1 00:00:05,559 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What is up 2 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:20,280 Speaker 1: straight Fire? Fam? It's me Jason McIntyre, Straight Fire for Wednesday, 3 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:23,920 Speaker 1: due Lie sixth, And I don't know about you guys, 4 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: how you're spending the middle of your summer right But 5 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:33,160 Speaker 1: was anyone else watching the Chet Homegrun Show last night 6 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,519 Speaker 1: in the NBA Summer League in Salt Lake City, Utah. 7 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh. By now you've seen the highlights. You 8 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: wake up, it's the first thing you're seeing on your 9 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: Instagram feed, you turn on the TV. I guarantee you 10 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,640 Speaker 1: there's gonna be a dozen podcasts today breaking down in 11 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:52,519 Speaker 1: granular detail Chet Homegrun's incredible debut. First of all, I 12 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 1: don't care about what the final stat line is. That 13 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 1: that's irrelevant in summer League. Although I got excited when 14 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: Keegan Murray had twenty six in his first game, what 15 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:04,680 Speaker 1: Homegren was doing on the court at both ends did 16 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:07,560 Speaker 1: not look like a skinny toothpick who was going to 17 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 1: be overwhelmed and pushed around. I know it's summer League. 18 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 1: I know he's going against Taco fall By the way, 19 00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 1: I think he blocked his shot twice, and we're not 20 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:19,320 Speaker 1: going to see him in an NBA game in transition 21 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:22,119 Speaker 1: dribble into a behind the back three, which he did 22 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:25,039 Speaker 1: a couple of times. Chet Homegren looked like he belonged there, 23 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:29,240 Speaker 1: and Orlando Magic fans had to be just pained watching 24 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 1: Homegren have an incredible debut, very memorable. I'm not gonna 25 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: sit here and spend ten minutes on Jet Homegren. I 26 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:39,360 Speaker 1: just need to point out the kid looked real deal 27 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: holy Field in his summer league debut. And I know, 28 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:44,840 Speaker 1: I know, we've seen a lot of guys come through 29 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 1: the NBA Summer League drop thirty forty and then a 30 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 1: bit can't even make a roster. I get all that. 31 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: Homegren looks like he belongs at twenty. He definitely looks 32 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 1: like he's ready. I didn't. I thought it would take 33 00:01:57,600 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 1: some time and there will be an NBA learning curve. 34 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 1: He's not gonna come in Opening Night and drop twenty. 35 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: But Chet Holmegren look like an NBA player, And I think, 36 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 1: if you're an okayc fan, and we'll get to Kevin 37 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:09,360 Speaker 1: Durant shortly, and also we'll get to Durant with our 38 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 1: guest Alex Schiffer, who covers the nets. Yes, Kevin Durant 39 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 1: nets and I mentioned okay See, but if you're okay See, 40 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:19,080 Speaker 1: this is the first time there's been a hint of 41 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 1: optimism since I guess Game six, twenty sixteen, and I mean, 42 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:26,679 Speaker 1: I'll never forget the game. It was a few days 43 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 1: before we moved out to La okay Se was within 44 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 1: I don't know a quarter of going to the NBA Finals, 45 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:35,280 Speaker 1: and then Clay Thompson goes off in the final five 46 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:38,640 Speaker 1: minutes and Steph Curry and YadA, YadA, YadA, and you know, 47 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:40,640 Speaker 1: okay See blows it in Game seven, and Kevin Durant 48 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: leaves and the rest is history. The team has been 49 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:46,400 Speaker 1: cratering since. I'm not saying Chet Homegren is the answer 50 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 1: to all their problems, but he is a start. Josh 51 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:51,880 Speaker 1: Giddy shout out to the NBL my New Zealand Breakers. 52 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 1: Josh Kiddy has looked good. I'm not gonna make any 53 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 1: jokes about the Thin Towers, Poku and chet Shay Gills, 54 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:03,200 Speaker 1: just Alexandre. Obviously, they've got a lot of young, promising players. 55 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 1: They're still far away from anything, but the future looks 56 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: bright in Okac. Speaking of Okac, we are on what now, 57 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:17,560 Speaker 1: day five six of the Kevin Durant Watch. We don't 58 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 1: know how long it's going to be, but indications are 59 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 1: this could drag out and we our guests later in 60 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 1: the pod will tell you about just why. But it 61 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 1: is looking increasingly difficult for an easy, say Nets Sun's trade. 62 00:03:33,919 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: It's sounding more and more like a third, perhaps fourth 63 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 1: team will have to be involved. This will have to 64 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: be a massive undertaking that multiple teams are going to 65 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 1: have to get on board with the Nets, as everybody 66 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 1: knows want at least an all star in return, as 67 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: well as a bounty of picks. Kevin Durant just wants 68 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: to go to a good team. Haha insert laugh here. 69 00:03:55,840 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: There is, however, a bit of a crazy scenario where maybe, 70 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 1: just maybe, and again it's a huge maybe, and we're 71 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 1: I'm floating this just because what if the NETS owner 72 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:16,160 Speaker 1: says KD, we can't find a trade for you. We 73 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 1: have Kyrie for this year. We have Ben Simmons healthy 74 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: and ready to go. Now, I don't know it quickly 75 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:24,839 Speaker 1: a side going down a side alley here. I don't 76 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:27,039 Speaker 1: know why Ben Simmons deleted his Instagram and all his 77 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 1: social media. I know he was dating or engaged to 78 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: some you know, quasi famous. I think she's like a 79 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 1: British announcer, like some host of some TV show. Obviously 80 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 1: very attractive, and maybe something unraveled there. Maybe the whole 81 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 1: Devin Booker Kendall Jenner breakup has got Ben Simmons thinking, hey, 82 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 1: maybe I can make that happen again. I don't know 83 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 1: what's going on with Ben Simmons, but he deleted all 84 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 1: of his social media accounts and I don't Again, this 85 00:04:57,360 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 1: could have something to do with off the court. Maybe 86 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 1: on the court, maybe he got bad news about the surgery. 