The volume. No, Oh my god, how could he do that?

The volume. No, Oh my god, how could he do that?

What Charles Darwin? The nerves is where it's at.

What Charles Darwin? The nerves is where it's at.

Welcome everybody back into Nerd Sash. As always, I'm Carson Breber, and alongside me is Logan Camden, and today we are joined by a very special guest, Rusty Buckets aka Jacob, first time on the pod. We're very very excited to have you. How are you doing today?

Welcome everybody back into Nerd Sash. As always, I'm Carson Breber, and alongside me is Logan Camden, and today we are joined by a very special guest, Rusty Buckets aka Jacob, first time on the pod. We're very very excited to have you. How are you doing today?

I'm doing good, just got out of bed, excellent. Nothing to complain about yet.

I'm doing good, just got out of bed, excellent. Nothing to complain about yet.

That's great. Well, hopefully we don't give you too much to complain about. But if I know Logan Camden, he will am I right, Logan O bruh. You know, Logan, I think I need to make more of a concerted effort to check in on you at the beginning of every because every other podcast they do with sort of mandatory how are you? How you do? And I never ask you. I just steam early you and we start talking about basketball.

That's great. Well, hopefully we don't give you too much to complain about. But if I know Logan Camden, he will am I right, Logan O bruh. You know, Logan, I think I need to make more of a concerted effort to check in on you at the beginning of every because every other podcast they do with sort of mandatory how are you? How you do? And I never ask you. I just steam early you and we start talking about basketball.

That's how we're that's how we're supposed to do it. And I would just say chillin' if you ask me anyway.

That's how we're that's how we're supposed to do it. And I would just say chillin' if you ask me anyway.

So yeah, that's true.

So yeah, that's true.

That's a good point. That's a good point. Man. All right, Well we are going to talk some basketball today, and I think let's just start by talking about the team that we've been talking about a lot recently, because obviously they were part of not just the biggest story this season, but the biggest trade in NBA history, getting Luka Doncic, and they have been rolling ever since. The Lakers have just been reeling off wins against a number of quality teams as of Layton. They did it again last night beating the Knicks on national TVs. So Jacob, I'll start with you, do you think the Lakers are a top two team in.

That's a good point. That's a good point. Man. All right, Well we are going to talk some basketball today, and I think let's just start by talking about the team that we've been talking about a lot recently, because obviously they were part of not just the biggest story this season, but the biggest trade in NBA history, getting Luka Doncic, and they have been rolling ever since. The Lakers have just been reeling off wins against a number of quality teams as of Layton. They did it again last night beating the Knicks on national TVs. So Jacob, I'll start with you, do you think the Lakers are a top two team in.

The West as of right now. I've kind of been going back and forth between them and the Golden State Warriors. I feel like the Weirdly enough, the Lakers actually kind of have a better supporting cast, and obviously they have the best players, so I've kind of been leaning them. It kind of is dependent on how well the defense they've been playing lately holds up, because I do fear like I feel like we've seen defensive schemes similar to what JJ Reddick's been doing that last for a little bit and then teams kind of figure it out. So I'm trying to determine if this is gimmicky in any kind of way, or if it's very very real and it can translate to the postseason. If that's the case, if they can manage to be that good defensively and to have the trio of Luca Lebron and Austin Reeves offensively, then I think they'd have to be better than the Warriors at that point. But I also feel like if you catch Jimmy and Steph like both having a good series, they can beat anybody.

The West as of right now. I've kind of been going back and forth between them and the Golden State Warriors. I feel like the Weirdly enough, the Lakers actually kind of have a better supporting cast, and obviously they have the best players, so I've kind of been leaning them. It kind of is dependent on how well the defense they've been playing lately holds up, because I do fear like I feel like we've seen defensive schemes similar to what JJ Reddick's been doing that last for a little bit and then teams kind of figure it out. So I'm trying to determine if this is gimmicky in any kind of way, or if it's very very real and it can translate to the postseason. If that's the case, if they can manage to be that good defensively and to have the trio of Luca Lebron and Austin Reeves offensively, then I think they'd have to be better than the Warriors at that point. But I also feel like if you catch Jimmy and Steph like both having a good series, they can beat anybody.

I think I tend to agree with that.

I think I tend to agree with that.

I'm a little bit higher on the Lakers just because of how confident I am in this offense. I think they have an argument for having the best top three offensive players of any team in basketball. And I mean that's why I think they are in my two spot concretely behind Oklahoma City one.

I'm a little bit higher on the Lakers just because of how confident I am in this offense. I think they have an argument for having the best top three offensive players of any team in basketball. And I mean that's why I think they are in my two spot concretely behind Oklahoma City one.

They've been on one hell of a run lately.

They've been on one hell of a run lately.

Like you mentioned, they've won eight straight now after this overtime victory against New York. But these are two of the greatest offensive basketball players in NBA history, two of the greatest scorers and playmakers ever, and two of the great enhancers and amplifiers. And you see this every single night, the quality of shots that are able to consistently manufacture on the offensive end, And like, that's kind of where I come down with la Is. Nobody has a Lucas stopper. Nobody has a Lebron stopper. You know, you have limitters to these guys, You have guys that can maybe make it hard on their life. There's just not a good or simple answer to this offensive problem. And I don't think a team has two guys that can really legitimately slow them down. Lebron looks completely rejuvenated now that Luca is in here and is giving full effort. Defensively, the defense and the role players are playing their asses off. They have the number three defensive rating with Luca. I do think you point out a good concern. I wonder if there's a formula that a team will implement that exposes this defense to an extent. But I also wonder how much does it really matter because of how great this offense is going to be. Like, they shoot a ton of threes, The biggest difference to me is just how how they can blow teams out of the water. Now with this offense, they went from shooting thirty three threes a night with Anthony Davis that number is up to forty three a night.

Like you mentioned, they've won eight straight now after this overtime victory against New York. But these are two of the greatest offensive basketball players in NBA history, two of the greatest scorers and playmakers ever, and two of the great enhancers and amplifiers. And you see this every single night, the quality of shots that are able to consistently manufacture on the offensive end, And like, that's kind of where I come down with la Is. Nobody has a Lucas stopper. Nobody has a Lebron stopper. You know, you have limitters to these guys, You have guys that can maybe make it hard on their life. There's just not a good or simple answer to this offensive problem. And I don't think a team has two guys that can really legitimately slow them down. Lebron looks completely rejuvenated now that Luca is in here and is giving full effort. Defensively, the defense and the role players are playing their asses off. They have the number three defensive rating with Luca. I do think you point out a good concern. I wonder if there's a formula that a team will implement that exposes this defense to an extent. But I also wonder how much does it really matter because of how great this offense is going to be. Like, they shoot a ton of threes, The biggest difference to me is just how how they can blow teams out of the water. Now with this offense, they went from shooting thirty three threes a night with Anthony Davis that number is up to forty three a night.

With Luka Doncic, they're making three more threes, that's exactly.

With Luka Doncic, they're making three more threes, that's exactly.

And Luca just makes life so much easier for everybody. I mean, I think back to that Pelicans game. They made eight threes in the first quarter and we're dogging them from the jump. Like, so, I do have concerns about the defense, and I think that is the question about this team.

And Luca just makes life so much easier for everybody. I mean, I think back to that Pelicans game. They made eight threes in the first quarter and we're dogging them from the jump. Like, so, I do have concerns about the defense, and I think that is the question about this team.

See and rusty, but damn man.

See and rusty, but damn man.

Like, I also think that this Lakers team has a superpower, and that superpower.

Like, I also think that this Lakers team has a superpower, and that superpower.

Is this amazing dominant offense. In the combined prowess of Lebron and Luca.

