NBA Finals Game 4 Preview + Knicks’ Crazy Coaching Search | The Hoop Collective

Summary

Hoop Collective Podcast Summary
Episode: NBA Finals Game 4 Preview + Knicks’ Crazy Coaching Search
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Hosts: Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, Bam Adebayo McMahon
Platform: ESPN

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1. Introduction and Panel Welcome

The episode kicks off with Brian Windhorst welcoming listeners to the Hoop Collective podcast, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion on the NBA Finals and the New York Knicks' tumultuous coaching search.

• [00:00] Brian Windhorst: “Welcome to the Hoop Collective podcast. We talk about the NBA…”
• [00:23] Bam Adebayo McMahon: “Howdy, partners.”

2. NBA Finals Game 4 Preview

a. Pacers' Impressive Run

The hosts express optimism about the Indiana Pacers' chances in the Finals, highlighting their recent performance and consistency.

• [02:11] Brian Windhorst: “The Pacers won game three and are now two wins away from their first championship.”
• [02:25] Tim Bontemps: “The Pacers have not lost two games in a row since the first week of March.”

b. Thunder's Shift in Momentum

Discussion shifts to the Seattle Thunder, acknowledging their initial status as favorites but noting a shift in momentum due to Pacers' recent victories.

• [02:29] Bam Adebayo McMahon: “Are the Thunders still the betting favorites? I really haven't…”
• [02:50] Brian Windhorst: “They are. Obviously, it's reduced…”

c. Key Player Performances

The conversation delves into standout performances, particularly praising Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell for their pivotal roles.

• [06:57] Brian Windhorst: “I agree. Let's talk about Halliburton a second…”
• [11:15] Tim Bontemps: “Tyrese Halliburton… had 22 and 11 was a dominant factor in the game.”

d. Game 3 Analysis: Fourth Quarter Dominance

The hosts analyze Game 3, emphasizing the Pacers' dominance in the fourth quarter and the Thunder's fatigue.

• [03:44] Brian Windhorst: “The Thunder up by five going into the fourth quarter…”
• [04:31] Brian Windhorst: “The Pacers dominated the fourth quarter on both ends.”

e. Strategy and Coaching Insights

Insights into the Pacers' strategic approach, comparing them to past successful teams and highlighting coach Rick Pitino's influence.

• [10:18] Brian Windhorst: “Crusoe knows the scouting reports…”
• [11:43] Bam Adebayo McMahon: “Rick has done that before. This team ain't scared.”

f. Clutch Performances and Historical Comparisons

The panel draws parallels between the current Pacers and historical teams like the 2011 Mavericks, focusing on their ability to perform in clutch situations.

• [20:16] Tim Bontemps: “They are now 10 and one in games decided by single digits…”
• [24:00] Bam Adebayo McMahon: “Like they walked in the YMCA for pickup and they don't get picked first.”

3. Knicks’ Coaching Search

a. Ongoing Challenges

The Knicks' frantic search for a new head coach is dissected, highlighting the unprecedented number of denied permission requests.

• [29:56] Brian Windhorst: “As of this recording, they've asked for permission on five NBA head coaches and been denied…”
• [30:14] Bam Adebayo McMahon: “They fired a coach fresh off a conference finals appearance…”

b. Potential Candidates and Speculations

Discussion of possible candidates such as Billy Donovan, Jason Kidd, and Monty Williams, including the complexities of securing a top-tier coach.

• [33:03] Tim Bontemps: “They have a ton of money and an Eastern Conference that…”
• [33:50] Bam Adebayo McMahon: “I think Kid certainly at this point has gone like…”

c. Comparisons with Past Coaching Searches

The panel compares the Knicks' current predicament to past coaching hires, such as the Lakers' hiring of Frank Vogel, to illustrate the challenges and potential outcomes.

• [36:09] Brian Windhorst: “This reminds me a little bit of when the Lakers hired Frank Vogel…”
• [37:02] Brian Windhorst: “Monty Williams literally got offered and then chose the Suns…”

4. Closing Remarks and Teasers

a. Final Thoughts on the Finals and Coaching Search

The hosts wrap up their analysis of the Finals and the Knicks' coaching saga, emphasizing the high stakes and the potential for dramatic developments in the upcoming Game 4.

• [39:16] Brian Windhorst: “They haven't been this far in 25 years...”
• [40:30] Tim Bontemps: “It's just a wild sequence of events…”

b. Teaser for Next Episode

Brian Windhorst hints at upcoming episodes and guests, maintaining anticipation for future discussions.

• [41:08] Tim Bontemps: “They announced who's on the pod tomorrow…”
• [41:22] Bam Adebayo McMahon: “Tony Romo, Jason Whitten, Terrell Owens. Adios, amigos.”

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Notable Quotes:

• [03:09] Bam Adebayo McMahon: “I thought the Pacers played great. I thought the Thunder were sloppy…”
• [21:20] Tim Bontemps: “My favorite moment of that game last night is after McConnell makes this ridiculous play…”
• [29:56] Tim Bontemps: “Let's see. We've talked about…”
• [34:22] Brian Windhorst: “They have a very good job…”

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Key Takeaways:

• Indiana Pacers' Dominance: The Pacers are on the brink of their first NBA Championship, showing remarkable consistency and strategic prowess, especially in clutch moments.
• Tyrese Haliburton's Emergence: Haliburton has become a pivotal player for the Pacers, showcasing exceptional performance in high-pressure situations.
• Knicks' Coaching Crisis: The New York Knicks face significant challenges in securing a new head coach, having been denied access by multiple candidates, leading to speculation and uncertainty.
• Historical Parallels: The Pacers' current run draws comparisons to the 2011 Mavericks, highlighting themes of underdog resilience and strategic ingenuity.
• Future Episodes: The Hoop Collective promises continued in-depth analysis and high-profile guest appearances, keeping listeners engaged with ongoing NBA narratives.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and memorable moments from the Hoop Collective podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened while preserving the richness and engagement of the original conversation.

