Final MVP Straw Poll Of The Season

Summary

Final MVP Straw Poll Of The Season Episode Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective
• Host/Author: ESPN, NBA, Brian Windhorst
• Description: Brian Windhorst and a team of ESPN's Insiders sort out life in and around the NBA world.
• Episode: Final MVP Straw Poll Of The Season
• Release Date: April 2, 2025

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Introduction

In this pivotal episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective, hosts Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, and guest Tim McMahon delve into the concluding moments of the NBA season, focusing on the highly anticipated Final MVP Straw Poll. The discussion encompasses player performances, team dynamics, and the intricate factors influencing the MVP race.

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Final MVP Straw Poll

Overview of the Poll The episode centers around Tim Bontemps' meticulously conducted MVP Straw Poll, renowned for its historical accuracy in predicting not just the MVP winner but also the vote spreads. Bontemps explains the methodology, highlighting his approach of engaging with a diverse range of markets and platforms to mirror the actual voting pool.

Top Contenders: Nikola Jokic vs. Shamel Alexander Brian Windhorst initiates the conversation by emphasizing the dominance of Nikola Jokic and Shamel Alexander in the MVP race. Jokic's exceptional season statistics have made him a strong contender, with Windhorst stating, “Jokic has been so amazingly good. You could create a case that this has been his best season” (06:00).

However, Tim McMahon raises the possibility of Alexander gaining the edge, especially if the Dallas Thunder continues their impressive performance. “Jokic has been so amazingly good. You could create a case that this has been his best season” (06:00) and “Can I just say though, that today is April 1st as we're recording this?” (06:13) reflect the dynamic tension between the two candidates.

Giannis Antetokounmpo's Consistent Presence Giannis Antetokounmpo is another focal point, recognized for his consistent top-tier performances over the years. Despite maintaining stellar statistics, Giannis has often been overshadowed in MVP discussions. Tim Bontemps highlights, “Giannis is... the only player that's been on all 19 straw polls” (23:04), underscoring his reliability and enduring excellence.

Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell also feature prominently in the discussion. Tatum, despite his impressive performance, often finds himself in the lower tiers of MVP voting. Mitchell's leadership with the Cavaliers is lauded, with Bontemps noting, “He is going to be a guy certainly in the top tier despite a little dip in his stats due to leadership” (26:25).

Other Notable Candidates LeBron James surprisingly climbs to the sixth position in the poll, a notable improvement considering his recent performance slump. Additionally, Cade Cunningham and James Harden receive mentions, indicating their significant but varied impacts this season.

Final Poll Rankings The straw poll concludes with Shamel Alexander leading, followed closely by Nikola Jokic. Giannis Antetokounmpo secures a steady third position, illustrating his consistent excellence despite fluctuating MVP rankings. Other players like Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, and LeBron James round out the top ranks, each bringing unique contributions to their teams.

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Defensive Player of the Year Discussion

Lou Dort and Shay Alexander The conversation shifts to the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award, with Brian Windhorst expressing serious consideration for Lou Dort: “I am considering voting Lou Dort for Defensive Player of the Year” (13:35). This suggestion is met with enthusiasm from Tim Bontemps, who acknowledges Dort's exceptional lockdown capabilities.

Shamel Alexander’s defensive prowess is also discussed, noting his analytical contributions and on-court impact. The trio debates the merits of various candidates, including Evan Mobley and Jaren Jackson Jr., highlighting the depth of defensive talent in the league.

Defensive Metrics and Impact The hosts delve into the importance of defensive metrics like defensive box plus-minus, emphasizing how these statistics bolster the cases for players like Alexander and Mobley. Windhorst remarks, “Nikola Jokic’s defensive analytics are a darling” (13:05), illustrating the blend of traditional stats and advanced analytics in evaluating defensive excellence.

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Player of the Month and 'Cojones Factor'

Josh Giddey's Heroic Performance A significant segment of the episode celebrates Josh Giddey's remarkable buzzer-beater, earning him the 'Cojones Factor Player of the Month'. The play, described as “the longest buzzer beater in Chicago Bulls history” (45:11), showcases Giddey's clutch performance and has been pivotal in his recognition.

'Cojones Factor' Awards The hosts introduce the 'Cojones Factor', a monthly award recognizing players who exhibit exceptional bravery and determination. This segment highlights various moments and players who have demonstrated these qualities, adding an entertaining and insightful layer to the episode.

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Trivia: Whiz of the Quiz

Consecutive Top Two MVP Finishes Tim Bontemps presents a trivia question: "The whiz of the quiz. Tim Bontemps will be the first guy to be in the top two in MVP balloting, assuming the actual results go this way five consecutive years." The discussion explores historical MVP contenders, comparing current candidates to legendary players like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. The consensus underscores the rarity of such consistent high-level performance, highlighting the significance of Alexander's and Jokic's potential achievements.

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General Season Overview

Team Performances and Key Moments The episode provides an overview of the season's final stretch, with particular attention to the Dallas Thunder's pursuit of a 70-win season and the impact of key players like Donovan Mitchell on the Cavaliers. The discussion touches on critical games, injuries, and the strategic decisions influencing team standings.

Notable Game Highlights Specific game highlights, such as LeBron James' defensive efforts and Josh Giddey's clutch plays, are dissected to illustrate their impact on the MVP race and overall team performance. These moments are framed within the broader context of the NBA landscape, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the season's final dynamics.

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Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the intensity of the final MVP race and the outstanding performances across the league. With only a few games remaining, the conversation anticipates thrilling finishes and potential upsets, leaving listeners eagerly awaiting the culmination of the NBA season.

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Notable Quotes

• Brian Windhorst (06:00): “Jokic has been so amazingly good. You could create a case that this has been his best season.”

• Tim Bontemps (23:04): “Giannis is... the only player that's been on all 19 straw polls.”

• Brian Windhorst (13:35): “I am considering voting Lou Dort for Defensive Player of the Year.”

• Tim McMahon (45:11): “Josh Giddey's buzzer beater was a Reggie Miller type display.”

---

This episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective offers an in-depth analysis of the NBA’s final standings, MVP race, and standout performances, providing fans with expert insights and engaging discussions as the season approaches its climax.

Transcript

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[Brian Windhorst]

Hello and welcome to the Hoop Collective podcast. We talk about the NBA, which we're doing on Tuesday afternoon. Joining us from New York City, Tim Bontemps.

[Tim Bontemps]

Hello everybody.

