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NBA Basketball 🏀 Conference Finals (West OKC Thunder/SA Spurs) + (East Cleveland Cavaliers/NY Knicks)
1 Playsin 14 hours
NBA Basketball 🏀 Conference Finals Preview + NBA Finals Predictions
West OKC Thunder/San Antonio Spurs + (East Cleveland Cavaliers/New York Knicks)
Featuring Bobby G (Audible Sports) + 19 Media Group Desmond Powell (Mid Post Podcast)
TOPICS: MVP Winner Shai Gilgeous Alexander (SGA) defeats Nikola Jokic
Playoff Update/1st 2 Rounds Review + Conference Finals Preview + Finals/Champion Picks
#sports #nba #basketball #nbabasketball #nbamvp #nbafinals #nbaplayoffs
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Transcript
Introduction and Future Plans
00:00:05
Speaker
You can't prepare, now get ready for the show.
00:00:13
Speaker
you on the page that' why they call me straight quo great he don't be float like jordan after the second timey free eatated
00:00:47
Speaker
yo yo yo what up friends welcome back ball and bods we are here again yes three days in a row this weekend you will get me a fourth day tomorrow as well yes been a tremendous week we started off monday with poppy and the professors sports uh so look forward to that i'm trying to get my pops into doing that full time so we'll see if i can make that happen but that was so much fun good times good viewership Then we had last night on Wildcard Mars Late Night
Upcoming Events and Segments
00:01:19
Speaker
Owl. Salute to my brother Wildcard Mars. Thank you for having me on last night. Y'all go check that out. Fantastic episode. Obviously tonight we have and NBA. I got my brothers Bobby G and Desmond Powell with me. So they will be joining me in just a moment. Hopefully maybe we'll even get a Cowley sighting possibly. So that would be of tremendous. And then tomorrow night, don't forget, total evisceration, 8 p.m.
00:01:43
Speaker
Sorry, actually, 7 p.m. Eastern. We're going early tomorrow, 6 central. 7 Eastern, total evisceration. Hot take, Jake versus the sports professor. We'll be talking a little Kendrick and Drake. We'll be talking a little NFL schedule release and some NBA playoffs as well. So catch that tomorrow, 7 p.m. Eastern. That being said, before we get started, I do want to come on um on
Personal Reflections on Life and Friendship
00:02:02
Speaker
my own for a second. And let me turn down this background music. um You know, it's important, y'all, as we get older in life, that you tell the ones that you care and the ones that, you know, your family, your friends, that you love them and how much they mean to you.
00:02:18
Speaker
Because life is so short and you just never know when your time is coming, when... you know, the good Lord will call you home. So, um you know, this is a tough, tough few days for me. We found out a childhood friend of mine, um you know, when i moved to Virginia and, um my you know, my dad was in the military and I started elementary school.
Tribute to Tony Nylander
00:02:44
Speaker
There were only a few ah friends that I had at that point in time, including obviously,
00:02:49
Speaker
ah you know, my my Woodbridge brothers, but in terms of actual, ah you know, Lorton, Silverbrook Elementary, shout out to all my people at Silverbrook Elementary, Hayfield ah Secondary High School, where we had our middle and high school, everybody there.
00:03:04
Speaker
um And so today is just a solemn day because we are reminiscing on the passing arrest in power to Tony Nylander. Again, Tony Nylander was one of my ah first friends. Oops, let me get that back up there for you. One of my first friends when I was very young.
00:03:24
Speaker
I mean, I think I met him probably when I was six years old, I want to say. And I just remember all the times we would wrestle in his basement pretending, you know, he was the Undertaker and I was Razor Ramon. I was always Razor Ramon because was a Puerto Rican. But anyways, we had so much fun growing up together, you know, playing basketball and just the the things that that go through life. And again, you just never know.
Tony Nylander's Basketball Legacy
00:03:50
Speaker
um Unfortunately, ah you know Tony was having a regular day the other day, came home from a walk, took a shower, and the next thing you know fell over and unfortunately has gone gone home.
00:04:02
Speaker
And so we we remember him, we love him, we care for him. um If you are friends of Tony or family of Tony or want to help, ah they do have more information on Facebook. There's Zelle donations. There will be a funeral coming soon. Once I know arrangements, I will announce that here. ah But yeah, Tony was a a friend of mine and a kind soul. a smile that would light up a room. And I also say this today because he was a tremendous basketball player. He led Hayfield, my high school, to our only state championship appearance when I was there. They've gone a couple more times since I left now. Shout out Carlos Point Dexter doing a tremendous job there as well. um But this was back in 2000. And, you know, Tony, he averaged 17 points,
00:04:50
Speaker
um Nine rebounds. You see, I circled him there in the red. And he led our team. as our senior center, 6'6", dropped 36-12 on Oakton in the Final Four, took us to the state championship, and we lost to Grandy, but it was an amazing time, so amazing. I got a reckless driving because I was late to the game, and I started speeding, and I got caught by a cop.
00:05:16
Speaker
Just ah a neither here nor there story, but just a little tie-in there. ah But, yeah, he led our school to glory there. And just one last memory. This was him and I back in 1995, I want to say. ah The Chicago Bulls had come to town to play the Washington Bullets at this time.
00:05:36
Speaker
They were still the Bullets. um And it was my one and only time ever seeing Michael Jordan play. And it was him and his father, Arthur, may he as well, rest in power, that took me to that game to be able to watch that. So I was blessed enough to have them as ah as friends, family. Jeremy Cleveland shot was there with us that day. So again, a rest in power to Tony in loving memory. Again, go out and tell everybody you know, your friends, your family, that you love them. Let them know. nu Luckily, Tony and I had just talked a couple months ago when he shared that picture with me and we we shared our love with each other. So, you know, I have no regrets, but definitely don't want to go into life with regrets. So say I love you to everybody.
00:06:16
Speaker
All right. Rest in power, Tony. Love you, bro. All right. As tough as it is ah you know to transition from something like that, as they say in Hollywood, ah the show must
Transition to NBA Discussion
00:06:28
Speaker
go on. And you know if we're trying to get paid for this and i'm go make Tony happy being a broadcaster, well, you know we got to start somewhere.
