NBA Finals + Caitlin Clark Talk With Candace Buckner

Summary

The Athletic NBA Daily: NBA Finals + Caitlin Clark Talk With Candace Buckner
Release Date: June 4, 2024
Host/Authors: David Aldridge, Marcus Thompson, Candace Buckner

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Overview

In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts David Aldridge and Marcus Thompson engage in an in-depth discussion with Candace Buckner from the Washington Post. The conversation primarily revolves around the upcoming NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks, with a special focus on Caitlin Clark's impact on women's basketball. The episode delves into player performances, team dynamics, and broader discussions on sports culture and media coverage.

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Discussion on Caitlin Clark

Candace Buckner shares her perspectives on the intense scrutiny and high expectations placed upon Caitlin Clark, highlighting the challenges she faces transitioning to professional basketball.

• [05:24] Candace: "I just want to have a nuanced discussion about not just athletics, but professional athletics."

• [07:16] Candace: "What you want is to test her and you want to be the one to shut down Caitlin Clark."

David Aldridge emphasizes the importance of allowing Clark to grow through these challenges, drawing parallels with other NBA stars who faced similar testing periods early in their careers.

• [11:03] David: "She was like, oh, okay, okay, I get it now."

They discuss the media's tendency to either overly praise or harshly criticize standout players like Clark, questioning the fairness and depth of such coverage.

• [17:10] Candace: "It's common. It happens. It's a sports story."

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NBA Finals Breakdown: Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks

The hosts analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, offering predictions and highlighting key players who could influence the outcome of the series.

Boston Celtics

Candace Buckner commends the Celtics' depth and strategic coaching, noting the significant contributions of players beyond the star duo.

• [23:02] Candace: "I'm concerned about their depth, but maybe the reintroduction of KP will help."

Marcus Thompson points out the Celtics' improved composure in tight games, attributing it to the maturation of players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

• [25:24] Marcus: "I think Derrick White is a little bit better."

David Aldridge praises the Celtics' shooting prowess, questioning how the Mavericks can effectively counter their three-point strategy.

• [28:00] Candace: "Boston does care about paint touches. They don't care. They are trying to shoot 53s."

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are lauded for their defensive enhancements and the exceptional performances of key players like Luka Dončić.

• [38:17] David: "They've got two guys that can beat any defense. They're too good."

Candace Buckner expresses admiration for Luka Dončić's ability to adapt and elevate his game under pressure.

• [30:04] Candace: "Happy he's having this moment."

Marcus Thompson discusses the Mavericks' strategic adjustments, including player rotations and defensive plays that could be pivotal in the Finals.

• [38:29] David: "I could see them playing Lively in Cleaver a lot more in this series than Gaff."

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Player Spotlights and Performance Analysis

The conversation delves into individual performances and their potential impact on the Finals.

• Jayson Tatum: His leadership and ability to perform in clutch moments are highlighted as key factors for the Celtics.

  • [27:38] Candace: "He did not look like a shrinking violet."

• Luka Dončić: Recognized for his versatility and offensive threat, making him a formidable opponent.

  • [30:52] David: "That's Larry Bird's legacy. She was like, you know what? I'm not being shown off."

• Tyrese Haliburton: Discussed in terms of his contributions and the concerns around his absence in critical games.

  • [24:30] Candace: "Two games without Tyrese Halliburton. They found ways to win, especially when it mattered."

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Caitlin Clark and the Broader Sports Culture

Candace Buckner addresses the societal and cultural implications of Clark's rise, criticizing how certain narratives focus on racial aspects rather than athletic prowess.

• [08:09] Candace: "You want to shut down Caitlin Clark. And I think those young women in college wanted to do the same."

Marcus Thompson reflects on the evolving fan bases and the loyalty of groups like the "Clarkies," emphasizing the need for broader appreciation of women's basketball beyond idolizing single figures.

• [14:38] Candace: "These really aren't fans of women's basketball... they just want to muddy up the conversation."

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Final Predictions and Closing Remarks

The panel wraps up with their predictions for the NBA Finals, favoring the Boston Celtics due to their strategic depth and shooting capabilities.

• [36:54] Candace: "I could see Celtics in six for sure."

• [37:01] Marcus: "I'm going with whatever Candace says... Boston and six."

They also touch upon the potential outcomes of close games, strategies to counter key players, and the importance of adaptability in high-stakes matches.

• [37:40] David: "If it's a one possession game, because they've just got two guys that can beat any defense."

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Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive look at both the NBA Finals and the state of women's basketball through Caitlin Clark's experiences. The hosts and guest provide insightful analysis, blending player performance with broader discussions on sports culture, media coverage, and fan dynamics. Their predictions lean towards a Celtics victory, underscoring the team's strategic strengths and depth.

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Notable Quotes:

• David Aldridge [05:24]: "I just want to have a nuanced discussion about not just athletics, but professional athletics."

• Candace Buckner [07:16]: "What you want is to test her and you want to be the one to shut down Caitlin Clark."

• Candace Buckner [17:10]: "It's common. It happens. It's a sports story."

• Candace Buckner [23:02]: "I'm concerned about their depth, but maybe the reintroduction of KP will help."

• Candace Buckner [30:04]: "Happy he's having this moment."

• Candace Buckner [36:54]: "I could see Celtics in six for sure."

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Timestamp Overview:

• 02:23 - 43:05: Main content discussing NBA Finals and Caitlin Clark
• 43:05 onwards: Advertisements and Outro (Skipped in summary)

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a clear and structured overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.

Transcript

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[David Aldridge]

All right, we're back with another Hoops Adjacent. This is the Finals edition of Hoops Adjacent on the Athletic NBA show David Aldridge in the ritzy hotel here on the Wharf in D.C. before they kicked me out, Marcus in the bay and Candace Buckner from the Washington Post who couldn't be bothered like Marcus. She lives like 35 seconds from here. She can't be bothered to go down.

