Full ‘Real Ones’ NBA Playoff Preview! Who Has the Most to Gain From Playoff Success?

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Ringer NBA Show – Full ‘Real Ones’ NBA Playoff Preview! Who Has the Most to Gain From Playoff Success?

Release Date: April 18, 2025

In the latest episode of The Ringer NBA Show, hosts Logan Murdoch, Raja Bell, Howard Beck, and Cliff delve deep into the upcoming NBA playoffs, offering comprehensive previews, insightful analysis, and bold predictions. Excluding advertisements and non-content segments, the discussion primarily focuses on key playoff series, team dynamics, individual performances, and organizational strategies.

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Nuggets vs. Clippers: The Jokic Factor

Timestamp: [03:46]

The episode kicks off with an in-depth analysis of the Western Conference first-round matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers. Raja Bell raises a pivotal question: “What kind of performance is going to be required of Jokic to catapult the Nuggets over the top?”

Cliff responds by emphasizing Nikola Jokic's consistent excellence, stating, “He's just gonna have to be what he always is... [he] might have a heroic performance here and there, but he's going to have to get real support.” The discussion highlights the Clippers' current superior performance and depth, suggesting they hold the advantage.

Howard Beck adds, “The real question here is if like the Clippers are really good... but the Clippers win this one as the lower seed.” The consensus leans towards the Clippers advancing, with both Raja and Cliff predicting a Clippers victory in six or seven games.

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Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Luka’s New Chapter

Timestamp: [23:02]

Transitioning to the Eastern Conference, the hosts examine the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Raja Bell praises the Lakers' strategic trade for Luka Doncic and discusses the pressures on Coach Thibodeau.

Howard Beck elaborates on the organizational stakes, noting, “There's a lot at stake for the Nuggets, period... But you're pretty damn close.” He also touches on the Clippers' defensive prowess, which indirectly impacts the Timberwolves' chances.

Cliff and Howard both place their predictions on the Lakers, with Raja opting for a Lakers win in five, while others debate between five, six, or seven games. The discourse underscores the Lakers’ dependency on their star players, LeBron James and Luka Doncic, and questions how the Timberwolves will sustain if heavily reliant on individual performances.

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Warriors vs. Rockets: Youth vs. Experience

Timestamp: [43:56]

The conversation shifts to another intense Western Conference first-round matchup: the Golden State Warriors versus the Houston Rockets. Raja Bell and Cliff discuss the Rockets’ depth and the Warriors’ seasoned experience, particularly focusing on Stephen Curry and Draymond Green’s leadership.

Cliff expresses support for the Rockets, “They're not going to get punked... I think it's probably like this is one of those ones where like, I... my brain is telling me Golden State.” However, Howard Beck sides with the Warriors, predicting a series win in six games, highlighting the Warriors' championship pedigree and strategic advantage.

Logan Murdoch’s insights complement the discussion, underscoring the Rockets' athleticism and the Warriors' tactical superiority, ultimately leading to a split prediction among the hosts.

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Sacramento Kings: Ownership and Organizational Turmoil

Timestamp: [51:57]

A heated segment addresses the Sacramento Kings’ ongoing struggles, focusing on recent coaching changes and ownership decisions. Raja Bell criticizes the swift firing of Coach Monty McNair and the hasty hiring of Scott Perry, suggesting it signals deeper organizational issues.

Howard Beck voices concerns about the Kings’ future, stating, “This speaks to just, just gross, just incompetence from all... the Kings are now never going to be good as long as VC is the principal owner.” The hosts lament the lack of effective leadership and strategic vision, predicting a prolonged period of instability and underperformance for the Kings.

Cliff and Raja echo these sentiments, emphasizing the detrimental impact of poor ownership decisions on team morale and performance, ultimately calling for a fundamental overhaul to restore respectability to the franchise.

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Eastern Conference Highlights: Bucks vs. Pacers & Pistons vs. Knicks

Timestamp: [46:28]

Howard Beck discusses the Milwaukee Bucks’ potential roster moves, particularly the contentious topic of trading Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Trading Dame’s got 54 million owed next season... but only trading Giannis if he asks out,” Howard explains, highlighting the complexities of salary cap management and team dynamics.

In the Bucks vs. Pacers series, Raja, Cliff, and Howard predict a competitive seven-game series, acknowledging Giannis’s dominance against a gritty Pacers squad. Howard emphasizes the importance of star performances, stating, “stars win series... the team that has the best star on the floor.”

For the Pistons vs. Knicks matchup, the hosts express confidence in the Knicks’ experience over the Pistons’ youthful energy. Raja and Cliff predict a Pistons victory in six games, while Howard remains steadfast in his belief that the Knicks will advance, reinforcing the critical role of veteran leadership and playoff experience.

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Mailbag and Fan Interactions

Timestamp: [76:01]

The episode incorporates listener questions, addressing topics ranging from team success criteria to player relationships within teams. A notable question from Matt Wright ponders the dynamic between co-stars like Draymond Green and Stephen Curry, questioning whether having standout but challenging teammates is worth the championship potential.

Cliff shares personal insights, reflecting on his transition from the NBA as a dream to a job, highlighting the impact of team chemistry and individual personalities on the overall work environment. Raja Bell and Howard Beck engage with the questions, providing thoughtful and candid responses that resonate with listeners’ experiences and curiosities.

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Closing Thoughts and Final Predictions

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reiterate their playoff predictions, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the postseason. Raja concludes with optimism for the Lakers and a cautious outlook on other series, while Howard and Cliff maintain their respective stances on supporting Clippers, Warriors, and Knicks.

Howard Beck remarks, “There's a lot to like about what the Timberwolves have done... But ultimately it's, you know, stars win series.” This sentiment encapsulates the overarching theme of the episode: the paramount importance of star performances and organizational stability in navigating the high-stakes NBA playoffs.

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Notable Quotes:

• Cliff on Jokic’s Role: “He's just gonna have to be what he always is.” [03:46]

• Howard on Clippers’ Advantage: “...Kawhi has been phenomenal. He looks like 2019 Raptors.” [07:24]

• Raja on Lakers’ Strategy: “They have so many ways that they can come at you.” [26:34]

• Howard on Giannis and Team Dynamics: “...stars win series. Usually you point to the team that has the best star on the floor.” [15:17]

• Raja on Team Relationships: “Their relationship is way more unique than, like, somebody else on the team.” [71:22]

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Conclusion

This episode of The Ringer NBA Show delivers a comprehensive and engaging playoff preview, dissecting pivotal matchups, strategic team considerations, and the intricate balance between star power and organizational health. With insightful commentary and bold predictions, the hosts provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of what’s at stake for various teams as they vie for playoff success.

Transcript

[Logan Murdoch]

You're listening to the Ringer NBA show presented by FanDuel. America's number one sportsbook is the best place to bet on the NBA because not only does FanDuel have all your favorite player props, but now you can even check out stats and recent performance trends right in the app before you make your picks. Just download the FanDuel sportsbook app today to get in on the action. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and help lines available and listen to the end of the episode for additional details. More must be 21 + and present in select states. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- GAMBLER or visit rg-help.com this episode is brought to you by Hyundai at the Hyundai Getaway Sales Event get deals so right it almost feels wrong. Now's the best time to get that Hyundai car or SUV you've always wanted. Like the bold and super stylish Elantra or the Tucson with next level tech and safety features. Plus, every new Hyundai comes with America's best warranty and three years or 36,000 miles of limited complimentary maintenance. Don't think you can get away with all that? Think again. But don't wait. The Hyundai Getaway Sales Event is going on now. Visit your local Hyundai dealer today. It's a great day for a new Hyundai.

[Raja Bell]

What's poppin Real ones. Logan Murdoch here. Roger Bell there live from atl. Howard Beck live from Brook Lawn. I don't know why I said that, but we're the real ones. How's everybody doing? What's going on? What's going on? How's everybody doing?

[Howard Beck]

Excellent. Just, just great to see y'all again. Great to see Raja.

[Raja Bell]

Whenever I ask what y'all doing, y'all act like y'all. It's just like, oh, what's going on? I'm just, I'm asking my friends how they're doing and you guys just make it awkward. How are you guys doing?

[Howard Beck]

Roger and I just like looking at each other on zoom going like, are you talking or am I talking? You talking? Am I talking?

[Raja Bell]

I don't know.

[Cliff]

You talk. Go ahead, Howard, you talk.

[Raja Bell]

I am.

[Cliff]

If you really want to know how I'm doing. I'm struggling to stay awake right now. It was a 3:30am wake up call for for a BS 6am flight, which if I'm in charge of or anyone in my family's ever in charge of flights, they know that there's a very high possibility I will not be on the flight if it's at 6am but we weren't in charge of these flights, so I got a hotel room. Graciously, the hotel let me check in early so I could pot with you guys, but I'm struggling to stay awake. Yes.

[Raja Bell]

So if we go to a break, you're probably going to fall asleep in the middle of the break. Or you might fall asleep on this podcast if you get into one of.

[Cliff]

Your long winded fucking boring rants. I might fall asleep. I don't know.

[Howard Beck]

And there's like 17 pillows behind Raja, too. So, like, it's. He's ready. Like, he's. He's just ready to crash. That. That. That bed looks very comfortable, Howard.

[Cliff]

I've already tried that out, bro. I laid there for five minutes when I got in before I even set up. This is going to do just fine.

[Raja Bell]

All right, man. Well, let's get to the shits. I'm going to try to talk as least as I can on this pod. I'm just going to Roger so he can talk the most. We're here to talk. Honestly. It's supposed to be the playoff preview podcast. We're just going to talk about the playoff series we actually care about. We might talk about an Eastern Conference thing here or there, but let's just get right to it. We're going to talk that talk playoffs, and we're going to talk a little bit of Kings on the Kings real quick, and then we're going to go to Mailbag. It sounds like a plan. Sounds like a plan. First series I would like to talk about is Nuggets. Clippers. I'm very intrigued by this, Raja. What kind of performance is going to be required of Jokic to catapult the Nuggets over the top? And what are the ramifications of that? Should they get over the top of the series and win it? Wick your game up?

