The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Straight Fire w/ Jason McIntyre - Draymond Deserved That Suspension, the Last Days of the Warriors Dynasty & the Unimpressive Phoenix Suns

Episode Date: April 19, 2023

On today's episode, Jason and Super Producer Rob G (Robert Guerra) share their thoughts on the NBA's decision to suspend Draymond Green one game for stomping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis in Game 2. Green's history of unsportsmanlike behavior absolutely played a role in the decision - and for good reason; The NBA had to take a stand. The only question now becomes whether or not this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back and leads to Golden State parting ways with Green after the season. Later, the guys hit us with their rapid fire reaction to all of the NBA's Tuesday night playoff action. Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns evened things up with the Los Angeles Clippers, but they didn't look very impressive in the process. In fact, J-Mac and Rob G actually have more questions about Phoenix now than ever before. In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics reminded us once again why the guys both picked them to win the NBA championship, while the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks appear destined to play a long series. Finally, the guys close the show by sharing their Best Bets for Wednesday's NBA Playoffs.  Click here to subscribe, rate and review all of the latest Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre podcasts! #Volume #herdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild. I mean, 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 get your podcasts. 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 IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The volume is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What is up, Straight Fire, fam? It's me, Jason McIntyre, Straight Fire. For Wednesday, April 19th, we are coming to you live.

live early Wednesday morning. It is 1230 East Coast time. I decided, listen, the playoff games were important. Let's record right afterward. Drop it on the audience immediately. The West Coast people staying up late, they can get it early. But I got to say, overshadowing the games late. I think this happened technically.

It was Tuesday night late before the clock struck midnight. But Draymond Green officially suspended by the end. Wow! How can you not get fired up about that? Now, I will say, if you listen to the podcast yesterday, you heard me say, his ass is getting suspended. And I know people like Damien Lillard are out there like, this suspension is crazy. Listen to the wording from the NBA. The suspension was based in part on Green's history of unsportsmanlike acts. And I'm going to open with this because I really did think he deserved it for the stomp. But if you are the NBA

and you are reviewing the footage multiple times, I mean, you only need to see it once or twice, but if you look at it, I wonder, the aftermath where Draymond Green decided to goon it up with the crowd, pointing at him and doing the Hulk Hogan, I can't hear you, and yelling and bring it on, that definitely did not help his case.

We're talking about, and again, And listen, two things can be true about Draymond Green. Yes, he is a future Hall of Famer. He is one of the great defensive players of his era, one of the most versatile forwards we've seen. This is a guy who does so many things. He's a high IQ player. He's a point power forward if such a thing exists.

And at the same time, he's a friggin liability because he's so unstable. It reminds me of the great original Top Gun movie. Both Top Gun movies were great Top Gun and Maverick. but one of my favorite lines, I repeat this because I'm a nerd often, and I'm sure Rob, do you remember this? They are in the locker room, and Maverick, Tom Cruise, is talking to Val Kilmer,

and Val Kilmer goes, you're everyone's problem. That's because every time you're up in the air, you're unsafe. I don't like you because you're dangerous. And Tom Cruise relishes it. Maverick's like, that's right, ice man. And it's a classic moment because that's where, What makes Maverick great is his sketchiness in the air. He's unsafe.

It ends up killing his friend Goose, right? And ultimately, he becomes, you know, the hero for the war, and then Maverick comes and, you know, the second movie. If you haven't seen it, sorry, spoiler alert, you should have seen it. That being said, like, Draymond Green is a high risk, high reward player. He has been instrumental in their championships, but he's also a ticking time bomb. and I would consider him at this stage in his career, a massive liability. Folks, you can go look on YouTube.

The kick to the balls of Stephen Adams, where he was jumping and he tried to act like it was a natural act. Fighting with Bradley Beale. James Hardin, he mushed him in the face in the middle of the game. Mike Conley was wearing a mask for like a broken nose. I'm pretty sure he was wearing a mask. And Draymond Green like hammers him in the face. Like the guy is a little crazy. Now it also makes him.

highly valuable and perfect in the Steve Kerr system. But I know my guy Rob G. I think he's attached future Laker to Draymond at least once. Folks, this is an incident that now the Warriors are down. O2, they're going home and they're without their, I don't know, what, third, fourth, best player? Fifth? I don't know.

He's certainly a starter. He's playing heavy minutes. And there is, I'm sorry. I didn't go at Cowherd yesterday on the air because, You know, Dreyman's his guy with the volume and everything, but if we are being realistic, there's no way you can watch that video and say, oh, this is, this is not a big deal.

