1 00:00:01,200 --> 00:00:07,560 Speaker 1: The volume Lakers Tonight is presented by Fan Duel Sports Book. 2 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:10,879 Speaker 1: There's no better place to make every moment more than 3 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: with Fan Duel. It's a great place to bet on 4 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:15,760 Speaker 1: the NBA. It's America's number one sports book, and you 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: get winnings delivered in as quick as two hours. Plus. 6 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 1: It's fun to combine multiple bets from the same game 7 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:23,640 Speaker 1: into a same game parlay. If you are new, just 8 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 1: download Fan Duel sports Book app to get started. Now 9 00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: sign up with promo co Jason T so they know 10 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:34,600 Speaker 1: I sent you. 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In Michigan one eight seven seven eight 24 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: Hope and Why, or text hope and Why to four 25 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:36,399 Speaker 1: six seven three six nine in New York. In tennessee 26 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 1: redline dial one eight hundred eight eight nine nine seven 27 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 1: eight nine in Tennessee visit www one eight dot one 28 00:01:44,840 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: eight hundred gambler dot net in West Virginia. All right, 29 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to Lakers Tonight, presented by FanDuel here on the 30 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 1: volume Happy Monday, everybody. I hope you all had a 31 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 1: great weekend. Lots and lots and lots of Laker basketball 32 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:16,679 Speaker 1: over the course of the next couple of weeks, which 33 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending 34 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:20,920 Speaker 1: on what kind of effort we see out of them. 35 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:23,720 Speaker 1: But over the course of the last three halves, the 36 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 1: players on the floor have shown a lot of fight. 37 00:02:26,880 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: And you know, I'm gonna try to go mostly positive 38 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: tonight because I know it can be extremely frustrating after 39 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:36,360 Speaker 1: a season like this to see another game that is 40 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 1: seemingly in the grasp of this Laker team slip away. 41 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 1: But with Lebron being out tonight, we have to be 42 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: realists about just the group of players that the Lakers 43 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:50,400 Speaker 1: were able to put on the floor tonight. I talked 44 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 1: a lot after that Warriors game about how well the 45 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 1: starters played and how when they went to the bench 46 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 1: when they had to play Taylor Horton, Tucker and Avery 47 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: Bradley and they had to play Carmelo Anthony at center 48 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 1: and DJ Augustine alongside Russ, that they were going to 49 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 1: struggle against any team because of the fact that there's 50 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 1: just nobody on the team that's a big athletic player. 51 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 1: So when you take Lebron James out of that picture, 52 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 1: it just becomes even more complicated on that front. We 53 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:23,519 Speaker 1: are going to break down everything from the Lakers Spurs game. 54 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 1: I'm going to share my thoughts on Frank Vogel and 55 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:31,799 Speaker 1: his unwillingness to allow his young players, which also happened 56 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: to be his best players, to play as much as 57 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: they should. We're gonna talk about Lebron's injury and what's 58 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 1: at stake on that front, and then if you guys, 59 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 1: stick around for the end. We're going to do our 60 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 1: latest edition of the Power Rankings, and I will let 61 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 1: you know who I think is the best team in 62 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:51,920 Speaker 1: the league right now, who I think has the best 63 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 1: chance to win the title. Stick around for that. That 64 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: will be fun as well. I wanted to start with Frank, 65 00:03:56,680 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 1: you know. So Frank comes out, So I talked a 66 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: lot of in the last game him about how playing 67 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 1: the young guys big minutes was such a huge deal 68 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 1: for that team, having the good start that they had 69 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 1: and just the general effort and focus and energy that 70 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 1: they came out with and that they were able to 71 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: parlay into a big lead early on against the Warriors. 