Bam Drops 83?! Jaylen Brown Ejected, MVP Race Heats Up, and Emails!

Summary

Game Over with Max Kellerman & Rich Paul

Host: The Ringer
Episode: Bam Drops 83?! Jaylen Brown Ejected, MVP Race Heats Up, and Emails!
Date: March 11, 2026

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Episode Overview

Max Kellerman and Rich Paul dive into a historic NBA moment: Bam Adebayo’s stunning 83-point game—the second-highest single-game scoring ever. They unpack controversy about its reception, analyze Jaylen Brown’s ejection in a high-stakes Celtics-Spurs matchup, and debate the crowded MVP race. The episode features lively debates about pop culture icons, discussions on social media’s impact, playoff structures, and listener emails. With trademark candor and humor, they balance deep sports insight with culture talk, offering listeners both analysis and entertainment.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter: Fashion and Music Icons

• [01:26-05:50]
  • The hosts open with playful ribbing about each other's outfits and consider a competition to style shop at TJ Maxx and Ross.
  • They transition into a debate over Prince vs. Michael Jackson, discussing their uniqueness, influence, and incomparable talents.
    • Quote: “Prince is the more... overall, he's like the greater musical genius. Right. I get it. But Michael Jackson hit heights that were ridiculous.” — Max Kellerman [03:54]
    • Both agree Prince and Michael are not easily comparable due to their different contributions: Prince’s musical versatility vs. Michael’s global stardom.
    • They riff about what might have happened had Prince produced a Michael Jackson album.

2. Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Game—Historic Night and Controversy

• [10:33-22:10]
  • Bam Adebayo scores 83 points, the second-most in NBA history, surpassing Kobe’s 81 in the “modern era.”
    • Quote: “83 points in the NBA game from a guy that's not known as this type of scorer... that’s a feat.” — Rich Paul [11:18]
  • The hosts contextualize Bam’s achievement:
    • Bam is known for defense, team play, and rarely looks for his own offense.
    • The fact that a defense-first player hits this mark is what makes it special.
    • Max draws a parallel to Roger Maris breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record—fans sometimes dislike when a record is broken by an unexpected player.
  • They discuss backlash and emotional attachment fans have to Kobe Bryant and how it colors reactions:
    • Quote: “The emotional connection with Kobe... is very tied into certain players. Certain players mean something to certain fans emotionally because they represent a period in their lives.” — Max Kellerman [17:40]
    • Rich highlights Bam’s underdog journey and celebrates his moment: “Why aren't we happy for crazy... Celebrate. And by the way, that doesn't diminish Kobe's 81.” [16:54]
    • Both agree the accomplishment should be celebrated without diminishing Kobe’s legacy.

3. "Get Rich Quick" and Social Media Culture

• [23:35-29:47]
  • Rich delivers his segment: “Talk is cheap,” stressing that criticism is easy and cheap, especially on social media, but achieving results—like Bam—takes hard work.
    • Quote: “When you accomplish something, it's going to come with critique. But talk is very cheap. And it's even more cheap nowadays… talk is like food stamp cheap.” — Rich Paul [24:16]
  • Max expands: The structure of social media gives undue weight to anonymous, cost-free criticism, distorting our sense of community and worth.
  • Rich reflects on his own experience with outside opinions, emphasizing the importance of support networks and focusing on one’s own path: “You’ve got to put blinders on in life… and keep your eyes on the finish line.” [29:40]

4. Celtics-Spurs: Jaylen Brown Ejection and Officiating

• [29:47-35:45]
  • Max recounts his frustration at Jaylen Brown’s ejection in a heated Celtics-Spurs matchup:
    • Describes how Brown, after arguing for a call, was thrown out after a second technical by a different ref, which he felt ruined the game.
    • Quote: “The refs should let the players decide the game.” — Max Kellerman [32:01]
  • Rich agrees the ejection was harsh, especially given the stakes and Brown’s season. They note that refs have tough jobs, but some emotional intelligence and awareness of the moment is needed.
  • They suggest this could be a Finals preview, praising both organizations.

5. MVP Race Debate

• [35:45-41:22]
  • Recent big performances have fans crowning SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) MVP, especially after a clutch win versus Denver.
  • Max argues the MVP is “either Jokic or Wemby,” noting SGA is elite but not quite at their level. He cautions against equating team standings or single moments with single-player value.
    • Quote: “I do not consider him [SGA] in Jokic's or Wemby's class. I think that he is in a perfect situation and he plays that situation perfectly.” — Max Kellerman [36:06]
  • Rich underscores the depth and talent of OKC, which allows SGA to shine in endgame moments.
  • They agree the MVP race is the tightest in years, with Wemby, Jokic, SGA, Jaylen Brown, and Luka all having legitimate cases.

6. Lakers and Playoff Contenders: Have They Been Written Off Too Early?

• [41:22-44:02]
  • Discussion of whether the Lakers (after a big win without LeBron) are true contenders or have been too quickly dismissed.
  • Rich: Health and getting key players to buy into their roles is essential. They have “a puncher's chance” if the squad is whole.
  • Max: Stars must buy into their roles for the Lakers to maximize potential; otherwise, playoff success will be out of reach.

7. Quick NFL and MLB Hits

• [45:20-46:48]
  • Brief touches on NFL player moves (Max Crosby, Trey Hendrickson) and trade value, with some playful Dallas Cowboys ribbing.
  • World Baseball Classic: Max questions its authenticity, whereas Rich enjoys the competitive atmosphere and international All-Star angle.
  • The two debate the value of analytics in baseball’s evolution and the historic ineptitude of team front offices.

8. Hip-Hop Group Rushmore—Listener Mail

• [50:07-53:33]
  • Malik from New York asks for top five hip-hop groups:
    • Rich’s picks: NWA, Wu-Tang, Outkast (later switches for The LOX), Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, UGK; honorable mentions: The LOX, State Property.
    • Max’s picks: Wu-Tang, NWA, The LOX, Public Enemy; deliberates the fifth spot among CNN, Mobb Deep, Ghetto Boys.
    • Both reflect on regional bias and influential groups; lament the “top 5” format.

9. More Listener Mail: Motivation, NBA Europe, Playoff Format Change

• [53:34-59:25]
  • Motivational Speaking? Andre asks if Rich would consider it: Rich is open (“let’s go get this bag, Andre!”), Max confirms Rich does this informally.
  • NBA Europe Investment: Both agree buying a team could be a great investment. Rich is excited about the potential and reach of European expansion.
  • East-West Playoffs? Dwayne asks if the league should ditch the old format and just seed the best teams. Both are open but note the value of tradition and regional rivalries.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Why aren't we happy for... Celebrate. And by the way, that doesn't diminish Kobe's 81.” — Rich Paul [16:54]
• “Talk is very cheap... now talk is like food stamp cheap.” — Rich Paul [24:16]
• “The refs should let the players decide the game.” — Max Kellerman [32:01]
• “I do not consider him in Jokic's or Wemby's class... He is in a perfect situation and he plays that situation perfectly.” — Max Kellerman [36:06]
• Fashion rivalry and TJ Maxx vs Ross shopping challenge idea [02:15]
• Analogies between music legends and sports icons, and playful jabs about style and city allegiance throughout.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Prince vs Michael Jackson, Opening Banter: [01:26–09:11]
• Bam Adebayo’s 83 Points (Deep Dive): [10:33–22:10]
• Rich’s “Get Rich Quick” (Talk is Cheap): [23:35–29:47]
• Celtics-Spurs / Jaylen Brown Ejection: [29:47–35:45]
• MVP Race Debate (SGA, Jokic, Wemby): [35:45–41:22]
• Lakers Playoff Contender Talk: [41:22–44:02]
• MLB, NFL, and Analytics Tangent: [45:20–49:54]
• Hip-Hop Groups Rushmore (Emails): [50:07–53:33]
• Motivational Speaking, NBA Europe, Playoff Structures (Emails): [53:34–59:25]

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Tone & Style

Max and Rich blend expertise and vibrant debate with personal anecdotes, humor, and occasional nostalgia. The exchange is authentic, sometimes irreverent, and punctuated by quick-fire wit and lived experience—making the show both insightful and approachable for sports and culture fans alike.

Transcript

[Max Kellerman]

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[Rich Paul]

Yes, sir.

[Max Kellerman]

I broke out the full length cashmere coat on Monday. You came with it today, boy.

[Rich Paul]

Oh, yeah. I'm paying you back for what you did to Shay.

[Max Kellerman]

No, that's obvious. Yeah, that's obvious.

[Rich Paul]

Like they said, pay back what you did to the Cold Crush. I didn't like how you treated Shea. Listen, I had to come later, Shay.

