The Mismatch - An NBA Game of “That’s True, That Might Be True, or That’s Ridiculous”

Episode Date: October 29, 2021

Manic and excitable after a very late night of Grizzlies-Warriors basketball (0:30), Verno and KOC play a game called “That’s True, That Might Be True, That’s Ridiculous,” in which Chris states an overreaction from this NBA season so far and Kevin deems it either true, possibly true, or ridiculous (10:45). They start with the future of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s relationship (14:45), and discuss other topics like James Harden’s issues (22:40), the Wizards’ newfound success (50:15), and much more. Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, before we get to today's episode of The Mismatch, I want to tell you about one of our new shows on our network, the Ringer Wrestling show. The Ringer Wrestling show is your guide for all things pro wrestling. And this week, they recapped Halloween Havoc. You can find the Ringer wrestling show on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to The Mishmatch. I'm Chris Vernon. And joining me as he does every Friday from the Ringer.com is Kevin O'Connor, A.K.K. Kevin O'O.comber, A.K.K.K.K. Kevin O'O. Kavana. Kevin O'Bomba. Kevin. Burdo. Forgot today was, I guess, our pre-Hallowing show. You're dressed in glasses, got a hoodie over you. What are you, Chris? Well, what's your Halloween outfit this weekend? This has nothing to do with Halloween, Kevin.

Nothing to do with Halloween? No, this is the outfit you wear after you watch John Morant in Golden State. And your future is so damn bright. You got to wear shades. I can't even do a podcast without wearing shades anymore. I can't do it, Kevin. My future's too bright. I got to wear shades.

I mean, look, last night, late night watching the Grizzlies versus the Golden State Warriors. And they got down 19 and fought all the way back, went to overtime, and then ended up winning the game, John Morant with another monster performance. But in all seriousness, it is Halloween. I never get dressed up for Halloween. I have a hot dog costume I wear when my kids walk around the neighborhood. I dress like a hot dog just because it makes all the kids laugh. What?

Yeah, I bought it at Walmart a couple years ago. And you wear that over here or you're just a hot dog for Halloween? Yeah. Yep. It's the same hot dog costume. I mean, it's a crowd pleaser. I never know it. You have any photos of you in this hot tongue costume?

Oh, yeah, I got photos of me in this costume. Sure. Not for not to share though. They're just proud of it. I'll send you one. I don't care. I'd love to say. It's I'm my only fans.

You must have to post it last night after watching that job performance. Yeah, this might be a goofy show. I was up entirely too late last night after that game. Chris, late were you up celebrating afterwards because I wouldn't blame you. I wouldn't blame you if you pulled an all nighter. Seriously. It wasn't celebrating. I just, you know, you're wired. Right. You're wired. Wildly entertaining game. Uh, it was probably, you get a point guard averaging 30 points per game, eight assists per game. He's dominant. His three point shots coming along. You get Desmond

Bain making a leap in the back court next to John Moran. You get, and by the way, this Grizzlies team last season, you guys had a lot of talent already. It's just now Morant and Desmond Bean are fueling what's happening. Like the rest of the roster is being lifted by their leaps. It's insane. And they haven't gotten an awesome Jaron yet. Not yet.

No. He still falls too much. He's got a cut down on the falls. He has to cut down on the foul. That's a tough thing to do. That's being said, though, that's being said, you could go look at the numbers. He is essential to have on the court. Oh, he's important. You know what I mean? Like they're on off court with him on. And a lot. And

lot of it's because of the spacing. Anyway, that was a great basketball game. The Warriors of the Grizzlies. The Warriors of Grizzlies play great, great basketball games. I'll tell you this, the Knicks' Bulls game was good, too. You know, it ends with the DeRosen miss, but that was, uh, there was a moment in time where I'm watching that last night, and I'm thinking of myself, you know, this is good. This is good because sometimes you can become resentful of the big marketing.

that think that everything else in the NBA landscape is meant to be just a feeder system for them. And so every time any other team goes to L.A. or goes to New York, the players are all asked about how much they love playing here. And would they, could they see themselves in that jersey one day? And then their fans, their fans all talk about, you know, stealing every player from every team. That being said, it's a better league when Chicago's good and when New York is good. And watching that last night, you know, for so many years, both those teams were just Maribund franchises. And to watch them, those are both playoff teams. You're watching, you know, it's very, very early in the season, but you watch that game and you go,

these teams are both going to be playing playoff basketball this year. Yeah, both Bulls and Nicks. I mean, I understand that resentment you're talking about. but those teams, you know, they've had, especially the Knicks, a lot of challenges last five plus, you know, multiple decades for the Knicks to see them be good again and see them competitive. And not only like, they're not just good, but the character with which they play with, the Knicks are a tough team. They're a hard nose team. And this Bulls team, you can say the same things about Chris with the way like Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball, the way those guys play defense on the perimeter. Then you get Zach Levine stepping up.

I mean, Patrick Williams is a young player, really tough on defense. Like both of these teams have character. You can't help but respect the big market doesn't matter. Well, and one of the things about, you got to give Leon Rose worldwide West and the crew up in New York a lot of credit because they're in a very good spot. As you saw, you know, with that viral video this week, Bing Bong, they're in a very good spot right now because they got some good, good. young talent that is developing. They got money, you know, that is going to come available. And in addition to that, they are creating and have created a real culture there.

And a lot of that is Tibbs. You know, there were some people that were critical of them hiring it. You know, I was effusive in my praise. I thought it was a brilliant, brilliant hire. I did not think he was going to win as many games he did last year. But the guy is a winner. The guy wins games. For all of his criticisms, the guy wins basketball games.

