Nightcap Hour 1: Unc & Iso Joe CALL James Harden TRASH after Cavs FUMBLE a 22-point lead to Knicks

Summary

Club Shay Shay – Nightcap Hour 1: Unc & Iso Joe CALL James Harden TRASH after Cavs FUMBLE a 22-point lead to Knicks

Date: May 20, 2026
Hosts: Shannon Sharpe (Unc/Joe), Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson (Ocho), Joe “Iso Joe” Johnson

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Episode Overview

This episode of the "Nightcap" features a heated, detailed breakdown of an extraordinary playoff collapse: the Cleveland Cavaliers’ stunning 22-point blown lead against the New York Knicks, culminating in the largest playoff comeback in Knicks postseason history. The trio—Shannon Sharpe, Chad Ochocinco, and Joe Johnson ("Iso Joe")—debate where the Cavs went wrong, focusing much of their attention (and criticism) on James Harden’s defensive shortcomings and offensive woes. Their commentary is candid, passionate, and, at times, biting—with many memorable moments and one-liners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap: Knicks’ Historic Comeback

• The Knicks stormed back from a 22-point deficit, winning 115–104 in overtime.
• This marks the biggest playoff comeback in Knicks' history—with under eight minutes to go and a 0.1% win probability, the Cavs "exhaled" and let the Knicks back in. (06:36-07:19)

“With a little under eight minutes left… the Knicks had a .1% chance, not a 1% chance, a 0.1% chance. 99.9% chance the Cleveland Cavaliers were going to win this game. And then something happened... by the time they caught their breath, Knicks … tracked them down.”
— Joe (07:10)

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2. James Harden’s Collapse: Both Sides of the Ball

Defensive Woes

• Harden was mercilessly targeted defensively down the stretch; the Knicks exploited him in the pick-and-roll, especially Jalen Brunson.
• The hosts emphasize his inability or lack of will to get key defensive stops.

“It’s just blow bys, bro. It’s like, damn, you ain’t even trying.”
— Ocho (09:55)

"You can’t suck on both ends of the court.”
— Joe (12:40)

Offensive Struggles & Turnovers

• Harden had more turnovers than made baskets—six turnovers to five buckets. “This is the sixth game in which he’s had more turnovers than buckets this playoffs” (11:56)
• The disconnect between regular season brilliance and postseason struggles is dissected.

"...he is a great player. He’s a great player in the regular season. ... He’s been far from spectacular more times than not in the postseason than what he’s been in the regular season. And it’s embarrassing.”
— Joe (16:14)

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3. Blame and Accountability

• The team debates whether Harden should be benched for non-performance; consensus is that his reputation and contract insulate him from such consequences, barring injury or foul-out.
• Emphasis on accountability—Harden owed the team an apology.

“Hey, James gotta go into the locker room and apologize to everybody. This was on me.”
— Joe (26:43)

• The hosts mock the idea of blaming Donovan Mitchell for repeatedly passing to Harden, suggesting Donovan himself should have taken over the game.

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4. Contrast: Regular Season vs Playoffs

• Panel points out the pattern of Harden’s postseason inconsistency compared to his high-scoring, MVP-level play in the regular season.
• Discussion on how, as elite offensive output has waned with age, defensive liabilities become more glaring.

“He can’t offset that porous defense with elite offense”
— Joe (19:15)

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5. Strategy Critique

• Cavs “played not to lose instead of playing to win”; stagnation and fear allowed Knicks' momentum.
• Knicks smartly isolated Harden defensively, leveraging “14 flat” sets to exploit him.
• The importance of end-of-game defensive effort—hosts relate with personal pro sports experience about refusing to be beaten play after play.

“At some point in time, it comes a time in a man’s life, I gotta make a stand. Ocho, you not finna whip my ass every single play all day long.”
— Joe (18:41)

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6. Jalen Brunson’s Superstar Performance

• Brunson carried the Knicks with 38 points (including 17 in the fourth quarter), 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.
• He was relentless in crunch time, repeatedly attacking Harden defensively and dictating the outcome.

“At his size, [Brunson] might be the best one-on-one player in basketball.”
— Joe (33:00)

• Landry Shamet (Knicks) rode the hot hand, staying on the floor through clutch moments.

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7. Cleveland’s Mental Collapse & Momentum

• The panel highlights the psychological effect of such a loss, describing the Cavs as “shell-shocked.”
• Once the Knicks’ run began, Cleveland couldn’t respond offensively or defensively; the Garden crowd’s energy fueled the comeback.

“This is the type of game right here that you lose this ball game and it takes all the air out of your sail and you’re never able to inflate it again…”
— Joe (13:23)

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8. Series Implications

• The hosts now see the Knicks as overwhelming favorites to win the series, possibly even in a sweep.
• If Harden doesn’t “show up,” the consensus is “the dust is on the floor”—meaning the brooms (for a sweep) may come out. (27:09)

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Notable Quotes & Banter

• “You gotta pick a struggle, Unc. If defense always been your liability, you gotta show up, especially in the postseason…”
  — Chad (12:57)

• “If I had a size 50 shoe, I’ll put my foot in all their ass. That’s embarrassing.”
  — Joe (02:27)

• “You’re not gonna beat me every damn round. I got too much pride for that.”
  — Joe (24:09)

• “Jalen Brunson … that little floater boy, that bitches every time, Cat.”
  — Chad (39:29)

• “…Nick’s had a 44–11 run over the final 7½ minutes and OT … one guy scored more points than your two superstars combined on the same amount of shots.”
  — Joe (54:37, 55:13)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 06:36–08:26 — Game recap: Knicks' comeback and Cavs’ collapse
• 09:08–10:54 — Harden’s defensive failures dissected
• 11:54–12:40 — Harden’s turnovers and clutch failings
• 13:23–14:45 — Emotional impact on Cavs; psychological postmortem
• 24:09–24:30 — Pride, personal anecdotes about refusing to get beaten
• 27:09–27:39 — Series implications: Brooms or bounce-back?
• 33:00–33:12 — Brunson’s elite status discussed
• 39:29–40:13 — Cavs’ history with blown leads and benching stars
• 54:37–55:13 — Crunch-time stats showing Knicks’ dominance
• 55:51–57:22 — Closing observations and summary of the Cavs’ letdown

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Tone and Style

Conversational, passionate, and unfiltered—each host balances humor with hard truths while leaning on their own professional-athlete experience. They use direct, sometimes sharp, language, especially regarding Harden’s performance and the broader culture of accountability in pro sports.

