OverDrive - OverDrive - February 25, 2025 - Hour 3

Episode Date: February 26, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jamie McLennan and Dave Feschuk for Hour 3 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Analyst Carlo Colaiacovo joins to discuss the Capitals' dominant season, Winnipeg's aim for the Presidents' Trophy and Sidney Crosby's tenure with the Penguins. TSN NBA Analyst Jack Armstrong joins to discuss the Raptors' team mentality, Scottie Barnes' notable leadership and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP season and Bryan gives his FanDuel Best Bets.

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Listen on the free IR Radio app. Final Hour Overdrive continues powered by FanDuel, bringing you everything from the opening line of the final score, Brian Hayes, Jamie Noodles, McClennan, Dave Festrick, the Toronto Star, and there he is from first up, Carlo Colliacavo in the house. What's up, fellas? How we doing, buddy? Heard you guys had a nice discussion about a tush push. Yes. Early on. What is this philosophy on the tush push? Where do you stand on it? If you can't

stop it it's your loss man. Yeah. This whole Green Bay Packers of course they're the guys that can play. This guy wants to ban it. Finally someone steps up and has the stones to realize he's bad for the sport, bad for entertainment. So here's why I say don't ban it. Because a lot of people thought it was Jason Kelsey that was the guy that orchestrated everything. He's gone. Yeah, and still works. And they still found a way. And so there's a skill element to it.

I heard your defense to it and I agree Dave. I just think that if everybody in the league was doing it, you can understand, okay, maybe taking a look at it. But there's only one team in the league that really has... That's perfected it. That's perfected it. Yeah, listen, credit to the Eagles. Like, I'm not, it's not like I'm taking their flowers away. I understand why they got their flowers, what they've done.

I do think there is a health and safety element to it. That's fair. there is a health and safety element to it that appears to be getting a little bit louder within the game in terms of like how players are attacking the line of scrimmage and what's going to happen at some point. But again I also I would ask you guys like sure it's easy to say that credit where credit is due is there from an entertainment standpoint as a viewer is there entertainment in something in a play that is 100 successful? Yeah there there is if there is a team that can do it that's entertainment I actually laugh every time the Eagles get short yardage I'm like okay here you know it's coming and it works every single time I mean I wanted to say that

about my bills they're pretty good at it tell that one time it's like hey we got to get I was nervous watching it they didn't get it yeah well and that's the thing once someone does stop them then the problem is also there's an element of embarrassment that terrifies defensive coordinators. And I'll admit, this is a loser's mentality that they're going to set up for it and they're going to fake it. And someone's going to go deep and they're going to somehow pull a play action tush push. And you're like, what are we supposed to do here? How are we supposed to handle this? Because we have to sell out. Yeah and anyway. Well let's just say this like at least we're

in an era in the NFL where people aren't punting on fourth and one. Remember that? Remember that era? Yeah. Everybody just was that fun Hase? Yeah. Was that fun to watch? No. Mike Tomlin did this against the Ravens. Yeah. You know down two scores fourth and inches and he punted it from his own 40 Yeah, game has changed drastically. Is there any chance that they will develop a way to stop it? That's the because everybody is everyone's trying to trying trying to figure out where is some defensive coordinator out there That is a savant that is gonna be like you need to do this to shut it down I also think too like there's a skill element to the quarterback like Jalen Hertz is a beast

yeah when it comes to you know lifting weights the the power that he uses with his legs not every quarterbacks built like that like Patrick Mahomes ain't executing that if you're pushing him from behind. Yeah well and also I do wonder though if Hertz is gonna like if he gets injured on that play at some point is he gonna look back and say you've taken advantage of my ability to get that extra yard or two like I don't think Kansas City would want to do it because they wouldn't want to allow Mahomes to be in a position to get hit. Yeah that's you know that's another part of it. That's why I have a problem with the rule change here like this is

the Carlos point this is so specific to the talent that is Jalen Hurts, the body that is Jalen Hurts, and the talent and bodies of that offensive line. That is a state of the art offensive line. So it's not like this is just, you know, something that everybody else can replicate and suddenly the game is not fun anymore because it's basically, you only have to get nine yards. You don't have to get ten anymore because the last yard is guaranteed. But that's basically what it have to get nine yards. You don't have to get 10 anymore because the last yard is but that's basically what it is For them. Yes for them in particular Yes, it is effectively if it's third and anything inside a yard and a half. They're going going for it on their own

15 yard line 20 yard line to go for it. Yeah, yeah, but I mean it will not achieve it to the noodles point though I don't think it'll last for it Well, no, that's might not want to do it much longer I mean he he may have a player safety issue at some point in his career where he says i'm just guys i'm getting To Noodle's point though, I don't think it'll last forever. Well, no. Hertz might not want to do it much longer. He may have a player safety issue at some point in his career where he says, guys, I'm getting too old. You also have to know in those piles, there's probably guys taking liberties. Well, that's what I was just going to say.

Somebody's going to get cut in half in there and they're going to go, we got to deal with this because it might be old school prison rules in there and somebody comes out with a broken leg or a pulled off face. That's old school prison rules in there. And somebody comes out with a broken leg or a pulled off face. You know? That's old school. I don't know if we're living in that area anymore, but it would have been the case back in the day.