Is this amazing dominant offense. In the combined prowess of Lebron and Luca.

The offense is undeniable. I have no concerns about that, especially like I feel like Lebron is showing just how damn talented of an off ball player he's always been, which a lot of people have always disrespected historically. But that didn't surprise me at all. I saw a lot of people when the trade went down, like there's only one ball, how are Luca and Lebron going to play together? It's like the Lebron hasn't been taking the ball up the floor every possession in like four years. Also, Austin Reeves benefits so much from those two guys, even if his numbers have technically dipped a little bit because his February run was so insane. Interesting choice of months to do that, but whatever. He benefits so much from Lebron and Luca having as much attention as they have because when they're all on the floor, you have to put your third best defender on Austin Reeves. That is a hell of a problem to have. So the defense being like very wing centric, everybody switching a lot, everybody playing passing lanes super super aggressively. I feel like we even saw that against the Denver Nuggets from the Lakers when they were in the conference finals in twenty twenty three, and that didn't work at all. So I don't know, I need to see it for a longer period of time. The offense is undeniable, but I think they're only like truly capable of hanging with Oka see if the defense is also there. Also, the big question beyond that is that everybody else of it all, everybody beyond your three like it's fine. There's there's a couple of guys who are pretty good, but by no means it's an ideal corps of role players.

The offense is undeniable. I have no concerns about that, especially like I feel like Lebron is showing just how damn talented of an off ball player he's always been, which a lot of people have always disrespected historically. But that didn't surprise me at all. I saw a lot of people when the trade went down, like there's only one ball, how are Luca and Lebron going to play together? It's like the Lebron hasn't been taking the ball up the floor every possession in like four years. Also, Austin Reeves benefits so much from those two guys, even if his numbers have technically dipped a little bit because his February run was so insane. Interesting choice of months to do that, but whatever. He benefits so much from Lebron and Luca having as much attention as they have because when they're all on the floor, you have to put your third best defender on Austin Reeves. That is a hell of a problem to have. So the defense being like very wing centric, everybody switching a lot, everybody playing passing lanes super super aggressively. I feel like we even saw that against the Denver Nuggets from the Lakers when they were in the conference finals in twenty twenty three, and that didn't work at all. So I don't know, I need to see it for a longer period of time. The offense is undeniable, but I think they're only like truly capable of hanging with Oka see if the defense is also there. Also, the big question beyond that is that everybody else of it all, everybody beyond your three like it's fine. There's there's a couple of guys who are pretty good, but by no means it's an ideal corps of role players.

Yeah, and I think that is the reason that it's not clear that the Lakers are the second team in the West. And I think the defense as well. It clearly has surpassed my expectations. I have been wildly impressed by what they've done defensively. I thought that they were going to be a bottom ten sort of defense after the Luca trade. There's never a question that they'd be a dominant offense. But they've been the number one defense in this seven game win streak, and like, they have been really really impressive. Now you talk about maybe teams figuring some of this stuff out, I think if they run it back against Denver and they do the same defensive strategy, which they will at being fronting Yolkic basically all game, doubling him consistently off ball, doubling and tripling him off the catch, this stuff that now we've seen multiple teams do. Since, I think that there are a number of counters that the Nuggets can turn to. I think they can have Yolkic run more inverted pick and roll. I think they can use him as a screen or more to free up Murray. I think that also they can just be better about their spacing. I think that they can and shoot better. MPJ has been slumping, like I've actually been doing a really deep dive into the coverage that Yokic has been seeing so much, and my take is it's a really good strategy, Like it makes a ton of sense to not guard Russell Westbrook and Christian Brown and deny Yokic touches as much as possible. That is true, it's a very good strategy, but it still is not unsolvable, and I think that the more the Nuggets see it, they'll get better against it. So for that specific matchup, I think that the Lakers found the best answer they possibly could have, and it's a way better answer than I thought they were capable of post Anthony Davis defensively. But it's not necessarily fool proof or like a permanent solution to the extent that we saw two weeks ago.

Yeah, and I think that is the reason that it's not clear that the Lakers are the second team in the West. And I think the defense as well. It clearly has surpassed my expectations. I have been wildly impressed by what they've done defensively. I thought that they were going to be a bottom ten sort of defense after the Luca trade. There's never a question that they'd be a dominant offense. But they've been the number one defense in this seven game win streak, and like, they have been really really impressive. Now you talk about maybe teams figuring some of this stuff out, I think if they run it back against Denver and they do the same defensive strategy, which they will at being fronting Yolkic basically all game, doubling him consistently off ball, doubling and tripling him off the catch, this stuff that now we've seen multiple teams do. Since, I think that there are a number of counters that the Nuggets can turn to. I think they can have Yolkic run more inverted pick and roll. I think they can use him as a screen or more to free up Murray. I think that also they can just be better about their spacing. I think that they can and shoot better. MPJ has been slumping, like I've actually been doing a really deep dive into the coverage that Yokic has been seeing so much, and my take is it's a really good strategy, Like it makes a ton of sense to not guard Russell Westbrook and Christian Brown and deny Yokic touches as much as possible. That is true, it's a very good strategy, but it still is not unsolvable, and I think that the more the Nuggets see it, they'll get better against it. So for that specific matchup, I think that the Lakers found the best answer they possibly could have, and it's a way better answer than I thought they were capable of post Anthony Davis defensively. But it's not necessarily fool proof or like a permanent solution to the extent that we saw two weeks ago.

Just specific to the Nuggets matchup, I don't think there's such thing as a full proof defensive skin against Nicola Jokic. I remember when they were doing that something similar in the twenty twenty three Lesson Conference Finals. A big thing that came of that is like every time the double would come from Jokic, they would have like Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Junior at the exact time. So it's like the moment that the double comes and open shots there. So I wouldn't be surprised if Denver still figured them out. Denver's probably also right there with the Lakers and the Warriors, at least for me. But uh, yeah, I don't know. They're kind of weird. They're always a little there's always slightly off to me when it seems like they should be fine and then they're not.

Just specific to the Nuggets matchup, I don't think there's such thing as a full proof defensive skin against Nicola Jokic. I remember when they were doing that something similar in the twenty twenty three Lesson Conference Finals. A big thing that came of that is like every time the double would come from Jokic, they would have like Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Junior at the exact time. So it's like the moment that the double comes and open shots there. So I wouldn't be surprised if Denver still figured them out. Denver's probably also right there with the Lakers and the Warriors, at least for me. But uh, yeah, I don't know. They're kind of weird. They're always a little there's always slightly off to me when it seems like they should be fine and then they're not.

Yeah, that's kind of been the theme of the season. Like they've had some high highs and like the personnel is clearly there. Obviously they've lost talent from the title team two years ago, but they've also gained some things. And then you look at some of the big games and they just don't show up defensively. They don't compete enough there. And I think that this is still a great offense. It's the number two offensive basketball and they have, in my opinion, the best offensive player ever. So like that, the fact that they can play with more pace, they have so much cutting, they can produce great offensive results. But we're gonna see teams just continue to test their lack of shooting over and over again. And you mention the ability to counter teams loading up on Jokic with their cutting. We're just seeing a more extreme version of teams not just selling out to stop Jokic, but packing the paint entirely to stop those cutting opportunities too. And literally just say Christian Brown and Russell Westbrook, we do not care about your existence if you're gonna be out on the perimeter whatsoever. But I do think that you get Aaron Gordon back who played in the Lakers game but then hasn't played in the last couple of games that they've been seeing that coverage, and he's such a great dunker spot target. He has such good chemistry with Jokic. It'll get better. And I do think that Denver is still definitely the other team in the top three out West for me, because I think that their offense is that great and I think that they're capable of defending at a decent level. But the reason that I felt pretty strongly a couple weeks ago that Denver was better than the Lakers was that I didn't think that the Lakers were going to be defending at a significantly higher level than Denis and they are they are. I mean, they've been super impressive there and Jackson Hayes is the lone big He's been pretty good defensively, Like in this recent stretch, Ray Jamison like that, Okay, yeah, Trey's not playing in the playoffs, man, but shout out to Trey. He plays his ass off. He does play his ass off. But Hayes has been effective is that rim protector and he can switch decently well. And the small ball lineups have also been really effective for them, And.

