May 6, 2025 • 44 mins
Colin dissects the Celtics losing a 4th quarter lead and dropping game 1 against the Knicks largely due to their commitment to taking as many 3's as possible. He updates his latest NFL predictions following the NFL draft. Plus, NBA reporter Dan Woike joins the show in studio to have a fiery debate regarding the value of Austin Reaves and how close the Lakers are to contending
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast.
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Speaker 2 (00:19):
This is the Best of the Herd with Colin cowher
on Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Oh here we go. What a night in the association.
It's the Herd wherever you may be and however you
may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Well.
Jmat as a Knicks fan, probably feeling really good right
about now, giddy, downright giddy about not only the Knicks winning,
(00:51):
but how about the Oklahoma City Thunder absolutely gagging Colin,
I was lasting. It's not a cliche when we say
don't trust young teams in the playoffs. They would have
been better off being on the road. They could feel it.
They got tight, their coach got tight, everybody got set home. Wow,
(01:14):
all right, let's start with this. Okay, the Celtics lost
at home. Bizarrely, they're not even that good at home.
They're actually a better road team. Nick fans. I've never
seen a game one upset that means less. This is
the only game the Knicks are gonna win. Boston's not
gonna miss forty five threes. I know. Enjoy the moment,
(01:37):
Nick fans, you are feeling it today. Oh give me
a break. Boston got a twenty point lead. They hammered
this team all year, they fell asleep, and then they
just took bad shots. Jason Tatum, he froze. He does
that from time to time. He does it much more
than any of his fan boys want to admit. It
was the classic Jason Tatum game late where you're like,
is he on the floor? Is he playing? Where's Jason Tatum?
(01:59):
But the Wings og played well, Michale Bridges, they were
running off shooters, defended well. They deserve credit. But the
Celtics had the third fewest laps in the league and
the fewest free throws. What does it mean shots? They don't.
They just live and die with a three. And like
those great Warrior teams when Stephan Clay weren't hitting them,
(02:21):
they had bad nights. They got blown out multiple times
in the finals. So I mean Boston, they don't get laps,
they don't shoot mid range, they don't get to the
free throw line. They're shooting sixty threes. And last night,
I mean in the second half in overtime or second
half yeah, and overtime, Yeah, they shot forty nine shots.
Thirty seven were threes. And I will defend Jason Tatum
(02:44):
later on in this show because I think he's a
little bit trapped with his team. But the reality is,
you see this from Boston, and strangely, it's often at home.
They're a great road team, they're a better road team
than the home team. But they have these nights and
you know, Jason Tatum, nobody wants to admit it, but
he has these collaborative nights where he's just settling for
(03:08):
bad shots. And again, I think he could draw more fouls.
But this is what Boston is. They're going to be fine.
The Knicks have absolute offensive limitations. It's gonna be okay.
Boston's not gonna shoot like this. I mean, the first
quarter was classic Knicks. They were out playing Boston. Boston
was rusty, and the Knicks kept missing free throws. They
(03:29):
couldn't get the free throws, right, I was on money
line Knicks first quarter two j Max, They couldn't hit
free throws, so the Knicks have an absolute ceiling. But
Boston they give you one of these every so often.
And I've said before they remind me a lot of
the Warriors team. But back when the Warriors were shooting
all the threes, the rest of the league was not.
(03:51):
But Boston leads the league in threes. They don't get
to the free throw line. They don't create layups or
mid range shots. So when they have one of these
awful shooting halves, I mean they led by twenty. They
dominate this team. And we've said this all the time.
In the NFL. You'll see a team lead twenty eight
to seven at half and the game ends like thirty
(04:11):
one twenty seven, and you're like, we were so close
that it's not really It's hard to ask athletes who
dominate an opponent over and over and over to always
bring their a game. In Boston had a bad second half,
settled for too many bad shots. And here's Jalen Brown
after the loss.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
I feel like we just settled in the second half
a lot. Some of them feel good, some of them
feel like we may be forced to issue in definitely
our rhythm and our our timing was a little bit off.
We got a lot of great looks those moments when
other team got momentum, we can't and just fire up threes.
You know, to break up momentum, you gotta get to
(04:53):
the free throw line. Gets it a pain and gets
hit a basket.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
They're going to be just fined and Jason Tata is
going to be just fine, and I'll defend him in
about ten minutes. All right, Let's go to the opposite
of the Boston Celtics, literally the opposite team, the Denver Nuggets,
who has an underdog, went into okase and dominated the
(05:16):
late game situations. The Nuggets shoot the fewest threes in
the NBA. They live at the free throw line because
Jokic can create so many opportunities around the basket. And Jokic,
unlike Tatum, is a coach on the floor, does not
care if he offends people. Is mostly collaborative, but sometimes
(05:38):
he takes over. And if you go to the fourth quarter,
okse got tight. The young, nervous, at times terrified, thunder
at home froze. They froze. And this was Yokic at
his best coaching and playing. He is the anti Kawhi
he communicates with everybody. I mean, obviously he empowers Aaron
(06:00):
Gordon and Russell Westbrook, but it should be noted Jamal
Murray as well. I mean this right now. There was
a time when Michael Jordan, I've told the story before.
I was on a couch watching Michael Jordan against the
Phoenix Suns in the final and with a with a
with a friend who's a great basketball player, and I said,
(06:21):
why can't there be more Michaels. I mean, he's not
the strongest player or the biggest player. He's not the
best ball handler, the best shooter. The NBA average size
is sixty six. He's six six, kind of thin. I mean,
I know he can jump, but Dominique at a higher
vertical Michael was so much better than even Charles Barkley,
you know, like even a team. And you watch Jokic.
(06:44):
He is so far and away the best basketball player
in the world. And now he's also the best player coach,
which Bill Russell did for a while. I mean, you
got Tatum, he can freeze. You got Giannis, don't trust him,
late can't hit a free throw. You got Mbat he's
never healthy. You got Kawhi weird personality. You've got Luca
who's not in great shape and is not willing to defend.
(07:05):
And for the record, not only is Jokic flawless offensively,
he's actually an improved defensive player. He looks like he's
in better shape. So again, this game was not just Jokich,
although he was remarkable. Westbrook once again gives you so
many tools in the bag, including improved shooting. Congrats to
a shooting coach. Also, Aaron Gordon is another one of
(07:28):
these guys. I was talking before the show to Jmac,
that young player for Houston. I love a Men Thompson.
Aaron Gordon's like a bigger, stronger, more experienced version of
a Men Thompson. He just does everything. Rebounds, block shots
late in games, tipping it, defending length, relentless energy, and
he it's the game winner last night. And what I
(07:49):
love about Jokich is this mentality. Here's an organization that
went through a coaching change a week before the playoffs,
so you can see Yokic on the sideline. He's literally like,
you know, we're all like, we got to be included
in this. If you go back to that Clipper Denver series,
this is what the Clippers needed, and they have a
(08:10):
great coach in Tylu, but Kawhi doesn't provide that, and
Harden certainly doesn't provide that. It's always excuses for those two.
Here is Jokic saying, yeah, I'm not going to be stoic.
It's not a time to be stoic. He is coaching,
he is playing, he is elevating and but but again,
not at all a guy that has to take the
(08:31):
last shot. It's Westbrook and Aaron Gordon who combined for
the last shot. And here's Jokic after he's.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
The soul of this team. He's a glue guy. He's
probably doesn't give him much respect that he deserve. But
I think he doesn't need no attention. So he knows
what he's doing. So I'm happy for him.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
A remarkable, remarkable night. And we were talking about this.
There are a lot of cliches in basketball, right in
all sports. But don't trust young guys in the play.
People always say to me, how come you don't respect OKC.
It's not that I don't respect them, I don't trust them.
I respect a lot of people, love many, trust few.
(09:12):
I don't trust Okac. In a big spot chat, Holmgren
was nervous, the coach was nervous. And by the way, OKAYC.
He's one of those collaborative teams. You get it and
I get it. But to be honest with you, I
want to Skja with the ball. That's why I want
shooting every shot eight straight. I wish Tatum. You know
Sga in the regular season, he's a machine. But when
(09:34):
you get into these playoff games. That's why OKC played
no close games this year. Minnesota led the NBA in
close games and clutch moments. So here you get OKC
rolling everybody, and it's like, oh wait, we're the favorite.
Denver's older and wiser, all these great players. How many
(09:55):
playoff games is Westbrook and Jokich and Murray and Gordon,
O Casey got tight? They're not in close games. This
isn't college football where if you're winning by three touchdowns
you just have better players. I mean, I would argue
O case he's got a deeper roster. But if you're
giving me a starting five and I get Jokich and
(10:16):
Murray and Gordon, and then I get like a Westbrook
who's a spark plug. We talked about this yesterday the
betting markets have o Casey is an overwhelming favorite. Time out.
Young teams do not sweep veteran teams with a trophy
who have been in these games. We've been trying to
bury the Warriors for six years. Denver's not going anywhere.
(10:38):
That is a really good team. J Mac. By the way,
Steph didn't play last night. Lebron didn't play last night,
and the league was fine. Ow, it's it's one night.
We get Jalen Brunson last night put on a brook.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
How good is Jylan?
Speaker 1 (10:54):
We need to start honestly putting him in context with
his greatness. Jalen Brunson is magnificent to watch. I know
you love him, right, Yes, I'm one of your favorite players,
really really like him as a player. Now, next hour
to start Nick Wright. But I am so I do
four predictions before the NFL season. This will be my second. Okay,
(11:14):
So I do the coaching and free agencies all done,
and then I do the coaching free agency draft is
all done. So forty five minutes from now, I'll tell
you who. I have some changes, mostly middle and bottom
of divisions. You're not going to like all of them.
And then we have Nick Right as well. Are the
forty nine ers on your playoff? Are they in there?
(11:36):
Just miss by six games? Six? So we got a
good show today. Last night was so much fun. A
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(11:58):
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Speaker 2 (12:01):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
and Noone Eastern non a em Pacific on Fox Sports
Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
So listen. I could beat up on Jason Tatum today,
but there's so much I like about him. Smart, thoughtful, collaborative,
good teammate, great player. So let me put this. You know,
Phil Jackson is the greatest basketball coach, and Steve Kurz
pretty good, and so is Spulster. There's a lot of
good coaches Papovich, but Phil Jackson was the zen master
(12:31):
and he did the triangle offense. But there was also
times that Phil knew, I'm all back up Kobe's on
a heater. I'm gonna let Michael do what Michael's doing.
And I say this all the time about business. You
can't get too rigid. You gotta make exceptions. Every day
at this company, you gotta make an exception. You can
(12:51):
have values, you can have vision. But here's where I'm
gonna defend Jason Tatum. So he had another one of
those nights where he lacked aggressiveness and it looks like
he was one to nine in fourth quarter and overtime.
So listen, Steph had bad nights. I saw a finals
game Michael Jordan against Utah. He had a bad night.
Kobe had bad nights, Shack had bad nights. That's okay.
