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- [00:01]
Advertisement Voice
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- [00:30]
Matt Schick
This is Matt and Myron the Podcast.
- [00:33]
Myron Metcalf
It has been a long time since I have heard that song in the background. I played in the house, you know, while I'm doing the dishes. But I haven't heard that song while hosting a radio show. Matt Schick in for Matt Jones today on Sunday Morning. This is odd. Myron Metcalf. It's been a while since you and I have done this. We did this together every Sunday. It was called Sunday Morning with Matt and Myron. I think they just replaced me with with another match so they wouldn't have to do any of the old imaging and redo that again. But great to be on with you again. We did this for what, three years together, back in the saddle.
- [01:08]
Matt Schick
We did, man. People still write to me, man, and they laugh at some of the old skits and all the old bits. We did, man. So we left our mark, that's for sure.
- [01:18]
Myron Metcalf
We did. We did. And I still get tweets about, hey, good job today with Myron. Today, Sunday morning, I'm like, yeah, that wasn't me. Wasn't me at all. But great.
- [01:27]
Matt Schick
Like whenever Mike Wells is on the radio or anybody black is on the radio, VSP radio, I get, I get really passionate tweets about something I said wrong and I'm like, I'm literally at home doing nothing.
- [01:38]
Myron Metcalf
Please leave me alone. I'm eating my Doritos. It is Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio. So much to get to here on this Sunday. Last day of the regular season in the NBA. Uh, we've got some Nico stuff to discuss, but it's the Masters. Let's go off the top.
- [01:56]
Matt Schick
What are we thinking about?
- [01:57]
Myron Metcalf
I'm trying to think, but nothing happens.
- [01:59]
Matt Schick
Nothing happens. Time to find out. This is off the Top Flash. Off the Top with Matt and Myron.
- [02:07]
Myron Metcalf
You know, today, Myron, we have a much beloved golfer who has never won the Masters trying to win his first green jacket. He's got a groundswell of support on the grounds there to Gus. He's a crowd favorite. He's trying to get over the hump. And that man will be facing Rory McElroy today in the final round of the masters. Brian Bryson, DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy going toe to toe into the final round. And Bryson had a nice springboard into the final round with this birdie on 18 yesterday. And away on a line, moving from left to right towards the hole. Looking better and better.
- [02:47]
Matt Schick
He's made it. A GLO closing birdie for Bryson.
- [02:52]
Myron Metcalf
He's 10 under par. It'll be Rory and Bryson tomorrow in.
- [02:58]
Matt Schick
The final round of the Masters.
- [03:01]
Myron Metcalf
That's SiriusXM Masters Radio. Voices rarely get that high in golf coverage, Myron, but you can feel the excitement quite palpable going into today.
- [03:10]
Matt Schick
Was that his caddy? I mean, he was like. He sounded like he was getting prize money too off this man. So I know who he's rooting for, but it was incredible to watch, man. And we started the week where people on Thursday were saying, well, see, you know, the numbers are down. People don't care about the Masters without Tiger. And now here we are with one of the most exciting pairings that we've seen on a Sunday in recent history.
- [03:36]
Myron Metcalf
SiriusXM Masters Radio there with the call. It's Rory, it's Bryson. Going into the final round. Bryson was asked if he can carry that momentum from Saturday into the final round.
- [03:49]
Bryson DeChambeau
Do you think there's any such thing as overnight momentum based on what you.
- [03:53]
Advertisement Voice
Just did on the last four holes? For sure, I think there's a bit of it.
- [03:57]
Josh Hypel
Is it going to be the full.
- [03:58]
Advertisement Voice
Reason why I play well or not my best tomorrow? No, but there is momentum.
- [04:04]
Myron Metcalf
We'll see what kind of momentum goes into today. But you could just see the difference, Myron, as they both left their respective final holes there on 18, it's Rory, very contemplative, his head down, focused on the task at hand. He's seemingly already looking at working through tomorrow's round, now, today, and then Bryson after that log birdie, walking through the crowd, glad handing, shaking hands, high fiving, revving everybody up. These guys could not be much different when it comes to how they respond.
- [04:39]
Matt Schick
No, I mean, the emotion that you see with Bryce is, I think, why you have a lot of people who have gravitated to him and then, you know, Rory is sort of that old school guy. You know, he was supposed to be next after Tiger went on an incredible run and then he's been defined by his collapses. And I think the energy you're feeling now is almost like it's less of Bryson chasing Rory and Rory trying not to collapse again. That's kind of how we're going into this matchup.
