April 14, 2025 • 36 mins
Jovan Buha hops on to talk Lakers-Wolves and Clippers-Nuggets. Luka is the highest selling jersey in the NBA - we talk about the impact Luka will have on the Lakers off of the court.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Then we continue on Fred Rogan Rodney Pete at A
five seventy LA Sports. Let's get right to it and
bring on Yovann Boja the Athletic, also the host of
Bujas Block the podcast. Yovann, thanks for coming on the show.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
All right, let's go NBA Playoffs. Lakers Minnesota with Anthony
Davis on the team. I never thought they could finish
third in the conference. Now given the way they've played,
do you think they can win the conference? I do?
Speaker 2 (00:31):
I do.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I think right now I would peg the Lakers as
the second best team in the West behind Olklahoma City.
I've really felt that way since late February after seeing
that win in Denver and them kind of conquering their
Denver demons. It just changed the complexion of that matchup.
Having Luca and the way that teams have to guard
(00:52):
him in the pick and roll, and just what that
unlocks for the rest of the Lakers offense. I think
you've seen that continue to progress over the power couple
of months, and I think the Lakers are entering the
playoffs looking really good right now. So you know, certainly
I think that there will be some defensive questions for
the Lakers. The defense has been better lately, but it
did go go through a role there for a little bit.
(01:15):
And Minnesota's big, they're tough, they're nasty, they got size.
Like this is going to be I think a bit
of a slug fest at times. But I do favor
the Lakers in this series decidedly, and I think looking
at their potential path, they have a really good shot
to get to the conference finals and then once there,
who knows what happens. But but right now, I've peged
them number two behind.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
See yeah, but give given what you said them two behind? Okay,
See do you do you look at the way they played? Okay,
see the last couple of games. In fact, they beat them,
and it probably should have beat them if they don't
ridiculously kick Luca out of the game. They beat him
twice in the last couple of weeks, and they've We've
(01:56):
always felt, at least we have felt that the Lakers
matched up really well against Okac. And given that, does
that even make the Lakers even more of a threat
to win the conference from anybody else or even make
them the favorite given the recent history that they've had
against Okac.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
You could certainly make that case.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
I don't think I'm quite there yet, but I think
I would strongly consider taking the Lakers in that series.
I think it's probably like fifty one forty nine, fifty
two to forty eight for me right now. In terms
of favoring oka See, I think that there is something
too also, like having home court throughout the playoffs, which okay.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
See will have. They're a really good home team, so if.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
It was like a neutral site or LA had home court,
I think I would pick them. But factoring in Okayc's
going to have home court in any West series and
the Lakers might have to play maybe they play Houston
around two and they don't have home court, then they
got to win that on the road, then they got
to go to ok See and when that one on
the road. So I think that that is a small
factor that would make me lean okay See. But to
(03:00):
your point, they blew them out in one game, they
look like they're on the precipice of getting blown out
in the second game. Then they rallied in that third
quarter at one of their best defensive quarters of the season,
and then when Luca got tossed, they were up by
one with seven forty left in that game, and we'll
never know what would have happened had Lucas stayed in
that game, but it was certainly trending toward the lakers favor.
(03:23):
So they feel like they got robbed in that one,
and as they did, you know that technical later got rescinded.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
So I think they do not fear okay See.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
I will say that I know that for a fact,
they do not fear Oka See, and that is have
to battle sometimes. It's just like the mental edge and
how you're approaching a series. So they would go into
that series expecting to win it, and I think that
would give them a real shot to win it. But
I also don't want to discount Okay Sees had a
historic season, one of the best regular seasons of all time.
I think they are a formidable opponent, but certainly the
(03:55):
Lakers have a real shot to beat them, and I
think at a minimum it would be a six or
seven game series.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Yovan, When you see what the Lakers have done now
in the position they put themselves in, and you think
about the deal that brought Doncic to the Lakers, does
that reinforce you sitting back and thinking, what the hell
was Nico Harrison thinking.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Yeah, I find myself asking that question a few times
a day when when the reality sits is that they
have Luca of the Lakers that you just saw today
it was announced that he had the highest selling jersey
of the season, and of course that it's going to
be influenced to an extent by him going to the Lakers,
and like, there's been a lot of purchases of Luca jerseys,
(04:37):
but it was the first time in over a decade
that it wasn't Lebron or Steph And when we talk
about the face of the NBA, I don't see any
reason why Luca on the Lakers could not be the
face of the NBA.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I know, typically we don't think.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
About international guys being the face of the NBA, but
I think he is a very marketable player. He plays
an enjoyable style of basketball, and then he's also a Laker,
So I think you look at those factors and it's like,
I don't see why he couldn't be.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
At least until maybe we have a clear face.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Of the league if if for whatever reason, people don't
want to consider him that I think looking at the
next two years. There's no reason why he can't be
in that conversation. But yeah, I don't know what Dallas
is doing. I will never understand what Dallas is doing.
Apparently athletes are not allowed to drink beer. That that
is a deal breaker, And you know, they look past
the fact that he just led them to the finals
(05:26):
and he's never had home court advantage of this series.
Yet he's made the conference finals and finals twice, you know,
your respectively. So yeah, I mean, I guess like playoff
stats and in his historic start to his career has
not mattered. And unfortunately he likes to drink the occasional
beer and maybe smoke.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Some hookah in the off season. So that that was
the deal breaker.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
Uh yeah, yeah, I think there's more to it behind
the scenes than that. But so do the Lakers have
to speakin of that? Stand on that and everybody is,
you know, right obviously PHILIPI and Nico and celebrating rop
Alinka and the Lakers for making this happen. But do
the Lakers have to go deep at least when the
(06:13):
Western Conference they'll get to the Western Conference finals for
this to be successful, because if they if they stumble
against Minnesota or in the second round, will people change
their tune and go, well, you know, okay, Lakers made
the playoffs, but they didn't go deep, and so the
Luca trade really didn't move the needle.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
I mean, I think that's certainly a possibility, and I
think there will be certainly some some shows that or
or national figures that want to run with that narrative.
Like I think this is a trade that and in
really every trade in general, right like that, there's always
the initial reaction to a trade, and then oftentimes six
months later, a year later, three years later, sometimes we
(06:59):
will will look at trade through a new lens. And
like I remember at the time, back in twenty thirteen
when the Celtics and the Nets did their trade, and
at the time it was a historic call for the Celtics,
and in the moment the trade looked bad. Then years
later the trade got even worse because the Celtics ended
(07:19):
up getting Jason Tatum ed Jylen Brown with the picks
from the Nets.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
So like in.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Theory, the Nets should have had a future with Jalen
Brown and Jason Tatum, and like they could have been
the future, you know, East Juggernaut. Instead they gave those
picks to Boston, and Boston became what they've become. So
I say that just to say, like, I think with
this trade, with how young Luca is and with the
point in his career where Ad is, I think this
(07:47):
is a trade that we ultimately won't be able to
judge for another three to five years in terms of
were Ady and Kyrie ever to get healthy and lead
Dallas on a deep playoff run like what happens with
the Lakers. How do they ultimately replace liver On whenever
he decides to retire, Like I think there's a lot
of follow up questions to how we judge this. I
would just look at how good they've been since the
(08:08):
Luca trade and the way that they've climbed in the standings,
and this number three seed is their best finish in
a season since twenty twenty, the first time they host
a game one since twenty twelve, and that of course
is in part because of the bubble in twenty twenty
and then they weren't able to host the game then
in LA. But I think we've already seen them reach
new heights with Luca within the regular season that they
(08:31):
haven't really reached since the first year of Lebron ad together,
and I think that alone makes us a win. Of course,
I think they need to at least win one playoff
series for this postseason to not be a.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Bit of a disaster.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
I think if they lose in round one, it's a
disaster in terms of this season, But long term, you
would make the twenty six year old Ukadoncic instead of
the thirty two.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Year old Anthony Davis ten.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Out of ten times, and like just thinking about where
they're gonna be the end of the day game potentially
with Luca plus another star, he's going to be smacked
out in his prime with another player, while eighty is
going to be in his mid thirties and potentially aging
out of the league at that point.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
So I think from a long term perspective, it's.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
A complete win and will remain a win barring like
a career ending injury from Luca. But short term, of course,
if they don't get out of the first round, it's
certainly a disappointment for this season.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Jovan Buja the athletic with us, all right, can we
flip over real quick, just get your take on the
Clippers open against Denver. What do you think in that series.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
I think the Clippers have a real shot to win
that series. They've been the hottest team in the NBA
over the past month, over the last fifteen games, they
have the best offense and the best defense, which having
one of those is impressive, having both is just incredible.