Transcript

[Brian Windhorst]

Foreign. Welcome to the Hoop Collective podcast. We talk about the NBA, which we're doing on Thursday afternoon at Gainbridge Field House in Indianapolis, Indiana. We did ask permission to have Dave McMenamon on the podcast. We were denied. So instead we'll go with Tim Bontemps.

[Tim Bontemps]

Hello, Everybody.

[Brian Windhorst]

And Bam McMahon.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Howdy, partners.

[Tim Bontemps]

Why?

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Why'd you ask permission for Mac 10?

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, it's a ask permission denied joke.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Oh, good job.

[Tim Bontemps]

I was just wondering who tonight.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Sorry, I'm a little bit. Little fatigued, little tired.

[Brian Windhorst]

How's your back?

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I've been better. I've been better. You know, let me loosen up.

[Brian Windhorst]

You did throw down some buckets at Hinkle Field House, though.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And I also smoked a ton of layups.

[Tim Bontemps]

Neither one of us played very well, though. I didn't play against McMahon.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

The Achilles is intact. I showed up.

[Brian Windhorst]

I did feel a little bit bad.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Yeah, Bon Temp. No, I'm still.

[Tim Bontemps]

I got a few comments about your Achilles.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

My Achilles are still undefeated. I was not. I did show. I saw. I saw the last 10 points or so. Bond Temps second game, and then I played the next three. You want a scout report on Bon Temps?

[Brian Windhorst]

I do.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Well, I'm going to tell you, this Bond Temps basketball game is a lot like his podcasting game.

[Brian Windhorst]

I see.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

He talks a whole lot. Talks a whole lot. And contributes not much.

[Tim Bontemps]

All I'll say is I watched the first three minutes of McMahon's game, and there was one foul called in the first two games. He called three in the first 90 seconds. That's how that worked.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, he being a gentleman, he likes to officiate.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

The guy who guarded me. The guy who guarded me called the first two fouls. I would have let him go. He did hack me. I do have bruises up and down my arms, you know, but it's okay, man.

[Tim Bontemps]

Shaq one of the same.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

More Zaza than Shaq, I must admit, and I love Zaza, but the man would smoke a layup and he could not jump over this sheet of paper.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right, so I don't know if you guys heard, but the Pacers won game three.

[Tim Bontemps]

Sure did.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Yes.

[Brian Windhorst]

And they are now two wins away from their first championship. I just want to say something here before we even get into this. I'm just going to point out the Pacers have not lost two games in a row since the first week of March.

[Tim Bontemps]

It's pretty good.

[Brian Windhorst]

If that holds, they will win the trophy.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

That's a good point. And the whole 29 and one against each from conference thing for the Thunder, we can throw that out the window because they are now one and two in this series. So, you know, the Pacers approve. And this ain't going to be some kind of waltz to the, you know, to a parade in Bricktown, that's for sure. Are the Thunders still the betting favorites? I really haven't.

[Brian Windhorst]

They are. Okay, they are. Obviously it's reduced. You know, if you really, really believe in the Pacers, if you believe they can win two of the next four games, you can get better than even money.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Put your money where your mouth is.

[Brian Windhorst]

What a well played basketball game. Beyond all that, honestly, I haven't heard what the. You don't agree?

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I thought the Pacers played great. I thought the Thunder were sloppy and I thought the Pacers created some of the Thunder slop. But dude, TJ McConnell intercepted three inbounds pass. Well, you don't see that very often.

[Brian Windhorst]

Finest game.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

No, but that was the third inbounds pass that McConnell. I mean, McConnell, the energy, he changed the game in the second quarter and Matheran changed the game in the second quarter. And then, dude, if it's close advantage, Pacers big time. Well, they've been outscored in three of the four quarters in this series. They're plus 27 in the fourth quarter.

[Brian Windhorst]

Plus 27 in the fourth, minus 33 in the first three. Look, let me just say this. The Thunder up by five going into the fourth quarter. Yeah, I know it's here. I know that the Pacers close. If you want to win the title and you're up by five going the last 12 minutes, you got to close that well.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And when Jalen Williams hit, he hit a nice. It was a pretty tough pull up three going to his right at the buzzer. It was a big time shot and I felt like, wow, you know, I mean, he hit. He hit some big time shots in. In the last couple rounds. That felt like the biggest shot of his career. Now it's a footnote because of the way the. The Pacers, I mean, wow, did they dominate the fourth quarter on both ends. Shea was a complete non factor in the fourth quarter. The Pacers got whatever they want and gave.

[Brian Windhorst]

Shed Holmgren started hot and just faded down the stretch.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, I mean, look, we talked a lot the other day, sort of informalities about this series, certainly including me, led by me at some points. And, well, everybody was saying the same thing, but I said it was going to be two.

[Brian Windhorst]

Two.

[Tim Bontemps]

You did.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And it means we have a guarantee by winning.

[Tim Bontemps]

And then you refused to guarantee. Did a Semi prediction.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

No, it's a guarantee now. It's not a prediction anymore. He guarantees a game four win for.

[Tim Bontemps]

Okay, I know he did it again.

[Brian Windhorst]

I said what I said the.

[Tim Bontemps]

Look, I, I did not think after the first two games that the Pacers could dictate the terms of the game. And in the series, the way it went, like I thought, like we talked about, if the Pacers had another game like game one, where they were plus 20 at the three point line, they could shoot the ball well, they could win the game. If you told me the Pacers are going to go 9 for 27 from 3 in a game, I would say they got home at home. So they got no chance of winning that game. So they. The way they were able to dictate the way the game went. You know, a buddy, longtime scout, texted me at halftime and said yesterday felt like the first game of the finals. Because the first two games, the Thunder, yes, they lost game one, but they led for 94 and a half of the first 96 minutes. They were in control of most of the games. And the. That was a. I mean, I know the Thunder were a little sloppy. I'm with you. That was an unbelievable game. Great back and forth action.

