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Myron Metcalf
is Matt and Myon the podcast
Matt Jones
Most coverage Lehigh Coppin State has gotten in a long time here. I'm Matt Myon on ESPN Radio.
Myron Metcalf
People enjoyed that. I got a lot of messages about that.
Matt Jones
I did too. You know, it was good. We have two game sevens today. Myers.
Kevin Clark
Yeah, we do.
Matt Jones
You know, did you know that my the Pistons play right here on ESPN Radio starting at 3:00 against the Magic 1 seed versus an 8 seed. Orlando led by 24 points early in the third quarter with 23 minutes to go, but then a cold streak unlike any other. Missed 23 consecutive shots. Yes, bad over a 12 plus minute span that allowed the Pistons to keep their season alive and win. Now they get to Game 7. The Pistons had been to some extent the disappointment of the playoffs so far, but they have a chance to erase all of that with the win today at home. Will they do it?
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I'm still picking the Pistons, but it's not like it would be crazy for Orlando to win. We got to stop making teams underdogs mid series. We got to stop making a team like the Pistons. Wow, look at this great comeback. So what? They were down 24. They're the number one seed. How did you end up in this position in the first place? So it's not crazy for Orlando to win this game. I don't think that would be shocking to anybody who's watched this series unfold. So the pressure's all on Detroit to find a way to win in advance and live up to their top seed.
Matt Jones
It would be shocking to me. It would be shocking to me if they won. If Orlando won just because of the,
Myron Metcalf
because in the series, because the circumstances of last game.
Matt Jones
I mean like, you know, I mean if they were able to come back after blowing a 24 point home lead, then I'm going to be surprised if they can then go on the road and win. I think when you. When. When they had that Game six at home, that's a do or die game. If you're. You can't expect to win a Game seven on the road. People do it sometimes, but you can't expect it. Philadelphia did it last night, but you can't expect it to happen. They met. I mean, they blew it. It's tough because you have to give them a lot of credit for getting that 31 lead. But I think the Pistons, I think they win relatively easily today.
Myron Metcalf
Y' all think Isaiah Thomas and Joe Dumars are playing? What Pistons have you watched, like, for the. For the most part, what we never pay attention to in moments like that, when there's a comeback, we never pay attention to how you ended up in that situation in the first place. You were down 24 points to an Orlando Magic team that had to win its way in. You are the top seed in the entire Eastern Conference. You have a guy who was an MVP candidate, a real MVP candidate, and now you're in this situation. I'm not going to suddenly praise the Pistons no matter what happens today, but I also think the Magic have done enough in this series to suggest that they can match anything that they bring. Like, I don't know how the Pistons are suddenly this team that's going to win easily when that hasn't been the case up until.
Matt Jones
Well, I think a couple things have happened. First of all, in the last two games, Cade Cunningham has kind of been the star we expected him to be all year. He had 45, I think in game five, he had 34 in game six, Jalen Duran hasn't been as good as we had hoped, but he's been better in Game five and six, controlling the glass double digits in both games. They've gotten good games from Tobias Harris, you know, so all of those things, they have looked a lot more like the Detroit team that they look like all year in the last two games than they did in the four prior.
Myron Metcalf
What's going to scare the Pistons in that locker room and any opposing coach would be in the situation, you know, they're not missing 23 shots. Again, I don't think the Pistons didn't anything like everyone's acting like, oh, man, the Pistons were incredible. And that's what led to this drought. Sometimes teams just end up in one of those droughts where you just can't explain it. I think that's what happened to Orlando more than anything. They're not going to miss 23 shots in a row.
Matt Jones
Again, they're not, but they're also not. I mean, the Pistons are also going to shoot the ball better. I mean, they shot atrociously in the first half.
Myron Metcalf
They've been terrible to see. Why are they going to be better? What gives you confidence?
Matt Jones
But like this.
Myron Metcalf
Down three one.
Matt Jones
Do you, Would you bet on the Pistons or, excuse me, on the Magic to win this series?
Myron Metcalf
I wouldn't be opposed to it. I wouldn't be crazy.
Matt Jones
That's a different question. Would you actually do it?
Myron Metcalf
I wouldn't be opposed to it. I mean, if you.
Matt Jones
Am I going to bet the same answer. I'm making you decide who to bet on. Are you betting on the Pistons or are you betting on the Magic?
Myron Metcalf
I would bet on the Pistons, but like, that doesn't tell the full story. I bet on the Pistons because they're the number one seed at home and they're supposed to be in a position like this to win. I'm not betting on them because I'm not praising them.
Matt Jones
I'm not praising them overall in the series. I'm just saying Orlando had its chance. That chance slipped out of their fingers. The Pistons are winning today. They just are.
Myron Metcalf
Now.
Matt Jones
What are they going to do in the next round? I have no idea. But in this series, in this game today, the Magic blew their opportunity. On Friday night.
Myron Metcalf
They were down 24. And the reason they lost is because they had literally, I think, the worst stretch of basketball I've ever seen. I don't know that I've ever seen a drought like that. Any level of basketball.
Matt Jones
Do you think it's just you, you, rather than just say the Pistons are going to win, you want to hurt them on the way to saying they're going to win? Like, I mean, they're going to win the series. The Magic had their opportunity.
