1 00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:04,240 Speaker 1: A court side view of what's happening in the roller 2 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:09,800 Speaker 1: coaster Clippers Mavericks series. We've got to talk injuries as well, 3 00:00:09,840 --> 00:00:12,879 Speaker 1: because there are so many around the league. We talk 4 00:00:12,960 --> 00:00:18,280 Speaker 1: about some coaching situations as well, Doc Rivers, Darvin Ham, 5 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:22,920 Speaker 1: Frank Vogel, and we even mix in some pseudo live 6 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 1: reaction to the Phoenix Suns being swept out of the playoffs. 7 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: All that's next on the latest edition of This League Uncut. 8 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to This League Uncut. 9 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 2: In the rule of. 10 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: Twenty four hour NBA. 11 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:42,880 Speaker 3: News, this's you love, Chris Hans, It's time, work's time. 12 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 1: It's so time. This League Uncut is underway and on fire. 13 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 2: This should be a good one. 14 00:00:56,880 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: Hey, everyone, welcome in to the latest edition This League Uncut. 15 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:08,040 Speaker 1: It's a playoff Sunday night. It feels like hours upon 16 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 1: hours of drama, hardwood drama stacked on top of each other. Today, 17 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:21,920 Speaker 1: let's be honest. This first round league wide has been 18 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 1: short on drama and racked by way too many injuries. 19 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: But the first two games, especially today, the Knicks victory 20 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:42,559 Speaker 1: in Philadelphia, the Clippers winning in Dallas without Kawhi Leonard, 21 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 1: that was a roller coaster. I was there. But let 22 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 1: me bring in my co host who's in Miami. He's 23 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:52,080 Speaker 1: getting ready to work the sidelines for TNT Monday Night, 24 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:58,560 Speaker 1: Game four of the Heat Celtic Series, Chris Haynes, Happy 25 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 1: Sunday to you. Unfortunately got even more injury news today, 26 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: more injury developments that have just dominated proceedings here in 27 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:11,840 Speaker 1: Round one. But we also did get some pretty great basketball, 28 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 1: and as we're recording this, Phoenix is trying to keep 29 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 1: its season going. Minnesota and Phoenix locked in a close 30 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:24,359 Speaker 1: game halfway through the third quarter, with the Wolves already 31 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 1: up three to zero in that series, so we'll probably 32 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:29,639 Speaker 1: have a result there by the time we wrap this 33 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: thing up. But man, wild Sunday in your league, what's 34 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:33,639 Speaker 1: going on? 35 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:40,160 Speaker 2: Yeh's crazy? I mean injuries galore, which is, you know, 36 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 2: it's tainting this first round a tad bit, I mean 37 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:45,360 Speaker 2: the series with that. You know that you've been at 38 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:50,800 Speaker 2: thus far to Clippers and MAVs, Kawhi Leonard Tough, tough, 39 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:57,359 Speaker 2: blow Bunks, Pacers, Jannis Dame tough right there, Joel and 40 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 2: b with the Sixers just not being his full self 41 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,079 Speaker 2: and you know it's been it's been tough. Jimmy Butler, 42 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:07,959 Speaker 2: the series I'm doing, Jimmy Butler being out. You know 43 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:10,440 Speaker 2: this is you don't want to see this at this point, 44 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:12,919 Speaker 2: but uh, but let's let's talk about the Clippers in 45 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:15,480 Speaker 2: math since you're since you're out there, like with the 46 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 2: news of Kawhi Leonard taking some time off to try 47 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:24,520 Speaker 2: he the word is he will not be back until 48 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 2: he's feeling right. What are you hearing out there? And 49 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 2: what is that? What is that series been like? Just 50 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 2: to see the just to see the roller coaster. 51 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 1: That has been Yeah, honestly, today was wild. A couple 52 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 1: hours before tip off, we had Clippers President of Basketball 53 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 1: Operations Lawrence Frank, came out and said that Kawhi was 54 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 1: being ruled out of Game four and more ominously, there's 55 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: no timetable for when he's going to come back. And 56 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 1: then what happens. The Clippers jump out to a thirty 57 00:03:56,760 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: nine to sixteen opening quarter, just a re ridiculously good. 58 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 1: The Clippers were great in Game one at home without 59 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: Kawhi Leonard, but they were next level in the first 60 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 1: quarter to start here in Dallas, just had the three 61 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 1: ball working. They were playing at a faster pace without Kawhi. 62 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 1: The Clips ultimately stretched that lead all the way to 63 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 1: thirty one points on Dallas's floor, and look, the Mavericks 64 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 1: were able to come all the way back. They took 65 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:29,920 Speaker 1: a one oh five one oh four lead late on 66 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: a Kyrie Irving layup that if you haven't seen it yet, 67 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 1: I mean, honestly, if you're listening to this podcast, I'm 68 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:40,240 Speaker 1: guessing there's no way you haven't seen it, because it 69 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 1: was absolutely ridiculous how long Kyrie hung in the air 70 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 1: and found a way to scoop one in underneath three 71 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 1: very tall defenders who were trying to keep him away 72 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 1: from the rim. It looked like the MAVs were going 73 00:04:56,200 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 1: to pull off a comeback for the Ages, looked like 74 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:05,240 Speaker 1: the Clippers were going to suffer a meltdown for the Ages, 75 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 1: and then in crunch time the Clippers took over. So 76 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: it was really like Dallas lost this game twice. It 77 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: really ended up being just a dagger defeat for the 78 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:20,680 Speaker 1: Mavericks because it looked like they were going to take 79 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 1: a three to one series lead, looked like they were 80 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:31,279 Speaker 1: going to complete this unbelievable escape after looking so bad 81 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: in the first half, and for the second time in 82 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:37,480 Speaker 1: this series, not responding to the fact that Kawhi Leonard 83 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:44,040 Speaker 1: wasn't out there, and James Harden found another gear in 84 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 1: the fourth quarter in crunch time, much like we saw 85 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 1: in the first half of Game one, Paul George hit 86 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:54,839 Speaker 1: a ridiculous fallaway three in the corner. To that point, 87 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: Paul George only had two points in the second half, 88 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:02,720 Speaker 1: and the Mavericks and their coach Jason Kidd in the 89 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 1: immediate aftermath of the loss, facing a lot of questions, 90 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:13,280 Speaker 1: a lot of criticism for not switching to a bigger 91 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 1: lineup late. As James Harden started finding the range with 92 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 1: his floater. This was crazy. I didn't realize this. Harden 93 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:24,960 Speaker 1: shot sub thirty percent during the season on his floaters, 94 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 1: which hard to believe today because he made five in 95 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 1: the fourth quarter and really looked like he could get 96 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:37,280 Speaker 1: just about anywhere he wanted to. It was a turn 97 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:41,600 Speaker 1: back the clock performance from Harden, and that's now twice 98 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 1: in this series that the Southern California native. He's in 99 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 1: his first playoff run with the Clippers and has just 100 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 1: been sensational. Both Clipper wins in this series without Kawhi Leonard. 