1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: The volume. This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What 2 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:19,280 Speaker 1: is up, Straight Fire, fam, It's the Jason McIntire Straight 3 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:26,440 Speaker 1: Fire for Wednesday, June twenty first NBA Draft rapidly approaching. 4 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: I can't wait for Thursday show, well Friday, technically we'll 5 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 1: record a Thursday night after the draft. All the takes, 6 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:34,599 Speaker 1: the opinions won't get too much into twenty twenty four, 7 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 1: but I love the draft. You will also note those 8 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 1: watching on YouTube, your boy is wearing a throwback Seattle 9 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:44,320 Speaker 1: Sonics shirt. And I gotta do that because throw some 10 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:46,360 Speaker 1: shade up my guy, Kevin Durant. You know he's my guy. 11 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: Longtime podcast listeners, they know I've been a huge Kevin 12 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 1: Durant fan, folks. This dates back to when I was 13 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 1: blogging when Kevin Durant was entering the league. You know, 14 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:57,960 Speaker 1: I had the big lead, but I was also doing 15 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:00,160 Speaker 1: other places because I need to make money. The Big 16 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: League was not making any money and Kevin Durant was 17 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:05,039 Speaker 1: coming to the league. I was doing a mock draft 18 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 1: for AOL FanHouse shout out to the FanHouse ogs, and 19 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 1: I was the only one on staff at the mock 20 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: draft that had Kevin Durant won Greg Odin two and 21 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:17,320 Speaker 1: I was proven right. Hello, I'm still doing mock drafts. 22 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 1: I love them. I love mock NFL drafts, NBA. I 23 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 1: just did my submitum my final one for Fox Sports 24 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 1: for twenty twenty three. So I've been to Kevin Durant 25 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 1: defender for a while. I love Durant in Seattle, got 26 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 1: the T shirt obviously. OKC phenomenal gets to the finals 27 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 1: in Sam Presty trades James harden In just a move 28 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 1: that really does not get enough scorn. They never get 29 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 1: back to the finals. They fall short in twenty sixteen, 30 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 1: and this backstory's worth it. Just be patient. Twenty sixteen, 31 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 1: I moved the family from Pennsylvania out to LA to 32 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:49,080 Speaker 1: do TV at FS one, and I think it was 33 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:52,600 Speaker 1: like our seventh or eighth show ever. And Kevin Durant 34 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: left OKC for Golden State, and I defended him staunchily. 35 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 1: I said, this is the right move, this is a 36 00:01:57,480 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 1: smart move. He put in a lot of time in 37 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 1: Seattle and Oak case. I defended Kevin Durant. I've been 38 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 1: a Durant guy. And then once he was in Golden 39 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,600 Speaker 1: State and started dominating, I started tagging him on ig 40 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 1: for some of my takes and he liked him and 41 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 1: he responds instantly. Kevin Durant, the phone in his pocket, 42 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 1: always on social media. Okay, then he decides to leave 43 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,920 Speaker 1: Golden State for Brooklyn, and I was critical because that's all. Listen. 44 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 1: I like Kevin Durant a lot. I'm gonna call him 45 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 1: out when I think he makes a terrible move. He 46 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:28,520 Speaker 1: hated it. He threw shade at me. This is on DMS, 47 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 1: and Durant was, you know, disagreed with like everything. And 48 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: that's fine, and I was proved right again. Brooklyn was 49 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:38,840 Speaker 1: a failure. Fast forward to now, Kevin Durant in a 50 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,839 Speaker 1: good spot in Phoenix. I said earlier, well, the first 51 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:45,960 Speaker 1: show we had Monday this week that Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, 52 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:48,320 Speaker 1: Devin Booker, they're the team to beat in the West. 53 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:50,160 Speaker 1: I know the Nuggets come in as the defending champs, 54 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 1: the incumbent. You know there's a slight edge there, but 55 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 1: I think Phoenix is a team to beat. And Kevin Durant, 56 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:03,080 Speaker 1: who's always responded on social media, made a mistake. He 57 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:06,679 Speaker 1: got caught up. Folks in this Carl Anthony Towns nonsense 58 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:09,480 Speaker 1: carl Anthony Towns, of course did some podcast because now 59 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 1: every former athlete has a podcast, And Carl Anton Towns 60 