1 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Jason Tim's Podcast. Thank you guys so 2 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 1: much for taking time out of your day to come 3 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:23,000 Speaker 1: hang out for a little bit. I'm gonna just doing 4 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:26,600 Speaker 1: a real short show this morning. Um, I wanted to 5 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: make a couple of announcements for little plans that I 6 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:32,520 Speaker 1: have for the show moving forward. And then I wanted 7 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:35,240 Speaker 1: to give my quick thoughts on that Lakers Miami game 8 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:37,280 Speaker 1: from a couple of nights ago, because I thought it 9 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: was really interesting and it explained some of the things 10 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:42,519 Speaker 1: that we should be looking for with that team in 11 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:44,879 Speaker 1: the next couple of weeks. And then I wanted to 12 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:47,640 Speaker 1: quick give my thoughts on the Brooklyn Nets after another 13 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 1: really last but to start with the show announcement. So 14 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: you know, I really like building some sort of consistency 15 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: with the kind of people that I do the show with. 16 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: And um, you know, I've I've really enjoyed working with 17 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 1: Tommy doing that kind of all around the NBA podcast 18 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 1: that I've been doing. And uh, I've really enjoyed doing 19 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,560 Speaker 1: a Laker specific podcast later in the week, and I 20 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 1: was talking with Raj. We had him on on Friday. 21 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:15,560 Speaker 1: If you remember, I was talking with Raj after the 22 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 1: show the other day, and he expressed an interest in 23 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 1: trying to start something weakly, and so him and I 24 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:25,360 Speaker 1: are going to give data try So ideally the way 25 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 1: it will work is early in the week, I'll do 26 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 1: something with Tommy that's kind of based on the entire NBA, 27 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:32,960 Speaker 1: and then later in the week I'll do something with 28 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 1: Raj that's very Lakers specific. That's not to say we 29 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:37,959 Speaker 1: won't talk about other stuff, but that's kind of the 30 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: the idea. UM. However, I believe how kind of strange 31 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 1: it is to introduce the podcast as you know, a 32 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: podcast with my name when I'm doing it regularly with 33 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 1: a guest, uh, you know, on a weekly basis. So 34 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: what I'd like to do is is keep like a 35 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:57,480 Speaker 1: thread that is the Jason tim podcast threat that you 36 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:00,000 Speaker 1: guys can subscribe to that will have all the shows 37 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 1: that I do, but at the same time, I'll have 38 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 1: different show names for those specific podcasts on all the 39 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 1: show ship lots of ideasames for uh guys, let me know, 40 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:21,799 Speaker 1: send me something on Twitter, um, do something to let 41 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:24,240 Speaker 1: me know. UM. I kind of like the idea of 42 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:26,760 Speaker 1: doing State of the Lakers for the RAJ one on Friday. 43 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:29,120 Speaker 1: But if you guys have any other ideas of all years, 44 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: but that way, at least I can introduce those podcasts 45 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,920 Speaker 1: with a little less awkward uh intro than you know, 46 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 1: here's me, but here's the show starring two of us. 47 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:40,679 Speaker 1: So I'd like to to get that switched up. But 48 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 1: I'm very excited. I'm excited to do something weekly with Rod. 49 00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 1: He's super smart. He watches more film than just about 50 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 1: any of us. He's one of the few guys that 51 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:50,880 Speaker 1: out there that has time to actually go out and 52 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 1: wash the tape over and over again and get a 53 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: good feel for things and um, and he's got a 54 00:02:56,040 --> 00:02:58,240 Speaker 1: really good feel for for Laker Nation and what they 55 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: want to hear on a weekly basis. So I'm looking 56 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 1: forward forward to that, and I really appreciate your guys support. 