[Cliff]

Yeah, I mean, I'd say a heroic performance, but really, like, that's what he does all the time. So, like, he's. He's just gonna have to be what he always is. We're. Have to step that up a little bit. He's going to need a supporting cast, though, to show up consistently. The Clippers are playing better than the Nuggets right now, like, so, you know, they're. They're deeper. I think I would give T. Lou the advantage over the. The. Adelman is. Adelman's his name, right. The new coach in. In Denver. Like, I think there are a lot of things in the Clippers favor. So, you know, he's going to have to be really good, but he's always really good. I think it's more, more so going to fall on the shoulders of the guys around him. I mean, he might have a heroic performance here and there, but he's going to have to get real support. What was the other part of that would have ramifications if he does or if he doesn't.

[Raja Bell]

If he, like, if he, I'd imagine if he wins this series with the Nuggets, they're going to have their ass kicked for the, the next series, no matter what. I think this is going seven, I'll give my prediction till the end. We're doing predictions, Howard, so get ready.

[Cliff]

Good enough.

[Raja Bell]

I, I, I, I think like if they get through this series, it's going to be a bloodbath and they're going to have to figure out and continue to get energy throughout the next part of the next as they go through the playoff tree. And my question to you is, what are the ramifications that, and if they do get through this, how do they sustain if so much responsibility is on one guy?

[Cliff]

Yeah, I mean, that's just, you know, that it's tough when you, when you are, when you are going to rely so heavily on him to do the level of work that he's doing and then ask him to take that up another level in the playoffs. It's difficult, especially if you start stretching into, you know, elongated series, you know, but he's just that like, to give him credit, man, like his style of play, it's not super above the rim, it's not super athletic. He's not on the ground a lot like it, it would lend itself to being able to like, plod because he plods, right? Like in best version of plotting, he just kind of plods and plies and plods and then he's got, you know, this incredible statistical game that he, that he's put together. So I think he's kind of set up to be okay, like if anyone is to not have that take its toll. And he's a huge individual. But yeah, I, I, I would, I would venture to say that if they get into a long, drawn out series and they should get by the Clippers, that, that it's going to be, it's going to be tough sledding from, from then on out for them.

[Raja Bell]

Have you developed a prodding game like Jokic in your later life, Raja?

[Cliff]

No, I can't even plot at this point, man. I'm I'm like, I went out back and was trying to work with Ty the other day, trying to give him some like, we were working like spins into like into midi fades and kind of like giving him some post work. So I had the pad and I was just kind of shadow defending him and letting him bump me. Two and a half hours later I went to like bend over to pick something up for, for Zen and my back almost went tragically out. Like I caught it like mid I was, I looked at my wife, I was like, oh, oh, it's almost out. And I caught myself. So like, yeah, I'm not even plotting at this.

[Raja Bell]

We're a long ways from the videos you'd send the group chat of you just hitting jumpers just all over the court. I don't think we're going to get that anytime soon.

[Cliff]

Those days have, those days have passed.

[Raja Bell]

Sir Howard, how much pressures on Adelman right now? Right, because he's, it seems to be, you know, he's a young coach going into the postseason, but he doesn't even know who his boss is going to be in three months. Right. So who is he auditioning for at this point? And like how does he coach through these wild set of circumstances that gets a wildly great Clippers team?

[Howard Beck]

The truth is he's auditioning for everyone. And Adelman has gotten interviews for head coaching jobs vacancies before. So like he's as a, as a top assistant who is a veteran who's been around for years, who obviously comes from great coaching stock, his father, Rick Adelman. He's a known quantity as a promising rising coach in this league who's going to be a head coach somewhere before too long. Whether it's getting the interim tag taken off and getting the permanent job with Denver or elsewhere. I don't know that I'm looking at this series so much as about what it, what's at stake for him. I feel like it's much more about what's at stake for the Nuggets, period. You just fired your coach and GM with days to go in the regular season. You, you've sent up all kinds of warning flares about just the, the, the state of things in your organization. Jokic is like the most low maintenance superstar you can find. But everyone potentially has their limits. And I think the real question here is if like the Clippers are really good. The Clippers have been incredible the last couple of months. It's absolutely on the table. And like, you know, four or five series, it's not like there's Ever like a really. A true upset. The 4 and 5 are there for a reason. You're pretty damn close. But the Clippers win this one as the lower seed. I don't know. The Nuggets are going to have a lot to discuss, much more than they already have. As you know, they need a head coach, they need a gm and they, and somebody needs to figure out how you're going to reconstruct this rotation around Jokic, because I don't think it's good enough. Even if they win this series and if they lose this series, it's going to, of course, underscore in, you know, boldface just how far they are from contending again. So I think there's just a ton at stake, like organization wide for Denver in this series, and it is absolutely no gimme that they're going to win this. Kawhi has been phenomenal. He looks like 2019 Raptors. Kawhi again. I know nobody trusts that he's going to get through a series intact, but we'll see if he does. That's going to have a. A massive impact on, on where this series goes. They have the perimeter defenders to throw at Jamal Murray, and he's always a question mark as it is. Zubots like nobody, nobody stops Nikola Jokic. Zubac has had an all defensive team. He was on my all defensive team. He's even going to get on a lot of, I think, defensive player of the year ballots. He's had that kind of season. And Zubac is as equipped as anybody to at least make Jokic work. So the Clippers have a lot of things going for them in this series. And again, I know no one trusts James Harden in the postseason. No one trusts Kawhi's health. No one trusts the Clippers in general. I, I think you'd be foolish to overlook them.

[Raja Bell]

How much do you trust the Clippers, Raja? Long term.

[Cliff]

I mean, long term. Look, they're playing great basketball right now. They've got a lot for, you know, a lot of the reasons. Howard just, you know, spoke about, you know, throw T. Lou in the mix. Norman Powell is great. I trust them. I don't, you know, I don't know that I trust them to come out of the west, but I know we'll get to predictions, but I'm kind of with Howard in this series, like, I do trust them in the first round and then, you know, we'll let chips fall where they may, you know, move it forward after that. But I trust them through a series for sure.

[Raja Bell]

What does this season said about this type of team? Right, where, man, I don't think there was a lot. I got to go back and see what we said in the preseason about the Clippers. Like, you had an older James Harden who I think deserves a lot of credit for holding down the fort right until Kawhi got back. What does this say about this type of team that they were able to pull this off and not only get out of the play in, but get. Get a five seed in this. In this tough Western Conference when they only had Kawhi for the back stretch of the season?

[Cliff]

I think it says a lot about T. Lou, first and foremost. That's a lot of, you know, the last couple of years have had a lot of moving parts and to keep a steady ship, maybe I'd even go above TLU and just say, organizationally it speaks to kind of stability. And. Well, I'm. You talked about, you know, when you were giving a little teaser about what we were going to get into today, we'll talk about a franchise that has a lack thereof, but, like, that speaks to some stability to be able to kind of, you know, stay. Stay viable through all of that, right? I think you got to give James Harden a ton of credit, you know, with the Philly situation, what happened in Brooklyn. He's. He's been. Great health. You would talk about it all the time in terms of, like, it being like the. The number one thing to predict whether you will be able to be successful in a playoff run or just in general, or whether your hopes will be derailed. Like, if you don't have health, if Kawhi's not healthy and playing great, it makes you a different team. I don't think that's deniable. Like, you have to give everyone there, you know, a level of credit and then just Van Gundy on the coaching staff, too. Like, you know, I think that's been. That's TLU is awesome. But anytime you can get that level of support and just overall basketball knowledge and experience to go along with an already great coach, I think it just makes for a really solid and stable kind of organization and coaching staff.

[Raja Bell]

What's the Raja? What's the bet? We talked about individual matchups with Howard just now. What's the individual matchup in this series that you are most intrigued by?

[Cliff]

You know, I. I think I probably don't have a great answer. It might not be what you're looking for, but I think what I'm going to be looking for, just having some experience with T Lou and watching him kind of strategize or help David Blatt strategize in the. In that finals run we had when Kyrie got hurt against Golden State, you know, a lot of the times when we'd be at a breakfast meeting, you guys know, like, you play the night before, and if you're going to play, you know, maybe two days later, you might not practice, so you might have, like, a breakfast meeting and have treatment. And the guy that was usually leading the charge in terms of strategic adjustments defensively was T. Lou. Now, I'm not saying he was, like, the architect of all of that, but when you sit down and be a table away from them, like, he was the guy that was doing a lot of the brainstorming out loud. So I think what they choose to do with Nicola and. And Zubots, like, if. If they're gonna, you know, if they're gonna double, are they gonna just let him go and try to score 50 every night? Because to Howard's point, you know, Zubats has had a great defensive season, and it's big and. And can guard him and make life difficult. If you decide to double. When are you coming? Is it on? You know, is it on the catch? Is it on them? Like, those type of things? I think the chess match with how T. Lou and Van Gundy decide to try to handle the matchup between Zubots and. And Jokic, it's the most interesting room for me.

[Raja Bell]

What's the most interesting storyline for you, Howard?

[Howard Beck]

I mean, obviously, top line is the one we. We addressed, which is. I just think there's a lot at stake for the Nuggets, like, losing in the first round. Like, I don't know how much further they can melt down as an organization than they already have in the last week. But there's more. More to go beyond that. I. I think a lot of it is just, like, how much can Jokic elevate this team? Right? We know that this is not the same caliber of team he had a couple years ago around him. We know that he and Westbrook have had some really great chemistry at times this season. We know that Westbrook has been a little problematic for them at times later in the season. We know they've got a bunch of young guys that. Calvin Booth. Don't give me that look, Raja. We know we got a. We know Russ. Russ is just such a hot button for you.

