How's everybody doing. I want to welcome you into a very special episode of the opinionated no hold On, hold On. This is the NBA Rookie Life with Ryan Hollins. Man. I got a really cool episode. Man, I think you know who it is. Man, None of them my dog hold On, he's a man. He's one of those friends that hey man, shout out to my dog. Brendan hay Be. What's going on with your dog?

How's everybody doing. I want to welcome you into a very special episode of the opinionated no hold On, hold On. This is the NBA Rookie Life with Ryan Hollins. Man. I got a really cool episode. Man, I think you know who it is. Man, None of them my dog hold On, he's a man. He's one of those friends that hey man, shout out to my dog. Brendan hay Be. What's going on with your dog?

What's going on with you?

What's going on with you?

Man?

Man?

Glad glad to be up there with you, my man.

Glad glad to be up there with you, my man.

Hey Man, nice words from you. Man, Hey, look, you're looking rather slim. Brother, you're looking slim. Man. I'm just want to throw that out.

Hey Man, nice words from you. Man, Hey, look, you're looking rather slim. Brother, you're looking slim. Man. I'm just want to throw that out.

Man.

Man.

You're looking good man.

You're looking good man.

And listen, man, you wrote me last I saw you in LA last year exactly you said I fell off. I made sure I took this summer to make sure I got got my way to where.

And listen, man, you wrote me last I saw you in LA last year exactly you said I fell off. I made sure I took this summer to make sure I got got my way to where.

Need to do. I respect that about you. Man. The work ethic is always there. And for those who are are fans of the NBA, you can look around the association and I like to say it's the most wonderful time of the year. What is that NBA training camp where things are getting going I played ten years. I've been a part of a number of rigorous training camps, most infamously shot out front of the show Byron Scott. I thought Byron Scott I had man, he took some me. Listen, B Scott had us run. He was just making stuff up. Dog, easy run. There's nothing about the easy run. It's it's you were running twenty five minutes with your hands in the air. Okay, that's the start off a triple suicide. Brendan, Yeah, never heard of one of those. Huh. And we can go down the list. We go down the list like shoot runs with their.

Need to do. I respect that about you. Man. The work ethic is always there. And for those who are are fans of the NBA, you can look around the association and I like to say it's the most wonderful time of the year. What is that NBA training camp where things are getting going I played ten years. I've been a part of a number of rigorous training camps, most infamously shot out front of the show Byron Scott. I thought Byron Scott I had man, he took some me. Listen, B Scott had us run. He was just making stuff up. Dog, easy run. There's nothing about the easy run. It's it's you were running twenty five minutes with your hands in the air. Okay, that's the start off a triple suicide. Brendan, Yeah, never heard of one of those. Huh. And we can go down the list. We go down the list like shoot runs with their.

Jokes with b Scott that point I love be Scott's points.

Jokes with b Scott that point I love be Scott's points.

I'm gonna let you take that up with coach. All right. I'm not gonna take that up time. I ain't taking that out with coach. But b you were in your fourteen years World championship. In those times, you were part of some really memorable training camps. Man, So I was wondering, Man, do you have any cool training camp stories for me? I tell you this, You're gonna love this story. As a rookie, man, you know, I was trying to dunk everything. Dog. My name was dunk. It wasn't right. It was dunk at the ball went in there. I dunked it and all the coaches used to mess with me. You know a lot of energy. You just have a fun. And I went up and dunked Wan in a drill and I kid you that, man, I broke the backboard. The backboard came down. It felt good. Bragging rights were there now. It was more like I dunked hard enough that a pen moved because I ain't had no weight, so I was. It was more I get up there, dunk and have so much mounse to ripped the rim, pen fell out. I was feeling myself, Dog, I was feeling myself. They wrote it about it in the paper. You know, it seemed just like a good buzz But b you had a different situation because your first year is in the league. If I'm not mistaken, you come into training camp and with Michael Jordan, you come in would arguably greatest, the goat man, the Carolina golt date Michael Jordan. Dog, what was training camp like with Michael Jordan? You know, sometimes when you're young, you don't know any different. But tell me what you learned from him? How was it was it one of these was grueling. Be Scott training camps are one of those like hey man, y'all, y'all know what to do, get ready to get up out of here camp. So what was it like going into training camp with Michael Jordan's.

I'm gonna let you take that up with coach. All right. I'm not gonna take that up time. I ain't taking that out with coach. But b you were in your fourteen years World championship. In those times, you were part of some really memorable training camps. Man, So I was wondering, Man, do you have any cool training camp stories for me? I tell you this, You're gonna love this story. As a rookie, man, you know, I was trying to dunk everything. Dog. My name was dunk. It wasn't right. It was dunk at the ball went in there. I dunked it and all the coaches used to mess with me. You know a lot of energy. You just have a fun. And I went up and dunked Wan in a drill and I kid you that, man, I broke the backboard. The backboard came down. It felt good. Bragging rights were there now. It was more like I dunked hard enough that a pen moved because I ain't had no weight, so I was. It was more I get up there, dunk and have so much mounse to ripped the rim, pen fell out. I was feeling myself, Dog, I was feeling myself. They wrote it about it in the paper. You know, it seemed just like a good buzz But b you had a different situation because your first year is in the league. If I'm not mistaken, you come into training camp and with Michael Jordan, you come in would arguably greatest, the goat man, the Carolina golt date Michael Jordan. Dog, what was training camp like with Michael Jordan? You know, sometimes when you're young, you don't know any different. But tell me what you learned from him? How was it was it one of these was grueling. Be Scott training camps are one of those like hey man, y'all, y'all know what to do, get ready to get up out of here camp. So what was it like going into training camp with Michael Jordan's.

Man Training camp my first two years was really good. I actually liked framing camp. Doug Collins had a tough training camp, but it was fun because we competed a lot of competitive scrimmaging, competitive drills. Losers gotta run And that's what I took away from camp that right away you can see Michael George's competitive spirit, like especially like if you get into these scrimmages, man like Mike would ratchet up the intensity of everything. Just what when him talking? I remember one time like we're in a scrimmage, not losing, gotta run a suicide at the end.

Man Training camp my first two years was really good. I actually liked framing camp. Doug Collins had a tough training camp, but it was fun because we competed a lot of competitive scrimmaging, competitive drills. Losers gotta run And that's what I took away from camp that right away you can see Michael George's competitive spirit, like especially like if you get into these scrimmages, man like Mike would ratchet up the intensity of everything. Just what when him talking? I remember one time like we're in a scrimmage, not losing, gotta run a suicide at the end.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it wasn't about suicide.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it wasn't about suicide.

So double our second practice is basically like yeah, we would stretched go through our plays and then it was a competitive scrimmager and then we a loser got a run, right, and so Michael just ratchet up the intensity. Now guess what now stacks at Jordan's neck now they're playing, they they going head their head. Both teams want to win, So I would just always be I was an all kind Michael. Always ratchet up the intensity of training camp and then don't lose to his team because the whole time you run in sprints he talking trash. Then too, I told you y'all win, y'all go run all day. I hope you want you track you like MJ was going to always bring that type of intensity.

So double our second practice is basically like yeah, we would stretched go through our plays and then it was a competitive scrimmager and then we a loser got a run, right, and so Michael just ratchet up the intensity. Now guess what now stacks at Jordan's neck now they're playing, they they going head their head. Both teams want to win, So I would just always be I was an all kind Michael. Always ratchet up the intensity of training camp and then don't lose to his team because the whole time you run in sprints he talking trash. Then too, I told you y'all win, y'all go run all day. I hope you want you track you like MJ was going to always bring that type of intensity.

