What's Wright - Best Of - Nick Wright GOES OFF on Draymond Green's jab at Charles Barkley, SGA's flopping OUT OF CONTROL, Jaylen Brown-Celtics drama | Nick Wright

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd — What's Wright: Best Of — Nick Wright GOES OFF on Draymond Green, SGA's Flopping, Jaylen Brown-Celtics Drama | May 10, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this "Best Of" compilation from "What's Wright with Nick Wright," Nick Wright delivers signature heated takes on the NBA's trending topics: Draymond Green's tension with Charles Barkley, the explosive debate around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and "flopping," and the latest drama involving Jaylen Brown and the Celtics. Nick, joined by Demanze, mixes high-energy criticism with in-depth basketball analysis and the show’s trademark humor and honesty.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Draymond Green vs. Charles Barkley on Inside the NBA

(02:12–12:36)

• Context: Draymond Green, appearing on "Inside the NBA," took a shot at Barkley’s tenure with the Houston Rockets, prompting awkward on-air tension.
• Nick's Central Argument: Draymond lacks Barkley’s self-deprecating attitude, which is crucial for success as a broadcaster—especially on a show built around banter and mutual roasting.

Key Quotes & Moments:

• On Draymond’s Style:
  “If you want to be good on television, Draymond, you have to be able to laugh at yourself, particularly if you are going to be a harsh critic of others. Take it from me, buddy.” — Nick Wright (03:13)
• On Barkley's Broadcasting Brilliance:
  “Barkley… relishes being the butt of the joke. He gives it and he takes it with a smile. And Draymond's total lack of any ability to laugh at himself makes some of his TV clips peak ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ uncomfortable.” — Nick Wright (04:03)
• On Draymond’s Diss Backfiring:
  Barkley’s silent reaction created dead air, highlighting Draymond’s misfire:
  “...it took me three instances to be able to get through it because it was such uncomfortable, awful television. And do you know how high the cringe factor has to be to make Inside the Freaking NBA uncomfortable?” — Nick Wright (06:20)
• Historical Correction:
  Nick dispels the idea Barkley was “washed” in Houston, noting 19/14/5 averages in his first year and that he was still awesome (11:30–12:23).

Takeaway: Draymond’s lack of humility and misunderstanding of the show’s culture make his TV future uncertain, unless he can learn to laugh at himself.

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2. SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and NBA "Flopping" Debate

(18:41–33:34)

• Context: Nick critiques SGA’s growing reputation for flopping—initiating contact to draw fouls rather than aiming to score.
• Thunder Fans Pushback: Nick reveals he’s gotten intense backlash from OKC fans, including accusations of bias and even racism, for his stance (18:57–20:19).
• Analytical Distinction: Nick differentiates between LeBron’s occasional flop (“embellishment”) and SGA’s tactic of purposely going to the basket seeking only a whistle.

Key Quotes & Moments:

• On Flopping Styles:
  “What LeBron has done forever is if you actually touch his face, he will act like a sniper hit him... What Shea does… is the cartoonish, flailing about, throwing his own self to the ground to get a call.” — Nick Wright (21:09–22:56)
• On SGA’s Game Impact:
  “One of the clubs in [Shea’s] bag… is the just cartoonish, flailing about, throwing his own self to the ground to get a call… But do I think [SGA] would have 140 consecutive games of 20 points? No.” — Nick Wright (26:29)
• On Fan Respect:
  “It’s legal, it’s effective, and you’re the champ. But everybody ain’t gonna like it and everybody ain’t gonna respect it.” — Nick Wright (29:40)
• On Responsibility:
  Demanze argues that refs control the narrative by not rewarding the flops:
  “I think the refs have so much control… Maybe just not be bamboozled like this. You guys watch the games, right?” — Demanze (31:53)
• On Curbing Flopping:
  “The shame of the other team getting a free throw because you flopped would just nip that in the bud.” — Demanze (33:18)
  Nick agrees, loving the public “embarrassment” penalty angle (33:25–33:34).

Takeaway: SGA is a great player, but his flopping for free throws—especially in the playoffs—affects his legacy and fans’ respect, and the league should clamp down harder on these antics.

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3. Lakers’ Playoff Struggles & LeBron vs. the Lakers’ Future

(34:34–43:10)

• Context: The Lakers face elimination. Luka Doncic’s injury reduces their odds, while Austin Reaves struggles, and LeBron shines despite calls to move on from him.
• Nick's Focus: The team’s “move on from LeBron” strategy looks foolish given his ongoing dominance versus the hyped “Reaves Era.”

