Nightcap - Hour 2: Lakers Blame Game Begins + Ryan Garcia loses to Rolly Romero

Summary

Club Shay Shay Podcast Summary

Episode: Nightcap - Hour 2: Lakers Blame Game Begins + Ryan Garcia Loses to Rolly Romero
Release Date: May 3, 2025
Hosts: iHeartPodcasts, The Volume, and Shay Shay Media
Guests: Rob Pelinka, JJ Redick, Chad Ochocinco Johnson (Ocho)

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1. Introduction to the Episode

The second hour of the Club Shay Shay podcast delves deep into the recent setbacks faced by the Los Angeles Lakers and a surprising upset in the boxing world where Ryan Garcia was defeated by Rolly Romero. The discussion is led by Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick, with occasional inputs from Chad Ochocinco Johnson.

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2. Lakers' Recent Performance and Injury Updates

Timestamp: [02:25] - [06:22]

• Lakers' Loss to the Wolves:

  • The Lakers were eliminated in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
  • Rob Pelinka highlights the impact of injuries, stating,
    "LeBron James suffered a grade two MCL sprain...entails a three to five week recovery timeline."
    [Rob Pelinka, 02:25]

• Injury Concerns:

  • Austin Reaves is dealing with a left big toe sprain, sidelining him for an estimated two to four weeks.
  • Pelinka criticizes the Lakers' lack of depth in the big man position, pointing out,
    "They only gonna go so far...you got LeBron and Rui playing the four, the four and the five. That's too small."
    [Rob Pelinka, 03:34]

• Strategic Shortcomings:

  • JJ Redick emphasizes the importance of utilizing players like Jaxon Hayes and implementing effective defensive strategies.
    "They learn from Boston, keeping their best defender...we keeping our best defender."
    [JJ Redick, 04:44]

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3. Analysis of Luka Doncic’s Conditioning and Future with the Lakers

Timestamp: [06:03] - [32:30]

• Condemnation of Public Criticism:

  • JJ Redick defends LeBron James against public criticism for his injuries, noting,
    "LeBron is an alien when it comes to that. He doesn't get hurt."
    [JJ Redick, 04:44]

• Luka Doncic’s Physical Challenges:

  • Concerns are raised about Luka’s conditioning and injury history. Redick states,
    "Playoffs is a different thing...he ain’t in that [condition] 100% for the playoff, too."
    [JJ Redick, 05:49]

• Contractual Discussions:

  • The conversation shifts to Luka’s potential contracts with the Lakers, debating between a four-year $229 million extension and a three-year $165 million deal with a player option in 2028.
    "I'm taking the four years because I'm betting on the money now...don't want to trust my body."
    [JJ Redick, 30:44]

• Comparisons to Other Players:

  • Luka is compared to players like LeBron regarding longevity and physical upkeep. Redick suggests,
    "He probably gonna play, maybe three more years...he's off the ball and he doesn't have that burden of bringing it up."
    [JJ Redick, 15:15]

• Potential Team Dynamics:

  • Discussion on whether Rob Pelinka can effectively build a team around Luka, with skepticism expressed by Rob Pelinka himself.
    "If Luka stayed in Dallas, we would have been back in the finals."
    [Rob Pelinka, 51:51]

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4. Strategies for Improving the Lakers’ Performance

Timestamp: [06:03] - [18:31]

• Enhancing Player Roles:

  • JJ Redick advocates for maximizing players like Gabe Vincent and adjusting player positions to optimize team performance.
    "You got to give Jaxon Hayes a chance in that series."
    [JJ Redick, 06:22]

• Defensive Adjustments:

  • Emphasis on defensive assignments and the need for Luka to adapt his game by playing off the ball more, akin to LeBron.
    "Luka needs the ball...He can't play, his game hasn't evolved yet."
    [Rob Pelinka, 14:18]

• Offseason Training Recommendations:

  • Suggestions for Luka to engage in agility, yoga, or Pilates to improve flexibility and prevent injuries.
    "He needs to do yoga, Pilates or something all summer."
    [JJ Redick, 25:50]

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5. Thoughts on Team Building and Future Prospects

Timestamp: [18:31] - [37:34]

• Team Composition Challenges:

  • Rob Pelinka discusses the complexities of trading Luka and the financial constraints involved, highlighting the difficulty in matching salaries and finding suitable trade partners.
    "Which one? So, LeBron would have to waive his no-trade...they're not letting Jokic go."
    [Rob Pelinka, 53:40]

• LeBron James’ Commitment to the Lakers:

  • The hosts express strong belief in LeBron's desire to remain with the Lakers, citing his personal and professional ties to Los Angeles.
    "LeBron loved everything about LA...He’s not going to go back."
    [JJ Redick, 35:30]

• Speculations on Future Movements:

  • Speculation surrounds LeBron possibly finishing his career in LA and not returning to Cleveland, given his family's integration into the Los Angeles community.
    "Savannah loves everything about LA...He’s making a lot of movies here."
    [Rob Pelinka, 35:09]

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6. Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly Romero Boxing Match

Timestamp: [48:43] - [54:54]

• Unexpected Upset:

  • Ocho reports on the surprise defeat of Ryan Garcia by Rolly Romero, highlighting Romero’s performance and the implications for future fights.
    "Romero claimed the WBA welterweight title with a unanimous decision. It was shocking."
    [Ocho, 48:43]

• Implications for Future Fights:

  • Discussion on how this loss affects potential rematches and Romero’s chances to fight Devin Haney.
    "Rematch against Ryan Garcia is probably out the window because of this loss."
    [Ocho, 51:07]

• Devin Haney’s Strategy:

  • Ocho critiques Devin Haney’s cautious approach in the fight, indicating it wasn't his typical aggressive style.
    "He was very cautious after what happened when he fought Ryan Garcia."
    [Ocho, 51:18]

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7. Audience Q&A Segment

Timestamp: [54:08] - [58:27]

• Building a Team Around Luka:

  • Fallen Shot Caller poses a question about Rob Pelinka’s ability to build a successful team around Luka.
    "Can Rob Pelinka build a team around Luka? Because he was good...if Luka stayed in Dallas, we would have been back in the finals."
    [Fallen Shot Caller, 51:51]

• Responses and Insights:

  • JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka discuss the challenges and dynamics of team building, emphasizing the unique circumstances of the previous Lakers squad and the competitive Western Conference.
    "Last year you caught a lightning in a bottle...the west was too damn good."
    [JJ Redick, 52:01]

• Speculations on Kawhi Leonard and Team Trades:

  • The conversation touches on Kawhi Leonard’s role and the complexities of potential trades involving top players like Nikola Jokic.
    "Kawhi got there...he said if you don't trade for Paul George, I'm going to the Lakers."
    [Rob Pelinka, 44:43]

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8. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [55:15] - End

• Final Reflections on Team Strategies:

  • The hosts reiterate their perspectives on team building, player conditioning, and future prospects for the Lakers and other teams in the league.
    "LeBron says it ain't my job to worry about Luka's future with the Lakers...he's got to make a decision for himself."
    [Rob Pelinka, 33:43]

• Encouragement to Stay Engaged:

  • Shannon Sharpe wraps up the episode by thanking listeners, promoting upcoming events, and encouraging continued support for the podcast.