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Summary

This “Nightcap” episode encapsulated the basketball world’s shock over the Cavs’ epic meltdown and the Knicks’ resilience. Sharpe, Ocho, and Iso Joe spared no one—least of all James Harden—in diagnosing Cleveland’s failures and celebrating New York’s opportunistic rise. They combined stat-packed analysis, candid anecdotes, and banter, making this a must-hear for fans seeking insight, entertainment, and authentic hoops talk.

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Transcript

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[Joe (Host)]

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[Ocho (Co-host)]

So thank you guys very much again. Whoo.

[Joe (Host)]

The Knicks beat the Cavs 115 to 104. Knicks down by as many as 22 points against the Cav. The largest playoff comeback in Knicks Postseason history at 7:49 Eastern Time. No, that was our time. Yeah. With A little under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Knicks had a.1% chance, not a 1% chance, a 0.1% chance. 99.9% chance the Cleveland Cavaliers were going to win this game. And then something happened. They messed around and looked up at the scoreboard and said, we got this. And they exhaled. And by the time they caught their breath, Knicks had them track them down.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Joe, how.

[Joe (Host)]

How is this possible? Possible? When you get guys playing, Donovan was playing. Well, I don't know why they stopped letting Donovan do what he did, but. Okay, Joe, what happened, man?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

OO I'm like, this was embarrassing, bro. Ain't no way you supposed to lose this game. And if y' all want me to be 100, which I'm putting a lot of the onus and blame on James Harden. He was bad down the stretch, fellas. They went at him every chance they got on defense and, and on offense, it just seemed like he couldn't make a shot, and he couldn't get no separation to be able to close them out. And I'm, I'm looking at the game like, damn, why Donovan keep passing it to James? Hell, you the one got the hell of a game going. You know what I mean? And I, I, I just didn't understand the rhyme or reason of what it was they was trying to do. And they were playing not to lose versus playing to win. And. And when you get a team like the Knicks, who know they have to be desperate in the last seven to eight minutes, they gotta throw up these Hail Marys, hope they make a couple. Hey, man, they end up getting back in the game, if I'm Cleveland, I'm pissed. Ain't no way you supposed to lose this game, bro. O Joe.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yes, sir. What's up, baby?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Oh, man.

[Chad (Co-host)]

What's up, Joe? What's up, Joe? Y' all good, huh?

[Joe (Host)]

Hold on. We all got the Knicks.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

We picked the Knicks the first. We all picked the Knicks, but dang, hey, I ain't gonna lie to you.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. When y' all pick the Knicks?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yesterday, bro.

[Joe (Host)]

Yes.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Y'. All? You sure?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yes.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Who you pick to win the series, though?

[Joe (Host)]

The Knicks.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

The Knicks.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Okay, I'm gonna let y' all slide. I'm gonna let y' all slide. I'm just making sure.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, they would win this ball game. After being down by as many as 22 under eight minutes left in the ball game, they're down 18 in some way, they found a way to come back and win this.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Come on, man, you seen how.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, the pressure, man. That pressure. I. Hey, hey, Joe, I'm not sure what's wrong with my dog, man. Brother, Harden guy, he got sure he got to come to the party, huh, Joe? He got to come to the party. He was one fade from three, obviously, he had 15 points, but the five and 16. A five and 16.

[Joe (Host)]

Shoot that, though, Ocho.

[Chad (Co-host)]

I, I, well, yeah, listen, you talking to the choir, baby. I understand. I'm not, I'm not sure what's wrong with him. I've never seen a James Harden this inconsistent in the playoffs. Yes, he has, he has, he has his struggles, but I thought sure he would change the narrative, especially this year, being in the goddamn Eastern Conference, goddamn finals. How do you not show up for a game like this, of this magnitude? There's some shots down the stretch. If he had hit. I don't think they lose this game, Joe. I don't think they lose this game.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

I agree, he has some. He took some big shots down the stretch, but it ain't necessarily the missed shots for me. More, more so the old lady like you, I mean, it's just blow bys, bro. It's like, damn, you ain't even trying.

[Chad (Co-host)]

You gotta understand, Uncle Joe, at what point ever in his career, even when

[Joe (Host)]

he was in his.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Man, damn that. Damn all that. Come on, man, we're in the Eastern Fighters, bro. All we gotta do is get a couple stops, we win the damn game.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Settle down, settle down, Joe. At what point, even in his prime, was James Harden not a liability?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

On, on defense, Ojo, all we need is to get one or two stops. That's it. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, listen, you just, you moving your feet once or twice, but it's like you got your hands back. You got to get active hands, bro. Get some deflection, do something. But, man, they. He beat you with one dribble. He in the paint shooting his floater off the glass, getting what they want. Man, we in the hooker, but we can't get us.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, hold on. When you got a scouting report, right?

[Joe (Host)]

Yes.

[Chad (Co-host)]

And you at the end of the game, you got to have it, right?

[Joe (Host)]

Yes.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Who's the one person you gonna go at?

[Joe (Host)]

Go ahead, Harden.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Come on.

[Joe (Host)]

I mean, you really. Theoretically, either one of them, because neither one of them are outstanding defenders, but James Harden has been atrocious. James Harden. James Harden is no better than Luca. And I hate to, you know, bring that up, but we know they're outstanding guys on the offensive end.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yes.

[Joe (Host)]

But the thing is, you can't let them relax on the defensive end. You, you got to go at them, and that's what the Knicks did and didn't matter. What did. What did Brunson do? Nope. And then when they got him and you see him, they go 14 flat. Hey, Mike Brownson, get Out of there. Mike Brown, don't pull the hamstring or growing or something. Trying to jump and call the time out. Hey, hey. He got adrenaline going down, but his ass. Go feel that in the morning, Joe. I don't know what he pulled, but he tweaked something with growing or hamstring. But here's another step for you guys. James Harden had six turnovers tonight. How many buckets did he have, Ocho?

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Five.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Five.

[Joe (Host)]

This is the sixth game in which he's had more turnovers than buckets this playoffs. Damn, they played 15 games now in six of those games, he's had more turnovers than baskets made. And we're talking about a top 75 player. We're talking about one of the great players of this generation, and he is that. But more times in moments like this, we got to be all the way real. He's come up like what we see tonight far too many times. He hasn't been that great postseason player that we're accustomed to see it in the regular season. And I don't know why some things are offered without explanation.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yes, sir.

[Joe (Host)]

And maybe this is one of those things that are offered where. Without explanation. But James Harden was atrocious, so he was. My thing is, if you not going to give me 25, 30 on offense, boy, you better play some damn outstanding defense. You can't suck on both ends of the court. Yeah, you.