Key Quotes & Moments:

• On LeBron’s Value:
  “We just watched a 41-year-old be the best player on the court in a series, in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. And it wasn’t near enough because the Lakers kind of paused going for a championship as far as team building to a post LeBron era. Meanwhile, LeBron’s still the most reliable guy they got.” — Nick Wright (41:10)
• On Austin Reaves:
  “I really like Austin a lot and I would be in the business of paying Austin a ton of money, but… if he is your second best player, are you a championship caliber team? I do.” — Nick Wright (35:24)
• On the Lakers’ Team-Building:
  “So much of the Lakers moves the last few years have been as if they are at least a tiny bit annoyed that LeBron hasn't fallen off the cliff yet.” — Nick Wright (36:37)

Takeaway: LeBron remains elite; the Lakers’ reluctance to fully commit to the present in hopes of a “next era” may be wasting their best title window.

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4. Boston Celtics, Jaylen Brown & Locker Room Dynamics

(45:04–54:38)

• Context: Jaylen Brown sparks “drama” with cryptic Twitch comments—doubly odd as he reaffirms this past season was his favorite, despite previous championship success and possibly strained relationships internally.
• Nick’s Read: Jaylen Brown wants the spotlight as a #1 option and may be clashing with the team/with Tatum. Both he and Demanze (a Celtics fan) question if Brown’s time in Boston should end.

Key Quotes & Moments:

• On Brown’s Self-Image:
  “He thinks he's the best player on the team. Yeah. And I think he's maybe thought he's always been the best player on the team and that the team has pushed Tatum and he has sacrificed...” — Nick Wright (48:25)
• On Online Discourse:
  “As is often the case with a lot of athletes today, I think a big contributor to whatever the issue is is being a little too online and I think just being a little too locked in to what people are saying on social media and all of that.” — Nick Wright (51:57)
• On Doubling Down:
  “Whenever someone's…response is, I'm doubling down, I'm tripling down— to me that is usually a pretty big signifier of you're very online.” — Nick Wright (52:08)

Demanze’s Fan Take:

• “Just get the guy off the team. Like he, wow, he's... It'd be your favorite year, you doubling down. Just the things that he says and moving forward. I just don't know what he's going to say in the future.” — Demanze (47:35)

Takeaway: The Celtics’ chemistry is at risk; Brown’s desire to lead and public comments suggest a looming breakup. Nick doubts Boston can get fair value in a trade, especially if Giannis is unavailable.

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Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• Draymond’s Broadcasting Rant:
  “If you want to be good on television, Draymond, you have to be able to laugh at yourself, particularly if you are going to be a harsh critic of others.” (03:13)
• On Thunder Fans and SGA:
  “Thunder fans are so on tilt about this specific criticism... I am, of all the takes I've had in my whole career, this is the one... they're like, ‘You racist.’” (18:57)
• On SGA’s Flopping:
  “One of the clubs in his bag... is the just cartoonish, flailing about, throwing his own self to the ground to get a call.” (26:29)
• On LeBron vs. Reaves:
  “LeBron's still the most reliable guy they got.” (41:10)
• Celtics Future:
  “He thinks he's the best player on the team. Yeah. And I think he's maybe thought he's always been the best player on the team and that the team has pushed Tatum...” (48:25)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 02:12 — Draymond Green vs. Barkley/Inside the NBA segment begins
• 12:36 — Draymond segment ends
• 18:41 — SGA/Flopping debate starts
• 33:34 — Transition to Lakers/LeBron/Austin Reaves segment
• 34:34 — Deep dive into Lakers’ future
• 43:10 — Ad break/transition
• 45:04 — Jaylen Brown/Celtics drama discussion
• 54:38 — Episode wrap

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Tone & Style

Nick Wright’s delivery is passionate, unapologetically opinionated, and laced with both humor and basketball nerdery. The banter between Nick and Demanze provides both the comic relief and the “real fan” perspective that’s a hallmark of the show.

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Summary Takeaway

This energetic “Best Of” episode delivers on hot-button NBA analysis with Nick Wright’s trademark blend of humor, sharp critique, and insight. From the nuances of TV chemistry on “Inside the NBA,” to the ethics of NBA flopping, the perpetual LeBron vs. Lakers debate, and the uncertainty looming over Jaylen Brown and the Celtics, it's a can’t-miss highlight reel for any basketball fan hungry for both substance and spice.

Transcript

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[C]

Welcome to the Best of the Week for what's Right with Nick Wright. The best takes and moments from this week on the show. Enjoy. All right, Demonte, let's talk Draymond for a second.

