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Advertiser 4
I mean, listen what they can do in their totality as a team. You just said it. I thought obviously when it's coming into the season, who would be the biggest threat for the Celtics coming off an NBA championship? To me, I thought it'd be the Bucks. I thought it would be Bucks and Damon and Giannis and that combination of what they had, similar to how Luke and LeBron. I mean, Luke and LeBron teamed up. But before Luke even got there, I said, you know what? The biggest threat for the Celtics would be the Bucs. But watching the way the Cavs play as a team, you know, obviously led by Garland and Donovan Mitchell, the supporting cast, the bench, everyone is scoring. Look how many, look how many players were in double figures tonight.
Advertiser 2
When you have all five starters.
Advertiser 4
Yeah, all five starters. When everybody's playing that complete and nobody is off, it makes it that much, that much more difficult for them to be beat. And I wouldn't be surprised. Hell, a lot of people shouldn't be surprised. I mean most people will call me a casual, you know, those that are actual NBA fans won't be surprised if they do unseat the Celtics as NBA champions this year.
Advertiser 2
Yeah, I think it's going, I think it'll be a deep series. It's going six or at least seven. I thought the Knicks would be there also because the addition of Karl Anthony Towns, I like that addition better with the Knicks more so than I like, than I like Julius Randle. What's up?
Advertiser 4
Timeout. The Knicks uncle. You really put them in that running.
Advertiser 2
No, I said I thought coming into the season with the addition of Karl Anthony Towns, with Jalen Brunson, look at what they did last year.
Advertiser 4
They're only a two headed monster though. And we talk about score scorer that's able to actually score and put the ball on the floor and just score at will. It's only Jalen Brunson, that's it.
Advertiser 2
But look, look at what they got. They got Anunoby, they got Mikael Bridges, they got Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson hurt, you know, him going out because now you know Cat's playing, spending a lot of time at the five and he probably, he likes playing at the four. So if you'd had Mitchell, Robinson and Cat sometimes and you got Precious Achua, they got a deep team. They do. And I thought considering they was going to be healthy because you got a guy in Cat that can dominate Jalen Brunson, we know he can dominate. Bridges can give you quality points. They got great defense. OG can defend, Josh Hart can defend, Mikhail Bridges, he doesn't miss games, he can defend. So they had it all. I thought Cleveland would be there, but I didn't see 54 and 10 now did I think there would be a top three team? Absolutely. You probably thought Philly would be there also with Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, you probably thought those guys would be there. But injuries, you might maybe Miami, but Jimmy Butler, you know he got nicked and he was unhappy and they moved him. So right now looking at the east, it's a two headed, it's a two headed monster. It's the Cavaliers and the Celtics. It looks like the Cavs are going to have home court, but Boston have one of the better road records in the NBA so it's not going to be easy. Do I believe the Cavaliers can have this kind of balance scoring and win? Nah. Somebody, one of those two guys, Garland or Mitchell is going to probably need to be 25, 30 and then everybody else chip in. But I don't think because with JB and JT teaming up for last night they went for 70 and probably on average they're going to go for anywhere between 50 and 60 on a given night. You're going to probably need a little bit more from your big guns. But the Cavaliers look really good and when you have a balanced team and your bench comes in, they give you 38 points on the road, they give you nine of the 19 threes that you made on the road. And they got shoot, they got great outside. Wade was three or three from the three point line. Hunter did not shoot the ball particularly well last night, but he's in the running for sixth man of the year. Ty Jerome can shoot it, Merrill can shoot it. They're going to be a tough out, Ojo. They're going to be a tough out. But the Celtics, man, they deep, they come in with that second unit and they hey, they pick right up. It's kind of reminds you like what the Cav nuts, excuse me, what the warriors used to be. Remember they bring their second unit in with Livingston and all those guys and if it was like a 34 point lead by the time Clay and Steph and Draymond came back, it was a 10 or 11 point lead. Yeah, or if they were behind, they came back, the game was tied. So it's. I see a lot of this from the, from the Cavaliers also. I like their bench, I like their depth, their starters are really good. Evan Moly as a defender who's gotten better offensive. You know what Jared you're going to get from Jared Allen. You don't have to run plays for him and he could rebound, he could score the basketball a lot of lives. He gonna get a lot of his points off the glass, rebounding, rolling to the rim. But it's going to be led by that three headed monster of Garland, Mitchell and Mobley. And if they keep playing the way they playing, I like them. I think I still believe it's going to come down to them and the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, but, you know, it's going to be a good matchup.
Advertiser 4
It's good. That's probably what it's going to come down to. It ain't probably. That's probably what it's going to come down to. As long as there are no injuries, which I doubt that's going to happen with it. Not that much time with it. Must not that much season left into the regular season. So, listen, I'm excited. I mean, I'm excited. I'm excited for the Cavs, bro. I'm excited for the Cavs, especially what they've been through, especially once LeBron left and how far they had to come to get to this point where they are now, even without King James there. They legit have a shot. They legit have a shot.
Advertiser 2
What happened? It was a situation where Donovan Mitchell wasn't happy and he has to be traded. That was the only way. You got to get a superstar.
Advertiser 4
Yeah.
Advertiser 2
If a superstar leaves, you have to replace him.
Advertiser 4
Yeah, but that's not the only answer. Not only do you have to have a superstar, but you have to have that supporting cast. Hell, yes, Batman. Now, you ain't gonna have no success unless you got your Robin.
