Ovie Soko says the Bucks won’t make the NBA Finals | NBA Heatcheck

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right?
Oh, yes.
And welcome to another episode of the heat Check.
In a week of MBA action where King James seems to have regained his crown as the man in L.
A.
It's We're gonna break down everything from the Battle of L.
A to the race for eighth in the Western Conference on Look at me.
Joined on the sofa by esteemed company.
As always, my to Cody's are back.
Yeah, my guys, how we do this, we'll spray spray Say no more Fight the virus Fact the virus.
Look, I've got the man on my left here the drip king.
I'm calling this custom piece Gucci top to bottom Momen see on a man to my right, He's in business mode.
I'm gonna clear the king of bake off.
I'm just humbled.
I sleeves like that, David.
Like yours today I gentlemen, what we thinking about when we think about last weekend's action?
I know we all sat down and we watch the battle of L.
A life, but LeBron James absolutely kicked butt Boston got their butt kicked.
I start already.
He has started low already.
I Look, I'm not gonna take it longer any longer.
Let's jump into our first segment.
I don't think it's a bad place to start than obviously still reflecting on what happened in L.
A.
Obviously.
Clippers versus the Lakers.
As you've already said, the Lakers kicked butt.
You have.
But I didn't like just what happened on the court from the Lakers.
I kind of like the attitude that was off the court from the Clippers on, especially Patrick Beverley.
He came out afterwards, and Tom and I made it very clear he is not afraid of anybody.
And then it says Market LeBron James or Garden LeBron James was an easy feat.
So what do you tell Manny?
Think should LeBron James and Patrick Beverley squash this?
Or should Patrick Beverley maybe pick his battles and a bit more wisely?
No.
I love this Oliver identity.
He loves the entities.
Compare sports to athletes, competing hot, take upside down Marga because the fire is falling down the fire.
Look at you.
You're loving the energy that you see him from Pat Bevin.
That's what I'm saying.
This is the right side.
So he's saying, Yeah, I'm saying the opposite Killer energy.
You arguing with the wrong guy?
You know for it to be like a robbery has to be a two way thing.
You know, Boston L.
A.
It's a mutual kind of, you know, it's a mutual kind of deal.
Okay, this is like L a and, like all and well, you know what?
It's actually look at some of the stuff that actually happened this weekend and more than anything else, of course, I looked like a common foul from Patrick Beverley.
But it's here.
It's no allowing LeBron to kind of regain its position, no allowing them to read, recovering in terms of his own mentality and just being the best that we know Patrick Beverley to be doesn't doesn't, doesn't it once more?
He does it twice.
That's his game boat.
And this is the point where I think that every sort of competitive mixer, well, we're thinking a little bit when Patrick Beverley, what's right away like a fly.
He's still there.
Look, it's Kent is personal for him for him, but looking LeBron.
But here's the thing.
You have to do the history behind the university he was traded.
He was traded to the Lakers and then obviously was traded away.
So he and then had to go to Europe to solve, navigate his own career.
No, even then cover debut four years later after being traded into talk drafted in 2009.
It's personal for him.
I don't think that weighs into, I think, what it is like.
Do you guys remember last season in the playoffs around one Clippers against the Warriors?
They thing against diversity.
Patrick Beverley was Gannon to Kevin Durant the same way he's getting on.
So LeBron Patrick Beverley is not even in the same shot spheres.
Kevin Durant as a bar school player, right?
Cary Grant is one of the best scores we ever seen.
Okay, but what is Patrick Bradley's game?
He's not anything on offense.
He's a defensive pest.
He's like a troll in human form on a basketball court, because what does he do?
He gets under your skin.
He irritates you.
Game one against the Warriors.
He will come into round.
Ejected from the game in Game two, he was in Katie's head.
Nine turnovers.
Clippers had that massive come back, one of the biggest comebacks we've ever seen in MBA history.
This is what he does.
This is why he gets paid this wise on the team.
He's in there to disrupt things, shake things up, get under everyone's skin and make sure you know everyone knows it's not gonna be an easy battle over the will come to you quickly.
Obviously, when LeBron James obviously was made his massive move and that the movies, they turn mine and say to Miami, obviously, Patrick Beverley with someone that got waved in the short situation, So he's had to then go and navigate his own career somewhere else.
So he has held that personal grudges hold time.
He then obviously fast forward, is now a star or wants to be a star on this dig and could be a starting guard.
So do you not feel that he has a right to hold this grudge at all?
Roger will be born James test of what it's like.
