WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.520 --> 00:00:05.480 This is the Baseline discussing the hot button topics of. 2 00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:06.719 The nb A. 3 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:13.400 Welcome everybody, your tune to the baseline Cali Warrant shot 4 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:15.359 discussing hot button topics of the NBA. 5 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:17.600 We are kicking. 6 00:00:17.280 --> 00:00:23.879 Off this week's show because the NBA Cup is finally hit, 7 00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:31.320 the Emirates Cup. Okay, it's big, it's grand Rosario Dawson's in. 8 00:00:31.559 --> 00:00:35.600 I mean, damn, Michael Imperioli is is speaking right like, 9 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:38.840 you know what I'm saying. It's on, it's popping, it's soprano, 10 00:00:38.880 --> 00:00:42.119 it's sopranos meets he is, he got game. It's just 11 00:00:42.399 --> 00:00:45.679 you know what I'm saying. It's beautiful, it's magnificent. And 12 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:51.759 of course, what would be a discussion about the second 13 00:00:52.479 --> 00:00:56.280 NBA Cup without the baseline boys talking about it. Let 14 00:00:56.280 --> 00:00:57.399 me go out and roll out the red carpet to 15 00:00:57.479 --> 00:00:59.520 the right hand man Www. Dot sh sports at net 16 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:01.159 big on the you see my man, mister Warres show 17 00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:04.799 rapping out Fort Londo, Florida. What's good, my man? I 18 00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:07.519 know you are so amped up, you are so excited. 19 00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:13.120 No politics, pure talk, NBA Cup, it's own baby. 20 00:01:14.239 --> 00:01:17.480 Yeah, let's let's tell that joint let's sell it. It 21 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:19.959 is not going anyway. So it's one of those things 22 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:24.239 as the tide of advertisement kind of flows over and 23 00:01:24.359 --> 00:01:28.200 washes over us, you know, in the Adam Silver NBA, 24 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:32.079 like it's not going anywhere. So while there was I 25 00:01:32.120 --> 00:01:34.280 think a little bit better understanding of it for this 26 00:01:34.400 --> 00:01:37.920 for the second go around, now they got sponsorps, you know, sponsorship, 27 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:41.519 shout out the Emirates. I don't know that it's still 28 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:43.560 if it is hitting where everybody wants it, because as 29 00:01:43.560 --> 00:01:45.200 you alluded too off air, and we can get into this, 30 00:01:45.319 --> 00:01:49.120 like briefly, technically, the two best teams do not perform 31 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:51.920 well enough to be in the in the NBA. 32 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:53.719 I don't know what well enough is supposed to mean. 33 00:01:54.040 --> 00:01:56.280 Weren't they three and one or something like that. What 34 00:01:56.439 --> 00:01:58.120 what's well enough for three. 35 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:00.920 And one the calf or two and two. You know, 36 00:02:00.920 --> 00:02:02.599 they only have four losses on the entire year, but 37 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:05.000 they lost two of those in the Cup and then 38 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:07.840 therefore the Celtics were not in. Based on whatever the 39 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:11.240 tiebreaker was between Orlando and the Knicks. Orlando didn't lose 40 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:13.680 by twenty six points, so that allowed them to take 41 00:02:13.719 --> 00:02:17.120 the tiebreaker over Boston from what My understanding of all 42 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:19.400 of this is despite having identical in three and one 43 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:22.400 records either way, the two best teams are not in 44 00:02:22.439 --> 00:02:25.639 the semi finals for this joint, which in some ways 45 00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:27.280 is good and in some ways I think is bad 46 00:02:27.319 --> 00:02:29.879 as well too, because it allows other teams to get exposure. 47 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:31.520 You know, I think you could go back to last 48 00:02:31.560 --> 00:02:35.039 year the Indiana Pacers and and Tireo's Haliburn, that magical 49 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:38.039 run they had, although they didn't capture the flag there 50 00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:40.080 if you will, they were able to get to the 51 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:42.840 NBA to the NBA Cup Finals, if you will, and 52 00:02:42.919 --> 00:02:45.120 lose to the to the Los Angeles Clapers, and now 53 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:47.360 you have some other teams in there looking Orlando's I 54 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:49.800 think is kind of like this year's Indiana looking for 55 00:02:49.879 --> 00:02:51.960 that kind of that pseudo validation as a young team 56 00:02:51.960 --> 00:02:52.560 that's up and coming. 57 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:54.800 Oh, you can also make the argument about Dahlanta Hawks, 58 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:57.479 but I'd agress. There are teams that we will be 59 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:01.919 quickly discussing shortly as far as you know our previews 60 00:03:01.919 --> 00:03:05.599 and predictions with regards to this year's Emirates NBA Cup. 61 00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:08.000 So you know, all of that is will and good. 62 00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:11.400 And then also on this week's show, you know, Shaw, 63 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:14.560 you know's mind was working, you know what I'm saying, 64 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:20.159 you know, burning the midnight oil, thinking has the NBA 65 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:23.400 become too infatuated with the three? Or has the game 66 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:27.280 of basketball become too infatuated with the three? And I 67 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:29.879 think it marked you know, it warrants you know, a 68 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:32.439 pretty good conversation to be had. So Sean and I 69 00:03:32.479 --> 00:03:34.199 will kind of dig in a little bit on where 70 00:03:34.199 --> 00:03:37.759 we are with this, you know, with today's NBA in 71 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:42.400 comparison to you know, our yester generations right and and 72 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:45.360 figure out like, is there a problem with the NBA 73 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:48.360 and the propensity of the three ball really kind of 74 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:51.759 hijacking you know, the beauty of the game being played? 