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Jaylen Brown to Philly, LeBron Leaves Lakers + World Cup Knockout Drama
1 Playsin 6 hours
Episode 83 of Who's Got The Ball? sees James and Michael focus on the biggest NBA moves: Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, LeBron leaving the Lakers, plus trades involving Walker Kessler and Ja Morant.
James is then joined by Dylan Hudson from Ireland Radar to run through World Cup drama: Algeria vs Austria, Brazil’s late win, Paraguay and Morocco shocks, England’s comeback, Belgium’s comeback vs Senegal, plus Last 16 previews.
Another episode full of big takes and debate.
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(0:00) Intro
(2:01) Jaylen Brown to Philly
(11:01) Ja Morant Traded to the Blazers
(17:21) LeBron Leaves LA
(23:09) The Lakers Retool
(33:57) Iran’s World Cup Experience
(43:42) Brazil’s Late Comeback
(51:17) Paraguay Stun Germany
(55:32) Morocco Win on Penalties Again
(59:40) The Golden Boot Race Heats Up
(1:03:30) Kane Rescues England
(1:11:10) Mayhem as Belgium Beat Senegal
(1:17:24) Last 16 Predictions
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and World Cup Coverage
00:00:09
Speaker
Alright lads, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got the Ball. It's just me, James, here for the intro. Shane is our US World Cup correspondent at the moment. He is away at the moment. I think he's in Michigan. I'm in the US with some of his these friends that live over in the US in Houston. So yeah, he's living it up over there on the ground, getting all the insight to the World
NBA Trade Highlights: Jalen Brown's Move
00:00:31
Speaker
Cup for us. But yeah, we've got some some good guests to make up for it. As usual, Michael does join us for some and NBA chat because it is crazy right now in the and NBA. We got Jalen Brown on the move to my Philadelphia 76ers. Michael, obviously a Sixers fan too. We're both super happy with that. So we went into some detail on that one.
00:00:54
Speaker
Look at the couple of other trades that went down. Jammer Ant in particular making a move, quite an interesting in one for the and future of of the Grizzlies and then obviously LeBron's choice to leave the Lakers and they go and pick up Walker Kessler and give him a huge contract so a lot going on over in the NBA in general and too much to cover we'll continue to cover it over the next few weeks and get as many free agency and trade deals covered in this podcast as we can for you So Jalen Brown, obviously the headline one, pretty deep and analysis on that one and how that's going to affect the next season. Then after our NBA chat with Michael, we had Dylan Hudson from Ireland Radar jump on with us.
00:01:36
Speaker
Dylan gave us a lot of analysis and a lot of his thoughts on the World Cup so far. We focused in on the last 32 and all the games that went down there that had big talking points and there has been a lot of them. And then a little look ahead to some of the games in the last 16 that we have already got confirmed for us. So plenty of NBA chat and plenty of World Cup chat to keep you going. So let's jump straight into the action.
Impact of Jalen Brown's Trade on the NBA
00:02:01
Speaker
Okay, where else to begin but Jalen Brown getting traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Two huge smiles on mine and Michael's faces. It just went down on Wednesday evening, so last night as we're recording this, I honestly can't believe it.
00:02:18
Speaker
We got Jalen Brown for Paul George. and two first round picks and two second round picks. Two second round picks you just forget about that. Two firsts, basically.
00:02:31
Speaker
Basically you should have to give up one first to get off that Paul George contract because he's on the same money as Brown but just for one less year. So they got a year less to pay somebody They gave up one of the best players in the NBA. And we were just talking about how the Bucs should have accepted that deal. Well, I thought they should have of Brown and two first for Giannis. Now we're chilling with Jalen Brown on the Sixers. I actually cannot believe it. Like Mike Ansey, take a bow as the new GM.
00:03:03
Speaker
What a way to make a name for yourself. I mean, immediately just, I don't think this was on the carrots for anybody. And i know i was critical about Jalen Brown in my past, but we said it in the playoff games against the Sixers this season. I love offensive push-offs now. I love them. love Love the offensive push-offs. But we also did say he was getting buckets, though. yeah We can confirm that. And i think I'm so shocked that his trade value has went down this much. Because there's no way this was the best choice. Now, first of all, not giving up Hugo Gonzalez for Giannis and then doing this trade is absolutely crazy.
00:03:51
Speaker
And then we just beat... I'm so perplexed by this. We just beat them in a three one comeback. This...
00:04:03
Speaker
I mean, and it's also reported that Jalen Brown didn't request a trade, which I think is a huge part of this, that the relationship either is so bad or the Celtics are just so sick of him that they trade him.
00:04:16
Speaker
ah Someone who's a finals MVP proven that can win next to Jason Tatum. They won 50 games this year and he was coming back from an Achilles injury.
00:04:27
Speaker
Like, This doesn't happen. no There's reports that Denver were willing to give up Jamal Murray. i think I prefer that over this. I just can't understand what the goal is with Paul George. If you take a flyer on a younger player and they flourish, you can flip them halfway through the season.
00:04:48
Speaker
Paul George is not going to have an MVP comeback season. He's going to take his player option and he's going to rot. I can't understand it.
00:04:59
Speaker
like We got blessed by it. but like We were so
Ja Morant's Move and Team Strategies
00:05:02
Speaker
blessed. And the argument online from Celtics fans trying to cope on this makes no sense because you say, oh we're taking we're taking this on because in 2028, we're primed now for like the next free agent. that Bro, you you're waiting two years to say potentially We're going to get somebody.
00:05:20
Speaker
It's in the here and out. Tatum's going to be two years older. What's the point in signing Mitchell Robinson? Like this doesn't make that. That just doesn't make sense. Like if this was a rebuilding team that had no pieces, then you could say, OK, maybe two years they're priming for Luka and they're going to build around him when he's free agent and whatever. That's their hope.
00:05:41
Speaker
But you're already here right now. You thought you were going to win the championship last season when Tatum came back from injury. Like, we just, like, Philly just took a three-game lead, a 3-1 lead off the Celtics in the playoffs, sent them home with their tail between their legs, and then took their best player for a washed-up podcaster and two first-round picks.
00:06:05
Speaker
Like, I would hate to be a Celtics fan right now. I seeing them all raging online is hilarious as well. But I was going to say something. Actually, it completely blanked my head. Give me a second. Oh, my God. scramble This trade is so good. Actually, like thinking back to it and thinking through it, my brain is just completely fried. um But let me throw you the roster for a sec while you're gathering your thoughts.
00:06:34
Speaker
Because we just signed Dean Wade for four years, $39 million. dollars And Anthony Simons, just a couple of hours ago, two years, $12.3 million. dollars Wade sorts out that kind of forward depth issue that we had, and gives you some good defense, some good rebounding. and He can shoot the three. Simons really can shoot the three. He's one of the best in the league. Averages nearly 20 points over last five seasons. So that's a superb piece off the bench. i really like that for just 6 million a year.
00:07:02
Speaker
So the lineup is Maxi, Vijay, Jalen Brown, Dean Wade and Joel Embiid. And then the bench is Foylan, who we just drafted, Anthony Simons.
00:07:13
Speaker
And then take your pick between the rest, probably going to be Justin Edwards, Dominic Barlow and Huck Party get the rest of the minutes, maybe a bit of Jabari Walker. And so it's it's it's a decent rotation. I think if we get one more veteran in and a forward or center position, we're set for the season.
LeBron James' Future and Lakers' Strategy
00:07:32
Speaker
Yeah, I definitely don't think this is the final roster we're going to go into next season with. But it's such a good... like compared I was very low on our five-year outlook coming into the offseason because I couldn't see how we were going to get off Paul George.
00:07:51
Speaker
And... It happening immediately. I feel like like the two picks that we traded, one is 28, it's a pick swap, and the other one is in 2030. But we're going to be fine. like We have Vijay, we have Tyrese Maxey, and you hope that Phylon has the same kind of development as we've had with our last two.
00:08:13
Speaker
I'm so much more optimistic now. And what I was going to say earlier was Even a lot of people are saying that Brad Stevens is preparing to sign Jokic in next offseason or whenever he becomes a free agent.
00:08:29
Speaker
You could just keep Jalen Brown until then. Like he is objectively a better asset. And that's another thing we should mention. The league underrating Jalen Brown is absolutely crazy.
00:08:43
Speaker
Does he say some stuff on stream that you wish he doesn't? Yes. Also, just had an MVP-like season. yeah So he gets better every year.
00:08:54
Speaker
I mean, he's improved. I think he's a great leader. i think it's shocking that Annette didn't come out for a trade or some other team didn't try and get him in as a veteran-like presence in that locker room.
00:09:09
Speaker
But, I mean, we'll lowball everybody. That's why Like, I can't believe they were, like, settled on the fact that it was, like, okay, well, it seemed like they were, like, oh, Philly made an offer, and then they wanted Vijay and, like, four firsts, and we were, like, no. And then, like, a week later, they were just, like, how about Paul George and two firsts? They were, like, yeah, that sounds good. That's close to what we wanted. Like, how can it go down that much in a week I've never seen...
