The Ryen Russillo Podcast - NBA Playoff Preview and Picks With Frank Isola

Episode Date: April 17, 2025

Russillo runs through the most interesting first-round playoff matchups and shares some predictions along the way (1:10). Then, he’s joined by Frank Isola to dive deeper into the NBA playoffs, discussing how Houston will defend Steph, whether the refs will impact MIN-LAL, and hypothetical Knicks trades (23:15). Plus, Life Advice with Ceruti (1:09:16)! Is my wife a dick? Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Frank Isola Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Get anything delivered on Uber Eats. www.ubereats.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to the Ryan Risillo podcast presented by FanDuel, America's number one sportsbook, is the best place to bet on the NBA. Because not only does FanDuel have all of your favorite player props, but now you can even check out stats and recent performance trends right in the app before you make your picks. Just download the FanDuel sportsbook app today to get in on the action. The ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available and listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Must be 21 plus and present in select states, gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit rg-help.com. A massive NBA Playoff preview. I'll go through the series that I want to go into depth on and then pick those. And we have Frank Isola. So we'll talk playoffs with him.

We'll probably talk about a few other headlines, even a sneaky Knicks offseason transaction. And we've got full war gone life advice. A lot to get to with the playoffs upon a Sierra in the NBA. So I'll go through the series that I want to go through. Uh, I have all sorts of notes in the play and stuff that I'm probably not going to get to any of it now, uh, because last night's games were disgusting. And I'm not going to do a breakdown of it now because last night's games were disgusting and I'm not gonna do a breakdown of Golden State Memphis two days later.

So look, I did not like when the playing was announced because I just don't think teams, certainly this year you have teams that are south of 40 wins getting another chance at this, but then when the games are really good, it's like, hey, the games are really good. So it seemed like people like to play in games when they're good.

It seems like people don't like playing games when they're not good games. Crazy concept. As I've said the entire time, if it's a great game, I'm going to enjoy a great game. I may not like the system. Same thing with college football expansion. It doesn't mean I don't love some of these home venues or just the overhead shot of the shoe going, wow, those Tennessee dudes look cold, all right? It's just the principle of these things that a team like Dallas or Sacramento still has an outside chance of being able to get in. We also could start calling the play-in when Atlanta plays.

But let's talk about the teams that are in the playoffs. Let's do that right now. All right, I'm gonna run through this series. I'm gonna give you a pick at the end of them, random thoughts, try to get this done before Saturday. Milwaukee Pacers, it's the better team versus the much better player. Certainly that you don't need me for that one. The Pacers at one point 35 and 28 finished on a 15-4 close, got the 50 wins. So you can look at some of the teams,

there's a lot of teams that seem to end with really nice records. It's like, they're picking at the right time, or their schedule was really easy, especially if you look at some of the teams in the East and half the conference side and kind of shut it down. But the Pacers have nice wins in there. They got Milwaukee twice, they got Minnesota twice,

they had the one point loss to the Lakers, LeBron made that shot, they beat Denver. Cleveland, those are wins, but Cleveland was sitting people in those. So there's at least some good stuff to look at there. After the All-Star break, the fifth best record at 29, Oklahoma City 24 and four, Boston 22 and five, Cleveland 28, Golden State 20 and seven.

So Pacers, you know, kind of in a nice group there. So this is now 29 games after the All-Star break with the eighth best defense in the NBA, he stuttered. The Pacers, again, we're talking about the Pacers, the eighth best defense in the NBA after the All-Star break. That is a little surprising. Oddly, 13th best offense where Milwaukee finished the season also at a kind of under the radar, 19 and 10 close. Um,

but they're much better on offense. Milwaukee is, and they are on defense. Um, Milwaukee also the best shooting team in the NBA. If you look at true shooting stuff post the all-star break. So they figured some stuff out. And I also think Bobby Porter's coming back, only playing three games, but just plug and play 16 and nine is being undersold in all of this. Giannis, by the way, if you look at his matchup against the Pacers, he does well against them.

The Pacers don't really have much of a chance of shooting, slowing him down at all. Uh, he's 65% from the floor against them, but they did limit his free throw attempts, eight a game in the regular season matchups against Indiana, whereas like, okay, what are some of the bad ones? Giannis averaged 17 free throws a game against Atlanta. I may need to double check that because I think I looked at it twice there.

Giannis, by the way, closing the season at 30-12, six and a half, he's the first player in the NBA in its history to put together three different 30, 10 and five seasons. So look, the Siakam numbers against Giannis are bad. The Turner numbers when he's matched up against Giannis are even worse. This team can shoot it really well. They're going to run everything through Giannis as we understand

his playmaking has been terrific. He doesn't take threes, which has made him even more efficient. But one through seven, one through eight, I like the Pacers better. Pacers and seven. Clippers at Denver. So the Clippers at one point were 32 and 29. They finished on an 18 and three close. So they got to 50 wins. 25 and 11 with Kawhi. The shooting numbers for Kawhi are consistently spectacular since he's been a regular guy and playing multiple minutes, meaning more minutes, you know, not just like on a minutes restriction.

The advanced stuff, they'll tell you that he's not, he is not the guy. And you know, maybe it's a little unfair to be like, are you comparing the peak Kawhi? Like that guy was in the belt conversation as best basketball player in the world. But they are down significantly from the run of where he was with some of the other stuff. like that guy was in the belt conversation as best basketball player in the world. But they are down significantly from the run

of where he was with some of the other stuff. Jokic three games against the Clippers, 28, 10 and six, taking 20 shots a game. His shooting splits are insane against the Clippers this year, 54 from the floor, 52% from three. So, you know, I've toyed with the idea of like at least Zubotz is somebody who will physically hold up against Jokic.

But again, Jokic, maybe depending on how he wants to set up the offense, because he basically decides like, oh, you're gonna do this, well, now I'm gonna do this. If he wants to bring Zuh all the way out to the three point line, which I imagine he will do multiple times throughout this series,

does that mean guys are just cutting like crazy off of him? Are they going to play him straight up with Zhu? They're probably going to try all sorts of different things because that's what you're going to have to do against a player that's this good. But at least over the course of a series or the course of a 40 minute plus night, fighting for rebounds, right? Handling all the screening that Zhu does, all of the stuff that is beyond just the box score, dealing with somebody in that physicality, that at times could be far more taxing than it would be

in some of the other potential Western Conference matchups. So I think it's a bit like the cat thing where it's not like cat stops Yokech in that series that Minnesota wins last year, but as you watch the games play out, Kat at least because he wasn't dealing with some super quick guard with the ball in his hands getting crossed up 30 feet away and looking like he has no chance on a closeout. He knew that the target was always going to be

right in front of him. And as long as he at least tried to make it harder on the easy stuff, Yokech could do around the rim. Maybe Zou can do some of those same things. And then it's really up to everybody else deciding to stay with their man and all the off ball cuts. If they're playing him, if they double him, obviously

more likely than he would be getting it to other guys. The thing that I keep coming back to with this is the wing matchup defensively against the wings for the Clippers. Now look, Kawhi hasn't played in any of these games during the regular season. The Nuggets did a really good job with Harden. His shooting splits against the Nuggets here, not very good, 39% and 32%. Norm has gone off in these games, but if you're looking at,

I mean the last time they played was January 8th. I think Jokic was out of that one as well. So there's really nothing regular season here to go off of. But I just don't think, as I looked at the assignments of the last time that Jokic did play in this one, you had Brown on Hardin, Michael Porter Jr. on Patoom who started, Jokic was Zubotz. And then you've got Murray maybe freelancing off of Don a little bit and they actually had Gordon on Powell. So maybe it's Gordon on Kawhi, Brown on Harden. And then when they bring in Norm,

like is it Peyton Watson? We're obviously gonna say pick it a little bit more. And I think you also have to worry about the Westbrook revenge minutes where there's some really nice moments in a regular season but if he gets emotional and gets super fired up and remind us why the Clippers couldn't wait to get him out of the building last year after that Mav series, that's not going to work in Denver's favor. So don't love this one but I got Clippers in six. Minnesota and the Lakers. So when the Lakers had that 18 and three stretch

from mid January to the beginning of March through the first week in March, and I remember doing the Sunday pod with Bill and I was like, have you guys looked at, well, I should just say one person, but in general, I wanted everybody to pay attention to this, the splits on where the Lakers were defensively, because during that 18 and three stretch,

they were the number one defense in the NBA. That made zero sense to me. And yes, pieces moving in and out. I talked about the coaching and their, I think more adaptable strategy based on the opponent night in and night out. They do a really good job of preparing their guys. Hey, these are the rules tonight.

These are the rules. They're gonna be completely different a couple of nights later. I also think it was worth mentioning that not having D'Angelo Russell out there for 30 minutes is just going to help your defense by default. Looking at how the rotation was a little bit different, Connect was out of the rotation because he was just a disaster defensively. Dorian Phoenix-Smith is a plus. Vando being out there just hacked the shit out of dudes. Depending on where you were on the LeBron defensive effort pendulum,

him playing better over that stretch is a big part of it too. So I think we have to just kind of give LeBron the benefit of the doubt that he's going to be a lot more locked in because it's the playoffs and some of the stuff that he's, you know, the regular season cheating on defense is probably not something we're going to see all that much, but it still didn't make a ton of sense to me that that was the best over 21 games. Like they're the best defense. So on the season, they're 17th. The on the season numbers probably not as relevant.

But after the All-Star break, guess where the Lakers are defensively? 17th again. So did we fall in love with the idea that they're capable of that? And that's who they're going to be in this series against Minnesota? Or is that just a fluky 21 game sample

where it's like, well, they're not, they might be better, but they're not gonna be that good. I don't know the answer, but I think I may know where I'm leaning with that one. They were splitting the regular season to two, three of the games before mid December. So not a lot to go on in that. I went to the Minnesota at LA game where Ant was ejected.

The Lakers took 46 free throws. I'll be honest with you, I thought the Timberwolves were fouling the shit out of them. So, you know, I got out of hand. Ant splits against them four games, 40% from the floor, 32% from three, and only three and a half field goal attempts per game. So they've done a really good job of containing him.

So if I'm picking them, why is that happening? Look, there's two things that I think are really important here. Randall's effectiveness off of the double teams where I think that you're going to see the Lakers more often than not. If you're using a screen with Ant, you're just going to be seeing two defenders in his face the entire time, like we saw throughout much of the regular season. So it's going to be up to Randall. It's also going to be, you know, you hope Jayden can just be baseline from three and not have disastrous nights.