And there was this story, I don't know if you saw, but Brian Scalabrini on a series XM reported out of Chicago that Tibbs was having dinner at Tao with several Knicks, including Kimball Walker, Evan Fornier, Julius Randall, Todd Gibson, and Emmanuel Quickly. And then Scal said, Tibbs is in the middle like Jesus at the last. Last Supper, right? But I mean, the reason this stands out is it does speak to, that is not extremely common. You know what I'm saying? And you have, and I think that people would think of Tibbs as the kind of guy that is a, I coach the team, you play for the team, right? And so many times, guys like Tibbs, guys like, you know, Popovich, you end up reading these stories about them and it's not what you see or what you necessarily would think perception-wise, and yet they end up having these tremendous relationships with their players, which enables them

to scream at them. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's the old, you know, I've brought it up many times on the show, the old Pat Summit quote that she told me, God rest her soul, they will not care how much you know unless they know how much you care, right? And so when I hear a story like Tibido's sitting down with all these Knicks players holding court at Tao restaurant, you know, it's the first thing that comes to my mind, right? Because he is a screamer and he is hard on guys and he does not give you a tremendous amount of rope. But you pull that off by building real relationships with those guys and that happens off the court. Have you ever eaten it, Tau?

Never. It's pretty good. I went in Vegas. I mean, I ain't got Kevin O'Connor money. Chris is big as Summer League. It does have the four money signs. I've never been in the L.A. or Chicago one. Seems quite good.

I wonder how big that dinner group is. You know, I was at a dinner last week, Chris, where someone there told me, I won't reveal their name. The Popovich rule for dinner is a maximum of six people. Oh. I think that's a good rule. That's a good rule. Six people.

when you have eight at a dinner, people divide into groups. It becomes two groups of four. Six, it's all one. Is that accurate in your experience? Chris, with dinner group sizes? I'm trying to think, you know, the one time when you and I went out to dinner at Summer League, there was probably eight. There's too many.

Too many people. You thought it was too many. Too many people. That was a David Chang's place, right? Yeah. I remember. That's a little different because it's a round table. A round table's better.

It's like the rectangular tables. But the round table even then, though, eight might be a little bit too many. Six is ideal. Four to six. That's the ideal dinner number. I think you're probably right. I've never thought of it. That's what I've told, the pop of it rule.

I've never thought about it. But, I mean, maybe one day when I retire, I'll go at the dinners. When do I go at the dinner? I don't go at the dinner. I sit around and, you know. Do you have a door dash post-based? What's the DoorDash Postmates life like in a... Oh, oh, do I have DoorDash?

I mean, yes. Uber Eats, DoorDash, everything. You name it. You name it. It gets delivered. Yes. It's unbelievable. We have all these apps and everything.

Yes. I love it. Unbelievable. I love it. I love the convenience of it all. Food right to your door. Food right to your door. America.

Yeah. It has been very fun so far, this NBA season. I have found myself incredibly enthralled nightly with all these games and just having league pass back and being flipping around to all these different games thus far. And with that being said, there have been several things that have come up, you know, inevitably when these results take place, people are going to make grand sweeping judgments about everything that takes place. We are no different. and while we are not going to necessarily make grand sweeping judgments today, Kevin, I have prepared a game show in which you will be the contestant today. And it is going to become, it is my prediction, that this particular game show is going to become the most popular NBA niche podcast game show in the world.

in the world. You know, you texted me last night, Chris. I don't know anything you're going to ask me. I don't know if you said to me last night. I'm going to come up with a list takes over reactions, thoughts that you're going to choose three answers from. That's true. That might be true.

That's ridiculous. So I look forward to respond to these here. Now, now, I, look, do we need to workshop the name possibly? Yeah, we don't have a name. But for right now, but for right now, it's called, that's true. that might be true that's ridiculous that's the name

that's the name that's the name we need a tighter name no I don't agree with you I don't agree with you I tried to workshop a name and I talk to myself

you know people know what they're getting into when they hear the name right when they hear the name that's true that might be true that's ridiculous they know

Hey, I know what this game's about. The name of the game is explained easily in the title. You know, but it's much better than something like Family Feud. Family Feud, you don't know that they're going to be answering questions where 100 people were polled. Family feud could be, you know, they're fighting each other for good of sakes. You know, this is very clear. We got it. We got the name.

You're right, Chris. look, what is, when you think about, you know, let me give you an example. I'm going to give you a good one. Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Yes, I am. Everything to exploit, but I'm, oh, I am not. You don't have a fifth grader in your house. Listen, math and English and history don't define your intelligence.

I have a sixth grader. Oh, my God. If I would have done his homework, he would, he would, I mean, he'd be. he'd be in sixth grade again next year. I mean, I don't even, I don't remember any of it. You know, and I think that's because the school system greatly rewards memorization skills. You know what I'm great. I was great at that.

I was great at memorizing. You know, what I think I've realized, I have, I remember random stuff. I don't remember stuff that I should sometimes. When I was in elementary school, I was straight A's. straight A's in elementary, A's and B's in junior high, and then B's in C's in high school. But in elementary, I was heavy on the flash cards, Chris. I use flashcards all the time.

That's how I remembered stuff. So I think maybe like I wish I still had flashcards so I could remember like things that happened in my own life. That would be very helpful if I had flashcards. Let me tell you this. This is exactly why I didn't send you the questions because you would be using your flash cards for this game. Okay.

All right. All right. It's called. Hold on. What is it called again? It's called. That's right. That might, or that's true.

That might be true. That's ridiculous. This is obviously extreme, the very well thought out. Game show. All right. Do you want me to start off with the most brutal one for you to answer? All right. We're going to dive straight into this game, Kevin.

Any of them. I'm open. No. I'm going for the jugular on statement number one. Okay. Here it comes, Kevin. This is the last year. We will see Tatum and Brown together.

That's ridiculous. That's ridiculous. That's ridiculous. I think you can, you can say, oh, maybe they'll be the next, you know,

superstar duo to break up in two years or three years. I think you can say that. I really do because you think, about Jalen Brown. He has three years left on his deal. Tatum has five left on his deal. It's not the last year for those two. Boston's going to keep it going at least one more. And then next season, that won't be so ridiculous.