(13:14):
What I don't want is my super talented athletic six'
eight wing with great handles settling for. Threes but The
celtics three point culture is demanding. It so it Puts Jason,
tatum a, collaborative nice, guy in a weird. Spot his
free throw numbers have gone down three straight. Years why
because The celtics want more threes than if you shoot,
threes you don't get to the free throw. Line that's
(13:35):
why it Took Jimmy butler for The warriors to finally
get to the three point. Line So tatum can easily
beat guys off the dribble all night, long but he
keeps getting to the free throw line less and less
because The celtics are. Paralyzed they have this culture where
they're just. Paralyzed we got to shoot fifty five, threes
AND i think it Puts Jason, tatum a nice guy
(13:56):
in a collaborative, guy in a weird. Spot so last,
NIGHT i mean, again If kobe was on this, team
he would Get missoula. FIRED i, Mean Michael jordan would
Have missoula going upstairs. Daily michael would fight this, stuff
And Phil jackson understood sometimes you just gotta let special.
(14:17):
Happen and last, night nine seconds, left game is tied
on one of three From Jason. TATUM i want to,
bucket put it on the deck and beat your, man,
which by the, way he. Can he's a brilliant basketball.
Player but The celtics shoot more. THREES i mean they
literally last in THE nba in free throw attempts and
(14:40):
third to last in. Layups it's like when they're, bad
they just, Settle and SO i think there are coaches
SOMETIMES i Think Jayson tatum should just impose his will
and deal with the. Repercussions. Later who cares If missoula
yells at, You they're not going to Fire. Tatum they'd
move off a coach before they'd move Off Jason. Tatum
(15:01):
but this is just. This it's kind of Like Bobby knight, basketball, Right,
like this is the way we play basketball players more
than any, athlete along with soccer, stars they're. Artists you
have to let them improvise basketball at its. Best they
call soccer the beautiful game because it is the great.
Players they just need. Opportunities you just gotta Let ronaldo
(15:22):
do his, thing play out of structure from time to.
Time it doesn't mean you're blowing up. Structure you're not
creating a. Precedents Just Jason tatum's the best, player, dude
it's your. Ball next. Three just get to the, basket
get to the, line get out of the culture in
the system that's paralyzed by. Three so, Again tatum is
(15:43):
such a nice guy and he is such a great
collaborative player THAT i watch his body. Language there are
times that's like and By you can watch him put
the ball in the deck and immediately beat his. Guy
he could get to the basket all night, long but
he's gonna play within the. System he's a do guy
and he's A celtic, guy and the culture does. Work
(16:04):
but last night you got nine seconds left and it's,
Again jason just go get. Fouled he's a brilliant player
WHO i believe at, times not all the, time but
at times feels he's a little trapped by this three
point culture that doesn't want mid. RANGE i, mean look
at the shots fourth quarter and. Overtime look at the
(16:25):
second half shots for The. CELTICS i mean they just.
Settle that's what they. Do that's why they never get
to the free throw. Lines why The warriors Before, jimmy
they don't get to the free throw. Line Here's tatum
After how do you.
Speaker 5 (16:39):
Not let your frustrating with lack of calls prevents you
from attacking if you don't think you're gonna get a.
Call that is that connected at?
Speaker 6 (16:47):
All, NO i don't. CONNECT i mean it's the, playoffs
like you, know we probably just play without the. Reps
we it's how physical it. Is H so you know
that don't really cross cross my.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Mind and by the, Way Matt stafford Super, Bowl, Yeah
i'm not even gonna look Where i'm. Throwing Remember sean
mcvahon the sidelines With Aaron. Donald aaron's gonna blow this
play Up Lawrence. Taylor Sometimes lawrence is gonna line up
Where lawrence wants to line. Up i'm not anti, structure
(17:21):
But Jason tatum can beat every, guy every wing in the.
League he can beat off the dribble four to five.
Times Sometimes i'm not looking for a, Three i'm looking
for a.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
Bucket be sure to catch live editions Of The herd
weekdays and noon eastern nn Am.
Speaker 7 (17:36):
Pacific, Hey Steve covino And I'm Rich david and together
We're covino And rich On Fox Sports.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Radio you could catch.
Speaker 7 (17:43):
Us weekdays from five to seven Pm eastern two to
Four pacific On Fox Sports radio and of course The iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
App why should you listen To covino And.
Speaker 7 (17:51):
Rich we talk about, everything, life, sports, relationships what's going
on in the. World we have a lot of fun
talking about the stories behind the stories in the world
of sports and pop. Call, sure stories that well other
shows don't seem to have the time to. Discuss and
the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty
years and still work, TOGETHER i mean that says something,
Right so check us. Out we like to get you involved,
too take your phone, calls chop it.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
Up as they, Say.
Speaker 7 (18:14):
I'd say the most interactive show On Fox Sports, radio
maybe the most interactive show on. Planetar be sure to
check Out covino And rich live On Fox Sports radio
and The iHeartRadio app from five to seven Pm eastern
two to Four, Pacific and if you miss any of
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get your, podcasts and of course on social media That's
covino And.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Rich when there's coaching changes and free agency's, DONE i
give AN nfl. Prediction then after the, draft yes drafts,
MATTER i make another. Prediction then after camp or during,
Camps i'll make a, prediction and then right before the,
season The thursday of the, SEASON i make my final.
Prediction So i've got a lot of, changes but most
(18:56):
at the bottom of. Divisions so let's start THE, afc
so the. EASIEST i would bet my car on this.
One bill's win it dominant, quarterback not, close and well. Coached.
Patriots i've said, this they will be The washington of THE.
NFL i Predicted washington And denver would be the most
improved Teams i'm predicting The patriots will be the most improved.
(19:18):
Team drake may actually has a coach and they've made major.
Upgrades oh and d. Line dolphins aren't. Good they're going,
backwards But i'll take them over The, jets WHERE i
don't like anything all. Right next up THE Afc. North
even If Aaron rodgers shows, up they're not beating The
ravens Or. Bengals, BROWNS i think are looking for a
Quarterback Arch manning in next year's. DRAFT i like THEIR,
Gm Andrew berry And Kevin stefanski don't like. OWNERSHIP i
(19:41):
feel pretty good about THIS Afc. South i'm gonna make a.
CHANGE i think The texans win it going, away and
The titans are a wild card. TEAM i will take
The jaguars third and all move The colts down to.
FOURTH i don't know who's playing quarterback for The. Colts
my guess Is Daniel jones wins. Eventually but The, jaguars
to their town, credit got the best player in the
(20:02):
draft In Travis. Hunter he will make an. Impact they
upgraded their offensive line, significantly so again it's not, much
But i'll take The jaguars third and The colts fourth
and in THE Afc, WEST i feel the same. Way it's,
inches not. FEET i think The chargers embodied empowered their run,
game and they're going to be a ball control offense
(20:23):
with two great, tackles a great, coach a great, quarterback
and two excellent running. Backs they also upgraded a tight.
END i think they're going to be not as much
sizzle as you may, want but they're just going to ground.
Teams it'll be Classic Jim harbaugh year. Two you will
be looking at a team that is completely different than
they were two years. Ago shes still win ten to,
(20:45):
eleven maybe, twelve but they've been a Second broncos And.
Raiders didn't love The broncos. Draft so MY afc playoff
Predictions Bill's, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots bengals are new in.
Chiefs we go to THE nfc, now WHERE i do
have more. Changes Eagles commander's going. Away i'm gonna put
The giants at third and The cowboys at. FOUR i
(21:06):
thought The giants actually got impact guys in the. DRAFT
i Thought skataboo the running, back will absolutely make an,
impact And Abdull carter hate that he's asking For Lawrence taylor's.
Jersey but he's gonna be an impact. Guy they've already
got a good d. Line it'll be even. Better cowboys
Hiring Brian schottenneimer big, Mistake barry Dak. RELIANT i Go
cowboys in the. Cellar next, UP Nfc. North i'm keeping
(21:31):
it the. SAME i think The bears eke into the.
PLAYOFFS i Think Jordan LOVE i. LIKE i think they're
worried about. Him that's WHY i went a receiver in
the first. Round they're not quite sure they can Trust
Christian watson's. Help they gotta make This Jordan love thing.
Work so they had a couple of other needs, defensively
and they went wide receiver. Again vikings will be a
very good fourth place. TEAM i think Letting Sam darnold
(21:52):
GO i think they may regret. It all, RIGHT i
have another. Change i'm gonna Move tampa from second to
first to win their. DIVISION i like their. DRAFT i
always liked their. DRAFTS i did not like The Atlanta falcons.
Draft AND i don't know What Michael pennix. Is by the,
WAY i Thought ameca At buka to that receiving corps
and that. Offense he will be an eighty catch guy
potentially as a. ROOKIE i think he EVERY GM i
(22:15):
talked to WHEN i, said did anybody reach for A,
Mecca they're, like, no that guy could have been the fifth,
pick and it's a smart. Pick he will. Deliver Get day,
One Bryce young's Improved, Saints they're done and, finally, yeah
you can see. IT i think The rams are gonna win.
IT i Think seattle's. DEFENSE i Thought seattle had the
(22:36):
best draft in THE. NFL i Thought arizona And cleveland
had the second best. Draft arizona's defense is going to
be a. Handful their offense is. Fine As Marvin harrison
And Kyler murray now go to a second year, together that.
MATTERS i don't like WHAT i see with The. NINERS
i did not like their draft at. ALL i think
(22:57):
when you look at The niners, DRAFT i See Kyle
shannon hand taking some reaches here to help him and
not the future he wants to win. NOW i didn't
like The niners draft at. All i'm not saying they're
a five win, team BUT i Think arizona can win
ten to eleven. Games so my playoff picture in THE Nfc, Eagles, Lions,
(23:17):
Bucks Rams, Commanders, Bears, Seahawks, wow.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Be sure to catch live editions Of The herd weekdays
And Noone eastern a Em.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Pacific one of our, Guys Dan, woiki covers The lakers
went to every single game this. Year and by the,
way these days in the media that doesn't know what's,
happened you got television broadcasters not even going to the same. Game,
AnyWho that's a different. Topic, Okay, Dan you've got a
lot of stuff to talk. About let's start with the
it's a little bit of the elephant in the, room
(23:50):
THE Jj reddick. Stuff SO i was SAYING i had
Heard Bamani jones And Nick wright brought this. UP i
thought it was a fascinating. Take is that a lot
of people who are anxious they bring it up on.
Themselves it's not external. FORCES jj got very tight in
his biggest game as a college, player as AN nba,
player very good. PLAYER i think he was the eleventh
pick Of orlando out of the. Draft but he was
(24:12):
a different player in the. Playoffs he not a lot
of big, shots was less of a. Player and then
you watch them with The lakers and he runs tight
and he gets, snippy AND i thought to, him and
they theorize is, like this is not just a comfortable
college basketball. Job it's eighty two, games IT'S, nba it's The,
lakers it's a big market media and let's just talk
(24:36):
ABOUT Jj reddick's. Personality is it a little bit of a?