And speaking to Jayden McDaniels, who we all love defensively, I had him on my all second team defense. Look, he's not going to be able to hold up physically against Luca. Um, and we saw some of that last year in the playoffs and Luca in that series, 32, 10 and eight, 47 and 43% shooting splits on 11, three point attempts per game when he was with Dallas last year and they took out the Timberwolves. I also think there's a Rudy versus small conversation here, but look, even though there's going to be some moments, maybe even a night where it looks pretty bad for Rudy

as he's getting worked, maybe on a Luca switch or a LeBron switch, the times where is he going to close on Rui Hachimura who hasn't taken a ton of threes against Minnesota in the regular season, hasn't made any of them either, but does that change or they're like, we want you shooting that immediately. Sometimes you can be a little bit more tuned up when you're like, part of the game plan is we want you shooting those threes. So get more attempts up than you did in the regular season. Because look, that late February game when they played against each other, ruining only played 18 minutes in that game because he left. So, um, look, I think Rudy's, whenever those moments look bad and guys like

me that haven't always loved him, you're not going to see from me like, Hey, you probably have to get them out of there because then the Nas Reed Randall combo against enormous players in Luca and LeBron driving because you're going to see more drives from LeBron as the playoffs certainly matter more. Then Reeves in his craftiness of just getting himself free and getting a defender leaning one way and it's not like an Iverson crossover, but that go right around the back thing, bring it back to the other side.

He's just brilliant at it. So even in those moments where it looks like Rudy's a little lost and asked to do a ton, you just see even in a down Rudy, your defensively teams when he's out, they're like, all right, it's go time. I have Minnesota in seven. Little zag there.

Golden State Houston. All right. So after the amend Curry. Spotlight game against Curry where Curry went 110, I still think Butler should have taken more than seven shots. If that's what they're going to do,

because it wasn't just Thompson, it was hard doubling. It was running Curry into a second defender, even with the men staying on him, primarily there. That's part of the thought process of which way I'm going to go with this. Cause that part of you're on the golden state side of things, you're like, is that just going to happen? But I, you know, look, even with defensive matchups, like, Hey, I like

this option better, we all know these dudes are going to get their points. Then when I look at the ed part of the golden state matchup from the play in the other night, um, you know, ed. You could get on his case for a bunch of things in that game, but you also have to give it to them that when he was in there, it changed the way Golden State thought about their attacks in the rim and even more importantly, he was terrific on the boards and over the course of the game, like that's just asking a lot of Draymond, even though they went with some loony minutes in there and then Quentin Post,

obviously hitting some shots as well. But Post, it's not like he's just in there to bang bodies all night long. I think more than anything, it's his spacing and hoping to pull his defender away. But they went with Edie on Butler, which burned him a little bit in the first half and kind of got Butler going as he had a great night. So the reason I'm even bringing up any of that stuff from two nights ago is

that will Houston sacrifice offensive spacing to think over the course of seven games, the best chance for them to win is Shangoon playing his 30 plus minutes a night and then even more from Adams as it feels like they've ramped up this option specifically for the playoffs. So they've played five games. Golden State has done a great job

against the back court here for Houston. It's actually so terrible, these numbers for Green and Van Vliet, that I don't even know that these are repeatable here again, but Green's 12 a game, 12 and a half a game against Golden State in the five games. His shooting splits 32 and 25% from three. Van Vliet's even worse.

In his four games, nine a game. His shooting splits 22,, 22% from three. I think that's so bad, it's actually not repeatable here. Adams was out, played 18 minutes, out six minutes, 17 minutes, rebounding edge over the five games. You're like, well, will Houston be a little too big for Golden State? Over the five games, Houston's only a plus three

in total rebounds. So Golden State held up enough with one game that they're really good. The other games were all pretty even. Then one game Houston was plus 10. So I do wonder if this is about hoping there's a little curry magic left. I'm certainly guilty of that because I'm a huge Steph fan and just wanted to see a little bit more, just one more run, which may be expiring in the second round of this. So that's probably being a little like, hey, this is what I want to see out of this. And then I think there's still some hesitation on me

on what Houston's going to be like with that closing group and what they'll look like. I mean, the funny thing is if you look at clutch wins, Cleveland has the most in the NBA with Houston, right? They both have 26 wins. Houston is 26 and 18. Golden State's third in wins at 25 and 20. Not outrageous to only be five games over 500 with somebody like Steph, but the net rating for both of these teams

is like negative one point. So the record is not a reflection of maybe how they've played and how you felt about them at times. Golden State against good teams this year, 500 or better in the expanded standings, 22 and 19. That's better than the Lakers. That's better than Denver. That's better than the Clippers.

That's better than Minnesota. So that's in there a little bit. So it may just be that, look, if Houston wins this series, they slow down Curry. Butler has a couple nights where he's just not as engaged as you need him to be, which is not normally the case for him in the playoffs. So maybe we shouldn't expect that. And that Houston finds something they feel really good about

closing with offensively. Um, so I don't think it's crazy to pick Houston this one, but I'm going Golden State, the Warriors in six. Okay, Detroit at New York. Pistons have won the last three. That April 10th game where Cade went off was terrific, but again, Nohar or OG and Inobi in that one. Brunson since his return.

So post all-star break, let's do a little on that. Detroit's 15 and 12, New York's 15 and 13. In those 28 games, Brunson's played in 12 of them. So Brunson's right back to his 25 a game. Knicks actually have had the slightly better defense than Detroit post All-Star. It's pretty similar. And Cade just was incredible in that April 10th game.

But again, what do we really put into that other than we know Cade just was incredible in that April 10th game. But again, what do we really put into that other than we know Cade is really good and New York had two less perimeter options in dealing with him. His regular season numbers against the Knicks he's been lighting these dudes up. 35 and eight shooting splits, 56 and 52%. I also like that Detroit has let him get engaged

off the ball a little bit. I know it's the simplest thing, but sometimes when you're telling the defense, hey, I'm bringing the ball up the court, and this is what the first thing is gonna be, and you've already seen it a million times, excuse me. Just having somebody be like, hey, have Shrouder bring it up,

have Cade come off of something, and now this is how we wanna get into our offense. It's so simple, but sometimes it is needed, and it's crazy to me how often teams are just like, Oh, I guess we're just going to get stuck doing this over and over and over again. Now, having said that, when the ball ends up back with Cade, I worry about the second on ball creator. I think for any team that has any kind of playoff aspirations, I'm not talking

about Detroit winning the East, but going up against a tough Knicks team here that is fully formed again. Like who's the second guy with the ball that I'm like, okay, when Kate gets bottled up, it's a bit like the Randall, Minnesota thing. Like you really do Randall with the ball, closing out playoff games in a huge spot. Maybe, maybe, but Detroit, like who is it?

Because if you look at the drive chart for this Cade clearly leads Detroit and drives for game 17 a game. Ivy was second. He's not around anymore. Dennis Schroeder 8 1 half. Alright, well that's not terrible because if you look at the next chart, Brunson's 18 drives a game.

Cats. Like at 8 so what's the difference right? Well, the difference is cats also one of the best three point shooters in the entire league and has been his entire career. So even with those drives that I think are clunky, that seem to work more than I would ever expect him to, um, they also have bridges. So the numbers may not play it out here. You know that OG, if he knows what he's doing on the drive, as opposed to freelancing, he's so powerful and he gets close to the rim. He's pretty good on some of that stuff.

And I think heart moves the ball, right. And even miles, uh, that second guy, when Kate gets stuck, what is it? Is it a Beasley three? There'll be a lot of that, but is there somebody on the ball that can create when things get really messy for Detroit? I don't think they're going to have enough with that. And that's why I am picking the Knicks in six. Anything else I missed?

Oh yeah, Orlando at Boston. Salts in five. I think we're good. And as I said at the top, you can't do the documentary on the playing game without spending a lot of time filming in Atlanta. Look, this is pretty clear that Miami has a standard that they were not gonna go into that Chicago game,

but that was an alarming, alarming effort from Chicago defensively, but levels to this. So as much as that was a pick-em, Miami's now plus one in Atlanta. So it feels a bit like you're setting yourself up for being wrong for the wrong reasons and then going the other way and then being wrong all over again. Welcome to trying to figure this stuff out. Hero went off in that. So we were close to getting the

45 pointer. If the game had been closer, that guy, Hero might've had 50 in that game. So on the other side of things, Atlanta, not super impressive in that Orlando matchup. So what do we have here? We have Miami actually getting a point at Atlanta, which makes no sense based on the momentum and how both these teams looked the last time they played. So because it makes no sense, you almost want to go with Atlanta with this spot, but I'm just not going to. So we'll go Miami plus one, we'll go Tyler Hero, two or more made threes plus one sixteen.

The Ryan Rosillo podcast is brought to you by FanDuel. The NBA playing tournament gives some teams one last shot at making the playoffs, but FanDuel is giving all new customers a shot at $250 in bonus bets. Join FanDuel today. You'll get started with $250 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. From three pointers to steals to assists, FanDuel has. You'll get started with $250 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. From three-pointers to steals to assists, FanDuel has so many ways to bet your favorite player props. Plus, after the game tips off, you can even combine live prop bets into a same-game parlay

for a chance to win big. Just visit FanDuel.com slash Ryan, R-Y-E-N, to get in on all the NBA playing tournament action. That's FanDuel.com slash Ryan for your shot at $250 in bonus bets. Make every moment more with Fandual official sports betting partner of the NBA. Must be 21 and older in present and select states

or 18 plus in present and DC. First online real money wager only $5 first deposit required bonus issued is not withdrawal bonus bets which expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply, see terms at sportsbook.fandl.com. Gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit rg-help.com. Always happy when we get Frank Isola on the podcast. He is a busy man. You can listen to him every morning on SiriusXM, of course, also on ESPN and Nets pre and post

where I know I'm locked in learning about rotations in April. Yes. Yeah. What's up, man? What's up? I like that introduction. You've sounded like you had to give the always happy to have and that means that you probably called some other guests they couldn't make it.

So here I am. I'm ready to go. Sometimes that's definitely true, but you're with your schedule. You're actually a tougher book. And whenever we hear like, so Rudy goes, Hey, what about I sold? I go, yeah, absolutely. It almost feels like an annual thing. I'd have you on even more, man. And hang on a second. Is he the one that got you involved in soccer? I saw you throw it a tweet. Was that on Sunday? Maybe you had like a. Byron.

That was it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, the Byron Dorman came. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That was a good one. Yeah. Really was. Really was. It was a terrific match. There was nothing on and it was on really early. So I was kind of starting my day, throwing it on in the background. You know what I've realized is I've become more international the last few years is between soccer and F1, like you just realized like what a great viewing experience because the emotion is never turned off where, you know, whether it's the NBA

or the NFL or certainly the NCAA tournament, which it should be illegal to have a timeout, one possession, and then another commercial timeout, where there's a disruption and with our attention spans being what they are now, like as much as I love basketball, when I'm disrupted that much, like I'll lose that kind of that tension, that anxiety that you have when you've spent two hours watching something. And with soccer, it's incredible because you're never really told, like there's never a moment where you feel like, okay,

well now I'm gonna screw around on my phone because now I'm waiting for, I'm granted I know there's reviews, but the lack of disruption in soccer makes it a more appealing watch than ever before for me. All right, so during the Houston Duke game, I taped it and then I rewatched it. Then at the end with one twenty seven to go, Houston was at the free throw line. They made I think two free throws

and Kelvin Sampson called timeout. So from that point until the end of the game, the final eighty seven seconds included four timeouts, three replay reviews, and it took 25 minutes. It was insanity. I think that is a big problem. Certainly the NBA has it as well. One quick soccer thing, which you'll appreciate. So last year, a buddy of mine who lives in London tells me that Harry Wilson, who's from Wales

and plays for Fulhamham is a huge NBA fan. He says, he's gonna be over there once the season is over and that'll be during the Eastern Conference Finals. And he thinks there's a chance either the Knicks or the Celtics could be in the Conference Finals. Can you get him tickets? So of course, I always like promise things which I know I really can't deliver.

