The Mismatch - Determining the League’s Buyers and Sellers, Plus Clippers Are Looking for Upgrades and Lakers Aren’t Done Yet

Episode Date: January 24, 2023

Verno and KOC begin the show by discussing the Clippers, who are looking to upgrade their center and point guard positions (02:06). Could Fred VanVleet make his way to Los Angeles? After the trade for Rui Hachimura, the guys discuss his fit with the Lakers and why he’s the kind of player the team should be targeting (07:59). Does the Rui trade mean the Wizards are sellers now (16:29)? Also, the guys discuss more of the names being mentioned in the trade rumor mill before discussing the pretty bright future of the Magic and Jonathan Isaac’s return to the court (22:00). The guys remain in disbelief with what happened with Shannon Sharpe (33:12). They wrap up the show by debating which middle-of-the-pack teams in the crowded West should be buyers or sellers (43:02). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Producer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's up everybody? It's Austin Rivers from the Minnesota Timberwolves. It's a new year and I have a new podcast here at the Ringer, Offguard, hosted by me and my guide, Pasha Higigi. Austin and I go way back and talk so much hoop already that we figure those time to fire up the mics and let you in on all of these conversations. Every week, Pasha and I will hit on the biggest stories happening in the league.

And get Austin's perspective of someone currently hooping in the NBA. Tap into Offguard every Friday on the Ringer NBA show feed on Spotify or wherever you get your podcast. Welcome to The Mismatch. I'm Chris Vernon. And joining me he does every Tuesday from the ringer.com

is Kevin O'Connor aka Kevin Obama, Kevin O'Connor, Kevin O'Climber, Kevin O'Champer, Kevin O'Champhlet, Kevin O'Candyland, Kevin! Oh, no! I'm very sorry about your Cowboys. Just has to get that out of the line.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yeah, it didn't turn out very well at all. But I've moved on. I have moved on completely. Oh, no. Honestly, Kevin.

Tough night for the Grizzlies, too. that night as well. Yeah. Look, you're lucky. You're lucky I'm still doing this show. I almost abandoned sports. How many Cowboys Grizzlies fans are there, aside from the Vernon's? There's probably not too many in the world, are they?

Yeah, more than you would think, just in someplace like Memphis. America's team for Dallas. Well, and Memphis is one of those cities that is not had an NFL team. So I think in any city that you go to, if there is not a hometown NFL team, you are going to find a dramatic amount of Cowboys, Steelers, and Raiders fans. And that all goes back to those teams being premier teams in the 70s, then it getting passed down from your father or maybe 49ers fans too because of their. Tennessee Titans were like they were like, what, 99, 2000 they moved to from Boy Houston, right?

And they're in Nashville and there's kind of a rivalry. Yes, exactly. You know, not the same deal. All right, we got to open with trade rumors because you're writing about trade rumors and you got some info on this stuff. saw your report on the Clippers and Van Vleet and Lowry. And then there's this whole Pascal and O.G. and Anobi maybe less likely to be moved from Toronto. And so let me hear what you know on this. Why are the Clippers enthused about maybe possibly taking a run at one of those two guys?

So a couple weeks back, maybe a month ago or so, Mark Stein wrote on his substack that the Clippers like Mike Conley. with Utah Jazz. Basically, I'm just adding on that they're also like Fred Van Bleet with the Toronto Raptors, Kyle Lowry with the Miami Heat, because they want to improve that point guard position. They're also looking for

a backup center behind Ivats of Zubaz, who started the year, unbelievable. We talked about him back in December, like this guy looks like all defensive, you know, player, but he's falling off. Ty Loo had mentioned how he's fatigued playing a career high in minutes. Zubat's admitted that he's tired. So he's playing

a career high in minutes, 29, 30 minutes per game right now. They want to get him back down to the lower 20s, help him stay ready for the postseason. So they're in the market for some centers out there as well. Isaiah Hartinstein, who was with the Clippers the last two years, signed with the Knicks. They do have interest in getting him back. If New York did want to give him up in Hardenstein's in some weird role that doesn't fit his style. He was a playmaker off the Clippers bench last year. He doesn't get touches now. So the Clippers are trying to, they're going all in here. They're trying to improve the backup center spot in the point guard position, which are their two main weaknesses.

When you get Kauai Leonard average like 37 and 5 on elite efficiency the past, you know, a couple of weeks, Paul George playing on an All-Star level, they got a lot of pieces. They just have to make some moves around the edges. So it was a little surprised at some of the reporting on this, that teams that are interested in Van Fleet, the Toronto Star at one point said that one team at least had offered three first rounders for OGN and O. Oh, yeah. And then followed it up by saying, and the price would theoretically be higher for Van Fleet.

And the only reason that is a little surprising because Ninobe is on a much better contract, right? Like, you're going to have to pay Fred, and he just turned down over $100 million. You know, that's why they're kind of in this situation where he was going to have this extension possibly with Toronto, but he's not happy with that number. And so, you know, do you think you do have to give up as much in order to get Van Vleet? And it does, maybe I'm crazy here, but doesn't it feel like everybody's throwing out these,

here's what it would take to get these guys? And then when it comes down to it, that's honestly not what it takes to get these guys. We were in the Wizards won a first rounder for Rui Hachamura just a week ago, right? Like you could probably find that story. And then when it comes down to it, they gave him Chris Dunn and some second rounders. And by the way, another guy up for a contract. So if you're making a decision, you're not going to be paying this guy.