He stomped on the guy. Now, I'll say this, Sabonis is not without blame as well. If you really watch a video, all the angles, and they're all out there, Sabonis essentially grabs Clay by the jersey and, like, ragdalls him out of the play. And that's when Subonis kind of falls down to the side. And Dremont's foot is that he definitely grabbed Dremont's foot. No question. He got a technical for it. But for Dremont to react

the way he did, like coming up and then stomping down, that sounds sportsman. Like, that's not natural behavior. And I'm 100% with the Dremont suspension. And I will say this. The Golden State Warriors are in a absolutely brutal spot. Folks, not only do they have to win this game without Dremont, but in the offseason, Dremont Green is in line for some big money. And Listen, if you're looking for a reason to get out and they can't pay everybody, Clay Thompson has gone on record saying he wants a max deal. Who are you paying? The other Splash Brother?

Or is Raymond Green? Now, I think the question would be who's easier to replace. And if that's the question, I think Clay's probably easier to replace. At this stage in his career, obviously not Prime Clay. But he's not a plus defender anymore. His shot is spotty. He's got the injury history. If you told me, Jason, who would be?

Would you rather have Bradley Beal or Clay? I would take Bradley Beal, obviously. Bradley Beal's younger. Zach Levine or Clay? Give me Zach Levine in a heartbeat. Now I know some people will groan. Ah, Jason, come on. I'm not talking about Hall of Fame Clay, record setting three point clay.

Talking about 2023 and going forward, Clay. Off the two misseasons, right? Getting just absolutely cooked by Malik Monk. Who's good? But still, like this isn't the prime clay. sorry, Prime Clay, who wants that big, big money deal. And now you got Draymond and it's like, oh, boy, they already got rid of Wiseman. They were willing to move off that mistake quickly.

Need I say, oh yeah, Dremon punched out. Can I add sucker before? Sucker Punch? Can I add sucker punch? Everybody's seen the video. Dremon Green's sucker punch to teammate in the preseason, Jordan Poole. In the 2016 finals, you guys remember this. LeBron goes to set a screen on Dremont and again.

This is not me embellishing. This is not my opinion. Go look at the frigging video. It's on YouTube. 2016 finals. Warriors are up by 10 in the fourth. They're about to go up 3-1. And Dremon goes to set a screen on LeBron.

And if you look at the screen, you guys know how to set a screen. I teach the fourth-grade girls this, the sixth-grade boys that I coached both the championships. Yes, humble brag. Drammon comes over to set the screen. He's moving all over the place. Both feet are moving. I mean, it's right in front of me. everybody, I guess they just didn't care to call it.

And him and LeBron get tangled because he's moving so much. And Draymond kind of is off balance because he's moving so damn much. LeBron extends the arm. Dremont goes down. But of course, Raymond's so proud as LeBron's stepping over to him to get back in the plate, Dremont swings the arm up right into his junk. Groyn shot, folks, ain't no denying it. Dremon hit LeBron in the nuts.

Got suspended for game five when they could have closed it out. This is the 73 win warriors. Yada, yada, yada. LeBron and Kyrieu, I think, both dropped 40. It goes to game six, back to Cleveland. Dremont is back, but he couldn't be the usual Dremont. Now, this is seven years ago now. He couldn't, I'm sorry.

Yeah, 2016, seven years ago. He couldn't be the usual Dremont because if he got another tech, he would be suspended. So he had to kind of rein it in. He wasn't himself. LeBron and Kyrie go bonkers again, and then you guys know game seven happens. And, you know, I know. know that, what's his name, um, Andrew Bogot was injured in that series, that hurt, but with no Bogot and no Draymond, you had zero rim protection at all.

And I'm just saying there is a very large body of work that shows Draymond Green has got some problems. Okay? He is out of control on the court. He has become a liability and you never want to pin a loss. And they haven't even lost game three. For all I know, they'll probably win game three. It is, by the way, Thursday night.

I don't think there's any way you can look at this and say, boy, Dremont really screwed up here. And if you're looking for yet another reason to move on from Dremont, as if punching Jordan Poole in the face wasn't enough, I think, Rob, this is it. Now, the final question I got to ask you guys is what do you do in the starting lineup? And this is where it could play to Golden State's advantage because they've got so many options. And let's be real, Drayman was a bit of a turnover. I know he played some good interior defense, but it's not like it was great. I mean, Sabona's got whatever he wanted. Harrison Bard's got some stuff inside.