[E]

I feel like all I have to say for this one is Draymond Green was on the Inside the NBA show last night and then you. But he might have ruined the expectations for Golden State fans. He said success might not be for us at this point and at this point a championship. He also cooked Barkley Barkley saying that the hopes are to just not look like you did in the Houston uniform. You wanted to talk about this. Let's go.

[C]

I'm here. I'm just deciding how I want to phrase this and how harsh I want to be or not. I'm going to give Draymond Green some very friendly advice in the spirit of how close he is with some of my most respected friends and colleagues. And, you know, one of my closest friends is a very close friend of his. If you want to be good on television, Draymond, you have to be able to laugh at yourself, particularly if you are going to be a harsh critic of others. Take it from me, buddy. Like, I get to be all somewhat arrogant, annoying, chesty. I also three weeks ago, put on a clown nose and rainbow wig, and I was the one that alerted the world. I picked an NBA finals where both teams got popped in round one. What used to be Turner Sports, and now, you know, that's kind of gone. But inside, the NBA has clearly been hoping and grooming you to one day take over for Charles freaking Barkley, maybe the greatest sports television performer ever. And in that entire time, for as bright as you are, you have not realized Barclays key to his broadcast brilliance is he relishes being the butt of the joke. He gives it and he takes it with a smile. And Draymond's total lack of any ability to laugh at himself, Make some of his TV clips peak. Curb your enthusiasm. Uncomfortable. To watch the clip of him yesterday, keep in mind this is on the heels of him trying to go high school resume for high school resume with Austin Rivers, which, I mean, like, what are we doing? And Austin Rivers, who obviously was. Was not, cooked him 25% of the pro that Draymond was, but is 500% of the broadcaster. Austin Rivers in his response was like, hey, buddy, here's where your facts were wrong. We weren't the same high school player. We weren't the same college player. But by the way, you have me clocked in the pros. I give it to you. Obviously you do. And it immediately. Austin Rivers, 8Miling his own NBA career removes any type of ammo you have. And then he just kept killing you. But on the heels of that, that clip yesterday, when a. When Draymond says the goal is to not look like Charles in Houston, and Charles, who, I gotta think, knew what he was doing, instead of lightening the tension by chuckling, just stared at him silently and then let Draymond continue to try to dig himself deeper. It was. It took me three instances to be able to get through it because it was such uncomfortable, awful television. And do you Know how high the cringe factor has to be to make inside the freaking NBA uncomfortable? Television. It's the greatest sports TV show. That or pti. The greatest sports TV shows ever. And Ernie was there and Chuck was there and Kenny was there. And it took 45 seconds of Draymond Green being delusional for me to be like. I like that. That feeling of like, oh God, stop. And the worst part about it all to Monze see, he's fucking wrong. Chuck's first year in Houston is awesome. There is the, the idea and this is where. This is a great example of where ring culture

[E]

is tox to the heads.

[C]

Yeah, bro. Draymond Green's a Hall of Famer. He's one of the greatest defensive players of all time. I have said time and again, I think he's the second most important warrior ever. Not Klay Thompson, I believe all of those things. He also is not in the same room of greatness as Charles freaking Barkley. And even old out of shape Charles Barkley in Houston was doing work. And the idea that Chuck was some. That Chuck with Houston was.

[E]

He's like Shaq with Phoenix, I feel like is what he was trying to call.

[C]

Yes or, or shoot. He was trying to call him maybe Shaq with the Celtics or with the Cats. Like the late, late Shaq or that it was Ewing with the Magic. No, it was not his first year there, they made the conference finals and he was awesome. He was. For his four years there, he was 16 and 12. Do you know the last time Draymond Green. I understand they're different players. Not stats guy. Do you know the last time Draymond Green averaged 16 points a game? Honest to God, the answer to that. No. Michigan State. That's the last time. So don't, don't give. And by the way, I don't have that. I'm. I'm pulling up his college stats now. Four years I'm going to check to make sure. I would imagine he averaged 16 at Michigan State. Yeah. Final year at Michigan State, 16.2. I mean, give me a break, bro. And Charles can annoy the hell out of me, but I'm not going to sit here and let you recreate history on who he was as a player.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