[Max Kellerman]

I'll give it up, though. That's hot today. Death.

[Rich Paul]

Thank you, brother.

[Max Kellerman]

Thank you.

[Rich Paul]

Little baseball jacket?

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. Yeah, a little bit.

[Rich Paul]

No, but that's what it is. It's a baseball jacket.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, yeah, it's a little baseball jacket. Yeah, I see.

[Rich Paul]

You know, I see you stepping it up. You're doing your thing.

[Max Kellerman]

Little competition, right?

[Rich Paul]

Well, see, today you come brown with the black. I come brown. Black on Monday.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

Don't think I don't notice that.

[Max Kellerman]

There's a lot of pressure. It was so much easier when I just could wear suits on the air. Got a couple, you know, handful of suits, different colored shirts and ties.

[Rich Paul]

You know what we're gonna do, though? You know what we're going to do?

[Max Kellerman]

Huh?

[Rich Paul]

Forget all this high powered stuff. Yeah, you and I. I'm going to go to TJ Maxx, you go to

[Max Kellerman]

Ross, and let's see who can put together best?

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, let's put something together. I want to do that. Yeah, that really shows. Okay.

[Max Kellerman]

Competition.

[Rich Paul]

Yo, I was riding the other day.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Playing the music. Riding. I went down the rabbit hole.

[Max Kellerman]

All right.

[Rich Paul]

I'm playing all old school records. All old school OJ Spinners.

[Max Kellerman]

Bobby boy, what I played for my daughter half the time on the way to school. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Prince.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Michael.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. Oh, here we go.

[Rich Paul]

No. What?

[Max Kellerman]

Prince and Michael.

[Rich Paul]

Oh, yeah. I mean, I. I'm saying I play Prince and Michael because they have different. Why you.

[Max Kellerman]

It's just people compare those two and. And sometimes things get compared because of totally superficial stuff.

[Rich Paul]

I don't think they're comparable, but go ahead.

[Max Kellerman]

I don't. I don't think so either. But there was the big debate when I was a kid. I'm talking about. I'm 10 years in the early 80s. Right. I was born in 73. By the. By the early mid 80s.

[Rich Paul]

P.S.

[Max Kellerman]

41 lunchroom. It's Prince or Michael Jackson. And what was crazy to me, and I saw it later on, you see this with like. Like the Wire show. Like, snowfall comes out and people say it's like the Wire.

[Rich Paul]

No, it's not.

[Max Kellerman]

It's nothing like the Wire, only very superficially.

[Rich Paul]

Right?

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. No, they're two different things. Prince and Michael Jackson. What? Skinny solo artists who sing and perform. And like, there's just superficial stuff. They're not that simple.

[Rich Paul]

So who do you take, though?

[Max Kellerman]

It's an easy one. Michael Jackson.

[Rich Paul]

No, I take Prince.

[Max Kellerman]

It's easy one, guys. There are. Cause Dean chimes right in. No, Prince. Prince is the more. Overall, he's like the greater musical genius. Right. I get it. But Michael Jackson hit heights that were ridiculous.

[Rich Paul]

But see, this is why I say you can't compare the two. Because, Mike, no better performer in the history of performance. Impossible. No better global impact from an artist ever in the history. Men falling out, women falling out, babies falling out. The ambulance come to pick the person up falling out in the ambulance. Everybody fell out and knocked out Cole because of his performance. Just the sight of Michael Jackson, that's one thing. Prince, on the other hand, in my opinion, why you can't compare the two is because Prince played all types of instruments. He wrote records. He could perform records. Now, what I would like to see is. And I take that back, it's not Prince or Michael Jackson for me. Bless you.

[Max Kellerman]

Thank you.

[Rich Paul]

Please don't lose that way. No, on that number. On that jacket.

[Max Kellerman]

On that jacket. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Appreciate it.

[Rich Paul]

It's not Prince. Or Michael Jackson. For me, I wish Prince produced a Michael Jackson album.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, see, right, exactly. That would have been maybe played on a Michael Jackson. Oh, just like, just two different things. Prince is an overall. He's a one man band. Right. Like I get it. But I'm saying, but I'm saying the heights that Michael. In order to hit the heights that Michael Jackson hit, there has to be something transcendent about you. Really the better question is who was bigger, MJ or mj? Michael Jackson maybe like Michael Jordan and Michael. Michael Jackson hit a high in terms of popular culture worldwide.

[Rich Paul]

So did Michael Jordan.

[Max Kellerman]

Right. Muhammad Ali. You're talking about the biggest athletes and performers ever.

[Rich Paul]

The only thing I would, the only reason why I would give Michael Jackson the edge a little bit over Michael Jordan is because people passed out.

[Max Kellerman]

I would say it's because music probably hits more people than bad and music

[Rich Paul]

is more globally impactful.

[Max Kellerman]

But, but if you have. This is why, this is why you and I, like, we'll argue MJ, LeBron, I value as long as it's a long enough career peak performance over everything. I think when we talk about the greatest, we're not talking about add the total value and weigh it. Because then maybe you could say Prince. I think what we're talking about is, is assuming it's not a one hit wonder type deal. Yeah, like, like Roger Maris at 61 home runs the one year he had a couple other great years. But that was it compared to a guy who had, you know, I just

[Rich Paul]

think you can't compare Prince and Michael because they do. They did two different things.

[Max Kellerman]

Thriller, when Michael Jackson did The moonwalk at Motown 25, the whole popular culture around the world changed that moment.

[Rich Paul]

If you talk to people in the music industry, they may go with Prince because of all the things he was capable of doing, more versatile. But it don't matter who wrote it, you still have to perform.

[Max Kellerman]

Prince was not. Prince was not in the Wiz.

[Rich Paul]

I know, but this is what these are. All these are, right? These are all Michael Jackson. I don't know about that.

[Max Kellerman]

Maybe you might not play Beat it in the car, but I'll go back to the Jackson 5.

[Rich Paul]

Yes, but see, here's what I'm saying. You had an opportunity to grow up with Michael. Yeah, right. Remember, I mean, I don't want to even mention.

[Max Kellerman]

Thank God I didn't because I'm psychologically okay now. But go ahead.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, but what I'm saying is Michael was a kid. He was the leader of the Jackson 5. That in itself is more than enough. I mean, he was 8 years old and had people. Girls chasing him down and she couldn't go anywhere, couldn't go outside. He had to play with, you know,

[Max Kellerman]

round Michael Jackson's version of I Don't know why I Love you was better than Stevie's. And he was like 5 when he made that song. How would he even know how to sing that?

[Rich Paul]

This is my point. Then he becomes Michael Jackson. Not only does he become Michael Jackson, he makes Thriller. He makes off the Wall.

[Max Kellerman]

Could have been like off the Wall. And then he follows up with Thriller.

[Rich Paul]

This is what I'm saying. Didn't he. He does the.

[Max Kellerman]

You can't hit Prince can't touch the height of Michael Jackson. But.

[Rich Paul]

But. No, of course not. But what I'm saying is in terms of songwriting, playing instruments.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Sound. No doubt Prince, but. But again, I think Prince actually. Who was a better hang.

[Max Kellerman]

See this dude right there? Pernell Whitaker. Right?

[Rich Paul]

Love Pernell Whitaker.

[Max Kellerman]

There were lots of guys who were more well rounded than Pernell. He. He could do one thing. Box. He wasn't a punch. He won this. But they couldn't beat him because the one thing he could do could neutralize whatever you did.

[Rich Paul]

And, yes, you have no argument.

[Max Kellerman]

He does everything. Prince does everything that I. But the thing that Michael did brought him to a height that Prince would never.

[Rich Paul]

I'm not picking one or the other. I just wish.

[Max Kellerman]

What we're doing here is picking. Don't take Prince. I got mj.

[Rich Paul]

No, no, no. I wish Prince could have produced mj.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. That's a great one. No question. All right. That was about twice as long as we had to go.

[Rich Paul]

It don't matter, but it's Prince and Michael Jackson. Come on, man.

[Max Kellerman]

You ready to start this?

[Rich Paul]

Let's do it. Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

This episode of Game over is presented to you by Loom. If your organization runs on endless email threads and status meetings, teams feel stuck. Unstuck them with Loom, the AI first video platform by Atlassian. Teams record their screen and share a link so others review on their own time. AI makes recording and editing one click and add summaries, action items and searchable transcripts so everyone gets clarity in minutes, not meetings. Replace unnecessary meetings, speed up approvals and onboard faster. With Loom, you remove communication friction. It's a team changer. Try loom [e-mail]. I mean, the obvious place we're going to start this, Rich, is bam. Last night, Jacoby texts me. I'm in the middle of watching the Celtics and Spurs. And I'm mad. And we'll get to that later. Bam's got whatever it was at the half or whatever. He was like, damn, I got to go check this out.

