the same. But nonetheless, you're seeing that James Harden 101 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 3: pick and roll and what happens is too much as 102 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:22,040 Speaker 3: either scoring or he's hitting guys in the corner, he's 103 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 3: hitting cutters. He's really really coming into his own rather 104 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:27,280 Speaker 3: than just being a pick and roll big. 105 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:29,560 Speaker 2: All right, Well, Joker just missed two free throws and 106 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 2: the Clippers scored at the other end. So now the 107 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:35,479 Speaker 2: Clippers lead ninety six ninety five, who got one eleven 108 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 2: to go in the fourth quarter. So who's your picking 109 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:38,679 Speaker 2: this series? 110 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 3: Ryan oh Man, I you know what, I'm gonna go 111 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:46,080 Speaker 3: with the Clippers. I think it's a it's a tight series. 112 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:48,719 Speaker 3: But from what I saw from these two teams down 113 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:51,599 Speaker 3: the stretch, I just think it's it's kind of crazy. 114 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 3: It's a weird year. As tight as this race is 115 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:55,160 Speaker 3: in the West, there's like. 116 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 4: Locker room drama, coaching's coaches fired, Like like two of 117 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:03,240 Speaker 4: the coaches in that tie down to stretch Memphis and 118 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:05,479 Speaker 4: in Denver fire their coaches. 119 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:06,679 Speaker 3: I mean, it's just such. 120 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:11,360 Speaker 2: As never happened. Lucas traded right, you know, honestly, I 121 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 2: had the conspiracy going big time. I mean, here Memphis, 122 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:17,559 Speaker 2: you know fires Jenkins right before they play a huge 123 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:20,039 Speaker 2: game against the Lakers. You know it could be like 124 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 2: a tie breaker type game at the time, and they 125 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:25,840 Speaker 2: were at home, and they lose that game to the Lakers, 126 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 2: and then you look at which team's been the biggest 127 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 2: nemesis to the Lakers over the last couple of years. Oh, 128 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 2: that's right, the Denver Nuggets better fire their coach as well. 129 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 3: You know. 130 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 2: I mean, I love how Adam Silver likes to erase 131 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 2: any any idea that there's anything going on in the 132 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 2: league office, or how the Lakers stole Luka Doncic or 133 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 2: all these favors being seemingly handed to the Lakers in 134 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:51,479 Speaker 2: a desperate attempt to get the Lakers deep into the playoffs. 135 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 2: He denies anything's going on, But I don't know, it 136 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 2: just seems to It just seems to work out for them, 137 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 2: right Ryan, I guess coincidence. 138 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:00,960 Speaker 3: Huh. Well, you know, they still got to play the game, 139 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,840 Speaker 3: they still got to win. But you know, nonetheless, it 140 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,480 Speaker 3: is put the Lakers right back in the thick of things. 141 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:09,920 Speaker 3: And make no mistake, you know, with Lebron James, if 142 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 3: he plays even at not, I can't I don't even 143 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 3: say you need to have you know what, like like 144 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 3: we've been having this conversation right for for some time, 145 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 3: and we're like, you know, it's Lebron, still Lebron. This 146 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 3: is the first time we can look at it and say, 147 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 3: Lebron just needs to be good, but he doesn't need 148 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 3: to be great. And the Lakers legitimately have a shot 149 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 3: with the maturation of the rest of their team. You know, 150 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 3: their role players are really exceeding right now, and I 151 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:36,360 Speaker 3: think that's the difference with the Lakers. But you know, 152 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 3: I think we'd be lying to the Eynings right now 153 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:41,320 Speaker 3: if we said we knew what was going to happen. 154 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 3: But the Lakers have as much a shot as anybody 155 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 3: right now. 156 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:45,000 Speaker 5: They do. 157 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 2: I have some conspiracy theories. I want to share it 158 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 2: throughout the show today. I'm big on those Ryans, all right. 159 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 2: So right now, here's where we are. Clippers lead the 160 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 2: Nuggets ninety six ninety five. There's thirty two point six 161 00:07:56,800 --> 00:08:00,560 Speaker 2: seconds left, and look like Jamal Murray just knocked the 162 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 2: ball out of Kawhi's hand. The question is, was it 163 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 2: off Kawhi when it went out? So I think they're 164 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 2: gonna review this play right now. By the way, we're 165 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 2: going to be joined by Adam Kaplan, our NFL Insider, 166 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:14,640 Speaker 2: coming up in the next segment as we get ready 167 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 2: for the NFL Draft on Thursday. But I want to 168 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:19,160 Speaker 2: get your thoughts on the Rockets right now. I mean, 169 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 2: here you are. The Rockets are the two seeds. Obviously 170 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 2: they have made some major improvements over the last couple 171 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 2: of years. They're going against a veteran Golden State team 172 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 2: that's obviously a much different team now that Jimmy Butler 173 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 2: is in the lineup for them, and the Rockets is 174 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 2: the two seed, are the underdog against the seven seed Warriors. 175 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 2: Give us a little inside on the Rockets and why 176 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 2: the Warriors may be in a little more trouble in 177 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 2: this series than a lot of outsiders think. 178 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:50,199 Speaker 3: For one, Houston's deep, and they're deep defensively, so they 179 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 3: can throw bodies, and they've been built is as a 180 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 3: group that's been built to guard the Curries and the 181 00:08:55,360 --> 00:09:00,320 Speaker 3: Lebrons and you know, the Kawhi Leonards because you don't 182 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 3: have to worry about getting foul trouble. You can stay 183 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 3: aggressive with Dylan Brooks and Tarry Easton and the men. Thompson, 184 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 3: who should be the defensive player of the year if 185 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:09,960 Speaker 3: people take the time to sit there and watch the 186 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 3: plays that he makes at the end of the day, 187 00:09:13,280 --> 00:09:17,079 Speaker 3: but Houston just unorthodox that they'll play big, they hit 188 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:20,680 Speaker 3: the boards, they're tough, and you know the youth is 189 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 3: still there with Shingoon and Jalen Green, and that's where 190 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:28,080 Speaker 3: the question marks come. But Ime Udoka, who should be 191 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 3: the coach of the Year, has found a way to say, hey, man, 192 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:34,960 Speaker 3: if if Jalen Green's off, we have a group that 193 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 3: can still win games. If our Prince Shangoon doesn't have 194 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 3: his best foot forward, you can step forward and still 195 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 3: win ball games. So Houston's a very unique team. They 196 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,960 Speaker 3: like to get physical and e May has tried his 197 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:50,880 Speaker 3: best and you know the success he had over in Boston, 198 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 3: He's done his absolute best kind of getting the guys 199 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:57,319 Speaker 3: ready to go and play into the playoffs. 200 00:09:57,480 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, you mentioned Udoka, who obviously has the mess situation 201 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 2: in Boston and was suspended for a year and then 202 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:05,599 Speaker 2: we'll let go And then you know a lot of 203 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:08,200 Speaker 2: people are like, really, Houston, you're gonna hire this guy 204 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 2: because of you know, all the different rumors, everything that 205 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:14,199 Speaker 2: was going on in his past. But just just talk 206 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 2: about what he has done because obviously last year, you know, 207 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:20,200 Speaker 2: first year in but this year such a leap up 208 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 2: for the team. So he may what what has he 209 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:25,440 Speaker 2: done to get this Rockets team to the next level. 210 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 3: Well, the one thing that he stepped in and done 211 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:30,960 Speaker 3: is he said, you know, guys, we're gonna defend, and 212 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 3: if you don't defend and play the right way, you're 213 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 3: gonna be on the bench. And it's been quite of 214 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 3: a strength Steve, because you can't bench like Lebron James, 215 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:44,920 Speaker 3: like you can't bench a veteran, you can bench a 216 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:47,439 Speaker 3: young player to teach him. He took our kids to college. 217 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 3: At the end of the day, and that's where we've 218 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 3: seen the biggest grope, the biggest maturation with the young 219 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,679 Speaker 3: Houston Rockets is because they have been able to excel 220 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:00,840 Speaker 3: and really learn on the fly. And and that's where 221 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:05,440 Speaker 3: you're seeing the dividends being paid with the roster. So again, 222 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:08,240 Speaker 3: at the end of the day, he's held accountability and 223 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:09,480 Speaker 3: he's been able to coach him. 224 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 2: All Right, you're not gonna believe this, but it's Russell 225 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:16,599 Speaker 2: Westbrook that makes a three point shot to give the 226 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 2: Nuggets a ninety eight ninety six lead twenty three point 227 00:11:20,679 --> 00:11:23,200 Speaker 2: four seconds left. So if all people they hit at three, 228 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:27,079 Speaker 2: it's the future Hall of Famer, another fellow Bruin, Russell 229 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 2: Westbrook that nails it for the Nuggets. So timeout Clippers 230 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:33,120 Speaker 2: ninety eight ninety six Nuggets lead at twenty three point 231 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 2: four seconds left. All right, we're getting ready for the 232 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,560 Speaker 2: NBA Draft on Thursday. No better person to break it 233 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 2: down than our NFL insider Adam Kaplan. This is Fox 234 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:43,360 Speaker 2: Sports Saturday. 235 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 6: Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in 236 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 6: the nation. Catch all of our shows at Foxsports Radio 237 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 6: dot com and within the iHeartRadio app search FSR to 238 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 6: listen live. 239 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 2: Steve Hartman and Ryan Hollins. Here Sports Saturday. We are 240 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 2: live from the Tyrak dot com studios. Calm the chaos 241 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:09,200 Speaker 2: with the shipping software that delivers. Use the code sports 242 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:12,679 Speaker 2: for a free trial at shipstation dot com. That's shipstation 243 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:15,440 Speaker 2: dot com, Code Sports, and be sure to tune into 244 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 2: Fox Sports Radio's Draft Night, which is Thursday night, eight 245 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 2: pm Eastern through the first round of the Draft. Insider 246 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 2: Jay Glazer, former Jets general manager Joe Douglas, college football 247 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:30,520 Speaker 2: Hall of Famer LeVar Arrington, and Fox Sports lead college 248 00:12:30,559 --> 00:12:33,640 Speaker 2: football reporter Jenny Taft will have you covered for all 249 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 2: thirty two bicks with predictions and reactions. That's Thursday, eight 250 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 2: pm Eastern throughout the first round of the Draft, live 251 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:42,840 Speaker 2: right here on Fox Sports Radio with a live video 252 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:46,839 Speaker 2: simocast on the Fox Sports Radio YouTube page, brought to 253 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:49,960 Speaker 2: you by ship Station. By the way, they're in overtime 254 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 2: right now, Nuggets and Clippers tied at one hundred three 255 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 2: point thirty to go in the overtime. Joining us right 256 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 2: now to get us ready for the draft, which is 257 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:03,199 Speaker 2: now five days away. That would be our NFL insider, 258 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 2: the legend himself, the great Adam Kaplan is joining us 259 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:08,840 Speaker 2: right now. And Adam, you know, before we get into 260 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 2: some of the details here about how the top of 261 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 2: the draft is gonna go, let's go a little deeper 262 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 2: into the draft at number twenty one, where the Pittsburgh 263 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:21,840 Speaker 2: Steelers are sitting. Are they still waiting for Aaron Rodgers 264 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:24,439 Speaker 2: to make a decision because you know, obviously Aaron Rodgers 265 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,360 Speaker 2: one on with Pat McAfee in a retirement. 