Yeah, that's kind of been the theme of the season. Like they've had some high highs and like the personnel is clearly there. Obviously they've lost talent from the title team two years ago, but they've also gained some things. And then you look at some of the big games and they just don't show up defensively. They don't compete enough there. And I think that this is still a great offense. It's the number two offensive basketball and they have, in my opinion, the best offensive player ever. So like that, the fact that they can play with more pace, they have so much cutting, they can produce great offensive results. But we're gonna see teams just continue to test their lack of shooting over and over again. And you mention the ability to counter teams loading up on Jokic with their cutting. We're just seeing a more extreme version of teams not just selling out to stop Jokic, but packing the paint entirely to stop those cutting opportunities too. And literally just say Christian Brown and Russell Westbrook, we do not care about your existence if you're gonna be out on the perimeter whatsoever. But I do think that you get Aaron Gordon back who played in the Lakers game but then hasn't played in the last couple of games that they've been seeing that coverage, and he's such a great dunker spot target. He has such good chemistry with Jokic. It'll get better. And I do think that Denver is still definitely the other team in the top three out West for me, because I think that their offense is that great and I think that they're capable of defending at a decent level. But the reason that I felt pretty strongly a couple weeks ago that Denver was better than the Lakers was that I didn't think that the Lakers were going to be defending at a significantly higher level than Denis and they are they are. I mean, they've been super impressive there and Jackson Hayes is the lone big He's been pretty good defensively, Like in this recent stretch, Ray Jamison like that, Okay, yeah, Trey's not playing in the playoffs, man, but shout out to Trey. He plays his ass off. He does play his ass off. But Hayes has been effective is that rim protector and he can switch decently well. And the small ball lineups have also been really effective for them, And.

In this win, that's the first thing that stood out to me the moment the trade went down, as I'm like, lucas a great rebounder, Lebron's a great rebounder, Luca plays point guard, so like, there's gonna be enough rebounding and size out of this group that it will work. And I think small ball is something they're going to lean on more and more in the postseason, just because Jackson Hayes is very limited.

In this win, that's the first thing that stood out to me the moment the trade went down, as I'm like, lucas a great rebounder, Lebron's a great rebounder, Luca plays point guard, so like, there's gonna be enough rebounding and size out of this group that it will work. And I think small ball is something they're going to lean on more and more in the postseason, just because Jackson Hayes is very limited.

I totally agree, and I think that their scariest lineup to me is when they go Luca Reeves Lebron DFS Vandal, because then you have your two bad defenders on the floor, and you have your three best offensive players on the floor, you have no concerns about Vando's offensive limitations because he's basically just playing the five for you. I didn't think those lineups would be as good defensively as they've been because I still worried about Yeah, they have good size for a small ball group, but I also thought that's going to be a slower small ball group with Reeves and Luca on the perimeter, and Lebron has been so active defensively and Luca, dude, I mean, Luca's averaging two steals a game, He's getting deflections consistently, He's using his size and length as effectively as he can defensively.

I totally agree, and I think that their scariest lineup to me is when they go Luca Reeves Lebron DFS Vandal, because then you have your two bad defenders on the floor, and you have your three best offensive players on the floor, you have no concerns about Vando's offensive limitations because he's basically just playing the five for you. I didn't think those lineups would be as good defensively as they've been because I still worried about Yeah, they have good size for a small ball group, but I also thought that's going to be a slower small ball group with Reeves and Luca on the perimeter, and Lebron has been so active defensively and Luca, dude, I mean, Luca's averaging two steals a game, He's getting deflections consistently, He's using his size and length as effectively as he can defensively.

I have always felt like the defense thing with Luca was overblown. I think people look at generational talents and they find the one thing that they don't do super great and just harp on that constantly. But like Luca has had multiple times in his career where he was fine and even good as a defensive player. I think the twenty twenty four finals had a lot of ugly moments and that really stuck to people's memory. But he was playing with like four damn injuries in that series, carrying the offensive load even despite that. So it's like, yeah, I don't blame him for getting blown by a couple of times under those conditions. So I'm not really shocked that Luca's playing defense the way he is. I'm more shocked that Lebron is because the man is forty And I'm like, so, you're just you can just casually pick up being an elite defender whenever you feel like it.

I have always felt like the defense thing with Luca was overblown. I think people look at generational talents and they find the one thing that they don't do super great and just harp on that constantly. But like Luca has had multiple times in his career where he was fine and even good as a defensive player. I think the twenty twenty four finals had a lot of ugly moments and that really stuck to people's memory. But he was playing with like four damn injuries in that series, carrying the offensive load even despite that. So it's like, yeah, I don't blame him for getting blown by a couple of times under those conditions. So I'm not really shocked that Luca's playing defense the way he is. I'm more shocked that Lebron is because the man is forty And I'm like, so, you're just you can just casually pick up being an elite defender whenever you feel like it.

That's crazy in big spots too, I mean, game changing plays like chase down blocks in the clutch.

That's crazy in big spots too, I mean, game changing plays like chase down blocks in the clutch.

It's he's not He's always been able to do that. I mean he's always like he'll have a defensive moment every game, but it's not just the moments now it is a possession to possession thing, which is very, very important for them.

It's he's not He's always been able to do that. I mean he's always like he'll have a defensive moment every game, but it's not just the moments now it is a possession to possession thing, which is very, very important for them.

It's super impressive. And I'm with you largely on the Luca defense point. Like I think for most of last year he was a passable, solid defender, but the finals were truly abominable. I mean, that was the worst defensive performance on that stage from a star we've ever seen. And you're right, he's hobbled, but I still thought that.

It's super impressive. And I'm with you largely on the Luca defense point. Like I think for most of last year he was a passable, solid defender, but the finals were truly abominable. I mean, that was the worst defensive performance on that stage from a star we've ever seen. And you're right, he's hobbled, but I still thought that.

Was he gets I think he gets the pass. I think it gets the pass especially. My logic has always been like, if your offensive superstar is doing what he's supposed to do on that end, the rest of that shit is everybody else's job, and not to the extent that he isn't required to try on defense. I'm not saying that, but like they they pointed to that, like that was the number one problem Dallas had, and it's like, there are five or six things that I would point out to before I'm talking about Lucas defense as the problem.

Was he gets I think he gets the pass. I think it gets the pass especially. My logic has always been like, if your offensive superstar is doing what he's supposed to do on that end, the rest of that shit is everybody else's job, and not to the extent that he isn't required to try on defense. I'm not saying that, but like they they pointed to that, like that was the number one problem Dallas had, and it's like, there are five or six things that I would point out to before I'm talking about Lucas defense as the problem.

I don't know if I could get five or six deep.

I don't know if I could get five or six deep.

Now.

Now.

I think their offense had a number of problems. I also think that when you are facing maybe the greatest mismatch attacking team ever, Actually I'll drop the maybe, I'll say the Celtics are better than any team we've ever seen at pinpointing your defensive week point and just crushing him in isolation. Then it's a real problem if you're going to have one guy who is defending horribly on the floor, because they can get an advantage every single time, for sure.

