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Arsenal & Burnley’s 25/26 | Giants & Commanders’ Season Previews | Giannas Trade Destinations & NBA Finals Round-Up
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In this week’s episode of Who’s Got The Ball? the lads discussed how Arsenal & Burnley can be successful next season, before breaking down the key areas of improvement needed for the Giants & Commanders. James and Shane finished up looking at the potential trades whirling around for Giannis and recapped the first games of the NBA finals.
The lads continued their new section for the summer, where they break down the biggest football transfers/rumours of the past week, as well as continuing the draft style game in which they picked their best current Irish footballers.
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Transcript
Limerick vs Cork: Match Analysis
00:00:11
Speaker
Shane, back here once again. Shane, what's the crack? You know yourself. Can't really echo about too much, to be honest. I don't know. never know what to say. The wheels were spinning in your head there to see. Oh, I was trying to think of something. Yeah, I was trying to think of something different to say, and I still come the same nonsense line every single week.
00:00:29
Speaker
Went to to her the Hermann at the weekend. Other than that, it's been pretty quiet. I think things are going to get juicy now between Nimic and Cork with the way that kind of, that match finished. And... The nonsense that came out from the Cork players after. So if we meet him again, I think it could be some match later in the summer if we meet him again.
00:00:48
Speaker
Yeah, I think it's dangerous for them to rile Limerick up too much, especially when they're probably going to have to face off in the final if things go well for both teams. So yeah, I think they're playing a dangerous game, you know, to get under your skin because Limerick know how to do it.
00:01:05
Speaker
And, you know, It was a very, very close game. I could have went either way. ah yeah said to you, I think Cork were like physically better, but Limerick had better hurling about them from what I saw.
00:01:18
Speaker
and I only really got the second half, and then I got all of extra time and the penalties, obviously, but I missed the whole first half because we had gone to the Leinster game, so went go see Leinster in the semis against Glasgow, so that was a great win. oh ah Final on Saturday, so that's my next one.
00:01:36
Speaker
So Limerick won't be out for a few weeks now. Obviously, you'll probably try to get tickets
Recording Schedules and Sports Previews
00:01:40
Speaker
then. I'll be in Croke Park, won't it, the next time they're out? No, we'll be at a quarterfinal. We'll be in Croke Park against Dublin or Killeur.
00:01:48
Speaker
And then I'm going to wait for the semifinal. So we have the preliminary...
00:01:55
Speaker
preliminary pre-name quarterfinals and then we have the real quarterfinals yeah I forgot that I forgot that you lost there literally for a second when I said that I was like thinking of Cork so they're going straight to Croker now but uh yeah either way Either way, hopefully, I'm sure you'll get through Dublin or Calair anyways, and then it'll be big one against Kilkenny after that.
00:02:16
Speaker
so Yeah, that's that that's massive. i they did They had it so easy against Galway. It was just a walk in the park for them, and Galway put it up to them for 10 minutes.
00:02:29
Speaker
was never really at any danger of going the other way. It was Kilkenny from the start. Yeah. They pretty much at the moment have to play well twice a year and to win in Ireland. In the semi-final and the final they can do is just put it together for a month and they're absolutely fine.
00:02:44
Speaker
Yeah, they almost need to out of it at this stage. Yeah, 100%.
Arsenal's Quest for Goals and Key Players
00:02:50
Speaker
So we're recording this on Wednesday this week because of a few scheduling things. So obviously it won't make any difference for our previews that we we started doing for the football and NFL, but we'll be a little bit behind on the latest basketball game, so forgive us for that one. But we're going to get started straight away with football, and we're going to continue on like we did last week, previewing two teams every week.
00:03:13
Speaker
So next up this week, we have Arsenal and Burnley, and we're going to go through the same four questions that we went through last week for the two teams. um So the first one I'll throw to you with Arsenal is where do they need to improve most from last season?
00:03:30
Speaker
They need to turn their draws into wins. They drew 14 games in the league last year. That's absolutely crazy. It the second most in the league after everything. um If you want to win a title, you can't be drawing 14 games.
00:03:43
Speaker
Their wins and losses, fine. Four losses, same as Liverpool. But 14 draws in the middle of that is mad. and They need someone to help Saka score the goals because...
00:03:55
Speaker
If you're counting on Martinelli and Trossard and Havertz, then you're not really going to get too far. And I don't know if it necessarily needs to be like an out-and-out number nine. Maybe it needs be like a Sadio Mane to their Saka or something like that before they get their Roberto Firmino. They just need someone, maybe off the left, maybe to the middle, just someone that can help put the ball in the net and make a one-all, a two-one or a two-all, a three-two or something.
Arsenal's Road to Premier League Glory: Transfers and Key Players
00:04:20
Speaker
I think that's absolutely massive for him, is turning those draws he had into wins.
00:04:28
Speaker
I said proven goal score is the most obvious, but drawing five more games than Liverpool did and scoring 17 goals less is the reason why, to put it in simple terms, why they didn't challenge.
00:04:39
Speaker
Not being able to put games away, and that comes down to scoring goals, as you said. So fairly similar there. Then I guess the next question is, who are the three players on their team right now that will make the biggest impact next season? Who did you have in mind for these three?
00:04:56
Speaker
I have Rice, Gabriel and Saka. um It's kind of mostly based around their set pieces, but that's where the bulk their goals came from, the season just gone. It's rice Rice taking them on one side, Saka taking the corners on the other side, and Gabriel heading them into the nest.
00:05:12
Speaker
But on top of that, Saka is their most dangerous player. Declan Rice is one of the best midfielders in the league, as much as I hate saying it because of what he did to the Irish national team. And then Gabriel is just a really, really solid, dependable centre-back.
00:05:26
Speaker
um I think they have a really good kind of spine of their team there that you just need to build around. But I think those three are absolutely massive for him. A full season of no injuries.
00:05:39
Speaker
if they had a proper striker, it's going to make the world of difference to him because it'll open up more chances for him to score, but also someone for him to a assist him more because he puts in so many quality chances and he bags a lot of assists as it is without like decent goal scorers in the squad.
00:05:55
Speaker
So I think adding a decent goal scorer will make the world of difference to him if they do that. I said then, one, is Odegaard needs to step up because for him to for the clean team to be good and for him to captain the team to Anything other than like another second-place finish, he's going to have to add more to his game. Because eight assists for the guy who's supposed to be the creative driving and force of the team, that's on 6.61 expected assists as well. So they actually overperformed that considering how little goals they scored.
00:06:26
Speaker
And then only scoring three goals himself. If they're going to be good, he needs to step up and make a big impact. And then the third one he had was Lewis Skelly. In another team, I think you could afford the time for a younger player like him to gradually come into the team or come into the side. But the way Arsenal are kind of built, they have so many centre-backs. They don't have great full-back options. And he's their only like true full-back that's the proper quality. So they're going to need to push him on.
00:06:53
Speaker
And he's actually going to need to keep improving because he's a very important part of this team. Even though he is very young, he's he very important to them. He's actually a centre midfielder, though.
00:07:04
Speaker
yeah He came through the Ubrance as a centre midfielder. Now, so did Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. Came through as a midfielder and was put to left bar to right back kind of in an emergency. And they might have done the same with Lewis Skelly. And maybe he will go on to have that kind of an impact as well. But I don't see... I see the vision with Ethan Murray. I don't really see the vision with Lewis Skelly. I don't think he's going to be all he is hyped up to be.
00:07:29
Speaker
Yeah, it's fair enough. I think it's hard when they're young. I just see... Yeah, he's only 17. Defensive potential in him as well. like He's excellent at reading the game. And I suppose putting him into fullback, that then shows when he has to is called into action to defend.
00:07:46
Speaker
you know Whereas Trent has kind of been constantly critiqued for that. So if Lewis Kelly can take that into into his stride and even be half as good offensively as Trent has been, then think you know that would be a good career. But again, like i said, he's their only real like solid player.
