Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: WVUA FM, Tuscaloosa.
[00:00:09] Speaker B: Welcome, everyone, to WVUA 90.7, the Capstones NBA student section. I'm your host, Zachary O'Rod. Here with me, as always, is Trey Simpson. And boy, do we have a show for y'all today. We're going to be talking about the Lakers come back against the Clippers the other night, the Cavaliers spoiling Kyrie Irvin's return back to Cleveland. And we're also going to be talking about the Olympics with the first six players already being chosen, per the Athletic. And we're also going to get into a debate on the other six players they should choose for the remaining six slots on the team. So you all don't want to miss out. Let's get straight into it. Trey, I want to talk to you. I know you're a big Lakers fan. The big comeback, down 21 in the fourth quarter. LeBron goes off, has 19 in the fourth, outscoring the Clippers, with the Clippers only having 16 points.
I know you had to watch the game. I know you were watching the game. What's your reactions?
[00:01:07] Speaker A: I was definitely watching that game, man, it was like poetry in motion. LeBron, he just completely took over that fourth quarter, like you said, scored 19 points out of our 21. Shout out to D'Angelo Russell for making that last shot. That was a very good shot.
[00:01:22] Speaker B: That was so tough, dude.
[00:01:24] Speaker A: But, yeah, we just all saw what LeBron has done for a decade.
[00:01:32] Speaker B: He's that guy.
[00:01:34] Speaker A: Yeah, it was beautiful to see.
[00:01:37] Speaker B: Yeah. Just looking at the box score, I mean, Anthony Davis, 20. Rehachie Murray came up big for them, 17. And of course, we just talked about it. LeBron, he had 34 in the entire game. Delo 18. Austin Reeves, a little slight 13. So their bench didn't even really have that many points. But based on their starting lineup, I.
[00:01:57] Speaker A: Mean, man, this team, their defense in that fourth quarter, too, holding the Clippers to 16 points. LeBron shutting Kawhi Leonard down.
[00:02:06] Speaker B: LeBron had two blocks, too, and Ad had three.
[00:02:09] Speaker A: I feel like they had a bunch of energy plays in that quarter. So honestly, we just were able to control the momentum. It was the Clippers home arena, technically, but we all know they share the same arena.
[00:02:22] Speaker B: Not for long, though. Not for long.
[00:02:24] Speaker A: Clippers are getting their arena in Inglewood, so that's coming soon enough. But, hey, Lakers run la, we already knew.
So, hey, if we see him in the playoffs, it's going to be a good matchup. I'll say that.
[00:02:41] Speaker B: Yeah, that's another question I wanted to ask you based on this, what we just seen? I know last night, the other night the Lakers went into double overtime versus the Wizards. So definitely two sides to that story because I thought it was very interesting. Jordan Pool went off for like, I believe he had 30 something. Jordan Pool went off and that's like the first time he has this entire season. Yeah, 34.
[00:03:07] Speaker A: It's kind of funny. You can ask this question. It's like, did the warrior, I mean, did the Wizards play good or did the Lakers just play very bad?
[00:03:15] Speaker B: Yeah, it's probably like two ways. Well, Anthony Davis had 40 and LeBron had 31, so I don't know. I mean, you could go either way with it. But yeah, there's definitely two sides to this story. So basically we're teasing the question of how do you think the Lakers are going to look, especially against the Clippers? Like you just mentioned, in a playoff matchup in a seven game series.
[00:03:40] Speaker A: We should never go to double overtime with the Wizards, though. That just can't mean rather the Wizards and the Pistons. Yeah.
[00:03:51] Speaker B: But what do you think about the Clippers Lakers matchup in the playoffs?
[00:03:55] Speaker A: Possibly that could be a series. It comes down to who's the healthiest.
You know, that comes to ad LeBron, Deangelo, Russell, even Vanderbilt. If he can come back, that would be great.
[00:04:12] Speaker B: That would be really good for y'all.
[00:04:13] Speaker A: Yeah, his injury is kind of lingering. We don't know if it's going to be season ending or we know he's going to be out until at least.
[00:04:24] Speaker B: Mean it's definitely vital for the Lakers. They got to have a healthy roster. Same with the Clippers. I mean, if.
[00:04:33] Speaker A: Harden Zubach has got to stay in, even though he doesn't have that much injury trouble, but just.
[00:04:40] Speaker B: Mentioning just everybody on their roster, so.
[00:04:43] Speaker A: Got to stay up.
[00:04:44] Speaker B: But I think overall as a team, both those teams just match up really well. I think that's the reason why we saw such a really good game the other night. So versus other teams, the Lakers or Clippers might look different, but just because of how they've matched up. I mean, just always. It's just always fun to watch the battle of know.
[00:05:06] Speaker A: I think Westbrook's going to go off in that matchup, too. I think he's going to know a chip on his shoulder with something to prove.
[00:05:14] Speaker B: He always is known to have those like last year in the playoffs. Remember when they went against the Suns? The Clippers had nobody, and then it was just the Westbrook show because everybody that was back when were they're still tarnishing his name a little bit, kind.
[00:05:30] Speaker A: Of like throwing series, earned him his respect back, though.
[00:05:33] Speaker B: Yeah. Especially playing defense on Kevin Durant like he did.