101 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 1: Both Clipper wins feature huge games from Harden, who has 102 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 1: absorbed plenty of critics himself when you dig into his 103 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 1: playoff resume. So look, I think Dallas has to be 104 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:13,679 Speaker 1: incredibly disappointed that they've lost twice in this series without 105 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:18,080 Speaker 1: Kawhi Leonard. On the other side, there's no indication if 106 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 1: Kawhi Leonard can even get back on the floor in 107 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 1: this series. As well as the Clippers have played without him, 108 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: I would imagine, I don't think they want to rush 109 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 1: him back right now. They're playing frankly better without him 110 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 1: because of the state of Kawhi Leonard's health, and if 111 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: you saw him in Games two and three, he didn't 112 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 1: look remotely like the Kawhi Leonard that everyone has come 113 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 1: to expect in the postseason. But you know, we talk 114 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:53,200 Speaker 1: about injuries, and there are so many to get to with. 115 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:56,280 Speaker 1: You know, the Bucks now losing Damian Lillard on top 116 00:07:56,320 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 1: of Gianna Santitokumpo, Jimmy Butler in your series, Joel Embiid 117 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:04,080 Speaker 1: playing hurt in that series, and we can go on 118 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 1: and on and on. No Zion Williamson of course in 119 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:11,720 Speaker 1: the OKC New Orleans series, But in Dallas, Luka Doncic 120 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 1: is playing hurt right now. That is painfully obvious when 121 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:19,679 Speaker 1: you watch the Mavericks play and Luka Doncic is shooting 122 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 1: sub forty percent in this series. And after all the 123 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: praise that Luca got for his defense in Game two, 124 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 1: which was probably the best most impactful single game defensive 125 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: effort of his career, today his movement was so labored. 126 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 1: The Clippers were targeting him and rightfully so. And I mean, 127 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:47,120 Speaker 1: he is ailing. He is nowhere close to where he 128 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:50,800 Speaker 1: should be. It's the playoffs, So just like Embiid and Philly, 129 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 1: Luca's going to try to gut it out. But I 130 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 1: mean it's yet another injury headline in this postseason that 131 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:00,680 Speaker 1: has more than we can count. 132 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 2: I think as far as the Clippers, with Kawhi Leonard 133 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 2: and his injury, I think it bodes well for the 134 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 2: Clippers in the short term, the fact that now they 135 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 2: know the guys that's going to be there at least 136 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 2: for this series, and so they can focus in on that, 137 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 2: they can try to build off of that. And as 138 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 2: you you know, as you as you already stated, they 139 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:29,599 Speaker 2: won both games already without Kawhi, so you know, I 140 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:32,199 Speaker 2: think this is something I think this is more of 141 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,800 Speaker 2: a relief for the Clippers not having to worry if 142 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 2: Kawhi is going to be in the in the lineup 143 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 2: this game, out the line next game. Like that, uncertainty 144 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:44,560 Speaker 2: is out the picture now now they can just focus 145 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:48,199 Speaker 2: on playing and being a team. And so that this 146 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:52,400 Speaker 2: series is very much alive, which you know, I want 147 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 2: to see a nice compelling series. And you know, the 148 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:58,199 Speaker 2: drama is still there, the intrigue is still there. Hopefully 149 00:09:58,360 --> 00:10:00,719 Speaker 2: Luca continue to play at a higher left. I know 150 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:05,079 Speaker 2: he's laboring, you know, obviously everyone could see it, you know, 151 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 2: but this is still very much a compelling series. You 152 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:12,080 Speaker 2: don't know, you don't know who has the momentum right 153 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 2: now or who's going to keep the momentum, I should say. 154 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 2: So you know this, this thing, this thing is far 155 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 2: from over, which is good, which is which is more 156 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 2: than I can say from say, for a couple of 157 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:27,079 Speaker 2: these other series out there. 158 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, look, every other series in the West got to 159 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 1: three to zero, so we need at least one series 160 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 1: in the West to deliver. And yeah, I mean it 161 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 1: is remarkably this series has been pitched back to toss 162 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:49,680 Speaker 1: up status. And again I think the Mavericks, though, they're 163 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:52,360 Speaker 1: going to have to really pull together and steal themselves 164 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 1: because to get two shots at the Clippers with no 165 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:02,480 Speaker 1: Kawhi Leonard and both times just getting routed in the 166 00:11:02,559 --> 00:11:07,320 Speaker 1: first half, you know, just blitzed badly in the first 167 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:11,040 Speaker 1: half of Game one and Game four on their home floor, 168 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 1: especially when you factor in the history that these two 169 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: teams have. Remember it's the third time in the last 170 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:20,439 Speaker 1: five years that these teams have met in the playoffs. 171 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 1: The Clippers, they've only won three playoff series since Kawhi 172 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:29,199 Speaker 1: and Paul George came together, two of them are against 173 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 1: the Mavericks. This is the best team that Luka Doncic 174 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: has ever had around him in his series against the Clippers. 175 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:40,720 Speaker 1: And you know, Luca today postgame, you know, he said 176 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:44,960 Speaker 1: he feels like he's letting Kyrie Irving down, with Kyrie 177 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 1: Irving just playing incredible offensive basketball. And today Kyrie Irving 178 00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 1: willed the Mavericks back into this game with just ridiculous 179 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: shot making, not just the layup, but again that layup 180 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,200 Speaker 1: was an all timer. And look, I think it's health. 181 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: There's just no you know, Luca struggling at the defensive end. Okay, 182 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 1: that's not exactly a new thing, but Luca shooting sub 183 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 1: forty percent from the field. I mean, that just tells 184 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:21,839 Speaker 1: you that something is wrong. And it wasn't even just 185 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 1: the shooting today. Multiple times in this game he drove 186 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:29,240 Speaker 1: to the bucket and got the ball knocked out of 187 00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:32,800 Speaker 1: his hands, basically stripped on a drive that never happens. 