You've got to kind of get what you can for him. So I wonder, what do you think the price is if the clippers, they can have, they can have all the interest they want in somebody like Fred Van Bleepe. But what is, what do you think the price is from anybody in order to attain a guy like that? I think with O.G. and O.G. and O.B. and Pascal Seaccom, what's been reported is accurate. It's like three or four first round picks or young players of near equal value. The price is high from the wrapper side of things. And the little nugget that I put in the Clippers article today was how it seems like, you know, NBA executives around the league right now are thinking,

O.G. Ninobe, Pascal Seacum, less likely to be moved, considering the enormous price. Fred Van Bleet, Gary Trent, more likely to be moved because their upcoming free agents. They're going to hit the market. They have player options for next year. They both can hit the market in just a couple of months.

So it's a lower price, more acquirable. In Toronto, when you look at their roster, the way they're building right now, they may also benefit for moving off from one of those guys as well. Trent can help somebody. He's a good player, man. As can Fred.

Yeah, of course. Van Ville, it's a championship player. And Trent is a bucket getter. Like, that guy can get really hot, good shooter off the catch. So what you're saying is the deal would be Westbrook and picks, and they end up with Van Vleet and Trent. Wouldn't that be something? I mean, why would Toronto do that, then? That's a great return. 27 and 29. Those are valuable picks. And then the Westbrook deal just falls off? I don't think the return for Van Fleet is going to be or Trent's going to be anything major.

Those guys can be free agents in a couple of months. And if the Miller aspect does turn out to be the case, you know, there's mutual benefit there if he's saying, you know, I'm probably going to go to L.A. this summer. But what about on the clipper side? What can the clippers give up that would possibly entice Toronto? Because that was the original team mentioned that they would have some interest in,

Lowry or Frick. I mean, basically they can offer one future first round draft pick. That's like all they can do. So it would have to be something like a Knard, man, Boston, future first, the second for Van Vlea. I don't think that's as strong of a deal overall than the two picks that the Lakers could offer.

Yeah. Well, I think it's interesting because you just had that Lakers deal that went down yesterday. That kind of, we'll see if it gets trade. season going or not, but the Rui Hachamura deal where basically Chris Dunn and some picks, second rounders, and they end up with Rui Hachamura. And I found it interesting, you know, Jake Fisher talked about how this could kind of complicate some future plans that go on with the Lakers because of the money situation, that they may not

have the amount of money that you would think in the. this offseason. Like if they're looking for free agency, talked about, you know, I mean, if you're, there's a cap hold that's pretty significant on Hachamura. Well,

that's why they might be making the deal now. They might be making their free agent move in the next couple weeks for Van Bleet or somebody else. And that's just how they do it. And then, but are you, are you able to pay both? Do you think,

Hachamara is just not a rental, is he? I don't, no, I don't think so. I think they plan to resign Hachimura. Yeah. I mean, it was, I mean, I don't want to call it a bidding war.

They gave up none and three picks, but, you know, I believe Mark Stein was the first to report that the Sons or another team that was in on Hachimura. I've heard the Pacers are another team. So there were multiple teams that wanted Hachimura from the Wizards. So, you know, for the Lakers, they had to give up more than whatever they initially offered for Rui. And I would assume their intentions are to keep him long term. Look, these are the type of players, you know, they have.

have all these guys that have been around the league a long time. Rui Hachamur is exactly the type of player the Lakers should be investing in. He's still young. He's shown flashes in an up and down situation with changing environment system personnel around him every year of his career so far. And granted, he has not worked out anywhere as much as the Wizards could have hoped for in four years. These type of young, upside guys who have shown something are what the Lakers should be targeting now because maybe they do turn into something more consistent when they're surrounded by the best talent of their entire career.

And for the wizard's side of things, he wanted out. I would agree with you. I mean, I would just be, my only concern would be that that's all it takes to get this guy. I know. I mean, it's a ninth pick in the draft.

He's 30 points over the weekend. I get it. Yeah. I get it. But I mean, he had, he's also had a career so far. right so i mean we can talk about one game or we can talk about what's happened throughout his career for sure and he has not been good overall yeah and i'm always worried about when you have to isolate one thing and that was kind of what happened with him where it's like oh well he shoots 41% on catching shoot threes it's like okay but like there's oh you also got to play defense you also

got to play offense you also got to play offense chris here's the thing with ruby though right like he's played for some iffy teams and he's shown flashes of being a versatile defender and it just has not happened consistently at all for him with Washington. He's been kind of a luf off ball sometimes, which is an issue for him at Gonzaga as well. That might be something that is always a problem for Rui Hachamara. But now we also, assuming AD can come back and be healthy and be the top 10 player he was prior to his absence,

if you have AD behind you, some of those flaws just don't matter as much. Just like on offense, the inconsistency as a creator, as a guy on ball, it doesn't matter as much when you're, playing next to LeBron James and maybe a Van Vleek or at least, you know, like, right? Like if that happens, suddenly those weaknesses don't matter as much and those positives, the fact that the one thing he did get better at since college was spot up shooting.

That was the issue for him. He was 36% this season, 30, 40 plus percent last year, 34% the year prior to that. So he's been up and down. Last year might be an outlier. But overall, the last three years, he's shooting 39% on catch and shoot three. better than what the Lakers have had as an option spacing the floor. And he retained size, right?

Like he's not just a small guard to throw out there. He's big. Like Rui Hachamura is 6-8, 2-130 pounds. Well, that size matters there. Honestly, you didn't give up anything. No, I mean, you gave up second round picks. Even if he didn't re-sign him in the off-season, it's like, all right, we gave up Kendrick Nunn and a couple of picks.

I bet they resigned them. I bet they do. But even if he didn't, what I'm saying is what you gave up, it's not some kind of, You're not going to rue the day that you gave up. Kendrick Nunn and some picks. Yeah. Those seconds could be pretty good.

