June 16, 2026 • 32 mins
NFL insider Mike Florio explains the Brendan Sorsby situation and shares how some teams may have reservations about taking him in the NFL Supplemental Draft. NBA analyst Tim Legler points to inexperience being the Spurs' downfall and praises Jalen Brunson for his footwork and intelligence. Newly crowned NBA Champion Mikal Bridges reflects on the Knicks' historic championship run and looks back on early days at Villanova.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You are listening to the Dan Patrick Show on Fox
Sports Radio, Mike.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Florio Pro Football Talk, And whenever I need to be
made smarter with the NFL, I always call Mike and
Mike joins this. Now, all right, Mike, how does the
supplemental Draft work?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
We know, Dan, I haven't had one since twenty twenty
three and no them was picked that year.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
The loud.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Draft was twenty nineteen. And what it is. People say
the NFL doesn't have a draft lottery. The supplemental draft
is basically a lottery. They break the teams into three
groups based on how they finished the prior year. Teams
with six or fewer wins are in one group. Teams
with six and more wins it didn't make the playoffs
or and another playoff teams are in the third. To
do a weighted lottery to determine priority, and then they
(00:44):
basically go round by round where you have to put
in that you're willing to give up your pick in
next year's draft. If you use, for example, third round
pick to get Brendon Zoresby, you'd lose next year's third
round pick. You bid in advance of the round, and
then they see how many teams put in and the
team that is highest on the priority list gets it.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Okay, maybe it's too early to handicap what he's worth.
I think he's got first round talent. But what is
somebody willing to give up for Brendan Soresby In your opinion.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Well, it's going to be a team by team decision, Dan,
and I think it would be foolish to disregard the
outcry over the past week and just the pr bunglings
by Texas Tech and the storm of controversy that emerged.
I think it's going to scare some owners off. This
is a guy who touches the ball on every play.
You're gonna want to be one hundred percent sure you're
(01:38):
not going to have an archileister or some other issue.
In this day and age where the NFL is trying
very hard to walk the line between profiting from gambling
but also keeping any scandals from infiltrating the sport, I
think that's going to be a big factor. And you've
got limited time to properly scout him. You've got limited
time to get to the bottom of the gambling issu
(02:00):
you and any associated diagnoses. I think some teams are
going to say we're not going to do it. Now.
You're going to have other teams that you know, like
the Browns frankly, that look at everything as an analytical exercise,
and they're going to try to project with the value
of Brendan Soresby is and who knows what they will do.
Their coach, Todd Munkin, is the only coach who has
(02:20):
spoken publicly about Swersby since all of this first came up.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Any chance the NFL does not let Soorsby into the
supplemental Draft or punishes him retroactively once he gets into
the NFL like Cherrelle Prior.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
And those are the two big questions Dan. First, will
they accept his application for eligibility. I was looking at
the CBA today. There's enough language in there to let
them basically do whatever they want. They could say, for example,
if they want to that you knew you weren't going
to be eligible for twenty twenty six, You knew what
you had done, You knew which way this was going
to go. You deliberately waited until after the regular draft
(02:58):
and then played your call cards and realized it wasn't
going to work, and then you went into the supplemental draft.
I'm not saying they're going to do that, but if
the NFL wants to find a way to keep him out,
they could cobble something together. And then as to the suspension, Yeah,
in twenty eleventh for out prior to Stace in the
five game suspension from the NCAAA, he ended the supplemental draft.
They let him in, but then they suspended him five
(03:19):
games to simulate what college football had done. There are
people around the league who already are concerned that he
may not be allowed to play at all in twenty
twenty six under the same reasoning that the NCAA applied.
But the counter to that is two things. One, he
has violated no NFL policies. He's done nothing wrong as
far as the NFL's concerned. And number two, Kaysehawan Boody,
(03:40):
the Patriots receiver, he admitted to a gambling addiction. He
admitted he bet on LSU when he played for LSU,
and when his underage betting came to light, the NFL
didn't do anything. Now, he'd already been in the NFL
for a year, but the NFL did nothing to him.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
I couldn't help but notice the lawyer that he hired
Jeffrey Kessler, who's been a thorn in the side of
the NFL. I think worked for the NFL Players Association,
if I had that right, Mike, Yeah, he's.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Been a long time advocate on behalf of the players.
He's been one of the instrumental figures in the various
anti trust cases that have basically left the NCAA toothless.
And when that hire was made, that was one of
the first points we made at TFT. This is a
two pronged higher this is all right, let's try to
let's try to figure out what's going to happen with
NCAA eligibility. And if that doesn't work, You've got a
(04:27):
guy who who has been in the in the mud
with the NFL many times, and I'm told he's already
working on the NFL to make sure they don't throw
up roadblocks for Brendan Soresby.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Who had a good day yesterday, Mike, A good day NCAA,
Big twelve, Texas Tech.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
An existential.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Look.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
It was a good day for the NCAA. It was
a good day for the Big twelve. I think what
happened yesterday between the Big Twelve filing its lawsuit against
Texas to and the NCAA filing its appeal in the
ruling that would have allowed stores Me to play this year.
I think he realized, I can't take the chance that
I ultimately don't play at all. In twenty twenty six,
(05:14):
they put him in checkmate, and the only smart move
at that point was to say, I'm just going to
fold the tents on this when and go to the NFL.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
I don't know access to medical records, Mike. You know
that the gambling part of this. I was also told
that through all of this he has anxiety and panic
disorder issues, like I don't know what's fair game here.
If I'm a team that I can ask for and
that they would accommodate.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Well, you know how this goes, Dan. They get everything
to get everything. That's why they do the scouting combine.
They go there to pop and fraud and find out
anything they can physically and medically about the player. And
if there's any resistance in being fully transparent, then they
just won't draft you. And so he's going to have
to be ready to let them ask any and all
questions they want to ask. He's going to have to
answer them. Persuasively. And that's the kind of thing where
(06:04):
I think owners who are already on the fence, if
they get the impression they're not getting the full story,
they're not going to authorize next year's draft pick on
a guy who may not play for them this year.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
If ever, if you're the NFL and I give you
one question to ask in this situation, what are you asking?
Speaker 3 (06:24):
Wow, that's a good question, which is my way of
buying time. I don't think there's any one question. I
think you just need to know everything you can about
how he got here and where he is now, what
is his status right now? And you know, any addiction,
(06:45):
any addiction is you don't just flip a switch. It's
a process. And I would want to have somebody fully
evaluate where he is right now and is he ready
to jump straight into an NFL training camp with no offseason.
He's going to get drafted if he does, and he's
giving you a straight to training camp. That's a hell
of an adjustment for a guy who's apparently dealing with
anxiety and stress and trying to overcome this addiction. So
(07:07):
I would just want to have a very reliable snapshot
of what's going on with him right now.
Speaker 5 (07:12):
Thank you, Mike, and I hope you have a good day.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
You Dan, I'll say you, buddy.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
Mike Florio.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Be sure to catch the live edition of The Dan
Patrick Show weekdays at nine am Eastern six am Pacific
on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 6 (07:30):
Ste Gots Here. I have a podcast Empire. It continues
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I'm also doing a live radio show from three to
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Wife wanted to kick me out of the house.
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It's called Stagatzi Company Live, which is available in podcast
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Speaker 4 (07:54):
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It's one of my favorite.
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A lot of interact shit guys not taking too seriously.
Those are just some of the things that you could
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So listen to Steve gots and Company Live and our
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Speaker 4 (08:19):
You do it today and.
Speaker 6 (08:20):
You can check all of those out on the iHeartRadio app,
Apple podcast or wherever.