75 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:54.560 And I think that warrants a good conversation to be had. 76 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:57.479 So good stuff to be discussed on this week's edition. 77 00:03:57.319 --> 00:03:57.960 Of the Baseline. 78 00:03:58.000 --> 00:03:59.560 As always, be sure to get in my man Shaw 79 00:03:59.560 --> 00:04:01.520 Ashaws Sports, NBA Get at Me a game face leader 80 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:03.560 shows Twitter hand on NBA basedline available on all the 81 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:05.879 major platforms. You know where to find us, be sure 82 00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:08.479 to go to www. Dot the Baseline NBA dot com. 83 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:10.400 So now let check out this episode, but also the 84 00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:13.560 episodes that we drop for your listening pleasure. If you 85 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:15.840 see us on the YouTube channel and you see us 86 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:18.480 with the blue and white logo, that is the nineteen 87 00:04:18.519 --> 00:04:21.079 Media Group family. So we'd like to say hello and 88 00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:23.399 to you and yours who are down or who are 89 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.959 just listening in and want to capture some of the 90 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:30.279 great content that's out there. Definitely go to www dot 91 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:34.199 Ninetemediagroup dot com. Nineteen Media Group family be running these 92 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:37.199 content streets, mane. We got a great, great, great family 93 00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:44.360 of content creators producing all kinds of you know, great topics, storylines, 94 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:47.720 discussions for your listening ears. Man, So we encourage you 95 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:50.040 to go to Ninetemediagroup dot com to check out our 96 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:55.040 family and to hear everything out. Whether it's music, politics, entertainment, news, sports, 97 00:04:55.040 --> 00:04:58.360 you name it. Nineteen Media Group has got it. So Shaw, 98 00:04:58.600 --> 00:05:02.399 let's get right into it, man and the Emirates NBA Cup. 99 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:09.279 The knockout Round will begin this week, starting in November. 100 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:14.920 I'm sorry not but I think it's December. December, the 101 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:21.199 tenth Okay, So the knockout round will be as follows. Yes, clearly, 102 00:05:22.079 --> 00:05:26.360 the knockout round we'll go as followed. The Oklahoma City 103 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:29.839 Thunder will take on the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets will 104 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:32.439 take on the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks will take 105 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:35.160 on Orlando Magic, and the New York Knicks will take 106 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:36.879 on the Atlanta Hawks. 107 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:39.160 I will say this. 108 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:42.560 Real quick, Shaw, these are some pretty good matchups, right. 109 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:46.000 I like the matchup between the Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks. 110 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:49.600 I find that the Rockets and the Golden State Warriors 111 00:05:49.720 --> 00:05:51.959 is a very interesting matchup in and of itself. I 112 00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:54.680 think people should pay attention to and the Knicks and 113 00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:57.439 the Hawks, while you know, you feel like there's a 114 00:05:57.519 --> 00:05:59.959 level of a rivalry there, you know what I'm saying, 115 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:03.399 Like it's kind of like because the Hawks, you know, 116 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:05.519 we've been down on the Hawks so much that it's 117 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:08.319 hard to see whether or not, like the Knicks not 118 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:12.439 giving an inch to the Hawks. But listen, the Hawks. 119 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:14.360 They're one of those teams like one minute they're on, 120 00:06:14.600 --> 00:06:18.360 next minute, you know they're cold, right, And then I 121 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:20.240 know we're gonna get into our conversation with the Bucks 122 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:22.040 in the Orlando Magic, which I think could have been 123 00:06:22.040 --> 00:06:24.480 a which would have been hopefully a really, really really 124 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:27.680 good contest. But you know, an important injury that we've 125 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:32.160 obviously just learned is impacted that. So I think that 126 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:35.560 there's some interesting matchups here with regards to that. But 127 00:06:35.639 --> 00:06:38.519 to your point and what you alluded to, the fact 128 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:43.480 that the two best teams in the NBA arguably are 129 00:06:43.480 --> 00:06:46.480 not participating in this NBA Cup, And I get it, 130 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:48.560 you know, you got to win the games, you know, 131 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:51.279 within the Cup. You know, again, I'll get into my 132 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:54.160 you know, soliloquily or get on my soapbox on this 133 00:06:54.279 --> 00:06:56.279 some other time. You know, with the way this thing 134 00:06:56.360 --> 00:07:00.120 is still being set up, with with how this plays it, 135 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:02.839 it's just kind of interesting to me that we're gonna 136 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:05.240 be playing. You know, there's gonna be a Cup being 137 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:09.480 had without those guys, because I think if you inserted 138 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:11.680 either of these two teams in any one of these 139 00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:14.279 other particular matchups, maybe say take out the Magic or 140 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:17.360 maybe take out the Hawks, maybe take out the Rockets, 141 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:19.240 or you know what I'm saying, like those are gonna 142 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:22.120 be some really really intriguing matchups that probably could be had. 143 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:25.399 But I again, out of these that I've mentioned, which 144 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:28.279 one are you really keeping your eye on and saying, hmm, 145 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:30.920 this is definitely one with whoever comes out of this, 146 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:32.879 you gotta be hard pressed not to think that they'll 147 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:34.360 be the favorite. 