OverDrive - OverDrive - June 10, 2025 - Hour 3

Episode Date: June 10, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 3 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Analyst Mike Johnson joins to discuss the Panthers' commanding lead in the Stanley Cup Final against the Oilers, Edmonton looking for a significant win and the state tax impact in Florida. NBA Champion and Analyst Danny Green dives into his experience in the NBA Finals, the rewind of Toronto's triumphant team and the Thunder and Pacers' battle and Hayes gives his FanDuel Best Bets.

Squinting through bright days? That's a no. Struggling with glare? Also no. What about sunglasses over regular glasses? Big no. But prescription sunglasses from Pearl Vision? That's a huge yes. They're a must-have for enjoying the sun in style. Choose from designer frames like Ralph Lauren, Coach, Michael Kors, and more. Arrange an eye exam at pearlvision.ca and get 40% off lenses. Some restrictions and exclusions may apply. See participating stores for details. Are you age 16 to 30 and ready to make a real impact? The Youth Thrive program, funded by Canada Service Corps and delivered by the Career Foundation, is your chance to develop

leadership skills, connect with mentors, and gain real-world experience, all while giving back to your community. Best of all, it's a no-cost program available across Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and BC. Thoughts are limited, so register now at careerfoundation.com. That's careerfoundation.com. Join today and be part of something amazing. Hey, Z. I gotta tell you, if you were picking me up, let's say you text me during the show

and you said, oh dog, I'm gonna pick you up at eight, we're gonna go on a three day golf trip. And I agreed to it. I think I could pack comfortably starting at 7.50 p.m. Like that's how long it takes me to pack. You guys ever seen the ordeal that goes into your wife packing for something? It's three days.

Dude. Five days. No, it's five. It's like a Navy SEAL tactical operation. There's like Post-it notes that go up. There's a list that comes out and I'm like you're only going away for three days but there's different weather changes there's evening I've never seen anything like nighttime like it's eight days in advance the bags get laid out oh yeah the bags coming out well if you

throw kids into the mix yeah that's a whole different story, obviously. But we've all done the family trips and it's like, go down and get the big bag and the second bag and the third bag because we're 15 days out. We got to start chipping away here. I can go up. If I'm going to a different climate, a sunny climate for 10 days, I could pack a duffel bag in three minutes and be out the door. Three minutes.

I agree. I agree. So can I. I like to pack light. I'm very efficient. And you know the best invention for these suitcases? Those packing cubes. Packing cubes are clutch, man.

You jam them in there. You shrink it down. You have the cubes. Like, I don't need much. I go on vacation for a couple of weeks and I've got my little outfit. I know what you're wearing. Black on black on black with a goalie hat. You know what's upsetting is I have two outfits and I just rotate them through.

I have a travel shirt that is almost turned into dust. You sit by the pool in the goalie golf shirt, the goalie hat, and black dress pants. I love that. I love watching the, because Steph will post pics and she's all, you know, she's decked out and the kids are in these coordinated outfits and noodles is in his goalie gear from like 2009. She gets so mad at me because I have a gray shirt and a white shirt that are both made By that Jack Jones company. I really like them. They're so comfortable

Yeah, but one of them has so many holes in it like it looks like gunshot wounds and I it's just I wear it I wear it on purpose now because it's all by another one go by another one. I can't find them anymore. Believe me I I'm a creature of habit. So if I Buy five pairs of it. Go on ebay. You'll find the exact same shirt. I am the superhero I will wear this thing, but I I think it's hilarious now It's become like my shtick like it's like okay I will wear the white shirt the gray shirt the black shirt and that's it on vacation But it's who cares you're on vacation you're not there to impress anybody what do I care some couple from Poland sitting next to us at the table I don't need to talk to you you don't need to talk to me I'll wear

my shirt and my hat that's it do your thing it's all good man it's I agree don't judge a book by its cover there's depth there behind that shirt yeah but I'm I hear you. I'm with you. I always found that funny, you go on bachelor parties and there was always the one guy who brought a million things. You're like, why are you checking a bag? We're going to Nashville for 48 hours.

This guy would have a leather jacket bag. In case you went out at night. Yeah, it's ridiculous. Figure your life out, man. We are catching and releasing here. When we get off this bird, we are outta here. We're not waiting for you to out at night. Yeah, it's like ridiculous. Figure your life out, man. We are catching and releasing here. When we get off this bird, we are out of here. We're not waiting for you to find your pants. For a Nashville trip, you could legit,

because you could wear a bar outfit to the airport. You need two extra pairs of underpants, two different bar tees, and you're good for the weekend. Big celebration on that. Yeah, you're right. You're right. You could rock the same pair of jeans celebration on that. Yeah, you're right. You're right. You can rock the same pair of jeans the whole time.

Yeah. No need to change jeans and you know, you can have one pair. There's no dress code in a place like that. I get it if you're going, like if you go to Vegas, you know, and maybe you're going for dinner or a club or something, like there's different things and you maybe swimwear and all that. If you're going to Nashville, man, like no, man, no one cares if you're wearing running shoes or cowboy boots or whatever.

