May 1, 2026 • 11 mins
Radio Voice of the Lakers John Ireland Talks Game 6
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ten thirty one seven out of eight is a Matt
Thomas show, and Ross we spend ten twenty minutes with
our friend for the second time. Man, I hope it
doesn't ask for a talent fee on this, John. I
don't think we can afford him. John already does a
three hour show in Los Angeles as it is, and
he's a Lakers radio voice, and he's with us for
the second time in the last couple of weeks. John
high liked this Chamber of commerce weather we're giving the
Los Angeles Lakers fan base here today.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Well, as you know, Matt, my second stop in TV
news was in Beaumont, which is about eighty miles. Yes,
and I was there for four years and this is
what the weather was like every day, so I'm well
prepared for that. But first of all, before I yell
at you, uh oh, how are you? How are you feeling?
(00:43):
Last time I saw you, I was I thought I
might have to send you to the infirmary. Are you
feeling better?
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Beverly Hills, I got I officially have a pharmacy pills
from the nine to two one ozer, which makes me
kind of special. I feel about ninety percent and I
certainly felt a lot better as the game's moving along
as the Rockets got the victory. So I appreciate you
checking on me, John Ross. I should tell you John
was offering me medication during the game, and if you
wanted me to fall asleep during the game, or what
if the case may be. I don't think you should
(01:10):
write him out for a federal crime medication. Are we
talking about it?
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Ross? It's all over the Okay, that's fine, except for
the sleep gummy illegal.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
She's like, hey, California, he called me the mule for
some reason. Don't know why I did that. That was
so terrible. All right, Johnny, let's get right to it.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
How just you want to get right to it? Let's
get let's get to this. Why don't you listen to me?
All right?
Speaker 1 (01:39):
I didn't want to listen to you because I think
you were just you would just give me full full
optimism is what you were trying to do.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Well, No, I think we both pivot to it, as
most team announcers do. Hope for the best, but prepare
for the worst. Yes, and so I knew what you
were doing, but so the audience knows. I went into
math the other night and I said, you know, this
series isn't over, and you looked at me like I
had lost my mind, and you went, well, you know,
(02:07):
nobody's ever come back from oh three, blah blah, Matt,
you realize you guys should be ahead three too. I
know if you don't give rap game three, hand it
to us tonight, you would be preparing for a party.
But because the Rockets did that, we've got a shot.
But I mean it when I say this, like you
(02:28):
can put me on a light detector. This series is
not even close to being over. Wouldn't you say it
has reached the stage now where it's probably I know
this isn't the accurate number, but in your own head,
isn't it probably fifty to fifty? Like who wins this now?
It would not surprise me if the Lakers won tonight
and ended your season. It would not surprise me if
(02:49):
the Rockets blow us out like the Nicks Hawks thing,
and then it all comes down to a game seven.
There is no scenario you could give me that I
would be sit Do you feel the same way?
Speaker 1 (03:01):
One hundred percent of a matter of fact, I spent
the first half hour of the show with the audience
saying I don't have a feel for this. I don't
because everybody in their mother has flipped the narrative on this.
Lebron is old Canard can't shoot anymore. It's Marcus Smart's
gonna turn the ball over. It's the rockets are are
at the momentum. I got me Kendrick Perkins talk Colins
(03:22):
the dumbest team in the NBA until the Lakers came
and became the dumbest team in the NBA. I really
don't have a feel for it whatsoever. Now, I did
go to your Instagram account where you were not working yesterday.
Your guy Max Kelleman, who people know on ESPN, is
loving your squad. So tell me how is Max a
good prognosticator? When he comes on your show?
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Max is terrible? Are you kidding? He is a great guy.
He couldn't pick to save his life. For ten years, Matt,
I did the show before Max's. Max was doing radio
in LA for a long time with Marcellus Wiley. It
was a really great show. Like most shows in our business,
(04:03):
some suit screwed it up. Yep. But I heard Max
when I was on the plane flan out here and
I heard Max. I think that a lot of people
watching this series, particularly national media, have pivoted to this. Well,
Lebron will never let this happen, Like Lebron will never
(04:25):
blow an O three lead. His legacy is too important.
