The NBA is Fantastic! And Mock NFL Drafts | Game Over

Summary

Game Over with Max Kellerman & Rich Paul

Episode: The NBA is Fantastic! And Mock NFL Drafts | April 22, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Max Kellerman and super-agent Rich Paul hit the studio fresh from courtside seats at a Lakers playoff game, still buzzing with energy. They unpack the NBA playoff action—particularly LeBron James’ ageless brilliance and breakout performances from young stars like Tyrese Maxey and Scoot Henderson. The conversation shifts to NFL draft predictions with a live mock draft, followed by detailed talk about team building, trades (notably Dexter Lawrence), and the cultural resonance of representation and opportunity in pro sports. The episode maintains an upbeat, insightful, and humorous tone.

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Key Topics & Discussion Points

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1. NBA Playoff Reactions and Player Breakouts

(01:20 – 29:07)

Post-Lakers Game Highs

• The episode opens with Max and Rich still buzzing from the Lakers’ win, having watched from Rich’s coveted floor seats.
• Rich Paul: “The NBA is fantastic. First of all, it really is fantastic.” (01:20)

Clutch Clients & Big Performances

• LeBron James: Dominant impact, highlighted for leadership, professionalism, and unselfishness.
  • “LeBron, he’s taken the high road so many times...he remains the ultimate professional.” – Rich (04:32)
• Tyrese Maxey: Plays hero for Philly, gutting through injury for a clutch Boston win.
  • “Don’t take Tyrese Maxey for granted. Here’s a guy that no matter what happens, he’s there, he’s playing through injuries, doesn’t complain.” – Rich (06:34)
• Scoot Henderson: Breakout moment with a two-way performance after a bumpy rookie year.
  • “On a night like tonight, I'm not surprised, really.” – Rich (05:41)
  • “They asked him, when did you know you were gonna have a good game? 'When I woke up.’” – Max (06:08)
• Clutch Sports’ Culture: Group chats buzz with support, regardless of whose contract players are on. Rich emphasizes the family-like support system.

Game Analysis

• Rich and Max analyze player mentalities, discussing poise, work ethic, and the mental toughness required in the playoffs.
• Light-hearted banter about contracts and agency perks, with both hosts poking fun at “Clutch checks” myths.
• Notable Quote:
  • Rich: “VJ Max is going to cost you premium top dollar for VJ Max.” (07:47)

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2. The Evolution of LeBron's Role & Lakers Strategy

(10:17 – 29:07)

LeBron Discussion

• Max laments recent Lakers struggles, and both debate the best way to use LeBron as he ages—initially suggesting a “Karl Malone” role, but Rich counters with authenticity:
  • “Who I think LeBron should be on his Lakers team is…LeBron.” – Rich (14:05)
  • “He’s at his best when he’s maestro.” – Rich (14:10)
• Max lauds LeBron’s deep understanding and orchestration of the game, his way of keeping teammates involved and confidence high.
• Signature Play Recap:
  • Reverse dunk to energize crowd and teammates—"He did that in that split second moment...LeBron could play five more years." – Rich (19:04)
• Debate on how the Lakers could maximize lineups, whether LeBron should initiate offense (“best point guard,” according to Max), and the merits of rotating Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard as key role players.
• On LeBron’s Longevity:
  • “We should be sitting here trying to push him out of the league? I don't know about that...I don't see anybody pushing Bruce Springsteen off the stage.” – Rich (19:30)

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3. NBA Playoff Landscape: Team-by-Team

(31:40 – 54:36)

Celtics-Sixers

• With Embiid out, the Sixers remain scrappy—“Philly won't go down without a fight. They're known for fighters in boxing.” – Rich (31:43)
• Highlighting Edgecombe’s rapid development in real time, and Philly’s collective resilience.

Wemby, Scoot & Blazers-Spurs

• Wemby’s scary fall and how he must avoid the floor—“You just have to stay off the floor...the floor don’t give.” – Rich (36:02)
• Praising Scoot Henderson’s trajectory from G League to playoff difference-maker.

Other Playoff Matchups

• Magic vs. Pistons: Orlando’s momentum with a deep, tough rotation; Lions’ need for a true alpha.
• Cavaliers vs. Raptors: Cleveland’s dominance at home, series likely five or six games.
• Nuggets vs. Timberwolves: Defensive deficiencies in Denver; Minnesota’s defensive stoppers and X-factors like Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo.
  • “He [McDaniels] said, ‘Just go at them.’ They said who? He said: everyone. None of those guys, guard.” – Max (51:18)

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4. NFL Mock Draft – Picks 1-10: Analysis & Banter

(37:40 – 46:02)

• Hosts alternate picks, offering rationale for each selection and friendly disagreements. Timestamps denote picks and analysis:
  • 1. Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana) (38:32)
  • 2. Jets: Arvell Reese (defensive hybrid, Ohio State) (39:04)
    • “He’s a football player. Put him on the field.” – Rich (39:14)
  • 3. Cardinals: David Bailey (RB, Texas) (39:47)
  • 4. Titans: Jeremiah Love (all-purpose RB) (40:09)
  • 5. Giants: (diverged) Max: Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU); Rich: Sonny Styles (LB) (42:12)
  • 6. Browns: Carnell Tate (WR) (42:43)
  • Debate on positional value—safety vs. shutdown corner, and whether teams like the Giants and Commanders go with offense or secondary upgrades.
  • Giants-Dexter Lawrence trade impacts on draft capital and hypothetical haul.

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5. Dexter Lawrence Trade: Fan and Agent Perspectives

(58:30 – 65:54)

• Max’s “five-minute max” lament: Giants' tendency to win meaningless games sabotages draft position and leverage (“If they just don’t win a meaningless game at the end of the season…” (62:40))
• Rich, as agent, notes the complexities—guarantees, extension structures, why a one-year NFL deal isn’t always ideal.
• Both dissect the mutual upside for Giants and Bengals, and potential draft alterations if Giants pick higher.

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6. Personal Reflections: Representation, Agency, and Community Roots

(68:19 – 74:17)

• Rich pauses to discuss the pride and meaning of representing Arvell Reese—a star draft prospect from his own Cleveland neighborhood.
  • “There were 16 guys invited to the green room. We have three of them...But in this case, I’m talking about Arv because it’s just—a special, special thing.” (68:49)
  • “But this is a different one...we both played muni football at Patrick Henry...we both are tied to Coach Ted Ginn Sr. Right?” (70:32)
• Explains the hurdles of “familiarity breeds disrespect”—the challenges of signing gifted kids from your own community who might undervalue your success.
  • “Oftentimes, these are the hardest ones because familiarity breeds disrespect.” – Rich (73:03)
• Max jokes about his own (Bel Air) background, drawing a playful Fresh Prince comparison.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “He’s at his best when he’s maestro…and he can’t do it for a whole game. But...initiating the offense here and there to get guys off the ball and get guys really good shots, he can do that.” – Rich Paul on LeBron (14:10)
• “LeBron's running the office...He’s my point guard...the greatest point guard on my all-time team.” – Max (26:55-27:06)
• “I don’t see anybody pushing Bruce Springsteen off the stage.” – Rich on sports legends and aging (19:30)
• “You see what our people—Oh yes...everyone’s supportive of everyone. Whether you’re on somebody’s contract or not, you’re rooting for that guy.” – Rich (06:34)
• “These top picks don’t normally get the opportunity to play in the playoffs.” – Max (34:02)
• “The floor don’t give…You have to stay off the floor.” – Rich on Wemby and injury risk (36:02)
• “Oftentimes, these are the hardest ones because familiarity breeds disrespect.” – Rich, on representing hometown talent (73:03)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | Content Summary | |-----------|-------|----------------| | 01:20–08:03 | NBA Reaction Hot Take | Lakers floor seat experience, Clutch client big nights, NBA playoff adrenaline | | 10:17–14:49 | Lakers’ Tactical Evolution | LeBron’s role, player analogies, Rich’s "Just Be LeBron" advice | | 14:49–29:07 | Detailed Game Breakdown | LeBron’s orchestration, Lakers rotation debate, "Maestro" talk | | 31:40–36:02 | Playoff Check-Ins | Celtics-Sixers, Blazers-Spurs, Edgecombe & Scoot’s rise, Wemby injury talk | | 37:40–46:02 | NFL Mock Draft | Picks 1-10, positional debates, Giants/Browns focus | | 58:30–65:54 | Dexter Lawrence Trade | Max’s fan pain, Rich’s contract perspective, impact on Giants’ draft haul | | 68:19–74:17 | Representation & Community | Rich on Arvell Reese, meaning of agency from within the community |

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Tone and Style

The entire episode is bright, conversational, and loaded with both expert analysis and inside jokes. Rich and Max blend real on-court/field observation with personal experience, especially highlighting Rich’s agency and community ties. Banter, affectionate ribbing, and cultural references keep even detailed sports talk accessible and fun.

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Conclusion

This episode showcases why “Game Over” is a compelling listen for sports fans: impassioned, knowledgeable basketball and football talk, deep dives into the significance of athletic opportunity, and a genuine personal window into the lives of two industry insiders. Whether dissecting LeBron James’ ever-evolving role, celebrating young breakout stars, spitballing NFL draft picks, or reflecting on the meaning of representation, Max and Rich keep the pacing brisk and always bring it back to the human side of sports.

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Contact:
[e-mail] – Send in questions; Blake, you’re still in the lead.
Next episode: Post-draft reactions—unless (per Max) the predictions are totally off, then forget you ever heard them.

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Transcript

[Max Kellerman]

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[Rich Paul]

Max, the NBA is fantastic. First of all, it really is fantastic.

[Max Kellerman]

We normally do this on a Wednesday morning.

[Rich Paul]

Well, I actually wanted to go home. You dragged me here because.

[Max Kellerman]

Because. Because you hit me. Yeah, let's come to the Lakers game. Boom. So we're at the Lakers game together.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, I said Lakers game, not Lakers game. And then do the show after the Lakers game.

