May 26, 2025 • 39 mins
Mort and Dan go through the Pacers/Knicks series, which has been a WILD one.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
What is up, fellasic go goes.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I am a delirious Dan Favalley coming at you with
Mort Jentsen of the NBA podcast Fame, of Yahoo Sports fame,
and of Forbes fame as well, and most importantly only
fans celebrity.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
We're here talk Nick.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Pacers, which is just one of the most outrageous playoff
series so far that I've seen in recent memory, which
is wild considering how many ridiculous playoff series we've seen.
Mark just before we get started and dig into what
we've kind of seen, and then we have questions for
the rest of the series.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
How the heck are you doing well? Sir? Doing well?
Let's just get right into it.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
I could bore you with the details of my life
and how I'm doing, but I think the pe will
want to hear about this series way more so.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
What so let's start. I want to start here this series.
What are your impressions of it so far? Just like
what has taking you? Is there one element of it
that shocked you the most? Is there something that you'd like?
This clearly isn't how anyone expected it to go. We
know the Knicks haven't been great at home in the playoffs,
but lose the first two while having just an all
(01:08):
time choke fest in game one. So then game three
their trademark on the road. We're down twenty.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
It looks awful.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
We're gonna come back and do this? What is Let's
that's the question. What's been most surprising to you about
this series so far?
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Well?
Speaker 4 (01:22):
I mean, look, I'm not gonna sit here and say
that I would predict these major like late game turnarounds.
That's predicted all of it, all right, But I will
say I'm not surprised at the overarching element of Indiana
winning the first two and then dropping their first home
game like that. I'm not surprised that the Pacers are
up to one. So I think in the overarching scheme
(01:44):
of things, it's holding true to what I you know,
kind of expected. It's the way we got here, right,
It's the journey. It's not about the destination, and the
journey has just been nuts. It's like I actually think
Jalen Brunson said it the best. He said, He said
it better than I and ever say. He said, No,
lead feels safe. That is absolutely right on the money.
(02:07):
Like even last night when they were down was the
ten points coming into the fourth, you know, you were like,
you know what, this game's not over ten points. In
today's NBA, that can go like that. That can be
a quick turnaround. And I think they tied it or
did they even take the lead the next like at
the eight minute mark, eight seven or eight minute marks,
(02:27):
something along those lines, so like, and and then after
they did, you still were like, oh, okay, they're leading.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
But I don't feel good about that either.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Right right, So, I guess my biggest takeaway is I
love the fact that when we're late in games, we
have no fing clue it was actually going to pull
it out. I think that makes for great basketball viewing.
I think it makes for such an intriguing layer of
these playoffs. So that's probably what's most surprising to me.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Like we've seen a lot of duds in terms of
like performances, like for you know, blowouts, teams that have
just beaten others by forty even forty so oh, we
even had like a fifty point right was the heat calves?
Like the game four? What was that? Was it? Fifty
nine points? Z?
Speaker 1 (03:15):
What was grizzly thunder? Game one? That was obnoxious?
Speaker 3 (03:17):
All that happens to us.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Yeah, like, so we've had some really big blowouts, and
this one just feels different. These teams feels like they're
a little bit more aligned, like on the same level,
which just makes it so much more intriguing in terms
of the unpredictability of it.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Yeah, it's the next season. Felt over again when they
were down twenty in Game three. And you have to
give a ton of credit to the Pacers, and what
they've done really isn't a surprise to me. I think
anyone who's paid tangential attention to the Pacers understood or
at least had a feel for how.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Good they were.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
And I didn't pick them to win this series, but
I even noted at the when we were doing our predictions,
I said, my head is saying Pacers in six or seven,
and I just went, my heart is saying nix and seven.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
They just feel like both of these teams.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
For the East, like from the East perspective, are giving
off a team of destiny vibes, just with the comebacks
they've had, the shots that they've made, and now there's
just like this collision course when you're kind of dealing
into like more of the nitty gritty of the series.
I think one of the things that from the Pacers
end that have surprised me is that we haven't seen
and look, they won the first two games, but we
(04:23):
haven't seen more of a small on Karl Anthony Towns
like other teams have gravitated towards it's been we want
to stick with Andrew Nemhart, going on to Josh Harts
that he can he can float around, which does seem
like it's the right decision. I'm curious and as we're
recording this, I don't think we have news on Aaron E.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Smith's ankle right, So not that I no.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Because that would flip a lot of what India has
done so far. I would think, not that he's gonna
miss time, but if he's hobbled, it's this dude defend
Jalen Brunson that allows you to use Andrew Nemhart in
this way. But also I think after the game that
Karl Anthony Towns had, and I have a couple like
Knicks thoughts on that that I definitely want to get to.
But after the game that karl Anthy Towns had, are
(05:05):
we gonna see any adjustments there?
Speaker 3 (05:06):
So?
Speaker 2 (05:06):
But I've been a little bit surprised that we haven't
seen more of that from the Pacers initially just to
get that look. But this team is like the the
amount of ways the Pacers that they can beat you
is honestly terrifying. And it's just like Ben mcmathern's not had.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
A good series. He's been on the floor. It feels
like they're.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Playing four versus six and like they still like Ben
Shepherd's right, like we're gonna find a way, like carve
out minutes for him. The degree to which Miles Turner
has deepened his offensive bag over the past two to
three years is actually kind of mind melting when you
look at his ability to like dribble out of pressure
and like take a side step three or just attack
off the dribble and maybe punish some mismassed excuse me,
(05:46):
mismatches In the post Pascal Siakam people, I say, this
is one of the few takes I got right, But like,
remember how many people were just kind of overthought Pascal
Siakam in Indiana. Look at what it took to get him.
And he just adds this, I know he didn't have
a great Game three, but even down the stretch when
they needed buckets, things bogged down. You don't like to
see them get away from their offense. But that's also
(06:08):
why you have Pascal Siakam. It's because those shots that
you hear the broadcast say it like you have to
live with that shot if you're the Knicks, and you
know what Pascal Siakam wants, those.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Fadeaway jumpers, like from around the elbow areas.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
So this Pacers team that needless to say about just
Tyrese Haliburton, where that dude does not. I'm trying to
think of who the last guy was in their prime
who just didn't need to score to have such a
like demonstrative impact on the game. And I know, like
Jokic can have it now, but I mean like he
almost rely, Yeah, Nash was the one Nash or Chris
Paul maybe just like where they would reliably not score
(06:43):
twenty points in certain where it feels like Jokic is,
oh did he score enough, and oh, yeah he has forty.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
It just doesn't feel that he has forty.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
The Braun Le Braun occasionally like honestly that we just
don't make that comparison because he's built like a power
forward and and he's you know, the leading score or
ald time leading scorer. So that's why we never associate
him in that vein. But there are plenty of games
where he's basically just being a floor general and making
the right plays and is settling for seventeen eighteen points.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
So you know, there are.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
A lot of players who I think Halpert is starting
to remind me of in that way that he approaches.
I will say there are still some games Dan, and
I think you and I've talked about this before where
I'm like, hmm, halle, come on, like turn on the
jets right where he has some sort of a mismatch
where you know he can affect the game, maybe a
(07:35):
little game very like Mitchell.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Robinson's on him or Towns is on him. It's like,
why aren't you getting deeper into the paint.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
We know you can.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
Yep, yeah yeah, And he's a big point guard to it.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
I think for him that's probably the next step him
realizing just how tall and long he actually is, how
he can extend himself. So there's when we think back
on it. I know he's been retired for a while,
so like not everyone might you know, have the inner
movie in their head playing when I say his name,
but you remember how Dwayne Wade would like finish place
(08:06):
at the rim. I know he's like superbly athletic, more
so than Halle, but he would drive for example, he
would take you know, the first step and then he
will he would extend with his left arm he was
coming off the left wing or whatever, and like you
would kind of go oh oh, like he could just
manufacture shots out of thin air because he's just he
knows how to utilize literally every single inch of himself.
(08:30):
That's where I think the next step for for Haliburton's
solution has to come to like he's so long, and
you see him be a little bit more compactful on
drives where I'm like no, no, no, stretch it out, man,
Like you're supremely long, and when you're going up against
you know, posting point guards and like they're tracking you
into the paint, you can just extend. Half of those
guys are like six two six', Three like you got
(08:53):
both the wingspan and the height on. Them just.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Extend, YEAH i mean it's good.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Point and yet he the way that he can hit
those shots in big moments get separation from the perimeter
almost it will is just been like to have that
because Like Steve nash had some pretty big. Shots but
IT i think that might be why if it's, me
if it's, you if it's, other people might get more
frustrated With halbert and then it feels like with other.