Who was the guy, was it? LT, who was like the meanest? Lawrence, well Dick Budkiss back in the day was known. Poke your eyes out. To be absolutely insane. What he'd be yelling and saying to the quarterback, the running back. Yeah.

Like just obscenities that would make your stomach turn. Yeah. Like I am going to be just... Yeah. You and your wife and your family and I'm coming for you. You can imagine what he's saying. I'm going to kill you, I'm coming for you, I'm going to get you. And he was an all-time great. Yeah.

All right, so you're in here tonight. What do we got? The Habs in action tonight. We got the Leafs on TSN tonight. The Habs are an interesting spot because like three weeks ago it felt like they might be buyers and they're red hot. They're in it. And now you get through the four nations and you realize it's probably not going to happen. Jake Evans is a name that's out there. David Savard's name is constantly out there. I mean, what does your read on the Habs and what would be their best course of action between now and the trade deadline? Well look they put themselves in a difficult position going into the break losing six of seven considering there was that month stretch where they had the best record of hockey between early December and early January

and they actually sniffed the last playoff spot and it's amazing how things can change in the league between winning streaks and losing streaks. You go on a handful winning streak, you're in the playoff mix, you lose five or more games in a row, you're out of it. And I think for the Montreal Canadiens, a lot of their success came because there was a fire that was lit under this team when Patrick Leinay came into the lineup. Everybody, you know, sort of piggyback it off off of that, you know, just incredible serves that he had scoring all those goals. And

they were playing just with a newfound energy. And that catches up to you, right? And they were winning games, they probably shouldn't have won. And then in games that they probably should have won, they were losing those in those six and seven games. So for Montreal I think look if they can still be competitive it would be great but I think they can't lose track of where they are and they've done a great job of you know accumulating assets over the last couple years and I think they can't get away from that. If Jake Evans is a guy who's been a really nice fit as a role player on that team, third line center, him and Armia found a nice chemistry together. If they can find a way to keep him, you know, he's a guy that they've developed on their

own. He can kill penalties. He scores a bunch of short-handed goals too. Davis Savard is a piece that everybody's going to be going after, that rugged right-handed shot defenseman. Lucky for them, they've been developing a lot of young defensemen in their system over the last couple years, so maybe that loss of him this year and maybe next year won't be impacted as much. But I think they really got to see what happens this week. They started off great with their first game against auto i believe you did that game no i didn't i watched it right i mean ottawa was asleep and montreal wasn't yeah and i

think they'd well if they find themselves back into the race i mean you know how it is every year nothing's guaranteed i would i would love for them to see them give this group a chance to go for it but you know you got to manage five points out right now yeah and five teams to leap and all that i've i think they weren't as bad as they were at the start of the year i think they overachieved in that run and they're kind of just a meddling i've always said this i feel like they're an 84 point team this season

and which is not bad it's you know it's playing meaningful hockey down the stretch you're a former defenseman, is you? Thank you for the inclusion. Both of you to weigh in. When I played with him he was a forward. Six center icemen. Really? Him and stage? Him and stage. I took him under my wing. Where's Lane Hudson? Like what do you, I mean, where do you think his ceiling is once he really settles into the league and gets maybe a little bit more meat on him, just gets a little bit of man strength too? So this is my fifth season doing Habs on TSN. I'm not going to lie, the last couple of years have been really rough.

There's been a new level of excitement for me watching the Habs play this year just because of Lane Hudson. This guy just, he's always making stuff happen when there's nothing there. Like there's no play to be made. He just it's either a quick shoulder check, it's a quick spinorama, it's a quick foot shuffle, it's something outrageous that he's doing and he's creating something out of nothing. Especially in the offensive zone, he's got such a creative mind when it comes to the way he thinks offense the way he tries to produce offense if you're a forward you got to love playing with this guy because you

know you're getting the puck and sometimes in unexpected places I think his ceiling I think he can easily I wouldn't say easily I think he has the potential to be as good as Quinn Hughes one day Wow, that's as high of a high bar. I mean it's Hughes and McCarthur two best defensemen in the league Yeah, that's as high as it can get and look it's gonna take him a little bit to get there He skates as good as him. Yep. He got confidence like crazy confidence for a rookie Yeah, and he's probably gonna put up 60 points this year in his rookie season I mean we haven't saw me between him and Celebrini. Is it not? Yeah I think in terms of like the the odds on FanDuel Celebrini's like minus 350 or something minus 300 and

Hudson I think is to Dustin Wolfe. I think is Sure you know i love to have a little about it and i have a house here sure that will for sure yeah uh... but i love the kid man and he's fun to watch he's got a brother coming into the league crazy washington and washington brother right as if they need any more that's what's scary washington's got a great farm system they get two or three kids like knocking on the door to be signal they've won the color cup the last two years and then they have a very they've got some depth there and guys knocking out the door.