Now, let me ask this, because this happens a lot of times and practice are training camp. Will Mike stack his team because sometimes what you'll do is you'll split up both teams of guys and it'll be evenly match. You know, he'll play against him size for size, guard against guard or sometimes be we've got to keep it a reil. We've seen in a couple of situations where the first team is the first seven or eight most talented guys and then the rest of the team going against them. So, with all due respects, you kind of set up the lot. So was Mike playing things fair? And secondly, do you think Doug Collins knew like I can't just have a regular training camp for Mike. They got to compete. I gotta get him going, I gotta, you know, get him to be in his best and the team is gonna feed off of it.

Now, let me ask this, because this happens a lot of times and practice are training camp. Will Mike stack his team because sometimes what you'll do is you'll split up both teams of guys and it'll be evenly match. You know, he'll play against him size for size, guard against guard or sometimes be we've got to keep it a reil. We've seen in a couple of situations where the first team is the first seven or eight most talented guys and then the rest of the team going against them. So, with all due respects, you kind of set up the lot. So was Mike playing things fair? And secondly, do you think Doug Collins knew like I can't just have a regular training camp for Mike. They got to compete. I gotta get him going, I gotta, you know, get him to be in his best and the team is gonna feed off of it.

No, like it was all about competition. Mike didn't want a team with him and stack House and everybody on the same team, or with him and Richard Hamilton and everybody on the same team.

No, like it was all about competition. Mike didn't want a team with him and stack House and everybody on the same team, or with him and Richard Hamilton and everybody on the same team.

Like.

Like.

No, he he wanted the team to be fair because he wanted the discrimage, the scrimmages to be locked. He wanted them to you know, and coach Collins at the same time. The first the first practice, that first practice was a lot of drills and running through plays. And like I said, that second practice, you run whatever plays we ran through the uh in the morning, we would come through, we would dim on those plays, and then after that we would just use those plays in the scrimmages. And so we would say, hey, we're gonna use whatever play we were running, We're running flopping U c L A action, hawk cut, whatever it was, we were gonna that you had to use that for that whole scrimmage. And the scrimmage were like the length of a real NBA quarter. We had a real official getting getting in, getting after it, competing so yeah, it wasn't a special especially hard training camp like you went through as far as the Beef Scott because we weren't running for no reason. We were running with a purpose like yeah we fight, and then the intensity is ratchet up because Mike he like this off the rip, he letting everybody know who the big dogs.

No, he he wanted the team to be fair because he wanted the discrimage, the scrimmages to be locked. He wanted them to you know, and coach Collins at the same time. The first the first practice, that first practice was a lot of drills and running through plays. And like I said, that second practice, you run whatever plays we ran through the uh in the morning, we would come through, we would dim on those plays, and then after that we would just use those plays in the scrimmages. And so we would say, hey, we're gonna use whatever play we were running, We're running flopping U c L A action, hawk cut, whatever it was, we were gonna that you had to use that for that whole scrimmage. And the scrimmage were like the length of a real NBA quarter. We had a real official getting getting in, getting after it, competing so yeah, it wasn't a special especially hard training camp like you went through as far as the Beef Scott because we weren't running for no reason. We were running with a purpose like yeah we fight, and then the intensity is ratchet up because Mike he like this off the rip, he letting everybody know who the big dogs.

How did you adjust as a young guy? You know, do you feel like those that your time at Carolina end up paying off? Because for those who don't know, a lot of young guys get in and you're not throwing different plays at them and saying, oh you got to execute that. Now you're teaching them how to execute you know a lot of a lot of times. So for a young guy, was it like hey man, like this is going kind of fast? Or do you feel like that time at Carolina made you had you prepped to say, okay, what's the place, go in there and run them, execute them.

How did you adjust as a young guy? You know, do you feel like those that your time at Carolina end up paying off? Because for those who don't know, a lot of young guys get in and you're not throwing different plays at them and saying, oh you got to execute that. Now you're teaching them how to execute you know a lot of a lot of times. So for a young guy, was it like hey man, like this is going kind of fast? Or do you feel like that time at Carolina made you had you prepped to say, okay, what's the place, go in there and run them, execute them.

I think that's one of the advantags that I had over a lot of the younger guys and younger bigs on our team is that, you know, with that Carolina system, we were forced you were forced to learn a lot of plays offensively and defensively. Offensively, Hey, secondary break is the traditional Carolina offense. There's a bunch of reads within that offense. If you can't think, you can't play for the Tar Hills. So I understood those plays. So running a bunch of plays at me wasn't that hard. And then at the same time, the defensive concept, Joe, like, we ran real defensive scheams. We didn't just sit in the zone all day, like you know. We had guys that didn't know how to rotate in man the man coverage because all they played is zone in college, whereas Carolina's like Yo, I had to show out on the screen and get back high, stay higher. I had to rotate week side, shot block, and then I had to know zone principles. So I was prepared for multiple levels of what the NBA is all about, simply because I went to college for four years and I had to do it all the time.

I think that's one of the advantags that I had over a lot of the younger guys and younger bigs on our team is that, you know, with that Carolina system, we were forced you were forced to learn a lot of plays offensively and defensively. Offensively, Hey, secondary break is the traditional Carolina offense. There's a bunch of reads within that offense. If you can't think, you can't play for the Tar Hills. So I understood those plays. So running a bunch of plays at me wasn't that hard. And then at the same time, the defensive concept, Joe, like, we ran real defensive scheams. We didn't just sit in the zone all day, like you know. We had guys that didn't know how to rotate in man the man coverage because all they played is zone in college, whereas Carolina's like Yo, I had to show out on the screen and get back high, stay higher. I had to rotate week side, shot block, and then I had to know zone principles. So I was prepared for multiple levels of what the NBA is all about, simply because I went to college for four years and I had to do it all the time.

No, man, that makes sense. And for those who don't know, there are a lot of extremely talented guys, way more talented you and myself. I got ten years, you got fourteen. But you had a lot of guys who would step in literally did not know the plays. And I'm not gonna say there were even some star players where you know it be you on the other side. They call it a play you like, and sometimes your job was to know the place for somebody else. Hey, you go up there, set the screen, did it to walk them through or you didn't know it? You know, so you know, people don't know, like a situation like a training camp, that's the difference between you being ready to go out and play or not. And a lot of times it's not, you know, dictated by talent or especially you have a veteran team shooting out. You had Mike on the other side, so he won't trying to wait for the young fellas.

No, man, that makes sense. And for those who don't know, there are a lot of extremely talented guys, way more talented you and myself. I got ten years, you got fourteen. But you had a lot of guys who would step in literally did not know the plays. And I'm not gonna say there were even some star players where you know it be you on the other side. They call it a play you like, and sometimes your job was to know the place for somebody else. Hey, you go up there, set the screen, did it to walk them through or you didn't know it? You know, so you know, people don't know, like a situation like a training camp, that's the difference between you being ready to go out and play or not. And a lot of times it's not, you know, dictated by talent or especially you have a veteran team shooting out. You had Mike on the other side, so he won't trying to wait for the young fellas.

Right, Yeah, Mike definitely. I mean if you weren't ready to play right away, they would give you a couple opportunities and then they moved to the back of the line. And that's and that's that's how it was, because you know, when you play on the team with Michael Jordan, we would compete in trying to make the playoffs, so we didn't have a lot of time to wait for the young guys. And I noticed that right away. So I was always trying to make sure you did things right the first time. And the biggest thing for coach. Don't make them have to tell you the same thing, quice. That's how that's that's how I lived in training the gamp like, all right, I might mess up the first time, but didn't got to tell me me.

