Tony Kornheiser (3:13)

So yeah, so the warriors won a game that they needed to win. They needed to win this game more than the Lakers needed to win it. Because they, you know, could have been pushed back into a precarious situation that would have led to the play in tournament. All right. And the Lakers didn't face anything quite that severe and dire in the moment. I, I don't want to talk about the playoffs because I think we spend too much time on this show in the regular season talking about the NBA playoffs. And I'm not interested in comparing who got the better of the deal with their most recent acquisitions. Whether it's Jimmy Butler going over to the Warriors, Luka Doncic to the Lakers. I'm going to take the long view on that, that in two years when Jimmy Butler is 37, he'll be hanging on. And Luka Doncic, because he plays in L. A is going to be the biggest star in the game. But much like you, my takeaway is very simple. How great is it to watch Steph Curry and LeBron James? How great is it after all these years to continue to watch them? And almost always on contending teams, almost always in games that matter. LeBron James is the best 40 year old basketball player of all time. Steph Curry is the greatest shooter of all time. And they are remarkably clutch, as we learned in the Olympics. And they are natural entertainers. So what else do you want? Right?

Mike Wilbon (4:33)

What else do you want, Tony? It's entertaining in that way, like a continuation of those Olympics. And we saw it on Christmas Day they do this and they're up to the moment. It's like having the ticket to the theater. And you know, I mean, it's just amazing to watch. And I Hope we can see it, but I don't want to see it in the first round. I mean, give me, you know, I don't want that to be an appetizer. Don't talk, to be a main event.

Tony Kornheiser (4:56)

Don't talk. Don't talk about the playoffs. Please. Let's stay in the NBA and move to John Morant, who hit a shot to win a game last night. Earlier in that game, the very first game since Morant appeared to make a gun gesture and was worn by the league, though neither fined nor suspended in that very first game since that warning, Morant appeared to make that same gesture and has now been fined $75,000. Wilbourne is this a sufficient deterrent?

Mike Wilbon (5:23)

No, it's not a deterrent at all. It isn't because John Morant, and I'm going to include you because everybody around the game in the industry now knows John Moran and his father. They're in the business of, of, of just being defiant. That's what they do. And John Moran has indicated that in interviews. John Moran is, by the way, is fascinating to talk to and listen to. I mean, he's engaged in his discussions and he's intentional about his deal. He knows, he says, he's welcoming, saying, bring on the booze, I'm the villain, I'm happy with it. And he and his dad are defiant. They're openly defiant. They defied Adam Silver who, unlike his predecessor, who would have had them sitting in the office or facing a half season suspension, Adam Silver doesn't want to do it. And maybe he knows he can't do it. Maybe he just doesn't have it in him to do it. It's not a deterrent. And John Moran and his dad, they've called Adam Silver out and said, it doesn't matter what you warn us, we're going to do this. Now, you can also take the view that pantomiming this shooting is not that big a deal. You can take that view. It's not an actual gun and there's a lot of this in the culture. And it's not just John Morant and the other people involved. And they'd have to ban it league wide and other sports, soccer, football, would have to ban it too. You can take that view. But they don't have the stomach in the NBA commissioner's office to do anything about it and they're going to continue to defy them.

Tony Kornheiser (6:53)

Yeah, I don't have much knowledge of these gun gestures. I don't know if there's a specific group out there that it appeals to. If there's a specific group out there that is appalled by it, I would reiterate, as you said, it was a pantomime. It was not a real gun. Cuz he's had real guns. He had a real gun on social media and he got suspended for what ended up as eight games. And then he did it again a few months later and that time he got 25 games. So we've seen him with real guns do this. Now he gets a warning on a fake gun situation and does it the very next game, which is totally deliberate, it's totally delicious. And so he ends up being fined $75,000. I don't know that that's a deterrent, but I'm going to read you a quote from him. Everyone should hear this. I'm kind of used to it. I was pretty much a villain for two years. Now every little thing. If somebody can say something negative about me, it's going to be out there. So yeah, I don't care anymore. I don't care anymore. So how much does Adam Silver care? Because obviously his team doesn't care. They're in the business of firing coaches, not disciplined players. How much does Adam Silver care? You're calling Silver out? I think you're right about this. Yeah, I think you're right.