72 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 1: And I talked about how Austin Reeves and Milik Monk 73 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:20,359 Speaker 1: were such a huge part of that. So then Frank 74 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 1: Vogel comes out after the game and he says, quote, 75 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:26,120 Speaker 1: I like the combination of Malik Monk and Austin Reeves 76 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:29,599 Speaker 1: out there together. Interesting. That's something that we had seen 77 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 1: more in second units throughout the season, but it's been 78 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: a combination that our analytics team has has said has 79 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:40,039 Speaker 1: really produced. Those guys have some of our best on 80 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:43,800 Speaker 1: off plus minus stats. Those are those types of things, 81 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:45,720 Speaker 1: and we decided a couple of games ago to look 82 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:47,599 Speaker 1: at it in the starting lineup, even though we hadn't 83 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 1: one yet, which is got to be so incredibly frustrating 84 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:54,800 Speaker 1: for Laker fans to see, because it's not just an 85 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,480 Speaker 1: analytics thing, it's a basketball thing. You know. Darius Oriano 86 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: from the l f R pod to day was was 87 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:03,800 Speaker 1: talking about how Austin Reasonableak Monk, even though they've been 88 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:07,680 Speaker 1: healthy all season, have only played They've played less than 89 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 1: five minutes together. That's how frustrating that is. Two of 90 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:16,760 Speaker 1: the Lakers clear best players, obvious great off ball threats 91 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 1: to put alongside Russ and Lebron simply have not been 92 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: on the floor together enough to get the most out 93 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:28,120 Speaker 1: of this roster. Like I've said so many times this season, 94 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 1: this Laker team cannot be distilled down to one flaw. 95 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:35,920 Speaker 1: I'm critical of Russ, it's not just Russ. I'm critical 96 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,479 Speaker 1: of the Rush trade. It's not just the Rush trade. 97 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 1: I'm critical of Rob Polinka, I'm critical of Genie Buss, 98 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 1: having critical of Lebron's effort a lot. But it's not 99 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:46,480 Speaker 1: any one of those things. It's all of those things, 100 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 1: and one of the big things has been Frank Vogel 101 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 1: and his insistence on leaning on Avery Bradley and leaving 102 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 1: leaning on Trevorresa and DeAndre Jordan's and Dwight Howard and 103 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 1: all of the older players on this roster that never 104 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:06,720 Speaker 1: put in the requisite effort to actually get the most 105 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:10,279 Speaker 1: out of this team. And now, of all times, after 106 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:14,800 Speaker 1: all these games, Frank wants to start playing Stanley, Stanley 107 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,360 Speaker 1: and Moleague and Austin together. And we're starting to see 108 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:21,359 Speaker 1: some good results, which is great, but we continue tonight 109 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 1: again to see a massive fall off when they went 110 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 1: to the DJ Augustine's and Avery Bradley's and a huge 111 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: part of that is those are not functional basketball lineups. 112 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:36,480 Speaker 1: You can't win in the NBA, even against the San 113 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 1: Antonio Spurs if they're walking out with big NBA athletes 114 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:45,360 Speaker 1: and you're walking out with four tiny guards and Carmelo Anthony. 115 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:49,600 Speaker 1: It's just not a functional basketball lineup. If you could 116 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 1: put five Kyrie Irving's out there in their absolute primes, 117 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 1: and they would have issues because they don't cross the boxes. 118 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: Like I say, when it's a five man basketball lineup 119 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:04,040 Speaker 1: has a list of responsibilities, and your elite offensive players 120 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 1: can check some of those responsibilities, but they can't check 121 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:10,440 Speaker 1: all of them. A lot of those responsibilities have to 122 00:07:10,480 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 1: be filled by athletes, by guys that play with motor 123 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 1: and with energy. They have to be played with guys, 124 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 1: by guys with physical tools. Those are the things that 125 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: are going to fill those other boxes so that your 126 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 1: elite offensive players can impact the game, which takes me 127 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: to when you and Gabriel, you look out in the 128 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 1: open market and you're able to find a discounted athletic 129 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:37,239 Speaker 1: forward whose six ft nine can jump out of the gym, 130 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: has shown flashes of defensive potential and can shoot the three, 131 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 1: and he's sitting on the sideline completely unused. That's frustrating. 132 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:50,200 Speaker 1: That's the same thing as early in the season when 133 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 1: we were watching the Lakers lose to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 134 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 1: why Austin Reeves was playing twelve minutes. That's the same 135 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 1: situation to this point in this at this point in 136 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 1: the season, dealing with Wine and Gabriel, and that's frustrating 137 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 1: because at the end of the day, even though this 138 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 1: team doesn't have as much talent as they need to 139 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 1: really make a run in the West, they definitely are 140 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: better than the product that we've seen on the floor, 141 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 1: and the reason why we haven't been able to see 142 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: that product materialize has a lot to do with the 143 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 1: fact that the Lakers best players haven't been on the 144 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:25,119 Speaker 1: floor too much this season. And that's frustrating. That's on Frank. 