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Champions League Semi Final Recap, NBA Playoffs Second Round Thoughts, NBA Draft Lottery Fallout
7 Plays17 days ago
- Football Roundup
- Semi-Final recap
- UCL Final
- El Clasico
2. NBA playoffs recap
- Tatum Injury Update
- Most Impressive/Disappointing Teams
- Flagg to Dallas
3. Game of the Week
- FA Cup final - City v Palace
- Game 6 - OKC v Denver
Recommended
Transcript
Podcast Introduction
00:00:09
Emeka
Hello! What's good? What's good? What's happening?
Future of the Podcast
00:00:12
Emeka
Welcome to episode 25 of Love of the Game podcast. 25, a quarter to eight or a hundred. Who knows when we're going to stop? 500? A thousand?
00:00:22
Emeka
I'm here with my boy, the main man behind the keys, Mr. Chinnaw. How you doing tonight?
00:00:28
Chino Onwuka
Hey, we ain't never going to stop. We ain't never going to stop. We're going to keep going, going, keep going. But I'm good, man. I'm good. Glad to be here. Hey, lots, lots, lots, lots we have to discuss today.
Episode Topics Overview
00:00:42
Chino Onwuka
So really looking forward to today's episode.
00:00:45
Emeka
No lie was said and down in the dunker spot, my man Chukwu, how you living tonight, bro?
00:00:51
Chuku
Hey, man, just glad to be you know back here for another banging episode. Can't wait to chop it up with the boys. you know We definitely got a lot to discuss. And, yeah, you know hopefully you know we're here to give the people what they want and and ah some new new field new products, new new episodes. So we're going to try and be consistent and keep the the episode rolling.
00:01:15
Chuku
Cheers to more.
00:01:16
Emeka
Yes, sir. That new product,
NBA Playoffs: OKC vs. Denver
00:01:17
Emeka
you know what saying? Well, we're recording this Tuesday night, and we're going to talk about, you know, and NBA playoffs, talk about the world of football, but we're just recording this less than half an hour after a pivotal Game 5 between OKC and Denver.
00:01:33
Emeka
just want to ask you guys, you know, you both watched the game. How are you feeling after that? That was an exciting one.
00:01:40
Chino Onwuka
No, I think this has definitely been you know, the best series in round two. you know, I think we had a lot of high hopes for the round two games, but, you know, most of them seem to be wrapping up in in short order. a lot of We're looking at a lot of 4-1 series. So I think, you know, coming from the matchup, this was sort of the big heavyweight fight, and it has definitely lived up to the potential. You've got the two...
00:02:08
Chino Onwuka
Two leaders for MVP going at it. you know Two really strong teams in the West. And it's you know just speaking of today's game, it was it was a close
00:02:18
Chino Onwuka
know You finally had two two good games from from the MVP.
00:02:22
Emeka
Finally.
00:02:23
Chino Onwuka
From the MVPs, Jokic going up for one. What are you 44, 46?
00:02:27
Emeka
He had 40-something and he had the crazy 3F scene.
00:02:29
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, yeah. He tried to carry him, but again, OKC is just... too strong, you know, SGA showed out. I thought, I thought Chet Holmgren was amazing. Just his rim protection, like in the fourth where, when, you know, Denver couldn't get a bucket, they were scared to go to the rim. Every time they'd go to the rim, they would chuck up something disgusting or pass out of it. So yeah, I think, you know, with, I had OKC winning four, two,
00:03:02
Chino Onwuka
I think for Denver top of chat to have a chance to win the series, they really had to win this game, and OKC did what they had to do. So, yeah, I think my prediction of 4-2 is still going strong.
00:03:13
Emeka
Chukwu, you also had OKC4-2 preseason. You still pre-series. You still sticking with that?
00:03:21
Chuku
Hell yeah, I'm sticking with that, man. It's SGA, the real MVP. I mean, I know Jokic, you know, probably the best player right now in the world, but, like, you just got to give it to SGA and his crew, man. Like, you know, being able to have a guy like Chad Holmgren.
00:03:38
Chuku
You know, be that second defender. Doesn't have to mark Jokic. He can be the... No, he's like literally the prototype best help defender you can get in the league. This dude is a problem.
00:03:52
Chuku
And when you pair him with Hirenstein and the the the big Jalen Williams, like... It's crazy because you see what it allows Chet to do in terms of being able to... you know We know that Denver, they like to run their offense through Jokic.
00:04:07
Chuku
I mean, we've seen the numbers with Jokic on the floor and Jokic off the floor. It's literally night and day, right? ah ah yo Denver with Jokic on the floor, top-tier offensive team.
00:04:19
Chuku
When it's off the floor... not as not Not that good. no Not very good. right So we know when Jokic on the floor, he's going to get the ball. The offense runs through him. And with OKC, one of the reasons why I liked this matchup was the fact that They have bigs now with the addition of Haringstein that can body Galak Jokic, which allows Holmgren to be able to basically you know do what he likes, roam around on defense and pick and choose when it comes to help.
00:04:52
Chuku
so
00:04:53
Chino Onwuka
And that's why that's why that trade i know that's why that trade was so huge for them. that's why why That was the one thing that they needed. And yeah you can see
00:05:02
Chuku
Exactly, yeah.
00:05:03
Chino Onwuka
can see how effective it's been
00:05:05
Chuku
And that's one of the reasons why I believe, you know, with OKC, they very much this year have a very strong chance of coming out the West. And that's one of the reasons why I believe they're going to – they're just a more talented team up to down. They have just way more going on in terms of their roster, their depth.
00:05:25
Chuku
And – That's why I believe OKC is going to go to Denver and they're going to win it in six. So, I mean, I can't say enough of SGA's performance, but it was truly a team collective know out there.
00:05:40
Chuku
you know jim Small J. Williams is doing his thing as well. know I mean, Dort hit some timely threes. When Dort is making threes like that, it's like, oh, it's a long day, man. and so It's a long day. So,
00:05:54
Chuku
I just think overall the team is just, you know, it's a well-oiled machine right now. They're clicking at the right time. And, yeah, I just – I mean, I'll be shocked to see Denver make it
Boston Celtics' Challenges and Strategies
00:06:06
Chuku
through.
00:06:07
Chuku
It won't shock me if they if Denver wins game six to take it to to to seven. But – I just think after a performance like what Jokic just did today, dropping like 44, 40-something, like over 40 points tonight, had like crazy rebounds, you know, was doing everything he could to carry his this team, you know, to the finish line, and they still lose like that.
00:06:33
Chuku
just think, you know... Yeah, it's it's it's a wrap, man. I just don't know if Denver got enough to see it through. And this was a pivotal, you know, pivotal game.
00:06:46
Chuku
And, yeah, OKC managed to bring it back. And I just think they're going to have enough to take it over the line. So I'm sticking with that.
00:06:53
Emeka
Hey, fair enough. I mean, this team won 68 games in the regular season. And I think if they lost this series, with the Cavs also losing their series, we never hear the end of that. Regular season doesn't matter.
00:07:04
Emeka
So I think Adam Silver secretly is kind of happy OKC is up right now. You guys have said a lot about OKC. I just want to give a quick word to Denver. Like, man, this a team that fired their coach four games before the end of the regular season.
00:07:16
Emeka
Like, think about how everyone had them in such disarray and discombobulation. And now here they are. Down three two but close to being in the conference finals. That's just the talent this team had.
00:07:28
Chino Onwuka
No, you read my mind because I was about to ask you, like, yeah, we've talked a lot about OKC, but what are your thoughts about how... I think it's been pretty impressive the showing Denver has made considering the team they're going up against.
00:07:40
Emeka
Absolutely. I can't believe it. like Listen, Jokic is the best player in the world. like We all know this. the best player in the world. there's ah ah There's a way people talk about Jokic that irks me because they say stuff like he's carrying scrubs.
00:07:53
Emeka
Like, okay, listen, we all know the stupid stat they have where he has doesn't have an all-star teammate or all-NBA teammate. Fair. There are times when Jamal Murray, when Aaron Gordon, when even Michael Porter Jr., when they had that level.
00:08:07
Emeka
Aaron Gordon is turning into Klay Thompson all of a sudden. A guy has two game-winning, game-tying, clutch threes in the playoffs, and other game winner. like Jamal Murray had a bad fourth quarter today, but he's been balling out these series. like Denver are a championship team.
00:08:22
Emeka
The vast majority of this roster won a ring two years ago, and they have the best player in the league. Yeah, like OKC won 68 games, and they're so deep, but Denver are right, as they clearly have shown this series, they're right there with them. And just big shout out to just Jokic and his boys, because yeah, it's a championship team roster right there, and they're acting like it.
00:08:44
Chuku
But here's my problem with what you're saying.
00:08:45
Chino Onwuka
I think, you know, to just before, I think one thing that i've kind of noticed and it's probably kind of obvious, but whether Denver wins or loses seems to, apart from, yeah, you have your Jokic, Jokic's, your Murray's, your, and Gordon's, but pretty much like if you look to see how Westbrook played, that almost tells you whether Denver wins or not.
00:09:09
Emeka
West Brick. West Air Force.
00:09:12
Chino Onwuka
It depends.
00:09:13
Emeka
west
00:09:13
Chino Onwuka
Man, so bit some of the – it wasn't even bricks today. Like, it was like new pure breeze he was shooting, like the air balls.
00:09:18
Emeka
west airports
00:09:22
Chino Onwuka
Like, man. So that' that that's the thing. Well, Westbrook, he gives and he takes away.
00:09:31
Chuku
See, I hear that, but I mean, i just don't know if that's fair on on Westbrook because quite honestly speaking, like, they're asking, what like, what they're asking from Westbrook, right, in terms of what they're, first of all, paying him, right?
00:09:45
Chuku
this I'm pretty sure he's making the vet minimum, I believe, right, in Denver.
00:09:49
Emeka
Yeah, vet mineral.
00:09:50
Chuku
So, for what they're paying him, like, in my opinion, Westbrook is overperforming. That's...
00:09:56
Chino Onwuka
Oh, no. like I hit i don't think that we
00:09:56
Chuku
I don't...
00:09:59
Chino Onwuka
and don't think that's...