[Marcus Thompson]

No, no. Even, even better. Even better to show just how big time Candace Buckner is.

[Candace Buckner]

How she didn't even know.

[Marcus Thompson]

It wasn't like she made a calculated choice to be like you know what? I'm not going to do this today. Athletes. She was like, you know what? It's not even on my radar wizard.

[David Aldridge]

You know what I'm saying? Like, I'm not even like on the things I could be doing today. Seeing Brian Keith be. Introduces a new head coach.

[Candace Buckner]

She was like, nah, it was nice walking around the Anacostia Park, I will say that. Da. Beautiful day.

[David Aldridge]

Beautiful day. A little humid, but still a very nice day in D.C. absolutely, absolutely. Are you going to Boston? Are you going to Boston? You're not going to Boston.

[Candace Buckner]

I am not, no.

[David Aldridge]

How are you not going to Boston?

[Candace Buckner]

I. I thought our other columnists. I shouldn't even say our other columnist. I thought our venerated columnist Jerry Brewer was going. That was my mindset. So I've been telling everybody. No, no, you'll see, Jerry. I don't know if we'll have a columnist there besides Ben Galiver. Yeah, we are just. We're totally just NBA. What's that?

[David Aldridge]

What's that? What's that? Damn.

[Candace Buckner]

I know.

[David Aldridge]

Damn. Buckner.

[Candace Buckner]

Are you going?

[David Aldridge]

Of course. Yeah, I'm just doing the. I'm just doing the east games probably. Although I think the series is going six at least, so I may go to game six in Dallas if there's a game six.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know, over here at the Athletic, we. We aren't as big time, so we gotta work, man. Like we going. Marcus, I'm going to the Dallas games.

[Candace Buckner]

Oh, okay.

[David Aldridge]

See what. See how we do. I do the Boston, he does the Dallas. Because you have to have one Negro columnist at every.

[Candace Buckner]

Grow present.

[David Aldridge]

It's a rule here at the.

[Marcus Thompson]

Just take roll. Just take roll late. That's all. You know what I'm saying?

[David Aldridge]

Trotter might show up for a game and then we can tap out. You know, you never know how it goes. So. All good here, though. But Candace wanted to talk to you about so much stuff. So much stuff. There's so much going on right now, I don't even want to. Should we even start with the. I don't want to know if I start with the Caitlyn, because that's such a cliche.

[Marcus Thompson]

Might as well. Might as well. We got. We got. We got a fresh, fresh bar from Candace this morning on it, so we might as well.

[David Aldridge]

Yes, that's true. That's true. So, I mean, see, I. This is why I wanted to have you on more, even more than your great columns. You write a great column at the Post, but you were in Indiana, you lived there, you work there. You know those people.

[Candace Buckner]

Yes.

[David Aldridge]

And you know that, you know that community. And I can't. I told somebody this morning. It's not angry. I'm just so frustrated with where this discourse is going with Caitlin Clark.

[Candace Buckner]

I was using this.

[David Aldridge]

Really frustrating, but.

[Candace Buckner]

Yeah, but frustrated. Yeah.

[David Aldridge]

Yeah. Just because, like why is, why are we going. Why are we doing this? Why are we doing the low hanging fruit stupid stuff that we do on everything else? Why can't we have a nuanced discussion about not just athletics, but professional athletics? Like this is what happens in the pros, in every sport. You get tested. What. Why is this surprising to anybody? Like, this is what happens. Somebody pointed this out and I had forgotten about this when Bryce Harper came to the Nationals. And Bryce Harper, Marcus, he was on the COVID of Sports Illustrated, you know, the chosen one for baseball, all that thing he played, he came, they brought him up as a rookie. And I want to say it was 2011 after he was drafted. So they played the, they played the Phillies on a Sunday night, national tv. You know, the first thing Cole Hamills did when they played the Phillies, hit him in the ribs with a 90 mile an hour fastball. Like have this, have some of this phenom.

[Candace Buckner]

That's, that's just the way sports is. And I remember telling our editors, because I went to Connecticut for her debut and I remember telling the editors, I think I could just cover that. Abuse the debut straight up. But I honestly think there's going to be a story about veterans testing her because she came in with all the Hype and the 28 million reported $28 million shoe deal and now they got, now all of a sudden they can afford charters, that she's here and all that stuff. And I just think the human condition is to just take a step back and say, why you get all that?

[Marcus Thompson]

She ain't all that. Yeah. She ain't all that.

[Apple Card Representative]

Yeah.

[Candace Buckner]

That's just human. And you want to test her and you want to be, you want to be the one to shut down Caitlin Clark. And I think those young women in college wanted to do the same. But she's not playing Michigan State now. She's not playing Maryland. She's not playing Purdue, Iowa State. She's playing grown women.

[David Aldridge]

Yes.

[Candace Buckner]

And I just, and I never, maybe, call me naive, Da, I thought it was just going to be a story about the human, the human condition. And when the new shiny thing comes in, not a moment that I think was going to be racial, but it's so funny that the first people to say that you're race baiting or that you're being racist, which is another topic that we can go off on another. Like, how can I be racist? All. All the ones who inserted race into this situation just sho. Warned it.

[David Aldridge]

Yes.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know. You know, it's even more, like, irritating to me as a. As a longtime women's basketball fan. It really. It really originates from this. This idea that they don't think this is real basketball. They don't. They don't like. The reason they don't. They look at this is so jarring, is because they don't see it as a real game. And we've been hearing this forever, right? Like, this is what it's like. But if you lower the. Coach, coach, we'll watch.

[Candace Buckner]

That's right.

[Marcus Thompson]

All this type of stuff.

[David Aldridge]

Yeah, right, right, right.

