Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: WVUA FM, Tuscaloosa.
[00:00:09] Speaker B: Welcome, everybody, to WVUA 90.7, the Capstones MBA student section. I'm your host, sacriled here with me is Trey Simpson and Drew Williamson. He's back, everybody. He is back.
[00:00:23] Speaker C: I'm back.
[00:00:24] Speaker B: I back and better than ever. So today we got a few news updates for y'all surrounding the NBA. We got Joel Embiid just got injured. His lateral meniscus in his left knee apparently. I don't think he tore it or anything. I don't know if he strained it, but they're acting like it's not that big of a deal. They're saying they're giving him like weeks notice or something. So I don't know. What are your thoughts? Because I know everybody's flaming the NBA for the 65 game rule. What do you all think about him pushing it to the brink?
[00:00:55] Speaker C: Well, I think as far as the 76 ers go, I think it's obviously huge because they run everything through him and Maxi, people like Maxi Tobias Harris, people like that are going to have to really step up if he misses a lot of time. And Paul Reed, who's their backup center, he's going to need to have good games. I think they're fifth right now in the east, so to keep them in that top five. But as far as the 65 game rule, I've had mixed opinions about it because there's been times where I think that it's a fair rule. Like I think that a player should play that. I mean, there's 82 games in the regular season. I think if you shouldn't play 40 something games and then win, I don't know. I think it's a fair rule, but I don't think Embiid should rush back and try know hurt his body. Just know win MVP.
[00:01:50] Speaker B: I think if you're the most valuable player, the most valuable player shouldn't be injury prone because that doesn't bring that much value to your team because you're not even getting any usage out of them.
[00:02:01] Speaker A: But then on that same point, if they're the most used player in the offense, then they would probably be more likely to like, you know, they're getting more wear and tear on their body versus like a Tobias Harris who's know there for a catch and shoot spot.
[00:02:15] Speaker B: Up, which I get is what's your take on it, Trey? Overall.
[00:02:22] Speaker A: I do agree with the fact that they have to play a certain amount of games to win awards. But at the same time for MB personally, he already won it last year. Or season. So instead of trying to rush back with the possibility of re injuring himself again, just like rehab, take your time coming back, because the end goal is really a championship. Like that would boost you way more than another MVP.
[00:02:48] Speaker B: True.
[00:02:49] Speaker C: And I think he said that recently. I think he said that he doesn't care about.
He has one thing in mind and it's the championship. And that goes for pretty much any player. But I also think that going back to what we were talking about, about the most valuable player, I think also if you miss extended amount of time and your team starts not doing as well, I think that shows how valuable you are to your team, because it shouldn't be about who scores the most points, it should be about who is the most valuable to their team. So I think if you miss time and your team suffers from it, I think it shows how valuable you are.
[00:03:30] Speaker B: I agree with that. Yeah, I mean, that's a good point that you bring up, Drew, because you have the point where you don't want MB to push himself too much to where he gets injured and misses out on the rest of the season. Hopefully he doesn't. And then you have the point where, well, if he's missing all these games, then say he has really good games, like, he has three really good games and then, you know what I'm saying, you can't really rank them evenly based off of that.
[00:03:58] Speaker A: I think they should be like, about longevity, like who's doing it throughout the whole season. And I think that's why Shay's in the top three, because he's been balling out this whole season and not just.
[00:04:10] Speaker B: Yeah, I haven't heard him getting injured or hurt. Yeah.
Has he sat out a game?
[00:04:16] Speaker A: No, he's played one. Yeah, I'm pretty sure. And too, like, they make it a point to play most of them if they can.
[00:04:22] Speaker C: And look at who's one and two right now in the West. Timberwolves and Thunder.
[00:04:26] Speaker B: True.
Well, going on to another Sixers player, Tyrese Maxi, he has been stepping it up with his career high 51, balling out against the Jazz. Yeah, the Jazz. I believe so. Yeah. I think especially since he's an all star selectee this year. What do y'all think about Tyrese Maxi and the Sixers? And with MB's injury, do you think this will affect their playoff appearances? And what do y'all think about that?
[00:04:54] Speaker A: So I will say, I think one of you all mentioned in the beginning that Maxi was like, we've been knew about him, we know he's him. So I'm not really surprised that he dropped 51, but at the same time, if you watch the game, it looked like he pretty much did it with minimal effort. He kind of easily got to his spots, set up other teammates when he needed to. So honestly, this is nothing short of what I expected from him personally.
[00:05:21] Speaker C: Yeah, James Harden not being on the Sixers anymore has helped Maxie in so many ways because he can finally come into his own and not have to worry about another guard like taking his shots and handling the ball. And yeah, we saw when he scored 51, I forgot, who is it against? Do you all remember who he scored 50 against? Yeah, 51.
[00:05:43] Speaker A: It was a Jazz.
[00:05:44] Speaker B: Well, he scored 51 against the Jazz and then he scored 50. I think just flat out 50. I don't know if it was against the Hawks.
[00:05:52] Speaker A: No, it wasn't the Hawks.
I don't know who it was. I want to say the Bucks, but I don't know. I don't think it was.
[00:05:58] Speaker B: I can look it up. Keep going, though.
[00:06:00] Speaker C: But yeah, no, we really don't know the extent that Embiid's going to miss, but Maxi has to be the guy that steps up and can reliably score the ball for you along with Tobias Harris. Because I've said this multiple times to people that I've talked to, if the Sixers are wanting to win in these deep playoff series against teams like the Bucks and teams like the Celtics, Tobias Harris has to be a reliable scorer for them and has to give them 20 points a game. I don't think that's outrageous task for a guy like Tobias Harris. And now that Embiid's out, he's got to step up and be that second guy.
[00:06:42] Speaker B: Yeah, he scored 50 points against the Pacers.
[00:06:45] Speaker C: That's what it was.
[00:06:46] Speaker B: Against the Pacers.
[00:06:47] Speaker A: I knew it was a team in the east, I just didn't know which one. That's why I said the bucks shot.
[00:06:51] Speaker B: Like 63% from 300 from free throw. Yeah, he was balling out, man. Yeah, he's balling 20 for 32 from the field that game.
