The Mismatch - Reporter LeBron, Mark Cuban’s Gripe, and a League Standings Check

Episode Date: March 24, 2023

Verno and KOC discuss Ja Morant’s return in the Grizzlies’ win over the Rockets on Wednesday night (03:22). The guys discuss a pair of games from the Sweet 16: Kansas State’s overtime win over Michigan State and UConn’s dominant win over Arkansas (08:55). After LeBron James shoots down the reports of his potential return, the guys debate when he’ll get back on the floor for the Lakers (19:32). In looking at the crowded West standings, the guys debate whether Karl-Anthony Towns’s return is enough for the Timberwolves to make some noise in the playoffs and if the Mavs are in danger of missing the postseason (35:04). The guys also briefly look at the East standings before discussing the reemergence of the dominant big man and ask whether Immanuel Quickley is on his way to win this year’s Sixth Man of the Year award (51:59). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Producer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's official. One Shining podcast is back, and I am your host, Tate Frazier. And as March Badness begins, we're covering everything from Selection Sunday all the way to the championship and beyond. We're going to have great guests that are coming through on the show. And look, if you're a friend of the program and you're already subscribed, you don't have to do anything. OSP is back. It's going to be right back in your feed. And if you're not a friend of the program, and this is your first time on the rodeo, then let me tell you this. You need to go to Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcast. and smash subscribe today because the OSP show is back. Welcome to The Mismatch. I'm Chris Vernon and joining me as he does every Friday from the ringer.com is Kevin O'Connor, A.K. Kevin O'Bomber, Kevin O'Colmcer, Kevin O'Climber, Kevin O'Chyland, Kevin O'Conflict,

Kevin O'Conflict, Kevin O'Konnell! I was now officially in Memphis, Tennessee. We were together. You were. For those that have listened to last episode, it was a live show that we recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, along with Joe House, along with David Roddy, along with Jaron Jackson, Jr., and along with an absolutely unbelievable crowd. You know, it's all such a world win as you guys are in town, and I talked about it on the show how badly I wanted that to go well. And you never really know until you get to the event what it's going to be like within said venue, which was the New Daisy Theater, what it's going to be like with the crowd that shows up. But every single expectation I had for what it would be like

was exceeded. And it really did feel surreal. Like even, you know, there's still people that are, you know, tweeting me or sending me messages days later. It's all happening so fast and you're also, and you're so nervous about it and you want it to come off well. And between the people from Spotify, everybody that was in town helping to make that happen and then the crowd and then I was just I was absolutely thrilled that was that was certainly a night to remember you and I have done now two live shows after being on the podcast here together for what did you say is our seventh season I believe this is our seventh season yeah we've done our live podcast now we have done two uh this season and both of them.

Would you like to do some more? Would you like to do some more? Yeah. I mean, I don't know if we're going to make a world tour. Yeah, you don't want to do too many of them. But, you know, like a finals or Summer League one, something like that, that'd be cool. Summer League would be really good because we could get a lot of people out there. How about finals? When I did Dunk on Cancer in 2019, that was a great crowd, a really good cast of people.

Like, during the finals was a good time, too. Well, and it'll be great because you'll be back in Memphis for that. Yeah, in your dreams. You guys aren't getting past April. Our buddy, Jared Jackson, Jr. You better turned on last night. Yeah. 37 after coming on the live mismatch show.

Two hours of Grizzlies on Tuesday. We can skip the Grizzlies today. I'm aware. I saw John Morant's return last night. We're not talking about the Grizzlies until the post season. Well, I mean, we can talk about the other season. We can talk about how Denver's faltering. We can talk about how your beloved Celtics have aliens.

in a relationship with their second best player. We can talk about your pelicans being in 12. I don't know any of your teams. If you want to go through them, we can. Yeah. So what did you see from Jha last night in his return? Oh, I think it was just honestly, I think it was an opportunity,

more importantly than his play. The Redemption Tour? Yeah, the Redemption Tour. More important than his play was what he had to say, which was I've been given I've been given a second chance

no okay this is last night yeah I've been given a second chance and it is my job to make the most of it good and that's all you can hope

right yeah obviously look he came off the bench and he was unbelievable immediately and helped close the game and I'm gonna say something I've crapped on the rockets

a lot this year I called them disgusting at the beginning of the year and you see in the light now what light. I mean, what I saw was a team that did at least play together. It's a little late, and now you're at the point where all your fans hope you don't win.

So it would have been better to play together earlier in the year, have these games with 27 assist, have these games that give you real promise. Because they've won three. They won three last week catching teams by surprise. but I was, they certainly played a much better brand of basketball last night than what I have typically seen from them this year. And there's no question they have individual talent that is tantalizing, especially Green, Schengoon, and then Jabari Smith has had a much better ending to the season than he had beginning and middle.

Tari Isson as well. Yeah, they got some guys. They've got some guys for sure. When Kyle Mann and I did our redraft for the All-Star weekend in Utah, I took like three Rockets players. Oh, wow. It was for a draft from like five years from now. I still think that Rockets team has a lot of good individual talent. But I realize I'm probably alone there now.

Maybe they're the bright future rockets. They do have to. No, no, no, no, no, no. Kind of like I saw it with the Bright Future Suns. No, these guys are infinitely more talented than Dragon Bender and those kind of guys. Come on. Yeah, I'm just saying, but I'm just saying the way people talk about Houston is they talk about Houston like they get nothing. Oh, I don't think people talk about it like they got nothing.

I think it's like they play like nothing. They get shit on more than any other team. Well, I mean, they are, they do have 18 wins, Kevin. I mean. Yeah, they're not good. But I think, like the talent wise, I mean, this is a team that's not. I think it's, but this team isn't trying to win games. I understand.

But that's, that's why they also get shit on because that's, you know, you know, you fear that it's the squandering of talent, that this is not the best environment to develop players. That was my issue with that in terms of, like, how many times do you need to be in the drive? You got, you got Jayla Green, you got Jabari Schmidt, you've got the, you got Schengun, you got Tori Isis, you've got a bunch of young guys.

Now try to build out around them and let them win some games, get some confidence, take this, you know, make losing matter again, rather than taking the sting out of losing. and so many times they're playing in games where they're not going to function like they do right now when a team starts winning. There are some that will, right? I am with you in believing that Jalen Green

is going to be an elite level score in this league. I do look at him in some ways in the same sense of Devin Booker, where I've talked to you in the past of, there are kids you can put in a good school, kids you could put in a bad school, and there are some kids that no matter what school you put them in, They're going to excel. It's just the way it is.