[Marcus Thompson]

You don't understand. And if you know this game, I mean, was Kennedy Carter kind of predictable? It wasn't good. It's not people talking about the stars and start. No, it's the middle tier. Who's going to come for this? Like, yes.

[David Aldridge]

Yeah. Come for her next.

[Marcus Thompson]

Absolutely. It' who feel like, yo, I'm really the best one in the league. That don't know, but y'all don't know. And what better way to show it than to go at one of the stars? Right?

[Candace Buckner]

And I truly don't believe. I truly don't believe in the. The rising tide and. Or the tide rises, raises all ships. I blew that cliche. I don't believe that in this case because besides the charters and there's another discussion to be said about the quality of these charters and who got the charter first and the. The. The. The. The proven teams who came in second. Besides the charters, are they getting, you know, spots with Jake from State Farm? Are they getting their own signature shoe from Nike? Is. Is everybody seen a bump? Yeah. People are watching, but they're going to watch to criticize you for not bowing down to Caitlin Clark. They're going to criticize you for being too rough on Caitlin Clark. So people are watching. There are more eyes. But is that a good thing?

[David Aldridge]

Yeah. Well, why.

[Marcus Thompson]

Why do they want this for Caitlin Clark? Why do they want her to be so. Like, why would you want her?

[David Aldridge]

She ain't asking for it.

[Marcus Thompson]

She's like, all of this, she is asking for. She whined just like the rest of them. They all whine. Absolutely. No, but, like, in. In three years, she's gonna want to turn around and be like, oh, yeah, they brought it to me and I survived It. And now these. My people, like, that's. That's literally how it goes for everybody. I don't know why you would want to take that from her. You. You would not want to take that from her. Three year. Oh, she's only here because they babied her, because they made a clear path. Like, nah. She want to be like, nah, I took the same thing everybody else took, and now I'm og You know what I'm saying? Like, that's. That's what you should want for Caitlyn. But then it's clear that they just want, like, this Pollyanna, beautiful, romantic story.

[Candace Buckner]

Yeah, we know you're not old, you're wise, but do you remember the early years for Larry Bird? And how was he tested?

[David Aldridge]

Of course he was tested. Every time he was tested on his own team. Cornbread Maxwell tells the story about training camp. I lit. I ain't letting this white boy beat me. And guess what? He kicked your ass, right? You know what I mean? And so he was like, oh, okay, okay, I get it now. You know, but you have to. That has to happen. Like, and it will happen for her. She's too good not to be great. You know what I mean? Like, she's just. She's too good. She'll figure it out. She'll figure out her teammate. She'll figure out the league. She'll figure out how to get open. She'll figure out how to draw fouls in the W. Coach needs to figure.

[Marcus Thompson]

Out, stop, turn ball over. Stop turning the ball over.

[David Aldridge]

You need somebody. How do we. Doug Collins used to say this when we did broadcast with him on Turner. He used to say, it's my job. My best player is struggling. It's my job to get him a layup. That's my job is to run, design a play to get him a layup so he can see the ball go through the basket, and then he's good. But that's my job, you know? And so that's the coach's job. You got to get her an easy shot, get her an easy looks, let her see the ball go through the basket. She'd be like, oh, we good now? We're good. And then her greatness will rise to the surface, as it does with all other great players. She's too. She's. I'm not worried about her. I'm not worried about her. What? They. They said the same thing, Marcus, you noticed they said the same thing about Steph. All he does is shoot threes. He's a novelty. He ain't that good. You know what I mean?

[Marcus Thompson]

Like yeah, man, you all gave him mvp. What I remember gave him, I remember, I think it was the Clippers who would be like Dante Jones was the guy. Like Dante, you go, they always put some six, eight dude on him, right? That's how to get stronger. Like he just had to get, that's why he's strong now. Because he got pushed around and exactly, you know, turned the ball over. Trevor Ruiza was another one of the guys. They were just known for like, all right, I'm on you forever. And Steph would never ask for it a different way. Like, you know Steph, light skinned church boy from Charlotte. He like, y'all not about to call me soft. Give me all that.

[Candace Buckner]

It's always a great origin story. Even like you were in a mamba Sports Academy. A 19 year old cocky Kobe Bryant coming into the league and winning very early on, getting booed in Philly. Everybody had to go through being tested, being disliked. Caitlin Clark is going to run this league one day because she's as you said, she's just too good. And it'll be part of her too.

[David Aldridge]

Good not to be great.

[Candace Buckner]

But it'll be part of her story. But I don't want it to come from a place of oh, she just rose up. She was a victim. She was, she was being misused, abused.

[David Aldridge]

Right, right.

[Candace Buckner]

And all that jazz. No, it's, it's common. It's a sports, it's a, it happens. It's a sports story.

[David Aldridge]

It happens. You get filed hard. They have an entire book called the Jordan Rules.

[Candace Buckner]

Right.

[Marcus Thompson]

Literally, you know.

[David Aldridge]

So greatest player ever.

[Marcus Thompson]

She post. When you posted your story, you were like, oh, the clarkies don't like this. What? I'll let you say it. What, what, what was it you think? What, what do you think? They need to understand as this season goes along. How can they be more like enveloped into this experience instead of these like kind of cast us or are we in a society where this is just how it's going to be? We got Swifties, we got Clarkies, we got beehive like this.