87 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,480 Speaker 1: Who knows. Maybe he talked to Kevin Durand's like I'm 88 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 1: out of here, and Ben Simmons just crestfallen. I don't 89 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: need to hear this crap. Maybe he thinks he could 90 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 1: be traded. For whatever reason, Ben Simmons is now off 91 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:17,240 Speaker 1: social media now. He was never very active on their right, 92 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 1: but he clearly knows something is up. I just have 93 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 1: to wonder. And again, this is after three or four 94 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:33,200 Speaker 1: days of Nets mockery, Kyrie bashing. This is gonna sound 95 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:34,720 Speaker 1: a little silly, but you have to cover all your 96 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:38,359 Speaker 1: basses right anytime you're cooking up a big deal and 97 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 1: You've got a huge decision to make in life. You've 98 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:42,640 Speaker 1: got to cover all the bases, and this is when 99 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: we haven't covered. What if Kevin Durand says, Okay, you 100 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:49,159 Speaker 1: don't have a trade for me, Kyrie staying Ben's how's 101 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 1: your back? Okay, I'm looking around the roster. We got 102 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 1: Patty Mills back. Okay. Check. We got Seth Curry, all right, check, 103 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 1: we got Claxton Blake. Griffin says he's gonna leave but 104 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 1: hasn't yet. We traded for Royce O'Neil. Another way, we 105 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 1: just signed t J. Warren. I know he hasn't played 106 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: in a couple of years. For now, we have Joe Harris, 107 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:12,279 Speaker 1: I like Cam Thomas. You know one through ten We're 108 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 1: not terrible. Huh. Maybe I just shelve this trade request 109 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 1: and we play it out. Let's be positive for a second, 110 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 1: and remember two years ago, with a healthy Harden, well 111 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: as healthy as he was, healthy Kyrie and healthy Kevin Durant, 112 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:37,040 Speaker 1: they smashed the Brooklyn Nets. The Brooklyn Nets smashed the 113 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 1: Milwaukee Bucks in the first two games of that playoff series. 114 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 1: James Harden was not one hundred percent. Kyrie Irving gets 115 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 1: hurt turns an ankle and next thing you know, the 116 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:50,840 Speaker 1: Nets storm back. KD nearly carried them to victory. James 117 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:53,320 Speaker 1: Harden came back at like fifty percent for Game seven, 118 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:56,160 Speaker 1: was serviceable but couldn't really do anything and the Nets 119 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 1: end up losing. Could have won that series and that 120 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:01,240 Speaker 1: was the champion Bucks with my janis in Middleton in 121 00:07:01,279 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 1: a holiday, right, they were close. Now, I know they 122 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,000 Speaker 1: don't have Hardened, but they have Ben Simmons and I 123 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 1: think overall they've got a better roster now than they did. 124 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: Then is there a chance is there a scenario where 125 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 1: Kevin Durance is fine, I shelved the trade request, Let's 126 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 1: do this. Could that happen? If he's not getting his way, 127 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 1: you know, he's not going to get to a Memphis, 128 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 1: a Phoenix, a team that is a contender for the championship. 129 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:34,000 Speaker 1: This Warrior stuff that is not happening. Could this, I 130 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:37,760 Speaker 1: don't know, drag out. Remember James Harden when the OKAC 131 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 1: Thunder back when Harden was in Okac, they had gone 132 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: to the finals in June and Harden was the sixth 133 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 1: man of the year and of course it was obvious 134 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 1: to Okase they had to pay Russ k D and Harden, 135 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 1: and they decided, we can't pay Harden, let's trade him 136 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 1: for a bunch. They traded him like right before the season. 137 00:07:57,560 --> 00:07:59,480 Speaker 1: My favorite story about that, and I tell my young 138 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 1: son and actually some of his athlete buddies. I've told this. 139 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 1: Sam think he said this story on a podcast when 140 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: he was he was with the Rockets. He was at 141 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:13,400 Speaker 1: that first practice that James Harden was at, and you know, 142 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 1: Kevin McCall was a coach, and you know, James Harden 143 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: had just got there and the entire team is kind of, 144 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 1: you know, messing around before practice, and the coach calls 145 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 1: him in and he tells him, here's what we're gonna do. 146 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 1: We're gonna do this station and then then here and here, 147 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:36,440 Speaker 1: and there was like a brief lull, and McAll goes, okay, guys, 148 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:38,120 Speaker 1: let's bring it in. Everybody put your hands in. You know, 149 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 1: you do your hands and you break the huddle. And 150 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: before the huddle was broken, James Garden goes, who just 151 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: got to town piped up and goes, hey, everybody tuck 152 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:50,920 Speaker 1: your shirts in. Like I mean, James Harden had probably 153 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:53,200 Speaker 1: not spoken to ten of these guys. He just got 154 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 1: to town first practice, he tells everyone, tuck your shirts in. 155 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 1: He's the alpha. He was the leader of that team, 156 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 1: and they were good. They were there. They're very good. 157 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 1: Couldn't obviously, could not get by the Warriors as they 158 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 1: were ascending. But James Harden, I've always kind of liked him, 159 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:14,640 Speaker 1: And when Harden signs his extension here, it's it's gonna 160 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 1: be a favorable one to Philly. I'm very happy with 161 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:18,559 Speaker 1: what James Harden did. He's built up a lot of 162 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 1: equity with me for that. Now. I know Harden's had 163 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,719 Speaker 1: its problems obviously, playoff failures galore, but I thought this 164 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:25,200 Speaker 1: was a great thing he did. He had him over 165 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:27,200 Speaker 1: a barrel. He could have asked for big, big, big 166 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 1: money and settled and took less. I don't know how 167 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 1: much less we'll wait to see, but a nice gesture 168 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 1: by James Harden, a guy who I've always liked. At 169 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:38,600 Speaker 1: any rate, he was dealt right before the season started. 170 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:42,520 Speaker 1: Could that happen with Kevin Durant. It's possible. I mean, 171 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant will have turned thirty four in September, so 172 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: if this deal goes down in like late August, early September. 173 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 1: You know, it'll be approaching his thirty fourth birthday. It 174 00:09:52,280 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 1: could it could be weird for Kevin Durant, but let's 175 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 1: be honest, he made this weird by demanding a trade, 176 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 1: and his guy who he followed to Brooklyn, Kyrie Irving, 177 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:07,480 Speaker 1: definitely has made things weird. So I don't know. Listen, 178 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: I don't. My guess is it doesn't happen that Kevin 179 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 1: Durant stays in Brooklyn. I think it's interesting. It would 180 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:17,000 Speaker 1: be fascinating if he and Kyrie gave it one last 181 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:21,040 Speaker 1: chance that what if it worked. Nick Claxton is hitting 182 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 1: on all cylinders. Ben Simmons looks awesome. I'm like, what 183 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:25,319 Speaker 1: if it worked? I think it's more likely that he 184 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:29,480 Speaker 1: gets dealt and Kyrie gets shipped. But I don't know. 185 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 1: I'm trying to think, like if they stood pat, Let's 186 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 1: say they lose Joe Harris, because by many accounts, they 187 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:37,199 Speaker 1: don't want to go so far into the tacks that 188 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 1: they're gonna they're gonna have to lose Harris. I still 189 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 1: think you've probably got number one Boston, number two Milwaukee, 190 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:51,240 Speaker 1: or it's super close, but one A, one B, and 191 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:53,320 Speaker 1: I think Brooklyn would have to be three. I would 192 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 1: put them again ahead of the Miami Heat, even though 193 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 1: the Heat was the number one seed last year. I 194 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: think if the Nets stood Pat Kyrie, K D. Curry, 195 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:06,080 Speaker 1: TJ Warren, Royce, O'Neill, Ben Simmons, I mean, I think 196 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:09,000 Speaker 1: there's something there. Could Kevin Durank get to the point 197 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 1: where he rescinds his trade demand, something I don't think 198 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 1: we've seen from superstars. All Right, without further ado, let's 199 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:17,839 Speaker 1: get to our guest. He covers the nets for the 200 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 1: athletic Alex Schiffer. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports 201 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:25,800 Speaker 1: talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows 202 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:29,679 Speaker 1: at Fox sports Radio dot com and within the iHeartRadio 203 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:36,719 Speaker 1: app search FSR to listen live. Jason likes to think 204 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:39,760 Speaker 1: he knows everything when it comes to sports. I know 205 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 1: what sports fans want, but for everything he doesn't. He 206 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 1: knows a guy who does. Let's just say I know 207 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 1: a guy who knows a guy who knows another guy. 208 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 1: All right, let's welcome into straight fire, a guy who 209 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 1: covers the nets. The nets are really ground zero for 210 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: the NBA this offseason. It's been la the last couple 211 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 1: of years with the Clippers and Lakers. But now it 212 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:04,839 Speaker 1: is Brooklyn and the Nets, Alex Shiffer. I hope I 213 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:09,600 Speaker 1: said that, right, Shiffer. It's an interesting spelling, Alex. It's 214 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:12,319 Speaker 1: Austrian for captain to the ship. That's all I know 215 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 1: about its origins. So love it. He's covers the nets 216 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:18,760 Speaker 1: for the Athletic and I read your TikTok on how 217 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 1: the hell the nets got here. It was like three 218 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:25,000 Speaker 1: years ago, the excitement, Oh my gosh, Kyrie and Katie, 219 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 1: And here we are three years later, Kevin Duran wants out. 220 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:31,720 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving is basically turned into a crazy person. Alex. 221 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:34,680 Speaker 1: I'm just curious how much has this uprooted your summer, 222 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:38,439 Speaker 1: because honestly, when the nets were swept, Kyrie Irving was 223 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:40,319 Speaker 1: saying all the right things, Hey, me and Kad, you 224 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 1: are going to sit down with the owner and the 225 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:44,640 Speaker 1: GM we're gonna sort this out. And here we are, 226 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:46,440 Speaker 1: like six weeks later, and it's like, oh my gosh, 227 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: you know, cancel your all your summer trips, Alex. You're 228 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,360 Speaker 1: gonna be locked down on the nets. Beat. Yeah, you know, 229 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:53,839 Speaker 1: it's funny. I go on vacation about a week after 230 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 1: Summer League, a little less than that. And I am 231 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 1: praying that this is either all resolved by the time 232 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:05,800 Speaker 1: I'm back in late July I or or happens right 233 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 1: as I get back, because I don't want to miss 234 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:12,079 Speaker 1: the action. It feels like this could be strung out 235 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:16,079 Speaker 1: now again. Things are moving at a glacial pace, and Alex, I, 236 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:20,080 Speaker 1: you know, I really do wonder if there's a chance 237 00:13:20,640 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 1: that cooler heads prevail. Maybe Ben Simmons, I tried at 238 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 1: the Lefty Heart is a man who sets down as 239 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 1: his guys, guys, we didn't even give this a chance 240 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 1: with me or the NETS owner, a billionaire who you know, 241 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 1: it's kind of a big swinging dick. Maybe he just says, hey, guys, 242 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 1: we're not trading Kevin Durant. We don't have a trade 243 00:13:37,520 --> 00:13:39,440 Speaker 1: we like, so tough it out, tough darts. Is there 244 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:45,040 Speaker 1: a chance, Alex, cooler heads prevail. Is there a chance? Yes, 245 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: I mean there's always a chance. But you know, as 246 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,680 Speaker 1: of today, Kevin Durant hasn't changed his stance on asking 247 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,199 Speaker 1: for a trade out of the Nets. And I think 248 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:55,599 Speaker 1: what's gonna be interesting, you know, even I was I 249 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:59,160 Speaker 1: was talking to our Raptors reporter Eric Krane who I've 250 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 1: been teaming up. First story on Kevin Durant wants to 251 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:04,679 Speaker 1: go to a team with multiple All Stars, but the 252 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 1: Nets want multiple all stars back for Kevin Durant, and 253 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 1: common sense is just telling you that this is gonna 254 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:13,480 Speaker 1: be really hard to make work unless it's not like 255 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:15,719 Speaker 1: a four or five team deal something ridiculous with a 256 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: lot of guys moving around. And I just kind of wondered, 257 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 1: do we get to a point whereas you said, is 258 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:23,920 Speaker 1: it August September where they say, look, you can't go 259 00:14:24,040 --> 00:14:26,520 Speaker 1: anywhere where you get your wish. We can't go anywhere 260 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 1: where we get our wish. Kyrie's opted in with everybody 261 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 1: under contract. I hate everyone's using the Last Dance vibes 262 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 1: with this, which is funny me because comparing this to 263 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:38,760 Speaker 1: the Bulls Dynasty is like comparing Like Chick fil A 264 00:14:38,960 --> 00:14:44,880 Speaker 1: to Like Roots Chris. But I do wonder if we 265 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:46,680 Speaker 1: get to a point where, if nothing has happened, do 266 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 1: they just say screw it. Kyrie's in for one year. 267 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:52,360 Speaker 1: You know, we can see where this goes for one 268 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 1: more year with Ben tim unshealthy and all this depth, 269 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 1: and see if you know they can reconcile by winning, 270 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 1: or do we find some trade that comes up in 271 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: August September and all of a sudden, it's like James Harden, 272 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:08,040 Speaker 1: he's getting moved up before the start of the season. 273 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:11,040 Speaker 1: Oh gee, James Harden trade him saying, by the way 274 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:14,760 Speaker 1: Oklahoma City to Houston. So, yeah, there's a chance. That 275 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 1: was a long winded answer. But like I just think, 276 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 1: as I sit here talking to you today on July fifth, 277 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 1: I don't see it. Yeah, so, Alex, you said a 278 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:26,160 Speaker 1: lot a lot of that. I like, we know Kevin 279 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 1: Durant is a sensitive fellow. I talked to him yesterday's podcast, 280 00:15:29,120 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 1: So I'll do podcasts about him and tag him, and 281 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 1: he engages with me and we exchange all these messages 282 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:37,640 Speaker 1: and you can just sense that he is very sensitive 283 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 1: about how the perception is here that hey man, you 284 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: guys got swept by Boston and Steph Curry, remember the 285 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:45,600 Speaker 1: team you were on they beat them in the finals. 286 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 1: And I just wonder if maybe I've been reading this 287 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 1: wrong all along, that this wasn't Kevin Durant being sensitive, 288 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 1: and maybe this really is about him trying to get 289 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 1: Kyrie paid with this ridiculous trade request. I want to 290 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 1: go where the multiple All Stars, well, the Nets are 291 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:03,920 Speaker 1: gonna want multiple All stars, Alex. Is there a chance 292 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:06,760 Speaker 1: that this is a big power play by KD to 293 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 1: get Kyrie Irving paid. I think it could be, but 294 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: you know, the Nets have done nothing but hold their 295 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 1: stance on Kyrie throughout this so I don't know why 296 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 1: doing this would change, and it's already been put out 297 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 1: of that. You know, the Nets are willing to lose 298 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:21,040 Speaker 1: Kevin and Kyrie to repeat of what a repeat of 299 00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 1: last season, So yeah, this could be more of a 300 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 1: leveraging play, but I don't really I wouldn't get the 301 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 1: sense of it, get the point of it if it was, 302 00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 1: because the Nets have been very adamant about where they 303 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 1: stand with Kyrie and contract negotiations, and he's already opted in, 304 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 1: so you know, the Nets already kind of won that battle. 305 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: So I don't know what the point would be for 306 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 1: leverage because they already have him under contract for the 307 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 1: one year. And you know, again, if Kyrie plays the 308 00:16:46,560 --> 00:16:49,040 Speaker 1: way he usually does and is available, you know he 309 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 1: can probably be looking at that match or something close 310 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 1: to it next summer with a higher cap salary cap 311 00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 1: by the way, So I mean the Nets have already 312 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:58,320 Speaker 1: kind of won their whole standoff with Kyrie. So I 313 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 1: don't really see how it's a leveraging play right now 314 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:03,200 Speaker 1: for that, given that you know that deadline had already passed, 315 00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 1: is there as I mean, you just floated what I 316 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:08,439 Speaker 1: think is a crazy scenario, Kyrie getting the max, being 317 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 1: a good soldier all year. Listen, you're close to this team, 318 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 1: you cover it is what on earth has happened to 319 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:16,359 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving? Because I really get annoyed when people are like, oh, 320 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 1: you hit the game winning shot against the Warriors. That 321 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:22,119 Speaker 1: was six years ago. Like he has been a shell 322 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:25,159 Speaker 1: of that player since he left Lebron. He blew up 323 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 1: in Boston. It was a nightmare. He ended up blowing 324 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:31,959 Speaker 1: up in Cleveland at bad ending with tylu and Lebron. 325 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:35,480 Speaker 1: Now he's in Brooklyn. It's looking like an ending, a nightmare, 326 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,119 Speaker 1: like what happened? Do we know what the hell happened 327 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:41,920 Speaker 1: to Kyrie Irving? No? Not really. You know, it's interesting 328 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:43,520 Speaker 1: the way you talk about the Warriors thing, because you know, 329 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 1: I forget who pointed this out to me, but a 330 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:48,200 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving team with him on the floor has not 331 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 1: tasted the conference finals since he hit the shot, it 332 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 1: seems have to taste of the conference project, we said, 333 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:55,479 Speaker 1: And I mean I don't think his play has been 334 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:57,760 Speaker 1: the problem per se. Like when he's been on the corret, 335 00:17:57,760 --> 00:17:58,920 Speaker 1: he's still been pull you know, he had a fifty 336 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,919 Speaker 1: forty ninety season Boston and or no but in Brooklyn, 337 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,280 Speaker 1: but was close to another one in Boston. When he's 338 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 1: been available, he hasn't looked like Father Time has touched 339 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:09,720 Speaker 1: him at all. But it's just been these absences and 340 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 1: more occurrences of them to where there's been more questions 341 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:14,679 Speaker 1: Ragio that really in Cleveland, I mean, the only thing 342 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:18,480 Speaker 1: was like the flat earth stuff, and since since he 343 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 1: got the Boston really it's just been all these other 344 00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:21,719 Speaker 1: things that have come up that have let to him 345 00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:24,560 Speaker 1: being injured and absent and everything, and that's where it's 346 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:27,120 Speaker 1: kind of kicked in. So I don't know what's changed, really, 347 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:29,480 Speaker 1: but you know, he hasn't really been the same in 348 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 1: terms of success as a team success since he left Cleveland. 349 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:35,960 Speaker 1: I'm curious, Alex, while on the beat, I know it's 350 00:18:35,960 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 1: been tough for you guys not able to go in 351 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 1: locker rooms all the time, but has anyone ever been 352 00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:44,080 Speaker 1: able to ask Kevin Durant point blank what he thought 353 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:46,159 Speaker 1: about Kyrie Irving going a wall on the team, and 354 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:48,960 Speaker 1: during the season he said some things of it. You know, 355 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:52,640 Speaker 1: he said that, you know, it's a personal decision. He's 356 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:55,280 Speaker 1: not going to force anyone into that stuff. And you know, 357 00:18:55,440 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 1: he also talked about on his podcast this year how 358 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:59,159 Speaker 1: he came to Brooklyn to play with Kyrie and with 359 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 1: Kyrie being island here to kind of reconcile that. So 360 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:06,320 Speaker 1: he's talked a bit about how, you know, it's affected 361 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 1: him in some ways, It's been tough of him in 362 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 1: some ways, but how ultimately, you know, their relationship has 363 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:12,920 Speaker 1: survived through it. So he's been asking in a few 364 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:17,159 Speaker 1: different ways just about Kyrie and the situation and the 365 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:19,880 Speaker 1: workload had put on him and everything, and he said, 366 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: nothing but the right things you throughout all this. I mean, 367 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 1: we should all hope to have a friend like Kevin Durant. 368 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:27,080 Speaker 1: He's really had Kyrie's back through and through. Yeah, he's 369 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:29,680 Speaker 1: too good of a friend. It feels like Kyrie's taking 370 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 1: advantage of him. The ending between Kyrie and James Harden, 371 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:35,639 Speaker 1: a lot has been written on both sides, a lot 372 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:39,399 Speaker 1: of people blaming Harden, other people blaming Kyrie. What was 373 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:43,480 Speaker 1: your official lead on that relationship Harden and Kyrie. Yeah, 374 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:45,920 Speaker 1: you know, it's interesting, it's kind of change in recent days. Actually, 375 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:48,320 Speaker 1: I was talking to someone today, you know, with ties 376 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:51,399 Speaker 1: to Harden about it. I definitely think, you know, James 377 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 1: was fine, you know, really up to Christmas until they 378 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:56,880 Speaker 1: brought Kyrie back. You look at the way you played 379 00:19:56,880 --> 00:19:58,920 Speaker 1: against the Lakers on Christmas Day, carried them over and 380 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:02,119 Speaker 1: the win cap by that Nick Klaxon duck, they were 381 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:04,720 Speaker 1: first in the East. You know, really things didn't start 382 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 1: to go sour until Kyrie came back, and it was 383 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:08,640 Speaker 1: all of a sudden. The Big three kind of been 384 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:12,159 Speaker 1: in out with Kyrie part time. So I don't I 385 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:15,920 Speaker 1: don't blame James for asking to leave due to Kyrie's 386 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:17,920 Speaker 1: commitment to winning or lack there of, from what he 387 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:20,119 Speaker 1: saw with all that, you know, the way he went 388 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 1: about it, and there some of the reports out about 389 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:23,920 Speaker 1: him and his and you know, the net's not known 390 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:26,480 Speaker 1: where he might have been or you know, him coming 391 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:28,040 Speaker 1: into the arena lights some of those vaguest trips that 392 00:20:28,080 --> 00:20:29,560 Speaker 1: have been talked about it in years passed with him. 393 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:31,480 Speaker 1: But like you know, I feel like, you look at 394 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:33,760 Speaker 1: what James Harden did today, which I was talking to 395 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:36,960 Speaker 1: the guy that knows him about. I mean, I feel 396 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:38,880 Speaker 1: like history's kind of age in his favorite a little 397 00:20:38,920 --> 00:20:41,080 Speaker 1: bit right, you know, he kind of saw that this 398 00:20:41,320 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 1: was kind of going south and he asked out, and 399 00:20:43,359 --> 00:20:45,440 Speaker 1: yet it was only a year in. But like, I 400 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,280 Speaker 1: think it's an interesting hypothetic. Last what would have happened 401 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:52,480 Speaker 1: with the next season if Kyrie was sidelined the whole 402 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 1: year or until the vaccine mandate changed whenever that would 403 00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:58,159 Speaker 1: have been, you know, late March, And how would it 404 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 1: have changed just in that, you know, I mean he 405 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:03,399 Speaker 1: would have come back so close to the playoffs that 406 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:05,440 Speaker 1: would be the Big Three? I don't know, And I 407 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 1: think it's interesting food for thought. With the Big three 408 00:21:08,560 --> 00:21:10,640 Speaker 1: have been enough for them to win the title even 409 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:12,240 Speaker 1: on short notice, just based on what we saw it 410 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: of all three, especially with Harden appeion have taken a 411 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:16,720 Speaker 1: step back. I kind of wondered a little bit there, 412 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:19,000 Speaker 1: but it would have been their interesting if the Nets 413 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:21,520 Speaker 1: stuck to their guns all year and Kyrie doesn't return 414 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:25,040 Speaker 1: until late March with the mandate changing, and he takes 415 00:21:25,119 --> 00:21:27,159 Speaker 1: you know, two weeks or whatever to ramp up and 416 00:21:27,240 --> 00:21:29,680 Speaker 1: you know you're playing for April. Where are the Nets 417 00:21:29,720 --> 00:21:31,639 Speaker 1: in the standings at that point, just with Harden and 418 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:35,720 Speaker 1: no Durant. Are they even still in the playoffs situation? 419 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:37,240 Speaker 1: Are they out of the play in? You know, but 420 00:21:38,040 --> 00:21:39,720 Speaker 1: I think it's their reging. Would if if the Nets 421 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 1: would have stuck to their guns the whole time? You know, 422 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:44,440 Speaker 1: do the Nets get a game or two of this 423 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 1: in the Celtics or you know, it was James, Harden, 424 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:52,920 Speaker 1: Kyrie and Durant enough to keep to hold off Boston offensively, 425 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:55,399 Speaker 1: just like they did last year in five games. I 426 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:57,480 Speaker 1: think it's interesting hypothetical as to you know, with the 427 00:21:57,560 --> 00:21:59,920 Speaker 1: Nets sticking of their guns with Kyrie and not really 428 00:22:00,040 --> 00:22:03,399 Speaker 1: hunting during the COVID outbreak, would that have changed James's 429 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:05,239 Speaker 1: perception and they still maybe find a way to make 430 00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:07,520 Speaker 1: this work And then we're having a different conversation this summer. 431 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:10,960 Speaker 1: Potentially it's weird. I just hearing you just now. I 432 00:22:11,040 --> 00:22:14,400 Speaker 1: thought back to the Bucks Nets series where the Nets 433 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:17,280 Speaker 1: I believe, annihilated the Bucks two games in a row 434 00:22:17,320 --> 00:22:19,919 Speaker 1: to start the series, lose game three kind of flukey, 435 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:21,760 Speaker 1: and then in game four, I think Kyrie went down, 436 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:24,639 Speaker 1: James Harden was not undred percent. Like those are the 437 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,720 Speaker 1: Bucks that were champions and the Nets. I believe they 438 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:30,520 Speaker 1: annihilated them in the first two games, right, Alex, Yeah, No, 439 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:33,879 Speaker 1: the first two games we were at home, and I 440 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:36,160 Speaker 1: think it was Game three. I forget if it's game 441 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:38,879 Speaker 1: three year game four, the Kyrie got sprained his ankling. 442 00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:41,879 Speaker 1: But if you go back to that first half or 443 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,639 Speaker 1: right before halftime, I forget exactly when Kyrie's injury was. 444 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:47,040 Speaker 1: But if you go back and look at that, they 445 00:22:47,119 --> 00:22:49,840 Speaker 1: were still beating the Bucks pretty darn good with just 446 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:53,240 Speaker 1: Kyrie and Durant. Like I remember the first half that 447 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:56,159 Speaker 1: the talk amongst the office on the beat was they 448 00:22:56,280 --> 00:22:58,119 Speaker 1: might not even need Harden to get past Milwaukee with 449 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:01,920 Speaker 1: the way they're cutting through them. So it's that whole 450 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:04,320 Speaker 1: Buck series to me is crazy because Mike Brutenholzer, you know, 451 00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 1: it's crazy the way the NBA and sports professional sports 452 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:09,520 Speaker 1: work just with some of these breaks. You know, Mike 453 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:14,080 Speaker 1: Brutenholzer was a healthy Kyrie ankle potentially from losing his job, 454 00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:18,640 Speaker 1: and a shoe size away from potentially losing his job. 455 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:20,360 Speaker 1: But now he wins the whole thing and gets an extension. 456 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:22,719 Speaker 1: So it's just crazy the way the littlest things can 457 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:27,920 Speaker 1: change a tenure like that real quick. On Kevin Durant, 458 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:30,760 Speaker 1: you know, in this exchange I had with him over 459 00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 1: Instagram DM this week, I basically told him, like, listen, 460 00:23:33,920 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 1: the best KD anyone's ever seen was in Golden State. 461 00:23:36,920 --> 00:23:39,400 Speaker 1: You want two finals MVPs unstoppable. The team was great, 462 00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:42,240 Speaker 1: Like you were great in Okac with Russ, but that 463 00:23:42,359 --> 00:23:44,840 Speaker 1: wasn't the best KAD. You were really really good in 464 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:47,880 Speaker 1: Brooklyn with Kyrie, but that wasn't the best KD. I'm 465 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:51,000 Speaker 1: curious where you think Alex Kevin Durant could go and 466 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 1: we would see the best version of him rivaling the 467 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:58,000 Speaker 1: Warrior's version of him. That's a really good question. You know, 468 00:23:58,119 --> 00:23:59,680 Speaker 1: it's such a tough thing that for me to answer to, 469 00:23:59,840 --> 00:24:04,000 Speaker 1: just because one, I feel like his game fits with 470 00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:06,160 Speaker 1: any fits with anybody, which is what makes him so good. 471 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 1: But also, like you know, it's tough to throw hypotheticals 472 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:11,880 Speaker 1: out there because of the All Star hiccup we've talked 473 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:15,359 Speaker 1: about with the trades. Well, you know, like I think 474 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 1: he'd looked great in Miami alongside Bam at a bio 475 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:20,879 Speaker 1: you know, a floor spacing Big and Kyle Lowry and 476 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: Jimmy Butler. But it's also hard to see all those guys, 477 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:26,440 Speaker 1: you know, him going to Miami. Given all that, you know, 478 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 1: Phoenix with Devin Booker and Chris Paul with him out there, 479 00:24:30,119 --> 00:24:32,080 Speaker 1: I feel like, I mean, that would look really good, 480 00:24:32,119 --> 00:24:34,680 Speaker 1: just with the way I feel like Booker and Tatum. 481 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 1: I said this is someone else earlier this year, you know, 482 00:24:38,920 --> 00:24:41,200 Speaker 1: I feel like Katie is it The way he scores 483 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:43,400 Speaker 1: can be effortless sometimes and I feel like, well, they're 484 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:45,639 Speaker 1: not at his level, especially the peak of his powers. 485 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:49,560 Speaker 1: Booker and Tatum are kind of trending that direction. I 486 00:24:49,560 --> 00:24:51,679 Speaker 1: remember when Tatum dropped fifty against the nets. I think 487 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:53,720 Speaker 1: that was in marsh and Boston. I remember saying to myself, like, like, 488 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:55,520 Speaker 1: he reminds me of Kevin, just with the way he's 489 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 1: getting these off so easily. So I would lean a 490 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:01,080 Speaker 1: little bit towards Phoenix, just because you'd think Chris Paul 491 00:25:01,119 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 1: and Devin Booker would not be involved in trades for 492 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:08,200 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant obviously, so I just and obviously Chris Paul 493 00:25:08,280 --> 00:25:10,920 Speaker 1: just with the way he playmates, you'd have to like 494 00:25:11,040 --> 00:25:12,760 Speaker 1: the way he would maybe create some stuff for Kevin. 495 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:15,480 Speaker 1: So I feel like that's the easy answer, just because again, 496 00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:17,399 Speaker 1: the rest of these teams just starts to get clunky 497 00:25:17,440 --> 00:25:19,600 Speaker 1: with who stays and who goes and who's really untouchable 498 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:23,159 Speaker 1: in these deals. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports 499 00:25:23,200 --> 00:25:26,000 Speaker 1: talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows 500 00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:29,560 Speaker 1: at Fox sports Radio dot com and within the iHeart 501 00:25:29,680 --> 00:25:34,359 Speaker 1: Radio app search FSR to listen live. The only team 502 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:38,720 Speaker 1: that I think has a potential start to send out, 503 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:42,800 Speaker 1: well there's two, is the potential to Clippers. You know, 504 00:25:42,880 --> 00:25:44,680 Speaker 1: I know that's just one all star. But if you 505 00:25:44,760 --> 00:25:48,160 Speaker 1: can send Paul George to Brooklyn and you can take 506 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:51,000 Speaker 1: back Kevin Durant, now you could get whoever else you want, 507 00:25:51,080 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 1: but basically you're keeping Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant. Kawhi 508 00:25:53,840 --> 00:25:56,440 Speaker 1: would then defend the other team's best player. You don't 509 00:25:56,440 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 1: want Kevin Durant doing that. And you know, the pairing 510 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:03,000 Speaker 1: of ka Kevin Durant is pretty lethal. You know, they 511 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:06,199 Speaker 1: got guys that Reggie Jackson, Terrence Man, whoever you want 512 00:26:06,240 --> 00:26:09,560 Speaker 1: to toss into the deal. I'm just wondering your thoughts 513 00:26:09,640 --> 00:26:12,000 Speaker 1: on k D and Kawhi now, I don't think the 514 00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:13,680 Speaker 1: Clippers personally would one of them. I think the front 515 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:15,440 Speaker 1: office is too smart to get in bed with a 516 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:17,679 Speaker 1: guy like Durant right now. But what do you think 517 00:26:17,680 --> 00:26:19,640 Speaker 1: about that, the chance of that. Yeah, you know, I've 518 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:21,679 Speaker 1: even written when there was the reports out of Kyrie 519 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:24,080 Speaker 1: want to go to the Clippers. I love the Clippers roster. 520 00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:26,840 Speaker 1: I would put them. I would put them right up 521 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 1: there at fully healthy if they don't make any moves. 522 00:26:28,840 --> 00:26:32,080 Speaker 1: I mean, Norman Powell's a great scorer. Terrence Man, as 523 00:26:32,119 --> 00:26:33,800 Speaker 1: you said, you know, broke out a little bit last year. 524 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:35,320 Speaker 1: He showed some flashes of what he could be. Another 525 00:26:35,359 --> 00:26:39,560 Speaker 1: young guy, Marcus Morris, solid role player. They just have 526 00:26:39,640 --> 00:26:41,159 Speaker 1: a lot to like. I feel like up and down 527 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:43,120 Speaker 1: that whole roster, Like, I really think that they're built 528 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:46,440 Speaker 1: to go the whole way next year. You know, Paul 529 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:49,480 Speaker 1: Georges obviously has of health issues. If you're the Nets 530 00:26:49,560 --> 00:26:51,320 Speaker 1: to go over, I mean, the Nets would obviously love 531 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:53,840 Speaker 1: Kawai just because of the first ties throughout the front office, 532 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:58,160 Speaker 1: but that's not happening. Yeah. I like the way they're 533 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:00,359 Speaker 1: built a lot. But I even think, just like if 534 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:01,840 Speaker 1: there's a world in which the Nets could get some 535 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:04,840 Speaker 1: of those other guys I mentioned and not and the 536 00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:07,520 Speaker 1: Clippers avoid putting Paul George in a deal. I mean 537 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:11,320 Speaker 1: they're super lethal, but I mean Kawai and Kevin, you know, 538 00:27:11,400 --> 00:27:14,040 Speaker 1: Paul George and Kevin whenever it would be. I mean, like, 539 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:16,480 Speaker 1: I love the Clippers roster, like I think that they 540 00:27:16,520 --> 00:27:19,000 Speaker 1: are going to be a problem next year. Yeah, I 541 00:27:19,119 --> 00:27:21,080 Speaker 1: think one through twelve, they've probably got the best roster 542 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:25,200 Speaker 1: in the league. Right, Norman Powell, John wall Zubach is 543 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:29,960 Speaker 1: even a serviceable center, Covington on the wing. But Tea, Yeah, yeah, 544 00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:33,880 Speaker 1: the other team that can send out a potential star 545 00:27:34,359 --> 00:27:36,439 Speaker 1: and the Paul George ilk is And I don't think 546 00:27:36,480 --> 00:27:39,119 Speaker 1: it's gonna happen. But the Lakers with Anthony Davis, do 547 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:41,760 Speaker 1: you say we'll give up a D and Russ give 548 00:27:41,840 --> 00:27:44,760 Speaker 1: us Kyrie and Kate and Kevin Durant. I think that's 549 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:49,359 Speaker 1: a little too crazy. But that being said, you know, 550 00:27:49,480 --> 00:27:51,480 Speaker 1: if k D and Kyrie are still boys, and the 551 00:27:51,520 --> 00:27:53,440 Speaker 1: Lakers say, you know what, Anthony Davis always hurt, let's 552 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:56,359 Speaker 1: take a chance. Any thoughts on that way. I mean, 553 00:27:56,440 --> 00:27:59,200 Speaker 1: that's a little nuclear, Alex, but I figured i'd tass 554 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:01,720 Speaker 1: it your way. I think that's a little nuclear And 555 00:28:01,760 --> 00:28:04,560 Speaker 1: I would also stated that, you know, I feel like 556 00:28:04,760 --> 00:28:07,800 Speaker 1: Katie and and Lebron would both take so much flak 557 00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:09,520 Speaker 1: for being on the same team together, even at this 558 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:12,600 Speaker 1: stage in their careers, that I just have a hard 559 00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:15,800 Speaker 1: time seeing that. I have a super hard time seeing 560 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:18,520 Speaker 1: the Nets take Russell Westbrook. I mean, you're the like 561 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:20,800 Speaker 1: eighth guy to get this joke. I'm sorry, but you know, 562 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:23,159 Speaker 1: like John Wooden or Mike D'Antoni, cannock and cocked an 563 00:28:23,200 --> 00:28:25,800 Speaker 1: offense in which Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons operate, you know, 564 00:28:25,920 --> 00:28:29,840 Speaker 1: like they're both non shooters similar games in some ways. 565 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:32,160 Speaker 1: You know, obviously Ben's a lot longer a defender and whatnot. 