1 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:19,919 Speaker 1: All right, everybody, welcome to the Jason timp Podcast. Thanks 2 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 1: again for taking time out of your day uh to 3 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:26,080 Speaker 1: join me to talk some hoops. Um. Today I'm going 4 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:30,639 Speaker 1: to be primarily focusing on the NBA restart, UH my 5 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:33,279 Speaker 1: early thoughts on the idea that they're going to try 6 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:37,160 Speaker 1: to get going in December. And then I'm also gonna 7 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:38,839 Speaker 1: do a mail bag and I already have received a 8 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: bunch of questions, but I will take a few from 9 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:43,880 Speaker 1: the live comments as well. So go ahead and drop 10 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:47,520 Speaker 1: any of your questions, any topics you want to discuss 11 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:50,560 Speaker 1: in the comments here on the Periscope feed, and as 12 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:52,440 Speaker 1: I get to the end, I will get to some 13 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: of those as well. UM. So, as all of you 14 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:59,400 Speaker 1: heard from Shams and from woas today, UM, it's looking 15 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 1: like the lead is gonna try to start on December two. Now, 16 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: there is still some question as to whether or not 17 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 1: the players Association will agree to this. I tend to 18 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:13,679 Speaker 1: think that if we can follow anything that we've learned 19 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 1: from the last few years in the NBA, it's that 20 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 1: the players at the end of the day can usually 21 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:23,000 Speaker 1: talk tough, but they will probably follow the dollars and 22 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 1: in this case, as you saw woad report earlier. I 23 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 1: think it was WAD, it might have been shams Um, 24 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:31,119 Speaker 1: But they're talking about the difference between starting in December 25 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: and starting much later to be roughly about five million dollars, 26 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: which if you know anything about the c BA, that 27 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:40,399 Speaker 1: means a roughly two d and fifty million dollars going 28 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:43,320 Speaker 1: directly to the players. So at the end of the day, 29 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:46,039 Speaker 1: I think, like when they get into a room and 30 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: they sit down, you're gonna have the players Association talk 31 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 1: about a bigger delay, particularly for the players who just 32 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:53,960 Speaker 1: got out of the bubble, who are gonna want a 33 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 1: bigger layoff. But once they start seeing the numbers, once 34 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: they see you know, stuff with the TV ratings and 35 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 1: how it could impact uh future dollars for the players 36 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 1: to make sure they stay in the traditional schedule for 37 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:12,160 Speaker 1: next season, uh, you know, starting in October and finishing 38 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: in June. Once they really get to see the dollars 39 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 1: and cents on the table, I think it's going to 40 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:18,840 Speaker 1: be a no brainer for them to to sign up 41 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 1: for that UM. At this point, they're already sacrificing so 42 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 1: much money. If you know anything about the way the 43 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 1: CBA works, it's not like they're guaranteed to get what 44 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 1: their contract says. If you're you're on a ten million 45 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: dollar contract, that's great. But if the league revenue is 46 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:36,080 Speaker 1: thirty of our seventy percent of what they expected, that 47 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:38,640 Speaker 1: means you're taking a thirty percent pay cut on what 48 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:41,920 Speaker 1: you're expecting your contract to be. So at the end 49 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 1: of the day, once they start seeing the numbers, I 50 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:46,320 Speaker 1: don't think it'll be too long of a discussion. And 51 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:49,200 Speaker 1: then I don't know if you guys heard, uh, Brian 52 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 1: Windhorst a couple of weeks ago on his podcast basically 53 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 1: reported that, um, the owners are already kind of like 54 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 1: planting the seeds of the fact that they think that 55 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,640 Speaker 1: playing this next season is gonna end up costing them money. 56 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 1: It won't even be a profitable kind of thing. And 57 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: I'm not sure how much truth there is to that, 58 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 1: But what I do think that that does is it's 59 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 1: part of their overarching leverage campaign against the players, which is, look, 60 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 1: we're just doing this for the health of the league. 61 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:19,360 Speaker 1: If we're up to us financially, we'd skip this season altogether. 62 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,919 Speaker 1: We're already all gonna lose some money. You guys gotta 63 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: understand that starting in December is gonna put more dollars 64 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 1: in both of our pockets. So let's just go ahead 65 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 1: and do it that way, and I think they'll agree. 66 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 1: So on that note, I think that it's uh almost 67 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 1: a certainty that they will get started in late December 68 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 1: on the twenty two, like they said. So what does 69 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:42,280 Speaker 1: that mean for all of the teams that are that 70 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: are coming back. Well, first of all, it's an absolutely 71 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 1: huge advantage for Brooklyn and for Golden State. These are 72 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 1: two contenders that I know Brooklyn went to the Bubble, 73 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:54,080 Speaker 1: but they're two primary players. Um you know, three three 74 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 1: three are their primary players, three guys who will probably 75 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 1: start for them. DeAndre Jordan's, Kyrie Riving and Kevin Durant 76 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 1: did not go to the Bubble. Kevin Durant hasn't played 77 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 1: in two years, you know. From that standpoint, uh, teams 78 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 1: like that, Teams like Golden State. Clay Thompson hasn't played 79 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 1: in nearly two years. Steph Curry has barely played in 80 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: the last two years. So from that standpoint, those teams 81 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:19,159 Speaker 1: coming into a truncated season, having to play back to 82 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:20,880 Speaker 1: backs a lot, having to play back to back to 83 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:23,000 Speaker 1: backs a lot potentially, because we saw that in two 84 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 1: thousand twelve three games and three nights. I wouldn't be 85 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:27,600 Speaker 1: surprised if that came back. When you look at all 86 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 1: of those things, teams that are fresh going into that, uh, 87 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:33,839 Speaker 1: not only from a motivation standpoint, but from a physical standpoint, 88 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,839 Speaker 1: they're most definitely going to have an advantage. Uh. Now, 89 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 1: what does it mean for the teams that have been 90 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:41,279 Speaker 1: playing in the bubble. I think it's hard on them mentally, 91 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:44,280 Speaker 1: without a doubt. Going from being in that bubble to 92 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 1: coming out and only having a couple of months to 93 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:49,159 Speaker 1: kind of get your you know, wits back before you 94 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:51,159 Speaker 1: get back to work is gonna be tough. But I 95 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 1: think when they get back into the swing of things, 96 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:55,840 Speaker 1: they're gonna be fine. They love playing basketball, and when 97 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 1: they get to play home game and go home to 98 00:04:57,360 --> 00:04:59,240 Speaker 1: their family and go home to their families, I think 99 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: they're gonna be fine. When they get to go on 100 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 1: a road game and inevitably make their way to some establishment, 101 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 1: even if it's not necessarily recommended, I would imagine that 102 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:11,720 Speaker 1: they're going to be fine. Um Uh. So, you know, 103 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,360 Speaker 1: the only thing that I would be concerned about, potentially 104 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 1: is for players who did make it deep into the bubble. Um, 105 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:24,880 Speaker 1: there is this understanding that you know, Okay, you started 106 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 1: a training camp in early July, and you played through 107 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 1: the middle of October, and you're gonna get a couple 108 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 1: of months off, but you're starting in the middle