[Raja Bell]

We quit the show this postseason.

[Cliff]

Rush. You better be good. Wait, I'm telling you, you better be good.

[Howard Beck]

Right, Roger? The answer to the question is, Raja has the most on the line here. His, his emotional investment in Russell Westbrook. There's just a lot at stake because if Westbrook melts down in this series and the Nuggets lose, Raj is never hearing the end of it from us or from anybody. It'll break his heart. I just, I just think that like the, the beauty of, of Nikola Jokic, aside from like just eye popping stats and 60, 10, 10 games and whatever, is that the guy always makes the best play. The smart play elevates everybody around him, gets the best out of everyone. You take the same group of players, scatter them across the league and they're not having the same kinds of seasons as they're having next to him. Right? And that's never more important than in a series like this or in any playoff series for that matter. They are not winning on Jokic alone. There's a Jamal Murray element here where obviously like, you know, you need a second star and Murray has been that guy when they're at their best and he's had, he's had actually a pretty solid season, but I think it's been a while since we've seen him have a great playoff series, so there's all of that. How are the Nuggets dealing with Kawhi? Is that, I assume it's an Aaron Gordon assignment out of the gate. How are the Nuggets young guys going to hold up? Because they're now relying on them a lot more. Like Calvin Booth wanted Malone to play the young guys. Malone was a little reluctant. Oh, they're in there now. They're in there now and now they're throw thrown into the crucible. So all of that's fascinating. I'll. And then the last thing here for me is like there's the potential for like a little bit of a, a mini James Hard Harden redemption arc here. Like you're not going to redeem years and years of playoff flame outs with one series where you're the second, third, fourth most important guy on your team. Right? Like Kawhi, super important. Norm Powell is important. Zubotch is important as a two way guy. James Harden doesn't have to be the, the Harden of old, of, of Philly years or Houston years, but just coming through and having a really efficient series, shooting wise and a great series, as a playmaker, as a setup guy could go a long way toward making us reevaluate Harden a little bit. It's, it's not a fair though.

[Raja Bell]

To be fair though, Howard, this isn't I don't think the first round is a series for. He usually does well in the first round. It's usually like the second and third rounds where, you know, he kind of falls off the. Off the ledger.

[Howard Beck]

Sure. But we've written him off, like. Like, when's the last time anybody really considered him, like, he made my. My all NBA third team. I'll disclose that here. I had to think longer.

[Raja Bell]

I think the last time we really took him seriously as a, you know, we'll see what happens type of guy. And, like, he's a guy. I think it was the, like, maybe game one or two against Boston. Was it against Boston in 23 when he started balling out, and then they. Sorry, Cliff. I apologize, buddy. And then he collapsed at the end of the series, and they lost that series. I think it was against Boston. Number. Where he was good the first two games, and we were like, whoa, are the Sixers going to the finals? And then, you know, the answer was no. But I think that was the last part. Like, 20, 23 playoffs was, like, the last time we, like, gave, like I.

[Howard Beck]

Say, mini redemption arc. Not. Not wholesale because he's not the most important guy on this team, and it's not all rising and falling on him, but, like, it's great when superstars in their relative twilight. He's on the back stretch here, can kind of reinvent themselves or, you know. You know, do this in a different way, playing a different role. He's not the primary scorer. He's not the engine of this offense, except as a playmaker for the most part, and an opportunistic scorer. And he's got a chance to. To, you know, just change people's opinions at least a little bit in the first round here. Because if they get out of the first round, Clippers can go on a run. I mean, listen, like, the next round is the Thunder, so I don't want to get too carried away, but still, I think there's, like I say, a mini redemption.

[Raja Bell]

All right, prediction time. Howard, who you got one in the series?

[Howard Beck]

Clippers in six.

[Raja Bell]

Oh, I'm not mad at that. I'm not mad. I was gonna say Clippers in seven, but I'm not mad at Clippers in six. I'll go Clippers in seven. Who you got? Rock?

[Cliff]

Yeah, I actually had clippers in six, too. On what? Tower.

[Raja Bell]

Okay. Did 20 minutes on them. Let's go. Let's go to the other side of the bracket. Lakers Wolves fandom this season.

[Cliff]

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[Raja Bell]

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[Cliff]

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[Raja Bell]

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[Howard Beck]

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[Raja Bell]

Time and subject to change Max One offer per account was letting you get in on the NBA playoff action right from the first tip. Because right now all customers can get a no sweat same game parlay every weekend when you bet the NBA playoffs. That's right. Just use your token on three plus leg same game parlay or same game parlay plus on any NBA playoff game and you'll get bonus bets back if you don't win. Let's take a look at the slate it is play in Friday Heat Hawks wow. I'm going to take the over on point scored from Trey Young. Going to take the under on point scored from Tyler Herro and I'm going to take the Heat out right to beat the Hawks. Yes, I said it. That's what the Heat are going to do. Let's take a look at the next game. Mavericks Grizzlies I think I'm going to take the over on John Morant points. I'm going to take the over on Anthony Davis points and rebounds. And you know what? I'm going to take the Mavericks. Why not? There's no better place to bet on all the playoff action than America's number one sports book. Visit FanDuel.com Ringer MBA and get a no sweat same game parlay every weekend of the playoffs. That's FanDuel.com Ringer MBA FanDuel official sports betting partner of the NBA must be 21 years and older and present in select states or 18 and older and present in defense. Opt in required minimum 3 leg parlay required refund issued is down. Withdrawable bonus bets that expire seven days after receipt. Max refund $5 unless otherwise specified. Restrictions apply including token expiration. See termsportsbook.fanduel.com gambling problem. Call 1-800-gambling or visit rg-help.com is to bet on all the playoff action in America's number one sports book. Visit FanDuel.com RingernBA and get a no sweat same game parlay every weekend of the playoffs. That's FanDuel.com Ringer MBA FanDuel official sports betting partner of the NBA must be 21 years and older and present in select states or 18 and older and present in D.C. opting required minimum three leg parlay required. Refund issued is non withdrawable bonus bets that expire seven days after receipt. Max refund $5 unless otherwise specified restrictions apply including token expiration. SE [e-mail] gambling problem. Call 1-800-gambling or visit rg-help.com Lakers, obviously we talk about them a lot on this program in depth. We all know the trade and everything that happened. Nico Harrison, we're just going to spare you today, but geez, dude, another bad week, another bag. Would quote some from Roger's guy here. Sorry, that had nothing to do with this, but I had to be.

[Cliff]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Raja Bell]

I don't know, but the Lakers seem to be, you know, on that path of like fringe title. I mean, Finals contender. I, I put, I picked them to go to the finals this year, but seems to be on that trajectory. And then you have the Wolves who we talked about the trade, we talked about, you know, ants rise and you know, how impressive I think he's been this season. I guess I'll start with Howard on this. Who has the most to lose in this, whether it's a player or a coach in this series?

[Howard Beck]

Oh, man, I think it's everybody associated with the Timberwolves, frankly. When the Lakers made the Luca trade and I think we hit this last week, I'll say it again, that wasn't a trade to say let's go win the championship in June of 2025. That was a. Oh, you want to give us a generational superstar, Nic? Cool. Awesome. We're set for the next 10 years. Second time on this pot. I've had to make Raja cringe.

[Cliff]

I'm on the wrong side of. I'm on the wrong side of. I got to reevaluate.

[Raja Bell]

Hasn't been a good season for you, buddy.

[Howard Beck]

I got to reevaluate so the Lakers don't have to win. Like, clearly, clearly based on the way that they have finished the season, based on the way they've played since they got Luca, based on their seating. If they were to lose this, I'm not saying that it's not a massive letdown. Of course, course it would be. But the Lakers, and, and obviously we have a, a biological clock ticking on LeBron James. I'm not dismissing any of that. But the Lakers have Luca for the next 10 years and the point of the Trade was not to win a championship this year. It was to be great for the next 10 years. And the Timberwolves are the ones who, because primarily financial concerns, had to trade one of their best players, Karl Anthony Towns, to plug in a less good of a fit and a less talented player in Julius Randle. And it's been a rough season for them. They finished it really strong, though. I wanted to mention, like, so since the All Star break, the Clippers, who we were just talking about, and the Wolves, both with a net rating of 8.3, that's tied for fourth best in the league since the All Star break. So the Clippers and Wolves have been, you know, fourth, fifth best teams in the league since the All Star break behind only Oklahoma, Boston and Golden State. Timberwolves, 18 and 8 over that stretch. They're, they're not the wonky team that we saw earlier in the season. They have kind of found their groove and Julius Randle has kind of found his way with them and they've figured out, I think, their best use of him. But if, if the Wolves lose in the first round after going to the conference finals last year, look, I don't think Chris Finch is getting fired. I don't think Tim Connolly is going anywhere. New owners are coming in a Rod and Mark Laurie finally taking over. I think the future is promising, but they're going to have some serious decisions to make because like every other team with a young superstar, in this case Anthony Edwards, you're always on the clock and you got to find the right combination around him. And I think Julius Randle's got a player option for next season. Are you, you know, if he opts out, are you resigning him? How much are you extending him? Are you signing and trading him? Are you letting him walk? Are you just plugging in Nas Reed and then using the savings to fill out the roster somewhere else? Like, there's, there's a lot for them to figure out no matter how this goes, but especially if they lose in the first round.

[Raja Bell]

How do you. Roger, there's a lot of ways the Lakers can, you know, get offense, but how do you see them attacking Minnesota's defense?