[Brian Windhorst]

Big one tonight in the garden that I don't know if you're going to 76ers Knicks.

[Tim Bontemps]

I will be at Sixers Knicks. Huge, huge back to back victories for the Nets for the top Sixers. The Sixers look like they're certainly going to be in fifth. And speaking of Philly, Philly native Dan Jarow, new coach at Iona College up in up in Westchester, was up there at the intro presser today. Longtime friend of mine, shout out to my buddy Big Dan.

[Brian Windhorst]

He has been on the New Orleans Pelican staff this season and previously was on the Cleveland Cavalier staff for a long time. I don't know how many years. Many years.

[Tim Bontemps]

Nine.

[Brian Windhorst]

Nine years. That's good.

[Tim Bontemps]

That's including, including the, including the championship year. He was there.

[Brian Windhorst]

Joining us from Dallas, Texas, the author of the Wonder Boy, Luka Doncic and the Curse of Greatness, which you can pick up at all fine retailers, even some average retailers. It's Timothy Band McMahon.

[Tim McMahon]

Howdy Partners. It is a pleasure to be here. We're here to talk about North Texas in that nit final four. Hey, did St. Bonnie's make it?

[Tim Bontemps]

Not this year, huh? Yeah, not this year. Every time North Texas gets the NIT Final Four, they lose their coach.

[Tim McMahon]

That's okay. Go Mean Green. It's a good problem to have.

[Brian Windhorst]

I thought we might have some action there. McMahon, because Kent State beat Saint Bonaventure in first round. I did not talk trash because I respect Bontems. They beat Stanford in the second round. I did not talk trash to Shelburne because Ramona, you know, I respect her. They did have then go up against Loyola Chicago and I did attempt to talk some trash to Shams Charania, which is, that's his alma mater. But Shams was unaware that they were even in a little difficult.

[Tim McMahon]

Shams was also like Doogie Howser where he was like 12 when he was in college.

[Brian Windhorst]

So anyway, they got. But I Was prepared to just run the gauntlet against all of my colleagues. I was prepared to knock Shams out and then put my. My sights on North Texas. But the Flashes didn't make it. All right, this is a big day. One of our favorite days of the year. The final bond temps. Straw poll, what do you call it? McMahon. The BS poll where he has surveyed the MVP voters. The ballot notifications just went out on Monday. McMahon.

[Tim McMahon]

Oh, I'm still banned.

[Brian Windhorst]

Damn.

[Tim McMahon]

Can't get a. Can't get one of those official ballots.

[Tim Bontemps]

Gotta get our guy about office.

[Brian Windhorst]

I thought that was.

[Tim McMahon]

I hear they're having a tough time finding the qualified folks, but hey, I guess they've lost my number. Must have been. You know what, there's some tall fellows at that league office, but there's some wee little fellows that are mad about my minimum height requirement for male referees rule. That must be why I don't have a ballot.

[Brian Windhorst]

Could be. Anyway, the Bontemps poll, especially the third one, 3.0, is then historically extremely accurate. Not only predicting the winner, but predicting the spread of votes. Because the methodology. I will let you say Bontemps real quickly. Sometimes you talk a little too fast when you go through this, but it Bontemps, the key thing is, is that he talks to people in all the markets. He doesn't just talk to people in New York or la, including international and all the platforms, you know, digital television, radio, etc. So Mr. Bontham, without further ado, you will. I'm not saying you're predicting what will happen, but you will give us a readout on where the voters are with what the ballots are due in 12 days. I think about 13 weeks. Yeah, yeah, the ballots are due, I believe in 13 days from when we're recording this podcast, the floor is yours.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, I mean, so like you said, we try to mimic the. The what the actual voting pool look like at the end of the year, at least as close as possible. It's not exactly the same hundred voters, but supposed to give us a representative sample of what it'll be. And you know, going into this, I think you guys would not be surprised to know that there's two guys who are separated from the field. The same two guys that have been separated from the field all season. Nicole Jokic and Chigos Alexander.

[Tim McMahon]

Didn't catch him.

[Tim Bontemps]

Did not. Been a great month for the Bulls. Kobe White just got named Eastern Conference player of the month. Josh Giddey hit the crazy half court shot last week. Been a long streak and no Bulls to get a vote in the straw poll that that streak has continued for another poll.

[Brian Windhorst]

Why are you giving away the goods right off the top? I know the Bulls fans were hanging on, actually.

[Tim Bontemps]

Not sure if a Bull has ever gotten a straw poll vote in all the years I've been doing it since 2017. I actually might have to check that at some point today, but those two guys have been atop the ballot all year. If you'll remember back when we did the second one back in February, mid February, about six weeks ago, Shay Gillis Alexander had 70 first place votes. Nicole Jokic had 30. And they had all but one second place vote between them, which was the widest separation we'd ever seen in the straw poll. So before I give these two guys. Where do you guys think this landed with the two of them? Before I give the results, I'm going.

[Tim McMahon]

To say it's probably even a little bit more leaning toward SGA simply because Joker did miss a stretch of games and SGA has continued putting up insane numbers. And the Thunder are cruising to the best record in the league and perhaps one of the best records in NBA history.

[Brian Windhorst]

Jokic has been so amazingly good. You can create the, you could create a case that this has been his best season.

[Tim McMahon]

He would. He has.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. Yeah. And, and because I think he knows it's going to be hard for him to win it, he's, you know, leaned into it even a smidge. Can I just say though, that today is April 1st as we're recording this?

[Tim McMahon]

No, fool.

[Brian Windhorst]

The. The, the. The Thunder have not yet had their 13th loss, which means 70 wins is still in play. We've only had 270 win teams in history. I'm not sure how many times 70 wins has still been in play. With less than two weeks in the season, there's been a couple of teams that have won. Not many, you know, the Lakers in 71, 72, 169. I assume that they. I don't know. I shouldn't assume. I should look it up. But it's. It's probably less than five times is my guess.

[Tim Bontemps]

By the way, this is their schedule. Just to run it through before we get to the results, they got seven games left, as you said. They're 6, 3 and 12 tonight. Wednesday night they're on ESPN. They're playing the Pistons. Pistons, obviously missing a couple of guys put games at home. Thunder should win the game. Probably their toughest game left is Friday in Houston.

[Brian Windhorst]

Tough game, I would say if they win against Detroit and then they win in Houston on Friday, I declare a four alarm fire on the 70W but.

[Tim McMahon]

Well they've got another.