Speaker 5 (24:40):
CONCERN i think maybe a little. Bit it, is, though
kind of one of those Things colin where like if
you're at a job interview and somebody asks, you, like
what's your biggest, weakness and it's, LIKE i care too.
Much it's like you're also it's also kind of flexing
how much you, care, Right AND i think there are
certainly worse things that you can say about somebody other
(25:00):
than they're too, intense they care too, much they're too
passionate about what they're, doing they put too much into.
It AND i do think WITH jj there is an
element of, this, right like this is and it's funny
because this was the type that The lakers were sort of.
Chasing the other, name, right the other person who got
off of the. Job one other person got off of
the job Is Dan. Early and if we talk about
being wound tight and stuff like.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
That we're clearly looking for.
Speaker 5 (25:23):
That for that level of, intensity, right that level of.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Passion in THE, nba there's always been this theory you're
either a scheme, guy or you're Like Joe torrey and
baseball Now Steve kurr is both spolsters, both or you're
a good in the room. Guy now, now young coaches
tend to be really good with the.
Speaker 5 (25:45):
PLAYERS jj had a really good year with, players that's.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Right is he a good scheme?
Speaker 5 (25:49):
GUY i think. SO i, MEAN i think like it.
Is you, know, look he made a really showy, decision,
right and their staff made a really showy decision to
play the same five players for twenty four straight minutes
and then they ran out of gas at the end
of the fourth. Quarter he defended that. DECISION i disagree
with the defense of the. Decision like tired players do miss,
(26:12):
layups tired players do turn the ball. Over but they
were tired in game one when they played seven, guys
they were. Tired In game, two they were, Tired colin
because they had to play small so. Much that's why
they were. Tired, yeah, Right, like And minnesota's really really,
big and they're really, dynamic and they're really, athletic and
it was a horrible matchup and that's why The lakers were.
TIRED i do think that the best THING i can
(26:36):
say ABOUT jj redicks, season having seen, it as you,
mentioned you know, what with ninety three. Games i've known
him a very long, time is, that, UH Jj redick's
coaching philosophy on day one was different than his coaching
philosophy on game. Five, yeah the west of the first round.
Plaffs and that doesn't mean he was soft on. CONVICTIONS
(26:56):
i think you could anybody who's SEEN jj rek talk
is that he's not soft on. CONVICTIONS i think his
primary conviction WAS i need to coach to my, team
AND i need to coach to the strengths and the
weaknesses of my. Team and that's that is my. Philosophy
so when he Had Anthony davis And Lebron, james that
meant shooting twenty three is a. Game cool they shot
twenty three is a game that, man when they Had
(27:18):
lukadacic they shot. Fifty it is there's a flexibility there
and that would give. ME i think the most confidence
moving forwards is that he's gonna do To boloni And nick's,
point he is very hard on. Himself his pressure does
come from, within like he wants to win as badly
as Anybody i've ever, met and he hasn't, won spent
a long time since he's won a. Championship, yeah you
(27:40):
know he's gonna Do he's gonna do everything to put
himself in a position to be. Better AND i think that's.
Good now when the moment comes, again you, know is
he GONNA i, mean that's part of that's part of you,
know who he.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
Is part. Of it reminded me Of Brandon staley with The.
Chargers i'm, like when you start attacking the pretty NICE la,
Media this Isn't, Philly, Boston this isn't you, Know, CHICAGO
la media is pretty.
Speaker 5 (28:05):
Fair, Yeah AND i, mean, look we did you, Know i'd,
say you, know As i'm counting it out in my,
head if it's you, know six preseason, games eighty two
regular season, games five playoff, games ninety. Three, yeah we
talked to him pre and post ninety three. Times there
were a couple of clips that that went. Viral you,
KNOW i think, AGAIN i prefer in these situations a
(28:29):
coach who will listen to what we, ask who will
answer the questions that we. Ask he told me at
times this year he THOUGHT i was grasping at. Things,
fine let's have. It we'll have a conversation about. It
AND i think like that part of it to me more.
SIGNALED i think the more REVEALING. J. J ritick press
conference moment for me was before game one of the
(28:50):
first round the playoffs went. Again he had had a
week to think about a, game and he looked it
and he acted it in a way where he Was
so they. Scrimmage, yeah you, know they were just. Two
they were just they wanted it too, much or at
least as a coaching, staff and like that wasn't the
Right it wasn't the right. Energy minnesota seemed much more,
(29:11):
relaxed much more, loose seemed like they had more. Fun,
yeah AND i think that showed off in the.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Court, Okay i've been saying this for. YEARS i understand
When america likes the. UNDERDOG i. Don't i'm A, Yankee,
Dodger Ohio. State you sound Like.
Speaker 5 (29:25):
Lebron i'm. Not this is The, lebron this is The
lebron fandom.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
List, Yeah i'm not an underdog. Fan you can DRAFT tcu,
players all Draft texas. GUYS i don't. Care and So
Brock purty everybody roots for, him it gets rainy and
he can't hold the. Ball If Austin reeves is, undrafted
there's a REASON i Like Austin. Reeves they don't have
a Big if he's a, three you're not winning the.
(29:50):
Championship if he's a, FOUR i don't think he's nearly
as good As Derek. White but if he is a,
four you could maybe get to the. Finals Because i'm
looking At Michael porter's a four with Us brook playing,
well he is he a five For? Denver their fifth best?
Player what is? This what is? This are they going
to Move Austin? Reeves and how do they view him in?
Speaker 5 (30:10):
HOUSE i don't think they're going to move. HIM i
don't think there is A.
Speaker 1 (30:14):
He was awful against the T.
Speaker 5 (30:15):
Wolves he Was he had a bad series and by
the way they kept throwing athletes at. Him a bad,
series but still. COLD i, mean LIKE i, mean bad
series to the eye, test more so than the. Numbers
certainly couldn't get to the, lawn you. KNOW i think
in some of that like this sounds like an, excuse
and it is what it. Is if you're on the,
court you're on the. Court he was playing through a
(30:37):
pretty severe foot, injury pretty severe toe injury in games
four and. FIVE i think the thing With austin there's
a couple of. Things, one this is a guy who
every time they've a challenge has been kind of issued to,
Him he's answered to. It he's answered it right from
being undrafted to Being can he be a rotation player
to being a? Starter can he?
Speaker 1 (30:55):
Be can you play With?
Speaker 5 (30:56):
Luca can he play With? Luca can he be you,
know at times the second best offensive player on this? Team,
yeah you, KNOW i think at the contract he's at,
certainly the relationship he has within the organization with with
people in the, organization the relationship he has with his
in the locker room as sort of like the bridge
between the lebron tier in the locker room and, say
(31:19):
like the bottom tier of the locker. Room like he's
the glue of all of, this, right he is the
guy that everybody can talk to and he's a problem.
Solver and they believe in. Him they really believe in.
Him they think this was a bad.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Series they want an all star back HE'S.
Speaker 5 (31:33):
I, mean, yeah like this is like tippy. TOP i,
mean this is A they view him as an all
star level player who makes fifteen million dollars so at
at the early stages of his.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
Prime, now BECAUSE i don't think you can run this
team back Lebron, Is hitt and Miss they need a.
Speaker 5 (31:48):
Center there's no doubt about. It and there's no doubt about.
Speaker 1 (31:50):
It J reddick doesn't Play Jackson. Hayes he's telling the front,
office get me a.
Speaker 5 (31:53):
Legitimitch so if, there if there was a, Center colin
that was like a, big big time needle, mover not
just like he's a good center because we Need that's
not A, bigford not a big TIME i, mean they're good,
players and they're players that would fit what The lakers are.
Doing they're not players that The lakers would part With
Austin reeves For Ney. Claxton they, Would, NO i don't.
(32:14):
Believe so, okay here's another.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
One there are certain things where people don't change like
you can. Get you can get, like for, instance you
could tell, somebody, hey if you don't stop, smoking you're
going to die, yep and they will stop. Smoking or
you need to lose weight you're. Unhealthy Uh and in your,
appearance do.
Speaker 5 (32:33):
You have my medical files back? Then it seems like
you might this is just somebody violate.
Speaker 1 (32:37):
Hippa, okay there are other things that people are what they,
are And i'll give you an. Example work. Ethic you
either grind or you. Don't if you're if you're, awaken big,
guy or you've always been party guy on. CAMPUS i love,
you but that's who you. Are sure it gets to
full all the guys that were party guys in, college
they're kind of they are what they.
Speaker 3 (32:58):
Are.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Ye so, Defense James harden has never cared about, It
Carmelo anthony never cared about, it And luca doesn't care about.
It Now jokic has made an. Improvement he's never going
to be great.
Speaker 5 (33:14):
DEFENSE i have two there's another name in, mind so Je.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
Knock is if you're having these meetings With luca and you're, like,
listen we need you to be. Blank, defensively this is
what he. Is. Now he can be a better version of.
This but how many years DO i have to see
teams attack him before we just acknowledge he's been playing
basketball for eighteen years this is what he is.
Speaker 5 (33:38):
Defensively, YEAH i think the frustrating part With Luka doncers'
defense is that in flashes like you see you know
the six foot seven guy us his body, well position it,
well move his, feet get into get into the spots
that he's use his brain right to be an active.
Defender you see it at. Times you saw it for
(33:59):
lightning bolt flats in this series when the stakes were.
Highest it wasn't consistent. Enough The lakers know. It luca
do just knows. That The Dallas mavericks knew. It Nuko
harrison knew, It the league. Knows the league. Knows this
is why you detacked. It this is the. Biggest one
of the biggest differences between last year's playoffs versus this
year's payoffs when it came To minnesota was that they
went At Luka dotcic harder this. Year they put him
(34:21):
in that, position and quite, frankly the way you need
to do it is that you need to build the
right kind of team defense around him and you can
get away with.
Speaker 1 (34:29):
It dallas gave you the. Roadmap so that's. Yeah kyrie
And luca were, together they started tanking to get and
then the next year in the trade, deadline they went
and got. Big you, have so The lakers liability is
the opposite of what works With. Luca you need rim protect.
Speaker 5 (34:46):
Yeah, colin AND i think you know that that sort
of you, Know hollywood summit or meeting or whatever you
want to call it Between luca And Rob LINCOLN Jj,
redick it was not all this, stuff. Right it was
the trade, happens, right and it is about Getting Luca
dodgic as comfortable as, possible as fast as, possible after having,
like you, know his entire professional like world just like
(35:06):
kind of ripped, down right, like because that's what this.