Guest Introductions and NBA Talk
00:06:35
Speaker
So NBA basketball, yes, indeed. We got a game coming up in just about 25 minutes, they got Victor Wimbayama putting on his compression socks, and I got two of my boys with me. They be having my back like some compression socks, like a bra back a back brace. They here when I need them.
00:06:55
Speaker
Yes, indeed. You always see them on every basketball show that I am on. Shout out to my brother from Audible Sports, Bobby G. And let me get this up. Hold on, Bobby There he is.
00:07:11
Speaker
What's up, my brother? What's good, man? What's good, man? and for the First and foremost, condolences to you and and friends other friends and family of of your your brethren.
00:07:22
Speaker
You know, always tough. Same for me this week. is is ah You know, um my brother who I started this podcast journey with who I talk about. um Yes. Passed away. His birthday was a couple of days ago.
00:07:35
Speaker
So, you know, it's always a tough, tough week for me. But, you know, we we got to keep going for those, you know, keep them alive here and here. And, you know, we know that they're they're looking down on us, wishing well and and smiling for our success. So, you know, just keep that in mind.
00:07:52
Speaker
I can hear the emotion in your voice. And I know, ah you know, from us becoming friends over this ah content creation thing, I've learned you to be a very um introspective, ah um humble and loving person. So I know how much he must have meant to you and the reason that you continue to do audible sports. So we look to make both of them happy and everybody that passed on that maybe in your life that you want to make happy today. Let's do it. Go ahead and let them know where they can find you, my brother.
Social Media and Engagement
00:08:22
Speaker
Oh, right there, man. you know X at official Bobby G. you know If you want to combat anything I say, if you want to have a good old back and forth, I'm i'm all about it. i I duck no smoke. And then, of course, on the YouTubes, Game Time, underscore Bobby G. Me and Big Mike with Game Time 216, talking on Cleveland sports and, of course, at Audible Sports Podcast. Me, April, Jess, girl, and Wild Card Mar, Thursdays and Fridays, where we know Thursdays is all football and Fridays is Who knows where the conversation goes? Sometimes sports, sometimes other things. We had good verses with Eddie Murphy and Vince. You never know what we're going to talk about on Friday.
00:09:00
Speaker
Yes, that was amazing. And I had an idea. You all should do all-time TV shows. And I want to help judge that if you do. All-time TV show? Okay. All right. Next up from 19 Media Group representing he is the Midpost Podcast, Midpost Pod on IG, our brother Desmond Powell. What's good, brother?
00:09:26
Speaker
What's up? What's up? Good to link with both of you guys again. Of course, beautiful intro, Professor. I know condolences both to both of you gentlemen. I know you guys are playing with a little extra love now. So, you know, it's good to join you guys.
00:09:40
Speaker
Hey, we appreciate you joining us on such a good day. Thank you for those thoughts. Go ahead and let the people know where they can find you, my brother. ah Yeah, for sure. ah At Desmond Powell underscore on all platforms, ah Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, especially Twitter nowadays with the NBA playoffs going. Even when I'm not, if I'm not making shows, I'm i'm usually tweeting during the games, everything thing that I'm seeing. So that's definitely the best place to find me.
00:10:08
Speaker
There you go. Actually, let's go three man. I like the three man better here for now. All right. There you go. So make sure you... Oh, pause. Wow. That was super reckless. I apologize to all my fans out there. That expected better that was reckless. um Anyways. Yeah, no, but I do like this, ah this layout better though. So let's go ahead and go with this as we get into it again. Thank y'all for tuning in. Make sure you subscribe to ball and buds, B-A-L-L-A-N-D-B-U-D-S on YouTube. Handy QR code up there at the right. We'll take you to our link tree. You can subscribe to YouTube, follow, follow,
00:10:42
Speaker
on Instagram, all that other good stuff. Hit that like button, whether watching now or on the replay. Helps out everybody here in the algorithm. It gets us out to people that don't know about us. That should as well. Hit that notification bell. So you know when I go live, we go live, whatever. Oh, whenever the channel goes live, you will know. That being said, let's get some comments here real quick. Shout out to Paula Zhao 2000. Thank you for tuning in. We really appreciate it. And shout out to Alex Hart2916. It's his birthday. a
00:11:14
Speaker
who who who who perfect flavor Happy birthday to Alex. We appreciate it. Thank you for tuning in and spending your birthday with us. We hope you get some good and NBA knowledge. That being said, gentlemen, let's kick. Oh, wait, one more thing. I forgot.
00:11:31
Speaker
We are live on Millions. Cannot forget our friends on Millions.co. If you are an athlete, if you are a content creator and you want to do interviews with athletes or content creators, Millions.co is the place you want to be. I've been on there. I've done interviews with plenty of athletes and it's actually brought me some really good connections in networking. It was how I got to interview Sabio Vega through a connection there and other things. So,
00:12:00
Speaker
Millions.co, shout out to them, they always treat me right ah Y'all go check them out for content creation Alright, now let's go First of all, we must talk about the MVP, gentlemen The last time we were on, we all had our and MVP picks And if I remember correctly, you can correct me if I'm wrong But I believe we all picked SGA, is that correct?
00:12:20
Speaker
Yeah, I think it was November. Yeah, I thought so. Okay. Yes, we all picked SGA. um You know, as we mentioned, though, Nikolai Jokic at the end of this end of the season had the that game where basketball reference actually had him ahead in the race. But a month after that, later, as they go through the playoffs, you know, I think that think the voters are definitely, ah you know, a little...
00:12:44
Speaker
Not a little, but they're definitely take something from the playoffs in terms of voting, even though it's supposed to be a regular season award. um So you see the stats on your screen. Bobby G, start us off here, brother. What did you think about Shea Gilgis-Alexander winning? Do you think he deserved it over Jokic? What are your thoughts?
00:13:03
Speaker
I mean, multiple people deserved it, and picking a winner truly is – they say beauty is an eye the beholder. You know, so is your MVP vote. Like, you can make a case for Shane. You can make a case for Jokas. You can make a case for Wemby. You can make a case for Cade Cunningham. Like, it really just goes into what you feel. Don't you dare slight Jalen Brown like that.