So I was like, yeah, I could get him tickets. So sure enough, he ends up coming over and by then Boston had been in it. So who am I gonna call for tickets and I'm willing to buy them. I call up your good buddy, Brian Scalabrini. Brian says, how big of a player is he? I said, I think he's pretty big.

So Brian gets his seats where third row on the baseline, right behind a couple of rows behind Donnie Wahlberg. It's game one of the conference finals. What happens? Jaylen Brown hits the big shot at the end of regulation. Donnie Wahlberg. It's game one of the conference finals. What happens? Jaylen Brown hits the big shot at the end of regulation. Game goes into overtime. Indiana blew that game, obviously. Boston wins it, the guy Harry Wilson, he's over the moon.

So he becomes friendly with Brian. Become more friendly with him. We actually had him on radio after he had scored two late goals. He came in as a sub, tied the match up, and then won it late, like in the 95th minute. We have him on radio, huge NBA fan. Think about this.

And for the NBA, they have to love stuff like this. The kid's from Wales. He's playing in the Liverpool Academy. He's living in somebody's house who doesn't really even know they're just housing him. He is able to, through the internet, he becomes in love with the NBA. He loves Oklahoma City,

the teams with Kevin Durant and those guys. So I actually told them, I said, why don't you do this? Since you love the NBA and corporate a basketball theme kind of goal celebration. I kid you not Ryan, that weekend, they're playing. I have the video scores a goal. I'm like, he's not going to do it. He runs into the corner and does that thing where they slides I said grenade a grenade and then To the grenade he runs and slides two minutes later

He scores again and he runs to the corner and he does like a James Harden dribbling between the legs and shoots like a jumper And guess what the goal and shoots like a jumper. And guess what? The goal ends up getting called back, but what do I care? I tape, I'm now rewinding it. I tape it off of TV and I post it on Twitter. And within five minutes, you know, copyright with NBC, my account gets suspended.

I gotta like, you know, agree to that I made a mistake and did all this stuff and my account got reestablished. But how about that? I almost created a goal celebration. The Premier League, I'm helping out the NBA making even more of a global sport. That is fantastic. I still can't believe Myron ended up even with Dortmund in that one. I mean, just if you think about possession shots on goal, and then maybe we just bring Saruti in here. if you think about possession shots on goal. And then maybe we just bring Sarudy in here. Who's my guy? Is it Serge Gnabry?

He was sub Gnabry? Former RBI guy. Wow. Wow. Like look again, not seasoned, but as soon as I saw him come in, I'm like game changer. Well, all right. So let me ask both of you guys this,

and it goes back to the Michael Malone thing. So Arsenal, which is owned by the Cronkite family. They're about to play the biggest game that they've played in years. That was that home game last week against Arsenal. And that day they fired Michael Malone. Like they have so much going on. How did they decide that that was the day when later in the day, one of the other teams they own is about to have like a big game.

It was like worlds were colliding. So the Cronkies, which they've won a championship, won in football, American football with the Rams. And obviously the Avalanche have done well. The Nuggets won a couple of years ago. Now they're about what? You know, three wins released getting to a Champions League final and maybe winning. So the Cronkies are doing the right for themselves.

I think about this this too, Frank, it was, you know, when the Celtics were up for sale, it felt like every fan that was like a Liverpool fan would be like, hey, we don't want them to buy the Celtics. They've done a terrible job with the Red Sox. They've done a terrible job with Liverpool. Please don't buy the Celtics. And it was like, wow, they just won Liverpool a title

for the first time in the Premier League era just a couple of years ago and it soured fast. Yeah, it's weird too. I definitely think, and you know, there's going to be more international owners of NBA teams coming pretty soon, especially like, you know, from the Middle East, maybe Saudi Arabia, that that could eventually happen. But there definitely is a bias towards these American owners that own these teams, especially the teams in England.

It's pretty interesting how that always plays out. that own these teams, especially the teams in England. It's pretty interesting how that always plays out. Wow, this was good. If we had a listening session at ESPN radio, they would have been like, hey, maybe you guys should get to the playoffs a little bit sooner, but it's a podcast. You've already made a decision here. All right. So let's, I did love that game. All right. Before the season started, what was your finals pick? love that game. All right. Before the season started, what was your finals pick? I think before the season I had Denver and Boston. So I still, that still could happen. Obviously a lot's going to have to happen for that,

for it to be Denver, but come on man. You know, it's what happened. What helps is they're relatively healthy. The season, you know, the playoffs get stretched out, you're not playing every other night and they still got the best player in the league. Did you, you like that prediction? Who'd you have? I had okay. See over Boston just because I think it's so hard to repeat in his dynamic or dominant as Boston was last year. It ended up being, you know, do you get through the East? It was like who have they actually played here with all the injuries. And it's always a good reminder as you get ready for this part of the season is there's going to be two, maybe three guys that are going to be out.

They're completely changed the dynamic of what these results are. I mean, it's, it's basically the norm. It's just, you're not going to sit here and predict any of this stuff. I feel like the Clippers are, even if you want to just hit me back with the Kawhi health track record, which is fair and then Harden's resume and what he looks like in playoff series. I mean, I think it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a even if you want to just hit me back with the Kawhi health track record, which is fair and then hardens resume and what he looks like in playoff series. I just think they're a really

good basketball team right now. So I'm not really looking at the seeding. I'm not looking at it as Denver having the home core part of it where, you know, even with the 50 wins in Jokic, like something's clearly wrong with this Denver team. So why would I pick them against the team that's looked like other than OKC, the best team in the NBA in the last two months. What are they going to do? They ate straight wins. And you know, it's funny.

So when the season began and I've known Jeff and I think you and I went over this once before, you know, I was there when he first got the Nick job. So I've remained close to him. He's done, he was great, like kind of educating all the writers on just, you know, basketball and the NBA. But we were always joking around on radio

at the start of the year. I kept referring to the Clippers big three as because Kawhi wasn't playing yet. I said it was Harden, Tailu and Jeff Van Gundy. That's the big three of the Clippers. And Jeff has done a great job with them defensively. So a few weeks ago, they came to Brooklyn and I was, you know, I said this before during our pre-production meeting about three hours ago.

I had like the NBA equivalent of Haley's Comet. I got to see Anthony Davis play on a Monday, which was his first game back in 18 games. And then Kawhi Leonard played on a Friday and Kawhi that night scored 25 in the first half. And he absolutely dominated the game on the defensive end. I was like, you know, everyone knows that he's a great player, but when you see it and you see it in person, it just strikes you differently. And I texted a Scalabrini who I think was in Memphis with the Celtics that night. And I just said, Kawhi is an absolute stud. And Brian said, you know,

you can make the case sometimes when you watch him play that he's the best player in the league and believe me, that was one of the best performances for a half that I had seen in a long time. 25 points with ease and Ryan on the defensive end, guys were bouncing off him and he's like a ball hawk out there. I mean, it was amazing the job that he was doing defensively.

And that's why the schedule works for him. But come on, it's hard to go all in on the Clippers because we've seen it before you like, you know, the last time he got hurt, he dominated the game against Phoenix and then he gets hurt and then he's done. And then you don't see him forever. If he's healthy, they're going to be a tough team to beat. But that's always the question. Yeah, it's a totally like fair reason, but I guess I'm just saying like based

on what I've seen 18 and three to close the season, the fact that they've been the number one offense, number one defense again, I didn't readjust it after the Golden State stuff, but going into that game and that was a really, really tough win and Harden was brilliant. Zoo was terrific. It was a great matchup for him against Golden State. So it was a little more challenging going up against Jokic. But one of the things I thought was interesting

is how they had to put Draymond on Kawhi because Butler just couldn't deal with it. And that's something where you think, okay, all right. So if that one seems straightforward, then where are you? I guess I should ask it this way. Where are you with Golden State Houston? You know what?

I think that one is gonna get a little spicy. First of all, you have a coach in Emey Adoka who knows the Warriors. Remember a couple of years ago, in fact, I could have taken a three one lead against the against the Warriors during the NBA finals until Steph became Steph in the fourth quarter of that game four. What I like about Emey, I mean, over the last couple of years, he's mixed it up with both LeBron and Steph Curry. I mean, which is, you know, most people don't, most players don't go after guys like

that. You have the coach of Houston. I think it's going to be a really physical series number one, because I think that's the way Houston is going to play. You got Dylan Brooks, you got Draymond Green. I still think the experience of the Warriors plus the fact, you know, winning on a Tuesday and then having this time off before they have to play game one is important. But I think what's going to be something that could factor into this series, especially

but certainly the playoffs, you know, what Joe Dumar is leaving, you know, the head of basketball operations at the NBA, the one that, you know, hands out the punishment when things happen and all these coaches call up after every game complaining, Joe's not there. And they haven't named the successor. I, behind the scenes, what's going there. And they haven't named the successor. Behind the scenes, what's going on at the NBA is gonna be real interesting how this plays out in the playoffs.

Because we know, Ryan, at some point during the playoffs, whether Draymond Green stomping on Sabonis, things happen that could impact the series. And I wonder if for Houston, will they be the team that crosses that line? Because they have a lot of young guys, you do have D Brooks and you know that he's going to get really emotional. Draymond's going to try to stir it up. So I still think that golden state, their experience, and you got to, you got to respect the fact that Jimmy Butler, the way that he played the other night,

I don't like the way that he handled his divorce from Miami, but man, his first, let's face it, his first real important game, the dude put up 38 points. Yeah, there's a lot of history, obviously with Jeremon and Steven Adams. Adams is actually a real part of the rotation. That's right. You're right about Emeigh, and Steve has already kind of planted the seeds

and talked about how Steph is officiated or not officiated because look, he's not wrong about this. We have more clips to look at because Steph is involved in so much and because he's played so long. But like looking back at even the Memphis matchup and the stuff that Scottie Pippen Jr. is doing against him. And by the way, like Pippen Jr. Memphis nailed it. Like he's gonna be a player for a long time.

He's really good at finishing as a smaller player and everything. But some of the off ball stuff, like that when I watch Steph, it's like if Houston's gonna get away with that, some of the off ball stuff, like that when I watched Steph, it's like, if Houston's gonna get away with that, that in itself could be the series because you might as well try it, right? It's the old Dick Carter thing.