[Chad (Co-host)]

You got to. You. You got to pick a struggle, Unk. You got to pick a struggle. If you. If defense has always been your liability, you got to show up, especially in the postseason, with the narrative always going on behind. Behind what you're doing, you know, in. Through your career, even though you're a top 75 player, you got to show up in these moments. These moments are very important for y' all to even have a chance to even win. Man, they might just go five if he don't show up.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Man, ain't. Man, it might even go five.

[Joe (Host)]

This is heartbreaking. This is. This is the type of game right here that you lose this ball game and it takes all the air out of your sale and you're never able to inflate it again and start sailing. This is the heartbreaking.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

This. This is. This. This a bad loss, man. Hey, listen, you know, like in the playoffs, bro, when the rubber really meets the road, fellas, And I'm talking about. Damn, the overtime. The fourth quarter, bro, was so bad. I knew. I knew Cleveland was going to lose in overtime. Hell, they just look like they ain't had no damn gas, you know what I mean? They couldn't make a shot. And they were playing not to lose versus playing to win. When you got. You got. The Knicks had they foot on the gas. They know they had to come up with some big plays. They got back in the game, bro. And what. And what we do, Damn, these offensive sets that we got going, we. Hey, we. We hide and seek. We coming to find your ass. Yeah, you gonna have to play some defense the last two, three, four minutes because that's what the game comes down to in the postseason. Do you got guys who can get into the teeth of the defense and make plays not only for themselves before they teammates as well when it comes down the stretch, can you. Can you get by your man? Can you make a plate? Can you get a bucket? And hell, Cleveland couldn't get one, man. Like, they were shell shocked when the Knicks started to make their run. Once they cut it to 10, I'm like, man, they still got it. Hell, it probably wasn't number, what, about three, four minutes left?

[Joe (Host)]

I knew. Hey, I was like a dad in a Friday when the dog started chasing. That's your ass, Mr. Postman. I knew that was it, Joe. That was it.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Come on. Come on.

[Joe (Host)]

When you let them track you down like they did in the fashion in which they did, you look at Dennis Scher. Dennis Schroeder played 18 minutes. He had five assists, zero turnovers. James Harden tonight had three assists.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, I got a question, Uncle Joe. You always know better than me and. And everybody in the chat. Excuse me for. For my neck of lawless with the. Excuse me for my lack of knowledge based on the question I'm getting ready to ask is, will there ever be a scenario where James Harden is playing as bad as he's playing? Not just tonight, but in the playoffs in general where he has to come off the bench?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

No.

[Chad (Co-host)]

True to playing the way he's playing, will that ever happen?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

No, no, never.

[Chad (Co-host)]

So based on y' all are so sure, why are you so sure if he's performing the way he's performing?

[Joe (Host)]

Because he's been this way his whole playoffs and he never had to come off the bench, and he's not going to start now. Yeah, okay.

[Chad (Co-host)]

No, I'm just asking. I'm just asking. I'm talking about the coach making a decision, you know, not playing well. I think it's best you come off the bench and allow Shooter to start.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

No, no, they ain't. They even.

[Joe (Host)]

Even if he's the only way he's not Going to be playing if he files out or he gets injured.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Okay.

[Joe (Host)]

Down the street. Yeah, he's still James Harden. I get it. I understand, which I understand what you're asking, but you also have to ask yourself, based on 180 plus games in his postseason career. Yeah. More times than not we've seen performances like this as opposed to what we've seen in the regular season as a scoring champ, as an mvp, as an all NBA selection. He's been far from spectacular more times than not in the postseason than what he's been in the regular season. And that's disappointing because he is a great player. He's a great player in the regular season. He's, he's, he's. I guess we can call it average sometimes in a game like this here he's below average and it's embarrassing. The man scored. I mean Brunson went at him and scored 11 straight points on Harden. And I knew how they was going to start. I said, Wade is going to take him. And then when you know Merle comes in, Merle's going to be on him. A screws one of those two guys, they're not putting Donovan, they're not putting James Harden. But then it came down to a point. We ain't got no choice. Hey, you don't have a choice. And when you don't have a choice, Joe Ocho, you got to choose between two devils.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Let me, let me ask you something. One more scenario. I'll let y', all, I'm gonna let y' all take over now. One more scenario. Remember when Harden came off the bench when he was with Harden and got down Russell Westbrook and okc.

[Joe (Host)]

Yeah. That was a.

[Chad (Co-host)]

What he looked like when he came out the bench, Joe, he, he went in there and did what?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

He was playing on a bonafide team back then. Ocho, he is, he's had too much success obviously him being in a contract year because he can opt out and probably get another and get him another deal. They not bringing him on.

[Chad (Co-host)]

I'm, I'm trying to find a way to motivate, motivate my young bull. I like, I like this.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

How you know this now? This is how you motivate his ass. Listen, bro, if ain't no way in hell I'm in a game and a dude and score two, three baskets on me. Let's say he's got six points on me real quick. I'm finna go on the full out. Damn denial. I ain't gonna let you catch the damn ball. Ain't here. You finna sit here and score no 11, 12 straight points on me, man? Listen, you finna work like hell, just even catch the ball. Okay, Ocho, I'm gonna be a full out denial if I know I don't want to slide these puppies, bro, out of all those possessions. I'm telling you, Uncle O, all they had to do was get like one or two stops, bro. Hey, one the man, they couldn't get a stop. You can run the damn 24 second shot clock out every time, man. All you gotta do is get one stop.

[Joe (Host)]

And that's the. At some point in time, it comes a time in a man life and I got to make a stand. Ocho, you not been to whip my ass every single play all day long.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

That's how.

[Joe (Host)]

Hello, we, James Harden refused to summons that up and say, brunson, I understand you're an outstanding ISO player, but I can get one stop. I can get one. All I need is one, Ocho. But for far too long, we see the problem is, is that this is always who James Harden has been defensively.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

And people like, well, he led the league in steel. Yeah, he has some active hands. But guess what? As you get older, your hands get slower, your feet get slower. And guess what? Now you can't offset that poorest defense with elite offense.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

But he can't give you those 35, 40, 45, 50, sometimes 60 over a 30, 40 game stretch. So now you like, damn. Cause see, we overlooked a lot of this. This is who James Harden is being. Let's be real. All the way. Real chat. Y' all know this. But when he's getting 40 point triple doubles, he's getting 50 point triple doubles. We've overlooked the man. We overlooked like, damn, James boy you met, oh, hey, he could never be a security guard. He's just opening the ball, going, and they get what you need.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

That was bad. Hey, Joe.

