1 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Favorites, the podcast from the Action Network. 2 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:17,200 Speaker 1: Gyam Chad Millman. We are coming out of All Star Break. 3 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: We are going into the second half of the NBA season. 4 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:24,800 Speaker 1: All Star Break was glorious. The All Star Game was amazing, 5 00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:26,640 Speaker 1: and I want to talk about that. We're going to 6 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: talk about Rookie of the Year race that are esteemed panelists, 7 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 1: maybe sweating those panelists. Justin Fan our director of betting 8 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: Analytics a k A. The Fan Wagon, a cult status, 9 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:44,560 Speaker 1: beloved NBA better Rob Perez a k A Worldwide Web 10 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: senior writer here at the Action Network, also Twitter phena. 11 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:54,680 Speaker 1: Matt Moore, longtime NBA writer, our senior NBA analyst. But first, 12 00:00:55,240 --> 00:01:01,400 Speaker 1: here's the main thing. The main thing fellas I got 13 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:05,160 Speaker 1: to explain the elm ending. So the elm ending. Originally 14 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 1: this was called the hybrid duration format. It was popularized 15 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:13,400 Speaker 1: by the Basketball Tournament, the summer tournament that has been 16 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:16,400 Speaker 1: going on the past couple of years. Essentially, what happens 17 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 1: is a guy named Nick Elm. Dr. Nick Elim, who 18 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:21,480 Speaker 1: was a professor at ball State right now. He's a 19 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:25,280 Speaker 1: basketball fan. He had a desire to eliminate the need 20 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 1: for intentional fouling. The NBA adopted this for the All 21 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: Star Game to try this format. Essentially, what happens is 22 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: a point total is set and the game is played 23 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:41,039 Speaker 1: to that point total. So in this instance, at the 24 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:45,400 Speaker 1: end of the third quarter, Teamy Honest was leading Team Lebron. 25 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 1: I think it was one thirty three to one. In 26 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: honor of Kobe Bryant, the NBA decided they would add 27 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 1: twenty four points to whoever was leading to the total 28 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 1: points scored of whoever was leading at the end of 29 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 1: the third quarter, and then both team played to one seven. 30 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 1: Whoever got to one seven first won the All Star Game. 31 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 1: It was an untime quarter. You gotta get stops. First 32 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:10,800 Speaker 1: team to one fifty seven wins. It was amazing And 33 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:12,399 Speaker 1: for those of us who were in the stadium. While 34 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:14,679 Speaker 1: I was in the stadium, I was in the stadium, 35 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 1: it was an incredibly intense atmosphere. Were like you could 36 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 1: see players jumping up. It really felt like something they 37 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:25,240 Speaker 1: cared about in a pickup game. Wob you were there, 38 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 1: give me your take on what you saw and how 39 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 1: you felt. A couple of raw emotions and takeaways from 40 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 1: from that game. On Sunday, in particular, is I think 41 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 1: the NBA has figured out the in season tournament. They've 42 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,079 Speaker 1: gone back and forth here whether they're actually going to 43 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:41,919 Speaker 1: do it, if the players are, will care, and honestly, 44 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 1: will the fans even care? And I don't know much 45 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 1: that could have happened in that in season tournament to 46 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:51,480 Speaker 1: make the fans care unless there is draft playoff implications. 47 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 1: But after watching this format unveiled itself and you brought 48 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 1: up the t VT, the Basketball Tournament which is played 49 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: during the summer. Not every NBA fan watch that or 50 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:04,360 Speaker 1: even cared about it, to be honest, But what this 51 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 1: did was just bringing a fresh a freshness to the 52 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 1: league that you know, we've we've never seen before with 53 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:16,239 Speaker 1: the ten best players in the world play, making them 54 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:18,239 Speaker 1: play at this level. I've never seen an All Star 55 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 1: game played with that intensity, and maybe in part it 56 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 1: had to do because this was the the Kobe Bryant 57 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:28,360 Speaker 1: Memorial game, But that ending just instigates all sorts of 58 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:31,960 Speaker 1: defensive effort, which is like people were out there taking charges. Chad, 59 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:33,840 Speaker 1: when was the last time someone took a charge in 60 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: an All Star Game? And when was the last time 61 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: we saw the ten basketball players, no matter what country 62 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: you're from in the world on the same floor, playing 63 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 1: as if it was a playoff game Team USA versus 64 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 1: Spain back in the oh eight Olympics is probably the 65 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 1: closest comparison that we've ever had. And it's funny that 66 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: we got this from an All star game. It was 67 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 1: an exhibition. Now it has some criticisms and critiques like 68 00:03:56,920 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 1: everything else out there that's brand new, But in terms 69 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 1: of like convincing people's minds about change, it did a 70 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 1: great job. They just need to make sure that these 71 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 1: type of games don't end at the foul line. If 72 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 1: you're playing pick up and it's point game, you don't 73 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 1: end the game at the foul line. That's just the 74 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 1: language of pickup. So instead of adding points there if 75 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:20,360 Speaker 1: it's point game, my suggestion would be to subtract points 76 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:23,000 Speaker 1: from the other team so that natural basket has to 77 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:26,160 Speaker 1: be scored there to win the game. So that's very 78 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 1: NBA Street Game breaker esque. That's my only thoughts on 79 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 1: how to make this even better than it was. Matt More, 80 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 1: long time reporter for the NBA WOB, makes a great point, 81 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 1: like Kyle Lowry at the end of the game, multiple charges, 82 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 1: Janice and Lebron banging in the post at the end 83 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:47,600 Speaker 1: of the game, be honest with a great block, like reviews, 84 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: substitutions like situational play, all of it. It was the 85 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 1: best of the NBA at the highest level. What was 86 00:04:55,960 --> 00:04:58,719 Speaker 1: your takeaway? Yeah, it was awesome. I mean this fundamentally 87 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 1: changes a lot for what think, what the you can do. 88 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:02,840 Speaker 1: They're good at capitalizing on ideas when it works. It's 89 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 1: really great to see them try something that everyone was 90 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 1: a little skeptical of and have it work because the 91 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 1: league needs so much innovation. I think right now with 92 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 1: where it's at and having this kind of be a 93 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 1: win is great. One slight correction, the nine best players 94 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: in the world in Kemba Walker. In the fourth quarter, 95 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: you see the level of intensity. So like, here's just 96 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 1: like a baseline example of it. The first quarter had 97 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:26,720 Speaker 1: ninety four points scored, the third quarter had eighty two 98 00:05:26,720 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 1: points scored. The fourth quarter was thirty three twenty two. 99 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 1: Get into that number. The intensity level just ratcheted. Guys 100 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 1: trying on defense. This is the first year I'm sad 101 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:37,839 Speaker 1: I missed the All Star Game. Like I've always had 102 00:05:37,839 --> 00:05:39,920 Speaker 1: a problem with the fact that they just don't try 103 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: and then this point like it really worked, like they 104 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:44,880 Speaker 1: actually tried. You know what I mentioned the N season tournament. 