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49 Plays2 months ago
Chris and Jarod talk about the "face of the NBA" debate, why SGA is the NBA's MVP favorite, whether or not Jayson Tatum is underrated, the likelihood of the Eagles acquiring Myles Garrett, Sam Darnold/Aaron Rodgers/Kirk Cousins landing spots in the NFL and so much more!
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Transcript
Introduction and NBA Faces Discussion
00:00:29
Speaker
He and me 76, bringing us in episode number 201 of Straight to the Point. My name is Chris, here with my guy J-Dub.
00:00:42
Speaker
What's going on, what's going on, what's going on? Even though he tried to sabotage the intro, I am unflustered, unfazed, and deterred, undeterred by his shenanigans. Is that right, Jared?
00:00:55
Speaker
It wasn't a sabotage, it was just a great intro song. Which no one heard because I hesitated on the pause button because I knew you were up to shenanigans as usual.
00:01:07
Speaker
but What a guy. Poor Gimli, huh? and there I understand. Wow. Anyway,
00:01:16
Speaker
that kind of is it is a hilariously unironic segue into our first topic of who is the face of the and NBA? Because some people argue it's, you know, Mr. mr Edwards up in Minnesota.
00:01:30
Speaker
We'll talk about that as long um as well as who's your MVP favorite in the NBA right now. We'll talk some NFL free agency and trade rumors as well. But Jared, let's start with our our first topic.
00:01:42
Speaker
And it's a widely, widely talked about topic and people are, you know Everyone's throwing their two cents in as to who is the true face of the NBA right now.
00:01:54
Speaker
Some people, like I said, mentioned Anthony Edwards in Minnesota. He's very polarized, and he has the commercials. He has the sneakers. He has those things that we would talk about the face of the NBA having.
00:02:06
Speaker
Some people argue it's SGA. Some people argue it's Jokic. Some people make the argument that it's Tatum. Some people still argue that it's still Bron and Curry. So, Jared, where are you at with the who is the face of the and NBA argument?
00:02:26
Speaker
I'm of the Luka Doncic is the face of the NBA. yeah That's where I'm at. correct Especially now where you're in such a polarizing organization like the Los Angeles Lakers. Originally from the Dallas Mariners and the Los Angeles Lakers.
00:02:41
Speaker
You're next. like not it You were already next up, right? Now you're there. Because in just one half of the season, the trajectory of his career has vitally shifted and changed.
00:02:55
Speaker
But you're in a market where you can capitalize on that completely. The revenge story that is him and the Dallas Mavericks. The Kobe and LeBron out of it all. I know when you're playing with a 40-year-old LeBron James who was amassing 50,000 points in the NBA.
00:03:09
Speaker
knowing that you're still putting up triple doubles with LeBron right next to him, and now you guys are what, top four, top two in the Western Conference? i mean Let me ask you this, because the more you talked about the parallels between him and playing with LeBron, like, is this modern-day magic
NBA Team Dynamics and Playoff Potential
00:03:24
Speaker
with Kareem? Kareem was kind of deal in his career. Yeah.
00:03:27
Speaker
ah you know LeBron in that Kareem role. He's the captain or whatever, but Luka's the star. They got a real shot at winning it, shit, this season. And I'm like, again, playoffs is going to tell another story because the lack of depth they have in the big man department is going play a factor, but the heightened small ball ability that the Lakers have with J.J. Redick's coaching prowess that he's so far showing us. Dude's coaching out of his mind.
00:03:58
Speaker
It gives you pause to say, okay, Lakers might be on the sun. They still need to get a ah big in the offseason. But right now, for this season, NBA's up for grabs. Yeah, Boston is Boston.
00:04:10
Speaker
But anywhere else or around the league, I'm not. There's nobody I fear besides me the Thunder. And they don't scare me. What about a team that's this right up there in the Eastern Conference in Cleveland? and for what about What about a team?
00:04:22
Speaker
So you're you're out on Cleveland. Yeah, I'm out. For us. I don't have faith them. i don't I don't trust. Again, it's not I don't trust. I had a discussion with a couple different people. I've never seen a team win a championship with two small guards. It's only been done twice.
00:04:37
Speaker
Where it's small guards win championships as a starting lineup together. ah just it's It's only been done twice. Once was the ah le Thomas Pistons. The second time was the Dallas Mavericks with Jason Kidd and Jose Wombrea.
00:04:50
Speaker
Yeah, but they weren't focal. The Mavs weren't the focal point of the championship. You're right. That was Dirk. And then, mind you, the argument for me is a little flaw because Kidd was 6'4", 6'5", so that's a tall guard in my opinion. Yeah, Dallas had multiple guards. You can't name any of the team to me that's ever won a championship with small guards. Two small guards under 6'3".
00:05:12
Speaker
But being the focal point of their offense. Yes. Under 6'3". They have to have ah both a point guard and a shooting guard. It can't just be one and then everybody else's tall wings, right? Because everybody likes to make the Steph Curry argument. He's 6'3 and under.
00:05:25
Speaker
You're right. But his next running mates, Klay Thompson, 6'6". Kevin Durant was 6'10". Draymond Green was 6'6". the Whoever the center was at that point in time, Zaza Pachulia, 7'0".
00:05:37
Speaker
Whoever else want to name, Kevin Looney, 6'8". Everybody's tall. I've never seen a team win with two Small guard starting. That are the focal points of your team. Small guard starting and win a championship.
00:05:49
Speaker
Yes, the emergence of Evan Mobile is great. Jared Allen's there. I'd like to do it on your Hunter trade. But if you're collectively telling me that Garland and Mitchell are going win you the championship, I just don't see it because their defense lacks in the playoffs because teams are playing them harder.
00:06:05
Speaker
We saw it. They struggled against the Magic team. And then when they made out that round, they went right to the second round and they got absolutely exposed when it mattered. Okay, so tell me who else is out. could you hump Who else are you out on?
00:06:19
Speaker
Well, Mavs are officially out for me. Mavs are in hell. I'm out on the Knicks. I just don't have no faith in the Knicks. The Knicks can't beat a competitive team to save their life.
00:06:30
Speaker
If the team's above 500, they can't win. The Knicks, it's a weird thing because you would think that, especially early in the season, they were steamrolling people. And now I feel like they're dogfights every night.
00:06:42
Speaker
It's because, one, Thibs did what Thibs always does. His players will run to the ground. um There's argument another argument I've had. that ah Curry's injury because he played the most minutes in the last two weeks.
00:06:54
Speaker
I counter argued and said, but if you look at the totality of the season of the top five players that have been in the NBA, played the most minutes upwards of a thousand to 2000 minutes this season, Mikael Bridges, Josh Hart, Joe Brunson are in the top five conversation.
00:07:11
Speaker
The Knicks will do what they always do. They're going to fizzle their players out to the ground, and when the playoffs come, they're going to be tired because the Knicks have no depth. They just got Mitchell Robinson back. That's a great depth for Carly Towns, but there's nothing else for me to speak of when it comes to the depth, and they're gonna the depth chart lowers in the playoffs.
00:07:28
Speaker
Yeah, some teams can go 10 deep. The Knicks aren't one of those teams. They'll be 8 to 9 deep, and it's a lucky 9, if that. And it's a lucky 8. It's a lucky 8. you eleven You could argue me Miles McBride for sure and Mitchell Robinson.
00:07:40
Speaker
That's seven. That's seven. Eighth, if you want to throw in campaign, Landry Schoenler. And that's like six minutes of just breathing time. You're just giving a player a breathing time. That's like two minutes TV timeout.
00:07:54
Speaker
And that's it. Out of the necks, no death. It looks like guys just like OG has his moments where he don't even want to be there. I don't have any faith in this team. like if until they could Today's a great testament. what Today is, what, March 6th?
00:08:09
Speaker
They play the Los Angeles Lakers, the team that I literally just said. Oh, yeah. No? Yeah? Today's the 6th, right? Yeah. Yeah. They play the Lakers tonight. If they can beat the Lakers, because they're underdogs at LA, which is crazy because this team that should be more talented than the Lakers, right?
00:08:24
Speaker
But the Lakers have Wuka and LeBron. I'll put them over the top. If the Knicks can come out and win this game, this will be the first testament of them winning against competitive teams. This is the top two team the NBA.
00:08:35
Speaker
When you look at their Western Conference standings, the Knicks can beat them. they're they're They're standing on the foothold. But right now, they haven't done it. They showed So I'm out of the Knicks.