188 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:36,959 Speaker 1: Once Luca gets inside, He's just so strong when he 189 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:39,559 Speaker 1: goes to the rim. So it just you can just 190 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 1: see he's not His game is not all there. And 191 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 1: two days off now before Wednesday's Game five back in LA. 192 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:53,679 Speaker 1: But Game six is Friday, a potential Game seven is Sunday. 193 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 1: It's basically every other day to finish the series. Once 194 00:12:57,200 --> 00:13:03,080 Speaker 1: we get to the game five stage, and this really 195 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:06,400 Speaker 1: is the series in the West now that is providing 196 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: all of the drama and what happens from here. Can 197 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:15,079 Speaker 1: the Clippers keep winning without their best players? How will 198 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:25,200 Speaker 1: the Mavericks rebound from an absolutely deflating defeat. And yeah, 199 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:28,440 Speaker 1: I you know, it's going to be fascinating to see 200 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: how Doncic looks Wednesday nights. Again, not just shooting sub 201 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 1: forty percent from the floor, he's shooting not even twenty 202 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 1: seven percent from three point range, and those are just 203 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:43,000 Speaker 1: I mean, that's just way below his typical standard. And 204 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:47,720 Speaker 1: I've watched him enough to know that I really attribute 205 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: a lot of it to the state of his right knee, 206 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 1: because he's just not moving well at all. 207 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 2: Stime, before we shift to another series, let's go off 208 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:03,319 Speaker 2: the court real quick as attains to the Clippers. Do 209 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 2: you think the situations the Clippers are in with Kawhi 210 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 2: having to sideline himself again, they've been down this road before. 211 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 2: There's no extension yet for Paul George. Do you think 212 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 2: that Paul has gained a little bit more leverage now 213 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 2: his extension talks, or do you feel like this this 214 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 2: probably won't play a factor at all. 215 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,040 Speaker 1: I think it's too soon to know the answer to 216 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 1: that question because it too too so much can still 217 00:14:39,680 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 1: happen in this series. But look, there's no question that 218 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: the Clippers future is one of the major subplots here. 219 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:52,400 Speaker 1: Steve Balmer here on the road in Dallas, very visible 220 00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 1: watching pregame intently both of these games. You know, at 221 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 1: Clipper home games, there's places that he can go to 222 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 1: kind of stay out of the public eye. But in Dallas, 223 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:12,320 Speaker 1: Balmer was a very visible presence at these games. Intently 224 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: studying warm ups, and you know, I'm sure he's trying 225 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: to analyze this himself, because, yeah, around the league, there 226 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:25,680 Speaker 1: is tons of curiosity. What will the Clippers do? You know, 227 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: Kawhi Leonard played in sixty eight games this season. It's 228 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: the most we've seen him in the regular season since 229 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: twenty sixteen seventeen, when he was still in San Antonio 230 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: seven years ago. But now a are the Clippers second 231 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: guessing how much Kawhi played during the regular season. Maybe 232 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 1: sixty eight games was too much. And they've already extended 233 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 1: Kawhi Leonard. Remember that day in January, We're out of 234 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: the blue, with no warning, Kawhi gets his extension. Paul George, 235 00:15:57,720 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 1: as you mentioned, does not have his extension. He's eligible 236 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:05,280 Speaker 1: to be extended through June thirtieth. The Clippers need to 237 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:08,640 Speaker 1: come to terms with George before then to keep him 238 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 1: off the free agent market. Where we know the Philadelphia 239 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:16,400 Speaker 1: seventy six Ers, who by the way, are now facing elimination. 240 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 1: The Sixers losing Game four at home, and the Sixers 241 00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:23,880 Speaker 1: are one loss away from their offseason starting. We know 242 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 1: the Sixers will be at the front of the line 243 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:29,480 Speaker 1: to go after Paul George in free agency if the 244 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 1: Clippers don't extend him by June thirtieth, and then James Harden. 245 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: James Harden has really been the driving force in the 246 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:45,280 Speaker 1: Clippers two wins in this series. James Harden not even 247 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 1: eligible for his extension until the summertime. But once June 248 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: thirtieth slash July one hits, now Harden's gonna want an 249 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:57,960 Speaker 1: extension too. So do the Clippers want to run it 250 00:16:58,120 --> 00:17:00,920 Speaker 1: back with this team at two time two in this series? 251 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 1: I think they still need more data to be honest, 252 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:10,440 Speaker 1: because look, there are high stakes and there is considerable 253 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: pressure on both of these franchises. The Mavericks traded away 254 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:20,639 Speaker 1: a ton to get Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington at 255 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 1: the trade deadline. Dallas will not have its first round 256 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:28,320 Speaker 1: pick in this draft because it is the last element 257 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:32,119 Speaker 1: that they must convey to the Knicks to complete the 258 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:36,440 Speaker 1: Christops Porzingis deal from five years ago. At the deadline 259 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:39,520 Speaker 1: in twenty nineteen and then, the Mavericks have also surrendered 260 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:43,360 Speaker 1: control of their first round pick between twenty twenty seven 261 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 1: and twenty thirty, so they need this team to deliver 262 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:54,439 Speaker 1: and advance and live up to the promise they showed 263 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 1: when they went sixteen and two in the second half 264 00:17:58,080 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 1: of the season to get to fifty wins and move 265 00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:04,200 Speaker 1: up to the number five seeds. So whoever loses this series, 266 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:08,240 Speaker 1: like so many teams in the West, is going to 267 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:13,040 Speaker 1: be facing some really tough questions in the offseason. The 268 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:16,639 Speaker 1: MAVs have used most of their trade chips, how can 269 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 1: they improve this team if it goes out in Round one? 270 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:23,720 Speaker 1: And the Clippers, if they go out and round one, 271 00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:28,040 Speaker 1: are gonna have to ask themselves do we re sign 272 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 1: Paul George and James Harden knowing these guys will just 273 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:34,920 Speaker 1: get a year older and this is basically the team 274 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 1: they're gonna roll with. And look Phoenix, Golden State, Sacramento, 275 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 1: the Lakers. All of these teams are facing really hard 276 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 1: offseason questions too. In the West. That's kind of the 277 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:51,879 Speaker 1: status quo for everyone. Any team that loses in the 278 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:55,640 Speaker 1: play in or Round one has some really tough choices 279 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:58,200 Speaker 1: to make. But yeah, I mean, I guess that's my 280 00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:01,440 Speaker 1: long winded way of saying I can't really answer that one. 281 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 1: But I don't think well, I can't answer it to 282 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:10,240 Speaker 1: this degree. I don't think as impressive as this victory 283 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:16,600 Speaker 1: was to save themselves after blowing a thirty one point lead. 284 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 1: I don't think this one victory is going to prompt 285 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:23,359 Speaker 1: the Clippers to make any declarations. They're going to need 286 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:27,040 Speaker 1: to see how this series turns out. Let me ask 287 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:29,720 Speaker 1: you something. Do you think we see Kawhi Leonard again 288 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:30,680 Speaker 1: in this series. 