- [05:02]
Myron Metcalf
It feels that way. It feels like, yeah, is Bryson going to go out and get it or is Rory going to collapse? It is one of those feels inevitable. And we're going to take your calls on this a little bit later on at 808, say ESPN 887-293-776 about who are you polling for going into this final round? Because I mean, you've got DeChambeau. He's also looking for his first green jacket, tried to become the eighth player to win the Masters at multiple US Opens as well. You also have and again reminded the final pairings tee off 2:30pm Eastern time today. 888 say ESPN. Who are you rooting for? It is, it is one of those things, Myron, where you look at these two guys and it feels like an old school, new school mentality. You know, Rory, as you said, has been on the scene for years. Remember, he was nine years old. It wasn't just Tiger woods that was on a talk show as a kid. Roy McElroy did it as well in Northern Ireland as a nine year old. He showcasing his wares. He was supposed to be next. He was supposed to win that green jacket about 14 years ago before he collapsed and blew up and threw up an 80. So now about 14, 15 years later, trying to reclaim this thing. And then you've got, oh yeah, by the way, that whole live tour going on and Bryson DeChambeau, whose career arc has been one for the books of going, turning from a quirky, almost annoying golfer, a villain goes to live. He was the scientist, right. Reshapes his body and now comes back here on the PGA or here at the Masters and it's just a crowd favorite.
- [06:46]
Matt Schick
Yeah, no, it's like a wrestler, you know, that was a heel and then all of a sudden everybody loves him. I mean, that's kind of what Bryson has become. I mean, I think he's, he's so he is himself. Right? He's not afraid to act exactly the way a lot of people don't want him to act. He shows his emotions, he says whatever he's thinking. And that appeals, I think, to a certain slice of the golf crop. Whereas I think Rory, for a lot of people represents what golf is supposed to be, quiet, measured, patient. That's what they expect in their golfers. So it's just such a incredible contrast of not even just players and who've had these different career Arcs, but also in just personalities. I think that's what makes this unique.
- [07:30]
Myron Metcalf
We got some sound coming up to showcase some of that personality in a little bit. But yes, eight straight Masters champs have come from the final pairing. So we shall see what happens today. Elsewhere off the top, this was a story that percolated on Friday when Nico Emaliava, yes, we've learned how to pronounce his name by now, even though he's no longer.
- [07:54]
Matt Schick
Say it again. Because I actually didn't learn. I've just been saying. I've been saying Nico I.
- [08:00]
Myron Metcalf
You're still struggling with tua. Tongue of I. Lower. Okay. For years. Nico. Yeah. Nico I. I have no clue how to pronounce his name. Is no longer the quarterback for Tennessee. They had an nil dispute, otherwise known as pay for play, as salary dispute, a holdout. We're on Friday. The quarterback for Tennessee did not show up for practice with the spring game. The spring showcase coming up on Saturday was not there. And you wondered, okay, what's going to happen here? Who's going to give in? Who's going to blink? Well, Josh Hypel in Tennessee. Didn't they cut ties after basically on Friday, early Saturday morning, Nico entered the portal. Here's Josh Hyple, head coach of Tennessee, after the spring game.
- [08:49]
Josh Hypel
Today's landscape of college football is different than what it has been. You know, it's unfortunate. You know, just the situation and where we're at with Nico. I want to thank him for everything that he's done since he's gotten here, you know, as a recruit, to who he was as a player and how he competed inside of the building. And so a great appreciation for that side of it. Obviously, we're moving forward as a program without him. You know, I said it to the guys today. There's no one that's bigger than the power T, and that includes me. And they hear me say that a lot inside of that team room. This program has been around for a long time with a lot of great coaches, a lot of great players that came before that laid the cornerstone pieces, the legacy, the tradition that is Tennessee football. It's going to be around a long time after I'm done and after they're gone.
- [09:34]
Myron Metcalf
Report out that on ESPN.com that Tennessee was aware that Emaliava's representatives had reached out to at least one other school, that being Oregon, prior to the start of pring practice, spring practice, and Oregon said it was not interested. Oregon coach Dan Lanning has declined to comment whether or not he tipped off Josh Hypo of what was going on. But it was Emaliava who notified the OC for Tennessee late Friday night. He was in the process of filling out paperwork and will enter the portal on Wednesday. Myron, I don't know how often we're going to see this. There has to be a first one. But, but Nico is gonzo there from Tennessee.
- [10:13]
Matt Schick
Yeah. First off, Nico Harrison with the Mavericks is saying thanks a lot, you know, taking some of the pressure off of him. Not, I mean, it's hard not to be, you know, the most polarizing Nico in the country, but somehow Nico Harrison.
- [10:26]
Myron Metcalf
Where were you a couple of weeks ago, Nico Oyemali Alban when I needed you.
- [10:30]
Matt Schick
Exactly. But I also think, man, as frustrating as this is for fans, the system has created this opportunity for players in Nico's position to say, all right, can I get more money? So I don't look at the individuals as much as I look at what the NCAA has failed to create in this nil era and everyone's paying for it.
