The volume. No, oh my god, how could he do that? By wat? What Charles Darwin? The nerves is where it's at.

The volume. No, oh my god, how could he do that? By wat? What Charles Darwin? The nerves is where it's at.

Welcome everybody back into Nerd session. As always, I'm Carson Braving. Alongside he is Logan Camden and you already know the drill. We're gonna be breaking down all of the game ones from today and we're gonna start Logan with the Nightcap, which was certainly the most anticipated matchup of the day for me and ended up being definitely the most entertaining.

Welcome everybody back into Nerd session. As always, I'm Carson Braving. Alongside he is Logan Camden and you already know the drill. We're gonna be breaking down all of the game ones from today and we're gonna start Logan with the Nightcap, which was certainly the most anticipated matchup of the day for me and ended up being definitely the most entertaining.

A good old fashioned rock fight.

A good old fashioned rock fight.

Man a ninety five to eighty five final score as the Golden State Warriors take down the Houston Rockets in Game one. What was your biggest takeaway from this one, Logan?

Man a ninety five to eighty five final score as the Golden State Warriors take down the Houston Rockets in Game one. What was your biggest takeaway from this one, Logan?

I mean, I think we're in for just a battle of a series. I think Warriors Rockets is probably one of my favorite ones on the slate. It's up there between Nuggets and Clippers is my favorite battle that we're about to watch in the first round. The Warriors couldn't have got this done without what they got from Steph Curry. He was hitting some of the most ridiculous shots I've ever seen, and I mean it's saying a lot for Steph but like some of the stuff he's doing. The pull up right wing over Jalen Green was just unbelievable. I couldn't believe he hit that one to start it off, and he has that near half court shot at the end of the shot clock. He hits another thirty footer in the fourth quarter. At the end of this game, he gives you thirty one points on twelve of nineteen from the field and five of nine from deep. With that, you got to give credit to the Warriors defense, hustle and effort for winning them this game, because I thought Houston did their best to make life hard on Golden State, and they did, but I thought the Warriors defense disrupted them on the other end as well. And you got to give a lot of credit to Jimmy Butler there too. But also what you get out of Jimmy offensively. He gives you twenty five, seven and six in this one and hit some big clutch shots and has some big boards, and the Warriors just get enough out of their supporting cast along with that. Like I know, pod Zimsky has an ugly game from the field, but he's got some big time rebounds and hustle plays in this one. I thought he had a positive impact in the game, and they get enough shots from Moody and Gary Payton. I think there's saying some things to iron out with the rotation and some things I'd like to see Golden State adjust further in the series. But that's what you were banking on when you traded for Jimmy Butler at the deadline, and that's what you feel. That's what I feel like you got out of this one from Jimmy and Steph your two stars or two veterans, and a lot of this game, Carson. I know Houston has a huge run in the third quarter, and we're going to talk about that here in a minute. I thought the experience and the veteran edge, really I felt like you felt that one in this one with Golden State, and it was a good win for them, But by no means a Mike count and Houston out. Man, I think we're in for a real duel of a series here, and I'm really excited about this one.

I mean, I think we're in for just a battle of a series. I think Warriors Rockets is probably one of my favorite ones on the slate. It's up there between Nuggets and Clippers is my favorite battle that we're about to watch in the first round. The Warriors couldn't have got this done without what they got from Steph Curry. He was hitting some of the most ridiculous shots I've ever seen, and I mean it's saying a lot for Steph but like some of the stuff he's doing. The pull up right wing over Jalen Green was just unbelievable. I couldn't believe he hit that one to start it off, and he has that near half court shot at the end of the shot clock. He hits another thirty footer in the fourth quarter. At the end of this game, he gives you thirty one points on twelve of nineteen from the field and five of nine from deep. With that, you got to give credit to the Warriors defense, hustle and effort for winning them this game, because I thought Houston did their best to make life hard on Golden State, and they did, but I thought the Warriors defense disrupted them on the other end as well. And you got to give a lot of credit to Jimmy Butler there too. But also what you get out of Jimmy offensively. He gives you twenty five, seven and six in this one and hit some big clutch shots and has some big boards, and the Warriors just get enough out of their supporting cast along with that. Like I know, pod Zimsky has an ugly game from the field, but he's got some big time rebounds and hustle plays in this one. I thought he had a positive impact in the game, and they get enough shots from Moody and Gary Payton. I think there's saying some things to iron out with the rotation and some things I'd like to see Golden State adjust further in the series. But that's what you were banking on when you traded for Jimmy Butler at the deadline, and that's what you feel. That's what I feel like you got out of this one from Jimmy and Steph your two stars or two veterans, and a lot of this game, Carson. I know Houston has a huge run in the third quarter, and we're going to talk about that here in a minute. I thought the experience and the veteran edge, really I felt like you felt that one in this one with Golden State, and it was a good win for them, But by no means a Mike count and Houston out. Man, I think we're in for a real duel of a series here, and I'm really excited about this one.

It was almost too perfect, the extent to which this game felt like, pretty much to a tee, what I was expecting from this series in a number of different ways. But the difference in this game is that one team had Steph Curry and the other did it like It's literally that simple. We knew coming in this was going to be the most defensively stingy series. It was going to be the grittiest, the nastiest. These teams in the regular season averaged like ninety eight and ninety seven points per game when they played each other with Steph on the floor, And when you're in a game like this one that is so physical, where offense is so hard to come by, where both teams are playing basically flawless defense, oftentimes you just need that one player who can cut through and who can rise above and in spite of excellent defense, can do something special offensively. And Steph Curry was the player on the floor who was capable of that in this game, I mean, just absolutely insane shot making. You mentioned the shot clock beaters over both Amen Thompson and Jalen Green, both of those effectively perfectly defended. I thought that his finishing in that first quarter was super impressive, and all you can hope to do in this game is make some super tough shots like that and then find the slivers of opportunities where you can, And I thought Steph was able to do that with his off ball play. I thought he was able to do that with one pull up three in semi transition when the defense wasn't set. I thought he was able to do that where Jalen Green got detached from him for one moment, he just caught it from like thirty plus feet and pulled like he is the one dude who is going to be able to produce really good offense in this absolute slog rock fight. And that was the difference in this one. And it's just such a testament to Steph that he is still capable of doing that at this age, the level he's been at for the last twenty five plus games, playing like a top five player legitimately in that stretch, it's just unbelievable. And that's a huge part of the thinking for this series. That's a huge part of the reason I picked the Warriors. Like great defense is the expectation from both of these teams. Who is going to be able to summon the great offense in moments at least to beat that great defense. And the answer in this matchup is Steph Curry. But also, like you said, Jimmy Butler was really good as well. And it is a huge advantage that the Warriors have clearly the two best players in this series, and they clearly had two of the three best players in this game. I was really impressed with Jimmy's jump shooting, especially because he struggled to finish around the rim. Houston just has so much length and athleticism on the interior, but he was really good as a jump shooter, and so if he got a shengoon matched up on him, he was just going to try to create a little bit of space and then rise up and hit one of those pull up jumpers, and he still got to the line a decent amount. That's where the Warriors are gonna win the series. Man, It's going to be on the back of having the two offensive players you trust way more than anybody on the opposite side of the court. Because Houston checked off a couple of their key objectives. I mean, they were phenomenal defensively. They were absolutely dominant on the offensive glass, and they still just couldn't put up enough points.