Players is because he has the killed like he's a
he's turned full heel like the choke symbol In game.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
One this series is so.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
NUTS i love it as a as A knicks, FAN
i can't handle it AND i don't want to die
before THE Nba, Finals but as someone who tries to
cover the league as unbiasedly as, possible this is WHY
i still enjoy doing WHAT i do because it's bonkers
every single. Night AND i think this has been great
for The pacers just to like people put this asterisk
(09:45):
on Their conference finals appearance last, year Which i'm just
not a believer in asterisk because it's so hard to
win a title in any given, year no matter the
injury breaks your.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Team gets or another team.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Gets but this has been sort of a no not
because they're doing it against The, knicks but it's you
went through The cavaliers and you did that to The
nicks on their home did you, SEE i was laughing
at this that there Were it was probably ON, espn
maybe it Was Fox, sports about, like, well will the
pas be afraid to win A game seven IN? Msg
they won A game seven IN msg last. YEAR i
know The knicks were, injured but like that was always,
(10:15):
ridiculous AND i like That india finally seems like it's
starting to get the credit that it deserves as as
like the team that's as good as it. Is BUT
i did want to ask you about the, towns the
way they're Defending, towns specifically when he's been defended by
one of their, Bigs Pascal siakham Or Miles. Turner The
knicks are averaging as a team one point three eight
points per possession for this. Series that's, Outrageous but you
(10:37):
kind of look at where you've been and you can
make the case, That, okay The knicks choked Away game,
one but you were up two zero and you should
have been up three to. Zero when you kind of
look at How game three unfolded in the, LADDER i
mean you could kind of sense them letting go of
it towards the end of that first.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Half The knicks went on that mini.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Run but if You're indiana looking at, this do you
then investigate more of, like, well do we put like
a smaller player On Carl Anthony towns because he's just
been so. Hesitant part of it is The knicks won't
go like get him the ball, Sometimes but the other
part of it is just he's not wired unless really
he's on the, Block like he's just not wired to
attack those guys the way that he should. Be and
(11:12):
so if You're Rick, carlisle is that something you're looking
at for the rest of the series or do you
look at this and, say we're up two to, one
we can easily.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Be up three to. Zero we're.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Not we're not flipping anything right, now especially again when
we're kind of wondering about the state Of Aarony smith's, Ankle, RIGHT.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
I think WHAT i If i'm The, PACERS i prepare for,
everything and then When game four starts, ROLLING i kind
of read it as it. GOES i, mean, Look towns
had four points entering the fourth quarter last, night for,
Example so like if he has another slow, Start i'm
not necessarily inclined to switch things up on him. Necessarily
(11:50):
the thing About towns and this is why he's so
difficult to cover as. Well it's when he actually gets
NOT i don't want to say, motivated motivated that's the wrong.
Word but when he gets aggressive that's probably a better.
Word when he gets like super, AGGRESSIVE i honestly don't
care who you put on. Him it could be a
big it could be a, wing it could be a you,
know a sturdy. GUARD i don't. Care when he has
(12:13):
that level of confidence and he just seeks things, out
he will win that wet matchup far more than he'll lose.
It so for, me it's not a matter of, oh
how does a team, affect you, know the defensively To.
Towns to, me it's all About towns. Himself it's, like
when do you want to attack it the right? Way
(12:34):
how do you want to do, this this and? That
and that's when you had to react as the opposing,
coach because let's be, real If towns is like fully on,
board comes out aggressive from the opening, TIP i don't
think it matters if you Put Myles turner on him
Or Aaron smith or.
Speaker 3 (12:51):
Yeah YEAH i.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
DON'T i don't like then he'll just punish you in
every which way he. Can so to, me it comes
down to like reading How towns is approaching a, game
that means that shooting, around you have one of your assistant. Coaches,
basically just you tell one of your assistant coaches for
the next forty five, minutes you Watch towns during, warmups
and you watch only, him and you give me a
full report, afterwards like do we have to be? Concerned
(13:14):
does he have That look at the, side look at
what is he working on right? Now, everything and if
he comes out, slow you don't worry about, it at
least not until he starts amping up a little.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Bit that's an excellent, point because he was having he
was actually had some pretty good defensive, moments AND i
think a lot of the times in that third quarter
then specifically The knicks played great defense only to brain
farted away at the offensive. End but he didn't like
he was having a nothing game until the fourth, quarter
and he scored Those he had twenty POINTS i think
by the five minute and ten mark.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Left then he didn't score.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Again by the, WAY i believe WHAT i do think
is interesting and it kind of dovetails with your point,
nicely And i'm curious your thoughts on. This so tis
makes the starting lineup change Inserts Mitchell robinson For Josh.
Hart what also, happened, though is everybody gets in foul.
Trouble duce mean bride had three And Quante towns And
Jail bruns and we're both in foul trouble the rest
of the. Game, essentially it Forced tibbs to put him
(14:04):
in this. Lineup This town's put in this lineup where
he had to be aggressive offensively because you were playing
With Josh, Hart duce, McBride Delon wright And landry shammittt
WHICH i don't know If tibbs was just playing the
fuck IF i know What i'm doing card or if
this was just, No i'm really trying To you have
to give him credit for experimenting with. It that lineup
specifically played like three. Minutes it was three electric. Minutes
(14:26):
but even when you're looking at the mixing and matching
the other parts of it to where there was other
players in, there but there still was No Jalen. Brunson
it wasn't having both mckal bridges And ocean And obi
there at the same. Time what do you make of
the idea that if he's put in a situation to
where he has won he's insulated defensively because not only
Is Jalen brunton not on the, court but you've surrounded
(14:47):
him With duce, McBride Josh hart And Delon wright who
can still like he will fight Even Landry. Shammitt by the,
Way i'm not saying he's a great, defender.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
No fights through.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Screens, yeah he put up a fight in the post
on a couple of, Possessions so you've insulated him, DEFENSIVELY
i think just by virtue Of John brunson not being out.
There and then, two what do you just sort of
make of the idea that baptize this by fire essentially
where it's like he has to be aggressive?
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Officially do you want to know?
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Why because no one else, like, Yeah duce McBride will
put up some, shots but no one else is going
to generate their own shots at the clip that he.
Can And i'm wondering if that's a recipe and it
leads into another THING i want to ask you about
in a, Second but what do you make of that
being a recipe for it doesn't have to be that
exact lineup because that was? Okay is that a lineup
that's going to sustain but let's Put Karlnthon town's in
(15:31):
a situation where he has to be the, guy, yeah
to make happen.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
OFFENSIVELY i don't hate that a plan, whatsoever because, look,
Look jalen might be your most skilled offensive player in
terms of like you, know, oh, NO i want to
say most skilled perimeter offensive. Player towns has a capability
of playing inside. Out he, is he's a playmaker as,
(15:56):
well like he's a secondary. Playmaker SO i trust the
ball going through his hands almost as much As jalen
to be honest with, you like we're up at that.
Level yet when we've seen games all throughout the, season
it's all like the center point of everything has always
Been Jaal jail And. JALALEN i think that's been a
slight miscalculation on behalf of the coaching staff. THERE i
(16:17):
don't think The knicks and we can even go back
to the walls for, YEARS i don't think anyone has
really Utilized towns in that high use grow THAT i
think he can he could actually. MAINTAIN i said this
On Bluees guy the other the other. DAY i still
think If towns is like you, know mentally ready for
a season where he's like aggressive right off the, pop
(16:39):
he could have like a thirty point average on high
efficiency throughout a full. SEASON i don't think that is
in any way. Unrealistic like when you think about, it
he his free throw us at a high. Clip he's
a tremendous three point shooter for someone his. Size he
can still score in the, post although you know that's
one that's probably the one area where he lacks aggressive and.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Even when he's, aggressive it just looks. Clumsy it.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Does but like he's he's still efficient enough to the
point WHERE i wouldn't hate running more of my offense through.
Him AND i think this series has been a very
good example of actually taking your two best offensive players
and telling, them, hey score. More Like jalen sid thirty,
Four towns at twenty. Six Those i'm not Asking jalens
to score forty four every single, day but Like i'm
(17:26):
saying that those two should definitely carry more of an
offensive burden for The knicks and not saying they should
play forty five. Minutes that's part of like the give and.
Take you, know the next, season coming into next, season
you have to make sure every one of those starters
are playing below forty five minutes first and.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Foremost that is wildly.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
Important but when those guys are out, There jalen And carl,
specifically you have to run more of the offense through.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
Them you just.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
Do and that's Not i'm not trying to point fingers
At mikale or. Og og has been fantastic this season.
Overall i'm not saying he's a bad offensive, player BUT
i do think it's pretty clear That jale And carl
are the, two you, know the two guys who make
things go in a way Where mikhail And og can
sort of play off of those. Two so, YES i
(18:15):
trial by, fire fine by.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Me and WHAT i think is interesting about that IS
i would agree with you overall in the sense OF
i really don't think because of what we saw this
isn't just a knixt. THING i think it's probably received
more of a spotlight because he's In New york now
instead Of. Minnesota colleague has always been a roller, coaster
and a lot.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Of that can be on.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Him he is the closest you get to having a
viable number two. OPTION i Like, Michale bridges o G
anobi at times have shown a lot of, Growth but
if you're looking for a reliable number two. OPTION i
would argue, one The knicks do not have, one and
two That Karl Anthony town's is the closest they come
to having. One, right WHAT i do think is problematic
(18:53):
moving forward long, term and shout out To Nick Film
Schools djzulo on this. Week he's been all over this
while and it's a thought That i've had not maybe with.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
The intricacy that he.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Has for sure there's a great like What i'm getting,
At so shout out to. Him Like Conthie towns And Jalen,
brunson their games compliment one, another but they're just not intertwined.
Enough and part of that is the way that defenses
will guard The knicks to where it's when heart's on the.
Floor with the previous starting, lineup you're going to Have
hymn screen because you want to get the big in
(19:24):
the action or have someone For Jalen brunson at. Target
the other part Is Jalen brunson really does seem to
operate better when he has a big who once sets good,
screens Which Coronthie towns will not always, do and then
that big will pull has that gravity on the way
to the basket and Conthe towns is more of a
pick and pop, option and so what you're doing is
really shrinking the. Space but even Though Corneae town's a
(19:47):
three point, shooter, like you're shrinking the space for defenses to.