00:08:03
Speaker
attacking force from full-back, so it's kind of essential that he continues along this track that he has been on. But Nairi is another good one as well, I was considering. I think he's ready to take the step up if they use him enough.
00:08:15
Speaker
um ah In terms of the next question then is what's their ceiling with their current manager and squad for the season ahead? So for me, ah just said like there's no reason why they can't be Premier League champions. I think they are good enough if they have a goal scorer, although I'm not entirely sold on Arteta still.
00:08:33
Speaker
I mean, I don't know if he's the right man, but I think there's no reason why with the squad they have and with the way they've built up that they can't win it. So I think, i although I don't think they will really right now, i still think that that is a ceiling for them, that that's something they could achieve.
Burnley's Strategy for Success: Players and Goals
00:08:50
Speaker
Yeah, I'm the same as you. i had this time They'll be in the hunt for the title again, but they will fall short. I think they'll finish third in the coming season with the business Liverpool and City are doing early in the window and Arsenal haven't really done anything yet. Now, it's still it's so early. You can't judge anyone on a transfer window on the or 12th of the year bus.
00:09:10
Speaker
And they're currently joined second favourites of Man City at 5-2. And I think they'll come out worse in the battle between those two and they'll finish third. And I'll tell you why when you ask the next question.
00:09:21
Speaker
Okay, so the next one is what piece of do they need to do to help them this season? So go ahead. Black Arteta. Black Arteta. Simple as. And I'm sure you're shocked.
00:09:35
Speaker
Five trophy-less seasons. No, i just i think I think that's the best thing they could do now. They won't do it, obviously. And it's completely and utterly ah so hypothetical for me. But they should sack him and bring in someone proper.
00:09:50
Speaker
Somebody knows how to win a trophy. The man's not good enough. Simple as. And I think until they get rid of him, they're not going to win anything, in my very, very humble up opinion. Get the likes of Anjan, you know, very astute. Yeah, someone like that.
00:10:06
Speaker
No, absolutely not. Gerriton Haag. Gerriton Haag won an FA Cup. Leverkusen snapped him up, you know, for that ah pedigree. But I don't know, I'm not going to jump to say to get rid of him, but if they do finish like less, worse off than they did this season,
00:10:20
Speaker
I think if they're not closer to winning it again, then they do need to consider it. But I'd say, yeah, he's bit of pressure on him this year. For me, the business was a striker. I know it's an obvious one, but I think for me, I think Osheman would be a great signing for them. They're not going to shell out the the wages that he needs.
00:10:39
Speaker
It looks like it's going to be Sesko to them, according to a lot of rumours. And I don't know if he's the finished product. I don't know if he's going to be good enough in the Premier League to be consistent. especially for a team that needs goals, not someone to kind of bet in.
00:10:52
Speaker
So I don't know if that's going to work, but that is the position they need more than anything. And for me, I'm not sure if they're doing their own thing. Yeah. I think we talked about that a bit last week when we said that a lot of the teams that need strikers, they don't need another project player.
00:11:08
Speaker
yeah that they need someone who's a finished article. And I think Arsenal should be top of the list of team of teams that need the finished article now, and they don't need another project layer that's, oh, we'll win the league in three years' time with him. He just needs to settle in first. Like, they don't have time for someone to come in and need to settle in for three or four years.
00:11:26
Speaker
I don't think any of the top teams have time for someone to come in and settle in and relieve us. We'll see how the summer goes. long has Arteta been there now? but think he's coming into his seventh season. Um...
00:11:38
Speaker
Yeah, it took over in 2019. So yes, it would be seventh season. Sixth season. six six season So, you know, I think it's not like you said, but where you can go, we're going to sign two or three lads and we'll win the league with them in four or five years. Like, no, you've already had those four or five years. Like now is the time because people will start getting fed up with the project. And even earlier last season when they stumbled a bit, Arsenal fans were back with the Arteta out again. So...
00:12:07
Speaker
It's only a matter of time if they don't kind of step it back up to a level that the fans expect to be right on the par with the likes of Liverpool and City. But then moving to our newly promoted team that we're going to cover this week is Burnley.
00:12:22
Speaker
So first question again, where do they most need to improve from last season? and and They were quite clearly very, very defensively strong last year. i think a big thing for Burley this season is going to be finding someone other than Josh Brownhill to score a couple of goals for him.
00:12:38
Speaker
Because Josh Brownhill isn't going to score 18 Premier League goals. They need someone, a striker that can get between 8 and 10, a bit of a Liam De Laff. If they can get someone in like that, they can kind of just keep them ticking over and they can stay...
00:12:52
Speaker
If no obviously not, obviously they're not going to be as defensively strong, but they can stay somewhat defensively strong and have a striker that knows where the net is, then I think they might have a chance, but it's still very unlikely.
00:13:06
Speaker
They do need to score more goals, but I think more than anything, they need to be less naive than they were last time. Some of the decisions they were making in games that they were well in, obviously a completely different system now, like that company is gone, but In general, the players need to be smart.
00:13:21
Speaker
They have a lot of young guys in the back line. I think they need to be smart at what they do. Don't overplay and just play the game that's in front of them because they need to pick up points as they come and whenever there's an opportunity and not to be treating every game the same because not every game is the same.
00:13:38
Speaker
They need to be planning for each game and I'm sure they will but that's, I think, something that they didn't do last time and it's something they need to do. It's the same kind of I'm sorry, before you go, it's kind of it's the same kind of thing that cost Russell Martin's job at Southampton was this is my system if we're playing Man City or we're playing Ipswich or we're playing Liverpool or playing anyone. This is the system we're going with instead of kind of courses for courses.
00:14:04
Speaker
Like, promoted teams really need to go back to basics and go back to, have to play a 4-4-2 against Liverpool, do it, and then play your 4-3-3 against one of the other promoted teams or Wolves or someone. So you kind of need, you need to have a bit of flexibility when you come up. You can't, I know you ran away in the Championship, you're not going to run away from anyone in the Premier League. You really need to go back to basics if you're going to have any sort of hope of and putting up any kind of a fight.
00:14:29
Speaker
Yeah, no, I agree. um The three players I highlighted then were James Trafford again. I think he needs to continue if he stays there. He needs to continue the form he had last season. And importantly, I mentioned already distribution from the back.
00:14:44
Speaker
No silly passes like he was doing last time he was in the Premier League. He needs to learn from that, but I think he's an excellent keeper. So he's my first one. The second one is Brownhill. You already mentioned him.
00:14:55
Speaker
He was exciting at times in the Premier League when he did play. And I thought he was probably one of their best players a couple of years ago when they were up. Clearly was their best player last year in the championship offensively anyways.
00:15:06
Speaker
Scoring 18 goals with six assists. So I think he needs to continue. And I think he's a good fit next to Cullen because he can kind of go forward a bit more. And I think that can work for them going forward. Obviously, they need more goals from elsewhere, but he's an important one. And then the last one is Egan Riley.
00:15:25
Speaker
think another City Academy player, Burnley, have gotten many of those down for the and He played 41 games in the Championship last season. I think that was his first season there with them. um um I think moving up to the Premier League, is it's a right time for him now because he looks very comfortable, he's good on the ball, he's good presence. I think at 22 years of age, it's the perfect time to step up and test what you've got. so I think hopefully he can for them, hopefully he can continue into the into the next level.
00:15:57
Speaker
Yeah, I only had one different two. So I also had Trafford and Burnhill. And then I had another centre-back. I had Esteve. I think he looks a really, really exciting centre-half, 21 years old.
00:16:08
Speaker
think he was there. I think you his first year with them was their year in the Premier where they went back down. So he's had bit of experience in the Premier League. He's had a full season then and kind of run in the back down in Championship with C.J. Egan Riley.
00:16:21
Speaker
And I think if de two n can if they can keep a hold of the two of them, and maybe getting some experience with them to kind of talk them through games, either one of them, then they could be like 16 goals in a 42 game, sorry, 46 game season is crazy.