[Brian Windhorst]

I thought everything that went, that happened over the first three quarters with the Pacers were doing a lot. Right. And the Thunder were ahead by five.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, no, both teams were playing great, but like that. Yesterday was the first time I really thought the Pacers could win the series because I didn't think they could do that to the Thunder. And from wearing the Thunder out in the fourth quarter like we've seen them do to the Cavs and the Bucks and the Knicks before that. Shakers. Alexander was out of gas late. Jalen Williams was out of gas late. Chad Holmgren was really rough late. He was out of gas late. They're picking up full court. TJ McConnell stealing in bounce passes. It's all the stuff we've seen the Pacers doing throughout the playoffs. And the biggest thing is Tyrese Halliburton, after being mostly invisible through the first couple games, hit some shots early, had 22 and 11 was a dominant factor in the game. And when he plays like that, when he has 20 and 20 and 10 in a game, the paces are 20 and 1 this season. That's the number one stat with them.

[Brian Windhorst]

I agree. Let's talk about Halliburton a second. First, because you brought the Pacers defense, we got some stats. Williams work here. I'm holding it in my hand right here.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Oh, yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

So The Pacers had 11 blocks and 13 steals. McConnell had five blocks, five steals.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Miles Turner had five blocks, three on Chet Holmgren in the fourth quarter.

[Tim Bontemps]

Despite being sick, Chad Holmgren's got to stop driving. Chet drives on Miles Turner are just drives to nowhere.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Well, and Chet made a point that if he's got to get to two feet in the paint because when he goes in there and he's out of control, he's admitted trying to do these lollipops. Yeah. And those are like he's. If he's going to drive, he's got to drive and jump stop. And then he's got options instead of just trying to throw something up over Miles Turner, who Chad has the advantage driving against most centers. Miles Turner is not most center.

[Brian Windhorst]

So Chet can chat's pretty proficient with both hands. I mean he has potential to be a terrific driver. But the fourth quarter he's a good.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean for a seven footer, he's good with the ball, he's good getting in the lane. But like McMahon said, when he's trying to do these like one foot loop around layups, he's just getting demolished to the rim.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Last night was the second time in this series, both after losses. Obviously that Chet has used the words I got sped up in regards to what he was doing off the dribble. Yes.

[Tim Bontemps]

And that's how. That's how he had a great first quarter. Looked like it was going to be a repeat of game too. And the line looks good. I think he had 20 and 10. Right. Like the numbers, all three of them. Good.

[Brian Windhorst]

Jdub, Chet and Shea all has caught over 20.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

Your record's pretty good when that used one.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, for sure. But look like Pacers. The second unit. And we'll talk about the defense we got cut off.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right. First team to have more than 11 blocks and steals in an NBA finals game since the 76ers in 83.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Wow.

[Brian Windhorst]

Fo, fo, fo.

[Tim Bontemps]

It's a pretty good team.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Foe, foe.

[Brian Windhorst]

According to Genius I.Q. shet's average pickup, which is where they picked up when he had the ball. Shays Shay was 65 and a half feet from the basket.

[Tim Bontemps]

So it sounds familiar.

[Brian Windhorst]

The most telling 94ft long.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

The most telling thing about that stat. That is the first from the hoop of any game in his career, regular season or playoffs. They made it. I mean Nemhard is such a pest and he's just up in his skin.

[Tim Bontemps]

It's not just him. It's Ben Shepard. It's him. C.J.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Mcconnell. It's whoever's on him, primarily Nimhard. But yes, all those guys, Shea only brought the ball up. Related Note 23 times, the second fewest in a game.

[Tim Bontemps]

This also sounds familiar. Like last series against the Knicks.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And it's. It's so it's Shay did not have a blow by on a drive. Just the fourth time since he's been in okc. He won an entire game without a blow by on the drive. So that's especially impressive when you're picking him up that far and he's not able to get a step on you and blow by at any point. The six turnovers for Shea, playoff career high.

[Brian Windhorst]

It's six turnovers, six free throws.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Yes. And that you don't see very often. Only seven assist opportunities. Only seven assist opportunities. That's the fewest of a playoff game this year. And in the half court, they're giving him hell too. Blitzed him 12 times, most ever in a playoff game. And by the way, on the other end, they're attacking the hell out of him. He was a primary defender on 22 shots, the most ever for him in a playoff game.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right out of the gate, the Siakam was posting him up right out of the gate.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And so what looks like Shea looked exhausted in the fourth quarter.

[Tim Bontemps]

Thunder. The Thunder all looked exhausted in the.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Fourth quarter, but Shay in particular.

[Tim Bontemps]

That's what this is. This is what the Pacers have done over and over and over again in the playoffs. It's what they did to Jalen Brunson in the last round. It's what they did to the Cavs. It's what they. The way they play. There's not many teams in a long time like Rick Patino coached in the NBA 25 years ago and was pressing full court coming out of Kentucky. People like, what the hell is Rick Pitino doing with this college stuff, right? But the Pacers have this system where they're playing nine or 10 guys. They're playing these mostly all bench units. They've got T.J. mcConnell doing T.J. mcConnell things and that's working. And like through the first two games, it did not seem like they were going to be able to do that to this Thunder team. And for them to come out last night and yeah, like there's some outliers. Benedict Matheran had the game of his life.

[Brian Windhorst]

27 points, 9 of 12 in a finals game, obviously.

[Tim Bontemps]

Obviously. Some of the steals, like some of the inbound steel, by the way, 20.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

In a finals game by bench player since Jet terry for the 2011 Mavs, coached by Ricardo. There you go.

[Brian Windhorst]

By the way, had this on TV this morning. So we have betting data going back 35 years. The coach who's won the most finals games as an underdog, Rick, because they were all under.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I mean, he won four in 11.

