Mhm leaving Portland.

It's very simple to me.

Um uh, and the fairness, you know, in the in the interest of full disclosure, I've told Damian Little at this.

I've told C J.

McCullagh minus I.

I think they're one of the best backcourts in the NBA.

Easily top three.

But the bottom line is, I think that in order for them to win the title, one of them is going to have to be moved for big time assets.

To join the other in Portland in order for Portland to capture championship Nurkic is is an injury waiting to happen, and even when he's healthy, he doesn't play any defense.

But he's big time offensively.

You see the other parts around them.

Uh, they're they're good, they're better than average.

But I just think that when you consider the size that exist in both with both l A teams, when you consider what Utah has at its disposal, when you consider the fact that Denver has arrived with the Joker and Jamal Murray and those boys, I just think at some point in time, that back court it's not enough.

And then when you try to compare that the Golden State well, first of all, Golden State is the greatest shooting backcourt in the history of basketball.

And with Klay Thompson a healthy Klay, Thompson and Steph Curry Secondly, Klay Thompson, 67 and can defend.

And so Portland, with Dame and CJ can can outscore most people, and they can drop buckets against anybody but defensively.

What are you going to be able to do?

So I just look at them saying, You know, one of those guys have to go to get big time assets in return for them.

And even though I think that Terry Starts knows basketball, he can coach it or whatever.

There's something missing from him as a coach.

You know, I've always said this to you, too.

J When you look at Derry starts, he knows the game ex's and oh's He's not gonna have you unprepared, but in terms appealing that little something extra out of you to really maximize the potential that he has available to him.

I've never seen that from Terry starts.

He doesn't appear to me to be that kind of coach, and I think At some point in time, the Blazers are gonna have to look at.

That s a with how loaded the West is with LeBron James obviously being there a d with what's happening with the Clippers and Quiet pg Phoenix Suns number two in the West Denver Nuggets.

They're always coming with Yokich.

Do you believe Steph Curry will win another championship in Golden State?

Yes, I think that once as long as Klay Thompson is healthy with the two of them together, I think that Steph Curry is the greatest shooter God has ever created.

I think that Klay Thompson is one of the top five shooters in NBA history.

I think together they're the greatest shooting backcourt we have ever seen.

And it's not just their marksmanship.

This sniper like abilities from long range Klay Thompson has post up ability, and by the way, they really miss from the free throw line.

Last time I checked fouls and foul shots end up equaling up two points as well, and so I look at it from that perspective and I just say to myself, Excuse me, Wiseman, I got news for you.

He's an upgrade from Jaap you, Julia or Andrew Bogut.

I look at the Wiggins and the Kelly you Birds of the world and others.

If you're talking about Klay, Thompson and and and Steph Curry being in a lineup healthy together, I easily have them in a conference finals next year, assuming they're both healthy.

That's how confident I am in their ability to be that productive.

Offensively.

I think Steve Kerr is an exceptional coach.

I think they moved to basketball.

I think their defense was underrated when they were going to five consecutive NBA finals.

Um, I just think that they're not a joke and you're going to have to deal with them.

That's just the way that I view it, and I can definitely see them winning another championship within the next 2 to 3 years.

Absolutely.

Let's stay out West, man.

Right now.

You gotta deal with CP three in the Phoenix Suns.

They sitting at number two, the number two seed.

Right now, that ain't for real.

To the point where they're going.

Well, then I don't even to finish, you know, know Devin Booker is a star.

CP three is an incredible leader.

I can't say enough about Monty Williams.

and this coaching staff and how great of a job that they have done and how he's resurrected that franchise sorrows in the world.

Let me be very clear about that.

But I will tell you this, even though they're an elite defensive team, top five as well.

What I would say to you about the Phoenix Suns is that I think that there's they're relatively young and they're missing a couple of pieces to really get over the hump.

And when we we in terms of us talking about them coming out of the West, could they win the first round series?

Shore?

Could they make a second round series?

Very, Very interesting, Yes, but I think when you talk about the championship equation that you're supposed to have at your disposal, I think they're a tad bit shy of that.

But they do have defense.

They do have leadership.

They do have leadership from the point guard spot without question, and they have a star in Devin Booker.

I just think that ultimately when you go against those experienced teams come playoff time, I can see them going out in the second round.

Thanks for watching ESPN on YouTube for live streaming sports and premium content.