1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: Welcome to this week uncut in the world of NBA news. 2 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: Chris Hanese, its time, this link uncut is underway in 3 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:25,120 Speaker 1: the fire. This should be a good one Sunday night, 4 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: which means this will drop Monday morning. Mark Stein here 5 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: with Chris Haynes, back together for another edition of this 6 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: League Uncut. Mister Haynes, I think we've already established neither 7 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 1: one of us is really watching the NCAA tournament, even 8 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: though this is considered a sleepy time in the NBA. 9 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: But I think we're still both far more locked into 10 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: the association than what's happening in the college world. And 11 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 1: we had a little bit of news today, as you 12 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 1: know before we recorded. As Darvin Ham, the Lakers coach, 13 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:06,319 Speaker 1: said in his pregame address before the Lakers took on Orlando, 14 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:11,320 Speaker 1: that quote, we anticipate him coming back at some point, 15 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:16,880 Speaker 1: him meaning Lebron James at some point, would suggest before 16 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:20,839 Speaker 1: the end of the regular season, you've been all over 17 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 1: this Laker injury situation since your your borderline of a 18 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 1: Laker beat writer. With as much as you're out there 19 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: for TNT, maybe that's maybe that's overstated it a little bit, 20 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 1: but you are out there a lot. What I mean 21 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:41,680 Speaker 1: this this really sounds somewhat optimistic. What are you hearing 22 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:47,640 Speaker 1: on the Lebron front? I think obviously the goal is 23 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 1: for Lebron to return at some point before the season concludes. 24 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: But what I'm hearing it that is that still might 25 00:01:57,360 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 1: be a push theory him returned at some point. You know, 26 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:07,640 Speaker 1: I remember I'll reported a few weeks ago that you know, 27 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: it was all not all predicated, but the Lakers had 28 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:13,359 Speaker 1: to do everything that they could to try to win 29 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:16,320 Speaker 1: as many games as possible to give Lebron James as 30 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 1: much time to recover as possible. So that means that 31 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 1: even when he does come back, it might not be 32 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 1: fully healthy, but it's just trying to buy him some time. 33 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 1: With that being said, I don't know how realistic it 34 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 1: is that he returns with some games left in the 35 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:42,360 Speaker 1: regular season. That is definitely the goal. You know, Lebron 36 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:45,519 Speaker 1: James is shooting for that. I just don't know how 37 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:49,639 Speaker 1: realistic it is right now. With that being said, if 38 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:51,480 Speaker 1: he were to, you know, let's look at the latter 39 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 1: part of the Lakers' schedule, so they have they finish up, 40 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 1: say the last four games of the season, they finish 41 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 1: up April fourth at Utah, then they got the Clippers 42 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 1: that is a back to back April fifth. Then they 43 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 1: finally conclude the season April seven playing the Suns and 44 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 1: April ninth playing the Jazz. So I don't know, can 45 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:20,960 Speaker 1: Lebron come back the final two games of the regular season, 46 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:24,080 Speaker 1: which would be April seventh, Phoenix. I think, you know, 47 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:26,680 Speaker 1: definitely that's a possibility, but it's still I think it's 48 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 1: still premature as a right now. You know, the way 49 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 1: is explained to me is that that that might be 50 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 1: a push right there. Well, I guess we're gonna have 51 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 1: to see where they are in the standings, because after 52 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,320 Speaker 1: I think they got as high as ninth, did they 53 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 1: even go maybe a touch higher than that? But entering 54 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 1: you know, when they started play tonight, they were already 55 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:51,640 Speaker 1: down to eleventh. As we're taping this, it's halftime of 56 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:54,920 Speaker 1: their game against Orlando. You would like to think, even 57 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:58,360 Speaker 1: without Lebron, that they're gonna beat Orlando at home. But 58 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 1: the Lakers obviously coming off an absolutely crushing home loss 59 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: where they appeared to have Dallas beat and just a 60 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:14,080 Speaker 1: series of rough moments for Anthony Davis fouling Moxi Kliba 61 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 1: on a three point On a three point shot, Kleiba 62 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: went to the free throw line, knocked down all three 63 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 1: eighty mister free throw and then a d little late 64 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:29,359 Speaker 1: on the close out, Kyrie Irving does some crazy dancing 65 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 1: along the right sideline, double team the whole way, flings 66 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: at cross court, and Kleiba knocks in the first buzzer 67 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 1: beater of his career and the MAVs escape with a 68 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:43,799 Speaker 1: one point win after a season filled with late game 69 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 1: agony for Dallas. So that was it. I mean, that 70 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:48,600 Speaker 1: was the shot of the season for the Mavericks to 71 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 1: come out of that game and win it without Luca. 72 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:56,360 Speaker 1: Dallas plays Monday at Memphis, Dallas hoping that they can 73 00:04:56,400 --> 00:05:00,280 Speaker 1: get Luca back on the court after four games out 74 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 1: with a thigh injury. Even Kyrie Irving listed as questionable 75 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:09,840 Speaker 1: for that game with his ongoing toe issue, although he 76 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:13,520 Speaker 1: did obviously play in laker Land and was sensational Friday 77 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 1: night after missing the previous three games. But I mean, 78 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:21,920 Speaker 1: the Lakers, you know, even if they win this game 79 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: against Orlando, by the time we wrap this thing up there, 80 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:26,920 Speaker 1: they're still only in tenth. So I mean there's no 81 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 1: assurance that by by the time Lebron can even try 82 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:33,200 Speaker 1: to give this thing a go, that they're going to 83 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 1: be in the play in zone. Man, this this Laker season, 84 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:42,880 Speaker 1: it's just like they they can't. They can't sustain any 85 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:49,440 Speaker 1: momentum they get. They can't really sustain it. Because I 86 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:52,479 Speaker 1: actually thought that they were. I thought they were an 87 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 1: absolute lock for a play in spot after the moves 88 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 1: they made at the trade trade deadline. But man, the 89 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 1: Utah Jazz are just it's fascinating why they just you know, 90 00:06:04,440 --> 00:06:06,599 Speaker 1: you would have thought by now that Utah would just 91 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,680 Speaker 1: be ready to to to to sync out of the 92 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:13,600 Speaker 1: playing zone, but they're not. I mean, they're still in there. 