WEBVTT

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<v Speaker 1>This is the Baseline discussing the hot button topics of

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<v Speaker 1>the NBA. Welcome everybody her tune to the Baseline. Cali

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<v Speaker 1>Warrenshaw discussing the hot button topics of the NBA. Special

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<v Speaker 1>edition of the Baseline NBA Podcast. I mean, we were

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<v Speaker 1>covering the Eastern Conference Finals, so it's only right and

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<v Speaker 1>we also have to discuss the Western Conference Finals. And

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<v Speaker 1>if people have been paying attention and saw the Oklahoma

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<v Speaker 1>City Thunder dismantle the Denver Nuggets to advance to their

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<v Speaker 1>first conference finals, I believe since the Durant Westbrook Harden era,

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<v Speaker 1>I'm seeing OKC fans are uber happy about it, and

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<v Speaker 1>it's the makings for really a surprisingly good matchup all

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<v Speaker 1>things considered, And so we would be remiss if we

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<v Speaker 1>didn't take the opportunity to kind of highlight some of

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<v Speaker 1>the things that we're looking for in this exciting matchup

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<v Speaker 1>between the Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves. So, as always,

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<v Speaker 1>let me go ahead, roll out the red carpet to

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<v Speaker 1>my right hand man Www. Dot Shaw Sports Done Net,

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<v Speaker 1>Big Ahuna, PNC, my man the warren Shaw repping out

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<v Speaker 1>of Fort Lauda of Florida. What's good? Shall how are

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<v Speaker 1>you holding it together? Now that we have the final

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<v Speaker 1>four set? It's exciting times.

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<v Speaker 2>And I think before that I was watching ESPN, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>watching the pregame show and just really interesting to kind

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<v Speaker 2>of see that the teams the six best teams to

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<v Speaker 2>make the finals in terms of odds, five of them

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<v Speaker 2>had already been out. So I had okayc ended up losing.

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<v Speaker 2>None of the top six teams with the best odds,

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<v Speaker 2>if you will, would have got in. But okay, see

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<v Speaker 2>gets done in resounding fashion. And now we have a great,

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<v Speaker 2>great set here of the final for the NBA.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, And I think I want to start with that,

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<v Speaker 1>right shaw, The Oklahoma City Thunder really had a tough

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<v Speaker 1>out with the Denver Nuggets, and we'll, you know, obviously

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<v Speaker 1>do our coveted autopsy report and we'll cover the Denver

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<v Speaker 1>Nuggets in that next edition of our autopsy report. But

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<v Speaker 1>I want to give credit to the Oklahoma City Thunder

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<v Speaker 1>because they needed this matchup and they also needed to

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<v Speaker 1>go through this fire once more. Because I think when

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<v Speaker 1>we look at where the remaining teams are, a lot

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<v Speaker 1>of them, you probably are saying luck momentum, you know, matchup,

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<v Speaker 1>favorable matchups, is what's going to probably catapult them to

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<v Speaker 1>this particular point, right, But the Oklahoma City Thunder has

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<v Speaker 1>been arguably the only team wire to wire that you

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<v Speaker 1>had the full throated belief I probably said that they

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<v Speaker 1>weren't gonna be the number one seed. I think maybe

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<v Speaker 1>I had somebody else touted as the number one seed,

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<v Speaker 1>but no doubt they were still going to be among

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<v Speaker 1>one of the major players and contenders. But Oklahoma City

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<v Speaker 1>Thunder are the only teams that are remaining to me

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<v Speaker 1>have proven by them now getting passed and exercising some

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<v Speaker 1>demons and ultimately beating a former NBA champion led team

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<v Speaker 1>in the Denver Nuggets, have validated the premise that they

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<v Speaker 1>should be the favored to go through and to hoist

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<v Speaker 1>that true. Now it's getting ahead of myself, But what

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<v Speaker 1>I'm saying is the only way I could actually say

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<v Speaker 1>that with confidence. If I'm someone who wants to critique

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<v Speaker 1>and analyze, it's because of what they had to do

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<v Speaker 1>to get to this point.

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<v Speaker 2>Yeah, I don't disagree. I think I tweeted in the

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<v Speaker 2>middle of the blowouts, and the Thunder now have been

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<v Speaker 2>forged by fire. You know, they beat and then a

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<v Speaker 2>former NBA Champion. They beat the runner up presumably to

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<v Speaker 2>the MVP and get it done and kind of cast

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<v Speaker 2>away a lot of doubts, and I think specifically for

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<v Speaker 2>j Dubb, Jileen Williams, his ability to show up in

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<v Speaker 2>this game in a meaningful way. You saw all the

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<v Speaker 2>things that the reason that they got Hartenstein and Caruso, like,

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<v Speaker 2>all those things came into full display throughout the course

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<v Speaker 2>of the series and even more so in the final

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<v Speaker 2>two games, you know, where okay See really was really

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<v Speaker 2>kind of finding themselves even in the last FoST if

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<v Speaker 2>you will.

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<v Speaker 1>So I really am a.

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<v Speaker 2>Thousand percent with you, you know, and maybe that giving

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<v Speaker 2>away a little tipping our cap in terms of how

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<v Speaker 2>we think the Western Conference Finals will go.

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<v Speaker 1>But okay See should be.

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<v Speaker 2>Now the prohibitive fav after going through this fire, which

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<v Speaker 2>was the Denver Nuggets.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, I look at this team Shaw and you know,

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<v Speaker 1>they to me remind me very much of what we

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<v Speaker 1>saw last year from the Boston Celtics, where I don't

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<v Speaker 1>think anyone is questioning the offensive capabilities that they have

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<v Speaker 1>at their disposal, especially with a head coach like Mark daganol.

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<v Speaker 1>But again, and I think we even alluded to this

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<v Speaker 1>with regards to our Eastern Conference Finals previews, right, the

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<v Speaker 1>road to prosperity is gonna be how defensively these teams

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<v Speaker 1>are going to impose their will against whoever the opposition

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<v Speaker 1>is now. I will say this, since we're getting to

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<v Speaker 1>the previews between them and the Minnesota Timberwolves. If I'm

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<v Speaker 1>the Oklahoma City Thunder, I'd be very careful because while

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<v Speaker 1>you've proven even through the regular season that you are

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<v Speaker 1>the better team, the motive the Minnesota Timberwolves are on

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<v Speaker 1>a high. They're getting back to that defensive presence that

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<v Speaker 1>they exhibited that catapulted them last year to be among

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<v Speaker 1>one of the best teams in the Western Conference. And

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<v Speaker 1>while they struggle offensively, I keep going back to this point, shaw.

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<v Speaker 1>I understand that we get enamored with teams that are

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<v Speaker 1>you know, that are shooting the lights out and scoring

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<v Speaker 1>points upward of one hundred and twenty or whatever the

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<v Speaker 1>case may be. But all it takes is a couple

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<v Speaker 1>of bad games. And sometimes those bad games is not

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<v Speaker 1>just because they had cold nights. It's because of how

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<v Speaker 1>players matchups are getting up in them and causing a

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<v Speaker 1>lot of that frustration, causing those mental blocks, and you

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<v Speaker 1>can see that exhibited at times when you see the

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<v Speaker 1>Minnesota Timberwolves through the course of the regular season, and

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<v Speaker 1>somehow they figured out a way to exercise those demons.

