WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:02.319 We'll say good night at six o'clock. Then it's gonna 2 00:00:02.319 --> 00:00:05.639 be time for myself, Gordy Chias and Richard Smith. Smitty 3 00:00:05.679 --> 00:00:09.439 and Gordy combined like ninety years of experience analyzing talent 4 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:12.359 take you through the entire first round tonight, and then 5 00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:14.439 tomorrow night it'll be just Smitty and I will give 6 00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:17.760 Gordy the night off. But technically our NBA Draft coverage 7 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:20.960 has begun and it will continue. And it's just simply 8 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:23.280 been too long since we've heard a little deaf leopard 9 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:25.960 on the program, which means it's time for our conversation 10 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:28.440 with a great Craig Bowler, Jack Bowler, Happy Wednesday, man, 11 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:28.960 how you been. 12 00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:31.800 Hey pal, good to hear from you. You got a 13 00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:35.439 nice lineup tonight. Man, you're right, Smittye and Gordy Come on, man, 14 00:00:35.479 --> 00:00:39.359 that's that goes way back. That's a combination there. 15 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:42.159 Yeah, no excited for it. We'll have a good time, Bowler. 16 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:45.280 So look, we know that you're not the general manager, 17 00:00:45.399 --> 00:00:47.359 but you're of course the voice of the team and 18 00:00:47.399 --> 00:00:50.439 you work with the club, So like, what are you hearing? 19 00:00:50.520 --> 00:00:52.920 What's your understanding about what we could expect tonight from 20 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:53.719 the Jazz. 21 00:00:54.679 --> 00:00:58.280 You know, there's always little whispers and rumblings and you 22 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:00.399 know all of his chat and you know, talk to 23 00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:03.119 other people around the league and you know, get their 24 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:05.599 take on what the Jazz are about and just the West, 25 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:07.760 you know, basically. And I just I just heard your 26 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:10.560 last take from tearing down the Boss? Was it the 27 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:13.719 Celtics to the Studs? You know, there's a lot of 28 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:16.680 talk in Boston tonight too. There's a lot of talk everywhere. 29 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:19.920 But I think the Jazz are aggressive. I'd be stunned 30 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:23.200 if they're not. Look Spence, obviously, we talked about this 31 00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:26.519 before in other years, and I think this is one of, 32 00:01:26.680 --> 00:01:31.040 if not the most important summer draft of the Jazz. Well, 33 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:34.959 if they brought in Big t in eighty three, they 34 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:39.040 had Mark there, they had then stockedon in eighty four, 35 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:42.120 Malone in eighty five. It was a process, but for 36 00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:46.959 just one particular draft, I think this thing is big. 37 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:50.439 You got the five pick you last year you won seventeen. 38 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:54.640 The fans were all in on the growth factor of 39 00:01:54.680 --> 00:01:58.439 a Walker Kessler. They saw the emergence of Isaiah Collier, 40 00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:03.200 they saw what Philips can do. Obviously, upset that Taylor 41 00:02:03.239 --> 00:02:05.519 Hendrix was injured and you really couldn't get a good 42 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:10.840 feel of what his talent level is. Cody Williams disappointed 43 00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:13.439 a bit, but you know, when you're top ten, you 44 00:02:13.479 --> 00:02:16.520 know expectations are high. So I think with Austin ings 45 00:02:16.599 --> 00:02:20.759 now it's Spence at the helm and the assets that 46 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:25.400 Danny hands to him, there's a lot of possibilities tonight. 47 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:28.319 I think it's a busy night. We'll talk tomorrow, and 48 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:32.039 I could be totally wrong, but the opportunity to be 49 00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:35.120 busy with a five and twenty one tonight and do 50 00:02:35.199 --> 00:02:38.479 you move up from twenty one? Do you make some 51 00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:43.520 late deals or deals during the draft? I think it's 52 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:48.000 busy at least that's kind of the buzz that I've 53 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:49.400 heard in people I've talked to. 54 00:02:50.520 --> 00:02:53.360 So the Austin factor is interesting, Craig for a few 55 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:56.240 different reasons. I don't know that I would go as 56 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:59.120 far as to say unprecedented, but I will use the 57 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:04.919 adjective for an owner to hire the new decision maker 58 00:03:06.080 --> 00:03:09.479 mere weeks before potentially the biggest draft this organization has 59 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:11.879 seen in a number of years. And look, it's not 60 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:15.000 like Austin doesn't know the staff. He might know Danny 61 00:03:15.520 --> 00:03:17.840 that's my guest. He might know Danny Ainge pretty well, 62 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:20.840 and I'm sure he knows Zanik and everybody else. It's 63 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:24.439 not like this is a random Eastern European scout that 64 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:26.680 you brought over to run the team. Like people know Austin. 