[Rich Paul]

Bam went for 80, 83. Wow.

[Max Kellerman]

The second highest total in the history of basketball behind will.

[Rich Paul]

First we've seen this whole, this whole

[Max Kellerman]

conspiracy theory with Will. It's got to stop. He scored 100.

[Rich Paul]

No, I believe, I believe Wilt scored 100 points.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. But the NBA was much different then in the modern era. I define the modern era of the NBA as the absorption of the ABA teams because that's when the three point line came in. And that's like really modern basketball. Right?

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

So if you start roughly, let's call it 79, 80. Right. Like that first Lakers championship. It's the modern era. And in the modern era, Kobe's 81 was the record and he just broke

[Rich Paul]

it, which is very impressive. I don't understand the pushback that I'm hearing. I got up this morning, a bunch of screaming and yelling about why they're trying to discredit Bam. You know how impressive that, first of all, eight points in the NBA game is a lot. It's a feat. 83 points in the NBA game from a guy that's not known as this type of scorer. You know, BAM is a 25 and 12, 20 and 15.

[Max Kellerman]

BAM is a defense first player.

[Rich Paul]

Defense first. Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

You don't run your offense through Bam. You run your defense through Bam.

[Rich Paul]

He doesn't even look for that. Right. He's a team guy. He'll do whatever it takes to win. When a guy like that, that we know is a team first guy would do whatever it takes to win. Gets an opportunity to do what he did last night. For someone to have a problem with that, they're sick. Well, that's a real issue.

[Max Kellerman]

First of all, before we get into the problems. That was unbelievable and the fact that it happens to a defense, you know, there's something about a guy who. What do they always say about a big. And he's basically a big. What do they always say about a big? You got to feed him if you want him to play defense. Right. That's what they always. You got to feed the big or he's not going to play on the other end. That's since time immemorial. You know, in basketball, Bam plays defense regardless. He put. He's a. He's a switch him out on anybody. Defense first kind of player who's going to get his 18 points in the flow of the game.

[Rich Paul]

Yes, he will.

[Max Kellerman]

And doesn't really need the ball type guy. And for that guy to be rewarded in this way for his hard work. Right. For him to wind up with 83 points at the end.

[Rich Paul]

This is why it's so impressive.

[Max Kellerman]

It's interesting too.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

You would think it'd be Luka or someone who takes a million shots who does it. It's Bam Adebayo.

[Rich Paul]

Well, I think that's the issue that people are having is because it's Bam that they don't. They're not appreciating what he did. To me, the fact that if it was anybody that we know can score 50 any given night, it wouldn't be that big of a deal because they

[Max Kellerman]

feel like it diminishes Kobe's accomplishment in some way. If it can be done.

[Rich Paul]

Well, it's always tough when you pass one of the greats. And obviously the unfortunate thing is he's not here to get his response to it. I think he would have done it.

[Max Kellerman]

What would Kobe say? Kobe be like, good for him.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. Bam said he would have said do it again.

[Max Kellerman]

So, yeah, I think, I think, by the way, that's exactly what he would have said.

[Rich Paul]

Right.

[Max Kellerman]

So they won the game. First of all. That's the most important.

[Rich Paul]

That's the most important thing. And I think people get upset about how it looked at the end and different things like that, but how did

[Max Kellerman]

it look at the end? But they wanted to get the record. If someone's. If someone's going to have a triple double, like a 30 point triple double, the coach may leave him in at the end of the game.

[Rich Paul]

We've seen that several times. We've seen that several times. But the point is, it was impressive. I mean, hey, if you have an issue with it, go and break it. Right?

[Max Kellerman]

Right.

[Rich Paul]

But. But the thing I found interesting is none of his peers actually had an issue with it. And it lets. It lets you know it. But what it tells you is it tells you a lot about the person of Bam Adebayo. Every player around the league was happy for Bam. That says a lot to me.

[Max Kellerman]

You know, I want to go back to something I mentioned. Roger Maris earlier. Roger Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961. He broke Babe Ruth's record. 60. And the fans hated him for it because he played with Mickey Mantle and Mickey Mantle was the guy who was supposed to break the record. He didn't. He had 52, 54 at the end of that season and the record was 60. I think what you said earlier about the fact that it's bam and not a guy like Luka really plays into it. Fans have an idea of the type of guy who's supposed to break this record and they resent it when it's not that type of guy. Partly. I think that's because in their minds it diminishes. Like if some guy's known for offense and you're hanging your hat, this is the greatest offensive player ever. Look, he scored 81 points in a game. And then some defensive dude scores 83, it undermines that. And then they have this emotional attachment to Kobe that they feel like it somehow discredits what or Kobe's feat was more impressive. Yeah, Kobe's feet was more impressive.

[Rich Paul]

And they actually needed all 81 to win that game.

[Max Kellerman]

Right? Yeah. If you wanted to say, which is why I'd rather have Kobe's game. That's not what this. There are better games than Kobe's 81 point game. That's not what the 81 point game's about. It's about how many points he scored.

[Rich Paul]

Yes. All I would ask is lets everyone put themselves in bam shoes. You talking about a kid who grew up single mom, trailer park, I believe in North Carolina, trying to figure it out. This kid gets to the point to where he becomes pretty good at basketball. Goes to Kentucky for one year, gets drafted probably later than what he should have been, but luckily for him, falls to an unbelievable organization, the Miami Heat. Right. He's been to the finals twice. He's been a all star. He's a gold medalist. And he's done all this as not a utility guy, but a hard hat, lunch pail, steel toe boots type of basketball player. And lo and behold, this guy gets to shine one night on the offensive end. He never complained about nobody else's shine. His mom is in the crowd.

[Max Kellerman]

You.

[Rich Paul]

His lady is in the crowd. Asia, Asia Wilson. She's there and he gets.

[Max Kellerman]

The whole thing is awesome.

[Rich Paul]

Right? And he gets to shine one night after he's helped you build this house and build this building and do this, do that. Why aren't we happy for crazy.

[Max Kellerman]

Like why do bad things happen to good people? Here's good things happening to good people.

[Rich Paul]

Right? Like celebrate. And by the way, that doesn't diminish his Kobe's 81.

[Max Kellerman]

83. So if you have 38 points in a game that might lead the NBA that night. Yes, 38. It's more than double it. Reverse it. It's 83.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

It's bananas as a big as A big. Who doesn't? Well, he somehow put up 22 threes.

[Rich Paul]

Hey, kudos to him.

[Max Kellerman]

How did he put up that? He hit.

[Rich Paul]

He may not shoot another three for the rest of the season.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

So it averages out. Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

He got to the line a million times. That's an amazing. I think. I think the Kobe thing. There's an emotional connection with Kobe that fans feel. And even pre. Tragic end. Right. That there is. I think it's very tied into certain players. Certain players mean something to certain fans emotionally because they represent a period in their lives.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. But Kobe means a lot to all of us. Definitely me Means a lot to all of us. But it.

[Max Kellerman]

I don't.

[Rich Paul]

I never felt it. When I heard that Bam scored 83 last night, I didn't think two seconds that it diminished. Kobe one.

[Max Kellerman]

No. But the emotional reaction was. So I was. I saw someone sent me a clip of Nick Wright, who I like a lot. He was an intern. He had to remind me this at a radio station in New York. ESPN Radio New York. Not my intern, but an intern on the thing. And Nick Wright's excellent. He's smart.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, I like Nick.

[Max Kellerman]

And he was responding to my. Jordan would average a 40 point triple double with. No, he wouldn't. Because. And Nick is too smart for this. So the fact that. For him to make the kind of logical error he made. So the fact that he made it is because LeBron is his guy. He grew up in the LeBron era. Really?

[Rich Paul]

Definitely his guy. He's right.

[Max Kellerman]

And he has an emotional attachment to LeBron. Cause that's the only thing. Cause he. The way he decided to go at my argument was let's take Michael Jordan would have never averaged 40. Because let's take. Everyone says 92 is the prime Michael Jordan and he averaged 30 that year. But that's not what I'm talking about. Michael Jordan had a season where he averaged 37. Why would you choose the 31 and claim, well, that's the best? MJ. He also had an season where he averaged 35.

[Rich Paul]

And somehow you're going to get around to Michael Jordan. We're talking about.

[Max Kellerman]

But you know. But no, actually this ties in. You could say I have an emotional attachment to Jordan. Obviously I grew up in that era.

[Rich Paul]

But. So did I.