[Chad (Co-host)]

The only thing I can think about, obviously some people say, man, what you're saying is ridiculous. You know, my idea, how do I motivate a player that we know is the top 75 player that we know can go on out offensive runs and go crazy? How do we get him back to that mode? How do we get him back to that? You know, I just, I, I just don't see it. You have to do something. You have to do something because this is, this, this is continuing to happen game after game, and the narrative is still being the same in the postseason and his lack of production. But forget, forget your defense. Ian, I need you to put some. I need you to put some points up. It's like you're playing with no confidence.

[Commercial Voice]

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[Ocho (Co-host)]

Amazon Pharmacy presents Painful Thoughts of course

[Joe (Host)]

I see my co worker in line at the pharmacy. Can you tell I'm picking up prescription hemorrhoid cream? I'm probably standing weird. Why is he smiling? He knows he's gonna call me Hemroyd Lloyd tomorrow. I know it. I gotta quit my job.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

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[Joe (Host)]

Warning.

[Commercial Voice 2]

This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Hey, you can't forget the damn Defense in. Because if you ain't putting up no damn points, I just need a couple stops. I need a stop or two. Ocho, I'm talking about when we really need it. Hell, we still. We still up 10, 12 points with 3, 4 minutes left and can't get one stop.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Which when you're right. Now, I'm with you. When you're right.

[Joe (Host)]

I mean, that's embarrassing. Look, I've had to block some of the greatest pass rushers, Bruce and Reggie and Strahan, and am I gonna make a living all day? I just go into the game and says, look, I'm only gonna have to block you three times. You not finna beat me all three of these reps. I refuse to let it. Man, I don't give a damn who it is. J.J. watts, Aaron, Donald Mile Garrett, arrested Soul, Reggie White, Lawrence Taylor. You're not fitting to beat me every day around. I got too much pride for that.

[Chad (Co-host)]

I'm gonna win one or two.

[Joe (Host)]

One or two, that's all I need. And the one I win, that's gonna be the most important one.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yes, sir.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

There you go. There you go.

[Joe (Host)]

I hadn't stopped the ball game long, but this is for this for. Hey, they complete this, we get a first down. That's a. That's game. James has been bad on the defensive end the entire game. We got two minutes left. I'm gonna get me a stop. I will get me.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah. Gotta get one. I just need one stop. Joe.

[Chad (Co-host)]

It all come down to one. I want it.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

It's a want to. You absolutely right. You're right. You're right. You gotta want to go out there, sit in that chair. You have to bite down and really. And really say, damn this, I'm going to get a stop this play. Like, that's what you need, bro. You can do it offensively when you trying to get a bucket, but defensively, it's just like, damn.

[Joe (Host)]

He.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Soon as he get by you, you put your hands up. It's like you put so much pressure on your bigs. I think they played. They played well enough for y' all to win tonight. I'm like, damn, bro. I couldn't believe that they was up 22 with what, seven, eight minutes left, man? You don't lose no game.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Six minutes, Joe.

[Joe (Host)]

Yes.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Come on.

[Chad (Co-host)]

That's like, hey, the funny thing about it, Joe, if you were playing NBA 2K, you probably. You. You couldn't. On a video game, you couldn't come back, let alone do it in real life. You gotta. Yeah, you Gotta lay the controller down to come back down 22 with six minutes to go, Joe. But let alone they did it in real life and not just any game in the goddamn Eastern Conference finals. What we talking about?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

And knowing that you have to win a game on the damn road. This is the perfect game to win.

[Chad (Co-host)]

You still won. You got. You want to steal one.

[Joe (Host)]

They Rusty. They think about how long they've been on. Joe and Ocho. They've been off over a damn week.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, they didn't shoot great here. I thought Brunson got it going, you know, later. Especially in their fourth quarter. Helly score 17 in the fourth quarter, man, you had everybody at bay, bro. This was your game to win. That's all I'm saying. You know, like. Like I said, they've been resting. It's rest versus Russ. You've been in the seven game series over the past two series. Yeah, you might have got a little bogged down and tired. That's why I just felt they weren't gonna win in that overtime. I said, hell, they too damn tired. They. They can't even muster up a couple buckets. They from. From the fourth quarter to overtime. I think they only scored 11 points

[Joe (Host)]

from that point in which they were had to leave.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

They had that.

[Joe (Host)]

They got us scored, I think 42,

[Chad (Co-host)]

11, 11, 42 11. Yeah.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Wow. Come on, man. Come on, man.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, James gotta go into the locker room and apologize to everybody. This was on me. Hey, Ocho, you've seen it too. Guys make a mistake. Yeah, guys, that's my bad. I'm sorry I let y' all down today. James Harden, I've done that.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, what. What a nick. What? The next game at home.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

New York, they doubling up. Yeah, yeah. It's 221111.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, hey. Let me tell you something. If the Cav don't come out, Donovan Mitchell gonna do what Donovan Mitchell do. Evan Mobley always being consistent. James got to show up to the party. If Jane don't show up to the party, Meryl Mero, I mean, it would be hard to repeat what he did to what, three nights ago. It'd be hard to repeat that. But if James Harden don't show up, I'm not saying get the brooms ready, but the dust is on the floor, man.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Listen, hold on, man.

[Joe (Host)]

This.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

This was the prime opportunity.

[Joe (Host)]

I mean, this is the stealable game, Joe.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah, because you. You. You had. You got enough contribution from the guys on your team. You. I mean, there's no way around it, bro. That fourth quarter was just so bad. I'm talking about no resistance defensively from none of them, if you ask me. For real.

[Joe (Host)]

I just.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

James was the catalyst.

[Joe (Host)]

Donovan can't play no defense. That's why they don't take the challenge. Guard Bronson, if you. If you think about it, a lot of great players, be it KD say, I want the opportunity. I'm taking Braun. Braun says, I'm taking kd. Russ says, I'm taking this guy. Chris Paul says, I'm taking that guy. That's what the greats do. They guard other greats. They're not gonna put that man on somebody else and say somebody else handles this responsibility. Same thing with Chat last night. They got. They got all. They got Lou Dort and they got Caruso. And you seven foot one, and you got six. Six and six. Four guys out there trying to guard them. Seven, eight. Guy gotta take the child, take the challenge on. And I. And like you said, Joe Spider, I fought you. Stop passing him the ball.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah. I'm like, damn. Look, we. They ain't getting nothing great offensively down the stretch in the fourth quarter, they steady going to James. He ain't really getting by his man. He ain't really creating enough separation to really get great shots out. But I'm looking at Donovan like, what the hell are you doing? Why are you steady passing this man the ball?