Mike Wilbon (8:10)

Not that much. Or don't issue the warning. I mean, if you decide, okay, it's not that big a deal. Which is a fair interpretation. If that. If Adam decided that, okay, but then why warn him? If you say, wait a minute, this is bigger than John Moran and I'm not gonna pin this to him, that's a legitimate discussion. But if you think this is a bad look and a bad thing for your league and to the detriment of your league to just let him defy you like that upper hand, let's move to an intriguing NFL draft scenario. Colorado held his pro day today with quarterback Shador Sanders and Heisman winning two way star Travis Hunter in the spotlight. Presuming the Titans take Cam War Tony with the first pick and the Browns take Abdul Carter with the second pick. The Giants are going to have their choice between Sanders and Hunter at number three. So in that scenario, which one should they pick?

Tony Kornheiser (9:08)

Okay, the most important thing in my reasoning goes like this. Everyone on the Giants is going to be fired if they stink again next year, if they have three wins again next year or they get to four wins next year, that's it. The GM is going to be fired, the coach is going to be fired, everyone in authority is going to be fired. So they have to make a draft that helps them this year. Now, maybe they think there's a longer Runway if they draft a quarterback. But didn't they just. Didn't they just pick up Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston? So if they're going to draft a quarterback, you would think they wouldn't play that quarterback. And if you don't play that quarterback, you're not getting help out of the first pick in the draft. I think you can make the case that, that Travis Hunter is a better player than Shedeur Sanders now and forever, you know, and you can say of him that he even could have more impact on the Giants this year. Maybe he could win a few games there. And it doesn't look like a quarterback is going to step right in and win those games. So if it was me, I would draft Hunter. I think it's the smarter, safer draft. I would put him. I'd start him in db and I'd have a package of offensive plays every single day for him. That's what I would do.

Mike Wilbon (10:16)

Tony, I think I agree with you down the line there. You got this whole situation of day ball, coach, day ball, and whether he's going to be there or not, whether the whole regime's going to be there. And why draft a quarterback if those guys are on the hot seat and not for long. The Bears did this.

Tony Kornheiser (10:30)

Yeah. Get a guy now.

Mike Wilbon (10:32)

King Eber flutes. You know, we've seen this. I mean, and it's something that you, as an organization, you do have to consider. But, Tony, I was talking to a coach I've known for a lot of years, and he's just a personnel guy. He just, he gets it and got it for his whole career. Retired from coaching now. And he told me last week that Travis Hunter is the most talented, or I think he used the word best football player he's ever seen, really. And this. And Tony, there are people who think this, their plays. Tony, he made. He made a play in the end zone, which I mentioned to, to. To this coach and I pointed that play out, and he knew exactly what I was talking about. Where Travis Hunter dives over the line in a goal line stop situation, knocks the ball loose, causes the fumble and recovers it with a game on the line. He makes plays that only a few people in the history of the, of the NFL make. And I know it's at the college level, but it does seem like it's going to convey. So I think, and I think the answer is Travis Hunter. I think it is.

Tony Kornheiser (11:46)

So let me say that Shadour Sanders may end up being a great player. He very well could be a great player.

Mike Wilbon (11:50)

Yes, he may.

Tony Kornheiser (11:51)

But this coaching staff won't be there if they don't get help from this draft pick right now. They won't be there. Let's take a break. Coming up Will the Gators beat Auburn for a second time tomorrow? We will ask Jay Bilis.

Mike Wilbon (12:04)

We'll also ask him how Houston matches up with Duke.

Tony Kornheiser (12:10)

I think Hunter say of John Morant. Does he learn anything?

Jay Bilas (12:17)

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TaxAct (13:28)

The tax deadline is almost here and TaxAct has live experts to help answer any last minute questions you may have. Questions like Can I claim my SUV is my home office? If I answer work emails in my car? If I adopted 12 dogs this year, can I list them as dependents and am I doing this right or am I doing this very, very wrong? Our experts have the answers to those questions and many others. Tax act let's get them over with.

Tony Kornheiser (14:03)

The PTI investigative team has learned that the men's Final four games will be played tomorrow in San Antonio, which is where we find our great friend, the dashing ESPN College basketball analyst, Mr. Jay Billis. We'll start with this, Jay. Tomorrow's early game is Florida and Auburn Janai Broome says he'll be ready to go after hyperextending his elbow in the regional final. Do you have any concerns about him coming back from this injury?

