The 2025 Playoff Preview!

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Today is a huge deal as the twenty twenty five
NBA Playoffs officially start tomorrow, and here on H two DG,
I'd like to do it big and give a great show,
similar to the ways the NBA's best seek to play
their best basketball this time of year as they try
to fulfill their championship dreams. But as you can imagine,
this isn't the kind of episode I can do on

(00:20):
my own. If you've been listening to the show long
before I expanded to YouTube back for twenty twenty five,
I am joined by my lifetime point guard, Devon and
my running mate on the wing and Johnny as These
two gentlemen will help me offer analysis and predictions for
this year's NBA Playoffs. Since we're recording ahead of the
play in, excluding most of the play in what ifs,

(00:41):
we're not gonna duck them completely like years past because
the Western Conference was ridiculous this year. But you know,
we're gonna try to stay away from the play in.
But for the most part, we got thirteen teams, thirteen challenges,
thirteen hip hop theme songs for each team's playoff run.
All right, the fun starts now. I ain't gonna talk
any further. I get ready to hear the playoff preview

(01:04):
that you've never heard before only on Hip to the Games.
Devon Johnny, Welcome back to our playoff show, brothers. How
we feel them?

Speaker 2 (01:11):
We ready or what Plea's get it man to be back?

Speaker 1 (01:16):
Yes, sir, Yes, sir. Welcome to Hip to the Games,
the podcast for you the basketball junkie and the hip
hop hit. I'm your host, Desmond and I too have
had hoop dreams and enjoy the beautiful genre of hip
hop and its history. Together we will enjoy some of
the greatest albums, songs, artists, players, moments, teams, and so
much more, while even mixing the two on occasion. All

(01:39):
in my hope that you remember why you love both
or either of these to begin with. You'll soon understand
that Hip to the Games is more than just a podcast.
It's a lifestyle. And if you were looking for a
platform that combines both basketball and hip hop, you've come
to the right place. All right, Welcome to this episode

(02:11):
of Hip to the Games. Shout out to you if
you are a loyal listener and are showing that you
are indeed Hip to the Games by listening or tuning
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you for all your support. If you do happen to
be new to H two DG though, welcome aboard. I'm
happy to have you here, happy for you to meet
my guys. Man, they're gonna do the put on an

(02:34):
awesome show for you today. If throughout this episode you
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you're on right now to stay tapped in with all
things hip to the Games. And of course, before we
dive into today's episode, you already know to drill. I
gotta get my pregame shoutouts out the way. The first
one always goes to the creative director Jesus Christ for

(02:56):
another H two DG episode, as it's always a privilege
to get in front of this microphone and do what
he's putting me to do and for this brotherhood that
we got right here and friendship with these two guys
with me. And the second one goes to my nineteen
media group family for the opportunity to represent the home team.
You see that blue and white logo in the corner.
That's my squad. Be sure to tap in with all

(03:17):
things nineteen Media Group on YouTube, Instagram, nineteen M Group
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(03:40):
all that is appreciated and felt. So we appreciate that support.
Now as we get into H two DG's fourth playoff preview,
in case you forgot how this works, I've assigned each
of us four NBA teams, two from each conference, to
discuss our in depth thoughts on their playoff hopes, strengths, weaknesses,
potential matchups, team matchups, individual matchups, the whole nine. As always,

(04:03):
this does mean that teams from the play in are
a bit excluded due to the timing of the recording
and the unpredictability and the release of this episode, but
that doesn't mean that they'll be excluded entirely from this conversation.
So just to keep in mind here, if you're following
or if you're taking notes, Johnny will be in charge
of the OKC Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers, the New
York Knicks, and the Indiana Pacers. Devon will tackle the

(04:25):
Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks.
And I will lock in on the Houston Rockets, Los
Angeles Clippers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Cleveland Calves and
the Detroit Pistons. So given that the West Fellas proved
that they were the best conference this year, I figured
we'd start with them, and Johnny, I'm gonna start with you, brother,

(04:45):
with the number one seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. As we know,
they had a historic regular season. They had the league's
best defense, They were first in steels per game with
ten a game. They passed the twenty sixteen to seventeen Warriors,
know if y'all caught that, but they passed them for
the most double digit wins in an NBA season by
getting over fifty of them. And in my words, they

(05:08):
have the most empowered group of role players that we've
seen in probably an NBA history. I know Magic's Lakers
would like a word. I know the eighties Celtics would
like a word. I know the bad boy Pistons would
like a word. But in this era of basketball, we
haven't seen anything like the OKC thunder. You know, we
hear the term dog a lot today, but these role
players are some seriously well trained dogs, y'all. You know,

(05:30):
like they take advantage of open looks, They are active defensively,
they are always on one accord, you know, they they defend,
and they are deeper than twopot quotes. Okay, So, but
the regular season being a breeze doesn't necessarily mean that
the playoffs will be especially out West, and as the
number one seed, they certainly have a target on their back.
But they do face that pressure as well to really

(05:54):
make it to the finals because of their dominance this
season and at the very least the Western Conference finals
after lose in the semi finals last year. So, Johnny,
what do you think about OKC and their chances this year?
You have the Florida share all your thoughts on okac's run,
your level of belief, potential opponents, all that, and then
I'll drop my big question for you.

Speaker 3 (06:13):
Sounds good, so, okay?

Speaker 2 (06:14):
See the team of sixty eight and fourteen man those
young guys are coming to play. Yeah, just to talk
about your defensive stats. How you said that. You know,
they lead the NBA and steels. They're also eighth in
the NBA and transition points with twenty five points per game.
So that's something to think about, you know, looking at
besides Utah being the youngest team in the NBA, the

(06:36):
Oklahoma City Thunder are the fourth youngest team in the NBA.
But you know, the way that these players played, they
play like they've been in the league for about ten
to fifteen years.

Speaker 1 (06:45):
You know what I'm saying.

Speaker 2 (06:46):
It just makes me think about you know, your old
mama's cooking with the seasoning in it. Man, you can
never forget those little recipes. Like Oklahoma City Thunder has
figured out the recipes. Just looking at with them going
into the first round, it's looking very winnable. I think
with the two playing scenarios, they have the Mavericks who
are now starting to look more defined.

Speaker 3 (07:08):
With Anthony Davis.

Speaker 2 (07:09):
We haven't seen no more than seven games with eighty,
but the six, the five to six games we've seen
has been very promising. You know, someone that's averaging easily
over twenty three points still giving them a double double
every night. So I think with Dallas they won't struggle
too much because they have the bigs Isaiah and chet
to be there. But I think the series that some

(07:29):
NBA players would want to see against the Sacramento Kings,
who does not want to go see Deebo, who does
not want to see Zach Levine and the Malik Monk.
I feel like Sacramento has some dogs in their team,
but for some reason, they don't like to bark.

Speaker 3 (07:43):
That loud when the lights come on.

Speaker 2 (07:45):
You know, They've had a scenario when they played the
Golden State Warriors, was it two years ago in the
play in and they took Golden State to have Curry
score fifty for them to win. So I would love
to see that scenario of Sacramento with them, and we're
gonna see that tomorrow night to see what happened with that.

Speaker 1 (08:01):
Well at the time of this recording, yes.

Speaker 2 (08:03):
Yes, yes, at the time it's recording as of Tuesday night,
we'll be seeing what happens with that. But this team
has a lot of opportunity to be great, and I think,
like you said, they have role players that can easily
start and I think this is the first team in
the NBA that I've seen since in my time, since

(08:23):
honestly since the twenty eleven Clippers to when they had
Bled Sell and Jamal Crawford and Matt Barnes. This is
the first team where the role players can easily put
up fifteen points on the starting team and the starting lineup,
and so I think they are very not only scary,
but they have to play.

Speaker 3 (08:40):
They have to stay disciplined.

Speaker 2 (08:42):
You know, the playoffs is a slow game, and that's
where when later when I talk about just about the
avenues they have to go through, I'm very anxious to
see how they are in a slow game because Shay
is a slow player, but a lot of the role
players aren't slow themselves.

Speaker 1 (08:55):
Thank you, Johnny, Thank you brother. I've been saying that,
and you know before I I want to toss it
off to Devon real quick, Johnny. Out of those so
you mentioned the Kings, you mentioned the MAVs. Another team
you didn't mention is the Grizzlies. Those they all have
a chance to face. Okay, see in the first round,
who do you see out of those three advancing and

(09:16):
being that eighth seed.

Speaker 2 (09:19):
When it comes to discipline, I can see probably Memphis
winning because I've seen Memphis. Memphis are a die hard
grit and I think that would be the team that'll
make Oklahoma the most uncomfortable because they.

Speaker 3 (09:29):
Do not mind getting physical. Very true, and that's probably.

Speaker 2 (09:33):
The only team with a point guard that's gonna make
Shaye run. Oh that's some point you got to think about,
how is she gonna be defensively? Like, who's gonna make
Shaye run as fast as Shae makes them run? So
I would say the Grizzlies, But I would say the
most entertaining would be Sacramento.

Speaker 1 (09:48):
That's a good That's a good one because they got
a lot of firepower.

Speaker 4 (09:51):
You know.

Speaker 1 (09:51):
I think some people might question that, but I think
it's because they have the firepower. Like again, in a
playoff environment, you have Zach Levine, DeMar Duauz and uh,
you know, if Maleague Monk is healthy out there, you
know they're they're they're gonna definitely you know, they're not
gonna go down without a fight. So I understand where
you're coming from from that perspective. Devon, Is there anything

(10:12):
you want to add to what Johnny just said or
or or anything else that pops in your mind when
you think the OKAC thunder.

Speaker 4 (10:19):
Yeah, man, I mean you guys said it. I think
the thing with me for Okay See is I don't
really see them running into too many problems until like
later in the playoffs you just to get grimy and
they're they're facing those you know, the the the the
like Cleveland level teams, you know, talking about the other conference,

(10:41):
but you know, the Lakers like teams like that. I
feel like the one thing I would be interested to
see with Shay is like, like I'm waiting for that
team and although this is a very tall task and
much easier said than done, Like who is gonna be them?
That team that kind of gets a bit physical with

(11:02):
him and you know kind of like if to put
him on the floor and kind of find those like
little ways to disrupt his game and force the ball
into other guy's hands like that, That's what I'm gonna
be watching and see what Okay see because I feel like,
you know, we haven't really seen Shae face that level
of the defense yet in his in his career with
Okay See. So yeah, I think it would be really interesting.

(11:25):
But yeah, not to say that it would be smooth sailing.
But because you know it is against the playoffs, it's
it's a long season of you know, everybody's going to
be dealing with the fatigue and injuries and and you
know the mental stuff that comes with that. But I
think they got a really good group that can make
a really deep run.

Speaker 1 (11:46):
You know, Devon, you mentioned a great point there about
how you guard Shae, Because Devon, I will say it
is Houston, l A and and the Clippers, both LA teams.
The Lakers, the Clippers in Houston to me, really tested Shae.
Those some of these last few weeks of the season.
I'm talking he was getting to the line two times.
You know, he's usually getting to the line, what about

(12:07):
eight ten times a game? Two times a game. And
and what I like about Shay is that he's mature.
He's not throwing up his hands and looking at the
refs every trip down. He takes it on the chin.
And that's what I that's what I respect about him.
But to your point, Devon, you know, yes, that is
exactly why I said in my other episode that you know,
I could see a Lakers, I could see a Houston,

(12:28):
I could see even a Clippers, you know, giving Okay,
see some fits because of their size, because of their intensity,
because of their grit, and I think, you know, I
just lost my train of thought. But it's like I
just think that, like you said, it's it's not gonna
be smooth sailing, you know it's, but it's also easier,

(12:49):
easier said than done. But yes, I I think, Oh,
thank you Jesus, I was gonna say, you know, I think, Okay, see,
in all honesty, they got very lucky, you know, potentially
having to face Memphis, Dallas, uh and and and Sacramento
as opposed to getting the Clippers in the first round
or even a Warriors in the first round. You know,

(13:10):
I think they got a little lucky of Johnny, were
there any other final thoughts you had for the Thunder
before I give you a big question?

Speaker 2 (13:17):
No, I think I think you guys got both of them.
Thank you think you does?

Speaker 1 (13:22):
Yes, sir, Yes, sir, Okay, Johnny. We know how important
role players are to contending teams specifically, and I think
you mentioned this when you when you first started talking,
But do you think my big question for you is
that do you think the Thunder might rely on them
too much?

Speaker 3 (13:39):
That's a very good question. That's a very good question.

Speaker 2 (13:42):
I mean, when you look at personally, I feel like
the Thunder don't play them enough.

Speaker 3 (13:47):
This is what I'm saying. So when you look at.

Speaker 2 (13:49):
Someone just like Jaylen Williams and Ann Wiggins, the last
two weeks have been their best two weeks of their career.

Speaker 1 (13:56):
You're talking about light skin Jayalen Williams.

Speaker 3 (13:58):
Correct Williams with a why, yeah, yeah, okay. And so
when you look.

Speaker 2 (14:02):
At him, I was looking at a statistic that his
last three games without the start is playing, he's been
averaging a double double ten fifteen, ten, eleven, ten, twelve.

Speaker 3 (14:11):
And with Aaron.

Speaker 2 (14:12):
Wiggins just gave about a twenty five ball, gave a
twenty ball to the game before with the Pelicans. So
I do think that they need to somehow have a
rotation to where these role players are playing a little
bit more. But I do see that they like to
do the rotation of having Shaye play the first quarter
and then sitting them all the way to like five
or six minutes left in the second quarter.

Speaker 3 (14:34):
And so I think in.

Speaker 2 (14:35):
The playoffs they're going to have to start doing what
the Lakers do, and that's actually having Shae maybe do
the first four minutes and having them come back for
the last two minutes of each quarter so everyone can
get a mix. Because in the playoffs, when you start
to study, when the game slows down, you can't let
people sit on the floor, I mean, on the bench
for eight minutes straight. You got to break it up
in blocks. And I think that's how it's been so successful.

Speaker 1 (14:57):
Great point, Johnny. I have some thoughts to devone. Would
you like would you like to tackle the question?

Speaker 4 (15:03):
But hey, I mean, I think you know. The thing
with with the role players too, is the one thing
that was coming to my mind, especially with them being
a younger team, is the maturity level. Like you know,
you can't like you know, if things are going well,
you can't let your ego get in the way and
then you want to start playing like you know, you

(15:24):
think you're a starter, you know, and I think you
can go it can go the reverse way too, like
you know, So I think you really got to be
able to stay locked in into what your role is,
what your team expects you to do every time they
call your number in the given situation that it is,
you know, be able to have that mix. You know,
maybe something there might be a game or two, you're

(15:46):
not going to get as many minutes as you did
the other So you got to be able to stay
locked in because I think in the playoffs it's really
about you know the long game in that regard rather
than you know the short term.

Speaker 1 (15:59):
Well said y'all. I agree with what both of y'all said.
And I'm a lay to hammer down. You know, we
haven't gott intense yet, but I'm a Finnla lay to
hammer down. Okay. See, so Devon, we talked about this
uh wax poetic the other day and and it happened
what I what I feared with this team happened. The
Houston Rockets and the l A Clipper or the LA

(16:20):
Lakers did the LA Lakers that first meeting, not the
second meeting, but that first meeting, they did the thing
that I They did the things that I knew is
the the formula to if you want to beat the
OKC Thunder, you out rebound Chet slash Hartenstein. Right, Because
they're a very small team, those two are only gonna

(16:41):
do so much. So even as great as a rebounder
as Hartenstein in is, as and as good as Chet
Holmgren Homegren is the Rockets out rebounded them dudes by
twenty and then Shay got to the free throw line
versus the Rockets only two times, and to and to
y'all's point, the main idea of this is they held

(17:01):
every role player under ten points. And that's the thing
kind of what Davon was saying. The OKAC is so
good because they let these role players think that they
can drop ten to fifteen a night, and they're great,
you know. But but my thing is, imagine what that
final score would be if you didn't let Cason Wallace

(17:23):
get into the lane every trip down. Imagine what that
score would be is if you actually put a hand
up in lou Doord's face. I think a lot of
these teams are saying, oh, we gotta beat OKAC by
making everyone else play right. We wanted to go through
the bench. But I think that's what a team as
empowered as the Thunder that is not how you beat them.
You gotta make Shay Gilgess Alexander feel like he's out

(17:46):
there dolo like you gotta make sure he's got deer
in headlights, like, oh, where's my guys?

Speaker 4 (17:51):
You know?

Speaker 1 (17:51):
And I think the Rockets did that successfully. And the
Lakers that first meeting did that very successfully by making
sure that it was only offense was coming from Holmgren,
J Dub and Shay because them role players are too
empowered to be out there. You know, it made me,
It made my butt itch watching Luca completely ignore lou
Dort just for help defense when he knocked down his

(18:13):
first three threes. Already, No, you already messed up the formula.
Keep him in the corner, deny the ball when they swing, swing,
you better be ready to rotate. I know you about
two seventy pounds, but you can rotate. That's how you beat.
That's how you have better chances of beating the OKC Thunder.
And I think, to y'all's point, that's what these teams

(18:35):
need to be doing if they want to if they
want to make it hard on ok see. You make
Shave and Jay Dub and all of them feel like
they out there. Dolo. I'm calm all right, Johnny. Please reveal,
Please reveal your challenge and theme song for the Oklahoma
City Thunders playoff run.

Speaker 3 (18:52):
For the challenge as you just both.

Speaker 2 (18:59):
Yes as a challenge chat Homegirl averaging fifteen points per game,
even though with the injury coming back in February, can
you get to.

Speaker 3 (19:09):
Twenty points per game?

Speaker 2 (19:11):
I agree to help lessons Shay's usage, and just something
to talk about. Can you guys win a game? So
that's the first challenge, chat, can you give me five
more points? Can you give me five more points just
to even it out? You know, but with Shaye averaging
almost thirty five points already this season, I don't believe
that's gonna happen in the playoffs. I think that's gonna

(19:32):
go down probably about good seven six or seven points.
I think he'll still be around twenty eight comfortably. So
my next challenge is to the team that's playing them, Memphis, Dallas, Sacramento.
Can you guys put shape under twenty points during a

(19:54):
few games to see if okay See can win a game?
Can okay See win a game with with Shae scoring lord.

Speaker 3 (20:02):
Less than twenty He's had a streak for about over
twenty five thirty games of scoring over twenty points.

Speaker 2 (20:09):
Who's gonna be the person to break that? To make
them uncomfortable? Like you mentioned before this, who's gonna do that?
So those two challenges, can we get a few more
points from that role? Player, and get can we see
some defense to see the star player lead by his
actions and not my points?

Speaker 1 (20:26):
Who so kind of what Davone was saying, but in
a roundabout way. Also like demanding it from Shaye himself
as well. I like both of those. A double challenge
out the gate, Johnny, A double A double cheese burger
out the gate.

Speaker 3 (20:41):
Let me come in five more for the next one.

Speaker 1 (20:44):
All right? What's that theme song though? Player?

Speaker 3 (20:46):
The song man?

Speaker 2 (20:46):
You know, I just came from Raleigh, North Carolina, and
I just I just went to go see Dreamville and
for some reason it just sat on me and I
heard a song during Jacob set that I think is
for Oklahoma.

Speaker 3 (21:00):
A Star is born j Cole and Jay z Oo.

Speaker 2 (21:04):
I believe that with the Oklahoma City Thunder now they
believe their star is here. They have a potential MVP
that some people may say, some people may not. But
they are now that number one seed where they said, hey,
we want to play Okay. See they're not the second
seed to third seed like last year. They're the number
one seed. They almost even broke the Warriors record of

(21:26):
ten games or less. So a star is born in Oklahoma.
But as a champion gonna come in Oklahoma this year.

Speaker 1 (21:33):
Hmm. I like it. I'm with it. I'm with that.
Johnny Okay, all right, well that's the OKC thunder. But Davon,
we bring it to you, brother, because you got the
four seeded Denver Nuggets. I wish this situation was a
little bit better for you, bro, cause the Denver Nuggets,
for the most part, they stuck to their roster and
they're proven formula right. They had coach Malone, Nikola Jokic,

(21:56):
and lots of off ball cutting, you know, a primary
reason why they the league in assists with thirty one
a game, the only team to eclipse the thirty assist
mark this season by the way they share the wealth.
That's what they do. But aside from their offensive brilliance,
they were twenty second in defense. Now, for context, they
were eighth last season, and even when they won two

(22:17):
seasons ago, they were middle of the pack fifteen. So
to be twenty second is a little and that's even
before they decided to fire coach Malone just days before
the playoffs. And I've seen a lot of question marks
this year. I've caught a few Nuggets games and I
see some question marks. You know, they haven't been able

(22:38):
to sustain big leads. Jamal Murray has to continue to
his trend to being a playoff performer, and I would
say's about time Michael Porter Junior step up in a
greater way also, and clearly, Jokic has even increased his load,
you know, scoring the basketball this season then any other
season in his entire career. And he didn't even do
that with Serbia and the Olympics. Right you would think

(23:00):
that that's his time to shine and get buckets, but
not even then. Right. So, while still a team that
I think should be feared a little bit, a championship
is a little questionable for me, honestly. But again, we
came here to hear Devaughn's thoughts. Man, So I want
to know, Vaughan, what you think about the Nuggets and
especially with their chemistry and things heading into the playoffs.