I think their offense had a number of problems. I also think that when you are facing maybe the greatest mismatch attacking team ever, Actually I'll drop the maybe, I'll say the Celtics are better than any team we've ever seen at pinpointing your defensive week point and just crushing him in isolation. Then it's a real problem if you're going to have one guy who is defending horribly on the floor, because they can get an advantage every single time, for sure.

But like my point is, like, especially given the injury stuff, like he is doing more positive out there than anybody else's so if that's the case, well, yeah, he's not the first guy. He's not the first guy I'm complaining about, is my point.

But like my point is, like, especially given the injury stuff, like he is doing more positive out there than anybody else's so if that's the case, well, yeah, he's not the first guy. He's not the first guy I'm complaining about, is my point.

I just wouldn't give him a pass, is the way you said it, just because those moments are the ugliest I've ever seen, and no matter how good of an offensive player you are, if I was, if I was a teammate of Luka Doncic's, I would have been rubbed the wrong way. And the one that sticks out to me in my brain more than anyone else is just that possession where he goes under the bass. He's in the crowd almost at that point, and the Celtics have a five on four for like over ten seconds, and it's just like that's don't get me wrong, I see I see your point, but there were just some inexcusable moments from any basketball player on that stage. To me, I agree with you, like fundamentally, Like I think it may have gotten overblown a little bit, but it's still it's inexcusable.

I just wouldn't give him a pass, is the way you said it, just because those moments are the ugliest I've ever seen, and no matter how good of an offensive player you are, if I was, if I was a teammate of Luka Doncic's, I would have been rubbed the wrong way. And the one that sticks out to me in my brain more than anyone else is just that possession where he goes under the bass. He's in the crowd almost at that point, and the Celtics have a five on four for like over ten seconds, and it's just like that's don't get me wrong, I see I see your point, but there were just some inexcusable moments from any basketball player on that stage. To me, I agree with you, like fundamentally, Like I think it may have gotten overblown a little bit, but it's still it's inexcusable.

I think it's also just that, obviously the finals are the biggest stage. I understand that that's going to be the brightest light, but you know, five games don't define Luca as a defender, especially when injured, and like I'm telling you, you can very dramatically see the difference between Luca when he is hobbled and Luca when he is healthy. When Luca is healthy, he's fucking I don't know, can I curse on this? He's fucking terrifying when he is in shape, and you can see in the way that he moves so like, I truly just felt like he had very little in the tank and he used it on offense. And I can understand why that was the case. His teammates shot like fifteen percent from three for the whole damn series.

I think it's also just that, obviously the finals are the biggest stage. I understand that that's going to be the brightest light, but you know, five games don't define Luca as a defender, especially when injured, and like I'm telling you, you can very dramatically see the difference between Luca when he is hobbled and Luca when he is healthy. When Luca is healthy, he's fucking I don't know, can I curse on this? He's fucking terrifying when he is in shape, and you can see in the way that he moves so like, I truly just felt like he had very little in the tank and he used it on offense. And I can understand why that was the case. His teammates shot like fifteen percent from three for the whole damn series.

Yeah, it was brutal. I mean the Celtics also were just way way better.

Yeah, it was brutal. I mean the Celtics also were just way way better.

And of course that series was always going to be effective. Yeah. Yeah.

And of course that series was always going to be effective. Yeah. Yeah.

They also did a really really great job of obviously limiting Lucas playmaking impact by forcing him to play one on one so much, and then they just guarded him really well. I mean, he didn't have a good offensive series. Ever, the Celtics were a great.

They also did a really really great job of obviously limiting Lucas playmaking impact by forcing him to play one on one so much, and then they just guarded him really well. I mean, he didn't have a good offensive series. Ever, the Celtics were a great.

I think it's relative relative to everybody else he did, just because at least he was putting up some numbers. Yeah, but the bar is in hell from that series.

I think it's relative relative to everybody else he did, just because at least he was putting up some numbers. Yeah, but the bar is in hell from that series.

Yeah, exactly exactly. Well, that's the thing. I guess I'm more applying the Luka Doncic bar to him. And yeah, I think that it was a really bad series by the standard that we have for him as a player.

Yeah, exactly exactly. Well, that's the thing. I guess I'm more applying the Luka Doncic bar to him. And yeah, I think that it was a really bad series by the standard that we have for him as a player.

I'll just keep coming back to the injury stuff. I know for a fact he had like four different things like a shoulder, a leg, and knee like all going into it. So I'm like, I don't deny that.

I'll just keep coming back to the injury stuff. I know for a fact he had like four different things like a shoulder, a leg, and knee like all going into it. So I'm like, I don't deny that.

Yeah, but it's also like he filayed Minnesota right before that, so clearly he's capable of reaching a high level. I don't know how he got into this whole Luca Finals thing.

Yeah, but it's also like he filayed Minnesota right before that, so clearly he's capable of reaching a high level. I don't know how he got into this whole Luca Finals thing.

I don't think he had a Rudy Gobert motivator.

I don't think he had a Rudy Gobert motivator.

Maybe that's what it was. Maybe he didn't have somebody years fueling him with hate enough. No, that's a good take. That's a good take. But regardless, he's been solid defensively for the Lakers so far. Their collective rim protection has been much better than I thought their top four and opponent field goal percentage at the rim in this wind streak, I thought that they did a good job on Cat. I thought that they were able to prevent him just yesterday from really taking advantage of some of his size advantages that he did have in that matchup. So I do think that they're the second best team in the West right now. Like again, they're not the number one defense in basketball, but I do think that this is probably like a top ten defense, probably somewhere in the back half of the top ten. And then offensively, they have the best duo in basketball. They have the best offensive big three in basketball. I honestly think it's pretty clear. And then they have good play finishing around those guys. They're a seventy seventh percentile spot up team. They're an eighty seventh percentile cutting team. Like these guys. Ruey knocks down shots. DFS has been shooting the ball well this year, not so much as of late, but in totality, it's a really, really great offensive formula. Like you said, Logan, nobody can both cover Lebron and Luca in single coverage. You may have one guy. You may have an og who I thought did a good job on Luca. You may have a lou Dort. You don't have two of them, and you need two of them to deal with these two at once. And then if they're gonna defend at a good level. I think that's the top two team in the West.

Maybe that's what it was. Maybe he didn't have somebody years fueling him with hate enough. No, that's a good take. That's a good take. But regardless, he's been solid defensively for the Lakers so far. Their collective rim protection has been much better than I thought their top four and opponent field goal percentage at the rim in this wind streak, I thought that they did a good job on Cat. I thought that they were able to prevent him just yesterday from really taking advantage of some of his size advantages that he did have in that matchup. So I do think that they're the second best team in the West right now. Like again, they're not the number one defense in basketball, but I do think that this is probably like a top ten defense, probably somewhere in the back half of the top ten. And then offensively, they have the best duo in basketball. They have the best offensive big three in basketball. I honestly think it's pretty clear. And then they have good play finishing around those guys. They're a seventy seventh percentile spot up team. They're an eighty seventh percentile cutting team. Like these guys. Ruey knocks down shots. DFS has been shooting the ball well this year, not so much as of late, but in totality, it's a really, really great offensive formula. Like you said, Logan, nobody can both cover Lebron and Luca in single coverage. You may have one guy. You may have an og who I thought did a good job on Luca. You may have a lou Dort. You don't have two of them, and you need two of them to deal with these two at once. And then if they're gonna defend at a good level. I think that's the top two team in the West.

Yeah, that's That's part of how I feel about the OKC matchup because Okase has a crazy amount of perimeter defense, but they don't have a lot of big wings. They have a lot of guards who can defend and like you can get away with that a couple of possessions. But I think Luca and Lebron will just have a bunch of get big moments in that series.