[Max Kellerman]

We're sitting in your excellent floor seats

[Rich Paul]

where we're not right now.

[Max Kellerman]

I'm saying there's so much going on. It's fresh in our heads. Let's just zip to the studio, knock this out right now. Right? Come on. You want to be here. Don't act like. Come on. We're amped up right now.

[Rich Paul]

Listen, listen, I am amped up. I definitely want to be here.

[Max Kellerman]

Right?

[Rich Paul]

But I would also like to be right now having a nice smash burger and a sweet potato fry. Oh. This is what I'm trying to tell you, Darvin.

[Max Kellerman]

Why did I say you were going

[Rich Paul]

to make that move? Yeah, but the games were so good yesterday and today.

[Max Kellerman]

Too much by tomorrow morning. It's too like tomorrow morning.

[Rich Paul]

Yes. Because one thing about you, you get really antsy when it's good things.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, I'm all this J. Will used to say when we did the radio show with Key on ESPN a couple of years back, he would be like, squirrel, because I'm like, He said I'm very easily distracted. Right. So squirrel. So. So, like, you know, I can't have any squirrels run by before, like, we get our opinions out on this game.

[Rich Paul]

I'm also in a better mood.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

You know what?

[Max Kellerman]

I got to say this. I just got to say this. And I see people on social media, oh, Max must like those Clutch checks.

[Rich Paul]

I'm not. He's not getting. I'm not getting Clutch checks unless you're getting coupons.

[Max Kellerman]

That's right. That's right. I get discounts from the Clutch merch. But. But I gotta say. But, I mean, like, Rich is my guy. Of course I'm happy from him, for him, when his business does well, objectively. You had a big night tonight. Clutch had a big night tonight. Rich Paul had a big night tonight. First of all, LeBron James, who is your most famous client, of course, was great tonight. And we'll get into that show like, there's a million reasons why he going

[Rich Paul]

to be my word today. He was fantastic.

[Max Kellerman]

Million reasons why he.

[Rich Paul]

He was great for so many different reasons. Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

Maxi. Tyrese Maxey was hurt. He couldn't shoot it because he was hurt. He had to. He had to leave the game. He comes back and in the moment of truth, starts knocking down big shots, and the Sixers win and tie up a series where. I know it's, you know, until the. Until the road team wins a game

[Rich Paul]

they won again, is a road team.

[Max Kellerman]

The bottom line is it's the Celtics.

[Rich Paul]

No one expects to win the series. I understand.

[Max Kellerman]

That was huge.

[Rich Paul]

That was huge.

[Max Kellerman]

And then Scoot Henderson, you brought him up the other day, and I'm like, look, he's developed into a serviceable NBA player. But really, it was after Wemby in that draft, it was Scoot and the game, he just had both ends of the floor. That's a big. So on a night like this. Let me ask you for real, on a night like this is in terms of, like, in the company, are you guys talking about, like, the big night that you had and all this?

[Rich Paul]

No. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, look, on a night like this, those guys are getting text by so many people. I normally wait. You know, I shoot them, maybe call them, whatever. But they're traveling back home. They don't get home late. So I normally wait. We'll touch up on it tomorrow. But, yeah, because, look, you feel good about it in different ways. LeBron and him. When I think about LJ, he's taken the high road so many times. He's had so much thrown at him. A lot of it, I felt, is undeserved, but yet still, he remains the ultimate professional. And what does he do? Not only does he come through, but he comes through, and he doesn't make the game about him. He make the game about.

[Max Kellerman]

All right, well, you got to save that for.

[Rich Paul]

Save it.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, you got to save it.

[Rich Paul]

But then in Scoot's case, the reason why I brought it up is because me and you talk about this a lot when you're drafted as high as these guys are drafted. In his case, he was three. Right. He gets to a team. You get the opportunity here and there. It's.

[Max Kellerman]

Who was two?

[Rich Paul]

Brandon Miller.

[Max Kellerman]

Oh, right. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Another good player.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, really good.

[Rich Paul]

But so, you know, it's kind of spotty in terms of opportunity. Had a few injuries, et cetera, but when I tell you, you talk about a steady kid, young man. I watched him, with the great Chris Johnson, get in a gym this summer, locked himself in the jungle out in Chatsworth with Chris Johnson and work. So on a night like tonight, I'm not surprised, really.

[Max Kellerman]

They asked him, when did you know you were gonna have a good game? When I woke up.

[Rich Paul]

When he woke up. And he should feel like that because he put in the work. That's not him being. Scooter's not one of those type of guys. It's like, look at me type of guy.

[Max Kellerman]

Right. He's not talking shit.

[Rich Paul]

No.

[Max Kellerman]

He's just telling you how it is.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. Because that's how poised he is as a person.

[Max Kellerman]

But I mean, like, in the do, Are there within clutch. Are you guys talking like. Yeah, it's a big night tonight. You see what our people. Oh, yes.

[Rich Paul]

Yes. On the. On the group chats and everyone's. Everyone. The thing about it is everyone's supportive of everyone. Right? So whether you on somebody's spac, which is a standard player agreement, contract, or not, you're rooting for that guy because we all represent the players and the families and so on, so forth. And then, you know my slogan with Tyrese. Don't take Tyrese Maxey for granted. Because here's another guy that no matter what happens, he's there. He's playing through injuries. He doesn't complain. He keeps a smile on his face. And on the road in Boston, of all places, he no embiid. No embiid.

[Max Kellerman]

By the way, I do take him for granted, which is why I said Edgecombe Edgecomb was gonna be the cause. I can take Max for granted. He's going to be great.

[Rich Paul]

No.

[Max Kellerman]

Edge Combs, the guy who has to be big in order for them to win.

[Rich Paul]

But did you see the two back to back? Daggers.

[Max Kellerman]

Daggers. Those. That's the definition of daggers.

[Rich Paul]

And you know who's. Who's more upset than anybody? Sam Cassell. He actually, knowing Sam, he's probably happy because he's like, you know what I told y'?

[Max Kellerman]

All.

[Rich Paul]

I told y', all, now we got to come to play. You know, I know Sam. Right?

[Max Kellerman]

But who was a by the way of dagger player himself.

[Rich Paul]

Here's what I would say. VJ Max. There's no discounts at VJ Max.

[Max Kellerman]

Right.

[Rich Paul]

It's not a discount store.

[Max Kellerman]

Right.

[Rich Paul]

VJ Max is going to cost you premium top dollar for VJ Max.

[Max Kellerman]

Make the clutch check payable, too. All right, you ready?

[Rich Paul]

Let's do this show next.

[Max Kellerman]

Let's do the show over with Max Kellerman, Rich Paul. Game [e-mail] special Tuesday night right after the Lakers game. Straight from crypto of addition.

[Rich Paul]

Listen, talk about crypto. Yeah, I know. He didn't see it. The game tonight. There was two very good quarterbacks at the game tonight.

[Max Kellerman]

Oh, I did see. You saw one.

[Rich Paul]

You know who the other one was?

[Max Kellerman]

Tell me, Rich Paul.

[Rich Paul]

No.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

I'm the third one.

[Max Kellerman]

No, I saw Joe Burrow.

[Rich Paul]

You didn't see Matthew St. How you see Burrow? Didn't see Matthew Stafford.

[Max Kellerman]

Matthew Stafford was by the Lakers bench. Joe Burrow was facing him on the other side of the court. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

And then. And then Michael was there, too.

[Rich Paul]

Michael was there tonight, too. I said, what's up to Micah?

[Max Kellerman]

He was kind of hiding. Matthew Stafford was front and center. Joe was kind of incognito.

[Rich Paul]

Joe, Joe. Joe. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

Joe. One of my favorite players in the league.

[Rich Paul]

He should have been incognito tonight. He did the right thing.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. Is that right?

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. He was right. He was right. He played it. I like how he played it.

[Max Kellerman]

Joe cool.

[Rich Paul]

Joe cool. Yeah, but it was real football players in. In the building tonight.

[Max Kellerman]

There were. Yeah, they were. All right, here we go.

[Rich Paul]

You ready? Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

Game over is brought to you by FanDuel. The NBA post season is here, and FanDuel knows the only thing better than watching your favorite team is winning along with them. Let's be honest. Fanduel is the best place to bet the team's players and plays during their playoff run. Build a same game parlay or try live betting and jump in after tip off. And don't forget, with FanDuel, you get paid instantly when you win. Download the FanDuel sportsbook app now and play your game 21 and over in select states. 18 and over in DC, Kentucky or Wyoming. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER, call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chatinc. Rich. When I think about the difference. We were at the Celtics game together for the Pat Riley. When they unveiled Pat Riley statue in

[Rich Paul]

the game, which was great. We got to speak to Pat. That was. That was. I didn't even care about the game. Just the fact that speaking to Pat, the fact that talking basketball, Pat Riley

[Max Kellerman]

sees me and goes, hey, Max. As though he's supposed to know who I am.

[Rich Paul]

What do you think he'll call you? John.

[Max Kellerman]

But the point is the point. There's some moments in your life that. Where you're like, that was for me, that's one of them. Where he. You know what I mean?

[Rich Paul]

That's one of those things. No, he gives you that. And by the way, when you with Pat, you really have to check your tire. Cause one thing about him and Chrissy, they are like, pristine, classy through and through.

[Max Kellerman]

Classiest couple ever seen in my life.

[Rich Paul]

So now you go home and you checking. You checking your style.

[Max Kellerman]

But.

[Rich Paul]

No but go ahead.

[Max Kellerman]

So I think about that game. I was disgusted, okay?

[Rich Paul]

Yes, you were. You caused a lot.

[Max Kellerman]

The Riley statue, the whole thing. The Celtics are in town. You have. There's luka Doncic, there's LeBron James. You have. You can compete. And they got the break speed off. It was so I was really disgusted. I did not like the way Luka played in that game. I didn't like all the complaining, and he wasn't getting down the floor. I didn't like the offense. I felt like he was monopolizing the ball. There was no fight flow. There was no feel. And it was really. And at the time, what we were saying, and this was really. You were like, you know, LeBron should be the. Like Carl Malone of the Lakers, right? Like we're talking about. That's exactly right. If LeBron is Karl Malone, which he could do in his sleep, right?