00:09:39
Speaker
like Brad Stevens or really any GM other than Nico Harrison behave like this. Like, it makes no sense. This must be how, it like, I know it's not the same level of talent, but just it's damn close. This must be how the Lakers felt when they got Luka because I'm literally over the moon right now.
00:09:56
Speaker
Brad Stevens and the front office must, like, they can't stand Jalen Brown. That's the only thing I'm thinking of, because he doesn't care. He's picking up his check. He's said the right things, even the stuff he said on stream. He came back and explained it and explained his context for it.
00:10:14
Speaker
He's a really smart person. Yeah, does his job on the court, is an outspoken individual. Like, i he doesn't care. So they must absolutely hate him.
00:10:26
Speaker
Like, they must think he's arrogant, just not right for the team, not fitting. And to just push him off like this, you could have just kept him until, like, halfway through the season, giving out some other team a lifeline for something.
00:10:41
Speaker
i don't I don't know. and it's and It's literally not explainable, but I'll take it. And this sets Philly up for a superb outlook going into next season. A couple of more bits and pieces. There's way too many trades and free agency moves to go into everything. But the major ones will come to the Lakers in a second. But first of all, quickly, John Morant. This is a pretty big one because we've been talking about it for a while and seeing where he'd go.
00:11:07
Speaker
We made a joke, oh, you get shipped off to the Raptors. That ended up being Kawhi returning back there. I think he's got too much airtime for us to talk about him even more. But Jamber on to the Blazers for Jeremy Grant and Chris Murray.
00:11:21
Speaker
I like it. I think the Grizzlies are just saying everyone's gone. The next day they traded Santi Aldama for a first m and then AJ Johnson to the Mavs. So they're like, whole whole book is scrapped and we're going forward now with it with a whole new rebuild.
00:11:34
Speaker
Yeah, this was to be expected as soon as you heard halfway through the season that Cedric Howard is untouchable. Just a crazy headline. But like, i a lot of people are down on this. And a lot of people are really saying, like, what are the Blazers doing?
00:11:54
Speaker
This is exactly what you do if you have a young team that is overachieving. You take a swing on a piece. If Jamarant doesn't work out, that's fine because Jeremy Grant was not doing much. at And Chris Murray, unfortunately, he got hurt for halfway through the season, has some promising outlook. But Jamarant could fit so well in this team.
00:12:19
Speaker
And we have yet to see how Damian Lillard bounces back. But Scoot Henderson can shoot the ball, man. And he's going to get way more minutes. You have three point guards there with Ja, Dame and and Scoot Henderson. Now, whether or not Scoot should be a two is up for ah for coaching to decide.
00:12:41
Speaker
I think this signifies as well that they're giving up on Shaden Sharp. I think so. I think he's definitely going to have to take take a step back. I was shocked when they traded Anthony Simons over Shaden Sherb.
00:12:54
Speaker
I see that they saw the potential, but he's never really seemed to put a get put together that kind of efficiency you expect from of one option. And Danny has kind of come in and taken his whole shine in that organization right now. So...
00:13:11
Speaker
I mean, this has huge upside and personally looking at it, not a ton of risk. They were going to deal with that contract from Jeremy Grant anyways. They have guards to take over his spot if he really cannot shoot and cannot play.
00:13:27
Speaker
I think it's it's a smart move. Yeah, like i I think you're right because if you look at the outlook for the Blazers right now, last season they were playing...
00:13:39
Speaker
Drew Holiday at the two. Now they can move him to like small forward if they want and go a mixture of Dame, Scoot, Jaa and Shaden between your two guard spots. Then you've got Drew, and possibly Tumani, Kamara And then Denny and Don Van Klingon or Robert Williams, who they just signed to a big contract. So I get the worries about the backcourt off defense. But when you have like so many good defenders in your frontcourt, I don't think it's too much of an issue. They just have to at least put in the effort and hold their own.
00:14:15
Speaker
and And like you said, it's just taking a swing on Jal. Like if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Either way, yeah they don't have to pay Jeremy Grant. And Chris Murray was a nothing entity really to them. and for what Jha is going to give them possibly. So if it doesn't work out, it's worth a shot, I
NBA Teams' Potential for Upcoming Season
00:14:31
Speaker
think. And on the Grizzlies side, I kind of like the look of their lineup at this point. Like in terms of youth, they've got Scottie Pippen, Cedric Coward, Jalen Wells, Cam Boozer and Zach Eady as a potential starting five.
00:14:45
Speaker
You can mix in Ty Jerome, Gigi Jackson, Jeremy Grant, Beef Stew. All of them can can jump in there at different points. But I think it's a good really good starting point for a team that's ready to rebuild.
00:14:58
Speaker
Yeah, while we touch on through the Grizzlies, as I was looking over the roster, rest in peace, Brandon Clark. Horrifying news to hear earlier in the offseason. Bringing down the tone really yeah really quick. My bad there, but I just saw his name and wanted to say it.
00:15:14
Speaker
The Grizzlies are kind of cooking. Now, last year I was really confused at what they were doing, but I thought they looked like a good young team. KCP looks like he's on the way off that team as well, which makes more space for all the young guys they have.
00:15:28
Speaker
this could be This could be a decent team next year. I don't understand how the youth will kind of factor in to how they play against the rest of the teams, especially in their conference. I think they really could get blown out in a lot of games again but Gigi Jackson seems promising Ty Jerome was great this season Scottie Pippen Jr. got hurt early unfortunately you hope he has a fully healthy season this year and they seem to really believe in Cedric Howard unfortunately I've watched a good few of his games and I don't really see the superstar you know
00:16:12
Speaker
upside that they did this season, but maybe next to Cam Boozer, I think Cam could yeah do a lot for this team. but I think, i think and like we said after the draft, I think he went to the perfect destination. He's got a lot of tools on this team. And if they really give him the keys, this team could like go as far as he wants to go, and we could see something like Lamello in the Hornets, but maybe a a more...
00:16:39
Speaker
professional yeah structured delivery you know i think that that's a good of putting it but i think boozer is actually like already more he has more basketball iq than lamello has and in terms of the fact that he can pretty much do anything like lamello can see the court very well but cam can just read everything that's happening all around him already at the college level at what 19 years of age so yeah i'm i'm happy for Grizzlies fans out there because I think you've got some hope and once again and there's like six firsts in the next five years plus a potential for another swap so yeah it's looking pretty decent another thing major story is LeBron James
00:17:24
Speaker
not going to re-sign with the Lakers. He's he's leaving LA, potentially landing with the Warriors. Draymond Green declined his 27.7 million player option to become a free agent to allow more room for the Warriors to strike up a deal with LeBron and potentially trade for Anthony Davis.
00:17:44
Speaker
Now the Wizards are and steadfast in the fact they do not want to trade him. They're not interested in Jimmy Butler. And if anything's going to happen, there's going to need to be a third team involved. So I don't know how far the Warriors are going to get with this. And I don't know, does LeBron go there without AD?
00:18:01
Speaker
He might have to at this point, because I i think that's the probably the best location for him. And the Wizards don't want to give up AD. They know they have a great bargaining chip right now.
00:18:12
Speaker
i think i think I think the Wizards don't give up AD. I think the the closest we see it is a trade deadline again. AD, ah, my hand, gets traded and a week later is catching loves, you know, unless that happens.
00:18:31
Speaker
And there's some form of guarantee from Rich Paul to LeBron. I don't think we see him on the Warriors, which means that the Cavs, who have stayed steadfast, they haven't really done anything drastic.
00:18:45
Speaker
I think they kind of feel like it's time to come home. And I think that's my that might be what we see. And if that happens... I'm taking a flight to America and I'm watching at least one game.
00:18:57
Speaker
Going to have to go to a Suns-Cavs game. Philly-Cavs matchup.
00:19:05
Speaker
Philly-Cavs might be crazy. Philly-Cavs might be really good if LeBron's there on the Cavs. That would be an insane matchup. Although I hope to God Embiid is there. if we If I have to see LeBron James clutch up against us again, like we did live last season, I'm going to disagree. We've got Jalen this time. It's good. And Tyrese, he's going to be there. So, not man, if if I'm going to, like, if LeBron ends up in the East with the Cavs. We've got the Knicks coming off a championship win. We've got Philly retooling right now, looking great. We've got the Celtics. I don't know what they're going to do, but like you just know Missoula is going to be going crazy, trying to scheme up some wild stuff.
00:19:46
Speaker
It's going to be interesting. and The East will be very interesting if LeBron ends up on that side of things. Yeah, i in relation to LeBron, I actually, i don't think, I was kind of shocked to see how early they said that he was not coming back to the Lakers.