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<v Speaker 1>Currently through the playoffs, they will do this to the

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<v Speaker 1>Oklahoma City Thunder. Like the Oklahoma City Thunder just did

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<v Speaker 1>this to the Denver Nuggets. The Minnesota Timberwolves are gonna

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<v Speaker 1>get up in the Oklahoma City Thunder's chest heirs, And

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<v Speaker 1>I think if you are Okay c you have to

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<v Speaker 1>be disciplined in your ability to know that you are

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<v Speaker 1>among one of the best teams defensively and that you

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<v Speaker 1>can equally impose your will on a team that has

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<v Speaker 1>shown offensive deficiencies through the course, even during the playoffs.

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<v Speaker 1>If they do that, then I think Oklahoma City will

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<v Speaker 1>be fine and they should basically coast through this Eastern

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<v Speaker 1>this Western Conference finals because I just think that they're

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<v Speaker 1>too deep and they have too many talented players. But again,

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<v Speaker 1>watch how this Minnesota Timberwolves team operates, and Chris Finch

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<v Speaker 1>very heavy kind of guy as far as how he

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<v Speaker 1>likes to utilize his players and utilize them to get

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<v Speaker 1>the matchups he likes from a defensive perspective, where most

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<v Speaker 1>coaches are trying to do it from an offensive perspective.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, I mean I liked what you said to close

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<v Speaker 3>off there.

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<v Speaker 2>You know, Fitch is probably a underrated coach still in

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<v Speaker 2>a lot of ways, and I know he has accolades

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<v Speaker 2>under his belt per se, but I think it's just like,

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<v Speaker 2>all right, well, he kind of gets taken for granted

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<v Speaker 2>because the gravity of Anthony Edwards is so great when

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<v Speaker 2>it comes to that Minnesota trimble Wolves team say nothing,

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<v Speaker 2>not to say anything about the postseason that Julius Randall

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<v Speaker 2>specifically is having.

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<v Speaker 1>But I do like this matchup right.

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<v Speaker 2>I do like it for both teams because Minnesota is

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<v Speaker 2>probably in the space of like, well, now we're the underdogs.

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<v Speaker 2>You know, no one expects us to be here anyway,

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<v Speaker 2>and no one is gonna expect us to be okay see.

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<v Speaker 2>So in a lot of ways, they're gonna be playing

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<v Speaker 2>with a lot of house money and some someone's freedom,

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<v Speaker 2>but they have that internal belief I think within their

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<v Speaker 2>locker room.

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<v Speaker 1>And on the flip side, I.

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<v Speaker 2>Think this is where okay See is really going to

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<v Speaker 2>have to, you know, kind of dig down a little

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<v Speaker 2>bit and not necessarily in terms of offensive versatility, but

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<v Speaker 2>relying on those defensive principles. Because one of the things

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<v Speaker 2>that we can get into here is that Minnesota, of

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<v Speaker 2>the playoff teams remaining, they are still the most playoffs sorry,

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<v Speaker 2>they're the most turnover prone of these teams. They're also

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<v Speaker 2>one of the better defensive teams remaining too. That hen's

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<v Speaker 2>why they're in the Final four, if you will. But

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<v Speaker 2>you know, okay see, is there's nobody better and there's

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<v Speaker 2>been nobody better turning points off of turnovers in okay see.

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<v Speaker 2>So that's where Minnesota is really gonna have to take

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<v Speaker 2>care of the care of the basketball and understanding that

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<v Speaker 2>the thunder don't really have a lot of They don't

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<v Speaker 2>have a lot of drop off.

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<v Speaker 1>Even when they go to their bench.

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<v Speaker 2>You can say maybe offensively, but everybody who comes in

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<v Speaker 2>plays defense and plays defense like a dog, and that

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<v Speaker 2>can you know, kind of wear on Minnesota while they're

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<v Speaker 2>not you know, necessarily like they're shallow, but they're not

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<v Speaker 2>as skilled offensively. Once you kind of get into that

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<v Speaker 2>seventh eighth man, you know, so to speak. Sorry, that

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<v Speaker 2>seventh eighth man, so to speak. So that's where I

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<v Speaker 2>think Okac can really really try to turn the tide

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<v Speaker 2>of this series at some point is with their defensive

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<v Speaker 2>versatility and the fact that they have so much depth

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<v Speaker 2>in their defense all the way, basically for all the

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<v Speaker 2>eight nine guys they play.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, and one of the things that I saw, especially

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<v Speaker 1>from this last game that really impressed me about dagonaal

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<v Speaker 1>because you know, you were just talking about Chris Finch,

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<v Speaker 1>I'm gonna speak about Mark Daganall and his growth process,

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<v Speaker 1>his maturity. I've noticed this trend. Shaw It It bothers me.

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<v Speaker 1>I think this goes as far back to the to

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<v Speaker 1>the Mark D'Antonio days. Okay, Mark D'Antonio would get, you know,

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<v Speaker 1>a really savvy to D'Antoni. I'm sorry, I said D'Antonio,

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<v Speaker 1>Mark D'Antoni. That's how far removed he's been. Almost can't

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<v Speaker 1>Mike or Mike or Mark. Mike his aliens is probably Mark.

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<v Speaker 1>You probably wish he had a you know what I'm saying,

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<v Speaker 1>he had a he had a twin, Yeah, exactly so.

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<v Speaker 1>So Mike was notorious of getting a savvy veteran player

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<v Speaker 1>and refused to play the guy. You know, you get

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<v Speaker 1>a guy you know on your roster, and I don't listen.

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<v Speaker 1>I understand he may not fit the I the ideal scheme,

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<v Speaker 1>but there comes a point where you have to basically

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<v Speaker 1>empty out the toolkit, man, when some things are just

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<v Speaker 1>not effective, some things are not consistent. You gotta get

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<v Speaker 1>that run. There's a reason why he's on the roster.

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<v Speaker 1>You figure out a way to use him on the roster.

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<v Speaker 1>One of the things that worried me a lot about

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<v Speaker 1>dagonal is while he has a treasure trove of talent,

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<v Speaker 1>even last year, you saw him heavily depend on the

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<v Speaker 1>shoulders of his starters to try to figure certain things

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<v Speaker 1>out and not position that team where he levies his

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<v Speaker 1>knowledge and his understanding of what he wants to do,

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<v Speaker 1>how he wants to implement so that the guys can

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<v Speaker 1>don't have to worry about that aspect of it. Now,

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<v Speaker 1>these guys have a year under their belt. But I

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<v Speaker 1>gotta tell you, man, I truly appreciate what Dagonall did

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<v Speaker 1>running Caruso out there and having him defend Biggs, right

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<v Speaker 1>like you brought him there for a reason, and you're

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<v Speaker 1>using him for that reason right and regardless of what

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<v Speaker 1>people may say or think it might compromise the flow

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<v Speaker 1>of the offense, He's not there to score the basketball.