00:09:59
Chuku
Oh, sorry.
00:10:01
Chino Onwuka
I agree with you, right? So because of the team that they're playing, really, you need an overperformance from Westbrook to sort of get them over the hump.
00:10:13
Chino Onwuka
And so if he has a really good game, then it takes him up. But when he has the game like he does today, then they don't have enough.
00:10:19
Chuku
But that's my problem. So that leads to my point i'm trying to make, is that the Denver front office has put them in this predicament where you need Westbrook overperforming his contract for this team to have any form of, you know... hope any form of depth apart from their starting lineup. what I'm saying? Like their bench leaves a lot to ask for. They're not getting a lot of support outside of that starting five.
00:10:50
Chuku
And, you know, I mean, you compare it to, you know, what's going on, what you see in terms of like other teams and, you know, their depth, know, pulling through. I mean,
00:11:02
Chuku
Truth be told, Denver, you know, like I said, I've seen the numbers. which Y'all have seen the numbers. Like, with Jokic on the floor versus Jokic not on the floor, it's night and day in terms of how that offense runs.
00:11:14
Chuku
And if if someone like Jamal Murray goes cold, you know,
00:11:14
Chino Onwuka
But
00:11:19
Chuku
Denver looked like a completely you know different team. So I do agree that there's a lot of championship DNA. And when you know when when their starters are on the floor, they have played with each other for so long that they kind of no you know what to expect from each other. And and they play really, really good you know basketball. like picker a Jokic, Murray, pick and roll.
00:11:43
Chuku
Still probably one of the deadliest, if not the deadliest, you know, play you can run in terms of an offense. But at the same time, you know, i just think with Denver not having enough enough, you know, depth from, you know, six to six through eight, there's not enough depth.
00:12:03
Chuku
pieces if someone in the starting five goes cold or multiple players in the starting five go cold, that can help come in and and win them a series or win them a game.
00:12:14
Chuku
like you know you like you At this point in their career, least career, can't you can't really expect you know like a huge shot performance from a guy like Westbrook.
00:12:22
Chino Onwuka
and
00:12:25
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, and who who are some of the key players that have sort of Denver, I would say, have had to let go from their rotation in the last couple of years due to, you know, second apron and salary cap and all that?
00:12:25
Chuku
I just...
00:12:37
Emeka
I mean, like, they've only really lost KCP and Bruce Brown.
00:12:41
Chino Onwuka
Then it was Beasley Brown as well before that.
00:12:43
Chuku
Brown, Dwan, there was no.
00:12:43
Chino Onwuka
Yeah,
00:12:44
Emeka
Brown's good. Look, those are good guys.
00:12:45
Chuku
level
00:12:46
Emeka
But, like,
00:12:47
Chino Onwuka
and so and so to your your your point, Chuko, I think it's one of those things where, you know, they have three max players, right?
00:12:54
Emeka
have to say, and a guy who makes $28 million after that.
00:12:55
Chino Onwuka
is Yeah, go ahead, Micah.
00:12:58
Emeka
Like, you know, I would say they have three max players and a guy who makes $28 million as well, Aaron Gordon. Like, You can't pay everybody and have a bench. You got to pick one.
00:13:07
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, and so where they are in terms of their life cycle of their team is way ahead of OKC. In a couple of years, OKC is going to have, I won't call it a problem, that's saying circumstance And that's why they keep accumulating first round draft picks because once they pay SGA, once they pay Chet and J-Dub, they're going to be in the same situation. And that's why they're accumulating first round draft picks.
00:13:34
Chino Onwuka
Boston is about to get in that same scenario as well. So I think... a lot I've heard a lot of complaints about this, but it's going to be really hard to sustain championship window because at some point, your team's going to become super expensive, and then you better have young players being able to come in and plug in those gaps, or else you're gonna have to trade somebody.
00:13:58
Emeka
Exactly. And on that point, you not you touched on a similar team that's in the exact same situation as Denver, which is the Boston Celtics, because they have two max guys and three people who make 30 mil plus the most expensive roster in professional sports, $500 million. dollars And as we all know, earlier today, sad news broke out that highest paid player, a guy who just signed a $300 million dollars extension, hasn't kicked in yet.
00:14:27
Emeka
Sadly, Jason Tatum tore his Achilles last night and has underwent successful surgery. they They gave my guy surgery. They didn't even let him. He tore his Achilles. They just drove him straight to the hospital. They didn't even waste time.
00:14:38
Emeka
that's When you got it like that, that's the kind of health care you get. But prayers up to Jason Tatum, man. like Jokes aside, like he's been getting slandered so much. And then he has a good game, a great game, and pushes off wrongly.
00:14:54
Emeka
No contact. We joked about it earlier yesterday that we've all watched so much sports that we know how to diagnose injuries. We look. Is it an ankle? No contact. Stepping forward.
00:15:05
Emeka
Achilles. And earlier at today, Shams broke the news that a successful surgery. If I had to guess, I would say he's out for the next full season. He's not complaining next year because why would you rush it?
00:15:16
Emeka
So my question to you, Chukwu, if you're the Boston Celtics, how are you feeling right now in the locker room today?
00:15:25
Chuku
Man, obviously, I'm not a professional basketball school player, and know like my feelings, i don't know the mentality.
00:15:33
Chino Onwuka
Oh, for real?
00:15:33
Chuku
Obviously, yeah, fair enough.
00:15:34
Chino Onwuka
Damn.
00:15:36
Chuku
But the mentality of these players, I mean, i think would differ from maybe how I would feel, but... i gotta yeah I just got to believe that there has to be some sense of, you know, disbelief, you know, some sense of basically disappointment because I'm pretty certain, you know, with that injury and the fact that, know,
00:16:01
Chuku
most likely, like you said, Tatum is going to probably miss, you know, the most, of if not all of next season as well, on top of what he's going to miss in the playoffs this year.
00:16:12
Chuku
You know, it's going to suck because as a player, you know, you you live for these opportunities to be able to, you know, win back to back, right. Or try to put you know put yourself in the best position to win impact the back to back.
00:16:25
Chuku
And there's already been, it doesn't help when there's already been talks about, you know, blowing it up in terms of, you know, the team most likely going to be exploring trades or ways to basically try and, you know, maneuver players around to manage the cap.
00:16:42
Chuku
So, the fact that you just won a championship together year before and you're not now that you're, you know, the best, highest paid player, probably, you know, the player that I'm pretty sure that team will view as their best player, you know, now losing those out for the next year, and next year, year and a half.
00:17:02
Chuku
Like it's got to suck because, you know, duton on top of losing your best player, you're now down three one You're most likely going to be, know, losing the series most likely.
00:17:15
Chuku
And you now have to think about the off season and how you're, you know, the the front office is most likely going to blow things up. This is your last chance to play together. And for it to end the way it's ended has to suck, know, if you're a Boston Celtic player right now.
00:17:31
Chuku
So I just think, you know, I think this is coming to an end, you know, like obviously there's talks of big trades. I'm really curious to see who stays and who,
00:17:41
Chuku
they decided to let go. But I'm pretty sure a lot of people are going to be talking about Boston locker room in regards to what the you know they think or suspect is going to happen and with the offseason and what the front office is going to do.
00:17:58
Chuku
So let's just say right now, if you're a Boston player, no point looking at a house just yet to hope you're renting.
00:18:03
Emeka
Yeah, hope you're renting, not buying.
00:18:05
Chuku
Exactly. Hope you're renting because there could be a lot of moves. and you you know I think we'll be shocked to see who leaves because I'm very curious to see who, you know, don't know your thoughts, you guys, ah in terms of who you think is going to be let go. Cause we know someone's going to be let go. Like somebody is getting, or multiple people actually could be getting moved. So I'm just curious your thoughts on, on that and, know, what's your, what's your thoughts on who you think might be leaving?
00:18:33
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. You know what? The Celtics, they're the defending champions. So I think they're going to have that mentality. They're going to sort of try to and rally around their fallen soldier. They're going to give it the best they can. But just seeing the fact that you know with all their guys, they were still they're still down do you want to the Knicks, I never would have seen that coming. So Yeah, even, you know, regardless of the fight that they put up, you know, this series is done. So, you know, my advice to the Celtics is, you know, they should start practicing their their Spanish. Hola, una cerveza, por favor, you know, as they head down to Cancun.
00:19:17
Emeka
Hey, Cancun season, you know?
00:19:19
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, that'll come in real handy. But, you know, in terms of, I think it's tough because, yeah, they had, They have that ballooning, not even, it's already crazy, you know, cost of a team of 500 million.
00:19:34
Chino Onwuka
You know, with with this core, depending on, you know, the pockets of new owner, I would have tried to keep it together as long as I could. I wouldn't have made any changes yet, right? If, if you know they had a good chance of previously of winning the title, i would have i would have running back back if I could.
00:19:53
Chino Onwuka
But with this... With this Tatum injury, he's, he's like you said, he's probably going out for the next year. to me, I would take next year is going to be a gap year. You know, you try to, you know, this sort of gives them the chance to see, okay, you know, with with this collection, what can we do to sort of maximize our windows so that we're ready to continue?
00:20:19
Chino Onwuka
contending once Tatum is back while still managing our assets. And so in in terms of like looking at the the pieces that they can move, yeah, he's got a crazy contract, but I'm not moving Jalen Brown. he's he's He's too good.
00:20:34
Chino Onwuka
So you're looking at Porzingis, Horford, I think he's too old. You know you want you probably want to keep him Drew Holiday, he's getting...
00:20:45
Chino Onwuka
up there, so you could trade him, but, you know, what would you get back? You know, the two guys I'm really looking at are, you know, Porzingis, but the one guy, think, who sort of strikes the right balance of, you know, yes, it'll hurt if he leaves, but you can probably get the most back for him.
00:21:04
Emeka
I can't believe what you're about to say.
00:21:04
Chino Onwuka
he's
00:21:07
Chino Onwuka
Okay, well, well, it's Derek White.
00:21:07
Emeka
it it ah can yeah I can't believe what I'm about to hear.
00:21:10
Chuku
yeah Derek White? Oh, man.
00:21:12
Chino Onwuka
Derek White.
00:21:12
Chuku
Let me start. I mean, I don't want to interrupt you.