00:16:35
Speaker
And the two of them helped it massively. So we'll see how they go with the season coming now. Yeah, they're both conceding as crazy.
New York Giants' Season Prospects: Key Players and Wins
00:16:43
Speaker
Like, it's obviously you don't keep that up in the Premier League, but it's a great thing to step up with having that kind of base that your defence is very good and it's solid.
00:16:54
Speaker
And I think it's kind of maybe easier to use that to build when you move into the Premier League than if your attack was great, but your defence was all over the shop in the lower level.
00:17:04
Speaker
You're going to get found out fairly quickly when you step up. So that kind of moves into what's their stealing with the current manager and squad just for this season. What do you make is the best possible outcome? um I'm very confused by this, to be honest, because I don't know how much I trust Scott Parker. He's clearly a good manager. He's stood in the championship, but when he had Bournemouth last year, the year before, before brought in Areola, he lost nine little to Liverpool. He was just so negative in all the press conferences. Seventeen did obviously win for him, but I honestly don't know how to...
00:17:43
Speaker
any categorism with Parker in charge, I've never seen him really do a Premier League job that has been kind of widely recognised. Yeah, so what's the highest think they finish? Even keeping him in world? Between 15th and 17th, I think they'd be doing really, really well.
00:18:00
Speaker
Yeah, I've put that their ceiling is 14th. I think if everything went absolutely amazingly for them, they can finish 14th. Again, we're going to do a proper prediction before the season starts with where we actually think these teams will finish.
00:18:14
Speaker
But this is just like an absolute ceiling if everything went the best it could do. I still think, as I mentioned before, I still think they're the best team that's coming up just because of that defensive structure. And i think they're set up around this time lot better than they were last time under company. So I think this, but this is a really, really a ceiling. And I don't see this happening, but I think it's a possibility if things go well.
00:18:39
Speaker
Then in terms of the one piece of business they need to do, I said for months for, I think, maybe three out of four teams so far that they need a striker, but they do need a striker because they struggle to score goals.
00:18:52
Speaker
The only other player outside of Brownhill that had double-digit goals was Zion Fleming, and they just signed him off his loan deal from Millwall, but this is his first time stepping up to this level, and he had a couple of decent years with Millwall in the championship, but this is a whole other level, and I'm not going to be trusting of him.
00:19:10
Speaker
To be, you know, in his first year, a guy that's going to provide 10, 12 goals, like you already mentioned, I think they need to find somebody else to do that for them. Yeah, 100%. I also have a striker.
00:19:21
Speaker
have the same name again. I think I might have brought him up last year, becausell but I think one of these teams is going to take a punt on Josh Sargent from Norwich. And I think he is the 8-10 goal striker in the Premier League now that he wasn't when he was up at Norwich last time.
00:19:36
Speaker
He's matured so much. His all-round play is a lot better. And Burnley, Leeds, or Sunderland, one of them are going to bring him in, and he's going to shock a good good couple of people.
00:19:49
Speaker
I know obviously we're speaking from an Irish perspective, but I think an Adam Ida might be someone that gets you six to ten goals in the Premier League as a poacher. He's good physically, and I think if a team got him or the likes of him, I don't know a profile similar to him from you know other countries, but speaking from an Irish perspective, I think he was that type of profile would work at a lower-level championship team, um and maybe one of them gets in if Evan Ferguson on loan.
00:20:18
Speaker
Who knows, he desperately needs game time too. So let's see where that goes. That was clear to see from his performance last night. Yeah, it was very bad. It's clear as day he needs to go somewhere. He's going to play more than one start in six months because he just couldn't he had no confidence in himself at all last night.
00:20:41
Speaker
No, he just kept losing the ball. very loose and in Ireland's game against Senegal. And you could see the difference between him and Troy Parrott. Parrott was just on it from the start and he was putting in his absolute max effort. Obviously, some of the other players weren't. It was obvious to see that because last game of the season. But you could see the difference in sharpness between the two, having played more football. So, it's really, really important that he gets more games under his belt.
00:21:08
Speaker
But that's... Kind of a look ahead for these two teams. Obviously, if they get transfers over the window, we will update you on those as we go. If there's some ones we think are big or they fill in some of the needs that we thought were fit, we'll keep you updated as time goes. But moving on then to the NFL, and we're going to continue with the NFC East.
00:21:27
Speaker
like we did last week. and We had the Eagles and obviously Cowboys with Evans, so we're going to do Commanders and Giants this week. So want to take away, ask me the first question to get us rolling? Yeah, so buts we'll start with the Giants, obviously, and as you are the resident Giants fan, we'll go to you first. So where do they need to improve most from last season? and I think for for to the Giants, it's so important to have at least passable quarterback play because...
00:21:55
Speaker
How poor they were at that position last year absolutely killed them. Their record was abysmal. Like 3-14 is shocking. And you're not going to get to like, you know, 11 or 12 wins with a better quarterback with that team.
00:22:08
Speaker
But there was a lot of games they were very, very close in. They should have beaten the Bengals. They should have beaten commanders both times they played them. They should have beat the Cowboys. There's a number of games there where they just literally threw them away because they had no quarterback to play.
00:22:24
Speaker
or run the game smoothly. Every time the defense was turning the ball back over, it was just like three and out, three and out every single time. So good quarterback play is most important.
00:22:34
Speaker
The wide receivers have talent. The offense has good weapons. And I think they will break through more with a decent quarterback. and But without that, This team is nothing. so that's very, very important for the Giants.
00:22:46
Speaker
Did you have anything similar? ah Yeah, I put down the quarterback room as a nightmare. So it was a nightmare last year. And if they can get any sort of cohesion from there, then they could. they could be a lot better. Because as you said, there was a lot of games they left behind them last year.
00:23:01
Speaker
And the defence was doing its job but then it went over to the offence. And as you said, neighbours, Tracy, all good players. But there was no one, nobody finding them with anything. And the run-in was a bit off as well at times. Tracy was good, but then other games he just couldn't get going and stuff like that. So I think it's mad. Like there's a reason the quarterbacks get all the money.
00:23:20
Speaker
And it's because it's the difference they can make. And we'll see what kind of a difference that makes for them next season. Yeah, yeah. Who were the three players in the team that would make the biggest impact?
00:23:32
Speaker
It's Tyrone Tracy. I think he's an amazing player. The talent he has, not only in the run game, but in the receiving game. He was a wide receiver, I think, for like his first three years in college.
00:23:43
Speaker
So I think it was excellent scouting to get him in. and As somebody who can handle catches out of the backfield or even come into the into the into the game where he's actually a receiver and you have another back in as well.
00:23:57
Speaker
It was excellent scouting, and I think they did a good job by drafting him last year, 284 yards receiving with awful quarterbacks. So I think that will only improve, and I think he'll be great. Second one then is Abdul Carter.
00:24:09
Speaker
I think he's a game changer for this team. He'd be a game changer for any team. But if you have already Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeau, that line they added Chauncey Goldston from Dallas as well.
00:24:21
Speaker
I think that front is amazing. And if you add somebody like him on the opposite side to Burns, it's just going to be a game changer. And then lastly, I have Tyler Newbin, which is somebody that people may not know a lot about unless you follow the Giants closely. But last year they drafted him.
00:24:36
Speaker
He's a safety. He was very impressive last year, but he needed kind of a more veteran presence next to him, which I didn't think he had. um he He did a good job, as did a lot of the rookies last year. I was very impressed with the class, but I think he'll take a major leap this year after they signed Javon Holland for a big contract to play next to him. And some of the videos already coming out training camp, not of their play, but of their relationship. I think that's going to be a very good thing for Tracy to improve him.
00:25:02
Speaker
Did you have different people? The only one I'd different to you was I've neighbours in instead of the last fella you said. Yeah. We're just talking there about the QB room. If they can get the QB room right and find him, his talent is so clear to see. And it was clear to see from week one of last season.