And we saw them just win a must win game
on the road in Golden State. The winner had a
(09:57):
guaranteed playoff spot, the loser was in the playing and
they gutted that one out in overtime with James Harden,
of all people, being the one who led them specifically
in overtime and really took over that game. And like,
for as great of a career as Harden has had,
he has had his fair share of playoffs struggles, and
you just look at the numbers pretty much annually he
(10:19):
has a great, you know, good to great regular season,
and then his playoff numbers are a bit disappointing, especially
in elimination games. He's had a bunch of stinkers. It's
been well documented. So I think for him to have
that type of moment leading into the playoffs could also
be maybe a sign of what is to come with
him and he's also you know, depending on the night,
he's sometimes the number one, sometimes he's the number three
(10:42):
of the number four. So I think him not having
to shoulder the entire offensive burden has also been a
benefit for him. But the biggest thing with me is
Kawhi has looked more like Kawhi. He has been trending
in the right direction for several weeks now and now
was playing him back to Becks and like, he's looked
really good, and then it beats to the Zubats. I have
a vote this year. I'm voting foras Zubats for most
(11:02):
improved Player. He to me has been the player that
has taken the biggest leap, like we often look at sometimes,
you know, young guys taking a leap. He's twenty seven,
he's in his ninth season, and he's gone from being
like a solid starting center to one of the best starting.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Centers in the NBA.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Like, there are people who are going to vote for
him for all NBA teams and that jumped to make
in your late twenties. I think it's pretty significant. So
like he's the small ball antidote. You can't go like
you can go small against him. He's going to punish
you with with putbacks and often the rebounds and block
shots and all that stuff. So I think Zubats has
been great, Kawhi is looking like himself, and I think
(11:38):
the Clippers, especially with how Denver had been playing before
firing Mike Malone, I think the Clippers have a real
shot to play off an upset in six or seven games.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
Yeah, no, I agree with you. I think him. I
think Zubats and and and Austin Reeves have.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Been those are the two guys.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
Those are my Yeah, that's been the most improved players
because Austin Reeves and you know, we talked about it
earlier as has turned the Lakers from a big two
to big three any way he's played. But I think
you're right on about Zubos in his game and what
he's done this year. Does that make the Clippers now?
I mean, also, we just talked about the Lakers, But
(12:16):
does that make the Clippers also a team that it
is scary for another team to face in these playoffs?
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:23):
No, I mean it's I think the Clippers, and they
advanced in the first round. I would not be surprised if,
like I think they would give Okay, see a run
for their money. So we've never had the La La series,
and I think there could be a realistic path to
having it finally in the conference finals to determine, you know,
(12:46):
which team goes to the finals, and that would I
think that would be fun just having the stakes of
La LA. Clippers are now in their own building and
Kawhi and Lebron have their history going back over a
decade playing in the twenty thirteen and twenty fourteen finals,
So I think, yeah, I think the Clipers have a
real shot here. You know, I said the Lakers, I
think are the second best team in the West right now.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
I'd have to peg the Clippers a third.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
I was close there between Golden State and the Clippers,
but just seeing how the two teams matched up last night,
seeing how they fared, I would give the Clippers the
edge right now. And also the Golden State having to
even just be in the play and just the risk
that comes with that, your one bad game away from
dropping to eight and potentially even falling out altogether. So
(13:30):
I think the Clippers have a real strong case to
be at least the second round team, if not potentially further.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Jovann Bouha from the Athletic Boojas block the podcast. Yovan,
thanks for jumping on. Appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Appreciate you guys, Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
You're right. So, I was reading about what happened in
Denver because we were kicking that around last week. I mean,
why would they just get rid of a coach and
blow them out seemingly out of nowhere. Well, rotten, you
said it. It wasn't out of nowhere. It was actually expected.
They were going to take him out at mid season,
at the All Star break. They were going to make
(14:04):
the move there. Things had become so toxic within the
locker room and the organization, the fighting between Malone and
the general manager, and they were deciding that they would
take him out right after the All Star break. The
problem was, Denver went on and went out and won
some games right after the All Star break, and as
it was written, winning masks a lot of things, but
(14:27):
the problem still existed. The players had tuned them out.
They just weren't listening anymore. Yolkic was not pleased. He
liked Malone, but he wasn't pleased. And they decided, if
we're going to do this, we're going to do it
right now, right now and try to salvage something. They
really thought that they went into the playoffs with him
(14:49):
as the coach, and the GM extended that they would
not be able to win in the playoffs, so they
thought some sort of shake up was in order and
that's why they made the move. Then, shocking to everybody.
But again, as you say, you know, just because they
get it today doesn't mean it happened today. Things had
been leading up to this all year long. Yeah, but
(15:13):
it's still, you know, shocking. You know, you can have
bad blood whatever.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
They just want a title not too long ago, right
two years ago they won a title. And you know,
to I never in any sport, never liked mid season
firings unless it was, you know, something that couldn't be
avoided and it was so bad and so toxic that
you had to do it. And for them to be
a team going into the playoffs to do this, it
(15:42):
just it just never makes sense. Again, we were not
in the building and you just routed off. There's some
stuff behind the scenes. But at the same time, if
they went, if they thought they were going to do
it at the All Star break or right after the
All Star break, and they didn't because they went on
a roll, then why do it right before you start
the playoffs? I mean that just to me, it makes
(16:03):
even less sense if you had the inkling to do
it right after the All Star and mid season to it,
but don't wait until a week before the playoffs began,
and then that's when you decide to pull the trigger.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
No, I hear you, I hear you. But again, winning
masked it, and I'd love that line. Oh, Kevin Demoff
was involved in those conversations, by the way, we speculated
he would be, and he was. But winning masks a
lot of things. Problems still existed. They were just winning.
And I guess if they had gone on one every game,
nobody would have done anything, at least now. But I'm
(16:40):
not sure he would have. Malone would have even survived
for next year.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
He probably wouldn't survive next year if they don't win
the title. He probably definitely definitely doesn't. Obviously he didn't survive,
But if they kept him and they went on and
lost in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs,
then he certainly wouldn't have survived. But to fire him
a week prior if the issue was it was so
(17:05):
bad we needed to fire him at the All Star
Break and then he didn't because winning. Then why fire
him right before the playoffs? Because now they're the fourth seed? Right, Yes,
they're the fourth seed, So why are you firing him now?