of December, 109 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:37,280 Speaker 1: and if you make another deep playoff run next year, 110 00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: you're playing into the middle of June. So, to make 111 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 1: a long story short, that's essentially nine nine months of 112 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:47,120 Speaker 1: basketball in a twelve month span at an extremely high level, 113 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: at a championship level, because you were one of the 114 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 1: teams who made it deep into the bubble. So from 115 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 1: that standpoint, I would be moderately concerned about, you know, 116 00:05:56,680 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 1: serious injuries, just just based on the fact that these 117 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 1: guys have been playing so much basketball, you know, in 118 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: such a short period of time. That's a lot more 119 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:07,479 Speaker 1: than their accustomed to in that year. That doesn't mean 120 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:10,360 Speaker 1: you know, we we don't know any uh, A lot 121 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 1: of the studies that have been done on load management 122 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:15,159 Speaker 1: and you know, in heavy minutes and things like that 123 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: aren't necessarily you know, all that revealing as to whether 124 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,279 Speaker 1: or not it has a real effect on injuries. But 125 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 1: that'd be one thing to keep them keep an eye on, 126 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: which takes me to my first question that I got, 127 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: which was what will the toughest challenges be for the 128 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:34,600 Speaker 1: Lakers as a team this year? And now those challenges 129 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: just became twofold because it's not only the fact that 130 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 1: they're UH defending a title, which comes with its old 131 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 1: its own set of circumstances and challenges, but they're also 132 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 1: now the team that is UH going to be benefit 133 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:51,840 Speaker 1: or going to be most challenged by the quick turnaround 134 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 1: to start the next season. And so you know, first 135 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 1: of all, you look at what the normal challenges that 136 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 1: face a contender are, which first and foremost is motivation. 137 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 1: You know, like last year, the Lakers had Lebron who 138 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 1: was on what he himself was calling a revenge tour. 139 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 1: You've got Anthony Davis who's playing on a good basketball 140 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 1: team for the first time in his career. You've got 141 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: you've got a bunch of role players who are on 142 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 1: what most people were considering to be kind of like 143 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:20,240 Speaker 1: last chance contracts for them. So from that standpoint, that 144 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 1: roster from top to bottom was full of guys that 145 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: had every reason to go out and play their ass 146 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 1: off every night. And now that's changed, And don't get 147 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 1: me wrong, like their pros, they're going to find some 148 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: sort of motivation. But the reality is is they will 149 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:37,120 Speaker 1: be a lesser motivated team this year than a lot 150 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 1: of their peers will be, and it'll be something that 151 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: they will fight mentally all year long. And then the 152 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 1: second one is the famous pat riley is um that 153 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 1: you've heard, which is the disease of more. So now 154 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, guys who were comfortable playing in 155 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 1: smaller roles maybe more you know, more drawn to the 156 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: idea that they want to try to do more because 157 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 1: now that ultimate championship carrot in the in front of 158 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 1: them seems a little bit smaller, and they start to 159 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 1: think about some of their personal goals. So that will 160 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 1: be something to watch. And you know, a great example 161 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 1: is like now, to be clear, I don't think this 162 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 1: will be a problem, but you know, Lebron and Anthony 163 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: Davis got along really really well in this season because 164 00:08:17,720 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: of their mutual goal of winning a championship. But who 165 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 1: knows how that goal evolves as they move forward already 166 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 1: having been champions. Now, to be clear, I don't think 167 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:29,120 Speaker 1: that will be a problem. I think their relationship is 168 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: kind of built for this, but those are the kinds 169 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:35,200 Speaker 1: of challenges that defending champions are going to face. And 170 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:38,360 Speaker 1: so all of that gets compounded by the fact that 171 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:44,120 Speaker 1: now you're playing in this truncated season and you're doing 172 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: it on a quick turnaround, which takes those symptoms and 173 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:49,960 Speaker 1: kind of worsens them. And you know, like as a 174 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 1: result of that, what it's gonna be, what what the 175 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 1: Lakers are gonna be really tempted to do is let 176 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,760 Speaker 1: their foot way off the gas and be a poor 177 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:00,679 Speaker 1: effort team, which kind of inevitably leads to add habits, 178 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:02,839 Speaker 1: which is one of the things that I preach about 179 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:05,520 Speaker 1: all the time on Twitter, which is, you know, uh, 180 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:08,439 Speaker 1: there are habits in basketball that go above and beyond 181 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 1: you know, effort. So, for instance, like if you're a 182 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 1: we see this a lot in NBA history, championship level 183 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:18,679 Speaker 1: team wins the championship, they're still arguably the most talented 184 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 1: team in the league, but over the course of the season, 185 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 1: they let their habits slip, and then they turn it 186 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 1: on or try to turn it on late in the season. 187 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:30,679 Speaker 1: But you know, there's always this phase after you start 188 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 1: trying hard again where the habits aren't there. You know, 189 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:35,959 Speaker 1: a lot of stuff, especially on the defensive end of 190 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:39,720 Speaker 1: the ball, is instinctual. It's you know, you see something 191 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:42,920 Speaker 1: happen and you're reacting to it and not like overthinking, 192 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:45,559 Speaker 1: You're just reacting. And you know, my favorite example of 193 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:47,959 Speaker 1: this is the two thousand fourteen heat. You know, even 194 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,559 Speaker 1: with Dwayne Waite's decline, even with a lot of those 195 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:52,959 Speaker 1: older veteran players kind of reaching the end of the rope, 196 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:54,960 Speaker 1: you know, there was still a lot of talent on 197 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:57,440 Speaker 1: that team. Lebron was the best version of himself. Chris 198 00:09:57,480 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 1: Bosh had become a three point shooter. The Lakers had 199 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: on all in on Bosh at the five, so they 200 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: had their spacing figure it out. And what ended up 201 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: actually hurting them was they had they had developed bad habits. 202 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: They became a bad defensive team. They were outside of 203 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: the top ten. I think they were eleventh in defensive efficiency. 