93 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: Crazy this sea this season, this whole clump of teams 94 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 1: in the West, we really have not seen anything like 95 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:25,720 Speaker 1: it in the modern NBA. It is just we had 96 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: Phoenix losing four through thirteen is just an absolute mess 97 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:34,679 Speaker 1: at us. We record as the Liquors are currently playing, 98 00:06:35,080 --> 00:06:40,159 Speaker 1: but they sit eleven in the standing, so you know 99 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:45,160 Speaker 1: they're right, they're right outside that play in bubble. I was, 100 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:47,680 Speaker 1: you know, still still got time to see what they're 101 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 1: how far they can climb down, climb up, or how 102 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: far they can go down. You know, I didn't expect 103 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: even what Lebron James being out in the moves that 104 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:01,600 Speaker 1: they made, I still had anticipated that the Lakers would 105 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:06,480 Speaker 1: gain some ground. I thought they did, And after Davis, 106 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 1: I know he took a lot of flak for sitting 107 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 1: out a recent with the second game of back to 108 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: back it was Houston sitting out at Houston and Houston 109 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 1: won that game, and I know he he received some 110 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 1: flat for that, just with the stakes that the Lakers 111 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:28,280 Speaker 1: are in needing again, needing each game they can get 112 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 1: there a lot of stages of this regular season. But 113 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 1: the way it was explained to me Stein is that 114 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:37,120 Speaker 1: you know, we I think we I don't know. We 115 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 1: talked about this black. I talked about it on a 116 00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 1: radio show with my guy Dwight James in Portland just 117 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 1: about how powerful the medical staffs of of today's NBA, 118 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 1: how powerful they are today. And I know a lot 119 00:07:52,880 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 1: of players get criticized for um low management body, you know, 120 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 1: and sitting out games and doing all that stuff, but 121 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 1: the medical staff has a large part to play in that. 122 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 1: But so the way it was, the way it was 123 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 1: explained to me, is that ad had to pick which 124 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 1: back to back to play in the back to back 125 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 1: last week, and then there's a back to back, there's 126 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 1: a their their last back to back is April fourth, 127 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 1: April fifth, April fourth in Utah and then April fifth Clippers. 128 00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:33,320 Speaker 1: What I was told, how it was explained to me 129 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 1: is a D will play and that back to back, 130 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 1: and so that would that would be his first back 131 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 1: to back plan since turning from from That's a nice 132 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 1: little news nugget from mister Haynes. So, so you're so 133 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: you do think the Lakers that back to back in 134 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:49,439 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks, he'll he'll he'll play both ends 135 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:52,200 Speaker 1: of that. Yeah, the way out, the way it's explained 136 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 1: to me is that that would likely that would that 137 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 1: would be his first back to back plan there. Again, 138 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 1: hopefully he's not he doesn't for an injury before that, 139 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:04,960 Speaker 1: but if he's healthy, he will play in that back 140 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 1: to back, which they need that game. They need those 141 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:11,680 Speaker 1: set of games more so then um at that part 142 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: of the season. Then then last week's set of back 143 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 1: to bets. Yeah, I guess it just going back to 144 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 1: Lebron though, it just sounds like if he if we 145 00:09:19,160 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 1: do see him again, he's clearly not going to be 146 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:26,959 Speaker 1: close to one, like it's going to be like two 147 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:29,600 Speaker 1: seasons ago in the playoffs when you know, he played 148 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 1: against Phoenix in that first round series, but he clearly 149 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 1: wasn't fully himself. And it sounds like that that's what 150 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 1: we're heading for again that if we see him. It's 151 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 1: just amazing that this this run in laker Land, and 152 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 1: you know, his durability has been such a huge part 153 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 1: of his success, and you know, the first fifteen years 154 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: of his career, like he was just so relentlessly durable 155 00:09:56,679 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 1: and then in laker landing, Look, I mean, the man 156 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 1: is thirty eight years old now, so I mean, obviously 157 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:06,640 Speaker 1: this stuff is going to happen. But just this is 158 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 1: going to be four out of five years in laker 159 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 1: Land that you know he's he's he's either playing hurt 160 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: or not able to play at the end. It's just 161 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 1: that was not in the script. That was not in 162 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,880 Speaker 1: the Hollywood script when Lebron signed with the Lakers. And 163 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 1: what I will say to that is, you know, when 164 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 1: he does come back, you know, if that's two games 165 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:30,920 Speaker 1: left in the regular season, or if that he just 166 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 1: just returns to in the playoffs, I think if he 167 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 1: can pick a year or to have these set of 168 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 1: circumstances go down like this, I think it would be 169 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 1: this year because I feel like a lot of teams 170 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:44,720 Speaker 1: in the West, they don't fear anybody. There's no fear, 171 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:48,959 Speaker 1: like they're the seventh the AFC. They believe they got 172 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:52,960 Speaker 1: a legitimate shot to take down Dever, they believe they 173 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 1: got a legitimate shot to take down Memphis. You know, 174 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:59,440 Speaker 1: I don't know about Phoenix when KD is healthy. You 175 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:02,559 Speaker 1: know I haven't. I haven't asked around on that front. 176 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 1: But you know, there's no fear at all. So I 177 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 1: think even for somebody like Lebron James, who who if 178 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: he returns, you know, he's been out for a while, 179 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:15,360 Speaker 1: still some rust, but you know he's doing everything he 180 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 1: can behind the scenes to put himself in position to 181 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:21,600 Speaker 1: come back as strong as he can. And so I 182 00:11:21,640 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 1: think he feels like, hey, if I gotta make a 183 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 1: if the best case scen there is me returning for 184 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:32,640 Speaker 1: the playoffs, I still think he feels good about not 185 00:11:32,679 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 1: only how he can perform, but feel good about the Lakers' 186 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 1: chances of advancing. That has to be it. I mean, again, 187 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 1: it's probably not a smart idea for me to try 188 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:44,439 Speaker 1: to jump into Lebron's head. But I mean you have, yeah. 189 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 1: I mean, like you just look at this West, and 190 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 1: you know, I wrote a whole big piece about this 191 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:53,840 Speaker 1: last Monday. I mean, this West is going to go 192 00:11:53,920 --> 00:12:00,200 Speaker 1: down as the most abnormal West in this century. I 193 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:03,600 Speaker 1: mean I did the research. In the thirty team era 194 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:06,840 Speaker 1: of the NBA, which goes back to oh four oh five, 195 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:11,000 Speaker 1: the first year of your Charlotte Bobcats in, We've had 196 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 1: eighteen full seasons with thirty team eighteen. Yeah, I know 197 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:21,440 Speaker 1: you didn't know that eighteen full seasons with thirty teams. 198 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 1: The average in the West in those eighteen seasons has 199 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: been five point three fifty win teams per season in 200 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 1: the first eighteen seasons. Here in year nineteen of the 201 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 1: thirty team NBA, the Nuggets are gonna win fifty games. 202 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:41,440 Speaker 1: Now Sacramento win. Memphis still might because they both are 203 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 1: still mathematically able to, but neither is on a hugely 204 00:12:48,080 --> 00:12:51,720 Speaker 1: I'm getting out my calculator here to figure out the latest, 205 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:55,439 Speaker 1: the latest exact pace that they are on. But I mean, 206 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: you know, so we might have three fifty win teams 207 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:04,800 Speaker 1: if we're lucky. Again, the average has been five, and 208 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:08,559 Speaker 1: there's a very decent chance that you know, we don't 209 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 1: that that maybe one of Sacramento in Memphis don't get there. 