Speaker 7 (08:26):
You get your podcasts.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
I refuse to let Tim Legler start his summer vacation
without coming on one more time the ESPN lead NBA analysts, Tim,
thank you. I never thought I would say this, that
the younger team seemed more tired and certainly wemby at
the end of most of these games. How much do
you think that played a role in all the comebacks
(08:53):
that the Knicks had.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
I think fatigue factored in Dan.
Speaker 8 (08:57):
I definitely think that was the case we commented on
during the broadcast, But I think more than anything, it
was an uncertainty and a lack of identity in those
moments that determine the games. I really think that was
the biggest factor. And experience is a big part. You've
got some more veteran players on the Knicks, and but
for me, it starts with your identity where you want
(09:18):
to go with the games on the line. The Knicks
have no questions whatsoever in that regard. It's going to
be Jalen Brunson. He's going to determine it. Everybody plays
off of him, and the San Antonio Spurs had moments
where they kind of looked around at each other, unsure
about what exactly.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
It is that they wanted to do.
Speaker 8 (09:35):
And I think, look, part of that is Mitch Johnson
also a very young coach going through it for the
first time, but he has limitations as a coach if
some of his players have some limitations in those moments,
and they do, and that is now the next step.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
For this group.
Speaker 8 (09:50):
They've got their three best players are twenty two and under.
They've got to address look in the mirror and address
some of the things that they need to improve and
Girl Ponds they won't be in that situation anymore where
they don't have answers late in games, because that was
the difference in the series.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Did Victor win Betniyama have a good finals, Yeah, he
had a good finals.
Speaker 8 (10:11):
Well, he didn't have a sensational finals. He wasn't the
best player.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
On the floor.
Speaker 8 (10:15):
They probably needed him to be more often, particularly in
the fourth quarters of games. I'm not gonna say he
didn't have a good finals. I think he did, and
I think there were times that he went through stretches
where he had dominance, but it.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Was for short bursts more so than sustaining it.
Speaker 8 (10:32):
Throughout the forty eight minutes and certainly in those moments
that determined this series. That I think is where his
biggest challenge comes from. And look, we've talked about it before.
He's seven to four. It's not like he could just
bring the ball up, operate eve of the ball screen
as the ball handler or gisco iso from wherever he
wants on the floor like most of the elite scorers.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
In this league.
Speaker 8 (10:54):
It's different for him. Doesn't mean he can't be equally dominant.
I just think there's an area of the floor he
hasn't mastered yet that he has to and it's that
area from fifteen to twenty feet in that dirt Novitsky
type top of the key elbows, jab steps, shoot over you,
jab step, go by you with one dribble. He doesn't
really operate much in that area of the floor. It's
(11:16):
either rim runs or he's behind the three point line
a lot. So I think that's the next step in
the evolution for Victor webin Yama, and it'll help him
decide games.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Let's look at the immediate futures of both of these teams.
Start with the knicks. They're set with their starting five.
I don't know if they have any pending free agents.
Money issues with these guys so handicap the Knicks going
into next season.
Speaker 4 (11:42):
Yeah. Look, I think the Knicks are now.
Speaker 8 (11:44):
The thing that they've done is they've answered questions that
maybe they even had internally about themselves. It look the
path was cleared slightly for them this year with Boston
missing Tatum for most of the season. Know how le
Burton in Indiana, Detroit doesn't have enough shooting. They were
exposed for that later the Cavaliers, we've seen like that
(12:04):
mental toughness that you need is lacking.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Philly was hurt most of the year.
Speaker 8 (12:09):
So there were things that went right, And I'm not
trying to dismiss it or diminish anything the Nicks did
because they played incredible basketball. But they took advantage of
the situation, which is what you have to do because
you never know when these opportunities present themselves. So now
they look at themselves as champions, They're going to feel
differently about themselves and their ability to navigate any situation
(12:30):
going in to next year. There is no reason to
think that the Knicks can't return to the finals, can't
have an opportunity to repeat next year. There's no doubt
in my mind that they're going to be one of
those teams on a very short list of teams that
could win a championship next year.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
And then the Spurs. You've talked about their young players.
I mean, you do have the Deern Fox question because
now he's going to be your highest paid player by far.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
Can you use him differently?
Speaker 7 (13:01):
Maybe?
Speaker 8 (13:03):
I think you Ken, And I also think people out
there that now want to take it to the extreme
and oh, you got to move them, you got to
cut them. You know, you should never see the floor again.
You know, that's just not the way the NBA works.
The guy's gonna make a lot of money. He's still
a very good player. There's no doubt he struggled, not
only in the finals but during the postseason. I think
in general he took a step back offensively because he could,
(13:26):
and he accepted that.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
But I think that going.
Speaker 8 (13:30):
Forward, the future is going to be Stefan Castle and
Dylan Harper. There's no question about that.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Now.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
Both of those guys need to continue to prove their
offensive games.
Speaker 8 (13:39):
Because Castle improved his like wide open three point shooting.
I think he was over forty percent after the All
Star break. That's still a weakness in Dylan Harper's game.
He can make him in rhythm. But the combination of
what those guys do offensively and defensively, the pressure they
put on you in the paint, address their shooting, continue
to improve that area that is your backcourt.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
And for Dearon Fox, I almost they.
Speaker 8 (14:00):
Feel like now he should be a guy that's he's
still going to play twenty five thirty minutes a night.
Maybe he's the guy that's more anchored to your second
unit because I still think.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
He is still can be an elite scorer a lot
of nights.
Speaker 8 (14:11):
If he's out there more as your combo guard off
the bench, that might be a better role for him.
But that's a lot of money for a guy coming
off the bench.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
I get it. But the future is castle in Harper.
There's no question about that.
Speaker 8 (14:23):
This is gonna be one of the best backcourts in
the NBA, like within the next couple of years. I
think Dylan Harper has a chance to be like an
All League type of player.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
That's where you need to go.
Speaker 8 (14:33):
And it was obvious to me throughout the Finals they
were a better team with Dylan Harper was on the.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Floor talking to Tim Legler, ESPN lead NBA analyst, trying
to explain the Jalen Brunson ability to close. We had
somebody call in say, you know, this is like Mamba mentality.
It's Michael Jordan at the end of games, and I
you know, once again we have a rush to judgment.
(14:58):
You know, it's recency buys. Yeah, Brunchon had a fabulous postseason.
Can you start to put him in any other categories
here as far as more than just hey, you want
a title and you're great player. Has he elevated to
a different platform for you?
Speaker 4 (15:21):
He definitely has.
Speaker 8 (15:22):
And I mean I don't know that it was going
to take like this finals run or that finals performance
in game five.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
To me, he's sort of already gotten.
Speaker 8 (15:31):
There because of what he's done here since he got
to New York, and more importantly, the way he typically
plays in the fourth quarter of games, the way that
he takes over games, the fact that he's completely unphased
in those moments in the game that speeds guys up
in clouds thinking it's difficult to operate with that level
of pressure on you that efficiently. He's done that since
(15:51):
he got to New York really before that, I mean
go back to college. Certainly he had a playoff run
in Dallas where he started to see it. Now he's
at the point where you go, is there anybody else
in the league that you trust more with the ball
in their hands with the game on the line than
Jalen Brunson. I mean, that's he's literally elevated himself to
right there at the top of the list. If you
don't want to say he's, you know, clearly the guy.
(16:12):
He's certainly on the on that top two three guys
in the league that you want the ball in his
hands because what he has shown you is he has
an ability to process high pressure situations in a way
that most guys are never capable of getting to. And
it's amazing because he doesn't do it with anything that.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
He's relying on Athletically.
Speaker 8 (16:33):
It's all based on footwork, playing multiple speeds, getting you
off balance, touch, iq strength, you name it, like that's
what it is.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
But it's not.