That just goes to show you how long they've played together when they did and how they just know each other, their playstyle. I don't know. It was definitely a fun series to watch. But anyways, moving on, just real quick, just really wanted to mention it. Mike Muscala goes back, I believe, back to the Oklahoma City Thunder because he's been there before.
[00:05:59] Speaker A: He agreed on a buyout with the.
[00:06:04] Speaker B: Mean. That just makes the thunder that much better because they've already been cooking. I mean, they just lost.
Who did they just lose to?
The Thunder just lost to, I believe.
I forget who they lost to. Do you remember?
No, they lost to the spurs. That's right, spurs. Because Wimby went off. Did you?
[00:06:28] Speaker A: 41, right?
[00:06:30] Speaker B: No, I don't know if it was 40. I think it was like 20 something. Like five blocks.
Yeah. Wimbanyama had 20, 813 rebounds and five blocks, I believe. Let me check. Yes, five blocks. That's like a second time this season having five.
[00:06:44] Speaker A: Yeah, that must have been a couple nights ago because last night they played another game.
[00:06:48] Speaker B: Right, the Thunder.
[00:06:50] Speaker A: No, Spurs.
[00:06:52] Speaker B: No, that was last night.
[00:06:53] Speaker A: All right. Okay. Well, yeah, I mean, shoot. Speaking about Muscala, he just makes the Thunder team.
I think he fits in their rotation nicely because they just gained a five that can shoot, spread the floor. He's not clogging up the paint, but he can't finish around the rim. So, I mean, it's good that he can basically be a three level score for him.
[00:07:19] Speaker B: Definitely. Yeah, I mean, he's definitely just going to be a good role player off the bench.
Gordon Hayward, I don't believe he played that OKC game. Or wait, no, he did. He was out for three, though, in twelve minutes. So, I mean, we have yet to see Gordon Hayward really find his spot in OKC. Really find a place there. But I mean, even besides that, they got JDuB, they got Shay, Gilgis Alexander, which we'll get into in a minute. I mean, he's just been hooping for them. Blue dort. Chet, who just had. What was it? I believe he had like 100 blocks, 100 threes. It was like a rookie record. I believe it was something insane like that. But yeah, he's hitting milestones. This OKC team, I don't think they're going to be this good in the playoffs now because they're kind of like not as mature as they need to be, I think. But I think they could definitely make it. I probably see second round. I think they might get beaten the second round.
[00:08:23] Speaker A: I think it's going to come down to their schedule. So the rest of their schedule, if it's hard, that might take a wear and tear on the star players.
[00:08:33] Speaker B: True.
[00:08:34] Speaker A: We're going to see how that unfolds.
[00:08:36] Speaker B: For them, see how it all plays out.
But moving on.
This was the heartbreaker for me because we just talked about your Lakers. Now we got to talk about my mavs, which are playing the Boston Celtics right now. It's 37 30 as we speak. Boston in the lead. Fingers crossed. It's at the garden, so we'll see how it unfolds. But anyways, going back to it, the Cavaliers, this game. This game, man. Max Druze, we got to talk about him, though. Max Druce went off in the fourth quarter for these guys. We talked about LeBron going off for the Lakers. Now we got to give props to Max Druze. In only five minutes, this guy drops 15 points.
You would think that the Mavericks would try to find an answer for him or try to just stay on him.
[00:09:30] Speaker A: At least try to stop the.
[00:09:33] Speaker B: I remember watching the clips and it was mostly Tim Hardaway Jr. I believe, guarding him, and it was just coming off handoffs, coming off screens, you know, Max, truce. Dude, he's running all over the floor, like trying to find open threes. He had four straight threes. And I mean, yeah, this dude went off.
[00:09:49] Speaker A: And now that you can blame curry about all the moving off ball, running around screens. But then again, that is just basketball. We just see Curry do it effectively.
[00:10:00] Speaker B: Yeah, true, true. And then not to mention the crazy shot that was the game winner, Max drews from beyond half court. Absolutely drains it. No bank, no nothing. All net called game called game from beyond half court. And that was it.
[00:10:21] Speaker A: When you lose like that, it's nothing you could do about it. You just have to take that loss.
[00:10:27] Speaker B: Yes, because I saw the play before that was, we were down by one point or. No, it was a tie game, I believe, because it put us up by two. Or wait, no, they won by, I think we were down by one, I believe. And then PJ Washington had an open layup, a pass from Luka Doncic. He laid the ball up, and then it put us up. And then Max church just comes down, shoots the ball. I don't know if you watch that video of PJ Washington's reaction because he was hyped that he thought he hit the game winner and he was like, oh, we just won.
[00:11:04] Speaker A: Boom.
[00:11:04] Speaker B: That just drops. He's like, sure. What?
I think that's how anybody would be.
I just don't get it, because I believe we were up by two or we were up by two. So it's like, okay, no threes, because I figured they would at least play up on them. But, yeah, you just never guess that a shot from beyond half court would actually drop.
[00:11:33] Speaker A: Yeah. Speaking of which, right before we go to break, I just wanted to get your opinion on this. Do you think Kyrie Irving should have his jersey retired in Cleveland?
[00:11:43] Speaker B: Oh, yes, I already saw.