00:25:18
Speaker
He's a frightening, frightening player. And if they can get him going, then they could very much up their win column from three three. We'll talk about that in a few minutes actually how high they'll get.
Washington Commanders' Season Aspirations: Key Players and Defense
00:25:29
Speaker
They could definitely definitely get more wins and if they if they can find Neighbours and Tracy more often.
00:25:35
Speaker
Go on, Sarah.
00:25:40
Speaker
yeah Tracy's Neighbours stats as well. To have 1,200 yards and there was a good few games he missed there through injury and the quarterbacks he was playing with were woeful. So I definitely agree. Yeah.
00:25:53
Speaker
with him being one of the biggest stars and he's someone I'm so excited to watch more of on the team yeah so the next question then i'm do you think they'll hit the over under with the bookies so the Giants over under is five and a half I'll go first on this one I think they're going over not fair I think maybe six 12 wins Yeah, we'll see.
00:26:16
Speaker
um I wrote down three that I think are bankers from the start. So I think they'll beat the Bears, the Broncos and the Raiders. And then I'd be happy with those three. Yeah. like Like you said last last year, they left a good couple of games behind against the likes the commanders. Obviously, the commanders going better than them and talk about them in a minute. boss I think if you start with those three, there's definitely chance for to pick up two or three more and kind of definitely get to the line of five and a half and maybe get over us.
00:26:41
Speaker
Yeah, I've gone with, I think that despite the tough record, I think six wins is doable. and just Just from the better quarterback, I don't think they're going to be like a 10-win team or anything, but I think having a better quarterback will get you three or four more games than you got last season.
00:26:59
Speaker
And the squad has improved, in my opinion, through the draft and some of the free agents they've signed. So think... Yeah, why not go with that? like go Go with the over because I think that i think they can definitely do it.
00:27:11
Speaker
100%. i think I think it'll be an awful disappointment if they go under again. and With the way they've drafted, bringing in, that they're spending the money on the quarterbacks. I think if they go under five and a half wins again, there'll be serious questions asked of the GM and the head coach.
00:27:27
Speaker
i was How is this happening over and over again? They'll be under serious pressure. Yeah, big time. Will we move on to the Commanders? Just the last question. The Courses are sealing with the current roster and coach yeah for the season ahead.
00:27:40
Speaker
Well, for me, I had down that the ceiling is the same as what happened in 2022. like They did just a lot of close games go their way and they managed to sneak into a wildcard spot. That's if things like go absolutely perfectly this season.
00:27:55
Speaker
I think What Dable did that season with Daniel Jones, I think is definitely something he can replicate with Russell Wilson or if he goes to Jackson Dart. I think it's something, it doesn't have to be perfect football, but if you win some close games, I think he is a smart coach. i'm The defense was very good last season and I think they're a good matchup for the commanders who we will touch on in a minute because they made Jaden Daniels uncomfortable a lot last year.
00:28:22
Speaker
And only literally one game we didn't have a backup kicker. They couldn't even kick field goals. They couldn't even kick extra points and ended up losing by three after scoring three touchdowns. You know, this, these kinds of things, if, if you put the same game plan and you make Daniels uncomfortable and you have an improved team, I don't think there's any reason why you couldn't snatch one maybe off the commander. So yeah, for me, an absolute so ceiling for them is the wild card spot. But again,
00:28:47
Speaker
We're going to do a full season preview later in the summer, so we'll let you know where we actually think they'll end up at that point. For me, I think they're seeing eight wins and see where that gets them. I'm not 100% sure. 5.8 wins would have gotten them last year, but have gotten them a wild card spot?
00:29:03
Speaker
no No, you'd have to have a winning record most of the time. like Okay, so... I think if they get eight wins, they'll be ecstatic. And it's somewhere to they can really build on there. You'd be like, oh, eight wins. Yeah.
00:29:14
Speaker
So I said at the moment, they're kind of in the basement. The ceiling at the moment is a bungalow. So they only have two stories. So if they can get to eight wins, then they can take in they can build a third story in the house and work from there then.
00:29:27
Speaker
Yeah, we'll take it. We'll take it. Not two negatives. I'm happy with that. I'll have to go easy on the jets when we get around to it yeah It's kind of one of those where you have to give the best man speech first so you have to go nice to them so they're nice to you for your best man speech.
00:29:44
Speaker
I'll wait for the full season preview to tear shreds out of them. We'll go on to something more positive and we'll talk about the commanders now. so Where can the commanders improve most from last season?
00:29:58
Speaker
For me, um it's not exactly like a point of improvement but It's like a point of something that they really need to avoid is that kind of sophomore slump when you get with a rookie quarterback that has succeeded.
00:30:11
Speaker
We just saw it with CJ Stroud, the step back after huge expectations in his year two. Again, they weren't bad. They made it into the playoffs. They won a game in the playoffs. but it was a step back from what people thought they were going to see from Stroud and the team.
00:30:25
Speaker
So I think if they avoid that kind of slump often on the offensive side of the ball, I think they'll be fine. So that's, for me, like something to strive towards an improvement of not allowing that ah creep in.
00:30:37
Speaker
I think that's ah that's actually a really good shout. I didn't even think of that, to be honest. The amount of quarterbacks that do have a sophomore slump is unbelievable. I just put in that... I think they need to be needs to be more mean.
00:30:51
Speaker
um They conceded 84 points the Lions and the Eagles when they came to to playoffs. And you're not always going to win a shootout. They need to be more stingy in defense when it comes down to the nitty gritty at the end of the season.
00:31:03
Speaker
You can't be giving up 84 points and expecting you're going to get to a Super Bowl. So I think that would be something to work on. I thought they were good. And for nearly all the season, they were really good, really solid defensively. And then it's like they just all kind of, not even down tools is the wrong way putting it because they didn't.
00:31:20
Speaker
They all, they might have slipped one or two percent. And all of a sudden, the Lions and the Eagles were just running past them. The Eagles put 55 past them. and Sorry, 52 past them. Apologies. And they just, they walked all over them. So I think if they can sort that out, then maybe they can get their Super Bowl this year. But we'll wait and see how the rookies start off as well.
00:31:40
Speaker
offensivesly definitely in bigger games because as you said you can't just keep winning shootouts as the Lions saw this season but obviously they were absolutely hammered by injuries so that is a different situation but yeah you do need to be more kind of yeah like you said almost like stingy or savvy you need to be smarter and I think adding like Bobby Wagner as a good veteran there at linebacker that kind of thing is something you need to do and I think that will help so they've been smart I think in their recruitment Yeah, 100%. So that brings it on nicely to the three players you think make the biggest impact.
00:32:15
Speaker
So I actually have Bobby Wagner as one of mine. Oh, nice. I have himself, I have Jane Daniels, and I have Brian Robinson are my three. I think Jane Daniels is and incredible talent. We saw it all of last year how good he is. And if he does avoid what you were just talking about, with Bobby Wagner in defence kind of holding things back,
00:32:35
Speaker
and Bryan Robinson can get running the way he was running, then I think they were really they were really solid spying again. That might be the word of today now, so you've used it twice. for I think the Macons are a really good good team there, and while it mightn't be Super Bowl ready, yes, I think it is going in that direction.
00:32:53
Speaker
kind out, I point out the same players, but something a bit similar in certain places. I went with Frankie Louvoo, obviously the same position as Wagner,
00:33:04
Speaker
But like he's kind of like a younger ah younger star. He was good with them last year. Obviously, he had the funny moments in the and NFC Championship game where he was kind of jumping over the line of scrimmage to stop the tush-push. But he's a very good player. A lot of talent. It was a great pickup for them. And I think he'll be even better this year adding Wagner beside him and some more veteran pieces.
00:33:25
Speaker
Another one then was Debo Samuel. I think you'll need to have a big year on the receiving side of things because they lost Zaccheaus in to the Bears, who was improving last year. Again, he's not like a you know number one option or anything like that, but he's somebody that yeah he he's like he adds a lot.