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9. Notable Quotes

• Rob Pelinka:
  "They only gonna go so far...you got LeBron and Rui playing the four, the four and the five. That's too small."
  [03:34]

• JJ Redick:
  "LeBron is an alien when it comes to that. He doesn't get hurt."
  [04:44]

• JJ Redick:
  "Playoffs is a different thing...he ain’t in that [condition] 100% for the playoff, too."
  [05:49]

• Rob Pelinka:
  "If Luka stayed in Dallas, we would have been back in the finals."
  [51:51]

• Ocho:
  "It was shocking to me because Rollie has somewhat of an awkward style of fighting."
  [50:00]

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10. Conclusion

This episode of Club Shay Shay provides an in-depth analysis of the Los Angeles Lakers' recent challenges, focusing on injuries, team dynamics, and the future of key players like LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Additionally, the podcast covers significant moments in the boxing world, notably Ryan Garcia's unexpected loss to Rolly Romero. The hosts offer critical insights, backed by their experiences and observations, making it a valuable listen for fans keen on understanding the intricacies of professional sports team management and athlete performance.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content sections as per the podcast's transcript.

Transcript

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[Ryan Reynolds]

The Volume.

[Rob Pelinka]

After the Lakers were bounced in five by the Wolves. Injury news has been creeping out. First, an MRI revealed that LeBron James suffered a grade two MCL sprain in his left knee in the fourth quarter of game five. The injury entails a three to five week recommended recovery timeline. Then it was reported that Austin Reeves was dealing with a left big toe sprain during the play. Playoffs was considered a two to four week injury, but he gutted it out. Reeds was reportedly not walking on it on days off to try to get through the playoffs. You know, the Internet's reacting because it seems like every time a LeBron lose, they say, see, this is why he lost. Rob, you close to this situation. What, what, what? I told Lo when they did himself, they need a big. I said, they only gonna go so far. I said, because if Jackson Hayes don't give you quality minutes now, you gonna put him out. And you ain't got nobody else to put in there as a big. You got LeBron and Rui playing the four, the four and the five. That's too small.

[JJ Redick]

Way, way too small. That's why you have to give Jaxon Hayes a chance in that series. And you know, it's weird when, when, when LeBron hit that guy. I know everybody always wants to say LeBron had antics. I watched his knee bend and that's how I strained my MCL and was out just six weeks. And you know, LeBron is. He's a. He's an alien when it comes to that. He doesn't get hurt. And so people want to talk about that, but that team is just too small. You think about all the teams you could have played, you got a hold of the wrong one, right? And Minnesota, you think about it, they're just long, they're athletic, they're tough. And then they pissed off. They pissed off at Luka because he bounced them last year. And so one thing that coaches do, they learn. If you watch how the Minnesota Timberwolves coach Luka, they was like, no, don't switch. We did that mistake last year, put Goldberg on his TO three. So we didn't switch this season. And that's one of the things that, you know, they learned that from Boston, too, because that's how Boston was able to, you know, beat the, Beat the Dallas marriage. Because, you know, we're not Sweets. We keeping our best defender. And I talked about that earlier, how lazy guys are now, man, it's not even a damn.

[Rob Pelinka]

They don't even try to fly over the screen now. They just pass it off.

[JJ Redick]

They don't even. It's like, why? It's like you're a better defender. And I look at jj, I'm like, and gain in game four, I'm like, ant man out there cooking you. And your best defender is on the freaking bench in van do give him a chance. Least he got 4, 5, 6, 5. You gonna go to the hole. You gonna get up off the floor. And so that's what I'm looking at Jason like, dude, what are you doing? I'm not even mad at jj. I'm mad at Nate and I'm mad at Scotty. Cause you two head coaches are sat right over there and let him do this dumb stuff. Because you can think it's a reason that that's the first time it was ever done in the playoff.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah, they played. But I do have in trouble. You can't. I mean, you asking. And I don't care how great you are. And Ojo and I we debated this and Ojo like, man, you gotta get it done. I said, yeah, the mind is willing, but the body just ain't able. The man had just played 41 minutes a couple of nights before. Now you running back 46 on 40 year old legs. And then you put 40, 40 more minutes on him in game five.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. And you know, and what people forget is he's played more playoff games than everybody. So that's equivalent to like I think four seasons. So you gotta add four seasons onto the 20 seasons that he's played.

[Rob Pelinka]

The 22 season, you mean?

[JJ Redick]

Yeah, yeah. So you gotta think of that. So that's. So that's why you gotta find a way. You gotta Gabe Vincent over there, who's got NBA finals experience. Give him some burn. You know, I think the biggest mistake that the Lakers made all season was not trying to figure out how to implement Dalton, connect into this system.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah.

[JJ Redick]

You know, you think about him, that's. That's the flamethrower over there. You gotta give him a chance. You know, you got. You think about it, you got. You talk about scoring, but then you put Vando in there. Who's the better shooter? Dalton connect.

[Rob Pelinka]

Vando ain't even looking at the rim unless it's a layup or a wide open dunk. But I think the thing is, what J.J. gato said about don't connect. He don't.

[Ocho]

He he.

[Rob Pelinka]

His defensive assignment, he acted like a blind dog in the meathouse. Do I show? Do I.

[JJ Redick]

Hey, hey. Isn't Luca and isn't Ar. And.

[Rob Pelinka]

But that's the thing. See, that's the problem. With the Lakers, you get Luca getting beat off the first dribble 90% of the time. AR getting beat off the second dribble. LeBron can't sit in the chair at 40 anymore. So now you got three guys that are really. I mean, LeBron will try to body you. I mean, yeah, he gonna chase it down. He gonna make some. He gonna make some great defensive plays. But when you got Luka and AR and you don't have no. I mean, when you had A.D. you had some help. Now you don't have A.D. so now. And Jackson Hayes, I mean, sometimes, hey, he a good lob thread. He'll get it off the rim, you know, get a rebound to put it back. But for the most part, he's not. You're not counting on him to get you much anyway. If we can get. If we can steal 15, 20 minutes from him, Rob, we good. We have.