[00:07:00] Speaker C: But it is such an unfortunate time for that MB injury because he has been playing like he's been playing unreal and a lot of people dog him for his playstyle of flopping and getting the witch. I mean, yes, but same time, we talked about this for the show. If it works.
[00:07:17] Speaker B: If it works, it works. I mean, if you can't stop.
[00:07:21] Speaker A: See, on that same topic, I don't see how people complain about Embiid, but don't complain about Giannis yeah. And the only reason I say that is because he's a free throw merchant, too, but he rim runs. At least Embiid will take a jump, know post up, he'll switch up his game. Giannis is just a straight up rim runner. You know what mean.
[00:07:41] Speaker B: Yeah, people, I don't know, people kind of just get mad when people just choose like one thing to attack on and nobody can adapt to it. But they're obviously not going to back away from it because if it works, it works.
[00:07:53] Speaker C: It works. It works.
[00:07:55] Speaker B: How can you get mad at it?
[00:07:56] Speaker A: Yeah, no, I was just going to say, I don't know if you all remember, but Harden did the same thing back in 15.
[00:08:01] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, 15.
[00:08:03] Speaker A: And they were getting on him about.
[00:08:05] Speaker B: It then all he did was like that size up, step back three or.
[00:08:09] Speaker A: Just go by his euro steps, those like pattern eurostep.
[00:08:13] Speaker B: Yeah. And then maybe an occasional lob to like Clint Capella. Maybe occasional. I remember when him and Clint Capella were just like, that was like the.
[00:08:22] Speaker C: Best era of James Harden.
[00:08:24] Speaker B: That's all Clint Capella's points were, was slops from James Harden. I loved it, dude. It was definitely entertaining to watch. But before we go, I want to talk about the all star.
Well, let's talk about this trade real quick before we go into the all star, because I think the all star is going to take a little bit of this segment, so we'll keep that for next segment. But anyways, let's talk about this trade real quick. The Grizzlies just traded Stephen Adams, Aquaman. They traded Aquaman to the Rockets for Victor Oladebo and three second round picks.
I feel bad for my man vic, bro.
[00:08:59] Speaker C: Yeah, he's been going just all over the had. He had a bunch of bad injuries, too, because he's a good player. He's just had so many unfortunate injuries. But so is, I mean, Stephen Adams. He's missed I don't know how many. I mean, he's obviously out this.
Is he out for the whole season.
[00:09:21] Speaker B: Or is he just out for the whole.
[00:09:22] Speaker C: That's what I thought.
[00:09:23] Speaker B: Which could have been avoided if they just got surgery, but they did.
So what are you all's reactions to this trade? Because the Rockets get Steven or the Rockets don't get Steven or. Yeah, they do get Steven Adams and then the Grizzlies get vic in 3 seconds.
[00:09:40] Speaker A: So who do you think wins, gets healthy then? He's a top ten center in the league, I'm going to say, because he's a dumb.
[00:09:47] Speaker C: Yeah, I agree with that. I mean, I think that Steven, people kind of forget Steven Adams is like the. He's not a flashy. Not. But he's like the perfect. He'll do exactly what you ask him.
[00:09:58] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:09:59] Speaker C: And I've always liked not, you know, he can't stretch the floor, he can't shoot, but he'll get you every rebound, everything that comes off the glass. And he'll a good pick and roll threat, provide you pick and roll threat and provide you offense when you need offense.
[00:10:15] Speaker B: Him back in OKC, him and Russ.
[00:10:17] Speaker C: Dude, oh, my ball in that pick and roll dude.
[00:10:19] Speaker B: Yeah, you got to love it. But the Grizzlies, they get Vic and three second round picks.
[00:10:27] Speaker C: I like this, obviously, with John Morant being done for the season, they need as much guard help as they can. I like, I like Oledipo.
[00:10:37] Speaker B: Yeah, they're trying to get some picks. I guess they're trying to get trade capital for like with the.
[00:10:42] Speaker C: I think I read somewhere where they're trying to build around jaw Jaren Jackson and Desmond Bain and trying to build a contender around.
[00:10:51] Speaker A: Question I just thought about, like, is Marcus Smart and Victor Oladipo not kind of the same player in a sense? Aren't they kind of know the same?
[00:11:02] Speaker B: Not really, because Marcus Smart is kind of more of a defensive.
[00:11:05] Speaker A: Well, Vick's a good defender, but it's like a two way. He's more of like a two way kind of last year type thing. A three and D type of.
[00:11:13] Speaker B: Yeah, but Marcus is at this point better.
But back in their proms, Vic is just like, Vic was just insane in his prime.
[00:11:24] Speaker C: That would be my only difference between those two is Marcus Smart has just better defense, but they are very similar in terms of playstyle.
[00:11:32] Speaker B: Yeah, at least right now, because Victor is just, I don't know, it just feels like he's kind of like chained up at times because he's not what he used to be due to his injuries. So it's kind of sad to see, but he's still a bucket, dude.
He still would be a great addition to their team. But anyways, that's going to do it for this segment, y'all, don't go away for more NBA news. We'll see, y'all.
[00:12:00] Speaker A: WVUA FM, Tuscaloosa.
[00:12:10] Speaker B: Welcome back to the NBA student section, y'all. We're back with some more NBA news. And starting us off, we're talking about the all star reserves that just came out. So the all star reserves for the, I believe just in general, the all star reserves. It's going to be Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Stephen Curry, Paul George. We got towns, Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, bam. Audubio Julius, Randall, Maxi, and then Paolo Bunkero. So who do y'all think are the snubs here? And do y'all agree or disagree with this?
[00:12:50] Speaker A: Oh, Curry, for one off Rip. I think he got snubbed. Well, who's starting in front of him?
[00:12:57] Speaker B: Shay.
Yeah, Shay.
[00:12:59] Speaker A: Because, yeah, actually, Curry hasn't been having that great of a season this year. He's been up and down.
So never mind on the east. Didn't you mention Brunson?
[00:13:11] Speaker B: Yeah, Brunson.
We talked about it last week. I definitely think he should have started.
And then let me just list off a few guys for you all that just didn't make it. Yeah, we got Jamal Murray. He didn't make it. Trey Young. Trey Young has been balling out for three seasons in a row. Like 27 a game. Like ten assists.
So, yeah. Scotty. Derek White, I guess. Derek White, it's been balling, though. Larry Markinen, he didn't make it. James Harden, he didn't make it. Dear and Fox.