[Candace Buckner]

Yeah, I, I, I, man, I'm glad you mentioned the beehive. I have a natural distrust for a group that has blind loyalty to a singular person and kind of makes, gives them a demigod status because you don't, you don't listen to anything other than what your, your, your ruler says. But and I, and I saw this in Maryland. The most, the most fun at a basketball game and the beautiful thing about being a columnist, I can say this. The most fun I've had at a basketball game this year was when Iowa came to town to play Maryland and all the, the, the young girls, the young boys, that, that atmosphere. But when I went to Connecticut, I really saw that, man, these really aren't fans of women's basketball like the new Clarkies, the ones who have been around for four years. They know Iowa basketball, they know Caitlin, they know basketball. But the new ones are strictly there for Caitlin Clark. So understand that she's just not going to be able to rain down 30 foot jumpers every single, every single game and enjoy the process, enjoy the blossoming her growth, enjoy the journey of her becoming a pro and learning this game. And it is a tough game. It is a phys. It's basketball, it's a contact sport. So I don't, I don't know about this new group and especially those who really aren't fans of women's basketball, they just want to muddy up the conversation with. By inserting their politics or their. I'll throw it back on them because they are the ones bringing up race when it has no business being brought up. But understand that this league has been around for what, 20. This is the 27th or 28th year.

[Marcus Thompson]

27Th. Yeah, 97.

[Candace Buckner]

This is the 27th year. And there are some talented. Talented, not some. The best players on the planet. The best basketball players. I hate saying female, but best women basketball players are in this league. And eventually just watch your girl grow and enjoy, enjoy some very good basketball when, when she's on the court. Because they're going to bring it. They're just not going to bow down and allow her to, and allow her to just, you know, get off her shot. So it. Just be patient.

[David Aldridge]

It's insulting.

[Candace Buckner]

Yeah.

[David Aldridge]

To those players. What do you expect them. These are the most competitive athletes in the world. What is it you expect them to do? To just. Here you go. Okay. And please drive the lane. It's your leisure.

[Candace Buckner]

Thank you for the charter. Go ahead and shoot that. Go ahead, shoot that three girl.

[David Aldridge]

Oh my God. What is it you expect them to do? Like this is.

[Candace Buckner]

That is the most. Yeah, that, that argument that they are quote, unquote petty and jealous and that's why they're, they're, they're being hard on her. That is the most offensive.

[David Aldridge]

Yes.

[Candace Buckner]

Thing that you can say about a competitor, a paid professional.

[David Aldridge]

Right. To me, that's worse than the racism. You know, the racism bad enough on its own, but it's kind of like yeah, because it's like you're not. You literally have paid no attention to how great these players are. You didn't.

[Marcus Thompson]

They haven't, though. They have it. That's the thing. They literally have. This league's been since 97. Do I need to tell you about the Houston comments?

[David Aldridge]

Yo, Right, exactly.

[Marcus Thompson]

Peter Thompson, Cynthia Cooper, you know, Jeanette Arcane, like Kim Perot. Come on, they had squad. Lauren Jackson was playing with the side. Like, this league bids been had the best players since day one.

[David Aldridge]

And it's funny because I don't now. I. I'm not going to pretend like I was following every nuance of coverage of the W back in the day, but I don't remember. Sue Bird had a pedigree like this. Sue Bird had some chips when she came in. You know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying?

[Candace Buckner]

I'm so glad it was Tarazi who sound the siren very early on that this is not going to be college, so. And people want to call her a hater, but yo, she knows what she's talking about.

[David Aldridge]

She's a pro.

[Candace Buckner]

Yeah. Not a hater. She's a pro.

[Marcus Thompson]

All right. All right.

[David Aldridge]

Yeah.

[Marcus Thompson]

Can we, can we. Can we pause right here and just acknowledge something? There are some haters, though. They do be hating.

[David Aldridge]

That's part of the game, too.

[Marcus Thompson]

There are some people here who like, man, this girl ain't that good. I don't like her like that.

[Candace Buckner]

Literally, other than shoot threes, what is she bringing?

[Marcus Thompson]

They hate.

[David Aldridge]

That's like Buddy Ryan saying all Chris Carter did was catch touchdowns.

[Marcus Thompson]

Exactly what it is. But, but, but hating on the rookie, hating on the hype person is a part of every single sport. Like, that's literally part of sport.

[David Aldridge]

So I'm not.

[Marcus Thompson]

I don't want to act like ain't nobody hating you. Absolutely. No, that's the problem when you're saying, oh, the whole league. Nah, man, a lot of people appreciate and respect and. And like, just to me, going at her is a side of respect. Like.

[David Aldridge]

Exactly.

[Marcus Thompson]

That's what they're saying. Like, you could pick.

[David Aldridge]

Exactly.

[Marcus Thompson]

You could pick a number of players to go at. Right? You go at the ones you think are good, you respect them. Like that. That's part of like the unwritten code. Like, okay, nice. All right, I'm about to show you.

[Candace Buckner]

How many people are going to double team the. The reigning rookie of the year and create space for Caitlin Clark. How many teams are actually going to do that? Yeah, Rookie of the year is right there.

[David Aldridge]

Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Plus that's, that's. I want your best shot. I want your best game, Caitlyn. Give me your best game. You know, like, I'm not going to take it easy on you because I don't expect you to take it easy on me, you know, like, so it's just.

[Marcus Thompson]

Oh, and she talk her fair share too now. Like, oh, my gosh. And don't let her hit a couple. Right. Like, right, right, right. I love that. Like that, that, right. That to me is why I feel like. Don't baby. Hershey.

[David Aldridge]

No, she's fine.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah.

[David Aldridge]

She'S fine.

[Marcus Thompson]

But like, like, cand story, like these struggles is what make you great. Like that.

[David Aldridge]

Absolutely.

[Marcus Thompson]

That every, every origin story got one of these in it. One of these. Like, like the struggle bars, the early struggle bars.

[David Aldridge]

Right?

[Marcus Thompson]

You got. You gotta have that.

[Candace Buckner]

The early conflict, before the resolution, before the breakthrough.

[Marcus Thompson]

That's a true writer right there. And that's why, that's why she ain't got a stroke.

[David Aldridge]

Go for the big fish.