289 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:33,920 Speaker 2: Or do you think I don't not in this series? 290 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 2: I don't. 291 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:37,560 Speaker 1: I agree, I don't either. I think it's now kind 292 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:41,000 Speaker 1: of The rumbles around the arena this afternoon were that 293 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:43,480 Speaker 1: he's still going to try and he doesn't want to 294 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:46,560 Speaker 1: rule himself out, and whether that's game five or Game 295 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:50,159 Speaker 1: six or a potential Game seven. The rumbles were that 296 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: Kawhi is going to keep trying. But yeah, I mean, 297 00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:55,399 Speaker 1: I mean you saw game two. In game three, he 298 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:59,240 Speaker 1: is just not moving well at all. Yeah. 299 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:04,399 Speaker 2: Well, I guess that's a good segue over to the 300 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:07,880 Speaker 2: East for a little bit, talking about guys not moving well, 301 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 2: which ultimately led to them not moving at all. Bucks 302 00:20:12,040 --> 00:20:18,880 Speaker 2: Pacers that series it's got ugly. It's gotten ugly over there. Yeah. 303 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 2: I don't. I don't foresee. I'll just say this, I 304 00:20:21,280 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 2: don't foresee. Damer Gianni's returning for this series. 305 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 1: I don't this is at three to one down. It's 306 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 1: just there's it's not worth the risk. Yeah, I mean 307 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 1: talk about team that has a lot of off season questions. 308 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: I mean, the last thing they need is for Giannis 309 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:44,119 Speaker 1: or Dame to sustain a long term injury. I mean 310 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:46,720 Speaker 1: it sounds like they're playing right on the edge as 311 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 1: it is. 312 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:53,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, it's unfortunate. You know, Dame came into the 313 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:57,680 Speaker 2: playoffs really feeling good. He had about a week off. 314 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:03,240 Speaker 2: He was dealing with achilles soreness towards the end of 315 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:06,200 Speaker 2: the regular season. Then he had like a week off 316 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:09,320 Speaker 2: and he got he got right, He got himself right, 317 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:12,000 Speaker 2: and you've seen in those first couple of games in 318 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:15,600 Speaker 2: the playoffs he was he was playing probably the best 319 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:18,360 Speaker 2: ball in that little two three game stretch. You can 320 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:21,719 Speaker 2: make a case that was probably the best you've seen him. 321 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:25,359 Speaker 2: Mat just like scoring in bunches and in droves, and 322 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:28,120 Speaker 2: you know, that was the Dame, that was the Dame 323 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:30,880 Speaker 2: of old. You know, he was telling me, man, I'm 324 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:35,560 Speaker 2: feeling good, like he was ready, and you know we 325 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:41,879 Speaker 2: all knew Giannis was his His intention was to be 326 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:44,400 Speaker 2: able to come back at some point in this first round. 327 00:21:45,280 --> 00:21:48,960 Speaker 2: But it's just it's never got to that point. And 328 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:54,320 Speaker 2: now the state that the Bucks are in, down down 329 00:21:54,400 --> 00:22:00,200 Speaker 2: three games, the one it's it's just not why is 330 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:02,600 Speaker 2: to try to throw them out there right now? You know, 331 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:06,200 Speaker 2: if if the Bucks would have put up a better fight, 332 00:22:06,760 --> 00:22:10,360 Speaker 2: which they were under man so it's it's tough to ask. 333 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:14,240 Speaker 2: It's tough to ask them to to fulfill that. But 334 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:16,600 Speaker 2: if they were able to put up a fight, win 335 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:21,160 Speaker 2: a few more games here, you know, you probably could 336 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:26,520 Speaker 2: have have seen a scenario where Giannis er Dame might 337 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:30,440 Speaker 2: be able to come back, not full strength, but just 338 00:22:30,720 --> 00:22:33,440 Speaker 2: be able to come back and at least be a decoy. 339 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:37,720 Speaker 2: I don't know how effective, but it's just not it's 340 00:22:37,800 --> 00:22:40,000 Speaker 2: not there. It's tough, you know, it's tough. It's probably 341 00:22:40,080 --> 00:22:42,880 Speaker 2: the best thing for them to do at this point. 342 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:47,200 Speaker 2: It's probably just it's focus on the off season. Regroup, 343 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:49,960 Speaker 2: damon Giannis. You know they didn't get the train during 344 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:53,120 Speaker 2: the off season last year that the trade happened so late. 345 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:58,000 Speaker 2: So get it off season to train, build, you know, 346 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:02,040 Speaker 2: build some more continuity together and go into next season 347 00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:07,480 Speaker 2: and try to and and try to dominate but yeah, 348 00:23:07,480 --> 00:23:11,639 Speaker 2: it's tough. You never want to see a series go 349 00:23:12,160 --> 00:23:15,040 Speaker 2: out like that, where or it can be the two 350 00:23:15,119 --> 00:23:19,480 Speaker 2: best players are in the series, you know they're they're done. 351 00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:26,720 Speaker 2: Then Bobby Porters in Game four gets get sejected and 352 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 2: you know it's just you know, they're shooting itself on 353 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:30,120 Speaker 2: the foot. 354 00:23:30,280 --> 00:23:32,200 Speaker 1: What happened? Though? I thought our pod was supposed to 355 00:23:32,240 --> 00:23:35,440 Speaker 1: make guys, it was supposed to help guys soar to 356 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:38,240 Speaker 1: new heights. I don't think we I don't think we 357 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 1: did that for Bobby Porters. 358 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:43,119 Speaker 2: Yeah we did it. I mean, how long did Poppy? 359 00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:46,040 Speaker 2: Maybe it's a time limit. Maybe you gotta be on 360 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:51,000 Speaker 2: the show for about thirty minutes minimum, you know, maybe 361 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 2: it was a time limit thing. I don't know. I 362 00:23:53,119 --> 00:23:55,800 Speaker 2: got to look into the analytics of how long he 363 00:23:56,040 --> 00:23:59,600 Speaker 2: was on, what he said, how fully engaged he was. 364 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:02,639 Speaker 1: So why doesn't producer Ryan keep those analytics? We should 365 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 1: have a spreadsheet with Yeah, we need that. I guess 366 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:09,640 Speaker 1: we need that minutes they how long the interview lasted? 367 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:13,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, because our coaches are you know, most of our 368 00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:16,960 Speaker 2: coaches are doing well. Who came on, you know, came 369 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:23,400 Speaker 2: on the show. I will still say Mike Brown did well, look, 370 00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:26,680 Speaker 2: they didn't make it to the playoffs, but they took 371 00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:30,160 Speaker 2: down a team that they really wanted to beat desperately. 