65 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:30.800 Austin knows people. I'm not saying it's completely new as 66 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:33.159 far as relationships go, but it is new as far 67 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:35.879 as the loudest voice in the room being hired weeks 68 00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:38.120 before the draft. What sort of dynamic do you think 69 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:39.039 that brings in a play? 70 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:44.080 You know, that's a great question. I'm with you. I 71 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:48.680 think it's a tough position for Austin Ainge to take. Obviously, 72 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:53.879 embrace the moment opportunity once in a lifetime to recharge, 73 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:59.159 rebuild a franchise. But you talk about doing quick homework. Look, 74 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:02.120 he's in the East, Yes he's his dad's been with 75 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:06.120 a Jazz for multiple years now with Ryan at the Helm. 76 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:08.919 But you know, your focus is on Boston at the time, 77 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:12.240 and your focus is on Eastern Conference teams, and obviously 78 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:15.680 you know something about the West, but now you're in 79 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:19.120 a deep dive here, you know, and maybe you work 80 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:23.399 your magic in the East with player subtractions or additions, 81 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.519 you know, and moving a player here or moving a 82 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:29.639 player there, and using your contacts. It's really about contact spence, 83 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:31.800 as you know from you know your you know your 84 00:04:31.879 --> 00:04:35.120 dad with the jazz and and and and everything in 85 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:37.360 New York. I mean, I think it's really how do 86 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:40.959 you use your your insight, your contacts and can you 87 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:43.360 move one chess piece to appease you and help a 88 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:47.639 piece another? And I'm I'm guessing Austin's got to be 89 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:50.759 pretty good at that to be in a position where 90 00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:53.600 he was with the Celtics. He learned from from Danny, 91 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:56.600 he's been with Brad Stevens, and tonight he'll be on 92 00:04:56.639 --> 00:05:00.160 full display. Well, I'm heading down right now to the 93 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:03.399 Science Bank Basketball campus and I'm anxious to see if 94 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:05.720 I can get a minute with him, because that's kind 95 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:08.680 of the question I had too, is where are you at? 96 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:12.199 And you're you know, there's there's draft picks available nine 97 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:15.360 I believe in all that rank up to twenty thirty 98 00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:18.480 one second round picks as well, So there's a lot 99 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:21.680 of opportunity for him to move and make deals. But 100 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:24.920 does he actually use him tonight or is it down 101 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:28.360 the road? How aggressive spence is my question does he 102 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:33.600 want to be and really how aggressive does Ryan want 103 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:37.439 him to be? Hockey's on the upswing the Jazz Nation. 104 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:40.879 I thought last year did a remarkable job. You talked, 105 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:44.279 we talked a lot about this during the season that 106 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:47.040 when you were there and dropped by the booth, I 107 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:49.600 mean you were impressed. I was impressed. I thought Delta 108 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:53.920 Center hung tough throughout the entire season with watching the 109 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:57.240 young guys grow. And I keep going back to the 110 00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:00.000 time too when Will Hardy said earlier in his career 111 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:02.759 that you know, this isn't an easy place to work. 112 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:05.560 I mean, the NBA is for the elite. Some will 113 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:07.600 make it, some will not. Who has the guts to 114 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:10.399 put the work in. And we're probably going to start 115 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:14.319 seeing three years now into Will's career as the head coach, 116 00:06:14.519 --> 00:06:18.000 the data points, the data, the data is all in 117 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:21.839 on these you know, these these picks that Will was 118 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:24.279 a part of. And I think the question is we 119 00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:27.639 might get some answers here in the next week, maybe tonight, 120 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:31.120 who stays, who goes, and you know, who is going 121 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:33.480 to be a part of the cores. And I think 122 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:35.399 those are big questions that have to be answered, and 123 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:38.360 you know what, Austin Ainge is going to help answer them. 124 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:41.240 You know the other dynamic Craig that this brings into 125 00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:44.240 play with Austin is now the decision maker, is he 126 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:47.480 did not draft any of the players that have been 127 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:49.639 drafted over the past few years. He did not trade 128 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:53.480 for Lowry, he did not trade for Walker. Literally zero 129 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:57.199 of these players have Austin's fingerprints on them, which leads 130 00:06:57.240 --> 00:06:59.759 me to believe there are zero players on the roster 131 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:02.639 that he've used as untouchable. And I think that's fair. 132 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:06.160 I mean, I don't want to dismiss and diminish and 133 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:09.399 disrespect a veteran like Lowry or a young player like Walker, 134 00:07:10.199 --> 00:07:12.839 But outside of those two, and maybe even including those two, 135 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:15.279 I'm not sure that Austin to use anybody as Okay. 136 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:17.879 They have proven to me that they are part of 137 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:20.439 