57 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 1: It's been really fun to see how this has grown 58 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:09,800 Speaker 1: over the last few months. We're just about to crest 59 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:13,919 Speaker 1: over five thousand podcast downloads, and then that's in addition 60 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:17,799 Speaker 1: to many tens of thousands of of live viewers as well. 61 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 1: I know it's small and we're just getting started, but 62 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:21,680 Speaker 1: you know, I'm having a ton of fun with it, 63 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 1: and I really appreciate you guys to support otherwise, otherwise 64 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:27,960 Speaker 1: I would just be talking into into empty space. Um, 65 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 1: but let's get started. So I wanna I'm really interested 66 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 1: in this in this Laker Miami Heat game the other night, 67 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 1: because you know, the there is the obvious fact that 68 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: there's no point in over evaluating what's happening with the 69 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 1: Lakers right now as it pertains to their playoff prospects 70 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 1: because of the obvious fact that Anthony Davisontennisure will be back. However, 71 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 1: there is the other aspect of this that has to 72 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:54,640 Speaker 1: do with the standings, having to do with the fact 73 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 1: that right now the Western Conference is very deep. There's 74 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 1: home court advantage of stake. There's a but two different things, 75 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 1: especially considering I expect fans to be available for for 76 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 1: the playoffs and so because of that, these wins matter. 77 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 1: And you know, every every uh little into ground you 78 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 1: can gain or lose in a in a moment like 79 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 1: this could affect you down the line. If you have 80 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: to play the Clippers in the second round, for instance, 81 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 1: if you have to play four road games against Utah, 82 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 1: for instance, those are the kinds of things that matter 83 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 1: right now, regardless of what's happening as far as the 84 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:31,479 Speaker 1: team might look on the court later in the season. 85 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,320 Speaker 1: And so, you know, every team has had some sort 86 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,239 Speaker 1: of of issue with health at some point in the season, 87 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 1: whether it's through COVID or whether it's through injuries. And 88 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: the Lakers got lucky for a long time, and you know, 89 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: it could have been a number of different things. Maybe 90 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 1: they were really safe with with going out in public, 91 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:50,360 Speaker 1: or or maybe you know, it's strictly a matter of luck. 92 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:52,480 Speaker 1: But for whatever reason, up to this point, they've been 93 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 1: mostly fine. And now Dennis is out for at least 94 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 1: the next two games, and Anthony Davis is out for 95 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:01,480 Speaker 1: at least probably the next what three weeks or so. 96 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:04,160 Speaker 1: So you have to find a way to beat Washington tonight, 97 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 1: and you have to find a way to try to 98 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 1: beat Utah tonight without Dennis, and then you have to 99 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:11,159 Speaker 1: try to find a way to win for a couple 100 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:14,720 Speaker 1: of weeks after that without a d but with Dennis. 101 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 1: And so even though it may not matter as far 102 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: as how that team dictates specific matchups in the playoffs, 103 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: it's still important right now for the standings, and so 104 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: that that's what's fascinating to me. And you know, the 105 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 1: Lakers have struggled so far without Dennis, they lost to 106 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:30,480 Speaker 1: Brooklyn and they blost in Miami, and a big part 107 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 1: of that has to do with the fact that the 108 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:34,760 Speaker 1: Lakers aren't making shots. But at the end of the day, 109 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:38,160 Speaker 1: there is no better option for trying to win these 110 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:40,719 Speaker 1: games than to just trust what you've been doing, which 111 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:43,360 Speaker 1: is to defend and to continue to have Lebron nurate 112 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 1: as many wide open shots as you can and hopefully 113 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 1: you just start knocking them down. And I talked in 114 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 1: the pod with Roger the other day that this reminds 115 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:52,280 Speaker 1: me a lot of the seating games in the bubble 116 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:56,000 Speaker 1: and this idea that you know, for whatever reason, they 117 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:59,919 Speaker 1: just went amazingly cold in those seating games, but they 118 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 1: snapped out of it and they were able to beat 119 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 1: all of the teams. There's all this concern in the bubble, like, hey, 120 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 1: what happens when they just started doubling Anthony Davison Lebron 121 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 1: and start making these role players make shots. That was 122 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 1: the same concern last year that it is this year. 123 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 1: And last year they made the shots. And these are 124 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:18,800 Speaker 1: the same guys, if not even a little bit better 125 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:21,719 Speaker 1: players in that regard to make shots this season. And 126 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:25,280 Speaker 1: so I I remain confident that they