204 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:17,440 Speaker 1: So when they ran into a team like the Spurs, 205 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 1: who really required them to be extremely dialed in on 206 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 1: the defensive end of the ball, they didn't adjust fast 207 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 1: enough and they ended up getting themselves beat. So those 208 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 1: are the things that the Lakers are going to be 209 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:30,559 Speaker 1: fighting this year. Is and trying to maintain good habits 210 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,080 Speaker 1: and trying to make it so that you know, yeah, 211 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 1: they're never gonna be the same maniacal beast mentally that 212 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,360 Speaker 1: they were last season, but they can get as close 213 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:42,079 Speaker 1: to that as possible, then their talent can carry them 214 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: through at the end of the day. And then you know, 215 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 1: as it as it pertains to the shortened season, it's 216 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: really as simple as trying to limit minutes and then 217 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:54,640 Speaker 1: having the trainer kind of error on the side of 218 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 1: giving guys rest when they're dealing with soreness and being 219 00:10:57,400 --> 00:10:59,439 Speaker 1: banged up and so on and so forth. So we'll 220 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:02,199 Speaker 1: talk about this a lot when we get to the 221 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 1: Laker off season stuff, but this is a great example 222 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 1: of why, um, you know, the centers are so important 223 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 1: to this Laker team, even though they really can't play 224 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:15,439 Speaker 1: and keep postseason series. You know, just because they didn't 225 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:18,679 Speaker 1: need Dwight Howard and Javail to beat Miami or to 226 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 1: beat you know, to beat Houston, doesn't mean they don't 227 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:24,320 Speaker 1: need him in the regular season. Because the truth of 228 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: the matter is is they the biggest thing that Dwight 229 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,760 Speaker 1: and Javail provided for this Laker team this year was 230 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 1: just a physical presence that allowed them to keep Lebron 231 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:38,680 Speaker 1: in a D you know, around thirty five or less 232 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:42,319 Speaker 1: minutes and allowed them to, uh to allow those guys 233 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 1: to take the physical beatings so that they could get 234 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:46,280 Speaker 1: through the ad two games season with less wear and 235 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:48,719 Speaker 1: tear on their stars. And that's going to continue to 236 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:51,559 Speaker 1: be the case this year because with the with the 237 00:11:51,559 --> 00:11:53,480 Speaker 1: trunk kid of season, with all the back to backs, 238 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: with the short turnaround, now you're gonna want to keep 239 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 1: Lebron in a D down around like thirty two minutes 240 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:00,600 Speaker 1: in the regular season. You're gonn to want them down 241 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:02,959 Speaker 1: in that like Janice Range, and then you can kind 242 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:04,679 Speaker 1: of ramp them up as you get closer to the 243 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 1: postseason or in the early rounds of the postseason. But 244 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 1: if you're playing your stars thirty two minutes, that that's 245 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 1: that that requires you to have depth, and it requires 246 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:20,559 Speaker 1: you to lean have much more heavily on your role players. 247 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 1: So you know, that's gonna be the interesting thing for 248 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:27,200 Speaker 1: the Lakers is you know, trying to counterbalance uh, you know, 249 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: health with their habits, and I think the easiest way 250 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:31,679 Speaker 1: to do that is with minute limits. It's a lot 251 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:33,640 Speaker 1: easier to look Lebron and a D in the face 252 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:35,160 Speaker 1: and be like, I need you to be the same 253 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:38,440 Speaker 1: guys you were last year, and my reward to you 254 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: is going to be it's only for thirty two minutes 255 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:42,680 Speaker 1: a night, you know, Like we're gonna cut back your 256 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:46,400 Speaker 1: the volume of your workload, but we're gonna try to 257 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:49,280 Speaker 1: expect you to be near what you were last season 258 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: to maintain the identity and the and the habits of 259 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 1: the team that were championship level habits and championship type 260 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:59,679 Speaker 1: of identity. Um. So those are the things that the 261 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:01,439 Speaker 1: Lakers are gonna have to look out for, just watching 262 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:04,320 Speaker 1: their minutes, watching their uh you know, watching their wear 263 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 1: and tear, making sure guys get rest when they're dealing 264 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: with injuries and when they're a little fatigued, and then 265 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 1: that mental challenge like we discussed. So the next question 266 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 1: that I received from the mail bag, who is the 267 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:27,080 Speaker 1: biggest threat to the Lakers this year? So? Um, to me, 268 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 1: this threat remains the Clippers. And it's because of the 269 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 1: fact that you know, basketball is a is a matchup game, 270 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:36,560 Speaker 1: styles make fights. You've heard that saying a million times 271 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,079 Speaker 1: and if you look at you know, for instance, the 272 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: Warriors who I view as a team that is not 273 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:45,559 Speaker 1: a threat to the Lakers. Their strengths play right into 274 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:48,839 Speaker 1: the Lakers hands because the Laker defensive scheme is built 275 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:51,480 Speaker 1: around ball pressure on the perimeter, which I would expect 276 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: them to continue next year. Their their defensive scheme is 277 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 1: built around pressure on the pressure on the perimeter, taking 278 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 1: away the three point line, enforce and guys into their size, 279 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:04,240 Speaker 1: forcing guys to drive into to Dwight Howard, forcing him 280 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:07,080 Speaker 1: to drive into JaVale McGee, Anthony Davis, whoever it is 281 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 1: that they have next year on the interior. And so 282 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: from that standpoint, the Warriors defense. The Warriors offensive scheme 283 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:19,280 Speaker 1: is built around ball movement and drive and kick started 284 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 1: from double teams drawn by their shooters, so Steph and 285 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 1: Clay drawing a ton of attention from the three point line, 286 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 1: leading to guys working in three on two or working 287 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 1: in four on three, driving and kicking to each other. 288 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: There is not a great deal of mid range scoring 289 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:37,600 Speaker 1: talent on that Warrior's roster. Steph is a good mid 290 00:14:37,680 --> 00:14:40,400 Speaker 1: range score, but he's not a guy who consistently operates 291 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 1: out of that range. So you know, I think I 292 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 1: think that the Warriors lack of size and the way 293 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 1: that the Warriors offense is structured, I think they would 294 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 1: play right into the Lakers hands, and I think they'd 295 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:53,320 Speaker 1: get beat. Whereas the Clippers, they bring a lot of 296 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: things to the table that would at least cause matchup 297 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: issues for the Lakers. That doesn't mean I think the 298 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 1: Clippers would beat the Lakers. I still think that the 299 00:15:00,680 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 1: Lakers are a better team. But assuming the Clippers come 300 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 1: back with Paul George and and Kawhi Leonard and with 301 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: you know, let's say a slightly better role player set, 302 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:12,320 Speaker 1: you know, they ditched Lou Williams and Montrez Harald, they 303 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:15,920 Speaker 1: run their offense through Paul George and Kauai more. Uh, 304 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 1: then the issue becomes there an elite defensive team with 305 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 1: lots of defensive versatility who can do a lot of 306 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:23,400 Speaker 1: the things that Miami did to l A, which is 307 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 1: forced Anthony Davis to be a jump shooter, you know, 308 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: make Lebron score over wings all day long, all series long. 309 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:32,760 Speaker 1: They can do all those things, and their offense is 310 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: structured in a way that they do a lot of 311 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: scoring out of the mid range, which gives them the 312 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: ability to eventually, uh find quality shots against the truly 313 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:43,760 Speaker 1: elite Laker defense. So to me, at the end of 314 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 1: the day, the biggest threat to the Lakers remains the Clippers. 315 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:55,680 Speaker 1: So the uh, the next topic? I want to get it? 316 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 1: And I've received a million of these questions, including one 317 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 1: of the live questions from you guys is who do 318 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:03,120 Speaker 1: you think the Lakers should target in free agency or ever? 319 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 1: I've heard you know best trade targets for the Lakers. 