Even though Charles does kind of sometimes try to recreate history. That he wasn't ring chasing there. That he didn't join a team that was a year removed winning back to back championships and that he was joining a former MVP and Akeem. And he was a former MVP when he goes after LeBron, he's like, I was old and washed when I joined Houston. That's why it's okay that I joined him with Clyde and Akeem and then Scotty joined too. And it wasn't that they, Houston had beaten me in back to back playoff series. So then I teamed up with them to try to finally get over the hump. And I still couldn't. Despite all that. Here's the thing. Here's where I think Draymond made a mistake. Charles has for so long downplayed how good he was when he went to Houston because he has wanted to criticize Kevin Durant for joining the warriors or LeBron for joining the Heat. He has made people think, oh, when Charles joined Houston, he must have sucked. No, he did not look at to get paid. No, he did not. The year before Charles joined Houston, he was top 10 in MVP voting. Three years before he won it and two years before Akeem won it, he was still awesome. I just, I. Charles's first year in Houston, he, he was 19 and 14. 19 and 14 with five assists. They made the conference finals. His final year in Houston, when he's like, I was washed and I was terrible. He was 15 and 10. 15 and 10.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

I mean, again, now that year, to be fair, he was injured and he wasn't like he was not Charles Barkley, but when he played, he was effective. I just, I can't, I just can't

[E]

look like legit angry ready to do something when they said that I,

[C]

I, I can't. Again, folks, you don't. Nobody needs to take broadcasting advice from me. With that said, I've got an annoying voice, a ridiculous nose, I didn't play sports past high school, and I've done pretty well. So, you know, take it for what you will. If you want to be a flamethrower, you've got to be totally fine with laughing with everybody when you're the one getting burnt. And that is a pitch that Draymond's never learned. And unless he does, his peak broadcasting will be podcast by himself as opposed to the Diamond Studio show that has been desperately wanting to develop him for five years. So, you know, choose your own adventure, pal. Free advice you like all. You know, if I ever need for some reason to learn how to play arguably the greatest help side defense in the history of the NBA, you owe me one. But in the meantime, take, you know what, take this one on the house mailbag episode tomorrow. Talk to you guys then. Thank you, Blue Duck. Thank you, Volume. Thank you, Hard Rock thank you. Boost what's right. Today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock BET Florida Sportsbook. The second round of the NBA Playoffs are here. Lights are brighter, pressure's higher. Every possession can change a series, and our Hard Rock Bet every night is your shot to score a major bucket win or go home. Energy on the hardwood and I love building same game parlays. You might like the hot hand to drop 30, the big man to control the glass with a double double, the point guard to dish out five assists. However you draw it up, Hard Rock Bet gives you tons of ways. Stack your picks into a same game parlay built for the playoffs. If you're ever late to tip off, don't worry. Hard Rock Bet lets you live bet all game long, from the first bucket to the final buzzer. Try your first bet on Hard Rock Bet today and you can score $150 in bonus bets. If you win, just place a $5 bet and if it hits, you get not only your winnings but also an extra $150 in bonus bets. But the welcome offer is just the beginning. Hard Rock Bet has new promos daily, so open the app right now to see what promo you've got today. And sure, Hard Rock Bet is Florida's only legal sportsbook, but you don't have to be in Florida to join the party. Hard Rock Bets live in Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Colorado and Michigan, with more states on the way. Download the Hard Rock Bet app today and get the party started. Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital LLC in Alder States. Must be 21 plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia. To play terms and conditions apply. Concern about gambling in Florida call 1-833-PLAY-WISE in Indiana. If you or somebody you know has a gambling problem wants help, call 1-800-9 with it in Arizona, Ohio, Virginia, call 1-800-myreset gambling problem call 1-800- gambler support

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All right, let's talk OKC and then let's talk Lakers.

[E]

So we'll get to the Lakers side of it in a second. But you had a bone to pick with reigning MVP and it just so happens that the Internet agrees with you. We got a tweet for you guys.

[C]

Oh because of the we're saying they agreed with me because of the numbers on it. So I said call me old fashioned, but I think the soon to be two time MVP should drive to the basket with the intent to score instead of driving to the basket with the intent to trick the ref. And I guess it did. Good numbers. So. I'm going to go kind of meta here for a moment because Thunder fans Demons a Thunder fans are so on tilt about this specific criticism that there is a level of spiraling that is rare to see. I am of all the takes I've had in my whole career, This is the one that you know what I'm getting hit with. You racist. For real. They're like, where, where are you? Say you. I, I had somebody say, oh, this coming from the guy who loves Joker. And I'm like, man, you guys are really on tilt right now.

[E]

Broad would be the way to, to get you there.

[C]

I feel like so. And again, that's a total. I, you know what? Sidebar to the Sidebar 2. I have two points on the LeBron flopping stuff. One is the clip that, that goes around everywhere of LeBron snapping his head back. When he gets swiped at that angle, it looks like he doesn't get touched. And then if you actually remember that game or you see the non gif angle, he gets hit in the face. He gets stone hit in the face. And people are like, this is LeBron flopping. Now look, what is here is what I. Tell me if you think I'm being.

[E]

If this is totally different styles of whatever.