this thing long term, which really brings everything into play 138 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:21.480 and it makes it kind of fun. 139 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:26.800 Yeah, you know what, that's another great point in any business, 140 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:30.519 and you've been involved, I've been involved CBS. For me, 141 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:34.319 new people come in, they make them, they make change, 142 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:37.560 they put someone that they do have a fingerprint on, 143 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:43.000 and then there's an untouchable on occasion. But same at Fox, 144 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:46.879 same at KSL Radio is no different. And you know, 145 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:50.879 I go back to Dennis Lindsay. You know he was 146 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:54.759 very protective. You remember of a guy you know that 147 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:58.639 came out of Australia, you know, you know Dante, and 148 00:07:58.720 --> 00:08:01.399 it was tough for him to it wasn't going to work. 149 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:05.319 And that's what you just alluded to is the fingerprint 150 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:09.959 of protecting your pick because it reflects on your decision 151 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:13.519 making and if you go someplace else, then you say, 152 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:17.199 look look what I did. And I think you make 153 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:20.279 a great point. These players are players, and I know 154 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:24.600 Danny or Danny and Austin during the process respect that. 155 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:27.439 But at the same time, I think the way the 156 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:31.199 business is run is that you know what, if I 157 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:34.120 got to move you, that's just part of the business. 158 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:38.240 And you know, the relationship probably is not let's just 159 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:40.960 call it what it is. It can't be that strong. 160 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:43.279 But he hasn't had a chance to even get to 161 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:45.919 know them as much as you would leve like Teddy 162 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:49.360 drafted him. It's a totally different ballgame. Will Hardy's invested 163 00:08:49.440 --> 00:08:52.440 because he's coached all these guys and helped helped develop 164 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:55.679 and watch their maturation. But yeah, Austin's in a position, 165 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:58.320 Spence I think is a great, great point. He could 166 00:08:58.360 --> 00:09:02.039 make moves without a lot of emotion attached. Does that 167 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:05.240 make sense because a lot of gms have trouble moving 168 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:08.879 a pick that they actually brought in or a free 169 00:09:08.919 --> 00:09:11.919 agent that they made you know, that they brought in 170 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:14.279 as well. So I think tonight, you know, maybe not 171 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:18.320 as an emotional one for Austin, but yet, let's be honest, 172 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.559 the pressure's on. I think there's a lot of pressure 173 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:22.679 to push this team ahead. 174 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:28.279 Well in Austin's dad, Danny at his introductory press conference 175 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:30.879 when he was announced as the CEO of Jazz Basketball, 176 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:33.720 and I always chuckle when I bring this lineup. It 177 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:35.759 just made me laugh because I've known Danny since I 178 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:38.080 was a kid. He said, you all should know that 179 00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:41.320 I remove emotion from decision making when it comes to 180 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:45.240 roster construction. Then he traded Donovan and he traded Rudy 181 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:47.399 like he broke the whole thing down, you know. And 182 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:49.600 so I would imagine Austin operates very much in the 183 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:50.759 same mold as his pops. 184 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:54.600 Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised, And you know what I 185 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:57.600 would may get our first real hint of that tonight 186 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:01.600 if the Jazz, if the right situation approaches. I still 187 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:06.039 think most GM's most not all, are are working on 188 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:09.320 that same basis spence, trying to let not the emotions 189 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:13.639 dictate what moves they make. There's been cases where I 190 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:17.559 think maybe a player has stayed too long because of 191 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:20.879 that tie to a franchise. But if the Jazz need 192 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:24.039 to make a break, I would think this would probably 193 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:28.799 mean probably mean the most opportunistic time because of a 194 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:31.519 new you know, you just said it. He's the loudest 195 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:34.519 voice in the room tonight, and it's going to be 196 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:39.080 really interesting what direction and just how loud that voice is, 197 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:43.600 because there are plenty of opportunities to move vets, to 198 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:47.720 also use picks to improve your position and be more aggressive. 