Is the Crossover Sports Illustratings NBAB show, bringing down the latest news's, rummers and everything. Here's your host, Chris. This is the Crossover NBA podcast. I'm Chris Mannix. He is Rohan, not Grene and Rowan. We are coming off a historic weekend in the NBA. Lebron James already the NBA's all time leading scorer, passing the forty thousand point threshold. That got me thinking about the most unbreakable records in sports, and there are a whole bunch of them. You've got Wayne Gretzky's nineteen hundred plus career assists, uh Cal Ripken junior twenty six hundred plus games played, Ricky Henderson fourteen hundred plus career stolen bases. I personally think the most unbreakable record is Joe Dematt Joe's fifty six game hitting streak. I don't think anyone is ever going to touch that. But do you think that we could see a player eclipse forty thousand points catch Lebron James on the all time scoring Listen, I say that with the caveat that Lebron's not close to being done. He's probably gonna average twenty plus points per game over sixty plus games for the next two or three years. I mean, this mark is only going to get bigger and bigger. But do you think even in today's NBA that record is going to be breakable?

Is the Crossover Sports Illustratings NBAB show, bringing down the latest news's, rummers and everything. Here's your host, Chris. This is the Crossover NBA podcast. I'm Chris Mannix. He is Rohan, not Grene and Rowan. We are coming off a historic weekend in the NBA. Lebron James already the NBA's all time leading scorer, passing the forty thousand point threshold. That got me thinking about the most unbreakable records in sports, and there are a whole bunch of them. You've got Wayne Gretzky's nineteen hundred plus career assists, uh Cal Ripken junior twenty six hundred plus games played, Ricky Henderson fourteen hundred plus career stolen bases. I personally think the most unbreakable record is Joe Dematt Joe's fifty six game hitting streak. I don't think anyone is ever going to touch that. But do you think that we could see a player eclipse forty thousand points catch Lebron James on the all time scoring Listen, I say that with the caveat that Lebron's not close to being done. He's probably gonna average twenty plus points per game over sixty plus games for the next two or three years. I mean, this mark is only going to get bigger and bigger. But do you think even in today's NBA that record is going to be breakable?

Man, it's a great question. I echo you on DiMaggio's fifty six game hitting streak, by the way, I do think that one is going to be tough to top, and cal Rick can two some really good baseball plays from you, I'm impressed. But in terms of Lebron, I'm leaning no. I'm leaning it not happening in my lifetime, at least even with the three point line, even with kind of the extended careers we see players have now. I mean, you think about someone like Luca for example, Luca's what close to thirty five points a game this year, He's still gonna have to play so much longer to catch Lebron, And like Lebron from the moment he entered the league, was playing under this can he be the next Michael Jordan conversation that hung over Lebron from day one to an extent that it's pushed him to extend his career in a way that is just wouldn't maybe necessarily be quite as worth it, frankly for other players. The legacy that he's kind of been required to build by so many people, he's leaned into that he's chased Michael Jordan, and I think that's extended his career, extended what we've seen kind of his prime in a way that it just wouldn't for other guys. And the thing is, you can be a great scorer like Luca, but what is going to happen to Luca and say, like if he's thirty eight years old and chasing Lebron's record and he's like a shell of what he currently is. Defensively, like the fact that Lebron can stay on the floor and be effective that he is at his age. I know, it's like kind of a meme. People are like, you have to appreciate this, but it's just beyond remarkable. The consistency, the durability that I think combining all those factors again from the motivation, the amount of money he spends out his body, the consistency, the ability, et cetera, I don't think we're gonna see it for a long time.

Man, it's a great question. I echo you on DiMaggio's fifty six game hitting streak, by the way, I do think that one is going to be tough to top, and cal Rick can two some really good baseball plays from you, I'm impressed. But in terms of Lebron, I'm leaning no. I'm leaning it not happening in my lifetime, at least even with the three point line, even with kind of the extended careers we see players have now. I mean, you think about someone like Luca for example, Luca's what close to thirty five points a game this year, He's still gonna have to play so much longer to catch Lebron, And like Lebron from the moment he entered the league, was playing under this can he be the next Michael Jordan conversation that hung over Lebron from day one to an extent that it's pushed him to extend his career in a way that is just wouldn't maybe necessarily be quite as worth it, frankly for other players. The legacy that he's kind of been required to build by so many people, he's leaned into that he's chased Michael Jordan, and I think that's extended his career, extended what we've seen kind of his prime in a way that it just wouldn't for other guys. And the thing is, you can be a great scorer like Luca, but what is going to happen to Luca and say, like if he's thirty eight years old and chasing Lebron's record and he's like a shell of what he currently is. Defensively, like the fact that Lebron can stay on the floor and be effective that he is at his age. I know, it's like kind of a meme. People are like, you have to appreciate this, but it's just beyond remarkable. The consistency, the durability that I think combining all those factors again from the motivation, the amount of money he spends out his body, the consistency, the ability, et cetera, I don't think we're gonna see it for a long time.

If ever, Yeah, look, let's use Luca as an example he's got about eleven hundred career points. He's played six NBA seasons. By those thousands, eleven thousand, sorry, eleven thousand career points, Yes, eleven hundred would be a small number. By those calculations, he would have to play roughly eighteen more seasons to be able to be in the ballpark of passing Lebron James. Now Lucas twenty five years old, but he have to play into his early forties to get within shouting distance of Lebron James. I think you're gonna have to have someone committ to the league just like Lebron did eighteen years old, with a three point line, with a more polished three point shot averaging. You know, I'm looking at Luca's numbers. The number of total points Luca had in the season he maxed out last season, twenty two or twenty one hundred points. You've got to do that and more every single season for twenty plus years to put yourself in that conversation. I don't see it. You never say never, but I think that record is going to be, you know, forty four hundred, maybe forty five hundred by the time forty five thousand got stop saying that forty five thousand before it's all said and done. So I think that record is is going to hold the test of time for a very long time, that's for sure, all right. I want to talk about a couple of teams, specific teams on this episode. I was in Los Angeles last night and I popped into the Lakers Thunder game, kind of hoping that we get some kind of virtuosa performance from the Thunder. The Thunder entered that game with the best record in the Western Conference, a half game up on the Denver Nuggets. They're coming off a back to back that a good win over Phoenix on Sunday, so you know, it's not all that surprise. And they didn't play well, and they didn't Their offense didn't show up, the defense didn't show up. The Lakers kind of tried to give the game away for stretches there with the amount of turnovers they committed, but the Thunder just couldn't take advantage. Still, as we speak, the Thunder have the third most wins of any team in the NBA, behind Boston and behind Minnesota. They have a top five offense, they have a top five defense, they have a top five net rating. They have the number one three point shooting offense in the NBA. Look, Oklahoma City is one of the youngest teams in the NBA, say one of because they got older at the trade deadline with Gordon Hayward add to the mix, Bismack Byambo add to the mix. But you know, at some point we have to start looking at number one or number two seeds as a real contender. So I guess the question is how seriously should we take Oklahoma City going into this postseason. Are they right for a first round upset or are they a team that can get to a conference finals.