00:20:03
Speaker
I kind of had the feeling that nothing happens, but in this offseason, everything happens. And we saw that very early. I'm not really sure. There's a lot of talk about Miami and going back to Miami and joining Giannis and Bam.
00:20:19
Speaker
ah Which seems interesting, but also, without Norman Powell, I'm very worried about this team. And I'm very worried about what they're going to do They've re-signed Simone Fontacchio.
00:20:33
Speaker
Andrew Wiggins back. I mean, they have Bobby Portis, but their guard rotation is... is worrying and I thought they were going to land Colin Sexton but he's off to the Lakers like we're going to mention in a minute there's been talks about the Sixers there's no way he's coming to Philly just a heads up we don't have the money that's like right we're hard capped at the first apron which after today's deal we are 9 million below that so we're in the luxury tax 4 million into it and we've got 9 million to the first apron there's no absolutely no way
00:21:11
Speaker
There's one of my one of my friends at work. He mentioned to me, he said, Michael, tell me what you think about this. So what he said, LeBron has the perfect stage to go to the Bucs. And I went, shut up. There's no way he's going to Milwaukee. This is just not happening. I don't care if they have Tyler Hero and Miles Turner and everyone else. It doesn't matter.
00:21:34
Speaker
That would be a waste of his last year. Everyone would just be like, why why are you doing this? He has to go to the Heat, Cavs, or the Warriors to make this final year like a big a big send-off.
00:21:48
Speaker
I think, honestly, if it was up to me, just go join Steph, man. Just go join Steph. Go have fun, dude. Go jack up like 8-3s next time. It's fine.
00:21:58
Speaker
It's fine. We'll love it.
Trade Impact and Future Prospects
00:22:00
Speaker
We'll take it all in. They might have... The like highest earning season ever of a franchise. The most jersey sales, the most sponsorships. There'll be a documentary on it in five years. It'll just go absolutely nuts on the media. but The tickets will be sold out like months in advance. Like you won't be able to get into that arena.
00:22:24
Speaker
I have to go, though. Up in the nosebleeds. $3,000 to sit on the top of the arena and look in through a hole. Like, it would just be... it would be so fun to watch, even if they're, like, 37-win team.
00:22:41
Speaker
I feel like yeah at a certain point in the season, they're just going to start doing crazy stuff, and it would just be hilarious to watch Yeah, but and as as well, if they sign him and they don't trade Jimmy, like imagine Jimmy comes back halfway through the season.
00:22:56
Speaker
You've got Steph, Jimmy, Draymond and Porzingis. Like that lineup is actually not bad if they're all good, if they're all healthy. One last topic then, as you said, just to look at the Lakers, what they've done. They've spent a lot of money.
00:23:14
Speaker
So they agreed to deal with the Jazz to get Walker Kessler. and They sent two first rounders in 2031 and 2033, as well as pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
00:23:27
Speaker
and And then they signed him to a four year, 130 million year deal. think there's a player option. And now on top of that, they have Quentin Grimes at 14 million a year. They just got in.
00:23:40
Speaker
Colin Sexton, nine and a half million year. They just got in. Mamou Kalashvili, 11.5 million year. They just got him in. Aiton obviously opted into his player option, which is no-brainer. And they're paying Austin Reeves over 41 million a year. like They're after investing so much in this team. and And to be honest, I really like the Kessler move. And I really like going with Mamou as like an option if Kessler needs rotation, which he will, and based on what we saw last year.
00:24:13
Speaker
Yeah, i a lot of people are really out on the Kessler deal. And I understand it's basically all of their future, which is very worrying to do this early in trying to please Luka. Because if this doesn't work, you're so screwed.
00:24:31
Speaker
You are so screwed. You pissed off the championship team from 20 from from the bubble. You sent all of them off. You've brought Luca in. You've signed Austin Reeves. And if this doesn't work,
00:24:46
Speaker
It's a chopping block for Mr. Perling. But we look at this. It's a lot of good moves. I like Sandro. I'm not going to try and pronounce the last name. He did a great job.
00:24:57
Speaker
But I watched him a little bit for the Raptors in limited minutes. He had some great, great moments. I think he's a quality signing. Quentin Grimes. I can't wait for the hate videos because he will sub into the game and in 30 seconds he will throw himself at the backboard. Okay. And I cannot wait for every other player, for everybody in the media to finally see what Sixers players have been saying. because everyone told crazy not They don't care once it's in Philly.
00:25:30
Speaker
It's in l LA that care. it's It's going to be quality. I really like some of these moves, but the situation they're in right now, you have no wings.
00:25:41
Speaker
the Even the signing of Colin Sexton, he's more of a like a shock creator than he is a catch-and-shoot guy. And he's not as good as a defender as Marcus Smart was.
00:25:54
Speaker
And Considering that Marcus Smart was cheaper, it looks like he wanted to go play with Imei, which I can understand. But Colin Sexton is not the right like piece to fit in here. It's looking like you might actually need Bronny to play some minutes at some point because Quinton Grimes is going to have to play the three permanently. Yeah, and that's not going to work. like We've seen that.
00:26:20
Speaker
Jake LaRavia cannot play. Unless he does something, he cannot play. And Vanderbilt... You seem to hate that guy. and yet every year he seems to be an important piece for you in certain moments.
00:26:36
Speaker
We'll have to see how Ado Thiero develops as well as their draft pick this year, Kamkar. But I like this team could win a lot of regular season games, but I think it's too flawed at its current roster to really compete, especially in the Western Conference.
00:26:56
Speaker
I think they went, we have an issue at centre. Luca likes throwing lobs. Let's just spend all of our money on a centre and let's get a backup centre too then in Mamu.
00:27:08
Speaker
And then let's just throw money at some other players like the Grimes one like if they just forgot about Grimes and forgot about Sexton and they went re-upped on Smart and then focused on the wings they would have such a nice roster right now but it's like Luka, Austin, Grimes he's not a wing like he he can't be put down there but he's gonna have to Colin Sexton, Cam Carr, those are your guards as well as Bronny.
00:27:34
Speaker
And then you've got Kessler, Aiton and Mamou at centre and then nothing in the wing room whatsoever. It's literally just Vanderbilt, Laravia. And if they go with Mamou at the four, which he doesn't offer any of the the kind of off-ball stuff and creation and like kind of Lakers basketball that they want to see. Like he's not going to offer that if he plays at the four. He's a much better backup five, in my opinion, for this team. So I am a bit concerned about how this works out long term, but I do agree with you they probably win a lot of regular season games.
00:28:11
Speaker
and But the playoffs might be where this starts to become undone and they have given up their future, like you said. So there's nothing really they can do unless they're willing to trade away Reeves, which they already showed that they're not.
00:28:26
Speaker
Yeah, I don't really... the The wing situation is a really big problem. As we see in the NBA, it feels like the wing is more and more important. You need players that can have solid offense, good defense, big, tall, strong, big wingspan.
00:28:46
Speaker
That seems to be the move, to be able to have that kind of switchability. This team would look good in small ball moments, but they don't really have the off ball shooting.
00:28:58
Speaker
I feel that you could have like a Warriors like small ball where like you've got like four guards and Walker Kessler who I mean, he started this year shooting well from the three. If he if he's a stretch big now, you've got five players who can all hit threes.
00:29:14
Speaker
But. We're just going to be watching Luke and Austin Reeves drive the ball. I mean, AR does have, both of them are fantastic at creating assists, but to play small ball consistently for long stretches of the game, I feel like,
00:29:35
Speaker
leaning into that off-ball movement, Draymond running off a screen, Steph running around, Klay hitting catch-and-shoot shots. like To teach Quentin Grimes to do that, you're going to go crazy. like Looking at Quentin Grimes, and like the best catch-and-shoot shooter here is Austin Reeves. Is Dalton Connect about to step up and play minutes after the what happened?
00:29:57
Speaker
like I doubt it. i read now You're now looking at Bronny James to hit catch and shoot threes because Quentin Grimes is shooting 27% halfway through the season. And Conn Sexton can't hold a basketball without turning it over. like is that what's That could happen.
00:30:14
Speaker
They literally don't have any any shooters outside of Luka and Reeves at all on this roster. I wouldn't count anyone anyone else as a proper like threat from three consistently.
00:30:24
Speaker
like and someone I saw someone type it earlier in the comment section, but every player that won him a game this playoffs is now no longer on this team. like It's such a shocking... Again, like we said, they had a pretty good offseason.
00:30:43
Speaker
I like the pieces they've made. But this is twice now that First was the 2020 bubble. Half of those guys were gone the next season and you just won a championship.
00:30:56
Speaker
This offseason, you had real success in the first round. I think you definitely overachieved. You were expecting Rockets to get to put the belt out, put the smacking on and they got smacked instead. And Marcus Smart?
00:31:10
Speaker
Oh yeah, we'll just let him walk. We won't give him a proper contract that he can't refuse. Luke Kinard? Oh, you shot bad after that first two games, though, so we won't re-sign you. Like, he was... He's not supposed to do that. He's not supposed to drop 20 points a game. He did that because you needed him to, and then you won in the first round.