Speaker 8 (16:44):
It's not getting off the ground to elevate over guys.
It's not blowing by guys. It's not a crazy handle.
It's just an ability to understand where he wants to
go keep you off balance, to prevent you from dictating
to him anything. He dictates terms to you whatever's in
front of them.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Very few guys.
Speaker 8 (17:03):
In this league right now can dictate to the defense
the way that Jalen Brunson can. He's never at your mercy,
you're always at his. And that's a very, very very
unique quality to have.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I think he learned something from Luca because Luca does
the same thing. You know, he's not blowing by you,
he's not jumping over you. He has ability. Kawhi had
had this ability where they kind of create the tempo,
you go to their speed, and I can't help but
think that when Jalen was there in Dallas watching what
Luca was doing, It's basically, I'm going to control the
(17:37):
tempo as well. I'm going to play the angles. I
know what I can do and where I can do it.
You just have to try to figure out getting there
before I do.
Speaker 8 (17:46):
He has a quality den and look, you don't and
you're you know, you're not comparing him to like players
because they're all so different. But there are guys historically
in all sports, not just basketball, that have that quality
of certainty, And man, does that mean a lot to
a team, like when your best player is that sure
of the moment of themselves and their ability to operate
(18:08):
in those moments and be able to see things at
the same speed that they do all the rest of
the time with the game hanging in the balance.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
Is an incredibly rare quality that the greats have had.
Speaker 8 (18:22):
In all of the team sports that we watch and cover,
and even individual sports like golf, we see guys that
have that ability, that that laser focus ability to be
so sure of themselves that you basically take any self
doubt out.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Of the equation.
Speaker 8 (18:36):
Now it's all muscle memory, and that's what Jalen Brunson
has gotten to. He's just in that place where when
you need to have it, he's going to deliver because
he's that certain of the outcome. It's it's really fascinating
to watch and he put on a game. He put
on a show on Game five that we're gonna be
talking about for years and years and years to come.
And that series had moments obviously that we'll be talking
(18:58):
about the are iconic fifty years from now. That we're
showing the og Ananobi tip in as the open to
the NBA Finals, there's no doubt in my mind.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Yeah, Isaiah Thomas had this uh you know, smallest guy
usually on the floor, but he had that confidence and
wanted the ball game on the line. And I mean
there's something about that. You know, it's your DNA. They're
just certain guys who were made for those moments. I
still don't know why san Antonio didn't double Jalen Brunt,
like I never ever want him to beat me. I know,
(19:27):
he's the only guy on the floor who can beat me.
He's the only guy.
Speaker 8 (19:31):
Talked about it repeatedly, you know, and it's you never
give him the same look all the time, and so
they you know, you got to mix it up.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
Sometimes you blitz them, sometimes you don't. Here's what I what.
Speaker 8 (19:40):
I felt like I saw out of San Antonio when
they got leads, and they had double digit leads in
every game. When they got double digit leads, they got
so conservative at their approach to him because they did
not want to give up three point shots. I just
I just didn't understand the guy had almost half of
their points in a closeout game. You had to go
og Ananoby wasn't in rhythm. Michale Bridges wasn't really in
(20:03):
a rhythm. Karl Anthony Towns had two points in the game.
They weren't getting anything off their bench. You have to
force that ball out of his hands and see who
else can go make a play, and then you can
always adjust back. But to repeatedly have that much faith
in your individual defenders that they can handle him one
on one, because you got Wemby back there. He's not
(20:24):
trying to get all the way to the rim. Typically,
he's trying to operate in that mid range area, and
that means one guy's not gonna be able to handle
that unless you take it out of his hand. So
I agree with you, and I said it repeatedly throughout
the broadcast. That's how I'm the same, Like I wouldn't
want to go into the summer playing against that team
knowing I didn't force that to happen, and maybe a
(20:44):
team gets in that situation.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Next time around, you're gonna see something different.
Speaker 8 (20:47):
You can't give it till the entire time because then
it's too easy to grow up a game plan to
pick it apart. But they didn't to me take the
ball out of his hands enough in game.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Five, Since I won't be talking to you for a while.
If you could put Janice in Boston or Miami, which
appear to be the two front runners, which situation makes
the most sense.
Speaker 8 (21:10):
Man, Miami to me would be you know, that would
be most more interesting because I think that would elevate
them immediately to a team that can contend. Boston, to me,
is already gonna contend even if they don't do anything.
They're already kind of in that category. So for me
to add another team to the mix, that makes it
more fascinating to me where Yannis ends up, because that's
always a good thing. Just more teams that you look
(21:32):
at as relevant that potentially could make a deep run
and maybe even get to the finals. Giannis, is that
kind of tipping point player? Boston's already gonna be in
that category even if they don't make a move.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
I know you like Dylan Harper a lot. If I
said you could have Dylan Harper or Cooper Flag, Oh.
Speaker 4 (21:53):
Man, why would you make me make a decision like that?
I want both? I want both?
Speaker 5 (21:57):
Is it that close? Is it that close?
Speaker 4 (22:00):
Do you like? Do you like RIBI? I like both.
That's how I would answer that question.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Give me the surf and turf so you're saying now,
three months ago, if I asked you're taking Cooper flag.
Speaker 8 (22:15):
I would say, listen to me, I would probably lean
Cooper flag right now because Cooper Flag to me, this
year demonstrated more overall versatility in his game. I had
more on his plate. Honestly, Dylan Harper is playing on
a great team, so he had a more defined role
certainly throughout most of the regular season now that expanded
into postseason. I think both of these guys are going
(22:39):
to be All League players. I think both of these
guys are going to be the type of guys that
could be the best player on teams that.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
Can contend down the road.
Speaker 8 (22:46):
But right now, as we sit here, Cooper Flagg has
demonstrated he's just got a little bit more well rounded versatility,
and obviously he's bigger, so that always is going to help.
But I have no hesitation in saying that, I think
Dylan Harper are not always going to be an All
League player, like a first team All League guard down
the road. And I don't know how long he stays
at Wemby in San Antonio, but at some point, these
(23:07):
guys typically kind of want to be the best player
on their own team. If that gets to the place
down the road, I think Dylan Harper is going to
be that good that he can be a top flight
guard that can lead a team deep into the postseason.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Great stuff this year. Thank you for being available to.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
Me always, Dan, anything you need.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
Jim Legler. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk
lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at
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FSR to listen live.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
He is now an NBA champ. Mikale Bridges New York
Knicks forward. Is that sunk in yet?
Speaker 7 (23:48):
Not yet?
Speaker 9 (23:49):
I think when the parade happens, I think it is
probably gonna be the most right there.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
Well, what left you more exhausted playing in the finals
or celebrating after playing in the finals?
Speaker 7 (24:00):
To the mix of both?
Speaker 9 (24:01):
This's other, that's a mix of both, morey more the
files a little more mentally than anything, but physically.
Speaker 7 (24:09):
I don't know what to tack. I don't know if
I give you answer on that one.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
Uh, let me go back to Game four when you're
down twenty nine, what's Mike Brown say to you?
Speaker 5 (24:18):
Guys?
Speaker 9 (24:19):
Just one possession at a time. That's pretty much it
and just keep you know, keep chopping at it. You know,
you can't get it back on one possession, so just
taking one posision at a time, and that's what we did.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
I was talking to Tim Legler about this last hour.
I said, you know, the Spurs are a young team,
but they seemed really tired at the end of all
of those games. Why why is that? Younger guys should
be in great shape. But it felt like you guys
had a different gear.
Speaker 7 (24:50):
I mean, I.
Speaker 9 (24:51):
Guess you saw it. I didn't see. I didn't see that.