Do you? Do I think he should. He was a very big part of that finals run. Very big. And, I mean, a lot of people. I think he's still, to this day, underrated in that finals, because I just remember in that finals run, he had so many games, especially down the stretch. Like, not even that sidestep three on Curry alone, but I mean, so many clutch shots for the Cavaliers, especially down the stretch of those games.
[00:12:14] Speaker A: I can agree with you that he had a clutch impact in that series, but in the overall war, he left his guys when they needed him most, and it was a very selfish reason. He left because he didn't want to be in LeBron's shadow, not because he felt like he could just go win a ring somewhere else. No, he wanted to, I guess, make a run for himself, possibly win it by himself, just to shut the haters up, to try to say it was him that can do it by himself. But no, I think he left for a selfish reason.
[00:12:52] Speaker B: But I got another thing to add to that. Shaq just got his jersey retired. I know we didn't really agree with that. He didn't even win a ring for them. And also, he left the team due to money and just wanting to be that guy in LA. So if he can get his jersey retired, why get my boy?
[00:13:13] Speaker A: You can make that same argument for LeBron because he left the Cavs, even after taking him in the playoffs almost by himself, and he went to Miami to go team up with d wade.
[00:13:25] Speaker B: True. I mean, he deserves his jersey retired everywhere he's been so far, even in mean. Yeah, that's no debating on.
Yeah, because a lot of people even argue about. We mentioned it before, Paul George getting his jersey retired. But then it's kind of like he didn't really play enough games. He did have a playoff run, but.
[00:13:48] Speaker A: Yeah, Indiana, like, I mean, what, they made it to the playoffs once, maybe, and then I don't even think.
[00:13:56] Speaker B: They had that playoffs run, especially that most famous playoff series versus the Heat where Paul George just went off. Yeah, but I mean, to answer your question, yes, I do think Kyrie should have his jersey retired. And that's cause, like, I love my boy and stuff, and, you know, I would let you know if he doesn't deserve it, but I think for the impact he gave to them, especially in that finals run. I mean, I definitely think his jersey should be retired.
[00:14:26] Speaker A: I don't know. I just think just because he left after, if he would have stayed, they probably would have got at least two more champions. They might have been neck and neck with the warriors.
So instead of the warriors getting four, they might be two and two.
[00:14:40] Speaker B: But that's the thing.
[00:14:42] Speaker A: Whatever.
[00:14:42] Speaker B: That's the thing, too. I also think Kevin loves jerseys should be retired for Cleveland.
I think he deserves mean he's going to be a hall of famer. I would definitely.
[00:14:54] Speaker A: But I mean, I think he did better in Minnesota.
[00:14:57] Speaker B: He did. So why not both? I mean, he gave Cleveland a ring. He provided a big impact for them. And then even in he. He went off in Minnesota, but he didn't give them anything.
[00:15:10] Speaker A: He was just a better overall player in Minnesota. Like, he almost had MVP. I remember that.
I don't know. I guess we got to go on a break now.
[00:15:20] Speaker B: Well, that's going to do it. We'll be right back after this short break.
[00:15:31] Speaker A: WVUA FM, Tuscaloosa.
[00:15:41] Speaker B: Welcome back, everyone. We're back with some more NBA news and stuff to talk about. All right, getting into it, I wanted to mention to you, this to you, Trey, because we just started bragging about LeBron, but let alone we got to talk about another LeBron stat. So LeBron has scored only in year 21 of his career. He has scored 1274 points. That is more points combined than all these other players in their year 21, which is a short list because very few players have actually made it and seen that age in the NBA. So it's Vince Carter, Dirk Novitsky, Robert Parris, Kevin Garnett and Kevin Willis. So he has more points in year 21 than all their year 20 ones combined. And that's a pretty deep list. I mean, granted, you think about their roles on the teams that they were at, especially considering it was year 21. So they didn't really have a big role, especially nowhere close to a role that LeBron has on his team, but still very impressive nonetheless.
So what's your reaction?
[00:16:57] Speaker A: Just LeBron being great?
The longer he plays, the more points he'll be able to rack up. The more everything he'll be able to gain, like assist, rebounds, blocks, steals, all types of hustle stats. I know they're going to keep coming up with these different graphics. Like, oh, LeBron is the first player to drop 40 points with 20 rebound.
[00:17:23] Speaker B: Yeah, some crazy LeBron. That's why they call them LeBron stats, dude. I mean, they're just like crazy. Far out.
But when I saw this, yes, this could be considered a LeBron stat, but it's still impressive nonetheless.
[00:17:38] Speaker A: It's still elite company. I mean, the fact that he has more points combined than everybody on the list, it's crazy.
[00:17:44] Speaker B: It is really crazy. But anyways, moving on from that, I wanted to talk to you about the rebranding of the clippers. We just mentioned them earlier, how they're getting a new arena.
Did you like the new jerseys? And do you like the new logo? I didn't know if you saw it because the logo is kind of like the red jerseys.
[00:18:04] Speaker A: They're bringing that back. Yeah, they used to have red jerseys, kind of. Just a little bit different. They're kind of making it more modern. But I like it.