I remember when he was with the Pacers and he came to Boston with Jim O'Brien and it was like, they can't call all of them, right? So just keep fouling and then whatever, whatever you think kind of troubling, maybe they get into the bonus a little bit earlier, but at least Houston has so many bodies that you can throw at this. And then I think it's kind of a lasting impression,

the last matchup not that long ago where it looked like they held him in check. I mean, he was one of 10, so they absolutely did. But it was a team effort on top of just a man taking on the on-ball assignment too. Yeah. So I got to see Houston in person twice this year. One, I was in Houston for a game, I was actually doing it on radio. And that was the game where Fredman Bleak got hurt early in the game.

And the one thing about, I was there for the Nets Rockets game. And the one thing about the Nets, they play hard. And the Nets took it to the Rockets. And E-May, I mean, he called a bunch of early timeouts and he was just laying into his players. The younger you were and the bigger name you were, he was getting into it with them. And then they came to Brooklyn like a few days later and they lost on like a last second

shot where they completely melted down. But the one thing about him, about Eme Yadoka, he's been through it before as an assistant coach, he's done it. And now as a head coach getting to the finals with the Boston Celtics, he's going to have that team ready to play. This is not going to be anything that the Warriors do. That's going to surprise him. I just thought for the Warriors, I mean, I don't know, you tell me how you feel, you

know, because when they made that trade and Draymond said, we're, we're a championship contender now with this trade. That's why I thought that game they played the other night was so huge for them. I mean, I'm not saying they can't go on the road. I mean, they couldn't have won on Friday, gone on the road to have to play game one. Could they beat Oklahoma City? I just think the path for them, which is an ideal. You're still playing the Rockets, you don't have home court.

Whoever you play in the next round, you're not going to have home court, you know, whether it's the Lakers or Minnesota. But I kind of feel like winning that game on Tuesday night like they did, that at least puts them in a position where I think they have a chance. I don't think if they were playing tomorrow night, or I should say Friday night, and then having to play on Sunday,

I'm not so sure they're winning anything. Yeah, and I'm still not sure right now. I feel like the Lakers-Minnesota series is kind of a toss up. I guess I feel a little bit stronger about the Clippers than others do. And then I feel like Golden State Houston is the same thing because even with that win against Memphis, you can sit there and say, well, they blew the 20 point lead, which is, you know, you'd rather than just carry it out. But even Edie, who I think had some really nice moments and also some terrible moments

in that game because of the things that he's good at and the limitations that he seems to have. He also gets swarmed like the one, like, I just think of like national geographic footage where it's like one animal has the meat and the rest of his supposed friends are also interested in his dinner. And it's like, whenever Edie has the ball, all I can think of is just six arms swinging at him the entire time. Yeah. And he's going to have to figure out like just a way to be stronger with the

basket. And, and, and I think he will, I think, you know, point guards and for centers coming into the NBA, there's definitely an adjustment period. I think the thing for him, I just think everything has to happen like a split second quicker. But it's getting the ball, getting rid of it, going into his move. There just seems to be a little bit of a delay.

I think he's done really well this season, especially for a guy who the year before, remember he was projected to be a second round pick. He goes back to Purdue, they go to the national championship game and he ends up going high in the draft. What's your take on everything though with Kaminga? I mean, let's think about it, Ryan, they play the Clippers. So that's a huge game.

That's a game to get into the top six. He does not play. Then you play an overtime game to, you know, this to avoid having to play in the eight nine game on a Friday night. He doesn't play there. So those are the two biggest games of the season. And the guy doesn't play one second and what and Kerr played what? Ten guys the other night. That's pretty telling, isn't it? I think it's very telling, but I also think it's confirmation of like

what this comminga story has been with Golden State is we get excited about some of the bright moments. You know, remember last year, I was like, this guy's hinting it. If you guys are going to extend me or, you know, whatever, year I was like, this guy's hinting it. You know, if you guys aren't going to extend me or, you know, whatever, maybe it's time to move on. And I'm like, has there ever been a player with such a lacking resume to start suggesting, like I need, I need some things to start breaking my way, but it's clearly just a trust thing.

I mean, how many years would you sit here and look at the physical profile and his athleticism? And it's funny, cause after that happened, he actually came back and had like a really nice stretch or like, okay, maybe the, the, the moment has happened for him, something's gone off in his head where it's going to make some sense. But look, I think Pajemski was terrible. I thought he was terrible in the Memphis game too, or they were closing with him. And it was like, okay, look, he missed a couple of shots.

He had a couple of screw ups. Now he's like hesitant and hesitant hesitant Pajemski's way worse than a super confident Pajemski. Like he was last year. Yeah. He started to get much better this season. Now the other funny thing about Kamingas and I know that Draymond after the game

came out and advocated for him and said, no, no, I think he's gonna help us in the playoffs. But you know, Steve Kerr is now playing them and you got three veteran players and obviously Steph and Draymond are a different situation with Steve Kerr is not playing them. And you got three veteran players and obviously Stefan Draman are a different situation with Steve Kerr because they've been there for a long time, but you can include Jimmy Butler. Like if Steve Kerr, if a Steph Curry was saying to Steve, Steve, we gotta, I mean,

Jonathan's got to be in there. You gotta be playing Jonathan Kamenga. You know that he's playing. So I know it's on the coach, but something tells me like the core group of that team, the veteran players are probably in lock and step with the head coach on those decisions in the two biggest games of the season. Moody becoming a better defender I think has helped to, or I shouldn't say it helps Kaminga,

but I've just been more impressed with him defensively through this stretch. You could sit there and maybe it's a little too simple and say body type wise, like, hey, would Kaminga get out there and guard a Jabari Smith or whatever. I'm just, like the edy part that I'm even bringing up because I didn't expect to be breaking him down necessarily because we prefer this series, but that part of his control

of the boards and then the hesitation on drives, not trying to say that he's a Keen, but you're just thinking differently when you have that big of a presence around the rim on drives. And so thinking about Houston, whether they want to go the double big, Adams is clearly a significant part

of what they wanted to do in the beginning. I kind of didn't really understand the point, but as they close the season, I was like, all right, he's gotten better. It seems like it makes a little bit more sense, but I went over it this morning and I brought it up in the open. On the five games, Houston's only plus three

in the rebounding edge over the five games. And look, Adams didn't play in two, played six minutes in another one. So we'll email look at the Memphis game. And I think, you know, the cool part about the playoffs, especially for a team like Houston, we feel like they're still gonna be experimenting with some of this stuff. Well, he said, hey, we team like Houston, we feel like they're still gonna be experimenting

with some of this stuff. Will he say, hey, we'll give up some of the spacing and have these two big guys try to beat them up on the boards if they're really gonna try to run Doraemon out there their entire time at center. And now Looney's ahead at Jackson Davis and has been for a while in the rotation. Like I'm just kind of curious like how the big part of this,

if Houston's just gonna go as bad as it may look at times, we wanna over the course of this run the football and keep these big guys in there. And if you go back to that Clipper game, I think it was 25 rebounds that the Warriors had. And that's a big issue. And if you're not craving offensive rebounds, because let's face it, how many of these big shots

and how many of Steph's big shots happen off of scramble plays? Where you miss and then you think you know where Steph is at all times. And next thing you know, someone's getting an offensive rebound and Steph's wide open for a three. And that's why I thought it was interesting too. There were times when like late in that game, Kawhi was just face guarding Steph. And you could tell he was told probably from Jeff Van Gunn, he was in charge of the defense.

Do not leave Steph no matter what happens. The ball goes up, just stay with him. Cause Jeff slipped through, you know, Reggie Miller hitting some big threes over the years in New York where you got to stay home on them. But the rebounding is big. And that's, that's the one thing that's got a concern. Steve Kerr, cause they tend to get smashed on the boards. So are you, did you give us a pick there? Just because of the experience I'm going to go with the Warriors. I do like the fact that they had a little time to rest and prepare for the, for game one as well. Minnesota Lakers. I just envision every single play, LeBron and Nicola,

Luca Doncic surrounding the referees complaining. I just think they're gonna get so many favorable whistles. I spoke to Chris Fitz the other day and I brought that up. I said, you know, there's a chance you might not have calls going your way. Will your team be prepared for that? I love Anthony Edwards. I love the way that Minnesota has played down the stretch. They've been great

Something tells me the Lakers will still find a way. I'm not sure sure it'll be LeBron hitting the clutch shots It'll be it'll be Luca But now you know you know this are they will Minnesota try to attack Luca the way the teams were trying last year in the playoffs And certainly the Celtics were successful with it during the NBA finals I think that'll be a big thing. And also, and I think another part will be how well Austin Reeves plays, because Austin Reeves had a terrific season. You know, there were times when, you know, they were going to him late in the game. Like when they lost to Chicago on the half court shot from Josh Giddy, the play right before that with Luke and LeBron on the court, they got the ball to Austin Reeves and somehow Chicago

gave up a layup at the rim. Then Giddy hit the half court shot to win it. I think Austin Reaves, depending on how well he plays, can go a long way to determine it, but I still think the Lakers, because of LeBron and because of Luka Donsic. I said in the open, I think Randall off the ball because even if they want to attack certain switches with Ant, they're just going to keep two with the ball the entire time. They're just going to go fine if Jaden hits threes. Maybe DiVincenzo has a game where he can pull it Minnesota's way in the fourth quarter. But I think a lot of it's going to be Randall off of the doubles left to create on his own. How do you feel about that? That'll be interesting because if you look at the statistics

from Julius Rainer, he never played in a playoff game until he came to the next and he really struggled. Now they did want a playoff series with him. That would have been the Cleveland series a couple of years ago. It was the Cleveland series and then the Miami series was abysmal for, I know he had the ankle thing, but my game, I did almost, I think I did 15 minutes on just Randall

in one of those games because I just couldn't, as I was watching it, I was like, if this doesn't really matter what the score is, it's just, and I call them those in between moments, where he is somebody that puts up these numbers, but it's like, okay, how engaged are you in all the other stuff that you actually need to do that contributes to winning?

And he was not one of my favorites when it came to that. I picked Minnesota because I'm just zagging against anybody else. I don't think anybody's picked me. I haven't seen anybody pick Minnesota at least nationally. I know I'm horrified thinking you're putting a lot on Randall being efficient, making the right decisions. I mean, you know he's gonna score in the past, things gonna be there. It's just like, is the 20 and seven and five a productive 20 and seven and five, or is it just a box score 27 and five? Yeah, well, most of the national media is picking the Lakers because they're all afraid of LeBron,

so they don't wanna face that wrath of him. I like how you said you spent 15 minutes talking about Julius Randall, and that's you, you know, with the ocean in the background, everything is peaceful. How many minutes do you think they spent on Julius Randall in New York you with the ocean in the background, everything is peaceful. How many minutes do you think they spent on Julius Randall in New York when he was disappearing in the playoffs?