00:13:27
Speaker
move on i Put some respect on my man's name. He can get honorable mention. We'll give him that. But, you know, it's it's whatever you look for. Like, I mean, I think Yoko's is the first person ever average a triple double and not get it.
00:13:43
Speaker
if I could be wrong. I'd have to do a little bit more due diligence, but just off top my head, I think he is. The only person to do that and not get it. um But yeah, I mean, the best player on the best team this year, for those who want to say that Shea, well, he's got the most help. Well, he played a lot of the bulk of the season without Jalen Williams and without Chet for a while.
00:14:03
Speaker
So he actually did a better job leading this season than the last season. And they still came on top. Still still best record ah in the league. Still number one seed overall.
00:14:15
Speaker
So it's well-deserved, you know. But the thing here, and look at these voting results, Desmond. It was a blowout in terms of votes. He won by 300 overall votes. Like, that's not as close as we all thought it was going to be.
00:14:30
Speaker
ah Yeah, for sure. And even, you know, I thought there was a little bit of a a case for Wemby to get second. That was something that I was a a little surprised of, too. Like, I love Jokic, but there I and I know they finished the season with what, like an 11 game winning streak or something like that. So I know that definitely padded his case. But I was a little bit surprised at that, too. Like just not just that gap with Shea, but even Wemby getting third. I was kind of thinking he was he kind of snuck in there for second at the end. So it was definitely a good race for sure.
00:14:58
Speaker
Yeah. I mean, you're not wrong. And even though, again, it's a regular season award, we've seen what Wemby can do just from yesterday's game. And we'll talk about that in a little bit. um So, yeah, he definitely had a case to be made and will be having that case every year going forward. God forbid any injuries. But this year it was Shea Gilgis-Alexander over Joker with Joker, which, by the way, as was mentioned,
00:15:23
Speaker
um He led the league in rebounds and assists as a center, something that, as we talked about, has never been done before. That's pretty impressive in itself. Now, SGA had a historically efficient season, as we also talked about. And I think also, and this is what I talked about when we were picking our winners, what put me over the edge was team success. And the fact that he had 64 wins with the Thunder, even though, and this is your sports professor's fact for this,
00:15:54
Speaker
The Thunder had the third most injury minutes in the and NBA during the regular season. And Shea still led them to a 64 and 15 or 64 and 18 regular season record. So, Babaji, any other thoughts on this?
00:16:13
Speaker
ah and just Just like understand, maybe Wimby's push came because i think it was just too little too late. If you really think about it, during the course of the season, the only time early in the season he paid attention to the Spurs was because they beat OKC.
00:16:30
Speaker
And then they went on their run at the end the season. It's like, oh, wow, the Spurs are really good at basketball. well They were good all year. you just Nobody just noticed. you know They kind of flew under the radar. um I think another thing that might have dampened this case was when they had that late game against Denver where Joker just kind of took it to him and that that kind of elevated yokage's standings and kind of diminished wimby a little bit just like kade um excuse me kade getting that collapsed lung really late really kind of put a damper on on this situation especially since they kept winning after you know after his injury so
00:17:06
Speaker
Yeah, I do think that that didn't necessarily help his case. Although, again, I'm putting Jalen Brown above Kate Cunningham, if you're asking me. The the Boston Celtics should have never gotten anywhere close to second with that roster. Let's be completely honest, gentlemen.
00:17:20
Speaker
History goes a long way. No, you're right. You're right. Jake, who is a Spurs fan, by the way, we must note before we get to this comment, says he led the league in one stat free throws. This damn MVP was a joke.
00:17:34
Speaker
Also, ja Jake voted for Joker. That's another point I should point out. Thank you, Jake, for tuning in. Y'all catch me versus Jake tomorrow. Total evisceration. Look, again, it could have gone either way.
00:17:46
Speaker
It really could have. I would not have been mad had they chose Joker. um But again, this also goes into the voter fatigue thing we talked about. I think with vote with Joker having won it a couple of years already, and I think with SGA getting screwed out of it a couple of years ago when he probably shouldn't win it, I think those all kind of lent credence to this, them giving him the win.
00:18:08
Speaker
there Yeah, yeah. Agreed. All right. Cool. Well, let's keep it moving. What are the other big topics right now? We must talk about the biggest things that may happen this offseason. First of all, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. So what do we know?
00:18:26
Speaker
First of all, we know that the Lakers are happy to have LeBron back. The thing will be, can they figure out the money? Because as most people know with veteran players, you can pay the player, but it's how much should you pay the player? Because technically LeBron James is worth $150 million dollars every year, if we really want to be honest, since he's still selling them tickets. I'm a LeBron hater and I can admit that. But But when you're looking at that, you're saying, OK, so how much can we actually pay him and still fill out a roster? Because they've got to fill out that roster and fill the holes. Now, I mean, I think Achimura is a good player. Luka, obviously, nothing needs to be said there. Reeves is good. But they're going have to figure that out. And then you got Giannis, right? What are the Bucs going to do? a few months ago, we would have thought that he's gonna he was going to stay.
00:19:20
Speaker
But now we look at the precipice of they have to trade him, including the owner saying that a trade is going to come. So I want gentlemen, I want you to both touch on both of those. Desmond, let's start with you. What are your thoughts?
00:19:32
Speaker
ah Yeah, the the Lakers thing is weird because as you were talking, I instantly thought of Kobe. And even if it isn't the exact same situation, it's like at this point, like you're I think you also even have to think about is it be it it being LeBron's last season. Now it's going to be like, well,
00:19:49
Speaker
all right, well, we're just going to do what we got to do to make sure he has this grandiose exit. like So and there there might come a point where it's like, we don't even really care about the roster if it's going to be LeBron's last season. We're just trying to give him a somewhat decent exit, I guess. um And then there's the other side where I'm just like, I'm just really curious about the Lakers. I don't really know how much...