210 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:15,439 Speaker 1: So you know, we might have one fifty win team, 211 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 1: we might have two fifty win teams. And yeah, through 212 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 1: through Sunday's games, Sacramento and Memphis at forty three and 213 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 1: twenty seven are both exactly on a fifty win pace. 214 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:30,760 Speaker 1: So if either team loses a couple in a row 215 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:34,200 Speaker 1: or late in the season, their seed is assured and 216 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:36,960 Speaker 1: they give guys some rest, they might fall short. So 217 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:38,960 Speaker 1: we could really be in a situation where we have 218 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:41,640 Speaker 1: one fifty win team in the West. And it's just 219 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 1: that's that's so uncharacteristic of what is really This has 220 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 1: been the Power Conference since Michael Jordan's second retirement in Chicago, 221 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:56,200 Speaker 1: this has been the Power Conference. And they're certainly injuries 222 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 1: are a factor. I mean, right now, no Bron no Zion, 223 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 1: no KD Anthony Edwards on the sideline next to Kat. 224 00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:06,040 Speaker 1: I mean, there's been you know, Stephan Curry's missed twenty 225 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:08,680 Speaker 1: six games. There's been a zillion injuries in the West. 226 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 1: But it's not all injuries. It's it's there's so much 227 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 1: individual talent in the West. I'm so I just don't 228 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:20,480 Speaker 1: believe the standings should look the way they do, this 229 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: big clump in the middle. It's just it's just weird. 230 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:28,440 Speaker 1: And I mean, I can't wait to see if it 231 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 1: was really like a one season aberration or are we 232 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 1: going to see something like this again? But yeah, I mean, 233 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 1: you know, I think you're right. I think Lebron is 234 00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:40,800 Speaker 1: probably sitting there saying, even if I'm seventy percent, maybe 235 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:43,160 Speaker 1: I gotta try. I gotta try to come back because 236 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 1: this West is wide open. What about Stun, what you making? 237 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:54,560 Speaker 1: That the case that you make, and those are all facts, 238 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 1: even though your friend is it Jenny the Baker is 239 00:14:56,920 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 1: not gonna like any of that. As Jenny said, give 240 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 1: her an address and she will ship you some baked 241 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 1: goods Stu. So she she has nothing but love for you, man. 242 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,120 Speaker 1: She says she was actually baked. She hit me back. 243 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 1: I knew she. I was just waiting for a response. 244 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:15,240 Speaker 1: She said, I was actually in the store bacon and 245 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 1: she listens to the pod like in the morning, and 246 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 1: so just to hear us all of a sudden just 247 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 1: talking about her, that was pretty cool. So I'm sure 248 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 1: her stuff is absolutely wonderful, but getting baked goods sent 249 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 1: to me from California probably not wise for my less 250 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 1: than peak conditioning. So when when I'm there, when I'm there, 251 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:40,760 Speaker 1: we're gonna pay her a visit. I can't let her. 252 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 1: I can't let her send me that. That's not gonna 253 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: be good for the ball club. Well, we're gonna hold 254 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:50,840 Speaker 1: you to that. We are gonna We're gonna pay a visit. 255 00:15:50,880 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 1: But yeah, we we gotta. I got her. I cannot. 256 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:57,040 Speaker 1: I cannot start getting baked goods sent to me that 257 00:15:57,160 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 1: will love me. We have to do. But start what 258 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 1: about with what we're saying about the West, And you know, 259 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 1: in all the injuries you mentioned as potential factors of 260 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:20,120 Speaker 1: why wins are down, are we discredited the East? Is 261 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 1: it just the East? Time? Is it? Had they arrived that? Look, 262 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:25,880 Speaker 1: the East has arrived, And I think I think that 263 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:30,520 Speaker 1: you know, Milwaukee, Philly and Boston, I think you would 264 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:35,600 Speaker 1: probably pick any one of those teams. Whoever survives the 265 00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 1: East is probably going to be favored in the finals. 266 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 1: All the Boston is really starting to go. They're in 267 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 1: a bit of a slide and uh, I know every 268 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 1: Celtics fan I know, including a certain William Simmons, is 269 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 1: absolutely disgruntled beyond belief. And Joe Missoula went from you know, 270 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: potential coach of the Year in his rookie season too 271 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 1: now he's he's he's some what under the under the microscope. 272 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:03,920 Speaker 1: I would say, that's probably a polite way of putting it. 273 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:05,920 Speaker 1: And yeah, the West is the East has been better 274 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:09,080 Speaker 1: in the head to head matchup, so it's fine that 275 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:13,040 Speaker 1: this is the East time. But again, like the Warriors, man, 276 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:16,240 Speaker 1: they're seven and twenty nine on the road. It's inexplicable, 277 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:19,399 Speaker 1: Like it's injuries, yes they have, I mean Steph has 278 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:24,239 Speaker 1: missed twenty six games, but they're way too experienced. I 279 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 1: think the last time I looked at the Splits, they 280 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:31,760 Speaker 1: were top five defensively when they're they're a top They 281 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:33,960 Speaker 1: had a top five defensive rating when they're at home 282 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:37,080 Speaker 1: and a bottom five defensive rating when they're on the road. 283 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 1: Like it's just that they are. I mean, they are 284 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 1: a jekyl and high team and winning games on the 285 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:45,159 Speaker 1: road has been such a calling card for them in 286 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 1: the playoffs. So there's just there's just again, you cannot 287 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:51,360 Speaker 1: discount the injuries. But to me, there's just been so 288 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:56,040 Speaker 1: much bizarreness in this in this West season. And then 289 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 1: there's the then there's the good story like Oklahoma City 290 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: beating Phoenix today, and I mean the Thunder are still 291 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 1: in there. I mean the Thunder. The Thunder looked like 292 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:08,640 Speaker 1: more of a playing team than the Lakers. They do, 293 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:11,399 Speaker 1: they do. And that's that's the disheartening part about it, 294 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:14,440 Speaker 1: because again, you know, I have no rooting interest, but 295 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:18,159 Speaker 1: I expected the Lakers to gain some ground even with 296 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:21,800 Speaker 1: Lebron James being out, and so to see them struggle 297 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:25,880 Speaker 1: like this is uh, you know, it's tough, and it's 298 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:28,680 Speaker 1: it's gonna make it. It's gonna make it tougher for Lebron. 299 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 1: And that's why I say it. That's why I've said earlier. 