I didn't I could tell if they was tired or not.
They're really good team young and maybe coming off that
game the seven, you know, game seven against uh Okay see,
but firstly, I think they retired.
Speaker 7 (25:07):
But you know, they're a really good young team and
they just go keep fighting to.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
Then, if somebody had never seen jail and Brunson play,
how would you describe his style?
Speaker 9 (25:19):
Scial skill and footwork. That's pretty much and like elite
shot making. So that's all that's my three right there.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
And he's not afraid either, No, no, never, But when
did you notice that You go back to college and
all of a sudden you knew, okay, there's something different.
Speaker 9 (25:37):
Yeah, when he came in as a freshman, like McDonald's
all American and everything, and he started like he started
as a freshman on our on the championship team. So
you know that we'll coach right with Jay Wright as
a coach, and that's not easy to do. And it's
just him go out there fighting every single day in
the summer on the summer session and then you know,
(26:02):
coming to the you know, the our first like preseason,
he was just you just see the skill and the toughness.
Speaker 7 (26:09):
He had right away.
Speaker 9 (26:10):
And that's how that's how he started on a championship
team as a freshman.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Jay Wright joined us yesterday and coach said that you
guys made fun of Jalen when he was the preseason
n I T MVP and as a freshman, and you
guys were making fun of him that he was trying
too hard to be the MVP, when according to coach,
you guys felt like anybody could have been the MVP
of that preseason n I T.
Speaker 7 (26:37):
Oh.
Speaker 9 (26:41):
I was a really trip when I was young at
that time too. I was just trying to make sure
I have messed up on that court. I was really
worried about that.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
And he talked about you came in as a skinny
kid and you'd go you go one on one with
Josh Hart all the time, and that like that first
year or that red shirt seemed to really change life
for Are you what did you learn when you have
to sit and watch everybody play?
Speaker 7 (27:04):
Yeah, it was tough.
Speaker 9 (27:05):
I think it was one of the toughest, you know,
years of my life going on playing basketball every single
year and then you know, you finally get to college
and now you're told you have to sit out a
whole year when you're completely healthy.
Speaker 7 (27:19):
So that was it was.
Speaker 9 (27:20):
It was tough because you know, you want to play
and be out there and an excitement from going Division
one and you've got your family and friends. But you know,
it was really about pretty like halfway through is where
I started to click, from me where I felt myself
getting stronger, from myself getting better, where I was just like, Okay,
this is the best thing for me.
Speaker 7 (27:40):
But at the beginning it was tough.
Speaker 9 (27:43):
I was, you know, I was upset and everything just
because I couldn't play. I got to sit out a
whole year. But obviously grand scheme of things was the
best thing ever happened. And I learned patience has just
learned just with your time, and I just learned just
workout habits like how to how to be a person,
to stay in a gym, how to want to be
(28:03):
in a gym, and all those things.
Speaker 7 (28:05):
So I was just very grateful for that.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
We're talking to Michale Bridges, the Knicks forward NBA champ
is Spike Lee gonna get.
Speaker 5 (28:12):
A championship ring?
Speaker 7 (28:13):
He should for sure?
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Okay, how many of these rings are you? Do you
think that James Dolan's gonna be handing out a lot? Patrick,
Patrick Ewing get one, of course, Tracy Morgan, Yeah, everybody?
Speaker 7 (28:30):
You getting any funny?
Speaker 2 (28:31):
I'm gonna say yes, every Timothy Shallamay he gets one?
Speaker 7 (28:34):
Everybody?
Speaker 5 (28:36):
Okay? Does does Kylie Jenner get one?
Speaker 9 (28:39):
No?
Speaker 7 (28:40):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (28:41):
Okay, all right.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
You're really generous with your your owner's money. Take me
back when James Dolan addressed the team prior to the playoffs,
like he gave you guys his speech.
Speaker 9 (28:52):
Yeah, it was great because you get kind of you know,
you talked to those before. But I know I've seem
like him coming over here. He was getting outside his
comfort zone a little bit, so I think he's pretty sure.
Speaker 7 (29:06):
You know, let the that's.
Speaker 9 (29:08):
Where he has Leon hired Leon, you know, get our
coaches and let them kind of talk to the team
like that's he kind of let like the players and
the coaches.
Speaker 7 (29:16):
Of the gym, you know, over there. And obviously he'll
say his words when he sees us.
Speaker 9 (29:21):
But I think he got out of his comfort zone
for the Packs pretty much that whole year, because even
in the preseason, he had a speech he talked to
us when he was at dinner as a whole team.
It was really cool to see, you know, and and
I appreciate so much for that, and I gave him
confidence both times, just like you know, I love his speech,
and you could tell I'm a guy I don't love
(29:41):
public speaking that much. And I think he's fine, but
I could tell that it was a little bit outside
his comfort zone. And I just appreciate it for that
because he didn't have to, you know what I'm saying.
He didn't have to, but he did that because he
truly believed and he truly wanted to win of the city.
And yeah, that's that's that's really dope with him.
Speaker 5 (30:04):
What did you say from Game five?
Speaker 2 (30:08):
What did I say uniform? What did what are you
keeping from?
Speaker 7 (30:14):
When he oh, oh yeah everything. I put everything in
a mesh bag.
Speaker 9 (30:19):
Got my sneakers, got the got the goggles, hat jerseys.
Speaker 7 (30:23):
Damn there, tights and socks too.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
Uh So when did you get a nickname? The warden?
Is that true?
Speaker 9 (30:31):
When I was in Phoenix, fans used to call me that.
That was funny. I always like the word was just hilarious.
I think I got nicknames that I don't mean. I
don't call myself no nickname or anything, but that was
pretty cool.
Speaker 5 (30:44):
Just like, wait, but why are you the warden?
Speaker 7 (30:47):
Because they say a lot of people up on defense.
Speaker 5 (30:50):
Oh okay, okay, So.
Speaker 7 (30:53):
It was pretty cool. It was it was It was
It's an honor, you know, it's a big compliment.
Speaker 5 (30:59):
It's a good thing.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
You didn't play when Michael Jordan played if you had
that nickname, because Mike, Mike would want to tort you.
Speaker 7 (31:05):
Literally, Yeah, all the fans would bought us, pressure.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
On me to go guarded as and then you were
Brooklyn Bridges with the nets.
Speaker 7 (31:13):
Yeah, that was pretty cool.
Speaker 9 (31:15):
I like that one too, just it was just easy
means since Yeah, yeah, I appreciate all my times, but
every everywhere I was at, all the fans and everything too.
Speaker 2 (31:25):
And then you became known as the five draft picks
guy with the nick I guess that's not a great
nick that's you don't need a nickname with that. But
are you are you did your dad? Somebody said you
were putting out a T shirt.
Speaker 9 (31:43):
Me. No, I'll think, uh, A lot of fans, even
my teammates and stuff, but the five picks thing, I
don't really obviously, I'm very grateful and blessed that you know, you.
Speaker 7 (31:58):
Know, Dolan and LEI did that to get me, for sure.
A lot of people, you know, you're saying f and
pix and stuff. That's not my motive when I got there.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
So, okay, you got to sober up for Thursday, right,
you're gonna be You got a little bit of time
in between celebrating. You got to be ready for that
that parade.
Speaker 7 (32:21):
Yeah, I'll be ready. I was so ready. I'm gonna be.
You're ready for that.
Speaker 5 (32:26):
For eight Uh?
Speaker 2 (32:27):
Well, congratulations, it was a wonderful run. Great to see
and have fun on Thursday.