266 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 3: You know, he. 267 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 2: Bitched a moan about how he was treated by the Jets. 268 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:34,439 Speaker 2: Who knows what the real story is there. But are 269 00:13:34,440 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 2: the Steelers sitting here, just days away from the draft, 270 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:42,040 Speaker 2: still waiting for a decision by Aaron Rodgers or are 271 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:44,560 Speaker 2: they focus on what they want to do in terms 272 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 2: of a quarterback in the draft right now. 273 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:48,720 Speaker 7: All right, So Aaron Rodgers has nothing to do with 274 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:51,720 Speaker 7: their plans zero. If they want a quarterback of twenty one, 275 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 7: in which I'd be surprised if they did, certainly in 276 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:55,440 Speaker 7: the first two rounds. But if they want a quarterback 277 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 7: of twenty one, they're taking quarterback Aaron Rodgers, if he signs, 278 00:13:58,679 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 7: will be on a short term deal. The draft is 279 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:03,679 Speaker 7: about the future, it's not about this year. And if 280 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 7: they like a quarterback, they'll take one. Now, I could 281 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 7: tell you from talking to Steelers a ton over the 282 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:11,439 Speaker 7: last couple of months, they'd like to get that young 283 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 7: quarterback to develop and that guy to play behind Aaron Rodgers. 284 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,120 Speaker 7: That that would be sort of like their plan, but 285 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:19,680 Speaker 7: they're not married to it. They do have Mason Rudolph, 286 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 7: and now I know that they've gone to record saying 287 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 7: like they're comfortable with him. I don't believe that he 288 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 7: did well two years ago for a number of games. 289 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:29,640 Speaker 7: But folks, we're talking about a seventeen game season plus playoffs. 290 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:31,760 Speaker 7: Of course, they're not to be there the full season, 291 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 7: so they'd like to get that quarterback. They definitely would 292 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:37,600 Speaker 7: like to get it. But one thing I will tell you, 293 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 7: I could just tell from talking to certain people there, 294 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 7: they've learned from that mistake of Kenny Pickett, who, by 295 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 7: the way, was not drafted by this regime. He was 296 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 7: drafted by Kevin Colbert, the former general manager. 297 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 5: That was his last draft. 298 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:53,520 Speaker 7: But they've learned organizationally that you don't want to force it. Okay, 299 00:14:54,120 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 7: now I could tell you if I'm talking to multiple 300 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:59,560 Speaker 7: teams in the last couple of days, there are teams 301 00:14:59,560 --> 00:15:01,360 Speaker 7: out there that I do not have more than one 302 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 7: quarterback Grady to go in the first round, like on 303 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 7: their board, I mean Shu Dur Sanders. One of these 304 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 7: teams does not have them as a first round great quarterback. 305 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 7: It might surprise some people, but Sir Dour Sanders is 306 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:15,360 Speaker 7: not probably the quarterback that a lot of people thought 307 00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 7: he was. 308 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:17,840 Speaker 5: He may be though when he plays someday. 309 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 7: But going into this draft, he's not as highly thought 310 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 7: of as some people think. 311 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:25,160 Speaker 3: Okay, picking up piggybacking off that, because that was something 312 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 3: I was going to ask, who do you feel like 313 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:30,000 Speaker 3: is the best quarterback off the board right now? Is 314 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 3: there someone that you've heard that a team is extremely 315 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 3: high on and you know, trust their organization Moving forward with. 316 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:39,560 Speaker 7: You're Ryan other than cam Ward, who will be the 317 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:41,360 Speaker 7: first pick overall. Steve and I have talked about him 318 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 7: since January. I'm going to give you a couple guys 319 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 7: who will go a little bit later. One who's is 320 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:51,280 Speaker 7: kind of get Gavin Kubstein is a little bit older. 321 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:54,520 Speaker 7: And then there are a couple guys if they go 322 00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:57,120 Speaker 7: to the right situation. And Ryan, you know, is a 323 00:15:57,160 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 7: player an athlete that if you don't I don't go 324 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 7: to the right situations, sometimes it may not work out 325 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:06,240 Speaker 7: for you. And coaching matters and depending on where these 326 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 7: guys go. So the first guy we're going to mention 327 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,440 Speaker 7: is Jackson Dart. Now, Jackson Dart has had sort of 328 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 7: like this bow nick kind of rise Jackson Dart. It 329 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 7: really started for him at the senior ball where now 330 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 7: he has a funky delivery. It's a little bit different, 331 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 7: but he gets the job done. Decent f athlete, he 332 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 7: can make throws. He's going to be a top forty pick. 333 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:28,520 Speaker 7: There are a lot of coaches I've spoken with they 334 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 7: like to work with him because they like the so 335 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:34,000 Speaker 7: called wiring, the makeup of the player, and he's had 336 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 7: good numbers at Old Miss. And then the next guy 337 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 7: I'm gonna mention he's older. 338 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:39,520 Speaker 5: He's older. 339 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 7: It's Tyler Shuck, the quarterback out of Louisville. Now it's 340 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:46,200 Speaker 7: sho ug h. Some people think its show. It's actually 341 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:47,280 Speaker 7: pronounce Shuck. Believe or not. 342 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:49,200 Speaker 5: He sure, it's twenty six. That's fall. 343 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 3: Now. 344 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 7: Ordinarily, when you talk about a twenty six year old rookie, 345 00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 7: if he's a skill position player, while he's going to 346 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 7: go way late because you have a short NFL career. Now, 347 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 7: Shuck has played at multiple schools, he has an injury history, 348 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:07,159 Speaker 7: but man, his skill set is phenomenal. I saw him 349 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:09,360 Speaker 7: into Senior Bowl. So he's a guy I that could 350 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:13,440 Speaker 7: go as early as the second round. But you know, overall, guys, 351 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:15,240 Speaker 7: I could tell you this is your twenty seven of 352 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:15,960 Speaker 7: cover of the NFL. 353 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:18,120 Speaker 5: This is probably and. 354 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 7: We're gonna talk more about this next Saturday, Steve, when 355 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 7: you and I, when you and I go over that, 356 00:17:22,080 --> 00:17:24,679 Speaker 7: what we've seen so far in the first two days, 357 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:27,639 Speaker 7: this is probably one of the worst first rounds in 358 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:30,399 Speaker 7: terms of how the league sees it that I can remember. 359 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 2: Well, think about this, guys. We are sitting here five 360 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:36,840 Speaker 2: days before the draft and the thirty two first round 361 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:40,239 Speaker 2: picks are all in order, with the teams having their 362 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:43,399 Speaker 2: own pick. I mean, I can't remember the last time 363 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 2: we are this close to the draft. There hasn't been 364 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 2: a trade off, trade down. Everyone is sitting on their 365 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 2: first round. 366 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:52,680 Speaker 3: Not good. 367 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 2: I mean, I've never seen anything like this, and so yeah, 368 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 2: does that? I mean I've always been of the mindset 369 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 2: when it comes to the draft that you have to 370 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 2: trust your individual board. I mean, you're paying scouts, you're 371 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:11,359 Speaker 2: paying talent evaluators big money to do a job, and 372 00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:13,959 Speaker 2: so you have to trust your board and the idea 373 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:18,159 Speaker 2: of picking the best player on your board available to 374 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:21,000 Speaker 2: me as a winning formula. I think teams that do 375 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:24,680 Speaker 2: that more often than not win when you reach when 376 00:18:24,720 --> 00:18:27,040 Speaker 2: you forced to go up, you know, when you start 377 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:30,960 Speaker 2: getting desperate for a certain position and then you draft again, 378 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:34,640 Speaker 2: it's not how who you draft, it's where you draft him. 379 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 2: So do you expect this is going to be I 380 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:38,480 Speaker 2: mean we've been talking about this, Adam for a couple 381 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:41,480 Speaker 2: of weeks. Now, do you expect any teams to move 382 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:44,520 Speaker 2: up in this draft? Is there any player where you're 383 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 2: getting some buzz like, wow, you know we got to 384 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:49,919 Speaker 2: move up to get that guy? Is there any of 385 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:51,320 Speaker 2: that with this year's draft. 386 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 7: Well, see, here's what I would tell you. If your 387 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 7: team picking let's say anywhere Philly at thirty two, Chase 388 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:00,680 Speaker 7: at thirty one lines. 389 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:02,200 Speaker 5: Who needed that strusure in the worst way. 390 00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:04,600 Speaker 7: If a couple guys drop, sure, And by the way, 391 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 7: the trade calls have already happened. Every all thirty two 392 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:09,160 Speaker 7: teams talk with each other, and this is the way 393 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:12,879 Speaker 7: these calls go. I'm told, hey, listen, if our guys there, 394 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:15,120 Speaker 7: let's work this out right now, what do you want 395 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:16,959 Speaker 7: for your pick? And this has all worked out. You 396 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 7: never do it on the clock. This is all worked out. 397 00:19:20,119 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 7: So by the time they get to the draft. That's 398 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 7: why it's why you don't take your full ten minutes 399 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 7: in the first round. You know what you want to do. 400 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:31,119 Speaker 7: You've already worked these things out in advance. So yeah, Steve, 401 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:33,720 Speaker 7: to answer your question, move forward here only if certain 402 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:39,760 Speaker 7: players drop. Now, there are certain players here that I'm 403 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:42,040 Speaker 7: gonna give you a couple of guys who there's some 404 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:45,320 Speaker 7: players who have some off the field concerns, nothing major. 405 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 5: James Pearce is one of the top betrushes for Tennessee. 406 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:49,120 Speaker 5: Right out of the University of Tennessee. 407 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 7: If he drops into the mid twenties, the kid is 408 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:56,520 Speaker 7: too gifted, like some team's gonna be comfortable. 409 00:19:56,119 --> 00:19:58,119 Speaker 5: With him and say, you know what, we can handle him. 410 00:19:58,920 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 5: Something like that. 411 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:02,720 Speaker 7: Now we mentioned the Steelers, right though, I don't see 412 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:04,400 Speaker 7: the Steelers going for a quarterback of twenty one. I'd 413 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:06,919 Speaker 7: be surprised. Now they're gonna be looking at a running back. 414 00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 7: They don't have a starting running back right now. And 415 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 7: you know, it's all about the run game with the Steelers, 416 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:13,400 Speaker 7: that's what they want to be ash And gent's highly 417 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:15,280 Speaker 7: likely to make out of the top ten. So let's 418 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:17,880 Speaker 7: say he shocked us and dropped out of the top ten, 419 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 7: they're gonna be teams calling up to see if they 420 00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:22,120 Speaker 7: can get up there to get this player. It has 421 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:24,400 Speaker 7: to be something that's club. Steve, by the way, did 422 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:26,000 Speaker 7: not expect. That's usually when you get trades. 