00:08:45
Speaker
I'm out on the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. They're not worth anything to sniff at. And the Phoenix Suns. All three, trash. Suns are down there in Sixers territory. so this son bri mentioned um um Grizzlies and Tibbles are in Sixers territory too. No, no, no. Stop that.
00:09:06
Speaker
um That's disrespectful to Memphis. and It's not. They just have Anthony Edwards. The Sixers just got a Tire to smash it. Please stop. but Minnesota is head and shoulders better the Sixers.
00:09:17
Speaker
Head and shoulders. Head and shoulders. Knees and toes. I guess. In what area? All of them. um All of them. It's currently constructed today. No. um stop Julius Randle stinks.
00:09:30
Speaker
Rudy Gobert stinks. Mike Conley, great veteran. Old. If there was a seven-game series between Memphis... I'm sorry, Minnesota... It wouldn't even be close. I'm not game-wise they're not beating. I'm saying as an organization, they stink just as bad as Sixers.
00:09:46
Speaker
No, my argument is not just as bad. It's not just as bad. They're better. Well, let's agree disagree because the Suns and Sixers and Timberwolves all make stupid decisions.
00:09:57
Speaker
Mavericks, too. Throw it on list. Mavericks is a separate ah separate conversation than the rest. Top to bottom, they suck. Separate. Separate conversation. would like you I'm out on Memphis.
00:10:09
Speaker
I'm trending really, really. they're They're pushing the barrier for me. But I'm trending on being out on the Nuggets, too.
NBA Player Futures and Legacy Debates
00:10:17
Speaker
Why?
00:10:19
Speaker
No cohesion of... So let me ask you this, because you add on a lot the top tier teams. Yep. But the only team that you haven't... like So I'm assuming the only team that you think are legitimate title threats, OKC?
00:10:32
Speaker
Yes. Boston? Yes. Lakers? Yes. And the Bucs? and So you've got four teams in the whole league? Yes. That's a pretty good number.
00:10:42
Speaker
Because honestly, I can see those teams. and So what's the gap? Because I know you have OKC 1 and best Lakers 2 in the West. Is that gap? How big is that gap for you?
00:10:54
Speaker
The OKC gap to Lakers gap is wider than the Lakers gap compared to the Clippers and Nuggets. So it would go like OKC, boom.
00:11:07
Speaker
Lakers at the top of the mic. Clippers, Nuggets in the same way. Clippers, Nuggets in the same in the same category. Let's just say 1, 2, 3, 4. Let's just tear it up. And then you got like the 3, 4 is like right there. Tier 1, Lakers tier 2, Clippers and Nuggets tier 3.
00:11:26
Speaker
yes Who's 4? Is there anybody in 4 in the West? Is 4 everybody else? is i said oh Give me the Warriors. They sleepers. Warriors
00:11:38
Speaker
middle police What? Hey, Sleibus. Listen. Come on. Listen, i not listen i want I respect Steph Curry, and you got to respect Draymond for what he's done. You got to respect Butler for what he's done.
00:11:50
Speaker
But this is what they've done. This is not what they're doing. It's not what they're going to do. They're still doing good things. Okay. Since the Jimmy Butler trade, they're 10-2. If Steph's shot isn't falling, you got jimmy to go to an appointment or Jimmy isn't there,
00:12:05
Speaker
Because whenever Jimmy isn't there, the team sucks. Yes. we We haven't seen Jimmy Buckner be as consistent as he's been in the past. Not recently. don't think he's going to be. I think Jimmy's going to be a playoff guy.
00:12:19
Speaker
Kaminga's not back yet. They're still winning games. Kaminga's supposed to be coming back soon. You're talking about a starting lineup of Steph, Jimmy, Kaminga, Draymond, whoever the center is. I don't care. and I really don't. Looney, Trace Jackson Davis. don't care.
00:12:32
Speaker
Throw throw ah us a six-footer out there rebound. I don't care. And then they got Def. They're sleepers. they're They're a better sleeper team to me than if you were to come to me and say, oh, yeah, bro, the Memphis Grizz got shot. No, they don't.
00:12:46
Speaker
They don't. They're not there. They just don't got it. Like, I've seen enough of this season in 01. Jaron Jackson Jr.'s injury is going hurt them, which it does. definitely because he he He is a quality big.
00:12:58
Speaker
He's a quality big, quality defender, not even quite, great defender. And he can split it for them. Let me ask you this. Where do you put Houston? Is Houston... Among the top tier teams? No, they're they're sneaky.
00:13:11
Speaker
If we want to put them in the four quality with the Warriors, sure. The defense speaks for itself. but But the rest of their collective talent does not show me that they're going to win a championship or even push for a Western Conference Finals.
00:13:23
Speaker
It doesn't. It shows me that they're going to be a playoff team that could probably bounce out the first round. Because let's be real, Chris, the back-to-the-basket, out-producing goon game, it's cool. And it might really do better in the playoffs does in regular season.
00:13:37
Speaker
But the rest of the guys collectively, if they're not knocking down shots or if Jalen Green's not averaging 30 points a game, there's nobody else there really stalwarting their offense. right Collectively, it's just not there. Fred VanVleet has regressed.
00:13:50
Speaker
Armand Thompson has progressed, but he can't shoot. And don't get us don't get us both started on the Dylan Brooks of it all. like How much faith do we have on a guy named Dylan Brooks helping lead a team?
00:14:03
Speaker
He, he i lead a team, that's where you kind of get. and I'm saying, we not even having his with having have a guy like that on your team, depending on the pieces around him, could be beneficial because he kind of plays the the pseudo Draymond role.
00:14:17
Speaker
ain't galvanizing me. going like, bro, stop talking me.
00:14:21
Speaker
I mean, you could make that argument for a lot of people. Yeah. And a lot of those people on teams that aren't going to There's a lot of curmudgeonly folks like yourself out there on teams. that It ain't no curmudgeon. If I'm a Jalen Green and you got Dylan Brooks telling me, yo, bro, I need the ball some more.
00:14:37
Speaker
I got 35 points. What do you need the ball more for? you You need to play some defense. And Dylan Brooks defense has been lackadaisical as a way. It's good-ish. But then he started talking his talk, bumping his – I told you he's doing his dream mind.
00:14:51
Speaker
And now you're getting a little washed. It's that simple. It comes with the territory. like If you're going to be the irritant, how long of a lifespan does the irritant really have?
00:15:02
Speaker
It used to last for a year. But in today's NBA, right? It doesn't last that long. How long does it last? Like, let's say a week or two because refs ain't going to have it no more. It's the refs league and we just live in it.
00:15:14
Speaker
Your words, is not mine. But, so you look at these championships. Teams, right? Championship quality teams. And that was just the West I gave you. So, but you gave me, but you gave us Boston, Milwaukee, and the East.
00:15:28
Speaker
OKC and the Lakers. I got like two more in the East, maybe. Who?
00:15:35
Speaker
Listen, you're not going to hate me because you're gonna like the pig. But there's a team out in Florida I like. Who? They healthy now.
00:15:47
Speaker
Ish. They can make some noise. Who? Orlando? Yeah, like and I like him. I think they've been way too injured this year. Suggs is down now.
00:15:58
Speaker
Is he out for the season? I don't think he's out for season. I think he had like arthrosk arthur A knee. Arthur Scrapping Knee's scope.
00:16:08
Speaker
um So maybe he's out for the next i think six to eight weeks, they said. But that's two months. That's two months. That's two months. they had no They have no point guard, or their starting point guard is going for two months. They got Anthony Black.
00:16:21
Speaker
I get they have Anthony Black. I get they have these pieces, but they're still they're in the bottom tier in all offensive categories. Bottom. But their defense isn't. Okay, I understand that, but in the playoffs, if you can't score, listen it's an issue. like look Remember that this series they had with Cleveland?
00:16:40
Speaker
Yeah, it was seven, but when it came down to game seven, Orlando couldn't score. yeah But then my think my my counterpart to that is they took a team that we're now... Not we. Sorry. Not I. The world is now considering as potential frontrunners to win a championship.
00:16:59
Speaker
Magic are still sleepers dead because this is a team that just took them seven last year. but that's ah that's ah i feel like but I feel like a lot of the magic point would be matchup based. yeah like If it was Orlando and as currently constructed, Orlando is...