[00:18:12] Speaker B: I like the jerseys a lot. Did you see the logo, how it's kind of like a ship or something? Yeah, it's like the hall of the ship. I don't know if I like the logo as much, I'll be honest. But I like how they're saying how back in the day, they used to play near the docks or something like.
Or in LA. It's supposed to represent the history of LA and how it was associated with the docks and stuff like that.
[00:18:39] Speaker A: By the forum. It played at the forum. So that was by the docks. Over.
[00:18:44] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. But, yeah, I really like the jerseys, but I wasn't really a huge fan of the logo. Are you really a fan of it?
Yeah. Those jerseys are tough.
[00:18:58] Speaker A: Yeah.
I was trying to look for the exact ones, but, yeah, I mean, I'm a fan. I like them.
[00:19:07] Speaker B: What about the logo?
[00:19:12] Speaker A: Yeah, it's cool. You see the c.
It looks like you got the crosshairs.
[00:19:21] Speaker B: It's not a ship.
[00:19:22] Speaker A: You know what I mean?
[00:19:23] Speaker B: It's not like their logo originally was that crazy either. I mean, there's so many other logos that are kind of like more eye catching, like the Miami Heat or even.
What'd you mean? There's so many other logos I could think of that are more eye catching. Like even the Phoenix Suns? Like the Phoenix Suns, too.
[00:19:46] Speaker A: I like these uniforms, but I think on the side, you know how it has the white and blue and I think it should have been just all black.
[00:19:53] Speaker B: If anything, maybe that might have been good with it. But I would do like the all red uniforms. Those are tough. Like you mentioned black. Yeah, you can't go wrong with that, especially that tone of red.
But anyways, I really just wanted to mention that to you because they're also debuting something in their arena called the wall. It's like where when the opposing team is taking a free throw and stuff, they're going to have their fans and it's going to supposed to be like, I don't know how many degrees it's supposed to be, but it's supposed to be pretty steep. So I don't know if it's going to be pretty scary, like sitting down because it's going to be like a literal wall of fans. So I don't know, it might be really cool. I don't know if I would want to sit there, though, because I might get scared. It's like being at the top of Bryant Denny.
[00:20:42] Speaker A: Interesting to see just how it all plays out.
I mean, not really, no. Just how the fans react while they're in that section. You know what I mean?
[00:20:56] Speaker B: Because it's supposed to be a really big arena.
[00:20:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:21:01] Speaker B: I'm definitely interested to see all the technology they have with it because say, for instance, in the NFL, you know, Sofi stadium, they have some really cool stuff up in could, it's LA. So if they can get stuff that's even close to that type of technology and just like that space, they're going to be.
[00:21:23] Speaker A: Nobody's acting crazy and tries to fall over the top or something.
[00:21:30] Speaker B: Oh, the wall or something. Hopefully not. That's what I'm saying. I hope they don't make it too steep because that would be just like terrifying, honestly, not even for the player, but for the fans sitting in the section. But anyways, moving on from that, I wanted to talk to you about the warriors and the Miami Heat. Now, granted, the Miami Heat just lost to the Nuggets last night, but still, in the last eleven games, the Heat are eight and three and the warriors are nine and two. And now the Celtics, they're playing the Mavericks right now. The Celtics are nine and one in their last ten games. So what are your reactions, especially to the warriors and Heat, like, focusing on them as of right now, what are your reactions to their playoff?
I mean, they're looking really good right now. I know the heater is starting to really make a run in the warriors.
[00:22:22] Speaker A: Yeah, the warriors shocked me because here I am talking about the dynasty is over. Trey Draymond and Clay, I'm just kind of slandering their name. And now they're nine and two in their last eleven games.
[00:22:39] Speaker B: Oh, yeah.
[00:22:40] Speaker A: So not only have they found their rhythm, but at this point, they showed us why you don't bet against Curry and his warriors.
[00:22:48] Speaker B: For real. Did you see that Knicks game the other night?
Curry went off for 31. Clay, I believe Clay had 1616 off the bench, which is solid. But Kaminga, the highlight of the night, had 25.
Andrew Wiggins, it looks like he's been out. Chris Paul coming back in the lineup, though, he had eleven. But anyways, if the warriors are going to make it deep in the playoffs, they need Kaminga. They really need, because offensively, outside of Curry, they've really been struggling. Clay is starting to kind of find his groove off the bench. Obviously, they got Chris Paul back so he can help with the offensive side, but in order to really make a push for the playoff run, like make a playoff run, they're definitely going to need Kaminga to have more of these, so. And Andrew Wiggins, too. They need the defense because he came up. You remember the last playoff, see your last playoff series versus the Celtics? That's back when they won the NBA championship.
Yeah.
[00:23:53] Speaker A: He was a key piece in that whole run, that series.
[00:23:58] Speaker B: Yeah. So, yeah, I also wanted to talk to you about the Miami Heat especially. Granted, the Miami Heat are eight and three, even with Jimmy Butler suspension, Nikola Jovich and also Thomas Bryant. So, like, they lost all those players, but they're still yet eight and three. But granted, they're back now, but what are your reactions to that team? Because I know they've had a lot of pickups, especially in the trade deadline.