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<v Speaker 1>He's there to get defensive He's there to make defensive plays. Right,

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<v Speaker 1>He's there for those fifty to fifty balls that other

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<v Speaker 1>guys have the capacity are not in a position to

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<v Speaker 1>be able to make. And it says something thing when

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<v Speaker 1>a guy like Rusa goes out there and is unafraid, unabashed,

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<v Speaker 1>he says, I'm gonna take the joker, I'm gonna take

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<v Speaker 1>the NBA three time MVP, and I'm gonna guard him up,

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<v Speaker 1>and I'm gonna I'm gonna be a pest to him.

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<v Speaker 1>Do you know what that says to the rest of

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<v Speaker 1>the guys up and down that line. It just speaks volumes.

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<v Speaker 1>So I you know, I say that all of that

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<v Speaker 1>to say, now we're now beginning to add that quote

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<v Speaker 1>unquote X factor the coaches, right, and and the implementation

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<v Speaker 1>of what they're doing and how they want to do

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<v Speaker 1>it to the to the full breadth of what we're

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<v Speaker 1>expecting when we get to this point of the conference finals,

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<v Speaker 1>because sometimes I think the desperation in them just allows

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<v Speaker 1>them to say, We're just gonna keep running out the

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<v Speaker 1>same guys. We're gonna keep running out the same plays.

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<v Speaker 1>We're gonna ep runnut the same systems and they don't

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<v Speaker 1>make adjustments. And I don't think that you're gonna get

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<v Speaker 1>anywhere closer to eventually winning that NBA Finals until you

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<v Speaker 1>make those necessary adjustments and you utilize the players on

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<v Speaker 1>your roster as what you brought them in there for.

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<v Speaker 2>Yeah, I mean, I love the fact that, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>there's a lot of cross matching that's been happening throughout

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<v Speaker 2>the course of the NBA Playoffs, and we're seeing a

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<v Speaker 2>lot more Smalls trying to guard Biggs, And I think

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<v Speaker 2>your point. Even Cruso did a decent enough job on Joker,

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<v Speaker 2>you know here in Game seven. You know, Joker still

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<v Speaker 2>got to the rim a couple of times, but you know,

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<v Speaker 2>you just you even kind of like just want to

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<v Speaker 2>see what some of those things could look like. So

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<v Speaker 2>while I can see Dort guarding some Julius Randall, I

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<v Speaker 2>can see guarding some Anthony Edwards, but I can also

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<v Speaker 2>see Cruso doing the exact same thing, and then maybe

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<v Speaker 2>Jayalen Williams doing the exact same thing. So you know,

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<v Speaker 2>as long as they can stay out of foul trouble.

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<v Speaker 2>But that's where I think, you know, the thunder just

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<v Speaker 2>have more defensive versatility kind of throughout flipping it to

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<v Speaker 2>the other side though. I mean, I think Minnesota is

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<v Speaker 2>going to be able to do some things obviously with

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<v Speaker 2>with McDaniel's as well, right, and while he is obviously

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<v Speaker 2>the primary creator of offense, he's also rather are better defenders

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<v Speaker 2>on the floor. So you know, Anthony Edwards and McDaniels

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<v Speaker 2>trying to maybe switch turns on SGA and then maybe

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<v Speaker 2>you know Jadub as well too. I think those are

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<v Speaker 2>things that we're going to continue to watch kind of

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<v Speaker 2>throughout this Like, so we're talking a lot about the

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<v Speaker 2>defense in this series because I think it's where both

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<v Speaker 2>of these teams and it is kind of their bread

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<v Speaker 2>and butter at the end of the day. But that's

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<v Speaker 2>nothing to say about the star power that is Anthony Edwards,

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<v Speaker 2>that is SGA as well too. And I think you know,

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<v Speaker 2>we might get some some dueling, you know, with some

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<v Speaker 2>of those guys as well, not necessarily in the one

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<v Speaker 2>on one, you know, type of situation, but kind of

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<v Speaker 2>like SGA goes down to the scores and it's gonna try

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<v Speaker 2>to score, you know, back on the other side, we

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<v Speaker 2>may get a couple of moments of that too, But

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<v Speaker 2>I think this is going to be a fun and

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<v Speaker 2>exciting series throughout. One last thing, though, is I want

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<v Speaker 2>to kind of throw to you who do you think

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<v Speaker 2>wins the true battle of the biggs, right, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>with harn Stein and Cheded Holmgren versus Gobaar and Julius Randall.

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<v Speaker 2>Even when you go into the depths you know from

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<v Speaker 2>Minnesota with now as Reed, you know, playing kind of

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<v Speaker 2>as a stretch for as well.

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<v Speaker 1>You know, who do you.

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<v Speaker 2>Think has the the advantage when it comes to the

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<v Speaker 2>front court.

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<v Speaker 1>I believe the advantage will lie with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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<v Speaker 1>I think the key is going to be offensive rebounding

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<v Speaker 1>and play repositioning. And when we return, haha, when we return,

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<v Speaker 1>I'm gonna give you that. And then I'm also gonna

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<v Speaker 1>come back to your point about the Stars finally getting

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<v Speaker 1>their moment to shine in head to head matchup between

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<v Speaker 1>Edwards and Sga, what that's gonna look like. And we

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<v Speaker 1>also have to give our predictions about who's gonna ultimately

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<v Speaker 1>advance out of the Western Conference to play in the

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<v Speaker 1>NBA Finals. So you don't want to miss it here.

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<v Speaker 1>Cali Warrenshaw baseline, don't go anywhere. We are back Cali

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<v Speaker 1>Warrenshaw Basline NBA podcast. We're doing our special edition of

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<v Speaker 1>the Western Conference preview between the Oklahoma City Thunder and

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<v Speaker 1>the Minnesota Timberwolves. So I was just mentioning that I

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<v Speaker 1>leave it the advantage between the bigs between the Thunders

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<v Speaker 1>Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein versus the Timberwolves Julius Randall

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<v Speaker 1>and Rudy Gobert. I give the nod to Hartenstein and

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<v Speaker 1>Holmgren because of their ability to offensively rebound. Okay, but

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<v Speaker 1>there's also something that I noticed that I truly loved

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<v Speaker 1>and appreciated about the level of execution that ok Se

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<v Speaker 1>is capable of showing you that I think can be

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<v Speaker 1>a deterrent to the Minnesota Timberwolves, especially with the style

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<v Speaker 1>of defense at the Timberwolves place. If you're watching this game, Shaw,

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<v Speaker 1>I notice a lot if home Gren and or Hartenstein

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<v Speaker 1>find themselves on the receiving end of an offensive rebound

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<v Speaker 1>and or find themselves about four or five feet just

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<v Speaker 1>below or just above the free throw line. Oka See

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<v Speaker 1>always had someone cutting from the baseline straight to the basket,

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<v Speaker 1>and there would be that nice little bounce pass because

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<v Speaker 1>the opposition defensively is realizing that both Homegrin and Hartenstein

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<v Speaker 1>are looking, you know what I'm saying, to get deeper penetration,

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<v Speaker 1>to get that easy basket or that easy bucket, and

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<v Speaker 1>in most cases it makes sense to probably foul them

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<v Speaker 1>because even though Homegren is a decent and a solid

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<v Speaker 1>free throw shooter as well as Hartenstein, you probably would

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<v Speaker 1>rather see them get to the free throw line rather

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<v Speaker 1>than seeing them basically again an a one or get

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<v Speaker 1>easy bucket. But they were running this play so many

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<v Speaker 1>times against the Denver Nuggets, and I would not be

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<v Speaker 1>surprised if that kind of movement that the Oklahoma City

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<v Speaker 1>Thunder exhibit with their wing players or even their guards

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<v Speaker 1>camped out in the corners, because the notion is they're

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<v Speaker 1>still gonna shoot it, They're gonna let it fly, but

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<v Speaker 1>they don't give enough respect to the fact that they

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<v Speaker 1>all cut to the basket with a sense of purpose.

