1 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: All right, welcome to hoops tonight here at the Volume. 2 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:20,880 Speaker 1: Happy Wednesday, everybody. We are live on AMP. Don't forget 3 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:23,520 Speaker 1: if you're watching on YouTube or on the podcast feeds. 4 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:25,239 Speaker 1: At AMP is the very first place that you guys 5 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 1: can get these shows. We've been repping out our series previews. 6 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:30,840 Speaker 1: There's three of them right now on the feed. We 7 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:34,480 Speaker 1: hit Warriors, Kings, Calves, Nicks, and Lakers Grizzly. So far. 8 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 1: We'll have at least three more coming this week. The 9 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 1: one that might be tough is the eight one matchups, 10 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 1: just depending on how some scheduling stuff works out. But 11 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: we are going to go big picture today and talk 12 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:50,519 Speaker 1: about my picks going into this postseason run in the 13 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:52,600 Speaker 1: grand scheme of things, not just for the first round, 14 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: but as we head into the deeper parts of the 15 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 1: Western Conference, in the Eastern Conference playoffs, in the NBA Finals, 16 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: and then we're also going to get into some stuff 17 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 1: about expected upsets and some of the ramifications for teams 18 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 1: that might not quite live up to what their expectations 19 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 1: are in this postseason run. And as is usually the case, 20 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 1: I can think of no one better than mister Carson, 21 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:16,320 Speaker 1: one of our favorites a fan favorite to join the show, Carson, 22 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: How you doing, man? I am great, Jason. We have 23 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:23,319 Speaker 1: finally made it yesterday. I don't care what anybody says 24 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: about the quality of the game. That was playoff basketball, 25 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 1: playoff intensity, playoff stakes, and there's just nothing like that 26 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: in the world to me. So I cannot wait for 27 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 1: two full months ago. Yeah, you know, it's so funny too. 28 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 1: It's like I saw a lot of people complaining about 29 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 1: the ugliness of the basketball, and it's like, that's not 30 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 1: just a playoff game, that's also a monumentally important single 31 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:47,640 Speaker 1: game sample of a playoff game, right Like, for instance, 32 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 1: that might be a game the Lakers punt in a 33 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 1: playoff series, like you're down fifteen in the third quarter 34 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 1: or whatever. You might just be like, we don't have 35 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 1: it tonight. We'll get them in game two. Right Like, 36 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: they played like absolute crazy to get back into that 37 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: game because there was so much at stake, especially for 38 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:06,040 Speaker 1: an older team to get that Friday off because now 39 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 1: they have four full days off before their matchup on Sunday. 40 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:14,119 Speaker 1: It was so vitally important. And again, like when it's 41 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: like Game seven of the NBA Finals in twenty sixteen, 42 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:20,000 Speaker 1: and did ninety three to eighty nine, like they are. 43 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 1: They're going to be ugly when there's a lot at stake, 44 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 1: and I'm not going to be overly judgmental. So many 45 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:27,919 Speaker 1: people were like, these are two bad teams fighting out 46 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 1: last night. I thought it was actually two pretty damn 47 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 1: good teams fighting it out. Yeah. I agree. I had 48 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,079 Speaker 1: like a complete opposite take from the majority of people 49 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:37,959 Speaker 1: on that game. I thought it was a lot of fun, 50 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 1: and I thought in some ways it just showed what 51 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:43,920 Speaker 1: the Lakers are capable of in Minnesota. You mentioned in Minnesota, 52 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:47,639 Speaker 1: I mean very strong forty minutes from them. It was 53 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 1: kind of just that closing stretch. So you mentioned that 54 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 1: we're gonna take a big picture here and we'll start 55 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: out in the West, where a lot of people have 56 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 1: view this as a very open conference. Throughout the year, 57 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 1: You've had the Warriors as the defending champs but struggling 58 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,799 Speaker 1: in terms of consistency, the Nuggets always at the top 59 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:06,920 Speaker 1: of the conference, but some questions about how it translates 60 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: to the playoff stage. Then you have like the Sons 61 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 1: and Lakers emerging with their late season acquisitions, changing their rosters. 62 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:17,600 Speaker 1: So out of that entire conference, who do you think 63 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 1: it is actually going to be the last one standing 64 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 1: here making it to the finals. Jason, So, I was 65 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: so on the fence about this, even coming into this 66 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:28,639 Speaker 1: morning when I sat down with my notes, I was 67 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 1: on the fence completely between the Lakers, the Warriors, and 68 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:34,520 Speaker 1: the Suns. And again, like, this is not to me. 69 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 1: It has to do with an extremely flawed field. I 70 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 1: think with the Nuggets in particular, they were in a 71 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 1: situation where they could not let their foot off the 72 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 1: gas to end the season because because of their defensive shortcomings, 73 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 1: it was so vitally important in my opinion, for them 74 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 1: to be locked in heading into the playoffs. Now they 75 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 1: might tighten some things up in the first round. And 76 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 1: you know, here's the thing with these predicts, Like we're 77 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: doing the best we can to make these guesses. But 78 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 1: the reality is is like chances are both of us 79 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 1: will feel very differently two weeks from now, and then 80 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: feel very differently again two weeks from then. That doesn't 81 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 1: that's just reacting to new information. That's just being smart. 82 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 1: That's there's no point in being stubborn and going down 83 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 1: with the ship of your pick. And then at the 84 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 1: end of the day, these are just predictions, and the 85 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:24,160 Speaker 1: game of basketball is incredibly unpredictable. That's why we love 86 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:26,040 Speaker 1: watching it so much, and so at the end of 87 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 1: the day, we could be you know, I could pick 88 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:30,160 Speaker 1: all eight first round series is wrong, or I I 89 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 1: could pick them all right, like, who the hell knows 90 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 1: what's going to happen. But Denver, I think I think 91 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 1: they needed to be locked in on the details defensively 92 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:39,120 Speaker 1: to be ready to make this run, and instead they 93 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 1: just completely regressed. Sacramento obviously, I mean they're a huge 94 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 1: underdog against the Warriors, that they're they're an unserious team. 95 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:49,479 Speaker 1: The Clippers without Paul George, I don't think have any 96 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 1: real chance with the Grizzlies. I was I did this 97 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:56,440 Speaker 1: series preview for the Lakers last night, and I was 98 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:59,160 Speaker 1: digging into the numbers, and they've been pretty much a 99 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:02,480 Speaker 1: mediocre team beating up on an easy schedule post deadline, 100 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:05,960 Speaker 1: and the Lakers are also beating up on a bad 101 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:08,240 Speaker 1: schedule post deadline, but they've been way more impressive in 102 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:11,160 Speaker 1: doing so. Very good defensively, very good, rebounding, all these 103 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 1: different a lot of hallmarks that look well. And Lebron 104 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 1: James was out for most of that, so you knew 105 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 1: there was an additional ceiling there. But I don't take 106 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: Memphis as a serious title contender, and I keep coming 107 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: down to the Lakers, the Sons, and the Warriors, and 108 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 1: it's all because of their potential ceiling. Right with the Lakers, 109 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 1: it's the idea of this elite defense with Lebron James 110 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:29,559 Speaker 1: and Anthony Davis playing at the top of their games. 