00:33:44
Speaker
and That pace that he had over the top was very important for them. um Although Debo plays very differently, I think he'll need to replace some of those yards that they lost from Zaccheaus to help McLaren out.
00:33:56
Speaker
and and Then the third one I had was combination of Josh Connerly and Laramie Tunsil. Trading for Tunsil from From the Texans to protect Stroud, I think there's people in the Texan side of things saying that Tunsell got rid of him because he had a bad attitude or he was bad in the locker room.
00:34:14
Speaker
But you know the commanders took a chance on him here. He might be a Dan Quinn type of player. He was obviously very good down the years and he earned a lot of big contracts. Then Josh Connerly being a rookie, if you add these two guys on the line together, they're clearly protecting the most important player on their team, who is Jadon Daniels. So I think that can have a massive impact if they if they get it right.
00:34:35
Speaker
100%, I couldn't agree with you more. And I think Deebo Samuel is, again, it's a really smart bit of business, a really good pickup. He was poor last year, but he was also wasn't trusted at all last year in San Francisco. And I think if he's a coach that gives him back the confidence he has, then he can he can just he can be a monster again next season for sure.
00:34:54
Speaker
Yeah, he that wide entry. would be great for him, confidence-wise, if you just see your body holding up somewhat, at least for a year. 100%. So we'll move on to the over-under with the bookies.
00:35:08
Speaker
the line is nine and a half. What do you think? gone a think schedule is very hard, but I think they can get 10 wins. I don't see them getting too many more than 10 wins because of how hard the schedule is, but I think they can get 10 wins definitely.
00:35:24
Speaker
What did you think on that? Same. I said the max they'll get is 11. Sorry, the max they'll get 12. I was looking towards 11. I think they'll go over again. i don't think their schedule is too bad.
00:35:37
Speaker
i toss ah know When I was going into looking at the schedule, I thought it was shambolic. But the more he looked into it, I don't think it's as bad as ah as I first feared. I think they will get to definitely 10. Between 10 and 12 wins is what I think they'll be looking at for next season. and If they be smart when they're playing 13 divisions.
00:35:54
Speaker
I don't think it's that difficult. Like, like if they pick up two wins against the Cowboys and two wins against the Giants, then yeah, you're absolutely laughing because you have some easier games there as well. But those in-division games are always ones that might trip you up.
00:36:09
Speaker
So I don't know that those will be difficult ones for them to navigate, I think. Yeah, maybe. look I just think they're a really, really solid team. I think they're one of the best in the NFL. And that's why I did back them to go over their, their line of nine and half.
00:36:26
Speaker
And I won't forget it this time. But what do you think is the ceiling and the commanders for the season out? I think the squad and coach that they have are good enough to reach a Super Bowl at an absolute ceiling.
00:36:39
Speaker
They got within game of it last year and I think they could get there this year if everything goes well. And I like the way they recruited. I don't really see them getting there, to be honest, but I think that is an opportunity for them that I wouldn't be overly surprised if they did, I think, with the level of talent that they have. I don't know and don't think they can win one yet, but I could see them getting there.
00:37:02
Speaker
Yeah, I i said their ceiling is the conference finals again. and I think they'd very lucky to get to Super Bowl, but I don't think they are contenders quite yet. But as I said earlier on in the piece, I don't think they're fair off at the same time.
00:37:17
Speaker
Watch, and sometimes I would see like a team like them like the Texans last year, and you can see them as like a regression candidate when people think they're going to be unbelievable. But I think what they've actually done in terms of improvements and stuff like that, I think they've done a very good job and they did a good job in the in the draft as well. So I think, yeah, I think they they could very well have a good season. But again, that might not mean like 12 wins, like a 10-win season is still a very good season. So let's see how they do to an interesting team for sure.
Transfer Rumors and Coaching Changes: Impact on Teams
00:37:48
Speaker
But if we've nothing else on them, We'll move into the transfers then. I think there's a few that you wanted to touch on, first of all, so if you want to throw them out there. Yeah. do you know Great podcasting.
00:38:04
Speaker
ah The one I want to talk about, and it's driven me mad since I saw us, N'Golo Kantech going unknown from one Saudi team to another Saudi team. um it's so i i was saying up we one the last earlier and i was just saying I was talking about Chelsea signing that kid from Strasbourg, Sar.
00:38:21
Speaker
was like, Todd Bowley, I made a call to Todd Bowley and offered Todd Bowley some money and Todd Bowley accepted this. This is the same thing. It's the Saudi Prince calling another Saudi Prince and then saying, oh yeah, will send him there for a month.
00:38:34
Speaker
Oh, football over there, just it's a joke. And I'm i'm so glad you mind the amount of players that have turned it down this summer already has been so heartwarming to see. and in joe like you Joe Bruno turning down 200 million.
00:38:48
Speaker
i'm Oshman turning down 160 million. Apparently Darwin has turned him down now as well, although I think he should have went there because... Ugh, boss. Apparently they went after Seshko, he told them where to go as well. I just think, I think it it's, they had their year of fun and I think it's going to go like the Chinese they did now win and they signed likes of Oscar and then everything just fell apart in them.
00:39:10
Speaker
I think it's all going to go to the ground. In other news, Turkey to Sydney, I think is a really, really solid bit of business.
00:39:20
Speaker
And yeah, I just think, I think it's really smart. He's for the price he is. They've gotten a really, really good player. Liverpool have gotten a similar player, but they paid five times as much as Man City have or four times as much as Man City have.
00:39:34
Speaker
We talked about him last week. and De Bruyne at Napoli. De Bruyne is going to be 28 years old again playing in Italy. He's going to have no issues there getting the ball out and just swinging across it in. Going to be incredible.
00:39:45
Speaker
And I'll move on.
00:39:48
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. if it yeah If McTominay can do that while smoking a lot of cigarettes, then imagine what Kevin De Bruyne is going to be able to do.
00:39:59
Speaker
And then we'll move on to your ones. Yeah, I guess that just about the Kante one, I think the movement of them trying to go for younger players, it worked for a few guys, but I don't think it's going to work. I think they're going to continue to need to go for older guys because Bruno turning them down, even though he's entering his age 30 season.
00:40:19
Speaker
Yeah, I think that's a big sign. But yeah, the Turkey one was a great move by by City as well. And I think, yeah, like how much Liverpool paid for worth 150 million euro, and this is 40 million euro.
00:40:31
Speaker
It just shows, you know, but we'll see the difference in talent level then as well. So it's so it's it's an interesting one for sure, but he does have a lot of skills. And then, yeah I think another one is Kerkas looks thoroughly nailed on for Liverpool.
00:40:45
Speaker
Yeah, 45 million. Yeah, so that'll be a big one for Liverpool, obviously, continuing in their dealings, doing very well in this transfer window so far. A few more that I just noted were looking at Arsenal to sign Kepa. That one is 5 million release clause. It was interesting just because we mentioned Kepa last week. You were saying how he's one of the most underrated players. It was in our underrated players draft.
00:41:11
Speaker
on your side. So that was funny after that, like right after the episode, Arsenal bought him. I presume he can play left-back because that's the only thing Eric has i scheme to assigned at the moment is left-backs and goalkeepers.
00:41:23
Speaker
Yeah, perfect. I'd say he can't bother. They'll either have him or Rhea playing left or right-back. Yeah, 100%. hundred percent And then another one for Arsenal is Zuby Mendy. I think it's David Ornstein reported that it's done and signed. So at least they there got something...
00:41:40
Speaker
I don't think it's going to maybe go through before the first deadline or or what way it's going to work. but it It hasn't. I think that's going to be yeah that's going to be done and signed either some stage over next few weeks. So that was at least something for them.
00:41:53
Speaker
I think yeah i was just saying it was a good signing. Yeah, I was just thinking that and they really needed another defensive midfielder to go with the six they have already. So I'm really glad that he brought in a defensive midfielder and a goalkeeper.