145 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 1: That's something you know. I saw a lot of Warriors 146 00:08:27,280 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: fans talking after or during the first half of that 147 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 1: game the other night on Saturday, especially when Lebron was 148 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,560 Speaker 1: kind of dogging it defensively, and I saw Warrior fans 149 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,720 Speaker 1: saying things like, I feel bad for Frank that he 150 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:40,440 Speaker 1: has to try to make it work with this group. 151 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 1: No, no no, no, no, don't feel bad for Frank. He 152 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: signs up for this. Frank has options. Frank has had 153 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 1: opportunity to be better than he has been, and he 154 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 1: has willingly and purposefully decided not to be. In the 155 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 1: face of his analytics team. Imagine that every single day 156 00:08:57,240 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: he's watching the tape, the same tape that we're watching, 157 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 1: seeing the same things that we're seeing, seeing the young 158 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:07,320 Speaker 1: guys succeed, while his analytics team is throwing numbers in 159 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: his face. Austin Reeves and Malik Monk when they've played 160 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 1: together this season are more than ten points positive per 161 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:17,160 Speaker 1: one possessions. They are really good with those guys on 162 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 1: the floor, and they always have been, and they haven't 163 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 1: been utilized properly until this last recent stretch of games. 164 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:28,160 Speaker 1: That's frustrating. The Lakers have to figure out that they 165 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 1: have to at some point down the stretch if they're 166 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:33,000 Speaker 1: going to be able to make any sort of noise. 167 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:35,320 Speaker 1: They have to be able to get those guys in 168 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: the lineup. They have to get when you and Gabriel 169 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:40,079 Speaker 1: in the lineup, there has to be less of those 170 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: older guys that are limited at this point in their career. 171 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 1: For those of you who are just joining us, this 172 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:47,840 Speaker 1: is Lakers Tonight presented by FanDuel. Here on the volume, 173 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 1: we were just talking about Frank and his unwillingness to 174 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 1: play the young players. I wanted to talk about Lebron's 175 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 1: injury for a minute. 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So after the game on Saturday, I 203 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:45,439 Speaker 1: talked about how Lebron was obviously still injured because I 204 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 1: could tell he didn't have that separation ability. A lot 205 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 1: of what he was doing was bullyball under the basket, 206 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:53,679 Speaker 1: just using his strength, using his jump shot, a lot 207 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:55,920 Speaker 1: of savvy. It was a classic. It was an old 208 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 1: man fifty six, which is what you would expect from 209 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 1: an old man scoring fifty six. It was very much 210 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 1: an old man fifty six from a player like Lebron, 211 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 1: who has been a really good athlete this year. He 212 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:09,440 Speaker 1: was shown that he has not experienced that much of 213 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:12,319 Speaker 1: a decline up until this knee injury. But he showed 214 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:14,680 Speaker 1: some vertical pop in that game. He had that crazy 215 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: reverse dunk where he went through the lane and the 216 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: half court. Then he had on that Malik Monk Steele, 217 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 1: he had that awesome alley you there was some weird 218 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:25,280 Speaker 1: vertical pop there, and I think I said that I 219 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 1: thought it had something to do with him just getting 220 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: caught up in the energy in the arena and the 221 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:32,839 Speaker 1: energy of the moment in that game against Golden State, 222 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 1: and that appears to be true because whatever he put 223 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,400 Speaker 1: his knee through in that game led to him waking 224 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 1: up this morning with, according to Dave McManaman, significant soreness, 225 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:47,080 Speaker 1: so much so that this game, which was a winnable 226 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 1: game that the Lakers needed for the sake of their 227 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:52,720 Speaker 1: attempt to stay in the play in, he wasn't willing 228 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 1: to play tonight. And so what that tells us is 229 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:58,640 Speaker 1: that this knee thing is significant, that he very much 230 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:01,120 Speaker 1: is hurt, which is something that I've been pointing out 231 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:04,280 Speaker 1: for a couple of weeks now, and that is concerning 232 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 1: on so many different levels, because even if Lebron has 233 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:10,559 Speaker 1: had a conversation with his trainer, Mike Mancy has with 234 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:13,240 Speaker 1: the trainer for the Lakers, and they've done scans, and 235 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 1: even if they come in and they say, hey, you're 236 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: not gonna be able to make it any worse, so 237 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 1: you can play on it if you want, it still 238 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 1: is a risk because of what it does to the 239 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: rest of your body. When you have pain in your 240 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 1: knee and you're playing through it you compensate in every 241 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 1: other part of your body absorbing shock, which can lead 242 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:34,560 Speaker 1: to things like you know, uh, any sort of non 243 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:37,839 Speaker 1: contact injury. And anytime you're what you're absorbing a lot 244 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:39,959 Speaker 1: more shock than you're used to on a different part 245 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:43,520 Speaker 1: of your body. The risk is concerning to me, especially 246 00:13:43,520 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 1: when you factor in that this significant soreness that took 247 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 1: him out of the game tonight was directly tied to 248 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:54,240 Speaker 1: his best effort in the last couple of weeks in 249 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:57,839 Speaker 1: a playoff run. What Lebron did last night or two 250 00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:01,080 Speaker 1: nights ago against Golden State is exactly what he's gonna 251 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 1: have to do every night in the postseason for this 252 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 1: team to have a chance. So if that type of 253 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:11,680 Speaker 1: exertion is gonna lead to swelling in pain to the 254 00:14:11,679 --> 00:14:14,839 Speaker 1: point where he can't play, then he's not going to 255 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:18,959 Speaker 1: be available for a playoff run anyway. So this brings 256 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 1: us back to what I've been saying since the beginning. 257 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: At a certain point, read the writing on the wall, 258 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:30,080 Speaker 1: understand the circumstance, understand the situation, and know that you 259 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 1: are dealing with an injury here and that it's probably 260 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 1: gonna be something that hampers you from achieve achieving your 261 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:39,200 Speaker 1: goals for this season anyway, and you have to factor 262 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 1: in the risk that you're taking by pushing it on 263 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:45,360 Speaker 1: this front. You there, this is not a complete waste 264 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: of a season. You could always live to fight another day. 265 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: After two thousand nineteen, Lebron was dragged through the mud. 266 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: He famously had that play. I can't even remember who 267 00:14:57,120 --> 00:14:59,360 Speaker 1: it was, that small forward, the European small forward from 268 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 1: the Knicks, who blocked him on his game winning shot. 269 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:04,320 Speaker 1: You know, he looked, he looked really bad. He was 270 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: bringing a glass of wine court side. He looked like 271 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:11,040 Speaker 1: it was very much nearing the end in two thousand nineteen. 272 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 1: But he lived to fight another day, and the next 273 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 1: season he was in my opinion, the m v P. 274 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 1: I thought he got robbed. I don't think your honest 275 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 1: deserved it. I thought Lebron deserved the VP. He also won, 276 00:15:24,760 --> 00:15:28,320 Speaker 1: or excuse me, he also won a finals MVP that year. 277 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 1: He lived to fight another day, and the same thing 278 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:34,840 Speaker 1: can take place here. Yes, you're gonna be older, but 279 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 1: hopefully if you play your cards right this summer and 280 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 1: you actually build the roster to your strengths and weaknesses, 281 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:44,480 Speaker 1: and if Anthony Davis can stay healthy, maybe it will 282 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 1: be an easier season from me for you on a 283 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:51,920 Speaker 1: workload front. You can next season capitalize on the little 284 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 1: victories from this season, finding Austin Reeves, finding Stanley Johnson 285 00:15:56,360 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 1: in a weird way, Rob Polinka. Not cashing in the 286 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 1: chips is an accidentally smart move because of the fact 287 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:04,840 Speaker 1: that this season is a lost cause you still have 288 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 1: those assets, rebuild this summer, live to fight another day, Lebron, 289 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:13,240 Speaker 1: It's not worth risking