The volume. Oh my god, how could he do that? Watch what Charles Darwin?

The volume. Oh my god, how could he do that? Watch what Charles Darwin?

The nerves is where it's at. Welcome everybody back into Nerd Sash as always, I'm Carson Braber. Alongside me is Logan Camden, and you already know what the deal is. We have got four playoff basketball games to talk about today, Logan on a Tuesday. Two teams hopes and dreams were ended today, and we had two series that are now headed for a game six. And I think we got to start Logan with the nightcap. The Nuggets cruise to a victory over the LA Clippers to take a three to two series lead. And there's really no other way to describe this than as the Jamal Murray game. Man felt like we were back in the bubble, felt like we were back in the twenty twenty three playoffs watching him just explode for more than forty points in this one. What did you take away from this performance?

The nerves is where it's at. Welcome everybody back into Nerd Sash as always, I'm Carson Braber. Alongside me is Logan Camden, and you already know what the deal is. We have got four playoff basketball games to talk about today, Logan on a Tuesday. Two teams hopes and dreams were ended today, and we had two series that are now headed for a game six. And I think we got to start Logan with the nightcap. The Nuggets cruise to a victory over the LA Clippers to take a three to two series lead. And there's really no other way to describe this than as the Jamal Murray game. Man felt like we were back in the bubble, felt like we were back in the twenty twenty three playoffs watching him just explode for more than forty points in this one. What did you take away from this performance?

Yeah, I mean it was a great Jamal game and they've certainly needed one. I mean they mentioned it on the broadcast. Jamal has the largest increase in regular season points to playoff points per game in NBA history. Like he is a big game kind of player and merchant, you know. I think sometimes we can preemptively give the label of like playoff performers, sometimes to guys who don't deserve it, right, Like Zion Williamson has a great playing game, you know, John Moran has a good play in game or something like that, and people just automatically want to pencil it in. And it's like we have such a large sample size from Jamal Murray to really prove that he is one of those guys and he is so vital and that the Nuggets are I won't say unstoppable when Jamal is at this level, but they are a hard freaking team to beat man because you've got to deal with two superstars. But there are some other guys I want to give props too. I want to give a lot of credit to this entire Nuggets collective for the energy battle tonight. I thought effort wise, they kind of big dog the Clippers. I thought defense, I thought transition, I thought rebounding were all categories where the Nuggets beat La tonight. I also thought they did a much better job maybe than I've ever seen before in a playoff game in non Jokic minutes. I want to give a lot of credit to DeAndre Jordan, even though they're very brief, Like anytime the Nuggets can get to like even or just barely negative and non Yokic minutes, it is such a massive, massive victory for them. And then the other guy I got to give a big shout out to is of course Russell Westbrook, who has a sixteen point first half and carries that over into the second half. And yeah, man, that's why I say it's such a big team win for the Nuggets. It's really uncharacteristic for them. Normally it's a Jokic carry job and they barely win by scraping their teeth. The only complaint I have for the Nuggets is I'd like to see them and they end up closing out the game. Well, I'd like to see them emphatically shut the door a little bit more on LA, but Jamal kind of did that during the last stretch. I just had a little bit of PTSD, man. I thought we might see the Clippers storm back the way they did in Game four, but Jamal did a really good job at that in this game. That's why I couldn't count the Nuggets out, man, and why I picked them to win in this series in seven. This was the series that I was definitely most conflicted on either Clippers in seven or Nuggets in seven. I was convinced it was going to go the distance from the jump. But the reason I took the Nuggets was ultimately my faith in Jokic, the continuity of this team, and my belief in Jamal Murray to reach this level. And he's the hero of this game. Man. If the Nuggets continue getting this out of Jamal Murray, man, they are a very tough team to stop. And I hope we see some more games like this. Man, it's a special, special site.

Yeah, I mean it was a great Jamal game and they've certainly needed one. I mean they mentioned it on the broadcast. Jamal has the largest increase in regular season points to playoff points per game in NBA history. Like he is a big game kind of player and merchant, you know. I think sometimes we can preemptively give the label of like playoff performers, sometimes to guys who don't deserve it, right, Like Zion Williamson has a great playing game, you know, John Moran has a good play in game or something like that, and people just automatically want to pencil it in. And it's like we have such a large sample size from Jamal Murray to really prove that he is one of those guys and he is so vital and that the Nuggets are I won't say unstoppable when Jamal is at this level, but they are a hard freaking team to beat man because you've got to deal with two superstars. But there are some other guys I want to give props too. I want to give a lot of credit to this entire Nuggets collective for the energy battle tonight. I thought effort wise, they kind of big dog the Clippers. I thought defense, I thought transition, I thought rebounding were all categories where the Nuggets beat La tonight. I also thought they did a much better job maybe than I've ever seen before in a playoff game in non Jokic minutes. I want to give a lot of credit to DeAndre Jordan, even though they're very brief, Like anytime the Nuggets can get to like even or just barely negative and non Yokic minutes, it is such a massive, massive victory for them. And then the other guy I got to give a big shout out to is of course Russell Westbrook, who has a sixteen point first half and carries that over into the second half. And yeah, man, that's why I say it's such a big team win for the Nuggets. It's really uncharacteristic for them. Normally it's a Jokic carry job and they barely win by scraping their teeth. The only complaint I have for the Nuggets is I'd like to see them and they end up closing out the game. Well, I'd like to see them emphatically shut the door a little bit more on LA, but Jamal kind of did that during the last stretch. I just had a little bit of PTSD, man. I thought we might see the Clippers storm back the way they did in Game four, but Jamal did a really good job at that in this game. That's why I couldn't count the Nuggets out, man, and why I picked them to win in this series in seven. This was the series that I was definitely most conflicted on either Clippers in seven or Nuggets in seven. I was convinced it was going to go the distance from the jump. But the reason I took the Nuggets was ultimately my faith in Jokic, the continuity of this team, and my belief in Jamal Murray to reach this level. And he's the hero of this game. Man. If the Nuggets continue getting this out of Jamal Murray, man, they are a very tough team to stop. And I hope we see some more games like this. Man, it's a special, special site.

It is a special thing to watch, dude, Like, Jamal is just one of the most mesmerizing scores in basketball when he's on, because everything is so pretty. I mean he's getting to his pull ups, he's getting to his step back, he's getting to the floor. I mean, like he's the definition of that.

It is a special thing to watch, dude, Like, Jamal is just one of the most mesmerizing scores in basketball when he's on, because everything is so pretty. I mean he's getting to his pull ups, he's getting to his step back, he's getting to the floor. I mean, like he's the definition of that.

Man.

Man.