It was almost too perfect, the extent to which this game felt like, pretty much to a tee, what I was expecting from this series in a number of different ways. But the difference in this game is that one team had Steph Curry and the other did it like It's literally that simple. We knew coming in this was going to be the most defensively stingy series. It was going to be the grittiest, the nastiest. These teams in the regular season averaged like ninety eight and ninety seven points per game when they played each other with Steph on the floor, And when you're in a game like this one that is so physical, where offense is so hard to come by, where both teams are playing basically flawless defense, oftentimes you just need that one player who can cut through and who can rise above and in spite of excellent defense, can do something special offensively. And Steph Curry was the player on the floor who was capable of that in this game, I mean, just absolutely insane shot making. You mentioned the shot clock beaters over both Amen Thompson and Jalen Green, both of those effectively perfectly defended. I thought that his finishing in that first quarter was super impressive, and all you can hope to do in this game is make some super tough shots like that and then find the slivers of opportunities where you can, And I thought Steph was able to do that with his off ball play. I thought he was able to do that with one pull up three in semi transition when the defense wasn't set. I thought he was able to do that where Jalen Green got detached from him for one moment, he just caught it from like thirty plus feet and pulled like he is the one dude who is going to be able to produce really good offense in this absolute slog rock fight. And that was the difference in this one. And it's just such a testament to Steph that he is still capable of doing that at this age, the level he's been at for the last twenty five plus games, playing like a top five player legitimately in that stretch, it's just unbelievable. And that's a huge part of the thinking for this series. That's a huge part of the reason I picked the Warriors. Like great defense is the expectation from both of these teams. Who is going to be able to summon the great offense in moments at least to beat that great defense. And the answer in this matchup is Steph Curry. But also, like you said, Jimmy Butler was really good as well. And it is a huge advantage that the Warriors have clearly the two best players in this series, and they clearly had two of the three best players in this game. I was really impressed with Jimmy's jump shooting, especially because he struggled to finish around the rim. Houston just has so much length and athleticism on the interior, but he was really good as a jump shooter, and so if he got a shengoon matched up on him, he was just going to try to create a little bit of space and then rise up and hit one of those pull up jumpers, and he still got to the line a decent amount. That's where the Warriors are gonna win the series. Man, It's going to be on the back of having the two offensive players you trust way more than anybody on the opposite side of the court. Because Houston checked off a couple of their key objectives. I mean, they were phenomenal defensively. They were absolutely dominant on the offensive glass, and they still just couldn't put up enough points.

No, that really was the difference in this game. I mean the third quarter that I mentioned earlier from Houston, they go on a seventeen to three run and they hold Golden State to five points over seven minutes in the third quarter. I mean, it's completely powered by rebounding and elite defense. And you gotta give credit to Steven Adams. I mean, I don't know, man, Steven Adams might be the MVP for Houston in this game, like.

No, that really was the difference in this game. I mean the third quarter that I mentioned earlier from Houston, they go on a seventeen to three run and they hold Golden State to five points over seven minutes in the third quarter. I mean, it's completely powered by rebounding and elite defense. And you gotta give credit to Steven Adams. I mean, I don't know, man, Steven Adams might be the MVP for Houston in this game, like.

He was their second best player. Their two best players in this game were there two centers.

He was their second best player. Their two best players in this game were there two centers.

Just unbelievable and Sengon. It seems like is gonna be that guy that's gonna have to rise above and consistently give them that offense in the half court. And I think with his size and skill, I don't know if the shooting is gonna be super reliable. Even though it wasn't from behind the arc, you know, even though it was some of that touch shot making. I don't know if that's super reliable. But I think he's gonna be the guy that size wise, Golden State doesn't have an answer for, and he can. I think he's gonna be able to manufacture his shots the easiest. But Van Vliet had a really really rough game. He's gonna have to be better. I think Jalen Green is gonna have to be better. You know, it's not impossible. It's like Jalen Green gets to looks that I like, and I think that he can generate good shots. But is he gonna be hitting? I don't know. Man, it seems like it's a lot to ask for Houston to generate decent half court offense, but they're gonna make life really difficult on Steph. That's the thing that I want to emphasize about this man, is I mean, Steph is doing this through really tough defensive coverage. And yeah, he's manufacturing. I get that he has thirty one points and that's really impressed, especially in such a rock fight of a game like this, but he is generating almost all of the offense because of the attention that he is drawing. I mean, that's why the Warriors are consistently getting you know, four on three opportunities even in the half court, because they have to give so much defensive attention to Steph. That really is the difference in this series. Are you optimistic at all about Houston being better in the half court and what do you think they need to do to create better offense?

Just unbelievable and Sengon. It seems like is gonna be that guy that's gonna have to rise above and consistently give them that offense in the half court. And I think with his size and skill, I don't know if the shooting is gonna be super reliable. Even though it wasn't from behind the arc, you know, even though it was some of that touch shot making. I don't know if that's super reliable. But I think he's gonna be the guy that size wise, Golden State doesn't have an answer for, and he can. I think he's gonna be able to manufacture his shots the easiest. But Van Vliet had a really really rough game. He's gonna have to be better. I think Jalen Green is gonna have to be better. You know, it's not impossible. It's like Jalen Green gets to looks that I like, and I think that he can generate good shots. But is he gonna be hitting? I don't know. Man, it seems like it's a lot to ask for Houston to generate decent half court offense, but they're gonna make life really difficult on Steph. That's the thing that I want to emphasize about this man, is I mean, Steph is doing this through really tough defensive coverage. And yeah, he's manufacturing. I get that he has thirty one points and that's really impressed, especially in such a rock fight of a game like this, but he is generating almost all of the offense because of the attention that he is drawing. I mean, that's why the Warriors are consistently getting you know, four on three opportunities even in the half court, because they have to give so much defensive attention to Steph. That really is the difference in this series. Are you optimistic at all about Houston being better in the half court and what do you think they need to do to create better offense?

Essentially, So obviously all year I have been a pessimist about the Rockets playoff hopes because they are such a bad half court offense. This has been the hold up with them all year. Rockets fans have gotten really mad at me saying I'm disrespecting their team. I'm not. I acknowledge the things that they are special at, and you saw those things in this game. It's just when you are really really struggling to create advantages off the dribble and you are really really struggling to make outside shots, even if you can dominate the possession game, it's going to be hard to win playoff basketball games, especially against an elite defense who has won all time great offensive player. And that's where they struggled in this one. But they're gonna be in every game in this series. And the reason for that is their defensive floor is so high. But specifically, man, they are a historic rebounding team. Like they are one of the best offensive rebounding teams we've ever seen. In fact, I think in the play by play era, the lineups that Steven Adams is in are the best that we've ever seen from any team. Like they literally grab I think forty four percent of their own misses when Adams is on the floor, and they grab thirty five percent of them overall, which comfortably.

Essentially, So obviously all year I have been a pessimist about the Rockets playoff hopes because they are such a bad half court offense. This has been the hold up with them all year. Rockets fans have gotten really mad at me saying I'm disrespecting their team. I'm not. I acknowledge the things that they are special at, and you saw those things in this game. It's just when you are really really struggling to create advantages off the dribble and you are really really struggling to make outside shots, even if you can dominate the possession game, it's going to be hard to win playoff basketball games, especially against an elite defense who has won all time great offensive player. And that's where they struggled in this one. But they're gonna be in every game in this series. And the reason for that is their defensive floor is so high. But specifically, man, they are a historic rebounding team. Like they are one of the best offensive rebounding teams we've ever seen. In fact, I think in the play by play era, the lineups that Steven Adams is in are the best that we've ever seen from any team. Like they literally grab I think forty four percent of their own misses when Adams is on the floor, and they grab thirty five percent of them overall, which comfortably.

Leads the league.

Leads the league.

