Hour 2: Houston, Are they a Problem in the West?

Summary

Detailed Summary of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" Episode: Hour 2: Houston, Are They a Problem in the West?
Release Date: May 4, 2025

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NBA Playoff Analysis

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: A New Era Without LeBron James

Brandon Leak opens the discussion by exploring what a championship would signify for the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially if they secure the title without the legendary LeBron James. He emphasizes the transformative impact on the team's legacy and the broader sports landscape:

“A bunch of teams, a bunch of cities, a bunch of players have the opportunity... It helps young players in their careers if they knock it out early.”
[01:13]

Myron Medcalf underscores the monumental shift this would represent for Cleveland, allowing the city to transition past the LeBron era and celebrate a new era of success:

“…having a Cleveland Cavs team win a championship without LeBron James, this would be huge for the city of Cleveland...”
[02:01]

The conversation delves into Donovan Mitchell's evolution as a player. Brandon references a transformation in Mitchell's shooting technique, highlighting his potential to become a championship-caliber player:

“…that high arcing rainbow shot that could be a championship shot if you will.”
[02:33]

2. Boston Celtics: Reinforcing a Dynasty

Brandon discusses the implications of the Boston Celtics securing back-to-back championships, solidifying their status as a dynasty. He points out the significance for players like Jayson Tatum:

“…they are a dynasty. It means that Al Horford and the guys that came along for the ride with Jalen Brown and or with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will have worked out again...”
[03:54]

Myron adds that this achievement would elevate Jayson Tatum's standing in the league, countering previous sentiments of disrespect:

“…it would escalate him back into that upper echelon. He can stop talking about the disrespect he's getting because it would be undeniable...”
[04:46]

3. New York Knicks: Immortals After a Long Wait

The hosts speculate on the mythical status the New York Knicks players would attain if they clinch a championship after a 50-year drought. Brandon paints a vivid picture of the city's celebration:

“…these guys won't pay for anything the rest of their lives in New York City.”
[05:30]

Myron echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the profound cultural impact and the bridge between old-school and new-school Knicks:

“…this would be the biggest championship parade I think we may ever see in any sport.”
[07:03]

4. Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton's Potential Legacy

Brandon highlights Tyrese Haliburton's rising influence and his ability to rejuvenate the Indiana Pacers, drawing parallels to Giannis Antetokounmpo's impact on Milwaukee:

“…if he is able to lead this team to glory, he will certainly walk that side of the country with a different shade planted on him.”
[07:25]

Myron expresses skepticism about the Pacers' chances but acknowledges the historic significance if Haliburton succeeds:

“…this would be one of those traditional basketball cities that you would love to see win a championship.”
[08:51]

5. LA Clippers: Reflecting on Kawhi Leonard's Frustration

The conversation shifts to the LA Clippers' recent Game Seven loss and Kawhi Leonard's critique of the team's effort:

“...they have the experience that Golden State brings to a Game seven tonight?”
[28:29]

David Dennis Jr. discusses the Clippers' need to reassess their strategy and roster dynamics in light of repeated playoff exits:

“…they have to get back to the drawing table as a front office and franchise and say, is this worth it?”
[29:25]

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Other Sports Headlines

1. Cody Clemens' Historic Home Run at Fenway Park

Brandon brings attention to Cody Clemens' impressive performance, hitting a two-run home run in his first game at Fenway Park in front of his father, Ryan Hollins:

“A two run home run for Cody Clemens in his first ever game at Fenway park.”
[17:24]

Myron reflects on the emotional significance of such moments where family and career milestones intersect:

“...somebody who is at this point in my life where I am feeling old when I see people's kids play.”
[18:30]

2. Miro Rantanen's Stellar Performance Against Former Team

The discussion highlights Miro Rantanen's exceptional game against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, where he scored three goals and an assist:

“Unbelievable. A legendary performance by Rantanen against...”
[19:07]

Brandon humorously incorporates cultural references to emphasize Rantanen's dominance:

“How you like me now?... It would be the biggest championship parade I think we may ever see in any sport.”
[19:52]

3. Kentucky Derby Recap

A brief recap of the Kentucky Derby where Sovereignty triumphs over Journalism, ending an owner's lengthy losing streak:

“…Sovereignty outlasted Journalism... snapping an 0 for 13 skin by owner.”
[14:36]

The hosts engage in a light-hearted conversation about attending the Derby and the allure of horse racing ownership:

“I like Hattitude. I want a nice hat, a nice mint julep...”
[16:28]

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Game Seven Analysis: Warriors vs. Rockets

Houston Rockets: Physicality vs. Experience

David Dennis Jr. provides an in-depth analysis of the Houston Rockets' strategy against the Golden State Warriors. He emphasizes the Rockets' physical approach and depth as key advantages:

“...Houston Rockets has been more physical. And that's why they've given themselves a chance and that's why they're the better team.”
[26:15]

He elaborates on Jalen Green's pivotal role, highlighting his versatility and impact on both ends of the floor:

“If Jalen can bottle up what he did in game six, that would be huge... he can explode.”
[27:55]

Brandon concurs, noting the Rockets' adaptability and willingness to contest tough plays, positioning them as formidable contenders:

“...Houston is probably the better team that I've seen this group right here being able to guard Steph Curry...”
[25:15]

Game Seven Dynamics and Expectations

The hosts discuss the historical context of matchups between the Rockets and Warriors, acknowledging Stephen Curry's past dominance:

“...history hasn't happened.”
[25:34]

Myron questions the fan base's confidence given Curry's previous performances, but David remains optimistic about the Rockets' current form:

“…tonight is going to be some box office basketball to watch.”
[25:34]

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Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Conundrum

