Nightcap Hour 1: Thunder TAKE GAME 2 From Spurs + Kenny Atkinson DEFENDS James Harden

Summary

Club Shay Shay – Nightcap Hour 1: Thunder TAKE GAME 2 From Spurs + Kenny Atkinson DEFENDS James Harden

Podcast: Club Shay Shay
Date: May 21, 2026
Host: Shannon Sharpe (Uncle Ocho), with co-hosts Joe Johnson (Iso Joe) and Analyst

---

Episode Overview

This episode of Club Shay Shay Nightcap dives into a pivotal NBA Western Conference Finals game in which the Oklahoma City Thunder took Game 2 from the San Antonio Spurs. Shannon Sharpe ("Uncle Ocho"), seven-time NBA All-Star Joe "Iso Joe" Johnson, and the analyst break down how the Thunder managed to even the series, the major performances, injury concerns, and the evolving chess match of adjustments. The conversation also pivots to the Eastern Conference, as Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson’s defense of James Harden’s defense becomes a focal point. True to Club Shay Shay’s lively spirit, the discussion is filled with analysis, storytelling, and candid moments between the hosts.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thunder’s Gritty Win and Castle’s Turnovers

• Game Context:

  • Thunder even the series 1-1, defeating the Spurs 122-113 as the series heads to San Antonio.
  • “Stefan Castle has the most turnovers over any two game stretch in NBA postseason history. He has 20.” – Uncle Ocho [06:07]
  • Comparison to historic playoff turnover troubles (James Harden, Cade Cunningham, LeBron James).

• Joe’s Take on Castle:

  • “The man ain't but 21 years old, bro… outside of them turnovers, he’s playing some damn good ball. I like his aggressiveness.” – Joe Johnson [07:08]
  • Despite the turnovers, Castle’s all-around activity and aggression are valuable, but that weakness nearly cost the Spurs the game.

• Turnovers as Deciding Factor:

  • OKC capitalized on San Antonio’s mistakes, turning 21 Spurs turnovers into crucial points.
  • “If I just say, for the sake of argument, I say okay, 13 instead of 21… They win this game.” – Uncle Ocho [12:17]

---

2. Injuries & Depth: Next Man Up

• San Antonio’s Injury Concerns:

  • Loss of Harper and uncertainty about A. J. Mitchell and J. Dub impact rotation.
  • “If you get De’Aaron Fox back, you say okay, I'm cool. I can weather the storm. I don't know without J Dub and Mitchell.” – Uncle Ocho [08:16]
  • Joe believes J Dub is likely out for the series due to hamstring issues: “Playoffs is revved up so high, you cannot sustain that with them soft tissue injuries, bro.” [28:25]

• OKC’s Resilience:

  • OKC’s bench is highlighted as a unique asset, with multiple double figure scorers off the bench.
  • “Nobody else has a bench like that… double digit and do it at an efficient level. That’s what makes them so unique.” – Uncle Ocho [32:05]

• The Role of Coaches in Managing Injuries:

  • Athletes sometimes need to be protected from themselves when dealing with injuries.
  • “You have to have a backstop, somebody that can protect them from themselves.” – Uncle Ocho [29:23]

---

3. Star Performances: Wembanyama, SGA, Caruso, Hartenstein

• Victor Wembanyama’s Impact:

  • His defense and length alter the entire game: “They driving in there, they ain't even looking at the damn rim.” – Joe Johnson [12:47]
  • “He can erase all mistakes that our defense make.” – Uncle Ocho [36:10]
  • OKC’s physical tactics (Hartenstein & Chet “leaning” on Wemby) challenged him outside his comfort zone.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA):

  • “For Shay to really be effective, he's really gonna have to show why he's the MVP… he’s gotta take and make tough shots.” – Joe Johnson [13:22]
  • “What do we say about Shay? Is there enough that we can say about him?” – Uncle Ocho [45:11]
  • Analysis of SGA’s unique mid-range game and the “hitch” in his shot mechanics.

• Caruso’s and The Bench’s Firepower:

  • “OKC has seven guys in double figures and four of those guys came off the bench.” – Joe Johnson [27:09]
  • Special praise for Caruso’s shooting and defense.

• Hartenstein’s Unsung Contributions:

  • “He gave you 10 points and valuable minutes. What he meant to this game don’t even show up on the box score.” – Co-host [14:25]

---

4. The Chess Match: Adjustments & Refereeing

• Physical Play and Ref Adjustments:
  • Anticipation that OKC’s physicality against Wemby will be reviewed: “They're gonna turn that into the league… if they call it now, it's going to be a different ball game.” – Uncle Ocho [17:40]
• Lineup Tweaks Required:
  • Debate on whether Caruso should start due to backcourt injuries.
  • “Now you’re gonna ask more. So now he’s not gonna be as fresh.” – Uncle Ocho [55:10]

---

5. Comparing Eras & the Intensity of Playoffs

• Lively analogies to NFL turnovers, boxing matches, and shot-blocking techniques.
• Nostalgia for old Western Conference Finals being “the real finals.”
• “If you think the intensity level is the same… you’re sadly mistaken.” – Uncle Ocho [26:22]

---

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Shot-Blocking:
  “That’s what makes a great shot blocker, though. You can have all the tools, but if you ain't got that timing...” – Joe Johnson [44:42]
• On MVP Stars:
  “I think San Antonio may have more [difference-makers] than what OKC had… but OKC got the MVP.” – Joe Johnson [46:36]
• On Accountability:
  “As a player… bro, you gotta have some type of accountability, homie... just take a little accountability and say, man, I gotta be a little better.” – Joe Johnson on Harden’s defense [64:37]
• On Cooling Off a Hot Player:
  “When a guy get hot on the dice, what you do? Man, let me grab. You grab the dice…” – Uncle Ocho [71:54]

---

7. Eastern Conference Moment: Kenny Atkinson Defends Harden

• Atkinson on Harden’s Defense:
  “…He’s as good isolation defender always has been… It’s a team defense… I know everybody’s putting it on James but I say a lot is on the team.” [61:33]
• Harden’s Postgame Comments:
  “He made some tough ones… obviously we all know he’s a great one-on-one player… we got to do a better job as a team.” – James Harden [63:07]
• Hosts’ Pushback:
  The Nightcap crew isn’t buying the team-only narrative—big moments are about individual defense and accountability.
  • “Every single time it was one on one. He beat you every single time. At some point you got to want to…” – Co-host [63:36]
  • “Man, I gotta put this soup bone upside your head or something!” – Uncle Ocho [68:06]

---

Notable Timestamps

• Thunder/Spurs Game Breakdown: 06:07–39:05
• Castle’s Turnovers and Spurs’ Challenges: 06:07, 07:08, 09:22, 12:17, 19:25
• Bench & Injuries: 10:00, 26:32, 28:25, 32:05
• Star Analysis (SGA, Wemby): 13:22, 36:10, 45:11–49:22
• Harden/Atkinson Segment: 61:33–70:44

---

Episode Highlights

• Depth Wins out: OKC’s bench stepped up in a huge way—four double-digit scorers off the bench, keeping San Antonio at bay despite major statistical advantages for the Spurs in shooting.
• Castle’s Historic Turnovers: Despite major issues with ball control, Castle’s performance is praised for his two-way play and youth, with panelists debating how to advise young stars without dulling their edge.
• Wemby’s Impact: The panel repeatedly marvels at Victor Wembanyama’s defensive dominance, athleticism, and game-changing presence—and how OKC used physical play to try to neutralize him.
• SGA’s Leadership: Shai’s quiet, efficient, “mid-range assassin” style may lack Jordan’s or Kobe’s flair, but earns admiration for getting it done in clutch moments.
• Injury Fallout: Big concerns over who can and cannot come back for both teams, setting up a physically and mentally draining series.
• Accountability Debate: The Harden/Atkinson segment is a masterclass in athlete psychology—balancing defense of your guys vs. demanding more and owning lousy defensive moments.
• Playoff Atmosphere & Small Market Passion: The show closes with reflections on small-market fanbases and how these Western Finals feel like a championship series itself.

---

Conclusion

Club Shay Shay delivers a dynamic, insightful postgame breakdown, mixing humor with real analysis and pulling no punches—especially when discussing leadership, effort, and playoff intensity. Listeners come away understanding the chess match between OKC and San Antonio, the critical role of role players, the “growing pains” of young stars, and why some things (like taking care of the ball, or stepping up in the moment) never change in basketball—or life.

Transcript

[T-Mobile Announcer]

Based on hundreds of millions of real world tests, the experts of Ookla Speed Test have spoken. T Mobile is the best mobile network in America with the most advanced 5G, the most towers and the largest satellite to mobile network. T Mobile keeps you connected almost anywhere. If you're ready to stay connected wherever life takes you, head over to your local store or t mobile.com to switch to the best network. T Mobile has the best mobile Network in the US based on analysis by Ookla of speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 T satellite available with compatible device in most outdoor areas in the US where you can see the sky. Included with experience beyond or $10 per month auto renews monthly Cancel anytime

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

during Memorial Day at Lowe's shop Household must haves for less. Save $80 on a Char Broil Performance Series 4 Burner Grill to chef up something special plus get up to 45% off select major appliances to keep things fresh. Our best lineup is here at Lowe's Lowe's we help you save valid through 527 while supplies last selection varies by location. See lowe's.com for details.

[Lowe's Announcer]

Visit your nearby Lowes

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Amazon Health AI presents Painful Thoughts I I can't stop scratching my downtown.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yeah, but I'm not itching to go downtown and tell a receptionist I'm here to talk about my downtown.

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Some things you'd rather type than say out loud. There's no question too embarrassing for Amazon Health AI. Chat your symptoms and get virtual care. 24. 7 Healthcare just got less painful.