00:17:15
Speaker
eighth in the in the East, right? Yeah. eight yeah So let's say they finish... Let's say for the sake argument, they finish eighth. I hope they finish sixth. It's them and Cavs round one.
00:17:28
Speaker
Back to seven. clear but um But the problem... Okay, even if you say they're going back to seven, right? Because I don't think... I think Cleveland would smoke them, right? That's what we said last year.
00:17:41
Speaker
but This Cleveland team is better than last year's Cleveland team. It is The DeAndre Hunter trade has put them over the top for me. deon audry hundred DeAndre Hunter is is a quality wing two-way player. He's like good. He's very good, right?
00:17:54
Speaker
But that was the one thing Orlando always had over Cleveland. And in a lot of teams, they had wings they could throw at you. Bancaro, Wagner. It was a difference. It was a difference of wings. like just they had they had They had quality long wings that they could shoot. They defend, whatever.
00:18:11
Speaker
Out of the two just named, they both are better than Karras Levert. And they also had guards that could that were willing defenders. Suggs is a willing defender. Contavious Caldwell Pope, willing defender.
00:18:23
Speaker
You get what I'm saying? Maybe they get cooked from time to time, but they go on... You're going to have to have the ebbs and flows. They're going to win some matches. They're going to lose some matches. Whatever. But you have a team like Cleveland, who Donovan Mitchell's playing out of his mind.
00:18:38
Speaker
Garland's playing very well. You mentioned Todd Jerome. Struce is playing well. DeAndre Hunter, who we mentioned, who was the acquisition at the trade down. Like, they have the pieces. And they're better than they were last year. And they beat Orlando last year.
00:18:53
Speaker
Orlando didn't get exponentially better. What move did Orlando make outside of KCP that made them better?
00:19:03
Speaker
This brought guys back from injury. for the but right guy brought his eyes off the iron they but their own guys but It's not like they brought in a new piece that helped with the issues when Ben Carroll isn't scoring or Wagner isn't scoring.
00:19:18
Speaker
yeah Because they can't score. like They still can't. even they They whiffed on the trade deadline, in my opinion. but even with with those Even with those two guys who are competent scorers, they can't score as a whole.
00:19:31
Speaker
So that's going to be their undoing. In my opinion. And you know I'm um i'm a magic guy. Yeah, you're a magic guy. That's going to be their undoing is they can't score. But after that for me, I don't like anybody else in the East.
00:19:43
Speaker
I mean, nah. Pistons are about on. The Pistons I like up and coming. Right? but and listens are Pistons are Orlando two years ago. Yeah, they're fun to watch.
00:19:55
Speaker
They're missing. Got Kate. They got your boy Tim Hardaway Jr. Malik Beasley. Fontecchio. ah Ron Holland gets minutes. Sasser gets minutes. They got Dennis Schroeder at the deadline.
00:20:07
Speaker
Jalen Dern's a good piece. Isaiah Stewart. They got the pieces, right? They're missing a number one option. I think they're missing a number two option. Nah. Nah. Because Kate is the one.
00:20:20
Speaker
Yeah, and I've i've seen the season emerge. But i think I think they would be better suited if they brought in a ah complimentary piece.
00:20:32
Speaker
i don't know who you know I don't know really what would that would look like. Cooper Flatt. Yeah, okay. Trade the haul. Cooper Flatt.
00:20:43
Speaker
Bring him in. Is that something you think is worth it for Detroit? Hell yeah. Cooper's a one. Cage a two. right so i mean i mean i mean I mean, is it worth it to to but try to pull that trigger?
00:20:56
Speaker
Because what if a team like kc Who's you're going to be in the trade. what you mean If I'm OKC, I'm I'm considering it because you're going to have a lot of contract. You go have a lot of contracts that's coming up that you're going to have to pay and they don't pay.
00:21:11
Speaker
Like we want we talk about teams like the Bengals and these other teams that are notoriously cheap. Thunder don't pay. Hell no. Hell no. They got one max contract for you, and that's going to SGA. Everybody else?
00:21:24
Speaker
Extensions till we can you' not extend you anymore. You better get in with where you fit in. So if you're OKC, whatever happens this year, right championship, whatever, I would seriously consider...
00:21:37
Speaker
It depends on how you your your pick shakeout because you could end up with six from the – or – No, we have to be seven. Seven from the Sixers. You could end up with – I think they have Chicago's pick too.
00:21:49
Speaker
They have Sixers, Clippers, Bulls. Right. All in the same draft. All in the same draft. If you're a team that ends up one and it's like, yo, i if I'm OKC and I'm like, okay, well, I got like Jalen Williams, J-Dub, J-Dub.
00:22:06
Speaker
Not you, but the other I appreciate that. But if you got him, let's it's him in three firsts, and you're team like Utah.
00:22:17
Speaker
Utah. His brother's already there. Yeah. Cooper, I mean, Cooper flagging Larry larryry marketing. Is that going to work? No, in a nutshell.
00:22:29
Speaker
As good as flag or marketing are individually, is that going to work? I don't think so. So now I would consider that if I'm Utah and I got the first pick. If I'm OKC, I'm definitely considered because then I can reset and move. You know, I don't have to have to pay because they're going to have to pay. These guys are going to come up for contracts.
00:22:48
Speaker
Unless they're all on some we want to be together hunky-dory. Nah, there's no way I'm taking pay cuts like that. i you know what I'm saying? like Did you see that dude on 18? He was just talking about, what, 40?
00:23:01
Speaker
OKC got talent. Nah, I'm not taking no pay cut after doing something like that. I'm not. You're going to have to make a move. And Sam Presti, who is a quality, very, very much so quality general manager, I think he he you're you're going to see the writing on the wall.
00:23:17
Speaker
OKC's so much ah ahead of the curve, going back to Harden, ahead of the curve on wanting to pay guys, I think you have to at least be mindful of that.
00:23:30
Speaker
So if I'm OKC, I'm definitely like sniffing around the trade deadline or the trade scenarios if I'm you know interested in the in the number one pick.
00:23:41
Speaker
But my point being, you gave me these four teams, right? Boston, Milwaukee, OKC, LA. the face of the franchise your face of the franchise was Luka. yeah Or face of the NBA, right? It's Luka.
00:23:52
Speaker
The face of the NBA right now still LeBron James. like Well, obviously. But like but never no, but no, even Even more so than Luka. Even more so than SGA.
00:24:04
Speaker
Even more so than Giannis. Even more so than Tatum. Even more so than Jokic. Even more so than Steph. It's LeBron. It's LeBron. It's been LeBron. He's the you know He's the household name everybody knows.
00:24:18
Speaker
everybody has Everyone knows who LeBron is. Whether or not you watch basketball or not, because that was always the case that was always the thing with Jordan. Jordan's the household name. Jordan's bigger than basketball.
00:24:29
Speaker
Jordan's the sneakers. Jordan's this. And so when we always end up being coming back to who's the face of the and NBA, it always it always devolves into like the GOAT conversation, which I'm officially all over the GOAT conversation.
00:24:44
Speaker
Like, I think it's a generational thing because if you ask a guy who watched basketball in the sixty s they're going to make the greatest of all time is probably like Bill Russell or Will Chamberlain.
00:24:55
Speaker
You know what I'm saying? you watched You talk to somebody who watched basketball in the 80s, their goat is Magic or Bird. 90s is matt or Jordan. 2000s, you might get Kobe.
00:25:06
Speaker
You know what saying? I think it's a generational argument that you can't really ever – quantifiably you can win there's no There's no finality in that. It's an opinion.
00:25:18
Speaker
So I think having the GOAT conversation, I think is starting to it's counterproductive at this point. tiring out because LeBron's still playing past any of the GOATs that we've named ever. He can still continue to break. He's probably the greatest physical phenomenon we've ever seen at this point.
00:25:35
Speaker
No, hands down. Even more than Wimby. No, no, no. Hands down. I mean, again i'm I don't know what Wemmy's going to look like at 40 years old. But but consistently from, i mean, he's been famous since he was 16.
00:25:48
Speaker
yeah most are Nationally famous. Oh, yeah. You're talking about, okay. I'm talking 16 40. so forward And it's still going because I think he's going to play next year too. I think he's going to play to 45.
00:25:59
Speaker
No lie. I really think he's going to play to be 45. And I think by next year we'll see the decline. Maybe. But you can can you can so you can see the decline. You can see the decline, right? he's not He's not jumping as high. He's not jumping as far. He's not as fast.