If ever, Yeah, look, let's use Luca as an example he's got about eleven hundred career points. He's played six NBA seasons. By those thousands, eleven thousand, sorry, eleven thousand career points, Yes, eleven hundred would be a small number. By those calculations, he would have to play roughly eighteen more seasons to be able to be in the ballpark of passing Lebron James. Now Lucas twenty five years old, but he have to play into his early forties to get within shouting distance of Lebron James. I think you're gonna have to have someone committ to the league just like Lebron did eighteen years old, with a three point line, with a more polished three point shot averaging. You know, I'm looking at Luca's numbers. The number of total points Luca had in the season he maxed out last season, twenty two or twenty one hundred points. You've got to do that and more every single season for twenty plus years to put yourself in that conversation. I don't see it. You never say never, but I think that record is going to be, you know, forty four hundred, maybe forty five hundred by the time forty five thousand got stop saying that forty five thousand before it's all said and done. So I think that record is is going to hold the test of time for a very long time, that's for sure, all right. I want to talk about a couple of teams, specific teams on this episode. I was in Los Angeles last night and I popped into the Lakers Thunder game, kind of hoping that we get some kind of virtuosa performance from the Thunder. The Thunder entered that game with the best record in the Western Conference, a half game up on the Denver Nuggets. They're coming off a back to back that a good win over Phoenix on Sunday, so you know, it's not all that surprise. And they didn't play well, and they didn't Their offense didn't show up, the defense didn't show up. The Lakers kind of tried to give the game away for stretches there with the amount of turnovers they committed, but the Thunder just couldn't take advantage. Still, as we speak, the Thunder have the third most wins of any team in the NBA, behind Boston and behind Minnesota. They have a top five offense, they have a top five defense, they have a top five net rating. They have the number one three point shooting offense in the NBA. Look, Oklahoma City is one of the youngest teams in the NBA, say one of because they got older at the trade deadline with Gordon Hayward add to the mix, Bismack Byambo add to the mix. But you know, at some point we have to start looking at number one or number two seeds as a real contender. So I guess the question is how seriously should we take Oklahoma City going into this postseason. Are they right for a first round upset or are they a team that can get to a conference finals.

I definitely lean toward the ladder. You mentioned basically everything on paper that would indicate this is a bona fide, legitimate title contender. They've been in the mix for that number one seed all year long alongside Minnesota and now Denver is kind of making us a push as well. They've been incredibly good. Shake Gojess. Alexander, who's been in MIAMVP rankings every week. I think he's number two right now and has a great chance to be number one of the thunder I think pull off the one seed. We talked about his consistency last week he is just remarkable what he does on a nightly basis. You add that to I think chet Holmgren right out of the blocks has been fantastic. That the defender everyone thought he could be, thought he could be, uh, and then beyond that his offensive game, ability to shoot, stretching forwar et cetera. Jalen Williams, I think they have a ton of depth, I should say, I really like the pieces around their star players and how they've been able to make it work. I'm personally though, of the opinion, and this is where it becomes nebulous and people say, oh, you're just doing a take. Like I agree on paper, the Thunder consider contender legitimate. I do think most teams kind of need that playoff character building loss before they can be true contenders. I mean very rarely does it happen overnight. Even the Warriors, you know, had a couple runs with Clay Dre and Steph before they won a title. The Nuggets lost in the playoffs for years with the O Kitchen Murray. You know, go up and down the list of recent champions. Those teams have to experience some playoff heart first. The Thunder of kind of there's been no middle ground. They've kind of shot into this number one seed territory with with Chech being finally healthy this year, you know, no SGA extended injury absences. So do they have kind of the playoff equity to be a champion? Do they know what it's like to be down three to two and have to be fighting for your life. I think they need those experiences. But I'd be shocked if the team lost to the first round, and I'd much I'd come much closer to believing them making the finals and losing in the first round.

I definitely lean toward the ladder. You mentioned basically everything on paper that would indicate this is a bona fide, legitimate title contender. They've been in the mix for that number one seed all year long alongside Minnesota and now Denver is kind of making us a push as well. They've been incredibly good. Shake Gojess. Alexander, who's been in MIAMVP rankings every week. I think he's number two right now and has a great chance to be number one of the thunder I think pull off the one seed. We talked about his consistency last week he is just remarkable what he does on a nightly basis. You add that to I think chet Holmgren right out of the blocks has been fantastic. That the defender everyone thought he could be, thought he could be, uh, and then beyond that his offensive game, ability to shoot, stretching forwar et cetera. Jalen Williams, I think they have a ton of depth, I should say, I really like the pieces around their star players and how they've been able to make it work. I'm personally though, of the opinion, and this is where it becomes nebulous and people say, oh, you're just doing a take. Like I agree on paper, the Thunder consider contender legitimate. I do think most teams kind of need that playoff character building loss before they can be true contenders. I mean very rarely does it happen overnight. Even the Warriors, you know, had a couple runs with Clay Dre and Steph before they won a title. The Nuggets lost in the playoffs for years with the O Kitchen Murray. You know, go up and down the list of recent champions. Those teams have to experience some playoff heart first. The Thunder of kind of there's been no middle ground. They've kind of shot into this number one seed territory with with Chech being finally healthy this year, you know, no SGA extended injury absences. So do they have kind of the playoff equity to be a champion? Do they know what it's like to be down three to two and have to be fighting for your life. I think they need those experiences. But I'd be shocked if the team lost to the first round, and I'd much I'd come much closer to believing them making the finals and losing in the first round.