[Candace Buckner]

The press conference for the number two draft pick. How about that?

[David Aldridge]

How about that? How about that? I was just debating with Michael Winger about that. Not debating. That's not. That's not fair. Discussing it with him. Okay. I'd be. I'll be interested to see what they do. But before then, we got to talk about the finals, which are starting on Thursday. The NBA Finals starting on Thursday. I'm so excited about this one. This is like, I am so enthralled with the varying matchups that both teams can throw at each other. Like, I really don't. I guess I think Boston's gonna win, but I'm not. Like, ain't no luck. You know what I'm saying? Like, Dallas has been the hottest team in the league for two months now. So cb, what do you think coming in? What are you looking at? What are your storylines coming into this thing?

[Candace Buckner]

Well, watching, like, because for the last three years I've covered the Eastern Conference finals, so that means that I spent a lot of time in Boston these last three Mays. And looking at this team, which is so much better than the. I think than the team that got to the finals in 2022. Especially when you add Kris Stopps now. I don't know how healthy he will be considering that he's been off for what, a month now?

[David Aldridge]

Six weeks. But still doesn't matter. The.

[Candace Buckner]

The unlocking of super superstar potential because I didn't see them as superstars, especially Jaylen Brown in too. I'm sorry, Jalen Brown stands if they are out there. But the unlocking of the superstar and Jalen Brown.

[Marcus Thompson]

Hey, we're not gonna disjaylen Brown stands like that if they're out there. Come on.

[Candace Buckner]

I'm sorry. Cow. Bears. Go. Cow.

[Marcus Thompson]

All right. West side. No, just playing.

[David Aldridge]

But.

[Candace Buckner]

But for. For them. And, and I'm from St. Louis and I love Jayson Tatum, but sometimes in big games he has not truly shown up. And for them not to have to rely on Jayson Tatum knowing that there's a Jaylen Brown, knowing that there's that veteran champion in Jrue Holiday also on the floor who will make that play, knowing that Derrick White is steady Eddie and Al Horford will get back and get in the time machine and hit you with three or make a big stop somewhere somehow I am concerned. Very good team. But I am concerned about their depth. But maybe the reintroduction of KP will help. Other than that, watching them for these four games and two of them without Tyrese Halliburton, they found ways to win, especially when it mattered, in the clutch. So I do think it's going to be Boston and I don't know if it's going six. However, I'm also going to say this. I'm washed and I live in the east coast. So there were many games on the Western Concert finals that I just fell asleep around the third quarter. I didn't see every, I did not see every game. A girl has to sleep. I'm 44 years old. However. But yeah, you're right.

[David Aldridge]

I trust you, Dean.

[Candace Buckner]

That they've been the hottest thing for the last two months.

[David Aldridge]

Like that's an old age or something.

[Candace Buckner]

That's just disgusting.

[David Aldridge]

Get up now.

[Candace Buckner]

But I'm, I'm super impressed with Boston and what they have now. And it looks like Joe Missoula is not just. He was inserted not a. Well, he's not a, not a. He wasn't just inserted into like a, you know, plug and play situation. Your man's can coach.

[Marcus Thompson]

So I, as somebody who's seen this team for three years, what, what is the difference you think Drew Holiday makes and just like the culture and you know, because it's a lot different being when Marcus Smart is your.

[Candace Buckner]

I was gonna say and I'm a big Marcus Smart fan. I, I, I, I just think you can rely on Drew's offense a little bit more than and Marcus, Marcus Smart became, you know, an offensive threat. But I just, I think, I just think you can rely a little bit more on Drew. Marcus Mars defense Perimeter defense really I thought was going to be irreplaceable, but I'm just right now running back. The play when Andrew Nemhardt got, God bless him, was trying to go one on four at the end of the game. And you know, he's taken, got and just cleanly because Drew said I knew he was going right. And so for you to not, not just guess right, but for you to know the scouting report in that moment, make the play and come up with the game three win. Love, Marcus Smart. No, no, don't disrespect coming that way. However, the upgrade, it was an upgrade to get Drew Holiday just because the man has won before and he knows, he knows when to make the play and how to make the play.

[Marcus Thompson]

Cda I feel like the difference from the Celtics is going to be temperament. I mean, I feel like they've been good enough to win a championship. When a game is tight, they just. They don't have the composure. Like that's their thing. They have it. But I feel like, I feel like they're getting better. I think Derrick White is a little bit better. And also this is your moment. I'll give you the floor to rave about the option to throw the 7 foot 3 Latvian.

[David Aldridge]

It's all of that. I think it's all that. But I do think I'm. In fairness to Tatum and Brown, I think they have matured some over the last couple years. I mean, that was painful to watch when they played Golden State just because they so young. They were so young. They so clearly thought, well, I've got to take over. I've got to force it now for my team to win. And you're like, no, dude, just move the ball. It'll come back. Just move the ball. Like that's all you got to do. And it looks like they're. They've taken that to heart this year.

[Marcus Thompson]

But I don't know. I was watching that Indiana game. They up three. Jason Tatum takes a jab, offensive foul, pushes off into a step back three. And I'm like, why are you doing this?

[David Aldridge]

There's still some of those tendencies, I agree, but I think there's fewer of them than there used to be. I don't think it's like every other possession now. You know what I'm saying?

[Candace Buckner]

Like, I don't think Jason will be sending fake tweets to Kobe as he did, you know, in 2022. I don't. I think he's. I think he's done with that. And I think, no, no wearing the purple armband. No. I again shout out to St. Louis, but he.

[Marcus Thompson]

He.

[Candace Buckner]

He did not. He. He did not look like a shrinking violet. Again, two games without Tyrese Halliburton. But I was waiting, Marcus, for more plays on what you described, trying to take over. Bad shot selection, bad jump shot selection. And game one. He was spectacular in overtime.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah, he was.