Myron Metcalf
Oh, I, I, I think we have a problem suddenly making teams that are the favorite into underdog stores. And I feel like that's happened with Detroit based on that comeback.
Matt Jones
But I'll say a seven point favorite, I think.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I think the Magic can win. They've proven that. That would not surprise me at all.
Matt Jones
Okay, now the other game is Raptors. Cleveland. I don't think there's any doubt that the Raptors are a huge underdog story and now they've pushed it to Game 7. Cleveland, it feels like to me has been the better team in this series, but they keep fooling around and making this close. And now today, if you have a game where you go cold I mean, this is a one and done situation. I. I kind of thought Cleveland, this was going to be a year that they could finally put it together, but they've let the Raptors hang around, hang around, and now we got to see what happens today.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I think the Raptors are the real underdog story in the playoffs. That's what we really should be talking about.
Matt Jones
Quickly. Quickly is not even playing.
Myron Metcalf
Quickly is not playing. I mean, that overtime shot with RJ Bear was just incredible. The way that they fight in a Cleveland team that made a trade so that they wouldn't find themselves in a Game 7 situation in the first round against an underdog, but that's where they are. I think it says a lot about the Raptors. It says more in the challenges that the Cavs are having, putting together a winning team. James Harden has had his struggles as a scorer, as a shooter in the postseason. Tonight, the pressure's on him. Matt. Well, I guess this is.
Matt Jones
This is the Harden game. I mean, there, to some extent, this is a game that if you're James Harden, you. You can't lose this game. You know, whole. The whole notion of playoff James Harden. If you lose at home to the Raptors in this game, you can't do it. Right. You just cannot lose this game.
Myron Metcalf
You can't. And you can't play poorly and lose either. I mean, maybe if he's great and it's still not enough, but I think the pressure's on James Harden. This is why you make the James Harden trade.
Matt Jones
You're exactly right.
Myron Metcalf
It's not even just like, it's not even just about this game. Remember, Donovan Mitchell hasn't signed a massive extension to stay. So if they lose the Donovan Mitchell to New York, the Donovan Mitchell to wherever, rumors are just going to be gigantic.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I totally agree with you. But I will note, one of these teams we're talking about, all of which, except the Raptors, have been disappointing to some extent. One of them is going to be in the Eastern Conference finals, which is amazing. Like, I mean, if the Pistons and Cavs win today, no matter what, how negative, Myron, you are about both teams, one of them is going to find themselves in the Eastern Conference finals.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, but there's no champion coming out of the Eastern Conference. I think that's what we're seeing more than anything. There's no.
Matt Jones
You don't think there's any way the Knicks could. Could give the Thunder a series?
Myron Metcalf
Not right now. No, I'm not. I'm not. Mike Brown, still the coach so, no, I'm not sold on that at all.
Matt Jones
One person writes, matt, Myron gets auditions on other shows and you don't. What do you think that says?
Myron Metcalf
Auditions? Is that what people think these are?
Matt Jones
Yeah, I think it's. I think it says. It seems like Myron's trying to leave our partnership after all of these, all of these years by going on all these other shows. Is that what it says?
Myron Metcalf
It's not. I answer phone calls. That's how I, you know, they people.
Matt Jones
So somebody calls you, you say yes,
Myron Metcalf
I say, you know, I don't know. Like I said, man, if people say availability is number one, it's not, it's likability. It's like a building. I'm relatable. I could talk about a lot of
Matt Jones
different things because we have a lot of people listening around the country who probably would like to have Myron on their show. Are you saying if someone calls you, you'll do a guest spot? Pretty much. On any sports radio show in the country, probably. Okay, that's good to know because it's. Sometimes it's hard to get guests. So everyone at Metcalfe by espn.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
If you want Myron on your show, he'll visit. He might even co host with you on a lot of days. That's a good offer for all the shows around the country.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, if I'm not, if I'm not busy. Yeah, I'll. I'll think about it.
Matt Jones
Well, you're not going to be busy.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I got, I got movies to watch, I got stuff to do, man.
Matt Jones
I don't feel like another person writes. Matt, I like when Myron talks about horse racing, but I wouldn't think Myron thinks the Kentucky Derby horse racing crowd is his crowd. Does he think that?
Myron Metcalf
I mean, if I feel like I'd be with the people on the infield, I feel like that's more my, you know, the non money people.
Matt Jones
You don't want to be in the infield.
Myron Metcalf
It's gross. Is it?
Matt Jones
Yeah, it's like, it gets muddy and it's just, it's just you don't want to be in the mv.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, it seems like there's a lot of money there, so. But you know, I'd like to be around it.
Matt Jones
By the way, I. On the Oaks day, I turned around Myron and I looked over and Mike Tico was sitting in my seat.
Kevin Clark
Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
D. Mike Tico, he.
Matt Jones
Mike Tico was sitting in my seat. And it kind of throws you off because like, you know, normally you'll look and you'll go, someone's in my seat.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
They got to get up. Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
And he just.
Matt Jones
But if it's Mike T. Pause, what do you do? So he was sitting there talking to someone who he knew. So I went up and I decided to make it in a joking manner. Myron. And I was like, mike Tirico's in my seat.
Myron Metcalf
Ha ha ha.