[Max Kellerman]

But. But what? But what people will do. But I'm. I'm what, six years old at five, seven years old? Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

But you saw just as much as Michael Jordan as I did. Mm.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Mm.

[Max Kellerman]

A little more.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

A little more.

[Rich Paul]

How?

[Max Kellerman]

Because I was like 10 when he. When he was first popping. So that makes you diapers.

[Rich Paul]

No. When was he first popping? 84. No, he was in college in 84. Yeah, he started popping, but we're talking

[Max Kellerman]

about as a pro, 85.

[Rich Paul]

But with that being said, I also had a semi bad take on that topic as well. And I talked because Jeff Teaguen. Them shined a light on it, and they were actually right.

[Max Kellerman]

Teague is excellent, by the way.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, they shined a light on it. Beheading them. They shine a light on it, but it wasn't. I just didn't clarify it. I said that the younger players wouldn't go for it. What I should have said was in addition to the way that the basketball player thinks today and on the defensive end, you know, guys are just 6, 9.

[Max Kellerman]

But he would have scored 40.

[Rich Paul]

He would have averaged 40. I didn't agree with the triple double.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. By the way. But he could average 49 boards, whatever. Nine assists and eight boards as possible. But the point is, I just bring that up to say a smart. Like Nick is smart, and he makes a really bad argument, and obviously it's because he's emotionally attached to the argument. Well, that's. And you could say that I bring it around to MJ because I'm emotionally attached. And. And in this case, people's emotions about Kobe are overriding their frontal lobes. Their reptilian brain back here is overriding their frontal lobes. Where the judgment is. Right. That's fair. And it's. And it's making them say foolish stuff about Bam.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. My thing is, I think you could do both. I think you could be very upset and love the fact be. You know, just because you love Kobe, it gives you the right to be upset. But we can't diminish what Bam did last night. That's unfair to Bam.

[Max Kellerman]

That's all you want.

[Rich Paul]

I mean, and we should be leading with Bam.

[Max Kellerman]

Should be celebrated today.

[Rich Paul]

Celebrated. Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

Celebrated.

[Rich Paul]

Thank you. Amazing.

[Max Kellerman]

Congratulations, Bam.

[Rich Paul]

Congratulations, Bam.

[Max Kellerman]

Amazing. And. And, like, when people say, oh, you never may live to see that again, I'm pretty sure most of us will live to see someone score more than 83. But I almost guarantee you this. It ain't going to be from a guy known primarily for defense. All right.

[Rich Paul]

Well, unless Wemby does it.

[Max Kellerman]

But. But Wemby is also very capable of scoring a lot of points.

[Rich Paul]

That's fair, right?

[Max Kellerman]

You don't even think Bam. If Bam scores 40, you're like, damn, Bam went for 40. That's a. You know.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

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[Rich Paul]

I agree.

[Max Kellerman]

Time for get rich quick. What do you have for us today?

[Rich Paul]

Talk is cheap.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, it's going back to the BAM situation. And it's not just about bam. I think it's about just in life, period. Like when you accomplish things, people gonna have everything to say. I mean, I deal with it in my own personal life. No matter what I do, people gonna say certain things. I imagine you've dealt with it, everyone deals with it. And in this case BAM is dealing with it. But the talk is very cheap. Like I wouldn't even. There's no value to what people are actually saying. Especially when you know how hard you work to get somewhere. And, and when you accomplish something, it's going to come with critique. But talk is very cheap. And it's even more cheap nowadays. It used to be cheap, but like actual dollar cheap. Now talk is like food stamp cheap. It's not even, it's not even the same value. So that's my get rich quick.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay, but why? What are you basing? Like what?

[Rich Paul]

Well, I'm basing on the fact that. Well, it really. Bam's accomplishment led me to that because here it is, this guy, I mean, I saw his mom in the crowd. I know what type of night, what type of feeling he probably has. By the way, the Heat's been playing really well.

[Max Kellerman]

Even without Norman Powell.

[Rich Paul]

Even without Norman Powell. And here it is. I do all this and then I get people trying to diminish because what

[Max Kellerman]

you Say, is even truer, I think, than you realize. Or rather, let me support what you're saying with actual evidence. Talk is cheap. You can take it literally. What social media allows for is criticism. Is. Costs you nothing. It costs you little to nothing. You can hide behind a handle, no one knows who you are, and to send something out into the world, you don't have to be accountable for it. Nothing ever comes back to you. You get a little dopamine hit, right? Like, oh, I feel good now for a second, and then you move on. It's cheap. It doesn't cost anything. Or it costs extremely little. And because of that, the amount of kind of. I hate to sound like a college freshman or negative energy right in.

[Rich Paul]

No, but it's true.

[Max Kellerman]

Is increased exponentially by the presence in our culture, by the. By the advent of social media.

[Rich Paul]

But the only way it becomes of value, and even though it could be negative value, is if it. If you allow it to affect you. Because it's cheap for them to say it. Yeah, but the cost could come with if you allow it to affect you.

[Max Kellerman]

It's hard not to for most people.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. And most people can't, you know, just continue to push through and persevere. Because, I'll be honest, like, a lot of players, they go right to their locker at halftime and they're checking the phone, they're checking comments on things. You know, you get a kid post a picture, they'll take the picture down if they don't get enough likes or they don't get the proper comments. It just goes to show you where we are in society also, like this.

[Max Kellerman]

The problem with social media and the creation of these kind of faux, like these fake communities is that our brain is wired to care about the people in our circles. Right?

[Rich Paul]

Like, yes.

[Max Kellerman]

I think I want to say something that's like 200 or so, maybe even fewer than that. Phone numbers we can remember, names we can remember of people. Right. And then it starts to get hazy after that. And social media creates the illusion that you somehow are connected to these people who are halfway around the world, who you will never meet, who. Right. And so it creates this. It bypasses the part of you that doesn't care what someone you're never gonna meet or is gonna say. And it. And it. And it tricks you into thinking this is someone somehow in your community and it's affecting you emotionally.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, look, I deal with it personally myself. No matter what I do, they're gonna tie it back to LeBron, right. Or whatnot. And by the way. I'm not. I don't shy away from that. But I'm just as appreciative of every client I ever represented. Like, every. Like, there's a. By the way, there's a long list of people that you could credit my accomplishments to every year. The draft, those families, every player that we represent. Those families, my community, those people, you know, Ms. Marshall, Ms. Woody, Aunt Cammie. You know, there's just. Just, you know, so many people that you can, you know, Ms. Harris, that you could. Accredited to. And so me. Max, of course. Yeah. No, you have to get to credit. What would be credit without Max? So my thing is, I don't shy away from that. I actually embrace it because I do understand. It takes a village to be successful.

[Max Kellerman]

The title of your book is Lucky Me.

[Rich Paul]

Exactly. It takes a village to be successful.

[Max Kellerman]

That doesn't mean that it's all luck. It means that because you have to maneuver with what you have. Yes, but you are lucky to have the support of different people.

[Rich Paul]

But. But it's. It's as it's. You know, you can be giving an opportunity, what you choose to do with that opportunity. Someone gives you an opportunity, that's one thing. That's not the.

[Max Kellerman]

They can't walk through the door for you. They can open the door. You got a door.

[Rich Paul]

They can open the door. And not only do you have to walk through the door, you. You may walk through the door of an efficiency, right? That's one thing. If you build a skyscraper, that's a whole other thing. That takes capabilities. That takes, you know, the focus and determination, all those things. And so I just encourage a lot of support, right? You have to. In order in life, you have to have people that block and tackle for you in order for you to be successful. I cannot tell you how many people block and tackle for me that I'm extremely appreciative of every day. Like, so, you know, I just. Again, talk is cheap for all the young people out there, just people in general. I don't care what it is that you're doing, just. You got to put blinders on in life, man, and just. And just continue to keep your eyes on the finish line, in my opinion.