Well, they're gonna play a play in team in the first round, most likely either as the number one seed or the number two seed. And the play in field right now is loaded with teams that have a lot of playoff experience. The Lakers, Golden State, Phoenix. I mean, those teams are in the play and mix right now, and I think we're gonna learn very quickly if experience is as valuable as it has been in the past. To your point, I mean the eighteen nineteen Nuggets. I think that was their first one of their first playoff runs. They got beat in the second round. It took the Bucks and Giannis three years of first round exits to get to their first conference finals. So you know, history does suggest that experience matters. But for the most part, the teams I just mentioned were in the middle or the bottom of the playoff bracket. Oklabmas City's gonna go into the postseason with home court advantage in at least the first round and probably the first two rounds. Their biggest weakness right now is rebounding, and that's a big weakness. I mean, you know, Bismack Biambo's not the answer. He's not You're not gonna play be able to play Bismack Biyombo extended minutes in the postseeds, so they're gonna have to address that. But their firepower is legit. I mean, Jalen Williams, he could probably be, I don't call it a franchise player, but a certainly a cornerstone player on another team. Like he is number one on most teams. He's a twenty point per game score. It could easily be a twenty five point per game score. He's shooting forty four percent from three. I mean, he is legit. Shae. Not many teams you're gonna play in the postseason where Shae is not the best player on the floor. And Shae is not a young guy, right. He's been around since twenty eighteen, like he is. He doesn't have a lot of playoff experiences thirteen games, but he is not, you know, just some wide eye rookie or second year player. Definitely got to be concerned about Chet and what he's gonna be able to contribute in the postseason when the physicality wraps up or ratchets up. But lou Dort is another guy that has been around for a while. It is among the best defensive players in the NBA. So to me, it would be a I don't wanna call it a catastrophe, but it would be a huge disappoint if they lost in the first round. It would probably even be a little disappointing. I don't want to say that because they probably can play Denver in the second round, and Denver's gonna clean their clock. I don't think they match up well with Denver at all. But I at this team, and I was watching them on TV last few last week or so, and I watched them play live on Monday Night. I think they can beat everybody in the West, but Denver. I think they've got the personnel for I just think Denver is a big problem for them. So I think they are a team that should win a first round series, and depending on the matchup, i'd give them a shot to win a second round series two right.

Well, they're gonna play a play in team in the first round, most likely either as the number one seed or the number two seed. And the play in field right now is loaded with teams that have a lot of playoff experience. The Lakers, Golden State, Phoenix. I mean, those teams are in the play and mix right now, and I think we're gonna learn very quickly if experience is as valuable as it has been in the past. To your point, I mean the eighteen nineteen Nuggets. I think that was their first one of their first playoff runs. They got beat in the second round. It took the Bucks and Giannis three years of first round exits to get to their first conference finals. So you know, history does suggest that experience matters. But for the most part, the teams I just mentioned were in the middle or the bottom of the playoff bracket. Oklabmas City's gonna go into the postseason with home court advantage in at least the first round and probably the first two rounds. Their biggest weakness right now is rebounding, and that's a big weakness. I mean, you know, Bismack Biambo's not the answer. He's not You're not gonna play be able to play Bismack Biyombo extended minutes in the postseeds, so they're gonna have to address that. But their firepower is legit. I mean, Jalen Williams, he could probably be, I don't call it a franchise player, but a certainly a cornerstone player on another team. Like he is number one on most teams. He's a twenty point per game score. It could easily be a twenty five point per game score. He's shooting forty four percent from three. I mean, he is legit. Shae. Not many teams you're gonna play in the postseason where Shae is not the best player on the floor. And Shae is not a young guy, right. He's been around since twenty eighteen, like he is. He doesn't have a lot of playoff experiences thirteen games, but he is not, you know, just some wide eye rookie or second year player. Definitely got to be concerned about Chet and what he's gonna be able to contribute in the postseason when the physicality wraps up or ratchets up. But lou Dort is another guy that has been around for a while. It is among the best defensive players in the NBA. So to me, it would be a I don't wanna call it a catastrophe, but it would be a huge disappoint if they lost in the first round. It would probably even be a little disappointing. I don't want to say that because they probably can play Denver in the second round, and Denver's gonna clean their clock. I don't think they match up well with Denver at all. But I at this team, and I was watching them on TV last few last week or so, and I watched them play live on Monday Night. I think they can beat everybody in the West, but Denver. I think they've got the personnel for I just think Denver is a big problem for them. So I think they are a team that should win a first round series, and depending on the matchup, i'd give them a shot to win a second round series two right.

Yeah, I definitely think they can win in the second round. I'd love to see a Thunder Timberwolve series which is in play if they finish in the two three and Denver finishes one. And I know some people are listening to this, like why are they talking about the Thunder like this? They've been great all season. Of course they'll win in the first round. I mean, that's just kind of how crazy the West is. I mean, you mentioned some of the teams in the play in mix. There's a chance they say Luca in round one, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in round one, like those won't be easy matchups. And beyond that, again, we just really haven't seen this group. It's rare to see an ascension from a team this rapidly, with with this much kind of just internal growth, which makes them such an i think, an outlier from previous contenders that we're used to. But I'm excited, and yeah, I definitely think. I mean, if Denver finishes in second or third, that they have a fantastic chance to make the conference an echo. I think they can beat anyone in a series. I do think Denver they already have an issue with size. Then you add in you know, Jokic, which no one really has an answer for to begin with. I think that puts them in a bit of a bind.

Yeah, I definitely think they can win in the second round. I'd love to see a Thunder Timberwolve series which is in play if they finish in the two three and Denver finishes one. And I know some people are listening to this, like why are they talking about the Thunder like this? They've been great all season. Of course they'll win in the first round. I mean, that's just kind of how crazy the West is. I mean, you mentioned some of the teams in the play in mix. There's a chance they say Luca in round one, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in round one, like those won't be easy matchups. And beyond that, again, we just really haven't seen this group. It's rare to see an ascension from a team this rapidly, with with this much kind of just internal growth, which makes them such an i think, an outlier from previous contenders that we're used to. But I'm excited, and yeah, I definitely think. I mean, if Denver finishes in second or third, that they have a fantastic chance to make the conference an echo. I think they can beat anyone in a series. I do think Denver they already have an issue with size. Then you add in you know, Jokic, which no one really has an answer for to begin with. I think that puts them in a bit of a bind.

Uh.

Uh.

You know, I have to check the roster spot availability. It is surprising that they seemingly haven't done much more to address their center rotation. You mentioned Bismic Bamble, who I like, but it is not really a long term or even short term definitive answer there. So that I think is going to be an issue. Well, how many rebounds in nurkicchav the other night, Like thirty rebounds in that game against.

You know, I have to check the roster spot availability. It is surprising that they seemingly haven't done much more to address their center rotation. You mentioned Bismic Bamble, who I like, but it is not really a long term or even short term definitive answer there. So that I think is going to be an issue. Well, how many rebounds in nurkicchav the other night, Like thirty rebounds in that game against.

His look and look, you know, Davis beat him up on the glass a little bit in that Laker game.

His look and look, you know, Davis beat him up on the glass a little bit in that Laker game.

I mean, the Lakers have Matt sup well with them, and the Lakers have that size and physicality in their front court. I think they're up three to one on the Thunder in their season series.

I mean, the Lakers have Matt sup well with them, and the Lakers have that size and physicality in their front court. I think they're up three to one on the Thunder in their season series.