Defend AND i don't want to say they're a counterintuitive,
fit BECAUSE i think there are things that can be,
done and Playing Mitchell robinson is like with the both
of them is kind of part of, it because you
can theoretically get the best of Have Karl Anthony town's
orbit and Have Mitch robinson set. Screens but the thought
That i've had is stagger the ever living hell out
(20:10):
of these. Two even, more they played twenty eight minutes
together In game, one nineteen minutes each in games two and.
THREE i know you're gonna close with. THEM i know
they're gonna start. Together but the numbers on this mort
in this series are kind of, wild and they basically
hold true the entire. Playoffs brunson playing Without towns against The,
pacers The knicks are a plus ten in forty two,
Minutes towns Without brunson a plus fifteen and thirty five.
(20:33):
Minutes the two of them together are minus twenty.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
And sixty five.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Minutes, NOW i know a lot of that's the starting lineup's.
Fault they're minus twenty nine overall in the, series but,
like it's probably risky to stagger them like a lot
relative to the regular season and to this. Point but
it's a button If I'M tims THAT i just might
press because, one in, theory you're unlocking not just the
best version Of Karl Anthony, towns But i'll say a
more intuitive version Of Jayalen. Brunson if you're kind of
(20:59):
tethering him to the one Big mitch.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
MINUTES i love.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
That, yeah, look that is something we've seen for so
many teams over the course of. History, honestly where you're,
saying we want had to have a real difference maker
on the floor at every single point of this, game
and we can't rely on our primary guys to play
more than thirty six forty eight minutes per game because,
look THE np is crazy, now and any player averaging
(21:24):
over forty minutes has blown knees basically after the end
of the. Season so, YEAH i think that is a
perfectly reasonable way to go about. It and, look you
Have mikale And og who might be the best complimentary
secondary guys to the staggered. Player if you catch my,
drift like If jalen is on the floor and towns us,
(21:45):
off then you have you, Know mikail Or og for,
example playing Alongside jalen that those are perfect roles for
them as. Well and you can flip it and, say,
Well Jalen carl goes. In maybe he also hes a
stint With mikhayl And. Og those guys compliment both those
guys to a wild, degree at least on a theoretical,
scale BECAUSE i will say, This mikil is just becoming,
(22:11):
inconsistent especially off it becoming, WELL i, KNOW i, mean,
look one thing is the defense slipped this, year and
we know that the shot was like in and. Out
IT'S i think we're reaching new lows here when it
comes to like the, SHOT i don't know what the
hell it is. ANYMORE i you, know usually at least
(22:31):
a couple years, back when he took an open three
or an open, well he's still a good mid range,
Shooter i'll give him, That but like an open, THREE
i was, like, yeah like this probably has like a
solid sixty five percent chance of going. In Now i'm
just like anybody's. GUESS i wouldn't dare putting a bed
on it at, all like it will be Kill bredges
make this open corner three, Pointer, like, No i'm Not
(22:53):
i'm not waiting anything on.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
THIS i have no. Clue, No i'm with you on.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
THAT i think the defense, DEFINITELY i think picked up
like towards the middle of the season through the, end
but the offense has Felt, yeah the mid range stuff
has been, there but like even some of the mid
range stuff can get annoying and you've seen it come
to bear and basically where it's he's always fading away
from the, rim like even when he has open pathways
to the. Basket but, yeah the three point shooting has
never felt like more.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Of a wild.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Card but do you know, what the it's not the,
problem but you know what the reality of the situation.
Is that's kind of like that's a third option on
a title. Team like same with og like not having
more ball, skills being a little bit he had a you,
know he kind of ignited The knicks offense at points
In game, Three.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Like that's those.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Guys, Yeah McHale, bridges we held out. HOPE i was
on the train when he went To. BROOKEN i was, like,
yeah this guy can be a number two by the
end of last year his final. Season that's, like, okay
he's probably just like better suited in that number three type.
Role The knicks's pecking order is such THAT i, think
and because they gave up so much for, him and
it's a fair way to look at, it you immediately
think that he needs to be a different type of
(23:58):
offensive player than he actually. Is like This michale Bri,
yes he needs to hit more wide open, threes, RIGHT
i can tell you that.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
Much but the inconsistency is it's. Damning but it's not just.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Him it's Like Jalen brunson probably has not had His
he definitely had to have his best. Game that was
one of the worst Games i've ever Seen Jalen brunson
play in A knicks, uniform probably in A mavericks uniform.
Too brain far passes JUST indi hadas defense is the
pressure The knicks don't know how to. Handle they do
not Man indy does. Not if they don't want to
be screened, more they're not gonna be. Screened it's and
(24:30):
it's Funny and Now i'm going out A pacers.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
DETOUR i don't care because what was our concern leading
into the, season like do they have enough? Defense is?
Speaker 2 (24:37):
It do they have enough size on? Defense they need
another premier wing. Defender and it's. Right Tyres holburton got,
better even if incrementally on. Defense Pascal siakam has always
been a little bit underrated, there and Then Andrew emhard
And AARON. E. Smith if they don't want to be,
screened they're not gonna be screened this this team is
the pressure is? THERE i thought The knicks have thrown
some really bad passes. Here but that's the other part
(24:58):
of the flaw of the, roster which is what concerns
me when you're looking at them long, term is just
going this. Far let's say they beat The pacers or
make it to A game seven or. Whatever does it
reinforce the wrong things here In New york because this
flaw isn't going. Anywhere there's stuff that we're talking. About
McHale bridges is, inconsistency Staggering Karl Anthony towns And Jalen.
(25:18):
Brunson the idea that Karlthy towns is your highest paid
player on those one of those thirty five Percent maxes
and you're sitting here, saying, well he really can't be
your primary big in a lot of, matches like there
need to, matchups you need to Have Mitchell robinson or
another big on the court with.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
Him that's.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
Problematic there's nothing you can do about it. Now but
like that's SOMETHING i think they're gonna have to look
at over the. Offseason we'll see how deeply they look into,
it depending on how the series. Ends but that inconsistency
you're talking, about it feels, like with the exception Of Jalen,
brunson that that is baked into THE dna of These,
nicks and that is it's, uncomfortable and yet here they
(25:57):
are at the same.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
Time question about that og right he had that stretch
was Said March april when he was averaging just.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
Ridiculous John brunton had that ankle, injury and then og
just went, Kaboom.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Yeah completely. Nuts.
Speaker 4 (26:14):
RIGHT i wonder, it, like would it be would it
be worth? Exploring LIKE i know it's never you can't
really set it up like, oh you're now you're the
third option and now you're the fourth. Option but LIKE
i do think there is too big of a gap
between shot attempts From bridges To, Ananobi, like would it
be interesting to go into next season and kind of
(26:36):
Empower og to take more shots and sort of Encourage
bridges to play off of those, Three, like so the
primary three Are, Jalen carl And og BECAUSE i would
love to see How mikhale responds to being way more
of a selective shooter than what he is right.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Now SO i, yes is the short.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
Answer the long answer, IS i think not so much this,
series but When Jalen brunson came back from that, injury anecdotally,
speaking it feels like we saw The knicks funnel some
of his usage Towards Og, ananobi AND i think in
this series what this is a CREDIT i think to
The pacers And Pascal siakam, specifically but like they're matched
(27:21):
up against one, another AND i think The knicks feel,
better especially when you're looking at we need someone to
run like on the, ball especially If Josh hart isn't
going to be on the on the. Court he's just
more wired to do. That but they probably feel better About,
hey do we want to See og go After Pascal
siakam or we've seen a lot Of Tyre's, haliburt Not Michel,
(27:42):
bridges and SO i think that's kind of responsible for the.
Series But i'm with you in a sense that do
you want to empower Og? MOORE i say that with
the caveat though of we talked about that for years
with The, raptors AND i just think we've probably reached
the point where he will have knights where there's just
some like wild drives and he does some hit some
side step. Threes that's just not him as a. Player
(28:03):
AND i think again could be another flow that's Not
Michael bridges. Either like these two are really great, players
and maybe what The knicks have done is insulated themselves
against disaster because so many of their key players are,
inconsistent but like there's just enough talent there to figure it.
Out it'll never be, easy but you can still maybe
kind of game. It but that's an interesting thought as to, like,
(28:24):
well is there another level to og. Here i'd be
all for exploring, It BUT i think if you asked
me about McHale or Og, anobi my answer is no
for both of. Them AND i think that's part of
the reason why if they ended up moving on From
TIBs or WHEN i see, People And i've complained About
TIBs plenty And i'm not saying he is the right
coach for the. Situation and it's the series isn't. OVER
(28:44):
i don't want me to get too long term with.
It BUT i don't think that this roster it's core.
ISSUES i don't think they're just born from the matters of.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
COACHING i agree with.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
That is there anything else on this anything about The?
Pacers the last NOTE i would have to throw to
you is when you talk about, inconsistency IS i would
like this and we saw it in?
Speaker 1 (29:03):
Game what was that?
Speaker 2 (29:04):
TWO i feel like it needs to be made a
point to Get Pascal siakam more, involved or at least
like maintain a level of, involvement because he's a, weapon
AND i just feel like at times he's underutilized way too.
Much AND i don't know if that's you, know comes
back to the town's. DISCUSSION i want to make it
clear he's nowhere near that extreme like he's more of
a steadying offensive. PRESENCE i don't know if if we
(29:25):
all more On siakam or if it's just the manner
in which they're getting him the ball and, look he
has og on and obi on him a lot of the.
Time that's got a factor in but getting him those
just those elbows, touches or like getting him any sort
of deep paint, touches which it feels like when they
want to they can almost do. It Will i'd like
to see them make more of an emphasis.
Speaker 1 (29:42):
On that for the rest of this.