00:31:32
Speaker
It's disappointing. I hope that they're not finished, but I don't really see who they're going to trade. Who's interested in any of these pieces that they just did not sign recently?
00:31:43
Speaker
Like, nobody nobody cares about anyone else on the team. i That sounds so mean. It's true. But, like, no one is saying, Jake Laravia, yeah, we'll take a flyer. Dalton Connect, he hasn't played in a year. We'll try.
00:31:56
Speaker
Like, Where's the upside on anyone else other than your current huge contracts? Yeah. and unless And unless they trade Founderbilt and he's literally their only forward that can start.
00:32:09
Speaker
So... But like, unless Anthony Edwards is like, bring him back!
World Cup: Team Performances and Challenges
00:32:15
Speaker
Like, and they treat they give him some League player. Like, I couldn't see who's giving up actual quality piece for a guy who's injured very often in minutes he plays and barely gets those minutes in the first place.
00:32:30
Speaker
Yeah, well, I agree. I agree. Interesting. Oh, man. So many changes. So many rosters flipping around. So much to analyze. We'll dig into more as the offseason continues. But as usual, Mike, it has been a pleasure. you have a final point. This is this is the usual. Go for it. Yeah.
00:32:48
Speaker
And it's the perfect one to Kawhi Leonard left the US to hide from his Rico case. OK, that man needs to void his contract. Give all the picks back. Even if you're going leave it, take three of the picks from the Clippers that just got traded, give it back to the Raptors. i Allowing this trade to go through without the aspiration case punishment coming out is just giving an easy out for Adam Silver being like, oh, we can't do that much because like the trade's already gone through and it would be unfair on the other team. So we'll just give him a fine to the richest owner in the NBA. like I see it coming.
00:33:31
Speaker
Anyways, that's my extra point as per... Well, final point on that, Larry Tannenbaum, owner of the Raptors, is the chairman of the and NBA's Board of Governors. So this all ties in very nicely. And yeah, this is going to work out perfectly for Kawhi. And that's why we're not spending any more time on it because he gets too much air time. Let's see how he does in Toronto. He's getting away with it.
00:33:57
Speaker
right, lads, we've got a special guest to join us for the World Cup chat this week. We've got Dylan Hudson, host of the Ireland Radar podcast. Dylan, thanks for joining us. And how are you? Thanks for, yeah, good, James. today Thanks for having me.
00:34:10
Speaker
Yeah, i'm excited to talk about the World Cup. Kind of feel like I'm getting bit more freedom to talk about stuff that just isn't Irish football. So, yeah, looking forward to it. Yeah, so if you if you don't know already, I'm sure a lot of you following this will know about the Ireland Radar lads, especially over on Twitter. It's been a pretty big page for some time now, but give it a look if you haven't already. Hopefully in four years' time we'll have ah some some Irish football to talk about come World Cup season. but We want to go back, first of all, this is mostly going to be knockout football. You know from our previous episodes that we've been rolling through the games as they come. But we'll kind of go a bit chronologically here. And there is one final group game that was absolute madness that we didn't get to speak on yet.
00:34:53
Speaker
And that is Austria and Algeria. so permutations were basically both teams could take a point and get through. Looked to be going that way into the 90th minute. It was 2-2 after a bit of back and forth. Algeria dominant really and on possession, but Austria had some decent chances.
00:35:11
Speaker
And then out of nowhere, Mahrez scores in the 93rd minute. Looks like they're sending the Austrians home. Iran going to go through to the next round, which would have been great for plenty of reasons. And then Kaladzic in the 96th minute for Austria. That was crazy game. And kind of a pity it was on so late, Irish time, because watching the highlights the next morning, you're like, that's the type of thing you'd want to see live. But what did you make of that one?
00:35:35
Speaker
Yeah, so again, I didn't get to to watch this. I have caught a couple of late games, just depending when work allows me to do so, and I've been lucky to catch a couple of good ones. But I don't know if this was one I would ah would have stayed up for if I had. at That probably would have been a mistake and for watching it back. Very much of Riyad Mahrez rolling back the years, which was like, I suppose has been a team of some players in the World Cup.
00:35:59
Speaker
But it's quite funny like how unnecessary it was for Algieri to score that goal because... and they were going through anyways with the points and the fact that that that Austria are able to get it back as well and get a goal like that. And Sasak Kalajic as well to be the hero of Austria. Someone who's not had a very easy career, had a very short spell at Wolves, but a lot of people know him from his time in in the Bundesliga. I believe he was at Stuttgart. And he's this six foot eight or something tall striker who's been plagued with ACL injuries. I think he's had two or three and met the most stop start of stop start careers
00:36:33
Speaker
He's had, so like very happy for him to to be his his nation's hero because he hasn't really been able to play very much football in the last couple of years. And when he does, it seems like he's always breaking down and getting injured. and Very unique player, obviously, given at his height, but very much the trope of good feet for a big man that that's always flying around at the time. But and obviously the the big losers here being Iran, I think everyone was semi-hoping that they could get through and almost like wondering, okay, what actually happens if they draw America here? Is there any way we can make that happen and and see what happens? I mean, there's stories. It was insane. Like, i mean, you hear stuff from the manager where they're not even able to stay the day before. they They're not able to stay on the pitch to get to get treatment or to to like for ice bats and rundowns at the end of the game.
00:37:23
Speaker
the management team is is doing medical checks and treatment on flights like when they're taxiing in planes back back to Mexico like it's just an insane situation I know some one that shouldn't have happened in the first place but it's disappointing that they're the ones who who had to go out from this but I mean entertaining it into that game yeah the game itself like if you take out the Iranian side of things I think it's kind of crazy um the drama that we want in the World Cup and Koladzic was an interesting one because if I remember correctly, i think it's like the same time that Patrick Schick was being talked about as well as kind of the next big striker, kind of similar traits.
00:38:02
Speaker
I can't hear about Czech players. um so I just can't do it at the moment. It's so terrible. like Genuinely, like watching them at the World Cup was, oh my God, even in that entire Group A, and i I don't think anyone should believe. Ireland definitely would have gotten through that group, i I think, especially with how poor South Korea is. But every time I think of a Czechia player, I've just shivered at my spine. I'm absolutely derailed you there with just my ongoing PTSD. like Ryan Manning will forever haunt me. Yeah, I know that. Ryan Manning is the name that I just can't. Don't even say it. like Thank God Southampton didn't get into the Premier League because it would be an onro and ongoing thing that would be more prevalent to seeing him play. Yeah.
00:38:48
Speaker
Look, on the topic of Iran, you mentioned the fact that how they're treated during this World Cup. I think it's an interesting situation. we spoke about it before the World Cup started on one of our episodes. Just...
00:39:02
Speaker
The fact that a team, a host nation, has a country that they're at war with um in their country, basically, for a game or for any type of tournament is unprecedented. It never happened before. But then to basically not allow all the staff of the team to come over for games, to force them to stay in a different country, to change the rules on the night of games that they weren't allowed to stay when they thought they would be allowed to, all of these things...
00:39:32
Speaker
Just typical US, I think for what it's worth, Infantino didn't do a whole lot to help. but It seemed like he was... I don't know, he went into that Iranian dressing room and he gave some kind of a pep talk and it's just kind of a bit demeaning the whole So, look, you'd have to feel sorry for them. And also against Egypt, they should have won their game and they were the much better team. So they'll be very sickened with how things went and they were deserving of the next round. But yeah, I don't know. I think the whole side of it, thought...
00:40:08
Speaker
i tod It's going to be tough to look past it once the World Cup gets going because things are going to continue to happen. i feel like now that Iran are out, a lot of the kind of off the field issues will be gone. And I don't think that that's right because the longer they would have been in it, maybe it would have shown some more light on the behavior of the US. But again, Infantino seems to be um Trump's right hand man as well, even though he's not getting anything in return for that. So yeah, an interesting situation really.
00:40:37
Speaker
Yeah, I think they were very much hoping that like even in the the build-up to the World Cup, that Iran were going to pull out of the World Cup. And it looked like they were kind of just waiting and not making a decision and from FIFA's side. Because they're like, ah surely Iran's just going to pull out of the World Cup. It looked like Infantino was not making a decision for that that reason. And it looked like they might have. and i So I actually think...
