Pod Strickland Episode 393: DiVincenzo's Deliverance

Speaker 00s - 36.6s

Every team, every topic, everywhere, this is Believe. Hello and welcome everybody to another episode of Potschaklan ORG.

Speaker 436.6s - 50.84s

I'm your host, Shunipu, in this episode, 393. I'm joined on a very special victory Tuesday morning by my co-host. Stacey, that is at Stacey Pan PERSON 89 on Twitter. Stacey PERSON, how are you doing?

Speaker 352.84s - 55.12s

Like you said, doing pretty special.

Speaker 456.98s - 59.5s

Yeah, a hell of a win last night for the Knicks ORG.

Speaker 359.5s - 67.62s

They win 104-101, score 8 points in the last 30 seconds, or sorry, erase a five-point lead

Speaker 467.62s - 161s

by scoring eight points in the last 30 seconds. Just an all-around incredible game. A couple of pretty awesome victories for the Knicks ORG, considering all the circumstances, and we'll talk about that. And more, but before we get started, I do have to make a few announcements first being that the Strickland ORG.Has Instagram ORG, check that out. That is at the Strickland on Instagram ORG. We're posting all content on there. The Strickland ORG also has a YouTube channel where you may be watching this podcast. If you are not done so already, please it like, subscribe with the channel. Leave us a comment. That'd be a huge help to us. Strickland also has merch. There's link to take in the merchandise store. And there's all kinds of cool stuff on there. T-shirts, sweatshats, coffee mugs, water bottles. You name it. We've got, we've even got a new merchandise line, the Nova York ORG line. You can get Brunson, Devenchenzo, Josh Hart, Shurzies ORG. You can get a born-to-play basketball shirt.You can get so many, so many, so many different things. Check it out. And the Strickland ORG has a Patreon which can subscribe to. There are a number of different tiers. There's a $6 tier that'll get you access to Pot Strickland has a Patreon, which you can subscribe to. There are a number of different tiers. There's a $6 tier that that'll get you access to. Pot Strickland the podcast that I host every Friday with Prez.You also get access to. Takes Mori's a podcast that is hosted by Andrewsdale, aka Doug, along with Zach Blatter PERSON. And you get access to the Strickland Discord ORG, where the concept conversation never stops. There are further tiers. There's a $9 tier that gets to. Strick and Roll, my solo podder, a ramped rangerer with the Nixie Memorial ORG.You also get access to wonderful premium monocos pie. Bad Your Mind, one of the best in the $9 tier that gets you access to, Strickenroll, my solo podder at Ramp Dreamer with the NICT Memorial ORG. You also get access to wonderful premium mortals by. Matthew Miranda PERSON, one of the best in the business. And now you get access to strictly NFL ORG, which, you guessed it is our newest podcast that is hosted by Constantine Metro's and it is about the NFL ORG. The draft is coming up. So be on the lookout for that.

Speaker 0162.68s - 163.56s

There are further tiers.

Speaker 4163.68s - 296.36s

It's a $15, a $30, $50 to share, and $100 tier. There's come with a variety of additional benefits. I'll listen to out of podcast, merchandise discounts, and even potentially co-hosting a podcast alongside yours truly one day whether you choose to subscribe or not, know it's possible without you.And none of this would be possible without Bet Online ORG. Bet Online is your important source for all your summer sports this season from MLB, golf, NBA, and NHL ORG Playoff Stats. All the latest stats, news, and scores available to follow your favorite teams. Get the latest odds in lines, including the latest team matchups, player props, and odds on just about every sport out there.Head of the website today, or use mobile device to get into the action. Then online, where the game starts. Okay, so, Nick PERSON's win a pretty dramatic, I mean, as far as I'm concerned, I think this is the most kind of dramatic, biggest shot comeback, however you want to put it. Ending to a game the Knicks have had since the Allen Houston shot is probably since the Larry Johnson PERSON shot. But I do think it's like, I think the Allen Houston shot is still number one just because it literally won a series.But I put what happened yesterday above the LJ PERSON shot. And that's saying a lot because LJ PERSON shot kind of resonates with me in different ways, probably because I was a kid. But thatstretch of play yesterday was just unbelievable. The garden was completely electric. I mean, throughout the game, you couldn't hear whistles. And every reporter and everybody that was there has, I mean, Breen PERSON even said out on the broadcast,especially the floor was literally shaking after that kind of sequence of Steele, Dievincenzo miss, I heart rebound, kick out to OG, OG swing to Devencezo, Devincento 3. I mean, that was a special game, special performances by more than a few players. And, you know, what else can you say? Isaiah Hornstein and Dante Divenchenzo, those have kind of been the next two, two of the next key free agent editions over the last couple of years.And yeah, I mean, he's just been both of them. We're incredible down the stretch throughout the game yesterday. Yeah, just an amazing win. What were your thoughts?

Speaker 3297.44s - 308.64s

I mean, is it crazy to say that's the biggest shot than the Knicks have had since Larry Johnson PERSON. Sorry, say it again?

Speaker 4309.06s - 313.7s

Is it crazy to say this is the biggest shot in Nick's history since at least Larry Johnson PERSON?

Speaker 3313.96s - 315.52s

I think this might be bigger, to be honest.

Speaker 4316.88s - 320.52s

I don't think so because I literally just said that. Yeah.

Speaker 3321.58s - 447.88s

I think it's, I think I might even put it above that shot, although that shot made me a fan for life. I mean, I've felt the garden shaking once in my life that was during Obie's Alleyoop to, or the Alleyoop from Alek PERSON's Berks. Still on the floor for this one. Maybe we just need Alex Berks PERSON in the garden for the garden to shake. I thought it was a great performance. You know, hurt from the Discord PRODUCT. When we were talking about college football, you're saying, you know,you can't pick against Alabama until you have to see the stake go through their heart. Pretty graphic metaphor there. But I think the Knicks ORG are turning into this team. We've seen them pull these kind of games. Was it Detroit GPE, I think? Yeah, it was Detroit GPE where they had a similar scramble for the ball that led to thelayup to win. This team just finds ways to win, and things have not gone well. The elephant in the room for the Knicks, of course, has been that Brunson PERSON is, what, 16 for 65 combined in two games. Didn't have it yesterday again. We can talk about, you know, Sixers ORG deserve a lot of credit.I'm not going to take away from that. But to go up to O in those circumstances is very impressive. And there were things that were different. To your point, I think Di Winchenzo and Hartinstein PERSON didn't have their best games. Game one, both were instrumental. I don't know how Hartinstein PERSON got that pass off at the end.From the ground somehow gets it to OG. OG PERSON makes very quick decision. I thought he's, even though he hasn't been particularly loud on the scoring sheet, I think OG PERSON has been quietly very, has made some big plays, had a huge three at the end of game one, had the free throws yesterday to clinch it.There's definitely going to be a lot of adjustments that the Knicks ORG can have to make. You know, if you're a Philly fan, on the one hand, you probably don't feel great that they've won big chunks of the first two games and they haven't, they don't have anything to show for it. But in terms of process, I do think that there are things that the Knicks ORG need to adapt to. But tough not to be very excited, especially, you know, I think a lot of people had given up at the end, down five. And this team just showed again that you can never really count them out.

Speaker 4451.7s - 498.3s

Yeah, I think that's important that they have been resilient. They continue to find ways to win games, and they've done it despite Brunson PERSON playing like crap. And, you know, some of it is, some of it is, yeah, they're playing good defense on him. I think they deserve credit. They're not letting him really get to his left.They're making life difficult for him in terms of contesting shots. They've been packing the paint. I also think some of it is on him. I think he's right. I think because of and look, they're also allowed to be more handsy. I'm not even not upset about thatbecause I just think like that's what it is.

Speaker 3498.3s - 500.06s

I don't think you're going to have a muff whistle anything worse than the Sixers

Speaker 4500.06s - 532.62s

or Serars ORG. I mean, it is, it's what it is. It doesn't matter. Like, it doesn't matter. I can sit here and bitch about it, but that's what they're calling. So he has to deal with it. He has to adjust to that. I think because they've been allowed to get more handsy,and that's definitely helped them be able to restrict him from getting to his left where he really wants to get to, obviously. He is like, I think it's speeding him up. I think he's rushing things. I think he's impacting him up I think he's rushing things I think he's it's impacting his decision making and he's got to adjustso

Speaker 3532.62s - 540.8s

are there things tips you think tips should be doing to kind of facilitate that a little bit more I mean I think there are things

Speaker 4540.8s - 699.88s

tips could do to facilitate him more I would like to see him be used off ball more um think there are things tips could do to facilitate him more. I would like to see him be used off ball more. And, you know, I think that, like, yeah, would it be nice if maybe he played a few minutes without Josh Hart PERSON on the floor who they're helping off of? Yeah, that might be nice. Maybe it helps him get going.I don't, at some point, like, I just think you just have to, like, Josh Hart is playing at a level right now where whether you agree or disagree with the choice of, like, how he, how much he's playing. that is essentially what it is and um like Brunson PERSON has to adjust to that that's the environment he's going to be playing it and that's what it is so um I I just want I think his decision needs making needs to be better primarily more than anything else. Do I think, again, yeah, would it be nice if there are some minutes there without Hart PERSON? Maybe. I don't know.Heart PERSON's playing pretty well, so it's hard to say that for sure. And more importantly, like, is there, the thing I think tips could do is I think how he's using Hart PERSON. You know, I would like to see him use more as a screener. I think he's just been kind of stuck out on the perimeter way too often. And that's allowing the Sixers ORG to kind of easily play off of him. He also didn't, and this isn't really individually on him, but the Knicks didn't dominate the possession battle yesterday because of, like, amazing glasswork either.I think they outrebounded the Sixers by two total and both they had 12 offensive rebounds to the Sixers 10. So like it's not like, you know, how he was being deployed was allowing him to just create havoc on the offensive glass either. So I just think you got to get him more involved as a screener, be it on or off ball. And I think in general, I do think the Knicks ORG tried to do a better job as. And I think they did do a better job as in the third quarter, especially of getting back to that motion offense, getting guys off the ball, getting Brunson PERSON off the ball, utilizing him in different ways.I thought that was a good departure. Probably end of the second, into the third quarter. That was probably the best stretch I've seen from the starters offensively this entire series. So that was good. Obviously, Brunson comes back in the game in the fourth, and it just devolved into like this mismatch hunting.Yeah.

Speaker 3702.08s - 704.66s

Yeah, I think, I mean, they are very reliant.

Speaker 4705.04s - 707.52s

I would like to see them used off ball as well,

Speaker 3707.68s - 793.6s

but then you're asking Devinchenzo PERSON or Hart or some of these other guys to create an environment where we haven't seen them really create. I mean, they're also struggling with the playoffs too. So in that sense, Brunson PERSON is taking on something out of necessity, the ball dominance there.And he's bearing the brunt, if you will, of that burden and the cost associated with it. You know, I think some things I'd like to see, I don't think they, have they set too many screens higher up? I think they were going to it more, the kind of flat screen with heart.I'd like to see that a little bit more, you know, closer to half court, to get him really a running start, get him some more space and get him a little bit more time maybe to get into that pull-up. And when I said more time, it could be a split second, but that can make the difference. But he just doesn't look comfortable even taking shots, routine shots, right? There was one that really stuck out to me.You know, he beat his guy. I think he was Maxie PERSON. And I think he might have been worried about a rearview contest, but he has space for a midi, a floater or whatever, but he's leaning in. And it's kind of a runner and he's off balance. And it was very, it wasn't even close. It was short. That's just not what you typically see from him. But I think, you know, his attitude,his body language hasn't been discouraging. And I think it's worth noting, yeah, like, Philadelphia ORG's a good defensive team. The nurse is a good coach. And they've had good game plans for a while now.

Speaker 4794.24s - 860.74s

There was that disaster. This is what Nick Nurse PERSON does. This is, like, his entire thing as a coach is he is focused on his belief defensively is shut down the head of the snake and that will, you know, screw the entire offense. And, you know, it's weird. I don't know. Like, it's hard to say whether he's been right or wrong just because of how up and down these games have been.But, yeah, I mean, it's, this is what he does. He makes stars, like, he gets stars to struggle. That's always been his thing. And I think Brunson PERSON's playing into that a little bit i think he's taking the bait he's isoing because they're giving him any mismatch he wants but the problem is mb PERSON just standing at the rim so yeah you can get a mismatch but he can't really getall he can't threaten the rim can't really threaten all the way to the rim anyway and the defenders know that so they're able to get back in the place, wherever you can test, kind of stick on his hip as a result. So it's tough for him, but he's got to definitely figured out. He's got to be better. He's also just missed some shots that you would bet on him to make over a longer sample. Yeah, for sure. And it's worth

Speaker 3860.74s - 1004.52s

noting that there is a double-edged sword a little bit, the philosophy, right, from Nurse PERSON. You know, the Knicks had, I think, what was it, 20? Do they have 20 offensive rebounds in game one? They had 12 last night, which is not overwhelming. But they are 11 to 33, so they didn't have a bad shooting night. They probably just hit, they hit that Mendoza PERSON line.You'd probably like them to shoot a little bit better. But in game one, they had 16 of 36. So there is a trade tradeoff in that philosophy um and they they may you know they're they're compensating for that on the glass um Josh Hart was incredible 21 and 15 um went the distance um you know what more can you say about him and and you have to give you know know, that is kind of the test of what nurse is doing, right? He's not, he's betting, I will let Josh Hart PERSON beat me.I'll let O.G. Nanovi PERSON beat me. I'll let DiVincenzo PERSON beat me. And, you know, credit, I mean, DeVincenzo 19 points. Everyone in the starting lineup had double figures. And besides Brunson PERSON, they were reasonably efficient. Oji PERSON didn't have a great game either.But the other guys are able to beat you, Hartnstein PERSON had some big, you know, has started to get a little bit more comfortable with that mid-range little push float or whatever you can call it. So, you know, it's,the other guys have stepped up and they have punished nurse. I think nurse is probably right to bet that four games out of seven is a tough task for that. But you have to give them a lot of credit. And this is why we signed all these guys. So going forward, I think that there's probably ways to get Brunson PERSON in a little more space. It seems to bealmost an inverse problem of last year. Last year, the Knicks ORG realized that if you bring Allen to the level of the screen, like Brunson PERSON just couldn't get any space. But screening with guards, even if Alan PERSON was at the rim, Brunson PERSON's pull-up game, like nobody could really affect him, not even Koro PERSON really, in terms of pull-ups with a screen from another guard. So now you have kind of the opposite problem where the 76ers ORG,their guards, even Maxi, Heald PERSON had some good contest. They are doing a good job contesting those pull-ups, and now you have a guy back at the rim. I don't know if you put Embed PERSON in more screens. I don't know if you set them higher up, you know, if he's doing a pretty good job on defense.But those, I'm interested to see those adjustments going forward as well.