Speaker 3 (29:43):
Series it's interesting you say.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
That so WHEN i have Some paris to Cover spurs,
PACERS i had A danish colleague with me who Asked
Rick carlisle about like that exact, question just in general
terms with the regular, season like are you planning to
get past Skilled siakam more? Involved And carlisle was, like you,
know that's not the way we look at, It like
we look at it through the flow of the, Game
(30:07):
like we're not gonna like just throw the ball to
a certain player just because that's. That this wasn't, verbatim
but like that was his larger, Point AND i remember
sitting there, thinking you, know LIKE i understand what you're
trying to say, here that you want this sort of
equal opportunity offense still With halley as your, quarterback but
(30:29):
it might be more beneficial to you occasionally at, least
so maybe just clear out some space or just kind
of funnel the ball towards Siak i'm just a little
bit more because he's he's too talented not to to
produce at a high level. Level so, YES i would
absolutely squeeze WHATEVER i can out of. Him moving, forward you,
(30:50):
know you have to utilize having a point guard who
is a, star who isn't as shot hungry as you
know a lot of other players in the. League having
someone who's like completely okay with seeing the ball go
through the hands of other. Players utilize. That that's a good.
Thing that's an asset for.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
You so if you can get more shots From, shiakam
who is in high efficiency score by the, way all the. Better,
YES i would support, That.
Speaker 1 (31:19):
Yeah for.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
Sure and you mentioned the part about what Brick carlo
had said that's what makes The pacers offense so. Dangerous
but we've also seen the value of What siakam can,
do SO i would probably echo everything you said right.
There anything else about this SERIES i would shout out
just you, know some of The pacers bench has not been,
great but Like Ben sheppard given him, Minutes Tony bradley
being dusted, off like being able to you talk about functional,
(31:41):
depth like being able to turn on a lean on those.
Guys AND i think even with The, Knicks duce McBride's
been big for them in this. Series and then if
You're Landry shamitt barely playing Until game three of The
Eastern Conference finals and coming in AND i think he really.
Gave he was kind of just like the billboard for
that Entire knicks. Comeback he wasn't the most important member of,
it but it was like he came, in gave you
minutes that you needed at a time when you couldn't
(32:03):
afford not to have, them and things took off from.
There so just shout out to like these reserves coming
in and leaving their mark on this type of.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
Stage, YEP i, WILL i, HAD i do have.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
Something, Finally i'm just gonna pluck some of my own
work to be honest with, you BECAUSE i just wrote
about The pacers over At yahoo. Today Brian windhorst reported
on ON espn that they're open to Keeping Miles turner, around,
well not open to keeping him around because obviously they're
open to going into the luxury tax to Retain Myles.
Truble believe THAT i see it that's so that was
(32:33):
my well that my point of the piece is basically
this that's only the starting. Point, like you just made
back to back conference. Finals you owe it to the
fan base to not just Resign. Miles you also have
to when Aaron Ne smith is up in two, years
go get him a new. Deal like you have to
actually see this. Through if The pacers become a shelf
(32:57):
themselves over the next couple of years because they want
to save, money shame on them big.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
Time, Yeah and they're not in a position where like
these are Not none of these, guys with the exception Of,
halliburn are ever gonna be these thirty five percent max
guys And AARON. E. SMITH i, think, look even if
they want to duct the tax next, year they have
enough room under the tax projected right now to whereas
you can move some money around and figure it. Out
(33:22):
The Aaron smith one's going to be interesting BECAUSE i,
like is he on the best contract in THE. NBA
i think you can make case That Jalen brunson's on
the best contract in THE, nba so he's probably a
top five contract at worst at this. Point he won't
sign an extension right off this.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
Number, No, no because the, extension even though it increased
to one hundred and forty percent as opposed to one
to twenty in veteran extension, limits he's earning what Eleven
let me just just double check AND i want to
sit here on the podcast and, lie just want to
make sure it get the numbers. RIGHT i think it
was eleven per. Year, yes it is eleven million per
year from Aaron Ne smith straight, like no. Increases so
(34:00):
in his final year twenty six twenty, seven he only
accounts for six point five percent of the salary, cap
which is a freaking'. Pargain so one hundred and forty
percent of that when he's looking like a full time
starter at this, point he's.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Looking like more than. THAT i, mean he. Turned the
shooting has been, like, well.
Speaker 3 (34:22):
What i'm saying full time, START i could say high end.
Speaker 4 (34:24):
Starter What i'm saying like he's he's not an all
star level yet at, least you know WHAT i, Mean
like he's not at that atmosphere of stratosphere, yet but
like he's still someone who's going to be paid starting.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
Money, yeah and look the defense he's played On Jalen
brunson's at points in the, series The knicks are barely
averaging a point per possession when he Defends Jalen, brunson
and that's Like Derek white On Jalen brunston, territory which is.
BONKERS i would not be surprised if the player they
move off on from is Actually.
Speaker 3 (34:54):
Mathrin you know.
Speaker 2 (34:56):
What's so weird about, that, though is one he makes
so little and so if you're really trying to cut
into your cap, Sheet Obi toppins the name THAT i
think is brought, up AND i saw.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
SOMEBODY i brought him up as.
Speaker 4 (35:07):
Well But i'm, thinking, like because they have to Pay
benedict in a couple of years or not even a couple,
years he's extension eligible after this, season and, like even
if he doesn't get an, extension then he's going to
go in.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
As a restricted.
Speaker 4 (35:18):
Freaction so he's only got one year left after this,
one and then he's gonna get paid a certain amount
of money And i'm pretty sure it's gonna be higher
than what he's going to be on in the final
year of his. Contract SO i think they want to
get out ahead of that and basically, say all, right,
look we don't want to trade a guy with like
half a year to go until he's like in restricted free.
Agency at least we can trade him maybe in the
(35:39):
summer where there's like a full season for a team
to like navigate those.
Speaker 2 (35:42):
QUARTERS i will, say we gets iffy about, that and
you deal with, it but it's, like you better be
sure That Ben shepherd can soak up a ton of, minutes,
yes or otherwise you need to go out and find
another sort of wing type.
Speaker 1 (35:54):
PLAYER i Know Bennett matther's maybe.
Speaker 2 (35:55):
Not the ideal, fit but he made some strides this
year and yeah there, LOOK i echo not we didn't
want to make this about the, future but like if
there was ever any, doubt AND i don't think there
should have, been that The pacers were a good. Team
they've put it to bed now they could lose this,
series and that they're still they're still, close and The
east is just we don't know what's gonna happen With
gianni's but The tatum injury In, boston you know changes
(36:16):
are coming.
Speaker 1 (36:17):
There, yeah it's so wide. Open look at what just
happened To.
Speaker 2 (36:21):
Cleveland yeah they could be maybe they're healthy through the
postseason next, year but like you don't look at them
after their three postseason. Trips you certainly don't look at
these knicks and say, like, oh they're they're ready to
run the. Tables you don't even look At milwaukee like
that If giannis is still. There if, Anything yanni's being
In milwaukee kind of ensures that the wealth of competition
is still redistributed throughout the league because you're not creating
(36:43):
a borderline superpower, Elsewhere so The east is wide. OPEN
i don't anticipate The pacers will do anything major to
shake this, up but They it's been really cool to
kind of see them confirm. That, no there was no
rush to coordinate. Them they were just They're they're just
really fucking. Good AND i think they're one of the
teams and, okay see will of course be a something
(37:04):
we look, at but they're becoming an exemplar for depth
matters in the.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
Playoffs now it.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
Feels like like it really feels like it, matters and
The pacers have kind of been like one of the
forerunners of.
Speaker 3 (37:14):
That, YEAH i totally.
Speaker 4 (37:16):
Agree and by the, Way Indiana oka see that is
going to be basketball porn and THEN i don't care
about all the narratives that's gonna pop up about, oh
this is gonna be a low ratings.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
SERIES i don't give a. Fuck that is going to
be fantastic.
Speaker 4 (37:33):
Basketball it could not for people who actually enjoy watching,
basketball who actually enjoy the. Sport this is gonna be
Like Christmas eve if we get that. Finals so that's
the One i'm.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
Rooting and then if you're really Like I'm i'm gonna be,
HERE i, won't you, know subscribe to. Them but if
It's nick's thunder the level of, oh look at grifter
Versus grifter AND sga Versus Jalen, BRUNTON i will be
interested to see just what how that gets boiled down.
TO i won't partake in it BECAUSE i THINK i
do think it's. Ridiculous for the most, part they can both,
(38:04):
grift so does Everybody Like i'm A knicks, fan AND
i can't even, admit, like, yeah watching you IF i
just fling himself into guys and off guys can get
annoying from time to, time like it MUCKs up the,
Game but we're not in for a bad whatever we,
get we're not in for a bad finals.
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Matchup so more this was?
Speaker 2 (38:19):
Fun can you tell all our listeners subscribers where they
can find you and all the great work that you.
Speaker 4 (38:23):
Do, yes SO i am over at Blue, sky WHERE
i usually share links to my. Work i'm honestly, YEAH
i just want to get out ahead of. This i'm
not really doing a bunch of social media. Anymore LIKE
i don't know what it. Is Maybe i'm getting, older
but like you can definitely find at least some links
to our work over at Blue. Sky, otherwise if you
want to find my work, actively you can go To
(38:45):
google search my name and Say yahoo And forbes and
then those archives are going to come. Up and then
of course THE nba podcast and you just Speak Danish
Busser beater podcast as.
Speaker 2 (38:55):
Well until next, time and as, always leave you with the.