I mean, it was better than the picks the sons offered. The sons only offered their own to my understanding. And the Pacers weren't, you know, offering anything as good as either of them. So, Lakers, I mean, it's a good deal. It's a good deal for the Lakers. It's unfortunate for the Wizards they were in the position that they were. But Kyle Kuzma, you know, he stole the role. Kyle Kuzman's been so good for the wizards

and that limited Ruey's opportunities that they kind of had a move off of them otherwise he was going to bounce himself. Yeah. And so he now finds a new lease on life playing for the Lakers and there are some buzz out there that Bogdanovich is still in their sights as a guy

that they might want to attain. You know, with you bringing up the Van Blee thing and the Gary Trent thing, and then who knows what happens with Westbrook, the name has come up. You just brought it up with the Toronto thing. There's San Antonio rumors that are out there about them talking about a possible Westbrook deal.

I mean, the best utilization of that pick, it seems as if the Lakers very well may use that pick. Doesn't it seem that way? All these stock. Yeah. And it's a choice of how, How do we want to use it? Do we want to team that up with a bigger package? Do we want to use that to try to attain a Bogdanovich type of deal?

Or do we want to do it in something bigger? But it does seem like they're loaded up and we'll try to get AD back and they just grabbed Hachamura and they're going to try to throw together the Winnow team. And they know that what they got right now is not good enough. and so that they are going to, there's just too much smoke right now. They're doing something. That roster is going to get turned over a little bit.

I mean, like whether it's Bogdanovich or Van Bleed or whoever, if they have LeBron James who has just been, like, how is he doing this at his age? It's nuts. And if AD were to come back in February and, I mean, who knows if he can stay healthy,

he's always an injury risk. But if he did, like he did in the 2020 bubble, if you can surround those guys with a, Van Fleet and a Trent and Lonnie Walker and Austin Reeves, Pat Beverly, Dennis Schroeder, Thomas Bryant bringing energy off the bench, Rui Hachamura. That's a team that will be entitled contention. Today's episode of the mismatch is brought to you by Fandul, America's number one sportsbook,

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In Indiana, call 1-800-9 with it. In Kansas, call 1-800-5-2-2-4-70. In Louisiana, call 1-8777-7-7-0. In Maryland, visit MD gambling help.org. In New York, call 1-8778 Hope, New York. In Wyoming, call 1-800-2-2-4-70.0. And West Virginia, visit 1800-gambor.com. On the other side of this, which is what we have not talked about with the Rui deal, is the wizard.

Do you think that that's a signal that they're going to start? Do you think this is an isolated Rui thing? He wanted out. Or do you think that the Wizards, though, are going to, maybe not fire sale, but that they're going to be. a seller and that you're going to be able to go get guys. There's all these reports that they want to and believe they can resign Kuzma in the offseason. Who knows what happens with the Porzingis thing? You never really know with them and what could happen with them. But I am a little surprised that we haven't heard much about the Wizards thing. I know he was discontent. I know that we've

heard Rui's name for a long time. But they're faltering. They're not going to. They're not going anywhere. And so do you think that people are going and trying to get other things from the Wizards and that the Wizards are going to be eager sellers? I mean, in that same Jake Fisher report you had alluded to earlier, he said the Wizards have told inquiring teams such as the Hawks and Sons that Coosema is not available for trade. I mean, I've heard similar that that's the type of conversations they're having, that they want to keep Coos and build with him and Beal and KP and all that. I don't think that's necessarily the right decision, but that seems to be the path they're going down.

So I think this was more an isolated move to answer your question with Rui, and he just wanted out, and they got the best they could for him. And now they're probably going to keep trying to do what they've been doing, which is win enough to make a playoff spot and get roasted into the first round. Somebody told me the other, maybe like a week ago out of nowhere, and there has been some buzz about Will Barton getting bought out, and that if he does possibly get bought out, that just keep an eye on bucks or nets

as possibilities. He's falling off a cliff. I mean, granted, he's just not getting the minutes anymore, but still. But if he gets bought out, if Barton does get bought out by the wizard, there's at least a couple teams to look out for them. Okay.

That's what I was told. Yeah. You know. Interesting with Barton. Because that'd be, look, there's a high-energy guy, good locker room guy. I don't think his career.

His career's not done. I hope not. I hope not. Like just the last year or so was Denver wasn't as good. Not as good. But he's still, he could still have value and he's still, he's kind of guy that I would want on a playoff team.

Yeah, as you're like a 10th or 11th guy. Yeah, yeah, energy. You know what I mean? Like the same way. Like throw him in every couple games. You're not counting on him to be one of your leading shot takers. You don't want him out there every night. But there's a night that he could get.

you 17 off the bench. Yeah. That, you know, maybe takes you over the, takes you over the hump. So who knows? So, yeah, who knows? You never know what the hell's going on with the wizard. Other rumors out there, what do you make of that Westbrook Spurs thing?

I just think it's another indication of the Lakers or finding whatever they can. Like, they're looking for the best deal possible. And that's it. Like, whether it's a big San Antonio, package or whether it's something with Utah or the Toronto thing that we've been discussing, they're turning over every stone looking for the best deal possible for Russell Westbrook. And if they can find it at a price that makes sense, they'll do it. But we'll see how this actually plays out over the next couple weeks.

It'd be crazy to see Westbrook in a Spurs uniform. I mean, do you think they'd keep them and try to restore his value? Or do you think they'd just buy them out immediately? I think they'd probably buy them out, right? I think so. It's kind of where they are in their, in their, team building. They are at the give us, you know, let's get some assets in order to take on your contracts.