Matt Jones
Which I thought was a good way to introduce. And we ended up meeting each other. And he said he was familiar with you. I said, I work with Myron Metcalf. And he goes, oh, I know him. So Mike Tirico, you have his seal of approval.
Myron Metcalf
You know, I'm known in some spaces, but that's. That's cool, you know, for him to. For him to know me, man, that's. It's awesome, you know? You know, Mike Tirico is. For me, he's one of those guys on tv. I can't tell you how tall he is. Like. Well, it's hard to know.
Matt Jones
I don't want to. I don't want to call him out, but you've seen the picture of the two of us. But you.
Myron Metcalf
But I don't like tall people. You do pictures like that on purpose. Like, you all do that. You all do that on. Like, you all do that stuff. You weaponize your height, which I don't appreciate.
Matt Jones
I'm not sure that's true. We will talk about the future of two former NBA MVPs. And Myron doesn't like when tall people maximize tall max their short height. That's next here on Matt,
Myron Metcalf
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
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Myron Metcalf
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Matt Jones
It is Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio, Manchester United Leads Liverpool Nice six three to two. Your big manufan.
Myron Metcalf
Aren't you more of a Man City fan? But now Manu is okay.
Matt Jones
Man City is playing there to. They're in second place in the Premier League trying to catch up to arsenal888 say ESPN you can tune in a baseball action tonight. Tigers host the Rangers begins at 6:30 Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app. Two Legends of the game, like guys who will finish probably in the top 12 to 15 players of all time. Both had very disappointing exits in the playoffs. Here we'll start in Denver with Jokic. To what extent do you blame Denver's first round failure on him? Or do you think it's just more of a. Not enough of a supporting cast? Murray had a couple bad games. Where do you put it?
Myron Metcalf
You got to start with Jokic. I mean we do that with LeBron and everybody else. Like if you're. If you're viewed As a top 20 player all time, which Yokage is already, and you don't show up, you got to put that on the shoulders. I mean, Rudy Gobert just solved that puzzle. He had a hard time being himself. He just wasn't as effective as we expect him to be. Now they need some help and I don't know that David Adelman, you know, whatever NBA coach and internship program, he came through, I don't know that he's the guy.
Kevin Clark
But.
Myron Metcalf
But I think you got to start with Jokic.
Matt Jones
That's a little harsh, don't you think?
Myron Metcalf
Not when you can't coach against the Minnesota team. Down two starters. I'll do Sumo, who was also out, who had a big series. If you can't beat that team, didn't know you're not good enough to be the head coach of the Denver Nuggets. That's simple to me.
Matt Jones
Yeah. I mean that is a bad loss. And it's a bad loss. When you consider who. Who Minnesota has available. I think that's what makes it hard. I really don't blame it on Jokic. I mean they did not build this team correctly. And then when Aaron Gordon goes out, you. We always talk about having three players. I think for Denver it's like two and a half. But even to the extent that Aaron Gordon, whether he's a full one or a half one, the drop off after those top three in Denver is just massive and they have no bench at all. And so they still should have won the game. But I don't really put it on Jokic in that situation.
Myron Metcalf
Yokich was not good. I mean, he was not up to Yokin standards. Nothing close to it. Rudy Gobert did a good job against him. I thought Jamal Murray.
Matt Jones
Is that a Rudy Gobert, like, you know, a reputation series? He was great the whole series.
Myron Metcalf
Oh, I think it changed narratives about him to be the guy. When Anthony Edwards out, I think Rudy Gobert was the most important player that they had because of what he did to Jokic. Jamal Murray wasn't great. You know, he's a. He's an all star. But I think there were a lot of questions about him and whether or not he can be the number two guy on a championship team.
Matt Jones
But he has been. We know he can. He has been.
Myron Metcalf
But that was a different team. You know, that was a different team. This version of the Nuggets, which, by the way, gave Christian Braun 125 million and he did nothing. Yeah, they made some moves where you thought they were a contender in regular season at times, but. But in the postseason, when stars are made, they didn't show up. I mean, that's David Edelman to me. If you get rid of him, it's justified. You lost to a team that was down two starters, one of them being a top five player in Anthony Edwards. I assumu was great. This series, he's out. You can't beat that team. Why should anyone keep their jobs, as Yokich suggested would happen in Serbia?
Matt Jones
All right, so what about Kevin Durant in the. In the Houston Rockets? The Rockets apparently shut down Kevin Durant before the series ended. Series is over. They didn't want to have any impact on his injury. Do you bring Kevin Durant back to the Rockets?
Myron Metcalf
You can't, like, so that Twitter thing that came out, you know, there's some ports about that, his burner account and making comments about the Rockets players. Here's the thing about Kevin Durant. I think Matt, he's going to go down. To me, he's the greatest offensive player post Michael Jordan, in my opinion, in terms of just score. I think that about Kevin Durant, the narrative about him is going to be he was never a great teammate. You never hear anybody talking about Kevin Durant as a teammate. Like, you never hear anybody say, man, we love playing with that dude. As great as he is. I think that, to me, is what you're seeing later in his career. Can still be an elite player, can still be one of the best players on the floor. If not the best player, not a great teammate. Well, not a guy people like playing with.
Matt Jones
Where does Kevin Durant, you know, every player has a place he can go. Some players have two places where they walk in, in the arena, goes crazy for him and is like, we love you here. Where is that for Kevin Durant?