[OnPlus Nicotine Pouches Announcer]

Onplus Nicotine pouches present Comfort Chronicles at 10 o' clock tee time how comfortable you show up in stretchy shorts, a breathable tee, and maybe no socks. Let the dogs breathe while other sweat and pleated khakis. You're in your comfort zone. Bombing drives and in your pocket onplus Nicotine pouches the softest pouch on the planet. Buy a [e-mail] Products for tobacco consumers 21 years of age or older.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Warning.

[OnPlus Nicotine Pouches Announcer]

This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical and now

[Shaquille O'Neal]

superhuman Shack I keep telling them not to say that. I'm no superhuman. Believe it or not, I struggle with moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or osa. In adults with obesity. Moderate to severe OSA is a condition where breathing is interrupted during sleep, with loud snoring, choking, gasping for air, and even daytime fatigue. Let's just say it can sound a lot like this. Sound familiar? Learn more at. Don't sleep on OSA.com this information is

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

provided by Lily, a medicine company. The regular season is a wrap in the NBA. Playoffs are finally here and there's no better way to cash in on the high flying hoops action than Prize Picks, a preferred partner of the NBA. Every bucket, every dime, every win means more when you're playing on prize Picks. So don't pass up the next shot with Prize picks and get 50 instantly in lineups. When you play your first five dollar lineup, do it live in the 2026 NBA sweepstakes alert. Pick live squares during the NBA Playoffs and you could win a trip to the NBA Finals. To enter, just make a $5 lineup with at least one live player pick during any part of the 2026 NBA playoffs. Live player picks are picks made after the game is already in progress. Prize Picks is simple to play. You know it's playoff season, it's been electric and the Knicks have been super hot and they're on fire. Jalen, Josh Cat.

[Audience Member / Interjection]

More, more, more.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Get in on the action at. Prize Picks is now available in all 50 states including California, Texas, Florida and Georgia. Download the Prize Pick app today. Use Code Shannon to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. That's code SHANNON to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 Lineup. Prize picks a preferred partner of the NBA. Thank you guys for joining us for another episode of Nightcap. Y' all know who I am. I'm your favorite unc. And there's my partners and co host. The one is the Miami legend. He's from Liberty City actually. So Miami is. He's in the from the suburbs of Miami. You know, Liberty City.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

He's a Bingo Ring of Fame honoree. He's a Madden ratings adjuster and he's a former Pro Bowler and an All Pro. He's Chad Ochocinko Johnson and the third member of the Big three, he's a seven time NBA all star from the Atlanta Hawks with a smooth crossover. They call him ISO Joe because when he gets you one on one, you're at his mercy. University of Arkansas alum, Little Rock, Arkansas native. He's ISO Joe Johnson. Please make sure you hit that subscribe button. Please make sure you hit the like button. And do us a favor, go subscribe to the Nightcap podcast feed wherever you get your podcast from. Thank you guys for your support because all of this is possible thanks to you. Your eyes, ears and word of mouth has made Nightcap what it's become and we can't thank you enough. So again from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you. Those looking to purchase a bottle of Shea by La Portier, head over to laportiercognac.com if it's currently unavailable in a state or city near you. Remember it is a premium VSOP cognac that drinks like an xo. The best tasting, smoothest VSOP cognac on the market. But don't take my word for it. Try it compared against other cognacs you may have tried or are looking to try and you'll see Chez by La Portier is the best tasting, smoothest cognac on the market. Please drink responsibly and stay safe. We made the hashtag awards for 2026 short list in four categories. Best brand partnership for Nightcap Outside in row. Best Podcast Best athletes Podcast. Best use of live video. The link is pinned in the chat. Guys, go support Nightcap crew Ocho and ISO. We can't thank you enough. All of this is possible again thanks to you. Well one one. That's what we have guys. Headed back to San Antonio. 112. Excuse me. 122 to 113. Stefan Castle has the most turnovers over any two game stretch in NBA postseason history. He has 20. We know how James Harden has turned the back ball over in his playoff career. At no. 2 games in James Harden NBA career has he had this many turnovers in two games, consecutive games? Cade Cunningham is on that list with 17. LeBron James also has 17 two games in NBA history. This man has 20 turnovers. And Joe, I'm gonna turn it over to you. He's killing him with his turnovers. He's got to do a better job protecting the basketball. Take off, Joe.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, I agree. Castle definitely has. I mean he's averaging 10 turnovers a game, you know, in the past couple games. But Uncle Ocho, we gotta, we gotta take something into account here. The man ain't but 21 years old, bro. You know, his second year in this NBA league, he's playing in the post season in the Western Conference finals. Yeah, he has to. He has to tighten that up. But outside of them damn turnovers.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Hey man, they win the game, Joe.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm saying, I'm saying they probably would if he don't turn over as much. But he playing some damn good ball. I like his aggressiveness that he has on offense and defense. Uncan Ocho. I mean my God, he came through the lane off them two feet. What we talking about? Them two foot jumpers.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

He'll he. You let him get to the launch pad. It's over.

[Joe Johnson]

He put that boy in the rim. But all. All ain't bad for San Antonio. What's that? What, what is going to hurt him is can Harper come back? How. How significant is this injury that Harper has? Because he's a big part of what they do. I know he just a rookie, but hell, man, hey, them two guys at the 1 and 2 Dave gave OKC hell. You know, in these first couple games,

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

I can offset that if I get de' Aaron Fox back. The question is J Dub and the J. Mitchell. Yeah, that is going to be the issue, Joe, because you saw, you saw a. You saw J Dub got ice on the back. That ain't a good sign.

[Joe Johnson]

I think he done.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You saw, you saw a J. Mitchell go out of the ball game. Now they're already thin. So now you dig deeper into your bench. If you get Darren de' Aaron Fox back, you says, okay, I'm cool. I can weather the storm. I don't know. Without J Dub and out Mitchell, if that I'm going to be able to wallet. And look, you got Caruso. And Caruso has played unbelievable. He's been out of his damn mind shooting a three point ball. And we know he can play defense. But Joe is that every time they get close, Castle, turn it over. Look at points off a turnover that he created.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

For support of the Thunder. He's got to do a better job of that. He's too good of a player. And some of them are just. I'm like, bro, what are you. What are you doing? And go ahead, Ocho. I'll go ahead.

[Co-host / Analyst]

I was going to say those turnovers, especially in the first half, I mean, it was alarming at the rate he was turning the ball over. But I think at times it's overlooked as. As opposed to the way we mentioned James Harden and the fact that he turns the ball over so much, but he's giving you nothing on the offensive end. And with Castle being so aggressive on both ends of the goddamn court is kind of overlooked. But in hindsight, if you look, you take some of those turnovers away. If you got two, if you got 20 in the last two games, you take some of those away. Even though you were able to win the last game, I think the game and the result is a little different. If he handles in a little bit more careful with the ball in this game tonight,

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

there's no question about it. Go ahead, Joe.

[Joe Johnson]

No, I, I agree. But this is why I say in this Western Conference finals, this is Why I say, man, they gonna beat each other up so damn bad. The hell. Whoever get to the finals, you just gotta hope they healthy, bro. You know what I mean? Because look, look, look how many times your top guys from shade to wimy castle. These guys hit the floor so much, bro. You know what I mean? And I'm like, they out there competing at the highest level. I, I, I love it, but I just feel like the, the game is so intense. And you can see it, bro, every play, every possession. You have to value it. Look at OK bench. Look at OKC bench. Okay. Ooh. 17 from Caruso, 12 from McCain, 10 from Mitchell, 12 from Wallace. This is where, this is where you win the game, fellas. You need a lot, you need, you don't need no one. Got to be spectacular. You just need a bunch of guys to chip in and you know, some way somehow try to try to get a win. But I thought, I thought the Thunder would have more desperate team tonight. You can see it from the jump

[Co-host / Analyst]

when you think about this game. Right? The way these boys playing really aggressive. Everybody on the goddamn floaty, scrambling for every ball. They crashing the boards like crazy.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Like they life.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Depending on what is the best boxing match you've ever seen in life. The best. The best. Just, just think about it.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

The best boxing match probably war, Mickey Ward.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Exactly that just in, just in basketball terms with the way they got damn playing.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah. Hey maker at the hay.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yeah, we'll talk about that. We saw Corrales get up off the floor several times and come back and win. I think the thing is, Joe, and I agree with you because they playing so hard. You've got to play every possession as if it's your last.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Because you never know. And the thing that I love about each team and this is why they're going to be good for a long time. They can put out any fire.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You, they team up by 12. Next thing you know, we got a tie ball game.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

One team goes down, they come right back. They're not going anywhere if they value the basketball. Let's just say for the sake of argument, one team had 21 turnovers, the other team had nine. If I just say, for the sake of argument, I say okay, 13 instead of 21. You got 13 turnovers, Joe. They win this game.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, you're right. Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

They win this game. And it took like, because think about it. It took a Herculean effort from Wimby to, to overcome the 10 turnovers.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

So he didn't give, he played phenomenal and he can just do things no other NBA player has ever been able to do, and I'm not. And I'm not so sure he should be able to do it. How the hell you lay the ball up on one side, miss it, and come back and dump it on the damn other side? What the hell is that about? Come on, Joe. You ain't what you're supposed to be able to do, bro.

[Joe Johnson]

You listen. That's why I say in real time, man, we watching a transcending player, somebody who's going to change the trajectory of the game, bro. Like, you know, you. You. A lot of people may not really see it right now, but of course, it's kind of hard not to. I mean, he. He got so much with that length, bro. The way he shot black. He had four blocks tonight, but, hell, we all know they driving in there, they ain't even looking at the damn rim. They like, hold on, hold on. No, no, no. Let me see who I can get the damn ball to, because they don't want to even try to shoot over him. I. I thought Hardenstein played great with

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

some great minutes tonight. Yeah, yeah.