Aaron Rodgers vs. Kirk Cousins: The Steelers' Dilemma

The conversation shifts to the Pittsburgh Steelers' ongoing negotiations with Aaron Rodgers and the potential role of Kirk Cousins if Rodgers remains unattainable. Brandon questions the rationale behind Rodgers' hesitance:

“Why would he not want to quarterback the Steelers?... they can't get a yes, at least right now, from Aaron Rodgers.”
[38:07]

Myron offers his perspective, suggesting that if Rodgers isn't fully committed, the Steelers might need to consider alternatives like Cousins:

“...maybe they've had some conversations and they have an inkling of which way Aaron Rodgers is leaning.”
[40:53]

Brandon humorously contemplates the scenario of transitioning to Cousins, highlighting the organizational culture of the Steelers:

“...I wouldn't be surprised if they wait on it, you know, at least through another couple weeks...”
[39:05]

Evaluating Quarterback Options

The hosts debate the suitability of Cousins versus Rodgers, considering factors like leadership, commitment, and on-field performance. Myron expresses reservations about Rodgers' off-field distractions and their impact on team chemistry:

“...he is not better enough than Kirk Cousins to take on all of that...”
[43:32]

Brandon emphasizes the Steelers' need for a quarterback who is fully invested, hinting that Cousins might not fully meet that criterion:

“...you want a guy. Yes. These are my last years of playing football. I want all in with Pittsburgh.”
[43:32]

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Conclusion

Matt, Myron, and their guest Ryan Hollins navigate through a myriad of sports topics, offering insightful analyses on NBA playoff scenarios, standout performances in baseball and hockey, and the intricate quarterback dynamics within the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their discussions blend strategic evaluation with personal anecdotes, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners.

Notable Quotes:

• Brandon Leak:
  “...they would have to knock off either the Knicks, the Pacers or the Celtics in order to do so.”
  [01:13]

• Myron Medcalf:
  “…having a Cleveland Cavs team win a championship without LeBron James, this would be huge for the city of Cleveland...”
  [02:01]

• David Dennis Jr.:
  “If Jalen can bottle up what he did in game six, that would be huge...”
  [27:55]

• Brandon Leak:
  “The Parade of Champions, without a doubt, the entire city...”
  [07:25]

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" podcast episode, providing a structured and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the full show.

Transcript

[Brandon Leak]

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[Brandon Leak]

Myron the Podcast what would a championship and a title mean for the cities involved this year? We'll get to it here on Sunday morning on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app and Sirius XM channel 80. Ask your smart speaker to play ESPN Radio Sunday morning is presented by Progressive Insurance Home team Brandon Leek And David Dennis Jr. A bunch of teams, a bunch of cities, a bunch of players have the opportunity, David, to find a title, make themselves at the table, a seat at the table with the immortals if they're able to do so. And it does really refresh the coffers of who a superstar is, what a legend is, what a Hall of Famer is. It adds to legacy. It helps young players in their careers if they knock it out early. So we'll go through a list of teams and see what a title would mean for different players, different cities and different superstars. What would a title winning season mean for the Cleveland Cavaliers? The Cavaliers with Spider Mitchell and Evan Mobley Defensive Player of the Year. They would be winning a title without LeBron James having to do it for them. They will be solidified as a bona fide team in the East. That would be going nowhere and clearly they would have to knock off either the Knicks, the Pacers or the Celtics in order to do so.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, this would be huge. Let's. Let's hone in on Donovan Mitchell and what this would mean for him as a guy who we've looked at as a player who can score a lot of points but cannot win with, you know, necessarily win in the playoffs and this guy carrying a Cleveland not caring because the team is great. But having a Cleveland Cavs team win A championship without LeBron James, this would be huge for the city of Cleveland to get over the LeBron James era while he is sort of floundering, not making deep playoff runs in the Lakers or the Cleveland Cavaliers do this. That'd be massive.

[Brandon Leak]

How about for Donovan Mitchell to Your point? I saw a great comment from Rick Patino when he was at Louisville and he was talking about the shot arc that Donovan Mitchell was taking. He said it was too much of a line drive shot and so he worked with him and he said you could be good but you can be great if you alter his your shot. He worked on his shot. Now he's got that high arcing rainbow shot that could be a championship shot if you will. But to see a guy who had to change something that got him to the college ranks, change something that makes him a pro and an all star and then change a shot that could make him a champion, that is something I think will be remembered when you talk about a guy doing everything he could in order to better himself. All right, that's for Cleveland. What would winning a title mean for the Boston Celtics? Well, it means that you go back to back. It means that these guys are a dynasty. It means that Al Horford and the guys that came along for the ride with Jalen Brown and or with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will have worked out again that they have defended their crown, that they are a team that belongs and that they are not any lesser than any other group of Celtics that got together and were charged with doing everything a Celtic is charged with doing which is winning a title.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, this Celtics team would end the drought of back to back champions in the parody league and the post super team league. For the Celtics to do this. This would be huge for that franchise. They'd be pretty insufferable. But also that's what the Celtics are. But we'll be but also this would be huge for them because we do not know what this team is going to look like next season. They've already heard Shams had a report earlier this week that the Boston Celtics are going to probably have to move on from some players. Jrue Holiday, Porzingis. We don't know if they can come back and what they're going to look like. This will be huge for them. It'll also be huge for Jayson Tatum who has talked about how disrespected he is, talked about what he needs in terms of, you know, how he's looked at around the league. This will escalate him back into that upper echelon. He can stop talking about the disrespect he's getting because it would be undeniable right now to go back to back with the Celtics team.