[Max Kellerman]

We got to get into Celtic Spurs. I got to tell you something last night because. Did I switch over to Bam? Yeah, I did. But it's not just because Bam was scoring like crazy set last night. I'm so. Like, this game. Oh, is this in the finals preview? What do we. What did I say on the show, like a week ago? The two. When you talk about what tier different organizations are in, what's the A tier? To me, two. That immediately jumped to mind. I guess you have to put the heat in there, too. But the spurs and the Celtics, those are organizations that are run so well. The way they develop players, the way they get guys to play together, et cetera, et cetera. The way they draft the whole thing. Here it is. And they're both going to be at full strength. Tatum's back, and Wemby is in the MVP conversation, and so is Brown. And here we go. And Brown was taking it to Wemby. Not on every possession, but there was one in particular. I remember Wemby had scored on him and Brown or had scored. And Brown, you could see, wanted to go at Wemby and did. And hits the shot right, and you're like, excuse me. It was shape. It was tight. And it was shaping up so good. How's Tatum going to fit into all this later in the game? Like all these things are on the table. Brown wants a call he doesn't get. And Jalen Brown is probably correct about the call. I think he's complaining too much about it. Whatever, let the guys play. But he's probably right, technically. And he starts going at the officials, at the crew chief. Crew chief tees him up, no problem. From there. There are lots of problems. Okay, you have one Tech this. What's nationally televised game, incredible matchup. It's turning out to be an incredible game. What's gonna happen? And at that point, Jaylen Brown, you gotta know better than to keep going at the officials. And so Celtics teammates, you must get in between Jaylen Brown and the officials and officials. And it wasn't even the crew chief who. Who knew. All right, I already teed him up once. Let's not decide the game or. Or try to influence the game by. Or have an influence on the game by kicking him out of the game with a second tee. With a second tech. I'm going to leave him alone. It wasn't even the crew chief. It was another ref who came in and teed him up again and threw him out of the game. Rich. It drove me nuts. It ruined the game. And I think back to what I said. Was it a week or so ago when the Knicks were playing okc and Brunson gets position and sga, you know, it's a charge, obviously. And the officials first call it against Brunson and then they review it, and now it's not a call, but it's not against sga. And it's all because SGA had two fouls and they didn't want him sitting for most of the first half. Right. In both cases, Rich, the refs should let the players decide the game. If SGA commits a blatant foul, you gotta call it. That's not on the refs. That's on sga. The players are deciding that. You still have to enforce the rules. The players are deciding the action. And last night. Come on, you don't need to tee him up again, let the players decide. The refs ruin the game.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, I agree with that. I think understanding how the first matchup went between the spurs and Celtics, I think coming into that game, you have to try to get a sense of the energy in the building. Right. And to know it may be a little hostile, talk to guys. Hey, how you feeling tonight? You know, you know, just to try to get some sense of, like, understanding of what this could be and then kind of let it settle in. I saw the play. It definitely looked like it could have been a foul, but, you know, I wasn't there. I think that the ref. Because, you know, refs have a tough job, but I think that's one he would probably want back. Yes. Because again, kudos to Jaylen Brown. Like, he's having an unbelievable season. And sometimes I think he's punished for things that he probably shouldn't be punished for.

[Max Kellerman]

He stepped to the ref too aggressively. I'm not saying he's off the hook. No bad judgment. His teammates should get in between them, of course.

[Rich Paul]

Look, a guy deserving a Tech. I don't think no one has an issue with that. I don't even think he has an issue with that. But being ejected, obviously he's an MVP race. This is a great matchup. He's taken on the challenge. He's taken on the challenge and every single night this year. And, you know, understanding who he is as a player and who he is as a person, he wants that. He wants that opportunity. He wants that moment. And, you know, I think to not be allowed to finish that game is

[Max Kellerman]

also like, if he's stepping, he was more.

[Rich Paul]

You saw his emotions. You saw his emotions in the press conference. You can tell the second Tech that

[Max Kellerman]

he got that he got the whistle for. He was more aggressive, I thought, than the first time he got teed up. But the crew chief is looking at him go, I'm not throwing this dude out of the game. He's got to get. Do something stupid now. What's the. What's the.

[Rich Paul]

What's the other one. Normally, normally, normally they'll say, okay, Jaylen, enough.

[Max Kellerman]

Right.

[Rich Paul]

I don't want to throw you out this game, but I will if I have to. And that kind of give you a little leniency. And then it gives time for a teammate to grab him and maybe sub out or whatever. But that's unfortunate. But it could be a finals matchup.

[Max Kellerman]

It could be a final until the, until the very end. And then the spurs pulled away a little. It was super competitive without Jalen Brown. Like, the Celtics are really good. Celtics are really good.

[Rich Paul]

I've been telling you this. I don't know, you know, maybe Purnell hit you in that head of yours. You won't listen, but I've been telling you that.

[Max Kellerman]

So. All right. That's not even my five minute max.

[Rich Paul]

That's okay.

[Max Kellerman]

You want to hear, you want to hear five minute max?

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

Everyone's giving SGA the MVP after the Thunder beat Denver.

[Rich Paul]

Right after that one game.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, because it's so tight between how he won. He wins the game and da da da.

[Rich Paul]

Well, he's definitely an MVP candidate.

[Max Kellerman]

Of course. And by the way, SGA plays both ends of the floor, right? That's something. Jokic really. I mean, Jokic tries a little bit. He doesn't really do it. Wemby does. And look, the fact is, as great as SGA is, he's an excellent, excellent player. I do not consider him in Jokic's or Wemby's class. I think that he is in a perfect situation and he plays that situation perfectly. And he is a truly great two way player. But I. I don't have a hard time watching SGA watching Jokic and saying who's better? Which is the same as saying who's more valuable. Like, it's Jokic. And Jokic almost won the game for Denver. What that game really came down to, Rich. And this is what I was talking about the other day, where everyone tries to turn MVP back into a team award, right? The team award is the standings. The Thunder are in first place. That's the standings that they are being rewarded for. That. And when you want to identify who the actual most valuable, meaning the best player is, you're going to tell me it's SGA because he hits a crazy shot at the end of the game. You know why he's able to hit a crazy shot at the end of the game? Because the Thunder have great players wherever you look. And even the ones who aren't great are pretty damn good at the end of the bench. There are guys who can play. Isaiah Joe's is shooting like 90% from 3 or some stupid.

[Rich Paul]

Jalen Williams got in and played very well.

[Max Kellerman]

He did. You mean the big Jalen? Not this all star Jalen Williams. But, but wait, which one is Dub and which one is.

[Rich Paul]

J Dub is injured.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, J Dub is injured. Yeah. But I got to distinguish between the. Jalen Williams is. But, but Isaiah Joe basically shoots. I think it's. I think, I think I look 41% from three every year. Like I think this is four years in a row now where it's just. It's either 41 or right at 41. You had. So they don't double SGA at the end of the game.

[Rich Paul]

Well, they would have doubled him if he made a great. He made a great move and decision. And this comes from him watching film. And this is what great players do. He said it. I know if I take one or one and a half more dribbles that Christian Braun would have been able to then double and really contest the mid range. So I'm going right and I step back right. Which is going to give me separation. He just wanted to get a clean look. He made it. But he said that.

[Max Kellerman]

But it's not like they could even with. Even without Chet or, or, or the all star Jalen Williams. Right. They have. Everyone on the team can play. That's an embarrassment.

[Rich Paul]

Riches.

[Max Kellerman]

It's. It is on okc. So, so the team is so excellent. You can't start off by saying hey, we're doubling as the league mvp. You don't start that way because what's worse is because then you're gonna leave. You're gonna leave someone who can shoot the lights out open.

[Rich Paul]

That's okay. But you, you can live with that. Normally, normally you. You try to get the ball out of your best.

[Max Kellerman]

I agree. But sometimes. But if you said like remember when Anthony Ed. When Ant hit the game winner when he was doubled in the corner. That's not a high percentage shot. No, but he can hit it. But it's not a high percentage.

[Rich Paul]

But in those moments, Max. This is why.

[Max Kellerman]

This is why I'd rather have a great shooter open take that shot than a dude doubled who's a great player. I'd rather have a great shooter who's totally open.

[Rich Paul]

Take an open as the coach, as the team.

[Max Kellerman]

Yes.

[Rich Paul]

I rather it the opposite way. I rather a guy who is not normally known for taking that shot with just one thing to shoot 40% from three. It's another thing to shoot 40% from three in tie games with 10 seconds. Six seconds. Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

If you never get to do it. Sure.

[Rich Paul]

Right. So.

[Max Kellerman]

But. So you should get to do it. So the team should be organized in a way.

[Rich Paul]

But what I'm saying is.

[Max Kellerman]

But Michael MJ passes the ball to Steve Kerr.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

And Steve Kerr nails. Because Steve Kerr is wide open. Of course he's going to hit that shot.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. But you. You can live with that. I'm living with that. I'd rather Steve Kerr take it than.

[Max Kellerman]

Mike, this is kind of like what I said about the bench versus the starters. If you have an All Star cast. But they are. They've played a ton of minutes and they haven't had rest. And you have a decent bench, and bench players are going to be better than the All Stars.

[Rich Paul]

No. If you ask any coach, I agree.

[Max Kellerman]

I just think they're wrongheaded.

[Rich Paul]

Okay. Well, okay.