Warriors have gotten killed on the glass. Oh, I'm sorry, not killed on the glass. Killed on the points in the paint. Golden State is minus 30 points in the paint to go to Sacramento in the first two games. I think it was plus 16 for the Kings in game one, plus 14 game two. But you could go Jonathan Cumminga, who's young and bouncy, maybe gives you an early dunk to get the team fired up, a big block shot. I don't know if he's skilled enough to be able to handle Subonis.

Obviously, you've got Kevon Looney, and then you start getting creative. I mean, do we go small with pool? Do we go small with Gary Payton? Like, they've got options. It's going to be interesting. I think ultimately, and again, I know Rob G is a big Lakers fan, but I don't know what, like, a market's going to be like for Draymond Green, especially if the Kings end up winning the series.

And that's all she wrote for Draymond. I'm like, who wants him? I don't, again, we're talking about a declining asset, right? I tried to teach my kids a house appreciating in value. It's an asset. A car is a depreciating asset. You drive it out of the showroom. Instantly, the value on the car goes down.

So I think at this stage in his career, Rob, Draymond is a declining asset. I do believe the Warriors will win game three. I don't know how. I think they will, but then again, I thought they win game two. And my guess is this would be all she wrote for Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors. Absolutely.

You know, even before this stomping incident, it was looking increasingly likely that this was going to be the last, you know, hurrah, the last dance, if you will, for the Golden State Warriors. Not only because of Clay Thompson wanting Max Money, which was reported over the weekend, Draymond Green has been very vocal for about a year, which many have suggested that. that's what led to the Jordan Pool punch because Jordan Pool secured the bag and Draymond was left kind of wanting still. But assuming Draymond opts out of his deal after the season and tries to get an extension

a longer one from Golden State, they'd be looking at a payroll and luxury tax over $500 million. Right? Now, that's obviously a lot of money. But then again, they've been paying a luxury tax anyway. So you're like, well, maybe they might do it for a year or two and, you know, kick the can down the road.

However, that new CBA that is going to get into effect, I believe, starting next season, installed a tax apron which would make it damn near impossible for you to field a team like the Warriors currently have. Teams that exceed over $17.5 million over the luxury tax line, which the Warriors have obliterated that obviously right now, would not be able to use their taxpayer, mid-level exception ad players, would not be able to sign buyout players during the season, would not be able to take back additional money in trades, which means usually if you're within like 20%,

you can get more salary. That's the way it works. And more importantly, if a team goes over that apron, their first round picks seven years out is no longer eligible to be traded. So, you know, if you're a Lakers fan, the 27, 2029 picks were like the hot commodity for them

for like two seasons because that's all they could trade. was 70 years down the road. If you exceed that apron twice, the following four years will have that pick dropped to the end of the first round, no matter where you're picking. So what they basically did was say, the Los Angeles Clippers,

the Brooklyn Nets, the Golden State Warriors, your buying of a, basically New York Yankees version of the NBA is not going to fly. So the Golden State Warriors were going to have to make a decision anyways. Draymond's Green play coupled with his antics and what's been going on,

I think it's just going to accelerate the process. If I'm him, I'm opting into that deal. I'm keeping the $27 million trying to stay around for one more season because I think that as you alluded to, the book is out on him. Yeah, what's the market for Draymond? I don't see any team that's going to be willing to pay $30 million or even $20 million for a age 34, 35 power forward who can't shoot, who so far is shown that he's only successful in a certain system

that literally nobody else in the NBA runs. Well, maybe other people should run it. Here's a fun stat from stats and info. Draymond Green is the only player in the last 10 seasons to be suspended multiple times in the playoffs. It's just such an indictment. And again, Draymond has had a great. great career. This is not, I'm not kind of

besmirching his legacy or whatever. I don't, I don't know that he has a legacy. But he's been an instrumental part on I guess, five titles, right? So they went two with KD. No, no, four titles. Two with KD. One last year. Well, five if you count the three one, because he was instrumental by getting himself suspended.

Can't count that. And I'll say this, listen, I probably should not mention this guy's name in the same sentence. But there is something to, I wasn't drafted early, I'm chip on my shoulder guy. And Draymond, who was like a big 10 player of the year, unbelievable college player at Michigan State, falls to the second round, really did not have a role in Mark Jackson's Golden State.

Do you remember that, by the way? Before Steve Kerr got there, have we forgotten that Draymond Green, like, was not a big deal in the NBA? He just, he wasn't. Like, I mean, he barely played in the first season with Mark Jackson. I think he, you know, he was a bit of an older rookie. He was 22, started one game. Second year, he got up to 12 games.

2015 starts all of them. Remember David Lee? I don't know if you guys remember him. It was kind of blocking Dremont. And then Steve Kerr unlocks, like, the death lineup and realizes, like, Draymont's perfect. Well, David Lee had to get hurt. for that to even happen.