148 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:37.480 Yeah, I'm gonna go by the aspect of what was 149 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:40.240 what last year's Western Conference in my finals, OKAC and 150 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:42.639 the Dallas Mavericks. I think that's gonna be the most 151 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:46.040 amount of fun. Both teams are relatively healthy, while the 152 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:48.319 even OKC does not have Cheded Holmgren, you know, but 153 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:50.600 they do have heart and sign back and he's been 154 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:53.319 playing really great, I mean the crap out of the 155 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:56.800 basketball since since returning. I'm in Okacs is on pace 156 00:07:56.839 --> 00:07:59.560 for a historic defensive season in addition to all the 157 00:07:59.560 --> 00:08:02.439 Macineese since they have in terms of the overall at depth. 158 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:06.319 So for me, Okayse and Dallas is the premier matchup 159 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:09.000 I think of the of the semi finals right now. 160 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:11.240 And while I'll obviously have a lot of interest in 161 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:13.240 what happens in Atlanta and New York and Houston and 162 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:16.160 Golden States, which with Houston, you know, rising in the 163 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:18.959 Western Conference in a faster way than the many. With thought, 164 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:21.199 can they take out the old guard with the Warriors 165 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:23.319 who had such a quick heart start hot start to 166 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:25.160 the season but now have kind of come back to earth, 167 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:27.120 but played well enough in the NBA Cup to kind 168 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:29.279 of capture you know, what's he here in the semifinals. 169 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:31.959 So for me, okay, see Dallas by far and away 170 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:34.159 the premier matchup of the first four games of the 171 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:36.519 semi finals, and then we'll see what happens once once 172 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:37.559 those teams get to the finals. 173 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:39.919 From there, yeah, I like the Rockets and the Warriors. 174 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:42.799 But to your point, the okay, see Thunder and Dallas Mavericks, 175 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:44.919 I think is a key matchup. I'll be honest with you, 176 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:48.679 shall I think whoever comes out of the West between 177 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:53.120 those two matchups I think might be to me the 178 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:56.159 front runner to one of winning at all because I 179 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:59.159 just look at the rosters up and down, and I know, 180 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:00.879 like a lot of people, they probably are looking at 181 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:03.919 the Knicks, probably looking at the Milwaukee Bucks, who've been, 182 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:07.399 you know, on an uptick. But I just feel like 183 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:11.240 from a defensive perspective, you really can't go wrong with 184 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:12.639 all four of those teams. 185 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:13.279 Coming out of the West. 186 00:09:13.320 --> 00:09:15.919 I think the Warriors play pretty good defense, the Rockets 187 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:18.559 certainly can play solid defense, and they've got the bodies. 188 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:22.080 The Mavericks they're battle tested. It's just I think a 189 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:24.519 question whether or not you know, they really really want it, 190 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:26.679 like you know, they want to win this NBA Cup, 191 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:30.039 and whoever they play against coming out of the East, 192 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:33.600 I think it's gonna be a you know, basically a 193 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:36.879 battle of attrition so to speak. You know, coming into 194 00:09:36.919 --> 00:09:41.000 that championship game between the Knicks and the Bucks, which 195 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:42.799 I think people are gonna say those are going to 196 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:44.679 be the two to advance in the semifinals out of 197 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:48.919 the East. You know, which of those really top to bottom, 198 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:52.039 you know, are gonna come out unscathed and be fully 199 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:54.639 healthy ready to go to play in that championship game. 200 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:57.120 You know, I like the New York Knicks and that one, 201 00:09:57.799 --> 00:09:59.799 you know, to come out just because I think from 202 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:03.440 a team perspective, they just have a better well rounded team. 203 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:05.080 I think they get a little bit more from their 204 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:08.320 bench from a depth perspective. But you never know, you know, 205 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:10.480 the Bucks can ride a hot hand and if you 206 