105 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:48,239 Speaker 1: I think this opens up all sorts of possibilities for 106 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: what the league can do with the N season tournament. 107 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 1: Like maybe instead of going four full quarters and games, 108 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:57,359 Speaker 1: they do shorter tournaments. Like the guys have to play less. 109 00:05:57,360 --> 00:05:59,440 Speaker 1: It's not as much of a of a rest problem 110 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:02,279 Speaker 1: for them. They play shorter games, going to a certain 111 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: number and play it out that way, it turns into 112 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 1: more of an exhibition. But it also might become more 113 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: fun and each possession matters. This is the biggest thing, 114 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 1: because I've been thinking a lot about why football and 115 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 1: basketball are different. I've done this for years, but especially 116 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 1: recently with my Chiefs winning the Super Bowl and how 117 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:21,719 Speaker 1: much fun that was. Every possession matters in football, and 118 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: you're never going to generate that in the n b A. 119 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 1: But that's how that last quarter felt, and that's what 120 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:28,479 Speaker 1: makes for the best sport. I thought it was a 121 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 1: win all around. Justin fan you may be the best 122 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 1: NBA better in the world. You literally move lines the 123 00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:38,719 Speaker 1: second you make a decision. Your gamblings are Give me 124 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:42,600 Speaker 1: your take on the elam ending from a betting perspective. 125 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 1: Good for fans, bad for fans. What do you think? Yeah, 126 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:47,320 Speaker 1: I thought it was great for fans. As someone who's 127 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:50,520 Speaker 1: experienced a Hunter Kate swings and DFS and sports thing before, 128 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 1: I thought it was kind of awesome that we're exposing 129 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 1: the next generations this early on. These kids like sitting 130 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: in the lower section just sweating these quarters by quarter, 131 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 1: just play by play, and and there's Hunter k m 132 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 1: the line on each corpse that was I thought it 133 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:07,120 Speaker 1: was kind of awesome. But the biggest takeaway from all 134 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 1: this was that stakes matter. It has to feel like 135 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: something is on the line for players and fans to care. 136 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 1: And for the NBA, the biggest thing here is that 137 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 1: you have to take this and you know, carry it 138 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: to other aspects of your product. And really the biggest 139 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 1: issue where we're seeing a lot of the decline and 140 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 1: ratings and local television that works down is that the 141 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 1: regular season doesn't feel like it matters anymore. And that's 142 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 1: really the biggest issue that the league has to resolved. 143 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 1: And one thing you see here is that when players 144 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 1: and fans are invested, when they feel like stakes matter, 145 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:45,040 Speaker 1: when there's something on the line, then they're gonna buy in. 146 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: And you know, one idea that I like is that 147 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 1: if you let teams that the highest seeds pick their 148 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:53,800 Speaker 1: first round opponents, I think that's a really great idea 149 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 1: to reward regular seadn't play. We'll have teams competing for 150 00:07:57,320 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 1: highest seeding till the end of the regular season, and 151 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:01,960 Speaker 1: then honestly, you can make a TV event out of it, 152 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 1: the way they do with the lottery, the draft for 153 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 1: the All Star Game. How awesome would it be to 154 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 1: unveil first round matchup plot? You have a representative from 155 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 1: each team picking your opponent team by team. So for me, 156 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 1: anything not at the core product of the of the NBA, 157 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 1: that's like, the results of games should be geared towards entertainment. 158 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 1: The NBA already owns the off season. They already owned 159 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 1: social media with Twitter, so and anything else related to 160 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:32,520 Speaker 1: that should be geared towards entertainment and resolving the issue 161 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: that the regular season should matter more than it does. 162 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:37,840 Speaker 1: Right now, I freaking love that idea. The idea you know, 163 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 1: Baseball is proposing this, right Baseball is proposing that teams 164 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:44,679 Speaker 1: can choose who they get to play, and it potentially 165 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:48,560 Speaker 1: sounds disastrous, right, because those teams all of a sudden, 166 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 1: you know, they're the one is choosing the four, and 167 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 1: then the four can crush them and it leads to 168 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:57,319 Speaker 1: actually greater drama. But the idea that this all of 169 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,480 Speaker 1: a sudden becomes televised and it's like a draft is 170 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:05,559 Speaker 1: pure social entertainment. Rob. I feel like your Twitter feed 171 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: on the night of a draft where teams have to 172 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:10,840 Speaker 1: decide who they're playing, would be explosive. Yeah, I mean 173 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 1: that would be as good as that when the first 174 00:09:14,120 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 1: All Star Draft and Lebron was out there picking players 175 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: and Janice and things like that, like we're gonna watch 176 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:21,640 Speaker 1: the league no matter what. But Twitter is eleven percent 177 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:24,840 Speaker 1: of the population in NBA. Twitter's only point one percent 178 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 1: of actual Twitter. So to get the mainstream audience there 179 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:33,680 Speaker 1: to pull those football type ratings, incentivizing the regular season 180 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 1: is certainly a priority, And I honestly can't think of 181 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:40,679 Speaker 1: a better way to get the players to care than 182 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 1: the ability to pick their first round opponent. Now in 183 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 1: the Eastern Conference, you're you're getting the eight seed, who's 184 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:50,199 Speaker 1: gonna be ten games under five hundred regardless. But the 185 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:54,079 Speaker 1: fact that it makes players play hard and seating isn't 186 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:57,440 Speaker 1: locked in in the third week of March is a 187 00:09:57,480 --> 00:10:00,560 Speaker 1: huge difference, and the fans see that off cemically and 188 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:03,600 Speaker 1: organically that these guys aren't trying load management will go 189 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 1: down because these games actually matter. So while it's simple 190 00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: on paper, I think the effects of that would be massive. 