Speaker 41009.28s - 1013.9s

Yeah, I mean, I just don't think any of that stuff Is going to work against Sixers Guard guard screens aren't going to do anything

Speaker 31013.9s - 1016.9s

Like if they made them beat in it

Speaker 41016.9s - 1018.12s

But set it closer to half court

Speaker 31018.12s - 1019.3s

But he's not going to come up

Speaker 41019.3s - 1023.24s

This is like if Josh Hart PERSON's playing He's not going to come up They're just going to switch that That's what they've been doing the entire series

Speaker 31023.24s - 1027.46s

So like I can say here and be like Oh my God he should play some minutes That Josh Hart PERSON It is what it is Josh Hart's playing, he's not going to come up. They're just going to switch that. That's what they've been doing the entire series. So, like, I can say here and be like, oh, my God, he should play some minutes without Josh Hart.

Speaker 41027.74s - 1188.66s

It is what it is. Josh Hart PERSON's going to play. And quite honestly, he needs to. He, I mean, do I think he needs to play 48 minutes? No, but he has to play a lot. And the majority of those minutes are going to be with Brunson PERSON because they're starters.So, like, what we're talking about is almost irrelevant. Like Brunson PERSON has to figure it out. He has to figure it out within the context that exists right now. And yes, I think we need to do a better job of moving off the ball, all the guys, like Hart PERSON, Steven Chenzo, IHeart, OG, like they've got to be better moving out the ball, making themselves available cutting. We need to be better about, you know, all the stuff we were doing to end the season, you know, utilizing IHeart as a hub higher up the floor, you know, Brunson PERSON pitches it to him,then he runs around. Like, we've got to do a better job of all those things that we were doing. And there were signs of that yesterday. But down the stretch, they just reverted to like, you know, the ISO, mismatch, pick and roll, all that type of stuff with Brunson PERSON. And that's fine if he has a going, but he doesn't have it going right now.So, like, just, like, devolving into that was just, I mean, it was pretty frustrating to watch. And honestly, it almost, they're very fortunate it didn't cost them the game. It should have cost them the game for being honest. Should have cost them the game. But it didn't. So, you know, obviously, that's great.But you've got to, I mean, he has to figure it out. Like, yeah, again, Tibbs PERSON can do other things and other guys have to, you know, make themselves more active and all this stuff can be true, but 90% of this is on Jalen Brunton PERSON. He has to make shots and he's missing a lot of shots that he, we know he can make. He looks flustered. He looks rushed. His decision making has not been consistent. The one thing I did like about the game yesterday know he can make. He looks flustered. He looks rushed. His decision-making has not been consistent. The one thing I did like about his game yesterday is he did not turn the ball over much.I think he had two turnovers maybe, considering how much he was handling the ball. I'll take that. Seven assists, two turnovers over the hell it was. But he needs to, he's definitely got to find, get back into rhythm. And it's good. You know, he's got two days off here in between games or three days off i guess you can call it um so that's great but it's got to make you count nowand um you know we'll see if he does it or not but the nicks are obviously in a good position though they're up two oh even though he's played like absolute garbage and um you know that's that's that's honestly the saving grace for him is he's not, like he's very lucky today this morning. The game ended the way it did because. He's paid millions of dollars to play basketball.Well, that too. But he's, yeah, but he's very fortunate because he was playing himself into being the only topic of conversation today for today as far as...

Speaker 31188.66s - 1191.1s

Bringing back his name and out of the woodwork, maybe.

Speaker 41191.98s - 1192.2s

Yeah.

Speaker 31192.36s - 1205.26s

But, like, he was putting himself in line for justifiable criticism for the next dropping a game that they had, you know, I don't know if I'm going to say they had to put it away, but they had, I mean, they had a pretty solid lead.

Speaker 41205.32s - 1255.16s

They had an eight-point lead at one point in the fourth quarter. Like, he clearly struggled throughout the end of that game. And, you know, obviously, look, that's part of being a great team, is guys bail each other out. And they got plays. And to his credit, he stuck with it. And he got, though, he got the bounce.He got the bounce on a three-pointer at the end of the end of the fourth quarter. And I will also say I think his defense has been good in this series. I think he has rebounded pretty well. And his playmaking, like, he's got to tap into that more because I think that's where he can really hurt the Sixers ORG with the way they're covering him. That also requires his teammates to move and all those type of things too. So it's not just him, but he is the head of the sink.He is the leader of the team. And it's ultimately on him more than anybody else to figure it out.

Speaker 31256.6s - 1297.24s

Yeah, I mean, 29 shots, even on some of his best games, he wasn't taking 29 shots, right? So that distribution probably needs to to change a little bit um you know i i think i think you're you're you're absolutely right like you have to be feeling pretty fortunate to be up to oh um are you are you worried about jillin brunson PERSON and i mean you have to you know for all the people who said, you know, the 1A ORG conversation and all of that, this is what they were talking about a little bit, right, in terms ofthe Lent Philadelphia ORG can throw and, you know, his ability to adapt to it. Are you worried at all? About what?

Speaker 41297.62s - 1302.26s

About Jailen Brunson PERSON and whether he can adapt, given kind of the challenging situation, you know,

Speaker 31302.26s - 1306.02s

not just in these, in this series, but how they've played Philadelphia all season.

Speaker 41309.4s - 1559.62s

No, I'm not really worried about it at all. He's either going to do it or he's not. I mean, there's nothing for me to worry about. Very dumb like of you swear to shit.Yeah, I mean, there's nothing for me to worry about. He's either going to do it or he's not. What the fuck can I do about it? But no, I'm not particularly worried about it because I don't,I mean, look, I'm just gonna, like, I get pretty fucking annoyed during a lot of our, you know, during games in our like live chat on the Discord or even on, you know, on Twitter and stuff. And it's like every single time this team faces some adversity, people have fucking meltdown.And it's like at some point when that you keep being proven wrong, maybe just shut the fuck up. Maybe shut the fuck up and have some faith. And in the case of Jalen Brunson PERSON, I don't know what he has done.Like, I'm sorry that he had two bad playoff games. Like bad playoff games, flat out. There's no question. They're bad playoff game. I'm sorry that I'm two bad playoff games like bad playoff games flat out there's no question they're bad playoff game I'm sorry that I'm not ready to freak out and uh you knowlike oh my god like we have to it's only fair we criticize him like oh wow dude that's awesome you're so fair like who gives the fuck about that stuff like I have faith in him to turn it around and I don't reallyhave like I don't really know what criticism I need to have beyond, like, he's got to shoot better from the field. Like, yeah, I agree. Like, I don't, it's got to make better decisions. Like, yeah. Like, that's what it is. I get that.I don't think anybody's denying that. It's fair to say it. But, like, beyond that, I don't know what there is to worry about. Why should I be worried about that? Like, I, he's proven over and over and over and over and over again. Every single time people are like, oh, well, this is what he is.And, well, no, that's what he is. Actually, no, this is what he is. They can't do anything more. Every single time that level gets placed on him, he figures it out. I don't feel, I don't see any particular reason why he can't figure this out. I don't feel, I don't, I don't see any particular reason why he can't figure this out. I do think that, yes, Philly ORG having a bunch of long defenders could, it'sdefinitely affecting him. But I think the bigger part is he's got to just, he's, he has to adapt to what they are doing. And to me, he doesn't, it's not that he lacks the skill or craft or shot making to make those adjustments. He just hasn't done it yet. And I think he's forcing it.I think because he got out to a slow start, he's kind of trying to shoot himself into a rhythm. And he's not letting the game come to him. To me, this feels a lot more like, none of this to me is a skill issue or a physical issue. To me, this is like mental. This is about him kind of re-centering himself and getting back to equilibrium, playing with a level of serenity, I guess, if you want to call it.But he's definitely rushing. I think he's forcing stuff. I think he's feeling a little bit of pressure because he kind of knows that a lot is expected of him right now. And, you know, look, the garden crowd is definitely amped up. And I think that emotion can affect players, for sure. So there's a combination of stuff, and obviously what Philly ORG is doing defensively.They deserve credit as well. Like, we're not playing against, you know, fucking traffic cones out there. This is not the Atlanta Hawks ORG or something. So, am I concerned? No, I'm not concerned. Like, again, he's, to me, nothing that is happening right now is, to me, this is not a thing where I'm like,I have no idea how he can combat this. I have ideas about how he can combat this. I have ideas of how he can play better. He has the tools to do it. So does the team. The team obviously has the tools to help him. So does the team. The team obviously has the tools to help him.So he either will or he won't. Personally, I would keep betting on he will because every time people bet against him, he seems to prove them wrong. And just like this teamcontinues to do the same.

Speaker 31560.62s - 1577.84s

Yeah, I mean, I think that's pretty fair to say. I was thinking about this. One, it's worth noting. He didn't start off mean, I think that's pretty fair to say. I was thinking about this. One, it's worth noting. He didn't start off the, I think his game one against Cleveland GPE wasn't good. Game two LAW was awful, right? Yeah.And then he started off the Miami series with a really bad game one as well.

Speaker 41578.18s - 1581.82s

Yeah, he shot well in game one against Miami GPE, but his decision making was atrocious.

Speaker 31582.1s - 1762.28s

And he took, he claimed that himself. He owned that. And I think for the better part And he took, he claimed that himself. He owned that. And I think for the better part of game two, he struggled too. And then, you know, he came alive in the fourth. And obviously when he went back to Miami, he was, you know, Inferno PERSON. So we've seen him struggle with this before.We've seen him have bad games in regular season and he bounces back. And I think, you know, I was thinking back to the last time we were in a playoff series where a team really struggled to, or sorry, a team really flustered the Knicks star player was that Atlanta ORG series, right? And, and I think it felt pretty, I'm not trying to knock Randall PERSON or anything, but it felt pretty early on like this was just, there were just some, to your point, unsolvable problems there,given Julius PERSON's game and his strengths and weaknesses. And this doesn't feel like that. It does feel like Brunson PERSON's missing a lot of shots. He normally hits. You know, he hasn't really turned the ball over much. I think that's a good sign.And it has created opportunities for other players. And I think they just, to your point, they need to tap into that a little bit more. You know, and it's different guys been stepping up. I think that's another good sign. You know, in game one, McBride PERSON was the hero. Yesterday didn't have it really going.They had a couple of nice takes late. And it was good to see him adapt when his shot wasn't falling. And they were guarding him a little bit more tightly. But, you know, and Hartnstein PERSON had a great game. Mitch PERSON was very quiet. But so you have other guys that can step up.And I think that's a big difference from last year and from the previous year as well. And then when you add Brunson PERSON to that, you know, it's a pretty scary team. And the defense, I think, has been really good. Mbid is obviously limited, but outside of Embed and Maxi PRODUCT, they've kind of shut down what was thought to be a pretty good supporting cast.Ubrae PERSON's been very quiet. That was a guy a lot of people thought before this series could cause some problems. Harris PERSON has not had it going. As much as every time he hits a shot, it bothers me. Lowry's still only at eight points. So they had a pretty good game one.And Batumu PERSON's the X factor from the play in, you know, hasn't really done much damage as well. So they've done a good job besides Max PERSON. And by the way, I will say this. Maxie PERSON's been flat out amazing. The one thing, Leon Rose PERSON is incredible but if somehow he could have paired Maxian PERSON quicklythat would have been awesome in that draft but other than that they've shut off the water from the Sixers and they've outplayed them on the glass they've outplayed them in terms of role playersand that's what's winning. The Knicks ORG depth is winning out over the two guys on Philly ORG playing like All-Stars, even though ours isn't. So, you know, it's a, that's what, this is, this team is a little bit like a Hydra PERSON. You put off one head, it's Hydra right now, Medusa PERSON, Hydra. You cut off one head and others pop up.And that's, it's been very encouraging to see for the first two games.

Speaker 41763.08s - 1773.18s

Yeah, I mean, even Maxie, I think he hit, he hit his first three-threes, and then I believe he went two of nine or two of eight.

Speaker 31773.18s - 1775.1s

Yeah, he had 35 and 10 or 34 in 10.

Speaker 41775.26s - 1778.1s

So, like, he's been, I think he's been phenomenal the first two games.

Speaker 31778.48s - 1779.54s

Yeah, I'm not that impressed by him.

Speaker 41779.54s - 1780.3s

I'm going to be completely honest.

Speaker 31780.64s - 1784.18s

Like, I think he's been good, but I think all of it is Embed PERSON, all of it.

Speaker 41784.9s - 1787.26s

He's, I mean, that speed is not a beat. That is just...

Speaker 31787.26s - 1790.38s

It's all Embed PERSONin. He does not get to the rim unless Embed is on the floor.

Speaker 41791.26s - 1850.3s

It doesn't matter how fast he is. The Knicks ORG are absolutely sitting on that. They'll still... If Embed PERSON is off the floor, they're getting blitzed. It doesn't matter if Maxie PERSON's on or not. Like, I'm not that impressed by what he's done. I think he's good, but he's exactly what I think he is. He is a really, he is like East Coast, Jamal Murray PERSON. That guy is an awesome too.He's a great, too, phenomenal too. That's not like a knock on him. But it's Embedd PERSON. Like, Embedid PERSON is opening up the floor for him. He has to make those shots. He has to capitalize on those opportunities,but that's what he's doing. So he deserves a ton of credit for that. But, like, I'm not watching these. I haven't watched either of these games and come away being like, man, Maxi PRODUCT is just totally dominating this game. I've not thought that at all because I don't think he is controlling a game like that. This series is all about Embed and it's about Brunson. And for the Knicks ORG, the Knicks I've beenable to, yesterday, I think they kind of like held water in the Brunson PERSON non-minutes. And in game one, obviously, yeah, whatever.