But on the whole, usually for the development of a kid, the kids that get the opportunity to go to the better school are going to develop much, much better. And then there are these special circumstances like Devin Booker was in Phoenix. And I believe like Green will be in Houston. I think he is so individually talented and athletic and got a good head on his shoulders. that he's going to be able to overcome being in a terrible environment earlier in his career.

Overcome the ball hoggery of Kevin Porter Jr. Yeah. I don't think it makes a difference really for one year, or two years for that matter. I mean, you could say that, but I've watched all manner of careers get ruined. Yeah. You know? I mean, I've seen it in person, in person, where it's like once the team starts to win, then you don't know how to play anymore.

because you've gotten a false sense of who you are within the league and within team concept because when you're losing 50-something games, 60 games, whatever it may be. We are recording this after, it was not a big night. This is on Thursday night. Not a great night for NBA games, but the Sweet 16 is on. And you and I are recording this after the Michigan State, Kansas State game. And oh, my God. That was a great, great finish.

Well, that's a great game, period. Great game. Great game. And, you know, I am one of those that sometimes, I don't, I like college basketball. But there's no question that sometimes when you watch college games, you are absolutely stunned by the lack of quality of that game. You are so, if you are watching NBA games every single night, you know, it. there's some of these games where it'll be like in the 50s or the low 60s, and you're like, oh, geez, look at this offense.

Nobody can make a shot. And you're just, you're so spoiled by seeing these unbelievably talented players every single night that it can be burdensome to watch some of the games. But not a game like that. Holy mackerel was that high level for a college basketball game. What a bunch of players that were out there. Sam Houser's little brother going off for Michigan State and the Noel kid from Kansas State. What a fascinating case study.

The little guy, 5-8. And you just wonder, right? Like, is he going to be one of those guys that we look up and ends up being in the NBA? And it's Fran Van Blede, it's Isaiah Thomas, it's even Alvarado, right, has been one recently where he's little guys. Probably nobody's going to draft the guy. He's old. The whole thing.

He has 20 points. He has 19 assists. No question. He's a hardcore gamer. And it's funny. Sometimes there are guys that can be that great. And they're just simply great college players. But you can't help but watch that and go,

you know what, man? You can see him throwing out an NBA uniform one day. That kid is an absolute dog, and they've obviously got a good chance at a possible national title right now, as they've already in the elite eight. And they knocked off a really good Michigan State team that played really well. And I also thought it was cool for Keonti Johnson to get the lob finish on the pass after that kind of fake play call at the end of the game from Noel and his coach on the sidelines for what was, I think, is 18th or 19th. whatever it was, it broke the record. But Keonti Johnson catching that pass to, you know,

put a cherry on top of a 22-point game for him just to, you know, what was it, two years ago, two years ago that he collapsed on the floor with his heart issue and went into his medically induced coma when he was then playing for Florida. Terrified. It's amazing that he gets that moment after having such a tremendous game with Kansas State now on this run. It just seems pretty special.

He, by the way, you know, Keante Johnson, he could be an NBA guy. 6-6. Got length, multiple, you know, position defensively. He rebounds the hell out of the ball for a 6-6 guy, shooting over 40% from 3 this year. For Kansas State, he shot over 40% the last time he was with Florida, so he has a long track record now of shooting the ball well.

He has a chance to have a good long NBA career. And that would be an amazing story. Unbelievable, yeah. Truly amazing story, because everybody were stopped in their tracks when he had the heart condition just a few years ago. Yeah, that was terrifying because we've been through it. In my childhood, it was, yeah, I heard the stories of land bias.

And then in my childhood, it was Hank Gathers when he was at Loyola Merrimount. And that's one of the first sporting events I remember is Bo Kimball shooting his free throws in the NCAA tournament with his offhand to honor his fallen teammate, who was one of the best players. in college basketball and died. And then obviously, Reggie Lewis, too. I mean, we've had some real scares, real scares. And the idea that this kid is able to not only be back on the court to be this highly successful. Now, we always talk about at the end of games,

like people steal from each other, you know, all these best coaches steal the out-of-bounds place. I wonder if we're ever going to see the... Now, we'll hear, I have not seen their press conferences. I've got to believe that that was a total setup. It definitely was. Like the fake argument with the coach. This is like, you know, when I was coaching my kids' little league football team,

I was an assistant coach. And, you know, like one kid will run out to the side and get down on all fours and start barking like a dog or something. And then the whole team looks at him and then he throw it the other way. That's what it felt like. You've got this fake argument between the point guard and the coach that are yelling at it. each other and then basically almost like a no look alley you to Johnson as everybody kind of falls asleep and that's game on the line season on the line stuff I wonder if we'll uh if anybody's

gonna steal the fake argument play from Kansas State that's I didn't think that ever worked on a high level well it's kind of like for years in the NFL I'm you know Tom birdie sometimes they would fake you know the snap going over his head he'd like you know he'd sell that hard. Other teams do that here and there in the NFL. Maybe. I mean, it did see, like, it definitely was a play call. Like, as soon as he kind of twirled his fingers,

Johnson cut and Noel looked for the pass. I think it was all orchestrated. I'm sure that was something when it comes to planning for game time decisions. Maybe they've known that they could pull this out all season. Maybe this was discussed back in December or January. Maybe it was

discussed in the huddle between the second half and overtime. But I think those guys knew that that might be coming. He's like, look for me to do the twirl the fingers. You know, we're going to fake the argument, whatever. And they were right on, man. Also, by the way, like, play call or not, how do you let up that back door? Like, you're really getting fooled right there.

But I guess that's the whole point you're doing it. Just the throw the defense a little bit off balance, make them focus on the play call. And it worked. You know, you know everybody, though, that's where it's the hardest to keep your physical a mental focus. When you're tired. Yeah, they're playing in overtime. They're in the 90s.

Yeah. And it's like when it matters most, you got to be sharp. So the mind affects the body and rice versa too. The one good thing to be able to watch that that game was because though they are loaded with talent, my God, did Arkansas just get absolutely run out?

Yukon looked incredible in the first half of that game. I mean, it was just assist after assist, pounded them in the paint. And do you look at that from an NBA talent evaluation? Because you've got Arkansas guys, you've got more than a few in your big, on your big board.