[Joe Johnson]

Hey, hey, hey. Doing a lot of the veteran stuff, hooking him, holding him a little bit. A lot of stuff that the ref can't see. He can't. Ref can't see all that. You know what I mean? So the physicality that OKC came out with, I thought it was tremendous, bro. But for Shay, For Shay to really be effective, he's really gonna have to show why he's the mvp. I thought he played pretty good tonight, but uncle. Ooh, he's gotta take and he's gotta make tough shots, bro. He gonna have to take and make tough shots. They just got too much attention on him. Even when he started to make a couple, you see, they started to double it, you know what I mean? Make him a passer. So he gotta take. When he sees.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Clearly, y' all see that.

[Joe Johnson]

When he sees those little creases and those opportunities, he gotta take them, bro. And a lot of them shots gonna be tough, but he's capable of making them.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Hey, hey, Joe, you said something very interesting. You say Hardenstein is doing some stuff. He's grabbing him, clutching him, and refs can't see that. They can't see that in okc. It's amazing how the eyes get clear. What they get to say. They get to say, Antonio Hardenstein was

[Co-host / Analyst]

nice, nice tonight, Joe.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Oh, on the glass. You see how many second chances.

[Co-host / Analyst]

I was just gonna say that. Not Only the second chance opportunities. Right? But, but he was so effective all during the game. He gave you 10. But what he meant to this game, for them to win, it don't even show up in the box score. They don't even show up in the box score. So I mean them, the, the second chance points, him rebounding, you know, defensively. I mean, a dude for someone that can't move. Huh? He can't move completely. Hartenstein, he completely different from omb. Completely different. He played one hell of a goddamn game tonight. And he fits so perfect with what they want to do over there in okc. It, it's pretty dope.

[Joe Johnson]

Okay. Hey, listen, when you listen to him, he, he said in the first game, they just kind of let Wimby kind of roam around, do what he wanted. Hell, they kept a body on his ass. They kept chugging him tonight. You know, I seen him complain to the ref a time or two. So that's when you know you doing your damn job.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

They pick it. They was being physical out past the damn three point line. Joe, I saw, I saw Chet trying to lean on him. I saw Hardenstein trying to lean on him outside the damn three point line. They're not even letting him get inside the three line before they're physical in touching him up. You got to ask about the input, the impact of moving Hardenstein on the women. SG answered, I'm not sure if it was good, to be honest. Bill Simmons tweeted, I don't, I didn't think Hardenstein would be playable in this series, but if he's going to be allowed to maul and grab women like on every play, he could play 48 minutes, which is hilarious. SGA, you're a two time MVP and you know more basketball than I ever know. The only reason that you're not down O2 is because of what Hardenstein was able to do and keep Wimy off the glass and do all the things that he was able to do. He gave you 10 points and he gave you valuable, valuable minutes. Because there are a lot of times when you got Caruso or you got D on him, he was going over there back, getting the rebound and putting it back in. So when you go back and look at, at this film, which I, I'm sure you would, and I look the emotion of the game and I don't know if you really heard the question of what she was asking, but the reason why you're not down 02, you played extremely well, but Hardenstein did an unbelievable job. If you can believe 21 and 17 with four blocks is doing an unbelievable job. It is considering that he had 41 and 24 in four blocks the other night. You held. Think about what you held him to. Yeah, 20 points fewer and seven fewer rebounds.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah. Hey, look, I like that small lineup that OKC plays, where Wimby has to be. See, when Hardenstein in there, he ain't really got a guard. Hardenstein, I mean, yeah, he made some floaters. I like his touch that he got around the basket. Okay, Ocho, but for the most part he's still able to kind of linger around and be that free safety, you know what I mean? To where I could just kind of seek everybody out. But when you put Caruso in and they had to stretch that floor and he got a guard of shooter, the game changes tremendously, bro. But like you say, you have to do your work early with Wemby, bro. Like I'm talking about, catch him chugging, make him fight you all the way down to that low block. Cause see, from 10ft in, he is always gonna be his advantage. But if you catch him 20, 17ft outside, man, you got a great chance you get. You just gotta hope he missed. But you let him catch it within 10ft of that basket, shit your ass in trouble.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Well, the problem is, you know, they're gonna said all this stuff that they were doing that they didn't call tonight. They're gonna turn that into the league, Joe.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You know the official in the next game, the NBA is going to tell them to be watching this.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And so the question is, if they call it now, it's going to be a different ball game. Plus he's able to sit more solid screens than Chad. Chad played okay tonight. They, they did a great job of check. Got a couple of points late in the ball game that, that kept, kept him in front. But I thought the turnovers because they were down one and then all of a sudden they go two, three turnovers back to back. And they'd hit back to back threes. It wasn't like a three and a two. They'd hit back to back threes and stretch it and make it and make it a three possession game. And give OKC credit because now you see why they have the league's two time mvp. You see why they're going for a back to back title. Because they didn't flinch in adversity. Had a big old lead. Next thing you know they cut that thing down in the blink of an eye. Yeah, the spurs were right Back in the Hill. The funny thing right in the Hill

[Co-host / Analyst]

is obviously basketball is a game of runs. And you see the spurs being able to get back into the game even when the goddamn Thunder had a goddamn lead. Look at the goddamn, the turnover difference. 21 9. Yeah, 21 9. And you're still making runs.

[Joe Johnson]

That's the game.

[Co-host / Analyst]

You're still making runs to get back in the game. Just imagine if you were able to protect the ball.

[Joe Johnson]

And look Ocho and your, and your point guard had, he had nine, 10 of them. Damn turnover crazy. You know what I mean? But, but, but I, hey, look, San Antonio obviously watching film. Castle has to watch the film because he has to be better in taking care of that rock. Cause that could be the difference in them being up two zero versus versus the series being one.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Joe, you know what's funny too, now that I think about it, how do you as a coach, obviously you played the game. I know you're not a coach in the NBA, but you would have a better understanding based on experience. When you have a player like Castle that is as good as he is offensively and defensively and you love his aggression and what he brings to the game, how do you have a conversation with him about turning the ball over without, without taking away that edge that he has and he brings to the game?

[Joe Johnson]

Well, that's the, that's, that's kind of hard, Uncle Ocho, because he's such a young player, 21 years old, his second year in the league. You putting a lot on him to being your primary ball handler. And you right, Ocho, I really don't, I don't want to take away his aggression, bro. I, I, I love how he attacks the basket, but you have to show him clips of himself on tape and be like, look, I, I, I, I don't want to take your aggression. In a way I want you to take chances. But at the same time you gotta take, you gotta take care of this.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You gotta be smart.

[Joe Johnson]

You gotta be a lot better with this ball. Because if he's better, then obviously the, the series could be a lot different. But like o, but like oak, say maybe Fox come back in game three and then he could just kind of go back to being that, that guy who he's been all year, that two way player.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You're absolutely right. Because you look at this and now Superhuman Shaq.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

I keep telling them not to say that. I'm no superhuman. Believe it or not, I struggle with moderate obstructive sleep apnea or OSA in adults with obesity. Moderate to severe OSA is a condition where breathing is interrupted during sleep, with loud snoring, choking, gasping for air, and even daytime fatigue. Let's just say it can sound a lot like this. Sound familiar? Learn more at don't sleep on OSA.com

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

this information is provided by Lilly, A medicine company.

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Amazon Health AI presents Painful Thoughts why

[Lowe's Announcer]

did I search the Internet for answers to my cold sore problem? Now I'm stuck down a rabbit hole filled with images of alarmingly graphic sores in various stages of ooze. I can clear my search history, but I could never unsee that.

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Don't go down the rabbit hole. Amazon Health AI gets you the right care fast. Healthcare just got less painful.

[OnPlus Nicotine Pouches Announcer]

OnPlus nicotine pouches present comfort chronicles at 10 o' clock tea time. How comfortable you show up in stretchy shorts, breathable tee and maybe no socks. Let the dogs breathe while other sweat and pleated khakis. You're in your comfort zone. Bombing drives and in your pocket on plus Nicotine Pouches the softest pouch on the planet. Buy a [e-mail] Products for tobacco consumers 21 years of age or older Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical 102 miles

[Take Five Oil Change Announcer]

ago the oil light came on. 100 miles ago you noticed. Now it's time to head to Take five this oil change Fall in love with your car all over again in just 10 minutes. Your dream technician will check your tire pressure, top off fluids, change your oil and verify with carfax exactly what your car really needs, all while keeping you in the driver's seat. Take five the stay in your car 10 minute oil change find your nearest

[Public Investing Announcer]

[e-mail] support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI it all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio that's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures [e-mail] Disclosures OKC had 34 SIS.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

San Antonio had 22. Spurs had 5 steals. OKC had 14. Spurs had 21 turnovers, OKC had 9. Spurs shot better from the floor. Yeah, better from the three. Better from the free throw line.

[Joe Johnson]

Yep.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Normally when you do that it's like if I tell you, well one team shot better from the floor, better from the three point line, better from the free throw line. But they lost. I said the first thing I'm gonna do, let me go to the turnovers. Yeah, it's like the NFL. Oh choice. You know, it's like the NFL. One team got more passing yards, more rushing yards, more first downs. But they lost. Okay, let me see how many turnovers they had.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

The greatest indicator of a team the most of the time. Not always. There's always.

[Joe Johnson]

There's.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

There's no such thing as always. The every but a great indicator of a team winning and losing is the turnover.

[Joe Johnson]

It is.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

It don't turn that ball over

[Joe Johnson]

and they. And they creating points and opportunities off them turnovers. That's what really kill you. You know what I mean? It's like the opportune times that you turn it over. You know, it ain't like you turn it over and they walking up here, you turn it over. Them folk going down there score it, leading the.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

I don't. You don't give me a chance to set my defense.