[Cliff]

I mean, I, Yeah, I mean, some of that's predicated on what they're going to do to them defensively, but I think for, for, for the Lakers, it's going to be business. This is usual, right? Like they're going to try to get out and go, you know, LeBron's going to try to get out in that open court. Luca is going to have the ball and see what he can create at a pick and roll and see what kind of, you know, coverages he's going to get, what kind of rotations he's going to get. Your, your shooters are going to have to step up and make shots. When, when that's the game plan and Luke's got the ball, Lucas, Luke is going to need to be good. They just kind of rotate. I mean, I'm not saying anything that, that, that people don't already know, right? Like they're going to have the ball in the, their three best players hands. Austin Reeves to some degree, Luca to a Mucher, you know, a much, to a much larger degree and LeBron James. And they're going to put you in situations, whether it's pick and roll or in ISO situations, if that's on the mid post or whatever, to break down your defense and then try to figure out where your rotations are coming from. And then picking that apart and making shots becomes, you know, a large part in whether or not they're going to be able to score enough points at night to beat you. We've talked about this before. When, when guys are making shots and they're getting the support from, from the bench and they're three point shooters, they look really good offensively. When those guys go cold, they look like a different team. And almost despite what, what the, what the big three do and unless they're just all three of them on fire on any given night. So like that's going to be, you know, that's going to be what it's about. They've got, you know, they've got more ways to attack you. The Lakers, you know, that's when you put a guy like LUCA Already with LeBron, they've, they've, they've got so many ways that they can come at you. If you're going to throw your better defenders in your scheme at LeBron, well then they can make it Luca centric. If you're going to do it to Luca, you can't put out. But so many fires defensively, you know, that's, that's the problem. You know, when you've got multiple guys on a court that can create to the level that the Lakers do and I didn't throw Austin Reeves in that and it's, it just becomes really problematic for defenses to scheme team against that many people that can create effectively and efficiently. So I don't know if I answered your question, but you know, that's what they're going to be looking to Do.

[Raja Bell]

I love when Roger says something brilliant and was like, I don't know if I answered your question. I don't know if I. I don't know if I did a good job.

[Cliff]

No, no, no. Because I get lost. I got lost in what I was saying, so I don't know where I went.

[Raja Bell]

But one of the things that I'm thinking about is also the Lakers defense, right? Where they've been great down the stretch of the season, but they still, like, they're still not very big. You know, you're relying on Jackson Hayes, which I am scared to death of every time I watch them. But I'm also impressed by Jackson Hayes, how he's been and how he's improved as a defender within this defense. Credit to J.J. redick, but how can the. The Minnesota Timberwolves stretch this defense, right, and exploit this defense? Because they do have a lot of size, Roger.

[Cliff]

Yeah, well, I think, you know, as I thought about the matchup, I mean, obviously, you know, and is where it starts and, and I think it was last playoff series. You know, I thought personally that he got put into some tough situations in terms of scheme against him that he didn't have answers for. He looked like he was just kind of stuck in these weird spots, like way out top on the floor, and he didn't have an answer to either get downhill or get to get to something good. Like he, he allowed himself sometimes to be taken out of the game. I think he's been a lot better with that this year. You know, I think he's kind of, you know, that natural maturation as a player and experience. He has more answers than he did in the past. And so, you know what I would say to him, like, it might be counter, because I know he's shot a ton more threes this year, is I would try to keep getting at the rim against the Lakers. You know, when you, when you've seen them struggle, it's because people are not letting them off the hook by just casting up a bunch of threes against them. Like, you know, even, you know, just a few games. Let's go to the Golden State game. We talked about it last time when Kamingo was just on top of the rim, right? Like you go back to the Celtics game when they played the Celtics, like, you know, they had a good balance of just getting on top of the rim and shooting threes. And so I think you can't let them off the hook. And it's, it's. It's much easier to just get caught up in that. In today's NBA, because everyone's shooting such a high volume of threes, but you have to try to take advantage of their lack of size in the paint and really get to the rim. And then you got to try to punish him on the glass. Like, you're bigger, you're more physical. Like, you know, you. You've got these. These pieces that could be punitive to them on the offensive glass and around the rim. And so you have to try to. You have to try to hit them in their. In their soft underbelly, if you will, and see. And see if that. See if that works. And if it doesn't, then we. Then we kind of strategize again. But, like, I'm going at your weakest point, and that's where I'm going to try to start to beat you.

[Raja Bell]

I want to see. What I want to see from Ant is the continued maturation of his offensive game. Right. Because they're gonna throw double teams at him. They don't really have, like, a prominent. The Minnesota doesn't really have a prominent secondary score, which I think is something that they're going to get down the line. But right now, as a consequence, they are going to blitz Ant every single time down the floor. They're going to double him. I want to see him be a little bit more patient with the basketball in the postseason. Right. I think that at. In stretches last year, he was. He was a little flustered when those double teams came specifically as the playoffs wore on. So I want to see him a little bit more patient with the ball, but I think that he's a couple more years away from the offensive power that he is going to be, and that's going to say a lot. But I'm curious to see Raja how he does when teams blitz him in a playoff setting once again. Right. Like, that's something I really want to see as he's the primary offensive option.

[Cliff]

No, for sure. I mean, look, let's. That's what he struggled with, right? He struggled with having answers to that up top on the floor last year. And I do think that, like, when you're in a world with Julius, Randall, DiVincenzo, Nas, like, even Rudy, you know, if you're going to commit, this is simple, Matt. You're committing two people to me up top. Well, when I spray this thing out, let's get on top of the rim. Let's not. Let's not just settle over and over again for long threes. Now, don't get me wrong, there's an ebb and a flow to every game. If we're cashing out and we're six, we've knocked down six of those bad boys or seven, and it's that night, yeah, man, we're gonna ride that. But when that ebb ebbs or when that flow flows and that thing starts, like, not going in for a few. For a few trips down the court, get back on top of the rim, I just, again, it's like with anything, if there's a weak spot, that's where you attack. If it doesn't. If it doesn't prove. Prove dividends like the first time, if you're not seeing the benefit and the reward of that, like, immediately don't abandon it. It's like. It's like body blows in a fight. Like, they're not sexy. Right. Like, you might not see somebody every time you touch him in his. In his solar plexus, like, grimace or anything like that, but over the course of five or six rounds, you get hit. You get hit enough, and that shit starts to take a toll. And so with the Lakers, I'm not saying that it's definitively going to work. You got to get on top of the rim.

[Raja Bell]

Yeah. And then, Howard, how. How important of a series of this is this for Luka, right? Like, where he hasn't. He's kind of had to post trade. He's had great games, but also he's had to have figure out his mindset getting to a new place. And his game hasn't been. At least the stats haven't been what they were in Dallas. Right. What can this postseason do for him to kind of unnecessarily get back on track? Luka Doncic, but figure himself back into his normal form in the postseason? What is this series, you think going to do for him and his psyche?

[Howard Beck]

You know, I can't remember who said it might have been. Brian Winhurst said it. I thought this was like a really interesting way of encapsulating when Luca goes back to Dallas and smokes the Mavericks in his first time back there. And obviously very emotional night. And it was like, this is the day Luka Doncic became a Laker, basically, was. Was Wendy's line, which I loved. Like, I think there's something to that. Like, you have to get over the emotional hump and that. That, like, you've been sitting there for the last couple months, like, still kind of in a daze emotionally and just trying to get your bearings. And he certainly has a. You know, basketball wise, right. Like, he has learned how to play with and off of LeBron. He has learned how to leverage, you know, Rui Hachimura and Jackson Hayes is, like, you know, thrived in his minutes with Luka. Like, he's. He's like, he's a really smart basketball player. Like, he has done a great job, as you would expect him to, as an elite playmaker and a guy who sees the games, you know, five stars, moves ahead. He's done a phenomenal job in just kind of integrating himself in an offense and in a lot of ways, becoming that offense. But the emotional side of it lagged, right? Like. Like that. That whole thing of, like, all right, this is. This is the. This is who you are now. This is your surroundings. This is your identity. This is your city. This is your team. And I think winning that first playoff series is going to matter as much or more than, like, going back to Dallas and vanquishing that particular bit of psychological, you know, baggage, right? Like, there's, like, winning your first series is going to matter. Winning your first game, for that matter. Playoffs are different. The whole intensity of it and the weight of it is different. So, like, it's not important for his basketball legacy. Like, the guy got the Mavericks to the finals last year. He's traded in the middle of the season. Again. Like, I don't think, like, there's. If the Lakers somehow lose to the Wolves in the series, we're going to be like, well, that was a disappointment. But whatever. J.J. redick's first year, Lucas, first couple of months with the team. LeBron is. Is 40 years old, and they're still, you know, they're. They. They don't have any bigs. They need to, like, figure out how to, like, we're not. There's no consequences, which is wild to say for the Lakers. There's always consequences of anything less than a championship, traditionally. But, like, I. I think this is.

[Raja Bell]

More just vibing right now.

[Howard Beck]

That is vibing. Yeah. This is just like, let's find our way through this. Let's see what we can do in our first run together, and then, you know, go from there, because there's still work to do on this roster.

[Raja Bell]

Last question on this series, Roger, what version of LeBron is needed during this series and beyond if they advance?

[Cliff]

Yeah, no, LeBron's got to be good. LeBron's gonna. It's gonna have to be the LeBron minimum. The LeBron of the regular season. You know, I guess, theoretically, if Luka were to continue to raise his game and you were gonna. And he was now a quote unquote Laker in that way.

[Howard Beck]

And.