00:41:02
Speaker
the whole way they were street was very cowardly from FIFA, very cowardly from Infantino. You see the stuff with Omar Ayrton as well. They're free, like where, like FIFA or couldn't do anything about it. Like all, all this favoring, all this carry favoring to to Donald Trump. Hassen worked out for FIFA. It's definitely worked out for Infantino and is that he can play politician. which he he seems to to love doing. and I mean, interestingly enough, he seems to be in breach of a lot of FIFA's rules when it comes to political representation and and all that crack. But I mean, if you believe anything's going to happen from that, I've got a nice beachfront property in Longford to sell you because it's it's it's not going to be the case. I think there's there's going to be four years down the line and we're talking about similar crack with Infantino. whatever he manages to pull in Morocco and Spain and Portugal. So I think think we're hoping for the rest of the World Cup that he can have as little influence as possible. i think the big worry going into these knockout rounds, which have been
00:42:05
Speaker
incredibly entertaining so far the round of 32 i mean an extra round of 16 seems to be a good thing at the moment i wasn't sure what to think about it uh but just to have more games and more stakes seems like it's worked i suppose we won't know it to the end of the tournament But the ticket prices are really going to rear their head now with the fact that a lot of these knockout games were sold before we knew which teams
Brazil's World Cup Journey and Key Matches
00:42:29
Speaker
were in it. You're just going to start to see less and less atmosphere, more and more celebrities. and And I mean, a lot of the journalists are out there are talking about fans of the games and clearly can tell that all the shirts and stuff were bought for the game and at the game, with the box fresh shirts. and
00:42:44
Speaker
And some of the atmosphere hasn't been as good. But yeah I mean, it has been. a good world cup so far i i know there's been a lot of stuff around it so we can hope that not much happens i think controversy heading into the rest of the rest of the world cup but i mean yeah i wouldn't bet against it like yeah i think there's no better country for controversy but looking at the last 32 then i would i would tend to agree with you that The fact that there was more games and it was bloated were a bit of something that i wasn't so sure what think about it at the start. But it turned out that a lot of teams showed up with the intention of playing. And we saw even teams that could settle for draws, they rarely did so.
00:43:29
Speaker
And... We moved into the last 32. Sunday, first of all, Canada versus South Africa. is That game doesn't deserve anybody's time. I don't think any type of description. It's just woeful stuff.
00:43:42
Speaker
But Brazil and Japan on Monday, I think, is where it really kicked off. to Brazil in the end. whole interesting side of the story was Carlo Ancelotti's management of this game i think Japan 1-0 up in the first half Brazil up to open on the counter Casemiro on a yellow card at halftime glided pass for the first goal looked like a man that was going to get hooked at halftime he doesn't do so scores the equaliser and then Martinelli comes on after 65 minutes I was shocked to say the least at that one and then he pops up with the winner
00:44:17
Speaker
Great management all the way around by Ancelotti and stays calm as he usually does. No celebrations for the winner. Yeah, I think between this game and the game that was the later that day with witht Netherlands and Morocco, you could have conceivably said that every single one of those teams would have made it to quarterfinals with some of those teams making it to semifinals of the workup. And you yeah, that sounds about right. I had Japan poised as the team that were going to be best of the rest and of of this workup. i thought they were going to have a similar run as Morocco did in the last one. And I think they're unlucky with with how the the draw panned out. Also incredibly unlucky that they've lost three of their best players heading into this tournament with Endo, who is so crucial for them, Matoma, of course, and Dikumi Minamino.
00:45:04
Speaker
But I think in this game, i look, I think Japan are better side than Brazil are at the moment. And and maybe that's harsh to say. Brazil really excite me because I don't know what to expect from them. and this It seems the most unclear of what Brazil excites.
00:45:20
Speaker
r If you ask their fans, and they think they're good enough to win the World Cup. But I think Brazil fans will always think they're good enough to win the World Cup. They'll always have that expectation.
00:45:31
Speaker
Brazil obviously haven't won since 2002. They've been a quarterfinal team really since then. They don't really tend to do much better than that. And this is probably the worst team they've had since 2002. But they seem to have an awful lot less pressure. and i Maybe partially that is Ancelotti.
00:45:49
Speaker
Maybe there's just less expectations. I was very unsure about the name our call of at the moment. and I still don't know what I think of it. I think I'm more positive about it after seeing his cameo against Scotland more.
00:46:04
Speaker
So nothing he did on the ball, but to do with like how the reactions he got and from listening to journalists like Tim Vickery, it just seems like, oh, the the team is obsessed with him and really look up to him. So he's like, he's, he's their Jordan Henderson, which seems like a really, really unfair comparison. But I think he really is that. And I think their their team is in such good spirits.
00:46:26
Speaker
I think Japan lost this game in realizing that, oh, we're facing Brazil and and like Brazil were just able to show their World Cup pedigree. You kind of get scared when you face one of the bigger sides like that. I think Norway will also have that question to answer where it's like, we are good enough to beat this Brazil team, but at the same time, they're also Brazil.
00:46:48
Speaker
So they will probably treat them like a Brazil of the past. Yeah. But yeah, like said, they excite me because I don't know what to expect from them. They obviously still have one of the best goalkeepers in the world. They're two incredible centre-backs.
00:47:02
Speaker
Their midfield is... Like, Guimarães is brilliant. Casemiro is... but I don't even know what Casemiro is anymore. it looks like the football is remembered that it had left him behind and after he had a good few months at Man United. But I think Man United fans can be glad watching some of these games that he didn't sign that contract extension.
00:47:21
Speaker
and Although he did score a lot of goals for Man United last season, I do think that looks like where he's going to show up for Brazil. It's just not what you really want him doing. and And also it just Vinicius Jr. has looked like a player that can carry a team, which he hasn't looked like for Real Madrid since Zimpape came into the mix and and i like he looks like a superstar again and he's he's been one of the most incredible players to watch at the World Cup.
00:47:46
Speaker
I've really missed this Vinicius Junior because the last two years he's looked a shadow of this player and that looks like when you watch a Champions League game can just turn a game on its head. so If they're to go far, it's going to be up to him. I think i think bringing Cunha back into the team is like, it's kind of stupid that they didn't start from him with him because he seems to fit everything they wanted to do.
00:48:10
Speaker
They have got strength and depth. Ryan coming in for Rafinha, who's also a big miss, but he's an excellent player and he's going to be the next 100 million player that goes from the Premier League.
00:48:21
Speaker
i I think the fact that Ancelotti can change a game with his subs could stay calm and did so with bringing it on Martinelli in a number 10 role, which I didn't think Martinelli had a good season for Arsenal. But, I mean, he's got a really important goal there.
00:48:35
Speaker
was clearly the right change to make because it worked. And Casemiro was struggling in midfield and somehow made the situation better by taking off another midfielder in Pacquiao, although was injured. Their midfield was able to cope much better in the second half. So, yeah, Ancelotti, just this genius that you can, I suppose you can never understand, i think, is,
00:48:56
Speaker
nonchalantness in a word really suits this to say this Brazil side too I mean that Norway game is just fascinating like really really fascinating I really look forward to that one yeah I think there's some interesting ties coming up in the last 16 and that's one of them I think Casemiro coming back into the squad in general from Ancelotti's point of view that the fact he wasn't part of the squad at all comes back in when he improved at United Ancelotti knows him well and I think that's brought a lot out of Bruno as well and I think he's had a superb World Cup Bruno Gümrisch especially that assist for Martinelli look like he's going to shoot lovely little pass just as just just enough to get Tommy Asu to kind of jump little bit I think
00:49:46
Speaker
Yeah, like you said, the team is really, really hard to judge and how far they're going to go because it looks like they take their time to warm into every game. and But once they do, it's quite an interesting mix. and And I do agree that Konya is probably someone that could work very well to tie it together in the forward line.
00:50:04
Speaker
Because you you look at that team on paper and you're like, is this a World Cup winning side? And no, they're not. And they don't look like they're good enough. But there's such a good feeling from that Brazil squad and and one I've never felt before. Because I feel like even in 2014, although they that they did have a pretty good team then, they had an A-man that was near the peak of his powers if you look back at his career in general.
00:50:27
Speaker
But I think they felt so much pressure at being at home. Obviously, the 7-1, which is a game that's that's never going to get misremembered. and I think that there just seems to be such a good feeling and atmosphere. And sometimes that's all it takes to to carry a team, to to get into the semifinals or finals. and So, yeah, I'm pretty invested in in their journey. They feel like underdogs out of the bigger teams, which is...
00:50:52
Speaker
and which is It's quite exciting for them, I think. But they have a really hard bracket, I suppose, with with Norway. And it it looks like if they beat Norway, they might have England in a potential quarterfinals. So, I mean, if they if they' to get further than quarterfinal, it's not going to be easy for them.
00:51:11
Speaker
Yeah, I think the chip on the shoulder really works for this Brazilian side and they're definitely embracing it. um Then that same night, you did allude to Netherlands and Morocco. also had Germany and Paraguay our first two, our only two penalty shootouts so far in the knockout rounds.
00:51:27
Speaker
First on Germany, they were really poor this World Cup. Before it started... I was very concerned about them. I didn't think that the way that Nagelsmann sets the team up works that well. And then the first three group games, his reluctance to play Onda for more than 30 minutes...