00:26:16
Speaker
But what he what he has lost in his physical skills that have diminished, his mind is still sharp. he can fundamental The fundamentals are there. he can he can coach on the He's a coach on the court. He's a maestro. he's He's a true point guard. You're locked in on defense now. It's crazy. For as much as he's considered you know a wing or a scorer or whatever, he's a point guard. For real, for real. He's facilitator.
00:26:42
Speaker
and i think he i think if he was I think in and the lake with the Lakers, he should be their primary point guard. Like, they did it a little bit. They did it a little bit at at a certain point, and I think pre-championship.
00:26:58
Speaker
Then they got Rondo, and you like he kind of passed it off to Rondo. But I think, especially since he's since he's been in l L.A., so I'll even take this back to the last year in Cleveland.
00:27:10
Speaker
He should be – I think he should be a point guard. Like, listed as a point guard, play the point guard position. You can put another wing out there. You can put another guard out there. don't care. think there's just too much strain on his body. This is why he stayed at the wing.
00:27:21
Speaker
I get it, and and and I get why he doesn't do it. But if im if I'm trying to, you know, facilitate the best basketball, you know, the best basketball game plan day-to-day, I'm trying to win a game, whatever – what you you don't You're not going wrong with LeBron James as your point guard main ball handler at ah at the point guard position. I think you're probably gonna i think you're touching you know something that we're going to see in playoffs and they're just not ready to bring it out yet. Because again, like this might be his last good playoff ride. I don't think so.
00:27:55
Speaker
I mean, you got Luka there. and depends on what they do in the free agency. Let me ask you this. Would you still... would you would you still so would you say
00:28:04
Speaker
would you I would agree. I shouldn't say that. I would agree with you more on the last playoff run thing if it was still him and AD because that team had plateaued. I didn't think they were going to really yet. they weren't really gonna make That team plateaued. So if you had said this is his last kind of chance as currently constructed, I would agree with you more because they have Luka and we've seen the upheaval in the West because don't be surprised if your boy KD end up there.
00:28:33
Speaker
They're going to facilitate the training. Don't be surprised. That's all I'm saying. That'll change it for me. Could you imagine? could you imagine could you It's possible, dude. like but My point being, he's still the face of the NBA until the day he retires. yeah and Then we'll talk about whoever's there at that time.
00:28:55
Speaker
I don't the heir apparent i don't think i don't think the he apparent is I don't think they're there. There is no heir apparent. I just know, like, the Lakers got to figure out what they want to do for A-D-C.
00:29:07
Speaker
But the KD of it all, realistically, I'm going to be Pharrell. Would you be shocked if KD said, I'm going to the Clippers? Would I be shocked? No. Because that's the trade think is going to be the most likely to happen. What do what do the Clippers give up?
00:29:22
Speaker
they're pieces that they The little pieces that they acquired throughout this offseason. Yeah. and so' good to son But if you're the Suns, right? It's like, yeah, you stuck with Beal. That's what you want. things right You want these younger wings then.
00:29:36
Speaker
you're not going to be You're not going to trade Booker, so you have to move KD. Is there a better package out there? Yeah, I know you wouldn't right by KD. Pistons. e
00:29:50
Speaker
Pistons got the package. Hawks. don't got to move package anymore. Sorry, Hawks are out. Cavs? Nope, Cavs are out.
00:29:59
Speaker
That's about it. I'm not going to the Heat if I'm KD. I'm not doing it. That ship has sailed. I'm not doing it. I think the culture thing is over.
00:30:10
Speaker
OKC. Nah. I mean, he could always go back, right? But if I'm OKC, I'm OKC, and you see where we're at. I'm not giving up a bunch of capital for you, but.
00:30:21
Speaker
But that's what the Suns are going ask for, some some type of real conversation. I mean, unless Nico Harrison is running it. Grizzlies, baby, but don't see him in a Memphis uniform. He wouldn't even want to live in Memphis. I'm going so honest.
00:30:37
Speaker
What's wrong with Memphis? I can't even look like a guy that would want to live there. Because if you say what's wrong with Memphis, what was wrong with Boston and Washington when he had the chance to go there? And he was like, nah, I don't want to go there. He's from the area. But he always, when it goes to the place, he goes it.
00:30:52
Speaker
but he always when it goes you want to play i mean would you want to play for the wizards No. Okay, then. so But again, when KD, we always talk about KD, what KD factors into, who's there, or whatever. He does play the players too, but it's a living situation.
00:31:06
Speaker
KD prioritizes. That's a fair point. But for KD more than any other star, he prioritizes that more so than anybody else. Why do you think LeBron is in LA? Yeah, but it's wasns smart. I'm not coming at him for it. It's smart optics. I would do the same thing. So Memphis would never be on the list for him.
00:31:25
Speaker
And I think that's still the same thing. going to give you a list right now that I think is going to be fairly similar to Katie's list. Okay. L.A. Either team. L.A. Okay. Houston.
00:31:36
Speaker
Okay. I'll throw them in there because he's because I like what you said. It's just how does it happen? Okay, see? Okay.
00:31:47
Speaker
Detroit. There's only four I got. Okay. If you wouldn't live in Memphis, I'm not living in no damn Detroit. The reason why I say he'll go to Detroit is because they're going to sell him on the money they'll give him.
00:31:59
Speaker
The bag, the and I'm talking about the bag they'll give him will be so exponential. Is it worth it to live in Detroit? Sir. Jared, no, no, no, no. Hold on, wait, wait, wait, wait.
00:32:11
Speaker
You just told me out your mouth that he wouldn't go to Memphis because... Memphis bag, not the same as Pistons bag. But like living in Memphis, the situation ain't going to be where he's going. Why would he go to Detroit?
00:32:22
Speaker
Because the Pistons just gave worse heroes $100 million. Have you been to Detroit? Listen, Chris, you're not hearing my on You're not hearing me. Have you been to Detroit?
00:32:33
Speaker
Why would I ever step foot in that guy for a second place? Exactly. Exactly. If you KD, why the hell would I go to Detroit? Because $350 million will change my mind anything. Detroit ain't giving him $350 million.
00:32:46
Speaker
You don't lost your mind. They'll give him whatever he asks for. Detroit ain't giving... Listen. You think they won't? Yeah, think they won't. And that's where you've lost your mind. And that's where you've lost your mind. And the reason why say that's where you've lost your mind... At what point have they proven to me that they'll offer anybody a bag? Because Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, and Tobias Harris, two times, not one time, but two times. That was like two owners ago.
00:33:09
Speaker
have you said The new owner just gave Tobias Harris another bag. I mean, and in the grand scheme of things, the Tobias bag is is nothing. Peanuts. $20 million a year?
00:33:21
Speaker
Who else? They ain't paying nobody. And that's why. Because they're waiting for Katie. They're waiting for Katie. They already paid Katie. They're waiting for Katie. They're waiting for Katie.
00:33:32
Speaker
And one of the why? Because Katie will be that guy that's thinking about you, bro. We'll offer you $300 million right now. to be like... I'll consider it.
00:33:41
Speaker
I'm not saying he ain't going to consider it. I just don't think he'll consider But that's why threw on the list. It'll be on his list. And then when he drops his list this offseason, yeah, he'll have them little floater teams like, oh, maybe the Warriors reunite. I'm going to say, what about the Warriors?
00:33:54
Speaker
I think he will go back. Go back, man. then At that point, just go back then. Go play with Jimmy Butler. Go play with Draymond Green. Go play with Steph. Go ahead. Go ahead. You're going to lose, but go ahead. going to lose how?
00:34:04
Speaker
I mean, honestly, KD probably going to lose anywhere he goes at this point. I'm going to be so honest with you. And I feel like it it's not said enough, but the
00:34:15
Speaker
how would I describe this? The allure of, oh, KD going to walk us to a championship, it's it's it's it's it's kind of gone for me. It's gone. I don't think that he's never really been that guy to do it.
00:34:26
Speaker
The Warriors was the only exception. I would say this, though. And as I think about what you're saying, if there is a son that would get traded to Detroit, I think it would be Booker.
00:34:38
Speaker
He's from Detroit. yeah He's from the area. He could play he could play with Cunningham. I don't think the Suns would want to do that, though, because they're now they're in hell.
00:34:49
Speaker
you what you're right your feet right they're They're right there in Mavericks. there well You ruined your franchise. Maybe not as bad, but but they're in Mavericks. Damn, it it really just dawned on me. but The allure of KD for me, just it's cool because of his name, but it don't win you a championship.