Anthony Black, Nick Smith, Jordan Walsh, and then a lot of people have Ricky Council the fourth in their top 40 as well. In the top 40, right? So it's like four guys. Yeah, they're all young. And so do you look at that as like, all right, they ran up against a better team, a veteran team,

and they got punked? Or do you draw, what do you draw from it that this was on their biggest stage of the year? And obviously, none of them are going to come out smelling like roses. I mean, on one hand, like I've talked to Kyle Mann on the Ringer's NBA draft show all year. I don't see it with Nick Smith, Jr. I've had a hard time getting there with him, you know, like Kyle has, like a lot of others have. He has a solid game tonight. Anthony Black, I like him a lot.

I think he'll be a better NBA player than he is a college player. Got to the line tonight, he's really the one guy that I was very impressed by. Jordan Walsh, inconsistent score, saw that again tonight. But overall, I think this just says more about Yukon. They were just overwhelming with size. Like Sonogo, they're starting big man. He just getting to the basket with ease. overwhelming the smaller Arkansas front court.

Donovan Klingin coming off the bench who, seven foot two freshman, he barely played much at all this season, but I think he has a bright NBA future. If he were to declare and test the waters, it would not shock me one bit at all if a team would make him a promise in the late first round or somewhere in the second round.

It's just a matter of your clinging. Do you want to go back a year and end up getting Sonogos minutes and become a lottery pick in a weaker draft? Like that that's the decision that he's going to have to make. But I mean, those Yukon kids are big. And then you consider their perimeter guys, Jordan Hawkins. He's going to be a first round pick, sharpshooter. And Andre Jackson Jr., like you saw him in that first half, Chris.

Like, what a funky player. Six foot six, the playmaking ability, throwing loaves, fine in shooters. Andre Jackson's going to be a heck of a player in the NBA, I think, on both ends. He's a tough defender. And offensively, he's just one of those connective pieces. Those guys, even if you're an if he shooter, you can find a role in the league. And I thought it was cool, like him finishing at the rim off of some dump-off passes, too, that showed what his NBA role could look like. Yeah, Dan Hurley's gotten that thing back going.

He's got a lot of talent there. And not only a lot of talent, but a lot of talent that shares. They're right up there at the very top in college basketball and assist. They rebound. They got the one of the best offenses in all of college basketball. And you kind of saw it on display. I'll tell you this, you say you like the Anthony Black kid. People are really going to like the NBA.

People are going to like the five steals. That's what they're going to like. They're going to like that he had five steals. In a game that they got murdered, they're going to like that at least they know that he can be defensively active. And everybody wants somebody that can play two ways. And he's an interesting talent for sure. Yeah, six, seven guard. If he just becomes a competent shooter, like there's no question that he's going to have

longer career. All right. Let's get to some of the big stories that have happened this week. What a strange day it was today where there is a report that LeBron James is going to be coming back for the final week of the season. And then it is followed. And this is just how things have changed in the year 2023. Athletes all have their own platforms. LeBron James clearly has a big one. and he goes to Twitter.com and posts. There wasn't an evaluation today, and there hasn't been any target date for my return. I'm just working around the clock every day, three times a day,

to give myself the best chance of coming back full strength whenever that is. God bless y'all sources. I speak for myself. What were they supposed to do? Ask you? Like you would have just said. So it's kind of crazy. We get this story.

I mean, somebody clearly, and Adrian Wojianowski has been the best newsbreaker of the NBA for some time now, someone has that as the plan that was then relayed to Adrian Wojianowski, therefore he reports this. So he was clearly told that there is a misunderstanding, and I don't think it's Adrian's here. there's a misunderstanding from somebody within those quarters. And by the way, Shams had it too. I mean, like those guys,

I think I'm seeing the Shams tweet at 10.34 a.m. Pacific. And then Woj had it at 1034. Or McMedan had it at 1034 a. Pacific. Woj had it at 1034. They all got the group texts. They all got it.

They all got it at 1034. That this is when this guy is coming back. And then one hour later, 1137, LeBron tweeted what he did. You know what I take this as? LeBron's saying, whoever leaked this to you, that could be true. But I might come back sooner.

Oh. That's how I took it. That LeBron's saying he could come back sooner. Not later. Maybe it's a, and maybe it's like a Tom Brady Shepter thing. Right? Or, or. I get to break my own news.

You know what I mean? You guys don't get to break my news. Or for what? whatever reason, this is all orchestrated, all an attention grab by LeBron's team saying they're going to feed this information out there. Then LeBron's going to come out on the top. Maybe he did this on his own. But maybe he's doing this. LeBron, you know, to get some attention while he's on the mint. No. I don't know. Who knows, man? You think LeBron James would do something for attention? Come on. I know. Not LeBron. Okay. You want to go the other way with this?

Here, I'll give you one more angle. Okay. See if you could buy this. So you did the, maybe he could come back earlier. How about this? What if it's a little pressure? That the Lakers are putting on. Yeah.

That if you float this out there, now if he doesn't come back. Yep. If he drags his feet on this thing and he doesn't come back, they want him to come back. So now there's like a little pressure like, hey, wait, I thought he was coming back with the week left in the season. Like, this is the understanding we were under. What's going on here? That's a possibility also.

That's definitely a possibility as well. Yeah, because they need him back. But the fact, I mean, I don't feel like I'm speaking out of school here. The fact, Shams and McManneman had a sit-down interview with LeBron, very tight with clutch.

Shams, very tight with clutch. The fact they would put it out as well. suggest that this is something overall. They were all hearing it perhaps from the same people, from different people. But I just, I would be surprised if all of them

were to put it out there if it weren't like widely known from the sources in Clutch and the Lakers. And if it's from Clutch, that means it's also from LeBron. Well, it could have all been from the Lakers. By the way, what we're doing right now,

gets the source. This is what NBA executives do this too. They love playing this game and track it back like who's the source. Or maybe after this was leaked, LeBron called all of his guys and said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Whoa, why are you telling me this? How am I supposed to get anybody to watch this new episode of The Shop? I speak for myself.

And if you want to hear when I'm going to play basketball again, We have a new episode on the shop that is going to be on HBO coming up this weekend. We've got rapper Corday and others appearing on the show. Is that really coming back? Or are you, uh,

I just saw a clip of Corday. Really? The rapper saying that, never heard of him. Who's that? Oh, come on. Corday's great. Never heard of them.

