The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Colin Cowherd’s Instant Reaction -  Celtics/Heat Game 3, Lakers/Nuggets

Episode Date: May 22, 2023

Colin gives his instant reaction to the Heat taking a 3-0 Eastern Conference Finals lead after a 128-102 blowout home win over the Celtics, and the biggest move Boston needs to make in the offseason to return to the Finals. Then, he looks at the Nuggets 3-0 dismantling of the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, and if L.A. needs a major overhaul despite a deep playoff run.  Follow Colin and The Volume on Twitter for the latest content and updates! #Herd #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The volume. Hi, everybody. Instant reaction. I decided to do this instant reaction and the Celtics heat game, there's still a couple of minutes remaining. There were warning signs. Now, I just thought there was such a talent disparity with Boston. Miami. But remember during the Atlanta series with the Celtics? And remember, Quinn Snyder got hired by Atlanta, by the Hawks in late February. All right. So he's implementing a system in

season. That's not easy. Quinn Snyder's an excellent coach, right? We know that. He got worn out of Utah. They didn't get tired of him. He got tired of them. He didn't think he could compete at the highest levels. So he had Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert didn't get along. There was infighting, and he just said, I'm done. But if you go back to game three of that series, Atlanta scored 130 points on these Celtics. Game four, Atlanta scored 121. Game five, they scored 119. Game six, 120. Remember during that series, we kept saying, boy, Atlanta's getting a lot of good looks. Swin Snyder in that series got buried in game one, started making adjustments as an excellent coach. That was a very competitive six game series.

In game six, the Celtics won that, 128, 120. Remember that game, though. It was in doubt with about three and a half minutes to go. And then you look at Philadelphia. Good God, the Sixers have to be humiliated. I mean, the Celtics disposed of them in game six and seven. But now you look at it and think, boy, Philadelphia, they got real issues. Mike Boodenholzer won one game against Miami.

So first of all, my takeaway is before we bury the Celtics, I've had six or seven doctors in my life. I had a bad doctor. And think of what you have to go through to get licensed to be a doctor. We've had bad pilots, bad doctors, bad lawyers. I've had a bad lawyer years ago. Think what you have to go through. to be a lawyer. There's a lot of average coaches in the NBA,

and we've seen Eric Spolstra expose them, right? Coaches like Doc Rivers who are more culture-based, not really adjustment mavens. And I think Joe Missoula for the Celtics is completely over his head. You know, a good coach will find your weaknesses. You know, they'll attack your weakest defender. They'll find mismatches throughout the course of a series or a game. And attack, attack, force you to make a chess move.

Joe Missoula doesn't. I feel like Joe Missoula is playing defense against Eric Spolstra. I think the heat were aggressive. They're attacking. They're creating mismatch situations. It feels like I really felt about eight minutes into this game. I think the Boston players don't buy into Joe Missoula. So it's easy today.

Let's trade everybody. It happens. You got to get rid of the coach. You can't go from last year's Celtics team defensively to this mess. Atlanta scored 120 plus. They got rid of their coach, a Philadelphia, an uneven team with, you know, Harden, every other game is awful. Maxi is ascending, but he's not there as a two. Tobias Harris is an overpaid three, probably a four. And Embedde was banged up. They took the Celtic seven. So listen, man, there is a gap between Eric Spolstra and the rest of the Eastern coaches,

and you are seeing it. And so I think you just have to move on. Remember the Arizona Cardinals, Steve Wilkes one year, boom. Cleveland Browns, Freddie Kitchens, didn't get him very long. You got into that situation. You had to hire a new coach because the previous coach, who you really liked, a defensive specialist, a stickler for details, got you to the finals, where you really outplayed the Warriors in the finals through three games.

Jason Tatum was banged up and kind of fell apart. That was a well-coated. series. You just ran out of gas against the Warriors last year. This team's poorly coached. Defense is a mess with the same dudes mostly from last year. So do I think the Celtics, because they underachieved, have to tweak beyond that? I think the Tatum Brown thing is never going to be ideal. Should be noted. De Wade and LeBron were not a perfect fit. There's been all sorts of great fits, Stockton and Malone, without titles, and weird fits, D. Wade and LeBron, kind of the same player. Neither a great perimeter player. Both can drive and score, both physical,

both defend, both really strong for their size. That wasn't perfect. They made it work. So you don't have to be ideal. Not everybody's going to be Yokic and Jamal Murray this year, where the big, the perimeter player, both with a chip on their shoulder, both in their athletic prime. You know, I feel like, you know, Jalen, Brown and Tatum, you get your wings. Marcus Smart's not your classic point guard. He's a defensive guard. I think they have to, not reboot, but slightly reconstruct this team.