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 1: said to Pat BEV, when I'm retired, they'll remember me 61 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 1: for changing the game and my legacy and all this nonsense, Like, bro, 62 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:22,840 Speaker 1: can you win a playoff series? Let's start there before 63 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 1: we talk about how you changed the game and impacted 64 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:28,480 Speaker 1: the game. So Kevin Durant we again, big fan of 65 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant. He decided that he would respond to some 66 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: guy who tweeted on Tuesday that not only did Kyrie Irving, 67 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 1: James Harden and who's the Russell Westbrook have amazing careers 68 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:51,920 Speaker 1: to date, but James Harden's influence is not fully recognized 69 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: and appreciated, and Kyrie responded, sorry, KD responded Kyrie and 70 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 1: Russ too. Okay, this is all because carl Anton Town's 71 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 1: open his big fat mouth that says something dumb, and 72 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 1: now everybody's reacting, and Kevin Durant's like, ooh, it's been 73 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 1: a couple of days. Let me try to stir some 74 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:09,920 Speaker 1: stuff up. So Kevin Durant, who And this is one 75 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: of the problems I have with KD and the social media. 76 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 1: I know it's in his head because he's responding to everybody. 77 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:19,479 Speaker 1: Somebody has people say stuff about Durant all the time, 78 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 1: not even dozens hundreds of people a day are tweeting 79 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: at Kevin Durant and trying to go to him into 80 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:27,359 Speaker 1: a conversation because they're looking to chase clout, get their 81 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: name out there. Lebron doesn't fall into this trap. Why 82 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 1: Lebron's married. Lebron has two basketball players and a young daughter. 83 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 1: He's got a lot going on. He's got his company 84 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 1: with Maverick Carter and all these guys like currently he's 85 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 1: vacationing and he's hanging out Draymond Green in Paris. He's 86 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 1: got a lot going on. You don't have time to 87 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 1: be in the weeds with these random internet people. Kevin 88 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 1: Durant does. Steph Curry another guy either can't Steph Curry 89 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 1: cares about what's going on on social media. You think 90 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:02,839 Speaker 1: he's replying to randoms about legacies and changing the game. No, 91 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:04,880 Speaker 1: guy's got some he's got kids, he's got the wife, 92 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 1: got a lot going on. I'm a Steph Curry guy. 93 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 1: Steph Curry follows me on Twitter for whatever that's worth. 94 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: But the reality is these guys have families, they've got 95 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: live they don't have time to be going back and 96 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:20,680 Speaker 1: forth with Joe anonymous loser Twitter troll and Durrant does 97 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 1: this maybe seeking attention. I'm not going to play armchair 98 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 1: psychologist here, but for whatever reason, he's doing it, and 99 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:33,880 Speaker 1: he is way way wrong when it comes to influence, 100 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: fully recognized and appreciated for James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and 101 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 1: Russell Westbrook. So I said, bet the better part of 102 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 1: the afternoon digging into this. I'll start with this to inspire, right. 103 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:46,599 Speaker 1: I looked up the Dictionary definition just for you guys, 104 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:54,680 Speaker 1: to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration. Okay, 105 00:05:54,800 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 1: so inspire check right, Kyrie Irving. We'll start with Kyrie Irving, 106 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 1: who I've been very critical of obviously for obvious reasons. 107 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving has inspired a lot of people. Okay, Kyrie 108 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: Irving started off in Cleveland, not doing anything, winning twenty 109 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: thirty games. The fact of the matter is, and this 110 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 1: is keeping it a hundred, Kyrie Irving was nothing as 111 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,600 Speaker 1: a basketball player until Lebron James went back to Cleveland 112 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,600 Speaker 1: and saved him. That's a fact. Kyrie Irving is immensely 113 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: talented basketball player. He's going to the Hall of Fame, 114 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 1: I get that. But he was on the track to 115 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 1: nowhereville until Lebron showed up and bailed him out. And 116 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:35,280 Speaker 1: then Lebron brought Kevin Love and they won a championship. 117 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 1: Kyrie had a great shot, But the fact is, as 118 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: a young player in the league, he did absolutely nothing. 