Yeah, that's That's part of how I feel about the OKC matchup because Okase has a crazy amount of perimeter defense, but they don't have a lot of big wings. They have a lot of guards who can defend and like you can get away with that a couple of possessions. But I think Luca and Lebron will just have a bunch of get big moments in that series.

Yeah, I think it's lou who can hound them. I mean, especially Luca. We have seen him do relatively well against and he's just so physical. And then I think that they're honestly probably going to do a ton of trapping in blitzing and just do what they do best, which is the super aggressive defensively. Yeah, fly around. They're the fastest defense, They've got crazy hands in length. But it's a challenge. It's a challenge for anyone. It's a challenge even for Okay. See, like you said, best defense in the league, because we've never seen an offensive duo like Lebron and Luca to god tier mismatch attackers and god tier playmakers put together. It's really fun.

Yeah, I think it's lou who can hound them. I mean, especially Luca. We have seen him do relatively well against and he's just so physical. And then I think that they're honestly probably going to do a ton of trapping in blitzing and just do what they do best, which is the super aggressive defensively. Yeah, fly around. They're the fastest defense, They've got crazy hands in length. But it's a challenge. It's a challenge for anyone. It's a challenge even for Okay. See, like you said, best defense in the league, because we've never seen an offensive duo like Lebron and Luca to god tier mismatch attackers and god tier playmakers put together. It's really fun.

Man.

Man.

I underestimated how much this team would be capable of right away, basically because I underestimated the defense have been as good as I think it can be.

I underestimated how much this team would be capable of right away, basically because I underestimated the defense have been as good as I think it can be.

I've been trying to rack my brain on if there's ever been a playmaking duo as good as this one. Lebron and Luca are both top five playmakers of all time. I can't think of anything that comes close. I was like, Magic Johnson and Norm Nixon.

I've been trying to rack my brain on if there's ever been a playmaking duo as good as this one. Lebron and Luca are both top five playmakers of all time. I can't think of anything that comes close. I was like, Magic Johnson and Norm Nixon.

No, that's legitimately like one of the next couple I would mention. I think probably number two is Hardened and CP three.

No, that's legitimately like one of the next couple I would mention. I think probably number two is Hardened and CP three.

Oh yeah, that's a clear one. I'm surprised I didn't think of.

Oh yeah, that's a clear one. I'm surprised I didn't think of.

That, but it's still not Luke and Lebron level.

That, but it's still not Luke and Lebron level.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Sure, I love the Magic and Norm Nixon show because that legitimately is one of the first that I thought of.

Sure, I love the Magic and Norm Nixon show because that legitimately is one of the first that I thought of.

You.

You.

I was actually thinking of recent because Chris Paul is a free agent this summer. I'm like, he should join the Lakers and then we just have an undeniably impossibly great playmaking trio.

I was actually thinking of recent because Chris Paul is a free agent this summer. I'm like, he should join the Lakers and then we just have an undeniably impossibly great playmaking trio.

That'd be awesome. That would be very, very fun. So you're really high on the Warriors. That's interesting. I'm a Warriors fan, so I'm happy to hear that. So you mentioned earlier. This does relate to a question we had, which was which team out West in the four through six range, because we talked about the top three. Now that's Memphis, that's the Rockets, and that's the Warriors. Is most dangerous come playoffs? You think it's the Warriors clearly? Why?

That'd be awesome. That would be very, very fun. So you're really high on the Warriors. That's interesting. I'm a Warriors fan, so I'm happy to hear that. So you mentioned earlier. This does relate to a question we had, which was which team out West in the four through six range, because we talked about the top three. Now that's Memphis, that's the Rockets, and that's the Warriors. Is most dangerous come playoffs? You think it's the Warriors clearly? Why?

I think it's easily. I think it's easily the Warriors because the Grizzlies. What they're doing this year is really cute. I like it. I think they're maximalizing what they have, which is great. I also think it's awesome that they've done like the oh we're injured all the time. What if we just had fifteen good players, So they have that to fall back on and they're not going to fall apart in the way that they have. I'm worried about how Jaw fits into it. It kind of feels like their system has phased him out to an extent, which I don't know if that was the correct decision in the long run, even if it's been working and making them pretty good this year, the Rockets, it's just not going to happen this year. That's where I'm at. I don't think the half court creation is nearly good enough. And then on the Warriors end of things. I'm a big Steph guy. I've been going back and forth in my head as to whether or not he might be my favorite player of all time because I just watched his rise. Even when I started rooting against him and the Kevin Durant era, I was still like, that's my guy though seeing him play like he has his entire career lately after the like barely crossing the twenty point per game mark for the start of the season, it's been very nice. Like the Golden State Warriors, and I'm sure you know this were a very hard depressing watch before the Jimmy Butler deal went down, watching Pods and Buddy Healed as ball handlers and shot creators creators was disgusting. So I'm a big Steph guy. But then a lot of this Steph was playing good go into the trade deadline. But then the Butler deal goes in, and it's like for the first time even when they won in twenty two, honestly, since the first time since Kevin Durant was there, I'm seeing a defense that isn't just going oh shit, Steph, Oh shit, Steph oh shit, Steph. Every time they're still doing it. You're never not gonna think, oh shit, Steph when he's on the floor. But there are other things preoccupying you because of Jimmy's ability to go downhill get to the free throw line. I also feel like the role players, while their numbers haven't boosted a ton, they look like they're in a more comfortable position. They're not asked to over extend themselves. No one's asking Pods to be a shot creator for real anymore, and that's a blessing. One thing that I feel like has gone super under highlighted as it relates to this Warriors team. They have shot the three ball poorly since this deals went down. Steph and Quinton Post are the only guys who have shot the three even remotely well, and they last I checked, it might have changed, but they're the number three offense in the NBA shooting I think they were seventeenth or eighteenth in three point percentage. Being the number three off that says a lot. It's like, this isn't even the best version of this team that we've seen. You get Buddy and POD's starting to hit their threes like that. Moses Moody hitting his threes like that, and suddenly I think you have two guys who you can't guard one on one, two guys who you can't give your undivided attention, and then a bunch of other players on the floor who will punish you if you bring doubles. That I think the Warriors could be very scary. It's pretty much just entirely determined by if Jimmy Butler has the turn it on things still left in him, which I will say, while his numbers since joining the Warriors haven't been particularly spectacular, the eye test he passes it. He passes it for real. He looks just as comfortable and capable as when he was thirty two.

I think it's easily. I think it's easily the Warriors because the Grizzlies. What they're doing this year is really cute. I like it. I think they're maximalizing what they have, which is great. I also think it's awesome that they've done like the oh we're injured all the time. What if we just had fifteen good players, So they have that to fall back on and they're not going to fall apart in the way that they have. I'm worried about how Jaw fits into it. It kind of feels like their system has phased him out to an extent, which I don't know if that was the correct decision in the long run, even if it's been working and making them pretty good this year, the Rockets, it's just not going to happen this year. That's where I'm at. I don't think the half court creation is nearly good enough. And then on the Warriors end of things. I'm a big Steph guy. I've been going back and forth in my head as to whether or not he might be my favorite player of all time because I just watched his rise. Even when I started rooting against him and the Kevin Durant era, I was still like, that's my guy though seeing him play like he has his entire career lately after the like barely crossing the twenty point per game mark for the start of the season, it's been very nice. Like the Golden State Warriors, and I'm sure you know this were a very hard depressing watch before the Jimmy Butler deal went down, watching Pods and Buddy Healed as ball handlers and shot creators creators was disgusting. So I'm a big Steph guy. But then a lot of this Steph was playing good go into the trade deadline. But then the Butler deal goes in, and it's like for the first time even when they won in twenty two, honestly, since the first time since Kevin Durant was there, I'm seeing a defense that isn't just going oh shit, Steph, Oh shit, Steph oh shit, Steph. Every time they're still doing it. You're never not gonna think, oh shit, Steph when he's on the floor. But there are other things preoccupying you because of Jimmy's ability to go downhill get to the free throw line. I also feel like the role players, while their numbers haven't boosted a ton, they look like they're in a more comfortable position. They're not asked to over extend themselves. No one's asking Pods to be a shot creator for real anymore, and that's a blessing. One thing that I feel like has gone super under highlighted as it relates to this Warriors team. They have shot the three ball poorly since this deals went down. Steph and Quinton Post are the only guys who have shot the three even remotely well, and they last I checked, it might have changed, but they're the number three offense in the NBA shooting I think they were seventeenth or eighteenth in three point percentage. Being the number three off that says a lot. It's like, this isn't even the best version of this team that we've seen. You get Buddy and POD's starting to hit their threes like that. Moses Moody hitting his threes like that, and suddenly I think you have two guys who you can't guard one on one, two guys who you can't give your undivided attention, and then a bunch of other players on the floor who will punish you if you bring doubles. That I think the Warriors could be very scary. It's pretty much just entirely determined by if Jimmy Butler has the turn it on things still left in him, which I will say, while his numbers since joining the Warriors haven't been particularly spectacular, the eye test he passes it. He passes it for real. He looks just as comfortable and capable as when he was thirty two.