[David Aldridge]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Candace Buckner]

When they needed him. When they needed him.

[Marcus Thompson]

If they play that way, I don't think they could be beat. Like, if they play smart at the end of games, it's gonna be tough.

[David Aldridge]

Right? Here's why. Look, this is. I. I still think it's gonna be a close series, but the reason why I think Boston's going to win is because Dallas's defense has been spectacular since they got Gafford and PJ Washington. They have taken it up another notch. But the issue to me is the thing that Dallas wants to take away from you is the thing that Boston cares the least about, and that is paint touches. Boston does care about paint touches. They don't care. They are trying to shoot 53s and they think if we get up 50, we're gonna make 30 of them. We're gonna beat you. And most of the time, they've been right, you know, so. So that's why I'm like, how does Dallas take that away? How do they take away those open threes that Boston has feasted on all year? They have managed to get wide open threes, no matter who they're playing, no matter what defense, no matter how they load up on it. They have managed to get wide open threes. How does Dallas take that away? And I don't. I don't know how they can do that.

[Marcus Thompson]

It doesn't matter anyway, because Luke is the greatest of all time, Right, Candace?

[Candace Buckner]

Happy he's having this moment. To be honest, it had been difficult to watch him. I. I know people love his joy, but I just. The. The thing that I maybe just. I started paying attention to it more because when Kobe started doing it, when Kobe did it, I just paid attention to why the superstars always complain. And like this. This. This batch of new superstars, like, I can't watch you and feel joy. So I'm like. Like Luca. I want to be on. I want to be on the Luca Magic. And I'm sure, you know, he'll be an MVP next year, him or Tatum. But golly, is every play or contest or a mean mug. Look at the referee every time. That's very adjacent to hoops. It's just you know, personality.

[David Aldridge]

Yeah, that's the Tim. That's the Tim Duncan. It's the full Duncan never committed a foul. Every play. Tim, come on, stop.

[Marcus Thompson]

I love the international. All the. All the international players. They got the same little. You know.

[Candace Buckner]

We can't see you because this is not on video. Marcus, you have to.

[Marcus Thompson]

They got the hands out. Like, the. The question. I don't know. I don't know. Manu Ginobly did it.

[Candace Buckner]

I was definitely proven wrong because I. I didn't think the Kyrie Luca backcourt would work.

[David Aldridge]

No, they figured it out. They figured out. Yes. And I give Kyrie credit for figuring this out. Like, all right, let me let. He can shine. I'll pick my spots. Don't worry about it. That takes some maturity.

[Marcus Thompson]

Are we ready for grown up Kyrie? Are we ready? Is the world ready for the mature old wives? Kyrie does the right things.

[David Aldridge]

I want him to. I mean, it sounds like he's trying to say the right things, though. I believe he believes it. I don't know. I don't know. But I'm not going to pretend like I know Kyrie like that, you know, like, it's just, you know, I hope he's under. He understands that when you say things that are provocative just for the sake of being provocative, that there. There are consequences to that, you know, to say. I'm just thinking out loud. That's. No, you can't do that with this platform. With the platform, yes. You can't do that. They have to be things that you genuinely believe. And if you genuinely believe them, fine. Well, own up to it. Live, you know, Live. Live with it, you know, like. But I hope he's gotten to the point where he's just being. Just be true to yourself. Whatever it is. Be true to yourself.

[Marcus Thompson]

I don't know, man. I like villain Kyrie. Candace, like, as long as you stay away from, like, disparaging other people and just being like, the kind of like.

[David Aldridge]

You gonna be villain on Thursday night. Yeah.

[Marcus Thompson]

I tell you that the antagonistic figure. Like, I like the guy who, you know, is difficult to talk. Like, I feel like we need a villain or two. I. I like Kyrie with the black hat on. Like, I don't know if I like Nice guy Kyrie.

[Candace Buckner]

There's not enough sage in the world to.

[David Aldridge]

Right.

[Candace Buckner]

To cleanse TD Garden before game. But game one, you thought.

[Marcus Thompson]

Herbs when.

[David Aldridge]

They were on Draymond. When they were on Draymond, that's gonna be. Oh, and Kyrie played there and walked away from him. Oh, hell no.

[Marcus Thompson]

And they got history. And they got history.

[David Aldridge]

They got beef. Oh my God. It's gonna be bad. It's gonna be terrible.

[Marcus Thompson]

That's, that's why Kansas ain't going. She can't take all that negative energy. I don't need all that in my life.

[Candace Buckner]

I need to study up on, you know, Brian Keefe, right? The great Ryan Keith profile. That's what I'm doing. That's why I'm not going to the finals. That's.

[Marcus Thompson]

Wow.

[Candace Buckner]

You know what? We haven't talked the biggest storyline here.

[David Aldridge]

What's that?

[Candace Buckner]

The chance for Markief Morris to become a two time NBA champion. Whoever would have thought that because he won in the bubble.

[David Aldridge]

Yes. Either way, a former. A former wizard will again be.

[Candace Buckner]

Isn't that crazy? Isn't it? Did you see that tick?

[Marcus Thompson]

That's really.

[Candace Buckner]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Marcus Thompson]

I sent it to you. Da. Did you see it? Like, that's crazy.

[David Aldridge]

I've been.

[Marcus Thompson]

Like that, that you. That was auditory learning. I'm definitely a visual learner. Visual learner. So seeing it actually play out was like, come on, man.

[Candace Buckner]

Is this the most insignificant. Well, I'll say. Top five insignificant franchises. Washington Wizards would have produced future champions. Like.

[David Aldridge]

No, they are the, they are the patron saint of, you know, this, the fourth through ninth best players on the team. They churn those out every year and then it goes somewhere else where they actually are the fourth to ninth best player and they win championships.