- [10:56]
Myron Metcalf
He was reportedly making nearly two and a half million dollars on a contract that was reported to be 8 million when he signed it, started receiving payments when he was still in high school and again holding out for what sounded like closer to $4 million. And now he's out at Tennessee. We'll dive into that a little bit later on Sunday morning on ESPN Radio. Sunday morning is presented by Progressive Insurance. A reminder. Today's the final day of the NBA regular season and ESPN Radio has you covered from tip off to the final buzzer. Evan Cohen, Andre Snellings, get it all started as the Eastern conference begins at 1:00. We'll go through the Western Conference action at 4:00 Eastern. 10 year NBA veteran Ryan Hollins recaps it all on Countdown of the postseason at 10pm Eastern. Don't miss coverage on the final day of the NBA regular season on ESPN Radio and the ESPN app. Up next, who you rooting for in today's final round? Rory or Bryson? And where does McIlroy rank among the great athletes who absolutely need to get a specific win? It's next Sunday morning. Matt Schick, Iron Matcalf, ESPN Radio.
- [12:10]
Matt Schick
Matt and Myron, the Podcast. If you wear glasses, you know how hard it is to find the perfect pair. But step into a Warby Parker store and you'll see it doesn't have to be. Not only will you find a great selection of frames, you'll also meet helpful advisors and friendly optometrists. Yep, many Warby Parker locations also offer eye exams, so the next time you need glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses or a new prescription, you know where to look. To find a Warby Parker store near you or to book an eye exam, head over to warbyparker.com retail when you.
- [12:47]
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- [14:01]
Matt Schick
Matt and Myron the Podcast we.
- [14:03]
Myron Metcalf
Were in a group text yesterday about some of the great final pairings that we've seen in the past. It's like you're grasping at straws. Matt Schick, Meyer Metcalf here on Sunday Morning on ESPN Radio. You're all right. What was great and you know Mikey C. Puts out. How about Bubba Watts and Jordan Spieth? Okay, you know Patrick reed, Rory in 2018. Okay. Anything. Anything non Tiger. Phil is tough to live up to, but post Tiger, it's hard to think back over the last 10 years of anything that's non Tiger. That was this interesting and compelling of a final pairing with Rory and Bryson. You've got old school, new school, you've got PGA Live, you've got, you know, two guys that are looking for their first green jacket. But you've got Roy McElroy and you know the travails that he's had. And we just saw what happened at the US Open against Bryson. Bryson went out, got up and down from the bunker and and wins. It takes it away from you could argue Rory handed it to him. But Myron, there's a so much baked into this that it almost requires you to pick a side.
- [15:27]
Matt Schick
Yeah, it's fascinating Like, I think if, you know, Steven Spielberg wrote a 2025 Masters movie, this is how it end. It'd be Rory, you know, having a lead on the Sunday.
- [15:39]
Myron Metcalf
Berg is going to be right.
- [15:40]
Matt Schick
He's still doing movies.
- [15:41]
Myron Metcalf
I don't know if he's the director. Golf, golf, movies.
- [15:46]
Matt Schick
He's still doing movies, right?
- [15:48]
Myron Metcalf
Who would it be?
- [15:50]
Matt Schick
Scorsese maybe? I don't know. I don't know enough about people who make movies. Those are like the two names I know. So you know, someone were writing a movie about the Masters, it would be Rory in the lead. And then you need, you don't just need a good golfer because to me, if this was, you know, Scottish Scheffler or John Rahm or someone like, who's a really good golfer, you need a polarizing person. And there's no one more polarizing in the sport than Bryson. So to me it is like the best of all worlds. And I always judge the Masters according to can people who don't care about golf care about this will it? And I think they do because of the contrast of those two individuals who are now playing for that championship.
- [16:36]
Myron Metcalf
Eight, eight, eight say ESPN 888-729-3776. Whether you're a casual or you're a, a die hard golf fan, who are you polling for here today? It's funny you mentioned that because you use the word polarizing and you know, Bryson DeChambeau was. And by the way, I've heard DeChambeau so many times. Like Jeff Darlington had an essay that's on ESPN.com and he emphasized the D. He's like, we need DeChamBeauty. Are we going DeChamBeau or DeChamBeau? Have we been pronouncing this the whole time? Mispronouncing this the whole time? Roy McElroy took years to kind of figure that out. It looks like when you read it, it's two Ls, two eyes. You don't know what's going on with that.
- [17:21]
Matt Schick
I think at one point I thought it was Dutch Ambo or something. I thought that, you know, I thought the C and the H got involved there too. So I'm still trying to narrow down these two, but it sounds like people are saying the DeChambeau more, more this week. And here's my problem with Bryson. Correct people like, you know what I mean? If, if it's not right, then tell people so that we don't do the wrong thing. You know what I mean?
- [17:46]
Myron Metcalf
Who's the guy tied for fourth with Patrick Reed? Are you looking at the leaderboard right now?