[00:24:27] Speaker A: Yeah, they were one of my teams that were alternate, know, see the Bucks in the playoffs. I know we were talking about the Heat and the knicks being a matchup, and that's still very possible, but they keep up a streak like this, they might move. Know, they bound to move up, and Nick's probably gonna move down.
[00:24:46] Speaker B: Yeah, maybe because they just lost to the warriors. We'll see how they pick it up. Because without Julius Randall, they've started to. I don't know, it's kind of started to catch up to. Yeah, but granted, I also wanted to talk about the.
I mean, he has been amazing for them. Just watching the type of buckets he's getting, like, the footwork on. Mean for a don't. I don't understand whoever's running the draft picks and stuff, like getting the picks for the Miami Heat because they just got Nikola Jovich and Jame Haquez out of the draft. I mean, you need to give them a pay raise because every pick that the Miami Heat have had over these past few years have just been spot on for their team and it's definitely helped them out in the long run. So what's your reactions to just like, I don't know, the young guys and how they're helping out? The.
[00:25:46] Speaker A: Mean, it's nothing more than just like you mean. I honestly think that needs to. We need to see what he does in playoffs before we say he needs a pay know because he might turn into a Jordan pool because that's what Jordan Poole did. He had a good season. He had an even better playoff run and was almost know half the reason that the warriors won that year. But then after that, what did he do? He started talking sideways. Now, I'm not saying he was the only one. True. He played his role in, you know, who knows what happened behind closed doors. He might have been the one to escalate the scene, but anyway, he was causing problems with the team for one. He didn't want to listen to any know, Curry's trying to give him advice. He's kind of like shrugging him off. So he was just, you don't shrug off Curry.
[00:26:36] Speaker B: You can't do that.
[00:26:37] Speaker A: Yeah, so honestly, he kind of got what was coming to him. So like I said, let's just chill. Let's just see what Amiakas does. And then even after playoffs, depending on what he does in that run, then let's evaluate his pay grade.
[00:26:55] Speaker B: Yeah, because now that I'm pulling up versus the Knicks in that loss might have been a key part of their loss because he only had three points.
Granted, he is a rookie so he's going to have inconsistent games like this. And Nicolevich, he only had seven, but bam. Autobio 22, Jimmy Butler 21. It really seems like Jimmy Butler is starting to get in that mode because I don't know if you saw that video where he like after one of their wins, he was like, it's about that time. And he's like talking to fans like, you know what time it is because he's one of those players that you like to watch, especially in this time after the all Star break because teams like the warriors, the Heat, they're really starting to turn it up because they know when to turn it up because they know that, yes, team games are important, but they also want to conserve their energy because they are getting up there in age and also they know what really matters. So it's definitely fun to watch them, especially in this time of year, because you know that Jimmy, he's about to turn it up. He's about to turn into Jimmy buckets. You know what mean, this is what.
[00:28:07] Speaker A: This is what separates them from the rest of the league because like you just said about their energy. I mean, it's way easier to, I guess, work off know a lesser know. Like the Celtics, they have the best record in the east. They don't have to necessarily do much to keep their record, just keep winning. And it doesn't sound know with the team they so. And it shouldn't.
You know, I feel like if you have to work a little bit harder versus bugs, Celtics nuggets them, the kind of teams just kind of chilling, then I just hope they have energy for the playoffs.
[00:28:51] Speaker B: Oh, yeah.
[00:28:52] Speaker A: Which I mean, we know they will and they should, but that wear and tear, it always might catch up. That's all true.
[00:29:00] Speaker B: Yeah, because they didn't do good in the beginning of the season. Now, like you just said, they got to make up some ground because yes, you can make it to the play in, but I'm sure every team wants to just be in that playoff consideration because in the play in, that's just extra games. Like you said, that's more wear and tear. That's more on the body. I mean, that's just more stuff to worry about because in a single game elimination, anything can happen.
[00:29:26] Speaker A: And then there's more pressure on the mental, too. Like for one, just example, like Clay, he can't have any more inconsistent games like that. Like from now on, he needs to be putting really his 16 a game and really 20 because 16 is being way too generous. Honestly, he needs to put up 2023 again.
[00:29:44] Speaker B: He needs to get the back to the clay. We all know.
But yeah, both those teams, they're definitely going to have to make up some ground. But also the team that's playing right now, the Boston Celtics, like we said, they're pretty much chilling. I mean, they're in the garden versus the Mavericks, 62 to 50 right now as we speak. But yeah, this Celtics team just looks more and more dominant as the season progresses. Now, I don't know if it's going to translate to the playoffs like we think because we see it a lot.
These big time teams that are just taking over the regular season, they get humbled in seven game series.
I think it just really, last year.
[00:30:30] Speaker A: Happened to Boston last season. The heat.
[00:30:32] Speaker B: True.
[00:30:33] Speaker A: Took them out.
[00:30:34] Speaker B: Yes, but anyways, I wanted to move on. Before we go to break and stuff, I wanted to talk about Shay. Now, we just mentioned OKC and stuff, but we also got to talk about how Shay has been averaging 31 points a game since November. I mean, this guy, he's been consistent. Now, granted, I really want, like, I like Nicole Jokic, but I would really like to see Shay win an MVP because I really do think he deserves it. Not saying Jokic doesn't deserve it, but Shay has just been absolutely bawling out this season and it's crazy.