Was he didn't expect to be. Traded he was going
to finish his career In, dallas and then all of a,
sudden he's not, Right he's somewhere totally, new really playing
for the third team in his life as a as
a since he was. Fifteen this is the third different
team he's ever played. For SO i think the season
was about getting him as a justin as comfortables possible
(35:28):
and trying to maximize a roster that quite frankly wasn't
built for, him, Right and he's the kind of player
who when given a roster built for. Him we saw
what happened last year In, dallas AND i, think you,
know my understanding is what that meeting was was not
JUST jj And robb telling him put down the bread, basket,
like you, know we're gonna go keto this. Summer that's
(35:48):
not what it. Was it was What let's talk basketball.
Now now we can get into the part of. This you're,
here we think you're going to be here a long.
Time how do we make you the best version of?
Yourself what can we do to maximize your? Skills what
kind of players do you want to see around. You
let's get to. Work i'm building this thing out and
(36:09):
we've talked about. It you, know they need more length
and athleticism on the, wings more two way, players they
need more. Size easier said than. Done most teams want those.
Things they don't have a ton of assets to get.
It but you, KNOW i think there is a belief
at least you, know from The dodgers camp in sort
of what A Lebron Luca austin reeves core can, DO i,
(36:30):
think and then building around.
Speaker 1 (36:31):
It AND i think you got to move Off austin
if you want to get a legit. Big that's an uncomfortable,
conversation it.
Speaker 5 (36:36):
IS i just think that like by the, Way.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
Okay sees younger and, Better cleveland's younger and better indies,
younger AND i think. Better boston's. Better at some point
you just got to, say, guys we won The luca
trade by a, mile we could lose a.
Speaker 5 (36:48):
LITTLE i just think that's The the question to me
is just still, again is like where the big is
and who the big? Is AND i think Like gafford
For Austin, REEVES i think they can get gaffered Without Austin, reeves.
RIGHT i mean that's honestly they Have, ay they have
a first round. Pick you, know they have a a
player In dalton connect that that has some. VALUE i
(37:10):
think that can kind of get you there on the starting.
POINT i think you, know you have your, swaps you
can be more, creative you have like you have in
a roster building, thing, Right and it's it'll be interesting
how different the team is. Too you, know we don't
know What lebron's long term future. IS i mean we
do it's retirement. Eventually but but you, know when you
have a player you can count on around fifteen million
(37:34):
dollars and you've got your your your megamax, guy you
have more flexibility that it might. Appear AND i Think
i'm curious to see what The lakers do with their expiring.
Money they have some expiring, contracts they have a first
round pick they can, trade they can get a little
creative in. That AND i, think you, know they felt
one of the other. Things and it's funny how much
(37:54):
five games and four losses can change. Things but you,
know going into this, Playoffs, colin, Like i've bet around
teams that have said they think they can win championships
and we all know they. Couldn't This lakers team had that,
belief like they really had that, belief but like an authentic,
belief like a truly authentic.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
Belief YOU i think you can authentically believe a. Lot
that doesn't make it.
Speaker 5 (38:14):
True, Sure AND i THINK i think when they will
approach this, offseason they need to do so With this
is the hard part about team building in THE. Nba
you don't want to be. Reacting you don't want to
be too reactionary to what just. Happened but you have
to look at yourself in the mirror and know where you're.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
Soft, yeah and they. Don't rams are really good at
looking at themselves and asking hard. Questions i'm not sure
The lakers.
Speaker 5 (38:33):
ARE i, mean The lakers lost the first round series
three years, ago three years, ago three or four years
ago to The Phoenix. Suns, right, yes, right and decided
that the best course of action was to trade FOR Us.
Westbrook that was an, overreaction it was an. Overcome it
was an overreaction to what had happened this season. Before
they thought they needed more, punch they needed another ball,
handler they needed all these. Things they needed to make
(38:54):
a big, change that big. Change step back to the
organization multiple years and they were given away.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
Out but you're what you're largely saying is and this is.
True The lakers have always been at their best taking huge.
Speaker 5 (39:06):
Swings they get they get the big, stuff, Right, yeah
if they got to get the small, stuff we'll want
to Move Austin.
Speaker 1 (39:12):
Reeves you're not taking a. Swing Oklahoma city will be
marketedly Like. Cleveland they'll be better next. Year you're not going. Backwards,
sure and.
Speaker 5 (39:20):
San antonio is gonna San antonio is. Coming everybody knows
that's gonna.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
Happen think about. It we're gonna Keep, austin but we're
gonna Find, okay you need.
Speaker 5 (39:27):
You have to believe In. Luca you have to believe
in like you have to believe In Luca lukadot and
you have to believe In Austin.
Speaker 1 (39:34):
Reeves lebron's not getting. Younger Sure luca will never be
a great. Defender And austin is undrafted, good but he's.
Undrafted he was physically.
Speaker 5 (39:44):
Worked, YEAH i think this Is and WHEN. J. J
reddick says things like we need to be in championship, condition,
well like he's not just talking About, lukadatch it like
it is a more of a roster wide thing where
they need to. Be they need to be in a better.
Position Should should they have to play that style again
for the amount of time that they. Did, now perfect,
(40:05):
world you don't have to play that. Style you get
the big you get the right guy in. THERE i
think you keep your card. Together lakers are becoming and
that's the. Plan and that's the.
Speaker 1 (40:12):
Plan The lakers are becoming The. Clippers they're not going
to like. That, hey you know what next year When
kawhi comes, Back, no, No kawhi will play forty. Games,
Sure James harden will Be James. Harden The clippers now
are trying to talk. Them people do this all the.
Speaker 5 (40:27):
Time but Like Luka, Danci colin doesn't lose in the
first round the. Playoffs this is the anobum that's. Great
this is the anoum.
Speaker 1 (40:32):
Old austin's undrafted AND Jj reddick's got a ways to
go to an elite. Coach those things do not.
Speaker 5 (40:38):
Change, YEAH i agree with, you AND i think THAT
i think.
Speaker 1 (40:41):
You're higher on The lakers THAN i.
Speaker 5 (40:43):
AM i think WHAT i. THINK I i THINK i
believe in a in a dantic Like i've seen enough,
of like What luca at the core of a team
can be when when it's not.
Speaker 1 (40:53):
A great fit with a great Center, roto but when.
Speaker 5 (40:56):
It was not a great fit he went to The
Western conference, finals like when it with a really good
center with a really good a.
Speaker 1 (41:01):
Better, coach absolutely and a great center. Rotation lakers don't
have one. Center they, draws not, ONE i.
Speaker 5 (41:08):
Know and that's and that is the task this. Offseason
that is top line number.
Speaker 1 (41:12):
One you can't get there without moving. ON i think you.
Speaker 5 (41:14):
Can you Mentioned nick If Nick claxon to you answers that,
question just so you can Get Nick claxon without trading
off moves like you. Can't you have expiring. Money you
have a first round pick that'll get You Nick, clackson
like they WERE i, mean If Mark, williams if they
felt better about what they saw With Mark williams knees
and ankles and stuff like, that they Get Mark williams
With dalton connecting a first round, pick and the problem is.
Solved they can get. THERE i think that it is
(41:37):
going to be a very focused. Thing the CAUTION i
would say is again is that on paper they. Can
The lakers win the off season all the. Time on
paper doesn't mean. Anything you might wake up On july
second And Clint capella's on your team And Brook lopez
is on your team and you're, like we've got. Centers
they might not be the right fits if you watch
some if you watch the, Playoffs, colin this is the
(41:58):
biggest thing for. Me WHEN i look around at the
playouts last, night AND i was talking yesterday to a
scout about, this look at a guy Like Isaiah, hartenstein
right guarded, Joke it's great last night The clippers like
Chose John wall instead Of Isaiah. Hartenstein Isaiah hartenstein was
on The knicks and no longer on The. Knicks Isaiah
hartenstein was on The rockets and no longer on The.
(42:19):
Rockets you gotta get role players at the right. Time
he took the right. Situation he wasn't. Dead you got
to get him at the right, time in the right.
Situation and that's where the best executives do their best.
Work the Getting luca is the most important. Part what
matters most is what you put around it all.
Speaker 1 (42:35):
Right thirty, SECONDS kd thirty. Seconds where's the end?
Speaker 5 (42:39):
UP i think It's houston just seems like the most.
Speaker 1 (42:42):
Logical, yeahs.
Speaker 5 (42:44):
San. Antonio if we want to get really, wild.
Speaker 1 (42:49):
You got a lot of. Pecks, WELL i, Mean houston's
not getting both of.
Speaker 5 (42:51):
Them LIKE i, mean, like If jannis wants to, win
that's a fun pathway to. Winning if he wants to
go to a big, market it gets a little.
Speaker 1 (43:00):
Trickier big markets don't matter, ANYMORE i don't. THINK i,
MEAN i think it helps shame quality of.
Speaker 5 (43:05):
Life it matters quality of life people at a certain
point whey where they want to. Live but LIKE i,
THINK i Think, Giannis Like giannis is fascinating because he
has maximized his opportunity In. Milwaukee he's enjoyed it. There
he's been great for that. Community there's tons of like
the ties are really strong. There we'll. SEE i Mean.
Miami you could build around him pretty. Easily.
Speaker 1 (43:24):
There they have to give Me Tyler, Hero.
Speaker 5 (43:27):
Milwaukee's Own wisconsin Legend tyler.
Speaker 1 (43:30):
Here miami doesn't have enough to give it.
Speaker 5 (43:32):
PICKS i mean like it's gonna have to be LIKE i,
mean the teams that have the STUFF i.
Speaker 1 (43:35):
Want Shen goon or we're not hanging the phone.
Speaker 5 (43:38):
Up houston would do that in a second For Shane.
Speaker 1 (43:42):
Goon i'm not getting them. IN i want Shen.
Speaker 5 (43:45):
Goon you're starting with the, Men. Thompson that is where
that conversation.
Speaker 1 (43:48):
Is i'm not moving. HIM i. Wouldn't maybe they.
Speaker 5 (43:50):
Don't get y honist, like that's where you don't have to.
Trade never. Trade you don't want to put yourself in
The nico position where you don't end up with the
players you. Want you got to. Get, well he got
the player. One it Was. Anthony you have to get
the young players you want if you're gonna trade You.
Speaker 1 (44:03):
Shen, Goon Jalen, green three first round picks And Jabari.
Smith not, enough not, enough.
Speaker 5 (44:10):
Not, enough not for. Honest, sorry let me tell you
get off more than.
Speaker 2 (44:14):
That Because i'm looking at CHAT gbt the most draft
capital next five.
Speaker 1 (44:18):
Years, ok Se.
Speaker 5 (44:20):
Brooklyn YOU i mean, okay, see, okay so you can get,
there that's. It, okay so you can get there fun
and they can get there.
Speaker 1 (44:26):
Quickly they could win next. Year. Anyway we'll.
Speaker 5 (44:30):
See they got some big game work to.
Speaker 1 (44:31):
Do, well, yeah that's we'll.
Speaker 5 (44:33):
See they got some big game.
Speaker 1 (44:34):
Works one guy on this set Thought denver had a
shot in this. Series that's, right the old gray haired, guy.