00:42:07
Speaker
I'd say next they should probably go at a centre-back, probably, if I was recruited. Oh, no, they definitely need a left-back. They only have four. Yeah, maybe we have enough one more left-back and three centre-backs, and then they're sorted probably for next season. They can definitely challenge.
00:42:23
Speaker
and be another kid Yeah, and speaking of teams that constantly go after players in the same position, Chelsea have gone after Jamie by her own givetons because 12 ringers isn't enough to have.
00:42:35
Speaker
like that This one is just ridiculous to me. So what was it? It says here from Ornstein's seven-year contract offer to him that the deal is in place. But then Fabrizio Romano reported then that Dortmund keep rejecting Chelsea's bids for him, but the negotiations will continue past the Club World Cup.
00:42:54
Speaker
and Obviously, the player-side deal is signed. But I don't understand why they did this, because they just signed Kenda from Sporting Lisbon.
00:43:05
Speaker
And he looks to be absolutely amazing and to play in the exact same position. And you're just going to sign another guy and you already have like two or three players in that position. These things don't like, there's things with City, right? They're signing loads of players. You're like, right, they know something is coming down the line maybe with discharges. But with Chelsea, it just looks like they're doing it for the last.
00:43:25
Speaker
Like, yeah these guys have not brought value back either. Like, they're not going to sell Modric for next to near what they bought him for. Like, these things are not working for them. They have to pay five million to United just to get rid of Sancho.
00:43:37
Speaker
So they clearly haven't been doing the best of business so far. I don't really understand the why they would go after this position specifically. I don't think they've, they haven't done a single thing on their top ball. It doesn't make sense to me.
00:43:50
Speaker
and And I'm not even being smart. Like they haven't made a single signing that you look at and go, sorry, Casado, every other thing you look and you're what's the point in that one? Like they have They have four players That can play there already Why are they spending 50 million On Kenji Piaz If they're then Going to loan them out to Strasbourg And sign Biro Kittens And say Nothing that they're doing Is making any sense to me And I'm I'm just so baffled By everything that they've done Over the last two years Yeah they really need to Sell players In these positions first Before they go I'm going to buy Two more lads to play there Like Do you not realise You have a full squad You can't just Exile guys Because then you cancel So Yuck Nobody will want them for the same price.
00:44:32
Speaker
Doesn't make sense to me at all. but like to we we We talked last week about Liam DeLapp signing. But then you have Jackson and Liam DeLapp. like, oh, that makes sense. The two of them are the same kind of profile. They can swap in and out.
00:44:43
Speaker
And then they're straight into talks with Hugo Ekotika. Yeah. 100 million or whatever it Yeah. it was like, are you selling one of... Sorry, are you selling Jackson? you obviously can't sell DeLapp.
00:44:54
Speaker
So you're selling in Jackson to bring in Eketike. You're not going to guess. I think now I think they only paid 35 million for Jackson. So they might get that back if they would sell him. But in general, I just just they're baffling. They really are. They're baffling.
00:45:07
Speaker
Some of the dodgy dealings they did with Saudi, though, with some of the connections they have there, maybe that could be something. that might go down. i don't know. but like Dodgy dealings in inverted commas. There's no thing to say that this is definitely what... Yeah, but like you know it looks like there's a lot of players going there for prices that they shouldn't have the past years.
00:45:29
Speaker
Another one that's not exactly a player transfer, but an interesting one nonetheless is Tottenham making contact with Brentford about Thomas Frank. 10 million release is what Brentford want to get in the staff as well.
00:45:43
Speaker
And I think looks like he's going to go there For me, i think, you know, I said it this season, all this season, that Ange was way too rigid. He went away from that system in the Europa and they did well, but he's not going to change in the Premier League. So it was the right move to get rid of him, in my opinion.
00:45:59
Speaker
Frank is an excellent manager and I think it's very bad news for Brentford, to be honest, because he is their team. He is their squad. He's the whole club. Like he's ran things, the amount of money he's invested, had them invest in sports science.
00:46:12
Speaker
in different studies and he's going to bring all that knowledge to Spurs so this will be a huge one for Spurs I think and Brentford will definitely suffer from it I think I think Brentford are in trouble next season and when we were talking before all this franking came out we were mentioning teams like Wolves and West Ham and stuff that the likes of Leeds and Sunday and Burnley should be chasing after i think Brentford with the way they've started in terms of window I think Brentford are going to fall into the category of teams that can be chased down in Boomer it looks like he's going Yeah, like Ben Buma looks like he's gone. Thomas Frank goes. If Thomas Frank goes, he'll bring Nathan Collins to Spurs. I have really, really strong feeling that that will happen if he goes there because he'll need a centre half. And like he clearly loves Nathan Collins. so He wouldn't have played him in every minute of every single Premier League game last season. So if they like they could very easily see their spine fall apart very quickly here now and they could be in big trouble going into next season.
00:47:11
Speaker
They're probably going to need it. But I think, yeah, I agree with everything. yeah I think they're in a difficult situation right now. And yeah, it's not looking good for them, but a great bit of business by Spurs, I think, to take them into the next kind of phase of of whatever it it is they're doing because they need to definitely do
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Speculations
00:47:30
Speaker
something.
00:47:30
Speaker
So whatever it is, this is the next thing, I think. um I think then if we've not announced on transfers, do you want to take it into the first bit of NBA stuff we have?
00:47:42
Speaker
Yeah, sounds good. So i I just wanted to have a quick word on Giannis and where he's going. Because from what I can see now, he's been linked to every single team in the NBA for a trade.
00:47:54
Speaker
There was one today I read and the Knicks are preparing a tsunami style offer. And it was like nine first round picks, three players. And just like, that's not happening. Like, where is all of this?
00:48:05
Speaker
Where is this something coming from? Like, I... Exactly. i just like, can someone just tell me, is he staying? Is he going? Is he going to San Antonio? Is he going to the Rockets? Is he going to the Raptors?
00:48:17
Speaker
It's just, it's not even summer yet and I'm already bored of hearing about him every single week and I just wish there was some sort of clarity one way or another. The whole thing is just absolutely mad. Yeah, I think of the mock trades I saw out there are crazy.
00:48:32
Speaker
I think one from Sports Illustrated that I thought, looks kind of reasonable at least was going to Spurs so it was they get Giannis and then the Bucs receive Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Stephane Castle this number two overall pick and 2027 first round pick I think that's the kind of haul that the Bucs will need because I think Giannis is going kind of have a bit of a bit more I'd say i don't even know if he'll leave straight away maybe he'll
00:49:06
Speaker
kind of just go, all right, the first like few months, we have an easier East conference now. So let me just try and do the best I can here. And maybe I can drag this team along.
00:49:18
Speaker
And then if it gets to like November and December and he's like, no, no, I'm packing this thing in, he might go, these are like the three or four teams I want to go to, just open up a bit more. um So obviously that one wouldn't make sense at that point because the draft would be done.
00:49:30
Speaker
But I think if there was one to happen pre-draft, that's probably one of the best ones because... I don't see the Knicks giving up like Mikel and Kat and whatever draft picks they have because they literally don't have any. They don't even have a coach right now. don't worry about that first. so yeah like you dope that That was the big one for me as well, was that I think I put down that the San Antonio Spurs is the one that makes the most sense.
00:49:52
Speaker
They're the ones that have the most draft capital, the most assets so they could give up to get into Giannis and kind of pair Giannis and Wemby together and try and build their future from there. If it was me, though, I don't think they should do it.
00:50:06
Speaker
Like Stephon Castle has been classed. They've been number two pick now. They can get a third rookie of the to rookie de year in in a row. Now it'll probably be Cooper Flagg and they're not getting him obviously, but... I just don't see, like, there's no team that I think is going to give up everything Milwaukee wants. And I do think it will go into, like you said, if he'll start the season and see how bad it is and then make his decision and say, OK, I want to jump ship now to a team that's contending, send me to B or C and let's see what we can do there. But I just, I'm already, as I said, I'm already bored of it and it's only in the middle of June.