111 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:31,760 Speaker 1: With the Suns, it's just this kind of like a 112 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 1: better version of the Brooklyn Nets in twenty twenty one, 113 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:37,479 Speaker 1: just like two other worldly pull up jump shooters spamming 114 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 1: high pick and roll all game, but with a better 115 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:42,480 Speaker 1: center that they're playing with in some additional playmaking and 116 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:45,159 Speaker 1: Chris Paul, but similar issues to the Nets in terms 117 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 1: of depth and like kind of a thin physical profile 118 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 1: that struggles under the physicality of the NBA playoffs. So 119 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:52,760 Speaker 1: just a slightly better version of the Nets. And then 120 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 1: as we go to the Warriors, it's like defending champ 121 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:57,279 Speaker 1: and all these different things, but there's just a little 122 00:05:57,279 --> 00:05:59,599 Speaker 1: bit missing, right, like Namania be Elites. I actually played 123 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:02,240 Speaker 1: pretty well in the NBA Finals for the Warriors last year. 124 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 1: Otto Porter was so important. Gary Payton obviously he's back now, 125 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: but Andrew Wiggins had such an amazing playoff run. So 126 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 1: there are these like kind of these big question marks 127 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:15,240 Speaker 1: that undercut all three of those teams. And for me, 128 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:18,040 Speaker 1: I just was under the impression that if I was 129 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:20,600 Speaker 1: in a situation where I was on the fence, I 130 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 1: was gonna go with the team that is the defending champion. 131 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 1: They most recently played the necessary level of basketball to 132 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 1: get out of this type of playoff environment. You know, 133 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 1: for KD, it's been a couple of years. For a 134 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:36,840 Speaker 1: lot of the guys in that roster, it's been a 135 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:39,479 Speaker 1: couple of years since they've had that level of success. 136 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:42,640 Speaker 1: The Lakers haven't done so since October of twenty twenty, 137 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:45,839 Speaker 1: and even they looked a little shell shocked by the 138 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 1: intensity of that game last night. I've been on the 139 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 1: fence and tie goes to the defending champ. So I'm 140 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:54,839 Speaker 1: gonna pick the Golden State Warriors to get out of 141 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:58,040 Speaker 1: the Western Conference. Where are you at? And don't say Denver? 142 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:03,480 Speaker 1: That's it surprised me. I do not have Denver, Jason. 143 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:07,159 Speaker 1: I would take the Suns right now. To me, this 144 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:11,160 Speaker 1: is clearly the most top end talent, Like if we're 145 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: looking at the top two share. The Lakers go toe 146 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 1: to toe with them, absolutely, but to have CP three 147 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: a Atan allowed to specialize in their roles more not 148 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 1: having the offensive burden of the kind of creation where 149 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 1: at this point CP doesn't want to take on a 150 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 1: high volume role. ATEN isn't the most developed. Like this 151 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 1: is a team that has two efficient twenty eight point 152 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 1: per game scores with incredible versatility too, which is so 153 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 1: important when you're talking about how players translate to that 154 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 1: playoff stage. Being able to remain unpredictable, to make shots 155 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 1: from anywhere on the court, to make shots out of 156 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 1: any action, and that is like what Book and Kadi epitomized. 157 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: Katie just flat out as the best player in the 158 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: conference to me, the best score alive, having a career 159 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 1: defensive and playmaking season, and his teams have been thirty 160 00:07:52,840 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 1: four and thirteen when he plays. But Book is also 161 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 1: having a career season in basically all those same categories, defense, playmaking, 162 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 1: and scoring. This is the best version of him that 163 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: we've ever seen, and we know that his scoring can 164 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:06,560 Speaker 1: translate to that playoff stage. We saw it two years 165 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 1: ago and he's better now. So you have these guys 166 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:12,000 Speaker 1: who can dominate out a pick and roll where Katie's 167 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 1: ninety eight percentile book is sadie first percentile, but who 168 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:17,800 Speaker 1: also can be lethal catch and shooters, who can come 169 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:19,840 Speaker 1: off of screens, who can score from the mid range. 170 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 1: And I just don't see the other offense that has 171 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: that level of just reliable production at the top and 172 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:29,440 Speaker 1: also has reached a pretty high defensive ceiling this season. 173 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 1: Like when we see this top four together for Phoenix, 174 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: it's only been in eight games, take it with a 175 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 1: grain of salt because the competition hasn't been great either. 176 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:40,199 Speaker 1: But they have a plus seventeen point four net rating. 177 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 1: They've been equivalent to the number one offense the number 178 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 1: one defense. They're eight and oh, I just believe this 179 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 1: is the most talented team in the conference. I think 180 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: that they have a level of polish of consistency that 181 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 1: we haven't seen from the Lakers. Because if ab and 182 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:57,800 Speaker 1: Lebron I consistently believe we're going to be the best 183 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:00,320 Speaker 1: version of themselves, they'd be my pick because that they 184 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 1: have the best cast of role players overall. But we 185 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:08,119 Speaker 1: just say Lebron have one of the worst defensive passing 186 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 1: overall effort games outside of just I'm on the ball, 187 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go get myself a bucket that I can 188 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 1: remember from him and in a d although he's had 189 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 1: a great year, too often is susceptible to not being 190 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 1: that hyper aggressive, dominant score that he has to be 191 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:26,840 Speaker 1: to maximize his value. So I don't have those questions 192 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 1: with the Sun's top two, and people look at the 193 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 1: depth and seeing that as a concern. I get it. 194 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: But if josh Okogi is making thirty five percent of 195 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:37,679 Speaker 1: his threes, he's really good because he's a really good 196 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 1: point of attack defender, he's athletic, he attacks closeouts confidently. 197 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 1: It's just sometimes he can't shoot the ball from life 198 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 1: of him, and so that's kind of the swing factor. 199 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:50,000 Speaker 1: But they have added some size, some capable wing player 200 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 1: to that bench, so I feel better about it than 201 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:54,240 Speaker 1: I did when they first made the Kadi trade. Like 202 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: I think we've seen with the acquisition of a Terrence 203 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:59,439 Speaker 1: Cross Okogie growing into his game. Tory Craig is fine, 204 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: not gonna be a strength, but it's not a strength 205 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:04,880 Speaker 1: for the Nuggets. The bench, like after Bruce Brown, it's 206 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 1: a bunch of question marks. Warriors. You could argue maybe 207 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 1: with the level Deven Sheens on Cominga have been playing at. 208 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 1: But I think that the reality for them is we 209 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 1: haven't seen it consistently this year at all, and there's 210 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:18,959 Speaker 1: so much that needs to come together. They're so fast, 211 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: like the consistent level of defense that they would need. 212 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:23,160 Speaker 1: Last year, they were the best defense in the league 213 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:25,560 Speaker 1: in the regular season. That was the foundation. This year 214 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: it's been Draymond unbelievable. Everybody else question Mark to say 215 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 1: the least, and I think a lot of guys had 216 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:36,439 Speaker 1: to play really well on that run. Pool was significantly 217 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,040 Speaker 1: better than he's been night tonight in this year. Like 218 00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 1: he was efficient, he was highly productive. This year, he's 219 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 1: been a roller coaster. Wiggins was great. Wiggins is just 220 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:47,520 Speaker 1: gonna be playing his first basketball now Auto Porter Junior. Yeah, 221 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:49,320 Speaker 1: maybe they can supplement some of that with the Deven 222 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 1: Sheens on COMINGA editions, But I just don't feel that 223 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 1: this team has consistently shown us the level of basketball that, 224 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 1: even in a small sample size, Phoenix has, and I 225 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,320 Speaker 1: believe in that Phoenix talent above all else. So the Nuggets, 226 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:06,839 Speaker 1: I don't think they have the defensive ceiling and if anybody, 227 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:09,240 Speaker 1: I mean may maybe the Warriors could exploit the Suns 228 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 1: because of Steph's shot making, his perimeter dominance, and that's 229 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 1: not the strength of this Phoenix defense that would be 230 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 1: on the interior. But I just think two ways top 231 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:21,560 Speaker 1: end guys, they have a combination and the formula that 232 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:24,320 Speaker 1: I believe in the Moss. You know, again, if they 233 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:27,440 Speaker 1: end up being the team in