[00:13:44] Speaker C: Yeah, that. That's the controversial one. Because guys like James Harden and I forgot who else, like Derek White, they have so many other great players on their team, it's kind of difficult for them to.
[00:13:57] Speaker B: They're kind of getting overshadowed right now.
[00:13:58] Speaker C: But dear and Fox is the main leader of that kings. Him and Sabonis both are the main leaders of that Kings team.
[00:14:05] Speaker B: Yeah, Sabonus got snubbed, too. And then one guy that I was rooting for to get a reserves Sangoon.
[00:14:14] Speaker C: I was rooting for. I agree with that. The problem is there's just so many.
[00:14:19] Speaker B: Good players, so many guys. Dude, it's tough. I think he is averaging like 22 and 922 and nine rebounds.
[00:14:26] Speaker A: Did Zion not make it?
[00:14:27] Speaker B: No, Zion didn't make it.
[00:14:29] Speaker A: Brandon Ingram?
[00:14:30] Speaker B: No. But I think they've been, like, injured and stuff throughout. And then McCollum. I don't know. He hasn't made an all star team his entire career.
[00:14:37] Speaker A: No, Ingram's been playing pretty much this whole season.
[00:14:40] Speaker B: He has. I thought he's been injured a lot or. I don't know.
[00:14:43] Speaker A: Maybe not that much. Well, I don't know. Recently. No. Maybe in the beginning, and same with Zion.
[00:14:49] Speaker B: But then they were talking about how Jared Allen was snubbed, but I don't know. Jared Allen's been. I don't really know how he's been playing.
[00:14:55] Speaker A: Mainly, I'll take some bonus over mean.
[00:14:59] Speaker C: I've kind of already said, but I would say my biggest snub as far as the reserves is dear and Fox because a lot of people, I've seen a lot of people been talking about how the Kings are sitting like fifth in the west right now and the Lakers are sitting 9th. No offense, Trey, they're sitting 9th. And the Lakers have two all stars and the Kings have none. And I'm not saying that LeBron and Ad shouldn't be all stars. I'm just saying that I think dear and Fox should 100% be in 27 points a game.
[00:15:30] Speaker B: I don't know, dude.
[00:15:32] Speaker C: I think he should be in there.
[00:15:34] Speaker B: You got anything to add on Trey? Who's your favorite reserve?
[00:15:39] Speaker A: He said no offense. I mean, none taken because we just beat the Celtics with no ad or LeBron.
But anyway, we'll get into that later.
[00:15:51] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:15:51] Speaker A: Honestly, I think my biggest snub was Brunson myself. Even though he made it, I wanted him to start over Dame. Dane's been up and down this absolutely.
[00:16:01] Speaker C: Shane starting over Dame.
[00:16:03] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, like I said, dame is cool. We like dame. But if Dame can start, Curry can start because. Yeah, that don't make sense to me. But anyway, shoot, I would start a Halliburton over Dame.
[00:16:18] Speaker B: Well, Halliburton is starting well at the guard, though. Yeah, but I mean, if y'all had to pick a favorite reserve, who do y'all pick? Who do y'all like? That's y'all's most favorite. If I had to pick, I think.
[00:16:30] Speaker C: Favorite player or glad that they made it.
[00:16:34] Speaker B: Glad that they made it. We'll start with that.
[00:16:37] Speaker C: What would yours be?
[00:16:38] Speaker B: Glad that they made it.
I mean, probably Brunson after his story and stuff like that because it's coming out. I think I saw a stat where it's like, because he was drafted in the second round, he's one of 20 players in history to ever do that, to be an all star and come out of the second round. Ever since the league shrunk the draft into only two rounds instead of three rounds.
One out of 20, that's crazy. But besides him, I'd probably have to say Paolo. Probably Paulo's been balling for him.
[00:17:13] Speaker C: I'm going to say Donovan Mitchell because I don't think people have really been paying much attention, but I think Cleveland's like third or fourth in the east right now, and he has been bawling. Donovan Mitchell has been putting up great numbers. He's been just really the, he's been the guy in Cleveland.
[00:17:34] Speaker B: They went on like a six or seven game win.
[00:17:36] Speaker C: I think they're nine and one in their last ten. Yeah. Donovan Mitchell. I'm glad that he got recognized.
[00:17:42] Speaker B: Yeah. That is good. Jalen Brunson and the Knicks. They're nine and on a nine game win streak right now.
[00:17:48] Speaker A: I would have wanted to see Randall make it. Julius Randall, but he did make. Yeah, well, he's hurt now.
[00:17:56] Speaker C: Are they going to replace him with somebody?
[00:17:58] Speaker B: Maybe.
[00:17:59] Speaker C: I think they should replace him with somebody.
[00:18:01] Speaker B: If he's hurt, they will. So then.
[00:18:03] Speaker C: Oh, if he's hurt, doesn't it have to be a Ford?
[00:18:09] Speaker B: I don't know if it has to.
[00:18:10] Speaker C: It's a reserve, so I don't really.
[00:18:12] Speaker B: It might not have to be a probably count.
[00:18:14] Speaker A: Like who had know highest votes that didn't make it. It'd probably just be that person.
[00:18:18] Speaker B: Yeah, maybe. But if we're just going off a player, it's probably just like going to be sabonis or deer.
[00:18:23] Speaker A: And I'll take deer in on that one.
[00:18:26] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:18:27] Speaker C: Problem is he's in the east.
[00:18:30] Speaker A: West.
[00:18:30] Speaker C: No, Julius Randall.
[00:18:32] Speaker B: Oh, true.
[00:18:34] Speaker C: It's got to be an Eastern Conference play.
[00:18:35] Speaker B: Can't be Eastern Conference. Yeah. So then who would it be? I don't really know.
We got Trey Young.
[00:18:45] Speaker C: I think if it's a guard, it has to be Trey Young.
[00:18:48] Speaker B: Trey's just been hooping and they haven't even.
[00:18:55] Speaker C: Yeah.
Which the jazz have done.
[00:18:59] Speaker A: Terrible.
[00:18:59] Speaker B: Or, wait, no, the jazz are in the western Conference. My bad.
[00:19:03] Speaker C: Oh, yeah, they are.