[Joe Johnson]

There you go.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Cause if I give up pick six and scoop and score though, my defense, no matter how good they are, they don't even get a chance to get on the field. I ain't expecting a big. I ain't expecting no old lineman to be doing and quarterbacks to be tackling.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yeah. And so that was. I think that is the biggest difference in the game. If they get Fox back, they get a guy that's. That's, that is a true point that can handle the rock that is accustomed to handling rock. We put a lot of pressure on a second year player. Yes, he's a reigning. Yes, he was. He won rookie of the year. But we're asking a lot. Normally we don't put that kind of pressure unless it's Magic Johnson.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You know what I'm saying that's. That. That's normally especially in situations like this. I'm trying to think, have we ever had a second year guy? I mean, take it go this far. I don't know what happened. I can't think off the top of my head other than Magic Johnson. I'm sure there have been. There have been some series where first or second year guy, but I don't really recall off the top of my head. So we're asking the guy. We put him in a situation that he's not used to being in, especially a pressurized situation like this. Yeah, they're different. Yeah, but what Fox was out in the regular season. Boy, the regular season of football and basketball and baseball and sports are entirely different than them playoffs. Hello.

[Joe Johnson]

Hello.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you think it's the same, if you think the intensity level is the same, if you think a player's nerves are the same, you're sadly mistaken.

[Joe Johnson]

You're right.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Guys know, I got one thing. I don't know if people's intentions or how they feel about playoff and regular season basketball, but that goddamn Crusoe Joe,

[Joe Johnson]

he's stepping up. O. Joe. Joe, he's stepping up, man.

[Co-host / Analyst]

The man was fighting.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

We said he wasn't gonna make eight more threes. JoJo. He made five.

[Joe Johnson]

Damn.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Young boys. Young boy, so efficient, man. And then he. Not only that, he gonna, he gonna, he gonna shoot your lights out. Then he gonna get in your face, Joe.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Three or four.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Get, get around, get around me if you can.

[Joe Johnson]

They. Hey look, OKC has seven guys in double figures and four of those guys came off the bench, fella, you know. Yeah, from, from. From a team standpoint, if I'm a head coach, that's what I need from my bench, bro. Hey, look, if some of my starters ain't really got it going like I think check gotta. He gotta play better. Meaning just be.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Be.

[Joe Johnson]

Play with a little more thrust, assert himself a little more. Because I think he's such a game changer and I think, you know, he's still continuously, you know, learning too. But when your bench can come in like this, bro, and put, and put it down, put, put, they stamp down on the game. This is what you want. But guess what? San Antonio got the same thing. They got so many guys who can beat you as well. I mean, Vasail tonight was. Basell had 22, 7 for 14. Obviously Kelvin Johnson came in, gave him some great minutes, but man, I, I just think this is going to Be a hell of a series, I think. I even think it's going to go to distance. I mean, hopefully these injuries don't dictate, you know, these games. Hopefully Harper can come back. I don't think J Dub gonna be able to come with that hamstring. You see, look, this just game two, fellas. Hell, he only played seven, eight minutes that hamstring, bro. Because the playoffs is revved up so high, you cannot sustain that with them soft tissue injuries, bro.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You know what happened? What? That game went to double overtime.

[Joe Johnson]

Yep.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And he stressed it. And they were, they were so they, they forgot that he was coming off an injury. You probably say, you know what? Because would you have rather lose that, win this game and lose him because it was gonna happen?

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Or lose it. Or lose that game and have him for the remainder of the series. Because think about what you ask him to do. You play that man down there 40 minutes in his first game back after an injury. Yeah, normally they put you on a limits restriction. Yeah, normally when you come back, he's gonna play. He's gonna play 20 minutes, he's gonna play 25 minutes. This man played more minutes than he would have paid played in a regular season game.

[Co-host / Analyst]

That also came down to him too, because I, I think even if they try to put him on a minute restriction, if he's saying he's okay, oh, I can go. I mean, what they gonna tell him?

[Joe Johnson]

Well, you, you, hey, you gotta be

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

smart because you're the doctors. You're the doctors. I gotta, I gotta protect Ocho from Ocho because I do know Ocho and Joe want to play. Yeah, that's how we're. That's how we're engineered. Even when they say, look here, man, I'm gonna make the same amount. The way most athletes are wired, even though we know we're going to get our paycheck whether we play or not. Now let me earn my playcheck. I'm trying to get up out there. Yeah, everybody's not wired like that. The most, most athletes, that's how they're wired and that's why you have to have a backstop, somebody that can protect them from themselves. Say, yes, I understand that you want to play. I understand that you feel good. But you have to understand you've also been out for about 10, 12 days and think about it going up and down. And to put 40 minutes on a hamstring like that.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, the hardest thing is. Yeah, you right, Ocho. It's hard to talk a player out of it. Cause in the heat of it, hell, if he was in the third or fourth quarter, he probably was like, oh, no, I'm good, I'm good. I'm gonna keep going. You know what I mean? And it's just little stuff like that, that as a competitor, bro, you can't take yourself out of that. You know this. Hey, hey, hey. We playing way up here somewhere. You feel me? Like, hey, I'm locked in. Yeah, I know I'm gonna probably be hurting tomorrow, but right now, which, hey, we trying to get one.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And the pro. And the pro. The problem is that it's. It's one day. He don't got two days. That's tough. And if you think about it, Joe, I think he played 39 minutes. So he played all 10 minutes of the overtime. So think about how long he was sitting.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And the hardest thing, you know, the thing is with those soft tissues, you got to keep them warm. Man, that thing get cold, man. Hey, that's why you're on the stationary bike. You try to time it up just right. You don't want to do too much, but you don't want to do too little, have it stiff. When you try to go back out there, you dragging it and, you know, you very attended because, you know, man, that thing's like, damn. I just. I, I, I can get. I can do it. I can get through. I can get through. No, you can't. No, you can't. So it's gonna be, it's gonna be very interesting to see how that. I think, I don't think he, for me, just looking at him and got that ice on there. I don't see him coming back this series.

[Joe Johnson]

Nah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

A Jay Mitchell. I want to see.

[Joe Johnson]

I don't.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Because he grabbed. He grabbed. I don't know if it was his quad. Yeah, that's what it looked like. He grabbed Joe. Am I, Was I seeing things?

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah. No, he grabbed his quad. But I, I mean, he had. He had a look in his eyes like, damn, I think I really messed something up. He had that look in his eyes, but, yes. I don't know. He got up, did he. He went out the game. Didn't he come back?

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Didn't come back, Nope. And if you. And also Joe, we have been talking about this. Ocho, we've been talking about this. This is what makes the OKC so dangerous. You see, they bench. Nobody else has a bench like that that can give you guys. And give you three, four guys in the most important game and give you Double digit and do it at an efficient level. That's what makes them so unique. Because remember we saw think about it, every time Shea went to the bench, they were better with. I'm not saying they're better team, but when Shay went to the bench against the Lakers, every time they exploded. Yeah, he go to the benches entire game. He come back in, they up nine. Yeah, they up ten. What they do that at?

[Joe Johnson]

Right, Right. Look, hey, hey, I. I think, I think now okc, they gonna have to go back with Wallace at the two. I mean, hell, he been playing great ball. He making shots, he's being disruptive, you know, four assists, four steals. Yeah. I mean at this point, this what you got now on the road. Shay gonna have to be Shay in order for him to win.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Like you umpteenth degree.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah. Like it's gonna be hard for you to really depend on some of these role players. Now I know they wanted last year and they the defending champs and Caruso has been playing great for the past couple games. But on the road, bro, they gonna need Shade to be Shay. And you're gonna need check hungry to give you like a 22 and 12 game. He need a big game on came with you.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

He does.

[Joe Johnson]

He need a big game.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And if you think about it, because basically, you know what it is, Joe? It's not one. You got to combine chat numbers and Hardenstein numbers. Point rebounds and assists and blocks. That's Wimby. Yeah, that's Wimby's competition. Not just one. So we go back and add them up. When we look at it, we go back and look. Let me see what they got. Because I think it was close, Joe.

[Joe Johnson]

23 and 17 for Hardenstein and Hungry, that's 20. They had 23 and 17.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And so guess what they did? They neutralized. Women had 21 and 17. See, so that's how we got to do it. Oh, Jojo. Joe, we've got, we our two got to equal your one.

[Joe Johnson]

Wow.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Last game, what they have wasn't even close.

[Joe Johnson]

It wasn't, bro. It wasn't.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

So this is how they got to play it.

[Joe Johnson]

They've got.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

It's got to be two versus one. Cause one is not enough. Chet ain't messing with it. Hardenstein, obviously. Now you saw Hardenstein shot a floater so high it didn't even touch the dad. He went through. You see how high he shot that ball, Joe? Yeah, he had to.

[Joe Johnson]

He had to, man. Listen, Wimby is such a game changer, fellas. I mean he, he he requires so much attention. And I think one of the. One of the best attributes of his game is passing the ball, man. He does everything well, obviously. Scoring, shot, blocking. But for big guys to be able to get that ball out, out real quick and quick and fast, so. So his shooters can have time, man, he does that with the best of them, Uncle Ocho. Meaning, you know what I mean? Like, he ain't always looking to score. He gonna make the right play every time, bro.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yes. I love the way he plays. I love. I love the passion that he plays with. And it's like he make a. Yeah, he make a mistake or his teammates make a mistake. He ain't, you know. You know, sometimes you see that body leverage. Everybody like, dang, you know. Yeah. Hey, it's okay. Yeah, it's okay. It's okay. And guys are gonna love playing with him. Are gonna love playing with him because he knows he could. He can erase a lot of my mistakes.