the finals, I will 234 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,440 Speaker 1: not be surprised. Like I said, I actually view the 235 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 1: Suns on the same level as the Warriors and Lakers 236 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:34,800 Speaker 1: right now. It's more just benefit of the doubt that 237 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 1: I'm giving towards Golden State. Again, I just look at 238 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:40,440 Speaker 1: games like last night, and I constantly get reminded of 239 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:44,319 Speaker 1: this every year. You know, it amazes me, Carson every 240 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: single year, that immediate transition to playoff basketball, like and 241 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,439 Speaker 1: how even though we know it's coming, you're like, whoa, 242 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:55,200 Speaker 1: that's so different, Like it's just so unbelieving. I remember 243 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:58,080 Speaker 1: being blown away again last year when I was watching 244 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 1: Brooklyn versus Boston. I think it was game two where 245 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 1: because the first game was the crazy Kyrie game where 246 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 1: he almost stole it, but they ended up losing any 247 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,720 Speaker 1: way on that wild spinning layup from Jason Tatum and 248 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:14,960 Speaker 1: then Game two was just an absolute blood bath on 249 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:17,200 Speaker 1: both ends of the floor, right and like, and I 250 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: remember sitting there thinking, like, as I was watching last night, 251 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 1: there's just these finesse type of players typically start to 252 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:28,480 Speaker 1: struggle a little bit as we get to this phase. Now. 253 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:31,440 Speaker 1: To be clear, Kevin Durant, for the most part in 254 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 1: his career has thrived in that environment. But a big 255 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 1: part of that was for you know, he's been playing 256 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:39,360 Speaker 1: alongside a ton of offensive talent since he went to 257 00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:43,000 Speaker 1: Golden State and into Brooklyn and so and Phoenix also 258 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:44,880 Speaker 1: has that type of offensive talent. So I think he's 259 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:47,679 Speaker 1: going to be in good shape there. But with Devin Booker, 260 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:51,880 Speaker 1: I mean we have basically two real playoff runs from him, 261 00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 1: one where he made all those shots and one where 262 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 1: he missed all those shots. And with Kevin Durant and 263 00:12:58,520 --> 00:13:00,680 Speaker 1: his last two playoff runs, we had one where he 264 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:02,840 Speaker 1: made all those shots in twenty twenty one and it 265 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:06,440 Speaker 1: was enough or could have been enough, and then he 266 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 1: missed all of them last year against Boston. And so 267 00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 1: I think there's not enough diversity in their attack in 268 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:14,840 Speaker 1: my opinion, from the standpoint of where they like to 269 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 1: get their offense for them to be the juggernaut that 270 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 1: so many people have claimed for them to be. And 271 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:21,199 Speaker 1: I don't think you're claiming that, to be clear. I 272 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:23,440 Speaker 1: think you're just looking at a bunch of flawed teams 273 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: and you're saying Phoenix is the best bet. And I 274 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:28,840 Speaker 1: can see that. But I think this Sun's team is beatable. 275 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 1: I think they're thin. I think they can be susceptible 276 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: to physicality. I think, for instance, one of we're gonna 277 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:36,400 Speaker 1: talk upsets in a little bit, you know, don't be 278 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:39,319 Speaker 1: surprised if if he kazoo Back just just outplays the 279 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 1: shit out of Deandreton, Like you know that that's the 280 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:43,839 Speaker 1: type of thing that could happen in a series against 281 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 1: a team like that. Like he's their most physically imposing player, 282 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: and he's kind of got a little bit of a 283 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 1: reputation for being inconsistently competitive in these types of environments. 284 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:53,959 Speaker 1: So again, I'm not I'm not trying to say the 285 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 1: Suns can't do it. I think they're a top tier 286 00:13:56,400 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 1: Western Conference contender. Wouldn't be surprised at off they get out. 287 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:02,680 Speaker 1: But right now I want to say Golden State. The 288 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 1: one thing I will say is the Laker defense last night. 289 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: I don't know if you saw this, Carson. In the 290 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 1: final eleven minutes of the game, they allowed two field goals. 291 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:15,720 Speaker 1: One was a runout dunk after a bad Lebron James 292 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:18,840 Speaker 1: contested o'clock jump shot, where the Lakers, who have a 293 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:22,400 Speaker 1: bad transition defense, basically gave Anthony Edwards a run out dunk. 294 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: And then with less than twenty seconds left, when the 295 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:26,960 Speaker 1: game was basically over, they lightened up their defense a 296 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: little bit. Anthony Edwards made like a little shot in 297 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:32,680 Speaker 1: the lane. Other than that that they completely shut off 298 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 1: the water of that Minnesota Timberwolves team. So if I 299 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 1: see enough at a Lebron James and Anthony Davis in 300 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 1: this series against Memphis to where they unlock a necessary 301 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 1: offensive polish and they get enough of their role players going, 302 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:48,240 Speaker 1: that was kind of an underrated storyline last night. D'Angelo 303 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 1: Russell was awful. Austin Reeves played his last, his worst 304 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 1: game in weeks. Troy Brown Junior was horrendous when you 305 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:56,840 Speaker 1: and Gabriel was off the floor in a matter of minutes, 306 00:14:56,920 --> 00:14:59,720 Speaker 1: like Troy Brown Junior was making mistakes right and left, 307 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 1: like Jared Vanderbilt was unplayable towards the end of the game, 308 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 1: and they had to go with Ruey Hods Murraer. They 309 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:07,800 Speaker 1: found enough guys to do what they needed to do. 310 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 1: But there's some these finesse types of players just they 311 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 1: they tend to struggle a little bit in this environment. 312 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 1: But like, if the Lakers can get it together against Memphis, 313 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: I actually think they have a higher ceiling than all 314 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 1: three of these teams. But again, with all the with 315 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: all of the current available information, I go with Golden State. 316 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:32,560 Speaker 1: It's interesting. I do definitely value physical imposition in the playoffs, 317 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:34,600 Speaker 1: but I would argue that if there's an exception for me, 318 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 1: it's probably Kevin freaking because we have seen it a 319 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,680 Speaker 1: whole lot of times. Let's flip to the east here, 320 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 1: who do you have coming out of there? So again 321 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:47,920 Speaker 1: I came in completely on the fence, and I was 322 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:51,440 Speaker 1: I was on Milwaukee pretty strong a few months ago 323 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:54,320 Speaker 1: when they were coming on strong. I still think janis 324 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 1: deserved to win MVP, but it's it looks like he's 325 00:15:57,640 --> 00:15:59,360 Speaker 1: it looks like you might actually I was looking at 326 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:00,680 Speaker 1: some of the early turns and it looks like he 327 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:03,440 Speaker 1: might end up finishing second because Yokich basically punted the 328 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 1: MVP at the end of the season. But you know, 329 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:08,800 Speaker 1: it was funny. What ended up closing the deal for 330 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 1: me last night was this morning was the game last 331 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,720 Speaker 1: night again just watching the physicality and being kind of like, 332 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 1: you know, shocked by it again like I always am. 333 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 1: And you know, I look at that game where Boston 334 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: went into Milwaukee and they kicked their ass, and I 335 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 1: look at like how they did it, and it was 336 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:28,960 Speaker 1: a lot of like early in the game, just Milwaukee 337 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:31,360 Speaker 1: was missing shots, which they have a propensity to do 338 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:34,880 Speaker 1: from time to time, but like Boston was very comfortable 339 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 1: and they were just knocking down these pull up threes 340 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 1: in the first quarter. And then as the game progressed, 341 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: they really unlocked their driving kick game and they were 342 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 1: getting wide open shots and they were picking them to pieces, 343 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 1: no doubt. But like I know, Milwaukee in that series, 344 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 1: early on, probably Game one, is going to come in 345 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:58,240 Speaker 1: desperate knowing that they're terrified of what boston ceiling is, 346 00:16:58,840 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 1: and they're gonna bring a level of physicality that I 347 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:05,280 Speaker 1: think is going to rattle them. And I just think 348 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:09,880 Speaker 1: that as that series progresses, Milwaukee's