[C]

It's so different, we need different words for it. Yeah, like what, what LeBron has done forever is if you actually touch his face, he will act like a sniper, hit him like the. And, and by the way, that's only if it's in the open court or after the play's completed. And that's where LeBron's been, you know, had some bad ones where he gets, he's driving to the basket, gets hit on the head. The hit on the head clearly does not bother him. He tries to finish the layup, and then once the basketball part's done, he's grabbing his head, he's like, ah, like that. So. And if you're out in the open court guarding him and you hit it, you know, hit him, graze his nose, he's going to snap his head back.

[E]

That, that is, it's a little bit of embellishing.

[C]

It's right. It is a. And you can hate that. You can. Whatever. I'm not the, I'm not defending it. I'm just saying it is a separate category of what LeBron has never done. And this is, and I don't think. And Luke is a flopper, but what those guys don't do is drive to the basket with the intent, with no intent whatsoever of shooting the ball or making a basket. And I am not like. It is, it is a different thing entirely. This specific thing that Shea was doing in that first quarter that infuriates people that just random flail throw the ball to try to get a foul. And by the way, I am not arguing that Shea only does that. Shea is one of the most prolific drivers to the basket. He, he does very often get actually fouled and still finish. He is a great player, but one of the clubs in his bag that he goes to more often than any other all time great player is the just cartoonish, flailing about, throwing his own self to the ground to get a call.

[E]

And it's by the way is a technical. It's a technical. That's a.

[C]

In theory it should be. And Thunder fans can't accept that winning a championship. Get you the championship and the bragging rights and the belt. But it does not get you necessarily love and at times it doesn't even get you as much respect as you think you deserve. And oddly, you know the person who could have told Thunder fans that a person that Thunder fans, many of them feel exactly that way about his championships. Former Thunder Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant left the Thunder, went to Golden State, played 10 out of 10 basketball in those playoff runs, won championships. Yet Thunder fans and a lot of other people like, yeah, but, yeah, but it's like, what do you mean? I'm finals mvp? What do you mean? I played great. What do you mean we won the championship. Yeah, but. And Shay's histrionics particularly and I've talked to this a lot along with Dort's rugby are a. Yeah, but about how the general public's going to feel about that team. It just is. And then you add to it what I think is a really in the. The most interesting thing to Monte about game one of Lakers Thunder was the refs didn't get tricked and it really threw Shay off. He had his worst game of the year.

[E]

Terrible. Look man, you came out a couple weeks ago, you're screaming at the crowd saying you don't need it, you need it. You need it a little bit, man. And it's like, how dare you come out and say you don't need it.

[C]

Here's the thing. Do I think Shay would be one of the five best players in the league if free throws were abolished? I do. I. I think he's that skilled. Like if it was just like every time you get fouled it's just side out and which would then make it to where there would be no incentive to ever flop. You know, you just be like, well, we're just going to have to start the possession over. I still think he would be a great player. And if free throws were abolished, I think the Thunder would still be the best team in the league. I do, I believe that. But do I think he would have had, would have 140 consecutive games of 20 points? No. Do I think he would be 55% on 32 a game as a guard? No. And do I think game one of this round was evidence to that? Yes. Because what I think has happened a lot and people can say, oh, look at his free throw numbers. Like Luka shoots more free throws. Luka is great at foul baiting, there's no doubt about it. And Luka can flop a bit too. But it is the. What Shea does early in these games sets the precedent for you can't actually guard me. If you get anywhere relatively close. I have mastered tricking the officials and I will early in the game get to the line. You then will have no choice but to adjust how you guard me now. I can get to any spot I want on the court. I'm the best mid range player the league has seen in 20 years minimum. And now I'm unguardable. That doesn't work quite as well in the postseason. Which is why over the last two years of basketball, Shea has scored 20 plus in 140 straight regular season games and in 28 of his playoff games. I'm sorry. And in four of his playoff games of his 28, he hasn't. And so I don't, I don't know what Thunder fans want me to say other than, Let me say, let me, let me put it like this. It is. And maybe this will reach a few Thunder fans who are also, I'm sure, NFL fans, whether they're Chiefs fans. Oh, and remind me, say something about the Chiefs thing in a second. Chiefs fans or Cowboys fans or whoever they're, you know, because Oklahoma City doesn't have a team, it's a little tush, pushy. Yeah. It's legal, it's effective, and you're the champ. But everybody ain't gonna like it and everybody ain't gonna respect it. And you can like, you can do it all you want, but it's not going to be as admirable as you would like. Here's the thing I want to say about the Chiefs, because here's another thing. Thunder fans are high on me saying blaming the refs is for losers when it came to the Chief stuff. And me talking about because the Chiefs are champs, everyone's now blaming the officials. I want to make something very clear. I stand by all of that. Because the Chief's equivalent of what the Thunder conversation is, the lunatics on the Internet who's like, hey, the head of officiating used to be a Thunder fan, or hey, this ref is wearing Shay's shoes. That shit is stupid. I do not think there is a conspiracy to help Oklahoma City. I do not think the fix is in. I do not think the refs are doing this on purpose. That the narrative on Kansas City was the fixes end. They need the Chiefs to be good for ratings. I'm not saying any of that. I'm saying something very different. Your star player is an actor some of the time and I don't like it. That's what I'm saying. And so it is. I. I'm not blaming the refs. I'm simply saying I find it unsporting. And what happened in the first quarter of that game was pretty unbecoming of the mvp. Demonte, it looked like you wanted to