He was getting crushed. But you know what, he has said the right things. He sounds pretty motivated and it took a while for it to kind of work there in Minnesota. But Chris Finch is a good coach. And that's the other thing, we are talking about, and I think JJ Reddick had a terrific season, here's like a rookie head coach going into his first playoff series against a guy who

coached a team that came back from 20 down in a game seven against Denver last year for crying out loud. Chris Finch is pretty good at what he does, but I think JJ Redick has proved himself. The thing that I worry about the most is just, I just think the Lakers with LeBron, you know, LeBron, LeBron knows how to work and he knows how to make plays on both ends of the court. When it matters, I just think they're going to work the refs like it's nobody's business. I know they complain that they don't get in the Fritos. Give me a break. I just think a lot of things will go in their favor in this series. Speaking of LeBron, it was just kind of funny. You were like the media doesn't want to pick against him.

Rich Paul was on with McAfee and he had said, if you really think about Miami when LeBron was there, it wasn't really a big three. And I'm paraphrasing a bit, but like Bosch was good. So now that we have this new information that Bosch was a steady role player and not an all-star, not technically a big three qualifier. Does that change the GOAT conversation?

Yeah, absolutely. Everything I've said about Michael Jordan, I've completely changed my mind. Now that I knew that Chris Bosh was just basically, you know, a glorified Josh Hart on the Miami Heat. He did make the All-Star team every year. Look at his numbers a year before he got to Miami, what he did, I think he finished 12th in the MVP voting his last year in Toronto.

And if you mean that when he got to Miami, he was willing to take a lesser role in terms of scoring, absolutely. But the guy was still a stud. And let's remember, on the biggest shot probably of LeBron's career, the three that Ray Allen hit in the corner, I'm pretty sure that was Chris Bosh that got the rebound and did the play. So, you know, sees Ray Allen backpiling in the corner and shovels the ball to him. Chris Bosh, look at the numbers he put up in Miami.

Look at how good Chris Bosh was. Maybe he meant that he just took on a lesser role, but who was not thinking at that time how young all three of those guys were waited, already come off, had already won a championship. He already had one in his back pocket, but come on now Chris Bosch, that was a big three. There ain't no question about that. When I saw the quote making the rounds and I remembered like Rich Paul did a long sit down with you, I believe before, um, it was like during the off season, right? Yeah.

Because, you know, it was talk about Bronnie and everything. And I don't feel like going back over all that stuff because there's a part of the Rich Paul story in Clutch that I actually respect. Like I always thought it was kind of funny in the beginning where it's like, you guys thought at CIA, we were just going to come in here and be your recruiters and you guys are going to make all the money. Like, no, we're going to come in here, learn how it's done. And then we're fucking out of here.

We're gonna do our own thing. And I, when I heard about it, I was like, yeah, for those guys, like I admired it a little bit. Like whatever you think those rules are. And so I think whenever you're an agent, you probably see things only through that lens. And it's kind of a bigger theme that I've always talked about is how we really

seem to only pay attention to the biases that are impacting us directly. But Rich has talked a lot about like, oh, well, there's a bit of a persecution complex about clutch and everything else. It's like, look, I don't remember baseball fans going like, you know what, I love that my best player has Scott Boris. I love that Boris is my centerfielders agent and that, you

know, my guy's not going to report to spring training. Like it's just, there's a, whatever that negativity is, is being on the reprises representation side of things. Like it's just natural. It's a natural course of things because people aren't really going to love it. But the part that I've never quite understood is I just feel like some of these ideas are workshopped and it's all chasing this Jordan ghost. And I remember when LeBron like debuted the, I've won the two toughest NBA finals in NBA history.

I'll give him 2016 against the Warriors team. That might be the single toughest ever. It's 100%. Right? Like I think it is personally, you can probably make some other arguments, but he's not wrong on that one. But then when he threw in the bubble one, because it was the bubble, it was like, and then you just realized you're like, did you guys just sit around and brainstorm this stuff with like a whiteboard up? And then you go, this could shift the conversation.

What I'd say to them in non-critical ways, all of this is a fucking waste of time. Stop workshopping this shit and then presenting it to the world as if the basketball world's going to go, you know what? Bosch wasn't that good. I've been a Jordan guy for 30 years, but now I got to start asking myself some serious questions. That's the part that I don't think they understand. Like, hey, it's always a loss when you do this because there's never anything to be gained. Yeah, and I think you bring up so many great points. And number one, the whole thing about the bubble, A, you didn't travel, there was no travel,

there were no fans, so you never played a road game. And the Miami team, they were all right, but. Yeah, but I think LeBron, you had your personal chef with you there, like what was, oh no, his personal chef couldn't be there, that was it, that's why I was thinking he said it was about all right, and he was then but but right he diminishes What he did against against the Golden State Warriors. That was the 73 win Golden State Warriors That was a great team. They were up 3-1 and LeBron and I said this at the time

I was at that game when he did it and Everyone was killing LeBron for suckering Draymond into getting the technical foul, which meant he reached that threshold, he would be suspended. I said, if Michael Jordan had done that, we'd all be saying, that's Michael Jordan doing anything it takes to win. That's Michael Jordan outsmarting the competition. So I wasn't going to kill LeBron on that. But for them to win game five, they came home and won game six, which is impressive,

but not as impressive winning game five. And LeBron, I think he and Kyrie both had 41 in that game. You go to game seven, I mean, you have the block, which is really his signature moment of his career. Kyrie hit the biggest shot in the history of the Cleveland Cavaliers. You won a game seven on the road against a team that was never losing at home. They never lost at home during the regular season. You beat them in a game you won a game seven on the road against a team that was never losing at home.

They never lost at home during the regular season. You beat them in a game five and a game seven. You're gonna compare that to winning in Orlando in the bubble? Are you kidding me? So it was, as a lot of people have said, it's kind of was the summer league title that they won. It was the whole thing was wacky.

Good for them that they won it. That does not compare to what he did with Cleveland. And you're right, it's a way to kind of elevate himself. But I'm one of these people, and I got to see Michael Jordan's last three championships. I think that Jordan is better. I think the fact that LeBron's even being mentioned in the same conversation is all you need to know.

To me, that tells me that the guy's an all-time player, that people are actually putting you in the same category as Michael Jordan. Okay, let's keep it moving because I think we covered all of that stuff. New York and Detroit. I'm picking New York cause I think it's, it's just going to be a bit of a, I've used this phrase a lot lately here, but just playoff seasoning where this is going to be Detroit's playoff seasoning. And then, you know, we see where we go from here, but you know, Brunson

being back and you're always scoring a ton of points, we know defense was an issue. Who is New York now? Pre-Brunson injury to post-Brunson, there's some numbers that tell me they're the exact same team. There's some other numbers that tell you they're a little bit different

or they bet it defensively during that stretch because Brunson has only played half the game since the All-Star break. I don't know if you feel like is there anything that's now different about them as they head into the playoffs or is it just a team that had a break and they're right back to who we thought they were before even with Mitchell back? Yeah, I think they went 11 and 6 without Brunson that stretch of games and that was a tough part of their schedule. So they actually came through that with flying colors. I think Bridges has done a little bit better.

I think the biggest issue with this team is you look at Hartenstein gone and Dante DiVincenzo, I think they lost a lot of that physical mental toughness that they had. And I think, you know, will there be a time and Tom Thibodeau is kind of hinted at it. Would they put Mitchell Robinson out there with Carl Anthony Towns? Cause that's something that could give Detroit trouble. And especially the fact that Towns spreads the floor

because his ability to shoot the ball. I think there's gonna be a lot of pressure on Towns after that big celebrated trade. I think there's gonna be a lot of pressure on McHale Bridges with the big trade they made for him and all the draft picks that they gave up. Ultimately, it'll be Tom Thibodeau who's under the most pressure. Cause even though he's won 50 games back to back and no coach has done that they gave up. Ultimately, it'll be Tom Thibodeau, who's under the most pressure,

because even though he's won 50 games back to back and no coach has done that over 30 years, so for some reason, everybody wants to run him out of town. But I think he'll have this team ready to play. And I do believe that, you know, the Brunson in towns having been through it before. And, you know, you said it like for Kate Cunningham. The guy's been great. I love the way the guy plays,

but you just wonder if that moment and it's gonna get emotional at times. And we've seen, you know, Detroit with Isaiah Stewart can kind of walk that line and sometimes cross it. I wonder how much Zach can practice. I know Detroit did really well against the Knicks during the regular season.

Again though, I just like the more experienced team. And I'd wanna see if they do go with Mitchell Robinson and Carl Anthony Towns along the front line. I just wonder if they'll have to because there's not really anything like as much as I like Duran, he's really more of like a rim running threat. I don't think he's beating you up in the paint. I mean, nobody's going to throw it down there anyway. You know, that was kind of back to the E thing. It's like, cool, post-up moves. But you know, it's, it's also kind of funny. I think there's nights where there's just way too much three point shooting, but I also don't miss Mark Jackson post-ups that took 17 seconds either. So sometimes when I wonder like, what are you actually saying that you miss? But yeah, there's some nights with a three point shooting is just so egregious.

It's just like, I can't believe that guy was shooting that. So I don't know if they'll have to do a Mitchell, you know, protection over cat because maybe catches gets put in the switches, but he's already used to that. I mean, cats getting put in the switches, but he's already used to that. I mean, Kat's getting put in every single switch by any dominant on ball scorer anyway. Um, but it, yeah, it just feels like a lot to ask for Detroit team to win

four of these games against the Knicks team that's, that's fully formed again. Even though I've liked that. Yeah. The one thing that actually in a weird way, I think helps out that try, I'll give you an example, like Milwaukee plays Saturday at one, and then they don't play again until Tuesday night. So they have off Saturday night, Sunday night, Monday night.

So Yan is playing like 44 minutes, for example, that's plenty of time off between game one and two. For Detroit, the game will be six o'clock on a Saturday, and then they play Monday night. That's a quick, I think that's the quickest turnaround I believe out of all the teams playing games one and two. So the fact that they're not gonna be in New York that long could help the fact that, you know

no matter what happens in game one they can kind of turn around and get ready to play game two. I think sometimes those little intangibles could be a factor but I think for the Knicks, the good thing for them everyone, all the key players are the good thing for them, everyone, all the key players are relatively healthy. I mean, obviously a lot of guys are carrying knocks at this time of the year, but getting Brunson back healthy,

the fact that he was able to play some games before the playoffs started was huge, because I had heard when he first got hurt, maybe a week later, I had heard there were some concerns that he wouldn't be right for a playoff time. Now, if the kid could go out there and he's limping, he's gonna play, because he's as tough as they come. He's got an old school mentality with his crazy dad

who I've known forever. The kid, Jalen is gonna be out there. But I just, there's something about this Nick team where it hasn't captured kind of the imagination of the fans. I think the fans really liked last year's team. I think they identified a little bit more with that team, but all it's gonna take is one like little pushing

and shoving match and the Knicks winning a game late, showing some toughness and then all of a sudden everything changes in a positive direction. Would you trade OG and Inouye for Durant? Trade Mikhail Bridges for him, can I do that? Instead of OG, you'd rather, you'd rather keep OG than, uh, I do think this, I do think let's say the Knicks, uh, realistic scenario, they get to the second round, they lose to Boston. Let's say it's five or six games, whatever it is, not four,

hopefully for them it's five or six. Like, you know, you look at towns and the way that he, you know, runs and you know, he's done with injury before. And you look at Townes and the way that he runs and, you know, he's done with injury before. And you look at Jalen Bronson, who I think is going to be 30 pretty soon. I'm almost looking at it as like a two-year window. And you haven't won the title since 1973. I would go for it. That's why I understood the move that they made to get Bridges.