[Brandon Leak]

What would a title mean for the New York Knicks Immortals. It would make Those guys immortals 1970, 1973. The last time the Knicks won championships, it didn't get done for some of the greatest players and greatest Knicks of all time. And if Jalen Brunson and this crew can find a way to get to the finals, I think getting to the finals certainly would give New York a shot and the yawn. But if they actually bring it home after more than 50 years of waiting for somebody to do it again, I got to tell you, these guys won't pay for anything the rest of their lives in New York City.

[Myron Medcalf]

Immortal is the word this would be. I mean, they would be as popular as any athlete we've ever seen in New York City for them to figure out how to win the championship. Especially with the, with the odds that are against them. Nobody's expecting this team to be able to beat Indiana. I'm sorry, Boston Celtics team. Nobody's expecting this team to beat a Cavs team. And certainly nobody expect them to win a championship this year. But, but if Jalen Brunson, especially the guy who's already immortalized for giving up millions and millions of dollars to make this team better, clutch Jalen Brunson, who just hit one of the biggest shots in New York Knicks history to close out the Pistons to win a championship, I can't even fathom it because I do not think they have a shot of winning the championship. But if they did, this would be. I mean, I can't think of a city that would embrace a single team more than the New York, than New York City embracing the Knicks for winning a championship right now.

[Brandon Leak]

Dig, if you will, a picture, David. The cavalcade of former Knicks that would be in Madison Square Garden for finals games. Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley have a chance to get Greg Anthony around there. Allen, Houston, all of those beloved Knicks who that city still loves and appreciates, who just were right there at the mountaintop and just couldn't plant the flag at the top. Being there to celebrate. With this version of the New York Knicks, it will be something. When you talk about bridging the gap between old school and new school, this New York Knicks team could do something that would last people the rest of their lives.

[Myron Medcalf]

As Knick fans grown big Timberland wearing average jacket wearing dudes crying in Madison Square Garden. That's what you look at the Knicks with this championship. I'm talking boohooing. If they win this championship, I, I like. It would be, it would be the biggest championship parade I think we may ever see in any sport. If they do this, it would be.

[Brandon Leak]

The Parade of Champions, without a doubt, the entire city. They might give the Yankees a game off. If it was on a day where the Knicks were having a parade. What would it mean if this team won a title? The Indiana Pacers, it would go down as one of the. Where did that come from? That Tyrese Halliburton, he did what he knocked off who they got past, how many teams. Tyrese Halliburton is not backing down from anybody. He in that player's poll, I believe it was the Athletic where they had the players ranked players in the league and he was pointed out and voted as the most overrated player in the game. I just thought, well, second behind Jalen Brunson, which I thought was really offensive. He doesn't seem to get the credit that is due to him. He is a guy that is tough. He's a guy that wants to take and has made big shots and to carry, much like the Knicks, a beloved franchise. For those people that really have been following Pacers basketball for generations to do the things that those great Pacers teams couldn't do, that Dale Davis and Anthony Davis and Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson could not do. If he is able to lead this team to glory, he will certainly walk that side of the country with a different shade planted on him. He would do what Giannis did for Milwaukee, take a team, make them and keep them relevant for a long time.

[Myron Medcalf]

Absolutely. I mean I would be, I would be shocked. Obviously. I think everybody would be shocked. They went. I don't think the pace is going to be the first basketball team to win a championship in Indiana. The Fever I think have a better shot at doing that. But for them to beat a, you know, a Cavs team would in the second round would shock me. For them to go on and beat the Celtics would super shock me. I don't see it. But it would be one of those traditional basketball cities that you would love to see win a championship. They've been so close. Reggie Miller making it to the Finals, losing to the Lakers, Malice in the Palace, A championship level team that probably maybe could have won a championship that year. Having that derailed, having a team just not be able to come close to that ever since. Running into. Think about who they run into in the history of the Pacers. They run into Michael Jordan, they run into that Knicks team. They run into the Shaq, Kobe, Lakers. They ran into the LeBron Heat. I mean, and now they're going against a conference with Boston and Cleveland. I mean you feel bad for him. You want him to win One, it ain't happening this year, but it would mean a lot.

[Brandon Leak]

How about some respect on the name of Rick Carlisle? The man's already a championship coach with the Dallas Mavericks. Man's already a championship player with the Boston Celtics. Now he would go to another franchise and help coach a championship, getting through the Boston Celtics and getting through the Cleveland Cavaliers if they would have to do it. I mean, my goodness gracious, you would have everything. You need a guy in Tyrese Halliburton who took him over the finish line and a coach who was the right guy from the start that put his championship pedigree into the Indiana Pacers.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, absolutely. We have. We didn't even talk about what this would mean for a lot of these coaches. We can go back and talk about what this would mean for Tibbs when you talk about the Knicks. Well, the way that we talk about him, he's going to be playing his players 47 and a half minutes next year and say, do something about it.

[Brandon Leak]

When he stopped hollering, if he wanted to talk, when he stopped screeching in a scratchy voice, would he be done hollering?

[Myron Medcalf]

No, they didn't. Never stop it. He going to be just tibs to the max. Like, this is huge for a lot of these coaches as well.

[Brandon Leak]

Well, it'll certainly give us an opportunity there. It really is an open book. You know, there are favorites. You look at what's going on in the Eastern Conference and we'll also take a preview at the Western Conference as well. There are some teams that clearly have the heavy hand right now, but nothing is written in stone. We don't have the proverbial favorite where no one can be subject to an upset or getting knocked off. So I think the NBA playoffs are just fantastic where they are giving us a chance to not know who our champion will be. All right, the NBA playoffs are on ESPN Radio. You can catch game seven between the warriors and Rockets tonight. Coverage begins at 8:00 Eastern on ESPN Radio and the ESPN app presented by. Indeed. All right, coming up, we'll get to our Sunday headlines. He is David Dennis Jr. I'm home team Brandon Leake. This is Sunday Morning on ESPN Radio and the ESPN App.