[E]

say something since you're not blaming the refs. I think the refs have a big, a big play in this. Like they can control it very easily. Like SGA can do that all he wants to. I think the refs have so much control over the situation where it's like, hey man, maybe just not be bamboozled like this. You guys watch the games, right?

[C]

Like it's so. So I think that's a great point. So let me. So I think the refs could be and should be better on this. When I. But when I say I'm not blaming the refs, what I mean is I am not saying okc1 because of the officials. Okc is winning because of a bad call. I'm not saying that like that. When the blame the refs to me is like the sorry Bills fans, but the Bills in the game against the Broncos who were like, it was a catch, it was a catch. We win the like we would have won the game, but the refs cost us. That's the blaming the ref stuff that I don't like. I do think the league should enforce its anti flopping stuff and the ref should be better at determining whether or not A there was real contact and B, not rewarding guys who don't appear like they're actually trying to go score.

[E]

And the shame of, of the other team getting a free throw because you flopped I think would just nip that in the bud so fast.

[C]

Like, oh, I like that. That's a good point.

[E]

That's a good point, yo. And then it's like your teammate is going to be like, hey man, chill out.

[C]

You know, I hadn't even thought of that. But I think that's a good point. Just the embarrassment of that piece of it. All right, I do want to talk about the actual game here in a second. But first, Boost Mobile is proving that you don't have to overpay for great wireless. Unlock the Savings with the $20 a month Forever Unlimited plan permanent price with no contracts and no price hikes. You can keep your phone and your number, but you save up to $600 a year compared to the major carriers. Stop overpaying and switch to a fair price@boost mobile.com today based on average annual single line payment of AT&T and VER of AT&T, Verizon and T Mobile customers compared to 12 months on the Boost Mobile Unlimited plan as of January 2026. For full offer details, visit boost mobile.com another reminder everybody to please subscribe to the pod on YouTube, iTunes and or Spotify. All right Demonte, let's talk about the actual game.

[E]

Austin Ria have the worst playoff shooting performance in Lakers history. And Luca also confirmed a timeline on his healing that doesn't have him come an eight week timeline by the way, that doesn't have him coming back into the Western Conference finals. Is it time for Los Angeles to wave the white flag?

[C]

Listen, if Luke is not coming back, there's not a lot paths you can find to winning this series. There's just, it's and there's no shame in that. I do, however, there are some interesting angles. The rest of this series is very important for Austin Reeves. He's been eaten up by the thunder this year and how many Damon Day how often this year did I have to listen to LeBron's the third best player on the Lakers?

[E]

A lot.

[C]