So all that does is just push guys out. Oh man, it sets up beautifully. Young guys that are pushing through that are on cost-effective contracts. You can push somebody out that's making a lot of money, make him expendable. That's a nice system there. I don't think the management gets enough credit in washington for kinda this i don't think that was a retool on the fly but it was just a weird we all thought

pay this is it it's just about all the scoring goals and we have a lot of my impression that just and every here i've said this ten times on the show every move they made the offseason has russia but you want to the broad mind you're party uh... logan thompson shaker shaker it has worked out. Dubois too. Dubois, Mungiapani, Logan Thompson, Chikrin, that Duhame on the fourth line. They brought in the Roy defenseman, is it Roy? Yeah, Matt Roy.

Like that's another just under the radar really good signing like they're a really good team but a lot of that is because of the offseason moves of the manager. Oh big time, yeah big time and and yet Winnipeg won their tenth in a row and leapfrogged them last night. And yeah it was I mean it went to overtime against San Jose but Shifely wins it in overtime and like they have won ten in a row. Hayes I did their game. It's incredible Winnipeg. I did their game it was the week before the break and it was I'm trying to think it was against Carolina okay and Comrie played yeah they shut out Carolina with Comrie and net and their power play is

absurd like so good you take them they score two power play goals that game and that's literally all the offensive chances that they got that team is so deep in just guys that know how to play their roles. They don't have brand name type players, aside from Shifeley, Connor, Velardy, Morrissey's Unreal. But other than that, they just have guys that just know their roles, know what they're expected to do when they're on the ice, and they plug and play so nicely. They're so hard to play against defensively because they're big and they plug and play so nicely. They're so hard to play against defensively because they're big and they're physical,

but on the offense too, they're just, they're so well disciplined in their position. And no one's talking about them. And it just feels like, you know, everyone's like, ah, cause it's Winnipeg, but they're literally an unreal team. Yeah, they've done it from the heart, man. 15 and one.

But I hate to say it But they're they're a little bit like the Maple Leafs West right like where it's because it's playoffs Yeah, yeah when it comes to the playoffs and look maybe I wonder if you know Hellebuck having a really good four nations where he's had some real disappointments and big moments in the postseason Does that change the landscape in the way? We're you know the people are spinning that you know Marner being a clutch player from Canada might change his outlook in a playoff series. Do you buy into that? Look for Marner you mean? Or Hellebuck. Do you think that that Four Nations thing can actually propel a guy to do something

he hasn't done in the postseason? To me what amazes me is how how much of a split there is between Connor Hellebuck's playoff stats and regular season stats to me? I don't understand that and I Think he's an amazing goaltender and I think it's it's due to turn for him. Is it not it should be But it's due to turn for the Leafs Turn for everybody like in the end when you're playing the same team potentially seven times in a row So much change start to pick apart like okay, this is what this guy does well. This is what he doesn't do well. You look at that first game, go back to, and we talked about it at Nausium, Colorado, Winnipeg,

that first game was seven six, I believe. And Georgie five looked like me in the net. He was awful. And we were like, okay, that's, like Winnipeg's gonna rinse them, Colorado doesn't have a goalie. And, but loss and all that, it's like, okay, well, Hellebuck gave up six that night. Right. And then Colorado locked it down, George E. Five played all right,

and they were, like, that was it. Colorado just took over. And I don't know how many, we did stats it was screenplays just get in front of hell but keep it in the net and he couldn't see the puck and Colorado just rinsed him and then afterwards his meat is like you guys aren't gonna believe this but I felt great next we're giving up five a night you don't believe I can't stop it he can't say it just they found a way to get to him and really focus on his weaknesses, which every player has weaknesses.

I think that's the reason why people aren't all in on Winnipeg. They should be all in on Winnipeg based on what we're seeing, but they're going, okay, playoff hockey looks different. Ehlers, smaller guy, you know, like maybe not as big. I think their third line could be the best third line in hockey. It is. Like when you've got Lowry, Nita Meyer, or Nita Ryder,

and Appleton. But, you know, does it translate into the playoffs? Those guys do. You need saves, you need systematic play. I don't know what's happened the last couple years, but when it comes to Winnipeg for me, you gotta show me. It's same thing with Toronto Maple Leaf. Yeah talk about I would show me argue the same thing with Washington Right like Washington's had a phenomenal year yet, I think we're gonna look at a scenario where both these teams are gonna run away with the one seed and

There's gonna be a lot of doubt like if I if I offered you guys right now the one seat Washington and Winnipeg versus the field Which ticket would you take? The field all day exactly hockey, right? Oh, it's so I know that but like if this was if Vegas was doing what Winnipeg's doing Yeah, and Florida was doing what Washington's doing you'd take Vegas in Florida I believe you would probably most people would be like I'm taking, man. They've won, I know what they are. And they look unstoppable. I'm not betting against those two tickets,

but Washington, Winnipeg has the ticket, you're taking the field. And I think the majority of people would. See, but here's where I think Washington has a massive advantage over anybody. They had nobody on their team play at the Four Nations. So their whole team got a two week break. Can you see the way they've come out of the break?

Right. Yeah. It does make sense. And they're massive too. Like you always talk about a Noodle's. Like they're a big team. Well, even their- But you're right. They're healthy. Even their skilled players are big. That Brodish. Oh, he's a monster. He's a monster.