Speaker 7 (32:32):
Of course, man, thank you thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
That's Michale Bridges. He's the warden walking people up
You are listening to the Dan Patrick Show on Fox
Sports Radio, Mike.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Florio Pro Football Talk, And whenever I need to be
made smarter with the NFL, I always call Mike and
Mike joins this. Now, all right, Mike, how does the
supplemental Draft work?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
We know, Dan, I haven't had one since twenty twenty
three and no them was picked that year.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
The loud.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Draft was twenty nineteen. And what it is. People say
the NFL doesn't have a draft lottery. The supplemental draft
is basically a lottery. They break the teams into three
groups based on how they finished the prior year. Teams
with six or fewer wins are in one group. Teams
with six and more wins it didn't make the playoffs
or and another playoff teams are in the third. To
do a weighted lottery to determine priority, and then they
(00:44):
basically go round by round where you have to put
in that you're willing to give up your pick in
next year's draft. If you use, for example, third round
pick to get Brendon Zoresby, you'd lose next year's third
round pick. You bid in advance of the round, and
then they see how many teams put in and the
team that is highest on the priority list gets it.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Okay, maybe it's too early to handicap what he's worth.
I think he's got first round talent. But what is
somebody willing to give up for Brendan Soresby In your opinion.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Well, it's going to be a team by team decision, Dan,
and I think it would be foolish to disregard the
outcry over the past week and just the pr bunglings
by Texas Tech and the storm of controversy that emerged.
I think it's going to scare some owners off. This
is a guy who touches the ball on every play.
You're gonna want to be one hundred percent sure you're
(01:38):
not going to have an archileister or some other issue.
In this day and age where the NFL is trying
very hard to walk the line between profiting from gambling
but also keeping any scandals from infiltrating the sport, I
think that's going to be a big factor. And you've
got limited time to properly scout him. You've got limited
time to get to the bottom of the gambling issu
(02:00):
you and any associated diagnoses. I think some teams are
going to say we're not going to do it. Now.
You're going to have other teams that you know, like
the Browns frankly, that look at everything as an analytical exercise,
and they're going to try to project with the value
of Brendan Soresby is and who knows what they will do.
Their coach, Todd Munkin, is the only coach who has
(02:20):
spoken publicly about Swersby since all of this first came up.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Any chance the NFL does not let Soorsby into the
supplemental Draft or punishes him retroactively once he gets into
the NFL like Cherrelle Prior.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
And those are the two big questions Dan. First, will
they accept his application for eligibility. I was looking at
the CBA today. There's enough language in there to let
them basically do whatever they want. They could say, for example,
if they want to that you knew you weren't going
to be eligible for twenty twenty six, You knew what
you had done, You knew which way this was going
to go. You deliberately waited until after the regular draft
(02:58):
and then played your call cards and realized it wasn't
going to work, and then you went into the supplemental draft.
I'm not saying they're going to do that, but if
the NFL wants to find a way to keep him out,
they could cobble something together. And then as to the suspension, Yeah,
in twenty eleventh for out prior to Stace in the
five game suspension from the NCAAA, he ended the supplemental draft.
They let him in, but then they suspended him five
(03:19):
games to simulate what college football had done. There are
people around the league who already are concerned that he
may not be allowed to play at all in twenty
twenty six under the same reasoning that the NCAA applied.
But the counter to that is two things. One, he
has violated no NFL policies. He's done nothing wrong as
far as the NFL's concerned. And number two, Kaysehawan Boody,
(03:40):
the Patriots receiver, he admitted to a gambling addiction. He
admitted he bet on LSU when he played for LSU,
and when his underage betting came to light, the NFL
didn't do anything. Now, he'd already been in the NFL
for a year, but the NFL did nothing to him.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
I couldn't help but notice the lawyer that he hired
Jeffrey Kessler, who's been a thorn in the side of
the NFL. I think worked for the NFL Players Association,
if I had that right, Mike, Yeah, he's.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Been a long time advocate on behalf of the players.
He's been one of the instrumental figures in the various
anti trust cases that have basically left the NCAA toothless.
And when that hire was made, that was one of
the first points we made at TFT. This is a
two pronged higher this is all right, let's try to
let's try to figure out what's going to happen with
NCAA eligibility. And if that doesn't work, You've got a
(04:27):
guy who who has been in the in the mud
with the NFL many times, and I'm told he's already
working on the NFL to make sure they don't throw
up roadblocks for Brendan Soresby.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Who had a good day yesterday, Mike, A good day NCAA,
Big twelve, Texas Tech.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
An existential.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Look.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
It was a good day for the NCAA. It was
a good day for the Big twelve. I think what
happened yesterday between the Big Twelve filing its lawsuit against
Texas to and the NCAA filing its appeal in the
ruling that would have allowed stores Me to play this year.
I think he realized, I can't take the chance that
I ultimately don't play at all. In twenty twenty six,
(05:14):
they put him in checkmate, and the only smart move
at that point was to say, I'm just going to
fold the tents on this when and go to the NFL.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
I don't know access to medical records, Mike. You know
that the gambling part of this. I was also told
that through all of this he has anxiety and panic
disorder issues, like I don't know what's fair game here.
If I'm a team that I can ask for and
that they would accommodate.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Well, you know how this goes, Dan. They get everything
to get everything. That's why they do the scouting combine.
They go there to pop and fraud and find out
anything they can physically and medically about the player. And
if there's any resistance in being fully transparent, then they
just won't draft you. And so he's going to have
to be ready to let them ask any and all
questions they want to ask. He's going to have to
answer them. Persuasively. And that's the kind of thing where
(06:04):
I think owners who are already on the fence, if
they get the impression they're not getting the full story,
they're not going to authorize next year's draft pick on
a guy who may not play for them this year.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
If ever, if you're the NFL and I give you
one question to ask in this situation, what are you asking?
Speaker 3 (06:24):
Wow, that's a good question, which is my way of
buying time. I don't think there's any one question. I
think you just need to know everything you can about
how he got here and where he is now, what
is his status right now? And you know, any addiction,
(06:45):
any addiction is you don't just flip a switch. It's
a process. And I would want to have somebody fully
evaluate where he is right now and is he ready
to jump straight into an NFL training camp with no offseason.
He's going to get drafted if he does, and he's
giving you a straight to training camp. That's a hell
of an adjustment for a guy who's apparently dealing with
anxiety and stress and trying to overcome this addiction. So
(07:07):
I would just want to have a very reliable snapshot
of what's going on with him right now.
Speaker 5 (07:12):
Thank you, Mike, and I hope you have a good day.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
You Dan, I'll say you, buddy.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
Mike Florio.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Be sure to catch the live edition of The Dan
Patrick Show weekdays at nine am Eastern six am Pacific
on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 6 (07:30):
Ste Gots Here. I have a podcast Empire. It continues
to grow and I have brought it here to iHeart.
I'm also doing a live radio show from three to
five pm Eastern because my.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Wife wanted to kick me out of the house.
Speaker 6 (07:44):
It's called Stagatzi Company Live, which is available in podcast
form right when the show finishes every single day. Some
of the biggest names in sports.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
A lot of phone calls I love you on your show.
It's one of my favorite.
Speaker 6 (07:57):
A lot of interact shit guys not taking too seriously.
Those are just some of the things that you could
expect from Stu Gotts and Company and Steve gottson Company Live.
So listen to Steve gots and Company Live and our
original podcast. Please subscribe, rate and review Steve gots In
Company and God Bless Football. Taylor's livelihood depends on it.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
You do it today and.
Speaker 6 (08:20):
You can check all of those out on the iHeartRadio app,
Apple podcast or wherever.
Speaker 7 (08:26):
You get your podcasts.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
I refuse to let Tim Legler start his summer vacation
without coming on one more time the ESPN lead NBA analysts, Tim,
thank you. I never thought I would say this, that
the younger team seemed more tired and certainly wemby at
the end of most of these games. How much do
you think that played a role in all the comebacks
(08:53):
that the Knicks had.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
I think fatigue factored in Dan.