physical advantages will continue 349 00:17:09,920 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: to bear through Drew Holliday just being built like a 350 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 1: truck for that environment. Janni s Antenna Kompo. Obviously there's 351 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:17,919 Speaker 1: gonna be a lot of debate over whether or not 352 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:19,960 Speaker 1: teams can play Brook Lopez off the floor. I don't 353 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:22,560 Speaker 1: really think there's a team that can do it this year, 354 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 1: so I'm gonna I was on the fence, but I 355 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:29,119 Speaker 1: ended up going with Milwaukee. I just think as the 356 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 1: playoffs get more and more physical, that they're going to 357 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:34,040 Speaker 1: thrive in that environment. Well, I think Boston is going 358 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 1: to go down to level. We have very similar thinking here. 359 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:41,520 Speaker 1: I also have Milwaukee, and I've felt pretty confident about 360 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 1: this for most of the year, even though Boston has 361 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:46,360 Speaker 1: been incredible and they're better than last year. Right, they 362 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:51,320 Speaker 1: have so many different, potentially exceptional sources of offense, just 363 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:52,920 Speaker 1: when you look at the depth of their guard play 364 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:55,879 Speaker 1: this year, and obviously the top winging tandem. But it 365 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:58,160 Speaker 1: is the physicality and when I look at last year's 366 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 1: series how close Milwaukee was without Chris Middleton. First of all, 367 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 1: I think that Milwaukee easily could have won that series 368 00:18:05,560 --> 00:18:07,880 Speaker 1: if they had just shot the ball well like they 369 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:09,879 Speaker 1: were twenty eight percent from deep. They were four or 370 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:13,360 Speaker 1: thirty three in Game seven, And I think that this 371 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:16,360 Speaker 1: year they have proven to be a good enough shooting team. 372 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:18,479 Speaker 1: They've been fourth and three point percentag since the All 373 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:20,760 Speaker 1: Star Break. They've consistently been a high volume team. Those 374 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 1: are the kind of looks that Jannis creates most frequently 375 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 1: to where you can't load up on Yannis as shamelessly 376 00:18:27,240 --> 00:18:30,200 Speaker 1: as Boston did and have that same result. Like, I 377 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 1: just believe in them making those shots, and I do 378 00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 1: not think that there is another way to stop Yannis, 379 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:37,480 Speaker 1: and especially if Middleton is out there, and so now 380 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: you have another legitimate perimeter shotmaker and playmaker alongside Drew 381 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:46,359 Speaker 1: who alleviates that pressure. It just feels like we feel 382 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 1: Milwaukee and their ability when you're talking about Yannis to 383 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:51,439 Speaker 1: get wherever he wants on the court, and then it's 384 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 1: just a matter of are we gonna help shamelessly or 385 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:56,200 Speaker 1: are we gonna, you know, pray that he misses around 386 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:58,440 Speaker 1: the rim? Pretty much, we know that they're gonna dominate 387 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:00,400 Speaker 1: on the glass because they always do. We know that 388 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:05,120 Speaker 1: that defense is going to be stellar, and that physical 389 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 1: imposition and the fact that I do believe they'll shoot 390 00:19:07,359 --> 00:19:09,399 Speaker 1: the ball better the fact that I like their depth 391 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:11,359 Speaker 1: more as much as I do Boss and write. With 392 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:14,880 Speaker 1: the additions of an Angles Crowder, Bobby portis being better 393 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 1: than he's ever been before. I have faith in the 394 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,360 Speaker 1: team that it feels like can get what they want 395 00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:23,080 Speaker 1: more readily. And that's because of Jannis versus Tatum. Bottom line, 396 00:19:23,119 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 1: as we've talked about before, Tatum is not Kevin Durant, right. 397 00:19:26,040 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 1: I don't think that Tatum is going to make fifty 398 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 1: percent of us pull up jump shots. I think he's 399 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: liable in any game to make and then he completely 400 00:19:33,800 --> 00:19:37,520 Speaker 1: flips on his head as a player. And so in 401 00:19:37,560 --> 00:19:40,719 Speaker 1: this series, I definitely do go more to that physicality 402 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:43,120 Speaker 1: arena where I think Milwaukee clear is advantage. I still 403 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:44,560 Speaker 1: think it would be a great series. Is are two 404 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:47,119 Speaker 1: great two way teams with awesome stars, awesome depth. But 405 00:19:47,160 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 1: give me him why. Of course it's gonna be an 406 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: entertaining series. And again, like we talked about at the 407 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: beginning of the show, like if Boston wins, I'm not 408 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 1: going to be shocked by any stretch of the imagination. 409 00:19:55,840 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 1: I just think about like, like, look at the end 410 00:19:57,760 --> 00:20:00,640 Speaker 1: of that game last night, there was there was this 411 00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:04,880 Speaker 1: weird play in ot where like Anthony Davis just surrounded 412 00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:08,199 Speaker 1: by like three guys and Lebron's in the corner and 413 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:11,240 Speaker 1: he just kind of like throws basically a jump ball 414 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:15,879 Speaker 1: to the top of the square and ad just rises 415 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 1: up in the group over everybody and grabs it and 416 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:20,760 Speaker 1: puts it in the basket. There was like another play. 417 00:20:21,280 --> 00:20:23,560 Speaker 1: There was another play late in the fourth quarter where 418 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:25,919 Speaker 1: Lebron got an offensive rebound putback where it was like 419 00:20:25,920 --> 00:20:28,679 Speaker 1: the ugliest play in the history of mankind. And I 420 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 1: can't even remember what exactly let it led into it, 421 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:33,879 Speaker 1: but Lebron ended up like in the scrum, just coming 422 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:36,200 Speaker 1: out with the basketball and just going up and making 423 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:38,720 Speaker 1: an offensive rebound put back. It's like so many of 424 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 1: these rock fights just come down to, like who's the 425 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:45,199 Speaker 1: I always joke I make a pool basketball analogy, Like 426 00:20:45,200 --> 00:20:47,360 Speaker 1: you know, when you play pool basketball, there's no dribbling, 427 00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:49,240 Speaker 1: Like I haven't played since I was younger, but like 428 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:51,440 Speaker 1: I'd bring a bunch of my buddies over who were 429 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:54,160 Speaker 1: all like college basketball players, and we'd play pool basketball. 430 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:56,080 Speaker 1: It was just a blood bath because you're just beating 431 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:58,159 Speaker 1: the shit out of each other each other trying to 432 00:20:58,160 --> 00:21:00,640 Speaker 1: fight for position. Around the basket, Like that's just kind 433 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 1: of what playoff basketball reminds me of. And again, in 434 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 1: a situation like that, having brook Lopez, having Jannis having 435 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:10,920 Speaker 1: Drew Holiday, you brought up the shooting part, and that's 436 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:14,359 Speaker 1: such an important detail. Like Javon Carter has gone up 437 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:17,480 Speaker 1: a level as a shooter compared to last year. Joe 438 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:20,359 Speaker 1: Ingles on the floor just gives them another option. It'll 439 00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 1: depend on perimeter defense. There will be some matchups where 440 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:25,160 Speaker 1: he might struggle like he's It'll be interesting to see 441 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:26,880 Speaker 1: if he moves his feet a well a feet well 442 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:29,600 Speaker 1: enough when Boston goes five out, but like he can 443 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:32,520 Speaker 1: shoot the laces off the basketball. And then last year 444 00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:34,880 Speaker 1: without they didn't have the PJ. Tucker piece, And look, 445 00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:36,760 Speaker 1: Jay Crowder is not as good as PJ. Tucker and 446 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:38,679 Speaker 1: some of those dirty work elements of the game, but 447 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:41,120 Speaker 1: he's a reasonable facsimile of that, and he's a better 448 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:43,879 Speaker 1: offensive player. And so you put Jay Crowder out there, 449 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:46,360 Speaker 1: it's just and again that's just another option for them 450 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 1: to go to in specific matchup situations. Boston is better 451 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:52,119 Speaker 1: than they were last year, but so is Milwaukee and 452 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:56,280 Speaker 1: and all those things considered, I just think they're the 453 00:21:56,320 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 1: safest bet I think they're both significantly and that's why 454 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:02,679 Speaker 1: I think we're in for like an Eastern Conference finals 455 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:05,000 Speaker 1: for the ages. But just looking at the precedent, I 456 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:07,320 Speaker 1: totally agree with you. If we look at recent champions, 457 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:09,879 Speaker 1: last year's an exception because they're the Golden State Warriors, right, 458 00:22:09,880 --> 00:22:12,880 Speaker 1: and Steph Curry is an offensive player like we've never seen. 459 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:14,879 Speaker 1: We've seen them do it four times now with this 460 00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:17,439 Speaker 1: pull up um shooting formula. But the year before that, 461 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,840 Speaker 1: Milwaukee solid shooting roster, not a good shooting postseason, they 462 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 1: were thirty two percent from deep, but they were the 463 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:26,600 Speaker 1: most physically imposing. They were dominant getting to the rim, 464 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 1: and they were great defensively because of their length, size, athleticism, physicality. 