ONE a shout out to the, one the. Only the
next player THAT i Think tibbs will insert into the game,
unexpectedly Mister Frank Niela keina
What is up, fellasic go goes.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I am a delirious Dan Favalley coming at you with
Mort Jentsen of the NBA podcast Fame, of Yahoo Sports fame,
and of Forbes fame as well, and most importantly only
fans celebrity.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
We're here talk Nick.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Pacers, which is just one of the most outrageous playoff
series so far that I've seen in recent memory, which
is wild considering how many ridiculous playoff series we've seen.
Mark just before we get started and dig into what
we've kind of seen, and then we have questions for
the rest of the series.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
How the heck are you doing well? Sir? Doing well?
Let's just get right into it.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
I could bore you with the details of my life
and how I'm doing, but I think the pe will
want to hear about this series way more so.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
What so let's start. I want to start here this series.
What are your impressions of it so far? Just like
what has taking you? Is there one element of it
that shocked you the most? Is there something that you'd like?
This clearly isn't how anyone expected it to go. We
know the Knicks haven't been great at home in the playoffs,
but lose the first two while having just an all
(01:08):
time choke fest in game one. So then game three
their trademark on the road. We're down twenty.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
It looks awful.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
We're gonna come back and do this? What is Let's
that's the question. What's been most surprising to you about
this series so far?
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Well?
Speaker 4 (01:22):
I mean, look, I'm not gonna sit here and say
that I would predict these major like late game turnarounds.
That's predicted all of it, all right, But I will
say I'm not surprised at the overarching element of Indiana
winning the first two and then dropping their first home
game like that. I'm not surprised that the Pacers are
up to one. So I think in the overarching scheme
(01:44):
of things, it's holding true to what I you know,
kind of expected. It's the way we got here, right,
It's the journey. It's not about the destination, and the
journey has just been nuts. It's like I actually think
Jalen Brunson said it the best. He said, He said
it better than I and ever say. He said, No,
lead feels safe. That is absolutely right on the money.
(02:07):
Like even last night when they were down was the
ten points coming into the fourth, you know, you were like,
you know what, this game's not over ten points. In
today's NBA, that can go like that. That can be
a quick turnaround. And I think they tied it or
did they even take the lead the next like at
the eight minute mark, eight seven or eight minute marks,
(02:27):
something along those lines, so like, and and then after
they did, you still were like, oh, okay, they're leading.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
But I don't feel good about that either.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Right right, So, I guess my biggest takeaway is I
love the fact that when we're late in games, we
have no fing clue it was actually going to pull
it out. I think that makes for great basketball viewing.
I think it makes for such an intriguing layer of
these playoffs. So that's probably what's most surprising to me.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Like we've seen a lot of duds in terms of
like performances, like for you know, blowouts, teams that have
just beaten others by forty even forty so oh, we
even had like a fifty point right was the heat calves?
Like the game four? What was that? Was it? Fifty
nine points? Z?
Speaker 1 (03:15):
What was grizzly thunder? Game one? That was obnoxious?
Speaker 3 (03:17):
All that happens to us.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Yeah, like, so we've had some really big blowouts, and
this one just feels different. These teams feels like they're
a little bit more aligned, like on the same level,
which just makes it so much more intriguing in terms
of the unpredictability of it.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Yeah, it's the next season. Felt over again when they
were down twenty in Game three. And you have to
give a ton of credit to the Pacers, and what
they've done really isn't a surprise to me. I think
anyone who's paid tangential attention to the Pacers understood or
at least had a feel for how.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Good they were.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
And I didn't pick them to win this series, but
I even noted at the when we were doing our predictions,
I said, my head is saying Pacers in six or seven,
and I just went, my heart is saying nix and seven.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
They just feel like both of these teams.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
For the East, like from the East perspective, are giving
off a team of destiny vibes, just with the comebacks
they've had, the shots that they've made, and now there's
just like this collision course when you're kind of dealing
into like more of the nitty gritty of the series.
I think one of the things that from the Pacers
end that have surprised me is that we haven't seen
and look, they won the first two games, but we
(04:23):
haven't seen more of a small on Karl Anthony Towns
like other teams have gravitated towards it's been we want
to stick with Andrew Nemhart, going on to Josh Harts
that he can he can float around, which does seem
like it's the right decision. I'm curious and as we're
recording this, I don't think we have news on Aaron E.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Smith's ankle right, So not that I no.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Because that would flip a lot of what India has
done so far. I would think, not that he's gonna
miss time, but if he's hobbled, it's this dude defend
Jalen Brunson that allows you to use Andrew Nemhart in
this way. But also I think after the game that
Karl Anthony Towns had, and I have a couple like
Knicks thoughts on that that I definitely want to get to.
But after the game that karl Anthy Towns had, are
(05:05):
we gonna see any adjustments there?
Speaker 3 (05:06):
So?
Speaker 2 (05:06):
But I've been a little bit surprised that we haven't
seen more of that from the Pacers initially just to
get that look. But this team is like the the
amount of ways the Pacers that they can beat you
is honestly terrifying. And it's just like Ben mcmathern's not had.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
A good series. He's been on the floor. It feels
like they're.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Playing four versus six and like they still like Ben
Shepherd's right, like we're gonna find a way, like carve
out minutes for him. The degree to which Miles Turner
has deepened his offensive bag over the past two to
three years is actually kind of mind melting when you
look at his ability to like dribble out of pressure
and like take a side step three or just attack
off the dribble and maybe punish some mismassed excuse me,
(05:46):
mismatches In the post Pascal Siakam people, I say, this
is one of the few takes I got right, But like,
remember how many people were just kind of overthought Pascal
Siakam in Indiana. Look at what it took to get him.
And he just adds this, I know he didn't have
a great Game three, but even down the stretch when
they needed buckets, things bogged down. You don't like to
see them get away from their offense. But that's also
(06:08):
why you have Pascal Siakam. It's because those shots that
you hear the broadcast say it like you have to
live with that shot if you're the Knicks, and you
know what Pascal Siakam wants, those.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Fadeaway jumpers, like from around the elbow areas.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
So this Pacers team that needless to say about just
Tyrese Haliburton, where that dude does not. I'm trying to
think of who the last guy was in their prime
who just didn't need to score to have such a
like demonstrative impact on the game. And I know, like
Jokic can have it now, but I mean like he
almost rely, Yeah, Nash was the one Nash or Chris
Paul maybe just like where they would reliably not score
(06:43):
twenty points in certain where it feels like Jokic is,
oh did he score enough, and oh, yeah he has forty.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
It just doesn't feel that he has forty.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
The Braun Le Braun occasionally like honestly that we just
don't make that comparison because he's built like a power
forward and and he's you know, the leading score or
ald time leading scorer. So that's why we never associate
him in that vein. But there are plenty of games
where he's basically just being a floor general and making
the right plays and is settling for seventeen eighteen points.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
So you know, there are.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
A lot of players who I think Halpert is starting
to remind me of in that way that he approaches.
I will say there are still some games Dan, and
I think you and I've talked about this before where
I'm like, hmm, halle, come on, like turn on the
jets right where he has some sort of a mismatch
where you know he can affect the game, maybe a
(07:35):
little game very like Mitchell.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Robinson's on him or Towns is on him. It's like,
why aren't you getting deeper into the paint.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
We know you can.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
Yep, yeah yeah, And he's a big point guard to it.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
I think for him that's probably the next step him
realizing just how tall and long he actually is, how
he can extend himself. So there's when we think back
on it. I know he's been retired for a while,
so like not everyone might you know, have the inner
movie in their head playing when I say his name,
but you remember how Dwayne Wade would like finish place
(08:06):
at the rim. I know he's like superbly athletic, more
so than Halle, but he would drive for example, he
would take you know, the first step and then he
will he would extend with his left arm he was
coming off the left wing or whatever, and like you
would kind of go oh oh, like he could just
manufacture shots out of thin air because he's just he
knows how to utilize literally every single inch of himself.
(08:30):
That's where I think the next step for for Haliburton's
solution has to come to like he's so long, and
you see him be a little bit more compactful on
drives where I'm like no, no, no, stretch it out, man,
Like you're supremely long, and when you're going up against
you know, posting point guards and like they're tracking you
into the paint, you can just extend. Half of those
guys are like six two six', Three like you got
(08:53):
both the wingspan and the height on. Them just.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Extend, YEAH i mean it's good.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Point and yet he the way that he can hit
those shots in big moments get separation from the perimeter
almost it will is just been like to have that
because Like Steve nash had some pretty big. Shots but
IT i think that might be why if it's, me
if it's, you if it's, other people might get more
frustrated With halbert and then it feels like with other.