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<v Speaker 1>And as long as those guys are distributing the basketball

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<v Speaker 1>the way that they've been distributing it throughout the course

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<v Speaker 1>of this series, they will be just fine. And they're

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<v Speaker 1>going to actually put the Minnesota Timberwolves front court players

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<v Speaker 1>or their front court tandem on their heels because now

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<v Speaker 1>they got to pay attention to the guys that are

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<v Speaker 1>cutting behind them when they should technically be in front

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<v Speaker 1>of them. I can see that.

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<v Speaker 2>I mean, I think, you know, I would I would

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<v Speaker 2>differ only because I think there's a maybe slightly more

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<v Speaker 2>depth because of the Nas Reid aspect from Minnesota. So

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<v Speaker 2>I think schematically what you're talking about makes sense for

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<v Speaker 2>the OKC side, But I think you know where Minnesota

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<v Speaker 2>can make some hay is that nas Reed can space

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<v Speaker 2>the floor. If you believe Julius Randalls three point shooting

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<v Speaker 2>in the playoffs, well then he can also space the floor,

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<v Speaker 2>which could be problematic for Hartstein and check right because

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<v Speaker 2>they're not really joker plays kind of at all levels. Right,

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<v Speaker 2>So like the gout obviously a fair test, but I

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<v Speaker 2>think you know, in the times where we go be

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<v Speaker 2>off the floor and they're going with Randall and nas Read,

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<v Speaker 2>that's going to give some problems I think for Okay,

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<v Speaker 2>see just trying to figure out like, all right, well,

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<v Speaker 2>make sure can we make sure that we team get

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<v Speaker 2>back and rebound if both of these guys are kind

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<v Speaker 2>of spacing or whatever. If Randall's kind of drive off

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<v Speaker 2>the bounce and even sprang out to a nas Read

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<v Speaker 2>on the wing one way or the other. So this

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<v Speaker 2>is where I think, you know, Fitch can really try

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<v Speaker 2>to design some things that you know, puts Okayc's players

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<v Speaker 2>in action. I think Hartnstein kind of just he gets

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<v Speaker 2>let off right, and I don't think he's I don't

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<v Speaker 2>think he's a bad defender in any sitch of the imagination,

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<v Speaker 2>but he's not running a whole lot of various actions.

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<v Speaker 2>So you know, I can see Ant and Randall, Ant

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<v Speaker 2>and nas Read, you know, kind of doing that and

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<v Speaker 2>trying to put a hard sign in some some pick

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<v Speaker 2>and rolls, and then does that necessarily not negate him

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<v Speaker 2>to some degree, but does it limit him some throughout

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<v Speaker 2>the course of the series where they're forced to kind

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<v Speaker 2>of go with Chet more as a five, and then

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<v Speaker 2>you know, you know, bringing in some of their bench

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<v Speaker 2>guys off the bench, bringing some of their bench guys

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<v Speaker 2>rather to the starting lineup like Isiah Isaiah Joe or

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<v Speaker 2>you know whatever case in Wallace. Maybe they're getting more

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<v Speaker 2>run in some of those different lineups. So again, I

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<v Speaker 2>think Minnesota has some things they can play with the

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<v Speaker 2>try to attack okay see, but they just need to

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<v Speaker 2>be careful, Like even when you're running that pick and

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<v Speaker 2>roll that okay See's guards and their wings are there

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<v Speaker 2>are coming into help. They are coming in to swipe

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<v Speaker 2>and strip at the ball whatever, and you have to

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<v Speaker 2>pay attention to where Caruso is. So this is where

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<v Speaker 2>I think Minnesota is really not only from that trying

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<v Speaker 2>to get a hard signed in action, but this is

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<v Speaker 2>where that three point shooting for Minnesota is going to

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<v Speaker 2>become extremely impactful for them.

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<v Speaker 1>Offensively.

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<v Speaker 2>Guys are going to have to make shot in this

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<v Speaker 2>series because I think Okayc's gonna be like, you know what,

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<v Speaker 2>we don't believe you as you're trying to drive to

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<v Speaker 2>the rack. We'll let you know whoever out here, kind

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<v Speaker 2>of like fire away as long as it's not like Nasriz.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, so you made some excellent points. I will say this,

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<v Speaker 1>and it's not really to push back but maybe accentuate

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<v Speaker 1>a little bit of what you're talking about. For me,

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<v Speaker 1>the key is gonna definitely be Julius Randall, but it's

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<v Speaker 1>not in the way that I think you're talking about.

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<v Speaker 1>I feel like Julius Randall, who to me, of all

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<v Speaker 1>of the bigs has the better body of work on

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<v Speaker 1>one on one situations. Now, I don't know if Chris

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<v Speaker 1>Finch is gonna like the idea of isolating Julius Randall

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<v Speaker 1>to start working you know, the Oka See front court

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<v Speaker 1>players and then him start playing bullyball, but you could

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<v Speaker 1>appreciate it because he is more likely the type of

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<v Speaker 1>guy to get the front court players in foul trouble right,

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<v Speaker 1>and that opens up everything for the nas reasons NAS

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<v Speaker 1>reads and as well too for Anthony Edwards, who obviously

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<v Speaker 1>he's been shooting the three ball a whole lot more.

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<v Speaker 1>But I don't want to only put this on Julius

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<v Speaker 1>Randall to do that. I just think that he is

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<v Speaker 1>the best equipped that he can literally get the OKAC

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<v Speaker 1>Thunder team in foul trouble because he has a bevy

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<v Speaker 1>of moves that he can play below the below the

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<v Speaker 1>rim that can force that action. But I think it

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<v Speaker 1>comes down to equally, uh Alexander Walker and and UH McDaniels,

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<v Speaker 1>they and their length have to also challenge the front

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<v Speaker 1>court of the Oklahoma City Thunder get these guys in

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<v Speaker 1>quick foul trouble. I understand again, we fall in love

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<v Speaker 1>with the idea that we space the floor out and

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<v Speaker 1>like to shoot the three. But if you look at

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<v Speaker 1>the way that the playoffs have been called right have

419
00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:12.279
<v Speaker 1>been refed, there is a level of physicality that I

420
00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:15.119
<v Speaker 1>think can play to the favor of the Minnesota Timberwolves

421
00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:18.720
<v Speaker 1>that could put the Oklahoma City Thunder on their heels.