[00:19:04] Speaker B: I don't know why I thought they were in the Eastern Conference. To my bad guys, everybody listening. I'm sorry. I was a casual for about 3 seconds.
So I mean, out of the east, I'd probably just say Trey young straight up because I can't really. Then you got Derek white. People said Derek white, so I don't know.
[00:19:22] Speaker C: Yeah. Trey Young. And if it has to be a Ford, Meredith Allen, maybe Mikhail Bridges.
[00:19:27] Speaker A: Porzingis.
[00:19:28] Speaker B: Mikhail. Oh, yeah. They didn't even mention Porzingis. He's been injured a couple games, though, but he's still been hooping.
I don't know. But overall, I think I like the list.
[00:19:40] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:19:40] Speaker B: I mean, dear and Sabonas, I definitely think they deserved it. And even Trey Young, I think they deserved it. It's just nowadays with stats and stuff, it's just so much harder than it was back in the day. Because if you look at all stars like 2030 years ago, they were like averaging like 19 a game. Or something. And that was like, the highest score. It's insane. Just the difference in points per game and stuff. But anyways, going into the rising stars, we got the coaches. They just got announced. Deadloft, shrimp, Jalen Rose, Tamika catching, and then Palgasal. So that's going to be the coaches for the rising star game. Me personally, I like the rising star game.
[00:20:24] Speaker C: I think I love Palgasaw.
[00:20:26] Speaker B: Palgasaw is nice. I'm not going to list off all the rising stars because there's, like, a lot of them. I think Mac McClung's even going to be in it.
[00:20:36] Speaker C: He should be. He single handedly saved the dunk contest last year.
[00:20:40] Speaker B: Yeah, he's in it. And I'm pretty sure he is gonna be in the dunk contest, too.
[00:20:44] Speaker C: He should be in it every year.
[00:20:46] Speaker B: Wait, this is a good topic. Who is y'all's dunk? Because they haven't announced a dunk contest. Like, contestants, if you all had to pick out of the league today, who would you all want to be in the dunk contest?
I don't know. I think it's tough. I definitely want to see Mac because he's going to be in it.
[00:21:07] Speaker A: Zion.
[00:21:08] Speaker B: Zion.
[00:21:09] Speaker C: I wish John Morant was healthy.
[00:21:11] Speaker B: If John Morant was healthy, I would.
[00:21:12] Speaker C: 100% want to see John Morant.
[00:21:14] Speaker B: I've been hearing people say shaden sharp, the guy from the Blazers.
[00:21:18] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:21:19] Speaker A: He was part of Vince Carter's dream Dunk contest list.
[00:21:23] Speaker B: That's where I saw it from. Yeah. Auto. And then I don't really know. Besides that, probably you could even.
You could throw. I don't really know how much he could do now.
[00:21:38] Speaker C: Maybe LeBron, like.
[00:21:39] Speaker A: Yeah, prime LeBron. 2013. 2014 LeBron.
[00:21:43] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:21:45] Speaker C: You think that was Prime LeBron?
[00:21:47] Speaker A: Not, well, one of his primes, I'll say that.
[00:21:50] Speaker C: 2018 LeBron was arguably the greatest player I've ever watched.
[00:21:55] Speaker B: 2018 LeBron.
[00:21:56] Speaker C: 2018 LeBron in those playoffs was the best basketball player that's ever.
[00:21:59] Speaker B: I think we've said that multiple times.
[00:22:01] Speaker C: On this, probably so.
[00:22:02] Speaker A: I mean, LeBron is, like, freezing. He's got, like, five different final forms.
[00:22:08] Speaker B: You can just choose at any time. But I think Jame is going to be in it. Hamade, the guy from Hawkez. Yeah. Hakez. Yeah, he's gonna be in it. Because I think he was in, like, some. In high school, he was in a ball's life dunk contest or something.
[00:22:22] Speaker C: Yeah, I know.
[00:22:23] Speaker B: Back when he played for, like, Sierra Canyon, I believe so. Yeah, he's going to be really good.
[00:22:27] Speaker C: He's had a great season, too.
[00:22:29] Speaker B: He has had a great season for the Heat.
[00:22:32] Speaker A: Oh, I want to see Ann in there, too. Like, if I just had to choose a good player.
[00:22:37] Speaker B: I heard some people talking about Jalen League. You know, the guy from. I think he plays for the Vipers now. Do y'all remember Jalen league? He barely even played any minutes in the NBA, but that dude is like, he's got jump. I think maybe Benedict Matheran. Yeah, I think he's kind of, like a sleeper. I met that guy. He's a true Obi toppin.
[00:23:03] Speaker A: He was one of them.
[00:23:04] Speaker C: Yeah, I think he was. Yeah, he was.
[00:23:06] Speaker A: Was it last year or the year before?
[00:23:08] Speaker B: Yeah, it was both of them. He was in two in a row, I'm pretty sure.
[00:23:12] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:23:12] Speaker B: So, yeah, he would be cool to say. And then Trey Murphy did pretty good, too, in those. I don't want to see Jalen Green back in those. Jalen Green did bad.
[00:23:21] Speaker C: I don't even remember, like, the dunk contest.
[00:23:23] Speaker B: That's probably a good thing.
[00:23:24] Speaker C: The dunk contest has been 2016. Aaron Gordon, Zach Levine. Dunk contest was the best dunk contest I've ever watched. Ever since then, I feel like it's just not been the same.
[00:23:40] Speaker B: Well, Aaron Gordon and Derrick Jones Jr. Was pretty, though, that. Yeah, except when Dwayne Wade, like, rigged it.
[00:23:49] Speaker A: What was the one where Dwight Howard was in it and he had the.
[00:23:52] Speaker B: Superman cape that's back with, like, Nate Robinson.
[00:23:55] Speaker A: Yeah, them too.
[00:23:57] Speaker C: Yeah, that was too.
[00:23:58] Speaker B: Yeah, and then I remember Nate Robinson would wear, like, the green shooting sleeve and stuff. Like kryptonite. Yeah, it was so sick, dude. And he was, like, had kryptonite on and he had the Superman cape. That was a dope. Just, like, all around. Just like, I love it when they do, like, the props and go at the crowd into, like, it just makes the dunk contest so much better instead of them just doing, like, a random dunk. But, yeah, I think it's going to be mean. The rising star game is going to be really good. They got a lot of good players in there. A lot of good g league guys, too. Like, who's this guy?