will eventually snap 127 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: out of it on the larger scale. But it was 128 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:30,039 Speaker 1: interesting in that Miami game because, you know, there's a 129 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 1: lot of concern about Lebron's decision making and the idea 130 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 1: that he kept, you know, passing the ball as the 131 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:38,520 Speaker 1: game progressed. But if you watched the game, essentially what 132 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 1: was happening was every single time there was any sort 133 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,160 Speaker 1: of action in the post or at a pick and roll, 134 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:45,919 Speaker 1: they were doubling Lebron like hard doubling off of the 135 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:48,040 Speaker 1: screen and leaving the screen, or as he slipped or 136 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 1: as he popped to the three point line, and over 137 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 1: the course of the game, you could tell Lebron made 138 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: a conscious decision, I'm not going to four shots over 139 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: this double. I'm going to pass the ball to this 140 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:00,720 Speaker 1: guy popping or rolling to the basket, and I just 141 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:03,640 Speaker 1: trust that if we play four on three, we're gonna 142 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 1: get enough open shots to win the game. And for 143 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:08,479 Speaker 1: whatever reason, they're still in this slump and they weren't 144 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 1: able to make shots, and it led to them you know, 145 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 1: falling apart and once again failing to score a hundred points, 146 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 1: once again looking completely inept offensively and once again losing. 147 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 1: But there really isn't a better option. And you know, 148 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 1: if you I tweeted about this the other day, if 149 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 1: you had to nit pick, you could tell Lebron like, 150 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 1: one of the easiest ways to avoid the double team 151 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:35,679 Speaker 1: is to not call for a screen or to stay 152 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 1: out of the post. But if I'm Lebron, I'm thinking, 153 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 1: you know, how's our offense gonna look if I just 154 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: start relentlessly attacking a Jimmy Butler or an Andrea Iguadala 155 00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 1: in oscolation Because if you attack in isolation, they're less 156 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: likely to double, because it's much harder to double in 157 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: the open floor because it puts your defense and much 158 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 1: more precarious position. But Lebron is telling you he doesn't 159 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 1: want to just relentlessly I late Jimmy Butler or relentlessly 160 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 1: isolate Andrea Guadala because he doesn't like the way that 161 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 1: that would cause the offense to flow. You know, And 162 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 1: and this is one of the biggest things that I've 163 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 1: been critical of of some of the people in Lakers 164 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:14,600 Speaker 1: Twitter who have been talking about the types of actions 165 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 1: that the Lakers are running, right, because the other alternative 166 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 1: would be start to run more screening actions around the floor. 167 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 1: Start to do something that's a little bit more motion 168 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 1: motion based in the half court. But the problem is 169 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: the Laker personnel is not really great for that. Like 170 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 1: Kuzma is a is a decent player running off the 171 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:34,360 Speaker 1: screens and shooting. That's that's one option. And you know, 172 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 1: but like if you look at like Wesley Matthews is 173 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 1: not a very good player coming off a pin downs 174 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:43,160 Speaker 1: and shooting, catch and shoots off the move. You know, 175 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: that's not his That's not his game. That's not Alex 176 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 1: Crusoe's game. You know, that's not Montrez Harrold's game. That's 177 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 1: not any of these guys games. If you look at 178 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:52,840 Speaker 1: the personnel that they have, They've got a bunch of 179 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:56,200 Speaker 1: really good defensive guards that can work and catch and 180 00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: shoot situations, but they're not great off the ball scores. 