Right, Yeah, Mike definitely. I mean if you weren't ready to play right away, they would give you a couple opportunities and then they moved to the back of the line. And that's and that's that's how it was, because you know, when you play on the team with Michael Jordan, we would compete in trying to make the playoffs, so we didn't have a lot of time to wait for the young guys. And I noticed that right away. So I was always trying to make sure you did things right the first time. And the biggest thing for coach. Don't make them have to tell you the same thing, quice. That's how that's that's how I lived in training the gamp like, all right, I might mess up the first time, but didn't got to tell me me.

Starters in the second unit might get grace. Here's the golden rule, all you young rooks, you high school whatever, that third team. If you don't know coach, don't want to hear nothing from you, you gonna be bumped out.

Starters in the second unit might get grace. Here's the golden rule, all you young rooks, you high school whatever, that third team. If you don't know coach, don't want to hear nothing from you, you gonna be bumped out.

Hold on you that you don't know that if you don't watch two If you watch two groups go before you and you the third guy and he messed it up, you go sit down. You ain't see it. They ain't got time to facts, all right.

Hold on you that you don't know that if you don't watch two If you watch two groups go before you and you the third guy and he messed it up, you go sit down. You ain't see it. They ain't got time to facts, all right.

B So you come in your first year, you got Michael Jordan. Okay, that's one heck of an experience. And it sounds like you ain't no no different. You just thinking that's a normal train I'm gonna tell you right now, looking over Michael Jordan be a part of your training camp. That's once in a lifetime experienced dog. But you're last year. You get another guy, arguably the greatest player of all time. The two gots. Essentially, let's say the two goats right now for the sake of the show. Lebron James, what was it like going into training camp with Lebron? Man? This is your last year in the league, your experience, You've been through everything, You've seen everything. What was training camp with Lebron? How does he prepare? What's he like any cool things that he goes through? You know, because he has a much different mindset that Michael, as we know, But behind the scenes, what was Lebron like in camp? Man?

B So you come in your first year, you got Michael Jordan. Okay, that's one heck of an experience. And it sounds like you ain't no no different. You just thinking that's a normal train I'm gonna tell you right now, looking over Michael Jordan be a part of your training camp. That's once in a lifetime experienced dog. But you're last year. You get another guy, arguably the greatest player of all time. The two gots. Essentially, let's say the two goats right now for the sake of the show. Lebron James, what was it like going into training camp with Lebron? Man? This is your last year in the league, your experience, You've been through everything, You've seen everything. What was training camp with Lebron? How does he prepare? What's he like any cool things that he goes through? You know, because he has a much different mindset that Michael, as we know, But behind the scenes, what was Lebron like in camp? Man?

It was a different scenario because training camp at that point was a lot different. Year fourteen was a lot different than year one. We didn't do nearly as much in year fourteen as we did my first company seasons in the league. Training camp was a lot harder back then. But at the same time, it was interesting because I was watching Lebron really try and and think through the game because he understood this was a young team and you know, a lot of these guys hadn't been on the journey that he had been on. So in training camp, I could see Lebron trying to teach guys certain things because you know, at that point, Dion Waiters and Kyrie Irving was supposed to be like then up and coming back for it and like like right away, those guys didn't really want to defer to Lebron even though he was Lebron and he could feel it. So he was like man trying to get guys to understand the role where they're supposed to be. And then sometimes he did go through and he would let them do their thing, whether it's training camps, preseason games, he would let them try to do things their way because he was trying to show them over time that hey, man, your way really won't work. You need to do it more by way. So it was interesting to see Lebron as opposed to Jordan. Jordan tried to wrapt up with competitive love, while Lebron was trying to be more of a teacher because he understood he had a bunch of young guys. Tristan Thompson was a young guy, Dion Waiters, Kyrie Irving, these young guys hadn't been through what he had been through, and he was trying to prep him for it.

It was a different scenario because training camp at that point was a lot different. Year fourteen was a lot different than year one. We didn't do nearly as much in year fourteen as we did my first company seasons in the league. Training camp was a lot harder back then. But at the same time, it was interesting because I was watching Lebron really try and and think through the game because he understood this was a young team and you know, a lot of these guys hadn't been on the journey that he had been on. So in training camp, I could see Lebron trying to teach guys certain things because you know, at that point, Dion Waiters and Kyrie Irving was supposed to be like then up and coming back for it and like like right away, those guys didn't really want to defer to Lebron even though he was Lebron and he could feel it. So he was like man trying to get guys to understand the role where they're supposed to be. And then sometimes he did go through and he would let them do their thing, whether it's training camps, preseason games, he would let them try to do things their way because he was trying to show them over time that hey, man, your way really won't work. You need to do it more by way. So it was interesting to see Lebron as opposed to Jordan. Jordan tried to wrapt up with competitive love, while Lebron was trying to be more of a teacher because he understood he had a bunch of young guys. Tristan Thompson was a young guy, Dion Waiters, Kyrie Irving, these young guys hadn't been through what he had been through, and he was trying to prep him for it.

How about from the competitive standpoint, what was he you know, you know, I guess one of the to me, one of the greatest things and one of the things that Lebron gets criticized for it is like he knows the moments to turn it on. And it sounded like you mentioned you know, Mike was finding his gear right away, you know, was Lebron more so a way like, hey man, it's training to camp. I know my body, I know when I can turn on, I know what I can turn it on. And I think that's one of Lebron's greatest assets that when it's time to be caught on. You know what is he called it? Playoff Lebron whatever it may be. You know that guy is there. Who was he in camp? Which Lebron was there? You mentioned him being the teacher. But from a competitive standpoint, how did he approach and compete?

How about from the competitive standpoint, what was he you know, you know, I guess one of the to me, one of the greatest things and one of the things that Lebron gets criticized for it is like he knows the moments to turn it on. And it sounded like you mentioned you know, Mike was finding his gear right away, you know, was Lebron more so a way like, hey man, it's training to camp. I know my body, I know when I can turn on, I know what I can turn it on. And I think that's one of Lebron's greatest assets that when it's time to be caught on. You know what is he called it? Playoff Lebron whatever it may be. You know that guy is there. Who was he in camp? Which Lebron was there? You mentioned him being the teacher. But from a competitive standpoint, how did he approach and compete?

Uh?

Uh?

In practice every day? How vocal was he? You know? What were the things that that he would say?

In practice every day? How vocal was he? You know? What were the things that that he would say?

Oh, Lebron was always going and he was all like, obviously he's one of the best players of all times, so he was obviously the best players in camp. But he was vocalist, like I said, his vote like MJ and Lebron was vocal, but in different ways. M J was vocal trying to spark competitiveness. Lebron James is vocal trying to be more of a teacher leader type. So he wasn't going he wasn't going out. He wasn't talking trash to tyl. You know what I'm saying. He was trying to you know, it wasn't that type. But like you know, Lebron was still wrong. He was still going out there being that guy. Thats a floor made complete floor general playmaker. Then at the same time and then he might gratulate up and start guarding people each flying all around in the passing lane. So you know Bron gonna do. He does.

Oh, Lebron was always going and he was all like, obviously he's one of the best players of all times, so he was obviously the best players in camp. But he was vocalist, like I said, his vote like MJ and Lebron was vocal, but in different ways. M J was vocal trying to spark competitiveness. Lebron James is vocal trying to be more of a teacher leader type. So he wasn't going he wasn't going out. He wasn't talking trash to tyl. You know what I'm saying. He was trying to you know, it wasn't that type. But like you know, Lebron was still wrong. He was still going out there being that guy. Thats a floor made complete floor general playmaker. Then at the same time and then he might gratulate up and start guarding people each flying all around in the passing lane. So you know Bron gonna do. He does.