Speaker 4 (23:21):
Yeah, man, you said it. It was you know, the
Nuggets were probably the out of these four that that
you gave me. They were probably the toughest team to
kind of break down, you know, due to their circumstances
and and just the team they got. Right now, I
think you pretty much said it this for me, like
when we talked about this before, you know, like weeks

(23:43):
back off camera, but like literally the first thing I
wrote down was Jamal Murray like this is the time
of year, like go and get it, like do your thing.
I know he had some stretches where this season where
I felt like, even to his standards, he didn't play
as well. He wasn't like I know, he's dealt with injuries.
Like you know, it's kind of the similar story that

(24:04):
that we get that we've gotten in recent years with Jamal.
But I feel like, you know, looking at their team
and and the way that they play, they have nice
stepth to not be a contender, Like you know, you're
you're still pretty solid, So I say, just use it,
use it, make sure you get the most out of it.
I think, you know, the obviously the elephant in the

(24:28):
room is the latest coaching in GM change, Like how
you just completely turn it over. You know, this late
in the season, in this timing with the with the
playoffs here now, it will be interesting to see kind
of how that improves the team and and kind of
what energy they bring. I feel like, obviously they're they're professionals,
so it's like, hey, the job is still the same,

(24:49):
you know, whether we have coach Malone or not, or
you know, the same people around or not. You know,
we all been here, like we know what it takes.

Speaker 1 (24:57):
But yeah, I think that experience goes a long way for.

Speaker 4 (25:00):
Sure, exactly, bro. And and I think you know, you
you mentioned a great point with the defense, as that
was one of the biggest things that stood out to
me is like, you know, they were still bottom half
of the league in defensive rating. They were one of
the worst, Like they don't force many turnovers. They were
like third worst, like you know, so they're not a

(25:20):
big factor defensively, and I think that's obviously such a
big key in this time of year when the game
slows down, you know, and even like offensively, the thing
that like interested me is that so they don't they
don't take and make a lot of threes, but when
they take them, their efficient you know. So that's the thing,

(25:43):
like I'm gonna be interested to see how the three
point game kind of and you know, they they don't
really play that way anyway, but you know, just in
the era that we're in, you know, I thought that
was pretty interesting, especially with how much Yo Ki is
able to space the floor and things like. You know,
it's it's it's thing, but.

Speaker 1 (26:01):
You would think could be a lot higher.

Speaker 4 (26:02):
I'm with you, yeah, yeah, but a they're knocking him
down either way. Whatever they get there knocking them down.
And you know, I think the bench play is going
to be key. The way they play is suited perfectly
for this time of year, I think. But another big
key for me man is our guy Russell Westbrook. Man.
I think, you know, how is he going to be

(26:24):
huge for them in this time? How often does he start?
How often are you going to make him come off
the bench. I think these are the questions you got
to address early with Russ because he's clearly shown throughout
the whole season like that he is still very much
a capable starter. You know, he shows great ability his
four general abilities, the aggression, the pace of play, the

(26:46):
veteran presence, Like you have somebody that you haven't had
in recent years, if like at all, you know, with
within this time, like you you have somebody in Russ
that can do things that that Jamal maybe isn't able
to do as a point guard. You know. So yeah,
I'm interested to see how they kind of bring it

(27:07):
all together, and you know how they how how Russ
energizes that team, especially like in the moments that they struggle,
and you know when when Yoki is getting shut down
because you know it's inevitable. You know your guy isn't
gonna be on twenty four to seven, you know, So
there's gonna be games where the shots not falling. There's
gonna be games. So like you said, I'm looking at

(27:29):
Michael Porter, I'm looking at Christian brown Out like I'm
hoping like Denver really kind of milks out like the
depth that they have to really make the most of
his time even in the wildest circumstances. You know.

Speaker 1 (27:45):
Yeah, it's it's always tough when you have to go
through a chemistry t chemistry change at this time of year.
But Davon, I think you make a great point, bro, Like,
at the end of the day, depth is what is
what you surround Yokics with and and that's why y'all
have been top four all these years, even in a
even in a raggedy end in to the season, you

(28:07):
still gotta come perform. You're still home court advantage as
a fourth seed, Like you you can, you can, you
know you can. You can get it done, but it's
it's gonna be again. I think the theme of today,
this year's episode is just gonna be. It's a lot
of this stuff is easier said than done, so so
great points, Devon, Johnny, did you want to add any
French fries to go with the Nuggets?

Speaker 4 (28:27):
No?

Speaker 3 (28:28):
Man, I think I think Devon hit me with the sauce.
So I think I'm doing all right.

Speaker 1 (28:40):
Well, Johnny, you might have some thoughts after this, because
for Devon's big question, Davon, I just want to know
out right, bro, and especially you know, knowing how they're
gonna start with a first round series with the Clippers,
what is your playoff ceiling for the Denver Nuggets?

Speaker 4 (28:53):
Man, the playoff ceiling for the Denver Nuggets, I think,
like you don't like to put it that way, but
like I think, at least for me personally, I'm okay
if they at least get back like where they were
last year, if you could at least get to the
second round or or you know, somewhere around there, like cool, like,

(29:15):
especially given the circumstances, and I think you know, the
Clippers have been hooping. They've been hooping like you know, quietly.
They've been one of those like kind of if anybody
is gonna make a Cindereiler run, it's them. So I think,
you know, you'll you'll definitely have your work cut out
for you. But yeah, I would say their feeling is

(29:37):
isn't very high, just due to just due to the competition,
just due to you know, your team is a little
bit different, you know, from the time that that you
did win, from the time from last year. Again, you know,
the coaching change doesn't help. I feel like to a
degree that even if it doesn't affect you directly, that's
like if that's affecting the coaching staff, like everybody within

(29:59):
the organization. Sometimes you know, those things can can trickle
down so emotionally, like you know, it kind of depends
on how present everybody is in this situation and just yeah,
go again. It goes back to their depth and and
just how they're able to kind of mess together. But yeah, unfortunately,
I don't really think it's gonna be it's very high.

Speaker 1 (30:21):
You know, Davaughon, I agree with you, Johnny though, you know,
when I texted you last night at the time of
this record, I feel like you have other thoughts.

Speaker 2 (30:31):
So like, you know, even though I'm a Clippers fan,
I am an NBA fan, and I love the logistics,
I love the players.

Speaker 3 (30:38):
I think, you know, if anything, I do agree with
you guys.

Speaker 2 (30:42):
I think second round is their is their cap and
I think it's because they don't really have a leader
right now, because I don't think from what I'm seeing
with this coaching change, they're still figuring it out. And
one thing I did see, I don't know if you
guys saw that highlight of Yolkics drawing up play versus
the secondment of Kings, and everyone was talking about how

(31:03):
he's drawing the plays now, the coach said. In an interview,
the newer coach said, yes, Yoki is the MVP. If
he wants to draw us up plays for every play
of the game, I'm fine with that. Well, you know, okay,
as I would say, just as a team, though, we
shouldn't expect Jokics to want to draw up a play
every time, And as a coach, I was hoping that

(31:24):
he would say we would happily include Yokic plays.

Speaker 3 (31:28):
But as a team, I got it, you know what
I mean.

Speaker 2 (31:31):
And so that's that's what concerns me is when stuff
gets bumpy. Is the coach gonna take on this is
my team? Or is this gonna be well, this is
what we got hand with. We're a team, we're strong,
We'll do this together.

Speaker 1 (31:45):
I don't know, Jokic figure it out, you know.

Speaker 3 (31:48):
And so it's just potential for finger black, you know, fingerpointing.

Speaker 4 (31:52):
You know.

Speaker 3 (31:52):
I thought they had a really good recipe with what'sbrook starting.

Speaker 1 (31:55):
So me too.

Speaker 2 (31:57):
But Aaron Gordon's been hooping too, you know. That's so
I think they're ceiling at most. I think that I
could see them stopping in the second round versus the thunder,
if they were to make it past the Clippers.

Speaker 1 (32:10):
I agree, you know, but you know, I got to
stand with what I said. Man, I got clippers in six.
I'm sorry, I got clippers in six. I don't know
if Denver can. I that's that's a tough series. I
don't know if Denver got the wherewithal? Haven't heven? You
have a six' ten guy that can Guard kawhi and
and And Michael. Porter obviously they're probably gonna Put Aaron,

(32:31):
gordon who's much better defensively, strong just as at least frame,
wise it could hang With, kawhi but man again the. Playoffs,
man when you need a when you need a, Bucket
jokic gonna get double team and he gonna have to
kick it to. Somebody at least The clippers got hardened And,
kawhi you, KNOW I i JUST i got a lot

(32:53):
of faith from The. Clippers but we'll get to that.
Later So, davaun in your playoff, ceiling you say second,
round second round at, best yes or at least yeah? Best, okay, okay,
okay that's. Fair that's. FAIR i can get with. That, Now,
DeVaughn please reveal your challenge and theme song for These
Denver nuggets and they play off run.

Speaker 4 (33:18):
Cue the cloud music because it's kind of like TU. T,
UNFORTUNATELY i don't really have a challenge for The Denver, nuggets.

Speaker 1 (33:25):
Like how long always gotta throw?

Speaker 4 (33:32):
Them, however if, anything like at first WHEN i was
singing about, it it was kind of you, know around
the coaching, change AND i Think johnny brought up a
great point with the you, know yogic john plays and.
Stuff SO i, think like low key that could be
the challenge for, them like you, know don't don't let

(33:53):
the ship, sing you, know don't don't let this like
whole situation with you to the point to where you,
know you crumble and like you don't even take any,
momentum even if it's a little bit that you don't
take any momentum into the. Playoffs BUT i did get
a song for. HIM i do have a song for,

(34:15):
Him and after some thinking about, IT i came up
WITH i need A doctor By Doctor Dre.

Speaker 1 (34:22):
And then, oh that is. Excellent, AH i love. Y'all
that is.

Speaker 3 (34:28):
Excellent that's a good, one.

Speaker 4 (34:29):
Man, YEAH i feel like they need. It there's a
part of them that's looking for a little resuscitation and
it's just it's just not you, know they kind of
on the edge right. Now, man it's not in some,
ways it's not looking, great but you know there is
still the chance for them to kind of pull something
out of. It is before you, know they they the season

(34:50):
is over and they can really, address you, know all
the all the holes in the.

Speaker 1 (34:55):
Organization right, BROTHER i am. Proud you had a hard
situation and you did your, thing and even with your impromptu,
challenge you've made up for it with the song That. Yeah, Bravo, vaughan, bravo,
brother you did. That, okay all, right, yeah, man it's
getting a little iffy In. Denver. MAN i kind of
hate that for him BECAUSE i was always high on.
Them but it's getting a little. Iffy but we got

(35:17):
to move, on And i'm in charge of the second
Seeded Houston. Rockets a very impressive, team. Y'ALL a team
that is more mature and feisty than they were a
few seasons. Ago shout out Emy. Udoka they brought in
the right, veterans right They they have successfully built through
the draft as. Well but even, THEN i think they

(35:37):
have two players that have taken some of the most
valuable individual leaps In Jalen green and A Men. THOMPSON
a man has shown that he has a bit more
half court game than many of us. Thought you, know
he can get his dribble on and. Slash you, know
he's not just a transition. Threat you, know he's found
a way to be a confidence slasher in the half
court as. Well and, LIKEWISE i think, obviously you, know Since,

(35:58):
January Jalen green has shown some real all star level.
Confidence you, know he's got that swag with his shot
creation abilities and as a very instinctive. Dribbler you, KNOW
i didn't think he would develop into that kind of,
player you, know but he's a very instinctive. Dribbler you.
Know some Some i've been On, twitter some people have
compared it To Jamal crawford or a Smaller Paul. George

(36:20):
i've seen a. LOT i personally thought Of peek Brad.
BEAL i think they have a lot of the same
instinctive dribbling. Abilities but point, being he looks to be
the go to guy this time of. Year AND i
like the collection of players that they. Have another really
stinking good defensive, team you, know tremendous. Depth but even
though this is a team that does two things THAT i, Love,

(36:42):
right they were tops in the league with forty eight
total rebounds and they had the third best. Defense, RIGHT
i love Those that's the old school BASKETBALL i. Love
but you, know stop your, man make sure your team
gets the. Rebound that's that's ONE o. One but even
with those, POSITIVES i do have some. Concerns in my last,
EPISODE i discussed their playoff inexperienced among core. Players to,

(37:04):
me that always plays a. Factor, additionally they were twenty
third and three point, percentage which had them around lottery
teams and playing teams at. Best, Now, similarly they were
twenty ninth in the league and assists with only twenty
three a. Game and the REASON i bring these stats
up is because to, me they mean a couple of.
Things Number, one they don't get a lot of assists

(37:26):
because they have a handful of guys that can create solo.
Right And, secondly they don't get a lot of assists
because they value post.

Speaker 4 (37:33):
Ups.

Speaker 1 (37:34):
Right so obviously this makes sense given alpher And sangun
is their best, player but you would think that given
his comparisons To Nikola, jokics right to Demandus, sabonis they
should be you, know like those two teams in the
top fifteen and assists at. Least you, know The nuggets
they have a dynamic scorer In Jamal. Murray The kings
have a few with DeMar deroz and Zach Lavine Malik.

(37:56):
Monk so what's so different About Houston why can't they
produce the same? Numbers and this kind of ties into
my next point because you, know The rockets they don't have.
Shooters even The kings with their drop off in shooting this,
year they're better than The rockets and The. Nuggets they're
fourth in the league in three point, percentage Like davaughn had,

(38:17):
mentioned you, know with about six guys that have been
reliable from. Downtown and what really strikes me About houston
in that regard is, that aside From Dylan, brooks who's
nearly forty percent from, deep their best shooters are not
consistent rotational. Players so you only have a few minutes
to Give Aaron, Holliday Jack landale all these other guys
that can stretch the. Floor so WHILE i like the

(38:39):
variety of creators and options that The rockets will be
able to use in a playoff, environment you, know y'all know,
that and our listener here knows That i'm all about
having at least one creator in the. Playoffs you are
not gonna survive if you can't get a. Bucket it
should certainly come in handy when they face dry spells,
Offensively but championship teams have shoot and The rockets don't

(39:01):
necessarily have. That so If i'm Thinking i'll even go this, far,
y'all If i'm thinking of a potential strategy on how
to beat The Houston, rockets at some, POINT i would
consider playing a two to three or even the newer
one two two zone that we see, nowadays just to
get The rockets into falling in love with the three
and exploring their. Weaknesses, now, granted they did a good

(39:21):
job Versus Golden state one of those last few games
in the, Season i'll give them, that BUT i just
think long, term you, like you're gonna need a little
bit more. Shooting SO i would try to see where
the head is, at, like, oh y'all like falling in
love with the jump. Shot NOW i got, You NOW
i got you because NOW i KNOW i can sit
on that and expect that and bait you and all those.

(39:42):
Things so there are some QUALITIES i like about The,
rockets but there are some aspects you know THAT i
do see them performing, well but OTHERS i do. Not
did y'all want to add anything About?

Speaker 4 (39:52):
HOUSTON i think for, me it's just like WHEN i
WHEN i think about the playoffs is like you brought
it up. THERE i think shooting is is really crucial
to the most successful. Teams you, Know hence moments Like
Ray allen's you, know infamous, threes you know with The

(40:14):
heat and The, celtics you, know, yeah you Know kyle
Korver Well, andhawks you, know, uh you, KNOW i think
of moments like, that like who is who is going
to deliver that kind of shooting for the for The,
Rockets and you, know they just strike me as a
team WHERE i feel like they just can't let they

(40:37):
they have to play their. Game you, know if they
if they let their opponents control their pace and control
their style to, play it's gonna. Crumble BUT i feel
like if they can stick to their, game you, know
if they can really you, know prioritize their strengths and
stick to defense and and bring in and taking it

(40:58):
like those little, matchups those little advantages that you do
have with your, size with your creation, ability you, know
with the, starters with the, bench like the way you
mix your. ROTATIONS i feel Like houston can kind of
play a more strategic game than than than other. Teams but,
yeah you you.

Speaker 1 (41:16):
Pretty much because they got a lot of. VERSATILITY i see. That,
YEAH i see. That, johnny did you have anything to?
Add i'm sorry devonn IF i cut you.

Speaker 2 (41:25):
Off, yeah, Well, HOUSTON i haven't been able to watch
too many, games BUT i was able to watch the
win yesterday versus The Denver, Nuggets and, UH i, Know,
denver you, know walked away with that one to secure their.
Spot some THINGS i Know houston took seriously because they
played their starters over what twenty nine minutes thirty minutes so,
well some THINGS i did see is When denver actually

(41:48):
did that they Let houston shoot yesterday and one big
thing was That houston was. Missing AND i think the
biggest alarm THAT i caught was That Jalen green had
maybe six points. Yesterday Maybe i'm, wrong it was less
than double. Digits that's WHAT i do, know and it
scares me to know that this, is you, know potentially

(42:10):
the second best player on the. Team some people may
say the, first you, know with his max. Contract his
eagerness to not impact the game outside of scoring is
what concerns. Me AND i think if they play a,
team you, know they potentially will play Either memphis Or
Golden state with that seventh. Seed Golden state defends well
and they have you, know premier they have forwards that

(42:32):
can guard. That you, know they'll they'll put you, know
they'll Put pojesski out, there they'll Put butler out. There
So i'm, Wondering Jalen, green can you be An All
star outside of just? Scoring and that's what really makes
you the. SUPERSTAR a superstar is not points superstars. Overall
talk that, Talk, Johnny and that's WHERE i would just
agree with you THAT i think you broke it down.

(42:54):
Correctly but even though they're a high, SEED i really
can't wait till they play a seasoned team And, Memphis
memphis And Golden state's gonna be that team that makes
them have to slow it.

Speaker 1 (43:05):
Down and so we'll, see, yeah MAN, I I well
Said Johnny well Said. DeVaughn i Think, johnny you make
a great point, there Because Jalen green can can he
can grow as a, rebounder he can certainly grow as a.
Playmaker there's still room for him to grow in those.
Areas so you would think a playoff series would finally
tea WHERE i hate to use the word finally because
he's still, young but it would teach him, like, OH

(43:27):
i gotta grow in these areas as.

Speaker 4 (43:29):
Well you.

Speaker 1 (43:30):
Know SO I i like that that that you meant
that mentioned, That, Johnny AND i think that's the scary
thing about. Defense first, teams you, know teams that are
really good at, defense but then can't make up for
it with three pointers and and spot up, shooting especially
in this, era that's scary because you're gonna you, know
so much of it, is, yes stopping your, opponent but,
man dog on. It you gotta come through on the other.

(43:52):
End and If houston's in a dry, spell and If
Dylan brooks gets a little too trigger, happy it's it
can get a little dangerous for. Them and that that's
exactly why if y'all paid, attention that's exactly why The
grizzlies let him, walk Because Taylor jenkins got a little
carried away and had him thinking that you, know he
was back At oregon, again you, know having that green.
Light So i'm interested to see that as, well because

(44:14):
he's definitely If Jalen green is not, performing you, Know
Dylan brooks is gonna, say, well, SHOOT i got. It
it's gonna be. Interesting but that brings me to my
challenge for The Houston. Rockets Loan. LOON i challenged The
Houston rockets to make it to the semi. Finals and

(44:35):
as good as they, are you would THINK i would
even Say Western Conference, finals BUT i just want to
see them again in this Tough Western. CONFERENCE i want
to see them like again because a lot of people
like myself are bringing up their, Inexperience so, okay show
me that you're you, know you can get past that
and get to the next. ROUND i just think for,
me it's that simple and my theme song for, them you,

(44:58):
Know johnny you WIN J cole earlier AND i Went
Jake cole as. Well uh you, KNOW i think a
lot of us have been reminiscent since Obviously dreamville and
things of that. Nature BUT i went with the come
UP J cole because THE i think it just personifies
exactly where The Houston rockets are, at like we're not there,
yet but best believe we round the, corner you. Know

(45:21):
AND i, think similar TO. J, cole if they can
channel that, hunger if they can get if they can
gain use this time to gain that wisdom and just
keep their foot on the, gas you, know they'll be all.
Right they'll be all. Right but that's just.

Speaker 4 (45:33):
Me.

Speaker 1 (45:33):
Though now we're about forty five minutes in and that's
still only just the first Three Western conference teams for
this playoff, preview so you already know we're just getting
started with some heat with the basketball analysis and themed songs.
Given but what are your thoughts ON Okc denver And
houston and what challenges are theme songs popped in your
head as you heard us discussing each. Team please be

(45:56):
sure to leave a comment if you are watching on
YouTube or tag hip to the games on the, socials
as we would all love to hear you your thoughts
and see you participating as. Well and while you do,
that we're gonna take a quick break and then return
with the next four to finish Our Western conference side
of the playoff analysis right here ON h TWO. Dg,
Dreamings i'm struggle.

Speaker 4 (46:15):
In the.

Speaker 1 (46:17):
Upset versus the path.