00:51:46
Speaker
was incredibly confusing and then he plays him for an hour and it's still 1-1 and hooks him off against Paraguay when he is basically their most potent striker but you would say maybe their only striker capable of coming up in big moments and scoring and I just think that that was a bad mistake and then you get to the drama of the penalty shootout where Paraguay had two chances to win it and missed both and then finally got the job done Orlando Gill and or Hill as it should be pronounced correctly 6 foot 6 and the goal makes himself an absolute hero so yeah great storylines all around in that one but yeah Germany another really bad World Cup for them
00:52:30
Speaker
Could be of Irish ancestry of her to Orlando Gill, apparently. and But yeah, like Germany just did not look like they wanted to be there. like They looked terrified. I mean, if you look, just watch the Walter Mata penalty again.
00:52:47
Speaker
and I feel it feels harsh and sticking things in Walter Mata because like he is the the the stick that get he or he's the person who gets beaten by the press and stuff the most in Germany. Of course, he was meant to be their striker savior.
00:53:02
Speaker
and And he doesn't seem to be that. in a Newcastle playing him as a center midfielder more than anything. and But, I mean, he looked petrified to take that penalty. And I think that just shows how the German team wilted in this game. They didn't look like they had many things to solve. And look, the goal should have stood. Jonathan Tain's goal from the yeah the corner, i think it should have stood. But at the same time, I don't think you you can be complaining too much about that because the end of the day, you play 120 minutes and you didn't give yourself that many opportunities to win the game. And you see towards the end of extra time, like players are just kicking out at each other like Moseala was flying into tackles for revenge. Yeah.
00:53:47
Speaker
they also They lost their heads, but they also just did not look confident in their own abilities and in themselves. And I know there's a lot of talk that this isn't the German team of previous years, but you've still got very good players in in that team from from back to front. I think losing Nico Schlatterbeck was massive for them, or massive against them, because because he is a tremendous defender. Yeah.
00:54:08
Speaker
It's an alright defence. It's a good midfield. You've got players like Florian Wirtz and Mooseala who can dictate an attack. It's certainly no poor team. It should be good enough to beat Paraguay, but they just did not look like they believed in themselves. And as soon as they ran into problems, it was like, oh, yeah this is it. This is over.
00:54:28
Speaker
and And it looks like Nagelsmann is going to resign or be sacked at this stage. and I also don't think that the looming figure of Jurgen Klopp, who was doing a lot of TV and ah had a really weird apology to Nagelsmann after suggesting that he would take the job. I don't think that helps anybody. and But yeah, i I said on a podcast last week or the week before ah and last It was a day or two before the game that I think Germany would do a lot better than people think. And I think I'm quite lucky that it's been decided that podcast is not going to air anymore because that opinion has not not and it's not aged too well and in the short amount of time it had. But yeah, I mean, shambolic really from from Germany.
00:55:16
Speaker
I think that the clock point is a funny one as well because after the game, i think he was asked on TV, you know, what about you? You're going to be the next in line. And he said, oh, I haven't thought about that yet. It's just the a hilarious lie, but one he had to tell in that moment.
00:55:31
Speaker
Then later that evening we had Netherlands, Morocco. I'm interested in your thoughts on this one because I feel the better team went through. i think Morocco had more, have more to give to this World Cup.
00:55:44
Speaker
And I just feel Netherlands were really unfortunate because actually thought they were impressive in the groups and a team that could have maybe gone a little bit further than what people thought they would at the start because there were some questions about their squad.
00:55:56
Speaker
and But yeah, Morocco were quite dominant and... and Buati in midfield it's hard to believe he's just 18 his first 90 minutes at senior international level were in the first game of the World Cup against Brazil so yeah he's he's the next one I know as a Liverpool fan I'm sure you're hoping that the rumors are true and that they're going to pursue him but and yeah Morocco as a team could go quite far in this and Canada up next is a bit of a walkover for them Morocco are fun. like they they it's It's the same as the last World Cup. They play good football an international level. They always have the most fans in any stadium. like A game, a potential matchup down the line, I actually don't know if the brackets collide, but if they were to play Brazil in any sort, like the atmosphere be incredible because Morocco brings so many fans.
00:56:43
Speaker
and On the Netherlands thing, my theory with the Netherlands is they kind of outdo themselves every international competition with the same tree managers that are probably have got a nearly combined age of 200 who keep cycling in where they just end up going too conservative at the wrong time. Because the Netherlands were impressive in the first time in the first full 90 minutes of this game. I think it did deserve to go to extra time. That game should have ended 1-1, which it did. Morocco was scoring that last goal. But as soon as the game went into extra time...
00:57:12
Speaker
Ronald Koeman, as conservative as ever, and switched to a like a more defensive approach, didn't have any shots on target, and let Morocco just breed into the game and forced penalties against a side over the last four or five years have shown to be one of the best international sides on penalties, especially Yassin Bono in goals, or Bono in goals is one of the best penalty savers, and he proved that.
00:57:35
Speaker
Now, both sides did their best to miss as many penalties as possible, but First of all, I think this is that was one of the most entertaining games in the tournament so far. and I think it was a really excellent game. But from the from the end of the first half or first full 90, I was like, can we find a way for both of these teams to go through? And went by the time it was going to penalties, I was like, right, Netherlands need to be punished for going to conservative and putting their backs the wall when Morocco were trying to still play football. And at the end of the day, I do think the better side won. And as you said, the team that has more to offer, and it also means we get to see more of Ismail Saibari, who's my new favorite player. like he's like i I was aware of him before, but I was not that aware him when I seen the transfer rumor that he was going to Bayern Munich. I was like, oh,
00:58:24
Speaker
I didn't know he was like that caliber of player and I could see why. Like he, he's been incredible. and He's been one of the most fun players to watch in this World Cup. And yeah, Morocco seemed to always have ways of making it work. And it's amazing how their midfield has been almost completely retooled. Like you said, like Buadi's gone from from the last one. Like Amrbat was so important to the Morocco side last time that he tricked Man United into making an offer for him. and And now he's just been like, he's not seeing any minutes because Buadi is just 18 years old.
00:58:58
Speaker
i I am an avid football manager player, so I know all about him. and I believe he might be one of the highest potential players in the game. ah But to see him kind of like taking the piss on on the big stage like this already. and Yeah, just very entertaining and watching. Whichever team ends up getting him for what I assume is going to be an incredible fee as well. We'll end up very lucky, I imagine.
00:59:20
Speaker
Yeah, I'd agree with that, definitely. and i think it's the potential to have the Young Player of the Tournament award given to him, especially with Yamal not being available for the group stage pretty much at all. and So you never know with him. He could set the world alight pretty soon, but still, I think he's right up there. um Tuesday...
00:59:41
Speaker
Look, I don't think there's whole lot to delve into because Ivory Coast, they did quite well. I thought they were the equals of Norway and I thought Ahmad coming on was a mistake. They should have started him. He changes the way that the team plays.
00:59:58
Speaker
um holland inevitable and then you look at france 3-0 versus sweden that was spreading on the wall from the very start and mexico in the azteca as usual got their win over ecuador 2-0 and the main thing i came out of this day looking at is how the golden boot race is continuing to deliver because at that point you had Mbappe on six, Messi on six, Haaland on five and Dembele on four and Vinny on four.
01:00:29
Speaker
And Kane obviously got a couple the next day to put himself in there as well, but it's shaping up really nicely overall, this golden boot race. And I think that day kind of really and continued that, that run of the superstar showing up.
01:00:41
Speaker
It's really unnatural for a World Cup for this to to happen, really, isn't it? like Normally the the Golden brute word Brute Race is like there's a sprinkle of the world's best players and then you have someone like Ener Valencia or like there's there's always the player for a smaller nation or a nation who's done maybe above their odds to become one of the top scorers. I think the timing of all these stars showing up, because at the end of the day, there's going to be a lot more eyeballs on this World Cup from people who maybe don't watch an awful lot of football.
01:01:12
Speaker
and I think it's really important because a lot of the discourse in the last year, maybe two years, certainly if you look at the last two Ballon d'Or winners, is how the there's not really like the stars in football haven't really shunned the last few years. like It feels like Messi and Ronaldo have created a vacuum that that no one else can be on their level. And I think someone like Ousmane Dembele winning the Ballon d'Or, who is probably not a household name, it typified that. But now you've gotten and the next generation of superstars. I mean, Haaland or Mbappe is a bit older, but the fact Haaland, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Messi are all balling out. like these They are all the big names. The only other big name you can mention there
01:01:58
Speaker
It's Ronaldo, who shouldn't be anywhere near that Portugal side. And Lamin-Yemal, who's been injured. And I mean, we're recording this just a couple hours before the Austria game. So I mean, he could show big time. Then I think we're all just waiting for him to do so. I think it's really important for football that this has happened because yeah, the stars haven't really been shown up. It feels like we don't have that super mega star.
