Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron Episode: Hour 3: Myron's Best Picture Release Date: March 2, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron, hosts Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf dive deep into the current landscape of the NBA playoffs, offering insightful analysis on key matchups and championship contenders. The discussion is enriched by the participation of Clinton Azubuike, a former Kentucky Wildcat and ESPN Radio NBA analyst, who provides expert perspectives on team performances and playoff predictions.

NBA Playoffs Analysis

Timestamp: [00:32] – [08:50]

Playoff Predictions and Key Matchups

Matt kicks off the discussion by introducing Clinton Azubuike, whom he humorously refers to as "former Kentucky Wildcat Kina, a bookie ESPN Radio NBA analyst." The conversation centers around Matt's premise that there are four teams with a genuine chance to win the NBA title. He challenges Clinton to validate his four-team theory.

Clinton’s Four Contenders

Clinton concurs with Matt's assessment, naming the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Denver Nuggets as the top contenders. He states at [01:19], "Go with the Cavs for sure. The Celtics, the Thunder, the Nugget."

Styles of Play: Celtics vs. Nuggets

The discussion delves into the contrasting playing styles of the Celtics and Nuggets. Clinton explains at [02:03], “The Nuggets love their paintings and never one of the pay points. Obviously, the Celtics love their threes. They're number one in three-point attempts.” He highlights how these stylistic differences could determine the outcome of their playoff series, emphasizing the Celtics' reliance on three-point shooting versus the Nuggets' strong defense and versatile offense.

Health and Adjustments

At [04:06], Clinton addresses potential obstacles for the Celtics, noting, “If they're not healthy, that could be a big thing.” He praises the Celtics for managing player health and making strategic adjustments, which were evident in their previous matchup against the Cavaliers. Clinton underscores the importance of these factors in the Celtics' ability to defend their championship title.

Discussion on the Lakers and Western Contenders

Matt brings up the Los Angeles Lakers, questioning why Clinton did not include them in his top four despite their recent defensive improvements and LeBron James' scoring streak. Clinton responds at [06:35], acknowledging the Lakers as dangerous but questions whether Luka Doncic has fully regained his scoring touch. He also mentions other Western contenders like the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks, emphasizing the depth and competitiveness of both conferences.

Championship Logistics

Clinton concludes his analysis by reflecting on the difficulty of winning the championship in the current competitive environment: “Whoever wins it, man, this is going to be a hard spot championship win for whoever is able to go all the way and do it” ([07:50]).

NCAA Basketball Predictions

Timestamp: [16:09] – [22:32]

Big Ten Showdowns

The hosts transition to NCAA basketball, discussing pivotal Big Ten matchups. Matt predicts a victory for Michigan State over Wisconsin, despite recognizing Wisconsin's impressive performance against Illinois. Clinton supports this view, emphasizing Michigan State's home advantage and overall team strength.

Illinois vs. Michigan

In the Illinois vs. Michigan game, both hosts agree that Michigan has the edge due to their unique team composition, including their seven-footers and versatile players like Vlad Golden and Danny Wolf. Clinton mentions at [17:18], “Give me Michigan to win this,” highlighting Michigan's potential to make noise in the NCAA tournament.

Women’s Basketball: Kentucky vs. South Carolina

The conversation shifts to the women's Big Ten game between Kentucky Wildcats and South Carolina. Matt predicts a win for South Carolina, citing their home advantage and the formidable coaching of Dawn Staley. Clinton echoes this sentiment, commending South Carolina's robustness and potential to secure the SEC crown despite Kentucky's strong performance.

Fun Segments and Banter

Timestamp: [09:07] – [24:40]

Music Preferences and Generational Differences

A lighthearted segment ensues as Matt and Myron discuss music preferences across generations. Matt introduces "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers as a quintessential song for younger audiences, contrasting it with classics like "Don't Stop Believing" and "Livin' on a Prayer," which represent their own generation's favorites. Clinton humorously remarks at [14:25], “This is what y'all play at your… which I'll play at the wedding and at your high school reunions.”

Best Picture Predictions

As the podcast progresses, the trio engages in predicting the winners for the Best Picture category. With a list of nominees including A Complete Unknown, Amelia Perez, Conclave Nickel, Boys, I'm Still Here, The Substance, Dune Part 2, Wicked Anora, and The Brutalist, Matt favors Wicked Anora, while Clinton tentatively supports the same. Their playful banter highlights the subjective nature of award predictions, ultimately leaving the outcome open and engaging for listeners.

Engaging with Live Sports Picks

In the segment where they pick winners for various games, Matt confidently selects the Boston Celtics over the Denver Nuggets, asserting at [21:41], “I'll take the Celtics to win it home.” Clinton backs this choice, emphasizing the Celtics’ motivation to redeem their recent loss to Cleveland and dominate their home court.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Jones at [02:03]: "The Nuggets love their paintings and never one of the pay points. Obviously, the Celtics love their threes. They're number one in three-point attempts."

• Clinton Azubuike at [04:06]: "If they're not healthy, that could be a big thing. No such thing. It's no Drew Holiday tonight."

• Matt Jones at [06:08]: "You didn't mention the Lakers. They are number crazy. They're the number one defense since January 15th, which I don't understand how that's possible."

• Clinton Azubuike at [18:15]: "South Carolina isn’t South Carolina this year, but still good enough to win a championship. Give me Dawn Staley in South Carolina."

• Kina Azubuike at [20:22]: "I love how, like, we still make decisions off coin flips. Like, you know, we're like, 185 years into being. Let’s flip a coin."

Conclusion

In this engaging episode of Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron, listeners are treated to a comprehensive analysis of the NBA playoffs, insightful NCAA basketball predictions, and entertaining discussions that bridge sports with cultural elements like music. Clinton Azubuike's expert opinions complement the hosts' viewpoints, providing a well-rounded perspective on the competitive sports landscape. The episode balances serious sports talk with lighthearted banter, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking both depth and entertainment.

Listen to the Show

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron airs live every Sunday morning at 10 AM Eastern on ESPN Radio, available through the ESPN app and Sirius XM channel 80. Join Matt and Myron each week for the latest in sports analysis, predictions, and entertaining conversations.