1 00:00:13,199 --> 00:00:17,800 What is krack Alak and part theos listeners, I am Dan Valley coming out 2 00:00:17,879 --> 00:00:21,920 can help my vantabulous co host Adam Cromwell. I am now ever, super 3 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:27,320 excited to be joined by first time guest Jason Maples. He's an assistant coach 4 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:32,960 for the Contra Costa College men's basketball team. He's a head coach of the 5 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:36,759 Red and Black AAU program, and he's also the host of the Temple of 6 00:00:36,799 --> 00:00:40,679 Hoop podcast, which is also a Blue ire podcast, So go check him 7 00:00:40,719 --> 00:00:42,840 out Temple of Hoop. It's fund. Him and his co host Kings have 8 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:47,600 a have great chemistry. He comes on, we talk about our most interesting 9 00:00:47,719 --> 00:00:51,840 players and teams to watch for the rest of the year. We did We 10 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:54,679 did talk about the Lakers for a little bit, even though neither of us 11 00:00:54,719 --> 00:00:58,719 have them on our list, just because Jason has an extensive history rooting for 12 00:00:58,759 --> 00:01:00,399 the Lakers covering the Lakers, so we just we talked about them for a 13 00:01:00,399 --> 00:01:03,840 little bit. But we also got into some Pelicans, some Spurs, some 14 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:07,599 Mavericks, some Nicks. We ran the gamut here. It was a fun 15 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:11,519 conversation, so I hope you enjoy it. Just our usual housekeeping notes, 16 00:01:11,879 --> 00:01:15,040 Please remember to rate, review and subscribe to us wherever you're getting your podcast. 17 00:01:15,079 --> 00:01:18,000 If this is your first time checking Hardwoo Knox out, maybe because you 18 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:22,599 are a devout follower of all things Jason Maples, I urge you to throw 19 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:27,079 us that permanent subscription. We are a pleasantly thorough and seriously un serious operation, 20 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:30,159 and we think that you'll enjoy us permanently. Thank you to all our 21 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:34,560 recurring listeners, You guys are awesome. If you have not rated, reviewed 22 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:38,159 us yet wherever you get your podcast, though, please remember to do that. 23 00:01:38,519 --> 00:01:41,719 Also, remember to follow us on social media everywhere. All the links 24 00:01:41,719 --> 00:01:45,079 are in the podcast description. We're on Instagram, Twitter at Hardwood Knox, 25 00:01:45,439 --> 00:01:49,200 TikTok as well YouTube, and we have a discord channel, so come. 26 00:01:49,359 --> 00:01:53,760 There are a lot of good conversations that happen in there. We'll hopefully be 27 00:01:53,799 --> 00:01:56,280 doing more stuff with Discord moving forward as well. The link is in the 28 00:01:56,280 --> 00:02:00,840 podcast description as well. Without further delay, though, let's get to lots 29 00:02:00,959 --> 00:02:06,760 and lots and lots of interesting NBA talk with Jason Maples. Jason, thank 30 00:02:06,799 --> 00:02:09,080 you so much for agreeing to come on the Harvard Knox podcast. The first 31 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:13,080 time I pestored you and you said yes. So I am one and one 32 00:02:13,479 --> 00:02:15,520 on request for you. How are you doing today? I'm good man. 33 00:02:15,599 --> 00:02:19,360 Like I said before, Man, I always love, you know, talking 34 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:22,960 basketball with people who I interact with on a timeline and I respect me or 35 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:27,759 something. I'm looking forward to this. I have two quick tangents about you 36 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:30,599 or three, I guess. One congrats on a good season. I was 37 00:02:30,599 --> 00:02:32,479 listening to Temple Hoop the other last week. I know you guys lost. 38 00:02:32,479 --> 00:02:36,039 He said, you made to the sweet sixteen. That's pretty impressive, so 39 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:40,360 congrats on that. The other thing, I consider myself NBA Twitter adjacent, 40 00:02:40,439 --> 00:02:46,000 but you seem very embedded in like Pelicans and Lakers Twitter. And explained to 41 00:02:46,039 --> 00:02:52,840 me the because I don't know the origin of okay. So so I'm a 42 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:57,439 Laker fan first and foremost. I was always going to be the home team. 43 00:02:57,439 --> 00:03:00,479 Brandon Eager was my favorite player. I've been riding him, you know, 44 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:04,719 through the dark times. So when he got traded, you know, 45 00:03:04,759 --> 00:03:07,639 I just I do root for the Pelicans when I'm not playing the Lakers, 46 00:03:07,719 --> 00:03:12,479 so I do roo hard for them. This season feels like it might be 47 00:03:12,479 --> 00:03:16,479 a little bit of an intersection coming with that playing game potentially, but we'll 48 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:20,319 see what happens. But that's all it is. My favorite player plays for 49 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:23,719 the Pelicans, so I support them and you know, try to want them 50 00:03:23,719 --> 00:03:28,400 to do well, but it's always Lakers first, no matter what. I 51 00:03:28,439 --> 00:03:30,599 did bring you on under the guys of discussing the players and teams that were 52 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:34,719 most interested in seeing for the rest of the year, but I forced Pelicans 53 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:38,680 Lakers into that umbrella, and the Pelicans are actually one of the teams for 54 00:03:38,719 --> 00:03:44,199 me. So I'm just curious as if you have any overarching thoughts on their 55 00:03:44,199 --> 00:03:46,719 season. I'd love to hear those. But I was first and foremost curious 56 00:03:46,719 --> 00:03:50,840 about what you thought about the the CJ McCullum fit in New Orleans since the 57 00:03:50,879 --> 00:03:55,560 trade deadline. It's been great. I've been begging for a while now for 58 00:03:55,680 --> 00:04:00,000 him just get another guard who can create, and they got a high, 59 00:04:00,039 --> 00:04:03,639 high level one. My concern was actually the defense, but they've actually defended 60 00:04:03,759 --> 00:04:08,599 very well with Ingram and CJC court together, which has been a pleasant surprise. 61 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:13,560 But I've just has been an over you know, pleasant surprise with CJ. 62 00:04:14,719 --> 00:04:16,480 But what I didn't know was how good of a playmate he was. 63 00:04:16,519 --> 00:04:20,240 He's a very good playmaker passer. I think a lot of that was Verry 64 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:24,519 playing alongside Dames games always going to be the number one there, so he 65 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:26,600 tried to took a back seat, and I regard, you know, for 66 00:04:26,639 --> 00:04:30,680 the betterment of the team. But he's definitely got some better playmaking chops than 67 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:33,120 I thought. So that's been pleasant to watch, but overall, just very 68 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:38,240 pleased. If that team can never get some good luck health wise, man, 69 00:04:38,319 --> 00:04:41,319 they could be really good. They gets zied up right, and then 70 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:46,000 you got Ingram who's playing probably best ball of his career, catches a fantom 71 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:47,720 not a fan of, but he got his hamstring at you can't even see 72 00:04:47,759 --> 00:04:51,600 it on during the game when he tweaked it right. And then though CJ 73 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:59,000 catches COVID at the end of an end of the pandemic. Just bad bad 74 00:04:59,079 --> 00:05:01,079 luck all around. But you know they're hitting top in that tamp spot, 75 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:05,720 so you know, we'll see what happens. Did you think people were overthinking 76 00:05:05,759 --> 00:05:12,120 that trade in the first place. We just trolled the Pelicans for trying to 77 00:05:12,199 --> 00:05:15,839 use cap space and missing on Kyle Lowry, right, and the sweeping response 78 00:05:15,959 --> 00:05:19,680 was, why would you waste all this flexibility on Cegie? McCullum. It 79 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:24,560 was like sort of a we can't have this both ways. I just don't 80 00:05:24,639 --> 00:05:28,480 use flexibility is like a huge asset in the New Orleans market. I was 81 00:05:28,519 --> 00:05:30,480 just gonna say that. I think I think a lot of times on the 82 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:34,839 NBA Twitter, I think people would just like to breathe the contrarian right because 83 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:39,160 