He's as pure a bucket as there is. This is the guy who had a fifty piece without shooting a free throw. Like that's what Jamal Murray is capable at his best, just incredible pure shot making and that was all on display in this one. But you're talking about the reputation that he's built himself as this playoff riser, And obviously that was very true and very well earned in twenty twenty in the bubble and then in twenty twenty three in the title run. But since then it had not been the case. I mean, in last year's playoffs, Jamal was bad and he was dealing with the calf thing, but he was bad, and he was pretty good in the first three games of this series, but then he was really bad last game. So, like, if you look at his postseason numbers before this game, over the last two playoff runs, he's giving it twenty points per game on under forty nine percent true shooting. So to see him have a performance like this in the playoffs just like sort of jolted me awake, and it was like, WHOA, remember when Jamal used to do this in the playoffs. Like not to say that forty plus was a regular occurrence, but it was something you knew that he was legitimately capable of in a number of games. So you said it, man, I mean, when Jamal plays like this, the Nuggets are effectively unbeatable. And that's why this was such a bizarre game. Jamal was just unstoppable. There was nothing they could do to keep him from getting to looks that he liked as a pull up shooter, and they were all going in. He shot thirteen of nineteen on jump shots tonight, like there's really no defense for that, and then guys around him also had like great jump shooting performance is like a majority of Russ's points. Man, he's knocking down open threes when they're helping off of him. That's huge. He also makes two mid range jumpers in this game. Russell Westbrook has shot twenty three percent for mid range this season, so it's frankly a fluky shooting performance from Russ, But shout out to him because when he's knocking down his jumpers, then you reap the benefits of all the other positive things that he's doing. MPG shot really well from deep in this one, so the team largely because of Jamal, but also because of Russ and MPJ and Christian Brown hits a deep three at the end of the third quarter, Like they go seventeen of thirty three from beyond the arc. That is easily the biggest component in this win. It's just they shot the shit out of the ball, and because Jamal was so red hot, you have a game where like Jokicic just takes a back seat, which was such a strange viewing experience because this was the least impactful he has ever been in a Nuggets playoff win. And I tweeted that out and some people were getting defensive, and I'm like, look, man, you know how I feel about yok I think he's clearly the best player in the world. What I'm saying is, normally when the Nuggets winning the playoffs, like you said, it is Jokic reaching this like utterly dominant, stratospherically high level. And in this game, he wasn't playing very well. In the first half. He was creating shots for others when he's drawing some extra defensive attention, but he was losing his handle a couple times against the small ball units. He wasn't efficient as a score. He had a couple turnovers, and he was good on the glass. But in the second half, like he basically doesn't touch the ball very much. I think he has two points in the entire second half. He's not racking up assists in the second half either. Like it's basically just all right, dudes around me are going to have outlier great jump shooting performances will ride that to a win. So this might be the weirdest game of the playoffs so far because like Jamal is capable of getting really hot like this, but we hadn't seen it in the playoffs in multiple years, and then to have Russ going at the same time, and just like everything was going for the nugg It's been not in the normal way where like they weren't creating amazing shots. They were just making everything that they were putting up in terms of jumpers.

He's as pure a bucket as there is. This is the guy who had a fifty piece without shooting a free throw. Like that's what Jamal Murray is capable at his best, just incredible pure shot making and that was all on display in this one. But you're talking about the reputation that he's built himself as this playoff riser, And obviously that was very true and very well earned in twenty twenty in the bubble and then in twenty twenty three in the title run. But since then it had not been the case. I mean, in last year's playoffs, Jamal was bad and he was dealing with the calf thing, but he was bad, and he was pretty good in the first three games of this series, but then he was really bad last game. So, like, if you look at his postseason numbers before this game, over the last two playoff runs, he's giving it twenty points per game on under forty nine percent true shooting. So to see him have a performance like this in the playoffs just like sort of jolted me awake, and it was like, WHOA, remember when Jamal used to do this in the playoffs. Like not to say that forty plus was a regular occurrence, but it was something you knew that he was legitimately capable of in a number of games. So you said it, man, I mean, when Jamal plays like this, the Nuggets are effectively unbeatable. And that's why this was such a bizarre game. Jamal was just unstoppable. There was nothing they could do to keep him from getting to looks that he liked as a pull up shooter, and they were all going in. He shot thirteen of nineteen on jump shots tonight, like there's really no defense for that, and then guys around him also had like great jump shooting performance is like a majority of Russ's points. Man, he's knocking down open threes when they're helping off of him. That's huge. He also makes two mid range jumpers in this game. Russell Westbrook has shot twenty three percent for mid range this season, so it's frankly a fluky shooting performance from Russ, But shout out to him because when he's knocking down his jumpers, then you reap the benefits of all the other positive things that he's doing. MPG shot really well from deep in this one, so the team largely because of Jamal, but also because of Russ and MPJ and Christian Brown hits a deep three at the end of the third quarter, Like they go seventeen of thirty three from beyond the arc. That is easily the biggest component in this win. It's just they shot the shit out of the ball, and because Jamal was so red hot, you have a game where like Jokicic just takes a back seat, which was such a strange viewing experience because this was the least impactful he has ever been in a Nuggets playoff win. And I tweeted that out and some people were getting defensive, and I'm like, look, man, you know how I feel about yok I think he's clearly the best player in the world. What I'm saying is, normally when the Nuggets winning the playoffs, like you said, it is Jokic reaching this like utterly dominant, stratospherically high level. And in this game, he wasn't playing very well. In the first half. He was creating shots for others when he's drawing some extra defensive attention, but he was losing his handle a couple times against the small ball units. He wasn't efficient as a score. He had a couple turnovers, and he was good on the glass. But in the second half, like he basically doesn't touch the ball very much. I think he has two points in the entire second half. He's not racking up assists in the second half either. Like it's basically just all right, dudes around me are going to have outlier great jump shooting performances will ride that to a win. So this might be the weirdest game of the playoffs so far because like Jamal is capable of getting really hot like this, but we hadn't seen it in the playoffs in multiple years, and then to have Russ going at the same time, and just like everything was going for the nugg It's been not in the normal way where like they weren't creating amazing shots. They were just making everything that they were putting up in terms of jumpers.

Yeah, I mean, I'm happy for Jokic man when I can't think of the last time he's played a game where he could like kick his feet up and you know, chill on the bench a little bit. With a lead like that, there's such a monumental burden to carry this franchise every single night on his back, and so I'm just happy for the guy man that big Yo can kick up and take a night off for once in a while. But it's really really encouraging that the Nuggets have been able to reach this consistent of a level against the Clippers. And I honestly, I look at this in a different way. I thought this was going to be a really hard fought battle for Denver, and I still do feel that way, but I looked at that as a detriment. I kind of look at like that as a positive for both of these teams too, because I've mentioned this before in some of our game recaps. But I think this is it's really good to have a super compet team that can tune you up for this second round, because I do think that if Denver advances that they're they're playing a really good ball right now, and I think the Clippers have been a really, really great challenge.

Yeah, I mean, I'm happy for Jokic man when I can't think of the last time he's played a game where he could like kick his feet up and you know, chill on the bench a little bit. With a lead like that, there's such a monumental burden to carry this franchise every single night on his back, and so I'm just happy for the guy man that big Yo can kick up and take a night off for once in a while. But it's really really encouraging that the Nuggets have been able to reach this consistent of a level against the Clippers. And I honestly, I look at this in a different way. I thought this was going to be a really hard fought battle for Denver, and I still do feel that way, but I looked at that as a detriment. I kind of look at like that as a positive for both of these teams too, because I've mentioned this before in some of our game recaps. But I think this is it's really good to have a super compet team that can tune you up for this second round, because I do think that if Denver advances that they're they're playing a really good ball right now, and I think the Clippers have been a really, really great challenge.

I just don't know if there's anything to really tune you up for playing the Thunder. It's kind of a one of one experience.

I just don't know if there's anything to really tune you up for playing the Thunder. It's kind of a one of one experience.

Yeah, I mean I don't. I kind of disagree with that sentiment. And the only reason I say that is not because I don't think the Thunder a gonna steamroll Denver. I think the Thunder are gonna roll through the West. I just mean, with where Denver was at at the end of the regular season and the state that they were in after they fired Michael Malone, It's like this team was so clearly on a downward trajectory. A lot of people picked them to get bounced in the first round because of the vibes, because of the basketball they had been playing, and so to be five games deep in this series with a three to two lead, with the defense clicking, with Jamal figuring it out, with Michael Porter Junior playing better basketball, with Russ figuring it out. All I'm saying. I'm not saying that the Nuggets are gonna beat the Thunder in the next round or anything, but they have transformed from the and it's not like you couldn't see it coming. Anytime you have a guy like Nicole Jokic and a player like Jamal Murray, when you have a duo like that, you're obviously capable of doing some special things. But I feel like they've really flipped where they were at the end of the season. I'm just I'm happy I could have seen this series going in a much different way. The Nuggets come out flat, Jamal is off, Like I just saw a different universe, a different prism where maybe the Nuggets, the Nuggets come out really flat and get drubbed by the Clippers. But that hasn't been the case. And I think it's really encouraging level that they've been at in this series against LA.