[Joe Johnson]

Yes, sir.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

I make a mistake on defense going back there to that eraser

[Joe Johnson]

facts.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Because not only is he a problem, he's an issue.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

So, you know, you got issues, you got to troubleshoot those problems you try to solve.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Keep over them.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

So at the whole part, you try to show. Okay. Mr. Johnson, I think what's going on with your car right here? Ah, let me, let me, let me, Let me put it on the lift. I can get up under there and see. Right. I can maybe troubleshoot some things.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Then they're gonna come out. Mr. Johnson, we got a problem. Your ordinator, your voltage regulator, your cataclysmic converter. Yeah, yeah, that's Wimby. Yeah. He's 75. Oh, Lord have mercy. He can shoot at a high percentage from the three. He could put the ball on the floor, and in one step, one and a half step, he can dunk the ball from the three point line. He can erase all mistakes that our defense make.

[Joe Johnson]

It's tough, bro. He. He makes the game easier for those guys around him, bro. Think about it. If you're a point guard, uncle oo, that's who you want to run the pick. And I seen him run the pick and roll early in the game, and he popped, and it kind of messed OKC up. He popped, caught it, shot of three.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Boom. And if he making that, if he

[Joe Johnson]

making that, it's a rap, bro, because what the hell we supposed to do? We can't switch it. You know what I mean? I just think he's too much of a deadly weapon, bro. Like he's showing everything. And the fact that he just plays poise, patience. He understands and knows, man, look, from here on out, it's going to be physical and I got to prepare myself for it.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You're right.

[Joe Johnson]

You just. Hey, I'm just such a huge fan of Harper, bro. I hate to see him go out. Uncle Ocho, I'm talking about the way he be big by. Man, that man going at Lou Dork

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

like that, man, you saw he pulling, pushing him up under the basket and right over the top of it.

[Joe Johnson]

That man, 28. Uncle, the man, 20 years old, man.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Did you see how he got the rebound? How he got hurt, how he got that rebound with one hand, like, hey, all in one motion. Let's get out.

[Co-host / Analyst]

You think, you think he hyper extended his knee?

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

I thought it was his ankle.

[Joe Johnson]

It might have been his knee.

[Co-host / Analyst]

I don't know.

[Joe Johnson]

I hope he young enough. He can bounce right on back.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yeah, you know, hey, you know, the old people say, you ain't got no bone, boy, you got gristle. Get your ass up. Man.

[Co-host / Analyst]

This.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Hey, this is an unbelievable series. Thus far, this series has been everything that we anticipated. That's.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Nothing more.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Yeah. Hey, and Joe, I don't know what the price of courtside tickets would be for a series like this. Whether they playing in Oklahoma, whether they playing in San Antonio, but that, but what we've seen the last two games would be worth the price of admission for a seven game series regardless to the price of them damn tickets. Because you know exactly what you're getting.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah. Listen, you remember AKA Ocho, back. Back in the day when the Lakers had that great team with Kobe and Shaq and you know, they played Portland in the Western Conference finals or they played Sacramento in the Western because we all thought they played San Antonio in the Western Conference finals. We all felt like that was the finals for real. Because when they went on to the finals, they were sweeping through Indiana, they sweeping through New Jersey. They was doing.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Everybody knows Shaq, but off camera, he's just a regular guy.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

People never believe me when I say I'm just like them. I take out the trash, do dishes, and I struggle with moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or osa. And a lot of adults with obesity also struggle with moderate to severe osa. You know, those scary breathing interruptions during sleep, the loud snoring, choking, and daytime fatigue. I knew I had to talk to my doctor. Don't sleep on the symptoms. Learn more@don'tsleeponosa.com this information is provided by

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Lilly, a medicine company Amazon Health AI presents Painful Thoughts why did I search

[Lowe's Announcer]

the Internet for answers to my cold sore problem? Now I'm stuck down a rabbit hole filled with images of alarmingly graphic sore hours in various stages of ooze. I can clear my search history, but I can never unsee that.

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Don't go down the rabbit hole. Amazon Health AI gets you the right care fast. Healthcare just got less painful.

[OnPlus Nicotine Pouches Announcer]

On/ nicotine pouches present comfort chronicles a 10 o' clock tea time. How comfortable you show up in stretchy shorts or breathable tea and maybe no socks. Let the dogs breathe while other sweat and pleated khakis. You're in your comfort zone bombing drives and in your pocket. On nicotine pouches the softest pouch on the planet. Buy a [e-mail] Products for tobacco consumers 21 years of age or older Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical 102 miles

[Take Five Oil Change Announcer]

ago the oil light came on. 100 miles ago you'd noticed. Now it's time to head to Take the five this oil change Fall in love with your car all over again. In just 10 minutes, your dream technician will check your tire pressure, top off fluids, change your oil and verify with Carfax exactly what your car really needs, all while keeping you in the driver's seat. Take five the stay in your car 10 minute oil change find your nearest

[Public Investing Announcer]

[e-mail] support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year. You can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor. Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com disclosures.

[Joe Johnson]

Man, this kind of. This. This kind of what it feels like to me in. In this west. This feels like the finals, you know what I mean? And whoever comes out of this, obviously, if they can stay healthy, they gonna probably have a better chance of winning a title.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yeah, this wimby is. Like I said, I think they're gonna turn. You know how it always is. I don't know what Mr. Johnson's gonna say, but I do know that he's gonna. They're gonna turn those officials. And look at this. Oh, yeah, not basketball. This is you. And you're allowing him to do this. If you allow him to do this, there is nothing we can do. I mean, and then when he get aggressive, because remember what happened last time, he said, okay, I'm gonna stop you now. Read from grabbing this, trying to get. Trying to get this ball.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, pop.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And so we don't want that. But you guys control that because remember what the coach said last time? I'm glad he protected himself.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yeah, I'm glad he protected himself. He said, if the officials won't protect him, protect yourself.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, but listen, if you okc, that's what you want. Damn, that grab hold ref ain't calling all that. Yeah, they might catch you a time or two, but they ain't called. And we hope you get pissed off and throw another elbow. Yeah, your ass gonna be done for the rest of this series. You know what I mean?

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

If you.

[Joe Johnson]

Okay, see, that's what you want. Hey, look, how else you gonna stop them? Yeah, you got to sit him down. I like the aggressiveness from the guards and OKC and getting to the rack and just. Even though he gonna block it, bro, you're gonna have to go through that man chest. I'm sorry, bro. You got. Hey, hey, stop trying to go around and be scared of him. You're gonna have to go right at him. And then if you do miss, hopefully Hardenstein, a chick can clean up. You know what I mean?

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

They did a couple of times. They did a couple of times.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, you gonna have to go at his chest, bro. You're gonna. Hey, hey. Because listen, if you don't give him no resistance and you try to finesse everything, I mean, he gonna be whipping that.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

No, you can't. You can't. You can't let a shot blocker have separation between you and him. Yeah, you got to be into his body to make him do this because he. He's going to Go down some, but if you just let him be able to elevate, man, he gonna block that every time. Or you gonna throw it over the backboard. Those are your two choices. And he's a tremendous. He has tremendous timing with the shot block. He's tremendous with it. It's so effortless, Joe, man, I'm like. And I'll be thinking to myself, bro, did y' all actually think y' all gonna make that? Did y' all not see him standing right there on the. I understand he could be at, like, where the guy would be at the free throw line on a. On a box out.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And the guy on the other side and they try to lay the ball up. I'm like, you thought you gonna.

[Co-host / Analyst]

I need that. Give me that.

[Joe Johnson]

Hey, listen, that's what makes a great shot blocker, though. You. You can have all the tools, you know, the. The. The arm length, the height, but if you ain't got that damn timing, you know what I mean? To where you know and understand when to come over and help, you know, act like you ain't really paying attention. But you. You know what I'm saying? You coming from the weak side. You slapping that up, man. He got impeccable timing. He ain't just got them long arms and just seven five. Like. He understands. He understands, bro.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Man, this was an unbelievable. This was. This was unbelievable game. And then on the other side, Shay. What. What do we say? What do we say about Shay? Is there enough that we can say about him? Because down the stretch, you know, when you get that one on one and he puts that should in you to create that separation, you let him elevate in the fourth quarter, especially clutch time always going in. He knocking it down.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, he. Hey, I noticed he has a. Like, he. He has a. A nice mid range, a nice 15 footer. But Uncle Ocho, if y' all really watch the game, bro, he's shooting that thing more about 17, 18ft because, hell, I can't get too close to Wimby. You know, he. He gonna come. He gonna. Even if he jump and he don't block it, he gonna alter it. You know what I mean? I noticed that with Shay. He made a huge difference in that. And like I said earlier, bro, he gonna have to take a lot of tough shots, and he damn sure gonna have to make a lot of them, too.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Well, that's the thing. That's the sun. I can't get too close to the sun. I get burned. Ain't that what happened to Icarus? Didn't he fly too close to the sun and he had the phone. He fell out the sky. You know, I don't want to get into too much Greek mythology, but I. I believe that's what happened to it. Y like n. Hell, dog. What you think I'mma shoot a eight footer? Hell no. We block that.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

He's seven four and a half, seven five with shoes. He holds his hand up. That's nine over nine feet. He jump, man. Come on now, man.

[Joe Johnson]

It's a two. I'm talking about two great teams, bro. I'm talking about really, really. They both of them have difference makers on their team. I. I think San Antonio may have more than what OKC had. I'm just keeping real. But OKC got the mvp and yeah, I'm looking for Shay from here on out. This probably the best game he's had. Hell, since probably who they played in that first round. I know he played Lakers in second.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Oh, the Suns.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah. This probably. This probably his best game since that first round.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And he was very efficient. He's 50. Yeah, he's 50 from the floor. And I, I think the thing is that what you look at, for the most part, all the guys that came off the bench except McCain was extremely efficient. Caruso was 5 or 7, Wallace 4 of 6, Mitchell 4 of 8. McCain was 4, 14. But those shots that he did make, they were big. He hit the threes that, hey, they were one. They were one point up.