Myron Metcalf
I mean, it's. It's. Is it any OKC on some level? But now they got you.
Matt Jones
They still love him, though.
Myron Metcalf
I think they give him sort of that honorary round of applause. We can appreciate now. You know, put. Put the.
Matt Jones
But I mean, think about every player in the NBA. That's great. LeBron, I think, will always be able, to some extent, to go to Cleveland.
Myron Metcalf
Yes.
Matt Jones
You know, Anthony Edwards has Minnesota. Always see. Giannis will always have Milwaukee. Jokic will always have Denver. Like, they're all going to have their play. Even if they end up going and playing somewhere else, they'll have their place. I don't know that Durant has a place. I feel like he's left. When he leaves Houston, I feel like he will have left four cities that will all, to some extent, feel like he's not one of theirs.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, he's the person that goes through multiple relationships, and they say it's everyone else's fault, and now they're in their late 30s. You've been dealing with this for a decade. You're like, hold on a second. Maybe I don't know my friend the way I think I do. I mean, that's who he is on the basketball court. When have you seen anybody say, you know what? I love playing with that dude? Say what you want about Draymond Green. The reason he's been on that Golden State warriors team all these years is because Steph Curry loves playing with that dude. People may not like him, but he has the backing of the most important player because he sees him as a great teammate. Name the last time you saw someone who said, Kevin Durant is a great teammate and he makes everything better, even away from the people.
Matt Jones
I mean, I think every player respects
Myron Metcalf
KD because he's great. He's a great.
Matt Jones
But how many players do you feel like have, like, love for kd?
Myron Metcalf
I. I don't think there are many. I don't think there's. It doesn't align with how he plays. Like, to me, as great as he is, I don't think you see the same.
Matt Jones
Like, I don't see the personality traits in him that seem to cause these problems, but I don't know him. Why do you think it is? Well, I mean, like, you. You usually cut through this pretty well. Why don't people like kd?
Myron Metcalf
I think he's the most insecure superstar we've ever seen. Not like when you see a guy on Twitter, we go, oh man, that's great for us. We get to watch a dude tweeting back at people who's an NBA superstar, but I think it just shows a lot of his insecurities, man. I don't think that he's a guy who goes to teams and he wants to connect. I think he just wants to win, which is great. But I don't think he ever really understood how to be a superstar and everything that comes with that. And he missed a big opportunity.
Matt Jones
Well, this Houston thing was all built around him.
Myron Metcalf
It was.
Matt Jones
And then when he was gone, it just, I mean, they just didn't have it right. They just don't have enough dudes. And it is crazy. This was his opportunity and it just, it kind of, it's a little sad. He's like, I don't think he's ever going to really have his place. And for a person that carries so much about what people think, he can't seem to please him, which is kind of sad. Now we will talk about KD and more the NBA as we get into Game Sevens next here on Matt and Myron.
Myron Metcalf
Matt and Myron the Podcast.
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Matt Jones
Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance Myron Metcalfe. Matt Jones getting you ready for two Game Sevens today. One of them is going to include this man's team, Kevin Clark. He hosts this is Football podcast, but he's also, I think you're the only person, Kevin, that I know in media and in life who's actually an Orlando Magic fan. Am I right about that?
Kevin Clark
I get that a lot. I get that a lot. Like I'm the spokesman for the team worldwide because nobody else knows. Orlando Magic fan.
Matt Jones
And who else, who else would one be? Like, what other famous Orlando Magic fans besides like goofy are there?
Kevin Clark
Yeah, well, I'll tell you a lot of golfers because, because of Orlando. So Tiger woods was our most famous fan. He sat courtside for, for about a decade and, and then he betrayed us when they played the Lakers in the finals. He released a statement saying, he basically, basically saying, I hope both teams have fun. And I think everybody pulled the Magic card from Tiger Woods. Then like, you can't do that.
Matt Jones
You got me.
Kevin Clark
I'd be a man. Pick a side, Tiger. Like you can't just say I hope both teams have a great time. And so that was tough. So it's basically just, just me at this point and then a couple of golfers.
Matt Jones
All right, so for people like me who didn't follow the day to day of the Orlando Magic this year, it seemed to me this was a team that on paper should have been a two or three seed. They seemed to disappoint most of the year. It felt like Ben Benchero, you couldn't understand why he hadn't taken the next step. It felt like all of you hated your coach and then all of a sudden you're up 3:1. It looks like it's all changing and now we're back to where we were before. So what is the state of the Magic? And does, does, does the coach get fired if they lose today?