00:20:13
Speaker
they can do and I feel like in the last few seasons they just haven't been the same free agent destination that they that they could be I don't know who's sitting there like I want to play with them especially because I think the dynamic of Luka Doncic and potentially LeBron James like those guys have the same effect on an NBA roster so if you're not willing to just sit in the corner and shoot threes and play defense if you're any other kind of player you're probably not going to want to play for them So i don't I don't really know what what the Lakers are.
00:20:46
Speaker
i don't really know what they're going to do with some of those guys other than get the same kind of players. But on the Giannis side of things, now, I think what's interesting is that there are some teams that are probably going to be willing to make some gambit moves. And I think one of those teams is the Minnesota Timberwolves. And I think if they really get sacrificial, they should be trying to get Ant-Man Giannis. Now, I don't know if Giannis would want to play there.
00:21:11
Speaker
But that's that's where my brain is going. ah who would Who would you, I guess, Randall, even who would you have to trade to get Giannis in that?
00:21:23
Speaker
And I think that's the thing. Like, the Timberwolves are going to have to sit in and think about, like, is who's who's the sacrifice? Gobert, McDaniels, both of them. and I think now Randle is definitely, like, if they were to get somebody like a Giannis, Randle's probably not going to be in a Minnesota jersey next season. But, i like, I would not be surprised if Jaden McDaniels, as beloved as he is, is somebody they might be willing to sacrifice if it comes down to potentially moving the needle, especially in a Western Conference, where it's going to be Wemby and Shea. for the next decade.
00:21:56
Speaker
That's big facts. That's the thing is that, yeah, you don't expect, ah you know, God forbid, again, injury. You don't expect either of those teams to, that you expect them to be up there at one and two. Bobby, what are your thoughts on these situations?
00:22:08
Speaker
ah For the Lakers, this is management's message to the roster.
00:22:16
Speaker
shut up oh okay shut up sit back and enjoy world because it ain't about winning it's about money uh should lebron and should they decide to uh keep lebron should lebron stop decide to stay in l la you're looking at ticket prices going up 20 to 25 percent shouldn't know in this latin like i mean just just look at her on a different sport but you you think the pittsburgh stillers aren't happy aaron rogers took his happy ass on tv and said this is my last season Oh, yeah. Right.
00:22:46
Speaker
Oh, yeah. We're going to be mediocre. You know, they're tired of the eight and eight seasons. Well, eight and eight and making a bunch of money, you know, sounds a lot better. Right. um The question is really up to LeBron.
00:22:59
Speaker
Like, do you just want the farewell tour or do you want the farewell tour and the opportunity to compete? If he does, he's going to have sacrifice.
00:23:12
Speaker
um So the question becomes where would he want to take that sacrifice? um There's all his talents. No, I'm not saying that stupid sticks. That's great.
00:23:28
Speaker
To me, there's only three places that make sense, um which is obviously staying in L.A., going back back to Cleveland. And the third going to New York.
00:23:41
Speaker
Like always every time he's he's come available. He's always been a link between him and New York and it's the other you know other biggest market right. Well because a lot of people are sick.
00:23:55
Speaker
Oh we lost on those now let's go now Bobby T and Buds now but um that's his thing as far as Giannis. oh That one's a little bit tougher.
00:24:09
Speaker
um A lot of teams are going to pick up that phone. lot teams picked up the phone to trade them on. Milwaukee, to a degree, has expressed what they would like in the trade.
00:24:22
Speaker
To the extent I know for a fact. the discussion between them and the calves was evan mobley and four first rounders um yeah yeah two two uh legit first rounders and two so we have two swaps that we have available to get so if that's the floor of a trade i think you're gonna knock a lot of teams out so then it goes to what teams actually have the access to make this happen
00:24:49
Speaker
And where were ah but clearly, where would Giannis accept the trade to? um Utah looks interesting, right? Utah. You number got the number two pick in the draft.
00:25:02
Speaker
Roster-wise, you got a young point guard. It was exciting. You got good young team. You got defensive player the year he can play next to Jaron Jackson. Good young team. And they have big they have picks, right?
00:25:15
Speaker
We can weaken offer you marketing, the number two pick, and maybe a couple future. You know, does that sound good? And now you got Collier, um George, Giannis, Jackson.
00:25:28
Speaker
You got Walker Kessler coming back. Giannis can go back to playing the three. That's crazy. You didn't think that team could compete with OKC in San Antonio? oh How about San Antonio?
00:25:42
Speaker
You telling me the Milwaukee Bucks aren't watching this playoff series looking at all that young talent saying, yeah, I'll take Vassal. I'll take Johnson. I'll take Castle or Harper. You pick and give me two first rounders.
00:25:55
Speaker
And now, you know, you still have enough talent left over with Fox. Wemby, like. Giannis and Wemby? Oh my God. but i' I don't even understand why we would need something like that. That's crazy. It's going to be tough sledding and it's just going to be where would Giannis accept, want to accept the play.
00:26:17
Speaker
right right um yeah i agree with everything that you all said look lebron it's it's gonna be tough because what is the lakers true ceiling um i mean if if luca was hurt let's just hypothetically say luca was was was healthy these playoffs uh do they beat the thunder i still don't know i mean they may have put up a better fight than you know five games but um Do they win?
00:26:47
Speaker
Probably still not. So what is it that will put them over the top? Because sure, you could be LeBron, swan song, ride it out get your flowers, so on and so forth, which is well deserved.
00:27:02
Speaker
But at the same time, I agree with Bobby G. I would want to go and win. somewhere I would want to win or at least try to win one last title.
00:27:13
Speaker
So go somewhere where you can be. Now, that's not saying that that's not L.A. Maybe if you add the right combination of players, it could still be L.A. But as Bobby said, you're going to have to sacrifice money. You're going to have to play for, you know, $10 million dollars this year, Bron. You're going to have to play for peanuts. You're have to tell Bronny to get his ass on a two-way contract because we ain't got time for this. Okay? you you know we got I know, right? We got to cut some corners. You know what I mean? Because you got to fill out this roster in order to have a good enough team or you're just going to get to the second round and be out again.
00:27:51
Speaker
On the honest side of things, um... Giannis needs to get the hell up out of there. This relationship is done. This thing has been done. It's ran its course. They won the title. This should have been cut years ago. Okay, now we all know. Now we've all decided.