this season when there's not a 290 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 1: real achievable goal. In my opinion, that's something that I 291 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:18,520 Speaker 1: hope that he pays attention to. A couple other quick 292 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 1: um Laker notes, Taylan's going through a little bit of 293 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: a slump here, and I think it has to do 294 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:27,080 Speaker 1: a lot with him just having the classic young person 295 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: conundrum of forcing it when he's struggling. I talked about 296 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 1: in our YouTube video, the special we did on the 297 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 1: Young Players. I talked about how he had been making 298 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: progress as a playmaker. Well, he's kind of slumped a 299 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:39,840 Speaker 1: little bit since then, and like all young players do, 300 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:42,400 Speaker 1: he's reacted to that by forcing things. And there were 301 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,400 Speaker 1: a lot of moments tonight where I thought he had 302 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 1: easy reads available to his teammates where he could have 303 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 1: kept the ball moving to generate higher quality shots, but 304 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: he just kept trying to pound his head through that 305 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 1: wall to try to break out of his little offensive 306 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: slump that he's been And he made a lot of 307 00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:00,920 Speaker 1: shots tonight, but it reflected negatively in the plus minus, 308 00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 1: and I think it was a big product to the 309 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:04,439 Speaker 1: fact that the ball was sticking with him and it 310 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 1: was causing some problems with the overall flow of their 311 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:10,919 Speaker 1: options offense. Malik Monk is also experiencing a little bit 312 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:14,200 Speaker 1: of a slump coming into tonight. He was averaging thirteen 313 00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:16,679 Speaker 1: points on twelve shots in his last twelve games, shooting 314 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:19,359 Speaker 1: about forty from the field and about thirty three percent 315 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:22,880 Speaker 1: from three. He's missing a lot of stuff right at 316 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:26,080 Speaker 1: the rim. He's getting a little too creative and too 317 00:17:26,119 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 1: crazy with some of his scoop shots and double pump 318 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:31,720 Speaker 1: paying time type of shots. He's actually having a lot 319 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:34,199 Speaker 1: more success when he just elevates and tries to finish 320 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:37,160 Speaker 1: as high as he possibly can. That's been something that's 321 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:39,120 Speaker 1: been part of the reason why the Lakers have struggled 322 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: so much. They need under their current situation, with their 323 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:46,760 Speaker 1: limited talent, they desperately need Malik Monk to be a 324 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:50,200 Speaker 1: really good offensive player, and he hasn't been. Now silver 325 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:52,679 Speaker 1: lining there, If he finishes the season this way, the 326 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:54,640 Speaker 1: Lakers might be able to retain him at a discount. 327 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 1: And I still really like Malik Monk, especially if you 328 00:17:57,480 --> 00:18:00,080 Speaker 1: can surround him with good basketball players. He's some one 329 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:01,880 Speaker 1: that would be great to have back in the Laker 330 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,960 Speaker 1: jersey next year, and this slump kind of helps him 331 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:08,160 Speaker 1: on that front. I also wanted to give last little 332 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:09,399 Speaker 1: Laker not I wanted to give a little bit of 333 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:12,160 Speaker 1: a shout out to Russell Westbrook. He was really really 334 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:14,080 Speaker 1: bad right after the All Start break, but the last 335 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:16,960 Speaker 1: couple of games he's starting to round back into that 336 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 1: being a role player guard, not forcing things too much. 337 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:23,720 Speaker 1: He's generating high qual there. In that third quarter, he 338 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:25,080 Speaker 1: had a stretch at the start of the third quarter 339 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:27,200 Speaker 1: where he was getting into the paint and spraying out 340 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:31,160 Speaker 1: to shooters. That's when he's at his best again. It's 341 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:33,199 Speaker 1: all up and down with Russ. I mean, it's just 342 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:35,040 Speaker 1: like the Warriors game. He was really good for the 343 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 1: most part, but then it's crunch time and he throws 344 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:39,960 Speaker 1: the ball away twice and takes a one legged fade 345 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 1: away early in the shot clock, and you're like, come on, man, 346 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 1: like you've gotta you've got to stay on target here, 347 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:46,880 Speaker 1: stay on task. But I want to shout him out. 348 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:49,200 Speaker 1: He's been playing a little bit better as of late, 349 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:52,400 Speaker 1: which at least is something that the Lakers can attempt 350 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 1: to bottle up and try to package into some good 351 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:58,480 Speaker 1: basketball the rest of the season. All right, that's all 352 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:01,120 Speaker 1: I had on the Lakers. Let's talk about are power rankings. 