Man, good good stuff there be Let's get to the juicy material. Man. My favorite part of the show, the NBA Rookie Life Film Room. Man, and we're gonna do a fun thing we have never done before. Man, it's the season preview, man, So I'm gonna lean on your expertise. Man, I'm I'm gonna throw some questions out at you. I want three teams or three choices. We'll run down the top three candidates that you have. I'm not gonna stick you to one, not yet. We'll give you three choices. So let's start here with Brendan's top three contenders. What three teams do you have contending for NBA championship this year? What three guys? What three teams? What three man race is it? Man? Let me let me know who you.

Man, good good stuff there be Let's get to the juicy material. Man. My favorite part of the show, the NBA Rookie Life Film Room. Man, and we're gonna do a fun thing we have never done before. Man, it's the season preview, man, So I'm gonna lean on your expertise. Man, I'm I'm gonna throw some questions out at you. I want three teams or three choices. We'll run down the top three candidates that you have. I'm not gonna stick you to one, not yet. We'll give you three choices. So let's start here with Brendan's top three contenders. What three teams do you have contending for NBA championship this year? What three guys? What three teams? What three man race is it? Man? Let me let me know who you.

Got in the top three team. That's easy for me right now. It's Denver, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boston Celtics. I look at all those cool. Yeah, I look at all those teams, and you know, they have the high end players. When I look at the championship level team, first and foremost, you gotta have that guy that we think is gonna be not only a great player, but a Hall of Fame type player. That's normally what the championship level team has. All three of those teams have that I need. I need a little bit of defensive versatility. I need some guys that want to do the dirty work. So when I look at Denver, you got guys like Casey p and Aaron Gordon, and so they're gonna I think pet Watson's gonna have a bigger year this year. As far as that's a young fell to look out.

Got in the top three team. That's easy for me right now. It's Denver, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boston Celtics. I look at all those cool. Yeah, I look at all those teams, and you know, they have the high end players. When I look at the championship level team, first and foremost, you gotta have that guy that we think is gonna be not only a great player, but a Hall of Fame type player. That's normally what the championship level team has. All three of those teams have that I need. I need a little bit of defensive versatility. I need some guys that want to do the dirty work. So when I look at Denver, you got guys like Casey p and Aaron Gordon, and so they're gonna I think pet Watson's gonna have a bigger year this year. As far as that's a young fell to look out.

Watson go to? What school did he go to?

Watson go to? What school did he go to?

I forgot some school out west whe They don't ever wind up to have one championship. But at the end of the day. I think a team like Denver, they have that defensive component, then they have their two stars. When you talk about marrying yo kids and what they bring to the table.

I forgot some school out west whe They don't ever wind up to have one championship. But at the end of the day. I think a team like Denver, they have that defensive component, then they have their two stars. When you talk about marrying yo kids and what they bring to the table.

Just gets it off. The time it's up, it's God. Of course it comes in Yokich from Town Town An. They Davis just stars out of him.

Just gets it off. The time it's up, it's God. Of course it comes in Yokich from Town Town An. They Davis just stars out of him.

I just feel that that's a really, really good team. They're strong all the way throughout, and they can beat you in a bunch of different ways. And Jokic is so good, he's the best player in the league. He can beat you with his passing, his scoring, his rebounding. It's just it's just hard to match. So I really like what Denver is, And then if I go to the Eastern Conference, I love what Milwaukee did getting dang Lillard. I think he's going to be able to do everything the last five minutes of a game that Yanna's kind of struggles with. You put the ball in Day's hands. You're not worried about Dame getting fouled because you know he's not gonna have a night where he's seven or seventeen from the free throw line. Now he knocking those ends when you when you run up pick and roll with Gianna's at the end of the game, everybody's gonna go underneath the screen, try to build a wall. When now you put the ball in Day's hands, Giannis gets to fly downhill because Dame comes off the screen. Jannis is a roller. And then here is what is going to be the most problematic thing. When they put brook Lopez in the strong side corner. How you guard the Jannis Dame pick and roll when brook Lopez is in the strong side corner and the guys rotating to Gianni's are shooting guards and small folders because they're gonna cleary.

I just feel that that's a really, really good team. They're strong all the way throughout, and they can beat you in a bunch of different ways. And Jokic is so good, he's the best player in the league. He can beat you with his passing, his scoring, his rebounding. It's just it's just hard to match. So I really like what Denver is, And then if I go to the Eastern Conference, I love what Milwaukee did getting dang Lillard. I think he's going to be able to do everything the last five minutes of a game that Yanna's kind of struggles with. You put the ball in Day's hands. You're not worried about Dame getting fouled because you know he's not gonna have a night where he's seven or seventeen from the free throw line. Now he knocking those ends when you when you run up pick and roll with Gianna's at the end of the game, everybody's gonna go underneath the screen, try to build a wall. When now you put the ball in Day's hands, Giannis gets to fly downhill because Dame comes off the screen. Jannis is a roller. And then here is what is going to be the most problematic thing. When they put brook Lopez in the strong side corner. How you guard the Jannis Dame pick and roll when brook Lopez is in the strong side corner and the guys rotating to Gianni's are shooting guards and small folders because they're gonna cleary.

Why do you say, why do you say strong side corner? Why is that important? Who's the guy guarding brook Lopez? What's what's the end? I know why, But what's the thing behind that?

Why do you say, why do you say strong side corner? Why is that important? Who's the guy guarding brook Lopez? What's what's the end? I know why, But what's the thing behind that?

Okay, So when you put the when let's say Dame is driving to his right, you want to put brook Lopez in the strong right side, in that strong corner so that that's the easiest pass to make. And his man is the center. So now the center or the bigger player cannot rotate Toannis because he has to stay in the corner. Because you can't give brook Lopez or By before this, or whoever they want to put in the strong side. You can't give those guys three to four. Why over the threes. They can knock those down in their sleep. Now what becomes problematic is once you run that play with Dane, you either got to switch it or you gotta put two guys on. Ain't gonna let Gianna's roll any way you put it. Any way you slice it, Giannas is gonna be screaming down the lane against a smaller body. Either you're gonna switch it, he's gonna have a point guard on him, or you're gonna double them, and Giannas Is gonna run to the rim and it's gonna be a shooting guard or a small floor. We're trying to rotate from the weak side because once again that center of that bigger body is gonna be stuck to that corner. I think that play is gonna cost teams night years in the playoffs. So I love that for the Milwaukee Bucks. My last team is the Boston Celtics. Taydan and Brown continue to get better, they continue to impress. I think this roster got a little bit better. When you add in a guy like horzingis all those shots that Alhoker was missing. Porzingis shoot thirty nine percent from thirty. He's gonna be knocking those down. I love the addition of Drew Holliday Marcus Smart excellent defending. I think Drew Holliday, if he's really looking to it, is slightly better. I think Marcus Smart might be.

Okay, So when you put the when let's say Dame is driving to his right, you want to put brook Lopez in the strong right side, in that strong corner so that that's the easiest pass to make. And his man is the center. So now the center or the bigger player cannot rotate Toannis because he has to stay in the corner. Because you can't give brook Lopez or By before this, or whoever they want to put in the strong side. You can't give those guys three to four. Why over the threes. They can knock those down in their sleep. Now what becomes problematic is once you run that play with Dane, you either got to switch it or you gotta put two guys on. Ain't gonna let Gianna's roll any way you put it. Any way you slice it, Giannas is gonna be screaming down the lane against a smaller body. Either you're gonna switch it, he's gonna have a point guard on him, or you're gonna double them, and Giannas Is gonna run to the rim and it's gonna be a shooting guard or a small floor. We're trying to rotate from the weak side because once again that center of that bigger body is gonna be stuck to that corner. I think that play is gonna cost teams night years in the playoffs. So I love that for the Milwaukee Bucks. My last team is the Boston Celtics. Taydan and Brown continue to get better, they continue to impress. I think this roster got a little bit better. When you add in a guy like horzingis all those shots that Alhoker was missing. Porzingis shoot thirty nine percent from thirty. He's gonna be knocking those down. I love the addition of Drew Holliday Marcus Smart excellent defending. I think Drew Holliday, if he's really looking to it, is slightly better. I think Marcus Smart might be.