00:21:15
Chino Onwuka
I'm not saying he's better than Jalen Brown.
00:21:17
Chuku
Oh, go ahead. go
00:21:18
Chino Onwuka
I'm saying you don't want to trade Jalen Brown.
00:21:20
Emeka
i agree. just dare.
00:21:22
Chuku
But I'm telling you don't want to trade Derek White either.
00:21:22
Emeka
That's why we don't agree there quite either.
00:21:24
Chuku
That's the thing. You don't. Porzingis, can go. Porzingis, in my mind.
00:21:27
Chino Onwuka
don't You don't want to trade any of them, but
00:21:27
Chuku
Yeah, go ahead. pozingki you can go like forz zki i we predict him in my mind
00:21:33
Chino Onwuka
you guys are not understanding what I'm saying. Who are you going to get more more back for it that can actually approximate the value of what you're letting go?
00:21:35
Chuku
yeah go
00:21:43
Chino Onwuka
Porzingis or Derek White?
00:21:45
Emeka
Porzingis, because you're not going to get anything back that's closer to your wife.
00:21:47
Chuku
Porzingis has name value. Porzingis has name value. I feel like he could still... like I'm not saying...
00:21:54
Chino Onwuka
No one's talking about name value.
00:21:54
Chuku
but
00:21:55
Chino Onwuka
Chuku, what does your team need?
00:21:59
Chuku
We could use Porzingis. I'll tell it that right now.
00:22:01
Chino Onwuka
Chuku, what does your team need? What do you cry about on the pod every week?
00:22:03
Chuku
We need shooting. We need shooting.
00:22:06
Chino Onwuka
From what position?
00:22:07
Chuku
Wait, no she has no no. Here's the thing. Obviously, you want to say it from a guard position. That's what you think I'm going to say. But I'm saying... We just need shooting, period.
00:22:18
Chuku
And a guy like Porzingis adds a lot of value because of the fact that he's over seven feet and can shoot. He's four
00:22:27
Chino Onwuka
Porzingis is good, but he's injury prone. I just think you get a lot more back for Derek White. What's the contract situation? Derek White just signed a new contract, so you know he has term.
00:22:39
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, so you already know he's there for a couple of years.
00:22:40
Chuku
r twenty five yeah
00:22:42
Chino Onwuka
I don't know how much Porzingis has left, so you have to consider that as well.
00:22:48
Chuku
Mm-hmm.
00:22:48
Chino Onwuka
All I'm saying Derek White has a better chance of getting a little bit more commensurate value for what's leaving.
00:22:48
Emeka
I mean, I get your sin, but...
00:22:55
Chino Onwuka
Porzingis, you're going to get something back, but that's how you're going replace what Porzingis brings to your team.
00:23:01
Emeka
I think at this point, Boston should just be concerned about cutting salary. Like, let's be real. Like the 500, I like the 500 million payroll is one of those headlines you read and you're like, yeah.
00:23:12
Emeka
When you actually think about it, it's an ah ah absurd amount of money to spend on a roster of a team. Like I'm always on the side of owners should spend money, shut up and spend your money.
00:23:22
Emeka
If you don't want to do it, sell the team. And in fairness, the guy sold the team. He said, I don't want you to want to do it. He sold the team and the guy bought it. And we're all adults who will work in real jobs and real places. And we all know when someone buys a company, they're not trying to spend more money in the next couple of years.
00:23:39
Emeka
What's the first thing that always happens? Ask my United fans. They cut costs. That's just how it goes. When you own us half the time. So guy this new guy bought the Celtics. He's looking at that $500 million dollars in expenditure in his balance sheet.
00:23:51
Emeka
And he's saying, why are we spending this money? go ah ah so Let's trim the fat. But tangentially from that, and I do agree that you get the most value back from trading Derek White. And I also agree that it's likely the Celtics will have to trade people.
00:24:05
Emeka
want to ask both of you guys. This core, I'm going call it the core that started when Derek White got traded. 2022. so twenty twenty two Last four seasons, they've been the best team in the NBA in the regular season.
00:24:16
Emeka
They've made two finals, one Eastern Conference final, lost in Game 7, lost in the finals, won last year, and now game bounced in the second round. Would you say they've met expectations, exceeded expectations, or came below expectations?
00:24:32
Chino Onwuka
I can take that first unless want to go. I would say they've, so four years, two finals runs, one championship, I would say met expectations only because ah ah apart from last year where they were by far the best team in the league, you know, the previous years you had sort of Milwaukee, you know, Philly before the playoffs, and Denver, who were teams sort of seen in the same tier as them. So considering the sort of parity that you see in the NBA right now, I would say met expectations.
00:25:13
Chino Onwuka
Obviously, you thought maybe if any team had the two teams with the best chance at being dynasties were Boston and OKC with their young co-ers, Boston had actually been there.
00:25:25
Chino Onwuka
at that level for sustained period of time. But, you know, would say my expectations, just because it's hard. It's hard.
00:25:34
Emeka
It is right. Chukwu, what are you thinking?
00:25:39
Chuku
They won a championship, man. you can't go below MET expectations. i think like the goal of every NBA franchise is to win a championship. However, and this case, I think from a Boston perspective, I can understand why someone may say, you know,
00:26:03
Chuku
that they didn't live up to their potential or live up to expectations. The reason why I say this is because, mean, not that long ago, we remember Jalen Brown talking about how many championships they were going to win, right?
00:26:18
Chuku
i mean, we heard him talking about not one, not two, you know, not three. Like, he was expecting, you know obviously, not granted, that was a one-on-one interview and maybe it was just, you know, blow and puff and not really, you know, I don't know.
00:26:32
Chuku
I mean, I took it that he had strong beliefs that at least, regardless of the amount of numbers he mentioned, there was definitely of belief in the organization at that time that was going to be more than one.
00:26:46
Chuku
Let's just put it like that. And to have gone, they've done amazing things, like I said, reached two finals. But the fact that know this group is going to get blown up You know, most likely from all accounts, you know, they're going to be moves made.
00:27:03
Chuku
And we don't know what those moves are going to look like. Right. We don't know if it's going to be moves to try and get draft picks for the future. we don't know if going to be moves that bring in, you know, good enough or decent players that can come in now and still help the team.
00:27:20
Chuku
Basically, we don't know what it's going to look like after this of after this season. And who's to say, you know, once those moves are made, right, that they ever get back to where they were right now. So if things end here and all they have to show for it is one, you know, one NBA championship and another finals appear and a finals appearance, I can understand why, know,
00:27:47
Chuku
you know I can understand how someone may put it as live in you know living under expert expectations, but...
00:27:55
Chino Onwuka
what what do you think because i i see what chukwu is saying but i was just counting he's probably saw me counting on my fingers here i was like in the last what 20 25 years how many teams have won multiple championships over like a four or five year period and it's just the spurs lakers heat and warriors some of the greatest teams of all time so Unless you're saying someone, a team's expectation is to be one of the greatest teams of all time. I don't, it's tough. i They are a super talented team, but I don't know. i own know
00:28:31
Chino Onwuka
It's harsh to me.
00:28:34
Emeka
you andjuu are so persuasive i changed my mind like three times and to you guys i initially came in thinking Under expectations. They were that talented and so young. That's the key part. Young and talented.
00:28:47
Emeka
I thought there's they have to win too. But then you and Chukwu both hit the point, which is so fair. It is hard to win a championship. And when you win one, that's it. Brian Windows loves to say winning a championship means you don't have to say sorry.
00:29:01
Emeka
They won a championship last year. You can't take it away. But at the end of it, again, youu raised the point. I agree. Like, yes, that is fair. Win the championship. We've done it. But the the organization carried and their fans carried themselves in a certain way.
00:29:17
Emeka
Where, to me, i agree with Juku's thinking. Where they felt like it was expected they were going to win multiple. It was expected. We're the smart team. We have Tatum and Brown. We have all these guys. Look how great we are.
00:29:30
Emeka
And... I mean, look, they might come out and win, but I'm going to act like it's a definitive pause to this core. For it to end like this, I'm looking back and, man, they really lost in the heat in this conference finals. Like, how did that happen?
00:29:45
Emeka
They lost to the Curry Backpack Warriors. Like, they should have got one of those two.
00:29:49
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, some of those early ones, I think those are the ones they'll really regret.
00:29:53
Emeka
Yeah, that's how short
Playoff Performances: Knicks and Pacers
00:29:55
Emeka
windows are. And OKC, hope you guys are watching this because when when fans love to say, oh, we're going to be good for the next six years, things can change. Bro, you're one ankle away. You're one hamstring.
00:30:06
Emeka
People, you're one misstep away from your franchise changing. That's how quickly it goes.
00:30:11
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. And that's what I was sort of thinking about, what I was trying to point out, because look at all the great, great teams that only won one. Like just looking recent history, that Denver team with the core of Jokic, Murray, MPJ in the age they were at the time, they've only won one, you know, sort of tough looking at when they might win the next one. Giannis, Drew Holiday, Kovacic,
00:30:41
Chino Onwuka
Middleton, the only one won. And I think if you if you look at history, that's a lot more common than sort of your super team, especially in this era. Especially in this era. I think back in the day, it was easier to do, but now, yeah.
00:30:54
Emeka
I agree.
00:30:55
Chino Onwuka
yeah
00:30:56
Emeka
But if anyone going to do it, it was supposed to be Boston. But that's how it goes. But we've been drilling on bad, depressing news for a while. Let's you know make a little lighter.
00:31:08
Emeka
These playoffs have, I think it's fair to say, been amazing and shocking for a lot of people who I think preseason were picking chalk. A lot of upsets so far. lot of teams happy with how the season's gone.
00:31:20
Emeka
So I want to ask both of you, what has been the team you've been most impressed by the second round of our three series that have been pretty much wrapped? The Knicks, the Pacers, or the Wolves?
00:31:30
Emeka
What team has most impressed you so far these playoffs?
00:31:34
Chuku
has to be, oh I'll go first. For me, just because I know that another particular team is going to most likely get picked, I'm going with the Knicks.
00:31:46
Chuku
And the Knicks have been very, very impressive in how They've gone about things. I've been so impressed with Jalen Bronson.