[Joe (Host)]

You.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

You got it going. You know what I mean? I just felt, man, they. It's like, okay, boom. I done got you to this point now, James. Bring us home. Damn that. You got us to this point, you got to bring our ass home, too.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, you. You can see the shore. You know, the studies say that most accidents Happen is a 5 mile radius of your home. You can.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yes, sir.

[Joe (Host)]

A thousand miles, two thousand miles. Most accidents occur within a five mile radius of home. No matter how far you go, you can see the damn shore. And I bet, damn if James Harden don't drown, y'. All. Damn, boy, that one hurt. Oh, I'm telling you, that hurts. That is the type of game you don't recover from. Because, I mean, you got everything going. Everything is going your way. And in the last eight minutes of the ball, in the last. How we even get to overtime?

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, man, as a matter of fact, with three minutes to go, y' all ass should have been on the damn bench if you'd have got some stops. And you know how it is. Once they see that damn ball go

[Ocho (Co-host)]

in and they crowd get behind them.

[Chad (Co-host)]

It's a rap.

[Joe (Host)]

Crowd look here, man.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, you just. You just said something. You and Joe just said something right down that goddamn stretch when they got to have it, the Cavs got to have it. And you saying, Donald Mitchell, damn. Passing that goddamn ball. Yes, he passes that ball for a reason. Because I need you. I know I'm not gonna be able to get this done by myself. I'm gonna need you to hit those big shots. I know if you hit one shot, you get yourself in rhythm or get you any kind of confidence. Joe, he's not playing with any confidence. I've been in that situation before. Not the playoffs. I'm talking about, hey, dropping a ball and I get feeling, man, don't throw that. Don't throw it at me no more.

[Joe (Host)]

Don't, don't, don't.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Don't throw me the ball right? No more. Let me get myself. Let me get myself back acclimated. Let me reset my mind mentally before anything else come my way.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Man, listen, if you. Donovan, you make the big bucks. This why we damn pay you, okay? Yeah. This is why we. You. You make the big bucks. This is why we pay you in these situations when we need you the most, bro. Hey, look, maybe you don't make the shot, Ocho, but damn it, I need you to be aggressive enough getting to the hole to where you even get up a shot of what he. Or we can get some extra possessions, but these damn turnovers. They had 10 turnovers between James and Donovan tonight. That ain't gonna work, bro. You know, if you limit your turnovers, hell, you have a better chance of winning the ball game. You know what I mean? And I just felt like for Donovan, he.

[Joe (Host)]

He.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

He should have took over the game, bro, instead of just kept deferring to James down the stretch. I know it has worked in the past. It worked in the last several years.

[Joe (Host)]

Yeah.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

But damn, that, bro. This. Hey, this. We don't. We on to the next round.

[Joe (Host)]

You know what time to. Hey, hey. It's like a poker hand. Them cars don't know. You on a bad beat. You keep thinking, oh, I. Oh, I blew this with a Let me. And let me raise the pot, Joe, I would get it back. This one, they don't know that.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Right. Absolutely.

[Joe (Host)]

And so that game, Game seven. Each game is a game in and of itself. You can't. Look, okay, this is what we did. This game that don't necessarily work, that the next game, they don't. I just refuse to believe. And I know. I know Brunson is outstanding, and I will never deny that he's as good a one on play one player. He might be the best one on one player at his size.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Oh, yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

You talking about a guy that's six one, six two.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

Not elite jumping, not elite size.

[Chad (Co-host)]

He don't play above the ring at his bot.

[Joe (Host)]

At his size, he might be the best one on one player in basketball,

[Ocho (Co-host)]

but damn, that I agree.

[Joe (Host)]

Damn all that.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

All that.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, for the win. Yeah, you got. I got. I got to see you, bro.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, hey. It really ain't nobody else really his size, though, when you think about it.

[Joe (Host)]

Yeah,

[Chad (Co-host)]

it makes it that much more impressive. Yes.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Hey, look, James walked in the locker room. He should have had his hand on

[Joe (Host)]

my bad for sure.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

I owe y'. All.

[Joe (Host)]

Yes.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Hey, look, hey, look. I've done that. I've done that on several occasions. Okay? Ocho to where I had a shitty game. I'm like, you know what? My bad, bro. I gotta be better. I gotta be better. It happens. It happens to all us, bro. But the accountability part that you have to take on that like, come on, man. He has to see it. You know what I mean? So I don't want to see these post game interviews talking about, oh, we gotta be. We got now we ass. Yeah, we need you to gotta be better, bro. Down the street.

[Joe (Host)]

I won't. I want women to talk. I want women, Rudy Goberta to say we. I want you to say, ah, yeah, this is. I mean, Joe for picture says a thousand words. What does this video of Brunson say? Take a look.

[Commercial Voice]

Everybody knows Shaq, but off camera, he's

[Joe (Host)]

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

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Lilly a medicine company. Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Commercial Narrator]

At Views, we're vapor. Done right. Always simple, always in your pocket so you can focus on what really matters, like getting back to your podcast. Find out [e-mail] that's V U-S-E.com underage sale prohibited.

[Commercial Voice]

Views as a vapor product Website restricted to age 21 plus tobacco consumers. Copyright 2026 RJRVC Amazon Health AI presents

[Joe (Host)]

painful thoughts I I can't stop scratching my downtown. Mm, yeah, but I'm not itching to

[Commercial Narrator]

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[Joe (Host)]

here to talk about my downtown. Some things you'd rather type than say out loud.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

There's no question too embarrassing for Amazon Health AI. Chat your symptoms and get virtual care 24. 7 Health care just got less painful.

[Commercial Voice]

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[Joe (Host)]

Warning.

[Commercial Voice 2]

This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Desperation. Desperation. He know. He know what time it is. Winning time. Damn, I hate that for Cleveland, bro. You know, going into that environment, you know, playing for, playing against the Knicks, bro. And I couldn't even imagine the Eastern Conference finals, you know, in that hostile environment. And we up 22 with six minutes left. Nah. Damn.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Can you imagine the. Hey, the magic of the Garden.

[Joe (Host)]

Jalen Brunson had 38. He had 17 or 15 in the fourth quarter. In the fourth, because I know he had two. And I think he had like four points in the overtime, Okay? He had 38 points, five rebounds, three, six assists, three steals. Landry Shamit, who had zero points in the first three quarters, scored nine points in the fourth quarter and overtime. And you see Mike Brown didn't take his ass out, did he?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Nope.