He's a monster. And he can fly. Like fly. He's a great skater. Dubois who looks reinvigorated. Like he's mean to play. Well you see it from the ice level. Ice level gives you the perfect perspective of how big that team is. And you're not the only guy that said that. I've heard it from many people. Johnny has said it too. Tom Wilson. Thighs is big. Like forget Tom Wilson plays there. Like he's an animal. He's so big. Like Manjia Pani

is a nice addition. He's playing on the fourth line. He had 28 goals a couple years ago in Calgary. Like they have a really good team and sometimes a trade works out for both organizations. Chikrun is a perfect fit. Perfect fit and Nick Jensen's a great fit for the Ottawa Senators.

And Washington's really happy, Ottawa's really happy with their player. It's just's a great fit for the Ottawa Senators. And Washington's really happy, Ottawa's really happy with their player. It's just been a great fit. Logan Thompson has been unbelievable, probably more than what they expected, but it comes back to Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren, they don't have a deep history in the playoffs. It's a lot like the Leafs.

Like, you know, how many playoffs starts does Wohl and Stolars have combined? I think Stolars has zero because he came in on a mop up last year with Babroski, that ugly game in Edmonton, and Wohl's got six? Five, five, five, six. Single digits, yeah. But you got to go through the process that's the thing and you know you you you have to play like whether it's wool or stollers they're gonna have to play same thing with Lindgren or Thompson who knows how that's gonna unfold yeah hey I gotta ask you do you think there's a part of you or a part of Sidney Crosby that will surprise everyone between now and the trade deadline after knowing what it's like to play with his buddy Nate McKinnon at the Four Nations that he re-thinks

his situation in Pittsburgh? I'm not sure it happens before the trade deadline. It feels like an off- season move for Sid, right? Now, if he's gonna eventually conclude that he should run. He got the taste of winning again. That's the thing, and if you're gonna get to that conclusion, do it as quickly as you can.

Yes. Like if it's in the back of your mind that you kinda realize, all right, I don't think I can finish this dance, it's gonna get worse before it gets better, and that's likely what's gonna happen in Pittsburgh, then get out in front of it. You don't think there's a part of you that sees Nate McKinnon sending this guy text messages all the time.

Oh, you know McKinnon would love to make it work. Come on, bud. Come on. Let's do it again. We could be doing those pregame practice drills, postgame practice drills. We can be riding Zambonis through Tim Hortons. Come on, bud. Well, for sure, man. We can be doing it. But listen, Sid just had an incredible two weeks where he was front and center that Sweden game. He was the best player on the ice again

But it's also a scenario where he's a guy he's won so much in his life and in his career that I Don't like it's not as if he hasn't won in 10 years or 15 years, right? You know like it's not as if he hasn't won in 10 years or 15 years. Right. You know, like it's, yes it's been a while in Pittsburgh and we haven't had best on best in a while, but all the guy knows is winning effectively. Like the whole Pittsburgh situation is very, outside of his rookie year, they've been in the playoffs basically every year up until the last two years. Yeah. And again, it's driving the wrong way. I'd like to believe it, but I'll believe it when I see it.

That he, that Sid finally says, I need to get out of here. He's a guy that nobody knows anything about it. Doesn't have social media or anything. I just feel like this could be one of those out of left field. Do you think it would likely be quiet too? Do you think like it would leak? Like do you think Sid would make it a mandate? I'm doing it and I'm doing it to this team and I want it done tonight and then it gets out or do you think it would leak out like, hey, there's some rumors like Sid's names out there. Okay.

So how about this then the two teams, anybody hear anything that any insider get an inkling on the ranton and trade? No, that was feathers for everybody. Yeah. Well, that's the same team you're talking about. So on one side, they've been pretty quiet. I'm pretty sure that they go, if we're going to do something, this is cloak of the veil, veil of secrecy. So maybe that would be, I just, for some reason I think it's an off season thing, but maybe that train have sailed. Because Colorado is

a good team right now. They've got cap space. They just look to get around 5 million in cap space. They can add a really good player at the deadline. Yeah. Well, and Pittsburgh can eat money. I mean, the idea that you'd have to eat money on Sid would be crazy. But he's got term on his deal now. That's the thing. He's not a UFA. He just signed the extension. Not that Colorado or any other team wouldn't handle that or deal with it. They find a way to make the full salary. Yeah, like that's the thing about Sid going there It's not hey, give it a three-month shot Once you go you're there and you're and you're presumably playing the rest of your career there And I'm not convinced this guy's just gonna retire when he hits 40

Yeah, I'm not convinced of that at all. All this guy does is play hockey and live hockey like he's a freak for hockey He still talks about it like he's a five-year-old kid and I wouldn't be surprised if he plays another five years That's what I'm saying But doesn't it bother you the sense like you heard Brad Marsh and come out the other day too and said I'm a lifer Boston Bruin for life only in hockey do guys say that yeah, you don't see it in the NBA You don't see it. It's like these guys have been there for forever and they got a chance to go somewhere else to win. Like, I'm comfortable here.