00:35:06
Speaker
I mean, unless you're Golden State. And that's it. The exception to the rules, which is, again, that was a team. You're going to win regardless. They just win. That's not the same team. It's a different team.
00:35:17
Speaker
Right, because it's better with you on it as a high tier one slash two option. That's cool. But then when you go to another team, creates this there it creates the same issues as they had before. is like There are defensive mismatches all over the place. Yeah, okay, whatever. Draymond and GP2 and whoever else is up there.
00:35:38
Speaker
You got Curry, and you got Durant. Yeah, good luck. And that's how it's been for the long haul of his career since he left the Warriors. It's good luck. We expect you to take us there, but you can't.
00:35:52
Speaker
I'll be for it. And I still think he's a great he's great one of the greatest athletes ever. him It's just a fact. agree. Jared, who's your MVP favorite? Shea Gilson Alexander. I agree. Hands down. i think he's not gonna I think he's winning it.
00:36:03
Speaker
The odds are at minus 600. I think i think and ah I think it's Jokic fatigue.
00:36:11
Speaker
um Yeah, I'm tired of it. I think a lot of people kind of fatigued by the Jokic fatigue. I'm not in on Tatum. How do you feel well ah about Paul Pierce saying that Jason Tatum and himself, Larry Bird, they were all underappreciated by the... way Larry Bird was underappreciated. larry bur All underappreciated.
00:36:32
Speaker
How do you feel about the woe is me, poor Boston? Larry Bird was greatly appreciated. Jason Tatum is underappreciated. Paul Pierce should never have been appreciated. Like, dude, you were just what you – and and then that's a little mean. Paul Pierce was so mid, bro. Like, like yeah, you were a top wing in that era. But let's fair, if you play now, you're getting cooked.
00:36:52
Speaker
But no here's the thing, though, right, that people romanticize about Paul Pierce's career. the mid the the The early to mid-2000s Celtics were an average team. at Yes.
00:37:06
Speaker
At best. In 08, when they got k KG and they got Ray Allen, that's when they finally won the title. And they had a stretch.
00:37:17
Speaker
They had a four-year stretch from like 08 to 2012 where they were in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference and the NBA as a whole. They lost to... ah They won in 08. They lost to Cleveland in 09. They lost to the Lakers in 2010. 2011 was Miami, and then 2012, I believe, was Miami.
00:37:37
Speaker
Yeah. No, you got it right. And then after that, you know, after that was it. But boom the Celtics as a whole have always been the the um upper echelon team in the NBA.
00:37:51
Speaker
You're going to get people who don't like them simply because they win a lot. I'm not... like It's the truth. like no look at like look at this look at this Look at the Chiefs.
00:38:02
Speaker
Look at New England, the Patriots. Look at the Warriors. Any team that wins a lot, you're going to have haters. like That comes with the territory. But don't give me this, oh, woe is me.
00:38:16
Speaker
No one appreciates us because we play in Boston. You know, we don't have no national recognition. Not when I get the NBA put, you know, trying to force the Celtics as a, you know, as a, on on every national broadcast.
00:38:32
Speaker
You got Bill Simmons having Celtics documentaries on HBO Max. Don't give me this. You know, oh, we're underappreciated. He is, though. But potatoes andapp appreciateci cause what you know why Tatum's underappreciated?
00:38:44
Speaker
You know why Tatum's underappreciated? Because the Celtics overstacked the team. The Celtics, as a team, he's kind of like, je he kind of had the Taylor Hurts argument, right? Whether or not you think he's good individually is irrelevant.
00:38:59
Speaker
top whatever, top five, top ten, whatever. But the first thing a Tatum hater is going to say is he got Brown, he got Porzingis, that team is stacked, they don't need him. Look at the nights where he don't he doesn't perform well, they still win.
00:39:11
Speaker
Look at last night where White and Pritchard scored 40 apiece. Yeah. You get what I'm saying? And Tatum didn't even play. That's the thing that Tatum hater will say, right? but they are Also, just look at it.
00:39:24
Speaker
Tatum came into that situation already kind of skewed because they just made this massive trade for Kyrie. Tatum also with the Duke yeah Okay, so you went from ah a polarizing national brand to another polarizing national brand. Everyone's not going to love you.
00:39:40
Speaker
yeah The reason the reason o everybody likes SGA, well, not everybody because there's some SGA haters, but the reason the majority of people like SGA, he plays in OKC, he's a feel-good story, you know they built the team around him, blah, blah, blah.
00:39:53
Speaker
People like Jokic, because he's Jokic. You just keep on it, though. Tatum's underappreciated because every guy that we've seen with MVPs, their team was built around them. There's no team that's been built around Tatum.
00:40:08
Speaker
It was just built to just help them all succeed. it's it's tatum and It's Tatum and Brown. we can't take his number yeah It's built around two guys. It's never built around him. And Tatum's always going to be the guy that can take it back to you when he wants to. She doesn't have that luxury.
00:40:21
Speaker
Jokic never has luxury. would you think Do you think Tatum would be more appreciated if Jalen Brown wasn't there? Yes. 100% because now he has to go out and play every night and give it a... like but He has to go out every night compete. But here's the thing, right? and i'm i'm as biggest I'm one of the biggest Celtics haters you can probably find, right?
00:40:40
Speaker
But even calling a spade a spade, Tatum shows up most nights. Most nights? Most nights. There is some times where he's... Who was the best player on that team last year? He's on his mellow chucking, you know... Who was the best player on that team last year?
00:40:54
Speaker
Tatum. But who was the better player on that team last year? You talking about like situationally? Throughout the entire year, who was the best, but who was the better player?
00:41:05
Speaker
Come on, don't don't give me the semantics. The best player was Tatum, but the better player was Jalen Brown all year. Why was it about he better? The MVPs that he got the Eastern Conference final proved it.
00:41:17
Speaker
The way he was doing throughout the last season proved it. Was that just Tatum bias? That was the dog in Jalen Brown. Maybe the bias of Tatum, but Jalen Brown was a dog all last year. A dog. but that Okay, fine.
00:41:28
Speaker
and And I'm not disputing that, but I think that also plays into the why Tatum is underappreciated. but he is and i because he underreated he he has He's not the personality of...
00:41:40
Speaker
um but you have an fifteen got just He's not a divisive personality. like He's like the happy-go-lucky milk toast. He ruined himself by throwing Kobe's name out there saying, I'm a Tex. The Tex and Kobe thing is corny. you ruining yourself cause you The dog never was there.
00:41:58
Speaker
right like there's If he had just kind of said, like you know i want I think i think he ends he comes across as trying it too hard. He does. And it makes people not want to like him. Listen, I fully agree with that he's underappreciated. I do. fully agree. Is he underappreciated? Fine.
00:42:14
Speaker
No, but Chris, Paul Pierce was underappreciated. Paul Pierce was... They ain't love Paul Pierce like that, man. Draymond was right. Draymond was right. Paul Pierce was ranked right where he needed to be. You know what's crazy?
00:42:26
Speaker
You can't be underappreciated if you never rank top three in your category. you can't You can't sit up here and tell me Paul Pierce at any point in time was the best player in the NBA.
00:42:37
Speaker
And that's that's my thing right there. If you're never ranked top three in your own position, yeah how are you under here how you underappreciated? and you're link yeah that knowing And I know if you ask these guys individually, then they won't say this, but the best player in that 08 team It was KG.
00:42:52
Speaker
It was KG. And then it was probably Rondo. And then guess what? Where was KG ranked throughout his career? One to three, every time. If you name top three power forwards or bigs, KG's there.
00:43:03
Speaker
Ray Allen, right there the top three category. Paul Pierce is never in those top three categories. Paul Pierce is a wing in the mid-2000s? Come on, man. And then who are you naming before Paul Pierce? First of all, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold Before you can there.
00:43:16
Speaker
if you really want to If you really want to be controversial, you can say that Antoine Walker was better than Paul Pierce. and to say That's the conversation they don't want to have. They don't want have that. Listen, Paul Pierce was always ranked under Melo, LeBron, and Pierce.
00:43:32
Speaker
I mean, KD. Automatically. Paul Pierce was in Rudy Gay conversations. Stop it. Stop it. Paul Pierce fell short. Rudy Gay. When Kawhi Leonard touched the court, Paul Pierce started falling short.