[Tim Bontemps]

Here's the rest. Here's the rest of the schedule. They then have two home games in a row against the Lakers on Sunday and Tuesday. Home games so certainly can win. Won't be easy games. They then have a back to back on Wednesday in Phoenix. Probably no Kevin Durant playing sons obviously are tire fire at the moment. Then their final two games are on the road in Utah and in New Orleans.

[Tim McMahon]

Two teams that don't appear too interested in winning basketball games late in the season.

[Tim Bontemps]

So this is like it's really in play. Like they got a real shot at it and I really hope that they try to do it. Don't take their foot off the gas at all.

[Tim McMahon]

Let's just be real blunt. They can rest guys in the last two games of the season and still do. Yes, do both. You know if they get through this thing they win the next five.

[Tim Bontemps]

They should win the last two.

[Brian Windhorst]

Two things I'm going to say one, the Thunder have occasionally this year rested players and still won.

[Tim McMahon]

Well that's when they did that all the time. Jalen Williams, Arkansas J Will would be an MVP candidate because all he does triple doubles in those.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay so that's one thing. The second thing is this those three games at the end it is the three game road trip but my God all of the by that time Phoenix could be done. They probably won't be because Dallas and the Kings keep losing. But it's possible those teams could have zero to play for now. I know I have listened and paid attention to what the Thunder players have said about about this chasing 70. They say they don't care about it. They say that it's you know you're not remembered with how many wins you have in the regular season and all that is true.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah. The Boy Scout Thunder said boring things. Breaking news.

[Brian Windhorst]

I know. But their actions indicate they like winning.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah.

[Tim Bontemps]

They're only 26 and 3 in their last 29 games.

[Tim McMahon]

I'm sorry dude. Competitive NBA players, when they have a chance to make history it's a. That's a nice little carry and they're.

[Tim Bontemps]

Going to get a whole week off after I look we don't need to get spend more time. I just really hope they go for it because I think it'd be awesome if they're able to somehow pull this off and win their final 17 in a row.

[Brian Windhorst]

So I think they are before I let you go.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

I think they are incentivized to push the Lakers back. I don't think. I would think they would rather have Memphis move up, if Memphis even holds on, but I think they will be highly incentivized to push the Lakers back to five or six.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, I know. I don't think they're that worried about that part, but we'll see. So. So after all, I mean, they shouldn't be worried about anything. I mean they should just be out there playing their games. They got the best net rating of all time and they might win 70 games like they should. Feel like they could beat everybody. That being said, McMahon almost nailed it on the head. So Shagal Alexander, 77 out of 100 first place votes, 23 second place votes obviously on every ballot. Nicole Jokic, 23 first place votes, 77 second place votes, 100 votes on every ballot. Certainly what it should be, but the only two guys in the top two spots, the only guys to be on every ballot, they both had historic seasons. I would tend to agree with you, McMahon. I would say the combination of Jokic missing these late games and the Thunder potentially win in 70 games, I think is probably ultimately going to tip this thing in the other direction. However, I will say we have a couple weeks left in the season and you know, if Jokic has a couple more 40, 20, 20 type games, I do think it's enough of a binary choice that there is some world where it potentially shifts the other way. But I certainly think as we sit here right now going into April 2, 10 days to go in the rare 12 days to go in the regular season, it certainly looks like Shakelis Alexander is going to be the next MVP and Joker's going to become, which I think is actually a pretty cool stat, even if he doesn't become the third guy to win four out of five. Here's a whiz of the quiz for you.

[Tim McMahon]

And now to present today's trivia question.

[Tim Bontemps]

The whiz of the quiz. Tim Bontemps will be the first guy to be in the top two in MVP balloting, assuming the actual results go this way five consecutive years.

[Brian Windhorst]

First guy ever.

[Tim Bontemps]

No, first guy since blank.

[Brian Windhorst]

Oh, oh. LeBron.

[Tim McMahon]

LeBron.

[Tim Bontemps]

Not LeBron Harden. LeBron was third in 2011. Harden was third in one of the years.

[Tim McMahon]

Wasn't him Jordan.

[Tim Bontemps]

Wasn't Jordan either.

[Tim McMahon]

Wilt not.

[Tim Bontemps]

Might not. Might be welt. But somebody more recent than him. Green more recent than him.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, how do you handle Jordan? Because Jordan missed years. I mean, do you.

[Tim Bontemps]

Oh, I mean he didn't. He didn't finish in the top two in consecutive years. Doesn't matter if he was hurt. Just didn't do it. Part of it's being awesome and available all the time.

[Tim McMahon]

Wasn't Kobe, was it?

[Tim Bontemps]

Was it Kobe Older. Think about guys who've won a lot of mvps. This isn't a trick question. Kareem, not Kareem.

[Tim McMahon]

We did Jordan. I won a lot of MVPs.

[Tim Bontemps]

Only handful of guys who won a lot of MVPs. Not Moses Malone. This guy finished second in Moses Malone, though, at least one of the years.

[Tim McMahon]

So how is that Magic?

[Tim Bontemps]

No, I said more recent than Kareem. The same time frame as Magic. We're getting closer. You had Larry Bird. Larry Bird. Larry Bird finished second from 81 to 83 and first from 84 to 86.

[Tim McMahon]

I think. Jordan, I blame you for our.

[Tim Bontemps]

I did. I said Kareem, but you were not listening.

[Tim McMahon]

Our Wild Bird chase. I should say so.

[Tim Bontemps]

So, yeah, they. You know, that would be. That's a heck of an accomplishment regardless of whether he finishes first or second. But.

[Tim McMahon]

Well, and. And look, man, nobody in Denver wants to hear this. Michael Malone definitely does want to hear this. But the fact that Joker has three and Shea doesn't have any, it's really close. You throw that as also one of the tiebreakers, along with the record, the games played.

[Brian Windhorst]

And also, what about Shay's defense? I'm not saying Jokic is a negative, but like.

[Tim McMahon]

Well, they have a story coming out soon about Joker actually being a defensive analytics darling and.

[Brian Windhorst]

And as much of a darling as.

[Tim McMahon]

Shay Gildas Alexander analytically, like defensive box plus minus and stuff. More so. But.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, but when you watch him. Well, I'm not gonna. I don't want to. I have. This.

[Tim Bontemps]

We don't need to get into.

[Brian Windhorst]

I'm not going to.

[Tim Bontemps]

Exactly.

[Brian Windhorst]

I'm going to say this about the Thunder, though, by the way, because I've started having my discussions with coaches and executives about the defensive. All defensive teams and defensive player of the year. I gotta tell you something. I am considering voting Lou Dort for Defensive Player of the Year.