But anyway, Johnny's coming up. I'll bet you Johnny's got to be an efficient hacker. No, he's so efficient. He is very... Has to be. Flies all around the world. Has to be on top of things. I guarantee you.

He never checks a bag. He's got his carry on and he probably has a knapsack with all his computers and chargers and everything involved there. But the carry-on is efficiently packed, he's got his suits, maybe a pair of shoes, underwear, all of that. So perfect. Jamie, you guys that all travel together, you and Gord and Vic Lovin and MJ, like if you guys got to an airport and guy said oh I got to wait

for my check bags with the other guys. Say good luck. Yeah you're on your own. Like there's unfortunately Johnny can speak to it too. Johnny can speak to it too. We do travel sometimes all with like the sound people and all that they have to check a bag because they're bringing like gear. That's for work. But those people when they land they'll say we'll see at the hotel cuz there's a there's a check bag people and then there's people that just a walk in right to the taxi or to uber or car service like that's johnny and i would fall into that where we pack efficiently we go

the people have to pack materials for us it's unfortunate because and now we'll we'll hang around that's like a big man that's what you have like trainers you gotta go back to the rink and lay out the gear. Here's Mike Johnson, our TSN hockey analyst. What's happening Johnny? Efficiency is next to godliness, honestly. If we're going to check in and you don't got nexus, I'll see you in the lounge.

I'll see you at the gate. We've got no time for any of that. And like you laugh, there is not one iota of me feeling bad. I'm like, all right, I'll see you when you get over there. I'm not going to wait and go through the regular line. No chance, no how, and yes, never check a bag the whole year. Now when I go to the world championships, you're gone for weeks at a time. You check bags obviously.

But no, I mean, you can go for i go for a week in a check bag never bring dress shoes that i know that to make to awkward to too much to pack for this were sneakers all time i think and yeah coordinate your own faith that you can kind of layer up on the on the shoes especially but yet always organized always fast past yeah that's the fact that that causes some all fights at airports we had one guy in

our crew I won't say his name but the stats guy he lost his say his name I'm not saying his name but he's early early all right early we lost this Nexus and like it's like he has to line up like it We get there at six o'clock in the morning or whatever. He's way in that line over there. I feel bad for him He's got to go early the airport early all the time in his own car. He's like we're leaving at six I'm like I'm leaving at seven. I'll see you It's a lifestyle choice man it is but you see you hear like couples are going through divorces because of nexus one of them's got it The other one doesn't know like we're up way

That is a fireball fence Totally Well, Johnny, what do you make where are we at with this cup final? I wasn't very efficient the effort that the Orlers put in with last night But you know when you when you review that game and you think back on it is it more about the Orlers performance or more about the Panthers performance because they were incredible last night. I think it's probably both and when it's both Hays it's like that's what happens where the Panthers were really good They are on top of it. They were aggressive. They made the plays

but the the story from game three was Edmonton getting groped into playing a game that Florida wins. That physical, that chippy, that we're going to prove, do you have tough? We are. We're going to retaliate. And they played right into Florida's hands. And I don't think the Oilers need to prove a damn thing. They're in the final, of course they're tough. Of course they're physical. Of course they can push you around. But it feels like they're almost,

like a lot of teams getting in the bad habit of trying to show that they are as physical or as tough as the Panthers are. And when you get going down that road, Florida's just better at it than you. Whether it's, you know, roping you in and then skating away, drawing more penalties, whatever it is.

And I'm not even talking about the stuff at the end of the game. The last 10 minutes, that was nothing. Game was gone, they can do whatever they want. I don't think that's them losing their composure because they weren't trying to keep their composure. But it's more about trying to play that physical game outside the context of whistle to whistle,

that Florida wins that battle. And then maybe it's the other part about it is that just like the Leafs, right? The Leafs look really good against Florida for game one and game two. Bo and I were in studio together. How many times, you know, breaking out the puck quickly and quickly, catching them on transition opportunities. Those moments, which are hard to come by against Florida, have been happening less and less and less

with each subsequent game. In fact, game three, the Oilers had two odd man rushes the entire game, two. And you're not gonna beat Florida when you play that way. So this four check system that has given everyone around the NHL so much trouble is vexing the Oilers and that's why it feels like more than just a loss. It's 2-1 if Edmonton wins on Thursday it's 2-2 they got home ice two of the last three games. But given the trends of the series it feels like it's getting more and more

Into Florida's wheelhouse of how they want to play and further away from what Edmonton wants to do Johnny We always throw a little mini Jerry at you So for how bad that performance was it seems like like Edmonton getting it together and responding It seems like tough, a tough chore. So what is your mini Jerry of Edmonton completely flipping the switch and taking game four? Taking game four. So playing well, I would have said, oh yeah, it's like 75, 80 percent. They're going to play better. They're going to play harder. Winning the game, it feels it's 50, 50. Like really like straight up toss up

because I think Edmonton can play well but the gold tender for Florida is playing a bit leaner a little bit than the gold tender for Edmonton. I think the penalty killing for Edmonton is a trouble spot. Oh and it has been all playoff long. But McDavid was quiet, Dry Setter was quiet and when those two guys go quiet, then generally speaking they get loud real quick, shortly after. So I think that they win about a toss-up, that they play better, almost a guarantee. Yeah, I would think they play better, but it doesn't mean that that translates to success. That's the biggest challenge.