353 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:05,280 Speaker 1: So if you guys remember, um, last I think it 354 00:19:05,320 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 1: was two or three weeks ago, we had the Sons 355 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:08,879 Speaker 1: at number one. We're gonna start at number ten. Just 356 00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:10,959 Speaker 1: so you guys know, all the stats that I quote 357 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:14,439 Speaker 1: are before tonight. Because NBA dot Com does not update 358 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,399 Speaker 1: their numbers fast enough. I'm gonna go through this quickly. 359 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:21,200 Speaker 1: Let's go number ten, the New Orleans Pelicans. This is 360 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:24,560 Speaker 1: our big surprise appearance. They have the second best net 361 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 1: rating in basketball over the last fifteen games. A lot 362 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,920 Speaker 1: of this has to do with their defense taking massive 363 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:33,920 Speaker 1: leaps brandon Ingram's playing the best defense he's played since 364 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:36,800 Speaker 1: he was with the Lakers, and c J. Mccollin just 365 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:40,080 Speaker 1: gives that extra offensive creation piece that they needed. Him 366 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:43,200 Speaker 1: and Brandon Ingram actually have a really nice give and take. 367 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:45,920 Speaker 1: They just beat the Nuggets, the Raptors, and the Suns. 368 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:48,920 Speaker 1: Those are all really quality wins. And then they utterly 369 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:53,359 Speaker 1: demolished the Utah Jazz after they had just one nine 370 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 1: out of ten, some really quality wins in there. And 371 00:19:56,320 --> 00:20:00,600 Speaker 1: then the prospect of Zion potentially return earning before the 372 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:03,480 Speaker 1: end of the season gives them that extra little bit 373 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:07,639 Speaker 1: of matchup flexibility that makes them at least a puncher's 374 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:10,480 Speaker 1: chance to win a playoff series. When you're lining up 375 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 1: to guard the Pelicans and you've got to put a 376 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 1: big wing on on Brandon Ingram and you've got to 377 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:18,800 Speaker 1: put a strong wing on Zion, chances are C. J. 378 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:21,920 Speaker 1: McCollum is gonna end up with some undersized, under athletic 379 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: guard and he's gonna have guys that he can attack. 380 00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: That is all of a sudden, out of nowhere, become 381 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:31,200 Speaker 1: a very interesting basketball team. Number nine the Golden State Warriors. 382 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:34,680 Speaker 1: Precipitous drop off. They've lost four straight, eight out of ten. 383 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 1: Their defense has completely fallen apart. We talked about this 384 00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:41,000 Speaker 1: the other day since Draymond dropped off. Since Draymond went down, 385 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:43,440 Speaker 1: they had a stretch where they defended okay, but all 386 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:45,679 Speaker 1: of that perimeter defense that was carrying them over that 387 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,280 Speaker 1: stretch has fallen off, and as a result, their defense 388 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 1: has fallen off. Steph's decline has utterly chopped the legs 389 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 1: out of their offense, and if to meet like the 390 00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:57,919 Speaker 1: Warriors went from a team that I thought of as 391 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:00,600 Speaker 1: a bona fide top tier title contender to a team 392 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:02,720 Speaker 1: that very easily could lose in the first round, I'm 393 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:05,480 Speaker 1: deeply concerned about them. Steph doesn't look like a top 394 00:21:05,520 --> 00:21:07,960 Speaker 1: five player anymore. They're a team that I'd be really 395 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:10,200 Speaker 1: worried about if I was a fan of Number eight, 396 00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:13,679 Speaker 1: the Denver Nuggets. There twenty and eight since January seven. 397 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:16,640 Speaker 1: They have the second best offense in the league during 398 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:19,119 Speaker 1: that span, including ninth and defense. For them to be 399 00:21:19,160 --> 00:21:22,200 Speaker 1: twenty and eight with Yokich in the group of guys 400 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:26,119 Speaker 1: that they have is absolutely insane. Yo Yoki is the 401 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:28,240 Speaker 1: runaway m v P in my opinion. I just think 402 00:21:28,240 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 1: he's been better than embeat. I think his team has 403 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:32,919 Speaker 1: more talent and beat us had much more defensive talent 404 00:21:32,960 --> 00:21:35,160 Speaker 1: to work with as much as I like em Beat, 405 00:21:35,240 --> 00:21:37,560 Speaker 1: and I thought he was close to him at one point. 406 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:40,399 Speaker 1: I think Yoki is pulling away. I think he deserves 407 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:42,280 Speaker 1: to win the m v P. Gotta give him around applause. 