465 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:33,200 Speaker 1: Lakers the year before that, not a good shooting team, 466 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:36,240 Speaker 1: but they were winning in those same categories. Physicality, the 467 00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:39,320 Speaker 1: imposition from their top guy, the defensive sea when they 468 00:22:39,359 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 1: could reach. So how do you think there's a legitimate 469 00:22:41,320 --> 00:22:45,000 Speaker 1: precedent that says, unless you are exceptional in this, hey 470 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:47,800 Speaker 1: we're gonna win with our skill. It makes sense to 471 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 1: bet on the teams that have that physical dominance when 472 00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:53,119 Speaker 1: they also have, you know, great offensive creation like you 473 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:55,239 Speaker 1: get from a Janis or a Lebron or whoever's in 474 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:58,560 Speaker 1: that range. So we've covered both conferences. Now who do 475 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:01,159 Speaker 1: you are winning the title? Jason? So I went with 476 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:03,479 Speaker 1: the Bucks. Now again I have this line up with 477 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:07,160 Speaker 1: the Warriors, but I feel the same way if they 478 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:09,960 Speaker 1: faced Phoenix, I think the Bucks will have the best 479 00:23:09,960 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 1: player in the series. They'll have the best defense in 480 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 1: the series. I think one of the biggest swing factors 481 00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:17,800 Speaker 1: in this series if the Warriors were to make it 482 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:21,199 Speaker 1: is can they play Brook Lopez off the floor? But 483 00:23:21,240 --> 00:23:24,600 Speaker 1: we've seen a pretty consistent theme now where teams are 484 00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:28,359 Speaker 1: starting to basically just sag way back into the paint 485 00:23:29,119 --> 00:23:32,160 Speaker 1: on Draymond Green Cavaloni, which they've always done. But now 486 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:34,480 Speaker 1: what the guards are doing is they're no longer locking 487 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 1: and trailing as much they do when they have to 488 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:38,440 Speaker 1: when they get out of position. And that's why transition 489 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:40,480 Speaker 1: is such an important part for Golden Steak. Getting out 490 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:43,679 Speaker 1: in transition and they're blender, they'll use their sets to 491 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:45,280 Speaker 1: try to get guys out of position so that they 492 00:23:45,280 --> 00:23:48,360 Speaker 1: can get into a lock and trail position. But most 493 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:51,119 Speaker 1: of these guards now know it's like actually, like you 494 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:54,600 Speaker 1: can just give up a backcut because who cares, You've 495 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:57,879 Speaker 1: got rim protection behind you. And so they're able to 496 00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:02,160 Speaker 1: really really aggressively overplay some of these off ball screening actions. 497 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:04,400 Speaker 1: And so again, I don't know that they'll be able 498 00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 1: to play Lopez off the floor. Now, if they were, 499 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:08,200 Speaker 1: that would be a huge swing factor in the series, 500 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 1: because suddenly they don't become as imposing physically. But here's 501 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:13,520 Speaker 1: the thing again, and this is not a Warrior's take, 502 00:24:13,680 --> 00:24:16,000 Speaker 1: but the Bucks have been the better team all season. 503 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:18,280 Speaker 1: They've been the best team all season. They have the 504 00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:20,640 Speaker 1: best player in the league. So, like, if I'm trying 505 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:23,720 Speaker 1: to pick again, like and I think the Warriors absolutely 506 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:25,280 Speaker 1: have a chance to win the title, just like I 507 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 1: think the Lakers do, just like I think the Suns do, 508 00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:31,159 Speaker 1: just like I think the Sixers do, just like I 509 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:34,600 Speaker 1: think the Celtics in Bucks do. But if I'm picking 510 00:24:34,640 --> 00:24:37,680 Speaker 1: what I think is the safest bet, I think right 511 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 1: now Milwaukee is the safest bet to win the title. 512 00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:44,960 Speaker 1: I've felt all year that whoever wins the title is 513 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:46,639 Speaker 1: pretty clearly going to come out of the East. And 514 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:49,200 Speaker 1: I've been on the side of Milwaukee or Boston. Leaning 515 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:52,280 Speaker 1: Milwaukee It's not a tough pick for me. I think 516 00:24:52,280 --> 00:24:54,440 Speaker 1: that if you're going to compare them too. For example, 517 00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:57,720 Speaker 1: Phoenix's roster, the town on the top four is comparable. 518 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:00,080 Speaker 1: Like Milwaukee is going to bring out the best play 519 00:25:00,160 --> 00:25:03,280 Speaker 1: in the league, Giannis, maybe the best two way guard 520 00:25:03,359 --> 00:25:05,760 Speaker 1: or the best defensive guard who's also an offensive star. 521 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 1: Drew Holliday, this dominant interior defender in lethal three point shooting, 522 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:13,680 Speaker 1: Big Brook Lopez and Chris Middleton who we saw two 523 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:15,840 Speaker 1: years ago scored twenty four at night and was this 524 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:19,480 Speaker 1: incredible second creator in a title run. And then the 525 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 1: five through eight they are whooping Phoenix. Is that Like 526 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:27,680 Speaker 1: Milwaukee's depth is so good, and so I'm very comfortable 527 00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:29,520 Speaker 1: with that. And again it comes down to also just 528 00:25:29,560 --> 00:25:34,920 Speaker 1: the reliability of that physical dominance. I think it's gonna 529 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:37,359 Speaker 1: be whoever comes out of the East unless somebody really 530 00:25:37,359 --> 00:25:40,120 Speaker 1: impresses me in this playoff run in the West, and 531 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:42,639 Speaker 1: I do think it's gonna be Milwaukee. Yeah, And again, 532 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:45,119 Speaker 1: like we will, we are going to be doing shows 533 00:25:45,119 --> 00:25:47,800 Speaker 1: throughout the postseason, and we'll react to new information if 534 00:25:47,800 --> 00:25:51,040 Speaker 1: there are teams that look more impressive as the playoffs progress, 535 00:25:51,119 --> 00:25:53,200 Speaker 1: like like here's the thing we both picked the Bucks, 536 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:55,040 Speaker 1: but like, if Yannis got hurt in the round one, 537 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:56,679 Speaker 1: it's not like we're gonna be like, hey, we're sticking 538 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:57,960 Speaker 1: with the Bucks. Is that, you know? Like if we're 539 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:00,600 Speaker 1: not like that, we're making predictions because that's part of 540 00:26:00,600 --> 00:26:01,960 Speaker 1: our job. But at the end of the day, we're 541 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:03,960 Speaker 1: going to react to new information as it comes along, 542 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:07,400 Speaker 1: and at every single round we'll kind of circle back 543 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:12,359 Speaker 1: to these topics and try to figure out where we're at. Absolutely, 544 00:26:12,359 --> 00:26:15,080 Speaker 1: and that's part of what's so fun about this postseason 545 00:26:15,080 --> 00:26:16,800 Speaker 1: potentially is that it does feel like there are so 546 00:26:16,840 --> 00:26:18,679 Speaker 1: many different teams who could bring it up to a 547 00:26:18,760 --> 00:26:21,439 Speaker 1: level that we haven't seen consistent as wide open as 548 00:26:21,440 --> 00:26:25,640 Speaker 1: I've ever seen in my time following the league. Absolutely, 549 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:29,879 Speaker 1: So with that in mind, there is definitely potential for 550 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:32,240 Speaker 1: a few upsets in this first round here as we 551 00:26:32,520 --> 00:26:35,480 Speaker 1: look at how this seating has shaken out. What's your 552 00:26:35,520 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 1: favorite upset pick, Jason for the first round? So, I 553 00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:40,399 Speaker 1: think the Lakers and Warriors are both going to win 554 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:44,240 Speaker 1: their series, and technically the Lakers is a small upset 555 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:46,320 Speaker 1: in Vegas. I think they're like plus one oh eight 556 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:48,639 Speaker 1: right now or something like that. The Warriors are actually 557 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:50,840 Speaker 1: a significant favorite, so it doesn't count as a as 558 00:26:50,840 --> 00:26:55,840 Speaker 1: an upset. Now. I don't believe either of these teams 559 00:26:55,840 --> 00:27:00,439 Speaker 1: will win, but there are two significant underdogs right now Vegas. 560 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:03,040 Speaker 1: The Clippers are plus three eighty five to beat the 561 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:06,800 Speaker 1: Suns and the Nets are plus five sixty to beat 562 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:09,960 Speaker 1: the Sixers. And again, I will be picking the Suns 563 00:27:10,280 --> 00:27:13,240 Speaker 1: and I will be picking the Sixers, both probably in 564 00:27:13,280 --> 00:27:16,359 Speaker 1: five games or less. But my favorite upset pick is 565 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:19,240 Speaker 1: in the team that's most likely to do so. Is 566 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:21,600 Speaker 1: the Clippers. Now with the Nets, you know, I try 567 00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:23,840 Speaker 1: to talk myself into it. I'm like, okay, so they're 568 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:28,159 Speaker 1: super athletic and long on the wing. Maybe they, you know, 569 00:27:28,359 --> 00:27:31,480 Speaker 1: really just just double the hell out of Joel Embiid 570 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,280 Speaker 1: and solve some of this rotation stuff. And I have 571 00:27:34,359 --> 00:27:36,280 Speaker 1: no doubt that the Nets will be able to cause 572 00:27:36,320 --> 00:27:41,359 Speaker 1: some frustrations for the Philly from an offensive standpoint. But 573 00:27:41,480 --> 00:27:43,800 Speaker 1: on the other end of the floor, all I can 574 00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:47,959 Speaker 1: think of is, like, is Mkhale, Bridges and Spencer Dinwoodie 575 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:51,679 Speaker 1: going to be able to consistently get stops when you 576 00:27:51,720 --> 00:27:53,960 Speaker 1: know that Joel Embiad's gonna be around the rim all 577 00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:56,000 Speaker 1: series because they're gonna have to play Claxton as much 578 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:58,760 Speaker 1: as they as much as humanly possible. So like, I 579 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:01,199 Speaker 1: just don't see that as realistic. With the Clippers, you 580 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:04,040 Speaker 1: can kind of start to dry, like draw a line 581 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:07,080 Speaker 1: to see how it could go, Like maybe Kawhi just 582 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:10,800 Speaker 1: outplays kd Well, Like that's on the table. I wouldn't 583 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:12,800 Speaker 1: predict it. I think Katie's a better player. But that's 584 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:14,719 Speaker 1: if that happened, Like you and I'd be like, hey, 585 00:28:14,760 --> 00:28:16,399 Speaker 1: that was cool. Remember when Kawhi out played like we 586 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:20,840 Speaker 1: wouldn't be stunned, you know, Um, Russell Westbrook and Norman 587 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:23,800 Speaker 1: Powell both could play well. The suns are not a 588 00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:26,680 Speaker 1: good point of attack defense. That's the one weakness there. 