320 00:16:06,320 --> 00:16:09,000 Speaker 1: Who should the Lakers focus on? Retaining? All of these 321 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: Lakers off season related topics, And from that standpoint, I'm 322 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: going to be doing a full length pod like this 323 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:20,600 Speaker 1: with Raj at Unwritten Rules, you guys know, on Twitter 324 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 1: at some point later this summer, and at that point, um, 325 00:16:24,280 --> 00:16:27,520 Speaker 1: I'll go for a full hour or so in depth 326 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 1: into this topic. But I will give you guys today 327 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:32,760 Speaker 1: kind of my initial layout of how I would see 328 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 1: the Laker off season going. And I think it's a 329 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 1: delicate process because first and foremost you have to understand that, 330 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 1: you know, one of my biggest basketball philosophies is to 331 00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:43,240 Speaker 1: not fix what's broken. And I have a funny story 332 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: about this. Back when I was playing in at Arizona 333 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 1: Christian University, I Uh. Uh, there was a one of 334 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:53,160 Speaker 1: my former roommates, one of my best friends in college, 335 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:57,480 Speaker 1: rest in PC unfortunately passed away earlier this year. Um, 336 00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 1: but his name was to Leave, and he was an 337 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,600 Speaker 1: All American guard when I was at Arizona Christian University 338 00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:04,680 Speaker 1: and and we would play, we would have practice during 339 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:08,120 Speaker 1: the day, and then he would invite me back with uh, 340 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:09,880 Speaker 1: you know, three or four guys to go do these 341 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:11,720 Speaker 1: two on two or three on three runs at the 342 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: gym late at night, like at like ten o'clock, which 343 00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:16,560 Speaker 1: in retrospect was kind of crazy because you know, we 344 00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:18,239 Speaker 1: would have practice during the day and it would be 345 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:20,720 Speaker 1: something that would put a lot of wear and tear 346 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:23,159 Speaker 1: on our bodies. But to Leave was a big believer 347 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 1: in learning, you know, winning offensive habits and uh and 348 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: overall just winning habits. And he would always work until 349 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:33,359 Speaker 1: he was a little bit older. When he was playing 350 00:17:33,359 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 1: on the team, he was thirty one. I was twenty two. 351 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:36,479 Speaker 1: A lot of the other guys in the team were 352 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:40,480 Speaker 1: in their twenties. And uh, he would constantly just try 353 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:42,840 Speaker 1: to try to get us to be at his level 354 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:45,560 Speaker 1: mentally as a basketball player. And so we played two 355 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:47,000 Speaker 1: on two and three on three, and him and I 356 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:49,920 Speaker 1: would play like pick and roll. Uh. He would commonly 357 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:51,879 Speaker 1: put me on his team because him and I played 358 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:54,240 Speaker 1: together in the in the starting lineup, so he wanted 359 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:56,520 Speaker 1: us to develop that chemistry, you know. And I do 360 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:59,480 Speaker 1: pick and roll, and I'd get like a small guy 361 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:01,680 Speaker 1: switched onto me, and I would kind of shoot a 362 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 1: little hook shot over the top and I'd score, and 363 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:05,520 Speaker 1: then the next possession, I'd like pick and pop to 364 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:07,320 Speaker 1: the three point line because I always was a shooter. 365 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:10,880 Speaker 1: And to Lee would like stop the game and yell 366 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:12,720 Speaker 1: at me and be like, what are you doing. You 367 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:15,640 Speaker 1: just scored in the low block. Do the exact same 368 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,639 Speaker 1: thing over and over again until they stop. You do 369 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 1: not switch away from something that isn't broken. And over 370 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:24,440 Speaker 1: the course of the season, he really worked on me 371 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:28,200 Speaker 1: in that regard that, you know, if I ever discovered, uh, 372 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:30,719 Speaker 1: you know, an inefficiency in the defense or something that 373 00:18:30,800 --> 00:18:33,679 Speaker 1: was working, I would stick with it until I absolutely 374 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:36,640 Speaker 1: couldn't use it anymore. And and it went even further 375 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 1: than that to the defensive end of the ball, Like 376 00:18:38,359 --> 00:18:40,760 Speaker 1: I I'd box out and I'd get a rebound, you know, 377 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,040 Speaker 1: two or three times in a row. But then I 378 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:45,800 Speaker 1: would you know, one the fourth time I would forget 379 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:48,560 Speaker 1: to box out and you know, to lee again stop 380 00:18:48,600 --> 00:18:50,119 Speaker 1: the game and just start yelling at me and be 381 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 1: like like what are you doing? Like you you have 382 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 1: to box out. If you don't box out, we could 383 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:56,320 Speaker 1: lose this game, you know. And it was it was 384 00:18:56,359 --> 00:18:58,680 Speaker 1: a matter of habits and just understanding that in any 385 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 1: any given possession and every little thing has to be 386 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:04,880 Speaker 1: done right and uh, no matter what, you don't get 387 00:19:04,920 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 1: away from something that's working. And so that's always been 388 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:09,679 Speaker 1: one of my ideologies. And so the Lakers that you 389 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:12,160 Speaker 1: have to remember, the Lakers have an identity, and their 390 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 1: identity is that they're they're big and physical and they're 391 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 1: gonna wear you down. Their identity is that they're going 392 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:20,119 Speaker 1: to defend the hell out of the basketball. They have 393 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 1: a scheme that fits around that defense and the identity. 394 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 1: On offenses, everything goes through Lebron and a D. They 395 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:28,440 Speaker 1: do not get into the habit of running too many 396 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 1: actions for role players like the Clippers did, then ended 397 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:34,399 Speaker 1: up getting their stars out of rhythm. You saw with 398 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:37,920 Speaker 1: the Clippers they ran so much stuff through Lou Williams 399 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:39,959 Speaker 1: and so much stuff through Montrese Harrald and they let 400 00:19:39,960 --> 00:19:42,919 Speaker 1: Reggie Jackson do stuff, and they let Marcus Morris do stuff, 401 00:19:43,320 --> 00:19:46,680 Speaker 1: and it really hurt Paul George's rhythm because he would 402 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:49,760 Speaker 1: struggle night in and night out because his role in 403 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:51,879 Speaker 1: the offense was funky because he was one of six 404 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:54,520 Speaker 1: ball handlers instead of one of two. And that's what 405 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:57,680 Speaker 1: the Lakers that figure out. So it's very important when 406 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:00,880 Speaker 1: the Lakers are approaching this offseason make sure that their 407 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:04,680 Speaker 1: moves fit into their current identity because if they get 408 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:08,400 Speaker 1: too carried away bringing in players that change the identity, 409 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 1: now you're running the risk of of becoming a team 410 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:13,960 Speaker 1: that's not a championship team because your current identity is 411 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:17,440 Speaker 1: a championship identity. So it's very important that they do 412 00:20:17,800 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 1: they they focus this offseason on making sure that they 413 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 1: kind of perfect their existing identity instead of getting too 414 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:28,960 Speaker 1: far out of their identity. Um. So starting with there's 415 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 1: kind of three elements to this. Who do you bring back? Um, 416 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:35,600 Speaker 1: what kind of players would you potentially target in trades? 417 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 1: And what kind of players are you looking at in 418 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,119 Speaker 1: the free agent market? You know, and as far as 419 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 1: the off season goes from a retention standpoint, the players 420 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,200 Speaker 1: that I'm not at all worried about bringing back are Markueth. 