NBA Playoff Special W/ Kendrick Perkins| WHAT’S BURNIN | SHOWTIME Basketball

let's look out west. Now we've got the number two Phoenix Suns against the number seven Los Angeles Lakers, and I want to say they said something like, for the first time in thirty years, the seven seed is favor the favorite first to two seeds. So Lakers obviously exciting playing game with the Warriors that we ended up to be able to pull that out. Uh, Man, Phoenix, I can't give Coach Williams CP three Devin book Are enough credit for what they've been able to do this season.

I mean, you know, Phoenix has kind of been at the lower half of the Western Conference for a while now, and uh, you know you and search CP they had a chance for the one spot, they followed the two spots, so they've had a great year. Let's talk about this series, Jack, what are you looking forward to in this series? Well, we talked about things we can't kid j j up that general manager. He's doing his things at James Uh. I love this series, man, I think this is a

great first round matchup. Um, we all know what Lebron and a d bring to it. I would definitely have been winning the series as well. But I think with a competent CP and the way they ride, and a smart coach like Monty Williams, he was a competitor as well, they're gonna take some stuff away. It ain't gonna be easy as people think. You know, Devin Book is gonna come out and put on the show as well. So everybody just saying that Lake is gonna win. Like me,

I think they're gonna win. But at the same time, something that's telling me this series is gonna be better than I think. I'm with you. I gotta go on six or seven. Stack, I ain't gonna lie, man, I gotta go on six or seven. I think the deciding factor for the Lakers is you know, I think DeAndre As take took took a major step forward. But I watched them towards the end of the season and a D just handed his way. I think he had forty

two points on him, like he dominated them. So, you know, I just feel like they don't have an answer for a D. Like they have some wing guys that they could mix up and throw it at Braun. When you think about Jake Crowder and and Bridges and even CP three, right being a Piston defender, I think it's gonna come down to then it's shrewd him, right. Is he gonna

be able to match up with CP three. I mean, we're talking about a guy that that passed up a four year, eight plus million dollar stitching and said he want to hunt. It was no more All Star. He can't get an All Star game. That's over, right, you can't make an All NBA team that's over. So the only way that you could prove you worked this, honey,

is right now where it matters the most. Remember CP, we we spoke to CP and he was really high on Shooter because they played together last year in Oklahoma City, and he said he was a competitor, loved him, loved his heart, loved his dogs. So I'm definitely looking forward to that matchup. But I think you make a great point. Aiden's first time in the playoffs, although books first time in the playoffs. Two Books got some years on this.

But it's gonna be a big challenge for Aiden because not only he's gonna have to play defense, but he's gonna have to produce offensively as well. Um, two completely different contrasting styles. I mean, Phoenix is gonna get up and down. That's not really the Lakers game. UM. I definitely think it's gonna be a competitive series. I see it going six for the Lakers. But like I said, I like like Jack said, I don't think it's gonna be sweet by any means. I think it's gonna be

a battle. This is also a different type of matchup from a standpoint of the stars on the team don't really get to match up. You know, Lebron is a three point forward, and and and E D s or four, CP and Book are one and two, so the stars won't really get a chance to match up. But who is your Jack? Who you who is your ex factor? Um in the in this series, I would have to say, Ayton, I mean that just that just makes the most sense.

If you look at the team, if you look at the dynamic of the team and what Chris Paul and Book of Ring. You know, you have a scorer, you have a creator somebody and Chris Paul's gonna run the team. You gotta have somebody down paint that's gonna make a presence, that's gonna get some rebounds, block some shots, make some noise, do something, you know what I mean, And and this and this and this presidence might not be just points. It might be dunking on somebody and changing the momentum.

It might be something like that. But he has to be a force in the paint. But I don't even have a chance in the series. So part we all have the Lakers. Uh taking this serious? But what do you think Phoenix has to do to push this to six or seven games? I think, you know, I think they got a limit their mistakes, right, They have the limit their mistakes. When you when when you think about you know, being in the right spot at the right time.

When you look at Phoenix towards the end of the season, they rank number one for was like giving up drives, Like the guys were just blowed by them. So they got to stop there because they were putting too much pressure on eighting and he was getting the foul trouble.