00:28:07
Speaker
Cool. Let's get it done. Let's find out where he needs to go, where the best place, um you know, to get the best best assets, obviously, for Milwaukee and where Giannis may want to go.
00:28:19
Speaker
um So, again, I think that all of the places that were mentioned are, I mean, I think any of the teams would honestly take Giannis, right? But again, it's what combination of assets are the Milwaukee Bucks willing to accept? Now, as with Cal cal not being here right now, or Warren, as the resident Celtics fan on the program right now, I had put my Danny Ainge or my Brad Stevens GM cap on and I hit the ESPN trade analyzer. And I'm not saying that this would happen.
00:28:58
Speaker
But Milwaukee, if you don't need a centerpiece back, and if you're willing to just have Derek White as your main centerpiece, may I interest you in Derek White, Sam the Great Hauser,
00:29:13
Speaker
Hugo, don't fuck with me, Gonzalez. Baylor, I got a white boy mullet and I look like I'm from the hood. Luca, I don't know what's wrong with me. Garza, am I Mexican? Am I white? I'm not sure. And Jordan, I think he has alopecia, so I'm not gonna make fun of him.
00:29:28
Speaker
My ex-girlfriend had alopecia. Jordan Walsh, how about I throw all of these in there and I give you our first and second round picks for the next two to three years.
00:29:40
Speaker
How many is anyone taking this deal? If you're the Bucs. You want to get fired. I'll take that as a no. I will take that as a no. All right. All right. Let's hit it quick.
00:29:54
Speaker
Very quick. I don't want you to think about it. Where are the destinations for LeBron and Giannis? Bobby, go. Let's say either LA, New York, or Cleveland.
00:30:06
Speaker
I said pick one. Pick one? Yeah, so you only get to pick one.
00:30:14
Speaker
ah I said don't think about it. I'd have to go with LA because the pay cut is too drastic to play for the Cavs. Okay. So LA over going home, LA over New York or Miami. Desmond, what you got for LeBron?
00:30:29
Speaker
ah Yeah, I say LA. I say LA. Okay. Yeah, I'm going to make that the trifecta. I don't think there's a reason for him to go anywhere else. Cleveland, they have a good team, but um in order to get him there, you're probably going to have to subtract Harden.
00:30:44
Speaker
ah And then does Donovan Mitchell and LeBron and get you to the the the championship? that gets It gets you to the finals in the East. But do you beat the West team?
00:30:55
Speaker
I'm not sure. can keep all three. ok In order for LeBron to play for the Cavs, he'd have to take a m le which is about $4 million. Oh, well, yeah, I don't know. Again, he he's not doing that. we mentioned, he probably ain't going to that. So I'm going with y'all. He still you stays in L.A., and they try to build one last championship team. all right, Giannis, Desmond, go.
00:31:16
Speaker
Oh, and I know I've been thinking Minnesota and I don't know why. And and even then, it's like my brain is saying, even if you were to go there, it it wouldn't they'd have to sacrifice too much.
00:31:29
Speaker
Yeah. um Yeah, this one is hard. I'm going to just stick with my my my vision, my dream, and say Minnesota, just for the entertainment value. like it. I really like that Utah pick, though, from Bobby G. That is like, doing I'm about to do that on 2K right now in the end of the season. like That's how bad I want to see that.
00:31:50
Speaker
Yes, sir. Bobby G, where's Giannis going? I'm going to throw a wrench in the whole thing. Uh-oh. Billy. Billy? Ooh. how okay honest yeah you got Maxi VJ uh we're gonna get it rid of Paul George pick up some free agents and got Giannis uh and see what we can do so I I can't get edge combed too no i'm not letting it be there he's got too much for potato he's got Ant-Man potential so I just don't I just don't know why the Bucks would bring in MB knowing his injury history
00:32:25
Speaker
You can still sell some tickets. He's only got, what, a year or two left on his contract, so you got a quick out. And the draft picks, of course. Okay. All right, so there you go. And I, being the homer, I just want him to come to the Celtics, and i don't want to lose JT or JB.
00:32:39
Speaker
So all three of them, three-headed monster, let's fucking go. But to be realistic, he probably will end up somewhere like a, I don't know. I like both of those picks that y'all picked, but I could also see him getting traded to the Knicks.
00:32:53
Speaker
too i could see him playing in madison square garden so you know speaking of the knicks let's go ahead and talk about this series so far you like that segue make sure you hit that like button by the way i see so many y'all in here watching but not hitting the like button don't just peek and not like we don't like that you gotta pete and like hit that like button before you run away and make sure you subscribe to ball and budge tap into audible sports 19 media group and mid post po All right, nba NBA East Finals, this is your account, Bobby G, because your Cleveland Cavaliers are going against the New York Knickerbockers who i swept the aforementioned Philadelphia 76ers that you just talked about.
00:33:37
Speaker
um So, first of all, ah before you actually get into the the series itself, let's talk about a little about both of these teams. Bobby, start us off. How do you feel about your Cleveland Cavaliers thus far?
00:33:51
Speaker
Over on the playoffs, a we've shown some toughness that we didn't have show before. We demonstrated some mental toughness in the Detroit series after taking home court having a chance to close out, not getting the job done at home and going on the road in a tough environment and ultimately getting it done. um Remember, this team has only been been together at 100% since March 15th.
00:34:14
Speaker
um So they're still learning how to play with each other. um But We're at everybody's, ah now want to say ceiling because we thought they could win the championship, but we're at everybody's expectation level. Everybody all said all year, this team has to at least make the concert conference finals.
00:34:31
Speaker
So they got that pressure off of them. We'll see if they can continue to march on. But I thought that, and I thought, I yeah i mean, maybe I don't remember correctly, but i thought before the season, you said that wasn't good enough. I thought I remember you saying they had to, ah you know, win the whole thing for this to be a success. No, it was conference finals. You had to make the conference finals.