01:02:21
Speaker
and I think the person who's going to become that from this World Cup is Haaland. I think exposed to a different audience, I think people are just going to be and fascinated by him. The raw speed on athleticism as well is something that American fans absolutely love. Oh, absolutely, yeah. Yeah, like I've got people who who don't know football and they're they're like like sending me like TikToks of like Haaland reels and memes and stuff like that. So I'm like, I feel like he's going to be the one who who gets the most stardom from this World Cup because I mean, he he is just such a fascinating character. but Like what a player he is as well.
01:02:55
Speaker
and But yeah, it's it's it's pretty exciting to have this golden boot race. Like it's not something.
World Cup's Top Performers and Predictions
01:03:02
Speaker
That's not something I can remember. I mean, my first cup of World Cup, I really but barely remember is the 2010 one. And I suppose I probably wouldn't even like five or six at that time. So and from the other few World Cups I've watched, I can't remember it being a World Cup Golden Boot race, like with this many players, with this many big names sprinkled in.
01:03:21
Speaker
So I suppose its it's it's within the American culture that, ah you know, all the the stars are are shining at the moment. yeah Yeah, I agree with that point. didn't As I mentioned already with Kane, going into shoot Wednesday, then we had England's comeback against Congo.
01:03:37
Speaker
I think Congo will look back to that golden chance to go 2-0 up with Wissa and really rue that they didn't take that because you can approach the game a little differently from that point on. Yeah.
01:03:51
Speaker
But their keeper, Mampazi, was sublime, to be honest. and that He kept them in the game for a long, long time. He made some excellent saves from Bellingham and from Kane.
01:04:03
Speaker
He could have actually done better on Kane's first goal, but we'll allow him that, considering he was so, so good and the rest of the game. And then final goal from Kane just typifies his finishing ability. England, they did well to to not panic too much. I thought some of the players looked to be getting a bit frustrated. But then once Kane got that first goal, they seemed to settle. And...
01:04:28
Speaker
I think they will still have an issue at right back with obviously the continued injuries and the squad that they've brought. and I'm not sure they're as adept to go further um in this tournament like they did under Southgate. I know he's he's the one that got ridiculed, but he if they do crash out against Mexico, he might be the big winner in all of this and everyone will turn back on Tuchel after being really on his side for the football he played.
01:04:57
Speaker
Yeah. and See, look, I'm really confused about this England team. I'm really conflicted about them. it Part of me is like, all right, like they are very clearly struggling against a low block.
01:05:10
Speaker
But is that going to be an issue for the rest of the tournament? Probably not. You can't imagine a Mexico at home playing a low block against them. Mexico will fancy themselves. Their fans really wanted to play against England and have that game.
01:05:23
Speaker
I think a Mexico game is probably... The leveler here is being in the Azteca with the altitude, but Mexico just typically don't lose there. Of course, haven't conceded any goals in the World Cup yet, but they haven't come up with a team as as good as as England. Obviously, as we mentioned earlier, they came out of the easiest group, I think, in in the competition.
01:05:42
Speaker
I just think Mexico will look to play more football and Croatia look, the way Croatia look to play more football, which again, will look much more comfortable for England. and I said before that I think England's tournament will depend on if Harry Kane can put the international performances that Mbappe's been putting up, that Vinicius Junior has been putting up.
01:06:07
Speaker
And if you look at Harry Kane's numbers, they're exceptional for England, but outside of that, goal he scored yesterday, second one. and I suppose the first one he he did what very well to find as well.
01:06:17
Speaker
I don't remember Harry Kane scoring many great goals for England in international tournaments. and I think five or six of his World Cup goals. He's up to 12 it have been before that game.
01:06:27
Speaker
and five or six goals been penalties two or three of them have been from corners and so he hasn't really been there in the big moments as much when it comes to like pulling like a goal out of nowhere and then he did yesterday when they needed him if they need him to do that and when I say that people think I'm hating on Kane or whatever I don't think he's been as good for England as he has been in club level And I do think Kane is an absolutely world-class player. He's of the best strikers in the world, if not the best striker in the world. and
01:06:59
Speaker
but So I actually don't doubt that he will be able to find that level eventually, and especially when he did it yesterday. The body language was really weird from England, ah which makes me think that if they find pressure against Mexico, even with all I've said that Mexico will play a game that will be easier for them to win.
01:07:16
Speaker
Because a lot of what Thomas Suckel has been saying or thinking is that the team is set up to play against your likes of Francis and Spain's more than your likes of Panama and Tior Congo.
01:07:27
Speaker
So I suppose we'll see them in those games. but the first half, they really seemed to be under pressure. And like every chance they missed, it seemed like it was the last chance they were going to get the way they were reacting. Jude Bellingham can be a hothead at the best of times. And maybe it's not thats it's maybe it's not too important to read into it that much because I thought Bellingham was losing his head. But at the same time, I still thought he was England's best player for large portions of this game. So I think he's just a bit like that. But a lot of the chances that England were getting, they were snatching at, they were...
01:07:59
Speaker
Yeah, like treating it like it was like the 90-30-94 minute. I'm like, you've got a whole hour to play here. and i i think they'll be fine. I think they created enough chances to put two or three goals past the goalkeeper in the first half, which is something they didn't do against Ghana.
01:08:20
Speaker
But yeah, it's it if you remember at the the last year, England played terribly and for the entire tournament. And then they got into a finals against Spain that I'd argued they hadn't played a single good game in the tournament up to that stage, maybe an early group stage game.
01:08:35
Speaker
and play the best football in the final, which ultimately they lost, but they are very competitive game against Spain. And that's all they have to do if they get through Mexico, which they are a better team than it's the factors around it that will make things difficult. They are a better team than Brazil. They could beat them. them But again, that's going to be a tight game.
01:08:52
Speaker
And then to see where you go from there. The big issue is right back now, is Declan Rice going to have to play there for the rest of the tournament? Maybe. and it is i think his decision not to bring Alexander Arnaly seems a bit silly now because Declan Rice was essentially moved there for more passing from the back. It's like, Well, you had a player who can do that. and i I understand all gripes against him starting because of his defensive liabilities, which is completely fine if that's the thing you want to make. But surely he's a player you want to have in the squad if you're a goal down the last 10 minutes. you know We've seen Premier League that the only player who could rival him for passing was Kevin De Bruyne. You're going to want a player like that in the squad. but
01:09:32
Speaker
Other than that, I think they've got so much strength and depth. Anthony Gordon has had a really poor to tournament and then yesterday was absolutely brilliant when he came on with two assists. I think it was a reminder that England needs to be careful, but was also a reminder that England have so much strength and depth that they can completely change games in different quarters, I suppose, when when they need to. because I mean, there was, they only played well in the second quarter and the fourth quarter of this game. and it
01:10:04
Speaker
And that's all they need to do. and's Like that can work against a bigger team. or Maybe I'm just trying to jinx it or whatever, because at the end of the day, they were terrible. Like they were terrible. Yeah.
01:10:15
Speaker
Yeah, I had don't know. Like I could see them turning up against a bigger side just purely because of the players on the pitch rather than anything I've seen so far. But yeah, maybe, maybe I'm just trying to give that the kibosh there. I don't really know. ah let's Let's hope that that's the case in the Azteca against Mexico. I think the record that Mexico have there is insane. 70 wins, 17 draws, 2 losses all time. World Cup games, you make that 7 wins and 3 draws, 8 clean sheets. and You mentioned the altitude. It's going to be very, very tough.
01:10:47
Speaker
And you mentioned the fact of quarters. I think Infantino after the game mentioned that England regrouped for the final quarter. And that was why it was important to have these breaks.
01:11:00
Speaker
I think the less said about that, the better. Another team that I thought panicked the final last 16 game. Look, USA-Bosnia is 2-0. There's not much to say about that one last night. But the Belgium-Senegal game.
01:11:12
Speaker
I saw two teams in that game panic for two different reasons and in two different ways. First of all, you had Senegal dominate Belgium and then the Belgian players are attacking each other. Tielemans and Trossard losing the head with each other have to be separated by Lukaku.
01:11:33
Speaker
And then Senegal just leave themselves so open. Even after the first goal, they continue to be open and allowed the second chance. Goalkeeper is in no man's land. Look, Tielemans, yeah, possibly could have been a shove there. I think that was maybe something that could have been looked at because he does push him in the back.
01:11:51
Speaker
But Senegal left themselves so wide open. Then they control the game again of multiple chances. And then in the last second... Belgium get that penalty I think Belgium are probably the worst team I've ever seen to pull off comeback like that because there's no world in which they deserve that kind of of win they didn't have to work hard for it like they at all like Senegal just gave it to them on a place and like this is a very weak Belgium side I expect the USA will beat them I'm one of the people who's not been surprised by the USA in this tournament because I thought they would at least get to the quarterfinals I think that they've got a very underrated collection of of players
01:12:27
Speaker
But yeah, like i mean I suppose my my viewing of this game and Senegal's reaction on the pitch was very much the same thing. Around the 85th minute, I kind of just ended up on my phone for the rest of the game or for the rest of the half. and And then it was like suddenly like, oh, a goal went in. And now another goal went in and I'm still of like, what? And it was the same kind of, i imagine the same kind of reaction to Senegal because they were just like, oh, oh yeah. Like just completely put their foot off the ball, completely complacent. And the fact that when they conceded the first, there was no reaction to like, we need to cop on here. It was still the same laxness and and open to this point. I thought Senegal were excellent in this game. I thought they were very good. I wasn't too impressed with them earlier on the tournament. thought they were great.