There's no moral victories if you play better, but you end up losing and you're chasing the series. If you had to pinpoint one thing, Johnny, because it was an atrocious game from the Oilers, if there was one thing you could clean up, like just say, we need to do this Thursday, is there anything that pops out for you? Go back and get pucks. Find a way to not get knocked off it by the floor checker and make a path and get out of your own end.

And it seems obvious, almost redundant because we talk about it all the time, but it is the greatest challenge in playing the Panthers and their whole system is predicated on the idea that you can't do that four times in seven games. Well enough to beat us and they've been proven right basically for three straight years so that's it and I might even consider Needles maybe a line of change on the back end. Troy Stetcher when he played was really good and amazingly enough when he played with Darnell Nurse they were really good together and Darnell Nurse has had a tough series, flat out. Him and Kulak just were not good the first couple games.

Last night he played with a whole bunch of different guys that wasn't very good again. They need someone to help him go and Stetcher has been that guy earlier in the playoffs. So I would think about doing that if you're evident, but that's it. If they do that, they have a really good chance of winning. It's just really hard to do as all the teams

that Tampa tried it Toronto tried it Carolina tried it really good puck moving teams tried it and couldn't do it well enough long enough to win That's what I'm gonna try to do for game four, right? Let's say the cup was the best two out of three in Florida one last night Who would have won the cons might? Well, that's a good question It's hard for me Brad Marsh and

No It's probably Bennett on the strength of the goals on the strength of the road goals for a team That was the lower seed every single series. It's probably Bennett Even though in my heart and my brain, I know the best forward in the playoffs this year has been Connor McDavid. Like, it's flat out. McDavid's got 31 points. Bennett has 16, or not 16, 18 or 19 now.

Doesn't seem like that, Mike. I know that. I know, but it's also not a finals award. It's a playoff award, right? So it's not just, although it kind of leans that way and I'm with you I don't think you'll win it but probably Bennett I think Bob giving up eight goals the first two games Takes him out of the running. So probably Bennett and it and what's amazing now that we go down the gambling line too much Before the series started guys, even with Bennett's good run up into the final

He was plus 3500 to win the to win the Conn's might and now he's now he's a favorite he's plus 175 in three games so yeah it probably goes right it probably would be Bennett although I could make a very easy case that the best four of the playoffs has been McDamon yeah I think that that probably has been the case that in the best for the blasted in the game yet i think that that probably has been the case in the dry subtle of like people that to best you know players consistently throughout it yet i just don't i don't picture scenario where

the writers and let you know to begin in the loss of i've had last year felt more dominant and the stats would indicate that as well yet there's still a lot of games left to be played, but I think the pecking order would be Bennett Mershan. I think those are the two guys. I think Brad Mershan has played himself into the Consmite Chatter. All day long. He's been unbelievable the whole playoffs. The Leafs series in particular, you're right, it's about the whole run. He was unreal in that in that Leafs series He was really good in the last one and look at the numbers. He's putting up man

I guess course every single game and in game two That's a marquee like career defining game for him man Like for him to score both those goals including the OT winner double overtime It's incredible what he's done Yeah, I mean, I think we all expect them to be good I don't think anyone maybe not even Brad Marshann expected to be this good and he plays on what they call the third line I guess here in Florida but against Toronto they were the best line they were the reason the primary reason that

Florida won their toughest series to date was Marfan in his line and scored in every game in the final so far. Scored the overtime winner. He scored as a game opener at home the next game. Yeah he's done an amazing job and it's hard not to think about where he ranks and sort of greatest all-time deadline acquisitions and you kind of like in the last like 30 40 years Marion Gabbard comes to mind I think he led the playoffs in goals when he signed when he got traded to LA one year think Marion Hosa went to Pittsburgh one year and had a really big offensive push but like he's right up there with

the greatest sort of deadline as Miko Ranzenen I guess would be a deadline guy too but right he's right there with them except he's thirty seven he's not in the prime of his career like those other guys were he's got a detail and that you think but the other part about it he's playing himself into allot of suitors this summer and a lot of charm

which i'm not even want given his age he's going to get three years maybe even more given how well he played in this run if you want them around the league so johnny we had a confirmed and i and let you jump into this that two of the three will see what it was that has this still be a parent will leave will leave the

panthers and that's act glad bennett's and march and Will leave the Panthers and that's Eklad Bennett and Marshand I'm gonna deny Yeah, I'm gonna deny because I think One will get paid around what he you know, I think Bennett will get paid appropriately maybe just under Reinhart and With the state tax the one going out road, but it's take-home pay is gonna be pretty darn good It's gonna be five million bucks. So that's like a $10 million contract in Toronto.