Speaker 01851.3s - 1854.22s

And then in game one, they just like, you know,

Speaker 51854.26s - 1857.08s

blitzed. I mean, they destroyed Philly

Speaker 01857.08s - 1858.62s

in the non-brunton minutes for whatever reason.

Speaker 41860.14s - 1861.16s

I mean, that was a random.

Speaker 31861.38s - 1867.1s

There was Mitch PERSON, too. That was a lot of Mitch PERSON. There was a lot of Mitch PERSON. There was a lot of Mitch. It was just a very odd game.

Speaker 41868.44s - 1884.64s

But yeah, Maxx PERSON is really good. I'm not trying to take that away from him. But I just don't feel any differently about him after these last two games as I did coming in. I think. And like, I don't know, man. He had 10 assists yesterday.Do you remember any of these amazing dimes that he was throwing? No, I don't.

Speaker 31884.9s - 1905.12s

But he does throw a lot of attention. And I don't think there's really anyone who's been able to stay with him besides McRide. I mean, I agree with that. But I think that's only because he's on the floor with Mbid ORG. And he keeps running these pick and rolls, these double handouts of Mbid. And because, one, I think Mbid's a really good screen setter. He's really smart about how he does it.

Speaker 41907.72s - 2090.72s

And two, he actually has gravity as a shooter. So, you know, they're basically like, well, we're not going to let you get to the rim. He can throw these kind of like swing back passes to Embed PERSON in the pocket. And Embed PERSON's getting a lot of like, you know, easy shots that way. That's kind of like the primary way. I think he's been feasting these two games.That's good that he can do that. And honestly, I was watching that game yesterday, and I was like, man, I know I heart's really good, but it would be really nice to have a center who could just open up the floor like that for Brunson PERSON at times. But like, I don't know. I saw he had 10 assists at the end of the game yesterday.I was like, that's crazy because I don't remember fucking any of those. Like, I, I, like, he had two assists in the first game. And that made sense to me because I was like, yeah, that sounds about right. I don't remember you really passing diving up anybody. I don't know how the fuck he got 10 assists. I got to go, like, look at these later because I don't remember.Like, if they were, there must have been just like a bunch of swing passes to the top with with Embed PERSON or whatever it was I know there was one out of a time hour I think him and mb had like a control pitch for an mb three uh over Mitch PERSON but like yeah I mean I don't want to come across as like I'm not impressed by tyrus maxi PRODUCT but I'm I'm not I'm not my evaluation of him has not really changed after these last two games.I think he is exactly what I think he is. He's a really good scoring guard who has an awesome skill set to play off of a big like Mbid ORG. But I think he stillreally struggles when it's his show and he's calling it and nobody else on the floor with him to create advantages for him. That's where I think he's really, you know, struggling. And again, like, that's not saying, like, it's not some unnatural thing. We're seeing with Brunson PERSON right now.You know, if you ever wanted kind of something on show to demonstrate why, yeah, look, Julius PERSON, we know his playoff history and all that type of stuff. We know that his decision making can be hit or miss. Maybe we can't run all the motion stuff that we have ran this season when he's on the floor. But you can see that pretty obviously if he was on the floor, Brunson PERSON would have, he would not be facing the consistent focus that he is right now. And, um,like, to me, that's, that's kind of like where I was watching the game yesterday, these first two games in general where I'm like, so much this is Brunton PERSON, but so much this is also just the fact that he doesn't have anybody else who can create. So when he is going through a rough patch,he can't even get off the ball. He can't be like, oh, well, it's not my night. Let me give it to X. Like, what's he going to do? Give the ball to Josh Hart PERSON. I know Josh Hart PERSON's been awesome.The recipe for success is definitely not upping Josh Hart's usage more than it has been in the last two couple games. The recipe for success is not asking, you know, Isaiah Hartnstein to start posting and beat up and running offense that way. The recipe for success is not asking Dante you know, Isaiah Hartenstein PERSON to start posting and beat up and running offense that way. The recipe for success is not asking Dante DiVincenzoto run a bunch,

Speaker 52091.02s - 2093.42s

yeah, play point and run a bunch of pick and rolls or something.

Speaker 42094.08s - 2212.54s

Respeer for six, like all these things, you know, I'm gambling to this. I'm going to quote myself from the article I wrote last Friday, but like,you know, all right, Josh Hartman, Devenzo, Isaiah Harnstein, all have contributed to the Knicks ORG success, but all enjoy the luxury of playing within the contours of their natural games. Even if those boundaries have been pushed, they've been allowed to stay true to what they're best suited for because of Brunson PERSON. And that is kind of why I get the criticism of his play the first two games. I also just think it's way overboard. Like,at least I've seen people go way overboard with it. Like, oh, he's a choker. He's not a good playoff player. Whatever fuck it is. I've seen way too much of that. And like, look, man, he went, whatever was it,8 of 29 yesterday. I think he went 7 of 24 in the first game. He obviously not playing well, shooting well. And I get that. But if he doesn't take that usage, you're going to see an awful lot of, like, other guys,other of these dudes trying to create and having to play way beyond. Brunson PERSON probably is too. I mean, he's definitely exceeded that at this point. But like, that's what we need from him in this moment in time. He obviously needs to be better if we hope to make the type of run that we're hoping to make. So we'll see what he does.But like, I don't think you can just, I mean, and I don't think you can just I mean I don't know maybe people are I don't know if they are not saying this but like he you have to somewhat livewith the kind of ugly shooting games because I think it does allow for the other guys to play more naturally within what they canand are able to do and you know look at the end of the day I'd rather he fucking unload the clip and are able to do. And, you know, look, at the end of the day, I'd rather he fucking unload the clip and go 8 to 29 than do whatever the fuck it was Tyreys Halliburn PERSON was doing on Sunday.

Speaker 32213.24s - 2213.74s

Who is it?

Speaker 42213.86s - 2217.42s

Dion Waders PERSON is like, I'd rather go 0 for 38th than 0 for 9.

Speaker 32217.92s - 2218.54s

It's true, though.

Speaker 42218.9s - 2252.88s

I mean, to me, I mean, look, Dion Waders PERSON is his own thing. He's just not like a star. So that mindset for him is fucked. But your star needs to have that mindset. Like, yeah, obviously you need to also look to playmake for others.And I do think Brunson PERSON can do a bit more and more of that. But you've got to be willing to unload the clip and keep shooting and take those lumps. And like, you know, again, I'd much rather you went 8029 than 4 of 7. Like, you got to keep those shooting numbers up.

Speaker 32253.28s - 2253.44s

Yeah.

Speaker 42253.62s - 2271.88s

What is 4-7 is doing? I mean, you watch that Pacers game and all of a sudden because Alburn refused to shoot, you're having other guys have to do create and do things that they are not capable of doing. I don't know that. I can't say for sure, obviously, that Brunton PERSON is going to, you know, shoot the ball better or whatnot.

Speaker 32272.88s - 2276.82s

But these other guys are having success and playing off of what he's doing.

Speaker 42276.82s - 2285.16s

And more than that, like, you need to accept that, like,

Speaker 32287.86s - 2289.58s

you know, what he's doing

Speaker 42289.58s - 2315.38s

is, yeah, it's paramount to, like, what other guys are able to do. But it's also just the nature of, like, what we expect of him. And you need him to, like, make shots at a higher clip, obviously. He's a will, he won't.But I'm not going to get on him for taking the shots. Like not the volume of shots. I'll get on him for like, yeah, this shot could be better, didn't like this one.

Speaker 32315.44s - 2316.52s

Or you could have passed a little bit more.

Speaker 42316.62s - 2387.58s

Rush this one. Yeah, rush this one. He could have passed this one here. Like I get all that. But when I look at it in totality, like, yeah, man, he's going to have to take a lot of shots. And we're going to have to live and die with that to some extent.Just like any other team and any other coach lives and dies by their best player playing well. And, you know, I think criticizing, like putting the blind share of blame on Tibbs PERSON' usage of him or offensive concepts that we're running through two games or Josh Hart's existence on the floor. Like I think those are all misguided. Yes, those might be their factors potentially.But a lot of this is just about him making shots. And there's nothing anybody can do to help him. Like, even if you think, oh my God, Josh Harping PERSON on the floor is killing our spacing so much. It is nuking his numbers. There's no argument to be made that if Josh Hart's off the floor, I'm supposed to believe that he all of a sudden would have gone like 18 and 29 yesterday? Like that doesn't make sense either.

Speaker 02387.78s - 2389.06s

Like it's not,

Speaker 52389.14s - 2390.1s

it's not one factor.

Speaker 02390.16s - 2393.62s

It's multiple things. But he's got to control the things he can control,

Speaker 42393.82s - 2430.86s

which he's an incredible shot maker. We've seen this now over two full years. We've seen it in the playoffs last year. Like we know what he's capable of. He either will do it. He will make the adjustments how they're covering him,how much physicality is being allowed, or he won't. And then we'll just have to deal with that when that happens. But until this series is over until, you know, it doesn't happen, I'm going to believe that Jalen runs PERSON will figure it outbecause that's what he has done over the course of not just his time with the Knicks ORG but throughout his entire career as a basketball player yeah do or do not there is no

Speaker 32430.86s - 2574.38s

try um no i mean i think that's uh that's well put i will just to talk go back to the maxi thing um so you're definitely right they've been a lot worse um in limited minutes of course with maxi on and ambit off um so if i look at just the games they played in the regular, so when Embed PERSON was healthy, it was actually the opposite. They were together a plus 11.76. With Maxion and Embed off in those games, they had a plus 18 net rating, including a blistering 130.25 offensive rating. But if you do all the games,which includes the games, which Embed was hurt, and Maxi PRODUCT had to start more, the maxi minutes they had a point 38, that rating for the whole season, right? And a lot of that, probably if you look at just the games, Embedd PERSON was hurt, it was going to be a lot lower. So to your point when, I think a big difference from the regular season when both were healthy is they're facing a really good bench unit. The Knicks ORG have really good players. They're playing starters, right?So you have, there is always a elite rim protector in the game when the Knicks ORG are playing. Off the bench they have probably in this series, at least their best point of attack defender in Deuce McProw PERSON. Oh, yeah, actually, for this series, I might say that Deuce PERSON is a better matchup for O.G. For Faxi PERSON than O.G. But, yeah, I think that, obviously,with Embed PERSON, he's a lot more effective. But I think you've got to give the Knicks ORG bench some credit. And I think he's also... I will say, though, I do think he's not an ideal matchup for the Nick starters, who are very solid i think they're solid against bigger more physical players like liven chenzo PERSON is the onethat comes to mind they're very good team defenders but um but a super and ogy can guard most of those physical big guards as well but when it comes to a super quick guy like maxi PERSON i do think that's that's a particularly bad matchup for the starters um and uh so i think that from that standpoint in game one for me i would have probably like to see even more a little bit of deuce um but but hard is just doing meaning he's just doing incredible things and if you're going to talk about what he compromises on spacing you have to i think that wasthat's something you know looking back at the Miami GPE series, the one thing we, we don't probably give Miami GPE enough credit for is how well, especially guys like Love held up on the defensive glass.

Speaker 42575.5s - 2578.38s

Well, I mean, again, I think Philly did a pretty decent job yesterday, actually,

Speaker 32578.38s - 2669.92s

in the defensive glass. Yeah, I mean, they didn't give one, they got pulverized, right? But I'm saying, like, we talk about the heart minutes from last year and why they were so frustrating. One, he was paired with RJ PERSON who's also not a great shooter. This year, they usually, I don't think they've had, they've never had, they don't have anyone besides Hart PERSON that isn't a shooter that gets minutes and the centers, right?Yeah. Yeah. So that becomes a lot less problematic. And, you know, you don't need, I think, yeah, the idea that you need four shooters, would it help if Hart was a slightly better playmaker and you could utilize Brunson PERSON off ball more? Sure. But the other thing is, like, last year, with that, with Hart PERSON being in,what the Knicks would hope and what worked really well against Cleveland GPE is being able to compensate for some of the spacing issues by attacking offensive blast. They couldn't do that against Miami last year. I thought Mitch and Hartnstein would overwhelm Kevin Love PERSON. That just didn't happen. And credit him.He's been a great defensive rebounder's old career. And that is something that, you know, while it wasn't as big a gap yesterday, I think it was like 12 offensive rebounds to 10. The Knicks ORG had some timely boards. The Knicks ORG were able to compensate for some of the spacing issues,and Hart PERSON is right in the middle of that. Had, you know, a huge rebound yesterday late. And fights and takes advantage of, and frankly, that is tied into Brunson PERSON as well, because they are sending so much attention at Brunson PERSON. You leave Hart PERSON up open at thethree point line well he's got a free runway and he takes advantage of that

Speaker 42669.92s - 2671.62s

Yeah the problem is the problem is

Speaker 32671.62s - 2674.1s

the Mb is just standing at the rim so they're not really like

Speaker 42674.1s - 2677.7s

Yeah but if he's if he's helping out on a Brunson PERSON floater

Speaker 32677.7s - 2680.26s

Right? Yeah but he's gonna he's in the he's in the lane

Speaker 42681.18s - 2683.98s

You're still drawing I mean it's that's the whole cobi PERSON assist thing too right

Speaker 32683.98s - 2718.12s

You're drawing he's not he has to contest and then go backassist thing too, right? You're drawing, he's not, he has to contest and then go back. That's what I think is so impressive about Hartnstein PERSON and Mitchis that they can do both. It's tough to be a good, a great defensive rebounder and a great contest, especially a bead kind of hobbled a little bit, right?So, my point is, I think that you have to, you have to acknowledge what Hart PERSON is capitalizing on, even if the spacing isn't there. And the fact that it's, I think somebody else of this, it's not as big a concern when besides the center, the other guy, three guys are great shooters.So it's not like leaving one guy open. You can't really leave two like they were last year with RJ PERSON.