[Joe Johnson]

Boom.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

He hit a three, come back down, hit another.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

So, yeah, he missed some shots. Yeah, he was not as efficient that as he normally is, but he made some big timely shots that kept him in the lead, kept San Antonio at bay. But like you said, Joe, Shay, Gill just. I mean, what do you say? I mean, I think the thing is that people just. He doesn't have the flashiest game. He not up in the air with his tongue out and all that other stuff. He ain't. Yeah. I mean, he can dunk. Every once in a while he get a breakaway, but he not. I mean, we used like. I think the thing is we've done gotten so we like don't nobody like your game unless it's Kobe or Jordan.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

They don't really appreciate. They don't really appreciate unless, you know, you got, you know, you do a sidestep three like Harden.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

His game is more compatible to probably KD getting to his spot. Elevating.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

A shoot to three. He has that in his bag. That ain't what he ain't trying to fall in love with that shot. Yeah, he can get all the way to the rim. I think he'll.

[Orderly Meds Announcer]

He.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

He'll. He'll attack the rim a little bit more than what KD would when KD was that in that. That sweet spot of his prime. I think he attacks the rim a little more than kd, but, boy, if he ever gets to a spot that he considers his own and you let him elevate, Lord, please don't let this ball go in. I. I can't do anything about it, but just, please, let's let him. Just let him hit the front of the rim, the back of the rim. Let him hit something. Let him let a bird fly in the arena and knock it off course. Joe, you. Yo, Joe, you can't do anything but pray.

[Joe Johnson]

You can't.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You know, you let him elevate at that. You know, like Joe said, somewhere between 12 and 18ft, it's a rat.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah. Hey, he got like a little. Shea got like a little hitch in his shot. I don't know if y' all know

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Joe, I was thinking about. I said this. I was thinking the same thing.

[Joe Johnson]

Hey, hey. And I think. I think it makes it. I think that's why his three point game isn't where, you know, I think a lot of us would like for it to be, because him, the farther he is, like, he ain't really got a whole hell of a lot of range. He'll shoot one deep every now and then. But you know how Luka, he always shooting 2, 3ft.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Oh, Luka shooting from 33, 32, 30, for sure.

[Joe Johnson]

Luca has a very fluid shot. Shay shot isn't very fluid. It has a little hitch in it.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

It like he gets up there and holds it.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. He has like.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Okay. I thought I was the only one seeing something. I was like, am I see. Am I seeing something?

[Co-host / Analyst]

Hey, hey, Joe.

[Joe Johnson]

Nah.

[Co-host / Analyst]

When you. When you say hitch, what you mean by that?

[Joe Johnson]

It's like. It's like he'll go, and then he'll be up there and then he'll just. It had like a little. It's like a little hitch in it. It's like a little.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You shoot the butt. Ocho. When you shoot the ball, you like, booster. Yeah. Motion.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

He goes up and it's almost like he pauses.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, okay.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And then he shoots.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I think. I think that has a lot to do with why his three point shot kind of suffers a little bit, you know what I mean? Because in this, in this series against the spurs, bro, in order for the, order, in order for the defense to loosen up. For a guy like Shay who operates within the three point line, yes, he's gonna have, he, he, he has to make a couple of these so these guys can be honest. Because right now they just kind of back on them heels and they just kind of playing him. Cause they know he's just trying to get to a spot. He's the best. Yeah, he's the best in getting to his spot, rising up, you know, whether he's creating contact or he gonna make, he gonna make some tough tools. But in order for him, I think his next step and obviously we talking about a damn two time mvp. Yeah, you know, him being a little more efficient behind that three point line. I mean hell, he already averaged 33 and 32 or 33 this season, but it'll take his average up even more, bro.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

But he, he, he's one hell of a basketball player and it seems to be only getting better. He wants to get better. He has an unquenchable desire to get better to work on his game. And man, like I said, this is, this is, this series here is going, I, I believe it's going six or seven. I, I, I would not be disappointed, disappointed if it went seven. But they're gonna have to get, they're gonna have to get a game in, okay, they're gonna have to get a game in San Antonio, Joe. I think they gonna get a game in San Antonio. They might get that game when they go back, but I'm not so sure with the injuries to Jdub and a job. Mitchell.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Well, it depends.

[Joe Johnson]

You gotta wait.

[Co-host / Analyst]

You gotta, you gotta wait till, you gotta wait. You gotta wait till we find out what, what happened, you know, Hope, hopefully you, you'd want to see both teams at full strength. You want to see both teams of full strength to get your best matchup possible. So I'm hoping for the best for both of them young Bulls, man, so they can continue to play in this series and get the people what they want to see.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

I, I just don't, I just don't see a scenario that J Dub is back in the series.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, it's gonna be tough, but he

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

just got, he just got back from a hamstring injury and he re injured it. Normally when you re injure a hamstring, it takes you longer to return than when you went out originally with it.

[Joe Johnson]

Hey. Damn that Shay gotta put that cape on. Hey, hey. He knows at stake. Damn, Jada About. Damn. I gotta take this thing up another couple notches, you know what I mean? Like, hey, hey, we need. We need. We need a few more you guys to step up, bro. Because we all gonna have to feel that void. But as the mvp, I can. Ocho Shay gonna take his game to another level. Chick gonna have to be better. But you gotta look at San Antonio too.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yeah, they got a seven foot piece of kryptonite over there.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, but. But I'm saying without Dylan Har. Ocho, hell, that's gonna be. That's gonna be a huge difference for them too.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yes, but you forgetting there's a. I believe there's a great possibility that de' Aaron Fox is back in game three.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Now he's back. Joe. Kelton Johnson has been great the series. We know he's the sixth man of the year. We know he can explode. He's been relatively quiet. He's made big time rebounds, big a big strong putbacks. I love that about him. Him love that about him making timely big shots. But if Shay's gonna be. Shay, let's just say for the. For the sake of argument, moving forward, he's gonna probably give you. He's gonna be around his average. Yeah, he's gonna be around his average, man. But that 75 puts a piece of kryptonite. You bet. You kept him under control tonight. I mean, if you. Because he wasn't. The thing was, I don't think he shot that many free throws now.

[Joe Johnson]

He shot two.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

No. And he only had 16 shots, Joe. Yeah, let that sicken. He was 50 from the floor with only 16 shots. No. Hey, women. I need you to get at least 20, 20, 22. I need you to get to the free throw line somewhere between no less than five. Yeah, but the closer to ten. I like that.

[Joe Johnson]

You know, he gonna be a lot more aggressive at home. You know, that crowd in San Antonio is going to be unbelievable. You know, these young guys will fuel off that, they'll thrive off that. They'll play a lot better. But man, I just think. I know Fox is coming back, but without Dylan Harper. Both of them are two totally different guards. You know, Harper is six' six. I mean, hell, he playing big boy ball down there, you know what I mean? Fox gonna play great, you know, in between games, shooting floaters. Shoot this midi. You know, creating opportunities for guys, you know, around him. But it's just. I think you need both of them, you know what I mean? Playing against this OKC team. Bro, you gonna need both of them. I think Harper gonna be a huge blow if he ain't able to play, you know, throughout the rest of the series.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

I just think. I think. I think Fox puts so much more pressure on your defense because he is so cat quick.

[Joe Johnson]

Yes, sir.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You. It's hard for one guy, even though they have elite defenders to keep up with him.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, he's hard.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

See, the difference is, is that one guy is cat quick, frail, play on edges. Harper is a big body guy. He's gonna play through you.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

So. And the question is.

[Joe Johnson]

Now,

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

normally Caruso is the first guy off the bench.

[Joe Johnson]

Do you start Caruso?

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

That's. That's where I was heading.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Because if. If a Jay Mitchell is out, if J Dub is out. So that's two guards. So now you're gonna put. You're gonna ask more. You're gonna ask more. So now he's not gonna be as fresh because he's gonna be playing starters minutes, not Joe.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Wallace. He's not going to be as fresh. He's going to be playing major minutes.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

So it's going to be very, very interesting. I love this. I love this cat and mouse game we're about to see on Friday night. What's gonna be popping? I know what they play at.

[Joe Johnson]

And T. What's the name of the

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

arena they play in, Joe?

[Joe Johnson]

At T? I think so. I.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

What's. What's the name of it? Prospect Center.

[Joe Johnson]

Okay.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yeah. I remember, you know, when I was growing up playing the hemisphere.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah. The name of the arena, it wasn't the Alamo. It wasn't.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

They played the hemisphere was first and then the Alamo, I think.

[Joe Johnson]

Oh, yeah. I heard playing in the Alamo Dome was different.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yeah, I could imagine.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Because, Joe, when you. When you. When you're the only show in town.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Oh, everybody out to see you.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You're Packers. You don't show him down.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

What else you gonna do if you're in San Antonio? What is he gonna do, Joe? Okay, see, what else you gonna do? You go check out football game. What about hockey? What about baseball? Hell, yeah. Ain't even got a kickball championship, so you ain't got nothing to do but to go there.

[Joe Johnson]

Hey, hey, they. It may be two small markets, but they got some great fan bases, bro.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You know, that's what happens when you have small markets. You look at again, look at the packers, look at YouTube. Do they not sell out every game? Yeah, and they ravenous, them cheese heads green and gold. That's all you can see like, damn, y' all ain't got nothing else to do but come support the packers, huh?