[Cliff]

And he. He becomes 25% better than he's been. Like, LeBron could scale back, but I think if they're hoping to be this. This team that has this kind of shot at a. At a deep playoff run in a championship, like, LeBron has to be really good. LeBron's got to be playing, and he's got to be really good playing off of Luca when the time is needed. Right? And he's been that so far. They figured it out because that's, you know, that's. That's what this is going to look like. Like, Luka's going to have it. Luke is going to be orchestrating, for the most part, LeBron outrun. Like, let's get you in transition. Those are so much easier for LeBron, believe it or not. Like, I know you're sprinting and you're running, but. But the reality is those are kind of free looks at the rim for a dude who's as big and strong and fast as LeBron. But he's got to be good. He's got to be good. That doesn't work. There's. Their supporting cast isn't good enough or hasn't been good enough or consistent enough for it to work without LeBron being LeBron, Luca being some version of Luca, and then Austin Reeves, like, those three have to be. Two of them have to be really good. Really good. The other one, if he's giving you a really good night, then you don't really need the bench as much. If he's giving you an okay night, then you need the bench. So, like, there's not a ton of wiggle room for their stars. Not to be stars. But I say this every playoffs. Like, you go into the playoffs and your stars aren't stars. You don't have a chance no matter what. That's point blank, period. If your star ain't starring. We don't.

[Raja Bell]

We don't.

[Cliff]

We don't have a chance.

[Raja Bell]

No prediction time. I'm gonna go Lakers and six. Rahu, you got. Ah.

[Cliff]

I so badly want to go. Oh, I want to go T Wolf so bad. I want to go T. W so bad.

[Raja Bell]

Do it.

[Cliff]

Stop being scary. No, here's. Well, I'm not being scary. I'm being logical, right? You have three dudes who can close games in that way. Two and a half. Austin Reeves, he's really, really good. But, like, playoff Austin, like, he can secure it for me this off season, but you have two of the Best the planet in terms of I can win us a game if I need to win us a game. F. Whatever else is going on. I got this, like, just keep giving me the ball and I'll get it done. And so, you know, I've always made it a habit not to bet against LeBron. I'm not about to start now. I. I'll go. Lakers in seven. Seven.

[Raja Bell]

Okay, Howard.

[Howard Beck]

Yeah, same. Lakers in seven. I. In crunch time, I trust, obviously LeBron and Luka. I. And to Raj's point, like, Austin Reeves is. Is dangerous there, too. And the fact is, with the Timberwolves, it's like, outside of Anthony Edwards, I don't trust Julius Randall. DiVincenzo's had some. He had some great moments for the Knicks last postseason, but, like, where else are you going if you bottle up or, you know, if you throttle Aunt Edwards? I. I just. There's. There's a lot to like about what the Timberwolves have done, especially over the last six or so weeks. But. And I, and I respect them enough to think this, this can go the distance, but I think ultimately it's. It's, you know, stars win series. Usually you point to, like, the team that has the best star on the floor. All due respect to Anthony Edwards, he's. He's the third best player in the series. And the, like, the Lakers, for whatever faults they still have as a team that's, like, in transition after that trade, they're still better. Lakers and seven.

[Raja Bell]

You know, it's crazy. Even if you. After what you said, Howard, you kind of made me want to go the other way. Lakers in five. Just for that thing that you said. I don't know if we give the benefit of the alpha to be a long series.

[Howard Beck]

My Lakers, my Lakers and seven argument caused you to go Lakers in five. That's. Yeah, that's some weird Jedi mind trick shit going on there.

[Raja Bell]

Yeah, yeah, it makes sense. I mean, you're just saying, like, hey, they have three guys to one, and I don't know if the supporting cast of one team is as good as the other one. Kind of maybe want to. There might be a faster series than we think. I'm going to go Lakers in five. Bucket. You guys want to change your picks at all or.

[Cliff]

No, I would just. No, listen, I would just. Let me just say this, like, I'm taking the Lakers. There is a world, like, where Minnesota. And this is just defies even my own logic as to why I would pick the Lakers. Right? But, like, if they get you in a Brawl. Minnesota can get really physical, really athletic, really, really disruptive defensively. And that would be what they would have to do, you know what I mean? To like to, to, to stretch that out and then you get a game seven. Who knows what happens, right? But I mean, I'm still taking the Lakers.

[Howard Beck]

It's funny because I was thinking about the Straja. Sorry. Logan, like, like Julius Randall, like Julia Randall loves to bully ball loves to go ISO all the things that make him like really dangerous but also really dangerous to your team because he could just completely stall out your off. Have absolute tunnel vision. But I'm thinking about like, who's guarding him? Like, are you putting LeBron on him? Is it Rui? It's not Jackson Hayes, maybe it's Dorm phony Smith. Like, like the Lakers have bodies to put to throw at him. But he's going to punish you. And the thing is I'm not sure if that's actually to Minnesota's advantage or disadvantage ultimately.

[Cliff]

Who knows?

[Raja Bell]

Who knows.

[Cliff]

But, but like Howard, here's what, here's like when you get in a slug fight like that, this is what I would say to that. Like, you, you know, you're outgoing. You know, they've got, they've got two of the best players on the planet and then a third guy who's, who's pretty damn good out there and can do some special stuff with the ball. I'm gonna take like that ugly style that you're talking about. Forgive me, but like that on aesthetically pleasing style. Just keep letting him do it and then we're just gonna crash. Like, we're just gonna keep thrashing the glass. That's the game I gotta play. I can't beat you in this tuxedo of a game. I don't have a chance. Like, if we're gonna be out here like, you know, shining like we all like in Hollywood, like we're going out like that doesn't work for me. We gotta be out in like Timberland boots and you know, like Onyx playing.

[Raja Bell]

Huh?

[Cliff]

Yeah. No, real. That's the style they gotta play.

[Raja Bell]

Body in the trunk, Howard. Don't know what the we're talking about, Rob, but you know, got out the mob in the big cat wanted to fade. Anyways.

[Cliff]

Hey, one of my best. One of my best. One of my best memories in The NBA Game 1 2001, NBA Finals locker room, Staples Center. I. I got Allen Iverson to maybe the left of me, Aaron McKee to the right of me. And, and Nori is blasting as Larry Brown is walking around like talking to people and stuff like that. It was one of my favorite. I don't know why. It's like it's seared into my mind. Well, I do know because Larry Brown. Because Allen Iverson looked at Larry Brown and asked him like standing right where the did you find this guy? Like right in front of the locker. And I. It just like crystallized it. Like that was like one of my NBA moments. I was like this.

[Raja Bell]

You could have shed a thug to you right then and there. Right, right there.

[Howard Beck]

Yeah.

[Cliff]

Band for TV was on. That's what. It was banned for tv, right?

[Raja Bell]

Hell yeah. Let's go. All right, let's get right to Warriors Rockets. I'm going to that series. I gotta 5am flight tomorrow to Houston. This papa does better be good anyway.

[Howard Beck]

Always.

[Raja Bell]

What's going to win out Raja? The youth of the Rockets or the old hedgemanship of the Warriors?

[Cliff]

Yeah, this one hurts, guys. This one, this is a tough one, man.

[Raja Bell]

We've talked enough about both teams. We'll just get a prediction real quick. What's. What are you guys looking for?

[Cliff]

Yeah, I. Listen, this, this is tough, man, because I could apply the same, the same logic that I just applied to the, to the, to the Lakers or even the Clippers saying that, but Eme is really good. They're young. I'm Houston. Houston and six.

[Raja Bell]

Oh, okay. All right, Howard, go ahead.

[Cliff]

Explanation. Right. Just you. We wanted. I mean.

[Raja Bell]

No, no, no, no, no. Go ahead, Howard, go ahead. Who's your, what's your pick?

[Howard Beck]

Warriors and six.

[Raja Bell]

So, okay, this is what I. So I've been going back and forth on this. I think the Rockets are the better team. I just think the Rockets are the better team. They have. They're deeper. They're not going to get punked, all those things, right? They have a coach. They're on the rise. I think they really believe in themselves. I love their team. That being said, at first I said Rockets in seven, right? But what would that mean? That means the Rockets would have to beat Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler at a game seven. And I just don't see that happening right then. I was like, okay, maybe Rockets is six, right?

[Cliff]

Cool.

[Raja Bell]

I don't see them going into San Francisco and beating Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler in a closeout game. That's really hard as a young team. Super hard. So then I was like, rockets in five. Maybe there's no way that the warriors are going to do that. So that being said, I've taken the warriors in seven.

[Howard Beck]

Yeah.

[Cliff]

That's a convincing. I mean, when you break it down, it's convincing. I, I, I think it's probably like this is one of those ones where like, I, I, my, my brain, my brain is telling me Golden State, but something about Houston, the youth, the physicality, the athleticism, and what IME is able.

[Raja Bell]

To do, like, they're not going to get punked either. That's not.

[Cliff]

Yeah, I'm taking them. It, I'm sticking with it.

[Raja Bell]

It, huh? Let's go. Let's go. Are there any. The Kings Kangs. Howard. Kings.

[Howard Beck]

No, it's Kings. It is Kangs. They will not be. We cannot give them back their proper name for quite a while again here. I'm sorry. You got, you got about a two year respite from it. A two year reprieve. You are back to Kangs for the foreseeable future, probably with an extra Z on the end.

[Raja Bell]

All right, before we get to the Kangs, I want. Is there any Easter conference series that really stick out to you? I know, Howard, you're going to, you're doing Nick's Pistons, much to your chagrin. We won't say why, but I like that series. Pacers, Bucks. Shout out. Dave coming back. Ruin of the week.

[Cliff]

Is he back? Is he back? I know.

[Howard Beck]

Yeah, we don't, we don't know which game.

[Raja Bell]

We don't know which game. He has to ramp up, but he's fine with his blood clot. He has to ramp up to get back into game shape. But he's, he's going to be playing.

[Cliff]

All right.

[Raja Bell]

Yeah. Any series that like, like, let's call it a guilty pleasure series in the Eastern Conference that any of you guys are going to be looking towards and watching.