421 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:50,080 Speaker 1: I know a lot of people like Mark Kief, but 422 00:20:50,119 --> 00:20:53,920 Speaker 1: I thought he was kind of overrated defensively and then 423 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 1: on the offensive end of the floor. While he did 424 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 1: make some shots, I think that's something that they can 425 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:01,680 Speaker 1: find from other players. And I'm more more worried about 426 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:04,719 Speaker 1: the fact that he couldn't really guard anybody. Dion Waiters, 427 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 1: who cares. I know there's a lot of Laker optimism 428 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:09,119 Speaker 1: about Dion Waiters, but he does not fit into the 429 00:21:09,160 --> 00:21:11,040 Speaker 1: identity of this team at all. Same goes for j R. 430 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:15,320 Speaker 1: Smith and then JaVale McGhee. I think that if you 431 00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:18,159 Speaker 1: can get someone like DeMarcus Cousins to play that JaVale 432 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:21,119 Speaker 1: McGhee roll instead, I think that's a better route. And 433 00:21:21,320 --> 00:21:23,160 Speaker 1: you know, for all of the things that JaVale brought 434 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:24,480 Speaker 1: to the table this year, I thought he was a 435 00:21:24,480 --> 00:21:26,959 Speaker 1: little more negative than positive, and I think that if 436 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:29,199 Speaker 1: you can get somebody different, those are the guys to 437 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:32,720 Speaker 1: go after. The the guys that I would absolutely try 438 00:21:32,760 --> 00:21:36,000 Speaker 1: to bring back like a high priority would be Dwight 439 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:39,840 Speaker 1: Howard because Dwight Howard is like Dwight Howard becomes infinitely 440 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:43,119 Speaker 1: more valuable now as a result of the quick turnaround 441 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:45,960 Speaker 1: and the truncated season that now you're looking at a 442 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:51,680 Speaker 1: situation where um Dwight's depth that he provides, Dwight's physical 443 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 1: presence inside becomes immensely important in that you know, a 444 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:59,560 Speaker 1: quick turnaround season with games like probably every other night, 445 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 1: Dwight is a high, high priority. So when it comes 446 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:05,920 Speaker 1: to their cap exception, that is the primary player I 447 00:22:05,920 --> 00:22:07,920 Speaker 1: would target if you if you can't, if you can't 448 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:10,200 Speaker 1: get him at a veteran minimum, then I that's the 449 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,240 Speaker 1: guy that I'd be willing to dip into the exception. 450 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:15,679 Speaker 1: For Avery Bradley, my guess is that he's going to 451 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 1: opt out of his five million dollars for next year 452 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:20,360 Speaker 1: and the Lakers can sign him at I think it's 453 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 1: a ten percent raise, So they can get him at 454 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,280 Speaker 1: like five point seven or five point five or whatever 455 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:25,960 Speaker 1: it is for next season. A little bit of a 456 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:29,359 Speaker 1: raise for Avery and UH gets him back on the roster. 457 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 1: I think that's an important target for them, just in 458 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 1: terms of guard depth. KCP I expect to opt in, 459 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:37,560 Speaker 1: but who knows. With KCP, he's got such like an 460 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:40,120 Speaker 1: under the table thing going on with Clutch that who 461 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:43,320 Speaker 1: knows what they're gonna end up doing. And then the 462 00:22:43,359 --> 00:22:45,240 Speaker 1: only guy that I think that I would bring back, 463 00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 1: but only at a veteran minimum, is region Rondo because 464 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:50,960 Speaker 1: you know, while Raision Rondo had some moments for the 465 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:53,480 Speaker 1: Lakers in this postseason run, I happen to be one 466 00:22:53,520 --> 00:22:55,000 Speaker 1: of the guys who thought he was just as much 467 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:57,280 Speaker 1: bad as good. You know, for all of the good 468 00:22:57,359 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 1: moments that he had, there were games where I thought 469 00:22:59,119 --> 00:23:01,280 Speaker 1: he really hurt the team tam And while his i 470 00:23:01,359 --> 00:23:03,560 Speaker 1: Q is something that has been touted, I think that 471 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:06,439 Speaker 1: Lebron kind of accomplishes that goal anyway in and of himself. 472 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:08,919 Speaker 1: It's kind of a redundancy in that regard, Like if 473 00:23:09,040 --> 00:23:10,679 Speaker 1: Rondo is not in the locker room, it's not like 474 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:13,240 Speaker 1: the team's gonna stop watching film like you've got Lebron 475 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:15,760 Speaker 1: there for that. Lebron is a nerd of the game's 476 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:18,680 Speaker 1: gonna take that same approach. And uh, I don't think 477 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:21,800 Speaker 1: that it's a huge loss to get to to lose him. 478 00:23:21,800 --> 00:23:23,520 Speaker 1: But if you can bring him back at a veteran minimum, 479 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:25,639 Speaker 1: which I think the Lakers can, I think you have 480 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 1: to because at the very least he does give you 481 00:23:29,359 --> 00:23:34,119 Speaker 1: that uh that potential postseason, you know, any other Like 482 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:35,879 Speaker 1: every other game, he was one of the best players 483 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:37,520 Speaker 1: on the floor, even if he was the worst player 484 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:40,520 Speaker 1: in some of the other games. So yeah, Rondo at 485 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:42,840 Speaker 1: a veteran minimum, K C. P. Bradley and Dwight, I 486 00:23:42,880 --> 00:23:44,720 Speaker 1: think you've got to try to extend yourself to whatever 487 00:23:44,760 --> 00:23:46,520 Speaker 1: it takes to get him to come back. And then 488 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 1: I'm not worried at all about Markief, Dion j R. 489 00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:52,959 Speaker 1: Or Javail. So I made a list of free agent targets. 490 00:23:52,960 --> 00:23:56,560 Speaker 1: I dug into this a lot this afternoon. UMU. The 491 00:23:56,600 --> 00:23:59,240 Speaker 1: main free agents that I saw in the entire list 492 00:23:59,280 --> 00:24:01,280 Speaker 1: of the league agents that I think the Lakers would 493 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:07,600 Speaker 1: consider was Danilo Gallinari, Wesley Matthews, Glenn Robinson, the third, 494 00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:15,639 Speaker 1: Justin Holiday, Gerald Green, Ryan Anderson, Darren Collison, Boogie Cousins 495 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:20,240 Speaker 1: who's technically a free agent, Iman Chumpert, and mo Hearkless. 496 00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:22,680 Speaker 1: And the names that I circled that I thought were 497 00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:25,960 Speaker 1: kind of uh, you know, high priority targets in that list, 498 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:31,280 Speaker 1: where Gallinari, Mo Heartless, Wes Matthews, Boogie Cousins, and Darren Collinson. 499 00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:34,280 Speaker 1: So first Boogie Cousins, I'd go after him to try 500 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 1: to get him in that Javail role. I think with 501 00:24:36,119 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 1: his injury history, I think he's gonna have a hard 502 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:40,880 Speaker 1: time finding a contract, especially in this summer when there's 503 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:43,399 Speaker 1: not all that much free agent money available. So I 504 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:45,399 Speaker 1: think Boogie Cousins can be had on the cheap. So 505 00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:46,760 Speaker 1: I think if you can get him in l a 506 00:24:47,560 --> 00:24:50,080 Speaker 1: um kind of have him played that JaVale McGee roll, 507 00:24:50,119 --> 00:24:51,920 Speaker 1: have him and Dwight be the two centers that you 508 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:55,720 Speaker 1: play for. For like, Javal brought a lot more athleticism 509 00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:58,040 Speaker 1: in length around the rim, but he was so like 510 00:24:58,160 --> 00:25:00,879 Speaker 1: such a space case around the rim some times over helping, 511 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:02,920 Speaker 1: fouling when he should and all of this other stuff 512 00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:05,440 Speaker 1: that even though Boogie is not going to be as 513 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:08,760 Speaker 1: good of a defensive player, uh in terms of his talent, 514 00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:10,880 Speaker 1: I think just with his i Q for the game, 515 00:25:10,920 --> 00:25:13,280 Speaker 1: he'll be just as effective on that end of the ball. 516 00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:16,120 Speaker 1: So and then he's gonna be a significantly better offensive player, 517 00:25:16,200 --> 00:25:18,440 Speaker 1: especially with his ability to stretch the floor. So I 518 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:21,560 Speaker 1: think Boogie Cousins is at the veteran minimum is a 519 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:24,680 Speaker 1: no brainer if you can get him there. Darren Collison, 520 00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:27,560 Speaker 1: it's all about whether or not he's coming back. But 521 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:31,880 Speaker 1: Darren Collison gives you just one more additional decision maker 522 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 1: who's not going to be a high volume guy, and 523 00:25:34,359 --> 00:25:36,640 Speaker 1: he's a really really good spot up shooter. Two years 524 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:39,159 Speaker 1: ago in Indiana he was an unbelievable spot up shooter. 525 00:25:39,280 --> 00:25:42,679 Speaker 1: So he provides basically a much much better version of Rondo. 526 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:45,200 Speaker 1: The problem is that if Darren comes back, he's definitely 527 00:25:45,200 --> 00:25:48,200 Speaker 1: going to be in that exception range, like they're they're 528 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:50,920 Speaker 1: gonna have to pay him. So if you get Darren Collison, that, 529 00:25:51,080 --> 00:25:53,280 Speaker 1: in my opinion, that takes the wings off the table. 530 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 1: That takes Gallinari, West Matthews, and Mo Heartless off the table. 