Speaker 4 (46:19):
Narrow please don't let me Do i'm.

Speaker 1 (46:22):
Trying to, switch ALTHOUGH i want to. QUIT i say
this trick a. Right welcome back TO h two DG's
fourth playoff preview Featuring room my special, guests my Brother
devon and my brother from Another Johnny. Uh continuing with
Our Western conference, analysis this, time we're gonna start With,
devon who we're gonna pivot a little bit because he's
actually gonna tip off with The Golden State. Warriors. Uh

(46:44):
definitely one of the more interesting. Storylines, AGAIN i know
that they were in the play in, conversation but of
Course i've been joking With devon off camera all, Week
Like Harrison barnes totally jacked up The warriors playoff plans
with that game winner he hit with The spurs BECAUSE
i Told devon to prepare for The warriors that they
were looking good and then all of a, sudden and

(47:05):
then that. Happened they lost to The clippers and now
they're in the play In so we anticipated that they
would be in playoff. Contention So i'm gonna Let davon
rock out because we're still confident that they are gonna
be in the. Playoffs of course as the time this episode.
Releases so, Again, devon, man we know the drill. Man
this is a team that started out really, hot but
then they fell, OFF i think due to injuries and

(47:27):
then just running in the better competition if we're being,
Honest and then things got pretty scary pretty. Fast you,
Know fans started to, panic they started to lose faith
and even declared That Stephen curry was. Washed but it
turns out they just needed to kick in the butt,
man and that came with the risky decision to trade
For Jimmy butler at the, deadline and since, then The
warriors came from the play in fight to a top

(47:49):
five seed in The. West obviously we know how that,
went but you, know they were looking like legit playoff
and even contender kind of you, know threats out. There
BUT i Think devon they are still one of the
most Interesting warrior teams of The Stephen curry era because
for the most, part they are a middle of the
pack teams just. Statistically you, know most of their stats

(48:10):
are very, average even their three point. Percentage in, fact
their best stats come on the defensive side, actually as
they were seventh in defense and fifth in steels per.
Game but the one thing that has stuck is their ball,
movement and they are also top five in team, assists
and funny, enough those stats actually line up better with
their twenty twenty two, championship as they had the seventeenth best,

(48:33):
offense but they did have the best defense in the.
League so it's certainly not the first time that The
Golden State warriors defense has been better than their. Offense
but of, course this TEAM i think features a lot
more fresh faces than the. Years Pass O, Devon i'm
curious to get your thoughts on The warriors potential playoff.

Speaker 4 (48:50):
Run, yeah, MAN i think that that's a really good
bull right. There des with the, STATS i didn't know
that about you, know how similar they were compared to
twenty two to now sure, Surely uh you know make
a lot Of warriors fans eers per. Cup uh he's.
Twenty it was a time for. Them but, yeah AND i,
think you, know in a, nutshell like my thing with

(49:14):
The warriors is we Know Steph draymond And jimmy are
going to bring, it But i'm thinking about the. Others
what About? Buddy what About Brandon, Pajemski Moses, Moody Jonathan.
KAMINGA i think the biggest thing with with those guys,
is for, One Buddy. HEALED i think he has to

(49:34):
stay within the flow of the. OFFENSE i think he you,
know when to shoot and when to give up the
rock BECAUSE i think that's times when he he struggles
and then the team kind of. Struggles is when sometimes
you Because buddy's a scorer, too you, know you think
back to college, days like come, on you, know he
was the sixth pick in the draft for a, Reason
like he's gonna have that quick trigger and you you

(49:56):
can't blame him for, it you, know because that that jump,
shot that shooting hand is what has got him to
where he is. Today it's the reason why The. Warriors
warriors picked him. Up BUT i think the biggest thing
is that sometimes it's just the simple Like bonehead plays
man where it's, like you, know he'll he'll choose to
be take the selfish play when he should have like

(50:19):
passed it to somebody else or you, know passed it
out To steph and you, know they we've seen that
a lot recently where you, Know steph has kind of
pulled them aside Or dremond and you, know they're they're
kind of on, him, like hey, man you know when
you get in this, position like you, know you gotta
you gotta look to move the. Ball you can't just shoot.

Speaker 1 (50:35):
It BUT i told you He's Mario chalmers to to
That heat.

Speaker 4 (50:40):
Team he.

Speaker 1 (50:41):
Is he is What Mario chalmers was to That heat,
Team like you are gonna beat you are such a good,
shooter but, dude you be tripping and we are gonna
pull you. Aside yeah it's, Hard, YEAH i.

Speaker 4 (50:50):
Think so the thing With buddy is like if he
can get back to the way he started when he
first got, there got got on the team those first few,
games like you, KNOW i think they'll they'll be in
a better. Spot but but really is it's not even Just.
BUDDY i, think you, KNOW i think about the consistency Of, Pajeenski,
like you, know he had a great rookie, year and

(51:12):
we haven't really seen much of, that you, know as,
consistently you, know if at, all throughout this. Season SO i,
think you, know he's had some stretches where he'd pick
it up a little.

Speaker 1 (51:22):
Bit you, KNOW i was about to say not not
even in. Too i'm, Sorry. DAVON i just was gonna
say not until, recently, Right, so SO i understand what you're.
Saying he's been up and, down but recently he's been.
Good but you, know what kind Of pojeenski are we
going to get in a playoff?

Speaker 4 (51:37):
Setting, exactly bro, Exactly AND i think the. Same Moses
moody is SOMEBODY i think it's Been it's been cool
to kind of see him grow since he got since
he got. DRAFTED i think he's if there's anybody that's
been figuring it, out it's. HIM i think he's slowly
kind of finding his way into the, offense into the
way they. Play and you know, what traints he can

(52:01):
bring to to the. Team and AND i think you,
Know Jonathan kaminga is one you, know we talked about
him a lot des like off camera is like what
what is his role gonna be at this time of? Year,
like you, know how are they gonna look for? Him
are they gonna look for him at? All should they
look for? Him you? KNOW i think because because my
the thing with The warriors, is and it's a similar

(52:23):
thing when we talked about The, nuggets is what happens
When steth's shot isn't? Falling you, know because something it.
Happens he takes a lot of, shots like a lot
of outside. Threes you, know we always talk about. Stuff
the biggest thing is he don't be getting foul calls at.
Time so when he's not getting those, calls when the
layups aren't, falling you, know how how is that team gonna?

(52:45):
Look Is jimmy gonna get? Aggressive what if he's not?
Aggressive you? KNOW i think there are still some like
holes in The warriors offense when when things kind of
when things kind of you, know don't take ships that,
yeah with things that made like. That that's the We
it's the reason WHY i think they kind of fell
into the. Plan you, know you talk About Harrison barton's game.

(53:07):
Winner you know that was like the last minute, thing
but there were a couple of games in, between even
with With, jimmy where you, know they let some games slip,
away and you, know we even seeing it the other
day in The, Clippers, like you, know there's just certain
close games they weren't able to pull them, out and
they they have stretches where they kind of remind me,

(53:27):
like you, Know i'm, LIKE i don't, Know, like, yes
you Got, jimmy but but when things, stagnant you guys
are still kind of the same team you were. Before you,
know when step out, there you find it hard to
to get some momentum.

Speaker 1 (53:39):
Going And i'm, Sorry, paul you know what that just
made me think of because YOU i love what you're,
saying by the, way BUT i think what you just
said is that sometimes The warriors are guilty AND i
AND i immediately thought of that meme with that dude
that's like the before and after of him losing, weight
but he just stepped. BACK i feel like that's what
you just said about the war y'all are still you

(54:01):
didn't lose that way you just stepped back a little.

Speaker 4 (54:04):
Bit, yeah. Exactly you, KNOW i do think for to
to talk about The warriors strains though with their, debt
they're another. Team they got some good, debt like their
ability to get these young, guys whether it's from THE G,
league from. Schools you ain't ever heard of guys who

(54:24):
like they thirty and they rookies like bro like you,
Know Quinton post like they they have so many like
young guys who because the biggest thing about The warriors
as a, team and this is exactly why they Got
jimmy and and they can't just get anybody when it
comes to transactions because they need somebody who's gonna buy,

(54:46):
in you, know like this is the way we. Place
we Have we have the greatest shooter of all, time
one of the greatest players to play this game at
the hell of our, team you, know Plus. Draymond so it's,
like you, know you gotta be, able like when you come,
in you gotta know your, role you gotta you gotta
play within the. Flow and the minute you try to
come out is like you, know they they start pulling you,

(55:09):
back like, hey like that that's not how we. Roll
SO i think you know The, warriors they definitely have their.
Formula they definitely have a team that has shown that
they can compete with the best and and they can
fight with the. Best BUT i, think you, know in
the long, term it's just gonna be you, know how
sustainable is it gonna? Be because you Know steph is you,

(55:31):
know as he's getting, older As draymond's getting, Older like
the season gets, long same thing like are their legs
gonna hold? Up and same With. Jimmy you know we've
seen it last. Season, uh you know with the heat
when when he came Up, gimby you, know that kind
of ended the heats. Run so you, know not to
say that those things are gonna, happen but if they,
do you know who you're gonna rely. On.

Speaker 1 (55:54):
Devaughne you killed, that, Bro johnny BEFORE i BEFORE i
flip to, You, devon you made some excellent. Points and,
again the thing THAT i just keep thinking about Is Jonathan.
Kaminga you, Know, DAVON i told you this off. Camera
you know it's he has to have a. Role the
thing About Jonathan kaminga is that so much of it
is his, talent his, Potential but, man you need a Role,

(56:18):
okay you can, run you can, jump you can catch,
lobs but you need a. Role and every time he
steps on the, FLOOR i feel like it's a lot
of random. Basketball and to your, point The warriors don't
play random. Basketball and HE'S i fear he is going
through the exact same thing That Eric pascal went through
when he was on that pod and he, SAID i
could not buy. IN i was a. SCORER i was

(56:40):
honest with. MYSELF i could not buy. In that's why
they traded me To. Utah, now, granted in, hindsight you could,
say you know, What Eric pascal probably should have stuck that,
out you. Know but but AND i think it's the
same thing With Jonathan. Kaminga he is it is very
likely he is gonna go somewhere else and he is
gonna thrive because he is not confined to That warrior.

(57:02):
System on the flip, side, though did he ever truly buy?
In AND i, think devon WHAT i told, you, specifically
WHAT i would love to see From Jonathan, KAMINGA i
would sit and all the great coaching staff and influence
that they got over. There IF i was on The warrior,
STAFF i would sit that dude down in the film,
room just me and, him AND i would make him
watch twenty fourteen Playoff kawhi over and over and over

(57:27):
and over. Again, brother you are, athletic but we don't
need THE. Midi we don't need that pull UP. Midi
you ain't even developed that like that. Yet WHAT i
need you to do is. Rebound every time you see
that ball clank off the, RIM i want you to
take charge and go get. It If draymond don't beat
you to, it, RIGHT i want you to go get that.
Ball that's WHAT i need from. YOU i want you

(57:49):
to pick up the best. Player can you Guard shae
for eight? Minutes ALL i ask is eight? Minutes can
you lock in on? That can you focus on one
thing for a given period of? Time and, he to,
me has not done, That and in some, WAYS i
think The warriors haven't even empowered him to make that
decision and make that. Choice so that's the biggest THING

(58:12):
i want to.

Speaker 4 (58:12):
See.

Speaker 1 (58:12):
Davon you know you you mentioned a lot of great.
POINTS i totally agree with what you said about the young.
Puppies you, know they got a lot of young puppies
that ain't been here and and they might have to
get a little. Mature they might have to get, that you,
know maturation stage a little. Faster you, know certainly the
playoffs will do. That But i'm looking At jonathan kaminga
man you need to buy into a role. Man, So,
johnny do you have any thoughts on The? Warriors? Brother

(58:34):
before we Give devon the?

Speaker 2 (58:35):
Question, NO i think that was a very good, Point
just like Like devon, said who are The? Warriors even
With Jimmy butler, there you, know just watching That clippers,
game even Though i'm very happy That clippers, WON i
think The warriors had opportunities to win that.

Speaker 1 (58:47):
Game they, did and, honestly it was defensively where they messed.
Up you, know LIKE i tweeted last when during the,
game like they should have they they should have deviated
from Doubling kawhi sooner because you you would rather your
player as great As kawhi is and he was. Cooking
you give him that jump shot every, time don't let.
That don't just double him and give him an easy.

(59:09):
Basket you make him shoot that jumper over you over
and over. Again if he keeps making, it you live with.
That he's a great, player but you don't give up
the easy, Too but you know that's just, Me. Johnny i'm,
sorry go.

Speaker 3 (59:20):
Ahead that makes total. Sense you know that as.

Speaker 2 (59:22):
Well and JUST i want to see what was gonna
happen With Jimmy butler when it's time for him to
get in That jimmy.

Speaker 3 (59:29):
Mode now that we're In Steph curry's, world do we still.

Speaker 2 (59:33):
Get a Playoff jimmy or what are we gonna get?

Speaker 3 (59:36):
Now you? Know that's Why i'm very interested to see
WHAT i.

Speaker 1 (59:39):
THINK i think he showed it in That clickers.

Speaker 3 (59:41):
Game he looked. GOOD i don't think he Attacked kawhi
as much as he could.

Speaker 1 (59:45):
Have you're, RIGHT i.

Speaker 2 (59:47):
Wonder if he's ready to go against the team's best,
defenders BECAUSE i, mean The west is only gonna get better.
Defenders and are you gonna attack That kawhi like defender
on each team or you're gonna wait for the? Mismatch
he eight when it was caught when it Was Coffee,
powell you, know he waited for the non defenders.

Speaker 3 (01:00:05):
To guard, him And jimmy did his.

Speaker 2 (01:00:06):
Thing, yeah from that fourth quarter in overtime When kawhi
was going one on, one where was that?

Speaker 3 (01:00:13):
Bucket you?

Speaker 1 (01:00:14):
Know and that's what they got you, for, Man that's what.

Speaker 3 (01:00:17):
They got you for exactly.

Speaker 2 (01:00:19):
That Because curry was tired last night And curry's. Hurt
so there's just stuff to think, about you. Know AND
i think something we forgot to. Mention kawhi got hurt
last night on the shin from. UH i mean Not.

Speaker 3 (01:00:30):
Kawhi Jimmy butler got hurt last night From.

Speaker 1 (01:00:32):
KAWHI i Told davon that's, that you. Know it was
he just ran into the terminator. Knees that's all just
a little. Robotic you, know it's hard running. It you
already running in a bone like imagine. Metal you, know
he'll be all. Right it just hurt a little, harder.

Speaker 3 (01:00:45):
So he should be good to.

Speaker 2 (01:00:47):
Go BUT I anxi just to see who's gonna flip that,
switch Because curry's flipped it for what at least for
fifteen years, Now so what's?

Speaker 1 (01:00:53):
Next, No i'm with, you, Though. Johnny so both of
y'all make some great. POINTS i think that was a
great balance of strength and weaknesses for The. Warriors But,
devon my big question is if you had to convince
A warrior fan that there is a lane for a
championship this, season what would be your selling.

Speaker 4 (01:01:10):
Point my selling point is to stick with what you,
know strength and. Numbers that has always been your bread and,
butter like that is always something y'all, been y'all been stuck.
To like if you got to bring it, back bring
those same exact shirts, back you, know bring put. That,

(01:01:31):
yeah bring bring it back. That that is exactly what
what you have and what you, Need like you got
you got the missing piece you needed And jimmy during
the season when things fell, apart and if you want
to stick that out and you know they it's clear
how great they've been playing with them and if you
want that to remain and eventually allow, him you, know

(01:01:52):
to lead y'all to a, Championship like it's literally gonna take.
Everybody so, yeah it's to be, hard as it always
is with The, WARRIORS i feel, like but you know
it's it's definitely. Doable if If Jimmy, butler especially, you
because you guys SAID i was kind of thinking the same.

(01:02:13):
THING i feel like he's. Been he's been a little
passive outside of that one Game steph didn't play and
he had like twenty eight or something tent like flurided
with a triple, double LIKE i feel Like jimmy has
been pretty. Passive LIKE i feel like it makes me
wonder does he even want to play like that? Anymore
like how he did with The. Heat you, know how
he kind of saved The heat like he'd been through that.

(01:02:35):
Before it's, LIKE i didn't come here to do that.
Again like especially y'all Got Steph. Curry you, know y'all
got all these guys LIKE i don't have to do.
That so you, know you you had somebody similar To Andrew.
Wiggins you, know If jimmy can just give him a
little bit of, THAT i, think you know the and
again we mentioned the comparisons to twenty twenty, Two it's

(01:02:56):
is pretty. Similar y'all can have that same kind of
success if everybody just kind of buys in and and
just stick.

Speaker 1 (01:03:04):
Together, DEVON i like. THAT i like that selling. Point
and just to add one more thing About. Jimmy you, Know,
davonne you see me yelling at THE tv man like
the thing About, JIMMY i think he falls too much
into the warrior, basketball right you you fall too much
into the warrior basketball. Philosophy but they need your. Buckets

(01:03:25):
you're still before you were Playoff. Jimmy you Were JIMMY
g originated In chicago by The Great Stacy. King THE
g stands for gets, buckets, Right that's what That that's
The jimmy they. Need so Uh But, DEVON i do like.
THAT i appreciate you answering that big question because you,
Know warrior, FANS i feel like they kind of want

(01:03:46):
that confirmation like that things are gonna be. Okay so
way to tackle that. Question But, devon you know what
time it?

Speaker 2 (01:03:52):
Is?

Speaker 1 (01:03:52):
Brother what's that challenge for The Golden State? Warriors so For.

Speaker 4 (01:04:00):
Golden state we talked about we talked About denver and you,
know you asked, me does is it like is it
at least or at? Best you know that they get
to the second? Round AND i think for The, warriors for,
me it's at least get to the conference, finals especially
if they want to win a, championship like BECAUSE i

(01:04:24):
think we've seen flashes of them at their best and
they can definitely do. It they can definitely do. It
but SO i kind of that was my thinking when
giving them this, challenges like kind of think about their
ceiling AND i think if they can at least get
to The Western conference, finals they have a good.

Speaker 1 (01:04:40):
Shot they have a good, shot you, know AND i
like that underlying thing of that devone is. Excellence like The,
lakers The, celtics no matter what their record, is they're
thinking championship because that's what they're known to. Do, exactly,
bro that is our, standard regardless of what we look
like on. Paper SO i feel, You, vonne if you're The, warriors,
like we're not gonna over the, goalpost keep that joint

(01:05:03):
where it's supposed to. Be i'm with, you Von i'm with.
You that just got, me. Honey i'm with, you yes,
sir yes.

Speaker 4 (01:05:09):
Sir and then as for the, song, MAN i feel
LIKE i used this, before but it's count Me out By.
KENDRICK i THINK i.

Speaker 1 (01:05:16):
Don't, KNOW i don't know if we, did but, okay.

Speaker 4 (01:05:18):
Because The warriors they love it when you count them,
out like they thrive most when everybody's against, them and
when every when they hear that the noise and that
everybody doesn't think they can do, it that feels, Them
that feels them to go and get it even more,
SO i think you know that that is like the
perfect the perfect song for, them because you, know nobody

(01:05:40):
ever thinks we didn't think they could do it in
twenty twenty. Two you, know there there are probably points
we weren't sure they were gonna do it Against lebron
And cleveland in those. Teams but, yeah man like when they,
thrive when everybody turns their, back that's.

Speaker 1 (01:05:56):
It that's. It i'm with, It, Vaughan i'm with. That
i'm with, That. Johnny we move on to, you. Brother
the third Seed Los Angeles, lakers Another West coast, franchise
very familiar With hall Of famers and, championships, right and you,
KNOW i feel Like i've been calling them The lakers,
reloaded right because the obvious elephant in the room is

(01:06:17):
that you Have Luka doncic on this team now With.
Lebron but you, know we gotta be real about a
couple of. THINGS i. Think first, OFF i want to
give credit TO Jj reddick and The lakers because they
were in this exact position even before they traded For Luka. Doncic,
okay all, year you could just sense the amount of
buy in from the players and the command THAT Jj

(01:06:37):
reddick has within the locker room and how that translated
to their on court. Success right, now the funny thing
about The lakers, though is that at least statistically similar
in some way similar to The. Warriors there isn't anything
that jumps off the, page at least THAT i. Found,
johnny you might have found something, else but they're just
very middle of the pack every category on both. Ends

(01:06:57):
and that, said, though when you Have Lebron jay And
Luka doncic on the same team and nearly have an
entire rotation of guys over six y, five that makes
up for anything you could bring up. Statistically in my
opinion in a playoff, ENVIRONMENT i don't see. Them AND
i don't say that to say they're a perfect, team
but to, me they are a playoff, nightmare in large
part because of their dynamic duo and that. Size but

(01:07:19):
let's not forget Too Austin reeves has managed to look
really stinking good even with the. Superstars Dorian Phinney smith
has figured it. OUT rui is, solid but If i'm,
HONEST i think they need to find a way to
Play Dalton connect even.

Speaker 4 (01:07:32):
More.