423 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:30,680 Speaker 3: Let me ask this while we're owing it. You say 424 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 3: it's one of the worst drafts. What's the feedback you're 425 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 3: getting from Travis Hunter? Is he worth the hive? Is 426 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:39,200 Speaker 3: he doesn't have a chance to play on both sides 427 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 3: of the ball. 428 00:20:40,520 --> 00:20:43,600 Speaker 7: What are you hearing from him behind the scenes? Ryan, here, 429 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:45,919 Speaker 7: this is a really interesting story. So I'm at the combine, right, 430 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 7: you know, in that lefever early march in Indianapolis. And 431 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:52,400 Speaker 7: I try to go to all the GM press conferences 432 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:56,080 Speaker 7: I can get to and Andrew Barry, the GM of 433 00:20:56,160 --> 00:21:00,359 Speaker 7: the Browns, who who has personnel control. He's very usually 434 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:02,760 Speaker 7: very tight liped publicly. He doesn't really say much. He 435 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:05,560 Speaker 7: doesn't want to give out much information. And he was 436 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:09,399 Speaker 7: asked the question, where do you see Travis Hunter playing receiver, 437 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:11,920 Speaker 7: a quarterback, receiver a cornerback? And I did figure he 438 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:14,600 Speaker 7: would not give the well, we we see him as 439 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:16,560 Speaker 7: both or you know, we see him as a corner, which. 440 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:17,600 Speaker 5: Is generally the way he's seen. 441 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 7: And he goes, well, you know, we see him more 442 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:23,679 Speaker 7: as a receiver than a corner. And I was just like, wow, hey, 443 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:25,440 Speaker 7: you're going to give that out when you have the 444 00:21:25,480 --> 00:21:29,040 Speaker 7: second pick overall, and b this. 445 00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:31,000 Speaker 5: Is a hot button tomic. It's just stunned. 446 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:33,879 Speaker 7: I know him to say hello, I don't know him 447 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:35,720 Speaker 7: very well, but I know the way he is talking 448 00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 7: to people work with him, and that was not the 449 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 7: way he is. 450 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:41,399 Speaker 5: I was just kind of stunned by that. So Ryan 451 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:43,679 Speaker 5: just polling teams. 452 00:21:43,760 --> 00:21:46,879 Speaker 7: As you know, over the series of weeks, certainly corners 453 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:48,720 Speaker 7: the position that they want him to play, a lot 454 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:52,240 Speaker 7: of the teams do. But that's not what Andrew Berry said, 455 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:53,680 Speaker 7: and he said it again this week. By the way 456 00:21:53,680 --> 00:21:57,199 Speaker 7: he doubled down on it. I'm a little surprised by that. 457 00:21:57,400 --> 00:21:57,640 Speaker 5: Now. 458 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:01,640 Speaker 7: I know Travis has come out and said, hey, if 459 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:02,879 Speaker 7: I don't want to you know, I don't want to 460 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:05,240 Speaker 7: play football if I can't play both. Now here's what 461 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:09,639 Speaker 7: it's gonna happen. Okay, Ay, he's gonna play wherever they 462 00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:13,960 Speaker 7: tell him to play. Yeah, okay, number one, number two. Coaches, 463 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,520 Speaker 7: I could tell you this will not go like you 464 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:20,600 Speaker 7: get this guy who's unbelievably gifted, right, Eventually you got 465 00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 7: to say, okay, are we getting him this week? If 466 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:25,080 Speaker 7: you're trying to put a game plan together, you have 467 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:28,359 Speaker 7: to know it is really interesting. I gotta tell you this, 468 00:22:29,320 --> 00:22:31,680 Speaker 7: it's fascinating. And I do believe he'll go to Cleveland. 469 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:34,120 Speaker 7: And by the way, they need help at both positions, 470 00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:36,679 Speaker 7: receiver at corner, so I mean, take your pick, but 471 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:39,360 Speaker 7: that would be kind of cool though, if he went there, 472 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:43,200 Speaker 7: because after everything they've been through with the awful Deshaun 473 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 7: Watson situation. The fans is ever break. You get an 474 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 7: elite athlete and talent in Travis Hunter. 475 00:22:48,920 --> 00:22:51,800 Speaker 2: All Adam will just have to wait until we see 476 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:54,440 Speaker 2: what plays out. But right now it's been very quiet, 477 00:22:55,119 --> 00:22:57,359 Speaker 2: not some of the wow rumors that we've been hearing 478 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:01,199 Speaker 2: in recent years. So usually the calm before the storm. 479 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:05,119 Speaker 2: I want entertainment on Thursday. You know it's in Green Bay. 480 00:23:05,560 --> 00:23:07,680 Speaker 2: They get an opportunity to host the Draft. I want, 481 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:13,200 Speaker 2: I want some histronics. I've seen it all, like I 482 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:14,280 Speaker 2: live at the draft. 483 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:18,400 Speaker 7: Probably there were two or three shockers to me. When 484 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 7: the Broncos drafted Tim Tebow in the first round. You 485 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:25,680 Speaker 7: could have pushed me over with a feather. Yeah, okay, 486 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:28,119 Speaker 7: stuff like that. I love that when yeah, oh no, 487 00:23:28,160 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 7: I got the best one. I got the best one ever. 488 00:23:30,119 --> 00:23:34,160 Speaker 7: It's your former team. And when I thought for sure 489 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:36,640 Speaker 7: that it was a mistake, like the commissioner read it wrong, 490 00:23:37,040 --> 00:23:39,160 Speaker 7: Sebastian Janakowski a kicker in the first round. 491 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 5: Yes, that's the biggest surprise in my man. 492 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:44,080 Speaker 2: They did it with Ray guy and by the way, 493 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:47,480 Speaker 2: hey he's all famer the Stormer. The story was when 494 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:50,840 Speaker 2: when Al Davis made that selection in nineteen seventy three, 495 00:23:50,920 --> 00:23:53,560 Speaker 2: taken a punter Ray guy in the first round. His 496 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:57,320 Speaker 2: coach John Madden stormed out of the draft room. He 497 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:01,960 Speaker 2: was livid, really and then he realize next that yeah, 498 00:24:02,160 --> 00:24:04,960 Speaker 2: all time, great, great stuff. As always, Adam will check 499 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:05,840 Speaker 2: in with you next week. 500 00:24:06,080 --> 00:24:06,679 Speaker 3: Appreciate it. 501 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 2: That's Adam Kaplan, our NFL insider. All right, let's find 502 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:14,200 Speaker 2: out what is trending right now, and Martin, we got 503 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:17,440 Speaker 2: a pretty pretty exciting basketball game going on right now. 504 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:20,240 Speaker 8: We do overtime in the first game of the Western 505 00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:23,919 Speaker 8: Conference playoffs, Nicola Jokicic and the Denver Nuggets versus Kawhi 506 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:28,480 Speaker 8: Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers defense has 507 00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 8: been everywhere the last few possessions, but it is now 508 00:24:33,080 --> 00:24:36,480 Speaker 8: a one ten to one oh seven score Denver making 509 00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 8: a fourth quarter in overtime comeback that we're trailing for 510 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:41,840 Speaker 8: most of this the game, over six point five seconds 511 00:24:41,920 --> 00:24:45,680 Speaker 8: left in the matchup right. Leading the Nuggets in scoring 512 00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:49,320 Speaker 8: is Nicola Jokics with twenty eight points. Jamal Murray follows 513 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:52,280 Speaker 8: up with twenty one, Aaron Gordon with twenty five himself, 514 00:24:53,080 --> 00:24:56,000 Speaker 8: and the Clipper side of things, James Harden had thirty 515 00:24:56,000 --> 00:25:00,399 Speaker 8: two points, Kawhi with twenty two and just Steve his 516 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:02,160 Speaker 8: defensive influence. 517 00:25:01,680 --> 00:25:04,399 Speaker 2: Has been felt in this game like he like you. 518 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:05,760 Speaker 2: Basically we are looking. 519 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:09,240 Speaker 8: At playoff Kawhi win loser draw in this matchup with 520 00:25:09,320 --> 00:25:13,000 Speaker 8: his twenty two points, five or six rebounds and actually 521 00:25:13,119 --> 00:25:16,080 Speaker 8: seven turnofs. That's no good to assist. But Chris Dunn 522 00:25:16,119 --> 00:25:18,919 Speaker 8: also adds ten points. As we're five point leading now 523 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:22,560 Speaker 8: for the Denver Nuggets and over timas Norman Powell will 524 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:24,720 Speaker 8: dribble the ball of the court, take a three point shot, 525 00:25:24,880 --> 00:25:28,680 Speaker 8: make make it so point nine seconds left times a 526 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:32,040 Speaker 8: lock kicks out, uh, the Denver Nuggets will be the 527 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:34,359 Speaker 8: winners of Game one of the four to five series 528 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:35,480 Speaker 8: one twelve to one. 529 00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:35,840 Speaker 5: Ten. 530 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:39,040 Speaker 8: Now to bring our attention back to the Eastern Conference, 531 00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:41,720 Speaker 8: at ten to eight, the New York Knicks leading the 532 00:25:41,760 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 8: Detroit Pissons are the three to six matchups six twenty 533 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:48,680 Speaker 8: six left in the first quarter. There it's at ten 534 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:51,800 Speaker 8: to eight and major in NHL, the Saint Louis Blues 535 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:54,640 Speaker 8: have a one goal lead over the winning peg Jets 536 00:25:54,840 --> 00:25:58,240 Speaker 8: with eight point fifty left in the first period. Has 537 00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:02,919 Speaker 8: playoffs everywhere Major League baseball. We got extra innings in Seattle. 538 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:06,919 Speaker 8: In Seattle and Toronto, three to three, bottom of the eleventh, 539 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:08,920 Speaker 8: top of the seventh inning, the Orioles lead the Reds 540 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:11,720 Speaker 8: five to four going into the bottom of the ninth inning, 541 00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:14,200 Speaker 8: the Pirates trying to come back from the three to 542 00:26:14,359 --> 00:26:17,159 Speaker 8: zero deficit. The Guardians currently have them in bottom of 543 00:26:17,160 --> 00:26:19,520 Speaker 8: the eighth inning. White House looking for their first road win, 544 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:22,480 Speaker 8: tie three to three against the Red Sox. Yankees Eavy 545 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:24,480 Speaker 8: six to four lead over the Rays. In the bottom 546 00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:27,159 Speaker 8: of the seventh inning. The Nationals have a twelve to 547 00:26:27,160 --> 00:26:29,520 Speaker 8: six lead over the Rockies again six oh two left 548 00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:32,560 Speaker 8: in the first quarter, twelve to eight. The score between 549 00:26:32,600 --> 00:26:35,480 Speaker 8: the Knicks and the Pacers. Just saw the Nuggets beat 550 00:26:35,520 --> 00:26:37,480 Speaker 8: the Clippers one, twelve to one. 551 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:37,760 Speaker 3: Ten. 552 00:26:37,920 --> 00:26:39,520 Speaker 2: Back to you guys, all right, Martin, Yeah, And we 553 00:26:39,600 --> 00:26:42,280 Speaker 2: got the Knicks and the Pistons underway twelve eight right now. 554 00:26:42,320 --> 00:26:44,760 Speaker 2: Knicks with the early lead in the first quarter, and 555 00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:47,159 Speaker 2: of course later it'll be the Lakers and the Timberwolves. 556 00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:50,560 Speaker 2: Steve Harbin, Ryan Hollins, Fox Sports Saturday Company Live from 557 00:26:50,600 --> 00:26:53,520 Speaker 2: the tire Rack dot Com Studios, Fox Sports Radios Draft 558 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:56,320 Speaker 2: Night Live through the first round of the Draft on 559 00:26:56,400 --> 00:26:59,000 Speaker 2: Thursday night, brought to you by Dollars Shave Club, your 560 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 2: place to get everything you need to stay smooth and 561 00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:05,200 Speaker 2: smell great. There's a Dollar Shaveclub dot Com Slash Draft. 562 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:08,359 Speaker 2: Use the promo code Draft for twenty percent off your 563 00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:11,120 Speaker 2: order of twenty dollars or more plus free shipping. That's 564 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:14,200 Speaker 2: Dollars Shaveclub dot Com Slash Draft. Be sure to tune 565 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:17,680 Speaker 2: into Fox Sports Radios Draft Night Live, which is Thursday night, 566 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:20,359 Speaker 2: a pm Easterns through the first round of the draft. 567 00:27:20,359 --> 00:27:24,439 Speaker 2: Insider Jay Glazer, former Jets general manager Joe Douglas, College 568 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:27,640 Speaker 2: Football Hall of Famer LeVar Arrington, and Fox Sports Lead 569 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:31,000 Speaker 2: college football reporter Jenny Tapp while Ivey cover for all 570 00:27:31,080 --> 00:27:34,960 Speaker 2: thirty two picks with predictions and reactions Thursday, eight pm 571 00:27:35,080 --> 00:27:37,359 Speaker 2: Eastern through the first round of the draft, live right 572 00:27:37,359 --> 00:27:40,480 Speaker 2: here in Fox Sports Radio with a live video simocast 573 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:43,399 Speaker 2: on the Fox Sports Radio YouTube page, brought to you 574 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 2: by Dollar Shave Club. All right, Ryan, so let's talk 575 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:50,200 Speaker 2: about the Nuggets coming back in this game. The Clippers 576 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:53,800 Speaker 2: got off to a hot start, they held on to 577 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:57,320 Speaker 2: that lead late, but the Nuggets find a way and 578 00:27:57,359 --> 00:27:59,280 Speaker 2: I guess that was going to be the big question 579 00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:03,040 Speaker 2: I had going into this series. How would the Nuggets 580 00:28:03,080 --> 00:28:06,160 Speaker 2: react without Malone? You know, the leader of this team, 581 00:28:06,240 --> 00:28:08,920 Speaker 2: the guy that guided them to a championship just two 582 00:28:09,280 --> 00:28:12,879 Speaker 2: years ago. And the way they played down the stretch 583 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:15,399 Speaker 2: and end up winning this game in overtime, I think 584 00:28:15,520 --> 00:28:17,800 Speaker 2: says a lot about the maturity of this team and 585 00:28:17,840 --> 00:28:20,160 Speaker 2: the fact that at least for the moment, they're gonna 586 00:28:20,160 --> 00:28:22,320 Speaker 2: be okay for the moment. 