Speaker 42719.5s - 2802.06s

Yeah, I mean, it's definitely not as much of an issue. But, I mean, it functions similarly. Like, it's, you have three guys in the paint. So it's what it is. But again, like, I don't, Fronten PERSON has to play better.I don't really think there's any two ways about it. And, you know, if people want to be concerned, whatever, hot, that's fine. I don't really care. Next up 2.0 and he's played like shit. I will bet money that I would, I would bet the odds are heavily in favor of him not just continuing to shoot like shit this entire series. It just, nature of the beast, you're going to probably, even if you're, you know, some generational choke artist, you're probably going to have a good shooting game at some point over a six or seven game sample. Hopefully it's just a four game sample.We'll see how that goes. We haven't even talked about this in the end of game sequence. But, you know, what did you take from the whole, look, there was a lot of complaining and whining at a Philly after the game yesterday. You know, oh, Tyrese Maxie was held, like Nick Nurse PERSON tried to call a timeout. What did you make of all that? Do you think they had a point? Because I personally, I didn't really see it that way, but who cares to get your thoughts?Passion, drive, and patience.

Speaker 12802.26s - 2852.24s

The formula for winning championships is also what keeps your ride or die alive. eBay Motors ORG has everything you need to maintain your vehicle and level it up to peak performance. Superchargers, roof racks, exhaust kits, LED headlights, and more. Whether you're into speed, power, or style, eBay Motors ORG has you covered. With over 122 million parts for your number one ride or die, you're always find exactly what you're looking for. And with eBay ORG guaranteed fit, your part is guaranteedto fit your ride every time or your money back. Because with eBay Motors ORG, you're burning rubber, not cash. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it's easy to make your car the MVP and bring home huge wins. Keep your ride or die alive at eBaymotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. See eBaymotors.com.

Speaker 32854.18s - 2979.58s

I don't think there is anything outside of the norm of how these games have been officiated, right? They pulled Maxie PERSON's jersey. That's happening all game, a jersey pull here and there. Maxi PRODUCT also pushed off to get open which I if they called an offensive foul on Maxi when he pushed hard clearlythat would have been equally egregious right I think you said this before we cannot bitch about Brunson because I think the officiating has been fairly consistenthasn't been consistently good I don't know but it's been consistent on both ends have Embed and Lowry gotten away with Syvantics? Yes. Have the Knicks ORG gotten away with mechanics? Absolutely. As far as the timeout thing, it's really hard to put that on the ref. It's a pretty bang, bang play. The ball was flying around. Maybe there's a split secondwhere Maxie PERSON has the ball in their calling timeout. I think that to complain about that is I mean, it seems like a team that is very frustrating. It's an unfortunate way to lose the name. Look, I'm not going to, if that was a Knicks ORG, I would be very disheartened. It's an unfortunate way that they deserve to win that game.You even said it earlier. And they probably feel like they could be up to O. You know, that wouldn't be a crazy thing. They played really well for large stretches. They went up 9-0 yesterday. They built a big lead in game one.And so I get it. I would be very frustrated. That's what it seems like. And I get fans who want to talk about that. What I would be worried about if I was a fan is if they are actually filing a complaint for games one and two, if Mori is doing that, if Nurse PERSON has now twice made it a point to talk about theofficiating, that is, that does not, we saw the same thing with Bickerstaff last year. I don't think that bodes well for a team's mindset. You know, it is, this is the playoffs, this is the nature of the beast. And frankly, for such a veteran coach who's impressed me in many ways and what he's done in this series, a guy who's won a title before, it's kind of disappointing to see from Nurse PERSON, even as an opposing fan, it's disappointing to see it from Mori.You know, I mean, it's not like.

Speaker 42979.84s - 2982.6s

Why disappointed seeing it from Mori? This is what he does. He never takes account.

Speaker 32982.6s - 2984.44s

He built the PowerPoint with Hardin PERSON.

Speaker 42986.16s - 2987.86s

Frankly, he never takes account. This is his entire, this is what he does he never he built the powerpoint with with hardin uh frankly he never he never takes account this is his entire

Speaker 32987.86s - 2990.14s

this is why all of his teams have loser

Speaker 42990.14s - 2998.92s

fucking energy is why they've never won shit and this is why they never will win shit because they have no accountability to themselves it's never them it's never

Speaker 32998.92s - 3001.04s

it's never his fault it's never no it's never

Speaker 03001.04s - 3002.62s

oh yeah we fucked up no

Speaker 43002.62s - 3010.5s

oh we're gonna audit we're to audit the fucking refs. Thanks, H&R Block ORG. Audit the Fed ORG.

Speaker 53011.28s - 3012.36s

He's a joke.

Speaker 43012.44s - 3012.8s

I'm sorry.

Speaker 53012.92s - 3014.62s

Like, I think this entire thing is ridiculous.

Speaker 33014.62s - 3018.94s

And yeah, what Nickner PERSON said is, I think it's crazy.

Speaker 43019.24s - 3097.5s

You watch the replay. He clearly does not call a timeout the initial for, he's thinking about it, but then he doesn't because Maxi PRODUCT gets the ball. He's like, all right all right we're good then he tries to call it when max he's already on the fucking ground like you know fighting for his life for the possession of the ball they're not going to give you a timeout then and it's ridiculous to be mad well the ref didn't give me you know when i first pump fake the time out the ref didn't give me that so then when iit's like the boy you cried wolf. Yeah, bro, I saw you. You didn't want to call the time out. Now you want me to give you the time out. And there's a loose ball there. So I'm probably looking at the loose ball and not staring at you down the line. Like, I'm sorry.That, like, there's no accountability. It's never, it's never been the six or so long. And this is why everybody in the fucking organization gets a pass for everything. Oh, no, no. Dary PERSON, he, he's not a, he's, he's, he's just unlucky. His teams are just unlucky.What you, the fucking unluckiest guy in the world? You can't, like, oh my God, I built these perfect teams, but we can never win shit. You know, like, there's never any accountability there. What, like, what is the guy done? He, he went to Philly, what, three years ago? And what?He achieved as much as Elton Brand as the GM. Did he draft Maxie PERSON? Congrats. You drafted Maxie PERSON. You also traded away the rest of your fucking assets for James Hardin PERSON. And then, oh, but at least they got Nick Batum PERSON.Wow. Amazing.

Speaker 33097.5s - 3099.86s

He wanted to jerk off Daryl Morey for that.

Speaker 43100.06s - 3101.62s

He had a good relationship with Hardin PERSON.

Speaker 33102.02s - 3102.84s

Keyword PERSON had, right?

Speaker 43103.4s - 3200.66s

Yeah, he had a great relationship with Hardin PERSON. And then he fucked right? Yeah, he had a great relationship with Hardin. And then he fucked it, which, I don't know, last time I checked, that seems like a pretty bad job by a GM ORG in a people-person relationship, in a people-person industry. Again, there's just never any accountability with this guy. When he was at the Rocket, they never lost games.No, no. We were historically disadvantaged by the refs. The refs, they're not giving us calls. James Hardin PERSON, like, he's just, what can you do? What more can he do? There's never, there's never, oh, yeah, no, that was me. Or, hey, you know, we've got to be better. There's never any of that from this fucking guy. And it seeps down to the rest of his organizations. JamesHarden, has that guy ever held himself accountable from fucking jack shit? No. None. Never happened. In fact, when Chris Paul PERSON came in and was like apparently trying to like hold him accountable just basically calm out on stuff and same with Russell Westbrook PERSON, that became a problem.So like his inability, his kind of like coddling of talent and players under him and the excuse making that he enables is such a shitty example of leadership. It's why he's never won shit. So I hope he never wins shit.And it's why this Sixers ORG team is probably not going to win shit again. And they're probably going to go out in round one. So, you know, I think Joel Embed's PERSON, look, I'll say this, I have a lot more respect for Joel Embed PERSON as a player now after having watched these first two games in the series, just because I think when you're playing against an opponent, you have a clear eye on things, especially in a playoff series, right?You see them over and over again.

Speaker 33201.74s - 3203.8s

Well, he also, he called out Nurse PERSON a little bit, right?

Speaker 43203.88s - 3237.6s

He said, yeah, he was going to nurse to stop bishing about the fouls. And I think he said, I mean, he called out nurse a little bit, right? He said, I was going to go to Nurt PERSON of that effect earlier in the fouls. And I think he said, I mean, he would have had effect earlier in league season. Well, yeah, it's ironic that he would say that because he was bitching about fouls the entire time yesterday. So, like, I do, I will say, like, genuinely have a lot more respect watching him over the last couple games. I, look, the foul baitating stuff with him is pretty annoying. He's incredible shotmaker, though.And it's very obvious he's playing through. I mean, he does not look good. Like, he is, I don't know, his post game yesterday.

Speaker 03237.68s - 3240.12s

He was like, he's like holding his head and he, I don't know,

Speaker 53240.14s - 3243s

he doesn't want to look into the light or something because his eyes fucked up.

Speaker 43244.3s - 3245.52s

I don't know what the hell he's going through,

Speaker 53245.66s - 3248.2s

but salute to him

Speaker 43248.2s - 3249.68s

for playing through whatever the hell it is.

Speaker 53250.7s - 3251.96s

But yeah, Daryl Moore PERSON is a joke, man.

Speaker 43252.28s - 3271.64s

I can't believe they're filing. And, you know, it's like they're filing a grievance, but it's not like a, they're not contesting the game, so they're just like, they're just letting the league know, like,hey, bro, you've disadvantaged us more than other teams. And it's like, I're just letting the league know, like, hey, bro, you've disadvantaged us more than other teams. And it's like, I don't really know what he's expecting to come over this. Honestly, like,

Speaker 33273.64s - 3277s

sometimes he goes about in pity for himself and all the great while, a great win carries him across the sky.

Speaker 43277.44s - 3462.5s

Yeah. And I don't really know what he's trying to achieve with this. Like he, after our experience, contesting a game and some of the suspect officiating we got after that, I kind of think this is a mistake. I don't know.Maybe I'll be wrong. Maybe he's wise to do it. And because there will be a spotlight on this now, the officials will be motivated to give them a better whistle. But the Knicks ORG can't worry about that. The Knicks can't take the losers way out, the cowards way out like the Sixers ORG are, where, no, we didn't lose, actually.It was the refs. Yeah, no, you lost. You lost because you couldn't defensive rebound. And then Tyrus Maxie PERSON couldn't hold on the ball. And then Nick Nurse PERSON fucking had a mental brain fart. Couldn't call a timeout.Then he couldn't draw up a good fucking in-bounds play. Twice, I guess, you could call it. Yeah, I don't know. I don't watch that end of the game sequence and think, wow, horrible fishing. I watched the end of game sequence think, wow, what an incredible play by Isaiah Harnstein, who nobody fucking boxed out.Who nobody boxed out. The Knicks had one of the best offensive rebounders on the floor in a must-have-it situation. And not a single fucking soul on that team thought, let me put a body on it. Let me box this guy out. No, they stood around and watched this guy fly through the fucking lane like Free Willy, grab the rebound, and toss it to Anirobi PERSON. And then, you know, they're all just standing in the paint by the time Ananoi PERSON swings it toSteven Chenzo finally Batum, you know, he gets his fucking 39-year-old body turned and at least tries to go contest. But they just stood around watching for like five, ten seconds, like the most important sequence of the game, just standing there watching. I'm sorry. Like, I have no pity for them.I have absolutely none. The officiant yesterday was fine. The Knicks actually only shot one more free throw yesterday because OG got intentionally filed at the end of the game. Before that, the Sixers had taken 22 free throws to the Knicks 21. In game one, the Knicks took 28 free throws to the Sixers 22.If your takeaway from these two games as the fucking Sixers ORG is that we are being disadvantaged and completely destroyed by the refs, you're a fucking idiot. You're so fucking stupid that you probably should justnot donate your brain to science, because nobody needs to study the level of stupid you are. It is unbelievable to watch these two games and come away thinking, thinking, oh my God, the Sixers ORG are getting hosed.But when you don't want to take accountability for anything you do, and when you don't want to give, you don't want to, you know, when you want to coddle the talent under you and coddle your best players and your coaches and whatever, that's fine. That's what happens. So, you know, they can go fucking feel sorry for themselves for the next three days and cry and bitch and moan about the refs and, oh, my God, how could this happen to us?Well, I don't know, man. You guys have a fucking real knack for losing the first good team you play every fucking year in the playoffs. So I don't know why this is that surprising. You think they'd be used to it by now.

Speaker 33463.12s - 3464.96s

Well, we were the easier team. So, yeah.

Speaker 43467.08s - 3471.46s

Well, hey, you get what you deserve.

Speaker 33474.26s - 3474.52s

When you have friends like Bridget von Hammersmock PERSON,

Speaker 43475.52s - 3477.3s

get what you pay.

Speaker 33480.9s - 3664.28s

Yeah, I think, to your point, and I mean, you alluded to this, that's what I was saying. I would be disappointed about as a Sixers ORG fan because that is not the mindset you want to put in this team. I think, so I was going to ask you about this, and I'm curious to you if you want to elaborate on it as well, but I have also developed more respect for Embed PERSON after the series.To play, like, whatever you want to say about him, you can't question this toughness, right? The guy flopped, yes. But I think I was saying this before the series. I think the guy has caught some unfair flack in the past you know when you're co-star is a guy like ben simmonsit's tough to put all of the failures on him um but it'll be a test of his leadership ability if philadelphia can come back because and that is something where you know the reviews maybe are not as great but i think he's generally had a pretty solid attitude for his career. You know, the guy has been committed to winning. I think he has that championship mindset, but he's going to have to raise his teammates up.You know, Lowry PERSON's going to have to be a voice in that locker room, too, because right now, you know, if this is your focus, if you're focused on the call you're not getting, that's not great. That's not how you come back. And even,and you can totally say, well, Tibbs was just complaining about Brunson PERSON not getting calls, right? I think there's a difference between spirited kind of advocacy. Or, as you mentioned,kind of a specific call that they contested the game. You know, there was that whole, he's getting foul, he's getting fouled. One, I think it kind of worked. So it did start getting more calls the game. You know, there was that whole, he's getting foul, he's getting fouled. One, I think it kind of worked.So it did start getting more calls after that. But two, I don't think you ever got a sense that it infected the team with an excuse making, right? I don't think even after that Houston game, Brunson PERSON was like, it was a great call. Next question, right? Maybe in their minds, they feel like they're getting a raw whistle, but it's never seemed to infect them with kind of,they always say we need to play better. We need to control what we can control. And this kind of, these kind of antics from the front office, and nurse does not, does not speak to that kind of mentality.Now, Nick Nurse PERSON has won a championship. So I have no doubt that he will get his guys prepared. But, but I think it's going to be a test. If you see Embed PERSON really pick his team up, you know, that's, that will be another encouraging thing for a guy. Really, this is the only question mark he's at in his career. Can you do it? Can you go all the way? And they're facing the kind of adversity, which I think he needs. Let me ask you this, kind of on a related note to Embed, we've obviously talked about that Nick PERSON's potentially having interest in him.Has your kind of attitude, I think your attitude, I think it has changed just because of how great Brunson PERSON has been, that you kind of have to make a big move. But specifically with Embed PERSON, has your attitude towards him as kind of an MVP level player, despite maybe not the most playoff success, has that changed a little bit over this series or recently given what he's playing through, given how he's played in a pretty against, I think, two really good centers too.I'm curious to your thoughts there. No, he's always hurt.