422
00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:21.279
<v Speaker 1>So if they don't sit there and just jack up

423
00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:24.960
<v Speaker 1>shots hoping that their three ball lands, they could actually

424
00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:28.200
<v Speaker 1>force the action force Dagonault to reach into his bag

425
00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:31.200
<v Speaker 1>in his roster and try to mix and matchmans in play,

426
00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:33.839
<v Speaker 1>because then I think that he may overdo it, which

427
00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.720
<v Speaker 1>plays into the hands of a guy like Chris Finch,

428
00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:38.240
<v Speaker 1>because I think these guys have already been battle test

429
00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:40.680
<v Speaker 1>to given what they went through last year. So it's

430
00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:44.039
<v Speaker 1>just an interesting dynamic to look at because I think

431
00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:47.559
<v Speaker 1>that if Oklahoma City plays the way that they're supposed

432
00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:51.119
<v Speaker 1>to play, Hartenstein and Holmgren will absorb a ton of

433
00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:53.400
<v Speaker 1>minutes and not have to exhort a ton of work

434
00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:57.039
<v Speaker 1>because the action that most of the Timberwolve players have

435
00:21:57.119 --> 00:22:00.000
<v Speaker 1>been playing kind of bails them out from being committed.

436
00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:03.319
<v Speaker 1>It's so wholeheartedly defensively because of the propensity to shoot

437
00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:05.759
<v Speaker 1>the basketball as much as they do. That's why I

438
00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:09.200
<v Speaker 1>want to see more action and aggressiveness from their players.

439
00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:11.519
<v Speaker 1>I'm not saying IO all the time, but I'm saying

440
00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:14.759
<v Speaker 1>if you're gonna ISO, be aggressive in your ISO. Go

441
00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:17.279
<v Speaker 1>to the cup, go to the rim, force that call

442
00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:19.680
<v Speaker 1>to get played. Even if you get blocked, that's fine,

443
00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:21.680
<v Speaker 1>but you got to force the action. If you bail

444
00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:23.799
<v Speaker 1>them out, okayc is gonna not only get the calls,

445
00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:26.400
<v Speaker 1>but they're gonna get the transition. And we've seen where

446
00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:31.079
<v Speaker 1>the Minnesota Timberwolves have been marginalized defensively in transition because

447
00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:34.920
<v Speaker 1>the Oklahoma City Thunder are just a better passing team

448
00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:38.640
<v Speaker 1>when they're in the open floor and they got numbers

449
00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.079
<v Speaker 1>on the court.

450
00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:42.160
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, but we've also seen okay See has again sometimes

451
00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:44.519
<v Speaker 2>struggled to score. So I think another thing that can

452
00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:46.960
<v Speaker 2>happen is that, you know, if they are figure out

453
00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.680
<v Speaker 2>a way to get Sga involved in a lot of

454
00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:51.720
<v Speaker 2>actions right and make him work defensively so that he's

455
00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:56.160
<v Speaker 2>not that then you're forcing you know, Jdubb and Chat

456
00:22:56.240 --> 00:23:01.119
<v Speaker 2>to be more focused offensively and having to you know,

457
00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:03.440
<v Speaker 2>be more even efficient in that. If you're making Eshay

458
00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:05.240
<v Speaker 2>work on the other side hopefully, But actually I mean

459
00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:09.839
<v Speaker 2>that he's an MVP, you know, presumably, so like you're like,

460
00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.680
<v Speaker 2>there's not a You're not going to bank on that

461
00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:14.160
<v Speaker 2>as your entire strategy, but I think you do need

462
00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.960
<v Speaker 2>to try to put him and make him work so

463
00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.799
<v Speaker 2>that maybe he is a little bit more tired and

464
00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:19.680
<v Speaker 2>maybe some of these other guys just kind of fear

465
00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:21.599
<v Speaker 2>a step up. What I'm really interested though as well, too,

466
00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:26.359
<v Speaker 2>is these are two really good teams that have, you know,

467
00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:29.200
<v Speaker 2>more than just kind of their star players, right, but

468
00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:31.119
<v Speaker 2>we know kind of like who the top level guys are,

469
00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:33.519
<v Speaker 2>and I'm just trying to figure out from you know,

470
00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:35.960
<v Speaker 2>I know the X factor conversation, you know, is something

471
00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:38.279
<v Speaker 2>that a lot of people have tap into, and I

472
00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.880
<v Speaker 2>guess that's what I want to do here now. I

473
00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:41.599
<v Speaker 2>don't know if it's an X factor, but I just

474
00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:44.000
<v Speaker 2>kind of think about the most important role players for

475
00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:46.559
<v Speaker 2>some of these teams, right, And I don't know if

476
00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:50.079
<v Speaker 2>McDaniel's from Minnesota or you know, Nikael Alesona Walker is

477
00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.680
<v Speaker 2>maybe more important because I don't know what we're even

478
00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:54.720
<v Speaker 2>going to get from my colleague this series. Conversely, you know,

479
00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:57.039
<v Speaker 2>is it is it case and Wallace or does Isaiah

480
00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:59.319
<v Speaker 2>Joe you know, coming in from from the OKAC side

481
00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:01.519
<v Speaker 2>or what or so just kind of like what he

482
00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:05.720
<v Speaker 2>does defensively, There's so many ways I think these guys

483
00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:10.160
<v Speaker 2>can't contribute to the game that can swing momentum, like

484
00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:12.440
<v Speaker 2>in a real meaningful way, especially with some of the

485
00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:15.319
<v Speaker 2>guys I mentioned, more so even defensively than offensively. But

486
00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:17.319
<v Speaker 2>if those guys are also hitting shots, you know, that

487
00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:19.720
<v Speaker 2>can really swing you know, a game, and you know

488
00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:21.960
<v Speaker 2>a four or five point, you know swing in a

489
00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:24.079
<v Speaker 2>situation where hey, the tied teams will be going the

490
00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:25.400
<v Speaker 2>other way and then these guys come in with a

491
00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:27.160
<v Speaker 2>truly momentum changing play.

492
00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:31.000
<v Speaker 1>What version of Anthony Edwards do you want to see

493
00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:35.359
<v Speaker 1>in this series against the Oklahoma City Thunder is Yeah,

494
00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:37.640
<v Speaker 1>I think the one that we saw in the Golden

495
00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:41.759
<v Speaker 1>State series. You know where he was I'd say patient,

496
00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:45.720
<v Speaker 1>you know, he didn't force things, he understood. Hey, I

497
00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:48.559
<v Speaker 1>gotta get other guys going, Hey, Randall's got it cooking cool.

498
00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:51.799
<v Speaker 1>I can necessarily get mine whenever, but I can get

499
00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:55.319
<v Speaker 1>mine within the flow, so where he's more facilitating even

500
00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:57.480
<v Speaker 1>as a as a secondary playmaker, you know, kind of

501
00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.519
<v Speaker 1>like the swing swinging.

502
00:24:58.279 --> 00:25:01.640
<v Speaker 2>Type of situation, or you off of driving kicks. If

503
00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:03.319
<v Speaker 2>he's not having to force that, I guess what we

504
00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.720
<v Speaker 2>think we know is already going to be a very

505
00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:07.599
<v Speaker 2>good Oklahoma City defense. Then I think that's the version

506
00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:10.599
<v Speaker 2>of Anthony Edwards that can be ultimately successful because if

507
00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:12.839
<v Speaker 2>he gets other guys going, then okay, see he has

508
00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:15.680
<v Speaker 2>to react to those other guys and that will make easier,

509
00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:17.519
<v Speaker 2>make life easier for long term.