Advertiser 2
But here's what happened. Think about it. They. They LeBron leaves and that means you lose. And now you draft and high. You getting a Darius Garland, you getting a Evan Mobley, you getting guys like that. You make a trade for Jared Allen. Yeah. Now, see now, and all of a sudden like, hey, man, I kind of like it over there. Donovan Mitchell said, and boom. So now you got Garland a draft pick. You got Evan Mobley with a top five pick. You got a Jared Allen who can rebound, can defend. You don't have to roll play, run plays for him, and he can get you a double double. And you got a bona fide superstar in Donovan Mitchell, who's all NBA, a perennial all star. Now you got your team. Now let's build it out now let's get us some depth. We make the trade for DeAndre Hunter. We get, you know, we got Ty Jerome and we got you move Struz into the starting line. Be good. I mean, sometimes you have to have a little look. You have to have a little look and you get lucky. You got draft compensation, Ocho, that you can ship some of the pieces out because you gave up Colin Sexton, who is a high draft pick. You give him up, you gave up other couple of draft picks. And you get Donovan Mitchell.
Advertiser 4
I like what you just said. The key word you just said there. Obviously, drafting. Right. But also luck as well, because you already had high draft picks. You had picks that came in that were high draft picks that you had to let go, and you got others. They were able to feel those spots and fill those voids. But the team they have now in, the players they've acquired, all play well collectively. And I think that's the hard thing to do, because you look at some of the big. Some of the top three. I call them the big three. Some of the big three faces that we thought would be in. In the playoffs or playing well a la Paul George, Maxi Maxi Bead. Even just those three together, forget the injuries part. They still don't. They still haven't lived up to what we thought they would be.
Advertiser 2
Well, that. That's because Joel Embiid, I mean, started the season banged up. Paul George started the season banged up, and he hasn't been able to find his rhythm. Tyrese Maxey's playing extremely well. He's averaging 25, 26, 20, maybe even 27 points a game. So he's doing what you thought he would do and what you hoped he would do. It was you missing Joel embiId somewhere between 28 and 32 points. You missing Paul George somewhere between 19 and 22 points. So you factor that in, now you getting 80 points. Now can we get the bench to give us 35?
Advertiser 4
Lee, man.
Advertiser 2
So when in a situation like that, I mean, probably something we should foreseeing, considering Joel Embiid limped out of the. Limped out of the season.
Advertiser 4
He gonna limp it.
Advertiser 2
And as soon as the season was over, two months later, he was on the Olympic team, the US national men's team. Didn't take the rest. Didn't get what? Get. He didn't get fixed. Probably what he needed to get fixed. So guess what? He limped into the season, and guess what he's doing now. Ocho. Limping out of the season.
Advertiser 4
Yeah. Hey, I have a question. Be honest. Be honest. Even if you had the injury, if you were Joel Embiid, with the opportunity to represent your country at the Olympics, knowing that it comes around every. Every four years, what would you have done?
Advertiser 2
My obligations to the 76ers. 76 has got five years of $240 million on the table. How much he make? I get it. And I get it because America. He's from Cameroon, and America has given him everything and more he could have asked for. Now, a lot of that has to luck. He came here. This is the land of opportunity. Joel Embiid had a talent. God blessed him. He hit the genetic lottery. He's seven foot tall, he's extremely skilled, and boom, he parlayed that. But Ocho.
Advertiser 4
Yes, sir.
Advertiser 2
Your obligation, Philly. Yeah. It made you, gave you generational wealth. Not that. The United States national men's team and the gold medal. Don't get me wrong. You're representing your country, right? But, bro, you were injured. You lived out of the season, right?
Advertiser 4
Shut it down.
Advertiser 2
You healthy, right? And then say, you know what? Hey, 28, boom. Your boy here. No, no, absolutely not. For me, oh, the most important thing. That's why a lot of times, man, when I was in a contract year, man, I ain't trying to go to no Pro Bowl. I ain't trying to get up out there. Ocho not doing. I'm just trying to get Nick that. Yeah, man, please.
Advertiser 4
Right, right, right.
Advertiser 2
Like I said, I get. Look, maybe it was the swan song. Wanted to get opportunity because LeBron is not going to be there in 28. Steph probably not going to be there in 28. KD say, hey, look, if I'm still hooping to the level and I'm able, hey, I like to play 20, and I like to go for five gold medals. He has the most. He has four. But KD says, hey, yeah, I would like to go. I would like to try to, you know, run it back on home soil. And maybe, Joel, that was something joy. But for me, I'm always go. I'm always gonna be in a situation where I look at who's paying me. That's where my obligation lies, is that who's paying me. Famous Smoke Shop isn't just your average cigar store. They've been dominating the cigar game since 1939. That's 85 years of experience knowing exactly what goes into a premium cigar and delivering the ultimate smoking experience. Whether you're celebrating a big win or just kicking back for the game, Famous has you covered. Head to famous smoke.com use code nightcap to get 20 off your order of 99 or more famous stores. The best cigars in their 20,000 square foot humidor so you can get the freshest cigars at better prices than your local shop. From heavy hitters like Macanudo, Monte Cristo, Cohiba to Batik and Flavors Options, they got millions of premium cigars ready to ship right to your door. The biggest selections, best prices, and backed by a freshness guarantee, Famous isn't playing any games visit famous smoke.com use code nightcap to score $20 off that's famous smoke.com code nightcap underage sale prohibited website restricted to age 21 plus tobacco consumers.