it just brings engagement, and you know, all controversy, you know, 84 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:43,720 it brings attention. But I think you know, they made they swung for 85 00:05:43,759 --> 00:05:47,959 Lowry and Chris Paul and the off season whipped badly, had the Salvage losing 86 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:53,160 Linzo, with the DeVante Graham signing which you hadn't worked out great. They 87 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:58,240 really need a guard and I think the best way for a small market team 88 00:05:58,319 --> 00:06:00,839 is not a free agent. You know, to bring guys in and convince 89 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:03,319 them to stays through through trades. You know, you trade for CJ. 90 00:06:03,759 --> 00:06:06,879 You sell him in the area, try to give him to win and you 91 00:06:06,879 --> 00:06:11,199 know commit you know, a long term there and then his contract is zeph 92 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:15,199 you know when Zion and Ingram's extension kicks in. So if it's not working 93 00:06:15,199 --> 00:06:17,600 out by then, you know, it's easy decision to make. But you 94 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:19,920 know, you can't. You can't fault them for this trade at all. 95 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:24,839 And and I've been a very critical of Griff over the last few years, 96 00:06:24,879 --> 00:06:27,560 but you can't follow him at all for that deal. In my opinion, 97 00:06:28,959 --> 00:06:31,399 only only the ass that you gave up was you know, young Asse to 98 00:06:31,439 --> 00:06:34,800 kill Alexander Walker, Josh Charges having a career year. But you got to 99 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:39,120 give up something when you're getting a player of CJ. Mcconoll's caliber. So 100 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:42,040 I think it's a trade that's gonna work out for both teams, honestly. 101 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:45,160 Yeah. And it was, like you say at the top, he filled 102 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:47,519 such a clear need for them to see they had they were shooting backcourt in 103 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:53,519 the league. They needed CJ McColl who's come in and is shooting sixty plus 104 00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:57,399 percent on twos outside the paint, right, Like that's like absurd, even 105 00:06:57,399 --> 00:07:00,879 for CJ McCall. It's just it's just it's just, I mean a lot 106 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:04,639 of it is, you know, the leap that Ingram took as far as 107 00:07:04,759 --> 00:07:10,240 playmaking and the attention he was getting, it just freezes up another guard who's 108 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:13,319 going to you know, make plays. I remember that there's a play against 109 00:07:13,519 --> 00:07:15,720 Phoenix when they you know, b I started getting to going. They started 110 00:07:15,759 --> 00:07:18,160 throwing the kitchen seeing this is the Phoenix thing, and they won a couple 111 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:20,600 of weeks ago out the one they got bowed out, and yesterday without Ingram, 112 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:26,240 of course, they tried to load up on Ingram on the front side 113 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:28,839 and he just kicked into the backside of CJ. And it's just one on 114 00:07:28,839 --> 00:07:32,079 one, and you know he's gonna win that ninety percent at a time with 115 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:34,560 the skill set. So I'm just looking forward to stuff like that. And 116 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:38,639 then you sprinkle Zion and on top of that, this team could really be 117 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:41,319 something. They just can get these guys healthy on the floor at the same 118 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:44,560 time. And I also want to add a kudos a really green man because 119 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:47,319 you know that team started off one and twelve with no Zion. They definitely 120 00:07:47,319 --> 00:07:49,759 could have let go of the rope. He just did not allow what to 121 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:53,720 happen. And you know they are they are playing, you know, good 122 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:57,160 basketball overall. A little bit of the tough stretch when Ingram went down, 123 00:07:57,199 --> 00:08:00,399 but overall, since that one and twelve start, I think they've been, 124 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:03,439 you know, around a five hundred team if I'm in conqueran, which is 125 00:08:03,639 --> 00:08:05,920 pretty tough given you know, not having zion, So that's that's good for 126 00:08:05,959 --> 00:08:09,959 me. That's a perfect segue. It's my next two questions. You would 127 00:08:09,959 --> 00:08:16,000 mentioned brandon Ingram playing career ball and the playmaking leap. What specifically have you 128 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:18,279 noticed that's different about like the passing numbers of course back it up, but 129 00:08:18,399 --> 00:08:22,439 like what is he seeing or doing differently as a playmaker this year that he 130 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:26,240 hasn't in years past. I think he started last year. But the thing 131 00:08:26,279 --> 00:08:31,679 I've noticed is he doesn't drive anymore with the preconceived action in his mind. 132 00:08:31,759 --> 00:08:37,080 Like I think in his younger part of his career he would like, I'm 133 00:08:37,159 --> 00:08:39,480 driving the score and then the shop and is going over with Groulston, I'm 134 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:41,480 driving a pass in the past of going over ground, I think he's reading 135 00:08:41,519 --> 00:08:46,240 the game as it comes to him, and I think that's a huge step 136 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,159 to becoming a great playmaker, and you know a lot of guys don't reach 137 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:50,879 it. So I think it's a key milestone for him, as in, 138 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:54,559 I'm gonna drive and then whatever it defense gives me, I'm gonna take. 139 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:58,919 But it's hard because that you know, decision comes like this on NBA basketball, 140 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:03,080 right, so everybody doesn't get it. So I think him getting that 141 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:05,240 into his game is just gonna make him that much more deadly, especially like 142 00:09:05,279 --> 00:09:09,879 I said, when Zion and CJ get together and they get some chemistry. 143 00:09:09,919 --> 00:09:13,159 I think just having that in his game is gonna make him so much more 144 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:16,919 of a deadly player. I don't know how you're gonna defend an offense that 145 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:20,159 has Zion Williamson and see brand ingram like in it, But I just don't 146 00:09:20,279 --> 00:09:22,399 I'm hoping. I don't know if we'll get to see this season. I 147 00:09:22,399 --> 00:09:26,600 know you alluded to something in your live episode last week that maybe we'd hear 148 00:09:26,639 --> 00:09:31,679 some good Zion Williamson news for a change or something. Yeah, I talk 149 00:09:31,759 --> 00:09:33,440 to somebody who's kind of, you know, somewhat you know, tapped in 150 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:37,879 on the al skirts out there, and they said that possibly, maybe towards 151 00:09:37,879 --> 00:09:39,320 the end of the month, you might hear some some good news about him 152 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:43,399 possibly trying to give it a go. It's just tough because they only have 153 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:46,799 six games in April. Then it's the playing if they make it, So 154 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:48,159 that's the only decision they got to make. Is it work? You know, 155 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:52,559 pushing them out there, We're just giving them the whole top the whole 156 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:56,840 offseason to rehab and wrest So we're at that at that kind of tipping point. 