If you kept him because you went on a little
roll after the All Star Break, then why don't you
(17:28):
keep him through the playoffs? That makes sense.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
The impact of showing hey Tony for the Dodgers, of
looking dontage for the Lakers. Let's talk about it.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Next, right on, Come on Monday, Fred Monday, making it happen, Rodney, Pete,
Fred Rogan.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
So you understand when organizations are put together and players
are picked, there's a reason for everything. Number one to win.
That's the number one objective. You want to win, So
you pick the guys you think will get your titles.
In return, those guys will put people in the seats. Right,
team wins, more people come, ticket prices go up, you
sell more merch, you sell more concessions, and you have
(18:21):
a successful business. Not so much really when you lose
all the time. So number one is winning, right, You
want to do that and you believe that if you win,
it'll take care of everything. There's another thing you have
to remember. I think the Dodgers have done a magnificent
job of it, and the Lakers in their deal also
did something pretty wise. So this is not about winning.
(18:43):
This part is not about winning championships, and it's really
not about even the play on the court. And it's
something that you can either do or you can't. Example,
show Heo Tani. We were in Japan. We saw what
that meant for show Hao Tani. But what you don't
know back here is what that means for the Dodgers.
(19:06):
Stankasten told us when they were in Japan, he had
two weeks of meetings booked solidly, meeting with sponsors, meeting
with representatives, people that wanted to be associated with the Dodgers,
people that wanted their logo, a Dodgers stadium, people that
wanted that brand connection. So now we see that the
(19:27):
top selling jersey in the NBA is look at Doncic. Okay, Now,
whether they win or lose, right now, you have to
think from a business perspective, just a business perspective, Now,
who's good, who's bad? Business perspective that opens up places
all over the world. An international player, top selling jersey
(19:49):
for now, other people have had that distinction over the
years and may again have it. But doing that opens
different markets for the Dodgers. Now. I don't know specifically,
you know, I don't think Lukadancic will be the biggest
star in Tokyo, but certainly when you sign international players
(20:10):
that are high profile and very successful, that can be
good for your business because you get to expand your brand.
I think the Lake didn't the Lakers have a Japanese
company on their jersey. Yes they do, yep, they do
still bb Go right, so they're in Japan. And I
(20:33):
just think when you look at how you build teams,
that makes sense if you get lucky. And that just
says both games now truly are global.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
Probably the NBA is more global than baseball. Rodney, Yeah, no, definitely.
NBA has played around the world, and baseball's not you know,
play baseball really in Europe, play in an Asia, in Korea, Japan,
but don't play.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
Uh but but but basketball is played everywhere. And if
you remember and people, and I was fascinated by this
learning this that Kobe Bryant was the biggest star in
in China. Yes, Kobe Bryant was the biggest star in Asia.
(21:24):
Kobe Bryant would spend months in Asia uh in the offseason.
And and because his brand, the Laker brand, was so
huge in Asia that there were things that he would
do over there and nobody knew in the States. There
were camps, there were there, Fred you were. You were
(21:47):
there as well as I was. And we saw all
the old tiny ads over in Asia in Japan that
you would never see in the States. And and and
they never would air in the States. Well, Kobe did
the same thing. Kobe had so many ads and promotions
and things that he did in Asia that never saw
the light of day in the States. But it was
such a he would he himself was such a huge brand,
(22:09):
but also the Lakers were such a huge brand. I
can remember, you know, Magic telling me how the government
would invite them over to play in Japan when he
was playing, and then certainly after he was playing. He
had a lot of and still does do a lot
of business in Asia, and they would invite him over
(22:33):
to basically help them and the national team figure out
a way to beat China. So he would bring guys
over and they would spend two three weeks practicing and
going through drills and doing things with the Japanese national
team figure out how they can beat China and Korea.
(22:54):
Remember China started to be huge, and Yao Ming and
all the Chinese and so it's you know, sports it
itself has been become extremely global and as big as
the UH, as big as the NFL is and has
you know, and it's in NFL. Don't get me wrong,
(23:14):
even though they don't play it around the world. NFL
is global, but in terms of marketing wise, global wise,
baseball and basketball are more global than than the NFL.
Even though we've you know, Tom Brady has gone over
to Asia and made a lot of money, but they
don't play football around the world.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
Agree one percent. So when the Dodger signed Otani, we
made the point, at that price point seven hundred million dollars,
that's already paid for itself.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
That's done. Yeah, okay, that was that was paid for
us within what two weeks of him signing.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Oh, I mean, that was basically taken care of. So
nobody goes into an squirrel accountant makes money. It's yeah,
it was very smart.
Speaker 4 (24:01):
As soon as they announced the announced the Tokyo series,
it became it was paid for ten times over.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
Yeah, I mean they took care of it. That was
a good signing. Okay, I mean the Lakers have Lebron
the best player in the game. Now they get Luca.
I think this is the first time in twelve thirteen
years that Lebron or Steph weren't one or two in
Jersey sales. It's Luca and Steph and Lebron are two
and three. So they're all right there, they're all right there.
But Lucas International. That's a very good thing for the Lakers,
(24:31):
that is. And now it makes you.
Speaker 4 (24:32):
Think, and that's more not Luca, but it's more Laker
because if Luca goes to OKAC or Lucas at Houston,
or Luca's at the Clippers, or Luca's at wherever other
than the Lakers, is he number one in Jersey sales?
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Probably not? No, probably not usually beneficial. You're right, Yeah,
you're right. And that makes it even more mind well,
oh yeah, a little bit more mind boggling that Dallas
would let him go because he might not have been
number one in Jersey sales. But I'll tell you something,
he was up there and they let him walk out.
See this is why when Juan Soto signed that enormous
(25:12):
deal with the Mats and good for the Mets and
hopefully they win. It was a terrible deal. It was
a terrible deal for the Mets. It was a great
deal for Juan Soto. It was a terrible deal for
the Mets.
Speaker 4 (25:22):
I don't know if it was a great deal for
Wan Soto. Why because he got seven hundred million. Let's
say he gets six from the Yankees. Okay, it's a
better deal he stays with the Yankees for six than
seven with the Mets, because wearing those pen stripes is
going to generate more money than wearing the Mets uniform.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
That's fairly.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
We got five from the Yankee. The Yankee brand is
like the Dodger brand. It travels globally, and as he's
there for ten whatever years he signed for and the
Yankee penn stripes, it is going to go a lot
further than him being with the Mets. And the reason
(26:08):
it's a bad deal for the Mets is they can't
make their money back. They cannot make their money back.
I mean, from a business perspective.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
The Dodgers have paid for Otani. He hadn't done anything.
He hadn't even done anything. They basically paid for him.
Otani deferred and Soto did not defer his contract. All
are the Mets going to make that kind of money?
How off one Soto? Well, they want to win, that's brilliant,
of course you do. Scott Boris wants his clients to
get paid. Got that too. But at the end of
(26:39):
the day, they can't read. There's no way. There's no way. Now,
if they sell out every single game and win every title,
maybe what are the chances of that?
Speaker 4 (26:50):
Zero?
Speaker 1 (26:51):
So it's small.
Speaker 4 (26:54):
Soo Dominican? Is it? Dominican?
