48 Minutes: Lakers on Fire, Streaking Cavs, Joel Embiid/Bill Walton Comparison

0:00 ... Ross hello and welcome and introduces the crew.

0:35 ... Episode #146 is dedicated to John Konchar, who has worn #46 for his entire career in the NBA.

0:47 ... Ross live commercial read for BetOnLine

1:23 ... The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on a season-long roll and the crew breaks down the reasons for their incredible success.  Donovan Mitchell absolutely torched the Boston Celtics once again last Friday night.

7:50 ... The young Detroit Pistons team has won 9 of its last 10 games, including a huge win over the defending champion Celtics last Wednesday.  Their mix of great young talent plus newly acquired veterans like Malik Beasley have them in a great position to make the playoffs as the #6 seed in the east.

12:37 ... The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling and the chemistry is developing quickly between LeBron James and Luka Doncic.  They truly look like a team that is peaking at a good time and their defense has been incredible.  They may just be the number one threat to the OKC Thunder to represent the western conference in the NBA Finals.

18:29 ... The final two play-in spots out west look like they'll probably go to Sacramento and Dallas, but the young Portland Trailblazers are sitting at #11 and have been playing their best ball in years.  The guys size up Portland's chances of grabbing the #10 spot away from the Kings or Mavericks.

23:52 ... Jalen Suggs of the Magic will undergo surgery on his left knee and will be out indefinitely.  His loss removes a great two way player and considering what a poor shooting team the Magic are, they'll likely continue to disappoint.  In fairness to coach Jamahl Moseley, injuries to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Suggs have derailed their season.

30:18 ... Joel Embiid of the 76ers played just 19 games this season and has been shut down for the remainder of the season.  Bruce makes some comparisons between Embiid and the late Bill Walton who was also a super talented big man who battled injuries throughout his Hall of Fame career.  The entire 76ers' season has been one big dumpster fire burning out of control.

38:23 ... Jimmy Butler may have moved on to the Bay Area, but the Butler vs. Miami saga continues as he is being sued by a company in Miami Beach.  We'll offer details.

39:49 ... Bruce's final thought is on a play he attended last Friday called "King James," which is the story of two Cavaliers fans who bonded over their love of LeBron James.

40:54 ... World B's final thought is on Stephon Curry, the greatest shooter in history and someone who will eventually be considered one of the top five players of all time if he can win one more ring.

42:53 ... Ross's final thought is on Meyers Leonard, who recently announced his retirement.  Leonard wrote a country style song about his career and Ross is impressed with the quality of the song.

44:36 ... Bruce tells his fellow Celtics fans not to panic about some recent losses since Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis missed the game against Cleveland but should be ready for the postseason in good health.

45:26 ... Ross says goodbye

 

TRT 45:41