157 00:09:56,879 --> 00:09:58,919 At this point, you got to make that decision. But I think 158 00:10:00,039 --> 00:10:03,320 he's trending upward though. You know, he did come back as everybody saw 159 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:05,919 it. He's back with the team, which is good. So you know, 160 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:09,519 we'll see at the end of the month what they say, even looking 161 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:13,559 beyond this season, like what does a healthy Zion Williamson due to this Pelicans 162 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:16,120 team sealing? Like what would it be unrealistic if we're looking ahead the next 163 00:10:16,159 --> 00:10:20,120 year. Let's just say he's fully healthy. Don't they feel like they could 164 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:22,919 maybe be a top four team in the West just based off what they've done. 165 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:26,200 Yeah, see, it's just you know what I think in theory, 166 00:10:26,279 --> 00:10:31,200 but if you just you know, look realistically, So the Warriors are gonna 167 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:35,519 be there. You gotta understand, the Clippers are getting fifty five points of 168 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:41,480 getting back the next season. Denver's getting Porter and Murray back next season. 169 00:10:41,039 --> 00:10:43,919 So I think, you know those are your top three. Phoenix is not 170 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:46,879 going to words. I think that's top four, and then you just you 171 00:10:46,919 --> 00:10:50,039 can never count out Lebron and a d depending on what they do. In 172 00:10:50,039 --> 00:10:54,200 obviously, so think those are your top five teams. Probably so I think, 173 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:56,000 like you know, a goal for them is to just try to avoid 174 00:10:56,039 --> 00:11:00,320 the play in. I think a realistic goal it's trying to avoid the But 175 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:03,320 I just think the West it's gonna be too hectic next year to shoot for 176 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:07,279 top four is just you know, not realisticing with a couple of other teams 177 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:11,080 or are having to come back into the fold. Do you place any stock 178 00:11:11,279 --> 00:11:15,039 in just the Zion Williamson shadow over the past year a year and a half 179 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:18,240 about his whether it's his conditioning, his commitment or lack thereof, to the 180 00:11:18,279 --> 00:11:20,720 franchise, Like, do you read anything into that or do you think it's 181 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:24,639 been overblown? There's probably a little bit of both, right, whether there's 182 00:11:24,639 --> 00:11:28,240 a little bit of smoke, you know, there's some fire, and then 183 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,320 also you know, people like to overdo things, So probably a little bit 184 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:35,399 of both from my opinion. But there's definitely been some you know, questions 185 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:39,240 about commitment and how you know, he and Griff don't see how to eye 186 00:11:39,279 --> 00:11:43,000 on everything as far as you know, managing his minutes or him wanting to 187 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:48,080 play or non player things of that nature. But I think the accurate thing, 188 00:11:48,399 --> 00:11:52,639 you know, being a Laker fan who was used to drama, you 189 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:56,279 know, winning silences all of that. You just have a successful team, 190 00:11:56,519 --> 00:11:58,720 all that noise goes away. I think that's the bottom line. They just 191 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:01,240 gotta win, man, and all of that stuff, you know, kind 192 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:03,600 of takes care of itself, you know, the player, gen relationships, 193 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:05,960 whether or not even wants to be here. You know, if you win, 194 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:09,360 you know, all that solved, right, So that's that's got to 195 00:12:09,399 --> 00:12:13,840 be the goal going forward. The only noise about Zion that I've actually really 196 00:12:13,919 --> 00:12:18,279 enjoyed, and I think he kind of poo pooed it, was that report 197 00:12:18,399 --> 00:12:22,440 that Griff tried to play the piano for him or something in the room. 198 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:26,519 I couldn't believe that that was a real thing, but I'm kind of upset 199 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:28,240 that maybe it wasn't, or at least Zion claims it wasn't. I wanted 200 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:31,679 that to be true, just because it's so ridiculous. I'll say this, 201 00:12:31,799 --> 00:12:37,320 the guy who wrote that, Christian Clark, the stuff he's always told me 202 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:41,440 about Pelicans stuff, It's always coming to fruition or come to be true after 203 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:46,159 the fact. So I'm not gonna say that Christian not about anything. So 204 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:48,519 I'm gonna say at least he was told by the guys that he talks to 205 00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:52,919 that that happened. So I'll say that, you know, even if Zion 206 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:56,159 and Griff said it didn't happen. But Christians have the type of guy to 207 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:58,919 put fake stuff out there. No, he's killed the Pelicans, be exactly 208 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:01,720 exactly. So I'm still going to hold out hope that was true, or 209 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:07,799 at least just because that's so ridiculous, right, just giving Zion's injury history, 210 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:13,000 if you're the Pelicans this offseason, are you offering the max extension? 211 00:13:13,159 --> 00:13:16,159 And if you're Zion giving your injury history, are you are you taking it? 212 00:13:16,799 --> 00:13:20,279 Yeah? I think with these stars, they seen between the hard and 213 00:13:20,399 --> 00:13:24,600 saga, the Anthony Davis saga, the Ben Simmons saga. You know, 214 00:13:24,759 --> 00:13:28,639 it's pretty easy to navigate your way out of a place if you wanted. 215 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:31,399 So where's coming to the worst? Hook? Secure his bag? If he's 216 00:13:31,399 --> 00:13:33,159 not happy in a year or two, he'll probably just ask out. You 217 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:37,799 know that that's not a hurdle anymore for these guys. You know, I'm 218 00:13:37,799 --> 00:13:43,240 not saying any you know, mental health issuess are made up, But these 219 00:13:43,279 --> 00:13:46,320 guys will find a way to not play or you know, halfway be into 220 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:50,720 it and then you know, find a way to get out. That's kind 221 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:54,279 of what happens. Like you know, saw hard basically quit any game that's 222 00:13:54,279 --> 00:13:58,039 Sacramento Kings game. Hard play before the trade something was that was one of 223 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:01,679 the worst things I've ever seen from from a corner unquote actually from he is 224 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:03,559 a Hall of Famer, from a Hall of Fame player who was supposed to 225 00:14:03,639 --> 00:14:07,120 be, you know, have a standard of piety, plays and act like 226 00:14:07,159 --> 00:14:09,320 that. That was one of the worst things I've ever seen, you know, 227 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:13,679 as far as wanting to get yourself out of a place that that was. 228 00:14:13,759 --> 00:14:16,240 That was low key embarrassing to the sport. But you know, these 229 00:14:16,279 --> 00:14:18,159 guys find a way to get out of place they don't want to be. 230 00:14:18,279 --> 00:14:22,960 So I don't think it's a concern for Zion. I'll probably sign it and 231 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:28,039 then, like I said years, who's not happy trade me. I think 232 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:31,399 they're never going to be people who troll the Pelicans if and when they offer 233 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:37,200 it. And we have this tendency on Twitter whatever specifically where we just forget 234 00:14:37,399 --> 00:14:41,720 how good players are if they've missed any extensive time Zion was basically an All 235 00:14:41,799 --> 00:14:46,879 NBA player last year, Like you absolutely he was right, especially specially in 236 00:14:48,159 --> 00:14:50,399 New Orleans too, right, You just don't you know, and that you 237 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:54,720 feel for that fan base to an extent because you know, you lose Chris 238 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:58,559 Paul and his prime, Anthony Davis and his prime, and he gets Zion 239 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,759 and you losing him before. That's just a lot over like a course of 240 00:15:01,799 --> 00:15:05,440 ten twelve years. Man. I just I don't think I've ever seen you 241 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:09,559 know, talent walk out of a place, you know, at its peak 242 00:15:09,679 --> 00:15:11,399 like that in a ten fifteen years pan. It's kind of crazy to think 243 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:16,840 about the Pelicans defense specifically you already mentioned they've been like league average since they're 244 00:15:16,919 --> 00:15:20,440 terrible start. It's dipped since the trade deadline, but there's a lot of 245 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:24,519 stuff there, Like I'm not crazy about the Jackson Hayes and playing with another 246 00:15:24,559 --> 00:15:28,399 big front course that we've seen, but they've done just like a really good 247 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:33,080 job of for the most part, gobbling up the low hanging fruit. If 248 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:35,200 it's like getting back in transition. The rebounding has been off lately, but 249 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:39,679 they've done that fairly well. Like what do you attribute to them? I 250 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:43,799 would say overachieving on the defensive end. If you're if you're calling them maybe 251 00:15:43,799 --> 00:15:46,679 a league average defense for the year or close to it. How much credits 252 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:50,559 is Willie Green deserved to that? Is that like a mindset? Is there 253 00:15:50,559 --> 00:15:54,279 anything specific that you've noticed? Is Herb Jones just that ridiculously good? Like 254 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:56,600 I think, I think it's a few things. I think when Willie first 255 00:15:58,039 --> 00:16:02,039 got there, I think he got even he got you know, Brandon to 256 00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:03,519 try on defense, which has you know, been a knock on Brandon. 257 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:07,120 Just the effort on that end has been not existing at times through his career 258 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:11,440 career. I think he definitely up the effort on that end. And secondly, 259 00:16:11,919 --> 00:16:17,039 it's just Herb Jones is just he'll be all NBA defender before his career 260 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:18,399 is up. I'm gonna say in the next three years, Like that's how 261 00:16:18,399 --> 00:16:23,000 good he is offensively. And then they have another guard, Jose Alvarado, 262 00:16:23,279 --> 00:16:27,279 who is just pesky, you know, he makes stuff happen exact a lot 263 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:33,120 of guys that that just try hard. And I always thought that c j 264 00:16:33,399 --> 00:16:36,919 was a little bit underrated defensively in Portland. He would just ask to guard 265 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:38,919 a lot bigger guys in his position, and I think you know, that's 266 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:42,159 kind of been rectified since he's come over, so you know he's he's not 267 00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:47,360 a turnstyle defensively, you'll just just average. I think Ingrad has been average. 268 00:16:47,679 --> 00:16:51,519 I think Herb has been really good. And you know JV struggles and 269 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:56,200 pick and roll, but you know he does finish possessions with rebounds and that 270 00:16:56,399 --> 00:16:59,120 stuff doesn't matter, you know, cleaning up possessions at the end. So 271 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:03,720 I think it's all hands on deck board. I think that team understands that 272 00:17:03,759 --> 00:17:07,119 if they can just get to league average of phimpally with the weapons they have, 273 00:17:07,559 --> 00:17:11,559 you know, they'll be in every game. You mentioned. Jose Alvarado 274 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:14,839 is like a joy to watch. He is just there was it was garbage 275 00:17:14,839 --> 00:17:18,720 time, granted against the Suns, but he was like derailed the Bizmoc Beambo's 276 00:17:18,799 --> 00:17:22,559 roll to the basket. It's just six foot guy like fronting Bisco. It's 277 00:17:22,559 --> 00:17:26,279 just he's so much fun to watch. Yeah, he's just unique and unique. 278 00:17:26,279 --> 00:17:27,799 Guys like that. You know, when you build a culture, you 279 00:17:27,839 --> 00:17:30,279 know what I mean, you need guys like that. We're gonna, you 280 00:17:30,319 --> 00:17:36,599 know, establish a work ethic for everybody who comes in. And I think 281 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:38,880 you know, that's what he does, Herb Jones does, and Willie Green 282 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:41,920 is you know done as the head coach. But having guys in the roster 283 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:45,559 who are gonna claw and scrap every day, you know, sets a tone 284 00:17:45,599 --> 00:17:48,680 for everybody else. And I think that stuff, that intangible stuff matters when 285 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:51,559 you're trying to, you know, build something from scratch, which which is 286 00:17:51,559 --> 00:17:53,759 what New Orleans is trying to do, trying to just reset a basketball culture 287 00:17:53,799 --> 00:17:57,759 there. So all that stuff matters. My final question on the Pelicans, 288 00:17:57,799 --> 00:18:02,000 we know they're missing Zion. Aside from Zion, is there just like a 289 00:18:02,079 --> 00:18:06,200 specific need, whether it's a specific player or player archetype that you think they 290 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:08,920 need to try and add over the off season or at least to like reach 291 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,240 that next level in the West. Yeah, I think, and I said 292 00:18:12,279 --> 00:18:17,519 this, I think then underrated part of that deal was getting Larry Nash. 293 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:22,079 He's gonna start scrimmaging next week according to some reports I've read. And I 294 00:18:22,079 --> 00:18:26,079 think it's adding a versatile front line guy who can give him a different look 295 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:29,400 when you know, uh, Jonas starts getting killed and pick and roll. 296 00:18:29,880 --> 00:18:33,240 They don't have that right now because is just Hayes and yonis and Herning go 297 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:36,240 mess and those guys are you know, pretty much the same defensive. You're 298 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:38,559 gonna sit and drop, not gonna get out and switch, so you know, 299 00:18:38,839 --> 00:18:42,079 you know, same attack metment for the opposition. I think Larry Naz 300 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:45,920 gives you a little more switchability and versatility on defense once he gets out there. 301 00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:48,759 So I think that's going to really help them, you know, take 302 00:18:48,039 --> 00:18:52,559 another half step, you know, defensively at some point other than that man 303 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:59,079 probably just you know, they can always choose more shooting man and another guard 304 00:18:59,079 --> 00:19:00,720 who can shoot. You know, the shooting is the that's the name of 305 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:03,839 the game and the name man. Can you stretch his floor and make him 306 00:19:03,839 --> 00:19:07,279 when it matters? So you know, be nice with Vante. Grant could 307 00:19:07,279 --> 00:19:11,359 become a fishing But it's just this is not him me and year four now, 308 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:15,000 he's just that's just who he is. He's a streaky guy, is 309 00:19:15,039 --> 00:19:17,319 there. And I know he's been shooting better since the trade deadline, but 310 00:19:17,319 --> 00:19:18,839 he just still doesn't play that much, like is there, like Trey Murphy 311 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:22,079 the third like still part of this team's like long term plan. I was 312 00:19:22,079 --> 00:19:26,599 really excited about him, I think, so. I think part of it 313 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:30,960 is I think when I talk to people, when I asked him, I 314 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:33,119 think Willy's kind of making him earn his keep a little bit. And I 315 00:19:33,160 --> 00:19:37,160 think that's just part of a rookie, you know, making his way in 316 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:41,279 the league. I think Willie himself was you know, a lay pick, 317 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:45,559 a scrapper. So I think you know, guys like you know, Naji 318 00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:48,880 Marshall and Tony Snell maybe may appeal to him a little more than the than 319 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:52,799 the first round rookie, you know what I mean. But I think eventually, 320 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:56,720 you know, trade, his talent's gonna show. He's gonna sit those 321 00:19:56,759 --> 00:19:59,319 guys down. I think this is a good learning experience from I thinking he's 322 00:19:59,759 --> 00:20:03,279 an Ingram has actually talked to the needy about you know, keeping him locked 323 00:20:03,319 --> 00:20:06,920 in every day and having him to understand the bigger picture about what's coming for 324 00:20:07,039 --> 00:20:08,680 him and not be too down on what's happening right now. So I think 325 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:14,519 he's definitely a part of the long term picture. I normally don't like to 326 00:20:14,519 --> 00:20:18,359 torture my guests, but I do have a few questions on the Lakers man. 327 00:20:18,599 --> 00:20:21,599 I mean, you know, I tell people that I just you know, 328 00:20:22,079 --> 00:20:26,000 my company line right now as they stink but I'll definitely go further into 329 00:20:26,759 --> 00:20:30,960 detail if you wish. Is I think the general question is can this season 330 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:38,880 be salvaged like any extentopop. I think the absolute ceiling is they you know, 331 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:42,799 went to play in. Its still gonna have to beat the Clippers. 