That's right. Steve Kerr has said, if David Lee does not get hurt in the preseason, Draymond is never getting that opportunity. If Drew Bledsoe doesn't go down, we don't know what the hell happens with Tom Brady. I mean, it's not like, let's just say Bledsoe continued to be fine

and Brady played out the string. It was like, I'm going to go somewhere to be a starter. I don't know, Tom Brady goes to Indie or not Indy because Peyton was there. But, you know, where else is he going to go? You toss out of T. I don't even know if the Carolina Panthers. Yeah, the Carolina Panthers. He met them in the Super Bowl.

But let's say he goes there for whoever the Panther Charter was. It's not like Brady's winning seven Super Bowls in friggin Carolina, right? He had Belichick. I mean, Draymond Green fits perfectly with Kerr. Only a dumb franchise would consider offering him 30 mil. Now, I do wonder, Damien Liller was like, I believe the first NBA big-time player that I saw to chime in last night, or, well, technically, two-night early this morning. I wonder if Damian Lillard has visions.

Hey, maybe we get Draymond on the cheap. You know, maybe we bring him up here. He would be ready to help us win a championship. I totally disagree, but that's probably where Draymond is coming from. I mean, I feel bad for the teams that played on Tuesday because this by far overshadowed everything. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox SportsRadio.com. And within the IHard Radio app, search FSR to listen live.

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 IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football,

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Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. We could quickly go through the games, Rob. There's not a ton on these. I don't know, which one do you want to start with? Did any of them interest you? Well, yeah, the nightcap interest me. Okay, just making sure.

The Clipper signs, which unfortunately for them, the NBA dropped that Draymond bombshell right in the middle of the game and it was getting spicy. So that's one thing I didn't like. But I have a big takeaway. I didn't run it by you before we recorded the podcast. I'm more worried about the Phoenix Suns now than I was after game one. You were expecting a route, right? Game two?

Yeah, well, I expected them to come out strong early. I expected them to send a message and they just didn't. They needed a brilliant third quarter by Devin Booker. He was fantastic. He was fantastic. You know what? You know why he's fantastic right now. I don't know if he's one of your people

but this whole bad bunny dating Kendall Jenner thing I had to just work that working a pop culture reference No, D-Book was outstanding I'm with you I'll tell you this Rob first game

I know Westbrook did not play particularly well but Westbrook was better down the stretch with the two free throws the offensive rebounds the block first quarter Westbrook came out like we're trying to steal one and I don't know about you man Booker did not look great

I thought first quarter No, he didn't But luckily for him He turned it on in a big way In the third quarter Played a great second half I thought them using him Other than the last two minutes

To kind of close it out Where he was basically playing as their point guard From the middle of the third quarter To the middle of the fourth quarter And I thought he was great What I'm concerned about though Is number one was a slow start Because I expected them to have

A little more urgency than what they had But more importantly Kevin Durant had to play 44 minutes Devin Booker had to play 45 minutes Chris Paul, who was terrible in game one, played 38 and was great down the stretch in this one. This team has zero depth. They are the most top heavy roster probably left in these playoffs. And the good thing is that the top heaviness is still good enough to win a championship

because Booker, Durant, Aidan, and Paul are legitimately a great for some. Yeah. However, here's the thing. the NBA did them zero favors by only giving one day off in between each of these games. Yeah, no extra day like John Rant. No extra day off. So if you're Phoenix, you have to end this series in five games. I don't know if you can count on Devin Booker, Kevin Durant,

having to play 45 plus minutes in every single game and expect them to win a long series. No, yeah. This is a team that looked very. Very suss. I did not think... I thought Phoenix was going to sweep the series, so I have not been impressed with them at all. I'll say this.

Tori Craig, the experiment, did not seem to work in game one. Even though he played well, it was like a disjointed effort. Tori Craig is playing... He's hitting every shot, five of eight from deep. Chris Paul was even clutched down the strats

for all the Chris Paul's washed fans. He had a couple big elbow jumpers. And more importantly, he ended the Scott Foster jinks. Scott Foster a notoriously bad NBA referee. who's always had beef with Chris Paul. I believe Chris Paul had lost 13 straight with Scott Foster as the ref, and he finally gets the dub with some clutch shots late.