300 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:36,320 Speaker 1: You know, Lakers had to have it. They had to 301 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:40,199 Speaker 1: have a good run to give themself a great shot 302 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:45,120 Speaker 1: getting healthy, close to healthy Lebron James as possible, because 303 00:18:45,119 --> 00:18:46,960 Speaker 1: you don't want to rush them, you don't want to 304 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:49,560 Speaker 1: get them back, bring them back prematurely. But if the 305 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 1: Lakers are struggling, you know, say those you know say there, 306 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,199 Speaker 1: say they need three straight wins to just get in 307 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:00,520 Speaker 1: the play in. You know, then you put Lebron James 308 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:03,440 Speaker 1: in a situation where he has to make a crucial decision, 309 00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 1: you know, is it worth it? Can I rely on 310 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:09,439 Speaker 1: my teammates to try to get these three wins, and 311 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:13,200 Speaker 1: so that's what the Laquers wanted to avoid. But look 312 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:17,159 Speaker 1: like they're going to go all the way to the end, fighting, 313 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:19,920 Speaker 1: fighting to try to get in. And yeah, even if 314 00:19:19,920 --> 00:19:24,440 Speaker 1: they do, like, I'm still of the mind that when 315 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 1: I look at the West standings, and even though I've 316 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,479 Speaker 1: just went in on the Warriors here a little bit, 317 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 1: you know, I'm still gonna say the West champ is 318 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:35,960 Speaker 1: going to be it can only be one of three 319 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:40,200 Speaker 1: teams Denver, Phoenix and Golden State and the Warriors. I'm 320 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:43,639 Speaker 1: putting there purely based on what they've achieved in the past, 321 00:19:43,680 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 1: because what we've seen from them this season is nowhere close, 322 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:49,320 Speaker 1: but more and more and more, I'm leaning Phoenix. I 323 00:19:49,440 --> 00:19:52,879 Speaker 1: was at Denver guy all season long, but kind of 324 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:56,359 Speaker 1: this this late wobble we're seeing from them. You know, 325 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 1: on one hand, you could say, Okay, the Nuggets have 326 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:01,080 Speaker 1: lost their folks a bit because they know they're going 327 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 1: to win the West. They're not being pushed. They've got 328 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 1: the number one seed in their conference. They're a great 329 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:10,840 Speaker 1: team at home, so maybe it's natural that they've lost 330 00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:15,520 Speaker 1: some focus here late in the season. But I don't know, 331 00:20:15,560 --> 00:20:19,920 Speaker 1: I just eat maybe it's that it's maybe it's that 332 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:23,720 Speaker 1: whole college draft effect where we really haven't even seen 333 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:27,000 Speaker 1: Phoenix yet. With Durant, we've only seen them in three games, 334 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:30,280 Speaker 1: so we don't even really know what they're fully capable 335 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:34,760 Speaker 1: of as a team. But just because the thought of 336 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:37,400 Speaker 1: a healthy Durant and a healthy Devin Booker is so 337 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:42,720 Speaker 1: scary that I mean, that just speaks to the weirdness 338 00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:46,840 Speaker 1: of this West that Phoenix might they might not have 339 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:51,159 Speaker 1: Durant in uniform five games before the playoffs, but if 340 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:53,240 Speaker 1: Durant healthy for the playoffs, you would pick them to 341 00:20:53,280 --> 00:20:56,480 Speaker 1: win the conference. And that just speaks to what a 342 00:20:56,520 --> 00:21:00,919 Speaker 1: bizarre season this is. You will, and they made the trade. 343 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:04,119 Speaker 1: I was one of those people that said they're the favorites, 344 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:07,199 Speaker 1: not just the favorites in the West. I think I 345 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:09,720 Speaker 1: said they were the favorites to win the whole damn thing. 346 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:13,440 Speaker 1: And I don't think my position has changed, But it's 347 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:18,639 Speaker 1: definitely more difficult to see now because look, KD is 348 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:20,879 Speaker 1: going to get most of his reps in with this 349 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:24,600 Speaker 1: Phoenix Suns and trying to learn them in the playoffs. 350 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:27,480 Speaker 1: That's you know that that's the difference a little bit 351 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:31,000 Speaker 1: with Lebron James a little bit, even though it's a 352 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:35,400 Speaker 1: it's the same it's the same team, but you know, different, 353 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:38,639 Speaker 1: different personnel. You know, when the trade deadlines to Lebron 354 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:41,239 Speaker 1: James hasn't had a lot of time, but you know 355 00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:43,119 Speaker 1: it's his team. You know, if it's going to be 356 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:45,640 Speaker 1: an adjustment period, it's going to be those guys adjusting 357 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:48,960 Speaker 1: to Lebron, not the other way around. But KD he 358 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:52,120 Speaker 1: has to adjust and adapt to these guys and how 359 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:55,359 Speaker 1: they're going to play and KYD being the best players still. 360 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:58,480 Speaker 1: But you know, this is this is a Suns team 361 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:03,480 Speaker 1: that's that's been you know, connected for a few years now. 362 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:06,480 Speaker 1: So there's a little concern right there with them not 363 00:22:06,560 --> 00:22:08,560 Speaker 1: having time and most of the time it's going to 364 00:22:08,640 --> 00:22:10,919 Speaker 1: come into postseason. But you know, I would say this, 365 00:22:11,040 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 1: So I had a conversation with Chris Paul a few 366 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:17,040 Speaker 1: days ago and he was telling me just about he 367 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:20,159 Speaker 1: was like, see man, I've never really had it like 368 00:22:20,240 --> 00:22:24,840 Speaker 1: this where he can kind of just pick his spots 369 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:28,760 Speaker 1: and just give guys the ball and let them do 370 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:32,600 Speaker 1: them and he can kind of fill in in other areas. 371 00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 1: And then I was talking to you know, I was 372 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:37,800 Speaker 1: talking to a member of the coaching staff of the 373 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:40,680 Speaker 1: Suns not too long ago, and they were just telling 374 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:44,680 Speaker 1: me about how Chris Paul is, you know, taking on 375 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:49,360 Speaker 1: certain defensive signments that he probably wouldn't take if Katie 376 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:51,680 Speaker 1: wasn't there. And so there was a game. One game 377 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:55,680 Speaker 1: that came to the top of conversation was that against 378 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:58,560 Speaker 1: the Dallas Mavericks. I guess I didn't I didn't watch 379 00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:00,560 Speaker 1: that game, or I don't remember watch in that game. 380 00:23:01,160 --> 00:23:03,600 Speaker 1: But Stu, I guess you can correct me if I'm wrong. 381 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:05,800 Speaker 1: You were there or you washed it was there, but 382 00:23:06,680 --> 00:23:10,720 Speaker 1: you were there. Chris Paul was guarding Luca was well, 383 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:13,600 Speaker 1: the Chris Paul story there was really more at the 384 00:23:13,640 --> 00:23:16,840 Speaker 1: other end because they played off him so much and 385 00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:19,600 Speaker 1: he made you know, Chris is not having a kind 386 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:22,600 Speaker 1: of shooting season this season that we expect from Chris Paul. 387 00:23:22,760 --> 00:23:25,680 Speaker 1: Especially when Chris Paul's inside the arc, you expect him 388 00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:28,640 Speaker 1: to make every shot, and they really played off him 389 00:23:29,119 --> 00:23:32,639 Speaker 1: and and he he hit several big shots in the 390 00:23:32,680 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 1: fourth quarter, and that was just kind of surprising. That 391 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:39,240 Speaker 1: struck me more. I don't even remember really the defensive assignments, 392 00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:43,320 Speaker 1: but that that was that really was a standout aspect 393 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:48,080 Speaker 1: of that game, that that Durant and Booker occupied so 394 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:53,879 Speaker 1: much defensive attention that you're you're basically playing off Chris Paul. 395 00:23:54,119 --> 00:23:58,639 Speaker 1: And so yeah, I brought that up because it was 396 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:03,840 Speaker 1: told to me that at one point Durant had asked, 397 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:07,320 Speaker 1: you know, I'm gonna go guard Luca, and then I 398 00:24:07,359 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 1: guess Chris Paul said, no, I got Luca. You take 399 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:13,440 Speaker 1: pay you know, you take care of offense. Let me 400 00:24:13,600 --> 00:24:15,960 Speaker 1: let me go wait, you know, expend my energy to 401 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:18,359 Speaker 1: do what I can do or Luca. But you go 402 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:21,719 Speaker 1: over there and guard k I mean, you go over 403 00:24:21,720 --> 00:24:24,000 Speaker 1: there and just be yourself k B k D on 404 00:24:24,040 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 1: the offensive end. And so that's just the luxury a 405 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:28,399 Speaker 1: plan with town like that's just a luxury that you 406 00:24:28,440 --> 00:24:30,920 Speaker 1: can have to not only pick your spots on offense, 407 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:36,199 Speaker 1: but also pick your spots defensively, meaning that hey, maybe 408 00:24:36,240 --> 00:24:40,200 Speaker 1: some nights because I know KD and book can get off, 409 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:44,320 