332 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:48,640 I think whoever loses that Clippers, that Clippers Timberwolves game, it's gonna be 333 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:52,400 a tough matcher for the Lakers regardless. I think you almost want to play 334 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:56,240 against the Timberwolves more so than the Clippers because tylu kind of has the Lakers 335 00:20:56,279 --> 00:21:00,279 number since he's been in the Clippers. It's the absolute seiling is win the 336 00:21:00,279 --> 00:21:03,079 play in and then you know, walk the plank against Phoenix. Man, 337 00:21:03,839 --> 00:21:07,200 That's that's the absolute seiling for this season. And just try to get an 338 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,720 offseason. Man. You know, you got a D and you got Lebron. 339 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:12,960 You know there there could be worse being a box to build around. 340 00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:17,079 Those are two solid, you know, foundational pieces and you got to go 341 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:19,759 from there. And Number one, pray to Anthony Davis is able to stay 342 00:21:19,759 --> 00:21:25,799 healthy for you know, for watch of his career without a four month break. 343 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:30,440 Yeah, that would be awesome. I still there's like the part of 344 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:33,400 me that says, if Anthony Davis is healthy, I don't want to see 345 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:37,000 him in Lebron in round one. But like that feels like such a last 346 00:21:37,079 --> 00:21:40,599 year. Take this year. If I'm Phoenix, That's what I'm saying. 347 00:21:40,599 --> 00:21:44,279 I just it's like whatever, I mean, the rest of that team is 348 00:21:44,319 --> 00:21:48,799 so ill fitting and bad it just doesn't matter. Even the guys like so 349 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:52,960 Maleague Monk's been a great story, you know, Reeves has been a great 350 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:56,920 story. But in the playoff series against the team that just went to the 351 00:21:56,960 --> 00:22:00,160 finals and it's pissed off because they didn't win and wants to get back is 352 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:04,000 obviously I mean, do you really trust those guys to, you know, 353 00:22:04,079 --> 00:22:07,359 give Lebron and a d what they need over the course of seven games, 354 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:11,920 you know what I mean. It's just you gotta be realistic at some point 355 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:17,680 with the expectations here. So I mean, it's salvage for me is win 356 00:22:17,759 --> 00:22:21,519 the play in and you know, get some national TV games in the playoffs. 357 00:22:21,519 --> 00:22:26,400 That's it. How just should blame be doled out for this for this 358 00:22:26,559 --> 00:22:30,519 entire situation? See here's my thing about that. I really don't care. 359 00:22:30,559 --> 00:22:33,559 I mean, and I tweet you at this morning I was like, all 360 00:22:33,599 --> 00:22:37,079 this stuff about whose part is, it doesn't really matter. Just get it 361 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:40,920 fixed in the offseason. Man. You just obviously the Westbrook trade was awful. 362 00:22:41,039 --> 00:22:44,920 Letting Caruso go was awful. You gotta move, you gotta come up. 363 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:48,200 You gotta get off Westbrook somehow, some way to the lot high to 364 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:51,920 the lowest better, even if it's just for cap space or you know, 365 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:53,880 or spare park pieces. You know, anything is better than that, you 366 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:57,519 know what I mean. You might have to let go of Thht. It's 367 00:22:57,799 --> 00:23:00,000 it's a bad fit. He needs to be on ball a little bit more 368 00:23:00,039 --> 00:23:03,640 than what the Lakers will allow from him. You got to get another big 369 00:23:04,359 --> 00:23:08,839 to play with, play with and spell Anthony Davis. They got one center 370 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:14,160 running team right now, and Lebron is playing the backup center and he's clearly 371 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:18,599 tired and gassed and feeling a wear and tear of it. So you just 372 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:21,119 you gotta address a few things in the off season. Man. They should 373 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:22,759 be planning for that stuff now. You know, it's not about this year 374 00:23:22,759 --> 00:23:27,359 anymore. It's just a rap. I would argue that these two people aren't 375 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:32,279 responsible for why they're here, but it does feel most responsible. Excuse me, 376 00:23:32,279 --> 00:23:34,400 but it does feel like Russell Westbrook and Frank Vogel will be the two 377 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:38,759 heads to roll after this season where it's thirty US and then here's here's the 378 00:23:38,799 --> 00:23:42,960 thing. So I tell people all this every time they ask me. It's 379 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:45,920 like I think the mistake people makes they try to put all the Lakers stuff 380 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:49,240 on one thing, right, it's not you know, it's it's it's a 381 00:23:49,319 --> 00:23:55,119 cheap runt office. You know, Frank's are very stubborn coach Lebron and a 382 00:23:55,279 --> 00:23:57,000 d did not come into the season, no all the way locked in, 383 00:23:59,119 --> 00:24:02,920 and then Westbrood has not played well at all and just you know, all 384 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:07,200 that's I then on top of that they can't get healthy to get any continuity, 385 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:08,480 you know what I mean. So just like it's a cluster of a 386 00:24:08,519 --> 00:24:11,079 whole bunch of things leading to this, you know, the disaster of a 387 00:24:11,160 --> 00:24:15,799 season that you know we've seen a bold So there's a lot of things. 388 00:24:15,079 --> 00:24:18,960 Anybody who blame it on just one thing, I think you're just being disingenuous 389 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:22,920 and don't want to acknowledge the other factors and just looking for a scapegoat. 390 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:26,440 In reality, they are probably like four or five skate goats to why the 391 00:24:26,519 --> 00:24:30,240 Lakers are this way at this point. Yeah, it's like that's just not 392 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:33,759 I don't I don't care though, just fix you got an off season coming 393 00:24:33,839 --> 00:24:37,440 up. Yeah, it definitely feels like just a bunch of wrongs compounded upon 394 00:24:37,559 --> 00:24:41,279 each other. So if I put you in charge of the Lakers, and 395 00:24:41,319 --> 00:24:42,279 I have no doubt that you would do a better job than the people that 396 00:24:42,319 --> 00:24:45,640 are currently in charge of the Lakers, you're if you have the option of 397 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:49,440 it's either just move Westbrook and you're not really giving up too many sweeteners. 