191 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 1: Can you imagine the debates and stuff, just like the 192 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 1: weeks leading into the final game this season, which team 193 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 1: should pick which team? And they have all the build 194 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 1: up to the TV event of when they're picking, and 195 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:23,760 Speaker 1: then the reveal and right after the aftermath and be 196 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 1: able to just discuss right away what the matchups are 197 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: without knowing them an advantage. There's so much that you 198 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: can kind of build on and take away from. Also 199 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 1: the disrespect by the way, imagine the Lakers with the 200 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 1: first pick in the Western Conference take the Houston Rockets 201 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:40,120 Speaker 1: just because they have the big guys. How disrespectful that 202 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 1: would be to the Rockets, even though they're technically like 203 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:44,440 Speaker 1: the fourth seed in the West. Like, that's a huge 204 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:47,600 Speaker 1: storyline and it would make people want to watch, especially 205 00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:49,840 Speaker 1: in the city of Houston. Isn't it funny? This feels 206 00:10:49,880 --> 00:10:51,880 Speaker 1: like the best idea in the world for the NBA, 207 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:54,960 Speaker 1: but when Major League Baseball suggests it, it sounds like 208 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,080 Speaker 1: a horrible idea that's out of touch and Rob Man 209 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: friends an idiot. But if Adam Silver has suggested this, 210 00:11:01,559 --> 00:11:05,439 Speaker 1: everyone would absolutely love it. I think it's entirely dependent 211 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 1: upon the fan base and how the game was perceived. 212 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:10,599 Speaker 1: One thing I want to do before we get to 213 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 1: our next segment, which is going to be about the 214 00:11:12,960 --> 00:11:15,880 Speaker 1: teams that we think we want to be tracking through 215 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:17,679 Speaker 1: the second half of the season. I don't think we 216 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 1: touched enough on the gambling impact of the elim ending, 217 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 1: and so fan I want to get your take on 218 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:26,079 Speaker 1: this specifically, which is I had Team the Honest plus 219 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:28,320 Speaker 1: six and a half. I knew going into that last 220 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,560 Speaker 1: quarter they only had to score eighteen points for me 221 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:33,800 Speaker 1: to win my bet. They were at one thirty three, 222 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 1: the game was ending at one seven. I had to 223 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:39,600 Speaker 1: get to one one with Team Honest. That happened, and 224 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: like for me, that was as much about the drama 225 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 1: and the tension. Like the people I was sitting with, 226 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:47,079 Speaker 1: we were all on Team Honest, we were all cheering 227 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: for them just to get to that number. That was 228 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,440 Speaker 1: as intense as anything else to me. That change sort 229 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: of some of the perspective on on betting and even 230 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:58,559 Speaker 1: betting totals and betting sides, because you're taking the files 231 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:00,840 Speaker 1: and you're taking the garbage points, and you're taking those 232 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 1: things that are pretty unpredictable out of the game. I 233 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:08,160 Speaker 1: was obviously really engaged as a viewer, and the more 234 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 1: engagement you have, the more likely art of bet on 235 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 1: the game. I'd love to have something like, especially with 236 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 1: the elm ending ability to just live bet we think 237 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: will take the final shot and hit the game winner, 238 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:22,439 Speaker 1: for example, Like just stuff like that. It just adds 239 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:25,280 Speaker 1: to the whole drama of the of the affair. UM. 240 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:29,000 Speaker 1: As someone who had Lebron minus five, I thought it 241 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 1: was kind of drawing dead almost the entire fourth quarter, 242 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: So it took a little bit out of even though 243 00:12:34,280 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 1: they came back they wanted by a couple of points. Um, 244 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:39,160 Speaker 1: it is not as as great as a tweat for 245 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: me in that respect. You know, you add the time on, 246 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:44,640 Speaker 1: you can add some garbage time free throws, whether potentionally 247 00:12:44,679 --> 00:12:47,079 Speaker 1: foully um to give me a chance of covering. So 248 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:50,199 Speaker 1: it changing is a little bit from from my perspective 249 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:52,599 Speaker 1: betting on the other side, but overall it's just a 250 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: huge right in terms of increasing viewer engagement. And you know, 251 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 1: obviously the more engaged you are, the more the more 252 00:12:58,280 --> 00:13:00,840 Speaker 1: willing they are bet on games. Alright, Like I said, 253 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:03,600 Speaker 1: we're gonna cover the second half of the season who 254 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:07,160 Speaker 1: we think can win it all with our panel in 255 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 1: the next segment. But first, a quick story. I'm laughing 256 00:13:10,840 --> 00:13:12,880 Speaker 1: because of who it is. A quick story from Action 257 00:13:12,920 --> 00:13:19,920 Speaker 1: Network tennis expert. I looved Enigma rack on tour Daniel Scotty, 258 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 1: so it's us open. At this point in the day, 259 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 1: I kind of just needed to break, so I was 260 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:30,400 Speaker 1: like walking towards the small courts in the back to 261 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:33,120 Speaker 1: try and sneak a cigarette. But on my walk over, 262 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 1: I noticed that on one of these small courts, Paolo 263 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: Lorenzi's warning up. And if you don't know Paolo Lorenzi, 264 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 1: he's like a thirty five year old Italian grinder, just 265 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 1: like a complete pitbull, like nobody tries harder than the 266 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 1: mon tour and he's set to play this Portuguese hothead 267 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: shoe hous So so you know, within seconds, um sitting 268 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 1: front row courtside, if you will, with an exhorbant amount 269 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:01,440 Speaker 1: of money on Lorenzi. And as the match begins to 270 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:04,560 Speaker 1: play out, and you know, I'm cheering audibly for Lorenzi 271 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 1: as a normal person does, I noticed that the people 272 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 1: sitting directly next to me or like shooting these death 273 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:15,400 Speaker 1: stairs placard on their chair was like reserved for family 274 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:19,400 Speaker 1: of player, and since they weren't cheering when I was cheering, 275 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 1: I recognized pretty quickly that these were you know, Joe 276 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 1: Assosa Lorenzi's opponents, like immediate family, and like, as the 277 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 1: matches playing out, I'm gonna be honest, like I started 278 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:32,400 Speaker 1: getting into it, like with the dad, which is like sick. 279 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 1: He didn't want me cheering for Lorenzi like at all, 280 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:37,120 Speaker 1: and like I'm thinking to myself, like you should take 281 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:39,120 Speaker 1: a cab over like the garden, see what the nix 282 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 1: Hoff Dey'll deal with from their own fans every night. 283 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:43,240 Speaker 1: Like this is nothing like well, you know, welcome to 284 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 1: New York. But there was a point in the third set, 285 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:49,480 Speaker 1: completely pivotal point, not only the set but the overall 286 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 1: match for all, in the tie ring epic rally that 287 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 1: uns in Assa unforced are and I kind of just 288 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: like let my emotions flow at that point, and I 289 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 1: just yelled, come on and hold my fist out kind 290 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: of theatrically like a three point shooter would his release end. 291 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 1: And this completely sets us off. He immediately took like 292 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:11,680 Speaker 1: thirteen steps towards the divider between like the court and 293 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:14,280 Speaker 1: the seats, walks right up to me, and it's like, 294 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 1: so you're betting, right, And at that point, I just 295 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 1: like really wasn't about to lie to dude's face. So 296 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 1: I was just like see see with like the shitt 297 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:25,920 Speaker 1: eatinger on my face. You know. He walks back and 298 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 1: you could just tell that he was completely mentally crushed. 