I feel too often it takes them a while to get into a play. Too much dribbling. Takes them a while to get into a play. I wish they had somebody that could just a confident floor leader that could hit threes. Jordan Poole won't happen, but throw it out there. They need somebody with confidence that can shoot the big three. You could have somebody that doesn't have to be a great defender because Robert Williams is, Tatum is, Brown is, Marcus Smart is. Al Horford's not, but you don't need a great defender.

Give me somebody who's confident, who can hit a three. I don't care if they make mistakes. That's why I've mentioned Jordan Poole. This team needs somebody to get the Celtics into the play. I just don't trust them in tight games. I don't trust them. Sometimes I feel like they're just missing their quarterback. They've got multiple wide receivers.

They don't have a quarterback. And I don't like Tatum in that role. And I mostly don't love Jalen Brown in that role. I don't think you have to make sweeping changes. But I'd rework the point guard space for them. You know, as far as the Miami Heat go, I have no problem with a Miami Heat Denver Nuggets final. It will not rate from a TV perspective.

You know, Denver and Miami, Miami's got a great brand. Denver doesn't. I think it'll be a fascinating series. I think the size, length, and offensive excellence of Denver is going to, and I think they're well-coached. It could be a lot for Miami to handle. Miami's doing a lot of this on coaching and self-belief. They're not this good. But when you have massive coaching mismatches, this is what a series looks like. I mean, Eric Spolstra against Mike Boodenholzer.

It's a mismatch. Eric Spolstra against Joe Missoula. It's a mismatch. I remember when Nick Saban got to the SEC. You know, Nick Smart, Nick Saban in recent years didn't get dumb. He's just facing better coaches. Lane Kiffin's now in there. Kirby Smart's now in there.

Some of the bigger programs have really bright young coaches. It's not like Nick Saban can't coach. He got dumber. He's got worse players. He just had Bryce Young. He's got great quarterback play, star receivers, stars every. But when he walked into that conference, I mean, there was a bunch of C and D-level coaches. And Nick Saban walked all over him. And I think Eric Spolstra and his staff look around.

And it's really JV. I mean, Tibbs is all about defense and effort. Boodenholzer, you know, couldn't figure out some basic late game situational coaching. Missoula is completely over his skis. So this is a lot of coaching and self-belief. I don't think you blow the Celtics up. I think you fire the coach, get a new guy, and figure out the defense with a better coach will be fine. It's got good length.

You have a lot of guys in their prime. I mean, your stars, Tatum and Jalen Brown, Marcus Smart, all good defenders, all plus defenders. That's not the issue. Got to get a real coach. Give me a floor general. it just seems too hard too often for them offensively. Miami's going to go in an underdog to Denver.

They should put a great story. There's a reason they call it heat culture. We see this all the time in sports. And it also, can I throw this out there? It validates LeBron James going to Miami. It does make me question why he ever left. I think LeBron didn't like to be the NBA's villain, so he went back to Cleveland.

but I absolutely believe if he stays, he wins titles, probably not the following year. Duane Wade was aging. They had to make some moves. Chris Bosch, not long after that had a health issue, a medical issue. But it really does make you look at LeBron going to Miami. And LeBron's made really good business decisions in his career. You choose Spolstra. You choose D. Wade.

you choose Pat Riley. Look at what they're doing. I mean, this is... I don't remember ever seeing a favorite Boston go into a series and get humiliated. I couldn't take the last time a favorite

open the series at home and lost both games. I'm sure it's happened recently. I don't remember it. Quick break. Thoughts on the Lakers Nuggets next. How great have the NBA playoffs been so far? If you live in one of those cities and wanted to go to the games, there was only one place to get tickets,

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app in the United States. Use the code, Colin C-O-L-I-N. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win. A win is a win.

Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and

entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. All right. So the Lakers may salvage a game against the Nuggets, but the Nuggets are longer. They're more dynamic.

They have more good shot makers. Just think about it this way. Generally speaking, generally, if you have a competent coach, the Celtics don't. Darvindham's a competent coach. If you have a competent coach, whatever team stars are in their prime is a big advantage. Jamal Murray's in his prime. Yokic in his prime. Michael Porter in his prime.

LeBron's four years past it. And AD, in my opinion, has several good years left. But I think because of his early injuries, he's, you're either pre-prime, prime, or post-prime. He's post-prime. Austin Reeves is limited athletically. DeAngelo Russell is a bouncer around the league guy talented. But you saw in this series. He's a bounce around the league guy.

There's a reason the Warriors gave up on him. The Lakers did. The T-Wolves did. And the Lakers will again. He's a bounce around the league guy, immature, not consistent. I don't think he's a terribly smart basketball player on the floor. He doesn't play smart basketball. LeBron demands that.