It's a business.
No, no, no, it's a business.
But you know, there's some people that you just don't you don't mess.
If you don't poke you, don't you don't poke the bear.
That's what goes.
No, no, no, No one around the league does it.
That's what he doesn't think he did it to Katie.
And then what?
Upset.
And then what happened?
What?
The next game?
Off to go.
Katie ejected.
Katie had eight points in 19.
Okay.
And then what?
I know I'm trying to get to the point where they lost that.
I know you're gonna throw it.
If he didn't do any of that, they wouldn't.
Even one that one game, they wouldn't Even one that one game, they would just got swept away fruit.
But he made his point, made his mark on that series.
To know about that team Last year was no joke.
It's not gonna be an easy battle for them.
I'd agree with same thing.
He's cancel a bronze head.
I agree with you in the fact that that's all he that's what he has to bring that would be on the floor.
Cool.
But then my whole point is just don't start.
You know he's picking a fight with the wrong guy.
You can pick that fight with Durant.
Durant, I think a little bit younger than LeBron James and direct, you know, he takes sort of debate online.
You seeing him get into stuff online?
How many times have you ever seen the bond James get into any all occasions online.
Do any of that pay stuff like That's not LeBron James.
So that's the last person you're wasting.
That's his DNA.
That's what he does.
He's got a point.
Not gonna change your just cause you're LeBron jokes.
So loathe The question was, what do you feel like?
Teach teachers deserve to carry the energy.
You feel like you should be said he shouldn't show you Picked the wrong Can't do what he's doing.
Picked the wrong fight.
What?
Just cause he's number on James.
Statistical figure.
All know King LeBron.
Let's bow down to, you know, yeah, against making under schedule against a Hey, Okay, the big question the big question to pose for you then is okay.
There's this energy carry forward.
If, as we all hope in the possible community, these two do meet in the Western Conference in the capital for l keep this energy for the rest of his life is not personal to LeBron James.
It could be honest.
It could be who I mean.
People don't quite seem to be quite, is whoever he goes up against in the parts it's been poor George, You know, I'm saying it.
That's what he does.
That's who he is.
So just because you're LeBron James about one point you've done X, y and Zed.
At what point does he need to tone it down?
What point is it?
He won't know what to say.
Miss Dennis Rodman.
I say Miss Charles Bock's.
This is what these guys do.
As you can see, it's split innovation in hair already on.
We can't wait.
Hopefully, this will become the Western Conference finals when we get to see this over a seven game series.
But fast forward a little bit.
I'm gonna take you now to a blockbuster trade that we'll watch last summer.
Yeah, we turn mine and said its 16th of July 2019 Russell Westbrook traded to the Houston Rockets, obviously in reverse.
Chris Paul traded toe.
Okay, See, Funder.
At that moment in time, everyone felt four.
The winners with Rocket.
I'm not gonna give you a hot take here and say the winners off that trade was actually own.
Casey, take mine.
An agreement is not even close by far by far.
Right?
Give me your detail.
That's why Do you think by far because not only did they receive Chris Paul, who has gone on to prove everyone wrong, and you know the big concern was his big contract in his age, he's proved everyone wrong.
Right now, he's the best forecourt player in the n B A.
He's first in points, first in steals and four guys doing it.
He's taken this okay, CT of everyone thought they'd be down in the bottom of the standings.
They're now in the playoffs.
They're even ranked higher than the Rockets.
At this moment in time, right?
He's heard all the noise.
He's proven everyone wrong, but the biggest thing in this trade is the draft picks.
They gave up two draft picks on to draft swaps, so that means for the next four years, everything you know, if they have to use the markets, if it doesn't work out for them and they slip down standings, those picks are going over to the O.
K.
C funder.
So the Okecie ponder sound.
Presley has done a fantastic job and absolutely finished the Houston Rockets over.
You have to balance it because you talked about that contract.
There are eight million this year for 41 next year and 40 free the year after.
Like that's a lot of money to be paying, but he ended that Chris will be 36 years old.
You're paying for his experience.
You're paying for the experience of a lead guard.
You're a pet.
You're paying for the experience of someone's.
They're gonna be able to teach the other young guys that they have at the moment, which is doing a great job.
You're paying for one of the experience that he's teaching these guys.
So it's not necessarily what you're always going to get on the court, but it's what he's gonna pass on to the next generation and hopefully parcel in the culture that they're trying to build over.
J.
D.
Let me ask you a question, Raoul.
Heavy there.