181 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: You know, they've they have they all have niche a 182 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:05,440 Speaker 1: niche stabilities. Like Bruso can cut to the basket pretty well. 183 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 1: You know, mantrase Harrold is good attacking mismatches in the post. 184 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 1: You know, uh, even with Kyle Kuzman and coming off 185 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:16,320 Speaker 1: the screens, he's kind of streaky. He's not necessarily a 186 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 1: super consistent shooter running off the screens. So it's one 187 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 1: of those things where I actually, if you look at 188 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:26,320 Speaker 1: what they were doing against Miami, understanding that Miami was 189 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:29,959 Speaker 1: doubling Lebron, if he just ran these simple actions giving 190 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 1: it to the to the to the to the cutter 191 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 1: or the excuse me, the screener and letting them play 192 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:38,319 Speaker 1: full on three, they were getting open shots, and they 193 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 1: were basically just saying we trust that over time, this 194 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:45,480 Speaker 1: is gonna break open. Over time, kind of like what 195 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 1: happened in the bubble, They're gonna start making shots and 196 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:51,720 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, everything's gonna change. But again, for 197 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:54,080 Speaker 1: for the playoffs, this is not an issue that they 198 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:57,640 Speaker 1: have to be concerned with. You can't double Lebron James 199 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 1: in the half court and let Anthony Avis and Dennis 200 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 1: Shrewder play four on three. They're gonna get killed if 201 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:07,480 Speaker 1: you do that. This is something specifically that teams can 202 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:11,600 Speaker 1: do to this specific Laker roster as a result of 203 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:15,079 Speaker 1: the injuries and and and the COVID missing time for 204 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 1: Dennis Shrewder that it's specifically to this situation and as 205 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:22,079 Speaker 1: far as how to survive the next two games. How 206 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 1: do you try to beat Washington, how do you try 207 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 1: to beat Utah? I think you keep doing the same thing. 208 00:10:27,640 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 1: You defend like crazy, and the Lakers defended extremely well 209 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 1: in the second half against Miami, and then in the 210 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:36,199 Speaker 1: on the offensive end, you continue to just let Lebron 211 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 1: attract as much attention as possible, and you just count 212 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:41,559 Speaker 1: on the fact that the lid is gonna come off 213 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: the basket, They're gonna start making shots, and then fine, 214 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 1: and then when Dennis comes back, everything will open back 215 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: up again. If you guys remember the Minnesota game, and 216 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:50,920 Speaker 1: I know they're the worst team with the worst record 217 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 1: in the league, but they have Karl Anthony Towns Now, 218 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 1: they're not as bad as it shows in the standings. 219 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 1: That team, Uh, Theker offense got a little bit more 220 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 1: free flowing, Dennis Shrewder got his rhythm back. Lebron played 221 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 1: a really good game as well. They were making shots. 222 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:07,680 Speaker 1: They were up from three for that game. Everything's gonna 223 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 1: be fine, is doing as Dennis comes back. You just 224 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 1: have to try to find a way to win in 225 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 1: these next two games. And it's doable just by doing 226 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 1: the same thing they're doing and don't get overly concerned 227 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 1: with how this might project to how they'll play in 228 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: the playoffs. It's just not something to worry about. So 229 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:25,200 Speaker 1: the last thing I gonna talk about today, like I said, 230 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 1: there's gonna be a short one. Uh, I think I'll 231 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 1: talk today. I talk about it is Brooklyn. So there's 232 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 1: a lot of Brooklyn looks great. I mean, there's no 233 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 1: point beating around the bush. But I think people are 234 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 1: kind of a lot of people who are pro Brooklyn 235 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: are kind of getting lost in the in the chaos 236 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 1: that surrounded all of the Brooklyn pessimism. Because, as is 237 00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 1: usually the case, when criticism starts flying around, there's like 238 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:50,080 Speaker 1: the really loud people that are saying nonsensical stuff, and 239 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 1: then there's like the rational people that are just like, well, 240 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:54,719 Speaker 1: this is a legitimate concern that we should probably keep 241 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:57,000 Speaker 1: an eye on. And that was the way the Brooklyn 242 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 1: Nets trade went with with with James Harden, James Harden 243 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:02,880 Speaker 1: trade happens. You know, there's all these crazy people in 244 00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 1: the woodwork, and they're not gonna be able to defend 245 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 1: their garbage. Like this team isn't gonna you know, they 246 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:09,080 Speaker 1: just lost to Cleveland. Like this team is not gonna 247 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:11,520 Speaker 1: be able to win, blah blah blah, And obviously those 248 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:15,199 Speaker 1: people were crazy. But beneath all of that there was 249 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 1: you lost Jared Allen, DeAndre Jordan looks a little