587 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:26,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, you're not gonna feel Mike Malone's presence 588 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 3: missing until you're down zer two on the road in 589 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:34,440 Speaker 3: the NBA Finals finals or the conference championship. I mean, 590 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:36,760 Speaker 3: this team is good enough to get you there, probably 591 00:28:36,800 --> 00:28:39,800 Speaker 3: without Mike Malone. But do they go all the way 592 00:28:39,840 --> 00:28:42,280 Speaker 3: and Mike Malone? I played for Mike. E's as certified 593 00:28:42,560 --> 00:28:45,680 Speaker 3: as they come. And I just thought it was intriguing 594 00:28:45,720 --> 00:28:47,800 Speaker 3: because we seen as you brought that up, Steve, like 595 00:28:47,840 --> 00:28:51,000 Speaker 3: we've seen some crazy things happen, Like think about Memphis 596 00:28:51,280 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 3: getting that five second call when they couldn't get the 597 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:55,480 Speaker 3: ball in bounds out of they end up getting the 598 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:57,440 Speaker 3: big win against Dallas the other day. Did you know 599 00:28:57,480 --> 00:28:59,560 Speaker 3: Taylor Jenkins is somewhere going Yep, I had to play 600 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:03,959 Speaker 3: John up for that. Knew it was gonna happen. So nonetheless, 601 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:07,240 Speaker 3: you know, it's still the players that play the game. 602 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:10,960 Speaker 3: But the coaches come and they show value. And anytime 603 00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:13,320 Speaker 3: you come behind a great coach, you got to step 604 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:16,880 Speaker 3: up and show and prove yourself. Joe Missoula a world 605 00:29:16,960 --> 00:29:19,760 Speaker 3: champ of a coach. He kept getting questioned for not 606 00:29:19,800 --> 00:29:22,959 Speaker 3: being em Udoka. So that's just part of going out 607 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:26,480 Speaker 3: and proving yourself. We remember many moons ago and Spolstra 608 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:29,000 Speaker 3: was questioned, you know, and having a step into too 609 00:29:29,080 --> 00:29:30,640 Speaker 3: his shoes. But I thought it was a huge win 610 00:29:30,680 --> 00:29:34,959 Speaker 3: for Denver. It's a veteran club, as veteran as it gets, 611 00:29:35,480 --> 00:29:37,800 Speaker 3: and with those type of teams, Steve, you know what 612 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:40,080 Speaker 3: you're teaching motivation. It may not be the ex's and 613 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:42,600 Speaker 3: those those guys know what to do. It's the motivation 614 00:29:43,040 --> 00:29:46,040 Speaker 3: and it's the conflict resolution when you do get in 615 00:29:46,080 --> 00:29:47,320 Speaker 3: those sticky situations. 616 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:50,840 Speaker 2: Yeah. I even though the Clippers did lose this game, 617 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:53,120 Speaker 2: I don't think that that really hurts this team. They 618 00:29:53,200 --> 00:29:56,280 Speaker 2: played well in this game. The guys that needed to 619 00:29:56,360 --> 00:29:59,440 Speaker 2: stepped up did some big shots are made late in 620 00:29:59,440 --> 00:30:02,520 Speaker 2: this game. By you know, Harden and Leonard and you know, 621 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:05,040 Speaker 2: so I don't. I mean, it's tough to lose a 622 00:30:05,080 --> 00:30:07,080 Speaker 2: game where you feel like, wow, we really have this 623 00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:10,040 Speaker 2: game and could have taken home court advantage. Let me 624 00:30:10,120 --> 00:30:11,480 Speaker 2: let me ask you about that part of it. 625 00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:11,840 Speaker 5: Ryan. 626 00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:14,120 Speaker 2: You know, we talked about home court advantage a lot. Oh, 627 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:17,080 Speaker 2: they're playing for home court advantage. We saw what happened 628 00:30:17,080 --> 00:30:19,760 Speaker 2: to Denver last year, you know, losing Game seven at 629 00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:23,200 Speaker 2: home to Minnesota in the playoffs. Is home court all 630 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:28,240 Speaker 2: that or is that reserved for certain teams where they 631 00:30:28,600 --> 00:30:32,640 Speaker 2: you know, certain places where they actually really do play 632 00:30:33,000 --> 00:30:35,160 Speaker 2: another level of basketball at home. 633 00:30:35,800 --> 00:30:39,600 Speaker 3: No, home court is huge because if both teams are 634 00:30:39,600 --> 00:30:41,960 Speaker 3: pretty squares, they even comes down to home court advantage, 635 00:30:42,320 --> 00:30:44,720 Speaker 3: and you want to be with your home crowd. Now, 636 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:47,880 Speaker 3: as a veteran group, I remember in Boston we were 637 00:30:47,880 --> 00:30:50,400 Speaker 3: the seventh seed playing Atlanta, but we knew we went 638 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:52,640 Speaker 3: into Atlanta saying, you know, as a lower seed, we 639 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:54,440 Speaker 3: made it to our strength. So we said, like this, 640 00:30:55,320 --> 00:30:57,320 Speaker 3: we just need one of these two games and the 641 00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:01,080 Speaker 3: series changes one of these two and we're sitting right 642 00:31:01,080 --> 00:31:03,280 Speaker 3: where we want to be. We've stolen the series. So 643 00:31:03,920 --> 00:31:06,120 Speaker 3: if you look at it as you know, you're pretty 644 00:31:06,160 --> 00:31:09,840 Speaker 3: much playing with house money in those situations, and then 645 00:31:09,880 --> 00:31:11,880 Speaker 3: you can go up three to one in a jiffy. 646 00:31:12,240 --> 00:31:15,800 Speaker 3: You get a team questioning themselves. And those game twos 647 00:31:15,840 --> 00:31:19,480 Speaker 3: are so pivotal because if you lose confidence, then you 648 00:31:19,560 --> 00:31:23,000 Speaker 3: go on the road. Oh it's tough, man, and then 649 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:25,720 Speaker 3: you got a you know, the a team that loss 650 00:31:25,760 --> 00:31:27,720 Speaker 3: has to go and still win. So there's nothing better 651 00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:30,520 Speaker 3: than playoff basketball. But that's kind of the psyche. And 652 00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:33,360 Speaker 3: I think when you have two balanced teams, it could 653 00:31:33,360 --> 00:31:36,240 Speaker 3: be a difference. So for example, right, we talked about earlier, right, 654 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:39,920 Speaker 3: Steve Houston and Golden State. Right, our young guys need 655 00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:44,520 Speaker 3: on court advantage, Yeah, need that excitement behind them. 656 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:47,480 Speaker 2: Well, I guess while I'm looking at two veteran teams, 657 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:49,240 Speaker 2: like the two teams you just watch, you know, with 658 00:31:49,280 --> 00:31:52,280 Speaker 2: the Nuggets and Clippers, these guys have been there, done that, 659 00:31:52,480 --> 00:31:54,360 Speaker 2: you know, and so they've seen both sides of it. 660 00:31:54,840 --> 00:31:56,880 Speaker 2: By the way, you can stream this show and all 661 00:31:56,920 --> 00:31:59,239 Speaker 2: of our Fox Sports Radio shows live twenty four to 662 00:31:59,240 --> 00:32:03,400 Speaker 2: seven new and improved iHeartRadio app to search Fox Sports 663 00:32:03,520 --> 00:32:05,920 Speaker 2: Radio in the app to stream us live and one 664 00:32:05,920 --> 00:32:08,080 Speaker 2: of the newest features in the app is that you 665 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:10,640 Speaker 2: can select Fox Sports Radios one of your presets, just 666 00:32:10,680 --> 00:32:13,160 Speaker 2: like the presets on your radio dial. So be sure 667 00:32:13,200 --> 00:32:16,280 Speaker 2: to preset Fox Sports Radio on the iHeartRadio app and 668 00:32:16,320 --> 00:32:18,360 Speaker 2: will always pop up at the top of your screen. 669 00:32:18,480 --> 00:32:20,920 Speaker 2: All right, We'll continue to monitor NIX right now. Lead 670 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:24,000 Speaker 2: the Pistons twenty to nineteen. First quarter of that game again, 671 00:32:24,080 --> 00:32:27,640 Speaker 2: Lakers and Timberwolves later on. Oh, that's great to have 672 00:32:27,680 --> 00:32:30,960 Speaker 2: the NBA playoffs going on right now. On the other side, though, Ryan, 673 00:32:31,000 --> 00:32:35,840 Speaker 2: I want to get your thoughts on UCLA's new quarterback 674 00:32:35,920 --> 00:32:40,560 Speaker 2: courtesy of the University of Tennessee. This is Fox Sports Saturday. 675 00:32:42,600 --> 00:32:46,040 Speaker 1: Please don't listening to Fox Sports Radio Radio. 676 00:32:46,640 --> 00:32:49,800 Speaker 2: Steve Harvin and Ryan Hollins Here Fox Sports Saturday. We're 677 00:32:49,840 --> 00:32:52,560 Speaker 2: live from the Tyraq dot Com studios, and be sure 678 00:32:52,600 --> 00:32:55,760 Speaker 2: to check out Fox Sports Radio YouTube channel. A ton 679 00:32:55,840 --> 00:32:59,360 Speaker 2: of great videos from many of our Fox Sports Radio shows. 680 00:32:59,840 --> 00:33:02,440 Speaker 2: So arch Fox Sports Radio on YouTube you see a 681 00:33:02,440 --> 00:33:04,640 Speaker 2: whole bunch of video highlights from our shows, and be 682 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:07,760 Speaker 2: sure to subscribe to you always have instant access to 683 00:33:07,800 --> 00:33:12,200 Speaker 2: our Fox Sports Radio videos on YouTube. So Ryan, I've 684 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:16,600 Speaker 2: been doing TV forever here in La along with radio 685 00:33:16,600 --> 00:33:19,440 Speaker 2: and everything else. Thing about TV is you know, you 686 00:33:19,880 --> 00:33:23,920 Speaker 2: got to get the names right, and so Ea Malayava, 687 00:33:24,560 --> 00:33:28,840 Speaker 2: nico Ea Malayava. I have now learned this name, Ryan, 688 00:33:28,920 --> 00:33:31,440 Speaker 2: because he is our quarterback. 689 00:33:31,520 --> 00:33:31,720 Speaker 3: Now. 690 00:33:31,920 --> 00:33:36,160 Speaker 2: UCLA has brought in the former Tennessee quarterback nico Ea 691 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:40,120 Speaker 2: Malayava as their new quarterback, which is quite a score 692 00:33:40,160 --> 00:33:43,960 Speaker 2: because obviously this guy guided Tennessee into the college football 693 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:45,760 Speaker 2: playoff a year ago. But I want to get your 694 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:49,720 Speaker 2: thoughts Ryan as a former star athlete at UCLA and 695 00:33:50,200 --> 00:33:54,040 Speaker 2: just the whole change in dynamic of college sports with 696 00:33:54,120 --> 00:33:58,080 Speaker 2: the transfer portal and nil. It just seems to be 697 00:33:58,280 --> 00:34:03,080 Speaker 2: total confusion. Can you imagine Ryan Hollands a big out 698 00:34:03,120 --> 00:34:06,959 Speaker 2: on the you know, auction block year after year teams 699 00:34:06,960 --> 00:34:08,719 Speaker 2: coming in say, yeah, I'd love to have that guy. 700 00:34:08,760 --> 00:34:10,160 Speaker 2: You know, we'll pay you a little bit more if 701 00:34:10,160 --> 00:34:13,640 Speaker 2: you leave U C l A. Where are we going 702 00:34:13,719 --> 00:34:16,520 Speaker 2: with this, Ryan? In your opinion? Where where's the end 703 00:34:16,560 --> 00:34:23,640 Speaker 2: game for college sports? With the continuing seemingly confusion surrounding 704 00:34:23,920 --> 00:34:25,879 Speaker 2: the transfer portal and n I L. 705 00:34:27,880 --> 00:34:29,480 Speaker 3: This is thick. This is a thick one. And for 706 00:34:29,560 --> 00:34:32,520 Speaker 3: one I was gonna let you say Nico's name first, Okay, 707 00:34:32,560 --> 00:34:34,160 Speaker 3: I was just gonna come Niko. 708 00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:39,360 Speaker 2: Remember this. It's it's six syllables. E a malay ava. 709 00:34:39,800 --> 00:34:51,040 Speaker 3: E lva quote malay ava male e lave Okay, I'll work. Listen, 710 00:34:51,040 --> 00:34:55,480 Speaker 3: I got out. 711 00:34:51,480 --> 00:34:51,680 Speaker 5: To the. 712 00:34:53,560 --> 00:34:53,759 Speaker 3: Work. 713 00:34:54,920 --> 00:34:59,240 Speaker 2: Yes, yeah, no e malay ava. 714 00:34:59,360 --> 00:35:03,479 Speaker 3: There we go, l lave mava Okay. Either way, here's 715 00:35:03,520 --> 00:35:07,440 Speaker 3: where I stand with it. And I'm really kind of 716 00:35:07,480 --> 00:35:11,160 Speaker 3: furious about the nil thing. But for different reasons, Steve, 717 00:35:11,239 --> 00:35:17,759 Speaker 3: then probably most know. I'm furious at the storylines. I'm 718 00:35:17,800 --> 00:35:21,359 Speaker 3: furious at the former athletes and the people that aren't 719 00:35:21,440 --> 00:35:25,480 Speaker 3: doing their homework. They're mad that these kids are transferring 720 00:35:25,920 --> 00:35:29,520 Speaker 3: and moving. They're counting the dollars that these kids make, 721 00:35:30,239 --> 00:35:33,640 Speaker 3: but they don't have a remote clue how much money 722 00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:37,680 Speaker 3: the universities have made, not just for free, but are 723 00:35:37,800 --> 00:35:41,799 Speaker 3: still making off of these kids. They are playing for 724 00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:46,520 Speaker 3: pennies compared to their actual worth. In the NBA, the 725 00:35:46,560 --> 00:35:51,360 Speaker 3: owners and the players essentially split revenue. Every other professional sport, 726 00:35:51,719 --> 00:35:56,080 Speaker 3: the athletes are treated like professionals. When your coaches are professional, 727 00:35:56,840 --> 00:35:59,680 Speaker 3: the TV deals are professional, you don't get paid like 728 00:35:59,719 --> 00:36:04,240 Speaker 3: a professional. That's a problem. And what's happening now, Steve, 729 00:36:05,280 --> 00:36:11,880 Speaker 3: is these guys that are transferring and moving about, and 730 00:36:12,000 --> 00:36:16,040 Speaker 3: the public perception that keeps getting pushed through social media 731 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:20,920 Speaker 3: and television is that, hey, they're ungrateful. What are they 732 00:36:21,000 --> 00:36:23,319 Speaker 3: doing with this? They need to stay where they are. 733 00:36:23,840 --> 00:36:26,080 Speaker 3: And Steve, I want to ask you this or I 734 00:36:26,160 --> 00:36:28,000 Speaker 3: want to throw this out, help me with this one. 735 00:36:28,960 --> 00:36:32,440 Speaker 3: If someone like me or you got an offer, and 736 00:36:32,520 --> 00:36:34,880 Speaker 3: maybe we're in different places, but imagine we're in a 737 00:36:35,120 --> 00:36:38,839 Speaker 3: more of a different place, a younger place in our life. 738 00:36:39,160 --> 00:36:41,680 Speaker 3: We're pretty much content where we are. But if someone 739 00:36:41,760 --> 00:36:46,480 Speaker 3: offers you a third more money or twice the amount 740 00:36:46,480 --> 00:36:49,160 Speaker 3: of money that you could be making, you're going to 741 00:36:49,239 --> 00:36:52,839 Speaker 3: go and take that job. If you're not happy at 742 00:36:52,880 --> 00:36:55,640 Speaker 3: a workplace, what do we do? We hit the market 743 00:36:55,719 --> 00:36:59,160 Speaker 3: and we look for other work. Now, the challenge that 744 00:36:59,200 --> 00:37:05,480 Speaker 3: I proposed to is that college the NCAA fixed this 745 00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:10,319 Speaker 3: problems from a university standpoint. So I don't know. I've 746 00:37:10,400 --> 00:37:14,600 Speaker 3: talked in depth with this, and I don't know. See 747 00:37:14,680 --> 00:37:17,319 Speaker 3: here's someone Thill said, maybe throw at a salary cap. 748 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:20,080 Speaker 3: I said, okay, Well, let's have a revenue split half 749 00:37:20,120 --> 00:37:22,440 Speaker 3: to the schools, half to the athletes or the athletic program, 750 00:37:22,440 --> 00:37:24,720 Speaker 3: and then half to the athletes. We'll do a salary 751 00:37:24,719 --> 00:37:26,640 Speaker 3: cap then, and we all know, at the end of 752 00:37:26,680 --> 00:37:31,760 Speaker 3: the day, every single college program is not created equally. 753 00:37:32,400 --> 00:37:35,239 Speaker 3: The football team may bring in more than the basketball 754 00:37:35,239 --> 00:37:38,879 Speaker 3: team right now, women's basketball may bring in more than 755 00:37:39,200 --> 00:37:42,880 Speaker 3: you know, the track team. Per se, They're not equal, 756 00:37:43,000 --> 00:37:45,319 Speaker 3: and they've never been treated equal. And if you want 757 00:37:45,320 --> 00:37:48,879 Speaker 3: to claim that they're equal, put an equal TV deal 758 00:37:48,880 --> 00:37:52,760 Speaker 3: out there. Put equal for the coaches. There's a reason 759 00:37:53,080 --> 00:37:56,359 Speaker 3: the football coach makes a couple more million dollars then 760 00:37:57,200 --> 00:38:01,480 Speaker 3: another sports coach. So no disrespect. Give people what they're earned. 761 00:38:01,520 --> 00:38:03,319 Speaker 3: You do it in the workplace, and treat it like 762 00:38:03,320 --> 00:38:03,960 Speaker 3: the workplace. 763 00:38:04,280 --> 00:38:07,399 Speaker 2: Well here, here's something interesting. So Josh Heipeld takes over 764 00:38:07,440 --> 00:38:09,920 Speaker 2: as the coach at Tennessee before the twenty one season. 765 00:38:10,640 --> 00:38:13,400 Speaker 2: After his second year, he was under contract, right, he 766 00:38:13,480 --> 00:38:16,680 Speaker 2: signs his initial four or five year contract at Tennessee. 767 00:38:17,160 --> 00:38:19,160 Speaker 2: They have a breakout year, they end up winning the 768 00:38:19,160 --> 00:38:21,960 Speaker 2: Orange Bowl number six ranking, and he gets a raise 769 00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:24,640 Speaker 2: to nine million even though he has an existing contract. 