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Ireland Squad for the Nations League Play-Offs | NFL Quarterback Carousel | Ja Morant’s Issues & the Warriors Championship Chances
26 Plays29 days ago
In this week’s episode of Who’s Got The Ball? the lads have a chat about the Irish squad for the Nations League play-off against Bulgaria, who they're excited to watch and who they’re not so happy to see, before talking with Cynan about the NFL Quarterback carousel and what's next for some of the big names. To finish up, Shane and James spoke about their hopes for Ja Morant and whether or not the Warriors are a sneaky outside bet for the Championship?
Gan Seans continues with the score at 16-9 to Shane & there is an update on the WGTB Multi-Sport Power Rankings.
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Transcript
Weekend without football
00:00:09
Speaker
Well lads, welcome back to episode 10 of Who's Got The Ball, myself and Shane here. are you going Shane? Good flying, how about yourself? ah god that Good, good, good. Yeah, not too bad. How are we feeling after the Liverpool loss?
00:00:23
Speaker
There was no football or hurling on at the weekend, so I just had to have a free weekend, no stress, all relaxed, it was absolutely great. Yeah, it was just the nice, relaxing Paddy's weekend for you already, I'd say. Yeah, exactly. yeah there was There was nothing on.
00:00:37
Speaker
was There was no sports at all. We just keep moving. So Liverpool got, probably, to be fair, you'd agree, they got played off the park in most of that game. Deservedly beaten, yeah.
00:00:50
Speaker
Deservedly beaten. Yeah, obviously, referring to Limerick getting fairly well beaten as well there on the weekend. Yeah. hello That's only the league. It's not the same story as the Liverpool Cup final. But
Ireland's UEFA Nations League focus
00:01:03
Speaker
Carlow won anyway.
00:01:05
Speaker
Won by three points. Made hard work of it. But I was up at the game there in Portlaoise and they won. So that was good going. And... And United won as well on Sunday. 3-0 comfortably enough against Leicester. Decent weekend for me. They're the second worst Premier League team I've ever seen after Southampton, who are the worst Premier League team I've ever seen. The two of them are are just a shambolic. to do They're an absolute joke, especially defensively.
00:01:30
Speaker
They're just so bad. The first thing to ever lose seven home games in a row without scoring a goal. just a joke. what's the point in the mean there United fans were chanting for him and all like yeah so you didn't take him for your sake I know yeah um but let's get straight into what we're going to talk about this week so obviously we're into the international window now for football so there's no domestic games or European games European games are the one I feel like I'm missing out on midweek like you know you always need to watch them during the week but uh
00:02:07
Speaker
We're going to talk about something different. So we're going to
Exciting Irish players
00:02:10
Speaker
talk about the Ireland squad and furti for this period. So it's two games against Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League.
00:02:19
Speaker
It's like just to stop getting and relegated down to the next division, I think. So, yeah, I'll just run through the squad quickly and then we'll give a bit of an opinion what we think. Maybe guys that missed out. So it's goalkeepers are Kelleher, Travers and Bizzunu.
00:02:35
Speaker
And then defenders are Jake O'Brien, Doherty, Collins, O'Shea, Jimmy Dunn, James Abankwa, Robbie Brady, and Ryan Manning is in for Odota.
00:02:46
Speaker
And then midfielders, Josh Cullen, Jason Knight, Jack Taylor, Mark Sykes, Andy Moran is in for Will Smallbone, and Fianna Zaz. And then the strikers are, or attackers are Ferguson, Adam Eda, Troy Parrott,
00:03:01
Speaker
Sinclair Armstrong, Mikey Johnson and Rocco Vada. So what's the first takeaways? but When I was doing my notes up for this, i I slid it into trying kind of three categories. So i slid into players I was excited to see.
00:03:14
Speaker
The ones I was not excited were still in the squad and the ones I thought were the big losses to the squad this time around. So Rocco Vata, I am so excited to see him ever go. Banqua,
Commitment in Ireland's squad
00:03:26
Speaker
I'm really excited to watch him as well. I think he's had a great season and then deserves this call-up.
00:03:31
Speaker
I think Zaz always gets me excited to be honest. He's having and an absolutely wonderful season at Middlesbrough and Andy Moran as well as another fellow who I Like I know Zaz and Moran probably won't be on the pitch at the same time but if we have them kind of interchange over each other there's a good chance that we'll we have a bit more creativity.
00:03:49
Speaker
i am sick to death of seeing Dorothy in Ireland squads. I really am. He doesn't want to be there. He hates playing for Ireland. You can tell about his attitude every time he goes out there. He only his only shows up because it's an ego boost.
00:04:04
Speaker
It's like, oh, I'm still going to pick for the squad.
Ireland's strategy and relegation concerns
00:04:07
Speaker
He doesn't actually want to be there. When he was dropped, he did an interview about us. so like just I know the option delimited with Coleman injured and Fessy injured, but as soon as we can just get him get him out and get him gone, get him just i don't want to see him.
00:04:21
Speaker
We're number seven at right back at all. The other little things that I need, that's right up there. honestly think that the fact that he wears short sleeves and gloves probably drives you over the edge more than anything like and Another thing, yeah. So he's just an all around, he's a coward is what he is. He is a coward.
00:04:40
Speaker
And then i have filed down a few big misses, I think. So obviously Sammy Smoddix is going to be a big miss. Fessy Everselli is miss. im to those he had been the pace he's just and he can kind of with the five at the back now as well he can fill in at the right wing back he's perfect there I'd love to have seen Tom Cannon get a call up but I don't know if he's injured or just missed out he's just he's not been playing since he went to Sheffield United he's been on the bench So he'll be big miss. And then obviously Jason Malumby as well, who when I picked my Ireland 11 there on the spot a couple of weeks back, he was he was in my 11, I think. So yeah, I think I think those five are big misses from the squad. But the squad overall is quite good.
00:05:23
Speaker
Before mentioned Matt Doherty has the most caps in this. No, he doesn't. Robbie Brady has the most caps in the squad. So it is a squad that is getting younger and younger as the international windows goes on.
00:05:34
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. That's a massive positive. And like I think there's a good chance that we'll likely see Jacob Ryan make a debut from the start of the Bulgarian game, surely.
00:05:46
Speaker
We'll surely see Finnaz probably in behind Troy Parrott and maybe Evan Ferguson. And then kind of just build around that. Then we'll probably the two old men at the fullbacks. I say all men, but they're younger than me. But the two older men in the squad will probably still be our two fullbacks. Yeah.
00:06:01
Speaker
yeah i think no I think it's really important that we don't get relegated. Yeah, i think we need to stay up just for the sake of having better games next year for fans to go to as well. But
Ireland squad potential and challenges
00:06:11
Speaker
I think Daugherty, I have a similar opinion because I didn't like his antics, like the way he carried on.
00:06:18
Speaker
The time that he only got like 45 minutes as well, was he leaving like comments and stuff about and like complaining about Daft? I saw him after one of the games, I believe it was Netherlands last year.
00:06:31
Speaker
when I was there, and then after the game, I was down in the bar, um just down the road, and he was walking, I don't think he got a minute in the game, and he literally, he was nearly out, walking by the bar quicker, than i got down there, and I went straight from the stadium, he's obviously sulking, like left the team straight away, and he wouldn't look at, any of the fans or nothing, obviously people are trying to say hi to him, and all, nothing, so I didn't like that, but,
00:06:54
Speaker
In fairness, for Wolves, he's been very good this season. But again, he doesn't put that same effort in for Ireland. So I don't really like seeing that. I really like Abanqua. I mentioned him when we picked our Ireland team starting 11 as a solid choice. I really think he deserves to get some minutes.
00:07:12
Speaker
And, you know, I love Azaz as well. I think he's definitely our most creative player. The most exciting player there, I think, in terms of midfielders that we've brought. So really hope he plays. I could even see him playing deeper alongside a more defensive player if we did go down that route in the future. Obviously now it's going to be Cullen starting, so he can't really start deeper alongside him.
00:07:34
Speaker
But yeah, I also looked at some of the guys who I thought were big misses. Most were the same as you, but I also had Amab Amidali. like I think that was...
00:07:48
Speaker
a big loss considering he's got some international experience now playing over in Strasbourg. So it's unfortunate that he's out injured, but he's been good since he went there. And obviously I thought we might see a call up of John Patrick and because he yeah he has been starting the majority of games in the last few months for Stadrem. So he's the exact player we would need him. I thought we might let him in a little bit early in his career, but obviously it hasn't gone that way.