510
00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:21.480
<v Speaker 1>Yeah, I want to see that version of Anthony Edwards

511
00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:24.680
<v Speaker 1>where I'm not saying he's got to be struggling. I'm

512
00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:27.559
<v Speaker 1>saying people are going to be asking a question about, oh,

513
00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:29.880
<v Speaker 1>why is he this looks like he's having a quiet night,

514
00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:33.000
<v Speaker 1>yet the Minnesota Timberwols are within striking distance or the

515
00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:35.920
<v Speaker 1>Minnesota timber was actually up. And then when the time

516
00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:39.400
<v Speaker 1>comes that we need to see an explosion. We need

517
00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:41.720
<v Speaker 1>someone to say I'm shouldering the heavy load in the

518
00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:44.680
<v Speaker 1>second half of the game, because I think we've already

519
00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:47.319
<v Speaker 1>seen that enough times to say that is a part

520
00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:52.319
<v Speaker 1>of SGA's repertoire. Right, we know that he basically scores

521
00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:56.160
<v Speaker 1>with brutal efficiency and so with confidence. The only time

522
00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:59.079
<v Speaker 1>that you recognize that he struggles is when the team

523
00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:02.400
<v Speaker 1>collectively has struggled and they're using him as the de

524
00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:07.039
<v Speaker 1>facto savior sort to speak, and teams defensively have bottlenecked him,

525
00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:09.839
<v Speaker 1>so he's not really getting quality shots that normally he

526
00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:12.680
<v Speaker 1>needs in order for him to get himself going. I

527
00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:15.519
<v Speaker 1>often look at Anthony Edwards and I say, it's not

528
00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:19.160
<v Speaker 1>necessarily the shot. It's a play. It's a defining play.

529
00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:21.279
<v Speaker 1>It could be a dunk, it could be a steal,

530
00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:25.640
<v Speaker 1>it could be a block, something happened, something triggers where

531
00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:30.359
<v Speaker 1>when Anthony Edwards is involved, it sets the whole thing off.

532
00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:35.119
<v Speaker 1>You know, it's like an instagram, you know, sensation. With

533
00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:38.119
<v Speaker 1>Anthony Edwards, all it takes is one. And I think

534
00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:40.480
<v Speaker 1>if he has that confidence of knowing at any given time,

535
00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:43.400
<v Speaker 1>he can explode and just do what he does. I

536
00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:46.440
<v Speaker 1>think that bodes well for the Minnesota Timberwolves, because again,

537
00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:49.880
<v Speaker 1>the concentration should be making sure his guys are in

538
00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:52.400
<v Speaker 1>the right space in order for them to hang and

539
00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:55.880
<v Speaker 1>compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder on both sides of

540
00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:58.160
<v Speaker 1>the basketball. They don't have to score a ton of points,

541
00:26:58.400 --> 00:27:01.279
<v Speaker 1>but they cannot allow the oklahol City Thunder to score

542
00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:03.920
<v Speaker 1>a ton of points in doing so you're now asking

543
00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:06.039
<v Speaker 1>this to be a shootout and they are not gonna win.

544
00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:10.839
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, I think the notion of allowing the game to

545
00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:13.119
<v Speaker 2>kind of come to you for for both the stars,

546
00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:14.400
<v Speaker 2>if you will, we'll we'll see.

547
00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:14.759
<v Speaker 1>Okay.

548
00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:16.440
<v Speaker 2>See he is a little less reliant on that, like

549
00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:18.880
<v Speaker 2>they kind of always expect to kind of get going.

550
00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:21.440
<v Speaker 2>But we've seen the conversity for Minnesota, especially in this

551
00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:23.680
<v Speaker 2>last series with Golden State whore of Minnesota, and Antoniana

552
00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:26.000
<v Speaker 2>is like, all right, well, let's let's let me feel

553
00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:27.680
<v Speaker 2>things out because someone's gonna expect me to kind of

554
00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:31.039
<v Speaker 2>do this thing. But that's what the beauty of these

555
00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:33.799
<v Speaker 2>playoffs are, right, And we don't know, like there could

556
00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:36.920
<v Speaker 2>be some random star here who emerges, you know, even

557
00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:39.039
<v Speaker 2>like Julius Strawther, you know in.

558
00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:41.480
<v Speaker 1>Game six and different like where did that come from?

559
00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.000
<v Speaker 1>You know?

560
00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:44.799
<v Speaker 2>So I that to me while the stars are going

561
00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:46.319
<v Speaker 2>to make the headlines, and I agree with you for

562
00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:49.839
<v Speaker 2>thousand percent, especially on Minnesota's home floor. You know, if

563
00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:52.240
<v Speaker 2>Anthoniana Worth goes and does one of those wild dungs,

564
00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:54.839
<v Speaker 2>so those momentum changing you know, you know, plays one

565
00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:57.119
<v Speaker 2>way or the other. It really can kind of somewhat

566
00:27:57.119 --> 00:28:00.720
<v Speaker 2>be demoralizing. But where I think both teams have shown

567
00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:03.680
<v Speaker 2>some someones of maturity in the first two rounds is

568
00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:07.480
<v Speaker 2>that these players happen to them and they're able to

569
00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:10.160
<v Speaker 2>kind of respond, you know what I mean, and not

570
00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:13.200
<v Speaker 2>let that momentum, you know, go too far. For the

571
00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:16.119
<v Speaker 2>for the most part, I remember was that Game five,

572
00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:20.680
<v Speaker 2>you know where Joker hit the pure wet three, you know,

573
00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:23.279
<v Speaker 2>like the shot cluck running down or whatever, and you

574
00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:25.359
<v Speaker 2>know that put Denver up and whatever X amount of

575
00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:27.799
<v Speaker 2>time that was left, and then j Jane Williams came

576
00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:29.000
<v Speaker 2>right back down and hit a letter right up to

577
00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:31.319
<v Speaker 2>that and put them right back up. But for a

578
00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:33.359
<v Speaker 2>lot of other teams, like Joker doing that would have

579
00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:34.720
<v Speaker 2>been like, oh my god, bro, like what are we

580
00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.240
<v Speaker 2>talking about?

581
00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.160
<v Speaker 1>Like how does he make that?

582
00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:38.519
<v Speaker 3>And okay, see was unfazed you know in that too.

583
00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:41.640
<v Speaker 2>So I like the fact that these teams are you know,

584
00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:43.720
<v Speaker 2>kind of tried and true. And I think even if

585
00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:46.440
<v Speaker 2>you take Minnesota's experience last year, you know, in the

586
00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:50.319
<v Speaker 2>Western Conference Finals against you know, the the Dallas Mavericks

587
00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:52.359
<v Speaker 2>and Luca and Luca doing what he did to them

588
00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:54.799
<v Speaker 2>at times as well. You can just say, you know what,

589
00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:57.319
<v Speaker 2>we've seen this before, right, We're not new to this.