299 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 1: I just had gotten into his head for whatever reason. 300 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 1: He goes on to lose like the next two points 301 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 1: and lose the set, lose the match. Needless to say, 302 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:39,160 Speaker 1: I had tailed it out of that court pretty quickly 303 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:41,200 Speaker 1: and watched my back the rest of the tournament. But 304 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:43,800 Speaker 1: don't ever let somebody tell you that cheering hard for 305 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:51,360 Speaker 1: that can't affect the outcome. Okay, let's move on to 306 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 1: the next thing, the next thing now more, I want 307 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 1: to start with you the second half of the year. 308 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: You look at this right now, what are the best 309 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 1: odds to it all? Hey day? Because The Bucks are 310 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 1: the answer, and they're the answer I cannot take. I 311 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 1: cannot choose the line in front of you. The Bucks 312 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: are plus two seventy five. I'm getting insane odds on 313 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 1: a team that's gonna win seventy plus. They have absolutely 314 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 1: obliterated everyone Chris Middleton shooting this year. He's been one 315 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:23,880 Speaker 1: of the best shooters from each individual specific range like. 316 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 1: They have supporting talent. They have the best defense in 317 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 1: the league and run at the fastest pace. The last 318 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,480 Speaker 1: team to do that was the two thousand fifteen Warriors. 319 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:34,760 Speaker 1: But I saw last year, and I saw that one 320 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 1: team gets one guy that's not a main threat in 321 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: Fred Van Bleet hot, and it can absolutely derail everything. 322 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 1: I like the Bucks in a matchup versus either of 323 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: the West teams. I like them versus the Lakers. I 324 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 1: like them versus the Clippers. I don't know if they 325 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 1: can get past Boston, Miami, Toronto because I'm too scared 326 00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: of Jalen Brown shooting the lights out or Duncan Robinson 327 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 1: hitting like nineteen threes in four games. I'm too worried 328 00:17:01,680 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 1: about teams like Milwaukee that are geared around an individual 329 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 1: Omega forward driving and then kicking to those shooters we 330 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 1: saw in two thousand and eight team with Houston. Yes, 331 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 1: Chris Paul's injury mattered, but they still could have won 332 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:17,959 Speaker 1: Game seven. But those shooters went cold. And when that happens, 333 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:21,320 Speaker 1: the team's constructed like this, they are really vulnerable, and 334 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 1: so like I think the Bucks have to be in 335 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:26,360 Speaker 1: any sort of position that you take. Beyond that, I'm 336 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:29,960 Speaker 1: probably taking the Lakers. I think the Clippers have the 337 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:32,959 Speaker 1: highest maybe ceiling, but I also think that they're more 338 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:35,400 Speaker 1: vulnerable to other teams in the Western Conference. They match 339 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:37,440 Speaker 1: up great with the Lakers. The Lakers match up with 340 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 1: a lot of the other teams. I don't like anybody 341 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:41,320 Speaker 1: else out of the East with how the Sixers have 342 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:43,680 Speaker 1: just screwed around and it doesn't feel like their year, 343 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:47,080 Speaker 1: Like their chemistry is just not good, and that makes 344 00:17:47,119 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 1: me nervous. We've seen that derail teams even when they're 345 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 1: that talented. I don't think the Raptors have the guys 346 00:17:52,119 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 1: to absolutely go in and get it done, though there's 347 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 1: probably some value in their long odds. Like, if I 348 00:17:57,119 --> 00:17:59,399 Speaker 1: have to take a team, I have to take the Bucks, 349 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 1: but I'm not gonna feel good about it. All right, 350 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:04,840 Speaker 1: wo Matt brings up a really interesting team in the Sixers. 351 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 1: They're about plus one to win the NBA title. I'm 352 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:13,000 Speaker 1: starting to look at this team and think that they 353 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 1: never figured it out like I thought. Al Horford was 354 00:18:15,640 --> 00:18:18,639 Speaker 1: going to be such a good addition. Clearly he hasn't 355 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:21,480 Speaker 1: made the difference for them. When you listen to what 356 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:23,800 Speaker 1: Matt just said, when you think about the Sixers, when 357 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 1: you think about the rest of the league, how do 358 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:27,960 Speaker 1: you see them shaping up? And do you think there's 359 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 1: an opportunity with them or is it better with somebody else? 360 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:35,040 Speaker 1: First and foremost, nothing and let me say nothing makes 361 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:38,439 Speaker 1: me feel better than being on the complete opposite side 362 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:42,160 Speaker 1: than Matt more that. Yeah, thanks, buddy, I love you too. 363 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 1: Last season, when I'm standing on my soapbox preaching to 364 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 1: the world about the Toronto Raptors getting slandered to the 365 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:51,600 Speaker 1: point of reporting him to HR about the Raptors and 366 00:18:51,600 --> 00:18:55,159 Speaker 1: Fred VanVleet watching them hoist the trophy was just a 367 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:57,960 Speaker 1: glorious moment. And what you preached the Warriors, sir, I 368 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:01,080 Speaker 1: have the receipts. Okay, we'll deal with this another time. 369 00:19:01,359 --> 00:19:04,040 Speaker 1: So here's here's the question. It's two questions. Who's gonna 370 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:07,520 Speaker 1: win the NBA title. The overwhelming favorites, in my opinion 371 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:10,120 Speaker 1: are the Clippers in the books, But that wasn't the question. 372 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:12,720 Speaker 1: It was who are we betting to win the NBA title? 373 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:14,919 Speaker 1: And you bet numbers as much as even more so 374 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:17,680 Speaker 1: than you bet the team most of the time. And 375 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 1: I am all in on the seventy sixers in terms 376 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:23,800 Speaker 1: of a futures bet. Like you said, it was thirteen 377 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:25,879 Speaker 1: to one. I've seen some shops that have gotten as 378 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 1: high ast twenty two one at some point this season, 379 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:31,880 Speaker 1: and the reason for that is they, on paper, are 380 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:34,440 Speaker 1: built for a championship. We know that, like they have 381 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 1: the star powered top to bottom. Matt brings up correct 382 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 1: point there about chemistry issues. The fact that they still 383 00:19:39,359 --> 00:19:41,119 Speaker 1: haven't figured it out yet is starting to get a 384 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:43,879 Speaker 1: little concerning. But they do have two and a half months. 