Whether it's health and safety protocols, injuries rest.

But how much concern do we have about it in Brooklyn with the new Big Three that's newly minted playing together for the first time?

They have zero concern, and today you're right.

It won't be any K d won't be any Kyrie.

It won't put any gray in the beard of James Harden.

He's going to embrace.

This is gonna be he versus Luca mano a mano.

We might as well have a wagers game tonight.

We should who's gonna have the most points rebounding assists play at home because that's what today's game is gonna be about.

And so not missing.

Kyrie is not a panic situation because they understand that they have a long term goal, as Mallika just talked about.

Let's talk about James Harden, then Paul Pierce, because during the eight game winning streak, he's almost averaging a triple double.

Like we've seen some of the best player, we wondered how he would change his game and fit into Brooklyn's process.

What have you seen from him so far this season, especially when he's missing two stars alongside him.

Well, I've seen a guy that jumped up and elevated to M V P Status in my eyes.

Right now he is the M V.

P in the league.

Uh, as a as of today?

No, As of today, I mean, they're on a 78 game winning streak, and we've seen what the beard has been able to do.

Elevate not only himself but his teammates.

The Nets are one game away from being in the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

I don't see why we don't talk about this guy being the M v P, even though he does have Kyrie, even though he does have Katie.

But you gotta remember he's only played seven games with those guys.

They haven't had an eight game winning streak all year long.

And think about it.

They've done this without K D.

And so James Harden me in my eyes is the M V P.

As of today.

Now these things can change.

You know it goes week by week.

But today, because of the numbers because of the winning and how he's done it today, he's MTV.

Listen, I think Paul makes that there's a real case to be had for that when Brooklyn traded for James Harden.

I think there are a lot of people who thought he would be a luxury with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

He has turned out to be a necessity.

And here's especially why the role he has taken over as playmaker.

And he has done something that Kyrie Irving did not do in that role as point guard.

And that's elevate his teammates.

Joe Harris, Landry Samet, Bruce Brown.

Uh, those guys are playing at a much higher level, and I know this in that locker room.

They absolutely loved playing with James Harden, and having Kyrie Irving off the ball has really benefited the broader group in Brooklyn.

Terrific point watch.

It wasn't that Kyrie did not do is he doesn't have the ability to do.

That's where James comes in.

That's a terrific point.

I've said this a couple of years ago.

James Harden is the most unique offensive weapon that this league has seen.

He's the only player at some point of his career at some point of his career.

That's going to lead the league in a season in total points, total assists, free throws, made end or three pointers made.

That's a unique offensive weapon, the most unique this game has seen.

And you talk about his player or teammates playing even better.

He leads the league in assists.

Opportunities.

His teammates are shooting 55% off of his passes.

I mean, Uncle P, you you're waving the flag for him to be M v P.

Right It.

Can you keep trying to put that caveat in there?

Um but when Kevin Durant comes back to the court and these two are able to play together after we've seen what Harden is able to do, I mean, what does this team look like when you have K d and Harden playing at the level that we're seeing them play right now?

I mean, this is a dangerous team.

You talk about three guys so you can go two down the stretch and close ballgames.

And we know come playoff games, you got guys.

It comes down to the last minute and you got three guys so you can go through.

They can not only get their own shot and create for others, they can get to the free throw line and knock it down with consistency.

That's what makes them so dangerous.

Because if one of your stars is off, a lot of teams can afford to have one of their stars off that night and they can, and they have other guys that can pick them up.

Ala Kyrie KD or Hardened whichever one is off that night.

But since I've been watching them, I haven't seen none of them off at any point.

Yeah, and we talked about.

They've only played seven games together, but right now, the Nets league or lead the league in offensive efficiency.

So it's been impressive.

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