00:08:15
Speaker
One interesting thing is, The fact that Sinclair Armstrong is in over Tom Cannon. Because Armstrong obviously offers something different and to the other strikers. But Cannon was on very good form when he was with Stoke before Sheffield United signed him. So it's quite an interesting one too to include Armstrong when he hasn't been fired in front of goal. I thought that was a bit of an odd one. And i don't think Ferguson should get a starting spot in the game.
00:08:41
Speaker
um I think if we go one up top, it has to be Parrott. If we go two, it should be Ida and Parrott. because they've scored the most and they're performing. Ferguson's not even playing. I just don't think it would be fair or our best 11 started.
00:08:55
Speaker
Yeah, agree to that. He hasn't been getting minutes since he went to West Ham He's been brought on for five minutes here, two minutes there. I saw a tweet, it was whoever's advising him needs to be sacked because everyone thought that move was going to be the making of him. He going to get 10 goals between January and the end of the season.
00:09:16
Speaker
He'd be lucky he gets 10 minutes with everything to go on.
00:09:21
Speaker
we would have thought that's a good idea to go there. No striker. There's obviously something there that is obviously already worked with Potter. He knows what Potter is like. And like, if, if he's,
00:09:33
Speaker
you know If he's not getting in the team, there's obviously something there that is not fully there in training that it's just like we have better options. Because if he was the best option right now, he would be starting. I agree. he's I think he's an excellent player, but I just don't think he would have thought or anybody who advising him would have thought that this would have been the outcome. like We all thought this is a great idea.
00:09:55
Speaker
Yeah, i'd I'd love to know. like i'd love to be a fly on the wall and just kind of see where the issues are. like is it Is it his training ethic? Is it... Is finishing isn't what we expected it to be? Is it kind of is it is it just fitness?
00:10:08
Speaker
like There's stuff that we probably never know because journalists never ask those questions in press comments. If do you only get one question, they're not going to focus down and say, what's with Evan Ferguson?
00:10:19
Speaker
so it's like It's never going to go
Defensive prospects in Ireland squad
00:10:20
Speaker
that way. but I would love to know what has happened to him since January because everyone had such high hopes when he went there. It's not worked yet anyway and there's only nine or ten games left in the Premier League season as well.
00:10:34
Speaker
We're kind of running out of time for it to work now. definitely. I think we're running out of time this season and possibly looking into next season, it could be a move abroad to the championship at this rate. To get some experience um with the way things have gone. So it's gone downhill pretty quick, but he's still one of our most talented players and promising for the future. I think probably the most likely starting XI, let me know if you agree, would be Kelleher.
00:11:00
Speaker
Back three centre-backs of O'Brien, Collins and O'Shea. Then right wing back Daugherty, left wing back Brady, two centre-mids Cullen and I don't know, probably Jason Knight.
00:11:13
Speaker
And then in front of them Azaz and then top two with Parrott and Ida. I think that's the most likely. Yeah, the only one I had different to you there was... the only one I had different to you there was had Ferguson in instead of Ida.
00:11:26
Speaker
But yes I think what you said about Ferguson doesn't deserve a start. I also actually did my own... If I was the manager from the squad, I'd be going for 4-2-3-1.
00:11:36
Speaker
Personally, I just... I love it. But I'd have O'Brien right back, Colin De Banqua and Ryan Manning at left back. I know Southampton have had a terrible season, but he hasn't been awful. Unfortunately, you do still have Cullen and Knight together because we have a serious lack of options in centre mids.
00:11:53
Speaker
And then I had Vata as as Mikey Johnson and Troy Parrott as my front forward. Yeah, I like that line. If I was picking the team. I like that a lot more than what is going to be out there.
00:12:05
Speaker
I think, yeah, going four at the back probably suits this squad the most. Because we do need more bodies enter around the in the middle and we need some wing play because we have some good wingers. Like...
00:12:17
Speaker
with Chio when he's fit and then Festy as well and then obviously as you mentioned Johnston and Bata like we have options there so we're not really using them but yeah it's interesting interesting I think Bulgaria are obviously nice um not team stacked with many household names like they're not on the Berbatov days like ah so i don't i don't think I don't think we'll end up losing to them um over two years I don't think so either you still never know what Ireland, what's going to show up. So if they do lose to them over two legs, I'll be very, very reluctant to think that there's any hope of anything happening in the next qualifying campaign.
00:12:58
Speaker
I agree. Yeah, we'll see. We'll see what happens now. um But that's another one. and It is another one reasons why this is so important. Because like if you can't beat Bulgaria over two legs, then any hope the fans have at the moment, it's just going to be washed away complete but just really, really quickly.
00:13:15
Speaker
Just before we move on, just one other thing I wanted to mention was like one of my well two of my biggest surprises in this international window were Dennis Sherkett and CJ Egan Riley being called up to the under-21 squad.
00:13:30
Speaker
I really thought they were shoe-ins for an Irish squad call-up, either know this window or the next one, and that looks to be kind of dead in the water now. was i think it's a strange one, because i don't think either of them are ever going to make it in the England senior squad.
00:13:44
Speaker
No, maybe certain. I don't think they really move. I think it's it's a strange one. and like I'm looking here, and they're both 22, and they've been called up. It's their first call-up to dean the England under-21 squad, so I think it's a strange one.
00:13:59
Speaker
but like Obviously there's interest there in Ireland and Ireland have been on the phone to them I'm sure. So I'd say it's just a tactic to to just bed them in in case they do want them in the future.
NFL quarterback moves
00:14:09
Speaker
Because I think yeah i think the only thing with Serkin is if now if he does step up to the Premier League and he continues to grow they might see something there in a position of need for them.
00:14:18
Speaker
So maybe that's the fact. Yeah, maybe. I don't know. Yeah, 22 years of age seems a bit suspect to be calling somebody up who has another international team sniffing around them. So it's quite an interesting one, yeah. Yeah, other than that Simon.
00:14:35
Speaker
If you have nothing else there, yeah, I think we'll we'll move on to our our guest for this week. So we've got a special guest on this week. We're going to jump straight into that. So let's get on to it. Okay, lads. So we...
00:14:48
Speaker
have got Conan back on again by popular demand. Everyone was dying for him to come back on here ever since they heard his podcast. We've all been listening to over over here using Google Translate.
00:15:01
Speaker
We just couldn't wait to get this man back on. Pleasure. yeah Absolute pleasure, man. How's things going? Obviously, I mentioned last time you have your your graphics page, but also now you're got your own welsh nfl podcast so how's that going for you it it's it's going firstly thank you very much for having me back on i loved it the first time thank you for opportunity again yeah it's going all right i guess i just finished finished recording my second episode it's hard to i don't i don't know how you guys find the time to do it so consistently but i've just managed to record the second one which is good just covering
00:15:42
Speaker
So coming like the off season are basically and explaining what the draft is and what cap space is and stuff like that, all that exciting stuff. And somehow, some way, i've I've had the BBC, like the national radio station in Wales, like pick it up and ask me to talk with them. Again, couldn't tell you how that's happened.
00:16:02
Speaker
So that's happened as well. So it's it's going it's going okay. Thank you very much. Thank you. So just see how it goes really. it some recognition as well on it but uh let's what we're going to talk about now is a specific part of free agency that myself and shane left out last week intentionally so we could save it to chat with you so we're going to talk about kind of like the qb carousel so what's going on the major qb moves so far obviously we're still playing a waiting game on certain players but um
00:16:34
Speaker
We'll throw it to you first. Which kind of acquisition or move stood out to you the most out of self-artist free agency? You know what? I think... I think because of like the the domino effect it might have, only in my mind, obviously, I don't know what these teams are going to do later on, but Geno Smith to the Raiders, I think, is a bigger deal than people are ah but and ah its bigger a deal where people might not be making out than it is.
00:17:02
Speaker
and my In my mind, especially, I'm thinking the raid the Raiders had have the sixth pick, so everyone's thinking, right, they're going to try and you know maybe pick a quarterback that's gone out the window now they've got respectable quarterback I say Jacobi Myers was pretty underrated receiver last year so now they've got tie end respectable low line as well Basically, all they need now really is a running back.
00:17:31
Speaker
And I know a team ah who has the 12th pick who is not happy to to see this happen. so Because I think that i figure yeah everyone in their minds had like the Cowboys taking Ashton Gentry.
00:17:44
Speaker
And was pretty much a lock. And I feel like this has ruffled a few more feathers than people people think. um So I think that's like i think that's been biggie. um And I can see, we're not talking a draft, but I can see that having an effect and Ashton Gentry maybe coming in or maybe the Cowboys even jumping up.