[JJ Redick]

That's all we wanted, you know? You know, you think about. That's all you need. Because people don't realize that the reason the Mavericks were so good last year is because those two bigs they had, they was erasing all of Luka's mistakes. They was erasing everybody. Yeah, it's like you go to the rack, okay, you got them guys blocking shots, and, you know, and so people forget how important certain bigs are to the team because they can erase, like, what AD Did. AD Saved him so many times. And I think about when they played Denver last year, you expect AD to do everything like, dude, he can't guard some guys on the perimeter, you know? And so you think about Murray. Murray, like, okay, I'm a really good shooter. I'm going to separate from A.D. yeah, let A.D. keep the defender on him. Let A.D. erase mistake when he get to the hole, right? And so there's so many little things like that. And the reason that I would never want to coach or be an assistant coach, because I'm like, dude, I'm looking down my arrogance like, look, I don't play with three of the best centers in the world. I don't want seven championships. You're gonna freaking tell me. I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. So I. I don't been in every situation. There's a reason that I'm 17 championship. There's a reason that Dream respects me. Shaq respects me. Tim respects me. Because I wasn't afraid to yell at them and tell them what to do and put them in the right place, in the right frame of mind. And when you got guys that I like, that you gonna be good, man. That's what I like about the Celtics, and that's what I like about the Cavs this year. That's who I got winning all the Cavs. I know y'all didn't ask me that, but I just threw that out there.

[Rob Pelinka]

Hold on. You got the Cavs. You got the Cavs to come out of the East?

[JJ Redick]

I got the Cavs. I got the Cavs winning it all, man.

[Rob Pelinka]

I don't know about that, Ross. They ain't beat. No, they ain't beat none of the top teams. They lost the Boston. I think they beat Boston once, but.

[JJ Redick]

I think they lost Boston once.

[Rob Pelinka]

They lost to okc, I think both times. Yep.

[JJ Redick]

But I'm not worried about that. You know why?

[Rob Pelinka]

Why?

[JJ Redick]

Because playoffs is a different thing. They got. You're going to be able to focus on the team. And in the playoffs, you think about the okc. OKC gets a lot of their points. How when Shay Gilders gets to the free throw line, you don't get those free throws because you get the best refs and they don't give you that BS that you call to go to the free throw line, shoot 12, 15 free throws. So I think Cleveland this year, because of the way they playing and those two bigs back there, Allen, and they've been looking for it, man. Yeah, but if you look at Boston.

[Rob Pelinka]

Can play too big with Brazingas and Al Horford. You look at okc, you mentioned it. They could play two bigs with Hardenstein and Chet Hungry. And tonight we learned Houston could play two bigs with Shingoon and Adams. Who knew that was possible? Yeah.

[JJ Redick]

But I just say, I think, though, you know, when you look at the totality of the thing and the way Spider's playing now.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah.

[JJ Redick]

Spider really realizes that I need my teammates. And he doesn't try to just do it all on his own like mj, like a Kobe did, you know, at times. So he's relying on his team. I just think it's just. And I really like the way Mobley's playing right now. He's killing it, man.

[Rob Pelinka]

JJ Redick said the Lakers have to get in championship shape. There are individuals that were phenomenal, that were in phenomenal shape. There are certainly ones that could have been in better shape. We've got to get in championship shape. Rob, are you a fan of JJ Publicly taking shots? Because we know who he talking about.

[JJ Redick]

Hey, first of all, what does JJ know about championship shape? Has he ever won a championship he.

[Rob Pelinka]

Ain'T won those titles.

[JJ Redick]

I just want to know what is championship shape? That's all I'm asking, you know, do you know what championship shape is? Because for me, when you talk about championship shape, that means you've been there, done that, and you talk about championship shape. That shit starts in the summertime, then it goes into training camp and then that goes through in the season. If you want someone in championship shape, you don't take the last three games off because you say, okay, I'm going to get some rest. You use those games to get in shape. And so for me, I don't know why. Why he said that. Because you already think about Luke already in the point where he's all. Mentally all screwed up. Because the way Dallas got rid of him, right? And he got a sign of extension, he might take that as a shot as him. He out. So you. I don't know what he. Why he said that. You know, it's just the weirdest thing to me.

[Rob Pelinka]

I think the thing. But it seems to me now, like I said, Rob, you know, basketball bodies and, you know, you've been there. But it seems to me every year Luka wears down and he's limping more and more in the playoffs. We saw that this year. We saw that last year against some of the teams. They was wondering if Luka gonna play. And we saw him in Boston. It seemed like every year his body wears down once he gets to the playoffs.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. But you know what? You know, when you think about when Luka first got to the Lakers, how they were humming and you know what the difference was?

[Rob Pelinka]

What's that?

[JJ Redick]

Luka wasn't handling the ball as much. You know, if you think about the last. Let's start with this series here. He wanted the ball every time to bring it up. And when you got tough defenders like Minnesota, that's going to wear.

[Rob Pelinka]

Take it out at you.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. And so you got AR you got LeBron, you even got Gabe Vincent to bring up. Go stand your ass in the corner. And so take a break. And for me, I look at where he didn't know the plays and he was trying to get. For me, they look so Damn good because AR come down, LeBron will come down. He'll come down now. And they was moving the basketball. It was cutting. They was just playing basketball, playing instinctively. But then I come down where he goes, that. That clothing goes to the. To the mid. Go to the high post and just.

[Rob Pelinka]

Dribble the clock out.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. So. And it gets to a point where you Think about all the energy LeBron had because he wasn't bringing the ball up.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yes.

[JJ Redick]

So sometimes you have to get off the ball and, and I don't think Luca can do that because that's the only way he knows how to play.

[Rob Pelinka]

And that's. So you took the words right out of my mouth. You see, it's easy because LeBron can play off the ball. You put him in the dunker spot, you put him in, you put him in the high post, you can throw it to him. He can find somebody. Luka needs the ball. Luka can't play, Luka can't. His game hasn't evolved yet to where he can play out the ball like LeBron can. And I think this is what's going to cause LeBron to play another two more years, three more years, because he's off the ball and he doesn't have that burden of bringing it up. Having to run the set, get everybody else involved. Now he's like, hey, y'all got Luker? They are. Let me, let me shoot some spot up threes. Put me in that dunker spot so I can get baseline and lay it up a dunk it.

[JJ Redick]

Hey, you know what? I like to see him, I like to see him just take him to the post because he got so many post up moves he can use because it's about moving quick. I even put him in an elbow situation. We need to run some type of bench post and let him go to work. That's one, two dribbles to the hole. He dunking on people.

[Rob Pelinka]

Right.

[JJ Redick]

You know, it's, it's efficiency of movement. To me, when you get to a certain age, do I need to take three steps, four steps or five steps to be efficient? No, I'm taking three because I mean, I can save two from later on.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah.

[JJ Redick]

And for me, that's what he has to learn how to do, like just go to the post. You think about how long Tim Duncan played, you know, he's a different type of player, but LeBron has the ability just, I'm going to just take it to the post. I'm a jump hook you. I'm going do my little fade away. And that's all he has to do. He'll still average about 24, 25 points like that because he's that much better than everybody else.

[Rob Pelinka]

How many more years you think LeBron is realistically going to play? Because he said this every year they get out of the playoffs, like, I don't know how much longer I got. And then he's like, hey, he seems to me like a guy. He's going to ride the train till the wheel falls off.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. You know, the funny thing about LeBron is he is such a big kid. And when you young in heart and young in mind like that, you can. You can play a couple more years. I think when I hit my 16th season, I feel like a whole. I didn't want to do it no more mentally. I was strong. I was done. And so for him, you think about how much you look when you watch him warm up. I think every time I watch a woman, he's smiling, he's dancing every damn night. And for me, I had nights where I'm like, dude, I don't even want to be out here right now, because I'm hurting. But he still has that love, that joy, that energy. And, you know, I think he probably going to play, like, maybe three more years. You think he's going to wait 25. He going to wait to see what Bryce going to do? He was the first guy to play with two. Two his sons in the NBA. So you're gonna see what Bryce look like.