00:43:46
Speaker
At one point in time, people were throwing Danny Granger into conversations with Paul Pierce. Danny Granger! Like, Paul Pierce was properly ranked. He was never... i if he fell under Properly rated.
00:43:58
Speaker
They got the overrated, underrated, properly rated. He's properly rated. He's exactly where he was at. Good. He was a good player. Take it. You're a good player that made the Hall of Fame.
00:44:10
Speaker
Accept that. but you know what But you know what, though? Tatum is probably in that same boat. No, I think till Tatum's a great player that's been underrated because he should be highly rated, but you're too you have too much talent to ever be in the NBA conversation.
00:44:25
Speaker
There's something missing. And I know Kyle Hurd made the argument about the aura thing, and I know it's like funny, but like I think it's part of it is true. like He doesn't have the personality. I know it's unfair to say, right?
00:44:41
Speaker
But Boogie Cousins is on the Gilbert Arena podcast. The podcast itself is comical at best at times, but he made a very great argument. It's decent. I like it, but... Comical at best, I think, sounds like a backhanded comment. They'll say some things on that. You're just like, bro, let's stop it.
00:45:00
Speaker
But... But go ahead, go ahead. He made a great argument, and this kind of falls in line with the Tatum argument. It's harder to average 30 on a bad team than it is on a good team.
00:45:12
Speaker
The reason why... Okay, okay. and I know that. I know that. Yeah, okay. And the reason why I agree with him on the statement is because at the end of the day Tatum should be a guy with this, that team should be averaging 30.
00:45:24
Speaker
He should be. But the problem, the the trick came out the whole thing about the averaging 30 on a bad team is like how much of that is just like you chucking.
00:45:35
Speaker
like and you know You are, but now dot reports and i you you're doing everything you can. Tatum can never be in Hall of Fame. How much more can he do on a team that's doing so much? but Let me ask you this. right Because we had these arguments about great players on great teams as MVPs or whatever.
00:45:54
Speaker
Brown won MVPs when he's in Miami.
00:45:59
Speaker
He did. He did. But his collective unit was just Wade and Bosh, not a whole starting five. Wade, Bosh, Battier, Mike Miller. And there's the drop-off. You just noticed there's a drop-off. Ray Allen.
00:46:13
Speaker
Okay, so let me tell you. Let's do this. Let's play the game. Because he's going to do that. Wade, Bosh, drop-off Shane Battier. Jalen Brown, Christoph Porzingis, Drew Holiday, stopping where there's the drop-off. Derek White, stopping where there's the drop-off. Peyton Pritchard. Okay, drop-off.
00:46:27
Speaker
I just named four guys before they drop him. White, drop-off, Purchase. Did you just say white? oh Yeah, but guess who's in the but category up there with white? Drew Holiday, Christopher Ziggis, a yellow brow. I mean, the thing think about Drew Holiday is those guys' numbers are never going to be flashing. Holiday's a winner.
00:46:44
Speaker
He's a ring winner. I'm not arg. I just said his numbers. I didn't argue his rings or his winning or whatever. What numbers are we trying to to pick at? Any. Any numbers. Let's look at his highly evolved defense.
00:46:57
Speaker
That we didn't know he had as a Sixers. I didn't say his beat defense, and you didn't know he had it. I know he had You... Stop it. I knew. You were with me with... who Will should be the starting guard at one point. No, I was not. no i was not don't you put that yeah don't you Don't you put that out there, Jerry. He was
00:47:15
Speaker
Thaddeus Young, LaVoy Allen, whoever. You talking to me about some Drew Roberts? God damn it. LaVoy Allen was a solid, decent big. Oh, shoot. Oh, God. You're so cat. You're so cat. Also, another decent big queen in a proper run, Henry Sims.
00:47:34
Speaker
Oh, my God. You're so cat. Oh, my God. Man, it's Henry Sims. Bro, chill. Anyway, like I was saying, The Celtics... Alright, you mentioned Porzingis, you mentioned Holiday.
00:47:51
Speaker
Wade and Bosh are both better. Right. Both better. And LeBron himself is better. So that top end of that met that Heat team is better than that Boston team.
00:48:01
Speaker
But you named two other guys of the top end. Okay. The Celtics have four guys in the top end. Of the top end guys, those two on Miami are better than the four for Boston right now.
00:48:13
Speaker
And are we actually about to say that pozingus is or Chris Bosh at that heat is that much better than Chris Bosh? Yes. They did the same thing. And Bosh did it better. And yet, both got her And Bosh was more available.
00:48:27
Speaker
And yet, both have a ring. And that's why. Both got a ring. Both are considered unicorns. And both were on a team. One was more stacked than the other.
00:48:38
Speaker
This Boston Celtics team is more stacked than that heat If you're finna tell me... whoa i even Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. whoa whoa whoa whoa ah you trying to Are you making the argument that the current Celtics at this very moment... Top of the bottom have more talent than the Miami Heat, yes.
00:48:53
Speaker
They are better than the Wade, Bosch, I'm not saying better. wrong Roster-wise, top-of-line, they're more constructed better, yes. But the cap space-wise is totally different, but yes. If you want to try and argue to me right now that you think a backup center in Joel Anthony, Dexter Pittman, and what was his name? chris ah what was what was the bird man Birdman is better than Al Horford. You've already lost Al Horford clears all three them.
00:49:17
Speaker
going to be so foolish. Okay, whatever. Peyton Precious clears Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole. Clears them. Okay. Derek White beats Ray Allen now.
00:49:28
Speaker
Ray Allen, greater player, but Derek White and Drew Hardy beat Ray Allen. Wade kills both of them, but they beat. Jalen Brown is queering Chris Bosh, or if you want to say Wade and Dwayne, Dwayne Wade and Jalen Brown. Okay. They average each other out because they're both for just the number two guy. bro queers for show Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I just want everybody to be completely clear that you, you immediately put Jalen Brown over Chris Bosh.
00:49:54
Speaker
Oh, for sure. I hesitated to put Brown over Wade. I'm not doing that. Why would I you don't what i put want everybody be aware of The fake.
00:50:10
Speaker
who cause you have to call about a point je brad overwiwe direct now je bro dog over doway wait wei waiti was him excuse me ahbron queers everybody but then mike miller They're the same guy. So the point to the point being is Tatum will never get the proper respect he has because his team is too nice.
00:50:31
Speaker
Yes. That's how it is. Is Jason Tatum Jalen Hurts? Yes.
00:50:38
Speaker
The team's too nice. I don't know how good Jill Hurst would be without the Eagles. I don't know how good the Eagles would be without you James Hurst, but I know how good Boston could be. the same argument You can make the same argument because he's like you tap but you can put anybody in that spot. You can make the same argument with Boston, and I feel like if you were to plug and play in KD right now, the Celtics still wouldn't chip.
00:50:58
Speaker
And I'm doing players of the same talent. Let me ask you this. We can't go worse. we go worse that That's ah that's a kind of a great hypothetical. If you took Tatum off the Celtics and replaced him with At what level of player do you get to replace him with for that team to be worse?
00:51:13
Speaker
You want to be honest? Yeah. Jalen Williams, they're not winning. So everybody who's better than Jalen Williams. Yes. it's So Tatum is Jalen Williams? like No. so Okay. Let me think.
00:51:27
Speaker
you know what i'm saying throw If you throw Kawhi, they're still winning. If you throw KD, they're still winning. If you throw LeBron, they're still winning. you throw Giannis, they're still winning. Okay.
00:51:38
Speaker
it's ta all right so I guess a better way to describe it is this, right? You throw Luka, they're still winning. is' tatum Where is Tatum and as far as like guys? and cause i feel like He's in the category of all those guys, though. I he like taum is i feel like Tatum is a guy.
00:51:52
Speaker
Paul George. You throw Paul George in, they're not winning. Whatever. Have fun, podcast. but Now, is Tatum a guy and not V-guy?
00:52:04
Speaker
Is that the argument? He's not V-guy, he's just a guy?
00:52:09
Speaker
which makes him underrated, then yes, he's a guy. But not the guy. Yeah. Because he's the guy by default. Is that what we're saying? He's the guy by default because of like just the prowess of what he got drafted, how good he is during that year. He got drafted to like what he did for that team. But he never got the chance to really be the like insert himself as the guy. I think he was just thrown into the d guy role.
