Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three eastern nine am to noone Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three eastern nine am to noone Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowver on Fox Sports Radio.

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowver on Fox Sports Radio.

Oh wow, it's a Thursday show. We are live. It's the Herd wherever you may be and however you may be watching or listening. That was an all timer last night. Epic is overrated. It was that plus jet fuel. It's the Herd. That is one of the great playoff games, not just played in New York. Hi, I gotta tell you something. I'm sitting there watching it, and I'm the first half, Like, at one point both teams were shooting like sixty five percent in the half. I'm like, blood am I watching of AAU basketball? Nobody wanted to d up. And then in the second half Jmack when they were ding up, it didn't matter. The Pacers caught fire. It's It's one of the craziest things I've ever seen one.

Oh wow, it's a Thursday show. We are live. It's the Herd wherever you may be and however you may be watching or listening. That was an all timer last night. Epic is overrated. It was that plus jet fuel. It's the Herd. That is one of the great playoff games, not just played in New York. Hi, I gotta tell you something. I'm sitting there watching it, and I'm the first half, Like, at one point both teams were shooting like sixty five percent in the half. I'm like, blood am I watching of AAU basketball? Nobody wanted to d up. And then in the second half Jmack when they were ding up, it didn't matter. The Pacers caught fire. It's It's one of the craziest things I've ever seen one.

Yet certainly an all time great playoff game in the NBA and Tyrese Halibert and Colin.

Yet certainly an all time great playoff game in the NBA and Tyrese Halibert and Colin.

Is he a top ten player at this point?

Is he a top ten player at this point?

With this guy just doesn't miss in the kluts.

With this guy just doesn't miss in the kluts.

He's unbelievable.

He's unbelievable.

Okay, So the Knicks had a fourteen point lead, wasn't much time left, and they lost in overtime. But I'm gonna defend the Knicks. They did not choke. The Knicks had three baskets and two free throws in the final three minutes. They scored enough. Now, they had some bad turnovers, but they scored enough. The story of the game is give the Pacers credit. That was insane. They couldn't miss in the last six minutes. They shot over seventy percent and they were hard shots. Aaron Nesmith six straight threes, three in the final minute. Now, this team plays with pace and tempo, so they score fast. We know that they've done it all and they're a great clutch team because of Halle. They're thirty one and two when they score one hundred and twenty points or more. So you do not want to get into a track meet with the Pacers. That's Milwaukee tried it, Cleveland tried it, The Knicks tried it. Don't they never get tired. I'm like watching ninth graders, like they never get tired. Charles Barkley said it at halftime. This pace totally favors Indiana. And what's remarkable about Haliburton and Indy is they play at this pace and they don't turn it over. Then seven turnovers on the road against the Knick size and the Knicks tenacity. Seven turnovers Jalen brunts and a loan ad seven So what you wanted last night? And I said, I think Indy's gonna win the series. This is this is what they did the Milwaukee, this is what they did the Cleveland. They're controlling the tempo. Listen, give the next credit Nix to have one. They shot fifty one percent. They got a bad bounce, And I think last night New York Beach, everybody in the league except Halliburton, the Pacers and maybe Okac. Halliburton got the bounce. Nie Smith was unbelievable. How about the gone Zaga kid, Nemhart multiple threes late, Obi topping. I mean, it's just everything worked for them late. But I'll tell you Halliburton is amazing because he reminds me of Steve Nash. Steve Nash won an MVP averaging fifteen a game. The next year he won another MVP, averaging eighteen a game. But Steve Nash, one of the smartest athletes I've ever met, had unbelievable self awareness. And that's Halliburton. What do you need all provide? The guy plays with zero fear, but his self awareness he knows what the clock is is uncanny. The choke signed, I love it, bring it on, But he is an all timer man. He is the aggressor. He can play with physicality and again we can bang on the next But in the last six minutes of the fourth overtime they scored twenty four points. The Pacers scored forty four on seventy two percent shooting. That is unheard of. The Knicks should have won. Now, the Knicks had too many turnovers, But I think I think this comes down to Halliburton and the Pacers play with the aggressiveness that I think Celtic fans wish Tatum and Boston did, like they just played Downhill and Lamar Jackson could throw forty eight times a game and win. But that's not how Lamar and the Ravens are built. They're a power football team with Derreck Henry. The Knicks stayed in this game, shot fifty one percent. But this is going to be a six or seven game series. This is not what the Knicks are. And yesterday on this show, I kept saying over and over the Pacers play the fastest pace in the league. What a perfect name for a team. Last three years, Knicks are the slowest team. That's not a bad thing for the playoffs. Half court offen is great. They played the slowest pace. Whoever wins the pace will win this series. And the Knicks almost pulled it off. But if you remember last year when these two teams played, what happened. Indiana played really really quick, up tempo and over time the Knicks swore wore down. They didn't have the body. So in these got more bodies. They're built for this. Their guys are in their prime. Halliburton controlled it like he did against Cleveland, like he did against the Bucks. The Knicks almost pulled it off. But here's Halley after Basketball's fun.

Okay, So the Knicks had a fourteen point lead, wasn't much time left, and they lost in overtime. But I'm gonna defend the Knicks. They did not choke. The Knicks had three baskets and two free throws in the final three minutes. They scored enough. Now, they had some bad turnovers, but they scored enough. The story of the game is give the Pacers credit. That was insane. They couldn't miss in the last six minutes. They shot over seventy percent and they were hard shots. Aaron Nesmith six straight threes, three in the final minute. Now, this team plays with pace and tempo, so they score fast. We know that they've done it all and they're a great clutch team because of Halle. They're thirty one and two when they score one hundred and twenty points or more. So you do not want to get into a track meet with the Pacers. That's Milwaukee tried it, Cleveland tried it, The Knicks tried it. Don't they never get tired. I'm like watching ninth graders, like they never get tired. Charles Barkley said it at halftime. This pace totally favors Indiana. And what's remarkable about Haliburton and Indy is they play at this pace and they don't turn it over. Then seven turnovers on the road against the Knick size and the Knicks tenacity. Seven turnovers Jalen brunts and a loan ad seven So what you wanted last night? And I said, I think Indy's gonna win the series. This is this is what they did the Milwaukee, this is what they did the Cleveland. They're controlling the tempo. Listen, give the next credit Nix to have one. They shot fifty one percent. They got a bad bounce, And I think last night New York Beach, everybody in the league except Halliburton, the Pacers and maybe Okac. Halliburton got the bounce. Nie Smith was unbelievable. How about the gone Zaga kid, Nemhart multiple threes late, Obi topping. I mean, it's just everything worked for them late. But I'll tell you Halliburton is amazing because he reminds me of Steve Nash. Steve Nash won an MVP averaging fifteen a game. The next year he won another MVP, averaging eighteen a game. But Steve Nash, one of the smartest athletes I've ever met, had unbelievable self awareness. And that's Halliburton. What do you need all provide? The guy plays with zero fear, but his self awareness he knows what the clock is is uncanny. The choke signed, I love it, bring it on, But he is an all timer man. He is the aggressor. He can play with physicality and again we can bang on the next But in the last six minutes of the fourth overtime they scored twenty four points. The Pacers scored forty four on seventy two percent shooting. That is unheard of. The Knicks should have won. Now, the Knicks had too many turnovers, But I think I think this comes down to Halliburton and the Pacers play with the aggressiveness that I think Celtic fans wish Tatum and Boston did, like they just played Downhill and Lamar Jackson could throw forty eight times a game and win. But that's not how Lamar and the Ravens are built. They're a power football team with Derreck Henry. The Knicks stayed in this game, shot fifty one percent. But this is going to be a six or seven game series. This is not what the Knicks are. And yesterday on this show, I kept saying over and over the Pacers play the fastest pace in the league. What a perfect name for a team. Last three years, Knicks are the slowest team. That's not a bad thing for the playoffs. Half court offen is great. They played the slowest pace. Whoever wins the pace will win this series. And the Knicks almost pulled it off. But if you remember last year when these two teams played, what happened. Indiana played really really quick, up tempo and over time the Knicks swore wore down. They didn't have the body. So in these got more bodies. They're built for this. Their guys are in their prime. Halliburton controlled it like he did against Cleveland, like he did against the Bucks. The Knicks almost pulled it off. But here's Halley after Basketball's fun.