Have you all seen this guy Mattis?
He's a beast, though, dude. He's, like 611. Anyways, anyways, getting back on topic here, guys.
So, yeah, that's going to be the rising star game. I'm definitely looking forward to that.
Real quick, before we go to break, Trey mentioned it earlier. We got to talk about.
[00:24:55] Speaker A: Wait, let's save that for after I just thought about. Did y'all see Lonzo balls? Doesn't have any more pain in his knee.
[00:25:02] Speaker B: Oh, he doesn't?
[00:25:04] Speaker A: Yeah. No, it was posted by bleacher report.
[00:25:07] Speaker B: Oh, seriously?
[00:25:08] Speaker A: Yeah. It was like last week.
[00:25:10] Speaker C: I did see that.
[00:25:11] Speaker A: He doesn't know, like, the knee that was injured keeping him from playing that they didn't know about. He has no more pain in there, so he could possibly be coming back.
[00:25:19] Speaker B: That's good. I hope he does.
[00:25:21] Speaker C: I love Lonzo, man.
[00:25:22] Speaker B: He was so good for the Bulls because I remember when they first got that team together, dude, I was rooting for them. They were like my favorites to win it at all, honestly, because they're just such dynamic of a team. Like the Alex Crusoe coming off the bench. And then you got Lonzo and Zach Demar was doing his thing, dude. And then voch, you got.
[00:25:42] Speaker C: Had a. The Bulls had like a roster, man. But I don't know, something. They don't play any defense.
[00:25:49] Speaker B: It's just horrible. Like, I don't know. Whenever I see bulls highlights, it's true. Wherever I see, like, a bulls game, I'm just like.
I'm probably just not going to watch that exactly.
[00:25:58] Speaker C: It's just not really exciting.
[00:26:01] Speaker B: I don't know what Demar's going to do. He's just like, that's how I feel about the Celtics. The Celtics, really?
[00:26:08] Speaker C: I mean, I don't like the Celtics.
[00:26:09] Speaker B: I mean, you know, as a lake.
[00:26:12] Speaker A: Trolled him a little bit.
[00:26:15] Speaker B: But yeah. Did y'all remember that video with Stephen a and he's like, getting up out of the chair and stuff like that? Stephen, a look at my leg, bro. I'm good, bro. Remember that? And he was getting up and down out of the chair, bro. That was hilarious. That's pure comedy, dude. I love Lonzo, dude. I hope he comes back because he improved as his shooter, too.
[00:26:34] Speaker C: Yeah. And he sharpened that release up a little bit. That's what he needed to do.
[00:26:39] Speaker B: And he was actually like a sniper.
[00:26:41] Speaker C: Wishing him the best.
[00:26:43] Speaker B: Wishing him the best.
[00:26:44] Speaker C: He hasn't.
[00:26:47] Speaker B: Okay, trey, now you're just like, that's a reason now. All right, that's going to do it. For this segment.
[00:26:53] Speaker C: Please don't go away for any more NBA newscaloosa.
[00:27:17] Speaker B: Welcome back, everyone, to NBA student section. We got some more news for you. We got the Lakers just beat a fully healthy Celtics roster. Fully healthy. Nobody injured. And last night, LeBron was not in the game. AD was not in the game. They were coaching, though. They were coaching on the bench. Though. But Austin Reeves AR 15 went off for 32 points to lead the Lakers to the dub. What are you all's initial reactions to this? Because I know the Celtics are the favorites.
I would assume they're the favorites to win it all. I know everybody was talking about their lineup and how they're super stacked, which they are. So what are y'all's initial know as a.
[00:27:58] Speaker A: You know, I'm not really surprised at the know. This is what we know, especially against the Celtics. Like, this is what we do. We're always expected to beat them with or without LeBron or Ad. So I would have been actually surprised if the Celtics beat us.
[00:28:13] Speaker B: Actually beat them by a good margin. Almost by like, what, ten? Yeah, almost by ten. I think you all beat them by nine.
[00:28:23] Speaker C: Yeah. Disappointing for the Celtics, which I don't like the Celtics, but it was a disappointing game. You think going into a game with the Lakers without their two all stars, and you're the Celtics number one team in the league, but Jalen Brown didn't have a good game. I think he only had, like, eight points.
[00:28:43] Speaker B: Yeah, I saw that. Four for twelve.
[00:28:44] Speaker C: Yeah. Didn't shoot the ball well, Tatum was okay.
[00:28:49] Speaker B: Eight for 21. I think he had 23 points.
[00:28:53] Speaker A: How many of those are free throws?
[00:28:56] Speaker B: How many of those? I'll check, I'll check.
[00:28:57] Speaker A: Because, what, eight times 216?
[00:29:00] Speaker B: I don't know how many of those were free throws? I can't see it. Well, wait, no, only two free throws.
[00:29:07] Speaker C: That's surprising.
[00:29:08] Speaker B: He's two for two. Jalen Brown didn't get any free throws. Porzingis got two free throws and that's pretty much it. Peyton Pritchard and Banton.
I don't know who. Delano Banton. I recognize his face, but I don't even remember.
[00:29:23] Speaker A: They were in LA, right?
[00:29:26] Speaker B: No, they were at. Yeah, they were at the garden.
[00:29:29] Speaker C: Yeah, they were at the garden.
[00:29:30] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:29:31] Speaker C: That's what makes this even more, because Boston is so solid at home. They are so good. When they play at TD Garden, that.
[00:29:39] Speaker B: Means they're 25 and two at the Garden.
[00:29:42] Speaker C: I think they lost to the Nuggets. The Nuggets and then now the Lakers.
[00:29:46] Speaker B: But that's crazy.
[00:29:48] Speaker C: I think Austin Reeves, we knew how he was, and I don't think we've ever really seen him play like he did last night because it was a.
[00:29:59] Speaker A: Yes, we have playoffs.
[00:30:01] Speaker B: True.
[00:30:02] Speaker C: I'm saying. But like, he was looking to be the number one guy last night. I don't think there's ever been a time where LeBron and Ad have both been out and we've seen, because in.