00:52:33
Speaker
If we're being honest, because let's be for real. He wasn't even supposed to be the guy when he got drafted. It was Kyrie's team. Yeah. So it's like, yeah, he was thrust into the V-guy role. It was never him.
00:52:45
Speaker
And that's not his fault. he never had to He never got the chance to really take the mantle on. He just had to claim it. That was placed upon him. Some people say that that that shows that he's the guy.
00:52:56
Speaker
And that's cool, but he's underrated. He's underrated for sure. I agree. Paul Pierce is properly rated. Oh, look at me. I'm Jason Tatum. I got a baby with LMA. I got a championship. i yeah I'm underrated. No one appreciates me. I play in Boston. and Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. No one wants to see me win an MVP. No, I really don't want to see one I don't.
00:53:15
Speaker
I don't. I don't need to see nothing Celtics related in a positive light for the rest of my life. I'd much rather just see Jokic win another MVP before I see Tate win him I'd rather Jokic win 10 MVPs than to see any success in Boston.
00:53:27
Speaker
Yeah, no, I'm cool. Shea needs this MVP, though. shiny i've read I'd rather the Knicks win a championship.
00:53:35
Speaker
Yeah. No, I can't. Knicks fans suck. Never mind. I'd rather see Tate win MVP. Knicks fans stink. no Knicks might have the worst fan base ever. No, I can't do it. I can't. That's how much I dislike Celtics.
00:53:48
Speaker
Knicks and Boston on the same tier for me. i said And then Dallas Cowboys. I can't can't see them. I'd rather be in hell.
NFL Free Agency and Draft Speculations
00:53:55
Speaker
Yeah, I can't do that, Chris. I can't agree with you on that one. Okay.
00:54:00
Speaker
We agree to disagree. Jared, let's transition over to the NFL. Let's talk a little free agency. Go Bears. Okay, yes. Yes, we haven't talked about the ass whooping that the Eagles put on.
00:54:11
Speaker
she In case anyone missed it, Eagles whooped ass. and guess Now that we're all caught up, there's a possibility of them getting Myles Garrett.
00:54:22
Speaker
is They've re-signed Zach Bond. They've extended Saquon Barkley. Smart move. There's some some riff-raff with Darius Slay and CJ Garner.
00:54:34
Speaker
Who knows how that shakes out? I don't know. He ain't coming back. Brandon Graham, is he gonna come back for you know is he going to come back for another year? Is he going to retire? but We don't know yet. We don't know yet. we don't know we don't know It's still out there. He has made he hasn't said anything.
00:54:48
Speaker
i feel like but Part of me is like, yo know if he if he was going to retire, he he would have said something about that. think he didn't see how the injury heals, but he doesn't. Anyway, how do you you kind of a little bit but like how do you feel about the potential Eagles getting Miles Garrett? It'd be the greatest move on earth, but as i happen Why you not having him?
00:55:08
Speaker
Why? The asking price is too high for a Miles Garrett. and what' But what's too high for a guy who, by all accounts, is a future Hall Famer?
00:55:20
Speaker
Too high as in... At this point, we should know how he runs with as a GM. Man's a guru. He knows exactly how to push the right buttons and how to make the right moves.
00:55:31
Speaker
For him... What I'm looking at in his strategic mindset is it's the Aspen Price is he's not going to give up the entire haul when he's liking what he's doing when it comes to this slow, methodical rebuild competitiveness that he's doing. like he's right He's trying to transverse the game of rebuild but still competitive. He's really trying to change the mindset of how it works.
00:55:50
Speaker
He's doing that well because we just want to chip off it, obviously, with two rookies. Hasn't been done in forever. So getting up the haul for Myles Garrett would counter be counterintuitive in the nature of him doing that, especially when he talks about how many picks you've got to give up, ah potential players, ah the cap space he would have to go through because, again, Garrett's to be old tons.
00:56:11
Speaker
So what I think he's going to be doing is he's got his name out there, he's got the rumor mill going, and he's trying to raise the asking price more and more for Myles Garrett. He is pushing the narrative the asking price for Myles Garrett.
00:56:23
Speaker
And the reasons he's doing that is because he's looking around the league at who would want Miles Garrett. And two of the biggest team names are the Bills and the Commanders, which are two of his biggest competitions for another Super Bowl.
00:56:36
Speaker
The Chiefs are always going to be in that mix. He knows that. But now you're talking about these late boomers, as one might say, and the Bills and the Commanders, and the Commanders are a team that were just there, right neck and neck with us, and they're still building. and They just got Deebo saying it. I wouldn't say neck and neck.
00:56:51
Speaker
Neck and neck is when they made it to – the highest game you can make it to before the Super Bowl, and they they were there. Now, did they lose? Yes. Did they just get a little bit better with Debo? Yes. Would you rather that team trade up all of their future assets to get a Miles Garrett and then potentially still lose to us? Yes. And I think that's what Howie's going to do, because Howie always does that.
00:57:10
Speaker
When the Eagles got, now, you can make, I mean, the way the Eagles got Saquon Barker. Yeah, but Howie pushed the asking price up for Saquon. He made it where it was impossible for the Bears to get him. So he could be doing the same thing for Miles and that's how we acquire him,
00:57:24
Speaker
But I think in this case, he's going to make it where the commanders are going to throw every chip on the table. The Bills will throw everything at it. And he's just going to watch them do that. And then he's going to cry and pick up the scraps. Because you know Jonathan Allen's available, Chris, right?
00:57:37
Speaker
That's a guy that's a sneaky pick. It's a sneaky pick of the Eagles to make that move. He's not as good as Miles Garrett, but he can he's a value addition. Trey Hanger is available. Joey Bosa is going to move. I don't think you do that. If you're going to make a move, you make the move. I don't think you go after – Hendricks, and think Crosby's off the table now with his extension.
00:57:55
Speaker
Howie's done that before. He's done it before. Yeah, i don't think i don't think that this I don't think that that's what he's going to do. like I think if he's going to do it, he's going to make the move. Now, I will say this, though.
00:58:08
Speaker
I feel like if Howie gets an inkling that Detroit maybe is looking or Detroit's might be getting them or Washington's getting them, then I think he's going to jump in and make a move. But I think if it's like Buffalo – Like you mentioned, if it's AFC team, give me AFC. He's not going to really push that.
00:58:26
Speaker
I don't think he's going to – don't think he'd be that pressed to offer more. But I think if it's if' Detroit, Washington especially, any NFC team that's relatively close, I think he's going to try to squash that.
00:58:42
Speaker
yeah Speaking of things that's getting squashed, the – so Matthew Stafford re-signs with but the Rams. There was some kind of chatter about maybe they're going to go after Rodgers. Maybe Stafford goes to the Raiders and the Raiders to be a quarterback.
00:58:57
Speaker
ah Is that a destination for Rodgers? Devontae Adams got released. He's a free agent. where he Where should he go? There's a lot of names out there, but they're older names and things of that nature.
00:59:10
Speaker
rogers i mean I'm sorry. but Devontae's not going back to the Raiders, so devan I don't think Rodgers is going to the Raiders. i dont but you know't I don't know if he's not going back to the Raiders. Supposedly he's still got his house in Vegas.
00:59:22
Speaker
Everybody who he was beefing with is gone. Brady there. and no sample no no state income tax in Nevada. there's rumors though that the Raiders are looking to get Shador, and it's looking like a heavy push.
00:59:38
Speaker
They're trying to trade up with the Browns. I don't think they would have to. I mean, the way people are talking about Shador falling in these mock drafts, maybe they don't have to.
00:59:48
Speaker
I think it's smokescreen for that, which is why the Raiders, I think, are trying to make sure they can solidify their guy by trading with the Browns. I mean, it makes sense. It definitely makes sense. If you're the Raiders, why wouldn't you?
01:00:02
Speaker
me And if you're the Browns, obviously, if you're not taking the QBA, too, you can push back, get extra pick in the in the draft, and then get that number. Because, I mean, there there's a lot of rumors about the Giants moving up to try to get Cam Ward.
01:00:13
Speaker
It's very heavy. No, not even a rumor. I think that's very heavily happening. Which would make sense for them, but, you know. If you're the Titans, you're a piss-poverty organization. I mean, but if you're if you're the Titans.
01:00:27
Speaker
Okay. Okay. If you're the Titans and you're evaluating Cam Ward and Shador and or Abdul Carter and whoever may be the first pick, Travis Hunter, whatever. Thank you. Is Cam better than Will Evers?