And then we will, you know, the same way Presti did it a couple of years ago with Oklahoma City. You could trade him your guy. He'd get the assets. And then either sit them or buy them out. Let's say that word to happen. Let's just say Ross gets traded to the Spurs and then he gets bought out. What team do you think would want to sign Russell Westbrook for the remainder of the season? Like, what are the teams that make most sense for him?

You having a hard time. I mean, somebody that needs, you know, can he accept being the backup guy? Miami? Depending on what you did with Lowry, I think. I mean, I do think there's a value to him if you, you know, what kind of role is, was this a great behavior because it was the means to another contract? And so he would be willing to, like, are we just at that stage where he is willing to be that guy that comes off the bench? Because it is a very valuable thing to have, especially if we're talking like the buyout market. God's sake.

How about the clippers? He's an upgrade over wall at the least and over Jackson. And maybe a little insurance on the fact that one of those guys probably ain't going to make it through full playoff rounds. He was great with Paul. George, he was. Yeah. They played great together. The year that Paul George played with him,

he almost won the damn MVP. Yeah, I think Clippers Heat are the teams that make the most sense, just off the top of my head. All right, those are good ones. How about the Sons and what they're looking for? There's that Mark Stein report. They were in there with the Van Fleet stuff,

and Terry Rozier, Emmanuel Quickly's name, came up in that report. You know, Sun's kind of finding some Chris Paul insurance on this? Do you like any of those names in regards to the Sons? Are you surprised that those are the names we're talking about? I think that's all solid. I mean, those backup guys? I mean, that's what you're looking for. And is it somebody you're going into the future with? Yeah. I mean, they get the Sarich expiring deal to offer, you know, $9 million. They can be a little flexible with that. They get the Crowder deal, $10.2 million. They want a wing back. They want a wing, ideally.

but they damn well should be looking for Chris Ball insurance. No, I'm just saying, like, are those guys that you would want to go before thinking about, like, okay, past the Chris Paul era? Oh, I don't know. I have no idea. Quickly, I mean, quickly is a good player, but it's not. And Terry Rozier? Like, to me.

They're guys who help you now. They're not, you know, building blocks. Yeah, I know, but like, to me, if you try to get a move for Van Vleet, that's like, okay, here's our. era parent, you're going to have taking over. Yes, yes. If it's family Yes. You're making a deal for Terry or quickly, that's like

this is basically our new campaign because we don't know what the score is with campaign. Right? Sure, of course. If it's quickly, yeah, that's the case. But I mean, ultimately, I mean, with Emmanuel quickly, I think that Knicks

is going to be playing Jayland Brunson with quickly more often. I know on paper that's a smaller backcourt, but quickly has been really good when provided opportunities this year. I like him. I mean, his defense has been spectacular. I'm surprised Tom Tibido with how much he loves defense isn't playing quickly 37 minutes

per game. Yeah. I mean, if we had a dollar for every time we've said we don't understand why Tom Tibido blank over the course of the last several years, you know what I mean? We'd be the richest people in the world. We went a long time going, why is he playing Evan Fournier? like what is going on the idea

Isaiah Hardenstein stuff is puzzling because you look at his role with the Clippers the last year last year he was basically bringing the ball up the floor running DHOs his assist percentage was over 20 now with the Knicks like it's

screen role be a traditional center even though that's not what you are in the role that you've earned a contract with like the Knicks wanted at Hartenstein to be doing the things that he's doing did for the clippers and he's doing none of it if none of it at all and he's struggling and nix fans hate him and they're fed up with him and rightfully so because he stinks on the role that he's been

given and that you know it's unfortunate like he should be performing better he is underwhelmed with the role he's been given but at the same time like it's nothing that he had under ty loo last year where he played the best basketball of his entire life so i mean with the nicks i mentioned the clippers like artenstein i wonder how many other teams could be in on him him sign him as a free agent just hasn't worked out. A lot of blame goes to the head coach there with Hartenstein, just like it does with quickly and everything else in his career. All right.

All right. So some things that came out. Who's better, Chris? Who? Tom Thibodeau or Mike McCarthy. Oh. That be, you've got to give the nod to McCarthy simply because of the Super Bowl ring, right? Yeah, I think you do.

Yeah, I think you do. Some things that came out of last night. Are the magic the Celtics killers? Tips has one as an assistant. So what? We're giving out accolades for assistant coach championships. I'm just throwing it out there. It was with the OA Celtics.

That's all. The magic. You just wanted to get away from this. Are the magic the Celtics killers? Such a weird deal. deal. The Celtics have 13 losses all year. Three of them are to the magic. Is that funny? It's crazy. And they ended the Celtics nine game win streak. Who would have ever imagined that the Celtics got this awesome win streak going and nine games cracking on? And the team you don't want to see on the schedule is the magic.

Because the 13 losses, you've taken three of them or to Orlando. though. Who knows? Bad matchups, maybe taking it. Who knows? Sometimes it could just be bad matchups. But it's a fascinating one to say the least. And last night was super interesting because the pretty bright future magic. Oh, very, very bright. Yeah. Jonathan Isaac back in the bold. Wow. Crazy. Two years. What'd you think? Oh, he looked awesome. He looks so good. He had a, he had a secret. last night that I tweeted out where he hit a spot-up three-pointer, then ran back on defense, man-to-man on the perimeter, stripped Jalen Brown. Then he took the ball the other way and assisted one of his teammates. And it was just, you know, a great sequence that was like, oh, yeah,

this is the guy prior to his injury that everybody was saying has all-de-calibre ability on defense and is trending up on offense. You know, last night shoots the ball well from behind the art, two of three, looked good offensively, made smart. Mark plays, rebounded, played great defense. He looks like a guy who is indeed healthy and is still only 25 years old, one of the best defensive players of basketball pre-injury. They get that guy back at 610 with his length with already Franz Wagner, Palo Bancaro, Wendell Carter, Bull, oh my goodness, the lineup still be able to throw out there.