[Howard Beck]

I think Buck's Pacers was going to be fun. Like, I, I, I look forward to seeing Dame back on the court, hopefully sooner than later. You want to see everybody at full strength at this time of year, but Tyrese Halberton had a quote like, a few days ago where he's like, everybody knows we don't like each other. Like, there's like a ser. It's, it's, it's funny, like, speaking Roger's language, like, if you weren't paying attention, like, you might have missed it. But, like, yeah, Giannis gets that scoring record December of last season, and they run off with the game ball and there's this whole thing about, no, we're giving the game ball to the rook.

[Raja Bell]

Giannis is getting under a lot of people's skin lately. Right. Like, you Talk about what happened in Detroit with Malik Beasley, right? Did a little shimmy. Yeah. Stuff like that. He's doing to get the Jalen Brown. Him and Jalen Brown earlier this season. He's getting into other people's skin, bro.

[Howard Beck]

Yeah. But also, like, the Pacers, like, Tyrese talks a lot of shit. And the. The Pacers have got some. Some, like, really gritty guys.

[Raja Bell]

Yeah.

[Howard Beck]

I think they're overall top to bottom a better team, but the Bucks have the best player in the series, and Giannis, so, like, it's just. And they. And they don't like each other. They have a history of this. They're saying it out loud. They have had a lot of tensions. And so Indiana, seven.

[Raja Bell]

Indiana and seven. Fuck it. Let's do it. Let's go It. That's not even that big of a. Pacers in six.

[Howard Beck]

Long off season for the Bucks.

[Cliff]

Yeah, yeah. I'm taking. I'm taking the Pacers in six or seven. I mean, you pick one of those.

[Raja Bell]

Six and a half. All right, there you go. We'll talk about the ramifications of that one. That happens. Hey, a couple months ago, Cliff told friend of the show, Ben that he better watch out for the Pistons. Cliff, get on here real quick. Do you stand by that, your prediction, what's going to happen in this fucking Pistons Knick series? What's going on? So your prediction? What's going on, buddy?

[Victoria]

All right, my prediction is the Knicks is they gonna get punked at the Garden by Isaiah Stewart. He's gonna crash out on somebody.

[Raja Bell]

He got a. He got a. He got a Jamaican record coming out. It was kind of fun.

[Victoria]

Yeah, bro. He roster, man. He got. He got a little track going on vibes.

[Cliff]

Cartel's on, you know, record, bro.

[Victoria]

Yeah, he's Jamaican.

[Cliff]

A reggae record?

[Victoria]

Yeah, he's Jamaican. Yeah.

[Raja Bell]

Did I say that wrong? I said he said it because I said it wrong and I got it up. He has a reggae record out. I apologize. Sorry about that.

[Victoria]

But no pisses in five, bro. I mean, pisses in five.

[Raja Bell]

Five.

[Cliff]

Stop playing. You came in here. Now, you don't come out here and make a mockery of this, talking about Pistons in five.

[Raja Bell]

All right? I'm not making a m. Crazy.

[Victoria]

I'm not making a mockery of it. But I'mma. I'mma stick to the Pistons winning the series, though, Just. Just for the hell of it, okay?

[Raja Bell]

Roger, who's. Who's won in this series?

[Cliff]

No, I could see that. I mean, I can see it. I don't think it'd be five. I'm actually going to take the Knicks, though. I'm gonna take the. I'm gonna take the experience. I think Detroit's awesome and I think they're gonna. It's gonna be a. This could be like one of the rock.

[Raja Bell]

A lot of crash outs.

[Cliff]

Yeah, this could be just like a Rocky movie, right? Like, we're just going back and forth, haymaker after haymaker. Everybody's on the canvas. But ultimately, I think I'm gonna take the Knicks. And they're just experience on that block. Like the. The. The Pistons just moved in, baby. The Knicks have been there for a minute. I could. I could definitely see it playing out the other way, but I'm going to take the Knicks. 7.

[Raja Bell]

Man. Rogers just want them Severance premiere tickets. That's all he wants. Man.

[Cliff]

I got you Pistons and six.

[Raja Bell]

Pistons and six. It. Howard. Who. Who we got? What's going on?

[Howard Beck]

Lot of respect for the Pistons. And I do think that the defense there, the defenders, they've got, you know, Asar Thompson, like, they can make life difficult for. For Jalen Brunson. If you can cut off Jalen Brunson, if you can throttle him like now. Now it's like, who's. Who's stepping in? Is it Carl Anthony Towns, like, And who else is making plays for them? So, like, I do think the Pistons are going to make life very difficult for the Knicks. But the Knicks have home court. They have all the experience. This is the Pistons first time through. All the playoff experience on the Detroit roster is like Tobias Harris, Dennis Schroeder, and Tim Hardaway Jr. So it like that that matters. Nixon 7.

[Cliff]

There you go.

[Raja Bell]

Okay, you're probably right. I gotta go. I got lost in a moment, but I'm sticking with it. It like Howard. I mean, like Roger did with the. With the Houston Rockets. I got lost in a moment, but I'm gonna. I'm gonna go my pick it. Hey, it's Buffs versus Tim's. Let's get it. All right. That's all right. You don't even get it. Nobody gets it. You know, Shout out to Cartier. Buff. Shout out no fly Zone. Trick. Trick out here. What?

[Cliff]

Yeah, I don't.

[Raja Bell]

I didn't. Listen, Cliff feels. Cliff is probably gonna have to edit a couple of these things out. It's fine. Fix it in post. Anyways. Let's go. I gotta ask one more time. Kings. Kings. Kangs. Kangs.

[Howard Beck]

Kang.

[Raja Bell]

They got their ass kicked in a rare national TV game in Sacramento. And then an hour later, also Read friend of the show, Sam Amix piece on this in the Athletics. So basically what happens is the King, the kang, excuse me, lose Ronnie McNair, goes into the locker room, says, tells everybody is what we're going to work on this off season. This guy's got to get better. This is what we need to do. Not even 15 minutes later after that, he goes into Vivek's office. I don't know which office it was. If I had to guess, it was probably in that fucking like VIP section near the King's locker room. A golden one. And he just, he fires Monty McNair. But they say, hey, next time we're gonna get it. They're gonna get it. Here's the secret. There's not gonna be it next time. That's what Vivek said, right? And immediately hired Scott Perry, which seems like a move you make in 2012. What the hell are the Kings doing, Howard? We talk about crash outs. I mean, this was a good two year run. We're done, right? We're back into the stone ages right now with the Sacramento Kings, right? It's about to be Arco arena, circa 2012, 2013. Willing and dealing ads falling from the sky type deal. It's going to be rough in Sacramento, right?

[Howard Beck]

As long as they don't rename the arena Sleep Train arena, they'll be okay. Or what was the other one? Power Balance or whatever.

[Raja Bell]

Yeah, they made Power Balance after the scam. Wristbands.

[Howard Beck]

Yes, the energy giving wristbands or whatever. Magical wristbands that were like all the rage in the mid-2000s.

[Raja Bell]

You have a power balance wristband raza back in your day?

[Cliff]

Negative.

[Howard Beck]

Okay, listen, before we get back to clowning the Kangs, just a quick note of seriousness. Like I really do feel bad for Kings fans and for people in Sacramento because it was a long, long ass road back to respectability and it lasted five minutes. Your coach of the year is gone. Your executive, the year is gone. Your clutch player of the year slash all NBA point guard is gone. You're all NBA forward slash center. I don't like if I'm demonic Sabonis. I'm asking some tough questions. This off season of them you've got. You've become Chicago Bulls.

[Raja Bell]

One question. If I'm Sabonis, can I get the fuck about it here?

[Cliff]

Please?

[Raja Bell]

Could you trade me? That's what I'm asking.

[Howard Beck]

That boils it down. You've become Chicago bulls west with DeRozan and Levine. Your owner is meddling as much as he ever did. Despite the fact that people tried assuring me a couple times in recent years. Oh, no, no, no. Vivek Ranadibe, the reputation's all wrong. Like, he's, he's, you know, the reputation is not all wrong. This is all him. By all accounts, including the reporting we've seen out there, including conversations I've had myself as well. It's ran a DB who wanted to blow out Mike Brown when he did over Monty McNair's objections. It's Vivek Ranadibe, the owner who wanted to. Who rushed through the dear and Fox trade that ends up landing them. Zach Levine and his contract also was.

[Raja Bell]

Pushing to sign DeMar DeRozan despite the fact that Monty McNair did not want DeMar DeRozan on the team.

[Howard Beck]

I've heard mixed versions of this that maybe, you know, like, Monty was on board, but maybe not as enthused, but whatever. Like, things are in a bad, bad place and the owner has a lot to do with it. And the only silver lining to Monty McNair getting fired the other night. Well, there's two. One, you don't have to deal with this show anymore. And two, at least it wasn't Jeremy Lamb walking in to fire you. So that's a deeper cut. People can go.

[Raja Bell]

If, you know, you.

[Howard Beck]

Know, but it's not great. And look, I've known Scott Perry a long time. I like Scott a lot. But, you know, and Joe Dumars, one of my favorite people in the NBA, has just gotten hired to run the Pelicans this week. Both of these hires came very quickly after the firings of those GMs, which speaks to bad process by ownership in both teams. Have a, have a search, consider all options in both cases. And again, I'm not saying that, that whether it's Dumars of Perry, they're not.

[Raja Bell]

I don't know. Roger, was Griff out there. He could have built a team, right? Wasn't he out there in the wind, right there could have maybe been where.

[Cliff]

Where we at?

[Raja Bell]

I'm just saying Griff could have, you know, Griff was on the market. You know, there was.

[Cliff]

Yeah. I mean, that. Listen, I mean, I'm not, I. There are no rules. There are no rules about like interviewing and having conversations. I never hit him. I never hit him as a me and boy need a little bit of time. But like, like, yeah, anyway, go ahead hour. Finish your rant because like the, the. You had already made your decision on those, right? Like, those were.