I just think, just continue to be a star in your role, like when you when when I think about the Phoenix Suns, the great thing I loved, I loved about them is from the jump they established their identity and I think Money Williams did a great job of established them roles right. So each guy know their roles already, so you know, when playoffs come, some guys may try to step outside they body. I don't see Phoenix doing that. I see guys coming in and doing what they do right,

what they've been doing all season long. And I just think they just have to beat themselves. I just think they outmatch right. They're gonna come out there, they're gonna be sound Chris Paul as a leader. They're gonna do what they're supposed to do offensively and defensively. They just

out match right now. Like especially in the interior, you think Drumming should have his way too, Like he should, like he's been on his he's been on this fucking worldwide tour when he got bought out, like you know, taking phone calls and visiting blazes, and like you gotta show up. I think the x facts are not only in this series, but I think throughout the playoffs that the Lakers are gonna need to lean on his Kyle Kuzma. Who's that going to be that consistent third option is

It's gonna be Shrewder Kuzma. But Kuzma can do it on both ends as well as Shrewder can do it on both ends. But I definitely think uh Kuzma played well when A B and Brahn were down. Obviously a shot attempt for up as minuture Rup, So how can he readjust his role understanding that the two superstars are back,

but he still has to be aggressive and effective. And I think not only in this series, but I think throughout the playoffs, if they're gonna head to the championship, I think Kuzma is gonna have to have a major playoff run. Next matchup, we have the number three Dinver Nuggets first the number six Blazers. If we recalled two years ago, um, this was the series that Portland one in Game seven in Denver to go to the Western Finals,

so this should be an exciting matchup. Obviously, Jamal Murray is down, but not unexpected or surprising, but Michael porter J has really stepped up. He was someone I've said that I love his game. I just think he needs more raps, more opportunity, more minutes, and he's gotten that now and he hasn't disappointed. So let's talk about this series. What's your outlook on this serious part. I think it's

going seven. I think it's going seven. I mean, just because Denver, they're so hard to guard, right, you already have yoga choose. I mean great Popovich called them the modern day Larry Birden. I thought he was crazy when he saw when he said it, but then when you watch him play, I mean we haven't really witnessed anything like him, right, he played. The pace slows down to his face, right, and the way that guys cut and

move without the ball that sound defensively. And they don't have a lot of household names, especially without Jamal Murray, but they have a lot of guys that could actually who like you have this little point guard. I can't pronounce his name. He's a old rookie. He's coming in. He's providing great minutes, right Cozo, Yeah, you know, you know you know them for him now, he's because throw me off a little bit Gobazo, Yeah, Gobazo, that's him.

But I think the Blazers winning seven just because of of Dane Dollard and c J. McCullen, but also I think Carmelo man like mellow. No one is talking about it, but I understand Jordan Clarkson and Dard Rose, but you talk about a six Man of the Year candidate. He's been awesome for them off the bench. I think Nurki is just finding his way. They just have more depth, They have more death. Norman Pole like Portland could just

put up a hundred and forty on you. They don't even have to play defense that I mean, they had that minute weapons. But that's the one thing important is they haven't been able to consistently stay healthy. It seems like they have everybody back healthy now. Um, coming into this series, Jack, what do you think the key to First of all, how far? How far you think this series will go? I say six? I say Blazers and six We got two Blazers and and what your reasoning

behind that? Well, I just think the hungry team, the more experienced team. Yakis can't do it by himself. He's great. Um, I'm never counting him out, but I just know the way Portland has been through the ring and up and down the last couple of years in the playoffs where they've been injured, you know what I mean, and having guys in and out the line up everybody's healthy. Now we haven't seen this and this is that this is the moment for them to turn the corner with a

beat up Nuggets team without having married. I think this is their time to get a good field this first round, beat them and go into that second round feeling good. I think this is the year. This is a tough matchup. I mean, I like both these teams. I mean, we got to two people picked the under the six seed, huh. Interested. I mean it's tough. I mean it's tough to match

up with Damon c jack Um. I think Nurkic is gonna be huge in this series because they haven't had his presence around, and you know, when he was healthy, he was he was doing games, you know, so he's gonna be a big I like to pick up of Norman Powell. I'm interested to see how Aaron Gordon does. If I'm not mistaken, this as his first playoffs, even though he's got a handful of years under his belt