That's what they leaned into in this game, playing the double big looks a lot, and like, dude, if you're gonna be plus sixteen on the offensive glass, I mean, you just have to not shit the bed in terms of your actual finishing and shot making. Unfortunately, that's what happened. I mean, they shoot thirty nine percent from the field, twenty one percent from three, and again that's like not necessarily a surprise given their offensive limitations against the defense as good as Golden States. But I did think the double big looks were really effective. I did think that Steven Adams was their second best player in this game. In fact, he's the only Rocket with a positive plus minus on the day. They go plus four in his minutes. And it's because you are dominating, utterly dominating the differential on the glass. And then my one concern with the Rockets going double big in this matchup with Steph on the floor is what if the Warriors are able to punish Houston's diminish speed on the defensive end. But they really weren't able to do that. Like I thought the Rockets looked at their best on both ends of the floor in the Steven Adams minutes. And I don't necessarily expect them to be at their best defensively, but I do think they're at their best offensively, even though I get it it's so weird, it's so unconventional. They're spacing sucks, but like Steven Adams is going to be an extra body in the lane who's mucking up the Rockets dry, but he's going to get that rebound a disgustingly high percentage of the time. And the rockets most efficient offense by far this year and in this game is off of offensive rebounds when the defense is scrambled. It's a cliche, but it's always your best chance to create an open three. Like offense is considerably more efficient on second chances. I think the Rockets averaged like a point per possession on their second chance opportunities.

That's what they leaned into in this game, playing the double big looks a lot, and like, dude, if you're gonna be plus sixteen on the offensive glass, I mean, you just have to not shit the bed in terms of your actual finishing and shot making. Unfortunately, that's what happened. I mean, they shoot thirty nine percent from the field, twenty one percent from three, and again that's like not necessarily a surprise given their offensive limitations against the defense as good as Golden States. But I did think the double big looks were really effective. I did think that Steven Adams was their second best player in this game. In fact, he's the only Rocket with a positive plus minus on the day. They go plus four in his minutes. And it's because you are dominating, utterly dominating the differential on the glass. And then my one concern with the Rockets going double big in this matchup with Steph on the floor is what if the Warriors are able to punish Houston's diminish speed on the defensive end. But they really weren't able to do that. Like I thought the Rockets looked at their best on both ends of the floor in the Steven Adams minutes. And I don't necessarily expect them to be at their best defensively, but I do think they're at their best offensively, even though I get it it's so weird, it's so unconventional. They're spacing sucks, but like Steven Adams is going to be an extra body in the lane who's mucking up the Rockets dry, but he's going to get that rebound a disgustingly high percentage of the time. And the rockets most efficient offense by far this year and in this game is off of offensive rebounds when the defense is scrambled. It's a cliche, but it's always your best chance to create an open three. Like offense is considerably more efficient on second chances. I think the Rockets averaged like a point per possession on their second chance opportunities.

You compare that to what they're averaging otherwise in the.

You compare that to what they're averaging otherwise in the.

Half court, which is disgusting, Like I don't even want to think about it. That's a really, really huge advantage for them, and that's like the key to them staying in these games. But you gotta respect the Warriors defense man, because we can talk about the Rockets half court offensive limitations and they are glaring, but the Warriors of the number one defense in the league since trading for Jimmy Butler, and I thought they did a phenomenal job on Jalen Green, who just could not get a step on Moses Moody, couldn't get by him, and on the occasions where he could, he couldn't finish. Jalen Green one of six at the rim in this game, and like, props to Draymond green Man him still being such a high level rim protector at his size. And then Fred Van Vliet, I'm gonna be honest, I think is a very easy basketball player to guard at this point, Like he is basically just gonna.

Half court, which is disgusting, Like I don't even want to think about it. That's a really, really huge advantage for them, and that's like the key to them staying in these games. But you gotta respect the Warriors defense man, because we can talk about the Rockets half court offensive limitations and they are glaring, but the Warriors of the number one defense in the league since trading for Jimmy Butler, and I thought they did a phenomenal job on Jalen Green, who just could not get a step on Moses Moody, couldn't get by him, and on the occasions where he could, he couldn't finish. Jalen Green one of six at the rim in this game, and like, props to Draymond green Man him still being such a high level rim protector at his size. And then Fred Van Vliet, I'm gonna be honest, I think is a very easy basketball player to guard at this point, Like he is basically just gonna.

Chuck up a lot of pull up threes.

Chuck up a lot of pull up threes.

If he gets a good lookout of drop, he'll obviously take that, but he's gonna take some more contested ones as well, and was just really really bad as a shooter in this game. So the Houston starting backcourt combines to go seven of thirty four and it's not just like, oh man, they're missing some decent looks, Like their shot quality was really really low. And again they can't get by people. Van Vliet doesn't get by anybody, but Jalen Green can get by people, but he was really struggling to do so in this game. And when you're not creating dribble penetration, it's not just that you're not able to create efficient scoring opportunities for yourself. That's how you get other people involved. That's how you get the drive and kick game going. So it was just so stagnant. It was so so so hard for Houston offensively. And then they also couldn't hit the outside shots. When they get them pull ups or off the catch, they go six of twenty nine from three in this game. So I was so impressed by the Warriors perimeter defense. I was so impressed by the help defense from Jimmy and Dre. Those guys are just destructive, they're so smart. I was so impressed by Dre's interior defense. You asked me if things can get better for the Rockets. Yes, things can get better. Maybe they don't dominate the offensive glass this convincingly, but I do think we're gonna see an insane disparity on the offensive glass. But I do think that they can just be better in terms of their three point shooting. They're a bad three point shooting team, but this game was extra extra ugly. Van Vliet and Jalen Green I think are gonna have rough series. I mean, they were both terrible against this team in the regular season. Fredi Bavlee literally averaged under nine points per game on like thirty something percent true shooting against the Warriors, at least in the game Steph played this year, Which are the games that I really take seriously because you gotta have your best player on the floor like they're in for a rough time. Can it get worse than this? That'd be a hell of a thing to see. The one dude who I think should be more involved in this Rockets offense is a men Thompson. I thought that a men came out the gates a little more aggressive and then goes zero to four from the free throw line. It felt like that kind of shook his confidence for a bit. The reason I think he should be more involved is he is the one dude who can reliably get into the paint and get to the rim, even against a really Warriors defense.

If he gets a good lookout of drop, he'll obviously take that, but he's gonna take some more contested ones as well, and was just really really bad as a shooter in this game. So the Houston starting backcourt combines to go seven of thirty four and it's not just like, oh man, they're missing some decent looks, Like their shot quality was really really low. And again they can't get by people. Van Vliet doesn't get by anybody, but Jalen Green can get by people, but he was really struggling to do so in this game. And when you're not creating dribble penetration, it's not just that you're not able to create efficient scoring opportunities for yourself. That's how you get other people involved. That's how you get the drive and kick game going. So it was just so stagnant. It was so so so hard for Houston offensively. And then they also couldn't hit the outside shots. When they get them pull ups or off the catch, they go six of twenty nine from three in this game. So I was so impressed by the Warriors perimeter defense. I was so impressed by the help defense from Jimmy and Dre. Those guys are just destructive, they're so smart. I was so impressed by Dre's interior defense. You asked me if things can get better for the Rockets. Yes, things can get better. Maybe they don't dominate the offensive glass this convincingly, but I do think we're gonna see an insane disparity on the offensive glass. But I do think that they can just be better in terms of their three point shooting. They're a bad three point shooting team, but this game was extra extra ugly. Van Vliet and Jalen Green I think are gonna have rough series. I mean, they were both terrible against this team in the regular season. Fredi Bavlee literally averaged under nine points per game on like thirty something percent true shooting against the Warriors, at least in the game Steph played this year, Which are the games that I really take seriously because you gotta have your best player on the floor like they're in for a rough time. Can it get worse than this? That'd be a hell of a thing to see. The one dude who I think should be more involved in this Rockets offense is a men Thompson. I thought that a men came out the gates a little more aggressive and then goes zero to four from the free throw line. It felt like that kind of shook his confidence for a bit. The reason I think he should be more involved is he is the one dude who can reliably get into the paint and get to the rim, even against a really Warriors defense.