They were going for it. I don't think it's worked out yet the way that they thought it would, but I definitely would take a run at Kevin Durant. I think Kevin Durant two more years where he could go for it and win. And I think if I'm the Knicks, it's been since 73. They haven't been to the final since 99. I don't think they've been to the conference final in 2000.

That's a quarter of a century ago. I'm going for it if I'm the Knicks. I'm gonna make a trade like that if I can get Kevin Durant. Okay. Last one that I want to focus on, and then I'll ask you a KC question. So two more thoughts here. The Pacers bucks thing is pretty straightforward. I mean, can Giannis carry a team here?

I think the Portis thing is easy to maybe to lose and just the traffic of all the stuff that we're paying attention to. And he's been really good coming back, but this Pacers team is good. They're not special, but they're good. I think last year's playoff run, if you really dig through it and who they went through, it's a nice Eastern Conference finals appearance, but I didn't go into this year thinking they were one of the four best teams in the NBA or anything. So it's the better team versus the best player. And I picked the Pacers. And I picked the seven game series.

So, it's interesting too with the way, Indiana to me had an underrated 50 win season. They kind of floated under the radar with that whole thing with what they did. And I liked the fact that Rick Carlisle, maybe tend to be a little rigid over the years, but he's got this team and they just go up and down the court in they're, they're a lot of fun to watch.

Now they did lose the season series and the one game they won, that was that Halliburton crazy four point play that he had late in the game. I don't think enough is enough people though have focused on Giannis because you know, we talked so much about Kawhi missing games last year, Jimmy Butler didn't play in the playoffs. Well, neither did Giannis. And the year before, what was it? He only played in three of the games.

In fact, I think they lost every game that he had played against Miami the year before. So Giannis hasn't won a playoff game in three years. And the fact that now with Lillard out, he's getting more touches, but his shots are about the same. But they're basically, he's initiating all the offense and it's worked out really well. And they finished their season winning eight games in a row. So I, I know a lot of the Nick fans said, I'd rather play the Bucks than Detroit because,

you know, if, you know, I just think, uh, you know, Detroit worries me. I'd be worried about Yannis. You know, I agree. I think I agree from this standpoint, he's going to be the best player in the series. I think he's going to find a way to get it done. And we listen, we don't, you know, they got great shooting around them and maybe, who knows, maybe Lillard comes back by game five. That would still give them essentially another two weeks off. I get, you know, I know he's working toward that. So maybe we'll even see him and maybe they'll bring him back where he's coming

off the bench to kind of slowly get him back into things. So I think Milwaukee will find a way to prevail. Yeah, you're right about that. The last playoff game Giannis has been in and they won was May 11th in 22, game five, and then went up three, two on Boston. Unbelievable. Of course, you know, Middleton was struggling

and this Milwaukee health story has been the story for them now for a bunch of playoffs and then with Dame kind of a TBD, that's another part of it as well. Okay, go ahead. And real quickly though, that's why I love like, well, if they don't get out, Giannis should wanna be traded.

Oh, how about Giannis playing a playoff game before we start feeling sorry for him? You know, he's got a whole, I love the guy. He's got to hold up his end of the bargain, playing a playoff game and maybe win one, that would help. Yeah, I love the honest point because it's an easy thing to forget. And then I know Bucks fans,

and I don't blame them for going crazy anytime any national guys like, oh, he could be the next guy, he'd be the next guy that asks out or anything. And it's starting to feel a little bit like the Garnett part where it's like, I don't really want to do this to these people, but then maybe that's even an unfair comparison.

All right, final thought, OKC. It is strange that they are this good and they are this good and they can play a bunch of different ways. They could have won 70 games if they actually cared about it. They were actually taking their foot off the gas and still close to the ridiculous record in the last 15. Are you in the group,

and I know you're not a former NBA player with a podcast with seven buddies and hoodies agreeing with you every five minutes, but are you in this maybe where are you on the dismissive OKC range? Because I am not on the range at all. I'm not even eligible for it. I think they're that good and I'm picking them to win the whole thing. I've been to that place in Oklahoma City for playoff games. That's like as intense of an environment as you get. And they go so deep. And Chegulis Alexander has been in big games. I think the fact that they lost last year in the second round to Dallas,

I think you talked about the seasoning. I do think that helps. So this year, remember they lost that game to Minnesota, which was a wacky game where they, weren't they up 16 with like under four minutes to go and they came back, Minnesota came back and won the game. Oklahoma City's very next game was in Brooklyn and you could tell they were going through the motions and they were down big. They might've been down 18. They gave up 70 to that Nets team in the first half. I think it was 73 or 74. It was something crazy. So in the fourth quarter.

We're being pretty technical. Yeah. So in the fourth quarter. We're being pretty technical. So in the fourth quarter, Shay's on the bench and then, you know, Kason Wallace, Wiggins, it was like the switch was flipped on and they said, all right, we got to defend. And it was unbelievable what that team did to defend. That was with Shay on the bench. I think they went on something like an 18-0 run,

but they went from being a team like, all right, we just lost, we blew a game against Minnesota. We want to hang out in New York. This game doesn't mean anything against Brooklyn. We're not even really trying. Then all of a sudden, what they did defensively, and you know how it works, come on, Ryan. If you could defend during the regular season,

you could defend during the playoffs, and people will say, well, who's going to be their second scorer? That's something that still has to be determined, but they didn't have Chet Holmgren last year in the playoffs. They didn say well who's gonna be their second scorer that's something that still has to be determined but they didn't have Chet Holmgren last year in the playoffs they didn't have Isaiah Hartnestein in the place that was their biggest issue they have anything along the front line they got both those guys now so Oklahoma I would be I'm gonna be very surprised if they're not playing for the NBA championship in June and something that

killed them last year the giddy minutes because as you see how a series evolves game one and two, and then all of a sudden it's, Hey, whatever we're doing, we're helping off of him. We're never closing out. You can ignore him on, on certain things. If he's out, just let him stay out there. And then you could see his minutes decline. And those are those moments in a playoff series where you see,

okay, a team is absolutely selling out in this way. And if you looked at his minutes, like it really hurt them last year. Not to say that Giddy isn't a good player because it's clear with a different role where he can be on the ball more with Chicago and all that kind of stuff, despite their terrible effort last night against a heat team where I was starting

to doubt the culture a little bit, but they showed up last night in a big way. Thanks so much, man. I know I kept you long. You can check out Frank Isola, The Nets on Yes, one of the best broadcast teams in the NBA, of course, SiriusXM every morning, and of course, CSPM. Thanks, Ryan.

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I drive a Ferrari. 355 Cabriolet. What's up? I have a ridiculous house in the South Fork. I have every toy you could possibly imagine. And best of all kids, I am liquid. So now you know what's possible. Let me tell you what's required.

Live advice, the email address, liveadvicerr at gmail.com. Saruti, potentially Wargon. You know what? Let's just get Wargon in. Yeah, I mean. Who are we kidding? After last week's performance, or last episode's performance, I think it's a, you know, he's a starter for now, we'll see.

I don't know though, he just didn't say his intro line, which I'm now upset about. My fault. Hey guys. What's up dude? Better late than never. Hey, can you cut up when your dad has this realization of like this guy might not have it, can you cut that up? Can that be our new goodbye at the end of every pod?

And I'd like it to go on for a couple of years to be honest with you, but if we get sick of it after six months, we can take it out. So instead of the hardened thing where we lost the hardened, I'm not a system player, I am the system. We lost it in just, it really was a staffing issue. It wasn't a creative decision.

We had it for weeks, maybe I'm wrong. Yeah, so Wargon, if you could just use your own quote from that, I would like that to be our goodbye, our Craig Kilburn moment of zen. Sure. All right, thanks. Thanks a lot. Okay, we'll start with wargon content.

I thought about it, but our friend is asking if Kyle's getting Wally pipped here. No, man. No. Wargon. No way. I think everyone has a role, man. I feel like I know my lane work on it's got a good lane carved out.

Kyle, you know, Kyle's kind of the heartbeat of some of this stuff here. He's less of a wild card than he used to be, which I think some people are, I think it gets good for Kyle overall, but I think, you know, maybe it's not as exciting. It's good for him. Yeah.

It's not great for the segment. I would say that like his PERS, you know, the rebound rates start to go down a few less blocks here and there. It's not great for the segment. I would say that like his PERS, the rebound rates start to go down a few less blocks here and there. It's not gonna be the free throw line as much. As he said, he's got stuff to lose now. So, it's hard to be, I wouldn't say anything. I don't think he would say himself.

I'm glad he's in a better place. I'm glad he's a better contributor to society. But yeah, I mean, you miss some of the wild card stuff, but yeah, I think Suri nailed it. Um, yeah. So that's come up. We don't need to read all of these. Uh, what else do we have? No, cause I'm going to be, here's the thing is I'm going to be taking some time too, with the kid in a couple of weeks here and Kyle will be back. We're gonna be, you know, people say the same thing about me. So it's fun.

Michael Jordan war gone is my hero. I'm in literal tears at work listening to the war gone name story. Please give them a show. We, the people need this. I don't know if this guy's email or I think this guy's from Nike. We get some like signature work on gear. Jump manages me Jordan work on brand. A jump man, it's just me. Jordan work on a brand. Yeah, what would it be?

It would just be this silhouette right here. Yeah, just him holding the mic. Yeah. A little bubble, hey guys. Make it happen, Nike. Yeah, who knows? If he's in PR, then we're probably not gonna have it happen. There was one other one that I'm trying to find here.

So, I'm getting married the same day as Oregon, 31, five, seven, 155, pickup comp, Tyler Ullis, love Tyler's game. I was listening to a recent life advice when Oregon mentioned he's getting married July 12th. That stopped me in my tracks because the same day I'm tying the knot with my girlfriend fiance of almost nine years. We met on the day of game five of the 2016 NBA finals.