- [17:53]
Matt Schick
Is it Auberg? Is it Ludwig Oberg?
- [17:56]
Myron Metcalf
Ludwig Oberg. It's. It's with an O. The A is an O. Yeah. The A is an O. It's Oberg. Oberg.
- [18:03]
Matt Schick
Ludwig. Is that his name? Ludwig Oberg.
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Advertisement Voice
Ludwig.
- [18:06]
Matt Schick
Ludwig. Well, Ludwig, I mean, come on. Ludwig. Ludwig. Ludwig. I'm going to call you one of the two, right? Ludwig. Ludwig Oberg. The big O. I know that dude.
- [18:17]
Myron Metcalf
The big O.
- [18:19]
Matt Schick
The big O. Now, if he come back. If he comes back to win, does he get to take the big O? Does he have to fight Oscar Robertson for that crowd?
- [18:32]
Myron Metcalf
Oscar's like, look, it died. It starts with an A. Can't be the big O. But look, here's the one thing. When you think about who are you rooting for again? 888 CES. I'll get to your calls here in a moment. Pick a side here, Myron. I mean, we as journalists, in quotes, we like to use. We like for stories, right? We root for stories. It's hard for us to really root for people, although if we know them or like their personality a little bit more, certainly that's where we would side. Are you picking a side?
- [19:04]
Matt Schick
Rory? All day. I mean, I remember young Rory, who was the phenom, the prodigy, and then he became the guy who couldn't finish the job for a decade. I mean, you like. He became legitimately, I think, across all sports as the poster child for a collapse. Like, if you were going to pick any athlete, I think, across sports and say, who's most likely to collapse and fall, it's Rory. And he dealt with that for a decade. So I think at this point, 35. I want to see him get the win in the Grand Slam. Man, I think that's a great story.
- [19:37]
Myron Metcalf
You know, back in 2011, pulling that tee shot off on 10 out of bounds.
- [19:41]
Matt Schick
Yeah.
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Myron Metcalf
Hits an eight over, shoots an eight over 80.
- [19:45]
Matt Schick
Yeah.
- [19:46]
Myron Metcalf
10 shots behind Charles Schwartzel. Charles or Charles? Tied for 15.
- [19:55]
Matt Schick
Charles.
- [19:56]
Myron Metcalf
He tied. You're the expert. Rory tied for 15th that year. Aaron in South Carolina. Aaron, who you rooting for?
- [20:06]
Tim Legler
Good morning, guys. Thanks for taking my call. As a big Ricky Fowler fan, it's.
- [20:12]
Myron Metcalf
Always going to be anybody but Rory.
- [20:15]
Tim Legler
I'm pulling so hard for Bryson to get his green jacket. He deserves it. Rory's had so many chances. He's choked so many times, he's out of chances.
- [20:26]
Myron Metcalf
Out of chances. Thank you, Aaron. Out of chances. Some people watch hoping for the car accident, right? You watch nascar, you're like, oh, let's see what happens here around turn two. It feels like there are some fans that are just waiting to see when it happens. Remember Jordan Spieth around Amen corner when he had an opportunity? Of course he won the green jacket. But you have these moments in these rounds. We thought, you know, if what happened to Rory at the end of round one happens today. Yeah, then goodness, the legacy is cemented. Right. Those Greg Norman comparisons start coming up. But it's the. Me personally, I just hope, I actually don't care who wins. I just want someone to go win it. I want the heavyweight fight today.
- [21:16]
Matt Schick
Yep.
- [21:17]
Myron Metcalf
I want the.
- [21:18]
Matt Schick
Hey.
- [21:18]
Myron Metcalf
Oh my goodness. Here's the eagle for Bryson. And then, oh, Rory bounces back with a birdie and we're tied going into the 17th hole. Going into 16 green. Like let's, let's have it be something that you go out and win, not give away because those are the most painful to watch. Those are the ones that cement your legacy.
- [21:40]
Matt Schick
Yeah. And I think there is a large portion of the viewership today that's going to be watching for that car crash. They want to know if Rory's going to collapse again and that's why they're tuning in. And I think Rory knows it.
- [21:52]
Myron Metcalf
Maybe we will get a playoff between Bryson and Rory. Playoff seating will be set after today in the NBA, Tim Legler breaks down the final day of the regular season in the NBA. Coming up next Sunday morning on ESPN Radio.
- [22:10]
Matt Schick
Matt and Myron the podcast.
- [22:17]
Myron Metcalf
TaxAct knows filing your taxes can be complicated. And that's why we have live experts to help you with any questions. They can hold your hand through the process, beginning to end, metaphorically, of course. I mean, they can't actually hold your hand in person. I suppose you could hold your computer mouse while you chat with the expert about capital gains or whatever, which is sort of like holding hands. Sorry. Point is, our tax experts can make filing easier. Tax Act. Let's get them over with.