Yeah, I mean I don't. I kind of disagree with that sentiment. And the only reason I say that is not because I don't think the Thunder a gonna steamroll Denver. I think the Thunder are gonna roll through the West. I just mean, with where Denver was at at the end of the regular season and the state that they were in after they fired Michael Malone, It's like this team was so clearly on a downward trajectory. A lot of people picked them to get bounced in the first round because of the vibes, because of the basketball they had been playing, and so to be five games deep in this series with a three to two lead, with the defense clicking, with Jamal figuring it out, with Michael Porter Junior playing better basketball, with Russ figuring it out. All I'm saying. I'm not saying that the Nuggets are gonna beat the Thunder in the next round or anything, but they have transformed from the and it's not like you couldn't see it coming. Anytime you have a guy like Nicole Jokic and a player like Jamal Murray, when you have a duo like that, you're obviously capable of doing some special things. But I feel like they've really flipped where they were at the end of the season. I'm just I'm happy I could have seen this series going in a much different way. The Nuggets come out flat, Jamal is off, Like I just saw a different universe, a different prism where maybe the Nuggets, the Nuggets come out really flat and get drubbed by the Clippers. But that hasn't been the case. And I think it's really encouraging level that they've been at in this series against LA.

I do think it's super impressive that they're up three to two. I think of that as an accomplishment because I think not only were the Nuggets spiraling at the end of the regular season, this Clippers team is also just really, really good, and they didn't put their best foot forward in this one. But that's a really difficult first round draw, and the Nuggets are the team with the upper hand right now. I just feel so weird about this game because it's a one off. It's fake. This isn't happening again in the playoffs for the Nuggets. Like Russ is not shooting this game, La Maul is not doing this again, and like that's where we're saying, if you get this version of Jamal Murray. But like, yeah, that's one in every one, maybe a dozen games if you're lucky. And he played significantly better in the second half of the year. He was bad to start the season, but then post All Star Break he was like a twenty three point per game guy, sixty one percent true shooting. So he has been playing better basketball than he was like in Game four, for example. It's just this isn't what Nuggets basketball normally looks like at their best. And that's why I feel weird like trying to have any big takeaways about it, because I know that if they win Game six or they win Game seven, it's not gonna be like this. It's gonna be Jokic dominating and obviously they're gonna have to make shots and they're gonna have to engage defensively, but it's gonna look very different than this one.

I do think it's super impressive that they're up three to two. I think of that as an accomplishment because I think not only were the Nuggets spiraling at the end of the regular season, this Clippers team is also just really, really good, and they didn't put their best foot forward in this one. But that's a really difficult first round draw, and the Nuggets are the team with the upper hand right now. I just feel so weird about this game because it's a one off. It's fake. This isn't happening again in the playoffs for the Nuggets. Like Russ is not shooting this game, La Maul is not doing this again, and like that's where we're saying, if you get this version of Jamal Murray. But like, yeah, that's one in every one, maybe a dozen games if you're lucky. And he played significantly better in the second half of the year. He was bad to start the season, but then post All Star Break he was like a twenty three point per game guy, sixty one percent true shooting. So he has been playing better basketball than he was like in Game four, for example. It's just this isn't what Nuggets basketball normally looks like at their best. And that's why I feel weird like trying to have any big takeaways about it, because I know that if they win Game six or they win Game seven, it's not gonna be like this. It's gonna be Jokic dominating and obviously they're gonna have to make shots and they're gonna have to engage defensively, but it's gonna look very different than this one.

Yeah, I mean it's good. Obviously, I think it's gonna look different. But I mean, again, there's just a lot of factors that I really am encouraged by by Denver, especially the defense in Jamal Murray. And I don't know, man, Like I said, it's nice that Jokish can can get a night off, Well, wasn't strange was watching James Harden have an off night, you know, which I knew he was capable of and was going to give us once in this series. I didn't think this was a letdown game for the Clippers, Like I said, I thought they kind of got beat up in the energy and effort categories. I don't want to give them credit, though I thought the Nuggets did a really phenomenal job rebounding the ball tonight and specifically keeping Big Zoo off the glass. One. I think a big component of that was the absurd shot making performance that they put on, which just obviously limited the potential for defensive rebounds that the Clippers could have had. But I thought the Clippers came out a little flat. I didn't think Kawhi played his best game. I didn't think the guys around him. I thought Zoo had a solid game despite not being super impactful on the boards. He's so damn consistent, man, And that's why that's why I'm stamped with having Big Zoo as I think a top five center in the league today. And the reason I'm so confident that is the consistency of Zoo where you know, I know Bam can have an off night. I demonta sa bonus. We all know how I feel about him. It's like the guys on the cusp of there with that fringe. I never feel that with Zoo, man. I don't think like Zoo is so matchup proof in a lot of ways, man, and I just feel like his impact is can I ask every game? Sure?

Yeah, I mean it's good. Obviously, I think it's gonna look different. But I mean, again, there's just a lot of factors that I really am encouraged by by Denver, especially the defense in Jamal Murray. And I don't know, man, Like I said, it's nice that Jokish can can get a night off, Well, wasn't strange was watching James Harden have an off night, you know, which I knew he was capable of and was going to give us once in this series. I didn't think this was a letdown game for the Clippers, Like I said, I thought they kind of got beat up in the energy and effort categories. I don't want to give them credit, though I thought the Nuggets did a really phenomenal job rebounding the ball tonight and specifically keeping Big Zoo off the glass. One. I think a big component of that was the absurd shot making performance that they put on, which just obviously limited the potential for defensive rebounds that the Clippers could have had. But I thought the Clippers came out a little flat. I didn't think Kawhi played his best game. I didn't think the guys around him. I thought Zoo had a solid game despite not being super impactful on the boards. He's so damn consistent, man, And that's why that's why I'm stamped with having Big Zoo as I think a top five center in the league today. And the reason I'm so confident that is the consistency of Zoo where you know, I know Bam can have an off night. I demonta sa bonus. We all know how I feel about him. It's like the guys on the cusp of there with that fringe. I never feel that with Zoo, man. I don't think like Zoo is so matchup proof in a lot of ways, man, and I just feel like his impact is can I ask every game? Sure?

Top five? So obviously we have Jokic one, are you considering ad of four now that he's in Dallas? I would, okay, So obviously Wemby is way clear of these conversations, Kat and porzingis you both have them above Zoo.

Top five? So obviously we have Jokic one, are you considering ad of four now that he's in Dallas? I would, okay, So obviously Wemby is way clear of these conversations, Kat and porzingis you both have them above Zoo.

I presume, Yeah, KP is making me rethink things at the level that he's been at, because it's like even today was a disappointment. But yeah, I'd have Cad and KP above him.

I presume, Yeah, KP is making me rethink things at the level that he's been at, because it's like even today was a disappointment. But yeah, I'd have Cad and KP above him.

Okay, And then I think we're going to get into the range where you are going to start to argue him over everybody else, like if it's Bam, he talked about that, and honest, that would put Zoo at five for you.

Okay, And then I think we're going to get into the range where you are going to start to argue him over everybody else, like if it's Bam, he talked about that, and honest, that would put Zoo at five for you.

Yeah, I think it's about right.

Yeah, I think it's about right.

