Paul and Matt are back to let's look ahead to the first game in our ESPN doubleheader.

The Celtics and six are squaring off first time this season.

Tonight, guys.

Boston swept filling in the first round last postseason as we know completely different Sixers team, though your guy Doc Rivers at the helm a bunch of shooters acquired over the offseason.

Paul, Have they closed the gap on the Celtics who are Top East standings right now?

No, I don't think so on.

And the main reason I feel that way is because I don't feel like Ben Simmons has gotten any better.

Uh, I mean, if you're gonna you're gonna elevate to the next level of the championship contenders.

It has to come from your stars.

Yes, and be looks better.

They've added coaching staff, but they can't.

They're not gonna be on the quarter which you they had a Steph Curry.

But until Ben Simmons makes that next jump, I just don't think so.

I mean, we've seen Tatum get better.

We've seen Brown get better.

Kimba is gonna come back healthy, and so I really don't see the gap closing right there.

I think It's closed a little bit.

From the standpoint, I think we're gonna know what we're getting with Ben Simmons.

He's around that 12 13 point range, but he's also a triple double guy every single night.

And if Tobias Harris is the one the highest paid player on the team, if he could stay consistent with his scoring out about that 18 to 20 play Mark Beat is playing really well.

Steph Curry is playing really well.

I think the gap is closed, but I still think Boston is a better team.

And overall, I think Brooklyn is the team in the East and we're going to see tonight with Kyrie coming back, that's for sure.

Now you guys have both played for Doc.

Hebrews made a real effort to, first of all, coach Tobias more the way he was coached when Tobias was with the Clippers, obviously, but also coaching Joel and talking to him about how the offense does revolve around him and talking to bend and saying, I'm going to tell you to go shoot threes.

Just do what you're comfortable with.

Do what you're good at.

What difference does it make when Doc talks to you?

like that?

Well, I mean, definitely when you get new energy as a coach, when you look at a team that's kind of been stuck on the treadmill, haven't really made that leap and you get new coaching staff, somebody that you know, I think they believe in who has that experience, who's won a championship, who's a player coach.

It could be extra motivating to your players.

I mean, doctors gonna get he's gonna come with those pregame speeches that's gonna help you try to run through them all.

And that's what I was gonna say.

Dr is a great talker, you know?

So maybe that's what those guys needed was more encouragement.

You could tell with the way Joy Beat has been playing.

You said he's coaching Tobias Harris the way coached him and and Ellie.

So that's the one thing I'll give doctors Dr, like Paul said, He's a great motivational, and he empowers you to be the best possible use.

So I think that's where they also, you know, got a little advantage right there.

All right, So you did mention the nets.

I got to get your take in the last minute.

This show here What do you think of the Harden Durant?

Now, Kyrie tonight, Nets.

You know when Kyrie wants to play, he's one of the best players in the world.

Um, he wants to come back now.

He's gonna have to be the one that sacrifices.

Because we see how good, James with the ball, How good Katie is soaking Kyrie sacrifice.

I think he can.

Those are good problems for the net.

Another all Star champ.

A guy with experience.

And this team is scary.

I mean, before I said, the Lakers are gonna make the finals and I don't see anybody out East beating them.

I think they have a challenge now with the Nets.

Do you feel like you're already seeing inequality there?

Yes, I am.

E.

You're getting better.

If you know, don't be surprised if you start seeing Jeff Green play more.

Five.

Kevin Durant play five.

Because, DeAndre, they're only true big guy.

Plus the rookie they have.

But when it comes down to the stretch, it's gonna be a small team.

We're gonna see what happens.

Good stuff on the MBA tonight.

Check out ESPN.

Thanks to these guys for joining me, we'll see you tomorrow.

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