531 00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:59,280 Speaker 1: So um in order you know, I was asked to 532 00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:02,440 Speaker 1: rank the in one of the mail back questions pick 533 00:26:02,520 --> 00:26:03,840 Speaker 1: up Hope. You guys know him. He's one of my 534 00:26:03,880 --> 00:26:07,600 Speaker 1: favorite Twitter accounts. He's always got all the receipts. But 535 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:10,639 Speaker 1: he was asking about how you'd rank if you couldn't 536 00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 1: get Gallinari, because I think we all agree Gallinari's the 537 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:15,439 Speaker 1: best option, and I'll get to y in a second, 538 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 1: but how would you rank West, Matthews, Mo Heartless, Glenn 539 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 1: Robinson the third or justin Holiday, and I put West 540 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:29,560 Speaker 1: Matthews at the top of this list. West Matthews is 541 00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:32,439 Speaker 1: is one of the best perimeter defenders that we have 542 00:26:32,480 --> 00:26:34,399 Speaker 1: in the league, which is insane for a guy who 543 00:26:34,480 --> 00:26:38,119 Speaker 1: is playing on a veteran minimum contract in Milwaukee. He's 544 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 1: a little bit undersized but in terms of his height, 545 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:46,040 Speaker 1: but he's extremely strong and extremely laterally quick. He's very 546 00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:48,920 Speaker 1: good at making you shoot over the top. He's very 547 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:52,560 Speaker 1: good with ball pressure, and he's he's it's very difficult 548 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:54,959 Speaker 1: to get around him. And as you saw if you've 549 00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:58,280 Speaker 1: ever watched with him Wesley Matthews play, He's he's just 550 00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:01,359 Speaker 1: a total pest on the ball. And in terms of 551 00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:04,440 Speaker 1: what the Lakers defensive scheme is, which is heavy ball 552 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:08,240 Speaker 1: pressure forcing guys to drive, West Matthews fits into that 553 00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:11,439 Speaker 1: scheme absolutely perfectly, and so I like him as a 554 00:27:11,480 --> 00:27:15,120 Speaker 1: fit um. I like him as a fit in that role, 555 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:16,880 Speaker 1: especially given the fact that he can shoot the ball 556 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:19,919 Speaker 1: so well. I'd rank number two mo Hearkless. Now, mo 557 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 1: Hearkless is not as good as a shooter as with 558 00:27:21,880 --> 00:27:25,160 Speaker 1: Matthew West Matthews, and he's definitely not as laterally quick 559 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:28,000 Speaker 1: as West Matthews. The reason why I like Mo Heartless 560 00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:29,439 Speaker 1: is I think he's a bit of an ace in 561 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:32,280 Speaker 1: the hole to use against the Clippers. He's a player 562 00:27:32,359 --> 00:27:36,159 Speaker 1: that I can put on Kauai and I can feel 563 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:39,560 Speaker 1: reasonably sure, reasonably certain that he's gonna make him work. 564 00:27:39,720 --> 00:27:41,119 Speaker 1: He's not gonna be able to shut him down, but 565 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:43,440 Speaker 1: nobody can. He's gonna be able to make him work. 566 00:27:43,680 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 1: So I put Mo Hearkless number two, and then Glenn 567 00:27:46,320 --> 00:27:48,480 Speaker 1: between Glenn Robinson the third and Justin Holiday. To be 568 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:51,640 Speaker 1: honest with you, guys, I haven't seen too much of them. 569 00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:55,119 Speaker 1: I haven't watched a ton of either of them, but 570 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:57,040 Speaker 1: I know that I would prefer those other two names 571 00:27:57,040 --> 00:28:00,960 Speaker 1: I mentioned over them. The reason why dar Danilla Gallinari 572 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:03,880 Speaker 1: is number one on my list is he is a 573 00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:07,200 Speaker 1: textbook high i Q player that's just gonna fit really, 574 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:10,520 Speaker 1: really well alongside Lebron James. Now. One of the issues 575 00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:12,320 Speaker 1: that he had and okay see is he was asked 576 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:15,199 Speaker 1: to be too much. Danila Gallinari was basically like a 577 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:18,600 Speaker 1: second option on that Thunder team on any given moment 578 00:28:18,600 --> 00:28:21,160 Speaker 1: on the floor because he'd play with you know, Chris 579 00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 1: Paul and Shake Gils Alexander had their offensive responsibilities, but 580 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:26,359 Speaker 1: Daniella Gallanari was running a lot of pick and roll. 581 00:28:26,400 --> 00:28:28,800 Speaker 1: He's doing a lot to generate offense on that team. 582 00:28:29,320 --> 00:28:32,119 Speaker 1: On the Lakers, with the way that their identity is structured, 583 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:34,479 Speaker 1: you can count on the Lakers putting him into a 584 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:37,920 Speaker 1: little bit smaller role offensively. He will run pick and roll, 585 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:40,080 Speaker 1: he will run stuff with the ball in his hands, 586 00:28:40,480 --> 00:28:42,920 Speaker 1: but he can do it kind of like when he 587 00:28:42,960 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 1: has it going and when it's free flowing in the 588 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:46,880 Speaker 1: flow of the game. He's not going to be demanded 589 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:49,320 Speaker 1: to do that sort of thing on the defensive side 590 00:28:49,320 --> 00:28:51,480 Speaker 1: of the ball. He's a classic case of a guy 591 00:28:51,520 --> 00:28:55,040 Speaker 1: that you can ask to fill an easy defensive role. Hey, Danilo, 592 00:28:55,120 --> 00:28:57,000 Speaker 1: it doesn't matter if you get blown by You just 593 00:28:57,040 --> 00:28:59,440 Speaker 1: got to chase him off the three point line, and 594 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:01,200 Speaker 1: if he beat you out the three point line, you've 595 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:03,400 Speaker 1: got to be next in rotation and get to somebody 596 00:29:03,400 --> 00:29:05,760 Speaker 1: else on the floor that's uncovered, which is a lot 597 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:09,240 Speaker 1: easier job than asking a guy to be at lockdown 598 00:29:09,640 --> 00:29:13,000 Speaker 1: individual defensive player. So from that standpoint, I think he's 599 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:14,880 Speaker 1: a natural fit. He can shoot the ball, so he's 600 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:19,640 Speaker 1: good for spacing. He can attack close outs. He's got size, uh, 601 00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:21,960 Speaker 1: and he's got enough quickness to fit into the Laker 602 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:25,720 Speaker 1: defensive scheme as a perimeter player. UM and just all 603 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:28,480 Speaker 1: in all, he's with what the Lakers would ask him 604 00:29:28,480 --> 00:29:30,040 Speaker 1: to do. I think he'd be a home run hitter. 605 00:29:31,440 --> 00:29:33,160 Speaker 1: The other three names I have on my list are 606 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:35,720 Speaker 1: all what I would consider veteran minimum guys, guys that 607 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:38,960 Speaker 1: have almost no chance of fetching big paychecks around the league. 608 00:29:39,680 --> 00:29:43,560 Speaker 1: Jerald Green. There's a story out that Gerald Green wants 609 00:29:43,600 --> 00:29:47,360 Speaker 1: to go to Houston again, but Houston's cap is completely 610 00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:51,239 Speaker 1: messed up and their owner is a total cheap uh, 611 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:55,120 Speaker 1: total cheap guys. So at this point, chances are, uh, 612 00:29:55,200 --> 00:29:57,880 Speaker 1: there's a good there's a good opportunity that Houston won't 613 00:29:57,920 --> 00:30:00,600 Speaker 1: bring him back. And he's an example of just another 614 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:03,480 Speaker 1: wing that brings some athleticism that you could ask to 615 00:30:03,480 --> 00:30:06,600 Speaker 1: play a really simplified role in this offense and on 616 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:09,880 Speaker 1: this defense, and uh, and you can have him regardless 617 00:30:09,920 --> 00:30:13,400 Speaker 1: of your cap situation. Ryan Anderson was another name I 618 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:16,160 Speaker 1: brought up. Again, doesn't fit into the defensive scheme, but 619 00:30:16,240 --> 00:30:19,160 Speaker 1: what he helps you with is he's a really really 620 00:30:19,200 --> 00:30:22,800 Speaker 1: good shooter that on any given random night in Charlotte. 621 00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:26,520 Speaker 1: You know, on a Tuesday in February, you can ask 622 00:30:26,640 --> 00:30:29,240 Speaker 1: him to play fifteen minutes and he'll be able to 623 00:30:29,280 --> 00:30:31,760 Speaker 1: fit alongside Lebron James. Even though he might hurt you 624 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:33,719 Speaker 1: on the defensive end of the ball, he eats up 625 00:30:33,760 --> 00:30:37,320 Speaker 1: minutes and he can help you from the standpoint of 626 00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:39,960 Speaker 1: of getting through that seventy two game grind in a 627 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:42,440 Speaker 1: four month stretch, it's just death. And then the last 628 00:30:42,480 --> 00:30:45,120 Speaker 1: name I put on there Razimman Schumpert. This is a 629 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:47,160 Speaker 1: classic example of a guy who could fit into that 630 00:30:47,240 --> 00:30:51,720 Speaker 1: like lesser version of a Contavious Caldwell Pope type of role. 631 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:54,280 Speaker 1: You put him as an off guard. On offense, he's 632 00:30:54,280 --> 00:30:57,160 Speaker 1: spotting up and attacking closeouts, and then on the defensive 633 00:30:57,240 --> 00:30:59,479 Speaker 1: end of the ball. Ball pressure has always been one 634 00:30:59,480 --> 00:31:01,800 Speaker 1: of his strong points. You put him in ball pressure. 635 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:04,280 Speaker 1: He's a little bit undersized, so he can't like guard 636 00:31:04,280 --> 00:31:06,360 Speaker 1: big old rangey wings. But as long as you can 637 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:08,480 Speaker 1: force him off the three point line, that's what you 638 00:31:08,520 --> 00:31:10,800 Speaker 1: have Anthony Davis and all those centers for. It's a 639 00:31:10,800 --> 00:31:13,200 Speaker 1: it's a it's a brilliant structure to the way that 640 00:31:13,240 --> 00:31:16,640 Speaker 1: there uh their scheme works so as far as trade 641 00:31:16,680 --> 00:31:24,120 Speaker 1: targets go, I am totally anti. I'm totally anti Chris Paul. UM. 642 00:31:24,240 --> 00:31:26,560 Speaker 1: I don't think that he's worth what you'd have to 643 00:31:26,560 --> 00:31:29,520 Speaker 1: pay in terms of salaries to get it fit the 644 00:31:29,680 --> 00:31:32,160 Speaker 1: to get it to fit. The only universe in which 645 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:33,960 Speaker 1: I think Chris Paul makes any sense as if he 646 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:36,280 Speaker 1: takes a buy out, which really is down to Chris Paul. 647 00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:38,360 Speaker 1: And if we've learned anything about Chris Paul and his 648 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:41,080 Speaker 1: comments on this subject, he's not taking a pay cut. 649 00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:44,840 Speaker 1: So unless okay, see feels so deeply indebted to Chris 650 00:31:44,880 --> 00:31:47,920 Speaker 1: Paul that they're willing to cut him a check for 651 00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:51,520 Speaker 1: forty million for the next two years to leave, then 652 00:31:51,680 --> 00:31:53,920 Speaker 1: I don't see this thing happening. And so chances are 653 00:31:53,960 --> 00:31:55,880 Speaker 1: I think he ends up getting traded to someone else. 654 00:31:56,480 --> 00:31:59,480 Speaker 1: Um If if the Lakers do throw in a ton 655 00:31:59,480 --> 00:32:02,440 Speaker 1: of salary reason role players and toss away all their 656 00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:04,440 Speaker 1: depth to try to get Chris Paul, I think that 657 00:32:04,440 --> 00:32:10,240 Speaker 1: would be a catastrophic mistake. UM. Bradley Beale is completely unrealistic. 