It's a clip of him talking about if he had any regret. I'm not kidding. I've never heard of Corday. Wake up. I don't even know how to spell it. It's 2023. C-O-R-R-

D-E-Y A-E A-E Come on Have I ever sounded Whiteer in my life Yes, but this is up there

My top 10 Whitest moments Yeah Never heard of them Look They get LeBron back And everybody is going to be

You know talking about how Oh now the Lakers are dangerous oh, you don't want to play the Lakers. Who knows what, you know, you would imagine after being out for the amount of time, LeBron is probably going to come back full force. He's probably going to look amazing.

But they have had kind of an assent with this Austin Reeves thing in the midst of sometimes when there are the injuries, you can start to see other guys become different versions of themselves. and the whole Austin Reeves point guard thing and the amount of numbers that he is putting up and frankly the amount of times it's going to the free throw line is out of this world. Monty Williams really thought it was out of this world

when they went to the free throw line 46 times. I mean, the game is only 48 minutes. They took 46 free throws. And we've talked about their... Their appearance in the play-in would be very good for everyone involved. I don't want to act like there's any shenanigans going on. But Austin Reeves has gone to the free throw line more than most everybody that you think is good. And I say that to every NBA fan.

And Austin Reeves is the new favorite. He is playing so well. He very well may have priced himself out of the Lakers for next year. That's what I read today. Austin Reeves, it's like, is he too good? Now, are the Lakers going to pay for the talent that is Austin Reeves? I mean, this has been some pretty crazy stuff with the numbers that he is putting up. But I do think it speaks to him finding a role within that team,

them figuring out what kind of talent he is, because he is a very talented guy. and that if they get LeBron back and they've got healthy LeBron, healthy Anthony Davis, that now their extra parts and their depth are so much better, we really haven't even seen it with all of them,

with this new Austin Reeves and with DeLo and with Beasley and with Vanderbilt and with all those guys. So they get into that playing, obviously they have to get through, they'd have to win some games in order to get into the playoffs. But I think it's fair to say, if you're Denver, I mean, you don't want to see them in the first round. This is not what you bargained for, probably. Especially with Austin Reeves performing at the level that he is right now.

I mean, do you have an all-NBA vote and is Austin Reeves now making a run at third-team guard? He's not making a run up third team guard. But I do think with the Austin Reef stuff, I have two things, two thoughts on the free throws. One, he was one of the biggest foul magnets in college basketball, his last two years at Oklahoma. And I think with him, that is worth taking into consideration when factoring in the style of play we've seen from him recently. Maybe the NBA is being a bit generous with some of the foul calls. I will not argue against that. It is abnormal to see a second player,

second year player get this type of whistle. But I do also think it is abnormal to see a player be able to withstand, play through, and draw contact the manner in which that he does since high school. I mean, he played D3 in high school.

He was a no-star recruit, but he scored 73 points in D-3. This guy's been a bucket-getter in high school, a bucket-getter in college, And right now, a bucket getter in the NBA. So to me, the story with Austin Reeves is, aside from the foul drawing, the turnaround jumpers, the playmaking, getting to the basket, the slippery ball handling. All of that is just, it's been part of the trend for him. It's just happening to a greater extreme and sooner than anybody could have anticipated.

You think he's a point guard? I do think he is a combo guard. Is he a point guard? I mean, what does that exactly mean? Is that like more of a pure guard? I don't think so. He's not like a Chris Paul throwback traditional point guard, but I think he's one of your ball handlers.

It's interesting with especially alongside Russell. And you've even seen Russell say like, hey, man, give awesome the ball. I mean, I mean, like I just pulled up my 2021 draft profile of him. These three notes, smooth ball handler who has a good first step and can fluidly change direction, snaking through defenders to get where he wants with the ball. He's not fast, but he's shaky. True. Acrobatic and physical finisher around the rim who can use either hand and mixes and soft floaters away from the basket.

True. And then this one, to your point, Chris. Creative playmaker who sees passing windows before the open and he can deliver the ball using either hand from awkward angles. True. Like, he might not be a true point guard, but he can do a lot of point guard things. And that's why for the Lakers right now, then putting the ball on his hands and empowering him. To me, it's not a major coincidence

that this big uptick and volume and foul drawing has happened pretty much as soon as Darwin Ham said, you know what, Austin Reeves, you're the point guard right now while LeBron is out. You're the point guard, and then all of this has followed. As soon as he's been putting more ball screen actions that has given him lanes to get to the basket more often. So I think the Austin Reeves story,

you need to look back to high school and college to really get a complete picture of what we're seeing now. And again, yes, maybe the NBA is favoring him slightly. Maybe there is some of that. I don't think so, though, when you actually watch the possessions and watch him play. And by the way, if LeBron does come back, whether it's sooner, whether it's later, this is just another variable that it really helps the Lakers' chances in a series, regardless of who it's against when they have Vanderbilt on defense right now.

They got shooters, multiple handlers, the ability to play big or small. And now they have somebody in Austin Reeves. You can put him in ball screens as a screener like he's done prior and kind of a Caruso-type role. Or now as a ball handler with something new in this offense. The Lakers with LeBron, with LeBron, are major finals threats. They are. I've been on that since the deadline. I feel that way even more strongly now, Chris, with everything that we've seen since then.

You would not pick them in a series against Denver. I'm not picking the playoffs yet. Let's see the matchups aren't ready to go. Yeah, but you know they're going to be in the play. Well, they might be in the plan. No, I mean, that's the only way they're getting in. Well, no, not necessarily. They're only a game and a half back from the Warriors for the sixth seed.

Oh, you think they could be solidly in there? Of course. Why not? There's so much time left. The Clippers just lost Paul George. There's two games of separation between the five and the ten. And this is still, like, between Phoenix at four and the Pelicans, the Pelicans at 12, is how many games? Three.

Right. That's it. Between four and 12. So, I mean, yeah, would I pick them over Denver? I have no idea. I don't even know if they'll end up there. They still have a chance to get the four seed. Yeah.

Six and four in their last 10 games, which is, frankly, I mean, look, You can gain games just by being six and four because you look down the standings and it's like five and five, five and five, four and six, five and five. The only team that has made the big push is Oklahoma City, who's eight and two in their last ten games. So much for tanking, huh? So much for tanking. This leads to, you know, if you look where teams are projected by five, 38, for better or for worse, right? It is a projection of where teams are going to land based on their performance as far this season, who they have available, et cetera, et cetera. They have the West play in being T-Wolves, Mavs, OKC, and the Lakers.