Speaker 43666.96s - 3679.36s

Like, he's literally, there's always something going on with this guy I don't trust him at all I I have zero interest I have absolutely no interest in training for Joel PERSON and Bid nope not menot me I've seen this story before

Speaker 33679.36s - 3682.62s

like you'd rather trade for like Donovan Mitchell PERSON or

Speaker 43682.62s - 3684.48s

I would just I would rather do nothing

Speaker 33684.48s - 3686.16s

I'd rather do nothing than trade for Joel and Bid PERSON.

Speaker 43686.26s - 3686.98s

I'm being dead ass.

Speaker 33687.16s - 3690.3s

Like, I'd be completely honest. I'd rather do nothing than trade for Jolambed PERSON.

Speaker 43691.1s - 3779.52s

He is, there's always something going on with him. Always, always, always, always. He can never just be healthy for a playoff series. He has not been healthy for a fucking play. The final playoff series of, you know, the season since the fucking bubble. Literally, since the bubble.He's the next year, torn meniscus. He plays through that against Atlanta ORG. The year after that, he breaks his fucking face and had a torn ligament or thumb or a little ligament in his finger or a thumb against the heat. Then last year, right, he has some type of knee. He has a severe knee sprain.This year, fucking meniscus. And then it looks like his eyes, like he can't blink or something. I don't know what the hell is going on with that. He's not looking at the light during postgame interviews, which, I mean, I don't know. Again, I don't know what he's going through. But, like, no, I, I'm sorry.Like, this is, and he's, look, he's what, seven, they list him at 7-2-280. The guy's like 7, fucking 300 pounds or something. He's a monster. These guys are not the ones that you want to bet on, dude, like going into their 30s. Already has an insane, you know, his injury catalog is significant. And he is, you know, he's now turned 30.He's entering his 30s. Like, I'm just not really interested in betting on that.

Speaker 33779.9s - 3793.04s

Durability, I think. But durability is your main concern. Outside of that as a player or, you know, because I think you also raise the concerns, about his playoff success about kind of his mentality and all of that, right? Have some of those concerns been alleviated?

Speaker 43796.02s - 3916.48s

I would say, not really. Like, at the end of the day, he has been bad in the second half of both games. Like, and I mean, me and Tyrese kind of argued about thison the post game, yes, last night, but like, it's like the Brunson PERSON thing. Do I think that Brunson PERSON played bad, right? Yes. But I still think on aggregate,especially in yesterday's game, you needed him on the floor because you just needed what he gives you and what that opens up for other players and how that makes life easier for other players. M. B. did not have a good second half,but even with that, you have to have him on the floor and he provides a positive impact because of all the things he impacts, right? The guy just stands at the rim and you basically, teams are like, yep, we're not going down there. Like, he's not even moving. He's just standing at the rim.You know, his screen setting is dribble handoff stuff. He just draws so much attention and he creates so much space for their guards and wings and whatever to get downhill. Like, just by being on the floor, he makes them better. But I still don't believe in his, like, production consistently in big moments. And then you watch, like, the defensive rebounding stuff. I don't know, man.Like, he just doesn't move. Like, he, he, he, that rebound yesterday that Hardinstein PERSON got, Mbid ORG is just standing there. He's not, he goes to box out Josh Hart PERSON who somebody already had boxed out he's just very weirdand he's never been a good defensive rebounder which worries me like his teams are not I don't think he's at an above top I don't think he's at top 10 defensive rebound percentagefor his team season like I don't think his team's ever finished top of a defense rebound percentage I don't know why the, I don't think his team's ever finished off on a defensive rebound percentage. I don't know why the hell I said it in the dumbest way possible. But, yeah, I'm just not really not interested in the Mb, the Joel Mbid experience, truly,

Speaker 33916.92s - 3982.22s

truly am not interested in going through with that. Yeah, no, I think that's fair. I think the durability, I think, rules out. I think a lot of, I mean, that's the major thing, right? Part of the appeal of trading for guy like Mitchell is he's, what, 26, 27 still? We're the kind of guys, the Knicks ORG have targeted.So, you know, it's unfortunate because I do think the guy is, you know, when he came out of college, he wasn't maybe talked about as the way Wembe PERSON's being talked about. But he was, I mean, he's getting chemoajuan comps, right? And, and when he's been on, he's really, you know, I think Yokic was the more deserving MVP player last year. But that's not to say that MB also wasn't very deserving in his own right. So, you know, it's kind of, it's sad to see because when the guy is on, you know, a three-level score moves like a guard to your point, size like, like Shaquille O'Neal PERSON.You know, he's a tantalizing talent, but, you know, it's always been kind of a what-if with the durability.

Speaker 03982.34s - 3985.62s

Some of it are just freak injuries, too, like breaking its face and stuff.

Speaker 33986.62s - 4044.52s

But it is what it is. So, yeah. So getting back to kind of the ref stuff, you know, kind of the complaints. On that note, I think some, a lot of fans noted after game one, a lot of Sixers ORG fans that,oh, the Nick shot well over 40% from three. You know, Hart PERSON hit some shots that you don't normally expect them to hit. You know, and on the Nick PERSON side, we obviously don't expect, didn't expect Brunson PERSON to continue to shoot us poorly.You know, what are you kind of looking for in game three besides, obviously, we've talked about a million times Brunson PERSON shooting better, but anything you expect to change that maybe has happened the first two games, anything you expect to see differently that you haven't, you know, what are you kind of looking for and looking at the next, as we go back to Philly ORG?

Speaker 44045.4s - 4051.16s

Well, I mean, the funny thing is, like, I don't think the Sixers ORG will change anything.

Speaker 34051.66s - 4053.42s

Like, their defensive game plan is working.

Speaker 44054.62s - 4067.86s

They clearly are just going to keep playing the percentages with Hart PERSON, which I think is actually the right move. I'm not. If he hits another four threes on Thursday, then maybe, all right,

Speaker 54067.92s - 4072.04s

then maybe you got to, you got to really reconsider it.

Speaker 44072.04s - 4093.66s

But, like, I think they're doing the right thing by playing the percentages. He went, well, four or five to start the game in the first half, and then he went 0 for three and second half. Like, that kind of speaks to play the math out, right? So I don't think there's really anything for them to adjust. It's on the Knicks ORG to force them to make some adjustment,like to adapt to what they're doing to then force their hand.

Speaker 04093.66s - 4099.12s

Because that, like there's, again, like if you're the Sixers ORG,

Speaker 44099.24s - 4246.86s

why would I change anything about what I've been doing on defense? That's not what we're losing the game. So I think if you're the Knicks ORG, though, the biggest adjustments to there would be two things. Offensively, I don't really want to touch on it much more, but like I think one,Josh Hart does not even play 48 minutes. Like I'm very happy he can. I thought you could see by the end of the game yesterday, like the back half of the fourth quarter, he really was gassed. That three-pointer he took with like a minute and a half left was super flat, never had anychance of going in. I was happy he shot it, though, because he was wide open. So for him to just take that child of confidence, I'm happy he did that. But it was just super flat. And I think, like, look, I think he can just get him like a couple of minutes rest in each half.Between Dante, OG, Boyon PERSON, and Deuce PERSON, like, you have enough that he can get a couple minutes rest each half. And yes, in that time, would I like to see Brunson PERSON in a lineup with just likethree other shooters next to him plus a center? Yeah, I would like to see that. I would like to see that. That would be one adjustment in terms of just lineups. And then, you know, obviously we talked about the off ball stuff. I don't really want to belabor the point much more than that. It's a very specific thing I would like to do. I would love to have Josh Hart come up as the primary ball screener and then use I heart as an off ball screener for a shooter. I would like to see how they would defend that if MB is just going to still stick at the rim because theoretically then the Knicks ORG should be able to get a quality perimeter look. They'd have a numbers advantage out there.So we'll see. That would be just two specific things I'd like. The offball stuff we talked about. And then defensively, you mentioned Deuce PERSON. I do think this is a Deuce PERSON series. I think this is a really good series for dues. And I think in particular it's a good series for Deucebecause if he's on the floor with O.G. When Maxie is on, he can amplify what O.G. is able to do because he can defend Maxi at the point of attack, and O.G. can then play as a roamer off of Tobias Harris PERSON, off of Kelly Ubre, off of whoever. But like, those are the thing, those three things, the two offensive in this one with OG, like, or sorry, with Deuce PERSON.Those would be my two biggest adjustments. And honestly, even in general, I think you have to put, I think it's time to put Devin Chenzo on, on Maxi PRODUCT, at least try that and have OG start off the ball. Because I do think that you're not getting the most out of OG using him in the way that we have as a primary defender on Maxi PRODUCT.

Speaker 04246.96s - 4250.6s

That's not what he is great at to me, chasing these type of guards.

Speaker 44250.8s - 4254.84s

So those would just be the adjustments I would like to see.

Speaker 04255.66s - 4260.86s

But, you know, if you're going to be fair to the point that, like, you know, you've made,

Speaker 44261.06s - 4265.54s

the Knicks have held Philly to 104 and 101 points. You know, you've made, the Knicks have held Philly to 104 and 101 points.

Speaker 54279.2s - 4284.06s

So, you know, assuming that, like, what it's, I could assume that my adjustments will be better, but I'm sure that there's some logic to, like, what Tibbs PERSON is doing with OG.

Speaker 44285.12s - 4289.32s

Personally, I just, it just feels like his impact is being a bit muted,

Speaker 54290s - 4290.36s

um,

Speaker 44290.36s - 4296.1s

despite how well kind of, you know, like,

Speaker 34296.74s - 4298.12s

how impactful have you seen him be?

Speaker 44298.36s - 4298.76s

Yeah.

Speaker 34299.2s - 4299.44s

Like,

Speaker 44299.48s - 4299.78s

I mean,

Speaker 34299.78s - 4300.02s

look,

Speaker 44300.22s - 4369.4s

and I, it's worth saying, yesterday the, Philly had 110.2, uh, offensive rating in game one.They had a 119.1 offensive rating. So the defense did improve from the first game to yesterday's game. But I do think there's scope for more. And Tibbs PERSON did say in his post game, he's like, yeah, the defense can be better. So I don't know if that was just, you know, a lot of that stuff can just be coach speak. But I do agree with him that, like, as well as I thought the defense held be better. So I don't know if that was just, you know, a lot of that stuff can just be coach speak, but I do agree with him that, like,as well as I thought the defense held up yesterday, I do think there's more scope for that to improve. Like, they're, like you said, OG PERSON, we've seen him be more impactful. I think part of, I don't want to say lack of impact because that implies it's just been a bum, but like, you know, not to the degree we've seen.The reason for that is impact being muted a bit is definitely, in my opinion, down to like him not getting the opportunity to kind of roam and create chaos and have to be more disciplined on ball defender on maxi, which I think is just a tough matchup for him.

Speaker 34371.44s - 4413.08s

Yeah, kind of on that note, I think going into the playoffs, and especially after last year, as great as Tibbs has been this year coaching, I think that's always been something of a question, right, in the playoffs. We saw him now coach Bickerstaff PERSON. We saw him probably not give the Knicks as great a chances they could have had against Spolstra PERSON. It's only two games.You kind of touched on this, but, you know, so far do you think he's matched up? Do you think he's been out-coached by Nurse PERSON? Do you think he's coach better? You know, overall, what are your thoughts on Tibbs PERSON? Does anything change or, you know, is it kind of still what are your thoughts on Tibs PERSON? Does anything changed? Or,you know, is it kind of still TBD in terms of how you view them as a playoff coach? Um,

Speaker 44413.08s - 4439.36s

um, sorry, so I, I mean, it's just, it's two games.It's too, it's too soon to tell. I was very encouraged by what I saw in game one. Uh, I'm not going to say I was less encouraged by yesterday, but I mean, it's just, it's two games. It's too soon to tell. I was very encouraged by what I saw in game one. I'm not going to say I was less encouraged by yesterday, but I did, yesterday did seem a bit more stubborn.But it was a weird game. So I, I haven't rewatched it in full yet. I need to do that.

Speaker 34440.02s - 4442.16s

You got to do it three times to make any kind of meaningful stuff.

Speaker 44442.64s - 4443.28s

Yes, that's true.

Speaker 34447.44s - 4448.44s

Yeah, I don't...

Speaker 44450.48s - 4456.04s

It's too soon for me to make any significant assessment of that,

Speaker 34456.04s - 4458.34s

but I did like what I saw in game one.

Speaker 44459.26s - 4461.64s

I liked a bit of what I saw yesterday.

Speaker 34462.1s - 4465.84s

I kind of thought he pulled the plug in the fourth quarter

Speaker 44465.84s - 4535.88s

on that deuce lineup at point a little too early. It felt like they had some momentum going. But it's also nitpicking in my opinion. It's nitpicking to be like, oh my God, like he brought inJalen Brunson PERSON. You know what I mean? Like, well, it's not like that's a crazy decision or something. So I would say I'm happy so far with what I've seen, but I don't feel like I have enough to say one way or the other. I'm definitely encouraged. I mean, he did a couple things yesterday that I was surprised by,I mean, throughout the series, one, he's just gone to this A-Man ORG rotation, right? There's no precious anymore. And then two I thought boion was done for the game yesterday like because he didn't come in to start the fourth quarter and he didn't play well in the first half so I was like all right he's just you know he just pulled the plug on that today that's fine you know okay I mean if you're going to say adapt to the game like it's not a crazything to adapt to correct um to be like all right he just doesn't have it today whatever but to go back to him give him that kind of like show him a little bit of trust i thought that was huge and boy unrewarded him right he gets two

Speaker 34535.88s - 4553.54s

huge threes um yeah um yeah yeah i think it's i mean he, he's evolved all year long, and I think that's one reason to be encouraged going forward, where after last year, you know, might have been a little discouraged.