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:13.399 have a dominant gianis Attatakumpo, which you can make the 207 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:16.320 argument shall with all of the remainder remaining teams, but 208 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:20.039 the exception of of Shae gilisund Alexander and I think 209 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:22.600 Kyrie Irving maybe not more so than Luka Donkis because 210 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.679 I think Luka Donkis is still not one hundred percent, 211 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:26.519 and I don't think he's worried about whether or not 212 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:28.799 he's got to be one hundred percent. If I just 213 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:31.559 think if you have a dominant Janis Attatakoumpo, which is 214 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:34.559 just running rough shot through the whole thing, Yeah, the 215 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:37.159 Bucks definitely have a chance to take it. But I 216 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:39.960 I don't see it enough. I don't see it enough 217 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:42.559 with consistency to buy into the Bucks, you know, and 218 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.600 you know, taking it all. 219 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:48.080 Yeah, I don't disagree. You know, if we want to 220 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:50.759 skip ahead a little bit too, I think this is okay. 221 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:54.559 Sees Cup to lose, like they're built for regular season 222 00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:57.240 and postseason success. And I think what we're what we're 223 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:59.480 seeing or hearing from is that a lot of these 224 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:04.320 younger teams are utilizing the Cup as their playoff preparation 225 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:06.799 in terms of the level of intensity that you're playing 226 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:09.000 for something, you know what I mean, there's there's there 227 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:10.879 is a trullion end goal at the end of this 228 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:14.399 dollar amount and obviously the opportunity to raise a banner. 229 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:16.440 So call it if you will, into your arena at 230 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:18.960 some point too. But they're just bragging rights and pride 231 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:20.720 that come along with this. And okay, see as a 232 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:23.639 team that is looking to take steps outside of the 233 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:26.399 Cup and actually win the actual NBA championship, Blair O'Brian, 234 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:29.440 I think they're probably the best poison in essens to 235 00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:31.519 do that and set up set up for this, for this, 236 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:34.679 for this win right here too. However, the Lakers, sorry 237 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:40.360 they led Lakers. The league gets very lucky. Is never that, okay, 238 00:11:40.440 --> 00:11:42.840 but they have The league gets very lucky in terms 239 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:46.360 that they have another legacy guy or team in there 240 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:49.080 right now with the Warriors still finding their way to 241 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:51.720 be in this. So they love nothing more than Curry 242 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:53.360 and and and Shay to kind of go up in 243 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:55.320 the West Finals, if you will, and then maybe Curry 244 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:57.840 to get it into the into the overall Cup finals 245 00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:01.320 against who are from the East. What I'm seeing, though, 246 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.159 you know, if we can jump around a little bit though, 247 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:07.039 is Atlanta is on a wave right now. They're playing 248 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:10.080 extremely great basketball. Enough can't be said about what Trey 249 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:13.519 Young is doing as a leader. We've always we said, hey, 250 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.960 we want you to be more than just kind of 251 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:18.519 like the stat padding individual. Because he's always been up 252 00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:21.279 there to second or third in assists like every single year, 253 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:23.639 but it just felt a little bit empty. He really 254 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:26.600 is making guys better. The emergence of Jalen Johnson as 255 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:29.039 a secondary playmaker in addition to a rebounder and a 256 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:32.279 score I think has been immense. What they're getting out 257 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:35.440 of reshould say, you know, to a lesser extent, Bogdanovich 258 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:40.159 is now back and healthy, DeAndre Hunter, Dyson Daniels. Atlanta's 259 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:42.799 really really kind of like the hottest of the teams, 260 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:45.519 especially in the Eastern Conference that I think right now 261 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:48.200 as we're recording the play games, see I keep their 262 00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:51.240 winning streak alive. But they've beaten Milwaukee this year, They've 263 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:54.159 beaten the Knicks this year. I would not count them 264 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:56.919 out in the season that a lot of people did 265 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:59.279 count them out in, and if Trey Young and company 266 00:12:59.320 --> 00:13:01.759 can continue that, I wouldn't be surprised to see them 267 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.799 in the Cup Final. 