[Marcus Thompson]

Like how, how, how are their Wizards fans? Like, like how do they take this?

[David Aldridge]

How they. They just. There's a, there's a hash. So Wizards. That's what everybody says about in this town. So Wizards. It's the most Wizards thing ever. You know, like that's, that's what they expect. They expect things like this.

[Marcus Thompson]

At least when the warriors are trash, their players remain trash as they went around the league.

[David Aldridge]

Right. They didn't get rehabilitated, you know, hey, Monte Ellis.

[Candace Buckner]

I forgot about that. Like a resurgence.

[Marcus Thompson]

Keith. Mr. Jennings didn't become a star somewhere. Chris Gatling wasn't an all star after he left.

[David Aldridge]

God.

[Marcus Thompson]

Todd Fuller was trash the whole time.

[David Aldridge]

Man.

[Candace Buckner]

Do we still rock with Monte? Are those good feelings in.

[Marcus Thompson]

Oh yeah. Monte is beloved. Absolutely. Yeah. Monte beloved.

[David Aldridge]

Monte is Todd Fuller picked one or two spots ahead of Kobe. I can't remember. I think it was he 11. 12.

[Marcus Thompson]

I think it was 11. I think it was 11. Yeah. That's tough. I mean, yeah. Oh, that's crazy. Well, the warriors should be hope for Wizards fans because after four years Absolutely. It was some bad.

[David Aldridge]

All right. I know. Wait a minute. Y'all ain't gonna escape without giving them giving me a prediction on these finals. Now, come on, now. I'm on a limb. I went out on a limb. I said.

[Marcus Thompson]

I'm going with whatever Candace says.

[Candace Buckner]

Well, why should I go against DA Because I. I said I. I didn't think it was going to go for. All right, Boston and five.

[David Aldridge]

There you go.

[Candace Buckner]

We'll keep the five. Five, four, five.

[Marcus Thompson]

I ain't going five, though.

[Candace Buckner]

Okay?

[Marcus Thompson]

That's too. It's too far. I'm going Boston and six. That means they win in Dallas.

[David Aldridge]

They win in Dallas. Okay. I could see them doing that. I could actually see Jason tatum getting, like 50 in a clinching game on the road. You know what I mean?

[Candace Buckner]

Like, I could see Celtics and six for sure.

[David Aldridge]

Yeah. Yes, yes, yes. Six.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know what, Candace? I don't think. I don't think you're crazy, though. I don't think you're crazy.

[David Aldridge]

Boston's really good. Boston's really good.

[Candace Buckner]

I watched them. I'm just being. I'm just being east coast biased because I just.

[Marcus Thompson]

No, no.

[David Aldridge]

Like.

[Marcus Thompson]

All right, final three minutes or two minutes left.

[David Aldridge]

Cl.

[Marcus Thompson]

Tie ball game. Who you feel more comfortable with?

[David Aldridge]

Oh, as a team or individual?

[Candace Buckner]

Just like the team.

[Marcus Thompson]

Like, which team?

[David Aldridge]

If it's a close game.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah.

[David Aldridge]

Oh, if it's a close game. I mean, I would say Dallas if it's. If it's a. If it's a one possession game, because they've just got. They got two guys that can beat any defense. Yeah, they just can. They're too good. Like, you can't guard Kyrie. You just hope he misses. That's all you can do. And Luke is pretty much the same way. Unless you just double them at mid quarter, make them give the ball up, you know, and you trust your rotation. I mean, you could do that. You could do that. But if you're just trying to guard them straight up, I mean, I just think those two are unguardable. Straight up, they're gonna get the shot off.

[Marcus Thompson]

I don't know.

[David Aldridge]

I'm gonna get where they want to go and get this shut off.

[Marcus Thompson]

I might double both and play one on three with. On the back side.

[David Aldridge]

Good. Like.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah, let's see if PJ Wash. They could do. Make a play off the dribble.

[David Aldridge]

Well, I mean, they'll do that. If Gaff's on the floor, they're gonna make Gaff make a play. You know, when they go to that. When he gets the Draymond pass and it's four on three. They're gonna make him make a play and see.

[Marcus Thompson]

I wonder if they have to go small. From what you said before about the three point shooting, they like the, you know, the two bigs. They like. Yeah, they keep the big on the court, but now Gaff is out because Horford's gonna shoot. If KP's out there, he's gonna shoot.

[David Aldridge]

You go you. May. I. I wouldn't be surprised if Gap does not play a lot in this series.

[Marcus Thompson]

I do think Josh Green gets a lot of those minutes because, yes, you.

[David Aldridge]

Need somebody to go Cleavers back so he can, you know, you can play small and be okay. Lively is the guy that does things for them, you know, as not just rim protection, but other defensive things. He can. He can guard a pick and roll and it's not a problem. He can. He doesn't have to play drop. He can play straight up and recover and do those things like he's. He's good at that. So. So yeah, I could see them playing Lively in Cleaver a lot more in this series than Gaff.

[Marcus Thompson]

Wait, wait, Candace, you didn't like the bench.

[David Aldridge]

You.

[Marcus Thompson]

You ain't a Peyton Pritchard fan. You were talking about you worried about Boston's depth.

[David Aldridge]

Yeah, Rolling.

[Candace Buckner]

He's like, you know, he's the. He's a second. He's. He's A Poor Man's T.J. mcConnell when things are rolling. But wow, no.

[David Aldridge]

Oh, no.

[Candace Buckner]

Respect for.

[David Aldridge]

I love tj. Yes. Okay.

[Candace Buckner]

They're. No, I'm not a big fan of that bench.

[Marcus Thompson]

Who had the. Well, now, did TJ have the biggest glow up in the postseason?

[Candace Buckner]

What was that?

[Marcus Thompson]

T.J. mcConnell have the biggest glow up this postseason like he did.