What's your reaction to these numbers?
[00:31:19] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, consistency speaks volume. So if you let your game do the talking, which he has, obviously that's always going to be way louder than any kind of trash talk that somebody like Dylan Burs can do.
He's definitely my pick for MVP. My second choice would be Luca as of right now.
[00:31:38] Speaker B: Oh, not Jokic.
Interesting.
[00:31:43] Speaker A: Jokic is like, know, fourth ish, but I feel like really third because I'm not putting anybody above him at that point.
[00:31:50] Speaker B: But to clarify for me, the gaps aren't that big at all. If anything, they're minuscule, like millimeters away from each other.
The differences separating Shea, Luka and Jokic in the race, it's literally nothing.
Or almost nothing like the rookie of the year debate.
[00:32:14] Speaker A: Like even Chet and mean at this point we kind of know who's going to win. But at the same time, yeah, like Chet in terms of play, he's not far behind.
[00:32:25] Speaker B: Wimby I totally agree with this mv. It's going to be definitely very interesting because I know it's going to be a tough job for the people selecting the MVP and rookie of the year because it could really go either way. It's not going to be like the NFL where you just pick Lamar Jackson and it's an easy pick.
It's going to be a tight race and it can go either way. So we'll just, like you said, there's a lot of games to be played. This is only the, I mean, we're barely past the all star break. We're only in March.
It's starting to get to that point, but there's still a lot of games to be played. So there's still a lot to unfold. But anyways, that's going to do it. We'll be right back after the short break.
[00:33:26] Speaker A: WVUA FM, Tuscaloosa.
[00:33:35] Speaker B: Welcome back everyone to the NBA student section. Let's get right back into it. And before we talk about what we teased in the beginning, the Olympics. I really wanted to talk to you about this Knicks Pistons game because this has been a problem all season. The officials, yet again coming on social after the game, they posted on social media, my bad, y'all. I missed another call, which stuff happens. But this season, this has happened multiple times. Like, clear, blatant calls have just been.
[00:34:12] Speaker A: Refs need to be investigated, because how do you miss that call? He's right in front of you. He got bumped. Everybody sees it. You saw it on the replay when it showed up on the jumbotron. No call. They didn't even review the play. And if they did, they still went with whatever they did. But I don't even think they reviewed it. They just stood with it. And then as soon as the game's over, oh, our bad, y'all. We'll get it next time for you, ref. Did you have a parlay on the game? Are you on prize picks?
[00:34:40] Speaker B: Are you on prize picks? Yeah, but for all the fans, for all the listeners out there, if you have not seen it, I mean, it was a scuffle from the very beginning. A lot of people even say, like, in the beginning, there could have been some fouls, but Asar Thompson goes for the ball to get the ball, and then Dante's diVincinzo out of nowhere, just like. Absolutely just goes and trucks this man. He literally just folds him and then just gets the ball and just takes off. And then there's no call. And Asar Thompson's just on the ground, just like, what do you want me to do?
[00:35:14] Speaker A: We want them to make calls. We told him we want them to stop making calls on the soft fouls. But that wasn't a soft foul. That was a clear, like, there's just no in between. He tackled me, went for my knees.
[00:35:27] Speaker B: I mean, there's no in between, dude. It's just like hot, cold.
[00:35:33] Speaker A: There's no consistency with them. And it's like, then there's no accountability. Like I said, the NBA needs to investigate. They need to see what's up with them.
[00:35:43] Speaker B: I mean, just posting on social media, just be like, my bad, y'all. I mean, that's going on the team's record. Like, the Pistons, they're already down bad.
Granted, they're getting back together. It's not the beginning of the season where they just couldn't win a game. But, I mean, for this young Pistons team, that's a big deal for the Knicks. I mean, if they would have lost the game, like, say it would have happened to mean they're in playoff contentions. That's a really big deal for them.
[00:36:12] Speaker A: It happened to them a couple weeks ago. Remember, weren't they protesting a loss?
[00:36:15] Speaker B: Yeah. Against Houston because Jalen Brunson, quote unquote, fouled Aaron Holiday. And Aaron Holiday had three free throws and made the free throws for the.
[00:36:27] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:36:28] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:36:29] Speaker A: And it was a late call.
[00:36:30] Speaker B: It was a very late call. I remember it. He barely jumped, like just went by him. And then they're just like, oh, foul. And then I think it was after the clock expired, too, because then the Knicks head coach was drawing up a play like, okay, okay, let's get back into it. Let's try to actually win this game. And then they just called the game after that, and then that just set him off entirely because then you don't even give him enough time to be like, okay, let's drop a play.
I don't know. Do you think there's any other ways that the officials, you mentioned an investigation, but do you think there could be another way to hold them more accountable?
I've heard people mention, like, find them. Find them. Yeah, you could do that.
[00:37:17] Speaker A: Find the refs because they just don't.
[00:37:20] Speaker B: Make that much money.
[00:37:21] Speaker A: Latent shoot, they're getting enough of a paycheck. I'm pretty sure they're up there.
[00:37:27] Speaker B: You think so?
[00:37:28] Speaker A: They're getting paid enough.