[Kaley Cuoco]

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[Brandon Leak]

Matt and Myron the Podcast Time for our headlines here on Sunday morning on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app and Sirius XM channel 80 home team. Brandon Leak, David Dennis Jr. Along for the ride with you all. You can be a part of any conversation at 1-888- say- ESPN. That's triple 872-93776. Sunday mornings is presented by Progressive Insurance. Time for our headlines. James Steele. Let's go through them one by one.

[Myron Medcalf]

Extra, extra.

[Brandon Leak]

Read all about it. Read all about it. The Sunday.

[Ryan Hollins]

All right. Yesterday was the Kentucky Derby and Sovereignty outlasted Journalism. Sovereignty was the outdoor the 3 to 1 favorite. Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby in the slop on Saturday, snapping an 0 for 13 skin by owner. Good luck. Go go Dolphin. Go Dolphin.

[Brandon Leak]

I guess what you look at, you put the time, the effort, the energy, the oats in the horses, they had to come through. Jackie a big part of it. But the horses run the race. I can guess if I were a part of an ownership team, it would be NFL, NBA, maybe a NASCAR team and Then a horse, a horse contingent. If I could put some guys together, that'd be awesome to have a Kentucky Derby winning horse.

[Myron Medcalf]

I'm with it. That seems like a lot of fun. You, you go out there, you train a horse, you put on a nice hat, you watch a horse race for a couple minutes and then you go about and do it for the rest of the year. I think that seems like fun. Give it a fun, fancy name. It's a good time. I'm with you. It seems less stressful than owning the Knicks, I'll tell you that.

[Brandon Leak]

Speaking of that, David James, if you could go to the Kentucky Derby, what would be your outfit? What would you do? Would you put the emphasis and focus on the shoes and the suit, or would you be the big hat guy?

[Ryan Hollins]

I'm not, I'm not really a fashion guy, so I'd have to. I'd have to rely, like I'm a T shirt and shorts kind of guy.

[Myron Medcalf]

That's funny. You're wearing a very nice suit. Right. People can't see you right now. You're wearing a very nice suit for production right now. It's very nice.

[Ryan Hollins]

Canadian tuxedo.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Yeah.

[Ryan Hollins]

Yeah. I don't know, like, like you brought up, you know, seersucker and all those, all those things. I have no idea what those are, but you mentioned like a denim. Like, I feel like I got the long hair, I got the big beard. It's kind of my vibe, I think. So maybe that's the way to go.

[Brandon Leak]

I like Hattitude. I want a nice hat, a nice mint julep, and just go watch the horses run the race. So I'll be the big hat guy standing at the Kentucky Derby.

[Myron Medcalf]

Dress me. Dress me like Andre 3000 from. From Speaker Box. Love below. Give me early 2000. Andre 3000. I'll be out there. I'm still in the show. I want, I want the full Farnsworth Bentley from head to toe. While I'm out there. Give me that, give me an umbrella and everything. The umbrella is where it's at. You got to, you got to have a high, high value, high fashion umbrella when you're out there in Kentucky.

[Ryan Hollins]

Yeah, I think I might be more about the mint juleps than that might be where I'm. All right, so Roger Clemens used to play for the Boston Red Sox. His son Cody Clemens is in the big leagues right now. And Cody Clemens did this at Fenway park in front of his dad last night. 01 Crush to right field for Cody Clemons.

[Brandon Leak]

Get out of here. Get out of here.

[Kaley Cuoco]

And a rocket to right for Cody Clemons. A two run home run for Cody Clemons in his first ever game at Fenway park.

[Brandon Leak]

And the Minnesota Twins lead it three to one.

[Ryan Hollins]

A rocket to right is a great call. What do you think about this, guys?

[Brandon Leak]

You know, it's always good when you get to forge your own way. Always difficult when your father is one of the all time great. But to have a moment like that and to do it while your dad is able to see it, I think that's absolutely awesome. And a fun piece of tape. Twenty years from now, when he's got kids and grandkids, he'll be able to share a very special moment that certainly makes him unique.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, I mean, that is a real cool moment. I'm, I'm, I'm, you know, somebody who is at this point in my life where I am feeling old when I see people's kids play. But also that's great. I love watching kids play. I love watching that moment where the, where the parent and the child is sharing something on the, on the field or the diamond or the court or whatever. I love this.

[Ryan Hollins]

All right, let's move on here. Miko Ratnan of the Stars. He started this season as a member of the Colorado Avalanche. They were. There were some contract discussions that weren't going to. They weren't going to be able to bridge the gap on, so the Avalanche traded him to the Hurricanes. And the Hurricanes found out that there were some contract things that they weren't going to be able to bridge the gap on. So they traded him to the Stars. And the Stars last night played the Avalanche in game seven. Miko Rantnen killed his old team free putt.

[Myron Medcalf]

Lindell didn't get good one on it.

[Brandon Leak]

But Sagan got it out.

[Myron Medcalf]

Rantanen again.

[Brandon Leak]

Unbelievable. A legendary performance by Rantanen against.

[Ryan Hollins]

So The Stars won 4 to 2. Ratnett had three goals and an assist. He factored in on every goal. Killing your former team. How's that, guys?