Speaker 44553.74s - 4558.16s

You all might have been a little bit discouraged by what he gives you as a coach, but I think he's adapted well.

Speaker 34559.36s - 4649.66s

I don't know that Hart needs to play 48 minutes, but I mean, I'm not, just just because it's 48 minutes, not that Hart PERSON wasn't pretty awesome. And I think, you know, and you have to say, I think the energy, the intangibles are pretty important as well. He's clearly a leader on the team,a well-liked guy. And I, and it's clearly pretty mentally tough guy because he, I, I think you were saying this yesterday, right? He wasn't very good for really until the fourth quarter of game two, or sorry, game one. And then since then he's been really good.And he's been shooting the ball with confidence. I think that's the biggest change I've seen from heart where, you know, if you're going to miss, you're going to miss, right? But if you're, you know, the pump fake and then just two dribbles and kill, you know, whatever advantage we had, that can't happen. And, you know, and if you're going to drive on those, you've got to be decisive. And I think you've seen a much better version of that from him.I thought he had some great takes to. He's done a good job attacking the rim, which we need even with Embedde PERSON there. But, but yeah, I mean, I think it's, I thought, frankly, I thought, you know, we can talk about Brunson maybe getting screwed out of first team all NBA ORG. I think the fact that Tibbs wasn't even one of the top three was a joke, actually. I mean, Daniel PERSON deserves it.Missoula obviously had a historically good regular season team, but with all of the adversity that Nick PERSON's dealt with, we've given Brunson PERSON has rightfully gotten a lot of credit,

Speaker 04649.82s - 4654.92s

but Tibbs PERSON has navigated an ever-changing sea of players with injuries and trades.

Speaker 34656.22s - 4726.72s

And, you know, like people just, I mean, that's the part you hate, right? People are reductive and just say, well, he just plays his guys more minutes. It's like, no, there's a lot more to it than that. And I can guarantee you, it's like there were no coaches out there who are going to say, all right, well, we have all these injuries.I guess I'm going to put in, there isn't a coach out there that was putting in Jacob Toppin for taking minutes because the Knicks ORG had injuries, right? Or if you do, if you think that that's the thing that he should have done, more power to you, buddy, that you just wasn't, you weren't getting to the playoffs. You were, you were, that wasn't, did he dial it up a tad much more? Not nearly outside the norm.And frankly, like, you know, you saw Hart yesterday go to bat for him, you know, when, and that stupid survey came out, I have to bet that most of those players who are saying, who do you not want to play with and saying Tibbs PERSON, there's a lot of narratives about him that, frankly, just don't seem to be coming to fruition.Like, he has this narrative because I guess he has, like, a mean mug, so people think he's like some insane hard ass. All coaches are like that. This is the NBA. This is not, this is not third grade, you know, health class.

Speaker 54727.68s - 4728.04s

What?

Speaker 34728.76s - 4766.84s

CYO ball. CYO ball. No, I was thinking of like a school teacher. But like, yeah, like, of course he's tough. But you listen to guys like Dante PERSON will say, like, it's kind of a myth that like they just don't rest and they just practice all the time.And I think you're starting to see that like, and there's probably coach all kinds of, all across the lead, I'm sure there's coaches that have false narratives about them. But, but I did think he was snubbed.And we've talked a lot about Brunson potentially getting snub for first team all NBA ORG, but it's worth noting. Like, there weren't four coaches better than Tibbs PERSON. There weren't three coaches that did a better job than Tips this year.

Speaker 44772.12s - 4789.62s

Yeah, I mean, I think he did a great job. I think he deserved top three. Coach, whatever. He also won two years ago or three years ago. So I just think the way this stuff works, it's really hard. When you win, you kind of likeare removed from consideration for a while.

Speaker 34790.24s - 4791.4s

Like the lifetime achievement.

Speaker 44791.88s - 5003.02s

Yeah, it just takes, it just takes a while to win a couple. I think what, supposed to us never won, Coach of the Year, right? You know what I mean?Like it's just such a narrative based award and it's based on so many different things that like it is what it is. To go back to the game, because, you know, we did talk, obviously, about the sequences, but I didn't really want to highlight how good I thought, Hartstein and Devenchenzo where Devinchenzo obviously hits the threes, the three at the end, and I think he was four or seven for me on the arc. I'll check the box for the game.But he was much more aggressive offensive. He was much more aggressive and physical defensively. I thought he made a couple. He made a bunch of really good plays on defense. He had that one where he knocked it off of Uberre PERSON's leg. That went out of balance for a turnover.He had a block, came over on help, and was able to successfully block or at least contest Embed PERSON's kind of like layup attempt. Really impressive play. And then the one that stood out, which was incredible, was that play he made off the jump ball of, you know, he, I think it was Hartenstein and Embed PERSON. And Bid PERSON tips in the back court.And, like, Devenchenzo PERSON must have read it while, before Embed PERSON even wins the tip. He must have, like, kind of saw, okay, shit, he's going to win it. And he is able to basically get to the ball. He cuts it off before it gets to Ubre PERSON, or whoever it was, and then just takes it in for a dunk, like,or he got, did he get fouled on that? I think he got fouled. So, whatever, he made the free throws. Either way, like, that was just such an incredibly intuitive play. You know, and then even on the final game, and sequence, like, he's the one that comes up with that loose after Brunson PERSON gets and knocks loose.Then he drives, he's able to create the opening for Brunson to get the three. And then obviously cashes in the three to win the game. I thought he was awesome yesterday. And it was such a great bounceback game for him after a brutal game one, where he was pretty easily the next worst player. But he was tremendous yesterday.And I thought, again, the physicality played with defensively, it's almost like he kind of figured out, okay, well, they're just letting us kind of get real fucking physical. Like, let me take advantage of that. So that was good to see. And then, you know, again, in general activity on defense, I thought yesterday was phenomenal. I heart, you know, I don't know what else you can really say.The guy had 14 points in the second half. He, I really loved the way he was competing with Embed PERSON. I think you could tell that like he was not backing down. I think Embed PERSON was definitely trying to kind of bully him and, you know, which, you know, he should do and kind of is part of basketball. And Hartstein just stood up.He just stood up for it. And he came up huge. This is offensive rebounding for like everything in that fourth quarter. I mean, I don't know, I'm looking at the box score here, and I guess he only, he had four offensive rebounds, but it felt like he had fucking 10 in the fourth quarter. He was just unbelievable, his effort level, his energy. I don't know. I just, I couldn't say much more about him than I am. I thought he was tremendous yesterday. He was, he played with so much fucking heart, no pun intended.And he was just so gritty. I mean, that play at the end, too, like the rebound is one thing, obviously an amazing play.

Speaker 55003.88s - 5011.7s

To get the ball to OG before he, like, completely loses balance. Like, I have, I had no idea how he got that off.

Speaker 45012.42s - 5085.18s

Unbelievable play by him. I mean, and then the block, I mean, that's, like, again, this, this sequence from, from Hartstein and from Devenchenzo PERSON is crazy. Like, they both had these insane sequences in the game. But then Hardinstein, he, like, the last two defensive possessions for the Knicks ORG, just watch him. He is, he's so good.He completely baited Maxi PRODUCT into that drive. He wanted Maxie PERSON to take that drive. That's exactly what he wanted to do. He bred that the whole way. He had the angle on it, blocks it off the backward. OG PERSON gets a rebound.He gets fouled. They sent him to the line. And then the final sequence, you know, and I get it. I don't know. We can talk about this after. I don't know where you stand on foul. Don't foul when you're up three. But if you're not going to foul, the way that Nix PERSON had that play covered was absolutely beautiful. Hardenstein's calling out the coverage as Maxie PERSON's bringing the ball up. He just takes the middle. They basically split the court into the ball up. He just takes the middle.They basically put the court into thirds. It's like hard on the left. I think it might have been Duce on the right and then Hartstein right in the middle. But he just, he's able to, I mean, not that Maxey PERSON's going to drive there, but he is able to defend him up high enough and make him uncomfortable enough that he wasn't able to just walk into a three, right? Or dribble into a step back comfortably.

Speaker 35085.72s - 5087.18s

He didn't do that without fouling too, right?

Speaker 45087.2s - 5099.94s

Yep, yep. And then he has to give it up to Mbid ORG. Mb has to force up some bullshit. I genuinely don't even know if Mbid ORG got that shot off. It felt like he took forever to shoot it. I mean, he does have like that wind up, right?

Speaker 35099.98s - 5228.26s

That's why his pump fake is so good. It's such a methodical, slow release. I mean, where I sit on the foul-up three thing is I get the logic. And generally, I would say it's a good strategic move. Selfishly, I just think games are way too long to end. And it's very nerve-wracking when your team keeps going up down to, up one,and then you have to take more free throws. And then so you're up one now. It's like, okay, we fouled, but, you know, they still have a second. We've seen the Knicks ORG lose a lot of heartbreaking games like that. So I'm not disappointed in not fouling up three. It also, it forces you, I mean, there are some free throw shooters on the Knicks ORG.Harton has been awesome this year, but historically isn't the greatest free throw shooter. Are you going to take Hardinstein PERSON? Hardinstein PERSON is a decent free throw shooter, but not a great one. So the Knicks ORG have some really good free throw shooters. They also have some not great ones. So if you're going to rely on, all right, well, we foul them,and then we're going to get the ball back and going to have to hit free throws. You know, I don't want to take Hardin PERSON's out of the game. I don't want to take Josh PERSON Hart of the game. And game. I don't want to take Josh hard on the game. So, and yeah, he's been a good free throw shooter this year, but, you know, you're still leaving it to chance a little bit there. And then the last thing is the Knicks ORG are not the best team at inbounding.Devin Chonzo was incredible last night. He's been incredible all year. One thing I've never been super enthused by is Dante DiVincenzo PERSON as an inbounder. So with all of those things considered, you play good defense. You play straight up.You know they have to take a three. I had no problem with the Knicks ORG doing that. I didn't have to watch any more commercial, so that was nice. And I think, yeah, Hartnstein PERSON is, that was, I think, he's a guy who the national media, the national audience still isn't very comfortable with. I mean, they had that famous Stephen A clip where he basically outed himself as like, you don't watch the Knicks, bro, when he was, when he mispronounced Hartenstein PERSON's name, and talked about him like he's a scrub.And that's frankly, something I found tasteful for, from Stephen A PERSON for a long time. Just mocking players' names. Slava Medvedenko PERSON or like...

Speaker 55228.26s - 5240.4s

Yeah, he's got that thing. It's just so stupid, especially with European players, like, dude, have you watched the guy play? Clearly you hadn't, right? And before the series and people were like, oh, Embed PERSON, who do they... I haven't even heard of this guy Hardinstein PERSON, right?

Speaker 35240.94s - 5306.64s

It reminds me a little bit of Yakup Hurtl PERSON. They're different games, but as a guy who was a little bit not wellub Pertel PERSON. They're different games, but as a guy who was a little bit not well known because he didn't have a star and credentials at thecenter position, but I think the national audience is starting to realize. He's playing the starter minutes. He didn't play well game one. He was fantastic yesterday. Went toe to toe with Embed and game one, when he doesn't have it going, we have another guy.And kind of, I'll throw this back at you given how awesome Mitch was and how awesome heartenstein was today and given maybe this is just the matchup where like yeah 48 minutes of rim protection when you're playing against if you don't want to use the word generational a really really good center maybe this is a unique series in that situation maybe we'll get another series like that in the finals. Has your stance at all, and precious is out of the rotation, has your stance evolved at all in terms of, you know, you're paying 30,I mean, let's assume Hardinstein gets somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 to $18 million. Has your stance evolved at all in saying, maybe you just ride with both of them, considering they're both so valuable, Mitch and Hard Slam PERSON?

Speaker 45307.22s - 5461.42s

I mean, I'm open to changing my mind about anything. I mean, the playoffs are the time to have your mind changed. So, yeah, I mean, sure, I'm definitely open to the idea that be better off keeping both or whatever. Like, I don't, not opposed I mean, sure. I'm definitely open to the idea that we better off keeping both or whatever. Like, I don't, not opposed to any of that.But I also think watching these games, like, again, we just talked about it with Brunson PERSON. He's having to do so much offensively. And there's no, you know, when he's struggling to create, you know, maybe he's a little sped up or whatever the fuck is going on, there's nothing, there's nobody that can take that burden off of he's a little sped up or whatever the fuck is going on. There's nobody that can take that burden off of him for a little bit right now.So obviously we hope Randall is back next year, or, you know, we assume he'll be back next year. That will help. But it sucks that we didn't get the opportunity to see him in the playoffs. And then because we don't get to see them in the playoffs, we don't have that information to inform us in terms of our team building. So there's a lot to unpack there.But, yeah, I just, again, I'm open to anything. Like, you know, I'm open to, you know, we talked about Caruso versus Duce McBride last week. And, like, I'm open to anything. Like, you know, I'm open to, you know, we talked about Caruso versus Deuce of Pride last week. And like, I'm open to walking away from this playoffs being like, yeah, actually, no, Duce PERSON is better. Or Duce PERSON has enough upside where it doesn't make sense to pay the transaction cost that you would need to get Caruso just to upgrade on Duce. Like, I'm open to all kinds of conclusions to be drawn. It's just too early to say anythingdefinitively. But I will say what we've been able to do against Joel Embed PERSON and considering that we're not really helping on him that much. Like they doubled him a few times yesterday. They definitely sent help a little more frequently than it in game one. But we're pretty much asking our guys to defend him on an island. And the fact that obviously we saw Mitch in game one, I mean, I thought that was the best playoffs of his career. And then yesterday, Heart PERSON and Shining Game 2,they've both been able to kind of step up when the other hasn't had their best game. And that's ultimately what you need. So, like, you know, if that is what the next choose to do and if that's what is optimal after this season, they're much worse. I mean, Philly for how long have they been looking for a backup center for Embed PERSON? You know, they've been doing that forever.