I do wonder if it's a different thought with Brad Stevens now running the show rather than Danny Hange. You know, we've talked so many times about, I know that Brad's been within that organization, but we've talked so many times that, guys that have built something obviously have a greater attachment to what they have built than whoever is their replacement, right? And Brad has also coached those guys every day. So he inevitably has his own opinion of how to build that team and if that is what is going

to work the best. But you think ridiculous. You think this is... Yeah, you know, I mean, I think next season it wouldn't be as ridiculous. I don't think it would be ridiculous if, let's just say Boston signs and trades for Bradley be a lot of free agency next off season and because he wants to play with Tatum. Maybe then you flip Jalen Brown for Damian Millard.

I can see something like that. And then therefore, then this would be the last season. Like if that, you know, juggler opportunity became available, then maybe, yeah. What if they are on track not to make the playoffs this year? we get towards the trade deadline and they're on the outside looking in.

I still don't think it's all those guys. I still think you give them a better fitting point guard. It can solve some of the your turn, my turn issues between those two. I mean, ultimately, Chris, like, isn't that what you want two versatile wings who can get buckets, who can create a opportunity for you to score, who can defend multiple positions? That's what you want as two wings. It's about finding that. right backcourt piece, the right facilitator in the back court, I think more than anything else.

That's what the clippers were missing. Right? That's what everybody was saying the clippers need is they need a point card to help facilitate. I'd say Boston, it's similar in that sense. They get their playmaking distributed throughout, but it's not like all Marcus Smart, not all L. Horford. It's everybody doing it together.

Maybe they need someone who's more of a primary. All right. So you say that is ridiculous. Ridiculous. Next one. there is no chance Darryor Mory gets a great return for Ben Simmons. That could be true.

It could be true. It's might be. Come on. That's the game. That might be true. That might be true. It is, it is very possible.

Darry, who Shams sure already reported offered Ben Simmons for C.J. McCollum. three firsts in three first round pick swaps. It is very possible that Daryl Morey ends up needing to accept, I don't know, C.J. McCollum and one first. There's a distinct possibility of that because we don't know how things

they are going to unfold here. Portland is two and two to start the year. They've had some great games. They've had some disastrous games. Like, well, Damien Lord has not been the Damien Lord. We have learned to appreciate the last 10 years. He will get back on track at some point. like Portland could end up being like the sixth seed. And if Portland's a six seat, is Dame really going to be like, yeah, yeah, trade me to Philly for Ben Simmons with Joel and Bede whose knee is already hurt.

Yeah, trade me there. Yeah, I want to go there. There's no guarantee that that actually happens. So if it's not Dame, it might not be Bradley Biel, Washington's 4 and 1. Beal and his family, like I said, they seem happy there. I legitimately believe that his desire to stay there is genuine. It's just a matter of if he does or not. So if Beal's not available, if Liller's not available, who's the next best guy you're going to get for Ben Simmons?

It might be C.J. McCollum. And if it's C.J. McCollum, maybe you just say, hey, Ben, just play through the year, dude. Just, just suck it up. Play through the season. Because that might be your best bet. That might be true. M.B. does not look good. He, he was, like, fantastic. And then, like, the knee thing happened. And, uh, yeah. That next game was brutal. I know. It was rough, dude. It was rough. I thought the Nick's defense was, was. sensational like that thing Mitchell Robertson individually did a great job they showed help and it beat a lot but he I don't know man like imbied with his amount of injuries that he's had like it's actually kind of fortunate that he hasn't had anything super significant since like he was a young guy I mean he's played 50 60 games every year which isn't a lot he's always missing time he's always like get something nagging but like he hasn't missed an extended period of time you just got a hope Philadelphia can get him right because, boy, without Ben Simmons there, if Embed is out for any extended period or limited, boy, that Ben pressure is really going to be on Darrell

and Morrie to make a move or for Ben Simmons to get back. That could get even uglier. Yeah, the Lillard thing is very fascinating to me because, you know, he was not good in the Olympics. He wasn't. And there was all that stuff. You remember all those stories. coming out over the summer and then during that Olympic time. And it was like, ad injury. Yeah, his team has talked to, his team has talked to people.

And then there has to be a retraction of that. I remember Winhorse putting out that tweet and then having to like retract that tweet. And then there was the, uh, the whole Chauncey Billups fiasco where they hire him and then he's upset about that. And then there's that Instagram post. That's the, you know, how long do I remain dedicated?

and he's using the nipsy hustle thing. And then now there's this carryover and he started off the season. And I mean, you know, a little better the other night, but he certainly was not. Let me read his stats. He's averaging 17.8 points per game shooting 17% from three, 33% from the floor. I mean, the scoring is just horrible so far, you know, compared to dame that we know. Yeah, I mean, like, it's four games. You know what I'm saying?

Like Steph had that weird first game and then he just snapped out of it. I mean, next time we saw him out, he had 25 points in about eight minutes. Whereas for Dame, it's been 20 points on 24 shots, 19 points on 11 shots, 12 points on 15 shots, 20 points on 22 shots. Just very inefficient so far this year. And I'm sure he'll get himself fixed at some point. But with that said, though, I mean, to your point, Chris, he had the abdomen injury during the Olympics. still there could be something bothering him still.

And if he, even if he gets better, can he become the 30 point per game, Deemee Lurred on elite efficiency where he's just doing magical stuff in late and fourth quarters? Maybe, maybe, but,

he's also just, he's, he's 31 years old. He is 31. Next question. So you say that might be true, that Darrell Moray. For Philly,

yes. Could be, yeah, might be true. That could be. Might be. James Hardin is simply not the same player with the rule changes. I'd say that's,

this is a complicated. I'd say that might be true in the sense that like it was an important part of his game, drawing files, getting to the line. You know, like that's part of his game and part of his success for any player. Hold on. Let me take a quick time out.

I was listening to Bob Ryan on with, uh, with Simmons, which is a great listen. Bob Ryan's a legend, man. Legend. A real legend who has this. A breath of basketball wisdom that he gets from covering the league for 50 years.