00:18:03
Speaker
But I think for me, it's Geno Smith, 100%. didn listen I didn't actually look at it that way, to be honest. I didn't even think about the the effect that this is going to have on the draft. didn't even think of it that way. dust They can now just go up Genti because they everything else kind of... Everything else almost boxed off. They have...
00:18:22
Speaker
Brock Bowers, he was one of the top tight ends, if not, he's definitely top three tight end after the year he had last year. And now bringing in Gina Smith means they can just go and grab Austin Gentry too, kind of, even if his first year he's back, is Kamara? Kamara's still there. Kamara hasn't gone anywhere. It's in Tianton.
00:18:38
Speaker
like Oh, sorry. Yeah, probably. Yeah. So yeah, they go and get Austin Gentry and they're flying. This guy loves the Saints as well as you, Cunnan. He absolutely loves them. Love is a strong word. Love is it a strong word. It's a love-hate relationship at the moment.
00:18:56
Speaker
they thought It would be interesting. They paid much to Cusby as well. Yeah, a lot of things going on over there. Tom Brady's at the helm now. Who knows what's going to happen? I think that's an interesting one. It would be quite funny now if Genty ends up going to the Raiders or there's a Cowboys trade.
00:19:16
Speaker
after last time you you predicted that Brandon Staley, quite funny, you were saying it in a funny way, would end up at the Saints and then he did. So
QB futures: Rodgers and Wilson
00:19:25
Speaker
that was a bit mad. But yeah, we'll have to start, you know, we'll to start calling you the Welsh wizard if this one goes.
00:19:32
Speaker
But that is there any other one that stood out to you, Shane, apart from the G1? So from a kind of a personal standpoint, I think to just bring in in Justin Field was a a really good move.
00:19:45
Speaker
But the ones that have kind of started to me are the ones that haven't moved. So Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers still sitting there teamless is something that I really didn't expect to see. And it feels now that Wilson's not going to go anywhere until Rodgers finds a home.
00:20:02
Speaker
Because wherever Rodgers goes, Wilson's going to go the opposite direction. So if Rodgers go to Steelers, Wilson could end up at the Giants. If Rodgers go to Giants, Joe, the other way around, Wilson ends up back the Steelers. But I think the Steelers got a and a steal on him last year, pardon the pun. They only paid £1.3 million for the year because of the money he was guaranteed. so like But this year he wants £30 million off a team.
00:20:26
Speaker
So it it's quite a jump for someone to have to go and pay him bigger that big a contract for one year, maybe two years. Outside that, I think the bills signed down Josh Allen to that massive contract as well. It's something that people need to, they really need to look into property because it's actually saved them a good place.
00:20:46
Speaker
Yeah.
00:20:48
Speaker
The market is only going up with the cap space increasing every year. So they did that at the right time. But I think I'm actually just sick to death of Aaron Rodgers because he's honestly just dragging everything out because he wants to stay in the media. He wants to keep everybody talking about him. He wants his little buddies there in NFL, the NFL insiders in Rappaport, like literally peddling Aaron Rodgers stuff nonstop, keeping his name out there.
00:21:14
Speaker
It's just insatiable, to be honest. I can't stomach it anymore. And I just want him to pick somebody. Like, he's dragging it out. He wants to go to the Vikings. Listen, the Vikings don't want you.
00:21:25
Speaker
They want JJ McCarthy. They have their young QB. They're taking your calls because they're keeping options open if maybe he ended up asking for less money. But at the end of the day, he's just going to end up going to the Steelers. And I just think he doesn't want to do that because it's not exactly where he wants to be. And Mike Tomlin won't take any of his crap as well. So...
00:21:47
Speaker
yeah i don't know I think he's he's really just annoying me this offseason. I agree with you 100%. What's awkward though with the Steelers, they've got i think at the moment i've theyve they've got Mason Rudolph back there and they've got Skyler Thompson there.
00:22:05
Speaker
right so you bring in so you got two guys almost 30 and now you're going bring in guy who's 40 who's also going to be asking for money so i i don't it is a tricky one russell wilson as well think i've just seen recently that he's he flew to cleveland yeah and new york as well and new york as well yeah So, I don't know. I mean, James Winston. James Winston is over there. Honestly, I would honestly take him at the Giants just for a bit of entertainment for a year. list if we yeah And just just draft a rookie QB and get him in. I don't think there's probably a better guy to to work with a rookie because Russell Wilson would probably just drive them absolutely insane.
00:22:46
Speaker
Rodgers would have no time for them whatsoever. Whereas, if you had Winston, he would be absolutely delighted to work with a guy, I think. That's just my opinion on him, but... Yeah, i think that I think that we're really just waiting for the Domino's to fall. And then that has a knock-on effect into the draft because who knows what teams are going to pick.
00:23:06
Speaker
I don't know what is going on with the Browns because I don't think they're going to get anybody. They traded for Kenny Pickett, which is interesting. yeah so But I think I had ice stay and the guy who does the commentary for the Browns, Andrew Siciliano.
00:23:24
Speaker
I think he interviewed... After Miles Garrett signed the deal, he I think he interviewed him and kind of said, you know, why did you stay here? Obviously, he stayed for the money, but he wasn't going to say that. yeah But he said, like, oh, what's going on? You know, is there a QB move? Is there something? And he said, oh, I think if they pull off what they said to me is going to happen, that's why I'm still here.
00:23:43
Speaker
So I don't know what that is. I think it's just going to be something stupid like drafting Shador Sanders number two and the whole thing is going to explode over there. yeah But, yeah, obviously that was a bit of an interesting one, too.
00:23:55
Speaker
Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Because I thought, like, you know, they were going to, before the Miles Garrett, like, deal, I thought they were heavy, heavy you on Abdul Karthir just to, like, just to take his place in a way.
NFL trades and strategies
00:24:09
Speaker
And i was like, okay, you kind of get it. you got more You got more money to work with then. But then this is just blown up. I think that would have had the most sense if they did that.
00:24:17
Speaker
Exactly. and then, like you said, Jadaw Sanders comes in. He's got the Sean Watson and Kenny Picker as his mentors. It's not ideal, really. That's tragic.
00:24:29
Speaker
me No, that's going to go downhill so quickly if that happens. And it's just going to be such a brand new thing to do something like that. Yeah. I didn't understand Miles Garrett contract because like they're clearly not pushing for a championship anytime soon.
00:24:43
Speaker
but why would they go and give him all that money that they could have spent that money on trying to rebuild a squad that is able to win a championship in five years? They've probably put themselves back another 10 years with this deal.
00:24:55
Speaker
And as said, like their their quarterback their quarterback core is it's It's not a core, I don't know what I call it, and everything else has just kind of fallen and down around them. like It's just, it's it's one of the maddest things I've ever seen a team do. but like I know Mides Garrett is incredible, don't get me wrong, but he wasn't the problem they needed to fix.
00:25:17
Speaker
They could have let him go, shook hands and say, okay, now we have this much money to go and do something with the free agency, and now they literally can't. Yeah, no, I think I agree. I don't think it makes much sense. Obviously, you quickly touched on Justin Fields going to the Jets. I thought that was a good move because they can get out of that one early. A similar deal that a team can get out of early is Darnold going to the Seahawks.
00:25:43
Speaker
um What do you guys think of those two deals? You can go first there, Conan. well See, I was on the same boat as you, Shane, really. I think that Justin Fields the Jets is...
00:25:57
Speaker
a big deal as well i think it's a really good move for them i think I mean, obviously it's not a banter club, but you know, the jets are known for, know, not, it's not the luckiest place to be, not the luckiest team to play for.
00:26:11
Speaker
And you know, the Brian, Aaron, Aaron Glenn is now the, the, the new head coach, Aaron Glenn's played against Justin Fields. He knows how much of a pain he is.
00:26:22
Speaker
so I think I was doing my stats for the my, like ah the research I was doing beforehand and And when Justin Fields was playing against Aaron Glenn or the Lions with Aaron Glenn, he posted up three games with over 100 rushing yards.
00:26:38
Speaker
I think his touchdown to interception ratio was like five to two. it's like, right, he knows how much of an issue he is. It's the same with the same with Dan Quinn.
00:26:49
Speaker
when they drafted Jaden Daniels with Washington, like the worst nightmare for a defensive coordinator is a quarterback who can run. So I think Aaron Glenn is definitely like, well, listen, if if we can't beat him, he's he's joining us.