Speaker 8 (08:57):
I definitely think that was the case we commented on
during the broadcast, But I think more than anything, it
was an uncertainty and a lack of identity in those
moments that determine the games. I really think that was
the biggest factor. And experience is a big part. You've
got some more veteran players on the Knicks, and but
for me, it starts with your identity where you want
(09:18):
to go with the games on the line. The Knicks
have no questions whatsoever in that regard. It's going to
be Jalen Brunson. He's going to determine it. Everybody plays
off of him, and the San Antonio Spurs had moments
where they kind of looked around at each other, unsure
about what exactly.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
It is that they wanted to do.
Speaker 8 (09:35):
And I think, look, part of that is Mitch Johnson
also a very young coach going through it for the
first time, but he has limitations as a coach if
some of his players have some limitations in those moments,
and they do, and that is now the next step.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
For this group.
Speaker 8 (09:50):
They've got their three best players are twenty two and under.
They've got to address look in the mirror and address
some of the things that they need to improve and
Girl Ponds they won't be in that situation anymore where
they don't have answers late in games, because that was
the difference in the series.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Did Victor win Betniyama have a good finals, Yeah, he
had a good finals.
Speaker 8 (10:11):
Well, he didn't have a sensational finals. He wasn't the
best player.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
On the floor.
Speaker 8 (10:15):
They probably needed him to be more often, particularly in
the fourth quarters of games. I'm not gonna say he
didn't have a good finals. I think he did, and
I think there were times that he went through stretches
where he had dominance, but it.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Was for short bursts more so than sustaining it.
Speaker 8 (10:32):
Throughout the forty eight minutes and certainly in those moments
that determined this series. That I think is where his
biggest challenge comes from. And look, we've talked about it before.
He's seven to four. It's not like he could just
bring the ball up, operate eve of the ball screen
as the ball handler or gisco iso from wherever he
wants on the floor like most of the elite scorers.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
In this league.
Speaker 8 (10:54):
It's different for him. Doesn't mean he can't be equally dominant.
I just think there's an area of the floor he
hasn't mastered yet that he has to and it's that
area from fifteen to twenty feet in that dirt Novitsky
type top of the key elbows, jab steps, shoot over you,
jab step, go by you with one dribble. He doesn't
really operate much in that area of the floor. It's
(11:16):
either rim runs or he's behind the three point line
a lot. So I think that's the next step in
the evolution for Victor webin Yama, and it'll help him
decide games.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Let's look at the immediate futures of both of these teams.
Start with the knicks. They're set with their starting five.
I don't know if they have any pending free agents.
Money issues with these guys so handicap the Knicks going
into next season.
Speaker 4 (11:42):
Yeah. Look, I think the Knicks are now.
Speaker 8 (11:44):
The thing that they've done is they've answered questions that
maybe they even had internally about themselves. It look the
path was cleared slightly for them this year with Boston
missing Tatum for most of the season. Know how le
Burton in Indiana, Detroit doesn't have enough shooting. They were
exposed for that later the Cavaliers, we've seen like that
(12:04):
mental toughness that you need is lacking.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Philly was hurt most of the year.
Speaker 8 (12:09):
So there were things that went right, And I'm not
trying to dismiss it or diminish anything the Nicks did
because they played incredible basketball. But they took advantage of
the situation, which is what you have to do because
you never know when these opportunities present themselves. So now
they look at themselves as champions, They're going to feel
differently about themselves and their ability to navigate any situation
(12:30):
going in to next year. There is no reason to
think that the Knicks can't return to the finals, can't
have an opportunity to repeat next year. There's no doubt
in my mind that they're going to be one of
those teams on a very short list of teams that
could win a championship next year.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
And then the Spurs. You've talked about their young players.
I mean, you do have the Deern Fox question because
now he's going to be your highest paid player by far.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
Can you use him differently?
Speaker 7 (13:01):
Maybe?
Speaker 8 (13:03):
I think you Ken, And I also think people out
there that now want to take it to the extreme
and oh, you got to move them, you got to
cut them. You know, you should never see the floor again.
You know, that's just not the way the NBA works.
The guy's gonna make a lot of money. He's still
a very good player. There's no doubt he struggled, not
only in the finals but during the postseason. I think
in general he took a step back offensively because he could,
(13:26):
and he accepted that.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
But I think that going.
Speaker 8 (13:30):
Forward, the future is going to be Stefan Castle and
Dylan Harper. There's no question about that.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Now.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
Both of those guys need to continue to prove their
offensive games.
Speaker 8 (13:39):
Because Castle improved his like wide open three point shooting.
I think he was over forty percent after the All
Star break. That's still a weakness in Dylan Harper's game.
He can make him in rhythm. But the combination of
what those guys do offensively and defensively, the pressure they
put on you in the paint, address their shooting, continue
to improve that area that is your backcourt.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
And for Dearon Fox, I almost they.
Speaker 8 (14:00):
Feel like now he should be a guy that's he's
still going to play twenty five thirty minutes a night.
Maybe he's the guy that's more anchored to your second
unit because I still think.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
He is still can be an elite scorer a lot
of nights.
Speaker 8 (14:11):
If he's out there more as your combo guard off
the bench, that might be a better role for him.
But that's a lot of money for a guy coming
off the bench.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
I get it. But the future is castle in Harper.
There's no question about that.
Speaker 8 (14:23):
This is gonna be one of the best backcourts in
the NBA, like within the next couple of years. I
think Dylan Harper has a chance to be like an
All League type of player.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
That's where you need to go.
Speaker 8 (14:33):
And it was obvious to me throughout the Finals they
were a better team with Dylan Harper was on the.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Floor talking to Tim Legler, ESPN lead NBA analyst, trying
to explain the Jalen Brunson ability to close. We had
somebody call in say, you know, this is like Mamba mentality.
It's Michael Jordan at the end of games, and I
you know, once again we have a rush to judgment.
(14:58):
You know, it's recency buys. Yeah, Brunchon had a fabulous postseason.
Can you start to put him in any other categories
here as far as more than just hey, you want
a title and you're great player. Has he elevated to
a different platform for you?
Speaker 4 (15:21):
He definitely has.
Speaker 8 (15:22):
And I mean I don't know that it was going
to take like this finals run or that finals performance
in game five.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
To me, he's sort of already gotten.
Speaker 8 (15:31):
There because of what he's done here since he got
to New York, and more importantly, the way he typically
plays in the fourth quarter of games, the way that
he takes over games, the fact that he's completely unphased
in those moments in the game that speeds guys up
in clouds thinking it's difficult to operate with that level
of pressure on you that efficiently. He's done that since
(15:51):
he got to New York really before that, I mean
go back to college. Certainly he had a playoff run
in Dallas where he started to see it. Now he's
at the point where you go, is there anybody else
in the league that you trust more with the ball
in their hands with the game on the line than
Jalen Brunson. I mean, that's he's literally elevated himself to
right there at the top of the list. If you
don't want to say he's, you know, clearly the guy.
(16:12):
He's certainly on the on that top two three guys
in the league that you want the ball in his
hands because what he has shown you is he has
an ability to process high pressure situations in a way
that most guys are never capable of getting to. And
it's amazing because he doesn't do it with anything that.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
He's relying on Athletically.
Speaker 8 (16:33):
It's all based on footwork, playing multiple speeds, getting you
off balance, touch, iq strength, you name it, like that's
what it is.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
But it's not.
Speaker 8 (16:44):
It's not getting off the ground to elevate over guys.
It's not blowing by guys. It's not a crazy handle.