You know what I mean? He must use flashcards. His memory is so sharp. He was talking about Bob McAdoo walking into a hotel lobby as he had traveled there with the Celtics, whatever. He's telling this story like it was yesterday. Bob McAdoo walking into a hotel in San Antonio. And he's like, and I'm in the lobby.

be and he's talking about it like he's talking about like LeBron walking into a hotel in San Antonio or something's crazy part of me is thankful my memory is not that sharp do you really want all those memories like this is true I saw Bob Mack and who walk out I don't know if I want to remember that is visually as some people do well so what was interesting though it's nice to forget sometimes it is nice to forget with their conversation he there was a player that they were talking about

and forgive me I can't remember who the player was but it was somebody that stood out greatly because the guy had taken more free throw. He had more free throw makes in his career than he had field goal makes. And Bob Ryan went and looked it up and he said, there is a player currently in the NBA that that is the case. And Simmons said, is it hard? And he goes, I couldn't believe it when I looked it up. He said he has more free throw makes than field goal makes.

Yeah, he does. Yep. That's incredible. So that's why it's inherently, that might be true. Like it inherently is true. That might be true for Hardin. And with him, it's going to have to be about adjusting here. But I don't know, dude.

Again, like I just said with Dame, I think Dame's going to get himself fixed, but he is 31. James Hardin, I think he's going to get himself fixed. But he is 32. And he is somebody who we've seen over the years, Chris, what happens with him, flames out and post sees. and hamstring injuries. We talked about this with them being nagging stuff sometimes throughout the year that limits his play or knocks him out for like a short stretch.

But for the most part, I mean, this guy has just been an absolute dominant force, it's partially because of his ability to get into the paint, draw files, get in ones. And if he's not getting as many of those, yeah, that might be true that he's not going to be quite the same potent score that he was before and he'll have to find a way to adjust. Can he? I think he can because he is a brilliant score and knock him all you want for his style. He also is just a creative genius on the court with his ability to create shots, his handling ability. I mean, this dude, like the double step back that everybody says to travel, no, it's really just him pushing the limits of the rule with the gather steps. So like this is a guy who is a creative

genius on the court with his ability to draw files, with his ability to generate threes. Now it's going to be about, well, how do I do it when I don't have the. benefit of the whistle as much as I did before. And I look forward to seeing how he adapts. And I wouldn't be surprised if maybe he's not quite same peak harden anymore. It would be really funny if he's like good. Just good. Like instead of top 10, he's like top 25. That type of thing. Well, look, and he was consistently top five. Yeah. Under the old rules. He was. I mean, he was what, top five in MVP, at least three years in a row. I don't think the drop off. I don't think the drop off. going to happen that suddenly. I don't.

It's only the first week. And that's why we say these are overreactions. Yeah, and plus the files are down for like every star right now. Every star. It has been fascinating to watch. The other thing with him is he has not come in in. He has never been known as a guy that takes incredible care of the shape that he's in. Especially starts of the season.

Start of the year oftentimes is not quite as good for him. Seems as if he has fun over the summer. Good for him. Oh, you're going to like this one, Kevin. Okay. If you redid the 2020 draft tomorrow. No, the 2019 draft, I'm sorry. John Morant would go number one.

I think he would. You said that's true. Yeah, that's true. And the reason why is because the injuries with Zion. You think a team is going to take a 300-pound dude with knee-issue, over John Morant who's averaging 30 points per game and leading an offense and also like not just leading the offense, but has leadership qualities to even grow and mature even more into a star face of the franchise. No, I don't think so. I think John around would go number one today. Could that

change if Zion gets back and stays healthy for an extended period of time? We have forgotten how devastating he was last year. Yes. In that case, yes, but today a redraft. I think John Moranco is number one. Yeah, he is a, look, both those guys are bona fide superstars in the making. And yes, we have forgotten Zion, it was an absolute force of nature, especially when they gave him the ball. You know what I mean? Ever since like late January when standing in.

You're bringing, you're bringing the ball up to court. You're running pick and roll. We're having Lonzo and J.J. Reddick screen for you. Go to work, Zion. That was another level, another level. Outrageous. but the injuries are real. Oh, of course they are.

That's concerning. It's concerning. So that's why today I'd go to job number one. I think most people in the league would today. Ask me again in three months. Let's do this game show again in three months. Okay. Next one.

Zion Williamson is on the Pelicans next season. That might be true. Or that's true. That's true. Yeah, that's true. Just that's true. Yeah. And they're not going to give up Zion anytime soon until like,

comes time like oh shit we got to do something oh oh because i mean look dude it's not like this roster's horrible around him it's not horrible it's not doing anything yeah that's not horrible it's not horrible though not horrible but i mean they they have some talent you know you got your guy your guy jv Jonas valentunus ingram's a good player got some good role players Josh hart on there Hernon Gomez. McHale Alexander Walker's got some upside. Lewis Hayes.

Cairo Lewis. Yeah, Lewis, yep. Herb Jones, outstanding, rookie defender. I love me some Herb Jones. He is so fun to watch.

I wish the rest of the, I wish, I wish every defensive player. Is your memory good enough to remember me? Oh yeah, yeah. You as an undrafted player?

I think it was before last season's draft, right? Where you're like, Herb Jones, I'm a believer. It was one of the guys that is not on the radar that I,

really like because I watch, I watch that dude grab 17 rebounds with one hand. Yeah. He's a, he's a beast, man. People can go pull it up on YouTube. He played a game with one friggin' arm and had 17 rebounds. He's so tough. I mean, you just don't find guys like that. You know, he was a, he was a freshman on that Colin Sexton Bama team, too. That's where I first saw the three on five Sexton team. Oh, that dude, what Sexton did that, that was unbelievable. I was watching that game live going nuts. So crazy to watch. Part of me wants like the G League to have power plays or something. Get a little four and five, three and five action just to create more moments like Colin

Sexton had. It was so sick. Unbelievable. Next one. The Lakers have bigger issues than just it's going to take some time. That's true. Just that's true. And you want to know why, Chris, it's because.