589 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:31,320 Speaker 1: I think they'll probably end up deploying um Josha Kogi 590 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:35,600 Speaker 1: as much as they can on on kawhile Nard just 591 00:28:35,600 --> 00:28:37,560 Speaker 1: just by this just for the simple fact is he 592 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:41,120 Speaker 1: can take that responsibility off from a workload standpoint, even 593 00:28:41,120 --> 00:28:43,680 Speaker 1: though he's giving up some size there. Um, I think 594 00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:45,560 Speaker 1: they'll probably throw Tory Craig on him a little a 595 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:47,680 Speaker 1: little bit as well. But like you wouldn't be surprised 596 00:28:47,680 --> 00:28:50,400 Speaker 1: if if Russ and Powell got good matchups and they 597 00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 1: you know, lived in the paint all series long. We 598 00:28:53,400 --> 00:28:55,120 Speaker 1: talked about this earlier in the show, but if zoo 599 00:28:55,120 --> 00:28:58,640 Speaker 1: Box just just just dominated Deandreton wouldn't be surprised if 600 00:28:58,920 --> 00:29:01,320 Speaker 1: zue Box just a better play in a lot of 601 00:29:01,360 --> 00:29:03,840 Speaker 1: the physical areas of the game. He's as he's not 602 00:29:03,920 --> 00:29:07,360 Speaker 1: as versatile offensively when it comes to, you know, the 603 00:29:07,440 --> 00:29:09,600 Speaker 1: type of shot making that DeAndre Ayton can go to, 604 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:12,840 Speaker 1: but he's got a really reliable jump pook. He's excellent 605 00:29:12,840 --> 00:29:16,440 Speaker 1: at fight. He's definitely a more physical player. You know, 606 00:29:16,480 --> 00:29:19,720 Speaker 1: Aton's got a higher defensive ceiling, but he's rarely at 607 00:29:19,760 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 1: that ceiling, you know, So that that's a matchup that 608 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:24,800 Speaker 1: could go the Clippers way. And and then the bench 609 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:27,240 Speaker 1: units we've talked about that, you know, the Clippers bench 610 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:29,520 Speaker 1: unit could have a good amount of success against Phoenix. 611 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:31,880 Speaker 1: So and then there's always the potential that Chris Paul 612 00:29:31,880 --> 00:29:34,280 Speaker 1: could just have a nightmare series. So it's certainly possible. 613 00:29:34,560 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 1: And I would say that of the long shot underdogs, 614 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:41,200 Speaker 1: they are the most likely to get a first round upset. 615 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:46,840 Speaker 1: I like it. I find that it's pretty unlikely, but 616 00:29:47,320 --> 00:29:49,520 Speaker 1: you can't see the formula and I will say, like, 617 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:53,800 Speaker 1: we have seen the Clippers, because of their shooting ceiling, 618 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:56,680 Speaker 1: be able to survive the absence of one of their 619 00:29:56,680 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 1: two stars. Like we saw it right. It was only 620 00:29:58,360 --> 00:30:00,760 Speaker 1: two games against Utah, but they beat Utah game that 621 00:30:01,320 --> 00:30:04,160 Speaker 1: Utah team that was quite good in the regular season 622 00:30:04,800 --> 00:30:07,200 Speaker 1: without Kawhi Leonard because it was hey, well, that was 623 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:09,440 Speaker 1: a specific matchup because they were able to really exploit 624 00:30:09,480 --> 00:30:12,440 Speaker 1: Gobert going five out. But nevertheless it was we have 625 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:14,680 Speaker 1: our one great offensive creator, We're going to shoot the 626 00:30:14,680 --> 00:30:17,360 Speaker 1: hell out of the ball, and they had versatile defensive 627 00:30:17,400 --> 00:30:19,720 Speaker 1: pieces who did their jobs well. I do have a 628 00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 1: couple issues with this Clippers team, one being that I 629 00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:26,640 Speaker 1: think they've regressed defensively. They do still have a really 630 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:29,960 Speaker 1: nice spacing offensively, but I do have some concerns about 631 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:32,000 Speaker 1: the fact that Russ probably needs to be in a 632 00:30:32,040 --> 00:30:34,680 Speaker 1: relatively high volume roll with PG out, like if they 633 00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:37,160 Speaker 1: want that upside, because he brings the upside right, the 634 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:39,880 Speaker 1: dynamic athleticism getting to the rim, but there's a lot 635 00:30:39,920 --> 00:30:44,640 Speaker 1: of downside that comes with that too, and so I 636 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:47,320 Speaker 1: like it. I can see the path. I can't see 637 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:50,120 Speaker 1: the path with Brooklyn. I can't see the path with 638 00:30:50,200 --> 00:30:52,080 Speaker 1: any of these like eight one matchups, we don't know 639 00:30:52,120 --> 00:30:54,800 Speaker 1: exactly what they are, but either way, so if you're 640 00:30:54,840 --> 00:30:57,840 Speaker 1: going with a more strict definition of an upset, then 641 00:30:57,880 --> 00:31:02,120 Speaker 1: I like that pick. My first thought here is Lakers Grizzlies, though, 642 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:05,320 Speaker 1: because I don't even consider Warriors Kings an upset, as 643 00:31:05,320 --> 00:31:07,920 Speaker 1: you said, because of the odds, and Lakers Grizzlies, sure, 644 00:31:07,920 --> 00:31:10,200 Speaker 1: in terms of betting odds is effectively a toss up, 645 00:31:10,200 --> 00:31:11,480 Speaker 1: but it's still a two seven, and there's a lot 646 00:31:11,520 --> 00:31:13,440 Speaker 1: of people who are really low on the Lakers after 647 00:31:13,520 --> 00:31:15,800 Speaker 1: last night, it seems because it was that kind of 648 00:31:15,880 --> 00:31:18,480 Speaker 1: rock fight game. But I just have a lot of 649 00:31:18,600 --> 00:31:20,480 Speaker 1: questions about Memphis in the playoffs, and I think there's 650 00:31:20,480 --> 00:31:23,960 Speaker 1: a lot to like about Lli. Like I understand that 651 00:31:24,080 --> 00:31:27,320 Speaker 1: Memphis is able to produce really high level regular season offenses, 652 00:31:27,400 --> 00:31:30,400 Speaker 1: but great playoff offenses tend to have a top tier 653 00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:34,360 Speaker 1: offensive engine and probably really good shooting, and Memphis doesn't 654 00:31:34,400 --> 00:31:36,040 Speaker 1: have either of those. They don't have great pull up shooting, 655 00:31:36,040 --> 00:31:37,960 Speaker 1: they don't have a great spot up shooting, and Jaw 656 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:42,320 Speaker 1: is not a reliable top end offensive engine, right He's 657 00:31:42,320 --> 00:31:44,640 Speaker 1: liable to have a totally off shooting night, he's liable 658 00:31:44,640 --> 00:31:46,520 Speaker 1: to be an efficient in that role. You're not talking 659 00:31:46,560 --> 00:31:51,000 Speaker 1: about Lebron, Steph, etc. And the Lakers really do shrink 660 00:31:51,080 --> 00:31:54,280 Speaker 1: the court defensively, like their length, their athleticism there. I'm 661 00:31:54,280 --> 00:31:56,760 Speaker 1: telling you, if Lebron's just decides in this playoff roun, hey, 662 00:31:56,760 --> 00:31:59,840 Speaker 1: I'm actually gonna care. They could easily be the best defense, 663 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:02,440 Speaker 1: absolutely a top tier defense, out of this field. And 664 00:32:02,960 --> 00:32:05,840 Speaker 1: it scares me for Memphis to have the court shrunk 665 00:32:05,880 --> 00:32:08,080 Speaker 1: when so much of what they're doing is relying on 666 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:11,800 Speaker 1: jaw getting to the rim, and they're gonna have to 667 00:32:11,800 --> 00:32:13,880 Speaker 1: trust their shooters who just really haven't been all that 668 00:32:13,960 --> 00:32:15,920 Speaker 1: good at it. Like Triple Jake could be interesting with 669 00:32:15,960 --> 00:32:18,400 Speaker 1: that pick and pop game, force Ad to guard on 670 00:32:18,400 --> 00:32:22,200 Speaker 1: the perimeter more if that's the matchup, But it just 671 00:32:22,440 --> 00:32:26,120 Speaker 1: doesn't really scare me this Memphis offense, whereas La, I 672 00:32:26,200 --> 00:32:28,520 Speaker 1: know that Lebron and a D are probably gonna turn 673 00:32:28,560 --> 00:32:31,080 Speaker 1: out a pretty good offense. It's gonna be physical, it's 674 00:32:31,080 --> 00:32:33,320 Speaker 1: gonna be slow, it might not be dynamic shooting, but 675 00:32:33,360 --> 00:32:36,080 Speaker 1: they're gonna produce. And I do think that this guard 676 00:32:36,200 --> 00:32:42,000 Speaker 1: group in conjunction with one another, when you have good 677 00:32:42,040 --> 00:32:45,520 Speaker 1: Austin Reeves or good Dennis shooter. You don't need good deal, right, 678 00:32:45,560 --> 00:32:46,920 Speaker 1: You probably just need two out of the three. And 679 00:32:46,960 --> 00:32:50,640 Speaker 1: all those guys are very capable creators, capable defenders can 680 00:32:50,760 --> 00:32:52,920 Speaker 1: score in playmak in their different ways, and so I 681 00:32:53,000 --> 00:32:55,000 Speaker 1: just trust the offensive formula more from LA. I think 682 00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:58,040 Speaker 1: they can reach a higher defensive ceiling without Steven Adams, 683 00:32:58,280 --> 00:33:01,400 Speaker 1: without Brandon Clark, Memphis doesn't look as good in that 684 00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:04,760 Speaker 1: let's just physically bully you kind of mold not that 685 00:33:04,840 --> 00:33:07,840 Speaker 1: would be easy against the Lakers anyway. So we've just 686 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:11,400 Speaker 1: seen that Memphis offense fall off. We've seen Lebron and 687 00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:13,720 Speaker 1: a d elevated playoff offense, and even though these are 688 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:16,880 Speaker 1: different iterations, I kind of still fundamentally believe that that's 689 00:33:16,960 --> 00:33:19,720 Speaker 1: the difference between these two teams. Yeah, it's funny. When 690 00:33:19,720 --> 00:33:22,640 Speaker 1: the game ended last night, I was kind of like 691 00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:26,160 Speaker 1: looking at that series as a toss up, and then 692 00:33:26,200 --> 00:33:28,240 Speaker 1: I dug into it because I was just wired after 693 00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:30,680 Speaker 1: that game and after we worked and I was just 694 00:33:30,800 --> 00:33:32,520 Speaker 1: like I was just like, I'm awake from my wife's 695 00:33:32,560 --> 00:33:34,160 Speaker 1: out of town. She's on a business trip. I was like, 696 00:33:34,160 --> 00:33:36,440 Speaker 1: you know what, I'm just gonna start diving into this series, 697 00:33:37,080 --> 00:33:41,840 Speaker 1: and every passing minute that I was looking into it more, 698 00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:44,120 Speaker 1: I became more and more confident that the Lakers would win. 699 00:33:44,880 --> 00:33:48,240 Speaker 1: It's really this simple. The Grizzlies postdadline. We talked about 700 00:33:48,280 --> 00:33:50,320 Speaker 1: this a little bit earlier, but the Grizzlies post aadline 701 00:33:50,440 --> 00:33:53,400 Speaker 1: have gone from being a great defensive team and a 702 00:33:53,440 --> 00:33:56,920 Speaker 1: great rebounding team to a good defensive team and a 703 00:33:57,040 --> 00:34:00,000 Speaker 1: bad rebounding team. That's just what the loss of Brandon 704 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:02,239 Speaker 1: Clark and Steven Adams does to you. I think one 705 00:34:02,240 --> 00:34:04,960 Speaker 1: of the biggest, you know, adjustments that will see over 706 00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:07,160 Speaker 1: the course of this series is You're gonna see I 707 00:34:07,200 --> 00:34:10,640 Speaker 1: think because of the defensive ceiling that the Lakers can 708 00:34:10,640 --> 00:34:12,359 Speaker 1: get to and the way they can shrink the floor, 709 00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:17,600 Speaker 1: you're gonna see Taylor Jenkins have to make the incredibly 710 00:34:17,640 --> 00:34:21,000 Speaker 1: difficult decision to downsize, and I think he's gonna go 711 00:34:21,120 --> 00:34:23,400 Speaker 1: down in this series. With Tys Jones on the floor, 712 00:34:23,440 --> 00:34:25,920 Speaker 1: I think it's gonna be John Morant and Tis Jones 713 00:34:25,920 --> 00:34:28,600 Speaker 1: with Desmond Baine, Dylan Brooks, and Jaren Jackson that gives 714 00:34:28,640 --> 00:34:31,600 Speaker 1: them their best chance to score against that Laker unit. 715 00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:34,160 Speaker 1: Here's the problem four of those dudes are six six 716 00:34:34,239 --> 00:34:37,560 Speaker 1: or smaller. Yeah, and two of them are tiny guards. 