[Howard Beck]

Yeah, I think that's the thing. And look, Dumars has ties to Pelicans ownership and leadership. Scott Perry had had a previous stint with the Kings and had ties to Vivek Rena dve. And it's just not. I am not casting aspersions on, on either of these two gentlemen. I like them both a lot and I, I think the potential for them to do a good job is, is absolutely there. However, those two were together with the Pistons in their heyday in the early 2000s. And like to. The process now of hiring a new basketball head of basketball operations needs to start with one, have an open process where you're actually considering all kinds of potential candidates and two, like grabbing the person that you know already. It so often goes the wrong way. And Ranadva has done this before in hiring Vladivods. I've said this many times about Genie Bus hire immediately hiring Magic and Rob Polinka. Like, I don't think the first thing you should do as owner in a time of stress is just grab the person that you know the best, who happens to be a former player or, you know, team exec who you have a relationship with. Have a real process. Ask a lot of people what should be our path forward, especially if you're in the King's position. What should be our path forward? Get a lot of creative ideas from various candidates. People who are like the number 2 or the number 3 in A. With a successful front office. Maybe you know, from Oklahoma or from Miami or from, you know, Golden State or wherever. The Clippers. There's a lot of smart organizations. If you're not tapping. What's that?

[Cliff]

I'm sorry?

[Raja Bell]

Yeah.

[Howard Beck]

If you're not.

[Cliff]

Yeah, yeah. I said Trent Reddit. Trent Reddit.

[Howard Beck]

Trent Redden. Yeah. There are so many smart people out there working in secondary roles in front offices who you could interview, talk to, get ideas from. Maybe you still end up hiring Scott Perry in the end, but like the, the process is bad here and that's.

[Raja Bell]

That's concerning man as the Kings at this point. And this, this speaks to just, just gross, just incompetence from all. Just from one guy, Vivek Ranadive. But, but no matter who goes there, they're the organization now. Where there's so many leaking, right? There's so much leaking. There's so much distrust between coaches. No one knows who's in charge, even though they know Vivek is in charge. But no one knows who's in charge on the day to day. Right. You have a coach in Doug Christie who, very nice guy but seems to be weighing over his head, by the way, also.

[Howard Beck]

That's also Vivek, by the way, to. Sorry to interrupt.

[Raja Bell]

Right, exactly. And who wanted Doug Christie to be the coach for years now. And he's probably going to be put in place next year for a whole season, which is going to be. Oh, it's going to be tough. But like, you have all of this dysfunction and even like with Scott Perry, whoever is the gm, they have to look over their shoulders at all times because all you have to do is look at the courtside seat next to Vivek to see who is in his ear at any given time. Right. It could be Jeremy Lamb at one point in time. It could be Vlad Dlock at one point in time. It could be any number of Kings alumni from that 0102 team that they just can't shake that from their history. It could be any one of those guys if they're sitting next to Vivek. The Kings are now never going to be good or never. And I think this last stretch has proven they're never going to be good as long. Long as VC is the principal owner of that team. Point blank, period. We kind of saw that, that it is what it is. And I think the rest of the league is going to know that you're going to have to overpay, which Vivek doesn't do. If you know, you know you're going to have to overpay to get people to trust you, then you're going to have to get out of the way. It's not going to happen. And I think when you talk about the Pelicans, you talk about the Kings. Two of the worst NBA ownerships in the league. League. And it's showing through by their processes and how they handle things. And, you know, we can talk about the Pelicans. It'd be a whole other podcast. But I don't want to be too depressing, but the Kangs are going to Kang and this is going to be a terrible organization for the next decade to come. And I don't even think that's even hyperbole unless Vivek sells the team. Anything else on that? Howard and Raja, you guys had anything else? Roger, sleep right now, because I want my. My epic rant.

[Cliff]

No, no, no, no. Like I said, I don't have much to add to that, you guys. I mean, can't get right is what I. I mean, you just can't get right, boss.

[Raja Bell]

Yeah, can't get right, boy. Okay, before Raza takes his cornbread and goes home. Oh.

[Cliff]

And the rest of you farmers around here, you better get the taste out your mouth.

[Raja Bell]

Howard, do you know what that move movie. What movie that is from? Okay, moving on. Cliff. What's going on, my boy?

[Victoria]

Yo, how y'all do? My man Howard like that, man. What's going on with y'all?

[Raja Bell]

Yo, do you know what movie that is from, Cliff?

[Victoria]

No, I don't even. What movie is that from? I probably missing the line.

[Raja Bell]

Life, man. Jesus Christ. One of the greatest. I forgot about comedy of all time with Eddie Murphy.

[Victoria]

No, I seen life. I see life a million. I've seen life a million times. But that ain't up there. It ain't up there for me. Yo, it's a good movie, but it ain't up there for me.

[Raja Bell]

Victoria. Victoria.

[Cliff]

Dude, I almost downloaded Real Talk. Almost downloaded it just to watch. I didn't seen it 97 times. Almost download.

[Victoria]

It's definitely a good Joan for sure. All right, let's get to the first question. Question for the show from a Knicks fan. This is Cameron Paolini. Ohlone, whatever. Sorry, Cam, butchering your name. What do you guys think would be considered a successful postseason for the Knicks? Giving the Celtics a tough second round series, making it to the conference finals. And if they fail to meet those expectations, is it fair to start asking questions of Tibbs job security? Love the show, Cam. You already know how I feel. I think Isaiah Stewart my crash.

[Raja Bell]

Pack him up. Yeah. I love how you say the reason why they're going to win is Isaiah Stewart. That's hilarious. But let's go to our former Nick Speak writer, Howard Beck.

[Howard Beck]

You know, the funny thing is, you know, we just start finished talking about bad ownership and what it can do to your franchise. There was a large stretch of the last 20 years where the Kings and Knicks, I think were neck and neck for the lead in most GMs and coaches hired and fired. And like lack of stability is. Is part of being a really bad franchise. And the Knicks have had incredible stability for the last five years. Leon Rose running basketball ops. Tom Thibodeau as head coach. Not coincidentally, this has also been not just the most stability, but the most success they've had. So look, it's always fair if a team falls short of expectations, fan expectations, certainly ownership expectations, it's always fair to then speculate on the coach's job. That's just. That's just life in the NBA. Do I think it would be justified? No. But justification and fairness have nothing to do with it. It's it's the NBA. I will just say this back to back 50 win seasons for the Knicks. First time since the mid-90s. 93, 94, 94, 95. Three straight winning seasons for the first time since 2010-13. Been to the second round the last two years. Lost to Miami in six in 2023.

[Raja Bell]

Do they have those banners up in MSG by the way? Do they have those they should never want? No shit. Since it's like the equivalent of a championship.

[Howard Beck]

Sorry, I want to. I want a five year stability banner. Five years with the same head coach and gm. Loss of the Pacers last year.

[Raja Bell]

Our Kings.

[Howard Beck]

Lost to the Pacers last year in seven, of course. And they were banged up as hell at the time. They're the third seed. So like expectations go with that a little bit. Losing the Pistons, like I don't think it's catastrophic to me because I think the Pistons are really good. I don't think that your average six seed, but yeah, it would not go over well. More likely they're going to lose in the second round to the Celtics who are they are not expected to beat and should not be expected to beat. And who they are. Owen 4 against this season also Owen 4 against the Cavaliers. I, I think Knicks fans themselves are pretty realistic right now, like hoping for the best but understanding that this team is still a notch below the top two teams in the east and certainly below the Celtics. So like winning the first round, losing to the Celtics in the second round is kind of the expected outcome. So then it comes down to well, did you lose in four or five, six or seven? How much of a fight did you put up? And like, I think the details of that are going to have a lot to do with how the franchise responds. But if they blew out Thibodeau after this playoff run, wherever it ends, to me that would raise a warning flag about, about the Knicks again in a way that we haven't seen in a while because they have had stability.

[Raja Bell]

All right. Sounds all right.

[Cliff]

Yeah, I agree. Like they, they get that second round and compete to some degree with the Celtics. I think you're, you're, you're all right.

[Howard Beck]

I mean, I will just say real quick, the, the Knicks went all in last summer. Let's not forget they, they sent out every draft pick they had to get. Mikhail Bridges. They made the trade for Carl Anthony Towns. They're pretty locked in and when you make big swings like that, I think ownership does generally expect we're going to make another step forward. So losing the second Round for a third straight year. And with this owner in particular, you just never know.

[Victoria]

All right, next question. This is from Matt Wright. Thanks Beck, for the blue sky nudge to send in a question. This one may be for Raja, since I've always wondered if being on a team starts to feel like any other job. And if so, is the greatness of some incredibly annoying co workers really worth it? Every time I watch Draymond play, all I can think is, man, it would suck to work with that guy. And yet Steph is obviously okay with it. Thanks for taking the question. Sorry I couldn't work in a severed floor joke. Matt W.

[Cliff]

Well done, Howard with the nudge. Yeah, I mean, yeah. Look, if at some point, I guess it's different for everyone, basketball, it becomes a job. It didn't for me for a while and then, you know, somewhere. Somewhere as I got traded to Golden State, became more of a job than it was. Than it was like my dream that I was living like I had been for so long in the NBA. I don't know when that happens to everyone, but I think typically when you're on good teams that are fun and, and you have good people and good work environments, I think this is just for like any field that people work in, like that's a joy to go in and do what you do. You'd love to do what you do, and you have great people around you. It's a good work environment. Those are fun, the NBA, you know, it's usually coincides with losing and not being on really good teams. Some of those can still be fun workplaces. Like we didn't win a ton of games like my first year or my second year in Utah. I think it was my first stint, second year in Utah. We weren't like a great team, but we played hard. We were all in the same like, you know, kind of wheelhouse and demo in terms of age and, and we all like to be around one another. That was cool. But like, you know, other teams I was on that weren't great, like it wasn't as fun. So. And, and you're. And the people that you work with do, do play. Play a role in that. Like, do you have grading personalities? Like people that are, you know, shitty and you know, just like anything though? Yeah. People, the people that you see on a day to day, the people that you're traveling with on flights across the country, the people you have to listen to and complain, you know, when, when they've got it pretty good and, and, and relatively speaking, they should Be happy. Like, yeah, that'll start to work anybody's nerves.