and Michael Porter Jr. Really having the rope. Now, Obviously, last year we all know what Jamal Murray did in the bubble. I mean, he became a superstar last year in the bubble. So to not have that kind of firepower going into the playoffs, granted they went thirteen and four with Murray out, the playoffs are a different monster. So I'm interested to see how Jokers supporting cast plays um perk. Do you have a key matchup in this

series that you're watching? You know what I do. But I wanted to add to the Stax point about Portland. They got a lot of pressure on them this season. Like to me, this is a make up break season for them, Like if they don't if they kind of don't reach the finals, it's like do you break up c J and Dame? Like that is to the point right now, like how long are you going to continue to let this rock out? All this? They ain't go moving around. Know he said he's not that guy, but

sometimes you know, you having to make moves. That's a great point. We're definitely gonna talk about that later. Like what teams have the most pressure? I think Portland is definitely one of those teams because they have it, has it run its course with Damon c J or have they not been healthy enough? Have that they continue to run into that Warrior's team to kind of stop them from doing what they're gonna do it at times. So that's a great point. I think it's a uh, you know,

definitely a big playoff series for uh them. But who's your key matchup in this you know what I'm looking I'm looking forward to the big Nurkic and Yo kids go at it. I mean, Nurkic was traded because of Yoki, right, they got him about it there and I tweeted something. I tweeted something. I said, the youngest valid tuns was the most underrated big in my opinion in the league because he don't get talked about enough. And Nurkus replied, like, you know, like a yawning emotion, like he feels some

type of way. So now you get to prove it. Yeah, you get away, uh stack X factor in this series. For me, it's Dane. It's Dame because you know, damn Dame. Just like last year, Dang going off three or four or forties and fifties in a row. You know what, I mean if he in his bag like that, we know he's not the type of player that does not show up in the playoffs. They just haven't one. He show up all the time. We just have it one.

So he's my ex factor. If he go out there and just explode like we know he can do this, this this series won't even be close. So we've got two people picking the sixth seed seed. I'm gonna pick the I'm gonna pick this up. I'm always rolling the Dame. I'm sucking with day that. I think that, you know, the Warriors stopped them from doing a lot of stuff in the Western Conference and then injuries have plagued them a lot. But with you know, healthy going into the playoffs.

I think I said it a few weeks agoing to Jump. I think that that the Trailblazers for my sleeper team in the West, like be surprised if these motherfucker's get how to make a run to the finals because they have all the pieces and another finally healthy. Al Right, Next up, our next matchup between the l A Clippers versus Dallas Mavericks on the Radar, presented to you by Draft Kings. This is a matchup that we saw in the bubble last year that the Clippers almost gave away. Uh,

Luca was on one um. The one thing I like about the Clippers this year is I would say I think they had too much hype. As a former Clipper, they're never used to talk about winning a division or winning a championship. That might have been too much pressure on. But I think this year, you know, getting Tylu, adding some key pieces. I think they've been flying under the radar the whole entire season, kind of just getting their

ship together now for this moment. Some people say they lost two games in a row so they didn't have to see the Lagers. Whatever, the face that fact is now you can't run from nobody now. So the playoffs are here. They got a tough first round matchup against Dallas. Jack thoughts on this series. It's gonna be a good one, man think. The best thing about it, The best thing for the Clippers was Luca punished them last year and this year when they played, so they know it's coming.

They prepared. They know we can't have another let down, we can't let an egg and we know Luca it's all they got basically, you know what I mean? So we're gonna we're gonna see if they if they can lock up on defense. We know they can score. But I just think that the fact that Luca been killing them for like the last eight times they played, I think they I think they're gonna come with their game face on and do what they gotta do and win the series maybe in six. Mmm. You know what, I'm

a little scared for the Clippers, man. I ain't gonna lie like I'm scared because this is kind of like a little robbery, right Luca from what they did last year in the bubble. And by the way, you know Tlu my god, man, he's my brother. But it's okay, right, we we we know that the Clippers lost those games, those last two games of the regular season on purpose. We know that, like, like, let's keep it a bugging. It's okay, you're trying to position your self to get

and it's all right. I get it. But when I when I look at it, I'm I'm kind of concerned about the Clippers, man, because one, Kauai doesn't look healthy, right, Paul George didn't finish the last part of the season strong at all. He did not look good. And then surgery Baker coming back and then coming back in to me with Pat Bell. One point is I think it's like they may have too much, if that makes sense, they got too much. Like at some point it's gonna