Wow. A strategic day in the shift of NBA narratives and a coffee shop was on my way to a bar to watch the game. We've always joked that the butterfly effect of our relationship caused the Cavs three one comeback war gone. Congratulations. Best wishes, Kyle Surti. Any advice for us soon to be newlyweds? LeBron, you're welcome.

If LeBron's listening today, he'll appreciate that. I mean, there's really no advice. When I got married, nothing really changed. We'd already lived together. I'm not sure your situation were gone. I think Kyle was kind of the same. So like all that kind of, it's just like, you have official paperwork from the government.

If you're like moving somewhere or things are drastically changing as part of your relationship with you getting married, then that's a whole different ball game. But nothing really changed for me. So I'm kind of bad at this question. I will say, I hope you don't get this work out. But I had a couple of people who like, you know,

a month into marriage, but God, man, how's it going? You know, the old ball and chain. It's like, actually not. It's fine, dude. Like I know you kind of still like her. So you may miss her. Yeah, you may be miserable. I'm good. Like I'm married here for a reason. Like the guys that like want to root for like you getting married and your life sucking, those guys kind of suck. So hopefully you don't have a lot of those in your life. But I did have a few. I know I still, I can tell every now and then if I'm not super close with a guy,

because if it was super close to the guy, he's not gonna say it to me, but it's like a fringe guy, and I can just tell he's had a few, you know, reach out and be like, you haven't figured out, brother. Yeah. Like, oh man, this guy's, this guy's super bummed out. Yeah.

We're not even that close. Like, what's your wife's name again? You've also admitted too that the lifestyle is not for everyone. People think that they want the Rassil lifestyle, but it's not, you are literally built different in that way. Yeah, if I didn't have games,

like, okay, it's five. Now what do you do? You know, if I just had a normal nine to five and I didn't like sports. Wizards Hornets isn't even on? What are you gonna do? Right, get to a new craft here. Full disclosure, I stopped watching some Hornets games

this year. So the Hornets joke is now alive. I'm happy for you. That's a win I think in your life to be honest with you. Yeah. Because even the plan schedule, the last couple of nights, I was like, this is all I have to do. But anyway, it looks like Suri has something to say because we should probably- No, I was just going to say quick aside, WarGon's got a bachelor party coming up next weekend. So- Hey, where are you going, dude? Atlantic City. next weekend. So where are you going, dude? Atlantic city.

What's on the agenda? Um, I think just like a lot of drinking at the house, probably go to like the casinos a few nights, little house kitchen. We got a reservation excited about that. Nice. From the Gordon Ramsey television Gordon Ramsey fame Atlantic city, Gordon Ramsay, who set this up? My buddy, my best man Jared. How many guys? I think we're over 10.

That's a good number. No, damn. That's a lot of friends for a dude to be with. Yeah, my friend group does like the whole wedding party and then like all the high of friends for a dude. Yeah. My friend group does like the whole wedding party and like all the high school friends also get invited. So you worry about anything? Everybody get along?

No. Yeah. Everyone gets everyone gets along pretty much. It's good. I don't want to do this to your guy Atlantic City sucks. Oh yeah. Yeah. It sucks. You have like in a good way.

It was my call. Good way. No, it just sucks You have like in a good it was my call No, it just sucks have you not been I can't I can't beat this guy He's got me he's one move ahead of me every fucking time I Couldn't sit here blindly and allow this to happen and then he's like, no, I wanted to go there. So then now I can't even do anything. Right, yeah. If you're on the strip, there's like two casinos, hotels open, everything else is like shuttered.

You get like one block away, it's not a great place to be in a city. In the middle of the day, I said drop me off in the bad part because I just want to see how bad this is. And the guy was like, no. He goes, you're either going back to the casino or we're going to the boardwalk.

He's like, you can't, he's like, I will not drop. No, it was the middle of the fucking day. I was like, how, you know, whatever. I walked around Trenton and got lost at lunch, so. Wait, Wargon, why, so then what, you know it's not awesome. Why did you wanna go there? I wanted somewhere close by to everyone. I've done a lot of like traveling for bachelor parties

and it's just like, kinda sucks making everyone spend all that money It's a middle point. Yeah, so like we're renting a house. We're gonna drink a bunch at the house We'll go to the sports book. We'll gamble a bunch. I think I'll still be a good time, but also like pretty close see Ryan's got this look on his face. Like he's disappointed. I actually totally get it So we've done we've did we've done the Vegas thing with the friend group. We have done I actually totally get it. So we've done, we've done the Vegas thing with the friend group. We have done Maine multiple times,

middle of nowhere, we've done Vermont. I forget what this other one was, but the best ones are just like, it doesn't really matter the location. You're just with your guys and you're just hanging out. Like I'm not a big, like what, cause I feel like, and this is, you know, basketball parties are different.

Like they have every minute planned out. Everyone has to like be super cheery and guys are like, let's just sit around and watch UFC this weekend and bet on some sports We're gonna be drinking in the house the majority exactly that's all you need to do it. That's awesome guys Don't get to do that all the time especially with ten guys at a time So honestly, I kind of think the location Ryan is irrelevant Like this is just a good long weekend to hang out and drink with your boys and you know You may be going to see a little bit like it's not like, you know

It's cool if you go to like the Bahamas or Mexico and you're at the beach and whatever, like that's cool. But at the end of the day, just the 10 guys hanging out, playing some beer, pong, maybe some cars betting on sports. That's been 64 set up. Yeah. Play some Mario Kart. We brought MVP. Oh five back in the day.

It was all. Yeah. So I'm with you working. I'm excited for you, dude. Was Bridgeport booked? Was it like a convention? I'm not gonna allow to even know where that is. You know where Bridgeport is? Was it like a convention? I'm not gonna allow them to even know where that is. You know where Bridgeport is?

No. Oh man. Is that Connecticut? I gotta imagine. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, come on dude. The most populated city in Connecticut, come on. We don't go there, but yeah. Emails, is my wife a dick?

Hello, no gym stats, but loves to talk. Or excuse me, God. No gym stats, but loves to talk, or excuse me, God, no gym stats, loves to walk while golfing. Makes more sense. When I go out to dinner with my wife, she will sometimes be torn between two dishes. At the time of placing our order with the wait staff, she will sometimes ask which dish she should get.

After the wait staff gives their feedback, she will promptly pick the other dish that they did not choose. I've told her it's a very strange thing to do but she doesn't think she's doing anything wrong is my wife a dick thanks why is she asking Intel she's advanced out anyone I would say women are more likely to ask questions to, to the wait staff about potential menu options. I did a reason it's a bit like directions. Oh, you did it.

Hey, look at you. Yeah. I was at the airport. We were flying one of our live shows and fly got delayed. So I need to get like an actual meal. So I went to, you know, whatever the, like the sit down place was. And I ordered something. I think it was like a Buffalo chicken mac and cheese and the waitress straight

up was like, you don't want that. And I was like, really? No, I don't want that. I don't and the waitress straight-up was like you don't want that and I was like Really and she goes yeah, you don't want that. I was like, oh what should I get? Pointed me to chicken sandwich got that was delicious and I was like, thank you because I otherwise I would have gotten this probably crappy mac and cheese situation and Yes, I take their feedback I feel like if you don't want their feedback,

why are you asking the question in the first place? The answer, unless there's any other context, it does seem like your wife is just being an asshole here. I'll do it more like the bar. Like if I go somewhere and there's like a bunch of new beers I've never had, I'll just ask them like, hey, what's your favorite? I'll get that.

But like if you ask, I feel like you have to take their advice. Otherwise, what's the point of asking? I would agree. Do you love IPAs, Worgon? No, but if someone suggested like I'm going to have it. What's your go-to beer, Worgon? So easy to go along with.

I'm normally just drinking like Bud Light or something, something easy. Nice. They always have it. Right? Yeah. You get a little Anaheiser Bush product up there in the background right now, because you can't be a Yankees fan unless you like Bud. There you go. OK, moving right along. Yeah.

I just every day now that we're doing this, I just have a thousand war gone questions in my head and I can't I want to say I don't want to do. Maybe I'll just do if we have a slow days, some teams get eliminated earlier. Maybe I just interview war on for 90.. Do a youtube only of ask wargon we just have people mailing questions for him. But then I don't want it to be like I don't want to treat it like t-bo content at ESPN where it's like I think this is over now you guys you burnt the candle a little

too hard so I think we're just going to do like micro doses of wargon along the way. So I think we're just gonna do like micro doses of Oregon along the way. Let's stick up for the wife here. Is there any chance that she's almost like a poker player here? And she's so good at reading the waitstaff and the way they talk about things despite recommending one dish and her going the other way.

Maybe that's just all she's doing and it's not that complicated. But I think there are times when you ask someone a question where it's not what the answer is, it's how they answer. And so maybe somewhere with her ability to decipher the true information, like she's picking up on something that mere mortals would normally struggle with. She might have this- Every time? Probably not. That seems unlikely. Like yeah, once or twice be like,

oh yeah, she's gonna upsell you on the steak, that sucks, yeah. She's like, I don't like how he touched his collar when he talked about the chimichurri. Yeah. But don't you think there is something to that where you'll ask, because a lot of weight staff will just never dump on any,

oh, it's all good. And you're like, oh, here we go. Like you're supposed to be on my side here a little bit, but then I can also understand you want to be sitting. That's why you got to give them two options. You can't say what's good. You got to be like, what do you like between this and this? And that's what she's doing.

Right, exactly. And she's always picking the one they don't pick. Here's the thing, if it's always the more expensive option and she goes with the less expensive one, maybe she, again, she just maybe just thinks they're up charging her. But I think he would have included that seems unlikely. But then also like if you're always going to do that, why ask? Good point. I don't think she's I don't think this makes her a dick. I think it's just like a little quirky. Well, it's a little bit. It's a little

bit of a dick move. Like if you are if you have a predetermined answer to the question and you're asking just to basically take the opposite side, what's the point? You're wasting everyone's time. Yeah. And now everyone's uncomfortable. It's like, yeah, what should I get? Should I get the mac and cheese or the chicken?

And they're like, oh, the mac and cheese is really good here. And you're like, cool, I'll have the chicken. Shit, thanks, I'll have the chicken. Yeah. Maybe she tips well and doesn't matter but. There might just be something in the way, you know maybe she's just advanced on figuring out the delivery, the cadence, something from the staff. Maybe you should ask her and be like are you picking up on something when they tell you

that it's this and then she's like yeah I was embarrassed that you wouldn't understand because you're not smart enough. What if she said that? Yeah. She's like, Benet Jezret, a little dune reference for you there. Thanks. Thanks for that.

Okay. Accidentally stayed with my girlfriend. Hello, Ryan and Wargon. Nothing on Saruti here? Maybe he thought you were going to be gone already. Basketball comp wizards, Kyle Kuzma. Stats 22, 63, 150 Kuzma, stats 22, 6'3", 150, a 1738 5K, which is a personal record, local 5K champion.