So he's gonna get paid appropriately, and so he'll stay. I think Eklad has been, either one of Eklad or Marshad will take a significant discount because of the team, the state, the situation, and all of it. And one of those two guys will stay. I think E Echelon's gonna have to take a massive discount, but he's been pretty clear that he might.

And Marchand has been such a perfect fit. Would he take three years and instead of chasing eight million dollars around the league, would he take three years at five and a half or six here? Net, net, it's not that big of a difference. And it's a perfect fit. And it's Florida where it's a good place to live as you get a bit older.

I think two of the three figure out.'s paid and then one of the other two will stay in one of the other two will go with mike johnson and and gary beth was with tnt last night and get kind of pressed on the state tax stuff and and scoffed at it you know used all the lines that everyone uses yet you're traveling with you know the cup final year in the state of Florida,

you're around the team. Do you get the impression the Panthers are defensive of this narrative? Do they fight back against it? Do they agree that, hey, it's a benefit and we're using it? What's the general consensus around them with all this noise about the state tax and the advantage that they have i think they acknowledge that it is one of several factors in putting together a team may impact their success and they will know that for them at the advantage obviously that i cannot download about it

uh... you can you know you can pitch guide on a take-home pay that will save you money on the cap and then allow you to get more good players, that helps. But as Gary Bettman correctly points out, I played for Tampa. There was no state tax back then. We were in trouble. They stunk.

Florida for 15 years were awful with 4,000 people in the building. No state tax. Didn't seem to matter then. So it's a story now because it's good teams and I think Hayes maybe what what maybe the most important might be or it might be is Now that they're better it becomes more of a factor because They're gonna be capped out but also players will want to start coming to these teams and then maybe paying more attention I don't worry about getting paid six million in Toronto.

I can get paid four and a half in Florida and it's the same amount of money in my pocket and you're more comfortable looking at it in those terms. So as they get better, it becomes more of a story and more impactful, but they're not defensive. They appreciate that it's an advantage, but don't suggest that that's the only reason why they're good or that's the only reason why the contracts are what they are. People want to play here because it's a advantage. But don't suggest that that's the only reason why they're good, or that the only reason

why the contracts are what they are. People want to play here because it's a good place to live and it's a good organization that's very successful right now. Well, and you're right, because it actually makes sense. Because it happens to be a bonus. Like, hey, the state tax is a bonus. But Gary's right.

17 years, for 17 years years both those organizations weren't very good and you can look at Nashville right now there you know state taxes low you look at some of these other organizations you know Seattle like there's there's places Alberta has good good tax situations but you build the team and the program but it is it it is part of the formula that goes with this. It's not 90% of the formula, but if it's 5% of the formula, it's still... Still worth something. Exactly, Brian.

It is. That's the thing. I get why Batman... Go ahead. So it's worth something. No doubt. No one would argue otherwise. But okay, so you were in Toronto.

What's the value add to Toronto? One, if you're a great player, there's more marketing opportunities. You can make a lot of money there. Two, if you care about being famous, you're a lot more famous in Toronto than you are in Florida. Three, if you're not Canadian,

guess what the currency of your life expenses are in? Canadian dollars, when you get paid in American dollars. So if you're on par, your $10,000 a month rent in Florida can get you a $14,000 a month place in Toronto, right? There's a currency evaluation. That also all favors Toronto. So maybe not quite as much, but there are different things in different places

depending on where you are in your life and what's most important to you every market has their their little pluses and and it's just how you how you manage those those losses as an organization can put your team together so I think that's true I think that's true I don't think it's the only thing and it's coming a bit more of a story than it probably actually is because it's easy to latch on to now that Florida's so good right it's become a bit more of a story than it probably actually is because it's easy to latch onto now that Florida's so good. Right. It's right in front of your face and Tampa was part of that and they've built great

programs. I think, I guess the pushback or what's on the line here is the ability to build depth the way that they are. Where I feel like a lot of the things you just mentioned, for Toronto, using them as an example, count for the guy who goes, I'll come up there for $1 million because I've always dreamt about being a Leaf. That's all I want and it's the greatest thing in the world. Where with Florida, it works for the guy who's like, I won't take 10, I'll take 8.

It's the top guy. That's where it's that's and that's where it's such a Benefit and I I'm not trying to take anything away from the Bill Zito's done If it's the best GM in the league right now, right? It's a great example except the guy scores 56 goals and wins a Stanley Cup and goes just give me eight six and the reason is Because of the state of the state tax, you know, he wants to stay but they're like well You're gonna make five million where if it was if he was still in Buffalo and it was you know of the state tax. He wants to stay, but they're like, well, you're going to make $5 million. If he was still in Buffalo and they had the same team there, you know he'd be saying,

I need $11 million. Well, but also, if Buffalo has different weather, you have different... I understand that, but what I'm talking about is, and what that means is literally building the team. Where we keep looking at it from a player's perspective, the real conversation is about the GM's perspective. It should be the GM's yelling and screaming. Of course.