00:27:06
Speaker
Especially in Justin's eyes as well. he gets the He gets to come back and play with Garren Wilson, who used to play with in Ohio State. like So you already you already knows he has like one good connection there already.
00:27:19
Speaker
So let feel i feel like definitely, like you said, I think it is something is a really good move for him. and I think is mit maybe it's me being optimistic. Is this a change of guard? Is this star something beautiful in New York? I don't know.
00:27:35
Speaker
don't know. Shane, it's hoping. I just said, yeah, like, to yeah, the did the thing for me was that like, but but we're not a team that's going to win a championship, but we're also not a team that is tanking.
00:27:47
Speaker
No, this is like, we weren't going to go out and pay your 100 million for your down or something because wouldn't make any sense for us splash that much money on someone that isn't going to bring us to a championship. This is like the perfect middle ground. It's 40 million over two years. It's still a good chunk of change, but no one is expecting him to come in and have a no-interception season or anything like that. People are expecting him to come in, run the ball and loss, throw good passes, get it a winning season only, and then we can kind of work from there. like You can still see the Jets drafting a rookie quarterback in the second or third round and then kind of...
00:28:21
Speaker
having him learn some deals if Julie could bring in another quarterback who's a good runner and kind of watch Justin Fields for a year or two years and then you take over and then we build our championship team around the second coming but so I just I think it a good move in the fact that we aren't tanking where we're not going to win anything there's no point giving 100 million to someone like we tried that Rodgers and it failed spectacularly Deal as well as the fact that they can get out of it after the first year it's come out now so that's pretty good He's still only 26 years of age and he started 44 games in the NFL. So pretty good there.
00:28:56
Speaker
Although he does have some erratic qualities to him. I think he is quite good when he needs to be And I think the year working with Mike Tomlin will definitely have helped. To be honest, I think the Steelers should have stayed with him.
00:29:07
Speaker
I don't know. I don't think the fans would have been happy with that because they want a big change, a big splash. But I think that would have been the sensible thing to do. And the funny thing is you mentioned, you know, Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson being there. I think if you asked Mike Tomlin, he would genuinely say that he could get a 9-8 season like out of one of those two. And I probably think he could.
00:29:27
Speaker
yeah so That's all he cares about. He just wants his winning season again. yeah That's all he wants. That's it. But I think the last one, really the big one, was, of course, Daniel Jones. And I'm only joking.
00:29:42
Speaker
Sam Darnold.
Backup QB trades
00:29:45
Speaker
Sam Darnold going to um the Seahawks so they've replaced an aging Geno Smith with a kind of a younger book a guy who had a good season um all of last season up until the last couple of games which were quite a big drop off but again not all his fault because he did not and play well in general in those games but look still fairly young And they've got a third rounder from that Geno trade to also throw around if they want to make a move. But I think a good deal, three years, 100 million can get out of it after the first year. Shane, what do you think on this one?
00:30:20
Speaker
I said, when the Vikings were knocked out the playoffs, I said, you can take the man out the Jets, but you can't take the Jets out of the man. And I still kind of, I'm kind of sticking with that at all. I think he had a really good season last year, but he had Justin Jefferson to draw to.
00:30:35
Speaker
Like, can Cooper Cupp be his Justin Jefferson this year? If he is all well and good, then the Seahawks could very well go and win 10 or 11 games, but... If Cooper Cupp kind of, if he gets injured or if he drops even 10% from what he is now, then I think they'll be rushing to get rid of him at he end the end of the season. I don't think he's not done special.
00:30:55
Speaker
I don't think he's a $100 million um special quarterback. and think get I think get it could be my bias against him now, but I just don't think he is. but don't think you're going to get what you expect from him.
00:31:07
Speaker
It is is a tricky one, think, because because we only really have that year to go off. Well, as in positive-wise, really. Mm-hmm.
00:31:19
Speaker
I think the only only more I can add really in a positive light is I feel like the and NFC West that he's going into, i feel I feel like it's weaker than the NFC North that he was having to play in.
00:31:34
Speaker
So I think he might be able to scrape scrap a couple wins there anyway. um and you used to play for the 49ers as well, so I don't know if that... is a positive for him knowing you know he's he's been practicing against that defence day in, day out when he was there.
00:31:50
Speaker
But I think I can't give 100% answer basically because ah because obviously he was he brilliant last year. But like you said, Shane, it might be a case of you can take the man out of the Jets, but you can't take the Jets out of the man. So I think he's he's due a couple of bad games now.
00:32:13
Speaker
Yeah, i agree. It's a pretty bad thing. When I'm trying to lead that in, I'm starting by saying that the best part about the deal is that you can get out of it after the first year. So think that tells a lot about him.
00:32:26
Speaker
and But other smaller deals, I think, just kind of backup-wise more so than anything, Daniel Jones, as I mentioned, tongue-in-cheek, but he's gone to the Colts now. To be honest, he might end up starting because...
00:32:38
Speaker
Anthony Richardson seems to be falling down very high very quickly in their estimations over there. Jacoby Brissett gone to the Cardinals as a backup. Got Cooper Rush heading to the Ravens as a backup to Lamar Jackson. To be honest, I don't think they did the worst thing there with that. But ah he's got 12 million over two years. Fair play to yes And then the Chiefs.
00:33:01
Speaker
Is that how much he's getting? Yeah, two years, 12 million. Oh, my God. Yeah, and he's 31 years old. Himself and san Daniel Jones have seriously good agents, and I think me and James might need to get one of them in so they can try and get out a deal here for the podcast because they could probably get us 20 million from Spotify or something with the way the job they're doing to get these quarterbacks money. like And then the Chiefs listen to this quarterback room. We absolutely love this one. We've got Patrick Mahomes at the helm.
00:33:29
Speaker
Sitting behind him, we've got Gardner Minshew on a one-year deal. Sitting behind him, we've got Bailey Zappi.
Backup QB market analysis
00:33:36
Speaker
Oh my god, I completely forget that these things have happened.
00:33:40
Speaker
Oh my god. Absolutely madness. like And then, favourite one for the to for Shane, we'll just wrap up on this one, absolutely quality, is Zach Wilson to the Dolphins.
00:33:53
Speaker
Wow. How you feel about that, Shane? A dick in heaven. um I just... i keep It baffles me that, Joe, I know Baker Mayfield turned it around, but when Baker Mayfield fell off so badly, was like, he's gone from the NFL. He's going to go and play in the CFL or something. He'll just fall away.
00:34:11
Speaker
I genuinely thought the same about Zach Wilson, but they always find a home somehow, even if it is just a backup. These quarterbacks always find a home to practice squad or something. like digestster They're so useless. It's not even for me. But that arm talent, though. I just don't get it.
00:34:28
Speaker
Am I crazy for having faith in that question? Everyone goes back to that that that that one show he did in the combine where he threw it over the middle. It's a bit like, Joe, that's Sommel's life where you keep coming up every international break.
00:34:42
Speaker
That's like Wilson Schoen must be shown draft rooms all over the place. oh, look what he can do if we can get him right. It's like, clearly done the clip. Like she was clearly a fluke. just so little gun Conan, it seems like you were about to say something positive there about Zach Wilson. Well, this is the thing.
00:34:58
Speaker
I don't know what it is, but am I crazy for having faith in him? Am I crazy for still believing in Zach Wilson? Why do I still believe in him? Because am I wrong? yeah to Call me out if I'm wrong here.
00:35:12
Speaker
Did he have but they have a more positive season with the Jets than Aaron just did? yeah I wouldn't promise I don't think anything about that season was positive. I think you're right. I think you got more wins, but there was nothing positive about the season.
00:35:26
Speaker
But then i but i don' like put the were scoring like 10 points in those games and they had only given up 7. Yeah, but hey, he scored 10. Or they scored 10. It started to creep back, I remember now.
00:35:40
Speaker
Because then they they lost like ah really so it was like a short score. was a small score. And they the journalist asked them, do you want apologise to your defence or do you want to thank them? He was like, no.
00:35:55
Speaker
yeah i remember that yeah they lost 10-7 i think to the browns or something like that and i think there was that game after and he was like no big team guy yeah really yeah someone you love having around speaking of a big team guy we've got uh we've got mac jones heading over to the liners i would that one what a move yeah and they were high on him they were high on him when they took trey lance and then they end up going with trey lance that year so that's a funny one um Let's see him pushing Brock Purdy now. Purdy's going to get his $50-$60 million contract and we're going to have Matt Jones just coming in as the superhero in the background.