But it is interesting. I mean, Denver's a better team with more shotmakers. Let's just right there. You can blame it on LeBron. But if you look at LeBron's points, rebounds, and assists per game in this series, it's on Larry Byrd's career average in the postseason. It's not LeBron. Yes, he's shooting way.

too many threes late in the game. That's to conserve energy. But he's giving you about 23 points, you know, 10 assists, nine rebounds. That's not the issue. The issue is the further you go in the postseason in the NBA, often your role players shrink. And that's why I bring this up. Are you going to run it back? LeBron's going to be older. A.D. is off his best year. You're going to pay Austin Reeves all that money? He was sort of exposed. You're getting rid of DeAngelo Russell, obviously, Malik Beasley. I mean, you know you're moving off certain guys. But, you know, when I suggest that I'm not sure what you do with LeBron and AD.

I mean, this, they overachieved. If the Celtics are underachieving, the Lakers are overachieving. I mean, this really is when you, I know a Laker fans want to point fingers, Darvin Ham or LeBron James. your best player shows up every other game offensively AD. LeBron's 38 years old. Can be brilliant in spurts but disappears. Austin Reeves is undrafted.

He is what he is athletically. Good three-point shooter in the series, but he is what he is. And DeAngelo Russell's a flake. That's the team. I mean, Rui Hachamora is not going to take and carry and be essential to win a championship. Keep him fine.

It's like KCP. KCP never afraid to take a big shot. I love him. You can win with him. You can win without him. I feel the same way with Rui. Win with him, when without him.

He's not essential. They'll probably keep him. Good Laint can hit a three. This team doesn't have a lot of guys. They hit the three. Reeves, Rui can hit threes. LeBron certainly can't. But, you know, I said this all year.

I didn't see this as a championship team and getting probably swept or a gentleman sweep. They're not a championship team. They're not close to Denver. I don't think they're close to Miami. they probably could beat Boston right now because of their coaching and aptitude. But remember, the Lakers did get a little break because both of the Memphis Grizzlies Biggs, Brennan Clark and Stephen Adams were hurt.

They faced a very immature team that had John Morant turmoil and chaos and it was missing their two bigs. It was a small immature Grizzlies team. Then they faced the Warriors, a very small, Steph Reliant Warriors team that Steve Kerr noted, They weren't a championship team this year. They had one of the league's worst road records. And then all of a sudden they faced a big, athletic, long Nuggets team, and they're not getting any of those free, cheap gimmies. They got against the Grizzlies and the Warriors.

When they'd score 8 to 10 points per game, just on size and length and tipping it around, volleyballing it around, they're not getting that against Denver. They have to earn their points. And it's a low-ceiling offense. On the nights that Anthony Davis is engaged, It can be really strong. He's, that's every other night.

So I don't know when I suggest, you know, this is the moment to move off AD. He stayed healthy. He's relevant. He was against Memphis and Golden State absolutely utterly dominant. He's got value.

You're going to cross your fingers and bring it back? To me, Rob Polenko the Jam deserves a ton of credit. And I'd said this throughout the season. he made the Lakers better. He made the Lakers good. He didn't make them great. There's only so much you can do at the trade deadline.

He got rid of toxicity with Westbrook. They immediately became a better defensive team. And the guys that should have been taking the shots, LeBron, Anthony Davis, Rui, Austin Reeves, were taking the shots. He used length, Ruey and Vanderbilt, Jared Vanderbilt, to his advantage. I thought he was a good adjuster game to game, not maybe as good in-game, but game-to-game he made nice adjustments. They're fine with Arvinham. But, you know, you bring it back. You know the

Warriors are going to make a big move. Denver's not going anywhere. There's a lot of talk now about the Dallas Mavericks getting D'Andre Aiton. Phoenix is going to make moves. Memphis, you'll get a better version of Memphis next year. Whatever Memphis

is, they'll probably have Stephen Adams back. So I think these are legitimate questions. Whereas with the Celtics, I think it's a new coach issue. I'd like to see another point guard. With the Lakers, there's a real argument. This team overachieved. The West was weird and wonky. They may want to take a big, big swing here. I don't think it's crazy. You're going to run it back? LeBron's not getting younger. Anthony Davis, this is what he is now. Great every other game.

Reeves is not getting more athletic and more dynamic. Shoots good threes, creates contact, nice player, should be the fifth best starter, maybe fourth on a championship level team. I'd take a big swing if I was the Lakers. Big brand, big swing. All right, instant reaction. Fun stuff over the weekend back on FS1 tomorrow with JMAQ, Premier Radio. Two best players in this series have been Jamal Murray and Yokic.

And they're both in their athletic prime. It's just not that complicated. Volume. Make sure to check out the Dramon Green Show. I brought Dramon Green into the volume because one of the more entertaining voices in sports, unique perspective, understands behind the rope. Also chops up with guests like Gary Payton, Zach Levine, Tracy McGrady. Make sure download the Dramon Green Show wherever you get your podcast, only on the volume podcast network. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel.

Help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you Get your podcasts. On The Look Back at it podcast. In 1979, that was a big moment for me.

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It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to Look Back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you can do. Get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.