A little that's the defensive player of the year.

A little that's the defensive player of the year.

B Yeah, listen, only one guarding people like Drew Holliday outside of Jimmy Butler. Jimmy Butler got his number, but outside of that, Drew Holliday makes life tough on a lot of people. And then you still got Dereck White. So they have so much side they're gonna be able.

B Yeah, listen, only one guarding people like Drew Holliday outside of Jimmy Butler. Jimmy Butler got his number, but outside of that, Drew Holliday makes life tough on a lot of people. And then you still got Dereck White. So they have so much side they're gonna be able.

To let me ask Let me ask this though. While you're on there, he was the emotional leader, you know, Drew's quiet, amazing guy. You know. So now I think it's more like a Draymond effect that you're missing with Smart, that emotional leader is going. Do you think that's the impact that's kind of one of my reservations with Boston or do you think this is going to force Tatum and Brown to be that emotional leader to step up in a leadership role in which they kind of didn't have to do well.

To let me ask Let me ask this though. While you're on there, he was the emotional leader, you know, Drew's quiet, amazing guy. You know. So now I think it's more like a Draymond effect that you're missing with Smart, that emotional leader is going. Do you think that's the impact that's kind of one of my reservations with Boston or do you think this is going to force Tatum and Brown to be that emotional leader to step up in a leadership role in which they kind of didn't have to do well.

I mean, the emotional leader is not something that that's something either you are that you're not. You know what I'm saying, Like, if you're that wrong, wrong guy, either your dad or you're not. And we know Marcus Smart is that. You know, Draymond Green for Golden State, he's that. I think Tatum and Briant can find their own ways to be leaders, you know what I'm saying, Like, you can't try to emulate what Marcus Smart does because it won't be genuine and the team will feeling, you know, the lock of the spot a fund of them. And so I think Boston will be okay because they have a lot of good guys. They have a lot of guys that want to win, gonna work hard. Like Drew Holly is one of the best guy just people in the league. He's just a great person. You don't hear anything negative about Drew Holliday. Same thing with Take, same thing with Tatum Brown is working hard. I know people are kind of getting on him last year he had to turnover. It's because he's struggling going left. But at the end of the day, this is still probably top the bottom. Boston might have the most talented roster they have from top to bottom. They might have the most talented roster when you look at high level scores, wing, you look at defensive versatility. I mean, Brown can defend, Tatum can defend. You look at you know what Holiday can do. You know what I'm saying. Perz INGOs can block shot. So they have a lot of versatility and then a lot all these dudes can shoot the ball and make plays too. And then let's forget Derek White had a great year. That's a big point guard. So this team is very, very solid. I love where they're at. Those are my top three teams right there.

I mean, the emotional leader is not something that that's something either you are that you're not. You know what I'm saying, Like, if you're that wrong, wrong guy, either your dad or you're not. And we know Marcus Smart is that. You know, Draymond Green for Golden State, he's that. I think Tatum and Briant can find their own ways to be leaders, you know what I'm saying, Like, you can't try to emulate what Marcus Smart does because it won't be genuine and the team will feeling, you know, the lock of the spot a fund of them. And so I think Boston will be okay because they have a lot of good guys. They have a lot of guys that want to win, gonna work hard. Like Drew Holly is one of the best guy just people in the league. He's just a great person. You don't hear anything negative about Drew Holliday. Same thing with Take, same thing with Tatum Brown is working hard. I know people are kind of getting on him last year he had to turnover. It's because he's struggling going left. But at the end of the day, this is still probably top the bottom. Boston might have the most talented roster they have from top to bottom. They might have the most talented roster when you look at high level scores, wing, you look at defensive versatility. I mean, Brown can defend, Tatum can defend. You look at you know what Holiday can do. You know what I'm saying. Perz INGOs can block shot. So they have a lot of versatility and then a lot all these dudes can shoot the ball and make plays too. And then let's forget Derek White had a great year. That's a big point guard. So this team is very, very solid. I love where they're at. Those are my top three teams right there.

Stay tuned, guys. Brendan's gonna let you know who he thinks might win MVP, and it might not be somebody you think, man, not the usual suspects. He's gonna throw a name, and we want to see what you guys think. Stay tuned. Coming up next. Okay, let me throw this out man, I didn't plan on doing this, but you left off the Suns off this list. I'm sure they're not far behind. Why aren't the Sons in your top three? What discourages you from looking at Phoenix and Kevin Durant and Booker and Bill and all that talent and saying, you know, I trust them as contenders or in your top.

Stay tuned, guys. Brendan's gonna let you know who he thinks might win MVP, and it might not be somebody you think, man, not the usual suspects. He's gonna throw a name, and we want to see what you guys think. Stay tuned. Coming up next. Okay, let me throw this out man, I didn't plan on doing this, but you left off the Suns off this list. I'm sure they're not far behind. Why aren't the Sons in your top three? What discourages you from looking at Phoenix and Kevin Durant and Booker and Bill and all that talent and saying, you know, I trust them as contenders or in your top.

Three, because most teams that I look at as heavy contenders have a defensive component to their team. Over the last I think forty plus years, you have to win an NBA title or to be competing for title, you have to be a top fifteen defensive ball club. And when I look at the Phoenix Sun, they've done a lot to add to the offense. You brought Brandley Deal and that's good offense.

Three, because most teams that I look at as heavy contenders have a defensive component to their team. Over the last I think forty plus years, you have to win an NBA title or to be competing for title, you have to be a top fifteen defensive ball club. And when I look at the Phoenix Sun, they've done a lot to add to the offense. You brought Brandley Deal and that's good offense.

And you you.

And you you.

Brought Nurkic Shin and you you brought Grayson Allen to come in off the bench, and you brought Aaron Gordon.

Brought Nurkic Shin and you you brought Grayson Allen to come in off the bench, and you brought Aaron Gordon.

And and and you brought Bol Bolan.

And and and you brought Bol Bolan.

These are all very talented offensive players. But they didn't bring in and Drew Holliday, you know, they they didn't bring it up office Martin. You know they didn't bring in a Clint Capello, Like, where is the defensive component to this team? And it's missing. It to lacking and you can see it right away. And I'm gonna go ahead and tell you what what's what's today's day? Man, what's the day's day?

These are all very talented offensive players. But they didn't bring in and Drew Holliday, you know, they they didn't bring it up office Martin. You know they didn't bring in a Clint Capello, Like, where is the defensive component to this team? And it's missing. It to lacking and you can see it right away. And I'm gonna go ahead and tell you what what's what's today's day? Man, what's the day's day?

Today is October fourth, Man October.

Today is October fourth, Man October.

Four, Today's October fourth. I'm gonna tell you right now what teams are gonna do to Phoenix in the playoffs.

Four, Today's October fourth. I'm gonna tell you right now what teams are gonna do to Phoenix in the playoffs.

You want to hear m let's here, let's hear it. October fourth.

You want to hear m let's here, let's hear it. October fourth.