have to be ald eight to nine man rotations. Somebody's gonna get left out, right, somebody's gonna get left out. They're super deep. So I mean, like you go, you're gonna play Reggie Jackson, You're gonna play Pat Bell, You're gonna play Rondo like you gotta make a decision. You're gonna play book your cousins he's been playing well for you. Or you gotta play serge because it's coming from the front office. You're gonna play big zoo box like you

got these decisions to make, right. But then when you look at Dallas last year in the Bubble Prosingas and Luca, they were the high scoring duo in the Bubble last when healthy, both of them was averaging thirty and we saw that series was going with Pazingers in there, right, and then you you look at this Dallas team. I don't I don't really recall out like that, but I mean it is what it is. I look at this Dallas team, and they have a lot of guys like you,

my Tim Hardaway. You said that Matt when we were on the jump. And then you think about Bronson, right, nobody like he's been flying on. Yeah, he played hardest fuck. And then and then you got like Cleveland who could stretch the floor. You got, uh the kid trade that that Trey Bird's right, who's he played extremely well in the bubble. He didn't not back down from Josh Richardson finding his stride. And then Dallas you gotta feel something type but way because the team basically tanked the last

two games just to play. So the Clippers you gotta be careful. So with this being said, you still got the Clippers. Okay, I got the MAVs and seven. The key to this for me is Porzingis. We know that Luca no matter Kauai is on him, Pauls on him. Uh, lucas gonna do what he does. Who's going to be that consistent night and night out second option? And Porzingis has the talent, he's just been inconsistent and injured. Um like you said, the number one scoring doing the bubble

last year? Um important. I loved Tim Hardaway Jr. I like Dallas's team, but I also like the fact that the Clippers, to your point, may have a lot of bodies to play, but to me, that's a good problem to have. Is gonna have to handle that problem, but it's I'd rather have too much than not enough, and they had definitely have too much, so adding Rondo, adding Boogie. And then there are another team like Portland, although I haven't been together as long as Portland's, the Clippers of

been under the clock, under the watch. What's this team gonna do with these two superstars that came here, So this is that there's more pressure. Also, what's Paul gonna do in the playoffs? He came on this couch. It was very confident and had a great season, like he said, although he didn't finish as strong as he should have. Um had a great season, but had a message for the world that he's here, he's back, he's healthy. So we want to see that in the playoffs as well. So, um,

key matchup? Who's your guys? Key match up in this series? M I mean, you gotta it. Gotta be Luca, You gotta be Luca and Paul George, right, like we gotta expect PG to guard Luca. We gotta expect, well, Luca go to smoke. He's not gonna guarden body. But I mean, if you're just talking about head to head, that's the matchup I want to see because Kauai is not healthy, right, He's not gonna be the Kauai that we saw last

year in the Bubble. So I think the stage is said for Paul George to redeem himself from last year. And it's also said to see if Luca was a fluke or he's gonna to duplicate what he did last year in the Bubble. So that's my key matchup Jack X factor in this series. Thanks fact that I'm gonna Boogie Cousins and book you can get out there and and and get a fifteen fifteen night the whole series, and they can feed him and he getting in his bag.

It's gonna be a problem because personas ain't ain't tough enough to guard Boogie and the Bookie can do that. That's gonna open up the floor for the guards for Paul George. Why do they things so Bookie can come in and be dominant. He might expect he's gonna help him a lot I love that I got the Clippers in six so you don't have to see next matchup. We have the number one you taught Jazz versus the number eight Memphis Grizzlies. What do you think that you have?

I think you had off camera you had a great comment of of why that you think the playing came about. Let's hear your your reasoning behind it. I just feel like with the player in right, every action has a reaction. And I think guys and I'm not gonna call their

names out, but they know who they are. They started the low man just been ship right, and so all of a sudden, I think the playing tournament, in my opinion, is a is A is a good idea because it holds players and organizations accountable, not to take the regular season for granted. No more. Right so, like when we were playing, we used to look forward to playing every single night, Like when you're talking about we was trying to play eighty two games, and we were trying to

compete for eighty two games. Right, It's not like that. No more guys looking on the schedule coming into coaches, I ain't playing a night. Well, first of all, if it wasn't a pandemic, and you got fans that are coming back into the stands, and you've got people out there who are not millionnaires, who are not making six figures or whatever, who are paying their hard earned money to come in and pay to see a certain player