Yeah. Yeah. Well, and move on. Which brings us, you know what I mean? Get out of there. And worry about legacy. Great. Everyone's going to remember your legacy where you're at, but people still want to see you,

you know, compete for championships. That's been my argument with Sid the whole time. Is I just, I don't want to see it just because he's it's it's already happened Yeah, like for two weeks. It was Sid he was in our lives again And now he goes back to pay watching him play at that level Exactly, and now he's back in pit and I won't I won't spend one second watching him play hockey the rest of the year I'm not one second Noodles would be the guy watching but

for sure but i'll say this like i think you understand to an extent carla because when you're royalty in a city like there's some special and there's not the right that's not going to change well change it changed you're right it probably won't change in the grand scheme but it's gonna change for a few years if you leave town for the remainder your contract is in cross right in the grand scheme, but it's going to change for a few years if you leave town for the remainder of your contract if you're sitting in Crosby, right?

And look, he's looked at the Mario Lemieux model and where you essentially, you are a regal, king-like figure in town. What could be in your future? There could be ownership in your future. There could be executive opportunities in your future. And he might get those if he becomes a Colorado Avalanche for a few years here and Goes back to Pittsburgh. I'm not saying he wouldn't but I think I see that as Very attractive say I played in one Jersey. It's now retired. This is my town

You think it's noble to do that though like It gets all up to him obviously But if he wants to finish his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, at some point they're gonna have to blow it up and go scorched earth, and that's sooner than later. They're basically already there. I understand that, but I'm saying really scorched earth. Yes, ugly, ugly.

And they don't have assets, they don't have a bunch of guys pushing through like the Washington Capitals. They got a lot of draft picks coming up. I think they got 15. Yeah, you got 30. Or so you got 30 in the next three. Now, you look at, there's a lot of third round picks in there. Exactly. They're a lot of draft picks coming up. I think you've got 30 or so. You've got 30 in the next three years. There's a lot of third round picks. Exactly, they're from third round and back. Yeah, it's not... The thing about it is you've got to find a way, if you're Sidney Crosby, to go, okay, what's gonna challenge me the next three years?

It's the Olympics, because he'll play there next year. Absolutely. Maybe chase another Stanley Cup. If you go somewhere else. If you go somewhere else. If you go somewhere else. But who do you think, I mean this is more of a big picture, is there anybody right now that's halfway through their career or heading towards the end of their career has been with one organization that will finish it out? Well Ovi clearly is that guy now. I mean Ovi.

Yeah, and Larkin maybe? I mean, Marchand is the other one. Marquand would be the other one. Captain of the Boston Bruins is a nice guy. Marquand's younger, but I mean, I see him as like Captain Detroit. Seems like he's Mr. Detroit, but you know, at some point if they don't turn a corner or not, I know they're in a playoff spot now. Maybe he has some different ideas on what he wants to do. In Sydney's mind, you know, I'm never going to speak for him. Well, Malcolm and LaTang can follow his suit there, too. That's the amazing thing is all three of them have been there the whole time.

They could share that same legacy together. Yeah. Yeah, but it's, I mean... I know it's different with Sid, but... They just said at some point, you hear Carlson's name being floated. Well, of course. Like right now, I mean, do... I'd love to get rid of him.

Yeah, who wouldn't want to move off Carlson right now? He's got two years left, 10 million or whatever or whatever and if he could get his act back together he had a hundred points two years ago i know the worst team in the league i mean still i mean that's a hundred points is a hundred points like i i don't know he just he looked like a little bit invigorating i would air in sweden there is nothing you could do to convince me to take care of carlson tomorrow it's it's rumored that the Leafs are in on Eric Carlson unless it's coming with him and they can't gross it in there about five million dollar

defenseman with so we're gonna stick with Connor Timmons yeah for five million dollars I'm not paying him five million dollars you're saying if they're gonna eat half I'm saying if Eric Carlson was a five million dollar defenseman, I think there'd be a lot of teams. I wouldn't. I wouldn't touch it. Just because of the power play. They don't have a power play defenseman. The Leafs don't? If five fours. They don't. I don't know. It's just an interesting, like that's, you know, making up BS things. Well, I mean, I think that would be available. I think if Bradshaw Living, now maybe not with the Leafs, but I think if someoneshaw living now, maybe not with the Leafs

But I think if someone called them up and said we'll take Carlson You got to eat half that I mean in reality I think Pittsburgh is gonna have to likely do that Likely have to eat half of it or at least a significant portion of it. You could do that deal I think yeah, is anyone gonna do it. Do you think do you think Carlson's a penguin on March 8? I Don't I think he is. I can't. I can see him getting traded. I could see him getting traded. CJ was on with us this morning and he said there's a lot of anxious fingers out there with the GMs with their phones right

now. About Carlson? No, no, no. Just about trades. Just about trades in general. Sure, I got you. Comes back to maybe where everyone feels like the league is wide open why don't i go in on it right now right here this guy they'll be a leaf and it'll be electric as all the side you'll be like what a great always love that always love that always love that idea

all right habs on TSN tonight We'll catch you on the panel and we'll thanks patch it tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. There is Carlo Thanks boys one half of first up every morning Monday through Friday right here on TSM radio Jack Armstrong coming up Raptors Celtics Luca and the Lakers at home against the Mavs tonight. We'll get to that next Next. You can win an I Heart Radio experience with tickets, flights, and a three-night stay at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Head online to answer the Daily Juno's trivia question at iheartradio.ca. All right, best of luck to you later in the hour. It's all about Toronto, Boston tonight.