Speaker 5 (44:43):
Not the former smoker with the weight. Problem that's. Good
i'm glad it wasn't.
Speaker 1 (44:46):
Him ki
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast.
Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox
Sports Radio in noon to three eastern nine am to
noon Pacific. Find your local station for the Herd at
Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every
day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio
or FSR.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
This is the Best of the Herd with Colin cowher
on Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Oh here we go. What a night in the association.
It's the Herd wherever you may be and however you
may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Well.
Jmat as a Knicks fan, probably feeling really good right
about now, giddy, downright giddy about not only the Knicks winning,
(00:51):
but how about the Oklahoma City Thunder absolutely gagging Colin,
I was lasting. It's not a cliche when we say
don't trust young teams in the playoffs. They would have
been better off being on the road. They could feel it.
They got tight, their coach got tight, everybody got set home. Wow,
(01:14):
all right, let's start with this. Okay, the Celtics lost
at home. Bizarrely, they're not even that good at home.
They're actually a better road team. Nick fans. I've never
seen a game one upset that means less. This is
the only game the Knicks are gonna win. Boston's not
gonna miss forty five threes. I know. Enjoy the moment,
(01:37):
Nick fans, you are feeling it today. Oh give me
a break. Boston got a twenty point lead. They hammered
this team all year, they fell asleep, and then they
just took bad shots. Jason Tatum, he froze. He does
that from time to time. He does it much more
than any of his fan boys want to admit. It
was the classic Jason Tatum game late where you're like,
is he on the floor? Is he playing? Where's Jason Tatum?
(01:59):
But the Wings og played well, Michale Bridges, they were
running off shooters, defended well. They deserve credit. But the
Celtics had the third fewest laps in the league and
the fewest free throws. What does it mean shots? They don't.
They just live and die with a three. And like
those great Warrior teams when Stephan Clay weren't hitting them,
(02:21):
they had bad nights. They got blown out multiple times
in the finals. So I mean Boston, they don't get laps,
they don't shoot mid range, they don't get to the
free throw line. They're shooting sixty threes. And last night,
I mean in the second half in overtime or second
half yeah, and overtime, Yeah, they shot forty nine shots.
Thirty seven were threes. And I will defend Jason Tatum
(02:44):
later on in this show because I think he's a
little bit trapped with his team. But the reality is,
you see this from Boston, and strangely, it's often at home.
They're a great road team, they're a better road team
than the home team. But they have these nights and
you know, Jason Tatum, nobody wants to admit it, but
he has these collaborative nights where he's just settling for
(03:08):
bad shots. And again, I think he could draw more fouls.
But this is what Boston is. They're going to be fine.
The Knicks have absolute offensive limitations. It's gonna be okay.
Boston's not gonna shoot like this. I mean, the first
quarter was classic Knicks. They were out playing Boston. Boston
was rusty, and the Knicks kept missing free throws. They
(03:29):
couldn't get the free throws, right, I was on money
line Knicks first quarter two j Max, They couldn't hit
free throws, so the Knicks have an absolute ceiling. But
Boston they give you one of these every so often.
And I've said before they remind me a lot of
the Warriors team. But back when the Warriors were shooting
all the threes, the rest of the league was not.
(03:51):
But Boston leads the league in threes. They don't get
to the free throw line. They don't create layups or
mid range shots. So when they have one of these
awful shooting halves, I mean they led by twenty. They
dominate this team. And we've said this all the time.
In the NFL. You'll see a team lead twenty eight
to seven at half and the game ends like thirty
(04:11):
one twenty seven, and you're like, we were so close
that it's not really It's hard to ask athletes who
dominate an opponent over and over and over to always
bring their a game. In Boston had a bad second half,
settled for too many bad shots. And here's Jalen Brown
after the loss.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
I feel like we just settled in the second half
a lot. Some of them feel good, some of them
feel like we may be forced to issue in definitely
our rhythm and our our timing was a little bit off.
We got a lot of great looks those moments when
other team got momentum, we can't and just fire up threes.
You know, to break up momentum, you gotta get to
(04:53):
the free throw line. Gets it a pain and gets
hit a basket.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
They're going to be just fined and Jason Tata is
going to be just fine, and I'll defend him in
about ten minutes. All right, Let's go to the opposite
of the Boston Celtics, literally the opposite team, the Denver Nuggets,
who has an underdog, went into okase and dominated the
(05:16):
late game situations. The Nuggets shoot the fewest threes in
the NBA. They live at the free throw line because
Jokic can create so many opportunities around the basket. And Jokic,
unlike Tatum, is a coach on the floor, does not
care if he offends people. Is mostly collaborative, but sometimes
(05:38):
he takes over. And if you go to the fourth quarter,
okse got tight. The young, nervous, at times terrified, thunder
at home froze. They froze. And this was Yokic at
his best coaching and playing. He is the anti Kawhi
he communicates with everybody. I mean, obviously he empowers Aaron
(06:00):
Gordon and Russell Westbrook, but it should be noted Jamal
Murray as well. I mean this right now. There was
a time when Michael Jordan, I've told the story before.
I was on a couch watching Michael Jordan against the
Phoenix Suns in the final and with a with a
with a friend who's a great basketball player, and I said,
(06:21):
why can't there be more Michaels. I mean, he's not
the strongest player or the biggest player. He's not the
best ball handler, the best shooter. The NBA average size
is sixty six. He's six six, kind of thin. I mean,
I know he can jump, but Dominique at a higher
vertical Michael was so much better than even Charles Barkley,
you know, like even a team. And you watch Jokic.
(06:44):
He is so far and away the best basketball player
in the world. And now he's also the best player coach,
which Bill Russell did for a while. I mean, you
got Tatum, he can freeze. You got Giannis, don't trust him,
late can't hit a free throw. You got Mbat he's
never healthy. You got Kawhi weird personality. You've got Luca
who's not in great shape and is not willing to defend.
(07:05):
And for the record, not only is Jokic flawless offensively,
he's actually an improved defensive player. He looks like he's
in better shape. So again, this game was not just Jokich,
although he was remarkable. Westbrook once again gives you so
many tools in the bag, including improved shooting. Congrats to
a shooting coach. Also, Aaron Gordon is another one of
(07:28):
these guys. I was talking before the show to Jmac,
that young player for Houston. I love a Men Thompson.
Aaron Gordon's like a bigger, stronger, more experienced version of
a Men Thompson. He just does everything. Rebounds, block shots
late in games, tipping it, defending length, relentless energy, and
he it's the game winner last night. And what I
(07:49):
love about Jokich is this mentality. Here's an organization that
went through a coaching change a week before the playoffs,
so you can see Yokic on the sideline. He's literally like,
you know, we're all like, we got to be included
in this. If you go back to that Clipper Denver series,
this is what the Clippers needed, and they have a
(08:10):
great coach in Tylu, but Kawhi doesn't provide that, and
Harden certainly doesn't provide that. It's always excuses for those two.
Here is Jokic saying, yeah, I'm not going to be stoic.
It's not a time to be stoic. He is coaching,
he is playing, he is elevating and but but again,
not at all a guy that has to take the
(08:31):
last shot. It's Westbrook and Aaron Gordon who combined for
the last shot. And here's Jokic after he's.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
The soul of this team. He's a glue guy. He's
probably doesn't give him much respect that he deserve. But
I think he doesn't need no attention. So he knows
what he's doing. So I'm happy for him.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
A remarkable, remarkable night. And we were talking about this.
There are a lot of cliches in basketball, right in
all sports. But don't trust young guys in the play.
People always say to me, how come you don't respect OKC.
It's not that I don't respect them, I don't trust them.
I respect a lot of people, love many, trust few.
(09:12):
I don't trust Okac. In a big spot chat, Holmgren
was nervous, the coach was nervous. And by the way, OKAYC.
He's one of those collaborative teams. You get it and
I get it. But to be honest with you, I
want to Skja with the ball. That's why I want
shooting every shot eight straight. I wish Tatum. You know
Sga in the regular season, he's a machine. But when
(09:34):
you get into these playoff games. That's why OKC played
no close games this year. Minnesota led the NBA in
close games and clutch moments. So here you get OKC
rolling everybody, and it's like, oh wait, we're the favorite.
Denver's older and wiser, all these great players. How many
(09:55):
playoff games is Westbrook and Jokich and Murray and Gordon,
O Casey got tight? They're not in close games. This
isn't college football where if you're winning by three touchdowns
you just have better players. I mean, I would argue
O case he's got a deeper roster. But if you're
giving me a starting five and I get Jokich and
(10:16):
Murray and Gordon, and then I get like a Westbrook
who's a spark plug. We talked about this yesterday the
betting markets have o Casey is an overwhelming favorite. Time out.
Young teams do not sweep veteran teams with a trophy
who have been in these games. We've been trying to
bury the Warriors for six years. Denver's not going anywhere.
(10:38):
That is a really good team. J Mac. By the way,
Steph didn't play last night. Lebron didn't play last night,
and the league was fine. Ow, it's it's one night.
We get Jalen Brunson last night put on a brook.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
How good is Jylan?
Speaker 1 (10:54):
We need to start honestly putting him in context with
his greatness. Jalen Brunson is magnificent to watch. I know
you love him, right, Yes, I'm one of your favorite players,
really really like him as a player. Now, next hour
to start Nick Wright. But I am so I do
four predictions before the NFL season. This will be my second. Okay,
(11:14):
So I do the coaching and free agencies all done,
and then I do the coaching free agency draft is
all done. So forty five minutes from now, I'll tell
you who. I have some changes, mostly middle and bottom
of divisions. You're not going to like all of them.
And then we have Nick Right as well. Are the
forty nine ers on your playoff? Are they in there?
(11:36):
Just miss by six games? Six? So we got a
good show today. Last night was so much fun. A
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(11:58):
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Speaker 2 (12:01):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays
and Noone Eastern non a em Pacific on Fox Sports
Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
So listen. I could beat up on Jason Tatum today,
but there's so much I like about him. Smart, thoughtful, collaborative,
good teammate, great player. So let me put this. You know,
Phil Jackson is the greatest basketball coach, and Steve Kurz
pretty good, and so is Spulster. There's a lot of
good coaches Papovich, but Phil Jackson was the zen master
(12:31):
and he did the triangle offense. But there was also
times that Phil knew, I'm all back up Kobe's on
a heater. I'm gonna let Michael do what Michael's doing.
And I say this all the time about business. You
can't get too rigid. You gotta make exceptions. Every day
at this company, you gotta make an exception. You can
(12:51):
have values, you can have vision. But here's where I'm
gonna defend Jason Tatum. So he had another one of
those nights where he lacked aggressiveness and it looks like
he was one to nine in fourth quarter and overtime.
So listen, Steph had bad nights. I saw a finals
game Michael Jordan against Utah. He had a bad night.
Kobe had bad nights, Shack had bad nights. That's okay.