play the game of basketball. And all of a sudden they go there and it's a late scratch and they're really not injured. It's really because the LOLd management, you're cheating the fans. I mean, Vanessa Bryant said it at the Hall of Fame ceremony. She said it that Cole wanted to go out there every single night and play banged up or whatever for the people that was in

the three hundred sections. So I think that this is why I like to play in tournament, because if it makes you want compete every single night in the regular season. So now, don't don't don't get to that seven or eight spot where you gotta play in that ship. Solidify your spot early six and up. But back to this young Memphis team. Seven players averaging double figures. Uh utah,

and paper looks great. Uh you know, number three in defensive rating, number four in offensive rating, Leather League, and made threes. Big question again, is Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley going to be healthy enough to chase around this young, athletic, up tempo Memphis Grizzlies team park Yeah, I see this. I in this series going six. Memphis is not gonna

lay down. I see you talk winning in six. But this Memphis team ain't got one of the most underrated backcourts in the game, Dealing Brooks and John Morant and and and when you look at the big fellow down there in the middle of your onest Vaunta tumors, he's averaging seventeen and fourteen the night. That's what he's giving you a night, every single night. And then you have slow moo, right, slow mo Kyle Inerson he has, he's been giving you a solid thirteen fourteen points a night

at the wing position. You got Clark Jaren Jackson Jr. So and they feisty like they want to be here. John Morant plays with a lot of swag, but he carries himself. He like like he carries himself like you got us fucked up and I love it. But like he's on social media like yeah, y'all tripping like we're coming, and you gotta love that about him, But I just think the Jazz experience their dev Let's go, go, go six games. I give it to the Jet. Thoughts on

this young athletic Memphis team, I'm calling upset, upset alert. Yeah, I'm calling upset just for the reason he said, Alan Shunis. I think he's gonna be a bigger factor than Rudy Gobert in this series. I think he's gonna dominate the paint um. He's gonna punk Rudy Gobert. And I think, just like Jibs on social media, tell y'all, y'all sleeping on us. I had that feeling before, and we said the same thing when they slept on us and we shocked the world. So I think I think John was

capable of doing the same thing. Upset here eight one upset, huh yeah, I'm out of Yeah. I mean, like I said, Memphis has a lot of weapons, a lot of young and sometimes being young works for you because you just don't know no better. Like if we're going out here to Hooper Guard, it don't matter whether we're yet, what the score, what the series is, We're just going out here to play. And then they have a young a lot of young players that can do that. So definitely

interesting series. I got you tall Man, I got you talk to to seven. All right, Now we're gonna bounce over to the Eastern Conference where we have the number one seed Philadelphia seventy Sixers versus number eight seed Washington Wizards. Uh. I come in the Wizards first and foremost. I mean they were in the gutter. A lot of people talking about Brad Biell needs to leave. I was one of them. Westbrook injured early but came out and had a tremendous season.

Thoughts on this, but then again, Sixers, Uh in b the boys? What Doc has them doing? I really liked the seventy sixers and we haven't really talked much about them. Thoughts on this first round match up, park Man. I hate to say, y'all know how I feel about Russ the Brody. I mean, he's a problem. I think you know when you talk about being one of the most ferocious players, right, he probably is dead in the league, right, Guys that like he intimidates you when he walked into gym.

But with that being said, I got the sixtis in five, Like it's just because the Wizards that they don't play defense. Like they don't play no defense at all. But the seventies six is like when you think about how many bodies they could throw at Russell Westbrook and Bradley Bill you got, you got, you got Tobias Harris, Ben Simmons, you got even Danny Green, you got uh Ty Boats who's coming in off the bench and look Milton, shade Milton. But Bill gave them fifty this year. Yeah, he did,

he did, He did, he did, he did. But Ben Simmons, I think he's not. But but Bill not healthy those stacks. That's the only reason I'm I'm saying that. That's the only reason I said in five and then they just don't have answers for for Big and b Like they don't have an answer for him at all, Like he just right know but but like we were saying the other day, what MB will we see though? Will he

be shock and beat? You know? You know I called him a two hundred and seventy five pound version of the King alajo on like because he, I mean, his foot work if you watch this game, I mean, yeah, it's sick, it's sick. I just I just think Doc got these guys attention, right, And I think it was best for both worlds, right for Dr Leeve l A and I think Doc they had bought into what Doctor is preaching over the like Tobias Harris is having his

best season. You know what I mean, self curage. We talked about stuff obviously, but you got self fucked up what I'm saying on both ends of the form, and we both got a chance to play for Doc. I think the one thing Doctor is the greatest encouraging players and like laying them roles on what's his thing? To be a star in your role? It looks like everyone over there knows what the they're supposed to be doing.