I think a man gets good looks. I just don't think he was finishing them like hell. And that's why I think, like long term too, I'm really like just excited about him. You can see how close he is to being like he's gonna be the best player in these games one day. Like he's just so close, Like nobody can stop him from getting those looks. He was just missing him today and I think that. I mean, do you think even if if he's not making his shots, and like, what's even the point of playing him, Like I would just not have a lo line up with him on the floor, Maybe you go Jabari Smith Junior instead if he's hot, Like, yeah, I don't even know the point of having Fred out there, if you know, because a man, I'd rather just have the ball in his hands and let him create if Fred's gonna be chucking like that.

I think a man gets good looks. I just don't think he was finishing them like hell. And that's why I think, like long term too, I'm really like just excited about him. You can see how close he is to being like he's gonna be the best player in these games one day. Like he's just so close, Like nobody can stop him from getting those looks. He was just missing him today and I think that. I mean, do you think even if if he's not making his shots, and like, what's even the point of playing him, Like I would just not have a lo line up with him on the floor, Maybe you go Jabari Smith Junior instead if he's hot, Like, yeah, I don't even know the point of having Fred out there, if you know, because a man, I'd rather just have the ball in his hands and let him create if Fred's gonna be chucking like that.

Yeah, it's difficult because I do think Van Vliet still is a positive in some areas. He is still one of the team's better shooters. He is I would say, their best pass or he is still a really high IQ defensive player to have on the floor.

Yeah, it's difficult because I do think Van Vliet still is a positive in some areas. He is still one of the team's better shooters. He is I would say, their best pass or he is still a really high IQ defensive player to have on the floor.

Does a nice job on Steph. But I don't disagree.

Does a nice job on Steph. But I don't disagree.

One of my big takeaways from this game, and this is just the reality with the Rockets. We've seen this all year, Like they have to be super flexible with their lineups because there are times where their best players just shouldn't be on the floor because they have another lineup that's working really well, or one of their best players is off in this specific game, and their depth is so good their lineup versatility is such an advantage that they don't need to force getting anybody on the floor. Like even in the last few minutes of this game, I get that they wanted Van vlid Er Jalen Green to try to inject a little bit of offense, but I was like, do you need to bring those guys back on the floor with how bad they've been and with how good Tarry Easton and Jabari Smith and Steven Adams these guys coming off the bench have been. So I totally agree with you with your point there, and I agree with your point about the looks that a men was getting, like he just didn't finish well at the rim, and he's just such a special athlete that like even when you give him a ton of cushion, you can't keep him away from the rim. Like he's just so good with his footwork, his hang time, is so insane. He's so big that like he's gonna be able to get to at least one of his little floaters in the lane, which he's pretty good at, and he's also going to be able to just go over top of you for some crazy finishes. He tried to bang out on Quentin Post in this game, and like I was surprised, so they didn't finish.

One of my big takeaways from this game, and this is just the reality with the Rockets. We've seen this all year, Like they have to be super flexible with their lineups because there are times where their best players just shouldn't be on the floor because they have another lineup that's working really well, or one of their best players is off in this specific game, and their depth is so good their lineup versatility is such an advantage that they don't need to force getting anybody on the floor. Like even in the last few minutes of this game, I get that they wanted Van vlid Er Jalen Green to try to inject a little bit of offense, but I was like, do you need to bring those guys back on the floor with how bad they've been and with how good Tarry Easton and Jabari Smith and Steven Adams these guys coming off the bench have been. So I totally agree with you with your point there, and I agree with your point about the looks that a men was getting, like he just didn't finish well at the rim, and he's just such a special athlete that like even when you give him a ton of cushion, you can't keep him away from the rim. Like he's just so good with his footwork, his hang time, is so insane. He's so big that like he's gonna be able to get to at least one of his little floaters in the lane, which he's pretty good at, and he's also going to be able to just go over top of you for some crazy finishes. He tried to bang out on Quentin Post in this game, and like I was surprised, so they didn't finish.

It real quick. I wanted to ask you too, the Warriors win this game, and so maybe I shouldn't be critiquing like the lineup and guys out there, but when Post isn't hitting, I don't know, man, I really didn't understand why we didn't get more looney minutes. I was really confused about that.

It real quick. I wanted to ask you too, the Warriors win this game, and so maybe I shouldn't be critiquing like the lineup and guys out there, but when Post isn't hitting, I don't know, man, I really didn't understand why we didn't get more looney minutes. I was really confused about that.

Like if Post isn't gonna hit shots and he isn't gonna rebound, he's basically unplayable.

Like if Post isn't gonna hit shots and he isn't gonna rebound, he's basically unplayable.

Exactly, Like that's how I felt. And so I didn't understand why we didn't get more loony, Like maybe just general spacing theory, like maybe they'll have to respect him, but I don't know.

Exactly, Like that's how I felt. And so I didn't understand why we didn't get more loony, Like maybe just general spacing theory, like maybe they'll have to respect him, but I don't know.

Yeah, this was a really rough game from Post. I see the value absolutely in a series that is so rough offensively of just having a guy who can be that spacer who can be that shooter.

Yeah, this was a really rough game from Post. I see the value absolutely in a series that is so rough offensively of just having a guy who can be that spacer who can be that shooter.

I just think that Adams and Sengoon are gonna cook him inside.

I just think that Adams and Sengoon are gonna cook him inside.

Yeah, no, I tend to agree.

Yeah, no, I tend to agree.

I think that he has to play significantly better and shoot significantly better if he wants to earn his minutes. I'm gonna wrap up my amend point real quick. Obviously I can't stop talking about him and Thompson, but basically, he's the one dude who can consistently get down. He'll get in the paint, and he's also a really good passer, and I thought like he was creating some of the best shots for his teammates. Right, he creates a big catch and shoot opportunity for Smith because he just fully collapses the defense. Nobody else was doing that in terms of the Rockets perimeter players in this game. And then obviously he's also such a positive on the glass. He has six offensive rebounds, and like he's their best defensive players. So they went without him then for a stretch of this game, and I get it because he wasn't playing super well, but I thought he was quite good in the second half, and I think just needs to be more aggressive, like especially when he has that Steph matchup.

I think that he has to play significantly better and shoot significantly better if he wants to earn his minutes. I'm gonna wrap up my amend point real quick. Obviously I can't stop talking about him and Thompson, but basically, he's the one dude who can consistently get down. He'll get in the paint, and he's also a really good passer, and I thought like he was creating some of the best shots for his teammates. Right, he creates a big catch and shoot opportunity for Smith because he just fully collapses the defense. Nobody else was doing that in terms of the Rockets perimeter players in this game. And then obviously he's also such a positive on the glass. He has six offensive rebounds, and like he's their best defensive players. So they went without him then for a stretch of this game, and I get it because he wasn't playing super well, but I thought he was quite good in the second half, and I think just needs to be more aggressive, like especially when he has that Steph matchup.

You see it.

You see it.

There's the one possession where he gets a deep catch against Steph. It's a post up basically, and obviously he's not a post player, but he just like turns uses that hang time, gets an easy little touch shot over him. Gotta be aggressive, got to use his physical advantages when he has a matchup like that. That to me, outside of just you know, shooting better, is where the Rockets have the biggest opportunity to improve offensively. Because Cheng Gun was great in this game. I don't think this sort of performance is sustainable. He's their best offensive player, so like they're gonna have to rely on him. But you mentioned I mean his top was so good in this game, and that was like off the roll, the Warriors were giving him some space and he was making him pay. But that was also in isolation, just like being physical, getting a little bit of space off a bump and then putting up one of those touch shots. But like, Shengun's touch just hasn't been that good this year. Man, he's forty one percent on shots inside the paint outside the restricted area. In this game, he was crazy good on those shots.