So yeah, yeah, that's a that's a tough matchup. I just think in the playoffs and look last night, the Lakers arrested, the Thunder were not that has to be taken and Lakers were at home. Thunder gonna have home court in a series like that. I just think it would be disappointed if they lost a first rout series. Got the hard cell too from Thunder officials Monday night for Shay from MVP. You know, my take on Shay's MVP is if Oklahoma City finishes with the top seed in the Western Conference. I don't know how you don't vote for him, because, yeah, he's he's got talent around him, but it's really young talent. He is the unquestioned star of that team who has pushed them, not single handedly, but he has pushed them from a play in team last year to potential with the number one seed in the Western Conference. A long way to go with this this MVP stuff, but I can wrap my head around the idea that if Shae, if the Thunder finished first in the West, pretty good chance Shay gets my vote. Pretty good Yes, I have.

So yeah, yeah, that's a that's a tough matchup. I just think in the playoffs and look last night, the Lakers arrested, the Thunder were not that has to be taken and Lakers were at home. Thunder gonna have home court in a series like that. I just think it would be disappointed if they lost a first rout series. Got the hard cell too from Thunder officials Monday night for Shay from MVP. You know, my take on Shay's MVP is if Oklahoma City finishes with the top seed in the Western Conference. I don't know how you don't vote for him, because, yeah, he's he's got talent around him, but it's really young talent. He is the unquestioned star of that team who has pushed them, not single handedly, but he has pushed them from a play in team last year to potential with the number one seed in the Western Conference. A long way to go with this this MVP stuff, but I can wrap my head around the idea that if Shae, if the Thunder finished first in the West, pretty good chance Shay gets my vote. Pretty good Yes, I have.

A hard time disagreeing with you about Shae winning MVP if they finished number one. And I say that to someone, I think Jokic is the best player in the league. He's the kind of person that you could kind of give the award to over and over again. But to your point, it's like Jokic also plays for a fantastic team. I mean, Denver built the perfect starting five around him, and I don't think, you know, as great as chet and Jalen Williams have been. I don't think people expected everything that they're doing right away. And it starts with Shae, it starts with his consistency, it starts with how difficult he is to defend. So I think he's also going to have a fantastic case. And I'm with you, And if they finish one and there's even a little bit of separation there, like he's going to have an incredible and incredible case for the award.

A hard time disagreeing with you about Shae winning MVP if they finished number one. And I say that to someone, I think Jokic is the best player in the league. He's the kind of person that you could kind of give the award to over and over again. But to your point, it's like Jokic also plays for a fantastic team. I mean, Denver built the perfect starting five around him, and I don't think, you know, as great as chet and Jalen Williams have been. I don't think people expected everything that they're doing right away. And it starts with Shae, it starts with his consistency, it starts with how difficult he is to defend. So I think he's also going to have a fantastic case. And I'm with you, And if they finish one and there's even a little bit of separation there, like he's going to have an incredible and incredible case for the award.

Look, and you could probably make the same argument for Jokics. I mean, Denver right now is the exact same record as Oklahoma City. So if if the Nuggets, who have been hot lately, who decided, you know, second half's here time to play. Yeah, yeah, If if they turn it on and finish with number one in the West and they're only a half game back of Minnesota, for that top spot. You know, it's probably Jokich's MVP Award to ultimately lose. So it's gonna be it's gonna come down to the last game of the regular season. Perhaps as we wrap up the the MVP race, let's talk about Milwaukee again for a minute. Bucks beat the Clippers on Monday night. No Giannis in that game, No Chris Middleton in that game, and Damian Lillan goes for forty one, Bobby Portis goes for twenty eight. This Bucks team has now won what six straight games, and over the last six games, they have the number one defense in the NBA. I don't know if that's sustainable, if they can maintain a number one defense, But they don't have to be the number one defensive team in the NBA. All they have to be is like a top ten, top twelve defensive team in the NBA. And they are going to be tough to beat because you watch Lillard just hey, look, g honest is up you take over? Did it against a good Clippers team. Middleton hasn't played in weeks, not since Dock Rivers really took over. He's gonna add something that mix offensively. They you know, there is life in Milwaukee, Like you know what, a team that was once on life support is now showing signs that they can get back to being the team that we thought they were going to be in the preseason. So when you look at the Bucks the way they played under Doc Rivers, do you see this as sustainable?

Look, and you could probably make the same argument for Jokics. I mean, Denver right now is the exact same record as Oklahoma City. So if if the Nuggets, who have been hot lately, who decided, you know, second half's here time to play. Yeah, yeah, If if they turn it on and finish with number one in the West and they're only a half game back of Minnesota, for that top spot. You know, it's probably Jokich's MVP Award to ultimately lose. So it's gonna be it's gonna come down to the last game of the regular season. Perhaps as we wrap up the the MVP race, let's talk about Milwaukee again for a minute. Bucks beat the Clippers on Monday night. No Giannis in that game, No Chris Middleton in that game, and Damian Lillan goes for forty one, Bobby Portis goes for twenty eight. This Bucks team has now won what six straight games, and over the last six games, they have the number one defense in the NBA. I don't know if that's sustainable, if they can maintain a number one defense, But they don't have to be the number one defensive team in the NBA. All they have to be is like a top ten, top twelve defensive team in the NBA. And they are going to be tough to beat because you watch Lillard just hey, look, g honest is up you take over? Did it against a good Clippers team. Middleton hasn't played in weeks, not since Dock Rivers really took over. He's gonna add something that mix offensively. They you know, there is life in Milwaukee, Like you know what, a team that was once on life support is now showing signs that they can get back to being the team that we thought they were going to be in the preseason. So when you look at the Bucks the way they played under Doc Rivers, do you see this as sustainable?

It's great you should ask that Chriscs. I actually wrote about the Bucks today and look, I don't think number one defense is sustainable that Charlotte twice they played Chicago during kind of the six game win streak. At the same time they have wins against the Wolves. This Clippers win was impressive, especially impressive. I think the Clippers had won nine straight against Dames specifically, so really big game for him. Here's the thing they, like you mentioned, they don't need to be the number one defense. I looked this up. Since twenty ten, only two teams with a defensive rating outside the top ten have won a championship. One was the Warriors, who you know, they had Steffed. The other was the Nuggets last year they had Jokich. The Nuggets had the lowest defensive efficiency of any title winner since twenty ten, and that was fifteenth. But we saw what they were able to do in the playoffs, they went up to another level and they kind of slow played the end of last regular season. Milwaukee as it stands today, after their sixth straight win, fifteenth in defensive rating, they kind of met that threshold of the lowest possible I'd say defensive rating we could accept out of a champion the number one over the last six games, top ten now since Doc took over in January, and they've been really good. And I think that we touched on this a little bit last week, but I think Adrian Griffin expected the team to defend a certain way with certain personnel. The Lily trade happens, things change, But I think Doc has him playing more to their identity. I think has shrunk the floor a little bit instead of having players cover more ground, and I think Griffin wanted to do players playing a little bit closer to the rim. They've also just kind of, I think, really changed their approach to transition defense less crashing the offensive glass, which has made a huge difference. I mean, all year long, they've been in the bottom of transition defense standings. I think that started to look a little bit better. You know, I don't think this current top number one defense is sustainable. You know, it's like weird because they win this game without Giannis and it's very impressive, and I don't want to take anything away from it. At the same time, you're like, how much can I take away from this game that they win without Giannison Middleton? But overall, they're absolutely headed in the right direction, and I think now is like the first time all season that I felt comfortable saying that they can win a title with their defense.