385 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 1: The same way that a seated Laker team back in 386 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:48,760 Speaker 1: the day of Dwight Howard that barely made the playoffs, like, 387 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:51,159 Speaker 1: they never figured out their chemistry issues and it was 388 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,720 Speaker 1: ultimately their doom. So I hear you on that. But 389 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 1: every time the seventies Sixers go on national television at 390 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 1: home because they struggled on the road, whether it's against 391 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:04,719 Speaker 1: the Bucks, the Celtics, the Lakers, the Clippers, you name it. 392 00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:06,919 Speaker 1: They are the best team on the floor. They have 393 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:10,560 Speaker 1: the best talent, They're made for a championship. Their smallest 394 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:13,679 Speaker 1: dude is six ft seven, and they can put anybody 395 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:17,440 Speaker 1: into twenty four hour Pelican Bay lockdown, like I'm talking 396 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:22,119 Speaker 1: Denzel Washington in training day speech lockdown. So for that reason, 397 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:24,919 Speaker 1: when the game slows to a half court pace, we start, 398 00:20:25,119 --> 00:20:27,920 Speaker 1: we start playing basketball in the mud. Here. I'm going 399 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 1: with the team that nobody is scoring on. They have 400 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:33,320 Speaker 1: their own problems with scoring themselves, but if they're giving 401 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:37,880 Speaker 1: up zero points, the seventies sixers are built for trench warfare, 402 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:40,399 Speaker 1: and that when you get to the playoffs, it's a 403 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 1: different game. It's a different game of basketball. And I 404 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:45,919 Speaker 1: know this team is going to translate there. I promise you. 405 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:47,960 Speaker 1: I don't know if they'll win, but they're certainly worth 406 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:51,399 Speaker 1: the bet. I worry entirely about Brent Brown's ability to 407 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:54,960 Speaker 1: handle that rotation because he has not figured it out 408 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:58,119 Speaker 1: so far. I also worry about the health of that team. 409 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:02,800 Speaker 1: I worry about the perimeters, shooting justin fan Bob has 410 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:07,359 Speaker 1: made a bold statement. I'm off the Sixers completely, and 411 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:09,960 Speaker 1: I understand what Watt's saying. I think they're all good points, 412 00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:12,399 Speaker 1: but my biggest issue with this team is they cannot 413 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 1: win on the road at all. And there's this turn 414 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:16,000 Speaker 1: into five two right now. They're not going to have 415 00:21:16,119 --> 00:21:18,439 Speaker 1: home court advantage at any point in the playoffs. I 416 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:21,399 Speaker 1: really don't see it like they've been a dramatically different 417 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 1: team at home verds on the road, and when you're 418 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:28,399 Speaker 1: the playoffs, when you're the five seed, that become just 419 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:30,800 Speaker 1: a major issue. And I know there's some level of 420 00:21:30,880 --> 00:21:34,680 Speaker 1: noise there, smaller sample, but we've seen it consistently when 421 00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:38,639 Speaker 1: they've been playing teams about five hundreds. They've struggled, you know, 422 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:41,800 Speaker 1: enormously to season to show any semblance of life on 423 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:44,439 Speaker 1: the road. So that's still a huge issue for me 424 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:47,080 Speaker 1: that they have to solve before the playoffs start. I 425 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:49,399 Speaker 1: bet the Clippers at plus three CFDF call bet them 426 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:51,680 Speaker 1: again at plus three hundreds. They're the best team in 427 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 1: the league. They've only been fully healthy for four games 428 00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 1: the season. They've won all four games, including on Christmas 429 00:21:57,320 --> 00:22:00,160 Speaker 1: against the Lakers. They're the only team as a big 430 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:03,399 Speaker 1: three didn't prove at the trade deadline. It's still really 431 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:05,720 Speaker 1: really confusing to me outside of books having a lot 432 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:07,840 Speaker 1: of liability with the Lakers being a public team. While 433 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: the Lakers are the favorite right now, they have the 434 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:13,960 Speaker 1: best slide of winning the sides Lebron and any Davis. 435 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 1: Who is their third best player. It's not Kyla Kuzma, 436 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:20,359 Speaker 1: not Rosalon Rondo, it won't be Darren Coulson. Who is 437 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 1: their third best player? Is Avery Bradley the Alex Crusoe. 438 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:26,920 Speaker 1: That's still a huge problem for the Lakers teams. Their 439 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:29,240 Speaker 1: death is just a major issue. And when you get 440 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:32,800 Speaker 1: to the playoffs rotations Titan, they're gonna get exposed and 441 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 1: they just don't have enough outside those two guys for 442 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:38,720 Speaker 1: me to really take them seriously. And with the Clippers, 443 00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:41,199 Speaker 1: we're heading into the NBA Finals best of seven. You 444 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:44,119 Speaker 1: have to choose one player. I'm still picking Kawahi Leonard 445 00:22:44,280 --> 00:22:47,280 Speaker 1: and that's no disrespect, to be honest, But considering what 446 00:22:47,440 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 1: Kauai did in the finals last year, carrying this Toronto 447 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 1: team finals m v P playoff times, still taking him. 448 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 1: I think he's the best player. You know, I'll take 449 00:22:57,080 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: the best player with the best step, they don't offer 450 00:22:59,840 --> 00:23:03,240 Speaker 1: the value per se. I think the Bucks probably do. 451 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 1: I like some longer shots like the self because in 452 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:10,120 Speaker 1: the Raptors potentially, but I'm all in on the Clippers. Well, look, 453 00:23:10,160 --> 00:23:12,240 Speaker 1: that is a great point that and it's a long 454 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:15,240 Speaker 1: held axiom. When it gets to the playoffs, you better 455 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:18,200 Speaker 1: the best player to win the series. Matt Moore, Why 456 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 1: wouldn't I think about Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers instead 457 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:23,720 Speaker 1: of Johannis in the Bucks. Do you really think Janice 458 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:25,200 Speaker 1: is going to be better in the playoffs than Kawhi 459 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 1: Leonard Despite how Fred van Blake turned into Steph Curry 460 00:23:29,080 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 1: over the last four games. Throughout the course of that series, 461 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 1: when Jannie and Kawhi Leonard shared the floor, those two 462 00:23:34,040 --> 00:23:37,080 Speaker 1: teams were dead even plus minus zero. You put Fred 463 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:39,080 Speaker 1: van Bley and you put him back onto the terrestrial 464 00:23:39,160 --> 00:23:41,720 Speaker 1: plane and the Bucks are rolling in that series. It 465 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:44,560 Speaker 1: was really one guy flipping that series, and it wasn't Kahi. 466 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:46,359 Speaker 1: Later now, I went back earlier this year and I 467 00:23:46,359 --> 00:23:49,439 Speaker 1: looked at what Kawai did versus Janice, and it was 468 00:23:49,680 --> 00:23:53,240 Speaker 1: extremely impressive, Like it was awesome, Like he did Yeoman's 469 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:56,119 Speaker 1: work on him. Janice is better this season. I also 470 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:58,440 Speaker 1: don't know if that's the matchup part of it is, 471 00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:01,200 Speaker 1: I don't trust the Clippers rim protect their numbers are 472 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:04,000 Speaker 1: really good. I don't trust Montrese Harold and if the 473 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 1: Kazoo botch to be the kind of rim protector that 474 00:24:06,840 --> 00:24:09,879 Speaker 1: the Raptors had in Marc Gasol and Pascal Siyakum guarding 475 00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:13,399 Speaker 1: down low. Kauai can hang right and he can bother, 476 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:16,639 Speaker 1: but eventually Janice is gonna get enough opportunities to be 477 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:19,040 Speaker 1: able to attack at the rim. And with the dump 478 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:20,879 Speaker 1: offs and the ability to spread the floor and the 479 00:24:20,920 --> 00:24:22,640 Speaker 1: cuts that they use because they are using a lot 480 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:25,080 Speaker 1: of off ball cuts now, a lot more than last year. 481 00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 1: That's like a sneaky. Part of this equation is like 482 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:29,320 Speaker 1: the Bucks use Janice in a lot of different ways 483 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:31,840 Speaker 1: they didn't last year. And like Paul George and Kauai 484 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:34,480 Speaker 1: can't guard everybody, there are ways to get those guys 485 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:37,440 Speaker 1: moved off, and when that happens, you do have the ability, 486 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:39,880 Speaker 1: I think, to expose them. I think the Clippers are great. 487 00:24:39,920 --> 00:24:42,159 Speaker 1: I absolutely think there's value and probably betting them to 488 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:44,200 Speaker 1: win the title. I do not think that they are 489 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:46,840 Speaker 1: as good as everybody has said, we've got reports of 490 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:49,840 Speaker 1: chemistry issues with that team, that they don't like each other. 