We had Doc on the show and the first thing he told me it was not tripping off your shooting three. Just continue to be the best of you. Beat you you want to shoot three, shoot them, but continue to be you. Um. I like this Philly team. You know, obviously a lot of attention in the East has gone towards the Nets, but this Philly team has flown under the radar bit consistent all season. And I think the biggest key is, like Jack said, which mbat are we

gonna get? Um? Obviously not a knock on Washington. Uh, you know, like I said, hats off to them for their grind, but I just don't think they have enough outside of not playing devins and Bill is not a healthy It was gonna take healthy Bill and Rust to average thirty a game to even make this a series, and I don't know if they're gonna both be able to do that. So I too have Actually I got this as a sweet to be honest with you, Jack key matchup in this series, key matchup, it's hard to

go with Bill. You gotta go Simmons and Russ. I'm pretty sure Simmons is gonna guard Rust and uh trying to keep him down, try to keep him his trouble double numbers down. But it's gonna be good to see them go at it. So what do you have? You have? You have the sixers? I have the sixers in five I feel I felt like Russ is good enough and even an unhealthy Bill, they're good enough to pull off one.

Definitely not matter that. Next series we have the number two Brooklyn Nets, who most have favored to win the championship first to Boston Celtics. Obviously, losing Jason Brown was a big hit to the Celtics down the stretch. We all saw that Jayson Tatum had to drop a fifty ball to secure that seventh seed. In the playing situation, um Nets, they haven't had their core three big three

really played more than ten games together this season. Thoughts on this series perk sweet sweet, Like and you know what I would have said, like maybe five or six for Boston because of Jayson Tatum and they still have Kimba Walker. But after listening to Brad Stevens comments after the game the other day, I'm like, nah, it's a sweet like I was. I was wondering if he wanted to stop, retire, go coach for the Nets. You know, I'm very complimented too over like like when we're getting

ready to go to war, like, what are you talking about? Yeah? To the casual fan, they just it's hard for them to lose. Like what he said, you don't see him losing. Yeah, what the fund are you talking about it? Like? And then they're trying to say, oh, no, he's just trying to get his team fired up. I'm like, no, Verse psychology don't work with too many of the brothers. New Slash I don't work with the brothers, so uh Jack, uh Yeah, I gotta I mean, I gotta go with sweep.

I love Tatum. Uh this is the time when you get what you've been asking for. The three of the Monster's coming. It's time where everybody's been waiting. Now it's coming, So beware, and they're gonna do what they're supposed to do. I gotta sweep to them over Afrigan twenty in the last seven or eight Kimba consistent second score. Now that Tatum's out, excuse me, now that Brown is out. But I don't think any of that is going to be enough against this team. This team is just This team

is tough. Man, So I too agree with this week next matchup we have, Man, it kind of feels weird saying this. The four seed New York Knicks versus the number five seed Atlanta Hawks. Uh. Man, can't give coach TIBs enough. I think he went out there implemented his style with a little bit of flexibility. Have these dudes playing defense. Julius Randall, to me, is the most improved player in the NBA. On the flip side, Trey Young and Collins is a nice little duo. They have a

lot of weapons on that side. Over there in Atlanta, Nate McMillan. Yeah, I mean, shout out Nick mmell. Hawks went twenty six and eleven down the stretch with McMillan, which was the third best record in the in the league at the time. Trey Young is fully healthy. This is gonna be a fun series, Jack, talk to me about this series. It's gonna be um. I gotta go on seven, but I don't have a winner. Both of

these teams are new to the playoffs. Both of these teams are young, both of these coaches and still trying to figure out what they're working with. Yeah, you both teams have all stars. So this is gonna be a basically even series. We're gonna see what star shines brightness in this series and uh, and kind of separate themselves. And it's gonna be round him. Is it gonna be trade? We're gonna see, Man, this hard. It's going seven. But I got the Hawks. I got the Hawks beating the Knicks.