Yeah, I want to touch on that point you were making about the offense and they're three point shooting, because Carson, I think you touched on this. You got to give credit to well, to one the brilliance of the players on the court, but also to Steve Kurrz offense and all the off ball movement and actions and stuff they do to generate high quality shots. But it really is the brilliance of these top three guys. Not only do the Warriors have the best offensive player of these teams. I think they arguably have the second best offensive player of these teams. And you're talking about Jimmy, you know, not fully exerting himself.

Yeah, I want to touch on that point you were making about the offense and they're three point shooting, because Carson, I think you touched on this. You got to give credit to well, to one the brilliance of the players on the court, but also to Steve Kurrz offense and all the off ball movement and actions and stuff they do to generate high quality shots. But it really is the brilliance of these top three guys. Not only do the Warriors have the best offensive player of these teams. I think they arguably have the second best offensive player of these teams. And you're talking about Jimmy, you know, not fully exerting himself.

That's what Jimmy does.

That's what Jimmy does.

When Jimmy needs to pop the clutch, I know, Jimmy's gonna pop the clutch. He's gonna get into gear and be ready to go. Like that is what makes this team terrifying offensively, now that you can release some of this pressure off of Steph and let all these guys just play this beautiful, flowing brand of basketball because they're all so intelligent. I mean, we were talking about, you know, the talent level of a Luca, A Lebron and A Reeves. Steph, Jimmy and Dre may be the smartest trio in all of the NBA. Like, these are masters of their craft at this point in their game. And you know, we're talking about how some of the pressure has been alleviated off of Steph's shoulders offensively, it's also the fact that a lot of this pressure has been lifted off the shoulders of Dre defensively. Now you've got a guy who knows where to be in position, and I just think it's all coming together for the Warriors. And what I mean by that isn't necessarily that because I think I'm pretty close to.

When Jimmy needs to pop the clutch, I know, Jimmy's gonna pop the clutch. He's gonna get into gear and be ready to go. Like that is what makes this team terrifying offensively, now that you can release some of this pressure off of Steph and let all these guys just play this beautiful, flowing brand of basketball because they're all so intelligent. I mean, we were talking about, you know, the talent level of a Luca, A Lebron and A Reeves. Steph, Jimmy and Dre may be the smartest trio in all of the NBA. Like, these are masters of their craft at this point in their game. And you know, we're talking about how some of the pressure has been alleviated off of Steph's shoulders offensively, it's also the fact that a lot of this pressure has been lifted off the shoulders of Dre defensively. Now you've got a guy who knows where to be in position, and I just think it's all coming together for the Warriors. And what I mean by that isn't necessarily that because I think I'm pretty close to.

Where you're at, Jacob.

Where you're at, Jacob.

I think with the Warriors where I do take them as a legitimate threat. They're not my favorite, but I believe in them in a different level. And it's They're definitely more scary to me than Golden State or Houston. They just don't have a guy that strikes fear into my heart like Steph Curry that oh shit, Steph. Yeah, Steph still got that gear. I think Jimmy still got that gear. And like you said, Man, I don't think this. The Warriors are playing their best basketball right now, like they're playing cohesive, they're playing good on both sides of the ball.

I think with the Warriors where I do take them as a legitimate threat. They're not my favorite, but I believe in them in a different level. And it's They're definitely more scary to me than Golden State or Houston. They just don't have a guy that strikes fear into my heart like Steph Curry that oh shit, Steph. Yeah, Steph still got that gear. I think Jimmy still got that gear. And like you said, Man, I don't think this. The Warriors are playing their best basketball right now, like they're playing cohesive, they're playing good on both sides of the ball.

But I think they can play even better.

But I think they can play even better.

Shot variants. The shot variants hasn't been on their side, but the system, everything about it is very clearly functioning good looks. They're just not dropping, and you.

Shot variants. The shot variants hasn't been on their side, but the system, everything about it is very clearly functioning good looks. They're just not dropping, and you.

Got to think that the pendulum is going to swing right back in their favor by playoff time.

Got to think that the pendulum is going to swing right back in their favor by playoff time.

The Warriors, to me, you're like, are one of the scariest first round draws for a low seed.

The Warriors, to me, you're like, are one of the scariest first round draws for a low seed.

I would not want to see that team round one.

I would not want to see that team round one.

It's also the Warriors. They own the three pointer. It's theirs.

It's also the Warriors. They own the three pointer. It's theirs.

They invented it. They invented it.

They invented it. They invented it.

Where were you and Steph Curry invented the three point line?

Where were you and Steph Curry invented the three point line?

Unbelievable, unbelievable what he's done for this.

Unbelievable, unbelievable what he's done for this.

He made skinny white guys viable in pick up basketball.

He made skinny white guys viable in pick up basketball.

Man, that's you, buddy, I can speak, I can attest he did that.

Man, that's you, buddy, I can speak, I can attest he did that.

As as the kid who could only hit, catch and shoot threes growing up, I really appreciate the increase in value. I've always had my headcannon that when Steve Kerr joined the Warriors, it was and he made them successful through three point shooting. Is out of spite for being underappreciated in his era. He's like, I'll show you how good, dude, I.

As as the kid who could only hit, catch and shoot threes growing up, I really appreciate the increase in value. I've always had my headcannon that when Steve Kerr joined the Warriors, it was and he made them successful through three point shooting. Is out of spite for being underappreciated in his era. He's like, I'll show you how good, dude, I.

Will say, speaking of Logan's point about the little white guys a pickup I've been playing a lot of pickup as of late, and I'm playing in the Bay Area in San Francisco, and like, there's so much Warriors esque motion offense being run just in pickup. Dudes are setting flare screens, Dudes are setting back screens all the time. Everybody can shoot I'm like, is this all the Warriors influence? Is this just mind the mind the game, dude, shout out, shout out Braun, shout out.

Will say, speaking of Logan's point about the little white guys a pickup I've been playing a lot of pickup as of late, and I'm playing in the Bay Area in San Francisco, and like, there's so much Warriors esque motion offense being run just in pickup. Dudes are setting flare screens, Dudes are setting back screens all the time. Everybody can shoot I'm like, is this all the Warriors influence? Is this just mind the mind the game, dude, shout out, shout out Braun, shout out.

JJ JJ and Lebron made backscreens cool.

JJ JJ and Lebron made backscreens cool.

Somebody had to do it. I think the Warriors are the choice here. It's definitely not Houston. I've been saying all year.