It's just an ability to understand where he wants to
go keep you off balance, to prevent you from dictating
to him anything. He dictates terms to you whatever's in
front of them.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Very few guys.
Speaker 8 (17:03):
In this league right now can dictate to the defense
the way that Jalen Brunson can. He's never at your mercy,
you're always at his. And that's a very, very very
unique quality to have.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I think he learned something from Luca because Luca does
the same thing. You know, he's not blowing by you,
he's not jumping over you. He has ability. Kawhi had
had this ability where they kind of create the tempo,
you go to their speed, and I can't help but
think that when Jalen was there in Dallas watching what
Luca was doing, It's basically, I'm going to control the
(17:37):
tempo as well. I'm going to play the angles. I
know what I can do and where I can do it.
You just have to try to figure out getting there
before I do.
Speaker 8 (17:46):
He has a quality den and look, you don't and
you're you know, you're not comparing him to like players
because they're all so different. But there are guys historically
in all sports, not just basketball, that have that quality
of certainty, And man, does that mean a lot to
a team, like when your best player is that sure
of the moment of themselves and their ability to operate
(18:08):
in those moments and be able to see things at
the same speed that they do all the rest of
the time with the game hanging in the balance.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
Is an incredibly rare quality that the greats have had.
Speaker 8 (18:22):
In all of the team sports that we watch and cover,
and even individual sports like golf, we see guys that
have that ability, that that laser focus ability to be
so sure of themselves that you basically take any self
doubt out.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Of the equation.
Speaker 8 (18:36):
Now it's all muscle memory, and that's what Jalen Brunson
has gotten to. He's just in that place where when
you need to have it, he's going to deliver because
he's that certain of the outcome. It's it's really fascinating
to watch and he put on a game. He put
on a show on Game five that we're gonna be
talking about for years and years and years to come.
And that series had moments obviously that we'll be talking
(18:58):
about the are iconic fifty years from now. That we're
showing the og Ananobi tip in as the open to
the NBA Finals, there's no doubt in my mind.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Yeah, Isaiah Thomas had this uh you know, smallest guy
usually on the floor, but he had that confidence and
wanted the ball game on the line. And I mean
there's something about that. You know, it's your DNA. They're
just certain guys who were made for those moments. I
still don't know why san Antonio didn't double Jalen Brunt,
like I never ever want him to beat me. I know,
(19:27):
he's the only guy on the floor who can beat me.
He's the only guy.
Speaker 8 (19:31):
Talked about it repeatedly, you know, and it's you never
give him the same look all the time, and so
they you know, you got to mix it up.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
Sometimes you blitz them, sometimes you don't. Here's what I what.
Speaker 8 (19:40):
I felt like I saw out of San Antonio when
they got leads, and they had double digit leads in
every game. When they got double digit leads, they got
so conservative at their approach to him because they did
not want to give up three point shots. I just
I just didn't understand the guy had almost half of
their points in a closeout game. You had to go
og Ananoby wasn't in rhythm. Michale Bridges wasn't really in
(20:03):
a rhythm. Karl Anthony Towns had two points in the game.
They weren't getting anything off their bench. You have to
force that ball out of his hands and see who
else can go make a play, and then you can
always adjust back. But to repeatedly have that much faith
in your individual defenders that they can handle him one
on one, because you got Wemby back there. He's not
(20:24):
trying to get all the way to the rim. Typically,
he's trying to operate in that mid range area, and
that means one guy's not gonna be able to handle
that unless you take it out of his hand. So
I agree with you, and I said it repeatedly throughout
the broadcast. That's how I'm the same, Like I wouldn't
want to go into the summer playing against that team
knowing I didn't force that to happen, and maybe a
(20:44):
team gets in that situation.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Next time around, you're gonna see something different.
Speaker 8 (20:47):
You can't give it till the entire time because then
it's too easy to grow up a game plan to
pick it apart. But they didn't to me take the
ball out of his hands enough in game.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Five, Since I won't be talking to you for a while.
If you could put Janice in Boston or Miami, which
appear to be the two front runners, which situation makes
the most sense.
Speaker 8 (21:10):
Man, Miami to me would be you know, that would
be most more interesting because I think that would elevate
them immediately to a team that can contend. Boston, to me,
is already gonna contend even if they don't do anything.
They're already kind of in that category. So for me
to add another team to the mix, that makes it
more fascinating to me where Yannis ends up, because that's
always a good thing. Just more teams that you look
(21:32):
at as relevant that potentially could make a deep run
and maybe even get to the finals. Giannis, is that
kind of tipping point player? Boston's already gonna be in
that category even if they don't make a move.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
I know you like Dylan Harper a lot. If I
said you could have Dylan Harper or Cooper Flag, Oh.
Speaker 4 (21:53):
Man, why would you make me make a decision like that?
I want both? I want both?
Speaker 5 (21:57):
Is it that close? Is it that close?
Speaker 4 (22:00):
Do you like? Do you like RIBI? I like both.
That's how I would answer that question.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Give me the surf and turf so you're saying now,
three months ago, if I asked you're taking Cooper flag.
Speaker 8 (22:15):
I would say, listen to me, I would probably lean
Cooper flag right now because Cooper Flag to me, this
year demonstrated more overall versatility in his game. I had
more on his plate. Honestly, Dylan Harper is playing on
a great team, so he had a more defined role
certainly throughout most of the regular season now that expanded
into postseason. I think both of these guys are going
(22:39):
to be All League players. I think both of these
guys are going to be the type of guys that
could be the best player on teams that.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
Can contend down the road.
Speaker 8 (22:46):
But right now, as we sit here, Cooper Flagg has
demonstrated he's just got a little bit more well rounded versatility,
and obviously he's bigger, so that always is going to help.
But I have no hesitation in saying that, I think
Dylan Harper are not always going to be an All
League player, like a first team All League guard down
the road. And I don't know how long he stays
at Wemby in San Antonio, but at some point, these
(23:07):
guys typically kind of want to be the best player
on their own team. If that gets to the place
down the road, I think Dylan Harper is going to
be that good that he can be a top flight
guard that can lead a team deep into the postseason.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Great stuff this year. Thank you for being available to.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
Me always, Dan, anything you need.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
Jim Legler. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk
lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at
foxsports Radio dot com and within the iHeartRadio app search
FSR to listen live.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
He is now an NBA champ. Mikale Bridges New York
Knicks forward. Is that sunk in yet?
Speaker 7 (23:48):
Not yet?
Speaker 9 (23:49):
I think when the parade happens, I think it is
probably gonna be the most right there.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
Well, what left you more exhausted playing in the finals
or celebrating after playing in the finals?
Speaker 7 (24:00):
To the mix of both?
Speaker 9 (24:01):
This's other, that's a mix of both, morey more the
files a little more mentally than anything, but physically.
Speaker 7 (24:09):
I don't know what to tack. I don't know if
I give you answer on that one.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
Uh, let me go back to Game four when you're
down twenty nine, what's Mike Brown say to you?
Speaker 5 (24:18):
Guys?
Speaker 9 (24:19):
Just one possession at a time. That's pretty much it
and just keep you know, keep chopping at it. You know,
you can't get it back on one possession, so just
taking one posision at a time, and that's what we did.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
I was talking to Tim Legler about this last hour.
I said, you know, the Spurs are a young team,
but they seemed really tired at the end of all
of those games. Why why is that? Younger guys should
be in great shape. But it felt like you guys
had a different gear.
Speaker 7 (24:50):
I mean, I.
Speaker 9 (24:51):
Guess you saw it. I didn't see. I didn't see that.
I didn't I could tell if they was tired or not.
They're really good team young and maybe coming off that
game the seven, you know, game seven against uh Okay see,
but firstly, I think they retired.