Speaker 1: so I can afford to expend a lot of more 410 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:47,000 Speaker 1: energy on the defensive, and I don't want them necessarily 411 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:50,320 Speaker 1: doing that because I want film at full strength only 412 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:53,320 Speaker 1: the other end of the floor. And so you know, 413 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:55,520 Speaker 1: that's a dynamic that I think we're going to see 414 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:58,199 Speaker 1: play out more so in the playoffs as soon as 415 00:24:58,240 --> 00:25:00,760 Speaker 1: they get their reps. But you know, just the brief 416 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:04,640 Speaker 1: conversation I have with Chris Man, he was a matter 417 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:06,679 Speaker 1: of fact, I had that conversation with Chris. It was 418 00:25:06,760 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 1: right after that Golden State game. It was right after 419 00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 1: Steph Steph Scrave doing a game like this is not 420 00:25:15,160 --> 00:25:17,680 Speaker 1: this is not twenty fourteen anymore, or something like that. 421 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:19,840 Speaker 1: It was left that. But I get to see the 422 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:21,919 Speaker 1: Warriors in Dallas week. We'll see if maybe they can 423 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:24,480 Speaker 1: win a road game. I mean, it is they've lost 424 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:29,040 Speaker 1: eleven road games in a row. It's just it's I mean, 425 00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:31,480 Speaker 1: I never thought I would say, and that's the team, 426 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:34,200 Speaker 1: and that's the team that you still have in there 427 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:37,200 Speaker 1: as potential to win the whole damn things well, because 428 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:40,440 Speaker 1: last season they they kind of did this where they 429 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:45,719 Speaker 1: really weren't healthy until the playoffs. But they're core guys 430 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:49,760 Speaker 1: Stephan Curry, Draymond Green, Clay Thompson had had multiple championship 431 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:52,159 Speaker 1: runs together. And what the Sons are trying to do, 432 00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:54,160 Speaker 1: I don't know if we've ever seen it. I mean, 433 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:59,600 Speaker 1: like I said, if Durant plays two three games before 434 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:02,160 Speaker 1: the end of regular season, it will have meant he 435 00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:05,879 Speaker 1: played five or six games with his new team and 436 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:10,040 Speaker 1: that's it and then it's playoff time. But yeah, they 437 00:26:10,040 --> 00:26:13,560 Speaker 1: will have three rounds to really build up some momentum, 438 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:17,480 Speaker 1: get through the West and see where they are if 439 00:26:17,520 --> 00:26:23,720 Speaker 1: if they are indeed the West's title representative, because Milwaukee 440 00:26:23,840 --> 00:26:26,600 Speaker 1: or Philly, who you know. I picked Milwaukee coming into 441 00:26:26,600 --> 00:26:31,000 Speaker 1: the season to win it all, and I am you know, 442 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:33,840 Speaker 1: I think they're they're kind of peaking at the right 443 00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:36,440 Speaker 1: time or trending towards peaking at the right time. So 444 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:41,400 Speaker 1: if if it's Suns against Milwaukee or Philly, and let's 445 00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:44,199 Speaker 1: throw Boston in there, I mean that that that's going 446 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:47,199 Speaker 1: to be a completely different series than than anything they 447 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:50,720 Speaker 1: see in the West. No, I grew with you there. 448 00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:53,880 Speaker 1: I grew with you there. That's what. But that's why 449 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:56,680 Speaker 1: we played the games though, That's why we played the games. 450 00:26:56,800 --> 00:27:00,880 Speaker 1: See what happens. I like the Bucks. They're finding their 451 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:06,040 Speaker 1: stride and they're a championship team. I like them. Hey, Philly, 452 00:27:06,160 --> 00:27:09,280 Speaker 1: I'm not sleeping on Philly. Philly is playing really well 453 00:27:09,640 --> 00:27:11,080 Speaker 1: and I know that. I don't want to get on 454 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:15,720 Speaker 1: this topic, Stein, but it looked like man Joel Embid 455 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:20,119 Speaker 1: is looking like he's making some ground, making some headway 456 00:27:20,160 --> 00:27:22,800 Speaker 1: in that MVP conversation. Stein, I don't want to spend 457 00:27:22,840 --> 00:27:25,600 Speaker 1: too much time on that, but look like I thought 458 00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:28,840 Speaker 1: a couple weeks ago when we were having that conversation, 459 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:32,439 Speaker 1: I kind of I ain't gonna say gave up, but 460 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:35,000 Speaker 1: I was like, I think Joker got this, and you 461 00:27:35,160 --> 00:27:38,119 Speaker 1: was like, nah, there's too much time left. So I 462 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:41,120 Speaker 1: think you're proven to be correct in that assessment. But 463 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:45,120 Speaker 1: Celtics they kind of peter and off a little bit. 464 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:47,399 Speaker 1: So you know, I'm in You know, the playoffs are 465 00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:50,320 Speaker 1: right around the corner. So that's that's the basketball I 466 00:27:50,359 --> 00:27:53,160 Speaker 1: want to see. And you're right in the opening you're 467 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:56,560 Speaker 1: open to this, to this episode, Stein, I haven't watched 468 00:27:56,600 --> 00:27:59,920 Speaker 1: one bit of college basketball. I haven't I probably wait 469 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:02,240 Speaker 1: to the Sweet sixteen to get into it. I'm not 470 00:28:03,160 --> 00:28:06,639 Speaker 1: just not a fan, not really just really not just 471 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:09,120 Speaker 1: really not. I pay attention to the top players, watch 472 00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:12,480 Speaker 1: their games and Sweet sixteen, but I'm not but the playoffs, 473 00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:15,639 Speaker 1: NBA playoffs. That's that's why I'm beside to see. Yeah, no, look, 474 00:28:15,680 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 1: if we're gonna I mean, I think at this point 475 00:28:17,840 --> 00:28:20,280 Speaker 1: of the year, it's hard to not talk about MVP. 476 00:28:20,480 --> 00:28:22,639 Speaker 1: I think we we We're always going to end up 477 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:26,399 Speaker 1: there to some degree. I mean, yes, you know, to me, 478 00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:28,159 Speaker 1: it is a you know, I think we've made this 479 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:31,960 Speaker 1: clear now that the position of this pod is let's 480 00:28:32,119 --> 00:28:34,880 Speaker 1: let's ay, let's consider the whole season. Let's make sure 481 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 1: we weigh the whole thing and not try to choose 482 00:28:37,320 --> 00:28:40,680 Speaker 1: an MVP when it's still March. But I do I 483 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:44,040 Speaker 1: do think Embiid has, you know, is either right there 484 00:28:44,080 --> 00:28:46,720 Speaker 1: with Yokich or maybe has rested the lead from him, 485 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:50,200 Speaker 1: although you know, I think Jannis has just as strong 486 00:28:50,240 --> 00:28:52,920 Speaker 1: a case. And you know, if the Bucks end up 487 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:55,600 Speaker 1: with the best record in the league and Yannis is 488 00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:59,120 Speaker 1: having the season he's had, I don't know how exactly 489 00:28:59,160 --> 00:29:03,720 Speaker 1: you split, you know, how how you decide among the 490 00:29:03,760 --> 00:29:07,440 Speaker 1: three of them. I think they are the three clear leaders. 491 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:10,840 Speaker 1: But maybe I'm leading you into an unfair position here 492 00:29:10,960 --> 00:29:14,880 Speaker 1: or lead? But didn't isn't there? Didn't you want to 493 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:17,400 Speaker 1: throw a new can? Or maybe not? You didn't. Didn't 494 00:29:17,440 --> 00:29:20,440 Speaker 1: someone you know want to lobby us to try to 495 00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:23,600 Speaker 1: make room for somebody else in this discussion. I don't 496 00:29:23,600 --> 00:29:25,680 Speaker 1: have an elot. I don't have an elegant segment. I 497 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:27,120 Speaker 1: guess what I'm trying to say. I do not have 498 00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:31,200 Speaker 1: an elegant segue to this because I'm not really sure 499 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:34,600 Speaker 1: I agree. But let's go ahead. The floor is yours. Explain, Explain, 500 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:45,440 Speaker 1: Explain where I'm trying to go here. Let's go. So 501 00:29:46,520 --> 00:29:52,240 Speaker 1: when posted its time for postseason awards, there are in 502 00:29:52,280 --> 00:29:55,640 Speaker 1: the MVP race there are five candidts correct me if 503 00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:58,080 Speaker 1: I'm wrong, spots on the ballot. Five spots on five 504 00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:01,760 Speaker 1: spots on the ballot. Okay, So all when we're talking, 505 00:30:01,840 --> 00:30:06,240 Speaker 1: we're having these conversations, we're primarily talking about three candids. 506 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:10,280 Speaker 1: So just let everybody know there's five top five players 507 00:30:10,280 --> 00:30:16,520 Speaker 1: on the ballot MVP category. So a high ranking Sacramento 508 00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:24,560 Speaker 1: Kings official wanted to basically lobby one of their players. 