They all winning his fun And uh, you know, I'm so proud of the resilience of this group.

They all winning his fun And uh, you know, I'm so proud of the resilience of this group.

We're showing it all year. We had to win in so many different.

We're showing it all year. We had to win in so many different.

Random, unique ways i'd today.

Random, unique ways i'd today.

We just kept kept going, kept fighting, and uh man, that's that one.

We just kept kept going, kept fighting, and uh man, that's that one.

There.

There.

There's Halliburton's is a lot like Steve Nash, and that everybody that played with Steve Nash was at their best. He'd give you fifteen, but he elevated everybody. James Harden scored a lot of guys that score Halliburton. This is a one star team with a bunch of B plus players. But what's amazing is the B plus players for Indiana. Because of Halliburton and self awareness and movement and pace, they're all playing at an a level like all of Indiana's players are rising to the moment. This is not about the Knicks not playing well. This is about Indiana being on fire and making a remarkable number of big shots. If you did not hear the final call, we'll give it to you from the Pacers Radio network.

There's Halliburton's is a lot like Steve Nash, and that everybody that played with Steve Nash was at their best. He'd give you fifteen, but he elevated everybody. James Harden scored a lot of guys that score Halliburton. This is a one star team with a bunch of B plus players. But what's amazing is the B plus players for Indiana. Because of Halliburton and self awareness and movement and pace, they're all playing at an a level like all of Indiana's players are rising to the moment. This is not about the Knicks not playing well. This is about Indiana being on fire and making a remarkable number of big shots. If you did not hear the final call, we'll give it to you from the Pacers Radio network.

Halliburton driving, he's in the lane, he nearly lost, and he backs up and unloads a three.

Halliburton driving, he's in the lane, he nearly lost, and he backs up and unloads a three.

Beck.

Beck.

Did not happen.

Did not happen.

It hit the back of the rim, It popped high into the air, and it dropcutely through the net and the Pacers and the scoreboard chills one twenty five. I have one twenty five.

It hit the back of the rim, It popped high into the air, and it dropcutely through the net and the Pacers and the scoreboard chills one twenty five. I have one twenty five.

It's called a two point shot.

It's called a two point shot.

So it's just it's an incredible moment. And I'll get to two things that worry me about the Knicks going forward. Let's now talk about Brunson. So Jalen had forty three points and you say to yourself, that's a great night. But he had seven turnovers. Why because he's playing faster than he's used to. That's the most turnovers Jalen Brunson has had all season. And he also got into foul trouble. Again. We're asking somebody who can type forty words a minute to type sixty. You know, it's just this isn't what he's built for. Brunson and Haliburton are two very different players. Brunson's a score, small, strong. He uses, you know, his leverage, He uses his hips, he does that mid post game. He just plays way bigger than his height. But he is a scorer and a finisher. He sometimes is plotting. He wants to get you in that half court. He wants to work you. He's gonna work his shoulders, he's gonna work his hips. Halliburton's different. He's long, gangly, herky jerki. It's kind of awkward. He's strong and can use it a couple of times on occasion. But what he is, he's the pace car. He is the guy that's gonna okay, I'm going to tell you how fast we're all gonna play, and you can't stop him because he's just so long and gangly. He's a very awkward player. He's hard to defend. The two things that worry me about New York after last night, First of all, Karl Anthony Towns. That's about as good as he can play in the playoffs. He was efficient. He's not always efficient. He hit his threes, he didn't get in foul trouble. You know, Kat gets in foul trouble. Kat does dumb fouls. He's a really good offensive player, but through his career he drives you nuts. I thought Kat last night was spectacular. I don't know if he can duplicate that. I just don't know if he can play any better than that. It was fun watching. The second thing is Brunson gonna say, hey man, I got forty three. I'm gonna play this temple. We're scoring. We should have won the game. They could talk themselves into that. So but again, I'll say it last year when these two teams played in the end of the series. I mean, Brunson last night, because of foul trouble, played the fewest minutes of any New York Knicks starter. That is not what you want. I don't care if he scored forty three points and to lose in overtime when you have the shorter bench game one, you blow a pretty big lead at that pace. I didn't love it. That's a game it feels like for the road team to win that game and control the tempo. Didn't love it for New York. Here's Brunson after give.

So it's just it's an incredible moment. And I'll get to two things that worry me about the Knicks going forward. Let's now talk about Brunson. So Jalen had forty three points and you say to yourself, that's a great night. But he had seven turnovers. Why because he's playing faster than he's used to. That's the most turnovers Jalen Brunson has had all season. And he also got into foul trouble. Again. We're asking somebody who can type forty words a minute to type sixty. You know, it's just this isn't what he's built for. Brunson and Haliburton are two very different players. Brunson's a score, small, strong. He uses, you know, his leverage, He uses his hips, he does that mid post game. He just plays way bigger than his height. But he is a scorer and a finisher. He sometimes is plotting. He wants to get you in that half court. He wants to work you. He's gonna work his shoulders, he's gonna work his hips. Halliburton's different. He's long, gangly, herky jerki. It's kind of awkward. He's strong and can use it a couple of times on occasion. But what he is, he's the pace car. He is the guy that's gonna okay, I'm going to tell you how fast we're all gonna play, and you can't stop him because he's just so long and gangly. He's a very awkward player. He's hard to defend. The two things that worry me about New York after last night, First of all, Karl Anthony Towns. That's about as good as he can play in the playoffs. He was efficient. He's not always efficient. He hit his threes, he didn't get in foul trouble. You know, Kat gets in foul trouble. Kat does dumb fouls. He's a really good offensive player, but through his career he drives you nuts. I thought Kat last night was spectacular. I don't know if he can duplicate that. I just don't know if he can play any better than that. It was fun watching. The second thing is Brunson gonna say, hey man, I got forty three. I'm gonna play this temple. We're scoring. We should have won the game. They could talk themselves into that. So but again, I'll say it last year when these two teams played in the end of the series. I mean, Brunson last night, because of foul trouble, played the fewest minutes of any New York Knicks starter. That is not what you want. I don't care if he scored forty three points and to lose in overtime when you have the shorter bench game one, you blow a pretty big lead at that pace. I didn't love it. That's a game it feels like for the road team to win that game and control the tempo. Didn't love it for New York. Here's Brunson after give.

Them a lot of credit.

Them a lot of credit.

They closed the game out like they've been doing the all playoffs.

They closed the game out like they've been doing the all playoffs.

Just not really good on our part.

Just not really good on our part.

For all the players, and I know it wasn't a huge number, but for the players that said Haliburton is overrated. Check yourself, because when I'm watching and we were sitting there TI, I mean, I look at all I look at the box score, and the difference is Knicks had twice as many turnovers and a couple of costly ones in overtime. That's your ballgame. But I'm gonna push back. I'm gonna push back on the choke thing. The Knicks scored six minutes left, they scored twenty four points. That's enough. And by the way, you have turnovers when you're playing above your tempo. But I think what you're seeing with Halliburton here, and I don't know if it's an eight. I don't know if you're born with it. But there are some people that not only does he rise in the moment, but he elevates all his teammates in the moment. I mean, I got nothing against the Pacer squad. It's a really good team, but there's a lot of b guys right now that are playing an a level on the road in New York against the really well coached team. What you're watching with Indiana is we just got to give them credit. We can blame the Knicks on this. You got to give Indiana credit. They are really, really and we said this, j Mac, you called it. You picked them over Cleveland. And one of the reasons you did. You fell in love with Halliburton last year. Last year on the show, folks, if you didn't listen, he went crazy on Halliburton. He basically called in the next magic Johnson and I don't think that's his style. But I do see a lot of Steve Nash. He can score, he can take the foot off the gas, he can play. But Nash just will you watch Steve Nash? How did Steve Nash win the MVP at fifteen a game? Because he controlled the basketball game? Steve Nash literally controlled every game he was in. People were like, how can you win MVP? You had to watch the Sons play. What Indiana's doing and you caught onto it last year is they are between Caitlin Clark and the Pacers. They are so much to me fun to watch.