590
00:28:57.640 --> 00:29:00.240
<v Speaker 2>So how do you respond now and overcome and get

591
00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:02.640
<v Speaker 2>to the next step and still execute your actions that

592
00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:05.039
<v Speaker 2>get you, you know, the efficient shots that you hopefully

593
00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:07.720
<v Speaker 2>want want, you know, for for your roster and your team.

594
00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:09.480
<v Speaker 2>So I think it's gonna be a great finals. Man,

595
00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.359
<v Speaker 2>I'm really really excited.

596
00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:12.880
<v Speaker 1>Yeah, I'm really I'm excited about it. One last thing, Sean,

597
00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:15.480
<v Speaker 1>and I want to get your your predictions for the series.

598
00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:18.839
<v Speaker 1>Rudy Gobert. I know we don't talk enough about it,

599
00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:21.880
<v Speaker 1>but we got to give this guy his kudos. Man.

600
00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:26.720
<v Speaker 1>He has been targeted so many times and I think,

601
00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:29.599
<v Speaker 1>you know, look, maybe okay see has got the elixir,

602
00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:35.000
<v Speaker 1>the right elixir in order to neutralize Rudy Gobert, but

603
00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:39.200
<v Speaker 1>his presence and his and his team play. Let me

604
00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:42.759
<v Speaker 1>let me put emphasis on what I'm saying, man, team play,

605
00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:44.880
<v Speaker 1>because I think at times people get lost in the

606
00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:46.920
<v Speaker 1>fact that just because your the stifle tower, you're supposed

607
00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:51.039
<v Speaker 1>to be blocking everybody. You know. He obviously put into

608
00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:54.240
<v Speaker 1>work in the off season, worked on his footwork for

609
00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:57.920
<v Speaker 1>him to be able to maintain and stabilize as best

610
00:29:57.920 --> 00:30:00.880
<v Speaker 1>as he could some of these matchups in which they

611
00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:03.720
<v Speaker 1>clearly were targeting to put a guard or put a

612
00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:07.039
<v Speaker 1>point forward on him and basically get him, you know,

613
00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:10.839
<v Speaker 1>on a in a spin cycle. And he played, He

614
00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:13.799
<v Speaker 1>played them, he played their egos, and he also played

615
00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:16.440
<v Speaker 1>them out of out of their offensive set and their

616
00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:19.039
<v Speaker 1>offensive sorts. And I got to give credit to to

617
00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:22.000
<v Speaker 1>to Rudy Gobert, and if he maintains that same kind

618
00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:26.000
<v Speaker 1>of discipline, he very much could affect a little bit

619
00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:29.319
<v Speaker 1>of what the Okac Thunder loved to run top end

620
00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:32.599
<v Speaker 1>screen because now you don't have the luxury of having

621
00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:34.880
<v Speaker 1>all of that kind of open space when you've got

622
00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:37.160
<v Speaker 1>all of that girth and length to work with as

623
00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:40.039
<v Speaker 1>you're in Minnesota symbols. He doesn't get in silly fouls

624
00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:42.200
<v Speaker 1>or doesn't put himself in silly foul troubles. So now

625
00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:45.319
<v Speaker 1>the onus is being put back on the guards or

626
00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:48.359
<v Speaker 1>if not, the dribble penetration, the Okac Thunder is gonna

627
00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:51.160
<v Speaker 1>have to have from you know, their point forwards and guards.

628
00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:53.359
<v Speaker 1>You know, again, there's gonna be a lot of a

629
00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:56.160
<v Speaker 1>lot of chess and checkers being played here. And I

630
00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:58.119
<v Speaker 1>love it because a lot of it comes down to

631
00:30:58.160 --> 00:31:00.759
<v Speaker 1>the guys playing that kind of dis playing basketball.

632
00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:03.559
<v Speaker 2>This got us to this point, man, Yeah, I think

633
00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:06.480
<v Speaker 2>this has been the Rudy Gobert Playoff revenge tour, right,

634
00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:09.079
<v Speaker 2>you know, being able to kind of like collect the gems.

635
00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:10.920
<v Speaker 2>I think I saw I think something with Anthony Edwards

636
00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:13.559
<v Speaker 2>right that like he's collecting the Infinity Stones. But you know,

637
00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:16.640
<v Speaker 2>of those who have wronged Rudy Gobert, you know, he's

638
00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:19.559
<v Speaker 2>been able to kind of do this and really has

639
00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:22.200
<v Speaker 2>kind of stepped up in a way that Yeah, he's

640
00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:24.240
<v Speaker 2>much maligned and maybe some of it has been even

641
00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:26.759
<v Speaker 2>deserved previously, but it's been a great playoff run for

642
00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:29.119
<v Speaker 2>him alongside Julius Ridle to two guys that think are

643
00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:32.519
<v Speaker 2>redefining their playoff you know, kind of resumes you know,

644
00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:34.240
<v Speaker 2>throughout the course of this run here right now. But

645
00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:36.799
<v Speaker 2>this is a tall task. This is all very much

646
00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:40.920
<v Speaker 2>is so what what level of contribution can he can

647
00:31:40.920 --> 00:31:43.759
<v Speaker 2>he do? No matter what the role ultimately is, whether

648
00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:45.559
<v Speaker 2>that means he's going to play thirty five minutes a

649
00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:47.880
<v Speaker 2>night or you know there's something nice where he's playing

650
00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:50.279
<v Speaker 2>maybe twenty two. Right, I think it's just going to

651
00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:52.640
<v Speaker 2>be how the how is the flow of the game

652
00:31:52.920 --> 00:31:56.480
<v Speaker 2>going in that individual night, and make sure he doesn't

653
00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:59.319
<v Speaker 2>get down on the thing that he does the best

654
00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:01.960
<v Speaker 2>in terms of his ability to rebound, his ability to

655
00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:05.599
<v Speaker 2>shot block and deter shots as well too. So I

656
00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:08.839
<v Speaker 2>think okay See can do some things that will counter

657
00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:11.920
<v Speaker 2>and probably bother him, but I think at the same time,

658
00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:15.160
<v Speaker 2>staying out of foul trouble will be immense and providing

659
00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:18.359
<v Speaker 2>that level of you know, rebounding and shot deteration something

660
00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:20.359
<v Speaker 2>that they Minnesota Gon need throughout the course of this year.

661
00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:22.759
<v Speaker 2>Especially with the way okay See loves to drive, and

662
00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:25.200
<v Speaker 2>especially as she hitting those mid range as well too.

663
00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:27.680
<v Speaker 2>You got to make sure there's a defferent, a deterrent,

664
00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:30.039
<v Speaker 2>and somebody in his face to make those shots more difficult.

665
00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:34.240
<v Speaker 1>Absolutely, all right, seaw, let's get into it, man thunder

666
00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:41.200
<v Speaker 1>Wolves series in who walks away as the Western Conference champion? Yeah, So,

667
00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:42.599
<v Speaker 1>I'll go back to what we said in the beginning.

668
00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:44.680
<v Speaker 2>I think the thunder here have been forged bot fire,

669
00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:48.440
<v Speaker 2>although the two Wolves are no slouches. But I'm gonna

670
00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:52.000
<v Speaker 2>take okay See in six in a very very tough

671
00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:53.279
<v Speaker 2>six games as well.