Speaker 1 (01:07:32):
MAN i don't know about, y'all but every TIME i
watch A laker, GAME i just get annoyed because he
is the MOST i don't care outside Of Dorian Phinney.
Smith he is the Most Lebron luca type of player
that you need around those, guys and he's getting five
four minutes a, game eight minutes a. GAME Jj reddick

(01:07:52):
just can't consistently get him twenty. Minutes to, me that's
a glaring issue for The Los Angeles, lakers along With luca's.
Inconsistency he's shooting the. Basketball he got hot towards the
end of the. Season obviously playing In dallas, helps but
he got hot towards the end of the. Season but
that's just, me. Man you, know it's time to hear
from who you really want to hear. From, No, johnny
you gotta talk to me about Them Los Angeles lakers.

Speaker 2 (01:08:12):
Man like you, Said, man The lakers man looking like
at fifty and thirty, two you, know an amazing record
for WHAT i think walking into the, season we didn't
know what they were going to be with even with Ad,
yeah twenty and twelve since The lucal, trade there's been
some losses going in towards the end of season that
they're still trying to figure it, out you, Know BUT
i think they're starting to get out of that situation

(01:08:33):
of we're figuring it out because it's been thirty two,
games we can start to say that you play, here
you live. Here, now you know you've got a house.
Here now we're. Comfortable so one Thing i've been looking,
at just with the you know, statistics ninth in defensive,
rating that's pretty, good you, know middle of the, pack
a little. Lower one Thing i'm thinking about is just

(01:08:53):
the points off. Turnovers and they're at sixteen point nine
and there's only fourteen in The west that allowed that
that's in this playoff. Contention that was The, warriors The,
clippers The, nuggets and The. Grizzlies so for them to get,
somewhere they have to learn how to defend it because

(01:09:14):
they're letting their defenders at least get almost seventeen points
a night just off.

Speaker 3 (01:09:17):
Turnovers and that's gonna be.

Speaker 2 (01:09:19):
A big, thing especially if it's already four teams in
the same bracket that's doing the same.

Speaker 3 (01:09:23):
Thing and SO i think.

Speaker 2 (01:09:27):
Just i'm not gonna talk about the, challenge but just
something to talk about around the idea is even though
they have a lot of that six' five players, six'
eight they don't have a lot.

Speaker 3 (01:09:35):
Of seven foot or, six to. Eleven very true what
gets me going into the.

Speaker 2 (01:09:42):
Playoffs is hight you can do so, much With forwards
but fulla's some of these powerhouse teams have.

Speaker 1 (01:09:49):
A starting center houston has, two, big men okay see has.
Two big men.

Speaker 2 (01:09:54):
Who is the lakers Big, man besides hayes who's been,
you know, somewhat, you know, good decently good improved from
what he Came from the pelicans and. Everything like that
but who Else does? The lakers have and that that's
gonna tie it in a little bit. With MY challenge
but i Think, that the lakers for what they have
done and how they've been trying to just clean up and,

(01:10:17):
GET things going i think they're in a great.

Speaker 1 (01:10:19):
Position right Now, well SAID johnny and i love that you.
BROUGHT that up i knew you were gonna come with
something SOMETHING different, than I did, SO i definitely i
definitely agree. With you man that's that's gonna be something
to watch. Throughout, the playoffs davon did you have any
quick Hitters?

Speaker 4 (01:10:34):
For, the, LAKERS yeah man i think you. Know not
to johnny brought brought up some GREAT points and i,
think not, to you know turn. It too much but
the Thing, with the lakers man is, like you know
as you, mentioned, don, CONNECT like yeah i think, He
IS somebody like i think that Whole with the luca
trade and then him getting traded but then having to

(01:10:55):
come Back because the, williams said that like, That WHOLE
situation like i feel like that kind, Of you KNOW
it's like i feel Like they've wanted dalton when, they
drafted him Or at, least lebron Did or Maybe lebron.

Speaker 5 (01:11:08):
And reddick did, but you, Know after, that i'm like
do y'all even still? Really want him do you have
like a developmental plan? For him anymore like kind of what? Was,
going on, SO you know i kind of, feel for,
him you know. With that situation but.

Speaker 4 (01:11:25):
You know the thing With with Having luca and lebron,
together is like you know how. Similar They are obviously
lebron is like a lot more, athletic and powerful, and
you know if if they have to play him at
times as a power forward, center tied, deal you know
they they might have to. Take that chance, but YOU

(01:11:46):
know and i.

Speaker 1 (01:11:46):
THINK they did i think. They, did first okay see
y'all can Correct me, if I'm wrong but. I'm, pretty,
sure so yeah that's. A, Good Point.

Speaker 4 (01:11:53):
Devon like yeah that That's, my only mike even at eighty,
eight years old he might have to.

Speaker 1 (01:11:58):
Play center Exactly.

Speaker 4 (01:12:01):
That's, what. I'm saying y'all y'all. Made this move, you're
you know you agree to it when it was, offered
to you, So you know i'm, interested to see like
how what was your vision, for a, championship you know
or if it was more long. Term than anything, BUT
you Know I think austin reeves has been playing out.
OF his skin i think it's really. Dope to, See

(01:12:23):
but yeah i'm, just, more intrigued Like What's that luca
lebron dynamic gonna look like? In the, playoffs you know
because they're. They're, so Similar, Yeah and.

Speaker 1 (01:12:33):
Davon i'd like that you mentioned that because what gets
Me is that Lucas finesse. Balances lebron's power but the
thing is they Both have. That lebron effect, so it's
like are they both gonna get that instinct of takeover,
like twenty eight, nine and nine and then they're just
gonna get to drive? And kick mode like are instincts
gonna take over? At some point and then you clash

(01:12:55):
and that actually kind of is a detriment to your
team as opposed to like a. Like a, promotion, SO
yeah Man i think reddicks has figured it out in
A way where lebron is more so cutting and, getting in,
transition you know more of the half Court thing. Is
LUCA'S job but, i feel you in, a playoff environment,
it's about matchups, it's about instincts it's, about you know

(01:13:17):
you might have to go, to, that third fourth fifth
option that you may not have had to rely on in.
The regular season so, To your point i'm anxious to
see How how the. Lakers Manage, that but johnny my
big question who has to be the most important role
Player for the lakers if they want to be, successful
this postseason And, That excludes Lebron.

Speaker 3 (01:13:38):
Luca AND reeves, REALLY i think.

Speaker 2 (01:13:45):
I think really because people tend To forget that rue
was putting, up you know, thirteen and five, helping Him
out like rue's that unseung hero.

Speaker 3 (01:13:53):
THAT they needed i Was, gonna say hayes.

Speaker 1 (01:13:56):
But me too my, Mind. Went there.

Speaker 2 (01:14:00):
Hayes but they Only been playing hayes twelve, Thirteen Minutes
tonight so hayes hasn't been in a rotation as, A rotational.
Player I think but rui is always playing and he's
been doing that back up for Sometimes five when, lebron's
out There him and lebron shares it and, sometimes You
know when lebron's, On the bench jedge has Been, Running
a Finley smith, and ruley, together you know at that.

(01:14:23):
Small LITTLE five So i think ruley's probably one of the.
Most IMPORTANT players but i DON'T want to i don't
want To Knock out jackson.

Speaker 3 (01:14:29):
HAYES at all i.

Speaker 1 (01:14:31):
AGREE With that i that's that's pretty much where my Mind.
Is that devone did you you feel. The, SAME way.

Speaker 4 (01:14:37):
Yeah i think that's a great Pick. By by johnny
i'm gonna have to agree. WITH him, there i, think
you know people kind Of forget what, ruy can, bring
you know when when he's when he's. On IN popping,
so i, think you know it's a player like him
that's going to have, to you know that can Help,
elevate the, lakers you know. In this time, and you
know because there's always that moment sometimes, where you know the,

(01:15:00):
all successful teams especially, in the playoffs when they have
that like wild card.

Speaker 1 (01:15:06):
Shout Out My, Boy leon.

Speaker 4 (01:15:08):
Poe yes exactly he Could be like leon.

Speaker 3 (01:15:16):
In.

Speaker 1 (01:15:16):
His own, WAY of course i Want people thinking i'm
just saying he gonna, rebound the mess out the ball.
And dunk It, But to davald i'm, with you though
you definitely need those wild cards. To Step, up but
johnny speaking, of, wild cards man what the heck? Is,
THAT challenge.

Speaker 2 (01:15:31):
OKAY i got i got another two. ONES for you
whoa do they Need a playoff broun to win Every?

Speaker 3 (01:15:42):
Series with luca?

Speaker 1 (01:15:45):
Are you asking or is?

Speaker 2 (01:15:46):
That the challenge the challenge is prove To me that
lebron can be an average Twenty. One and luca this
is the reason why we. Traded you here we.

Speaker 3 (01:15:56):
Should not be Wanting a playoff bron when we should
have a.

Speaker 1 (01:15:59):
Playoff lucas well, YOU know ooh. I, see, THAT okay
yeah i see. What you're saying so do we.

Speaker 3 (01:16:05):
Need a playoff Braun to? Make lakers relevant so my
challenge is to prove to me.

Speaker 1 (01:16:10):
That, we don't, okay.

Speaker 2 (01:16:13):
Next challenge get more usage out. Of the center hey
average six, point eight rebounds. Four point eight he's only
averaging about eighteen, POINTS a night i mean eighteen. Minutes
to night what can we do to get that six
point eight? To a ten and possibly get that four
point eight to a seven. To a ten if you're playing,

(01:16:37):
twenty minutes tonight we need we need a double double or,
close to it, close to it. Close to IT and
so i Hope that the lakers can use the center
POSITION better because i Actually, think, this Timberwolves uh, THIS
temberolf seating i think this is gonna be the most
interesting round of the first Round In.

Speaker 3 (01:16:56):
The, western conference.

Speaker 1 (01:16:57):
Yeah Because that's that lakers small ball is gonna still.
Going their, Favor you know minnesota doesn't do, well with
That specifically in Gobaar Minutes, and julius randall he, do
HIS thing but. I don't know has he? LOOKED better
defensively i Don't know.

Speaker 3 (01:17:10):
He i've seen A couple.

Speaker 2 (01:17:12):
Of minnesota games he's been in, the passing, lanes but, Defensively,
blocking Wise no the lakers will. Eat that up when
it comes to that little. Two Three zone the lakers
Are Gonna have Philis smith and ruey in. The CORNER
easy so i Do think that rudy Is. Gonna Outplay
hayes So that's, Where i'm wondering and How is the
lakers gonna Counter? Affect nas reed they got another seven

(01:17:33):
foot off the bench.

Speaker 3 (01:17:34):
Give them fifteen so he.

Speaker 1 (01:17:36):
Ain't No seven feet.

Speaker 3 (01:17:38):
They say he. Was, six eleven yeah they say. It
six eleven he's up there they're.

Speaker 1 (01:17:43):
Trying to get that's, Just, extra brand johnny extra. For
the contract. He's six eleven. He's six eleven let's add another.

Speaker 2 (01:17:50):
Mealie, on IT well all i know Is that the
lakers do not have another center to match.

Speaker 3 (01:17:56):
Up with That they got jammison, off the bench but
They don't run.

Speaker 1 (01:17:58):
Jemison that, much so yeah he's really like. In, spurts,
too yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:18:03):
Yeah HE'S good so i guess my challenge would be
get more usage out of your taller players so your
smaller players don't.

Speaker 3 (01:18:10):
Get too tired.

Speaker 1 (01:18:11):
There it is, I'm. With that johnny, i'm. With that man. I'm, With,
that okay man be about an hour and twenty and
we are just Now. Finishing The west as i'm gonna
do a hybrid Here of the Timberwolves. And the clippers
so as, we Know now the timberwolves have locked up
that fifth seed will Be, facing the Lakers and the
clippers got that sixth, SEED or no. I reverse it
timberwolves got the sixth Seed. Facing the lakers clippers have

(01:18:34):
the fifth Seed, facing the nuggets and again, this you
know given the final, day of basketball this, this JUST
happened so i had to. Jumble them TOGETHER but first
i want to Talk. About. The timberwolves again we were
just talking. About them, now for me this is a
team that generally has sat around that seventh spot, All
season long so it doesn't really come AS surprise, where i, mean,

(01:18:55):
you know granted being, the fifth seed you didn't really,
see it coming but just most of the season they
were at. That seventh spot and even that was even after,
question be, Trading You Know, carl, Anthony towns right they've
managed to return just just shy of that, fifty win
mark even after some questions about their defense and overall
chemistry in. The locker, room you know it was ugly,
all at, first YOU know but i think a Big

(01:19:17):
thing that i've noticed with them is that they know
how to show up, for big games, modern day, rivals
you Know, like The, nuggets like, memphis you know teams
they faced in the playoffs, before you know, obviously you,
Know you know edwards is gonna be Geeked, to face,
lebron you know in a. First Round series and luca
who just knocked him. Out last, year oh yeah you
know they're gonna be, all over. IT you know i

(01:19:39):
think that kind of competitive edge is gonna be great for.
This playoff environment they do have the ninth best offense
and the, seventh best defense, so you know they they
am on the tops in the league in both and,
and to me they are the definition of. A playoff
sleeper you have the Superstar. And and, edwards you know
although outside his prime, a little bit you got you

(01:20:00):
still got a decent Interior Defender, and rudy, Gobert You
know julius raandols putting up nineteen. Seven and five jaden
McDaniels has gotten more comfortable off, The Dribble now dante
DiVincenzo continues to be a solid, All Around guard nas
reeds still doing his thing. Off the bench in, my
eyes too the playoffs are a Perfect Environment for rob
dillingham to serve as. A spark plug I'm Gonna need

(01:20:21):
chris finch to get in his bag and play, that young,
man you know twenty minutes a night because he is
a playoff. Type of guy and obviously you Still Got
veteran mike conley out there. Running the points so, it's
NOT perfect but i do like. What they have they
are a playoff sleeper. In my opinion no matter who
you Know, faces the wolves you can't afford to. Sleep
on them, NOW that, said, I promise y'all. I promise

(01:20:47):
y'all two scenarios stand out to. Me the most Number
one and. Edwards double teams if One thing the lakers
are gonna know how to do is double team him.
With bigger defenders earlier, in the season he, expressed HIS
immaturity and i think his irritation with those and is something,
THAT he's, gradually i think come to accept. Throughout the
season but he still needs to work. On his, reads

(01:21:08):
you know you have to imagine he'll draw even more
of those double teams and traps. In the, playoffs and
additionally HE'S still guilty i think of struggling, to attack
seams and he still does that thing where he'll get,
in the paint but then he'll back out and bring
it up top at the top, of the key and
then there's like five second stuff on A shot clog, And,
it's like bro you, Had your chance like. Make a

(01:21:29):
decision don't just reset every time, You feel panic like
make A play and i think he's still struggling to.
DO that now i Do Like that aunt edwards has
gotten much, Better, At saying okay, i'm SHOOTING bad but
i can, STILL get rebounds i can still get. My
teammates involved that to me, has been great but he
still has to clean up some of. Those other things

(01:21:49):
and then the Other element that i'm gonna be paying
attention TO is what i just alluded To. With nas
Reid You Traded karl anthony towns In Favor, of nas
reed who is still at. Fourteen and six he's still coming,
off the bench especially knowing the kind Of season that
cat just, had this year knowing that there's even, a small, possibility,

(01:22:11):
a possibility nonetheless but, a small possibility you could even
lose him. In free agency he could change his mind and,
go somewhere else like you got to make the most.
Of him Here, Clearly having randall Reed, and go bear
you can't have all of them on the court at,
the SAME time cause i know you. Cannot tell me please.

(01:22:32):
Don't tell me this team Just essentially traded cat, for
you know and really essentially traded a possible another deep
playoff run that they could have had just To, see nas,
reed you know go crazy or You know, what i'm
saying just to give a six man, Hell OF bread
like i want to see the fruit. OF that decision

(01:22:53):
i want To see nas reed go as crazy As
possible because i'm not sure if that trade. Was worth
it they Did the most minnesota THING they gonna i
feel they're just gonna mess up the way they messed, UP.
My man kg they're Gonna Mess up anthony edwards and
he gonna Go Playoff with kay cunningham or something in,
in five, years you know like if they aren't gonna
make a deep, run this year at least show fans

(01:23:14):
why you should believe. In the future but sticking, WITH
the playoffs i would pick them as More of a cinderella,
story if anything because they can go toe to toe,
with not most but all of the Teams. In the
WEST but before i Go, into the clippers which all Think,
about the timberwolves anything, COME to.

Speaker 4 (01:23:32):
Mind, i think yeah like, you said it they're. A
true sleeper i think there are times, where you know
they look like, they're you know when they were like
the best, in the, league you, know last season the
season before. Whenever that was and but then there's times

(01:23:52):
where like you see why they're. In this, position EXCUSE
me but i, think you know the the the tough
thing about it is is With Somebody like mike coley
being still, BEING your starter, i feel, like you know
with his at this, point in career like you would
think he'd, be a, backup you know to kind, of

(01:24:14):
you know help supplement some guys, and you know add
some veteran leadership. With THAT in and i think sometimes
when you kind of put put a lot on a,
guy like, that you, know it's, LIKE you know, i don't,
know you know it's a reason why They have an
obviously he handled, all a lot, As you said jade

(01:24:35):
McDaniels has now, been able, to you know do create off.
The dribble more, but YOU know sometimes i just when
your roster is, structured LIKE that sometimes i wonder like
how far you. Can actually go and you know that's
totally No Dish, on mike conley but, it's just, like
you know it can only work this way, for so
long and so it's like it's funny that they they

(01:24:58):
Got somebody like Julius, and traded cat, but you know
didn't really address that part of the, the you know the,
point guard situation and Then, you have rob but you're
not playing them, like YOU know so i do LIKE
your your i don't know if that's your. CHALLENGE for
them i don't. Think it is but How you said

(01:25:19):
rob should be playing. LIKE twenty. MINUTES i agree i
don't know if they would, do THAT much but i
would be, cool with, like you know maybe more fifteen. Fifteen,
to eighteen, uh that's.

Speaker 1 (01:25:30):
Fair that's, FAIR but, Yeah, i agree yeah he.

Speaker 4 (01:25:33):
They definitely need somebody else who, can spark it and
he is that. Kind of guy, so you Know, if
anything minnesota they're they're in a they could death. Shock
some teams they could death. Shock some teams but at,
the same, time you know they're they're kind of Similar.
TO to denver i think it wasn't what we. Were,
Talking about like i'm not expecting them to do, a

(01:25:56):
whole lot but they can.

Speaker 1 (01:25:59):
Do a little that's Kind of where i'm.

Speaker 4 (01:26:02):
At.

Speaker 1 (01:26:02):
With it johnny did you have any anything else you? Wanted?

Speaker 2 (01:26:04):
To, ADD uh, no i mean you guys hit it.
On the dot that's my only question, to You guys
is I'm. Here in cinderella are you Saying that the Timberwolves.

Speaker 3 (01:26:12):
Knock the lakers. Off first round that's for. Both of, Y'all.

Speaker 1 (01:26:17):
You know i'm not saying that, it's GONNA happen but
i do think that they match up a little bit
better than. PEOPLE might expect i think a lot of
people are Gonna look At lebron and luca, and, be
LIKE oh but i do Think that the timberwolves got
that dog in them to do to.

Speaker 4 (01:26:36):
Pull.

Speaker 1 (01:26:37):
SOMETHING special.

Speaker 4 (01:26:39):
Yeah i, think if anything it does go back to
you know what, You were saying Johnny about the lakers
lack of seven footers and lack of. LIKE true centers
i think that that Is where the timberwolves can kind
of probably take Advantage. Of the lakers, but you know
It's hard, to it's hard especially in this, time of

(01:27:00):
year To, root against, uka you know when you know
how he goes when when when. It GETS grimy so.

Speaker 1 (01:27:08):
I still got lakers and six. IN that one I
still got. LAKERS in six I think tim bolves.

Speaker 4 (01:27:13):
Can, get, two yeah yeah. Something like, That it would
it could, go either, WAY but yeah i Think Especially, again,
AUSTIN reeves like i don't Know if if minnesota has
an answer for.