[Rich Paul]

Play seven more years.

[Max Kellerman]

He's a higher iq. Karl Malone. He's just the same size as Karl Malone, basically. But, like, it would be great.

[Rich Paul]

But rich, watching tonight, actually, I have a different. I have a different. I have a different person. LeBron should be for the Lakers.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay, I want to hear it. Because tonight was totally different. No Luka, no Austin Reaves up against the Houston team. Now. They don't have Van Vliet. Okay. But they didn't all year. But with KD, who dropped 20 in

[Rich Paul]

the first half, looked very good in the first half.

[Max Kellerman]

LeBron running the offense. There was rhythm, there was flow. He was okay. Did he get back on defense every time? No. He's 67 years old. I was screaming at him, I give him a pass.

[Rich Paul]

He didn't hear me.

[Max Kellerman]

I give him a pass. There were a couple times he could get back screaming.

[Rich Paul]

I didn't say it, but you can feel it. Because it don't matter who's not getting back on defense. I consider myself a coach.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

I need you getting back on defense.

[Max Kellerman]

So I want to hear what you have to say about this. The last thing before I yield the floor is what's so funny about sitting in your seats at a Lakers game is what you sound like is a deranged fan. I don't mean in terms of what you're saying. Cause obviously you are watching a different game than most people. But I gotta get. I'm gonna get LeBron's attention and tell him X, Y and Z. That's something that some idiot who has, like, courtside seats would say, like, yeah, you're gonna tell. And then it's like, no, actually, he is gonna. He is gonna get LeBron's attention. And he and LeBron will take it

[Rich Paul]

under advice, because I just need eye contact. I just need eye contact. And, you know. But nevertheless avoids eye contact with you? No, no, no, not at all. No.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay, but so. But what do you mean? What different role does. Does LeBron.

[Rich Paul]

It's two things I want to happen. One, the next time you feel how you felt after that Celtics game, I'm going to buy you a mirror and say whatever you said that time, just say it to your mirror because you caused a lot of issues. Okay. I just want to let you know that that's number one, by the way.

[Max Kellerman]

And then JJ got in Luka's face, and Luka played better after that.

[Rich Paul]

And now you take credit for that?

[Max Kellerman]

Yes.

[Rich Paul]

Okay. That's number one.

[Max Kellerman]

Just like Tom Brady with the cliff. I motivated him.

[Rich Paul]

I have no argument. Number two, who I think LeBron should be on his Lakers team.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Is LeBron.

[Max Kellerman]

You want him to run the offense?

[Rich Paul]

I just think he should be himself because obviously it works. And I'm not saying take on the brunt. What I'm saying is he's at his best when he's maestro and he can't do it for a whole game. Right. Although he did. But if you're Talking about having the ability to allow others to be off the ball just a little bit. I don't want him necessarily dribbling up the floor, trying to exude all that energy. But I'm saying initiating the offense here and there to get guys off the ball and get guys really good shots, he can do that. And so when it's called on him, when it's called on, he can do it.

[Max Kellerman]

That's actually a profound thing because I have stuff to say about that. But what you're really saying is LeBron was trying so hard to fit in and give the keys to Luca that it was. There were shades, but there were shades of the first year in Miami. Obviously, LeBron's not the same player that he was. Luka doesn't have a championship like Wade had, but there were shades of it in the sense that, Look, LeBron, we know you're trying to do the right thing and say here you. But you're, you're so in your head about it that it's affecting the way you're playing and it's affecting the team. You just gotta be yourself.

[Rich Paul]

Well, sometimes I think that you could, you could lean in on someone's age looking for a reason for you to lessen their capabilities, but if their capabilities is still there, then you have to disregard the age. Now it all has to be monitor a lot different because the guy is still 41 years old. So. And when you have the help, you have it.

[Max Kellerman]

But Ron was 41 in like 1997. He's been like, he's the oldest man on earth. I can't believe he's still doing this.

[Rich Paul]

Well, you almost jumped out of your seat tonight when the man did a backwards reverse dunk, which was unnecessary.

[Max Kellerman]

No, but, but that's, but that's okay. Wait, okay. Can I go off on this for a second? Sure, go ahead. I'm just, I mean, this is like, you know, you know one or two things about LeBron. I get it. And if I'm watch, I'm like, max, shut up. Let RICH Talk about LeBron.

[Rich Paul]

Well, they all said that.

[Max Kellerman]

But I will say, I just got to say, I got to say this about LeBron. His understanding of the game is. It's so extra rich. His. There were, there were at least three different points in that game where Houston had taken like a one point lead. And you blinked and the lakers were up five or six points because LeBron, on consecutive possessions, he, he, he just had a feel on the offensive glass and he's tapping it to whoever he's finding the open man but doing it in rhythm where that guy feels good. He is admonishing a teammate. Right. Like you have a guy, Jackson Hayes, you have a tiny defender on you compared to you go straight up. But he does it in a way. He's not playing the guy out. He's not embarrassing him. He's not demoralizing him. Because I've seen so called team leaders do that and the best players on teams do that to guys. He's. Because then on the next possession he finds Jackson Hayes. And then the next possession, Jackson Hayes now does the right thing and feels good about himself. Right. Vanderbilt too. It's like, what are you giving the ball to Van? Are you kidding?

[Rich Paul]

Watch yourself, Max.

[Max Kellerman]

There were a couple possessions in a row where it didn't look good, but LeBron was building.

[Rich Paul]

Well, he's there. He's there for a different reason.

[Max Kellerman]

He played great defense for sure, but LeBron was building.

[Rich Paul]

Of course. You have to.

[Max Kellerman]

And then there were. And then the feel for when he needs to draw the double team and find the open man. The feel for. Nope. I got to take it to the. I got to take it to the hoop. It. It's such a. It wasn't a. What was it?

[Rich Paul]

It was.

[Max Kellerman]

I don't. I don't think he had. He had like what, eight boards and seven assist? Something like that or nine. Yeah, it was close to whatever.

[Rich Paul]

I don't know what he finished with.

[Max Kellerman]

He was kind of flirting with a 25 to 30 point triple double. He didn't quite get it, but couple rebounds. He could have got his total understanding of what his team needs from him. And I think without Luka there and also without Reaves, he knows he needs to bring the whole group along and it's like the best.

[Rich Paul]

Of course. Yeah. And those guys are obviously extremely missed. But I always said to you is he was always able to do more with less.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

That's just when he.

[Max Kellerman]

Than anyone ever.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. But when I talk about the dunk and the reason why I say it is because it came out of nowhere. But that's understanding the show as well. And you're like. I'm like, no, Max, the man just did a reverse dunk. Why?

[Max Kellerman]

Because he needed to get the crowd amped. Because. Because Houston wouldn't go away.

[Rich Paul]

And it's not like he knew he was going to do that. He did that in that split second moment. And I'll tell you this. LeBron could play five more years. He could play at least 28 years in the NBA. Now I personally think, and don't kill me, Savannah, that I think he should play 25 years because he definitely got at least two more years in him. And I'm not.

[Max Kellerman]

Nice round number.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. And I'm not so sure that the people, fans, we should be sitting here trying to push him out the league. I don't know about that.

[Max Kellerman]

I agree.

[Rich Paul]

You gotta be very, very careful with that. Because when we get these opportunities, I mean, I don't see anybody pushing Bruce Springsteen off the stage. Like, you know, Rich, I wouldn't do that. I don't want to do it. Selfishly, I don't want to do it.

[Max Kellerman]

But with kd and they did have KD for one game so far, out of the two. Yes, he's playing with Tom, Dick and Harry and kd.

[Rich Paul]

Now I've got to respond.

[Max Kellerman]

Hold on. Come on, let's.

[Rich Paul]

You have to respect these guys.

[Max Kellerman]

I'm not.

[Rich Paul]

Come on, you can't say that.

[Max Kellerman]

Not saying they're not.

[Rich Paul]

Well, just name the names.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay, look there. He's playing with a good bench.

[Rich Paul]

Fair, right.

[Max Kellerman]

Like. Or here I'll even do better with, with solid rotation pieces.

[Rich Paul]

I don't mind that either. No one get mad at you.

[Max Kellerman]

Not even a single average. There's not an average starter on the Lakers. Meaning. And if it is average, it's low average. Like if, if there are 30 teams in the league, then between 10 and 20 at your position, you're an average starter. Right. If there. If you want to say deandre Ayton is an average starter, well, you put

[Rich Paul]

the right team with Luke Canara. He could be, he could be a starter. The way he shoots the ball, he's

[Max Kellerman]

definitely a rotation piece. He shoots the hell out of the ball. And he's a smart player.

[Rich Paul]

Very smart.

[Max Kellerman]

He's a smart player. Marcus Smart is a rotation piece for sure.

[Rich Paul]

Marcus Smart definitely got the right last name because he's a smart ass basketball player.

[Max Kellerman]

He is. Deandre Ayton was the number one pick in the draft for a reason, right? Like yes, he's. He's. And he's a rotation piece. Who else on that team? You know, I like the way laravia plays.

[Rich Paul]

But.

[Max Kellerman]

But he's a body.

[Rich Paul]

But Laravia sticks. Laravius. He plays with some toughness.

[Max Kellerman]

He does.

[Rich Paul]

And you know what I like about him? Honestly, whatever he's asked to do, he do it. Yeah, he was starting. They bring him out. He doesn't complain. He just plays.

[Max Kellerman]

But let's say you need guys eight man rotation in the playoffs. LaRavia is the ninth guy. Okay, right. Like something like. Or the tenth guy. And it's. I'm not dissing him. The playoffs in the NBA is a very high level. I get it. I'm not saying these guys are bad players, but the fact that he's taking this group against. You could say Thompson. KD has Thompson. You know, Reed Shepherd's not Van Vliet, but he's a nice player.