119 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving, do you know what he was best known 120 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 1: for as a young guy in the league. His commercials, 121 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 1: his viral commercials. Yeah, I remember this because I was 122 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:52,279 Speaker 1: a blogger and YouTube. Kyrie Irving had these super popular commercials, 123 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 1: whether it was Pepsi, foot locker or whatever they were. 124 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 1: Do you guys remember you know Michael Jackson is famous 125 00:06:57,520 --> 00:06:59,479 Speaker 1: for that lean where it just looks like it's not 126 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:02,359 Speaker 1: scientific possible that someone could lean like that. Well, Kyrie 127 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:03,920 Speaker 1: Irving had one of those commercials and it was like, 128 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:06,159 Speaker 1: whoa was this real or not? It goes viral, So 129 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 1: then inspiring Kyrie Irving decides to do the Uncle Drew 130 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: viral video that was massive. This is over a decade 131 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: ago massive. It was super cool. It doesn't matter that 132 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 1: he was winning twenty five games a year it was awesome, 133 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: and so Kyrie Irving becomes a hero to this young 134 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 1: generation of people who are all over the internet all 135 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: the time. And I went back and watched the Uncle 136 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 1: Drew commercial. It's pretty awesome. I loved it. At the time, 137 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving was to use an analogy that cool underground 138 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 1: rock band that played like locally and they hadn't popped, 139 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: but man, you knew they were gonna eventually pop. Okay, 140 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 1: And Kyrie was doing these commercials and he built up 141 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 1: just a ground swell of people loved him. He wasn't 142 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:53,640 Speaker 1: winning Jack Squat, but he was getting people into his brand, 143 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:57,160 Speaker 1: his world, and Kyrie Irving had his own little beehive, 144 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: you know, like Beyonce has hers. And then Lebron comes 145 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:03,880 Speaker 1: saves his ass. Then they win a championship, the epic 146 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 1: comeback from down three to one. Lebron is the MVP. 147 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 1: Kyrie was outstanding in that series. No can't take anything 148 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: away from him. And then instantly Kyrie Irving starts hearing like, oh, well, 149 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 1: Lebron saved you. And then Kyrie's like, wait a minute, no, 150 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: I don't need this, I can do it on my own. 151 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 1: And he's like, I'm out. I'm leaving Lebron, I'm ditching you. 152 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 1: I don't need you. Get me the hell out of here. 153 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 1: Beefing with Tyron Lou. What's inspiring about that? So then 154 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 1: he goes to Brooklyn, drags Kevin Durant with him. Then 155 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: he becomes a real basket case. Kyrie Irving a disaster 156 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:36,840 Speaker 1: in Brooklyn. They never win anything. The super team is 157 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: and now Kyrie Irving's bouncing around the league. Now he's 158 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 1: in Dallas. They were I think fourth or fifth in 159 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 1: the playoff standings. Kyrie shows up, they fall out, like guys. 160 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 1: We can love Kyrie Irving the basketball talent, but let's 161 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 1: be real. If you think he's inspiring anybody out there 162 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:57,200 Speaker 1: to be a winning basketball player, you are a thousand 163 00:08:57,240 --> 00:09:00,680 Speaker 1: percent wrong. And that's the common thread with Kyrie Irving, 164 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:07,439 Speaker 1: James Harden, and Russell Westbrook immensely talented individual basketball players, 165 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:09,959 Speaker 1: that's undeniable. They are all going into the Hall of 166 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 1: Fame with ease. They're coasting into the Hall of Fame 167 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:14,480 Speaker 1: as well. They should. They put up a lot of points, 168 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 1: they scored a lot of points. They also lost a 169 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:21,440 Speaker 1: ton of basketball games. Why because they're not winning players. 170 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 1: Russell Westbrook is out there for Russell Westbrook. He's got 171 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:28,000 Speaker 1: to get his He's got a pad stats to get 172 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:30,840 Speaker 1: the rebounds that average a triple double. They get dusted 173 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 1: in the first round. James Harden, the King of I 174 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 1: gotta get up in the nightclubs and then I'll come 175 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 1: back and drop fifty the next day. It's all good, 176 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: and then I'm gonna choke in the playoffs. And Kyrie Irving, 177 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: Who's all about Kyrie Irving all the time? What are 178 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:51,760 Speaker 1: these guys have in common? They are inspiring young basketball 179 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 1: players the wrong way. They're not making their teammates better. 