It's great you should ask that Chriscs. I actually wrote about the Bucks today and look, I don't think number one defense is sustainable that Charlotte twice they played Chicago during kind of the six game win streak. At the same time they have wins against the Wolves. This Clippers win was impressive, especially impressive. I think the Clippers had won nine straight against Dames specifically, so really big game for him. Here's the thing they, like you mentioned, they don't need to be the number one defense. I looked this up. Since twenty ten, only two teams with a defensive rating outside the top ten have won a championship. One was the Warriors, who you know, they had Steffed. The other was the Nuggets last year they had Jokich. The Nuggets had the lowest defensive efficiency of any title winner since twenty ten, and that was fifteenth. But we saw what they were able to do in the playoffs, they went up to another level and they kind of slow played the end of last regular season. Milwaukee as it stands today, after their sixth straight win, fifteenth in defensive rating, they kind of met that threshold of the lowest possible I'd say defensive rating we could accept out of a champion the number one over the last six games, top ten now since Doc took over in January, and they've been really good. And I think that we touched on this a little bit last week, but I think Adrian Griffin expected the team to defend a certain way with certain personnel. The Lily trade happens, things change, But I think Doc has him playing more to their identity. I think has shrunk the floor a little bit instead of having players cover more ground, and I think Griffin wanted to do players playing a little bit closer to the rim. They've also just kind of, I think, really changed their approach to transition defense less crashing the offensive glass, which has made a huge difference. I mean, all year long, they've been in the bottom of transition defense standings. I think that started to look a little bit better. You know, I don't think this current top number one defense is sustainable. You know, it's like weird because they win this game without Giannis and it's very impressive, and I don't want to take anything away from it. At the same time, you're like, how much can I take away from this game that they win without Giannison Middleton? But overall, they're absolutely headed in the right direction, and I think now is like the first time all season that I felt comfortable saying that they can win a title with their defense.

Yeah, I'm with you that it's not going to be the number one defense or number two defense, or maybe not even top five defense by the time the season's over. But you know, this is why they went out and got Damian Lillard because they were missing a dynamic number two option opposite of Giannis, and you'll get Lillard's numbers of late. They're starting to pick up a little bit. The shooting percentages in some games are getting a little bit better. The pick and roll game with Yannis is getting more consistent. Like Doc, Look, Doc took a pretty good beating early on, and a lot of it was some of the stuff he said, like he put he put it on himself by you know, saying things like it's you know, I would wish this job on anybody when he's collecting like forty billion dollars and he's taking over a great team and just some of the overall criticisms that he had for for that group, but he's been the right fit for them. He's simplified things on the ends of the floor. I think he's brought a level of gravitas to that locker room they didn't have before. He has been a good fit with that Milwaukee team. Look, they've got a game against Boston coming up, I think on the twentieth that to me is that's a playoff game, Like that's Perrometer right there. I mean, because by then they probably should have Chris Middleton back. The Celtics right now operating at close to full strength. That's a game that I think we'll learn a lot more about Milwaukee. But right now they're the only team I think is a real threat to Boston in the Eastern Conference. Like I look around, like, you know, even without the injuries, the Knicks to me, are still a player away from being able to compete against the Celtics. The Cavaliers are what they are. I still can't trust them when they get to the playoffs. Philadelphia. Look, they're good, but you know, tell me Joel Andbi is gonna be healthy? And I don't know the answer to that just yet. Besides, even when he is healthy, Celtics owned the seventy six ers. Just it's a fact like they've they're beating them up pretty good last four or five years. So I think Milwaukee's the only team that can threaten Boston. And we'll see, we'll see if they have it in if they've come as far as they look like they've come in this game coming up in just a couple of weeks against the Celtics. One other thing I wanted to touch on hold I mentioned.

Yeah, I'm with you that it's not going to be the number one defense or number two defense, or maybe not even top five defense by the time the season's over. But you know, this is why they went out and got Damian Lillard because they were missing a dynamic number two option opposite of Giannis, and you'll get Lillard's numbers of late. They're starting to pick up a little bit. The shooting percentages in some games are getting a little bit better. The pick and roll game with Yannis is getting more consistent. Like Doc, Look, Doc took a pretty good beating early on, and a lot of it was some of the stuff he said, like he put he put it on himself by you know, saying things like it's you know, I would wish this job on anybody when he's collecting like forty billion dollars and he's taking over a great team and just some of the overall criticisms that he had for for that group, but he's been the right fit for them. He's simplified things on the ends of the floor. I think he's brought a level of gravitas to that locker room they didn't have before. He has been a good fit with that Milwaukee team. Look, they've got a game against Boston coming up, I think on the twentieth that to me is that's a playoff game, Like that's Perrometer right there. I mean, because by then they probably should have Chris Middleton back. The Celtics right now operating at close to full strength. That's a game that I think we'll learn a lot more about Milwaukee. But right now they're the only team I think is a real threat to Boston in the Eastern Conference. Like I look around, like, you know, even without the injuries, the Knicks to me, are still a player away from being able to compete against the Celtics. The Cavaliers are what they are. I still can't trust them when they get to the playoffs. Philadelphia. Look, they're good, but you know, tell me Joel Andbi is gonna be healthy? And I don't know the answer to that just yet. Besides, even when he is healthy, Celtics owned the seventy six ers. Just it's a fact like they've they're beating them up pretty good last four or five years. So I think Milwaukee's the only team that can threaten Boston. And we'll see, we'll see if they have it in if they've come as far as they look like they've come in this game coming up in just a couple of weeks against the Celtics. One other thing I wanted to touch on hold I mentioned.

Real quick, real quick, you're you're just ready to incur the wrath of heat Twitter not even an obligatory mention.

Real quick, real quick, you're you're just ready to incur the wrath of heat Twitter not even an obligatory mention.

Yes, my thought. Do you want to know you're right? I do want to make the case for the Miami Heat to be a threat to win the Eastern Conference this year.

Yes, my thought. Do you want to know you're right? I do want to make the case for the Miami Heat to be a threat to win the Eastern Conference this year.

I do not, in fact do not, And I will just say.

I do not, in fact do not, And I will just say.