00:50:41
Speaker
Yeah, know. even had a virtual trade-offer yet. And it's only going to get worse around the draft yeah season with all these mock drafts. Another one, don't think the Dallas Mavericks give up on flag, something i already mentioned. I think even if this fits their timeline or whatever it is that they're going with as their excuse for trading Luka, I still don't think they do that because I think flag is too big of something to pass on.
NBA Finals Highlights: Key Performances and Outcomes
00:51:07
Speaker
And one thing I thought about with the Spurs is... it Would it be possible if they they have the number 14 pick, if they just packaged that similar a kind of thing, kept Castle and kept the number two pick, but gave up like 14 and the Iron Fox instead?
00:51:24
Speaker
Maybe that'd be something that the Bucks might be looking for. And they'd have the number two pick still. And they'd give away probably a better player in Fox. And then they'd still get to take whoever they wanted second overall.
00:51:38
Speaker
I think that would be something if they can maneuver something in that way, I think that would make the most sense for them. Even if it had to be another first rounder in another year just to get that done. Because I think having Wemby, Giannis, Castle and then another very, very good rookie in Dylan Harper, probably most probably, that would be an unbelievable team. Yeah.
00:51:59
Speaker
Yeah, I think that would be, if they could get that done, then they'd have the best GM in the business because that would be and move. if I know losing the Iron Fox wouldn't be ideal, but if you have a starting tree and then you build around those three, Wemby, Wemby Castle and Giannis, and then you bring in Dylan Harper and you have someone else that fits in there and there as well, you straight away go into contendership, I think.
00:52:22
Speaker
You're straight away looking at definitely winning your conference anyway. I think if goes anywhere, then... like good high level star, they're a contender straight away because if he has that, that's what a team then becomes because he's one of the best players in the league. like When he finished third overall in MVP voting, he was unbelievable last year and just didn't have anything around him whatsoever. So yeah, I think any team he goes to that has a good player and if it's a Wemby, then definitely contender level.
00:52:51
Speaker
yeah But obviously there'll be a lot more on that as the season goes on. I just wanted to then give you guys like a little bit of our takes on the the first two games in the finals.
00:53:03
Speaker
Game three is tonight that we're recording this. So as I mentioned at the top of the pod, you will know what the result of that is. So you'll know who's two on up right now. But as we're talking, it's 1-1. So just some takeaways from the first two games that I had.
00:53:18
Speaker
The first game was, you know, just typical of what we've seen from the Pacers in this in this playoff. Like looking at what Halliburton did,
00:53:29
Speaker
He wasn't, you know, anything other than himself in that game. He played well, 10 assists, 6, or sorry, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and then he only had 14 points.
00:53:41
Speaker
But he had that bucket right at the end, like very kind of strange looking jump shot, looked like he almost lost the ball, and he just sinks it again. That's unbelievable. Like, when you saw that going in, I think,
00:53:54
Speaker
It's probably similar to me at this stage. I wasn't even surprised anymore. How did you feel? i wasn't like, so I obviously, I didn't stay up and watch it live. So I put it on kind of first thing the next morning. And ah When day the shot went up and it was missed by OKC and the ball was in Halliburton's hand, i was like I was like, there's only one thing that's happening here. was like, there's no chance he doesn't put this in.
00:54:18
Speaker
yeah I honestly thought he was going to put in a three-pointer. Then I looked, I he only needs a two. It's like, oh, he's definitely getting in. And before I even finished my thought, there was 0.3 left on the clock and they had their first lead of the game.
00:54:28
Speaker
Ridiculous. Just absolutely ridiculous stuff. Yeah. Again, what was that stat? It was a 1 in what? A 1 in 84 losing by nine points in the last three minutes of an NBA Finals game.
00:54:41
Speaker
Like the first team to ever do it. They've done that the whole way through. du it's It's just kind of scary. Yeah, it's just ridiculous.
00:54:51
Speaker
I looked at a thing. I retweeted it at the time. It's too far back now to find it. But it was like zero point and then like 20 zeros, 3% chance of those three comebacks that they had.
00:55:03
Speaker
yeah like That is just insane in one playoff run. And no matter what happens, they've had a brilliant year. I think that, to be honest, OKC were very, very good in game two. They kind of felt out the Pacers in game one.
00:55:16
Speaker
And I think they'll keep them at arm's length in the majority of these games. I think it could go to six. I said five at the start, but I think it could go to six now. But I think they'll keep them at arm's length in at least four of these games. They've won down already.
00:55:29
Speaker
and just won't even allow the Pacers to sniff a comeback as they did in game two. And I think they will finish it off, but the either either way, the Pacers have unbelievable the southea yeah this season or this post season in the playoffs. And they deserve a lot of props basically for what they've done because nobody expected it, at least at this level. And like even looking at OB Top and how he played in game one, um unbelievable game in a final six Six field goals out of nine, five of eight from three, and plus 13 in 25 minutes. It's just very, very impressive to see guys like that step up. Yeah, 100%.
00:56:07
Speaker
In terms of him, I just think he'd been he'd been so solid for him during this playoff run. And as you said, like he kind of he always does step up for him. But I think the problem the Pacers are going to have is is how much they they spread the ball.
00:56:22
Speaker
None of their players got over 20 points in game two. And I was looking at Steph and when Steph has scored 20 or more, the Pacers are 7-1 in the playoffs. In the games, he's gotten lower. They're 6-4. So I think if they're going to any hope, they need to get the ball to him more.
00:56:37
Speaker
and needs to be shooting more. Halliburton, yeah. What's... Who did I say? Oh, it's with Eldridge Topton. Sorry, sorry. Halliburton. so when he when he scored 20 points or over, they're 7-1. and When he goes less, they're 6-4. And I just think if they can kind of...
00:56:53
Speaker
That SGA pick and roll in, he had 1,160 across the season. um Pick ah picture olds that's re ridiculousless like and And if they can get out of their home at 2-2 or three one and then maybe they have a hole. But if they're 3-1 out going into OKC again, then game over, Ballverse, I think.
00:57:14
Speaker
At least get out 2-2, definitely. I think they need a 2-2. um And I could see it, to be honest, happening that way. ah yeah the I know like a counterpoint is... them spreading the ball around is what made them the team that got them this far.
00:57:28
Speaker
Like Halliburton isn't a shoot first player. He plays in that manner where he spreads the ball and that causes the rest of the team to do something similar. And I do get your point that he does need to be more aggressive. And I think he does.
00:57:40
Speaker
And definitely it is his nature to pass the ball more, but he needs to take more shots too. And I definitely agree in that extent. But I also think that it is what makes them who they are. I think they don't want to stray too far from that is kind of what I'm trying to say. But just one last little thing. We've obviously talked about Shea so much.
00:57:59
Speaker
Unbelievable. His scoring ability is already being compared to Kobe. He's going to need to get a 35-point average season and do what he's done for five or six more years to be even considered in that conversation. But his he was so good.
00:58:14
Speaker
In his first two finals games, his 38 points in game one and 34 points in game two are the most ever scored by a player in their first two career finals games. 72 points in your first two.
00:58:26
Speaker
Second was Allen Iverson with 71 and third was Michael Jordan with 69. um It just shows the type of company he's in in his first time getting there. He is an unbelievable player no matter what anybody says about any of his attributes. I just love watching him play.
00:58:41
Speaker
100% couldn't agree more. I actually had written it down as well that 38, 5 and 3 in the first followed by 38, 4, sorry, 34, 8 and 5 in the second. He's just, he's a man on a mission and there's nobody that's going to stop him from getting what he wants, I don't think.
00:58:57
Speaker
No, nobody can slow him down. And as you said, The way he likes to play, pick and roll, even if he doesn't have that, he'll drive into the post. If he doesn't have that, he's shot some good threes. He'll always get what he wants and he'll get back to where he wants and make you uncomfortable and make you have to foul him if he needs to.