[00:30:16] Speaker B: The playoffs, it's kind of been used like everybody's used to, like, okay, we got to go, ad, we got to go LeBron. And that's kind of opened up lanes for him, and that's the reason he could have scored so much. But with this, they weren't in all the pressure and all the best defensive players were on him.
[00:30:30] Speaker C: Also. Don't know how I feel about D'Angelo Russell because he shot the ball terrible.
[00:30:35] Speaker B: Five for 20, but he almost had.
[00:30:37] Speaker C: A triple double, so he had 15 assists or something crazy.
[00:30:41] Speaker B: Yeah, I see that. Yeah, he had like 14 assists. Yeah.
[00:30:44] Speaker A: But honestly, I would want to keep Dealo at this point because I know I probably said a couple of weeks ago, like, oh, yeah, trade dealo. Yeah, get rid of him.
[00:30:54] Speaker C: I don't care.
[00:30:55] Speaker A: I want to apologize. Dlo, you stepped it up ever since we've been talking stuff as fans. So shout out to you, but I will also take that same apology back if you don't keep it consistent after the deadline. Because if he doesn't keep it consistent.
[00:31:10] Speaker B: After the deadline, we'll just know.
[00:31:12] Speaker A: We'll take Kyrie.
[00:31:14] Speaker C: I still think something's going to happen before the deadline with the Lakers. I still think something big is going to happen.
[00:31:20] Speaker B: Yeah, I know that Dejante Murray has been on their radar. That's all I'm going to say.
[00:31:27] Speaker C: Trade. Thumbs down. Why don't.
[00:31:29] Speaker B: No, it's Dejante Murray. I mean, I don't know. He's been kind of hoping. I think he's averaging 22. He's been hoping and I think, like 1.5 steals.
[00:31:37] Speaker C: Why?
[00:31:38] Speaker A: Because he's trying to be ball dominant in ATL right now. So if Dealo necessarily can't be a ball dominant player and succeed with them, I don't think Murray would fit. True, because he's a younger guy, too, so he would have a little bit more know coming into it versus, like, at least D lo knows the system. He's been there for a good chunk of his, know, rookie year and all that stuff before he went to the nets. So I just keep rolling with what I have.
[00:32:08] Speaker B: And everybody praises him as a defender, but he's not even really an insane defender. Like, what he was in really San Antonio. He's kind of stepped it down a notch. I've heard this even because, like you said, trey, he's kind of moving to that more ball dominant. Hey, I want the ball. I want to score. I want to get my own stats kind of that mindset. So I don't know if he would be good for the Lakers in that sense. And plus, the LeBron effect, he just.
[00:32:33] Speaker C: Wouldn'T fit the LeBron effect.
[00:32:36] Speaker B: It's a real thing, dude. The first mean, you know, they get a little nervous being in the presence of someone so great.
[00:32:43] Speaker A: I guess that's honestly what's been happening this whole season. Like, see, obviously, so we just saw last night that Reeves and other people can produce if they have the opportunity.
[00:32:53] Speaker B: Hachimura, he did good.
[00:32:55] Speaker A: Yeah, but they're so worried about. It's also LeBron's playstyle, too. He probably tells them, kind of let me run the know. He's always been that point forward type of guy. So honestly, LeBron, at this point, I would have been telling them, like, okay, LeBron, so how about you just make your game easy on yourself to prevent injuries, even if we got to limit minutes. Well, how about when you get in, just play out the post.
[00:33:22] Speaker B: True.
[00:33:23] Speaker A: Play out the post. Create easy looks there because, you know they can't stop you. And then after that, everything else will open up.
[00:33:29] Speaker B: Yeah, it's just getting him banked up because I know with age, you know what I'm saying? He's not immortal.
[00:33:35] Speaker A: Oh, another thing, too, lakers. If I see everybody, like, if I see LeBron hustle back and sprint back on defense and just hustle and everybody else isn't, we're going to have a problem. All right, I'm going to book my flight, and I will turn into LA coach, be the assistant, because he's the oldest player in the league, the only one hustling for rebounds, getting back, it's kind of like, exhausting as a fan.
[00:34:03] Speaker C: He can't do it all.
[00:34:05] Speaker B: Trey spends all his money on just courtside seats for that one game, screaming.
[00:34:09] Speaker A: At him, yeah, I'm gonna come there with a sign. Step up where you're going, Darvin ham.
[00:34:14] Speaker B: Get out of the way, Trey. Coach. Golly, dude. But anyways, going on with it, I mean, Jackson Hayes had a good game, too. Talking about Jackson with ad out Ed 16 and ten. Yeah, double double for the young fella. You can't sleep on him.
[00:34:29] Speaker A: Him and Christian Wood have been phenomenal this season in terms of their roles.
[00:34:36] Speaker B: Yeah, Christian Wood is definitely. I'm surprised Christian Wood hasn't really done that much. I mean, he has done a lot, but they haven't really utilized him as much because we know what he can do on offense. Like that run he had with Houston. I mean, he was averaging like 20 a game, and they're barely even really utilizing him, honestly, because I thought he reminds me of Anthony Davis. I think he's just an 80 clone. Yeah, honestly, because he's kind of like.
[00:35:04] Speaker C: I just think he doesn't have the post game that ad does.
[00:35:07] Speaker B: Yeah, he's kind of just like a budget version of him, honestly.
[00:35:11] Speaker C: That's fair.
[00:35:12] Speaker B: Anytime I look at him, that's how I kind of feel about him. But anyways, Knicks, Knicks fans, if you're a Knicks fan out there, I'm sure you're happy because y'all are on fire. You are on a nine game win streak and you just got Julius Randall. He's a three time all star now. And now Jalen Brunson, first time all star, but coming off the win with the Pacers, despite not having Julius Randall and OG and Anobi, which has been. OG has been great for him ever since that trade, for sure, they've been on fire with him, but now they didn't have him and they still come out with a dub. What do y'all think this affects with their playoff contentions? And do you think they can make a run to the.
No.
[00:35:56] Speaker C: Nope.
[00:35:57] Speaker B: Crush it because we're done.