199 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:50.039 You know, if they stay at twenty one, I may 200 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:52.840 be surprised. I may I think I would be. I 201 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:56.080 think if there's a player that really they feel like 202 00:10:56.320 --> 00:11:00.679 is perfect fit and they have to go to fifteen 203 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:03.360 to get him, maybe that's the case because they have 204 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:06.960 the assets at least to be in the conversation and 205 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:09.559 for all indications and all the all the websites you've 206 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:12.240 been on I've been on the Jazz keep popping up 207 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:16.000 on occasion about being you know, Paul's are being fielded, 208 00:11:17.440 --> 00:11:20.679 and that's interesting because a lot of times that information 209 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:24.240 doesn't leak out because you know, back from your dad's 210 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:30.440 time to Scottie Laden and Kevin O'Connor, Dennis h Man, 211 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:32.519 it's it's like playing you know, I wouldn't want to 212 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:35.279 play poker with him because they are as straight faced 213 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:37.320 and tight lift as they can be. And that's that's 214 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:39.360 their job, because they got to protect the players that 215 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:42.360 are on the roster and not interfere, you know, with 216 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:44.799 their with the relationships. But it's it's a you know, 217 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:47.120 it's kind of a touchy ground to try to work 218 00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:50.919 your way around all those all those issues of feel 219 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:54.159 good good relations but yet still talking about a player 220 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:57.600 potentially moving or you know, bringing another guy in. 221 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:02.639 So you know, without knowing the mindset of the organization 222 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:05.320 and what direction they're going to go, it does make 223 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:07.799 it difficult tantalize what they should or should not do 224 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:11.919 tonight because are they going to try to expedize this process. 225 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:13.720 Are they going to try to use their assets to 226 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:15.519 bring in a vet. Are they going to simply just 227 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:18.399 go young. And you know, Austin said during his opening 228 00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:21.639 press conference and response to our very own Sean O'Connell's question, 229 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:24.919 that he will not be manipulating minutes or draft capital 230 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:27.639 this year. And that's fine, But you do have a 231 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:31.039 top eight protected pick that goes to you know, Oklahoma City, 232 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:33.559 who you know just want a championship this year if 233 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:35.360 you fall out of the top eight. So there's a 234 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:38.039 fine line to walk. But as somebody who has a 235 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:41.360 front row seat to all of this, uh, there's the 236 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:44.840 old draft cliche best player available or you know, somebody 237 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:47.399 you draft to fit a need. It feels like they 238 00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:50.919 need everything. And but if we operate off the premise 239 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:53.600 that they feel really good about Marketing and Kessler, maybe 240 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:56.519 what they don't need is a big But you know, 241 00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:59.279 at five, I haven't really heard outside of the mallawatch 242 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:02.080 kid from do Gunny Bigs link to them? Do you 243 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:05.960 feel like that they are solidified anywhere that would motivate 244 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:08.559 a decision to take one player over the other based 245 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:10.679 off of need or do you think they just need 246 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:12.960 to take the very best player possible at five? 247 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:18.240 You know, defense is a lot of things in this league, 248 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:20.639 and so is three point shooting, So you know, you're 249 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:24.519 always looking for a six to six guy with wingspan 250 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:29.519 and beyond and who can knock down a triple. That 251 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:32.039 would be a player. I would think the Jazz would 252 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:37.080 eyeball obviously, and the top five six players have some 253 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:40.559 of that potential obviously, you know, essentially make a great point. 254 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:43.799 It depends on what Austin sees in market in a 255 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:47.120 twenty eight okay, twenty eight, still a young man, but 256 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:52.120 what's the in reality? What is the timetable that Danny 257 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:56.200 and Austin and Ryan have put forth? Is this a 258 00:13:56.240 --> 00:14:00.960 two year, three year, five year because that time the 259 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:05.120 Jazz reached a high level in the West. Is marketing 260 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:08.639 played himself out right of the contract and the value 261 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:12.240 that he actually has right now. He's a unique talent, 262 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:15.360 you would agree, being a seven footer can stretch the 263 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:18.519 floor and still work himself inside. But I think if 264 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:22.120 they stay with the big front line in Philipowski and 265 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:26.639 Walker and Lowry, that is intimidating and there's some talent there. 