372 00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:33,600 Speaker 2: It took down and took out the Golden State Wards. 373 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:35,400 Speaker 1: I don't think we can take credit for that. When 374 00:24:35,440 --> 00:24:37,400 Speaker 1: Mike Brown was on last season. 375 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 2: I think that was last season. 376 00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:44,480 Speaker 1: I don't think I don't think that. I think it's 377 00:24:44,480 --> 00:24:48,680 Speaker 1: a two year, two year dame winning the three point 378 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:51,960 Speaker 1: contest hours after talking to us that I think we 379 00:24:52,080 --> 00:24:55,119 Speaker 1: can say that a little bit of this league uncut 380 00:24:55,280 --> 00:24:59,200 Speaker 1: magic dust was. We can say that we can we 381 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:03,159 Speaker 1: can we can draw a connection there, but claim I 382 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:05,680 Speaker 1: cannot say that we had anything to do with Mike 383 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:10,359 Speaker 1: Brown winning a playing game against the Warriors after we talked. 384 00:25:12,520 --> 00:25:14,240 Speaker 2: I thought we had a two year there was a 385 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 2: two year expiration. Finch. 386 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:20,000 Speaker 1: Maybe like if Minnesota keeps rolling, maybe you know Finch 387 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:21,959 Speaker 1: in the All Star Game appearance, maybe we can take 388 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:24,960 Speaker 1: a little credit for that all my bet, Well, let 389 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:28,119 Speaker 1: me ask you this because obviously, you know, Doc Rivers 390 00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 1: has been under so much pressure coming in there at 391 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:35,640 Speaker 1: mid season. The results haven't been what the Bucks were 392 00:25:35,680 --> 00:25:38,600 Speaker 1: hoping for after making that coaching change. But and this 393 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:43,360 Speaker 1: has to take any notion of heat on Doc Rivers off. 394 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:46,280 Speaker 1: You know, I don't know how he could win a 395 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:48,719 Speaker 1: playoff series without John and Dan. 396 00:25:49,600 --> 00:25:55,000 Speaker 2: He's fine. I think there's enough. There's there's enough of 397 00:25:55,119 --> 00:25:58,919 Speaker 2: a track record with this group where you can evaluate 398 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:02,600 Speaker 2: it and see, Okay, now they know how Dame plays. 399 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:06,479 Speaker 2: Now they know you know what Dame and Giannis. Now 400 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:08,800 Speaker 2: they know how they can improve playing with each other 401 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:13,199 Speaker 2: and playing with the collection of teammates. So now they 402 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:17,440 Speaker 2: can kind of evaluate the market and see, okay, what 403 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:20,439 Speaker 2: players will fit best with them? What does Dame need, 404 00:26:20,560 --> 00:26:23,439 Speaker 2: What does Gianni's need? What does coach Doc Rivers need? 405 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:28,040 Speaker 2: Remember Doc Rivers, I will, I will expect or I 406 00:26:28,040 --> 00:26:32,080 Speaker 2: would suspect that he'll bring in a few more of 407 00:26:32,280 --> 00:26:36,480 Speaker 2: his staffers on board. You know he didn't. You know, 408 00:26:36,560 --> 00:26:39,639 Speaker 2: he brought in believed two assistant coaches, Dave Jaeger and 409 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:45,440 Speaker 2: and our guy Recks. And I believe that was I 410 00:26:45,560 --> 00:26:49,120 Speaker 2: believe though that was Yeah, I believe it was just two. 411 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:53,760 Speaker 2: I believe it was. And so if you look, if 412 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:58,320 Speaker 2: you look closely at the Bucks, you have to be 413 00:26:58,359 --> 00:27:00,840 Speaker 2: a Bucks fan and really look at this. But if 414 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:03,879 Speaker 2: you if you look closely at the Bucks, bench, And 415 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:07,000 Speaker 2: I'm talking about the assistant coaches. You've seen since Doc 416 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 2: has come on board. You've seen some guys, some coaches, 417 00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:12,160 Speaker 2: some assistant coaches who start off from the front bench 418 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:14,760 Speaker 2: and then they were moved to the back of the bench. 419 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:17,560 Speaker 2: You know that what that was Doc rivers like filling 420 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:24,359 Speaker 2: out his staff, giving other guys promotions and giving some demotions, 421 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:29,320 Speaker 2: and so you know, Doc still has to find his 422 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:33,200 Speaker 2: way and be able to plant his mark as well. 423 00:27:33,359 --> 00:27:36,960 Speaker 2: So you know that's that's the But no, he no, 424 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:39,560 Speaker 2: he don't Doc know, he don't Doc. They're going to 425 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:41,000 Speaker 2: try to figure this thing out together. 426 00:27:42,160 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 1: I have to say, I'm really going to be interested 427 00:27:44,920 --> 00:27:47,680 Speaker 1: to hear what Jannis has to say when he sits 428 00:27:47,760 --> 00:27:51,040 Speaker 1: down at a podium for his end of the season 429 00:27:51,119 --> 00:27:56,120 Speaker 1: press conference. It's not going to have the blockbuster headline 430 00:27:56,160 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 1: potential most likely that we saw lastie in after the 431 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:04,359 Speaker 1: Bucks lost to Miami so stunningly in Round one, and 432 00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:07,440 Speaker 1: of course we had the whole there's no failure in 433 00:28:07,560 --> 00:28:11,080 Speaker 1: sports speech. I'm not expecting those kind of fireworks, but 434 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:15,600 Speaker 1: just psyche wise, this is two years in a row 435 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:23,560 Speaker 1: that Yannis entered the playoffs with an injury that has 436 00:28:25,480 --> 00:28:29,080 Speaker 1: prevented him. I mean, this injury is likely going to 437 00:28:29,119 --> 00:28:32,679 Speaker 1: prevent him from playing at all in the series. Obviously, 438 00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:36,080 Speaker 1: last season against Miami he did play some in the playoffs, 439 00:28:36,119 --> 00:28:40,120 Speaker 1: but it's two years in a row that an injury 440 00:28:40,280 --> 00:28:45,960 Speaker 1: has really interfered with his playoff hopes and dreams, and 441 00:28:46,040 --> 00:28:48,960 Speaker 1: so I just I would I'm really ready for Yanna's 442 00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:51,880 Speaker 1: unplugged to kind of hear what his mindset is and 443 00:28:51,960 --> 00:28:55,640 Speaker 1: what he's thinking, because the expectations for this Bucks team 444 00:28:56,280 --> 00:29:00,120 Speaker 1: were so high after the trade to bring in in 445 00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:04,840 Speaker 1: Dame right before the start of the season, and it's 446 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:10,560 Speaker 1: just been a brutal season in Bruetown. So I really 447 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:13,760 Speaker 1: want to I know the series is only three to one, 448 00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:16,040 Speaker 1: but yeah, I mean, how can we say that the 449 00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:19,360 Speaker 1: Bucks really have a chance to get out of this 450 00:29:19,560 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 1: round with no Joannis, no Dame. There was an injury 451 00:29:23,160 --> 00:29:26,440 Speaker 1: scare tonight for Chris Middleton on top of everything, but 452 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:29,640 Speaker 1: Middleton was able to play on But yeah, I mean, 453 00:29:29,720 --> 00:29:31,760 Speaker 1: this is this has just been It has just been 454 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:44,760 Speaker 1: one thing after another for the Milwaukee Bucks. And wow, 455 00:29:45,040 --> 00:29:47,480 Speaker 1: we've gotten this far and we haven't even talked yet 456 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:51,760 Speaker 1: really too much about the first game of the day, 457 00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 1: the Knicks go to Philadelphia and win Game four. Another 458 00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:07,280 Speaker 1: wild one. Jalen Brunson, your guy, the little lefty forty 459 00:30:07,440 --> 00:30:16,000 Speaker 1: seven points career playoff high, yet another major playoff downer 460 00:30:17,240 --> 00:30:22,200 Speaker 1: for the Sixers. An absolutely brutal fourth quarter for Philly. 461 00:30:23,200 --> 00:30:27,200 Speaker 1: Embiid only had one point. I believe in that final 462 00:30:27,320 --> 00:30:31,200 Speaker 1: period the Sixers as a team missed their last ten shots. 463 00:30:31,360 --> 00:30:34,440 Speaker 1: I think they scored three points in the last five 464 00:30:34,560 --> 00:30:38,400 Speaker 1: minutes Embiid played. He was clearly exhausted at the end. 465 00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:41,920 Speaker 1: And look, when you're a star, when you're a perennial 466 00:30:42,120 --> 00:30:48,760 Speaker 1: MVP candidate, you take the heat when things go badly. 