[00:36:00] Speaker C: Okay, I'm sorry, but the Knicks are one of the most frustrating teams because in the playoffs, and I'm not saying Jalen Brunson has played phenomenal. I'm not saying he can't lead his team because he can 40 ball last night, but he needs another guy. And I know you're all saying, oh, julius Randall, but some people forget how Julius Randall tends to play when playoffs roll around. And it's just not good until I, until I see him actually be aggressive, know play differently. Because I remember Stephen A. Smith last year, which we know he loves the Knicks, but last year was like, I'm done with Julius Randall. I'm giving up on him. And I need to see how this regular season is great, but it's a different beast once you get in the playoffs. And I need to see him play. Until I see that, I don't think they're beating Milwaukee, I don't think they're beating Boston.
[00:36:57] Speaker B: They got a lot of tough teams.
[00:36:59] Speaker C: Don'T even think they're beating the Sixers with Embiid in a seven game series.
[00:37:03] Speaker A: True. I would agree with that statement because to piggyback off that playoff comment, I remember specifically when the Knicks were what? In that last, like in the elimination game, Julius Randall kind of tried to be the hero and he started chucking up shots and he kind of just so he kind of just made it worse. But honestly, when he's on, he's on, but when he's off, he's off. He's kind of like an.
[00:37:36] Speaker B: Have the. I know they've been struggling with bigs. That's why they picked up precious Achua, I think, in that trade. But I mean, Jericho Sims, the young guy, he hasn't really been doing too much for him. And Hartenstein's kind of had to carry that load. And I don't really know how you're going to match up him with a guy like, or, you know, Joel Embiid, poor Zinga, whoever it may be. Al Horford, even Al Horford.
[00:38:01] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:38:01] Speaker B: Tough guy. I don't really know how you match up with that, but as far as their playoff contentions, I think they can make it far. Yeah, I think, honestly, I could see Eastern Conference finals.
No, that's my take.
[00:38:15] Speaker C: Here's my thing.
[00:38:16] Speaker A: Who are they beating no more?
[00:38:19] Speaker C: They got to beat one of Sixers, Bucks or Celtics. Yeah.
[00:38:22] Speaker B: I don't know how the seeding is going to work.
[00:38:24] Speaker A: Shoot, even the Pacers. They got to go through the Pacers, too.
[00:38:27] Speaker B: Even the Pacers. The Pacers might be in play in, though, but they could work their way up to that. Yeah. So I don't know.
[00:38:35] Speaker A: Telling you, Siakam's going to be. He's going to show why he's a good addition to the team.
[00:38:39] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:38:40] Speaker B: Do y'all think the Pacers will be good in a seven game series, though?
Because we know they can do single emanation.
[00:38:47] Speaker C: It depends on who they play, honestly. Because I feel like if they end up as, like a six seed and they got to play a three seed, one of the top three teams in the east, I feel like they're going to struggle, but if they get in that four or five matchup with maybe someone like the.
That. I think it could be interesting.
[00:39:10] Speaker B: A healthy Cavaliers team, though, that's scary.
[00:39:13] Speaker C: They're solid.
[00:39:13] Speaker A: I mean, I think any team could beat the Celtics like they have a chance because we just know they're inconsistent when it comes to how they play.
[00:39:22] Speaker B: And if Jason Tatum's chucking up shots and stuff and missing, then that's just good for know, like, no bias.
[00:39:29] Speaker A: I'm saying that without any bias, by the way, because like I said, I've been kind of on the Celtics a little bit tonight, but I could game.
[00:39:36] Speaker B: Series, I could honestly see them making a run kind of like similar to the Hawks. Did you remember the Hawks that one year?
[00:39:43] Speaker C: I do. Remember, it was 2021, and then they've.
[00:39:46] Speaker B: Been kind of, I think they kind of think they could make a run.
[00:39:49] Speaker C: Like, that was a crazy playoff.
[00:39:53] Speaker A: They haven't been back since.
[00:39:55] Speaker B: Yeah, they pretty much have the whole team.
[00:39:57] Speaker A: If anything, they might be a little bit better now because they have a.
[00:40:00] Speaker B: Little bit more support on paper. They have a good team, though. I mean, Jalen Johnson's coming into his own. Then you got Sadiq Bay, Trey Young, obviously, Gijante, I don't know, and Clint Capella. He's a solid big. You would think they would be better. And then they got Bogdan. Bogdan. Bogdanovich. He had like a 40 bomb. I think one day he had like some 40 point game. But yeah, I think they're solid team. It's just, I don't know, they just can'tie. Things together. They just don't work well together for some reason. But at this point in time, if you all had to pick just off the dome, if y'all had to pick a Finals matchup, who would y'all pick? Because I know y'all are up and down about the Celtics for the conference or like NBA NBA Finals, like final two teams. I don't. Just because I'm up and down on the Celtics, too, but I don't think the Sixers.
[00:40:52] Speaker C: You still think Nuggets.
[00:40:53] Speaker A: Nuggets.
[00:40:55] Speaker B: Yeah, I might have to agree with that. Nuggets. And then I don't know if I want or Philly. I was thinking the Bucks. I would pick the Bucks over Philly. That's just my.
[00:41:06] Speaker A: I don't know if MB comes back philly like Maxie Sabias Harris and beat all healthy Philly.
[00:41:12] Speaker B: But even if Embiid's back, I would pick the Bucks. I would.
[00:41:17] Speaker A: Not at all because that would depend on Dame. I could see that though. It would just depend on Dame in that situation because we know Giannis is.
[00:41:23] Speaker B: Going to step up and just looking back on dwelling Bead's playoff record and know because he's one of those just come up. He just comes up short in playoff.
[00:41:34] Speaker A: I just think, see, I feel like the reason why the Nuggets have been so successful. Like you remember when they lost in the bubble back in 2020. Ever since then, they pretty much kept that same team together for all these years. So they have team chemistry that's clearly above some other teams.
[00:41:54] Speaker B: Just like little changes, you said Jeremy grant on the lineup, then they kind of like get rid of him and then just like little changes like that and then also adding rookies that have stepped up like Brown. What's it, Chris Brown? Bruce Brown. Not Bruce Brown. The other guy. The rookie. The white dude.
[00:42:13] Speaker C: We're talking about the NBA Finals. I got sons. I'm joking. I wish, actually, they're playing good basketball.
[00:42:23] Speaker B: But they are playing when they're all healthy. I think they're like.