00:36:31
Speaker
That's nuts. What's going on in 49ers? I think that there's something... Sorry Shane. There's something mad about this quarterback. The way the quarterbacks have spun around this offseason.
00:36:46
Speaker
as like i think I've laughed... more than I have been like, oh, that's a great move. I'm like, how are they picking up him? How are they picking up him? How is Gander Minshew at the Chiefs? So how does that happen?
00:36:57
Speaker
How has Zach Wilson gotten another her team? Like, how is Mac Jones the backup at the 49ers? Like, there's
Saints and Derek Carr's role
00:37:05
Speaker
the drop-off in quality. Yeah, yeah. Like, the drop-off...
00:37:10
Speaker
No, it was just ridiculous. The drop off from the top boys to the second string, I don't know if it's ever been bigger. like On a serious note, I don't know if the drop off from the starters to the backups has ever been bigger. It's great. And even some of the starters are just kind of like... you dont know I don't know. I don't have a better word to describe it. There's some awful, awful quarterbacks out there. It can't get worse.
00:37:37
Speaker
yeah I'm on my knees looking for a good quarterback. but oh Well, we've we've we've covered, I think, all the moves around, but the last one, just before we wrap it up, is let's let's hear what you've got to say about your your Saints.
00:38:00
Speaker
Derek Carr, what feel about that? Well, i don't know. i don't know. I really don't know. Cause it's like, I don't want to,
00:38:13
Speaker
I don't want to f throw out Spencer Rattler straight away again because I feel like there is potential there. He has shown glimpses, but he was just thrown in the deep end straight away last year.
00:38:25
Speaker
And, I mean, we know he has a... you know From the the silly high school like series he was on, we know he has a big personality to do there.
00:38:36
Speaker
I don't think he's taken that much of hit. But... Yo, there's only so much so much a man can take, okay? So if we throw him to the to the dogs again, then we might break him.
00:38:48
Speaker
And we already have, you know, not broken quarterback, but Derek Carr, you know, he's just made a glass at the moment. you He keeps putting himself in the wrong places. So I don't know. Is Kellen Moore the answer?
00:39:01
Speaker
I don't know. This is his first like head coaching gig. So, yeah yes, great offensive coordinator. He did have that weird stint. Was it with? I think it was with the Cowboys or the Chargers. He had one slope.
00:39:14
Speaker
I think he was doing well with the Chargers. Then he went to the Cowboys and tomorrow. Yeah, so i i don't know if you know this gives hes is I don't know if it's going to be like that, if there's going to be another another slump here.
00:39:29
Speaker
Brandon Staley, unironically, pretty good DC. So, no, I don't think that's that's too bad. We've got to we got we got an all right defence.
00:39:40
Speaker
We've spent way too much money on Chase Young. that Shane, you need to get in contact with that team. agent because he's doing his job pretty well it's absurd to don't you literally you watch that was well i think i'm the only saints fan who's like not who does not like praise to come jordan every morning or pray to come together every morning um' i'd i'd be happy with him leaving but everyone else is like no he is he's the lord and savior the saints yeah yes they always stay
00:40:12
Speaker
But like Chase Young, you watch him play games. It's just like he's waltzing across. Let's say he's on the whatever the left side. The player goes right. He's just like waltzing behind, does not care. It's like, please, please just run. Please run. Just run, yeah.
00:40:29
Speaker
Exactly. That's the thing. Spending too much money on food. I don't know. I don't know what he's doing. But, yeah, I think... Again, and umm i'm i'm trying to remember names. Demario Davis.
00:40:46
Speaker
ah Baller. Dog. Pete Werner. Dog. ah Justin Reed and Tyra Matthew. I'm not mad about that. not mad about that at all.
00:40:59
Speaker
So, if Chris Olave doesn't you know get hit in his head again, then yeah we might We might have either a draw, ah I don't know what it's called, a 500 season or a positive one.
00:41:16
Speaker
but I don't know. Maybe. That's the hopes I have. think Saints are too much in that zone for too long where it's just like, we might, but since the bit of bad luck for a couple of years, obviously that pass interference call and then the...
00:41:35
Speaker
Minneapolis miracle, like yeah those are just disgusting pieces of luck. um So I think at that time they had such a good team and now it's just like, down, down, down, but they still want to think they're going like this, but they're just constantly, so they just need to blow it up. Exactly.
00:41:51
Speaker
They can't just accept that they need to rebuild. They have no money as well. so Well, yes, there's that as well. Yes, somehow, I swear they're like the 24th best in the in the league now, and they were dead last, like over 50 million over the last.
00:42:10
Speaker
I don't even know what they did to avoid that. Was it restructuring? don't know. I couldn't even tell you. think they gave Carr like two big bonuses or something along those lines. Yes. and Okay, yeah, I get you, yeah.
00:42:22
Speaker
But there's some like devil magic going on with their contents or all their books. It's like every single year it's nuts. Yeah. and not Well, let's wrap it up on the QB carousel. I think,
NBA team performances and predictions
00:42:36
Speaker
were like we kind of mentioned, we're still waiting on Rodgers and then after that the chips will fall where they will and so we'll obviously keep an eye on that throughout the rest of the offseason um I'm sure we'll have you back on again um because it's always great and we we wish you good luck with your podcast too and really appreciate you coming on again man
00:42:55
Speaker
And so thanks again. Oh, listen, i appreciate you guys. You're the, you guys inviting me on. the I'm, I'm appreciative you. Thank you. Thank you for opportunity. I love it. love it. I don't, I don't have friends back home talking to talk NFL. No one at home watches the NFL. It's all rugby. don't want to talk about rugby, especially now.
00:43:14
Speaker
So yeah but yeah we dont we don't want to talk about it either anymore. so yeah So the more of this I have, the better. Conan, do you want to just plug your own podcast there before you go? Just give everyone the name of it and where they can find us and plug your own Instagram as well there.
00:43:30
Speaker
Thank you very much. So we've got Gwela Dahl, the design silly design page that I do, but sports diet that sports designs that I have. And then the podcast is helmet.pod on Instagram.
00:43:44
Speaker
And then i'll give I'll give you the Welsh name for it is Adir Helmet Fitcher, Does the Helmet Fit? I'm going to try and be more consistent with that, especially after after today on the radio. So yeah, just look out for more Welsh stuff there.
00:44:00
Speaker
Love it, man. Appreciate it. you want to give us that on your on your outro, do you want to give us who's got the ball in Welsh and we'll leave it off. Oh, okay. All right. Do you want me to like announce it? Just just say Yeah, just look just do it in your best announcer voice. Let's hear Oh, my God.
00:44:15
Speaker
but So you've been listening to James, Shane and Canaan on Pussehevarbael. but so Thanks, man. Good luck. Cheers.
00:44:27
Speaker
Right lads, let's go straight into Ganshance now. So last week I had one point. Again, Shane, you had another duck egg. don't what's after happening to after your unbelievable start.
00:44:38
Speaker
What's going on? I'm just getting complacent now. I have a massive lead over you. I don't really need to make as much effort anymore. do do So I'm just throwing out a couple of hopeful ones. So i look really, really smart and not looking too smart at the moment. Go for the big fish.
00:44:55
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, so the score is 16-9 I'm still 7 back. and But like ah' I'm going to need a 5-pointer to get a comeback on before the all the seasons, are the Premier League and the NBA season are over. So last week, my one win was Newcastle beating Liverpool, so double...
00:45:17
Speaker
Double painful for you because that didn't give me a point here and Liverpool lost. And I pretty much remember and asking you, could I pick them? And you saying, yes, have them. There's no chance. So there you go. Gone chance.
00:45:29
Speaker
There you go. right and um We were close. I think both of us picked Brighton against City. and They probably deserved to win that game and they were probably the better team. But luck wasn't to be quality performance by them.
00:45:41
Speaker
and So what have we got this week? We just have the NBA obviously with no football. So give us a shout of what you have. Yeah, as I was saying to you five minutes ago, my problem is I keep picking teams who are miles behind the other team, and I've kind of sucked to that still, even though I said I wasn't going to. I've gone for the Suns to beat the Cavaliers.
00:46:01
Speaker
The Suns are 32 and 37. The Cavaliers are 56 and 12. Look, the Cavaliers are going to start slowing down at some point. They were post-season to worry about. They might start resting people. You never know. The Suns might...
00:46:14
Speaker
They might eventually show up to something. I'm saying that with such little confidence it's actually out of this world. up anyway, I've gone for the Mambricks to beat the Pistons. I do think this one is a bit more realistic than any of the other ones I'm picking.