[Tim Bontemps]

Has Rick two in his series. I don't think Rick has been. I'm not sure Rick has been favored to win a single game he's coached in the NBA Finals.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, I know he's got six. So he's only got six final. Only six finals win.

[Tim Bontemps]

I don't. I don't think he's ever coached a team that's been favored in one game.

[Brian Windhorst]

The Pacers, the last three rounds, I think, have only been favored in two games. Yeah, when they got up three one on New York, they were favored in five.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

They might not be favored in a game this year. That doesn't mean they can't win the series. As you said, you know, Rick has done that before. This team ain't scared.

[Tim Bontemps]

Producer Jackson says they're five and a half, five and a half point dogs in game four.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

But they really, as Shay, completely controlled the entire game, too. Was comfortable every step. Just, you know, an MVP masterpiece. There were very few times he was comfortable at all. And I thought the fourth quarter, he was completely out of gas. He only got up three shots in the fourth quarter, only made one, didn't have any assist. Dude, they couldn't guard the Pacers and they couldn't, you know, they couldn't generate anything offensively. That's how you get out.

[Tim Bontemps]

That's what these guys do. It's what they've done over and over again. It's why they've been so good in the fourth quarter. It's why they've had all these comebacks. And look, I was talking.

[Brian Windhorst]

Go ahead.

[Tim Bontemps]

No, I was just saying. I was talking to somebody because you mentioned Rick, obviously. You've got a long history. Rick talking to somebody a couple hours before the game. And they were like, look, been watching a lot of film last couple days, and Rick's been cooking up some stuff and we'll see how it goes. Like, look, the Pacers are realistic, like the Thunders. We've talked about it. There's a reason we talked about in the way we have, right. 68 win team, all the stuff, all time, great potential team. But they came in this game like they have in the last couple rounds, and Rick has been in a ton of big games and a ton of playoff games, and I Think, you know, his experience, I think played a role in the way that game went. And you know, when we get to Halliburton, they did some different stuff to get him going. They did some different stuff to get the Thunder off their game. And they, the Pacers just remark, have this remarkable ability to force teams to play the way they want to play. And typically it's been because like we talked about a lot, they have weak points that they can attack in this game. They just created the weak points. And I mean, like I said, I. Last night was the first time sitting there, I was like, the Pacers really can get two more wins and win this series.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay, so Halliburton, the big stat for me, I've said it on a bunch of platforms. I probably said it on this pod last night. But if I'm repeating it, I'm sorry. Cause I thought it was so important. First two games he got, he had the ball 208 times. He got into the paint. 16. Yeah, I'm not talking about shooting in the paint.

[Tim Bontemps]

I'm talking about touch paint, foot in the paint.

[Brian Windhorst]

I don't have the updated stats. It'd be better if I did. But I say he got 16 in the first half.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Well, and related, they got 50 point paints, 50 paint paint points compared to an average of 34 in the first couple games. You know, 16 point difference in a game, you win by nine. That's pretty.

[Brian Windhorst]

So he talked about how really, he studied the film the couple of days they had off. You know, you can't really practice in the finals like today. Neither team, these teams did not practice. It's the shortest turnaround. Yep. I gotta tell you, like, I remember when there was only one day off between all the games. I don't remember. I don't remember what that was like.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I remember what it was like in the second round. And it was to the Thunder's advantage then because they were playing a much thinner team in Denver. That's when they came back.

[Brian Windhorst]

No, I'm talking about the finals.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I know.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

They're not playing a thinner team now then they're not playing a plotting team either.

[Brian Windhorst]

So anyway, Halliburton, he's not like he can run through this stuff in practice. So he spent his time on the off days just really looking at the film saying, how can I get into that paint? And so I felt, I mean, there were probably some nuanced stuff that I will never know about. But from what I saw, it looked like he definitely was trying to take some different angles. He Was they were starting the screens in different spots.

[Tim Bontemps]

He was going left more. Alex Caruso talked about that last night. I asked him, I'm like, what did he do to get going? He said, well, I mean some of it was just he shot more, which is a big thing. He just needs to be more aggressive. But he also said, you know, he likes to go right. He was willing to go left more today and like goes back to the same thing. Aggressiveness is all different.

[Brian Windhorst]

Crusoe knows the scouting reports to why he always heavily tries to let him go left.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And the other thing where Rick used to back in the day, call plays every single possession, you know, you know what he says? Every single possession. Now three words, Pace. Pace. Pace.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's one word. Three times three words.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Pace is one pace.

[Tim Bontemps]

By the way, to that point. Transition offense, right? Pacers not a very good half court offense team. Certainly not a good half court offense team against this Thunder team. Right. First two games of the series they had a combined 23 transition plays and 23 transition points.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Yep.

[Tim Bontemps]

In game three alone they had 17 and 21. Yeah, like that. That's how the Pacers are dictating the way things are going.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

A lot easier to do when you force 19 turnovers. By the way, the Thunder were the best team in the league this year in terms of turnovers committed. They committed the fewest turnovers in the league. 19 turnovers in a pivotal finals game. Now Halbert wasn't on the floor for some of those, some of the pick sixes by, by T.J. mcConnell.

[Tim Bontemps]

But still in that fourth quarter they were tired passes, cross court passes, the inbounds passes where like just kind of, well just get it in like lazy not thinking about it plays. And the Pacers are just relentless and they're always on.

[Brian Windhorst]

They were not conceding inbounds after baskets.

[Tim Bontemps]

No, they weren't conceding anything.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right.

[Tim Bontemps]

And even Pascal Siakam got a couple of the run out baskets that he gets. In the past I was. All the stuff that they've been doing the whole time in the playoffs, I've.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Been blown away by the Pacers ability to score off the other team's made buckets. Now they're scoring off their own made buckets.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yes. Now the one, the one where Caruso just tried to loop it in and.

[Tim Bontemps]

That was the biggest play of the game because I was, I think it.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Was a six point game at that point.