For all the players, and I know it wasn't a huge number, but for the players that said Haliburton is overrated. Check yourself, because when I'm watching and we were sitting there TI, I mean, I look at all I look at the box score, and the difference is Knicks had twice as many turnovers and a couple of costly ones in overtime. That's your ballgame. But I'm gonna push back. I'm gonna push back on the choke thing. The Knicks scored six minutes left, they scored twenty four points. That's enough. And by the way, you have turnovers when you're playing above your tempo. But I think what you're seeing with Halliburton here, and I don't know if it's an eight. I don't know if you're born with it. But there are some people that not only does he rise in the moment, but he elevates all his teammates in the moment. I mean, I got nothing against the Pacer squad. It's a really good team, but there's a lot of b guys right now that are playing an a level on the road in New York against the really well coached team. What you're watching with Indiana is we just got to give them credit. We can blame the Knicks on this. You got to give Indiana credit. They are really, really and we said this, j Mac, you called it. You picked them over Cleveland. And one of the reasons you did. You fell in love with Halliburton last year. Last year on the show, folks, if you didn't listen, he went crazy on Halliburton. He basically called in the next magic Johnson and I don't think that's his style. But I do see a lot of Steve Nash. He can score, he can take the foot off the gas, he can play. But Nash just will you watch Steve Nash? How did Steve Nash win the MVP at fifteen a game? Because he controlled the basketball game? Steve Nash literally controlled every game he was in. People were like, how can you win MVP? You had to watch the Sons play. What Indiana's doing and you caught onto it last year is they are between Caitlin Clark and the Pacers. They are so much to me fun to watch.

Yeah, I love the Halliburton story.

Yeah, I love the Halliburton story.

You know, Midwest kid grew up under recruited, the big colleges didn't want him. I love this stories of these underdogs coming out of nowhere. Colin he's emerging right now, honestly as one of the most clutch players.

You know, Midwest kid grew up under recruited, the big colleges didn't want him. I love this stories of these underdogs coming out of nowhere. Colin he's emerging right now, honestly as one of the most clutch players.

In the league.

In the league.

And I mean, I don't see how he's not like an All NBA guy, how he's not like a top ten player. He does everything and like you said, makes everyone around him better.

And I mean, I don't see how he's not like an All NBA guy, how he's not like a top ten player. He does everything and like you said, makes everyone around him better.

Think about that much like Nash. Last two years, we've talked about the Sixers and the Celtics. And we've talked about all these teams, Pacers back to back, back to back Eastern Conference Finals.

Think about that much like Nash. Last two years, we've talked about the Sixers and the Celtics. And we've talked about all these teams, Pacers back to back, back to back Eastern Conference Finals.

Well, let's be real, the Knicks are not in that much trouble. It took six threes from Nie Smith in the fourth quarter.

Well, let's be real, the Knicks are not in that much trouble. It took six threes from Nie Smith in the fourth quarter.

That's I believe, an NBA record.

That's I believe, an NBA record.

Like, listen, we're not gonna see that again. However, the choke by my Knicks has me a little nervous because you know, they go in to Game two, can't blow game two, and Pacers have sown a propensity.

Like, listen, we're not gonna see that again. However, the choke by my Knicks has me a little nervous because you know, they go in to Game two, can't blow game two, and Pacers have sown a propensity.

They stole Game two in Cleveland. Yeah, I mean, the thing about India is they're completely fearless. Homer away doesn't matter, and I think some of that is it's almost like hockey. It's when you play fast the road crowd, you're flying by the crowd. This is not a plodding half court offense where the fans are on you. They're just up and down the floor. It's hard to get your arms around Indiana. They're just breakneck.

They stole Game two in Cleveland. Yeah, I mean, the thing about India is they're completely fearless. Homer away doesn't matter, and I think some of that is it's almost like hockey. It's when you play fast the road crowd, you're flying by the crowd. This is not a plodding half court offense where the fans are on you. They're just up and down the floor. It's hard to get your arms around Indiana. They're just breakneck.

You know.

You know.

I'm not comparing them in any way to the Showtime Lakers, but the Celtics could do more half court. The Lakers were up and down the floor. Nash's sons were up and down the floor. Jordan's Bulls could do a lot of half court stuff. So it's just it's they just watching Indiana. I you know. I obviously the New York crowd's insane and wonderful. You can't tell where they're playing. Every time the Pacers play, it looks the same that they're a tempo team more than anything else.

I'm not comparing them in any way to the Showtime Lakers, but the Celtics could do more half court. The Lakers were up and down the floor. Nash's sons were up and down the floor. Jordan's Bulls could do a lot of half court stuff. So it's just it's they just watching Indiana. I you know. I obviously the New York crowd's insane and wonderful. You can't tell where they're playing. Every time the Pacers play, it looks the same that they're a tempo team more than anything else.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd Weekdays and Noone Easter non a em Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd Weekdays and Noone Easter non a em Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

You're now entering the No Bull Zone sponsored by Credible Great rates none of the Bowl. So let's get to the choke gesture. We talked about it regarding the WNBA yesterday in the day before. Is there is a performative nature to sports. Trash talking, taunting, within reason, flaunting. I'm okay with it. I thought it was funny that Haliburton did the choke signal he thought he'd won, so did I. By the way, it's hard to sometimes relate to six foot nine, six foot ten basketball players, but that was a relatable moment. We've all done that right in the playground. Chest out. Sports makes you feel something, and I don't think it's fair to ask these athletes to train for years to do something, then surround them with twenty thousand people, and then, in the biggest shot in the world at that moment, to ask an athlete to be subtle and nuanced. I watched that last night, and I'm like, here we go. If you didn't see the Reggie Miller Spike Lee moment that got a thirty for thirty and Reggie Miller last night is laughing watching Haliburton. You can say what you want. It's iconic. It got documentaries. Even Bill Belichick, as grumpy as he can be. I can remember watching a story, a documentary on Belichick. Belichick used to say, guys, celebrate this stuff is hard. Scoring touchdowns is hard. Celebrate. Belichick was furious when you didn't pump your fist, when you didn't play with emotion. So I mean, listen, the choke sign is universal. Sometimes it feels like it's warranted, it's personal. Reggie Miller laughing about it on TV. But I just thought the whole thing, the shot, the moment, the sign, I thought it was all time stuff. Here's Hallie.