Who do they have in the top six? And those are the four teams that are there right now. So the top six is the same. Okay. The top six is the six that are there right now. And then those would be the four play-in teams. T-Wolves Mabbs, O KC, and the Lakers. T-Wolfs just got Cat back, and he had a big moment.

He was elated last night. I loved how corny that moment was after the game. It made me smile so hard. You loved it. Yeah, I loved it. I did. You loved having it back. Yeah, I thought it was cool, man.

Okay, we really have not seen the T-Wol's. It was to poor results. This is what movies is made of. When we saw them early in the year with the new look roster, it was to poor results, right? They were, what's going on? Is this going to work? Is this a disappointment? And it was one of those things that we kept saying, you know, look, it's going to be better

than it is right now, but it's got to be flushed out, no matter what you think about the trade. And we've talked about that throughout the year. What they have is what they have. and can they figure out the cat go bear thing? Can they figure out the Anthony Edwards being the best guy? Obviously, they've changed DeAngelo Russell out since then. Now Mike Conley's in. And so it's the first time we're really seeing this incarnation of the T-Wolts.

And with less than, you know, 10, 12 games left in the season, do you think it's enough time for them to be able to figure something out before they have to get into super high leverage games? In terms of what extreme do you mean? Do you mean to make a finals run or go to the West Finals? Or do you mean to be competitive in the first round and go seven, maybe slip into the second round? To what extreme do you mean?

Yeah, to be a highly competitive playoff basketball team. I think this is a weird outlier season where everything that's happened just doesn't matter. Everything that's happened so far just does not matter at all. And for Minnesota, the final month of the season is more than enough. I think it's that type of year or it's completely irrelevant so far. So do you say that because of the teams that are at the top? I say that because I'm not convinced by the teams at the top. I say that because of injury concerns with teams at the top like Phoenix.

I say that because of the fact that the West from four to 12 is separated by three games. And so every one of these teams, no matter what you look at, Katie with the Sons, Clippers, Paul, George, and Health, where's Wiggins with the Warriors of Gary Payton Health, depth issues, chemistry issues, chemistry issues with Minnesota, young team Oklahoma City, Dallas injury issues, depth issues, defense issues, Lakers injury issues, continuity issues, jazz they're young, Pelicans injured and young. All of those teams have questions. The Kings, first time in the playoffs together, young team. Grizzlies, young team with a point guard that just got back. No Stephen Adams, no Vernon Clark, no big man depth.

Denver, unproven. We'll see about their defense. It's been below average. Every team in the West. We just went through all of them. So for Minnesota, to me, like, they're 500. This is a brand new season.

And all the struggles of Carl Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert playing together earlier in the season, they were with a totally different roster. And by the way, they were with a different Jaden McDaniels. Jaden McDaniels, the guy that we've seen the past month plus, especially the past two or three weeks where he's really gotten consistent

10 plus shots per game. McDaniels is pretty clearly an all defensive player this year. He should be on everybody's ballot on the first or second team. Pick your spot wherever you want him. He should be one of those top 10 guys. But offensively, he's

done so much more as a shooter off the catch, as a pull-up shooter from mid-range off the dribble, getting to the basket. This This is somebody who is looking like 22 years old, a potential two-way star. You talk about like who's the next McKell Bridges, the guy who, you know, with Phoenix this year, we talked about it prior to the deadline. No Booker, no Paul, gets more opportunities.

He's scoring, sustains it into Brooklyn, continues excelling. With Jada McDaniels, he's looking like that guy who could play off of Anthony Edwards and be a bucket getter and get fed easy opportunities from Mike Conley. This Wolf's team is like, it's just, it's not even comparable to what they were earlier in the season because of different players, but also just different performers. And now we're going to see what Chris Finch has figured out over the course of the season with Nas Reed and Go Bear playing together. Go Bear playing much better on both ends of the floor. Like this is like, I just don't think anything that happened from October through December matters even a little bit. And even the stuff that happened, you know, January, February, March.

I mean, like, it's late March. It's a brand new year right now for Minnesota. That's my long answer for you, Chris. So the short answer, no, it doesn't matter. This is a new season. It's going to be fascinating to watch. What was that game where you're talking about McDaniels defense, where McDaniels and Edwards?

Do you remember this? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, it was the first Kyrie Luca game. Yeah, yeah, that's right. And it was just handcuffs. handcuffs. Those two can really guard perimeter. Man. And Edwards is like that guy that when it comes down to crunch time, he's like, give me the best guy. I'll guard point guards. I'll guard their best player. I don't care. And I do think you want those

kind of guys when it comes to playoff time. And if he can have another guy flanking him that is equally as up to the challenge, dealing with perimeter players, that all of a sudden becomes a problem. And I think, I think Chris Finch is a good coach. I do. Yeah. I think he's a good coach. By the way, speaking about McKell Bridges. Yeah.

32 points tonight on 11.19. But the Nets lost at the buzzer just now as we're recording here to an Isaac Okoro three-pointer from the corner. And like for Cleveland. Good omen for Cleveland. Dude, we've like, I feel like we've been on this all year long with with them. O'Coro shooting 40 plus percent. from three since December. That's what they've needed Cleveland has.

Oh, he's wide open. Yeah, but that guy, yeah, but that guy at the wing to actually make those shots. Oh, yeah. He's doing it. And, I mean, for him to get a game-winning jumper tonight, that's pretty cool. Yeah, that's the spacing, right? You think about this very easily in terms of basketball, right? They run that big out, high pick and roll.

You know, you've either got Garland or Mitchell that's turned in the corner with a quick first step. That guy from the corner pinches in. Boom, kick out. All they needed was somebody that can knock that down with regularity. That's why for some amount of time, the Jetty Osmond numbers were really good, right? Just somebody that has to be honored that you could throw it out to and can knock it down. So it's fascinating. You say that he had the game winner, it may turn out.

Though he's still not high volume guy, but that they did find that guy that, like, there's There's going to be that moment in the playoffs where teams are totally selling out on those guards. Totally. And it is the Jetty, it is the Jetty Osmans. It is the Isaac Okoros of the world. Evan Mowgli even. He might have to hit some threes from the corner, Mowgli. Because it can even happen with the best of teams.

You remember last year when we think about the Celtics and their run, I mean, you. you keep coming back to the Grant Williams thing. Yeah. They wanted Grant Williams to take those shots. That's the game plan. And he murdered them. For one night and one night only, but that's all they needed it.