I don't know if you remember this, but years ago, the Orlando Magic, when you and I were at Summer League, they put out like an Instagram post where they quoted me and they had this picture of Jonathan Isaac and that it said like, quote, he was by far the best player on the floor. It was like there were one guy at one level and nine at another level. And it was us talking about Jonathan Isaac that we had just watched at Summer League that that year where he had come back to Summer League. And I mean, that's like, honestly, like my last memory of him that stands out and watching that night and being like, oh, this dude is going to be awesome. And then just, he was gone.

Yeah. And it shows back up last night. And it's like, you just don't see that. It's really like two and a half years, right? Yeah. Been a long time. Long time. And he looks good, man.

I mean, like, I think with Orlando, on one hand, you could say, oh, they have too many big players. Like, they have too many. I don't think so. I think with Orlando, like, those names are just threw out there. Like, imagine Bankero and Wagner, they can run the offense primarily with Isaac and Bull at Ford slash wing. Carter at the five. Like, those are all guys who are at six, nine at a minimum. and there's skill in the floor with Wagner and Bencaro,

ball handling, playmaking ability. I hope at some point we see them throughout that lineup for extended minutes, extended minutes, even start a game for that matter, even though right now you're not going to pull Markle Fultz from the starting five. That guy's been awesome for Orlando. After his first week,

I remember us talking about him shooting the ball well from three. Still at 37% Chris. Not bad. Looking good on a really low volume. Markle Foltz is legit good right now for Orlando. He's found himself. He's figured out how to be a successful NBA player without being, you know, number one pick, 25 points per game.

Fault is good. And, you know, you got to give him credit for being able to figure things out after the horrific start to his career. It's a lot of fun to watch him. And the best thing you could say about a team like that that does not have some great record is on the average league past night. They're fun to watch. Oh, they're so fun. I love watching the magic.

They're one of my favorite teams to throw. on. Yeah, they're fun to watch. Sure. Another team that's been super fun to watch this year has been the Kings. They crack the Grizzlies over the head. Oh, man. They're now third with a three-game lead on fifth. And obviously the reason that that is important is because whenever you are high-ranked record-wise, you want to know what the distance is between you and home court advantage. And, I mean, they've got three-game lead on fifth.

right now. So with less than at the season left, it's in the cards that not only could the Kings be a playoff team, but they could be a home court advantage playoff team. And last night, I mean,

I don't think the Brazil scored for like the last 10 minutes of the game, and they got they beat it by 33. It didn't get a stop for the first 12 minutes of the game. 12 threes in a quarter. They just. Kings had 40.

seven in the first quarter. They hit 12 threes. It's a record. Can't do that. 12 threes in one quarter. They just could not miss a shot. And this is one of the lessons for this young grizzlies team, for sure, is that they have gone on the road now.

And they started with that L.A. deal that everybody was watching the Shannon Sharp game, which we'll get back to in a minute. They got beating that And they went out to Phoenix And they got beat And then they turned around They went to Sacramento And they got beat

This is all coming off In 11 game win streak Yeah And it is one of those Like This is when you have to learn About Professionalism

And you got a team Of a bunch of 23 year old guys Like Fine If you guys want to go out And live it up When you're on the road And playing in L.A.

And playing in Phoenix Whatever But you have to Like Your job is to be able to perform that night. And, I mean, let me tell you, Kevin, I've been covering them for over 20 years. You tune those things on. You watch the first quarters.

Let's just say that's not a team that appeared to have been paying attention to their nutrition, hydration, and sleep over the course of this West Coast road trip, to say the least. It's not an excuse because you're a professional and you've got to be able to do it. But, I mean, we've seen many teams succumb to the West Coast road trips. And, I mean, that was, you can see it coming from a mile away on an 11-game win streak. You're going to go out there. And then you have this totally bizarre L.A. where I honestly, like, I know we're past the Shannon Sharp stuff and he's done this three-minute apology or whatever else. It's sort of a 30 seconds. I still can't believe it happened.

I know. I can't either. Like, I don't think we'll ever see anything like that happen again. where a fan is like aggressively pointing at, and I'm aware the fan is a Hall of Famer, the fan is a blogger, according to Dillon Brooks. A regular pedestrian, which I know people out there can get mad about that.

That is objectively funny. It's funny. As you know, I'm always a fan. Especially dressed up the way he was. Yes. Damn near a leotard. Yeah, I know. It was hilarious.

I am always. fan of the bad guy wrestler stuff, as everybody knows. And the reaction of people like, Unk is a Hall of Famer and you better you better understand. Like, bro. Be serious.

It's funny. That's funny. It was hilarious. Objectively funny to call a guy a blogger and a regular pedestrian again. I saw a tweet saying that Dylan Brooks looks like he was dressing like Brock Lesner. He did. My favorite one was the one that asked him it snapped at the bottom. that that

uh, that, uh, take the head on. But look, they, that was a weird deal and, you know, odd precedent,

to say the least, um, there's a lot of people out there to think that whether it was for attention or whatever the case may be, that, that that was not just completely.

completely organic the way it played out and he got the amount of attention that he got in that scenario. The quote. He's just so bizarre and I don't, Shannon Sharp's kind of in this weird place where he's a generally, I think, beloved guy. On Twitter. People like him. Twitter love him. Yeah. Right?