[Rob Pelinka]

He gonna set that record that day. Nobody go break it.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. You know, it's weird. And nobody's gonna break those records, man. You know, the only person can break a record like that is someone who. Coming straight out of high school, maybe scoring. You think, like, the way Lucas scores, but he ain't gonna make it that damn long. You think about who else could. KD is not gonna make it that much longer, so nobody's ever going. These records, they gonna be out of this world.

[Rob Pelinka]

Oo you think JJ should have taken a shot at Luka publicly?

[Ocho]

I mean, I'm not sure if it was directed at Luca. I think something like that should be kept in house. Listen, especially something like that.

[Rob Pelinka]

Me and Rob want to know who you think it was directed at. It wasn't directed at Luca.

[Ocho]

Yeah, I mean, you write about that, but listen, something like that, you keep in house. You hear me? You hear me? You, you, you, you, the future, other Lakers. And I had a head coach really taking a shot at you publicly, when you could have kept that in house and just talk. I mean, he could have. He could have talked about something else, but I think he wanted to send a message. He wanted to send a message, and that's the way he felt. He wanted to send it.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah. At this point, I mean, it's got to be a little bit. You see what happened, and they were talking about that. Nico, look, we. Everybody Fought Nico. But that was a Nico call. That was ownership call. Yeah, because Nico, that ain't Nico's money. 345 was not one penny was coming out of Nico's pocket. They made that call and Nico obliged him and moved it and got, you know. Could they have gotten a bigger package? Yeah, but they didn't want it to get out because you start calling around teams and that. Get out. Oh boy.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah, it's going to get back to Luka.

[Ocho]

Listen, I tell you what, listen, if J.J. redick and anyone else in the Lakers organization, you know, Ms. Bus, Brother Pelinka and y'all got a problem with, with Luca not being in shape, now listen, we got, we some, we got some good gyms down here in Miami. We, we're getting together, we, we getting together in Miami now. So think about that. Luca, Giannis and John.

[Rob Pelinka]

No, that ain't gonna work.

[Ocho]

We could take all, we could take.

[Rob Pelinka]

All of them three ball dominant guys. That ain't working.

[JJ Redick]

Hey, you know, I, I, I trade Luca for Hero and, and, and bam. Give me number two, I'll give you Luke.

[Ocho]

Okay, okay, okay.

[JJ Redick]

Because now I got big and I got me a shooter.

[Rob Pelinka]

But you gonna keep ar, AR and Hero basically the same guys.

[JJ Redick]

Well, that's, that's true. But the thing about AR is you can use him for, get him, get you something else. You put him out there for something else.

[Rob Pelinka]

But I, but I, I, what I love about AR is that how he's grown, he's gotten better. Oh, every single year. And if I didn't tell you, if you didn't know, you would never know he was an undrafted free agent.

[JJ Redick]

That's so true. You know, the thing I like about AR is he's, he learns from his mistakes. And I, and the one thing that I think he gonna sit back and you know, now that I know that his toe was hurt, that he wasn't aggressive enough for me, when AR is going downhill, he's such a good player, but when he's trying to think, he's shifty with the rock and gets caught up and lose it. That's not, that's not the AR I want to see. I think when you think about how many times when he gets you, he just makes a direct line to the basket, pump fake shit gets you there, I guess. And one, like, I don't even think he went to the free throw line the last two games because he wasn't trying to get to the rack. And I don't know because it had a lot to do with Minnesota's defense because they're bigger and stronger. You watch how Ant man was just bullying him up the top, not letting him get to his position. So for me, he's going to have to learn how to just keep it simple. What I mean by that is I'm just going to take one, two dribbles, pull up. I ain't always got to get to the rack, you know, I got to fake you pump, fake you this and go this way. And, and it's about like I said, he fishes on the move because if you really think about ar, he's crafty but he's not quick with it. No, he's kind of like Luca, he's just kind of slow with it. He can get off because the defense is moving faster than you are. So that's how you able to get those fouls.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Shannon Sharpe]

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[JJ Redick]

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[Rob Pelinka]

They just tried. They're trying to send a message anywhere you can. If I look, I will get with LeBron and say, Bro, what you do? What you do? Because I look. And I was talking like argue with.

[JJ Redick]

You and say, we'll say what you do at your age.

[Rob Pelinka]

I would tell them, I said, you know what? I know they got Slovenian food that's, that's nutritious. But see, the problem is he ain't in Slovenia. You know, you come to America and you try to eat native foods. We done added something to it and get you having a bigger house over here. Yeah, because you go back and look at Luca, his first couple of years when he got to the NBA and look how skinny he is. And look, a lot of those European players, they don't have the bodies like an American player. They're not going to have the caps on their shoulders and the definition. Look at Jokic, look at Luka, look at Manu. Look at Rozingas. That's not how they're built. But if you go back and look at Jokic when he first got the league and how he looked now, you could tell he put time in. He said, man, I've tried. Hey, I ain't finna be no fast lobby. Y'all ain't finna be talking about me. And now three MVPs and two run ups later, the guy's one of the great. One of the historically great players of all time. And that's because he made a concerted effort to get his butt in the gym, to watch his nutrition, to work, and to become what he became. But I just think Luka just wears down. Cause last year he had that same problem. You know, he was dealing with a knee, and the year before that, he had some issues going on, I just think, you know, and it's hard because the guy's giving you 28, 8 and 8. But, bro, I need you 100% for the playoff, too. Or it's close to it. And I don't think he's nearly close to that, especially last. Especially this series here, because he moved like an old man.

[JJ Redick]

Hey, but the thing about it, he did lose weight compared to when we first got on the Lakers. So he lost about 10 pounds, so 20 pounds. So we gotta be thankful he's going in the.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah, we got to go. We got to go in the right direction. I'm surprised, given that knowing a lot of people said, Luca, you know, hookah Luca. And, you know, he drank and beer and he partied, and he doesn't take it serious. It's hard for me to say that he doesn't take it serious. But do I think his conditioning could be better? Yes, absolutely. But I think he takes the game serious. You don't get to be this kind of this good by not taking the game serious. But I do think his conditioning and his nutrition can be more on point.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. I think for me, when I watch Luka, you know, I think he should do a lot of agility work in the summertime. Working on his footwork, working on his flexibility. Because a lot of his injuries are coming from just, you know, not being. You can tell he's not a flexible guy.

[Rob Pelinka]

No.

[JJ Redick]

You know, he needs to do yoga, Pilates or something all summer. And. Because when you watch him move, sometimes he stays in front of people and he's so big body that he bounced off him. He just doesn't do it all the time. If he works on his footwork, he works on his Feet and agility. He can become a decent defender because he can do it. He just don't want to.