I'm here to tell you, and I'm curious what you
think about this. It is not Lebron that has allowed
the Rockets back in this series. I know he's made
some turnovers, but everybody's what killed the Lakers in Game
five was they got absolutely nothing out of lou Canard
(04:46):
and Marcus Smart. When I was on with you last
like before the series started, I said, Canard's the X
factor because you can't leave him open and if you do,
he'll light you up. That's exactly what he did in
Game one. I think he had twenty seven points, So
we went from twenty seven from Luke down to basically zero.
And Marcus was actually a liability and he's been one
(05:07):
of our best players. So I think, as you and
I call this game tonight, what it may swing on
is not Lebron. Lebron's been great, Hngoon's been great. I
know they've both made mistakes, but those two are going
to show up the question for the Lakers. Is do
Marcus Smart and Luke Canard impact the game? If they don't,
(05:29):
You're coming to LA for Game seven. If they do,
we could end it tonight.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
I think also John Austin Reeves obviously a big factor.
What did you think overall about the performance? I mean,
the obvious box score watching thing was he started off
hot and then he cooled off, but was still getting
the free throw line. But just in terms of flow,
how he was moving around, how did you feel he
played and can he get in a better rhythm at
least shooting from the floor tonight?
Speaker 2 (05:55):
A good question. I actually thought he looked pretty good.
At least he didn't show any signs of the injury.
And what he's been great at all year, Matt Is
you mentioned it getting to the line, he got thirteen
free throws. As a matter of fact, for most of
the season. The three guys that were leading the league
in free throw attempts before Austin got hurt were Sga,
(06:17):
Luca and Austin. You wouldn't normally think of Austin being
in that club, you know, like you would say, well,
what about Jason Tatum or Jalen Brown? What about jo
kch You know what about Devin Booker. Austin's just great
at getting to the free throw line. And by the way, Matt,
did you see who the lead official is tonight?
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Yes, the serious extender. Yes, we already know this.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
The extender, Scott Foster. The batphone has gone out. And
what Scott's nickname the extender is. He tends to favor
the team that could have their season ended, in this case,
the Rockets. We'll see you you are.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
I don't know. I think you're a fraud. I think
you're going on your LA radio show today, and I
think you'd on all the other stuff. You're just trying
to placate to my audience. I see what you're doing.
I see what you're doing.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
How do you think I've survived thirty pluss in the business?
Of course, that's all right.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Let me tell you something. I'm gonna put on the
ESPN LA app and I'm gonna listen to your show today.
I don't know how long you're gonna be on for,
but I'm gonna listen. I'm gonna find out exactly this
is the true stuff you're really telling your audience. You're
trying to suck up with the wonderful people of a
hum in Houston, Texas. You're not too far from your
former home of Beaumont. That's what I'm gonna find out
from you from first.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Of all, thank you for mentioning the ESPN LA app
free in the app store or wherever you get your apps.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
By the way, Also, John Ireland gets his face on
the screen at the ROSSI at Thecrypto dot Com, John
Ireland's face is on there ten times per game. I'm
lucky to get a radio call on the big board
at all of Tota Center. They got you in the
highlight package at the beginning. They have you in the
in the beginning thing when they're introducing the team too.
Such a whiner. John's getting work.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
By the way, I love I love that dream On
open this. Yeah, I hope they never ever change that,
Like I was afraid that they were going to change
it for the postseason. Like if you come to a
Laker game, you'll notice that they tailor the opens to
whoever the opponent is and so they do new ones
all the time. That you know, Matt, you and I
(08:17):
obviously get to go to every arena. Yep, that dream
On video open for the Rockets where you kind of
get to see the history of the team and my
guy Rudy T's in there. It is as good of
an open as any team in the league. If I
had to rank it, I'd rank at number one. So Matt,
use your power as the voice of the Rockets. Yeah,
(08:37):
make sure they never get rid of that thing. I
think it's fantastic.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Okay, So before I let's you roll. If you guys
win tonight, give me the scenario. How does it happen?