But I clearly underestimated the paper clips. Russ played good. Listen, he's going to have his wacky turnovers. He's going to do his stupid taunting shit with Kevin Durant. I can't get with that. But ultimately, Kauai Leonard needs like two more guys. Norm Powell, not his best effort. They could have used a little more at a Powell.

just four for 11, 12 points. I like Terrence Mann, the energy guy. It seems like they're trying to go small. Did you notice that, Rob, with Tiley said, you know what? We would play Kauai at Center. And that seemed to work, but they still were not able to break through. Yeah, and I think that this is, I mean, they mentioned a lot during the broadcast. I think it was Stan Van Gundy, that the clippers, because they were playing so small,

were playing a lot of drop coverage with Zubach and Plumley to protect the paint, because they were charting out basically four guards, if you count Kauai, through most of the second half. I would not be surprised if now that the series shifts back to Los Angeles, if we start seeing Robert Covington and Marcus Moors get dusted off, just to have some more length on the perimeter. And what the clippers have the edge in a big way in the series, is their depth is far and away better than what Phoenix has.

Yeah, it's not great, but it's better than Phoenix, yeah. It's much better. I like how you talk about dusting off Covington and giving a new wrinkle. Covington, DMP, CD, did not play coach's decision. Would not be surprised if we saw a sighting from the Morris twin. I'm assuming he's healthy. I don't recall him being healthy at times late in the season. But it's funny you mentioned that, like, there are adjustments teams can make.

There's some break-in-case of emergency, either lineups. Remember the death lineup? They just saved that for, like, dire straits moments. There's certain rotations that you can do, certain plays. that you know are going to work, that if you need to go back to it over and over and over, but you don't want to burn it early in the series because you're still, you're still feeling it to each other team out. And I would hope Monty Williams has some stuff up his sleeve because you know Tyloo.

It's very well respected. My guy Dante Jones is on the bench with the paper clips. I would not be surprised to see some wrinkles from the clippers. I just don't know how the sun's revolved. They don't have a lot of bullets in that chamber. Sorry for the gun analogy. They just don't have a lot they can do. And it's interesting.

I think I said this on yesterday's pod, but we recorded right after the game, so I might not have. But I saw the Warriors unleash two new wrinkles, which was Moses Moody coming out of nowhere to actually play meaningful minutes. That was like a change of pace. And then they went to a zone defense to slow the Kings down. And that did briefly work. But you know what happens, Rob, right? You go back in the lab and the Kings are going to be ready for that in game three. They're going to be ready for the zone.

And, you know, this is all folks, not unlike the Grey Foxes, my men's basketball team in the Torrance League. We're in the championship Sunday night, Sunday evening. We are considerable underdogs. And we have a text chain about strategy. You know, I hope they're not listening. But, you know, you're able to watch all their games on YouTube. You know, if you guys, if you're really interested, send me, you know, drop me a DM on IG and I'll send you the link.

But we're able to see what they do when they go, how often they go man, how they go zone, who's your target, you know, all that stuff. And you're able to pick up a lot. And we've got a lot of stuff we're ready to unleash because they've seen us now twice. And they were watching our game in the semifinal just as we watch theirs. And you've got to be ready with adjustments. And I'm going to use that to pivot to the Hawks Celtics game because Rob, I mean, like, I like Quinn Snyder is a coach. I think he's got good upside.

The Hawks played about as well as they can. And they so got smacked by the Celtics. It's just an awful matchup. There's nothing they could do. I don't want to hear the bashing tray young. You got swept. So the Celtics offense. is just unstoppable against Atlanta.

They had 28 assists. They had 55% shooting, 45% on threes. But again, I was playing my son in chess, watching this game, and I'm like, man, the Hawks are grabbing a billion offensive rebounds. Rob, let this sink in. The Hawks had 19 more offensive rebounds, resulting in 15 more shot attempts.

if you get 15 more shot attempts than your opponent, you're probably going to win the game, right? 15 more shots, even if you make six or five. That's free points right there. You're getting way more shots in your opponent. They even made more threes than Boston. So don't say Boston like made 21-3s. You can't do anything.

They made more threes than Boston, and they still lost by 13. Like I don't know really what they can do. They eventually said, you know what, let's not play Capella. It ain't working. We got to go small. So they go with a Kongwu, who is good. And they go with Bogdanovich, you had a bunch of threes.

And it kind of worked, but they can't get stops. You know, if you don't have Capella on the back line, and you've got Trey Young in there with Bogdanovich, you're getting torched. You just, you can't get stops. And so I think the next bullet, not bullet, okay. The next option the Hawks have is heavy Sadiq Bay. You know, maybe they tinker with Griffin, the rookie. Like, it's tough.