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Advertiser 2
So that's just me at the end of the day. He did what he wanted to do. He did was in the best interest of them. And I know, look, they was looking at France and Wimby and Yabasule and you got Giannis and you got Yoke. So you knew probably you're going to run in, you're going to run into those guys and you needed somebody to deal with Yoke. You needed somebody to be able to, you know, to handle the bigs and for other countries, even though it would. I get all that. I honestly do. I really do. I don't want people to think I'm not empathetic and understanding. But a team invested five years at 240 million. They just gave him a three year. Ocho, they gave him a three year extension for $193 million.
Advertiser 4
Yeah, all right, I understand. But you know, honestly, if you ask, if you ask people especially that would be in his position, what they would do. If you ask 100 people, you get 100 different answers. That's why I was curious to what you would say and I'm curious to the chat. I mean, obviously putting yourself in his shoes and his situation with the opportunity to represent, you know, obviously the usa, just everybody's answer would be different. But I understand, you know, where you coming from?
Advertiser 2
You know what I think it is? Ocho is my mentality that I play football and my money isn't guaranteed. See, he did that because he knows his money is guaranteed. So it doesn't matter.
Advertiser 4
It changes everything.
Advertiser 2
Yeah, hell yeah. It's kind of like, it's kind of like a salaried worker, they take pto. Well, if you're not a salary worker and you only get paid if you show your black ass up to work, that changes things. Trust me, I had manual jobs that I only got paid if I showed up to work. It's a whole different ball game if you salaried and you know what I'm saying? Hey, when you salary, you know, in a situation where you salary, hell, I take CTO choice time off. I'm choosing not to come in today because I'm gonna get my check. Well, when you work in manual jobs or you working an hourly job, right? NBA, that's guaranteed money. Mlb, that's guaranteed money. NHL, that's guaranteed money. NFL, that's not guaranteed money. So maybe that's what's clouding my judgment. Ocho, now don't get Me?
Advertiser 4
Wrong.
Advertiser 2
I think a gold medal is very important. I mean, hey, representing your country and for maybe an event, maybe a week, maybe two weeks, we're one. It's us against them. I don't care if it's a European country. I don't care if it's an African country. It doesn't matter. We usa. We stars and strike with red, white and blue. And we'll give everybody else. Yeah, okay, but like I said, I think it's my. I think it's by, you know, being in the NFL. Like, man, I ain't finna mess with my buddy.
Advertiser 4
Right? Right.
Advertiser 2
Mark Cuban breaks his silence on the Luca trade. Let's take a listen to his comments on the Luca trade. Ocho, was your son upset about the trade?
Advertiser 1
Yeah.
Advertiser 2
I mean, were you?
Advertiser 4
Yeah, of course.
Advertiser 2
Yeah. Yeah, of course. And I've said this before. If you're, you know, if the Mavs.
Advertiser 4
Are going to trade, Luka, that's one thing.
Advertiser 2
Just get a better deal, you know? No. No disrespect to Anthony Davis, but, you know, get three. If I still firmly believe if we had gotten four unprotected number ones and.
Advertiser 4
Anthony Davis and Max Christie, this would.
Advertiser 2
Be a different conversation. Listen, I agree.
Advertiser 4
Get more. Yeah, I agree. But what more can you do, huh? What more can you do?
Advertiser 2
Ocho, think about this. The Timberwolves gave up four unprotected picks and pick swaps for Rudy Gobert. Would you rather have Rudy Gobert or Luka Doncic?
Advertiser 4
You right. You're right. In Comparison to that, I think. I feel like they just wanted to get. Getting gone. That's why I don't understand, based on what you get on the court, how was whatever was going on off the court that goddamn. That bad?
Advertiser 2
That bad?
Advertiser 4
Beer hookah. Lazy. The way you interact. Antisocial. What are we talking about here? You paid me to do one thing. Be productive. You took me to the. To the NBA championship last year. Western Conference finals last year. What are we talking about? Yeah, man, please. Right. Right, baby. Say right.
Advertiser 2
I know what you call it, but look, do I think. Do I fake. Mark Cuban's never making that trade.
Advertiser 4
Oh, absolutely not.
Advertiser 2
Mark. Mark Cuban is never, ever making that trade. He's made it abundantly clear. He had. He had his replacement for Dirt. He had Dirk. 20 seasons. He was gonna have Luca as long as he could have it. He wasn't getting rid of it. And that's what happened. Ocho, when you sell your company and you keep the minority shares where they do things, they don't need your input now.
Advertiser 4
Would you.
Advertiser 2
Would you trade.
Advertiser 4
Would you trade Luca, baby? Yeah.
Advertiser 2
He's like, yeah, I got to get him up out of there. The Lakers, Mavericks, spurs, and he are expected to pursue Kevin Durant in the off season. O Where do you want to see Kevin Durant land?
Advertiser 4
Wait, say those teams again.
Advertiser 2
Lakers, Mavericks, Spurs, Heat.
Advertiser 4
You know what KD is on. I don't want to say backing up his career because he.
Advertiser 2
Did that mean Jordan.
Advertiser 4
From the field. Oh, Ocho, I'm not sure. Can you hear me?
Advertiser 2
Yeah, you, you. You faded in and out.
Advertiser 4
Yeah, yeah, man. I think me personally wi fi and.