Somebody had to do it. I think the Warriors are the choice here. It's definitely not Houston. I've been saying all year.

Houston is just Thom shout out my god, but.

Houston is just Thom shout out my god, but.

Literally one of the loves of my life. I do anything for him.

Literally one of the loves of my life. I do anything for him.

He's been top three most enjoyable players for me this year easily unbelievable.

He's been top three most enjoyable players for me this year easily unbelievable.

I'm believable, and top one athlete in the league.

I'm believable, and top one athlete in the league.

I saw him and his brother at OTK a couple of years ago, and I was like, I have not seen people move like that in person.

I saw him and his brother at OTK a couple of years ago, and I was like, I have not seen people move like that in person.

It's unbelievable. Six', seven first, step the vertical, pop all of.

It's unbelievable. Six', seven first, step the vertical, pop all of.

It it's.

It it's.

Unbelievable, Also Big trivia. Guys those guys really like their basketball. History we got to get them.

Unbelievable, Also Big trivia. Guys those guys really like their basketball. History we got to get them.

ON i really super appreciate. That it always makes me a little sad when someone comes in the league and they just don't know, Shit And i'm, LIKE i recognize being a basket AN nba historian isn't a requirement of your. Job BUT i think if you if you have the history of the game in the back of your, MIND i think it's a positive.

ON i really super appreciate. That it always makes me a little sad when someone comes in the league and they just don't know, Shit And i'm, LIKE i recognize being a basket AN nba historian isn't a requirement of your. Job BUT i think if you if you have the history of the game in the back of your, MIND i think it's a positive.

FORCE i just love. It they were getting asked some trivia. QUESTION i think it was about like brothers to play in THE, nba and they Pulled Zoran Dragis goren's, brother AND i was, like, yeah my, dudes.

FORCE i just love. It they were getting asked some trivia. QUESTION i think it was about like brothers to play in THE, nba and they Pulled Zoran Dragis goren's, brother AND i was, like, yeah my, dudes.

Right i've seen a good amount of your, clips like just you, know doing trivia pulling stuff like, that and you have you have a way better fastball than. Me, okay, BUSINESS i know my history very. Well you know your history to an extent That i'm, like what do you do you? Sleep what's?

Right i've seen a good amount of your, clips like just you, know doing trivia pulling stuff like, that and you have you have a way better fastball than. Me, okay, BUSINESS i know my history very. Well you know your history to an extent That i'm, like what do you do you? Sleep what's?

Wrong it's, unnecessary but it's really. Unnecessary i'm actually seeking treatment for it. Now but, anyways shout out to The donson. Twins they're welcome. ANYTIME i love a. Man it's just The rockets half court offense is one of the worst in, basketball and you're not going to win in the. Playoffs, say and they play so, hard they're so, young they're so. Athletic that's just the prototype of you can win games in the regular, season the bottom is going to fall out in the. Playoffs and they've already been seeing some regular, seasons AND i.

Wrong it's, unnecessary but it's really. Unnecessary i'm actually seeking treatment for it. Now but, anyways shout out to The donson. Twins they're welcome. ANYTIME i love a. Man it's just The rockets half court offense is one of the worst in, basketball and you're not going to win in the. Playoffs, say and they play so, hard they're so, young they're so. Athletic that's just the prototype of you can win games in the regular, season the bottom is going to fall out in the. Playoffs and they've already been seeing some regular, seasons AND i.

Think they've maxed out on that play. Style they're doing it as well as they, can but there's only so far you can take.

Think they've maxed out on that play. Style they're doing it as well as they, can but there's only so far you can take.

IT i.

IT i.

Agree, NOW i do think That memphis is in a different tier From. HOUSTON i think that they are a lot closer to The warriors for me than either of these teams are to The. ROCKETS i still think THAT i prefer The, dubs though you Talk jacob just about like the synergy of this, team the, fit the, system how well everything is. Working, jimmy to me is one of the absolute best connective stars in the league. Today just his ability to immediately come in and whatever you need on both sides of the. Ball you need him to, screen you need him to, Cut you need him to make decisions against a zone from the middle of the, floor you need him to be a great short role. Playmaker he can do all of, that and then when it comes down, to, hey can you get us a bucket in? ISOLATION i, mean he's been incredibly efficient as an on ball scorer this. Year he just hasn't done as much of it because he's older and saving his body and IS i think still getting sort of adjusted to his role with The warriors in terms of not wanting to over exert himself with scoring.

Agree, NOW i do think That memphis is in a different tier From. HOUSTON i think that they are a lot closer to The warriors for me than either of these teams are to The. ROCKETS i still think THAT i prefer The, dubs though you Talk jacob just about like the synergy of this, team the, fit the, system how well everything is. Working, jimmy to me is one of the absolute best connective stars in the league. Today just his ability to immediately come in and whatever you need on both sides of the. Ball you need him to, screen you need him to, Cut you need him to make decisions against a zone from the middle of the, floor you need him to be a great short role. Playmaker he can do all of, that and then when it comes down, to, hey can you get us a bucket in? ISOLATION i, mean he's been incredibly efficient as an on ball scorer this. Year he just hasn't done as much of it because he's older and saving his body and IS i think still getting sort of adjusted to his role with The warriors in terms of not wanting to over exert himself with scoring.

VOLUME i do feel like the, obvious holy shit behemoth playoff reformer that he's been. BEFORE i feel like people hold that image of, him and then when he scores a eighteen five and, five they're, like, oh what the hell is? This start trying. More but, like, yeah it's as impactful of an eighteen five and five as you could realistically ask.

VOLUME i do feel like the, obvious holy shit behemoth playoff reformer that he's been. BEFORE i feel like people hold that image of, him and then when he scores a eighteen five and, five they're, like, oh what the hell is? This start trying. More but, like, yeah it's as impactful of an eighteen five and five as you could realistically ask.

FOR i could not agree more because he's making a positive contribution on basically every possession in some way or. Another he's doing it off, ball on, ball and then, DEFENSIVELY i think also you see HIS iq is so valuable hiss off ball. Defense him And dre are such a great. Pairing AND i don't think it's set all surprising that this team is by far at their best offensively when they go small and they go five, out or if they don't go, small then they still Have post on the, floor who is a stretch Big obviously that makes it.

FOR i could not agree more because he's making a positive contribution on basically every possession in some way or. Another he's doing it off, ball on, ball and then, DEFENSIVELY i think also you see HIS iq is so valuable hiss off ball. Defense him And dre are such a great. Pairing AND i don't think it's set all surprising that this team is by far at their best offensively when they go small and they go five, out or if they don't go, small then they still Have post on the, floor who is a stretch Big obviously that makes it.

Ten want TO i wanted to ask what do you think Of Quinton? Post Because i've seen mixed reviews in terms of like how viable he will be in a. POSTSEASON i think it's pretty.

Ten want TO i wanted to ask what do you think Of Quinton? Post Because i've seen mixed reviews in terms of like how viable he will be in a. POSTSEASON i think it's pretty.

Simple if he's making his shots at a really high, clip he's. Viable if he's, not, yeah he's not viable because, obviously, defensively you are sacrificing. Something BUT i think that if you are going to Play jimmy And dre, together you just really want to have them in a five out situation offensively where they have a stretch big alongside, them because if you put them alongside a conventional, big THEN i think that the spacing issues start to become, noticeable and The warriors centers also just aren't. GOOD i, mean no hate To, LOON i love the, guy and no hate TO. Tjd BUT i think That post brings a unique value that makes him worth playing not a ton but fifteen minutes a game in the. PLAYOFFS i think he can give you, that AND i.