It's not crazy. It's not crazy to say that. Like I've said, I think that he is in a tier with Sabonis and Bam. I think that he is an incredibly impactful two way player on any team on the planet. I do think this is a great situation for him where he is able to play drop with excellent perimeter defenders and screen navigators, and offensively he is getting spoon fed a lot of great looks by James Harden, Like, this is where I tend to give Bam a bit of the benefit of the doubt and say, if you put him with a pick and roll playmaker like that, his offense would look a good bit better than it does. And that's why I still lean on him. But Zoo has some of the best touch in basketball. He is one of the biggest, strongest bigs in basketball. He's good feel as a passer, he's a great rim protector, he's a great rebounder, and he is the epitome of consistency. Dude, Like, basically every night from him is eighteen twelve and three, twenty thirteen and four. Not as great on the boards tonight as you mentioned, but dominant as an interior scorer. Still, he's a great basketball player. I really can't be mad about you having him up that high, and he was very good for the Clippers in this one. Overall, this really does come down to Harden and you mentioned the intensity and the effort stuff, and I do agree to some extent. At the same time, like I've said, I think the Clippers would live with a lot of shots that the Nuggets got on an average.

It's not crazy. It's not crazy to say that. Like I've said, I think that he is in a tier with Sabonis and Bam. I think that he is an incredibly impactful two way player on any team on the planet. I do think this is a great situation for him where he is able to play drop with excellent perimeter defenders and screen navigators, and offensively he is getting spoon fed a lot of great looks by James Harden, Like, this is where I tend to give Bam a bit of the benefit of the doubt and say, if you put him with a pick and roll playmaker like that, his offense would look a good bit better than it does. And that's why I still lean on him. But Zoo has some of the best touch in basketball. He is one of the biggest, strongest bigs in basketball. He's good feel as a passer, he's a great rim protector, he's a great rebounder, and he is the epitome of consistency. Dude, Like, basically every night from him is eighteen twelve and three, twenty thirteen and four. Not as great on the boards tonight as you mentioned, but dominant as an interior scorer. Still, he's a great basketball player. I really can't be mad about you having him up that high, and he was very good for the Clippers in this one. Overall, this really does come down to Harden and you mentioned the intensity and the effort stuff, and I do agree to some extent. At the same time, like I've said, I think the Clippers would live with a lot of shots that the Nuggets got on an average.

Night night no hate our shadow gave for end of the show and gave with sting about this in our group shit, But like, yeah, man, you're are aga rush taking a bunch of jays. You're You're very okay with it. He're the defense.

Night night no hate our shadow gave for end of the show and gave with sting about this in our group shit, But like, yeah, man, you're are aga rush taking a bunch of jays. You're You're very okay with it. He're the defense.

I mean, not only are they okay with it, that's literally their hope on every single possession, are going to leave him and say, please give him the ball and have him shoot a three or even better a mid range. He was making even those.

I mean, not only are they okay with it, that's literally their hope on every single possession, are going to leave him and say, please give him the ball and have him shoot a three or even better a mid range. He was making even those.

That's what I was gonna say, Like, we're very analytic and statistic based, and so whatever the percentage you say is normally where we're going to lie on. And so it's like, yeah, you want a twenty three percent mid range shooter hucking it up like you can, I will. I will give them to you on a silver platter. You can have all of those possessions.

That's what I was gonna say, Like, we're very analytic and statistic based, and so whatever the percentage you say is normally where we're going to lie on. And so it's like, yeah, you want a twenty three percent mid range shooter hucking it up like you can, I will. I will give them to you on a silver platter. You can have all of those possessions.

What's weird is like the Clippers offense was still pretty good. I mean, this was a very solid offensive performance from them because Kawhi didn't have his dominant scoring performance, but I did think was quite good as a playmaker. Norman Powell not a great game because the three ball wasn't really going, but I thought he was pretty good as a driver. Chris Dunn total reversal from him compared to last game where the Nuggets were ignoring him, roaming off him every single possession, and he shot one for nine, and like was the reason that the Clippers offense was struggling. He was really good offensively, and this one, Bogie was really good offensively. Zoo was really good offensively. So like everybody else did their job, it's just the Nuggets shooting the shit out of the ball, having a little bit more effort and intensity, I would agree. And then James Harden just basically being a no show in this game. Like I thought that he was careless with the ball, he wasn't super assertive, the shot wasn't falling, he wasn't finishing well. Like James Harden did nothing well in this game other than I guess, like fight for post position with Jolkic on a couple of switches. So that's really where the Clippers lose this one. On the offensive end. He's the only guy who I would really look at and say, you weren't good enough in this game, and he wasn't nearly good enough. And it is disappointing because he came into the playoffs at such a high level and has had a couple of really good performances in this series. But it is going to be hard for the Clippers to win games when you get a really bad performance like this from James Harden.

What's weird is like the Clippers offense was still pretty good. I mean, this was a very solid offensive performance from them because Kawhi didn't have his dominant scoring performance, but I did think was quite good as a playmaker. Norman Powell not a great game because the three ball wasn't really going, but I thought he was pretty good as a driver. Chris Dunn total reversal from him compared to last game where the Nuggets were ignoring him, roaming off him every single possession, and he shot one for nine, and like was the reason that the Clippers offense was struggling. He was really good offensively, and this one, Bogie was really good offensively. Zoo was really good offensively. So like everybody else did their job, it's just the Nuggets shooting the shit out of the ball, having a little bit more effort and intensity, I would agree. And then James Harden just basically being a no show in this game. Like I thought that he was careless with the ball, he wasn't super assertive, the shot wasn't falling, he wasn't finishing well. Like James Harden did nothing well in this game other than I guess, like fight for post position with Jolkic on a couple of switches. So that's really where the Clippers lose this one. On the offensive end. He's the only guy who I would really look at and say, you weren't good enough in this game, and he wasn't nearly good enough. And it is disappointing because he came into the playoffs at such a high level and has had a couple of really good performances in this series. But it is going to be hard for the Clippers to win games when you get a really bad performance like this from James Harden.

What do you make of him not being his aggressive man? Because like, even when Harden's having an off night, I want Harden taking like fifteen plus shots. I'm not a hardened guy. I have never been a hardened guy. Yeah, like the reality of this matchup, I still feel like he should be a one. He should just have better games in this every single night in this series. This this like this even as a floor for Harden, this is much too low for a player of his caliber. But it's like, I just don't I still don't think the Nuggets have a good answer for Kawhi. I also want to give a shout out to Kawhi for what he did defensively tonight to go late, Like great playmaking from him as well in this game. But yeah, I don't know, man, I'm I'm disappointed in Harden. Like I just feel like he needs to be more aggressive. He needs to be more assertive. Even if your shots off, even if you're deferring and becoming more of a playmaker, you're one of this team's best offensive players. You were this teams, in my opinion, second best offensive player in the regular season. You could argue they're most impactful and important with Kauhi's availability.

What do you make of him not being his aggressive man? Because like, even when Harden's having an off night, I want Harden taking like fifteen plus shots. I'm not a hardened guy. I have never been a hardened guy. Yeah, like the reality of this matchup, I still feel like he should be a one. He should just have better games in this every single night in this series. This this like this even as a floor for Harden, this is much too low for a player of his caliber. But it's like, I just don't I still don't think the Nuggets have a good answer for Kawhi. I also want to give a shout out to Kawhi for what he did defensively tonight to go late, Like great playmaking from him as well in this game. But yeah, I don't know, man, I'm I'm disappointed in Harden. Like I just feel like he needs to be more aggressive. He needs to be more assertive. Even if your shots off, even if you're deferring and becoming more of a playmaker, you're one of this team's best offensive players. You were this teams, in my opinion, second best offensive player in the regular season. You could argue they're most impactful and important with Kauhi's availability.

I mean, you couldn't argue it. He was. He was the course of the season.

I mean, you couldn't argue it. He was. He was the course of the season.