Would you rather have Chris Paul, uh, for the next two seasons combined 85 million or Russell Westbrook for the next Three Scripts board of 132 million?
No.
Everyone talks about Chris Paul contract.
Russell Westbrook is making mad money to the concert because you asked me, what would I rather have over the next two seasons?
Justice just because election season and a dog just just just I'm just watching.
The players were no not annoyed about the contest.
I'm just watching the players.
I would 10 minutes.
Russell Westbrook ability Your team.
You would rather take Russell what we've seen from Chris Paul this year, the way he's men toward show us Alexander the way he's galvanized his teammates to make this push into a birthday, even pushing for that fifth seat, trying to make their way up there trying to do so in this season.
I don't expect this credible Russell Westbrook has done since the turn of the year.
I'm talking about one of the elite scorers in this.
Andi now has a system which is built around him as much as we turn mine and said Beginning of the season, This is James Harden's team.
I think a lot of people are looking at right now and saying, This is maybe Russell Westbrook.
This is the only way he can do Whoa!
Is Russell West receive now?
But their last four games they've lost their baby Boston.
But I said I wasn't a good win one point in overtime, Then they go absolutely smacked by the Charlotte Hornets on MBA Sundays.
They were down 20 owed.
Starting Amy couldn't score for six minutes.
They lost massive.
And your boys?
The Orlando Magic?
You want to say Lost?
They go.
Absolutely Nobody quivers on in these games.
They're shooting underthings and from three, and the whole thing is shooting a lot of three pointers.
So you live by the sword, die by the three, and right now, it's not looking like it's going well.
Teams have smartened up to it.
At first, they won a few games because teams were taken by surprise, this small lineup bill around Russell Westbrook.
Now teams are packing the pain, and they're attacking hard and fast out onto the clothes out so that the shooter's can't get their shots off.
So it seems that starts figure out the Houston Rockets and in the playoffs is only gonna be a matter of around before a team has been figured out.
So I just want to get this on, take a hot take.
Your Simon is saying that Houston Rockets are gonna go.
How far first round over any disagreement there.
I'm finally, even those I'll take round hasn't got past the first round since Kevin Durant left.
Okay, see someone I know there's no progression.
Zero.
It is completely different scenario.
You're looking at this team with just their plan.
This mobile, I'll get the guys aren't too tiny, but it's still a small team.
No bigs.
How they're going to get the rebounds.
They're gonna get outrebounded.
They're not generating the actual possessions of it.
Seems that having extra possessions, so even if you're scoring, you're free.
Point of teams got more shots to take.
Okay, right.
You know, that's that's the thing with the Houston Rockets is when they're on their amazing, but when they're off their terrible.
So you know, I'm saying first round based on what they're doing in the last four games, they're bigger, right?
But if they get hot and they could go from 23 rounds, it depends on how they heat up.
But, you know, as teams have under remember the plan for seven games.
Remember you said this, it may this conversation to be very, very interesting.
Let's discuss something that's happening right now, and obviously you know what I see any sort of head coach lose their job as you can see the headlines that were last week.
Kenny Ackerson Mutual agreement with the Brooklyn Nets in terms of parting ways.
But I think there's something in the air in New York at this moment in time because I feel like the Nets are moving mad at this moment in time of an East as kind of, let's say, a little bit open in this next time this door developing.
I feel like it was maybe a rash move.
What are youse, Herman and saying about the firing or mutual agreement off Kenny Atkinson?
They're moving mental.
Absolutely, Matt eyes this just play a power.
That's my first question is just just play a power because I don't see any decision happening in that franchise without going past Katie your guy?
Nope.
Set the timer Kyrie on.
Obviously D J is what would be involved because they are the three powerhouses.
They want to build this franchise around.
So what's happening here?
I'm really confused.
Thesis, supposed to be a development project, is played by Eddie said like DeAndre Jordan back in the starting lineup.
Now, Jerry Island, back on the bench, you know, is it is just you insinuating something there, Mr Lindsay?
I don't know.
It's all I'm just saying that they hike in.
Eric Winston Since 2016 they've built a fantastic culture.
People are so quick to forget where the Brooklyn Nets of Builders team from When they got swindled by Danny Ainge and gave up all their draft picks, they were left with no superstars.
They had an agent team that didn't do anything to have no draft picks, no assets, and they didn't sign any big free agent.
So they've managed to make crafty deals, but also their player development has been huge.
And then this past summer, they threw the whole thing away for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, right?
Who wouldn't know, You know, to Soup starts.