770 00:38:24,719 --> 00:38:27,200 Speaker 2: They're like, uh, well, extend your deal now. We're going 771 00:38:27,239 --> 00:38:29,560 Speaker 2: to pay you nine million a year. I mean, when 772 00:38:29,600 --> 00:38:33,280 Speaker 2: you think about it, isn't that what Malayava was saying, Okay, 773 00:38:33,960 --> 00:38:36,719 Speaker 2: you were paying me an il money and then I 774 00:38:36,840 --> 00:38:40,920 Speaker 2: guided you to the playoffs. So if you're going to 775 00:38:40,960 --> 00:38:43,520 Speaker 2: redo the deal of the coach after a good year, 776 00:38:44,280 --> 00:38:47,360 Speaker 2: how about redoing the deal of the quarterback after a 777 00:38:47,360 --> 00:38:47,799 Speaker 2: good year. 778 00:38:47,840 --> 00:38:48,400 Speaker 3: I mean, you've. 779 00:38:48,280 --> 00:38:52,280 Speaker 2: Already set the president with your own coach, who after 780 00:38:52,320 --> 00:38:55,000 Speaker 2: his second season was a nice year for them, they 781 00:38:55,040 --> 00:38:57,400 Speaker 2: won eleven games, they got to a number six ranking. 782 00:38:57,680 --> 00:38:59,960 Speaker 2: They stepped in said we're gonna give you a raise though, 783 00:39:00,000 --> 00:39:02,799 Speaker 2: oh he had a contract, and so this is this 784 00:39:02,880 --> 00:39:07,719 Speaker 2: is where it gets tricky. Now the deal with Malayava 785 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:13,520 Speaker 2: is reportedly he's taking less money at UCLA, and it's 786 00:39:13,640 --> 00:39:17,160 Speaker 2: more about the system they run or are going to 787 00:39:17,239 --> 00:39:20,400 Speaker 2: run that he feels will better prepare him for the 788 00:39:20,440 --> 00:39:23,640 Speaker 2: next level. In other words, Tennessee said, no, we're going 789 00:39:23,719 --> 00:39:26,359 Speaker 2: to do what's best for Tennessee. We're not worried about 790 00:39:26,400 --> 00:39:29,759 Speaker 2: putting in a system to make you a better prospect 791 00:39:29,800 --> 00:39:33,400 Speaker 2: at the next level. And that's so. There again stories 792 00:39:33,440 --> 00:39:36,759 Speaker 2: on both sides in the situation. But again, at some 793 00:39:37,000 --> 00:39:39,239 Speaker 2: point we're going to have to get a little more 794 00:39:39,360 --> 00:39:42,480 Speaker 2: stability in the situation. I think this is a big 795 00:39:42,520 --> 00:39:45,160 Speaker 2: reason why Nick Saban some of these longtime coaches saying, 796 00:39:45,680 --> 00:39:49,840 Speaker 2: if I have to redo my entire roster every single year, 797 00:39:50,800 --> 00:39:51,960 Speaker 2: I just don't want to do that. 798 00:39:52,160 --> 00:39:54,879 Speaker 3: Well, let me ask you this, Steve how And also 799 00:39:55,080 --> 00:39:57,200 Speaker 3: he's a hometown kid. He plays your home beach, so 800 00:39:57,400 --> 00:40:00,319 Speaker 3: he wants to come home, of course, But Steve, how 801 00:40:00,320 --> 00:40:02,360 Speaker 3: would your company get you to stay? What offering for 802 00:40:02,520 --> 00:40:04,959 Speaker 3: OK four one K a retirement plan. 803 00:40:05,160 --> 00:40:07,200 Speaker 2: There's actually been a few times in the one hundred 804 00:40:07,280 --> 00:40:09,759 Speaker 2: years I've been in this business where, you know, occasionally 805 00:40:09,920 --> 00:40:11,560 Speaker 2: one of my employers says, what is it going to 806 00:40:11,640 --> 00:40:14,160 Speaker 2: take to keep you? And it's amazing when they say that, 807 00:40:14,200 --> 00:40:17,759 Speaker 2: and I'm like, oh, let me tell you all right? 808 00:40:17,800 --> 00:40:20,120 Speaker 2: Coming up on the other side more on the first 809 00:40:20,200 --> 00:40:22,920 Speaker 2: day of the NBA Playoffs. This is Fox Sports Saturday. 810 00:40:23,960 --> 00:40:26,680 Speaker 1: You're listening to Fox Sports Radio Radio. 811 00:40:27,400 --> 00:40:31,840 Speaker 2: Yes, rolling along here on a super busy sports Saturday. 812 00:40:32,040 --> 00:40:36,120 Speaker 2: Fox Sports Saturday. We're broadcasting live from the ti iraq 813 00:40:36,160 --> 00:40:38,520 Speaker 2: dot Com studios, tire rack dot com. We're gonna help 814 00:40:38,520 --> 00:40:41,240 Speaker 2: get you there, and I'm Matt Selection fast free shipping. 815 00:40:41,280 --> 00:40:45,239 Speaker 2: Free Road has a protection over ten thousand recommended installers. 816 00:40:45,640 --> 00:40:48,920 Speaker 2: Ti iraq dot Com The way tire buying should be 817 00:40:49,320 --> 00:40:52,520 Speaker 2: nixt lead the Pistons thirty five thirty four. We got 818 00:40:52,640 --> 00:40:55,680 Speaker 2: nine minutes to go in the first half in this game. 819 00:40:56,200 --> 00:40:59,080 Speaker 2: How about the job Bickerstaff did. I know you're you 820 00:40:59,200 --> 00:41:02,239 Speaker 2: got your own fit as NBA Coach of the Year, 821 00:41:02,280 --> 00:41:04,600 Speaker 2: But you talk about year to year, the mess that 822 00:41:04,680 --> 00:41:07,720 Speaker 2: the Pistons were a year ago. For them to jump 823 00:41:07,760 --> 00:41:10,240 Speaker 2: all the way into the playoffs as a six seed, 824 00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:13,560 Speaker 2: Bickerstaff did a hell of a job this year, Ryan. 825 00:41:14,120 --> 00:41:17,600 Speaker 3: He did. They gave him some veterans in a place 826 00:41:17,640 --> 00:41:21,720 Speaker 3: seemingly that nobody wanted to be, and much like Houston, 827 00:41:21,719 --> 00:41:23,759 Speaker 3: they kind of hit the switch and said, you know, 828 00:41:23,840 --> 00:41:28,080 Speaker 3: we're going from rebuilding to hey, we've got enough. And 829 00:41:28,440 --> 00:41:33,120 Speaker 3: Kate Cunningham is as box office as it gets. I 830 00:41:33,280 --> 00:41:36,799 Speaker 3: actually was drafted to Charlotte where JB. Bickerstaff was worked 831 00:41:36,840 --> 00:41:40,680 Speaker 3: with him twice over in Minnesota. He's a good friend 832 00:41:40,719 --> 00:41:43,480 Speaker 3: of mine, man, I really consider him family. But JB's 833 00:41:43,520 --> 00:41:46,120 Speaker 3: done an excellent job and he doesn't get enough credit 834 00:41:46,160 --> 00:41:48,360 Speaker 3: for what he did in Cleveland. I think it's crazy 835 00:41:48,880 --> 00:41:51,919 Speaker 3: and it's tough because you know, when you're that good 836 00:41:51,960 --> 00:41:54,719 Speaker 3: and you lose, it's got to be somebody's fault, you 837 00:41:54,760 --> 00:41:57,600 Speaker 3: know my opinion, Evan Mobley just wasn't ready yet. And 838 00:41:57,920 --> 00:42:01,600 Speaker 3: when he took a huge jump and Daris Garland took 839 00:42:01,640 --> 00:42:04,799 Speaker 3: a jump, the Cavaliers got better and you see where 840 00:42:04,800 --> 00:42:08,840 Speaker 3: they are. So nonetheless, JB. Biggerstaff was huge, huge with 841 00:42:08,880 --> 00:42:12,279 Speaker 3: their development, and you see overnight what is done in 842 00:42:12,320 --> 00:42:16,799 Speaker 3: Detroit and there man quietly Steve, they're that team that 843 00:42:16,960 --> 00:42:18,040 Speaker 3: nobody wants to play. 844 00:42:18,400 --> 00:42:21,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, I would say they are and obviously a team 845 00:42:21,560 --> 00:42:25,520 Speaker 2: on the rise right now. I've been laughing, honestly at 846 00:42:25,560 --> 00:42:28,879 Speaker 2: some of the national pundits that are looking to add 847 00:42:28,960 --> 00:42:33,160 Speaker 2: to the projection for the NBA Finals Ryan, and they're like, okay, 848 00:42:33,200 --> 00:42:34,919 Speaker 2: so who out of the West is going to play 849 00:42:34,960 --> 00:42:38,719 Speaker 2: the Celtics in the finals. And I'm like, okay, you're 850 00:42:38,760 --> 00:42:42,919 Speaker 2: completely dismissing Cleveland. They had three All Stars this year, 851 00:42:43,080 --> 00:42:46,960 Speaker 2: they have probably I don't know one of, if not 852 00:42:47,120 --> 00:42:49,960 Speaker 2: the most dynamic back court in the NBA right now. 853 00:42:50,600 --> 00:42:54,800 Speaker 2: And so are we too quick to dismiss the Cleveland 854 00:42:54,840 --> 00:42:59,280 Speaker 2: Cavaliers are the defending champions, gonna seemingly have a walk 855 00:42:59,719 --> 00:43:02,200 Speaker 2: all way to the NBA Finals, even though they're the 856 00:43:02,239 --> 00:43:05,000 Speaker 2: two seed in the East. And if there is a 857 00:43:05,040 --> 00:43:08,440 Speaker 2: team out there that could give them their best challenge 858 00:43:08,440 --> 00:43:09,680 Speaker 2: in the East, who is it. 859 00:43:09,760 --> 00:43:13,839 Speaker 3: Ryan, Cleveland gives them their best challenge. When they went 860 00:43:13,880 --> 00:43:17,440 Speaker 3: out and made the trade for Hunter, that was essentially saying, 861 00:43:17,640 --> 00:43:19,839 Speaker 3: you know, we need to stay a little bit more 862 00:43:19,960 --> 00:43:23,240 Speaker 3: dynamic and we need to be able to guard guard 863 00:43:23,320 --> 00:43:26,680 Speaker 3: against what Boston can bring to the table. But you know, 864 00:43:27,400 --> 00:43:32,000 Speaker 3: make no mistake, Boston got better from where they were 865 00:43:32,040 --> 00:43:34,239 Speaker 3: a year ago. It's gonna be really hard for them 866 00:43:34,280 --> 00:43:37,560 Speaker 3: not to come out the East. They're really good. Steve 867 00:43:38,080 --> 00:43:42,600 Speaker 3: and I get it, you know. And in terms of Cleveland, 868 00:43:42,640 --> 00:43:45,240 Speaker 3: they're the most equipped. You see the success that they've had, 869 00:43:45,719 --> 00:43:48,600 Speaker 3: but you got to see it in the playoffs. And again, 870 00:43:48,680 --> 00:43:51,520 Speaker 3: like I mentioned earlier, if Evan Mobley is a guy 871 00:43:51,520 --> 00:43:54,359 Speaker 3: who can you know, go for twenty five and ten 872 00:43:54,400 --> 00:43:56,759 Speaker 3: at night in the series in the playoffs, which he 873 00:43:56,840 --> 00:44:01,360 Speaker 3: has to show, that changes things right now, as is, 874 00:44:01,560 --> 00:44:04,160 Speaker 3: there's the work cut out, you know, at the end 875 00:44:04,160 --> 00:44:08,920 Speaker 3: of the day for the Cleveland Cavaliers. But Boston's so 876 00:44:09,080 --> 00:44:11,719 Speaker 3: good and it's forget the three point shooting, forget the 877 00:44:11,719 --> 00:44:14,600 Speaker 3: one on one from Tatam and Brown. They can beat 878 00:44:14,640 --> 00:44:17,840 Speaker 3: you on the defensive end, like they have four just 879 00:44:18,800 --> 00:44:22,880 Speaker 3: lockdown defenders, and that is by far the biggest difference 880 00:44:22,880 --> 00:44:23,560 Speaker 3: in what they do. 881 00:44:24,080 --> 00:44:26,040 Speaker 2: All Right, So coming up later, we're gonna have the 882 00:44:26,040 --> 00:44:30,080 Speaker 2: Tea Wolves taking on the Lakers. As I mentioned my 883 00:44:30,320 --> 00:44:35,360 Speaker 2: conspiracy theories, but the NBA engineered the firing of Jenkins 884 00:44:36,239 --> 00:44:38,520 Speaker 2: in Memphis so that that would clear the way in 885 00:44:38,600 --> 00:44:41,240 Speaker 2: a huge head to have matchup against the Grizzlies that day, 886 00:44:41,560 --> 00:44:45,040 Speaker 2: and then of course engineered the inexplicable firing them alone 887 00:44:45,040 --> 00:44:47,560 Speaker 2: with three games to go, the team that's knocked the 888 00:44:47,640 --> 00:44:50,400 Speaker 2: Lakers out of the playoffs each of the last two years. 889 00:44:50,440 --> 00:44:53,000 Speaker 2: And then of course the Luka Doncic trade, which by 890 00:44:53,040 --> 00:44:56,520 Speaker 2: the way, should have netted Dallas at least six number ones, 891 00:44:57,040 --> 00:45:01,120 Speaker 2: at least six number ones in that deal instead of 892 00:45:01,400 --> 00:45:04,880 Speaker 2: one number one and a you know, future Hall of 893 00:45:04,960 --> 00:45:09,520 Speaker 2: Fame player that's had injury problems galore. It was a giveaway. 894 00:45:10,120 --> 00:45:13,520 Speaker 2: That being said, this was a Timberwolves team that shock 895 00:45:13,600 --> 00:45:16,640 Speaker 2: the world last year by knocking out the defending champions. 896 00:45:16,960 --> 00:45:19,040 Speaker 2: Then they end up losing to Luca and the Mavericks 897 00:45:19,040 --> 00:45:22,600 Speaker 2: in the Western Conference Finals. And somehow a year ago, 898 00:45:22,719 --> 00:45:25,600 Speaker 2: it just seemed that Anthony Edwards was getting more play 899 00:45:25,640 --> 00:45:29,719 Speaker 2: than he is this year. I'm not sure why. You know, 900 00:45:29,800 --> 00:45:33,000 Speaker 2: this guy is still one of the absolute elite players 901 00:45:33,040 --> 00:45:35,280 Speaker 2: in this league. So when you look at this matchup 902 00:45:35,640 --> 00:45:38,560 Speaker 2: of the Lakers and the Timberwells, and obviously this game 903 00:45:38,600 --> 00:45:41,880 Speaker 2: will start tonight, it'll be at Crypto dot Com Arena. Lakers, 904 00:45:41,880 --> 00:45:45,560 Speaker 2: by the way, bypass the play in tournament, they were 905 00:45:45,560 --> 00:45:47,560 Speaker 2: in the play in tournament three of the last four 906 00:45:47,800 --> 00:45:50,920 Speaker 2: years Riot, so you know, this was something that they 907 00:45:51,000 --> 00:45:54,080 Speaker 2: just haven't had an opportunity to actually start a series 908 00:45:54,080 --> 00:45:56,520 Speaker 2: in the first round with the home court advantage. But 909 00:45:56,680 --> 00:46:00,359 Speaker 2: is this seemingly a walkover for this superstar Laker team 910 00:46:00,400 --> 00:46:04,120 Speaker 2: with Doncic and obviously they'll bron and Austin Reeves or 911 00:46:04,719 --> 00:46:08,800 Speaker 2: could the Timberwolves shock the world in this series. 912 00:46:10,120 --> 00:46:12,759 Speaker 3: I don't think it's gonna be a walkover. But I 913 00:46:12,920 --> 00:46:16,560 Speaker 3: like the Lakers, And the reason I like the Lakers 914 00:46:16,760 --> 00:46:20,480 Speaker 3: is because Anthony Edwards is still learning how to play basketball. 915 00:46:20,560 --> 00:46:24,279 Speaker 3: He's an immense talent, but the same thing can make 916 00:46:24,320 --> 00:46:27,359 Speaker 3: you great, can make things tough on you. And at 917 00:46:27,360 --> 00:46:29,840 Speaker 3: the end of the day, when you're looking at Anthony Edwards, 918 00:46:30,800 --> 00:46:34,520 Speaker 3: he's still playing hero ball. He's still young and you know, 919 00:46:35,360 --> 00:46:38,360 Speaker 3: wants to do everything by himself. And when he learns 920 00:46:38,400 --> 00:46:41,960 Speaker 3: to really buckle down and play basketball, I think Minnesota 921 00:46:42,280 --> 00:46:44,799 Speaker 3: has a chance to be really good. And he's already good. 922 00:46:44,800 --> 00:46:47,200 Speaker 3: He's got that type of talent. But we've seen it 923 00:46:47,239 --> 00:46:49,640 Speaker 3: in the playoffs before because he doesn't shy away from 924 00:46:49,640 --> 00:46:52,520 Speaker 3: the smoke. He likes those matchups where you know he 925 00:46:52,520 --> 00:46:54,640 Speaker 3: can run himself essentially into the ground. 926 00:46:55,880 --> 00:47:00,920 Speaker 2: The Lakers future with Luka Doncic. So I've said this 927 00:47:01,040 --> 00:47:04,160 Speaker 2: last week. Some people agree with me. Others were like, 928 00:47:04,320 --> 00:47:07,520 Speaker 2: you are just being stupid Hartman, which course I've heard 929 00:47:07,520 --> 00:47:11,520 Speaker 2: that many times over the years. But I maintain that 930 00:47:11,600 --> 00:47:15,960 Speaker 2: this is Lebron's last year as a Laker because I 931 00:47:16,040 --> 00:47:18,680 Speaker 2: look at the Lucas situation and by the way, if 932 00:47:18,719 --> 00:47:21,520 Speaker 2: you have been over to Crypto dot com arena since 933 00:47:21,640 --> 00:47:25,920 Speaker 2: Luca arrived, there's no Lebron buzz anymore. In fact, I 934 00:47:25,960 --> 00:47:29,680 Speaker 2: actually saw one National show was talking about who's the 935 00:47:29,680 --> 00:47:32,960 Speaker 2: best Robin, you know, like Batman and Robin in the 936 00:47:33,080 --> 00:47:36,960 Speaker 2: NBA playoffs, and they included Lebron. At what point of 937 00:47:37,719 --> 00:47:40,680 Speaker 2: his career has Lebron ever been the number two? That 938 00:47:40,719 --> 00:47:45,799 Speaker 2: would be never This is Luka Doncic's team. He just 939 00:47:45,840 --> 00:47:48,680 Speaker 2: turned twenty six years of age. And as you look 940 00:47:48,719 --> 00:47:52,560 Speaker 2: to the future to build around your now star. And 941 00:47:52,600 --> 00:47:55,440 Speaker 2: by the way, everybody now these Laker home games are 942 00:47:55,480 --> 00:47:59,560 Speaker 2: all decked out in their seventy seven jerseys. It's Luca's team. 943 00:48:00,280 --> 00:48:03,839 Speaker 2: The fans are with Luca. I don't know if that 944 00:48:03,880 --> 00:48:07,800 Speaker 2: includes a soon to be forty one year old Lebron James. 