717 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:40,960 Speaker 1: So and obviously Tis Jones a little bigger than Job 718 00:34:41,040 --> 00:34:45,200 Speaker 1: from the standpoint of strength. But like they're gonna the Lakers, 719 00:34:45,200 --> 00:34:47,040 Speaker 1: I think are gonna be able to play them down 720 00:34:47,080 --> 00:34:50,400 Speaker 1: into smaller lineups where they can be even more physically imposing. 721 00:34:50,880 --> 00:34:52,759 Speaker 1: I love the point you made about the guards, and 722 00:34:53,040 --> 00:34:54,440 Speaker 1: this is one of my favorite things, Like when I 723 00:34:54,480 --> 00:34:58,640 Speaker 1: look at when I look at championship contenders, I always 724 00:34:58,680 --> 00:35:01,200 Speaker 1: look at these like specific call marks they have to hit, 725 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:03,600 Speaker 1: Like do they have the ability to hit the necessary 726 00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:06,560 Speaker 1: defensive ceiling, Yes, the Lakers do. Do they have the 727 00:35:06,640 --> 00:35:09,319 Speaker 1: rim protection because it's not just about perimeter defense. Rim 728 00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:12,080 Speaker 1: protection and size around the pain is specifically important. Yes, 729 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:15,800 Speaker 1: you know, the ability to rebound, diversity of shock creation, 730 00:35:15,920 --> 00:35:19,920 Speaker 1: so for instance, like having a big rim pressuring forward 731 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:22,200 Speaker 1: and a pull up shooting guard that can play in 732 00:35:22,280 --> 00:35:24,640 Speaker 1: high pick and roll, like being able to score different 733 00:35:24,680 --> 00:35:27,560 Speaker 1: ways offensively. But one of the big things that I 734 00:35:27,600 --> 00:35:30,920 Speaker 1: look at is diversity of play style and the ability 735 00:35:30,960 --> 00:35:34,600 Speaker 1: to make adjustments, the ability to have options. And that's 736 00:35:34,600 --> 00:35:37,239 Speaker 1: what I love about this Laker's roster is like you 737 00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:40,240 Speaker 1: can they're going to be if they play in multiple series, 738 00:35:40,719 --> 00:35:42,799 Speaker 1: they're going to be series where it's like, oh, man, 739 00:35:42,920 --> 00:35:45,319 Speaker 1: like Vanderbilt, lebron A d is the way to go, 740 00:35:46,160 --> 00:35:49,239 Speaker 1: and and you know that frontline just with length and 741 00:35:49,280 --> 00:35:51,880 Speaker 1: athleticism is going to kill everybody. But then there's going 742 00:35:51,920 --> 00:35:53,800 Speaker 1: to be a series where it's like, Okay, the wing 743 00:35:54,040 --> 00:35:56,040 Speaker 1: player that they have to guard is not necessarily a 744 00:35:56,080 --> 00:35:58,239 Speaker 1: quick guy. He's more of a strong guy. And now 745 00:35:58,280 --> 00:36:00,520 Speaker 1: we can bring in Ruey Hatchamura because he's bigger and 746 00:36:00,560 --> 00:36:03,400 Speaker 1: stronger and he can hang more in those physical altercations, 747 00:36:03,800 --> 00:36:06,319 Speaker 1: and he's actually having his best defensive season of his career, 748 00:36:06,360 --> 00:36:09,680 Speaker 1: and he's so much more offensively skilled than Jared Vanderbilt, 749 00:36:09,680 --> 00:36:12,560 Speaker 1: which gives you this offensive influx. Even just last night, 750 00:36:13,520 --> 00:36:17,440 Speaker 1: the ability to deploy Dennis Schroeder when Dilo is just 751 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:20,880 Speaker 1: completely checked out of the game mentally, you're throwing Dennis 752 00:36:20,920 --> 00:36:24,640 Speaker 1: Schroeder and he's actually like a really good and impactful 753 00:36:24,719 --> 00:36:27,279 Speaker 1: player in this series. I think this series is going 754 00:36:27,320 --> 00:36:29,600 Speaker 1: to be a big Dennis Schroeder series because of what 755 00:36:29,600 --> 00:36:32,920 Speaker 1: he's gonna do on ball against John Moran. You know, 756 00:36:32,960 --> 00:36:35,040 Speaker 1: if they have those options there, like Ossa Reeves had 757 00:36:35,040 --> 00:36:37,439 Speaker 1: a rough night last night. If Dilo had it going 758 00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:39,759 Speaker 1: and Austin didn't. There's a version of that game where 759 00:36:39,800 --> 00:36:42,680 Speaker 1: it's Dennis Schroder and DeAngelo Russell that are on the floor, 760 00:36:42,719 --> 00:36:45,759 Speaker 1: and they have gone to that group at times over 761 00:36:45,800 --> 00:36:47,319 Speaker 1: the course of this end of the season. So this 762 00:36:47,840 --> 00:36:50,239 Speaker 1: the Laker group checks a lot of boxes. Honestly, the 763 00:36:50,280 --> 00:36:53,359 Speaker 1: only reason why I haven't picked them is question mark 764 00:36:53,400 --> 00:36:57,240 Speaker 1: surrounding Lebron James, because you you just absolutely AD's inability 765 00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:59,920 Speaker 1: to handle double teams has just made him have a 766 00:37:00,120 --> 00:37:02,680 Speaker 1: certain ceiling when it comes to the offensive end of 767 00:37:02,719 --> 00:37:05,319 Speaker 1: the floor in the playoffs, and so like, Lebron at 768 00:37:05,320 --> 00:37:06,759 Speaker 1: the end of the day, has to be their best 769 00:37:06,800 --> 00:37:09,400 Speaker 1: player if they're going to win the title, and right 770 00:37:09,440 --> 00:37:11,680 Speaker 1: now he's not. AD's their best player, and so that's 771 00:37:11,719 --> 00:37:13,560 Speaker 1: where my question marks are. But I don't think they 772 00:37:13,640 --> 00:37:15,680 Speaker 1: need Lebron to be their best player to beat Memphis. 773 00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:18,480 Speaker 1: I think they're going to be any Any move to 774 00:37:18,520 --> 00:37:23,360 Speaker 1: try to counter the physical advantage of the Lakers, like, 775 00:37:23,360 --> 00:37:25,840 Speaker 1: for instance, going with Xavier Tillman or a guy like 776 00:37:25,920 --> 00:37:29,320 Speaker 1: David Roddy to do anything to increase their physical profile 777 00:37:29,560 --> 00:37:32,480 Speaker 1: will immediately make them much easier to guard, which will 778 00:37:32,480 --> 00:37:34,359 Speaker 1: put them in a predicament where they could run into 779 00:37:34,440 --> 00:37:37,480 Speaker 1: some real problems against a really locked in Laker defense. 780 00:37:39,360 --> 00:37:43,799 Speaker 1: Completely agree with you, and I also love the versatility 781 00:37:43,840 --> 00:37:45,600 Speaker 1: that we see with this Lakers team. And it really 782 00:37:45,640 --> 00:37:49,520 Speaker 1: does matter because sure you can look at the whoever 783 00:37:49,560 --> 00:37:51,000 Speaker 1: the third best guy on this team might be on 784 00:37:51,000 --> 00:37:52,440 Speaker 1: any given night, and it's not gonna vow you, but 785 00:37:52,440 --> 00:37:54,520 Speaker 1: it's the ability to mix and match, to play different 786 00:37:54,520 --> 00:37:58,280 Speaker 1: combinations for different strengths, to unlock that athletic ceiling, defensive 787 00:37:58,280 --> 00:38:02,000 Speaker 1: ceiling at times that shotmaking. Nobody else has the amount 788 00:38:02,000 --> 00:38:04,960 Speaker 1: of combinations I don't. I don't think that the Lakers do. 789 00:38:05,200 --> 00:38:09,400 Speaker 1: And I mentioned this Grizzlies offense regressing in that playoff setting. Well, 790 00:38:09,480 --> 00:38:11,520 Speaker 1: last year they were the number four regular season offense 791 00:38:12,080 --> 00:38:13,759 Speaker 1: and then in the playoffs they were the number ten 792 00:38:13,800 --> 00:38:16,399 Speaker 1: playoff offense out of sixteen teams. It's just tough when 793 00:38:16,400 --> 00:38:20,520 Speaker 1: you don't have that consistent, super reliable shot making or 794 00:38:20,560 --> 00:38:23,759 Speaker 1: as we've talked about, a Janis Lebron like, just get 795 00:38:23,800 --> 00:38:26,240 Speaker 1: to the rim at will, no matter what, manufacture offense 796 00:38:26,280 --> 00:38:31,440 Speaker 1: at that high level. Okay, so we've talked about our favorites. 797 00:38:31,480 --> 00:38:34,560 Speaker 1: We've talked about upset candidates here. Out of all of 798 00:38:34,600 --> 00:38:38,040 Speaker 1: the legitimate contenders, you see in this playoff field, Jason 799 00:38:38,840 --> 00:38:42,160 Speaker 1: who was most likely to just blow up their roster 800 00:38:42,280 --> 00:38:44,600 Speaker 1: after this year. So I'm excited to get into this 801 00:38:44,640 --> 00:38:47,040 Speaker 1: because I was looking at it this morning and there's 802 00:38:47,040 --> 00:38:50,960 Speaker 1: a lot of candidates that and I blow up is aggressive, 803 00:38:51,280 --> 00:38:54,920 Speaker 1: and we'll get to that because I have a pick there. 804 00:38:55,640 --> 00:38:57,400 Speaker 1: But like, there's a lot of teams that I think 805 00:38:57,440 --> 00:38:59,359 Speaker 1: are gonna have to look at serious changes if they 806 00:38:59,400 --> 00:39:02,040 Speaker 1: don't rise to the top of this pile. So, first 807 00:39:02,040 --> 00:39:05,439 Speaker 1: of all, the clear knows like Boston Boston staying as 808 00:39:05,520 --> 00:39:07,399 Speaker 1: is regardless of what happens. They just have too much 809 00:39:07,400 --> 00:39:09,320 Speaker 1: talent and their stars are young, so you can expect 810 00:39:09,360 --> 00:39:13,000 Speaker 1: them to continue to get better. I don't think the Lakers, 811 00:39:13,080 --> 00:39:16,239 Speaker 1: because of how good they have been post deadline, even 812 00:39:16,280 --> 00:39:18,000 Speaker 1: if they were to lose to Memphis, they're going to 813 00:39:18,040 --> 00:39:21,240 Speaker 1: attribute that to Lebron being at less than one hundred 814 00:39:21,239 --> 00:39:26,520 Speaker 1: percent and short just kind of like they're gonna look 815 00:39:26,520 --> 00:39:28,480 Speaker 1: at it like, hey, let's get another training camp under 816 00:39:28,520 --> 00:39:30,840 Speaker 1: our belt, right, But the one, the one thing that 817 00:39:30,840 --> 00:39:33,080 Speaker 1: would make the Lakers a candidate is if Anthony Davis 818 00:39:33,120 --> 00:39:34,920 Speaker 1: got hurt again, because then that thing that I keep 819 00:39:34,960 --> 00:39:36,840 Speaker 1: talking about, where like if the dude just can't finish 820 00:39:36,840 --> 00:39:40,000 Speaker 1: a playoff run, that's obviously an issue. The Nuggets. No, 821 00:39:40,239 --> 00:39:42,000 Speaker 1: I think the Nuggets are running it back no matter what. 822 00:39:42,080 --> 00:39:43,920 Speaker 1: I think. Even they can look at this like dude, 823 00:39:44,040 --> 00:39:46,120 Speaker 1: Jamal Murray was still kind of coming back, like we 824 00:39:46,120 --> 00:39:48,680 Speaker 1: can hit another level here. The Suns, I think are 825 00:39:48,680 --> 00:39:52,239 Speaker 1: going to run it back no matter what happens. Everybody else, though, 826 00:39:52,280 --> 00:39:56,359 Speaker 1: Like the Sixers, like they lose, you're probably gonna see 827 00:39:56,360 --> 00:39:59,239 Speaker 1: at least Stock Rivers get fired and then maybe some 828 00:39:59,360 --> 00:40:04,319 Speaker 1: changes in evolving James Harden. If the Clippers lose, I 829 00:40:04,360 --> 00:40:06,719 Speaker 1: think you could end up seeing some changes. We'll get 830 00:40:06,719 --> 00:40:09,080 Speaker 1: back to them in just a second. The Warriors. The 831 00:40:09,200 --> 00:40:11,600 Speaker 1: Warriors lose, I would not be surprised if you saw 832 00:40:11,600 --> 00:40:15,080 Speaker 1: a significant piece from the core removed. I don't think 833 00:40:15,080 --> 00:40:17,719 Speaker 1: they'd go full rebuild, but I think they could. You 834 00:40:17,760 --> 00:40:20,040 Speaker 1: I wouldn't be surprised if you saw one of like 835 00:40:20,200 --> 00:40:22,719 Speaker 1: Clay Thompson or Draymond Green or Jordan Pool end up 836 00:40:22,800 --> 00:40:26,920 Speaker 1: changing teams after the season. The Milwaukee Bucks, even I 837 