[Tim McMahon]

Well, gee whiz, what a. What a outlier statement that.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, he's never made an all defensive.

[Tim McMahon]

Team, which is ridiculous and it's embarrassing. And that is a result of.

[Brian Windhorst]

You're saying it's ridiculous. Buddy, I don't think he'll. I don't think. Well, I don't know. I'm just gonna say this. This is a. This was a great day today for Kobe White, who was named Eastern Conference Player of the month, which is a Great accomplishment.

[Tim Bontemps]

He's been smoking hot.

[Brian Windhorst]

Kobe White played in Oklahoma City on Monday night and Dort was on him. Oh, and he went to a five. Five. He took five shots.

[Tim McMahon]

Our former colleague Royce Young, whose official title now is Thunder Chief of Propaganda, he put out a. There was a graphic last night on the broadcast and it's a list of some of the best scorers in the league and their season averages against Oklahoma City. Luka Doncic, 16 points per game. Now it's one game, but still. Kid Cunningham, 11. Again, one game but still. Devin Booker, 15 and a half. That's almost 10 less than a season average. LeBron 12. That's less than half a season average. Donovan Mitchell 9.5. That's way less than half of his season average. So Lou Dort is definitely like the guy as a star you least want to see as your opponent.

[Brian Windhorst]

I'm considering putting five Thunder players on the all defensive team. I can't put Chad on there because he's not going to qualify. I'm considering it now. I also, I also have.

[Tim Bontemps]

I would say that's going to be.

[Tim McMahon]

Slightly aggressive, but they're the number one defensive league.

[Tim Bontemps]

They are, they're great.

[Tim McMahon]

But if you're going, if you're going to have Shay on an all defensive ballot, then you have to have five Thunder players.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, and he'll tell you that. Jalen Williams, Lou Dort, and I forget.

[Tim Bontemps]

To say, Hartenstein, I assume Arnstein or Caruso. Well, I don't know if Hardenstein will qualify.

[Brian Windhorst]

I don't think. I don't think Hardenstein, maybe I gotta.

[Tim McMahon]

Look at Caruso wouldn't qualify either.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right. Anyway, I don't want to turn this into a defensive player of the year discussion. I've also got people telling me I should vote for Evan Mobley too. And I've also got people who to tell me I should vote for Jaren Jackson. So I've gotta. It's not that. I'm just telling you I'm. I'm seriously considering voting for Door. Last year I almost voted.

[Tim Bontemps]

He's gonna be one of them. He's gonna be first Semal, defense guard, I think. I mean, I know there's anymore, but I do. Two guards and three front court guys. I'm going to do Dyson and Door. As of now I got to look at it more.

[Tim McMahon]

But the fact Dort hasn't been means that people don't know what they're doing when they're due all deep. And because he doesn't have the stocks numbers he doesn't have the steals in the blocks. Now, he is a master at getting offensive foul calls on screens. I believe he leads the league in that category. And he's as good, if not the best lockdown perimeter defender in the league.

[Brian Windhorst]

You know, nothing against Rudy. I would never say anything against Rudy. Okay, I. I regretted not voting victor defensive player of the year last year. So I'm thinking I'm gonna take. I'm gonna take the regret that I had last year. I'm gonna. I'm thinking about channeling it into this year. I haven't decided yet. I'm gonna wait until I talk to him.

[Tim Bontemps]

I don't really understand what that, what has to do with the other on that, but.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay, well, I've regretted not voting.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, I just mean, what are you going to channel it into? What are we channeling to?

[Brian Windhorst]

Voting for Dort. That's what I'm thinking of.

[Tim Bontemps]

Okay, sure.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right. Sorry, this is. I don't want to get into that. That'll be for later.

[Tim Bontemps]

We already got into it. It's all good.

[Tim McMahon]

More Hoop Collective podcast after this.

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[Tim Bontemps]

Lame.

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[Brian Windhorst]

Their feelings about this MVP vote as always, but particularly because Jokic is so strong.

[Tim Bontemps]

Are they going to be though? I feel like.

[Brian Windhorst]

Oh yes they are because.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, I feel like this has been the first sane discussion of the award in a long time.

[Tim McMahon]

The Serbians are angry. The, I don't know what you call Denver people. The, those Mile High, you know, I mean, they ain't, they ain't got enough of that good stuff up there apparently. Because they're ain't chill. They're, they're fired up too.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. I just, we're not going to, we're.

[Tim Bontemps]

Not going to discussion the past several years, it feels like this year it's been fairly docile.

[Tim McMahon]

Oh, Michael Malone's, he's feisty. You know, he's always fight. I mean he doesn't know who you are. Bond him. So he might not be aware of this pulse. He'll be feisty.

[Tim Bontemps]

Not at all.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right, so we usually go backwards but because this show is on tv, which everybody knows I love.

[Tim Bontemps]

Hey, move it around a little bit.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. So now we're going to go upwards. Upwards and onwards.

[Tim Bontemps]

So. So in, so in the same fashion we, since we're, since we start at the top, we'll go to the next couple spots and it was similar breakdown. There was massive separation with first and second, massive separation with third and fourth. Yas Tennikupo finished third. 53 third place votes 37, fourth place votes five. Fifth place votes, 95 ballots. Finished 18 points ahead of Jason Tatum, who was on third place on 41 ballots. Fourth place on 51 ballots, fifth place on five. 97 total votes, three hundred and sixty three points behind Giannis's three.

[Brian Windhorst]

I gotta say, I know it's a small thing, but it's just. It's annoying to me. That's nothing against Tatum. It's annoying to me that Tatum is on more ballots than Giannis. Like, how could you not have Giannis on your ballot?

[Tim McMahon]

I mean, honestly, I think it's hard not to have either one of those guys on any. Like, I agree, four on mine. I don't. I don't see them. I mean, look, whatever. I.

[Tim Bontemps]

For different reasons, you know, I think the fact that the Bucks have tailed off some, obviously, some of that has nothing to do with Giannis. You know, they've had a bunch of injuries. Dame's now out. You know, they're, I think, sixth in the east right now. I think a couple people might have docked him for that. But, I mean, look, those guys, those four guys have been very clearly head and shoulders above everybody else the whole time, so I was not surprised that went that way.

[Brian Windhorst]

Can I read you Giannis's stats?

[Tim Bontemps]

Yes. They are crazy.