566 00:28:32,240 --> 00:28:33,679 Speaker 1: You know, probably a little bit bit of a rebounder 567 00:28:33,680 --> 00:28:35,680 Speaker 1: than Rust. But I mean, obviously he's missed a triple double. 568 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 1: I just don't see either one of them doing that. 569 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:39,840 Speaker 1: You know, it's funny, like someone else mentioned this to 570 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:43,520 Speaker 1: me the other day. Obviously Oklahoma City has a bevy 571 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:47,280 Speaker 1: of picks and uh and young talent that might entice 572 00:28:47,280 --> 00:28:49,520 Speaker 1: the Nets in a deal. Would Sam Presty bring Kevin home? 573 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 1: And someone said to me, they're like you know, look 574 00:28:51,720 --> 00:28:53,480 Speaker 1: at the way that Lebron and Kevin get compared to 575 00:28:53,520 --> 00:28:56,560 Speaker 1: each other all the time. Actually, this this also got 576 00:28:56,640 --> 00:28:58,880 Speaker 1: reiterated on Bill Simmons podcast. I think to make me 577 00:28:58,960 --> 00:29:03,600 Speaker 1: look smart, but he you know, Kevin going back to 578 00:29:03,680 --> 00:29:06,120 Speaker 1: okayc would almost be like people saying, like Lebron went 579 00:29:06,200 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 1: back to Cleveland, right, So, like, I feel like that 580 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:10,880 Speaker 1: would be another thing. And you're talking about the consciousness 581 00:29:10,880 --> 00:29:13,120 Speaker 1: of these guys, like I think they'd be aware of 582 00:29:13,200 --> 00:29:14,840 Speaker 1: some of the perception of that and how would go over. 583 00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:18,400 Speaker 1: So I just I have such a hard time seeing 584 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:21,760 Speaker 1: at Kyrie for Westbrook straight deal or Kevin to the 585 00:29:21,840 --> 00:29:26,040 Speaker 1: Lakers because of the flat they would take. Knowingly, then 586 00:29:26,120 --> 00:29:28,520 Speaker 1: that's either getting Westbrook and return or Kevin going a 587 00:29:28,520 --> 00:29:33,680 Speaker 1: team up with Lebron. So I would be stunned, stunned 588 00:29:33,680 --> 00:29:36,720 Speaker 1: if those were deals would have happened. I like this 589 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:41,320 Speaker 1: idea of Kevin Durant back to OKAC. You know, he 590 00:29:41,560 --> 00:29:44,960 Speaker 1: is kind of a man without a country. Every since 591 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:48,360 Speaker 1: he left okay Se for Golden State, everybody, every team 592 00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:50,160 Speaker 1: in the league hated him. Everyone said, oh, too much 593 00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 1: of a stack team. He was a punching bag, and 594 00:29:53,080 --> 00:29:55,320 Speaker 1: everybody he's gone. It's like, oh, well, now you're following 595 00:29:55,440 --> 00:29:58,280 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving to Brooklyn and now you're gonna go play 596 00:29:58,360 --> 00:30:01,840 Speaker 1: with Lebron or you're gonna go to Jimmy Butler's team 597 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:05,400 Speaker 1: in Miami. If it's Jimmy Butler's team or I don't 598 00:30:05,440 --> 00:30:06,880 Speaker 1: know whose team? Would you say it is with the 599 00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:12,000 Speaker 1: Raptors due to anybody, maybe he'd be the guy. But 600 00:30:12,280 --> 00:30:15,080 Speaker 1: Phoenix's Booker's team for sure. But I do what do 601 00:30:15,160 --> 00:30:17,120 Speaker 1: you think, Durant? Do you think that kind of thing 602 00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:19,640 Speaker 1: matters to him? It did in Golden State, but do 603 00:30:19,720 --> 00:30:22,280 Speaker 1: you think it still does. That's a good question, you know, 604 00:30:22,320 --> 00:30:24,480 Speaker 1: obviously I don't speak for him. I mean to me, 605 00:30:24,760 --> 00:30:26,640 Speaker 1: you know, something I've said about the Raptors before, like 606 00:30:27,160 --> 00:30:29,719 Speaker 1: he'd be aside from Kawhi Leonard what maybe like one 607 00:30:29,720 --> 00:30:31,920 Speaker 1: of the greatest Raptors instantly right there was every young 608 00:30:32,160 --> 00:30:35,120 Speaker 1: organization they came along in the nineties, you know, I mean, 609 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:37,520 Speaker 1: who's on the Raptors not rushed for I mean, if 610 00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:43,760 Speaker 1: you want to go five deep, it's Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Kawai, 611 00:30:44,200 --> 00:30:47,040 Speaker 1: Kyle Lowry, and Damara Rosen. Like I feel like those 612 00:30:47,040 --> 00:30:49,880 Speaker 1: are the Five in franchise history and nosily the five, 613 00:30:49,960 --> 00:30:51,880 Speaker 1: but really Kui is the only one that can hold 614 00:30:51,920 --> 00:30:53,800 Speaker 1: the candle with Kevin in terms of talent, So like, 615 00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:57,680 Speaker 1: you know, you know, I feel like, without question, it 616 00:30:57,680 --> 00:31:01,440 Speaker 1: would be Kevin's team. And Miami to me is another 617 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:04,000 Speaker 1: weird one because like there's no real like homegrown guy 618 00:31:04,120 --> 00:31:07,560 Speaker 1: outside of BAM. Like I like, I've people asked me before, 619 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:09,160 Speaker 1: like what do you look at as Miami's leader, And 620 00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:10,120 Speaker 1: I was like, I don't know, Like I mean, I 621 00:31:10,160 --> 00:31:12,880 Speaker 1: feel like they're really buy committee down there, so and 622 00:31:13,000 --> 00:31:14,440 Speaker 1: I mean I don't really think you'd have a problem 623 00:31:14,520 --> 00:31:18,560 Speaker 1: with that per se. So so yeah, I don't think, 624 00:31:18,760 --> 00:31:20,800 Speaker 1: like I see what you mean with with Phoenix and 625 00:31:20,840 --> 00:31:22,840 Speaker 1: Booker for sure, especially since he was there during some 626 00:31:22,880 --> 00:31:25,000 Speaker 1: of the leaner years. But yeah, you look at some 627 00:31:25,080 --> 00:31:26,520 Speaker 1: of the other options, like I don't really think it 628 00:31:26,560 --> 00:31:29,520 Speaker 1: would be as much of a conversation. Yeah. The other 629 00:31:29,600 --> 00:31:32,000 Speaker 1: thing about OKAC in the parallel with Lebron going back 630 00:31:32,040 --> 00:31:35,040 Speaker 1: to Cleveland, like Lebron went back and had Kyrie and 631 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:40,120 Speaker 1: then finagled Kevin Love, I don't know who Kevin Durant's 632 00:31:40,120 --> 00:31:42,800 Speaker 1: getting OKC for them to even be a playoff team, 633 00:31:42,840 --> 00:31:45,240 Speaker 1: and then it becomes, oh, Kevin Durant went to go 634 00:31:45,360 --> 00:31:46,840 Speaker 1: lead a team and they didn't even make the play 635 00:31:46,880 --> 00:31:48,480 Speaker 1: in or something, you know, Like I mean, I don't 636 00:31:48,520 --> 00:31:50,040 Speaker 1: know that they'd be any good with him. But the 637 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:51,840 Speaker 1: other problem with going to Toronto, and it just hit 638 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:55,560 Speaker 1: me Alex is, hey, Kauai went to Toronto and in 639 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:58,200 Speaker 1: one year they won the championship. Kevin Durant gos to 640 00:31:58,240 --> 00:32:00,760 Speaker 1: Toronto and what if they was in the second round? 