Just to your point, a huge difference maker now, right, he will hit.

Just to your point, a huge difference maker now, right, he will hit.

Like six threes in a game against some poor team that's just gonna be furious.

Like six threes in a game against some poor team that's just gonna be furious.

Hey about it all right now, eight and two in their last ten games, So Miami's playing playing well, and as we saw last year, it really doesn't matter what seed they get. That's look. Look, if the playoffs starts today and I know they've got to go through the play in in the East, but Miami right now sitting at seventh, Milwaukee at two, running it back from last year, that's probably not the matchup Milwaukee wants in that first I think they probably prefer like Indiana, Chicago, Atlanta, maybe even Orlando in the first round because Orlando can't score. Yeah, that's I can see some teams not wanting any interest in playing Miami in the first round.

Hey about it all right now, eight and two in their last ten games, So Miami's playing playing well, and as we saw last year, it really doesn't matter what seed they get. That's look. Look, if the playoffs starts today and I know they've got to go through the play in in the East, but Miami right now sitting at seventh, Milwaukee at two, running it back from last year, that's probably not the matchup Milwaukee wants in that first I think they probably prefer like Indiana, Chicago, Atlanta, maybe even Orlando in the first round because Orlando can't score. Yeah, that's I can see some teams not wanting any interest in playing Miami in the first round.

I will just say to your point about the Bucks and about as it relates to the rest of Eastern Conference, they are the only team with the star level talent that can compete with the star level talent. Yes, the Celtics has that can they can confidently say we have the best two guys on the floor, even and that goes a long way in a playoff series.

I will just say to your point about the Bucks and about as it relates to the rest of Eastern Conference, they are the only team with the star level talent that can compete with the star level talent. Yes, the Celtics has that can they can confidently say we have the best two guys on the floor, even and that goes a long way in a playoff series.

I agree. I agree. Last thing, I want to look at the bottom half of the playoff bracket in the Western Conference. Like I said, you've got four teams there that have either been championship teams in recent years or high level playoff contender. Sacramento, which was the three seed in the Western Conference last year. They're sitting there at number seven, Dallas, which has some serious star power and it's backhourd made some good trades before the deadline. There are at eight, the Lakers at nine in Golden State, who was tattooed by fifty plus against Boston. But there's still the Warriors. They've still got some star power. Of those four teams, if you had to pick one to make a deep playoff run, which you know, I guess in the context of this is win a first round series, because that first round series is going to be a matchup against Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Denver, maybe the Clippers. Which of those teams do you have the most faith in to flip a switch and become a second round playoff.

I agree. I agree. Last thing, I want to look at the bottom half of the playoff bracket in the Western Conference. Like I said, you've got four teams there that have either been championship teams in recent years or high level playoff contender. Sacramento, which was the three seed in the Western Conference last year. They're sitting there at number seven, Dallas, which has some serious star power and it's backhourd made some good trades before the deadline. There are at eight, the Lakers at nine in Golden State, who was tattooed by fifty plus against Boston. But there's still the Warriors. They've still got some star power. Of those four teams, if you had to pick one to make a deep playoff run, which you know, I guess in the context of this is win a first round series, because that first round series is going to be a matchup against Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Denver, maybe the Clippers. Which of those teams do you have the most faith in to flip a switch and become a second round playoff.

Team, understanding that there are really no good bets here. If I had to go, you know, twenty twenty two Mannix mode and just kind of really hitch my wagon to one of these teams, I think I'm to pick the Warriors. You know, you mentioned the Celtics blowout. They're missing pods, they're missing Wiggans right now, who's dealing with a personal matter once again? Uh significant, can't you.

Team, understanding that there are really no good bets here. If I had to go, you know, twenty twenty two Mannix mode and just kind of really hitch my wagon to one of these teams, I think I'm to pick the Warriors. You know, you mentioned the Celtics blowout. They're missing pods, they're missing Wiggans right now, who's dealing with a personal matter once again? Uh significant, can't you.

Say one thing about that Celtic game, Like there's an incredible amount of brain power on that Golden State bench Steve Kerr, Kenny Atkinson, among others. Their strategy against the Celtics with all that brain power was to leave an all NBA guard who's shooting thirty six and a half percent from three for his career wide open, like that was the strategy to beat the Boston Celtics, Like, if you needed to, if you needed more evidence to believe in Boston, the Golden State Warriors decided the best game plan was to leave Jalen Brown open, Like that's all you got. You're not gonna have much success.

Say one thing about that Celtic game, Like there's an incredible amount of brain power on that Golden State bench Steve Kerr, Kenny Atkinson, among others. Their strategy against the Celtics with all that brain power was to leave an all NBA guard who's shooting thirty six and a half percent from three for his career wide open, like that was the strategy to beat the Boston Celtics, Like, if you needed to, if you needed more evidence to believe in Boston, the Golden State Warriors decided the best game plan was to leave Jalen Brown open, Like that's all you got. You're not gonna have much success.

To your point, I think a lot of people are like laughing, this is a terrible strategy. What are they thinking, you know, Jalen Brown tweeting about it after the game. To your point, those are the kinds of problems with Celtics present to people.

To your point, I think a lot of people are like laughing, this is a terrible strategy. What are they thinking, you know, Jalen Brown tweeting about it after the game. To your point, those are the kinds of problems with Celtics present to people.

And they didn't even have Porzingis in that game. They will playing without a twenty point per game scoring three point threat.

And they didn't even have Porzingis in that game. They will playing without a twenty point per game scoring three point threat.

Right who happens to be seven feet tall, so you can't even switch your clothes out on them. But to your point, I kind of like respect the Warriors from being like, f it, we got to try something. We know how how many threes these teams are gonna shoot. Maybe it ended up being not the best strategy, but those are the problems.

Right who happens to be seven feet tall, so you can't even switch your clothes out on them. But to your point, I kind of like respect the Warriors from being like, f it, we got to try something. We know how how many threes these teams are gonna shoot. Maybe it ended up being not the best strategy, but those are the problems.

Maybe hitting the iceberg wasn't grateful the Titanic, Like.

Maybe hitting the iceberg wasn't grateful the Titanic, Like.

I just respect that they were willing to, you know, give it a shot, knowing that they were a little bit undermanned, and how the difficult the Celtics are to slow down In the first way, he said a lot about how difficult Boston is for these teams to prepare for. But I just like the way the Worries of look since Draymond came back and was starting its center full time. I think the fact that they've shown a willingness now to move Klay Thompson to the bench. He's had some nice performances since being in that role. They've been willing to experiment, They've been willing to kind of push their chips in to the table a little bit. Listen, it's gonna depend on is this is this is Wigan's gonna miss twenty games. Is he gonna come back in two We don't know, and that's that's looming all over this But if they're healthy, I mean, we saw it last year with that with that King series. You know, the Warriors had a terrible season, and we saw it with the Kings last year. They were kind of the darling of the NBA. The Warriors had a season from hell that started with the Jordan Poole incident, more like the Draymond Green incident, and uh, they pushed him to seven games and the game seven, Steph Curry puts on a legendary performance and the Warriors win. So I just think Steph is still at that level, still that guy. I like the way they've looked with Draymond at center. If I had to pick, like, you know, which team kind of has that mistique that can get into someone's heads in the first round, I think it's still Golden State.