00:31:57
Chuku
He's just continuing to add fuel to the fire of how underrated this dude is and the fact that though this is a superstar. and This is a – I mean, when are we going to have conversations?
00:32:09
Chuku
This is a top 10 player in the NBA. Like, Jalen Bronson is a top 10 player in the NBA.
00:32:14
Chino Onwuka
Is Jalen Brunson underrated though?
00:32:15
Chuku
Is he a top 10 player in the NBA?
00:32:18
Chino Onwuka
i think i think but i think I think that word gets overused.
00:32:18
Emeka
I think now he's probably right there. Yes. He's probably Clutch Player of the Year, All-NBA, second team likely.
00:32:25
Chuku
I don't think... I
00:32:27
Emeka
he's yeah i think Jalen Bronson's
00:32:28
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:32:29
Chuku
i don't think... because i Look, I don't think it is overused in this case, and I'll tell you why. Because I still feel like Although the basketball aficionados, the guys that truly, truly watched the game, can see that what Jalen Brunson is doing and you know come to terms with how good and great this guy is, I'm not convinced enough that the general public has reached that same consensus of terms of like... like I'm saying right now, in my mind, don't know why I was even like doubting it like in the past second down to the end.
00:33:06
Chuku
like Jalen Bronson is a top 10 NBA player, bro. And like going into the season, do you think if I asked if we did a ah a a conversation, had a conversation named top 10 players the NBA, you'd have Jalen Bronson's name in that list entering the season?
00:33:24
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:33:27
Emeka
Listen, I love Jalen Bronson. You can't be underrated as the star of the Knicks. I'll put it that way.
00:33:32
Chuku
okay okay
00:33:32
Chino Onwuka
like Like, I think last year was definitely his, his I would agree like, last year would have said he was a bit underrated, but I think just the way he performed last year, think pretty sure he was top five in MVP voting. You know, it was All-NBA. I think Jalen Brunson is properly recognized right now.
00:33:52
Chino Onwuka
That doesn't mean you can't still be amazed at what he's doing.
00:33:52
Chuku
Let me
00:33:55
Chino Onwuka
He seems to take it levels upon levels. But I think underrated is, i think we're past the period where he's underrated and it's just, people are just properly amazed at what he's continuing to do, you know, game in, game out.
00:34:09
Emeka
yeah watch You know what, Chukwu?
00:34:09
Chuku
let me just put...
00:34:09
Chino Onwuka
That's big thing.
00:34:11
Emeka
I'll toss you a bone, Chukwu, and I'll say this. I think playoff Brunson is a little underrated because in the playoffs, I wouldn't say top 10. He's top stop five.
00:34:22
Emeka
In the playoffs, clutch time, as we just saw in this series, and I love Shea. Shea's the guy. It's a different ask in the playoffs, in the crunch time, to get buckets.
00:34:34
Emeka
It's a big ask. And a lot of really, really good guys wilt in those moments. And say what you want about Jalen Brunson. He's Clutch Player of the Year for a reason.
00:34:45
Emeka
This man is in a sack. If the Knicks are in a close game, they have such an advantage over the other team because they're comfortable. Give the ball to Brunson and let him work. And but nine times out of ten,
00:34:57
Emeka
he'll He'll give you a bucket. So I would say that playoff Brunson is like that is that dude, which is impressive. And hey, Tyler Nicks are doing so well.
00:35:08
Chuku
Yeah, no, I totally agree. And I guess what I'll definitely just say is the Knicks have just been impressive to me. Jalen Brunson in the playoffs, been amazing.
00:35:19
Chuku
There was a lot of question marks about him and Carl Anthony Towns, you know, with Towns coming in. you know, i remember talks earlier you know in the year, people were questioning whether or not, you know, there was, there speaking of the possibility of Carl Anthony Towns coming in and making it his team.
00:35:36
Chuku
But I mean, we can all truly see it's a, it's a 1A Bronson is New York and, you know, Towns has just found a way to fit it, fi fit in it with the core.
00:35:46
Chuku
And when you have wings like, OG Ananobi and Bridges. It's just a crazy, crazy team that the Knicks have been able to build.
00:35:59
Chuku
and you know i just think they have been very impressive to watch. I've enjoyed their games. I've enjoyed seeing their ability to defend and Bronson able to make timely buckets time after time.
00:36:15
Chuku
They're going to be a tough team to beat in the playoffs because they have good structure. They have They have depth in their front, you know, their top starting lineup is just insane.
00:36:26
Chuku
Like, yeah, I mean, they're my pick to make it to the finals. I'm not going to even like, I'll be shocked if they don't. And, yeah, I want to stick with the Knicks. The Knicks have been my favorite team and most impressive team to watch so far.
00:36:42
Chino Onwuka
You know, to add, I want to give a shout-out to, you know, Mikael Bridges. You know, the Knicks gave up a haul for him, and his defense has been unreal these playoffs, and especially in a clutch moments, end-of-game scenarios. So just want to give him a shout-out. Since ju you spent so much time talking about the Knicks, I have been really impressed by the Knicks. I think in the first round I had them,
00:37:08
Emeka
Thank you.
00:37:08
Chino Onwuka
beating the Pistons. You didn't really believe in them at that point. So I'm not as surprised as you are. I definitely didn't think they'd be able to to play like this against the Celtics. So since we've talked about the Knicks, want to give you know a shout out to the Pacers.
00:37:24
Chino Onwuka
i yeah If there's a team that I've been underrating, it's definitely the Pacers. I don't know why it is. maybe i am following with, the i I don't, I don't think Hal Burton is underrated because y'all remember, you know, was it two seasons ago when I was like, Hey, yo, y'all better watch out for Halie Burton.
00:37:46
Chino Onwuka
And he exploded. So yeah, I don't know why I've just never fallen for them, but they've been really impressive. Now i will say, I think they have gotten some basketball luck in that, you know, the teams they've played have been snakebitten, but still you can only play what's in front of you. And, you know, they're going to be in the conference finals, back to back years with a good chance of making the final. So shout out the place Pacers. I do love the way they play.
00:38:20
Chino Onwuka
You know, we all got the chance to to see them play live. you know, at the Emirates Cup final during the inaugural Emirates Cup.
00:38:31
Chino Onwuka
Just want to put that plug in there. And the way they play offensively, with the the way they play with pace, you know, from the moment the ball gets inbounded, they're just getting that ball, you know, up the court, the movement, the passing, and then a shot goes up. No one's being selfish. So I think, you know the way they play is actually really, really enjoyable. So, yeah, I just want to give them,
00:38:54
Chino Onwuka
Props, you know, ah like I'm sure you have a lot to say because you sort of been rocking with them from the beginning.
00:38:59
Emeka
i Hey.
00:38:59
Chino Onwuka
So I'm gonna trust you. know you
00:39:02
Emeka
Hey. Motor City. I'm just, I mean, you nailed it pretty much. i just wanted to go pat myself on the back. I've picked the the only person to pick the Pacers now in both series. And that's because Halliburton, man. Oh, my God.
00:39:19
Emeka
I like Halliburton, and even I'm impressed what he's doing these playoffs. He's been matching the big names in the league, and he's been putting on a show. And the Pacers just play so many good so many good players, even their bench is good.
Cleveland Cavaliers' Playoff Struggles
00:39:34
Emeka
This playoffs has really showed, despite you know the common wisdom of, well, you only play six guys in the playoffs, but Depth matters. In the pace of the game these days, guys are gassing in the fourth.
00:39:46
Emeka
Depth and being and your stars being in shape has a huge effect on these games.
00:39:52
Emeka
And...
00:39:53
Chino Onwuka
Shout out Miles Turner. he He has made himself some money. The way he's able to space the floor as as a five and defend the rim. I think he he's had that in him his whole career, but I think he's finally, you know, he's built some grit over the years and you can just see him maturing into his final form a little bit.
00:40:12
Chuku
Dude, I have a mouse turner.
00:40:13
Chino Onwuka
and Also, shout out, hold on one second, shout out Rick Carlisle.
00:40:15
Chuku
Oh, good.
00:40:17
Chino Onwuka
I think he doesn't get talked about enough. You know, he had a great run. you know, in Dallas in the early years, you know, that sort of dwindled down and he's come you know, taking the Pacers to new heights. And I don't think he gets talked about enough where they talk about the the best coaches in the NBA. So shout out Rick Carlisle as well.
00:40:37
Emeka
Yep, you know, and shout out Canada. lot of guys balling out, including our very own Nembhard and the Pacers, know, Dorit, Murray, SGA. It's a great playoff to be Canadian.
00:40:46
Chuku
Martha Ren.
00:40:47
Emeka
Mathurin, oh yeah, another guy Pacers. You know, Pacers have so many people. And quick shout out to the Wolves, who we haven't talked about. Listen, they're beating up the Warriors just on Steph Curry. You don't get that much love. You're supposed to do this.
00:40:59
Emeka
But enough of being a positive, we're going to go back to a little negative of the three teams that are down 3-1, or have just lost, a.k.a. the Cavs. The Celtics, the Warriors, and the Cavs. What team has been the most disappointing?
00:41:12
Emeka
And I'm going to start with the Celtics. I know we just talked about the Tatum injury. Aside from that, it's funny how the Tatum injury is going to overshadow the fact that He got hurt like with two minutes left in the game. They were down 10. They going to lose that game regardless.
00:41:27
Emeka
They were down 3-1 with Tatum. Like, don't – history is going to rewrite the series to be Tatum got hurt and Boston got eliminated because of it
00:41:35
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, it better not because, yeah, i was I was talking to my dad.
00:41:36
Emeka
Yeah. Yeah.
00:41:38
Emeka
yeah
00:41:39
Chino Onwuka
He called me to find out what was going on and I was telling him, like, yeah, Tatum got hurt, but they were already about to lose that game.
00:41:45
Emeka
Yeah, the game was over.
00:41:46
Chino Onwuka
Like, I think it was even like a minute and a half and they were down seven something like that. So, yeah, the game was done.
00:41:51
Emeka
the insult to injury. They lost the game and lost it. Like, Tee-Dee got hurt when the game was over. Like, you really shouldn't. I mean, look, that's the place the playoffs. But the injury is going to overshadow just how disappointing this was because they really lost to the Knicks.