You're now entering the No Bull Zone sponsored by Credible Great rates none of the Bowl. So let's get to the choke gesture. We talked about it regarding the WNBA yesterday in the day before. Is there is a performative nature to sports. Trash talking, taunting, within reason, flaunting. I'm okay with it. I thought it was funny that Haliburton did the choke signal he thought he'd won, so did I. By the way, it's hard to sometimes relate to six foot nine, six foot ten basketball players, but that was a relatable moment. We've all done that right in the playground. Chest out. Sports makes you feel something, and I don't think it's fair to ask these athletes to train for years to do something, then surround them with twenty thousand people, and then, in the biggest shot in the world at that moment, to ask an athlete to be subtle and nuanced. I watched that last night, and I'm like, here we go. If you didn't see the Reggie Miller Spike Lee moment that got a thirty for thirty and Reggie Miller last night is laughing watching Haliburton. You can say what you want. It's iconic. It got documentaries. Even Bill Belichick, as grumpy as he can be. I can remember watching a story, a documentary on Belichick. Belichick used to say, guys, celebrate this stuff is hard. Scoring touchdowns is hard. Celebrate. Belichick was furious when you didn't pump your fist, when you didn't play with emotion. So I mean, listen, the choke sign is universal. Sometimes it feels like it's warranted, it's personal. Reggie Miller laughing about it on TV. But I just thought the whole thing, the shot, the moment, the sign, I thought it was all time stuff. Here's Hallie.

In the moment. I mean, I wasn't like plotting out in or anything.

In the moment. I mean, I wasn't like plotting out in or anything.

I just everybody wanted me to do it, like last year at some different point. But it's just gotta feel right, and it felt right at the time.

I just everybody wanted me to do it, like last year at some different point. But it's just gotta feel right, and it felt right at the time.

If it would have been, if.

If it would have been, if.

I would have known it was, it too, would not have done it.

I would have known it was, it too, would not have done it.

So I think I might have wasted it.

So I think I might have wasted it.

He's having a remarkable postseason. So he's averaging nine and a half assists a game, leads the NBA in the playoffs six games with ten plus assists, and he's a scorer, and by the way his clutch time points, it's really remarkable. There's a fine line between being confident and arrogant, and I think he's an incredibly likable confident player. I don't think it veers into arrogant. I think it's just really confident. They have four wins now trailing. Think about this this postseason. They have four wins when trailing by seventeen points, and I think a lot of it's Haliburton, but I also think it's their pace. When you play fast and you're not sloppy. They're not sloppy. So when you pay play fast, seventeen points feels like you're down nine. You know, the Knicks get down seventeen points the way they play a more plotting style. It feels like it's over. But Steph Curry got down seventeen. The Steve Nash teams got down seventeen. It's different. You're always within a punch and so they're very unique team when being down does not mean being out. I still like Indiana to win this series. I thought the Knicks played well enough to win, and I'm not sure anybody but the Pacers and maybe OKC he could have beaten the next last night in Madison Square.

He's having a remarkable postseason. So he's averaging nine and a half assists a game, leads the NBA in the playoffs six games with ten plus assists, and he's a scorer, and by the way his clutch time points, it's really remarkable. There's a fine line between being confident and arrogant, and I think he's an incredibly likable confident player. I don't think it veers into arrogant. I think it's just really confident. They have four wins now trailing. Think about this this postseason. They have four wins when trailing by seventeen points, and I think a lot of it's Haliburton, but I also think it's their pace. When you play fast and you're not sloppy. They're not sloppy. So when you pay play fast, seventeen points feels like you're down nine. You know, the Knicks get down seventeen points the way they play a more plotting style. It feels like it's over. But Steph Curry got down seventeen. The Steve Nash teams got down seventeen. It's different. You're always within a punch and so they're very unique team when being down does not mean being out. I still like Indiana to win this series. I thought the Knicks played well enough to win, and I'm not sure anybody but the Pacers and maybe OKC he could have beaten the next last night in Madison Square.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and neon eastern nin am Pacific.

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Hey, Steve Covino and I'm Rich David and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio.

Hey, Steve Covino and I'm Rich David and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio.

You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and of course the iHeartRadio app.

You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and of course the iHeartRadio app.

Why should you listen to Covino and Rich.

Why should you listen to Covino and Rich.

We talk about everything life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.

We talk about everything life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that well other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss.

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that well other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss.

And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together. I mean that says something, right.

And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together. I mean that says something, right.

So check us out, like to get you involved, to take your phone calls, chop it up. As they say, I'd say, the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planetar. Be sure to check out Cavino and Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific, And if you miss any of the live show, just search coven on Rich wherever you get your podcast, and of course on social.

So check us out, like to get you involved, to take your phone calls, chop it up. As they say, I'd say, the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planetar. Be sure to check out Cavino and Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific, And if you miss any of the live show, just search coven on Rich wherever you get your podcast, and of course on social.

Media that's Cavino and Rich.

Media that's Cavino and Rich.

In just three days, it's the biggest day in motorsports, as the greatest spectacle in racing, the one hundred and ninth Indy five hundred comes to Fox with Joseph Newgarden going for a historic threepeat. Coverage begins at ten am Eastern Sunday on Fox.

In just three days, it's the biggest day in motorsports, as the greatest spectacle in racing, the one hundred and ninth Indy five hundred comes to Fox with Joseph Newgarden going for a historic threepeat. Coverage begins at ten am Eastern Sunday on Fox.

We are fired up for the race.

We are fired up for the race.

We got an authentic Indy five hundred driver helmet and an Indy.

We got an authentic Indy five hundred driver helmet and an Indy.

Five hundred milk jug.

Five hundred milk jug.

Of course, the winner Sunday will continue the tradition of drinking milk in Victory Lane.

Of course, the winner Sunday will continue the tradition of drinking milk in Victory Lane.

So SGA won the MVP this week. I would have voted him MVP. It's a regular season award, and I do think how your team finishes matter. Jokicic's Nuggets weren't as good in the regular season. I think Jokich is the best player in the world. But Michael Jordan did not win, nor did Lebron or Magic in his prime. They didn't win the MVP every year. A lot of it is how is your team doing an SGA's team won by an average of twelve point nine points. They were a blizzard, a hot knife through butter of this league. So and he's a remarkable player. But the other thing is he now is eligible for three hundred and eighty million dollars with the new CBA, and I would have no problem writing that check. Unlike Luca, I don't question his fitness. Unlike Giannis, I want him to have the ball with two minutes left. He'll hit the free throws. Unlike Kawhi r MB, there's no load management. I like Donovan Mitchell, I don't think he elevates teammates quite as much as SGA does, even for billionaire owners. The new CBA makes you pause. You have to consider everything seventy six million dollars per season. If you're just dropping thirty he used to be in the NBA. Get buckets, you'll get your max. Nope, nope, not interested. That's why Laker fans now see watch every night. You really know a player when he's yours. He's on your team. Otherwise, nobody outside of okc's watching OKAC every night. They are in okacs. So you know of SGA. You get the whistle, you get elevation. There's no load management. He gets you buckets. He's great in clutch time. That's the easiest check in the league to write. After Jokic, that's the easy one. A lot of these guys that like Jamal Murray. I like Jamal Murray. He plays himself into shape. I'm not signing that check. I'm not giving you three hundred million dollars Luca. That was the concern in Dallas. He's playing himself into shape. Those are the guys that get hurt more so. I think now that you have this, you have this new CBA, if you miss on a player like Trey Young gets buckets. I like Trey. I'm not paying that money for Trey. I didn't play defense. I don't know if he's a leader. I don't know if he elevates teammates. He gives you some assists, and I like Trey Young, but I think all the stars thought, oh, this new CBA is great. But I'm a billionaire. It's one thing. Paying Lebron thirty eight million in this prime. I'll sign that check. I'll pay Lebron's seventy six million in this prime. But Kevin Durant was a little flaky. Kevin Durant had a few injuries. I'm on think about it. And that's why I said, if Nico Harrison would have gotten three firsts and Austin Reeves with a D, I would have defended the move. I'm not sure I would have made it. I would have defended it. Like I get Jannis. He's had some injuries. You don't want him with the ball late, he's bad at the free throw line like that doesn't mean he's not a star. But three hundred and eighty million dollars you get into that. Ara, I have to consider everything, and it's just an incredibly putative new CBA. And so it's just not about getting buckets anymore. Here's Sga on winning the Award.