I just respect that they were willing to, you know, give it a shot, knowing that they were a little bit undermanned, and how the difficult the Celtics are to slow down In the first way, he said a lot about how difficult Boston is for these teams to prepare for. But I just like the way the Worries of look since Draymond came back and was starting its center full time. I think the fact that they've shown a willingness now to move Klay Thompson to the bench. He's had some nice performances since being in that role. They've been willing to experiment, They've been willing to kind of push their chips in to the table a little bit. Listen, it's gonna depend on is this is this is Wigan's gonna miss twenty games. Is he gonna come back in two We don't know, and that's that's looming all over this But if they're healthy, I mean, we saw it last year with that with that King series. You know, the Warriors had a terrible season, and we saw it with the Kings last year. They were kind of the darling of the NBA. The Warriors had a season from hell that started with the Jordan Poole incident, more like the Draymond Green incident, and uh, they pushed him to seven games and the game seven, Steph Curry puts on a legendary performance and the Warriors win. So I just think Steph is still at that level, still that guy. I like the way they've looked with Draymond at center. If I had to pick, like, you know, which team kind of has that mistique that can get into someone's heads in the first round, I think it's still Golden State.

Look, we have to acknowledge that the teams that any of those bottom four teams are likely to play in the first round are not traditional dominant won two teams. I mean, Minnesota right now has the best record in the West, But if you ask around the league about the vulnerabilities of Minnesota. You can have a fifteen minute conversation about that, about whether or not in a postseason series you can play Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony Towns together, whether or not Anthony Edwards can be a closer in a playoff situation.

Look, we have to acknowledge that the teams that any of those bottom four teams are likely to play in the first round are not traditional dominant won two teams. I mean, Minnesota right now has the best record in the West, But if you ask around the league about the vulnerabilities of Minnesota. You can have a fifteen minute conversation about that, about whether or not in a postseason series you can play Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony Towns together, whether or not Anthony Edwards can be a closer in a playoff situation.

Fourth quarter offensive issues, yes.

Fourth quarter offensive issues, yes.

They have, I know. I was reading John Krasinski wrote about that over at the Athletic recently, just kind of the way that malfunction as of late in the fourth quarter. We talked about Oklahoma City really talented, not a high level of experience. The team that I think has the best chance of making a run, it's the team I leaned into last year. That's the Lakers. I'm not gonna sit here and predict a Lakers Conference Finals or a Lakers Finals appearing this year. I'm not as confident in this group. You know, they they've stagnated in certain ways. The injuries have obviously been a problem. But in a postseason series, if you've got a defense that in the past has been good enough to keep games close, and if you can keep these games within like three possessions in the final five minutes, you've got the two best players on the floor in those situations in Lebron and Anthony Davis, like, you're still gonna have one of the great closers in NBA history in Lebron. You've got one of the great defensive players right now in Anthony Davis, and a guy that can dominate in the paints. And look, the Lakers have had some stumbles as of late. They lost coming out of the All Star Break against the Warriors, they lost to the Clippers, they lost the Nuggets. But in between then, they've got some wins there. You know, you've got to win over the Clippers. Sorry, they lost the Suns. They gotta win over the Clippers. Beat Washington, beat Oklahoma City last night. So they're also starting to get healthy with some of these guys coming back. Cam Reddish came back recently. You know, we saw reports on Tuesday that Gabe Vincent could be back at some point mid March, another rotation player they can add to the mix. I just think they're they're the kind of team that can be good enough defensively to keep games close and the playoffs against inexperienced teams. If you've got Lebron and a d you're gonna give yourself a better than Puncher's chance to win. So I'm gonna lean into the Lakers as being the most likely of those four teams at the bottom right now to win a postseason series.

They have, I know. I was reading John Krasinski wrote about that over at the Athletic recently, just kind of the way that malfunction as of late in the fourth quarter. We talked about Oklahoma City really talented, not a high level of experience. The team that I think has the best chance of making a run, it's the team I leaned into last year. That's the Lakers. I'm not gonna sit here and predict a Lakers Conference Finals or a Lakers Finals appearing this year. I'm not as confident in this group. You know, they they've stagnated in certain ways. The injuries have obviously been a problem. But in a postseason series, if you've got a defense that in the past has been good enough to keep games close, and if you can keep these games within like three possessions in the final five minutes, you've got the two best players on the floor in those situations in Lebron and Anthony Davis, like, you're still gonna have one of the great closers in NBA history in Lebron. You've got one of the great defensive players right now in Anthony Davis, and a guy that can dominate in the paints. And look, the Lakers have had some stumbles as of late. They lost coming out of the All Star Break against the Warriors, they lost to the Clippers, they lost the Nuggets. But in between then, they've got some wins there. You know, you've got to win over the Clippers. Sorry, they lost the Suns. They gotta win over the Clippers. Beat Washington, beat Oklahoma City last night. So they're also starting to get healthy with some of these guys coming back. Cam Reddish came back recently. You know, we saw reports on Tuesday that Gabe Vincent could be back at some point mid March, another rotation player they can add to the mix. I just think they're they're the kind of team that can be good enough defensively to keep games close and the playoffs against inexperienced teams. If you've got Lebron and a d you're gonna give yourself a better than Puncher's chance to win. So I'm gonna lean into the Lakers as being the most likely of those four teams at the bottom right now to win a postseason series.

You know, it's hard to argue with that logic. It's kind of unscary as they've been for large stretches this season, as average as they've felt. I'm with you, Like six minutes to go in a playoff game, you have Lebron and a d you know, even as like brash as the Timberwolves have been in some of these matchups, as confident, and I think Shane the thunder are, It's just gonna be interesting to watch and maybe we'll, you know, be stetactically wrong and this is a true changing of the guard, and these teams don't matter at all anymore. But I'm excited to see it. I'm excited to see it because I do think that they that's kind of like the mental challenge of the playoffs that these young teams are gonna have to overcome is staring into a guy like Lebron or Steph, knowing the experience that they've had the amount of times they come through on a big stage. Can you fight through whatever level of intimidation comes with that, and win is going to be really interesting. When will it be time, by the way, to unveil the official man Ex prediction of twenty twenty four.