And so I think he gets, it gets treated differently. Also, people really resent or dislike the Grizzlies right now. I do wonder if it happened to another team what the reaction would be. But like the idea that anyone, any fan with a ticket, would get aggressive towards a team as if he's on the team. Like even those quotes to Dave McMendman raised, like, I don't like the way they were talking about like, so what? Well, how about he said the dad came and didn't want no problems, but I wanted anything they had. Don't let these fools fool you now. You notice he didn't mention Stephen Adam.

Oh, he did not mention abs. No. Stephen Adams is like the kind of guy that like hunts wild boars with a knife. With a knife. How about with this bare hands? Yeah, with bare hands. It's a different kind of deal. We had to debate the other day.

If we wondered if like he could be jump scared. Anybody can be jump scared. Anybody. you think so? Yeah, anybody. Do you think if you were like around the corner and Stephen Adams was walking down the hall

and you jumped out from behind the corner he went, ah! Like that? I can never foresee a circumstance where he's like, oh! I can't. I can't see it. I really don't think you would.

I think it's kind of a guy that like a poisonous snake could come up to him and he would just like grab it by its hand. Now, I don't know if anybody's ever done it or anything, But, I mean, he just, I don't know. He's a different dude. He is a different dude.

But I don't know. Look, obviously, being from Memphis, I'm going to view something one way. I want your opinion. What do you think when you saw Shannon Sharp and the Grizzlies getting into it at an NBA game? And like, having security is in the middle of it. Well, like you said, Chris, I love the wrestling aspect of it. It was great drama. It was hilarious.

It made me laugh. I like just cackled at the quote that McBendon shared from Sharp. I think for the NBA, it's strange that Sharp was allowed back to his seat. That part does shock me. That felt like celebrity, you know, preferential treatment there. Whereas if this happened with a true regular pedestrian, as Dylan Brooks said, to take his term, that person, that person, there's no way they're allowed back of their seat.

They're probably banned from coming. to games for the rest of the season. So that part was a little strange to me that that precedent was sent for high profile celebrity can get into it with players and then be allowed back, especially after allowing the quote where pretty much he said,

I'm ready to fight. Where anybody that if they stood up at a game, imagine like you said, a fan. Yeah. Maybe it's some big swole guy, like a big steroid guy. Yeah. And he stands up and he's pointing it

whatever on their team. He's like, you want some of this? Come right here. Point right in front of him. Can you imagine? Oh, he's gone. He's out of the game. For life.

Yeah. He's out of there. For life. Yep. If you said, come here right now. How about LeBron posting the photo of Shannon Sharp? Even though, like, you know,

others have asked for players to be thrown out for any particular reason. People think he set it up. LeBron. Memphis people think that. Shannon was a guest of, him at the gang. Oh, really? Yeah, and he wasn't sitting by

Rich and all the rest of him. He was sitting directly across from the Grizzlies bench. You don't think they can get tickets wherever they want to. And then I was told LeBron's a reason he got back in. Ah.

LeBron's a reason he got back in in the second half. Really? Huh. You don't think he's got power? Sources say? Then he came out. Look, you don't have to speak out of school. Go watch the press conference.

Afterwards. Oh, he loved it. I follow him to the abyss. I love him. You know what I mean? That's my guy. 24, 7, blah, blah, blah. 365, 365, 366 on leap years.

That was it. He said that. Yeah, yeah. So, I mean, it's not like, what, anybody would think that's crazy? Mm-hmm. Oh, not at all. That obviously wasn't some average relationship. How about, how about Shannon Sharp apologizing to his stylist during that three-minute apology?

That was really funny. And the, yeah, did any, did anybody know? I mean, I know the cardigan got a lot of love or whatever. But, I mean, I don't, that just seems like such a insulated deal where I don't know who anybody's stylist is, bro. Do you? That's so good. Do you know anybody's stylist is? Have you ever worked with a stylist?

What? I'm just asking. I'm curious. Have you ever? No. No. I'm just curious if you ever have. I'm just wondering if you ever have.

That must be kind of fun. Kind of going to like a store with a stylist or something like that. That'd be a good time. I'm like French Montana. No stylist. Yeah, I don't know. I don't understand. He apologized to everybody in the world.

Yeah. Everybody. It's fine. It's done. Everybody. Oh, you know what's going to happen, right? Shannon Sharp and T. Moran are going to be sitting next to each other at a Memphis game. Oh, no doubt about it.

There's no way around it. Or if there's a series. 100%. Even if there's not a series. Shannon Sharp will be in Memphis, daffing it up with the Morant. I know the way this all goes. So it's all well that ends up. So then he's on the side of the Grizzlies and the Lakers, and that's going to happen.

Yes. And maybe you can try to fight another team. I don't know. It's hilarious. It's really funny. Absolutely hilarious. So anyways, the Kings, let me get back to them. It's easily the best story of the NBA.

Oh, yeah. I mean, we've talked about it every week, which is awesome for the first time in our seven-year history. And congrats to Mike Brown for the job that he has done thus far. And here's praying that they stay injury-free because I love the story. And they are fun to watch, man. They are fun to watch. And you know what? Everyone's the one when you see these good teams get cracking,

it's some guy, you'll be watching a game, and you'll be like, you know, I really liked Denver Trey Lions. And then I thought it was going to work in San Antonio, and it never took. And there he was last night, and he just bombing threes and grabbing rebounds and, you know, getting on the boards, deflecting shots.