[Brandon Leak]

To quote the great rap icon and pioneer, Cool Modi. How you like me now? That's what I think he's feeling right now. You didn't want me. Another team didn't want me get a chance to face you in the postseason. And not only do you have the three goals, he had an assist, so he had four points as he meant business. And certainly when you have a chip on your shoulder, nothing better than getting a little get back from people who think you're not good enough.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, Rantnen went in there and lived a lot of people's dreams. You could do this against your old team. I mean, that is something that people live for. That like the petty in me, the spite in my spirit that I have makes me feel like that's something I would dream to do. You think, you think Russell Westbrook isn't watching this and, and thinking, I'm going to OKC and I'm going to do the same thing. Now he may have more four point games. He may have a few four point games in that series, but he is still thinking, I'm sure he's thinking like, hey, I can go out there and get a little playoff revenge too.

[Ryan Hollins]

Yeah, four point game in the NBA. Not quite as impressive as a four point game in the NHL. I was watching this game yesterday and whenever Randon scored that first goal, they were abs. Were up to nothing. When ran and scored that first goal, I thought, uh, oh, I was right. I have one more here. This is from Justin Guerrero on Twitter. He tweeted a couple days ago. Facebook Marketplace Find of the day. Replica pirate ship price tag recently slashed. Ready to meet your Pittsburgh area buccaneering needs. The price was $70,000. Now it's only $50,000. Would you guys buy a pirate ship?

[Brandon Leak]

That sounds like a deal. If I had this space, I would not mind a pirate ship, a space shuttle and maybe a Taco Bell in the backyard.

[Myron Medcalf]

A Taco Bell in the backyard?

[Brandon Leak]

Well, you see that, David?

[Myron Medcalf]

You tell me there's a reason, but I'm just gonna leave it at that. He got a Taco Bell. I don't know how many toilets you're gonna have in your house too while.

[Brandon Leak]

You'Re doing that outside. We'll get some.

[Myron Medcalf]

All right. You're gonna do something. Yeah. A pirate ship. You know, hey, it's a good buy. You know I like a good sale, right? I like good sale. Maybe there's more power chips on Groupon to see what you could do if you got something that's $20,000 off. Not bad. Not a bad move.

[Ryan Hollins]

18 water cannons on this thing. Oh, yeah.

[Myron Medcalf]

Oh, yeah. You buried the lead.

[Ryan Hollins]

Yeah.

[Brandon Leak]

Gentlemen, Fourth of July it would be. The party would be in my backyard with the pirate ship.

[Ryan Hollins]

Yeah, imagine. Imagine being on the. On the shores of the Monongahela outside at PNC park in Pittsburgh shooting your water cannons off after a Pirates home run that they might hit, you know, like once every couple of games.

[Brandon Leak]

Can you rig them and put fireworks in them or New Year's and this.

[Ryan Hollins]

Seems like this seems like, this seems like an opportunity for you and 17 of your closest friends to go in on a pirate ship because then you can share the water cannons.

[Myron Medcalf]

Do you need a permit? Do you need a, like, do you need a, do you need a house? Like what, do you need to just buy a pirate ship and just pull it up to Costco and just like load up on some water from Costco for your water cannons? I don't, how does this pirate ship thing work? I don't know the bells and whistles there.

[Ryan Hollins]

There are probably some questions that need to be answered.

[Brandon Leak]

All right, we'll try to answer some more as we talk more about the NBA postseason moving forward here on Sunday mornings on ESPN Radio. The ESPN app. Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void?

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Your money says let's go get more than you expect with new MC Value. Prices and participation may vary, valid per item of equal or lesser value. Matt and Myron, the podcast Game seven tonight. Rockets and warriors young team moving on, making a statement into the road for the veterans. We'll get to it. This is Sunday morning on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app and Sirius XM Channel 80 home team Brandon Leak and David Dennis Jr. ESPN Radio is presented by Progressive Insurance. Going to talk to a man now. He'll be right there for it. He is a 10 year NBA veteran, Houston Rockets TV analyst and ESPN radio host Ryan Hollins joining us here on Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio. Ryan, thank you so much for your time this morning. Sir.

[David Dennis Jr.]

What's going on fellas? How you doing?

[Brandon Leak]

Doing all right. How is the scene in Houston and can the Rockets overcome Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and the experience that Golden State brings to a Game seven tonight?

[David Dennis Jr.]

Well, for one, the city's on fire, fellas. We're going to let that be known. H town is definitely ecstatic and believing and the way they're going to do it is with their energy, with their effort. Houston is probably the better team that I've seen this group right here being able to guard Steph Curry, being able to get out, pressure him, switch him out high. And one thing Ime Udoka and Rafael Stone have done a great job of is putting together a roster that has enough athletes as enough guys top to bottom. So really making Curry have to take tough contested twos and forcing him off the three point line and saying somebody else has to beat you. And in terms of Jimmy Butler, you play him tough, you make him work, and you have a high level of respect for what he can bring to the table in games like this.

[Myron Medcalf]

So we know that the warriors, namely Stephen Curry, has been a Houston Rockets killer in his career. Now, none of the players in that Rockets team are still there. But what about the fan base? What are they like, nervous about what Steph has done in pivotal games in Houston in the past, or is there a confidence level there?

[David Dennis Jr.]

Ptsd, absolute PTSD for the fan base. We're not going to pretend like history hasn't happened. And that's just the fan base. You know, this is a matchup that you saw starting to line up and everybody knew, oh, man, we gonna end up playing against the Golden State Warriors. But for our young guys, man, Thompson don't know what that looks like on the other end. You know, Jalen Green, Operation Goon is like, oh, y'all have problems with these boys. You know, Fred Van Vliet sitting there back and saying, I want a world championship against them so the most important people don't have the ptsd. And again, man, tonight is going to be some box office basketball to watch.

[Brandon Leak]

So the points you were just making are the Rockets just flat out the better team they are.

[David Dennis Jr.]