491 00:24:50,119 --> 00:24:51,920 Speaker 1: That was the feeling I got when I saw them 492 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:53,439 Speaker 1: in Denver, is like this team just kind of is 493 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:55,320 Speaker 1: They're like, they're just kind of dudes that are happened 494 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:57,520 Speaker 1: to be working together. Kauai is not proven to be 495 00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:00,000 Speaker 1: a great leader. And yes, Kauai was amazing last season. 496 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,359 Speaker 1: He's also get a long history of injury problems that 497 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:07,040 Speaker 1: continue this season and popped up last year. That Raptors 498 00:25:07,119 --> 00:25:09,160 Speaker 1: run was incredible, It was amazing. It was a once 499 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 1: in a lifetime story. But I like the overall strength 500 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:14,560 Speaker 1: of some of these teams versus the Clippers. Before we 501 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 1: get to another thing in the NBA, let's go to 502 00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:20,360 Speaker 1: Josh Perry, our very own secret weapon, who has won 503 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:24,040 Speaker 1: three bets on the Corn Ferry Tour, the development league 504 00:25:24,560 --> 00:25:27,719 Speaker 1: for the p g A. He has been on fire. 505 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:30,879 Speaker 1: He's going to tell us how he's doing it. So 506 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:33,159 Speaker 1: for me, golf betting is more of a marathon. With 507 00:25:33,240 --> 00:25:35,560 Speaker 1: the PGA Tour, there's not really an off season. They 508 00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:37,639 Speaker 1: have a couple of weeks in December, but outside of that, 509 00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:40,439 Speaker 1: it's basically every single week I don't really dabble too 510 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:42,680 Speaker 1: much with the other sports, not really doing a whole 511 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:45,160 Speaker 1: lot of NBA or NFL betting. It's really just golf. 512 00:25:46,440 --> 00:25:49,640 Speaker 1: With that, it's really important just to not get too 513 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:52,919 Speaker 1: invested in any event or anyone tournament or anyone player. 514 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:55,600 Speaker 1: You're always just looking for the values on the board. 515 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:59,359 Speaker 1: It's it's more about playing numbers and site shopping around 516 00:25:59,400 --> 00:26:01,800 Speaker 1: finding the best odds. With other sports, you're looking for 517 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:04,080 Speaker 1: a half point here, a half point there. With golf, 518 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:05,960 Speaker 1: you could find a guy who's fifty two one at 519 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:08,640 Speaker 1: one book, eighty two one in another book. It's important 520 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:11,360 Speaker 1: to to really do your shopping around with that sort 521 00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:15,440 Speaker 1: of stuff. It's about finding those values and not straying 522 00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:18,439 Speaker 1: too far, not getting overly invested. If you hit a 523 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:20,440 Speaker 1: forty two one bet at the Masters, it's going to 524 00:26:20,520 --> 00:26:22,959 Speaker 1: pay you the same as a forty one bet at 525 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:25,000 Speaker 1: the Houston Open, Like they all they all pay the 526 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 1: same For me. I kind of have it all balanced 527 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:30,080 Speaker 1: out that way. Balance is key and just giving yourself 528 00:26:30,080 --> 00:26:32,160 Speaker 1: a chance there and if and if everything goes right 529 00:26:32,200 --> 00:26:34,320 Speaker 1: on a Sunday and and guys get hot and make 530 00:26:34,359 --> 00:26:36,440 Speaker 1: a few putts, and then we have a chance over 531 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:38,760 Speaker 1: the long haul to pull out a few winners there 532 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:42,520 Speaker 1: and hopefully come out ahead. All right, we are back. 533 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:50,560 Speaker 1: Let's do another thing, another thing justin fan worldwide Web. 534 00:26:51,359 --> 00:26:54,880 Speaker 1: That more. Here's something that's both annoying me that I'm 535 00:26:54,920 --> 00:26:58,040 Speaker 1: kind of getting over, but I'm annoyed about mostly Zion 536 00:26:58,119 --> 00:27:00,280 Speaker 1: is gonna win Rookie of the Year and has been 537 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 1: a great value bet and he's played ten games, but 538 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 1: he's been the second coming and I so want John 539 00:27:05,560 --> 00:27:08,040 Speaker 1: Maretta to win it because I think that your ability 540 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:12,000 Speaker 1: to play the entire season shouldn't matter. Justin Fan, Am 541 00:27:12,040 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 1: I wrong to care about this? Yes, you're dead wrong, 542 00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:17,520 Speaker 1: because I think Dion is pretty much drawing dead at 543 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:19,639 Speaker 1: this point, and we thought we have president for this. 544 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:21,920 Speaker 1: Actually because you look at the two thou seventeen, the 545 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:24,560 Speaker 1: year it's with Joel embiat he played thirty one games, 546 00:27:24,640 --> 00:27:27,480 Speaker 1: and this Rookie of the Year competition, it's pretty straightforward 547 00:27:27,520 --> 00:27:30,040 Speaker 1: like you had a point rebounds in the sists and 548 00:27:30,119 --> 00:27:33,040 Speaker 1: that's pretty much whoever has the most total in terms 549 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:35,679 Speaker 1: of the average usually wins in a given year. And 550 00:27:35,680 --> 00:27:39,520 Speaker 1: in two thousand seventeen, Joel Embiide almost had double the 551 00:27:39,640 --> 00:27:42,880 Speaker 1: combined point three bounds and assist as Malcolm Brodden did 552 00:27:43,280 --> 00:27:46,520 Speaker 1: and Brodsdon still want to and beat finished third. Zion 553 00:27:46,600 --> 00:27:48,720 Speaker 1: is gonna play thirty four games in MAX this year. 554 00:27:48,760 --> 00:27:52,560 Speaker 1: He's played ten. The Pelicans have twenty five less, including 555 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:55,480 Speaker 1: three back to backs, which will fit very comfortable. Zon 556 00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:58,679 Speaker 1: thirty four this year and be thirty one UM in 557 00:27:58,680 --> 00:28:02,080 Speaker 1: two thousand and seventeen. Lost in all of this is 558 00:28:02,240 --> 00:28:05,959 Speaker 1: I think there's this is just a massive John Morant disrespect. 559 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:09,320 Speaker 1: This isn't Malcolm Brogden here where he's a placeholder, where 560 00:28:09,359 --> 00:28:12,560 Speaker 1: he's in first just because he's playing most of the season. 561 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:16,119 Speaker 1: He was pretty close, I would say, to being an 562 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:18,440 Speaker 1: on on the All Star team this year. He wasn't 563 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:21,480 Speaker 1: a Devin Booker level snub. He wasn't there with Paul 564 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:24,800 Speaker 1: George and Comsley Town. But you added, you know, four 565 00:28:24,920 --> 00:28:26,919 Speaker 1: or five more spots and he's right there. He's in 566 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:30,280 Speaker 1: the conversation. That's how good a season he's having. And 567 00:28:30,359 --> 00:28:32,680 Speaker 1: for a point guard to come in right away to 568 00:28:32,760 --> 00:28:36,119 Speaker 1: position with the biggest learning curve by far out of 569 00:28:36,119 --> 00:28:39,240 Speaker 1: the five, to have this type of season right away 570 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:42,760 Speaker 1: is extremely impressive. I mean, we've seen these obviously these 571 00:28:42,800 --> 00:28:45,680 Speaker 1: thirty plus point games from Zion. John mar just had 572 00:28:45,680 --> 00:28:48,840 Speaker 1: a triple double recently just before the Ofstar Break, so um, 573 00:28:48,840 --> 00:28:50,920 Speaker 1: I think this one is pretty much shut and closed. 574 00:28:51,320 --> 00:28:53,520 Speaker 1: John Moran would happen missed I think most of the 575 00:28:53,560 --> 00:28:57,600 Speaker 1: second half for this one to become close. What what 576 00:28:57,640 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 1: do you think? What sports book do you place your 577 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:03,760 Speaker 1: act China Chad? I placed it at many, but points 578 00:29:03,760 --> 00:29:05,960 Speaker 1: bed is one of the ones that I use well 579 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:08,400 Speaker 1: in this case, I would like you to skip go 580 00:29:08,440 --> 00:29:10,080 Speaker 1: into points back because I would like to take your 581 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:13,160 Speaker 1: action on this. I cannot believe the words that came 582 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:15,840 Speaker 1: out of your mouth after you said favorite to win. 583 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:20,239 Speaker 1: How is the answer not John Morant. Justin brought up 584 00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:23,520 Speaker 1: all the all the statistics and precedent as to why 585 00:29:23,720 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 1: like John Morant is it's aggressive to say he's better 586 00:29:27,440 --> 00:29:30,640 Speaker 1: right now. But John Morant is hands down going to 587 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:32,680 Speaker 1: be Rookie of the Year. And the one thing Justin 588 00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:35,760 Speaker 1: forgot in that explanation was the Grizzlies are gonna be 589 00:29:35,760 --> 00:29:37,920 Speaker 1: in the playoffs like they're a good team. They're above 590 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:41,600 Speaker 1: five hundred and Zion plays on gentry ball. Pelicans seven 591 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:43,400 Speaker 1: and a half games back and a part of the 592 00:29:43,440 --> 00:29:46,720 Speaker 1: reason why Zion stats are so inflated is because gentry 593 00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:50,480 Speaker 1: ball preaches no defense whatsoever. Every score is a hundred 594 00:29:50,520 --> 00:29:52,760 Speaker 1: and thirty five to a hundred and thirty eight in 595 00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:55,200 Speaker 1: the favor of the other team. So of course, when 596 00:29:55,240 --> 00:29:57,840 Speaker 1: you score a hundred and thirty five points, every player 597 00:29:57,880 --> 00:29:59,880 Speaker 1: on the team is gonna put up twenty and seven. 