[Max Kellerman]

Anyway, the MVP of the league is either Jokic or Wemby. And SGA is up there. But the idea that my vote would go to Wemby if I had one right now, the idea that it's SGA because he hits a game winner in a game against.

[Rich Paul]

I don't agree with that. But. But, but I do. I will agree with. I think this is the closest MVP race that we've seen a long time.

[Max Kellerman]

I don't think she was pretty close.

[Rich Paul]

Who was it?

[Max Kellerman]

SGA and Jokic?

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, but I'm talking about. Those are two guys.

[Max Kellerman]

Oh, yeah, yeah. You mean multiple across the board. Because there's. Unfortunately for Cade, he'll be punished for not having better, like, you know, a good enough cast. Jaylen Brown is in the conversation.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

Who else am I missing?

[Rich Paul]

Jokic and Shea. Yeah, those are the five.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. Wemby is mine, then Jokic, then Shai.

[Rich Paul]

I don't know who, but I'm just saying I feel like all of those five guys are having hell of a seasons and I feel like it's. It should. I don't know if it is, but it should be closer than it's been in a long time.

[Max Kellerman]

Luka had a great game last night. LeBron didn't play. Luka and Reaves beat the Wolves, who have. Who didn't play well. But t. Wolves have a hell of a starting five. That's a really nice starting five. And they. They were. And the Lakers beat them handily. And Luka had a great game. This is the question, Rich, because, you know, I know there's chatter. They play better with that. You know, the stats say they're not a good offensive team with LeBron. When you add them to those guys and they're a very good offensive. Let's assume for a second that LeBron is going to make them better when they're all playing together in the playoffs, okay? Have we written off the Lakers too soon as contenders, as real contenders? Did we write them off too soon? My assumption is, especially in the playoffs, LeBron elevates whatever they can do. Have we written them off too soon?

[Rich Paul]

I was at the game last night. I thought the Lakers played a really good game. I thought the Timberwolves was a little flat, though, to start. I thought both teams was flat to start, but they strung along a couple good games there to win. You know, look, I think anytime you have great talent, you always have a puncher's chance. It's all about matchups in the playoffs. It really is. If you can get rolling, if everybody can get rolling. I thought some of the roll guys have been playing extremely well. So we'll see.

[Max Kellerman]

You know what I gotta say about what I think happened one this year, JJ did such a great job coaching early when he never had his crew together, that I think they may have gotten a little used to playing a certain way in order to win games without all three of them. Remember, they were winning with just Luka, with just Reeves, with just like, with just LeBron. They were. They were two of those guys and they hadn't had enough reps figuring out how to do that winning formula with all three of them, right? Because they've. They've relied heavily on one or two of them early in the season. And then I'm still sitting here with that quote from deandre Ayton in my head. They want me to be Clint Capella. Like, if you. None of that's going to work. This is a team without a big if. You know, Jackson Hayes plays hard. He wasn't playing last night. But if, if deandre Ayton is not going to star in his role, as you say, Lakers aren't going to do anything in the playoffs. But if he has a coming to God moment, right, like where he's, where he's. He's understanding that actually he will amplify his value by starring in his role, the Lakers might do a little something. They're not going to get out of the west, but they could play Spoiler.

[Rich Paul]

I think the goal is going to the playoffs. You want to be whole, you want to be healthy. Yeah.

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[Max Kellerman]

Max Crosby deal go over the.

[Rich Paul]

I saw that they reversed it.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, physical.

[Rich Paul]

But they're going to sign. They're going to sign Trey Hendrickson.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, they did, I think. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, it's tough.

[Max Kellerman]

And by the way, the Trey Hendrickson thing, you don't have to trade two first.

[Rich Paul]

Two first, Right. So they probably come out better. Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

If Hendrickson's healthy this upcoming year and Crosby's compromised. If you trade two first, you don't want to sacrifice a year with a compromised guy to get healthy.

[Rich Paul]

You can't take that risk.

[Max Kellerman]

Right? I'm with it. I wonder where Crosby goes though, now. You know what I'm hoping for?

[Rich Paul]

What?

[Max Kellerman]

And I'm not rooting for Crosby to be hurt. I hope he's productive and healthy. But if he is going to be hurt, I'd love the Dallas Cowboys to sign him. Expecting him to be like expecting one thing but getting another, that would be hilarious to me.

[Rich Paul]

Well, you better be careful what you wish for because Dallas could win the super bowl this year.

[Max Kellerman]

Dallas ain't gonna win no Super Bowl. Ever.

[Rich Paul]

Okay?

[Max Kellerman]

Ever. I've been hearing this every preseason. Hey, 30 something years now, they're never gonna win the Super Bowl.

[Rich Paul]

Things happen when you least expect it, Max.

[Max Kellerman]

That's a good point. Just tell me. The US Loses to Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Do you care at all?

[Rich Paul]

I do Care.

[Max Kellerman]

I don't care.

[Rich Paul]

No, I, No, I want to watch. I really. I wouldn't mind going to one of those games. Don't hate on baseball.

[Max Kellerman]

I. I love baseball. Well, I love the Yankees. I used to love baseball and now my love is coming back a little because they made rules, changes that made it a better game again. But the World Baseball Classic, it's a little forced.

[Rich Paul]

You think so?

[Max Kellerman]

Why do you.

[Rich Paul]

Don't say it about the hockey. The, the, the, the.

[Max Kellerman]

I don't care about hockey.

[Rich Paul]

Frozen four. But the frozen four.

[Max Kellerman]

I actually watch baseball, but that's actually great. What is it?

[Rich Paul]

I think the World Baseball Classic is pretty cool.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. Because you get an all star team.

[Rich Paul]

But I'm saying the guys seem to enjoy it. You're playing against other countries that are really good.

[Max Kellerman]

Aaron Judge got a hit in the clutch. He's got a hit in the clutch. I know. Oh, look what he did in the playoffs. He had the.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, but he just had a long run the other day.

[Max Kellerman]

When you really analyze Judge, even in these last playoffs, they weren't super high leverage moments. Like when you really look at how he's done. If Aaron Judge. Aaron Judge is so much of a better hitter than Shohei Ohtani that he actually has more overall value than Ohtani. Even though Ohtani pitches at an elite level.

[Rich Paul]

I don't know about no overall value.

[Max Kellerman]

Aaron Judge is hitting. He should be. If Aaron Judge hitting the clutch, he would. It would be. Is it him or Babe Ruth? Right. But he doesn't have.

[Rich Paul]

You saw Ohtani play baseball.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, but Judges, people don't understand. Judge is a much, much better hitter than Ohtani. Just because Ohtani hits really well doesn't mean he's close to Judge. He's a much better. Until it matters most. And then there are a lot of guys.

[Rich Paul]

This is. You know what? If you were running a team.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

You would be all analytics in baseball.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

And you would be a loser.

[Max Kellerman]

No, actually, you know who's all analytics? The Dodgers. They're all analytics. Dodgers.

[Rich Paul]

No, they're not.

[Max Kellerman]

Well, when you say all analytics, you have to have a stock.

[Rich Paul]

The Dodgers are analytics. And production. And production in key moment.

[Max Kellerman]

All analytics is an analysis of production.

[Rich Paul]

No, no, no, no. Analytics production in key moments.

[Max Kellerman]

I agree.

[Rich Paul]

High leverage, their talent evaluating is off the charts. They actually get the guys. Do you know why? No, it's not just because of analytics.

[Max Kellerman]

But Rich, this is the God's honest truth. I'm 20 years ago, I could have walked off the street and been a top five GM in baseball that day. The front offices.

[Rich Paul]

Oh, my.

[Max Kellerman]

Rich. I'm not. The front offices were so stupid. It was unbelievable. I could name a billion people.

[Rich Paul]

You know what the record would have been? 1, 160.

[Max Kellerman]

My teams would have been powerhouses every year. And I could have done it on a low budget because the front offices in baseball were so stupid. There's no other way to put it that they literally 25 years ago. Because this is going pre. Bill James going to Boston, right? Look what Billy Beane did in Oakland simply by getting guys with good on base percentages. Do you know how long people who follow baseball hardcore understood about analytics before the front offices caught on? At 13, I would have been a better GM than most front offices. They were. They didn't. They literally did. I'm saying they didn't know what they were doing. That's the God's honest truth. And I'll give you examples. But the fact is, today I couldn't be a gm. I couldn't be. I couldn't work as an assistant to an assistant GM in a baseball office. Do you know front office. Do you know why? Because the GM has. All the good teams have departments where everyone has a degree from mit. That's what the Dodgers have.

[Rich Paul]

I don't think they have any reason why they're good. It don't matter. That's why they're good. No, it's not. Just not the only reason why they're good. And you're wrong. And you would have been a terrible gm.