Advertiser 2
Dr. Yeah, if you look at Ocho, the Heat, I don't think. I don't think Kevin Durant had a chance to go to the Heat many years ago. He didn't go. Hearing the stories about taking cookies from LeBron, hearing stories about how he treated Jimmy. Kevin Durant don't strike me as a guy that wanted to be in that situation. So now the Spurs. Nah, I think it's a two horse race. I think it's the Mavs and the Lakers. And the question is, what does the Mavs have to give up? They got that first round pick. They probably got their own first round pick. I'm trying to think about the other players. Cause obviously you pair Kyrie, AD and kd. Oh, you got something, you got. You got the potential to have something special. You got all three guys that can score. You got AD can protect the back end. You probably need another. Probably another perimeter defender because that's the problem that the. The Suns have. That's the. That's the problem. The sun, the Brooklyn had, they had guys that can score, but who could stop somebody from scoring, right? Phoenix, they got guys who can score, who can stop somebody from scoring.
Advertiser 4
So you don't like him to the Lakers then?
Advertiser 2
I like it to the Lakers. I just don't know what the. I don't know if the Lakers have enough assets enough to satisfy the sun, considering what the Suns gave up to get him.
Advertiser 4
Right?
Advertiser 2
They gave up their young nucleus to get him. So now they're gonna want those four first round picks unprotected pigs back. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know, Jordan. I just don't. I just. I. I don't see the Heat because like I said, he had an opportunity to go to the Heat, right? Long time ago, and he didn't go. And I'm sure the stories that's coming out about Pat, that's what Pac Did. You don't understand, bro. People. You not people. Not gonna let you just. First of all, they weren't your damn cookies. But I wish. I wish Coach GM take something from me that I brought and talk about why, please. I'm gone, right? First of all, I don't know how they do it at most people jobs, but you know how we do, boy. You don't play with nobody for it. No, not nobody that look like us.
Advertiser 4
Never that.
Advertiser 2
Boy. I don't know where your. I don't know where your hands being. And you ain't buy a damn thing in that bag. What?
Advertiser 4
You know what? Take somebody when it's kind of black folk. There's three things you don't play with black folk. Family money and their kids. Money. Food. Actually, they. Food. I mean, I meant to say food.
Advertiser 2
Oh yeah. I don't play by that. Oh, Joe, don't. Don't do. Don't do that. Don't do that. Nah, man. Don't do that. So. But like I said, I think it's the Lakers and the Mavericks. But at the end of the day, he want. Obviously he wants to go to a contender. Obviously. The Lakers with Luke and LeBron contenders, the Mavs, if they get AD comes back healthy. Kyrie. Kyrie. Probably not going to come back to the beginning of the year 26, but we'll see how that goes. Spurs, you got Wimby, you got D. Fox, Darren Fox, you got Stefan Castle, you got Vassal, you got Keldon Johnson, I mean you got nice little core over there. But I don't see Kevin Durant, I don't see KD in. I don't see him in San Antonio, Ojo. I don't. So with that being said, Mavericks, I like the Mavericks, I like the Lakers. But hey, at the end of the day, sons got to get the best package they can. They ain't fit to do no Lucas. But the Lakers, the Lakers played extremely well. They played. They got off to a great start. Then they had that little. In the second, they had a little lull in third, they got it close. Brunson had it going. And the thing is, what makes him. He got that herky jerky style and he's left handed and he's crafted that James Harden how to make you file him, make it look like you foul him even if you didn't file him. Cause he'll flail his body. But he's tremendous at getting to the basket. And he got that hesi. He got the step back. And so you gotta honor that. Cause he can shoot the three, he got the mid range, he can put the ball on the floor, get all the way to the rim. Even though he doesn't play above the rim, he can get to the rim and he can get you to foul him. So he played really well. Cat struggled today. Cat did not have a good game. He rebounded the ball, but he didn't score well. OG took up a lot of the slack for him. OG Anunoby had a really good game, especially shooting the 3. Now he missed some late that he wish he had had. Like could have saved some of those that he made earlier and saved these for later. But it doesn't really work like that. But I think you really have to be impressed with the Lakers who saw this. Nobody saw this trade. It's the biggest trade in NBA history. No player Luka Doncic's age have ever been traded that didn't want to be traded. Kareem wanted to leave. Shaq left on his own volition. You don't trade 25 year olds 5 time all NBA selections. A team that he just led his team to the finals. He was in the Western Conference finals just two years prior to that. Those guys don't get moved without them wanting to get moved. That would have been the equivalent. You're trading a Bird, you're trading a Magic, you trading a Michael Jordan because that's what Luka is. And then he doesn't have the championship like a Bird in Magic had. Jordan didn't win until later in his career. Like I think year seven of what he went 91, so he came in at 85. So 70 years, seven year eight bird and magic got him started right away. Magic won his rookie year, Bird won his second year. But you talk about a guy that was a five time all NBA selection, a rookie of the year, finished a couple of times in the top three in MVP votes and that guy got moved. Yeah, that's a story. If Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow got moved, you don't think we gonna talk about that. O Joe Lamar Jackson gets moved, you don't think we're gonna talk about that. Ojo.
Advertiser 4
But now you can get a better understanding and better context for those that are Dallas fans on why they so upset, on why they're so upset, why they're so pissed off at Nico Harris. Not only that, the trade happens.
Advertiser 2
Yeah.