- [22:46]
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- [23:42]
Myron Metcalf
It is also the final day of the regular season in the NBA. Magic Myron Metcalf, Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio. NBA doubleheader today Clippers, Warriors 3, 30 Eastern. Before that, Pistons, Bucks 1:00 Eastern. Mark Jones will be on the call with Tim Legler, who joins us now here on ESPN Radio. ESPN NBA analyst Tim, thanks so much for the time. I know you might be partial to the game you're calling today, but what are you most interested in today? What's the storyline of the NBA that gathers most of your interest outside of your game?
- [24:19]
Tim Legler
Without question, it's how things fall out in the West. I mean, with this much uncertainty and where these teams could be seated going into the last day of the season, it's really incredible. You're sitting there with the 1, 2 and 3 locked up, nothing known beyond that. And that to me is the most interesting question that's going to be answered by the end of the day. And you know, I heard, I heard a little bit of promo there before I came on about the Clippers and couldn't agree more. I mean, that team right now, the way they look and the way they've rounded into form here to close the season, getting Kawhi Leonard back looking as good as he does with the other talent around him, very, very dangerous team. Possibly the biggest X factor in the entire postseason. So that game today against Golden State and how ultimately the seeding plays out there with with the Nuggets in the mix as well. Fascinating to me and I'm as anxious as anybody to get to about dinner time tonight so we can find out who's playing who or at least what the play in games look like.
- [25:20]
Matt Schick
Tim, I'm curious, what's the best situation for the Warriors? Like what matchup should they want? Should they think about the play in or if you're the warriors, would you prefer to get that six seed locked up and have to face the Lakers?
- [25:33]
Tim Legler
I think the best, the best scenario really, honestly, in my opinion would be if you don't lose today. I mean if you lose today, it's not the worst thing in the world right now. You end up potentially seventh. Okay, play ins risky. I get it. Anything can happen. You get in that situation now you'd have two games to win a game to get into the postseason and you'd be hosting that first game if you're the seventh seed and you have to think you'd win that game at home, now you get the seventh spot. Now you get the Houston Rockets, who, Look, I know that they're a great defensive team. They've been a great story, but I think when you take a look at the other possibilities of who you could play if you're Golden State, I think you take your chances and rolling the dice there and maybe not have to play the Lakers potentially till the second round. If you can get by Houston, ultimately, that might be the best spot for them. If they win today, they get the six, you get the Lakers right out of the bat. That's going to be a very competitive long series. Obviously, a lot of eyeballs on that with the Curry LeBron matchup again in the postseason. But the Lakers are a very unique team in the way they attack you with. With Luke and LeBron on the court together, that could represent a huge challenge for Golden State defensively.
- [26:37]
Myron Metcalf
Tim Legler joining us among those teams fighting for those four through six seeds in the west. You've got Denver, you've got the Clippers, you've got Minnesota there as well. We mentioned Golden State. What's the best matchup for the Lakers and perhaps the toughest matchup for the Lakers? Lakers.
- [26:56]
Tim Legler
Well, look, I think ultimately for the Lakers, the biggest challenge for them would be Oklahoma City. At some point when they get them. I don't think the Lakers are concerned with who they play. For them, it's all about differentiating themselves offensively with this unique combination of LeBron and Luka paired together and then a third option in Austin Reeves and what he has become as a player, they feel like they represent something no other team can put out there with those two players in the way that they can control you as a scorer or a facilitator, and the way they can stagger their minutes along with Austin Reeves to make sure you've always got two of those guys on the court at any time. I don't think they really care who they play. I think ultimately the toughest challenge for them, and that's why getting the three seed was just critical for them. They avoid Oklahoma City potentially all the way until the conference finals. That is exactly where they needed to be and they've positioned themselves there.
- [27:52]
Matt Schick
Tim, I'm curious. You have the Nuggets, Nuggets and Grizzlies going to the playoffs. Both have had coaching changes in the last couple of weeks. How does that affect those teams as they get ready for the postseason?
- [28:03]
Tim Legler
Yeah, well, Listen, first of all, I disagreed completely with both firings at this time. I just don't understand the thought process going into the postseason with two teams and two coaches with a lot of playoff experience, one of whom would just won a championship a couple of years ago. So if you want to make a change, that's one thing. And first I would disagree with that as well. But if that's where you came to the conclusion internally that we need to make a coaching change, you at least let these guys ride it out in this postseason. You're never going to convince me that what they did is better for them in the current postseason. It just doesn't make any sense to me that handing it off to an assistant coach on a guy that has not been in the hot seat to make those decisions under that kind of pressure is a better situation for either team. Now, the one thing I will say, being on teams where the coaching changes were made during the season. Now I was never on a team that made a change this late in the year, but mid season a couple of times on teams I played in. And there is a change in the air in the locker room. I will say that because if you've gotten to the point where you're making a coaching change, there is a heavy air in the locker room. It's not, it's not a fun place to be if you've gotten to that point where it's even being considered. So there is a lightness that is there the next day and that can carry you for a little bit, like an adrenaline rush over it. But ultimately those guys have been in that hot seat making critical in game adjustments and decisions in the past with this particular group, they're not there anymore and it's handed off to someone without that experience. I think that's very important for both of those teams heading into the postseason.