(13:14):
What I don't want is my super talented athletic six'
eight wing with great handles settling for. Threes but The
celtics three point culture is demanding. It so it Puts Jason,
tatum a, collaborative nice, guy in a weird. Spot his
free throw numbers have gone down three straight. Years why
because The celtics want more threes than if you shoot,
threes you don't get to the free throw. Line that's
(13:35):
why it Took Jimmy butler for The warriors to finally
get to the three point. Line So tatum can easily
beat guys off the dribble all night, long but he
keeps getting to the free throw line less and less
because The celtics are. Paralyzed they have this culture where
they're just. Paralyzed we got to shoot fifty five, threes
AND i think it Puts Jason, tatum a nice guy
(13:56):
in a collaborative, guy in a weird. Spot so last,
NIGHT i mean, again If kobe was on this, team
he would Get missoula. FIRED i, Mean Michael jordan would
Have missoula going upstairs. Daily michael would fight this, stuff
And Phil jackson understood sometimes you just gotta let special.
(14:17):
Happen and last, night nine seconds, left game is tied
on one of three From Jason. TATUM i want to,
bucket put it on the deck and beat your, man,
which by the, way he. Can he's a brilliant basketball.
Player but The celtics shoot more. THREES i mean they
literally last in THE nba in free throw attempts and
(14:40):
third to last in. Layups it's like when they're, bad
they just, Settle and SO i think there are coaches
SOMETIMES i Think Jayson tatum should just impose his will
and deal with the. Repercussions. Later who cares If missoula
yells at, You they're not going to Fire. Tatum they'd
move off a coach before they'd move Off Jason. Tatum
(15:01):
but this is just. This it's kind of Like Bobby knight, basketball, Right,
like this is the way we play basketball players more
than any, athlete along with soccer, stars they're. Artists you
have to let them improvise basketball at its. Best they
call soccer the beautiful game because it is the great.
Players they just need. Opportunities you just gotta Let ronaldo
(15:22):
do his, thing play out of structure from time to.
Time it doesn't mean you're blowing up. Structure you're not
creating a. Precedents Just Jason tatum's the best, player, dude
it's your. Ball next. Three just get to the, basket
get to the, line get out of the culture in
the system that's paralyzed by. Three so, Again tatum is
(15:43):
such a nice guy and he is such a great
collaborative player THAT i watch his body. Language there are
times that's like and By you can watch him put
the ball in the deck and immediately beat his. Guy
he could get to the basket all night, long but
he's gonna play within the. System he's a do guy
and he's A celtic, guy and the culture does. Work
(16:04):
but last night you got nine seconds left and it's,
Again jason just go get. Fouled he's a brilliant player
WHO i believe at, times not all the, time but
at times feels he's a little trapped by this three
point culture that doesn't want mid. RANGE i, mean look
at the shots fourth quarter and. Overtime look at the
(16:25):
second half shots for The. CELTICS i mean they just.
Settle that's what they. Do that's why they never get
to the free throw. Lines why The warriors Before, jimmy
they don't get to the free throw. Line Here's tatum
After how do you.
Speaker 5 (16:39):
Not let your frustrating with lack of calls prevents you
from attacking if you don't think you're gonna get a.
Call that is that connected at?
Speaker 6 (16:47):
All, NO i don't. CONNECT i mean it's the, playoffs
like you, know we probably just play without the. Reps
we it's how physical it. Is H so you know
that don't really cross cross my.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Mind and by the, Way Matt stafford Super, Bowl, Yeah
i'm not even gonna look Where i'm. Throwing Remember sean
mcvahon the sidelines With Aaron. Donald aaron's gonna blow this
play Up Lawrence. Taylor Sometimes lawrence is gonna line up
Where lawrence wants to line. Up i'm not anti, structure
(17:21):
But Jason tatum can beat every, guy every wing in the.
League he can beat off the dribble four to five.
Times Sometimes i'm not looking for a, Three i'm looking
for a.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
Bucket be sure to catch live editions Of The herd
weekdays and noon eastern nn Am.
Speaker 7 (17:36):
Pacific, Hey Steve covino And I'm Rich david and together
We're covino And rich On Fox Sports.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Radio you could catch.
Speaker 7 (17:43):
Us weekdays from five to seven Pm eastern two to
Four pacific On Fox Sports radio and of course The iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
App why should you listen To covino And.
Speaker 7 (17:51):
Rich we talk about, everything, life, sports, relationships what's going
on in the. World we have a lot of fun
talking about the stories behind the stories in the world
of sports and pop. Call, sure stories that well other
shows don't seem to have the time to. Discuss and
the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty
years and still work, TOGETHER i mean that says something,
Right so check us. Out we like to get you involved,
too take your phone, calls chop it.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
Up as they, Say.
Speaker 7 (18:14):
I'd say the most interactive show On Fox Sports, radio
maybe the most interactive show on. Planetar be sure to
check Out covino And rich live On Fox Sports radio
and The iHeartRadio app from five to seven Pm eastern
two to Four, Pacific and if you miss any of
the live, show just Search covino On rich wherever you
get your, podcasts and of course on social media That's
covino And.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Rich when there's coaching changes and free agency's, DONE i
give AN nfl. Prediction then after the, draft yes drafts,
MATTER i make another. Prediction then after camp or during,
Camps i'll make a, prediction and then right before the,
season The thursday of the, SEASON i make my final.
Prediction So i've got a lot of, changes but most
(18:56):
at the bottom of. Divisions so let's start THE, afc
so the. EASIEST i would bet my car on this.
One bill's win it dominant, quarterback not, close and well. Coached.
Patriots i've said, this they will be The washington of THE.
NFL i Predicted washington And denver would be the most
improved Teams i'm predicting The patriots will be the most improved.
(19:18):
Team drake may actually has a coach and they've made major.
Upgrades oh and d. Line dolphins aren't. Good they're going,
backwards But i'll take them over The, jets WHERE i
don't like anything all. Right next up THE Afc. North
even If Aaron rodgers shows, up they're not beating The
ravens Or. Bengals, BROWNS i think are looking for a
Quarterback Arch manning in next year's. DRAFT i like THEIR,
Gm Andrew berry And Kevin stefanski don't like. OWNERSHIP i
(19:41):
feel pretty good about THIS Afc. South i'm gonna make a.
CHANGE i think The texans win it going, away and
The titans are a wild card. TEAM i will take
The jaguars third and all move The colts down to.
FOURTH i don't know who's playing quarterback for The. Colts
my guess Is Daniel jones wins. Eventually but The, jaguars
to their town, credit got the best player in the
(20:02):
draft In Travis. Hunter he will make an. Impact they
upgraded their offensive line, significantly so again it's not, much
But i'll take The jaguars third and The colts fourth
and in THE Afc, WEST i feel the same. Way it's,
inches not. FEET i think The chargers embodied empowered their run,
game and they're going to be a ball control offense
(20:23):
with two great, tackles a great, coach a great, quarterback
and two excellent running. Backs they also upgraded a tight.
END i think they're going to be not as much
sizzle as you may, want but they're just going to ground.
Teams it'll be Classic Jim harbaugh year. Two you will
be looking at a team that is completely different than
they were two years. Ago shes still win ten to,
(20:45):
eleven maybe, twelve but they've been a Second broncos And.
Raiders didn't love The broncos. Draft so MY afc playoff
Predictions Bill's, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Patriots bengals are new in.
Chiefs we go to THE nfc, now WHERE i do
have more. Changes Eagles commander's going. Away i'm gonna put
The giants at third and The cowboys at. FOUR i
(21:06):
thought The giants actually got impact guys in the. DRAFT
i Thought skataboo the running, back will absolutely make an,
impact And Abdull carter hate that he's asking For Lawrence taylor's.
Jersey but he's gonna be an impact. Guy they've already
got a good d. Line it'll be even. Better cowboys
Hiring Brian schottenneimer big, Mistake barry Dak. RELIANT i Go
cowboys in the. Cellar next, UP Nfc. North i'm keeping
(21:31):
it the. SAME i think The bears eke into the.
PLAYOFFS i Think Jordan LOVE i. LIKE i think they're
worried about. Him that's WHY i went a receiver in
the first. Round they're not quite sure they can Trust
Christian watson's. Help they gotta make This Jordan love thing.
Work so they had a couple of other needs, defensively
and they went wide receiver. Again vikings will be a
very good fourth place. TEAM i think Letting Sam darnold
(21:52):
GO i think they may regret. It all, RIGHT i
have another. Change i'm gonna Move tampa from second to
first to win their. DIVISION i like their. DRAFT i
always liked their. DRAFTS i did not like The Atlanta falcons.
Draft AND i don't know What Michael pennix. Is by the,
WAY i Thought ameca At buka to that receiving corps
and that. Offense he will be an eighty catch guy
potentially as a. ROOKIE i think he EVERY GM i
(22:15):
talked to WHEN i, said did anybody reach for A,
Mecca they're, like, no that guy could have been the fifth,
pick and it's a smart. Pick he will. Deliver Get day,
One Bryce young's Improved, Saints they're done and, finally, yeah
you can see. IT i think The rams are gonna win.
IT i Think seattle's. DEFENSE i Thought seattle had the
(22:36):
best draft in THE. NFL i Thought arizona And cleveland
had the second best. Draft arizona's defense is going to
be a. Handful their offense is. Fine As Marvin harrison
And Kyler murray now go to a second year, together that.
MATTERS i don't like WHAT i see with The. NINERS
i did not like their draft at. ALL i think
(22:57):
when you look at The niners, DRAFT i See Kyle
shannon hand taking some reaches here to help him and
not the future he wants to win. NOW i didn't
like The niners draft at. All i'm not saying they're
a five win, team BUT i Think arizona can win
ten to eleven. Games so my playoff picture in THE Nfc, Eagles, Lions,
(23:17):
Bucks Rams, Commanders, Bears, Seahawks, wow.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Be sure to catch live editions Of The herd weekdays
And Noone eastern a Em.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Pacific one of our, Guys Dan, woiki covers The lakers
went to every single game this. Year and by the,
way these days in the media that doesn't know what's,
happened you got television broadcasters not even going to the same. Game,
AnyWho that's a different. Topic, Okay, Dan you've got a
lot of stuff to talk. About let's start with the
it's a little bit of the elephant in the, room
(23:50):
THE Jj reddick. Stuff SO i was SAYING i had
Heard Bamani jones And Nick wright brought this. UP i
thought it was a fascinating. Take is that a lot
of people who are anxious they bring it up on.
Themselves it's not external. FORCES jj got very tight in
his biggest game as a college, player as AN nba,
player very good. PLAYER i think he was the eleventh
pick Of orlando out of the. Draft but he was
(24:12):
a different player in the. Playoffs he not a lot
of big, shots was less of a. Player and then
you watch them with The lakers and he runs tight
and he gets, snippy AND i thought to, him and
they theorize is, like this is not just a comfortable
college basketball. Job it's eighty two, games IT'S, nba it's The,
lakers it's a big market media and let's just talk
(24:36):
ABOUT Jj reddick's. Personality is it a little bit of a?