467 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:54,000 Speaker 1: But look, Joel Embiid scored fifty points on nineteen shots 468 00:30:54,120 --> 00:31:00,360 Speaker 1: in Game three, and I'm struggling to just go after 469 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:04,200 Speaker 1: him now because of what we saw on this Sunday, 470 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:08,360 Speaker 1: knowing that he's playing hurt, he's playing at far less 471 00:31:08,800 --> 00:31:10,760 Speaker 1: than one hundred percent, and I think that has to 472 00:31:10,840 --> 00:31:17,360 Speaker 1: be factored in. We can't just ignore that that. You know, 473 00:31:17,600 --> 00:31:20,920 Speaker 1: the Sixers go to pieces when Embiid is off the floor, 474 00:31:21,360 --> 00:31:26,920 Speaker 1: and so again I'm struggling to just put this all 475 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:32,080 Speaker 1: on him. And it's amazing, really what he's giving the 476 00:31:32,160 --> 00:31:37,400 Speaker 1: Sixers so quickly after a meniscus procedure on his knee. 477 00:31:37,760 --> 00:31:43,680 Speaker 1: But man, Philly, you know this is it's just been 478 00:31:43,920 --> 00:31:51,160 Speaker 1: one playoff let down slash disappointment after another, and they're 479 00:31:51,280 --> 00:31:54,160 Speaker 1: down three to one now to the Knicks, and it 480 00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:57,920 Speaker 1: really looks like Jalen Brunson is just not going to 481 00:31:58,040 --> 00:31:59,960 Speaker 1: let the Knicks lose this series. 482 00:32:01,880 --> 00:32:06,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, the Knicks are. They're a tough, minded, gritty team. 483 00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:12,840 Speaker 2: And you know, I'm very impressed with the the DNA 484 00:32:13,080 --> 00:32:17,920 Speaker 2: that they've uh that they've latched onto that is of 485 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:22,560 Speaker 2: coach Tom Thibodeau. They are really they're really plugged in. 486 00:32:23,320 --> 00:32:27,280 Speaker 2: They are really plugged in. Not the not the fanciest team, 487 00:32:27,880 --> 00:32:31,200 Speaker 2: not the most electric, They're just a hard fought team 488 00:32:31,320 --> 00:32:33,360 Speaker 2: that's just going to give it to you from start 489 00:32:33,440 --> 00:32:37,800 Speaker 2: to finish. And Philly, Yeah, I mean you touched on 490 00:32:37,880 --> 00:32:40,520 Speaker 2: it right there. When Joel Embiid doesn't play that the 491 00:32:40,640 --> 00:32:43,560 Speaker 2: team falls apart. And we've seen that during the regular season. 492 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:45,160 Speaker 2: They were one of the best teams in the East. 493 00:32:45,880 --> 00:32:48,360 Speaker 2: Joel goes out all of a sudden, they're in play 494 00:32:48,440 --> 00:32:55,080 Speaker 2: in range. So this this team is not This team 495 00:32:55,200 --> 00:33:00,520 Speaker 2: is not what they should be right now, and that's 496 00:33:00,600 --> 00:33:03,640 Speaker 2: based off of embiid missing a chunk of the season 497 00:33:03,720 --> 00:33:07,640 Speaker 2: and EMBD not being anywhere close to one still dealing 498 00:33:07,680 --> 00:33:10,520 Speaker 2: with that injury. You know, he's gutting it out. He 499 00:33:10,600 --> 00:33:13,160 Speaker 2: probably shouldn't be playing. He's gutting it out, and you 500 00:33:13,320 --> 00:33:15,320 Speaker 2: have to give him credit. You have to plout him 501 00:33:15,760 --> 00:33:19,320 Speaker 2: for trying to be there when it matters in the 502 00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:22,920 Speaker 2: season most so, I can't blame him. It's just, you know, 503 00:33:23,600 --> 00:33:26,640 Speaker 2: it's just it's a sad tale because they've been through 504 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:32,040 Speaker 2: this time and and time again, and you know, you 505 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:33,800 Speaker 2: don't want you don't want to say, well, they just 506 00:33:33,960 --> 00:33:35,720 Speaker 2: can't win with that and bid, I mean, you don't 507 00:33:35,720 --> 00:33:38,320 Speaker 2: want to say they can't win with them be. I 508 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:40,920 Speaker 2: mean that's not I don't think you can say that 509 00:33:41,080 --> 00:33:46,120 Speaker 2: yet because he hasn't been healthy, you know, during postseason 510 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:49,400 Speaker 2: play for the most part. But there is a trend. 511 00:33:49,840 --> 00:33:52,640 Speaker 2: But it's tough, man. I just want to see the 512 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:58,760 Speaker 2: big fella healthy and he was playing some dominant basketball 513 00:33:59,680 --> 00:34:03,920 Speaker 2: before an injury. Really really unfortunate, but you got to 514 00:34:03,960 --> 00:34:06,720 Speaker 2: give credit to the Knicks. All all you can do, 515 00:34:07,400 --> 00:34:10,840 Speaker 2: similar to the Indiana Pacers, all you can do is 516 00:34:10,920 --> 00:34:15,480 Speaker 2: play who's ever on your schedule. That's it, on your schedule, 517 00:34:16,680 --> 00:34:18,399 Speaker 2: play who ever on the roster at that time. 518 00:34:18,760 --> 00:34:22,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, because that's the thing we've been waiting. We've been 519 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:27,279 Speaker 1: waiting and waiting. Will Joel Embiid ever be able to 520 00:34:27,480 --> 00:34:33,360 Speaker 1: enter the playoffs healthy or reasonably close to healthy? And 521 00:34:33,920 --> 00:34:37,919 Speaker 1: he entered these playoffs well shy of healthy. And yeah, 522 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:40,760 Speaker 1: he scored fifty points the other night, but that doesn't 523 00:34:40,840 --> 00:34:45,520 Speaker 1: mean that he is anywhere close to one. I didn't 524 00:34:46,000 --> 00:34:49,160 Speaker 1: I thought it was unwise for Embiid to complain after 525 00:34:49,239 --> 00:34:51,680 Speaker 1: the game about how many Knicks fans there were in 526 00:34:51,800 --> 00:34:56,040 Speaker 1: Phillies building. Obviously there were a ton, but that's not 527 00:34:56,200 --> 00:34:59,560 Speaker 1: really an issue. I think he should be raising in 528 00:34:59,680 --> 00:35:03,920 Speaker 1: the way of a Game four home defeat. But when 529 00:35:03,960 --> 00:35:08,399 Speaker 1: it comes to Embiid on the floor, I do think 530 00:35:08,640 --> 00:35:12,359 Speaker 1: we have to give him some slack because he did 531 00:35:13,080 --> 00:35:17,040 Speaker 1: come back from a knee procedure faster than he should have, 532 00:35:17,200 --> 00:35:20,799 Speaker 1: just like Karl Anthony Towns in Minnesota. They both came 533 00:35:20,880 --> 00:35:25,400 Speaker 1: back faster than they probably should have from a knee procedure. 534 00:35:26,040 --> 00:35:30,520 Speaker 1: And we know, as we've said already, without Joel Embiid, 535 00:35:30,560 --> 00:35:34,880 Speaker 1: the Sixers have no chance this series. Our former ESBN 536 00:35:35,040 --> 00:35:39,920 Speaker 1: colleague John Hollinger, he tweeted out pretty smartly earlier today, 537 00:35:41,080 --> 00:35:43,400 Speaker 1: you know, the Sixers have a guy making almost forty 538 00:35:43,440 --> 00:35:47,239 Speaker 1: million this season, Tobias Harris only has eleven baskets in 539 00:35:47,280 --> 00:35:50,880 Speaker 1: the first four games of this series. So the Sixers 540 00:35:51,120 --> 00:35:57,520 Speaker 1: truly are leaning very, very heavily on Joel Embiid and 541 00:36:00,280 --> 00:36:02,400 Speaker 1: they wouldn't even have a chance without him, and that 542 00:36:02,600 --> 00:36:05,759 Speaker 1: does have to be something that we remember and keep 543 00:36:05,880 --> 00:36:09,880 Speaker 1: track of. On the other side, Man Jalen Brunson, obviously 544 00:36:10,120 --> 00:36:13,840 Speaker 1: I saw him the first few years of his career, 545 00:36:13,960 --> 00:36:16,799 Speaker 1: but I continue to be astounded year two in New York, 546 00:36:17,520 --> 00:36:21,399 Speaker 1: year two since he left the city where I live 547 00:36:21,440 --> 00:36:24,600 Speaker 1: in work in Dallas. I mean, he just still continues 548 00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:28,320 Speaker 1: to get better. And he had a really rough start 549 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:32,120 Speaker 1: to this Philly series. He shot sixteen for fifty five 550 00:36:32,239 --> 00:36:36,960 Speaker 1: in the first two games, very uncharacteristic. But what he 551 00:36:37,120 --> 00:36:42,279 Speaker 1: did today with forty seven on the road to lead 552 00:36:42,360 --> 00:36:46,600 Speaker 1: the Knicks to this win that gives the Knicks a 553 00:36:46,719 --> 00:36:49,960 Speaker 1: three to one lead when so many other Knicks were 554 00:36:50,000 --> 00:36:56,000 Speaker 1: struggling offensively. Just man Jalen Brunson has had a remarkable season, 555 00:36:56,080 --> 00:36:57,799 Speaker 1: and I think he's gonna end up in the top 556 00:36:57,920 --> 00:37:02,000 Speaker 1: five and MVP balloting somewhere. No I doubt he gets 557 00:37:02,080 --> 00:37:05,320 Speaker 1: higher than four or five, but he should be in 558 00:37:05,400 --> 00:37:07,080 Speaker 1: the top five. He's been that good. 559 00:37:09,400 --> 00:37:12,200 Speaker 2: It's been really good. And one thing I like about Jalen, 560 00:37:12,480 --> 00:37:14,719 Speaker 2: No matter if his shot is going in or not, 561 00:37:15,239 --> 00:37:17,480 Speaker 2: he's going to be aggressive. He's going to stay aggressive. 562 00:37:17,560 --> 00:37:20,480 Speaker 2: You're not going to have You're not going to have 563 00:37:20,600 --> 00:37:23,520 Speaker 2: an off night. If you're defending him, He's not going 564 00:37:23,600 --> 00:37:25,520 Speaker 2: to give you that off night. He's going to keep 565 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:29,440 Speaker 2: coming at you. And I think Philly first couple of 566 00:37:29,520 --> 00:37:32,400 Speaker 2: games thought they might have figured out something, you know, 567 00:37:32,520 --> 00:37:36,120 Speaker 2: stop his effectiveness, you know, to bring down that shooting percentage. 568 00:37:37,360 --> 00:37:40,200 Speaker 2: But Jalen man, he's a hooper man. He just know 569 00:37:40,360 --> 00:37:43,560 Speaker 2: he knows how to get it done. So kudos to Jalen. 