00:34:52
Speaker
Because we got bounced. We should have been there last year. we saw what happened Indiana. Like, you had to at least get over that hump. It's been three years in a row we got knocked out in the second round. So... And we'll come right back to you on that. New York, Desmond. New York, after Havis handily sweeping the Sixers and making them the the mortal team that we knew they were, the Celtics choked that away. I'm sorry.
00:35:15
Speaker
The Celtics choked that series away. they set The NBA came back and it threw them all out of proportion. They they didn't know what to do. But the 76ers are not that great of a team as currently constructed. Talk to us about the Knicks and what their path here so far.
00:35:31
Speaker
Yeah, I'm actually really impressed with the Knicks because, I mean, until game one, at least for the first three quarters, ah they they were not playing around with nobody the way that they did last year.
00:35:45
Speaker
Like, everything that I wanted the Knicks to do, they're doing. Like, they're using their depth. They're they're they're picking which lineups are best for which series or which matchup. um They really...
00:35:57
Speaker
thrived off Carl Anthony Towns being a playmaker and we've seen that before but I think in ah in a playoff environment it looked a little bit different because they just weren't primarily relying on Jalen Brunson really like other guys were finding out ways to contribute like there's been so many games with the Knicks where i'm like man why isn't OG and Anobi more involved why is why does it feel like they get Mikael Bridges a few points in the first quarter and then it's like nothing afterwards and I understand that's a little that's a two-way street there sometimes Mikael Bridges doesn't have the best shot selection but for the most part I'm like I think they're not getting the most out of their depth and finally right you look at you game one versus the Cavs and they played 10 guys. You look at the Hawks series and they buckle down on defense and they say, okay, we need to change this because relying on solely Jalen Brunson isn't helping us here. We're down 2-1. And ever since game three versus the Hawks, they've been playing New York Knicks basketball. And really, I'm watching them and I'm like, why didn't y'all do this last year? Like, so this is really cool. Um,
00:36:57
Speaker
And me being more of an outsider, right, as an NBA fan as a whole, but, like, the Knicks aren't my team. So I'm really impressed with what they've been doing, for sure. That's
00:37:11
Speaker
true. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah, okay. um No, I mean, that makes complete sense. So let's go ahead and talk about what happened Can you hear me?
00:37:22
Speaker
Hey, are um So let's go ahead and talk about that game one. I mean, wow. What a comeback that was. I mean, the Knicks, ah you know, they were down 22 with seven minutes left in the game.
00:37:41
Speaker
And Jalen Brunson went on to have 17 points to bring them back. And then they went on to crush them and step on their, step on their, on their, on their, you know, on their throats or whatever, on their, on their, whatever, on their feet, whatever you want to say, and beat them 14 three.
00:38:00
Speaker
14 to 3 in overtime. So they they weren't playing. they They took their head off and, and you know, guillotine style. So um talk to us about what this means.
00:38:11
Speaker
Does this mean that the Knicks, I mean, Bobby G, that's not a good look for a team that not only come back like that, but now have the momentum. um Talk to us. What do you think about your team in this situation?
00:38:24
Speaker
They lost the game. They're down 0-1. Anybody, what would have happened if we would lost by 40? I mean, you would have said throw it away and move to the next game. and said We're still down 0-1. I'm with Donovan Mitchell. like going to lock eight We messed up a golden opportunity, but guess what?
00:38:41
Speaker
It only counts as one game. Of course, prisoner of the moment, if my phone wasn't brand new, if I hadn't just got it two weeks ago, I would have put it through the TV. But not yeah now that I've had a day to decompress and actually think about it, like and I was talking about about it with a Big Mike this morning on Game Town 216, that game was a more...
00:39:06
Speaker
bad luck and misfortune, then you say like the Knicks didn't put anything in the guillotine. Like they needed every single domino to fall exactly how fell to win that game. If change one thing, they lose.
00:39:20
Speaker
I'm strictly talking about 14 to three in overtime though. But see it goes together. You can't just talk like they literally needed everything to get there. If James Harden doesn't split those free throws,
00:39:32
Speaker
There is no overtime. James Harden is a better fucking defender and doesn't it look let him go at it. Even without that, if Jared Allen splits his free throws, that game is over in overtime.
00:39:46
Speaker
If Donovan Mitchell doesn't pass to a ghost in the corner after he broke McHale Bridges' ankles and laying it up like he should have, There is no overtime, right? You see, like they literally needed every domino to fall their way perfectly. And we needed to make every mistake. Like if there's anything kills for us like that, we shouldn't have been up 22. We should have been up 32 during the first quarter. We had 11 turnovers.
00:40:11
Speaker
We finished the game with 19 turnovers. And when we got to that to that period where we're up 22 with seven, we had 15. you're talking about only four turnovers from the first quarter until halfway through the fourth quarter.
00:40:24
Speaker
Like if we don't make the the mental mistakes, that game doesn't get to overtime. Now once you get to overtime, it's pretty much we just missed shots. Like did the Knicks didn't put on this great defensive performance.
00:40:36
Speaker
Like Mitchell just missed the shots. Harden miss mopes they made they missed the shots that they had been making quarters one, two, and three. So again, prisoner at the moment, pissed.
00:40:50
Speaker
But after digesting and watching it again, encouraged and plus we've been here before we're down 0-1 to Detroit we' we're down 0-2 to Detroit let's go home and handle our business um I'm encouraged that we can we we come back and we win tomorrow night wow right there you go uh coming back to tie it up one one Desmond what are your thoughts on this series ah Yeah, you know, I'm actually with Bobby G because if you really watch what the Cavs were doing, like it's it's what I love about that team.
00:41:22
Speaker
They are they are really one of the best offensive teams in the entire playoffs based on personnel, because if you look at a lot of their actions, it's it's it's really like you can't win if you're if you're the Knicks. Right. Like.
00:41:35
Speaker
there They're running pick and rolls with James Harden. Other teams are putting two on the ball. Okay, well, we can we have two of the best playmaking bigs chemistry-wise in the league. If I know Evan Mobley's at the nail, we can lob that over the top. Who's in the corner? Max Strews, Sam Merrill.