Unknown (14:31)

I do. I mean, I think with that elbow and he's been banged up in other areas as well. He's had an ankle throughout the year. And then Chad Baker Mazzara is dealing with a thumb issue. I don't think it's going to. He wears a little brace on it. He's going to be able to play and he should be fine, but it's not. It's not optimum conditions for Auburn. But, you know, at this time of year, I think everybody says, hey, you know, everyone's banged up and Janai Broom has played through issues like this throughout the course of the year, but you'd rather have him 100% not having to deal with anything. But, man, if he's injured. You know, last two games he's had 30 rebounds and he's averaging like 24 points a game over that stretch. And he's been right there with Cooper, flag for player of the year. If he's injured, I would have liked to have been injured like that.

Mike Wilbon (15:20)

Of course, United Brooms Bigger issue is going to be Florida, as you know, Jay, you know, because you told us coming into the tournament that Florida you were really impressed with in a million different ways. Do you expect a similar result to the one Florida laid on the Tigers in February?

Unknown (15:40)

I think it could be, Michael. But, you know, in that game, Florida didn't have Elijah Martin, their second leading scorer. So I actually did that game, and I was kind of thinking beforehand, I hope Florida can make this a good game. They wound up winning it by dribbling out the clock, so it wasn't in doubt at the end. Florida is probably the most complete team here, and. And they've got, you know, great guards, four great guards, and they've got four really good big guys. They're going to be a handful. I think the key for Florida is going to be take care of the ball. They've. They've shown the proclivity to turn it over from time to time. And, and if they turn it over, I. I mean, I think for both Auburn and Houston, they've got a little bit of edge coming in because the last time they played their opponent, they lost. And I think that edge 10, your preparation. I don't think it helps once the ball's thrown up in the game, but I think it helps as you prepare for it.

Mike Wilbon (16:28)

I must admit, Jay, I am more Interested in the Houston Duke game? It just seems like something that could be sort of nuclear. We've talked about more. People are familiar with Duke, of course, but this Houston team, particularly defensively, seems to be one of the great teams in recent years. And I'm wondering if there's a computer for you for Houston, either a team Duke has already played this season or just historically. Who do the Cougars remind you of, if anybody?

Unknown (16:59)

Well, I mean, if you go look at Duke's schedule, they remind you a little bit of Clemson, but they're much better than Clemson. They're. They're more physical, they're more athletic, they shoot it better. These four teams we have here in this Final Four are historically four of the most efficient teams we've seen in the last 30 years. And we've got them all in one year. Four of the top 10 most efficient basketball teams at both ends of the floor are in this final four since KenPom.com started in 1997. Houston is unbelievably physical. They're a great offensive rebounding team. They can really slow Duke down. And Duke's got the number one offense in the country, the most efficient. I think one of the issues though is Duke's defense is really good too. And Duke is really long armed, especially at the guard position. And Houston's guards are smaller and they, they have low release points on their shots. L.J. cryer, Manuel Sharp, Milos Yuzan, they have these kind of low release points and I think Duke can bother them. The issue is going to be can Houston put up enough points? You're going to have to score 70 or more to win this game. Heck, Gonzaga put 76 on him, but, but Houston was able to score in the 80s on Gonzaga. I don't think this is going to be, this game's going to be decided up in the 80s, Houston.

Tony Kornheiser (18:14)

So we will get you out of here on this. Having heard everything you've said, is there a way that you're leaning in the Houston Duke game?

Unknown (18:23)

Hey, before the tournament, I thought Houston would be in the final. I'm going to stick with it because there's no sense, you know, kind of flip flopping on it. But Duke has played the best of any team in this tournament since the tournament began. And maybe part of that was, you know, they didn't have Cooper flag and the ACC tournament semifinal and final. So maybe it took them at a little bit of a discount. But since the tournament started, I mean, they've been shooting over 60% in these games and their defense has been spectacular. But you know this is a week to week tournament. It's basically three four team tournaments now. They're the last of those four team tournaments. This is going to be the hardest to win and Houston presents a challenge that few other teams present on the physical side. And Duke's going to have to handle those traps. I think you're going to see them run a lot of stuff out of the middle of the floor. So don't get pinned to the sideline and pinned to the baseline. But there's going to be a loose ball, rough and tumble. You better be strong with the type game because this is, this is not for wimps. This is a, this is going to be a grown man ballgame.

Tony Kornheiser (19:20)

Thank you Jay. And thank you. I mean proclivity is a word we really pay attention to. You can catch more Jay tomorrow on College Game day starting at 2pm Eastern. Let's take one last break. Still to come, we will get Wilbones picks for the Women's Final Four.

Mike Wilbon (19:37)

And Giannis put up some monster numbers last night against the Sixers. Monster numbers.