Let's go October fourth. I'm gonna tell you what teams are gonna do to Phoenix in max. They're gonna go out there and they're gonna call Nurkic up in the pick and roll. Look at his pick and roll numbers. They're not pringing. He doesn't play the pick and roll with so teams that have a really good guy, Like if they run into a Denver and Nurkic is in a pick and roll with Jamal Murray, they're gonna get whatever they want. They're gonna pick and roll Nurkics to death until they take him out of the game. Once they take him out of the game, they're gonna they're gonna run to the rim because there's no shot blocking because Bowl Bowl is in. He has some he lacks defensive instincts as well. He didn't like Orlando didn't have him back because of some of the defensive problems. So there's they don't have a shot blocker. They don't have a big that can switch the pick and roll and move his feet and get up at the level of the screen. They don't have any They don't have anybody that's going to give them a defensive component in the post, on the wing or on the ball. That is going to be problematic. And I'm telling you right now, the really good coaches in the playoffs, they're gonna attack Nurkics's feet. They're gonna put him in every pick and roll and force needed to take him out of the game.

Let's go October fourth. I'm gonna tell you what teams are gonna do to Phoenix in max. They're gonna go out there and they're gonna call Nurkic up in the pick and roll. Look at his pick and roll numbers. They're not pringing. He doesn't play the pick and roll with so teams that have a really good guy, Like if they run into a Denver and Nurkic is in a pick and roll with Jamal Murray, they're gonna get whatever they want. They're gonna pick and roll Nurkics to death until they take him out of the game. Once they take him out of the game, they're gonna they're gonna run to the rim because there's no shot blocking because Bowl Bowl is in. He has some he lacks defensive instincts as well. He didn't like Orlando didn't have him back because of some of the defensive problems. So there's they don't have a shot blocker. They don't have a big that can switch the pick and roll and move his feet and get up at the level of the screen. They don't have any They don't have anybody that's going to give them a defensive component in the post, on the wing or on the ball. That is going to be problematic. And I'm telling you right now, the really good coaches in the playoffs, they're gonna attack Nurkics's feet. They're gonna put him in every pick and roll and force needed to take him out of the game.

Okay, Okay, hey, not said I'm gonna look for We stamped it. We're gonna check it out. We're gonna send you this, Clint, We're gonna send you to Clinton.

Okay, Okay, hey, not said I'm gonna look for We stamped it. We're gonna check it out. We're gonna send you this, Clint, We're gonna send you to Clinton.

Man, I'm telling you what they're gonna do to these guys and when it comes to back.

Man, I'm telling you what they're gonna do to these guys and when it comes to back.

Okay, let's move forward. Give me your top three m VP candidates. Obviously we know the guys who've been putting in work. I think for me, it's hard to take them off the list. Who are your top three?

Okay, let's move forward. Give me your top three m VP candidates. Obviously we know the guys who've been putting in work. I think for me, it's hard to take them off the list. Who are your top three?

My top three m VP candidates, I'm going with the heavy use of guys, and so normally I have Giannis up there. I think Joanna's gonna have to share that private Dame. I think Janice is gonna run. Jo Is gonna run into some of the same problems that Katie ran into when he was in Golden State, where him and step kind of split the vote. I think that's Gianna is gonna face some of that this year, because you know what was gonna happen, dan would getting shot in Dame time and all that. So I'm gonna go with the joker. I think has a real life chance to average a triple double.

My top three m VP candidates, I'm going with the heavy use of guys, and so normally I have Giannis up there. I think Joanna's gonna have to share that private Dame. I think Janice is gonna run. Jo Is gonna run into some of the same problems that Katie ran into when he was in Golden State, where him and step kind of split the vote. I think that's Gianna is gonna face some of that this year, because you know what was gonna happen, dan would getting shot in Dame time and all that. So I'm gonna go with the joker. I think has a real life chance to average a triple double.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So, and and he's led the league in PR the last three years. That's a that's normally an m v P team. Normally, when you lead normally, when you lead the League of PR over the last ten to fifteen years, you get m v P. Last year was the first year in a long time that that didn't happen. So I'm gonna go with Jokic as one of my MVP guys. I think MD has a chance to be the MVP yet again. I don't know how that James Hard situation is gonna work, but I think in Be's gonna get a heavy usage this year. I think we always It could be even more if James Harden is not with the team or not playing or suspended. I don't know how that's gonna play out. Last, but not least, I'm gonna go with a sleeper, not really a sleeper, but a guy that's not mentioned quite as much because his team fizzled out last year. But I'm gonna go with I'm gonna go with LEAs. I talked to my I talked to my my snickers down there in Dallas. What they telling me. They say, Luca in shape.

So, and and he's led the league in PR the last three years. That's a that's normally an m v P team. Normally, when you lead normally, when you lead the League of PR over the last ten to fifteen years, you get m v P. Last year was the first year in a long time that that didn't happen. So I'm gonna go with Jokic as one of my MVP guys. I think MD has a chance to be the MVP yet again. I don't know how that James Hard situation is gonna work, but I think in Be's gonna get a heavy usage this year. I think we always It could be even more if James Harden is not with the team or not playing or suspended. I don't know how that's gonna play out. Last, but not least, I'm gonna go with a sleeper, not really a sleeper, but a guy that's not mentioned quite as much because his team fizzled out last year. But I'm gonna go with I'm gonna go with LEAs. I talked to my I talked to my my snickers down there in Dallas. What they telling me. They say, Luca in shape.

They say the.

They say the.

Team is vibing him and Tyree getting a loan. If Dallas anywhere in the top four to five teams, it's gonna be because Luca is having one of those years, and we know he's one of those ones. He's one of those guys that can average thirty points eight, three bounds of ten and six. So I'm going for the heavy usage guys at the same time that can do multiple things with the ball, a fix the game of multiple ways. So my top three guys in MVP, I'm gonna go. I'm going with Luca, the Joker, and MB in no specific order.

Team is vibing him and Tyree getting a loan. If Dallas anywhere in the top four to five teams, it's gonna be because Luca is having one of those years, and we know he's one of those ones. He's one of those guys that can average thirty points eight, three bounds of ten and six. So I'm going for the heavy usage guys at the same time that can do multiple things with the ball, a fix the game of multiple ways. So my top three guys in MVP, I'm gonna go. I'm going with Luca, the Joker, and MB in no specific order.

Wow, Okay, I got one. I'm gonna throw at you and you can use this one for later, because you know what I'm saying, you can use this for later. But I want you to look at and I think this is the perfect year for Steph Curry to reclaim MVP. The reason that I say this is if you get Chris Paul there, they're gonna need him to do a bulk of the scoring. Now, Curry is gonna have a chance to play off ball and be you know it for me and you competing against them or watching them because a lot of the centers normally give bench in those games. Steph Curry is more dangerous off ball. He doesn't have to think for everybody. When you're the point guard, you gotta come down Steph Curry scoring and scoring thirty and forty points from the point guard spot is so impressive because he's got to think for everybody else on the team. With Chris Paul there, with Draymond back, he can get off the ball so much more. And that's something where he could just focus on scoring. Not to mention, Golden State is in a situation they're gonna need Curry to score the basketball for them to be a contending You know what I'm saying in the Western Conference. The Western Conference is thick top to bottom, so Curry is gonna have to put up monster numbers. He can focus it on scoring. He's one of the greatest scorers we have ever seen in the game. He's been throwing out himself into these words and letting people know, I'm the greatest point guard ever. With all due respect to you, Magic, I'm the greatest point guard ever. So I think he's gonna be in that running and I think it's one of those years in Steph's career where he's kind of showing I still got it. I'm still one of those guys. Okay, let's move forward. Man, what moves excites you the most? Let's go back to the bucks Man. You talked about that pick and roll coverage. What excites you about them? What kind of got you fired up with the Bucks within that move? I guess more so from a I'm gonna give you this and I want to know how you feel about it. I feel like Scotty and Mike were Batman and Robin. Okay, you knew Mike was gonna take the shot. He Batman, Robin did everything just as good. Okay. I think when you look at Kobe and Shaq. You can never say that Kobe was batman and Shaq was robbing. I bring that up similarly because it's hard though in moments Giannis is not as effective finishing games. Okay, even though he has Gianni's I'm not gonna call him Robin. I think it's more Shaq and Kobe, this era of Shaq and Kobe if those two play at a very high level. But for you, you picked to chun it earlier as far as the pick and roll coverages. But what else excites you about that move to the Bucks Damian Lillard new landscape. Hey man, he's gonna be hungry for a championship. They already won in Milwaukee, and Yanna said he finally got the help that he needed. But what else excites you about that move or what.