[Rob Pelinka]

No. And the thing is that he's so good on the other end, Bob. That's the problem. He's so great offensively. Like, oh, we let somebody else. Hey, we'll do four on five. Y'all handle that. But don't even worry about it, Luca, because we see he gets. The man gave you a 60, 20 triple double. He can give you a 40 point triple double, 50 point triple double like it's nothing. But. Yeah, I was surprised. But let me ask you this. Do you think Nico, do you think Dallas was right about Luca but was wrong for the trade?

[JJ Redick]

You know what right about Lucas. He has one of those questions. You have to deep dive into the franchise and get to know Luke and how his stuff. You know, I always said when he came into the season, he's always came in fluffy.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yes.

[JJ Redick]

And he never came into shape. And that's one of the things that you can tell, like when your back start hurting, you know, if you go a couple years. Remember AD Yeah. Started the season off, his back was hurting because he was fluffy. He wasn't in shape.

[Rob Pelinka]

He was. Yeah.

[JJ Redick]

And then he got. Then he got in shape and he played whatever the number game. It's about what you do in the off season. It's about what you do in condition wise and being prepared for the grind of the regular season. And I think with Nico, I agree when he said it wasn't his call, because I just think when Nico messed up, when he. The one line he messed up, he said, I didn't know how important it was. But other than that, you should have just says, yo, man, I know you can't throw the owners under the bus and be like, yo, I think I'm doing what I'm told to do. I work for someone just like a lot of you guys do. But I understand where he was coming from. Because if you really look at that team and you look at what they had with the addition of A.D. i thought they had a position to do something scary because Kyrie. Oh, you forget how good Kyrie is. PJ Washington and then Gaffers, you know, you got. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But it was just. It was just, you know, bad time. But I also think with me, you know, I love AD Is one of my favorite players of all time, but I think AD Moving to the fore, making him soft. And what I mean by that is I'm not saying physically because it's making him not be aggressive. You watch shim in the last couple games and playing games, all he did want to shoot threes and that dude. And you're so effective. Think about when he was in New Orleans. They gave him the pinch post. He was doing spinning, dunking on people, shooting threes, setting you up. But once he said he wanted to be. I know he had Boogie Boogie with him, but it was like he didn't play the same way. He didn't shoot a lot of threes. And so for me, it's making him soft in the sense that I'm going to settle. When I say soft, I mean settle instead of like.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Look. Because Luca is so great, because he was so beloved. I mean, they drafted the kid. He was 18 when he got there.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah.

[Rob Pelinka]

I don't know. It's hard for me to believe. Nico, you was a marketing guy for Nike. You understand who does what and who moves the needle. Ain't nobody had a kid. You know exactly. You know what Shay means to okc. You know what Jayson Tatum means to Boston. You know what Jalen Brunson means to the Knicks. And you talk about. And Jalen Brunson got traded to the Knicks. Shay got traded to OKC. So you talk about a homegrown Kobe, homegrown Trey. LeBron. Trey LeBron at 25.

[JJ Redick]

What Dirk meant to that team.

[Rob Pelinka]

So I agree with you. I agree with you, Bob. I don't know about that. I'll just say yeah. Hey, guys, we gonna move. We gonna move it on. I mean, Luke is not here anymore. We got Anthony Davis. We gonna add some more pieces. Kyrie got hurt. That's what really made it look bad. Kyrie got hurt. So, hey, we get Kyrie, they probably gonna try to make a run for kd, because KD probably gonna be up out of Phoenix. And now we might be having a different story. On August 2nd, the Lakers can offer Luka a four year, $229 million extension. Or Luka could opt to sign a three year, 165 extension with a player option in 2028, which would then allow him to sign a max deal in 2028. They gave him 35% of the salary cap for the next five seasons. What you doing, Rob? You take it to four years at 229, three years at 165 with a player option, and then at 28. Let me go and get that 400.

[JJ Redick]

Hey, I'm taking the four years.

[Rob Pelinka]

You want that? But you want that guarantee? You want to guarantee, buddy, I Want.

[JJ Redick]

That guaranteed money now and deal with it then, you know, hey, but think about it. So many guys, you think in this day and age, you take the four years. Hey, I want to renegotiate my contract. Oh, I want to be traded. You know, there's so many things you can do. So I'm taking the four years because I'm a. I. I don't. I don't want to. I don't want to trust my body. Right. You think about how many injuries he's gotten. I had to have to go with the money now, because you see it. What happened to him. You see what happened to so many guys who bet on themselves.

[Rob Pelinka]

Right?

[JJ Redick]

Right. And they body fell on them. So I'm taking the money.

[Rob Pelinka]

What you doing, though, Joe? You taking the money or you gonna play playside three years? What is. What to do with an option and then go to the table, say, let me. Let me get that five. Let me get that five for. You got five for 400 in there for me.

[Ocho]

I mean, well. Well, I'm gonna take that three because I. If I'm betting on my body, and I'm only betting on my body because I ain't never been hurt, so probably I'm. I'm gonna play another three seasons, not get hurt, and go back to the table and hit him across the head. That's just me. But understanding Luca and his injury history, and it seemed not. I mean, no disrespect in any way, it seemed like his body's continued to deteriorate, especially towards the end of the season. I'm expecting something like that to continue to happen, because as you get older, it don't get better.

[Rob Pelinka]

No, it don't get better.

[Ocho]

So, you know. Yeah, yeah, There you go. But listen, what, Luke. What Luca can do. What Luca can do is he could take that three. If he. If he adapts and does everything LeBron does. When it comes to taking care of your body right now, then you could take that three and bet on yourself. But what is the chance of him actually doing everything LeBron does when it comes to taking your body and preparing yourself in the off season?

[JJ Redick]

But, you know, it's. I would. I was. We always say that you need to get with LeBron, but, you know, it's. We gotta also think that, you know, LeBron got great genetics, man. You know? You know, we can just say, oh, you're giving LeBron dudes. That's like, we can.

[Rob Pelinka]

We.

[JJ Redick]

All of us can go in the gym and shoot a thousand jumpers, you know, we ain't gonna be Steph Curry, exactly. It's gonna come out of this shoe like Steph Curry. He come and shoot in a day, it's still gonna be better than nothing. It's just, you know, just sometimes, you know, the man above God gives you talents. God gives you the genetics, and so you can tell Luca to do all that, but if the body don't act right, the body don't act right.

[Rob Pelinka]

LeBron says it ain't my job to worry about Luca's future with the Lakers. LeBron told ESPN, Nope, that ain't my job. I don't think. I don't think. I know Luca knows how he feels about. I feel about him. And ultimately, the trade happened for the future. That's not for me. Luka has to decide what he has to do with his future. He's 26 years old. I'm 40. So he can't be basing on his career off me. That's just real. But I hope, obviously he stays long term. Laker fans effing love him here. LA has accepted him. We love him as a teammate, as a brother. But ultimately, he's got to make a decision for him.