And now you know even how good Zoo is, it's like Harden is still a number two here. I want him take in more shots. I want him more confidently getting to his looks. And again, this is just a matchup where I feel like the Nuggets can't make hard and uncomfortable and he should asserted himself more. There should not be any game in this series where he's attempting ten or fewer jumpers or field goals, Like I need Harden to leave his imprint on this game a little more and assert himself. Dude, I'm as a hardened hater, I'm not surprised, but it's like, look at their one in two, man, Like, look at what Jamal does. You're gonna lose this game ten times out of ten, man.

And now you know even how good Zoo is, it's like Harden is still a number two here. I want him take in more shots. I want him more confidently getting to his looks. And again, this is just a matchup where I feel like the Nuggets can't make hard and uncomfortable and he should asserted himself more. There should not be any game in this series where he's attempting ten or fewer jumpers or field goals, Like I need Harden to leave his imprint on this game a little more and assert himself. Dude, I'm as a hardened hater, I'm not surprised, but it's like, look at their one in two, man, Like, look at what Jamal does. You're gonna lose this game ten times out of ten, man.

Yeah, it was a weird game from Harden. They're putting two on the ball a decent amount out of pick and roll, and so he's obviously gonna be inclined to play make in those situations, as he should be, But I still think the Nuggets are all having a really difficult time staying in front of him. Part of it was like, again, it didn't hit any threes, wasn't finishing well, wasn't even shooting well from the free throw line, which was a problem for the Clippers in this game. And they only shoot sixty four percent from the line, so they didn't have their best stuff. Really, Harden was not even close to it, and the Nugget supporting cast did a really good job. The one guy who we haven't shouted out who I do want to is Aaron Gordon, who is a guy who was getting to looks that I really did like for him, Like I thought he was doing a nice job of attacking mismatches and he gets to the line a number of times in this game using his physicality and strength and athleticism. And Christian Brown was super active in this game on the glassiest twelve rebounds, gets a couple steals in this one. So it's a really good collective Nuggets performance, Like if they get this production from the rest of their guys, their four starters outside of Jokic scored ninety one points in this game, and Russell Westbrook scores twenty one points.

Yeah, it was a weird game from Harden. They're putting two on the ball a decent amount out of pick and roll, and so he's obviously gonna be inclined to play make in those situations, as he should be, But I still think the Nuggets are all having a really difficult time staying in front of him. Part of it was like, again, it didn't hit any threes, wasn't finishing well, wasn't even shooting well from the free throw line, which was a problem for the Clippers in this game. And they only shoot sixty four percent from the line, so they didn't have their best stuff. Really, Harden was not even close to it, and the Nugget supporting cast did a really good job. The one guy who we haven't shouted out who I do want to is Aaron Gordon, who is a guy who was getting to looks that I really did like for him, Like I thought he was doing a nice job of attacking mismatches and he gets to the line a number of times in this game using his physicality and strength and athleticism. And Christian Brown was super active in this game on the glassiest twelve rebounds, gets a couple steals in this one. So it's a really good collective Nuggets performance, Like if they get this production from the rest of their guys, their four starters outside of Jokic scored ninety one points in this game, and Russell Westbrook scores twenty one points.

That can never have happened in any Nuggets game with Yolkic before. That's got to be some sort of record, man.

That can never have happened in any Nuggets game with Yolkic before. That's got to be some sort of record, man.

No, it has. It has. Smoles had his explosions, and Mpj's had his explosions, but it's a really, really high number and you're not going to beat them when they do that. The question is going to be can they replicate that in one of these next two games? And can James Harden step it up? Can the Clippers reach their maximum level defensively? We'll see. I said coming into the series, I thought that the Clippers were the team that had more margin. That's no longer the case. Now they're the team that has to be perfect. They're the team that has to go back to back and win two in a row, and we'll see if they can do it.

No, it has. It has. Smoles had his explosions, and Mpj's had his explosions, but it's a really, really high number and you're not going to beat them when they do that. The question is going to be can they replicate that in one of these next two games? And can James Harden step it up? Can the Clippers reach their maximum level defensively? We'll see. I said coming into the series, I thought that the Clippers were the team that had more margin. That's no longer the case. Now they're the team that has to be perfect. They're the team that has to go back to back and win two in a row, and we'll see if they can do it.

I still think it's going seven. I think the series is.

I still think it's going seven. I think the series is.

Going I think it's going seven to. I think it's going seven to and I am looking forward to it because this series has been a ball Let's talk about a series that wrapped up in dramatic fashion today. Logan the Indiana Pacers put away the Milwaukee Bucks. They win the series four games to one, and they did so in a wild, wild ending. Can you hear me? Are you hearing a Falcons cry?

Going I think it's going seven to. I think it's going seven to and I am looking forward to it because this series has been a ball Let's talk about a series that wrapped up in dramatic fashion today. Logan the Indiana Pacers put away the Milwaukee Bucks. They win the series four games to one, and they did so in a wild, wild ending. Can you hear me? Are you hearing a Falcons cry?

No, dude, I just heard some report that Tyre's Halliburton was the most overrated player in the.

No, dude, I just heard some report that Tyre's Halliburton was the most overrated player in the.

NBA, this fucking guy. Oh my god, did you hear that?

NBA, this fucking guy. Oh my god, did you hear that?

Did you hear that?

Did you hear that?

Yeah? I heard it. I heard it. Not the case slogan, because it's Hallie who puts the Bucks away? What do you have to say about his performance?

Yeah? I heard it. I heard it. Not the case slogan, because it's Hallie who puts the Bucks away? What do you have to say about his performance?

You know? I thought Tyres Haliburton couldn't score the ball. I thought he was actually really bad at scoring the basketball. I thought he's, like hella overrated.

You know? I thought Tyres Haliburton couldn't score the ball. I thought he was actually really bad at scoring the basketball. I thought he's, like hella overrated.

Mm hmm, huh hmm. It's a thinker, because how can these things all be true at once?

Mm hmm, huh hmm. It's a thinker, because how can these things all be true at once?

How can a bad scorer put the Bucks away like that? Like he can't. He's not a good scorer.

How can a bad scorer put the Bucks away like that? Like he can't. He's not a good scorer.

So confusing he doesn't get by people, because I've been told that he doesn't get by people. But how is he blowing by Giannis on touchakoupo off every switch? Huh?

So confusing he doesn't get by people, because I've been told that he doesn't get by people. But how is he blowing by Giannis on touchakoupo off every switch? Huh?

That's really really makes you think.

That's really really makes you think.

Man, Maybe that was like a glitch in the matrix. Or something.

Man, Maybe that was like a glitch in the matrix. Or something.

This was such a fucking statement win for how man like I hope this shut a lot of people up. Man Like, I just I love it when obviously guys that I appreciate in sports prove people wrong. I was so insanely excited last year when Josh Allen, who was also voted the most overrated player in the NFL, you know, was the best player I thought at the quarterback position last year. And I don't understand still why Halliburton gets the hate that he gets. And I understand that he can be sure inconsistent in certain games, but I think that gets overblown so much, and I think when people really emphasize that, I think you just overlook that he is a good score, that he is capable of doing things like this, that he has phenomenal touch and you can lose sight of his burst and stuff like that. Like Halliburton put this game away. He hit all the clutch buckets in regulation. In overtime, Halliburton said, one of the best playmakers on planet Earth. He said, now fuck that, I'm gonna just go to the hole. I'm gonna just do it myself. The dunk in regulation was awesome. That made me stand up out of my seat, and also on the other side of this, what a crazy collapse for Milwaukee, Like there is no world in which Milwaukee should have lost this game. I had written in my notes thirty seconds left in the game. I had written down Bucks defeat Pacers in ot like I was one hundred percent convinced it was over, and then they stormed back. So I do think it's both sides of this, Like I think this is a really big choke for Milwaukee, but late game heroics from Halliburton, and I hope people were paying attention because I thought this is just a it's a statement and a star making performance from Tyrese, Like I think a lot of people last year when they made the ECF run took note and said, all right, this guy's a really talented young point guard, one of the best in the league. We don't know exactly where he ranks. This was a statement, superstar performance to me from Tyrese in a really big, crucial moment. And again not only to shut the door, to slam the door of a game, tyres put the dagger in the heart of the Bucks and said go home, your season's done. And guess what too. I think I just gave your superstar the boot out of the city. Man. I think this very well could have been Jannis's last game as a buck Man. But I'm so proud of Tyrese Carson. I'm so proud, And I'm also going to be insufferable about Halibert and the rest.