[Joe (Host)]

Ride the hot hanging. Damn somebody feelings or emotions? I'm trying to win a damn game.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's how it goes, bro. Every game, every game in the playoffs brings its different challenges, you know what I mean? So you, you have to watch a film. You have to make adjustments and try to be better than you were. The game before now, I don't know what adjustments Cleveland can make because I thought they played solidly defensively. I thought they, you know, pretty much controlled the boards and all that. Donovan had it going on, and that's what you're gonna need. You need Donovan, he gonna have to play great. He gonna have to have an out of body experience for them to, you know, to be able to even compete, bro. Cause I just don't think any of the rest of these guys, you know, gonna really be able to get off like that. You know, the Knicks got guys who are very mobile, long, lengthy guys who really sit down and play defense. And they, they, they, they understand, like, you know, possessions and these turnovers lead to these easy baskets, and it kind of gets them going. That's kind of what happened in their fourth quarter. Then you wake a guy like Brunson up, he give you 17 in the fourth. Now you can't cool his ass off. It's too late.

[Joe (Host)]

You know, once them guys, yo, you know this. Once a guy get going, you might as well just throw your hands up. Ain't nothing you can do, man. It ain't nothing you can do. It's just like a pitcher when he's hot. I don't give a damn how. How hot your hitter is that? Joe gonna paint. He gonna paint the corners going, hey, he throwing a two seam, a four seam, a slider, a change up, he throw a cut. He's doing all that, and he's doing it at 100 miles an hour on the kill, Paul.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, hey, Joe. Hey, hey. That goddamn Brunson, that little floater boy, that bitches every time, Cat.

[Joe (Host)]

13 points, 13 rebounds, five assists. He's leading the Knicks in rebounds and assists this postseason. I mean, I'm trying to think when last time I see somebody come back from a game like this, didn't he down. Hold on. Didn't the Cavaliers come back on the. The Pacers in a game like this, in the playoff? They were down like 26.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Oh, you talking about in Indiana, you remember that? And they, they bench Kyrie and Kim.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

They did.

[Joe (Host)]

I ain't want to say that, Joe, because, see, everybody gonna say, see, I'm. See, Joe, that's how you make an assist. Oh, you saw that, sis. You saw what I did.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hold on.

[Joe (Host)]

I dug that thing up. And Joe said, time out. Did you hear what you joke?

[Chad (Co-host)]

You heard, what you just told me was that you said they just bench

[Joe (Host)]

Kyrie in the second.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah, they bench Kyrie and Kevin in the second half.

[Joe (Host)]

They were down like yes.

[Chad (Co-host)]

So, okay, so what? I. So. So what? I just asked. It wasn't that far fetched if they bench Kyrie. They. Benson for a reason. Was he playing bad?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah, they were playing bad.

[Chad (Co-host)]

So what?

[Joe (Host)]

Okay, James Harden, you see?

[Chad (Co-host)]

You see why? You see?

[Joe (Host)]

Okay.

[Chad (Co-host)]

All right, you got it.

[Joe (Host)]

You got to realize James Harden is an MVP. James Harden is a top 75 player. I get what you saying.

[Chad (Co-host)]

It's just Kyrie Irving. We talk about.

[Joe (Host)]

He doesn't have it going in the fourth quarter. Why not put Schroeder in? Well, if you do that to him, you lost it.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah, you can't. That. That. That ain't gonna work. But I remember the game. I'm talking about. I remember they. They were down. They were down like 26 points. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Came back and won the game.

[Joe (Host)]

That might. That might have been. That might have been bronze. First year back. What year was that? It might have been like one, if not the biggest. One of the biggest postseason comebacks in NBA history.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

No doubt.

[Joe (Host)]

And I'm like, bro.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

But Ocho, see, they had LeBron, which was the biggest difference.

[Joe (Host)]

2017, they came from 20. They came from 26 down. Ocho, you got.

[Chad (Co-host)]

So it wouldn't matter who was. It wouldn't matter who was there, because you still got. Okay, I got you. I got you. I got you.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Now, now. Now, if Donovan was going off and he had Bob crazy like that.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Right, right.

[Joe (Host)]

But see, them guys caught fire. Guys like Junior and other guys. Richard guys, Richard Jefferson, they was on point Clark from three.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

And the next thing you know is 26. Now it's 16. Now it's 10.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

Next day, you know, they got to leave, and you're like, what the hell happened?

[Chad (Co-host)]

So you got. You gotta understand that, Uncle Joe. Now, I'm new to this. Now when you. When you say the name Kyrie Irvin.

[Joe (Host)]

Yes.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, we talk about one of the best handlers, one of the best finishes of all time. Matter of fact, probably the best, Joe. Especially when you come to a toolbox and them goddamn handles.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yes.

[Chad (Co-host)]

The fact that you just said. I questioned him. Why not bench Harden if he's playing bad? And then y' all tell me about a point in time where they bench goddamn Kyrie. Bench who? What's Kyrie?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

But. But this. But this was before. This was before Kyrie won any, you know, championships or accolades. For real. You know, this one. Braun went back to Cleveland.

[Joe (Host)]

This was the year after they won the title.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Oh, this is after they won. Yes.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, that's. Hey, that's Nasty work, huh? Yes, that's nasty work.

[Joe (Host)]

Yeah.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Just, just, just, just the thought of it, it sound crazy to me, but y' all know the game better than I do.

[Joe (Host)]

It's like, Ocho, it's like a quarterback. You can bench certain quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers got MVPs, even though he's playing bad. You not benching him. Russell Wilson play bad, Ocho, what they do.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yeah, he don't want.

[Joe (Host)]

He won the same number of Super Bowls as Aaron Rodgers.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

Peyton Manning play bad. Aaron Rodgers play bad. Oh, play your way through it.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

And so that, that was the thing. But it's just hard for me to fathom. I mean, some people. I just cannot let you beat me every single time. Nah, I gotta get one. I can get one.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

I'm telling you. Listen, man, the best, the best defense is to not let your man catch the damn ball. I'm in full out denial. Okay, Ocho.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, Joe. His leg probably tied too, over time.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Hey, hey, if they tie, you know, they tie offensively because he couldn't really get no lift of separation. So defensively, we just need to stop, bro. We just need one stop. I don't give a damn how we get it. We got to get one.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Damn. Hey, you. Y' all show. We both picked the Nick. We all, all three of us picked the next.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Come on, man.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Right?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Come on, man. Come on, man. Now all of a sudden you don't know.

[Chad (Co-host)]

I'm just making sure.

[Joe (Host)]

I'm just making sure.

[Chad (Co-host)]

I just make a show.