Speaker 1 (01:27:26):
Somebody, like Him, Ooh That dante That dante versus austin.
Matchup going hit that's, that's going. Hit all RIGHT so
now i move On to, the clippers then, AND don't
worry i do have my challenges. At the end i'm
gonna move On to, the clippers though. Again another team
if you've been Listening, To the pod i've been high on.
Them all, year every Piece From keeping james Harden To

(01:27:48):
acquiring Chris Dunn And. Derek jones jr the moves they made,
at the deadline everything has been put in place for this,
moment RIGHT Here. THE nba playoffs, a defensive Minded battle
ready clippers team, with A Healthy hungry kawhi leonard ready to.
Leave the charge i've said it. In multiple episodes now
this is The best, constructive clippers team probably Since. They,
signed kawhi obviously twenty twenty, was really good but they

(01:28:11):
got cold. In the bubble, twenty TWENTY one as, i
always say it had All the necessary disney, type of
magic but it just Was gone when. Kawhi got hurt
but finally they have a team where, there's no, confusion
no egos and it's led to a third best defense
with the offensive, makeup that's, probably you know better than

(01:28:32):
what their sixteenth best number indicates, in ALL honesty and
i got a STAND with what i. Said last EPISODE
it's why i believe they can hang with anybody. In
any series they, have the scoring, the post, play the rebounding,
the perimeter defense, the interior defense the, mid range scoring the,
three point, shooting, spark plugs. Playmaking and grit we've seen

(01:28:52):
that versus the Game. With the warriors they just know
how to even before that The, game in sacramento like
they found a way even with trash officiating and more
So in, that sacramento game to win and they check a.
Lot of, boxes, And look man i'm gonna. TAKE this
time i got a little bit of a bone to pick, with,
our generation y'all, Because, you know devon we talked. ABOUT

(01:29:13):
this before i feel like there are, so many, fans
not all but just so Many fans. Our age especially
it disappoints me that they also grew up with, that two,
thousands you know THAT. Twenty tens nba yet they somehow, say,
stuff like oh there's No way the clippers, can be
okay see look at the. Thunders net rating oh there's

(01:29:33):
No way the clippers have a Chance. Against the rockets
they're younger. And more, ATHLETIC i'm sorry i thought we
were talking. ABOUT playoff basketball i thought we were talking
about matchups. And game plans scrap the regular, Season CHECK
ball like i feel like for some, in our generation
they wouldn't be the karate kid because they think they
know More. Than, mister, miyagi Like yes the rockets are

(01:29:57):
scary in, their own way but they ain't been through
the Playoff Experiences that James harden or kawhi, have let
alone that entire team. Just two dudes can they beat
a Team?

Speaker 4 (01:30:07):
Like?

Speaker 1 (01:30:07):
The, Clippers oh absolutely but we really underestimate the value,
of experience maturity especially those who have EXPERIENCE in an
nba that was generally more, scrappy mentally tougher You know,
What i'm saying where you had to put your belt
on and, go to work like you couldn't duck matchups like.
You can, now it happened. But you can't it's not

(01:30:28):
as blatant as. It is, now you know you couldn't
just spin your finger the minute something happened that. You
didn't like they have the luxury of challenges and. Nobody's
mentally tough nobody, drops and says, nah'll be, good let's,
move you know and and. And you, know ok see,
in twenty Ten they ran kobe and them, out the
gym but they just still didn't have the wisdom and

(01:30:51):
the experience and a lot of other things to overcome them.
In that series but, lo and behold when they got
their chance o to rematch, in twenty twelve they out.
The job, DONE you know i said It before and i'll.
Say it again sometimes basketball. Is a teacher you can
put all the stats and, analytics you want but at
the end, of the day that orange ball. Loves TO

(01:31:12):
teach and i fear that that ball Will use the
clippers as a vehicle to show a lot of these
young ThunderCats that, that exact fact unless it really decides
to turn a new, leaf and say, YOU know what
i feel like. Doing something different i've been doing something
for the PAST seventy. Something nba years let me. Do
something different you know that the, Young dudes win, BUT
you KNOW i just i, just think, that, YOU know

(01:31:35):
again i went off, on a tangent but, JUST point
being i have a lot of Faith in the clippers
this year as long as they can stay healthy and
stick to their principles. Throughout, the playoffs now did y'all
want to add Anything About the la. Clippers, OR anything, NO.

Speaker 3 (01:31:49):
I agree i definitely. AGREE with that I think the
clippers even.

Speaker 2 (01:31:53):
As a, FAN you know i remember in the beginning,
OF the season i was unhappy with the.

Speaker 3 (01:31:57):
Free, Agent signings yeah i'll be the ones.

Speaker 2 (01:31:59):
To admit that and you know that this, Man right here,
desmond told, Me, he said hey this is one of
The best signs i've seen. In, a while man you
just got to you just gotta. Stay with it and
just to see what the team. Has turned, into you
know it's been a. Really good thing just to, see
even reporters just everyone Saying that the clippers can easily
be the second best Team. In the west Just, A

(01:32:20):
healthy clippers and this Is the Happiest. I've seen, kawhi
and honestly this Is the Healthiest i've seen kawhi for the.
Last three years so just to See where the. Clippers
Are going and zubak is having such a monster year
that no one's talking, about my Dog.

Speaker 1 (01:32:37):
My dog zoo that's. My baby brother he, might be
older he might be. The, SAME age man. I don't know, that's.
My BABY brother so.

Speaker 2 (01:32:45):
I think, THE clippers game I think the clippers Series, versus,
THOSE nuggets Man I think chris dunn is gonna be A.
MINUTES to westbrook I think that clippers can match up perfectly.
With THAT series and i also got, them IN six
so i With.

Speaker 1 (01:32:58):
That, DeVaughn, Any, anything.

Speaker 4 (01:33:01):
BROTHER yeah MAN i think i just really like how they,
built their, team You Know. Posts paul, GEORGE you know
i feel like they kind of did Uh Something maybe
tom thibodau would, be proud of and. STARTED with defense
i feel like they kind, of you know made that
a priority and, and you know took what they, had

(01:33:23):
And surrounded surrounded harden and cohib with, you know again
players that will buy in and and compliment their. Styles,
of play, so you KNOW when when i Think, about
the clippers it's really just ultimate props to them for
even being Able. To keep, zubat you know that WAS almost,
like i think like a like a. Blessing in, disguise

(01:33:44):
you know you would think he would have been somebody
to get traded, at some point but he's been there
and playing his game. Like he is he is doing just,
fine over there and he is exactly. Who they, NEED
so yeah i really clippers for, kind of trusting trust,
in the, process and yeah just kind, of you know

(01:34:05):
thinking long term and, just you know, making it happen. Making.

Speaker 1 (01:34:09):
Things happen well setting even devone good point about Uh
kind of Tyler pulling from thibodau because did you did
you me even mean to say that in the sense
of like eight WHEN a younger tyleru was on that
Coaching staff and tibbs Was. Still with, DOC YOU know
i i just thought of that as, you said that
so he. Probably.

Speaker 3 (01:34:27):
Really, Did yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:34:31):
Yeah so but. That's what's. Up you know definitely, some
good points but it's. It's, challenged time, Yeah all right
so first With, the t wolves if you kind of
caught the HIDDEN theme, THAT i had i challenged them
to just don't don't be happy, to be here show

(01:34:52):
us that this won't go like Kg's teams and aunt's
going to be out of here in two. Or three,
YEARS like again i know this is a little bit
more beyond, on the playoffs but. It's, A challenge nonetheless
i want to see Some maturity from ant and Some
Growth from, julius RANDALL because, like i said his big
thing in the playoffs is that he just like stopping
the ball and he do the mid post stuff when

(01:35:12):
he needed to. Play bully ball so we'll see if he,
learned his lesson and even, nas reed again show me
that that trade. Was worth, it and really, if you
Notice everything that i'm saying is, show me this, show
me that, show me this. Show me that and the
first song that came to mind will show me what
you GOT, By jay Z like the Timberolves, got a,
okay you know last couple of. Years was cute it's

(01:35:33):
cute when you get to the playoffs and everybody. Happy
and vibing AT's. Battling with kd he's battling with. All,
these dudes okay we're kind of. Past that point What
are the? Timberwolves gonna do that's gonna look a little different,
than Years past because, i'm telling YOU every time i,
Look at, them i'm like y'all just gonna END. Up
like kg y'all gonna have. Some good teams you're gonna make,
the conference final. Oh no time, But everything else you're gonna.
Have good teams you're gonna. Have good players You're Gonna,

(01:35:54):
Have sam cassell You're Gonna have la. Treill' spree whale
you're gonna, Have these dudes but it. Ain't gonna matter
in a, couple of years all them boys, gonna be
here and then you're gonna be changing your jerseys and
doing the whole thing that, you did before and it's
just not. Gonna be right THAT'S really what i want
to Say. About THE timberwolves but i hope they showed.
Me something different Now on the clipper, SIDE of things,
i challenge THEM given, WHAT i said i challenged them

(01:36:15):
to make IT To. THE nba finals i think that's
the first. One we've had in just over an hour
and thirty we have finally had one, where somebody, said
straight up make IT To. The NBA finals and i
know that's lofty for a, lot of people but. They
are capable we've just. WENT over this i know we've
had similar Expectations on, past clippers TEAMS and but i
think none of those teams match the cohesiveness that this

(01:36:37):
team does and. That they have and while many people
have chosen to lean on their doubts and played an
injury card and, all this stuff don't put that energy, On.
My boy kawhi i'm not afraid to be the one
who exercises faith. And optimism instead so if they want
to challenge it is certainly To. Win The west and
i've unofficially if y'all paid attention in our listener here,

(01:36:59):
on social, media you know if y'all, Have paid attention
i've Kind of Used Peekaboo by kendrick lamar as like
the unofficial theme Song For The los angeles clippers because
of the Way a healthy kawhi now allows them to sneak.
Up on teams but since, IT'S the playoffs i had
to go with. Whacked out murals it's time for them
to get.

Speaker 4 (01:37:19):
In.

Speaker 1 (01:37:19):
That mode kawhi don't let them put no smut, on,
your name, Brother, you know clippers don't let them do.
That to you this is the time, to show. That
Y'ALL legit so i went with That. FOR the clippers i.

Speaker 4 (01:37:30):
Like, that.

Speaker 1 (01:37:33):
Alrighty then after sharing our respective Thoughts, On, the warriors
Lakers and The grizzly Slash timberwolves, or I'm sorry The
timberwolves slash, clippers playoff potential we Have Finished the western
conference part of. The playoff preview we. Are finally there,
but once again it. Is, your turn okay what do
you think about each of those? Teams playoff chances anything
that we didn't mention that stands out. Or raises eyebrows

(01:37:55):
be sure to comment On YouTuber hit up Hit to
the Games or desim pole underscore on the socials to
share your. Thoughts as, well up next We Got. The eastern,
conference all right. WE halfway there i know it's, a
long one but you. Know the drill this is what.
You WAIT for THE h two. Dg playoff preview we
are gonna Be heading. Towards east now but before we,

(01:38:16):
Get into that if you like what you're hearing and
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(01:38:38):
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Welcome back to Hip, to The games where i'm joined
By my Guys devon and johnny to continue our TWENTY
twenty five, nba playoff preview this time Moving Towards. THE
eastern conference i, Ball up top johnny is, back, on

(01:38:59):
you brother and you got Quite the Doozy With The.
New york knicks this is a team with one of
the better starting lineups, in the league and especially thanks
to a Career Year From carl anthony towns plus their
Continued Success, from jalen bruntson they look pretty lethal most. Of,
the year right, fifth best offense, thirteenth best defense, not
too shabby but and as Expected After trading Julius Randall For,

(01:39:21):
carl Anthony towns the knicks floor spacing has. Been way
better they're playing a lot more, pace in space but
a little Bit Of That new york knicks kind of
grit that we've known to see over the decades of basketball,
that THEY'VE played, and i, think you know even bringing
in A Guy like mikail bridges certainly helped them, knock down,
threes you know good for ninth best accuracy. In the,
league that said they are a very. Top heavy team

(01:39:44):
their depth is more inside their starters than their overall rotation,
as a whole which has been a big. Flaw this
year and, not To mention the knicks as a franchise
have been known for tough, playground as, basketball so unfortunately
it's KIND of what i Said. With the, warriors you
know some time you can fall into the Trap of
playing warriors basketball a. LITTLE too much I think the
knicks can fall into the Trap Of Playing new york

(01:40:07):
knicks basketball a, little too much uh to where it
takes a higher priority to a. Fault, AT times additionally
i even say this their home games are technically neutral
SITE games Because I think gilbert arenas Said, at best
man everybody wants to COME, play at msg so you're
more prone to getting an opponent's best basketball compared to an,

(01:40:29):
average you know them. Facing another TEAM and sometimes i
Feel like the knicks they have a little bit of
trouble winning road playoff games in particular because they're just
used TO that. Energy msg, provides and, granted you know
they had a good road, record THIS season but i
do worry about their depth struggles and whether or Not
once again we'll just see a really Good regular season

(01:40:49):
knicks basketball team fall short when it. Matters The Most,
but johnny man where is your mind At with the?
Knicks This Postseason.

Speaker 2 (01:40:56):
New york knicks at fifty one man on and gonna
have the opportunity To play the, pistons this year and
it's gonna, be an exciting exciting playoff Series in the
east with, the point, guards the centers and even some.

Speaker 3 (01:41:11):
Of the, guards you know.

Speaker 2 (01:41:12):
Just to Think About The, new york knicks With Them
having tom thibodeaux. As a coach The one thing i've
seen this year is how do they have a defensive
minded coach but they don't?

Speaker 3 (01:41:22):
Play defense, themselves oh oh he.

Speaker 1 (01:41:25):
Just went, THERE you.

Speaker 2 (01:41:26):
Know i went There because as i'm looking the points,
in the paint their opponent scores fifty points in the
paint each time.

Speaker 3 (01:41:34):
They playing ouch and there's.

Speaker 2 (01:41:37):
Only there's only one Team in the east that's in
the playoffs that have, that as well And That's.

Speaker 3 (01:41:45):
The indiana pacers and both of Them Tame.

Speaker 1 (01:41:48):
With Miles turner.

Speaker 2 (01:41:50):
Miles, turner as well fifty points. Of the PAINT but
what i don't get is how do you have two
seven footers and someone who has claimed that he's not
only one of the best, shooting offensive bigs but. A
defensive menace when He, was in minnesota let people score
so easily, In the PEN and now i think that's

(01:42:10):
where she don't.

Speaker 1 (01:42:11):
Want to catch she want. A big dogs.

Speaker 3 (01:42:15):
I believe that you are gonna.

Speaker 2 (01:42:16):
Have Their advantage the pistons have guards that love to,
go for layups and if no one's, gonna block them
what's the what's?

Speaker 3 (01:42:23):
The opportunity?

Speaker 2 (01:42:23):
Here you know And so when i'm Just Thinking, Of
new york i'm just thinking more of who is gonna
who's gonna. Put that defense, we got Og, We got
mikel we got people that we. Bleed for defense but,
for some reason, like you say these road teams come
into our home and.

Speaker 3 (01:42:40):
Have career nights? Why is that when are you guys?

Speaker 2 (01:42:45):
Gonna be intimidated just like when you Guys traded for
mikel and we Couldn't flip, Our, Twitter pages instagram we
couldn't EVEN flip OUR tv because espn Was Saying that new,
York is here?

Speaker 3 (01:42:57):
Where are they? Where?

Speaker 4 (01:42:59):
Are they.

Speaker 1 (01:43:01):
Hey, You know What I'm Sure new york knicks fans
are gonna. APPRECIATE your honesty i Know a few Knicks
fans and i'm sure they're they're they're kind, of you
know they're they're they're. Shaken right now, but let's see
let's see. How It, goes because johnny you do make.
Some valid points you do make, some valid points especially
BECAUSE the thing i was Excited About. MI cale bridges
i was excited for him to play the defense that He,
played in, phoenix and unfortunately again. That's what happens, you

(01:43:25):
get traded you become The, guy in brooklyn so you
kind of take off on defense because you need to.
Perform on offense so now you're in an exciting Situation,
with the knicks and it's the same thing in a
in a situation where he should go back to that
he hasn't really because again they rely on him to
to beef up that depth. That they, have, SO yeah

(01:43:47):
MAN i just i feel Sorry for the knicks because
there are a lot of questions, In, some ways davone
do you have anything to kind of Supplement with what.
Johnny was saying do you agree or are there some
things do you kind of want to give, a positive,
light you Know for, the knicks. Fans out there what? Are,
YOUR thoughts.

Speaker 4 (01:44:00):
Yeah i mean you, guys, Said It man john johnny
pretty much hit it on the on. THE head man
i think the thing for Me with, the knicks, is,
you Know honestly like i'm not really like buying everything.
Even that much it's LIKE sometimes when i, watch them
play it's, just you know, like YOU said is i
worry about the depth or, the lack, thereof you know

(01:44:24):
compared especially compared to other teams and other teams. In, the,
CONFERENCE like man i feel like, the biggest, thing you
know you always talked about To days with carl is,
the foul trouble like Especially in the, boss, is like,
like you know That's one thing i'm gonna be, watching
for too is like you know how, he handles that
and because they're, gonna need him they're gonna Need Them

(01:44:45):
like jalen brunson, can't DO everything and I.

Speaker 1 (01:44:48):
Think and mitchell robinson can't play that many, Minutes.

Speaker 4 (01:44:51):
Exactly, EXACTLY bro yeah i think it's just they're they're
kind of one of the like more head scratching teams
with me slash stressing teams, because it's, like you know
even sometimes during the REGULAR season when. I watch him,
I'M just like, i, Don't KNOW man like i don't

(01:45:11):
know if y'all really got it like, That TO win
like i wanted it for you as a city, and
you know, for the culture but, like you know if,
y'all want that it's gonna take a little bit more than.
What Y'ALL got, and i guess like for.

Speaker 1 (01:45:27):
It wouldn't go ahead. ON go ahead i was.

Speaker 4 (01:45:29):
Just gonna say for more of, A positive, note i,
think you know it's really just gonna, come, down to,
uh the. Chemistry the defense You Know what tom thibodeau.
Is known, for you know they really if, especially you
know he plays you know guys. Like heavy, minutes you
know he's not afraid to really like drive. On THE
minutes and i think it's just really he's gonna really

(01:45:52):
have to get them down to the nitty gritty and
like what the playoffs. Are all about, and it's again
it's gonna be, a tall task but you gotta break
it down sometimes to the most simplest farm sometimes to
get the most out.

Speaker 1 (01:46:07):
Of your team and, that's, so unfortunate man because this
is the same this is a very SIMILAR thing that
i think The twenty thirteen knicks went through that, team
was crazy and yet, come semi finals they Run Into,
the indiana pacers, a team where, let's be real they
should have beat just. Off of offense they didn't beat
them Because again the pacers were, just really gritty great

(01:46:30):
defensive TEAM and just i think outworked them and they
didn't even play perfect basketball and they still. Won that series,
so it's like Why do the knicks always have these
seem to have these good teams and then they can't win.
WHEN it counts i. Just don't, understand it's, like back
then it was like you had an Interior Defender. In
tyson chandler you had a go To Guy, in carmelo
anthony who again you could say that he wasn't necessarily

(01:46:52):
the all around player that he should have been to
help them get. Over the hump but you still. Had
your pieces you had a six Man. And j r smith,
or you know you had a perimeter defender and A Guy,
like emon schumpper you had pass, first point guards. You
had everything why is it that it just seems To
be the knicks where you can't do? Anything with, It
like why like that's. Been my question why do we

(01:47:16):
feel such Confidence In the detroit pistons, to do this
to pull off, a potential upset upset that might not
even be that much of an upset in some, In,
SOME ways.

Speaker 4 (01:47:29):
Yeah i Think it's because detroit, is just what like
you see The flashes, of detroit's potential like of, their
potential greatness, like you know to still be so young
and and to do what, they are doing especially. Given,
the circumstances man last season was such a struggle for

(01:47:51):
them and the way they've been able to, turn it around,
like come on like the last, Couple, OF seasons like
i think that's what when when team seams like are
able to, grow this quick you gotta.

Speaker 1 (01:48:03):
Watch out for everybody's gonna Be on what and in
the minute they see something that like you know that
they they see a strength that they Have that the knicks.
May not, have you know it's the math be mathing and,
it's like hey, like you know and don't be don't,
get it twisted, like you know don't underestimate that team

(01:48:24):
just because of who they are and what.

Speaker 4 (01:48:25):
They have been they got some things you probably.

Speaker 1 (01:48:29):
Don't even got and and that's, A, Great Point vaughan
and i'm Gonna tell you i'm gonna Talk about, the
pistons later but just while. We're on, It You, know jalen,
brunson you know you're you're facing potentially a Bigger Guard. Than,
kate cunningham now obviously YOU'RE gonna Think o g nnoby's
probably gonna. Take that matchup But If, you're jalen brunson
that means you still have To Worry, about, malik beasley right.

(01:48:49):
Who's a shooter you you still you know there are
other Matchups that The pistons the you know you're gonna
have To have Kat On, on jalen, duran you know
and even the best thing for me, is like Basically If,
You're jalen brunson you're you're gonna get a sigh of
relief When You guard assra thompson because you can. Sag
off him but really you're not necessarily off the hook
with anybody else because chances are they're gonna be. Bigger

(01:49:11):
than You Except. For dennis schroeder, he's, another one right
you know that that's gonna be an. Interesting matchup too so, To, your,
point devon again the reason why you might have Some
confidence in detroit is because they can take advantage of
some of those and even have versatile options they can
choose from in. Those potential scenarios, SO you know i
understand what.

Speaker 4 (01:49:29):
You're.

Speaker 1 (01:49:29):
Saying there now, my, Big, question though johnny for You
For The new york knicks IS the one i think
that we've really been, asking all year but especially now.
In the playoffs are you more Confident in the knicks
starting five or are you more worried about their lack
of depth coming.

Speaker 3 (01:49:45):
OFF the bench i would say lack of death coming.

Speaker 4 (01:49:48):
OFF the, BENCH i.

Speaker 1 (01:49:49):
AGREE i agree i.