598 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:03,240 Speaker 1: So job being a point guard, his usage is going 599 00:30:03,320 --> 00:30:06,120 Speaker 1: to continue to remain through the roof because the balls 600 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:09,320 Speaker 1: in his hands, he's the most talented player on the floor, 601 00:30:09,520 --> 00:30:12,320 Speaker 1: and once again, his team is actually good. That man 602 00:30:12,400 --> 00:30:14,960 Speaker 1: is gonna win Rookie of the Year pending a suspension 603 00:30:15,080 --> 00:30:18,000 Speaker 1: or drastic injury. Well, listen, I love that you're steamed 604 00:30:18,040 --> 00:30:20,360 Speaker 1: about it, and I am too, like I'm annoyed that 605 00:30:20,400 --> 00:30:23,240 Speaker 1: there's even a conversation that Zion Williamson is going to 606 00:30:23,360 --> 00:30:25,640 Speaker 1: be in contention for Rookie of the Year. I agree 607 00:30:25,680 --> 00:30:28,480 Speaker 1: with you that John Morant should get it, that he's 608 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:31,360 Speaker 1: earned it, that he deserves it, that he's a phenomenal player. 609 00:30:31,680 --> 00:30:33,360 Speaker 1: Matt Moore, are you going to take the other side? 610 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:35,320 Speaker 1: Are you gonna pile on? So I just want to 611 00:30:35,320 --> 00:30:37,680 Speaker 1: stay upfront that I agree with absolutely everything that fans said, 612 00:30:37,920 --> 00:30:40,320 Speaker 1: I will make you the argument just for the stake 613 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:43,440 Speaker 1: of of this podcast, because I do have the argument. Okay, 614 00:30:43,600 --> 00:30:47,440 Speaker 1: Memphis faces the number one toughest strength of schedule down 615 00:30:47,480 --> 00:30:49,720 Speaker 1: the stretch for the last thirty games. They have the 616 00:30:49,840 --> 00:30:53,840 Speaker 1: toughest strength of schedule. Okay, they're gonna face better defenses. 617 00:30:54,240 --> 00:30:56,240 Speaker 1: Jaw is probably gonna get hit with a couple of 618 00:30:56,400 --> 00:30:59,200 Speaker 1: tough games. He's an injury risk to a certain degree 619 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:02,240 Speaker 1: because no yer I've ever seen lands as scary as 620 00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:05,120 Speaker 1: he does. He literally like makes me like grab my 621 00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:08,200 Speaker 1: chest with fear for him when he lands. It's terrifying. 622 00:31:08,800 --> 00:31:12,200 Speaker 1: Zion is averaging twenty two points in twenty seven minutes 623 00:31:12,240 --> 00:31:14,840 Speaker 1: per game, with a minute restriction for some of that. 624 00:31:14,920 --> 00:31:18,480 Speaker 1: He's also averaging eight boards to assist, shooting fifty eight 625 00:31:18,520 --> 00:31:21,760 Speaker 1: percent from the field percent from three, the most that's 626 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:25,080 Speaker 1: inflated from his first game and the mediocre from the line. 627 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:27,960 Speaker 1: The Pelicans have the thirtieth rank strength of schedule. They 628 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:31,240 Speaker 1: have the easiest schedule from here on out. There's a 629 00:31:31,240 --> 00:31:34,080 Speaker 1: reason why five thirty eight predicts them to make the playoffs. 630 00:31:34,360 --> 00:31:36,120 Speaker 1: You have to think about these things in terms of 631 00:31:36,120 --> 00:31:38,400 Speaker 1: the voter block. Don't get caught up and who should win, 632 00:31:38,440 --> 00:31:40,320 Speaker 1: that doesn't matter. You have to put yourself in the 633 00:31:40,360 --> 00:31:42,600 Speaker 1: minds of the voters. The voting block is made up 634 00:31:42,600 --> 00:31:47,600 Speaker 1: of analysts, TV personalities, and beat writer reporters. The analysts 635 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,160 Speaker 1: are gonna vote John. He's getting that chunk of votes 636 00:31:50,600 --> 00:31:54,560 Speaker 1: that's probably thirty percent of the electorate. The other like 637 00:31:54,720 --> 00:31:59,440 Speaker 1: se is probably going to be pretty split. If Zion 638 00:31:59,520 --> 00:32:02,280 Speaker 1: continue is this pace, the beat writers will go for 639 00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:05,240 Speaker 1: narrative and the TV guys will go for who's on 640 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:09,400 Speaker 1: national TV more and Zions on national television more. If 641 00:32:09,440 --> 00:32:12,680 Speaker 1: he gets them into the playoffs and the Grizzlies fall 642 00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:16,560 Speaker 1: out and he winds up averaging twenty five and eight 643 00:32:17,040 --> 00:32:19,920 Speaker 1: and the Grizzlies sliped a little bit and Jaw slips 644 00:32:19,960 --> 00:32:21,960 Speaker 1: a little bit, there are gonna be a people that 645 00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:24,360 Speaker 1: will at least start getting into the vote totals and 646 00:32:24,440 --> 00:32:26,760 Speaker 1: it might wind up getting chopped off. There is an 647 00:32:26,840 --> 00:32:29,360 Speaker 1: argument to me that because the number is high enough 648 00:32:29,640 --> 00:32:31,760 Speaker 1: for the guy that was the presumptive number one winner, 649 00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:35,160 Speaker 1: there's probably maybe you can argue a little bit of 650 00:32:35,200 --> 00:32:39,920 Speaker 1: value on this Matt that is so well thought out, 651 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:47,080 Speaker 1: so elegantly detailed. If that happens, I'm gonna be so irritated. 652 00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:48,840 Speaker 1: It's like, I don't know why this thing is sticking 653 00:32:48,840 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 1: in my cross, the whole idea that this guy can 654 00:32:51,080 --> 00:32:53,880 Speaker 1: come in and play thirty four games, When John Morant 655 00:32:54,040 --> 00:32:56,320 Speaker 1: is playing like Iverson, like he has thrown his body 656 00:32:56,480 --> 00:33:00,200 Speaker 1: at the room just recklessly, I actually worry abou out it. 657 00:33:00,240 --> 00:33:02,440 Speaker 1: And I actually I actually worry that like Zion and 658 00:33:02,520 --> 00:33:04,840 Speaker 1: John Moran are two of the more dynamic players we've 659 00:33:04,840 --> 00:33:07,920 Speaker 1: had entered the league in a long time, and Jile 660 00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:10,600 Speaker 1: looks like he's so brittle he's not gonna last more 661 00:33:10,600 --> 00:33:14,200 Speaker 1: than three years. And Zion looks like he's sort of 662 00:33:14,240 --> 00:33:16,400 Speaker 1: too heavy for his body, and I'm worried that he's 663 00:33:16,440 --> 00:33:18,400 Speaker 1: just gonna like his tendons are gonna tear from the 664 00:33:18,400 --> 00:33:20,640 Speaker 1: rest of his bones. And like I worry about all 665 00:33:20,680 --> 00:33:23,040 Speaker 1: this stuff, But if John Moran doesn't win this Rookie 666 00:33:23,080 --> 00:33:25,880 Speaker 1: of the Year award, I'm gonna be supremely angry about it. 667 00:33:27,200 --> 00:33:29,600 Speaker 1: You all stayed quiet because you're all seething in anger, 668 00:33:30,280 --> 00:33:31,960 Speaker 1: as a lot of fans are. I want to do 669 00:33:32,080 --> 00:33:34,600 Speaker 1: one more, one more segment before we get to our 670 00:33:34,640 --> 00:33:38,120 Speaker 1: final segment with our panelists, which is gonna be fan trivia. 671 00:33:38,240 --> 00:33:40,400 Speaker 1: We have a fan on the line, a long time 672 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:43,160 Speaker 1: fan of the podcast, has a trivia question about bet 673 00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:45,440 Speaker 1: in the NBA. He's gonna ask our panelists. He's gonna 674 00:33:45,440 --> 00:33:49,240 Speaker 1: stump them. But first, in a regular segment for the Favorites, 675 00:33:49,280 --> 00:33:52,360 Speaker 1: I asked Matt Mitchell, our intrepred producer who lives in Milwaukee, 676 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:56,479 Speaker 1: to go into the hearts of the Midwestern streets and 677 00:33:56,520 --> 00:33:59,880 Speaker 1: ask fans what they think of how baseball is handling 678 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:04,880 Speaker 1: punishment of the Houston Astros in the sign stealing scandal. Matt, 679 00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:10,120 Speaker 1: take it away. We've heard from gambling experts, but what 680 00:34:10,280 --> 00:34:16,160 Speaker 1: about everybody else. Let's talk with totally normal Midwestern idiots. 681 00:34:17,239 --> 00:34:19,920 Speaker 1: Are you familiar with the astros cheating scandal. I am 682 00:34:19,960 --> 00:34:22,400 Speaker 1: familiar with the astros cheating scandal. Yes, What do you 683 00:34:22,400 --> 00:34:25,280 Speaker 1: think of the punishment they received? Have they even been punished? 684 00:34:25,239 --> 00:34:27,560 Speaker 1: It doesn't seem like they really unpunished at all. If 685 00:34:27,600 --> 00:34:29,399 Speaker 1: you could punish on what would you do. I don't 686 00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:31,160 Speaker 1: know if taking ay of the world series is too much, 687 00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:34,399 Speaker 1: but more than they've been punished, I think I feel 688 00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:39,200 Speaker 1: as though you can't really take away they're ringing their championship. 