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (26:58):
And so the economy what they would do for Awan
Soto coming back home pales in comparison with Japan is
doing for Shohei Otani. Correct, even Yamamoto, even Sazaki, he
not even on Sazaki level. Sazaki's making a killing over there.
(27:18):
Yamamoto is making a killing in Japan.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
And because of that, the Dodgers are making a killing. Yes,
And that's the thing. The Mets can't make that killing
from a business perspective, they can't. They can't, But the
Dodgers can't because they signed those three guys. When you
have so now the Lakers have two of the top
(27:41):
three Jersey sales in the NBA. You don't think that
goes a long way when they're talking to partners from
other countries. And the Lakers are an enormous brand to
start with. Now they have two of the top three
guys in Jersey sales. You don't think that means some
thing when they go out and look for partners on
(28:03):
an international level. Of course it does, of course it does.
Once again, makes it even more bizarre that Dallas let
Luka not just go. So it's good business for the
Lakers to have Lebron and Luca. It makes sense from
a business perspective. And you said about Kobe, you were right,
(28:25):
And I never considered this, even in the waning days
when he wasn't really Kobe anymore and the time had
passed and they gave him that two year deal. How
much money did they make on that deal because it
was Cobe?
Speaker 4 (28:40):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
How much did they make because Kobe was still there?
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (28:45):
The arena was filled even when they were losing. Yeah,
team was not great, team, he was not very good,
but the arena was full. Yeah, because Kobe might do
something right. And Kobe's presence in a what does that
mean for the Lakers? We know what it meant for Kobe.
It means something for the Lakers too. That gives them
(29:06):
a chance to go into that market.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
So it's all business. Just really interesting how how this
has played out. I mean, Otani is the man in
Major League Baseball, all due respect to one, so to
everybody that's playing, it's Otani's the biggest star in the game.
And you can make the argument Lebron is the biggest
star in basketball. I think you can make that argument.
So if that's the case, then the Lakers have the
(29:28):
second biggest star behind Lebron. They have the two top stars,
and the Dodgers have them Tani and Yamamoto and Sazaki
and Muki Betts and Freddie Freeman. Those guys did a
good job. They were smart, but that that trade for
the Lakers meant a lot more than just wins and losses.
Speaker 4 (29:48):
Yeah, from don't don't discard, I mean people that weren't
there in Japan. You were there, Fretz, so you understood
the Dodgers and the brand that was present during that
even probably what a month maybe more leading up to
the Tokyo series, the presence was as soon as they
(30:10):
announced it, probably it was crazy over there but a
month leading up to that series, the brand itself, Dodger
brand was everywhere. Tani was everywhere, even you know, he
was everywhere. He was the focal point. But Yamamoto and Sazaki,
those guys were there. But the Dodger brand was all
over the place. Every There were pop up stores, there
(30:30):
were everything that was there. I remember there there was
Muki had a pop up event in Japan where it
was crazy, insane, you know that that they just they
did for him. So that brand, I mean, it was
(30:52):
way beyond just the Japanese players. It was the Dodger
brand and the other players. Freddy couldn't go out side
the hotel. I mean, it was crazy, the brand of
the Dodgers and what they brought to that market, and
to your point where they made all that money back of.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
Course, yeah, of course. You know the most interesting thing
when we were there, I don't know if you thought
about this or not. Where was all the Tokyo Giant stuff? Yeah,
that's there.
Speaker 4 (31:27):
Put on the burner, that's.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
What they were. I mean, yeah, and I don't think
Rodney they took down the Otani billboards when the Dodgers left. No,
he's a major star.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
There.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
Yeah, so where was their stuff? Where were their big
I don't know who's on their team, but where was
it at the stadium. There was like one little store,
yeah that you could buy a little something about the
to I thought, wait a minute, this is their team
and the Dodgers controlled Tokyo. Yeah, you know that would
(32:00):
be like that would be like the Lakers play in LA,
but every store sells Celtics stuff and you go, but yeah,
but it's the Lakers here. No, No, the Lakers play here,
but it's all Celtics. The Tokyo Giants play there, but
it was all Dodgers. And they're not taking that stuff down.
(32:22):
I mean, those are legit ads and billboards and TV commercials.
They're not just gonna stop them when the Dodgers leave.
If you look at a game on TV, now, look
behind home plate, Look at the boards there. Look at
the sponsors on them. Some are in Japanese. Yeah, they're
(32:44):
in Japanese.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
Yeah, not to mention, I mean, and also Major League Baseball,
not to mention, think about that. You're in it, Fred,
so you know more than anybody think about the TV contract,
the TV the broadcast deals or deal that the Dodgers
have in Asia, and and and Major League Baseball has
(33:10):
an Asia in Asia. Uh, what does that look like?
And what does that revenue look like? Because everybody's watching
every game the Dodgers play is on every Asian country.
And I'm not just talking Japanese. I'm talking about it's
(33:32):
on every Asian country. It's everywhere. Yeah, so Korea to Thailand,
the Vietnam to everywhere in Asia the Dodgers are playing.
The Dodgers aren't TV. And that's an that's a that's
a different market that you sell to differently, every you know, individually.
(33:54):
So whatever deal you did in Japan is a different
deal in Vietnam. And it's a different deal in Korea.
It's a different deal in Thailand. It's a different deal
in the Philippines. It's a different deal in Singapore. I mean,
think about that. You think you think seven hundred million
dollars was Oh that's a lot of money. Oh really
(34:18):
you think so? They would have went to a billion?
They got they got him on the cheap, fred They
gotta on the cheap. Are you kidding me?
Speaker 1 (34:38):
All right, we're back to put a button on this.
Speaker 4 (34:49):
Yeah, come on, it's been as strong Freddie let's go baby.
Speaker 1 (34:57):
All right, So the Dodgers try to get things right
into at the stadium. The whole gang is there. The
pregame at six, the game at seven. You'll hear it
here on the radio station. Dustin May goes to the
mound against Colorado. What do you think seven eight strikeouts
tonight for May?
Speaker 4 (35:13):
At least at least he might get double digits, and
everybody gets a jumbo jack.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
Nothing wrong with that, I'll tell you one thing. Joe
Davis gets pretty excited. So does oral about that jumbo jack?
Speaker 4 (35:24):
Ye they do.
Speaker 1 (35:26):
Let's get some big time.
Speaker 4 (35:30):
Yeah. No, I think he goes Hey. I think he
continues a really good start to the season, Dustin May,
and just continues to evolve. I think every outing he
feels more and more confident going out there pitching. You know,
obviously with the setbacks he's had the last couple of
years with surgeries and finally getting back, I think he
is on pace to continue to be well. When it's
(35:53):
all said and done, he's gonna be a critical piece
to the Dodgers' pitching staff, I mean the starting pitching staff.
Speaker 2 (36:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (36:00):
Absolutely. And he looks good. He looks healthy, uh and
very confident and that is so important. Give him what
he went through. Uh So, and hopefully tonight the Dodgers
come around, get out of that funk and hit the ball.
You can't think of a better pitching staff to do
it again. So I'll tell you that.
Speaker 4 (36:17):
Poor Colorado.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
Well they're all getting paid, so that's a good thing.
They're all getting paid. But yeah, maybe the Dodgers cure
what ails them tonight. Okay, Ronnie, thank you, terrific work.
All over it man, you're all over it today. Kevin,
great job as well. Really appreciate uh your efforts on
(36:42):
the program. And Rodney, another three hour show for us tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
Let's do it.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
Let's get him then, let's do it.