Speaker 35461.66s - 5464.6s

And I will say, what about it, B ball, Paul PERSON.

Speaker 45464.96s - 5550.14s

I mean, I will say some of that I think is just like, this is like the Yokic PERSON thing, right? Where it's like, oh my God, why couldn't Hartstein work as a backup center there? It's like, dude, because when you have a center that's that dominant and that you built your entire team around,when they're off the floor, guess what? You can't just plug in a center and run the same offense. It's drastically different. So I always think that's part of the problem, too, and I don't think it's just like, oh, they're incompetent of finding backup centers or something.But, yeah, like, the Knicks ORG are in a pretty, they're in a really advantageous position at that center spot. Because hopefully, I still, like, I know Harnershan played great yesterday and he's got eyeballs on him, but I feel like there's a real connection with him and this team and the guys on this team and the organization.I think he'll be back. And I think the next will give him top dollar as far as what they can offer. Yeah, I mean, if you can come back and you just have Mitch and Hartenstein PERSON, and then you, let's tell you bring back precious on a cheap deal. Like, I mean, that's kind of like aluxury, luxury room of centers. Like, that's the best center room in the league that doesn't contain a star. You know what I mean? The only other comparable onewould probably be Minnesota ORG with like Gobert and Nasreed PERSON. But... What about Cleveland GPE? No.

Speaker 35551.56s - 5552.42s

Oh, that's right.

Speaker 45552.52s - 5555.3s

Evan Mobley and Jared Allen PERSON are stars, so that's why.

Speaker 35555.5s - 5555.7s

Yeah.

Speaker 45556.08s - 5558.48s

Yeah, and Evan Mobley PERSON's a power for it anyway.

Speaker 35559.14s - 5566.28s

But, yeah, no, like, it's just, to me, that the Knicks ORG, they're in such a great position where it's like if that is

Speaker 45566.28s - 5568.54s

ultimately the choice it's really hard to knock them for that

Speaker 35568.54s - 5571.12s

you know what I mean like like I think last year we talked about

Speaker 45571.12s - 5610.08s

maybe they should go get Ports and Giss PERSON but I always felt like look I I that would make sense to me but I also can totally understand just being like well Hartstein and Mitch PERSON are actually really good we don't need to like go spend a shuntled of money at the center spot. So I got why, you know, I mean, who knows how serious they even had a conversation about it,but to not go get him to me isn't like a crime because of the position the Knicks ORG are in. So yeah, I mean, am I open to keeping that after this season? Yeah, sure. And look, if you're in a conference with Joel Embed PERSON and that's a guy that you have to consider. And I'm just Embedd PERSON, right? Janus as well, these are guys you have to kind of consider when you're in a conference with Joel Embed, and that's a guy that you have to consider. And not just Embedd, right?Janus PERSON as well. These are guys you have to kind of consider when you're planning out.

Speaker 35610.08s - 5610.84s

Maybe I'll be soon enough.

Speaker 45611.68s - 5626.66s

Well, not in our conference anyway. Yeah, I mean, I think there's definitely value just having guys like Mitch PERSON and Harshani as your two centers and just living with them and living in that world. So, yeah, I'd be fine with that.

Speaker 35629.58s - 5660.32s

I did want to ask moving for a bit away from the Knicks ORG. So the Lakers ORG had an epic meltdown. And LeBron PERSON had some thoughts. I don't understand what's going on in the replay center, to be honest. Why the fuck do we have a replay center? Makes so sense to me. It bothers me. I don't understand what's going on in the replay center, to be honest. Why the fuck do we have a replay center? Makes so sense to me.It bothers me. I don't know if you watched that game or have thoughts on LeBron PERSON's comments, but that is pretty funny. Especially, I mean, two games, it seemed like, and I think the Lakers ORG had a lot to hurt themselves, but curious to your thoughts on that one if you watched.

Speaker 45661.7s - 5664.1s

Sorry, at the end of the Nuggets ORG game? Yeah.

Speaker 35666.14s - 5666.7s

I did.

Speaker 45668.4s - 5671.26s

What thoughts did you want me to give? Sorry, I missed that.

Speaker 35672.12s - 5679.4s

Just thoughts on kind of pretty epic meltdown from the Lakers ORG. They had 20-point lead and also LeBron PERSON after the game. Just, okay.

Speaker 45680.44s - 5716.9s

Yeah, LeBron PERSON after the game, shut the fuck up. Shut up. And if you want to make your point Make your point Don't fucking bring our bullshit in with yours All rightThat was so weak And honestly it's pathetic to see from him You know what it is Don't don't get mad That Nicoliochich PERSON is doing to you What you used to do to the Toronto RaptorsOkay Don't be mad about that That's your shit. Deal with that. You haven't beaten them in two fucking years. Okay? Like, you blew a 20-point lead yesterday. You missed a shot at the end to put your team up three.Like, a wide open three.

Speaker 35717.3s - 5730.64s

Well, they had that weird Rui Hachimura PERSON missed dunk. And then he held the rim, which messed up Anthony Davis's putback. Like, they just, they choked all around. It was awful. Yeah.

Speaker 45730.8s - 5943.72s

And, you know, I understand. I think Darvinham PERSON is, he's certainly a coach. I can say that. I'm not sure he's a very good one. He, I mean, I'm looking at their minutes. This is their minutes from yesterday, which is, I genuinely can't believe this.The minutes in this game yesterday, Davis 39, Hachamura 38, LeBron 38, Delo 39, Austin Reeves, 33, played Tori and Prince 22, did when he got 10. Vincent played 15 for some reason. He was terrible. O for two, one assist, one rebound, one steal, one turnover. Minus six. Dinhutty, 10 minutes. No points, two steals, one assist, no rebounds, one turnover, minus nine. Like, they got nothing from their bench. And for some reason, he played Reeves 33 minutes. I mean, Tibbs would never. Tibbs would have just been like Austin. You're playing 48 tonight. But yeah, Dartmouth ORG ham definitely does things.But yeah, they choked. I mean, they choked. They lost a game. DeAndre Russell went 7 and 11 from 3 yesterday. They lost that game. LeBron James went for 26, 12, and 8 on 19 shots with only two turnovers.Turnovers are often in LeBron PERSON's bugaboo. He was good yesterday. You lose that game. Anthony Davis, 14 of 19, 32 points. At one point,he was like 13 to 14 for 30 points in this game. 32 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal,one block. You know, like, you lose a game like this. It's brutal, man. It's brutal.And even Murray, I know he got to go in late, but he's 9 and 24 for 20 points. You know, like, he was not, he's had two rough shooting games. The first game he shot, I think he shot 9 and 24 in that game too. You know, like you lose games like this. It's tough. It is really tough.Nicol Yochich, amazing, by the way. 27's tough. It is really tough. Nicoliochich PERSON. Amazing, by the way. 27 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists. This guy is just an unbelievable player. One of the great playoff players also just absolutely raises this game to another level in postseason. He's unbelievable.Yeah, they choked this game. They pissed it away. Maybe not choked is maybe the wrong word, but they definitely had their opportunities to put it away, and they didn't. And it's the same thing with the Sixers ORG.You know, like, you can always find things that went against you in a game that weren't under your control. But I promise you, there are always things in your control in a game that you did not do.And, you know, this idea of the officiating was so bad in this game is pretty laughable to me with the Lakers ORG. They took 13 fritos, the Nuggets took 17. The Nuggets took six free throws in the first game and they won by, what, 11? Like, I don't want to hear about the officiating, man. I don't want to hear about it. Like, it is the, and especially the Lakers ORG, they had like a historic free throw throw discrepancy going back the last two regular seasons.I genuinely do not want to hear about your gripes with officiating if you're the Lakers ORG. But yeah, just Denver ORG is just a, they're phenomenal, man. They're amazing at what they do. They just create good shots in endgame crunch time situations consistently. They will always get good shots there in ways that other teams can. And that is like, I mean, I don't remember who said this,so I don't want to try to take credit for it. But I saw somebody say this, but it's like that is their superpower. Their superpowers that at the end of games, in a half-court possession, they will always get a quality look, and you won't.

Speaker 55944.56s - 5947.86s

I think that's more hard walk, hardwood for us.

Speaker 35947.86s - 5951.48s

Unfortunate, unfortunate, heartbreaking, worst person, you know.

Speaker 45952.58s - 5985.44s

But, like, that is their superpower. They always get good shots. And they have, and Jamal Murray PERSON is a phenomenal end-of-game shotmaker. He really is. I mean, that shot over Anthony Davis PERSON, both of them, really. But that, I mean, the game winner over Davis. I mean, that's a crazy shot.It's a really, really tough shot. Anthony Davis PERSON played that as well as he could. But yeah, I mean, I'm sure the Lakers, honestly, even more than the Sixers ORG, like, I just, I really don't know how you bounce back from this game. Because, and, and, I think that's, it's easier when you're actually playing, right, to bounce back from this game because and and I think that's

Speaker 55985.44s - 5988.06s

it's easier when you're actually

Speaker 45988.06s - 6047.1s

playing right to bounce back because it's like your folk you're geared in a different way but as a fan if I was a Lakers ORG fan I'd be sick I'd be like are you kidding like every single game they play against the Nuggets ORG is the sameit is the same thing over and over and over again the Lakers ORG get up, they have a lead. It's a tight game, whatever. And then at the end, the Nuggets ORG just pull away and they make enough shots and they come through and crunch time and beat them. And it's like, I mean, how many times they've gotten fucking gained now by Murray and Yokic PERSON?How many times it hasn't been in the last two years? It's just, I've never seen anything like this. I've never seen. The only thing I can compare to this is like, you know, there was like a few years, I mean, probably still is ongoing on.I didn't keep tracking their season series this year. But like, it's been a few years, right, where like the Celtics just owned the Sixers ORG. It was just a constant,right? They just always owned them. But this is on a, this is on a totally different level because it's, it's LeBron PERSON.Like, and LeBron PERSON's playing well. Ad's playing well. Like, these are great players. And they just can't beat the nuggets becauseYokic and Murray PERSON owned them.

Speaker 36047.9s - 6062.56s

Well, it's also somebody drew a parallel after game one, actually, where, you know, the Lakers ORG had to lead there. I ended up losing by double digits. Somebody said that after game one,and LeBron PERSON was hooping in that game one especially.

Speaker 46063.54s - 6065.8s

He fucked up at the end, though. His fourth quarter was pretty bad.

Speaker 36065.86s - 6146.78s

But, yeah, his first three quarters were good. But they said, you know, the discouragement or just the, you know, it reminds, it's reminiscent of game one. I think it was the first year, right? They played the, it was the first year with KD when they played the Warriors ORG. And, you know, it's the whole, the J.R. Smith PERSON play, right?Where it really felt like the Cav ORG cows were going to win that game. They lose an overtime, and then they just got swept. And it really felt like to go, I mean, I wonder, it's a little bit like, in some ways, like the Philadelphia ORG series, where the Lakers have outplayed the nuggets for large stretches, but they just haven't made the big plays.And I think it's, I mean, psychologically, it's tough to come back for me, even as a player. And I don't think, I don't think it's beyond the pill to say that at all. Look at, I mean, going back to the 90s, right? The magic completely fell apart when, after Nick Anderson misses four free throws, right?They really controlled that game one for for the vast majority of it. Then they get swept. So, you know, despite having, again, also a generational player, too, arguably, at least one.And Penny PERSON was pretty fucking good himself. So I think that in both series, I don't know. I think the nuggets also are just

Speaker 56146.78s - 6149.44s

when someone can repeatedly

Speaker 36149.44s - 6153.5s

generate good shots and then they can attack the offensive glass.

Speaker 46153.86s - 6155.62s

And they're also good shot makers.

Speaker 36155.84s - 6157.98s

It's not like they're just, like some of these

Speaker 46157.98s - 6168.82s

shots are not good shots for the average player, but they're good for Yokic PERSON and for Murray. I mean, who the hell knows what a good shot is for Yokic PERSON, by the way? They just...

Speaker 36168.82s - 6193.58s

Yeah. Someone asked this, and my answer, I, of course, was going to say OJ because he looked like it. Someone asked if Aaron Gordon is the best role player in the NBA ORG. It's actually, if you look at Darko, it's funny, they're like neck and neck. Like, OG PERSON has the smallest edge over him. But, I mean, do you think that's a fair?I think he has an argument, right? Aaron Gordon's been awesome for them. That's been an underrated part of what's made them great, aside from Horik's Yoko PERSON.

Speaker 46193.58s - 6196.96s

But you want, you think O.G. is not as good as Aaron Gordon?

Speaker 36197.08s - 6214.26s

I think O.G. is better, but I'm a little bit biased, and it is really close, I think. And I think it's fair to, there's an argument for Aaron Gordon, is what I'm saying, as the best role player in the NBA ORG. Somebody asked that on Twitter, so that's why I was,I think it was nice for you. I don't know.

Speaker 46214.42s - 6243.98s

I mean, I think it also benefits Aaron Gordon. Like, last time we saw Aaron Gordon in the playoffs without Jamal Murray PERSON healthy, he was terrible and people were shitting on his life. I think it helps that he has both of them. Because if he doesn't, like, O.G., obviously, offense, like, he's not a creator. We knew this going in.So when you take Randall PERSON off the floor, you're putting a lot, like, he can't step up and just take more usage. You know what I mean? Like, Chris Middleton PERSON, when he was at his best, could do that, right?

Speaker 36244.1s - 6249.68s

Oh, Janus PERSON is a play. Of a role player, though? I guess maybe, could do that, right? Oh, Janus isn't kind of a role player, though? I guess maybe, like, if you're a creator by definition, you're not really a role player, right?

Speaker 46249.74s - 6306.58s

Yeah, I don't think, I think OG PERSON is definitely more of a role player. He's an elite role player. He's a role player. Like, he's not, you can't be like, oh, man, Randall PERSON's out. We need you to dial it up to like 23, 24, 25 usage. It's not what he does.You don't want him doing that again. I have no problem with him not doing it. But that should tell us something about what he is as a player. And hopefully it extends into what he ends up getting paid. Because as awesome as he is, if I can't, and I don't expect you to be able to dial up usage when guys go downthen I have that has to be reflected in what I pay you. Like I can't pay you fucking max dollar superstar money if that's what you're going to do. Because obviously very good, obviously very impactful.I'm happy to have him. I think the makes have clearly benefited from that trade. But he amplifies your star. I think that's, yeah.