- [29:37]
Myron Metcalf
Tim Legler joining us, NBA analyst. You'll hear about Bucs Pistons today. Speaking of the Bucks locked into that five seed, no Dame, what are you hearing about Damian Lillard's status for the postseason and how that'll impact their ceiling?
- [29:53]
Tim Legler
Well, it's interesting. We were just having this conversation in our pregame meeting that you know about him there. It's still not gone. The blood clot situation and it's progressing, but it's not gone. And as long as it's not gone, it restricts him dramatically. He can't fly. They're worried about potentially contact and getting a cut during a game, but it is moving in the right direction and I think the way it was described to us, that could be a week from now where it's, it's completely gone and they're not worried about it anymore or it could be six weeks from now. So it's, it's a major question mark for the Bucks heading in or either way, this amount of time off very be very difficult for Davy Lowe to come in and play with rhythm. And look, they beat the Pacers three out of four times in a regular season. They flipped the script from a year ago when the Pacers dominated them, including in the playoffs. But they had Damian Lillard when they went up against the Pacers. They do not in this situation and it doesn't look like they're going to have him. Something dramatic would have to change for him to be available in that series. That really changes the dynamic, I think of that series. But again, it remains to be seen. It's just one of those things that's very difficult to predict. And you know, your guess as good as mine is when we will see Damian Willard again. Will it be at some point down the road in the postseason or will it not be until next year?
- [31:12]
Myron Metcalf
We got 30 seconds and we got to let you go. Pistons, Knicks, a series we do know is going to happen. What are the challenges there for the Knicks from the Pistons perspective?
- [31:23]
Tim Legler
Well, a couple of things. Look again, this is a unique situation. Both of the lower seeded teams won three out of four against the higher seated teams. Detroit's played very well against the Knicks. Kate Cunningham has owned the Knicks. So you know you have to assume if you're the Pistons, he has to play well. So you've got to be what you were in the regular season for them to be able to have a chance in that series. And then for me, the next thing I'm looking at is the number of defenders because that's where Detroit hangs their hat that they can throw at Jalen Brunson, who has not really found elite rhythm since he came back from that ankle injury. So you know he's going into the postseason not really having found his form. And now you go up against a team that is that good on the perimeter defensively with guys like Osar Thompson, Iran Holland, like guys that they can throw at him and just in general their identity as a team defensively and the challenges that can represent for a guy like Brunson who is not 100% against the team that had great success against them in the regular season, that's very confident. They can not only challenge the Knicks in that series, the Pistons believe they can win that series. Series. So that that to me is one of the most fascinating first round matchups. No matter how this all plays out, I'm going to be absolutely dialed into that series because I think you're going to get a long, hard fought competitive series that's going to get chippy right away.
- [32:41]
Myron Metcalf
It's going to be a great day. Tim Legler is going to be a huge part of it. Tim, thanks so much for doing appreciate the time this morning.
- [32:46]
Tim Legler
Anytime. Appreciate it.
- [32:48]
Myron Metcalf
Tim Legler, ESPN NBA analyst Again, Pistons and Bucks 1:00 Eastern. Clippers and Warriors 3:30 Eastern. Really cool setup. All the Eastern conference games at 1 or at 1 today. All the Western Conference start at 3:30pm Eastern. We'll have you covered all day on ESPN Radio. We've got NBA play in action on Wednesday, a doubleheader. Heat and the Bulls meet an elimination game in the east followed by elimination game in the West. We don't know those matchups yet. ESPN Radio is your home for the NBA playoffs, including every game of the Eastern and Western Conference finals and the NBA Finals coming up next. What is the best path for Steph and the warriors to get back to the Finals? Plus more of who are you rooting for in the day? It's Master Sunday 888, say ESPN 888-729-3776 Sunday morning on ESPN Radio, Sirius XM Channel 80.
- [33:44]
Matt Schick
Matt and Myron the Podcast.
- [33:50]
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- [34:21]
Matt Schick
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- [34:51]
Myron Metcalf
You know, sometimes we do need some help as hosts as to why we have certain music being played as we come back in from certain breaks and into certain segments. Mikey C was kind enough to just let me know that it's the final day of the NBA regular season and it's the final round of the Masters and that's why we have the final countdown there. I think it made a lot of sense. I think it made a lot of sense.