Speaker 5 (24:40):
CONCERN i think maybe a little. Bit it, is, though
kind of one of those Things colin where like if
you're at a job interview and somebody asks, you, like
what's your biggest, weakness and it's, LIKE i care too.
Much it's like you're also it's also kind of flexing
how much you, care, Right AND i think there are
certainly worse things that you can say about somebody other
(25:00):
than they're too, intense they care too, much they're too
passionate about what they're, doing they put too much into.
It AND i do think WITH jj there is an
element of, this, right like this is and it's funny
because this was the type that The lakers were sort of.
Chasing the other, name, right the other person who got
off of the. Job one other person got off of
the job Is Dan. Early and if we talk about
being wound tight and stuff like.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
That we're clearly looking for.
Speaker 5 (25:23):
That for that level of, intensity, right that level of.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Passion in THE, nba there's always been this theory you're
either a scheme, guy or you're Like Joe torrey and
baseball Now Steve kurr is both spolsters, both or you're
a good in the room. Guy now, now young coaches
tend to be really good with the.
Speaker 5 (25:45):
PLAYERS jj had a really good year with, players that's.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Right is he a good scheme?
Speaker 5 (25:49):
GUY i think. SO i, MEAN i think like it.
Is you, know, look he made a really showy, decision,
right and their staff made a really showy decision to
play the same five players for twenty four straight minutes
and then they ran out of gas at the end
of the fourth. Quarter he defended that. DECISION i disagree
with the defense of the. Decision like tired players do miss,
(26:12):
layups tired players do turn the ball. Over but they
were tired in game one when they played seven, guys
they were. Tired In game, two they were, Tired colin
because they had to play small so. Much that's why
they were. Tired, yeah, Right, like And minnesota's really really,
big and they're really, dynamic and they're really, athletic and
it was a horrible matchup and that's why The lakers were.
TIRED i do think that the best THING i can
(26:36):
say ABOUT jj redicks, season having seen, it as you,
mentioned you know, what with ninety three. Games i've known
him a very long, time is, that, UH Jj redick's
coaching philosophy on day one was different than his coaching
philosophy on game. Five, yeah the west of the first round.
Plaffs and that doesn't mean he was soft on. CONVICTIONS
(26:56):
i think you could anybody who's SEEN jj rek talk
is that he's not soft on. CONVICTIONS i think his
primary conviction WAS i need to coach to my, team
AND i need to coach to the strengths and the
weaknesses of my. Team and that's that is my. Philosophy
so when he Had Anthony davis And Lebron, james that
meant shooting twenty three is a. Game cool they shot
twenty three is a game that, man when they Had
(27:18):
lukadacic they shot. Fifty it is there's a flexibility there
and that would give. ME i think the most confidence
moving forwards is that he's gonna do To boloni And nick's,
point he is very hard on. Himself his pressure does
come from, within like he wants to win as badly
as Anybody i've ever, met and he hasn't, won spent
a long time since he's won a. Championship, yeah you
(27:40):
know he's gonna Do he's gonna do everything to put
himself in a position to be. Better AND i think that's.
Good now when the moment comes, again you, know is
he GONNA i, mean that's part of that's part of you,
know who he.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
Is part. Of it reminded me Of Brandon staley with The.
Chargers i'm, like when you start attacking the pretty NICE la,
Media this Isn't, Philly, Boston this isn't you, Know, CHICAGO
la media is pretty.
Speaker 5 (28:05):
Fair, Yeah AND i, mean, look we did you, Know i'd,
say you, know As i'm counting it out in my,
head if it's you, know six preseason, games eighty two
regular season, games five playoff, games ninety. Three, yeah we
talked to him pre and post ninety three. Times there
were a couple of clips that that went. Viral you,
KNOW i think, AGAIN i prefer in these situations a
(28:29):
coach who will listen to what we, ask who will
answer the questions that we. Ask he told me at
times this year he THOUGHT i was grasping at. Things,
fine let's have. It we'll have a conversation about. It
AND i think like that part of it to me more.
SIGNALED i think the more REVEALING. J. J ritick press
conference moment for me was before game one of the
(28:50):
first round the playoffs went. Again he had had a
week to think about a, game and he looked it
and he acted it in a way where he Was
so they. Scrimmage, yeah you, know they were just. Two
they were just they wanted it too, much or at
least as a coaching, staff and like that wasn't the
Right it wasn't the right. Energy minnesota seemed much more,
(29:11):
relaxed much more, loose seemed like they had more. Fun,
yeah AND i think that showed off in the.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Court, Okay i've been saying this for. YEARS i understand
When america likes the. UNDERDOG i. Don't i'm A, Yankee,
Dodger Ohio. State you sound Like.
Speaker 5 (29:25):
Lebron i'm. Not this is The, lebron this is The
lebron fandom.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
List, Yeah i'm not an underdog. Fan you can DRAFT tcu,
players all Draft texas. GUYS i don't. Care and So
Brock purty everybody roots for, him it gets rainy and
he can't hold the. Ball If Austin reeves is, undrafted
there's a REASON i Like Austin. Reeves they don't have
a Big if he's a, three you're not winning the.
(29:50):
Championship if he's a, FOUR i don't think he's nearly
as good As Derek. White but if he is a,
four you could maybe get to the. Finals Because i'm
looking At Michael porter's a four with Us brook playing,
well he is he a five For? Denver their fifth best?
Player what is? This what is? This are they going
to Move Austin? Reeves and how do they view him in?
Speaker 5 (30:10):
HOUSE i don't think they're going to move. HIM i
don't think there is A.
Speaker 1 (30:14):
He was awful against the T.
Speaker 5 (30:15):
Wolves he Was he had a bad series and by
the way they kept throwing athletes at. Him a bad,
series but still. COLD i, mean LIKE i, mean bad
series to the eye, test more so than the. Numbers
certainly couldn't get to the, lawn you. KNOW i think
in some of that like this sounds like an, excuse
and it is what it. Is if you're on the,
court you're on the. Court he was playing through a
(30:37):
pretty severe foot, injury pretty severe toe injury in games
four and. FIVE i think the thing With austin there's
a couple of. Things, one this is a guy who
every time they've a challenge has been kind of issued to,
Him he's answered to. It he's answered it right from
being undrafted to Being can he be a rotation player
to being a? Starter can he?
Speaker 1 (30:55):
Be can you play With?
Speaker 5 (30:56):
Luca can he play With? Luca can he be you,
know at times the second best offensive player on this? Team,
yeah you, KNOW i think at the contract he's at,
certainly the relationship he has within the organization with with
people in the, organization the relationship he has with his
in the locker room as sort of like the bridge
between the lebron tier in the locker room and, say
(31:19):
like the bottom tier of the locker. Room like he's
the glue of all of, this, right he is the
guy that everybody can talk to and he's a problem.
Solver and they believe in. Him they really believe in.
Him they think this was a bad.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Series they want an all star back HE'S.
Speaker 5 (31:33):
I, mean, yeah like this is like tippy. TOP i,
mean this is A they view him as an all
star level player who makes fifteen million dollars so at
at the early stages of his.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
Prime, now BECAUSE i don't think you can run this
team back Lebron, Is hitt and Miss they need a.
Speaker 5 (31:48):
Center there's no doubt about. It and there's no doubt about.
Speaker 1 (31:50):
It J reddick doesn't Play Jackson. Hayes he's telling the front,
office get me a.
Speaker 5 (31:53):
Legitimitch so if, there if there was a, Center colin
that was like a, big big time needle, mover not
just like he's a good center because we Need that's
not A, bigford not a big TIME i, mean they're good,
players and they're players that would fit what The lakers are.
Doing they're not players that The lakers would part With
Austin reeves For Ney. Claxton they, Would, NO i don't.
(32:14):
Believe so, okay here's another.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
One there are certain things where people don't change like
you can. Get you can get, like for, instance you
could tell, somebody, hey if you don't stop, smoking you're
going to die, yep and they will stop. Smoking or
you need to lose weight you're. Unhealthy Uh and in your,
appearance do.
Speaker 5 (32:33):
You have my medical files back? Then it seems like
you might this is just somebody violate.
Speaker 1 (32:37):
Hippa, okay there are other things that people are what they,
are And i'll give you an. Example work. Ethic you
either grind or you. Don't if you're if you're, awaken big,
guy or you've always been party guy on. CAMPUS i love,
you but that's who you. Are sure it gets to
full all the guys that were party guys in, college
they're kind of they are what they.
Speaker 3 (32:58):
Are.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Ye so, Defense James harden has never cared about, It
Carmelo anthony never cared about, it And luca doesn't care about.
It Now jokic has made an. Improvement he's never going
to be great.
Speaker 5 (33:14):
DEFENSE i have two there's another name in, mind so Je.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
Knock is if you're having these meetings With luca and you're, like,
listen we need you to be. Blank, defensively this is
what he. Is. Now he can be a better version of.
This but how many years DO i have to see
teams attack him before we just acknowledge he's been playing
basketball for eighteen years this is what he is.
Speaker 5 (33:38):
Defensively, YEAH i think the frustrating part With Luka doncers'
defense is that in flashes like you see you know
the six foot seven guy us his body, well position it,
well move his, feet get into get into the spots
that he's use his brain right to be an active.
Defender you see it at. Times you saw it for
(33:59):
lightning bolt flats in this series when the stakes were.
Highest it wasn't consistent. Enough The lakers know. It luca
do just knows. That The Dallas mavericks knew. It Nuko
harrison knew, It the league. Knows the league. Knows this
is why you detacked. It this is the. Biggest one
of the biggest differences between last year's playoffs versus this
year's payoffs when it came To minnesota was that they
went At Luka dotcic harder this. Year they put him
(34:21):
in that, position and quite, frankly the way you need
to do it is that you need to build the
right kind of team defense around him and you can
get away with.
Speaker 1 (34:29):
It dallas gave you the. Roadmap so that's. Yeah kyrie
And luca were, together they started tanking to get and
then the next year in the trade, deadline they went
and got. Big you, have so The lakers liability is
the opposite of what works With. Luca you need rim protect.
Speaker 5 (34:46):
Yeah, colin AND i think you know that that sort
of you, Know hollywood summit or meeting or whatever you
want to call it Between luca And Rob LINCOLN Jj,
redick it was not all this, stuff. Right it was
the trade, happens, right and it is about Getting Luca
dodgic as comfortable as, possible as fast as, possible after having,
like you, know his entire professional like world just like
(35:06):
kind of ripped, down right, like because that's what this.
Was he didn't expect to be. Traded he was going
to finish his career In, dallas and then all of a,
sudden he's not, Right he's somewhere totally, new really playing
for the third team in his life as a as
a since he was. Fifteen this is the third different
team he's ever played. For SO i think the season
was about getting him as a justin as comfortables possible
(35:28):
and trying to maximize a roster that quite frankly wasn't
built for, him, Right and he's the kind of player
who when given a roster built for. Him we saw
what happened last year In, dallas AND i, think you,
know my understanding is what that meeting was was not
JUST jj And robb telling him put down the bread, basket,
like you, know we're gonna go keto this. Summer that's
(35:48):
not what it. Was it was What let's talk basketball.