[Joe Johnson]

Hey, hey, that's how it is. That's how it is.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Buffalo.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Worse, boy, when it comes to fan appreciation and showing up whether it's sunny, whether it's cold, whether it's raining. Man, they out there going crazy out there in Buffalo. But one of the, hey, one best, if not the fan base.

[Joe Johnson]

Listen, look. Look at them old Utah Jazz teams when they had Malone and Stockton. Hell, ain't nothing else in Utah. Yeah, ain't nothing else in Utah outside the Jazz festival. But yeah, them small market teams, bro, they go hard for their teams, bro.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

They do.

[Joe Johnson]

They do. They gonna show up and show out.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

All right, guys, as we move along, everybody knows Shaq, but off camera, he's just a regular guy.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

People never believe me when I say I'm just like them. I take out the trash, do dishes, and I struggle with moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or osa. And a lot of adults with obesity also struggle with moderate to severe osa. You know those scary breathing interruptions during sleep, the loud snoring, choking and daytime fatigue. I knew I had to talk to my doctor. Don't sleep on the symptoms. Learn more at don't sleep sleep on

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

osa.com this information is provided by Lily, A Medicine Company.

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Amazon Health AI presents Painful Thoughts why

[Lowe's Announcer]

did I search the Internet for answers to my cold sore problem? Now I'm stuck down a rabbit hole filled with images of alarmingly graphic source in various stages of ooze. I can clear my search history, but I can never unsee that.

[Amazon Health AI Announcer]

Don't go down the rabbit hole. Amazon Health AI gets you the right care fast. Healthcare just got less painful.

[OnPlus Nicotine Pouches Announcer]

OnPlus nicotine pouches present comfort chronicles a 10 o' clock tee time. How comfortable you show up in stretchy shorts, a breathable tee and maybe no socks. Let the dogs breathe while other sweat and pleated khakis. You're in your comfort zone. Bombing drives and in your pocket. On nicotine pouches the softest pouch on the planet. Buy a [e-mail] Products for tobacco consumers 21 years of age or older. Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Take Five Oil Change Announcer]

102 miles ago, the oil light came on. 100 miles ago, you'd noticed. Now it's time to head to take five. This oil change Fall in love with your car all over again. In just 10 minutes, your dream technician will check your tire pressure top off fluids, change your oil and verify with Carfax exactly what your car really needs, all while keeping you in the driver's seat. Take five the stay in your car 10 minute oil change find your nearest

[Public Investing Announcer]

[e-mail] support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.comDisclosures Cavs head

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

coach Kenny Atkinson defends James Harden defensive struggles in Game 1 against the Knicks. That's the NBA. One thing about James, I'll just defend him. He's as good isolation defender always has been. He's super smart. He's got great hands. This team, this is a team defense at the level. It's a team defense and are we, are we helping sending them in the right direction? I know everybody's putting it on James but I say a lot is on the team. Our defense, some of it was him and there are a couple of blow bys but I'd argue it was a team defense too.

[Joe Johnson]

Joe, you know what? I guess hell you know if your coach stand up for you, bright or wrong and different. Hell you know if that's your partner, you know you gonna take up for him. Well it don't matter how. Yeah how you look out there. You know what I mean man, come on man. You know them last in their fourth quarter in that overtime. Come on bro. Hey, you know but I get it though. I get it as a head coach. I ain't trying to throw my my main guy one of my main guys under the bus. I ain't trying to make him. I ain't trying to bring no different morale than what we already got. We already got the outsiders talking bad about him or whatever the case may be. I gotta lift him up. I get that part.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

But Joe, before you go, Ocho, before you go, take a look at this. If we thought it was bad, if we thought Harden was gonna take some accountability. He also said the team needs to do a better job on Bronson. So let's take a listen to the video. Brunson had some success against you personally late in the game. How are you? That's your defense against him?

[James Harden]

I mean, he made some tough ones. He made some tough ones, but, you know, obviously we all know he's a great one on one player. And, you know, I think anybody on the island, it's going to be difficult. So we got to do a better job of making sure he sees bodies, you know, on the other end. You know, they do a good job of, you know, supporting him and helping him when he's on the island. So he made some tough ones, but we got to do a better job as a team just because it's not a one man job. So, you know, gotta be better in that aspect. I think he made a couple of them which, you know, really got them going.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Hey, you know what? It's a little different though, Joe. You have to understand, you have to

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

stay in the moment.

[Co-host / Analyst]

The time in the game. I know it's a team effort collectively, especially during the game, you know, when you're making your runs. But in those specific moments where, damn, they're just ISO ball and everybody's on their man and you got to lock in, you got to lock down in that specific moment, it's just you and him. Regardless of. Regardless of whether it being a team effort or not, I need you to. I need you to get money right now. We need to stop and you are Garden Brunson. We need you to handle him right now. Don't let him beat you on the first dribble. Just don't let him go by you, Unc. Like you say, if you do that, you put us in the goddamn huckerbook or whoever say that. God as you.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Joe,

[Co-host / Analyst]

come on, man, just. Just do, do something. Every single time it was one on one. He beat you every single time. At some point you got to want to. I'm not sure what coach is watching. I'm not sure if coach watch film. You don't want to throw your play on the Bus. I understand that, but, like, come on now.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Come on now.

[Joe Johnson]

Hey, listen, for me, Uncle Ojo, as a player and a guy who's played in this league and been in these positions, bro, you gotta have some type of accountability, homie. You know what I mean?

[Public Investing Announcer]

Just take.

[Joe Johnson]

Look, look, look. Yeah, hell yeah, he made some tough shots. You know, he a hell of a player. He probably gonna be an all NBA player bad boy. But, bro, just take a little accountability and say, man, I gotta be a little better. Because, listen, when your teammates hear that, bro, they gonna respect you a lot more. You know what I'm saying, Uncle Ocho? Like, but for you to say, yeah, we gotta do better collectively as a team, which we probably do a little bit. And he gotta see bodies, bro, we just need one stop. We just need to sit in that chair one time, moving feet. A few. A few possessions, and don't give up nothing easy. I don't give a damn what nobody say. A man score 11, 12 straight on me. Damn. Now I'm raised my hand, man. My bad, bro. You know, I can't, you know. And the next one probably gonna be a hard damn foul. I'm just keeping real, bro.

[Co-host / Analyst]

In. In defense of James Harden and Joe, in defense of James Harden. This is Brunson. He do every. Every goddamn body like this.

[Joe Johnson]

Come on, Ocho. Come on, bro. Come on. Nah, nah, Damn.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Don't say damn it.

[Joe Johnson]

Damn that. We're in the Eastern Conference finals, homie. This is for a chance to go to the finals, bro. Like you mean to tell me. Hold on. We can't. Hey, hey, hey. You have to make him uncomfortable, Uncle Ocho, meaning Brunson, bro. Y' all go, man. If you get a chance, go look at the game. I'm talking about the last half. Half, half of the fourth quarter in overtime, bro. It was no resistance to him bringing the ball up the court. They didn't really start playing defense until he got over half court, you know what I'm saying? Like, too late. It's too late, bro, you have to make his ass work from the time he in ball that ball in ball that the ball to, you know, until he tried to get into his bag. And hopefully you don't wore him down by then, but for a guy to just casually be able to walk up the court, run some time off. Okay, Boom.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You.

[Joe Johnson]

No, no, no, no, no.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You.

[Joe Johnson]

Man, that's too. Hell no. Hell no.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

What's up, baby? That'll be like a DB getting cooked. And then he come out there where the defense got to do a better job. Miles Garrett ain't covered him.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, right.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And that's what. That's. That's basically what Kenny Atkinson said. The defense got to do a better job. Well, damn, if I take one step and the guy already completed the pass. I don't know what you want me to do. My job as a defensive back, you says, okay, make him clutch the ball. If I make. If I make him clutch the ball. If I make him. If he wants to go. If he wants to throw the ball to Ocho. If I make him like, oh, no, you ain't going to Oo. Okay, I've done my job.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Garrett or whomever. Micah. The what? Y' all gotta get there. He ain't make him do that. He got to his spot. So how can I. How could I help you if you already let the man in the house?

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah,

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

let the man in, Joe. I can't do nothing. I can't. I mean, what you want me to do now?

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Hey, that's funny.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

And like you said, Joe, at some point in time you say, you know what.

[Joe Johnson]

Ah, hell no, man.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Hold on, man. Got three. Hit me or three. Boom. Damn. Oh, that's a tough one there.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Come back. Get me to. Get me a. Get me a guy with the floater. Five. Damn. Seven, ten. Oh, hell no. Not. Not another one. Now I gotta put this soup bone upside you here or something. I gotta make you think. You gotta think about something other than put the damn ball in the basket.

[Joe Johnson]

Man, listen. Told y', all, I'm in full out denial. You score that many points on me, bro?

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Like I.

[Joe Johnson]

Hey, hey, hey. I've been there, bro. I've been there where it's hard to cool the guy off, you know, Sometimes. Sometimes, you know, you ain't. Hell, you can't do nothing but hard. File his ass one time, Uncle Ojo. But, man, in this situation, this setting, playing in New York and hell, we done blew a damn 22 point lead. Joe, man, please, boy, somebody got.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Have you been in that situation before, Joe?

[Joe Johnson]

Man, I remember playing cool down.

[Co-host / Analyst]

It was somebody who couldn't cool down. They were. They were getting the money, boy.

[Joe Johnson]

Nah, damn. That. They couldn't cool me down.

[Co-host / Analyst]

No, I'm saying. I'm saying defensively, have you ever been in a situation.

[Joe Johnson]

Well, I'm finna tell you. I'm finna tell you what. Nothing they could do. I scored about 12 straight. This is this game seven when I was playing in Brooklyn. We playing in Toronto. In Toronto, Game seven, neck and neck. Game five. Six minutes left.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Ocho, talk to me.