There's the one possession where he gets a deep catch against Steph. It's a post up basically, and obviously he's not a post player, but he just like turns uses that hang time, gets an easy little touch shot over him. Gotta be aggressive, got to use his physical advantages when he has a matchup like that. That to me, outside of just you know, shooting better, is where the Rockets have the biggest opportunity to improve offensively. Because Cheng Gun was great in this game. I don't think this sort of performance is sustainable. He's their best offensive player, so like they're gonna have to rely on him. But you mentioned I mean his top was so good in this game, and that was like off the roll, the Warriors were giving him some space and he was making him pay. But that was also in isolation, just like being physical, getting a little bit of space off a bump and then putting up one of those touch shots. But like, Shengun's touch just hasn't been that good this year. Man, he's forty one percent on shots inside the paint outside the restricted area. In this game, he was crazy good on those shots.

So like.

So like.

He deserves credit because he was really really good in this game. But they can't just rely on him to be like a super efficient score at this volume every game.

He deserves credit because he was really really good in this game. But they can't just rely on him to be like a super efficient score at this volume every game.

Other guys have to step up.

Other guys have to step up.

Yeah, one thousand percent exactly. I mean, I think it's gotta be Jalen Green, like if we're gonna point the finger at a guy like long term, I want to be clear about something I couldn't be higher. I think on Houston like long term, like, I think a men's gonna pop in, gonna be a go to guy with better touch and better shot making and just more reliable.

Yeah, one thousand percent exactly. I mean, I think it's gotta be Jalen Green, like if we're gonna point the finger at a guy like long term, I want to be clear about something I couldn't be higher. I think on Houston like long term, like, I think a men's gonna pop in, gonna be a go to guy with better touch and better shot making and just more reliable.

He was two or two from MIDI tonight, though, I tell you it's scary when he confidently steps into that shot.

He was two or two from MIDI tonight, though, I tell you it's scary when he confidently steps into that shot.

And when he does it consistently. I mean, it's just gonna be for guys. And so yeah, you know what, whoever else pops out of this group, if it's Jalen Green, if it's Jabori Smith Junior, and I literally just mean is reliable shot makers from anywhere on the floor, Houston's gonna be really, really deadly. I just don't think it's gonna be this year. And that being said, I do think some things in this series are going to balance themselves out in Houston's favor a little bit, like We're not done. I think the pendulum is gonna swing back in Houston's favor a little bit if they keep going with these double big lineups. I think that Adams and Andngoon are gonna win them a couple of games on the glass. I think the Green and Van Fleet are inevitably gonna shoot a little bit better. And I think that Steph is probably due for a down game or two in this series. I would never doubt Steph. I think he is going to be ultimately what puts Golden State over the top end this series and what wins them this series. Essentially, he's the difference maker in the series. But I think Houston's gonna get him a game or two in this one. I think I'm I'm like, I think I'm at Warriors and six. But their superpower was on full display in that third quarter stretch, and I think it's going to win them a game or two. Man, Houston's. Houston's got their identity and it's really rock solid, but their red flags were really glaring in this one.

And when he does it consistently. I mean, it's just gonna be for guys. And so yeah, you know what, whoever else pops out of this group, if it's Jalen Green, if it's Jabori Smith Junior, and I literally just mean is reliable shot makers from anywhere on the floor, Houston's gonna be really, really deadly. I just don't think it's gonna be this year. And that being said, I do think some things in this series are going to balance themselves out in Houston's favor a little bit, like We're not done. I think the pendulum is gonna swing back in Houston's favor a little bit if they keep going with these double big lineups. I think that Adams and Andngoon are gonna win them a couple of games on the glass. I think the Green and Van Fleet are inevitably gonna shoot a little bit better. And I think that Steph is probably due for a down game or two in this series. I would never doubt Steph. I think he is going to be ultimately what puts Golden State over the top end this series and what wins them this series. Essentially, he's the difference maker in the series. But I think Houston's gonna get him a game or two in this one. I think I'm I'm like, I think I'm at Warriors and six. But their superpower was on full display in that third quarter stretch, and I think it's going to win them a game or two. Man, Houston's. Houston's got their identity and it's really rock solid, but their red flags were really glaring in this one.

I mean, this was the quintessential game literally for what I expected of the Houston Rockets. In the playoffs, like unbelievable on the glass, twenty two offensive rebounds.

I mean, this was the quintessential game literally for what I expected of the Houston Rockets. In the playoffs, like unbelievable on the glass, twenty two offensive rebounds.

You can't say that number enough. That is absurd to six for the Warriors, They're going to continue to dominate there.

You can't say that number enough. That is absurd to six for the Warriors, They're going to continue to dominate there.

All of their athleticism is popping the defensive stuff, not just from the starters, but like Jabari Smith, Tari East, and they both come in and they give great minutes. Jabari also was really good offensively, but like Tari has two steals that lead to easy transition opportunities. That's so so important for the Rockets in this matchup. And on the flip side, it's so important for the Warriors to take care of the basketball to not give the Rockets those chances in transit because they need them to have a chance to win this series. But of course, the half court offense is really really bad. So I expected coming into this series for both teams to make life super hard on one another.

All of their athleticism is popping the defensive stuff, not just from the starters, but like Jabari Smith, Tari East, and they both come in and they give great minutes. Jabari also was really good offensively, but like Tari has two steals that lead to easy transition opportunities. That's so so important for the Rockets in this matchup. And on the flip side, it's so important for the Warriors to take care of the basketball to not give the Rockets those chances in transit because they need them to have a chance to win this series. But of course, the half court offense is really really bad. So I expected coming into this series for both teams to make life super hard on one another.

And then it just comes down.

And then it just comes down.

To who do you trust more to be able to survive that super difficult defensive matchup.

To who do you trust more to be able to survive that super difficult defensive matchup.

It's the Warriors.

It's the Warriors.

Now, the Warriors offense and totality, I still have some questions about and like I think the biggest dude is Pods has to make shots. Moses Moody has to make shots. That's obvious. Those are the two guys who have.

Now, the Warriors offense and totality, I still have some questions about and like I think the biggest dude is Pods has to make shots. Moses Moody has to make shots. That's obvious. Those are the two guys who have.

The biggest burdens. Compliments to the Steph Jimmy duo.

The biggest burdens. Compliments to the Steph Jimmy duo.

There are some I completely agree with you, man. There are some possessions where I just get a little antsy like there are some just sometimes where you can tell it to Pods, GP and and Moody. None of them want the ball, and it's a n you don't want to shoot the ball. It's a really uncomfortable feeling because there's just some times in the game where you gotta feel the moment and go all right, I gotta shoot this, I gotta I gotta go get us a look.

There are some I completely agree with you, man. There are some possessions where I just get a little antsy like there are some just sometimes where you can tell it to Pods, GP and and Moody. None of them want the ball, and it's a n you don't want to shoot the ball. It's a really uncomfortable feeling because there's just some times in the game where you gotta feel the moment and go all right, I gotta shoot this, I gotta I gotta go get us a look.

I mean not to mention GP two, who I think is probably the worst defender of them all, and understandably so because can't really shoot. He made one in this game.

I mean not to mention GP two, who I think is probably the worst defender of them all, and understandably so because can't really shoot. He made one in this game.

But had a GP still finds a way to leave his on the game.

But had a GP still finds a way to leave his on the game.

Though he does, and in a game like this, he's a guy I don't mind having on the floor, just with his experience, with his feel offensively, with his effort that he plays, with his athleticism. I did think that he gave solid minutes in this one, But the Warriors surrounding offensive contributions are going to remain a question. But if Steph and Jimmy give you fifty six and the other team puts up eighty five, like, yeah, you're gonna win that game, I think that we're in for a war. But I feel basically exactly how I did coming into this series, like it's gonna be hard on both teams, and I just trust the Warriors to pull through that bit more because they have the two best players in this series, and especially because they have Steph Curry. But I agree the Rockets are gonna get themselves probably a couple of games just on the back of totally dominant rebounding and defense, and they're gonna make more shots than they did in this one. Is there anything else you want to touch on in terms of rotations, because I know that has been a big thing with the Warriors.