I just at times the Knicks just can't score enough, right, and then at some point you gotta put up a lot of points and I get it right. The Knicks. The Knicks one, Uh, they went three and oh against the Hawks, but Julius Ramta had to have forty plus in two of those games. I don't know if he's capable of doing that with adjustments right at the power force, like you know the power forward position, you need that

guard right there. Rose is obviously d Rose. But I'm looking at Trey Young, and I'm looking at him to have that Jamal Murray effected you on the postseason, like he gets twenty five in his sleep. But I'm looking for him to really have a breakout postseason, like to go out there and shine. Look at Collins right got it's out there giving you eighteen and eight a night. Clint Capella ain'toring the defense. He's giving you fourteen and

thirteen with two blocks. Then you have Lemon Pepper, Lulu Will coming in off the bench with Gayland like Bodanovich is giving you eighteen. The Hawks just have so so much firepower that when it comes down possession by possession, I just think that they could they just could go on those high streets that could pull them over the top. That's why I got the Hawks at seven. I think there's gonna be a really fun series. I think they're

evenly matched two contrasting styles. I mean the Hawks have five or six guys and give you twenty at any given time. Hi Um, Like I said, I like Tibbs experience in this team. Although they're new to this, this next team, it seems like they've really bought into that. And we all know the playoffs are about adjustments. So what is Atlanta gonna do when they're trapping Trey Young all over the floor? You know what I mean. I think there's just small adjustments that Tids makes that's gonna

give New York to edge. And looking for Julius Randall to have a big series. Derek Derek Rose have a big series. I got the Knicks and seven. Next up we have the Milwaukee Bucks versus the number six Miami Heat. This is a rematch from last year. I think Park, me and you both picked this upset on the on the jump. Last year we both we both had Miami beating which I won't pick it. I won't pick that same. Yeah,

we can't wait to hear it this. The Bucks have been my one team that I said, similar to the Clippers in the West that have been floating under the radar switching up lineups. Janie has been on this ship. Adding Drew Holiday is obviously going to be a huge piece of their success, and I think it's it's their time to make that jump. Perk tell me about this series. Man, it's hard for me to go against them goons from Dade County, Jimmy Butler right down. But I got the

Bucks in six. I got the Bucks in six. I actually got the Bucks coming out of the East. To be honest with you, I think they have everything that they need and more. Jannice, I mean we're watching them take his jump shots in and knocked down three point shots. But his playmaking ability has went to another level. Uh you know, right after the All Star Game, he had a stretch about five games where he was averaging a trip of double And I'm looking at this this this

Bucks team, and Miami is gonna scrap. But the Bucks with with Drew Holiday like one of the best two way players in the game today, Like strap up the best of them. And then Chris Middleton a guy that flies under the radar. Brooklow players U a guy that that that protects the basket who don't get enough credit for what he brings to the table. But I think the thing that said the Bucks, apart from everybody else.

In my opinion, the two great additions that they had was Bobby Porter's and p J. Tucker, And not only for what they bring on the court, but now it's no more punking than Milwaukee Bucks like Joannice and Chris Militon could look over and be like, now I got them, I got I got some big brothers over there, because you know, like Bobby Porter's he bought that action. P J. Tucker, he bought that action. So it's not like you, but you're not about to punk him. And they gonna give

you something on the court. Bobby Porters right now, he's giving you twelve and eight off the bench. Then the Bucks could go small. Put Yannie at the fire, put p J. Tucker the in that corner, and just tell me how you're gonna stop Drew Holiday and Yannice in the hot picking role, or even Chris Militant and Yannice and the hot picking old. So I got the Bucks and six, I'll say seven. Even though the Bucks kind of figured out their mistakes from last year. I think

they figured that out. They the only team that embarrassed Brooklyn back to back nights. Janice had fifty damn to both nights, So they're feeling real confident coming in. I don't I don't think they're looking over Miami, but they're coming into this series way confident that they did last year when they played them, and they're gonna be a different team. Bug got these guys playing different. Like you said, with the dishes they made, they looked like a championship team.