If we just sum it down, and we're going to do this on July 1st, but if you think about it, on Mitch Marner's contract, the difference between what Toronto would have to pay him to match what Florida, in this example, would have to pay him for him to take home the same amount of money as what Toronto's deal would give him is about three and a half million dollars. So, $13.5 million in Toronto would be $10 million in Florida. And Florida would say, listen, you're not taking a pay cut. You're getting the exact same amount of money to take $10 million.

And if you do that three times, guess what you get? Another Mitch Marner. Exactly. That's $10 million you save. You get another Mitch Marner, you can do that for three players. That is the argument that says, well hang on, if you're building a team, important players, and you can shave a million, two, three off their cap-mits, you add that up and all of a sudden, the two million dollar third line player is a four million dollar, five million dollar third line player, and then you're a better team. Sure, 100%.

But I will just say this in the defense of Toronto, now it didn't work but one of the things they pitched Steve Sankos in the prime of his career going for a monster contract was the marketing opportunities. Now it completely backfired but then they have like the president of Canadian Tire and like companies like that saying, hey you'll make millions of dollars a year working with us if you were to play here now in what that at all that would have been a guy

who could have maybe it will take a little bit less but you make a little bit more in a similar kind of fashion not just older guy but part of the career guy it was pitch the stammer right it was and uh... in throw one more thing on it it doesn't matter to pick your poison for the organization. Build a winner. People will go, I need a piece of that. And ask the guys who signed a value contract.

Adam Henrik stays in Edmonton because he wants to try and win. That type of stuff. If you have players that you want to play with or a program you want to play with, it becomes the gold standard and people want a piece of that. So if Toronto continues to build that and hey, we believe we're close, we want that, you are going to see guys that will take a little less to try and be a part of that program. The guys at the bottom of it. Correct.

That's another thing that bothers Leaf fans is that their players never did you know like that's not a good conversation that's a totally different player it's not a good player is conflated individual totally in it and it conflated the great word for you but and one other thought about the pain were not there yet but would be cat going up and up and up there may be teams in no state taxes that fiscally can't run a profit going all the way to the cap.

And Toronto can, and Montreal can, and the Rangers can, and Chicago can, and a lot of the traditional biggest markets are in higher tax brackets. And maybe then there'll be a balancing act like yeah you have no state tax but you don't have the revenue that we have to get all the way to 125 your internal cap might be 110 and then maybe there's a little bit of equaling out there as well that's good point where if you're winning then hey we can keep doing it because we're making money and ticket sales and all that falls off you can turn back into Florida and Tampa and all that kind

of stuff. It's all cyclical. All right, Johnny, we'll catch up later in the week. Enjoy game four Thursday night. All right, fellas, the US Open week. I'm not going to lie to you. I'm waking up early. I love this. It's going to be a deduce. Have you seen the clips of these guys putting from like 120 yards out in the fairway? Amazing, man. Zach, you didn't put any in three feet. putting from like a hundred twenty are done the fairway easing man's act is a three feet one yet that was wild but the fact that you can even do that without a driver like swing is unlike about

after the fairway they're running out with a dream job no kidding man no kidding like texas wedge all over that place all day long i'd be doing around everywhere everywhere i have my part of it uh... by johnny enjoy the open as well do it again soon our board of the week mike johnson yellow get to a u.s. open pickets picks tomorrow courtesy of tailor-made

uh... and of course looks so dialed in they go out looks amazing it's and i had no idea that like that gil hans guy did a reno on that course They took a lot of trees out of there like a lot of trees out a long time ago But you know what the membership said to this Gil Hans who was like a renowned kind of course redesign, dude They said when you're done it better not be easier and he was like, oh my god Love those marching orders dude that's what they said to him don't even think of finishing and it's easier yeah they

take pride in just carnage out there alright Danny green coming up best bets later in the hour overdrive continues TSN 1050 and up on YouTube live squinting through bright days that's a no no. Struggling with glare? Also no. What about sunglasses over regular glasses? Big no. But prescription sunglasses from Pearl Vision? That's a huge yes.

They're a must have for enjoying the sun in style. Choose from designer frames like Ralph Lauren, Coach, Michael Kors, and more. Arrange an eye exam at pearlvision.ca and get 40% off lenses some restrictions and exclusions may apply See participating stores for details All right overdrive continues powered by fan duo bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score our best buds later In the hour on the J's tonight. We're on fire continued to be on fire last night in st. Louis and J's cards tonight, and we got Bassett on a mound so we get to our best bets a little bit later on I think Alejandro Kirk will be a guy that I'm leaning on

Tonight, you know, and maybe he's this heater just continues for him and Vladimir not in the lineup though I have not seen exactly why he's not playing but we've been on the air and I saw the lineup card come out and Doesn't look like Vladimir Gerovich jr. Is gonna play this evening We'll try to get an update on that a little bit later in the hour But Danny green coming up here in a moment and we'll ask him You know, I referenced the 2019 Raptors last week with this Yeah current Pacers team were you know in the East and plotting the word through the East and not a lot of focus on them at times and then they got

to the finals and everyone was waiting for them to finally run out of magic pixie dust and it just never happened and I'm curious if he sees His Raptors in this Pacers team at all And you know a lot of days off in the finals always same thing with the Stanley Cup playoffs, but in the NBA It's two days between every single game. There's no need for it. I don't care what TV execs say the Edmonton Oilers flew down to Florida. It should be tomorrow night that they play.