[JJ Redick]

Ish.

[Rob Pelinka]

I ain't going. I ain't going around. I ain't going to be around much longer. Another two, three years. Watch. Yeah, watch.

[JJ Redick]

And you think about this. LeBron at, you know, at 60, even 30, is probably better than half the league. That's how good he is.

[Ocho]

Yeah.

[JJ Redick]

And I think, you know, I think Luca, the things he's doing around the city so far, you know, think about what just happened with the defacing of the Kobe Marol, he donating the money. You know, I think he's trying to do exactly what he did in Dallas. Let him know that he wants to be a part of the community and do as much that he can. Say, hey, I know you guys are paying me a ton of money. I'm just going to be here for you guys and try to give back the best way I can. So I. I feel like Luca, unless, you know, the joker said, hey, let's play together, He. He'll be. He'll be in a Laker uniform. I like it. I think the joke is the only person that probably could get him to say, come on, let's go play together.

[Rob Pelinka]

Per the athletic, people close to LeBron aren't ruling out the possibility of him finish his career elsewhere. Brian, back to the land. If the Cavaliers don't make these to conference finals, could we see LeBron coming home one last Time, One time. One more time to finish his career. No, I don't see it. He loved everything about la. Savannah loves everything about la.

[JJ Redick]

And his daughter was in dance class here. She got everything going on that way. He, you know, he's really, I think he's realizing the importance of, you know, his kids and the direction they're going and how much they're enjoying. He ain't going back to Cleveland now. He might go there and sign again and say he retired.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah, that one day contract. Yeah, yeah. But I don't, I don't believe he go, I don't believe he goes back. Go back and do what? You playing with Luca. You play with Luca.

[JJ Redick]

Go back and sit on the, you got to come off the bench. I'm like. Because that's starting to be like, yo, man, we just want to chip. You ain't moving us out the way.

[Rob Pelinka]

I agree with you. I don't see him growing back. I mean, they keep saying that, but I think LeBron really loves the Lakers. I really think he loves living in la. I think he loves all things la. The weather is nice year round. He don't really have to have an overcoat. You know, you can have a top down damn near year round. You got water, you got beaches. I mean, everything. His businesses are in la. There's really nothing for him not to like about la.

[JJ Redick]

And he's making a lot of movies. Right. And he's doing a lot of that stuff.

[Rob Pelinka]

Production company. Yeah.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. Oh, that's going on. So he, he's in the perfect place, you know, and, and he played with the Lakers.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah, I mean, I mean, Shaq is really the only one I can remember that came here and left. Kareem didn't leave. Wilt didn't leave. Kobe didn't leave. Magic didn't leave. Normally, normally, when you didn't want to.

[JJ Redick]

Leave, he was just forced out.

[Rob Pelinka]

Who that?

[JJ Redick]

Shaq didn't want to leave. He was just forced out.

[Rob Pelinka]

Shaq wanted your money.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. Hey, when I was in the Laker, I didn't want to leave either, but I was forced out. You don't want to leave Lakers, man.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah, but, yeah, I, I, I, I agree. I, I think. And plus, you know, the kids are here. I mean, it's a short trek for him to go over to shoot over to Arizona to see Bryce, to go way back to Cleveland. Zuri, his youngest daughter, his only daughter, the youngest, is in school here to uproot her and leave her friends. I think Savannah has, like, carved out her own niche. Here in la. Yeah. I just don't see it. It sound good. I mean, hey, you know, those close to LeBron Ocho. I just don't see it though.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ocho]

Ain't going nowhere.

[Rob Pelinka]

What do you think?

[JJ Redick]

He'll be right here for a minute.

[Ocho]

I say he ain't going nowhere.

[Rob Pelinka]

I mean, honestly, I know he kept his place in Ohio and he could always jet back, but I think. I think California is going to be his home base. I think Cali is where he's going to reside when it's all said and done. LeBron James will be a California. He's not a native, obviously. Yeah, he grew up in Akron, Ohio, and he played a lot of years in Cleveland. But think about it. He thought he gonna almost double up the amount of time that he played in Miami here in la.

[Ocho]

Yeah, most definitely. I think it also is. I think it's too many moving parts. It's too many moving parts in LA for him to be. For him to go back to Akron, obviously, having a place there, being that that's where you grew up, you will still always have ties there. But as far as from a business standpoint and everything has going on, I. I'd assume it would make more sense obviously, to stay here in la.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. Bigger market.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah. I mean, but you know, he's the type of guy that he don't really. He is the market.

[JJ Redick]

Hey, there's a lot more connections out.

[Rob Pelinka]

Here than is in Cleveland. You. Absolutely. Because there's nothing that. There's nothing that you can't do in la. I mean, hey, pick up a phone. I don't think he wants to go back to that cold. I don't think Savannah wants to go back to the cold. I mean, once you, Once you get used to that warm weather, it's hard for you to go back. And if you live in Florida, if you live in la, if you live in some warm weather and say, you know, yeah, I think I want to go live in New York. I want to live in Philly. I want to live in Massachusetts. Once the. Once them old bones get used to that warm weather, I'm here for the.

[JJ Redick]

Long step out there in that cold. Just hit you in the face one time. It's like, nah, I'm good.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yeah, I'm good. Yeah. But I don't. I don't see him going. I don't see him going back there either.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Rob Pelinka]

SGL only being traded by the Clippers were on his mind if LA advances and play the Thunder. They did motivate me a long time ago. I haven't thought about them in years though. I can't hold. I guess you can say grudges forever in life. What you think, Rob, when you got traded, did you, did you hold a grudge against anybody when you got traded?

[JJ Redick]

No, because I knew it was just business and I was mad at the rocks been trading the terrible ass Phoenix. But other than that, hey, I was excited as hell with Phoenix trade me to the Lakers. So it was. No, that was, that was great for me. But I don't, I don't, I, I think when you, you look at, I think he got. Getting traded to OKC was a better situation for him.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yes.

[JJ Redick]

Because it wasn't. He wasn't going to be the, the head of the snake.

[Rob Pelinka]

No.

[JJ Redick]

And that was going to be Kawhi.

[Rob Pelinka]

So he was never going to be able to flourish.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. So he put him in the perfect position. He got those picks, he got guys that, that came in. It was like a. No, similar attitude, similar the way he is. And he's been able to flourish because sometimes you guys can be great players but they, they getting held back by having to play behind this player, that player. So that was perfect for him. And he was able to show everybody like, oh, and everybody's sitting back like, damn, clip's fucked up. But you got to think about it for Paul George and Paul George at the time was all NBA players.

[Ocho]

Okay, okay, okay, okay.

[Rob Pelinka]

What you gonna say, Ocho now?

[Ocho]

I was gonna say, I was gonna say even, I mean even if he was there with Kawhi, you said SJ wouldn't be able to, wouldn't be able to be who he was. Just because he's paired with Kawhi, he.