Honestly, you can see why they did it, but now I can't really can Atkinson.
You get rid of that blue collar kind of e thoughts and mentally in the culture off the franchise because Kyrie and Katie, I don't want to play them.
DeAndre is not happy with how he's been used so far this season, so it is player power.
I'm no fan of superstar players doing that kind of thing, because really If you're going to join a team, you should be willing to join the culture.
That's him.
That's why you're joining it.
You shouldn't join a team and go and try and change everything.
You should be picking the free agency destination because you want to be a part of the organization on what they've built.
Ovf orbits over Kenya concern because he's got this reputation as being a sort of developing coach.
Someone that I really can't take a team to a championship but really wants a work of young players and mold young players.
But it now put sure Mark in this position of 10 men insane.
What's the next step?
Who would you turn man and higher if you are the Brooklyn Nets GM?
Oh, I think it's Toughman, Andi.
I think it's because you have to ultimately go with who the players are gonna respect.
Respect him, respond to do you know.
I mean, you're gonna have to sit down with Katie.
You're gonna have to sit down with Kyrie primarily because these are the two guys who you know the team will go as those guys go in the upcoming seasons.
So I think not ones.
That one's a tricky one.
It really is because the coaches that on paper, that could fit the bill.
A lot of people are saying Lou, Lou, Lou, and I think that's because, um is obviously a player coach, so that could be where they're coming from.
But then does that even.
What does the does that work with carving that team?
But that was the bro culture not too runny coming to coach you, and I'm not gonna have to really want and also to do.
What I'm saying you have to do is on.
The other thing is that whoever's except in this job has to know that if you don't win a championship or get to the finals, at least you're pretty much gonna be fun at this time.
That shit because they're demanding.
If I can hear consent, how will you expect them to win games without his two superstar players?
You know it's been chaos.
Johnson is a great coach.
I'm hear stories like even in practice.
If he's teaching place, I'll take a charge.
You don't tell them what to do.
He stands there, and that's the six foot 10 and the athlete run at him and he takes the charts to demonstrate the sacrifice it takes.
That's kind of coaches.
He's agree Integral guy.
And, you know, I'm pretty sure he's gonna find another MBA kick real soon.
Why do you know the Nets?
Obviously a very, very popular franchise.
Obviously, you put it out to the N b a community and listen to what the people to turn round and say like they have.
They have actually spoken for who they want as their new head coat.
And as you turn man would think Tyronn Lue would be the lead.
But is this actually a good fit?
Or is this just a playoff Paramount and saying, Look, I want someone that I've worked with before hand in terms of Kyrie Irving.
I don't think I don't think they have.
That team does, in my opinion, doesn't have the maturity to have a coach like Tyrone.
New bluffing Lou Eee leaves a lot in the player's hands.
You know he has a lot of players sons that works with LeBron and that works of inexperienced veteran unit that you really don't have to coach them much.
You can do that because there's a whole lot of things that you don't have to say, you know?
I mean, um, but I think they need someone who that the guys will respect, which is tough a lot there, Fizdale man.
Ever sleep in a Mark Jackson as well.
Okay, you squint your face.
Why?
Why you squinting on my mark.
Say much?
Justin's a good shot.
Mark Jackson's good great foundations there in Golden State taking them over the hump.
Even if they don't get rid of him, I see him being able to take them over the hump.
We talk, I see a CZ just having stepped in.
Ah, perfect time into a perfect situation Not necessary is coaching I'm not, you know, I mean, I'm not great.
He's been out the leaf from in the league has changed drafting leases when he was last.
Cochin involves the next.
I'll be looking for someone you know a bit with a more modern style of coaching because you know Steve Kerr, he came in and you say what you want about him not doing much, but they couldn't get past that final barrier.
Yeah, he's the one who came in an elevator scene up another level.
And what did it?
Didn't he go to work like to back to back players before it went to the playoffs?
But my point is you can't say until you give him a good amount of time to get over the hump like I can't say Martin Jax would be a bad coach for them.
I'm just saying that's not who I would pick if I was.
All right, let's focus on the most.
This season is one obviously top of the Packers, the Milwaukee Bucks.
But they are, let's say, a little bit of a downturn in this moment in time.
So I'm gonna tell man and make a bold statement.
I want the box plans to stay with me for this because I'm genuinely serious when I say this, they will not make it out off the East this season.
Quite take on the world.
Take.
Here we go.
This is the one I've been waiting for us.
What money?
What?
I have to agree with flaming hot take.
Okay, This is good.