Leafs Bruins and the Celtics are in town. Celtics Raptors tonight, and Raptors coming off a really impressive win on Sunday. That Phoenix team, man, there's just some weird stuff on with that some weird stuff but I thought Scotty was great I thought you know him him attacking KD and he took him out of the game like Doran had nothing on Sunday and they won big and Darko's made it clear post all-star break it's about development it's about. The manager's made it clear that it's about the draft. It's more about the draft, which is fine. We're this deep into the season, might as well end it,

but still we'll see what they have in store tonight. Boston's one hell of a team. The champs are in town. Here's Jack Armstrong, our TSN Raptors analyst. How's it going, Jack? Guys, good. I'm here in the beautiful Scotia Bank Arena about to call the game on TSN TV so happy to be all you gentlemen yes so what do we expect in here I mean when you consider coming off the other night where I thought they they obviously played really well one big against Phoenix this is a different beast with Boston in town but Scotty you know the the the focus on the defensive side of play and the way that he has been playing recently it seems to be taking more more pride now as the season's gone on what have you seen out of him

defensively in particular scottie barnes i think he's playing more within at this point in his career where his game is you know in terms of playing near to the basket and then uh... really using his his length and athleticism and ability to guard to be an impactful guy on both ends. So, you know, at this stage of his career, he's not necessarily a three-point shooter, and that's fine, you know?

Do what you do and do it well. And when he gets into the mid-low post, he's very effective scoring around there and obviously as a passer, as an unselfish guy in the open court and then defensively he can guard all the positions. So to me, you know, he's dialed in and playing at a really high level. So that's what has to happen for him to continue to grow and those other steps from a skill perspective will take place more in the off season than right now.

It's just so hard with limited practice time, but I like what I see in from him. You know, having quickly back in a lineup and healthy, uh, his ability to shoot the ball gives you offense more spacing and more creativity. I think it makes it easier for everyone else to be that much more efficient. And right now you're doing that without Jakob Pertl, a guy that you involve quite a bit in your offense in terms of throwing him the ball and his ability to move it around quickly

and his outstanding screen setting and ability to finish at the rim is big. But, you know, and they're playing better defense. I think they're protecting the ball. Guys know their roles a little bit better. There's not as many silly turnovers leading to easy scores, so therefore they're able to lock into their coverages a little bit better.

They look more like a team. You know, they're still going to have their share of droughts and mistakes because particularly when you play all those young guys off the bench, that's gonna be a problem. But nonetheless, I think it's gonna pay dividends as you go forward in the years to come that these guys have been thrown in the fire

and you're gonna see these guys develop that much quicker. So I think it's a good thing. Think about it, tonight Boston and then tomorrow at Indiana, to good teams and then after and then after that schedule goes the other way they have the easiest schedule in the nba after after tomorrow night and you know depending on what school of thought you're from and you guys kind of nailed on both sides in terms of a trial when or you're worried about the draft the schedule can be could could become a real issue if you're

in tank nation because even even if you're trying to not necessarily you know win 50 games which are not gonna make the playoffs they might not have no other choice because the team they're playing against never underestimate the other guy has more problems than you do. And there's a bunch of those teams remaining that are on the schedule. So I'm fascinated to see how it all plays out. So Jack, we began this season listening to Messiah Jury talk about a rebuilding year and a lot of the rebuilding, let's face it, is figuring out what you're building around.

And you talked about Scottie and the step that could be taken with more development of his game and refining of his skills. Like if you're looking at this guy through the off season and what could he bring to his game that would make him the foundational piece of an NBA franchise like where would you be adding? Well I think I think we're too obsessed in this league with three-point shooting not everyone could be a 40% three-point shooter you know you look at a guy like Giannis he kind of knows what works for him, and he rolls with it And and he you know he stays where with that what benefits him and to me I think for Scottie Barnes if he can be an adequate solid

Low mid 30s three-point shooter at a low volume and do the things that in my opinion Really benefit the team a significant amount, and that is being a guy that's an absolute beast in the low post, who could score consistently out of there, that has a few pet moves, a few counters to those pet moves around the basket, and can operate consistently in the mid-range as well, to me, I think uh... is big and i think the more shooting you put around him the more space he had to be a lot

yet to work with i think the more matchup he can win because he's got a real good uh... we have to look at all him a skill is excellent vision and he can't he can navigate particularly if he's got space to navigate. So to me when I look around it, a lot of it's going to be Ross, the construction, but some

of it's going to be him really developing a few pet moves that right now some of it's playing on talent and now you got to take that next step and play a little bit more with some skill. But the other thing is just that nasty temperament night in, night out. Again, I mentioned a guy like Giannis. Talent wise, is he overwhelmingly more talented than guys in the league, or is he overwhelmingly more determined? I would say he's overwhelmingly more determined. And what I'm seeing of late from Scottie Barnes is a guy that's a heck of a lot more determined. I would say he's overwhelmingly more determined. And what I'm seeing of late from Scottie Barnes is a guy that's a heck of a lot more determined. And you put that

determination with his talent, you can have a guy that could end up being a consistent all-star in the years ahead. So Jack, you've got 25 games left roughly. To me, what is the perfect scenario for the Toronto Raptors for the rest of this season? Is it just development? Is it you know gaining a bunch of points? Like what did you if you had a crystal ball and something that you would love to see happen here down the stretch, what would it be? Oh my goodness, the perfect development would be tons of development and getting