[Raja Bell]

I have a question for you, Raja. I think I can pinpoint the exact time when you. When it became a job for you in the NBA. And you can cut this out if you don't want this out. But I was. I saw a friend of the show, Amino Hassan. He was talking about when recently, like a couple days ago, and we were talking about you. And he was talking about a time when Terry, when you guys were in Tucson, I believe, at the University of Arizona, and Harry Porter was the coach and you were very upset with what the game plan was going on, and you went to the other side of the court and was doing a mic and drill. Or either a mic and drill or you were giving or throwing up. Throwing up skyhooks from the three point line, right? So you would do your drill on the other side of the court while the team was doing offensive concepts. And every so often, you would come to half court and say, what the fuck are we doing? And everybody would try not to laugh because, I mean, they were trying to have some level of decorum, but everybody was on your side. It would be like, would you start laughing or try to like, like bite their bottom lips so they didn't laugh. Was that when it became a job for you, Roger Bell?

[Cliff]

I don't know that it was like that moment in time that day, but it was certainly that year. But it speaks to, like, again, I'm not pointing fingers. I'm not gonna be doing all of that. But the joy wasn't there. You know, we had lost. We had lost the joy and the leadership in that locker room that brought us joy. And the, you know, Mike D'Antonio is a big part of fostering the type of work environment that we all like to be in. And that was kind of stripped from us. We had a person out. Like, Sean wasn't there anymore. Mike was gone. Like, and things were different. And yeah, that. It's. It. It stopped being as fun as it was for me, and it became, you know, it became a job.

[Raja Bell]

Who ordered the poo poo platter? Raja, one thing I want to say real quick before we get to the last question.

[Cliff]

I still don't know what the we were doing. Whatever it was was so stupid. Like, I was like, I felt like I was taking crazy pills. Like, this is the dumbest I've ever. And people are like, lapping it up. Got a problem with authorities sometimes it's okay. Everybody knows it.

[Raja Bell]

Like, who gives a last thing on that real quick, because you mentioned Draymond and Steph, right? I would say their relationship is way more unique than, like, somebody else on the team that is playing alongside Draymond who was like, maybe just coming in and might be like, yo, what the is going on? Their relationship is just so much more deeper than just a random crash out, like, canceling their relationship. You know what I'm saying? Oh, yeah. And also, like, Draymond don't do. Hold on.

[Cliff]

I want to be clear, though. I want to be clear. Like, that. That had nothing to do with Draymond. Like, that was.

[Raja Bell]

Yeah, but his name was brought up, and I just wanted to bring. I thought that was an opportunity to bring more context to him and Seth's relationship. Like, he's not rant. Thing about Draymond is he knows who to crash out to and who to not crash out to. Right? Like, he knows what the hierarchy is. He's not doing that shit with Steph. It's not happening. He sees his. His relationship with Steph as way more of a partnership. And also, Steph is the person that has kept me here this whole time. Not going to fuck that relationship up. I'm not going to fuck that up. So I don't. It's less likely that it. Now, that doesn't mean it doesn't annoy Stephen, but it is less likely to affect their relationship than it would be someone else around in the locker room who is new to the locker room, if that makes sense. Last, let's do one more question.

[Victoria]

Skit to Ben. Ben Allaire. Howard said on Blue sky to resend us with note to a producer Cliff demanding justice. So here I am, demanding justice. My son believes that alley dunk should be worth three points. One for the passer, two for the dunker. Dunks only ducks only hammus. Contact rim no self Elliots. Is this a good idea or the best idea?

[Raja Bell]

RMJ equals H for the new NBA Jam. That'd be fire. That'd be awesome.

[Cliff]

Yeah, go ahead, Howard.

[Raja Bell]

All right, so RMJ equals RMJ equals.

[Howard Beck]

H is a long, long, long time great member of the NBA social media community on both Twitter and now Blue Sky. And he had hit me within the last 24 hours. I didn't know what the question he sent you was, Cliff, but because you had, I guess, ignored it, I said, well, just hit Cliff again. It's. It's. It's fine. And just tell him, demand justice, man. So shout out to. To actual name Ben for. For upping it. Uh, did not know that this Was the actual question. Yeah, probably not. But I. I like the spirit of it. Uh, alley oops are awesome. They take a certain degree. There's degree of difficulty, extra points for degree of difficulty. Maybe we work this in along with Kurt Goldsberry's proposals for tailoring the three point line, and we find a new way to score three points after we cut off the corner three. Now you can get the alley oop. Three. There we go.

[Raja Bell]

Okay, but no, no, I don't even agree with the the corner 3. It's all that stupid. I'm sorry. I love Kirk, though. He's tight, but. No, stop it. Roz, anything? Are you up?

[Cliff]

I'm awake. Ben, thanks for the question, man.

[Raja Bell]

Thanks, buddy.

[Cliff]

Howard, on the negative. Yeah, thanks, dude. No.

[Howard Beck]

But shout out to Ben's son for being creative and trying to, you know, innovate ways to keep the NBA interesting. Yeah.

[Raja Bell]

Is there a funny one?

[Cliff]

I mean, like, you're just going to have guys on breaks, you know, you see like the two on ones, you're just going to be throwing it up like.

[Victoria]

Nah, that's probably really it.

[Raja Bell]

Roger's AAU life is already hell. You, you know, you don't want to catapult that by, like little kids throwing them out. Leaves.

[Cliff]

That's three points.

[Raja Bell]

The house is gonna self combust. It's gonna die.

[Cliff]

I'm. Yeah, I'm gonna lose my.

[Raja Bell]

Is there one more? Is that it? That's it.

[Victoria]

Yeah, that's it. That'll do it.

[Raja Bell]

All right.

[Howard Beck]

Thought there was a. Wasn't there a bucks question in there? Or you just. You just.

[Victoria]

Oh, you know what?

[Howard Beck]

Shelving that one. We don't.

[Raja Bell]

Oh, wait, I forgot. Howard screens all the questions, so I don't screen them.

[Howard Beck]

I simply ask for a preview. I'm not. I want to make it clear to the listeners, I'm not deciding what Cliff does or does not ask us. I just asked for him to send them to me.

[Victoria]

No, Howard, there's one. You are right. There is one more. I thought I hit the last one there. Adam Carter. I guess that's his name. Real one's, Bucks question. Hey, y'all. So I had a dream the other night where my wife and I were delivering meals to hungry folks with your podcast crew in a weird Japanese mall that was somehow also an apartment building. She thought Howard was hilarious, Logan was being super nice to me, and Raja was all business, totally focused on getting these lunches. It was great. Just wanted to say I appreciate you guys, even in a fictional scenario. Also, shout outs to Cliff And Victoria, who are probably there too, but my memory sucks. Anyway, Bucks fan here, as much as it pains me, I do think trading Giannis will probably be the wisest move after they flame out yet again this year. What would that mean for Dame? Should they move him too? Given the aging curve to this squad? Ditto for Lopez. Is there even much value left in these dudes? When Kyle Kuzma is the founder of youth on your team and you're sitting in the second apron, shouldn't you just blow the whole thing up and relaunch? Thanks. Much love, Adam.

[Raja Bell]

Probably that's the right move. I mean, you should trade Dame because, like, you have no ties to him other than the fact that he was ring chasing. So trade him to a destination. Maybe trade them to Miami a couple years too late and start from scratch, bro.

[Howard Beck]

Dame's got 54 million owed next season and 58 million in a player option the season after that. So, like, he's not Bradley Beal by any stretch, but like moving Dame on those numbers at this stage of his career. I don't know if you're getting value.

[Raja Bell]

Back to the motherfucking bag, Dave.

[Howard Beck]

Yeah, I will say real quick though, like, if I, if I flame out and, and Giannis says it's time, all right, fine. If Giannis doesn't ask out, I ain't trading him. Like, like, it's a pretty simple formula here. Like, I know, like, they are locked up. The, the payroll is rough. Trying to improve this team around Giannis right now is going to be very difficult given CBA rules and, and all that. But I'm only trading Giannis if he asks out. And that's my biggest fear. My biggest fear is like, you losing the first round. And the other shoe drops this summer with, with Giannis saying it's time, that's, that's the worst case scenario. But if Yanis, if you do trade Giannis, yeah, of course you're trading Dame. There's no point in having Dame without Giannis. And at that point, yeah, you're trouble. Your trade Brook Lopez, trade Bobby Portis, just, you're, you're tearing it down to the studs and trying to reload you. I mean, you, it's hard because your picks are mostly gone and you get.

[Raja Bell]

Them back with Giannis though, right?

[Howard Beck]

You would get your other teams picks. No, but the point is that when you, when you lean into tanking, when you do the blow it up scenario, if you have all your own picks, part of the blowing it up is it's okay for us to suck. We're going to get high picks, but you don't have control of your own picks. So they're going to get other people's picks in a Giannis deal. But, but it bottoming out is is tough if you don't have control of your picks.

[Raja Bell]

All right, Falling asleep here, please get your rest, buddy.

[Howard Beck]

Agreed.

[Raja Bell]

Before we go, real ones mailbag gmail.com real ones mailbag real ones mailbag gmail.com Me and Raja will be back on Tuesday, I think. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, cool. Cool. Okay, cool. Howard will see you on Friday. Thanks to everybody. All the shits. Victoria on the video. Cliff on the board. See you next week. Bye.

[Cliff]

Foreign.

[Raja Bell]

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