Players is because he has the killed like he's a
he's turned full heel like the choke symbol In game.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
One this series is so.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
NUTS i love it as a as A knicks, FAN
i can't handle it AND i don't want to die
before THE Nba, Finals but as someone who tries to
cover the league as unbiasedly as, possible this is WHY
i still enjoy doing WHAT i do because it's bonkers
every single. Night AND i think this has been great
for The pacers just to like people put this asterisk
(09:45):
on Their conference finals appearance last, year Which i'm just
not a believer in asterisk because it's so hard to
win a title in any given, year no matter the
injury breaks your.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Team gets or another team.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Gets but this has been sort of a no not
because they're doing it against The, knicks but it's you
went through The cavaliers and you did that to The
nicks on their home did you, SEE i was laughing
at this that there Were it was probably ON, espn
maybe it Was Fox, sports about, like, well will the
pas be afraid to win A game seven IN? Msg
they won A game seven IN msg last. YEAR i
know The knicks were, injured but like that was always,
(10:15):
ridiculous AND i like That india finally seems like it's
starting to get the credit that it deserves as as
like the team that's as good as it. Is BUT
i did want to ask you about the, towns the
way they're Defending, towns specifically when he's been defended by
one of their, Bigs Pascal siakham Or Miles. Turner The
knicks are averaging as a team one point three eight
points per possession for this. Series that's, Outrageous but you
(10:37):
kind of look at where you've been and you can
make the case, That, okay The knicks choked Away game,
one but you were up two zero and you should
have been up three to. Zero when you kind of
look at How game three unfolded in the, LADDER i
mean you could kind of sense them letting go of
it towards the end of that first.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Half The knicks went on that mini.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Run but if You're indiana looking at, this do you
then investigate more of, like, well do we put like
a smaller player On Carl Anthony towns because he's just
been so. Hesitant part of it is The knicks won't
go like get him the ball, Sometimes but the other
part of it is just he's not wired unless really
he's on the, Block like he's just not wired to
attack those guys the way that he should. Be and
(11:12):
so if You're Rick, carlisle is that something you're looking
at for the rest of the series or do you
look at this and, say we're up two to, one
we can easily.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Be up three to. Zero we're.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Not we're not flipping anything right, now especially again when
we're kind of wondering about the state Of Aarony smith's, Ankle, RIGHT.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
I think WHAT i If i'm The, PACERS i prepare for,
everything and then When game four starts, ROLLING i kind
of read it as it. GOES i, mean, Look towns
had four points entering the fourth quarter last, night for,
Example so like if he has another slow, Start i'm
not necessarily inclined to switch things up on him. Necessarily
(11:50):
the thing About towns and this is why he's so
difficult to cover as. Well it's when he actually gets
NOT i don't want to say, motivated motivated that's the wrong.
Word but when he gets aggressive that's probably a better.
Word when he gets like super, AGGRESSIVE i honestly don't
care who you put on. Him it could be a
big it could be a, wing it could be a you,
know a sturdy. GUARD i don't. Care when he has
(12:13):
that level of confidence and he just seeks things, out
he will win that wet matchup far more than he'll lose.
It so for, me it's not a matter of, oh
how does a team, affect you, know the defensively To.
Towns to, me it's all About towns. Himself it's, like
when do you want to attack it the right? Way
(12:34):
how do you want to do, this this and? That
and that's when you had to react as the opposing,
coach because let's be, real If towns is like fully on,
board comes out aggressive from the opening, TIP i don't
think it matters if you Put Myles turner on him
Or Aaron smith or.
Speaker 3 (12:51):
Yeah YEAH i.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
DON'T i don't like then he'll just punish you in
every which way he. Can so to, me it comes
down to like reading How towns is approaching a, game
that means that shooting, around you have one of your assistant. Coaches,
basically just you tell one of your assistant coaches for
the next forty five, minutes you Watch towns during, warmups
and you watch only, him and you give me a
full report, afterwards like do we have to be? Concerned
(13:14):
does he have That look at the, side look at
what is he working on right? Now, everything and if
he comes out, slow you don't worry about, it at
least not until he starts amping up a little.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Bit that's an excellent, point because he was having he
was actually had some pretty good defensive, moments AND i
think a lot of the times in that third quarter
then specifically The knicks played great defense only to brain
farted away at the offensive. End but he didn't like
he was having a nothing game until the fourth, quarter
and he scored Those he had twenty POINTS i think
by the five minute and ten mark.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Left then he didn't score.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Again by the, WAY i believe WHAT i do think
is interesting and it kind of dovetails with your point,
nicely And i'm curious your thoughts on. This so tis
makes the starting lineup change Inserts Mitchell robinson For Josh.
Hart what also, happened, though is everybody gets in foul.
Trouble duce mean bride had three And Quante towns And
Jail bruns and we're both in foul trouble the rest
of the. Game, essentially it Forced tibbs to put him
(14:04):
in this. Lineup This town's put in this lineup where
he had to be aggressive offensively because you were playing
With Josh, Hart duce, McBride Delon wright And landry shammittt
WHICH i don't know If tibbs was just playing the
fuck IF i know What i'm doing card or if
this was just, No i'm really trying To you have
to give him credit for experimenting with. It that lineup
specifically played like three. Minutes it was three electric. Minutes
(14:26):
but even when you're looking at the mixing and matching
the other parts of it to where there was other
players in, there but there still was No Jalen. Brunson
it wasn't having both mckal bridges And ocean And obi
there at the same. Time what do you make of
the idea that if he's put in a situation to
where he has won he's insulated defensively because not only
Is Jalen brunton not on the, court but you've surrounded
(14:47):
him With duce, McBride Josh hart And Delon wright who
can still like he will fight Even Landry. Shammitt by the,
Way i'm not saying he's a great, defender.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
No fights through.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Screens, yeah he put up a fight in the post
on a couple of, Possessions so you've insulated him, DEFENSIVELY
i think just by virtue Of John brunson not being out.
There and then, two what do you just sort of
make of the idea that baptize this by fire essentially
where it's like he has to be aggressive?
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Officially do you want to know?
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Why because no one else, like, Yeah duce McBride will
put up some, shots but no one else is going
to generate their own shots at the clip that he.
Can And i'm wondering if that's a recipe and it
leads into another THING i want to ask you about
in a, Second but what do you make of that
being a recipe for it doesn't have to be that
exact lineup because that was? Okay is that a lineup
that's going to sustain but let's Put Karlnthon town's in
(15:31):
a situation where he has to be the, guy, yeah
to make happen.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
OFFENSIVELY i don't hate that a plan, whatsoever because, look,
Look jalen might be your most skilled offensive player in
terms of like you, know, oh, NO i want to
say most skilled perimeter offensive. Player towns has a capability
of playing inside. Out he, is he's a playmaker as,
(15:56):
well like he's a secondary. Playmaker SO i trust the
ball going through his hands almost as much As jalen
to be honest with, you like we're up at that.
Level yet when we've seen games all throughout the, season
it's all like the center point of everything has always
Been Jaal jail And. JALALEN i think that's been a
slight miscalculation on behalf of the coaching staff. THERE i
(16:17):
don't think The knicks and we can even go back
to the walls for, YEARS i don't think anyone has
really Utilized towns in that high use grow THAT i
think he can he could actually. MAINTAIN i said this
On Bluees guy the other the other. DAY i still
think If towns is like you, know mentally ready for
a season where he's like aggressive right off the, pop
(16:39):
he could have like a thirty point average on high
efficiency throughout a full. SEASON i don't think that is
in any way. Unrealistic like when you think about, it
he his free throw us at a high. Clip he's
a tremendous three point shooter for someone his. Size he
can still score in the, post although you know that's
one that's probably the one area where he lacks aggressive and.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Even when he's, aggressive it just looks. Clumsy it.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Does but like he's he's still efficient enough to the
point WHERE i wouldn't hate running more of my offense through.
Him AND i think this series has been a very
good example of actually taking your two best offensive players
and telling, them, hey score. More Like jalen sid thirty,
Four towns at twenty. Six Those i'm not Asking jalens
to score forty four every single, day but Like i'm
(17:26):
saying that those two should definitely carry more of an
offensive burden for The knicks and not saying they should
play forty five. Minutes that's part of like the give and.
Take you, know the next, season coming into next, season
you have to make sure every one of those starters
are playing below forty five minutes first and.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Foremost that is wildly.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
Important but when those guys are out, There jalen And carl,
specifically you have to run more of the offense through.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
Them you just.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
Do and that's Not i'm not trying to point fingers
At mikale or. Og og has been fantastic this season.
Overall i'm not saying he's a bad offensive, player BUT
i do think it's pretty clear That jale And carl
are the, two you, know the two guys who make
things go in a way Where mikhail And og can
sort of play off of those. Two so, YES i
(18:15):
trial by, fire fine by.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Me and WHAT i think is interesting about that IS
i would agree with you overall in the sense OF
i really don't think because of what we saw this
isn't just a knixt. THING i think it's probably received
more of a spotlight because he's In New york now
instead Of. Minnesota colleague has always been a roller, coaster
and a lot.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Of that can be on.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Him he is the closest you get to having a
viable number two. OPTION i Like, Michale bridges o G
anobi at times have shown a lot of, Growth but
if you're looking for a reliable number two. OPTION i
would argue, one The knicks do not have, one and
two That Karl Anthony town's is the closest they come
to having. One, right WHAT i do think is problematic
(18:53):
moving forward long, term and shout out To Nick Film
Schools djzulo on this. Week he's been all over this
while and it's a thought That i've had not maybe with.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
The intricacy that he.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Has for sure there's a great like What i'm getting,
At so shout out to. Him Like Conthie towns And Jalen,
brunson their games compliment one, another but they're just not intertwined.
Enough and part of that is the way that defenses
will guard The knicks to where it's when heart's on the.
Floor with the previous starting, lineup you're going to Have
hymn screen because you want to get the big in
(19:24):
the action or have someone For Jalen brunson at. Target
the other part Is Jalen brunson really does seem to
operate better when he has a big who once sets good,
screens Which Coronthie towns will not always, do and then
that big will pull has that gravity on the way
to the basket and Conthe towns is more of a
pick and pop, option and so what you're doing is
really shrinking the. Space but even Though Corneae town's a
(19:47):
three point, shooter, like you're shrinking the space for defenses to.
Defend AND i don't want to say they're a counterintuitive,
fit BECAUSE i think there are things that can be,
done and Playing Mitchell robinson is like with the both
of them is kind of part of, it because you
can theoretically get the best of Have Karl Anthony town's
orbit and Have Mitch robinson set. Screens but the thought
That i've had is stagger the ever living hell out
(20:10):
of these. Two even, more they played twenty eight minutes
together In game, one nineteen minutes each in games two and.