Cooper flag. I mean that would be I mean, that would be the ideal. That would be the absolute utopian existence if that happened. And the guy's a great talent. Now, do I think he's on the level of a Victor Webinama? Probably not that level, but probably a half notch below that, but a guy that could come in

and you add to what you have currently. And right now you have a Brandon Ingram not playing you got Pertle and you got some of these young guys that they have I think it's go time if you had a roster next year that's healthy with the current group that you have and you have some guys healthy and you had a really good young player you know you look at what the Detroit Pistons have done this year now they're gonna win an NBA championship this year no but they're gonna they're fighting for a fourth fifth seed right now you know they're right on the backs of the paces and the bucks so it's a great turnaround and I

think if you look at the Eastern Conference right now this is the conference that you can make that turnaround in And I think if you look at the Eastern Conference right now, this is the conference that you can make that turnaround in. So as much as you look at the Raptor record, they're not that far off. And to me, if things work out a good way, they could be a good competitive playoff team next year. And once you get to there, then a lot of positive things can happen. if you look back to the last way they

built the title team uh... it was in fact and uh... but the but that you gotta win and you got out players that experience winning and expectations have to be higher and not to me i think that environment has to exist so that that would be the ideal which i can, do you think at any point

in his wildest nightmares, Nick Nurse would be looking at the standings and saying, my Sixers are only two games up on my former team and the Raptors from the hop. In a rebuild. Said we're rebuilding, it's gonna be a tough year. They've lost eight in a row down there in philly and beat us reading about some of the surgeries they're talking about it's

out like out of this world type stuff uh... they've got a top six protected pick it's just it's crazy what's going on in philly like the empathize at all for neck i mean and how much worse could it get before it gets better down there no i feel for neck and i think he's one of the great coaches in our league obviously won a championship

and uh... you know it's uh... a matter there uh... i i i wish i i i was a little surprised the poor they went got poor george an older player and gave him a lot of money and gave four years uh... you see what the Heat did trying to get out of a Jimmy Butler deal that you know a guy similar age and you know you just it's just a lot of money to tie up into an older guy. Man it's a mess there and they're on the hook for a lot of years with Embiid and it's not

only his knee, it's conditioning, it's what's been created around him since he broke into the league and all they were trying to do was lose games and that creates a bad standard, a bad habit, a lot of things that kind of go into a player's makeup. You know, the guy, they haven't won. They know, they've won, but they haven't won. And to me, I think it's a huge problem, I feel, for Nick. You know, if you could do it all over again, I think if you were Nick Nurse, look, the money's great, but you're getting paid by Toronto for another year.

You sit the year out, you out and uh... you jump back in uh... instead you jump in and really and everyone thinks well what a great job it is and unfortunately for him it's it's uh... not a good this last year i had a disaster i feel for him it's a really difficult spot to be in and you know the people that understand what's going on will not blame him, but there'll

always be people that will. But it's a hard scenario to go away from unscored. Yeah. Hey, Jack, I just wanted to ask you about, you know, Shea Gilder's, Alexander obviously having an incredible, incredible season, the presumptive NBA MVP, the his team, the OKC Thunder have, you know, the number one seed in the west. But interesting turn of events last night, they blow a big lead to Minnesota. And Chris Finch, the Minnesota coach, I think was attempting to plant a seed in the mind of NBA referees complaining that you can't touch Shea.

They're a very frustrating team to play against because you can't touch Shea. Sort of inferring that he's foul baiting a little bit, that maybe the refs got to keep an eye on this guy. He does go to the line more than almost anybody in the league and I'm asking you, like do you think Shea is running to risk of maybe being a you know that the James Harden, Rockets type of situation, maybe even the DeMar DeRozan, Raptors era where he's relying a little too much on drawing fouls and that might not play in the playoffs or how do you see that uh... well the little whistle traditionally gets a little

looser in the playoffs uh... so uh... you're gonna have to play through more contact uh... so yes that that that's an issue do i think it is a ball no i think he's a competitor is going to take every edge you can get and if he's going to get that edge, he'll take it. I also think, though, when the postseason comes around,

he's a smart enough player and they have a good enough coaching staff that they'll adjust to whatever the whistle is. And if you're Chris Fincher, smart, you look at where you are in the standings, you might be playing them potentially in the first round or at the very least the second round. So you know you're trying to already plant that seed so which is smart on his part and by the way his guy Edwards gets a lot of benefit of the doubt as well. No doubt. And there's a lot of great players that do so you know it's all gamesmanship it's all nonsense it's all playing to the cameras