509 00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:30,480 Speaker 1: And the player that they're lobbying is Sabonis, who's having 510 00:30:30,480 --> 00:30:34,880 Speaker 1: a phenomenal, phenomenal season, was an All Star this year, 511 00:30:35,360 --> 00:30:39,200 Speaker 1: leads the league in double doubles. But they threw out 512 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:45,040 Speaker 1: this stat line. Sabonis is averaging over nineteen points, averaging 513 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:49,760 Speaker 1: over twelve rebounds, and over seven assists while shooting sixty 514 00:30:49,920 --> 00:30:54,120 Speaker 1: or more from the field. The only player to ever 515 00:30:54,360 --> 00:31:00,000 Speaker 1: do that was Wilt Chamberlain nineteen sixty six sixty seven 516 00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:05,479 Speaker 1: in season. The only other player to to reach those 517 00:31:05,520 --> 00:31:11,440 Speaker 1: fetes the single season will Chamberlain. So I with that 518 00:31:11,520 --> 00:31:16,000 Speaker 1: being said, we understand Dearon Fox is the closer of 519 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:19,720 Speaker 1: that team. He's probably going to win that Clutch Award, 520 00:31:20,160 --> 00:31:24,160 Speaker 1: which is named after Jerry West. I think that. I 521 00:31:24,280 --> 00:31:27,840 Speaker 1: think that's pretty much a done deal. So with that 522 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:32,320 Speaker 1: being said, now we talk about the top three Stein, 523 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:35,240 Speaker 1: can that be an argument with the success that the 524 00:31:35,280 --> 00:31:39,160 Speaker 1: Sacramental Kings are are having this year? So Bonus being 525 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:43,160 Speaker 1: an integral part. And remember so Bonus was voted on 526 00:31:44,320 --> 00:31:47,360 Speaker 1: as a reserve deer and Fox was add on as 527 00:31:47,400 --> 00:31:50,000 Speaker 1: an injury replacement. Not to say that that means anything 528 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:52,520 Speaker 1: or whatever that means. So Bonus is a more valuable 529 00:31:52,520 --> 00:31:54,719 Speaker 1: player to Fox. I'm just throwing stuff out here. So 530 00:31:54,840 --> 00:31:57,280 Speaker 1: just to be clear. Just to be clear, your lobbyist, 531 00:31:57,480 --> 00:32:00,280 Speaker 1: the lobbyist you heard from from from the nine, one six. 532 00:32:00,560 --> 00:32:03,640 Speaker 1: All they're saying is can Sabonis get the fourth or 533 00:32:03,720 --> 00:32:06,840 Speaker 1: fifth spot on the MVP ballot? Because one, two, or 534 00:32:06,960 --> 00:32:11,960 Speaker 1: three it's gonna be embiid Yoki's janis in some order. 535 00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:17,640 Speaker 1: So and I think four will probably be Tatum. And 536 00:32:17,680 --> 00:32:21,280 Speaker 1: I mean, look, Tatum and Luca are two more obvious candidates, 537 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:24,280 Speaker 1: So I mean Sabonis would have to bump one of them, 538 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:27,520 Speaker 1: I think to get a fourth or fifth spot. And 539 00:32:27,640 --> 00:32:31,120 Speaker 1: so my my initial reaction to that is, and I mean, 540 00:32:31,160 --> 00:32:32,960 Speaker 1: you know, I'm a lefty. I love my lefty, so 541 00:32:33,000 --> 00:32:35,720 Speaker 1: I you know, I got nothing but love for Sabonis, 542 00:32:35,720 --> 00:32:40,920 Speaker 1: who has said many, many, many times, I initially hated 543 00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:44,440 Speaker 1: that trade for Sacramento. I thought they were crazy to 544 00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:48,800 Speaker 1: send Haliburton to Indiana and getting Sabonis back and pairing 545 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:52,480 Speaker 1: Sabonis with Fox. They've proved all the naysayers wrong. It's 546 00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:55,120 Speaker 1: the it's a it's it's a trade that's been great 547 00:32:55,160 --> 00:32:59,400 Speaker 1: for both teams. But to me, I guess the question is, 548 00:32:59,560 --> 00:33:02,560 Speaker 1: you know, is Sabonis clearly the best player on his 549 00:33:02,600 --> 00:33:05,760 Speaker 1: own team? And I think Fox has been so good 550 00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:07,760 Speaker 1: here in the second half of the season, has gotten 551 00:33:07,800 --> 00:33:12,560 Speaker 1: so much notice for his Jerry westness with all these 552 00:33:12,600 --> 00:33:17,840 Speaker 1: clutch buckets, I don't know that Sabonis is going to 553 00:33:17,880 --> 00:33:22,640 Speaker 1: get enough recognition as the clear cut best player on 554 00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:26,760 Speaker 1: the Cinderella Sacramento Kings to knock out a Tatum or 555 00:33:26,800 --> 00:33:30,800 Speaker 1: a Luca. That is the million dollar question, you know, 556 00:33:30,920 --> 00:33:33,480 Speaker 1: So is there an argument to make that he's the 557 00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:38,160 Speaker 1: He should be, he should have some MVP considerations. Uh, 558 00:33:39,440 --> 00:33:40,920 Speaker 1: you know, we'll lead that up to you know, the 559 00:33:41,200 --> 00:33:44,440 Speaker 1: people to decide. But the other thing, what you mentioned, 560 00:33:44,440 --> 00:33:47,880 Speaker 1: the other element is is he even the team's best player. 561 00:33:48,000 --> 00:33:50,000 Speaker 1: I just want to go back to what I said 562 00:33:50,040 --> 00:33:52,440 Speaker 1: I think in our last episode to me, if the 563 00:33:52,560 --> 00:33:54,480 Speaker 1: Kings are the number two seed in the West, and 564 00:33:54,560 --> 00:33:56,760 Speaker 1: maybe even if they're third, but if they are number 565 00:33:56,800 --> 00:34:01,160 Speaker 1: two after a sixteen year play after route, I think 566 00:34:01,200 --> 00:34:05,160 Speaker 1: both Sabonus and Fox have to be on the All 567 00:34:05,280 --> 00:34:08,600 Speaker 1: NBA team. And again it is it is by no 568 00:34:08,680 --> 00:34:11,839 Speaker 1: means going to be easy for Fox to get one 569 00:34:11,880 --> 00:34:16,400 Speaker 1: of the guard spots. I mean, for sure, Sabonus it 570 00:34:16,440 --> 00:34:18,480 Speaker 1: should be. It's you know, he should have a better 571 00:34:18,880 --> 00:34:21,560 Speaker 1: shot at it um. But like I said, I think 572 00:34:21,560 --> 00:34:23,520 Speaker 1: they both need to be on there. I mean, if 573 00:34:23,520 --> 00:34:26,640 Speaker 1: Sacramento finished SEC, finishes second in the West, I mean, 574 00:34:26,680 --> 00:34:29,080 Speaker 1: Mike Brown's gonna win Coach of the Year. But those 575 00:34:29,120 --> 00:34:34,719 Speaker 1: two guys deserve all NBA recognition. I will, I will, 576 00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:38,640 Speaker 1: I will not be please if Mike Brown just wins. 577 00:34:38,920 --> 00:34:41,920 Speaker 1: It has to be unanimous. It has to be unanimous. 578 00:34:42,239 --> 00:34:46,480 Speaker 1: He has to win unanimous, unanimously. It's who else is 579 00:34:46,520 --> 00:34:48,239 Speaker 1: out there? Stop it, don't give me the I don't 580 00:34:48,280 --> 00:34:50,720 Speaker 1: want to. I don't want to. New York bias Tims 581 00:34:50,719 --> 00:34:55,000 Speaker 1: is having a fine seven fine. Nobody expected this. This 582 00:34:55,200 --> 00:34:58,640 Speaker 1: is not even it's not going to be It's really hard. 583 00:34:58,840 --> 00:35:02,520 Speaker 1: It's really no. Maybe you're right, maybe it should, but 584 00:35:03,040 --> 00:35:06,399 Speaker 1: nobody makes up. Nobody has a better case, nobody. It's 585 00:35:06,440 --> 00:35:09,520 Speaker 1: not even close. It should be unanimous. This is the 586 00:35:09,560 --> 00:35:14,359 Speaker 1: Sacramento Kings here, number two in the Western Conference. It's 587 00:35:14,680 --> 00:35:18,600 Speaker 1: not even up for debate. Who who who? Who are right? 588 00:35:18,760 --> 00:35:22,040 Speaker 1: Let's let's let's put the top three. I would say 589 00:35:22,080 --> 00:35:25,720 Speaker 1: this it had had Boston stayed on their early season 590 00:35:25,800 --> 00:35:29,280 Speaker 1: path and won the East. And you know, the Celtics 591 00:35:29,320 --> 00:35:31,279 Speaker 1: are only two and a half games behind Milwaukee as 592 00:35:31,280 --> 00:35:34,440 Speaker 1: we speak, but they're certainly going in the wrong direction, 593 00:35:34,520 --> 00:35:36,680 Speaker 1: so I don't I don't think the Celtics are gonna 594 00:35:36,680 --> 00:35:39,080 Speaker 1: win the East. But if the Celtics win the East, 595 00:35:40,239 --> 00:35:44,400 Speaker 1: the number one seed for Joe Missoula to step into 596 00:35:44,840 --> 00:35:49,719 Speaker 1: email Udoka's job. In those circumstances, I would think he's 597 00:35:49,719 --> 00:35:52,239 Speaker 1: gonna get some votes. And I think I think Tom 598 00:35:52,239 --> 00:35:56,800 Speaker 1: Thibeau's gotta get some votes or he maybe not gotta, 599 00:35:56,920 --> 00:36:00,400 Speaker 1: but I think he will because again, the Knicks, the 600 00:36:00,520 --> 00:36:03,600 Speaker 1: Knicks are I don't think people expected the Knicks to 601 00:36:03,640 --> 00:36:07,000 Speaker 1: be this good. But yeah, look, Monty Williams. Monty Williams 602 00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:09,240 Speaker 1: is screwed out of you of us. He was screwed 603 00:36:09,239 --> 00:36:11,960 Speaker 1: out of out of the winning Coach of the Year 604 00:36:12,560 --> 00:36:14,959 Speaker 1: that first year that the Phoenix were on that run, 605 00:36:15,440 --> 00:36:19,840 Speaker 1: and they gave it to Tips and and Monte Williams 606 00:36:19,840 --> 00:36:23,680 Speaker 1: actually got Coach of the Year, the Coach of award 607 00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:29,520 Speaker 1: that was um voted on by the coaches but by media. 608 00:36:29,719 --> 00:36:31,759 Speaker 1: Tips got it. Are you voting this year? Are you? 609 00:36:31,840 --> 00:36:34,640 Speaker 1: Are you an official voter? I'm going to step in 610 00:36:34,680 --> 00:36:36,600 Speaker 1: and vote this you are I didn't do it last year. 611 00:36:36,600 --> 00:36:38,879 Speaker 1: I'm stepping in and voting. I'm going to do my part. 612 00:36:39,120 --> 00:36:42,480 Speaker 1: I have I have mixed emotions about it. But look, Missouli. 613 00:36:42,520 --> 00:36:44,759 Speaker 1: You talk about Missouli and Boston doing an unbelievable job, 614 00:36:44,960 --> 00:36:47,360 Speaker 1: but he's coaching a team that went to the finals. 615 00:36:48,840 --> 00:36:53,560 Speaker 1: Come on, I mean, I think we're splitting hairs here. 616 00:36:54,120 --> 00:36:57,520 Speaker 1: Mike Brown is the Coach of the Year. Absolutely, positively, 617 00:36:57,600 --> 00:37:00,520 Speaker 1: no argument, he but unanimous. That's it's it's just a 618 00:37:00,520 --> 00:37:03,600 Speaker 1: hot that's a high bar because you're, what is there 619 00:37:03,640 --> 00:37:05,799 Speaker 1: one hundred voters, one hundred and twenty five voters, You're 620 00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:08,120 Speaker 1: I mean, you're you're just expecting a lot for a 621 00:37:08,239 --> 00:37:11,240 Speaker 1: hundred plus people to all see it the same way 622 00:37:11,440 --> 00:37:15,400 Speaker 1: I expect a hundred plus people to do. Chris Haynes, 623 00:37:15,880 --> 00:37:21,120 Speaker 1: Chris Haynes NBA Award voters, Chris Haynes has decreed that 624 00:37:21,160 --> 00:37:23,879 Speaker 1: you have no choice, and Mike Brown is your Coach 625 00:37:23,920 --> 00:37:27,080 Speaker 1: of the year, and uh, you can. You can put 626 00:37:27,120 --> 00:37:29,360 Speaker 1: whoever you want a two and three on your ballot, 627 00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:32,480 Speaker 1: but Mike Brown is the coach of the year. End 628 00:37:32,480 --> 00:37:40,080 Speaker 1: of story. Done, decided on decided on March eighteenth, last nineteenth. 