I didn't expect that.
Just today.
Yeah, that was a big I was thinking, You know, j d just come off his two centuries.
A big statement Thio someone and but there are a few candidates in Easter comes.
I think it depends on how the bracket matches up, where, where the teams are seated, because I don't think, you know, saying that they won't make it out.
It depends on who they come up against.
I think the Miami Heat will be a very tough opponent for them, especially with about a bio, because it's hard to match the anuses size on his strength and his speed all at the same time.
They've got Bam Adobo, who's done a good job big, you know, they beat the box already during the season.
And then, you know, I'm looking at the Raptor as kind of a surprise candidate.
That would have been strong.
I don't see many people expected them to do well in the playoffs, But Pascal seaq, um, he's kind of built perfectly to take on Yannis on.
Nick Nurse is an excellent coach.
They've been playing excellent team basketball on the main concern for me is not the honest it's Maur.
Is Eric Bledsoe gonna show up this year or is he gonna flake us?
Usually does.
Okay, I think my son is yet.
It's for the reason that playoff basketball is very.
It's 1/2 court game and we all know it's awful game.
Everyone knows what is going to be forced to do.
But is he gonna be able to prove that he's made that jump, that he's been able to grow?
Is he gonna be able to keep the defense honest?
Because if he had say, a bad game one or a bad little stretch, does that now run into the playoffs?
And all of a sudden, he's not even taken the shots anymore?
Because ultimately, we're at a point now where?
Okay, back to back.
M V P.
You know, and this is 11 reason why I rated LeBron James so much for so long because he dealt with a lot of stick from the media that other place couldn't have to deal with for a long time.
Steph Curry has never really had to deal with the expectation that the kind of expectation is pointing LeBron, When you call yourself getting people No, no, no, no, no.
Even other guys who have been looked as the main guy on it on the squad.
They're not given the same kind of expectations that we put in the brunt of bronze, the only player he only playing the MBA that has a triple double on.
Honestly, there will be some reporters.
I'll be I want to put the both of you as well the second option because, as you know, within the place, what's that saying?
There goes my question Mark right there.
Is Chris Militant enough or good enough of the second option to terminal fill in when the artist is maybe not working or it doesn't always has needs to get rest on the bench.
Is Chris Madison going to step into that void all these wide?
I got more faith in Jimmy and Bomb as a duo than Yannis Secrets Middle.
I thought he was under the sacred Jewel.
I think the reason why that team works don't shoot the messenger is because he has a really, really great role plays round.
He doesn't have.
There's no number two days.
There is only one superstar, megastar and young.
It's cool, but they built it toe where, and that's why the Eagle Fingers never like this role.
Players don't do well on the road in the playoffs.
My question was used in Okay, listen to me.
I know is my heart tape, but I still have to balance it.
So Christmas and shooting 2121 points this year, averaging 50 40 90.
I mean, that's you good for you.
Go play with the honest defense will leave you open.
A new hit play with It's on.
A possible court is all about the numbers.
If you put Christmas on another team, are you telling me he's gonna shoot 50 49 on any other team in this league?
Exactly.
Because it's all about the numbers.
Exactly.
If you put in with LeBron, maybe you'll do it.
But no other players Christmas issue or not.
Did you have a question?
Has had the heart of being has a harder question for both of you then which teams knocking?
Which teams knocking the box out, Which is why I say throw old Miami on there, I say.
So your time in and saying anybody, that is a massive failure now, William.
I mean, people don't agree with what we're saying.
That book's going to reach the finals.
I could see them reaching the finals I'm just saying if they match up, they have a matchup against the Heat and, you know, bombs playing excellent basketball.
There's no science is in this league, you know, if there was some seeds in this league, every season, the finals will be the one seed versus of one seed.
Of course, there'd be no reason for the playoffs, but this is what our plans are all about.
The about the surprise is on the unexpected.
And that's what I'm looking for seeing.
I think they overlooked, like the term Oh, the situation that has fallen into.
I think a lot of people have kind of all right, this is another one of those years and they, you know, people already pushed him to the side.
They're gonna be appeal a playoff team.
I'm a month.
I look only six left.
We get to find out what actually does happen in the playoffs and as much as Basket Woo.
As much as basketball was about the superstars and people on top of the game is also a lot of foundation.
The grassroots that's putting things together.
We got very special interview of a guy called Karen Thompson who does a lot of in the bridge community, so we find ourselves in Nottingham with Manti.
My right has become a bit of a local legend.