Do I ever? It's because that guy they let go of Alex Caruso. They might regret losing his defense. They really, they really, they really, they really might not just Caruso either. They're missing contavius, called well, Pope too. Good veteran, reliable knows where to be, when to be there, good shooter. Their wings, they really need Horton Tucker to come back and be good. They really need Kendrick Nunn to come back and offer some ball handling, even though he's a guard.

And there are their wings. Arisa hadn't been playing. Ellington hasn't been playing. Those are two guys you don't know. Yeah. And Ken Baysmore is Ken Baysmore. I mean, all due respect,

he's Kent Baysmore. He's Ken Baysmore. Yeah. I mean, that's your starter. Kent Baysmore. Yeah, tough time with Morant.

Oh, big time. I don't know. Their wings aren't good, man. Like, their wings are weak. I like individually, Malik Monk,

good shooter, Horton Tucker. really good potentially defensively. And maybe like offensively things start to click. But that's like such a pivotal position for teams in terms of like how good they can be. It's your position where versatility comes from. It's your position where like beating up on smaller players comes from. And they're kind of weak there aside from LeBron James.

And LeBron is more, you know, shooting more perimeter now. He's not as much of a guy who's attacking the basket, at least early in the season. right now. They need some help from their wings on both ends of the floor. You know, as when you, when you watch them play, there is, let me just say this. Oklahoma City fans, you're welcome. It was, of course, because I slandered them that they were able to get that victory over the Lakers the other night.

There's no question about it. You may be wondering, am I taking full credit for Oklahoma City's win against the Lakers? I am. This is the way it works. As soon as I slander someone, then they are going to have this outstanding game. It recently happened, I believe, with Franz Wagner. It has happened with other guys. But then it gives you the opportunity to get angry at me, jump on your computer or cellular telephone, and fire off.

Ha, ha, ha, how do you feel about something now? Right? And so I'm not going to bust up the Lakers too much for the blown massive lead against the Thunder because this was, for those that paid attention to last season, this is the mode of operation for the Thunder. Teams go in there, they beat the crap out of them, and I will give them credit, and I will give their coach credit. They don't stop playing.

They keep on playing. and they are good enough on many nights to be able to catch you if you're going to dick around. And the Lakers dicked around, you know, you get a lot of these teams, they go in there, they see Oklahoma City, and they say, you know what, we'll turn it up when we have to. And they get caught. It happened way more often than we ever expected last year. Gildes-Alexander was off the meter, and next thing you know, we're, what, almost halfway through the season, and they're, I think it was 17 to 22. They're like five games below 500.

That's when Gildedst-Alexander didn't play any more games after that. But there were five games under 500. It's because of exactly what happened with the Lakers the other night. Teams go there and they run it up, and then they just pack it in. And then next thing you know, that team catches a wave. And I've seen it happen. I saw it happen to Memphis last year. The team catches a wave.

They start making some shots. And once coaches will always tell you, you got this high level of intensity. And once your team turns it off, it's really hard to get back on. You know? And I remember a coach, it was an Alabama coach a couple years ago telling me that. Do you remember the Kyler-Mur? Murray, Oklahoma game. Alabama got up by a thousand in the beginning of that game.

And the Kyler Murray, like next thing you know, it's like a one touchdown game or a 10-point game in the fourth quarter. And it's like, hold on, weren't they up by like 40? And the guy told me, he's like, once your guys turn it off, it's hard to get them to turn it back on, right? And that was kind of, you didn't know you had a texting relationship with Nick Saving. I do. Yeah.

One of my best, one of my best, one of my closest friends. You guys are tight. Next seven. Yep. He, I do think there's truth to that, though, and I do think that's what happened. So I know that the next day, you know, all the debate shows and everything can go crazy about the Lakers. I would be much more concerned if they did that against somebody that they weren't up 26 against and just kind of packed it in, right? I don't think that that was some grand reflection as much as what Oklahoma City does.

And if you want to screw around, they will catch you. It happened so many times last year. Anyways. So I got a question for you, though, related to OKC. Yeah. Josh Kitty, the Thunder nailed it with him. That true? That might be true.

Okay. That might be true. That dude can pass, man. I mean, his, his floor sense, like, like, not just his passing, not just like the passes he makes, but like his cutting. Oh my, like, he's amazing. He's so smart on the court. He was also, he was also, you remember in summer league, I tuned in to watch him and the first play of the game. You got hurt.

He, but he yacked on somebody. Yeah, he did. He made great play. He went straight to the basket, like quick first step. and I was like, yo, like this isn't what I, this isn't what I was told about this guy. Like, this wasn't the arsenal. And yet there it was. And then, of course, we didn't get to see him again, right?

It was so exciting at the beginning of that. But he's a talented guy, man. You know, there was a big rumor. I never did find out. I'll ask around. There was that big rumor that went around that Memphis was interested in. him too. Memphis was talking to people.

Memphis was talking to people about trading up. But I'll tell you this, nobody, nobody knew Oklahoma City was taking him. Nobody. They did it a brilliant job of hiding that. And it shocked us all. OKC keeps a tight lid on what they do. Yes.

They did a very good job. They really do. Sam Presti, like the, it's kind of remarkable. I mean, it's unlike anywhere else in the NBA in terms of keeping a lid on things. You also got to give him

the benefit of the doubt when it comes to drafting. You know, they were so good for so long. They didn't have very high draft picks. I'm not going to knock him

for that. But when given the opportunity to draft high, you know, look, I was covering the draft. The year, it was the Rose Beasley,

O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love Year. Like, everybody kind of had the mock drafts that came out that day. And, you know,

people could do revisionist history. But I'm telling you, when Westbrook went forth off the board, there was an audible gas. People couldn't believe it. Nobody had Westbrook going forward. Nobody. And, I mean, it was all the same characters, right? And then Kevin Love, obviously, went five. And then, like, that was a year, I think was, who else was that year?