01:13:14
Speaker
grand like I didn't think they were anything special yeah I mean they've completely drawn away they're like far and away a better team than Belgium there seems to be a lot of discontent from the players i think one of them has come out and said that he's retired until the current coaching team is left and has left Senegal. So i don't even really want to know what's going on there. And it's also disappointing because there's been some players in that Senegal team, particularly Ismael Issaar, who's having a very good tournament, and I would have liked him to continue. and
01:13:49
Speaker
Even the penalty get given away, i think it it was a penalty. I think. I don't really know. It's one of those VAR penalties it's like...
01:14:01
Speaker
Once you slow it down and you see the contacts, and it's going to be given. But I think Tielemans is going to get to the ball if there isn't a nick there. So I i kind of think you've gotten to give it, I mean, the composure from Tielemans to rifle that penalty of the top corner. If you put a side-by-side of him taking that penalty in the last kick of the game, which I believe now is the latest World Cup goal ever scored,
01:14:23
Speaker
and Nick Walter Mata's penalty when he was put against Paraguay. It's just could two completely different people. and The fact that the Senegal player laid down on the spot for something like five minutes, some of the best penalty time-wasting I've ever seen. and And he's still just like, calm as you like, just stepped up and just took it with absolutely no and like no hesitation. Like, if that was any other player, I was like, oh, he's going to miss this. When the player was lying on the floor, I was like, oh, the Belgian player will miss this. He's got too much time to think about it. As soon as I've seen Telemans face, I'm like, na he's going to score this. Like, he's just zoned in. But...
01:15:02
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, Rudy Garcia got a lot of criticism for Belgium. I think the subs he made in this game did work in the end with Daku coming off. Lucky Bakio kind of contributed quite well. Raskin from Rangers contributed quite well. And and so did Lukaku when he came on.
01:15:20
Speaker
They're not going to make him much further than this, I don't think. But I mean, yeah, fair play to them. They capitalized on a mistake. And at the end of the day, if you make mistakes like that, if you switch off like that a World Cup, you don't deserve really to get to the next round.
01:15:32
Speaker
And Senegal played silly games and won stupid prizes. Like, you know, Yeah, I think that they'll ruin the amount of chances they had. if I was looking at the XG after the game and they had 3.58 or something and Belgium had less than one if you take the penalty out.
01:15:49
Speaker
Christ. My only gripe with the penalty is that Thielmann's, yes, he probably would get to the ball, but... he's not even really trying to get to the ball. He's putting his force there to get fouled. And we've seen in this World Cup that they didn't give those before.
01:16:03
Speaker
i think slowing it down, yeah, it's it's a penalty. and And more so than anything, just the fact of staying up to watch it and then you're just waiting for the shootout. And then all of a sudden...
01:16:15
Speaker
Belgium have won it and then you have to watch another ridiculous 10 minutes for some reason of football or a Senegal finally have a chance at the end I have no idea why Papahataar took that because he had a long shot just before that and it was woeful like Ismail Assar was still on why didn't he take that and up to this point, it looked like Senegal, like barely wanted to score. Like when they, when, when a goal behind with those 10 minutes, like they were just passing it around so slowly and like, not really making it like, there was no pressure to get the ball into the box or anything like that. Um, and then they get this free kick and you're like, all right, it's too close. And then you see a player who sky the sky, the shot just a minute or two before that from much further out. I'm like, that free kick was only ever going to go one way. Um,
01:17:06
Speaker
Yeah, look, disappointing for Senegal, but I think they dug their own grave really at the at the end of the day. yeah Yeah, I agree with that. Look, we've covered pretty much all the last 16 games that have gone on so far. As you said, Spain and Austria is to come pretty shortly for us here tonight. Quick fire then. I think, looking ahead to the last 16, think we're both in agreement from our from what we've said so far. Morocco will beat Canada and France will beat Paraguay. don't think there's too much controversy about that, but...
01:17:38
Speaker
Give me your quickfire picks for Brazil, Norway, Mexico, England and USA, Belgium. What are your three winners in those three games? and Brazil, Norway, I think you can see a lot of ways for Norway winning that game. I think they might end up coming in as favourites. I'm still going to go with Brazil. I think they'll fall into the same thing that Japan did.
01:17:59
Speaker
Whereas, although they may end up being the better team, the kind of realisation is... We are playing Brazil in a World Cup game and I hate to use the word, but there is a certain aura that comes with a side that plays, you know, that's got so much World Cup pedigree.
01:18:14
Speaker
I think that would be good vibes. I think Brazil will go true. USA, Belgium, I think even without a striker like Balogun, I think USA will win that. And I think quite comfortably.
01:18:27
Speaker
And I think England will beat Mexico. and But I think it will be... I'm so conflicted on it, to be honest. I think it'll be a scrappy game. If England score early, they've done it. like you know they've they've they've They're through this. But I think that could be one of the most entertaining games.
01:18:45
Speaker
Desperately awaiting my work roster schedule to see if I'm working the next morning. I mean, the Netherlands-Morocco game, I ended up going to bed at like 5 o'clock in the morning watching that game. But...
01:18:57
Speaker
Yeah, i felt like i used to I used to watch all the UFC events and it feels like I was staying up for that. It's just kind of ridiculous. But and I think England-Mexico is going to be one of the most exciting games at the World Cup. I'm sure Mexico is going to be incredible for it.
01:19:13
Speaker
Yeah. Whichever way goes, it'll be a tight game. Probably England. Yeah, I think that is the hardest one to call. ah i would I would agree with you on the other two. I think... to mention the USA, the fact the game is in Seattle as well. The stadium is going to be bouncing and I think Belgium are going to cower in that situation. And and then you've got um but Brazil and Norway. I do agree that Brazil, just something about the team and and Norway's defense look very, very shaky, especially coming up against this Brazil side. I think both teams will score, but I think Brazil have it. Mexico, England is so, so hard to call. and
01:19:52
Speaker
Sometimes I look at stadium records and I go, should I go with that or should I go with the team? And I hate to bring it up again, but I did it for Ireland versus Czechia. said, we're going to win despite their record in that stadium. We should have won.
01:20:08
Speaker
I mean, we should have won. And miracles just happens. oh yeah I'm going to go with Mexico for a miracle here, no matter at what happens and to knock England out. To be fair, to be fair like I think I'm just reverse jinxing at this stage. i'm just like But I do think that that one it is so hard to call. Especially Mexico in the group stage, I was not blown away. with it like I was not wowed by them in any stretch. But I guess against Ecuador, they were excellent. like They were so, i was so good against Ecuador. and I think they'll come into this game with so much positive energy.
01:20:40
Speaker
even as well on Norway. They say about their defence, but their attack, even against France when they swapped the team, they had so many missed opportunities where there was a second string of attackers.
01:20:52
Speaker
That game's going to be tight too. I think i think Brazil will do it, but like they really need to be careful on the break. Norway break so, so quick. like One of the quickest counter-attacking teams in this tournament. I think Oscar Bob probably starts that game. He came in against France.
Closing Remarks and Future Plans
01:21:08
Speaker
has looked excellent since then and like even Antonio Nusa on the left side as well like so much so much pace and attack like Brazil needs to be careful especially with when you've got a poor holding midfielder who can't keep up with the pace of things anymore and you've got two fullbacks that look like they were just generated for this World Cup like
01:21:28
Speaker
yeah I still think Brazil will have enough quality but it's me kind of safeguarding my prediction if it goes the other way Well appreciate your your takes and all the analysis throughout the the last 32 ties which nice to have them but let's get into the cutting time now i hope you enjoy the rest of the tournament and appreciate you once again for coming on though but thanks for having me it's it's been a pleasure happy to do it anytime All right, so there goes Dylan. Appreciate him jumping on. And and Michael, as usual, joining this week.
01:22:01
Speaker
We're going to wrap it there. Back again next week. Not sure yet who we're going to have on with us. Depending on NBA action, might be Michael joining us again with the crazy news cycle that's going on right now.
01:22:13
Speaker
um Shane's still going to be in the US, so not sure on his schedule, but we'll cook up something tasty for you um and get some nice guests on, potentially some American football chat, because we haven't had that in a while, and I've got a nice guest lined up for some stage over the next few weeks, so keep an eye out for that one. Appreciate you for listening, as always, if you did make it this far, drop a like, subscribe, comment, all that good stuff, and we will catch you again next week.
01:22:38
Speaker
Bing bong!