So SGA won the MVP this week. I would have voted him MVP. It's a regular season award, and I do think how your team finishes matter. Jokicic's Nuggets weren't as good in the regular season. I think Jokich is the best player in the world. But Michael Jordan did not win, nor did Lebron or Magic in his prime. They didn't win the MVP every year. A lot of it is how is your team doing an SGA's team won by an average of twelve point nine points. They were a blizzard, a hot knife through butter of this league. So and he's a remarkable player. But the other thing is he now is eligible for three hundred and eighty million dollars with the new CBA, and I would have no problem writing that check. Unlike Luca, I don't question his fitness. Unlike Giannis, I want him to have the ball with two minutes left. He'll hit the free throws. Unlike Kawhi r MB, there's no load management. I like Donovan Mitchell, I don't think he elevates teammates quite as much as SGA does, even for billionaire owners. The new CBA makes you pause. You have to consider everything seventy six million dollars per season. If you're just dropping thirty he used to be in the NBA. Get buckets, you'll get your max. Nope, nope, not interested. That's why Laker fans now see watch every night. You really know a player when he's yours. He's on your team. Otherwise, nobody outside of okc's watching OKAC every night. They are in okacs. So you know of SGA. You get the whistle, you get elevation. There's no load management. He gets you buckets. He's great in clutch time. That's the easiest check in the league to write. After Jokic, that's the easy one. A lot of these guys that like Jamal Murray. I like Jamal Murray. He plays himself into shape. I'm not signing that check. I'm not giving you three hundred million dollars Luca. That was the concern in Dallas. He's playing himself into shape. Those are the guys that get hurt more so. I think now that you have this, you have this new CBA, if you miss on a player like Trey Young gets buckets. I like Trey. I'm not paying that money for Trey. I didn't play defense. I don't know if he's a leader. I don't know if he elevates teammates. He gives you some assists, and I like Trey Young, but I think all the stars thought, oh, this new CBA is great. But I'm a billionaire. It's one thing. Paying Lebron thirty eight million in this prime. I'll sign that check. I'll pay Lebron's seventy six million in this prime. But Kevin Durant was a little flaky. Kevin Durant had a few injuries. I'm on think about it. And that's why I said, if Nico Harrison would have gotten three firsts and Austin Reeves with a D, I would have defended the move. I'm not sure I would have made it. I would have defended it. Like I get Jannis. He's had some injuries. You don't want him with the ball late, he's bad at the free throw line like that doesn't mean he's not a star. But three hundred and eighty million dollars you get into that. Ara, I have to consider everything, and it's just an incredibly putative new CBA. And so it's just not about getting buckets anymore. Here's Sga on winning the Award.

I always thought that I could be a really good player because I had seen, like what just putting your head down and working and controlling what you can control can do for you.

I always thought that I could be a really good player because I had seen, like what just putting your head down and working and controlling what you can control can do for you.

I dreamt about as a kid, but it's like an you know, as a kid, it's a fake dream.

I dreamt about as a kid, but it's like an you know, as a kid, it's a fake dream.

But to as the days go on and you realize that, like you get closer to your dream, it's hard to like not freak out. It's hard to like not be a six year old kid again. And I think that's what's allowed me to achieve it.

But to as the days go on and you realize that, like you get closer to your dream, it's hard to like not freak out. It's hard to like not be a six year old kid again. And I think that's what's allowed me to achieve it.

You know, I got to tell you right now. With the NBA, between SGA, Tyrese Halliburton and Jalen Brunson, I'm not sure there ever been three more relatable NBA stars. I mean again, NBA guys are six eight. I remember going to the SPS and you know, athletes are big, but they looked like human beings. And then you watch the NBA guys coming in their tuxes and they're seven to two. They don't look like the rest of it.

You know, I got to tell you right now. With the NBA, between SGA, Tyrese Halliburton and Jalen Brunson, I'm not sure there ever been three more relatable NBA stars. I mean again, NBA guys are six eight. I remember going to the SPS and you know, athletes are big, but they looked like human beings. And then you watch the NBA guys coming in their tuxes and they're seven to two. They don't look like the rest of it.

You know.

You know.

Teddy Bruski I worked with. He was a great, fearless linebacker. After he retired, he carried a briefcase. He looked like the company's accountant. You couldn't tell. So I just find that SGA is just such a relatable dude Halliburton and Brunson. It's really cool. So we talked about this yesterday. I said, I thought that Jason Kelsey, with his inspirational speech to the owners, got the tush push barely. Now, I'll say this, it was a twenty two to ten vote against the tush push. Let's not make it sound like people were in favor of it. The league didn't really want it. The Health and Safety Committee didn't want it, the Rules Committee didn't want it, and twenty two owners didn't want it.

Teddy Bruski I worked with. He was a great, fearless linebacker. After he retired, he carried a briefcase. He looked like the company's accountant. You couldn't tell. So I just find that SGA is just such a relatable dude Halliburton and Brunson. It's really cool. So we talked about this yesterday. I said, I thought that Jason Kelsey, with his inspirational speech to the owners, got the tush push barely. Now, I'll say this, it was a twenty two to ten vote against the tush push. Let's not make it sound like people were in favor of it. The league didn't really want it. The Health and Safety Committee didn't want it, the Rules Committee didn't want it, and twenty two owners didn't want it.

But you needed.

But you needed.

Twenty four to get it banned. So the NFL, as suspected, asked the packers to propose a failed push push. That's been reported so the league did not want it. The league didn't want it. The vote led to a according to stories here, multiple heated exchanges. So this is one of these things where I said this yesterday. I think it's Jason Kelcey and Jeffrey Lewie And this is the thing about the NFL, and I guess this is the same with every league, but there are certain owners in the NFL that have a lot of pull. And it's not Michael Bidwell, Okay, it is. Jerry Jones wanted an NFL team in Vegas. There's an NFL team in Vegas. Jerry Jones wanted the Rams to go from Saint Louis to Los Angeles. They went from Saint Louis to Los Angeles. Robert Kraft has always handled I'm not sure if he still does. For years he handled all the TV deals. He would collectively talk to all the owners and then he would go call Fox and CBS and NBC and ESPN. So Jeffrey Lurie of Philadelphia got a lot of smoke. Stan Kronk's one of the richest. Arthur Blank, the Hunt family, they've earned it craft, Jerry Jones. You know Detroit's owners, Cleveland's owner, Chicago's owner, Arizona's owner. Either they don't have the money, they don't have the wins. I think people look at Philadelphia. I don't think I think if twenty five teams were doing the tush push, it would be banned. I think it is allowed because it's Philadelphia and Jeffrey lury and I think there's only about four to five owners that would get this thing pushed through. A Steve Bushatti of Baltimore maybe gets push gets it pushed through. But Philadelphia is iconic. They arguably have the most passionate fan base. They're a blue blood that's incredibly important for the league. Jeffrey Lourie is a a creative, progressive owner. Howie Roseman has built the best roster. They're good for the league. I mean, I've said this about all pro sports in America. You could drop six to eight NHL teams, Nobody would at ninety nine percent of you don't know the arena the Saint Louis Blues playing. You could drop eight baseball teams. You could drop about five to six NBA teams, Nobody would care. It's the same in the NFL. I got news for you. You could erase about six NFL teams. Nobody would care. Philadelphia is one of those four foundational teams. To me, like Philadelphia, the Niners out West Philadelphia, the Green Bay Packers' there's just a handful of teams. Dallas Cowboys obviously they just matter a lot. So I think I think this comes down to Jeffrey Lowie, Philadelphia. They're standing in the league. Jason Kelsey or this thing again the vault was twenty two to ten, if it was twenty four to eight, ban and you know, people are upset with it. I do think. I do think the one thing that you know, for years and years Phil Jackson ran, they called it the triangle offense. And you're like, why didn't everybody use the triangle offense? And my argument would be because you didn't have Michael Jordan and Kobe the triangle offense. Yeah, lamar Odin was kind of a clever player that it worked with. It worked mostly because the Kobe and Michael Jordan. This tush push works because it's the biggest offensive line in league history, and it works because Jalen hurts squats six hundred pounds and he's small. I mean you would if I would have told you you'd never seen the tush push, because Tom Brady in his era was a tall guy that was kind of lanky and was the best quarterback, sneak guy. If I would have told you you'd never watched the NFL, I'd say, there's this team. All you knew is you kind of had a sense to the league. I said, there's this team that invented this play. It's a one yard play, who do you think runs it? You would have guessed like, oh, Lamar Jackson could always get a yard, or oh Josh Allen or Herbert they're huge, they can get a yard. You know, you look at the big guy. I said, No, it's Jalen Hurts. Second round Jalen Hurts, small squad, six hundred and fifty pounds behind the biggest offensive line in league history. So it's a lot of Jalen Hurts this even with that old line. It doesn't work with Jared Goff. Okay, it's not gonna work. It's not working with Rock Perdy. It's probably not working with Joe Burrow. It works with Jalen Hurts. So I do think Philadelphia's argument is A, there's no data that people are getting hurt, and B we've got unique personnel. Don't punish us for being the deepest offense in the league. Two receivers, two tight ends, star quarterbacks, star back, four all pro level alignment. Don't punish us for that. I think that's the best argument I've had. Philadelphia fans say, you're punishing us. We created something. It's a good argument. Now, now the defensive shift in baseball was created by Joe Madden down in Tampa, and the problem was everybody started using it right. That wasn't really player specific, and it made the game slower. You did not want Bryce Harper lining out. You wanted Bryce Harper and the hair and the look. You wanted it on base So that was so easy to duplicate it became bad for the league. Just like Adam Sober right now doesn't love all the three point shots because you can find three point shooters. What Philadelphia is doing is hard to duplicate, and so it's not all through the league. You only see it about four times a game from one team, so the unique flavor of it actually works to Philadelphia's favor. If twenty two teams were using this eleven times a game, it would get banned because what the owners really care about is the entertainment value. But one team does it well and use it four to five times a game. It's their thing. It's their thing. J Mack, great first hour on a Friday. We got Channing Fry and Paul Pierce stopping by today on Yeah.