[Rich Paul]

Say Goon.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. Sengun is. He's not elite, but he's like the next thing.

[Rich Paul]

I really like Jabari Smith always.

[Max Kellerman]

Jabari Smith is a real guy. They have he. KD is working with so much more. The Lakers are up 2. 0.

[Rich Paul]

I know, but it's not a series until someone wins on the road. So there's still a lot of work to be done.

[Max Kellerman]

Rich, I don't care what you say. I think LeBron James is excellent.

[Rich Paul]

You come up with these genius things.

[Max Kellerman]

I just was. I was blown away by, at the age of 41, what he just did to have his team. It's a team game. And KD had 20 in the first half. And you could see toward the end of the game, KD is trying to impose himself a little to.

[Rich Paul]

To.

[Max Kellerman]

To will his team into it. But that was always been the difference offensively between LeBron and KD. This used to. Like Stephen A. Would have a conniption. We'd argue about this. I'd say LeBron is the better offensive player because when people think offense, they think scoring, scoring.

[Rich Paul]

So.

[Max Kellerman]

So KD is the purest scorer ever. But offense on a. In a five on five situation is not just scoring in terms of the way an offense functions. When LeBron has the ball in his

[Rich Paul]

hands, you know who Houston's missing?

[Max Kellerman]

Dylan Brooks, someone like that.

[Rich Paul]

Oh, like you can see it. You can, you can. You can really see it. But to move on.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Yes. The Lakers up 2 0. A lot of work to still be done on their end. And if you're Houston, you know, you got to go home and fight like this is. This is an Ma Udoka coach, team led team. He's not laying down. You know that. And for the Lakers, yes, Smart was good tonight. Canard was good again. It was Canard's game over 20 points. I know he was good again.

[Max Kellerman]

He had that 27. That's his play. Here's the question with Canard, is the pixie dust going to wear off? Because you could see him feeling himself after the 27. And now he's, he's. He's Canard's a player, he's asserting himself more. But can you rely on canard for 20 points?

[Rich Paul]

Well, we'll see, we'll see. On the road it's a different challenge and obviously you know the role players on the road, it's, it's. Is the uncomfortable, you know, being so uncomfortable.

[Max Kellerman]

Well, here's the good having to get

[Rich Paul]

comfortable being uncomfortable because the road is different. The crowd isn't on your side, the rim isn't as big as it is at home. Doesn't look as big as it is at home.

[Max Kellerman]

Is Marcus Smart a role player on this team?

[Rich Paul]

I don't know if Marcus Smart does.

[Max Kellerman]

Marcus Smart don't care about the road.

[Rich Paul]

Here's what I would say. Marcus Smart is an impact player on this team. Marcus Smart was a seventh pick in his draft. He started out in Boston prior to the injuries. He was always a guy you hated to play against. He has a knack for the ball. He's a smart basketball player. He's a winning play basketball player. He is.

[Max Kellerman]

Speaking of which, let's say LeBron navigates this group through Houston. Let's say they come back to crypto up 3:1. They somehow get past Houston without Austin Reaves or Luka. But that gives Luka and Reaves enough time to come back. Can I. I believe that this Lakers team, which was originally Luka at the point, LeBron at the 4. Right. But that means that you're. The other guy in the backcourt is Marcus Smart and, and then, and then you have Austin Reaves.

[Rich Paul]

Well, I think they found something in these couple games and again we're playing fantasy basketball a little bit here, but not really.

[Max Kellerman]

If you, if the Lakers want to go as deep as possible right now.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, I think they, I think they found something. And by the way JJ coached, he did a hell of a job all year.

[Max Kellerman]

JJ's done an amazing job.

[Rich Paul]

But tonight the game plan was executed. I know he probably wish he used a timeout when they went on that 13 over.

[Max Kellerman]

That was bad.

[Rich Paul]

That happens. But, but his game plan was excellent tonight and the guys really bought in and they executed very well. I've seen him rotating.

[Max Kellerman]

What did they find though? Rich.

[Rich Paul]

But I think they found an ability to also insert LeBron back into that initiator role.

[Max Kellerman]

Point guard from a point guard. Like you said, on my all time

[Rich Paul]

team, the spells of the game, my

[Max Kellerman]

point guard is LeBron James. LeBron James is the best point guard. He's point forward. Whatever. He is the best. When people talk about the greatest at these different positions and you put LeBron James is my point guard because.

[Rich Paul]

Oh, I mean, he's.

[Max Kellerman]

He's my point guard.

[Rich Paul]

Yes. He's the top five point guard in the history of the game.

[Max Kellerman]

He is the greatest point guard of all time. LeBron is the greatest point guard on my all time team. LeBron's. LeBron's running the office.

[Rich Paul]

So here's my thing. I think Kobe said the same thing when he. I don't think he said it like that, but he said if he's picking him, he was young. And he said, I'm picking him because, yeah, the way he plays the game. But what I'm saying is if it's Austin and Luka on the other end of the right.

[Max Kellerman]

So it's LeBron at the 1, Austin at the 2, whoever at the 3.

[Rich Paul]

Yes, but whoever's setting the screens or in a lot of cases, when. When T. Lou, during that four year run with the Cavs, sometimes he would have like, K love, obviously, but also like Kyrie was set to screen or JR was set to screen. Now if you're. If you get caught in the middle of Blitzen Bron or switching and you're a second late on one of those guys, it's a wrap.

[Max Kellerman]

So it's a rap. So LeBron Reeves, Luca Hachimora at the four.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

Deandre Ayton at the five. That's your starting five. What I like about that is I think the offense will flow better than putting it in the hands of Luca, who was like James Harden, an offensive machine.

[Rich Paul]

Well, you still need that sometimes. I'm just saying.

[Max Kellerman]

Yes, of course it's.

[Rich Paul]

You can mix it up. Luca's gonna mix it.

[Max Kellerman]

Luca's the best. He's the most prolific scorer on the team. All that.

[Rich Paul]

So they.

[Max Kellerman]

So they found something, but basically that allows Marcus Smart to be your sixth man.

[Rich Paul]

Yes. And that's what they really canard that definitely.

[Max Kellerman]

Smart canard. And then. And then Jackson Hayes, and you go to a tighter rotation. You got a guy who can initiate the offense, get his own shot, set up teammates. And Marcus Smart, you got Canard who's a, you know, dead eye shooter, and you have a guy who can roll.

[Rich Paul]

It's just switching styles. But. Okay, so Lakers up two zero. They got to go on the road and get one. Houston has to protect home court to make it a series.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay, all right. Good enough.

[Rich Paul]

It's a lot of time on the Lakers. You were amped up. We're just coming back from that game.

[Max Kellerman]

Come on.

[Rich Paul]

Exactly. So it's going to happen.

[Max Kellerman]

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[Max Kellerman]

are in danger of losing that series to the, to the Sixers.

[Rich Paul]

No, I don't think so. But, but, but, but Philly won't go down without a fight. It's Philadelphia. They're known for fighters in boxing. They're known to fight.

[Max Kellerman]

Be sure about this. They're going down. They're going down without. They don't have mb. They're going down to the Celtics.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, but you can say that. But what I will say is you have to tip your hat to going on the road.

[Max Kellerman]

No doubt.

[Rich Paul]

Not just folding the fashion that they wanted.

[Max Kellerman]

Maxi gets hurt now it's like, okay, and this.

[Rich Paul]

You have every excuse in the world.

[Max Kellerman]

Edgecombe, remember I said Edgecomb has to like, become a super, a star before our eyes. The development has to continue and like in these playoffs now has to kind of explode.

[Rich Paul]

Well, when you kind of happen tonight. Well, when you're drafting guys, part of your drafting a guy is what you're seeing. The last game, he was 0 for 5 from 3. Come back this game and have a really good. That's just mindset. That's resilience. Yeah, right. And having the ability or the want or the will to play the other side of the ball as well.

[Max Kellerman]

So the Blazers. Now let's get on to more serious topic. The Blazers beat the spurs series is even. Wemby fell on his face.

[Rich Paul]

I know.

[Max Kellerman]

Went into concussion protocol. So. And I thought at the moment it happened, they're gonna, they can, they can win this game without him. Apparently not.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, well, no, listen, I told you before. You, you told me different. I said, max, this Blazers team, I've been watching them all year. They. They're not going down lightly. They are. They probably got eight guys. That's six, six, six, seven and up. Denny was in foul trouble tonight, but he's a downhill guy. Scoot had his going out coming out party tonight.

[Max Kellerman]

He did.

[Rich Paul]

They still have Jeru Holiday. This is a really good. The Blazers are about a player and a half away from being a real problem.

[Max Kellerman]

It's also interesting night that Edgecomb and Scoot and like you have these young players. That's what. When I say, like a guy has to become a star before our eyes, this is where it happens in the playoffs.

[Rich Paul]

But they have to have this opportunity. Normally these top picks don't get the opportunity to play in the playoffs. When the last time two guys that went number three got a chance to play in the playoffs. On Zion hasn't made the playoffs yet. He was the number one pick in the draft.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, I think about, like. Yeah, I mean, look Scoot is having the kind of moment I did not see this coming. I thought he was, I thought he was a solid NBA player. He turned, he went from like, ooh, this doesn't look good to a solid NBA player. But he's showing much more than that.

[Rich Paul]

I'm telling you.

[Max Kellerman]

The defense is always there, but now he's got the, the offense is there too.

[Rich Paul]

And Scoot's a player, man. And when you look at him, you would think he was a player for the Crimson Tide. The way he looks in the secondary, the way his body looks, I mean, so he's a player. You don't go, here's the other thing. Very few times you go number three. And he was the youngest guy coming in. You got to remember he went to the G league very early at a young age.

[Max Kellerman]

People forget about that back in the day. By the time the guy was in his second or third year. He's 25 years old.