This was such a fucking statement win for how man like I hope this shut a lot of people up. Man Like, I just I love it when obviously guys that I appreciate in sports prove people wrong. I was so insanely excited last year when Josh Allen, who was also voted the most overrated player in the NFL, you know, was the best player I thought at the quarterback position last year. And I don't understand still why Halliburton gets the hate that he gets. And I understand that he can be sure inconsistent in certain games, but I think that gets overblown so much, and I think when people really emphasize that, I think you just overlook that he is a good score, that he is capable of doing things like this, that he has phenomenal touch and you can lose sight of his burst and stuff like that. Like Halliburton put this game away. He hit all the clutch buckets in regulation. In overtime, Halliburton said, one of the best playmakers on planet Earth. He said, now fuck that, I'm gonna just go to the hole. I'm gonna just do it myself. The dunk in regulation was awesome. That made me stand up out of my seat, and also on the other side of this, what a crazy collapse for Milwaukee, Like there is no world in which Milwaukee should have lost this game. I had written in my notes thirty seconds left in the game. I had written down Bucks defeat Pacers in ot like I was one hundred percent convinced it was over, and then they stormed back. So I do think it's both sides of this, Like I think this is a really big choke for Milwaukee, but late game heroics from Halliburton, and I hope people were paying attention because I thought this is just a it's a statement and a star making performance from Tyrese, Like I think a lot of people last year when they made the ECF run took note and said, all right, this guy's a really talented young point guard, one of the best in the league. We don't know exactly where he ranks. This was a statement, superstar performance to me from Tyrese in a really big, crucial moment. And again not only to shut the door, to slam the door of a game, tyres put the dagger in the heart of the Bucks and said go home, your season's done. And guess what too. I think I just gave your superstar the boot out of the city. Man. I think this very well could have been Jannis's last game as a buck Man. But I'm so proud of Tyrese Carson. I'm so proud, And I'm also going to be insufferable about Halibert and the rest.

Of these playoffs. He was fantastic in this one. Fourteen points in the last minute and thirteen seconds of regulation and overtime. You're down four points with a minute thirteen left in regulation. Hollie scores on three straight possessions. He blows by Jannis twice, I believe, and then he blows by I think it was Gary Trent Junior. So he is getting to the rim every single time. He gets you to overtime single handedly with those three straight buckets, and then he goes cold for a stretch in overtime where he's missing two threes on one possession, misses another three and the outside shot really isn't falling. Then you're down four with thirty seconds left in overtime, and it's Halley who scores five straight points on back to back possessions to win you the game. Again. Both of them blowbys one on aj Green trying to pressure him up close to half court, and the other on Giannis. So I thought it was a wildly impressive, extremely clutch performance. I had some people after I said that in my replies, being like, well, how is it clutch? He missed multiple shots in a row in overtime. I'm like, brother, you score fourteen points in the last six minutes of a game, your team is down four twice, and in both instances it is you who single handedly brings them back, Like the game are you? I mean this sort of microscope to any other player looks for Aliburton, like, come on, man, that's almost the definition of a clutch performance. Backs against the wall. You need to make something special happen, and you do it over and over again. It was incredible And again, dude, I've heard this narrative that Hallie doesn't get by people, that he doesn't beat you off the dribble, that he's not consistently getting into the paint.

Of these playoffs. He was fantastic in this one. Fourteen points in the last minute and thirteen seconds of regulation and overtime. You're down four points with a minute thirteen left in regulation. Hollie scores on three straight possessions. He blows by Jannis twice, I believe, and then he blows by I think it was Gary Trent Junior. So he is getting to the rim every single time. He gets you to overtime single handedly with those three straight buckets, and then he goes cold for a stretch in overtime where he's missing two threes on one possession, misses another three and the outside shot really isn't falling. Then you're down four with thirty seconds left in overtime, and it's Halley who scores five straight points on back to back possessions to win you the game. Again. Both of them blowbys one on aj Green trying to pressure him up close to half court, and the other on Giannis. So I thought it was a wildly impressive, extremely clutch performance. I had some people after I said that in my replies, being like, well, how is it clutch? He missed multiple shots in a row in overtime. I'm like, brother, you score fourteen points in the last six minutes of a game, your team is down four twice, and in both instances it is you who single handedly brings them back, Like the game are you? I mean this sort of microscope to any other player looks for Aliburton, like, come on, man, that's almost the definition of a clutch performance. Backs against the wall. You need to make something special happen, and you do it over and over again. It was incredible And again, dude, I've heard this narrative that Hallie doesn't get by people, that he doesn't beat you off the dribble, that he's not consistently getting into the paint.

Can I ask you, do you think that's because he's such a great shooter.

Can I ask you, do you think that's because he's such a great shooter.

I think it's because he doesn't get all the way to the rim very much. Because most of the time when he does get a sweep, when he does get a step, he gets into the paint and he's looking to make a kickout pass, right, He's looking to create for others. He's really only gonna take the layup if the angle is there and the help isn't coming. So that's where I think it comes from. But how he is constantly creating advantages. It is just his instinct to look to make the pass first, to look to make the read for a teammate, and he just makes the right play over and over again. Created so many great shots in this series, eleven point six assists per game, and truly might be the smartest player in the NBA. Like I have called him the best decision maker in basketball, that's damn near smartest player. I mean that doesn't include like your defensive IQ, where I don't think he's at the top of the list. Although let's give credit where it's due. He made a hell of defensive players in this game. He had three steals, three blocks, very very active, a couple more deflections. But when it comes to just like if he has the ball in his hands, he's going to make the right decision more consistently than anybody else. And when it comes to dictating where the ball should go offensively. He is always aware of where the mismatches, where they should be attacking, where the vulnerabilities are, how to most effectively do so. It's just incredible. I mean, like in the box score isn't going to show all this stuff. We talk about it all the time. Is such a great offensive player?

I think it's because he doesn't get all the way to the rim very much. Because most of the time when he does get a sweep, when he does get a step, he gets into the paint and he's looking to make a kickout pass, right, He's looking to create for others. He's really only gonna take the layup if the angle is there and the help isn't coming. So that's where I think it comes from. But how he is constantly creating advantages. It is just his instinct to look to make the pass first, to look to make the read for a teammate, and he just makes the right play over and over again. Created so many great shots in this series, eleven point six assists per game, and truly might be the smartest player in the NBA. Like I have called him the best decision maker in basketball, that's damn near smartest player. I mean that doesn't include like your defensive IQ, where I don't think he's at the top of the list. Although let's give credit where it's due. He made a hell of defensive players in this game. He had three steals, three blocks, very very active, a couple more deflections. But when it comes to just like if he has the ball in his hands, he's going to make the right decision more consistently than anybody else. And when it comes to dictating where the ball should go offensively. He is always aware of where the mismatches, where they should be attacking, where the vulnerabilities are, how to most effectively do so. It's just incredible. I mean, like in the box score isn't going to show all this stuff. We talk about it all the time. Is such a great offensive player?

I think it kind of does. I think the stat that really reflects that fact is the assist to turnover ratio.

I think it kind of does. I think the stat that really reflects that fact is the assist to turnover ratio.

When you see I thought you were going to say the Indiana Pacers points per game. I was going to say, yeah, see it, you could.