Speaker 2 (01:49:52):
Think, starting five wise they have very, strong starting five
and they probably have a Starting Five besides jalen brunson
that you could switch everyone from one.

Speaker 3 (01:49:59):
TO five.

Speaker 2 (01:50:00):
COMFORTABLY i Think i think towns could hang with, some
point guards not, all of them not probably, the quick
ones but probably, the you know slower ones that want
To play make towns could potentially. Stay up there but
that's gonna go into one of my challenges as well
when when. We get there, but Their bench, besides miles
McBride who's coming off the, BENCH over there i don't

(01:50:22):
think they played. THEIR bench, Enough i mean precious has
been very, promising for them and they never play.

Speaker 1 (01:50:29):
Him, That much bro he'll get like five, minutes one
game then he'll get, eighteen the next then he'll get A.
D n p, I'd, be like bro he's arguably the
one of the best rebounders y'all got.

Speaker 3 (01:50:38):
Is he is and he.

Speaker 2 (01:50:38):
Can SCORE too so i think they struggle with shooting
Because they got shamant coming, off The bench and shaman,
is you know, he's a shooter but he has showing
signs of being. Insistent as well SO it's just i
think that's where a lot of teams tend to run,
away with It Is when jalen brenton goes to the bench,
and it's Uh it's mikel Bridges.

Speaker 3 (01:50:58):
Show with towns that's the rotation.

Speaker 2 (01:50:59):
They to run teams tend to run, away with that
and so that, is a, concern.

Speaker 1 (01:51:07):
All right but you gotta reveal that challenge in that
theme Song For The new york. Knicks, playoff run okay.

Speaker 3 (01:51:17):
Who is the Second Person?

Speaker 2 (01:51:18):
In NEW york and i mean we Can, Comfortably, Say
TOWNS yes but i traded six first round picks money
and Two Players.

Speaker 3 (01:51:30):
Form mike coverridges we don't. Need seventeen points we need.

Speaker 2 (01:51:33):
At least twenty so my challenge is to comfortably give
me twenty points per night and guard. My best player,
but after that well, more after that can you guys
defend the pick? And roll correctly because if It's.

Speaker 3 (01:51:50):
One thing i've Seen watching, every, knicks game, ESPECIALLY you
know I think that celtics cannot wait to play the
next if they, get the opportunity they cannot wait to
run that top. Of The screen porzingis tatum pick And
roll and towns. Drops every, time.

Speaker 1 (01:52:07):
Oh yeah get.

Speaker 4 (01:52:08):
That.

Speaker 2 (01:52:08):
Light open three are you guys gonna defend that pick?

Speaker 3 (01:52:12):
And roll correctly or is this gonna be a?

Speaker 2 (01:52:14):
Three point shootout but back to what you were, gonna
add ABOUT mikeel because i know you had to have.

Speaker 1 (01:52:19):
To, FOR me yeah i was just. Gonna ASK you
so i. Like that challenge But there's a knicks fan right,
now who said but why why Can't that Be? Og
and nnobi maybe maybe we're putting it on. THE wrong person.

Speaker 2 (01:52:37):
I Personally think that OG's role. ISN'T to score i
think he been tearing.

Speaker 3 (01:52:42):
It up, Though yeah yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:52:45):
And You know when og started, Dunking on folks, i'd
be like where did that?

Speaker 2 (01:52:48):
Even come from that iron. Knee he, GOT you know
i don't know where he get. THAT stuff from I
think iron, man or something the terminator because that, knee
he got because we.

Speaker 3 (01:52:55):
See that knee brace.

Speaker 1 (01:52:57):
Forgot. ABOUT that yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:52:59):
I think uh, og can score and we've Seen. That
WITH toronto but i think with how this, roster Is built,
If og scores mikel struggles to get back. In the
game i've never watched The game when mikel has it
started well and got in like hmm and.

Speaker 1 (01:53:17):
Developed his rhythm have you seen A.

Speaker 2 (01:53:19):
Game that mikel has walked into the second quarter or
third quarter with five points and he?

Speaker 3 (01:53:23):
Finishes, with, twenty NO no because i don't think he's
that type.

Speaker 2 (01:53:27):
Of volume scorer he has to get his Each And
every but og can give you a ten and get,
you eight rebounds and that ten changes. The WHOLE game
so I don't think OG's, there for scoring at least.
From the philosophy it looks LIKE from how i, see
these games but he is the most important.

Speaker 3 (01:53:45):
Player there though don't, Get me wrong, but.

Speaker 1 (01:53:48):
You, know but johnny you're not. The only one for,
for some reason Everybody Talks about mikel. Bridges this year
he seems to have the biggest target on his back.
On this team that's so interesting, to ME and, like
i said so unfortunate because you would think he'd have
that maturity Coming From a phoenix sun's situation where he
had he could. Do those things some of those things
were asking him to do he Was. Doing, in phoenix

(01:54:12):
davone you had anything bro to add or A reaction, To, johnny's, challenge.

Speaker 4 (01:54:19):
Oh man that was all. Very. WELL said man i
pretty much, have, the same, uh you know concerns and questions,
and You know things i'm. Watching for Too that was
that was, pretty, Much.

Speaker 1 (01:54:30):
IT man johnny i just realized we did not reveal
your theme Song For The. New, YORK knicks.

Speaker 2 (01:54:36):
Hey i was gonna hold it for THE end because
i knew that we had to, keep, It ROLLING brother but.

Speaker 3 (01:54:39):
I got you i got to two songs.

Speaker 2 (01:54:44):
With this because, FOR some reason i Feel like the
Lakers and the knicks have some type.

Speaker 3 (01:54:48):
Of same, Aura first song i'm Gonna, think.

Speaker 2 (01:54:52):
Flashing, Lights You, know kanye, west you, know with anything because,
for some reason as soon as We Step, into new
york the food tapes. Better to watch. It tastes good
the lights is bright. In the arena it's time to play.
On the show but you know, The second song i'm
gonna get you, guys with, it you know. A little
bit i'm thinking, A little nas i'm thinking whose?

Speaker 3 (01:55:12):
World is this the?

Speaker 2 (01:55:13):
World is, yours you Know because why, i'm saying That
Because in new york there's still that idea of are
you guys really the top Dog?

Speaker 3 (01:55:23):
In the east was this trade a waste?

Speaker 2 (01:55:26):
Of our time You Guys got Mike kel and kat
two trades in, the same offseason and you guys are
still actually projected to lose in. The first round whose?
World is this the. World is yours so it's time.

Speaker 3 (01:55:39):
To prove it you.

Speaker 1 (01:55:40):
Gotta own it, I'm with you, i'm, with, you alrighty
then well then we stick.

Speaker 4 (01:55:43):
It.

Speaker 1 (01:55:43):
With you brother you Got The aforementioned boston celtics second Seed.
In the east you got, another heavyweight, here you know.
The defending, champions you know don't let all that three
point or talk distract you from the fact that this
is still arguably the best team in the league. Until proven,
otherwise you Know So that peyton pritchard had a career
year off the, bench This Season that derek white is

(01:56:04):
averaging a career, high sixteen Points That both Jason Tatum
and jalen brown have grown a, bit as playmakers And
that al horford is bringing great value even at, ninety
years old and that their defense is still top five
along with as well as their offense being second. In
the league and That's still With tatum and brown's three

(01:56:25):
point accuracy being worse, than last season so in some
ways you could say they could.

Speaker 4 (01:56:29):
Still.

Speaker 1 (01:56:30):
SHOOT better Again i think boston's biggest thing is playing.
WITH their food i think they did a really good
job last. Season preventing, that, this year though being, THE
defending champions i think they've slipped up. A few times
they're getting back on that bull that we saw in
twenty twenty two and, twenty twenty three but for, the
most part they're back with the same core ready to.
Run it back davon, talked, To.

Speaker 4 (01:56:50):
ME brother yeah i think you know the Thing, about,
the celtics like, IN some ways i think they actually
are a little bit better than, last year's team mostly
due to the just The surgeons Of Peyton, and derek. White,
ESPECIALLY together yeah i, think you know my biggest Thing

(01:57:13):
with the celtics is some of the same concerns, as
recent years like don't let the three take you out.
OF the, game i, think You know the celtics they
still kind of, struggle with, that you know because they take.
So many threes they make a, lot of threes like
that's clearly been there their, bread AND butter and i
think they still you can't let that take you take you,

(01:57:34):
out of, games you know they can still kind of.
SETTLE at times, i feel, like You, KNOW especially tatum
i feel like he could be a little more efficient with.
How HE plays and i think a lot of that,
is because, of you know the volume of threes, that he, takes.
YOU know himself i think he was at like ten

(01:57:54):
a game y'or close.

Speaker 1 (01:57:55):
To, it this season so which is like the, league standard,
nowadays you, know more stars they want. You shooting, ten so.

Speaker 4 (01:58:02):
Right EXACTLY exactly, but i, think you know he he
is somebody he doesn't, always have, to you know to
kind of play.

Speaker 1 (01:58:08):
To the standard he was cutting up in that game
in the garden from. The MID range so, I, see,
you vonon like even if you're it wouldn't even be
a bad idea if that decreases, in the playoffs if
those attempts decrease. IN the playoffs i think that's kind
of what, you're, Alluding, to.

Speaker 4 (01:58:22):
Exactly bro, exactly, BUT yeah man i Think they're still
they're actually a. Really balanced. Team, you know again they're
another team they don't force a, lot of turnovers but.
They're still solid like one of the best teams defensively,
in the league one of the best teams offensively. In
THE league and i like how defensively they they kind.

(01:58:44):
Of work, together you Know we've Seen we've seen horford
down there. Sliding his, feet you know they have good
that where guys, are you know bought in on both ends,
of the floor like they understand what they have to do.
On each end they're they're not a. One sided team
Shot On.

Speaker 1 (01:59:00):
The MAYAS ketta, but.

Speaker 4 (01:59:02):
I THINK uh, but I, Think, Uh horford Drew holliday
and porzingis are all going to. BE be huge i
think if those, guys are Healthy then the celtics have
a good. Shot to repeat as hard, as it is especially,
in THIS era but i think if their guys can
stay healthy this it will be hard To knock, the celtics,

(01:59:23):
off you know at any point, in these, playoffs you
know and then ONE thing that i did notice is
that they were they were lasting the. League IN pace,
so i think is that gonna, be a, factor you know,
against faster teams, against younger teams especially if you know
their shots Aren't, FALLING you, like i wonder like what

(01:59:44):
their pace is gonna look like and if that's gonna,
change at, all you know. Around this time but it
is not a big concern, for ME because, like i
said because of how balanced they are, Offensively in, Defense.

Speaker 1 (01:59:57):
Will, Said, WILL say yeah i don't think pace will
be that much. Of A factor but i think to,
volunteer your point if they come across maybe, a younger
team how are? They gonna, adjust you know that's a. Good, Good,
point yeah.

Speaker 4 (02:00:10):
Like especially with the. Volume of threes and then if
you if you got some if somebody's running a, lot
against you you know that can affect, you your. Conditioning your,
stamina you know your legs ain't gonna be the same
when you're getting. Up them shots so.

Speaker 1 (02:00:25):
And you might be guilty of trying to, play. Their
game right that's how. Most teams lose they try to
keep up and go away from the pace that got
them to. Where they are they try to play the
young man or whoever's up and coming and try to,
play that, style you know so again kind Of like
the lakers, in, twenty ten right like you gotta stick
stick to the stick to the, half court game stick. To,

(02:00:45):
your pace yeah these young, bucks is running but chill
out like we we here. For A reason so, I'm.
With that vaughn that's definitely something to watch as as they. Face,
other teams johnny you got anything you want To?

Speaker 2 (02:00:56):
Add, ABOUT boston No, i mean boston, and, it's just
uh they're that standard that everyone, wants to, follow you
know they. GOT their forwards i, WOULD say health I
have been i did see A Report that jalen brown
just got the injection in his knee. For Some soreness so,
i'm just wondering is that gonna be good for the?
Next two months is he? Gonna be straight are they

(02:01:17):
gonna have to maintenance that and he's gonna have to
sit in and sit out a. Few games later BUT
it's just i would. Just say health that's The only
thing i'm thinking About.

Speaker 3 (02:01:24):
With, The, Celtics Okay.

Speaker 1 (02:01:26):
OKAY so DeVaughn I think and i think even both
of you guys kind of might, have Answered. This but
devon my big question for You regarding the celtics is
What's stopping the celtics from going? Back to back.

Speaker 4 (02:01:38):
What's stopping the celtics from going? BACK to back I
would say i, would say health but also. Also the,
competition you know run you kind of given CREDIT to
and i know you guys will, get To, that, but,
cleveland okay, see you know whatever, stage you're at like,

(02:01:58):
WHATEVER it is i feel like that that's kind of
the only thing other than health and, like you know
internal external factors is the fact that there's there's been
some solid competition for them this season, that you know
have pushed them in ways. That they have they're, not
ALWAYS pushed so i think for me and that's the

(02:02:19):
biggest thing that could get. In the Way but the
celtics is just that what it. Is with sports sometimes
you come up against somebody who just really gives, it
to you and you know it just. Out plays you,
so you know it. Would be interesting that's, Why you
know boston's another team where once, they get deeper it'll
be interesting to see how they how they compete with,
Those top teams, like you know when we really get

(02:02:40):
to see who the top dog really.

Speaker 1 (02:02:42):
Is, YOU know devine i love That you Mentioned cleveland
and okay see because they are probably the two teams
That have played, boston the, best you, know so yeah
they definitely it ain't. SMOOTH sailing here i had an answer,
to The, QUESTION but johnny i want to, hear yours
first just in case. It's THE same.

Speaker 3 (02:03:01):
Not i truly think.

Speaker 2 (02:03:03):
It's the same just when you're playing, the top dogs.
It's the same yout, on the dot Man.

Speaker 1 (02:03:07):
ON the dot i THE first thing, i thought OF
even when i was. PREPARING this episode i, think IT'S
themselves and i think it's been that way the. Last
three years the the What's stopping the celtics from going
back to, back are themselves like stop? Playing WHICH food,
LIKE i said i think them they were kind of.
High off. Winning You, know jalen brown he's just on

(02:03:28):
a million dollars worth of game pod and he just said.
Again once again he got on a, microphone, and, SAID
like yo i had a, Blast this, OFFSEASON like yeah
i was a little butt HURT that the usa team,
left me, OFF but bro i WASN'T complaining like i.
WAS going crazy i JUST, Won Finals mvp like i'm
enjoying my, SUMMER and again i think you kind of
fall into that right like now that, the season starts

(02:03:49):
you kind of fall into old habits because. You YOU
won but i think it's gonna be important for them
to stick to. How THEY did, LIKE i said i
thought last year they that's why they. Held the trophy
they did an excellent job just keeping their foot on
the neck and Not letting the, mavericks you know get
back into games and. Stuff like that they kept their
foot On THE next so I need the celtics to

(02:04:11):
kind of channel that now that, it's the playoffs a
little extra if they want to hold. It up again, But,
YOU know davon i like what you, said as well,
though you know certainly giving credit to other teams in
the league that, have, played them, well oh yeah.

Speaker 4 (02:04:23):
We missed it.

Speaker 3 (02:04:24):
It's.

Speaker 4 (02:04:24):
All good though my challenge was just for them to.
Win it again and then my Song was For legendary.

Speaker 1 (02:04:33):
BYEWALLAD all nice i gotta get on my a game that? Two,
straight Times, Okay bro okay anything particularly that went through
your mind as you, picked that song or just like
going getting another title and confirming it back to back
is What makes your, celtics, legendary.

Speaker 4 (02:04:51):
Exactly bro like you already are, With your organization like, that's,
the standard man keep it going For.

Speaker 1 (02:04:59):
Sure, for shore okay had had to go back ON
that because i was looking at The notes, AND i'm
LIKE i know i didn't just ask forget to. Ask
that again It Was. The cleveland Cavaliers Top seeded cleveland
cavaliers this year with one of their best seasons. IN
franchise history i Think they tied. LEBRON and them i
believe it was, nine to, ten. Sixty six, sixteen you
know so they've. Been here before obviously, totally different TEAM,

(02:05:22):
totally different nba but, as a franchise they've. Been here
before and, THE thing is i recently got the notion
that still, even with that there are plenty of Fans
doubting the cavaliers and think history will repeat ITSELF much, like,
i mentioned right and it was actually a eight oh
nine they win sixty. Six and sixteen they Lost In the, eastern.

(02:05:43):
Conference finals right they went sixty one and twenty one
the year after that and they lost in. The second,
round and man that kind of DISAPPOINTED me because i
felt like this is truly the year that they would
take a turn. For the, BETTER you know i was,
excited For them and i'm still kind of pulling for
them to get. To The conference but i'd BE lying
IF i said i didn't understand what some of the

(02:06:05):
doubters are saying.

Speaker 3 (02:06:06):
About.

Speaker 1 (02:06:06):
The calves now the first thing Is something that I've
Noticed with donovan. Mitchell LED teams if i was if
we as a Defense Can get donovan mitchell to fall
in love with the, PULL up three i love our
chances you it's almost one of those situations where you
go under the screen on purpose just because you know
he's gonna take that shot and see, if you, can

(02:06:27):
you know get skinny and try to go over the
screen get. A good contest but like you almost want
to go under on purpose and try to get a.
Last resort contest you maybe want, to blitz, it you
know send a trap so he, can't go, around you
know different things you can play with and but even
then it's like he might go crazy in, the first
half but come second half it's, darn near crickets like

(02:06:48):
in a pick. YOUR poisoned situation i like The Idea
of donovan mitchell using his legs to take these, off
dribble threes then do what comes easiest to him and
get his points at the basket BECAUSE cause again I Think,
the cleveland, Cavaliers It's interesting donovan mitchell can get. Whatever
he wants i've seen THAT every time I. Watch the
calves that driving Dump Off to Jared Allen or evan

(02:07:09):
mobley is there. Almost every, time but again you fall
in love, with the three you, start feeling, yourself you
know and and you don't get those opportunities the way.
You could. Have, you know again it's what we talk about, all,
the time. Right it's boring RIGHT, in today's. NBA that's
boring i don't want to get the same. Thing every time,
IF it's working i want to hit the. STEP back

(02:07:31):
three i want to get. ON the highlights i want
to show these YOUNG kids that i have a Bag
to Me, HERMES jan sport. I don't care. It's the playoffs.
Make it WORK that's what i Would Tell, the cleveland
cavaliers and Especially Somebody. Like donovan mitchell if you can
get tennis sistic a game because you just keep driving

(02:07:53):
Addition Off to Jared Allen and evan Mobley Or hitting
max truce, in the corner do it if, it ain't
broke don't Fix it at, OH you know i think
that's The thing the cavs. Might run into but the
second thing, is that unfortunately word on the street is
that they a little soft. In the middle word on

(02:08:14):
a street is that as good as Of Intimidators that
Jared Allen and evan, mobley can be they not that dominant,
on the glass and they aren't necessarily elite when it
comes to. Blocking, SHOTS either now i know the. Numbers
Look good jared allen is averaging ten ten, Boards A
game evan mobley is averaging one point six. Blocks a

(02:08:35):
game you know, It looks good. It's very good but
when You look at allen's only zero point Nine Blocks
and evan mobley's nine rebounds at, six to eleven you
understand it once you WATCH games and. I got receipts i.
Tweeted my receipts if you noticed on in back, To
Back games iviza zubox single handed The Out rebounder Jared

(02:08:58):
Allen and. Evan mobley combined he grabbed twenty rebounds. To
their eleven they. Got eleven combined as tall, as they
are and through Three, quarters in sacramento. Through Three quarters
jonas valentunis at thirty, whatever years old out rebounded them,
thirteen to seven and that showed Me that What allen and,

(02:09:18):
mobley lacking strength they have to make up with athleticism
because the Bigger centers, like zubat valentionists they're gonna use
their fundamentals for what they. Lack in athleticism they're gonna
get in a good, Box out position they're gonna throw,
their body around, use that weight get, a good base
keep your arms out and, just you know use that
lower body to get positioned and. Get the rebound they're.