[Rich Paul]

Yes. He's still very young and, you know, ascending. So.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, when we were talking about Wemby the other day, to me the big question is, how does a 7 foot 4 guy's body respond? Like just where the muscle attaches to the ligament, attaches to the right, like all that kind of stuff. You think, because, and no one's ever played, like when Wemby at that size and, but, and you mentioned he's got to keep himself off the floor.

[Rich Paul]

Off the floor.

[Max Kellerman]

That you're so right about that. As soon as you said, I'm like, yeah, right, that's going to be the number one thing. Because first of all, every fall from that height is a bigger deal. Second of all, if you're Wemby, I don't care how, how, like, you know, he wants to play the right way and do the dirty work. You're not doing any dirty work. You got to be crazy.

[Rich Paul]

Yes, but the floor don't give. That's my only thing. The floral and tonight was a little tricky because he was making an offensive move, kind of got thrown off balance and couldn't brace his fall the way he would like to. So I, I, I, I put an asterisk.

[Max Kellerman]

No, it's not about this incident. It's about what it brings up going forward.

[Rich Paul]

But, but you know, I would have the same conversation with A.D. like you, you just have to stay off the floor. I used to have the same, by the way, I used to have the same conversation with, with Eric Bledsoe. Like, you have to stay off the floor because he would always bled.

[Max Kellerman]

So I Say, could be on the floor because. Because. Because Bledsoe, his first of all, at his size, that's one of the best defenders you'll ever see. Right. So that guy. When you're not 7 4. When you're like 5, 4. No, but really, when you're like 6ft tall, you gotta. Like you. You're gonna have to be on the floor sometimes.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, but not as much as. He would just fall. Just to fall. It was part of his offensive.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Repertoire. But. But Cavs. Raptors can. The Raptors can the Raptors defend home, win two at home?

[Max Kellerman]

I think the Cavs are going to get one on the road.

[Rich Paul]

So you think the series goes five, five or six? Five or six, yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

Five, Right. Sounds about right.

[Rich Paul]

I thought it would go six at least, but it's one game at a time, so let's see what happens.

[Max Kellerman]

The Cavs have looked in control the whole time.

[Rich Paul]

They have. But they also play really good at home. Yeah, it's tough to. It's tough to win in Cleveland.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

For the opposing team. It's always. It always has been.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

I'm talking about going all the way back to Price and Daugherty and Nash.

[Max Kellerman]

Price. Man, I thought Dave Checketts was going to land Mark Price for the Knicks back then. I was very excited. Bad boy didn't happen.

[Rich Paul]

Bad boy.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, he was Mark Price. Really good. NFL draft is tomorrow in Pittsburgh, Rich.

[Rich Paul]

No, it's Thursday.

[Max Kellerman]

Thursday?

[Rich Paul]

Yes, Thursday in Pittsburgh. I have my picks.

[Max Kellerman]

I'm. Tomorrow. Well, hold on a second. No, not. It's not.

[Rich Paul]

It's today. No, tomorrow.

[Max Kellerman]

On the East Coast. Yeah, I can already say it's tomorrow. If you're watching this on the. If you. If you're on the east coast, then it's already tomorrow. It's Tuesday.

[Rich Paul]

The draft is Thursday. How about that?

[Max Kellerman]

Let me make an easy Thursday in Pittsburgh. Mendoza to the Raiders. Everyone knows. What do you think, Max?

[Rich Paul]

We got to do this right.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

Okay. The jets are on the clock.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay. Oh, you want us. You want to. You want to do our mocks?

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

Let's do the mocks.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay. Jets are on the clock.

[Rich Paul]

No, the Raiders have the number one pick. They don't have to take the whole five minutes.

[Max Kellerman]

Right.

[Rich Paul]

Who does the Raiders take?

[Max Kellerman]

Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana.

[Rich Paul]

Yes, they take Mendoza. I agree.

[Max Kellerman]

They're going to take the quarterback there.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

The. The jets are now on the clock.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

Who's the jets take?

[Max Kellerman]

Well, I'm going to introduce you to a guy you may not know about. He's from Ohio State and he's considered a very high end, edge rusher, among other things. By the way, Arvel Reese, I don't know if you're familiar with him.

[Rich Paul]

It's too late for this, Max.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

I would say the jets take Arvell Reese. Here's why.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

I think he has the highest upside defensively. On the defensive side of the ball, we're yet to know. Is he an edge? Is he a backer? I'll give you one. He's a football player.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, he's a football player.

[Rich Paul]

Put him on the field.

[Max Kellerman]

But those hybrid guys, they can, they can do business.

[Rich Paul]

Did you see the spring game? Did you see. Did you see the pro day? I'm sorry, the pro day?

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

You saw him talking to hardball?

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Did you see. So when you ask me what I look like after a workout, I'll just show you our bell race. You don't have to worry about it.

[Max Kellerman]

All right. Okay. Third. Go ahead. Why don't you do the third pick? Well, my third Arizona Cardinals team with

[Rich Paul]

the Arizona Cardinals, they have a lot to do here, so I, I thought they would probably take a running back, but I think now I'm changing my pick.

[Max Kellerman]

Oh, you're changing?

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, I think, I think they go Bailey.

[Max Kellerman]

That's what I said. David Bailey out of Texas. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Or they could trade back.

[Max Kellerman]

I mean, it depends, like if it really depends on what the jets do. Reese and Bailey, I think are going to go two and three in whatever order the Jets.

[Rich Paul]

But they could. Somebody could trade up, honestly.

[Max Kellerman]

And then who do the Titans take it for?

[Rich Paul]

So I had the Titans taken. And this is. Again, I haven't taken Love.

[Max Kellerman]

I agree.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

I think that's where Jeremiah Love goes. And the thing about, the thing about all purpose backs is like a McCaffrey type of back or a Saquon type of back. Although Saquon maybe didn't catch passes quite as well. Is that part of the. There's a couple. One of the ways people reason is from day one, you're going to have a starter and you're never really going to have a star and you're never going to really have to pay him because it's like now you do. It's cheap production. But you're never going to have to pay him. Like a top wide out, for example.

[Rich Paul]

Well, that's tough.

[Max Kellerman]

But he can catch passes, you can line him up the side. You could sometimes split a guy out wide. He can run between the tackles. He can do all these things and you're going to get crazy production from him from day one until his, like, sixth or seventh year. And right when it comes time to pay him, you can cut ties. Like there's some wisdom to taking a back that high. The only thing I would say is either that's your plan, like you're not getting a wide out. Even if he can catch passes, the punishment of running back takes means he's going to have a shorter career. So unless if you don't have the strategy. I just said I don't think it's a good idea to draft him up.

[Rich Paul]

But here's what I would say about. About love. I think love is more than a running back number one, but also when you talk about the person of who he is, I think to have that guy in your locker room and your culture is tough to pass up on, I really believe that. And so, yeah, I think so.

[Max Kellerman]

Here's number five. And this is a guy no one has mentioned when it connected to the Giants, but I think it's Mansoor Delaine, the LSU corner. And the reason I don't understand every. Like, I've heard a lot of Caleb Downs who's like, can he. You know, Harbaugh would love to have a. You know, he wants his safety who can do all these things and maybe. And he'll wear a gold jacket one day. But since 1. When do you take a safety, especially not an especially big one, over a legit shutdown corner?

[Rich Paul]

Well, they take.

[Max Kellerman]

I'm taking the shutdown corner.

[Rich Paul]

The last safety to go that. That high. I don't know the last. But one I know very well was Dante Whitner.

[Max Kellerman]

I mean, look. Yeah. And listen, you can. The thing about a safety like Caleb Downs is you feel like there's a very high floor.

[Rich Paul]

And I know Caleb Downs is one of the smartest, probably the smartest football player in his draft, but I think

[Max Kellerman]

the Giants, like, if I'm the Giants, I'm taking the shutdown corner. Okay.

[Rich Paul]

I think they take Sonny Styles. Okay.

[Max Kellerman]

And now my Browns. Your Browns are going to take Carnell Tate out of.

[Rich Paul]

I agree.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

And we should.

[Max Kellerman]

It's perfect.

[Rich Paul]

It is perfect. Yes, it is. Commanders, they could trick us, right. And take an offensive tackle.

[Max Kellerman]

What's his name from Miami maybe, or another one.

[Rich Paul]

They could move back if they know they can get their guy somewhere else. We'll see. Taste off the board. They could move back, but go ahead.

[Max Kellerman]

I think so. So you had Sonny Styles going to the Giants?

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

I don't know. Like a linebacker who makes A lot of tackles, but not a lot of sacks. Are the Giants going to take that over a shutdown corner? I don't think so. Or even. All right. But anyway, I think, I think Sonny Styles is still there for the commanders. I think they're going to take him.

[Rich Paul]

I have the commanders taking Delane.

[Max Kellerman]

Taking who?

[Rich Paul]

Mansoor.

[Max Kellerman]

Oh, man. Oh, Delane. Yeah, yeah, yeah. At 8, I have the Saints taking Jordan Tyson out of Arizona. A lot of people are linking the Giants to him, thinking he'll be there at the 10th pick. He's injury prone or else he would go probably higher than 8.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, this is a tough one. But I, I had them taking Caleb Downs.

[Max Kellerman]

Uh huh. I, I, yeah, they could easily. I mean, Caleb Downs might go to the Commanders. Really? That's true. Or, or, or if the Giants take them, then Delane goes to the commanders. But maybe, but Chiefs, that's where I think Francis goes. Yeah. Miami, because they, they need a offensive lineman. He's. Unless they trade out of the pick. If, if Sonny Styles is still there. I've seen Mox where Styles is at nine. The Cowboys will trade up to grab Styles.

[Rich Paul]

They could do that. Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

Because you can get an offensive lineman later in the draft. The Chiefs like to trade out of that.

[Rich Paul]

Chiefs trade out. They, they probably take Proctor.

[Max Kellerman]

Right.