THREE i know you're gonna close with. THEM i know
they're gonna start. Together but the numbers on this mort
in this series are kind of, wild and they basically
hold true the entire. Playoffs brunson playing Without towns against The,
pacers The knicks are a plus ten in forty two,
Minutes towns Without brunson a plus fifteen and thirty five.
(20:33):
Minutes the two of them together are minus twenty.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
And sixty five.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
Minutes, NOW i know a lot of that's the starting lineup's.
Fault they're minus twenty nine overall in the, series but,
like it's probably risky to stagger them like a lot
relative to the regular season and to this. Point but
it's a button If I'M tims THAT i just might
press because, one in, theory you're unlocking not just the
best version Of Karl Anthony, towns But i'll say a
more intuitive version Of Jayalen. Brunson if you're kind of
(20:59):
tethering him to the one Big mitch.
Speaker 3 (21:02):
MINUTES i love.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
That, yeah, look that is something we've seen for so
many teams over the course of. History, honestly where you're,
saying we want had to have a real difference maker
on the floor at every single point of this, game
and we can't rely on our primary guys to play
more than thirty six forty eight minutes per game because,
look THE np is crazy, now and any player averaging
(21:24):
over forty minutes has blown knees basically after the end
of the. Season so, YEAH i think that is a
perfectly reasonable way to go about. It and, look you
Have mikale And og who might be the best complimentary
secondary guys to the staggered. Player if you catch my,
drift like If jalen is on the floor and towns us,
(21:45):
off then you have you, Know mikail Or og for,
example playing Alongside jalen that those are perfect roles for
them as. Well and you can flip it and, say,
Well Jalen carl goes. In maybe he also hes a
stint With mikhayl And. Og those guys compliment both those
guys to a wild, degree at least on a theoretical,
scale BECAUSE i will say, This mikil is just becoming,
(22:11):
inconsistent especially off it becoming, WELL i, KNOW i, mean,
look one thing is the defense slipped this, year and
we know that the shot was like in and. Out
IT'S i think we're reaching new lows here when it
comes to like the, SHOT i don't know what the
hell it is. ANYMORE i you, know usually at least
(22:31):
a couple years, back when he took an open three
or an open, well he's still a good mid range,
Shooter i'll give him, That but like an open, THREE
i was, like, yeah like this probably has like a
solid sixty five percent chance of going. In Now i'm
just like anybody's. GUESS i wouldn't dare putting a bed
on it at, all like it will be Kill bredges
make this open corner three, Pointer, like, No i'm Not
(22:53):
i'm not waiting anything on.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
THIS i have no. Clue, No i'm with you on.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
THAT i think the defense, DEFINITELY i think picked up
like towards the middle of the season through the, end
but the offense has Felt, yeah the mid range stuff
has been, there but like even some of the mid
range stuff can get annoying and you've seen it come
to bear and basically where it's he's always fading away
from the, rim like even when he has open pathways
to the. Basket but, yeah the three point shooting has
never felt like more.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Of a wild.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Card but do you know, what the it's not the,
problem but you know what the reality of the situation.
Is that's kind of like that's a third option on
a title. Team like same with og like not having
more ball, skills being a little bit he had a you,
know he kind of ignited The knicks offense at points
In game, Three.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Like that's those.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Guys, Yeah McHale, bridges we held out. HOPE i was
on the train when he went To. BROOKEN i was, like,
yeah this guy can be a number two by the
end of last year his final. Season that's, like, okay
he's probably just like better suited in that number three type.
Role The knicks's pecking order is such THAT i, think
and because they gave up so much for, him and
it's a fair way to look at, it you immediately
think that he needs to be a different type of
(23:58):
offensive player than he actually. Is like This michale Bri,
yes he needs to hit more wide open, threes, RIGHT
i can tell you that.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
Much but the inconsistency is it's. Damning but it's not just.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Him it's Like Jalen brunson probably has not had His
he definitely had to have his best. Game that was
one of the worst Games i've ever Seen Jalen brunson
play in A knicks, uniform probably in A mavericks uniform.
Too brain far passes JUST indi hadas defense is the
pressure The knicks don't know how to. Handle they do
not Man indy does. Not if they don't want to
be screened, more they're not gonna be. Screened it's and
(24:30):
it's Funny and Now i'm going out A pacers.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
DETOUR i don't care because what was our concern leading
into the, season like do they have enough? Defense is?
Speaker 2 (24:37):
It do they have enough size on? Defense they need
another premier wing. Defender and it's. Right Tyres holburton got,
better even if incrementally on. Defense Pascal siakam has always
been a little bit underrated, there and Then Andrew emhard
And AARON. E. Smith if they don't want to be,
screened they're not gonna be screened this this team is
the pressure is? THERE i thought The knicks have thrown
some really bad passes. Here but that's the other part
(24:58):
of the flaw of the, roster which is what concerns
me when you're looking at them long, term is just
going this. Far let's say they beat The pacers or
make it to A game seven or. Whatever does it
reinforce the wrong things here In New york because this
flaw isn't going. Anywhere there's stuff that we're talking. About
McHale bridges is, inconsistency Staggering Karl Anthony towns And Jalen.
(25:18):
Brunson the idea that Karlthy towns is your highest paid
player on those one of those thirty five Percent maxes
and you're sitting here, saying, well he really can't be
your primary big in a lot of, matches like there
need to, matchups you need to Have Mitchell robinson or
another big on the court with.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
Him that's.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
Problematic there's nothing you can do about it. Now but
like that's SOMETHING i think they're gonna have to look
at over the. Offseason we'll see how deeply they look into,
it depending on how the series. Ends but that inconsistency
you're talking, about it feels, like with the exception Of Jalen,
brunson that that is baked into THE dna of These,
nicks and that is it's, uncomfortable and yet here they
(25:57):
are at the same.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
Time question about that og right he had that stretch
was Said March april when he was averaging just.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
Ridiculous John brunton had that ankle, injury and then og
just went, Kaboom.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Yeah completely. Nuts.
Speaker 4 (26:14):
RIGHT i wonder, it, like would it be would it
be worth? Exploring LIKE i know it's never you can't
really set it up like, oh you're now you're the
third option and now you're the fourth. Option but LIKE
i do think there is too big of a gap
between shot attempts From bridges To, Ananobi, like would it
be interesting to go into next season and kind of
(26:36):
Empower og to take more shots and sort of Encourage
bridges to play off of those, Three, like so the
primary three Are, Jalen carl And og BECAUSE i would
love to see How mikhale responds to being way more
of a selective shooter than what he is right.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Now SO i, yes is the short.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
Answer the long answer, IS i think not so much this,
series but When Jalen brunson came back from that, injury anecdotally,
speaking it feels like we saw The knicks funnel some
of his usage Towards Og, ananobi AND i think in
this series what this is a CREDIT i think to
The pacers And Pascal siakam, specifically but like they're matched
(27:21):
up against one, another AND i think The knicks feel,
better especially when you're looking at we need someone to
run like on the, ball especially If Josh hart isn't
going to be on the on the. Court he's just
more wired to do. That but they probably feel better About,
hey do we want to See og go After Pascal
siakam or we've seen a lot Of Tyre's, haliburt Not Michel,
(27:42):
bridges and SO i think that's kind of responsible for the.
Series But i'm with you in a sense that do
you want to empower Og? MOORE i say that with
the caveat though of we talked about that for years
with The, raptors AND i just think we've probably reached
the point where he will have knights where there's just
some like wild drives and he does some hit some
side step. Threes that's just not him as a. Player
(28:03):
AND i think again could be another flow that's Not
Michael bridges. Either like these two are really great, players
and maybe what The knicks have done is insulated themselves
against disaster because so many of their key players are,
inconsistent but like there's just enough talent there to figure it.
Out it'll never be, easy but you can still maybe
kind of game. It but that's an interesting thought as to, like,
(28:24):
well is there another level to og. Here i'd be
all for exploring, It BUT i think if you asked
me about McHale or Og, anobi my answer is no
for both of. Them AND i think that's part of
the reason why if they ended up moving on From
TIBs or WHEN i see, People And i've complained About
TIBs plenty And i'm not saying he is the right
coach for the. Situation and it's the series isn't. OVER
(28:44):
i don't want me to get too long term with.
It BUT i don't think that this roster it's core.
ISSUES i don't think they're just born from the matters of.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
COACHING i agree with.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
That is there anything else on this anything about The?
Pacers the last NOTE i would have to throw to
you is when you talk about, inconsistency IS i would
like this and we saw it in?
Speaker 1 (29:03):
Game what was that?
Speaker 2 (29:04):
TWO i feel like it needs to be made a
point to Get Pascal siakam more, involved or at least
like maintain a level of, involvement because he's a, weapon
AND i just feel like at times he's underutilized way too.
Much AND i don't know if that's you, know comes
back to the town's. DISCUSSION i want to make it
clear he's nowhere near that extreme like he's more of
a steadying offensive. PRESENCE i don't know if if we
(29:25):
all more On siakam or if it's just the manner
in which they're getting him the ball and, look he
has og on and obi on him a lot of the.
Time that's got a factor in but getting him those
just those elbows, touches or like getting him any sort
of deep paint, touches which it feels like when they
want to they can almost do. It Will i'd like
to see them make more of an emphasis.
Speaker 1 (29:42):
On that for the rest of this.