And I'm like, you know, this guy, It kind of struck me as a guy that, you know, big guy who fights for rebounds but could also shoot from a distance and, like, they could have some real value. And I don't know what the hell has happened. But he's found a spot. Yeah. He's found a spot and he's mega helpful. They got just a bunch of good guys on that team. Yeah, I mean, Liles has had some, you know, good stretches throughout his career, but never put it together at the level that he has right now at Sacramento.

Another thing from last night, or this week rather, is the Minnesota thing. It feels so frustrating to everyone involved. And our buddy John Cresensky, I mean, one of the tweets where I was like, oh my gosh, it was something, I'll paraphrase, another inexplicable loss in a season of inexplicable loss, just an unserious team. And I was like, oh, no. I may have to steal that one. Just an unsurious team.

And that's because they lost last night to a Houston team that had lost 13 straight games. And so they're down, they're counting on Ant to be their leader, which I've talked so many times about since the absence of Pat Beverly, they need, like that's the team I said should go after a Lowry or somebody like that. vocal veteran leader is what they need in my estimation. And there's a bunch of these teams that are not that far off from being much better than they are. And they're part of nine, that T. Wool's team, nine teams that are within two and a half games of each other, from fifth through 13 right now.

And when I was trying to go through it, getting ready for this show, Keev, it's hard to figure. out, like, if any of them are going to sell off and go the other way, it kind of feels like Houston and San Antonio kind of have that to themselves as the bottom out Western Conference teams, but the rest of them, because even with that nine that I just mentioned, the one that's played the best of all of them recently is Oklahoma City. They're the ones that have played the best and they're like I mean

they've got as many as 13 first round picks over the next five years so they can get in any discussion they want to about anything when you got up to 13 picks in the next five years and I was reading yesterday

an article that said with Gildes Alexander that he has developed into one of the best players alive, 30.7 points, 5.5 assist, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks are matched only by 8788 Jordan at the age of 24. Wow.

What the hell? Like when you put it into that, and I know numbers are inflated now, but bro, come on. Yeah, still. It doesn't matter if they're inflated. That's still remarkable. It's 87.80. It's 25 years ago.

Or more than that. More than 25 years ago. What am I talking about? It's almost 40 years ago at this point. Crazy. Crazy. What he has done this year. And so that's what I'm saying, Kev.

If they're there, if they're amongst those nine teams that I mentioned, like, and I know that they've been playing great recent, you know, on the other side you got that Phoenix team, which they have lost like 17 of their last 25 and we'll get news on Booker hopefully sooner than later. Like, do you think any of those, and I know you would kind of mention Portland in passing, but any of those teams between 5 and 13 in the West, are you confident that any of them are just going to go in the, we're going to start losing games these last 30 games. games and get in the lottery mix more so than try to make a run for this play. I don't think any of them will. None of them. None of them.

None of them fail on this season. No, I don't think so. I mean, I think for Dallas, like it's pretty clear, just to go through them, five, Dallas, they're committed to try to keep winning Clippers. We talked about them already earlier at six. They're trying to go for it all. They don't have their pick anyway. you know, the Jazz at seven, maybe they're the team that trades some of their guys of all of them, Utah, with Conley and, you know, maybe some of the others are even on Atlantic or if I offer for Vanderbilt is so strong and they can't say no, maybe Utah.

They will. They'll trade. Yeah, I think Utah. Phoenix, no, they're trying to improve. They're trying to win a title. Minnesota, no, they don't have their pick. It's unprotected. They're already trying to, you know, win games.

They committed to go bare, you know, like it or not, they did. and, you know, hopefully cat gets back and they get fixed. Warriors, they're going for a title. The Thunder, they're just young and good. It's not like they have some veterans to trade off. They're just young and good. Lakers, obviously, they're going forward. The Blazers, you could argue that they should be a team that takes a step back.

But as Chris Haynes reported, they're committed to Dame. The thing with a team like Portland or OKC, somebody like that, they can, they might be in a position. Like right now, Portland, you said how they're only two and a half games back of the five seed. Despite that, they still have the eighth best lottery odds. So even if you're close to 500 or slightly below 500 and you miss out on the playoffs, you could be the 13th seed and have great lottery odds. That's the position that a team like Portland is in where you don't have to blow it up to have good lottery odds.

That's where we are right now. So I think that's something to keep in mind for all of those teams, OKC included, where you don't have to blow it up. And by the way, there's no catching San Antonio or Houston. Those teams have such a big cushion right now. They could also trade veterans. Gordon, Eric Gordon with Houston or Pertle with San Antonio, those teams have vets the deal off. So I think for them, you know, Houston, you're not catching Houston right now. They have a three-game lead on the Spurs.

they have an 11-game lead on the Blazers. Jalen Green and Alper and Shenguen aren't going to, you know, dominate every night like they did against Minnesota. Who, by the way, Jalen Green in that game, Chris, 42 points. Almost all of his points were off-of-actions with Shengun, D-HOs or pick and rolls, like a switch or drop coverage with Gold Bear, whatever it was, those guys together, I know Green's been up and down this year,

but Shen Goon, everybody's hot with him right now. Everybody likes Shengoon. He's been awesome lately. Jalen Green, I know it's been up and down, but there's still so few players that can do the things that he can do athletically with his shooting ability, his finishing ability. I still think Jalen Green has a chance

to become one of the best players in all the basketball. That's where I am at with him. So it'll be interesting to see how those guys develop with their top odds as well. You know, I've said many times how much I... I have the tremendous disdain for the way Houston's doing this. Just my opinion. I understand.