You know, it's hard to argue with that logic. It's kind of unscary as they've been for large stretches this season, as average as they've felt. I'm with you, Like six minutes to go in a playoff game, you have Lebron and a d you know, even as like brash as the Timberwolves have been in some of these matchups, as confident, and I think Shane the thunder are, It's just gonna be interesting to watch and maybe we'll, you know, be stetactically wrong and this is a true changing of the guard, and these teams don't matter at all anymore. But I'm excited to see it. I'm excited to see it because I do think that they that's kind of like the mental challenge of the playoffs that these young teams are gonna have to overcome is staring into a guy like Lebron or Steph, knowing the experience that they've had the amount of times they come through on a big stage. Can you fight through whatever level of intimidation comes with that, and win is going to be really interesting. When will it be time, by the way, to unveil the official man Ex prediction of twenty twenty four.

I don't really have I don't really have a fire one yet. Like last year, right around this time, I was, you know, ready to do the flames. Yeah, with the Lakers. I don't really have one yet, got it. I'd like to You know, look, I love what I'm seeing from Milwaukee, but I can't pick the Buckskins the Celtics, not now. You know, the Celtics are as well oiled the machine as they come. So look, we talk We've talked about parody in the NBA, and there is parody. But right now, the Celtics are prohibitive favors to the East. I would make Denver a prohibitive favor right now to win the West. So even though you've got a lot of teams with close to identical records who should make for some fun first and second round series, right now, smart money's on Boston and Denver. And that's not exactly parody, Like that's the two teams that I'm playing dominant basketball, at least in case the Boston all season and Denver in the last few weeks. Not the parody I think people have been boasting about as of late.

I don't really have I don't really have a fire one yet. Like last year, right around this time, I was, you know, ready to do the flames. Yeah, with the Lakers. I don't really have one yet, got it. I'd like to You know, look, I love what I'm seeing from Milwaukee, but I can't pick the Buckskins the Celtics, not now. You know, the Celtics are as well oiled the machine as they come. So look, we talk We've talked about parody in the NBA, and there is parody. But right now, the Celtics are prohibitive favors to the East. I would make Denver a prohibitive favor right now to win the West. So even though you've got a lot of teams with close to identical records who should make for some fun first and second round series, right now, smart money's on Boston and Denver. And that's not exactly parody, Like that's the two teams that I'm playing dominant basketball, at least in case the Boston all season and Denver in the last few weeks. Not the parody I think people have been boasting about as of late.

Can I get a quick temperature check on Boston, like is there's just supreme confidence that there's no roadblocks here because I think there's like I don't know how you argue any other team to win the East right now, like coherently. That's not just pure takery. But I'm curious if that's the way people are feeling around Boston, Like is there's a.

Can I get a quick temperature check on Boston, like is there's just supreme confidence that there's no roadblocks here because I think there's like I don't know how you argue any other team to win the East right now, like coherently. That's not just pure takery. But I'm curious if that's the way people are feeling around Boston, Like is there's a.

Good vibe, there's a good vibe. I mean, there's perpetual concern about Porzingis's ability to stay healthy in the playoffs. That's always going to be a concerned but I think the Celtics done a nice job shutting him down at the first sign of potential trouble. So when you get to the playoffs and you're playing at best every other day, oftentimes with two days in between, that bodes well for his ability to play in the postseason. And look, I've said this recently, but like everybody on that Celtics roster is a little bit better, right, Like Jason Tatum, even though he's not scoring at the level he was last year is a little bit better than what he was last year, more complete player than what he was last year. Jalen Brown can make the same argument. Numbers aren't exactly the same as what they were in last year, a year's past, but a more complete player. I think this year Drew Holliday, he's a better player for this team than Marcus Smart was. Like he fits better with this group. So at that position, they're a little bit better. And Chris and Porseningis is new to the mix. But Joe Miszoola, we don't hear a lot about the Joe Mizula gaffs anymore. We don't hear a lot about you know, why isn't he calling this time out? You know? Why is he doing this with his rotation? Yeah, every six weeks or so, the team goes like ten to fifty from three point range, and people are like, why are you shooting so many threes? But they shoot so many threes because they're a top five efficiency team and they're able to do to go the state after just three drill them. Like their margin of victory over the last five games is like thirty five points. It's wild how they're not just beating teams, they're bludgeting them right now. Their overall margin of victory is like an NBA best like plus eleven plus twelve, and that's like three or four points ahead of anybody else in the NBA. So I just I don't think there's any cause for concern right now. In Boston, they're just cruising along. And yeah, if Milwaukee can show that they can beat them, more power to them. But I think we're a long way from, uh, ultimately believing that.

Good vibe, there's a good vibe. I mean, there's perpetual concern about Porzingis's ability to stay healthy in the playoffs. That's always going to be a concerned but I think the Celtics done a nice job shutting him down at the first sign of potential trouble. So when you get to the playoffs and you're playing at best every other day, oftentimes with two days in between, that bodes well for his ability to play in the postseason. And look, I've said this recently, but like everybody on that Celtics roster is a little bit better, right, Like Jason Tatum, even though he's not scoring at the level he was last year is a little bit better than what he was last year, more complete player than what he was last year. Jalen Brown can make the same argument. Numbers aren't exactly the same as what they were in last year, a year's past, but a more complete player. I think this year Drew Holliday, he's a better player for this team than Marcus Smart was. Like he fits better with this group. So at that position, they're a little bit better. And Chris and Porseningis is new to the mix. But Joe Miszoola, we don't hear a lot about the Joe Mizula gaffs anymore. We don't hear a lot about you know, why isn't he calling this time out? You know? Why is he doing this with his rotation? Yeah, every six weeks or so, the team goes like ten to fifty from three point range, and people are like, why are you shooting so many threes? But they shoot so many threes because they're a top five efficiency team and they're able to do to go the state after just three drill them. Like their margin of victory over the last five games is like thirty five points. It's wild how they're not just beating teams, they're bludgeting them right now. Their overall margin of victory is like an NBA best like plus eleven plus twelve, and that's like three or four points ahead of anybody else in the NBA. So I just I don't think there's any cause for concern right now. In Boston, they're just cruising along. And yeah, if Milwaukee can show that they can beat them, more power to them. But I think we're a long way from, uh, ultimately believing that.

So I agree, and I just hope if they do lose. You're in the press conference asking Jason Tatum if the season was a failure or not.

So I agree, and I just hope if they do lose. You're in the press conference asking Jason Tatum if the season was a failure or not.

Yes, I tried to ask those black and white questions. Was it a failure? If do you deserve MVP? Now that's my line of question. All right, go ahead, We will be back here next week. Until then, enjoy the games,

Yes, I tried to ask those black and white questions. Was it a failure? If do you deserve MVP? Now that's my line of question. All right, go ahead, We will be back here next week. Until then, enjoy the games,