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Well, we kind of already talked about it. I think
I think the other players other than Lebron impact the game,
Like DeAndre Ayton played great in Game five. I think
you've finish with eighteen points, seventeen rebounds.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
I'll let you have that, by the way, and I'll
let you have twos over threes all day long, all
day long.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Right. I think what he may did was brilliant. You
guys are the best offensive rebounding team I've ever seen.
And he threw a curveball at us in Game five.
He basically told his guys, don't crash the glass like
you normally do. Get back, and we're going to make
the Lakers beat us in the half court and when
(09:27):
that happened, your length and your athleticism made a big
deal out of that game, and I think it's one
of the main reasons why the Rockets won. JJ will
adjust to that tonight. I don't know how, but I'm
not so sure. E may might adjust back, might say Okay,
that was a that was a one time thing to
steal Game five. Now we go back to crashing the glass.
(09:47):
I'm actually more excited to call this game than than
I have for most games this season. I'm guessing you
feel the same way, absolutely because of what you said
in the what you said in the beginning. I have
no feel for the season, Matt. There is nothing that
would surprise me if like Rockets winning a blowout tonight,
Lakers winning a blowout, I mean, either team wins it
(10:09):
the buzzer. I just think the possibilities are endless, and
it's like going to a movie where you know nothing
about it. You walk in and then you walk out,
Like I would imagine anybody that invested time. Anybody's a
Rockets fan that invested time in Game five. Even as
late as that game was in Texas, stayed up to
see the end because everybody thought the Rockets were going
(10:30):
to do what they do and screw it up in
clutch time, they did the exact opposite. They reach Shepherd
came out with that huge steal which I thought fieled
the game and by the way, took it a just
flatrom Lebron. Nobody had that on their bingo card. And
I've fallen in love. I got a man crush on
Jabari Smith. I think that dude is super underrated. So
(10:50):
I again no feel at all for what happens over
the next two games. None. And that's what makes this fun.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
It is makes it a lot of fun. Are great sport,
one of my good friends in the league. I really
appreciate that you guys, you and I getting annoyach other
in the last ten years or so. Have a great lunch,
get a good nap in and we will see at
the arena tomorrow later tonight. Thank you for the time
as always.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
All right, man, thanks and I'll be out in a
few hours.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
That sounds great. John Ireland
Ten thirty one seven out of eight is a Matt
Thomas show, and Ross we spend ten twenty minutes with
our friend for the second time. Man, I hope it
doesn't ask for a talent fee on this, John. I
don't think we can afford him. John already does a
three hour show in Los Angeles as it is, and
he's a Lakers radio voice, and he's with us for
the second time in the last couple of weeks. John
high liked this Chamber of commerce weather we're giving the
Los Angeles Lakers fan base here today.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Well, as you know, Matt, my second stop in TV
news was in Beaumont, which is about eighty miles. Yes,
and I was there for four years and this is
what the weather was like every day, so I'm well
prepared for that. But first of all, before I yell
at you, uh oh, how are you? How are you feeling?
(00:43):
Last time I saw you, I was I thought I
might have to send you to the infirmary. Are you
feeling better?
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Beverly Hills, I got I officially have a pharmacy pills
from the nine to two one ozer, which makes me
kind of special. I feel about ninety percent and I
certainly felt a lot better as the game's moving along
as the Rockets got the victory. So I appreciate you
checking on me, John Ross. I should tell you John
was offering me medication during the game, and if you
wanted me to fall asleep during the game, or what
if the case may be. I don't think you should
(01:10):
write him out for a federal crime medication. Are we
talking about it?
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Ross? It's all over the Okay, that's fine, except for
the sleep gummy illegal.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
She's like, hey, California, he called me the mule for
some reason. Don't know why I did that. That was
so terrible. All right, Johnny, let's get right to it.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
How just you want to get right to it? Let's
get let's get to this. Why don't you listen to me?
All right?
Speaker 1 (01:39):
I didn't want to listen to you because I think
you were just you would just give me full full
optimism is what you were trying to do.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Well, No, I think we both pivot to it, as
most team announcers do. Hope for the best, but prepare
for the worst. Yes, and so I knew what you
were doing, but so the audience knows. I went into
math the other night and I said, you know, this
series isn't over, and you looked at me like I
had lost my mind, and you went, well, you know,
(02:07):
nobody's ever come back from oh three, blah blah, Matt,
you realize you guys should be ahead three too. I
know if you don't give rap game three, hand it
to us tonight, you would be preparing for a party.