bit 250 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 1: washed this season. In specific matchups, not having a legitimate 251 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:28,600 Speaker 1: center could be a problem, you know, Okay, like the uh, 252 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:30,520 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving and James Hard didn't have a bit of 253 00:12:30,559 --> 00:12:33,839 Speaker 1: a history of being inconsistent with their defensive effort. And 254 00:12:33,920 --> 00:12:36,199 Speaker 1: I was one of those people who was just strictly saying, like, 255 00:12:36,559 --> 00:12:39,120 Speaker 1: I don't think they're really good. I'm a little bit 256 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:40,839 Speaker 1: worried about how they might be able to guard Joe 257 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 1: l Embiid in a really physical Philadelphia defense that's gonna 258 00:12:45,160 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 1: make them work over seven games in a way that 259 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 1: might wear them down. And then I said the same 260 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 1: thing about the Lakers. A guy like montrese Peril and 261 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 1: Anthony Davis is gonna present a big time smatch problem 262 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:00,920 Speaker 1: from that Brooklyn, He's offense not to mention run. And 263 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:04,080 Speaker 1: so all I said was great, they're gonna have an 264 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: unprecedented good offense. However, let's take a look at how 265 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:12,960 Speaker 1: this might work in specific playoff matchups. We talk all 266 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:17,080 Speaker 1: the time on this show how specific playoff matchups can 267 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:20,240 Speaker 1: get anybody beat. The conversation, the the the example I 268 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 1: used all the time is the two thousand nine Calves. 269 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 1: The two thou nine Calves were one of the best, 270 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 1: were the best team in the regular season that year. 271 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 1: Lebron was nearing the top of his game, but there 272 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 1: was a specific matchup problem. If you watch, Dwight Howard 273 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: averaged over thirty points a game in that series, had 274 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:41,360 Speaker 1: forty in Game six because he was going against the 275 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:45,160 Speaker 1: dress Kiss and Anderson versy out. And then suddenly he 276 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:48,359 Speaker 1: gets up against Andrew Biden, Andrew buying him and Patissoul 277 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 1: and he's way less effective and it and they can't 278 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:55,440 Speaker 1: take advantage of that specific mismatch, and all of a sudden, 279 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:57,840 Speaker 1: the Lakers are arch better team and they make the 280 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:00,840 Speaker 1: Magic look like a flawed basketball. That's the way these 281 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 1: match us work. It's not it's not a it's not 282 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:06,559 Speaker 1: a matter of you know, who has more talent, because 283 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:09,080 Speaker 1: I would argue the two thousand nine Cats had more talent, 284 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 1: but it was a specific matchup that got them beat, 285 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:15,920 Speaker 1: not just Dwight Howard, but the really big guards in 286 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:18,599 Speaker 1: in Turka Glue and Richard Lewis for the magic and 287 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 1: the problems they presented from Will Williams and Delante West. 288 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 1: That's the same thing that we're talking about in the 289 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 1: the offensive end and specific matchups like, yeah, the Lakers 290 00:14:40,920 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 1: are gonna have trouble guarding, uh, Kyrie Irving, the Lakers 291 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 1: are gonna have trouble guarding James Harden. They're gonna have 292 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 1: trouble guarding Kevin Durant. But at the end of the day, 293 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 1: there is a huge front court mismatch in the sense 294 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:57,200 Speaker 1: that guys like Anthony Davis and Montrez Harrold, guys like 295 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:01,880 Speaker 1: Ben Simmons and Joel Embiide are gonna be almost unguardable 296 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:04,800 Speaker 1: for Brooklyn in the paint. And now I'll remind you 297 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: in that thousand nine Eastern Conference Finals, Lebron average like 298 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 1: thirty eight, nine and nine and it wasn't enough. So 299 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 1: this idea that you know, uh, that Kyrie Irving and 300 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 1: and Kevin durantan James Harden can put up monster numbers 301 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 1: and it's just an automatic trump card isn't necessarily the 302 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 1: case specific playoff matchup, they have a shortcoming in the 303 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 1: front court that two teams I think can exploit. I 304 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 1: was never worried about the Clippers in Brooklyn. That's matchup. 