570 00:37:44,760 --> 00:37:48,279 Speaker 2: He's leading this Knicks like no no nobody thought this. 571 00:37:48,480 --> 00:37:51,400 Speaker 2: I remember when he signed that contract went over to 572 00:37:51,480 --> 00:37:54,879 Speaker 2: New York. People thought they were they overpaid. They didn't 573 00:37:54,880 --> 00:37:59,000 Speaker 2: see this. So I'm happy that he's exceeding expectations and 574 00:37:59,120 --> 00:38:02,120 Speaker 2: he's continued to elevate his game and his team's game. 575 00:38:02,239 --> 00:38:06,719 Speaker 2: So definitely fun to watch what hasn't been. I ain't 576 00:38:06,719 --> 00:38:12,440 Speaker 2: gonna say what has Listen, so stile say this. You know, 577 00:38:12,520 --> 00:38:14,359 Speaker 2: we give a lot of credit. You said, all right, 578 00:38:14,960 --> 00:38:18,120 Speaker 2: Bobby Porters. Okay, maybe Bobby Porters is somebody who's came 579 00:38:18,200 --> 00:38:22,680 Speaker 2: on this this pod and hasn't really stepped up like 580 00:38:22,840 --> 00:38:25,279 Speaker 2: we expect most of our guests to come on here 581 00:38:25,560 --> 00:38:31,759 Speaker 2: and have a has some success posts the visit with us. 582 00:38:33,000 --> 00:38:35,040 Speaker 2: But there's another guy. I guess we got to mention 583 00:38:36,680 --> 00:38:41,160 Speaker 2: Darvin Ham. God, you know Darvin Ham. We've had Darvin 584 00:38:41,239 --> 00:38:44,120 Speaker 2: Ham on and he's been on within the year. He 585 00:38:44,239 --> 00:38:48,480 Speaker 2: came on last summer and you know, they gotta win. 586 00:38:48,960 --> 00:38:51,480 Speaker 2: They were close to be getting swept. They gotta win. 587 00:38:52,320 --> 00:38:56,719 Speaker 2: In Game four one in La Lebron, James play out 588 00:38:56,760 --> 00:38:59,880 Speaker 2: of this world at the David stepped up. D'Angelo Russell 589 00:39:01,120 --> 00:39:05,399 Speaker 2: finally had a good game in this series. So now 590 00:39:06,120 --> 00:39:12,040 Speaker 2: the series shifts back to Denver for Game five. If 591 00:39:12,120 --> 00:39:19,960 Speaker 2: the Lakers lose, everyone expects that the Lakers would will 592 00:39:20,080 --> 00:39:26,000 Speaker 2: make a coaching move after that. Is it deserved or not? Listen, 593 00:39:26,120 --> 00:39:32,000 Speaker 2: I think the roster isn't that good, and not only that, 594 00:39:33,480 --> 00:39:36,240 Speaker 2: I think they've been plagued by a lot of injuries 595 00:39:36,760 --> 00:39:38,439 Speaker 2: that were just out of their control. I mean, Jered 596 00:39:38,520 --> 00:39:46,440 Speaker 2: Vanderbilt hasn't played in since I don't those months. Christian 597 00:39:46,520 --> 00:39:49,759 Speaker 2: Wood hasn't had had a low impact this season, free 598 00:39:49,800 --> 00:39:53,760 Speaker 2: agent gate Vincent has had a low impact this season 599 00:39:54,160 --> 00:39:59,200 Speaker 2: injury as well. Cam Reddish been out extended time. So 600 00:40:00,880 --> 00:40:05,359 Speaker 2: it's just they haven't had their whole team out there 601 00:40:06,960 --> 00:40:12,000 Speaker 2: for a long enough stretch and period to gain some continuity. 602 00:40:12,480 --> 00:40:14,279 Speaker 2: So I I put a lot of it on that, 603 00:40:14,920 --> 00:40:18,680 Speaker 2: maybe not saying the roster isn't good enough, but just 604 00:40:18,960 --> 00:40:23,160 Speaker 2: they they haven't had their guys together long enough. I 605 00:40:23,280 --> 00:40:25,560 Speaker 2: put it more so on that. Man, I know, people, 606 00:40:26,360 --> 00:40:29,439 Speaker 2: you know, start to criticize Darvingham. You criticize any coach, 607 00:40:29,520 --> 00:40:33,239 Speaker 2: criticize Darvinham. Frank Vogel is getting the receiving the same 608 00:40:33,320 --> 00:40:37,200 Speaker 2: treatment out there in Phoenix, and you know, not calling 609 00:40:37,320 --> 00:40:42,839 Speaker 2: time outs, not making adjustments, all of that stuff. And look, man, 610 00:40:42,920 --> 00:40:46,399 Speaker 2: it this league is tough. It's tough on the head coach. 611 00:40:46,480 --> 00:40:49,640 Speaker 2: But what I will say, what I will say, if 612 00:40:49,680 --> 00:40:52,359 Speaker 2: the Lakers do come up short in this first round, 613 00:40:53,320 --> 00:40:56,960 Speaker 2: and if they do decide to let Darvingham go, my 614 00:40:57,160 --> 00:41:02,400 Speaker 2: question is who's out there that's my question. Who is 615 00:41:02,480 --> 00:41:07,120 Speaker 2: out there that can take this team to the next level, 616 00:41:07,600 --> 00:41:09,840 Speaker 2: What proven coach is available. 617 00:41:10,239 --> 00:41:13,640 Speaker 1: Well, certainly Mike Budenholzer is out there, and we know 618 00:41:13,800 --> 00:41:17,239 Speaker 1: he's a championship coach of recent vintage. I'm just not 619 00:41:17,400 --> 00:41:21,120 Speaker 1: so sure that that's where the Lakers would turn if 620 00:41:21,160 --> 00:41:23,000 Speaker 1: they did decide they were making a change. 621 00:41:24,239 --> 00:41:26,239 Speaker 2: Yeah, I agree with you one hundred percent on that 622 00:41:27,080 --> 00:41:28,920 Speaker 2: Ham comes from the boot and holes of trees. So 623 00:41:29,040 --> 00:41:31,880 Speaker 2: I don't know that they would go down that road again. 624 00:41:32,200 --> 00:41:36,440 Speaker 2: So again my question is who is out there? Who 625 00:41:36,600 --> 00:41:39,560 Speaker 2: you know? Because Lakers there, they're quick to make changes, 626 00:41:39,840 --> 00:41:43,000 Speaker 2: particularly on the head coach, head coach in front. Okay, 627 00:41:43,120 --> 00:41:44,359 Speaker 2: but who's out there? 628 00:41:45,840 --> 00:41:48,760 Speaker 1: Well, here's the thing. It's been at the very quiet 629 00:41:48,920 --> 00:41:51,719 Speaker 1: to this point on the coaching carousel. The day after 630 00:41:51,800 --> 00:41:58,040 Speaker 1: the season, there were no dismissals. It was very unnfl like. Obviously, 631 00:41:58,600 --> 00:42:02,040 Speaker 1: Charlotte is still searching for a coach. Washington is still 632 00:42:02,120 --> 00:42:05,480 Speaker 1: in the midst of a coaching search. The Brooklyn Nets 633 00:42:05,600 --> 00:42:09,960 Speaker 1: decided very quickly after the season to hire Jordi Fernandez 634 00:42:10,080 --> 00:42:13,640 Speaker 1: away from Mike Brown staff and Sacramento. Jordi Fernandez will 635 00:42:13,680 --> 00:42:17,760 Speaker 1: be the new coach of the Nets starting next season. 636 00:42:18,239 --> 00:42:22,759 Speaker 1: But we know that when things happen in the playoffs, 637 00:42:23,040 --> 00:42:27,480 Speaker 1: when teams lose earlier than they expect or hope, that 638 00:42:27,760 --> 00:42:34,320 Speaker 1: does lead to surprise openings on the coaching carousel. And 639 00:42:35,080 --> 00:42:37,600 Speaker 1: you know you mentioned it as well, Frank Vogel today 640 00:42:38,719 --> 00:42:41,600 Speaker 1: before the game, before this game against Minnesota, that as 641 00:42:41,640 --> 00:42:44,600 Speaker 1: you and I are recording this is going down to 642 00:42:44,680 --> 00:42:49,480 Speaker 1: the wire with Minnesota trying to sweep the Suns out 643 00:42:49,560 --> 00:42:52,880 Speaker 1: of the playoffs. Frank Vogel before this game had to 644 00:42:53,040 --> 00:42:59,560 Speaker 1: answer a question about his job security, and Frank Vogel 645 00:42:59,640 --> 00:43:03,319 Speaker 1: said at his pregame press conference quote, I've got full 646 00:43:03,440 --> 00:43:07,480 Speaker 1: support for matt ishbia end quote. We will soon see 647 00:43:08,440 --> 00:43:11,600 Speaker 1: if that plays out, because again, as we're recording this, 648 00:43:11,800 --> 00:43:16,320 Speaker 1: the Suns Anthony Edwards just threw down a ridiculous dunk 649 00:43:16,360 --> 00:43:20,480 Speaker 1: in traffic to put the Wolves up for heading into 650 00:43:20,520 --> 00:43:24,040 Speaker 1: the final two minutes and change. And if Minnesota can 651 00:43:24,120 --> 00:43:27,640 Speaker 1: hold that lead, the Suns would be the first team 652 00:43:28,320 --> 00:43:31,640 Speaker 1: eliminated from the twenty twenty three to twenty four playoffs. 653 00:43:32,320 --> 00:43:35,360 Speaker 1: So yeah, if the Lakers lose early, if the Suns 654 00:43:35,440 --> 00:43:39,080 Speaker 1: lose early, you know, put them in the same category. 655 00:43:39,200 --> 00:43:43,080 Speaker 1: Like I said before right there with the Warriors the Kings. 656 00:43:43,760 --> 00:43:46,399 Speaker 1: I think the Hawks qualify as well in Atlanta, where 657 00:43:47,040 --> 00:43:51,040 Speaker 1: these teams are entering difficult off seasons, really hard choices 658 00:43:51,080 --> 00:43:54,759 Speaker 1: in the offseason, and in one or two or maybe 659 00:43:54,880 --> 00:43:59,799 Speaker 1: more of those situations, pressure will be immediately foisted upon 660 00:43:59,840 --> 00:44:11,719 Speaker 1: the coach once their team was a living Ye. But 661 00:44:11,800 --> 00:44:14,480 Speaker 1: I'm glad you brought up the Lakers because you have 662 00:44:14,640 --> 00:44:19,440 Speaker 1: neatly led me into the Monday preview. This episode is 663 00:44:19,600 --> 00:44:23,040 Speaker 1: dropping on a Monday, and later today you'll be on 664 00:44:23,120 --> 00:44:27,560 Speaker 1: the sidelines for Game four in Miami Celtics at heat, 665 00:44:28,200 --> 00:44:32,800 Speaker 1: and then later in the evening the Lakers in Denver 666 00:44:33,000 --> 00:44:36,920 Speaker 1: for Game five. The Lakers did avoid the sweep, they 667 00:44:37,000 --> 00:44:39,960 Speaker 1: did extend their season. The one wrinkle here in that, 668 00:44:40,200 --> 00:44:43,279 Speaker 1: I mean, you would think Denver's going to finish off 669 00:44:43,960 --> 00:44:49,920 Speaker 1: the Lakers Game five in their gym, but Jamal Murray 670 00:44:50,640 --> 00:44:56,640 Speaker 1: sustained a calf injury late in Game four in La So. 671 00:44:58,719 --> 00:45:00,640 Speaker 1: But this series is over right, there's no way the 672 00:45:00,719 --> 00:45:01,799 Speaker 1: Lakers can come back. 673 00:45:04,480 --> 00:45:06,680 Speaker 2: Well, it was one game at a time, Yeah, one 674 00:45:06,760 --> 00:45:08,839 Speaker 2: game at a time. I mean the eyes are death. 675 00:45:09,040 --> 00:45:14,479 Speaker 2: Oh now, Chris Finch hurt himself. No, Chris Finch. Don 676 00:45:14,560 --> 00:45:15,000 Speaker 2: you see that. 677 00:45:15,239 --> 00:45:16,840 Speaker 1: You must be ahead of me, your feed must be 678 00:45:17,400 --> 00:45:19,440 Speaker 1: ahead of me. 679 00:45:20,520 --> 00:45:24,120 Speaker 2: Wow. Coley runs, Oh, hit some right in the knee. 680 00:45:24,160 --> 00:45:28,320 Speaker 2: It looks like, oh the right knee. 681 00:45:28,680 --> 00:45:30,279 Speaker 1: No goodness sakes. 682 00:45:33,320 --> 00:45:33,720 Speaker 2: Injuries. 683 00:45:34,280 --> 00:45:38,960 Speaker 1: That is the metaphor of these playoffs. Now Mike, oh, 684 00:45:39,400 --> 00:45:42,640 Speaker 1: Mike Conley straight into Chris Finch's right knee. 685 00:45:47,440 --> 00:45:49,200 Speaker 2: Man, Finch is still down. 686 00:45:49,320 --> 00:45:58,680 Speaker 1: Oh wow, these playoffs man, just way too hazardous. Greg Farnham, 687 00:45:58,760 --> 00:46:02,600 Speaker 1: the Wolves trainer in another Wolf staffer, had to help 688 00:46:02,760 --> 00:46:06,000 Speaker 1: Chris Finch off the floor with one forty one remaining. 