00:42:02
Emeka
Like, it's not like the, you know, at least the Warriors can tell themselves if we had De'Am Curry and the Cavs, even though they go out-punked, can be like, we go Garland, blah, blah, blah.
00:42:12
Emeka
The Celtics lost 3-1 fully healthy, in my opinion. And teams come back with 3-1 very little at the time. I would have picked the Knicks to win even if Tatum was healthy. Like, the Knicks look like the better team.
00:42:24
Emeka
I couldn't... Listen, you tell me any point during the year that the Knicks will look like the better team in the Celtics in the playoffs, I never would have believed you. So... And we're going up $500 million. It's a lot easier to blow up a $500 million team when you see them in the playoffs...
00:42:39
Emeka
come out and look, meh. And next year, I'm very interested to see Joe Mazzulla. All those psycho quotes, and oh, I watch the town, and I want to box. I want to fight people. I want to see blood.
00:42:50
Emeka
All those quotes sound great when you're winning 60 games. When you're 42 and 39 next year, let's see how those press conferences go. But to you, Chinna, what team would you say has been the most disappointing to you these playoffs, second round?
00:43:04
Chino Onwuka
It's the Cavs, man. Like, I know you've we've talked about the Celtics, but the Cavs, I think the reason I'm disappointed in them is they had such a great regular season.
00:43:16
Chino Onwuka
They won 60-plus games. I didn't believe in the Pacers as much as you did, so I thought, you know, even short, they could handle them, and it's just been...
00:43:29
Chino Onwuka
Like, yeah, you can blame injuries and things like that, but I think, to me, they have to be the most disappointed. Boston, like you said, hindsight will rewrite history a little bit and they'll blame Tatum, but you can't have the season that you did in the East. Like, in the West, it's different because you you you you it's a murderer's row of teams, but you can't have that and then lose 4-1. Yeah, i know Mobley was hurt.
00:43:57
Chino Onwuka
I know Garland was hurt, but I think it's even more painful because they gave two games away, realistically, that they could have should have won, even went down, and they blew it, and so it's really up on them. So it's really going to be interesting to to see what they do going forward. you know There are a lot of calls for them to blow the team up coming into the season, and then they had such an amazing season, and with the way it's ended, those calls going to come again.
00:44:27
Chino Onwuka
I'm really curious to see what they'll do because a part of me thinks, you know what, with, you know, Boston is not going to be the same Boston next year. Who knows what's going to have happen with Milwaukee.
00:44:39
Chino Onwuka
the The East becomes pretty wide open again. So do you want to give it one more shot because you know you have a core that at least works to some extent? Can you tinker around it?
00:44:50
Chino Onwuka
But yeah, it's kind of super disappointing. Yeah. um yeah Look, you know the two that you have to build around. It's it's Mitchell, it's Mobley, and then i would keep Garland as well.
00:45:07
Chino Onwuka
And maybe you you try to see what you can get from Allen. But yeah, Cavs is most disappointing team for me.
00:45:15
Emeka
Chukwu, I know you have similar thoughts. Do you agree with Chinof?
00:45:20
Chuku
100% is the Cavs, bro. Cavs very disappointed. i mean, I don't know how. i mean, yeah, they had injuries, but for the most part, they came back still. I mean, like, to lose the Pacers the manner you did, have to have them the year that you did in the regular season.
00:45:40
Chuku
Like, you're not beating the narratives of this whole camp play with two small guards and think you're going to win a championship. I just don't see how, at this point in time, there's not much more added fuel to the fire of having two guards under 6'4", or 6'4", yeah, under 6'4", and thinking you're gonna win a championship. They got to let one of these two go.
00:46:02
Chuku
It's just, it's not working. It's not working. They're both impeding their games in the playoffs. Garland seems to be the one that's suffering the most from it, with not having the ball in his hands.
00:46:14
Chuku
And I just think it's in all... Because people think that like when you say blow it up or a player has to leave, that it's like...
00:46:26
Chuku
it means the player is bad or, you know, they're not good enough or, you know so know, like usually there's a bad connotation about wanting out from a, ah you know, from a a team like, you know, what a team like this, right? In this kind of scenario.
00:46:41
Chuku
And I would venture to say that actually think for the betterment of these players' careers, referring to Mitchell and Garland, I just think they're going to be better off doing their own things for another different franchise and building around you know around them being the primary ball handler.
00:47:05
Chuku
And, you know, I mean, we we see it
00:47:07
Chino Onwuka
like like Like the magic, right?
00:47:10
Chuku
see it. I didn't bring up the magic.
00:47:12
Chino Onwuka
Of course.
00:47:13
Chuku
But we could use we could sure use a garland.
00:47:13
Chino Onwuka
i mean
00:47:15
Chuku
That would be nice. But, look, at end the day, I don't care.
00:47:15
Chino Onwuka
learning of course
00:47:18
Chuku
It's not even about the magic. It's just simple Facts that you can't hope to build a backcourt with two guards under this height of six four in today's NBA and think you're about to, you know, like, to win it. and In the playoffs, it gets exposed heavy.
00:47:40
Chuku
And with the ball always in Mitchell's hands, Garland seems to be the one, like, if If I'm in Garland's camp, I'm pushing to get this guy out of out of there, man. he They need to find another fit for Garland and get something comfortable back and build around Mitchell and Garland and – sorry, Mitchell, Mobley, and, you know,
00:48:08
Chuku
Yeah, I think that those are the two you got to keep. You find a way to deal with Alan and stuff. if you I mean, if you want to keep Alan, I understand it. Great. But he in terms of trying to get pieces back, they need a ah good series of of wings. I mean, I know they had they added Hunter, but like I don't know. my Hunter has not proven to me.
00:48:31
Chuku
He's that consistently good. Or maybe they need to give Hunter more chance to to shot to to play is or to play play ah higher role in offense. I don't know what the answer is. But regardless, one thing I do know for sure and two things for certain, Garland and Donovan Mitchell.
00:48:51
Chuku
is not going to win you an NBA rink in 2025 in this era of basketball. I just don't see it. And I've seen enough to, you know, come to that conclusion.
00:49:04
Chuku
And, you know, yeah, there's definitely going to be a lot of fuel to the fire in terms of I wanted to, you know, get one of those two out.
00:49:08
Emeka
Yeah, no.
00:49:13
Chuku
And I think, you know, we can all agree. If you're the Cavs and you're looking at the two options, Garland is definitely the odd one out. And, yeah, I'm going to be interested to see if they make any moves.
00:49:25
Chuku
But they are the most fun team.
00:49:25
Emeka
Yeah, I think Garland's agent is is Rich Paul.
Dallas Mavericks and NBA Draft Lottery
00:49:28
Emeka
ah athletic article is getting written as we speak. But yeah, no, that's the playoffs right now. I mean, we can talk about so many more teams. It's just great playoffs.
00:49:38
Emeka
Before we sign off on basketball, I mean, yesterday, the news that shook the basketball world. Turns out LeBron is right. Draft lottery is rigged because Dallas Mavericks won 1.8% odds, which is so insane.
00:49:52
Emeka
But won the draft lottery and Cooper flag. There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. There must always be a white star in Dallas. He's getting drafted number one overall by the Dallas Mavericks.
00:50:03
Emeka
Very briefly, we're going to have an NBA draft pod sometime in the summer to actually break down these guys. But very briefly, to you, Cooper Flag to Dallas, is it a good thing or a bad thing for the league?
00:50:16
Chino Onwuka
I just, I think it's a good thing for the league, but I think Dallas got bailed out hard. Like, good for the fans of Dallas because I think the way the whole booker situation happened was just heartbreaking for them. Like, ah you know, a lot of fans were done with the team and this will bring them back. So good for good for the league, good for Mavericks fans.
00:50:42
Chino Onwuka
Nico Harrison got bailed out. So like build out huge.
00:50:47
Emeka
bailed out.
00:50:50
Chino Onwuka
I know there's the jokes that, you know, the lottery is rigged. it's It's not like if people actually read into the details of how it's done, like it's it's it's managed and overseen by Ernst and Young, who are a multinational organization with a big reputation. So they're not going to let that happen on their watch. And You know, I think it's, I think in in one extent, I think another reason, first of all, you have Cooper Flagg going to what should be a good team.
00:51:24
Chino Onwuka
that'll probably help his development a little bit. I think another way it's good for the league is that I really hope that this starts to actually discourage tanking because the league flattened the draft odds to reduce tanking.
00:51:41
Chino Onwuka
Teams haven't really adapted to that yet because they still try to lose as many games, but I really hope that they'll deep that, hey, losing all this many games isn't really that beneficial. We should at least try to try to develop, up guys, sure.
00:51:56
Chino Onwuka
Try to put in an a winning culture, and wherever it is you land, it's it's it's called a lottery for a reason. You probably, in a way, have just as much chance of,
00:52:08
Chino Onwuka
of winning the lottery as if you just try to stink and lose and give guys fake injuries to not play half the season. And I hope between these flattened lottery odds, sort of the results we've seen over the last couple of years and the playing tournament, you know, I hope this really leads to more teams actually trying at the end of the season.
00:52:32
Emeka
The basketball gods punished the tanking teams. That one I can say for sure. The Wizards, the Jazz moved down after all the debauchery they put their fans through.
00:52:40
Chuku
The Hornets...
00:52:41
Emeka
The Hornets all moved down. That's something else. Chukwu, do you think Cooper flag to the Dallas Mavericks is a good thing or a bad thing for the league?
00:52:51
Chuku
It's amazing. I love it. I got to see the Dallas Mavericks like good again. or to be they're gonna push if They're making the playoffs next year. I won. I'm just putting that out there.
00:53:02
Chuku
This is a... and As far as like basketball, wanting to see... Wanting to see... wanted to see Cooper Flagg, in this case, he's still going to be back.
00:53:10
Chino Onwuka
You do know Kyrie is probably going to miss most of the season next year, right?
00:53:16
Chuku
Yes, he's still going be back halfway in season like halfway through the season, most likely. So it's not like Tatum situation where we can almost basically rule him out for the entire season.
00:53:27
Chino Onwuka
But this is the West.