[00:37:31] Speaker B: It can't be like NBA fines, though. Like twenty five k or anything?
[00:37:35] Speaker A: Yeah, no, but I mean, you can go and find about 2000, maybe 5000.
[00:37:40] Speaker B: Depending, depending on the paycheck if it's a playoff game, 5000 if it's a big time game. Yeah, that could be a way. Honestly, I've heard people mention, like, they should have press conferences after the games for the officials to where they can just be like on the spot after the game. You have to answer honestly.
[00:37:59] Speaker A: I think that would solve the problem because it seems like the refs want that kind of attention. So if they get their press conference to where they can answer their own questions and kind of interact with the fans and just the media in general, they might be more influenced to make better calls just because they know they're like, if they're getting patted on the back for great calls during this game, they're going to be way more motivated. And even if they get slandered, I mean, at least they get a chance to defend themselves versus like doing whatever they can do, which is just getting booed on the court, really, basically not saying anything, not being able to really defend themselves other than they just higher up saying, oh, they're trying their best. Guys, cut them some slack.
[00:38:41] Speaker B: I like the point you're hitting on, because that gives them a voice, and that's going to make them feel like they're really, like, they don't just go home and just people, like you said, just boo them and stuff. And they actually get a voice to like, if people have complaints for them, they make that known. But if they have complaints to anybody else, like the players or the coaches, they're like, hey, you all need to square this up, you know what I'm saying? And then that can be put on the media.
[00:39:11] Speaker A: Coaches didn't get to say anything in the press conference. Like, they just coach the team and then whatever. They just deal with everything that comes with it. That would suck for them. It would probably be a lot less coaching jobs.
[00:39:24] Speaker B: Same for the players, too.
But anyways, let's move on. Since we're almost out of time, we got to hurry this up. Let's move on to the Olympics. Now, the players, the first six players that are pretty much guaranteed. I don't know, the athletics said this is pretty much like a guarantee these players are going to be on the team. Now, obviously, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph MB Tatum, and then Drew Holiday. I think a lot of people were surprised by this name. Me, if y'all listened to episodes past, I was an advocate for Drew Holiday, because I like having a defensive minded guard, especially in the Olympics, when you need so.
[00:40:08] Speaker A: And I was kind of against him a little bit. I mean, at least for the six man role. I was probably thinking more like Dame or Brunson or somebody like that.
[00:40:16] Speaker B: But those are elite point guards. I mean, to your point, you can't go wrong, honestly.
So with those six players off the board, they said it was going to be a twelve man team, so we got six slots left.
So we got to make a team.
We got to make a team. I got the list pulled up.
Who do you think should be on the next six slots? I mean, anybody come to mind?
[00:40:47] Speaker A: Give me Brunson.
[00:40:48] Speaker B: Brunson?
[00:40:49] Speaker A: Yep.
Trying to think about too. Give me Brandon Ingram.
[00:40:58] Speaker B: Brandon Ingram.
[00:41:00] Speaker A: Yeah, I got you Zion Williamson. Is he.
[00:41:06] Speaker B: I don't think he's on the list.
[00:41:07] Speaker A: He's not a candidate.
[00:41:08] Speaker B: I don't really know. Is Ingram. I think he is on the list.
[00:41:12] Speaker A: Yeah, I know Ingram's on the list.
[00:41:14] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:41:16] Speaker A: Bam. Go ahead and put bam on the team. We need another big man.
[00:41:19] Speaker B: That's a good pick. Yeah, I like that pick.
Probably need a four.
[00:41:24] Speaker A: Yeah.
Kevin Durant's already on there could go.
[00:41:30] Speaker B: Kawhi, Paul George still up there.
[00:41:34] Speaker A: Yeah, if Kawhi wanted to play. Yeah, go and throw Kawhi on there. Paul George, too. So that's, that's. Give me de'Aaron Fox, too.
[00:41:42] Speaker B: I think that's six. Because you said Brunson. Bam. Kawhi, Paul, and then Ingram. Well, that's five. And then you said six.
[00:41:52] Speaker A: Give me dear. And Fox in there.
Guaranteed.
[00:41:57] Speaker B: Guaranteed. Like Charles Barkley, bro. But anyways, I'm thinking, so since we got drew holiday backup point, I'm thinking of my backup, too. So I think I got to go. Anthony Edwards is on the board, but I think I got to go. D book. Going to put some D book in there.
[00:42:14] Speaker A: Oh, I forgot about him. That's crazy. Yeah, go ahead and switch out.
[00:42:22] Speaker B: Fox or Brunson. That's what I'm thinking. Or you could swap out Ingram, man.
[00:42:28] Speaker A: Bro, swap out either.
I want to say Paul's yours, bro. I'm not gonna lie because I don't know, it's between, I don't know either Paul George, de Aaron Fox or Brunson, man. I just don't want to do them like that. Not gonna lie. Yeah. Swap out Brunson. I'm sorry.
[00:42:52] Speaker B: Dang. Well, it's Devin Booker, though. Brunson's only had, like, he's had some good seasons, and this is really his main, like, coming into an all star season, so that's fair.