629 00:37:40,560 --> 00:37:43,800 Speaker 1: Glad we got that, we figured that out. Now we've Actually, 630 00:37:44,160 --> 00:37:46,880 Speaker 1: we've run out of time because I wanted to talk 631 00:37:46,920 --> 00:37:50,560 Speaker 1: about Michael Jordan selling the Hornets, but we're gonna get 632 00:37:50,600 --> 00:37:52,960 Speaker 1: to that at a later date. So we're gonna ask 633 00:37:53,040 --> 00:37:55,960 Speaker 1: our listeners, love us your opinions. What do you think? 634 00:37:56,920 --> 00:37:59,000 Speaker 1: You know, Mike, everybody has a Michael Jordan. Take a 635 00:37:59,080 --> 00:38:02,479 Speaker 1: Michael Jordan opinion. There's a new Michael Jordan inspired movie 636 00:38:02,560 --> 00:38:05,880 Speaker 1: coming out now with Air with the whole story of 637 00:38:07,680 --> 00:38:10,320 Speaker 1: of Nike and Air Jordan's and everything. That's so so 638 00:38:10,800 --> 00:38:14,480 Speaker 1: Mike is in the news. Give us hit us, hit 639 00:38:14,600 --> 00:38:17,040 Speaker 1: us on Twitter. Let us know what you think about 640 00:38:17,480 --> 00:38:22,480 Speaker 1: the news that Michael Jordan is looking to sell the 641 00:38:22,600 --> 00:38:26,279 Speaker 1: Hornets and reduce his share in the team from a 642 00:38:26,440 --> 00:38:29,759 Speaker 1: majority share to a minority share, and basically that would 643 00:38:30,600 --> 00:38:33,960 Speaker 1: that would take him out of the everyday NBA. And um, 644 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:37,360 Speaker 1: you know again, I think because of this movie. I 645 00:38:37,480 --> 00:38:40,200 Speaker 1: think you got Ben Affleck playing Film Knight and Matt 646 00:38:40,440 --> 00:38:44,279 Speaker 1: Damon's playing Sonny Vaccaro and his viola Davis who is 647 00:38:44,360 --> 00:38:46,680 Speaker 1: playing Michael Jordan's mother, Like this is going to this, 648 00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:49,200 Speaker 1: this movie is going to be This movie is going 649 00:38:49,239 --> 00:38:53,120 Speaker 1: to bring bring mister Jordan right back into the heart 650 00:38:53,160 --> 00:38:58,200 Speaker 1: of the news. Will you go see that movie for sure? 651 00:38:58,520 --> 00:39:00,880 Speaker 1: For sure? I've actually I don't want I mean this. 652 00:39:01,160 --> 00:39:02,640 Speaker 1: I don't want to sound this a bit of a 653 00:39:02,719 --> 00:39:04,880 Speaker 1: humble brag, but I have, I have been. I have 654 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:07,480 Speaker 1: gotten some invites to see an early screening in Dallas, 655 00:39:07,560 --> 00:39:09,080 Speaker 1: but I don't I don't know that I'm gonna make it, 656 00:39:09,120 --> 00:39:10,400 Speaker 1: so I might just have to go catch it in 657 00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:13,080 Speaker 1: the theater. But yeah, no, I definitely, I definitely want 658 00:39:13,120 --> 00:39:15,480 Speaker 1: to see it because even though I love my sneakers 659 00:39:15,560 --> 00:39:18,239 Speaker 1: more probably than people think, but I am not. I 660 00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:21,480 Speaker 1: do not. I'm not super well versed in the air 661 00:39:21,640 --> 00:39:23,440 Speaker 1: Jordan's story, so I have a lot to learn on 662 00:39:23,520 --> 00:39:26,880 Speaker 1: that front. You wear Jordan's Is that is that a 663 00:39:26,960 --> 00:39:30,600 Speaker 1: thing for you? I have Jordan's all right now. The 664 00:39:30,800 --> 00:39:34,560 Speaker 1: Jordan's fives, look at you, I have them all right now. 665 00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:37,640 Speaker 1: I'm not I'm not a big um Jordan snicker fan. 666 00:39:38,160 --> 00:39:42,920 Speaker 1: Um my wife got these for me for Christmas. But um, 667 00:39:43,000 --> 00:39:46,960 Speaker 1: you know, I I've you know, the fives, the ones 668 00:39:47,120 --> 00:39:49,719 Speaker 1: for sure, I got those, the five ones, I got 669 00:39:49,800 --> 00:39:55,640 Speaker 1: the sevens. And I think that's about it. Yeah, I 670 00:39:55,680 --> 00:39:58,480 Speaker 1: think that's about it. I'm such a nerd. I'm such 671 00:39:58,480 --> 00:40:00,400 Speaker 1: a weirdo. I never I've never at a pair of 672 00:40:00,520 --> 00:40:04,800 Speaker 1: Jordan's bow Never. Never I was a what's your favorite 673 00:40:04,840 --> 00:40:09,040 Speaker 1: shoe from Nikes? It would Nike Terminator that Georgetown used 674 00:40:09,040 --> 00:40:12,600 Speaker 1: to wear in the eighties. I loved the Air Darwin Lows, 675 00:40:13,080 --> 00:40:15,920 Speaker 1: which you know, the Air Darwin's were always associated with 676 00:40:16,600 --> 00:40:19,920 Speaker 1: Dennis Rodman. But I actually remember them the low Cuts 677 00:40:20,040 --> 00:40:23,120 Speaker 1: being worn by Danny Manning. But I actually I gotta 678 00:40:23,160 --> 00:40:26,360 Speaker 1: dig out the story I wrote at ESPN. There was 679 00:40:26,480 --> 00:40:29,759 Speaker 1: one of my last years at ESPN, they actually they 680 00:40:29,800 --> 00:40:32,840 Speaker 1: were doing like a whole shoe week, and I begged 681 00:40:32,880 --> 00:40:36,640 Speaker 1: them let me write about my favorite shoes. And my 682 00:40:36,880 --> 00:40:42,959 Speaker 1: choices were so off the wall that your friend Matt Wong, 683 00:40:43,280 --> 00:40:45,560 Speaker 1: who we both loved as an editor, he couldn't even 684 00:40:45,719 --> 00:40:49,680 Speaker 1: find He couldn't even find art for all the shoes 685 00:40:49,840 --> 00:40:51,879 Speaker 1: that I that I were in my top five, because 686 00:40:51,920 --> 00:40:56,759 Speaker 1: I'm I'm not the art exists where we're talking about 687 00:40:56,760 --> 00:40:59,360 Speaker 1: your You know, there was there was one shoe and 688 00:40:59,520 --> 00:41:02,520 Speaker 1: now I don't remember even which one it was that 689 00:41:02,719 --> 00:41:05,440 Speaker 1: I loved low cuts, like way before low cuts were 690 00:41:05,640 --> 00:41:08,280 Speaker 1: you know low you know, you know Kobe and Kyrie 691 00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:11,279 Speaker 1: have have have made low cuts, so popular back in 692 00:41:11,360 --> 00:41:14,360 Speaker 1: the nineties, they were less common. But I love, like 693 00:41:14,440 --> 00:41:17,560 Speaker 1: I said, these Air Darwin Lows that I could still 694 00:41:17,640 --> 00:41:21,160 Speaker 1: see Danny Manning wearing like I loved these shoes. Um, 695 00:41:22,120 --> 00:41:26,120 Speaker 1: but I told you, Ben, I'm a weirdo man, So 696 00:41:26,440 --> 00:41:28,920 Speaker 1: that's why that's why we love you st You know what, though, 697 00:41:28,960 --> 00:41:33,320 Speaker 1: But I'm consistent. I'm consistent, and I don't care. I 698 00:41:33,440 --> 00:41:37,120 Speaker 1: don't care that my choices that my top find like 699 00:41:37,600 --> 00:41:40,000 Speaker 1: I don't care that my shoe choices would be laughed at. 700 00:41:40,080 --> 00:41:43,760 Speaker 1: Here I found the piece December twenty third, twenty sixteen. 701 00:41:43,800 --> 00:41:45,239 Speaker 1: Let's see if I can call this thing up on 702 00:41:45,360 --> 00:41:49,319 Speaker 1: my ever slow computer. So I did Mark Stein's top 703 00:41:49,480 --> 00:41:54,560 Speaker 1: five hoop hoop kicks of all time. Uh. Number one 704 00:41:55,040 --> 00:41:59,359 Speaker 1: Nike Air Darwin Low canvas because I love canvas shoes. Man. 705 00:41:59,600 --> 00:42:02,359 Speaker 1: I'm That's what I'm saying. Like you know, I'm I'm 706 00:42:02,520 --> 00:42:07,920 Speaker 1: I'm a strange person. Number two The Adidas Attitude and 707 00:42:08,120 --> 00:42:12,160 Speaker 1: app Now you know, for you know, I'm looking at 708 00:42:12,320 --> 00:42:14,920 Speaker 1: Patrick Ewing wore the attitude when he played with the Knicks. 709 00:42:14,960 --> 00:42:17,160 Speaker 1: But for me, this is a cal State Fullerton shoe. 710 00:42:17,200 --> 00:42:24,000 Speaker 1: The Adidas Attitude. Number three Nike Nike Georgetown terminators. Oh man, 711 00:42:25,040 --> 00:42:27,840 Speaker 1: just oh look no, And I have to give credit. 712 00:42:28,400 --> 00:42:32,400 Speaker 1: Matt Wong did he found an Andy Bernstein picture the 713 00:42:32,680 --> 00:42:35,319 Speaker 1: Nike air Lamb based low. I always forget the name 714 00:42:35,360 --> 00:42:37,919 Speaker 1: because it's such a weird name, the air Lamb based Low. 715 00:42:38,440 --> 00:42:41,600 Speaker 1: I saw Pooh Richardson wearing these for the Clippers my 716 00:42:41,800 --> 00:42:45,040 Speaker 1: first season, my first full season on the Clipper beat. 717 00:42:45,480 --> 00:42:47,840 Speaker 1: I don't even know how Matt Wong found this picture, 718 00:42:48,520 --> 00:42:53,680 Speaker 1: popularized by Penny Hardaway. Oh, I love those shoes. And 719 00:42:53,760 --> 00:42:55,560 Speaker 1: then I did throw in Jordan's even though I've never 720 00:42:55,680 --> 00:42:59,000 Speaker 1: owned a pair. I threw in the Jordan's shattered backboards. 721 00:42:59,040 --> 00:43:03,320 Speaker 1: And the reason is because those shattered backboards during Buffalo 722 00:43:03,400 --> 00:43:05,520 Speaker 1: Braves Colors. If I were ever to buy a pair 723 00:43:05,600 --> 00:43:07,719 Speaker 1: of Jordan's, this would be the pair. But I have 724 00:43:07,840 --> 00:43:11,000 Speaker 1: never I've never done it. I'm looking at these shoes. 725 00:43:11,160 --> 00:43:16,279 Speaker 1: I would be terrified to play basketball. Which one? Which one? 726 00:43:17,320 --> 00:43:22,680 Speaker 1: I'm looking at the Nike Georgetown Why that is a classic. 727 00:43:23,520 --> 00:43:25,759 Speaker 1: It is a classic. No, I will wear those. I 728 00:43:25,840 --> 00:43:28,720 Speaker 1: will wear those. You know, those are like a hybrid 729 00:43:28,800 --> 00:43:31,520 Speaker 1: of the Air Force ones. I wear those just for 730 00:43:31,760 --> 00:43:34,600 Speaker 1: outfit to play in them, even though I know that's 731 00:43:34,640 --> 00:43:36,600 Speaker 1: what you guys are playing with back in the day. 732 00:43:36,800 --> 00:43:40,160 Speaker 1: Technology isn't what it was, isn't what it was today. 733 00:43:40,719 --> 00:43:44,640 Speaker 1: But no, I couldn't. That is very scary, It really flat, 734 00:43:45,600 --> 00:43:48,480 Speaker 1: you know, yeah, technology, you see my did you see 735 00:43:48,480 --> 00:43:51,480 Speaker 1: my honorable Did you see the honorable mentioned choice I 736 00:43:51,600 --> 00:43:55,600 Speaker 1: had in this story, because this was which Lebron worthies 737 00:43:56,000 --> 00:43:59,880 Speaker 1: to a off day workout at the twenty fifteen finals. 738 00:44:00,280 --> 00:44:04,200 Speaker 1: He word he wore liquid metal Nike Tempo ninety four mids, 739 00:44:04,239 --> 00:44:09,000 Speaker 1: which are really a soccer shoe styled as a basketball shoe. Oh. 740 00:44:09,080 --> 00:44:11,160 Speaker 1: When Lebron came on the court and those I was 741 00:44:11,239 --> 00:44:14,399 Speaker 1: just I was, I was blown away. I was blown 742 00:44:14,440 --> 00:44:16,879 Speaker 1: I was, I have I have a pair of those 743 00:44:16,880 --> 00:44:19,840 Speaker 1: in silver, not the gold. But when he no, I 744 00:44:19,960 --> 00:44:22,320 Speaker 1: see those those are casual, That's what right, because you 745 00:44:22,320 --> 00:44:24,560 Speaker 1: know it's it's an off dame practice. Lebron was barely 746 00:44:24,600 --> 00:44:27,400 Speaker 1: even moving. He wasn't. He wasn't really, he wasn't really 747 00:44:27,440 --> 00:44:29,360 Speaker 1: putting in, putting in a hard shift that day in 748 00:44:29,440 --> 00:44:32,600 Speaker 1: the twenty fifteen Finals. But like I said, I'm a weirdo. 