00:46:26
Speaker
I know the Mavs are falling apart slowly with all the trades they made, but I think the Pistons, while they have been really, really good, at I think they are due another rough patch before we go into the postseason. So, basically, why not?
00:46:40
Speaker
And another silly one, I've gone for the Trailblazers beat the Nuggets on Saturday. The Trailblazers were 30 and 39. actually like that. Yeah, the Trailblazers, 13, 39, the Nuggets, 44 and 25. I just don't trust the Nuggets. I don't know what it is about them. I know they're recent enough NBA time. I think it was two years ago they won, I suppose.
00:46:59
Speaker
When Nikola Jokic isn't on it, they're not really on it. And why not? pointos yeah's it's quite funny because that when they've been playing small teams this year, he hasn't been performing that well.
00:47:10
Speaker
And they've been losing. So Blazers are actually like... Not a million miles off the plane. and They're not going to get there, but like and they might just try and get a few more wins to try and have a solid end to their season because they're not like down the very bottom of the draft lotteries. They're kind of in that purgatory zone. But app yeah, I like that one. and What I've gone with is the Clippers to beat the Thunder um on Sunday night. So the Clippers are 39 and Turkey. Thunder are 56 and 12.
00:47:39
Speaker
I did have the Clippers to beat the Grizzlies, and but they were only five wins worse off, and then they won last night, so that made them four wins worse off, so had to pivot, this but they did beat the Cavs last night pretty well, so let's see. Why can't they just go and do that to the Thunder? And they're at home in l LA, so let's go with that one.
00:47:56
Speaker
I've also gone with the Bulls to beat the Lakers. It's in LA Saturday at 2.30 a.m. um Irish time. I'm not 100% sure on this, but to be honest, the Bulls...
00:48:08
Speaker
Sometimes they just win silly games and the Lakers just lose ridiculous games sometimes. Yeah. And let's see a bit that Josh Giddey experience. Let's get that. Let's get that going. Triple double on LeBron. He's going to drop it.
00:48:20
Speaker
um And then after that, we've got the Hawks to beat the Warriors. So this is in Atlanta. I like the way the Hawks have been playing recently. The Warriors are on fire, but I just think the Hawks can win a game against a big team. they beat They just randomly go out and smash the Knicks or the Celtics, whatever, like Trae Young can just be on it.
00:48:41
Speaker
So I think let's just go with that as a chance of something to happen. It was quite difficult weekend, to be honest, all around. Yeah,
Jimmy Butler's impact on Warriors
00:48:48
Speaker
was. We've gone with ah three three different games each, so that's interesting. and so yeah i think that's the first time in a long time that's happened.
00:48:56
Speaker
Yeah. The first time in a long time been to three different things each. Yeah. yeah um So speaking of the NBA, let's let's move on then to that. and So what do you want to do first, the player or team?
00:49:11
Speaker
but We'll go up the team first. We'll let you lead in the Warriors. Cool. So it's quite funny. I just picked the Hawks to beat the Warriors. The team I picked to talk about was the Warriors because of how impressive they've been recently.
00:49:23
Speaker
Now, me picking the Hawks is just a you know something random out there. Just throw it out. I don't think that the Warriors are going to come unstuck against a team like the Hawks and when when it really matters. But I think they're very sneaky team for the playoffs.
00:49:37
Speaker
Yeah. I think that they could be a team that will get to the Western Conference Finals and they will cause a lot of hassle if they do have to play the Thunder there. and I think they're one of the teams that will really push the Thunder this season in the West because just how good they've been since Jimmy Butler joined the team.
00:49:54
Speaker
Now, looking at a couple of these stats throughout the season. So in the 52 games before they had Jimmy Butler... they've averaged 112 points per game.
00:50:05
Speaker
In the 17 games of which Jimmy Butler, that's gone up to 117.5. So they've added 5.5 points per game average in those 17 games.
00:50:16
Speaker
There's been an increase in the number of assists per game. There's been an increase of two steals per game. That shows Jimmy's action on the defensive end. The main one for me, and the main thing that's always been missing from this Warriors team, which he has added, is the fee is the free throw attempts.
00:50:32
Speaker
So now they have 25 per game. They did have 20 before, and that's 20 made per game, and they did have 15 before. So they're adding five points per game off. The five points per game they're adding are all coming off the free throws.
00:50:45
Speaker
And that's exactly what he does. He drives into the lane, and he slows the game down. When Steph is... like Just seeing the other night, Steph was completely burnt out. He had to rest last night because he was so tired after the game before.
00:50:58
Speaker
You could see the physical toll the season has taken on him and recent seasons. But Jimmy just manned the show last night against the Bucs. 24, 10 and eight And they beat the Bucks by 11 points, who have not been too bad themselves recently.
00:51:12
Speaker
And I thought he really took over the team. He really showed what he can do when Steph isn't out there. But he's also done so much with Steph out there, taking the ball out of his hands, driving at defenses, slowing the game down by winning free throws. It's just exactly what they needed.
00:51:28
Speaker
What do you think? Yeah, I think the the signing of Jimmy Butler has, it's it's actually turned out to be an absolute master shock in what they've done. They're 15-2, so I think it's 16-2 now since last night, since he arrived.
00:51:41
Speaker
that's That's some going for a team that were really middling when he came in. like they weren't They were hopeful of playing, and now they're definitely in. now they're getting a playoff spot.
00:51:52
Speaker
ah He's been 17-5-5 since he arrived as well, which is so... he just added He's added so much to him and When you think what they gave up for him, it was really, really little when you look back. It was Dennis Schroeder, another player, I can't remember name, and a second rounder in 2031.
00:52:11
Speaker
and twenty thirty one Like it's... That's just a joke because he is such a good player. He's one of the top maybe 10, 15 in the NBA when he turns it on and you just give him good friend. 100%, yeah. And it was the way that like he wanted everything he wanted him gone. They were like, just give us whatever and just take him. And he has been...
00:52:31
Speaker
as you said like he's he's made stuff better which yeah probably isn't fair on the rest the nba because steph was already a joke like was like is he he's made safe even better to come in like that game where steph dropped uh four million four million three pointers like jimmy butler was just was taking two men off him every single time and then steph was just out on the wing just plopping him down plopping him down plopping him down and that's only an example of one game like he's done it nearly every game he's made he's made steph's life so much easier since he came in Yeah, and that's all the Warriors want because Steph is their guy. He's exactly what the Warriors have been since he joined the team. And now they finally have something different because they never really had a player like Jimmy Butler the whole time that Steph was there.
00:53:17
Speaker
And this is exactly what they needed. And it's probably what they wanted and expected Andrew Wiggins to be, but he was never going to reach that level, especially not consistently. He maybe did the year that won the championship in 2022, but apart from that, he hasn't been at that level.
00:53:34
Speaker
Mentioning Steph's stats since Jimmy has joined, he's added five points per game. And looking at his field goal percentage, it's up from 43% to 47%.
00:53:46
Speaker
So, like you mentioned, a lot more clean looks and a lot less kind of him being the focal point of the other team having to defend. It changes now between him and Jimmy and he can take the burden off himself. I think in general, though, the Warriors look like a team for me that will be very...
00:54:07
Speaker
difficult to play against in the playoffs because it's hard to know what they're going to put out there at any given night. They have so many players on their team that could play and do a job. I think at least two of Kaminga, Pajemski and Moses Moody, are going to be dangerous come playoff season because I know that people are down a lot on Kaminga and Pajemski hasn't been that good this season. But I think he proved last year how he can be good knocking Klay out of the lineup for a while And Kaminga is just an athletic freak. And I think him playing alongside Jimmy is is going to be dangerous for teams when it comes to the playoff season. and
00:54:42
Speaker
Yeah, I think their starting five has been really, really underappreciated for quite a while now. like Since they let Clay go into summer, then it was like, oh, that's a ridiculous decision. And you know sitting there now and it you can see it made perfect sense. It made him more athletic.
00:54:57
Speaker
It's made him quicker with the quicker moving the ball, Seth getting more shots off. It's kind of like everything they've done leading up to the Jimmy trade, now all it all makes sense now. It all makes so much sense. And they must have, I don't know if they had rumours of Jimmy was going to be available or something, because I can't believe how well he's fit in there and how quickly and seamless it's been as well. So you never know with like agents. Yeah.