And he did it. It's going to be fascinating to see if the Cavs have that. Who's that other guy that's going to have the, you know, is it a Dean Wade? Is it a Coro? Is it a Osmond? is it a who? You know what I'm hoping for from that,

what you say the 538 has for the playing? Yeah, they've got it as. T-Wolfs, Mavs, OKC, Lakers, right? Yeah, O'KC Lakers. So they don't have the Pelicans in there. You know what I want to happen? I want the Pelicans to get Zion back, make the play in, and then get the seven-seated,

whoop the grizzly's ass in the first round. That's what I walk to happen. The seven, good grief. You're really hanging on, I mean, why don't you just go buy lottery tickets? I'm not going to do that. That's a waste of money. They said that they're going to have him back at the,

they're going to re-evaluate him at the end of the regular season. It's two weeks away from being two weeks away. Yeah, that's when the season's over. I know, I know. I'm just dreaming, that's all. Why don't they even report that? Is it like just in case? I'm looking out the window right now,

seeing some like pink puffy clouds and clearly lose time. I'm just dreaming of Zon. eye on coming back. Those look like it could be a good night sunset tonight. It would be fun if he came back. That would be fun. It would make for a much more entertaining play in if they could get into the play end.

You had like, hey, you had Lakers Pelicans? Oh my God. That would be a dream come true for the NBA. I'd love to see Grizzlies pelicans. I'd love it. I mean, I know. I know you would, but the problem is your team didn't hold up their end of the bargain.

I know. didn't it because Zion got hurt. You're going to be in the lottery, bro. Bad idea betting on Zion's health. I mean, he's going to be in the lottery. You make it to the top of the Spotify charts yet with that? I have not, but somebody did create a guitar tab.

Really? They did? Yes, they tweeted me. He's at UltimateG Guitar.com. Kevin O'Pelican is there. Oh, my God. With the capo and everything and the lyrics. That's when I was like, all right, I made it.

I made it. it. Oh, no. I told, look, I'm not posting. It's not going on Spotify. I told Spotify, I was like, hold on now. You pay me to be a podcast. You want me to be a musician? Let's up this handy. Up the handy. Yeah, I'm not giving you songs, too. I don't get paid for songs. Oh, anyway. Oh, wow. I see, I see Corey from 901. Yeah. Hey, Chris Vernon Show. I wrote the tabs for Kevin O Pelican and tweeted it. Hope you see it. and let me know how spot on they were capable on third, right? Yeah, and he tweeted out everything.

Wow, G to D, Cad 9 to D, G to D. Hilarious. Cad 9 to D. Alarious. Did you really write that in the afternoon of the show that same day? After we went to lunch. You wrote at that time. Yeah, 3.30.

Wow. And I was down there at 5. So, I mean. Is that why you were speeding over? You're a little late. Oh, my God. Unbelievable. I got a ticket on the way to our live show.

I haven't gotten pulled over. I never get pulled over. I love it. 58 in a 45, no less. That's what it was. Really? Really? They got you for that?

Yeah. 508 and a 45. Come on. That's what I said. You got to be kidding me. That's a joke. That's what I said. But I was just trying to get out of there.

58 and 45. That's what it was. I mean, you're going to. contest the ticket or now. I guess my lawyer will. Jeez, 58 and a 40. Get the hell out of here.

That's tough, right? Probably an empty road too and all that, trying to get the quota at the end of the month. What a quote at the end of the month. What a joke. Absolutely joke. Yeah, I certainly wasn't putting anybody in danger. The Mavericks are one of those teams that I just mentioned as one of the

play-in teams. Man, you want to talk about somebody who's got nothing going their way. And the most bizarre play. Maybe you will ever see last night. Mark Cuban's tweeting about it. Immediately after the game, they say they're going to protest the game. That'll fall on deaf ears because they play happened in like the third quarter. But there was a confusion as to whose ball it was.

And it ends up being a two-point game. So, of course, it matters so greatly at the end to say, hey, they totally screwed us on this one play. I just, I got to be honest with you, Kevin. I am still confused. I've watched that replay like three different times. And I've watched the longer version where one of the Mavs players is like over there talking to one of the refs. So like it's unclear. Like the refs obviously didn't even know.

At least one of them doesn't know what's going on because he's on the wrong side of the floor. And then just the throw in under the basket. I mean, it's a shacked and a fool. If there ever was a shacked at a fool, I still don't understand how there was that level of mass confusion on a play. But it overshadowed the fact that the Golden State Uncle Ricos, who I say the Uncle Ricos because they talk about how awesome they used to be, finally got a road win.

What was that? Like they're eighth? So probably big congratulations on their eighth road win of the season, and it was overshadowed by this bumbled call that took place in the game. But the Warriors didn't get a win, and the Mavericks, like I said, just nothing going their way. Nothing. Do you think they're going to miss the playoffs, the Mavericks, that is?

They're trending so down right now. Kyrie out. Don't you think Luca is going to come up enough? You know, just... to keep them into playing. I just think you've got to really fall apart. I know, to get surpassed by Utah or New Orleans. Yeah, you've got to really fall apart.

I mean, it's just you've got to lose so many games. Because even these teams are all going like 500 or a game over or a game under virtually every 10. That's what we were just talking. You see the push Oklahoma City's made just by going 8 and 2. They've flown up the standings to where they can. could be a solid playoff team. They're not that far back just because of their recent play. And so I just think you got to lose, you really got to lose like damn there every game for all those teams to overtake you.

So I do think they'll be in the play-in, though. I do not think that they will be back up in solid playoff standing. I mean, you saw them in person. They're pretty lame, man. Now, you saw them without Luca, but now you've got the, the, the, the Kyrie issue. If they don't have Kyrie and Luca, then it's like, okay.

Jay and Hardy time. Hardee's been pretty good. Well, I mean, you're probably going to have like 98% usage rate for Luca Dodger. I mean, seriously. Just hope Reggie Bullock and Tim Hardaway and Maxie Kleber can knock down some threes. But really, really tough for them.

It just says a lot that the thunder are ahead of them. and the timbre rolls are ahead of them. It also says, I mean, I hear I'm about to duck, but I would 100% rather have the Thunder's roster, wouldn't you? Yeah. Now and going forward. There's one guy I love on the Mavericks.