Advertiser 4
And you know, those that you have in place, you trade for AD you still got. Kyberman is still box office. So you're hoping, you know, AD can come in and Kind of offset and counter, you know, the trade by being productive and doing some of the things that Luke was doing. Obviously, maybe not to that extent, because they're completely two different type of players in general. But he gets hurt.
Advertiser 2
Yes.
Advertiser 4
Now Kyrie goes out. Well, hell, now everything's really basically down the drain. So now you've done the trade, and you see what Luke is doing.
Advertiser 2
Yeah.
Advertiser 4
How do you think he's feeling? How do you think they're feeling over there?
Advertiser 2
Oh, it's terrible. I mean, it couldn't just. Remember we said we could. It couldn't get any worse. Remember, we talked about that the other night? That was before Kyrie. We know the extent of Kyrie. We saw him go out and we like, well, damn. They make this trade. Everybody's upset. The guy that they trade for him, he's playing great. In 27, 28 minutes, he's got 26 and 13. So he's playing unbelievable. He gets hurt. The guy that's supposed to keep them afloat until AD returns, he gets hurt and is more serious than they previously thought, because now he's gone for the season, and he might not be back until after the new year in 26. So now you look at that, and the Dallas fans are looking like, hold on. Wait a minute. You traded for a guy. Last year was really the only year that he's really. I mean, this year is really the only year that he's been hurt. Ojo, y'all make it seem like the man been, like, been on Zion Williams schedule. He has not been on Zion Williamson's schedule. He hasn't missed 200 games. He hadn't missed 300 games. Yes, he's missed games this year, but I mean. I mean, just imagine, Michael Jordan broke his foot in year two, and the Bulls, like, you know what? We gonna trade him. That's what the. Nick, that. That's. That's exactly what the Mavs fans are saying. What you saying? That's exactly right.
Advertiser 4
Right.
Advertiser 2
That's exactly what they're thinking.
Advertiser 4
Crazy, though. That's crazy. I mean, just. Just when you think about it. When you think about it. Oh, beer and hookah. Oh, we feel you're lazy.
Advertiser 2
Yeah. They call the man hookah. Donchic hookah. Luca, are you seeing.
Advertiser 4
Are you seeing what I'm seeing tonight? Are you?
Advertiser 2
Saw what I saw this buzz for you. Yeah, he's up, bro.
Advertiser 4
What are we talking about?
Advertiser 2
He can score at all three. Ojo, you watched him tonight. He can score at all three levels. The difficult shots look routine. I Mean, he is as bad a shot taker maker as we have. There are very few guys that can take like off balance shots, falling out of bounds off one leg. And you like for most players, that's a bad shot. There's no bad shot for Luka, there's no bad shot for Steph because they make those shots look routine. And now he has somebody that he doesn't always have to facilitate because he can hand the ball off to LeBron and LeBron can run the offense and go get his shot, or if both of those guys get tired, they can pass the ball off to Austin Reeves, he can go facilitate, get everybody else involved, create his own shot. So they have three guys and they're playing really good defense. They're doing a great job of swarming. They got really good perimeter players in Vanderbilt and Dorian, Finney Smith. Gabe Vincent is a good on ball defender. He's a little undersized, but he's scrappy. But they got guys in Dalton connect knocking down shots. He's coming back. He's like, hey, it is what it is. Yeah, they wanted to move on. I felt some type of way, but now I'm back. Let me go ahead and make the boats and let them know I can be a valuable piece to this train and what we're trying to accomplish. So give JJ Redick a ton of credit because I know a lot of people. I was one of those people, like, damn, I know you could talk the game, but can you coach it?
Advertiser 4
Yeah. Yeah.
Advertiser 2
And you, I mean, you play. I mean, you never know. Go ahead.
Advertiser 4
Coaches either. Even though you play the game, doesn't mean you can coach it. Even though you can, doesn't mean you can coach it. You know, being able to get the players to obviously resonate with you and buy in is completely different than the latter. And he's done well. As a matter of fact, if they were losing this, if the lake were losing, if things were shaky, what's the first thing people gonna say? They're gonna blame him, blame him and I can't. What's coach's name from. From UConn that didn't want to come. Oh, yeah, it was gone. Mr. Hurt.
Advertiser 2
Yeah. Yukon. Yeah. Hurley. Dan Hurley.
Advertiser 4
You know, he should at least giving us a shot of giving us a chance. I don't even think he actually wanted to come. I think he was just using that for leverage just to get him a contract. But anyway, listen, Lakers playing really well, man. I'm, I'm, I'm excited for him. They still need a Big uncle. They.
Advertiser 2
They.
Advertiser 4
They still need a big if.
Advertiser 2
If you want to be man, y'all.
Advertiser 4
If Jenny Bus and Mr. Plink are really serious about being in contention, especially going into next year, they got to give him a big. It's no different than Jerry getting a number two receiver. If you're really serious, get your number two receiver. Man, stop playing.