749 00:44:33,280 --> 00:44:36,239 Speaker 1: My my list would be endorsed by absolutely no one, 750 00:44:37,280 --> 00:44:39,759 Speaker 1: But I don't care. I love the sh I love 751 00:44:39,840 --> 00:44:41,839 Speaker 1: the shoes. I love and now and now I want 752 00:44:41,880 --> 00:44:43,840 Speaker 1: to see I want. I'm not gonna put you on 753 00:44:43,920 --> 00:44:47,080 Speaker 1: the spot, but I do. I want Chris Haynes too, 754 00:44:47,400 --> 00:44:50,080 Speaker 1: in a future pod, come up with his five favorite 755 00:44:50,120 --> 00:44:53,680 Speaker 1: basketball sneaks of all time. Okay, that'd be cool, that'd 756 00:44:53,719 --> 00:44:57,520 Speaker 1: be fun. I want to go through it quick, quick 757 00:44:57,560 --> 00:45:00,440 Speaker 1: story stuff, get out real quick speak. Speaking of shoes, 758 00:45:00,840 --> 00:45:03,480 Speaker 1: I gotta incorporate my guy stan Van Gundi into this, 759 00:45:04,200 --> 00:45:09,840 Speaker 1: so I wouldn't say I'm notorious, but seldomly I have 760 00:45:09,960 --> 00:45:12,440 Speaker 1: a tendency to when I'm packing a going the road 761 00:45:12,520 --> 00:45:16,239 Speaker 1: to cover a game, I do everything last minute, and 762 00:45:16,360 --> 00:45:20,640 Speaker 1: so sometimes I forget something, you know, and sometimes I 763 00:45:20,760 --> 00:45:24,360 Speaker 1: forget something very important, like the shirt I'm supposed to 764 00:45:24,400 --> 00:45:29,239 Speaker 1: wear at the game. So we're in Golden State and 765 00:45:29,719 --> 00:45:31,200 Speaker 1: I forgot who the ward is A player. This a 766 00:45:31,200 --> 00:45:34,719 Speaker 1: couple of months ago. Stan Van Guddie's doing color commentary. 767 00:45:35,800 --> 00:45:38,000 Speaker 1: I believe it's Brian Anderson doing played, but I played, 768 00:45:38,040 --> 00:45:41,480 Speaker 1: And then I'm doing sidelines. So we all have a 769 00:45:41,800 --> 00:45:44,200 Speaker 1: We all get in the same ride to go to 770 00:45:45,400 --> 00:45:49,960 Speaker 1: the arena, and thankfully Steyn I happen to try to 771 00:45:50,120 --> 00:45:53,400 Speaker 1: get dressed a little bit early. And we're in downtown 772 00:45:53,520 --> 00:45:57,520 Speaker 1: San Francisco and we're probably got about twenty five minutes 773 00:45:57,520 --> 00:45:59,960 Speaker 1: before this our vehicle departs to go to the area. 774 00:46:00,000 --> 00:46:04,120 Speaker 1: You know. So I'm putting on my stuff. My suit 775 00:46:04,320 --> 00:46:08,160 Speaker 1: is all nice, it was ironed everything, and I realized 776 00:46:08,200 --> 00:46:12,080 Speaker 1: I didn't have a shirt. I didn't have a shirt. Start. 777 00:46:12,640 --> 00:46:16,600 Speaker 1: We're about twenty five minutes before the game. Nice suit, 778 00:46:17,719 --> 00:46:21,320 Speaker 1: everything else, no shirt, I mean, start, I don't have 779 00:46:21,480 --> 00:46:26,440 Speaker 1: a shirt to even put on with the suit to 780 00:46:26,640 --> 00:46:31,400 Speaker 1: go to the store and find a shirt. So I 781 00:46:31,520 --> 00:46:34,560 Speaker 1: put my suit on. You didn't even have a shirt 782 00:46:34,640 --> 00:46:39,799 Speaker 1: to go to the store. No, I listened. I had 783 00:46:39,840 --> 00:46:41,239 Speaker 1: like a shirt, but it's not a shirt that I 784 00:46:41,280 --> 00:46:43,200 Speaker 1: can I got my suit on. I have to have 785 00:46:43,320 --> 00:46:46,200 Speaker 1: my we gotta leave in twenty minutes, and so I 786 00:46:46,280 --> 00:46:49,799 Speaker 1: don't have another shirt to put on. So I put 787 00:46:49,880 --> 00:46:54,680 Speaker 1: my suit on, no shirt just chest or just chest 788 00:46:55,360 --> 00:46:58,200 Speaker 1: and so and so my plan is to I'm in 789 00:46:58,320 --> 00:47:01,960 Speaker 1: downtown San Francisco, right, I'm around all these stores, which 790 00:47:02,000 --> 00:47:04,959 Speaker 1: should be all these stories. It's closing stores. I gotta 791 00:47:05,040 --> 00:47:07,719 Speaker 1: go rush, run to the store and get a shirt 792 00:47:08,080 --> 00:47:09,840 Speaker 1: that hurt up and run back to the hotel so 793 00:47:09,960 --> 00:47:13,200 Speaker 1: I can kiss the ride with Brian Anderson. Stan van Gundy. 794 00:47:13,920 --> 00:47:16,480 Speaker 1: So I put my suit on, go down to the 795 00:47:16,560 --> 00:47:21,080 Speaker 1: lobby and I'm trying to avoid everybody. I'm not trying 796 00:47:21,120 --> 00:47:23,320 Speaker 1: to be seen here. I am with a suit with 797 00:47:23,520 --> 00:47:27,440 Speaker 1: no shirt. Who do I see at the lobby? Of 798 00:47:27,640 --> 00:47:30,880 Speaker 1: course Stan van Gundy? If one thing, Stan, but it's 799 00:47:30,920 --> 00:47:33,160 Speaker 1: two things. Stan Van Gunn. He's always gonna be He's 800 00:47:33,160 --> 00:47:36,080 Speaker 1: always gonna be prepared, overly prepared for whatever he does. 801 00:47:36,520 --> 00:47:39,799 Speaker 1: And he's gonna always be early. So he's down there 802 00:47:39,880 --> 00:47:42,160 Speaker 1: waiting for me, I mean, waiting for the ride, and 803 00:47:42,280 --> 00:47:47,480 Speaker 1: he sees me and I'm just waiting for a comment, 804 00:47:47,760 --> 00:47:50,200 Speaker 1: you know, I'm just waiting for to say something. Then 805 00:47:50,239 --> 00:47:53,799 Speaker 1: he was like, oh, look nice Chris. Ready for the game. 806 00:47:55,480 --> 00:47:59,040 Speaker 1: I'm like, stand, no, I'm not ready. He was like, 807 00:47:59,080 --> 00:48:00,880 Speaker 1: what's you mean You're not ready? You forgot something in 808 00:48:00,920 --> 00:48:04,080 Speaker 1: your room? I said, stand, look, I don't have a 809 00:48:04,160 --> 00:48:08,959 Speaker 1: shirt off. He was He was like, oh oh, he said, 810 00:48:09,000 --> 00:48:13,200 Speaker 1: well when don't you got nice shoes? Ain't soon? He said, 811 00:48:13,239 --> 00:48:16,000 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, Chris, I didn't. I wasn't even he said, 812 00:48:16,000 --> 00:48:18,239 Speaker 1: I'm so he said, he said, I'm so out of 813 00:48:18,680 --> 00:48:21,680 Speaker 1: the fashion style of today. He said, I didn't know 814 00:48:21,719 --> 00:48:24,360 Speaker 1: if that's how y'all dressing down today, he said, So 815 00:48:24,400 --> 00:48:27,399 Speaker 1: I wasn't gonna say nothing, he said, but you better 816 00:48:27,440 --> 00:48:29,959 Speaker 1: go find a shirt, and so stop. I had to run. 817 00:48:30,480 --> 00:48:34,120 Speaker 1: I went to like three stores running downtown San Francisco 818 00:48:34,239 --> 00:48:37,480 Speaker 1: in a suit with no shirt and and and in 819 00:48:37,600 --> 00:48:40,800 Speaker 1: my jacket it's a low cut jacket, so it's not 820 00:48:41,440 --> 00:48:43,840 Speaker 1: it's more than just chest out. It's like chest and 821 00:48:44,440 --> 00:48:48,040 Speaker 1: my abs are out. It's very noticeable. And so I 822 00:48:48,280 --> 00:48:52,120 Speaker 1: finally Ross. I went into Ross, and Ross had a 823 00:48:52,280 --> 00:48:55,440 Speaker 1: long line, a long line. W't found a shirt, and 824 00:48:55,560 --> 00:48:57,200 Speaker 1: I couldn't wait in that line because I had to 825 00:48:57,239 --> 00:48:59,239 Speaker 1: hurt a run back and get to the hotel. So 826 00:48:59,400 --> 00:49:03,080 Speaker 1: I actually paid. What did I do? I paid one 827 00:49:03,120 --> 00:49:05,840 Speaker 1: of the Target workers. No target to one of the 828 00:49:05,960 --> 00:49:08,680 Speaker 1: Ross workers, I should say. And I paid them like 829 00:49:09,680 --> 00:49:13,080 Speaker 1: forty dollars or something like that. Hey, here's the tweet 830 00:49:13,080 --> 00:49:16,600 Speaker 1: dollars for the shirt. Here's forty dollars please, and here's 831 00:49:16,640 --> 00:49:19,759 Speaker 1: the tag that. That's the tag this with the shirt. 832 00:49:20,320 --> 00:49:22,399 Speaker 1: Please take care of that for me. I gotta leave 833 00:49:22,440 --> 00:49:24,920 Speaker 1: by Kate and the lady let me do that. And 834 00:49:25,000 --> 00:49:29,800 Speaker 1: so I rushed back soaking, sweat wet, sweating, crazy, and 835 00:49:29,920 --> 00:49:32,080 Speaker 1: when I get back, Brian and Anderson is there at 836 00:49:32,120 --> 00:49:34,480 Speaker 1: the time and standing already filled him in. So when 837 00:49:34,520 --> 00:49:38,760 Speaker 1: I come back, running and sweating, they're just dying, laughing, dyeing, laughing. 838 00:49:38,920 --> 00:49:40,879 Speaker 1: So I'm like, because I didn't want to make them late, 839 00:49:41,440 --> 00:49:43,560 Speaker 1: and so they just die, you're laughing. They allowed me. 840 00:49:43,719 --> 00:49:46,600 Speaker 1: They was like Chris called there, like like get your 841 00:49:46,640 --> 00:49:49,359 Speaker 1: breath before you get in the car, like, get your breath. 842 00:49:50,080 --> 00:49:52,520 Speaker 1: So that's that was That was a story. House stand 843 00:49:52,640 --> 00:49:55,160 Speaker 1: noticed my shoes, but he didn't notice that I wasn't 844 00:49:55,239 --> 00:49:59,359 Speaker 1: wearing a shirt. What shoes were they? They were oh 845 00:49:59,560 --> 00:50:02,160 Speaker 1: some air for once it was of all white Air Force. 846 00:50:02,280 --> 00:50:08,359 Speaker 1: Once He's like, oh something else, man, you can't stand 847 00:50:08,440 --> 00:50:10,040 Speaker 1: I'm not that dark. I don't know if he thought 848 00:50:10,040 --> 00:50:11,560 Speaker 1: it was a black shirt. I was worried. I'm not 849 00:50:11,640 --> 00:50:13,279 Speaker 1: that I got to start traveling with you just to 850 00:50:13,360 --> 00:50:16,480 Speaker 1: make sure you have all your gear. Hey, It's just 851 00:50:16,800 --> 00:50:20,719 Speaker 1: you know, I get like that sometimes my body and 852 00:50:20,840 --> 00:50:23,320 Speaker 1: I'm my body is to wear like I know a 853 00:50:23,400 --> 00:50:25,839 Speaker 1: lot of people because I've had this happened a couple 854 00:50:25,840 --> 00:50:28,080 Speaker 1: of times, and people be like how'd you get something else? 855 00:50:28,120 --> 00:50:30,520 Speaker 1: I'm like, well, I've always been able to I'm six two, 856 00:50:30,880 --> 00:50:33,600 Speaker 1: I'm six two way two ten. I've always been able 857 00:50:33,680 --> 00:50:36,319 Speaker 1: to go to the store and get something off the rack. 858 00:50:36,719 --> 00:50:38,719 Speaker 1: Even some suits, you know, I may have to get 859 00:50:38,800 --> 00:50:41,000 Speaker 1: them Taylor a little bit, but I can pretty much 860 00:50:41,120 --> 00:50:44,759 Speaker 1: go somewhere and get something off the rack, you know. 861 00:50:45,239 --> 00:50:48,240 Speaker 1: So I'm I'm I guess that's a luxury I've always 862 00:50:48,280 --> 00:50:52,800 Speaker 1: had when I'm forgetting stuff. Sorry for that story, I 863 00:50:52,920 --> 00:50:59,879 Speaker 1: just felt the earth. I can't no shirts. I wish 864 00:51:00,040 --> 00:51:02,759 Speaker 1: I had seen that. How did you? How did you 865 00:51:02,840 --> 00:51:04,560 Speaker 1: not end up on Twitter? How did nobody in the 866 00:51:04,640 --> 00:51:11,000 Speaker 1: lobby just snap you in your suit without a shirt? Hey, Stan, Stan, Van, 867 00:51:11,080 --> 00:51:12,800 Speaker 1: Gunny and Brian ask they took care of me. I 868 00:51:12,840 --> 00:51:14,960 Speaker 1: don't think they told the soul. I don't think they 869 00:51:15,040 --> 00:51:18,600 Speaker 1: told the team. Dude, they took. Yeah, they took. All right, 870 00:51:18,640 --> 00:51:20,799 Speaker 1: I'm gonna ficially worry about you now until your next 871 00:51:20,840 --> 00:51:26,560 Speaker 1: broadcast that's next week back where it happened in San Francisco. 872 00:51:26,680 --> 00:51:29,480 Speaker 1: All right, Well, we're gonna get through this week. You 873 00:51:29,560 --> 00:51:32,239 Speaker 1: have you this week? Is this or no? Wait? Are 874 00:51:32,280 --> 00:51:33,560 Speaker 1: you back on the road this week or is this 875 00:51:33,920 --> 00:51:37,840 Speaker 1: this still a college week? So next week Sea Tournament 876 00:51:37,880 --> 00:51:40,960 Speaker 1: continues to dominate, but we will be back with another 877 00:51:41,239 --> 00:51:48,279 Speaker 1: edition of This League uncut. Please please please, rate, review, subscribe, 878 00:51:48,880 --> 00:51:51,000 Speaker 1: and thanks to me for being with us. Everybody talks 879 00:51:51,000 --> 00:51:55,120 Speaker 1: in that will do it for us. See you next time. 880 00:51:56,760 --> 00:52:01,880 Speaker 1: This League uncutted and I heard radio production suck a loca. 881 00:52:03,800 --> 00:52:05,600 Speaker 1: Chris Hanes and Mark Steyne