But because the Rockets did that, we've got a shot.
But I mean it when I say this, like you
(02:28):
can put me on a light detector. This series is
not even close to being over. Wouldn't you say it
has reached the stage now where it's probably I know
this isn't the accurate number, but in your own head,
isn't it probably fifty to fifty? Like who wins this now?
It would not surprise me if the Lakers won tonight
and ended your season. It would not surprise me if
(02:49):
the Rockets blow us out like the Nicks Hawks thing,
and then it all comes down to a game seven.
There is no scenario you could give me that I
would be sit Do you feel the same way?
Speaker 1 (03:01):
One hundred percent of a matter of fact, I spent
the first half hour of the show with the audience
saying I don't have a feel for this. I don't
because everybody in their mother has flipped the narrative on this.
Lebron is old Canard can't shoot anymore. It's Marcus Smart's
gonna turn the ball over. It's the rockets are are
at the momentum. I got me Kendrick Perkins talk Colins
(03:22):
the dumbest team in the NBA until the Lakers came
and became the dumbest team in the NBA. I really
don't have a feel for it whatsoever. Now, I did
go to your Instagram account where you were not working yesterday.
Your guy Max Kelleman, who people know on ESPN, is
loving your squad. So tell me how is Max a
good prognosticator? When he comes on your show?
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Max is terrible? Are you kidding? He is a great guy.
He couldn't pick to save his life. For ten years, Matt,
I did the show before Max's. Max was doing radio
in LA for a long time with Marcellus Wiley. It
was a really great show. Like most shows in our business,
(04:03):
some suit screwed it up. Yep. But I heard Max
when I was on the plane flan out here and
I heard Max. I think that a lot of people
watching this series, particularly national media, have pivoted to this. Well,
Lebron will never let this happen, Like Lebron will never
(04:25):
blow an O three lead. His legacy is too important.
I'm here to tell you, and I'm curious what you
think about this. It is not Lebron that has allowed
the Rockets back in this series. I know he's made
some turnovers, but everybody's what killed the Lakers in Game
five was they got absolutely nothing out of lou Canard
(04:46):
and Marcus Smart. When I was on with you last
like before the series started, I said, Canard's the X
factor because you can't leave him open and if you do,
he'll light you up. That's exactly what he did in
Game one. I think he had twenty seven points, So
we went from twenty seven from Luke down to basically zero.
And Marcus was actually a liability and he's been one
(05:07):
of our best players. So I think, as you and
I call this game tonight, what it may swing on
is not Lebron. Lebron's been great, Hngoon's been great. I
know they've both made mistakes, but those two are going
to show up the question for the Lakers. Is do
Marcus Smart and Luke Canard impact the game? If they don't,
(05:29):
You're coming to LA for Game seven. If they do,
we could end it tonight.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
I think also John Austin Reeves obviously a big factor.
What did you think overall about the performance? I mean,
the obvious box score watching thing was he started off
hot and then he cooled off, but was still getting
the free throw line. But just in terms of flow,
how he was moving around, how did you feel he
played and can he get in a better rhythm at
least shooting from the floor tonight?
Speaker 2 (05:55):
A good question. I actually thought he looked pretty good.
At least he didn't show any signs of the injury.
And what he's been great at all year, Matt Is
you mentioned it getting to the line, he got thirteen
free throws. As a matter of fact, for most of
the season. The three guys that were leading the league
in free throw attempts before Austin got hurt were Sga,
(06:17):
Luca and Austin. You wouldn't normally think of Austin being
in that club, you know, like you would say, well,
what about Jason Tatum or Jalen Brown? What about jo
kch You know what about Devin Booker. Austin's just great
at getting to the free throw line. And by the way, Matt,
did you see who the lead official is tonight?
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Yes, the serious extender. Yes, we already know this.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
The extender, Scott Foster. The batphone has gone out. And
what Scott's nickname the extender is. He tends to favor
the team that could have their season ended, in this case,
the Rockets. We'll see you you are.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
I don't know. I think you're a fraud. I think
you're going on your LA radio show today, and I
think you'd on all the other stuff. You're just trying
to placate to my audience. I see what you're doing.