I understand. And I've seen it ruined careers. So I'm just sensitive about it with young players. You want those players to develop and develop good habits, and hopefully they will. I have always been a green believer in terms of a great scorer in the lead. And the Shengun thing is very, very promising. here's hoping that, you know, I mean, that was one game out of 13. I think that you could have talked about any of the last 13 and not felt really good about them.

Everybody's always going to feel good about it when it relates to the wins. But the Shen good thing, they've got a player. They obviously hit on that. And hopefully this season does not take a toll on those guys in developing habits that they're going to have to break. You've seen a lot of veterans coming out talking about it recently, too. Austin Rivers did on his podcast recently on the Ringer Network. You've seen Eric Gordon talk about it many, many times. I think that, you know, just watch them play.

Austin Rivers with his new show on the Ringer NBA show, Offguard. Like, he's had two shows, two viral moments. Yep. Austin Rupert Rupert's has had viral moments already. Interesting guy to say the least. Hey, he's been good. I listen to that show. like it. They have good chemistry. I am always very, very appreciative of people that are

unabashedly honest. He is unafraid to say what he believes. Say what he believes, right? Whether or not it's popular. And so, yeah, also rivers. I liked it too. All right, Kev. Been a pleasure. Oh, I didn't mention to you that I did get to go to a comedy show. Oh, you went to a comedy show? I went and saw. Was this after the Cowboys' Sloss? You wanted to feel happy and smile?

I had the smile about something. I had the opportunity to go to Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle. Oh, wow. They're doing a five city tour, one of which, one of the stops is in Memphis. And so I got to go to it and see it. And those are clearly two of the biggest comedians ever, ever, honestly, like ever. I've watched a ton of their specials. I am uninterested in hearing people being mad about the controversies of which they have been involved in.

I'm well aware. They've joked about all of their controversies, whether it's Chris Rock talking about Will Smith, whether it's Dave Chappelle talking about different controversies he's been a part of, or getting tackled on stage at a concert. Like, those two guys are absolutely amazing at their craft. Amazing with their craft. And just getting to witness them in person was, honestly, I can't believe that they're doing a tour together. It's pretty cool.

To see them after I've watched them for so many years. And Chappelle even said, it was, how about this? He said yesterday, and this is going to make you. feel old because it made me feel way old. He said yesterday, or no, no, no. He said two days ago was the 20 year anniversary of the

debut of Shepel Shand. Can you believe that's been 20 years? Wow. Wow. Wow. 20 years? Yes. Yes. Oh my goodness. And you know who opened for him? Donnell, Harvey,

Ashley Larry. Where have all the years gone? He's the one that opened. before them. Wow. Yeah. I don't know. I think I started watching Chappelle's show probably the year after its first season when I was 13, not 12.

But man, yeah, I watched every episode of the Chappelleau's like that. Look, I've been a fan of stand-up comedy since I was a little kid. Yeah. So just getting to see those two. It was crazy. It was crazy to see it. Really funny. I went to the comedy store.

You ever been to the comedy store? Comedy Store in L.A. Chris? I haven't. We get a, maybe when you're out here in March, we should go to the comedy store for some night. I always have a good time there. Who'd you see? The biggest name we saw was Jeff Ross.

Oh, I love Jeff Ross. He was there, very funny. Hormos, Rashidi, he opened the show. Very funny. He had a great, like, 10 minutes set to open it up. Kevin Christie, Mark Ellis, Brent Morin, Jeremiah Walkins those are the names Do you feel like people tame it down now

Or do you feel like Hell no Do you feel like the people that show up there Are no People there looking to laugh Or looking to get offended About something People looking to laugh

That's good I'd say so Yeah like I've been at the comedy store Maybe four five times Something like that Hopefully more frequently I should go there way more often I love the comedy store

Let me tell you something I went to an absolute pact arena and not be for the faint of heart. There is not one person in that entire arena between Rock and Chappelle. I'm saying both of them offended literally every person in there. No matter what you were a part of.

It would be no difference. If you were white, if you were black, if you were British, if you were, and you name it. Anything, yeah. Anything. Well, that's what Chappelle was on the table. That's a Chappelle show always was, you know, back in the day. Everybody.

So, I mean, I guess we could have all walked out of there. It was hilarious. Absolutely. I'm glad you had a good time. Yeah, no, it's good to see that. Day after your Cowboys lost, you had a win at FedEx Forum with, you know, riding a three-game losing streak. Oh, my.

You know, you got it. You personally got a dub. Oh. I got a face shook on live. You have no idea. You have no idea how bad I needed to go and laugh about something. I almost quit sports completely, caring about sports. Look, Kevin, the grizzlies lost every game.

The Cowboys lost to the 49ers. And my producer from my local show is a massive 49ers fan. So not only do it. That is not just a regular loss. That's a loss I have to look at his stupid face for a year. over and both of my kids' teams lost over the weekend, including my daughter's team, of which I'm the coach. And so Sunday night, I'm laying in my bed,

and I said to my wife, I said, why do I care about any of this? Any of it? I care too much. It feels good to care, though, Chris. Maybe. It didn't this weekend. I got to be honest with you.

When you care, it's a good thing to have something to care about. about in love. You know, even when it's not good and you lose it, things are bad, it's always better to have something to care about. You felt pretty thankless this weekend, Tim. I know, I know, but then when you have those highs someday, maybe, I have no idea.

Not with Dak Prescott as your quarterback or Mike McCaffey as your coach. Maybe someday the Cowboys will be back to their core days. He's been 27 years, Kevin. I feel like that old bitch is Titanic. It's been my years. All right, I'm done with this show. I think our producer, Jesse Lopez, our executive producer, is a 49ers fan so he can go to hell too.

Talk to you all later this week. Have a good one.