- [35:16]
Matt Schick
Good pickup. No, I'm glad. I'm glad Mikey C could explain that. Was that. Was that song in Rocky the final cut? Was that in Rocky 4, the Final Countdown song?
- [35:26]
Myron Metcalf
I think that sounds right.
- [35:28]
Matt Schick
Right?
- [35:29]
Myron Metcalf
We're not hearing a ding Mikey C's not giving us. We're researching.
- [35:32]
Matt Schick
Was that in Rocky 4? The Final Countdown song. Was that in Rocky 4. Can somebody.
- [35:36]
Myron Metcalf
Looking good?
- [35:38]
Matt Schick
Yeah, it's looking good. What's that mean? It wasn't in the movie or not.
- [35:43]
Myron Metcalf
I thought I saw it bring up.
- [35:44]
Matt Schick
A YouTube video from Rocky 4 with.
- [35:45]
Advertisement Voice
It, but I could be wrong.
- [35:47]
Myron Metcalf
Okay. Apparently the final countdown is not in Rocky 4. It's not in rock. There's widespread beliefs.
- [35:55]
Matt Schick
Made me feel like, see, this is how I end up spreading misinformation. Though I assume stuff like that is true and I go tell other people because Mikey Seagulls is looking good. Didn't correct me.
- [36:09]
Myron Metcalf
Went the other way. It's not looking so good.
- [36:15]
Matt Schick
It's looking terrible at this point.
- [36:17]
Myron Metcalf
Looking dead wrong. Sunday morning on ESPN Radio, ESPN App, SiriusXM Channel 80. Tune in iHeartRadio app and your smart speakers by saying, Play ESPN Radio. It's looking good for some drama in both the Masters and in the final day of the NBA's regular season. There are so many different scenarios here. The east, the Eastern Conference is. Hey, it is what it is right now. All the seats are taken care of. Don't worry about it. We know what's going to happen. We've got the play in winter or the play in games. Everything's all set. So there's really no drama there. By the way, pistons, bucks today, 1:00 Eastern. Anyway, the scenarios in the west, the Nuggets can clinch a four seed, the four seed with a win over the Rockets. If the Nuggets, T. Wolves and warriors win, T. Wolves are the five warriors of the six. Clippers of the seven. If the Nuggets, T. Wolves and Clippers win, Clippers are five, T. Wolves are six, warriors are seven. If the warriors get the five or six seed, they could play the Nuggets or the Lakers. If Denver wins today, if they end up Going through the play in, they get the rockets in the first round. Tim McMahon, ESPN NBA Senior Writer South SportsCenter this morning and was asked about if the warriors lose to the Clippers, should they get to the should they lose to the Clippers to get into the playing game.
- [37:46]
Bryson DeChambeau
I think this is a case where the NBA's playing scenario is guaranteeing us that we're going to have a high stakes competitive game. Because look, if you just take a look at the most likely scenarios here, it would be six. The warriors are locking themselves into a first round playoff series against Luka Doncic, LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers. If it was just lose and you're seven and it's the Houston Rockets, no disrespect, but an inexperienced young team, frankly that'd be a pretty easy decision to tank this game. But that's not the case. There's the play in and you don't want to take that risk, especially the Warriors. They're.03 in playing games. You don't want to take the risk of losing once and then maybe seeing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. Losing twice, you're out. Plus there's the rest factor for a team with veterans, for Steph Curry, he's playing tomorrow, but he has that sore right thumb you're going to get, as Steph Curry said game seven vibes with the warriors and Clippers on Sunday afternoon.
- [38:45]
Myron Metcalf
You could run through Myron all the permutations of okay, if we lose this game, we'll play this team, maybe we'll do the playing. And if you do the play in, Myron, you'd have to lose twice. Right. Because the winner of the seven eight plays the two. The loser plays the winner of nine ten. Right. So if you're in nine ten, you lose. For those who don't know the play in, you're out. But the 910 winner plays the loser of 7 8. And you know the warriors would have to lose twice back to back games if they get to the play in in order to be eliminated from the playoffs. So there is sort of this, all right, what should we do here? But it seems like the warriors have made their decision.
- [39:27]
Matt Schick
Yeah, I mean to me this is why you got Jimmy Butler in the first place. Right. I mean you go after Jimmy Butler because you were planning for a showdown at some point with the Lakers, with the Nuggets, with these teams in the top tier. But I also understand, you know, Houston hasn't proven it yet and there is a long line of young teams that were like Houston, I mean, we saw OKC a couple years ago before this OKC showed up. So I think there are a lot of people see the experience side of it working in Golden State's favor. At the same time, for me, that's still a really good Houston team. And I don't think there's an easy path no matter who the Golden State warriors end up facing.