I can't even remember now. But I remember the Westbrook going four thing. obviously look you don't have to be a rocket scientist to get Durant Harden at 3 was not a no-brainer there were people that loved Rubio there were people that love Steph there were people that loved Johnny Flynn I remember

there was a lot of guys that was not a no-brainer hardened at 3 I'm trying to think is he had any other high draft picks I mean they By the way just look I looked up Chad Ford's 08 mock draft and he said on the day of the draft, sources say it appears that Brooke Lopez, Russell Westbrook, and Eric Gordon are in the mix. So those were the names that were in consideration then. Brooke Lopez, Eric Gordon, Russell Westbrook. That's fascinating.

And then the hardened year, that was not a no-brainer. Rubio was at high on all those lists, right? Rubio was high, Kevin Love was high, OJ Mayo was high, Rose Beasley. Those were supposed to be the usual suspects. Hardin might get drafted in that range, but it certainly was surprising also. And I'm trying to think, I mean, they hit on Subonis and, you know, they moved him, you know, in that deal for Oladipo. I'm trying to think, is there anybody, has he had? Is this the giddy, it's got to be the highest. pick in a long time.

I don't have the Oklahoma City draft history in front of me. I'm trying to use my memory for this. But in terms of their draft picks, is it the highest since Hardin? That they have had? I believe so. I think that's probably

right. Steve Adams was like 12 or 13. Hardin was three. There's nobody as high as that. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Adams. Right. That's high. That's high. Adams was 12 campaign 14. I forgot about the campaign one. Yeah, I liked the campaign.

I was a big fan of him and entering the draft. Took a while. That's right. Okay. Yeah. So it's been a long time, but, you know, it was a little easier with Durant. But I'm telling you, that Westbrook and Hardin were not no-brainers. And so if he nailed it with Josh Giddy, I wouldn't be shocked.

But it might be true. He did go six. So that's why I'm a little torn. you know what I'm saying? When you say that they, they nailed it. I mean, well, he went high. You know what I mean? It's not like he's,

he's not in steel of the draft range, really. When you go six. We'll say six eight playmaker. We'll see how his scoring develops. That's, that's what's going to determine it. Because with Giddy, there's no doubt about his basketball IQ,

his ability to pass. There's no doubt about that. Like, that dude's always going to have the ability to create offense. It's about what level does he, as a score and can he become like a good defender with his size and can he can he become a good defender solid doesn't need to be a lockdown guy if he can do those things then yeah he can have seal potential and but with that said though that whole top five is looking good too maybe it's actually a

whole top six chris it could be just a top six draft look you get a six eight guard and he's he's knocking down at least it's only five games not a great sample yet but i mean he's shooting 39 percent from three and he's taken, you know, three or four a game. Yeah. And Suggs, you know, drafted one spot ahead of him is not scored well at all. He's really struggling. Franz Wagner's looking like the better rookie so far. Got to give that time, though.

That'll change. Yeah. That'll change. Should. Next one. I wasn't, I wasn't planning. I'm not, by the way, you made me answer that question about Josh Giddy. But just remember, you're the contestant here, Kevin.

Well, I mean, had to ask about kids. had to ask. Oh, I like this one. Okay. All right, Kevin, I'm going to give you the opportunity to pull up the 2018 NBA draft. Okay. You will need. I'm ready.

You are? Oh, wow, that was quick. I'm quick. Yeah, I grew up on the internet, Chris. I'm in the metaverse. Okay. And I will be. Someone else in the 18 class, besides 8, we're putting him aside.

because we know that while he did not get his extension, Aiton is he's going to be paid a fortune next offseason, okay? One way or the other. Somebody's given him a huge amount of money. The other ones that didn't, right, there was a group of guys that signed extensions, and there's a group of guys that didn't. Someone else besides Aiton in the 2018 draft class

will end up getting 125 million or more in a contract. I think I should have pulled up a list of people who didn't sign extensions. Well, no, you've got the draft right in front of you. Just look at the draft. I will tell you offhand, I know Jaron Jackson Jr. signed one.

Luca and Trey signed one. Gildes S Alexander. So what was the question again? A guy from the 2018 draft that's not DeAndre Aiton that didn't get an extension will end up getting $125 million plus. How about

how about Colin Sexton? You think he gets? I don't know. I don't know. I mean, this is the, I'm trying to think of a good comparison. This is the, oh, the John Collins thing.

Well, I mean, I don't need to give a name. I'll say that might be true. No, no, no, no. I'm saying that's the John Collins thing, though, right? Right, where they didn't give him an extension, had a great season, they had a great season, and he ended up getting what,

125, right? Yeah, and of course, Miles Bridges as well with his breakout happening. Miles Bridges seems like the most realistic candidate. Like, as you go down the list, you know, Sexton and eight bridges at 12. Other than that,

that's about it as you go down, Sexton and Bridges, right? Am I missing? Who am I missing? Your namesake. Oh, Mo Bamba. $120 million? The question was $120 million.

The answer for Bamba at $120 million is no. You would get a cut if he got that. I wish. He got $120 million. You should get a cut? I wish. Why should I get a cut, Chris? I just speak the truth.

As the president of the fan club. Yeah. You know what I mean? I just speak the truth. And Bamba, Biggs, you got to be patient. You got to be patient with Biggs. You think Sexton or Bridges end up getting that? kind of monster deal?

Maybe. Maybe. I think it could happen too. It could happen, yeah. I tell you this, I watch that Charlotte team who clearly has been better than I thought they were going to be at the beginning. Again, mine was a hedge against Gordon Hayward's health. Oh, yeah. And what they'd look like without him.

Which we'll see how that plays out. We'll see. It didn't play out well last year. And hopefully he can. Look, I want him to play the whole year and be healthy. But I just think he's essential as another playmaker for them. bridges though holy macro i keep waiting for that to be a you know a couple game wonder but you watch him it she he um i was texting last night oh you're on the you're on the group text i said you know

charlotte could look back it's maybe one of those where damn we should have signed him for a reasonable deal because the price of business uh you know as i used to say in the wire the price of the brick is going up he it you could have gotten him on on a way reasonable deal, right? Given what he had done in the first three years, like you could have, it would not surprise me if there is, like if he plays out this season

and ends up making himself like $50 million. Like really? Over the life of a contract. Brian Windhorst reported today that the Hornets offered him four years, 60 million. Oh my God. That was the contract they offered him.