[Candace Buckner]

Jalen Brown was complimenting him by saying his first and last the government name after game four. Miles Turner. A good kid. I thought that was. That was wonderful. But you're calling TJ McConnell. TJ McConnell over and over again. He. He did have. He did.

[David Aldridge]

I.

[Candace Buckner]

If he was in a contract year and with this free agent class being what it is. Oh, he would have been overpaid because of what happened in the. In the vinyl.

[David Aldridge]

All right, all right, CB go back and do your. Your thing. Get your 27 miles in, whatever you're doing this afternoon. Biking or running or swimming, some triathlon.

[Candace Buckner]

Related activity that I'm not. I'm not going to be doing.

[Marcus Thompson]

I think you. I think you working on something. What you working on? You working on something?

[Candace Buckner]

You Know, yesterday. I spent all yesterday working on that Caitlyn Clark.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah. No, that's just a little daily. You got something else brewing. That's why she don't got now.

[Candace Buckner]

I wish. You know, shout out to Jerry Brewer.

[Marcus Thompson]

Jerry Brewer disappeared for a while and it popped up with a Magnum. Yeah, like, right.

[David Aldridge]

Went down to Alabama for a couple months. You know what I'm saying? Tell nobody.

[Candace Buckner]

I relocated to Alabama for the last six years. And here's my.

[David Aldridge]

All right. Study up on your Brush up on your French. So I will see you in Perry.

[Marcus Thompson]

Are you going to Paris?

[Candace Buckner]

Yes, I am.

[David Aldridge]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. We gotta.

[Candace Buckner]

You know, that means.

[David Aldridge]

What is that? I don't even know what that is.

[Candace Buckner]

See you soon, Avenito.

[David Aldridge]

Okay, I'm probably mispronouncing it.

[Candace Buckner]

I'm saying it like one phrase in French.

[Marcus Thompson]

I'm be in Paris like Marshawn Lynch. Hey, homie. Hey. Hey.

[Candace Buckner]

We need to link up. I didn't know you were going. We need to link up.

[Marcus Thompson]

Oh, yeah, I've been. I've been recruited to hang with the big timers.

[Candace Buckner]

Oh, this is great. First Olympics for me. How about you?

[Marcus Thompson]

Likewise.

[David Aldridge]

This is your first one?

[Candace Buckner]

Yes. And then. How about that?

[Marcus Thompson]

Likewise. Yeah, my first Olympics.

[David Aldridge]

Really old, I swear.

[Marcus Thompson]

Hey, Da. Like, this is my 37th Olympics.

[David Aldridge]

No, no, I'm not.

[Marcus Thompson]

No ringhead.

[David Aldridge]

I'm not a ringhead. This is my fourth, and it'll be my last in all likelihood.

[Marcus Thompson]

So you're gonna be in LA. Cut it out. You'll be in LA.

[David Aldridge]

Oh, that's right. It's gonna be LA in 20. I'll probably be in LA. You're right.

[Marcus Thompson]

Yeah, you'll be in LA. Hey, come on. You got. Somebody's gonna have to write about.

[David Aldridge]

I know where all the spots are.

[Marcus Thompson]

Cooper Flag era. Somebody's got to write about it.

[David Aldridge]

That's right.

[Candace Buckner]

Oh, my God.

[David Aldridge]

First Olympics after with the Wizards. After being drafted first in the 25 draft by the Wizards, who's looking forward.

[Candace Buckner]

To the Cooper Flag discussion?

[Marcus Thompson]

You know what? I was just talking about this like it was about to go down. It's about to go down again. It's about to go down again.

[David Aldridge]

Although. Although. He. Well, I was going to say he. Most of the people that I've heard, they respect that he goes and, you know, he plays everywhere. He doesn't care about, you know, he'll play anybody, anywhere on any team. So he's not like I'm sheltered or anything like that. But. No, they'll test them. Of course they'll Test him.

[Marcus Thompson]

But, but, but how will his. How will the Cooper flag fan base respond?

[David Aldridge]

All right, the Cooper. What do they call? Well, I don't even know what they're called.

[Candace Buckner]

The Coops.

[David Aldridge]

The Flag. Flag Hags. The Flag Hags. Something like that.

[Marcus Thompson]

You know, like, like Caitlyn Cooper won't be wanting none of that coddling stuff.

[David Aldridge]

No, Cooper wants to be challenged. Come at me. He. Hooper.

[Marcus Thompson]

He's a real one. He's a real one.

[David Aldridge]

Yeah. All right, y'all. They're gonna kick me out here. Leave that five star review on Apple, Spotify, Google Play, wherever you get this fine American podcast. Marcus, if they can't leave five stars, what do they need to do?

[Marcus Thompson]

Keep it to yourself, you haters. We're gonna make you hang out with Candace Buckner and that's gonna be like seaweed and bike. Seaweed.

[David Aldridge]

Make you do 26 miles with Candace.

[Marcus Thompson]

On the bike and all you got is seaweed and water for like, like seven hours.

[Discover Representative]

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[David Aldridge]

Acast powers the world's best podcasts. Here's a show that we recommend.

[Paige Desorbo]

Hey guys. Welcome to Giggly Squad. A place where we make fun of everything, but most importantly ourselves. I'M Paige desorba.

[Candace Buckner]

Hello.

[Paige Desorbo]

I'm Hannah Berner. Welcome to the squad. Giggly Squad started on Summer House when we were giggling during an inappropriate time. But of course we can't be managed, so we decided to start this podcast to continue giggling. We will make fun of pop culture news. We're watching fashion trends pep talks where we give advice, mental health moments and games. And guests listen to Giggly Squad on Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[David Aldridge]

ACAST helps creators launch, grow, and monetize their podcasts everywhere. Acast. Com.