When you see I thought you were going to say the Indiana Pacers points per game. I was going to say, yeah, see it, you could.

Look at that. But we talk about this during the regular season eleven assists per game, under two turnovers per game. In this series he's at two point two turnovers per game and eleven point six assists per game. So one ridiculous efficiency. But that's such a secret weapon for Indiana because not only we always talk about how great Indiana's offense is at generating points, which is the end goal, but they're also so great at not wasting possessions ever. And what I mean by that is, so not only is Indiana great at putting up points on the board, but they're great at not turning the ball over and they're grade at limiting bad shots. So this team just maximizes every offensive possession. And that's what makes them so hard to stop. Man, And it starts with Halliburn, and you just gotta show him some love. Man. I can't I can't wait. Man, one of these days, Carson, one of these days, people are gonna respect Halle. Dude, I don't know what it's gonna take, because it's like, dude, just look at the team offensive results that we you've seen Hallie put together in Indiana, Like, I don't need any larger of a sample size. I think we have the results. But and maybe it's just because the scoring volume isn't there. I don't care, man, He's one of the most.

Look at that. But we talk about this during the regular season eleven assists per game, under two turnovers per game. In this series he's at two point two turnovers per game and eleven point six assists per game. So one ridiculous efficiency. But that's such a secret weapon for Indiana because not only we always talk about how great Indiana's offense is at generating points, which is the end goal, but they're also so great at not wasting possessions ever. And what I mean by that is, so not only is Indiana great at putting up points on the board, but they're great at not turning the ball over and they're grade at limiting bad shots. So this team just maximizes every offensive possession. And that's what makes them so hard to stop. Man, And it starts with Halliburn, and you just gotta show him some love. Man. I can't I can't wait. Man, one of these days, Carson, one of these days, people are gonna respect Halle. Dude, I don't know what it's gonna take, because it's like, dude, just look at the team offensive results that we you've seen Hallie put together in Indiana, Like, I don't need any larger of a sample size. I think we have the results. But and maybe it's just because the scoring volume isn't there. I don't care, man, He's one of the most.

Impactful people for scoring volume.

Impactful people for scoring volume.

It's like, dude, I'm sure there's some basketball fans would argue like Jalen Green over Tyres Halliburton or something ridiculous like that.

It's like, dude, I'm sure there's some basketball fans would argue like Jalen Green over Tyres Halliburton or something ridiculous like that.

Man, Like I mean, Steve Nash is probably the most underrated player ever, damn near. It's just because of ports per game. There are those who know and there are those who fail to see. And it is sad. But how he's a top twenty player in my opinion, he's playing like it right now. He just has to really find the three ball.

Man, Like I mean, Steve Nash is probably the most underrated player ever, damn near. It's just because of ports per game. There are those who know and there are those who fail to see. And it is sad. But how he's a top twenty player in my opinion, he's playing like it right now. He just has to really find the three ball.

I think I got a bump halle up, and we will redo that an all or revisit it. But I think I got a bump halle up too. Man.

I think I got a bump halle up, and we will redo that an all or revisit it. But I think I got a bump halle up too. Man.

He's awesome, and if he really gets that outside shot going in the cast hears, I think he could have a dominant offensive showing against them, because I don't think that's a defense that is built to make him uncomfortable. It's gonna be interesting. They certainly are a better matchup than the Bucks with brook Low because that was just always going to be food for the Pacers. We'll talk about that series as we get a little bit closer to getting started, though. I do want to give credit to some other guys for Indiana, though, because it's always a collective effort. Like Hallie absolutely deserves credit for being such a brilliant decision maker, such a brilliant passer, such an efficient score on average, like constantly putting his offense in position to succeed. But also he does have the luxury of having really good play finishers around him and other dudes who can step up and create off the dribbles. Some TJ McConnell in this game, really really good, just so shifty, so quick, getting into the paint, getting to those short rage jumpers. He was really big in this one. And then Aaron Nesmith hitting his shots, attacking the offensive glass wins the Pacers a couple of big possessions. So this is the beauty of Indiana's offense. Man Like, they had their lowest scoring first quarter of the year, and after that they just keep coming. They're gonna get good contributions from a number of guys, and they're going to keep getting good shots, and they're too skilled to not eventually capitalize on that. And the Bucks were just never able to fully weather that storm and fully keep up with a machine that was that well oiled, or really slow it down consistently. So Pacers advance. They look very good. They've been looking very good for more than three quarters of the year now. And if we're talking about regretting rankings, I've already talked about this and apologized Indiana, but I really should have had them as my number three team in the East when we did our contender rankings. I changed my mind almost instantly on that and said they should be in that spot. But I just continue to feel more and more strongly about that. Let's talk about the other side of this logan. There's obviously one big question looming, and that is what does this mean for Giannis? But before we get to that, where do things go wrong in this individual game and in this series for Milwaukee? Where are you putting the blame or giving a little bit of credit? Like Gary Trent Junior obviously going absolutely berserk in the game.

He's awesome, and if he really gets that outside shot going in the cast hears, I think he could have a dominant offensive showing against them, because I don't think that's a defense that is built to make him uncomfortable. It's gonna be interesting. They certainly are a better matchup than the Bucks with brook Low because that was just always going to be food for the Pacers. We'll talk about that series as we get a little bit closer to getting started, though. I do want to give credit to some other guys for Indiana, though, because it's always a collective effort. Like Hallie absolutely deserves credit for being such a brilliant decision maker, such a brilliant passer, such an efficient score on average, like constantly putting his offense in position to succeed. But also he does have the luxury of having really good play finishers around him and other dudes who can step up and create off the dribbles. Some TJ McConnell in this game, really really good, just so shifty, so quick, getting into the paint, getting to those short rage jumpers. He was really big in this one. And then Aaron Nesmith hitting his shots, attacking the offensive glass wins the Pacers a couple of big possessions. So this is the beauty of Indiana's offense. Man Like, they had their lowest scoring first quarter of the year, and after that they just keep coming. They're gonna get good contributions from a number of guys, and they're going to keep getting good shots, and they're too skilled to not eventually capitalize on that. And the Bucks were just never able to fully weather that storm and fully keep up with a machine that was that well oiled, or really slow it down consistently. So Pacers advance. They look very good. They've been looking very good for more than three quarters of the year now. And if we're talking about regretting rankings, I've already talked about this and apologized Indiana, but I really should have had them as my number three team in the East when we did our contender rankings. I changed my mind almost instantly on that and said they should be in that spot. But I just continue to feel more and more strongly about that. Let's talk about the other side of this logan. There's obviously one big question looming, and that is what does this mean for Giannis? But before we get to that, where do things go wrong in this individual game and in this series for Milwaukee? Where are you putting the blame or giving a little bit of credit? Like Gary Trent Junior obviously going absolutely berserk in the game.

Yeah, I mean shout out to Gary Trent. He was him and aj Green were kind of the only reason that the Bucks are hunting around in this game. And I really thought, like, that's what sucks to you. Gary Trent hit some massive shots in the fourth quarter and ot Like, I really thought he was going to be the one that put this game to bed.

Yeah, I mean shout out to Gary Trent. He was him and aj Green were kind of the only reason that the Bucks are hunting around in this game. And I really thought, like, that's what sucks to you. Gary Trent hit some massive shots in the fourth quarter and ot Like, I really thought he was going to be the one that put this game to bed.

So I went, well, he did in a sense, Yeah, gave the Pacers the ball a couple times. But can I be honest, I don't think you could hold that against him if you're a Bucks fan, Like, straight up though, he's the reason you were in the game to begin with. So sorry, Gary Trent Junior, a role player live allowed to fuck up when he's given you thirty three points and twelve points in overtime on four or five.