658 00:32:10,680 --> 00:32:12,960 Speaker 1: The two names that I put down that I think 659 00:32:12,960 --> 00:32:15,360 Speaker 1: are decent fits that make sense with the salary that 660 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:17,640 Speaker 1: would work, not only in the short term, but for 661 00:32:17,680 --> 00:32:21,920 Speaker 1: the long term for the Lakers was Spencer Dinwittie and 662 00:32:22,360 --> 00:32:26,080 Speaker 1: uh In Victor Oladipo. So these are guys I think 663 00:32:26,120 --> 00:32:28,440 Speaker 1: Spencer didn't what he makes around sixteen million, and then 664 00:32:28,520 --> 00:32:32,200 Speaker 1: Victor Oladipo's in that twenty million dollar range. Um. Both 665 00:32:32,240 --> 00:32:34,800 Speaker 1: of them are coming up on new contracts in the 666 00:32:34,840 --> 00:32:38,840 Speaker 1: future soon. But both of them represent players that fit 667 00:32:39,520 --> 00:32:42,200 Speaker 1: a a role, a kind of a hole in the 668 00:32:42,280 --> 00:32:44,440 Speaker 1: roster that we talked about a lot last year, which 669 00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:48,160 Speaker 1: is just another playmaker alongside Lebron. So in this situation, 670 00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:52,040 Speaker 1: you'd have to ditch Rondo altogether as part of your offense, 671 00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:53,680 Speaker 1: because again, like we talked about, you don't want to 672 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:56,800 Speaker 1: lose your identity, your identities. Most of the offense runs 673 00:32:56,800 --> 00:33:01,120 Speaker 1: through Lebron and runs through Anthony Davis. And so what 674 00:33:01,200 --> 00:33:04,760 Speaker 1: I like about Spencer Dinwoodie is in his time in Brooklyn, 675 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:08,520 Speaker 1: he showed an ability to succeed on the offensive side 676 00:33:08,560 --> 00:33:11,720 Speaker 1: of the floor while not necessarily having a super high 677 00:33:11,800 --> 00:33:14,760 Speaker 1: usage rate and by being kind of from time to 678 00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:17,720 Speaker 1: time being under involved in the offense. And so from 679 00:33:17,720 --> 00:33:21,080 Speaker 1: that standpoint, I think he's a perfect fit as a 680 00:33:21,160 --> 00:33:24,160 Speaker 1: third ball handler. A third star, so to speak, on 681 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:27,440 Speaker 1: this team, and quite frankly, I think Brooklyn needs to 682 00:33:27,480 --> 00:33:30,280 Speaker 1: make a move that involves one of their two big 683 00:33:30,440 --> 00:33:34,720 Speaker 1: perimeter backup players, which is Carris LeVert and Spencer Dinwoody, 684 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:37,080 Speaker 1: because they don't have any depth and they don't have 685 00:33:37,120 --> 00:33:39,760 Speaker 1: any dirty work guys, and so the move there would 686 00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:44,280 Speaker 1: be Crusoe and Kuzma and whatever salary filler you need 687 00:33:44,320 --> 00:33:48,040 Speaker 1: to put together um for Spencer Dinwoodie. Spencer dinwood he 688 00:33:48,040 --> 00:33:52,760 Speaker 1: slides into that, uh that a starting guard role kind 689 00:33:52,760 --> 00:33:55,600 Speaker 1: of where Crusoe is playing in the finals. I know 690 00:33:55,680 --> 00:33:57,920 Speaker 1: you guys all love Cruso. I love Caruso too, and 691 00:33:57,920 --> 00:34:00,800 Speaker 1: he'd be great on the contract next season, but he 692 00:34:00,920 --> 00:34:03,040 Speaker 1: will eventually get paid and the Lakers aren't going to 693 00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:05,560 Speaker 1: be the ones to pay him. So you lose one 694 00:34:05,640 --> 00:34:08,080 Speaker 1: year of Alex Caruso for whatever your future is with 695 00:34:08,120 --> 00:34:11,239 Speaker 1: Spencer Dinwoody. And Victor Oladipo is another great example of 696 00:34:11,239 --> 00:34:14,080 Speaker 1: that as well. You get to basically try out Victor Oladipo. 697 00:34:14,160 --> 00:34:16,200 Speaker 1: You get to see what he's worth in a one 698 00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:18,680 Speaker 1: year sample size, and then it's your move if you 699 00:34:18,719 --> 00:34:21,160 Speaker 1: want to resign him next year, or if you want 700 00:34:21,160 --> 00:34:25,120 Speaker 1: to let him go. UH and then Kuzma, same exact problem. 701 00:34:25,400 --> 00:34:29,040 Speaker 1: You're getting rid of Kuzma, but you're eventually gonna have 702 00:34:29,120 --> 00:34:31,920 Speaker 1: to pay him way more than what his actual production is. 703 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:34,359 Speaker 1: So it's a simple trade off of two guys that 704 00:34:34,400 --> 00:34:36,720 Speaker 1: you're probably not gonna eventually want to pay in Kuzman 705 00:34:36,719 --> 00:34:39,799 Speaker 1: and Curus. So for a player that's an instant fit 706 00:34:39,960 --> 00:34:43,320 Speaker 1: right now, which is that third guard in Dinwoody in 707 00:34:43,400 --> 00:34:46,640 Speaker 1: an Oladipo, And then with either player, you kind of 708 00:34:46,680 --> 00:34:48,520 Speaker 1: have the flexibility of what you want to do signing 709 00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:50,920 Speaker 1: them long term. And the biggest thing there is you're 710 00:34:50,960 --> 00:34:53,640 Speaker 1: banking on. You know, that identity I talked about works 711 00:34:53,680 --> 00:34:55,400 Speaker 1: for right now, and I believe it will work at 712 00:34:55,440 --> 00:34:58,480 Speaker 1: least through next season. But eventually Lebron will slow down 713 00:34:58,520 --> 00:35:00,400 Speaker 1: a little bit, and when he does, you need to 714 00:35:00,400 --> 00:35:03,160 Speaker 1: have a backup plan centered on some other form of 715 00:35:03,440 --> 00:35:06,719 Speaker 1: high volume ball handler and Uh as somebody that can 716 00:35:06,800 --> 00:35:09,359 Speaker 1: keep you know that you can still use Lebron as 717 00:35:09,400 --> 00:35:12,480 Speaker 1: a as kind of like a second option ball handler 718 00:35:12,480 --> 00:35:14,399 Speaker 1: when he's thirty eight thirty nine years old, but you've 719 00:35:14,440 --> 00:35:17,640 Speaker 1: got somebody that can be that guard that can run 720 00:35:17,680 --> 00:35:20,000 Speaker 1: a lot of actions with Anthony Davis actions with Lebron 721 00:35:20,040 --> 00:35:22,360 Speaker 1: so on and so forth. So yeah, like I said, no, 722 00:35:22,480 --> 00:35:25,600 Speaker 1: CP three, Bradley Beal is not a realistic target. I 723 00:35:25,640 --> 00:35:28,759 Speaker 1: really like Spencer Dinwititi spend Spencer Dinwitty, and I like 724 00:35:29,600 --> 00:35:34,879 Speaker 1: Victor Oladipo. So Um, the last question I have from 725 00:35:34,960 --> 00:35:38,279 Speaker 1: the mail bag set that I received earlier, and then 726 00:35:38,320 --> 00:35:40,480 Speaker 1: I'll take one or two from the questions. So if 727 00:35:40,480 --> 00:35:43,440 Speaker 1: you guys have any questions, UH, drop him in the 728 00:35:43,480 --> 00:35:48,640 Speaker 1: comments here. Um. But the last question I had was 729 00:35:48,680 --> 00:35:50,840 Speaker 1: from a buddy of my name, Travis, who I played 730 00:35:50,840 --> 00:35:54,760 Speaker 1: against in college and now he's an assistant coach at 731 00:35:54,800 --> 00:35:58,240 Speaker 1: a university out in California. He asked me to rank 732 00:35:58,520 --> 00:36:03,120 Speaker 1: the following duos, not counting any trades or offseason moves, 733 00:36:03,160 --> 00:36:05,799 Speaker 1: just what you think of these duos if you had 734 00:36:05,840 --> 00:36:08,600 Speaker 1: to pick him for the next five years. And the 735 00:36:08,680 --> 00:36:12,000 Speaker 1: duos that he sent me were Luca and Cristaps Porzingis, 736 00:36:13,280 --> 00:36:17,480 Speaker 1: Jalen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Jamal Murray and Nikola Yogich, 737 00:36:18,520 --> 00:36:22,000 Speaker 1: Joe l em Beat and Ben Simmons, and then Devin 738 00:36:22,040 --> 00:36:25,359 Speaker 1: Booker and DeAndre Aten. And so this one was tough 739 00:36:25,400 --> 00:36:27,520 Speaker 1: because I think there's a difference between, you know what 740 00:36:27,560 --> 00:36:29,640 Speaker 1: you could expect from one of these guys next year, 741 00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:32,040 Speaker 1: one of these duos next year, in which you can 742 00:36:32,040 --> 00:36:34,200 Speaker 1: expect from them in the next five years. I put 743 00:36:34,280 --> 00:36:37,399 Speaker 1: I picked Luca and Kristaps Porzingis first, and it really 744 00:36:37,480 --> 00:36:39,680 Speaker 1: was simple for me. I think Lucas I think I 745 00:36:39,760 --> 00:36:42,080 Speaker 1: ranked him seventh in my top ten players in the league, 746 00:36:42,520 --> 00:36:45,280 Speaker 1: and that's based on where he is absolutely at this moment. 747 00:36:45,520 --> 00:36:48,000 Speaker 1: But if he becomes even an average defender and above, 748 00:36:48,080 --> 00:36:50,160 Speaker 1: and if he becomes an average three point shooter, so 749 00:36:50,160 --> 00:36:53,080 Speaker 1: instead of shooting percent from three, shoots thirty seven percent 750 00:36:53,120 --> 00:36:56,000 Speaker 1: from three, And if he becomes a decent positional defender 751 00:36:56,040 --> 00:36:58,560 Speaker 1: who just knows where to be and knows how to rotate, 752 00:36:58,640 --> 00:37:00,200 Speaker 1: knows how to just be in the right spot, even 753 00:37:00,200 --> 00:37:02,680 Speaker 1: though he's never asked to be a shutdown defensive player. 754 00:37:02,800 --> 00:37:04,600 Speaker 1: If he figures those two things out, he's a top 755 00:37:04,640 --> 00:37:08,080 Speaker 1: three or four player in the league. And Christap Sporzingis is, 756 00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:10,759 Speaker 1: you know, it's not the kind of guy that you 757 00:37:10,800 --> 00:37:12,759 Speaker 1: think of as a traditional second star, but he is 758 00:37:12,760 --> 00:37:15,360 Speaker 1: a natural fit with Luca as a as a spacing 759 00:37:15,480 --> 00:37:17,439 Speaker 1: five and a guy that you can throw the ball 760 00:37:17,480 --> 00:37:19,719 Speaker 1: down to on the block when Lucas off the floor, 761 00:37:19,800 --> 00:37:22,840 Speaker 1: so on and so forth. So I definitely take him 762 00:37:23,239 --> 00:37:27,400 Speaker 1: moving forward. Secondly, I would take Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum. 763 00:37:27,440 --> 00:37:30,560 Speaker 1: I I ranked Tatum as the eleventh best player in 764 00:37:30,560 --> 00:37:33,720 Speaker 1: the league this year, just ahead of Jimmy Butler at twelve, 765 00:37:34,320 --> 00:37:36,759 Speaker 1: and I I think Jayson Tatum is one of the 766 00:37:36,800 --> 00:37:38,440 Speaker 1: two guys in there, one of the few guys in 767 00:37:38,480 --> 00:37:40,920 Speaker 1: the league that can say that they check two of 768 00:37:40,960 --> 00:37:44,200 Speaker 1: those elite boxes that I always talk about, elite defensive versatility, 769 00:37:44,520 --> 00:37:48,560 Speaker 1: elite isolation scoring, and elite playmaking. Tatum checks two of 770 00:37:48,560 --> 00:37:51,440 Speaker 1: those boxes. He's elite as a defensively versatile player and 771 00:37:51,480 --> 00:37:54,239 Speaker 1: he's elite isolation score and so from that standpoint, I 772 00:37:54,239 --> 00:37:56,120 Speaker 1: really like him moving forward. And then Jalen Brown is 773 00:37:56,120 --> 00:38:01,040 Speaker 1: your textbook UH awesome wing player that can fend all positions, 774 00:38:01,320 --> 00:38:04,279 Speaker 1: can get you twenty points a night. Uh. Those two 775 00:38:04,360 --> 00:38:06,360 Speaker 1: guys are built to succeed in the playoffs, and I 776 00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:08,760 Speaker 1: think you're gonna see them in the Eastern Conference Finals 777 00:38:08,800 --> 00:38:11,319 Speaker 1: just about every year for the next few years. UH 778 00:38:11,520 --> 00:38:16,200 Speaker 1: third out ranked Yokich and uh Murray. I ranked them 779 00:38:16,239 --> 00:38:19,960 Speaker 1: third because of the fact that what we saw from 780 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:24,200 Speaker 1: this last postseason run um Uh it was one of 781 00:38:24,200 --> 00:38:27,080 Speaker 1: the biggest upsets in NBA history, and it was built 782 00:38:27,120 --> 00:38:29,360 Speaker 1: on the fact that Yokich is such a gifted playmaker, 783 00:38:29,960 --> 00:38:33,680 Speaker 1: and it's such a gifted the postseason performer because he's 784 00:38:33,719 --> 00:38:36,520 Speaker 1: so smart he can pick these defenses apart over the 785 00:38:36,520 --> 00:38:39,480 Speaker 1: course of his seven game series. My big question and 786 00:38:39,520 --> 00:38:41,279 Speaker 1: the raison the reason why I don't have these guys 787 00:38:41,320 --> 00:38:45,400 Speaker 1: ahead of Luca or or Tatum and Brown is the 788 00:38:45,440 --> 00:38:48,560 Speaker 1: fact that Jamal Murray has somewhat of a track record 789 00:38:48,600 --> 00:38:52,040 Speaker 1: of being an inconsistent postseason performer, and it's really hard 790 00:38:52,080 --> 00:38:54,400 Speaker 1: to say whether or not this most recent run in 791 00:38:54,440 --> 00:38:57,800 Speaker 1: the bubble can really can be depended on moving forward. 