Though he does, and in a game like this, he's a guy I don't mind having on the floor, just with his experience, with his feel offensively, with his effort that he plays, with his athleticism. I did think that he gave solid minutes in this one, But the Warriors surrounding offensive contributions are going to remain a question. But if Steph and Jimmy give you fifty six and the other team puts up eighty five, like, yeah, you're gonna win that game, I think that we're in for a war. But I feel basically exactly how I did coming into this series, like it's gonna be hard on both teams, and I just trust the Warriors to pull through that bit more because they have the two best players in this series, and especially because they have Steph Curry. But I agree the Rockets are gonna get themselves probably a couple of games just on the back of totally dominant rebounding and defense, and they're gonna make more shots than they did in this one. Is there anything else you want to touch on in terms of rotations, because I know that has been a big thing with the Warriors.

Just who are they gonna end up playing?

Just who are they gonna end up playing?

This is obviously another DNP for kaminga Did you miss his presence? Did you wish he was out there in this game?

This is obviously another DNP for kaminga Did you miss his presence? Did you wish he was out there in this game?

Not really for both of these teams. I just want more guys with skill, and it's in a premium in this series, like, there's not a lot of guys that you just reliably trust to knock down shots. And that's why I think it's that's why I'm really confident long term in Houston. Right if it's Reed Shepherd that pops, if it's any of these guys that really become good shooters, and that's the only level that they need to reach because they're so good everywhere else. I liked what we got from the Warriors, honestly, Dude, with Healed and With I like the Santos minutes.

Not really for both of these teams. I just want more guys with skill, and it's in a premium in this series, like, there's not a lot of guys that you just reliably trust to knock down shots. And that's why I think it's that's why I'm really confident long term in Houston. Right if it's Reed Shepherd that pops, if it's any of these guys that really become good shooters, and that's the only level that they need to reach because they're so good everywhere else. I liked what we got from the Warriors, honestly, Dude, with Healed and With I like the Santos minutes.

That's the guy who I look at still. I want to see more Geese sans.

That's the guy who I look at still. I want to see more Geese sans.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I just think he checks a number of boxes. I get it.

I just think he checks a number of boxes. I get it.

He's not like a super skilled player, but he's a decent outside shooter. He brings the size in the front cord, He's capable on the glass. I like his basketball like Q, I love his effort. I just feel like he's going to contribute in multiple ways and that's huge in this series.

He's not like a super skilled player, but he's a decent outside shooter. He brings the size in the front cord, He's capable on the glass. I like his basketball like Q, I love his effort. I just feel like he's going to contribute in multiple ways and that's huge in this series.

I agree with I think he should play more too. I think with Healed and Post, I'm more of it a feel it out process with it. And honestly, I hate saying that about Buddy because I know what a good shooter he is, but I would give him a post a really short leash, and if they're not hitting shots, I'm not hesitant to turn to Loony because I like win post Man. I'm always a staunch supporter, and when he's hidden shots, he's valuable. But I just wouldn't be I wouldn't give him a long leash if he's not hidden shots. I'm just all right, Looney, let's get in there. I don't care if he's hurting the spacing. We need somebody that can bang bodies with Adams and at least make life a little bit more difficult on Sengoon and Adams. On the inside, I.

I agree with I think he should play more too. I think with Healed and Post, I'm more of it a feel it out process with it. And honestly, I hate saying that about Buddy because I know what a good shooter he is, but I would give him a post a really short leash, and if they're not hitting shots, I'm not hesitant to turn to Loony because I like win post Man. I'm always a staunch supporter, and when he's hidden shots, he's valuable. But I just wouldn't be I wouldn't give him a long leash if he's not hidden shots. I'm just all right, Looney, let's get in there. I don't care if he's hurting the spacing. We need somebody that can bang bodies with Adams and at least make life a little bit more difficult on Sengoon and Adams. On the inside, I.

Tend to agree, and my thoughts on the coaminga minutes or the lack thereof, are the reason I thought he might have an opportunity to play ten to fifteen minutes a game in this series. Is if you want to add a little bit more juice to those bench groups, bring in a guy who can match the youth and athleticism that the Rockets have and just have a little scoring punch, like you could look to Kaminga in that role. The thing is Jimmy Butler played forty two minutes in this game, man, Steph Curry played forty minutes, So you're just getting very few minutes where those dudes aren't on the floor. Now, maybe they're not going to play that much going forward, but I just think that Jimmy and Kaminga together are really clunky. Those lineups have kind of been a disaster. So if Jimmy's on the floor, I don't think you need Kaminga out there. I'd rather just have a guy who is more of a role player, who is more of a shooter, who's basketball IQ whose effort I trust more. So I'm okay with him not playing. I'm okay with him not playing in this one but super interesting game, super interesting series. One last shout out to Steven Adams. I'm seeing some love for him in the chat I've been saying for a long time, man, best rebounder of the last decade, best rebounder of this generation. Andre Drummond can fill up the stat sheets. Steven Adams is first of all, the best offensive rebounder of that period, and his impact on team rebounding if you look at the on off numbers are unmatched. He just eats up so many bodies. It's unbelievable, the positioning, the strength. He is a freak and he was extremely impactful and like still has been whenever he's on the floor for this Rockets team in this super cool, interesting role.

Tend to agree, and my thoughts on the coaminga minutes or the lack thereof, are the reason I thought he might have an opportunity to play ten to fifteen minutes a game in this series. Is if you want to add a little bit more juice to those bench groups, bring in a guy who can match the youth and athleticism that the Rockets have and just have a little scoring punch, like you could look to Kaminga in that role. The thing is Jimmy Butler played forty two minutes in this game, man, Steph Curry played forty minutes, So you're just getting very few minutes where those dudes aren't on the floor. Now, maybe they're not going to play that much going forward, but I just think that Jimmy and Kaminga together are really clunky. Those lineups have kind of been a disaster. So if Jimmy's on the floor, I don't think you need Kaminga out there. I'd rather just have a guy who is more of a role player, who is more of a shooter, who's basketball IQ whose effort I trust more. So I'm okay with him not playing. I'm okay with him not playing in this one but super interesting game, super interesting series. One last shout out to Steven Adams. I'm seeing some love for him in the chat I've been saying for a long time, man, best rebounder of the last decade, best rebounder of this generation. Andre Drummond can fill up the stat sheets. Steven Adams is first of all, the best offensive rebounder of that period, and his impact on team rebounding if you look at the on off numbers are unmatched. He just eats up so many bodies. It's unbelievable, the positioning, the strength. He is a freak and he was extremely impactful and like still has been whenever he's on the floor for this Rockets team in this super cool, interesting role.

Shall we talk about the second to.

Shall we talk about the second to.

Last game of the evening Logan Cavs heat. This one was very competitive for most of it, and then the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled away at the end on the back of one Ty Jerome, uva legend. Logan, your beloved, your sixth Man of the Year, most improved player. He was on both of our awards ballots in some way. What did you make of the Cabs performance in this one and what do you take away from it?

Last game of the evening Logan Cavs heat. This one was very competitive for most of it, and then the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled away at the end on the back of one Ty Jerome, uva legend. Logan, your beloved, your sixth Man of the Year, most improved player. He was on both of our awards ballots in some way. What did you make of the Cabs performance in this one and what do you take away from it?