So I went, well, he did in a sense, Yeah, gave the Pacers the ball a couple times. But can I be honest, I don't think you could hold that against him if you're a Bucks fan, Like, straight up though, he's the reason you were in the game to begin with. So sorry, Gary Trent Junior, a role player live allowed to fuck up when he's given you thirty three points and twelve points in overtime on four or five.

Shooting they bought a gun slingder. You die buy a gun slinger man. You gotta let the shooter shoot. That's his job.

Shooting they bought a gun slingder. You die buy a gun slinger man. You gotta let the shooter shoot. That's his job.

In well, he wasn't shooting, he just couldn't keep care of the ball. But I still think he did so much positive for you in this game. Not that I've seen anybody scapegoating him, but like that's just always how it goes, right, guy makes the last mistake, ends up getting some hate, and within the context of this game, like he's the reason that you won Game three. He's the reason you had a chance to win this game, other than obviously Jiannis being amazing, but like Giannis was always going to be amazing. Who was going to be the difference maker? Who was going to step up? Is Gary Trent Junior and aj Green.

In well, he wasn't shooting, he just couldn't keep care of the ball. But I still think he did so much positive for you in this game. Not that I've seen anybody scapegoating him, but like that's just always how it goes, right, guy makes the last mistake, ends up getting some hate, and within the context of this game, like he's the reason that you won Game three. He's the reason you had a chance to win this game, other than obviously Jiannis being amazing, but like Giannis was always going to be amazing. Who was going to be the difference maker? Who was going to step up? Is Gary Trent Junior and aj Green.

The difference in this game and a difference in this series is really really simple. It's just a talented difference between these two teams. I mean I was literally sitting there thinking during this game, how many pacers are you taking before the second best healthy buck? And the reason I had that caveat is obviously because Damian Lillard exists. But you look at it, Right, the first guy that you're gonna take next foot the Bucks is either Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Junior, or aj Green on a given game, especially in this series, right, because maybe you can make a case for Jepez, But I just think Brook is a little too flawed to be the choice here.

The difference in this game and a difference in this series is really really simple. It's just a talented difference between these two teams. I mean I was literally sitting there thinking during this game, how many pacers are you taking before the second best healthy buck? And the reason I had that caveat is obviously because Damian Lillard exists. But you look at it, Right, the first guy that you're gonna take next foot the Bucks is either Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Junior, or aj Green on a given game, especially in this series, right, because maybe you can make a case for Jepez, But I just think Brook is a little too flawed to be the choice here.

So yeah, I mean Brook is unplayable in this matchup. Obviously in a vacuum, he's better than a couple of the guys you named. Yah, But let's just go through it, dude, like obviously and totally different. Well, I think we exclude Hallie. Okay, we're taking the number ones out of it. They can't slll each other out, Jackham, Turner.

So yeah, I mean Brook is unplayable in this matchup. Obviously in a vacuum, he's better than a couple of the guys you named. Yah, But let's just go through it, dude, like obviously and totally different. Well, I think we exclude Hallie. Okay, we're taking the number ones out of it. They can't slll each other out, Jackham, Turner.

Nie Smith, Matherin McConnell them hard. And then I really start thinking about.

Nie Smith, Matherin McConnell them hard. And then I really start thinking about.

I think that's it. I think that's where it runs.

I think that's it. I think that's where it runs.

I start thinking about my my dearly beloved Jaris Walker.

I start thinking about my my dearly beloved Jaris Walker.

But that's an insane thing to say. I'm not gonna lie.

But that's an insane thing to say. I'm not gonna lie.

The Bucks suck, The Bucks are cooked. I mean the difference is, yeah, Indiana just has way more quality basketball players.

The Bucks suck, The Bucks are cooked. I mean the difference is, yeah, Indiana just has way more quality basketball players.

Yeah, I mean, listen, to be clear, we already got to six dudes after Hallie. That's crazy. And I don't think that that is remotely outlandish to say we's lighting them up.

Yeah, I mean, listen, to be clear, we already got to six dudes after Hallie. That's crazy. And I don't think that that is remotely outlandish to say we's lighting them up.

I'm sitting there going, damn dude, Milwaukee would kill to have a guy like TJ McConnell on their basketball team right now, like they're just so limited around Giannis And uh, y'all should check out Carson's video. He just dropped the day on the channel talking about how important depth is in the NBA, and I mean, I think that's really reflected in this series. And well, I mean, Jannisnteto couldn't have done anything more in this series, and I feel so incredibly bad for him because this is one of the greatest individual playoff performances I've ever seen from one player against a team, and it just didn't matter. Like Giannis was completely unstoppable in this series and it had zero bearing on the outcome, which is just crazy to think about. We'll get to Janni's future in a sec, but that, to me, was the biggest difference in this series.

I'm sitting there going, damn dude, Milwaukee would kill to have a guy like TJ McConnell on their basketball team right now, like they're just so limited around Giannis And uh, y'all should check out Carson's video. He just dropped the day on the channel talking about how important depth is in the NBA, and I mean, I think that's really reflected in this series. And well, I mean, Jannisnteto couldn't have done anything more in this series, and I feel so incredibly bad for him because this is one of the greatest individual playoff performances I've ever seen from one player against a team, and it just didn't matter. Like Giannis was completely unstoppable in this series and it had zero bearing on the outcome, which is just crazy to think about. We'll get to Janni's future in a sec, but that, to me, was the biggest difference in this series.

I'm seeing some pushback on TJ McConnell.

I'm seeing some pushback on TJ McConnell.

Bro, what over who I mean, I'm taking him over Bobby Easy, I'm taking him That's not even a question, Bro. I'm taking him over Gary Easy. And I'm taking him over AJ Green easy.

Bro, what over who I mean, I'm taking him over Bobby Easy, I'm taking him That's not even a question, Bro. I'm taking him over Gary Easy. And I'm taking him over AJ Green easy.

The Brook is like Brooke in your default matchup, is more impactful than TJ. Connell. This is his nightmare matchup, and he can be absolutely exploited for his slow footedness against a team that has the sort of speed and has the sort of shooting and specifically has a pick pop big like TJ McConnell. Bro Bro I'm not gonna lie.

The Brook is like Brooke in your default matchup, is more impactful than TJ. Connell. This is his nightmare matchup, and he can be absolutely exploited for his slow footedness against a team that has the sort of speed and has the sort of shooting and specifically has a pick pop big like TJ McConnell. Bro Bro I'm not gonna lie.

I would be a starting point guard on other basketball teams.

I would be a starting point guard on other basketball teams.

Not many, the Orlando Magic maybe, I don't know about Outside of that, I mean shout out to TJ. I do like how he plays always great with pace, very quick, good little short mid range shooter, really good passer. I think TJ McConnell is good. He's not a starting caliber point guard. He is one of the best backup point.

Not many, the Orlando Magic maybe, I don't know about Outside of that, I mean shout out to TJ. I do like how he plays always great with pace, very quick, good little short mid range shooter, really good passer. I think TJ McConnell is good. He's not a starting caliber point guard. He is one of the best backup point.

A starting caliber point guard.

A starting caliber point guard.

I think you would struggle to find teams for him to start on more than you think. There's a lot of good point guards in the NBA.

I think you would struggle to find teams for him to start on more than you think. There's a lot of good point guards in the NBA.

A Sacs bro the Minnesota.

A Sacs bro the Minnesota.

Not over Malik Monk Minnesota Timberwolves.

Not over Malik Monk Minnesota Timberwolves.

I'm starting him over Mike Conley Brode.

I'm starting him over Mike Conley Brode.

No, they absolutely prefer Mike Conley shooting in size, defensively, although TJ is a.

No, they absolutely prefer Mike Conley shooting in size, defensively, although TJ is a.

Competitive range jumper in his life, Bro, I.

Competitive range jumper in his life, Bro, I.

Can't really argue with that. Listen at the end of the day, at least there's a handful of dudes on the Pacers.