Luca. One, usually teams have like three or four guys, and I'd be like, oh man, I'd love to have that guy on my team. Yeah, whereas, okay, see, it's like you love SGA, you love Giddy. You love you love both Jalen Williams. You love Lou Dort and what he's capable of doing on defense. You know, you love Chet. You love Chet with what he can potentially be.

You love- No, I love Chet because of the tweet today. Tell me you saw that. I didn't see it. Oh, my God. I'm looking it up right now. I'm not going to talk about it out of the air. Okay. But please go look at Ched Holmgren's Twitter account.

I spit my drink on my laptop. Chad Holmgren is legitimately funny. Chad Holmgren, so he quote tweeted somebody saying, Chad Holmgren and Josh Gidey give us the best back shots. And he said, hey, oh. Dude. Slow down, Chad. Chad Hongren, who knew?

Who knew? Chet Omgren and Josh Giddy give us the best backshot. It's obvious, I mean, the guy meant pictures from behind. I don't think that's the way Chet took it. In the Eastern Conference, 538, have it being the heat, the hawks, the raptors, and the bulls. That's probably what it's going to be. The best backshot in the NBA. Then you would end up with Heat Celtics, which is not.

not what Celtics fans want to see. Or I guess heat hawks. Nobody's really particularly scared of the Hawks. Raptors, Bulls, nobody really believes in them. Trey Young recently, he piled on the ref topic saying that they should be fined or suspended for missed calls.

So he's probably going to get a real favorable whistle down the stretch. I agree. You think so? Yeah. Like publicly? Yeah, I mean, maybe not publicly, but why not behind closed doors? I mean, I think behind closed doors.

Tom Havisner just had the thing where Ben Taylor after the Fred Van Fleet Technicles has been demoted in games. That's what happens. That's what happens. Yeah, they didn't announce that. You don't have to announce it. No, I think, Trey Young and these guys, they want these guys publicly shamed.

Well, maybe that's what is needed. You know, you get the referees. They're showing their faces on camera, you know, putting on a show when they collect their calls into the camera and all that. They want to be part of it, too. Maybe they do need public accountability. I mean, they do get, that's what usually happens. Like, they get demoted.

They don't get to do as many playoff games or finals games, whatever. But then I turn on the finals every year. And Mark Davis is a crew chief. And it's like, what the hell? What are we doing? Seriously. What are we doing? So, I don't know.

I don't, look, I'm no, I'm no official lover. So if they, if they wanted to do, if they, I, I don't think that any organization is going to publicly defame their, employees like that. It is an extremely hard sport to call. But they have really struggled with getting new guys in the fold since, you know, there was that year we were just, we were just so used to all those guys, right? Bennett Salvatore and Joey Crawford and Dick Bavetta. And it was all the same guys for our entire childhood. And they really brought in a lot of new guys and a lot that you don't even recognize. You tweeted out that video the other night in the Clipper game, which was absolutely mortifying of the young official that went

nuts-o with the text and chucked. Terrence man. That was embarrassing. I mean, but nobody even knows who that official is. Like, for years, you would know Danny Crawford, Joey Crawford, you know, Dick Povetta, all of them. You would, pretty much anybody that was in a big NBA game, you had a familiarity with them. Now, you tweeted out that video.

I have no idea who that is, honestly. Like, I know Zach Zarba and there's the two Goebel brothers and there's Scott Foster. I mean, I guess I know more than that I think I do. But like, you have some of that, right? That was a young in his feelings overzealous referee. For anybody that didn't see it, you can go to Twitter to go to Kevin's feed. and it's unbelievable, like truly unbelievable

to watch a guy get thrown out of the game, two techs in a row. After a horrible no-call against the Kauai Leonard layup, right? Yeah, Kauai got a tactical, and then Terence Mann went over complaining and immediately got two techs ejected. Just a total ego trip by that ref, embarrassing. Tough.

And for every game matters for the Clippers. right now, right? For anybody. Especially with no Paul, George. Yep. For two to three weeks, no less. A couple other things we do want to mention before we get out of here. Top of the East standings, the biggest thing to keep an eye on is this hardened Achilles soreness.

Years ago, when I was covering a team that Mike Conley had this and ended up just like playing through it, playing through it, and it bothered him. and there's usually like some kind of bone in the back that's usually rubbing that is causing this. And eventually it leads to you having to get something removed in your heel. But most guys play through it. But it's just something really to keep an eye on because you know how important Hardin is to it. And there's no question Philly has a legitimate chance at winning a championship this year. So you never want to hear that.

You never want to hear Achilles soreness. it's one to keep an eye on, especially when you've got to get 16 more wins to win a title. 16 more wins to win a title. And so keep an eye out for that. Probably saw the Michael Malone comments about the ugly, nasty MVP debate. David Aldridge wrote a column about this. There's really good.

And I do think it is warranted. It is unfortunate. You and I have talked about this a lot. This is not something that we argue about, though we argue about a lot of things. We don't argue about the MVP. I think that you and I have always had the perspective of we have truly amazing players having amazing seasons in the NBA. And nobody's an idiot for having an opinion on this.

No, not at all. You know? Like, I mean, you're not a fool if you have an opinion on this that is different than mine. Because I don't think you can go wrong again for a second consecutive year. the idea that there is some horribly wrong answer as to who is the most valuable player is foolishness because any of them you could make an argument deserves to be the most valuable player in the league and yes your definition can fluctuate people view at different ways but my god these are all all time greats and i think alderge's point was

we don't have to get in the business of tearing i got to down and talk about everything the guy's not good at or what his deficiencies are in order to build another one up. And that is kind of what it devolved into. Well, that's what I love about doing this show with you, Chris. I mean, I feel like all through the years, aside from your Rudy Gobert slander, it's all pretty fair. And ultimately, we always, when we debate and we talk about what is or isn't. We're not tearing down the other guy necessarily as much as just talking about

what we think is better. And I think oftentimes with the MVP debate, it does become trying to diminish the talents of somebody else. And it's like, yo, all three of these guys, Yanos, Embed, and Yokic are going to be Hall of Famers.