00:53:27
Chuku
Tabri will be back.
00:53:29
Chino Onwuka
This is the West.
00:53:29
Chuku
so Sorry, ahead. Understood.
00:53:30
Chino Onwuka
This is the West. As good as Cooper is going to be, he's going to be a rookie.
00:53:32
Chuku
Understood.
00:53:35
Chino Onwuka
So really for most of the season next year, your team is going to be It's going to be AD and a rookie Cooper flag.
00:53:45
Chuku
understood.
00:53:45
Chino Onwuka
They're going to be good at some point, but this to say they're definitely going to make the playoffs next year, I think is optimistic.
00:53:53
Chuku
hey well, that's how much I believe in Anthony Davis. That's how much I believe in a rookie rookie Cooper flag. And that's how much I believe in terms of they're going to do something to add some sort of point guard depth to their roster, most likely in the off season.
00:54:10
Chuku
And I'm just banking on the whole having AD healthy. You're going to have your the big rotation with Gafford and Lively still there.
00:54:21
Chuku
Cooper Flagg going to playing. Cooper Flagg right now translates to winning defense. He can shoot the ball. He can handle the ball for his size.
00:54:33
Chuku
He knows how to playmake. I just think Dallas are going to be one of the better. I'm projecting them to be one of the better defensive teams in the league. in the league come com next season.
00:54:45
Chuku
And it will not shock me. I'm not saying that they make the playoffs directly in terms of like top six seed, but I believe they can make a playoffs in terms of like making it through the play-in. I definitely strongly believe they can come in seventh or eighth in the West. I strongly believe that. So I think Cooper Flagg is going to definitely... like This is one of the best fits he could could join in. He joins a perfect situation playing next to an ED and a Lively or a Gafford.
00:55:14
Chuku
And I just think with even with carry out, he's going to give a chance to have the ball in his court, be able to handle the the rock more. And he's a player that can create. like He knows how to, he can function with the ball in his hands. So I just think we're going to be very much impressed with Cooper Flags' play.
00:55:35
Chuku
And he's going to be the difference in terms of getting them to A play-in with a chance to make it to the playoffs, and I think they will make it to the playoffs.
00:55:43
Emeka
Hey, defense with championships, Nico Harris would say. I'm going to go the opposite way and say, for most of the reasons you guys have said it's a good thing for Dallas, I think it's a good thing for Dallas, great thing for Dallas, obviously, and it's a great thing for Flag to go to a good team.
00:55:59
Emeka
I think it's bad for the league. I think it's bad that there's so many teams in the basement and Cooper Flag sells hope. And if you're a Hornets fan or a Wizards fan or a Jazz fan, Lord knows you need some goddamn hope.
00:56:13
Emeka
And not being able to get, like, you know, you wasted this year, essentially. And, yeah, you have some, you know, your little mellows and you have, I mean, Jazz and the Wizards don't really have much, but they have people. like it's you wanted to I like when teams like the Pelicans got Zion back in the I like when a team gets hope with a number one overall pick.
00:56:35
Emeka
And Dallas, you just had Luka. And you just had Dirk. like You guys are good, man. like And more importantly, he's going to the West. The East needed him.
00:56:46
Emeka
That's what it is.
00:56:46
Chino Onwuka
That's the one thing I would agree with you on. like like like like it's It's too much. It's too much.
00:56:52
Emeka
I want it.
00:56:53
Chino Onwuka
like the east The East needs something. It's too much.
00:56:57
Emeka
Like, Chukwu's saying they're going to be in the playing team. Like, the West have enough teams. Like, get get them in the East somewhere. Let that team be a playing team. Like, that's why I think it's bad for the league. I do agree if you turn on that. I like, personally, I like the flattened lottery odds.
00:57:10
Emeka
But I do hear the argument from these small market teams saying, you know, what happens, man? Like, why how are we supposed to get better? In fairness, though, Zach Lowe made a great point today.
Champions League Finals Preview
00:57:20
Emeka
He said, when the vote to change the lottery odds went,
00:57:24
Emeka
It passed through twenty nine to one And the only GM that against it is the GM for the number one seed, Oklahoma City Thunder. He said, small market teams, the only way we get talent is through the draft.
00:57:39
Emeka
And everybody else said, nah, flatten the odds. And he said, bet. I'm going to trade for all you guys' draft picks because now the odds are flattened out. You can strike lucky.
00:57:50
Emeka
Like the the Hawks almost gave the Spurs like a top three pick. like People don't understand how techie now these draft trades are. Like, the Sixers almost lost the pick.
00:58:01
Chino Onwuka
no our our pick Our pick that was second was our pick not even it wasn't Yeah, yeah
00:58:05
Emeka
know. That's what I'm saying. The Hawks almost gave you guys another third pick. You're going second and fourth.
00:58:09
Chino Onwuka
yeah yeah
00:58:10
Emeka
And the Sixers almost gave the Thunder, I guess, the seventh pick. Like, you guys don't understand now. These draft pick things are techy. But anyhow, we've been close to an hour on the playoffs. But, you know, we have to about the playoffs. Come on.
00:58:23
Emeka
It's a great playoffs. I can't wait for game six of OKC Denver. And I can't wait for the conference finals, man. It's a great time of year. You know, we talk about the NBA, but it's the love of the game out here. And we and we do love the game. and NBA wasn't the only a sport that had some big matchups, big games.
00:58:42
Emeka
A lot happened in the world of football since we've last spoken. Honestly, too much to discuss. So I'm going to start off with at the top, where last week, last week We had the second legs of the Champions League finals.
00:58:56
Emeka
In the case you're living under a rock, PSG 2, Arsenal 1, 3-1 on aggregate, and Inter Milan 4, Barcelona 3, 8-7 on aggregate. What a tie.
00:59:08
Emeka
Their Champions League finals in 2025 is Inter Milan versus PSG. And Chukwu, I'm going to start with you. going ask you this one simple question. Inter Milan versus PSG are the right two teams in the Champions League finals.
00:59:25
Chuku
The answer is yes. i think I think the right two teams are. PSG, mean, I can't speak of it in enough how important the January transfer window was for them to be able to add, you know, a talent like Kravashkelia to this this team. They made the right moves.
00:59:49
Chuku
You can see what an addition can can can do for a club. They've been playing amazing football all year, and all they did was just add to that. And, yeah, I just think PSG definitely deserved to don make it through with how they played.
01:00:05
Chuku
And also with Inter inter Milan, like Inter Milan have been amazing. They've been really good this year. i mean, they they know their identity. They don't try to, you know, change for anybody.
01:00:20
Chuku
They play solid defense. They know how to attack with their fullbacks. And, you know, they have one of the better forwards in the game in Martinez. And, you know, like they've just been, yeah, they've just been really good good to watch. I mean, Barcelona obviously are very appealing on the ice in terms of how they play. Like, you know, they're very offensive team.
01:00:44
Chuku
You know, they don't, I mean, they have decent defense, but like let's not act as if defense is like, their number one priority, which is not, right? they they they are They're of the mindset that, you know, sure, he may score two or three goals, but their belief is that they can score four or five and it'll be enough to win the game.
01:01:03
Chuku
So it made for an intriguing matchup, which at the end of the day, just think if you ask me to answer your question directly, definitely think the right two teams made the finals based off of their performance.
01:01:15
Chuku
And there wasn't any shocks on my end.
01:01:19
Emeka
Chin would you agree?
01:01:21
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I think for the most part that the right two teams did. i Actually, i think any of the four teams would have would have been deserving of making the finals. you know In the one tie, Inter-Barcelona, what was it? 7-6 on aggregate.
01:01:39
Chino Onwuka
Both teams went for, I think, probably the best semifinal we've seen ever or in a long time. So either of those teams would have been deserving, but you know I did call Inter to win that tie just because I thought Barcelona's defense, when it works, it works. But you know if you can if you can sort of exploit that, then it's just sort of living on the razor's edge. And you know they they played with fire one too many times. Inter showed great resilience to to come back. and
01:02:11
Chino Onwuka
like man Barcelona, like one thing I'll give them props on, you know apart from their attacking style, is they just know that they're going to score. And they believe that, you know, regardless of what happens on the other end, they're going outscore you because how many times have they been 2-0 down and that hasn't phased them and they've come back? so So I think either of those teams would have been deserving. You know, the PSG Arsenal tie, PSG is definitely deserving.
01:02:37
Chino Onwuka
You know, they went from struggling in the Champions League to making it out of the, of the what do what do you call that round, that that prelim round before the round of 16 and then probably since...
01:02:47
Emeka
and I don't know.
01:02:50
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, probably since January, they've been the the the best team in Europe. So definitely deserving. So many attacking players, so many young players.
01:03:00
Chino Onwuka
know Not just attacking their midfield, so, so talented. So I think you're going to have a really, really good contrast of styles in the final. But but you know I will say that you know looking on it from the Arsenal side of things, even with as poor as the season has been,
01:03:18
Chino Onwuka
even with all the players that we were missing, it's kind of weird because even though PSG were the better team and deserving winners, if you if you sort of analyze, you know, all the elements of of both ties, you know, there is there is an alternate reality where, you know, Arsenal won both those games, you know, and in the first first leg, we had two big chances to score,
01:03:47
Chino Onwuka
And in the second leg, you know, those first 25 minutes, we we hammered them. In fact, in the second leg, definitely across the whole game, we were the better team. And, you know, sort of the the the things that we've been saying about Arsenal the whole season, just not able to put the ball in the back of the net. And know I know people sort of clown XG, but if you look at XG over the two legs, we had greater XG than they did. So I think just on that note, there Arsenal word had a really good Champions League run.
01:04:17
Chino Onwuka
Even with all the injuries, they sort of, even with the disappointment, they can leave with their head held up high. I think they would have been deserving finalists as well. But, you know, we do have two of the best teams in Europe in the final, and I am really looking forward to that.
01:04:32
Emeka
Yeah, I mean, i think they're the two best teams in in Europe this season. Maybe Barcelona can go in there, and honestly, you can you can convince me Barcelona deserve to be in here.