(02:09:39):
Gonna push you You would Think allan and mobley would rely, on, Those,
FUNDAMENTALS right davaughon i. Think you can you can relate like.
As skinny, guys you know you gotta rely on the
fundamentals a little bit more defensively, Because, IT'S like okay
i may not be as strong, as this person but,
you KNOW what if i stick to THE principles and
i stick, TO the fundamentals i can still have A
shot because i'm Just doing what i'm. Supposed. To, DO

(02:10:02):
right so i think too often they get caught getting
out rebounded due to their lack, of power inside which
often leads to. Them getting outworked and that's been A
Critique that evan mobley has received the last few seasons
from a. Lot, of, FANS now additionally i noticed that
sometimes they Like To use Evan, mobley like giannis which

(02:10:23):
to me can be. A CHEAT code but i told,
You this before. Devone, off camera, like to me that's,
a little. RISKY you Know i told DeVaughn one day we.
Caught a game just because a player is similar to
somebody doesn't mean that they should. Be that Person so
when yannis came, into the league everybody Compared Him, to
kevin durant just because he was. A skinny forward but
then they had to face reality over, time that oh

(02:10:46):
he's not As Quick. As kevin durant he's not as
Guard Like. As kevin durant he's not As Smooth. As
kevin durant he didn't prefer To Score how kevin durant
naturally was. Born to score there's, a difference there and
he's not nearly As Polished, offense KEVIN durant and i
think a similar Thing Happens. To evan mobley he's not As,
strong as giannis he's, Not as dominant he's, Not as

(02:11:06):
fast he's not. As latterally, quick and Additionally Much of
evan mobley's touches come out of, Face up opportunities so
if he, truly posts up it means has a he
sealed a. Smaller Defender inside evan mobley struggles to get legit,
post UP opportunities and i think that makes him a
bit one dimensional offensively and. Even on defense while it's

(02:11:26):
nice he's capable of, guarding the PERIMETER what do i
always say on if, you're a guard. TEST those legs
I Guarantee you evan mobley does not want to guard
those guards and even wings. On The, Perimeter james harden
i'm sure, You. Saw It johnny james harden attacked him
perfectly in that home Game of the clippers. Had against
them he made him have to. Use his legs and

(02:11:48):
a majority, of big men no matter how versatile, they
might be they never want to do what should be
a guard's. Job on offense that's why they do all
those drills in training camp because they're not used to
hiding their feet with their hands. High OR whatever so
i know It seems that I'm Picking on Evan mobley
and that's certainly, not my goal as he had a
great year of improvement. And offensive aggression BUT what do,

(02:12:10):
i always? Says playoff time and this. Is what happens
when you lock in and. Do your homework, You notice patterns,
you notice trends, you notice weaknesses. You notice tendencies and
these are some POTENTIAL weaknesses that i See, with the
cavs More so With Mitchell. AND evan mobley i know that, was,
long winded gentlemen but please feel free if y'all had
any thoughts that came to. MIND sharing those.

Speaker 3 (02:12:33):
I think you hit it right on The Dot.

Speaker 2 (02:12:35):
WITH evan mobley i think The opportunities for cleveland will
just be to just challenge Those Bigs. Man with mitchell
i'm a huge Town of, a mitchell fan but there's
been what four Straight playoffs where i've just seen his
shotsles and just go down to drain to where.

Speaker 3 (02:12:52):
You want, that you know that's the one Thing as
A clippers fan i. WAS excited for i Was excited
when mitchell shot the ball A lot because I knew
that i knew that we were get rebounds and he
wouldn't be.

Speaker 2 (02:13:02):
Back TO defend so i do think last year they
mentioned how the lights were Too Bright in new york and.
THEY weren't ready i think they spent the, year Getting
ready and i'd like to believe that they're gonna be
a little more.

Speaker 4 (02:13:14):
Disciplined this, Year, me too davone did, you, Have, Anything,
BRO no Man i think cleveland, is you know they're
going to be. Another INTERESTING team like i think the thing,
with them is like it will be interesting to see
kind of what their ceiling is and like how they'll

(02:13:36):
adapt to those Situations Again when Jared Allen and evan
mowgley either are getting out rebounded or, they you know
there's potential there to get. Out rebounded again so it'll
be interesting to see how they respond to those, those
different challenges what they do to counteract if they still.
Struggle with it That'll be what i'll, Be, watching, for, yes.

Speaker 1 (02:14:01):
Sir yes sir and and you know, all that Said
like the calves are still. Really good again this team
is great at cutting and opening opportunities. For each other
ethan assists first in three Point percentage Like. JOHNNY and
devon i don't know how many caves, games Y'ALL caught
but i watch those guys And it's, sometimes i'm like
They Don't, Miss Max drews DeAndre hunter now that, they

(02:14:22):
have him these dudes. Don't Miss Threes bro darius garland,
Like it's scary. It's So scary ty jerome is arguably
is REALLY the best x factor in the entire. League
this Year, like the calves they're great, at playing fast they,
make their shots and even in the slower environments, of
the Playoffs You have donovan mitchell to, fall back on
who is very experienced at the end of the day

(02:14:43):
when it comes to getting a bucket. In the, playoffs
YOU know, LIKE i said i think a lot of
people are just, doubting their. Grit their, hustle you know
it's not, their basketball ability it's those Kind of what.
Devon was saying it's the external things or maybe the
internal things that. People are doubting, BUT you know i
en ROLLING with the i think it certainly is time
for them to make a. Deep playoff, run you know

(02:15:04):
the other Teams in the east don't. Scare me enough,
AND you know i know some people Were, Thrown out
orlando orlando just because they've generally Played well against cleveland the.
LAST few years i just think that's a Little Bit.
OF oscar mayer i just Think They without Jalen Suggs.
And maritz WAGNER why did i say his whole Name
he with, without, those guys man you just lack some

(02:15:25):
of that identity, that YOU had And i think cleveland can.
Can OVERCOME that but i just want to get into my,
Challenge with them and if you didn't, hear it already
it's really just to make It To the, eastern conference
finals like show that you can make a. DEEP playoff
run i would even add a bonus challenge TO make.
The nba finals but let's see if you can hang,
With You know New york or boston or whoever you,

(02:15:46):
end up facing especially. In deeper rounds my thing is
show that toughness and show that you can be tough
up here mentally and you can be tough. With the
basketball and the THEME song. That i had you guys,
might not notice but this is my OG's are gonna.
KNOW this one i Went With a. Gang star, classic
you know our listener here Will know that I'm A big,

(02:16:07):
gang star FAN and uh i went with take it
personal and Not necessarily because guru and that song uses
that as a as a kind of, braggadocia, Way like
oh i'm, taking it personal and you know or you
know you gotta take It personal because i'm that much better.
Than YOU lyrically but i spend it as, more of
like take, all this critique take, all this stuff. Take

(02:16:30):
it personal don't just pose a threat. To your competitor
If You're, the cleveland cavaliers play with some edge and
take it personal and play, with that grit play, with
THAT toughness, like i said and get to. A later
round so that's my challenge in. MY theme SONG i
know i didn't do, this sound effect just a little.
DELAY right, HERE I, Love i love but that's my
Challenge For. The cleveland cavaliers and don't. Get it twisted

(02:16:53):
Just because the east and as Good as the west
don't mean that the playoffs will be any less interesting
and exciting for. Us as fans Teams, Like, the Knicks
celtics and cavs are surely set to show you why
they are the big dogs. In the conference but you,
heard from us now we gotta. Hear from you drop
your thoughts in the comments or whatever platform you're. On
right now feel free to hit up hip to the games.

(02:17:13):
On the socials you. Know the drill but, in the
meantime we got our last three, teams to discuss and
then we'll round out our playoff preview with our rapid.
Fire finals predictions, but before THAT With the, nba playoffs
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(02:17:36):
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(02:17:57):
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(02:18:22):
all right davone you tip off the last teams of
the Episode With, the milwaukee bucks who are the fifth Seed.
IN the east a real. Interesting team Here you Got,
TORY and Prince, I, think GARY Trent. And aj green
they've all emerged as sharpshooters, for this team a large
PART of them i think being among the top of
the league in three point percentage in. That, top three

(02:18:43):
additionally they were ANOTHER team that i think made some
really impactful. Trades this, YEAR first off I Thought Getting.
Kevin porter junior ever since he Came, from the clippers.
He's been balling his numbers, are really close but his
shooting percentages are way better than THEY, were in la
so he's looked. Much better there and Then obviously Getting,
kuzma from washington who has experience as a role player

(02:19:03):
from his Time with the lakers as a little bit
of a go to guy with His, time with washington
so he kind of has the best of both worlds there.
He's a champion And Then obviously Bobby Portis. And brook
lopez they still contribute offensively and overall this team has
had some real nice pieces to Surround superstars Like Giannis.
And damian, lillard but unfortunately of course it's been an up.

(02:19:24):
And down season they haven't been, the best defensively and you,
know this team but the crazy thing is everybody's pointing
out that they haven't been, that good defensively but they's
still a better defensive team than when they, Were last year.
So THERE'S progress and i think the, bigger issue, though
is that, in my opinion they just haven't fully gotten

(02:19:44):
the Most out Of dame, and giannis, together and unfortunately
we're just not gonna be able to See that with
dame being out with the blood clot. For the, playoffs
so granted it's enough to be a, solid playoff team
but not necessarily the contenders we expected. Them to be,
SO you know i know this one is a bit rougher, Again,
for you devon but given the, circumstances and everything tell

(02:20:05):
us how you Feel About the milwaukee.

Speaker 4 (02:20:06):
Bucks, This year yeah so Obviously not having dame is,
gonna hurt them and my my biggest question has just
been do they have enough for a deep run and is.
THEIR play sustainable i feel like in a way you
kind of just. TOUCHED on THIS i haven't i don't
feel like they've figured, it all, out You know since.

(02:20:26):
Dame got, there you know they DO Have the nba
cup to their name and. Played well there, BUT you
know i think it's just tough Not having having. Dame this,
time you know he was a big. Part of, that
you know this is why you, traded for, him you know.
For THESE times and i think. They can compete they

(02:20:47):
deaf have some, solid role, Players but yeah i'm just
not sure how much they really have to make a,
good competitive run and especially With, How, Good cleveland detroit
boston and had been, the you know we we always
talk about the regular, season doesn't matter you know, at this,
time you know everybody kind of. Starts at zero, BUT

(02:21:09):
you know i just thought it was interesting, to note,
that you know well it Was as, of APRIL ninth
and i don't know who they played their last game,
of the season so maybe. This would change but they
were three and eleven in the regular season versus the,
top Four, Teams, so Cleveland, boston the Knicks, and the
pacers and, but all three all three of those Wins,

(02:21:31):
were against indy so they, all, you Know yeah, So i'm,
like i'm like you Know that that's my own Thing
with the bucks is like they don't always look like,
if at, all you know like a team, that can
compete like with the guys that are up there that you'll.
Be competing, with so.

Speaker 1 (02:21:50):
Yeah goodt good Stand on, G.

Speaker 4 (02:21:53):
Yeah man i think you know that that's there's there's.
Still some holes they don't they don't have the same
team that they had obviously win and when they last
won it in. Twenty twenty, one, BUT yeah man i
think they really just have to kind of kind, of
Just push push giannis and and kind of stick go
back to what, they were doing you know Before they had,

(02:22:14):
dame or yeah Before. They had dame, so you know
it's they They, do have kuzma. Which is nice they
have guys that can Kind Of supplement portis, lopez the shooters,
but you know it's just is it is it enough
for for this stage. Of the, Season you know that's.

Speaker 1 (02:22:32):
That's Well said devon good, good analysis THERE and especially
i didn't even, think, of that right like you just
really have to play how. You did, before but Again
You had drew holliday at the point, And, you Know
bucks the bucks teams were always good when they had.
Defensive Point Guards Eric, bledsoe drew holliday, but Even then
like kuzma just fill in That Role. AT chris, middleton
i mean obviously he won't do the, exact same things

(02:22:54):
but at least from, a scoring standpoint he can do
to some. Of THOSE things so i didn't even, think
about THAT like BECAUSE i honestly i was ready To count,
the bucks out, like even DEVONE like because i was aware,
of that too that they had won the season Series.
Versus the Pacers, but and johnny you can jump, on, This,
too bro like how do y'all see it with this
first round Matchup, Being the pacers like is it gonna

(02:23:14):
line up with what they did in the regular season
or do you do y'all See like the pacers knocking
them out and just kind of getting them. OUT of
here I think the pacers are gonna get them, out
of there like especially not, having me, Too, me too.

Speaker 4 (02:23:29):
Yeah not saying it would be a sweet but you
know like that you know that that's a Tough. Matchup
for milwaukee they already, Played really fast, like, come on
man you'll have your work cut out for, You, FOR sure.

Speaker 3 (02:23:49):
Yeah i.

Speaker 2 (02:23:49):
MEAN for Sure i think haliburton needs to definitely take
advantage of the opportunity not having.

Speaker 3 (02:23:56):
An all star guarding. You as, well you know star
point guard.

Speaker 2 (02:24:00):
In this series you you should take THIS away because
i could see having his HANDS FULL because i i seem. Actually,
guarding you honest they might put Turner, on your, honest
they might but too If If is Busy mathern And,
i'm thinking halliburton you Know though Those opie topping i'm

(02:24:24):
thinking those guys need to come up and make sure
they get the series, done in, five maybe, SIX but five,
I would.

Speaker 1 (02:24:30):
SAY i agree i, Agree, WITH that johnny i. Agree With,
that so devon my big question, for, you is so,
given the circumstances what would you Say is the bucks
goal with, this playoff run like now having to go
without Star Point. Guard, Damian, lillard like devon if you
were a coach in, that locker room or, even you
know if you were a vet in, That, locker, room
devon like what, Would you say like how would You

(02:24:52):
rally the bucks and what would you make your goal for?

Speaker 5 (02:24:55):
This?

Speaker 1 (02:24:55):
PLAYOFF run.

Speaker 4 (02:24:58):
MAN i would i would probably just be, like just compete, baked,
as competitive like don't give up just because THE last
thing i Want to see i'll do, Is give up
like you know that that can be really easy to
do when when it seems like everything. Is against you
but like if you really, want the chance like you.

(02:25:20):
Say you, do you know we we put in, all
this time like every day in practices and, stuff and
film like the last thing we do. Is give up
And you know dame wouldn't. Want that, either you know
he showed wouldn't expect us or want us to. Do,
that either like as long as we hear you know
we still we qualified for. A playoff spot like as

(02:25:41):
long as we hear you know we we got we
got work, to do, it so like, let's do, it.

Speaker 1 (02:25:47):
Hey man. That, motivated me shoot that would make me
grab a couple of extra hustle plays and fifty to
fifty balls and rebounds even if we are down. In
the series i'm. Telling you, all that's, why you know to,
OUR listener here i always Always joke with vaughan when
we were. Coming up, HOOPING you, know i always obviously
you hear me call him, the point guard but He
was always vaughan always had that personality of like being,

(02:26:09):
A TRUE veteran like i always see him like A
Like a Mike Conley or steph curry from. A, leadership standpoint, So,
you know devon you get to show it off on
hit to the. Games Right here so i'm. Definitely with,
that you know you can't hang. Your head low you
gotta focus on on on the job at hand, and
you know, next man up as They, say now, devon,

(02:26:30):
of course though you gotta reveal your challenging theme Song
For the milwaukee. Bucks playoff run.

Speaker 4 (02:26:40):
My Challenge for the bucks is so with, with that said,
is you know show that you can compete. With the,
heavyweights you know put put your dog, in the race
keep your dog, in the race and and show, that you,
can you know make your presence, feel you know because You're.
Still the bucks you, have you know still a just,
by YOU know sometimes i think people we kind of.

(02:27:02):
Question his methods you still have a Great Coach, In
doc rivers like you know this is it's not all
bad as. It may, seem you know you never know.
What can happen so my SONG Is another j cole appearance.
Is applying, PRESSURE you know i feel like by that
pressure and show, that you y'all y'all belong here just

(02:27:24):
as much as. Any other, team you know, even you,
know without dame even if you're, a little shorthanded, like,
you know y'all y'all are here.

Speaker 1 (02:27:32):
TOO straight up.

Speaker 4 (02:27:34):
I like that i.

Speaker 1 (02:27:35):
Like that choice that that's like really a low, key
a model let alone. A theme, song you know like
we gotta apply pressure in, A few ways like we
gotta apply the pressure because like we're kind of in
some ways. An underdog now but at, the same time
you gotta like apply pressure as then, stop the bleeding

(02:27:55):
like cause we kind, of been. Tripping YOU know as,
i like that that's a. Really good choice nice look
At look av on with The, double and. Tendre let's,
go you know it's hip. To the games when we
Got double and, Tondra's, all right johnny you know we
already just. Talked about them we gotta talk about, the
matchup now The Four. Seed indiana, pacers you know this is.
Your stopping, grounds you know maybe not, your favorite team

(02:28:18):
but at least you know we. At the, crib you
know this is A team that i'm not fully convinced
has the makeup to be successful long term. In the
playoffs i've been vocal about that, on my show but
this is certainly a team that is ready to pun intended.
Outpace their opposition i've said it. On here before the
poster child OF twenty twenties nba Basketball Is. The indiana

(02:28:39):
pacers top ten and three point, accuracy top ten and
steels top. Three and assists they, move the ball they,
shoot that thing and they get they turn. Steals into
points you, know that said they aren't the best when
it comes to, the dirty work which matters even more
come playoff time right second to lasting rebounds and a
mediocre defense at sixteenth. In, the, LEAGUE listen man. I

(02:29:00):
Get it ty. Reese is incredible this brother gets sixteen assists,
in one turnover but at this pace in, the modern.
Game that's. Excellent he's, incredible you know he empowers the
Heck Out Of Obi Topping, Aaron Neie, Smith Miles, Turner Andrew.
Nemhard Ben matheren as, JOHNNY mentioned earlier tj McConnell brings
great value. Off the bench they are indeed fun TO

(02:29:20):
watch and i totally see. Why they're successful, and you.
Know IT'S funny like i compared in my previous episode or,
TWO episodes ago i compared their uniqueness to The two thousand,
spurs you KNOW even though i always thought they were Closer.
To THE suns actually i kind of. TAKE that back
i want To, say the sons except they don't Really
Have an Omari Stotomeyer. Or sean marriot pascal is the closest,

(02:29:42):
to to that but he, ain't no. Matrix you know
and while it's hard for me to classify floor generals
in this era because the game is so fast and
most teams just rush up the court and make a pass,
and you, KNOW so fast i feel like few guys
take really take command of an offense and get, guys
in position even if it means they don't get. The

(02:30:03):
assist right but at, THE very least I Think what
tyre's halliburton does a good job of doing Is really
What Lebron and steve nash Said on Their mind, the
game podcast like he empowers his teammates to the point
where their team looks better than it might. Seem ON
paper and i gotta give, Props for that BUT of
course i do. Have, my doubts johnny, talk, to me
man how do we Feel About? The indiana pacers how

(02:30:25):
are they gonna? Fare?

Speaker 3 (02:30:26):
This Year well indiana pacers at fifty and thirty two
man just to Start Off. THE indiana pacers i think.

Speaker 2 (02:30:33):
It was a good Comparison, with the, sons you know
running gun like immediately they, get that rebound THEY'RE going
like I REMEMBER the phoenix si used to run something
we like under thirty seconds like that seven.

Speaker 1 (02:30:43):
Seconds, or, less yeah yeah.

Speaker 3 (02:30:44):
Seven second Less so the pacers remind. Me OF that
but i, mean with that if you're, shooting the ball
you have to do? What rebound it?

Speaker 2 (02:30:54):
If, this right, so you know just LOOKING into how
i compared Them With The, new york knicks knowing that
they also don't. Defend the paint they don't rebound the ball,
in the paint the second lowest rebounding coming into the
playoffs at forty eight. Rebounds a game so what are

(02:31:14):
we gonna do If? We have turner who is you know,
some people said like over the years Have Been. An
all star maybe, not this year but he's had years,
where he's, been. You know improving but we need presence. In,
The PAINT yeah and i think his Advantage Is that
brook lopez doesn't like to rebound the.

Speaker 3 (02:31:31):
Ball that much he. Loves, To SHOOT yeah so i think,
with this matchup all the other.

Speaker 2 (02:31:38):
Matchups the centers one center is known for the paint
while one's, known, for shooting Right like the Timberwolves.

Speaker 3 (02:31:45):
And the lakers you know They.

Speaker 2 (02:31:46):
Got that laker But with the Bucks, and the pacers
both of the senators are going to be outside of
the paint.

Speaker 3 (02:31:52):
Guarding each other that's, A.

Speaker 1 (02:31:53):
Good point johnny so that paint should.

Speaker 2 (02:31:57):
Be Wide open So I'm expecting tyres haliburton not only,
to pass it but If You got ryan, wallins guarding
you who is a rookie who Is shorter than, halliburton.

Speaker 3 (02:32:07):
As well, a little bop YOU know, what i mean it.

Speaker 2 (02:32:12):
Should BE that so i do think going, into, the,
series no dame do you just consider just Just double
teaming giannis every possession to see who's gonna? Be doing
that like who's gonna be the other person to?

Speaker 1 (02:32:27):
Be? A, Problem, see okay JOHNNY let's let i love that.

Speaker 5 (02:32:31):
You.

Speaker 1 (02:32:31):
Said that bro That's a good that is, a good
assessment because let's let's. Take it further so you would
think that the team that wins this series is gonna
be the team that wins? The rebound battle is that?
Fair to say maybe not the, whole one hundred, but
YOU know, what i mean is that a fair. Like
game plan, you, could say okay but then there's the

(02:32:51):
here's the thing too, With, that though johnny Even if
brook lopez don't get a, lot of rebounds he is
a good rint protector in terms of like altering shots.
At The basket miles turner should be doing. THAT as
well i think they both, KIND of well. I don't
know i'm not Sure, about BROOK lopez But I know
miles turner kind of downgraded this year in. Terms of that,

(02:33:11):
so it's like is that your kind of points of
emphasis if you were to Coach FOR, the indiana pa
If You, Were, rick carlisle johnny are, you saying like
we need to win the rebound battle and we need
to focus a little more on.

Speaker 4 (02:33:23):
On.