Tony Kornheiser (19:46)

I'm ready for the Final Four now. I mean, I'm glad Jay said what he said. I am ready to watch these games now.

Mike Wilbon (19:52)

Yeah, he got his set.

Tony Kornheiser (19:53)

Seems like we've waited a long time.

Jay Bilas (19:56)

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Tony Kornheiser (22:19)

Happy time people. Happy 32nd birthday Frank Kaminski Kaminski was a terrific player at Wisconsin, the National Player of the year in 2015 when he led the Badgers to the NCAA Finals, losing to Duke. After a scintillating win over Kentucky, the seven footer was drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Hornets. He spent four seasons there, averaging 10 points and four rebounds in 22 minutes a game. Kaminski then played in Phoenix, in Atlanta and in Houston in reserve roles. He then went to Europe to play and was playing for the Toronto Raptors G League team before a recent knee surgery. The fact that he stayed in basketball and played in the G League warms our hearts. Happy Birthday.

Mike Wilbon (23:00)

I love him. Tony. His mother, his aunt and his uncle are three of the greatest athletes in the history of Northwestern and he goes to Wisconsin. This makes me crazy even whatever it is. Now, 15, 18 years later, we didn't have Frank. Love Frank.

Tony Kornheiser (23:18)

Happy Anniversary Hideo Nomo on this date 24 years ago, Nomo threw a three nothing no hitter for the Red Sox against the Orioles and became the fourth pitcher ever to have no hitters in both leagues. Nomo previously threw a nine nothing no hitter for the Dodgers in Colorado, where nobody throws a no hitter. Nomo joined a club with Cy Young, Jim Bunning and Nolan Ryan. In the ensuing 24 years, only Randy Johnson has joined that club with no hitters for Seattle and Arizona. Ryan, by the way, has the most no hitter ever, seven, six in the American League for California and Texas and one in Houston which was then in the National League.

Mike Wilbon (23:55)

Tony Will managers and their advisors even lead pitchers in the game long enough this season for anybody that have a no hitter?

Tony Kornheiser (24:02)

I wonder. Hope so. Happy trails to the wait for the Women's Final Four. The games tip off in Tampa tonight at 7 Eastern. First up is Texas and South Carolina. The two teams split a pair of conference games earlier this season before the Gamecocks waxed the longhorns in the SEC Conference tournament final. Tonight's second matchup features UConn and UCLA at 9:30 Eastern. The Stars to watch in that one are Paige backers who scored 105 points in her last three games. And Lauren Vets was averaging 23 points, nine rebounds and three and a half blocks per game in the tournament. Tonight's winners will meet in Sunday's title game. Wilbon, who you got?

Mike Wilbon (24:39)

Tony? You know, I'm rooting for South Carolina and ucla. I mean, that's just. Let's be honest about it. But UConn, man. UConn with Paige Beckers and Az Fudd. I'm worried about UCLA. Worried about them in that game. But I can't wait to watch both games tonight.

Tony Kornheiser (24:56)

All right, let's go to the big finish, if you could. Giannis had 35 points, 17 rebounds and 20 assists in a win over the Sixers. Are you impressed?

Mike Wilbon (25:07)

Yes. And he's playing point guard. He's out there doing that with no Dame. I just. I still hope they get Dame back. I bet they're gonna get Dame back. Hoping. Fingers crossed. Two time WNBA MVP Elena Deladon, who I know you like a lot, she retired. How are you gonna remember her career?

Tony Kornheiser (25:22)

She won a championship in Washington, D.C. that's how I'm gonna remember it. It's the only one the Mystics have ever won, I believe. Blues beat the penguins for their 11 straight win. And the Bruins fell to the Canadiens for their 10th straight loss. Which is the bigger deal?

Mike Wilbon (25:36)

Hey, wait a minute. Don't forget Winnipeg shutting out the Golden Knights in Vegas. And they're like third. Come on now, don't got a write in. Candidate Jose Altuve struck out five times in a game for the first time in his career. Is that a big deal though, Tom?

Tony Kornheiser (25:49)

No, because he's batting.321. No, no, it's fine. Last one. Blackhawks at Capital tonight. Willow Beckin score two goals.

Mike Wilbon (25:57)

Not going to break it tonight. Two goals for OB that would tie it.

Tony Kornheiser (26:03)

Try and do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

Mike Wilbon (26:07)

And I'm Mike Wilbond. Have a great weekend, knuckleheads. You can get the podcast on the.

Jay Bilas (26:10)

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