398 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:53,960 You're either doing it for just cheaper players on expiring contracts or maybe something like 399 00:24:53,960 --> 00:24:56,759 there's not even enough cash based going around. But there's that route, or 400 00:24:56,799 --> 00:25:02,960 there's the we're gonna attach every feasible pick and swap through Westbrook and actually trying 401 00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:06,599 to get value out of this trade. Which route are you going? Knowing 402 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:10,079 that you are obligated to make the most of Lebron's window, but we're also 403 00:25:10,119 --> 00:25:12,480 getting age thirty eight Lebron next year? All right? I think you try 404 00:25:12,519 --> 00:25:17,599 to do it the first way, And again, I think Westbrook's a little 405 00:25:17,640 --> 00:25:19,880 easier to move this offseason because it's an expiring deal, you know what I 406 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:22,119 mean, even if he opts in, it's an expiring deal. If he 407 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:26,039 opts out, he let you off the hook and you're good, right. 408 00:25:26,279 --> 00:25:30,920 But I don't think he's opted in because I don't think he even gets a 409 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:34,200 ten million, ten million year offer if you ops out. So there's I'm 410 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:38,680 just you know, operating on the mind frame that he's opting in. It's 411 00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:42,279 easier to deal in expiring deal. Forty seven. I think the just so 412 00:25:42,359 --> 00:25:45,279 much money. I think a couple of teams have a lot of contracts they 413 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:48,799 know they want to unload. I think the NIXT have some contracts they want 414 00:25:48,799 --> 00:25:56,160 to unload. Westbrook best sell tickets and nothing else. Uh okay, see 415 00:25:56,359 --> 00:25:59,279 is always gonna take it might be a homecoming they can sell. You know, 416 00:25:59,279 --> 00:26:00,960 they're always looking or picks. The Laders gott touched that, you know, 417 00:26:02,079 --> 00:26:07,160 another first round pick to that. The Hawks have a lot of contracts. 418 00:26:07,519 --> 00:26:10,119 Uh, you know, God's getting paid. They might want to unload 419 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:14,279 some stuff. So I think this is much more feasible for us to get 420 00:26:14,279 --> 00:26:15,920 moved than people think, in my opinion, because it's an expiring deal. 421 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:22,799 People are always looking for campaspace and flexibility down the road. Yeah, and 422 00:26:22,799 --> 00:26:25,720 then there's also if, depending on the team, if he's willing to negotiate 423 00:26:25,759 --> 00:26:27,720 a buyout, that opens up other teams in the fold who don't necessarily want 424 00:26:27,799 --> 00:26:32,240 him and are just doing it for if the Lakers are attaching a pick right 425 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:34,000 right, right, like the okay Ce route, which would be that would 426 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:38,279 be a terrible look if it was okay Se specifically. But are there any 427 00:26:38,720 --> 00:26:44,039 silver linings that you can glean from this season for the Lakers moving forward? 428 00:26:45,359 --> 00:26:49,200 I think Malague Monk showed that he is, you know, the keeper own 429 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:53,079 thing is the already saw Other teams can afford to pay him a lot more 430 00:26:53,119 --> 00:26:57,400 than the Lakers can, So I think he's probably gone. We've showed you 431 00:26:57,480 --> 00:27:03,359 he's at least a rotation player going forward. Lebron shows you he's still got 432 00:27:03,359 --> 00:27:06,000 plenty left in the tank, even if only for another year or two. 433 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:07,440 It's enought to, you know, trying to put something around him and give 434 00:27:07,480 --> 00:27:11,200 it one last shot. So I think those are are are good things. 435 00:27:12,079 --> 00:27:15,039 You know, Mellow's been up and down. I think most of it's not 436 00:27:15,079 --> 00:27:18,279 as far he's just playing too much. He's supposed to be a spot guy, 437 00:27:18,359 --> 00:27:21,119 ended up playing around twenty minutes to night twenty five, which is way 438 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:23,799 too much for him at this age. But yeah, you know, Reeves 439 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:27,640 Monk Lebron showing you he still got some stuff left in the tank rather than 440 00:27:27,680 --> 00:27:30,720 that man. You know what, in the second half of the season, 441 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:33,319 I think t h finally you know, turned the corner a little bit. 442 00:27:33,319 --> 00:27:37,160 It was really rough the first half. I think the last you know, 443 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:40,519 a few weeks to a month, he's really turned the corner with his development 444 00:27:40,559 --> 00:27:42,319 and just getting more aggressive and comfortable, you know, scoring the ball, 445 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:45,079 which is what you wanted to see from him, you know from the jump, 446 00:27:45,160 --> 00:27:49,559 so you know, those things other than that man put the season the 447 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:55,160 rice man teach tea does not make sense as a human to me when you 448 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:57,559 watch him around, like the angles or the way his body around the basket 449 00:27:57,680 --> 00:28:00,480 like it, I can't fathom it, but it's entertaining to watch. I 450 00:28:00,519 --> 00:28:03,799 know you've talked about this team a bunch. Is there anything else that you 451 00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:07,039 just man, he takes other takes the Lakers that you feel the need to 452 00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:12,440 just get off right now. And Genie just can't be cheap man. You 453 00:28:12,519 --> 00:28:15,720 got Lebron James, you could say money when he leaves, you know, 454 00:28:15,799 --> 00:28:18,240 cut corners there. But right now you got to push the chips in. 455 00:28:18,319 --> 00:28:22,880 Man. That that Caruso thing was was was a you know, that was 456 00:28:22,920 --> 00:28:27,160 a symptom of a bigger problem to come. Man, everything can't be money 457 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:30,440 first. When you're making decisions to win, you know, you got to 458 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:33,599 spend to win. That's it is what it is, and that's all I 459 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:37,880 gotta say. He can't be cheap this soft season. They need a federal 460 00:28:37,920 --> 00:28:41,920 government loan program to help them out with luxury taxes. That's what they need. 461 00:28:41,359 --> 00:28:48,079 Man. So I asked you if we could go back and forth, 462 00:28:48,119 --> 00:28:51,359 if you have some time on just some other teams and players that you're most 463 00:28:51,400 --> 00:28:55,839 interested to watch me get through the stretch runt of the season. So who 464 00:28:55,920 --> 00:28:59,480 who do you have? Who's on your actually have one in each conference with 465 00:28:59,519 --> 00:29:03,480 the question. So in the West, for me, it's Dallas. I 466 00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:06,559 think they're under the radar that that team is going to be extremely tough to 467 00:29:06,599 --> 00:29:10,119 beat in the second game soon. So I know everybody's looking forward to the 468 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:15,519 second round matchup between you know, Phoenix and I mean between Memphis and Golden 469 00:29:15,559 --> 00:29:18,480 State, Like I think everybody's looking forward to that two three matchup. But 470 00:29:18,519 --> 00:29:22,319 I think, you know, I think Luca and Dallas will beat Utah in 471 00:29:22,359 --> 00:29:23,960 the first round. I would, you know, go, So that's will 472 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:27,759 be my pick if they match up. But I think Phoenix Dallas in round 473 00:29:27,759 --> 00:29:30,839 two is going to be a little more entertained than people think is going to 474 00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:37,640 be one because Dallas defends so well, especially after that a rough start of 475 00:29:37,680 --> 00:29:41,599 the season, and then two Dallas will have the best player on the floor, 476 00:29:41,240 --> 00:29:45,279 you know, lad and close games, and I think that's always you 477 00:29:45,319 --> 00:29:48,000 know, tricky to deal with, even as a favorite, the other team 478 00:29:48,039 --> 00:29:49,920 as the best player and it's a close game, which you know, playoff 479 00:29:49,960 --> 00:29:53,000 games tend to be more often than not. You know, things get tricky 480 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:56,680 down a stretch. So I'm definitely, you know, I think Dallas is 481 00:29:56,720 --> 00:29:59,400 definitely going under the radar. You know, Jason Kid has done a tremendous 482 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:02,519 job. This dim witty trade has been a god sin. He looks like 483 00:30:02,559 --> 00:30:07,200 a completely different player than he was in Washington. Another case of veterans and 484 00:30:07,440 --> 00:30:11,519 location, me and everything, and I just I think that's going to be 485 00:30:11,599 --> 00:30:15,839 a very entertaining second round series potentially, And then in the East for me, 486 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:19,279 it's it's uh, I hate him, man, But the Celtics, 487 00:30:19,319 --> 00:30:25,720 Bro, it's just when you have a team again I'm leading on defense from 488 00:30:25,759 --> 00:30:27,720 team of defense like that, and they have a superstar that's you know, 489 00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:33,440 able and willing to close basketball games. It's just it's a it's a bear 490 00:30:33,480 --> 00:30:36,039 to beat the team like that. Four teams out of fourth, times out 491 00:30:36,039 --> 00:30:38,519 of seven, you know what I mean? The East for me is all 492 00:30:38,559 --> 00:30:41,920 it's not about seeding for me. With me, it's all about matchups. 