And I've been saying this, this is depth and youth versus experience. You know, can the Rockets outplay their experience, their lack thereof? And essentially, as the series went on, this is what we have to see. So, man, it's the first day of school, man, you got your all white T shirt on and your brand new Jordans and your, you know, your shirt's tucked in your pants still, you know, you're still nervous. So a of our guys in game one and game two were adjusting and going, man, what is this playoff thing looking like? And then what people didn't realize, we got over to Golden State where our guys dropped two games where they were, in my opinion, with a better team, but just could not make a free throw to save their lives. Sometimes just making some. Some mistakes from nerves being there. Over in Golden State, Games 3 and 4 were completely new experiences. And what we've seen since then is, okay, this is what it looks like. They're going to be more physical. Oh, you know, they're going to. They're going to shade me hard to my right hand. They're going to shade hard to the left. You know, this is what Steve Kerr is going to do. This is how he's going to switch things up. So our guys have been able to adjust. They're not all the way there, but just good enough to be able to adjust. And the most positive thing, and I want you guys to remember this that you're seeing from the Houston Rockets. And this is where I'd be hitting that alarm button if I didn't see this. They've been the more physical team, and that's been the identity from Ime Udoka from start to finish. So if Golden State was more physical, the Houston Rockets will be panicking. But from game one until game seven, hopefully on tonight, Houston has been more physical. And that's why they've given themselves a chance and that's why they're the better team.

[Myron Medcalf]

What do you expect to see from Jalen Green tonight?

[David Dennis Jr.]

I think if Jalen can bottle up what he did in game six, that would be huge. And he's a guy obviously who can go off, he can explode. But Jalen had the best plus minus in game six. Okay, that means he was impactful on both ends of the floor, just being in the right spot, spacing the floor, getting out and defending. Not trying to do too much with this dribble. If he didn't have it, he passed it and moved the basketball and played within the flow of the game, gotten out in transition, had some huge dunks in play. So if Jalen can use his athleticism to impact the game, the respect is there for what he can do offensively. And now it spreads the floor. So Fred Van Vliet went off and had a monster game. Our Prince Shingoon had a monster game. And now when that intention starts to come back to goes away from him, hopefully he finds the openings and he's ready. But make no mistake, man, Jalen Green said this earlier in the season. I've never been in a situation before. I want to win. If it means sacrificing points, I'll do it. If it means scoring points, I'll do it. And keep in mind, this is another first day of school for Jalen Green.

[Brandon Leak]

ESPN Radio host, Houston Rockets TV analyst Ryan Hollins joining us here on Sunday morning on ESPN Radio. The Clippers, we got to talk about this now. They get themselves to a Game seven and they choke it away. Kawhi Leonard called out a lack of effort. In a Game seven where you have veterans, you have James Harden, you have a chance to move forward in the NBA playoffs. What do you make of the Clippers? And that statement from Kawhi Leonard is definitely frustration.

[David Dennis Jr.]

And when it, when it comes down to the Clippers, they. They knew that they had to steal home court, and that's why that dunk that Aaron Gordon ends up putting in, and they were blazing back from down, I think 17 to 20 points. That's why that play was so important. Now, in terms of Kawhi Leonard, you're going to have to get back to the drawing table as a front office and franchise and say, is this worth it? You know, James Harden really got them through the season. The mindset that was, we're going to let Kawhi sit out because he's that good that he can carry us through the playoffs. He can make these plays, and that's all that's important. And you end up exiting in the first round again. So they're going to have to figure some things out. Keep in mind, also maybe take a deep breath and say, man, the Western Conference is the deepest it's ever been in the history of the National Basketball Association. For God's sake, the Golden State warriors are the seventh seed. Guys think about that. So you got to understand, man, that was no pushover. And down the stretch of the season, the Nuggets were battling like crazy to make sure that they got home court advantage. And that's why it ended up paying off for them in their Game seven.

[Myron Medcalf]

Speaking of ptsd, what was it like watching James Harden choke away another Game seven?

[David Dennis Jr.]

Man, I feel bad for James Harden. I really do, man, because he has had an unbelievable season this year. I thought that he really grew in chemistry with Ivica Zubac. And I think, man, those are the games that are going to hunt James Harden, man. And you go back and you look at your career and you think about those, those game sevens and the frustration is there. And, man, James has done every single thing that you can possibly accomplish for a Hooper under the sun, man. So my heart goes out to James Harden. I still think he's a heck of a player, and it's just tough, man. It's like that sometimes.

[Brandon Leak]

Do you think one win can change the narrative on James Harden, that's to say, you know, he's been to four game sevens with four different franchises and he's lost all four of them. If he wins just one time, you know, kind of like the Buffalo Bills in the early 90s, if they had just won one Super bowl, it would have changed the entire narrative of who they are and what that team was. Is that the same for James Harden? Does he just need one chance to get over the hump, get to an NBA Finals to erase how people view him now?

[David Dennis Jr.]

You're right, but it's more specific. James needs one championship. Like I said, like, just winning the game seven don't mean none because there's going to be another game seven that comes up. He's got to win an NBA championship. That's, that's the. To the point where James Harden is and he understands it and the whole reason that, you know, he went to Brooklyn, he just wants to get that one ring, get it out the way. And then you, you, you know what I'm saying? My, my, my assumptions. Make his way back to Houston, you know what I'm saying? He'll come out and roll for the home team. So for Harden, unfortunately it didn't happen. I think he's going to have to get back to the drawing board and I think he'd be willing to, you've seen him, even in Philadelphia, take less money to try to win a championship. So it's not like he's not trying, man. And that's why when we talk about winning the championship, it's so hard to do. I remember when I played for the Boston Celtics, all right, Me kg those guys, I'm putting myself in the name with them.