Speaker 4 (36:49):
As Ton Loake would say, come on,
Then we continue on Fred Rogan Rodney Pete at A
five seventy LA Sports. Let's get right to it and
bring on Yovann Boja the Athletic, also the host of
Bujas Block the podcast. Yovann, thanks for coming on the show.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
All right, let's go NBA Playoffs. Lakers Minnesota with Anthony
Davis on the team. I never thought they could finish
third in the conference. Now given the way they've played,
do you think they can win the conference? I do?
Speaker 2 (00:31):
I do.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I think right now I would peg the Lakers as
the second best team in the West behind Olklahoma City.
I've really felt that way since late February after seeing
that win in Denver and them kind of conquering their
Denver demons. It just changed the complexion of that matchup.
Having Luca and the way that teams have to guard
(00:52):
him in the pick and roll, and just what that
unlocks for the rest of the Lakers offense. I think
you've seen that continue to progress over the power couple
of months, and I think the Lakers are entering the
playoffs looking really good right now. So you know, certainly
I think that there will be some defensive questions for
the Lakers. The defense has been better lately, but it
did go go through a role there for a little bit.
(01:15):
And Minnesota's big, they're tough, they're nasty, they got size.
Like this is going to be I think a bit
of a slug fest at times. But I do favor
the Lakers in this series decidedly, and I think looking
at their potential path, they have a really good shot
to get to the conference finals and then once there,
who knows what happens. But but right now, I've peged
them number two behind.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
See yeah, but give given what you said them two behind? Okay,
See do you do you look at the way they played? Okay,
see the last couple of games. In fact, they beat them,
and it probably should have beat them if they don't
ridiculously kick Luca out of the game. They beat him
twice in the last couple of weeks, and they've We've
(01:56):
always felt, at least we have felt that the Lakers
matched up really well against Okac. And given that, does
that even make the Lakers even more of a threat
to win the conference from anybody else or even make
them the favorite given the recent history that they've had
against Okac.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
You could certainly make that case.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
I don't think I'm quite there yet, but I think
I would strongly consider taking the Lakers in that series.
I think it's probably like fifty one forty nine, fifty
two to forty eight for me right now. In terms
of favoring oka See, I think that there is something
too also, like having home court throughout the playoffs, which okay.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
See will have. They're a really good home team, so if.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
It was like a neutral site or LA had home court,
I think I would pick them. But factoring in Okayc's
going to have home court in any West series and
the Lakers might have to play maybe they play Houston
around two and they don't have home court, then they
got to win that on the road, then they got
to go to ok See and when that one on
the road. So I think that that is a small
factor that would make me lean okay See. But to
(03:00):
your point, they blew them out in one game, they
look like they're on the precipice of getting blown out
in the second game. Then they rallied in that third
quarter at one of their best defensive quarters of the season,
and then when Luca got tossed, they were up by
one with seven forty left in that game, and we'll
never know what would have happened had Lucas stayed in
that game, but it was certainly trending toward the lakers favor.
(03:23):
So they feel like they got robbed in that one,
and as they did, you know that technical later got rescinded.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
So I think they do not fear okay See.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
I will say that I know that for a fact,
they do not fear Oka See, and that is have
to battle sometimes. It's just like the mental edge and
how you're approaching a series. So they would go into
that series expecting to win it, and I think that
would give them a real shot to win it. But
I also don't want to discount Okay Sees had a
historic season, one of the best regular seasons of all time.
I think they are a formidable opponent, but certainly the
(03:55):
Lakers have a real shot to beat them, and I
think at a minimum it would be a six or
seven game series.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Yovan, When you see what the Lakers have done now
in the position they put themselves in, and you think
about the deal that brought Doncic to the Lakers, does
that reinforce you sitting back and thinking, what the hell
was Nico Harrison thinking.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Yeah, I find myself asking that question a few times
a day when when the reality sits is that they
have Luca of the Lakers that you just saw today
it was announced that he had the highest selling jersey
of the season, and of course that it's going to
be influenced to an extent by him going to the Lakers,
and like, there's been a lot of purchases of Luca jerseys,
(04:37):
but it was the first time in over a decade
that it wasn't Lebron or Steph And when we talk
about the face of the NBA, I don't see any
reason why Luca on the Lakers could not be the
face of the NBA.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I know, typically we don't think.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
About international guys being the face of the NBA, but
I think he is a very marketable player. He plays
an enjoyable style of basketball, and then he's also a Laker,
So I think you look at those factors and it's like,
I don't see why he couldn't be.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
At least until maybe we have a clear face.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Of the league if if for whatever reason, people don't
want to consider him that I think looking at the
next two years. There's no reason why he can't be
in that conversation. But yeah, I don't know what Dallas
is doing. I will never understand what Dallas is doing.
Apparently athletes are not allowed to drink beer. That that
is a deal breaker, And you know, they look past
the fact that he just led them to the finals
(05:26):
and he's never had home court advantage of this series.
Yet he's made the conference finals and finals twice, you know,
your respectively. So yeah, I mean, I guess like playoff
stats and in his historic start to his career has
not mattered. And unfortunately he likes to drink the occasional
beer and maybe smoke.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Some hookah in the off season. So that that was
the deal breaker.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
Uh yeah, yeah, I think there's more to it behind
the scenes than that. But so do the Lakers have
to speakin of that? Stand on that and everybody is,
you know, right obviously PHILIPI and Nico and celebrating rop
Alinka and the Lakers for making this happen. But do
the Lakers have to go deep at least when the
(06:13):
Western Conference they'll get to the Western Conference finals for
this to be successful, because if they if they stumble
against Minnesota or in the second round, will people change
their tune and go, well, you know, okay, Lakers made
the playoffs, but they didn't go deep, and so the
Luca trade really didn't move the needle.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
I mean, I think that's certainly a possibility, and I
think there will be certainly some some shows that or
or national figures that want to run with that narrative.
Like I think this is a trade that and in
really every trade in general, right like that, there's always
the initial reaction to a trade, and then oftentimes six
months later, a year later, three years later, sometimes we
(06:59):
will will look at trade through a new lens. And
like I remember at the time, back in twenty thirteen
when the Celtics and the Nets did their trade, and
at the time it was a historic call for the Celtics,
and in the moment the trade looked bad. Then years
later the trade got even worse because the Celtics ended
(07:19):
up getting Jason Tatum ed Jylen Brown with the picks
from the Nets.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
So like in.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Theory, the Nets should have had a future with Jalen
Brown and Jason Tatum, and like they could have been
the future, you know, East Juggernaut. Instead they gave those
picks to Boston, and Boston became what they've become. So
I say that just to say, like, I think with
this trade, with how young Luca is and with the
point in his career where Ad is, I think this
(07:47):
is a trade that we ultimately won't be able to
judge for another three to five years in terms of
were Ady and Kyrie ever to get healthy and lead
Dallas on a deep playoff run like what happens with
the Lakers. How do they ultimately replace liver On whenever
he decides to retire, Like I think there's a lot
of follow up questions to how we judge this. I
would just look at how good they've been since the
(08:08):
Luca trade and the way that they've climbed in the standings,
and this number three seed is their best finish in
a season since twenty twenty, the first time they host
a game one since twenty twelve, and that of course
is in part because of the bubble in twenty twenty
and then they weren't able to host the game then
in LA. But I think we've already seen them reach
new heights with Luca within the regular season that they
(08:31):
haven't really reached since the first year of Lebron ad together,
and I think that alone makes us a win. Of course,
I think they need to at least win one playoff
series for this postseason to not be a.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Bit of a disaster.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
I think if they lose in round one, it's a
disaster in terms of this season, But long term, you
would make the twenty six year old Ukadoncic instead of
the thirty two.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Year old Anthony Davis ten.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Out of ten times, and like just thinking about where
they're gonna be the end of the day game potentially
with Luca plus another star, he's going to be smacked
out in his prime with another player, while eighty is
going to be in his mid thirties and potentially aging
out of the league at that point.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
So I think from a long term perspective, it's.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
A complete win and will remain a win barring like
a career ending injury from Luca. But short term, of course,
if they don't get out of the first round, it's
certainly a disappointment for this season.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Jovan Buja the athletic with us, all right, can we
flip over real quick, just get your take on the
Clippers open against Denver. What do you think in that series.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
I think the Clippers have a real shot to win
that series. They've been the hottest team in the NBA
over the past month, over the last fifteen games, they
have the best offense and the best defense, which having
one of those is impressive, having both is just incredible.