Advertiser 2
Yeah, and. And Chad, y'all need to stop tripping because if coaching didn't matter, why didn't Shaq it Why didn't Shaq and Kobe win before Phil Jackson? If coaching doesn't matter. If coaching doesn't matter, what about Steph and Clay and Draymond? Darvin Ham had AD&. And LeBron. Frank Vogel won with him. He didn't win no championship. So I'm trying to figure. I mean, coaching doesn't matter. Look, I can understand you might not like somebody and maybe you think Darvin Ham got a fair trade, but I mean a fair. A raw deal. But if y'all don't think coaching matter, you're high. It absolutely matters. That's why they have coaches. If it didn't matter, did you send the team out there? Hey, you can save yourself somewhere between 5 and $20 million if you don't need a coach. Man, stop that. Give people. Give people the credit that they deserve. J.J. reddick, you might not like him, but give him credit. He's doing an unbelievable job with basically the same team. Famous smoke shop isn't just your average cigar store. They've been dominating the cigar game since 1939. That's 85 years of experience knowing exactly what goes into a premium cigar and delivering the ultimate smoking experience. Whether you're celebrating a big win or just kicking back for the game, Famous has you covered. Head to famous smoke.com use code nightcap to get $20 off your order of $99 or more. Famous stores the best cigars in their 20,000 square foot humidor so you can get the freshest cigars at better prices than your local shop. From heavy hitters like Macanudo, Monte Cristo, Cohiba to Batik and flavors options, they've got millions of premium cigars ready to ship right to your door. The biggest selections, best prices and backed by a freshness guarantee, Famous isn't playing any games. Visit famous smoke.com use code nightcap to score $20 off. That's famoussmoke.com code nightcap underage sale prohibited website restricted to age 21 plus tobacco consumers.
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Listen to Divine Intervention on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Advertiser 2
The number two seeded Lakers without LeBron James lose to the 24, 21 and 42 Nets. LA drops to 40 and 23 are now the third seed in the West. This is especially costly loss considering their upcoming Schedule is three back to backs in eight days. They're a half game behind of the Denver Nuggets for two and a half gain, ahead of Memphis for four. Lo La is in Milwaukee on Thursday. JJ said there's a low level communication game for the Lakers. He said that being shorthanded isn't an excuse. We just don't take, we just don't. We, we just wanted to take shortcuts. Just shortcuts. You want to be a good team in the NBA, you want to win, you have to do the hard stuff. I agree. I mean, jj, I mean, when JJ.
Advertiser 4
Says you have to do the hard stuff, what exactly is the hard stuff he's speaking of? Because with LeBron being out, everything, you.
Advertiser 2
Got to rebound, you've got to box out, you got to get loose balls, you got to make the extra pass. You can't take a shortcut like, oh, this seems to be easy turning the ball, careless turnover.
Advertiser 4
Okay, I, I understand, I understand that. But they've been playing well all season long and well, obviously when Luka got there, all of a sudden LeBron is out. Now everything is magnified and they taking shortcuts. Well, they weren't just taking shortcuts two nights ago or three nights ago or four nights ago before when they was winning.
Advertiser 2
Yeah, look, Luka did not shoot the ball well. Again, 8 of 26, 3 of 10, 5 turnovers. Austin Reeves didn't shoot the ball well, 3 of 14. Alex Lynn, he got great cardio in 13 minutes, 0 points. He was just saying he was a. He was just getting his cardio in. So, you know, guys, normally after the game, they didn't play a lot. They normally get on the bike to get their legs, get some cardio in. Alex Lynn got his in. He just happened to play 13 minutes and ain't give you nothing. New stat sheet.
Advertiser 4
Now, see what you just said right there? You rattled off four players, right, that didn't play well, didn't shoot well. But JJ said it's about cutting corners and hard work. How about you just, I mean, it's clear as they would really happen. It's clear as day. But I'm assuming as a coach, you really can't say that. You can't be honest.
Advertiser 2
Sometimes, Ocho, sometimes even when you're not playing well, you can overcome not playing well by playing hard. That's what he's saying.
Advertiser 4
That's a good one.
Advertiser 2
I like that.
Advertiser 4
I like that. But I don't think without them having LeBron and Luka playing is okay. Not, not Playing up the par. There's no. Even if you, even if you did play hard and did and didn't take any shortcuts, you wasn't winning that game tonight. Because it's not enough. It's not enough people to have production.
Advertiser 2
They had, they had a 12 point lead, Ocho.
Advertiser 4
And what happened to the 12 point lead, huh?
Advertiser 2
What happened was you kept filing, you kept putting ass on the free throw line. They shot 30 free throws, you shot 19. You put you on the road and you let a team out shoot you by 11, you're probably going to lose. I mean, they shot the ball. I mean, the Lakers were. I mean, they shot better from the floor. They shot better from the three, they shot better from the free throw line. It was closer. Rebound. I mean, no, they gave up 16 offensive rebounds, Ocho, you see, that's the hard stuff. Box out. You think the ball just go bounce to you. No, this was a game that they really needed to win, Ocho, because think about it. They got Milwaukee, they still got the Nuggets. They got the Nuggets twice. And you're going to space these teams without LeBron.
Advertiser 4
You say they dropped third. They, they went from second to third in the East.
Advertiser 2
They had third, they're third. They have game back of second, they have game in front of Memphis for four. Yeah, and you're going to be without LeBron. You basically. So I'm going to err on the side of caution. They say he's going to be out a week. I'm going to keep him out two weeks because I don't want him to re injure it. We're about five weeks away from the postseason. The last thing I want is LeBron limping into the postseason because I know we got no chance, but you just got to do all this. You got to do the small stuff, right? Especially when you down one of your best players. I mean, like I said, I, I said this at the time of the signing. I don't know why you signed Alex Lynn. Y'all should have, y'all should have said, hey, Sacramento, we're gonna chip in a couple of dollars because we don't want him to come here.