408 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:43,919 Speaker 1: I don't know if they can win a playoff series 409 00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 1: because they don't have enough offensive creation outside of Yokich, 410 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:48,879 Speaker 1: but I have them at number eight right now, number 411 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:53,160 Speaker 1: seven the Milwaukee Bucks. This team is there's something going 412 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 1: on with these guys, and I don't know what it is. 413 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 1: They're fifteen and twelve since January three, there eighteenth and 414 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:01,600 Speaker 1: defense during that span there wealth in defense overall for 415 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 1: the season. As you guys know, long standing philosophy with 416 00:22:04,520 --> 00:22:07,600 Speaker 1: basketball in the NBA, you don't win a title unless 417 00:22:07,640 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 1: you have unbelievable talent advantage or a top ten defense. 418 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:15,320 Speaker 1: The Bucks have neither. Maybe they're just an example of 419 00:22:15,359 --> 00:22:17,560 Speaker 1: a team that's going through some malays and maybe they'll 420 00:22:17,600 --> 00:22:20,600 Speaker 1: kick it into high gear in the postseason. But every 421 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 1: little hallmark and indicator that we look at his basketball 422 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:26,200 Speaker 1: fans tells us that this team can't win the title. 423 00:22:26,440 --> 00:22:28,639 Speaker 1: I'm really concerned. I still think they're a title threat, 424 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:31,439 Speaker 1: but we can't not be concerned at this point. Number 425 00:22:31,480 --> 00:22:33,680 Speaker 1: six the Miami Heat. They are twelve and two in 426 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:36,680 Speaker 1: their last four teen games now Kyle Lowry's out. They've 427 00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 1: had massive health issues all season long. They deserve a 428 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:44,000 Speaker 1: ton of credit for how how consistent they've been despite 429 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:45,920 Speaker 1: having guys in and out of the lineup all season. 430 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:47,560 Speaker 1: Jimmy Misses a bunch of time, Bam miss is a 431 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:49,320 Speaker 1: bunch of time, Kyle Lowry business a bunch of time. 432 00:22:49,480 --> 00:22:52,399 Speaker 1: They've had a bunch of issues on that front. Still, 433 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:54,800 Speaker 1: they are going to be the number one overall seed 434 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:57,320 Speaker 1: and all likelihood, not number one overall, number one in 435 00:22:57,320 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: the East and all likelihood, which is really impressive on 436 00:22:59,840 --> 00:23:02,280 Speaker 1: their part. That said, I have them at six because 437 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:05,720 Speaker 1: their offensive creation continues to concern me in a playoff 438 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:08,560 Speaker 1: series with the way these teams zone up now, especially 439 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:10,479 Speaker 1: there are a lot of teams are using like matchup 440 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:13,360 Speaker 1: zones now to where guys are guarding guys, but they're 441 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:16,600 Speaker 1: kind of in charge of specific spots on the floor. 442 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:19,040 Speaker 1: It makes it a little easier teams for teams to 443 00:23:19,119 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 1: functionally double team. And when you have Jimmy Butler on 444 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:25,000 Speaker 1: the floor, who's not a good three point shooter p J. 445 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:27,560 Speaker 1: Tucker on the floor in bam at a Baio, who 446 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:29,360 Speaker 1: I laid out last week is one of the worst 447 00:23:29,359 --> 00:23:31,480 Speaker 1: perimeter shooting bigs that we have in the league. It's 448 00:23:31,480 --> 00:23:34,320 Speaker 1: an issue, and I worry about them, and against a 449 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 1: really athletic team struggling to score their team that I 450 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:40,160 Speaker 1: think could lose to somebody like a Philadelphia for instance. 451 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:43,600 Speaker 1: Number five the Memphis Grizzlies. They're on a little bit 452 00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:46,080 Speaker 1: of a slept right now. Their defense in particular has 453 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:48,080 Speaker 1: been slipping there at a one hundred and eleven point 454 00:23:48,119 --> 00:23:51,000 Speaker 1: one defensive writing in their last six games. They lost 455 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:54,080 Speaker 1: to Minnesota, they lost that game to Boston, and then 456 00:23:54,119 --> 00:23:56,960 Speaker 1: they had an embarrassing loss to Houston the other day. 457 00:23:57,320 --> 00:24:01,320 Speaker 1: They it's their young team. Consistency is the hallmark of veterans, 458 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:03,560 Speaker 1: so it's something they have to figure out. This is 459 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:05,600 Speaker 1: just a little lull for them. I still think they're 460 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 1: dangerous playoff team, but they're on the down slide right now. 461 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:11,640 Speaker 1: That's why I have them down at five. Number four 462 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:14,080 Speaker 1: right now I have is the Dallas Mavericks. They're twenty 463 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: four and eight since December, elite on both ends of 464 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:22,159 Speaker 1: the floor. Luca's peaking. He looks fantastic. They've added another 465 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:24,439 Speaker 1: shot creator and spencer Dinwiddie to take some of the 466 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:27,400 Speaker 1: pressure on Luca to create every shot, and now they're 467 00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:30,399 Speaker 1: getting stops. That's what they weren't able to get against 468 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:33,240 Speaker 1: the Clippers the last couple of years. That instantly makes 469 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:35,720 Speaker 1: them so much more dangerous in a playoff series. I 470 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:38,119 Speaker 1: have them at number four, number three. I have the 471 00:24:38,119 --> 00:24:41,399 Speaker 1: Philadelphia seventies six or is there five? And oh Swi Harden. 