This Boston, I would say without question, Rob, for me. Boston's been the most impressive team through how long have we been playoffs only started Saturday, right? It's a few days. But Boston's been by far the most impressive team. Yeah, and you and I look very smart for predicting before the playoffs started

that Boston won the championship. Like this Celtics team, I kind of wish they had a different first round matchup because Atlanta is not a good test for them at all, especially considering they're going to get Philadelphia looks like here in round two. what Atlanta does well is they have you know okay a good back court with trey young and

jonte murray clink capella is a good rim protector and you know the rest of it it's it's hit or miss i know that they have some depth but that's basically what they like to do the problem with that is boston runs a five out offense so clinkapela is basically rendered obsolete you know there's there's no point of having a great rim protector if there's nobody in the paint really you know and the Boston Celtics guards and wings are an defensive player of the year, Marcus Smart, two guys who could be defensive all defense teams, Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown.

Oh, and then you have Derek White, who is a very good defender in his own right. So whatever advantage or whatever thing that Atlanta may have going in their favor, it just immediately gets erased. Like they have nothing that they can do in this matchup that would give them an upper hand. You're basically just throwing shit out of wall and hope it sticks.

I'm sorry to go back, but I was just looking at the player points pool I'm doing. And a guy, this is a guy's team, Rob. Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, Deeran Fox, Sabonis, and Bridges. Oh, wow. He's only going to lose Bridges. A lot of people thought, oh, dude, what's he doing, drafting two kings? Well, it looks like they're, as of now, it looks like they're going to advance.

And he's rolling right. now. But there's a chance if the Warriors rally, he's going to lose Spider-Obrunson, which is a little high risk, and then he's just going to have Tatum going to the finals. But, like, I mean, I think I'm in fourth of eight right now. It's not looking good for me. But let's go to the Cavs-Nicks series real quick, Rob. The only thing that jumped out, only thing is you're down 20 in the fourth quarter. Two and a half minutes left. Tibado still has Julius Randall out there.

And Julius Randall, going for a dunk on a fast break, tries to go. grab the rim, or tries to hang on the rim, but loses it because he's getting fouled and lands on his back. And now he did get up. He seemed okay, but dude's going to be sore tomorrow. And this is typical Tibido, Rob, you know this. He keeps his stars in late in games, even though they're getting blasted. Like down 20, why is Julius Randall in the game? Josh Hart played with the injury. My guy, Josh Hart, role players matter, minus 29 in 27 minutes. It was a rough one. Not a lie. As my son likes to say,

NGL, dad, NGL. You know, Cavs look good. My guy Leverd, who is on my player points pool, very excited for him. Yeah, I put out of this tweet on, was it, yeah, Saturday. After the Knicks won. I was like, what is this, Okoro?

What is this, Osmond? You got to go with Lavert. Obviously, I have him, so I'm invested. Now, I didn't see, did Okoro get hurt, Rob? I didn't see that he played three minutes he basically did not look good early they go to Osman he missed a billion shots and it's like what are we doing here

Lavert ends up playing 40 minutes off the bench now I don't think they start him but I think you got to consider it he's not a natural small forward and it's good to have him coming in off the bench but they're just so bad at small forward like I don't I just don't see

what on earth the Knicks can do year. Yeah, it's looking, I'm just doing a quick search. It looks like Okoro had two turnovers and a miss in the first three minutes and did not come back in the game. Now, do you think he starts?

Well, according to J.B. Bickerstaff, he said that, I think he said he's still going to go with the move forward. Here's the quote, it's not a long-term decision with Isaac. Isaac's done a ton for us this year and we will always treat our guys with respect. So maybe he gets his minutes reduced and he has a short leash, but I don't know if they would make this kind of a change in the middle of a playoff series, considering that he's been their guy for basically all season.

My guy played three minutes. Well, no, not my guy. Okoro played three freaking minutes. Now, you could claim Okoro. You can claim him. I don't want. I don't want to. I will pass on that.

Thank you for the offer that I could claim one of the weakest small forwards in the league. I am an R.J. Barrett truther. I loved him at Duke. I still think he could be a number two, but I'm starting to wonder if he's a three. In the series, R.J. Barrett is. six for 25 shooting. That's bad. He is one for eight from three,

and he's got 21 points. It's a struggle. I'm just going to be blatantly honest. Just what I've heard, that Tibbs doesn't love him the way the front office does. Front office likes RJ Barrett a lot. Tibbs just not a huge fan.

He plays a lot of heart, which I get a lot of quickly, which I like also. But I think Barrett's got a lot of value. Nix gets smoked, and hopefully Randall doesn't have any issues going forward. By the way, Darius Garland woke up, 32 points. He went off. Had a great game. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation.