And we saw them just win a must win game
on the road in Golden State. The winner had a
(09:57):
guaranteed playoff spot, the loser was in the playing and
they gutted that one out in overtime with James Harden,
of all people, being the one who led them specifically
in overtime and really took over that game. And like,
for as great of a career as Harden has had,
he has had his fair share of playoffs struggles, and
you just look at the numbers pretty much annually he
(10:19):
has a great, you know, good to great regular season,
and then his playoff numbers are a bit disappointing, especially
in elimination games. He's had a bunch of stinkers. It's
been well documented. So I think for him to have
that type of moment leading into the playoffs could also
be maybe a sign of what is to come with
him and he's also you know, depending on the night,
he's sometimes the number one, sometimes he's the number three
(10:42):
of the number four. So I think him not having
to shoulder the entire offensive burden has also been a
benefit for him. But the biggest thing with me is
Kawhi has looked more like Kawhi. He has been trending
in the right direction for several weeks now and now
was playing him back to Becks and like, he's looked
really good, and then it beats to the Zubats. I have
a vote this year. I'm voting foras Zubats for most
(11:02):
improved Player. He to me has been the player that
has taken the biggest leap, like we often look at sometimes,
you know, young guys taking a leap. He's twenty seven,
he's in his ninth season, and he's gone from being
like a solid starting center to one of the best starting.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Centers in the NBA.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Like, there are people who are going to vote for
him for all NBA teams and that jumped to make
in your late twenties. I think it's pretty significant. So
like he's the small ball antidote. You can't go like
you can go small against him. He's going to punish
you with with putbacks and often the rebounds and block
shots and all that stuff. So I think Zubats has
been great, Kawhi is looking like himself, and I think
(11:38):
the Clippers, especially with how Denver had been playing before
firing Mike Malone, I think the Clippers have a real
shot to play off an upset in six or seven games.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
Yeah, no, I agree with you. I think him. I
think Zubats and and and Austin Reeves have.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Been those are the two guys.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
Those are my Yeah, that's been the most improved players
because Austin Reeves and you know, we talked about it
earlier as has turned the Lakers from a big two
to big three any way he's played. But I think
you're right on about Zubos in his game and what
he's done this year. Does that make the Clippers now?
I mean, also, we just talked about the Lakers, But
(12:16):
does that make the Clippers also a team that it
is scary for another team to face in these playoffs?
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:23):
No, I mean it's I think the Clippers, and they
advanced in the first round. I would not be surprised if,
like I think they would give Okay, see a run
for their money. So we've never had the La La series,
and I think there could be a realistic path to
having it finally in the conference finals to determine, you know,
(12:46):
which team goes to the finals, and that would I
think that would be fun just having the stakes of
La LA. Clippers are now in their own building and
Kawhi and Lebron have their history going back over a
decade playing in the twenty thirteen and twenty fourteen finals,
So I think, yeah, I think the Clipers have a
real shot here. You know, I said the Lakers, I
think are the second best team in the West right now.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
I'd have to peg the Clippers a third.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
I was close there between Golden State and the Clippers,
but just seeing how the two teams matched up last night,
seeing how they fared, I would give the Clippers the
edge right now. And also the Golden State having to
even just be in the play and just the risk
that comes with that, your one bad game away from
dropping to eight and potentially even falling out altogether. So
(13:30):
I think the Clippers have a real strong case to
be at least the second round team, if not potentially further.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Jovann Bouha from the Athletic Boojas block the podcast. Yovan,
thanks for jumping on. Appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Appreciate you guys, Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
You're right. So, I was reading about what happened in
Denver because we were kicking that around last week. I mean,
why would they just get rid of a coach and
blow them out seemingly out of nowhere. Well, rotten, you
said it. It wasn't out of nowhere. It was actually expected.
They were going to take him out at mid season,
at the All Star break. They were going to make
(14:04):
the move there. Things had become so toxic within the
locker room and the organization, the fighting between Malone and
the general manager, and they were deciding that they would
take him out right after the All Star break. The
problem was, Denver went on and went out and won
some games right after the All Star break, and as
it was written, winning masks a lot of things, but
(14:27):
the problem still existed. The players had tuned them out.
They just weren't listening anymore. Yolkic was not pleased. He
liked Malone, but he wasn't pleased. And they decided, if
we're going to do this, we're going to do it
right now, right now and try to salvage something. They
really thought that they went into the playoffs with him
(14:49):
as the coach, and the GM extended that they would
not be able to win in the playoffs, so they
thought some sort of shake up was in order and
that's why they made the move. Then, shocking to everybody.
But again, as you say, you know, just because they
get it today doesn't mean it happened today. Things had
been leading up to this all year long. Yeah, but
(15:13):
it's still, you know, shocking. You know, you can have
bad blood whatever.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
They just want a title not too long ago, right
two years ago they won a title. And you know,
to I never in any sport, never liked mid season
firings unless it was, you know, something that couldn't be
avoided and it was so bad and so toxic that
you had to do it. And for them to be
a team going into the playoffs to do this, it
(15:42):
just it just never makes sense. Again, we were not
in the building and you just routed off. There's some
stuff behind the scenes. But at the same time, if
they went, if they thought they were going to do
it at the All Star break or right after the
All Star break, and they didn't because they went on
a roll, then why do it right before you start
the playoffs? I mean that just to me, it makes
(16:03):
even less sense if you had the inkling to do
it right after the All Star and mid season to it,
but don't wait until a week before the playoffs began,
and then that's when you decide to pull the trigger.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
No, I hear you, I hear you. But again, winning
masked it, and I'd love that line. Oh, Kevin Demoff
was involved in those conversations, by the way, we speculated
he would be, and he was. But winning masks a
lot of things. Problems still existed. They were just winning.
And I guess if they had gone on one every game,
nobody would have done anything, at least now. But I'm
(16:40):
not sure he would have. Malone would have even survived
for next year.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
He probably wouldn't survive next year if they don't win
the title. He probably definitely definitely doesn't. Obviously he didn't survive,
But if they kept him and they went on and
lost in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs,
then he certainly wouldn't have survived. But to fire him
a week prior if the issue was it was so
(17:05):
bad we needed to fire him at the All Star
Break and then he didn't because winning. Then why fire
him right before the playoffs? Because now they're the fourth seed? Right, Yes,
they're the fourth seed, So why are you firing him now?