- [40:07]
Myron Metcalf
You beat the Clippers on Sunday, you lock up the six, you can't overtake la. Of course, they don't hold the head to head tiebreakers. The six seed means you essentially play Minnesota. The eight seed would be versus Denver. I believe there's a lot of different scenarios here going into the Western Conference finals or the Western Conference final day of the regular season. And look, there are so many questions going into this too. And you're 100% right about this. It's, you know, what a reward for the Rockets if they had to face Golden State. Right. Congratulations. You've had this exciting season. You get one of the top seeds and your reward is playing Steph Draymond, Jimmy Butler and a team that knows how to win championships. That would, that would almost do a disservice to the Rockets. But it's one of those things that enters into the calculus if you're the Warriors.
- [41:02]
Matt Schick
Yeah, I mean, it's. You want to see LeBron and Jokic and the guys who've won down the road. Whereas if you're going to advance, taking a young team full of guys who, again, that's a really tough Houston team, defensively, incredible. But we watched an OKC team that looked a lot like that a year ago and couldn't advance, you know, hasn't been able to do it because young teams tend to struggle in these moments. So I think if you're Steph Curry, you're saying, give me the Rockets, let's get into the play in. At the same time, I don't think you're intimidated by any scenario because, you know, you had a Lakers team that's still figuring out with Luca, that's still coming together, although they look pretty good. You have a Nuggets team that just lost their coach. You have a Clippers team that has kind of figured it out over the last couple of weeks of the season as well. So I think the warriors probably feel like they can compete against anybody, no matter who they face in the first round.
- [41:56]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. And you think about it, it almost begs the question because you're talking about all these different seeds and how many teams can get there when it comes to winning the Western Conference. Getting through that. How many teams are we talking about here? Where does that cut line in? And we don't know the seatings as of yet. And we'll find those out later on today and tonight. But it's okay. It's Oklahoma City, it's Houston, it's la. Right. The Lakers. Then it could be, you know, Nuggets, T, Wolves, Warriors, Clippers. Like where. Where's that line of demarcation of those that can win the West? It feels like a very easy question. When it comes to the east, the list seems to be a little longer in the West.
- [42:36]
Matt Schick
Yeah, I mean, and I think a lot of people wouldn't even have Houston, even though they're two seed among the top three or four teams, maybe just because of the youth. But I think certainly, you know, OKC in this historic season. And then you have the Rockets at number two, obviously the Lakers, AD and Luka. And then from there it gets interesting. I still think the Nuggets can do it, but they also just find your coach. And we don't know what's happening behind the scenes with the Nuggets and what sort of turmoil they're dealing with. You have a Clippers team that I know what Kawhi can be, but I also feel like this is a franchise that's given us these flashes in the past and never done anything with it, but they're still probably on the list. I think the warriors are definitely on the list. I wouldn't put the Timberwolves on that. You know, I don't think they're in that group. So. So probably it might be six teams, I think, that have a shot in.
- [43:24]
Myron Metcalf
The West, I think that's right.
- [43:27]
Matt Schick
And even though okc, by the way, should be above everybody, considering how they've destroyed the west, like, we should be talking about OKC blowing through the west and maybe through the entire NBA playoffs based on what they've done so far.
- [43:42]
Myron Metcalf
And it's the next step for them based on what they did last year. We talk about steps in these playoff situations. That's the next step for them. For the Oklahoma City Thunder, you think about in the east, it's like that's the drama is in the west for the final day of the regular season. Yeah, there's really not any. There's no drama in the east for the seatings. And I don't know how much drama there's going to be. The Eastern Conference playoff. Yeah, I mean, it just feels like Boston Cavs gap. And I don't know if there's a, if there's a third team in there. We just talked about the Bucks Dame. We don't know if he's going to be able to play in these playoffs at all.
- [44:21]
Matt Schick
Yeah, that matters a lot.
- [44:24]
Myron Metcalf
Knicks, Pistons, Pacers, Bucks to the series that we know. Coming up Sunday morning presented by Progressive Insurance. Sunday morning on ESPN radio, the ESPN app, and Sirius XM channel 80. We got a lot to get to again, final day of the regular season in the NBA, and it is Masters Sunday. Coming up a little bit later on, we'll talk to a past Masters champ about what it takes to get it done on the final day. Plus, who are you rooting for? Roya Bryson, 888 say ESPN.
- [44:57]
Matt Schick
Matt and Myron, the podcast rapper Sean Diddy Combs was a king maker. He had wealth, fame and power.
- [45:12]
Myron Metcalf
Until.
- [45:12]
Matt Schick
It all came crashing down.
- [45:14]
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Federal investigators raiding two homes owned by hip hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs.
- [45:19]
Matt Schick
I'm Brian Buckmire, an ABC News legal contributor. As Diddy heads to trial, we trace his remarkable rise and fall. And what be next? Listen to Bad Rap the Case Against Diddy, a new series from ABC Audio. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.