945 00:48:08,080 --> 00:48:11,920 Speaker 2: My guess it doesn't. Maybe a lot depends on how 946 00:48:12,000 --> 00:48:14,320 Speaker 2: deep the Lakers go in the playoffs this year, Ryan, 947 00:48:14,920 --> 00:48:18,200 Speaker 2: But if you're the Lakers right now, obviously Austin Reeves 948 00:48:18,200 --> 00:48:21,840 Speaker 2: has emerged as a borderline All Star, averaging over twenty 949 00:48:21,880 --> 00:48:24,719 Speaker 2: points a game. They have some young pieces, but they 950 00:48:24,719 --> 00:48:27,560 Speaker 2: need more. They need interior defense. There's a lot of 951 00:48:27,600 --> 00:48:30,359 Speaker 2: things they still need. I don't know if Lebron would 952 00:48:30,360 --> 00:48:32,319 Speaker 2: ever agree to a trade. I'm sure it would only 953 00:48:32,360 --> 00:48:35,640 Speaker 2: be to a specific team if he doesn't decide to retire, 954 00:48:36,120 --> 00:48:38,120 Speaker 2: if indeed they want to turn the page with him. 955 00:48:38,160 --> 00:48:41,840 Speaker 2: But how do you look at the Lakers beyond this 956 00:48:41,960 --> 00:48:46,280 Speaker 2: season as they now are fully entrenched in the Luka 957 00:48:46,360 --> 00:48:47,160 Speaker 2: Doncic era. 958 00:48:48,120 --> 00:48:52,319 Speaker 3: Well, I don't think Lebron's going anywhere. I think you're 959 00:48:52,400 --> 00:48:56,240 Speaker 3: absolutely spot on, though, is that they get a future 960 00:48:56,520 --> 00:49:00,200 Speaker 3: in Lebron. You know, they get some future, they get 961 00:49:00,320 --> 00:49:03,960 Speaker 3: someone who can take over and right now, you know, 962 00:49:04,239 --> 00:49:06,279 Speaker 3: as we see through the playoffs, you could argue he's 963 00:49:06,320 --> 00:49:10,200 Speaker 3: a better player right now. But the reason that I 964 00:49:10,360 --> 00:49:13,160 Speaker 3: don't think, and even if it was the best move 965 00:49:13,239 --> 00:49:15,320 Speaker 3: for the Lakers, let's say, right even if it was 966 00:49:15,360 --> 00:49:17,520 Speaker 3: the best moves, hey move on from Lebron. It just 967 00:49:17,800 --> 00:49:20,360 Speaker 3: it makes sense at this point. I don't think that 968 00:49:20,440 --> 00:49:25,160 Speaker 3: they do it because the Lakers are very much about 969 00:49:25,200 --> 00:49:29,320 Speaker 3: the business of basketball, and they still know the fame 970 00:49:29,480 --> 00:49:32,759 Speaker 3: that Lebron James holds. They still know the tickets that 971 00:49:32,800 --> 00:49:35,920 Speaker 3: he sells, you know, they still know the name that 972 00:49:35,960 --> 00:49:38,080 Speaker 3: he has at the end of the day. So I 973 00:49:38,200 --> 00:49:41,719 Speaker 3: don't think because of those reasons, he's going anywhere. But 974 00:49:42,160 --> 00:49:44,000 Speaker 3: ultimately you can look at it and say, well, that 975 00:49:44,040 --> 00:49:46,480 Speaker 3: would be the smart thing to do. You don't. He's 976 00:49:46,520 --> 00:49:50,000 Speaker 3: already gone past, he's already you know, playing with house money, 977 00:49:50,000 --> 00:49:53,200 Speaker 3: and Lebron has enough of a name where he probably 978 00:49:53,440 --> 00:49:56,000 Speaker 3: would veto a trade somewhere. You know, another team would 979 00:49:56,000 --> 00:49:59,360 Speaker 3: be scared saying unless if they're possibly even the Cleveland Cavaliers, 980 00:49:59,360 --> 00:50:02,600 Speaker 3: and he'd be saying, well, I'm not going. Yeah, I 981 00:50:02,600 --> 00:50:04,840 Speaker 3: don't want to go. I'm done. You know, for that 982 00:50:04,960 --> 00:50:08,400 Speaker 3: same reason he's almost he's just so unique, Steve. We 983 00:50:08,760 --> 00:50:10,200 Speaker 3: just haven't seen anything like it. 984 00:50:10,400 --> 00:50:13,239 Speaker 2: You know, I agree with you. Now, he would love 985 00:50:13,280 --> 00:50:15,279 Speaker 2: to go to Golden State, I think, and that's one 986 00:50:15,280 --> 00:50:17,200 Speaker 2: team I think he would sort of like, yeah, I 987 00:50:17,480 --> 00:50:19,920 Speaker 2: could see that, you know, play with Steph. I mean, 988 00:50:20,360 --> 00:50:24,759 Speaker 2: and again I don't say that he can't play a 989 00:50:24,760 --> 00:50:27,480 Speaker 2: supporting role because he's really done that with Luca. There 990 00:50:27,480 --> 00:50:30,240 Speaker 2: are games when he has stepped aside and allowed Luca, 991 00:50:30,680 --> 00:50:33,719 Speaker 2: who is a bald, dominant player, which obviously for most 992 00:50:33,760 --> 00:50:36,080 Speaker 2: of Lebron's career he's been the same type of player, 993 00:50:36,440 --> 00:50:39,000 Speaker 2: but he's allowed Luca to take over. It just seems 994 00:50:39,040 --> 00:50:42,240 Speaker 2: to me right now that obviously one thing that Lakers 995 00:50:42,280 --> 00:50:44,120 Speaker 2: have to do is get Lucas signed to a long 996 00:50:44,239 --> 00:50:47,279 Speaker 2: term deal because right now, after next season he's a 997 00:50:47,320 --> 00:50:50,440 Speaker 2: walk away. So they got to focus on that first. 998 00:50:50,440 --> 00:50:53,400 Speaker 2: By the way, calm the chaos with the shipping software 999 00:50:53,400 --> 00:50:56,040 Speaker 2: that delivers use code Sports for a free trial at 1000 00:50:56,080 --> 00:51:00,239 Speaker 2: chipstation dot com. That's shipstation dot Com code Sports and 1001 00:51:00,280 --> 00:51:02,680 Speaker 2: be sure to tune into Fox Sports Radio's Draft Night, 1002 00:51:02,719 --> 00:51:05,759 Speaker 2: which is Thursday night at eight pm Eastern through the 1003 00:51:05,800 --> 00:51:09,080 Speaker 2: first round the Draft insider Jay Glazer, former Jets general 1004 00:51:09,120 --> 00:51:13,320 Speaker 2: manager Joe Douglas, college football Hall of Famer LeVar Arrington, 1005 00:51:13,640 --> 00:51:16,600 Speaker 2: and Fox Sports Lead college football reporter Jenny Taff. We'll 1006 00:51:16,600 --> 00:51:19,280 Speaker 2: have you covered for all thirty two picks with predictions 1007 00:51:19,280 --> 00:51:22,600 Speaker 2: and reactions. That's Thursday at eight pm Eastern through the 1008 00:51:22,640 --> 00:51:24,640 Speaker 2: first round of the Draft, live right here in Fox 1009 00:51:24,680 --> 00:51:27,719 Speaker 2: Sports Radio with a live video simulcast on the Fox 1010 00:51:27,719 --> 00:51:30,719 Speaker 2: Sports Radio YouTube page, brought to you by Ship Station. 1011 00:51:31,000 --> 00:51:32,640 Speaker 2: All Right, Ryan, on the other side, we're going to 1012 00:51:32,640 --> 00:51:36,759 Speaker 2: be joined by our Fox Sports Radio NBA insider get 1013 00:51:36,800 --> 00:51:39,640 Speaker 2: his thoughts on this first day of the NBA playoffs. 1014 00:51:39,640 --> 00:51:43,160 Speaker 2: Mark Medina will join us. This is Fox Sports Saturday. 1015 00:51:45,360 --> 00:51:50,319 Speaker 2: Steve Harbin, Ryan Hollins, Fox Sports Saturday. We are live 1016 00:51:50,360 --> 00:51:53,440 Speaker 2: from the Tyraq dot Com studios for the best pregame 1017 00:51:53,480 --> 00:51:56,000 Speaker 2: show every weekend. Be sure to tune in Fox Sports 1018 00:51:56,080 --> 00:51:59,760 Speaker 2: Radio's Countdown presented by bet MGM, every Saturday and Sunday 1019 00:51:59,760 --> 00:52:02,399 Speaker 2: morning from nine am to noon Eastern six to nine 1020 00:52:02,440 --> 00:52:05,360 Speaker 2: am Pacific. We'll count it down to all the biggest games. 1021 00:52:05,480 --> 00:52:07,799 Speaker 2: There is no better place to prime you for the 1022 00:52:07,840 --> 00:52:12,840 Speaker 2: tournament games. I'm speaking about this NBA playoff tournament right here. 1023 00:52:13,080 --> 00:52:17,000 Speaker 2: Tune in a countdown presented by bet MGM every Saturday 1024 00:52:17,000 --> 00:52:20,319 Speaker 2: and Sunday morning right here on Fox Sports Radio and 1025 00:52:20,360 --> 00:52:23,920 Speaker 2: the iHeartRadio app well. For more on what's going on 1026 00:52:23,960 --> 00:52:27,640 Speaker 2: with these NBA playoffs which are underway today is our 1027 00:52:27,840 --> 00:52:32,960 Speaker 2: NBA insider Mark Medina. So Mark earlier today, Pacers no 1028 00:52:33,080 --> 00:52:36,960 Speaker 2: problem at home against the Bucks and then just a 1029 00:52:37,000 --> 00:52:41,440 Speaker 2: shootout between the Nuggets and the Clippers, and the Nuggets 1030 00:52:41,480 --> 00:52:43,399 Speaker 2: found a way. And you know, Ryan and I were 1031 00:52:43,440 --> 00:52:46,480 Speaker 2: just talking about, you know, how would this team play 1032 00:52:46,560 --> 00:52:50,080 Speaker 2: in the postseason without their leader Malone and the way 1033 00:52:50,080 --> 00:52:52,640 Speaker 2: they came back and pulled out a huge game for them, 1034 00:52:52,680 --> 00:52:55,840 Speaker 2: an absolute must game in my opinion to win this series. 1035 00:52:55,880 --> 00:52:57,719 Speaker 2: They were able to pull it off. But how do 1036 00:52:57,760 --> 00:52:59,960 Speaker 2: you see this playing out right now between the Clip 1037 00:53:00,560 --> 00:53:03,640 Speaker 2: and the Nuggets, Mark, Yeah, I expect. 1038 00:53:03,360 --> 00:53:04,960 Speaker 9: That this is going to go the full way of 1039 00:53:05,000 --> 00:53:07,400 Speaker 9: a seven game series. I think the Nuggets they should 1040 00:53:07,480 --> 00:53:10,520 Speaker 9: encouraging signs that's not just about Nikola Jokich. They can 1041 00:53:10,840 --> 00:53:14,200 Speaker 9: rely on other players, whether it's Shamal Murray, hitten shots, 1042 00:53:14,320 --> 00:53:17,879 Speaker 9: Christian Brown hitting shots, Russell Westbrook having a revenge game 1043 00:53:17,920 --> 00:53:20,600 Speaker 9: against the Clippers. That's something that you haven't seen the 1044 00:53:20,680 --> 00:53:24,040 Speaker 9: Nuggets do on a consistent basis, hence all these changes. 1045 00:53:24,120 --> 00:53:26,719 Speaker 9: But this game kind of reminded me of when there's 1046 00:53:26,760 --> 00:53:29,640 Speaker 9: a mid season firing and you know whether it's right 1047 00:53:29,719 --> 00:53:32,319 Speaker 9: or wrong. A lot of times players run on this 1048 00:53:32,360 --> 00:53:35,879 Speaker 9: adrenaline rush and want to buy into what the new 1049 00:53:35,920 --> 00:53:39,360 Speaker 9: coach is saying. And you saw that, and it also helps. 1050 00:53:39,840 --> 00:53:43,080 Speaker 9: There's a familiarity and respect level for David Adelman. But 1051 00:53:43,400 --> 00:53:45,560 Speaker 9: given where the Clippers are and how competitive it is, 1052 00:53:45,960 --> 00:53:48,880 Speaker 9: I expect that it's going to be another competitive one 1053 00:53:48,880 --> 00:53:49,399 Speaker 9: again too. 1054 00:53:50,400 --> 00:53:56,480 Speaker 3: Mark, are you buying that the thunder in the Rockets 1055 00:53:56,560 --> 00:54:02,080 Speaker 3: are somehow playoff underdogs? Is that a fair assessment to mate, 1056 00:54:02,120 --> 00:54:06,000 Speaker 3: because a lot of people are saying that it's very controversial. 1057 00:54:06,040 --> 00:54:09,600 Speaker 3: They're young, obviously there's name still But are you buying 1058 00:54:09,640 --> 00:54:11,560 Speaker 3: that those two teams are underdogs? 1059 00:54:12,840 --> 00:54:15,520 Speaker 9: Yeah, it's very wild to think of that as the 1060 00:54:15,600 --> 00:54:18,960 Speaker 9: first and second seeds as underdogs. I think that if 1061 00:54:19,040 --> 00:54:21,279 Speaker 9: I were to choose which one is an underdog, I 1062 00:54:21,280 --> 00:54:23,719 Speaker 9: would say the Rockets and it's not because they have 1063 00:54:23,880 --> 00:54:27,000 Speaker 9: I think nine players on their playoff rotation that are 1064 00:54:27,000 --> 00:54:29,200 Speaker 9: going to set the playoffs the first time. I think 1065 00:54:29,200 --> 00:54:30,960 Speaker 9: it's more of the fact that they're facing the Golden 1066 00:54:30,960 --> 00:54:34,359 Speaker 9: State Warriors, obviously much different teams than when they want 1067 00:54:34,440 --> 00:54:38,480 Speaker 9: championships with the Common Denominators. They still have Steph Curry, Draymond, 1068 00:54:38,520 --> 00:54:41,319 Speaker 9: Green State's curse, still the head coach, Keavon Mooney, and 1069 00:54:41,440 --> 00:54:43,600 Speaker 9: they're paying the second are still role players, and Jimmy 1070 00:54:43,600 --> 00:54:46,840 Speaker 9: Butler is a very big playoff edition and he you know, 1071 00:54:47,920 --> 00:54:50,640 Speaker 9: Treys as a Lion edition and he's called Playoff Jimmy 1072 00:54:50,640 --> 00:54:52,960 Speaker 9: for a reason. But when you look at the Rockets, 1073 00:54:53,560 --> 00:54:56,400 Speaker 9: you know Emduke is emy Adok is a proven coach. 1074 00:54:56,440 --> 00:54:59,919 Speaker 9: They have good veterans with Fred van Vliet and Dyl 1075 00:55:00,120 --> 00:55:02,600 Speaker 9: Brooks that you know it could go either way. But 1076 00:55:02,680 --> 00:55:04,640 Speaker 9: the Thunder I don't buy that at all that they're 1077 00:55:04,640 --> 00:55:06,879 Speaker 9: an underdog. I mean they've been the most dominant team 1078 00:55:07,200 --> 00:55:09,520 Speaker 9: in the Western Conference and by a wide margin. I 1079 00:55:09,600 --> 00:55:13,600 Speaker 9: think shad Gyogis, Alexander will Win MVP, jal Williams Scott 1080 00:55:13,840 --> 00:55:16,319 Speaker 9: his first All Star appearance, and they just have a 1081 00:55:16,360 --> 00:55:18,920 Speaker 9: lot of depth across the board with a lot of 1082 00:55:18,920 --> 00:55:22,239 Speaker 9: great wing defenders, they got a great front court and 1083 00:55:22,400 --> 00:55:26,000 Speaker 9: Chet Holmgren, and that they Hardensteigins that barring a major 1084 00:55:26,040 --> 00:55:27,879 Speaker 9: injury to one or two of their players, I don't 1085 00:55:27,920 --> 00:55:30,920 Speaker 9: see any scenario that they lose the Memphis Grizza in 1086 00:55:30,920 --> 00:55:31,600 Speaker 9: the first round. 1087 00:55:31,719 --> 00:55:33,400 Speaker 2: All right, Mark, you know I shared some of my 1088 00:55:33,480 --> 00:55:36,720 Speaker 2: conspiracy theories with you how the league god Jenkins fired 1089 00:55:36,760 --> 00:55:39,279 Speaker 2: by the Grizzlies right before they played the Lakers in 1090 00:55:39,320 --> 00:55:42,640 Speaker 2: a huge matchup during the regular season. They got Malone 1091 00:55:42,800 --> 00:55:45,480 Speaker 2: fired because while the Nuggets have knocked the Lakers out 1092 00:55:45,480 --> 00:55:48,040 Speaker 2: of the playoffs the last couple of years, they basically 1093 00:55:48,200 --> 00:55:52,080 Speaker 2: enabled the Lakers to steal Luka Dancis for next to nothing, 1094 00:55:52,600 --> 00:55:54,520 Speaker 2: one first round pick for a guy that should have 1095 00:55:54,880 --> 00:55:59,000 Speaker 2: netted seven first round picks. So everything's been working in 1096 00:55:59,040 --> 00:56:01,960 Speaker 2: the favor of the Lakers as they go into the postseason. 1097 00:56:02,520 --> 00:56:05,160 Speaker 2: This is rarefied air. It's been a while since they've 1098 00:56:05,200 --> 00:56:09,400 Speaker 2: hosted Game one in the first round of the playoffs, 1099 00:56:10,239 --> 00:56:12,719 Speaker 2: you know, on their home court, so you know, they 1100 00:56:12,760 --> 00:56:15,560 Speaker 2: seem to have every advantage going into this series against 1101 00:56:15,600 --> 00:56:20,520 Speaker 2: the Timberwolves. Should there be any concern for Laker fans 1102 00:56:20,640 --> 00:56:22,920 Speaker 2: as they take on a Minnesota team that, oh, by 1103 00:56:22,960 --> 00:56:25,520 Speaker 2: the way, got to the Western Conference Finals last season. 1104 00:56:26,600 --> 00:56:30,000 Speaker 9: Yeah, I would favor the Lakers because they've been playing 1105 00:56:31,120 --> 00:56:34,440 Speaker 9: mostly good basketball at the right time. Lebron James has 1106 00:56:34,440 --> 00:56:38,560 Speaker 9: had a week to recover from father time and different injuries. 1107 00:56:38,600 --> 00:56:41,279 Speaker 9: I think the dynamic with them and Luka Dancis are 1108 00:56:41,320 --> 00:56:44,120 Speaker 9: mostly good. Austin Reeves has played an all star caliber level, 1109 00:56:44,200 --> 00:56:46,839 Speaker 9: and their defense has played out of its mind even 1110 00:56:46,840 --> 00:56:49,480 Speaker 9: without Anthony Davis. But I don't think that this is 1111 00:56:49,520 --> 00:56:51,600 Speaker 9: going to be a sweep. I don't think it's going 1112 00:56:51,640 --> 00:56:55,200 Speaker 9: to go seven games either, but Minnesota can still be respectable. 1113 00:56:55,200 --> 00:56:58,520 Speaker 9: Anthony Edwards, he's on board to have career highs from 1114 00:56:58,600 --> 00:57:01,879 Speaker 9: with scoring from three point range. He's expanded his game. 1115 00:57:01,960 --> 00:57:04,560 Speaker 9: He's had a bigger role since the carl Anthonia Towns trade. 1116 00:57:05,680 --> 00:57:09,200 Speaker 9: You know, I still question the overall fit with Ruby 1117 00:57:09,200 --> 00:57:12,920 Speaker 9: Bolbert and Julius Randall, but it's gotten better as the 1118 00:57:13,000 --> 00:57:16,760 Speaker 9: season's gone on. But again, they they've been I think 1119 00:57:16,840 --> 00:57:20,320 Speaker 9: top ten in both offense and defense this season. So again, 1120 00:57:20,680 --> 00:57:24,120 Speaker 9: it's not a doormat opponent, but I expect the Lakers 1121 00:57:24,160 --> 00:57:25,640 Speaker 9: to win in six games. 1122 00:57:26,360 --> 00:57:30,680 Speaker 3: Were you shocked at all, even without Damian Lillard, the 1123 00:57:30,720 --> 00:57:33,800 Speaker 3: way that Indiana dismantled Milwaukee. 1124 00:57:34,320 --> 00:57:38,720 Speaker 9: Yes, I was shocked incredibly because when you look at 1125 00:57:38,720 --> 00:57:41,440 Speaker 9: their starters, I think Janni Sante Kumbo in like thirty 1126 00:57:41,480 --> 00:57:45,080 Speaker 9: six points. Their starters at fourteen points. Kyle Kuzma had 1127 00:57:45,080 --> 00:57:48,080 Speaker 9: a big, fat zero. I did not see that coming. 1128 00:57:48,520 --> 00:57:51,640 Speaker 9: Indiana has been playing really good basketball as of lay. 1129 00:57:51,760 --> 00:57:54,560 Speaker 9: They play in a fast paced Tyree Salburn one of 1130 00:57:54,600 --> 00:57:57,360 Speaker 9: the fastest point guards in the NBA. But I thought 1131 00:57:57,360 --> 00:58:00,000 Speaker 9: it would least be competitive. And when you have someone 1132 00:58:00,120 --> 00:58:04,720 Speaker 9: like Gianatantotokumpo putting up an MVP performance, the fact that 1133 00:58:05,200 --> 00:58:08,680 Speaker 9: they lost and lopsided is bash and shows how terrible 1134 00:58:08,720 --> 00:58:12,120 Speaker 9: the rest of the team played. It's unacceptable and I 1135 00:58:12,160 --> 00:58:14,200 Speaker 9: would expect it's not going to be as much of 1136 00:58:14,200 --> 00:58:16,640 Speaker 9: a blaw Game two. But they got to get their 1137 00:58:16,640 --> 00:58:21,160 Speaker 9: act together because here's two things. One unpleasantly surprised Damian 1138 00:58:21,200 --> 00:58:23,920 Speaker 9: Loward's coming back at some point in the series because 1139 00:58:23,960 --> 00:58:27,480 Speaker 9: blood clots. I've talked to doctors about this. You usually 1140 00:58:27,520 --> 00:58:30,280 Speaker 9: need at least three to six months to recover with 1141 00:58:30,640 --> 00:58:34,240 Speaker 9: dinners before coming back. But even if Damian Loward's coming back. 1142 00:58:34,280 --> 00:58:36,960 Speaker 9: You have to think that they're going to exercise a 1143 00:58:37,000 --> 00:58:40,120 Speaker 9: lot of caution because of just the severity of all this. 1144 00:58:41,240 --> 00:58:45,200 Speaker 9: So someone like Kyle Kuzma has to play offensively well, 1145 00:58:45,240 --> 00:58:48,520 Speaker 9: but also it cuts both ways. Defensively, they got to 1146 00:58:48,560 --> 00:58:51,840 Speaker 9: make stops because not only does that slow down Indiana, 1147 00:58:51,880 --> 00:58:55,360 Speaker 9: but that really enables the Bucks to have a balanced 1148 00:58:55,440 --> 00:58:59,200 Speaker 9: offense because they can get out in transition, they can 1149 00:58:59,200 --> 00:59:02,120 Speaker 9: get guys open looks that aren't named. Be honest, but 1150 00:59:02,200 --> 00:59:04,560 Speaker 9: when you're not making stops or are commanding a lot 1151 00:59:04,560 --> 00:59:07,440 Speaker 9: of turnovers, you shoot yourself in the foot like that. 1152 00:59:07,760 --> 00:59:09,880 Speaker 9: And that was just a tough game to watch for 1153 00:59:09,960 --> 00:59:11,400 Speaker 9: Milwaukee's own mark. 1154 00:59:11,480 --> 00:59:15,160 Speaker 2: How critical is this postseason for the NBA? And the 1155 00:59:15,240 --> 00:59:18,040 Speaker 2: reason I asked that question is the league's been under 1156 00:59:18,080 --> 00:59:20,800 Speaker 2: a lot of criticism this year. You have Adam Silver, 1157 00:59:20,960 --> 00:59:23,680 Speaker 2: the commissioner, shooting back of the media, is saying, well, 1158 00:59:23,840 --> 00:59:26,520 Speaker 2: we get more negative coverage from the media than any 1159 00:59:26,520 --> 00:59:29,440 Speaker 2: other sport, And of course my answer to him is, well, 1160 00:59:29,480 --> 00:59:33,560 Speaker 2: then do something about it. You're the commissioner, figure it out. Obviously, 1161 00:59:33,600 --> 00:59:35,800 Speaker 2: allowing the Lakers to steal donc it was a good 1162 00:59:35,840 --> 00:59:39,320 Speaker 2: way to get the you know, people eyeballs on the NBA. 1163 00:59:39,440 --> 00:59:42,920 Speaker 2: But but how critical is it for the NBA to 1164 00:59:43,040 --> 00:59:48,200 Speaker 2: have entertaining, long running series, competitive series, you know where 1165 00:59:48,240 --> 00:59:51,280 Speaker 2: people you know are buzzing about the NBA playoffs. It 1166 00:59:51,360 --> 00:59:53,600 Speaker 2: just seems to me like this year is a very 1167 00:59:53,640 --> 00:59:57,320 Speaker 2: critical year for them to get some noise, especially out 1168 00:59:57,320 --> 00:59:59,960 Speaker 2: of these early rounds of the playoffs, so that by 1169 01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:02,000 Speaker 2: so the time we get to the finals, everyone is 1170 01:00:02,120 --> 01:00:04,160 Speaker 2: fully focused on the NBA. 1171 01:00:05,640 --> 01:00:08,480 Speaker 9: Yeah, I agree with you. Now my coveyat is the 1172 01:00:08,640 --> 01:00:12,520 Speaker 9: NBA is in great financial shape, hence the media right steal. 