Wow, Okay, I got one. I'm gonna throw at you and you can use this one for later, because you know what I'm saying, you can use this for later. But I want you to look at and I think this is the perfect year for Steph Curry to reclaim MVP. The reason that I say this is if you get Chris Paul there, they're gonna need him to do a bulk of the scoring. Now, Curry is gonna have a chance to play off ball and be you know it for me and you competing against them or watching them because a lot of the centers normally give bench in those games. Steph Curry is more dangerous off ball. He doesn't have to think for everybody. When you're the point guard, you gotta come down Steph Curry scoring and scoring thirty and forty points from the point guard spot is so impressive because he's got to think for everybody else on the team. With Chris Paul there, with Draymond back, he can get off the ball so much more. And that's something where he could just focus on scoring. Not to mention, Golden State is in a situation they're gonna need Curry to score the basketball for them to be a contending You know what I'm saying in the Western Conference. The Western Conference is thick top to bottom, so Curry is gonna have to put up monster numbers. He can focus it on scoring. He's one of the greatest scorers we have ever seen in the game. He's been throwing out himself into these words and letting people know, I'm the greatest point guard ever. With all due respect to you, Magic, I'm the greatest point guard ever. So I think he's gonna be in that running and I think it's one of those years in Steph's career where he's kind of showing I still got it. I'm still one of those guys. Okay, let's move forward. Man, what moves excites you the most? Let's go back to the bucks Man. You talked about that pick and roll coverage. What excites you about them? What kind of got you fired up with the Bucks within that move? I guess more so from a I'm gonna give you this and I want to know how you feel about it. I feel like Scotty and Mike were Batman and Robin. Okay, you knew Mike was gonna take the shot. He Batman, Robin did everything just as good. Okay. I think when you look at Kobe and Shaq. You can never say that Kobe was batman and Shaq was robbing. I bring that up similarly because it's hard though in moments Giannis is not as effective finishing games. Okay, even though he has Gianni's I'm not gonna call him Robin. I think it's more Shaq and Kobe, this era of Shaq and Kobe if those two play at a very high level. But for you, you picked to chun it earlier as far as the pick and roll coverages. But what else excites you about that move to the Bucks Damian Lillard new landscape. Hey man, he's gonna be hungry for a championship. They already won in Milwaukee, and Yanna said he finally got the help that he needed. But what else excites you about that move or what.

Excites to me about Danny Willer going to Milwaukee is that they finally got the closes that they need. Giannis is a great player, but he's probably not the ideal closer because his scoring area the last five minutes of the game becomes basically dunk or later. You know you're not Teams are going to be scared of him taking a mid range jumper. They're not gonna be scared him taking a turnaround jumper. They're not gonna be scared of him taking a three point shot. And a lot of times when he gets cooked to Rim del Votin. And as you said, if you want, if you go back and watch game five, Gianna's had thirty thirty plus points, maybe maybe even coach to forty right. I was actually calling that game. But the last five into the game it was dice that were fouling the missing free throws. He was taking some mid range jumpers they want closed. Then the coaching staff they had to start coming up the different ways trap and they started running through Chris Middleton, even though Chris Middleton was only playing out won leg last year. When you got dame, he ain't got worried about all that. A big fella. It's kind of the same way, like you, I love the Shaq and Kobe comparison. Listen, Shaky could carry the Lakers for three quarters and then it was Kobe's time. If you want to go back Shaq and d Wade where it was like, hey, Shaqi, do a thing, and then d Wade rows the game out. When the Heat won the championship, we're gonna see something very similar. We're gonna see something very similar when we talked about the Bucks where Dami Giannas listen. Giannis is gonna be a dominant self. He's gonna be averaging twenty eight to thirty points a game. He's gonna be average thirteen fourteen rebounds, He's gonna be playing great defense. But the last five to seven minutes of Coach Bowl games, Dame is gonna be the decision maker and the score. And that's gonna be huge because now when they switched the screen, if they switched that screen and roll, Dame can be dang can look and be like, Okay, big fella got a miscup out and now a big fella got a mismatch. But he he four of eleven from the free throw line to night. We probably don't want to throw him the ball right here, they're gonna foul. So now he gets a big on him because they got to switch it. They switch it by you get to do his Dame time or he drives by his head. He gets Chris Middleton at eve shot, And that is something. As much as I love Drew Holliday's versatility, he's not Dame at the last five minutes of the ball game. There's a reason why we call it Dame time and we start looking at our watch because he's done this time and time again. He's probably on the guy who know that's had two walk off playoff game winning shot. Talk about walk off like in the series, like, hey, yeah, that jumper he hit an OKC started a rebuild by Bye Ross Boom. Don't forget about the jumper that he hit against Houston early in his career. So Dame understands these moments, how to play them, and he thrives in them. So I think playing with Milwaukee, he's gonna have more space than he ever had because, like I said, all their bags can shoot outside of Jonnest and he's going to be the guy rolled into the run.

Excites to me about Danny Willer going to Milwaukee is that they finally got the closes that they need. Giannis is a great player, but he's probably not the ideal closer because his scoring area the last five minutes of the game becomes basically dunk or later. You know you're not Teams are going to be scared of him taking a mid range jumper. They're not gonna be scared him taking a turnaround jumper. They're not gonna be scared of him taking a three point shot. And a lot of times when he gets cooked to Rim del Votin. And as you said, if you want, if you go back and watch game five, Gianna's had thirty thirty plus points, maybe maybe even coach to forty right. I was actually calling that game. But the last five into the game it was dice that were fouling the missing free throws. He was taking some mid range jumpers they want closed. Then the coaching staff they had to start coming up the different ways trap and they started running through Chris Middleton, even though Chris Middleton was only playing out won leg last year. When you got dame, he ain't got worried about all that. A big fella. It's kind of the same way, like you, I love the Shaq and Kobe comparison. Listen, Shaky could carry the Lakers for three quarters and then it was Kobe's time. If you want to go back Shaq and d Wade where it was like, hey, Shaqi, do a thing, and then d Wade rows the game out. When the Heat won the championship, we're gonna see something very similar. We're gonna see something very similar when we talked about the Bucks where Dami Giannas listen. Giannis is gonna be a dominant self. He's gonna be averaging twenty eight to thirty points a game. He's gonna be average thirteen fourteen rebounds, He's gonna be playing great defense. But the last five to seven minutes of Coach Bowl games, Dame is gonna be the decision maker and the score. And that's gonna be huge because now when they switched the screen, if they switched that screen and roll, Dame can be dang can look and be like, Okay, big fella got a miscup out and now a big fella got a mismatch. But he he four of eleven from the free throw line to night. We probably don't want to throw him the ball right here, they're gonna foul. So now he gets a big on him because they got to switch it. They switch it by you get to do his Dame time or he drives by his head. He gets Chris Middleton at eve shot, And that is something. As much as I love Drew Holliday's versatility, he's not Dame at the last five minutes of the ball game. There's a reason why we call it Dame time and we start looking at our watch because he's done this time and time again. He's probably on the guy who know that's had two walk off playoff game winning shot. Talk about walk off like in the series, like, hey, yeah, that jumper he hit an OKC started a rebuild by Bye Ross Boom. Don't forget about the jumper that he hit against Houston early in his career. So Dame understands these moments, how to play them, and he thrives in them. So I think playing with Milwaukee, he's gonna have more space than he ever had because, like I said, all their bags can shoot outside of Jonnest and he's going to be the guy rolled into the run.