Kevin Clark
Oh yeah, the coach definitely gets fired if they lose today. I mean, so here's the state of the Magic. You're looking at it like this is it, this is the team. They can blow a 24 point lead but then they can, they can turn the tide and win today. They can go, you know, they can have a 25 point second half like the other night and then they can turn it around today. I think Franz Wagner and his injury hurts, but they've been battling that basically the entire second half of the season. I mean the issue is I picked them before the season on first take to, to be the 1 seed in the East. And the reason I thought that was you had a really high scoring for with Palo and Franz. And then you added Desmond Bain who was the best catch and shoot three point shooter in the league for the past three years. And by the way, you know, the ball knowledge test for me, guys, is the people who criticize the Desmond Bain trade and how many picks they gave up. The Magic should be trying to give Memphis more picks because he is their offense on a lot of nights. But the issue becomes is that Jalen Thugs has a green light that Jamal Mosley won't take away, ruins the offense. He's a ball stopper. And it just feels like on the defensive side, Jamal Mosley has everything figured out. On the offensive side, they have no ideas. When everybody was saying the other night, guys, oh, Jamal Mosley should have taken a timeout when they were collapsing to reset the offense, guys, I watch a lot of Magic basketball. He wouldn't have had any ideas. Like on the offensive side, he wouldn't have called any plays. He didn't run any offensive steps. They've got Goga run at the top of the key, you know, holding the ball for 10 seconds, part of the start of their motion. The whole thing is just, it just completely disjointed. And so they're almost playing pick up hoops on the offensive side of the ball. And that's, that's what you're seeing. What you guys are seeing in this series is what Magic fans have seen all year.
Myron Metcalf
Kevin, if the Magic end up losing today and you go into the off season, who's going to face the most blame? Anthony Parker, the gm, Jamal Mosey, the head coach. Are you going to look at Apollo and say Ben Carroll and say, you know what, people are expecting more from you this season?
Kevin Clark
Yeah, I'm not going to blame the players until I see a different setup with a different coach. The gm, the head of basketball operations, Jeff Weltman, I think has done an okay job. I think the coaching's been very good, but I would just love to see, I mean, there's been a lot of whispers for months about Billy Donovan coming in. And by the way, Billy Donovan has been a head coach in the NBA for 10 years. We still don't know if he's a good NBA head coach, but we'll maybe we'll find out. So at least run offensive steps. Hopefully. I, I'm not going to blame Paolo Bankero because I think that the, the offense, the way it's supposed to be set up, Desmond Baines should be getting open. Look, he should be able, Paolo should be able to drive to the, to the bucket a lot easier. It just feels like they need a different voice, especially on the offensive side. And then Franz Varden needs to get healthy so the, the idea, and I saw a couple say they're starting to play in that the Magic need to blow it up or they need to trade Paolo. I don't think we're even close to that. I think that we need a couple of different voices, whether that's new, new front office, new coach, whatever. But I think this core actually has the capability to be a contender with just a couple of tweaks.
Matt Jones
Are you winning today?
Kevin Clark
Yeah. Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, you didn't sound confident, Kevin. I mean you hesitated.
Matt Jones
You're. You just basically said your coach couldn't coach his way out of a paperback and that the whole structure need to be blown up. And yet you think they're going to win.
Kevin Clark
Well, here's the thing. And this happened with, with the Hornets game in, the play in, every single human on earth says the Magic are done. Trade Palo, move the team to Vegas, it's over. Shut down Amway center, shut down downtown Orlando. And then they went out and they blew out the Hornets. Right? This happens all the time. They are the weirdest team maybe I've ever seen on a day to day basis. And it feels like the grace note on this kind of season is everybody thinks it's the foregone conclusion. They lose today in Detroit. By the way, they did this, the exact same thing. Blew a 3:1 lead what 23 years ago. Everybody's playing the Clips in Detroit media of that game that day. Detroit has owned us in the playoffs for a long time. It is perfect for the Magic turning around today because that's what they do. They're just weird guys.
Myron Metcalf
I want to go back to some. Kevin, I've watched you on first take and all these shows and you know you're willing to hold guys their feet to the fire. Why aren't you doing that with Paulo Bancaro? I mean this is year four. He was rookie of the year, he was an all star. After that we look at guys like him and go, you've got to carry the team. We've done that with all the young superstars across the board. Why aren't you doing that with Paulo?
Kevin Clark
First of all, I'm not married to the idea that he's going to be your first team all NBA for the next 10 years. What happened when he came into the league, guys was he got to the line, a touching elite level that he was basically unrefied air with like the, as far as being a rookie and second year guy, as far as like LeBron Durant, like that, that kind of crowd. If you look at the scoring numbers the first two years. So we thought maybe that was going to be the case. I don't know if he's going to delve into that. He actually hasn't taken the leap. I thought. What I do think is that with a different offensive system where he's able to actually run motions, have more space, there's just so many things you can do with him to make him a better player. Do I think he's going to be the guy who's going to single handedly deliver a title to Orlando? Like maybe I thought three years ago, probably not, but I don't know what the options are. The best thing to do is to support him. You know, I cover the NFL guys and when you have the, what, the 12th, 13th best quarterback in the NFL, the option is not to trade him. That's a bad idea. The option is support him as much as possible. That's where Lando has in Palo. So adding Bain, maybe you upgrade from Wendell, who by the way had Wendell Carter, who had zero rebounds in 32 minutes. That seems impossible in the NBA as a big man. Jalen Suggs in the offensive end, coach that coached the green light out of him. There's stuff you can do here. I'm still a palo believer as far as being the best player on a team that can maybe make the finals.
Matt Jones
Let's switch for a second to football because you do host this is Football podcast. Ty Simpson gets picked. It's not clear that they did. So are we just accepting the view now that they talked secretively and McVeigh's answers after the draft were not indicative of his feelings? Like where are we on that? Did they want him or not?