[Rich Paul]

Next one.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. And then at 10. See, I think, I think when it downs. Yeah. I think when push comes to shove, a safety is not going to go as high as people think. I think he's going to be there.

[Rich Paul]

This is a different safety. Different safety.

[Max Kellerman]

I think the Giant. A lot of people think the Giants are going to go offense or they're going to get a lineman. I've heard.

[Rich Paul]

Well, if Tate's there. Well, no. Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

I think, I think the Giants could wind up fixing their secondary in this draft. I think they could wind up with Delane and Caleb Downs if the draft falls.

[Rich Paul]

Right, listen.

[Max Kellerman]

No, listen.

[Rich Paul]

They could take Tate, Styles or Downs or two of the three.

[Max Kellerman]

And by the way, the best wide out in the draft, if he stays healthy, could wind up being Jordan Tyson. But if you have Malik neighbors and the Giants have been linked to him.

[Rich Paul]

If you have Malik neighbors, Cardell Tate's the best.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. He's the safest guy who does all the things you want him to do.

[Rich Paul]

He's the best whiteout to draft Carnell Tate.

[Max Kellerman]

I think it's close when they're healthy, but I'm with you. If, look, if they're both available and put it this way, I don't think Carnell Tate's going to be there for the Giants at 10 or I would say the Giants should take.

[Rich Paul]

Do you understand that Carnell Tate is the best wideout in the draft and he was considered the second best wideout on his team?

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, it's a pretty good team. It's a pretty. So we have the drafts. Our drafts are pretty similar.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. How do you feel about your Knicks Max? It's one one that series. I thought it would be a split going back to Atlanta.

[Max Kellerman]

First of all, I said that scoreboard had it wrong. And I thought they had a timeout left.

[Rich Paul]

They didn't.

[Max Kellerman]

And they didn't have a timeout left. But I was losing my mind when I was like, Mike Brown, what are you doing? Advance the ball.

[Rich Paul]

I didn't think that. I knew Mike would call the time off.

[Max Kellerman]

I couldn't understand it. And then. And then Mikhail Bridges takes the shot.

[Rich Paul]

Well, I mean, the ball was passed to him and there's no time left. What are you supposed to do? Pass it.

[Max Kellerman]

Here's. I'm in such a weird place with Mikhail Bridges. I think he's a good player. I like having Mikhail Bridges on any team that I would root for. I like having Mikael Bridges there. However, it's like the draft sometimes. Like Jeremiah Love. Incredible. Right? But if the Giants use the fifth pick in the draft on a running back, I'm going to be like, wait a minute, that's not positional, that's not value. And. And it's the same way with Mikhail Bridges. He's a very good player. I'm happy the Knicks have him. They spent five first round. I know five firsts to get him. And when he takes the shot at the end of the game, I'm going, no. Brunson, Cat, og. I'd rather have all three of them take that shot. Mikhail Bridges, Zepp, Beth Best, the fourth option to take that shot on that.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, but he's made. He's made big shots in his career.

[Max Kellerman]

Yes. I like him. He's good. He was good in Phoenix as a three and D guy. He was good in Brooklyn as the leading scorer on the team. He's just a really good player. And he's also a clutch defensive player in the playoffs, very much so. I like him a lot. But he's their fourth option to take that shot. At best, that's. It's between him, Jordan Clarkson and Josh Hart, who I'd want to.

[Rich Paul]

Does Orlando go up 2? Oh,

[Max Kellerman]

No, no. I think. I think Detroit will get it.

[Rich Paul]

Detroit wins.

[Max Kellerman]

I think Detroit Series. I think Detroit defends home. I don't think they're going down.02 at home. What about you?

[Rich Paul]

I think Orlando wins.

[Max Kellerman]

You think they're going to.

[Rich Paul]

I think they go up 2.

[Max Kellerman]

0. I think they close the series in five games.

[Rich Paul]

I think they're in a really good groove. I think that, you know, everyone was trying to push this narrative and Mosley's a hell of a coach. I just think they were unhealthy all year and now they're healthy at the right time.

[Max Kellerman]

They felt early in the season like they could be a loss or two away from Mosley getting the boot.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, I think they're gelling at the right time and I just think that when you look at their roster, they. They have a pretty deep roster in terms of playoff basketball. Toughness, guys that can make shots, defend. They throw different looks at you. When Paolo got it going, they're really tough. So, yeah, I think they go up, too.

[Max Kellerman]

As I said about the Magic, like, I just have one big thought about them, which is I really like their starting five, but I don't think there's any one player on that starting five who's good enough to be the best player on a championship team. And I think they have to find that guy. But, but each, each position is checked off at a very high level. Like, it's not just like, this is a league average guy. There's not a single guy on that roster that's below league average.

[Rich Paul]

They're really confident right now of the starting five in the playoffs, max. It's about momentum. It's about camaraderie, health, and having one

[Max Kellerman]

of them dudes on your team.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

But again, if Bunker was Cade Cunningham, I would say, oh, they. They're a piece away from winning a championship.

[Rich Paul]

Well, obviously. Right. I mean, if you. Yeah. If you gave.

[Max Kellerman]

I mean. And they don't do the exact same thing, but they do certain things.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

For your team that similar to each other. They're both kind of big guys who

[Rich Paul]

can do just when the game slows down in the playoffs. And some things is up about matchups. I think Orlando just matches up really well. They do.

[Max Kellerman]

They do. With the Detroit team. Yeah, they do.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. But the Denver. You want to talk about the Denver series?

[Max Kellerman]

Let me tell you something. All season, when we talk about the Western Conference, I always say there's two teams. It's OKC and the Spurs. And I like the spurs against OKC if they're healthy, not if Wemby's compromised. Forget it.

[Rich Paul]

I think it goes seven. I don't know who wins, but.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, well, the Thunder are a deeper team. The spurs are really, really good, and they beat them a lot in the regular season. And they have the best player on either team in Wemby. And yes, that includes sga. You would always throw out Denver and a lot of people. You're not the. Everyone. Did they include Denver with those two? But what did I always say about Denver?

[Rich Paul]

You felt like they had a tough time. Guard.

[Max Kellerman]

They don't. Like, you can't play defense like that when there are two other teams in your conference like the spurs and OKC who play defense like that.

[Rich Paul]

Yes.

[Max Kellerman]

And what did Jaden McDaniels. What did Jaden McDaniels, who I said was going to be the key player in that. What did he say after the game?

[Rich Paul]

No, he said. He said he felt like guys didn't play defense.

[Max Kellerman]

He came out with it. He said just. He said, just go at them. They said who? He said, everyone. None of those guys, guard.

[Rich Paul]

Well, the reason why I didn't mind what he said he named them. The reason why I didn't mind what he said is because he's a guy that actually guards, no question. So he has every right to say whatever he wanted to say about the defensive end because he is a defensive guy.

[Max Kellerman]

And like, especially when you think about Jamal Murray, to me, that I know Jokic is, obviously, if he's not. If Wemby's not the best player in the world, then Jokic is and has been for some time. I get it. But Jamal Murray, to me, is the key there because he's an insane playoff. So you need a long guy who really cares about defense to sick on that guy. And that's Jaden. You know, it's him. And he cares about it. That, by the way, that whole team kind of does.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. No, look, I think Minnesota is a tough out. They obviously, they're not going to quit. They were down 14, I think, and came back last night. But you know, DiVincenzo, by the way,

[Max Kellerman]

DiVincenzo's defense on Jamal Murray at the

[Rich Paul]

end of that game, but also a very underrated addition was I.O. yeah, he's one of the guys like I.O. and Caruso and DiVincenzo and KCP. When those type of guys. Avery Bradley, a Marcus smart when he. Like, you need everybody, Castle. Everybody needs those type of guys. OKC has two. They have. They have Kayson, Wallace and Caruso.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, OKC has a gang of them, actually. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

But I'm saying I'm talking about those type of Josh Hart type of guys.

[Max Kellerman]

Heart and soul.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

You play defense like they like, they really, really.

[Rich Paul]

Draymond.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Like you need those type of guys. For the Clippers it was Chris Dunn.

[Max Kellerman]

But DiVincenzo since college has also, in addition to that stuff because he cares about defense.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

In addition to that stuff, is a clutch offensive player.

[Rich Paul]

Well, the thing about it is he's, he's never seen a shot he didn't like.

[Max Kellerman]

Yep.

[Rich Paul]

He doesn't think about he could shoot an airball and then the next play.

[Max Kellerman]

But as of like watching the. When he was on the Knicks, I didn't care what shot he took either. I thought every. He never saw a shot he didn't like. And I liked every shot he took

[Rich Paul]

when he was on. When he was on. On Villanova.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, no question.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, he's, he's just.

[Max Kellerman]

It was a killer. And that look, you had to make that deal for Cat. If you're the next, you have to, you have to do.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, yeah, you're right.

[Max Kellerman]

It was a killer to see. And by the way, hey, don't spend all those firsts on Mikhail Bridges. And Instead of including DiVincenzo, you could throw a couple firsts in instead and you would still have DiVincenzo and Hart.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. Yeah. Winners.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. All right, so Denver, I, they, they should beat Minnesota. They are given problems by Minnesota. Look, they're Minnesota during the regular season. And by the way, they bump them out of the playoffs when they're defending champs.

[Rich Paul]

Right.

[Max Kellerman]

They, they, they every single year before that. The year before that Denver won to Denver. Yeah, yeah.

[Rich Paul]

The year before that Denver won.

[Max Kellerman]

But I do think Denver will get by him. But they're exposing Denver's defensive. The NBA playoffs are back and we're excited to kick off the push to the finals. It has already. I think it's an understatement to say it's been a great week so far and all playoffs long. FanDuel is your spot to bet your fan favorite player props and single game parlays with the best pricing in the game. I'm going to give you a first round game. It's this Thursday. It's Knicks at Hawks. I'm going to build you a four leg. Well, not just plus 450, single game parlay. I'm going to get you. How? What, how does that up to plus 1036.

[Rich Paul]

How's that?