[Tim Bontemps]

It was four points going into that possession. It was a four point game in the start of the fourth quarter. Like you mentioned that shot Jalen Williams hit.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Yeah.

[Tim Bontemps]

At the end of the third start of the fourth quarter, both teams were making shots. Shay's on the bench, Halliburton's on the bench. And both teams are going back and forth, making a bunch of shots. Isaiah Hartenstein made a crazy runner. Jalen Williams made a bucket. Matheran made a couple shots. They're going back and forth. And then McConnell misses in the lane. They get the offensive rebound. Nemhard makes this jumper to cut it.

[Brian Windhorst]

To two like a 14 foot.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah. Hits a little baseline jumper. And then Caruso tries to lob the ball in. He steals. McConnell just jumps up, steals it, lays it in, ties the game. I've covered a lot of playoff games here, probably 20 maybe. I've never heard the place as loud as it was last night. It was like going back to the 90s at Market Square Arena.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Well, and it was loud all night. And then our colleague Pat McAfee, oh, he had that wrestling little routine going.

[Tim Bontemps]

He had that going. But.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And seriously, the fourth quarter, it was up there with Bricktown as far as like the decibels.

[Tim Bontemps]

It was an incredible atmosphere. But that, that four point swing and tying the game, I think at that point it totally like you could feel the air come out of the Thunder a little bit because they kept staying ahead. They were making shots and staying ahead. Soon, as soon as Indiana caught them, they just went right by him.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Well, and look, the Thunder, they won 54 games in the regular season by double figures. They had the best point differential in NBA history their regular season. Clutch numbers aren't bad, but they're a tiny, tiny sample size and it's been mixed results in the playoffs. You know, they had the two clutch losses against the Thunder. They were able to come back and Shay was able to close in game four and five and kind of get them back right in that series. They were able to close a close one in Game 4 against Minnesota. But the Pacers, we've talked about Halliburton being on one of the most, maybe the best individual clutch run ever. The Pacers are now 9 and 1 this postseason in clutch games. That's the most clutch wins in a single playoff run since the heat in 2020.

[Brian Windhorst]

If you're good enough to get this deep into the playoffs, you don't play that many clutch games.

[Tim Bontemps]

That's right. And they're now 10 and one in games decided by single digits.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Yeah.

[Tim Bontemps]

There are seven teams now that have won at least 10 single digit games in a postseason run. Read them all the other six have all won the title. The 78 bullets, the 89 pistons, the 2010 Lakers, the 2011 Mavs, 2007 spurs and the 2002 Lakers.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Those 2011 Mavs coming up again. I'm telling you, this thing's got Rick Carlisle just all over.

[Tim Bontemps]

When it's a similar. It was sort of a similar kind of team and a similar kind of run.

[Brian Windhorst]

Hey, McConnell's play. I know that JJ doesn't play the same type of game that McConnell does.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Oh, no. I told you. I talked to old Jose Juan the other day for the story that Jamal and I had on, like, the roots of the success for Halliburton being. And Jake. Jake had kind of taken the reins from Rick. Rick reluctantly given the reins. J. Kidd back in the day. But like when I brought up T.J. mcConnell, Brayan lights up. He says this is one of his favorite players in the league because it's the same. Like, they walk in the YMCA for pickup and they don't get picked first. My favorite serious and. But they're just complete pests that are impact. Having massive impacts in finals.

[Tim Bontemps]

My favorite moment of that game last night is after McConnell makes this ridiculous play and catches the inbounds pass and lays it in. Do you see what he did when he ran down the court? He did the safety sign.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

He did do that.

[Brian Windhorst]

I saw him do that.

[Tim Bontemps]

Did it three times. Which for people that don't know, the referee puts their hands together. Referee puts their hands together above their head and goes for a safety. He literally did it three times going back down. I've lost safety.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

He's a pick six.

[Tim Bontemps]

I understand that, but it was just. I was just like, he's.

[Brian Windhorst]

I think he was making. Making the motion to his dad.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean, he might have been, but.

[Brian Windhorst]

It was just a family.

[Tim Bontemps]

He's the ultimate irritant.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And when those. You mentioned the one in the fourth quarter, but the same. I believe the first two are in the second quarter.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yes.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

When he makes those plays like it wasn't a great first quarter for the Pacers. When he makes those plays, it just breathes. Like the bench goes crazy, the crowd goes crazy. You know, he's like firing the crowd up. This place is going absolutely bananas. I mean, he looks. He's got. I know he didn't go to Indiana, but he looks like a damn Hoosier. He's got. He ought to. He ought to come out some of them Jimmy Chitwood shorts. You know what I'm saying? Some of them little.

[Tim Bontemps]

He went to Arizona after he went to Duquesne, I went to watch T.J. mcConnell play against Saint Bonaventure in Pittsburgh at Duquesne University, God knows how many years ago now, probably 2011. And he was a nice freshman point guard in the A10. I was like, he's going to be a good like Pittsburgh kid going to Duquesne, obviously a school in Pittsburgh. Like that's like he's going to be a good player in the A10. And then they had a coaching change, I think, and he transfers to Arizona. I was like, he's good enough to play at Arizona. I didn't think that then. Now he's going to play Arizona. He's had a 10 year NBA career.

[Brian Windhorst]

Made a ton of money, made a.

[Tim Bontemps]

Ton of money and now he's making massive plays in this playoff run. He's, by the way, he's the definitional process 6.

[Brian Windhorst]

He is of the, he is the fruit of the process.

[Tim Bontemps]

Him and Robert Covey. No, not Christian.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Well, listen, Embiid can't call himself the process anymore. The process is playing for the, for the Pacers.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, I mean It's, I mean McConnell again, like it is just a fat. This Pacers team, there are so many parallels truly to that 2011 Mavs team. One sort of centerpiece star in Haliburton, a bunch of complimentary players that doesn't.