Kevin Clark
They wanted them. So. So the rumor in college circles was that Ty Simpson, and this has now been reported a million times, was the Ty Simpson said no to all those nil offers, Miami and Tennessee because the Rams said he was a first round pick? Then everybody on earth says when the rams trade their second first round pick for McDuffie to Kansas City to say, okay, well, there goes that, you know, that hope Ty Simpson has a backup plan. Oh, he's going to drop to the second round, whatever. And no one on earth thought that the 13 was going to be the spot for him. But it turns out that the Rams, if that story is true, we're, we're being forthright with Simpson. They were going to take them with their first round picks. This wasn't the pick we thought. I, it's all very weird to me. I wouldn't have done it, guys. I think, you know, I've seen some people refer to it as future proofing, right? Like where you say, oh, we've got our quarterback for the future. You're the NFC favorite this year and you didn't beat the Seahawks because of a couple of things with it, with the passing game that you could have really improved with a Makai Lemon, somebody like that. And so I'm, I'm, I, I wouldn't have done it. I'm not going to call the Rams idiots because they've done a lot of smart stuff over the past, what, decade. But I, I, I'm, I'm not on board with this. I don't think Simpson is ready. I also don't think when people are talking about, oh, this is like Jordan Love with Aaron Rodgers, I think Jordan Love's tools were a lot better than, than what you have with Ty Simpson. And also it was a, it was a lower pick and, and all that stuff. So I don't like to pick and I wouldn't have done it. And I'm, it's just, it's what I consider a dumb move by really smart organization.
Matt Jones
Well, we will, I guess we will find out real quick favorite pick of the draft that just occurred.
Kevin Clark
Reuben Bain to Tampa Bay. Don't overthink. When great players drop to you take them. That's what Holly Rose but he's got,
Matt Jones
he's got those little bitty arms. So how's he going to reach everybody with the, those little bitty arms? Don't say.
Kevin Clark
And the way he schemes up pressure will have him in the backfield every single snap. Arms or no arms.
Myron Metcalf
Kevin. Let's see if he would say that to his face. I don't think he would.
Matt Jones
No.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I don't think he said little bitty arms about Ruben Bane.
Matt Jones
I'm making fun of all the announcers who are like, he's got little bitty arms. He's not going to be able to get like, he's a good player. Just assume Kevin with his little bitty arms, he'll be fine.
Kevin Clark
Yeah, I'm, I, I, guys like Dwight Freeney, guys like Melvin Ingram had no success being sawed off defensive ends. It's never happened before.
Matt Jones
Yeah, exactly. I'm not making fun.
Myron Metcalf
Listen, I didn't know I was trying to protect.
Matt Jones
You wouldn't say anything you say to people's face. You wouldn't say it to Kevin Durant. You were over here calling him a bad teammate.
Myron Metcalf
Kevin Durant.
Matt Jones
I'm not see you can't. Oh, you're not worried about Kevin Durant. Okay. All right. Stephen A not worried about Kevin Durant. Kevin Clark, thank you very much. Host of the this Is Football podcast. We appreciate it.
Myron Metcalf
He won't be back, I don't think. I think he's probably like, these guys are.
Matt Jones
Did he already leave?
Myron Metcalf
Is he gone?
Matt Jones
Well, I wanted to say bye to him. Oh, James was talking to him. James, we. You didn't let him say goodbye on the air there. Made it, made it look like he was, he was upset.
Myron Metcalf
I'm just saying that's Rachel's fault, not my fault.
Matt Jones
Yeah. All right. So I'm. Sometimes you say bye and sometimes you don't.
Smalls
So I'm, I'm sorry. You didn't pause.
Matt Jones
So Myron's over here challenging Kevin Durant to fight. So we got to take him. All right, we're going to make our picks for all the games today and the rest of the evening. That's next here on Matt and Myron.
Myron Metcalf
Matt and Myron. The Pod.
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Matt Jones
Okay, we'll haul a notes.
Show Producer/Host Assistant
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Part of our earlier conversation of big
Myron Metcalf
times, groups love, man, you know, get back together, man. Get. We got to get them back together
Show Producer/Host Assistant
since they're still alive.
Bucked Up Advertiser
Both of them.
Myron Metcalf
Since they're both alive. Let's get them together, man.
Matt Jones
I'm glad they're alive. That was a good learning.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, that was good. Yeah. We don't want to.
Matt Jones
It's Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. There are a lot of games today and you guys need to know who's winning them. So let's do it with take your pick. Take your pick. You take your pick.
Myron Metcalf
It's time to take your pick with Matt and Myron.
Matt Jones
All right, let's go. What's up first?
Show Producer/Host Assistant
All right, let's start in the NBA. We have a couple of game sevens today. First one is going to be. You're going to be able to hear it right here on ESPN radio coverage at 3:00pm Eastern. The Magic at the Pistons. The Pistons are eight and a half point favorites today on DraftKings. Matt, who you got?
Matt Jones
Ah, I'm going to take the Pistons. It is a. The Magic had their chance and now you go to Detroit. I think it's gonna be a great crowd there. The Pistons are gonna put all the frustration of how this series has gone. It's been a weird series. They play well and this is another one. When you have Cade Cunningham, you have the best player on the floor in a game 7. More often than not you win. I'm gonna take Detroit to. To get it.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I mean I'll reluctantly go with Detroit but I mean this idea that them overcoming a 24 point comeback overlooks the fact that they had to come back behind down 24 points. That's the problem. So it won't surprise me if the Magic win, but I'll pick the Pistons.