[00:42:26] Speaker C: And when Booker decides not to take 35 shots in a game, but they're playing good basketball, I obviously want them. But I'm telling you all right now, do not be surprised if the Clippers stay healthy. And I could easily see the Clippers making the finals. Yeah, I think the James Harden edition worked out perfect for them.
[00:42:46] Speaker B: I just don't see how it's going to play out, bro.
[00:42:48] Speaker A: I just don't think they would beat the Nuggets in the seven game series.
[00:42:51] Speaker C: I do. I think they're the perfect team to beat the Nuggets in the seven game.
[00:42:54] Speaker A: They could definitely. I just don't think.
[00:42:56] Speaker C: I actually weirdly think they're the only team in the west that can compete with the Nuggets in a seven game series because I think the Nuggets have the Suns number, but too young. The Thunder's too.
[00:43:07] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:43:07] Speaker C: Thunderstorm.
[00:43:08] Speaker B: Thunder's too young. Yeah. And then with the Lakers, they got owned last year. No offense. Track.
[00:43:13] Speaker A: No, that's all good.
[00:43:14] Speaker C: King.
[00:43:14] Speaker A: They deserve it.
[00:43:16] Speaker B: The Suns can't match up because, I mean, Yusuf Nurkic is already getting worse and there's no way he's going to.
[00:43:22] Speaker C: Be able to guard and they don't.
[00:43:24] Speaker B: Have the entire game.
[00:43:25] Speaker C: Suns don't have a lot of defense.
[00:43:27] Speaker A: Would be much more productive if they let Beal cook up a little bit more.
[00:43:31] Speaker B: Yeah. And who's going to be on Jamal Murray? Jamal Murray's going to either Beale or Booker.
[00:43:35] Speaker A: Crock pot Beale or book on him, not Booker. But why, Bill?
Is he not a better defender than Booker?
[00:43:43] Speaker B: I'd say I think Booker is a better defender. If you had to pick it. I don't know. I think I'd put Booker on him.
[00:43:52] Speaker C: I just think the Clippers match up well with the Nuggets and I think that's something that can.
Because they play defense.
[00:43:58] Speaker B: It comes down to Kawhi. I think in that scenario it comes.
[00:44:02] Speaker C: Down to if they can stay healthy.
[00:44:03] Speaker A: It comes down to everybody. For the Nuggets, you got to think, like I said, they just came off of a championship season, so they already have momentum. They obviously don't need the best record to prove they're the best team in the west.
[00:44:14] Speaker C: And they easily have the best chemistry in the league.
[00:44:16] Speaker A: Yeah, like whatever team plays them, everybody has to be firing on all cylinders. It can't just be like one or two people like Harden will have to step up. Westbrook coming off the bench will have to step up. Terrence Mann, Kawhi Leonard, PG Zubak.
[00:44:31] Speaker B: I just.
[00:44:32] Speaker A: Lineup has to step up to the.
[00:44:34] Speaker B: Plate as the leader of the team and the only guy with finals experience besides Norman Powell. Norman Powell's been there, too, but I think as the leader of that team, we know, like when Kawhal enter gets it going, this team, they can play well, but when he falls short, it's just a different team. And I just think, I don't really know. PG can get it going, too. And then James Harden, I wouldn't want to give it all to James Harden in that kind of scenario.
I wouldn't want it to come down to. Yeah. Just knowing his history in that moment. You know what saying, I feel like.
[00:45:12] Speaker C: This is one time where James Harden is surrounded by. Because if you remember his Brooklyn days, which wasn't long, but his Brooklyn days, he had Katie and Kyrie. But James Harden was hurt for that Buck series.
[00:45:27] Speaker B: True.
[00:45:27] Speaker C: So I feel like this year he has teammates that can actually help him and get over that playoff hump that seems to happen every time he's in the playoffs.
[00:45:36] Speaker B: That's a good point.
[00:45:37] Speaker A: And Harden and Kyrie was hurt during that series, remember?
[00:45:40] Speaker B: Yeah, Kyrie had dirty.
[00:45:44] Speaker C: The Nets.
[00:45:45] Speaker A: Was that dirty from Yanis when Kyrie landed?
[00:45:47] Speaker C: Yes, because he saw. Probably not, but yeah, you could say.
[00:45:51] Speaker A: He was looking up at the ball, but come on, now he's moved closer.
[00:45:55] Speaker C: To where his, they win it all that year.
[00:45:57] Speaker B: I don't know.
I don't know if Yanis would do that.
[00:46:02] Speaker A: He could possibly be a low key dirty player. Like, not like outright dirty.
[00:46:06] Speaker C: But the Nets win it all that year if they stay healthy.
They were up 20 on the champions that year.
[00:46:13] Speaker B: True.
[00:46:14] Speaker A: Which was home court advantage at that point.
[00:46:16] Speaker C: Right.
[00:46:16] Speaker B: Katie was telling you.
[00:46:17] Speaker C: Katie went stupid in that one of them had played.
[00:46:22] Speaker A: Like if Kyrie had played, man, even.
[00:46:24] Speaker C: Yeah, I don't even like James Harden. I feel like if just Katie and Kyrie were there, I feel like it would have. I don't know.
[00:46:30] Speaker B: And you got to think James Harden's health at that time, he kind of had the fat suit thing going. That's probably why he was so unhealthy. He was not in shape at all. If you watch him, he was not in shape. So even if he did play, I don't even know how good he would have done. Yeah, but yeah, if Kyrie was playing I just think it's a different game.
[00:46:49] Speaker C: It's worth noting that I think the Suns played like two days ago and their big three has already played more games than the Nets big three did.
[00:46:57] Speaker B: Oh, wow. Yeah, that's, well, I'm not surprised. Crazy to me that checks out. Yeah. Because I remember being a Kyrie fan watching them play. I mean, they wouldn't play for nothing. I'll be like, dang, one person's hurt.
[00:47:09] Speaker C: It's rotation.
[00:47:11] Speaker B: It really is rotation. Which is similar to the sun situation.
[00:47:14] Speaker C: But at least they got over that. Yeah, trying to.
[00:47:17] Speaker B: At least they're not the Nets. So anyways, that's going to wrap up today's show. Thank y'all for tuning in. Thank y'all for listening and yeah, we're gonna be back next week with some more Menorah NBA news.
Samuel.