Well like that's the NBA finals tomorrow. Like that's what I'm saying. Like I get their traveling but Oklahoma City to Indianapolis is what is that an hour and a half? Yeah it's not far play tonight Just get go. I want to see yeah, what is that an hour flight barely? It's nothing and like Danny did it three times. He's been to the finals a ton. I Just I'm curious what players think like don't you just want to tip off and play like you made it to the finals

It's a dream come true. I wouldn't want multiple days off between every game but that's what we have game three the NBA finals tomorrow night and here he is former Raptor three time NBA champ you see him on ESPN he's been on the show before great to see him again there's Danny Green how you doing Danny good yeah thanks for doing this man like take us through the mentality of a player like multiple days off between games in the NBA finals Do you did you like it or are you chopping at the bit? I? Heard you talking about it. I think it depends on the situation right You're healthy player you want to just play every other night. You know, but if you have some injuries bumps and bruises the extra days help

Especially you know, I think the team that's more antsy is the team that lost more than anybody. But yeah, when you're a young kid, you want to just get out and play. But for older guys that have been around for a long time, have some bumps and bruises, I think they know trying to hydrate and trying to recover and have to play a lot of minutes. I think those days help for sure, especially when traveling to and going from one city to another So how big are the distractions for a player in the in the finals? You know you get a lot of family members friends all that type of stuff reaching out for tickets

Is it after you get through it is it is it frustrating is it? You know big distractions, or do you have team services people handle it for you? You know big distractions or do you have team services people handle it for you? There can be if you allow it thankfully I had organizations that help filter it, you know to take care of the families especially in San Antonio, Toronto and LA were in the bubble so it was filtered regardless But yes, they did a good job of handling the family saying the world combination families We've get a hotel for them, we'll have a play and find them out and make sure they're situated,

which made things easier. But if you don't have that type of scenario situation, it can very much add up and be a distraction. But you know, pop is like, if you have families, they're sick, keep the kids in a different house, guest house, wherever, don't let them stay with you. They very much wanted no distractions. But it helps you to simplify it because the finals is very select few people that you feel are worthy

enough to bring to that type of scenario. There are regular season hometowns, that's where it can be a lot. But for the most part in the playoffs you have your certain people come through but in the finals it's like, you know, the closest family members and the closest friends, so. Danny, it's been punch-counterpunch. Do you see that continuing or do you see one of these teams... I kind of... I've had some bad string of predictions here in the last two weeks, but I thought OKC would put the pedal down. I thought OKC would put the pedal down. Do you see one team kind of

taking control here or just keep going back and forth? I think OKC. I think this is the first time we see Indiana lose two in a row. I do think they might split this stand, this Indiana stand though. I still have OKC in sixth. I still have them in sixth. I think they win this third game and then the the fourth game, I think, is kinda up in there, and I think Indiana probably gets that one. Then OKC wins the next two. But yeah, I'm interested to see,

because OKC doesn't look like the same team that they normally do on the road. They're at home, they're very comfortable, they're usually up 20 plus, 15 plus. On the road, it's been close. Even when they were in Memphis. It was close for them Minnesota was a little different but Denver was very up and down as well when seven games So yes, they are young they lack some experience and some maturity

But you know as they go in with each game they're growing and getting more mature But because of the lack of experience and like a maturity this will go longer games than it should because i don't think there's a better team uh... but as good as the federal they are the they have some vulnerability in some lapses so but i do think it came through with danny green and be a champ former raptor and Shay, you know, is obviously a huge

story up here. Being Canadian, he's from Hamilton right down the road and he's got a chance to do something that very few players have ever done, you know, win the MVP of the regular season, probably finals MVP, and then, you know, championship as well. You kind of get the three big ones in one year, man. that doesn't happen often uh... what do you see out of his game like at this platform it's only two games you know he's he's shooting a lot like game one shot a lot didn't shoot very efficiently but he's shooting a lot he's put he seems comfortable from my standpoint but what do you see out of shay that would suggest

you know the brightest lights of his career have not affected him he's a so mature man he's beyond his years and he's been like that for the last two years or so. Just a very good talented player and shooting that's what he does he is what they you know a lot of things go through him he's making the decisions shots passes playmaking he did a lot of that in game two regardless of how much he shot a lot not he still scored a good amount in game one too. That's their identity and he's a very good player, very good star. Consistent, just mentally strong, tough. Yeah, I'm seeing a lot of great things from him, especially his first time being in the

finals. He's been a leader. I expected to see more from the other guys. Chet, especially in game one, he did better in game two. But Jalen Williams also hasn't shot it efficient or hasn't had one of those games yet. Game two was good for them, but they're just so good. They're a team that doesn't have to make adjustments.