Advertiser 4
That's messed up.
Advertiser 2
Which, when has anybody said, you know what, Alex Lynn might be the missing piece. He might be a good role player, he might be a good backup.
Advertiser 4
I mean, he in the NBA for a reason now, like you say it.
Advertiser 2
All the time, he tall.
Advertiser 4
Sometimes. Listen, sometimes that's all it takes. Now, if we, if we, if we, if we, if we can get him to play.
Advertiser 2
Play what?
Advertiser 4
Like.
Advertiser 2
Like the drums?
Advertiser 4
Come on now. You just out there wasting the roster spot.
Advertiser 2
Yeah.
Advertiser 4
I mean, no.
Advertiser 2
Look like Tarzan. Play like James.
Advertiser 4
No disrespect to young Bull.
Advertiser 2
I'm. I'm just saying. Gabe Vincent gave it to you tonight. He's starting to shoot the ball really well. Eight or 12 from the floor, six or nine from the three, two or two from the free throw line. He led the Lakers in scoring with 24. Luca played 41 minutes. He scored 22, but he took 26 shots. Nah, you could never have fewer points than shot attempts. That's not good. Austin Reeves only had three more points that he had shot attempts. That's not good. Dalton connect had one more point than shot attempts. That's not good. And I say this again in all sincerity. It's hard for me to see a scenario that Alex Lynn is better than Dwight Howard. Even at the age of 38 or 39. I just don't see it.
Advertiser 4
You know, they're not bringing anyone older. The game. The game. The game itself is a young man's game. So even though Dwight Howard is big, that I'm sure they could use, they just rather not do it. And I think. I think there might have been some. Some rift if I'm not. If I'm not mistaken, seeing it earlier, you know, with. With. Dwight Howard had exchange of words with. With. With somebody when he was on the Lakers, which is why he's not there now.
Advertiser 2
But he had no exchange of. No words. I got to change the words. You want to go? You want to go. You want to go in the. Go farther than the first round of the playoffs? That's the word. Not the word, but words. Further than the first round.
Advertiser 4
If the Lakers really knew what they needed, you know, you know who they really could have bought in?
Advertiser 2
What?
Advertiser 4
What you mean, what?
Advertiser 2
Man, you holding the ball like you a 1950s basketball player. Man, put that ball down for you.
Advertiser 4
Hey, don't worry about how I'm holding this ball. It's about where the ball gonna go once I get to the hoop. Listen.
Advertiser 2
Nowhere. One thing about it, it ain't going to the basketball.
Advertiser 4
Listen, but when I was in high school, I averaged a triple double. Now, that's not. That's what we're not gonna do.
Advertiser 2
A triple double.
Advertiser 4
A triple, triple double. What you talk about, man?
Advertiser 2
They say you had. They say you had quadrant double six.
Advertiser 4
Eight, class six eight, Miami Beast Senior High. I averaged 42 points a night. You talk about, man, I used to be out There, man, like.
Advertiser 2
Like a quadruple single.
Advertiser 4
I was like a mixture of Jamal Murray.
Advertiser 2
Four points, four rebounds, two assists, six fouls.
Advertiser 4
Hey, I was a mixture of Jamal Murray and Kyrie Irving. That's what my package looked like. Yeah, I gotta. Yeah, I got. I got a package. Now. Ask about me. Ask about me.
Advertiser 2
A mix of X, Lax, and Phoenix.
Advertiser 4
I'm telling you. I'm telling you. Well, I was built different, man. You would have thought I was born in New York. The kind of handles I had. Yeah, that's. That's what he used to tell me. Boy, you. You from. You sure you from Maine? I said, yeah, but you play like one of them boys off of Rucker Park. I say, nah. Like, I just.
Advertiser 2
I just. No, ain't nobody say that. Ocho, you did not play basketball in high school.
Advertiser 4
I played soccer. I'm saying. I'm talking about.
Advertiser 2
That ain't basketball.
Advertiser 4
Listen to me. My fault. My focal point was soccer, but I'm just saying that's how good I was and athletic I was where I could. It translates, you know, I used to skip. Skip class and go to people. PE Class and play basketball.
Advertiser 2
Ocho, you can't play basketball.
Advertiser 4
Listen, man, there's one thing about me. I lie for you before I lie to you, y'all.
Advertiser 2
Yeah, you just lying now. I mean, you ain't really talking to nobody in particular.
Advertiser 4
You just pride in my craft.
Advertiser 2
What? Mac and cheese? That's the only crap. That was the only craft I know anything about that you would know about all that other stuff you talk about, hold it up like that. What you talking about?
Advertiser 3
The volume.
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Podcast Summary: Club Shay Shay – Nightcap - Hour 2: Kevin Durant on the Trade Block? + Lakers Keep Losing Release Date: March 16, 2025
In this episode of Club Shay Shay, host Shannon Sharpe delves deep into the current NBA season's pivotal moments, focusing on the Cleveland Cavaliers' impressive performance, the Boston Celtics' robust lineup, and the swirling trade rumors surrounding superstar Kevin Durant. The episode also scrutinizes the Los Angeles Lakers' recent struggles, offering insightful analysis and predictions for the remainder of the season.
Speaker 2 initiates the discussion by highlighting the Cavaliers' remarkable achievement:
"[07:19] I thought the biggest threat for the Celtics would be the Bucks, but watching the way the Cavs play as a team, led by Garland and Donovan Mitchell, with a supporting cast that includes Evan Mobley, Jared Allen, and others, they have a really deep team."