Twenty four to get it banned. So the NFL, as suspected, asked the packers to propose a failed push push. That's been reported so the league did not want it. The league didn't want it. The vote led to a according to stories here, multiple heated exchanges. So this is one of these things where I said this yesterday. I think it's Jason Kelcey and Jeffrey Lewie And this is the thing about the NFL, and I guess this is the same with every league, but there are certain owners in the NFL that have a lot of pull. And it's not Michael Bidwell, Okay, it is. Jerry Jones wanted an NFL team in Vegas. There's an NFL team in Vegas. Jerry Jones wanted the Rams to go from Saint Louis to Los Angeles. They went from Saint Louis to Los Angeles. Robert Kraft has always handled I'm not sure if he still does. For years he handled all the TV deals. He would collectively talk to all the owners and then he would go call Fox and CBS and NBC and ESPN. So Jeffrey Lurie of Philadelphia got a lot of smoke. Stan Kronk's one of the richest. Arthur Blank, the Hunt family, they've earned it craft, Jerry Jones. You know Detroit's owners, Cleveland's owner, Chicago's owner, Arizona's owner. Either they don't have the money, they don't have the wins. I think people look at Philadelphia. I don't think I think if twenty five teams were doing the tush push, it would be banned. I think it is allowed because it's Philadelphia and Jeffrey lury and I think there's only about four to five owners that would get this thing pushed through. A Steve Bushatti of Baltimore maybe gets push gets it pushed through. But Philadelphia is iconic. They arguably have the most passionate fan base. They're a blue blood that's incredibly important for the league. Jeffrey Lourie is a a creative, progressive owner. Howie Roseman has built the best roster. They're good for the league. I mean, I've said this about all pro sports in America. You could drop six to eight NHL teams, Nobody would at ninety nine percent of you don't know the arena the Saint Louis Blues playing. You could drop eight baseball teams. You could drop about five to six NBA teams, Nobody would care. It's the same in the NFL. I got news for you. You could erase about six NFL teams. Nobody would care. Philadelphia is one of those four foundational teams. To me, like Philadelphia, the Niners out West Philadelphia, the Green Bay Packers' there's just a handful of teams. Dallas Cowboys obviously they just matter a lot. So I think I think this comes down to Jeffrey Lowie, Philadelphia. They're standing in the league. Jason Kelsey or this thing again the vault was twenty two to ten, if it was twenty four to eight, ban and you know, people are upset with it. I do think. I do think the one thing that you know, for years and years Phil Jackson ran, they called it the triangle offense. And you're like, why didn't everybody use the triangle offense? And my argument would be because you didn't have Michael Jordan and Kobe the triangle offense. Yeah, lamar Odin was kind of a clever player that it worked with. It worked mostly because the Kobe and Michael Jordan. This tush push works because it's the biggest offensive line in league history, and it works because Jalen hurts squats six hundred pounds and he's small. I mean you would if I would have told you you'd never seen the tush push, because Tom Brady in his era was a tall guy that was kind of lanky and was the best quarterback, sneak guy. If I would have told you you'd never watched the NFL, I'd say, there's this team. All you knew is you kind of had a sense to the league. I said, there's this team that invented this play. It's a one yard play, who do you think runs it? You would have guessed like, oh, Lamar Jackson could always get a yard, or oh Josh Allen or Herbert they're huge, they can get a yard. You know, you look at the big guy. I said, No, it's Jalen Hurts. Second round Jalen Hurts, small squad, six hundred and fifty pounds behind the biggest offensive line in league history. So it's a lot of Jalen Hurts this even with that old line. It doesn't work with Jared Goff. Okay, it's not gonna work. It's not working with Rock Perdy. It's probably not working with Joe Burrow. It works with Jalen Hurts. So I do think Philadelphia's argument is A, there's no data that people are getting hurt, and B we've got unique personnel. Don't punish us for being the deepest offense in the league. Two receivers, two tight ends, star quarterbacks, star back, four all pro level alignment. Don't punish us for that. I think that's the best argument I've had. Philadelphia fans say, you're punishing us. We created something. It's a good argument. Now, now the defensive shift in baseball was created by Joe Madden down in Tampa, and the problem was everybody started using it right. That wasn't really player specific, and it made the game slower. You did not want Bryce Harper lining out. You wanted Bryce Harper and the hair and the look. You wanted it on base So that was so easy to duplicate it became bad for the league. Just like Adam Sober right now doesn't love all the three point shots because you can find three point shooters. What Philadelphia is doing is hard to duplicate, and so it's not all through the league. You only see it about four times a game from one team, so the unique flavor of it actually works to Philadelphia's favor. If twenty two teams were using this eleven times a game, it would get banned because what the owners really care about is the entertainment value. But one team does it well and use it four to five times a game. It's their thing. It's their thing. J Mack, great first hour on a Friday. We got Channing Fry and Paul Pierce stopping by today on Yeah.

I guess some good news for you. The numbers on the brock Pretty contract, that granular.

I guess some good news for you. The numbers on the brock Pretty contract, that granular.

Numbers are coming out. I'll send them to you during the break.

Numbers are coming out. I'll send them to you during the break.

Okay, you're gonna love it. Our one down on a Thursday, Our two next in Chicago. It's to her.

Okay, you're gonna love it. Our one down on a Thursday, Our two next in Chicago. It's to her.

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays and Neon Easter not a em Pacific.

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays and Neon Easter not a em Pacific.