Well, looks like we got a celebrity on our hands. Background, I've been dating my current girlfriend for two years, I've enjoyed dating her, but I do not think I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I've been planning on a breakup for over a little while now. There've been no significant issues in our relationship. It is just time for the relationship to end. Issue, my girlfriend came over last week

and she said she was considering breaking up with me. This was excellent news for me is I didn't have to be the villain by dumping her with no warning. By the way, you guys out there wouldn't know about your one loss record over time. When I was younger, it's like, you know, when you meet somebody who's like, I've never been way, you guys out there, when it about your one loss record over time, when I was younger, it's like, you know, when you meet somebody who's like,

I've never been dumped, you're like, cool, when are you going to the fucking hall of fame? You know, you, New Jersey retired somewhere? No, you're not. I don't believe there's a hall of fame for these kinds of things. As you get older, getting dumped is the move. It's the best.

What, wait, why? Just because it's not, it's just, it's a transaction that you can't understand when you're younger. You know, your ego gets involved and all that kind of stuff. And then of course, if you really are in love and you wanted to spend the rest of your life with somebody, that could be somewhat devastating. I could see how that could bum a few dudes out. But if you're of a certain age, I think south of 30 and there's like a friend group dynamic and you'd have a softball league that's coed somewhere in some

cool part of Chicago and you're saying, you're saying getting dumped if you don't actually like the girl is cool. Not getting emotionally invested is not fun. No, that's definitely, yeah, dudes have had a hard time with that one. But I would say in a more casual range of I'm not super into this or I'm kind of hit or miss every day, I'm not sure where I want to be. And then it's like, should I break up with this person? Getting to date at the last 30 to 60 days without caring at all, hoping that you get dumped. And then when you do, it's fucking incredible because then it really isn't on you. And then

if the friend group rolls through, I mean, there's nothing funnier than when the friend group rolls through and be like, I can't believe she did that to you. And you're like, yeah. Dude, just like quiet quitting relationships just so they can get broken up with so they don't have to deal with the consequences. Yeah. So like, you know, I thought we had a chance. Meanwhile, you're like, you know, you're totally full of shit. It is.

Don't worry about your one loss record out there boys. That's what I'm telling you. Especially when you're out of the fence. Now, look, if engagement ring and you walk in and she's banging a guy from the fantasy league, that's not what I'm saying here. But like he's so good on the waiver wire though. You understand.

Okay, so the issue, she came over, excellent news. I tried to soften the blow as much as possible and be as compassionate as possible. Apparently I was too nice. After we were done talking, I thought we had broken up, but she didn't leave my apartment. She just acted like we were still together. I was so thrown off that I just went along with it.

To make things more complicated, a week after this conversation, she left to go to Italy for a month. Question, how do I proceed? I feel like a bad guy if I break up with her now, but is it worse to keep stringing her along? I don't know, I should end things now or let them ride for a month or two

before I try to break up with her again. All right, first of all, you're 22, don't worry. You're definitely gonna break up, even if you're in this head space right now. Let her enjoy Italy, man. Let her enjoy Italy. So even though you thought you did, and this is kind of like the reverse Costanza,

where it would be like he shows up while he's hired thinking he was fired, because that's kind of what you're doing here. Let her enjoy Europe. Italy's great. She's there in a less busy time. She's gonna have a lot of time for reflection. She doesn't need to be thinking about this.

And then you're gonna be getting like calls the whole time. Because now the power dynamic has shifted where she thought she was dumping you, but then apparently you were so nice and the potential breakup that she realized that she cares about you, wants to stay with you. Then you're signing yourself up for like a monthly subscription of fuckery here,

of calls when she's in some weird hotel. I don't know who she's with, obviously, but maybe that's other research you should do. So let this ride out. You're going to break up anyway. And then when she comes back, you can break up again. I don't know if you need to bring up like, hey, I thought we were broken up.

Cause then if you say that, and then she'll be like, wait a minute, were you messing around while I was gone in Italy? That could open up a whole nother can of worms. So I would just say, hey, do what you need to do. And then when she comes back, you can have that much tougher conversation. And maybe you can even say like, weren't you like dumping me? And then you just sort of hung out and then you went to Italy. So I think there's a bunch of stuff in a neutral corner where they'd be like, yeah, that was a little weird, like the timeline of all of those events. So I think you're totally fine, but let her enjoy it. I think that's, this isn't about you right now.

It's about her prosciutto, daily pizzas, you know, a couple of Peroni, which no one really likes. Yeah. It is disgusting. Yeah. I would agree. I tried, I tried to get, I was going to be able to be a Campari guy that lasted a week. It looks cool.

It's got a good color. Yeah. I still have it. I think, um, there's nothing really to add off of what you said. Like, this is a good situation for you. I mean, wouldn't you want to, though, break maybe just break it before she goes there? That way maybe she just could enjoy herself.

I don't know. Like why would you want any loose strings when she's abroad? I don't know. Well, I think she's already gone though, right? Oh, all right. Then I guess you got to wait it out anyway, but I- Yeah, she left.

She left to go to Italy for a month. She, yeah. I mean, that would be awesome if she's like, I could have- So you're single. So many dudes with mopeds. Chances are if this is going on and she's half breaking up with you, that it might be on the table for her. But you don't care because you want to break up with her anyway. So why don't you, if I were you, I would just act like, you know, you got like this little,

little, you know, middle period here where you can kind of do whatever you want and then finalize it when you get back. And if she kind of gives you shit being like, well, I want to get back together. Yeah. You're like, well, you're the one that like half broke up with me. What am I supposed to, how am I supposed to feel about that? You know, you have the upper leg here. If she even like, cause she's probably, I don't know, like she could come back and you know, love is in the air in Europe and just kind of feel like I want to get back together and make this work.

And you can just, you have the, the instant out of you basically broke up with me before we left, like I'm supposed to just get back to you now. What am I like a loser? So I think you're good. I would agree, I think you're good too. Yeah, she also could be, yeah. Yeah, like she broke up with you. It doesn't matter that she stayed afterwards.

The conversation took place and you guys are, for all intents and purposes, broken up. Unless they like, it doesn't sound like our guy said they reconciled, right? That she just stayed the night? Yeah, well that's what's weird too. She said, oh, he was so nice that I wanna stayed the night. Yeah. Well, that's what's weird too. She said, you know, he was so nice that I want to make this work.

It's like, are you not normally nice? Like that's kind of strange. He was so nice because he wanted to break up with you. He didn't get mad. He was so understanding. Yeah. Like, no, you're right. This is the right call.

Yeah. That's the stupid thing about the mental gymnastics. And I certainly think this is on the younger side of things because you're not, you just haven't gone through this enough or anything. And it's like, you know, like I remember there was a breakup and then the girl was like, no, this is, this is what we're doing now.

And I'm like, what the fuck does that mean? It was like, it's the same exact thing as being together without the title, but I'm still going to get all the shit and hell to the standard. That's insane. I want to be broken up. I prefer that than a new way to label. It's like, you know. So I'm still tethered to you, but also I can't really do anything on my own. You know, some sort of- So I'm still tethered to you, but also I can't really do anything on my own. Like, so what they do is they take this loan

and they put it with this loan and it's a whole new product. Yeah. It's a prime mortgage right there, yeah. Wait, I don't wanna be in a triple B relationship. Yeah. You stack a bunch of triple Bs though. Hey, look, I mean, to be honest with you, triple Bs would have been way too high of a Moody's rating for some of the stuff

that I've been through. All right, so yeah, man, you're good. You're totally good. But are we all on the same page about the Italy thing? I think you're an absolute lunatic if you think he should be calling her up, being like, just to confirm here. I haven't done anything yet, but now, yeah,

I've shown you the whole thing. I've shown you the whole thing. I've shown you the whole thing. I think you're an absolute lunatic if you think he should be calling her up being like, just to confirm here. I haven't done anything yet, but no, yeah. She's already there, I guess, whatever, but I don't know. I would be distant. I wouldn't be like reaching out to her a ton. I would make it kind of clear where it's headed. And if she gets to it. She sounds like she wanted to break up with him

before she went to Italy and started just meeting a ton of dudes with mustaches. Never a good sign. Guys with Vespas, they're dangerous in that world. Yeah, we've seen Sisterhood of Traveling fans. We know what happens. Have we? We have.

We have. Which one's better, that or Eat, Pray, Love, Oregon? That one I've never seen. Hmm. It's always true. It's true. The child is that Blake Lively Blake Lively. Okay.

I haven't seen it, but I know. Yeah. Okay. There you go. We're so interested then. Yeah. Give us a quick synopsis. I'm interested.

Oh boy. Blake Lively's at soccer camp America Ferrera Mexico I want to say I could be botching this whole thing. We're gonna get emails about this. America Ferrera is visiting her stepdad Who is remarrying? That's a problem I don't know any other actresses. So this is going to be going to be tough. One of them goes to Italy though falls in love There's like a Romeo and Juliet family drama there.

Where like her grandparents don't like the guy that she's dating because of his family. What's the traveling pants part? It's like a pair of magical pants. Where like good things happen when you wear the pants. So like Blake Lively wears them for like a month then ships them out, you know? I don't think all these girls would fit into the same pair of pants. I'm just Lively wears them for like a month then ships them out, you know?

I don't think all these girls would fit into the same pair of pants. I'm just gonna say that right now. So the pants change size. You're missing key plot points if you're not gonna watch the movie. Okay. They can't believe it fits them all in the changing room.

They do go to Mexico, but then the other girl's family's from Greece. And then Carmen and Tibby stay close to home. That's right, it was Greece. I don't know why I said Italy. No matter where they are, they're connected by a pair of jeans, they take turns sharing.

Pants that fit all four girls and exemplify their tight bond. Oh, the Gilmore Girls chick is in this, okay. I know some of the people here. Give it a watch. Take your word for it. That makes more sense, yeah. What kind of scores are we talking here?

6.5 IMDB. Okay, doable. Not bad. Okay, that'll do it for the show today. Thanks to Saruti, thanks to Oregon, thanks to Jonathan Frias. Make sure you check out our podcast, which is a video pod on the Spotify app

and of course our YouTube page, which we would love a subscription on that. And of course, always check out our pod. We'll be back next Tuesday, Thursday, gearing up for the draft. Apparently I've signed up for this draft thing with McShay. Tuesday, Friday, next week. Tuesday, Friday. Oh, Tuesday, Friday next week, right.

That's after the draft. And then I'm doing Saturday with McShay. Saturday morning after. From the homestead. Right. So he asked me if we could do some of my house, I was like, yeah, sort of no problem. And then of course, be headed to fish at the Hollywood Bowl Friday before that.

So probably not gonna do acid that night. All right, that'll do it for the show. Brian Rossell podcast, Ringer Spotify. They were gonna name me Michael Jordan. My dad was like, I don't think he can live up to it, so they named me Michael Jared. ["Ring Your Spotify"] Music Must be 21 and older.

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