[Max Kellerman]

You want to do some emails?

[Rich Paul]

Sure.

[Max Kellerman]

Malik from New York, Max and Rich. You guys seem to be hip hop historians. Give me your top five hip hop groups of all time.

[Rich Paul]

That's easy for me. Go ahead. I'm going to start with NWA Wu Tang Outkast. These two you're not going to like, but Bone Thugs and Harmony.

[Max Kellerman]

Oh, I love when we went to Vinyl Night. What did I choose?

[Rich Paul]

Oh, okay.

[Max Kellerman]

Fair Bone. I put on first thing. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. This is tough. I'm gonna. I gotta go with ugk, but. But I have two honorable mentions. That's not really honorable mention. They could also go. I don't like the top five thing. The locks, state property. Sorry.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay. Sorry.

[Rich Paul]

I had to do that.

[Max Kellerman]

Those are good selection.

[Rich Paul]

No, I had to do that. And I didn't even include the hotel boys in there.

[Max Kellerman]

No. All right, okay, look, I'm just top five. Wu Tang for sure. NW NWA has got to be in there.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

The locks have got to be in there. Those three are locked down. Okay, groups. Does Public Enemy count as a group? Yeah, as a matter of fact, Flav didn't really. Didn't really rap, though.

[Rich Paul]

Take Outcast out for me. Put the locks in there for me.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Outcast goes to my honorable mention, Public Enemy.

[Max Kellerman]

Like, you'd have to put them in a few, but. So here's this. Candidates. I got three for sure. Wu Tang, nwa, and the locks have to be in there. Now, here are the candidates. Cnn, Mobb Deep, Run dmc, epmd. People forget how. Like, they had a couple albums early where it's every song.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

I think I have to put Run. See, Run DMC Records. Yeah. The rhymes are more old school, but the beats, I'll give you that.

[Rich Paul]

No, no, Run DMC was the origin. We cannot.

[Max Kellerman]

Right.

[Rich Paul]

I'm not counting.

[Max Kellerman]

You can't count them.

[Rich Paul]

I'm not counting Run DMC for you. For us, we cannot count Run, I guess.

[Max Kellerman]

Can't. Like, you can't count Houdini. Run dmc. You're not going.

[Rich Paul]

No, you can't count.

[Max Kellerman]

So does Public Enemy count in that group, or is it.

[Rich Paul]

If you want to use Public Enemy. Yes, because they. They were influenced by those guys.

[Max Kellerman]

I have to put Public Enemy then.

[Rich Paul]

So great.

[Max Kellerman]

I got one more slot. See, CNN has that one record, but I don't think, like, I don't know if I could put them in based on war.

[Rich Paul]

One record.

[Max Kellerman]

Oh, yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Mobb Deep.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, maybe. I got to get back to you on my fifth. I got to get back to you.

[Rich Paul]

See, I missed some. I mean, but my Rushmore.

[Max Kellerman]

My rush.

[Rich Paul]

My ear is different than yours.

[Max Kellerman]

Why is that?

[Rich Paul]

Because your ear only goes down to I95 corridor.

[Max Kellerman]

Well, okay, I'll give you.

[Rich Paul]

My ear goes.

[Max Kellerman]

Hold on. I'll give you one that might be. That might be in it. That's. That's in the middle of the country. Who. Ghetto boys, of course. Yes, yes.

[Rich Paul]

Well, I didn't get to say ghetto boys. I can't. Ghetto boys is. I mean. Yeah, come on, man. It's Brad.

[Max Kellerman]

I want to just at least pick. I mean, you could take Outcast. You could take.

[Rich Paul]

I mean, there's a. Listen, there's. There's several that you can take. Yeah, that's why I don't. That's why who. Malik asked that question. Yeah, Top five.

[Max Kellerman]

That's an effort.

[Rich Paul]

No, not take the top five out, Malik, and just say the top. Just your favorites. Forget the top five.

[Max Kellerman]

Hold on. NWA is not I95.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, but if you say not NWA then we take you from here and you get an mri.

[Max Kellerman]

So I got my Rushmore is Wu Tang, nwa, Public Enemy, and the locks.

[Rich Paul]

Okay, fair. I'm not arguing with you. We got to move on.

[Max Kellerman]

Emails from Andres. Listening to Rich is fucking therapy. Would Rich ever consider being a motivational speaker or serve as the voice of an Alexis Siri type thing? His voice and the pacing of his talk is calming.

[Rich Paul]

Well, Andre, I appreciate that. Maybe you can be my agent. We go get this bag. Andre. Yeah. Let's go on a tour. I'm motivational speak. Let's do it.

[Max Kellerman]

No, you. You do motivational speak. Speech speaking, though. You do it.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, I have to motivational speech. You off a ledge every time we talk.

[Max Kellerman]

No, you do actually motivational speaking.

[Rich Paul]

Do I.

[Max Kellerman]

You've done it next door to the studio.

[Rich Paul]

Oh, yeah. Are you talking about when I talk to the young. Yeah, I mean, oh, yeah. I'll do that all day long.

[Max Kellerman]

Greetings.

[Rich Paul]

But. No, but Andre was talking about turning into a business.

[Max Kellerman]

Into a business? Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

That was just out of the kindness of my heart.

[Max Kellerman]

Apparently not monetizing enough of your life. No, you need to monetize more of your life.

[Rich Paul]

That's not what I'm saying. But Andre seems like a pretty intelligent

[Max Kellerman]

guy, and so greetings from Frankfurt, Germany. I know for sure that tomorrow morning I will inherit Global Max. Yeah, that's right. The exact. Okay, listen, hold on. I will inherit the exact amount of money needed to purchase a spot as team owner in NBA Europe. Would that be a good investment, or should I buy Max a new jacket instead? I think he's responding to the cashmere joint I had on.

[Rich Paul]

Well, I tell you one thing. You may be equal if you're talking about the jacket on Monday, because it might cost the price of a NBA Europe team.

[Max Kellerman]

What's up with the NBA Europe? You think that's a good investment?

[Rich Paul]

Hell, yeah, if you can get it. NBA Europe. Let me tell you something. NBA Europe, the opportunity there for players. Yeah. And also just to grow the awareness of the game. I mean, just to grow the viewership of the game. You know how many fans that we're leaving out there that can't view the games?

[Max Kellerman]

Right.

[Rich Paul]

You know how many it is?

[Max Kellerman]

Billions. Like, probably. I would say Earth. Eight billion people.

[Rich Paul]

Realistically, it's probably 90 million.

[Max Kellerman]

Right, okay.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Realistic.

[Max Kellerman]

You're saying just in Europe that.

[Rich Paul]

That. That aren't viewing the games.

[Max Kellerman]

Right.

[Rich Paul]

That's a lot of growth. You know, when I talk to my colleagues that are European football agents, I get so jealous, because when they're going into. They call the transfer window. Right.

[Max Kellerman]

They got leagues all over the place.

[Rich Paul]

They have eight leagues. They had eight leagues. So when you're looking, it's like. And you see them, they flying around on private jets, going to different spots because they have so many players and they can hop. You know, it's like an hour to get here, hour to get there. And they're just zipping, getting things done. I'm like, wow. But they got eight leagues.

[Max Kellerman]

But Europe is like that. There are lots of different countries, lots of. And, you know, they're a bunch of stuff.

[Rich Paul]

Eight leagues max.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Could you imagine if we had eight? Well, we won't have eight basketball leagues, but still eight leagues. So. I'm excited about NBA Europe. I really am.

[Max Kellerman]

All right, Would you. This is from Dwayne. Would love to hear your take on if the NBA should abandon the west east format in the playoffs. Simply seed the best teams for the playoffs. Could make some great matchups.

[Rich Paul]

Ooh, more like a march madness sweet 16 type of vibe.

[Max Kellerman]

See, here's the problem. Here's my problem. Oh, no.

[Rich Paul]

I'm from a different generation.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. I'm Dana Carvey from snl, the grumpy old man. I don't like things now compared to the way. So I like. I know I've resisted a lot of changes. Like, I hated the wild card in baseball when they introduced it. It made it better. So something tells me that that's a good idea, but I will resist it. I like it better the way I'm used to it. East and west.

[Rich Paul]

Look, I think change is. People don't really like change, especially when it's been so fruitful and good. I will say there is a world where you keep east and West. And then once the 16 teams get slot it, then you kind of do like a scramble that he's saying, right? Is that what he said? He said, get rid of the east and West.

[Max Kellerman]

Get rid of it altogether.

[Rich Paul]

That's what he said.

[Max Kellerman]

Or I think just for the playoffs.