[Rob Pelinka]

Got to be the guy. You see what happened? You see what they did? They got him and then they built around him. They were looking to build around Kawhi. He needs the ball.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah.

[Ocho]

Yeah.

[JJ Redick]

Because you, if you watch sga, he, he, he, he has a lot of guys on his team that love him and they know what they exactly do, and they sit back and let him work. You know, when you think about Kawhi, Kawhi is a guy, you know, even though you got James Harden over there, you don't never know what you're going to get out of James, because sometimes James want to shoot some games, he doesn't. But at the end of the day, it's Kawhi. I think also that's why Paul George never really looked that good as a Clipper, though he did when he was a Pacer, because he was, you know, deferring to Kawhi. And just, you know, we forget sometimes Kawhi is one of the best players in this game when he's healthy. And so it's hard not to defer to Kawhi.

[Rob Pelinka]

It is. And, you know, Kawhi got there. And here's the thing. Kawhi said, if you don't trade for Paul George, I'm going to the Lakers. The last thing the Clippers could have. You can't have Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard on one team in that building while you're in the basement. So they had no choice. So you do that, and then you watch him and you're like, well, damn, what could have been? But I don't know. I don't know if SGA would have developed into the player that he's become now had he been there. So he got an opportunity. Because the thing was, is that you remember Rob, Chris, Paul was there.

[JJ Redick]

Yep.

[Rob Pelinka]

So he got an opportunity to learn how to play the position from the point guard, and he took off and he had to look back, and now he's, you know, you can make a case he's top one. Top what? Best point guard in the league. He and Luca battle out him, Luke and Steph. But it's hard to say. You're gonna say there's another point guard that's better than those three. Whoever's one. It's out of that. It's out of those three.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. Right. Unless you want. Unless you consider Steph a point guard.

[Rob Pelinka]

Luca and Shay. Yeah. I mean, I look at Steph more than the two. Me, personally, I look at Steph and James Harden that, you know, that can. That can pass, but that. That, I guess, because I.

[JJ Redick]

You grew up.

[Rob Pelinka]

Really. We grew up in there where the point guard was Magic Johnson, the point guard was Isaiah Talbot. So, you know, guys like that, that were true point guards, they weren't trying to go get 3040 or 50. These point guards today, they tried to light you up for 40 or 50.

[JJ Redick]

There's like, no, you. You play. I will give you the ball when I can't shoot, and you just be ready for me to kick it to you. That's one thing. I only had a chance to play with Jason Kidd for two games while I was in Phoenix. Damn, you ain't even had no coffee. I know. Hey, he had just got traded us. And the weird part is, I look at my career, high school, college, I never played with a true point guard for that one moment. You should have seen me, man. I was hitting the lanes, getting lifts, looking up. The ball was right where I wanted to catch it, man. I was like. And it goes to show you, if you've got a point guard, he's gonna make life so much better. Dan J. Kid made, man. There's two games, man. I probably could have been All Stars.

[Rob Pelinka]

You should have behaved your damn self if they kept that towel around your neck.

[JJ Redick]

Hey, hey, I'll be only having two rings instead of seven then.

[Rob Pelinka]

Hey, you knew. You knew it damn well how to get up out of Phoenix, didn't you?

[JJ Redick]

Oh, yeah.

[Rob Pelinka]

You know what the real part was?

[JJ Redick]

You know, Danny Ains became the coach. You know, Danny Ainson. I didn't like him from the moment I got there because, no, you know, we had just finished a tough series against Phoenix. Okay, you remember the inbound play when he rears back and hits Mario in the face with the ball? Point blank range.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yes, yes.

[JJ Redick]

You know, Mario, my boy. Me and Mario close. And then we walking down, we get the fiends. We walking in the hall, and Danny and he says to Sam Cassell, and I like, you know, I hit Mario in the face with the ball on purpose, right? He acted like it was a mistake. I'm like, man, fuck you. From that moment on, I never liked it.

[Rob Pelinka]

Okay?

[JJ Redick]

And he was just an assistant coach then. And then. And when Cotton stepped down, he became the head coach. And from that moment on, he was like, he didn't start me. When we went back to Houston, he didn't play me. And then we traded away Michael Finley and A.C. green and said, well, you're.

[Rob Pelinka]

Gonna get more minutes.

[JJ Redick]

My minutes went down. And so I was hot, man. I was like. Cause I was in. We was in Boston. I just made it three, got a dunk, got a steal. And I look over. He subbed me in the first three minutes of the game. I was, man, fuck you. I was hot, man. So I was hot. So, hey, they were going to release me and I was going to go back to Houston. I'm like, okay, you can release me. I'm going back to playing Houston. But they cut. They sent me to the Lakers. And.

[Rob Pelinka]

Let me ask you a question. Have you seen Danny Angel? Have you had a conversation with Danny Aing since that moment?

[JJ Redick]

No. Last conversation I had with Danny Ainge was after he said, oh, we trading you to LA for Sandra Sabaz and I probably just won you another championship. That's what he said to me. That's the last conversation I had with him.

[Rob Pelinka]

He did.

[JJ Redick]

Don't plan to talk to him. Don't want to talk to him.

[Rob Pelinka]

Uh.

[JJ Redick]

Oh.

[Rob Pelinka]

Oh. Yo, the nice Blockbuster Box boxing card was supposed to be the end with the official announcement. Ryan Garcia versus Devin Haney. The rematch October. But Rolando Rolly Romero ripped up that script. Garcia lost in a stunner to Romero early. After an early knockdown, Romero claimed the WBA welterweight title with a unanimous decision. Upset over Garcia at the iconic Times Square in New York. Ocho, what happened?

[Ocho]

Yeah, man, listen, Ryan Garcia was supposed to win the fight. He done a lot of talking. Obviously. We saw what he did to Devin Haney last time they fought. He dominated. Hanging in that fight, obviously testing for an illegal substance, whatever it may have been. I think if he wasn't on the substance, I think he still made a. Won that fight based on the way he looked. But tonight they. Listen, Ryan Garcia, if you're a betting man, Ryan Garcia was your favorite to win the fight tonight against Rollie. But listen, Brian Garcia landed more punches, but Romero getting a knockdown and obviously winning the fight and getting the decision, to me, it was shocking. It was shocking to me because Rowley has somewhat of an awkward style of fighting. And to me, I think Ryan Garcia is the better pure boxer. And I thought he would, he would probably win tonight, especially with that dangerous left hook that he has. But it didn't go that way. It didn't go that way. Rowley had a good fight. Now I think Rowley now has a chance to actually fight Devin Haney. And I think the rematch against Ryan Garcia is probably out the window because of this, because of this loss from Garcia. So, I mean, I'm excited. I'm excited. And Devin Haney looked a little different tonight. He looked very cautious after what happened to him when he fought Ryan Garcia. He was very cautious. He won the fight. He was on his bicycle a lot, really. Counter punching and throwing punches in spurts and not, not being the, the, the. The Fighter he should be at this point in his career. He won. He won the fight. He didn't do it in.