[Brian Windhorst]

Giannis is shooting 60% from the field. He shot slightly better last year, but I respect the way he's going about it this year. Far and away shooting the most two pointers of his career. Thank God. Hallelujah. That he's stopped messing around and going to the basket. 30.3, 30.2 points per game, 12 rebounds a game, six assists a game, 1.2 blocks per game. Awesome.

[Tim McMahon]

Not bad.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well enough. The funny thing is, it's. It's funny you lay that out, right, because those stats are out of control. Right. Last year, I think he was the first player ever to score over 30 points a game, shoot over 60% from the field, and I think he's on pace to do it again this year. Right. Like, his numbers are out of control. He's also been metronomically consistent as the third guy in the poll. Metronomically McMahon, like, five years in a row. So Giannis is. Since I started doing this poll in 2017, Giannis is the only player that's been on all 19 straw polls, at least getting at least a single vote, and he's been in the top five in the last 13 in a row. And, wow, he was second once, he was fourth once, and he was third the other 11 times. So whether it was Jokic and LeBron. Whether it was Jokic and Embiid, whether it was, I think at one point Harden and somebody. Whoever it's been throughout that whole stretch, Giannis has basically always been in the top three and always been third despite crazy numbers all the time.

[Brian Windhorst]

Here's his official finishes in the MVP. Okay, 2017, so 1617. I'm just going to say the year 2017. Seventh. 2018, six. 2019, first.

[Tim McMahon]

Ooh, that's when the Harden Giants be started really taking off. Go on.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, 2020 first. Also defensive player of the year. First. 2021. Fourth. 22, third. 23, third, 24, fourth. Trending towards the third.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, third or fourth maybe finishes behind Tatum. I mean they're basically tied. But yeah, he's, he's very consistently been like the other guy, despite having incredible numbers every year. And you know, Tatum has very consistently been like the last three years he's been somewhere between fourth and sixth. He's all. But certainly going to be fourth and you know, feels like that's probably the range he's always going to be in. It'll probably be in it for a long time.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, right at the top of the second tier.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's bait. This will be Giannis's seventh consecutive all NBA first team as well, because he's going to make all NBA first team.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, there was some doubt about him being eligible for any of these awards because injuries, as we talked about.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, he's not, he's not there yet. He's. He does need four more games, in.

[Tim Bontemps]

Fact, but he's been in basically the same place for six weeks. He had that calf injury. We did it the last time and it wasn't clear if he was going to be able to stay over the 65 game limit. Now, you know, knock on wood, as long as he doesn't have any setbacks over the next couple days, he should clear that pretty easily and get himself eligible to be on all these ballots again. And then in fifth place, also comfortably by himself, certain denizen of Cavs corner Donovan Mitchell. Three third place votes, nine fourth place votes, 51. Fifth place votes 63. Total 93 points. No other player was on more than 13 bouts.

[Tim McMahon]

Well, this is exactly how my ballot went in that order.

[Brian Windhorst]

Me too.

[Tim McMahon]

So I would say everybody was right.

[Brian Windhorst]

I had, I had Jalen Brunson fifth on the last straw poll. Obviously Jalen's hurt. I don't know if he's going to get to 65 games. Donovan is not statistically played that well since The All Star break. He has struggled with his shot especially. He's also been bothered by a little bit of a groin injury. But I have giving, I'm giving him credit for his leadership that he's shown. Also, he is going to play the Cavs play on Wednesday. I don't think he's on the injury report. So that'll be his 69th game that he plays on, on Wednesday. That'll be the most games he's played since 2018, 19. He has been routinely available and a big part of their, of their run, which is headed towards. They're obviously eliminated from, from 70, but they could still get, I believe to 67, which is. Which would set the all time franchise record. I don't know if they'll get there. I don't know how hard they're going to go. They do have to get four more wins. Their magic number is four to clinch the number one seed. And if you look at the Celtics schedule, I think they have the second easiest schedule in the league coming in. The Cavs might have to win four more games to clinch that number one seed.

[Tim McMahon]

I don't care what the Celtics schedule is. The Cavs might have to win four more. You can't assume the Celtics lost to anybody right now.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's what I'm saying. Exactly. So I don't know how you guys felt about Donovan here, but I felt he, you know, it's. It's a little bit unclear where you could go here, but I feel like he should be rewarded for the leadership he's had on that team this year.

[Tim McMahon]

Now that's the decision that I made. Look, a team that very likely ends up with the best record in the Eastern Conference, he's the best player on that team. His stats being down a little bit. You know, we've discussed this before. I think that actually adds to his case because he was willing.

[Brian Windhorst]

His minutes are down too.

[Tim McMahon]

Right. He was willing to let go a little bit. He was willing to empower Darius Garland, who's having arguably his best season, to empower Evan Mobley, who's having, without a question, his best season. So I do think Donovan gets, you know, I think he gets a big boost for the overall success of the Cavaliers and for his role as a leader in making that happen.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, and there's, there's a bunch of guys who had cases for fifth which we'll get into in a bit. But like you said, between the record, his leadership standpoint, the fact that they've been way above expectations, the fact he's Played great throughout the year. He I think by for a variety of reasons this is going to sound negative, but became the default option like, well, it's sort of a tie. The tie should go to the guy who's led the team that's wire to wire been the best team in the east and has been one of the, you know, most impressive teams in the se in the league all season.

[Brian Windhorst]

We've gone over the top five of the Bonten Bom. We've gone over the top five of the Bond temps poll. And let's hear the rest on the ballot here before we move on. Bond temps.

[Tim Bontemps]

So in 6th place, interesting name 1 3rd place vote, 2 4th place votes, 10 5th place votes, 13 total votes. Only other player to get into double digit votes. You guys have any guesses on who that might be?

[Brian Windhorst]

Cade Cunningham. I considered him from fifth on my ballot.

[Tim McMahon]

James.

[Tim Bontemps]

So Cade is seventh. We'll get to Cade in a second. Easily his best showing yet in the straw poll. LeBron James, man, once again sixth in the poll. First time LeBron has been this high in the poll since the end of the 2021 season when he finished fifth and he's basically gotten one or two votes. The other times he has been in it and has been sort of like a guy at the very bottom of it. So the first time he's had any meaningful support since then, obviously a nod to the way he both has played and the way the Lakers have played over the last couple of months.