180 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: I know Harden led the league in assists. I get that. 181 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:02,600 Speaker 1: Tell me what tell me the player other than I mean, 182 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:04,280 Speaker 1: do we want to say Clint Capella. I don't know 183 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:06,360 Speaker 1: he can rim run with Trey Young, James Hardy, cand 184 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 1: rim One with any point guard. Tell me the players 185 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:13,960 Speaker 1: that Harden, Russ and Kyrie have elevated have made better. 186 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 1: And that's the problem I have with these young players. Again, 187 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 1: I don't want to make this about international players coming 188 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 1: into the league and they elevate the play of everyone 189 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: around them. Jokich obviously, Luca obviously, and the American players 190 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: are a little more selfish and all about themselves. And 191 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 1: I get that it works for them. These guys have 192 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:36,520 Speaker 1: made hundreds of millions of dollars as well. They should 193 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:39,679 Speaker 1: people buy their merchandise. Why Because they got great commercials, 194 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:42,319 Speaker 1: because they got a great handle, because they got sick highlights, 195 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: they got a six sizzle reel. How about Kyrie with 196 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:48,319 Speaker 1: his elite layup package that sells a lot of tickets, 197 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 1: sells a lot of jerseys, sells a lot of merch 198 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 1: doesn't win a lot of titles. And I know I 199 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 1: sound like old guy here, Jay, What do you know? 200 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:59,719 Speaker 1: He's always forcing your men's league down our throats. I 201 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: get it. You guys know I'm the GM of our 202 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:06,840 Speaker 1: basketball team. The what I put together, I want winning players. 203 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:09,840 Speaker 1: We have never once recruited a guy who is a 204 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:13,079 Speaker 1: me first ballhog. Who is I gotta get mine, I 205 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 1: gotta pad my stats. I gotta look good in the 206 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 1: real realm of Kyrie, Kevin Durant, James Harden. That's just 207 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:20,959 Speaker 1: not our style. That's not what I want. It's not 208 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:24,720 Speaker 1: a winning player. And that's why I think Kevin Durant 209 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 1: is way way off here. And I will probably tag 210 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 1: him when I post this, maybe the volume will tag him. 211 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: I'm sure he's gonna hate it. But let's be real. 212 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant cannot keep pushing this angle that these three 213 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 1: guys are inspiring players to do? What to do? What 214 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 1: you want? You want to follow Kyrie Irving? You see 215 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:49,560 Speaker 1: where it's gotten him. What is it gotten? Kyrie? Tell me? 216 00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:54,840 Speaker 1: Is one title with Lebron? What's it got? James Harden, 217 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:57,719 Speaker 1: He's got a lot of money, great life. Listen, James 218 00:11:57,760 --> 00:11:59,720 Speaker 1: Harden's living it up. He's friends with the baby Baby, 219 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 1: He's hanging out with the rappers. I said, that's a 220 00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:03,840 Speaker 1: good life to a lot of people in their thirties. 221 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: But inspiring, I think this is the wrong attitude, the 222 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:11,600 Speaker 1: wrong tact. You want to inspire players. You want to 223 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 1: inspire them to make others better, elevate the team, win championships. 224 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:26,600 Speaker 1: You want inspiration. Let's be real, Steph Curry inspiring others 225 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:30,720 Speaker 1: to take a step back and go recruit Kevin Durant. 226 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:34,679 Speaker 1: The Superstar people knocked Curry and the Warriors for doing 227 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 1: They're like, why are they? Why do you need Kevin Durant? Oh, Curry, 228 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 1: He's remember this narrative. Oh Curry, you know he's not 229 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:42,960 Speaker 1: our all time great. He doesn't have like a he 230 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:45,520 Speaker 1: doesn't have a finals MVP. He can't be You think 231 00:12:45,559 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: Steph Curry cares about that. That's the wrong attitude. He 232 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,960 Speaker 1: doesn't have a finals MVP. That's the non winning attitude. 233 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:54,960 Speaker 1: That's not the one I want. Steph Curry is the inspiration. 