689 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:42,800 Speaker 1: But as a man and as a man with pride 690 00:34:42,840 --> 00:34:45,600 Speaker 1: and honor, you're always gonna have that tarnish on your name. 691 00:34:45,880 --> 00:34:48,040 Speaker 1: It's the same ages in fact, like did you really 692 00:34:48,080 --> 00:34:51,000 Speaker 1: win it? Fair and square? And that's always gonna be 693 00:34:51,040 --> 00:34:52,920 Speaker 1: on your record. It's always going to be that you 694 00:34:52,960 --> 00:34:55,239 Speaker 1: know that one thing that you got it, but you 695 00:34:55,280 --> 00:34:57,680 Speaker 1: really didn't. If somebody cheated like this at your at 696 00:34:57,680 --> 00:35:00,520 Speaker 1: your job, how would you punish them? How would I punished? Well, 697 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:04,160 Speaker 1: I'm not a manager. I think it's just disgusting. You 698 00:35:04,160 --> 00:35:07,560 Speaker 1: don't feel like they were properly punished. No being miked 699 00:35:07,640 --> 00:35:10,160 Speaker 1: up in the signs and how that's just gross that 700 00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:13,120 Speaker 1: everyone was involved. If somebody did this at your job, 701 00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:16,480 Speaker 1: they all have to be fired. What is a fair 702 00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:19,479 Speaker 1: punishment for players that cheat like that? Players that cheat 703 00:35:19,520 --> 00:35:22,480 Speaker 1: like that should be fined and should be fired. If 704 00:35:22,480 --> 00:35:24,759 Speaker 1: somebody cheated like that at your job, what would be 705 00:35:24,800 --> 00:35:27,799 Speaker 1: a fair punishment? A fair punishment will be termination and 706 00:35:27,840 --> 00:35:32,319 Speaker 1: cutting a methodist cutting cutting off their hands, cutting off 707 00:35:32,360 --> 00:35:34,640 Speaker 1: their hands. They can't steal anymore if they do that. 708 00:35:37,080 --> 00:35:40,880 Speaker 1: All right, it's time for our weekly favorite trivia challenge 709 00:35:41,400 --> 00:35:46,480 Speaker 1: on the phone. Longtime listener host of the Syndicates podcast 710 00:35:46,600 --> 00:35:50,720 Speaker 1: inspired by the Favorite podcast. One of the original members 711 00:35:50,920 --> 00:35:56,399 Speaker 1: of our syndicate from Upstate New York, Mr Eddie Zamidas Eddie, 712 00:35:56,400 --> 00:35:59,160 Speaker 1: how you doing, buddy? I'm doing well, are you? I'm good. 713 00:35:59,160 --> 00:36:01,319 Speaker 1: It's good to catch up with you again. As soon 714 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:03,719 Speaker 1: as I sent out in a tweet a couple of 715 00:36:03,719 --> 00:36:06,760 Speaker 1: weeks ago asking for trivia questions, you wait in quickly. 716 00:36:06,840 --> 00:36:08,480 Speaker 1: So I didn't even send one this week because I 717 00:36:08,520 --> 00:36:10,720 Speaker 1: was so sure you would have a good trivia question. 718 00:36:11,239 --> 00:36:15,319 Speaker 1: You have a trivia question that you think can stump us. 719 00:36:15,640 --> 00:36:18,480 Speaker 1: Let's hear what you got. For the two thousand nineteen 720 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:23,280 Speaker 1: two thousand twenty NBA regular season, there are two teams 721 00:36:23,840 --> 00:36:28,400 Speaker 1: with a perfect record against the spread as a road favorite. 722 00:36:28,960 --> 00:36:32,160 Speaker 1: Name one of those two teams, justin fan, you can 723 00:36:32,160 --> 00:36:36,400 Speaker 1: go first. Let me think I'm gonna say this thunder 724 00:36:36,680 --> 00:36:40,200 Speaker 1: Worldwide Web. You're up next. We get two guesses, right, 725 00:36:40,440 --> 00:36:43,200 Speaker 1: two guesses, Guess one of the two teams, Memphis Grizzlies 726 00:36:43,200 --> 00:36:48,480 Speaker 1: in Orlando Magic, Interesting, Interesting, Matt Moore, the New York Knicks, 727 00:36:49,320 --> 00:36:53,479 Speaker 1: and the Charlotte Hornets. Okay, I'm gonna go to I'm 728 00:36:53,480 --> 00:37:01,000 Speaker 1: gonna go with the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers. 729 00:37:01,560 --> 00:37:03,960 Speaker 1: It is midas did any of us win? There is 730 00:37:03,960 --> 00:37:07,880 Speaker 1: a winner? Matt Moore, did you google that? I swear 731 00:37:07,880 --> 00:37:09,719 Speaker 1: to god I didn't. Hand to god, it did not. 732 00:37:10,040 --> 00:37:11,719 Speaker 1: Matt Moore, how did you think about it? What are 733 00:37:11,760 --> 00:37:13,440 Speaker 1: you trying to figure out? It has to be a 734 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:15,920 Speaker 1: team that hasn't been a road favorite much. It could 735 00:37:15,920 --> 00:37:18,000 Speaker 1: not be the Pacers when they're gonna be favorite versus 736 00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:20,120 Speaker 1: all the bad teams and they're gonna have high lines. 737 00:37:20,200 --> 00:37:23,080 Speaker 1: It had to be teams that are only gonna be favorites, 738 00:37:23,160 --> 00:37:26,440 Speaker 1: like a few times the Knicks one in a quote 739 00:37:26,520 --> 00:37:30,000 Speaker 1: unquote road game in Brooklyn, And that was what kind 740 00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:31,360 Speaker 1: of like led me to them, as I was like, 741 00:37:31,400 --> 00:37:33,640 Speaker 1: I bet they've only been a favorite like two or 742 00:37:33,719 --> 00:37:37,080 Speaker 1: three times. The Hornets are never gonna be favored, and 743 00:37:37,120 --> 00:37:39,680 Speaker 1: the Hornets have been were really good against the spread, 744 00:37:39,760 --> 00:37:41,920 Speaker 1: especially early in the season. So that was why I 745 00:37:41,920 --> 00:37:44,239 Speaker 1: went with those two teams, which one one both of them, 746 00:37:45,719 --> 00:37:47,399 Speaker 1: you hit both of them. I was like, That's why 747 00:37:47,440 --> 00:37:49,200 Speaker 1: I was. I was so confused. I'm like, there's no 748 00:37:49,239 --> 00:37:51,920 Speaker 1: way he got this without looking it up. I swear 749 00:37:52,280 --> 00:37:54,440 Speaker 1: four and against the spread for the Knicks has a 750 00:37:54,520 --> 00:37:56,360 Speaker 1: road favorite in the Hornets. Yeah, they're want to know 751 00:37:56,480 --> 00:37:59,240 Speaker 1: against the spread as a road favorite. So small example, 752 00:37:59,280 --> 00:38:02,200 Speaker 1: size of the exact What was the key to this answer? 753 00:38:02,560 --> 00:38:04,920 Speaker 1: That was phenomenal. I was trying to use your theory. 754 00:38:04,960 --> 00:38:07,120 Speaker 1: That's why I actually chose the Pacers. When you said 755 00:38:07,120 --> 00:38:10,319 Speaker 1: the Knicks and the Hornets, I honestly thought, like, Oh, 756 00:38:10,360 --> 00:38:12,400 Speaker 1: he doesn't care. He's given up, Like he's just like 757 00:38:12,480 --> 00:38:15,040 Speaker 1: throwing things against the wall. Now you gotta go with 758 00:38:15,040 --> 00:38:16,680 Speaker 1: the teams. I've only done it a few times. If 759 00:38:16,719 --> 00:38:18,440 Speaker 1: you're like, if you're a roach favorite, like, it's that 760 00:38:18,640 --> 00:38:23,080 Speaker 1: that's a hard situation to cover. That is too too good. 761 00:38:23,880 --> 00:38:26,960 Speaker 1: Now it's time for this week in gambling notes. I 762 00:38:27,080 --> 00:38:30,080 Speaker 1: like to call it twig notes. If it sounds familiar 763 00:38:30,280 --> 00:38:33,800 Speaker 1: to anybody at a certain age, it's because I totally 764 00:38:33,880 --> 00:38:39,239 Speaker 1: stole it and appropriately. We'll start with baseball. Baseball Commissioner 765 00:38:39,320 --> 00:38:44,600 Speaker 1: Rob Manfred this week continued his disastrous run as commissioner. 766 00:38:45,080 --> 00:38:48,160 Speaker 1: How he has managed the Houston Astro signs dealing. He 767 00:38:48,200 --> 00:38:51,000 Speaker 1: has just gotten worse and worse. This week, in interview 768 00:38:51,239 --> 00:38:54,120 Speaker 1: with ESPN, he said two things that stood out. One 769 00:38:54,560 --> 00:38:56,880 Speaker 1: he said that he didn't have to punish the Astros 770 00:38:57,160 --> 00:39:01,000 Speaker 1: because fans, We're gonna humiliate them so much, it didn't 771 00:39:01,040 --> 00:39:03,640 Speaker 1: matter what their punishment was from the league. So essentially 772 00:39:03,680 --> 00:39:07,520 Speaker 1: he's saying, hey, I'm going to abdicate responsibility to the fans. 773 00:39:07,600 --> 00:39:10,320 Speaker 1: Number two, he said, it doesn't matter if he stripped 774 00:39:10,360 --> 00:39:14,160 Speaker 1: them of their World Series because the trophy is just 775 00:39:14,400 --> 00:39:18,640 Speaker 1: a piece of metal. Not surprisingly, Justin Turner of the 776 00:39:18,680 --> 00:39:22,080 Speaker 1: Dodgers said, I don't know if he's ever won anything 777 00:39:22,120 --> 00:39:25,920 Speaker 1: his entire life. Not mentioned in any of this the 778 00:39:26,000 --> 00:39:29,360 Speaker 1: betters who lost when they bet on the Dodgers, and 779 00:39:29,400 --> 00:39:35,640 Speaker 1: the Dodgers themselves, no remorse for them from Rob Manfred. Meanwhile, 780 00:39:35,880 --> 00:39:40,480 Speaker 1: in Europe, UEFA has banned perennial power Manchester City from 781 00:39:40,520 --> 00:39:44,200 Speaker 1: play in the next two Champions League tournaments. The reason 782 00:39:45,040 --> 00:39:51,359 Speaker 1: violating financial fair play rules. Take a lesson, Rob Manfred. 783 00:39:51,360 --> 00:39:55,160 Speaker 1: That is how you punish a team that doesn't play 784 00:39:55,200 --> 00:39:59,399 Speaker 1: by the rules in other courts. If you're confused by 785 00:39:59,520 --> 00:40:02,400 Speaker 1: this year is college hoops season, You're not alone. North 786 00:40:02,440 --> 00:40:04,880 Speaker 1: Carolina is now a permanent fade and Roy Williams is 787 00:40:04,920 --> 00:40:07,239 Speaker 1: on pace to win fewer than twenty games for the 788 00:40:07,360 --> 00:40:10,040 Speaker 1: third time in his career, the other two his first 789 00:40:10,120 --> 00:40:14,239 Speaker 1: year in Kansas and his first year at North Carolina. Meanwhile, 790 00:40:14,680 --> 00:40:18,080 Speaker 1: the best teams in the country are Baylor Gonzaga both 791 00:40:18,080 --> 00:40:20,640 Speaker 1: attend to want to win the title San Diego State 792 00:40:21,000 --> 00:40:23,719 Speaker 1: at twenty to one. And who is the odds on 793 00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:27,200 Speaker 1: fave to win the Wooden Award A six nine forward 794 00:40:27,440 --> 00:40:32,520 Speaker 1: from Dayton named Obie. This is not Zion Williamson's n 795 00:40:32,560 --> 00:40:37,240 Speaker 1: C double A. Finally, this Weekend Gambling Pictures and Catchers 796 00:40:37,280 --> 00:40:40,840 Speaker 1: reported last week. For some that means renewed hope and opportunity. 797 00:40:40,880 --> 00:40:44,960 Speaker 1: For others, it means future values. A boat loan of 798 00:40:45,000 --> 00:40:49,000 Speaker 1: Action Network's finest last year had been Mats at long odds. 799 00:40:49,480 --> 00:40:53,480 Speaker 1: They cashed quite a bit this year, sensing a lot 800 00:40:53,520 --> 00:40:57,080 Speaker 1: of enthusiasm for the Reds at fifty one. If you 801 00:40:57,120 --> 00:41:01,000 Speaker 1: need more details, listened to the latest Action Network podcast 802 00:41:01,080 --> 00:41:06,600 Speaker 1: previewing the National League. Personally, I'm rooting for the Dodgers. 803 00:41:07,360 --> 00:41:11,719 Speaker 1: They deserve to get their hands um some hardware. This 804 00:41:11,840 --> 00:41:17,280 Speaker 1: has been twig notes. That'll do it for this episode 805 00:41:17,280 --> 00:41:21,160 Speaker 1: of the Favorites. My thanks to Justin Fan, Rob Perez, 806 00:41:21,400 --> 00:41:24,600 Speaker 1: Matt Moore for joining us as panelists. My thanks to 807 00:41:24,680 --> 00:41:29,759 Speaker 1: Eddie Zemitas trivia Challenge fan calling in before we go. 808 00:41:30,160 --> 00:41:32,880 Speaker 1: I think we need to check in with Action Network 809 00:41:33,000 --> 00:41:37,239 Speaker 1: CEO Patrick Keene. I'm always curious to know what my 810 00:41:37,320 --> 00:41:42,480 Speaker 1: boss thought of the work his content team put together. 811 00:41:43,360 --> 00:41:45,680 Speaker 1: I don't know what you to Paulo's amateur bullt trap? 812 00:41:45,719 --> 00:41:48,239 Speaker 1: All right? Do you hear? Babe? Do you understand? By 813 00:41:48,680 --> 00:41:52,120 Speaker 1: all right? That is officially our show. Thank you for listening. 814 00:41:52,160 --> 00:41:57,400 Speaker 1: Download from iTunes, from Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts. 815 00:41:57,520 --> 00:41:59,640 Speaker 1: Until next time, Help you