If you kept him because you went on a little
roll after the All Star Break, then why don't you
(17:28):
keep him through the playoffs? That makes sense.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
The impact of showing hey Tony for the Dodgers, of
looking dontage for the Lakers. Let's talk about it.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Next, right on, Come on Monday, Fred Monday, making it happen, Rodney, Pete,
Fred Rogan.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
So you understand when organizations are put together and players
are picked, there's a reason for everything. Number one to win.
That's the number one objective. You want to win, So
you pick the guys you think will get your titles.
In return, those guys will put people in the seats. Right,
team wins, more people come, ticket prices go up, you
sell more merch, you sell more concessions, and you have
(18:21):
a successful business. Not so much really when you lose
all the time. So number one is winning, right, You
want to do that and you believe that if you win,
it'll take care of everything. There's another thing you have
to remember. I think the Dodgers have done a magnificent
job of it, and the Lakers in their deal also
did something pretty wise. So this is not about winning.
(18:43):
This part is not about winning championships, and it's really
not about even the play on the court. And it's
something that you can either do or you can't. Example,
show Heo Tani. We were in Japan. We saw what
that meant for show Hao Tani. But what you don't
know back here is what that means for the Dodgers.
(19:06):
Stankasten told us when they were in Japan, he had
two weeks of meetings booked solidly, meeting with sponsors, meeting
with representatives, people that wanted to be associated with the Dodgers,
people that wanted their logo, a Dodgers stadium, people that
wanted that brand connection. So now we see that the
(19:27):
top selling jersey in the NBA is look at Doncic. Okay, Now,
whether they win or lose, right now, you have to
think from a business perspective, just a business perspective, Now,
who's good, who's bad? Business perspective that opens up places
all over the world. An international player, top selling jersey
(19:49):
for now, other people have had that distinction over the
years and may again have it. But doing that opens
different markets for the Dodgers. Now. I don't know specifically,
you know, I don't think Lukadancic will be the biggest
star in Tokyo, but certainly when you sign international players
(20:10):
that are high profile and very successful, that can be
good for your business because you get to expand your brand.
I think the Lake didn't the Lakers have a Japanese
company on their jersey. Yes they do, yep, they do
still bb Go right, so they're in Japan. And I
(20:33):
just think when you look at how you build teams,
that makes sense if you get lucky. And that just
says both games now truly are global.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
Probably the NBA is more global than baseball. Rodney, Yeah, no, definitely.
NBA has played around the world, and baseball's not you know,
play baseball really in Europe, play in an Asia, in Korea, Japan,
but don't play.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
Uh but but but basketball is played everywhere. And if
you remember and people, and I was fascinated by this
learning this that Kobe Bryant was the biggest star in
in China. Yes, Kobe Bryant was the biggest star in Asia.
(21:24):
Kobe Bryant would spend months in Asia uh in the offseason.
And and because his brand, the Laker brand, was so
huge in Asia that there were things that he would
do over there and nobody knew in the States. There
were camps, there were there, Fred you were. You were
(21:47):
there as well as I was. And we saw all
the old tiny ads over in Asia in Japan that
you would never see in the States. And and and
they never would air in the States. Well, Kobe did
the same thing. Kobe had so many ads and promotions
and things that he did in Asia that never saw
the light of day in the States. But it was
such a he would he himself was such a huge brand,
(22:09):
but also the Lakers were such a huge brand. I
can remember, you know, Magic telling me how the government
would invite them over to play in Japan when he
was playing, and then certainly after he was playing. He
had a lot of and still does do a lot
of business in Asia, and they would invite him over
(22:33):
to basically help them and the national team figure out
a way to beat China. So he would bring guys
over and they would spend two three weeks practicing and
going through drills and doing things with the Japanese national
team figure out how they can beat China and Korea.
(22:54):
Remember China started to be huge, and Yao Ming and
all the Chinese and so it's you know, sports it
itself has been become extremely global and as big as
the UH, as big as the NFL is and has
you know, and it's in NFL. Don't get me wrong,
(23:14):
even though they don't play it around the world. NFL
is global, but in terms of marketing wise, global wise,
baseball and basketball are more global than than the NFL.
Even though we've you know, Tom Brady has gone over
to Asia and made a lot of money, but they
don't play football around the world.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
Agree one percent. So when the Dodger signed Otani, we
made the point, at that price point seven hundred million dollars,
that's already paid for itself.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
That's done. Yeah, okay, that was that was paid for
us within what two weeks of him signing.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Oh, I mean, that was basically taken care of. So
nobody goes into an squirrel accountant makes money. It's yeah,
it was very smart.
Speaker 4 (24:01):
As soon as they announced the announced the Tokyo series,
it became it was paid for ten times over.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
Yeah, I mean they took care of it. That was
a good signing. Okay, I mean the Lakers have Lebron
the best player in the game. Now they get Luca.
I think this is the first time in twelve thirteen
years that Lebron or Steph weren't one or two in
Jersey sales. It's Luca and Steph and Lebron are two
and three. So they're all right there, they're all right there.
But Lucas International. That's a very good thing for the Lakers,
(24:31):
that is. And now it makes you.
Speaker 4 (24:32):
Think, and that's more not Luca, but it's more Laker
because if Luca goes to OKAC or Lucas at Houston,
or Luca's at the Clippers, or Luca's at wherever other
than the Lakers, is he number one in Jersey sales?
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Probably not? No, probably not usually beneficial. You're right, Yeah,
you're right. And that makes it even more mind well,
oh yeah, a little bit more mind boggling that Dallas
would let him go because he might not have been
number one in Jersey sales. But I'll tell you something,
he was up there and they let him walk out.
See this is why when Juan Soto signed that enormous
(25:12):
deal with the Mats and good for the Mets and
hopefully they win. It was a terrible deal. It was
a terrible deal for the Mets. It was a great
deal for Juan Soto. It was a terrible deal for
the Mets.
Speaker 4 (25:22):
I don't know if it was a great deal for
Wan Soto. Why because he got seven hundred million. Let's
say he gets six from the Yankees. Okay, it's a
better deal he stays with the Yankees for six than
seven with the Mets, because wearing those pen stripes is
going to generate more money than wearing the Mets uniform.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
That's fairly.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
We got five from the Yankee. The Yankee brand is
like the Dodger brand. It travels globally, and as he's
there for ten whatever years he signed for and the
Yankee penn stripes, it is going to go a lot
further than him being with the Mets. And the reason
(26:08):
it's a bad deal for the Mets is they can't
make their money back. They cannot make their money back.
I mean, from a business perspective.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
The Dodgers have paid for Otani. He hadn't done anything.
He hadn't even done anything. They basically paid for him.
Otani deferred and Soto did not defer his contract. All
are the Mets going to make that kind of money?
How off one Soto? Well, they want to win, that's brilliant,
of course you do. Scott Boris wants his clients to
get paid. Got that too. But at the end of
(26:39):
the day, they can't read. There's no way. There's no way. Now,
if they sell out every single game and win every title,
maybe what are the chances of that?
Speaker 4 (26:50):
Zero?
Speaker 1 (26:51):
So it's small.
Speaker 4 (26:54):
Soo Dominican? Is it? Dominican?
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (26:58):
And so the economy what they would do for Awan
Soto coming back home pales in comparison with Japan is
doing for Shohei Otani. Correct, even Yamamoto, even Sazaki, he
not even on Sazaki level. Sazaki's making a killing over there.