00:40:26,960 --> 00:40:29,040 Speaker 1: think if they came up short, I think they'd start 838 00:40:29,080 --> 00:40:31,680 Speaker 1: to look at Chris Middleton and Drew Holliday is not 839 00:40:31,800 --> 00:40:34,680 Speaker 1: good enough or reliable enough to be a legitimate number two, 840 00:40:35,160 --> 00:40:37,479 Speaker 1: and then start to make some changes. The one team 841 00:40:37,480 --> 00:40:41,080 Speaker 1: that I could see going full rebuild if it goes south, 842 00:40:41,680 --> 00:40:45,440 Speaker 1: is the LA Clippers, similar logic to what I had 843 00:40:45,480 --> 00:40:49,560 Speaker 1: been using with the Anthony Davis thing, like you don't 844 00:40:49,760 --> 00:40:51,880 Speaker 1: like I still have people in my mentions every day like, oh, 845 00:40:51,880 --> 00:40:53,799 Speaker 1: you want to trade a D. No, I don't, but 846 00:40:55,440 --> 00:40:56,960 Speaker 1: I think a D like like there was a moment 847 00:40:57,080 --> 00:40:58,520 Speaker 1: last night in the first half when he almost had 848 00:40:58,560 --> 00:41:00,719 Speaker 1: that tip dunk, when he was just dominating the game 849 00:41:00,719 --> 00:41:02,520 Speaker 1: on both ends of the floor athletically where I was like, 850 00:41:02,640 --> 00:41:05,560 Speaker 1: is anybody better than this guy? Like like literally, you 851 00:41:05,560 --> 00:41:08,880 Speaker 1: know yeah, But like if if you got hurt again, 852 00:41:09,080 --> 00:41:11,120 Speaker 1: that'd be three years in a row, and like, how 853 00:41:11,160 --> 00:41:13,319 Speaker 1: can you expect to build a team and plan for 854 00:41:13,360 --> 00:41:15,440 Speaker 1: the NBA playoffs if you can't stay healthy? And like 855 00:41:15,560 --> 00:41:17,560 Speaker 1: I kind of look at that from the Clippers perspective, 856 00:41:17,640 --> 00:41:21,120 Speaker 1: like they the first year they lose disappoint and disappointing 857 00:41:21,120 --> 00:41:23,319 Speaker 1: fashion in the bubble, which is really where you could 858 00:41:23,320 --> 00:41:25,480 Speaker 1: start to look at from a team building standpoint, having 859 00:41:25,560 --> 00:41:28,440 Speaker 1: redundancy of pull up jump shooting, a lack of rim protection, 860 00:41:28,480 --> 00:41:31,400 Speaker 1: all all those sorts of things, which is a separate topic, 861 00:41:31,480 --> 00:41:33,880 Speaker 1: but like after that, it's like it's it's been a 862 00:41:33,920 --> 00:41:36,480 Speaker 1: pretty steady diet of like Kauai couldn't make it through 863 00:41:36,480 --> 00:41:39,960 Speaker 1: the first playoff run, then Kawhi misses an entire season. 864 00:41:40,440 --> 00:41:43,360 Speaker 1: Now Paul George potentially is going to miss a playoff run, Like, 865 00:41:43,600 --> 00:41:45,279 Speaker 1: at what point do you look at this and go, 866 00:41:46,000 --> 00:41:48,200 Speaker 1: what are we doing here? Not to mention, a lot 867 00:41:48,200 --> 00:41:50,359 Speaker 1: of their key role players are starting to age out, 868 00:41:50,440 --> 00:41:53,279 Speaker 1: you know, like Marcus Morris is like who knows if 869 00:41:53,400 --> 00:41:55,200 Speaker 1: if you're if we're going to see Marcus Morris play 870 00:41:55,320 --> 00:41:57,480 Speaker 1: at all in this first round series or being impactful 871 00:41:57,520 --> 00:42:00,200 Speaker 1: at all. Robert Covington is fully fell a fallen out 872 00:42:00,200 --> 00:42:03,319 Speaker 1: of the rotation. Nick Batum like has been mostly good 873 00:42:03,360 --> 00:42:05,520 Speaker 1: for the Clippers, but he's getting older and older, Like, 874 00:42:05,680 --> 00:42:07,399 Speaker 1: at what point do you look at this and go, 875 00:42:08,040 --> 00:42:12,080 Speaker 1: we are beyond saving and get as much as you 876 00:42:12,120 --> 00:42:14,040 Speaker 1: possibly can for Paul George and as much as you 877 00:42:14,080 --> 00:42:17,279 Speaker 1: possibly can for Kawhi Leonard and start over at that point, 878 00:42:17,400 --> 00:42:19,680 Speaker 1: especially when you don't have any draft compensation, and you're 879 00:42:19,719 --> 00:42:22,320 Speaker 1: one way to do that is to flip those stars. 880 00:42:22,320 --> 00:42:26,360 Speaker 1: So I think if the Clippers lose embarrassingly in the 881 00:42:26,440 --> 00:42:29,120 Speaker 1: first round, that they would be the team most likely 882 00:42:29,160 --> 00:42:34,919 Speaker 1: to blow up this summer. The Clippers are so tough 883 00:42:35,000 --> 00:42:37,520 Speaker 1: to evaluate, but because when you think about the actual 884 00:42:37,560 --> 00:42:40,480 Speaker 1: basketball product that we've seen them put out there at 885 00:42:40,640 --> 00:42:45,000 Speaker 1: full strength, it's consistently been pretty darn good. Like obviously 886 00:42:45,040 --> 00:42:47,200 Speaker 1: you mentioned that initial playoff disappointment, but I thought they 887 00:42:47,200 --> 00:42:49,279 Speaker 1: were going to win the West in twenty twenty one. 888 00:42:49,320 --> 00:42:52,520 Speaker 1: I thought that that was the best version that we've 889 00:42:52,520 --> 00:42:55,840 Speaker 1: seen of them. That was amazing PG, that was amazing Kawhi. 890 00:42:55,880 --> 00:42:58,600 Speaker 1: Their role guys were better than they are today. But 891 00:42:59,160 --> 00:43:03,200 Speaker 1: you're right, they've been together four years, They've had one 892 00:43:03,280 --> 00:43:06,000 Speaker 1: actual season where they were healthy when it mattered, and 893 00:43:06,040 --> 00:43:10,000 Speaker 1: it was their first and so it is definitely tough 894 00:43:10,120 --> 00:43:13,040 Speaker 1: to rely on that as your core is aging. As 895 00:43:13,040 --> 00:43:16,600 Speaker 1: your supporting cast, although they're trying to supplement it in 896 00:43:16,680 --> 00:43:21,640 Speaker 1: different ways, is for the most part, regressing. I think 897 00:43:21,680 --> 00:43:25,520 Speaker 1: that makes a lot of sense. However, I still think 898 00:43:25,520 --> 00:43:29,520 Speaker 1: that Philly is the prime candidate, just because we have 899 00:43:29,880 --> 00:43:32,560 Speaker 1: heard throughout this year, even as the Sixers have been 900 00:43:32,600 --> 00:43:35,800 Speaker 1: thriving that James Harden wants to just go back to Houston, 901 00:43:36,080 --> 00:43:39,520 Speaker 1: and I do agree with you. Doc is always kind 902 00:43:39,560 --> 00:43:41,600 Speaker 1: of always a candidate on the chopping book, and I 903 00:43:41,600 --> 00:43:44,800 Speaker 1: think is especially if this is another underachieving team. I 904 00:43:44,840 --> 00:43:46,440 Speaker 1: don't know, we might not see Doc coach in the 905 00:43:46,480 --> 00:43:48,480 Speaker 1: NBA again, Like how many times can you have these 906 00:43:48,560 --> 00:43:56,960 Speaker 1: rosters that are supposed to I guess, yeah, that'll be 907 00:43:56,960 --> 00:44:00,520 Speaker 1: an interesting dynamic to track. But to me, the Hardened 908 00:44:00,560 --> 00:44:03,480 Speaker 1: thing and the fact that my expectation for the Sixers 909 00:44:03,480 --> 00:44:05,239 Speaker 1: is that they lose in the second round and I 910 00:44:05,320 --> 00:44:08,000 Speaker 1: get that that like feels disappointing with their talent level. 911 00:44:08,040 --> 00:44:10,040 Speaker 1: But there's two teams out east do I think are better. 912 00:44:10,960 --> 00:44:13,200 Speaker 1: But I don't know that a second round loss is 913 00:44:13,239 --> 00:44:15,400 Speaker 1: gonna make James Hardens say, you know what, actually, this 914 00:44:15,480 --> 00:44:17,239 Speaker 1: is where I really do want to be when maybe 915 00:44:17,239 --> 00:44:19,319 Speaker 1: he just wants to have fun and you know, be 916 00:44:19,480 --> 00:44:21,799 Speaker 1: the favorite in a city which he's never gonna be 917 00:44:22,200 --> 00:44:24,360 Speaker 1: in Philly. So I think those are the two. I 918 00:44:24,400 --> 00:44:27,800 Speaker 1: think everybody else you're looking at just a retool Denver 919 00:44:27,880 --> 00:44:31,840 Speaker 1: could be interesting because I do think they might have 920 00:44:31,880 --> 00:44:34,600 Speaker 1: to start asking ourselves if Okay, we've definitely done a 921 00:44:34,640 --> 00:44:36,879 Speaker 1: really good job of building out this cast of role 922 00:44:36,920 --> 00:44:40,200 Speaker 1: players with like the additions of KCP and Bruce Brown, 923 00:44:40,360 --> 00:44:44,640 Speaker 1: those were massive, But is our ceiling with Jamal Murray 924 00:44:44,640 --> 00:44:47,319 Speaker 1: as is our second option high enough? Do we need to, 925 00:44:48,400 --> 00:44:51,359 Speaker 1: you know, try to find another high level two way 926 00:44:51,360 --> 00:44:54,920 Speaker 1: wing to replace an MPJ. I could see questions like 927 00:44:55,000 --> 00:44:58,439 Speaker 1: that coming up eventually, but I don't know that it's 928 00:44:58,520 --> 00:45:01,640 Speaker 1: just yet. When Yeah, this is the first really good 929 00:45:01,719 --> 00:45:04,560 Speaker 1: roster they've had since that bubble year, and this roster 930 00:45:04,800 --> 00:45:06,480 Speaker 1: is clearly better than that one. So I think it's 931 00:45:06,760 --> 00:45:09,320 Speaker 1: Clippers in Philly for sure. You know, It's funny. I 932 00:45:09,400 --> 00:45:12,160 Speaker 1: was I can't remember exactly which player I was thinking 933 00:45:12,200 --> 00:45:16,160 Speaker 1: about last night, but I was literally thinking to myself, like, 934 00:45:16,239 --> 00:45:18,680 Speaker 1: if the Nuggets lost in their defense ended up being 935 00:45:18,680 --> 00:45:22,640 Speaker 1: the issue again, I wonder if I wonder if Nikola 936 00:45:22,680 --> 00:45:24,600 Speaker 1: Yokich is the type of player you could get away 937 00:45:24,600 --> 00:45:30,239 Speaker 1: with playing alongside an additional rim protector. And I'm not 938 00:45:30,480 --> 00:45:32,880 Speaker 1: I want to think about it more because it was 939 00:45:32,880 --> 00:45:35,000 Speaker 1: just kind of a passing idea, but like, look at 940 00:45:35,000 --> 00:45:37,200 Speaker 1: how Aaron Gordon has fit on that team, basically in 941 00:45:37,200 --> 00:45:40,799 Speaker 1: the dunker spot and guarding opposing forwards. Like and I'll 942 00:45:40,840 --> 00:45:42,960 Speaker 1: just throw out a name that's not really achievable, but 943 00:45:43,040 --> 00:45:48,799 Speaker 1: just an example, like could a guy like Nyaka kong 944 00:45:48,960 --> 00:45:53,399 Speaker 1: Wu or even like a Nick Klaxton type of guy, 945 00:45:53,480 --> 00:45:55,720 Speaker 1: just like a guy that has the ability to switch 946 00:45:55,719 --> 00:45:58,919 Speaker 1: out onto the perimeter but also guard the rim, who 947 00:45:58,960 --> 00:46:01,359 Speaker 1: cares about their defense of limitations as long as they 948 00:46:01,360 --> 00:46:04,560 Speaker 1: can catch and finish dunks. Would that be something that 949 00:46:04,560 --> 00:46:06,880 Speaker 1: that could help because I don't think offense is the issue. 950 00:46:06,920 --> 00:46:09,799 Speaker 1: I think it's just having legitimate rim protection so that 951 00:46:09,880 --> 00:46:13,520 Speaker 1: you give your perimeter defenders a fighting chance. But yeah, 952 00:46:13,600 --> 00:46:16,040 Speaker 1: I think I think they're in another example of a retool. 953 00:46:16,080 --> 00:46:17,960 Speaker 1: The only reason I didn't pick the Sixers is because 954 00:46:18,000 --> 00:46:20,360 Speaker 1: I still kind of consider that a retool. You know, 955 00:46:20,440 --> 00:46:23,440 Speaker 1: like if you if you keep Joe Lmbid, and you 956 00:46:23,520 --> 00:46:26,600 Speaker 1: keep Tyres Maxie and and you keep a bunch of 957 00:46:26,640 --> 00:46:29,759 Speaker 1: these important players, but you basically flipped Tobias Harris and 958 00:46:30,600 --> 00:46:35,080 Speaker 1: James Harden in an attempt to bring some additional talent in. 959 00:46:35,239 --> 00:46:38,719 Speaker 1: Like I don't necessarily think that that's that's why I 960 00:46:38,800 --> 00:46:40,840 Speaker 1: ended up going with the Clippers, but I would argue 961 00:46:40,920 --> 00:46:43,719 Speaker 1: that the Sixers are definitely the most likely to retool, 962 00:46:43,960 --> 00:46:46,040 Speaker 1: because I mean, you're right, they're gonna lose the Boston 963 00:46:46,239 --> 00:46:47,840 Speaker 1: in my opinion. I mean, they have a chance to 964 00:46:47,840 --> 00:46:50,200 Speaker 1: win that series, but they're gonna win. They're most like 965 00:46:50,280 --> 00:46:52,960 Speaker 1: they'll be. There'll be a significant underdog in that series. 966 00:46:52,960 --> 00:46:54,840 Speaker 1: They'll probably be at least plus two hundred, if not 967 00:46:54,840 --> 00:46:57,560 Speaker 1: a little bit worse. And if they lose that series, 968 00:46:57,600 --> 00:46:59,840 Speaker 1: like they are going to make some type of significant 969 00:47:00,000 --> 00:47:02,200 Speaker 1: and it's just a question of what. So I do 970 00:47:02,239 --> 00:47:05,680 Speaker 1: agree with you there, Carson. Thank you so much for 971 00:47:05,760 --> 00:47:08,319 Speaker 1: taking time today to come and and talk through some 972 00:47:08,360 --> 00:47:10,839 Speaker 1: of the stuff. I am looking forward to doing it 973 00:47:10,920 --> 00:47:13,640 Speaker 1: more frequently as we get through the playoffs. That's all 974 00:47:13,640 --> 00:47:15,879 Speaker 1: we have for today, guys. I sincerely appreciate you guys 975 00:47:15,920 --> 00:47:17,799 Speaker 1: supporting the show. Don't forget to check out our other 976 00:47:17,840 --> 00:47:21,359 Speaker 1: series previews. We've got at least three more coming this 977 00:47:21,400 --> 00:47:24,320 Speaker 1: week over the next few days. As always, I appreciate 978 00:47:24,360 --> 00:47:48,719 Speaker 1: you guys, and I will see you tomorrow. The