305 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:35,600 Speaker 1: I talked often, if you guys remember about the fact 306 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:38,440 Speaker 1: that I think, uh, the Clippers play into these guys 307 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:42,160 Speaker 1: hands a lot of the times, especially switching defenses, because 308 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:45,680 Speaker 1: they don't really uh they kind of degenerate from their 309 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 1: normal offense and really really heavy isolation stuff, uh with 310 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 1: Paul George and Kauai, and that plays right into Brooklyn's 311 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 1: hands unless you're doing it at the rent. That's the 312 00:15:57,040 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 1: key difference, you know. It's not it's not a question 313 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 1: of whether or Paul George can score on the perimeter 314 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:05,040 Speaker 1: against some Brooklyn nets card. It's the fact that in 315 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:09,240 Speaker 1: a playoff series, that sort of repetitive isolation can get 316 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: you beat. However, if you're Anthony Davis, it's at the rim. 317 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: If you're Joe lm beat, it's at the rim and 318 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 1: at the free throw line. Those are the kinds of 319 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:21,960 Speaker 1: things that are much more consistent and reliable in a 320 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 1: playoff series. And you know, so, um. One of the 321 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 1: things too that that that that I think is interesting 322 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: is that is the way that Brooklyn's switching defense can 323 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:34,960 Speaker 1: cause specific you know, anomalies in a regular season. So 324 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 1: there's a reason why, Uh, it's really rare to see 325 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 1: a team user switching defense. It's essentially like, um, if 326 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:49,320 Speaker 1: you can run more traditional defensive actions with more traditional 327 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 1: defensive talent, like a good big hoo can guard in space, 328 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 1: and a good big who can protect the rim, and 329 00:16:55,240 --> 00:16:57,520 Speaker 1: guards who can defend the point of attack and things 330 00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:59,440 Speaker 1: like that, that's a proven method of defense, and we 331 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:01,360 Speaker 1: see that around the league. Look at the Lakers, this 332 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:06,440 Speaker 1: great example. However, teams like the two eighteen Rockets, teams 333 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:08,920 Speaker 1: like this team. I don't think it's a coincidence that 334 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,640 Speaker 1: both Mike D'Antoni teams they kind of have to rely 335 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 1: on a little bit of a gimmick because they don't 336 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:18,200 Speaker 1: have necessarily, you know, uh that that type of defensive talent. 337 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:21,400 Speaker 1: You know, specifically with this Brooklyn Nets team. That two 338 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:25,000 Speaker 1: eighteen Rockets team did have a decent amount of defensive talent. 339 00:17:25,040 --> 00:17:27,480 Speaker 1: But the idea there is is there Brooklyn is telling 340 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: you we can't run traditional defense. We can't have DeAndre 341 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 1: Jordan's just guarding and pick and roll all day long. 342 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 1: You know, we can't have uh, guys like Kyrie Irving 343 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:41,119 Speaker 1: and James Harden who fasically just die on screens for 344 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,520 Speaker 1: their entire career. We can't have those guys chasing guys 345 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:46,880 Speaker 1: off of pin downs and chasing guys off of other 346 00:17:46,920 --> 00:17:49,159 Speaker 1: screening actions because they're just gonna get beat. That's not 347 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:51,439 Speaker 1: that it doesn't fit into what their defensive skill set is, 348 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:54,560 Speaker 1: so they have to switch everything. And there's and like 349 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:57,679 Speaker 1: I said, it's it's it's a flawed defensive scheme in 350 00:17:57,720 --> 00:18:00,439 Speaker 1: the sense that can be exploited when you play seven 351 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 1: times in a row. But when you're playing against twenty 352 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:05,880 Speaker 1: nine other NBA teams and night in and night out, 353 00:18:05,920 --> 00:18:09,280 Speaker 1: you're seeing more traditional defensive schemes. And then finally, on 354 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:12,359 Speaker 1: a random Tuesday night, here comes the Brooklyn Nets and 355 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:15,399 Speaker 1: they're switching everything. It throws you off and and and 356 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 1: you struggle to handle it. All of the bed defense 357 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:22,679 Speaker 1: and ly more traditional defensive actions. This team is a 358 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:25,080 Speaker 1: random wrinkle that that that these teams are running into 359 00:18:25,119 --> 00:18:27,000 Speaker 1: on a random Tuesday, on a random Thursday, on a 360 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 1: random Saturday, and they're struggling to deal with it. In 361 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 1: a small sample size, if you're running a switching defense 362 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 1: with Kyrie Irving and James Harden and Joe Harris on 363 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:39,800 Speaker 1: the floor. Chances are it's not gonna work as well 364 00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:42,520 Speaker 1: as seven game series when there's big time mismatches on 365 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:45,400 Speaker 1: the floor and and a team kind of figures out 366 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 1: over the first couple of games how to consistently attack it, 367 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,680 Speaker 1: you know, and at that point in the playoff series, 368 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:54,080 Speaker 1: game two, game three, whatever it is, where they figure out, 369 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:57,120 Speaker 1: oh crap, Kyrie Irving can't keep Ben Simmons from the rim, 370 