[JJ Redick]

In.

[Ocho]

In the fashion we'd like to see, especially if you're a boxing fan like myself. So I really look forward to. To. To Roller Romero and. And Devin Haney getting in the ring.

[Rob Pelinka]

All right, it's time for our last segment of the evening. It's time for Q and A. Fallen shot caller 1999 says question is. The real question is, can Rob Pelinka build a team around Luka? Because he was good. He was in a good situation in Dallas when he left, and Rob has shown he can't build a team. Man, I said it this once, and I'll say it again. If Luca stayed in Dallas, we would have been back in the finals. We had a great squad this year. You think that's. You think that's true?

[JJ Redick]

Nah, I personally don't think it's true because I think you caught a lightning in the bottle last year.

[Rob Pelinka]

Yes.

[JJ Redick]

And sometimes you think you go, you can do a repeat. You think about the way everybody on that team was playing. Kyrie, pj the bench was coming out playing exceptional. I don't think they had the same amount of juice. I think you think about if Minnesota doesn't switch, they go to the finals. You know, that's that one possession right there. And for me, I just don't think they had enough. Plus, you look at the west, the west was too damn good. You gonna find someone that's gonna beat you.

[Rob Pelinka]

What'd you think, Ocho?

[Ocho]

Listen, Rob talked about it earlier, them getting to the finals because of those bigs down there, any mistakes Luka had, they were always there to counter that and to make up for it. I think if the Lakers, in some kind of way, we talked about it this season, them not having a big. Hell, get two bigs, for that matter, that can help out in some shape, way, form or fashion. And I think the Lakers will be. They'll be all right this upcoming season.

[Rob Pelinka]

Squirrely Reseller said Jokic says he wants to play with Luka and LeBron. Can't Rob and JJ make that happen? No.

[JJ Redick]

Hey, I don't know if you watch Joker on the bench and you know Mike Malone got fired. It's a lot of stuff going on. I know they can't do it right.

[Rob Pelinka]

But yo, I want to know, so which one? So. So it's LeBron would have to waive his no trade. And then I don't think Rob is going to trade Luca to Denver. Cause Denver damn sure not letting Jokic go because Jokic declined to sign a three year, $222 million deal. Huh?

[Ocho]

If Joker say. Oh, if Joker say, I don't want to be here no more, he don't want to be here.

[Rob Pelinka]

Let me ask you a question.

[Ocho]

If Joker say, send me to la, I want to go to la. Who run the league?

[JJ Redick]

Who run the league?

[Ocho]

The players. The players. Okay?

[Rob Pelinka]

Watch when he signed that extension this year. Three years of $221 million, that'll tell you that he's not going to LA.

[JJ Redick]

Okay? You also have to think about if you Denver, what you want. What do you want off the lakers team.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Rob Pelinka]

LeBron's gonna be. You got Jokic for at least another five years. You ain't gonna have LeBron like that.

[JJ Redick]

Yeah. And it's a difference if, you know, The Lakers are OKC and they got about 50 first round picks. They got like, what, one if that, right? So they gotta come up with something. And I think it's kind of screwy. What the deal is now is you can only like, I don't know the technicals terms to it, but when you get to match the monies up now, it's not just like five players for one, so it'd be kind of hard to trade him.

[Rob Pelinka]

JW Akron Ocho. You say you won't face a gorilla with 99 other men, but you will face a human silverback at Octagon, one on one. He's going to do the same thing to you one punch.

[Ocho]

I mean, the fact that you're comparing a human being, an actual human being that puts his pants on one leg at a time like I do, to a silverback is the problem with society right now. That's the problem. You see somebody with side, you see somebody with strength, you see somebody that scares you with the naked eye and you get nervous. Come on, man, this is me. I'm a beat the shit out of James Harrison, man. Stop.

[Rob Pelinka]

Stop trying me. That concludes this episode of Nightcap. Please make sure you hit that subscribe button and go subscribe to the Nightcap podcast feed. Y'all know me, I'm your favorite unc. Shannon Sharp, my partner, Shadow boxing. Up in the top right corner, the Liberty City legend, the Bingo Ring of Fame honoree, Pro Bowler All Pro Chad Ochocinko Johnson and the guy that joined us tonight to recap, the Golden State warriors lose to the Houston Rockets on their home court, 115 to 107, thanks to a great effort by Shun Goon Fred Van Fleet. And off the bench got great minutes from Stephen Adams. He was perfect from the field. He's 9 of 16 from the free throw line, the most made free throw attempts in his career. 17 big points, five rebounds, three block shots, a steal. He did some of everything in 31 minutes tonight and it helped the Rockets force a Game 7 on their home court. So Game 7 Sunday, Rockets for a chance to advance to the semifinals. Thank you guys for your support. Thank you for supporting the Merch Night gap. Whether you listen to us, whether you watch us, we greatly appreciate that because none of this is possible without you. So thank you for your continued support. Please make sure you check out Shaved by La Portier. We do have it in stock now. If you can't find it in a city or state near you order it. We ship it directly to your door. Please drink responsibly and please stay safe. Check out my clothing company 84 with 84 being spelled out and go follow my media company page on all of his platforms. Shay Shay Media 84 look the link is pinned in the chat. Supplies are limited and once they're gone, they're gone. So please grab yours while supplies last. Tickets for our not Safe for Work tour are on sale eight stops. Baltimore, Philly, Charlotte, LA, Miami, NYC, Chicago and Detroit. Tickets can be found at shayshaymedia.com tour the link is pinned in the chat. I guess lineup is looking great. You guys don't want to miss this. So if we're in a city near you, come on, check out your favorite Uncan Ocho. Get your tickets now. Thank you Rob for joining us tonight to break down this Rockets 115107 win over Golden State to force a game seven. All the best. Start back again soon one time will you?

[JJ Redick]

I'm here for you brother. Appreciate you.

[Rob Pelinka]

Appreciate you man. All right, thank you guys tuning in tonight. We will see you tomorrow after the Nuggets. Nugget. Oh yeah, Nuggets. And the Clippers. That's a game seven also yeah, out the volume.

[JJ Redick]

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[Rob Pelinka]

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[JJ Redick]

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[Rob Pelinka]

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[Unknown]

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[Rob Pelinka]

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[JJ Redick]

Terms apply.

[Rob Pelinka]

Learn more@american express.com with AmEx.

[Chad Ochocinco Johnson]

When it's tip off time at my house there are a few things that are must haves on my checklist. My fellow friends and fans, check my favorite jersey. It is good luck. Check an iconic drink that's a fan favorite.

[JJ Redick]

Check.

[Chad Ochocinco Johnson]

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[Unknown]

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[Rob Pelinka]

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[JJ Redick]

My prescription is ready.

[Rob Pelinka]

Maybe I'll grab some deeply discounted out of season Halloween candy. I never had a chocolate pumpkin with raisins before. Those were raisins, right? Next. Next time use Amazon Pharmacy. We deliver. And no, those were not raisins. Amazon Pharmacy Healthcare just got less painful.