00:55:21
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. Yeah, 100%. And he's 35 now, so it's kind of, he really is in now or never territory if he is going to get a championship. And yeah that's a massive motivation for a man that doesn't need much motivation anyway because he's always kind of played on the underdog.
00:55:36
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. No, 100%, you're right. I think him being there, looking at, he's he's been the fastest player in Warriors history to reach 100 rebounds and 100 assists.
00:55:48
Speaker
So it took him only 17 games to do that. And this franchise had so many amazing players in their history. That's wild. he's the fastest one to do it. Like, it's pretty mad, isn't it?
00:55:59
Speaker
i know I didn't realise that. Especially the assists. Yeah, he's just been dishing them out. So,
Ja Morant's controversies
00:56:07
Speaker
yeah, really, really good. I'm thinking they'd be a good bet and to win the championship. I actually should have checked. I'm going to check quickly what their odds are, because I think they're definitely...
00:56:19
Speaker
One that could be a sneaky winner here. Let me have a look. So we got the Warriors 16 to 1. I think that's a very good price. That's, yeah. That is a very good price, yeah. Especially, like, if... if Go, go. What are going to say?
00:56:33
Speaker
Especially like if if if if himself and Steph can keep up the kind of the run they're on or playing so well together, then they're matched to anyone. And if they can, if if Jimmy can keep up the defensive side of things and not let the other side slip, then they could easily outscore teams very, very quickly. And they they can go on a run of putting points up in any game against anyone.
00:56:56
Speaker
That's hard to match. So 16-1 is a great outside bet for him. I was just going to say, I'm going to check the Western conference what they are to win that is 15 to two, even that seven and a half to one. It's pretty good.
00:57:08
Speaker
Who's the, what are the rockets in that then? Are they behind or ahead of them? Yeah, they're 50 to one. I think, yeah, it's, it's just cause I don't think anybody expects once it gets to the playoffs and I don't really either, but no, I don't either.
00:57:24
Speaker
yeah, I think it's not a bad, not a bad price, to be honest, not worth, not something that might be worth a punt, um, because, yeah, they're quite dangerous, and we saw what they did in 22, I backed them in 22 from the start the season, won a good bit of money off that, so, um, I'm a bit later on board now, but once I've seen the Jimmy train, I might, I might have to jump on, but, uh, yeah, I think they're, they're a sneaky team now, obviously, with, uh,
00:57:48
Speaker
but Without the Sixers being in the playoffs, I really do always love Steph. He's probably my favourite player in the league, so I'm probably going to be a Warriors fan for the for the playoffs just to get a watch. I might have to back them.
00:58:01
Speaker
There is something about the Cavs and the Thunder that don't trust at all. I know the two of them have had incredible and regular seasons. But when I watch them, I just, I don't, they don't scream championship to me.
00:58:14
Speaker
don't know what it is. It might just be biased in my head, but I like, it could be nugget or could be um warriors that when it's someone that's kind of known as looking at, they've had kind of semi indifferent regular seasons and then just go on a run in the playoffs because yeah obviously like guy I could come back and look very, very stupid if it ends up with the Cavs and OKC in the championship. in I don't think they're right.
00:58:37
Speaker
I just, I don't see it. Like, I i think they could they could fall apart in playoffs, either or both of them. Yeah, i've been I've been on the Thunder since the start. When I wrote my article at the start of the season on the preview, I picked the Thunder and I picked SGA to win MVP. I'm still going to stick with the Thunder. I think they're probably the best team, and but there's just no odds on them. There's just no odds on them now, so there's no point backing them in terms of betting. But I do think they are the best team still.
00:59:04
Speaker
I... I think you could be on one though there with the Cavs. I honestly think the Celtics are just too savvy. And I think when it comes to the playoffs, they'll really show up some of the Cavs' efficiencies, whatever they may be. We're not 100% sure on those yet, but they'll they'll definitely shine a light on them.
00:59:21
Speaker
Yeah, 100%. Yeah, I agree with you there. if you you want to jump into your player? So you had the player this week. Yeah, so I wanted to talk about Jammer Ant. I think he's a man who has all the talent in the world, but every time he seems to do something good, he seems to go and do five things that are bad.
00:59:40
Speaker
And I just kind of, I can't understand, is it the people around him? Is it himself? Is this? There's probably a number things involved, but For the Grizzlies, he's only played 43 of 69 games so far this year.
00:59:52
Speaker
Now, I don't know if the 25-game ban he had at the end of last year carried over into this year or not, or if he's just missed those games through injury and suspension, but he's a player I love watching, and I really wish he could get on the court more.
01:00:06
Speaker
Yeah, I think the games that he missed were, I think he had like 11 different injuries this season. So we definitely need to see him more on the court. In the games he's played by this year, he's averaging 22 4-8 on 44%, but he also averages four turnovers.
01:00:21
Speaker
Again, it's kind of to talk about like if everything he does good, he goes and does... two or three things bad, four turnovers is very, very high for a player that's meant to be kind of leading a franchise. Like the contract they gave him means they want him to leave de franchre the 191 million they gave him, guaranteed.
01:00:37
Speaker
so they clearly want him to be the leader the franchise. And he played... two nights ago and then missed the two back-to-back games they got 44 8 and 7 so when he's there he's incredible he's so good he was rookie of the year after his first season and and then he goes and he does the stuff with the interim lives goes and beats up the security guard in the mall i just i can't i can't get a read on is he a good person is he a bad person surrounded by bad people There's just something about him that it really intrigues me because, as I said, I love watching him. I think he is so talented. and but When he's on it, he's on it. The Grizzlies win when he's playing and when he's on it.
01:01:15
Speaker
A lot of this season has been, i don't know what, like how many different injuries and there was an illness and stuff as well. And then last season, the fact that, one like you mentioned, to some of that stuff he did, like it's just absolutely ridiculous. And the fact of not to do it once, but like multiple times, some of the things that he's doing with the videos and gun signs and all that stuff.
01:01:35
Speaker
Yeah, I really don't know, like you said, who's advising him. He needs to get somebody there to advise him. And I think he having him and Ant as like faces of the West and like showing off against each other, knocking down dunks, just going crazy on the court, that's exactly what the and NBA wants. But if this guy's going to keep acting the way he does off the court, they can't make him a face of the league whatsoever. So
NBA power rankings
01:02:03
Speaker
i think that He's quite lucky in the fact that this year Desmond Bain and Jaron Jackson Jr. have been performing very well because he has had some off nights.
01:02:12
Speaker
Now, obviously, the Grizzlies are not the same team without him. In the last two seasons, games without him, they're 36 and 63. And with him, they're 34 and 18. and But now, bear in mind, Desmond Bain was out for a lot of games too last season. But I think...
01:02:28
Speaker
Desmond Bain has stepped up a lot, 19 points per game this season. Without Ja, he's up to 23 points per game, so he's well able to take control a little bit more. But I think the thing I looked at massively that you've highlighted already is the turnovers.
01:02:42
Speaker
He's the fifth most in the league of players who've played over 40 games. And then the guys above him are guys with so many assists, like Trey, Cade, James Harden, LeBron.
01:02:54
Speaker
these guys all have over eight assists per game, whereas Ja has 7.4. Now it's not until they like turn your nose up at, but he's turning the ball over lot. um And, you know, nearly, he's nearly, he's turning the ball over for for every one assist he has. He's turning the ball over half a time. So like two assists, one turnover. It's not like, yeah, he needs to sort that out a bit. And he really needs to sort out his three-point shooting because he's shooting 29%. He's absolutely stinking it up.
01:03:23
Speaker
And, That's on five threes per game. Like if you look at Jaron Jackson Jr. on the same team, a very big player wouldn't be expected to be as good of a three-point shooter. He's on 36.5% and he's also attempting five per game.
01:03:37
Speaker
So at least get up to that level. Like this guy is showing you up here and he's nearly twice your height. Yeah, I think there's no need for him to be so bad from three either, because as so as I've said a million times, he has all the talent in the world.
01:03:51
Speaker
It's clearly he's not practicing them or he doesn't care. he's he he might be another Mac McClung who he's practicing his dunks all the time. has said that and't That's important. like but There's no one need for him to be that low on his three-pointer, especially, as I said, if he wants to be a face the franchise.
01:04:06
Speaker
or sorry, not advantage, once he's faced the NBA, he needs to be able to make those shots. Anton's making the shots every night. Nicky Jokic can make him for fun. When Benjana can make him for fun, these the players need to be kind of striving to be better then.