Honestly, I'm not super surprised about the outcome. Like I thought, this is what was gonna be the difference for Cleveland in this series. I don't think Miami has the firepower really required to truly compete with Cleveland. I mean, you get thirty from Donovan Mitchell, you get twenty seven from Darius Garland, all right, we're cooking, and then you throw twenty eight in from Ty Jerome, Like, I'm sorry, Miami, You're just not going to win that game. There's such a huge offensive burden on Tyler Hero, who I thought had a good, not great game. He gives you twenty one, three and two on seven to eighteen from the field. So you just got to figure out where you're gonna get that creation from. And I think it's just too much to ask from the supporting cast. You got to close the shooting gap. Cleveland outshoots Miami by fifteen from behind the arc. They attempted thirteen more threes, they made five more. Shout out Davion Mitchell. I thought Davion had a really good game again, eighteen points, nine assists in this one. But again, you just look down the roster and you look at the skill guys and it's like, all right, beyond Hero and Davion, who have been solid, Alec Burks, damn, you know, like it's tough man like. Cleveland has been the number one offense in basketball all year long, and that's what you're competing with. And I thought that Miami's defense and rebounding was really really solid. They've got a really good identity and they've got a lot of really good players that impact defense at a high level. Bam Adebayo and Khalil Waer, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins. Like, there's a lot of guys I like that win on the defensive side of the basketball. But they're not going to disrupt Cleveland or throw them off like Mitchell, Garland and Jeromer or just too good and they're too good at scorers and playmakers to really stop. So you have to match them offensively. And I just don't think they have the guns man. So that's the difference to me in this game, and what's going to be the difference to me in this series. I'm I think I gave Miami a game in our preview. The hero was had zero buckets from like the ten minute mark in the third quarter to the five minute mark in the fourth quarter. I think Cleveland. I think Cleveland is better on both ends, and so I just kind of move closer to it could be a Cleveland sweep than I am that that Miami gets some one. But Miami's not a bad team, man. I just think Cleveland's that much better.

Honestly, I'm not super surprised about the outcome. Like I thought, this is what was gonna be the difference for Cleveland in this series. I don't think Miami has the firepower really required to truly compete with Cleveland. I mean, you get thirty from Donovan Mitchell, you get twenty seven from Darius Garland, all right, we're cooking, and then you throw twenty eight in from Ty Jerome, Like, I'm sorry, Miami, You're just not going to win that game. There's such a huge offensive burden on Tyler Hero, who I thought had a good, not great game. He gives you twenty one, three and two on seven to eighteen from the field. So you just got to figure out where you're gonna get that creation from. And I think it's just too much to ask from the supporting cast. You got to close the shooting gap. Cleveland outshoots Miami by fifteen from behind the arc. They attempted thirteen more threes, they made five more. Shout out Davion Mitchell. I thought Davion had a really good game again, eighteen points, nine assists in this one. But again, you just look down the roster and you look at the skill guys and it's like, all right, beyond Hero and Davion, who have been solid, Alec Burks, damn, you know, like it's tough man like. Cleveland has been the number one offense in basketball all year long, and that's what you're competing with. And I thought that Miami's defense and rebounding was really really solid. They've got a really good identity and they've got a lot of really good players that impact defense at a high level. Bam Adebayo and Khalil Waer, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins. Like, there's a lot of guys I like that win on the defensive side of the basketball. But they're not going to disrupt Cleveland or throw them off like Mitchell, Garland and Jeromer or just too good and they're too good at scorers and playmakers to really stop. So you have to match them offensively. And I just don't think they have the guns man. So that's the difference to me in this game, and what's going to be the difference to me in this series. I'm I think I gave Miami a game in our preview. The hero was had zero buckets from like the ten minute mark in the third quarter to the five minute mark in the fourth quarter. I think Cleveland. I think Cleveland is better on both ends, and so I just kind of move closer to it could be a Cleveland sweep than I am that that Miami gets some one. But Miami's not a bad team, man. I just think Cleveland's that much better.

I predicted the Cleveland sweep. Man in fact, for this series and the next two we're going to talk about. I predicted sweeps for all of them. I just think the three best teams in basketball this year are that insanely good, and the Cavs showed you exactly.

I predicted the Cleveland sweep. Man in fact, for this series and the next two we're going to talk about. I predicted sweeps for all of them. I just think the three best teams in basketball this year are that insanely good, and the Cavs showed you exactly.

Why in this game. Man.

Why in this game. Man.

They have one of the best offensive backcourts ever and they have legitimately my favorite guard trio to watch of all time. And of course I'm including tider Roman that because tider Rome is an absolute and if you aren't familiar with his game, well then you better get familiar, man, because he is absolutely capable of torching you like he did in this game. I'm gonna read out all these stats that I tweeted earlier today as a certified ty Jerome Stan this season, per thirty six minutes, he averaged almost twenty three points and six assists on over sixty four percent true shooting. He shot fifty seven percent on floaters, has a top five floater in the game, forty five percent on catch and shoot threes, forty two percent on pull up threes. He was an eighty seventh percent dele efficiency pick and roll score, ninety seventh percent ele efficiency spot up score, a ninety eight percentile efficiency isolation scorer. He is a walking bucket, a hugely positive offensive player both on and off ball, and a real positive contributor for this Cavs offense. Obviously, the main driving engines of this group that was a top ten relative offense in NBA history this season is Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, And like the those guys were both going in this game at a really high level. Mitchell just unstoppable downhill when he wants to be such an insane combination of handle, athleticism, footwork, touch, finishing. That was all going in this one. And then he can obviously catch fire as a pull up shooter. Didn't in this one, but that's why his scoring ceiling is so so high. He's so explosive and has some of those crazy signature playoff performances.

They have one of the best offensive backcourts ever and they have legitimately my favorite guard trio to watch of all time. And of course I'm including tider Roman that because tider Rome is an absolute and if you aren't familiar with his game, well then you better get familiar, man, because he is absolutely capable of torching you like he did in this game. I'm gonna read out all these stats that I tweeted earlier today as a certified ty Jerome Stan this season, per thirty six minutes, he averaged almost twenty three points and six assists on over sixty four percent true shooting. He shot fifty seven percent on floaters, has a top five floater in the game, forty five percent on catch and shoot threes, forty two percent on pull up threes. He was an eighty seventh percent dele efficiency pick and roll score, ninety seventh percent ele efficiency spot up score, a ninety eight percentile efficiency isolation scorer. He is a walking bucket, a hugely positive offensive player both on and off ball, and a real positive contributor for this Cavs offense. Obviously, the main driving engines of this group that was a top ten relative offense in NBA history this season is Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, And like the those guys were both going in this game at a really high level. Mitchell just unstoppable downhill when he wants to be such an insane combination of handle, athleticism, footwork, touch, finishing. That was all going in this one. And then he can obviously catch fire as a pull up shooter. Didn't in this one, but that's why his scoring ceiling is so so high. He's so explosive and has some of those crazy signature playoff performances.

He was phenomenal.

He was phenomenal.

Garland is like just a pick and roll master man, gets whatever he wants and is so so elite at a few traits. Like I think has the best handle in basketball right now. He's a top three shooter in the league.

Garland is like just a pick and roll master man, gets whatever he wants and is so so elite at a few traits. Like I think has the best handle in basketball right now. He's a top three shooter in the league.

I think he's got an elite touch man.

I think he's got an elite touch man.

Top three floater touch in the league. So like these shots that are difficult shots, pull up threes, he's gonna make forty percent of them. That's like lay up efficiency when you wait threes being more than two. He shoots sixty percent on floaters. That's like lay up efficiency. Like he's just so insanely good as a shot maker. And then he's got elite quickness. He's gonna get into the paint. He's an elite passer. I thought was just feeding Jared Allen dimes.

Top three floater touch in the league. So like these shots that are difficult shots, pull up threes, he's gonna make forty percent of them. That's like lay up efficiency when you wait threes being more than two. He shoots sixty percent on floaters. That's like lay up efficiency. Like he's just so insanely good as a shot maker. And then he's got elite quickness. He's gonna get into the paint. He's an elite passer. I thought was just feeding Jared Allen dimes.