Matt Jones
ESPN radio, that coverage begins at 3:00 Eastern today. Big chance, by the way. Jane Duran needs to play well. This series has been very disappointing. It's been a great year for that guy. But this has been a disappointing playoff so far. What's next?
Show Producer/Host Assistant
Let's take in the NBA and the second game seven today. Raptors at the Cavaliers. The Cavs are eight and a half point favorites. Also on DraftKings. Matt, who you got?
Matt Jones
I'm going to take the Cavs again though. A lot of pressure on on James Harden in this game. You can't come out, lose this. The Raptors. You look at them on paper, there's no reason they should even be in this series. This is like them being a 5 seed is crazy to begin with. I think the better Cavs are the better team. I do think they'll win, although I do think this will be a battle till the end.
Myron Metcalf
I think they've already overachieved. Right. And you got to give them credit to even make this a game 7. All the pressures on Cleveland. If James Harden struggles, his legacy is affected. Donovan Mitchell, they want him to sign an extension. This is one of the biggest games in Cleveland Cavaliers history and I'm not exaggerating there because of the potential implications. I'll pick the Cavs to win, though.
Matt Jones
I agree with that. This is a huge game. What's next?
Show Producer/Host Assistant
Another Game 7. But in the NHL, the Canadiens and Lightning. The Lightning are minus 170 on the puck line on DraftKings. Matt, who you got here?
Matt Jones
Yeah, this is. I'm excited about this one. Game 7. In hockey, anything can happen. The Canadiens again had their chance at home. Were not able to get it done. Losing overtime, they. Tampa Bay's got a lot of guys who've been through this before. They got the best goalie. They are at home. Give me Tampa Bay to win game seven.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I mean, it comes down to who has the bigger moment. Lane, Hudson, Braden Point. I mean, those are going to be the two main guys I think in this series. And I'm going to give Hudson the edge here and just kind of the way he's been playing. I think he has been with the best player on the ice throughout the series and I think the Canadians follow him to Victor.
Matt Jones
Can I ask you a question? If you promise to be honest with me.
Myron Metcalf
Yep.
Matt Jones
Where'd you get those names?
Myron Metcalf
I've been watching the hockey playoffs. I've been Watching the series. I've been watching.
Matt Jones
Obviously, the Wild knew, so it's not like you looked up Lane Hudson.
Myron Metcalf
I've been watching.
Matt Jones
You knew about Lane Hudson?
Myron Metcalf
I've been. I was talking about Braden Point, the last show.
Matt Jones
What about Lane Hudson? When were you talking about Layton? Lane Hudson.
Myron Metcalf
I've been following the playoff. I've been following hockey. I'm a hockey playoff guy.
Matt Jones
Well, give me. Can you give me a couple other of Lane Hudson's teammates that need to play?
Myron Metcalf
Well, you get into all these details and I know. I'm a casual fan, but I know the main players, and that's what matters. Lane Hudson, big game today in.
Matt Jones
So if he. But if any of his teammates were to contribute, it would be
Myron Metcalf
those guys.
Matt Jones
Okay. All right. I just wanted to see. I didn't know.
Myron Metcalf
I know the main players, though.
Matt Jones
I didn't know if they would be into it as well. Wild and Avalanche or go ahead. What's next?
Show Producer/Host Assistant
Yeah, the biggest story in sports, the Minnesota Wild, according to Meyer Metcalfe.
Matt Jones
He did say that.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Show Producer/Host Assistant
At the Colorado Avalanche. This is game one in their second round series. ABs are minus 192 on the puck line on DraftKings. Matt, who you got?
Matt Jones
Avalanche have been dominant as the Avalanche and the Hurricanes have both been dominant since these playoffs have started. Never really been stretched the whole time. I think that continues. Give me the Avalanche to win game one.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. No chance. I'm picking against the Wild. I mean, you look at what they did, beating Dallas, their first playoff series win, more than 11 years. Quinn Hughes, did you see the goal? He shot off the back of a skate of one of the Dallas players. Did you see that? It was one of the most remarkable things I've ever seen. Ever witnessed.
Matt Jones
He did what?
Myron Metcalf
He shot a goal off the back of an opposing player.
Matt Jones
Skate on purpose or less?
Myron Metcalf
Yes. Intentionally. One of the greatest things I've ever seen. No, the Wild are the story, I think, of playoff hockey, the story of sports. Minnesota is the center of the sports universe right now, and I think everybody understands that.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I don't. I don't think anyone does.
Myron Metcalf
What's next?
Show Producer/Host Assistant
Let's go to baseball. Your Reds at my Pirates today. Chase Burns versus Braxton Ashcraft on the Mountain. Pirates are a slight favorite. Matt, who you got today?
Matt Jones
Well, the Reds lost the first two games. They haven't been swept yet this year in a series. But Pirates, I think, have won something like seven straight series against the Reds, which is random since neither of those teams have been great the last few years. I might take the Pirates, unfortunately, to win at home.