Catch all of our shows at foxportsradio.com. And within the IHard Radio app, search FSR to listen live. 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 I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skis. 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.

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Here's your best bet. Rob, you want to wrap up with some best bets for tonight's action. I have the gambling app open in front of me. It's a big night for your Lakers. What's the vibe with John Morant unlikely to play, according to Wode? Is that the word he used unlikely or something else?

I believe that was the word he used. The vibes are good. It's feeling like, you know, I'm getting my chair ready for the championship parade down Figueroa here in about two months because the Lakers are going to steamroll through this series. Championship parade after one win. This guy. I'm looking at the line. I'm seeing Memphis favored by one or it's pick them. I'm seeing the late.

Interesting divergence. Now, I told you guys about this app, right? It's called Bet Stamp. You can essentially go and put in any sports book you want. and line up what the options are. And the three in Vegas that are the most – well, two in Vegas and one offshore that are the most respected are Betchris, Superbook, and Circa Sports. They all have a different line for this game. Bet Chris has Lakers plus one.

Superbook has pick them. Circa has Lakers minus one. So there's really no edge here. Robert, you surprised with the John Morant indecision that it's still this low? maybe somebody, an important gambler who's willing to put six figures on some information on John Moran. Does somebody know something? It definitely sounds like that. Yeah, that's kind of the read that I got too.

Because it was funny, even on Tuesday afternoon, they had pictures of John Moran at practice. And they said he had a big old ice wrap and they said he didn't do much when the media was there. And then there was another report that said he also did some dribbling and shooting. So you can't be both, right? There's something is conflicting there. So somebody knows something. I'm expecting him to play just as a Lakers fan. Even though hot take, I guess,

I'm more worried about Tias Jones in this series than I am about John Morant. Because Tias Jones can shoot. He can do a lot of the things that Mike Connolly did to them where he can hit those little creases, a little pull-up, especially against the AD's drop coverage. He can shoot the long ball much better than John Morant can. Tias Jones is the real deal.

Okay. Let me ask you this. Let's say, let's just hypothetical. John Morant is out. Let's say they announced it two hours before the game. Does Rob, not Rob Polinka, does Darwin Ham tweak the starting lineup? Because he had Jared Vanderbilt on John Moran.

Do you keep Vanderbilt a non-shooter in the starting lineup and you put him on Jared Jackson? Or do you pull him from the starting lineup and get more offense out there? Because they got options. You know, Tyos Jones is a small guard, and I got to be honest, I don't know how much I trust DeAngelo Russell to be locked in to stop him. He is not known for his defensive prowess. If you ask me who the weakest link in the defense for the Lakers is,

starting lineup, it's DeAngelo Russell. I guess you could put Austin Reeves on him. It's a lot of chasing around a point guard for a max player in Austin Reeves. Come on, you're supposed to laugh at it. For a game one hero in Austin Reeves, I don't know. I think you just got to ride with the same group. And if you're able to put Vanderbilt on Triple J, you can hide AD on Tillman, who's its total zero. And yeah, I guess Austin Reeves is a guy.

Now, Dennis Schroeder should be able to have no problem guarding Tyos Jones. We both like Tyos Jones. What about you? You tweak the lineup or no? Probably not, just because what you have is working. And I don't know if you want to be making adjustments like that in the middle of a series when this team has not played together for that long as it is. So I would assume that they wouldn't make any adjustments.

But I will say I do not like the idea of Jared Vanderbilt trying to guard Triple J. He's just, he's too thin. So who do you put on him? I would stick with LeBron. Yeah. I mean, he did. That's what I would do. Listen, we both love LeBron.

He really, he got his way. He had his way with LeBron in the paint, didn't he? He did. But, I mean, at least LeBron's like 260. I think Jared Vanderbilt might be 210. Yeah, my gut tells me, Rob, that. if John Morant is out, you're going to see a letdown from the Lakers, with the exception of LeBron James. My, and again, no, I've never, have I met LeBron?

I don't know. I don't think I have. I don't think this is a game. LeBron lets his team lose if John Morant is out. So if John Morant is out, my gut will tell me LeBron is not letting them lose this game. Even if he struggles, I can see him doing whatever it takes to go home to L.A. up to nothing. You tossed into

Draymond suspension, Kings Warriors. I still think that series probably goes seven, Kings Warriors. Lakers, can you imagine

if they got a week of rest, Rob? Oh, that would be awesome. For A. D. and LeBron, I don't want to look ahead, but, you know,

we're in the 30, 35, what, 40-minute mark of the podcast. How do the Lakers match up with the Kings? Just asking. Hypothetically,

don't laugh. Austin Reeves on, on Deeronre & Fox, subonis, Anthony Davis. But Anthony Davis, like, Monk and Fox are going to get in the lane.