[Joe Johnson]

Running them things off.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Bing, bing.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Back to back.

[Joe Johnson]

Joe, come on, man. Come on. I'm gonna have to send you some clips, man. You ain't been doing.

[Co-host / Analyst]

I did my homework, Joe. That's why I keep coming at your neck.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, well, if you did some homework, maybe you shut your ass up, do some homework. I'm gonna see. I'm gonna send you some clips, though. But listen, when a guy got it going like that, Ocho, you're gonna either have to send another guy, because one just ain't enough, you know, you gonna have to send another guy to help and obviously, you know, try to get the ball out of his hands, which I feel Cleveland probably should have tried that a time or two here earlier. So you gotta mix it up, bro. Like, if I.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

If.

[Joe Johnson]

Listen, if. If you keep coming out, running the same play and getting what you want, hell, we gonna.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

We. We.

[Joe Johnson]

It's like this. We're gonna keep milking that. Run that again until they stop again. Hell, until they show us something different. Till they stop it. Keep running it. They never sent a double team on the man. On the man.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Nobody trapped. He got the ball out of his hands. Nothing. You let the man play one on one the whole damn night. It's like. It's like a wide receiver. Oh, you. I tell you what, you know, everybody run their own coverage like that. We don't. We don't. We don't have. Let our number one DB travel now. You don't let the number one receiver, you don't let him catch his rhythm. I don't give a damn what DB you put on him. It's over for him. Yeah, once he get his rhythm, it's over.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, and Kenny Atkinson, he gotta take some of this damn blame, too. Yeah, time out. He had. Hell, he ain't called one, y'.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

All.

[Joe Johnson]

We were just up 22.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

So he think he got them timeouts the next game. What he waiting for, the apocalypse?

[Joe Johnson]

Right?

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You think he got. Now he got extra four timeouts. No, bro, bro. Ain't no way you let a team go on a run like that and you don't burn at least one time out. I've seen coaches burn two of them.

[Joe Johnson]

Listen. Oh, Coacho, when they were up 22, when that lead went down to 10.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Right, right away, 10, that thing, they

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

go, hey, straight time out. Let me get that. Come on. Come on, guys, let's talk this over.

[Joe Johnson]

I'm saying at least. Look, when they cut it to 10, I was like, Damn. They still ain't calling no time out. Hey, by the time they call the timeout, it was six seven point game.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

That's what I'm saying. I'm calling a timeout. They score eight straight. I'm going time out. Let me get a timeout. They score another eight straight. Yeah, I got another time out. I got to do something. I'm trying to break the momentum. Even if there's not nothing strategically that I can do. I'm just trying to break the momentum.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

When a guy get hot on the dice, what you do, man, let me grab. You grab the day.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah. Yeah, man.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Come on, man. Put the dice out, bro. Hey, bro. Hey, you won't get it. I'll give you the knife back.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah, I'm paying you.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You try to do everything you can to cool his ass off. Ain't no way in hell you just let a man just keep licking and keep licking and keep licking. Hell, no. Hey, man. Hey, get the other dog, man. Give me them dice back, man. Nah, nah. These out of these, out of commission.

[Joe Johnson]

Damn.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Yeah.

[Joe Johnson]

That's how you and Ocho gonna act while I hit y' all them dice.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Come on, Joe, you put. Hey, you hit me three. You hit me three points, especially out the door. Oh, yeah.

[Joe Johnson]

Oh, yeah.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Hey.

[Joe Johnson]

Hey. I'm out the door kind of cat, too, boy. Arkansas natural state. Yeah. You boys don't want to see this here. I'm telling you.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Yo, don't do that, Joe. Come on, Joe.

[Joe Johnson]

All right, all right.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

When I hit that image, when I hit that Emmy Smith on y', all, bring the game up, huh? Yeah, man. Yeah, that one that old Vince Carter had one five, y'. All. Look at that three. Three and that 42.

[Joe Johnson]

Yeah.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Vince Carter.

[Joe Johnson]

I know. I get y'. All. I get y' all on 10 every time. When I throw that being. I throw that 10, I see you boys at it.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

I'm telling you. Flowers in the springtime. I tell you what, look at them love. Look at the fire. Look at them lost.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Hey, I'll tell you what. While y' all sitting there throwing that dice and y' all talking that trash back and forth, when you hear that whistle. Yeah, that whistle.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Huh?

[Co-host / Analyst]

You. You don't. You don't know what I mean. We use the graphic.

[Joe Johnson]

You can't. You can't even whistle.

[Co-host / Analyst]

We used the graphic not too long ago, a few days ago. I'm coming to take. Take. I'm coming to take that money from that dice game.

[Joe Johnson]

Now, hold on. But you can't even whistle.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Come Take that money for the day.

[Co-host / Analyst]

I can whistle, Joe. What you talking about, Joe?

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Stop playing me.

[Joe Johnson]

Let me hear you whistle.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Let me hear it. I ain't heard.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Y' all can't hear?

[Joe Johnson]

No, I'm new.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Hello?

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

No, you're not muted.

[Joe Johnson]

That man can't whistle.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

He can't whistle. Look.

[Joe Johnson]

Hey, Chad, do y' all hear anything, or is it just me and Joe?

[Co-host / Analyst]

Y' all playing, man. Y' all can hear me whistle, man, stop playing.

[Joe Johnson]

Oh, bro, you can't chat.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Y' all hear anything?

[Co-host / Analyst]

Y' all hear me, man, stop playing. Hey, hey, Joe, you saw the Wire. You know, you know when Omar coming. You know you hear that whistle.

[Joe Johnson]

Dang, they ain't you, though, Ocho.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

You can't do it. And you can't whistle either.

[Joe Johnson]

Man, don't nobody.

[Co-host / Analyst]

You hear that joke? Stop playing, man. Hey, sir, wrong with my mic.

[Joe Johnson]

It sound like you. You asking the chat for a kiss or something. I don't know. What you got going on over there?

[Co-host / Analyst]

What? Hello? Hello?

[Joe Johnson]

Come on, man. Come on.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Hey, Joe.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Okay, now, go ahead. You go, Joe. Man, that man ain't did nothing.

[Co-host / Analyst]

Hey, y' all playing, man. Y' all hear me?

[Joe Johnson]

That's.

[Co-host / Analyst]

I forgot what we was talking about.

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Don't worry about it. Everybody knows Shaq, but off camera, he's just a regular guy.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

People never believe me when I say I'm just like them. I take out the trash, do dishes, and I struggle with moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or osa. And a lot of adults with obesity also struggle with moderate to severe osa. You know, those scary breathing interruptions during sleep, the loud snoring, choking, and daytime fatigue. I knew I had to talk to my doctor. Don't sleep on the symptoms. Learn more@don'tsleeponosa.com this information is provided by

[Host (Uncle Ocho)]

Lilly, a medicine company.

[Orderly Meds Announcer]

Lots of support through telehealth, but it feels overwhelming and rushed. Check out orderlymeds.com now. Orderlymeds.com was built to be different. Here you connect with real doctors who take the time to understand your goals, review your eligibility, and guide you through a plan that's right for you. Orderly Meds provides access to proven GLP1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide, including both name brand options and personalized compound versions when appropriate. So you have choices backed by clinical oversight, not guesswork. It's a simpler, more supportive telehealth experience designed around people who want clarity, care and confidence in their weight loss journey. And your medication is delivered directly to your home in discreet packaging so your experience stays private from start to finish. Do your research, ask the right questions, then visit orderlymeds.com podcast for an exclusive offer. Again, that's orderlymeds.com podcast. Individual results may vary. Not medical advice eligibility required. See Cite for details.

[Public Investing Announcer]

You ever wonder how far an EV can take you on one charge?

[Take Five Oil Change Announcer]

Well, most people drive about 40 miles

[Public Investing Announcer]

a day, which means you can do all daily stuff no problem.

[Take Five Oil Change Announcer]

Go to work, grab the kids at school, get the groceries and still have enough charge to visit your in laws

[Public Investing Announcer]

in the next county.

[Take Five Oil Change Announcer]

But they don't need to know that.

[Public Investing Announcer]

And the best part?

[Take Five Oil Change Announcer]

You won't have to buy gas at all.

[Public Investing Announcer]

The way forward is electric. Explore EVs that fit your life at electricforall.org

[Martha Stewart]

this is Martha Stewart from the Martha Stewart Podcast. Ever wonder how to make hosting look effortless? Here's a secret Getting ahead of the mess with new Reynolds Kitchens Countertop Prep Paper Just lightly wet the counter beforehand so the paper grips and stays in place. Then lay down the Reynolds Kitchen's countertop prep paper so drips and spills stay on the paper, not all over your kitchen counter. You can roll out dough, prep a party spread, or cook alongside family. When you're done, cleanup is as simple as lifting the paper and revealing that clean counter underneath. Effortless. You can use it for cooking and baking, prep and even crafting, especially when you need extra working space. Because when the mess is already handled, you can focus on what matters the food, the people, and the moment. It may look effortless, but now you know it's Reynolds Kitchens Countertop prep paper. Take a tip from me. Wet it, set it, prep it. Done. Make it easy. Make it with Reynolds Kitchens Countertop prep paper, available now in the Reynolds Wrap aisle in Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Costco.

[Audience Member / Interjection]

Honestly, honestly, Honestly, no one wants to think about hiv, but there are things that everyone can do to help prevent it. Things like prep. Prep stands for Pre Exposure prophylaxis, and it means routinely taking prescription medicine before you're exposed to HIV. To help reduce your chances of getting it. Prep can be about 99% effective when taken as prescribed. It doesn't protect against other STIs, though, so be sure to use condoms and other healthy sex practices. Ask a healthcare provider about all your prevention Options and visit findoutaboutprep.com to learn more. Sponsored by Gilead.