00:41:51
Speaker
like shooters so it's like no matter what and even if you stop that i can throw it to donovan mitchell on the wing he's literally one of the best slashers in the league so it's like there's always a pick your poison type of thing and the and the calves have options so when i was really watching that game i was kind of like they're getting they kind of just couldn't get some of that stuff that they were getting the first three quarters or like bobby said like they're just missing shots if you and even when i was like following the box score as i was watching i'm like it was really like a tale of two I guess I can't say two halves, but like whatever that but those last few minutes were yeah is like the Cavs shooting numbers were totally different than what they were in the beginning of the game.
00:42:33
Speaker
So it's like it was missed shots, passing mistakes, turnovers, things that nature. So. I'm a little bit encouraged by the Cavs. I still think the Knicks are going to walk away with this series, but I am a little bit more encouraged by the Cavs.
00:42:46
Speaker
And I also think that had a lot to do with the Knicks fans. Madison Square Garden is not an easy place to play. And those fans started getting raucous. And that's when you can make those mental mistakes when the opposing crowd you know, gets very loud and starts to possibly, you know, get in your head a little bit. Not saying that that necessarily happened for, you know, Donovan Mitchell, but maybe some of the other players that are not as experienced. And we we can't keep burying the leaf that James Harden's defense could could could conceivably cost the Cavaliers this series if Jalen Brunson keeps scoring on him like he's a damn 12-year-old. You see, I wouldn't even go that far. Like,
00:43:26
Speaker
Take away the Jalen Brunson thing is what it is. James Harden played good defense in that game. okay That's terrible coaching. Kenny Atkinson can't be afraid to bench your stars when they're not performing to a certain level.
00:43:42
Speaker
He should have called a timeout. He should have came back with Donovan Mitchell, Max Struis, Sam Merrill, Evan Mobley, and Dean Wade. That should have been the five to finish that game.
00:43:54
Speaker
So I can't even blame James Harden. Like, it's it's like, what are you doing? I could blame ah Dean Wade for being lazy on a couple of switches. There were a lot of those switches where he didn't have to switch, where he could have went underneath really quick and got back to Bronson. They just kind of let it happen.
00:44:09
Speaker
And that's communication. Communication, I'll kill him for that. But like, James Harden has never been Tony Allen. Well, yeah. like like this So it's like, blame a guy who isn't a good good defender for not being a good defender. Being a good defender. Facts.
00:44:29
Speaker
All right, cool. Well, James Harden's shitty def defense aside, we keep it moving. m NBA Western Conference Final starting right now. We got a three one game, Thunder, so we'll get you all out of here. Let's go ahead and talk about this, though. What an amazing performance by Wemby last game. I mean, what the...
00:44:47
Speaker
41 points, 24 rebounds, took a three from 48 feet out like you Steph Curry. Just like what is happening right now? Wemby is on another level. He may be the best player what we've ever seen with his skill set and what he can do.
00:45:03
Speaker
um And, you know, if he doesn't get the injury, I'm excited to see where he ends up when it's all said and done because he may be one of the greatest players of all time. uh and uh you know that's that's that's that's a lot so bobby g what do you got on this series uh i agree with everything you said and i'm gonna piss off some spurs fan guess what oh wimby still doesn't know how to play basketball still learning still learning oh still still a lot a lot of things to go and i'll say another thing the three he hit in that game way more impressive than the three that steph curry hit you know well it's once upon a time against oklahoma city in that same spot um
00:45:39
Speaker
But yeah, Wimby, I think a lot of people knew he was kind of going to show up and show out once that MVP was announced right. Oh, he was mad about that. is well Yeah. The thing we've learned about Wimby since All-Star break is he does have a ah very competitive fire.
00:45:55
Speaker
ah And he loves He's got that Michael Jordan, I make up a grudge type of shit. So um that was a great game one. Probably one of the best game ones to any series.
00:46:08
Speaker
Wow. Absolutely. I may put it second. I may put it second. Up there. For me, my favorite would be game one of 2000 finals when Philly beat the Lakers in game one. You know, Iverson with the step over. Sorry, T-Lew.
00:46:24
Speaker
um But yeah, great performances. Stephon Castle, way to step up without De'Aaron Fox being there. Dylan Harper. Ooh. o man, this kid's going to be a star.
00:46:38
Speaker
um And the Spurs, like I said before, I think I said it right on here. San Antonio Spurs are the deepest team in the NBA. a lot of people like that get good ro stand A lot of people like to give their credit to OKC. These guys legit go 12 deep.
00:46:52
Speaker
and and now they have former starters on the bench lot of people don't don't remember straight their vessel and kelvin johnson used to start for the spurs and you want to talk about code we talk about heat culture how about getting these guys to buy in yes taking a demotion most guys would be like you know what trade me get me out of here or i'm going this you know as soon as i hit the mark no they got they got the extra buy-in you know we'll do our parts to come off in so it's like Man, this series is going to be entertaining.
00:47:22
Speaker
Jaden Williams, heck of a game, being his first game back in a month. um And, you know, everybody's been pulling on Chet for a bit. Chet made some plays, man. And, like, Chet made some plays when he had to. He just, you're always going to get noticed the ones you don't make.
00:47:38
Speaker
so um you're also gonna get noticed when your rival is beasting on you all game long and you look like you're a defeated pigeon he looked like he was defeated the whole game why did he go to overtime because he smacked wimby stuff and into the front row he just but that du gone he also got dumped on on episode of shake So did Shane. We're going to talk about that.
00:48:04
Speaker
No, but i'm the this was it I'm looking for a seven-game series in this one. All right. Well, save your pick real quick. Desmond, give us your thoughts on this series. ah Yeah, you know, it's funny, Bobby G mentioned the 2000, 2001 Sixers one sixrs and in Lakers.
00:48:22
Speaker
that's i one Yeah, like that's what I was thinking too. I'm like, Wimby just snatched their chain. Like you you look at the Lakers back then, undefeated. Okay, see what's my chain, D-Bone? Give me that chain. Straight up, straight up. like and And these teams are like twins, but to Bobby G's point, like I'm taking Castle,
00:48:44
Speaker
Harper, Fox, even though Fox didn't play, like, I'm taking those guys over what OKC got, because a lot of what OKC got, those aren't guys that's, like, slashing and making decisions like those guys are. They're playing in the flow of what Shea does, pretty much, or J-Dub.