[00:43:04] Speaker A: But I would rather have De'Aaron Fox just because he's a more high energy player as well as an impact. Like, jalen Brown is an impact, too, but he just kind of plays at a slower, you know, de Aaron Fox coming off the bench. That would be the whole know, come in, have high know, create that spark off the bench for us.
[00:43:24] Speaker B: I got you.
[00:43:25] Speaker A: Did we forget about Jimmy Butler?
[00:43:27] Speaker B: Yep. Jimmy's on the list. I forgot about that.
[00:43:29] Speaker A: Yeah. So go ahead and throw Jimmy Butler on there for.
[00:43:41] Speaker B: Anyways, I'm moving on. Got Drew holiday, so he's know the six man. So I'm thinking of my two, which I just said Devin Booker. So that's one player for me. Second player, I'm thinking of my backup three. I think I'm going to follow your footsteps. I'm going to go Jimmy. Backup four.
I really like Kawhi. I just can't not have him on the squad. So then Kawhi, and then I really liked your backup five pick, bam Audubio, especially with his experience in the Olympics. I really like, because last time they won, bam Audubio was on the Olympic team.
[00:44:17] Speaker A: I forgot about Anthony Davis.
[00:44:20] Speaker B: No, Anthony Davis is on.
He's not on the list.
[00:44:25] Speaker A: He's not.
[00:44:26] Speaker B: Or like on the original list with Lebron, Durant, Steph Tatum. I thought he was in that.
[00:44:31] Speaker A: Yeah, no, but he's a not going to lie bam or ad.
[00:44:39] Speaker B: But Lebron's on that team, so that's like one strike.
[00:44:41] Speaker A: Bam is valuable. So in a way I want to keep him for somebody, but I also want to have ad. Like, ad is an upgraded version of Bam. You know what I'm saying? He just does a little more.
Not to take anything away from Bam. It's just 80. Does a little more. Just a little.
It's kind of separated. I got you levels to it, if that makes sense.
[00:45:08] Speaker B: I know what you're saying. So I might follow the same way. I think I got to put Anthony Davis there because no, discredit to Bam. Or I could keep Bam for my 6th spot.
[00:45:20] Speaker A: About to say we could just eliminate Fox because honestly, we have so much offense, bro. We have Tatum at the two. So the fact that we got LeBron at three and, you know, LeBron could play the one if we just really want to. He's probably going to be in that mode anyway, take over.
[00:45:35] Speaker B: And I got D book, too. And then we got Jimmy in there. That's another defensive minded guy. Yeah.
[00:45:41] Speaker A: Just switch out Bam for Fox because honestly, I mean, for you make an impact, but at the same time you just need the extra big, like, you don't know, know. Bam's probably going to be your robin in that situation. You're Charles Barkley. You know, he's going to do the dirty work.
[00:45:57] Speaker B: So to clarify for me my six spots, I'm choosing d book, Jimmy Buckets, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and Bam bam out of bio. And who's your six?
[00:46:11] Speaker A: Yeah, I swapped out Brunson for Booker.
[00:46:17] Speaker B: You had Jimmy Buckets.
[00:46:19] Speaker A: Yeah, Jimmy Kawhi. Kawhi.
[00:46:22] Speaker B: I think we have the same exact team, honestly. Yeah, we have the same team because we're just swaps. We're just on the same wavelength.
Just there's a lot of good players on there. Like we still got Dame Donovan, Mitchell, Kyrie Paul, Anthony Edwards.
[00:46:39] Speaker A: So many people. Yeah. Like when you go over the list, there's so many people that you can make an argument for.
[00:46:45] Speaker B: But I think I like your approach because you were saying we need some more defensive guys because we got JT, KD, LeBron, and then, like, we got those guys, we need some ads in there.
[00:46:58] Speaker A: Do we need, if they can't kind of get it done and then our other supporting pieces, they're going to be able to score, too. But we book people to do both because if you remember, see, this is going to test y'all's knowledge about USA basketball. If you remember, if you watched a little bit of the redeemed team recently, highlights you saw, and, you know, teams like that just coming out and dogging USA, and we had major firepower on those teams.
[00:47:27] Speaker B: They just had more chemistry.
[00:47:28] Speaker A: Yeah, it was before Kobe got there and saved the day, of course, but.
[00:47:33] Speaker B: Still, that's just because they had chemistry, though. A lot of those european teams are just because they've played together a lot of those teams, their whole entire lives.
[00:47:43] Speaker A: Like, they play basketball like the right way. Good ball movement, making the extra pass cutting. Nobody was standing still. Like everybody had something to do and they were setting down screens.
[00:47:54] Speaker B: Yeah, it's not all about talent. At the end of the day, it's a team game. So you got to play as a team. You got to play as one.
[00:48:03] Speaker A: But, yeah, we brought that up because we saw all the offense on the team and they still didn't do enough. So it's all about defense, too. Defense is, if not more important than the offense. Defense.
[00:48:14] Speaker B: Twins championships.
[00:48:15] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:48:17] Speaker B: Well, before we go off air, anything you want to say, Trey?
[00:48:22] Speaker A: Nope. If you made it this far, thank you for listening. We appreciate you. And tune in next week.
[00:48:28] Speaker B: Yep, tune in next week. That's going to do it for this episode of NBA student section. Thank you all for listening, and we'll see y'all. Peace.