Now now we can get into the part of. This you're,
here we think you're going to be here a long.
Time how do we make you the best version of?
Yourself what can we do to maximize your? Skills what
kind of players do you want to see around. You
let's get to. Work i'm building this thing out and
(36:09):
we've talked about. It you, know they need more length
and athleticism on the, wings more two way, players they
need more. Size easier said than. Done most teams want those.
Things they don't have a ton of assets to get.
It but you, KNOW i think there is a belief
at least you, know from The dodgers camp in sort
of what A Lebron Luca austin reeves core can, DO i,
(36:30):
think and then building around.
Speaker 1 (36:31):
It AND i think you got to move Off austin
if you want to get a legit. Big that's an uncomfortable,
conversation it.
Speaker 5 (36:36):
IS i just think that like by the, Way.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
Okay sees younger and, Better cleveland's younger and better indies,
younger AND i think. Better boston's. Better at some point
you just got to, say, guys we won The luca
trade by a, mile we could lose a.
Speaker 5 (36:48):
LITTLE i just think that's The the question to me
is just still, again is like where the big is
and who the big? Is AND i think Like gafford
For Austin, REEVES i think they can get gaffered Without Austin, reeves.
RIGHT i mean that's honestly they Have, ay they have
a first round. Pick you, know they have a a
player In dalton connect that that has some. VALUE i
(37:10):
think that can kind of get you there on the starting.
POINT i think you, know you have your, swaps you
can be more, creative you have like you have in
a roster building, thing, Right and it's it'll be interesting
how different the team is. Too you, know we don't
know What lebron's long term future. IS i mean we
do it's retirement. Eventually but but you, know when you
have a player you can count on around fifteen million
(37:34):
dollars and you've got your your your megamax, guy you
have more flexibility that it might. Appear AND i Think
i'm curious to see what The lakers do with their expiring.
Money they have some expiring, contracts they have a first
round pick they can, trade they can get a little
creative in. That AND i, think you, know they felt
one of the other. Things and it's funny how much
(37:54):
five games and four losses can change. Things but you,
know going into this, Playoffs, colin, Like i've bet around
teams that have said they think they can win championships
and we all know they. Couldn't This lakers team had that,
belief like they really had that, belief but like an authentic,
belief like a truly authentic.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
Belief YOU i think you can authentically believe a. Lot
that doesn't make it.
Speaker 5 (38:14):
True, Sure AND i THINK i think when they will
approach this, offseason they need to do so With this
is the hard part about team building in THE. Nba
you don't want to be. Reacting you don't want to
be too reactionary to what just. Happened but you have
to look at yourself in the mirror and know where you're.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
Soft, yeah and they. Don't rams are really good at
looking at themselves and asking hard. Questions i'm not sure
The lakers.
Speaker 5 (38:33):
ARE i, mean The lakers lost the first round series
three years, ago three years, ago three or four years
ago to The Phoenix. Suns, right, yes, right and decided
that the best course of action was to trade FOR Us.
Westbrook that was an, overreaction it was an. Overcome it
was an overreaction to what had happened this season. Before
they thought they needed more, punch they needed another ball,
handler they needed all these. Things they needed to make
(38:54):
a big, change that big. Change step back to the
organization multiple years and they were given away.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
Out but you're what you're largely saying is and this is.
True The lakers have always been at their best taking huge.
Speaker 5 (39:06):
Swings they get they get the big, stuff, Right, yeah
if they got to get the small, stuff we'll want
to Move Austin.
Speaker 1 (39:12):
Reeves you're not taking a. Swing Oklahoma city will be
marketedly Like. Cleveland they'll be better next. Year you're not going. Backwards,
sure and.
Speaker 5 (39:20):
San antonio is gonna San antonio is. Coming everybody knows
that's gonna.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
Happen think about. It we're gonna Keep, austin but we're
gonna Find, okay you need.
Speaker 5 (39:27):
You have to believe In. Luca you have to believe
in like you have to believe In Luca lukadot and
you have to believe In Austin.
Speaker 1 (39:34):
Reeves lebron's not getting. Younger Sure luca will never be
a great. Defender And austin is undrafted, good but he's.
Undrafted he was physically.
Speaker 5 (39:44):
Worked, YEAH i think this Is and WHEN. J. J
reddick says things like we need to be in championship, condition,
well like he's not just talking About, lukadatch it like
it is a more of a roster wide thing where
they need to. Be they need to be in a better.
Position Should should they have to play that style again
for the amount of time that they. Did, now perfect,
(40:05):
world you don't have to play that. Style you get
the big you get the right guy in. THERE i
think you keep your card. Together lakers are becoming and
that's the. Plan and that's the.
Speaker 1 (40:12):
Plan The lakers are becoming The. Clippers they're not going
to like. That, hey you know what next year When
kawhi comes, Back, no, No kawhi will play forty. Games,
Sure James harden will Be James. Harden The clippers now
are trying to talk. Them people do this all the.
Speaker 5 (40:27):
Time but Like Luka, Danci colin doesn't lose in the
first round the. Playoffs this is the anobum that's. Great
this is the anoum.
Speaker 1 (40:32):
Old austin's undrafted AND Jj reddick's got a ways to
go to an elite. Coach those things do not.
Speaker 5 (40:38):
Change, YEAH i agree with, you AND i think THAT
i think.
Speaker 1 (40:41):
You're higher on The lakers THAN i.
Speaker 5 (40:43):
AM i think WHAT i. THINK I i THINK i
believe in a in a dantic Like i've seen enough,
of like What luca at the core of a team
can be when when it's not.
Speaker 1 (40:53):
A great fit with a great Center, roto but when.
Speaker 5 (40:56):
It was not a great fit he went to The
Western conference, finals like when it with a really good
center with a really good a.
Speaker 1 (41:01):
Better, coach absolutely and a great center. Rotation lakers don't
have one. Center they, draws not, ONE i.
Speaker 5 (41:08):
Know and that's and that is the task this. Offseason
that is top line number.
Speaker 1 (41:12):
One you can't get there without moving. ON i think you.
Speaker 5 (41:14):
Can you Mentioned nick If Nick claxon to you answers that,
question just so you can Get Nick claxon without trading
off moves like you. Can't you have expiring. Money you
have a first round pick that'll get You Nick, clackson
like they WERE i, mean If Mark, williams if they
felt better about what they saw With Mark williams knees
and ankles and stuff like, that they Get Mark williams
With dalton connecting a first round, pick and the problem is.
Solved they can get. THERE i think that it is
(41:37):
going to be a very focused. Thing the CAUTION i
would say is again is that on paper they. Can
The lakers win the off season all the. Time on
paper doesn't mean. Anything you might wake up On july
second And Clint capella's on your team And Brook lopez
is on your team and you're, like we've got. Centers
they might not be the right fits if you watch
some if you watch the, Playoffs, colin this is the
(41:58):
biggest thing for. Me WHEN i look around at the
playouts last, night AND i was talking yesterday to a
scout about, this look at a guy Like Isaiah, hartenstein
right guarded, Joke it's great last night The clippers like
Chose John wall instead Of Isaiah. Hartenstein Isaiah hartenstein was
on The knicks and no longer on The. Knicks Isaiah
hartenstein was on The rockets and no longer on The.
(42:19):
Rockets you gotta get role players at the right. Time
he took the right. Situation he wasn't. Dead you got
to get him at the right, time in the right.
Situation and that's where the best executives do their best.
Work the Getting luca is the most important. Part what
matters most is what you put around it all.
Speaker 1 (42:35):
Right thirty, SECONDS kd thirty. Seconds where's the end?
Speaker 5 (42:39):
UP i think It's houston just seems like the most.
Speaker 1 (42:42):
Logical, yeahs.
Speaker 5 (42:44):
San. Antonio if we want to get really, wild.
Speaker 1 (42:49):
You got a lot of. Pecks, WELL i, Mean houston's
not getting both of.
Speaker 5 (42:51):
Them LIKE i, mean, like If jannis wants to, win
that's a fun pathway to. Winning if he wants to
go to a big, market it gets a little.
Speaker 1 (43:00):
Trickier big markets don't matter, ANYMORE i don't. THINK i,
MEAN i think it helps shame quality of.
Speaker 5 (43:05):
Life it matters quality of life people at a certain
point whey where they want to. Live but LIKE i,
THINK i Think, Giannis Like giannis is fascinating because he
has maximized his opportunity In. Milwaukee he's enjoyed it. There
he's been great for that. Community there's tons of like
the ties are really strong. There we'll. SEE i Mean.
Miami you could build around him pretty. Easily.
Speaker 1 (43:24):
There they have to give Me Tyler, Hero.
Speaker 5 (43:27):
Milwaukee's Own wisconsin Legend tyler.
Speaker 1 (43:30):
Here miami doesn't have enough to give it.
Speaker 5 (43:32):
PICKS i mean like it's gonna have to be LIKE i,
mean the teams that have the STUFF i.
Speaker 1 (43:35):
Want Shen goon or we're not hanging the phone.
Speaker 5 (43:38):
Up houston would do that in a second For Shane.
Speaker 1 (43:42):
Goon i'm not getting them. IN i want Shen.
Speaker 5 (43:45):
Goon you're starting with the, Men. Thompson that is where
that conversation.
Speaker 1 (43:48):
Is i'm not moving. HIM i. Wouldn't maybe they.
Speaker 5 (43:50):
Don't get y honist, like that's where you don't have to.
Trade never. Trade you don't want to put yourself in
The nico position where you don't end up with the
players you. Want you got to. Get, well he got
the player. One it Was. Anthony you have to get
the young players you want if you're gonna trade You.
Speaker 1 (44:03):
Shen, Goon Jalen, green three first round picks And Jabari.
Smith not, enough not, enough.
Speaker 5 (44:10):
Not, enough not for. Honest, sorry let me tell you
get off more than.
Speaker 2 (44:14):
That Because i'm looking at CHAT gbt the most draft
capital next five.
Speaker 1 (44:18):
Years, ok Se.
Speaker 5 (44:20):
Brooklyn YOU i mean, okay, see, okay so you can get,
there that's. It, okay so you can get there fun
and they can get there.
Speaker 1 (44:26):
Quickly they could win next. Year. Anyway we'll.
Speaker 5 (44:30):
See they got some big game work to.
Speaker 1 (44:31):
Do, well, yeah that's we'll.
Speaker 5 (44:33):
See they got some big game.
Speaker 1 (44:34):
Works one guy on this set Thought denver had a
shot in this. Series that's, right the old gray haired, guy.
Speaker 5 (44:43):
Not the former smoker with the weight. Problem that's. Good
i'm glad it wasn't.
Speaker 1 (44:46):
Him ki
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