[Max Kellerman]

You like to put a zero at the end of your money. This is what I'm talking about. Okay. The Knicks are favored by a point on the road. That's minus 1 oh8. I think the Knicks will cover that. I think the Knicks win the game. Brunson, I think they got this over, under right on the nose. If someone had to say like what do you think Brunson's going to wind up with? I say 27 points. The over under is 26 and a half. Right. I'm going to take the over because it's also possible that Brunson goes for 30 plus. He can do that on any night. That's plus 100. Now Cat, his over unders 20.5 and Cat was really, especially in the second half, aggressive. He asserted himself in game one. He got passive in game two. I'm sure he's hearing about it. I think he's going to look to make a statement in game three to be, you know, dog Anthony Towns, like forget about Cat. He's going to be dog in game three. And really when you look at the matchup, he should be able to do his thing. 20 and a half I think is low. I love that at plus 102. Now JJ when Jalen Johnson is 20 and a half also like Cat. And like Cat, like Jalen Johnson hasn't really gone off yet. He's easily the best player on the team. He is an, he's an all NBA level player or just about minus 132 for him to score 20 and a half. I like that a lot. I like cat and JJ to score. You know, if Dan's got to score 21 points, yeah, I think that's a. I think that's, that's low hanging fruit. So that's four legs. It ends up plus 1036. I like it. What can I tell you? The thing I'm actually most nervous about on that is Brunson. I like the over but I love the over on Cat and JJ And I really like the Knicks to win on the road. After being embarrassed at the Garden having a meltdown. I think the defense clamps down on the road and the Knicks have a team that's ready to play on the road and look like the so called role players are veterans who feel good on the road. I think I like the Knicks in this game. All right. Anyway, the bet will be live in the FanDuel app. Don't forget to check out the great generosity. They'll have all playoffs as well. FanDuel play your game. This episode's brought to you by McDonald's. Level up your day with the under $3 menu at McDonald's. A sausage McMuffin for just a dollar fifty. And when it's time for lunch, grab a McDouble. Only 250. McValue makes sure you can power up without losing too many coins. A $50 sausage McMuffin or 250McDouble. Now that's a legendary drop. Get even more value with MC value only at McDonald's. I get to do this because I'm doing a McDonald's read. But how do I do? Limited time only. Prices and participation may vary. Prices may be higher for delivery. I have a 5 minute max for you first.

[Rich Paul]

You do?

[Max Kellerman]

I do. Because I. And the only reason I'm going to

[Rich Paul]

do it is midnight.

[Max Kellerman]

I know. The reason I'm going to do is because I promised, I promised them I would do it. About Dexter Lawrence. I'm going to do it as a five minute max.

[Rich Paul]

Dexter Lawrence, max, it is midnight.

[Max Kellerman]

I know. Okay, here it is.

[Rich Paul]

How about making a two and a half minute max?

[Max Kellerman]

I will. Okay, here it is.

[Rich Paul]

Dexter Lawrence got paid. How about that?

[Max Kellerman]

And that's what it's all about. And people who are like, oh, he's coming off a bad season to sack the quarterback a lot. He's double teamed more than anyone. He beats the double team more than anyone. He's a great player. He's a run stuffer. He, Dexter Lawrence is just great. 28 years old, he's in his prime. He's great. I wish he was on the Giants, okay. But it got to the point where they didn't want to pay him. Whatever. It soured. They traded him. They got a very good deal for a defense, 28 year old defensive tackle who's about to chew up a huge part of your salary cap. Right? You're about to have to give him a contract that's going to chew up some money. They got the 10th overall pick in the draft. Giants did great. I think the Bengals also did very well because there's no one like Dexter Lawrence in the draft. If you want a guy in the middle to do everything you need him to do, there's not that guy in this draft. So good for the Bengals, who are trying to make it right with Joe Burrow. They need to improve their defense. Okay? My issue is that I can't. I'm happy with the draft haul with this 10th pick in the draft. You got the fifth and the 10th now, but I can't help it, Rich. My issue is that the Giants, and this happens every year, win meaningless games at the end of the year. And destroy their draft position. And I know Mara is the kind of guy and there's an edict on the team. We don't try to lose at the end of the season. We try to win even at the end of the season. There's something noble about that, you know. But there's also just common sense when you destroy. Because at the end of the season, all the good teams are resting their starters and all the bad teams are smart enough to know, hey, let's not try too hard to win this thing. But the Giants are the idiot team that stinks all year and then keeps trying to win. Right? And so they always do this. So what happened in this case when they won? Meaningless. Like, I can't believe there was someone on Twitter who was like, no team ever like the 85 Bears could. No team ever can beat the Giants at the end of a season in a meaningless game. Boy, they become the greatest team of all time. Let's say the Giants would have picked first because they controlled their own destiny. They were going to pick first before they. Before they won, stupidly. They're not going to draft Mendoza. I don't think Mendoza will ever be as good as Jackson Dart. I think Jackson Dart's a superstar. Like, I think he's already so much better than people. Right? Realize if you could just stay healthy. If they have the number one pick in this draft, the jets, who have multiple firsts in next year's draft, who have the second overall pick in this year's draft, the jets would give you anything you wanted. You would wind up. If you're the Giants with.

[Rich Paul]

Well, not just the Jets. There's, there's.

[Max Kellerman]

But the jets have the draft capital and they're.

[Rich Paul]

I know, but there's probably other teams that needs to quarterback too.

[Max Kellerman]

But they're not going to overpay like the jets because the jets are also. Are also even dumb.

[Rich Paul]

But let me ask you this question. Why would the jets overpay? The only way. The only reason why the jets would overpay is because of the threat of no doubt jumping up.

[Max Kellerman]

And by the way, there's the next. They get the next pick in the

[Rich Paul]

draft, the next pick, right.

[Max Kellerman]

The Giants will use a stalking horse. They would some other quarterback needy team and the jets would give them whatever. And so when I think about that, so they have the fifth and the tenth pick, but they would have the second and the tenth and another first round pick or another second round pick. Another second round pick and they would have a. For extra first and extra second round pick. Next year the Giants would be able to construct the best team in the NFL on paper within the next 13 months if they just don't win a meaningless game at the end of the season.

[Rich Paul]

And they.

[Max Kellerman]

That's how I feel about the Dexter Lawrence trade.

[Rich Paul]

They probably. That changes the draft a little bit. If the Giants have two and five, that's what they would have.

[Max Kellerman]

No, they. They wouldn't have five because they. Because they wouldn't. The fifth pick is theirs because they have the fifth worst record. They would have the first. Worst record.

[Rich Paul]

First record.

[Max Kellerman]

So they would have second pick. The tenth pick. They would have.

[Rich Paul]

No, but the tenth pick is the,

[Max Kellerman]

is the Dexter Lawrence trade. Who says they couldn't?

[Rich Paul]

Oh, right. They could have still done that. Right.

[Max Kellerman]

Then they would have an extra second. And I want to say the jets have. They have an extra. They would have. They have two firsts. They would have three first round picks this year, including two in the top 10, including the second overall pick of the draft. They would also have an extra first and a second.

[Rich Paul]

Next two and ten. I wonder who they take because it definitely changes the draft.

[Max Kellerman]

I'm going to have a stroke.

[Rich Paul]

Don't do that. Max, we need you. Listen, 2 and 10. I wonder who they take at 2.

[Max Kellerman]

I mean. Yeah, that's a good question. By the way, they could trade out of that pick too. If they don't want Arvell Reese. Right. If they like they. The Giants could have had the next two drafts. They could have had like the league.

[Rich Paul]

They actually would trade. They actually could probably trade to three or four.

[Max Kellerman]

No, they could trade out of the second pick.

[Rich Paul]

I know.

[Max Kellerman]

Trade out if someone, if someone's interested. Right.

[Rich Paul]

I mean, you know who would be interested?

[Max Kellerman]

The Cleveland Browns.

[Rich Paul]

No, the Cowboys.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

They would be interested in. Take Arville Reese for sure. 100% for sure. Yes. Because that'll be their micro replacement.

[Max Kellerman]

You're right. The Giants could. Like there's a scenario where the Giants could have wound up with four first round picks.

[Rich Paul]

They would. The Cowboys would have traded up 3next are available for sure.

[Max Kellerman]

I know. I can't take it. I can't take it anyway. So that's, that's how I feel about the Dexter Lawrence trade. Giants did well to get the 10th pick. The Cincinnati Bengals got a great play.

[Rich Paul]

Max.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Something wrong with the collar on your jacket? It's melted. You got too hot. You were heated. I'm like, what's going on? Yeah, no, it's all good. You'll be fine.

[Max Kellerman]

It's too late at night. So I'll take everything you say literally. All right. So that's it. I'm done with the five minutes.

[Rich Paul]

Okay. Let's get to an email.

[Max Kellerman]

All right.

[Rich Paul]

Okay. Hey, guys. Blake from Florida again. Again? This is the second time he said.

[Max Kellerman]

I wasn't to hear Rich's opinion.

[Rich Paul]

No, I wanted to hear Rich's opinion as an agent and Max, as a Giants fan like myself. How do you feel about the Dexter trade? Well, he already told you that.

[Max Kellerman]

How do you feel about it as an agent?

[Rich Paul]

It's interesting. I would like to know more about it because he signed an extension with the Bengals for one year.

[Max Kellerman]

28 million.

[Rich Paul]

I don't know. I don't know much about his current deal.

[Max Kellerman]

It was. His guaranteed money was done.

[Rich Paul]

And also his guaranteed money was done. So he signed for one more year.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. And also he. He outplayed his contract. He did.

[Rich Paul]

Okay.

[Max Kellerman]

He outperformed his contract, which was at the time he signed it not that long ago. A really good contract, but he was even better.

[Rich Paul]

I don't know. How is it all guaranteed?

[Max Kellerman]

The 28?

[Rich Paul]

28?

[Max Kellerman]

I believe so.