Speaker 2 (02:33:24):
INTERIOR defense absolutely i would Even think if turner does
not want to, rebound the ball you, gotta start topping
because that's THE one Thing i know. Tompkin's gonna do
topping goes to the lane to. Rebound the ball and
so it just, makes you think do You consider bringing
turner off the bench to stretch?

Speaker 3 (02:33:38):
The floor out So if brook lopez is the is,
the starting five If you put Siakam at that fiveka is.

Speaker 2 (02:33:45):
Gonna blow past lopez every, moment you get YOU know.
What i mean so it's just something you got. To
THINK about, but i, mean after. This the rebounding my
next Point. Is just halliburton he had he had a
robe Player From, The Brooklyn. Nets trenton watford Tell him
that i'm a role player and you guys are. Double
team me what are we gonna?

Speaker 3 (02:34:07):
Do with you you're having.

Speaker 2 (02:34:10):
A down year you're having. A, down year well the
year is over now it's time to have a, Good
playoff series so give me.

Speaker 3 (02:34:18):
Better, than eighteen well he.

Speaker 1 (02:34:19):
Has been balling he Kind Of like Jalen, green since
January maybe even december has been. Has Been up but, I'm.
WITH you johnny i kind of feel because again the Thing, with,
the pacers y'all y'all about to have another playoff series
where a, Star is hurt like nobody is gonna take
you seriously until you beat. Somebody full, Strength they're.

Speaker 2 (02:34:39):
Gifted they're gifted, with that, series you know teams would
would thrive off off, a hurt. Player A superstar so i'm, gonna,
say So yeah just Halliburton and reboundings my two points
so far, into my, challenge.

Speaker 1 (02:34:51):
Good, Stuff, Good, Stuff johnny okay but my, big question
is so What do the pacers have to do to
show that they are legit Contender.

Speaker 2 (02:34:58):
IN the east, i would say have a solid eight
man rotation after the bench after, McConnell comes in matherine
is hit or miss For the?

Speaker 3 (02:35:09):
Talent matherine has you know some have Said A young
dwayne Wade? Right With matherine is matherine gonna be the
Problem That excludes KYLE kuzma because I Do expect kyle
kuzma to have somewhat of. A, good series yeah he's.

Speaker 1 (02:35:23):
Gonna have to he's.

Speaker 3 (02:35:25):
Gonna have to now is he?

Speaker 2 (02:35:26):
Gonna make it BECAUSE at times i Did watch the
wizards a lot the last TWO seasons because i love
the idea of. The Young movement kyle kuzma took a
lot of shots to where he knew he could take
because he had the.

Speaker 3 (02:35:38):
Shot to take that didn't mean it was. A Good
shot and I've Seen to.

Speaker 2 (02:35:41):
Milwaukee bucks games he has matured, in shot making but
he has taken some shots that does not. Match the
offense so, with no dame are you gonna start taking?
More rush shots because this offense is Slower that's something.

Speaker 3 (02:35:57):
I'm, thinking about.

Speaker 1 (02:35:59):
Okay selection is a.

Speaker 4 (02:36:00):
Big key there.

Speaker 1 (02:36:01):
I'm with that that's The Thing About, kyle kuzman man
he he ain't afraid to take those and. You like that,
jannis needs that but he can be a little over
he can overdo. It, at times devon did you did
you have anything you might have wanted to chime?

Speaker 4 (02:36:17):
In, ON anything, YEAH i mean i think the Thing about,
THE pacers again i just the sustainability. OF their Play
i think johnny brought up some. Really great Points you
and johnny brought up some really great points things to
to look out for and the potential. Matchups and, things
but yeah they're they're probably one of the probably one

(02:36:41):
Of the teams i'm like, most curious About like and
i'll really be playing close attention to because of, how
they play, how they're structured and like the fact that
they like there they score a, lot of points like they're,
they're really good, but you know but there's also. Some questions, there,
so yeah man it'll be interesting to see how it.

(02:37:02):
All plays, Out, all.

Speaker 1 (02:37:04):
Right johnny please reveal your challenge and theme Song For
The indiana Pacers.

Speaker 4 (02:37:08):
PLAYOFF run.

Speaker 2 (02:37:15):
Challenge i want to wake up in a, week from
NOW and when i See that the pacers have, WON
this series i want To see that haliburton was the
reason why.

Speaker 3 (02:37:27):
Down year more.

Speaker 2 (02:37:28):
LIKE good postseason i want, to see twenty Not seventeen
from haliburton like the. SEASON has been i want to see.
A Twenty point so i'm challenging him to be that guy, that,
SOMEONE said Man i wish dame was, playing ooh.

Speaker 3 (02:37:41):
Okay second challenge.

Speaker 1 (02:37:44):
He's killing him with the. Mc doubles today.

Speaker 2 (02:37:47):
Keep that low turnover, rate right now they average thirteen
percent of their game out of the forty eight minutes.

Speaker 3 (02:37:54):
Is a turnover one of the lowest turnover TEAMS. In
the nba and that Just comes FROM. Halliburton and.

Speaker 2 (02:38:01):
Tj mcconom i saw that their past to assist the pass,
ratio was five so out of every five shots. They
gave insists so keep. That percentage low Do not let
milwaukee's speed actually. Make You overpassed so i'm challenging you
guys to take that thirteen and lower it to.

Speaker 3 (02:38:20):
Even ten mm.

Speaker 1 (02:38:21):
PROTECT the pill.

Speaker 4 (02:38:22):
I like it.

Speaker 1 (02:38:23):
I like it what's?

Speaker 4 (02:38:24):
That?

Speaker 1 (02:38:25):
Theme song?

Speaker 3 (02:38:25):
Though YOU know and i feel like today's HAS Been
a j cole. Type, of, day man oh.

Speaker 1 (02:38:31):
You gotta give, me. Something else man.

Speaker 4 (02:38:36):
But but but the Song.

Speaker 2 (02:38:37):
Was middle child THE reason why i, say middle child
you know, How, THE lyrics yeah i feel like just
just as Similar to what devon saying would. Count Me
out the pacers of that team that last year they
were a team, where, we said man are they.

Speaker 3 (02:38:55):
Good To Win the? Eastern conference?

Speaker 2 (02:38:57):
Finals you know and so just to, make you think
are they just a few steps away from getting the
energy Back? Playing in indiana are they still the same
team as last year but they just haven't really just?
Been doing repetition are they really the middle child of?
This playoff Series that's, What i'm.

Speaker 1 (02:39:15):
Thinking and that is that also a word play on?
Like middle, child you know there's like stereotypes about the
middle child where. They get forgotten does that play in with.

Speaker 2 (02:39:26):
A little bit of Like a male cinderella since you
Were talking about, cinderella As well how cinderella is the.

Speaker 3 (02:39:31):
Forgotten sister but they need? The right shoe is this
the right series To get the pacers? BACK of motion.

Speaker 1 (02:39:39):
I like, it you see it. All, makes sense okay
it all makes Sense here on Hips. OF the games, I,
like it, Johnny you know we had to flesh that out,
a little bit but you were. READY for me.

Speaker 4 (02:39:47):
I like it.

Speaker 1 (02:39:47):
I like, it you're, prepared. All right fellas this is, the.
LAST team man I Got the detroit pistons at. The,
sixth seed last but certainly not the, least the gritty
Up And. Coming, detroit pistons man my favorite teams to.
Watch this year this team tripled their win total from,
the previous season and that hasn't BEEN done in nba.
HISTORY at, all i mean to come from, such a

(02:40:08):
sad sad season last year to avoiding the play in
this year is such a credit to the players that
stuck it OUT. And coach jb bickerstaff for bringing new
energy and leadership for this new era that they're. Starting to,
Build you know cade he was healthy for the most
part and. His impact Showed First time all star. Old

(02:40:30):
school game. He's a man he got better post game
than ninety percent of these big. Men out. Here you,
know you know he's got Flashes of that lebron effect
where you can. Build around him he's, a big. Guard
great leader he's gonna. Be Great man malik beasley having
one of his best seasons. Of his, career YOU know
but i mean the grit and the defense and energy
That Guys, Like Jalen, Duran Asar. Thompson, isaiah stewart yes

(02:40:53):
he actually. Does play basketball he don't just be. Throwing up,
punches you know he, can block shots he can knock down.
Threes on, occasion you know a great touch, Around The,
Basket Dennis schroeder ron, holland you know they bring that,
perfect you know it's perfect for the kind of basketball
that they were. Always known, for You know and i've said,
it all year they play my. Kind of basketball they're
not afraid to, slow it down, make it tough and

(02:41:15):
that's what the playoffs. Are, all about again probably why
they're almost a favored Underdog Against The. New york, KNICKS
you know i voiced a lot of this in, My
previous Episode, Top ten Defense. Top fifteen offense they, are,
Rock solid man but, LIKE every team i do. Have my,
Worries First off jalen duran not only has he had
a down year rebounding, still really good but he had a,

(02:41:36):
down year rebounding coming from eleven to about over TEN last.
Time i checked but you know the thing is he
hasn't developed a. Post GAME either AND i wish i
could just get On Top of Mount everest and yale post.
GAME still matters a lot of his points come off lobs,
and dump offs but as strong, AS he is i

(02:41:57):
would like to see him attack undersized defenders and. Especially
Thinner Matchups lika Jared Allen. Likea, Evan mobley right we're
in the era now where it's no longer mandatory, to be, Strong,
YOU know devon i think we kind of talk about this.
All THE time the nba we, grew up watching you had,
to lift weights like if you didn't come in the next,
season ten pounds especially like those first four or five years,

(02:42:18):
in the league if you didn't come in each season
with some gain and weight and, all those things it.
Was gonna show but we're NOT in an nba, that's
like that. No More So If, i'm jalen Duran If,
the jared Allens, the Chet, holmgrens the wemby's they don't want,
To add muscle i'm. Going to work i'm putting this

(02:42:38):
bicep straight through Your ribcage like i'm gonna make you
wanna get bigger. In the, Offseason, see again Devon you
KNOW johnny and I you know i'm not sure if
you tend to favor the old SOUL stuff. Like i do,
but you know THAT'S how our nba. Used To Be
man ben wallace knocked the wind out of me and
made me get in the weight. Room That summer dwight howard,

(02:42:59):
bruised ME up so i had. To get, stronger you
know you don't really. Get THAT nowadays so I Feel
like jalen duran can open up not only his individual,
game that way But give the pistons another dynamic to
work with in, the half court especially if they fail
to get a shot. Creator this offseason so it's something
to think about. For the future and that's actually. My

(02:43:19):
next point in, a playoff environment you need somebody that
can score in. A phone booth kate can only, do
So Much and dennis schroeder is more. Of a slasher
he got mid range game, a little bit but he
ain't like, a bucket, getter you know even Big Picture,
with jayden ivy. He's a Slasher hardaway and. Beasley Are
shooters tobias harris is really the only one with that,
mid range arsenal and even then he only gets. So

(02:43:41):
many touches and this is The same thing lebron struggled
with in his First. Stint in cleveland it's no surprise
he won championships once he got a Guy like d
Wade And, eventually kyrie irving somebody that can give me
a bucket every trip. Down alongside Me and the pistons
lack some of that offensive dexterity that can make or
break a, play off run so it may have flown

(02:44:01):
in two thousand and five the, league was different but
in twenty twenty five. Not so much, all, THAT said
though i love that they're never truly out of games
because their defense and that. Always keeps, them you know they.
Just keep fighting, so to me they have a, chance.
Against anybody Anybody Teams Like indian new york, will be tough.
BUT funny enough i think those are still winnable first

(02:44:22):
round upsets if, you ask me or even, second round
appearances whatever the way. The ball bounces but did you
guys have any thoughts you want to Add About, the
detroit pistons any anything y'all feeling.

Speaker 4 (02:44:35):
You hit?

Speaker 2 (02:44:35):
It on them, dubt for me that's some that's Some
Big predictions New york.

Speaker 3 (02:44:41):
And indy, THAT oh yes. I like that I Got
Nothing brothers.

Speaker 1 (02:44:47):
Indie indie gave, them some trouble so you know that that,
makes me nervous but they would still be, a good, Series,
YOU know devon i feel like you have, Some. Positive
feedback vaughn what's? On, your, MIND yeah man i think.

Speaker 4 (02:45:00):
They're almost like. A new wave uh Oh, nine Ten,
Okay see thunder, like you know they, they come up,
they building something and they could they could, definitely you know.
Shock some, people, BUT yeah man i mean you you pretty. Much,
said it man you made some. SOME good points i think,
people don't realize like how well structured they are and

(02:45:21):
and kind, of you know Similar, to the clippers like,
what they're building how they kind, of you know stuck
to to, what they, have you Know building around cade,
AND you know I think which i think they're doing
a really good. Job of, honestly, uh yeah yeah they.

Speaker 1 (02:45:37):
They've made it they made it to where as long
as we surround him with, defense and shooters we're always
going to have. A, good team, yeah m.

Speaker 4 (02:45:44):
Exactly bro exactly so it'll be interesting to see, how
they grow and this will be a great first, Test
for them, like you know, in that, this you know
they finally. Got to it they finally made it, to,
the postseason like so it'll be interesting to see how they.
How they respond.

Speaker 1 (02:46:01):
Absolutely absolutely so my Challenge For the DETROIT pistons. Lo
i loon we've been saying. It all episode they gotta
make it to. The semi. Finals at least they gotta
make it to. The semi. FINALS at least i think
it's a it's a bigger flex right to do It.
Versus the knicks that would be. A major flex but

(02:46:24):
you know it's. Gonna be hard, but like again they
got the pieces, TO do, it i think, and you,
know You can, like vaughn said like you. Can sneak
up this is a team that can sneak up, on
you know a. Team like them so that's my Challenge,
to the, pistons you know ride that momentum and, just, really,
believe like hey we could do, This for real like
this ain't, just an idea it can. Be a reality
and then the theme song kind of, LIKE dvon EARLIER

(02:46:46):
i think i, used this before but it just fits
so perfectly. With this team it was the first song
that came to mind and it just fits and that's Recognized.
BY the, locks i mean it's just it. Just meets
reality y'all was, sleeping on us rightfully so because we
were just so. Bad last, year but like, we're really

(02:47:07):
here like, y'all, better recognize, reconnize reconnot recognize.

Speaker 4 (02:47:11):
Like we.

Speaker 1 (02:47:11):
Coming WE coming so i think they, can use this not,
only this season but this playoff series. To show that
and even if they do lose, the playoff series it's
still very much as an opportunity for them to show, The,
world like okay we didn't just get, here by mistake
like we are actually here with, a bright future and.
We'll y'all going y'all better get. Used to us y'all

(02:47:33):
better get.

Speaker 4 (02:47:33):
Used, To us.

Speaker 1 (02:47:35):
Well feller's There It. Is east west there's so much
for us and our listener here to keep their eyes
on for the twenty. Twenty five PLAYOFFS and if i do,
say so myself you ain't gonna see another playoff. Preview
like this and now that it's, all, wrapped up though
you gotta, talk to us be sure to share your
thoughts on any, of the teams players and analysis and
the comments. On the socials i'll make sure to stay

(02:47:56):
out on the lookout a BIT extra because i know you.
Got thoughts too wherever you listen, to this episode whether
you broke it up or did it, IN one sitting.
I appreciate. YOU you know i know it's a lot of,
content to digest but. It's all. Good you know we
got the time, stamps and everything so you can, listen to,
it you know throughout the playoffs or if you want
to tune into, a certain series. WHATEVER it is. I

(02:48:17):
appreciate it, but real quick before we wrap things, up
fully fellas everybody should remember my finals PREDICTION in which
I had the Celtics over the thunder and six games.
Before the season but as, we always do we need.
To Hear, yours devon johnny give us your twenty twenty. Five,
FINALS predictions.

Speaker 4 (02:48:35):
Man, i must, say, that's TOUGH man because i feel like.
It Would change but I'M musa say I, Must say Celtics,
Celtics over yeah i'm gonna, Keep it This celtics over

(02:49:00):
thunder in. In six games. I'll do this i'll, Say, the.

Speaker 1 (02:49:09):
Same okay any, particular reason why just. Out of curiosity it's.

Speaker 4 (02:49:15):
Just, Hard TO see like I almost say, cleveland, and
okay see but it's. Hard for me it's a little
bit hard for me to see, like if if if
It was A Cleveland Versus boston, celtics conference finals it
was kind of hard for Me to see cleveland actually
getting past like Just what, the celtics have especially if.

(02:49:37):
They stay healthy and then As For, the west side
it's kind of. The same, thing it's, just you know
despite some of the, concerns and things it's just hard
for me To see the thunder not get. All the,
WAY you know i just, think either way, like you
know they're SUPER talented and i don't really see any

(02:50:00):
any Team in the west Maybe besides the clippers that
could really push them to a limit to.

Speaker 5 (02:50:06):
To.

Speaker 1 (02:50:07):
Eliminate them, Word, you know devon you got a good Point.
THOUGH about cleveland i wouldn't, sleep on, that You know because,
cleveland and okay see games would that first meeting, was
a movie that second one, was a blowout but like
that would still be. A good, series you know they
were the best teams in the. League Pretty, MUCH so
devon i, see you, THOUGH you KNOW i can i

(02:50:27):
can Tell, that your celtics your. Wisdom took, over, you were,
LIKE you know i want to just stick, to you,
know the, Champions you Know BUT so devon i feel you.
Either way, THOUGH either way i think that would, be a. Good,
good series johnny what Are your? Thoughts finals prediction.

Speaker 3 (02:50:44):
I'm Very. SIMILAR with devon i Could see The celtics
and calves.

Speaker 2 (02:50:48):
GOING through it i don't Know if the calves have
enough firepower to get, four games.

Speaker 3 (02:50:56):
Straight YOU know so i Want to Say.

Speaker 1 (02:50:59):
Celtics and Clippers, celtics and clippers and HOW many games.

Speaker 4 (02:51:06):
I?

Speaker 3 (02:51:06):
Think? That, goes six six six or. SEVEN like that
i don't think it's gonna be any.

Speaker 1 (02:51:11):
Less than six, i'll say this THAT'S the. One i
want that may not Be the, one i'm predicting but
THAT'S the. One, I want.

Speaker 2 (02:51:18):
Yeah i mean THE only reason i say that Because
if the clippers Get, past the nuggets they.

Speaker 3 (02:51:22):
GOT the thunder i believe you put, Up the thunder
you're going. To the, finals oh.

Speaker 1 (02:51:26):
Yeah pretty much and that's.

Speaker 3 (02:51:28):
The second round that's. The second round so Because if
the clippers, get past that they're going. To, THE finals
like i. Truly BELIEVE that and I like The, CAVS
over celtics. I REALLY do but.

Speaker 2 (02:51:41):
I think if the, game, SLOWS down Man i Think
i'll Take tatum over, mitchell any, day YOU know. What
i mean and So that's Why i'm thinking I'll take
This clippers and celtics And who's the who's gonna be
the WINNER or that i. TRULY don't know i think
it would BE honestly an nba dream Just to See
tatum and Kawhi, and just harden and you know that, that'd,

(02:52:02):
be something.

Speaker 1 (02:52:02):
Right especially when you Think of Like, kawhi, and harden
like imagine if they got together in, like twenty. Eighteen
you know so it's almost like this has the potential
of being, like a, hey you know we Still we
like loki one. Of those Things whereas like god IS,
like the gps he. Re routes, you you, May You

(02:52:22):
know chris paul Went, to the rockets but imagine if
when that Trade happened with kawhi in, twenty eighteen nineteen
imagine if he for some reason Did Go. With james
harden it's like you could have, had back then which you.
Might have now that's that's interesting. To think about that's interesting.
To think about, But all right i'm with both. Of

(02:52:42):
those predictions, but with that, ladies and gentlemen we have
made it to the end of another hip to the
game's episode and the fourth playoff Preview From The wild
wild West To. The underrated east there are so many
great basketball and moments in store this postseason and a
lot of, situations to monitor but as all these were,
just not well not, just my thoughts but my guy's,

(02:53:03):
Thoughts as well so make sure to let your voice be.
Heard as well i've been saying it all episode. In
the comments tweet The show at Hip to the games
or tag Me Directly At dosmen power underscore and share
those thoughts on any of the teams and, situations DISCUSSED
today as i would love to hear. Read Your, thoughts
devon johnny thank you both for taking the time to
join me for this and return for the playoffs after.

(02:53:25):
Missing last year it was good to. Do this again
it was a, blast as always, and you know it's
always good to. Have Y'ALL on and i simply want
to say thank you for listening or WATCHING to ANOTHER
h two dg episode Off of the love or the
best Combo there is and of course he's a huge
shout out to You for being Hip to the games
and tuning into. This hefty, episode all right, Show my

(02:53:46):
Guys devon and johnny some love and, enjoy the, playoffs
Peace out. AND god bless i hope you enjoyed This
episode of Hip to the games and if you, enjoyed
this episode be sure to hit up The Socials, at
desmond Power underscore at Hip to The, Games, on instagram
twitter and TikTok so you don't miss out on the
fund and please follow or subscribe to the show and
leave a review on the podcast platform you're on right

(02:54:08):
now as your support that. Is greatly appreciated

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