A lot. To the point to where if, if I even said LeBron's the second best guy, he'd be like this homer. And I like Austin. I think Austin's an excellent player. I do, I do think it's fair to question whether or not if he is your second best player, are you a championship caliber team? I do. And that's I'm talking about like post LeBron Lakers stuff because a lot of the year some late some folks who call themselves Laker fans but are actually just Kobe fans and actually not, you know, kind of anti LeBron even though he brought him a championship have been counting down the minutes till we can get this albatross off our books and start the Luke Austin Reeves era move on from LeBron max out Austin get cooking. I'm old enough to remember my pal Rich Paul saying hey, if the Lakers are serious about winning a championship this year, Austin Reeves might be the most valuable trade piece. He talked about An Austin reeves, Jaren Jackson Jr. Trade. He talked about using Austin in a package where Luke and LeBron can be your lead dogs on offense. Now that for this year, that would have been a moot point anyway if Luca still suffered this injury. But so much of the Lakers moves the last few years have been as if they are at least a tiny bit annoyed that LeBron hasn't fallen off the cliff yet. And the moment this season it looked like, okay, oh, okay, Father Times finally caught up post sciatica, when his numbers were down, when it how many times did we fucking have to see Lakers, LeBron on court, Lakers LeBron off court, those numbers. Then the moment that started to happen. We get the long ESPN article with the reporting of, yeah, Jeannie Buss is, you know, excited to get out of the LeBron business. They're excited to turn the page. And then fast forward to cinco de Mayo 2026. Luca is out with a soft tissue injury. Austin has the least efficient shooting performance in a playoff game in the history of the franchise. And LeBron James thoroughly and comprehensively outplays the soon to be two time MVP, is the best player on the goddamn court once again. And folks are talking about, yeah, maybe we'd want him back, but only at a huge pay cut. Okay? I mean, y' all can have that opinion. I don't know what you've seen this postseason that makes you think LeBron James is still not one of the guys in the league that's worth the max. I certainly don't know what you've seen this postseason that would make you think, yeah, Listen, we love LeBron and LeBron's an all time legend, but if we're trying to win a championship, like, you know, Austin Reeves is just clearly more impactful, really. And again, I really like Austin a lot and I would be in the business of paying Austin a ton of money, but. We just watched a 41 year old be the best player on the court in a series, in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. And it wasn't near enough because the Lakers kind of paused going for a championship as far as team building to a post LeBron era. Meanwhile, LeBron's still the most reliable guy they got. And Luke evidently is weeks away. It's been five now, by the way, somebody screwed up the reporting on this. Or either either someone screwed up the reporting or Luke is behind schedule because when he got no for the first round. Yeah, well, correct. And the original reporting I thought was three to five weeks, maybe it was four to six. Weeks. At no point did I hear six to eight weeks. And now Luke is saying no, it was just flat eight weeks, two months. So I. The playoffs are always a fun little microscope to see who is and who isn't actually impactful. And again, this is not I want to make this incredibly clear. I really like Austin Reaves and I think he'll be better tonight. I also want to make this clear. Austin Reeves has done tremendous work, tremendous work. Honing his skills this offseason. He needs to a little more work just getting physically stronger like that. One of the reasons he has such trouble against the Thunder is all those guys are just so much stronger than him. And I think he will and I think he's going to be a Laker. I think they're probably going to max him out. And you know he's one of the best undrafted players ever. Like literally one of the best undrafted players ever. But there was a lot of chirping about folks being excited for the LeBron era to end, about needing to move off, about turning the page and Luke all of a sudden's out two months, Austin is struggling mightily and LeBron's just there out playing Shay Support for the

[B]

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[D]

Every small business owner has that one moment that could have broken them, but remarkably it didn't. Hi, I'm Ben Walter, CEO of Chase for Business and on season three of the Unshakeables My co host Kathleen Griffith and I are bringing you more incredible stories of overcoming the impossible. Listen to the Unshakeables wherever you get your podcasts and learn [e-mail] podcasts JPMorgan Chase bank and a member FDIC Copyright 20 and 26 JP Morgan Chase Co.

[A]

All across America, Amazon offers hourly employees health care that starts on day one. The health care costs $5 a week with $5 doctor visits. Learn more at About Amazon.com

[C]

On Thursday's show, we were supposed to get to Jaylen Brown, but sometimes I just can kind of feel that I'm finishing with a flourish. And I didn't think we were going to get any better than the Draymond Green rant at the end and so I just, I ended it. However, that so Jalen Brown, I'm going to catch everybody up. Jalen Brown, the day after the season ends, has a somewhat bizarre Twitch stream where he says a lot of things. One one of the things he said was criticizing the officials, got fined 50 grand, but also said like, this was my favorite year of my career. And that then led to people being like, really? You guys won a championship in previous Finals MVP 1 Finals MVP. Then Tracy McGrady, who evidently has a real relationship with Jaylen Brown, said on his podcast with Vince Carter, said, yeah, listen, Jaylen's got problems with the organization. Everyone's like, oh, Brad Stevens. Then asked about it. Brad Stevens like, no, no, we're all good. You know, tried to dead it. Jaylen then was like another Twitch stream, initially said it was going to be on IG with Kevin Garnett, then pivoted to later in the day on Twitch where he said, you know, I hate that Brad had to answer for this. I love Boston. If it's up to me, I'll spend the rest of my career here. Or you said another 10 years here. And then he's like, and also, by the way, I want to make something clear. I triple down on this is my favorite year of my career. And then explained why he was like, you know, they counted us out. I got to see the young guys grow, got to see my bro, you know, JT come back from injury. This is my favorite year of my career. I, you know, vacationed as a Celtics fan this postseason because I picked them to win the title. You damanze are an actual Celtics fan, I think. Is this accurate? It put Demanza back on. The first ever jersey your daughter has worn is a Tatum jersey.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. Like the first and only. I saw the picture I didn't. I assumed that was the first personal. I mean I had gone. I had gone Mahomes, but it's fine. And so the. Your thoughts as an actual Celtic fan on all of it.