[Joe (Host)]

Yeah, but you making sure.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah, damn sure. Huh?

[Joe (Host)]

What you making, chauffeur?

[Chad (Co-host)]

Making sure y' all pick the Knicks as well. Like I did.

[Joe (Host)]

Yes.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah. Hey, I might even pick the Knicks to sweep them now.

[Joe (Host)]

Well, hold.

[Chad (Co-host)]

There's a good chance. There's a good chance that they don't play this bad again. Now I, I, I get the Cavs a game now, especially back home, man.

[Joe (Host)]

It was plus 25.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Damn.

[Joe (Host)]

Plus 25 in 17 minutes. Perfect from the three point line.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

But guess what he out there doing, though, Uncle Ocho? He ain't take but four shots. He out there fighting his ass out as a defender. Nah, he's just on it.

[Joe (Host)]

He just wants it. That's it.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Thanks. He, he, he just giving the effort, bro. That's all. If you get an effort, you don't know what's gonna happen.

[Joe (Host)]

The streets have said this is how Jalen Brunson was looking at James Harden. Check this out, guys. Fried catfish, yams, collard greens, Mac and cheese, cornbread. These are braised oxtail, and these are neck bones. And so normally that's what I do. Anytime I'm in Indy, I always come see my girl.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, aren't you ate all that, boy?

[Joe (Host)]

Huh?

[Chad (Co-host)]

You ate all that?

[Joe (Host)]

I do. I. Yeah. When I. When I go to country kitchen and end it, Joe, they got a great sale for a spot called country kitchen.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yes, sir.

[Joe (Host)]

Saying, how you doing? I go, I. I give some everything. No.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

No, I can't.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.

[Joe (Host)]

And I go straight back to the hotel.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, hey, you know anything about North Carolina? What you mean by North Carolina?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Huh?

[Joe (Host)]

Like what?

[Chad (Co-host)]

Like soul food spots. You know, I got to be in North Carolina from the parks you're going to be in, like Ralia, Carrie, Charlotte, like, right there in that area for, like, for like a week.

[Joe (Host)]

No damn camera. Be able to tell you.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Oh, I got it.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah, okay, Okay.

[Chad (Co-host)]

I. I just want some soul food spots. Nice cigar bar.

[Joe (Host)]

Yeah.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Hey, ask the chat. Chat will give you something good, bro.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, hey, Chad, what they got down in Carolina? India, Charlotte, Raleigh, carry area? I ain't, man, you know, when I go to Carolina, I'm going from. From point A to point B. I'm going to do absolute sudden. I ain't spent no time hanging out or anything like that.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Are you in and you don't like Carolina?

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, I went to Carolina. I went to Kannapolis to pick up some dogs. Huh?

[Chad (Co-host)]

With the what?

[Joe (Host)]

I went to pick up some dogs.

[Chad (Co-host)]

No, I'm saying. What's the name of it, how you said it. Okay.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Hey, don't sleep on Carolina.

[Joe (Host)]

Nascar. That's the motor. You know, nascar?

[Chad (Co-host)]

Right, right, right.

[Joe (Host)]

The Kannapolis, Mechanicsville. All. That's where all the shops are.

[Chad (Co-host)]

You know, Joe, I play. I play in that. That soccer tournament out there, Joe.

[Joe (Host)]

Yeah.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Oh, when is this again?

[Chad (Co-host)]

26th through the first, but I get on the 23rd. You know, the practice and stuff.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Oh, y' all gonna be out there next month?

[Chad (Co-host)]

No, this. This month.

[Joe (Host)]

Oh, oh, so next week?

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, next week. You know, Chris Paul got something. I think Chris Paul maybe invested, you know, he got a team or something?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Okay,

[Joe (Host)]

yeah. No, this is embarrassing, man. I. I couldn't believe this.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Me neither, bro.

[Joe (Host)]

Man, hey, Joe, I went up, started packing because, you know, I got to get up out of here in the morning. So I started packing by five minutes. I come back, I say, man, I could cut my TV off. My tv. Hey, let me cut my TV off then. You know, you cut the TV off and then try to cut it Back on, it'd be taking this time to come back. I said, come on tv.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I couldn't believe it.

[Joe (Host)]

I should have known it was real. Cause at this point in time, the fans going crazy.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

Cause before when I left, they were doing nothing. I'd be, hey, man, you can hear a rat peeling on a bale of cotton.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Oh, man. Yeah, you're absolutely right. They had him quiet, real quiet. Damn, man, I'm looking like, hold on, bro. You know, I got, you know, I got people over there in Cleveland, man. My boy Johnny Bryant over here, assistant coach over there. Damn. I, I, I know, I hate it for him, bro. You know what I mean? Like, because they put up enough fight to win that game. And I, I just feel like they exhaled in their fourth quarter and the boys started to make that run. It was a deer headlights. They, it's like they didn't know what the hell was going on. I'm like, oh, your people talking about

[Joe (Host)]

there's a such thing. Momentum is a real thing. Oh, yeah, because I've been on the side and the momentum happened and we snowballing people and I've been on the other end. Well, we have that big ass lead and all of a sudden like, come on, stop. Damn.

[Chad (Co-host)]

And yeah, the funny thing about it, regardless of what sport you play, the momentum always shifts at some point.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Absolutely.

[Chad (Co-host)]

So you hope, you hope they extend a lead big enough before that, that,

[Joe (Host)]

before that momentum, before it's their turn.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yeah, it's gonna happen though.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah. And, and in basketball, it's all a game of runs. But I just thought Cleveland played well enough for the Knicks not to get a run, you know what I mean? And they, they, the Knicks run didn't come into that fourth quarter. Listen, man, once you get it going as an offensive player, I don't give a damn who you put in front of me. You're not gonna stop me, bro. I'm gonna get a bucket or a foul. We gonna get some points every time. And that's what I seen how Brunson was just coming down, just picking out. Hey, you come set the peak. Yeah, we, we finna go ahead and we just gonna, we're gonna make his ass work. He, I'm talking about just getting whatever they wanted, bro. Hey, Joe, look, look, I ain't even really rooting for Cleveland like that. I like to see a good game, but I, I want to see the pressure put on the Knicks, you know, in this game. One.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, we need seven. That's all I need. I, a really? Truly. I didn't want seven games.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Seven what? $7. 7. 11. You ain't gonna get no seven game. Not. Not this series. No, sir.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

And we be lucky here, man, please.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, Donovan probably learned this lesson. Say, I know I shouldn't have put my trust in you.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Mm.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Come on, man. Hey, this is first time this. Donovan. First time getting to the conference finals, too, man. You supposed to go. You supposed to throw the whole sink at these boys. And I'm from. I'm from around this area, too, man. Please.