And with that, Channing Fry, who started his career in New York for the Knicks, is now joining a fly a man thirteen years in the NBA. That was I don't even know, It's just crazy. So how do you view? Like I said, I think basketball players are artists, Like I've always said, you all got your quirky mannerisms and idiosyncratic styles. What do you make a HALLI Burton in the Choke.

And with that, Channing Fry, who started his career in New York for the Knicks, is now joining a fly a man thirteen years in the NBA. That was I don't even know, It's just crazy. So how do you view? Like I said, I think basketball players are artists, Like I've always said, you all got your quirky mannerisms and idiosyncratic styles. What do you make a HALLI Burton in the Choke.

First of all trees is one of the nicest human beings ever. I think when I think when he got voted most overrated person, I think that was a problem. There was There was a time when the Pacers were playing the Calves and that the crowd started chanting overrated, and.

First of all trees is one of the nicest human beings ever. I think when I think when he got voted most overrated person, I think that was a problem. There was There was a time when the Pacers were playing the Calves and that the crowd started chanting overrated, and.

Donovan Mitchell was telling them be quiet, like the players like stop it, and he went off. I text Tyrese and I said, hey, you are garbage.

Donovan Mitchell was telling them be quiet, like the players like stop it, and he went off. I text Tyrese and I said, hey, you are garbage.

The first three quarters and then all of a sudden, you go into the phone booth and come out like Superman. It's unbelievable. The plays that he does. I wouldn't have never had to wherewithal you know, most players in that situation would take the two because they're like, oh, I.

The first three quarters and then all of a sudden, you go into the phone booth and come out like Superman. It's unbelievable. The plays that he does. I wouldn't have never had to wherewithal you know, most players in that situation would take the two because they're like, oh, I.

Just want to you know, we'll tie the game up.

Just want to you know, we'll tie the game up.

He had a wide open layup, turned his back, looked at the other clock, found the three point line sort of, and then shot a three over Mitchell Robinson, who's a seven.

He had a wide open layup, turned his back, looked at the other clock, found the three point line sort of, and then shot a three over Mitchell Robinson, who's a seven.

Foot dude who has the longest arms. You know, it looked like this is the layup right here, and he.

Foot dude who has the longest arms. You know, it looked like this is the layup right here, and he.

Goes nope and shot that for game. It's like, you cannot make this up. I played with a lot of great players. I don't know four of the greatest players that I played with that would have shot that shot. But like the belief that he has in himself and his team that they have. I thought the Pacers in that fourth quarter they dismantled the Knicks by being a better team, where the Knicks had a better player in Brunton, right, I think Og was the only one who shot a shot in the last five minutes of that fourth quarter. In the overtime, where the pacers. Everyone had to play Obie Toppen Nie Smith went.

Goes nope and shot that for game. It's like, you cannot make this up. I played with a lot of great players. I don't know four of the greatest players that I played with that would have shot that shot. But like the belief that he has in himself and his team that they have. I thought the Pacers in that fourth quarter they dismantled the Knicks by being a better team, where the Knicks had a better player in Brunton, right, I think Og was the only one who shot a shot in the last five minutes of that fourth quarter. In the overtime, where the pacers. Everyone had to play Obie Toppen Nie Smith went.

Absolutely who was that?

Absolutely who was that?

Was that?

Was that?

Nisan Curry like it was? But it was? It was so good, so good Canning?

Nisan Curry like it was? But it was? It was so good, so good Canning?

You know who he does remind me of I said this an hour ago. His self awareness, his ability to score but elevate others. He reminds me of a guy who played with Steve Nash. Nash won an MVP, averaging fifty in a game, came back the next year won another MVP averaging eight. Everybody's like, well, wall wait, you can't win. No, no, no, yes you can. Everybody played their best ball. But Nash, Who's one of the smartest guys I've ever met. I mean, like in or out of sports, Nash had the self awareness. Nash had this, I know he can drive people crazy. He had the self awareness to know the temple to score, who was weak, who was in foul tra It was like a good quarterback. He knew your soft spot and he would attack it. And so I to me, Hallie's got a little Nash in him.

You know who he does remind me of I said this an hour ago. His self awareness, his ability to score but elevate others. He reminds me of a guy who played with Steve Nash. Nash won an MVP, averaging fifty in a game, came back the next year won another MVP averaging eight. Everybody's like, well, wall wait, you can't win. No, no, no, yes you can. Everybody played their best ball. But Nash, Who's one of the smartest guys I've ever met. I mean, like in or out of sports, Nash had the self awareness. Nash had this, I know he can drive people crazy. He had the self awareness to know the temple to score, who was weak, who was in foul tra It was like a good quarterback. He knew your soft spot and he would attack it. And so I to me, Hallie's got a little Nash in him.

I think he has a lot. I think he has a lot.

I think he has a lot. I think he has a lot.

I think he is the only star in our league that can be a star and score ten points a game. Like he can have ten points and he can dominate the whole game. I think he's the only one like that. He is a true past first point guard. And if he wasn't that way, the Pace would not be who they are. Like if the Pacers had Brunson, I don't think they would be the Pacers. The fact that everyone of their starters scored in that fourth quarter and over time, the fact that everyone when they go on a run, everyone knows where the ball's going. They believe in their culture. The fact that they stood pat really didn't bring anyone in last year or this year and just said, hey, we went to the Eastern Conference finals, let's run his back. Their belief in each other is crazy. It is because Halliburn is never playing with his ego. He's playing with the fire to win games. So like there are games where sometimes he's gonna have two points. Now, is that a bad game for him, for sure, But they could still win with him scoring two points because he's doing this all game. He's not pressuring, but when it's time to win, they all look to him to make a play. And I think we no one brought this up, but like even when they beat the Bucks. You know there's no way Tyre's Halliburton, I texted, I told him this on the phone. I said that a week old left to right crossover shouldn't have got past nobody. And you go pass Janis and to Takoumpo and lay that ball up in his face for game Jannis is a top five defender in the league. And how does you with no muscles, a weird looking jump shot get by him and do this? He goes, I don't know, man, I just be. I just gotta do what I gotta do. And so you know, for me, I think there's gonna be a great series. Obviously, the game one was nuts. It's gonna come down to the Knicks defense. And can the Pacers continually.

I think he is the only star in our league that can be a star and score ten points a game. Like he can have ten points and he can dominate the whole game. I think he's the only one like that. He is a true past first point guard. And if he wasn't that way, the Pace would not be who they are. Like if the Pacers had Brunson, I don't think they would be the Pacers. The fact that everyone of their starters scored in that fourth quarter and over time, the fact that everyone when they go on a run, everyone knows where the ball's going. They believe in their culture. The fact that they stood pat really didn't bring anyone in last year or this year and just said, hey, we went to the Eastern Conference finals, let's run his back. Their belief in each other is crazy. It is because Halliburn is never playing with his ego. He's playing with the fire to win games. So like there are games where sometimes he's gonna have two points. Now, is that a bad game for him, for sure, But they could still win with him scoring two points because he's doing this all game. He's not pressuring, but when it's time to win, they all look to him to make a play. And I think we no one brought this up, but like even when they beat the Bucks. You know there's no way Tyre's Halliburton, I texted, I told him this on the phone. I said that a week old left to right crossover shouldn't have got past nobody. And you go pass Janis and to Takoumpo and lay that ball up in his face for game Jannis is a top five defender in the league. And how does you with no muscles, a weird looking jump shot get by him and do this? He goes, I don't know, man, I just be. I just gotta do what I gotta do. And so you know, for me, I think there's gonna be a great series. Obviously, the game one was nuts. It's gonna come down to the Knicks defense. And can the Pacers continually.

Play that pace? Well, look at that paces, play the pace in this series. I'm curious to see the changes the Knicks make the next game.

Play that pace? Well, look at that paces, play the pace in this series. I'm curious to see the changes the Knicks make the next game.