01:00:39
Speaker
Yes. oh my God. yes Yes. But is it worth. So now that but now you have to find. Now to move levels. Here, Chris, let me give you your options. well You don't have to move. up You can cut him. He ain't making that much money. He can cut him.
01:00:51
Speaker
Here are options, Chris. But to cut a second-round pick two years later. know it's happened before, but i don't think Levis was that bad. Go ahead. He got benched twice throughout the season for Mason Rudolph.
01:01:04
Speaker
Twice in the same season. Yeah, you made a good point, too. let me give you something me here Let me give you some counterparts. You're going to hate one of the names I mentioned, which might end up steering you towards the way of getting Cam Ward. Here are the options that they have. You trade the pick, and you offer these free agents.
01:01:17
Speaker
Aaron Rodgers. No. Sam Darnold. No. You keep Mason Rudolph. Hell no. Last but not least, Justin Fields.
01:01:28
Speaker
Now, how do you feel about Cam Ward now?
01:01:32
Speaker
I'd sign the card myself with Cam Ward if that's my options. And there you go, because those are your options. If that's my options. but my more Or you go Kirk, and I'm not going Kirk with the money they oh no so that you have. Hell no. Well, okay, well, if you're if you think... You're a rebuilding team. You want kirkt gar Kirk cards?
01:01:49
Speaker
The Kirk thing, if he's willing to come in and be a mentor, you got to pay him, because Atlanta would probably be footing most of that bill, especially if they cut him.
01:02:00
Speaker
you if this I feel like that's that's a move you make if you think Levis is worth it, and then you could draft Abdul Carter or whoever you want draft. So I have five names I just gave you.
01:02:11
Speaker
You're locked in on either Cam Ward or you got to make a ah reclamation project of Levis with Kirk Cousins. I'd rather go Cam Ward. Yeah, I mean, if that's the case, I'd rather give Cam Ward, too. And I think Cam Ward has the talent. arm is there.
01:02:25
Speaker
The size of him. We've seen guys who got the physical traits who can't put it together. But I've seen... Case in point, in the same division, Andy Richardson.
01:02:35
Speaker
He's not accurate. Cam Ward is accurate. but And that's your biggest crux. NFL and ah in ah nfl and how will expose all the inaccuracy. College windows aren't the same as NFL windows. Anthony Richardson wasn't adding college to really, though.
01:02:48
Speaker
He wasn't. True, but that was because the Colts thought they could, you know, we could fix them. We can fix them because they brought in a coach that we can rebuild again, and that can fix. That's what they thought. It's just not fixable.
01:03:01
Speaker
It's not fixable. All right, Jarrett, so of the so of those guys we mentioned, Darnold, where do you think Darnold ends up?
01:03:11
Speaker
cause I know where I think he ends up.
01:03:15
Speaker
Panthers. I think they end up with the Panthers. don't know. Brayson was wheres i Panthers. Don't think he's going back there. Yeah, I don't think he'd go back. Brayson was balling.
01:03:31
Speaker
i don't know. Raiders? no Seems very Raider-y to do, especially if they don't get your door. um'm I'm all in on them getting Shador. Here's the thing. I feel like they have to you have to make this free agent call before the draft.
01:03:45
Speaker
Yes, and they it's because it's there's nothing there's no circling around them that they're looking for a free agent quarterback because I think they're going all in on the quarterback in the draft because they missed last year, and they were trying everything they could. They wanted to get Penix. They wanted to get Penix, and they were trying everything to get Jay and Daly.
01:04:01
Speaker
On the side, they tried everything to trade up to get Jay Daly, and it never happened. Yeah. That was their guy. and was the Their coach went in The GM went in. Daniels was the guy they wanted, and they just never could make the move because nobody was going – let's be frank. The Commanders never giving that pickup.
01:04:15
Speaker
This year they have a very good shot against Shador. Especially once king Kingsbury went up there and was like, yeah, y'all need to get this guy. Shador is their guy now in this draft, and they they're going to try everything to get him.
01:04:27
Speaker
So I don't see them trying to get a free agent. So honestly, Sam Dunner might be kind of out of luck again. I don't think he's to out luck again because I think Minnesota will be there. Gino still hurt?
01:04:39
Speaker
I mean, i don't know what Seattle's doing. they're They're trading DK and they released Tyler Lockett. So he could end up in Seattle. Okay, if that's the case, then where the hell does Gino end up? I think Gino might.
01:04:50
Speaker
Does Gino just odd man out? I think he's the odd man out, dude. I think we know exactly where Gino ends up now.
01:04:59
Speaker
ah possibility. I mean, okay. Oh, I'm sorry. Sam Donald to the Giants. ah what Why would I? If I'm if i'm Sam Donald, why the hell would I go to the Giants?
01:05:10
Speaker
I think I'll pay you. all I'll go back to the Jets. He might actually do that too. It's the same damn team at that point. He might do that. it Honestly, that's more feasible. Him and Gary Wilson are still really good friends.
01:05:27
Speaker
That's been his guy. Jared, I don't give a damn how good of friend I am. um'm the The Jets? Hey, he's a more mature player now. It's possible. And we've seen it happen before. don't care how mature I am or claim to be. I don't see anywhere else, going to be honest with you.
01:05:45
Speaker
I don't anywhere Of the teams that need quarterbacks, right? Oh, Saints. No, Saints still got their card on day. Yeah. Yikes.
01:05:55
Speaker
So the teams that would need quarterbacks, theoretical Tennessee, yes maybe Indianapolis. Maybe. I'll throw them in there.
01:06:05
Speaker
Cleveland. Yes. Jaguars, question mark? Not while they're paying Trevor Lawrence all that money. Oh, they're not too long. Giant Steelers.
01:06:17
Speaker
If I'm Darnold, I'm to see what the Steelers are talking about. I think they're trying to still get Russ or Fields. They're still trying the decision. lee Oh, my God. Yo, don't. Steelers, man, listen. Listen. i would just I would just pay Fields if you're going to pick between either one.
01:06:32
Speaker
I would go. get Shadour. Go get Shadour. I can. Yes, I can. I can. You better move some pieces around. Move the house. Move the house.
01:06:43
Speaker
It's my option. Jared, can we play that same exercise with the Steelers? and Sure. All right, go ahead. You got Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, o Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers.
01:07:03
Speaker
Trade everything Shadier Sanders. I would trade everything for Shador Sanders. that's my think they go after I think they re-sign Russ or Justin Fields before they do that. If that's the case, if you're telling me they move heaven and earth for Shador, I'm immediately changing the locks on Russ and Fields.
01:07:23
Speaker
Changing the locks. out. Because don't know any other team that need a quarterback. That was it. Pretty soon it'll be the Cardinals, but that's pretty soon.
01:07:33
Speaker
I'm out on Kyle Murray. No. Okay. I mean, listen. Put Kyler on the team that's ready-made or whatever. I think he can do do a little and little something. That was supposed to be the child supposed to be the Cardinals. Nah. don't there i think that's presently constructed. i don't think they Not presently constructed, but that was what they were supposed to be when they got D-Hop and brought it at Kyle Murray. That was supposed to be it.
01:07:57
Speaker
Yeah, well, that didn't happen.
Podcast Wrap-Up and Future Plans
01:07:59
Speaker
All right, Jarrett. Anything else you want to talk about before we wrap this up? Nah, man. We're going to another episode next week, right? Ensha-la.
01:08:08
Speaker
Us and the fans are asking you. Hopefully. Thank y'all for listening to another episode of Straight to the Point. If you like what you hear, make sure you tell a friend to tell a friend to tune in.
01:08:23
Speaker
We're still a five-star rated podcast on iTunes through the grace of God. So if you like what you hear, leave us a review. Make sure you follow straight to the point on all your favorite socials. That's at STTV Podcast.
01:08:36
Speaker
Follow me at underscore GW Hughes. Follow the podcast again, like Chris said. Check us out. We're trying to go live soon, and it's happening. It's going to happen. I just don't know when yet. We're going to be a live show because it'll make it so much easier for Chris's time.
01:08:51
Speaker
We're just going to be a live show. Hey, man, I'd be busy. don't know what to tell y'all. So check us out. Be lucky you got this. That's what I'm saying. like When we go live, you got to just tune in. You want to watch the playback? Watch the playback. We're going to be going live very soon.
01:09:05
Speaker
As Anthony Edwards once said, bring your ass.