[Brian Windhorst]

It's interesting you say that he's. He's in a pretty significant offensive slump right now. Well, at least a three point shooting slump. I think he's shooting since he came back from the groin injury. I think he's shooting like as of right this moment, he's shooting 19 like his last nine games on threes. He's definitely playing harder on defense.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, I mean they had all these injuries. They had all these injuries and they played great. And LeBron was active on defense and sort of was leading the charge as they were. Not without Anthony Davis working in. Luka Doncic. Everything else that's going on, like, I'm not surprised he's gotten credit.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, why isn't Luca.

[Tim McMahon]

He's not eligible.

[Brian Windhorst]

Oh, that's right. Okay.

[Tim McMahon]

And then LeBron, LeBron rounding down is averaging 24, 8 and 8, shooting 51 from the floor, 37 and change from three point range. And I think some of his friends in the media probably gave him a belated 40th birthday gift and put him in the straw Pole. You know some of his good friends in the media.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, well I did not consider him at fifth so a little bit surprised.

[Tim McMahon]

I guess you don't fit in that.

[Tim Bontemps]

Category then the the guy who's next up as you said Brian Cade Cunningham one third place vote. Seven fifth place votes. Eight total. Cade's obviously having a great year. Pistons having a great year. Had an eventful night the other night after we did the pod bit of a fracas down in down in Detroit and found out suspension lengths for everybody today.

[Tim McMahon]

The melee in Minnesota, Minneapolis, May or sorry yes.

[Tim Bontemps]

Playing Minnesota in Minnesota. But Kade, Kade having a great year and sort of was the other the only other guy to get over five.

[Tim McMahon]

Votes in the poll and will be a no brainer all NBA selection. Sounds like very likely a second team all NBA.

[Tim Bontemps]

Which means money baby.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. I mean I haven't done my all NBA yet but I'm going to tell you, you know I have rule. I have this rule where if a guy is close I put him on Cade's getting paid. Yeah.

[Tim McMahon]

So max money because he's all NBA.

[Tim Bontemps]

No brainer with their season. The way he's played he 100% well.

[Brian Windhorst]

And I will say this, I haven't done it yet either but like I have never considered this when it comes to defensive player of the year. If Evan Mobley wins defensive player of the year he gets the bonus or if he makes it all NBA team he gets the bonus. Now I haven't worked out where Evan would be on the all NBA team but like if I am sticking to my, my personal rule that if it's close I give it to the guy because I'm not going to be the guy that keeps him from getting paid. I think I might have to apply that to defensive player of the year too. If I'm having difficulty maybe I have to give it to Mobley. I'm thinking out loud here.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well guys there's multiple guys that'll apply to so you might be able to throw it out so because Jaren Jackson Jr. Is in the same boat and his is this was even more money if you're trying to do it that way.

[Brian Windhorst]

So for the the super.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah. This is why I don't worry about it and I just vote for whoever I think I should. I'm not saying your approach is wrong. I just.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well I don't worry about it either. But when I'm, you know the two things that I consider when I'm trying to decide on on an award. One I consider that and two, the Lift. What the. What the player is asked to do on a nightly basis. What. What he has got to do for his team. Like, for example, Jokic's lift is enormous.

[Tim Bontemps]

Right?

[Brian Windhorst]

You could, you could argue that Leokage's lift is bigger than Shay's. Although Shay's a better defensive player in my opinion. Although I got. I guess I got to read this story from Chris Herring and McMahon. This is a, this is an odd couple if I've ever heard one doing a story together. I frankly cannot believe the two of you even each have each other's numbers. But. Okay.

[Tim McMahon]

We didn't until we started working on this.

[Brian Windhorst]

I didn't. I'm surprised. I'm gonna.

[Tim McMahon]

My guy. Chris Herring, though. List York Times bestseller has a blurb on the back cover of the Wonder Boy. Luka Doncic and the Curse of Greatness available.

[Brian Windhorst]

Who wrote that book? Who wrote that book?

[Tim McMahon]

Oh, I think this guy did.

[Brian Windhorst]

Anyway, I'll beat you to see the story, which is gonna maybe make the case for Jokic's defensive player of the year. Go ahead, Buntos.

[Tim Bontemps]

So an eighth. Little bit of a surprise to me. One fourth place vote, four fifth place votes, five total. Anthony Edwards did not really. Did not really have ant on the ballot for me.

[Brian Windhorst]

Wolves are coming on strong, by the way, tonight. We're not going to know what happens in tonight's game is Tuesday night. The Wolves are in Denver. The Wolves are coming on strong. They have the easiest schedule remaining in the Western Conference. If they pass Memphis, okay. And they get the six seed, they could play Denver in the first round.

[Tim McMahon]

Denver doesn't want that.

[Brian Windhorst]

They're owing three against them this year. Now, now that we've said this, I'll probably beat them by 30 tonight because they're at home in Denver. Yeah, they're the only three against them this year and obviously lost them in the playoffs last year.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, but, but and, and has had an all NBA type of season, second or third team. He. He's not an MVP candidate.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, I was surprised he got that many votes. So tied with him for eighth one third place vote, two fifth place votes, three total, seven points. Jalen Brunson. I think very clearly his case was.

[Brian Windhorst]

Slide too far down. That's too far. But.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, again, he'd sprained his ankle, has been out for the last month, so.

[Tim McMahon]

And if he plays 65, it might end up being like on the nose.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah. So I mean he'll, he'll make omba. He probably would have been right there. Well, yes, I, I'm assuming He's going to come back in the next week and play a couple games and get to the number he's close to getting it. Yes, four, four total behind them in 10th six fifth place votes, Carl Anthony Towns, his teammate. I remain. Carl's had a great year. I remain to be a little surprised that people would vote for a Knick and not vote for Jalen Brunson. I think he's very clearly the most valuable player. Carl's had a great year though. Certainly he's going to be another guy in all NBA consideration. In 11th with four fifth place votes, another Denison of Cavs corner Evan Mo getting little more love. He got one one fifth place vote first time he'd ever gotten in the poll last time. Gets a couple more for the way he's closed the season. As you said, he's going to be a guy certainly in consideration for the back end of the all NBA and defensive player of the year bouts. We'll see where that lands. In 12th with three fifth place votes, Stephen Curry who has obviously been part of this warriors resurgence. He's missed a little time with injury or I think he may have potentially been a little higher. And then in 13th and 14th with 2 and 1 fifth place votes, couple of point guards. Tyrese Halberton with the Pacers who has been on a heater lately as we've talked about. He's been averaging double digit assists with one turnover game basically for the past several weeks and has been awesome. And James Harden got 1 5th place, 14th place.