One of them already has won a championship. Hopefully at some point, Embedd and Yokic get theirs. These guys are all absolutely incredible there and i think it's a real for a long time we were in a league without a lot of star big men and it seemed like we might not have them anymore oh the big man's extinct you know i remember charx a couple years ago you know like he for the ringer he wrote a story about ogy nanovi the future of the nba big man we were at that point where someone as smart as charx was like are we going full small ball with a bunch

of draymons like a bunch of impressionists well no that goodness we're not because of guys like Embed and Yokic and Yonis that have emerged into just all-timers. And like I talked about it with Bill Simmons on his podcast, all the other great talents across the league from the older guys like your Stephen Adams to the guys like Miles Turner

to the Robert Williams of the world, to Brooke Lopez, Janice's teammate, and to the young guys, Al Perrin Shen Gung, we talked about him, Carl Anthony Towns, all of them. Rudy Gobert. The league is staffed with Biggs. And thank goodness it is because the league's a whole lot more funner with the top end talent, Embed, Yokic and Yanis to the bottom of the league with the young, actually, up-and-coming guys.

I'm thankful it's happened. Thank goodness. And make no mistake, the guy that everybody is, you know, so excited to be able to have the opportunity to draft is about to come in and... Victor. Could change everything. You got like the 7-foot-4s. They're saying his agent doesn't even want him. measured anymore because he keeps growing, right?

It's almost like it would hurt him to be taller. But, I mean, the kid may be eight foot tall by the time the draft comes around. And he's like, like Steph Curry, I think once said, it's like you're watching something like a freaking creative player on 2K. Yeah, exactly. That's really what it is. Yes. In the NBA, a couple other notes I want to mention.

Gary Payton, Jr., coming back, this will certainly help the Warriors. They, it will certainly help them feel more like themselves. just by getting him back. And obviously we're still waiting on the Wiggins thing. I did want to mention Emmanuel quickly, who has just taken the Sixth Man of the Year award by the horns, man. He has just been out of this world. He has progressed as an offensive player.

He has been this defensive dynamo. They have just been absolutely fantastic. And it's cool to see a young player who, has excelled in such a massive way in his role as this six-man and become absolutely devastating. And it's one of the things that we talked about during our live show. The Knicks are dangerous, man. And a big part of that is that they bring quickly off the bench. And when it's time to get stops or it's time to cause some chaos or make a big play or hit a big shot, he's there for it.

And I do think that because Brockton is such a massively boring pick, and because the Celtics have faltered here, these last like, you know, 20, 30 games, I think Quickly's going to end up winning that award. I think he's got the buzz and I think he's going to be very deserving of it. Absolutely agree. You know, I think quickly is going to be the sixth man in the year. It's a cool story because we did not know when we were. We were talking about this even two months ago.

Yeah. And he really just blew up. And he's a defensive ace, too. No question. Oh, one last thing before we get out of here. There was an announcement today in college basketball about a player declaring for the draft. And that's Juan Howard's kid, right? Jet Howard.

I've talked to NBA people that really like him. Where are you on him? Well, I mean, like, you're right, NBA people. A lot of split opinions on him. a lot of people don't think he's ready but if you're projecting long term he's 6-8 he can get as a high IQ

like moving without the ball you can see him doing things like Jamal Murray you know Desmond Bain guys like that but he's 68 he's bigger he can shoot 37% on the year this year from Michigan there's a lot to like with Jed Howard he's going to figure things out defensively I'm going to figure that end of the floor out

but with his size you hope that happens over the course of time a lot to like where do you have him on your big board. Let's see. Because I saw that announcement today and I was like, he is 17 on my public big board right now. So top 20 pick.

Yeah, 17 on my public big board. I think I have it slightly higher on like my Excel worksheet, which will be the next update. I think next week we'll do the public big board update. Gotcha. Well, I mean, that's, look, that's one of the best 20 players in the draft or at least the highest ranked players in the draft. Also gets a little bit of a bump for having an all.

awesome name. Yes, Jet. Jet Howard is a friggin great name. It's a great name. It's a great thing. Like,

I mean, if I'm choosing between, you know, I don't know, Charles Wilson and Jed Howard, I take Jed Howard, not that Charles Wilson

is a player in this draft. This is a good, it is a good name draft. Oh, Scoot and Jet. Scoot Henderson. Amen Thompson. Osar Thompson. Greedy Dick.

Jet Howard. Noah Clowny Johnny Fagina These are no Johnny Fagina He's a second round pick Yeah Oh okay

Yeah Hame Hockes Hamé Hockes is an awesome That's a great name Yeah Great name Good name draft

It is It's a really good Maybe that's what I'll do For the rigor Maybe I'll just rank The draft picks by name If you want to do that We can put it in

The draft guy Just let me know the top names in the drafts. Wemby? I mean, are we calling him Wemby? Yeah, that's, I mean, that's he, what he calls himself. I know.

I mean, everybody calls him. That counts as a name, right? He's Wemby. Yeah, he's Wemby, yeah. That's what he counts. Yeah. That's cool, too. Yeah, it's a cool, cool name.

Kyle Philopowski. No. No, not a cool name. No, that is not cool. How about Bryce Sensibar? Sensibar is a good last name. fun to say. You know, like the last name, Sensible? Who cares? He sounds like

a bust. How about C.D. Sosco? Yes. Yeah, that's a good name, right? Yes. C.D. Sosco? You kind of laughed when I said, Grady, Dick. You don't like that name? Or it's just funny, because his name's Dick? Oh, no, I'm not childish. I just thought

that your enunciation of it was interesting. Oh, okay. What, do you think I'm juvenile over here? Yeah, clearly. You know who, whatever that rapper's name was. Corday. Corday, yeah, never heard of them. That's not back to like Corday is not a big deal.

I have never heard of Corny. You don't listen to hip-hop, though. No, I don't. You're right, exactly. So, I mean, how would you know who that is? So I guess that answers it. I just don't listen to hip-hop anymore. Yeah.

You should. He's good. You'd like him. He's actually one of the rappers nowadays that's really got something to say. He's got something to say. Good lyrics. This guy's got something to say. Cordy's a smart guy.

I'll pull a Skip Bayless and say, Josh, and listen to him. Oh, God. To parade inside my city, yeah. That was hilarious, dude. When I did your local show the other day and we watched that clip, that was great. To parade inside my city, yeah! Yeah! Slam the table.

Oh, for God's sake. That was so funny. Unbelievable. What a guy. Kevin, it has been a week to remember to say the. least. And now we are headed to the real home stretch of the NBA season. And we're going to be talking about playing and playoff basketball very, very soon. And by next time we speak, we'll have a final four set. So maybe we'll have some great NBA prospects that are going to

be involved in that on college basketball's biggest stage also. Thank you to our executive producer, Jesse Lopez, as always. And Kevin, I'll talk to you next week. Have a good weekend.