1173 01:00:13,000 --> 01:00:15,880 Speaker 9: But I think from a viewership standpoint and the fact 1174 01:00:15,880 --> 01:00:19,240 Speaker 9: that a lot of the focus around the NBA, some 1175 01:00:19,400 --> 01:00:22,480 Speaker 9: of it, you know, because of just the way audience 1176 01:00:22,560 --> 01:00:26,360 Speaker 9: reacts to things, some of us keeping low hanging fruit topics, 1177 01:00:26,920 --> 01:00:29,800 Speaker 9: you know, regurgitating. A lot of the focus is away 1178 01:00:29,840 --> 01:00:33,960 Speaker 9: from the game itself. And sometimes there's an understandable reason 1179 01:00:34,040 --> 01:00:36,640 Speaker 9: for that, because the regular season doesn't have the same 1180 01:00:37,240 --> 01:00:41,360 Speaker 9: kind of compelling attention that the playoffs get, so you 1181 01:00:41,440 --> 01:00:43,920 Speaker 9: want the focus to be on the court. I know 1182 01:00:43,960 --> 01:00:48,280 Speaker 9: there's always debates about the eras. I feel like, you know, 1183 01:00:48,600 --> 01:00:51,480 Speaker 9: what's lost in this current generation is even if there's 1184 01:00:51,600 --> 01:00:55,280 Speaker 9: legitimate criticism about load management. Who you blame. There's a 1185 01:00:55,280 --> 01:00:59,480 Speaker 9: lot of skill in today's NBA that should be celebrated, 1186 01:00:59,520 --> 01:01:02,960 Speaker 9: but it should be celebrated when there's a good product 1187 01:01:03,000 --> 01:01:06,240 Speaker 9: on the floor. And so I think the challenging part 1188 01:01:06,280 --> 01:01:09,600 Speaker 9: about this, Steve, is all things are true, there's legitimate 1189 01:01:09,600 --> 01:01:13,520 Speaker 9: criticisms about all these things. But what's very important with 1190 01:01:13,560 --> 01:01:15,960 Speaker 9: the playoffs You've got to have competitive games, you got 1191 01:01:15,960 --> 01:01:18,280 Speaker 9: to have stars rise to the moment, and you have 1192 01:01:18,400 --> 01:01:21,320 Speaker 9: to be giving fans a reason to talk about the 1193 01:01:21,360 --> 01:01:24,520 Speaker 9: games as opposed to everything else. So it's not going 1194 01:01:24,560 --> 01:01:27,720 Speaker 9: to make or break the NBA from a business standpoint, 1195 01:01:27,760 --> 01:01:31,680 Speaker 9: they're fined, But when it comes to talking about the games, yes, 1196 01:01:31,760 --> 01:01:35,080 Speaker 9: this is a huge opportunity, not only for some of 1197 01:01:35,080 --> 01:01:37,760 Speaker 9: the familiar stars that we're talking about Lebron James and 1198 01:01:37,800 --> 01:01:40,760 Speaker 9: Steph Curry and Luca Dodgers to have big games, but 1199 01:01:40,840 --> 01:01:43,520 Speaker 9: some of the younger stars as well. So we'll wait 1200 01:01:43,520 --> 01:01:44,760 Speaker 9: and see, well day. 1201 01:01:44,680 --> 01:01:48,240 Speaker 2: One have a two month journey through these NBA playoffs 1202 01:01:48,480 --> 01:01:51,360 Speaker 2: before we emerge with an NBA champion. Mark great stuff. 1203 01:01:51,360 --> 01:01:53,760 Speaker 2: As always, Well, check in with you next week. 1204 01:01:54,240 --> 01:01:57,080 Speaker 9: Steve, Rian appreciate you and Steve looking forward to the 1205 01:01:57,120 --> 01:01:58,560 Speaker 9: next conspiracy. 1206 01:01:58,640 --> 01:02:01,160 Speaker 2: I got so many of them, so many of them. 1207 01:02:01,320 --> 01:02:03,560 Speaker 2: I get fed by people all the time with their 1208 01:02:03,560 --> 01:02:06,640 Speaker 2: conspiracy theories. Mark, thanks so much. There is Mark Mendina, 1209 01:02:06,720 --> 01:02:10,800 Speaker 2: our NBA insider. By the way, Fox Sports Radios Draft 1210 01:02:10,920 --> 01:02:12,960 Speaker 2: Night Live through the first round of the Draft on 1211 01:02:13,080 --> 01:02:16,120 Speaker 2: Thursday night is brought to buy Dollars Shave Club, your 1212 01:02:16,120 --> 01:02:18,440 Speaker 2: place to get everything you need to stay smooth and 1213 01:02:18,680 --> 01:02:22,480 Speaker 2: smell great. Visit Dollars Shave club dot com slash Draft 1214 01:02:22,520 --> 01:02:25,160 Speaker 2: and use the promo code Draft for twenty percent off 1215 01:02:25,160 --> 01:02:27,960 Speaker 2: your order of twenty dollars or more plus free shipping. 1216 01:02:28,200 --> 01:02:30,960 Speaker 2: That's Dollars Shave club dot Com slash Draft, and be 1217 01:02:31,040 --> 01:02:34,080 Speaker 2: sure to tune in to Fox Sports Radios Draft Night Live, 1218 01:02:34,160 --> 01:02:37,520 Speaker 2: which is Thursday night, APM Eastern through the first round 1219 01:02:37,560 --> 01:02:41,080 Speaker 2: of the draft. Insider Jay Glazer, former Jets general manager 1220 01:02:41,200 --> 01:02:44,840 Speaker 2: Joe Douglas, college football Hall of Famer LeVar Arrington, and 1221 01:02:44,920 --> 01:02:49,280 Speaker 2: Fox Sports lead college football reporter Jenny taff will have 1222 01:02:49,320 --> 01:02:52,760 Speaker 2: you covered for all thirty two picks with predictions and reactions. 1223 01:02:52,760 --> 01:02:55,840 Speaker 2: That's Thursday, APM Eastern throughout the first round of the 1224 01:02:55,920 --> 01:02:58,120 Speaker 2: draft live right here on Fox Sports radio and with 1225 01:02:58,200 --> 01:03:02,440 Speaker 2: a live video simocast on the Fox Sports Radio YouTube page, 1226 01:03:02,480 --> 01:03:05,280 Speaker 2: brought to you by Dollar Shaved Club. All right, let's 1227 01:03:05,280 --> 01:03:08,919 Speaker 2: find out what is trending right now, Martin. We got 1228 01:03:08,920 --> 01:03:11,760 Speaker 2: another competitive playoff game going on right now. 1229 01:03:11,840 --> 01:03:15,480 Speaker 8: Right Martin Vagini was just talking about the NBA playoffs 1230 01:03:15,520 --> 01:03:18,919 Speaker 8: need to deliver, stars need to arrive. Well, I don't 1231 01:03:18,920 --> 01:03:21,600 Speaker 8: know about the stars of this matchup so far, but 1232 01:03:22,000 --> 01:03:24,920 Speaker 8: this game has been delivering fifty seven to fifty five 1233 01:03:25,000 --> 01:03:27,520 Speaker 8: the score at the half, the Knicks in the lead 1234 01:03:27,600 --> 01:03:29,800 Speaker 8: the home team in a three to six matchup on 1235 01:03:29,840 --> 01:03:33,360 Speaker 8: the Eastern Conference side of things. The leading score in 1236 01:03:33,480 --> 01:03:37,280 Speaker 8: this game Tobias Harris seven for ten from the floor, 1237 01:03:37,360 --> 01:03:41,200 Speaker 8: four five from three for twenty two points. Cade Cunningham 1238 01:03:41,200 --> 01:03:43,840 Speaker 8: struggling shooting the ball three for ten from the floor 1239 01:03:43,880 --> 01:03:47,200 Speaker 8: for six points, but he does have six assists. Jalen 1240 01:03:47,240 --> 01:03:50,520 Speaker 8: Brunton four for fifteen, one for three. He's got eleven 1241 01:03:50,600 --> 01:03:53,280 Speaker 8: points and three says, like I said, the Stars having 1242 01:03:53,320 --> 01:03:55,640 Speaker 8: a tough time here. Og Nanobi though filling it up. 1243 01:03:55,680 --> 01:03:59,120 Speaker 8: He's got nineteen first half points. Carn Anthony Towns with ten. 1244 01:03:59,560 --> 01:04:02,480 Speaker 8: Earlier in the day, we saw the Denver Nuggets beat 1245 01:04:02,520 --> 01:04:05,600 Speaker 8: the Los Angeles Clippers one twelve to one ten in overtime. 1246 01:04:05,920 --> 01:04:09,360 Speaker 8: The Nuggets with a second half comeback here being led 1247 01:04:09,400 --> 01:04:12,640 Speaker 8: by Jokic with twenty nine points, nine rebounds twelve assists 1248 01:04:12,640 --> 01:04:15,640 Speaker 8: for a double double. Aaron Gordon finished with twenty five, 1249 01:04:15,720 --> 01:04:18,400 Speaker 8: Jamal Murray with twenty one. Michael Porter Junior had a 1250 01:04:18,440 --> 01:04:21,720 Speaker 8: rough day, only shot four times, only played twenty six minutes, 1251 01:04:21,760 --> 01:04:24,720 Speaker 8: had three points. James Harden led the Clippers and scoring 1252 01:04:24,760 --> 01:04:27,800 Speaker 8: with thirty two points, Leonard twenty two, and Zubox had 1253 01:04:27,840 --> 01:04:31,520 Speaker 8: twenty one in the earlier game. Today, the Pacers pounded 1254 01:04:31,560 --> 01:04:35,560 Speaker 8: the Bucks one seventeen to ninety eight. Giannis had thirty 1255 01:04:35,560 --> 01:04:37,840 Speaker 8: six of those ninety eight points, but no other Buck 1256 01:04:37,880 --> 01:04:38,360 Speaker 8: had more. 1257 01:04:38,240 --> 01:04:39,760 Speaker 2: Than fifteen points. 1258 01:04:40,400 --> 01:04:43,960 Speaker 8: Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with twenty five, seven and 1259 01:04:44,280 --> 01:04:46,840 Speaker 8: seven and in the NHL with ten to fifteen lefts 1260 01:04:46,840 --> 01:04:48,840 Speaker 8: in the second period. The Saint Louis Blues have a 1261 01:04:48,840 --> 01:04:52,000 Speaker 8: three to two lead over the Winnipeg Jets. Steven Ryan, 1262 01:04:52,160 --> 01:04:53,880 Speaker 8: who back to you guys. 1263 01:04:53,800 --> 01:04:56,960 Speaker 2: Vibe busy day. Indeed, it's going to be a very 1264 01:04:57,000 --> 01:04:58,439 Speaker 2: busy time coming up here. 1265 01:04:58,600 --> 01:04:58,760 Speaker 3: Yeah. 1266 01:04:58,800 --> 01:05:01,080 Speaker 2: I just throw in the NFL raft on top of 1267 01:05:01,120 --> 01:05:04,600 Speaker 2: everything else, so crazy times. Love it, absolutely love every 1268 01:05:04,640 --> 01:05:07,600 Speaker 2: minute Here on the Sports World Fox Sports Saturday, Steve Harmy, 1269 01:05:07,680 --> 01:05:09,960 Speaker 2: Ryan Hollins with you live from the tire rack dot 1270 01:05:10,000 --> 01:05:12,720 Speaker 2: Com studios. Hey, don't forget out. The show podcast is 1271 01:05:12,760 --> 01:05:14,600 Speaker 2: going up, So if you missed any of today's show, 1272 01:05:14,960 --> 01:05:17,560 Speaker 2: check out the podcast. Just search Fox Sports Radio wherever 1273 01:05:17,600 --> 01:05:21,160 Speaker 2: you get your podcasts, then follow review the podcasts. In fact, 1274 01:05:21,280 --> 01:05:24,080 Speaker 2: just give it five stars. Yeah I know again, Just 1275 01:05:24,120 --> 01:05:26,760 Speaker 2: search Fox Sports Radio wherever we get your podcasts. You'll 1276 01:05:26,760 --> 01:05:30,200 Speaker 2: see today's show posted right after we get off the air. 1277 01:05:30,440 --> 01:05:32,480 Speaker 2: So it's been a while rn since we did shows 1278 01:05:32,520 --> 01:05:36,680 Speaker 2: together and now you've been like this TV analyst for 1279 01:05:36,720 --> 01:05:39,440 Speaker 2: the Houston Rockets. How's that been for the last few years? 1280 01:05:40,040 --> 01:05:43,800 Speaker 3: Man, it's been a blessing in having a blast And 1281 01:05:44,760 --> 01:05:47,880 Speaker 3: this is one of the funnest seasons that the Houston 1282 01:05:47,960 --> 01:05:52,360 Speaker 3: Rockets have probably ever had because it's an organization not 1283 01:05:52,480 --> 01:05:56,600 Speaker 3: used to rebuilding. Okay, this is like a new word. Okay, 1284 01:05:56,680 --> 01:05:59,240 Speaker 3: not to just have greatness on the floor or to 1285 01:05:59,320 --> 01:06:02,720 Speaker 3: be competitive every year. And then you get the chance 1286 01:06:02,720 --> 01:06:06,440 Speaker 3: to watch these kids grow up post James Harden. So 1287 01:06:07,120 --> 01:06:10,000 Speaker 3: it's been a blast. The team is ahead of schedule, 1288 01:06:10,560 --> 01:06:13,680 Speaker 3: and again you can tell that it's a group that 1289 01:06:13,800 --> 01:06:17,240 Speaker 3: really enjoys themselves. A coaching staff is that has done 1290 01:06:17,280 --> 01:06:22,440 Speaker 3: an unbelievable job. And now you're looking at arguably the 1291 01:06:22,440 --> 01:06:25,640 Speaker 3: most competitive season that the NBA has ever had from 1292 01:06:25,680 --> 01:06:29,720 Speaker 3: top to bottom, those competitive Western Conference ever, and the 1293 01:06:29,840 --> 01:06:32,680 Speaker 3: Houston Rockets are two seed. If you told me that, 1294 01:06:33,400 --> 01:06:36,120 Speaker 3: if I told you Houston would be a two seed 1295 01:06:36,120 --> 01:06:38,640 Speaker 3: coming into the season, you tell me I was crazy. 1296 01:06:38,680 --> 01:06:42,560 Speaker 3: But Imo Ludoka and those kids have just put it together, 1297 01:06:42,640 --> 01:06:43,520 Speaker 3: one brick at a time. 1298 01:06:43,720 --> 01:06:47,120 Speaker 2: Well and again we asked this question to Mark of 1299 01:06:47,720 --> 01:06:49,920 Speaker 2: you know your top two seeds in the West. I mean, 1300 01:06:50,840 --> 01:06:54,920 Speaker 2: Oklahoma City won sixty eight games this year. Sixty eight games. 1301 01:06:55,040 --> 01:06:57,920 Speaker 2: It's one of the greatest regular seasons in the history 1302 01:06:57,920 --> 01:06:59,960 Speaker 2: of the NBA. Let me ask you a question here. 1303 01:07:00,120 --> 01:07:01,800 Speaker 2: I don't know if you have a vote, but if 1304 01:07:01,800 --> 01:07:04,920 Speaker 2: you had to vote for MVP of the NBA, do 1305 01:07:05,000 --> 01:07:08,000 Speaker 2: you go with Shay Gilges Alexander or you look at 1306 01:07:08,080 --> 01:07:10,600 Speaker 2: Jokicic and the fact that he's the first big ever 1307 01:07:10,680 --> 01:07:15,440 Speaker 2: to average a triple double, first player ever to actually 1308 01:07:15,480 --> 01:07:18,480 Speaker 2: finish top three in the league in points per game, 1309 01:07:18,560 --> 01:07:21,600 Speaker 2: rebounds per game, and assists per game. Which way would 1310 01:07:21,640 --> 01:07:23,120 Speaker 2: you lean As far as. 1311 01:07:23,160 --> 01:07:28,960 Speaker 3: MVP, Jokich is the best player, but Shay's the MVP 1312 01:07:29,200 --> 01:07:35,080 Speaker 3: because of his team's success. Now forgive me, because MVP 1313 01:07:35,280 --> 01:07:38,680 Speaker 3: doesn't mean MVP. We moved the goalpost on it, and 1314 01:07:39,520 --> 01:07:42,080 Speaker 3: Jokich very well should be. But if we look at 1315 01:07:42,080 --> 01:07:45,400 Speaker 3: the history of the award, the best player did not 1316 01:07:45,560 --> 01:07:48,720 Speaker 3: always get it. Michael Jordan was the best player, didn't 1317 01:07:48,720 --> 01:07:51,480 Speaker 3: get it every year. Lebron James was the best player 1318 01:07:51,480 --> 01:07:54,840 Speaker 3: in the league unanimously, did not get it every year. 1319 01:07:55,560 --> 01:08:00,440 Speaker 3: And it's a team award along with a seasonal Kalaid 1320 01:08:00,720 --> 01:08:04,640 Speaker 3: and for Shay, Gilgess, Alexander and the jump that Okac 1321 01:08:04,760 --> 01:08:08,959 Speaker 3: has made, the way that they've played, I mean they've 1322 01:08:08,960 --> 01:08:13,280 Speaker 3: been they've been on fire Man, So again, well deserved. 1323 01:08:13,320 --> 01:08:15,760 Speaker 3: It's going to go to Shay for those reasons. But 1324 01:08:15,920 --> 01:08:18,800 Speaker 3: Jokic is the best player, but his team has not 1325 01:08:18,920 --> 01:08:19,960 Speaker 3: had the success. 1326 01:08:20,280 --> 01:08:22,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, I have a problem with that. 1327 01:08:22,200 --> 01:08:22,400 Speaker 3: Now. 1328 01:08:22,560 --> 01:08:24,400 Speaker 2: One thing I like with the NFL, and I agree 1329 01:08:24,400 --> 01:08:28,240 Speaker 2: one hundred percent everything you're saying here, Ryan, But I 1330 01:08:28,320 --> 01:08:30,840 Speaker 2: like the NFL because they have the MVP Award and 1331 01:08:30,880 --> 01:08:34,320 Speaker 2: then they have separate Offensive Player of the year, Defensive 1332 01:08:34,320 --> 01:08:38,160 Speaker 2: Player of the Year, and so in those cases, you 1333 01:08:38,320 --> 01:08:41,000 Speaker 2: reward someone that's got the numbers. You know, it could 1334 01:08:41,040 --> 01:08:43,360 Speaker 2: be a running back, it's been a wide receiver, it 1335 01:08:43,360 --> 01:08:47,080 Speaker 2: could be a quarterback if he's got ridiculously good numbers. 1336 01:08:47,439 --> 01:08:52,400 Speaker 2: But MVP is a different award, And so I like 1337 01:08:52,479 --> 01:08:55,799 Speaker 2: that because you're right, how do you define most valuable? 1338 01:08:55,960 --> 01:08:59,840 Speaker 2: Baseball's had this problem for years where sometimes they'll select 1339 01:08:59,840 --> 01:09:02,479 Speaker 2: a because he just has big numbers and they ignore 1340 01:09:02,520 --> 01:09:05,320 Speaker 2: where his team finished. And there are other times will 1341 01:09:05,320 --> 01:09:07,400 Speaker 2: pick a guy that maybe didn't have the numbers, but 1342 01:09:07,439 --> 01:09:11,280 Speaker 2: his team won, maybe they made an unexpected run early 1343 01:09:11,280 --> 01:09:13,320 Speaker 2: in the year. Again, these are regular season awards. By 1344 01:09:13,320 --> 01:09:16,320 Speaker 2: the way, I have no problem with these awards being 1345 01:09:16,360 --> 01:09:20,160 Speaker 2: a regular season because you do have separate postseason awards. 1346 01:09:20,439 --> 01:09:23,160 Speaker 2: I mean, what is more important ultimately when you look 1347 01:09:23,200 --> 01:09:29,639 Speaker 2: at a guy's resume, regular season MVP or NBA Finals MVP. 1348 01:09:30,200 --> 01:09:32,679 Speaker 2: I mean, we just saw Chauncey Billups get into the 1349 01:09:32,720 --> 01:09:36,000 Speaker 2: Hall of Fame. You know, he was an NBA Finals MVP. 1350 01:09:36,360 --> 01:09:39,400 Speaker 2: He was never in the discussion for a regular season MVP. 1351 01:09:40,000 --> 01:09:43,440 Speaker 2: So I don't have a problem with separating the two awards. 