[Brian Windhorst]

I respect it. Harden is looking great. The Clippers have been terrific. Friend of the pod.

[Tim Bontemps]

He, he is. The Clippers have a couple guys who could maybe consider for words but Harden's been great. Maybe all star team could maybe get some all NBA consideration but you know it's had an awesome year for the Clips and as we've talked about with Kawhi Leonard now back healthy they're going to be an interesting out in the playoffs.

[Brian Windhorst]

James Harden has become an underrated player in an unexpected turn in his career.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well he is a great regular season player. We are going to find out in the playoffs this year if he could still be if he can still raise it up to be a fair enough big time player in the playoffs. Like you saw a couple years ago news with Philly. He had the two amazing games in that series against Boston and then he had five duds.

[Tim McMahon]

He had two great games against the Mavericks last year. The Clippers won two games. It was a six game.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yes. So that's that's the question in this year. But look like when he turns it up, he can still turn it up.

[Brian Windhorst]

There are people who believe two years ago, if Embiid does not come back in that series, James Harden might be one of them who believes that. I'm not going to speak for him. But if Embiid does not come back in that series, that they win that series, that was a series they lost in seven. Harden had 40 in game one in Boston. They win indeed. Comes back for game two. Boston wins and then they're they're ahead three, two and ahead in the fourth quarter.

[Tim Bontemps]

They were up, I was going to say they were up with six minutes to go in Game six. They had to was out there too. And you know, that's just, that's one of those great what if moments. But how it goes.

[Brian Windhorst]

I was, I remember sitting next to you in the center or whatever they calling it then, and I was like, because we thought I was like this is it. Like they could beat Boston. And I remember looking at you and saying, the MVP's got to carry him home. Carry him home, big boy.

[Tim Bontemps]

And he didn't.

[Tim McMahon]

More Hoop Collective podcast after this Granger.

[Brian Windhorst]

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[TaxAct Representative]

The tax deadline is almost here and TaxAct has live experts to help answer any last minute questions you may have. Questions like Can I claim my SUV is my home office? If I answer work emails in my car? If I adopted 12 dogs this year, can I list them as dependents and am I doing this right or am I doing this very, very wrong? Our experts have the answers to those questions and many others. Tax act. Let's get them over with.

[Brian Windhorst]

This has been one of our most exciting episodes of the season, if you ask me. No, no. You know, verbal punches thrown yet we've still time.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, you know why? Because Brian is new. Do no prep, man. I did all the, I did all the work on the level. You're doing the Cody's factor.

[Brian Windhorst]

You just sit back here and I love it. I love it.

[Tim McMahon]

Hey, he submitted a ballot that it took, that's true, seconds of prep for that.

[Brian Windhorst]

I have, by the way, I resolved this year. I used to be one of the last filers of the ballot. I resolved this year to get you my ballot asap. And I feel like I followed through on that.

[Tim Bontemps]

You have. It's been awesome. It's a great thing. I didn't have to ask you Both you and McMahon this. I text you guys within two minutes, you sent me the ballot. It's great.

[Brian Windhorst]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Tim Bontemps]

What is it supposed to be off the cuff? What are people thinking in the moment?

[Brian Windhorst]

So it's great, but it's, it's now our man McMahon's time to shine.

[Tim Bontemps]

That's right.

[Brian Windhorst]

A new month, which means an old month is over, which means the cojones have been on.

[Tim Bontemps]

We have a new set of rules for what the cohones factor will be.

[Brian Windhorst]

We do.

[Tim Bontemps]

Let's wait to see what the, what the criteria will be.

[Tim McMahon]

This is the first factor is always, always, always a combination of clutch and swag. Two things that you fellas are not familiar with.

[Tim Bontemps]

I just always enjoy the rationale for the, for the order every month. It's great. So here we go.

[Tim McMahon]

As I do, you know, once a month. All right, we are going to give a shout out to Jordan Poole didn't make one of the top three, but the man did have a, a 30 foot foot or 30 some odd foot game winner in Denver. You know the, the little splash cousin from years past knocked one down. There wasn't a buzzer beater, but it was a, you know, last second, last few seconds game winner. Now we're gonna go to the New York Knicks. And this wasn't one of their two guys who popped up in the straw poll, but this was a man who was concerned about some minutes and said as much on the record. Challenging Tibs, the Minutes police in his own locker room for Tibs. We got a problem here. Macau Bridges. Now listen, if you're gonna Minutes Police Tips. Boy, oh, boy, you better come with it. And Bridges did it that very night.

[Brian Windhorst]

It was amazing in Portland and in overtime, was it not?

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, played 41 minutes. It was overtime, but he played 41 minutes that night. For those who are counting, including Mr. Bridges, scored 33 points and capped it off with a buzzer beater. And so listen, it takes cojones just to call out Tibs about minutes, period. You know, especially.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, you know, he's not a guy who's known for his swag, but, you know, he. You gave him some.

[Tim McMahon]

Oh, no, he's got, he's got the, you know, he's got the kind of. The signature three point celebration and you know, he's got a little something something.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right, I take it back.

[Tim McMahon]

But hit that little. Hit that little pull up jumper, buzzer beater in Portland when, you know, the talk of the day around the Knicks was, oh my gosh, can you believe Bridges called out Tibbs? So, yeah, that got the man, the brass balls, third place in the March cojones factor. Player of the month. All right, fellas, I mentioned to you, I didn't know exactly. I had to check with the committee, which is me, and I pondered this for a little while. Could a team be eligible for this award? And I came to the conclusion that had to be.

[Tim Bontemps]

I'm just gonna, I'm gonna remind everybody what I said two minutes ago about how every month there's a new. There's a new set of rules governing who wins.

[Brian Windhorst]

Fellas, this is great.

[Tim McMahon]

The freaking Indiana Pacers, though, come back in the final, you know, however many seconds to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, they're down, I think seven in the final minute. Came back to beat what was left over of the Dallas Mavericks. Came back in the final minute to beat the Brooklyn Nets. Two straight games. That's four straight games where the Pacers came from behind to pull off these victims.

[Brian Windhorst]

They almost got the Lakers. If it hadn't been for LeBron's tip in with whom who made the driving play?

[Tim McMahon]

Lucas floater. Miss. And LeBron got a tip. Oh, I forgot which Pacer put him up. But yeah, but yeah, you know, and then cap the month, fittingly by beating the Sacramento Kings by a bucket. So the Indiana Pacers as a team are going to be silver medalists. You know, I wouldn't say Rick Carlisle is a coach with an extraordinary amount of swag, but as a team, I mean. And the signature moment of all this was Tyrese Halliburton's four point play to beat The Minnesota Timberwolves.