234 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 1: You know what. I understand my weaknesses. We just lost 235 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:01,200 Speaker 1: to Lebron and Kyrie. Lebron was under we gotta go 236 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 1: get Kevin Durant. They get Kevin Durant, they become the 237 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 1: greatest dynasty ever, ever, better than anything Jordan put together. Yes, 238 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: I would love to see Kobe and Shaq against the 239 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 1: Curry KD Warriors, But you know, remember Kobe and Chack also, 240 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:16,520 Speaker 1: I had like Rick Fox and Derek Fisher in the 241 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:19,439 Speaker 1: starting lineup. Curry and KD had like Klay Thompson and 242 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:26,080 Speaker 1: Draymond Green. That that that's a squad. Listen again. I 243 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:30,400 Speaker 1: like Kevin Durant, obviously, I where Damian Lillard sneakers. I 244 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,559 Speaker 1: had previously tried the Kyrie sneakers. I didn't love them. 245 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,560 Speaker 1: I like James Harden. I bought a Kyrie Irving Jersey. 246 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 1: Remember the burnt orange one I sent to a fan 247 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: because we did like a giveaway on iTunes. I just 248 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 1: I can't get with this INSPI inspiration in Russ and 249 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 1: Kyrie and James Hart. I just don't see it. I 250 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:56,160 Speaker 1: see selfish players who are out for themselves, and that's great. 251 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 1: I get that you're gonna make a lot of money. 252 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 1: I have a long career, You're gonna make generate wealth. 253 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:04,199 Speaker 1: Wonderful but inspiring young players. I mean, I don't want 254 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 1: to take it too far, but with this international versus 255 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,199 Speaker 1: American players, these American players, a lot of them are 256 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:14,480 Speaker 1: falling behind. I've talked about this, and now I noticed 257 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:17,680 Speaker 1: Kendrick Perkins is aping some of our takes, just stealing them, 258 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:21,600 Speaker 1: just totally boguarding. Oh who wants an American player? Now 259 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 1: you all need international. That's a little that's a bridge 260 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 1: too far. I mean, Steph Curry is an American player, 261 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:30,120 Speaker 1: Kevin Durant is an American player. Devin Booker, like Perkins, 262 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:32,480 Speaker 1: obviously always going too far. But I'm talking about the 263 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 1: young and upcoming generation. These young players now, they're they're 264 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,720 Speaker 1: built different. And maybe maybe it's because some of them 265 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: are inspired by the wrong guys like James Harden. If 266 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 1: you're out there, like I gotta be like James Harden, 267 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:47,480 Speaker 1: the guy who leads the league in dribbles I think 268 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 1: for two years in a row, and I think Russ 269 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: was second. The guy who leads the league in time 270 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:54,320 Speaker 1: of possession, meaning the balls just on their hand the 271 00:14:54,360 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: whole time. That's not winning. It's not And I just 272 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 1: it makes it gets me a little bummed out that 273 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 1: that's what Durant sees, He's got the tuttele vision that 274 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 1: those are the inspirations. I just I totally disagree. So 275 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 1: the other topic that I want to quickly touch on 276 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:16,200 Speaker 1: draft related, totally separate, is this Dame Lillard situation. So 277 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 1: Dame Lollard had put it out there he wants guys 278 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 1: to come to him, he wants to build in Portland. 279 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 1: He don't want to go nowhere. We've been over this 280 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 1: on this pod for I guess the better part of 281 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 1: three weeks, maybe four, that there really is not a 282 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:35,040 Speaker 1: player who can go to Portland and instantly be that guy, 283 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 1: that agent of change who takes them and all of 284 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:41,200 Speaker 1: a sudden they are contending that does not exist. So 285 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:43,400 Speaker 1: The latest floated by Jake Fisher, who's been a guest 286 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 1: on this podcast at Bleacher Report, is that Portland is 287 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:52,800 Speaker 1: preparing a massive package in exchange for bam Adebayo of Miami. 288 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:57,360 Speaker 1: And you're like, bam Metdebaio has been to the finals 289 00:15:57,360 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 1: in Miami twice, he's in his it's making a lot 290 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 1: of money, he's living on South Beach or in South Beach. 