Myron Metcalf
While Ellie De La Cruz is out there, he can take a trip to New York and find a place to
Matt Jones
live four years from now. We have him for four years. Why do you keep moving him to New York?
Myron Metcalf
Because that's where he's going to end up. Maybe.
Matt Jones
But we've got four years. We have him until 2030. Can you give me a break?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, just. But we all. We all know what's coming.
Matt Jones
There will be a new president and a new. Like. But before there'll be a new Ellie team.
Myron Metcalf
Okay, we'll find out. Reds being in first place in the NL Central is a remarkable achievement. You know, that is.
Matt Jones
Well, they're not anymore.
Myron Metcalf
Not anymore, but they were. That was a big deal. I'll pick the Reds here on the road to get the win. But I think I love watching teams like the Reds and Pirates win in baseball. It's good for the sport. It is good, but they can still compete.
Matt Jones
What's next?
Show Producer/Host Assistant
Are Ellie and Skeens going to be roommates in New York?
Matt Jones
Okay, stop, stop. I mean, New York, get rid of these players. Come on.
Show Producer/Host Assistant
Sunday Night baseball, it's right here on ESPN Radio. Cover starts at 6:30pm Eastern. Rangers at Tigers. You got Jack Leiter and Tyler Holton on the mound. Tigers, a slight favorite. Matt, who you got?
Matt Jones
I'll take Jack Leiter. His dad, Al was one of my favorite baseball cards. And now that his son's in the league, he's going to get the victory tonight.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, give me the Tigers. I mean, they were on a pretty good run entering the week. Right. They went like. I think they were 11 and 5 in our last 16. They got the momentum. I picked Detroit to win. Hopefully Javier Baezo is healthy. I mean, that got an ankle tweak.
Matt Jones
I love when you release a stat and then you just say it. Like you say it so definitively. That's. That's why you end up on the morning show and I don't. Is your ability to say those stats. You still.
Myron Metcalf
You don't like to think I know anything. I think that's.
Matt Jones
I know you. I know you know how to read things. And I. I like that.
Myron Metcalf
Lane Hudson hero. Watch that.
Matt Jones
Game day with Andre Snellings and Denal Zaslow is coming up next right here on Matt Myron that we enjoy it. We'll see you next week.
Myron Metcalf
Matt and Myron. The podcast.
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Date: May 3, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones & Myron Medcalf (plus guests Kevin Clark and Smalls)
Network: ESPN Radio
The third hour dives deep into the NBA and NHL playoffs, focusing on pivotal Game 7s and the futures of key franchises and players. The duo also discusses legacies of superstars like Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant, debates the roots of playoff drama, and brings in Orlando Magic superfan Kevin Clark for insider perspective on that franchise’s turbulent ride. The hour is rounded out with lively pick segments, playful banter, and listener interactions, making for a dynamic, insightful—and characteristically irreverent—sports hour.
“Orlando led by 24 points early in the third quarter… but then a cold streak unlike any other. Missed 23 consecutive shots…that allowed the Pistons to keep their season alive and win.” —Matt Jones ([01:02])
“We gotta stop making teams underdogs mid series… The pressure’s all on Detroit to find a way to win…and live up to their top seed.” —Myron Medcalf ([01:43])
“Cade Cunningham has kind of been the star we expected him to be all year… They have looked a lot more like the Detroit team that they look like all year in the last two games than they did in the four prior.”—Matt Jones ([03:41])
“They’re not missing 23 shots again…sometimes teams just end up in those droughts.”—Myron Medcalf ([04:15])
Raptors force Game 7 against a favored Cavs squad.
“If you lose at home to the Raptors in this game, you can’t do it. Right. You just cannot lose this game.”—Matt Jones ([07:35]) “Maybe if [Harden’s] great and it’s still not enough, but I think the pressure’s on James Harden. This is why you make the James Harden trade.”—Myron Medcalf ([07:54])
Big Picture Take:
“One of them is going to be in the Eastern Conference finals, which is amazing…”—Matt Jones ([08:20])
“There’s no champion coming out of the Eastern Conference.”—Myron Medcalf ([08:43])
"The narrative about him is going to be—he was never a great teammate. You never hear anybody talking about Kevin Durant as a teammate." ([17:16])
Kevin Clark (Orlando Magic superfan, This is Football podcast host):
“On the defensive side, Jamal Mosley has everything figured out. On the offensive side, they have no ideas...They're almost playing pickup hoops on the offensive side of the ball.” ([24:34])
Hosts’ Reaction:
"You just basically said your coach couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag...and yet you think they're going to win.” ([27:53])
"If that story is true, [the Rams] were being forthright with Simpson...This wasn't the pick we thought. It's all very weird to me. I wouldn't have done it..." ([31:06])
Pistons vs. Magic:
Raptors vs. Cavaliers:
The hour is conversational, insightful, and occasionally biting. Both Matt and Myron lean into lighthearted sarcasm, familiarity, and rapid-fire banter. Deep analysis is balanced by moments of levity and relatable sports talk. Expert guest input adds insider depth, and the back-and-forth often underscores bigger questions about sports narratives and legacies.
This hour is perfect for fans seeking a smart, entertaining catch-up on NBA/NHL playoff stakes, the state of struggling and overachieving franchises, and the enduring complexities of star legacies—all through the playful, candid style unique to Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron.