1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:12,680 Speaker 1: This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What is up, 2 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:18,600 Speaker 1: Straight Fire? Fam, It's me Jason McIntyre, Straight Fire, four 3 00:00:19,079 --> 00:00:24,280 Speaker 1: Thursday May and your boys A little tired this morning. Folks. 4 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: Played a little soccer last night. Got another soccer tournament 5 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 1: coming up, and I'm just drained fatigued. Um. The soccer 6 00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:34,319 Speaker 1: sweat is totally different than a basketball sweat. You think 7 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: you're in shape and then you gotta go run and 8 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:38,639 Speaker 1: play soccer. Oh my gosh, it's brutal. But I don't 9 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:41,600 Speaker 1: know it's more brutal um my fatigue level or the 10 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:49,240 Speaker 1: Eastern Conference finals because another snoozer Miami eight Boston. The 11 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:51,240 Speaker 1: game stunk. Let's be real, it was closed for a half. 12 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:54,320 Speaker 1: Celtics peel off at twenty four to two run and 13 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:57,640 Speaker 1: third quarter and once again we have garbage time in 14 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:00,040 Speaker 1: the fourth quarter, like hot garbage, like not even with 15 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 1: watching it was so bad. The this movie The Internship 16 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 1: was on HBO and my son, you know, is big 17 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 1: into um, you know, computers and stuff. So I'm telling 18 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 1: him like, oh, these guys are trying to get an 19 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: internship with Google, and we'll watch the movie. And you know, 20 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:19,479 Speaker 1: I'm obviously watching the NBA game in the other room, 21 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:22,399 Speaker 1: and the game was so bad. I came and watched 22 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: the end of the Internship with him. It's like, come on, 23 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:27,400 Speaker 1: I've seen it before, obviously, Owen, Owen, Wilson, Vince Vaughan, 24 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 1: and it's not a terrible movie. It's not great, but 25 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: it passes the time. And he loved it, and I 26 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:34,959 Speaker 1: was like, all right, next up, we'll be UM Social. 27 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:37,840 Speaker 1: I think it's called Social Dilemma or the one with 28 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: Um about Facebook social something. But it's incredible. The movie 29 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 1: is awesome. One of my favorites. I still remember seeing 30 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:47,640 Speaker 1: in the cinema with the wife who was I think 31 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:49,880 Speaker 1: the girlfriend then, because this was a while ago, and 32 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 1: that movie was awesome one. Any time it's on cable, 33 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 1: I watch it. It's it's captivating. What's not captivating is 34 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: Miami Heat basketball. No Tyler hero again, no offensive identity, 35 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 1: thirty percent from the field, seven of forty five from three. 36 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: They're starting backcourt. Remember how Luca oh Lucas not getting 37 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 1: any help. Um Bullock and cleiber were a combined over fifteen. 38 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 1: The Heat starting backcourt of Max Strusse and Kyle Lowry 39 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: combined over fifteen over twelve on threes and Jimmy Butler 40 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:26,920 Speaker 1: played a heroic forty minutes. But the reality is he 41 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: ain't right. Guys, if you saw him in Game four, 42 00:02:30,639 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 1: he should not have played the heat aired they won 43 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:34,959 Speaker 1: Game three, the game he got hurt. He should have 44 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 1: sat out Game four. They should. I know you never 45 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 1: want to say you want to punt a game, but 46 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 1: Jimmy Butler should not have played that game. He was 47 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 1: not right, and he was not right in Game five, 48 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:44,960 Speaker 1: four of eighteen and forty minutes. They drained him to 49 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:48,079 Speaker 1: the bone. He didn't have it um bam out of 50 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 1: bio and it was basically the Jalen Brown Jayson Tatum 51 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 1: showing the third quarter. Jaylen Brown really emerging in this series. 52 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 1: He had a forty burger the other day. Now he 53 00:02:57,320 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: has spot. He's having a good series. And if you 54 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 1: can give, you take too many help Boston. Now one 55 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 1: went away from the finals. It's interesting when you look 56 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:08,080 Speaker 1: at this Celtics playoff history since the two thousand ten finals. 57 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: That was the one where they went up three too 58 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 1: on the Lakers. Lakers win Game six in a route. 59 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,079 Speaker 1: In Game seven was one of the worst played Game 60 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 1: sevens I can remember. I mean It was right up 61 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 1: there with Warriors Calves, the one with Kyrie. At least 62 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 1: Kyrie hit the shot and Lebron had that block like 63 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:27,799 Speaker 1: that was a tense game. This Lakers Celtics game was 64 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: like watching paint dry with awful. Kobe was terrible. I 65 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,760 Speaker 1: think he was six for twenty four if memory serves, 66 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 1: and I should look it up before talking about it. 67 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 1: But Ron Artest, I think was the hero with a 68 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: late shot in that one. Lakers had just owned the 69 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: interior with Gustole. It was just a bad game. But 70 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 1: Celtics haven't made the finals since then. They have gone 71 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 1: to the Eastern Conference Finals one five times. They lost 72 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: to the Heat Lebron. The lost to the Calves Lebron, 73 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:55,160 Speaker 1: thels to the Calves Lebron. They lost to the Heat 74 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: in the bubble, not Lebron, Jimmy Butler and Bam at 75 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 1: a bio. And now they're about to take down the 76 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 1: Heat with a win on Friday, that would put them 77 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:11,920 Speaker 1: in the NBA Finals. Also, that would mean no straight 78 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:15,200 Speaker 1: fire on Monday. Your boy will take a holiday, a 79 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:18,320 Speaker 1: much needed holiday. We're just a little time off the internet, 80 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:20,360 Speaker 1: a little time off the interwebs. Although I will occasionally 81 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:22,280 Speaker 1: check out the I G because you know, I like 82 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:26,279 Speaker 1: I G a lot. Uh. It's fun, it's easy, it's mindless, 83 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 1: mindless scroll if you will. Um, But there's not much 84 00:04:29,720 --> 00:04:32,359 Speaker 1: to say about this game. I do want to point out, yes, 85 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 1: I see your Instagram, d M s. I don't read 86 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: all of them because you know, I got life work 87 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:40,320 Speaker 1: all that stuff. I also see some of your tweets 88 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:45,480 Speaker 1: and somebody demanded that I talk about this Jalen Rose 89 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:47,839 Speaker 1: situation now before we have a good interview with Mark 90 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:50,280 Speaker 1: Medina of NBA dot Com. I've known Mark for a 91 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 1: couple of years. Pretty thoughtful guy when it comes to 92 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:53,880 Speaker 1: the NBA. I try to sell him on a Damian 93 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 1: Lillard to the Lakers deal. He's not really buying it, 94 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:58,960 Speaker 1: but you'll like it anyway. Before we get to that, 95 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 1: I just need to quick lee dive into these all 96 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:05,799 Speaker 1: NBA thing because of what Jalen Rose said on TV 97 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 1: last night. All NBA, as we know is kind of 98 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:13,640 Speaker 1: a joke, right, Um, you know the people who vote 99 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 1: on it, like, I don't know what they're basing stuff on, 100 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: Like is it a minimum games played? Is it stats? 101 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: Is it what your team does? Like what goes into it. 102 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: It's all a mystery, it's a popularity contest. Let's be real. Okay, 103 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 1: that's what it is. And Jalen Rose admitted he voted 104 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving All NBA Thirteam. Kyrie Irving played twenty nine 105 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: basketball games, and Jalen Rose said he was I guess 106 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:43,840 Speaker 1: if you're All NBA third Team, you're one of the 107 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 1: six best guards in the NBA last season or the season. 108 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:49,720 Speaker 1: I mean, I would say, why does Jalen Rose have 109 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:53,479 Speaker 1: a ballot? But that's not the point, Like why is 110 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:58,239 Speaker 1: the media of voting on All NBA? It makes no sense? Um, 111 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 1: like Kyrie Irving third Team All NBA. I know I 112 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 1: have a checkered past with Kyrie Irving, and I'm not 113 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,359 Speaker 1: a fan. Like, yes, talented basketball player. Yes, I have 114 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:10,480 Speaker 1: at one point owned the Kyrie Irving jersey back in Cleveland, 115 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 1: the burnt orange one. It's sick. Um. I at one 116 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:17,279 Speaker 1: time more Kyrie Irving shoes because they were comfortable. Um, 117 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:19,320 Speaker 1: I'm not. I'm just not a fan of him because 118 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 1: he's not a winning player. He's a talented player, but 119 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 1: he's not a winning player. And the fact that Jalen 120 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 1: Rose would vote him All NBA Third Team. I don't 121 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:30,599 Speaker 1: know the rest of Jalen Rose his ballot, but I 122 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: don't think I want to. I don't care now you, oh, Ja, 123 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:36,360 Speaker 1: he knows more about basketball than you. Well, he played 124 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 1: on the Fab five and he played probably a decade 125 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 1: in the league. Yeah, he knows about basketball. But it's 126 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:45,840 Speaker 1: pretty clear he had some sort of agenda when he 127 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:48,920 Speaker 1: went into his l NBA vote. Kyrie Irving Third Team, 128 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:52,360 Speaker 1: Are you kidding me? Now? I mean, I'm not gonna 129 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 1: sit here and dive deep into all NBA because, um, 130 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:57,359 Speaker 1: you know, when you look at how they do the 131 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:00,799 Speaker 1: positions and stuff, it's like it's dumb. Uh Rudy Gobert 132 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:06,559 Speaker 1: consistently is one of the uh like the first, second 133 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: or third team, usually third. Is he one of the 134 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: fifteen best players in the league, of course, not so 135 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: the first team this year center yr Kich, forward Tatum, 136 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: forward Janice, guard Luca guard Devin Booker. I don't have 137 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:25,640 Speaker 1: a massive problem with that. I personally would have gone 138 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 1: Steph Curry over Devin Booker. That's just me. Now, you 139 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 1: could say, well, j you like Steph Curry, I do 140 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:34,239 Speaker 1: like Stef Curry. I like Devin Booker. Under no circumstances, 141 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 1: can you tell me Devin Booker is a better basketball 142 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 1: player or had a better season than Stef Curry. Yes, 143 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:43,080 Speaker 1: Curry's efficiency was down a little bit a hair. Devin 144 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: Booker's numbers were incredible playing with a stacked Sons team 145 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 1: that got first place in the West in the number 146 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 1: one seat, Devin Booker had a great season. But Steph 147 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 1: Curry was not playing with a stacked deck that Devin 148 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 1: Booker had, and Steph Curry's numbers were I thought right there, 149 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 1: and frankly, I would have gone Curry. Second team was Curry, 150 00:08:05,960 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 1: John Moranta, Rosen Durant and EMBD. Third team Chris Paul Trey, Young, Lebron, 151 00:08:11,440 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 1: Pascal Siakam and Carl Anthony Towns um Like, I'm not 152 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 1: gonna sit here and nitpick over who should have been 153 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:25,480 Speaker 1: on here? Who should who? Who got snubbed? I don't 154 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:29,520 Speaker 1: have major beef with Yokich over embiad and Frankly, I 155 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 1: know that I'm gonna speak out of both sides of 156 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: my mouth. I don't put a lot of stock in 157 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 1: this because under no circumstances do I think Pascal Siakam 158 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 1: is one of the best fifteen players in the league. Sorry, 159 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 1: I don't think that. Um would I have gone Carl 160 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 1: Anthony Towns over BAM. Bam missed a lot of games. 161 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 1: Cat had a good season. Minnesota made the playoffs, so 162 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 1: people are going crazy Anthony Edwards is the best player 163 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:54,319 Speaker 1: on that team. Did you watch the playoff game? I'm 164 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 1: sure the numbers were great for Towns and people like 165 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:58,839 Speaker 1: him in his story and I get it, but he's 166 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 1: not even the best player in his team. How is 167 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:04,839 Speaker 1: the third team all NBA? It makes just no sense 168 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: whatsoever at any rate. I just don't spend a lot 169 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 1: of time on that because, like Frankly, who cares that? 170 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 1: Being said, I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth. 171 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 1: When I'm sitting here comparing Reggie miller career to DeMar 172 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 1: De Rosen's, I could say, well, DeMar De Rosen was 173 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:28,080 Speaker 1: All NBA more times than Reggie Miller. Like, wait, but 174 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 1: you just said All NBA doesn't really matter because the 175 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 1: voting is skewed. Okay, Well, what do you want to use? 176 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 1: What metrics would you like to use to break down 177 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:38,199 Speaker 1: all NBA And what the metrics would you like to 178 00:09:38,280 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 1: use to compare careers? Because if you're comparing somebody who 179 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 1: played in the eighties and nineties to somebody who played 180 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 1: in the two thousand tens, you know, scoring significantly up right, 181 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 1: three point shot, way way up, um pace way way, 182 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 1: Like so many things in the league are different now, 183 00:09:55,800 --> 00:10:00,200 Speaker 1: like you know, the defensive rules obviously, but just because 184 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 1: the rules have changed, I don't think that means you 185 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 1: cannot compare. Like people still compare Dan Marino to current 186 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:10,960 Speaker 1: quarterbacks even though NFL rules have changed, Right, people still 187 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:16,719 Speaker 1: compare you know, Babe Ruth with nine twenties to current hitters. 188 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:19,120 Speaker 1: You know they Baseball loves to do that, But in 189 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 1: the NBA it's like, oh, you can't, come on, they 190 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 1: played thirty years ago. You can't do that. Why? And 191 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: so all NBA, in my opinion, all NBA kind of 192 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 1: sort of matters for history, But in the moment, I 193 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:34,880 Speaker 1: don't know, it's just it's just so undercut. With Luke 194 00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 1: who's in the conference finals, Luca Dante is there, Jayson 195 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 1: Tatum is there, and then the counter is, well, who 196 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:47,079 Speaker 1: cares about the playoffs? It's a regular season award? Well, okay, 197 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:49,839 Speaker 1: who cares about the regular season when it really matters? 198 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 1: Who's left standing in late May early June. Right, what 199 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:54,959 Speaker 1: matters more? Do you wanna have an awesome month of 200 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 1: December or do you want to be playing big money, 201 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: high leverage games in the postseason. So all NBA is 202 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:06,240 Speaker 1: a tricky discussion, um, a debate that will rage I'm 203 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 1: sure forever. But one that won't do rage is we're 204 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 1: getting we're hurtling toward a Boston Warriors series. Not gonna 205 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:17,400 Speaker 1: break it down now, but it's pretty clear from my 206 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 1: my eyes, and I talked about it earlier this week 207 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 1: that the Warriors are not gonna have it easy. They 208 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 1: have steamrolled the competition in the postseason so far. They 209 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:27,960 Speaker 1: look like the best team, but Boston batches up very 210 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:32,720 Speaker 1: well with them. If they are able to win in six, 211 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 1: I think they will have an entire is it five 212 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 1: six days, seven days, maybe at least six days off 213 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 1: before Game one. So that's great news for Robert Williams, 214 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:49,480 Speaker 1: Marcus smart Um and I don't know what that means 215 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 1: for the Mitten. Gary Payton Jr. I don't. I mean, 216 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 1: I think I don't think he's as big of a 217 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:57,760 Speaker 1: factor in the series because there's no Boston guard that 218 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 1: really terrifies you. No, there's no fear of God over 219 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:03,920 Speaker 1: any of these Boston guards going off the way. John 220 00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:07,679 Speaker 1: morant Um can Jalen Brunson is is more of us 221 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:10,880 Speaker 1: explosive threat. I would call Jillen Brown a wing, and 222 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: obviously Tatum's a wing. But I'm looking forward to that 223 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:16,839 Speaker 1: series will be fun um, East Coast, West Coast. It 224 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 1: should be exciting Um. But for now, let's get to 225 00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 1: our guest. NBA dot COM's Mark Medina. Fox Sports Radio 226 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 1: has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch 227 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:30,920 Speaker 1: all of our shows at Fox Sports Radio dot Com 228 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 1: and within the I Heart Radio app search f s 229 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: R to listen live. Jason likes to think he knows 230 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 1: everything when it comes to sports. I know what sports 231 00:12:43,520 --> 00:12:46,439 Speaker 1: dance want, but for everything he doesn't, he knows a 232 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,520 Speaker 1: guy who does. Let's just say I know a guy 233 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 1: who knows a guy who knows another guy. Okay, let's 234 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 1: welcome into straight fire. A guy I've known probably several 235 00:12:57,080 --> 00:13:00,080 Speaker 1: years now. He was that came over to Fox a 236 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 1: couple of times. It's a TV with him. He's now 237 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 1: at NBA dot Com. He used to be at USA 238 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 1: Today Sports Mark Medina, Mark, how you doing man? Jason 239 00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 1: I'm I'm doing well all things, considering a lot of 240 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 1: tough things going on in the world. But and this 241 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:17,240 Speaker 1: slice of life, it's nice to uh, to connect with you. 242 00:13:17,320 --> 00:13:19,880 Speaker 1: It's been a long time, Yeah, it is. Uh. It's 243 00:13:19,880 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 1: a tough time for everyone. But you know, thankfully we 244 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:24,719 Speaker 1: get a bunch of NBA playoff blowouts to take our 245 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:27,880 Speaker 1: mind off of all the other bad stuff going on. 246 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 1: But we're gonna veer off the playoffs just a little bit. 247 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:33,559 Speaker 1: We'll get to the Warriors in a minute. I did 248 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:37,839 Speaker 1: want to start, um. You know, the NBA offseason has 249 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:40,559 Speaker 1: been so crazy for a you know, the better part 250 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:43,719 Speaker 1: of a decade. Right once Lebron left Cleveland to go 251 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:45,679 Speaker 1: to the Heat, it really took off. And that's been 252 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:48,559 Speaker 1: the driving storyline. Mark. This was supposed to be one 253 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 1: of the slow summers, right there, not a lot of 254 00:13:51,040 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: big names up, and all of a sudden here in 255 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: the last couple of weeks, you know, the Jazz implode 256 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: and you know it's Donovan Mitchell gonna be available, and 257 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,719 Speaker 1: you start seeing the Kyrie Irving stuff come to a head. 258 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:05,959 Speaker 1: In the New York Daily News had a report about 259 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:09,160 Speaker 1: They're not gonna extend Kyrie Irving. I mean, Mark, are 260 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:12,080 Speaker 1: we headed towards kind of a sneaky interesting summer? I mean, 261 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 1: Dame Lillard is out there, the New York Knicks are 262 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:19,280 Speaker 1: desperate to get back to relevancy. Zion Williamson didn't play, 263 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 1: but the Pelicans got good. I don't know, Mark, what 264 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 1: is your excitement level for this offseason? And who's the 265 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 1: guy you're watching the most? Yeah, I mean, I've always 266 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 1: become accustomed to the NBA is always going to be eventful, 267 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:33,120 Speaker 1: whether it's in the off season and regular season playoffs. 268 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 1: I don't know exactly what will happen, but I always 269 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 1: have anticipated since I've been covering the league with different 270 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 1: roles in the last decade that stuff will happen. Now 271 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: as it pertains to this off season free agency, I 272 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 1: think the interesting wrinkle is that there are no definitive 273 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:53,520 Speaker 1: candidates that have to make a quote unquote free agency 274 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 1: and decision. I think that the only exception that now 275 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 1: will be interesting is with DeAndre and at the Phoenix Suns, 276 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: because you know, before the season started they didn't the 277 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 1: Sun's decide not to give him that rookie Macks extension, 278 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: even despite the fact that he had shown a lot 279 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:13,240 Speaker 1: of growth, especially in last year's finals run. He played 280 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: a really good year and then all of a sudden 281 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 1: things just blew up in their face where he did 282 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:20,120 Speaker 1: not have a good performance in that game, seven played 283 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 1: limited minutes. It was, you know, acknowledge from Suns Coachmani 284 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:26,600 Speaker 1: Williams that there were some internal things going on. So 285 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: he's a restricted free agent. Technically, the Suns can match 286 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 1: any offer sheet that he gets. But you know, I 287 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:35,280 Speaker 1: can't help but think this is the end of his 288 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 1: time with the Suns. But as far as everything else, 289 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 1: that all comes down to trades or extensions. You know, 290 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving, he has one year left on his contract, 291 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 1: but there was hope at the beginning of last season 292 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 1: that the Nets and Kyrie would agree to an extension. 293 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 1: You know, Damon Lillward's under contract, but you know how 294 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: much patience will he have with the Blazers, uh, you know, 295 00:15:56,360 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 1: direction long term? You're looking at Russell Westbrook. I think 296 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 1: only he's a free agent, but I think that he 297 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 1: has forty seven million, forty seven million reasons why he 298 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 1: would exercise his player option. But then the next question is, Okay, 299 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:12,680 Speaker 1: what did the Lakers do? Can they find an interest 300 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 1: in trading partner for him, or they can they negotiate 301 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:18,360 Speaker 1: a buyout. So um, I think unlike in last year's 302 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:22,320 Speaker 1: where there were you know, free agents that have to 303 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 1: make a quote unquote decision like Lebron James had to 304 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 1: do when he was a clear win and WT with Miami, 305 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:32,160 Speaker 1: here there's more complicated because it involves negotiations and trades, 306 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 1: and with that there's another layer of unpredictability. Yeah, let's 307 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:39,040 Speaker 1: start with Aton because you know, he's been an interesting one. 308 00:16:39,040 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 1: I'm sure you read the story about his video game 309 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 1: proclivity and I get it. You know, young athletes like 310 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: playing video games. He took it, you know, several steps 311 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 1: a little far, playing until five in the morning, basically 312 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 1: letting a reporter into his uh you know, video game 313 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 1: world to chronicle everything. He's like, I wake up after 314 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 1: you know, barely sleeping, then I get breakfast, then I 315 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 1: play more video games than practice than it's home, and 316 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:06,520 Speaker 1: then it's video games and it's like, bro, Um, you know, 317 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:08,719 Speaker 1: are you given a max deal to a guy like this? 318 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:12,240 Speaker 1: But that being said, you know, he's shown flashes where 319 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 1: he's been good, but he also has been massively invisible. 320 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 1: I don't know, Mark, what do you think the markets 321 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:19,720 Speaker 1: like for him? Is somebody going to pay him a 322 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 1: max max deal? I don't know if he's going to 323 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:24,360 Speaker 1: get a max steel. I mean, he will certainly get 324 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:26,640 Speaker 1: a lucrative offer. But I think you have to keep 325 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 1: in mind a few things. Uh. You know, he did 326 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 1: not have a good playoff showing there are questions about 327 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:34,400 Speaker 1: you know, just his makeup overall. And also in today's 328 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:38,080 Speaker 1: modern NBA, Uh, the market for a coven of big 329 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 1: man usually it's only a reserved if you're an elite 330 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:44,480 Speaker 1: of the elite of the elite, allowed Nico Yoka, enjol Embiid. 331 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:46,919 Speaker 1: But when you're looking at DeAndre and I am just 332 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:50,679 Speaker 1: incredibly surprised at this turn of events because no question, 333 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:52,879 Speaker 1: when he entered the league there were some growing pains. 334 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 1: But when you chart his progress, especially in the last year, 335 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:58,680 Speaker 1: when you talked to the Suns, whether there's Monty Williams, 336 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:01,480 Speaker 1: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, they really felt like he turned 337 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:05,480 Speaker 1: a corner with um you know, his work, habits, his 338 00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:09,720 Speaker 1: mental makeup, and his performances itself. And I know, talking 339 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:11,920 Speaker 1: to people that were pretty close to him, I mean 340 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:16,160 Speaker 1: his mother Uh, Michael Thompson, you know, the former Laker 341 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:19,399 Speaker 1: who you know has a close relationship because he's from 342 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 1: the Bahamas. They really since in the last year that 343 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:27,520 Speaker 1: he's been a right he's been about the right things, 344 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:29,920 Speaker 1: and he has this growth mindset. That's not to say 345 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:33,280 Speaker 1: that he's this perfect guy or he's this robot like 346 00:18:33,520 --> 00:18:36,400 Speaker 1: you know, like the video games example, but there seemed 347 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 1: to be a turning point that this guy is going 348 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 1: to be just scratching the surface so much that Michael 349 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:47,440 Speaker 1: Thompson told me in the middle of last year's final 350 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 1: run that he considered him the third best center behind 351 00:18:51,160 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 1: Joel Embiid and Nicole Yoki. He likened him to be 352 00:18:57,240 --> 00:18:59,639 Speaker 1: coming the next David Robinson is going to be a 353 00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:03,200 Speaker 1: Hall of Shamer. And look like your reaction speaks for itself. 354 00:19:03,240 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 1: But there was that sentiment among people that were in 355 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 1: his corner that DeAndre is just scratching the surface here 356 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:14,359 Speaker 1: and um, as long as he continues down that path, 357 00:19:14,560 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: that's the potential he can get. And now all of 358 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 1: a sudden, he's taken a lot of steps back. And 359 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:24,440 Speaker 1: even with all this, I don't think the Sons are 360 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:27,360 Speaker 1: going to keep him, and I don't even know if 361 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 1: DeAndre Aiden wants to come back. I mean, even before 362 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:33,359 Speaker 1: all this, there was this question of would this be 363 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:36,800 Speaker 1: almost like Gordon Hayward a few years ago, a few 364 00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:40,480 Speaker 1: years ago with Utah Jazz, where he remembered, hey, you 365 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:42,520 Speaker 1: guys didn't sign and all you didn't got you guys 366 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:45,080 Speaker 1: didn't give me an extension and allowed me to become 367 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:48,440 Speaker 1: a strictly free agent, even though you matched me that 368 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:51,720 Speaker 1: plan the seeds of Okay, you don't really value me 369 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:54,200 Speaker 1: the way I think I should be. But I think 370 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 1: this playoff ending cemented from both sides. You know what, 371 00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:02,719 Speaker 1: We're better off both saying audios. Just give me two 372 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:07,040 Speaker 1: teams that make remote sense for DeAndre ayten Um. I 373 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:10,359 Speaker 1: don't think any contender, like a top ten team is 374 00:20:10,359 --> 00:20:12,359 Speaker 1: gonna want him. I think if if you're like a 375 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:15,000 Speaker 1: lower tier team that can't get free agents, you know, 376 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 1: like an Orlando at Detroit, you know Indiana, then you 377 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 1: you back up the Brins. Yeah we'll take them. We'll 378 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 1: take a potential star and we'll see how it works out. 379 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:25,959 Speaker 1: But do you think any any legit contender is like, oh, 380 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:27,600 Speaker 1: we gotta I gotta get in the eight? In business 381 00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 1: I can't think of one. I mean that's not to 382 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:33,000 Speaker 1: say that he's there's no market, but when you're looking 383 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:37,320 Speaker 1: about a legit contending team, um, I you know, certainly 384 00:20:37,359 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: not willing to offer a max steal. But uh, you know, 385 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 1: even if it's just a lucrative deal, but it's not 386 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:45,879 Speaker 1: a MAX, I can't see that because you're looking at 387 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:48,440 Speaker 1: you know, say Portland for example, I think they're better 388 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: off just picking with yours. Right, he's a big man. Um. 389 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:55,720 Speaker 1: You know this idea that you're looking at teams that 390 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:57,520 Speaker 1: are thinking, okay, what do we need to do to 391 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:01,359 Speaker 1: just make one more move to suddenly get back into 392 00:21:01,359 --> 00:21:04,600 Speaker 1: the championship puzzle? And it's not there. Whether it's because 393 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 1: of cap space or just positional it's so again, I 394 00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:10,359 Speaker 1: gotta stress it's not like there's no market for him. 395 00:21:10,359 --> 00:21:14,119 Speaker 1: But when you're you know, really narrowing in on the 396 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:18,080 Speaker 1: type of team, UM, it's hard to think of any 397 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:23,280 Speaker 1: at the moment. Portland's right, Dame Anthreny Simon's and DeAndre Ayden. 398 00:21:24,160 --> 00:21:25,560 Speaker 1: I don't even know if that's a playoff team in 399 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 1: the I mean, the West is so stacked. All right, 400 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,280 Speaker 1: let's go to Zach Lavine a guy I like a lot. 401 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:33,120 Speaker 1: I'm bullish on him. I'm curious, Mark, do you think 402 00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:37,080 Speaker 1: Levine he's a one, meaning like a Tatum a Curry, 403 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:38,879 Speaker 1: A guy who can be the m v P discussion, 404 00:21:39,320 --> 00:21:41,960 Speaker 1: be the alpha on a team that goes to the finals. 405 00:21:42,359 --> 00:21:45,360 Speaker 1: Is he better suited? Is it too some people maybe 406 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 1: think he's a three? Or do you think he just 407 00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:49,439 Speaker 1: stays in Chicago and he's kind of the one A 408 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 1: one B with with Demarda rosen Yeah, I think he's 409 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:56,400 Speaker 1: best being in Chicago. I don't think like he's a 410 00:21:56,440 --> 00:21:59,760 Speaker 1: franchise changing kind of player, but I think that you know, 411 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:03,440 Speaker 1: and you compliment him with other all star caliber players, 412 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:05,520 Speaker 1: he can be any combination of like a one, A 413 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:09,239 Speaker 1: or two or three. Um. So I think with that 414 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:13,159 Speaker 1: being said, the Bulls should certainly show financial commitment to 415 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:16,359 Speaker 1: him for his growth, his loyalty, the fact that you 416 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:19,119 Speaker 1: know he was willing and able to adjust his role 417 00:22:19,160 --> 00:22:21,840 Speaker 1: to account for them getting a lot of good talent 418 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 1: last summer, you know, especially with Tamarda rosen Um. But yeah, 419 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:28,879 Speaker 1: I would not put him in the category of you know, 420 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:32,960 Speaker 1: Steph Career or any any franchise changing guys. But I 421 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:35,520 Speaker 1: would say, at the same time, you know, for those 422 00:22:35,560 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 1: that sneer Zach Lavine for getting the bag in the past, 423 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:43,119 Speaker 1: I think that's overstayed. I think that he was certainly 424 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:46,439 Speaker 1: deserving him that he showed that he is a much 425 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:50,440 Speaker 1: better player than Hey. This exciting young guy that knows 426 00:22:50,440 --> 00:22:52,760 Speaker 1: how to dunk, right, Like, I think he is a 427 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:56,600 Speaker 1: complete player, but you know, he's not a franchise altering guy. 428 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:59,480 Speaker 1: It's interesting, you know, Andrew Wiggins. We're seeing him in 429 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:01,600 Speaker 1: the playoff with the Warriors, and the people are like, oh, 430 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 1: this is the guy we've been waiting for, you know, 431 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:08,040 Speaker 1: Like it's tougher when you're the one or the two 432 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:11,320 Speaker 1: in crappy franchise and then you go to the Warriors 433 00:23:11,359 --> 00:23:13,480 Speaker 1: and there's like no pressure on you. Hey man, play 434 00:23:13,560 --> 00:23:16,119 Speaker 1: d make your open shots, rim run, you get a 435 00:23:16,119 --> 00:23:19,000 Speaker 1: lot of points and we love you. Like, yeah, Andrew 436 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:21,240 Speaker 1: Wiggins is like what third or fourth guy making what 437 00:23:21,280 --> 00:23:23,960 Speaker 1: thirty five million dollars a year? Yeah, I mean, I 438 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 1: mean simply they moved to the goal post. On the 439 00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 1: expectations he was a number one pick. He was with Minnesota, 440 00:23:29,359 --> 00:23:31,920 Speaker 1: he was expected to be not just the faces of 441 00:23:31,960 --> 00:23:36,200 Speaker 1: the franchise from a production standpoint, but from a leadership standpoint, 442 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:39,080 Speaker 1: and his game was inconsistent, you know, no fault to 443 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:42,159 Speaker 1: his own, but he just doesn't have the personality of 444 00:23:42,320 --> 00:23:46,439 Speaker 1: being that one a spokesperson, that locker room leader. And 445 00:23:46,480 --> 00:23:49,919 Speaker 1: so I think with the Warriors, um, he's very good 446 00:23:49,960 --> 00:23:52,560 Speaker 1: with what's needed. That's not to dilute what is needed 447 00:23:52,560 --> 00:23:55,919 Speaker 1: from him, because it's very valuable. He's a he needs to, 448 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:59,800 Speaker 1: you know, provide a wing presence on defense and also 449 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:03,119 Speaker 1: be a complimentary scorer. And I think that his credit 450 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:06,160 Speaker 1: not only can he fulfill that job description, but he's 451 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:08,919 Speaker 1: not you know, worried about his place in the pecking 452 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:11,560 Speaker 1: order or a number of shots he's getting or things 453 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 1: like that. And when you're looking at his defensive responsibilities, 454 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:19,160 Speaker 1: it's been especially valuable because, look, I think Clay Thompson 455 00:24:19,240 --> 00:24:21,880 Speaker 1: is still a really good defender, but just call spade 456 00:24:21,880 --> 00:24:24,719 Speaker 1: a spade. He's not the same defender that he was 457 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:28,080 Speaker 1: pre a c l and pre Achilles injury. And so 458 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 1: with Andrew wiggins presence, not only has that mitigated, uh, 459 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:34,879 Speaker 1: you know, the absence that the Warriors have felt in 460 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:36,919 Speaker 1: the last you know, two and a half years with 461 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:40,080 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant's departure, but it's also mitigated, you know, some 462 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:43,840 Speaker 1: of the other extenduing way circumstances of Clay coming back 463 00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:47,040 Speaker 1: into form, you know, Andrey Guadala not being the same 464 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 1: player that he was during the Dynasty years. So you know, 465 00:24:50,840 --> 00:24:54,280 Speaker 1: all all props Andrew Wiggins, but it's also I think 466 00:24:54,280 --> 00:24:57,919 Speaker 1: a window into when you're looking at guys that aren't 467 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:00,520 Speaker 1: you know, the face of the franchise, franchise ultra guys. 468 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:03,440 Speaker 1: A lot of the times the team makeup, the culture 469 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:07,399 Speaker 1: and the circumstances can dictate your success or failure. That's huge. 470 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:10,119 Speaker 1: I would agree with that big time. Um. Also Levine, 471 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:12,399 Speaker 1: you know he had surgery out obviously, you know you 472 00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:14,680 Speaker 1: look at his numbers and I mean, this is a 473 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:18,879 Speaker 1: guy who never plays eighty games, seventy five games, you know, 474 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:21,240 Speaker 1: he's always hurt. That being said, Mark, I'll make a 475 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:23,760 Speaker 1: prediction here and in like ten years we can laugh 476 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:26,360 Speaker 1: about how accurate it was. This is a great shooter, right, 477 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:30,199 Speaker 1: thirty eight percent from three forty one, thirty eight thirty seven, Like, 478 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,439 Speaker 1: just because he can shoot threes and he's long, I 479 00:25:33,480 --> 00:25:36,800 Speaker 1: think he'll have a lengthy career. Um. You know, We're 480 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:39,719 Speaker 1: seeing guys like Nick Patom have a long career, Robert 481 00:25:39,720 --> 00:25:43,280 Speaker 1: Covington a second wind as a defender and shooter where 482 00:25:43,359 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 1: you don't have to do much. I think ultimately, um, 483 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:47,960 Speaker 1: you know, Levin's gonna have a good career. Now let's 484 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:51,080 Speaker 1: go away from ascending guys like Levine and Natan to 485 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:53,280 Speaker 1: a couple of guys kind of on the downtoing down 486 00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:57,359 Speaker 1: swing with James Harden. Any idea what you think becomes 487 00:25:57,359 --> 00:26:00,440 Speaker 1: of hardened in Philly after the way they craze no doubt, 488 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:05,080 Speaker 1: um in the second round of playoffs. Yeah, look, um, 489 00:26:05,119 --> 00:26:07,919 Speaker 1: I think that the that the the Sixers need to 490 00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:10,399 Speaker 1: cut their losses with James Harden because this is a 491 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:14,239 Speaker 1: window into that his game is not going to age. Well. Uh, 492 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:17,280 Speaker 1: he hasn't shown an ability to adjust for the rules 493 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:22,040 Speaker 1: changes this year. Um, he has been really struggling with 494 00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:26,280 Speaker 1: staying healthy and being durable. And third, uh, he just 495 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:29,959 Speaker 1: doesn't have the same explosiveness that he used to have 496 00:26:30,080 --> 00:26:33,120 Speaker 1: during his time with Houston. I think that's a window 497 00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:36,040 Speaker 1: into that, you know, he's to some degree of one 498 00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:38,840 Speaker 1: trick pony and that he he's not doing a lot 499 00:26:38,880 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 1: of the intangibles in terms of taking care of his body. Now, 500 00:26:43,520 --> 00:26:47,520 Speaker 1: I know that Darryl Morey obviously has affection for James Harden, 501 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:50,680 Speaker 1: and I know that they're also mindful of Look, James 502 00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:54,360 Speaker 1: was acquired after the after the trade deadline, so there 503 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:57,560 Speaker 1: wasn't as much of a sample size as they would 504 00:26:57,600 --> 00:27:01,119 Speaker 1: have in a full season to be able to, you know, 505 00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 1: address the rust and fitting in with Joel and Beat 506 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:07,520 Speaker 1: and fitting in with everyone. But I think that all 507 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:13,520 Speaker 1: those things are poor excuses because those might be legitimate 508 00:27:13,520 --> 00:27:16,200 Speaker 1: excuses if you're talking about a role player, but we're 509 00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:20,439 Speaker 1: talking about a player who's an All Star caliber player. Um. 510 00:27:20,440 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 1: But I you know, just seeing how the Sixers and 511 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:27,080 Speaker 1: Darryl Moore is, I think that they will keep them 512 00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:29,960 Speaker 1: and just put faith into the fact that they'll have 513 00:27:30,040 --> 00:27:34,879 Speaker 1: a full season, that they'll make more adjustments to his 514 00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:38,520 Speaker 1: offseason regiment and do a better job with with staying healthy. 515 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:41,680 Speaker 1: But I think this is a giant red flag with 516 00:27:41,720 --> 00:27:43,800 Speaker 1: what he's shown the last few years, with you know, 517 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:48,200 Speaker 1: everything across the board, his performance, his attitude, and his durability. 518 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:51,480 Speaker 1: Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in 519 00:27:51,520 --> 00:27:54,520 Speaker 1: the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox sports 520 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:57,680 Speaker 1: radio dot Com and within the I Heart Radio app 521 00:27:57,760 --> 00:28:01,120 Speaker 1: search f s R to listen live. I never want 522 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:04,680 Speaker 1: to crush someone who hasn't really answered these questions. But Mark, 523 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:08,000 Speaker 1: if you look at his points per game eighteen, nineteen 524 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:11,280 Speaker 1: and twenty, he led the NBA in scoring COVID hits 525 00:28:11,920 --> 00:28:13,720 Speaker 1: and he just has not been the same guy. Now. 526 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:16,960 Speaker 1: I'm not he's not really addressed this, whether he was 527 00:28:17,000 --> 00:28:19,840 Speaker 1: impacted by it. We know his late night action. He 528 00:28:19,920 --> 00:28:23,800 Speaker 1: likes to party. Um, but he if you look, he's 529 00:28:23,800 --> 00:28:28,399 Speaker 1: also jumped around since COVID Houston, Brooklyn, Philly. Like, I 530 00:28:28,760 --> 00:28:30,320 Speaker 1: don't know, am I giving him too much of a 531 00:28:30,359 --> 00:28:32,760 Speaker 1: pass here? Am I being too kind to him? I mean, 532 00:28:32,800 --> 00:28:34,760 Speaker 1: he gets to Philly and you know, other than the 533 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:37,879 Speaker 1: first two games when they destroyed some inferior opponents, like 534 00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:42,400 Speaker 1: it didn't work. Yeah, Um no, I think I think 535 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 1: the criticism is all warranted because, um, you know, he 536 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:50,600 Speaker 1: he wanted to get his way to Brooklyn, and I 537 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:54,200 Speaker 1: think at the beginning of last season he was backing 538 00:28:54,280 --> 00:28:57,720 Speaker 1: up with his words with actions with you know, having 539 00:28:57,760 --> 00:28:59,880 Speaker 1: the right effort and not worrying about his shots and 540 00:29:00,040 --> 00:29:02,640 Speaker 1: being a good playmaker. I think he's an incredible passer 541 00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:04,960 Speaker 1: and it's underrated part of this game. But the problem 542 00:29:05,040 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 1: is he doesn't always tap into that. But I think 543 00:29:06,920 --> 00:29:10,560 Speaker 1: that his credit he did that last year, um, you know, 544 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:15,280 Speaker 1: uncontrollable to a degree, but his shortcomings last year where 545 00:29:15,320 --> 00:29:17,040 Speaker 1: it was the fact that he couldn't stay healthy. But 546 00:29:17,120 --> 00:29:19,760 Speaker 1: this year, I think it was a combination of he 547 00:29:19,800 --> 00:29:22,640 Speaker 1: didn't have the same mentality that he had last year 548 00:29:22,680 --> 00:29:25,320 Speaker 1: of saying, hey, I will fit in and do what 549 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:28,440 Speaker 1: it takes. But I think also, um, you know, to 550 00:29:28,560 --> 00:29:31,520 Speaker 1: his defense a little bit, I'm sure that he was 551 00:29:31,600 --> 00:29:34,800 Speaker 1: frustrated with the fact of Kyrie Irving was a part 552 00:29:34,840 --> 00:29:37,800 Speaker 1: time player and look like, you know, whatever however you 553 00:29:37,840 --> 00:29:41,000 Speaker 1: feel about mandates in the vaccine, the bottom line is this, 554 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:44,240 Speaker 1: because the Kyrie Irving's refusal to do that, he wasn't 555 00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:47,600 Speaker 1: available to his team. And you know, clearly it didn't 556 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:50,480 Speaker 1: rub James Harden the right way. It rubbed him the 557 00:29:50,520 --> 00:29:54,320 Speaker 1: wrong way. And so I can see why that was 558 00:29:54,360 --> 00:29:57,440 Speaker 1: frustrating for him. But at the same time, I don't 559 00:29:57,480 --> 00:30:00,160 Speaker 1: think that James held his end of the bargain from 560 00:30:00,160 --> 00:30:03,200 Speaker 1: a production standpoint, as whilst you know, staying healthy and 561 00:30:03,240 --> 00:30:07,040 Speaker 1: that carried through in Philadelphia to what you alluded to 562 00:30:07,200 --> 00:30:09,840 Speaker 1: his first few games with Philadelphia, he looked like, okay, 563 00:30:09,880 --> 00:30:12,800 Speaker 1: the James hardened of old of his prime m v 564 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:15,479 Speaker 1: P years. But then it came back to the same 565 00:30:16,360 --> 00:30:19,840 Speaker 1: familiar story that we saw towards the latter part of 566 00:30:19,880 --> 00:30:22,880 Speaker 1: his time in Brooklyn, where you know, he looked sluggish 567 00:30:22,880 --> 00:30:26,880 Speaker 1: with his effort. He wasn't as aggressive, um, you know, 568 00:30:26,960 --> 00:30:30,600 Speaker 1: with his playmaking and his shot and when the stakes 569 00:30:30,600 --> 00:30:32,640 Speaker 1: were really highest in the playoff games. So he just 570 00:30:32,680 --> 00:30:36,960 Speaker 1: shrank from those moments. And uh, you know, every every 571 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:39,760 Speaker 1: player is capable of redeeming himself, but you know, when 572 00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:42,040 Speaker 1: you're seeing a pattern here like I do, I can't 573 00:30:42,080 --> 00:30:46,200 Speaker 1: help but feel skeptical about what he will do moving 574 00:30:46,280 --> 00:30:48,800 Speaker 1: forward to address those things. All right, So Mark, well, 575 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:52,400 Speaker 1: I'm gonna pretend like I'm James Harden's agent in your games. 576 00:30:52,760 --> 00:30:57,080 Speaker 1: I pretend I'm James Harden. Here, James Harden's beard up, 577 00:30:57,120 --> 00:31:00,200 Speaker 1: and uh do you grab it? Was gonna say, somebody 578 00:31:00,240 --> 00:31:03,040 Speaker 1: will get angry, all right. Um, so James, you have 579 00:31:03,040 --> 00:31:06,560 Speaker 1: a player option next season forty seven point three million dollars. 580 00:31:06,600 --> 00:31:09,560 Speaker 1: That's a lot of money. After that, who knows, given 581 00:31:09,600 --> 00:31:12,200 Speaker 1: your decline and play and the fact that you've made. 582 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:16,480 Speaker 1: This is crazy two twenty seven million as just a 583 00:31:16,600 --> 00:31:19,720 Speaker 1: player in salaries obviously, I know the agent. I I 584 00:31:19,760 --> 00:31:21,760 Speaker 1: take some of that. And you know you've also made 585 00:31:21,760 --> 00:31:26,800 Speaker 1: money in commercials and merchandise everything. James, what if you 586 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:31,240 Speaker 1: opt out right, you don't opt in and you say, 587 00:31:31,280 --> 00:31:35,240 Speaker 1: you know what, sixers give me three years eight mill, 588 00:31:36,440 --> 00:31:38,840 Speaker 1: give me three years seventy five mill. So I'll take 589 00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:40,640 Speaker 1: a little bit less because you know what, I've never won, 590 00:31:41,640 --> 00:31:44,440 Speaker 1: and I want you to win. James, what do you 591 00:31:44,480 --> 00:31:47,520 Speaker 1: say you're doing that deal? Yeah, I'm doing it. I 592 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,400 Speaker 1: want security. I want to win. Um, you know, I 593 00:31:50,480 --> 00:31:52,840 Speaker 1: want to give Darryl Moorey, who's been back in me 594 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:56,400 Speaker 1: Wild now, the ability to assemble better roster. And look, 595 00:31:56,400 --> 00:31:58,760 Speaker 1: I'm playing this character. I could never be James Harden. 596 00:31:58,840 --> 00:32:01,880 Speaker 1: But and fairness to James, he has said on the 597 00:32:01,960 --> 00:32:05,160 Speaker 1: record after the six or limited in the playoffs that 598 00:32:05,280 --> 00:32:08,640 Speaker 1: he was open toward that discussion. Now we'll actually see 599 00:32:08,680 --> 00:32:12,120 Speaker 1: what he does. But um, you know, while I am 600 00:32:12,160 --> 00:32:17,000 Speaker 1: expressing some skepticism about his ability to change his game 601 00:32:17,120 --> 00:32:21,160 Speaker 1: and get healthier, improve his condition, name, I do believe 602 00:32:21,280 --> 00:32:24,280 Speaker 1: him when he floated the idea out there that he 603 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:28,920 Speaker 1: has opened towards taking some relative discount so that Darryl 604 00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:32,800 Speaker 1: Morey has more tools at his disposal to put together 605 00:32:32,840 --> 00:32:35,320 Speaker 1: a better roster for him and Joel and Bood. I 606 00:32:35,360 --> 00:32:37,080 Speaker 1: like that. Now, it's funny the names you said for 607 00:32:37,160 --> 00:32:39,920 Speaker 1: him and Joel em beat uh Mark. Tobias Harris is 608 00:32:40,000 --> 00:32:42,920 Speaker 1: own hook for thirty seven MILLI next year, thirty nine, 609 00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:45,719 Speaker 1: two years from now, and I would argue he is 610 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:49,160 Speaker 1: your fourth best player because I think Tyrese Maxie is 611 00:32:49,240 --> 00:32:52,000 Speaker 1: better at least he was in the last in the 612 00:32:52,000 --> 00:32:55,240 Speaker 1: playoff run. Then Harden and Harris. Would you agree without 613 00:32:55,280 --> 00:32:57,920 Speaker 1: a doubt? And look, I'm a huge fan of Tobias 614 00:32:57,960 --> 00:33:01,160 Speaker 1: Harrison Tyres Maxie, Like I'd think they're great guys, are 615 00:33:01,160 --> 00:33:04,680 Speaker 1: complimentary players, you know. I think that the Sixers should 616 00:33:04,800 --> 00:33:08,440 Speaker 1: keep those guys. It's about finding other guys that can, 617 00:33:08,560 --> 00:33:13,600 Speaker 1: you know, be offer more defense, offer complimentary shooting. But 618 00:33:13,960 --> 00:33:16,880 Speaker 1: I also say it's not a good thing that they 619 00:33:16,960 --> 00:33:20,640 Speaker 1: were the second or third best players because James Harden 620 00:33:21,280 --> 00:33:24,000 Speaker 1: was supposed to be that guy. So not in entirement 621 00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:26,320 Speaker 1: on those guys at all. They brought forth the best effort. 622 00:33:26,320 --> 00:33:29,280 Speaker 1: But I think that the fact that they outplayed James 623 00:33:29,280 --> 00:33:32,760 Speaker 1: Harden in the playoffs is another red flag for James 624 00:33:32,760 --> 00:33:36,480 Speaker 1: Harden because this is supposed to be his moment to shine. 625 00:33:36,480 --> 00:33:39,160 Speaker 1: And look, it's not about shot distribution, like, hey, if 626 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:43,000 Speaker 1: they're open, take and make those shots. But clearly James 627 00:33:43,080 --> 00:33:46,640 Speaker 1: Harden wasn't playing at the level of aggressiveness that they 628 00:33:46,680 --> 00:33:48,560 Speaker 1: need him to play for them, you know, to make 629 00:33:48,600 --> 00:33:52,240 Speaker 1: a championship roun all right, from one malcontent to another. 630 00:33:52,960 --> 00:33:55,360 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving and the report in the New York Daily 631 00:33:55,360 --> 00:33:58,560 Speaker 1: News claims that they're not going to extend him. I mean, Mark, 632 00:33:58,960 --> 00:34:02,719 Speaker 1: what odds would you need to bet on Kyrie Irving 633 00:34:02,800 --> 00:34:05,120 Speaker 1: just saying, you know what, screw all of this, screw 634 00:34:05,240 --> 00:34:07,520 Speaker 1: all of you. I don't like you, guys. I don't 635 00:34:07,560 --> 00:34:10,040 Speaker 1: like anyone in the league. I don't like basketball. I'm 636 00:34:10,080 --> 00:34:13,760 Speaker 1: just gonna go be a vagabond. I'm retiring. What would 637 00:34:13,760 --> 00:34:15,560 Speaker 1: you say if if I told you, you know, I 638 00:34:15,840 --> 00:34:19,719 Speaker 1: give you fifty to one Kyrie Irving retires this offseason, 639 00:34:19,760 --> 00:34:24,160 Speaker 1: any shot. I don't think he retires this offseason. Thankfully, 640 00:34:24,160 --> 00:34:26,799 Speaker 1: I don't have to place money on this bet, even 641 00:34:26,840 --> 00:34:31,400 Speaker 1: if it's odds, because look, Kyrie Irving, his slogan is 642 00:34:31,440 --> 00:34:34,640 Speaker 1: being unpredicted, so you never rule anything out. But I 643 00:34:34,680 --> 00:34:38,640 Speaker 1: don't think that he's gonna retire, But I also want 644 00:34:38,640 --> 00:34:41,359 Speaker 1: to be surprised that there's more issues that come up 645 00:34:41,760 --> 00:34:45,600 Speaker 1: that effect is availability. I mean, look the whole idea 646 00:34:45,600 --> 00:34:49,600 Speaker 1: of the vaccine mandate. UH. To some degree, that concern 647 00:34:49,800 --> 00:34:52,839 Speaker 1: is now a non issue when it pertains to basketball 648 00:34:52,920 --> 00:34:56,760 Speaker 1: and Kyrie Irving's status for next season. But even before 649 00:34:56,920 --> 00:34:59,960 Speaker 1: last season when that was an issue, there were questions 650 00:35:00,080 --> 00:35:03,080 Speaker 1: about his availability in previous years where he would take 651 00:35:03,120 --> 00:35:06,239 Speaker 1: time off without much forewarning to the team, and you know, 652 00:35:06,600 --> 00:35:12,080 Speaker 1: he would cite mental health and look like, I think 653 00:35:12,080 --> 00:35:15,840 Speaker 1: that's that issue needs to be taken seriously. But I 654 00:35:15,880 --> 00:35:18,120 Speaker 1: think at the same time, when it pertains to Kyrie, 655 00:35:18,160 --> 00:35:21,640 Speaker 1: there needs to be some professional courtesy where you know, 656 00:35:21,719 --> 00:35:25,520 Speaker 1: the people in leadership positions I Sean Mark, Steve Nash 657 00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:28,040 Speaker 1: are given a lot more heads up about it. And 658 00:35:28,080 --> 00:35:31,080 Speaker 1: I can't help but feel cynical as it pertains to Kyrie, 659 00:35:32,520 --> 00:35:35,560 Speaker 1: to what degree is it really about that issue, because 660 00:35:35,719 --> 00:35:39,640 Speaker 1: you know, he has shown not good leadership traits and 661 00:35:39,680 --> 00:35:42,400 Speaker 1: the problem is he's an incredible player. He's one of 662 00:35:42,440 --> 00:35:44,760 Speaker 1: the best players in the league and in the modern 663 00:35:45,120 --> 00:35:49,080 Speaker 1: especially in the modern NBA, you live with superstar headaches 664 00:35:49,120 --> 00:35:52,359 Speaker 1: because for the most part, they're worth the headache because 665 00:35:52,400 --> 00:35:56,200 Speaker 1: of their performance. But I think his leadership qualities are 666 00:35:56,320 --> 00:36:00,200 Speaker 1: so bad that it's almost got to the point where 667 00:36:00,280 --> 00:36:02,560 Speaker 1: it's not worth that, you know, I don't think it's 668 00:36:02,600 --> 00:36:07,520 Speaker 1: worth it to the point that the that's needed trade 669 00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:10,399 Speaker 1: Kyrie because they also have to keep in mind, well 670 00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:12,600 Speaker 1: he has an eye ally in his corn and Kevin Durant. 671 00:36:12,840 --> 00:36:16,480 Speaker 1: But I think it is concerning enough that I understand 672 00:36:16,520 --> 00:36:19,800 Speaker 1: why they're hedging about giving him a long term extension. 673 00:36:19,800 --> 00:36:21,279 Speaker 1: I don't think they should do that. I think that 674 00:36:21,360 --> 00:36:25,040 Speaker 1: they need to, you know, use this upcoming season as 675 00:36:25,040 --> 00:36:29,880 Speaker 1: the final ultimatum for him. Okay, let's see what you're about. 676 00:36:30,360 --> 00:36:33,239 Speaker 1: Here's your time to prove that you can finally lift 677 00:36:33,280 --> 00:36:37,440 Speaker 1: this team to become a championship contender. Um, this is 678 00:36:37,480 --> 00:36:39,840 Speaker 1: your last chance to do it. I would. I wonder 679 00:36:39,840 --> 00:36:43,000 Speaker 1: how he's going to react to an ultimatum Kyrie. Well, 680 00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:45,520 Speaker 1: they don't have to say. They don't have to announce 681 00:36:45,560 --> 00:36:47,759 Speaker 1: like I'm announcing this is the ultimatum. But look like 682 00:36:47,880 --> 00:36:50,080 Speaker 1: you can read the tea leaves, you connect the dots 683 00:36:50,400 --> 00:36:52,879 Speaker 1: they're not giving him then extension this is they're not 684 00:36:53,320 --> 00:36:56,480 Speaker 1: so subtle way of announcing this without, you know, using 685 00:36:56,480 --> 00:37:00,560 Speaker 1: a board. We'll wrap up with this, Mark, where is 686 00:37:00,640 --> 00:37:03,359 Speaker 1: Russell Westbrook playing next season in the NBA? And what 687 00:37:03,360 --> 00:37:09,920 Speaker 1: did the Lakers get for him? Yeah, that's another unpredictable question. Um, 688 00:37:10,000 --> 00:37:13,200 Speaker 1: what should happen is the Lakers trade him regardless of 689 00:37:13,239 --> 00:37:15,920 Speaker 1: what it takes, or part ways with them. Now wait, wait, wait, 690 00:37:15,920 --> 00:37:18,400 Speaker 1: wait you said regardless. Wait hold on, Mark, there's a 691 00:37:18,480 --> 00:37:22,520 Speaker 1: report that teams are demanding at least one future first. 692 00:37:23,600 --> 00:37:27,000 Speaker 1: Would you go to if if need be? Yeah, I 693 00:37:27,040 --> 00:37:29,279 Speaker 1: think it's that dire. And here here's the thing. I 694 00:37:29,280 --> 00:37:32,040 Speaker 1: don't think that the Lakers are at that point. I 695 00:37:32,080 --> 00:37:34,680 Speaker 1: think that, certainly, if they find a willing trading partner 696 00:37:34,800 --> 00:37:38,000 Speaker 1: and they're able to get you a decent package, it's 697 00:37:38,000 --> 00:37:41,120 Speaker 1: certainly entertained that. If they're able to convince Russell Westbrook 698 00:37:41,360 --> 00:37:43,640 Speaker 1: to a buyout, that certainly entertained that. But I think 699 00:37:43,640 --> 00:37:46,600 Speaker 1: that there's gonna be obstacles on both of those fronts 700 00:37:46,640 --> 00:37:50,120 Speaker 1: that the Lakers I think are resigning themselves to the 701 00:37:50,120 --> 00:37:53,480 Speaker 1: possibility of, Hey, let's we'll have to run it back 702 00:37:53,520 --> 00:37:55,239 Speaker 1: with Westbrook, and let's try to make the best of 703 00:37:55,280 --> 00:37:58,680 Speaker 1: the circumstances with the hope that, hey, in theory, they'll 704 00:37:58,680 --> 00:38:01,080 Speaker 1: have more than twenty one game for us to play 705 00:38:01,080 --> 00:38:04,040 Speaker 1: with Lebron James Anthony Davis a new coach, maybe they 706 00:38:04,040 --> 00:38:05,600 Speaker 1: can bring out the best of him. But I think 707 00:38:05,600 --> 00:38:09,759 Speaker 1: that's wishful thinking for a multitude of reasons. One well, 708 00:38:09,800 --> 00:38:13,800 Speaker 1: I do think that it's reasonable to expect that Russ 709 00:38:13,840 --> 00:38:15,880 Speaker 1: will have more than twenty one games to play with 710 00:38:15,960 --> 00:38:18,560 Speaker 1: Lebron and a D. I don't think that problem is 711 00:38:18,560 --> 00:38:21,400 Speaker 1: gonna ever completely vanished. Because Lebron's can be entering his 712 00:38:21,440 --> 00:38:24,760 Speaker 1: twentieth season as struggled to be healthy. There is gonna 713 00:38:24,760 --> 00:38:27,440 Speaker 1: be this element of Russ having to play with and 714 00:38:27,560 --> 00:38:31,200 Speaker 1: without those guys, or any combination of that. Number two. Yes, 715 00:38:31,239 --> 00:38:34,239 Speaker 1: the new head coach, I'm sure that if Russ is 716 00:38:34,239 --> 00:38:35,759 Speaker 1: still on the team, they'll try to do what they 717 00:38:35,840 --> 00:38:37,960 Speaker 1: can to tap into him. But you know what, for 718 00:38:38,080 --> 00:38:40,719 Speaker 1: whatever Frank vog will show with his limitations with his 719 00:38:40,800 --> 00:38:46,240 Speaker 1: offensive savv nous or adjustments with with exception of having 720 00:38:46,360 --> 00:38:50,840 Speaker 1: him start as a reserve, they taped to every possibility 721 00:38:50,880 --> 00:38:54,279 Speaker 1: the last season of playing on and off the ball 722 00:38:54,360 --> 00:38:57,960 Speaker 1: being number one, number two, number three option, trusting him 723 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:00,319 Speaker 1: to close out games even if he's not playing it well, 724 00:39:00,560 --> 00:39:03,160 Speaker 1: sitting him when he's not playing well. They spun the 725 00:39:03,160 --> 00:39:06,640 Speaker 1: wheel on every possibility. Uh. And then the third thing 726 00:39:07,080 --> 00:39:11,240 Speaker 1: is that because of Russ's contract last year, that really 727 00:39:11,280 --> 00:39:14,200 Speaker 1: put the war the Lakers in a tough position of 728 00:39:15,239 --> 00:39:17,480 Speaker 1: really filling out the rest of the roster and they 729 00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:20,520 Speaker 1: had to be on betteran minimum steals. And while I 730 00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:25,200 Speaker 1: think in theory they did address their shooting and defending needs, 731 00:39:25,239 --> 00:39:28,960 Speaker 1: the reality is that it was a veteran laden roster 732 00:39:29,239 --> 00:39:31,759 Speaker 1: that was prone to injuries, and the guys that were 733 00:39:31,800 --> 00:39:35,799 Speaker 1: quote unquote good defenders I e. And Dwight Howard or 734 00:39:35,920 --> 00:39:39,680 Speaker 1: DeAndre Jordan their best days were behind them. Getting guys 735 00:39:39,719 --> 00:39:42,760 Speaker 1: that are quote unquote good shooters I e. O. Wayne 736 00:39:42,760 --> 00:39:47,359 Speaker 1: Ellington or Trevor Reza their best days were behind them. So, um, 737 00:39:47,400 --> 00:39:49,560 Speaker 1: if they're going to keep ross with exception of their 738 00:39:49,560 --> 00:39:53,160 Speaker 1: mid level exception, they're gonna have to convince guys to 739 00:39:53,239 --> 00:39:55,360 Speaker 1: sign up on veterans minimum deals. And that's going to 740 00:39:55,400 --> 00:39:59,600 Speaker 1: be even more challenging this season because I don't think 741 00:39:59,640 --> 00:40:02,799 Speaker 1: that they and sell this idea that hey world championship 742 00:40:02,880 --> 00:40:05,839 Speaker 1: roster after going through a season where they can even 743 00:40:05,880 --> 00:40:08,480 Speaker 1: make the play in to him. So with all that 744 00:40:08,560 --> 00:40:10,200 Speaker 1: they got to cut their losses, it's not going to 745 00:40:10,280 --> 00:40:13,000 Speaker 1: be an even trade. But if nothing else, they can 746 00:40:13,000 --> 00:40:15,680 Speaker 1: at least get some role players that can fulfill some 747 00:40:15,719 --> 00:40:19,360 Speaker 1: positional needs that aren't veteran minimum contracts number one and 748 00:40:19,440 --> 00:40:23,840 Speaker 1: number two. They're going to remove the toxic, toxic environment 749 00:40:23,960 --> 00:40:26,719 Speaker 1: that will be there with Russell Westbrook. And I don't 750 00:40:26,719 --> 00:40:29,759 Speaker 1: want to say, like, you know, Russell Westbrook is this 751 00:40:29,960 --> 00:40:34,160 Speaker 1: toxic person, Like I think that he is a competitive 752 00:40:34,200 --> 00:40:36,919 Speaker 1: guy and he's bringing forth his best effort. But let's 753 00:40:36,920 --> 00:40:39,640 Speaker 1: just call space a space we saw last year. He's 754 00:40:39,680 --> 00:40:41,719 Speaker 1: not going to adjust his game, and I don't think 755 00:40:41,760 --> 00:40:45,480 Speaker 1: that he's gonna make any adjustments moving forward. If anything, 756 00:40:45,920 --> 00:40:48,480 Speaker 1: I think he's gonna feel more emboldened to be his 757 00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:51,240 Speaker 1: to be his own self because there's a new coach 758 00:40:51,280 --> 00:40:54,320 Speaker 1: in town. I like your idea of, you know, the 759 00:40:54,400 --> 00:40:57,239 Speaker 1: Lakers filling out the roster with like minimum guys role players. 