[Brian Windhorst]

Play a game that different than Marion.

[Tim Bontemps]

No, that's the similarity there. You've got Chandler and Miles Turner, rim protector. I mean obviously they're different players but.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Like they don't have a Dirk, but I hear you like the one stars a very good supporting cast.

[Tim Bontemps]

Then you got the mad tinker on the sideline figuring out ways to trip up a highly favorite opponent in that map. Do any Pacers going through the playoffs? Wasn't it wasn't like they were favorites in any of the series.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

No, they weren't favorite. They weren't favorites in the second round when they swept Kobe and the Lakers and that was Phil Jackson's final series of his career.

[Tim Bontemps]

I feel like they weren't even necessarily favored.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

By the way, you know who else, you know who else the Mavericks beat in that series or in that playoff run.

[Tim Bontemps]

Conference finals? Were they even favored to beat the the Blazes in the first round?

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

There were three seeds. So this is funny.

[Tim Bontemps]

That was like a toss up series, right?

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

This is early in my days of being accused of being a Mavs hater. I picked, I did pick the Blazers and then I picked the Lakers and then after that I'm like, all right, I'm just picking Mavs from here now.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, you did. You picked. You picked them in the final.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I did pick Mavs over Thunder and Heat.

[Tim Bontemps]

Worked out.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right. Well, I'm excited about tomorrow night.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah. I mean, look like this. These are the best games. 2:1 with the home team with a chance to go up. 31 is the underdog in the series and 32 with the home team and have a chance to close it out at home. Those are the two. Obviously, game sevens are great, but those games where you have the high seed, the favorite on the road, having to try to get themselves back in it. We saw it. You were at game four in Denver.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right. So this is the same situation they were in in Denver. What do you compare to where they were in that series?

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I mean, it Very, very similar. Game one was stolen from them. Slash. They blew it.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yep.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Talking about okc, you know, game two. Nice. Comfortable.

[Tim Bontemps]

Dominated. Dominated game two.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

You know, game three had a lead, then fell apart.

[Tim Bontemps]

Same with Denver. I'll play them in game three, deserve to win game four.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

So my takeaway from game three three in Denver, the. The image that I remember first is Shea walking off the floor with a big smile on his face and me asking him about it post game. And I don't have the exact quote in front of me, but basically said, I'm never going to let somebody see me rattled. You know, think they.

[Brian Windhorst]

Unless it's Andrew Nemhart.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Well, when we're going to get to that, he said, I never, I'm never going to let somebody think they're getting to me. And then, you know, the fans were talking, so him talk to him and. And then he said, you know, and I'm smiling because I know I've got an opportunity in the next game and the next game. And in those two games, SGA came through as a closer, which he had not done in the two losses in that series. So let's see. We've talked about Shays, you know, like, listen, if he finishes off, this is one of the all time great seasons for a guy just entered his prime. I mean, this is, you know, I think the Thunder. Never say never. I thought the 2012 Thunder will get more cracks at it. They didn't. I think this Thunder team will get more cracks at it. But this is the kind of game that can be part of a guy's legacy.

[Tim Bontemps]

I mean, this is. This is. To this point, this is the defining moment of his career. Now this guy won mvp. They're down on the road they all of a sudden, the team that was heavily favored to win now has some real pressure on it. And how is he going to perform? And look, he, like you said, game four and five against Denver, he was great. Turn that series around to go on to win at seven. Can he do it again now? Because this Indiana team is going to be ready to go. They're going to ton of talk. They're going to have a ton of confidence. They didn't shoot the ball well like they're. They've been shooting the ball great in these playoffs. I'm sure they're going to think they can hit a ton of shots. Like, you know, this place is going to be unbelievable energy wise again. And it's the finals. It's not the conference semifinals. There's a different level of microscope. So how's this young Thunder team going to handle it?

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

You mentioned Nimhard getting under his skin. We watch games, we see stuff. You know, they're televised. There's film, there's, you know, there's. We can put some clips up if Jackson would actually do a little bit of work, which is questionable, but I bet you, I bet you I can prod him into it. Barry Trammell, legendary columnist from Oklahoma, now working in the Tulsa world, known as the guy who would get next question by Russ for years. Anyways, Barry's noticed this and Barry's asking about it and nobody wants to talk about it on either side. He asked Nimhard about it. Nimhard kind of, you know, dismissed it.

[Tim Bontemps]

He actually is a veteran columnist who knows the story.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

He knows the hot button issue. He asked Shay and Shea said, I just had it queued up. Golly. Sorry, man. No, no, no.

[Tim Bontemps]

G will.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Hold on. Damn techno. Oh, here's the question. I know, I'll do it. My bear channel was. You seem a little more emotionally agitated in this series by Nem Hard than anybody else you played against this year. Is he doing extra to get under your skin? Is it because of your long history together? Shay, we know Shay when he doesn't really like a question.

[Tim Bontemps]

Barry has told me he listens to this podcast I like. I think he might not be listening to anymore.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

No, that's a good Barry. That's. I'd say it would love. Yeah, anyways.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's fine.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Anyways, you know how when Shay maybe doesn't love a question, he never like. He doesn't. Next question. He's not Russ. He's calm, he's cool collection just kind of gives you that little, you know.

[Tim Bontemps]

That Little look.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Not a smile, not a frown, just a little. He gave him one of those and then he said, he said, I'm not too sure. I don't know what you're talking about. I don't feel emotionally agitated at all.

[Brian Windhorst]

He in the head eight seconds into the game.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I don't feel emotionally. I'm reading what the man said. I don't feel emotionally agitated at all. So I don't know what's going on, but I don't feel emotionally worked up at all. And then he gave one of those big Shay smiles. So who are you going to believe, Shay or your lion eyes?

[Brian Windhorst]

I believe what we call it is actions over words.

[Tim Bontemps]

That is a definitional action over words situation.