472 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:44,920 Speaker 1: Since the trade, they've been amazing on both ends of 473 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:48,040 Speaker 1: the floor. They have some decent wins too. They beat Chicago, 474 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:50,680 Speaker 1: they beat Cleveland, they beat Minnesota in Minnesota, which is 475 00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:53,920 Speaker 1: not easy to do. This formula of James Harden and 476 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:58,159 Speaker 1: Joel Embiid plus defense very much seems to work. My 477 00:24:58,280 --> 00:25:00,560 Speaker 1: only concern with them continues to be will they get 478 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:02,639 Speaker 1: the foul calls that they need in a playoff series. 479 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:05,560 Speaker 1: I don't know, will guys like em beating Harden, who 480 00:25:05,560 --> 00:25:08,560 Speaker 1: can be a little bit one dimensional. Will they struggle 481 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:11,840 Speaker 1: against game planning in a playoff series. That remains to 482 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:13,879 Speaker 1: be seen. That's why I have them at three and 483 00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 1: not higher on this list. But they very much look 484 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:19,200 Speaker 1: like a top tier title contender at this point. Number 485 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:21,720 Speaker 1: two I have dropped for the first time. The Phoenix Suns. 486 00:25:22,119 --> 00:25:24,640 Speaker 1: There are three and three since the CP three injury. 487 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:27,679 Speaker 1: I still think they're my favorite to win the title overall, 488 00:25:28,119 --> 00:25:30,040 Speaker 1: but I have to put them at number two because 489 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:32,000 Speaker 1: of our eventual Number one, who you'll hear in a second. 490 00:25:32,320 --> 00:25:34,480 Speaker 1: But they're just starting to show that little bit of 491 00:25:34,520 --> 00:25:37,320 Speaker 1: the cracks in the armor really tied to injury. But 492 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:40,680 Speaker 1: when CP three is your best player, I'm gonna bring 493 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:43,119 Speaker 1: up injury because that's been a story in his career. 494 00:25:43,160 --> 00:25:44,880 Speaker 1: That's something that has happened in the past. It will 495 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:47,560 Speaker 1: continue to be a threat with them moving forward. Number 496 00:25:47,560 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 1: one absolutely deserving Number one. The Boston Celtics. They're twenty 497 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:58,359 Speaker 1: one and six since January eight. Their net rating in 498 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:02,320 Speaker 1: that span is plus twelve point eight. That is five 499 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:06,680 Speaker 1: point two points better then the second place team during 500 00:26:06,680 --> 00:26:11,560 Speaker 1: that stretch. They are utterly dominant. They just ripped off 501 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:15,080 Speaker 1: three in a row against the Atlanta Hawks, the Memphis Grizzlies, 502 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:17,840 Speaker 1: and the Brooklyn Nets. He went toe to toe Jayson 503 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:20,760 Speaker 1: Tatum went totete with Kevin Durant on Sunday. I watched 504 00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:24,399 Speaker 1: that game. It was unbelievable. The most interesting thing to 505 00:26:24,440 --> 00:26:27,639 Speaker 1: me about that team is the way their defense and 506 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:32,440 Speaker 1: athleticism gives Tatum and Brown a chance. Again, is Kevin 507 00:26:32,520 --> 00:26:36,560 Speaker 1: Durant better than Jayson Tatum. No, But if Jayson Tatum 508 00:26:36,560 --> 00:26:39,680 Speaker 1: gets to go down and attack Kyrie Irving and gets 509 00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:42,520 Speaker 1: to go down and attack Seth Curry and gets to 510 00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:46,560 Speaker 1: go down and attack limited defensive players and switches, but 511 00:26:46,800 --> 00:26:49,000 Speaker 1: you are going down and you have to take your 512 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:54,719 Speaker 1: pick between Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brown, Marcus Smart, al Horford. 513 00:26:54,960 --> 00:26:58,840 Speaker 1: You know that they're they're They're defense and athleticism is 514 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:02,000 Speaker 1: off the charts on all five positions in these lineups. 515 00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:05,160 Speaker 1: Robert Williams has been amazing in their switching scheme. They 516 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:09,360 Speaker 1: in that game, Tatum was able to succeed because he 517 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:14,320 Speaker 1: was attacking weaker defensive matchups NonStop, while k D had 518 00:27:14,359 --> 00:27:17,200 Speaker 1: to go down and pick from another big, strong athlete 519 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:19,720 Speaker 1: that can move their feet. And like I said, you 520 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:21,600 Speaker 1: don't need to be better than the top guys in 521 00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:24,600 Speaker 1: the league if your defense is so good that abides 522 00:27:24,680 --> 00:27:28,240 Speaker 1: you margin for error. Their defense is so good that 523 00:27:28,280 --> 00:27:31,320 Speaker 1: Tatum and Brown just might be enough. They've been far 524 00:27:31,400 --> 00:27:32,960 Speaker 1: and away the best team in the league over the 525 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:35,679 Speaker 1: course of the last two months. They absolutely deserve to 526 00:27:35,680 --> 00:27:37,879 Speaker 1: be number one right now, and they are a bona 527 00:27:37,920 --> 00:27:40,960 Speaker 1: fide championship contender. That's all I got for tonight, guys. 528 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:43,920 Speaker 1: I sincerely appreciate you guys come to hang out as always. 529 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:46,360 Speaker 1: We will be back for the Laker game on Wednesday. 530 00:27:46,359 --> 00:27:48,200 Speaker 1: I appreciate your support and we'll see you in a 531 00:27:48,240 --> 00:28:04,400 Speaker 1: couple of days. The volume