After winning the BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero Award for his work in the community, Karen Thompson talked to me a little about Hey, what is it?
Yeah, so helping kids achieve is a project self to get young people off the streets, get them doing something positive with themselves instead of in front of a computer, are or getting up to mischief.
Really, that's great.
And it seems to be a sort of all centered around basketball wire that you choose.
Basket.
Was it basketball you went with?
So basketball is the fastest growing sport in the U.
K.
What there isn't, but there isn't enough facilities for the people to play the sport.
And so I for ourselves for basketball project Thio get young people in so they can access it for a low cost.
Really?
You're in charge of parts.
Come in.
I enjoy themselves.
It looks great Now what made you start this?
Because it's quite it's quite big.
Ask Thio, start something like this.
What made you put away your time and effort for me.
I got sick of seeing young people getting Stubbs the secrecy and people getting involved in consultation, behavior, that kind of thing.
So I have to do something about it like I always used to talk about.
We need to make a change in the communal eating, like I never really put my money where my mom after I really like you know, That's why I just started here.
Do you see some of the kids and think maybe a four month span must've Lee, you know, we've been going for, like, over a year now.
I've seen young people when they start at low confidence, a little self esteem, you know?
But now they're young leaders to the younger kids in the session.
You know, in the center of public example, that's what it's all about.
I really like him that people talk to me a little bit about what's next for the projects way we've got right here.
What?
You're sore plans over the next Maybe a year?
Two years?
Yeah, So in set sambar start in the basketball, cutting me.
So we've got we've got in the pipelines in conjunction with a school.
Yeah, so in conjunction with local school board well, academy PMG past, move, grin Also, who are like the people that have the scholarship there so that they're working with them in partnerships, basketball dates or a day to day for you.
How much?
How much of your sort day or how much of your week is taken up with K every day, every day?
If it's not the people work.
If it's not the e mails, phone calls, the medians, you know, doing interviews like this.
I'm not sessions every single day, you know?
So it takes up all my time looking Urdinola someone that has never wondered just what is the feeling that all of this will What was that out of this world like it was, really is the most real movement.
When I was up on the stage with, like, every linen got blue goon, you know, like it was a very real experience on real experience.
Yemen, like it was amazing to be recognized on stage.
Yeah.
Gary Lineker.
Gabby Logan.
Yeah, you're right.
It's an absolute pleasure.
Really loved working.
Yeah, I really appreciate it.
Wrap here in Nottingham.
We're going ahead ourselves back to London on its Just See you next time, Mr Kieran Thompson.
Thank you so much for the work that you do, man.
Another unsung hero in the possible community, as two gentlemen has come from the sort of grass roots here in bridge basketball.
How does that sort of make you feel about when you see people doing work like that?
I love it, man.
Like anything that gives kids on opportunity to get off the streets, stay out of trouble and get involved in side.
I keep them held, accuse him active, and they can potentially puts you changing the whole life through basketball because bus will change my whole life.
So I love to see things out.
That money and you as well over here.
Well, I don't know.
Um I would something really similar growing up kept me out of trouble.
Kept me busy.
It gave me something.
Give me a career.
A man, of course, gave me a career.
But, you know, it teaches you way more than that money.
Even if it doesn't end up being your career.
Like it'll teaching things about life as much as we appreciate the stuff.
Obviously, at the grassroots level.
Let's dump back up to the elite level with its own man and say in a stump into our next segment off the court.
Now, this is gonna be our hard segment to sort of discuss.
And I'm gonna disclaimer if your New York Knicks fan at this moment in time, you might want to maybe shut the laptop, turn off the TV, or maybe just hold your ears for a second.
Because we are gonna talk about James Dowland.
We are gonna talk about one of the most famous franchises across the whole of sports.
And yes, you can see these two guys are shaking their heads already because the New York Knicks isn't a bit of disarray at this moment in time, this moment in time or the last 20 years, I'm just gonna thio timeline of it.
But we're just gonna talk about recent interview of sorts of incidents.
First, Spike Lee, Charles Oakley, those of high profile things from fans out.
I'm gonna ask you both a question.
First of all, a wider question.
Is it time the league steps in to sort of handle what is one of the most famous franchises in basketball.
I don't think you can step in just a terrible.
It's not just because you're saying the most famous franchise if they were in Minnesota, assuming we don't step in, you don't get a privilege for just being in a big sea on.
It's not like there's corruption going on, and it's not like with anything else like that.
It's just a bad owner, bad management and bad decisions.
You can't step in just someone's bad at that.