[Brian Windhorst]

Before we go, I don't know if you heard, the Knicks have asked. As of this recording, they've asked for permission on five NBA head coaches and been denied a Noel. And their coaching search is looking a little shaky.

[Tim Bontemps]

Shaky is one way to put it.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

They fired a coach fresh off a conference finals appearance and their whole plan is maybe another team will let us hire their good coach.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, by the way, it should be said on so Wednesday morning in the New York Times, Tom Thibodeau took out a full page ad thanking the organization, the players, the fans. Very classy thing to do. And then very old school, very old school, but a very, very classy, nice thing to do. And like we talked about, this is guy's dream job. Obviously disappointed by how it ended. And I would have paid to have a camera on Tom Thibodeau yesterday as one report after another of coach after coach after coach was being told, yeah, we're, we're not going to let you talk to our coach. I can only imagine the smile and the laugh that he would have.

[Brian Windhorst]

Thoughtless smile where he only smiles with half his mouth. Yeah, I've seen the smile before. I can close my eyes and see it in my head.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

This is where we need our old pal Fridel to come in and do his tibs.

[Brian Windhorst]

Look, it is not unheard of, it happens somewhat regularly that a team would want to hire a coach who was coaching or coach. Coach, right. In fact, as I've said before, it happened right here. When Rick Carlisle resigned as coach of the Mavericks, which Dallas was ready to let him go. He had. Okay, maybe he didn't have the job totally locked down, but the Pacers knew they were hiring him.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Well, the irony of. I'm going to say one thing there and bon temps. You know what I'm about to say.

[Tim Bontemps]

I Am.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I think.

[Tim Bontemps]

I can't confirm.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I can. I can tell you I'm very, very confident. Saying the Pacers were Rick's bird in hand, but the bucks were the one in the bush. The bucks were down 2:1 in that series in the nets at the time. If Bud loses that series, he gets fired.

[Tim Bontemps]

But the point is Rick Carlisle was getting another job.

[Brian Windhorst]

The point is, as the Pacers, as the Pacers were preparing for their coaching search, they were eyeing a coach on who had another job, who they knew they could get.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

They knew they could get. They knew that Rick. Well, or they knew Rick was going to be available.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

It was no secret. Rick was on shaky ground at that point. In Dallas, Rick asked Cuban for an extension. Cuban said, rick, you know I ain't going to do that right now. And Rick said, okay, I resign. Adios, amigo.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right, okay. So I'm just saying it's not the.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

End of the podcast.

[Brian Windhorst]

I'm just saying it happens. Okay. So the idea that the Knicks would take a coach under contract somewhere else is not unheard of. No, but typically you have an idea that that can be doable. You certainly forget about whether you even want to go after six of those guys. The idea of stealing a coach from a, from a team that has just come off an excellent season where the coach is in strong standing like say Ime Udoka. Well, forget.

[Tim Bontemps]

Forget even that. It's one thing to ask for a coaches permission on a coach, have him say no. The thing about this that's wild is that they've asked for almost 20% of.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

The league and there's, there's no other candidates at this point. Like there's not like a recent head coach you're interested in or an up and coming assistant coach. I mean, I feel like we're about 24 hours away from seeing that they asked for permission to interview Frickin Jordan. Odd.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's a good line.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Thank you.

[Brian Windhorst]

I will say the Billy Donovan one is more plausible, even though there was two.

[Tim Bontemps]

Until they have a coach. I think there's two that are not off the board. One is Jason Kidd. One is Billy Donovan.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Until they have a coach or until Jason Kidd maybe gets an extension, which.

[Tim Bontemps]

I, you know, until we hear a shoe. Because both of those guys are in a position to get extensions with their teams. Right. So I would say until there's another shoe to drop in either of those situations, either Billy Donovan, who's a Long island native who played briefly for the Knicks, would be a guy that would, I think, excite People in New York.

[Brian Windhorst]

Also, he resigned as Thunder coach when the Thunder were about to begin this rebuild. Yeah, he didn't want to be there for a long rebuild. I know the Bulls have been dragged.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

So he just went to a never rebuild Chicago.

[Tim Bontemps]

We don't even need to go through that. There's the Bulls job and there's the Knicks job from a talent standpoint and then.

[Brian Windhorst]

But he's left a job in the past.

[Tim Bontemps]

Correct. And there's also the ability to go back home and be the Knicks coach.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

But again, I also though. And maybe this would be the case at this point as well, but I do believe that that was more of like a mutual parting of the ways. Do you remember Preston told the whole thing about how he took some Coronas into his meeting with Billy?

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, but that. But the bottom line is regardless, I think until we have certainty that that's over one way or the other, I'm leaving the door ajar on that one. And we have seen Jason Kidd get out of a lot of situations. I'm not saying he's going to. I think McMahon's point about an extension is very. Also very plausible. I'm just not saying 100% no on those two.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

I do think Kid certainly at this point has gone like. I still wouldn't totally dismiss it, but it's unlikely.

[Tim Bontemps]

The other three, Quinn Snyder, Imi Adoka, Chris Finch are not at.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay, I would sell us. Let's say this. The Knicks are going to pay. They have to pay.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, yeah, the Knicks have always paid.

[Brian Windhorst]

But they're really going to pay now.

[Tim Bontemps]

They are.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay. And while you will be going into a tough situation because your standard is better get to the Finals or something.

[Tim Bontemps]

Or something.

[Brian Windhorst]

You will be going to a team that is built out.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, that's a really good job. Yeah, you got a ton of money, a lot of talent and an Eastern Conference that while I think the Pacers clearly should be favored as the team to beat going into next season, there's not a monolith sitting there. There's not a, you know, warriors dynasty team sitting. There we go, man. We can't get by them. Or the Celtics of the past few years that have been seen as that kind of team, that that team doesn't exist.

[Brian Windhorst]

I'll just say this, and I'm not saying this is apples to apples, but this reminds me a little bit of when the Lakers hired Frank Vogel. Now also available is available. The Lakers, you know, they tried to hire Monty Williams, they tried to hire.