(27:18):
Yamamoto is making a killing in Japan.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
And because of that, the Dodgers are making a killing. Yes,
And that's the thing. The Mets can't make that killing
from a business perspective, they can't. They can't, But the
Dodgers can't because they signed those three guys. When you
have so now the Lakers have two of the top
(27:41):
three Jersey sales in the NBA. You don't think that
goes a long way when they're talking to partners from
other countries. And the Lakers are an enormous brand to
start with. Now they have two of the top three
guys in Jersey sales. You don't think that means some
thing when they go out and look for partners on
(28:03):
an international level. Of course it does, of course it does.
Once again, makes it even more bizarre that Dallas let
Luka not just go. So it's good business for the
Lakers to have Lebron and Luca. It makes sense from
a business perspective. And you said about Kobe, you were right,
(28:25):
And I never considered this, even in the waning days
when he wasn't really Kobe anymore and the time had
passed and they gave him that two year deal. How
much money did they make on that deal because it
was Cobe?
Speaker 4 (28:40):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
How much did they make because Kobe was still there?
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (28:45):
The arena was filled even when they were losing. Yeah,
team was not great, team, he was not very good,
but the arena was full. Yeah, because Kobe might do
something right. And Kobe's presence in a what does that
mean for the Lakers? We know what it meant for Kobe.
It means something for the Lakers too. That gives them
(29:06):
a chance to go into that market.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
So it's all business. Just really interesting how how this
has played out. I mean, Otani is the man in
Major League Baseball, all due respect to one, so to
everybody that's playing, it's Otani's the biggest star in the game.
And you can make the argument Lebron is the biggest
star in basketball. I think you can make that argument.
So if that's the case, then the Lakers have the
(29:28):
second biggest star behind Lebron. They have the two top stars,
and the Dodgers have them Tani and Yamamoto and Sazaki
and Muki Betts and Freddie Freeman. Those guys did a
good job. They were smart, but that that trade for
the Lakers meant a lot more than just wins and losses.
Speaker 4 (29:48):
Yeah, from don't don't discard, I mean people that weren't
there in Japan. You were there, Fretz, so you understood
the Dodgers and the brand that was present during that
even probably what a month maybe more leading up to
the Tokyo series, the presence was as soon as they
(30:10):
announced it, probably it was crazy over there but a
month leading up to that series, the brand itself, Dodger
brand was everywhere. Tani was everywhere, even you know, he
was everywhere. He was the focal point. But Yamamoto and Sazaki,
those guys were there. But the Dodger brand was all
over the place. Every There were pop up stores, there
(30:30):
were everything that was there. I remember there there was
Muki had a pop up event in Japan where it
was crazy, insane, you know that that they just they
did for him. So that brand, I mean, it was
(30:52):
way beyond just the Japanese players. It was the Dodger
brand and the other players. Freddy couldn't go out side
the hotel. I mean, it was crazy, the brand of
the Dodgers and what they brought to that market, and
to your point where they made all that money back of.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
Course, yeah, of course. You know the most interesting thing
when we were there, I don't know if you thought
about this or not. Where was all the Tokyo Giant stuff? Yeah,
that's there.
Speaker 4 (31:27):
Put on the burner, that's.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
What they were. I mean, yeah, and I don't think
Rodney they took down the Otani billboards when the Dodgers left. No,
he's a major star.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
There.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
Yeah, so where was their stuff? Where were their big
I don't know who's on their team, but where was
it at the stadium. There was like one little store,
yeah that you could buy a little something about the
to I thought, wait a minute, this is their team
and the Dodgers controlled Tokyo. Yeah, you know that would
(32:00):
be like that would be like the Lakers play in LA,
but every store sells Celtics stuff and you go, but yeah,
but it's the Lakers here. No, No, the Lakers play here,
but it's all Celtics. The Tokyo Giants play there, but
it was all Dodgers. And they're not taking that stuff down.
(32:22):
I mean, those are legit ads and billboards and TV commercials.
They're not just gonna stop them when the Dodgers leave.
If you look at a game on TV, now, look
behind home plate, Look at the boards there. Look at
the sponsors on them. Some are in Japanese. Yeah, they're
(32:44):
in Japanese.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
Yeah, not to mention, I mean, and also Major League Baseball,
not to mention, think about that. You're in it, Fred,
so you know more than anybody think about the TV contract,
the TV the broadcast deals or deal that the Dodgers
have in Asia, and and and Major League Baseball has
(33:10):
an Asia in Asia. Uh, what does that look like?
And what does that revenue look like? Because everybody's watching
every game the Dodgers play is on every Asian country.
And I'm not just talking Japanese. I'm talking about it's
(33:32):
on every Asian country. It's everywhere. Yeah, so Korea to Thailand,
the Vietnam to everywhere in Asia the Dodgers are playing.
The Dodgers aren't TV. And that's an that's a that's
a different market that you sell to differently, every you know, individually.
(33:54):
So whatever deal you did in Japan is a different
deal in Vietnam. And it's a different deal in Korea.
It's a different deal in Thailand. It's a different deal
in the Philippines. It's a different deal in Singapore. I mean,
think about that. You think you think seven hundred million
dollars was Oh that's a lot of money. Oh really
(34:18):
you think so? They would have went to a billion?
They got they got him on the cheap, fred They
gotta on the cheap. Are you kidding me?
Speaker 1 (34:38):
All right, we're back to put a button on this.
Speaker 4 (34:49):
Yeah, come on, it's been as strong Freddie let's go baby.
Speaker 1 (34:57):
All right, So the Dodgers try to get things right
into at the stadium. The whole gang is there. The
pregame at six, the game at seven. You'll hear it
here on the radio station. Dustin May goes to the
mound against Colorado. What do you think seven eight strikeouts
tonight for May?
Speaker 4 (35:13):
At least at least he might get double digits, and
everybody gets a jumbo jack.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
Nothing wrong with that, I'll tell you one thing. Joe
Davis gets pretty excited. So does oral about that jumbo jack?
Speaker 4 (35:24):
Ye they do.
Speaker 1 (35:26):
Let's get some big time.
Speaker 4 (35:30):
Yeah. No, I think he goes Hey. I think he
continues a really good start to the season, Dustin May,
and just continues to evolve. I think every outing he
feels more and more confident going out there pitching. You know,
obviously with the setbacks he's had the last couple of
years with surgeries and finally getting back, I think he
is on pace to continue to be well. When it's
(35:53):
all said and done, he's gonna be a critical piece
to the Dodgers' pitching staff, I mean the starting pitching staff.
Speaker 2 (36:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (36:00):
Absolutely. And he looks good. He looks healthy, uh and
very confident and that is so important. Give him what
he went through. Uh So, and hopefully tonight the Dodgers
come around, get out of that funk and hit the ball.
You can't think of a better pitching staff to do
it again. So I'll tell you that.
Speaker 4 (36:17):
Poor Colorado.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
Well they're all getting paid, so that's a good thing.
They're all getting paid. But yeah, maybe the Dodgers cure
what ails them tonight. Okay, Ronnie, thank you, terrific work.
All over it man, you're all over it today. Kevin,
great job as well. Really appreciate uh your efforts on
(36:42):
the program. And Rodney, another three hour show for us tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
Let's do it.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
Let's get him then, let's do it.
Speaker 4 (36:49):
As Ton Loake would say, come on,
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