Simple if he's making his shots at a really high, clip he's. Viable if he's, not, yeah he's not viable because, obviously, defensively you are sacrificing. Something BUT i think that if you are going to Play jimmy And dre, together you just really want to have them in a five out situation offensively where they have a stretch big alongside, them because if you put them alongside a conventional, big THEN i think that the spacing issues start to become, noticeable and The warriors centers also just aren't. GOOD i, mean no hate To, LOON i love the, guy and no hate TO. Tjd BUT i think That post brings a unique value that makes him worth playing not a ton but fifteen minutes a game in the. PLAYOFFS i think he can give you, that AND i.

Think draymond enables him a. Lot draymond's ability to play much bigger than he is agreed be a defensive. Anchor like If Quinn post can just like be in the right spot while being a large, body he can be.

Think draymond enables him a. Lot draymond's ability to play much bigger than he is agreed be a defensive. Anchor like If Quinn post can just like be in the right spot while being a large, body he can be.

Paid and it's interesting too BECAUSE i think they both amplify him on the defensive. End BUT i think his floor spacing Amplifies drey And jimmy were, like you, know to exploit their issues floor.

Paid and it's interesting too BECAUSE i think they both amplify him on the defensive. End BUT i think his floor spacing Amplifies drey And jimmy were, like you, know to exploit their issues floor.

Spacing, totally, totally and that's how they have to. Play they have to either go, smaller they have to have posted the. Five but both of those lineups have been extremely. Successful like, defensively what they've done as this small ball group has been so. Impressive their top three. Defense Since jimmy joined the, team they're forcing turnovers at an elite. Rate they're forcing eighteen per game since he. Joined dre is still able to be a high level rim protector at his, size which is just. Incredible AND i really really think that they have found the right starting group with obviously the big three and Then pods And. MOODY i think That pods And moody are both plus. DEFENDERS i think they do their job. There and THEN i think that there are, guys Especially, pods with good feel, offensively they fit in. Well And pods's shot has obviously been very, inconsistent but when it's, on he's a really good all around basketball. Player like you, said not meant to be cast in the role of a creator even a secondary ball handler at this, point but he does so many positive things when he's in the right, role and that's the beauty of all. This this is A warriors team where everybody was trying to punch above their weight because they just needed anybody who could provide any offense Alongside steph before The jimmy, trade and they didn't have the. Personnel their offense outside Of steph was a. Disaster now you Introduce, jimmy everybody's roles are scaled down a, bit and everybody is playing better because they're more comfortable with what they're being asked to. Do and then, obviously Like Steph curry is just a. Monster last twelve games Since jimmy joined the, team he's giving you thirty points and seven assists per game on seventy percent for your. Shooting that is a surefire top ten. Player Back it's, unbelievable and, like they put this man through, hell so thank. God this is WHY i was so happy they made The jimmy. Trade it's not BECAUSE i didn't even think they would be as good as they. ARE i thought they would be noticeably. BETTER i didn't think that they would become a top.

Spacing, totally, totally and that's how they have to. Play they have to either go, smaller they have to have posted the. Five but both of those lineups have been extremely. Successful like, defensively what they've done as this small ball group has been so. Impressive their top three. Defense Since jimmy joined the, team they're forcing turnovers at an elite. Rate they're forcing eighteen per game since he. Joined dre is still able to be a high level rim protector at his, size which is just. Incredible AND i really really think that they have found the right starting group with obviously the big three and Then pods And. MOODY i think That pods And moody are both plus. DEFENDERS i think they do their job. There and THEN i think that there are, guys Especially, pods with good feel, offensively they fit in. Well And pods's shot has obviously been very, inconsistent but when it's, on he's a really good all around basketball. Player like you, said not meant to be cast in the role of a creator even a secondary ball handler at this, point but he does so many positive things when he's in the right, role and that's the beauty of all. This this is A warriors team where everybody was trying to punch above their weight because they just needed anybody who could provide any offense Alongside steph before The jimmy, trade and they didn't have the. Personnel their offense outside Of steph was a. Disaster now you Introduce, jimmy everybody's roles are scaled down a, bit and everybody is playing better because they're more comfortable with what they're being asked to. Do and then, obviously Like Steph curry is just a. Monster last twelve games Since jimmy joined the, team he's giving you thirty points and seven assists per game on seventy percent for your. Shooting that is a surefire top ten. Player Back it's, unbelievable and, like they put this man through, hell so thank. God this is WHY i was so happy they made The jimmy. Trade it's not BECAUSE i didn't even think they would be as good as they. ARE i thought they would be noticeably. BETTER i didn't think that they would become a top.

Fourteen just don't go out. Sad that's HOW i felt about the trade was, like you're not going out sad, anymore and that's.

Fourteen just don't go out. Sad that's HOW i felt about the trade was, like you're not going out sad, anymore and that's.

OKAY i couldn't agree. More, man it was. Depressing it was like a complete disservice To steph and everything he'd done for the. Franchise he made them out there with that, team.

OKAY i couldn't agree. More, man it was. Depressing it was like a complete disservice To steph and everything he'd done for the. Franchise he made them out there with that, team.

Like three billion dollar, franchise you can get him a star player like give And i'm.

Like three billion dollar, franchise you can get him a star player like give And i'm.

So happy that they. Did and the value obviously was really. Good it's a, really really great trio that they, have so, like If i'm comparing them To, MEMPHIS i do definitely think The warriors have the Better big three in terms of just their literal raw, ability but also their, experience THEIR, iq the way they compliment each other on both sides of the. BALL i know What i'm getting from those. GUYS i have more questions About jaw the level that he's been playing, At like how much are they going to just turn back To jaw running a ton of pick and roll versus how much are they going to stick to their? System how effective is he going to because his shots been, brutal the efficiency's been.

So happy that they. Did and the value obviously was really. Good it's a, really really great trio that they, have so, like If i'm comparing them To, MEMPHIS i do definitely think The warriors have the Better big three in terms of just their literal raw, ability but also their, experience THEIR, iq the way they compliment each other on both sides of the. BALL i know What i'm getting from those. GUYS i have more questions About jaw the level that he's been playing, At like how much are they going to just turn back To jaw running a ton of pick and roll versus how much are they going to stick to their? System how effective is he going to because his shots been, brutal the efficiency's been.

ROUGH i feel like he's just one of those guys that needs the ball in his hands to be at his, best and they keep taking it out out of his, hands And i'm just, LIKE i recognize the utility and not having just that to lean. On that's a good thing to, develop especially for when he's on the. Bench but if you're shutting out your star player because this is just nowhere near what his strength, IS i think that's going to cause you to. Lose even if you have a, respectable pretty good offense within this. System and you got to commend how well this has worked in the regular season, one BUT i just. DON'T i don't think you're going to go to a conference finals or a championship Unless John moran is putting up twenty seven to. Ten.

ROUGH i feel like he's just one of those guys that needs the ball in his hands to be at his, best and they keep taking it out out of his, hands And i'm just, LIKE i recognize the utility and not having just that to lean. On that's a good thing to, develop especially for when he's on the. Bench but if you're shutting out your star player because this is just nowhere near what his strength, IS i think that's going to cause you to. Lose even if you have a, respectable pretty good offense within this. System and you got to commend how well this has worked in the regular season, one BUT i just. DON'T i don't think you're going to go to a conference finals or a championship Unless John moran is putting up twenty seven to. Ten.

Yeah my honest opinion IS i think that they are going to put the ball In jaw's hands a lot in the, playoffs AND i think they're going to let him do his thing more than they have BECAUSE i, mean historically we've also just Seen jah enter like that takeover mode in the, playoffs for good or for. Bad sometimes he shoots out again and sometimes he's taken too many pull up, threes but like he wants to be dictating. Everything they've obviously had a change in, philosophy BUT i THINK i think he'll be given the ball more out of.