And he didn't take it. But keep in mind, keep in mind here, Chris, Rich Paul is his agent. What do you think Rich Paul was asking for when they were offering $60 million over four years? I bet you Rich Paul was asking for the max. No way. No way.

I bet you he was. The max? Yeah, I bet you he was. No way. I don't think Rich Paul was asking for the max. I bet you he was. I bet you he was.

No way. I bet you he was. Because they were projecting improvement. Like internally, they knew that he'd have more role, more responsibility, more touches. They're like, and I'm sure in their eyes and so, no, no, no, no, no, you're paying for future production, not past production. Oh. You're about, you're about to get a superstar here this season. You know, I'm sure that there's their stance.

Maybe we'll see after five games, if you can keep this up or not. But I bet you like they were far, far apart, which is why we never really heard a peep about it. until this morning when Wendy reported that. Well, it is going to cost them a lot more money than they probably whatever they could have signed it. Even if they're far apart. You know what I mean? You may look back and geez, we should have given him 80 or whatever. You know?

And then maybe he would have taken it. Who knows? Yeah. And now I'm kind of putting all the pieces together, Kev. What happened was if you're right and you very well maybe. Rich Paul was on the phone with Mitch Cupcheck. He was on speakerphone. and he said, we'll give you 4 and 60.

And Rich Paul said, hell no, we want the max. Mitch Cupschek said, Go easy on me. And Adele in the background said, that's a great name for a song. So actually, Mitch Cubcheck, totally responsible for Adele's new hit.

That's where she heard, go easy on me. Mitch Coucher. We did it. We did it. It's cup. I can't believe it. He probably... I can't believe it.

He probably even sang it. Go easy on me. You know? And then she's like... Chris, she's not just like her. I've been told that. What an amazing impression. I've been told that many times.

Unbelievable. Anyway, yeah. So those would be the candidate, Sexton, and Bridges. But fair? I'm serious. Those two guys would be the candidates as possibly getting $125 million.

out? Yeah, I think so. Okay. All right. There's nobody else on there. Kevin O'Connor, the Wizards are good. That's true. That's true. I'm a believer in this Wizards team. They have depth, a lot of depth, a lot of talent.

And I'm a big time believer in Bradley Beale. I think with Bradley Beale, like he, you know, we mentioned how Damien Miller getting off to a slow start. Bradley Beal averaging 21 points per game on 17% from three, 36% from the field. Those numbers are going to go up, up, up, up, up at some point. The rest of this roster with Dinwiddie, the shooters they have, I like this Wizards team. I think they're going to continue to be competitive throughout the year. And if their young guys get better over the course of it,

and that goes from like, you know, Kispert to Avdia to even Kuzma. Kuzma's only 26 years old. This team should continue to sustain, you know, competitiveness throughout the year. Kuzma started off strong and yeah you know and you know he's oh and Matres to another addition right at they made

so you you buy it you think they are good yeah I think they're gonna be good they've started off really well there's no doubt about that good good good could mean playing team yes the east has a lot of good teams the wizards are one of them

Kevin everybody needs to shut up about Jason kid the Mavericks are just fine that's ridiculous they they should not shut up about Jake kid, Chris. It's ridiculous. Ridiculous. The three and one, Kevin. Three and one. What do you want? You think you should win more than 75% of his games?

Yes, all of them. All of them, Chris. It's going to be fascinating. They play at Denver tonight as we record this on Friday. And I do think that this is going to be an outstanding gauge because, you know, they dropped that first game. They got run out in that Atlanta game. By Atlanta. And the three games they've won have been Toronto, Houston, and San Diego. Antonio. Yeah. And that's why I mean, the truth is it's actually not ridiculous. It's probably that might be true. I mean, what we'll see is they have some tougher games in the next couple of weeks. Not that those teams, you know, don't have talent. San Antonio does have some young talent. Toronto has young talent. Houston is young. But like as they face Miami coming up, they have Boston, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, you know, at a home and home or back to back in Phoenix. clippers. There's some tougher games coming up

that'll be a better barometer for the Mavericks roster. You know, anytime you have Lucie, you have a chance to win regardless of who your coach is. That's just the truth, Chris.

That's just the truth. I read this this morning and I was fascinated. This was retweeted by my man, Kirk's serious face from Mav's Moneyball. And he said,

he retweeted Mavs starting lineups. Okay? Thus far. Minus, these are the net ratings in their games. Okay? Starting lineups that the Mavs have played. Minus 68 against the Spurs.

Minus 11 against the Rockets. Minus 16 and a half versus the Raptors. Minus 50 against the Hawks. And then it says, stop the madness, please. MMF, MFFFL, MF's fan for life. But that's insane. minus 68 minus 50

are you a hashtag guy Chris use hashtags I'm not much of a hashtag for the humor value yeah you know what I mean like hashtag that's true that might be true

that's ridiculous I used one yesterday what did I use it for oh what is speciesist that PETA tweet oh yeah yeah with the bullpen right

how ridiculous is that don't don't don't don't Don't like some of these groups realize like the messaging matters. If you want to spread the word of something, whatever it might be, don't be ridiculous. Well, look, I got to tell you, when I,

when I am listing off, so stupid, the things that are the biggest threat and the biggest problems with animal cruelty, um, the what they call where pitchers warm up in baseball is very, very high on the list. It's obviously going to have a, it's going to have a tremendous impact.

But no, They said speciesist language, which I have never heard that in my life. I tell you this, I hate snakes. Does that make me speciesist? You hate snakes, Chris? Oh, do I hate them? Yes. So let's say you're on a walk.