291 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 1: He's leaving for Portland and better. Yet, I know he 292 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: doesn't have no trade, so he doesn't have a say 293 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:13,560 Speaker 1: in the matter. Why on earth of the Miami Heat 294 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 1: trading bam out of Bayo? Even if you were to 295 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:19,320 Speaker 1: offer me Andfrety Simon's the number three pick, which is 296 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 1: probably Brandon Miller, maybe Scoot Henderson, and who's the other 297 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 1: get Shaden Sharp? Well, first of all, what's left in 298 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:30,440 Speaker 1: Portland to win with Jeremy Grant, Damian Lillard, Bam out 299 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 1: a Bayo, that's not that's not winning anything. So I 300 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 1: don't totally know what Damian Lillard is doing. I get 301 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 1: it you want to really try hard to get someone. 302 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:42,440 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, but bam out of Bayo, Damian Lillard and 303 00:16:42,520 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 1: Jeremy Grant, assuming you keep Grant, maybe you get Nurkic 304 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: as your big three, although I don't know how nurk 305 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 1: and Bam both play together. That's not getting you anywhere. 306 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 1: You're not a top four team in the West with 307 00:16:57,040 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 1: Dame Bam. And I'll just say me Graham for sake 308 00:17:00,680 --> 00:17:02,800 Speaker 1: of argument. And even if they were to say, oh, 309 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 1: we'll give you Nurkic the number three pick, Simon's like, 310 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:11,720 Speaker 1: why am I doing that? Just take a guess more 311 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:16,880 Speaker 1: all NBA teams the rest of their career combined. Nurkic 312 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:20,479 Speaker 1: he ain't making one shit and sharp Jury still ow 313 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: you could be very very good. He looks like a player, 314 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:25,360 Speaker 1: he's like a teenager. And the number three pick, Brandon Miller, 315 00:17:25,400 --> 00:17:30,400 Speaker 1: we'll see, Okay, who could tell or Bam out of Bayo. 316 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:36,280 Speaker 1: And it's like Bam obviously is gonna have be on 317 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 1: more all NBA teams than those three guys combined. Now, yes, 318 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 1: there are worlds where three guys matter more than one. 319 00:17:43,960 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 1: You know, I would take three guys for DeAndre Ayton 320 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 1: and a heartbeat, and Aidan is gonna have way more 321 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 1: All Star Games than probably the three guys are getting. 322 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:52,680 Speaker 1: But that's a totally different scenario. I just don't see 323 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:56,880 Speaker 1: how Dame, Jeremy Grant and BAM out of bio makes sense. 324 00:17:56,920 --> 00:18:01,400 Speaker 1: Now if there is some crazy scenario where Dame thinks, hey, 325 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,720 Speaker 1: not only do we get BAM for let's just say 326 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 1: Nurkic three and Simons, but what if we went after 327 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: mchal Bridges as well, and we offered Shaden Sharp and 328 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:21,280 Speaker 1: two future first or something of that. But I don't 329 00:18:21,320 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 1: think you could trade back to back picks, so they'd 330 00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 1: have to spread out the number one picks. But like, 331 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:29,359 Speaker 1: is Michal Bridges, Dame and Bam? Is that something? Because 332 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:31,399 Speaker 1: Bam those are the two guys BAM likes a lot. 333 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:38,200 Speaker 1: Sure that's something, But yeah, Dame's thirty three guys. He's 334 00:18:38,359 --> 00:18:40,640 Speaker 1: he's played fewer games in the last two years than 335 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 1: Bradley Beal has. And I know Portland fans are yelling, 336 00:18:43,680 --> 00:18:46,160 Speaker 1: but they shut him down. You don't think Bradley Beal 337 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 1: was like, we, oh, when we're not going to the playoffs? 338 00:18:48,600 --> 00:18:52,280 Speaker 1: What am I doing? Like, Dame has played fewer games 339 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:54,639 Speaker 1: in the last two years than Bradley Beal, who's now 340 00:18:54,680 --> 00:18:59,119 Speaker 1: hads an injury history. Okay, now, Dame mckel Bridges and 341 00:18:59,160 --> 00:19:01,320 Speaker 1: Bam is spicy, but what else do you have around them? 342 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:05,119 Speaker 1: I'm looking at this Portland roster and I'm seeing so 343 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:10,199 Speaker 1: you're trading Simons, You're trading Sharp, you trade Nerk. There 344 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:14,959 Speaker 1: little still there. Battis Theibel cam Reddish, Kevin Knox, Jamari Walker. 345 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:19,000 Speaker 1: I don't know that's That's not even a poop poop platter. 