I see what you're doing.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
How do you think I've survived thirty pluss in the business?
Of course, that's all right.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Let me tell you something. I'm gonna put on the
ESPN LA app and I'm gonna listen to your show today.
I don't know how long you're gonna be on for,
but I'm gonna listen. I'm gonna find out exactly this
is the true stuff you're really telling your audience. You're
trying to suck up with the wonderful people of a
hum in Houston, Texas. You're not too far from your
former home of Beaumont. That's what I'm gonna find out
from you from first.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Of all, thank you for mentioning the ESPN LA app
free in the app store or wherever you get your apps.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
By the way, Also, John Ireland gets his face on
the screen at the ROSSI at Thecrypto dot Com, John
Ireland's face is on there ten times per game. I'm
lucky to get a radio call on the big board
at all of Tota Center. They got you in the
highlight package at the beginning. They have you in the
in the beginning thing when they're introducing the team too.
Such a whiner. John's getting work.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
By the way, I love I love that dream On
open this. Yeah, I hope they never ever change that,
Like I was afraid that they were going to change
it for the postseason. Like if you come to a
Laker game, you'll notice that they tailor the opens to
whoever the opponent is and so they do new ones
all the time. That you know, Matt, you and I
(08:17):
obviously get to go to every arena. Yep, that dream
On video open for the Rockets where you kind of
get to see the history of the team and my
guy Rudy T's in there. It is as good of
an open as any team in the league. If I
had to rank it, I'd rank at number one. So Matt,
use your power as the voice of the Rockets. Yeah,
(08:37):
make sure they never get rid of that thing. I
think it's fantastic.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Okay, So before I let's you roll. If you guys
win tonight, give me the scenario. How does it happen?
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Well, we kind of already talked about it. I think
I think the other players other than Lebron impact the game,
Like DeAndre Ayton played great in Game five. I think
you've finish with eighteen points, seventeen rebounds.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
I'll let you have that, by the way, and I'll
let you have twos over threes all day long, all
day long.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Right. I think what he may did was brilliant. You
guys are the best offensive rebounding team I've ever seen.
And he threw a curveball at us in Game five.
He basically told his guys, don't crash the glass like
you normally do. Get back, and we're going to make
the Lakers beat us in the half court and when
(09:27):
that happened, your length and your athleticism made a big
deal out of that game, and I think it's one
of the main reasons why the Rockets won. JJ will
adjust to that tonight. I don't know how, but I'm
not so sure. E may might adjust back, might say Okay,
that was a that was a one time thing to
steal Game five. Now we go back to crashing the glass.
(09:47):
I'm actually more excited to call this game than than
I have for most games this season. I'm guessing you
feel the same way, absolutely because of what you said
in the what you said in the beginning. I have
no feel for the season, Matt. There is nothing that
would surprise me if like Rockets winning a blowout tonight,
Lakers winning a blowout, I mean, either team wins it
(10:09):
the buzzer. I just think the possibilities are endless, and
it's like going to a movie where you know nothing
about it. You walk in and then you walk out,
Like I would imagine anybody that invested time. Anybody's a
Rockets fan that invested time in Game five. Even as
late as that game was in Texas, stayed up to
see the end because everybody thought the Rockets were going
(10:30):
to do what they do and screw it up in
clutch time, they did the exact opposite. They reach Shepherd
came out with that huge steal which I thought fieled
the game and by the way, took it a just
flatrom Lebron. Nobody had that on their bingo card. And
I've fallen in love. I got a man crush on
Jabari Smith. I think that dude is super underrated. So
(10:50):
I again no feel at all for what happens over
the next two games. None. And that's what makes this fun.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
It is makes it a lot of fun. Are great sport,
one of my good friends in the league. I really
appreciate that you guys, you and I getting annoyach other
in the last ten years or so. Have a great lunch,
get a good nap in and we will see at
the arena tomorrow later tonight. Thank you for the time
as always.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
All right, man, thanks and I'll be out in a
few hours.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
That sounds great. John Ireland
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