And I double down on that Dame as the best closer in the NBA. You can look at, I would say, you can even look at kd You can just lected Steph Kurr. You can look in Lebron. With all due respect, I think those last two minutes of a ball game, I put the ball in Dame's hands just because he's a point guard. He can go create open looks he can handle the basketball, he can get to the foul line. You know where those are the guys that think just at this moment, he's proven that. Let's move forward. Man, how do you like Memphis? You know kind of you know, giving the bag to des Vane taking care of Jaron Jackson Jr. And with John Moran John Moran out, they went back and got Derek Rose. Man. How excited are you for what Memphis did? Do you believe in them and the moves that they made in this offseason?

And I double down on that Dame as the best closer in the NBA. You can look at, I would say, you can even look at kd You can just lected Steph Kurr. You can look in Lebron. With all due respect, I think those last two minutes of a ball game, I put the ball in Dame's hands just because he's a point guard. He can go create open looks he can handle the basketball, he can get to the foul line. You know where those are the guys that think just at this moment, he's proven that. Let's move forward. Man, how do you like Memphis? You know kind of you know, giving the bag to des Vane taking care of Jaron Jackson Jr. And with John Moran John Moran out, they went back and got Derek Rose. Man. How excited are you for what Memphis did? Do you believe in them and the moves that they made in this offseason?

Yeah, I think is in a very good position. I think they can be a team that makes a lot of noise in the playoffs. And because of Golden State and the Lakers and some of these other teams getting a lot of buzz, they get to fly under the raid on, which is perfect for their team. They win the press a lot last year for the wrong reasons. Now they get to fly under the raidar. No one's talking about Memphis as a serious contender. But I like the addition of Marcus Smart, and I think you get past those first twenty five games, if they're anywhere over slightly over five hundred, that's a plus those first twenty five games when John's aren't going to be there if they can win games and you get guys doing what they got to do with Marcus Smart playing well. Now, when you bring John to this team, it's going to be very problematic because you got bang on one wing defending, then you got then you got Marcus Smart, a Defensive Player of the Year defending. Then you got Jaron Jackson Junior, a defensive player of the year shot blocker supreme.

Yeah, I think is in a very good position. I think they can be a team that makes a lot of noise in the playoffs. And because of Golden State and the Lakers and some of these other teams getting a lot of buzz, they get to fly under the raid on, which is perfect for their team. They win the press a lot last year for the wrong reasons. Now they get to fly under the raidar. No one's talking about Memphis as a serious contender. But I like the addition of Marcus Smart, and I think you get past those first twenty five games, if they're anywhere over slightly over five hundred, that's a plus those first twenty five games when John's aren't going to be there if they can win games and you get guys doing what they got to do with Marcus Smart playing well. Now, when you bring John to this team, it's going to be very problematic because you got bang on one wing defending, then you got then you got Marcus Smart, a Defensive Player of the Year defending. Then you got Jaron Jackson Junior, a defensive player of the year shot blocker supreme.

Yes, I don't even think about that. You got both Come and listen.

Yes, I don't even think about that. You got both Come and listen.

And if they really want to get Dicey again, super super big, they can put Jaron Jackson Junior at the four. You got Steven Adams in there. For sure, this team is gonna be able to throw some defensive lineups at you that are gonna be really, really scary for the league to see. I also want to see John Moran and Jaron Jackson Jr. Take a half a step more in their offensive development in the half court. I think that's the that's the next step, and it starts from day one. So if I was the Memphis Grisland, when we want pick and roll, those small guys, get put on Jaron Jackson Jr. I would tell Jered and listen. I understand you can shoot the three ball, but when they switch a point guard or or a two guard on you, I need you to run to that block and jump up from the death drop step, get fould, do whatever you have to do. Big fella, you got touched in there, because that's gonna be what helped Those type of moves, those type of plays during the regular season is what's gonna help you in the postseason. But I like Memphis's team absolutely.

And if they really want to get Dicey again, super super big, they can put Jaron Jackson Junior at the four. You got Steven Adams in there. For sure, this team is gonna be able to throw some defensive lineups at you that are gonna be really, really scary for the league to see. I also want to see John Moran and Jaron Jackson Jr. Take a half a step more in their offensive development in the half court. I think that's the that's the next step, and it starts from day one. So if I was the Memphis Grisland, when we want pick and roll, those small guys, get put on Jaron Jackson Jr. I would tell Jered and listen. I understand you can shoot the three ball, but when they switch a point guard or or a two guard on you, I need you to run to that block and jump up from the death drop step, get fould, do whatever you have to do. Big fella, you got touched in there, because that's gonna be what helped Those type of moves, those type of plays during the regular season is what's gonna help you in the postseason. But I like Memphis's team absolutely.

Man. Look, you ain't getting out of here, dog, You're gonna talk about Houston Rockets. What do I do you like about Houston? Yeah? You have to look, man, my young team is going from developing and saying we're going to compete. Got a new coach in Ema Udoka. Dylan Brooks is in town. Shout out Memphis, Thank you Memphis. We are glad to have Dylan Brooks. There's a number of guys along with this young core. Is there any team maybe you can compare this to in the past where you're transitioning from we're developing to hey, man, let's go out and win. Let's go compete. So what do you like about Houston? Is there anything that stands out and what might people look forward to going into this season.

Man. Look, you ain't getting out of here, dog, You're gonna talk about Houston Rockets. What do I do you like about Houston? Yeah? You have to look, man, my young team is going from developing and saying we're going to compete. Got a new coach in Ema Udoka. Dylan Brooks is in town. Shout out Memphis, Thank you Memphis. We are glad to have Dylan Brooks. There's a number of guys along with this young core. Is there any team maybe you can compare this to in the past where you're transitioning from we're developing to hey, man, let's go out and win. Let's go compete. So what do you like about Houston? Is there anything that stands out and what might people look forward to going into this season.

Well, I like the fact that Houston has some good veterans to help these young guys. I like you young guys last year, but Ryan, you how hard it is and you have a team full of just young guys. You need some veterans, and more importantly, you need some veterans that know how to play. You need some veterans that when they say something in practice, they can go out there and practice and back it up. It means something when that vet is is getting out there playing twenty thirty minutes as well, and he's telling you and showing you the right thing to do. So I think that Damn Bleed and Dylan gonna help the team. I think emy At doka uh is gonna be a great coach for this team, is gonna be a great fit. I understand there are some things that happen in the past. They're gonna need to even talk about that. We're gonna talk about strictly the basketball. And when you talk about Emay Adopa and strictly the basketball, you understood what he meant. That Boston team they missed that last year, they missed what he brought from an intensity standpoint. I was at the finals when Boston played Golden State, the way he was talking to those guys and they were vibing with him, and I could see it. You could when a player boy him and he respect his coach and his coaching coach him hard and they and they not deefen. You see it. And I saw that with Email in Boston. I think he's gonna love Emai and Houston. He's gonna bring that same intensity because he's he's walked through those doors. He he's he's been approach for years. He's from the San Antonio system, so he's gonna be able to tell us, guys, listen, this is how we do it. And if you don't do it, you're gonna sit down. But if you do do it, I'm gonna let you rock. And players love a coach that genuine and so I think having he may there, having some of those good bets like man Beleeting, Dylan Brooks there is going to help your young guys out tremendously. Houston has some of the best young talent in the league, and you get the privilege of watching him on a mat.