493 00:30:41,960 --> 00:30:44,720 It's gonna be all about matchups with these because I think from round one on 494 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:49,480 you in for a battle, even as the one right, even as the 495 00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:52,680 one or two seed, you could be playing you know, the nets, 496 00:30:52,680 --> 00:30:56,799 and let's say the mayor messed around pools the mandate, all of a sudden 497 00:30:56,839 --> 00:31:00,559 you got the full strength nets and a refreshed Kyrie. You can see the 498 00:31:00,559 --> 00:31:04,720 fresh legs showing lately. For Kyrie does not dealt with any of the wear 499 00:31:04,759 --> 00:31:07,960 and tear of the season. He's got completely fresh legs and he's just tearing 500 00:31:07,960 --> 00:31:12,319 the league up right now. So imagine dealing with that and Katie and you're 501 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:15,440 the one seed and the two seed. You know what I mean? That 502 00:31:15,519 --> 00:31:19,480 that's your that's your prize. Even imagine going through an eighty two game schedule 503 00:31:19,559 --> 00:31:22,559 getting the first or the second seed, and you're what I'm saying, Kevin 504 00:31:22,640 --> 00:31:26,720 Durant an Kyrie. It's not even just Kevin Durant. It's Kevin Durant and 505 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:29,519 Kyrie, That's what I'm saying. And then you know he didn't. You 506 00:31:29,599 --> 00:31:32,279 never know about Ben. We'll see what happens with him if he plays. 507 00:31:32,759 --> 00:31:36,480 I'm getting a little worried about that. But I think even for that next 508 00:31:36,599 --> 00:31:37,880 year and then that's gonna really summon with him in the lineup. So I 509 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:41,559 think it's he's only twenty four, so it's it's a long term thing with 510 00:31:41,720 --> 00:31:45,279 him at his age. But yeah, man, the Celtics for me, 511 00:31:45,759 --> 00:31:51,039 because right now, let's say, you know, Philly has a really tough 512 00:31:51,079 --> 00:31:53,119 stretch coming up, our posted schedule in the next two weeks. Let's say 513 00:31:53,160 --> 00:31:56,400 Philly falls before and they got to get this, you know, scortching hot 514 00:31:56,400 --> 00:32:00,480 Boston team in the first round in the four or five series. You know, 515 00:32:01,680 --> 00:32:06,240 indeed, and hard could be going home and around one playing playing the 516 00:32:06,240 --> 00:32:09,440 World team. And that's just how good the East is this year. Really 517 00:32:09,519 --> 00:32:15,039 quickly on Dallas I skewered them for the Christos Porzingis trade, not because I 518 00:32:15,079 --> 00:32:19,279 thought Porzingis was good, but because I thought Dinwoody was played so poorly this 519 00:32:19,319 --> 00:32:22,119 season. Yeah, Davis Burton's was cooked. Bretons hasn't been necessarily great for 520 00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:24,720 them, but you could just see the dynamic of their offense change when you 521 00:32:24,720 --> 00:32:29,880 go from stationary Porzingis to Davison. Han's flying all around, right, and 522 00:32:29,880 --> 00:32:31,839 then like you said, din what, he's shooting a trillion percent from the 523 00:32:31,839 --> 00:32:35,880 floor. And so if you go into a playoff series where we've seen Luca 524 00:32:35,920 --> 00:32:39,759 perform against the Clippers now twice, you have two other guys who can create 525 00:32:39,799 --> 00:32:43,720 and Jalen Brunson's a little small. He struggled last year, but now you 526 00:32:43,759 --> 00:32:45,920 had Dinwoody to that too. They absolutely might just be a tough out and 527 00:32:45,960 --> 00:32:49,640 they're another team, as you also already mentioned, you don't look at them 528 00:32:49,640 --> 00:32:52,160 on paper and like, oh, they're top seven defense and then oh shit, 529 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:55,079 they're a top seven defense, right, exactly right. And I think 530 00:32:55,119 --> 00:32:59,640 that stuff like that when you wonder, like where the pieces are now you 531 00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:01,000 got it. Tribute to the coach. I know Jason Kig caught a lot 532 00:33:01,039 --> 00:33:06,839 of flat for his you know, past couple of coaching stops. But just 533 00:33:06,920 --> 00:33:08,200 like players develop, you know, coaches do too. You know, they 534 00:33:08,279 --> 00:33:10,880 learn things, they pick up things, you know, learn from their mistakes. 535 00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:14,720 And he looks like he's got a pretty good hand on what he's doing 536 00:33:14,759 --> 00:33:17,880 this season. So I have one form conference as well, and I promise 537 00:33:17,920 --> 00:33:22,000 I'm not trying to be like too much of a nerd with this. I'm 538 00:33:22,039 --> 00:33:27,680 fascinated by what the Spurs are doing because they're so like actually building now that 539 00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:31,880 their guard rotation following the Derek White trade interests me, where they have Lonnie 540 00:33:31,880 --> 00:33:37,160 Walker doing more, there's more ball screens for Devin Vassell, and I'm kind 541 00:33:37,160 --> 00:33:40,240 of infatuated with Trey Jones, like he just has like this in between game 542 00:33:40,279 --> 00:33:44,640 and can throw these nifty bounce passes. I don't know that they have an 543 00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:47,680 actual tent pole star on that team, Jean Thy Murray included, but they 544 00:33:47,759 --> 00:33:52,400 just have so many intriguing guys on the perimeter all of a sudden, including 545 00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:54,759 Kelvin Johnson who's done more with the ball in his hands. They're a team 546 00:33:54,799 --> 00:33:58,720 that I just like can't help but watch, even though if they make the 547 00:33:58,799 --> 00:34:01,160 play in it's almost on Accis at this point, right, I think there 548 00:34:01,160 --> 00:34:07,359 are two two games out right, So yeah, I just I've always been 549 00:34:07,359 --> 00:34:09,519 in the GENA Mury. I believe I thought he was a steel you know, 550 00:34:09,599 --> 00:34:13,760 late in that draft he did to have the A C. L injury, 551 00:34:13,840 --> 00:34:15,599 so I think that's, you know, we'll force him to drop. 552 00:34:15,679 --> 00:34:20,760 But yeah, man, actually the Spurs were actually, you know, in 553 00:34:20,920 --> 00:34:23,679 solid playoff position. I think the genab all and B. I think he's 554 00:34:23,719 --> 00:34:25,719 like the one guy in the team is probably going to be a star. 555 00:34:27,320 --> 00:34:30,079 And I love Lonnie Walker. Man, I've been big on him. I'm 556 00:34:30,119 --> 00:34:32,559 glad he's starting to turn the corner. I think that's probably why they traded 557 00:34:32,639 --> 00:34:37,440 big right, just to open up some of the long gym there and get 558 00:34:37,440 --> 00:34:42,679 the guys other opportunities. So you know, I'll be rooting against him as 559 00:34:42,719 --> 00:34:45,280 a Pelican supporter and the Laker supporter fight for those last two spots, man, 560 00:34:45,320 --> 00:34:49,440 But you know, I think I do think you do race deal points 561 00:34:49,480 --> 00:34:52,039 about those guys. Those are those are all gonna be pretty good young players. 562 00:34:52,039 --> 00:34:53,880 I think the Spurs just need Spurs are really good pieces. They just 563 00:34:53,880 --> 00:34:58,239 don't have a guy. And maybe Murray turns into that. But they just 564 00:34:58,239 --> 00:35:00,480 need a guy right now. That's why it'd be funny, is that they 565 00:35:00,519 --> 00:35:02,960 just would have kept Kawhi. You know, they probably be a contended right 566 00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:07,719 now with all there, or maybe if they didn't trade Kawai for de Rosen 567 00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:10,400 and went the rout at that point, right, And I don't want them 568 00:35:10,400 --> 00:35:12,920 to make the play. And I'm with you. I'd like to see what 569 00:35:12,920 --> 00:35:15,679 this team does with like a really high lottery pick, because we've seen the 570 00:35:15,719 --> 00:35:19,800 mind talent later in the draft lottery. It's like, let me see the 571 00:35:19,800 --> 00:35:22,360 Spurs with like a top four pick. I just think Kawhi was their highest 572 00:35:22,360 --> 00:35:27,039 picking like fifteen years. Rights, it's always late first round, late second 573 00:35:27,119 --> 00:35:28,920 round, right, have they have? They had a lottery pick in the 574 00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:30,840 last fifteen years. I think Facell was a lottery pick. No, my 575 00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:36,280 misfy think. But nothing top ten though, right? Nothing top ten? 576 00:35:36,559 --> 00:35:39,800 No? Yeah, no, they didn't one so much? Uh and then 577 00:35:39,840 --> 00:35:44,280 the other team. And this is just because I'm a perennial self sabotager. 