Speaker 7 (25:07):
But you know, they're a really good young team and
they just go keep fighting to.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
Then, if somebody had never seen jail and Brunson play,
how would you describe his style?
Speaker 9 (25:19):
Scial skill and footwork. That's pretty much and like elite
shot making. So that's all that's my three right there.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
And he's not afraid either, No, no, never, But when
did you notice that You go back to college and
all of a sudden you knew, okay, there's something different.
Speaker 9 (25:37):
Yeah, when he came in as a freshman, like McDonald's
all American and everything, and he started like he started
as a freshman on our on the championship team. So
you know that we'll coach right with Jay Wright as
a coach, and that's not easy to do. And it's
just him go out there fighting every single day in
the summer on the summer session and then you know,
(26:02):
coming to the you know, the our first like preseason,
he was just you just see the skill and the toughness.
Speaker 7 (26:09):
He had right away.
Speaker 9 (26:10):
And that's how that's how he started on a championship
team as a freshman.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Jay Wright joined us yesterday and coach said that you
guys made fun of Jalen when he was the preseason
n I T MVP and as a freshman, and you
guys were making fun of him that he was trying
too hard to be the MVP, when according to coach,
you guys felt like anybody could have been the MVP
of that preseason n I T.
Speaker 7 (26:37):
Oh.
Speaker 9 (26:41):
I was a really trip when I was young at
that time too. I was just trying to make sure
I have messed up on that court. I was really
worried about that.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
And he talked about you came in as a skinny
kid and you'd go you go one on one with
Josh Hart all the time, and that like that first
year or that red shirt seemed to really change life
for Are you what did you learn when you have
to sit and watch everybody play?
Speaker 7 (27:04):
Yeah, it was tough.
Speaker 9 (27:05):
I think it was one of the toughest, you know,
years of my life going on playing basketball every single
year and then you know, you finally get to college
and now you're told you have to sit out a
whole year when you're completely healthy.
Speaker 7 (27:19):
So that was it was.
Speaker 9 (27:20):
It was tough because you know, you want to play
and be out there and an excitement from going Division
one and you've got your family and friends. But you know,
it was really about pretty like halfway through is where
I started to click, from me where I felt myself
getting stronger, from myself getting better, where I was just like, Okay,
this is the best thing for me.
Speaker 7 (27:40):
But at the beginning it was tough.
Speaker 9 (27:43):
I was, you know, I was upset and everything just
because I couldn't play. I got to sit out a
whole year. But obviously grand scheme of things was the
best thing ever happened. And I learned patience has just
learned just with your time, and I just learned just
workout habits like how to how to be a person,
to stay in a gym, how to want to be
(28:03):
in a gym, and all those things.
Speaker 7 (28:05):
So I was just very grateful for that.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
We're talking to Michale Bridges, the Knicks forward NBA champ
is Spike Lee gonna get.
Speaker 5 (28:12):
A championship ring?
Speaker 7 (28:13):
He should for sure?
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Okay, how many of these rings are you? Do you
think that James Dolan's gonna be handing out a lot? Patrick,
Patrick Ewing get one, of course, Tracy Morgan, Yeah, everybody?
Speaker 7 (28:30):
You getting any funny?
Speaker 2 (28:31):
I'm gonna say yes, every Timothy Shallamay he gets one?
Speaker 7 (28:34):
Everybody?
Speaker 5 (28:36):
Okay? Does does Kylie Jenner get one?
Speaker 9 (28:39):
No?
Speaker 7 (28:40):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (28:41):
Okay, all right.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
You're really generous with your your owner's money. Take me
back when James Dolan addressed the team prior to the playoffs,
like he gave you guys his speech.
Speaker 9 (28:52):
Yeah, it was great because you get kind of you know,
you talked to those before. But I know I've seem
like him coming over here. He was getting outside his
comfort zone a little bit, so I think he's pretty sure.
Speaker 7 (29:06):
You know, let the that's.
Speaker 9 (29:08):
Where he has Leon hired Leon, you know, get our
coaches and let them kind of talk to the team
like that's he kind of let like the players and
the coaches.
Speaker 7 (29:16):
Of the gym, you know, over there. And obviously he'll
say his words when he sees us.
Speaker 9 (29:21):
But I think he got out of his comfort zone
for the Packs pretty much that whole year, because even
in the preseason, he had a speech he talked to
us when he was at dinner as a whole team.
It was really cool to see, you know, and and
I appreciate so much for that, and I gave him
confidence both times, just like you know, I love his speech,
and you could tell I'm a guy I don't love
(29:41):
public speaking that much. And I think he's fine, but
I could tell that it was a little bit outside
his comfort zone. And I just appreciate it for that
because he didn't have to, you know what I'm saying.
He didn't have to, but he did that because he
truly believed and he truly wanted to win of the city.
And yeah, that's that's that's really dope with him.
Speaker 5 (30:04):
What did you say from Game five?
Speaker 2 (30:08):
What did I say uniform? What did what are you
keeping from?
Speaker 7 (30:14):
When he oh, oh yeah everything. I put everything in
a mesh bag.
Speaker 9 (30:19):
Got my sneakers, got the got the goggles, hat jerseys.
Speaker 7 (30:23):
Damn there, tights and socks too.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
Uh So when did you get a nickname? The warden?
Is that true?
Speaker 9 (30:31):
When I was in Phoenix, fans used to call me that.
That was funny. I always like the word was just hilarious.
I think I got nicknames that I don't mean. I
don't call myself no nickname or anything, but that was
pretty cool.
Speaker 5 (30:44):
Just like, wait, but why are you the warden?
Speaker 7 (30:47):
Because they say a lot of people up on defense.
Speaker 5 (30:50):
Oh okay, okay, So.
Speaker 7 (30:53):
It was pretty cool. It was it was It was
It's an honor, you know, it's a big compliment.
Speaker 5 (30:59):
It's a good thing.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
You didn't play when Michael Jordan played if you had
that nickname, because Mike, Mike would want to tort you.
Speaker 7 (31:05):
Literally, Yeah, all the fans would bought us, pressure.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
On me to go guarded as and then you were
Brooklyn Bridges with the nets.
Speaker 7 (31:13):
Yeah, that was pretty cool.
Speaker 9 (31:15):
I like that one too, just it was just easy
means since Yeah, yeah, I appreciate all my times, but
every everywhere I was at, all the fans and everything too.
Speaker 2 (31:25):
And then you became known as the five draft picks
guy with the nick I guess that's not a great
nick that's you don't need a nickname with that. But
are you are you did your dad? Somebody said you
were putting out a T shirt.
Speaker 9 (31:43):
Me. No, I'll think, uh, A lot of fans, even
my teammates and stuff, but the five picks thing, I
don't really obviously, I'm very grateful and blessed that you know, you.
Speaker 7 (31:58):
Know, Dolan and LEI did that to get me, for sure.
A lot of people, you know, you're saying f and
pix and stuff. That's not my motive when I got there.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
So, okay, you got to sober up for Thursday, right,
you're gonna be You got a little bit of time
in between celebrating. You got to be ready for that
that parade.
Speaker 7 (32:21):
Yeah, I'll be ready. I was so ready. I'm gonna be.
You're ready for that.
Speaker 5 (32:26):
For eight Uh?
Speaker 2 (32:27):
Well, congratulations, it was a wonderful run. Great to see
and have fun on Thursday.
Speaker 7 (32:32):
Of course, man, thank you thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
That's Michale Bridges. He's the warden walking people up
Hosts And Creators
Todd "Fritzy" Fritz
Dan Patrick
Patrick "Seton" O'Connor
Paul Pabst
Marvin Prince
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