268 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:03.559 Yeah. 269 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:07.000 Again, last year we saw that with the Pacers. Right, 270 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:10.320 you beat the right team, you catch them in the 271 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:15.039 right time, and if your style of basketball, which I 272 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:17.799 think in many regards what you see from the Atlanta 273 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:20.039 Hawks kind of similar to what you saw last year 274 00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:22.039 from the Indiana Pacers. And while the Pacers are a 275 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:24.759 team that currently clearly is struggling, I think that's more 276 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:27.200 of the players than it is really, you know, the 277 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:29.799 style of basketball, because I think they enjoy playing and 278 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:34.080 it's just not it's not equating to the level of 279 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:36.879 wins that they were able to amass last season. The 280 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:39.559 Atlanta Hawks, I think are just now entering in that 281 00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:43.120 space where this style of basketball is now catching on 282 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:45.799 with them, or they're catching up to this style of basketball. 283 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:48.679 I think this is where Quinn Snyder always wanted to go. 284 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:52.039 But did you have enough players who has the maturity 285 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:54.799 in order to execute this style of offense that they're 286 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:59.480 playing it right? And again, I'm sure everybody is going 287 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:01.879 to be predicted the New York Knicks to basically walk 288 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:05.399 through into the semi finals playing this Atlanta Hawks team 289 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:08.840 because you look at the roster and the Knicks clearly 290 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:12.120 can be a better team defensively, they can clearly have 291 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:15.240 they have more playmakers, but they also have their struggles 292 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:17.519 where they're able to get everybody on the same page 293 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:19.960 and get everybody involved in everybody contributing. 294 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.360 And if you're the. 295 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:24.840 Atlanta Hawks and you're in your zone with what you do, 296 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:27.840 what you execute offensively, getting the most out of Jail 297 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:30.559 and getting the most out of Rischiusheer, getting the most 298 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:33.240 out of Chrey Young's ability to make those guys better. 299 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.879 Yes, I completely agree with you. 300 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.679 I think that they can catch the Knicks, you know 301 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:40.200 what I'm saying, on a fast one over the course 302 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:42.960 of a seven game series, though, that'd be tough. But 303 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:45.600 if you want to, if you want to embolden you 304 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:48.759 know what I'm saying, you really want to instill confidence. Yeah, 305 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:51.679 have them come out there and put one on the 306 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:54.159 New York Knicks. And I think a lot of people 307 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:56.919 what this will also do will start questioning again, are 308 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:59.159 the Knicks ready to take that next step? Because you 309 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:01.840 can't be losing again teams like the Atlanta Hawks, which 310 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.559 clearly on paper you look like you should be the 311 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.559 better team anyway. 312 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:06.320 But again, this is why you do these This is 313 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:07.480 why you have the NBA Cup. 314 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:11.080 Yeah, I mean for me, you know when you talk 315 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:13.080 about I don't know. I don't know if we're at 316 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:15.960 a stage where winning the NBA Cup is setting some 317 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:18.399 symblans of a message to the league, right, because look 318 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:21.879 what happened to the Lakers last year. But I do 319 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:24.480 feel like there's a lot of pride, especially for these 320 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:27.360 for some of these younger teams, and for all intentsive purposes, 321 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:32.080 right the Thunder, the MAVs, the Warriors, to maybe a 322 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:36.840 lesser extent, all have championship aspirations in the Western Conference. Orlando, 323 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.960 we know, was trying to surprise some teams, but now 324 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:43.519 with Fronz Wagner suffering the same injury that Paulo ben 325 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:46.480 Carroll has with the oblique, Orlando's probably going to be 326 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:48.679 counted out of actually winning this thing. But we also 327 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:50.480 have Milwaukee up in this joint and with the Knicks 328 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:53.519 up in this So for all intentsive purposes, there are 329 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:56.200 five teams who came into the league, came into the 330 00:15:56.240 --> 00:16:00.320 season rather with championship aspirations. Whether they were you know, 331 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:03.279 you wanted to believe in them or not, they believed 332 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:05.039 in them. And I don't think Orlando feel like they're 333 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:06.799 championship team, so that's why I'm kinding them out. In 334 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:09.720 Atlanto certainly not, and Houston obviously not as well too. 335 