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:00,359 Speaker 1: Oh crap, you know, Jeff Green can't keep Lebron from Remember, 371 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:02,720 Speaker 1: they can't keep Anthony Davis out of the off the 372 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:06,200 Speaker 1: out of the paint, or they can't defend Joel Embiid 373 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:08,399 Speaker 1: one on one. All of a sudden, they're going to 374 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: have to start doubling. And when they do, they'll be 375 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:13,560 Speaker 1: in rotation. And that's a team that doesn't defend well 376 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:15,560 Speaker 1: in rotation. They lose guys all the time, they're not 377 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:18,199 Speaker 1: on a string, they don't communicate super well. In a 378 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 1: playoff series, that is a defense that teams will be 379 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:24,760 Speaker 1: able to exploit to a greater extent than the Clippers 380 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:27,560 Speaker 1: after playing a bunch of traditional defenses and then randomly 381 00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 1: running into them on a Sunday night and not really 382 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:33,000 Speaker 1: adjusting in time to really figure it out. And so 383 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 1: I I I I still think they're a really good team. 384 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 1: Never really doubted them from that respect. I just was 385 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 1: concerned about very specific matchups between Philly and the Layers. 386 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:48,119 Speaker 1: They have specific personnel that are going to cause major 387 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 1: problems for that team in a seven gamer, and I 388 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:52,919 Speaker 1: think that that's okay to And I'm not sure that 389 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: we'll get to really see an example of how that 390 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 1: might work out until later in this season and hopefully 391 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:01,639 Speaker 1: health permits, because in this season it just seemed and 392 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 1: you know, there's been a lot of talk about the 393 00:20:03,680 --> 00:20:06,639 Speaker 1: quality of basketball this season, and in my opinion, one 394 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:09,320 Speaker 1: of the big reasons why the quality has been down 395 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:15,639 Speaker 1: is on any given mm hmm and and so you 396 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 1: can't get a feel for how good the teams are, 397 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:20,320 Speaker 1: and you can't get it. You can't get a feel 398 00:20:20,359 --> 00:20:23,000 Speaker 1: for what that matchup might look like when you know, 399 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:25,720 Speaker 1: like even last night's game between Brooklyn and the Clippers, 400 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:27,639 Speaker 1: it's like, you don't think Kevin Durant's gonna change that 401 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:30,720 Speaker 1: equation a little bit in some way. So it's it's 402 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 1: just hard to get a feel for any of these games. 403 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:34,320 Speaker 1: But you know you just you just just try to 404 00:20:34,359 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 1: think about it on almost a possession by possession basis, 405 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:42,000 Speaker 1: because as those series progress, as you get to game four, 406 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:43,320 Speaker 1: as you get to game five, as you get to 407 00:20:43,359 --> 00:20:47,720 Speaker 1: game six, it's so like both teams know each other 408 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:50,199 Speaker 1: extremely well, they know all of their actions. You you 409 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 1: can't run an offense to get a shot. It's all 410 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:56,639 Speaker 1: about these specific matchups and as many matchup problems that 411 00:20:56,720 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 1: Brooklyn presents for the other team, the other team ESPEC 412 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:02,200 Speaker 1: actually in the case of the Elite Contenders, is going 413 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:05,359 Speaker 1: to present just as many matchup problems for Brooklyn on 414 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:07,400 Speaker 1: the other end of the floor, and at that point 415 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:10,400 Speaker 1: it's just a matter of which map gets exploited, exploited 416 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:14,880 Speaker 1: to a greater extent um. That's all I have for today. Uh. 417 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:18,080 Speaker 1: I have Tommy coming on again earlier this week and 418 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:20,440 Speaker 1: Rage later in the week. Like I said in the beginning, 419 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,240 Speaker 1: if any of you guys has suggestions for changing the 420 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:25,960 Speaker 1: names of those shows, uh, even though they'll stay in 421 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:27,919 Speaker 1: the same thread, you can either send it to me 422 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:31,000 Speaker 1: on Twitter or or send it to me in the comments. 423 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 1: I'm also planning on adding my email to the to 424 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:34,960 Speaker 1: the Twitter page anyway. Just so I can use it 425 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:38,040 Speaker 1: for like mail bag stuff later on. UM, but as 426 00:21:38,040 --> 00:21:39,879 Speaker 1: always I appreciate all you guys support. This will be 427 00:21:39,960 --> 00:21:43,240 Speaker 1: up shortly on the podcast feed. UM. Everybody have a 428 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 1: good rest of your week. Coupe's productive. Hope you have 429 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:46,800 Speaker 1: a good time Helpe. Everybody's safe and I will talk 430 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:47,760 Speaker 1: to you in a couple of days