01:04:43
Emeka
It comes down to, I mean, I'm sure we've all seen the the clip where already broke it down, but little mistakes, like always going for the goal. like Your point about Barcelona and believe they can always score is a gift and a curse, because it's that spirit that makes them always come back, but it's also that spirit that had flicked Sabian Lewandowski,
01:05:01
Emeka
in the 90th minute, and then Lamin-Yama himself going to the corner, trying to score, counterattack, foul, whether it's not, whatever, Inter Milan equalized last minute. Like, it's that give and take that Barcelona have. Never say die.
01:05:15
Emeka
Barcelona should have been in the finals. I can see that. Inter Milan throughout the entire Champions League. I've also felt that when you knock out Bayern Munich and you knock out Barcelona, I mean, who's ever to tell you you can't be in there?
01:05:26
Emeka
From an Arsenal perspective, oof. i Definitely thought over the two legs PSG were better, but I also thought it was a lot closer than people are giving credit for like you said I mean people call that does salty he made a point where the man of the match on both legs was Donna Roma for a lot of people like Says a lot when the opposing team's goalkeeper is man the match You know, you kind of make a point like that But hey at the end of the day you go through what you go through you deserve what you deserve through on an aggregate Usman them belly and the boys fantastic of over both legs done aroma
01:05:57
Emeka
Man, the guy hate guy hates England. That's all you can say. He hates England and and he hates Saka because, man, against those people, he shows up. So I'm looking forward to it. and And personally, I like when new teams are in the finals.
01:06:09
Emeka
And PSG never won it in my lifetime. And Inter Milan last won it was Mourinho back in 2010. So, hey, I like new teams being in it. I'm tired of always seeing Liverpool, and...
01:06:21
Emeka
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Let's some new new blood in there. So looking forward to it. May 31st, special day for me. I turned 30 that day. I'm almost kind of glad Arsenal lost because I couldn't deal with an Arsenal Champions League final turning 30. That would have been bad for my heart.
01:06:36
Emeka
But obviously the the main question now is PSG Inter Milan, who do you guys have winning and what's your scoreline?
01:06:45
Chino Onwuka
So just want to pose one question.
01:06:45
Emeka
so
01:06:48
Chino Onwuka
Do we want to do that now, or do we want to do that closer to the game?
01:06:52
Emeka
I say do it now, and then we can revis we can revise it week before.
01:06:52
Chino Onwuka
We can help but.
01:06:56
Emeka
Because what's really going to change? Let's be real.
01:06:58
Chino Onwuka
Sounds good.
01:06:58
Emeka
friend
01:07:01
Emeka
And I'll start. i will say my ah tough prediction is an internal line upset two one The PSG curse just can't.
01:07:14
Emeka
i just I don't know. Simu Nizagi, I just love him so much as a manager. I'm going to just slight edge to him over your Enrique. 2-1 Inter Milan.
01:07:23
Chuku
I gotta ask, is that an upset? Are PSG favored?
01:07:27
Emeka
What appears your heavy favorites?
01:07:29
Chuku
Okay. I know. That's surprising to me. I i mean, I know PSG are the C1 paper, the better attacking team, but I'm picking Inter Milan, man. I think Inter Milan are going to honestly just be a different outlet in terms of how they play and with three at the back. It's something that PSG hasn't really seen much of this year and i think is going shock them.
01:07:58
Chuku
you know like like The way Inter Milan play is very fascinating actually. Zagli has those guys playing some different type of ball over there because you'd associate three at the back with like you know very, very defensive and don't get me wrong, Inter Milan are very good defensive defensively but it's also very, very attacking in its own right. like I've seen you know, clips of Bastoni, like literally at the other, you know other half in some crazy runs that I'm just like, a center back doesn't normally make.
01:08:33
Chuku
And in that system, it's like those fullbacks, bro, like DeMarco, man, what a player. Like i was i got, he's something else, man. But yeah, DeMarco and Dumfries, like they are such a unique pairing.
01:08:48
Chuku
I feel like, you know, They're just so underrated in terms of what they what they bring and what they do and how they fit the system. Like, yeah, I go with Inter Milan. we well Are we given a scoreline?
01:09:00
Chuku
What was the scoreline? but Are we given a scoreline? If we did, what was the previous scoreline?
01:09:04
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I have said
01:09:06
Chuku
Oh, 2-1. Okay. I can see something like that. I think go I'll go higher, actually. I'm going to go 3-1. 3-1 Inter.
01:09:13
Chuku
one in turn Yeah, man.
01:09:13
Emeka
What do you think?
01:09:17
Emeka
but do you
01:09:17
Chino Onwuka
if Before we'd asked predictions, I was going to say Inter as well, but thought you made me think about it.
01:09:22
Chuku
you
01:09:25
Chino Onwuka
i actually see PSG winning this tie just because Chukwu talked about how Inter play and You know, they're really defensive. They're actually, like, one of the best defensive teams in the league. And as an Arsenal fan, I can respect that. But, you know, the reason they were able to be so attacking against Barcelona is because of the Kamikaze way they play.
01:09:50
Chino Onwuka
PSG isn't going to play like that. They are an attacking team, but they they they press better. It's a more balanced shape. And...
01:10:02
Chino Onwuka
I just think that with the quality that PSG have and not being as kamikaze at the back, if Donnarumma keeps being up to form and is able to save them in the few moments when Inter can attack, I just think just that the cohesiveness of the way PSG play, you know, with the midfield...
01:10:23
Chino Onwuka
you know They're not going to get bullied the same way they did against Arsenal. So it's going to be a more technical battle. And I think they can match Inter on that. And then it's going to be you know they're attacking players against you know that back three or back five, depending on if Inter's counterattacking or not. And you know i think PSG can take advantage of that. So I will go... don't know where this came from, but I'll go 3-1 PSG.
01:10:54
Emeka
3-1 PSG. Guy wants to see a great game. Hey, I hope it's a high-scoring game. We've had a couple stinkers Champions League finals in in the recent years. I feel like lot of 1-0s and 2-0s.
01:11:05
Emeka
So, hey, if you got some goals, it'd be great.
El Clasico Recap and Real Madrid's Future
01:11:08
Emeka
You know, Champions League wasn't the only ah European competition that a final this, semifinals this week. However, we're not going to talk about the other ones.
01:11:17
Emeka
That's what you get for playing on Thursday. We'll talk about you guys next week. Another big game that happened this week, though. between, and pretty much a cup final in itself, was the El Clasico, the fourth of the season.
01:11:30
Emeka
Takes me back to those prime Mourinho and Papieras, where the Barcelona game was used to play every other Thursday, it felt like. El Clasico, another banger.
01:11:41
Emeka
ah ah Another banger. As Real Madrid came up 2-0 to start, and then like Chinon said, Barcelona just don't give up ever. Ends up being 4-3.
01:11:52
Emeka
So much to talk about. Carlos' last ah classical, Mbappe hat-trick, Jamal being Jamal. What do you guys take away from Barcelona sweeping the El Clasicos for the first time since Messi was there?
01:12:06
Emeka
on the El Clasicos. What do you guys think?
01:12:10
Chuku
I can just start off by just saying clearly this is not your same Hallam Madrid that we witnessed this year. This has been a very, very humbling season, i would say.
01:12:25
Chuku
Being a Madrid, any for any Madrid fan or a Madrid supporter, this has just been a very, very humbling experience. And for one, glad to see Ancelotti leaving.
01:12:38
Chuku
I think it's time. is you know He's done enough at the club, and it's time for a new posture, new voice in the locker room. And you being able to bring in a guy like Xabi Alonso is just going to be very, very uplifting, beneficial in the long run.
01:12:59
Chuku
But as far as sticking to it for this year, what we've learned is Yamal is a very scary, scary kid. Barcelona, team that, you know, never gives up, always believes they're to and they always find ways to score.
01:13:17
Chuku
Rafinha is a true, true Ballon d'Or prospect. He's been having such an amazing season. And, yeah, Barcelona, man, there they're very good attacking team. They're good at what they do.
01:13:31
Chuku
And just had a very – abysmal season to their standards. And, you know, the they they probably know and probably understand they're going to to probably spend or try to recruit heavy this offseason.
01:13:48
Chuku
They're very starting the process with bringing in Trent, so they know there's a lot of changes that need to be made. But let's not discount that there's a lot of injuries as well that Madrid experienced this year that probably didn't help them out.
01:14:03
Chuku
help them out And there's going to be a lot of question marks, you know, in terms of what the new coach or manager is going to be looking for or bringing in with this club because i foresee, know, some exits, know, some parts for, I can foresee some surprising exits in the, you know, in the near future because not every player is going to be happy, right. In that, in that and the locker room.
01:14:28
Chuku
And got to believe one of these three players is, in the near future has to be gone. And actually i would say one of five actually. One of these five players have to go or will have to leave.
01:14:46
Chuku
And that's going to be between Guler, Rodrigo, Endrick, Kamavinga, Chomini.
01:14:59
Chuku
One of these five players cannot stay for different reasons. and you know It's going to be very interesting to see what changes are going to be made and what additions are going to join the club.
01:15:11
Chuku
But as far as this year, Barcelona definitely seems to have got an a Madrid number. And that's something that you know can't happen again next year because you don't want to be losing to your rivals in a clean sweep.
01:15:28
Chuku
And that's what happened this year, which is amazing. Very, very embarrassing, to say the least. But yeah, great performance by Barcelona.
01:15:40
Chino Onwuka
El Clasico. This is the El Clasico that we love. And I think this portends great things for the future of El Clasico. You know, we all grew up on the El Clasicos of Messi versus Ronaldo, Pep versus Mourinho. And I think we're we're getting back to that era again, you know, where you're going to have Mbappe, Vinny, and Bellingham versus...
01:16:09
Chino Onwuka
Lamal, Rafinha, and Pedri. And, ooh, that is so spicy. And we're going to get that for the next couple of years. What a game. What a game.
01:16:21
Chino Onwuka
ah I think Chico mentioned it. Barcelona swept Real Madrid this season, didn't they?
01:16:27
Emeka
4-0.
01:16:28
Chino Onwuka
That is crazy. Again, you know, It's, you know, just analyzing the game, it's been such a weird season for Mbappe because if you just look at his statistics, you know, he's had a brilliant season.