I'm so glad you both said that because I'm now gonna ask you for How would you fix it if I was who?
From what perspective?
How would you fix a situation that's happening right now in New York?
It's really owned the team.
If I was the manager, if I was the coach, your James Dowland, Um, if I was just I had the nervousness of your voice, your James don't I would sell the team.
That's what that's only if he can do, because when has it worked?
You know, was it was that Einstein that said only a fool tries the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.
You know, like he's beefing with everyone you know, your your supporters and your icons like Spike Lee is an icon.
You think of the New York Knicks on Madison Square Garden.
You can't You can't even picture it without Spike Lee being there courtside.
He's been there for every iconic moment had that iconic arena and then for you to try and, you know, put out a press release statements throwing shade at him because he allegedly used the wrong entrance or whatever is that.
Can't run for me.
You know I'm not.
I'm not a fan of seeing that, I mean over.
Just from a winning perspective, The second worst winning franchise over the last two decades is the New York Knicks.
They need the old school unicorn.
Jennifer him?
No, I mean, I'm peeing on any of the old school unicorn.
They need a special player to come.
They had No, no, no, no.
I mean, no.
No way Beautiful is that they had a unica.
When?
When?
I mean special, though.
I mean number one pick.
I'm talking about one of those players that comes around every 20 years.
They need one of those when I say that, because you can't necessarily just bring any kind of superstar there because the end of the day, everyone just thinks about our next Knicks.
No, these are grown men living in New York City with almost unlimited money, and everyone in this city knows them.
Look it like that.
Now you're wondering why players can't perform now.
You won all but they may called.
No, they live, They live.
His thing is No.
No, but this is a big part of it.
Not a big part of it, you know, I mean, so when you have a special kind of play, if you take a Kobe Bryant or a Johannes or someone who's driven by being great and that won't be distracted by being in one of the biggest cities in the world, New York is one of the most pop in cities in the world.
You know what I'm saying?
So, like, they need someone who hears a finger.
If they get someone else to leave, why would they want to stay in the Oh, honestly, like those kind of things?
You don't know what's going on.
We've got to do what you want to stay an organization.
This time last year, we were sitting in the summer, we would talk in and say, and they were talking about Katie Kyrie ends.
I'll be in the hot beer.
That franchise, No, that's never gonna happen, is delusion.
There's no offer from base that every year somehow thinks that miracle is gonna happen on the best place in the world are gonna magically because you've got famous franchise and everyone's watch friends and see Jennifer Aniston wearing next jumper, weighing the best players.
I'm saying a special playable.
Okay, they like, you know, I'm saying I'm saying I know, Yeah, someone who's chasing off the whole thing is going to get them.
Oh, yeah, that's why I'm saying they need a lucky because you're not great at drafting players.
Artie about is a solid pick.
But, you know, they drafted Porzingis was great.
And then he wanted out and he got traded away because in the picture around A ll the dysfunction and they don't want to be around.
That went over.
My question to you is now Liam Rose, a new general manager.
How does he saw change the culture that is new New York Knicks?
At this moment in time, you need to figure out who are your leaders in the locker room and who was like, Who?
The most influential guys in your locker room, and you need to get those guys on board first things first.
Because regardless of who you bring in here, you know it's the guys you have most influenced in the locker room that you're gonna have have to carry your message and they're gonna have to relay your message.
And they have to believe in your message because ultimately, that's the only way you're gonna get older players to buy.
It has to come from within the locker room.
You're not going to bring a coach or someone from this level like That's not where big changes made.
It's made from within the group.
Thio.
Do I do like the higher off roads to be that digital magics.
It's following the direction that the Warriors went in with Bob Myers on the lake swimming with Rob Pelinka because they get an agent to step into that front office.
And you know this guy's represented Allen Iverson, who represented LeBron before LeBron moved over to club sports.
He was instrumental in that organizing that big free in Miami.
So you know it's worked for the Warriors has worked for the Lakers.
I'm not saying it will work for the Knicks, but I can see the direction that they're trying to emulate.
I look because in New York, Knicks have such a less a loyal fan base.
Hopefully, by the summer will have something about.
But let's move on until I met segment posted up.
Okay, gentlemen, let's switch gears a little bit less.
Focus on stuff that's happening back on the court again on the race.
There is for the eighth position in the Western Conference, which is heating up nicely.
Let's say so.
I'm gonna come, too.
Both way.
Get out.
I knew it.
So obviously, Memphis, hold that position in this moment in time, sitting flat 500.