The Cavaliers have secured a 14-game winning streak on the road, setting a franchise record of 54-10. Key contributors include Max Strus, who scored 17 points in their latest victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, and a strong bench that added 38 points with nine three-pointers.
Speaker 4 emphasizes the team's depth and balanced scoring:
"[07:58] All five starters are in double figures tonight. When everybody's playing that complete and nobody is off, it makes it much more difficult for them to be beat."
The Cavaliers' success is attributed to their well-rounded roster, where multiple players contribute significantly, reducing reliance on any single star.
Transitioning to the Boston Celtics, Speaker 2 acknowledges their strong performance despite not having LeBron James:
"[08:21] With players like Jayson Tatum and JB Jalen Brown, along with solid contributions from Al Horford and Derrick White, the Celtics are a deep and versatile team."
Speaker 4 adds that the Celtics' second unit is exceptionally reliable, drawing parallels to the Golden State Warriors' past success with their bench:
"[08:58] The Celtics' bench can pick up the slack just like the Warriors did with their second unit, making them a tough opponent in the playoffs."
The Celtics are viewed as the Cavaliers' main competition in the Eastern Conference, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling matchup in the Conference Finals.
A significant portion of the conversation centers around Kevin Durant's potential trade. Speaker 2 speculates on Durant's possible destinations, listing the Lakers, Mavericks, Spurs, and Heat as frontrunners:
"[27:10] The Lakers, Mavericks, Spurs, Heat – where do you want to see Kevin Durant land?"
Speaker 4 expresses a preference for Durant joining either the Lakers or the Mavericks, citing the Lakers' contender status and the Mavericks' complementary roster with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving:
"[29:09] I like it to the Lakers because they're contenders, and the Mavericks have a strong core with Doncic and Irving that can synergize well with Durant."
The discussion also touches on the Dallas Mavericks' recent trade of Luka Doncic, comparing it to historical NBA trades involving legends like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Speaker 2 criticizes the Mavericks' decision to trade Doncic, arguing that trading a premier player unwillingly sets a troubling precedent:
"[26:22] Luka Doncic is akin to trading a bird or a magic. Trading a five-time All-NBA selection who didn't want to be traded is unprecedented and detrimental to team morale."
Both speakers agree that such trades can lead to long-term repercussions for franchise stability and fan loyalty.
The conversation shifts to the impact of injuries on key players, specifically Joel Embiid and Paul George. Speaker 2 underscores how injuries have derailed teams that were expected to perform strongly:
"[15:59] Joel Embiid limped into the season and is now out, affecting the 76ers' dynamics significantly."
Speaker 4 questions the timing and management of these injuries, suggesting that insufficient recovery time contributed to prolonged absences:
"[16:15] Embiid's obligations to the 76ers and his injury management have severely hampered the team's performance."
The speakers highlight the fragile nature of team success, heavily reliant on the health and availability of star players.
A critical analysis emerges regarding coaching, particularly focusing on J.J. Redick's role with the Lakers. Speaker 2 defends the coach's strategies, emphasizing the importance of hard work and accountability:
"[44:51] JJ mentioned that being shorthanded isn't an excuse and that the team needs to do the hard stuff like rebounding and making extra passes."
Speaker 4 agrees but also points out the challenges coaches face when key players are injured:
"[46:24] Without players like LeBron and Luka, even hard work isn't enough to secure victories consistently."
The discussion underscores the intricate balance between coaching strategies and player performance, especially under adverse conditions.
Wrapping up, the speakers share their optimistic yet cautious outlooks:
Speaker 2 remains hopeful about the Cavaliers' balanced scoring but acknowledges that consistent high-level performance from stars like Garland and Mitchell is crucial:
"[12:42] If Garland or Mitchell needs to score between 25-30 points consistently, the Cavaliers can maintain their winning streak."
Speaker 4 reiterates confidence in both the Cavaliers and Celtics reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, highlighting the depth and resilience of both teams:
"[12:09] Unless there are significant injuries, it’s going to come down to the Cavs and the Celtics, promising a highly competitive Finals matchup."
Regarding Kevin Durant's trade, the speakers anticipate that his move will significantly impact whichever team he joins, potentially altering the balance of power in the NBA's landscape.
Speaker 2 on Cavaliers' Team Depth:
"The biggest threat for the Celtics would be the Bucks, but watching the way the Cavs play as a team... they have a really deep team." ([07:19])
Speaker 4 on Celtics' Bench Strength:
"The Celtics' bench can pick up the slack just like the Warriors did with their second unit, making them a tough opponent in the playoffs." ([08:58])
Speaker 2 on Trading Luka Doncic:
"Trading a five-time All-NBA selection who didn't want to be traded is unprecedented and detrimental to team morale." ([26:22])
Speaker 2 on Coaching Importance:
"If coaching didn't matter, why didn't Shaq and Kobe win before Phil Jackson?" ([39:19])
This episode of Club Shay Shay offers a comprehensive examination of the NBA's current landscape, focusing on team performances, trade dynamics, and the pivotal role of coaching and player health. Shannon Sharpe and his guests provide nuanced perspectives, blending statistical analysis with passionate opinions, making it an engaging listen for basketball enthusiasts seeking deeper insights into the game's evolving narrative.