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:12.399 But I think those other teams feel like, hey, things 336 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:13.840 break right, we could have been here. 337 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:15.559 So who do you think So who do you think 338 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:18.279 needs it more? Right, Like of these teams that were 339 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:19.120 saying what. 340 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:20.879 I'm getting to, right, So, I think it's it's the 341 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:24.559 aspect of if if, if you if if you're looking 342 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:26.759 for it to be a message. I think Okay, See 343 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:30.519 probably needs it the most, right, especially as a younger 344 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:33.559 team that is that was a number one seed in 345 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:35.919 the Western Conference is right now the number one seed 346 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:38.720 in the Western Conference again to kind of show like, hey, 347 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:41.519 we can get over those proverbial mental hurdles and so 348 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:43.840 forth and win kind of that I wouldn't say the 349 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:46.840 highest stage, but at an elevated stage, right. And then 350 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.679 I think who I know is going to be going 351 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:51.320 for it the most is probably the Knicks because of 352 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:55.120 TIBs and his overall just overall, his his machismo, if 353 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:57.320 you will, and he's going to play all the minutes 354 00:16:57.320 --> 00:16:59.200 for all the guys. I don't know what's going on 355 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.840 with Karl athink Town. I know we missed a game 356 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:03.200 versus Pistons over the weekend. I assume he'll be back, 357 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:04.680 you know, for the Cup, and that shouldn't be much 358 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:06.640 of a much of an issue. But I think those 359 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:08.240 are the two teams are going to be gunning for 360 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:12.039 the hardest if you will, that are realistic in terms 361 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:14.119 of have a chance to make it to their conference 362 00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:17.519 finals and then ultimately the NBA Finals as well. But again, 363 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:19.799 I think Atlanta is probably feel of the most disrespected 364 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:21.200 out of all this group here too. And I don't 365 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:21.920 want to forget about you. 366 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:24.720 Well, and that's okay, so real quick, because you know 367 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:26.759 I know that you know, we obviously have that big 368 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:30.920 conversation we want to have about the three. But as 369 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:33.440 much as I think you're to what you're saying that 370 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:38.599 OKC needs this more to win the Cup, I honestly 371 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:40.000 feel they just need this game. 372 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.000 I don't know. 373 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:44.680 I think they need to Yeah, I just think they 374 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:47.839 need to beat the Dallas Mavericks. Whether the Dallas Mavericks 375 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:49.839 want to go for this or not, I think this 376 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:53.640 is more about okac's ability to say we are ready 377 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:57.839 to play you under whatever those circumstances are. And I think, look, 378 00:17:58.039 --> 00:18:00.200 if they beat the Dallas Mavericks, I think you have 379 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:02.119 a whole lot of confidence riding that they should be 380 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:04.880 able to go through and ultimately win this. We know 381 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.839 that the other teams are going to be a problem 382 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:09.279 for them, but I'm just saying to me, I think 383 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:12.960 their NBA Cup starts in this knockout round with the 384 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:15.440 Dallas Mavericks, and I think the team that I think 385 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:17.759 needs to win it all is the team that you 386 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:20.920 just mentioned last Atlanta Hawks, because of the fact that 387 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:24.319 they have been disrespected because it's not been what four 388 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:27.240 or five years removed they were playing in the Eastern 389 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:29.960 Conference Finals, you know what I'm saying, And since then 390 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:33.160 they've been nothing but going downhill. And I think if 391 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:36.240 you really want to validate the idea that you went 392 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:39.920 through the transition of moving on for McMillan, going in 393 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:43.599 with Snyder, having you know, making that big move to 394 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:47.440 get Deontay Murray, then moving him out, leaving staying with 395 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:50.599 Trey Young, and then you know, I'm not saying tanking, 396 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:54.160 but ultimately landing this first round pick using that to 397 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:57.319 get a foreign born player, right, rather than probably getting 398 00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:59.319 a couple of other players that may be more solid 399 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:01.079 for what Quinn may have wanted. 400 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:03.559 Maybe Quinn wants Richards Shre don't know. 401 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:05.920