[Rich Paul]

Okay, great.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

No, I'm just saying, I mean, why one year in football? I don't know. I mean, I'm not. I'm not second guessing. I don't know enough about the deal. I have to do more about.

[Max Kellerman]

I mean, his sacks were down this year, so maybe Dexter was going to be fine if you watch him play, you know, he's great.

[Rich Paul]

I will say this, Max, no more playoff games for you at night. If it's a playoff game and I decide to treat you to it, it will be at 1 o'. Clock.

[Max Kellerman]

Thank you, by the way, for the ticket.

[Rich Paul]

No problem. It would be at 1 o' clock in the afternoon.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. Matinee.

[Rich Paul]

A matinee.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

You can only go to matinees.

[Max Kellerman]

So now. So where do you go now? You had this big clutch night. As I said, you just did your show. You knock that out. So tomorrow morning you're freed up. Right. What do you do now? Do you celebrate?

[Rich Paul]

No. I go home. I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I have me a glass of milk.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

I do my push ups.

[Max Kellerman]

I think. I think Adele should serenade you tonight. I think so. I think you deserve it. I think she should sing this guy, man.

[Rich Paul]

Anyway, I do my push ups and, you know, maybe I'll do the will a little bit. Say a prayer and go to bed. I gotta get up early.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

I get up very early.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Oh, you know what? I am gonna Do. I'm gonna practice my driver.

[Max Kellerman]

No, of course. It's always golf.

[Rich Paul]

No, no, no. Just, just. Just because I didn't do it today

[Max Kellerman]

at the game tonight, you were stopping every. Everyone who stopped by the seats, and you're talking golf with everyone. You're trying.

[Rich Paul]

No, the guy had a master's hoodie on. That's how I knew.

[Max Kellerman]

Exactly.

[Rich Paul]

That's why I said he's a golfer. But then Corey came up and said something to me. Corey Gamble.

[Max Kellerman]

But you're working it to get to. To get a tee time.

[Rich Paul]

Well, that's my business, not yours.

[Max Kellerman]

Yes, but it is true. But I did. I was very clear that you're working the angle always to get a tee time.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah, well, you want to get a tee time, too. It's just a different tee. I actually want to play golf. You want to have actual tea?

[Max Kellerman]

I'm going to have to start playing golf.

[Rich Paul]

Well, I would hope so.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. Don't join the club. I'm joining. Join a different club. Yeah, it's like, don't run over here. You run over there.

[Max Kellerman]

So then I gotta. I gotta take a golf lesson first.

[Rich Paul]

I've been waiting.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Michael. Michael Price is supposed to take us

[Max Kellerman]

to his guy in the desert.

[Rich Paul]

What are we waiting on?

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, okay. We got to do it.

[Rich Paul]

We've been trying to do it. You went to the desert, got a lot of things. Didn't do any golf.

[Max Kellerman]

We got a. No, it's true. We got a lot of things coming up to do.

[Rich Paul]

Yes, we do. I'm excited about it. Yeah, but I'm excited about this draft. You know, I will say this. I know I may seem to. I'm not jaded, and I don't take things for granted. You know that we talk all the time, but this is a special draft because Arvel Reese, who.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. How many clients do you have in the. The draft?

[Rich Paul]

I can't name them all, but we had. There were 16 guys invited to the green room. We have three of them.

[Max Kellerman]

Okay.

[Rich Paul]

Arvel Reese, Kaden Proctor, and Colton Hood. Okay. Three really good, good prospects. But in this case, I'm talking about ARV because it's just. It's a special, special thing, man. We are both from the Glenville community. It's a real community. But when I say that, it's the community that raised me. But it's tough, and there's a lot of distractions. There's a lot of poverty. There's a lot of young men and women losing their lives way too early, way too young. You know, and I know his parents. And to be able to have built something that he can now give an opportunity to represent him, it's just a special, special thing.

[Max Kellerman]

Like, you come from the same place. You built up this business. So that when he gets to the point where he has worked, he could choose anybody. He's worked his whole life to get to this point to be in the NFL, and he's about to go way high up in the draft, and he. Instead of going to someone who he doesn't have anything in common with, who doesn't understand him the same way, et

[Rich Paul]

cetera, who just come visit his car, who just knows his college coach like most cases, or talk about the player they had last year, this is different.

[Max Kellerman]

You've built up an institution that he can use on his journey to fulfill his dream. And that institution is built by you who comes from the same place, come

[Rich Paul]

from the same place, the same struggle of a place. And it doesn't have anything to do with finance. It has a lot to do with obstacles and opportunity. And so a friend of mine who was like a brother to me, who has. Deserves everything he's getting and earned. Kelton Crenshaw, who was his agent, a guy I met in. In. In college. In. In. Well, he was in college. I was just stopping through the student center, but we met there. And, you know, it's just all these different stories within. And when I reflect on it, it's just. It's just one of those things to where sometimes you could just keep going and going and going and don't sit back and just really reflect on what's in front of us. And this is one of those things where we both played muni football at Patrick Henry, and we both played at the Glenville Rec, and we both, you know, got family members In France from 105 to St. Clair to, you know, all the back streets. And we both are tied to coach Ted Ginn Sr. Right? And so it's all these different things that align. And when you talk about hard work and when you talk about why I'm in this, and when people try to push me out to go and run a basketball team or whatever the case may be, or say, I'm gonna own a team with LeBron, and I don't think they understand. Well, first of all, that's not how much, but. But what are you talking about? I don't have the money for that anyway. But I don't think. But I don't think they understand

[Max Kellerman]

when people are like, hey, you should go Be a billionaire. I'm like, I don't think they understand. Forget about that. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

But it's these type of things, man, that. That really continues to. To.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, it's one of those. It's one of those awesome moments.

[Rich Paul]

It's just an awesome moment.

[Max Kellerman]

It feels like it gives your. Your. Your life's work.

[Rich Paul]

And it's a much. And it's a much bigger moment because these also things I don't take for granted. And he could have gave any agent. There's not an agency in the business that didn't want to represent Arvell Reese. Not one. Not one. And oftentimes these are the hardest ones because familiarity breeds disrespect. So the people that are closest to

[Max Kellerman]

you, you're from, where I'm from, you're not so special. You're just a guy like me. Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Especially for us is like, it's just,

[Max Kellerman]

you know, it takes actually a special

[Rich Paul]

kind of IT person and he's a.

[Max Kellerman]

To recognize family.

[Rich Paul]

His mom and dad and he are special kind of people. Because these are the hardest ones. I don't think people understand. These literally are the. For whatever reason, I mean, I've been. I've.

[Max Kellerman]

No, because, of course because. Because they. Now they've reached this level, they think they're going to run into the movers and shakers from another world. Right. But instead they run into someone. They. From their neighborhood. They're thinking, oh, it must not be that. Right.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. But you get caught up in so many crossfires. You can. It could be a. Who knows, this person went to school with this person. Their sister didn't like the brother or cousin or whatever.

[Max Kellerman]

I'm not even thinking.

[Rich Paul]

Yeah. And also when. When my working in my dad's store, we used to have to deal with the fact that people would rather shop at a different store because they would think that the money that they're spending at my dad's store would go to us getting new shoes. And they may not have had them. Like, you had to deal with all

[Max Kellerman]

that type of competitive jealousies and.

[Rich Paul]

Yes. So to get through all that and be at this point, I'm just so happy for all the families in the draft. But this is. This is a different one.

[Max Kellerman]

Rich, you've inspired me. You know, when I first lived in la, I lived in Bel Air. And if I could only find. I think I'm going to go into business like you did. I need to find a kid who also was in Bel Air. You know, I think I can think

[Rich Paul]

to myself, you missed Your Fresh Prince.

[Max Kellerman]

You know, we remember all the same streets. Shalon Savona, Rich Roscomaer. That's a through street. That's rougher. Roscomaer is rougher because it's a through street. Not so easy to sign that guy from Bel Air. Got to find a. I'm going to start my own agency. See how many. See how many of those guys I can find.

[Rich Paul]

Well, you can be a billionaire mowing the lawns in the. Yeah, that's a good point.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah. What am I doing?

[Rich Paul]

Yeah.

[Max Kellerman]

All right, listen, it's late.

[Rich Paul]

It is late. And I got to get to my peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

[Max Kellerman]

Oh, go do it. All right. Hey, listen, thanks for the tickets. That was a lot of fun.

[Rich Paul]

It was a lot of fun. We always have fun at games, Max. I'll see you on Friday, Correct.

[Max Kellerman]

Yes.

[Rich Paul]

Looking forward to that show. And we'll talk about if your picks was right to draft.

[Max Kellerman]

Damn, man. I'm hoping.

[Rich Paul]

Well, we'll see.

[Max Kellerman]

But no, if they're wrong, we're just going to forget about it like it never happened. Who cares about a mock draft after the draft? Unless I get it right, then everyone's going to hear about it, Right?

[Rich Paul]

That's in true, Max.

[Max Kellerman]

Fashion.

[Rich Paul]

Yes, but. Game [e-mail].

[Max Kellerman]

yeah. Game over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul. Send emails. We. We just did this one email about something we already talked, and it was

[Rich Paul]

Blake again from Florida.

[Max Kellerman]

Listen, everyone be ashamed of themselves. Blake is killing everybody.

[Rich Paul]

I mean, I don't know how he got back up to the front of the line.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah.

[Rich Paul]

Again, I don't know. It's not right.

[Max Kellerman]

Yeah, I think. I think. I think that was the producers trying to get us to talk about Dexter Lawrence, But I did it in my five minute max.

[Rich Paul]

Well, there's a. There's a press conference where the guy was asked a question, and you know what he said? I'm gonna say this to our producers. Do better.

[Max Kellerman]

Oh, yeah, yeah. More emails.

[Rich Paul]

More emails.

[Max Kellerman]

No, really. It's the. It's the. It's the consumers of this who need to do better. You need to do better. How dare you. Better emails.

[Rich Paul]

Okay. All right.

[Max Kellerman]

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