Yeah, I said, last night, Brunson has forty three, but he had seven turnovers and he got in early foul trouble. And I said, it's almost like being a typist that types fifty words a minute. And Halliburton made Brunson type seventy words a minutes and he he was. I felt like, even though he got the points, I don't think it's one of the great Jalen Brunson games because he had more turnovers last night than he had all year. And I really thought the story of the game is that it was Indy five hundred and that's not the Knick style. And I Indy got them to play exactly like they wanted, and Brunson kind of said, Okay, I'll do this. Maybe it's vanity ego, I get it, but like I'm like, Okay, if you're gonna play that way, then you have to win that game in regulation in New York. You can't lose that game.

Yeah, I said, last night, Brunson has forty three, but he had seven turnovers and he got in early foul trouble. And I said, it's almost like being a typist that types fifty words a minute. And Halliburton made Brunson type seventy words a minutes and he he was. I felt like, even though he got the points, I don't think it's one of the great Jalen Brunson games because he had more turnovers last night than he had all year. And I really thought the story of the game is that it was Indy five hundred and that's not the Knick style. And I Indy got them to play exactly like they wanted, and Brunson kind of said, Okay, I'll do this. Maybe it's vanity ego, I get it, but like I'm like, Okay, if you're gonna play that way, then you have to win that game in regulation in New York. You can't lose that game.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I think one thing we're not taking into account is what's that fourth quarter? They started double team Brunson aggressively. Remember he got trapped in the back court and he just threw the ball. If Siakam was in the right place, that would have been a turnover. They double teamed him, but he fell down, he got a foul. When he gets double teams, he is very uncomfortable in these situations.

I think one thing we're not taking into account is what's that fourth quarter? They started double team Brunson aggressively. Remember he got trapped in the back court and he just threw the ball. If Siakam was in the right place, that would have been a turnover. They double teamed him, but he fell down, he got a foul. When he gets double teams, he is very uncomfortable in these situations.

And look how many players they put like.

And look how many players they put like.

That, that's a simple double team. Look at this another double team. So like, to me, their offense stalled out in that fourth quarter. And here's the real coming to Jesus moment. They are hunting hunting him and Cat in screening rolls. It is wild to watch. You look at the clip every time Nie Smith made a three, it was except for one at the end of the game with Josh Smith and Mitchell, which they should have switched, which is a stupid mistake. A dude who has seventeen points and they're running a specific play for him.

That, that's a simple double team. Look at this another double team. So like, to me, their offense stalled out in that fourth quarter. And here's the real coming to Jesus moment. They are hunting hunting him and Cat in screening rolls. It is wild to watch. You look at the clip every time Nie Smith made a three, it was except for one at the end of the game with Josh Smith and Mitchell, which they should have switched, which is a stupid mistake. A dude who has seventeen points and they're running a specific play for him.

Switch, Let Obi Toppen shoot a three. Anybody else with the dude who's hot, so like that was a mental error.

Switch, Let Obi Toppen shoot a three. Anybody else with the dude who's hot, so like that was a mental error.

But they are going at Cat and I don't know if you saw the clip of Og yelling at Cat after you know he just laid on that screen.

But they are going at Cat and I don't know if you saw the clip of Og yelling at Cat after you know he just laid on that screen.

That's going to be a problem because.

That's going to be a problem because.

Now the three things the Pacers did that game is they found out runs it, gets in foul trouble, and turns the ball over when you aggressively double team one.

Now the three things the Pacers did that game is they found out runs it, gets in foul trouble, and turns the ball over when you aggressively double team one.

Two Kat does not want to move his feet end of game. He's exhausted.

Two Kat does not want to move his feet end of game. He's exhausted.

Three If you go at Hunsen, he stalls the offense out in that fourth quarter because they can't run a screen and roll with him anymore.

Three If you go at Hunsen, he stalls the offense out in that fourth quarter because they can't run a screen and roll with him anymore.

Because he's uncomfortable getting double team.

Because he's uncomfortable getting double team.

So if you notice those clips, he's going one on one in Nie Smith and Nemhard and Shepherd and Ali Burdon and Siakam all those dudes are.

So if you notice those clips, he's going one on one in Nie Smith and Nemhard and Shepherd and Ali Burdon and Siakam all those dudes are.

Taking turns guarding him.

Taking turns guarding him.

So at six on one, yeah, he's exhausted and no one else is.

So at six on one, yeah, he's exhausted and no one else is.

Touching the ball.

Touching the ball.

They need to play him as Steph Curry in the fourth quarter instead of Brunson. So he's throw the ball the cat run some away screens get him to run towards the ball. But is he comfortable doing that? And can the next win play in that game?

They need to play him as Steph Curry in the fourth quarter instead of Brunson. So he's throw the ball the cat run some away screens get him to run towards the ball. But is he comfortable doing that? And can the next win play in that game?

We'll see. I'm very curious to see how it works. You know.

We'll see. I'm very curious to see how it works. You know.

It's so chanting. Fry joining us for already audience, one of my favorite people that covers this league and talks about it. So in New York is fascinating. Jordan had some of his best games there, Kobe had some of his best games there. I mean, Halliburton is having the time of his life. New York's a weird place that it inspires the great players, even though it's a home court advantage. You started your career there. Take my audience too. I remember watching Big East games there and I'm like, this is crazy. Tell me take my audience to playing as a Nick as an opponent in Madison Square Garden. It feels different to me.

It's so chanting. Fry joining us for already audience, one of my favorite people that covers this league and talks about it. So in New York is fascinating. Jordan had some of his best games there, Kobe had some of his best games there. I mean, Halliburton is having the time of his life. New York's a weird place that it inspires the great players, even though it's a home court advantage. You started your career there. Take my audience too. I remember watching Big East games there and I'm like, this is crazy. Tell me take my audience to playing as a Nick as an opponent in Madison Square Garden. It feels different to me.

So, you know, the college experience is that when you're a really good player or a really good team, the opposing team booju.

So, you know, the college experience is that when you're a really good player or a really good team, the opposing team booju.

The whole time.

The whole time.

When you go to the garden, it's like being in a center of like you you're a gladiator.

When you go to the garden, it's like being in a center of like you you're a gladiator.

You're winning the crowd over and that's the problem.

You're winning the crowd over and that's the problem.

That's the problem because if you start hooping, they the oohs and ohs are like it gets you even more adrenaline. And the Knicks fans have so much basketball knowledge that if you do some good they'll be like, dang, that's a good job.

That's the problem because if you start hooping, they the oohs and ohs are like it gets you even more adrenaline. And the Knicks fans have so much basketball knowledge that if you do some good they'll be like, dang, that's a good job.

Man, that's tough.

Man, that's tough.

Where other fans are like boo whatef you and you suck. They're not saying that. So if you start doing well, it's a problem because all of a sudden, you're feeding on their adrenaline. You're feeding on shutting them up. And as a Knicks player, you have to each game when the fans back over. So it's not like you could just walk on the court and be loved. It's you could walk on the court, miss you first four and Tracy Morgan's like, stop shooting the ball, your big dummy.

Where other fans are like boo whatef you and you suck. They're not saying that. So if you start doing well, it's a problem because all of a sudden, you're feeding on their adrenaline. You're feeding on shutting them up. And as a Knicks player, you have to each game when the fans back over. So it's not like you could just walk on the court and be loved. It's you could walk on the court, miss you first four and Tracy Morgan's like, stop shooting the ball, your big dummy.

You're like, wait, I just had forty last game.

You're like, wait, I just had forty last game.

So to me, it is the greatest place to play basketball. And I promise if anyone has an opportunity to go watch basketball or even you know, hockey there.

So to me, it is the greatest place to play basketball. And I promise if anyone has an opportunity to go watch basketball or even you know, hockey there.

It is so historic, so beautiful, but.