And if AD comes to try to block every shot, Sabonis is going to grab a billion offensive rebounds. LeBron. Can Jared Vanderbilt? Maybe you put Vanderbilt on Fox? I don't know. That's a tough one. Vanderbilt on Harrison Barnes.

I think you would to hide LeBron on the rookie, Keegan Murray or LeBron on Harrison Barnes. Shucks, this matchup starting to look favorable for the Lakers. You seem shocked. Well, I mean, the kicks have been. down the defending champs in two games when it matter in the fourth quarter. If they were winning in a different way, I might

have a different opinion. But essentially we've had two fourth quarter games and the defending champs who have won them a lot of rings against the team that a lot of guys have never played in the playoffs and they're beating them. Like that, I'm still a little shell shocked by this, aren't you? Yeah, I mean, even though

I expected it to be of a competitive series, I was not expecting the Sacramento to go up 2-0. You know, I've been on record, I've said it on the pot. As far as the Lakers go, And I said this before the playoffs even started, their side of the bracket is wide open for them to get to the Western finals. You know, Memphis being down their two best centers, basically, with Adams and Clark.

Sacramento is not a good defensive team. Don't let what you saw in game two against the Warriors kind of fool you. That's just not what they do. And the Golden State Warriors have no size at all. So those things all work in the Lakers favor. they live in the paint. Anthony Davis is a monster. LeBron James gets downhill probably better than, you know, 90% of the NBA, even at age 38. So it's shaping up for them to make a run to the Western finals and, you know, let's see what happens.

Interesting. I'm not going to touch Buck's Heat until we get clarity on Janus. I guess if I had, if you're looking to weigh a beta bet in Denver, Minnesota, I would look at the T-Wolves in the first quarter. because interestingly enough, we saw the Knicks come out in game two in the first quarter really, really strong. Cavs eventually rebounded at the end of the quarter. The Clippers led by, I think, four or five at the end of the first quarter. I think they were leading.

And the Celtics were getting pasted for about the first nine minutes of the quarter, maybe the first eight, maybe not pasted, but they were down or trailing, struggling. Definitely the first five minutes they were trailing. It was like 10-4. All three of those teams, down 01, played their butts off. So now you get a Minnesota team that got thrashed adjusting to altitude off the play-in games.

I would look at Minnesota first quarter. But using that logic of the extra day and the team down 01 playing hard, it feels like I would lean Memphis in the first quarter, even if John Moran's out. Now, first quarter betting, not really. I don't think you can get down big money if you're interested. But I would look at the home team in Memphis in the first quarter and Minnesota going on the road first quarter.

They've had some good starts. Started great against the Lakers. Started great in game one. Rob, any other thoughts? Well, in that game specifically, Minnesota and Nugget. I like Minnesota plus, I think I see eight and a half. Eight and a half, yeah. I like them in that game.

You mentioned it the two days off. Really going to help them no longer having to play three playing games, basically. They had the first one against the Lakers. They had an actual playing game to do or die and then game one. So I like them getting some rest. And shameless self-promotion, I will be co-hosting the odd couple on Fox Sports Radio, Chris Broussard, on Wednesday afternoon, 4 to 7 Pacific, 7 to 10 p.m. Eastern. So if you want to hear me recycling these takes, that's what you have to tune in.

Don't forget the little people on your way to the top. How about this as a Draymond Green team, just off the top of my head? Chicago Bulls. No. Kobe White, Zach Levine, DeMarerosen with the fulcrum being Draymond, backed up by Andre Drummond, they can move off of Vucich. No, absolutely not. I mean, I don't know why if you're in Chicago, you would want to do.

Leadership, like Zach Levine's a quiet leader. Patrick Beverly's a clown. I'm just talking about like-Beth said he wants $14 million a year too. Goodbye. Miami. How about the Miami Heat? He could fit in the culture there alongside Bayam. I don't know how they would, they probably couldn't.

affordable unless they moved off Lowry and something. Well, they're going to try. Their issue is they can't score too well. So I think Miami is more looking for punch, scoring punch, than defense. All right. That's a long one on a Wednesday. Enjoy the day. And Lakers tip time, 430

in L.A. Jeez. Better be that traffic home, ladies and gentlemen. Talk to you tomorrow. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Oden to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and headwriter, 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. A win is a win.

A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the Fourth. 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 of 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 Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at a podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down,

and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. I mean, 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 get your podcasts.

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 I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an I-Heart podcast, guaranteed human.