00:48:59
Speaker
And... I love OKC's depth, but I think games like that show exactly why the Spurs have been able to contend with them and really have a strong chance of beating them this series because they have that level of depth where, oh, no, we have three guards who can make decisions, not three guards who, yes, can play defense and they can contribute, but they can make decisions and change the flow at a game. And I think that was incredible. um I thought both teams were really good at loading the box. You saw that obviously more successful with Shea Gildress Alexander was not able to get any kind of offense. And the exact same thing that we saw last year is happening this year. Him not having an off ball game, him not being a little bit more
00:49:43
Speaker
intentional about getting in the post things that nature that is that is killing them once again and there were some plays where coach Dagnall tried to get him off ball but it was like the same situation you're not trying to get him off ball closer to the basket you're and partially because Wemby's down there but you're you're getting him off ball into the same spot he's still gonna have to dribble dribble dribble up top and try to get something hard like hard work buckets and I don't think that's gonna farewell for OKC long term. Even though i I am rolling with my pick, I just I'm a little scared for them just because some of them things I saw from game one. But it is going to be a long series.
00:50:19
Speaker
I mean, facts. I'm scared, too. I picked the Thunder to go in the preseason. So I'm with you. I'm going to stick with my pick. But I'm not going lie, man. When everybody thought it was a fluke that San Antonio had those first three victories over the Thunder during the regular season, it's starting to look like San Antonio may truly have.
00:50:38
Speaker
uh okc's number um now obviously okc is too good of a team to just fold and they are going to make this a seven game series i do believe like bobby g said but i'm not going to sit here and lie to you gentlemen and say i'm not worried that they could lose this series because it's very very you go down 0-1 to a team like this that is such well constructed roster and has reckless abandon and is young and doesn't care they just want to keep playing not not that okc okc is kind of the same way i give it to you but I mean, Wemby's just a different type of player that we've never seen before.
00:51:09
Speaker
And um even if he's still learning, being seven foot six and being able to take three strides and get down the court space jam style is just something that is is too hard to defend.
00:51:21
Speaker
and I mean, even and then the other part, you can't, it's not like you can try out of center. So you got the Caruso on him because Hardenstein doesn't stretch and it doesn't stretch the floor. So then you just got one, but ya ah you know, crushing your offense in the paint.
00:51:37
Speaker
If you're going to do that. So you can't do that. So now you're stuck there and it's like, shit, what do we do? So anyways, I'm excited. Seven game series it is now 10 to nine Spurs over the Thunder. So we're going to let everybody go. Go ahead and give me your picks though. Who you got in the finals and we'll get together before them.
00:51:56
Speaker
good Who's your finals team? i'm ah i'm I'm still rolling Thunder, Knicks, Thunder and Six. All right. I got the Thunder and Knicks as well because I picked that before the season. How crazy would that be if that actually hits? Bobby G, what you got?
00:52:10
Speaker
When we did this before, I had the Knicks and the Thunder as well. But the others from the San Antonio Spurs have ah changed my heart. I'm going Spurs. Spurs-Knicks.
00:52:24
Speaker
Spurs-Knicks, yes. You can definitely see it, and you can definitely see us here on Ball & Buds. We will be back. We'll have a finals show there in the next, maybe not next week, but the week after. We'll figure it out. We will be back.
00:52:37
Speaker
for that. But for now, we hope you enjoy the basketball game tonight. Go ahead and sign us out. Desmond, let them know where you can find you. Oh yeah. Pleasure as always gentlemen to talk hoops with y'all. You can find me at mid post pod on all platforms. Like I said, main thing though, at Desmond Powell, underscore Twitter, Instagram, Tik TOK. You can find anything that I'm doing with show with the show, anything that I'm doing on YouTube on there.
00:53:03
Speaker
There you go. My bad. You've got to rep the fan i a rep the fan. Don't forget about them. Let's go to the big screen so you can see all of Bobby G socials there. Let's pick your hit them up. Where can they go?
00:53:15
Speaker
Right there. X at official Bobby G. Bobby, official underscore Bobby G. Of course, YouTube, Game Time, underscore Bobby G and Audible Sports Podcast. And hey, tomorrow, tap in ESPN Jacksonville, 690 AM, Rec Room Radio from 4 to 6 PM Eastern. Me, Kay Witt, Jada, MIC, Scott Cove, AP, you know, a special interview. We're having a the coach from the Jacksonville Wave. He's coaching a new women's basketball team down in there. Alright. And of course, we're talking more and NBA playoffs, a little little bit of UFC.
00:53:48
Speaker
And so good action pack two hours. Yeah, definitely check out Rec Room Sports on YouTube. Awesome. I'm still happy for my boys. Congratulations to them. Getting on ESPN radio is big time. So salute to them. Y'all check them out. Rec Room Sports, Audible Sports.
00:54:03
Speaker
Check them out. Averill Wildcard Marr. Bobby G, they'll be on tomorrow. And then as well, Friday, they got their other audible show as well. Desmond and Mitt Post Pod, 19 Media Group. Let's not forget our brothers that couldn't join us today, though.
00:54:16
Speaker
Warren Shaw, Kyle Lee at the NBA Baseline Podcast. You check them at baseline underscore NBA on IG. As well, our brother Jay from Unfair Sports. Y'all tap into Unfair Sports. He's actually at the game. So that's why he couldn't join us because he's actually there right now. So shout out to him enjoying the game. And Mel from Man Down Sports, salute to him as well. So until our next one, we'll come back for the NBA finals tomorrow night. Catch Hot Take Jake versus myself for total evisceration. And until next time, y'all be out there. Y'all be blessed. Take care of yourself. Again, tell you tell your loved ones that you love them.
00:54:50
Speaker
You never know, bro. So we love you. Thank you for tuning in. that like button. Subscribe at Ball & Buds. Holla!
00:55:01
Speaker
You can't prepare, now get ready for the show.
00:55:08
Speaker
you on the page that's why they call me straight quo great e don't be close like jordan after for the second time he free heated