641 00:32:00,800 --> 00:32:02,800 Speaker 1: Then it's like, well, is he even better than Kwhi 642 00:32:02,920 --> 00:32:05,400 Speaker 1: Leonard all time? And again, I know the legacy talk 643 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:07,960 Speaker 1: can get old, but if you start to think about 644 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:10,320 Speaker 1: that that way, for Kevin Durant, it starts to get 645 00:32:10,400 --> 00:32:12,720 Speaker 1: pretty bleak. And that's why, you know, to take it 646 00:32:12,760 --> 00:32:15,240 Speaker 1: back to the beginning. I do wonder if there's a 647 00:32:15,280 --> 00:32:19,240 Speaker 1: scenario where he just stays yeah, you know, I'm trying 648 00:32:19,240 --> 00:32:21,360 Speaker 1: to pull up the original Kawhi Leonard trade. I don't 649 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:23,720 Speaker 1: think it's a one to one per se with Kawai 650 00:32:23,920 --> 00:32:29,720 Speaker 1: and Kevin because because you look at what the Raptors 651 00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:33,280 Speaker 1: gave up to get hit Kauai, it's such a different 652 00:32:33,360 --> 00:32:38,480 Speaker 1: animal than Yeah, then I'm pulling it up right now, Derozin, 653 00:32:39,080 --> 00:32:42,880 Speaker 1: I think Yaka Purdle maybe yeah, de Rosen, Yaka Purdle 654 00:32:43,840 --> 00:32:47,600 Speaker 1: and I protected twenty nineteen first round pick. I'm trying 655 00:32:47,600 --> 00:32:53,400 Speaker 1: to remember who that became, but it was Kawai and 656 00:32:53,480 --> 00:32:56,600 Speaker 1: Danny Green essentially for Damar and Poddle. Like that's really 657 00:32:58,600 --> 00:33:01,000 Speaker 1: that's really not nothing clue to the bounties we've been 658 00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:04,760 Speaker 1: talking about. So so I don't think it's a one 659 00:33:04,800 --> 00:33:06,880 Speaker 1: to one because I mean we're talking about what makes 660 00:33:06,920 --> 00:33:11,880 Speaker 1: this hard, right, Like I I believe the pick was 661 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:15,120 Speaker 1: Keldon Johnson, actually good pick by san Antonio with that, Yes, 662 00:33:15,480 --> 00:33:18,520 Speaker 1: Kelton Johnson with that last piece. So I mean you 663 00:33:18,600 --> 00:33:20,280 Speaker 1: look at like that was one draft. That was one 664 00:33:20,280 --> 00:33:23,720 Speaker 1: first round draft pick, a role player in Danny Green 665 00:33:24,360 --> 00:33:27,280 Speaker 1: and Kauai. I mean, the Nets have given what they're 666 00:33:27,280 --> 00:33:28,960 Speaker 1: asking for and what the market looks like with the 667 00:33:29,040 --> 00:33:32,280 Speaker 1: Rudy Gobert trade, Like I just feel like expectations can't 668 00:33:32,320 --> 00:33:34,360 Speaker 1: be looked at the same in Toronto with Kawhi because 669 00:33:34,360 --> 00:33:37,200 Speaker 1: the Raptors got such a good deal for him and 670 00:33:37,440 --> 00:33:39,840 Speaker 1: had such little roster configuration that like it's just not 671 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:43,440 Speaker 1: like the Raptors will have waste more significant roster turnover 672 00:33:43,520 --> 00:33:45,560 Speaker 1: and Kevin Durantry than they ever did in the Kawhi trade, 673 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:49,120 Speaker 1: and that that's worth. That's that's important context to me 674 00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:51,760 Speaker 1: and talking about all this. Yeah, no, definitely, the Kawai 675 00:33:51,840 --> 00:33:55,400 Speaker 1: rental was highly huge risk only for one year. But 676 00:33:55,800 --> 00:33:57,840 Speaker 1: you know, Alex, you just brought a lot of nuance 677 00:33:57,880 --> 00:34:00,680 Speaker 1: to a discussion that I don't know that Soil Media 678 00:34:01,520 --> 00:34:03,680 Speaker 1: and some of these other talking heads on TV have 679 00:34:04,120 --> 00:34:06,480 Speaker 1: when it comes to something like a Kawhi Kevin Kevin 680 00:34:06,560 --> 00:34:08,799 Speaker 1: Durant comparison. I mean, I think it's a no brainer. 681 00:34:08,800 --> 00:34:10,399 Speaker 1: I give me Kevin Durant any day of the week. 682 00:34:10,840 --> 00:34:14,520 Speaker 1: But Kawai, you know, was on board for the Spurs, 683 00:34:15,080 --> 00:34:17,959 Speaker 1: playing with some legends and listen, he's a really good player. 684 00:34:18,040 --> 00:34:21,040 Speaker 1: He's had his own injury history, right, you know, and 685 00:34:21,680 --> 00:34:23,960 Speaker 1: not to knock Durant, but he is thirty four years old. 686 00:34:23,960 --> 00:34:27,799 Speaker 1: We didn't really talk about that element. Thirty four years old, Achilles. 687 00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:31,400 Speaker 1: I think he played what eighty games combined in the 688 00:34:31,480 --> 00:34:35,120 Speaker 1: last two years, Alex, Like, how many more Maxie? How 689 00:34:35,120 --> 00:34:37,120 Speaker 1: about this? How many more Max years do we think 690 00:34:37,200 --> 00:34:39,960 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant has at superstar level? You know, I think 691 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:41,920 Speaker 1: two to three for sure, man, he's aged well. In 692 00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:44,279 Speaker 1: my opinion, No, I feel like this doesn't get talked 693 00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:45,920 Speaker 1: about either. Having been around the team every day the 694 00:34:45,920 --> 00:34:48,200 Speaker 1: past three years, Like if he never gets hurt, he's 695 00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:50,239 Speaker 1: right up in the top of that m VP conversation 696 00:34:50,400 --> 00:34:53,680 Speaker 1: both years. So I don't really think that, you know, 697 00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:55,680 Speaker 1: he even last year, I don't know if it would 698 00:34:55,680 --> 00:34:57,920 Speaker 1: accounted you just basically amount of games played, but I 699 00:34:58,040 --> 00:35:01,120 Speaker 1: think he was like three miss free throw from a 700 00:35:01,160 --> 00:35:05,480 Speaker 1: fifty forty ninety season himself. And that's I had the 701 00:35:05,560 --> 00:35:08,440 Speaker 1: math awhile ago last year, but like that was his 702 00:35:08,520 --> 00:35:10,680 Speaker 1: first year off the Achilles. So I feel like a 703 00:35:10,719 --> 00:35:12,440 Speaker 1: lot's being made about some of the injuries, and you know, 704 00:35:12,960 --> 00:35:16,160 Speaker 1: even this past year's won with what did he have 705 00:35:16,239 --> 00:35:18,120 Speaker 1: this year? He had the hamstring strain last year. This 706 00:35:18,239 --> 00:35:20,839 Speaker 1: year he had I think the knee contusion or whatever. 707 00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:23,759 Speaker 1: That was a fluke collision with Bruce Brown. You know, 708 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:27,480 Speaker 1: it's not like he had the injury this year by 709 00:35:27,560 --> 00:35:29,000 Speaker 1: being over physical. I think it was kind of a 710 00:35:29,040 --> 00:35:30,800 Speaker 1: bang bang play that he was on the wrong end of. 711 00:35:30,960 --> 00:35:32,880 Speaker 1: So I think some of that stuff has been a 712 00:35:32,920 --> 00:35:35,520 Speaker 1: little bit over talked about. But like I do think 713 00:35:35,560 --> 00:35:38,200 Speaker 1: that he's got two to three good years in him 714 00:35:38,760 --> 00:35:40,520 Speaker 1: of his prime, and then we can talk about the 715 00:35:40,600 --> 00:35:42,319 Speaker 1: last year that deal, and you know what he's had 716 00:35:42,320 --> 00:35:44,319 Speaker 1: at age thirty eight. But you know, you know, Dirk 717 00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:46,040 Speaker 1: Navski looked good towards the end of his career the 718 00:35:46,120 --> 00:35:48,360 Speaker 1: right He just wasn't able to carry the Mavericks in 719 00:35:48,400 --> 00:35:51,400 Speaker 1: contention like he did, you know, years earlier. So I 720 00:35:51,520 --> 00:35:54,040 Speaker 1: think he's still an important piece of a winning team, 721 00:35:54,560 --> 00:35:56,480 Speaker 1: you know, the last few years of that deal reguardless. 722 00:35:57,000 --> 00:35:59,320 Speaker 1: All right, Alex, we can wrap up on this. You 723 00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:00,880 Speaker 1: know what you're going. I'm sure you were in a 724 00:36:00,880 --> 00:36:03,279 Speaker 1: lot of July fourth parties. You're gonna be hanging out 725 00:36:03,560 --> 00:36:05,160 Speaker 1: the rest of the week. You're going out to bars. 726 00:36:05,440 --> 00:36:07,640 Speaker 1: You see buddies, you see random people who are like, dude, 727 00:36:07,640 --> 00:36:10,879 Speaker 1: I know you cover the nets. What is the most 728 00:36:11,000 --> 00:36:15,279 Speaker 1: popular sentiment for where Kevin Durant should end up where 729 00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:17,239 Speaker 1: it was a best fit for him. Is it still 730 00:36:17,280 --> 00:36:20,240 Speaker 1: Phoenix or is it someone else? That's a good question 731 00:36:20,680 --> 00:36:23,400 Speaker 1: to recap some things, though I'm not relaxing. The rest 732 00:36:23,440 --> 00:36:24,680 Speaker 1: of the week can go in to summer league. I 733 00:36:24,719 --> 00:36:26,480 Speaker 1: went to one Fourth of July party and I was 734 00:36:26,480 --> 00:36:29,560 Speaker 1: the only invitee and I've been recognized once in public 735 00:36:29,640 --> 00:36:33,480 Speaker 1: as the NETS beat writer, so and it was really embarrassing. 736 00:36:33,640 --> 00:36:37,160 Speaker 1: But the guy was like a total loser over it. 737 00:36:37,320 --> 00:36:40,440 Speaker 1: But where he should go, you know, I think where 738 00:36:40,480 --> 00:36:42,480 Speaker 1: he should go was the best wherever the best deal 739 00:36:42,560 --> 00:36:44,400 Speaker 1: for the Nets is. You know, the Nets can't screw 740 00:36:44,480 --> 00:36:47,560 Speaker 1: this up if they do trade him, And you know, 741 00:36:47,680 --> 00:36:50,040 Speaker 1: I think whatever the best return is for all parties 742 00:36:50,120 --> 00:36:51,440 Speaker 1: is where he should go. You know, was that we 743 00:36:51,480 --> 00:36:53,360 Speaker 1: didn't even talk about New Orleans on this podcast in 744 00:36:53,440 --> 00:36:56,640 Speaker 1: a brandon Ingram trade, I mean zions something that rookie 745 00:36:56,640 --> 00:36:58,520 Speaker 1: extension kind of knocks him out of any potential trade 746 00:36:58,560 --> 00:37:00,719 Speaker 1: now because if Ben Simmons there. But you know, I 747 00:37:00,960 --> 00:37:04,759 Speaker 1: think you should go wherever, wherever the biggest win is 748 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:06,320 Speaker 1: for both sides that they could find some kind of 749 00:37:06,320 --> 00:37:09,560 Speaker 1: compromise on. So I don't really worry about how Kevin's 750 00:37:09,600 --> 00:37:11,000 Speaker 1: game will fit, like you can do a little bit 751 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:12,960 Speaker 1: of everything. Is like the queen of the chessboard. I 752 00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:14,480 Speaker 1: think the Nets needs to worry about where they can 753 00:37:14,480 --> 00:37:16,560 Speaker 1: send him to where they get the best return. And 754 00:37:16,719 --> 00:37:18,960 Speaker 1: that's that's kind of the problem. It's like the Nets 755 00:37:19,040 --> 00:37:21,280 Speaker 1: don't care where they're sending and they care what they're getting. 756 00:37:21,560 --> 00:37:24,560 Speaker 1: And Kadi doesn't want to just go anywhere. Hey, Orlando's 757 00:37:24,560 --> 00:37:26,880 Speaker 1: given up a lot. You know, Gaties doesn't want to 758 00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:28,759 Speaker 1: go there, but just should he have any say? And 759 00:37:29,080 --> 00:37:32,239 Speaker 1: that's where it devolves anyways. Alex Shiffer The Athletic, you're 760 00:37:32,239 --> 00:37:35,279 Speaker 1: gonna be busy, man. We'll keep reading your stuff. I 761 00:37:35,440 --> 00:37:37,880 Speaker 1: enjoy it. Thanks for taking the time, man, Thanks for 762 00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:39,200 Speaker 1: the reminders that they're going to be busy.