578 00:35:44,320 --> 00:35:47,920 I am a Knicks fan. And it's sort of like the car crash theory 579 00:35:47,920 --> 00:35:51,920 where you can't look away and I know they're playing the younger guys more to 580 00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:54,360 the point that I don't know if you saw Tibbs the other day said no 581 00:35:54,400 --> 00:36:00,519 one plays youngsters more than we do, which is just like next level ignorance 582 00:36:00,559 --> 00:36:02,760 to look at New York shortation this season and say that. But I am 583 00:36:02,840 --> 00:36:06,920 very intrigued by, Like I like what RJ. Barrett has done. I 584 00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:10,519 love that Emmanuel Quickly is getting like not as quick as a hook now, 585 00:36:10,960 --> 00:36:15,800 and a Quentin Grimes is very interesting. Jericho Sims has come on and makes 586 00:36:15,800 --> 00:36:19,800 me sort of wonder what's gonna happen with Mitchell Robinson as he goes into free 587 00:36:19,840 --> 00:36:23,360 agency. I'm also just curious to see, like what Thibodeau does, does 588 00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:27,159 he like what if they sort of get closer to the play in is he 589 00:36:27,199 --> 00:36:30,719 going to start coaching this team to wear Todd Gibson's playing in crunch time? 590 00:36:30,119 --> 00:36:34,719 And then what are the after effects of all this because there was the report 591 00:36:34,800 --> 00:36:38,400 today that his job is safe and not necessarily think he's the issue there, 592 00:36:38,599 --> 00:36:42,960 but if he's not going to commit to developing a lot of guys that are 593 00:36:42,960 --> 00:36:46,239 more important to this team than Julius Randall or I'm really tired of hearing about 594 00:36:46,400 --> 00:36:51,199 Derrick Rose's injury, because if you're tethering your livelihood to a thirty three year 595 00:36:51,239 --> 00:36:54,199 old Derek Rose twenty two, that's on you. That's like, that's on 596 00:36:54,280 --> 00:36:58,679 you on the flawed vision. So I'm just I am a fan, but 597 00:36:58,719 --> 00:37:01,679 I'm also just like, I don't necessarily also understand what's happening here as they 598 00:37:01,719 --> 00:37:07,320 are playing some of these youngsters a little bit more. Yeah, So I 599 00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:09,800 pay attention to the Knicks because you know, Julius Rando was a former Laker. 600 00:37:09,840 --> 00:37:13,920 I Q check all the you know, baby Lakers who were youngsters. 601 00:37:15,400 --> 00:37:17,599 It's weird he was playing so terrible. It shouldn't. Like the last few 602 00:37:17,639 --> 00:37:22,039 weeks it's like he's gotten back to form a little bit from last year. 603 00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:25,639 So that's weird to see. Yeah, man, I think the Knicks has 604 00:37:25,679 --> 00:37:29,239 got to go young. And I don't think necessarily you know, Tim is 605 00:37:29,280 --> 00:37:30,519 doing a bad job, which I don't think. He's a developer. He's 606 00:37:30,559 --> 00:37:34,840 a win now guy, I'm gonna if you get events, I'm gonna play 607 00:37:34,880 --> 00:37:37,679 them. I'm gonna put us in a position to win every game, to 608 00:37:37,760 --> 00:37:39,079 the best of my bill. That's just who Tims is. He's always been 609 00:37:39,199 --> 00:37:44,400 that way, and I don't think that's gonna change it the NIXT side, 610 00:37:44,400 --> 00:37:45,360 they want to go to youth route. He may not be the guy, 611 00:37:45,400 --> 00:37:47,960 but I still think Tims is a pretty good coach. It's just a matter 612 00:37:49,039 --> 00:37:52,679 of does the rosters suit, you know, his style, And I think 613 00:37:52,679 --> 00:37:57,400 that's a decision that the Knicks have to make up top since you're a coach, 614 00:37:57,480 --> 00:38:00,400 is it am I oversimplifying it by just wondering, like, can we 615 00:38:00,679 --> 00:38:04,760 see Julius Randall like work as a screen and dive guy a little bit more? 616 00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:07,920 I don't need to see into it. Yeah, that was the thing. 617 00:38:08,199 --> 00:38:12,760 I think. You know, Tim reminded me of Buggle a little bit 618 00:38:12,800 --> 00:38:16,559 in the sense that the lack of creativity offensively, it gets maddening sometimes. 619 00:38:19,199 --> 00:38:22,320 So for me, even though Julie's Julius was second team while NBA last year 620 00:38:22,360 --> 00:38:24,639 and I was still with screen, I was still with tweeting an offseason please 621 00:38:24,679 --> 00:38:28,360 go trade for a guy that makes him, you know, your second day 622 00:38:28,440 --> 00:38:30,679 guy on offense. He's not an offensive engine. He's just not. He 623 00:38:30,760 --> 00:38:35,039 had a career year, but he's just not an offensive engine. And they 624 00:38:35,039 --> 00:38:37,760 didn't and I think he, you know, crashed back down to earth hard. 625 00:38:38,199 --> 00:38:42,440 This season. I think he works as your second or third best, 626 00:38:43,519 --> 00:38:45,000 you know, preferbably your third best option, but you know, second best 627 00:38:45,000 --> 00:38:47,719 as possible. You can do them be good, but he should not be 628 00:38:47,800 --> 00:38:52,760 your offensive engine is just uh, you know, the right hand is still 629 00:38:52,840 --> 00:38:55,480 lacking, the jumper comes and goes. You just need somebody a little more 630 00:38:55,519 --> 00:39:00,119 consistent, you know, and one or both of those categories to be an 631 00:39:00,119 --> 00:39:04,119 offensive engine. Jason, this was great. Thank you for giving me so 632 00:39:04,199 --> 00:39:06,719 much of your time. Are you able to just tell our listeners where they 633 00:39:06,719 --> 00:39:09,440 can follow you on Twitter? Oh? Yeah, for sure, follow me 634 00:39:09,480 --> 00:39:15,880 on Twitter, Jjmabeles fifty five Underscore MST. You can follow a little subscribe 635 00:39:15,920 --> 00:39:20,679 to the Temple of Hoop podcast. The link is in my bio again. 636 00:39:20,719 --> 00:39:22,920 Just you know, do stuff like this every week, bring people along. 637 00:39:22,960 --> 00:39:25,760 We let him talk basketball with Uh. Definitely gotta send down and invite to 638 00:39:25,840 --> 00:39:29,880 us. Now you know she's got to return to favor. I'd be honored. 639 00:39:30,239 --> 00:39:31,880 Yeah, and you and Kings have great chemistry on that podcast, by 640 00:39:31,920 --> 00:39:36,639 the way. Yeah, it was funny. I invited Kings because you know, 641 00:39:37,400 --> 00:39:38,280 he's a big lebron guy, and I was like, who can I 642 00:39:38,400 --> 00:39:40,719 argue with? Every week? And not having to get out of out of 643 00:39:40,760 --> 00:39:45,440 line, like that's the line I was towing there. So that's why we 644 00:39:45,519 --> 00:39:47,920 started it. But yeah, you can follow subscribe to the temple of who 645 00:39:49,079 --> 00:39:52,000 you know similar you know vibes. She's like to talk basketball, you know, 646 00:39:52,079 --> 00:39:54,239 keep it fun, you know, keep it knowledgeable, and you know 647 00:39:54,360 --> 00:39:58,679 Bill from there. I also think you did, I know you did the 648 00:39:58,679 --> 00:40:00,519 live show last week. I think that's awesome that you interact with so many 649 00:40:00,519 --> 00:40:04,760 people on Twitter and through stuff like that. I think that's really cool because 650 00:40:05,159 --> 00:40:07,480 you have a ton of followers. I know you're mentioned must be a mess, 651 00:40:07,519 --> 00:40:10,039 and I'm pretty sure like every tweet I see from you goes viral or 652 00:40:10,079 --> 00:40:14,199 semi viral. So I think it's really like you still put an effort in 653 00:40:14,239 --> 00:40:17,960 to just interact with everyone who follows follows you. Yeah, just trying to 654 00:40:19,000 --> 00:40:21,559 reciprocate the love man, you know, like you know, I'm not trying 655 00:40:21,599 --> 00:40:24,079 to sound like an academy of war Twitter, but you only go so far 656 00:40:24,159 --> 00:40:27,920 doing this stuff that you know people are gonna, you know, interact and 657 00:40:28,000 --> 00:40:30,440 listen to what you put out there, right, So I do want to 658 00:40:30,440 --> 00:40:32,159 show a little bit of love. You know, we have started, you 659 00:40:32,239 --> 00:40:36,719 know, do a live show every Wednesday night on Green Room. So that's 660 00:40:36,800 --> 00:40:38,880 you know, the second ones tonight actually, so you know, we'll see 661 00:40:38,880 --> 00:40:42,400 how that's. Just want to keep showing what other people that you know keep 662 00:40:42,519 --> 00:40:45,400 picking that download weapon for us, and we definitely appreciate it. Uh, 663 00:40:45,400 --> 00:40:47,960 And I second everything he said. So guys check out Temple I who follow 664 00:40:49,039 --> 00:40:51,320 Jason on Twitter, And again, thank you so much for doing this and 665 00:40:51,360 --> 00:40:54,039 I rest assured I will be pestering you again in the field. Oh good 666 00:40:54,079 --> 00:40:54,840 man, Thank you. Path