Speaker 36307.28s - 6307.44s

Yeah.

Speaker 46307.82s - 6319.04s

But I do think that without, without Randall PERSON especially, I think you're seeing some of the limitations of what we can do offensively. And OG PERSON doesn't agree.

Speaker 36319.54s - 6319.82s

Yeah.

Speaker 46320.14s - 6354.08s

And because, you know, I think, and I do think people are forgetting, like, how good we were when Randall PERSON was healthy.And more specifically, like, not only were really good, but I felt like OG PERSON had his best offensive games during that stretch as well. So, and honestly, even defensively, right? Like, I mean, he's still been good since he came back. But the level he was playing out in January was ridiculous on defense. I don't think he's hit that. He isn't hit that level since.So, and I'm not saying that's because Randall PERSON isn't playing. I'm just saying it's interesting to note.

Speaker 36354.66s - 6358.26s

Well, I mean, look at what we did to this very same team, right,

Speaker 46358.32s - 6362.4s

when we had OG and Randall PERSON. Not to say that a regular season game is representative.

Speaker 36363.7s - 6427.66s

But, but, yeah, I mean, clearly they haven't been able, they haven't reached quite that same level. And I think it's also like with the Randall PERSON stuff, it's fair, by the way, to just say he's, I mean, I'm not saying, not accusing you of this, but like, you know, you have like kind of the take thing.Like, see, I was right about this. Like, I believed in deuce's shooting, but I'm not going to go back and pull up people who didn't, right? Because, yeah, like, it was a debate at the time and it turned out he shot well, right?And the people who believed in Randall PERSON, it's okay to just say, you don't have to like be like, well, I still have, he's good. He's gotten a lot better from his first year. From last year he's gotten better.So I think that it's definitely worth noting. Like the Knicks ORG have looked, that's the stupidest part of this whole conversation. As you kind of brought up, a lot of people have saying, oh, you know, like, do they not need,they don't need Randall PERSON. You know, they're better without Randall PERSON. I don't think a lot of Knicks ORG fans are saying it. You're hearing it from national voices. And frankly, it's stupid. Like, it's okay to admit that randall is better um i i also

Speaker 46427.66s - 6491.08s

i talked about this when i went on with uh with troll troll bro PERSON on uh on his pod and um he he asked me about the same thing about randall and i was like i don't know that they're i don't know if it raises the ceiling of like what they are on the floor when he's on there as a group. But I do think that over the course of a 48 minute game, they're worse off not having him because you're just putting so much on Brunson PERSON. He has to create all the time. He's the only one that can't create consistently. So like, whether you, he might not raise the ceiling in the way that we traditionally think of raising the ceiling,but he might raise the ceiling just because he raises the floor overall so much. And, you know, the bottom wouldn't fall out at times the way it has in this first couple of games offensively. You have more diverse ways of attacking them. Obviously, we know that he's had his playoff struggles. I'm not assuming that that would just stop. But even with his playoff struggles, there are benefits to having him on the floor.

Speaker 36491.26s - 6519.3s

And I think it's crazy that anybody's denying that. Yeah. I think it's just kind of, I think people, it's a take factory. Given just how insane last night was, we kind of talked about this. We both mentioned the Larry Johnson four-point play. Where does this rank for you last night?The shot, that end sequence, where does that rank for you in terms of, you know, your favorite moments as a Knicks ORG fan? I think it's probably second.

Speaker 46520.72s - 6526.44s

It's probably second. Yeah, I think the Houston ORG shot definitely is number one.

Speaker 36528.28s - 6529.98s

For the younger fans, this is

Speaker 46529.98s - 6531.74s

Alan Houston PERSON hitting a runner

Speaker 36531.74s - 6534.06s

at the buzzer against our

Speaker 46534.06s - 6536.04s

favorite rivals, the Miami Heat ORG,

Speaker 36536.24s - 6539.82s

to win as an eight seed in game five, which I'd have to agree which win there.

Speaker 46540.56s - 6568.84s

Yeah, that's just, it's just not going to be top. It's also, it's a series winner. Like, if Devin Chensler Shah PERSON was a series winner, I'd probably say the Devin Changler PERSON shot. I mean, everything about it is just crazy. Like, the whole sequence, you know, the loose ball,Dante PERSON gets it. Jalen Brunson finally hits a fucking three that it doesn't just go in, right? It like bounces, hangs up in the air for like 25 seconds, goes through the hoop. Then they get the steel off the inbound. He misses the first...

Speaker 56568.84s - 6571.06s

He misses the first three.

Speaker 46571.18s - 6584.18s

Hardinstein PERSON, you know, does the free willy thing, finds OG. Like, it's just the entire sequence is crazy. The garden is absolutely rocking. You got John Starks and Spree PERSON and Mellogoing fucking crazy on the baseline.

Speaker 36585.36s - 6586.86s

Double bang from Mike Breen PERSON. Yeah. Double bang from Mike Breen.

Speaker 46587.24s - 6626.3s

Yeah, double bang from Mike Breen PERSON. It's just a, it's an all-time sequence, and it's just, you're never going to not remember that. You're always going to remember that. You will. You just will, because it's such a special play.I don't know. I just, it's amazing. It is the best play since the Houston ORG one to me. And that includes the Larry Johnson shot, which is kind of wild to me because that is, it's kind of like, that was my play kind of growing up, like just the one that I always thought of, you know, in terms of being a Knicks ORG fan and what stood out

Speaker 06626.3s - 6627.18s

to me and what I remember.

Speaker 46628.88s - 6662.36s

But like, yeah, this, this just, this tops it. And I understand the stakes are higher, right? That was the Eastern Conference finals as the first round. But this feels like a pretty big, I mean, this feels like a bigger than a first round series. I think that's fair to say. I think this feels bigger than a first round series. This think that's fair to say. I think this feels bigger than a first round series.This feels big for the franchise in a lot of ways. I think you beat Cleveland last year. It's a cute story. And I know it's weird to talk about the Sixers like an Eastern Conference ORG powerhouseconsidering they've never been, they haven't been to the Eastern Conference ORG finals in this

Speaker 36662.36s - 6665.56s

kind of... But they've been a very good team for a long time.

Speaker 46665.66s - 6805.42s

And they're a team that, frankly, Tibbs's first year, that was one of the... Philly and Miami were the two teams where it just felt like the Knicks ORG could never get over the hump, right? Yeah. And also, like, they are just... They have been considered the better team.They've been considered the superior team with the superior talent, with better GM, oh, Daryl More, Darry like PERSON all this stuff, right? And the Knicks ORG have got like they they've not they you know they didn't draft a Joel Embed Leone Rosen PERSON didn'the didn't inherit a Joel Embed you know he had to get his out of the mud here and yeah I mean I just think it's it's a big series for the Knicks ORG.So in that sense, like, if that team had lost to the Pacers ORG, like the time with the LJ PERSON, like that LJ shot, nobody would have been upset. Like they were super shorthanded by that time. They were the 8th seed. They'd already, they got, the fact they even were in the Eastern Conference ORG finals was like incredible. Nobody was going to be upset if they lost that series.I guarantee you that. And I don't know that Knicks ORG fans are going to be, I mean, yes, I think we to be upset if they lost that series. I guarantee you that. And I don't know that next fans are going to be, I mean, yes, we'll be upset if they lose the series. I don't think we're, I personally would not look at this losing this series and be like,oh my God, what I like epic failure. Can't believe they lost to the six years team. These are good. But that's what makes it more meaningful is like the sixers are good in a way that the calves were not good.Like the Cavs were a cute story, just like the Knicks were a cute story last year. And ours was just a lot more real than theirs. The Sixers ORG, rightfully or wrongfully, have been seen as contenders or right under that true contender tier for four or five years now. So for the Knicks to have that sequenceand assuming they go on to win this series, knock on wood. Yeah, I mean, I just think it's a huge moment. It's a huge sequence, and it's a huge kind of inflection point for the franchise. I do think that winning this series would give the Knicks ORG legitimacyin a way that winning a series last year did it. It would also be the first time they've won playoff series in consecutive seasons since 2000. So, like, there's a lot at stake here just in terms of changing the narrative and kind of the view of what the New York Knicks ORG are, I think. Yeah, I think.

Speaker 36806.32s - 6993.06s

Yeah, I think that's a good point with Cleveland versus Philly ORG. It's like there are, I mean, there were a first time playoff team. Philly ORG is a team that's been there. Philly ORG has an MVP. Philly ORG has, you know, a coach who won the championship before. You know, there's these teams, Philly, Miami GPE,even if they had played Miami GPE, I would feel the same way, even without Jimmy PERSON, right? You know, Boston ORG would obviously go up there now, right? The teams that just always seem to be good. It's different, you know, it's like in the NFL, right? It's one thing to beat a team like the Texans ORG or something that's there for the first time.And it's another thing to beat a team like the Bills or the Chiefs ORG or, you know, on the other side, you know, back when Rogers was there at Green Bay, right? If you beat Green Bay, even if you're an upstart team that gives you a certain level of standing, that beating, you know, a newer team or a team that's still young hasn't been there, just doesn't. And I also think just from a per talent perspective, these are the second and third best teams in the Eastern Conference ORG.I would have probably said, I think they were, I think Philly was the best team until Embed got hurt after Boston ORG. The Knicks ORG make the OG trade. I think they, you know,they may be, but these are the second and third best team. If someone wants to say at Embed PERSON full strength, that they're better than the Knicks ORG, I don't, I think that's the one team where I'd be like,you know, that's kind of fair. I think they're better than Milwaukee ORG. I think they're even with Yannis. I think they're better than Indiana ORG, obviously, better than even with Mitchell PERSON at full strength. Cleveland GPE had that big run,but this is, this is not a 2-7 series in the typical sense. And I think we're going to get, we're going to get dogfight back in Philly ORG. And, you know, there's so many narratives now and so much drama. Like this is going to be, this is a defining series for this team. And I think the fact, on top of everything else, this team is known now as like the Novateam, right? And they're going to be going back home to face. It's it to to and especially the guy who struggled the first two games you have the one guy who's villainova PERSON he hit the biggest shot another guy had 15 rebounds the one guy who's going back home and and a struggle is brunson and and it's just it's this is um the the the stakes the drama for this series and everything.Yeah, I mean, I mean, that LJ moment was probably the moment where I went from like someone watched the Knicks ORG and enjoyed them to like, you know, the kind of person who defends as much time as I do now. And, and this test this does top it though. And it was just, and it was, I mean, it was, it was, it was this team in a moment, right? Things didn't go right. You know, like they, they had, they had just gotten punched in the mouth and blown a lead.It looked like it was over. They finally get the shot and it misses. But they had to get it out of the mud. Even then, Hartnstein PERSON's falling has to, like, it just, it optimizes the kind of ethos of this team so much. That's a play I always remember. And it was special to watch last night.And it's a special team. Yeah, totally agree.

Speaker 46993.98s - 7000.86s

All right. It's a good place to end it. Stacey PERSON, let the people know where they can find you and plug anything that you'd like to plug.

Speaker 37002.26s - 7044.86s

Yeah, you can find me at Stacey Patton ORG, 89. I'll plug, well, you can find me at Stacey Patton, 89. I'll plug, well, definitely read the recaps. I think last night we had Jeff Rasmussen PERSON, Frank Barrett PERSON, do it, and thengame one was, as always, Miranda, but especially I will plug. Actually, despite the fact that he sucks, Schwinn had, I think, one of my favorite pieces of his on Jill PERSON and Brunson and just his evolution this year.And so, one, kudos, man. It was really good. I actually really enjoyed it. But I'd also say, so that Schwinn ORG doesn't have to tune his own horn. You guys should check it out, especially now that we have these two days off. Appreciate it.

Speaker 47044.94s - 7167.44s

It would be nice if Jill and Brunson PERSON wants to back up the argument that I made from at some point. I would appreciate it, Jalen PERSON, if you're listening. I have nothing to plug personally, so I'll just plug all the work of the Strickland ORG. Thanks to everybody that's tuning in with me and Sam and Tyrese on the rundown after the games. Appreciate the super chats that we've been getting in there as well. It's a huge job to us.And again, yeah, check out our merch. Man, the Nova, the Nova York ORG merch line we got is actually really cool. I got my shirts in the mail. They should be coming today. So looking forward to that. We have the meetup for game three at Smithfield Hall FAC.That's at 6.30 p.m. and then through the game on Thursday. So if you're free, come through. It should be fun. But yeah, I mean, look, aside from that, I got nothing. So thanks to our sponsor, Ben Online ORG. Hope everybody enjoys these next two pressure-free days.And we come off of one of the great wins in Nix PERSON, at least recent Nix PERSON history, to enjoy. So enjoy hate watching other teams. Remember to be snooty and dismissive of them on Twitter. That's what it's all about. That is a show for today.I hope everybody has a great rest of the week. And I'm not sure when we'll be dropping the pod with Prez. We might have do that Thursday, but I will, I'll let everybody know because it will just drop it. All right. That's our pop for today.And, uh, see you soon. Yep. Our house is a mess. Come on in. I'm Amber Wollin, Internet comedian, plant queen, and host of your new favorite podcast, Fly on the Wallet WORK_OF_ART.

Speaker 07167.44s - 7171.9s

Okay, that's pretty presumptuous to assume that this is going to be their favorite podcast, by the way.

Speaker 27172.32s - 7173.24s

Like, come on, Amber PERSON.

Speaker 07173.38s - 7176.94s

Anyway, that wasp that you just heard interrupt me is my husband.

Speaker 27177.22s - 7184.96s

And co-hosts Benjamin Wallen PERSON, also a comedian, and I host people at our home. I have a great wine collection in my cellar.

Speaker 07185.18s - 7197.92s

Well, it's on a cellar. You mean the mini fridge. It's a mini fridge. New episodes of Fly on the Wallin drop every Wednesday. Listen in as we discuss relationships, books, and keeping our sweet baby kid alive while we make

Speaker 27197.92s - 7202.22s

laughs on the internet. Subscribe to Fly on the Wallin ORG wherever you get your podcast.