01:16:41
Chino Onwuka
I don't think anyone's had a debut season terms of scoring since Cristiano Ronaldo. Bellingham had an amazing debut season as well.
01:16:49
Emeka
He scored more than Ronaldo now, funny enough.
01:16:49
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. Yeah, but you know he came in, he was supposed to be that the crown jewel on on this Galactico era of Madrid and and bring more Champions Leagues to them.
01:17:04
Chino Onwuka
And you know when he came in, he said his dream was to win the treble and they're going to win zilch.
01:17:11
Emeka
Zero.
01:17:11
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. that's That's just crazy. So he had a great game. you know He had a hat-trick. I think really at this point, if I'm Real Madrid, you know I'm looking to build towards next season and try to find more balance in the team.
01:17:27
Chino Onwuka
you know Find out you know what works and what doesn't. How do you best integrate you know at least your three main pillars seemingly of Bellingham, Vinicius, Mourinho. and
Barcelona's Success and Emerging Talent
01:17:38
Chino Onwuka
Mbappe and get that working because you you've got you've got a ah ah demon on on the other side coming, the prince that was promised. Luminium are like every every week. like I feel like these last couple of weeks, he's he's realized like I'm him because, and again, he's only 17 because he had the talent where you'd see it like,
01:18:02
Chino Onwuka
once every couple of games, you know, which is understandable considering his youth, but I feel like for the last couple of months or so, like every game, he is just running the show. And then with that combination with Rafinha on the other side, like it is just, it is just amazing. So every Barcelona game is, is much watched for multiple reasons because they're so good going forward and you know, they will give you a goal at the back. So yeah, great game.
01:18:31
Chino Onwuka
Again, I'm someone that likes to keep it a buck. Again, I will give Emeka his props because he is the only person that called this. I did not see Barcelona having this season at all, considering all the turmoil they had in the offseason, the new coach, their normal confusion in regards to signings and and their finances. And what a season for them. La Masia has come through for them.
01:18:58
Chino Onwuka
but this club is just, I don't know whether they're lucky or blessed, but yeah.
01:19:03
Emeka
Hey, more than a club. What's QA club?
01:19:06
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. So, so yeah, it's just, I know this isn't the topic, but like Lamal is easily the second best right wing in the world. Saka, you were there for a bit, but yeah, he's, east he's, he's taking that spot firmly.
01:19:27
Chino Onwuka
firmly firmly
01:19:27
Emeka
I'm um I'm not there. Oh, man, I'm almost there. put I'll caveat this heavily by piggybacking what you said of just over the last two months or so.
01:19:41
Emeka
Over the last two months, Jamal's been the best player in the world. People hype up this Rafinha Ballon d'Or campaign for good reason. He's putting up crazy numbers. This a very niche reference, but I feel like I'm confident Trino's going to get it.
01:19:54
Emeka
There used to be a Gold magazine cover when Ronaldinho won Ballon d'Or. I'll never forget the headline. Headline says, this award says I'm the best player in the world, but I'm not even the best player of Barcelona. Because at the time, he was talking about an 18-year-old Lionel Messi.
01:20:09
Emeka
This is the exact same way I feel about Rafinha's Ballon d'Or. Rafinha is getting Ballon d'Or credit.
01:20:14
Chino Onwuka
Man, good callback.
01:20:17
Emeka
as you I know you we appreciate it.
01:20:17
Chino Onwuka
callback.
01:20:19
Emeka
That's a niche one because I feel the exact same way. Rafinha is, don't know if he won Ballon d'Or because they didn't win the Champions League, but he's getting all the credit for that. To me, its not if you watch Barcelona, it's not even a question.
01:20:31
Emeka
Jamal's the best player in Barcelona. It's not even close. I'll even throw in there. He had a pass in El Clas. It wasn't an assist or anything. Just outside the book cross he had. It made me almost drop my remote. I didn't understand. This guy's not 18 yet and he's moving like this.
01:20:48
Emeka
The fact that we're putting him up there with the Vinny's and Mbappes, we're talking about DJL Classicals, this guy's not even 18 yet, and we're putting him in that stratosphere. And it's fair, because he's just that guy.
01:21:01
Emeka
Shout out Barcelona. you'd be shocked at the amount of La Liga's they win. Like people, I'm sure the common fan thinks it's like a 50-50 split between Madrid and Barcelona.
01:21:12
Emeka
It's like an 80-20 split. Barcelona win, run it up in La Liga. They win that league all the time. So, hey, Hansi Flick, big shout out to him coming through his first season. Everyone was saying their catastrophe. They just fired Xavi, all that.
01:21:27
Emeka
Ended with a La Liga trophy. Real Madrid win the ah ah league and Champions League at Mbappe. And look what happens.
FA Cup Final Predictions
01:21:34
Emeka
And this quick a point, though, you know, it just shows how fast football moves.
01:21:39
Emeka
This time last year, we were all talking about how Vinny Jr. has now ascended. He's the best player in the world. He's that guy. He's this, that, and the other. you know You don't really hear about Vinny anymore. He had a great game this weekend.
01:21:50
Emeka
But you really don't really hear about Vinny anymore like that. That just shows how fast it moves in football. Speaking of football, of somehow another final is happening this weekend. i don't hu This whole playing the FA Cup final for the end of the season is disgusting.
01:22:09
Emeka
And I hope they never do it again.
01:22:12
Chino Onwuka
Woke nonsense.
01:22:13
Emeka
I'll tell woke nonsense.
01:22:13
Chino Onwuka
Woke nonsense.
01:22:14
Emeka
fence We're playing FA Cup finals before the end of the season. I'll be it. Our game of the week, part one. It is the FA Cup final this weekend. It doesn't feel like it to me, at least. I don't know. Probably because it's City and Palace.
01:22:26
Emeka
But FA Cup final this weekend. Man City versus Crystal Palace.
01:22:32
Emeka
Chukwu.
01:22:34
Emeka
Do Palace do the... I can't even finish this question. Do you...
01:22:37
Chuku
you
01:22:38
Emeka
Who do you think is going to win the FA Cup?
01:22:42
Chuku
Man, sadly, I just don't see how it's not going to be Man City, bro. I just don't see it. i'm Obviously, my heart wants it to be Crystal Palace. My head is just telling me I just don't see it.
01:22:56
Chuku
And, yeah, I mean, Holland is – isn't Holland back as well?
01:23:01
Emeka
Yeah, he's playing 90 minutes.
01:23:01
Chuku
I'm pretty sure Holland is exactly. Yeah. Yeah, I don't know. I i just think Crystal Palace ain't got enough to be able to see this one through. And unfortunately, Man City is going to be able to lift a trophy this year, even though they've had a stink of a season.
01:23:17
Chuku
But yeah, if I had to pick, I would definitely say I'll be leaning towards Man City, most likely.
01:23:25
Emeka
Score.
01:23:27
Chuku
Scoreline,
01:23:31
Emeka
I'm going to give a humble 2-1 Man City, even though I do agree that. As much as I want it so badly, Pep is going to finesse trophy end of the season.
01:23:42
Emeka
Disgusting. Chin off, please is give me something here.
01:23:45
Chino Onwuka
I wish I could say otherwise. i think... I hope Palace will give a good account of themselves. They've been playing really well recently. i think Mateta will... Mateta and Eze will give City some problems.
01:24:00
Chino Onwuka
But, yeah, I can't go any way other than picking City for the final, I think.
01:24:08
Chino Onwuka
They're just too too strong. it's It's been a fairytale run for Crystal Palace. I would love them to win, but i can't i can't I can't pick against City for this one. Somewhere between 2-0, 3-1, 3-1 for City.
01:24:22
Emeka
Three straight FA Cup finals for City. People sleep on that. like
01:24:25
Chino Onwuka
Oh.
01:24:27
Emeka
it's been It's been something.
01:24:29
Chino Onwuka
When, no, when you when United beat them in that crazy game? That was a week up?
01:24:35
Emeka
That was the FA Cup. They three straight finals.
01:24:38
Chino Onwuka
Oh, three straight finals.
01:24:39
Emeka
They won the treble last year.
01:24:40
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I'm pretty sure United beat them in in a shocker.
01:24:43
Emeka
Yeah, the FA Cup final last year.
01:24:43
Chino Onwuka
I'm getting it.
01:24:45
Emeka
And now they're back again, again. Three straight years they've been finals. Hey, Pep farmed the League Cup, now he's farmed the FA Cup. hopefully Palace prove us all wrong, but yeah, yeah I doubt it.
Conclusion and Upcoming Sports Events
01:24:55
Emeka
And to end it, we started off with this series we're going to end with this series full circle. Thursday night, game six, OKC at Denver. Who do you guys have winning that game?
01:25:08
Emeka
I'll start with you, Chinook.
01:25:10
Chino Onwuka
You know what? I'm going to have Denver. I know I said OKC in six. But with how close this series has been, I'm going to have, you know, Denver, you know, taking some last swings as champions, you know, going out, going out fighting. I think, you know what, I'm going give them the win in in game six.
01:25:32
Chino Onwuka
I think OKC still takes the series, but I think Denver got one more game in them.
01:25:38
Emeka
Chukwu, do you think it's a Thunder in six or are we going to see a game seven?
01:25:43
Chuku
Thunder and six, man. just think we just seen Jokic have the game of his life, one of the game of his lives, and still got the L. I think OKC is going to be, they figured something out, and they're going to be looking for, fishing for blood.
01:26:00
Chuku
And, yeah, my bet is they close it out game six.
01:26:06
Emeka
And for me, in the words of Zaza Pachulia, we go to game seven, baby. I think Denver has to. you know What I just saw, there's no way they lose at home.
01:26:17
Emeka
I would have been shocked if it blowout. Denver win. And then we go back to, okay, this is a seven-game series. And I hope it will go seven games. Even I'm pulling for Shea. Give Shea his MVP before game seven, too. Let's make the odds spicy.
01:26:31
Emeka
Well, there you have folks. good 90 minutes. That's a good soccer match right there. good 90-minute podcast with your boys. It's been a hectic time of year. My favorite time of the year. It's getting warmer.
01:26:44
Emeka
Playoffs. Champions League. Trophies getting awarded. Join us next week as we discuss all this and more on The Love of the Game.