They did make adjustments and they were still up 20. And those adjustments, I don't think, helped them much because they did get out rebounded in game one. But they could win with whatever lineup they want to have out there and with their guys not playing the best basketball you know they were beating them three and a half quarters and game one until the last six minutes or so that's four or five minutes so yes they're clearly the better team

they just said they need those other guys to step up and she's been unbelievable leader for them you know this postseason with danny green and you know on the other side of it obviously ty step up and she's been unbelievable leader for them. You know this postseason With Danny green and you know on the other side of it, obviously Tyrese Halliburton's been outstanding throughout this run But so is Pascal, you know Pascal Siakam he's a guy that you want a title with in 19 and he was young and You know, but he put up big big numbers and in the finals. He really continued to elevate remember game one He was unbelievable in that game against the Warriors and I'm curious you know what you see out of Pascal today you know six years later in the NBA finals that maybe

you didn't see in 19 or you thought was coming like you keep using the term you know mature and maturation. We saw it coming for sure yeah it's all coming he had a great run with us and you know people have been doubting him ever since because they he's been since because he's been looked at so good. He's been looked at as supposed to be the number one, you know the head of the snake and I think he is you know I think you know it's a two-headed snake over there it's him and Tyrese but I think he's the most stable guy that they've had throughout the season and playoffs you know Tyrese is very good and he does he is the

moment and he lives in it and he's made some big shots with Pascal I think has been their backbone and he's been the guy that can rely on night and night out to give them what they need offensively and even defensively. He's versatile but they have a great roster, they have some good depth but I think it starts with him. When he comes out aggressive they're just a different team and obviously they need Tyrese to be aggressive too but he's been the the guy the reason why he won Eastern Conference Finals MVP Because he's been so consistent and he's been the backbone of that group with Danny Green So you can can you settle this for us because up here in Toronto?

We've been living off this since 19 when you know Kawhi left to the Clippers and then you left to the Lakers and we look back on what van fleet has become and Ananobe's in New York and see I can still doing it If you return to Kawhi returned, let's say you guys stuck around for another three-year window Do you think you would have won another championship with the Raptors? That would have been not a mean that our Toronto team would have probably faced the Lakers in the finals Minus myself That would have been faced the Lakers in the finals, minus myself. That would have been a tough matchup. I think in that three-year span we would have got one more.

I think we would have got one more. Because the next finals or the next winners was Denver and Milwaukee, right? I think we were good enough to beat Milwaukee. Well, Phoenix would have came out of the West. We would have beaten, I think, the following enough to beat Milwaukee. Well Phoenix would have came out of the West we would have be I think the following It's Phoenix and then Denver came out of it was Denver in Miami I think we could have definitely made it to the finals probably twice and got one of them So yeah

If that's a big if you know a lot of things had to change for that to happen But yeah, we had a good group man man. You forget you forget Norm. Norm was in that group. Fred, Kalo, OG didn't even play for us. He was hurt. Now we had OG healthy. That gives us more depth. We would have been a really good team. You know, Serge, Marcus Hall. So we had a really good group. Yeah, it was an unbelievable run. And you know, I've kind of used that comparison with the way the Pacers have been kind of rolling through the East and you know Different styles and different structure, but you guys you know

I believe you were the two seed that year And you know you beat I remember you lost against Orlando in game one And then you kind of smack them around the first round and then that unbelievable series against Philly And then obviously do what you do against Milwaukee But once it got to the finals like the rest of the NBA was like well now you got the Warriors like now You can't beat these guys, you know Do you see that with Indiana where we keep doubting them and it's like, you know, why do we keep doubting them? Like why can't they win the NBA championship for sure?

Um, I will say we did have a little help on our side from the basketball guys Not that we would have wanted any other way like obviously we wanted it differently. We wanted everybody to be healthy We played at a Golden State team that didn't have kevin dorant, you know, and then um clay ended up getting hurt in game six But that was kind of over So yeah, it's tough to get there and it's tough to stay healthy and get there Um, would it be different if we played a full healthy golden state team? Who knows possibly? They're a very good team. Some people consider them a cheat team team but anything happened once you get there and that's why I say and that's why a lot of people are telling a lot of stars stay in the East they need

you have a better opportunity or even coaches you've got opportunity to get now and get to the finals in the East and once you get there you just never know what's gonna happen you know anybody can get hot teams may not be fully healthy so yes so back to your point I'm sorry the question was just about the Pacers and the Raptors and the comparison I think they have a people account them out but there's always a possibility I think there's always a chance like I said them stealing a one nobody predicted that right now they have home court advantage they go back to Indiana now and they can even even if they split, that still

gives them a chance. If they can just wear it down. I think they have more veteranship, they have more experience than OKC does. They have an older group of guys and a couple guys that, Pascal's been there and they have some other guys that were at Eastern Conference Finals last year. This is the first time OKC's made it past the second round, if I'm not mistaken, in a while since Kevin Durant, Russ and James Harden days. So yeah, this is new territory for that young group. So Danny, you've been around the game a long time. What was your reaction to the dauntrid traits?