1352 01:09:43,800 --> 01:09:47,240 Speaker 2: But the idea, as you say of recognizing YO two. 1353 01:09:47,280 --> 01:09:49,439 Speaker 2: I mean, it was just ridiculous. Im Jordan's should have 1354 01:09:49,439 --> 01:09:53,400 Speaker 2: been MVP eight times, ten times, you know. And Lebron 1355 01:09:53,520 --> 01:09:55,840 Speaker 2: James he won four out of five years. He hasn't 1356 01:09:55,880 --> 01:10:00,840 Speaker 2: won an MVP award in ten years, ten years. It's 1357 01:10:00,920 --> 01:10:04,400 Speaker 2: just I don't know, just it is frustrating. But like 1358 01:10:04,439 --> 01:10:07,280 Speaker 2: you say, usually goes to the best player on whatever 1359 01:10:07,320 --> 01:10:09,160 Speaker 2: team had the best record in the regular season. 1360 01:10:09,840 --> 01:10:13,160 Speaker 3: I love what you just said though about the NBA 1361 01:10:13,479 --> 01:10:16,559 Speaker 3: adding awards. Yeah, and I don't know how you feel 1362 01:10:16,600 --> 01:10:18,920 Speaker 3: about this, but you know, a couple of times I 1363 01:10:18,920 --> 01:10:21,919 Speaker 3: almost feel like the Defensive Player of the Year award 1364 01:10:22,640 --> 01:10:27,000 Speaker 3: is almost that extra award. And some were saying and 1365 01:10:27,080 --> 01:10:29,240 Speaker 3: if you look at the numbers and it comes with 1366 01:10:29,280 --> 01:10:32,400 Speaker 3: the name. Also, because it's defensive player is pretty subjective. 1367 01:10:32,439 --> 01:10:36,200 Speaker 3: You can play unbelievable defense, Steve and not guess that, 1368 01:10:36,920 --> 01:10:40,000 Speaker 3: or you can be okay and your teammates can help 1369 01:10:40,040 --> 01:10:43,519 Speaker 3: you out. And it's one that the players know. Other 1370 01:10:43,600 --> 01:10:45,799 Speaker 3: than that, it's kind of the way that it's pushed 1371 01:10:45,840 --> 01:10:48,320 Speaker 3: onto you like a narrative. For instance, Mark gasol got 1372 01:10:48,360 --> 01:10:50,880 Speaker 3: I love Mark, former teammate of mine, and we searched 1373 01:10:50,920 --> 01:10:54,280 Speaker 3: him out and pick and roll every time. Rudy Gobert 1374 01:10:54,400 --> 01:10:56,960 Speaker 3: has won it multiple times because you can see the 1375 01:10:57,040 --> 01:10:59,800 Speaker 3: analytics when he can test shots are the off the 1376 01:11:00,640 --> 01:11:03,040 Speaker 3: but he's a great shot contester. But he's a guy 1377 01:11:03,600 --> 01:11:06,760 Speaker 3: in the playoffs or in games you pick on him. 1378 01:11:07,320 --> 01:11:09,800 Speaker 3: Teams have picked on Rudy Gobert and had success. Not 1379 01:11:09,840 --> 01:11:13,800 Speaker 3: to say that he's not really good defensively, but there 1380 01:11:13,840 --> 01:11:16,439 Speaker 3: are some holes you know that you could argue that 1381 01:11:16,479 --> 01:11:18,559 Speaker 3: are in his game. But he's an excellent shot blocker 1382 01:11:18,680 --> 01:11:21,679 Speaker 3: in a scheme. So I almost feel like the Defensive 1383 01:11:21,680 --> 01:11:24,320 Speaker 3: Player of the Year is one subjective and that's one 1384 01:11:24,360 --> 01:11:27,600 Speaker 3: that you know, some people are saying Shay should have that, 1385 01:11:28,240 --> 01:11:31,559 Speaker 3: but they also don't realize lou Dort cards the other 1386 01:11:31,600 --> 01:11:35,519 Speaker 3: team's best defender. But his numbers are pretty ridiculous on 1387 01:11:35,560 --> 01:11:38,479 Speaker 3: the defensive end because you know, he's he's a kind 1388 01:11:38,479 --> 01:11:41,639 Speaker 3: of he's a poor man shot blocker, Like he blocks 1389 01:11:41,680 --> 01:11:44,640 Speaker 3: a lot of shots, he gets steals. He makes an 1390 01:11:44,720 --> 01:11:46,080 Speaker 3: impact defensively too. 1391 01:11:47,280 --> 01:11:50,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, I get I get frustrated with Defensive 1392 01:11:50,640 --> 01:11:52,640 Speaker 2: Player of the Year. I was excited a couple of 1393 01:11:52,680 --> 01:11:55,360 Speaker 2: years ago that Marcus Smart won it. You know, it 1394 01:11:55,439 --> 01:11:57,920 Speaker 2: usually goes to a center. You know, it seems to 1395 01:11:57,960 --> 01:12:01,320 Speaker 2: be but the game has changed so drumatically, you know, 1396 01:12:01,479 --> 01:12:04,040 Speaker 2: just following up what you know we were talking about, 1397 01:12:04,120 --> 01:12:07,880 Speaker 2: you know, the criticism that the commissioner Adam Silver's had 1398 01:12:08,040 --> 01:12:10,720 Speaker 2: to the media for all the negative coverage. I mean, 1399 01:12:10,760 --> 01:12:13,559 Speaker 2: you're you're around this sport now full season. You know, 1400 01:12:13,880 --> 01:12:17,760 Speaker 2: as an analyst, you're covering NBA basketball all the way 1401 01:12:17,760 --> 01:12:19,800 Speaker 2: through the season, so you've seen a lot of it 1402 01:12:20,400 --> 01:12:23,439 Speaker 2: over the years along with your playing years. Do you 1403 01:12:23,479 --> 01:12:27,240 Speaker 2: feel the NBA has got a pr problem? Is it 1404 01:12:27,280 --> 01:12:30,240 Speaker 2: a style of play problem? Is it a commitment from 1405 01:12:30,280 --> 01:12:32,920 Speaker 2: the players to give their all night in and night out. 1406 01:12:33,400 --> 01:12:37,880 Speaker 2: Or is this completely overblown by certain members of the 1407 01:12:37,920 --> 01:12:40,519 Speaker 2: media that the NBA is in a crisis right now? 1408 01:12:42,080 --> 01:12:46,439 Speaker 3: Steve, there's a little bit of truth in every lie. 1409 01:12:46,439 --> 01:12:49,720 Speaker 3: I'm gonna start with that. And Steve, you know this. 1410 01:12:50,360 --> 01:12:55,439 Speaker 3: You know from your experience in the media that had 1411 01:12:55,479 --> 01:13:01,439 Speaker 3: I put this, lukewarm doesn't sell tickets, right, Lukewarm doesn't 1412 01:13:01,960 --> 01:13:08,680 Speaker 3: put butts in seats. Polarizing figures do that. Okay, controversy 1413 01:13:09,280 --> 01:13:15,040 Speaker 3: does that. And right now the NBA Twitter is probably 1414 01:13:15,080 --> 01:13:18,080 Speaker 3: one of the most toxic things you can see on 1415 01:13:18,160 --> 01:13:22,040 Speaker 3: the planet right now, and that's where the popularity is. 1416 01:13:22,600 --> 01:13:27,519 Speaker 3: And our role players, you know by name. When you 1417 01:13:27,680 --> 01:13:33,840 Speaker 3: get to an NFL team, name the you know, name 1418 01:13:33,840 --> 01:13:38,599 Speaker 3: the third string quarterback, name the backup, name the offensive lineman. 1419 01:13:39,120 --> 01:13:42,160 Speaker 3: If this were the NFL, our offensive lineman can hit 1420 01:13:42,200 --> 01:13:45,439 Speaker 3: the front page. They got notoriety, they got you know, 1421 01:13:45,560 --> 01:13:49,599 Speaker 3: all the you know, the the accolades. You know, they're known, 1422 01:13:49,800 --> 01:13:55,360 Speaker 3: they are prestigious figures. So the popularity of the NBA 1423 01:13:55,600 --> 01:13:59,400 Speaker 3: comes within the controversy, but it also in that same 1424 01:13:59,439 --> 01:14:04,519 Speaker 3: tokens the no lie It hurts the NBA because you 1425 01:14:04,720 --> 01:14:10,160 Speaker 3: have people going out and players going out, and there's 1426 01:14:10,200 --> 01:14:13,559 Speaker 3: a difference. It's the goalpost moves we talked earlier about, 1427 01:14:13,840 --> 01:14:18,200 Speaker 3: you know, MVP movie. The goal post moves where someone 1428 01:14:18,320 --> 01:14:21,680 Speaker 3: will be wrong or a little too critical or you know, 1429 01:14:21,840 --> 01:14:25,200 Speaker 3: maybe you know, disrespectful of a player outside of the 1430 01:14:25,240 --> 01:14:29,519 Speaker 3: realm of what you might think is okay, and it 1431 01:14:29,520 --> 01:14:33,479 Speaker 3: can actually hurt a player's money or popularity, or the 1432 01:14:33,600 --> 01:14:37,360 Speaker 3: narrative may not be properly explained. And then you see 1433 01:14:37,400 --> 01:14:40,120 Speaker 3: a bit of a it's a it's a pissing popularity 1434 01:14:40,120 --> 01:14:42,840 Speaker 3: context for kid my language, Steve, But you get a 1435 01:14:42,880 --> 01:14:45,840 Speaker 3: lot of that and that hurts the game. And we're 1436 01:14:45,880 --> 01:14:50,240 Speaker 3: seeing it far, far too much in sports. Excuse me 1437 01:14:50,240 --> 01:14:51,560 Speaker 3: in the NBA. 1438 01:14:51,160 --> 01:14:54,240 Speaker 2: Well, I think one hundred percent. You need villains, you 1439 01:14:54,280 --> 01:14:57,000 Speaker 2: need heroes. You know, when you think of the classic 1440 01:14:57,160 --> 01:15:00,400 Speaker 2: Lakers Celtic matchup in the eighties, it had every, it 1441 01:15:00,479 --> 01:15:05,000 Speaker 2: had everything. You look at this Celtics team, I'll be 1442 01:15:05,080 --> 01:15:07,720 Speaker 2: I'll be honestly, as great a player as he is, 1443 01:15:07,920 --> 01:15:12,479 Speaker 2: Jason Tatum is boring. He's a boring player. You know, 1444 01:15:12,560 --> 01:15:16,439 Speaker 2: he's a he's an outstanding guy, but he doesn't move 1445 01:15:16,479 --> 01:15:19,000 Speaker 2: the needle. And so that's that's a. 1446 01:15:18,920 --> 01:15:22,080 Speaker 3: Big part of air it air that he gets hurt 1447 01:15:22,120 --> 01:15:22,680 Speaker 3: because of that. 1448 01:15:22,880 --> 01:15:26,160 Speaker 2: Well, I don't know it just it's again, why did 1449 01:15:26,240 --> 01:15:29,520 Speaker 2: Caitlin Clark and Angel Rees move the needle for wounds basketball? 1450 01:15:30,080 --> 01:15:34,439 Speaker 2: Because you know, Agean Rees was brilliant, she understood there's 1451 01:15:34,479 --> 01:15:36,840 Speaker 2: a ying to the yang here, I'm gonna I'm gonna 1452 01:15:36,920 --> 01:15:38,840 Speaker 2: play this up. And all of a sudden, they're getting 1453 01:15:38,880 --> 01:15:41,800 Speaker 2: all this attention and Jason Tatum just being a great 1454 01:15:41,840 --> 01:15:45,240 Speaker 2: player isn't enough. You need to have some kind of edge, 1455 01:15:45,560 --> 01:15:47,920 Speaker 2: and that's what's missing right now. From the NBA. All right, 1456 01:15:47,920 --> 01:15:50,000 Speaker 2: coming up on the other side, we'll get Ryan's pick 1457 01:15:50,360 --> 01:15:52,800 Speaker 2: which teams will move on to the next round of 1458 01:15:52,840 --> 01:15:58,519 Speaker 2: the playoffs. This is Fox Sports Saturday, Steve Harvey, Ryan Hollins. 1459 01:15:58,520 --> 01:16:01,760 Speaker 2: Here Fox Sports Saturday, were coming live from the tyraq 1460 01:16:02,120 --> 01:16:04,559 Speaker 2: dot com studios. I want to thank our crew today. 1461 01:16:04,600 --> 01:16:07,360 Speaker 2: Martin doing a trend of job on updates. It's getting 1462 01:16:07,360 --> 01:16:11,200 Speaker 2: ready for his show coming up here. Mary Mack brilliant 1463 01:16:11,200 --> 01:16:15,519 Speaker 2: on the board as usual in our esteemed rising star producer, 1464 01:16:15,600 --> 01:16:20,360 Speaker 2: Ian doing well. Ian, How disappointed were you that Houston 1465 01:16:20,400 --> 01:16:23,559 Speaker 2: lost that championship game in the NCA tournament. Weren't you 1466 01:16:23,600 --> 01:16:25,600 Speaker 2: writing Houston all the way to the championship? 1467 01:16:25,640 --> 01:16:29,240 Speaker 10: I was, But but our guy Scott Shapiro, shout out Scott. 1468 01:16:29,280 --> 01:16:31,439 Speaker 10: He actually had to crush my dreams going into it 1469 01:16:31,479 --> 01:16:33,960 Speaker 10: because it turned out I didn't have a chance going 1470 01:16:34,000 --> 01:16:36,000 Speaker 10: into the game because Frostburg had clinched it. 1471 01:16:36,160 --> 01:16:40,080 Speaker 2: Oh boy, Justin and l Rag another guy that started 1472 01:16:40,080 --> 01:16:43,360 Speaker 2: off with me, the great Justin Prosper. All right, Ryan, 1473 01:16:43,840 --> 01:16:46,280 Speaker 2: let's talk about ultimately who's going to move on into 1474 01:16:46,320 --> 01:16:48,479 Speaker 2: the second round of the playoffs. Let's start with the 1475 01:16:48,520 --> 01:16:52,680 Speaker 2: series that started today. Obviously, the way the Pacers just 1476 01:16:52,720 --> 01:16:54,759 Speaker 2: beat up on the Bucks. Are they going to continue 1477 01:16:54,840 --> 01:16:57,160 Speaker 2: that or couldn't the Bucks come back to win this series? 1478 01:16:58,320 --> 01:17:01,640 Speaker 3: I really like the Pace and Steve. I know we 1479 01:17:01,720 --> 01:17:04,840 Speaker 3: didn't talk, but they were one of the teams that 1480 01:17:04,920 --> 01:17:08,479 Speaker 3: I had and I was amazed nobody was looking at 1481 01:17:08,680 --> 01:17:12,840 Speaker 3: and they are probably one of the most disrespected teams Steve. 1482 01:17:12,920 --> 01:17:16,760 Speaker 3: People forget they played in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. 1483 01:17:16,800 --> 01:17:20,800 Speaker 2: Yeah they did. Nobody remembers that. 1484 01:17:20,960 --> 01:17:21,800 Speaker 3: I'm nobody. 1485 01:17:21,920 --> 01:17:23,120 Speaker 2: Nobody remembers that. 1486 01:17:23,560 --> 01:17:23,760 Speaker 3: Yeah. 1487 01:17:23,760 --> 01:17:25,920 Speaker 2: If they look like they did today, that's going to 1488 01:17:25,960 --> 01:17:29,600 Speaker 2: be a short series. How about the Clips and the Nuggets. 1489 01:17:30,960 --> 01:17:38,519 Speaker 3: I'm torn there. Nikola jokicch is just something special, But 1490 01:17:40,080 --> 01:17:44,640 Speaker 3: I'm gonna laying with the Clippers because there's controversy with 1491 01:17:44,760 --> 01:17:49,559 Speaker 3: the Nuggets. The Nuggets haven't been great defensively. This is 1492 01:17:49,640 --> 01:17:51,840 Speaker 3: really hard for me to do, but I think I 1493 01:17:51,920 --> 01:17:54,280 Speaker 3: just think it's too much to overcome. You fire coach 1494 01:17:54,840 --> 01:18:00,280 Speaker 3: right before the playoffs and you're you're in a situations 1495 01:18:00,280 --> 01:18:03,639 Speaker 3: looking around and when things get tighter as the series 1496 01:18:03,720 --> 01:18:07,400 Speaker 3: goes on goes on, you don't have that backbone that 1497 01:18:07,479 --> 01:18:10,479 Speaker 3: you had in Mike Malone. And not to say that 1498 01:18:10,560 --> 01:18:14,600 Speaker 3: you couldn't have that, uh in Adelman. But at the 1499 01:18:14,720 --> 01:18:16,439 Speaker 3: end of the day, when you do it in the 1500 01:18:16,439 --> 01:18:19,040 Speaker 3: middle of the season, you gotta give them a better 1501 01:18:19,080 --> 01:18:20,800 Speaker 3: shot than that. You got to give the players a 1502 01:18:20,800 --> 01:18:23,679 Speaker 3: better shot. And I think the Clippers just got good 1503 01:18:23,720 --> 01:18:26,880 Speaker 3: mojo around them. They're peeking at the right time. As 1504 01:18:26,960 --> 01:18:29,920 Speaker 3: long as nothing unforeseen happens with Kawhi Leonard. 1505 01:18:29,840 --> 01:18:31,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, and that's a whole point. As long as Kawhi 1506 01:18:32,000 --> 01:18:33,960 Speaker 2: can stay in there, I agree with you. I like 1507 01:18:34,000 --> 01:18:34,720 Speaker 2: the clips there. 1508 01:18:34,800 --> 01:18:35,080 Speaker 3: All right. 1509 01:18:35,080 --> 01:18:38,240 Speaker 2: How about this game right now, Nicks and Pistons. Who's 1510 01:18:38,240 --> 01:18:39,080 Speaker 2: going to win this series? 1511 01:18:40,120 --> 01:18:45,280 Speaker 3: I like the Pistons. Man wowingham is box Office New 1512 01:18:45,360 --> 01:18:48,720 Speaker 3: York has struggled against all the best teams. They go 1513 01:18:48,920 --> 01:18:52,679 Speaker 3: check their record. They have struggled, and I don't trust 1514 01:18:52,720 --> 01:18:56,360 Speaker 3: their depth. And there's something hungry and physical and tough 1515 01:18:56,400 --> 01:18:59,960 Speaker 3: about these Pistons that I think this is poisoned. 1516 01:19:00,080 --> 01:19:03,240 Speaker 2: Right upset wo Okay, Lakers te Wolves, I think you're 1517 01:19:03,240 --> 01:19:05,840 Speaker 2: already on the record on that one. All right, the series, 1518 01:19:05,880 --> 01:19:08,240 Speaker 2: let's start tomorrow and I'll go with your series last. 1519 01:19:08,320 --> 01:19:10,360 Speaker 2: Let's go to the Grizzlyes Thunder series. 1520 01:19:11,280 --> 01:19:14,280 Speaker 3: I like the thunder. You're you're not gonna out Athletic. 1521 01:19:14,640 --> 01:19:18,479 Speaker 3: Uh them, You're not gonna out athletic. Okay, see they 1522 01:19:18,560 --> 01:19:23,240 Speaker 3: got too much good good rolling through and shaking match 1523 01:19:23,360 --> 01:19:25,960 Speaker 3: whatever joh does on that end. 1524 01:19:26,400 --> 01:19:28,920 Speaker 2: How about that Ja Moran follow up dunk yesterday? I 1525 01:19:29,040 --> 01:19:30,120 Speaker 2: thought that was God. 1526 01:19:30,200 --> 01:19:31,840 Speaker 3: That was just sick about when he threw it off 1527 01:19:31,840 --> 01:19:33,679 Speaker 3: the backboard to himself the game before. 1528 01:19:34,120 --> 01:19:37,360 Speaker 2: I thought he had a bad ankle. Magic Celtics should 1529 01:19:37,360 --> 01:19:39,080 Speaker 2: be a walkover, I would imagine there. 1530 01:19:39,600 --> 01:19:43,479 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, Steve, you never did that on a bad ankle. 1531 01:19:43,960 --> 01:19:48,040 Speaker 2: Uh. Heat calves can heat give the Calves any trouble there. 1532 01:19:48,280 --> 01:19:52,439 Speaker 3: They're gonna give them some trouble. Oh dang. You know what. 1533 01:19:53,439 --> 01:19:56,840 Speaker 2: By the way they years, they hear they say they 1534 01:19:56,960 --> 01:19:57,240 Speaker 2: made it. 1535 01:19:57,320 --> 01:20:00,160 Speaker 3: To the NBA, they have the heat upset them. I'm 1536 01:20:00,200 --> 01:20:01,880 Speaker 3: doing it out right now. The heat up set. 1537 01:20:02,000 --> 01:20:03,719 Speaker 2: Oh wow, that would be the ultimate. 1538 01:20:03,840 --> 01:20:04,839 Speaker 5: That would be the ultimate. 1539 01:20:05,240 --> 01:20:08,400 Speaker 2: And finally, your Rockets taking on the Warriors. Who's going 1540 01:20:08,439 --> 01:20:09,160 Speaker 2: to win that series? 1541 01:20:09,600 --> 01:20:12,400 Speaker 3: I go Rockets. They're too physical, too deep, too young, 1542 01:20:12,479 --> 01:20:14,960 Speaker 3: and eMate Ludoka is going to put the troops in 1543 01:20:15,000 --> 01:20:15,599 Speaker 3: the right spot. 1544 01:20:16,000 --> 01:20:19,080 Speaker 2: Wow. Well, hopefully we're going to get a very entertaining 1545 01:20:19,360 --> 01:20:22,760 Speaker 2: NBA playoff run Ryan, great job, as Zoway's great to 1546 01:20:22,920 --> 01:20:25,479 Speaker 2: catch up with you, ladies and gentlemen. Keep it right here. 1547 01:20:25,560 --> 01:20:27,519 Speaker 2: Mare coming up on Fox Sports Radio