[Brandon Leak]

But I was just one of the.

[David Dennis Jr.]

Guys on the team. Okay, I'm throwing myself in if you see what I'm doing. But when you look around the room and you feel like you have enough to win a championship, you put everything into that moment to go and do it because you have no idea what the next years are going to look like. Shoot, look at Denver, man. You win a championship, you fire Mike Malone. So you never know how things are going to end up playing out, man. And you want to take advantage when the opportunity is there. That's why you see the Boston Celtics spending so much money to keep their guys intact. They know there's a window that's not going to be there long.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, I mean, you mentioned a few offseason moves and there's an expectation, no matter what happens, that the Rockets will be big, big Players come the offseason. I know their offseason hasn't started yet. They could win this thing and extend this down the playoffs. But what do you expect from this Rockets team in the off season and how is this playoffs with whatever, however it ends, going to factor into that?

[David Dennis Jr.]

Oh, it's going to factor in majorly. And the best thing for the Houston Rockets is they got two paths. You can hold tight with what you have. If the team has a lot of success and you find a way to keep your guys intact and you pay them to, hopefully everybody's feeling good and the energy's well and you keep your guys intact and roll what you have, or if you feel like you're lacking or you're missing something, you can make a move for one of these big names out there. And here the Rockets are the best equipped. So you know there's rumblings of Giannis Antetokounmpo want to be out. Houston Rockets can put together a best package there. Hey, there's rumblings of Kevin Durant. You know, the price of the brick over there. With all due respect for Kevin Durant, it's going down because he's saying, I don't want to be here. And he's a guy who can point and say, this is a place where I want to go and play. So there's not much negotiating that Phoenix can do to kind of keep their cars tight. So. Or again, if you see your guys go off and they succeed and they win and you feel like this is a group, you can win a world championship, you can hold pack. So crazy enough, it's still an evaluation period for our young guys and front office done an excellent job and I love that they've sat back and said, man, we're going to run this back with IME and the group that we have and ended up being second in the west and a huge, huge, lifetime opportunity to move, move forward in the.

[Brandon Leak]

Second round, well, it'll be nerve wracking, but it'll also be memorable and a lot of fun. Game Sevens, you're part of one. Have a great call tonight and we thank you for your time this morning on Sunday morning on ESPN Radio.

[David Dennis Jr.]

All right, Hometown, we'll talk soon, man. Make sure that Hometown is H town tonight. All right, baby.

[Brandon Leak]

Good luck to you guys. It's going to be a party in the street. Called me hometown, his home team. We did that last time we worked together last year. It's all right. I know what he was talking about. And they are going to party like it is none other if they knock off the Golden State Warriors. All right, coming do the Pittsburgh Steelers need to move on from Aaron Rodgers and get this quarterback instead? We'll get to that when we return. He is David Dennis Jr. I'm home team Brandon Leak Sunday mornings on ESPN radio and the ESPN app. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. You might say all kinds of stuff when things go wrong, but these are the words you really need to remember. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is is there.

[David Dennis Jr.]

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[Myron Medcalf]

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Book it with Priceline. Got your happy price? Priceline, Matt and Myron the Podcast do the Steelers need to wait on Aaron Rodgers or move on? We'll get to that conversation here on Sunday Morning on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app and SiriusXM Channel 80 home team Brandon Leak and David Dennis Jr. Want to remind you Sunday Morning is presented by Progressive Insurance. Life can be hard. So progressive makes bundling your home and auto easy. Hope that that helps you. Learn [e-mail] or 1-800-progressive. What's the holdup? What's going on? What's the weight? David as the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to still have a conversation, cup of coffee? Get an answer from Aaron Rodgers to see if he wants to come to Pittsburgh and be quarterback for the Steelers. The question that I have is why would he not want to quarterback the Steelers? They made it to the postseason. They added DK Metcalfe. They are looking for a veteran that can help lead them through a tough division with Joe Burrow and the two time mvp. When you're talking about who is running the Baltimore Ravens and you need a quarterback that could help you negotiate that and Aaron Rodgers has not said yes. Why not? What's the Holdup. If you love playing football, your career is about to come to an end, either this year or next year, and you have one more shot. You want to be playing for a franchise that could give you a shot to get to the playoffs and make a run. The Steelers looks like it's that and they can't get a yes, at least right now, from Aaron Rodgers.

[Myron Medcalf]

Hey, Steelers, maybe she's not that into you. Do like you got to know your worth. Steelers move on. Stop chasing around somebody. I don't understand how it's gotten to this point with the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers. I have been adamantly against the Steelers Aaron Rodgers marriage from the beginning. It just seems like a disaster waiting to happen. But the Steelers have exhausted all of their options pretty much at the. At the court or a lot of their options at the quarterback. Whether it's young folks, whether it's free age, all that stuff and people they had on their team. And now Aaron Rodgers, nobody else seemed to want him. They're like, the end of love is blind. When everybody on the pods have picked each other and you just kind of stuck with somebody and you're just like, I just want to go on this vacation. So you decide to try to get engaged to the person, y'all make it work. This doesn't seem like it's gonna work. I don't know what the end game is for either of these parties, though.

[Brandon Leak]

Do they have to hold on a time? Telesco, former NFL gm, joined Amber and Ian and says the Steelers just need to be patient. I mean, I don't think you ever shut the door.

[David Dennis Jr.]

I mean, just.