760 00:40:57,280 --> 00:41:00,400 Speaker 1: The problem, Mark is there's a lot of company titian 761 00:41:00,520 --> 00:41:02,920 Speaker 1: for those guys this year. Right if you're the Milwaukee Bucks, 762 00:41:03,160 --> 00:41:04,759 Speaker 1: you need to find some of those guys. If you're 763 00:41:04,800 --> 00:41:06,800 Speaker 1: the Sons, you probably don't need to find some of this. 764 00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:09,480 Speaker 1: I mean, I don't want to go overboard here, but 765 00:41:09,520 --> 00:41:12,400 Speaker 1: I think the Clippers right now, with a healthy Kauai 766 00:41:12,440 --> 00:41:14,080 Speaker 1: and a healthy Paul George, are going to be better 767 00:41:14,080 --> 00:41:18,200 Speaker 1: than the Lakers. And you get the Lakers, uh, you 768 00:41:18,239 --> 00:41:20,480 Speaker 1: know all the trappings of being a Laker, but you 769 00:41:20,560 --> 00:41:24,839 Speaker 1: just played for the Clippers. I think the Clippers might 770 00:41:24,880 --> 00:41:27,759 Speaker 1: be more attractive to some of these role playing free agents. Yeah, 771 00:41:27,840 --> 00:41:31,040 Speaker 1: without a doubt. And look, you know again, without exception 772 00:41:31,080 --> 00:41:35,920 Speaker 1: to that pyramid level exception in theory, this potential Russell 773 00:41:35,960 --> 00:41:39,360 Speaker 1: Westbrook trade is really the only way for the Lakers 774 00:41:39,400 --> 00:41:42,920 Speaker 1: to build a roster. They don't have a draft cook Um. 775 00:41:43,239 --> 00:41:48,400 Speaker 1: And again, this idea of selling guys on better minimum steals, 776 00:41:48,440 --> 00:41:50,880 Speaker 1: it's going to be even more challenging because of last 777 00:41:50,880 --> 00:41:54,040 Speaker 1: season's disaster. Um. And then the other thing, I know, 778 00:41:54,120 --> 00:41:56,719 Speaker 1: this whole idea, well, you you don't want to try 779 00:41:56,719 --> 00:41:59,480 Speaker 1: to undo a bad deal by accepting another bad deal, 780 00:41:59,520 --> 00:42:02,000 Speaker 1: and you don't want mortgage the future. You know what 781 00:42:02,200 --> 00:42:03,839 Speaker 1: I think, At the end of the day, as long 782 00:42:03,840 --> 00:42:06,360 Speaker 1: as you have Lebron James on your team, you always 783 00:42:06,400 --> 00:42:11,359 Speaker 1: have a chance, right, And he's unlike the years with 784 00:42:11,440 --> 00:42:15,760 Speaker 1: Kobe Bryant, where you know he's overcoming a season ending injury. 785 00:42:16,120 --> 00:42:18,520 Speaker 1: I know that Lebron is dealing with his own injuries 786 00:42:18,560 --> 00:42:21,839 Speaker 1: and he's thirty seven and he's in his can enter 787 00:42:21,880 --> 00:42:24,800 Speaker 1: his twentieth season. But when he's been on the floor 788 00:42:25,120 --> 00:42:27,719 Speaker 1: these last few years, he's been the Lebron James of 789 00:42:27,800 --> 00:42:30,800 Speaker 1: his prime. And so I think with that, the Lakers 790 00:42:30,840 --> 00:42:33,160 Speaker 1: need to have the mindset of, you know what we're 791 00:42:33,200 --> 00:42:35,400 Speaker 1: going on, We're still going to go in with this 792 00:42:35,480 --> 00:42:39,160 Speaker 1: championship window and not worry about the future, because you 793 00:42:39,200 --> 00:42:42,880 Speaker 1: know what the future it's gonna be when Lebron James 794 00:42:42,960 --> 00:42:45,360 Speaker 1: is not on the team anymore, and that's when we 795 00:42:45,400 --> 00:42:49,400 Speaker 1: can build the rebuilding the rebuilding process. This idea of 796 00:42:50,040 --> 00:42:53,399 Speaker 1: not wanting to mortgage the future, and that already went 797 00:42:53,440 --> 00:42:55,959 Speaker 1: away once you got Lebron James on the table, once 798 00:42:56,040 --> 00:42:58,919 Speaker 1: you went in on anti tables. So that whole idea 799 00:42:58,960 --> 00:43:01,800 Speaker 1: about we don't want to give up draft pick again. 800 00:43:01,880 --> 00:43:04,919 Speaker 1: You want to make the right deal, But this idea 801 00:43:04,960 --> 00:43:06,759 Speaker 1: of all we want to hold onto the draft pick, 802 00:43:06,840 --> 00:43:09,120 Speaker 1: I think it's just fool. Do you think I'll wrap 803 00:43:09,200 --> 00:43:11,279 Speaker 1: up with this. Do you think there's any shot at 804 00:43:11,280 --> 00:43:15,160 Speaker 1: all that they go to Portland and say, listen, Russ 805 00:43:16,040 --> 00:43:18,799 Speaker 1: for Dame will attach to draft picks. I know that 806 00:43:18,840 --> 00:43:20,600 Speaker 1: you're not gonna like that Portland fans. I'll come on, 807 00:43:20,640 --> 00:43:22,920 Speaker 1: what do we want with Russell Westbrook? He's an expiring 808 00:43:22,960 --> 00:43:26,120 Speaker 1: contract right after one season. You have Simon's who you 809 00:43:26,200 --> 00:43:28,880 Speaker 1: gotta pay a ton to, and you get two future 810 00:43:28,960 --> 00:43:31,799 Speaker 1: Laker picks. I know it's in the conference, it's on 811 00:43:31,840 --> 00:43:34,799 Speaker 1: the same coast. It's probably a tough sell to lose 812 00:43:34,880 --> 00:43:38,600 Speaker 1: Dame to the Lakers. But if I'm Dame, I say, geez, 813 00:43:38,600 --> 00:43:42,759 Speaker 1: you know I've got the rap stuff. I can move Sneakers. Boy, 814 00:43:42,800 --> 00:43:45,880 Speaker 1: if I bring that to l A and I'm with 815 00:43:45,920 --> 00:43:48,279 Speaker 1: a d in the and Lebron, I don't know. Is 816 00:43:48,320 --> 00:43:50,960 Speaker 1: there any chance Portland bites on something like that. I 817 00:43:50,960 --> 00:43:53,200 Speaker 1: don't think there's any chance. I mean, look, the Lakers 818 00:43:53,200 --> 00:43:55,040 Speaker 1: will love to pull that deal, but I don't think 819 00:43:55,320 --> 00:43:58,640 Speaker 1: Joe Crowdon with the Blazers front office would do that. 820 00:43:58,960 --> 00:44:01,600 Speaker 1: They want your first move right, they want to build 821 00:44:01,640 --> 00:44:04,239 Speaker 1: around the roster, and I think that they're just they're 822 00:44:04,280 --> 00:44:06,120 Speaker 1: holding hope that you know, look, they're gonna have a 823 00:44:06,200 --> 00:44:09,359 Speaker 1: number seven draft pick. Um. You know, they already made 824 00:44:09,440 --> 00:44:12,000 Speaker 1: some moves last trade that a line with Trade and C. J. 825 00:44:12,160 --> 00:44:15,600 Speaker 1: McCollum that are giving the mass sets to build better 826 00:44:15,640 --> 00:44:18,319 Speaker 1: players around Damian Lower. But there I don't think that 827 00:44:18,360 --> 00:44:21,360 Speaker 1: they're gonna, you know, entertain this idea of you know, 828 00:44:21,360 --> 00:44:24,160 Speaker 1: while we're better off having Russell Westbrook and well not 829 00:44:24,239 --> 00:44:26,239 Speaker 1: better Okay, so sorry, I know people are gonna laugh 830 00:44:26,239 --> 00:44:29,440 Speaker 1: at that, but better off Mark bottoming out Right, the 831 00:44:29,480 --> 00:44:32,480 Speaker 1: seventh pick is good, but history says like that's not 832 00:44:32,600 --> 00:44:34,880 Speaker 1: like a fertile ground for incredible players. You need to 833 00:44:34,880 --> 00:44:37,840 Speaker 1: be top three to get a superstar. And with Dame 834 00:44:37,960 --> 00:44:39,840 Speaker 1: and Simmons, next year they're gonna be, you know, a 835 00:44:39,880 --> 00:44:43,040 Speaker 1: non playoff team, and drafting right seven to twelve or something. 836 00:44:43,480 --> 00:44:46,040 Speaker 1: You lose Dame and you bought them out, you're looking 837 00:44:46,080 --> 00:44:49,479 Speaker 1: at the top three pick the following year, right, yeah, yeah, 838 00:44:49,480 --> 00:44:51,520 Speaker 1: and two future for first of the Lakers. I'm just 839 00:44:51,520 --> 00:44:54,160 Speaker 1: saying that middle ground, as you know, Mark, you get 840 00:44:54,239 --> 00:44:56,279 Speaker 1: caught on that on that hamster wheel in the middle, 841 00:44:56,280 --> 00:45:00,520 Speaker 1: and you're just never gonna be great. I just I sense, 842 00:45:00,680 --> 00:45:03,200 Speaker 1: you know, talking to Joe before the trade deadline, is 843 00:45:03,239 --> 00:45:05,239 Speaker 1: that this idea that they were going to want to 844 00:45:05,560 --> 00:45:08,359 Speaker 1: just start over and tear everything down from scratch. There 845 00:45:08,880 --> 00:45:11,319 Speaker 1: they're not of that mindset. And look, there are some 846 00:45:11,440 --> 00:45:16,000 Speaker 1: criticisms of that thought. You know, these last few years 847 00:45:16,120 --> 00:45:19,279 Speaker 1: of you know, maybe they ran the Dame C J 848 00:45:19,480 --> 00:45:22,680 Speaker 1: partnership too long because they didn't want to start over 849 00:45:22,719 --> 00:45:25,600 Speaker 1: from scratch. They were still leaning on this idea of hey, 850 00:45:25,719 --> 00:45:28,120 Speaker 1: we're still making the playoffs at least, even if we're 851 00:45:28,160 --> 00:45:30,960 Speaker 1: gaining a lot of early playoffects. It's we pride ourselves 852 00:45:31,000 --> 00:45:34,200 Speaker 1: that we're a small market team that's competitive. There is 853 00:45:34,280 --> 00:45:37,320 Speaker 1: some gray area, but I don't I would be very surprised. 854 00:45:37,320 --> 00:45:39,520 Speaker 1: Whether it's not even just about roughs. I think it's 855 00:45:39,560 --> 00:45:42,839 Speaker 1: even in general. I would be very surprised if Part 856 00:45:42,880 --> 00:45:45,439 Speaker 1: one were to ever trade Damian. If I worked for 857 00:45:45,560 --> 00:45:48,200 Speaker 1: Joe in Portland and I was one of his lieutenants 858 00:45:48,239 --> 00:45:51,839 Speaker 1: trying to sell him, you know, Joe. If you if 859 00:45:51,840 --> 00:45:53,680 Speaker 1: you look at the Atlanta Hawks, they were like a 860 00:45:53,719 --> 00:45:56,359 Speaker 1: sixty win team with Boutenholzer. That was great. We had 861 00:45:56,400 --> 00:45:58,760 Speaker 1: some chances, and you know what we did. We toured 862 00:45:58,840 --> 00:46:01,799 Speaker 1: all down and then we went and bottomed out and 863 00:46:01,840 --> 00:46:04,359 Speaker 1: we were terrible, and we got Trey Young and then 864 00:46:04,400 --> 00:46:06,759 Speaker 1: we were in the playoffs. Uh, and we were in 865 00:46:06,840 --> 00:46:09,520 Speaker 1: the play in we made the conference finals, I think 866 00:46:09,560 --> 00:46:11,520 Speaker 1: two years ago. Right with Trey Young. We're exciting. We 867 00:46:11,600 --> 00:46:13,560 Speaker 1: got a full arena. You have to get bad and 868 00:46:13,560 --> 00:46:16,160 Speaker 1: get a superstar. I don't think you get that at seven. 869 00:46:16,239 --> 00:46:18,359 Speaker 1: But anyways, all right, Mark, we kept you too long. 870 00:46:18,680 --> 00:46:22,200 Speaker 1: He is Mark Medina NBA dot com working with Fox 871 00:46:22,280 --> 00:46:24,839 Speaker 1: during the NBA playoffs. Mark, keep up the good work man. 872 00:46:25,000 --> 00:46:27,160 Speaker 1: Thanks a lot. Hey, Jason, thanks so much for the 873 00:46:27,200 --> 00:46:29,520 Speaker 1: kind words. And it's fun to talk Cooper sack Down 874 00:46:29,560 --> 00:46:29,799 Speaker 1: with you.