[Joe (Host)]

I think this is James Harden. First time in the car in the conference final since 2018, right?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah, I think so.

[Joe (Host)]

So.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

I think so. But damn, you can't put out. You can't put that onus on James like that, bro. Keep giving that ball down the stretch, and we ain't getting no good looks. Come on, man.

[Chad (Co-host)]

You're not supposed to put the own on him, Joe.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Donovan. Donovan. Mitchell, man, come on, man. I got these boys. I got these boys in my back pocket. I get to what I want to get to, I can do whatever I want. Can't know. Hey, look, I don't care because Bridges are hard out here. Playing hard. Hell, they can't guard me. That's how he had to think. Oh, Joe. He got it going.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Listen, Joe, I'm with you when you're right. I'm with you when you're right. I just understand. No one man ain't going to win that game for you. I need somebody. I need one person to come along with me.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

If I'm up 22 with six minutes left, it is no way in hell we losing this game. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yeah, I'm sorry. Hell, no, I'm with you. No, not.

[Joe (Host)]

Not that. Not that. And basically, it's one man. It's not like. Cause if you look at a lot of times, Comebacks, they spread the. Spreading the ball around. There's a bunch of people hitting threes. That's Bronson. Yeah, they smart. They smart enough to know to give him the ball and get the hell out the way. Hey, we're gonna crash the boards. That's what we're gonna do. Just in case he missed. We're gonna get. Hey, we'll get a second chance at it.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

And just letting him. Just letting him comfortably just walk the ball up, pick out who he wanted to come say to pick. He wasn't under no stress. Man, you gotta. Hey, make that.

[Joe (Host)]

Put him under the wrist.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yeah. Come on, man. Doing what he want. Too comfortable out there.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Listen, I'm with you when you're right now. I ain't gonna argue with you.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Damn.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, but I don't mean to be off topic, right, Joe?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

What's up?

[Chad (Co-host)]

But you know, if we played, you'll be like the Cavs, right?

[Joe (Host)]

If what?

[Chad (Co-host)]

When we play, you'll be like the Cavs.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Oj, you got me bent. I'll just tell you right now, partner.

[Joe (Host)]

You.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

You. Hey, hey, you gonna keep talking?

[Chad (Co-host)]

No, I'm just saying. Listen to me. Stay with me. Now, the mentality that you keep talking about is a mentality that I already have, you know, so that. That's what. That's. That's the discrepancy when it comes to, obviously, you being great at what you do, but the mentality that I have is how I normal wash your ass.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Hey, Chad. And Chad, when I go to kick it on his ass, don't y' all go to talking about, oh, Joe, you too big.

[Joe (Host)]

You don't need.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

I don't want to hear none of this. Cause see, he had no business.

[Joe (Host)]

He.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Keep my name out your mouth, partner. For real. Just keep my name out your mouth.

[Joe (Host)]

You good till he. You brought you up, Hunter. You know what I'm saying?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

What I got to do with this, man? Look, don't. Hey, don't get me started tonight, Ocho. Don't get me started tonight.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, Joe, you've been drinking.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Nah, I'm trying to be cool, though.

[Chad (Co-host)]

The way you talking to me, it sound like you're drunk, boy.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Nah.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Okay, I'm just making sure. So you in your right state of mind, huh?

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Yes, sir.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Okay.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

All right.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Hey, I'm telling you that. My grandma used to tell me, boy, keep it cute now.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, Joe, even if you took the. Even if you took the calves and the points, then when they up 22, you like I'm Gucci. So really you up there? Really you up 31 and a half? Yeah, and they lose.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

What was the line?

[Joe (Host)]

Nine and a half.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Next. Oh, my God.

[Joe (Host)]

And they lose by 11. They don't mess up my parlay. Smooth up. Damn.

[Chad (Co-host)]

That's crazy.

[Joe (Host)]

It was a 40. It was a 44. 11 run on the final 11. 7:45 of regulation and overtime. So you're looking at 12 minutes and 13 seconds. They outscored him by 33. Nick shot 15 of 20. Cav shot 4 of 18. Brunson was 17 points on 8 of 10 shooting. Harden and Mitchell with three points on 1 of 10 shooting. The Knicks had 173.2 offensive rating. The Cavs had a rating of 50.6, and there it lies the problem.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Damn.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yes,

[Ocho (Co-host)]

that was bad.

[Joe (Host)]

24 of 18. One guy scored more points than your two superstars combined on the same amount of shots.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

You're absolutely right.

[Joe (Host)]

Damn, boy, they gonna be kicking.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Hey, get. Get the Knicks credit, bro. I'm gonna get a nick credit. They. They. They were very resilient, obviously. I think fatigue played a little part in the calves, and I think with the Knicks being so well rested, you know, it kind of helped them throughout their fourth quarter in that overtime. Obviously, you know, going on, what, 44 to 11 run? Is that what it was? I mean, come on, man.

[Chad (Co-host)]

Damn.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Look like this is gonna be a short series, man. I'm thinking, you know, we get on here, get to hang out. This like going out to the club for me, you know? Damn. I. Hey, if we ain't got. If we ain't gonna have no basketball, like, come on, man.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, all they need to do is just go home and hold, sir. They might steal one. We need. We. Hey, we need to see.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

We need.

[Joe (Host)]

Hey, we need them to steal one.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

They ain't give me no faith tonight.

[Chad (Co-host)]

I'm sorry. They're gonna steal one in Cleveland still.

[Joe (Host)]

You mean Cleveland?

[Chad (Co-host)]

No, no, I said it just right. They gonna still write it.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Hey, that's.

[Chad (Co-host)]

What.

[Joe (Host)]

That's wrong.

[Chad (Co-host)]

That's my point. They gonna have to steal one right at home.

[Joe (Host)]

That's wrong. You can't steal your own stuff.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

Right?

[Chad (Co-host)]

Yeah.

[Joe (Host)]

Bad.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

This is.

[Joe (Host)]

This was bad. This was bad. But the knicks use a 44:11 run over the final seven and a half minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime. So a little under 13 minutes. They go on a 33. They go on a 33 point bender. So basically, they're plus 33. The best player for the Knicks did what he was supposed to do, did what we accustomed. Accustomed to him doing. And the Cavaliers two best player didn't answer the bail when they absolutely had to have him.

[Ocho (Co-host)]

They didn't do it down the stretch. You needed, bro.

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[Joe (Host)]

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[Joe (Host)]

Warning.

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