266 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:32.679 The biggest question is turnovers, which were I mean just 267 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:36.519 I mean they averaged twenty and a half or nearly 268 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:38.159 twenty one a game last year. Don't have it in 269 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:39.679 front of me. But there were nights that we were 270 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:43.759 calling out, you know, twenty seven turnovers and no, you 271 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:47.840 can't have that and give your opposition twenty plus, you know, 272 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:51.240 extra possessions a game. I still think great teams have 273 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:54.039 great point guards, and I think that's where you start. 274 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:57.039 You have to make a decision on keyante and I 275 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:58.879 think you have to, you know, I think we were 276 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:02.159 a little bit wowed with Isaiah Callier getting the call 277 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:04.639 in the second half of the season and the speed 278 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:08.679 and determination. I think some leadership popped out that Will 279 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:13.120 Hardy needs drastically spence with a young team, somebody has 280 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:15.559 to be the alpha, and I saw a little bit 281 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:18.080 of that start to come out of Isaiah at the 282 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:20.240 end of the season when he was given the opportunity. 283 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:22.799 You remember he said at USC kind of in the 284 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:26.279 behind the light of a guy named Bronnie James, and 285 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:28.440 now he's got an opportunity to kind of prove who 286 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:32.159 he is and that kind of exciting. Do they stay 287 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.960 with him or is he a guy they bring off 288 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:38.120 the bench. So I think tonight's pick I personally ought 289 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:42.320 to be most likely a backcourt player with some defensive 290 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:47.120 capability that can spark a team, and I think he's 291 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:50.000 got to have an alpha personality as well. You know, 292 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:54.000 that's my take, And I think the front line solid. 293 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:59.039 John Collins still has the option on his contract, and 294 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:02.039 he's played his tail off last year when given the 295 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:05.600 opportunity after he finally kind of decided who he was 296 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:08.799 and what will Hardy needed out of him. But that's 297 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:13.039 a twenty six million dollar decision that the Jazz can 298 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:17.720 either say okay or maybe not. After John, I'm sure 299 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:20.200 he's gonna take it. Spence, I doubt he's gonna get 300 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:23.480 half that on the open markets, so it's gonna be 301 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:25.320 interesting to see how that all works out. But I 302 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:28.559 think the front line's strong guard, play wing play still 303 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:29.320 in need. 304 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:32.799 All right, Bowler, let's move over to your thoughts on 305 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:36.080 simply a rumor. You know, and look, in this day 306 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:39.440 and age of aggregation and this person pretending to be 307 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:42.120 an MBA insider and that person just starting a blog. 308 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.840 I don't really know what to make a lot of 309 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:46.720 a lot of these rumors. But I don't know either, yeah, 310 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:48.960 for sure, and there may be nothing here at all, 311 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:51.720 And you know, part of me would really love to 312 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:55.320 see some boldness tonight. Then there's part of me that 313 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:59.440 understands pragmatically that this is a long game scenario and 314 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:01.679 that top draft pick is something you need to hang 315 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:05.160 on to, and it's probably more likely, this is my guess, 316 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:08.960 in my opinion, that we won't see anything super bowld 317 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:11.920 this offseason, but we will next off season when some 318 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:15.240 of the salaries expire and some of the young players 319 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:17.759 maybe show some promise. But there are people that have 320 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:21.519 been I hate to even say reporting, but you know, 321 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:24.119 there's a lot of synergies between the Celtic front office 322 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:27.279 and the Jazz front office. Danny hired Brad Stevens. Austin 323 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:29.640 worked under Brad for the past number of years. While 324 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:33.240 Danny was out here, Will Hardy coached Jalen Brown as 325 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:36.519 he was the number one assistant for Emi Udoka. I 326 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:38.559 don't think it makes sense to bring in a Jalen 327 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:40.920 Brown unless you're able to hold on to Lowry and 328 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:44.640 hold on to Walker and probably even hold on to five, right, 329 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:47.119 And so I don't know what the Jazz would send 330 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:49.200 to Boston. I really don't, and I don't know that 331 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:51.839 Boston which I wouldn't trade Jalen Brown. But that's just me. 332 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:55.160 But if the framework of a deal makes sense and 333 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:57.519 is on the table, do you feel like the Jazz 334 00:17:57.880 --> 00:18:00.000 should pull the trigger to bring in a Jalen Brown? 