But let's have a look at the table and actually understand us to all the other teams that could potentially put themselves into that position.
So when you see that list, even though that the new new all in pelicans are four games back, the Sacramento Kings are very similar record.
Portland Trailblazers.
They're still in the mix, sort of.
San Antonio Spurs on dhe over the one for you to smile about Devin Booker on those Phoenix Suns.
So I'm gonna come to you both.
I'm gonna ask you with the run ins, taking everything into consideration with the players that's coming back from injury.
Where do you see that?
A position going?
I see John Mara and holding a rookie of the year trophy in one hand on the eighth round, sweep in its Okay.
You got there.
He got there.
I honestly can't see them.
Guys, I think the on the toughest competition they might have for it's what will be New Orleans.
But I say that because of the strength of schedule, you know, New Orleans, they have a much easier path to the eight a swap.
But still they have to win the games, of course.
But then also, I like the unit in Memphis.
Man, I feel like the tougher games those guys show up, you know?
I mean, they show up.
I feel like they really like the biggest big stage.
You fooled me.
They still have that sort of college youthfulness with their Memphis has had a great culture standing all the way back from Zach Randolph, the great grizzly.
I like that.
But there's two games between the pelicans and a grizzly.
They have to face each other twice.
I think whoever wins those two is gonna have the edge.
But I know you guys love it when I bring the numbers.
So you know your stats and Americans have a 62% chance of reaching the eight seed.
Where's the Grizzlies?
Is significantly lower.
I believe it to be only 18 based on, like you said, the strength of schedule.
And it seems the remaining because if I'm looking at some of the opponents that have pelicans therefore games behind, But I gotta face the King's dispersed the Grizzlies, the king's degrees, these birds, the Suns and Spurs and all of those teams.
But I like that they are significantly easier running.
You know that four game difference might have been because they've had four harder games where, you know the grease is still yet to face those higher seeded opponent.
You both surprised me honestly, both surprised because none of you even considered the Portland Trail Blazers.
Are you trying to tell mine and say Dame, CJ and even mellow 10% is the on the trail places.
I'm just saying they also have understanding of what it takes to get into the place.
So you lost the lot off.
I've been losing games like David yesterday, you know?
I mean, like, in any games and no kids is going to come back.
But is he really enough to be that guy that pushes your team over the hump and you know, he comes back.
He takes away minutes from Whiteside and he gets unhappy.
I don't know how well that's gonna figure itself.
I don't see Portland it wider question for Portland.
Terry starts.
Obviously, it hasn't worked out this year.
This would be his first year since his first season.
They hasn't made the playoffs what we're saying about his future.
He's made that Poland team overperform over the years, to the point where we're now expecting them to achieve things with just Damian Lillard, a superstar, because I don't consider CJ McCollum a superstar player like that.
He's a two.
He's a he's a good to a barrel Thio.
You're talking about the teams in the West, LeBron and 80 Cohen.
No, no, no.
We're not talking about these mega, but That's what people are expecting reporting.
Because they've had so many years being the number three, the number four team in that conference.
People who become accustomed seeing Portland up there.
Okay, so you two down in Miami going Oh, God.
Jimmy and bam, bam!
You're gonna told me we're on a second column isn't on like lovers.
But our day you weren't around for them way.
Ugo talking this lease, Let's jump into our next segment, top five.
The reason I made reference to this leave right there is because, as you see my guy right here, the drip king has come in Gucci talked about with his custom piece around his neck.
So I'm gonna give this segment to you.
Take away my God, What have you see?
Oh, it's about what you Seo to off the court this week.
We could have a couple interesting outfits and a couple sneakers.
Now, of course, I and I, for your goods to show you guys and get your opinions wherever it's the drip, However, it's a drunk.
So I know where the orb is coming into tailored suit.
And Janey's coming with this the shy whatever, you know, full well, that you guys to get their opinions on the drip or the drowned.
So first up, obviously, in my opinion, the most fashion will play in the n b A.
We got P.
J.
Tucker.
This is one of his pregame fits.
What did you just say?
The most fashionable pain.
I'm a king's guy.
I'm a sneaking a way.
Those Would you wear those?
Charles?
What catches my eye is in his hand.
He has the Jordan four, but is the O.
G.
Neon the vote editions off the Georgia Ford are releasing this month for six months, You know, they know out.
Yeah, he's come for you.
Roast Deacon.
No one else about training way.
Hey, Training to be a right at the next one.
Next stop.
Because this this one my favorite piece of the week.
Damian Lee from