346 00:19:19,119 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: Guys like that's just a bunch of a bunch of 347 00:19:22,359 --> 00:19:25,359 Speaker 1: dudes who might be better than the supporting cast that 348 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:29,360 Speaker 1: the Big four in Phoenix. Half maybe, but yeah, yeah, 349 00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:31,160 Speaker 1: I don't even know that they're better than the Lakers 350 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 1: with Bam, Dame and McHale Bridges, and I don't even 351 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,640 Speaker 1: know if there's a path to get Bridges. But I'm 352 00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: just rolling with it because obviously they got to do 353 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 1: more than Bam and Dame. It's certainly not better than Nuggets, 354 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:47,680 Speaker 1: it's not better than the Suns. I'm trying to think 355 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:49,879 Speaker 1: who else is in the wet Like Memphis will get 356 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:54,399 Speaker 1: jaw back, they'll be good, Minnesota, they'll be good. I 357 00:19:54,520 --> 00:19:56,439 Speaker 1: like Sacramento a lot. Let's see what they do. But 358 00:19:56,920 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 1: this idea that Damian Lillard can orchest straight a bunch 359 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:03,920 Speaker 1: of guys to get to Portland. To me, I feel 360 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 1: like it's just it's not happening. Now what I do believe, 361 00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:08,520 Speaker 1: and gosh, it would be awesome if I hit this. 362 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:13,080 Speaker 1: I am of the belief that all these Dame rumors 363 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:15,560 Speaker 1: who could come to Portland is out there for a reason, 364 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:19,360 Speaker 1: so that behind the scenes, Dame and Portland can work 365 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:22,160 Speaker 1: together to get him out of Portland. Because I think 366 00:20:22,240 --> 00:20:26,440 Speaker 1: inside Dame has to understand, Yo, we try, it ain't 367 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:30,080 Speaker 1: getting done here. It's just not happening. So I think quietly, 368 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:34,240 Speaker 1: Dame the front office they're looking to get Portland a 369 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 1: good deal where he has a nice landing spot. The team, 370 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: I'm going to say to keep an eye on because 371 00:20:40,280 --> 00:20:42,720 Speaker 1: you know, anytime there's a lot of chatter about a 372 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:47,880 Speaker 1: player and a team, it usually doesn't happen. For some reason. 373 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:51,360 Speaker 1: I think the Milwaukee Bucks are cooking up something. Remember 374 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:55,119 Speaker 1: Yannis can sign his extension. I believe in September if 375 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:58,960 Speaker 1: they have a off season and coming off a first 376 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:02,119 Speaker 1: round loss and they fire the coach. Not I know 377 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:05,639 Speaker 1: Jannis loves Milwaukee. Who doesn't I'm told Milwaukee's beautiful in 378 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 1: the summer. Do you think maybe maybe that there's a 379 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:14,439 Speaker 1: world where Dame Jannis and I don't know who the 380 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:19,880 Speaker 1: third best player is in Portland. Can they keep Drew Holiday. 381 00:21:20,680 --> 00:21:24,000 Speaker 1: I don't see Portland wanting Chris Middleton unless they think 382 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:25,800 Speaker 1: they can thread the needle with the young guys in 383 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:29,600 Speaker 1: Middleton and maybe push for a playing spot. And again, 384 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:31,919 Speaker 1: I like Anfrety Simons than most people. I like him 385 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:34,320 Speaker 1: a lot better than most people do. We'll see. I 386 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 1: think he's kind of a Jordan Poole with maybe a 387 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:38,960 Speaker 1: better three point shooter, a little more under control. And 388 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:40,960 Speaker 1: I like Shade Sharp. I don't think he pops yet. 389 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:44,440 Speaker 1: You keep Brandon Miller, you get you know, Brandon Miller 390 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:46,600 Speaker 1: learns under Chris Middleton, who has been an All Star, 391 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:48,640 Speaker 1: has been a pro. Middleton kind of was an under 392 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,720 Speaker 1: the radar guy and really popped. Like I don't know. 393 00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:54,719 Speaker 1: I think Milwaukee makes some sense, but there's always a 394 00:21:54,720 --> 00:21:58,359 Speaker 1: team kind of sneaky where something could get done. The 395 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 1: other hypothetical would be the New Orleans Pelicans have had 396 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:05,280 Speaker 1: it with Zion Williamson's They say, Portland, what do you 397 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 1: want Zion and whatever? Just give us stuff and they 398 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 1: kind of reboot with maybe Scoot Henderson or what have you. 399 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:16,800 Speaker 1: But by the way, and a couple of people sent 400 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:22,200 Speaker 1: me this late on Tuesday, the Zion's lady friend who 401 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:24,479 Speaker 1: is threatening to release videos and a bunch of stuff. 402 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:28,199 Speaker 1: Her Twitter account was suspended. I don't know if that 403 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:32,160 Speaker 1: was Zions doing his agent, but always fun to dive 404 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:35,280 Speaker 1: into the world of Zion Williamson as the Zion turns, 405 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:37,600 Speaker 1: that's kind of mean because he is the size of 406 00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:39,719 Speaker 1: planet Earth. He looks like he's in orbit. All right, 407 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:42,960 Speaker 1: I'll stop there. Fun podcast Kevin Durant, I love you, babe, 408 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:44,159 Speaker 1: talk to you guys tomorrow.