Off the roll today.

Off the roll today.

And then you have Ti Jerome who comes in and put those boys to bed, and like, you give him the rock in pick and roll, he's gonna get you a bucket. It's gonna be a floater or a pull up three. But he is phenomenal at those two shots. And before that he was just like shooting the shit out of it versus the zone. So he kind of shot Miami out of the zone off ball and then they gave him the rock and like he was just on one man. That was absolutely electric. But these three dudes, like they all take great care of the basketball. They're low turnover players. Garland and Jerome are super efficient as scorers. Mitchell I think has the potential to be an efficient scorer of the basketball isn't always, but he's just such a great volume score he creates so many advantages and like you just feel like all of them can get you a really good shot every time down You said fire power, man, that's the exact word I would use. Like that is just a level of firepower that the Miami Heat God bless them, cannot pray to match. And that's a huge part of the Cavs potential path to win a title. Right, They're not gonna be an elite defensive team. I think they have to be very good defensively to win the title, but just with the construction of their backcourt, like that's a limitation of theirs defensively, but their offense has the potential to be literally unstoppable. When you get peak Garland and Mitchell getting whatever they want out of pick and roll. This is a phenomenal three point shooting team. They have two really good offensive bigs. When all that stuff is clicking, then they can feel unbeatable. And that all starts with the Guards, and you saw them at their best in this one. By the way, fun fact, first game in playoff history when three guard teammates all went out for twenty seven plus points. Tijeron part of history. Fire me up.

And then you have Ti Jerome who comes in and put those boys to bed, and like, you give him the rock in pick and roll, he's gonna get you a bucket. It's gonna be a floater or a pull up three. But he is phenomenal at those two shots. And before that he was just like shooting the shit out of it versus the zone. So he kind of shot Miami out of the zone off ball and then they gave him the rock and like he was just on one man. That was absolutely electric. But these three dudes, like they all take great care of the basketball. They're low turnover players. Garland and Jerome are super efficient as scorers. Mitchell I think has the potential to be an efficient scorer of the basketball isn't always, but he's just such a great volume score he creates so many advantages and like you just feel like all of them can get you a really good shot every time down You said fire power, man, that's the exact word I would use. Like that is just a level of firepower that the Miami Heat God bless them, cannot pray to match. And that's a huge part of the Cavs potential path to win a title. Right, They're not gonna be an elite defensive team. I think they have to be very good defensively to win the title, but just with the construction of their backcourt, like that's a limitation of theirs defensively, but their offense has the potential to be literally unstoppable. When you get peak Garland and Mitchell getting whatever they want out of pick and roll. This is a phenomenal three point shooting team. They have two really good offensive bigs. When all that stuff is clicking, then they can feel unbeatable. And that all starts with the Guards, and you saw them at their best in this one. By the way, fun fact, first game in playoff history when three guard teammates all went out for twenty seven plus points. Tijeron part of history. Fire me up.

Look, I don't want to flex too hard because we could do this about a lot of guys, but Tid you're a is a guy that we were talking about on the couch, you know, back when he was a warrior and a fast such he's a uva legend as well. So we've loved Ty Jerome jumbo size point guard, great shooter man, great decision maker and smart defender. I And that's what's kind of crazy, is like you don't get great scoring games out of Allen and Mobley and they just kind of do their job in this game too. But they're so complimentary to both of those guards as well with what they can do defensively and on the glass. The Cavs are a great basketball team. I'm not too surprised about this one. Miami's gonna play with pride, and so I could see them getting one game. But they're such a large offensive talent and skill gap between these two teams, and Miami just has to close it to become a more legitimate playoff threat. And like, I don't think they have the caliber of shooting down their roster like they did in years previous to where I could see them having one of their signature explosions, and they don't have a Jimmy Butler on the roster anymore. So I just think Miami's bidden off a little too much more than a can chew.

Look, I don't want to flex too hard because we could do this about a lot of guys, but Tid you're a is a guy that we were talking about on the couch, you know, back when he was a warrior and a fast such he's a uva legend as well. So we've loved Ty Jerome jumbo size point guard, great shooter man, great decision maker and smart defender. I And that's what's kind of crazy, is like you don't get great scoring games out of Allen and Mobley and they just kind of do their job in this game too. But they're so complimentary to both of those guards as well with what they can do defensively and on the glass. The Cavs are a great basketball team. I'm not too surprised about this one. Miami's gonna play with pride, and so I could see them getting one game. But they're such a large offensive talent and skill gap between these two teams, and Miami just has to close it to become a more legitimate playoff threat. And like, I don't think they have the caliber of shooting down their roster like they did in years previous to where I could see them having one of their signature explosions, and they don't have a Jimmy Butler on the roster anymore. So I just think Miami's bidden off a little too much more than a can chew.

I mean, of course, dude, they were the ten seed. They got through the plan because they're the best playing team of all time. They live there every year and they always make it out. But like, there's a sixty four win team, man, this is a top fifteen team, I believe by net rating in NBA history. Respect the Cleveland Cavaliers would be my takeaway from this, because the Heat played a good game. They just couldn't hang with a historic offense. And I just saw a lot of people being like, oh, this is gonna go six, which maybe you're just respecting Heat culture, but like, the Calves are too good to let that happen. Man, their offensive margin is just too big, too big in this matchup.

I mean, of course, dude, they were the ten seed. They got through the plan because they're the best playing team of all time. They live there every year and they always make it out. But like, there's a sixty four win team, man, this is a top fifteen team, I believe by net rating in NBA history. Respect the Cleveland Cavaliers would be my takeaway from this, because the Heat played a good game. They just couldn't hang with a historic offense. And I just saw a lot of people being like, oh, this is gonna go six, which maybe you're just respecting Heat culture, but like, the Calves are too good to let that happen. Man, their offensive margin is just too big, too big in this matchup.

Like I thought the Heat played.

Like I thought the Heat played.

Well, though I was gonna say, yeah, Like I like the Miami defense, and I liked most of what I saw ont in Miami. It's just in crunch time, man, There's nobody that I There's very few offenses in the league that I trust more than Cleveland's, and Garland and Mitchell are so like Ty Jerome, I know is great and we're not gonna but Mitchell and Go Garland are so damn good and you're gonna get this. I feel like a lot, you know. I in my again, Miami's got a good cast. But no matter how much I like davey on in Hero, I think that Garland and Mitchell are gonna feast in this series.

Well, though I was gonna say, yeah, Like I like the Miami defense, and I liked most of what I saw ont in Miami. It's just in crunch time, man, There's nobody that I There's very few offenses in the league that I trust more than Cleveland's, and Garland and Mitchell are so like Ty Jerome, I know is great and we're not gonna but Mitchell and Go Garland are so damn good and you're gonna get this. I feel like a lot, you know. I in my again, Miami's got a good cast. But no matter how much I like davey on in Hero, I think that Garland and Mitchell are gonna feast in this series.

And that's the thing when we talk about the Calves matching up against the Celtics, like their margin is really slim because I think Garland is going to get hunted defensively, and I think the Celtics are going to create so many great shots for themselves. But like, if there's any offense that can make do with a slim ass margin because you just can't stop them, it's the Calves and that's their upside to beat anybody. Certainly gonna drive them to beat the Miami Heat. But I will shout out bam Outabayo was outstanding in this game. I thought his mid range shot making was so impressive. Out of pick and roll, out of isolation. He was given my beloved Evan Mobley buckets. It hurt to see a little bit, but there was nothing Mobley could have done. He was playing good defense, just better offense. Davion Mitchell I thought was phenomenal and what a find he's been for Miami. I mean, he's been so good down the stretch of the year.