[Brian Windhorst]

That was amazing.

[Tim McMahon]

And by the way, Obi toppin the very next game.

[Tim Bontemps]

He beat the Wolves and top Tyrese beat the Bucks, right?

[Tim McMahon]

Oh, is it the Bucks. Okay, you're right. You're right.

[Tim Bontemps]

And then Obi beat the Wolves. That's right.

[Brian Windhorst]

Obi who got the game ball.

[Tim McMahon]

So even boy.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, exactly.

[Tim McMahon]

So even before that little crash, even before that little stretch. That's right. It was the Bucks. That was earlier in the month. So I didn't even mention that. So the four straight final minute comebacks, like, you know, a little bit earlier in the month, Tyrese Halberton's four point play, I just had to give it to the Pacers as fair enough. The silver medalist. The first time that an entire team has. Has gotten this kind of honor. All right, and then this is for the gold medalist. A man who has Wendy's full respect. A man who's getting love letters written to him in the Oklahoma this week despite the fact that he no longer plays for the Thunder. A whole man with good hair and one hell of a closing kick against the Los Angeles Lakers. I believe this was an ESPN game with the world watching. Right after LeBron's tip in the night before against the Pacers. And again, that final stretch. LeBron's not going to include that on those Mind the game podcasts with Steve Nash. No, no, no. But yeah, no. LeBron's little defensive bust and then an inbounds pass where he was outsmarted by Josh Giddy. Got the steal. Woof. Got the dish to old Kobe White. And then. Well, they're down. They're down. In the final seconds, the Lakers go back up. Boston Reeves little drive. They'll finish. What happens. Kobe White from the left eye or. I'm sorry, don't. Sorry. Josh Giddy. I gotta give you full credit. Josh Giddy hair flowing. The left eye of the Bulls logo and it's bullseye, baby. And that gooseneck was hanging the whole.

[Brian Windhorst]

You love that we did an NBA today, the next day. You loved how he left that hanging.

[Tim McMahon]

Oh, he just. He lets that thing go and it.

[Brian Windhorst]

Was like Wesley Snipes and white men catch up.

[Tim McMahon]

He lets that thing go and it would. And he just, he left that follow through hanging. It was looking pretty, just like his hair and just strutting his way toward the hoop. Swish. Josh Giddey, absolutely, positively for that moment, for that finish, he earned the cojones factor player of the month. The longest buzzer beater in Chicago Bulls history and the first guy I can get.

[Brian Windhorst]

Jordan didn't need buzzer beaters.

[Tim McMahon]

He had a few, but not feet. First guy to get a steal, an assist and a bucket in the final seconds of a game since. Wow, all the smoke. Matt Barnes In 2017, that was a.

[Brian Windhorst]

Reggie Miller type display. He had those seals and stuff. I guess no assist though, for Reggie. He got those steals and he just took it himself.

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, no, Reggie wasn't one to rack up too many assists, but yeah. Josh Giddy man. Probably the biggest honor of his career. Certainly something he'll use in contract negotiations this summer with the that hard negotiating Chicago Bulls front office.

[Brian Windhorst]

He probably got the Royce Young player of the week a few times though.

[Tim McMahon]

I tell you what, there's no question about that. And Roy's probably Royce. Probably hand wrote some certificates for him too. Like little cute pictures and stuff.

[Brian Windhorst]

We love Royce. All right. Beautiful job as usual, McMahon. We look forward to. Will there be one for April just for two weeks or we. You include the playoffs?

[Tim McMahon]

Yeah, April will go. We'll include the first round, then we'll cap it after that because it's all onus once you get the second round.

[Brian Windhorst]

It's all good.

[Tim McMahon]

You know what though? I do have a little bit of reporting here. There is a Royce Young Player of the month that's given out to the best Oklahoma City player each month. And instead of a trophy, it's just a milk bottle. They give a milk bottle as the honor here because you know, that's a milk drinking team if I've ever seen one. And nobody epitomizes that. Like the chief of propaganda was Young.

[Brian Windhorst]

Oh my God. He. McMahon is such. It's a good thing you're a big guy because you'd get your face punched in if you weren't. All right, McMahon. How about Monday night in Dallas? The Mavericks losing to the Nets at home in a sad state of affairs that nobody seems to want that. The nine or ten seed in the Western Conference and gives the top Sixers a two game cushion on the fifth seed, which should get some sort of award.

[Tim Bontemps]

I don't know, but might as well be 20 games. Might as well be 20 games for the top Sixers.

[Brian Windhorst]

You're saying they will not win again?

[Tim Bontemps]

I. I don't think they're winning twice more. They play the Wizards again. I don't. I don't think they're. I don't think they're winning two more games.

[Brian Windhorst]

Does anybody want the ninth and 10th seed? Anybody?

[Tim McMahon]

As messy as things have been for the Mavs, they've moved up a couple spots in the Western Conference standings recently. They're sitting in the nine seed. Things are falling apart on the Sacramento Kings and old Phoenix Suns. Motivational Matt. It couldn't quite stick and unfortunately Ed did look like a pretty nasty ankle sprain for Kevin Durant. I think the question now is has Kevin Durant played his last game in a son's uniform?

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, he had a sprained to the same ankle on the warm up. Remember when he got to the Suns two years ago it was a similar looking play actually and he missed 10 games. Now that wasn't at the end of the season. The thing about it is, yeah, the Sun's next five games are against teams in the playoffs with winning records. I can't see him coming back in for any of those. So.

[Tim Bontemps]

But even to run through this, just to run through this for people, they're in Milwaukee Tuesday night. So by the time you hear this you'll know how they did. They're in Boston Friday, they're in New York Sunday. They then fly home to play Golden State on Tuesday, the Thunder on Wednesday and the second night of a back to back. Then they have the spurs on Friday in that game against the Kings on Sunday the 13th.

[Tim McMahon]

I anticipate there will be some flights to Cancun after that game from either.

[Brian Windhorst]

The Kings or the or the Suns.

[Tim McMahon]

I anticipate that the Kings will be making their way there.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right. Beautiful job gentlemen. Great work.

[Tim McMahon]

Very windy like usual.

[Brian Windhorst]

Didn't even crack a sweat this one. Thank you to Jackson, our producer. Thank you for watching. Listen to Collective. We'll talk to you later this week.

[Tim McMahon]

Adios amigos.