and trying to get into the heads of the officials and you know the top officials in the league when you get a really good crew on a game, they're not going to let any of that stuff influence them in any way shape or form. Alright Jack, it's going to be a good one tonight. The champs in town, Celtics wraps. Enjoy it, have a great call, we'll catch you on TSN tonight. Guys, enjoy by the way Lucas return to Dallas. That'll be fun. I think we got that game on TSN tonight. Guys enjoy by the way Lucas return to Dallas that'll be fun I think we got that game on TSN tonight as well right? It's gonna

be outstanding man I think he's going for 40 plus do you have a read on that Jack? 40 plus or have a 40 after the game? Both the ultimate double-double 40 plus and a 40 after the game. That's the Euro double-double. Yes I love it and he loves it too man he's gonna be dancing and he will have a party waiting for him after that game. He's very comfortable all of a sudden in LA. I think it's gonna be a fun one. You know what a Babe Ruth hit a lot of home runs and you know he wasn't necessarily Mr. Physical Fitness. That's right. Not everyone has to look like me. I mean you know some other guys figure out a different way. That's right. There you go. Not everyone has to look like me. I mean, you know, some other guys

figure out a different way. It's overrated. It's overrated. It's gonna be a fun night of basketball and TSN. Enjoy it, Jack. We'll do it again soon. All right, guys, all the best. There he is, Jack Armstrong, our TSN Raptors analyst.

And looking over this Raptors schedule, it is terrifying if you're a part of Team Tank because they got Boston tonight, at Indy tomorrow, that's like tomorrow is kind of a scheduled loss, like back to back and then at Indianapolis like or at Indiana. Amazing how things are just scheduled. Yeah, it's like that one's probably a loss. But then they have a stretch coming up where they go Utah, Washington, Washington, Philly,

Utah, Portland. Yeah. At Phoenix, too. And Phoenix is a disaster. Like that that's a run of games where they probably win three times. You think? Yeah. And maybe four. I was going to say, couldn't you get four or five?

Well, Washington, you're probably beaten twice. Right. I got them three more times this year. And like they're horrendous. And Utah is the worst team in the west. Like you're probably Utah, Washington, Washington, Philly, Utah, you very well could go five and oh there. Yeah. Like even trying to tank. You're right. Like that. They're trying to tank too. That's the thing. How do you out tank the tank? It's tough. Someone's got to win the game. But the players aren't going, hey we're tanking.

No, that's the thing. They're going to play. players aren't going. Hey, we're tank. No, that's a thing They're gonna play right? So there's like if you're Messiah and Bobby, there's nothing you can do. You got to play the game You're not gonna tell your guys to quit But you wouldn't mind if Scotty is shut down with the sprained ankle for a few weeks That's what might have to happen is Scotty Oops Darko's handing out chicken at the pregame meal or something. Yeah, yeah I could portal you're still out. You're gonna remain out. You're not returning because that's the only way to engineer it cuz yeah, right It's just it's a disaster

But those teams are looking at it to going we're gonna take it We're gonna serve the raw chicken and do that on the other side exactly because we can't have this team Oh, yeah, we can't beat this team, you know ugly. It's be they got Brooklyn twice they're tanking they got Philly twice now they're they're going to tank because they want to finish they might as well like it's over you got a tank. Utah's tanking. You got Portland multiple times you got Utah you got San Antonio multiple times they're tanking now without Wemby. Yeah. Like probably you got Darren Fox but like you're you're out of it it's over. You're right. So, it's basic trouble, man. That's where their tour will be, the Tankathon.

It's big, big, like who can be worse in a game where both teams desperately want to lose? What a sales pitch for the sporting event. Tough. Best Bets coming up, Overdrive continues, TSN 1050N on TSN 2. and more. You can win an I Heart Radio experience with tickets, flights, and a three-night stay at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Head online to answer the Daily Juno's trivia question at IHeartRadio.ca.

All right, today's best bets are powered by FanDuel. Make your picks and assemble a same-game parlay in seconds on the FanDuel Sportsbook app. Bruins on the puck line. I think it's a close game. If the Leafs win tonight, I think it's 3-2, maybe in overtime. I don't think they're going to blow up Boston tonight. Bruins have got to get it together. The Leafs have already played twice since coming back. This is your third game in four nights, three different cities. This is a tough one for the Leafs tonight. I think it's a tough, tough game. So Bruins, puck line, William Nylander, three plus shots on net that parlay pan plus 134. Today's best bet is powered by Fandl. Live same game parlays are now available for every NHL game on the Fandl Sportsbook app.

Please play responsibly. 19 plus physically located in Ontario. Yeah all right yeah we'll see. Keep in mind their big boys haven't really done anything the last couple. have to say they were like and and the lander to that couple of us this and i i i you know i mean like that maybe they go alright we can have a install ours is healthy and ready to play and maybe as a

asset tonight you're going to go to any matter what i have a very well-cut a real rafters in action and luke at home against the mounds i'm looking forward to that came tonight by boys could see you guys as always Dave great senior. Thank you for doing this Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out. We appreciate it everyone for tuning in today TV radio podcast web we're out of here. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy the games tonight. We're back tomorrow at 4 p.m. We'll chat that This February I her radio celebrates Black History Month by amplifying the voices that define black excellence We'll chat that. Radio. We're shining a light on the music, stories and culture that inspire us all. Black history is our history. Celebrate with us. Listen on the free IR Radio app.