[Tim Bontemps]

Ty Lu was a similar kind of search. They flailed around a little bit.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. And it was like they hired Frank Vogel. And the day he was getting introduced, Magic went on first take and lit Rob Pelinka up.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

And Frank Vogel just sat there and said, got it. And won the title.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And Mac 10 asked the one tough question he's ever asked his entire career. Oh, I mean, I didn't, I didn't say that out loud. Sorry. Mac 10, he was bragging. He, he had the last win in the pickup game. It was at my expense. So he's been talking a little talk. Had to jab him a little bit.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

But God, who are they? Who was the first choice?

[Brian Windhorst]

Monty Williams literally got offered and then.

[Tim Bontemps]

There was a dispute over money.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And then Tyler, they lowballed.

[Tim Bontemps]

Right.

[Brian Windhorst]

Monty literally chose the Suns. Had both offers, Chose the Suns. And I feel like there was one more that I'm not forgetting. I feel like Vogel was at least fourth string.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Yeah.

[Tim Bontemps]

Minimum third, though.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

And Mac 10's question was something like, with all due respect, you weren't the top choice here. And whatever the question was, he was.

[Brian Windhorst]

Like, frank, welcome to Los Angeles. Oh, thank you.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

With all due respect, welcome to Los Angeles. Only because, like four other guys didn't take the job.

[Tim Bontemps]

Well, listen, look, the NBA is the ultimate results business, right? And so whoever the Knicks hire, if they go on to win the finals, whoever it is, then none of this in the, in the end is going to matter. But it does speak to the rather remarkable situation that has existed there over the past few weeks where you're literally coming off the best three year run in a quarter century. And the farthest team has gone in a quarter century. Instead of going, man, the Knicks have this core coming back. They can add to it. They should be able to potentially be one of the, you know, maybe co favorites to make the finals next year. Instead, it's the Knicks are in complete disarray. They're asking for every permission for every coach in the league, getting told, no, what the hell are they doing? Where are they going? And it's just, it's just a wild sequence of events. When they were playing game six here two weeks ago.

[Brian Windhorst]

They've just had four years where we've been like, wow, the Knicks have made a lot of good, smart, sound, rational.

[Tim Bontemps]

Decisions and have been totally aligned.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

You know what?

[Tim Bontemps]

Now they are not.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

They might ask the Pacers and the Thunder, like, hey, you guys are going to be going back to okc. Can you swing by New York and let us chit chat with the coaches for A little bit on the track.

[Brian Windhorst]

The Pacers haven't been this far in 25 years.

[Tim Bontemps]

That's right.

[Brian Windhorst]

The Knicks weren't this far in 25 years when they didn't win the championship. Gone. If the Pacers don't win two more games, I mean.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Oh, that's.

[Tim Bontemps]

An executive in the league asked me yesterday what's, like, when are they going to. What's the. What's the number where they're going to stop? I said, why? Why would they stop? Go call Joe Missoula. Go call everybody. Just call. Who? Why call Ty Lou?

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, once you've been said no five times, what's the difference?

[Tim Bontemps]

Five, 25. Like, just ask everybody.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Hey, it's about 1:55am Bar closes in five minutes. And the Knicks are desperate.

[Brian Windhorst]

But actually, I disagree with that. They're not desperate. They're just.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Well, they're, they're, they're not volume. They're volume scoring at this.

[Tim Bontemps]

They're not desperate.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

No matter how many nose you get, just takes one. Yes.

[Tim Bontemps]

Here's what I would say. They're not desperate. They have a very good job.

[Brian Windhorst]

Was that what you teach your boys?

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Absolutely not.

[Tim Bontemps]

They are not desperate and they have a very good job. But it is surprising and frankly, odd that, like, look, we brought up. I talked about the idea of Tom Thibodeau being in trouble during the Pistons series. Like, if you were around the Knicks at all. It's not like this was a decision that was. Came to three seconds after game six. Like, well, we were going to keep Tom. Something happened. We decided we had to do something different. Right. This was, as we've talked a lot about this was Tom wore everybody down personally. So if that is the way you were thinking over a long period of.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Time, how could you not have a better plan?

[Tim Bontemps]

Right? It's not that you had to get the first guy. It's that there seemingly is no play.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Why is this process so sloppy?

[Brian Windhorst]

Considering that Tom's under contract, I think with the Knicks for three more years.

[Tim Bontemps]

For $30 million, maybe it'll get to.

[Brian Windhorst]

The point where they ask themselves for permission to.

[Tim Bontemps]

Maybe it'll be an extended sabbatical to come back and coach the team.

[Brian Windhorst]

They'll just get to the end of the paperwork and not pay attention to it. It's just Jamal Collier is about to do a Sports center hit. We're going to shut up. That's enough. Thank you, bontemps. Thank you, McMahon. Thank you, Jackson. Thank you, Rafa. I hope everybody enjoys game four, Friday night on abc. Thank you for watching. Let's see in the Hoop Collective. We'll talk to you after the game. Where we're going to have another guest. I don't know if he's special, but we're going to have a different guest.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Trust me, they asked at least five people before they get to this one.

[Tim Bontemps]

Because it's already been announced.

[Brian Windhorst]

But announced by whom?

[Tim Bontemps]

By us.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Not everybody follows ESPN PR on frickin Twitter, you nerd.

[Tim Bontemps]

The guest tomorrow. It's been announced for the pod tomorrow.

[Brian Windhorst]

It has been.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yeah, I'm not joking.

[Brian Windhorst]

ESPN PR announced.

[Tim Bontemps]

Yes, that's correct.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

You're big time.

[Tim Bontemps]

Everybody. That's on air for game four. And they announced who's on the pod tomorrow.

[Bam Adebayo McMahon]

Tony Romo, Jason Whitten, Terrell Owens. Adios, amigos.