335 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:02.039 Because if you do bring into Jalen Brown and you 336 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:04.640 hold on a Walker, you hold on a lowry, you're 337 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:06.799 able to hold on a number five, You're not one 338 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:08.559 of the eight worst teams in the league. You're just not. 339 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:10.680 So you're going to lose that pick next year. So 340 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.759 do you think something like that does make sense? 341 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:18.599 Pers that may be the biggest answer the question and 342 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:22.920 the answer that faces a Jazz tonight. And you know what, 343 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:26.359 the comment about taking the Celtics down to the Studs 344 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:29.960 because of Tatum's injury is intriguing. We wouldn't have this 345 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:35.359 conversation if Tatum was healthy, and because that combination of 346 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:39.079 Brown and Tatum is dynamic, and Derek White and you 347 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:43.799 know that's Boston, I thought would have Yes, they would 348 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:46.359 take a step back because of the injury to Tatum, 349 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:48.599 but I thought they would just kind of make their 350 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:51.680 way for another run. It's really an intriguing thought, is 351 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:54.079 it not that you would want to strip a team 352 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:57.119 down because of an injury? And yeah, he was hurt, late, 353 00:18:57.240 --> 00:19:00.200 so he's going to be out for twelve months. They're 354 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:02.359 going to be careful with him. And then you have 355 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:05.039 to think about, you know, Jalen Brown and what is 356 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:07.279 he nine years in or is that Tatum? But you know, 357 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:10.559 again it comes to how much longer and how valuable 358 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:14.319 and what value does he have back? The connection is interesting. 359 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:18.319 I will say that if that would happen tonight, it 360 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:21.799 pushes a Jazz forward in hyper drive in my opinion. 361 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:24.880 The other part of that is, does a veteran like 362 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:27.160 him or any player around the league with that type 363 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:31.359 of credential, does that make a younger player even perk 364 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:34.200 up and play better? I would probably say yes. The 365 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:37.079 other part of this equation in my books, fence, is 366 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:39.759 if the Jazz kind of state pat and they do 367 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:42.119 want to protect the eighth spot, and they do pick 368 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:45.079 up the two players or three or four and the 369 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:48.519 other two tomorrow night, you've got to make some roster 370 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:52.240 moves obviously to fill to fit them all in. But 371 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:55.319 the other part of this equation is, yes, they could 372 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:59.400 protect the eight by still playing the younger players. Yes, 373 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:03.519 they could win seventeen more. They could be a thirty 374 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:07.440 let's say a thirty win team and just just miss 375 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:11.920 giving up the eighth spot to Oklahoma City, but yet 376 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:15.240 still gain valuable experience and you get a better feel 377 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:18.000 of who you are, who says, who goes right? And 378 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:22.319 next summer with a very loaded draft, you make even 379 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:26.200 your more Boulder moves. So there's options there. But I 380 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:28.359 think the question is how fast you want to accelerate 381 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.319 the process, don't you? 382 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:33.200 Yeah? And I don't think it's ready to be accelerated. 383 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:36.240 But the Jalen thing is interesting because he is good 384 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:38.480 enough that if you hold on to Lowry, and if 385 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:41.400 you hold on to Walker, and if you draft let's 386 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:45.200 say Trey Johnson or Jeremiah Fears at five, Taylor comes 387 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:48.119 back healthy, Cody makes a little progress, puts on some weight. 388 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:51.759 Keante decides he wants to try to guard Isaiah comes 389 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:55.440 back and knocks down threes at a higher clip like Craig. 390 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:58.640 If they can acquire Jalen and hold on to some 391 00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:01.599 of their main pieces and the framework like, the only 392 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:04.200 way Boston does this is if they are all in 393 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:06.759 on simply saving money mode, because the trade that could 394 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:09.400 work as Collins and Clarkston and Sexton and a bunch 395 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:11.519 of picks for Jalen. 396 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:13.480 And if you do that, we have Lily. 397 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:15.559 We've we got something, Greg, we do now you do 398 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:18.000 sacrifice eight next year, but maybe it's worth it if 399 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:20.039 you can get a star player like Jalen Brown at 400 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:21.000 the age of twenty eight. 401 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:24.960