And you don't know nothing about snakes where you come from. Trust me. Well, let's say you're on a walk, Chris, you know. It's a walking path type of place. You're with your family. And you see a snake slithering across the little paved road. You're running the other way? You're running away?

Yeah. Yes. So there's a golf course that I play at that I'm a member at. And there are, I mean, I'm talking like copperheads, bro. Like real, like, kill you snakes. So, and I don't know the difference. And, you know, some of these guys, you know, when you get to, you know, in the South. That copperhead's scary.

I just looked it up. In the South, I'll tell you this, in the South, this is one of those things where people from other areas of the country would lose their mind. I mean, I've been out there with guys and a snake will run up. And yes, I run. I run. All right. Like, I don't want no part of that. Well, that's because you value your life and you want to survive.

These jokers pick them up. What? They don't care. I'm telling you. Southern boys, they just grab them. I'm talking just a snake on the ground, dude, pick it up. I'm like, yo, put that thing down. I've seen them grab dangerous snakes, too.

I don't know, man. It's just how they were, you know, it's where they grew up. I don't know. I could never do that. No. I could never do that. Hell no. I could never do that.

They're sitting there holding up the snake laughing at me. I'm like, bro, what is wrong with you? Damn snake! they're like, oh, this snake's not going to hurt anybody. How about sitting on an edge of a cliff? You know, you know, could you do that, Chris, sitting on the edge, like no reeling? You couldn't do that either? Are you out of your mind?

See, but like there's some people who like, they just do these things. And like, you know, in reality, you know, you're just sitting, you know, you're sitting down. Like, you're okay. But I couldn't do it. I had a couple people reach out to me after the other day. So we were talking about that OCD thing, and I was saying, you know, I got to have the, the gas pumps got to end in zero and five, right? Yeah. And there are people that reached out to me.

They're like, it's the first time I haven't felt crazy. You know, I do that too. You know, right? So I have people say that to me. But this one, I promise you, I am alone in. This is how crazy I am about what you were just talking about, like that whole railing thing. I used to have these dreams. I was so scared of them.

The railing thing. What do you mean by that? No, I'm saying when you was like, could you sit on top of something or whatever? I, if you're like, this is how crazy it is. If you're in a mall, like let's say we're in a mall and we're on the second floor of the mall. You know, and they got the hallway and there's the big opening where you could look down to the first floor of the mall. Yeah. I will, I will, I will, you will never see me within five feet of that railing.

And it's funny. It's like, I do the same thing. So I was at the LASC. soccer match the other day with some friends from Fox Sports. And so we were sitting next to the railing, front row balcony next to the railing. And it's like, like, two feet tall, like one little shove. You're knocked over and your neck is cracked. Right.

As I like pass by people to get to our seats, I was so careful, so meticulous with every step that I took. And it's not that I'm scared of heights. It's not that I'm scared of heights themselves. Like if there's something blocking it, I'm not afraid. Me too. You know, like, you know, those big buildings where it's like a glass floor and you can look down. I'm not afraid of that. It's no big deal.

But what I am afraid of, I'm afraid of falling. Yes. And having permanent damage to my body. And so I'm going to avoid putting myself into situations with that risk level is significant. Same with going near a snake. Why would I pick up a snake? Unless it's with like a snake trainer with a clasp over it's small. then I'll pick up a snake.

If I know it's not going to bite my face off. It took us five years where we figured out why we get along so well. Yeah. Despite having different basketball opinions. I'm the same way. You put me in a plane. I could go up in the arch.

I could go up in the Empire State Building. I could do any of that. But I have outdoors. I cried at the top of the Empire State Building when I went up there. It was an emotional day. I FaceTime my parents. This is back in the day. If I'm indoors, I'm fine.

but like I need to either be inside or like harnessed. If I'm harnessed, I'm okay too. Sure. Like I said, Empire State Building. It's like you can't fall or anything.

If you put me on a roller coaster. I was there for the sunset. FaceTime. My parents teared up a little bit. Made me so happy. Like I got happy there, but I was nervous at the soccer game. Give me some higher walls or some netting like baseball,

please. Or like, I'm fine. on like a, you know, I could ride a roller coaster that went really high or something like that. Because I feel protected. Yes. I feel harnessed. 100%.

Could you, could you go skydiving? Hell no. So, so I would, I would love to go skydiving except the amount of like anecdotal stories I've heard of people who like hurt their backs when they land. And like I've had some lower back scares in the past where I wouldn't, I don't think the risk outweighs the reward of me. feeling the thrill of jumping out of a plane because I would jump, I just worry about

the landing from my back. That's all. I don't want back pain. I get enough thrills. I'm a John Morant fan. That's true. That's why I wear in sunglasses and a hoodie right now and you're feeling good. Pulled an all-nighter. Yep. All right. This show

I mean, I would say conservatively will probably win between 9 and 11 awards. How many questions did you have on how many did we get through? We got through all of them. I don't have anything else. All of you, don't have any others, no more?

No, did you, there's something you wanted to answer that I left out? I mean, we just kind of, you know, went off there. Is there some kind of fans from some team that are going to get mad because he didn't mention them? I think we were. I don't know. There's nobody that's doing real well. Is there a team we haven't uttered the name of yet this season? I don't think so.

I think we've pretty well talked about everybody at some point. Maybe not nicely about it. everybody but yeah not not necessarily nicely but i think we've covered everybody which is good i think we do a good job of that chris we do like you you you always steer the topics this shows your radio experience yes you know you do a good job of making sure we hit everything you know i'm a professional kevin it's what i do it's what i do it's what i do you're an elite veteran all right it's going to do it for this show uh thank you to sasha a lot from Chris Vernon. All right. Our ticketed producer, Sasha Ashall, as always. It's going to be a fun

weekend. Kevin, I will talk to you on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to it, Chris. And people can also hear you on Monday on the ringer gambling show too, right? That's true. I will be on. With Warren Sharp every Monday. Every Monday. Every Monday. Every single Monday. Every Monday. I'll have an amazing weekend, Chris, and everybody listening. Happy Halloween. Happy Halloween.