Speaker 3 (29:43):
Series it's interesting you say.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
That so WHEN i have Some paris to Cover spurs,
PACERS i had A danish colleague with me who Asked
Rick carlisle about like that exact, question just in general
terms with the regular, season like are you planning to
get past Skilled siakam more? Involved And carlisle was, like you,
know that's not the way we look at, It like
we look at it through the flow of the, Game
(30:07):
like we're not gonna like just throw the ball to
a certain player just because that's. That this wasn't, verbatim
but like that was his larger, Point AND i remember
sitting there, thinking you, know LIKE i understand what you're
trying to say, here that you want this sort of
equal opportunity offense still With halley as your, quarterback but
(30:29):
it might be more beneficial to you occasionally at, least
so maybe just clear out some space or just kind
of funnel the ball towards Siak i'm just a little
bit more because he's he's too talented not to to
produce at a high level. Level so, YES i would
absolutely squeeze WHATEVER i can out of. Him moving, forward you,
(30:50):
know you have to utilize having a point guard who
is a, star who isn't as shot hungry as you
know a lot of other players in the. League having
someone who's like completely okay with seeing the ball go
through the hands of other. Players utilize. That that's a good.
Thing that's an asset for.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
You so if you can get more shots From, shiakam
who is in high efficiency score by the, way all the. Better,
YES i would support, That.
Speaker 1 (31:19):
Yeah for.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
Sure and you mentioned the part about what Brick carlo
had said that's what makes The pacers offense so. Dangerous
but we've also seen the value of What siakam can,
do SO i would probably echo everything you said right.
There anything else about this SERIES i would shout out
just you, know some of The pacers bench has not been,
great but Like Ben sheppard given him, Minutes Tony bradley
being dusted, off like being able to you talk about functional,
(31:41):
depth like being able to turn on a lean on those.
Guys AND i think even with The, Knicks duce McBride's
been big for them in this. Series and then if
You're Landry shamitt barely playing Until game three of The
Eastern Conference finals and coming in AND i think he really.
Gave he was kind of just like the billboard for
that Entire knicks. Comeback he wasn't the most important member of,
it but it was like he came, in gave you
minutes that you needed at a time when you couldn't
(32:03):
afford not to have, them and things took off from.
There so just shout out to like these reserves coming
in and leaving their mark on this type of.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
Stage, YEP i, WILL i, HAD i do have.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
Something, Finally i'm just gonna pluck some of my own
work to be honest with, you BECAUSE i just wrote
about The pacers over At yahoo. Today Brian windhorst reported
on ON espn that they're open to Keeping Miles turner, around,
well not open to keeping him around because obviously they're
open to going into the luxury tax to Retain Myles.
Truble believe THAT i see it that's so that was
(32:33):
my well that my point of the piece is basically
this that's only the starting. Point, like you just made
back to back conference. Finals you owe it to the
fan base to not just Resign. Miles you also have
to when Aaron Ne smith is up in two, years
go get him a new. Deal like you have to
actually see this. Through if The pacers become a shelf
(32:57):
themselves over the next couple of years because they want
to save, money shame on them big.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
Time, Yeah and they're not in a position where like
these are Not none of these, guys with the exception Of,
halliburn are ever gonna be these thirty five percent max
guys And AARON. E. SMITH i, think, look even if
they want to duct the tax next, year they have
enough room under the tax projected right now to whereas
you can move some money around and figure it. Out
(33:22):
The Aaron smith one's going to be interesting BECAUSE i,
like is he on the best contract in THE. NBA
i think you can make case That Jalen brunson's on
the best contract in THE, nba so he's probably a
top five contract at worst at this. Point he won't
sign an extension right off this.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
Number, No, no because the, extension even though it increased
to one hundred and forty percent as opposed to one
to twenty in veteran extension, limits he's earning what Eleven
let me just just double check AND i want to
sit here on the podcast and, lie just want to
make sure it get the numbers. RIGHT i think it
was eleven per. Year, yes it is eleven million per
year from Aaron Ne smith straight, like no. Increases so
(34:00):
in his final year twenty six twenty, seven he only
accounts for six point five percent of the salary, cap
which is a freaking'. Pargain so one hundred and forty
percent of that when he's looking like a full time
starter at this, point he's.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Looking like more than. THAT i, mean he. Turned the
shooting has been, like, well.
Speaker 3 (34:22):
What i'm saying full time, START i could say high end.
Speaker 4 (34:24):
Starter What i'm saying like he's he's not an all
star level yet at, least you know WHAT i, Mean
like he's not at that atmosphere of stratosphere, yet but
like he's still someone who's going to be paid starting.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
Money, yeah and look the defense he's played On Jalen
brunson's at points in the, series The knicks are barely
averaging a point per possession when he Defends Jalen, brunson
and that's Like Derek white On Jalen brunston, territory which is.
BONKERS i would not be surprised if the player they
move off on from is Actually.
Speaker 3 (34:54):
Mathrin you know.
Speaker 2 (34:56):
What's so weird about, that, though is one he makes
so little and so if you're really trying to cut
into your cap, Sheet Obi toppins the name THAT i
think is brought, up AND i saw.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
SOMEBODY i brought him up as.
Speaker 4 (35:07):
Well But i'm, thinking, like because they have to Pay
benedict in a couple of years or not even a couple,
years he's extension eligible after this, season and, like even
if he doesn't get an, extension then he's going to
go in.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
As a restricted.
Speaker 4 (35:18):
Freaction so he's only got one year left after this,
one and then he's gonna get paid a certain amount
of money And i'm pretty sure it's gonna be higher
than what he's going to be on in the final
year of his. Contract SO i think they want to
get out ahead of that and basically, say all, right,
look we don't want to trade a guy with like
half a year to go until he's like in restricted free.
Agency at least we can trade him maybe in the
(35:39):
summer where there's like a full season for a team
to like navigate those.
Speaker 2 (35:42):
QUARTERS i will, say we gets iffy about, that and
you deal with, it but it's, like you better be
sure That Ben shepherd can soak up a ton of, minutes,
yes or otherwise you need to go out and find
another sort of wing type.
Speaker 1 (35:54):
PLAYER i Know Bennett matther's maybe.
Speaker 2 (35:55):
Not the ideal, fit but he made some strides this
year and yeah there, LOOK i echo not we didn't
want to make this about the, future but like if
there was ever any, doubt AND i don't think there
should have, been that The pacers were a good. Team
they've put it to bed now they could lose this,
series and that they're still they're still, close and The
east is just we don't know what's gonna happen With
gianni's but The tatum injury In, boston you know changes
(36:16):
are coming.
Speaker 1 (36:17):
There, yeah it's so wide. Open look at what just
happened To.
Speaker 2 (36:21):
Cleveland yeah they could be maybe they're healthy through the
postseason next, year but like you don't look at them
after their three postseason. Trips you certainly don't look at
these knicks and say, like, oh they're they're ready to
run the. Tables you don't even look At milwaukee like
that If giannis is still. There if, Anything yanni's being
In milwaukee kind of ensures that the wealth of competition
is still redistributed throughout the league because you're not creating
(36:43):
a borderline superpower, Elsewhere so The east is wide. OPEN
i don't anticipate The pacers will do anything major to
shake this, up but They it's been really cool to
kind of see them confirm. That, no there was no
rush to coordinate. Them they were just They're they're just
really fucking. Good AND i think they're one of the
teams and, okay see will of course be a something
(37:04):
we look, at but they're becoming an exemplar for depth
matters in the.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
Playoffs now it.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
Feels like like it really feels like it, matters and
The pacers have kind of been like one of the
forerunners of.
Speaker 3 (37:14):
That, YEAH i totally.
Speaker 4 (37:16):
Agree and by the, Way Indiana oka see that is
going to be basketball porn and THEN i don't care
about all the narratives that's gonna pop up about, oh
this is gonna be a low ratings.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
SERIES i don't give a. Fuck that is going to
be fantastic.
Speaker 4 (37:33):
Basketball it could not for people who actually enjoy watching,
basketball who actually enjoy the. Sport this is gonna be
Like Christmas eve if we get that. Finals so that's
the One i'm.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
Rooting and then if you're really Like I'm i'm gonna be,
HERE i, won't you, know subscribe to. Them but if
It's nick's thunder the level of, oh look at grifter
Versus grifter AND sga Versus Jalen, BRUNTON i will be
interested to see just what how that gets boiled down.
TO i won't partake in it BECAUSE i THINK i
do think it's. Ridiculous for the most, part they can both,
(38:04):
grift so does Everybody Like i'm A knicks, fan AND
i can't even, admit, like, yeah watching you IF i
just fling himself into guys and off guys can get
annoying from time to, time like it MUCKs up the,
Game but we're not in for a bad whatever we,
get we're not in for a bad finals.
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Matchup so more this was?
Speaker 2 (38:19):
Fun can you tell all our listeners subscribers where they
can find you and all the great work that you.
Speaker 4 (38:23):
Do, yes SO i am over at Blue, sky WHERE
i usually share links to my. Work i'm honestly, YEAH
i just want to get out ahead of. This i'm
not really doing a bunch of social media. Anymore LIKE
i don't know what it. Is Maybe i'm getting, older
but like you can definitely find at least some links
to our work over at Blue. Sky, otherwise if you
want to find my work, actively you can go To
(38:45):
google search my name and Say yahoo And forbes and
then those archives are going to come. Up and then
of course THE nba podcast and you just Speak Danish
Busser beater podcast as.
Speaker 2 (38:55):
Well until next, time and as, always leave you with the.
ONE a shout out to the, one the. Only the
next player THAT i Think tibbs will insert into the game,
unexpectedly Mister Frank Niela keina
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