689 00:46:07,200 --> 00:46:10,000 Speaker 1: Not even coaches are safe in the twenty twenty three 690 00:46:10,040 --> 00:46:15,920 Speaker 1: to twenty four playoffs. Man, this is ridiculous. So we 691 00:46:16,040 --> 00:46:18,719 Speaker 1: wanted to just wait till the finish line to make 692 00:46:18,800 --> 00:46:25,600 Speaker 1: sure sure. But it is finished now. The Timberwolves again, 693 00:46:25,920 --> 00:46:29,839 Speaker 1: a franchise that in its first thirty four seasons won 694 00:46:30,000 --> 00:46:34,440 Speaker 1: only two playoff series, both in two thousand and four, 695 00:46:35,239 --> 00:46:38,480 Speaker 1: twenty years ago. Sadly, Chris Finch didn't get to be 696 00:46:38,600 --> 00:46:42,440 Speaker 1: on the floor for the finish of it. But the 697 00:46:42,520 --> 00:46:47,440 Speaker 1: Wolves have broomed the Phoenix Suns into the off season. 698 00:46:47,600 --> 00:46:55,840 Speaker 1: The very high priced, top heavy Phoenix Suns Man what 699 00:46:56,200 --> 00:47:01,040 Speaker 1: are they going to do this offseason? I mean, look 700 00:47:01,120 --> 00:47:04,320 Speaker 1: at the coaching box if you want to, is Frank 701 00:47:04,400 --> 00:47:10,920 Speaker 1: Vogel's job legit under threat as has been suggested in 702 00:47:11,120 --> 00:47:15,279 Speaker 1: some league circles, I mean changing the coach? What is 703 00:47:15,360 --> 00:47:18,920 Speaker 1: that really going to change? How does this roster change? 704 00:47:19,040 --> 00:47:22,720 Speaker 1: Because of how much Phoenix is spent to put together 705 00:47:23,520 --> 00:47:27,680 Speaker 1: this star trio it has assembled, the Suns, as everyone knows, 706 00:47:28,200 --> 00:47:31,120 Speaker 1: are so far into the second apron they have no 707 00:47:31,400 --> 00:47:36,000 Speaker 1: easy way to make changes here. Bradley Beal, his first 708 00:47:36,120 --> 00:47:40,560 Speaker 1: season as a Phoenix Sun, ends with a nine point 709 00:47:40,680 --> 00:47:44,760 Speaker 1: performance in Game four and Beal, as we mentioned, fouled 710 00:47:44,800 --> 00:47:51,240 Speaker 1: out late and nine points six turnovers in the final 711 00:47:51,920 --> 00:47:55,239 Speaker 1: game of the season. For Bradley Beal and no matter 712 00:47:55,320 --> 00:47:59,120 Speaker 1: what happens with their coaching situation, how do the Suns 713 00:48:00,160 --> 00:48:04,640 Speaker 1: prove this roster next season? It's really hard to see 714 00:48:04,680 --> 00:48:07,920 Speaker 1: a pathway for them to improve this roster meaningfully. 715 00:48:10,719 --> 00:48:12,799 Speaker 2: Well, you know, you can start by getting the point guard. 716 00:48:13,960 --> 00:48:19,360 Speaker 2: Yes that should be a top priority, but definitely you know, 717 00:48:19,480 --> 00:48:22,680 Speaker 2: you hit it on the head, definitely too top hit. 718 00:48:22,840 --> 00:48:25,600 Speaker 1: And Bradley Beal has no trade clause, so they can't 719 00:48:25,719 --> 00:48:31,120 Speaker 1: trade Bradley Beal unless he consents, And who's really what 720 00:48:31,320 --> 00:48:33,920 Speaker 1: kind of market is there going to be for Bradley 721 00:48:33,960 --> 00:48:37,440 Speaker 1: Beal when he's making about fifty million next season and 722 00:48:38,320 --> 00:48:44,000 Speaker 1: his first season in Phoenix did not go well. This 723 00:48:44,200 --> 00:48:47,640 Speaker 1: is the matchup Phoenix wanted. They got up to number six, 724 00:48:49,160 --> 00:48:52,759 Speaker 1: They won the season series three to zero against Minnesota, 725 00:48:54,000 --> 00:48:57,000 Speaker 1: and everybody thought this thing had upset potential. And man, 726 00:48:58,160 --> 00:49:05,840 Speaker 1: the Timberwolves just absolutely reaffirmed that they are the best 727 00:49:06,360 --> 00:49:08,600 Speaker 1: defensive team in the league. And truly, man, I am 728 00:49:08,760 --> 00:49:12,920 Speaker 1: sick for Chris Finch. First of all, just hope that 729 00:49:13,080 --> 00:49:15,880 Speaker 1: the injury, the knee injury isn't too serious, because it 730 00:49:15,960 --> 00:49:20,480 Speaker 1: obviously looked awful and the way he had to be 731 00:49:20,520 --> 00:49:24,720 Speaker 1: helped off the floor that alone should be caused for concern. 732 00:49:25,360 --> 00:49:32,480 Speaker 1: But just absolutely sucks for Finch. His first playoff series 733 00:49:32,600 --> 00:49:36,279 Speaker 1: victory as an NBA coach. And I say that as 734 00:49:36,320 --> 00:49:39,560 Speaker 1: someone who watched him coach in the British Battle League 735 00:49:39,680 --> 00:49:44,520 Speaker 1: a quarter century ago against Nick Nurse and he doesn't 736 00:49:44,560 --> 00:49:47,640 Speaker 1: get to be out there to enjoy it. But man, 737 00:49:47,719 --> 00:49:52,360 Speaker 1: the Wolves. How impressive were the Minnesota Timberwolves in this 738 00:49:52,520 --> 00:49:53,080 Speaker 1: first round? 739 00:49:53,280 --> 00:50:00,680 Speaker 2: Crazy Minnesota Timblewolves. Okay, see Thunder play. 740 00:50:01,440 --> 00:50:04,719 Speaker 1: And we've we've barely talked about the Thunder. Mark Dagnaalt 741 00:50:04,800 --> 00:50:08,759 Speaker 1: named Coach of the Year tonight. I mean the Thunder have. 742 00:50:08,880 --> 00:50:14,600 Speaker 1: Certainly they're getting people's attention. I don't want to get 743 00:50:14,640 --> 00:50:19,040 Speaker 1: too far ahead of myself, but this is potentially setting 744 00:50:19,120 --> 00:50:23,160 Speaker 1: up very nicely for the Thunder in round two because 745 00:50:24,000 --> 00:50:28,440 Speaker 1: assuming that OKC can finish off New Orleans up three 746 00:50:28,480 --> 00:50:31,400 Speaker 1: to zero, and again, of course the Pelicans do not 747 00:50:31,600 --> 00:50:35,879 Speaker 1: have the injured Zion Williamson, the Thunder will play either 748 00:50:36,960 --> 00:50:41,120 Speaker 1: the Clippers, who don't have Kawhi Leonard at the moment, 749 00:50:42,120 --> 00:50:47,560 Speaker 1: or the Mavericks, who have and ailing Luka Doncic. So 750 00:50:48,200 --> 00:50:51,879 Speaker 1: the Thunder in their first playoff run as a team 751 00:50:53,200 --> 00:50:56,480 Speaker 1: pretty much the youngest team out there. What an opportunity 752 00:50:57,920 --> 00:51:02,240 Speaker 1: the Thunder have up three to zero now on New Orleans, 753 00:51:03,200 --> 00:51:05,520 Speaker 1: and man stat Muse just tweeted it, I have to 754 00:51:05,600 --> 00:51:08,719 Speaker 1: repeat it. The Suns did not win a playoff game 755 00:51:08,840 --> 00:51:12,920 Speaker 1: this season, swept out of the first round. But on 756 00:51:13,040 --> 00:51:16,840 Speaker 1: top of that, the Suns possess no first round picks 757 00:51:17,320 --> 00:51:20,800 Speaker 1: between twenty twenty five and twenty thirty and no second 758 00:51:20,880 --> 00:51:24,600 Speaker 1: round picks between twenty twenty four as in this June 759 00:51:25,320 --> 00:51:28,680 Speaker 1: and twenty thirty. So the Sons have no draft capital 760 00:51:29,160 --> 00:51:32,480 Speaker 1: to make moves. How do they if they decide to 761 00:51:32,600 --> 00:51:37,319 Speaker 1: keep Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal together, how 762 00:51:37,480 --> 00:51:42,960 Speaker 1: do they improve around those guys with very very limited 763 00:51:43,239 --> 00:51:48,680 Speaker 1: flexibility to sign free agents or make trades. Man Matt 764 00:51:48,880 --> 00:51:53,520 Speaker 1: Ishbia has a lot of questions to answer. Last thing, 765 00:51:53,600 --> 00:51:55,640 Speaker 1: is South Beach treating you all right? How about? What 766 00:51:55,760 --> 00:51:58,800 Speaker 1: did missus Haynes think of her anniversary being talked about 767 00:51:59,320 --> 00:52:00,600 Speaker 1: on national television? 768 00:52:02,600 --> 00:52:05,000 Speaker 2: Yeah? I had to show it the next morning. Nah, 769 00:52:05,120 --> 00:52:09,120 Speaker 2: let see, it was cool. So our anniversary is actually today. 770 00:52:10,239 --> 00:52:12,799 Speaker 2: So we went to the beach, hung at the beach, 771 00:52:14,560 --> 00:52:19,520 Speaker 2: Bernie Lee, Jimmy Butler's agents got us reservations at Carbone 772 00:52:20,719 --> 00:52:27,400 Speaker 2: Italian restaurant out here, spent like three hours there. She 773 00:52:27,920 --> 00:52:29,680 Speaker 2: had a great time. She had a great time. So 774 00:52:29,960 --> 00:52:31,239 Speaker 2: you know, we didn't we didn't. 775 00:52:32,560 --> 00:52:34,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, I heard your colleague Brian Anderson put the city 776 00:52:35,000 --> 00:52:38,600 Speaker 1: on alert the Haynes family's in town. 777 00:52:40,960 --> 00:52:43,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, that was cool. Twenty one years. 778 00:52:43,840 --> 00:52:48,360 Speaker 1: Congratulations my friend, that is awesome, And congratulations to show contributors. 779 00:52:48,440 --> 00:52:53,360 Speaker 1: Charlotte Haynes as well and beyond wishing you guys a 780 00:52:53,400 --> 00:52:58,040 Speaker 1: happy twenty first anniversary, I am wishing for no more injuries. 781 00:52:58,160 --> 00:53:00,719 Speaker 1: Can we just stop it with the injuries? Can we 782 00:53:00,800 --> 00:53:05,040 Speaker 1: have one, two, maybe three days of good health in 783 00:53:05,120 --> 00:53:11,640 Speaker 1: this league? Enough? Stop it? All right? That's gonna do 784 00:53:11,719 --> 00:53:16,280 Speaker 1: it for this edition of this league Uncut. As always, 785 00:53:16,520 --> 00:53:20,239 Speaker 1: please follow us, rate the show, review the show. We 786 00:53:20,280 --> 00:53:23,480 Speaker 1: would love to get a five star review from you. 787 00:53:24,400 --> 00:53:28,319 Speaker 1: Chris is on Celtic's Heat. I believe through game five. 788 00:53:28,480 --> 00:53:30,839 Speaker 1: Is that correct? You're on that series at least through 789 00:53:30,920 --> 00:53:37,759 Speaker 1: game five. I will be on MAVs Clippers, probably to 790 00:53:37,920 --> 00:53:41,840 Speaker 1: the completion of that series. Definitely through the first six games. 791 00:53:41,880 --> 00:53:45,560 Speaker 1: We'll see if a it requires a game seven and 792 00:53:46,080 --> 00:53:48,160 Speaker 1: if I would make it to that game seven that 793 00:53:48,480 --> 00:53:52,520 Speaker 1: is tbd. But I will be at Game five in LA. 794 00:53:52,640 --> 00:53:56,680 Speaker 1: I'll be working actually on the Mavericks radio broadcast, as 795 00:53:56,719 --> 00:54:00,680 Speaker 1: I did for Game one and Game two in LA. 796 00:54:00,920 --> 00:54:04,120 Speaker 1: So busy times, that's the way it is in the playoffs. 797 00:54:04,200 --> 00:54:06,879 Speaker 1: But Chris and I will be together again very soon 798 00:54:07,480 --> 00:54:11,640 Speaker 1: for the next edition of this league Uncut. Thanks as 799 00:54:11,680 --> 00:54:15,439 Speaker 1: always for listening, and one more time, happy twenty first 800 00:54:15,520 --> 00:54:18,120 Speaker 1: anniversary at Chris and. 801 00:54:18,360 --> 00:54:28,160 Speaker 3: Should and that'll do it for us. See you next time. 802 00:54:29,840 --> 00:54:31,920 Speaker 3: This League Uncut is an iHeartRadio production 803 00:54:36,920 --> 00:54:38,600 Speaker 1: Chris Haynes and Mark Stein