792 00:38:58,160 --> 00:38:59,520 Speaker 1: And so from that same point, if I had a 793 00:38:59,560 --> 00:39:00,759 Speaker 1: gun to my head, if I had, if I was 794 00:39:00,800 --> 00:39:03,400 Speaker 1: a betting man and I had to pick these duos 795 00:39:03,440 --> 00:39:07,880 Speaker 1: in order, I would pick Um, I would pick Murray 796 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:11,080 Speaker 1: and Yokich third. Based on the fact that I can't 797 00:39:11,080 --> 00:39:14,919 Speaker 1: really necessarily depend on Murray. Fourth, I put him beat 798 00:39:14,960 --> 00:39:18,319 Speaker 1: and Simmons. The irony of this list that Travis sent 799 00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:20,960 Speaker 1: me is he's texted them to me in the order 800 00:39:21,360 --> 00:39:24,399 Speaker 1: that I would have ranked them in. But I had 801 00:39:24,719 --> 00:39:28,200 Speaker 1: Joel Embiat and Simmons fourth, simply because of the fact 802 00:39:28,200 --> 00:39:30,640 Speaker 1: that I think they are a really clunky basketball fit. 803 00:39:30,680 --> 00:39:32,640 Speaker 1: They make a ton of sense defensively on paper in 804 00:39:32,640 --> 00:39:35,040 Speaker 1: the regular season. But I do have some concerns about 805 00:39:35,080 --> 00:39:40,120 Speaker 1: Joel Embad as a versatile defender against the absolute best 806 00:39:40,160 --> 00:39:42,160 Speaker 1: of the best teams, Teams that will force him to 807 00:39:42,160 --> 00:39:44,960 Speaker 1: guard on the perimeter, teams that won't allow him to 808 00:39:45,080 --> 00:39:47,440 Speaker 1: hawk the paint. I mean, you just saw in that 809 00:39:47,480 --> 00:39:52,680 Speaker 1: series with Miami when when Miami put uh Kelly Olynok 810 00:39:52,760 --> 00:39:54,879 Speaker 1: on the floor and Anthony Davis was forced to guard 811 00:39:54,920 --> 00:39:57,560 Speaker 1: on the perimeter, Miami was able to kind of neutralize 812 00:39:57,560 --> 00:40:00,560 Speaker 1: a lot of Anthony Davis's defensive impact. And then in 813 00:40:00,600 --> 00:40:03,080 Speaker 1: Game six, when they leaned too heavily on Bam at 814 00:40:03,080 --> 00:40:05,279 Speaker 1: a bio, you saw Anthony Davis play one of the 815 00:40:05,320 --> 00:40:08,480 Speaker 1: best defensive games that we've ever seen because he completely 816 00:40:08,480 --> 00:40:10,440 Speaker 1: locked down the paint because he had no interest in 817 00:40:10,480 --> 00:40:13,640 Speaker 1: guarding Bam as he kept spotting up on the elbows. So, 818 00:40:13,760 --> 00:40:15,600 Speaker 1: from that standpoint, like, I worry a little bit about 819 00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:18,879 Speaker 1: em beats defensive versatility when like the really really good 820 00:40:18,880 --> 00:40:20,840 Speaker 1: teams will force him to guard out on the perimeter, 821 00:40:22,120 --> 00:40:24,520 Speaker 1: and then we all know about Ben Simmons. He has 822 00:40:25,000 --> 00:40:28,480 Speaker 1: been in his last few postseason runs. He's basically been 823 00:40:28,520 --> 00:40:30,840 Speaker 1: relegated to a guy who has to operate out of 824 00:40:30,840 --> 00:40:35,520 Speaker 1: the dunker spot and UH can't necessarily run offense against 825 00:40:35,520 --> 00:40:38,000 Speaker 1: teams that are packing the paint and forcing him to 826 00:40:38,080 --> 00:40:41,040 Speaker 1: be a you know, a primary scoring option. So it's 827 00:40:41,040 --> 00:40:43,839 Speaker 1: a really clunky fit. I think they're easily the most 828 00:40:43,880 --> 00:40:47,400 Speaker 1: likely players to get traded and moved around and UH, 829 00:40:47,400 --> 00:40:49,400 Speaker 1: from that standpoint, I had them fourth on my list, 830 00:40:49,680 --> 00:40:53,080 Speaker 1: and then Booker and eight and I had fifth. Eighton 831 00:40:53,200 --> 00:40:55,040 Speaker 1: is the worst player on this list in my opinion 832 00:40:55,080 --> 00:40:58,040 Speaker 1: by a decent margin. He showed some potential last year, 833 00:40:58,600 --> 00:41:01,640 Speaker 1: uh towards the end of the year as a as 834 00:41:01,640 --> 00:41:05,719 Speaker 1: a guy who was a type of you know, three 835 00:41:05,840 --> 00:41:07,719 Speaker 1: and D type of center who could space the floor 836 00:41:07,760 --> 00:41:11,080 Speaker 1: but also operated as a rollman and and finish around 837 00:41:11,080 --> 00:41:13,719 Speaker 1: the rim a lot um. I just my thing with 838 00:41:13,800 --> 00:41:17,279 Speaker 1: Eton is he's just another version of you know, we 839 00:41:17,320 --> 00:41:20,120 Speaker 1: have this new we have this new kind of resurgence 840 00:41:20,120 --> 00:41:22,960 Speaker 1: of centers right that is happening around the league. But 841 00:41:22,960 --> 00:41:24,960 Speaker 1: it's important to understand that, like, who are the two 842 00:41:24,960 --> 00:41:29,080 Speaker 1: best centers not traditional guys. You know, Yokich, this kind 843 00:41:29,080 --> 00:41:33,040 Speaker 1: of chubby, slow, you know, guy who's incredibly skilled and 844 00:41:33,080 --> 00:41:35,200 Speaker 1: his basketball quees off the charts, and he can pass 845 00:41:35,280 --> 00:41:37,560 Speaker 1: unbelievably well, and he's a you know, a dead eye 846 00:41:37,560 --> 00:41:40,040 Speaker 1: shooter and a really good, you know, kind of crafty 847 00:41:40,120 --> 00:41:43,920 Speaker 1: score around the rim. And then I've got Anthony Davis, 848 00:41:44,040 --> 00:41:47,640 Speaker 1: who's just a complete athletic freak who can shoot from 849 00:41:47,640 --> 00:41:49,319 Speaker 1: the midrange, you can shoot from the three point line, 850 00:41:49,320 --> 00:41:51,880 Speaker 1: and can do all of these things from a versatility standpoint. 851 00:41:52,280 --> 00:41:55,239 Speaker 1: And guys like Embiid and guys like Eton, who's just 852 00:41:55,320 --> 00:41:58,840 Speaker 1: a worse version of Embiid. Those guys kind of represent 853 00:41:59,320 --> 00:42:03,160 Speaker 1: you know, leftovers from a bygone era, and while their 854 00:42:03,239 --> 00:42:06,799 Speaker 1: size represents, you know, a defensive option to throw at 855 00:42:06,840 --> 00:42:09,880 Speaker 1: those super elite centers. I do worry about whether or 856 00:42:09,880 --> 00:42:13,480 Speaker 1: not they'll always just be an inferior version of those 857 00:42:13,480 --> 00:42:15,760 Speaker 1: guys when they get into a playoff series with them. 858 00:42:15,880 --> 00:42:19,719 Speaker 1: I actually really really do like Devin Booker. I I 859 00:42:19,800 --> 00:42:22,680 Speaker 1: am a fan of what his skill set represents in 860 00:42:22,719 --> 00:42:26,640 Speaker 1: today's NBA is an elite isolation score, but he's beneath 861 00:42:26,680 --> 00:42:28,200 Speaker 1: a lot of the other guys on this list. He's 862 00:42:28,200 --> 00:42:32,160 Speaker 1: beneath Tatum, He's beneath a Luca in the sense that 863 00:42:32,200 --> 00:42:34,719 Speaker 1: he's not a great elite playmaker and he's not a 864 00:42:34,760 --> 00:42:37,960 Speaker 1: great elite defensive player. So from that standpoint, he's the 865 00:42:37,960 --> 00:42:40,040 Speaker 1: guy who only checks one of those boxes, and it 866 00:42:40,080 --> 00:42:42,960 Speaker 1: kind of puts him in a situation where um uh, 867 00:42:43,080 --> 00:42:45,279 Speaker 1: in a playoff series, he's just gonna be coming up 868 00:42:45,280 --> 00:42:48,399 Speaker 1: against better players. So I've got you know, I talk 869 00:42:48,440 --> 00:42:51,200 Speaker 1: all the time about those three things, elite defensive versatility, 870 00:42:51,520 --> 00:42:55,080 Speaker 1: elite isolation scoring, and elite playmaking. Between Booker and Eton, 871 00:42:55,360 --> 00:42:58,400 Speaker 1: I'm getting maybe one of those. I'm getting elite isolation 872 00:42:58,440 --> 00:43:00,960 Speaker 1: scoring from Booker, but I'm not getting playmaking. I'm not 873 00:43:01,000 --> 00:43:03,480 Speaker 1: getting defense. And with Aiden, I'm not sure that he's 874 00:43:03,520 --> 00:43:05,920 Speaker 1: defensively versatile and his ability to guard on the perimeter. 875 00:43:06,280 --> 00:43:08,759 Speaker 1: He's not an elite isolation score and he's not an 876 00:43:08,760 --> 00:43:11,799 Speaker 1: elite playmaker. So from that standpoint, just following kind of 877 00:43:11,800 --> 00:43:17,520 Speaker 1: my traditional, uh, you know, ideologies that I follow in basketball, uh, 878 00:43:17,520 --> 00:43:20,600 Speaker 1: those those guys just aren't necessarily the type of player 879 00:43:21,000 --> 00:43:24,400 Speaker 1: that I would put my confidence in um in the 880 00:43:24,400 --> 00:43:28,120 Speaker 1: next five years. So on that note, I had question 881 00:43:28,120 --> 00:43:31,399 Speaker 1: all the questions that I received in the broadcast were 882 00:43:31,400 --> 00:43:34,360 Speaker 1: associated with the Laker off season stuff, which I already 883 00:43:34,360 --> 00:43:36,520 Speaker 1: talked about, Like I said, I'm gonna do a much 884 00:43:36,600 --> 00:43:40,480 Speaker 1: longer drawn out version of that with RAJ later on 885 00:43:40,760 --> 00:43:44,319 Speaker 1: in this quote unquote NBA summer. But anyways, I really 886 00:43:44,320 --> 00:43:47,080 Speaker 1: really appreciate all of you guys for tuning in as usual. 887 00:43:47,160 --> 00:43:49,680 Speaker 1: This will be re released as a podcast here probably 888 00:43:49,680 --> 00:43:52,960 Speaker 1: in the next five minutes. If you guys have haven't 889 00:43:53,040 --> 00:43:55,239 Speaker 1: taken the time to rate a review, I would really 890 00:43:55,239 --> 00:43:57,480 Speaker 1: appreciate if you guys would do that for me. It 891 00:43:57,520 --> 00:44:01,600 Speaker 1: means a lot to me. Uh. And next Wednesday, I 892 00:44:01,680 --> 00:44:04,480 Speaker 1: have Tommy coming on to go over my top ten 893 00:44:04,560 --> 00:44:08,280 Speaker 1: list and my MJ lebron stuff, So that will probably 894 00:44:08,360 --> 00:44:10,840 Speaker 1: unless there's some big story that comes up over the weekend, 895 00:44:10,880 --> 00:44:13,640 Speaker 1: that will probably be my next podcast. But yeah, so 896 00:44:13,640 --> 00:44:17,120 Speaker 1: we've already this already four episodes, so I can't believe 897 00:44:17,120 --> 00:44:20,520 Speaker 1: how fastest is moving. And I I you know, I UH. 898 00:44:20,600 --> 00:44:23,200 Speaker 1: The last one that I did yesterday already has over 899 00:44:23,239 --> 00:44:26,279 Speaker 1: two thousand listens. And I'm just extremely thankful for you 900 00:44:26,320 --> 00:44:28,960 Speaker 1: guys and and UH and the support that you've given 901 00:44:29,000 --> 00:44:31,160 Speaker 1: and I'm looking forward to the journeys, So have a 902 00:44:31,160 --> 00:44:32,239 Speaker 1: good rest of your night and I'll talk to you 903 00:44:32,280 --> 00:44:32,919 Speaker 1: guys next week.