[Brandon Leak]

I'm sure they had a plan going into the draft with whatever that was at the quarterback position. And, like, if you've kind of gone down the path this far with a player like that, I don't think you would ever just say, hey, look, we're moving on. You probably just wait it out. I think they. In this situation, and this is not surprising, but they obviously have a lot more information than any of us have as far as where the situation is. So I'd probably let it go on now. You're moving into OTAs, and you got to get moving with that. But, you know, for where they are in their situation, I wouldn't be surprised if they wait on it, you know, at least through another couple weeks and kind of see where they are. This doesn't seem like a Steelers move. That's to say, the Steelers, one of the premier organizations in all of sports, they have a culture they're not waiting on folks. They make moves that are best for the franchise and if it is a situation and who knows, maybe they've had some conversations and they have an inkling of which way Aaron Rodgers is leaning. But you don't need to beg a man to come to Pittsburgh and be quarterback for the Steelers and you don't want a man who doesn't seem like he's all in. There is a man who would be all in. He's one of the quarterbacks for the Atlanta Falcons and he has Kirk Daniel Cousins, who lost his starting job after he was injured last year, wasn't completely transparent with what the injury was announced after the season that he did have an injury and then had his job supplanted by Michael Penix Jr. He has a no trade clause, but certainly he would waive that if the Pittsburgh Steelers said, you know what, if the Falcons could play, pay some of that $26 million salary and we can get a veteran quarterback who was 6 and 3 before he went down with injury. Certainly Kirk Cousins would be a guy who would want to play in Pittsburgh, have the ability to have a veteran presence and have an opportunity for the Steelers to not have to worry about what their quarterback is thinking.

[Myron Medcalf]

So as, as a, yeah, you know, we both in Atlanta, you are more, you know, love the Falcons a little bit more than I do. How are you feeling? How would you, how, how sad would you be heartbroken? Would you be to see walk out the door? I mean, would you, I mean, are you talking like are we going to be. You're going to take off of work, you're going to cry all day?

[Brandon Leak]

Yeah, I'll take off of work and go get the moving van and drive to Pittsburgh. We don't have to go through a security line or TSA at airport. I drive them to Pittsburgh immediately if they could get what you, what you.

[Myron Medcalf]

What you and Kirk talking about in the car when you're on your drive to Pittsburgh talking about the good, the good times. Y'all talking about the good times in Atlanta, y'all. Y'all talking about what it's like, how much you missed him, how much you wish you could come. What are y'all talking about there hanging out in a U haul on the way to Pittsburgh.

[Brandon Leak]

He would be bombarded with a whole lot of outcasts and TI blast and I'd be listening to the radio all the way to Pittsburgh. Look, the guy did prove though, when he was healthy the football in him could still work and he is a guy who certainly has an opportunity to show that he can put the ball down the field. And you still have George Pickens, and you still now have DK Metcalf. Here's Adam Scheffler, ESPN NFL Insider, saying that there are not many spots left for Kirk Cousins. So why not Pittsburgh? Who knows what happens during the off season, whether somebody gets hurt, whether somebody has a contract issue, whether somebody, whatever it may be, that leads some team into some circumstance where all of a sudden they're looking for another quarterback. Right now, in my mind, there's only really one team that's looking to fill the quarterback position, and that's the Pittsburgh Steelers. And the Pittsburgh Steelers have their sights set on getting a deal done with Aaron Rodgers. And I think that they believe ultimately, at some point, whenever it is, that'll get done. But unless that deal doesn't get done, then Kirk Cousins would have a lack of options right now and would be stuck in Atlanta for the time being. Now, again, we'll see if any changes. But the draft didn't give him more options and more clarity.

[Ryan Hollins]

It gave him less.

[Brandon Leak]

So you got two guys standing on the playground is Kirk Cousins and it's Aaron Rodgers. You're going to take Aaron Rodgers. But if Aaron Rodgers doesn't seem like, you know, the quarterback position is not one where you need to have uncertainty. You want a guy. Yes. These are my last years of playing football. I want all in with Pittsburgh. That's the kind of attitude you will want. Not this aloof, I'm not sure I'm waiting to see kind of attitude. Without a doubt. I can tell you that Kirk Cousins, he wants to play football and he wants to prove a lot of people wrong that his career as a starter is over.

[Myron Medcalf]

Well, that's the thing you said that you put him on the playground. You're picking Aaron Rodgers. That's true. But is Aaron Rodgers better enough than Kirk Cousins to take on all the other Aaron Rodgers ness of this? And I'm not sure that that's the case. Like Aaron Rodgers, the distractions, the locker room stuff, the podcast, all of these things that he is. And we saw what he did to that jets team, even though he wasn't really playing a lot or even really playing well, that sort of disarray is not. He's not better enough than Kirk Cousins to take on all of that. And if you're the Steelers, this may be a blessing in disguise that the guy that you end up getting maybe not, may not be the person that you're aiming for right now.

[Brandon Leak]

Wonder what Steeler fans are thinking, do you want to make the run through your division trying to go up against Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson with Mason Rudolph? Or would you rather have Kirk Cousins because Aaron Rodgers can't make up his mind? It is an interesting conversation. They're about business and about football. It's a playoff team. They do have an opportunity to get two quarterbacks. Which one of them is the one that they will finally see show up? Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, and on SiriusXM Channel 80. Matt and Myron the Podcast.

[Ryan Hollins]

Rapper Sean.

[Brandon Leak]

Diddy Combs was a king maker. He had wealth, fame and power.

[David Dennis Jr.]

What's up? Welcome to New York.

[Ryan Hollins]

Until it all came crashing down.

[Myron Medcalf]

Federal investigators raiding two homes owned by.

[Kaley Cuoco]

Hip hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs.

[Brandon Leak]

I'm Brian Buchmire, an ABC News legal contributor. As Diddy heads to trial, we trace his remarkable rise and fall. And what could be next? Listen to Bad Rap the Case Against Diddy, a new series from ABC Audio. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.