00:59:13
Speaker
And that's just but just perfect basketball and that's what he's been playing.
Top Irish Football Players Draft
00:59:18
Speaker
yeah But obviously we will know more in the next episode. and We might even have a winner by then, but...
00:59:26
Speaker
Let's move on to our last thing. As we said last week, we're doing like a bit of a draft every week and to replace the power rankings. so last week we did the most underrated players in the Premier League. This week we're doing the best Irish football players right now.
00:59:40
Speaker
So last week you had first pick, and so this week I'll go first. So I'll go first with a man we already mentioned. I think the probably Irish captain, best player on the Irish team, I'm going to go with Nathan Collins.
00:59:53
Speaker
He's my number one overall here. I think he's the best Irish player that's out there right now. So he's my number one. Who have you got then? Two and three with the snake. Obviously, Collins was top of my list as well. So I'm going to take Paris in my first spot. I think quite a season he had it is is at AZ, 20 goals.
01:00:11
Speaker
his That was a real kind of, I actually am, I actually can play football. And i think him getting out of England when he did was the best thing for his career. I have him with my first pick and I have Ireland's best ever goalkeeper, Stephen Keller, as my my second pick here.
01:00:27
Speaker
Yeah, i can't argue with that one. I think Paris was pretty high for me too. And I think Kelleher is another good shot, obviously, team may ah them teammate of Collins for now. But as you said, might end up following his manager to Spurs there, but it's hard to know. But yeah, first first two good picks. I think then next, I'm going to a little bit more attacking with the next two. So I'm going to go with Adam Ida after the season he had.
01:00:52
Speaker
I think he deserves deserves to be high on this list after how well he played last season for Celtic. scoring goals at all levels, even in the Champions League. You know, like it's mad how much he's come up from couple of years ago, from March. And as I kind of mentioned, I think he'd be a good fit for for a Premier League team lowdown, looking for a few poacher-style goals. I think he's definitely coming into his own.
01:01:14
Speaker
And he had a great season last year. Then the next one for me is Ogbené. I know he was injured all of last year, but I think he's actually on a level, apart from Collins, he's Ireland's most talented player.
01:01:25
Speaker
He's an excellent player. I can't wait to see him back in the green jersey next year or in the next international break, as should I should say. They've kind of reported that he looks like he's going to be good to go for the World Cup qualifiers. So Ireland's so seriously missing.
01:01:39
Speaker
And I felt really bad for him that he didn't get to play much in the Premier League last year after, yeah you know, getting his move to Ipswich. So he's my next and pick. So that's my one, two, three. ah soap pixel So i my three and four, I've gone with Jacob Bryant.
01:01:55
Speaker
I think after he got into that Everton team, there was no drop in him. The fact that Sean Dyche didn't play him at all until David Moyes took over is a sack of defence in the first place anyway. i think he' being he's been exceptional for him and he's not even playing in his natural position. He's been kind of just stuck out at right back. He's six foot six, playing right back, and he hasn't looked out of place. Imagine what he's going to do when they do eventually sit him in besides ah Jared Brantway. He's just going into next season. I think he's going to be a monster.
01:02:24
Speaker
And then I've gone with Finesas. i think what a season he had at Middlesbrough this year. we we We clearly missed him on Wednesday night against Lux America. We had no creativity at all.
01:02:36
Speaker
was a massive loss and the season he had at Middlesbrough, I think he was exceptional. And if we are going to get to this World Cup like Heimer keeps promising, Finizaz is going to be a big, big part of that midfield.
01:02:49
Speaker
Yeah, I'm going to point both guys. O'Brien, I had high as well on my list. And I think when he came on, I was at the Ireland-Senegal game last Friday. Obviously something I forgot to mention at the top, but that was a it was a decent game. Ireland played well, I thought. for They deserved to win, to be honest, for most of their performance. Obviously a weak in Senegal team, but Ireland were missing the likes of Ogbena. Abuseli only came on.
01:03:13
Speaker
Coleman was injured. Azaz wasn't there. Cullen wasn't there. Missing a lot of players themselves. so yeah and O'Brien only came on in that game with half an hour left. and You can instantly see the impact he has at right back.
01:03:26
Speaker
like just carrying the ball, winning jewels, even though that's not his normal position. That was great to see like live right up next to her, like side of the pitch. So he's such a physical presence.
01:03:36
Speaker
And then on Azaz, I've said so many times about how good I think he is. And I really hope he gets his move up to the Premier League next season. and Me too. So then to wrap up the last two spots, I think someone who can't be forgotten is Seamus Coleman, even though he is I think he's getting towards the end of his career.
01:03:59
Speaker
i think he does have one more World Cup qualifiers running him. He signed another deal with Everton. Now, he won't play a whole lot of minutes out there next season, but he'll be there. He'll play when they need him to, just to keep him right, not to overuse him. And I think he'll start the majority of games for Ireland if he is fit, because he is, you know, proper Irish man, true and true.
01:04:21
Speaker
Loves to play for the country, loves to captain the country. And I'm sure he'll be be delighted to have the Ironman for the last couple of times. And then hundred percent yes to wrap up last, I was kind of torn a little bit here between Darrell O'Shea and Jason Knight, but I'm going to go with Jason Knight.
01:04:37
Speaker
I think i I really like what he did this season. I think that he was very good. was one of the players who worked the hardest in the last two games for Ireland. And he was excellent this season with Bristol. He got them into that position, captaining them at his young age.
01:04:52
Speaker
up to the up to the Championship playoffs way before they're even ready to do so. and Really good player and I think he'd be a good Premier League player as well or good player somewhere else in Europe. and He just shades the last spot overall shade for me.
01:05:09
Speaker
They were my final two picks there as well, so I'm going to go the other way. I'm going to take Darragh Oshay. I just think he's really, really good. didn't look out of place in the Premier League again this year, even though Ipswich did look out of place as a whole. I thought he was quite, thought he had a really solid season. and then I just hope if he does get a move back to Premier League, that it's for a team that's higher up and he just doesn't keep going into teams that get relegated and the team comes up, sign him, go down another team. I hope he doesn't get into the kind of yo-yo stage. I hope he can just get a team, get it like a move to Brentford or somewhere like that, that it will just kind of keep his head above water and just let him settle somewhere for a couple of years. And I think we'll see the best of him then. He's only 24 going on 25. So he's still very young as well. He's loads of time left in him.
01:05:54
Speaker
and column um himself and O'Brien so I think yeah i think a good move to the likes of an Everton or the likes of a you know even even like a Wolves or somewhere around that part or Crystal Palace where he has to break into the team maybe but they'll see his talent soon enough because he is very good and I think that would be a better move for him like you said rather than going up and down but yeah so my final team then is and Collins Ida Agbene Coleman and Knight
01:06:25
Speaker
And I have, God, Paris, as O'Brien, as, i was yeah, sorry, ken yeah, Kelleher and O'Shea. God, I've written it down and yeah, I completely did. i I'd written it down, but I had, um i post Jason Knight into the midfield and said, so was confident they were going to get him. So did that threw me off then, but yeah, yeah.
01:06:54
Speaker
for me this night. you didn't. You didn't pick a keeper. There's only one keeper to pick. The best one we've ever had. Yeah. Such its a disrespectful thing to say given. But anyway, we'll wrap it up on that note.
01:07:05
Speaker
So lads, really appreciate you for listening again. Hope you enjoyed it. And we'll be back again next week recording on Thursday as usual. So most up-to-date stuff for you coming out on the Friday. If you did,
01:07:16
Speaker
like it, subscribe wherever you're listening and follow us on whatever ah social channels. We really appreciate the support we've been getting over there on those. So Shane, I'm from the queue. Yeah, thanks lads. Just keep watching and we might eventually be able to buy stands that aren't old DVD holders and to hold my phone up on.
01:07:35
Speaker
So keep subscribing and then the content and the camera will only get better. Thanks so much. You heard the man. Do what he said. Talk to you later.