[Rich Paul]

Oh, no. Well, clarify it.

[Max Kellerman]

I mean, let's see. Would love to. NBA should abandon east west format in the playoffs. Oh, okay.

[Rich Paul]

I missed that part. So, yeah. I mean, look, I don't think it'll

[Max Kellerman]

happen, but something I like about it

[Rich Paul]

could be pretty cool if you did that.

[Max Kellerman]

See, there's some. There's. Okay, so you brought up Europe, how they're going to Europe. There are different sovereign nation states, right? The United States, there's. The states are not sovereign. That's why we're the United States, we're one country. And still. That's right. But there's still the idea of sports is, you know, like, New York's not gonna go to war with Boston. Right. But you can. There's still, like, regional rivalries. And so here, this team represents this area, this team represents this area. Who's better. And I love that in sports. I want to keep that.

[Rich Paul]

But. But. Okay, so you're onto something because he's actually making a good point. Because imagine if you had it this way, and then somehow, some way, the Knicks and the Celtics ended up in the finals.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. You're saying it's. It could still happen, that you wind up with the rivalry.

[Rich Paul]

Well, you actually.

[Max Kellerman]

And it's more special.

[Rich Paul]

Well, you actually plan for the champions. Like if the Knicks and the Celtics was able to play for the NBA championship.

[Max Kellerman]

Right.

[Rich Paul]

Right. Now they can't do that. They have to knock each other out.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, that's true.

[Rich Paul]

But if they were actually able to play.

[Max Kellerman]

Chad, it's probably a good idea. I'm just. I'm going.

[Rich Paul]

No, I'm with you.

[Max Kellerman]

I know me. I can't do it.

[Rich Paul]

Listen, I'm old school. But he's not. That's not like a.

[Max Kellerman]

No, no, it's a good idea. It's not a bad idea.

[Rich Paul]

No, it's not a bad idea at all. It's a pretty cool idea.

[Max Kellerman]

All right.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

Friday.

[Rich Paul]

Friday. Yeah. Let me see. What do we have? You know, I've been good. Yeah. You'll be proud of me.

[Max Kellerman]

What's up?

[Rich Paul]

I haven't played any golf.

[Max Kellerman]

Why not? Something had to happen for you not to play golf. That's not by choice. That something happened.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. It's called work.

[Max Kellerman]

Right. Work happened. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Work happened.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

My days have been longer. I've been really upset at my schedule because it's been.

[Max Kellerman]

It's because you can't play golf.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. Because by the time I leave the office. 4:35 o'clock now, games are on.

[Max Kellerman]

How about the fact that it's still light out at 4:35? I love it. Why do we ever switch the clocks back? We should keep it like this.

[Rich Paul]

Who came up with the idea? Flavor Flav.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. He looked down one day and was like. No, I'm just saying.

[Rich Paul]

No, I'm just saying. Who. Who told you to switch the clocks back?

[Max Kellerman]

It's the. For farmers. Apparently they want more daylight early in the day. Once upon a time.

[Rich Paul]

Hell, I can't even get sweet watermelon. What's going on here?

[Max Kellerman]

It's unbelievable. Watermelon with seeds, you mean? No, I'll tell you what, the greatest invention of all time is how they figured out to get the seeds out of watermelon.

[Rich Paul]

No, I wasn't. Seeds in watermelon.

[Max Kellerman]

When I was a kid and I was eating watermelon, I'd be like, this is the best thing ever if it wasn't for these annoying seeds. And I remember, literally, I'm like 7 or 8 years old, thinking. The problem is, that's one thing they'll never be able to figure out. How do you get in there to get the seeds out? Right. You have to break the watermelon. They genetically engineered it out. It's the greatest thing ever.

[Rich Paul]

No, it's not the greatest thing. That would raise a red flag to me.

[Max Kellerman]

Why?

[Rich Paul]

Because this is a fruit. It can only grow from a seed. If there's no seed in the watermelon, is it really a watermelon? Yeah, I don't know about that. I want seeds. I want seeds in my watermelon.

[Max Kellerman]

You're eating the seeds. No. You spit them out. No.

[Rich Paul]

Now, I'm not gonna go that far. But what I will is I do want to season them up. My grandmother, my grandma Ruth used to buy the sweetest watermelon.

[Max Kellerman]

They have changed in flavor.

[Rich Paul]

This is what I'm telling you. It's because of the seeds.

[Max Kellerman]

No, it's because they've engineered them to be sweeter because people respond to the sugar. I think they've been genetically engineered to taste less watermelony and more sweet.

[Rich Paul]

Watermelon is great for hydration. Yeah, that's why it's a watermelon.

[Max Kellerman]

Right. There you go.

[Rich Paul]

Not the smartest guy in the room. Max.

[Max Kellerman]

All right. Friday. Friday, game over with Max Kellerman and Rick Paul.

[Rich Paul]

Wait, are we going to Ross and TJ Maxx? You want to do that another time?

[Max Kellerman]

Another time? We're not going to Ross and TJ Maxx. That just sounds good for the.

[Rich Paul]

We're not. No, I will see.

[Max Kellerman]

No, you're not.

[Rich Paul]

I knew you were scared of a challenge.

[Max Kellerman]

If you had time to go to Ross or TJ Maxx, you'd be on the. You'd be on the links.

[Rich Paul]

No, I'm not being all the way truthful with you, but just. But it was work.

[Max Kellerman]

You were on the go. You took a meeting on the golf.

[Rich Paul]

No, I did not. No, I haven't been. No, seriously, I haven't been. I haven't been. Sometimes you got to give it a break, Max.

[Max Kellerman]

All right, all right.

[Rich Paul]

Got to. We had end of the year reviews.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

So I've been really locked in.

[Max Kellerman]

Locked in.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, I've been locked in. All right.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, I'll see you on Friday. Okay. You want to do the whole thing where you tell them the email address

[Rich Paul]

we're reading game [e-mail].

[Max Kellerman]

right.

[Rich Paul]

Did they respond? If we're gonna do. Oh, how about our decor? Oh, you see the Warren Moon jersey?

[Max Kellerman]

We're gonna change that. Cause that's actually from the Larry Holmes fight. He got his brakes beat off against Holmes. I don't wanna see an old Muhammad Ali with the black eyes.

[Rich Paul]

You know what I wish? What group I wish we could have saw? Huh? Jay and Big. This plaque that Jay gave me for all the millions of records he sold reminded me of that. We could have saw the commission.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, that would have been. That would.

[Rich Paul]

That's equivalent to. To. To Prince producing. Michael, man. Stuff is crazy.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. Yeah. Oh, anyway, on a down note, let's Friday.

[Rich Paul]

No, not a down note. No, I'm just saying it just at the end. No, it's not. It's something that I want to do. Okay, Friday. All right, Friday. Yeah. Good weather coming, so.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Don't come in here with. No.

[Max Kellerman]

That's why I got the cashmere in on Monday. It's supposed to be, like, 90 degrees on Friday.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, but you're not shooting a show outside.

[Max Kellerman]

Doesn't matter. It's a bad look. When. When Shay came in with the. With the arctic fur. Oh, yeah, it was fly. But hey, when it's.

[Rich Paul]

When it's negative for somebody that's supposed to be from uptown.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, I'm not from uptown. I mean, I spent time uptown.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

Born in the Bronx, but I'm not from uptown.

[Rich Paul]

Okay, well, with college Uptown. But you say the Flyness is uptown.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. Up.

[Rich Paul]

So that mean you like side town. Yes, I'm just saying you hate on the Flyness.

[Max Kellerman]

Let's see.

[Rich Paul]

See you guys on Friday. Monster Energy.

[Max Kellerman]

Everybody knows White Monster, Zero Ultra.

[Rich Paul]

That's the OG it kicked off this whole Zero Sugar energy drink thing. But Ultra is a whole lineup now. You've got Strawberry Dreams, Blue Hawaiian Sunrise,

[Max Kellerman]

and Vice, Quad Guava, and they all

[Rich Paul]

bring the Monster Energy punch.

[Max Kellerman]

So if you've been living in the

[Rich Paul]

White can, branch out. Ultra's got a flavor for every vibe, and every single one is Zero Sugar. Tap the banner to learn more.

[Max Kellerman]

Shot clocks, big shots, upsets, aces. TGL playoffs are here. First, Atlanta Drive starts their repeat run against Los Angeles Golf Club. Then Rory's Boston Common Golf and Tigers Jupiter Links face off in their playoff debuts. Who will advance? Keep up its playoffs? Tune in Tuesday, March 17th at 6:30pm and 9:00pm only on ESPN and the ESPN applied.