From the outside, it was crazy. I mean, from the inside, you talk to a lot of players, you know, what was your reaction to that? My reaction was the same as you guys. I don't think it was any different. I found out the same way you guys did. Shocked the hell out of me. Shocked. I thought Shams was hacked.

I definitely was about to call him a couple of times. I didn't believe it. Even when I saw him, I'm like, nah, this can't be real I have to hear from Shams like his mouth I have to see him on TV and say yeah this is me this is real because I didn't believe it and yeah I mean just go to show you anything that happened in this game in today's world but as everybody else suspected and as I expect I suspect is that it came from above, from up top.

And a lot of things changed when Cuban left. And good for Lakers, I thought this was a play for both teams that got what they wanted. Dallas wanted to win now. AD can play the four now with great bigs behind them. Conveniently lucky, get the one pick in the trap. No kidding. No. Luka goes to LA where they get another LeBron type situation. you know conveniently lucky get them one pick in the trap no no you know Luca goes to LA where you know they get a another LeBron type situation they had him for

longer years longevity could build around him so I thought it was a great play for both organizations of what they wanted one when now one when in long-term longevity of having a team that could always be in the playoffs and be a contender if you felt surrounded with the right people well listen Danny it's been great catching up with you, man. We had you in your studio when you first got to Toronto. That's a long time ago now, man. But we appreciate you doing this.

Appreciate you guys, man. Thank you. Enjoy the playoffs, man. Good luck. I hope to see you guys soon. Absolutely. I hope your predictions will go better, old dog. Yeah, there you go.

He will. He'll get them next. He'll get the next one, man. He's due, believe me. Thanks, Danny. Appreciate it. Thanks, Danny. Appreciate you guys. Take it easy.

There he is, Danny Green, NBA champ, former Raptor. He's got an alumni jacket. I was always curious about that guy because he was doing different things when he was playing. I never thought it would be a tough adjustment for him in a retired. I know he was playing I never thought it would be like a tough adjustment for him in a retired I know he was like traveling around I don't know if he was like traveling around the world with a camera crew he was always doing like different stuff that he was one of the original kind of podcasts and content guys like I was in he was one of the

first guys yeah and great great career man great career and picked off three championships Yeah, and with multiple teams like he was with the Lakers in the bubble the Raptors San Antonio Like just a great great career, and we appreciate him joining us. That was awesome All right best bets coming up overdrive continues TSN 1050 and on TSN to Squinting through bright days. That's a no. Struggling with glare? Also, no. What about sunglasses over regular glasses? Big no. But prescription sunglasses from Pearl Vision?

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same game parley in seconds on the FanDuel Sportsbook app. Pilate not playing tonight, Rusty, Jay's Cardinals, I'm on the under tonight.... batsman alive on both sides but i i'd even last night you know until it goes to extra innings i think both teams are going to settle in and they could be a good ballgame but totals eight i'm gonna go under bargered record a hit a la honda kirk to record a hit that pamp plus two fifty

best bets powered by fando right the hot was established today playoff performers i'm all in on the man. I could do it twice a week. I think the HUT comes, I think it shows up a couple times a week. You don't want to overplay it. Yeah. Maybe once a week, Max. Maybe it's twice for, I don't know, we'll see. Depending on how, if there's a topic, then you go, hey, let's go to the HUT type of thing. We got to be creative with the hut though, right?

Exactly. The huts, you can't take advantage of the hut. So tomorrow we got US Open picks. We're going to have game three of the NBA finals tomorrow, game four of the Stanley Cup playoffs or Stanley Cup final on Thursday. And of course the Jays coming off will win, well, possibly win tonight, game tonight. But it'll be a good one tomorrow.

We're looking forward to it. And like the US Open, the build up, it's amazing. It's so much fun just to watch all of, it's like Augusta in many ways, like not quite to the same extent as the Masters, but like Scheffler being there, the big boys being there, the size of the field, how crazy the course is, what the crowds are going to be like. The US Open crowds are crazy all the time. And it's gonna be a really fun week.

And it's been a fun show. Thanks to Danny Green, Kevin Lowe, confirmed with Danai, The Hut, MJ, everything in between. Neil Hudson, or Lane Hudson. I won The Hut? Yeah. Noodle's won The Hut.

The poll's up at seven o'clock. What's the score? I didn't even look at only one percent Compared to 29 and 29 for noodles. Oh, you know two are tied. We got neck-to-neck race. There's some tunnel vision for you Turn that's gonna after the show tunnel vision thinking something you do often. I do I do a lot I own that I do a lot. I own that. I love it. All right. Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out.

We appreciate it. Everyone for tuning in today. TV radio podcast web and up on YouTube live on TSN's YouTube channel. We're out of here. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy the games tonight. We're back tomorrow at? Tomorrow in the hut is going to be Screen Award winners that didn't deserve it.

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