01:04:20
Speaker
yeah know He shouldn't be trying to try and be yeah middling m NBA player because he's the talent to be one of the best. He just needs to get his head around him get sorted. Yeah, his talent and his athleticism are off the charts. It's like...
01:04:33
Speaker
When Derek Rose was younger, that's what people compared it to, the likes of him, Allen Iverson. like But it seems like he's almost lost a little bit of the flair this season because of the injuries. It seems like he's a little bit more scared to go for big dunks and stuff like that.
01:04:48
Speaker
He's been a little bit more conservative. Obviously, he still had a good season, but I just think i think mainly what both of us are saying, from what I can gather, is that he's capable of so much more, and we just want to see that. 100%, yeah.
01:05:02
Speaker
I'd love nothing more than Jammerant to play 75 games next season and yeah be averaging 25, 10 and 4 with one turnover. like to Imagine the player you'd have on your hands down, it would put the Grizzly into a new hemisphere almost. like It would be absolutely quality to see him live up to the talent he has.
01:05:22
Speaker
Yeah, and he could go into the playoffs this year and be completely healed up and absolutely destroying people. so we don't know about For now, I think we're fairly... Our assumptions... Yeah, I agree exactly with the way you've highlighted it. So I think i think we're pretty much hit the nail on the head there.
01:05:38
Speaker
Do you have anything else on him before I move on? No, good good to move on. As I was said, I would just love to see him live up to the talent he showed in his first year when he won Rookie of the Year and just kind of go from there.
01:05:50
Speaker
No, I agree. Definitely. So moving on from that then, we've got our power rankings. So... i I'll go first, I think, a throw-two the last couple of weeks. So last week I had the Cavs first, then Liverpool, then the Thunder, then the Warriors, Celtics and Brighton. So this week, Cavs lost a couple of games now on the bounce.
01:06:14
Speaker
um So I've had to change things up a little bit. Liverpool go out and lose at the weekend in the Cup. So let's see what we've got here. We've got the Thunder on top.
01:06:24
Speaker
I think... It's a bit about time that they get there. I haven't had them tapped the whole time, but I think they are the best team in the and NBA. In my eyes, I still think they have untapped potential that they haven't even shown off yet.
01:06:37
Speaker
They're blowing teams away. And I think, I don't think they're going to fall off and go on a couple of games losing streak. I think the Cavs might lose another four or five games before the end of the season. I don't even see the Thunder losing two games or three games before the end of the season, to be honest.
01:06:51
Speaker
They've been really, really good. So I think they've got number one for me. Number two for this week, I've gone with Newcastle. They've gone out. They've won the trophy. They've won the Carabao Cup.
01:07:02
Speaker
They were excellent. They've been solid in the Premier League. I think if they win their game in hand, they'll be in the top four. So in recent form, and of course, they just won a cup. We're looking at English football teams here. They're going to win a domestic cup. We've got to give them their props. So they've gone up to two for me.
01:07:19
Speaker
The Cavs have slipped down to three. So I still think they've been really, really good. um Obviously, just losing two games doesn't undo everything. But um I think... In the week before, they obviously were on like 15-16 game win streak. So you can't just turn your nose up at that one. So I think that's kept them there for me. Then Liverpool in fourth.
01:07:39
Speaker
Obviously the best team in the league in terms of Premier League. And I don't think there's any reason to drop them any lower than that. Hugely impressive season. Just unfortunate in the last week. and So they've slipped down a bit for me.
01:07:51
Speaker
Then I've got the Warriors in fifth. Still on my board. Still been really, really good for all the reasons we just highlighted. And then sixth are Brighton. I've kept them in there still because very impressive against City.
01:08:02
Speaker
Nice draw. They're still there, thereabouts for European football. Still in the FA Cup, so no reason to drop them out for me. Yeah, I've kind of gone similar enough route to you for a lot of things. So I've also moved Thunder up to first in mind from fourth.
01:08:19
Speaker
And I'd be like you said, of David, like I've been saying all a along that the Cavs are the best team in basketball. And I think the Thunders are probably the best team in basketball with the way they're playing at the moment. As you said, there they're not going to drop too many more between now and the end of the regular season.
01:08:33
Speaker
The Cavs have been incredible, but the Thunder do deserve a good bit more credit than I have been giving them. I have dropped the Cavs into second, so Liverpool have pushed down quite a bit in my rankings this week. and I just think there's no one really in the Premier League who is lighting it up at the moment, barred Newcastle winning the CUP, pushing for top four. But I think the Thunder and the Cavs of the sport we're talking about, they are the two best, most consistent teams that we have across all the codes at the moment.
01:08:59
Speaker
um I have Newcastle in a tree as much as a pain me to put them in there. Again, Joe, they won the cup deservedly. They pretty much battered Lupin out of the gate. The scoreline didn't do him justice. And would like Winning any trophy deserves to get you a place in those rankings. and if they If it wasn't for how good the two basketball teams had been, they will be they'd probably be top of my list, to be honest.
01:09:21
Speaker
At four, I have Liverpool. and They've had a really, really bad week. I've had a really, really bad week. But they are still 12 points clear in the league. and They are going to win that league title.
01:09:31
Speaker
and I'm not going to drop them out. At five, I have my Rockets. I think it's been six weeks since they were in there. They're back. Seven and three, one. We're on seven wins in a row.
01:09:43
Speaker
They're going to win the whole lot. I'm going to get them in an early before you have to put them in at number one, surely.
01:09:51
Speaker
you see, you know, and then at six, the Celtics stay in there for me. I just think they're, they're quality outfors. And when we were talking about the NBA a while ago, I agree with you that they're probably going to do the Cavs when it comes to it in the playoffs.
01:10:03
Speaker
And I just, I think they're, they're more announced. They're more ready for a good playoff run than the Cavs are. The only one I think I wouldn't go for myself is the Rockets.
01:10:14
Speaker
I think there's a little bit bias there because you have to look at some of the games they've won. not Not to say that any loss is, you know, any win is less important than another, but let's let's look at these games here. Let's just pull up the Rockets games here now.
01:10:29
Speaker
Who
Rockets' recent games and progress
01:10:30
Speaker
are we looking at? The notes I have for the Rockets are because I can. Here we go. Sixers, overtime win by seven points. Beat the Bulls by three.
01:10:41
Speaker
Beat the Mavericks, who have absolutely nobody. Beat the Suns, useless. Beat the Magic, who cannot score at the moment. Beat the Pelicans twice. Absolutely tragic.
01:10:52
Speaker
And then before that, who do we play? Pacers. Oh, yeah. Lost that one. Thunder. Oh, yeah. We lost that one. Kings. Oh, yeah. Yeah. We lost that. Utah Jazz. I understand what you're saying, but the seven games they've won in a row, why the opposition hasn't exactly been groundbreaking.
01:11:12
Speaker
They're games that last year the Rockets weren't winning. The Rockets weren't going on seven winning runs, seven games winning runs last year. I don't care who they were playing last year. they were They were losing games. like They were losing to the 76ers they were trying to tank.
01:11:24
Speaker
but They were losing those kind of games. There was no consistency. And it is absolutely biased. But I think it's great to see how how far they've come in 12 months from where they were this time last year.
01:11:35
Speaker
yeah like We're in the playoffs. whereas We were nowhere near that last year. like so I'm pumped. I'm excited. We're winding you up, man. I think. I know. ah you're you're like You're second in the West now, tied with the Nuggets. Yeah. like Come on.
01:11:50
Speaker
Yeah, definitely much more much more reason to be happy than you had this time last year. I can't
Wrap-up and credits
01:11:57
Speaker
remember. You're well within your rights there to throw them in. So that's our two power rankings for this week.
01:12:05
Speaker
Right, I'll just pause there for sec. Did you do anything for the other business or will I just wrap it up? No, I don't. invent it just so i totally I thought we'd be dragging over again with Caleb. No worries. Okay. So I didn't want to drag it out. Conan.
01:12:18
Speaker
Conan. I'm going to write it down on my screen for you. Yeah. Yeah. I'll just, well, after you write it down, then I'll wrap up and then we'll exit out of this recording so that he can join. Perfect. Let's go.
01:12:30
Speaker
Okay, so that's pretty much, I think, all we have this week. Really appreciate you listening. Really appreciate Conan for coming on. If you want to give him a look, and he's got his own podcast now, obviously, as we mentioned. And you can look at his page, too, for his graphics and stuff. All really top class up. So all the links are below.
01:12:47
Speaker
i' Shane, thanks again, man. Good week. Really enjoyed it. And we'll chat to you again next week, guys. Cheers, lads. Thank you.