[E]

Just get the guy off the team. Like he, wow, he's. It'd be in your favorite year, you doubling down. Just the things that he says and moving forward. I just don't know what he's going to say in the future. Like I just in it and I wonder how Jason Tatum feels about all this stuff. I wonder what their relationship is truly like. I imagine they gotta like each other at the very least. But I wonder how he feels about everything that Jaylen Brown is saying. But. But yeah. And this isn't like the first or second instance. Jaylen Brown has said a few things throughout his career that just made me be like, why a little unnecessary. So like even as far as like, I'll even go back to him saying that Bronnie was a. Wasn't a pro and then he like doubled down even you could have even said that. You didn't say it in that instance. You got picked up on it. I get it. Like be a man and say what you said.

[C]

But it's just like, listen, here's what I do think is pretty clear and I feel comfortable saying it. He thinks he's the best player on the team. Yeah. And I think he's maybe thought he's always been the best player on the team and that the team has pushed Tatum and he has sacrificed in a way that he again, I don't know Jalen Brown at all. This is just my read on it. Having watched basketball and listened to him. And then he has felt like, you know, he's their, you know, favorite. So I'm the one in trade rumors. I'm the one who's, you know, in second place when I'm better because he. And I think that is personally just a. I don't think there's anyone on the outside that thinks he's better. I don't think it's like a, you know, the. At the end of Shaq Kobe, like by 03, maybe for some, even by 02, there were a lot of people like Kobe's better. Like I, I thought that was incorrect. But there were people that legitimately thought that I trying to think of other great, great duos where there was real debate on who's the best guy. There really haven't been many because it usually is pretty, I guess Steph kd the real debate who was better but that was more of a temporary thing and both guys had been, you know, the number one on teams. It's Jason Tatum. Can, he's, he's bigger than Jalen Brown. He's just better than Jalen Brown. There is, there is almost nothing Jalen Brown can do that Tatum can't do. And there are a few things Tatum can do that Jalen Brown can't do. Like, so I don't think it is controversial, but I think because of Tatum's injury and the success they had this year in the regular season and the fact that Jalen Brown was talking about himself as if I'm the best two way player in the league, there were folks pushing Jalen Brown for mvp. Wilbon, you know, is still convinced Jaylen Brown's going to be first team all NBA when I don't think he is. And I think that I do think he wants to be the number one guy somewhere, which I don't begrudge him that piece of it. He's like, I've been here 10 years, won a championship, made a bunch of money. Let me go see how far I can take it on my own. It just feels like, like I don't begrudge him that. Yeah. But it just feels like a. He is handling this oddly. And as is often the case with a lot of athletes today, I think a big. Contributor to whatever the issue is is being a little too online and I think just being a little too locked in to what people are saying on social media and all of that, which is when I heard him say like, oh, say it again.

[E]

No, you even hear it in the streams. He's like, there's all these narratives being pushed. Like I'm trying to nip, like, basically go at that and make it more clear. And it's like, you don't need to do that.

[C]

And when you also. The other one is whenever someone's like gets criticized for saying something and then the response is, I'm doubling down, I'm tripling down it. To me, that is usually a pretty big signifier of you're very online. Because to me what that if, even if I say something on tv, I'll use myself as an example. If I say something on TV and the Internet comes after me for it, I do want to be even more entrenched. Like, I'll bleep you. I'm you faceless, nameless folks. I'm going to the. If I say something on TV and Brewer Wilds or your mom say to me, I don't think that was right I am that I pause and I'm like, okay, maybe I need to adjust. And so my guess again, don't know the guy. My guess is if someone had come to Jalen Brown personally and said, hey man, you saying this is the best year of your career is whether you mean for it or not, it's going to be taken like this. It could, you know, hurt some feelings of people that matter. Like the is there do we think you want to clarify that? My guess is even if he was like, no, I said it, I want to stand by it. I don't think it would be as I'm tripling down.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

But because it was I've evaluated, I've

[E]

thought in my head, yeah, this is really how I feel. My favorite season.

[C]

Yeah. The and so it was so I don't I the only tricky part is this demons a what if Giannis isn't available either because he gets traded elsewhere or Milwaukee somehow just says we're keeping him. Can you get fair value for Jaylen Brown without Giannis being on the other side of it? That's the part I don't know. I don't know.

[A]

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[C]

All

[A]

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