672
00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:56.200
<v Speaker 3>I don't know fu'll see blowouts one way or the other.

673
00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:59.559
<v Speaker 2>But I think okay See understands the task at hand,

674
00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:02.680
<v Speaker 2>esecially with what's happened in the Eastern Conference as well,

675
00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:04.680
<v Speaker 2>like they can you know that they can't look ahead

676
00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:07.039
<v Speaker 2>per se, but they have to realize, like, yo, we

677
00:33:07.880 --> 00:33:10.799
<v Speaker 2>have a really a really great shot at an NBA

678
00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:13.319
<v Speaker 2>championship if we can get out of this Western Conference situation.

679
00:33:13.359 --> 00:33:14.799
<v Speaker 2>So I don't think they take this for granted and

680
00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:16.720
<v Speaker 2>get it done in six, although Minnesota will be a

681
00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.559
<v Speaker 2>very very tough challenge.

682
00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:20.240
<v Speaker 1>What about you, Yeah, I don't take for granted. I

683
00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:21.960
<v Speaker 1>don't think that the okay See thunder is going to

684
00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:25.359
<v Speaker 1>take for granted this opportunity. I just think that they

685
00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:27.480
<v Speaker 1>have the better team, and I agree with you, I

686
00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:29.680
<v Speaker 1>think it's gonna be six. I do think that there

687
00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:32.279
<v Speaker 1>may be one or two blowout games. I just think

688
00:33:32.279 --> 00:33:35.240
<v Speaker 1>that some one of these teams is going to force

689
00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:38.400
<v Speaker 1>the other team. They're gonna kind of roll the dice

690
00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:43.480
<v Speaker 1>or to speak and allow what you know OKAC does best,

691
00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:45.599
<v Speaker 1>or maybe allow Minnesota to do what they do best.

692
00:33:45.640 --> 00:33:48.400
<v Speaker 1>Like I could see maybe one blowout game in okay See.

693
00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:50.640
<v Speaker 1>In one blowout game in Minnesota, but for the for

694
00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:53.000
<v Speaker 1>the most part, it should be pretty tightly contested. I

695
00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:54.559
<v Speaker 1>think at the end of the day, man, they just

696
00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:58.400
<v Speaker 1>have a much better squad on both sides of the basketball.

697
00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:01.079
<v Speaker 1>And as long as Mark d Agonaut doesn't try to

698
00:34:01.119 --> 00:34:04.720
<v Speaker 1>over coach, doesn't try to get cute, employ the same

699
00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:07.720
<v Speaker 1>kind of physicality on on the Minnesota Timbles as he

700
00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:11.679
<v Speaker 1>just did to the Denver Nuggets, within reason, don't get

701
00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:15.320
<v Speaker 1>into the chatter with Anthony Edwards handle business. They should

702
00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:18.480
<v Speaker 1>wind up walking away as the Western Conference champions.

703
00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:23.000
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, you know, I'm right there with you. And again

704
00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.840
<v Speaker 2>I think we're gonna have a really good series. But

705
00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:26.719
<v Speaker 2>I'm intrigued. Like I said, I want to see how

706
00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:29.199
<v Speaker 2>Randall plays in this, it does does it continue?

707
00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:29.280
<v Speaker 1>You know?

708
00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:30.639
<v Speaker 2>I want to see how Jay Doll plays in this,

709
00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:33.079
<v Speaker 2>you know, And Caruso and Hartens. I think there's just

710
00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:35.400
<v Speaker 2>so many layers that I think this can go and

711
00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:37.920
<v Speaker 2>and two really great coaches, you know, going at it,

712
00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:39.840
<v Speaker 2>and what adjustments need to be made about the course

713
00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:41.880
<v Speaker 2>of the series. Uh, but I think we're in the

714
00:34:41.880 --> 00:34:43.880
<v Speaker 2>store for a good one and both conferences, to be

715
00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:46.880
<v Speaker 2>honest with you, but ultimately without maybe giving too much away.

716
00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:49.800
<v Speaker 2>I think the winner of this conference is probably going

717
00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:50.679
<v Speaker 2>to be DEMBIA champion.

718
00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:53.440
<v Speaker 1>Yeah yeah, And I know we will have our opportunity

719
00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:55.800
<v Speaker 1>to give our prediction, our preview and predictions for the

720
00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:59.159
<v Speaker 1>for the NBA Finals. But I gotta tell you, if,

721
00:34:59.360 --> 00:35:01.880
<v Speaker 1>if what we've seen from both the Minnesota Timberwolves and

722
00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:04.480
<v Speaker 1>the Oklahoma City Thunder and what they did to their

723
00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:06.920
<v Speaker 1>previous teams it got them to this point to be

724
00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:11.000
<v Speaker 1>among the remaining two, It's hard pressed for me to

725
00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:13.320
<v Speaker 1>buy into whatever's going on over there in the Eastern

726
00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:16.599
<v Speaker 1>Conference that they got something better than it. Literally will

727
00:35:16.679 --> 00:35:20.440
<v Speaker 1>have to take some significant injuries or some brain fark

728
00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:24.760
<v Speaker 1>fatigue that that's gonna make me think differently, you know,

729
00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:27.679
<v Speaker 1>Or I got to be completely overwhelmed of what I

730
00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:29.559
<v Speaker 1>see on the other side of that pine for me

731
00:35:29.639 --> 00:35:31.480
<v Speaker 1>to buy into not thinking that somebody here in the

732
00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:33.840
<v Speaker 1>Western Conference is gonna probably be the champion for twenty

733
00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:35.159
<v Speaker 1>twenty four to twenty five season.

734
00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:37.920
<v Speaker 3>Yes sir, yes, sir, Well let's line them up, roll

735
00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:39.039
<v Speaker 3>them out and see what happens.

736
00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:41.079
<v Speaker 1>Absolutely man. So once again, we'd like to thank you

737
00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:42.960
<v Speaker 1>and yours for hopping on board with this a special

738
00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:46.239
<v Speaker 1>edition of the Baseline NBA podcast. We hope you guys

739
00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:49.800
<v Speaker 1>enjoyed the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference Finals respectively,

740
00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:52.400
<v Speaker 1>and obviously keep us locked in because you know, we

741
00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:55.039
<v Speaker 1>got a lot of autopsy reports to get into, and

742
00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:57.400
<v Speaker 1>then we also got the NBA Draft coming up. A

743
00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:59.920
<v Speaker 1>lot happening as we started lying, you know, pushing in,

744
00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:03.199
<v Speaker 1>forging ahead towards the NBA Finals and ultimately the NBA

745
00:36:03.280 --> 00:36:05.840
<v Speaker 1>offseason in the summer. So so much happening, And again

746
00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:09.280
<v Speaker 1>we appreciate everybody for hanging tight with your people's man

747
00:36:09.400 --> 00:36:11.599
<v Speaker 1>once again for the Baseline Callie warn y'all, we appreciate

748
00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:13.519
<v Speaker 1>you guys, you know we do, and we'll catch up

749
00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:14.519
<v Speaker 1>with you next time.