Now they have all the dynamics you know that they need to be a championship team. And even though I like Miami the heart of one of the hardest playing teams in the league, you can't never kind of Jimmy button. Look what they did last year, but this is a whole new season. You're not surprising nobody. Now. Everybody knows what y'all coming with. And Milwaukee don't want to have no let downs. It's gonna be at seven games series, but I see Milwaukee win. I agree. I'm a huge

fan of of Miami for the way they play. You know, blue collar. Jimmy Butler is a blue collar superstar. I mean that team goes as Jimmy goes. I think they're young shooters, had a little bit of finals hangover um, but they finally woken up and started shoot the ball like they're capable of shooting. I think av Avan, Adam Trevor Resa was a big pick up for them. Championship experience at three and D guy. But with all that said,

I still got the bucks. Um. I think their additions that you mentioned, Bobby Portis and p J. Tucker are gonna be huge just for that reason they're gonna give you they're gonna production. But I think just the ability that the nice and the boys know that they've got some dogs and the kennel with them are going to

be very important. Um. And then I think a lot of pressure is going to be taken off of Janice from a standpoint of now you know I'm gonna be in the pick and row, I'm maybe be Drew Holiday is someone who could definitely hit a lot of these big shots that people have been looking for Jannice to hit or put Like you said that that that pick and roll, that want four pick and roll is gonna be murder. So I got the bucks and six as well. Now we have our picks for the Eastern Finals, Western Finals,

and then finally the championship. Park. Let's start with you, Park, who do you have in the Eastern Conference Finals. Well, I got Philly. Um, they got the easy side of the bracket, right, and then I'm going with the Bucks. So that means the Bucks would have to beat the

Nets in the second round. Absolutely. And this is the reason why I'm going with the Bucks is because the best thing that could happen for them is them get in Miami the first round and now they get to get tested now because we all know exposures go through the kitchen sink at them for us defensively right everything they go and when they get to Brooklyn, Jannice just

go have it this way. So I got the Milwaukee Bucks in the Philadelphia seventy six is in the Eastern Conference Farmers, hold on, don't give us your pick yet, Jack, I got the Nets and Philly. I don't see uh milwalk agetting past the Nets in the playoffs. They had it. They figured it out doing the regular season and then the playoffs. It's gonna be hard, um blak and everybody that they're gonna have a totally different game plan and guys and know what's at stake. Um, I feel like

Brad Stevenson. I don't see the Netty losing. I see them beat in Philly in the finals in the conference finals. See the seventy sixers have the easy easy draw, not eating I mean, nothing is easy in the plast but the easier road to the Eastern finals. Um. And then I like the Nets. I mean in the reason why it's so hard to pick against the Nets is because two of your top players can have an off night and you can still win. And there's not another team in the NBA. They could say that if A d

and Labron don't play well, the Lakers lose. And then again, I didn't mean call, but I thought about this too while he was talking. They got Boston, right, that's gonna be easy. They're gonna be resting, walk, You're gonna have the fight. But A Brookly need the rest a little bit, so it's gonna be easy first round to help him go into the second round. It could be kind of like your Boston team. Didn't you guys go to seven seven games, three series in the row. Were you on

that team? Yeah, we did, We went three game sevens, right, and then you guys beat the Lakers in the final, the Hawks and the Hawks in Cleveland. Yeah, and then yeah yeah, so yeah again, I got Philly first, the Nets in the Eastern Finals. Al Right, next we go to the Western Conference Finals. Jack, who you have in the Western Finals. I'm going Lakers Clippers. That's what I want to say, That's what we are all waiting for. I think I think I think the Lakers, you know,

are shoeing more in the finals than the Clippers. I think Brian and They're gonna do what they need do to get there. But I think they're those two teams will meet will meet up in the Western Conference Pas, I'm going Jazz and Lakers. I'm going Jazz and Lakers, just because I think Dallas is gonna upset the Clippers in the first round seven games. I think the Lakers they could be the Sons. They are gonna beat the

one out of Denver in Portland. Uh And I just think Utah was securing their number one seed and no matter if it does go seven games, to me, they're not losing that home, not to not to neither one of those teams. They're just not Hi. Are you high on the Jazz, I'm not mad at that. Um, I too, have the Lakers versus the Clippers. The Battle of l a UM in the Western Finals. I think we've been

waiting for this for the past two years. Again, the Clippers have flown under the radar and you know, have so Eve been stacking their deck and getting people right. Quiets health is going to be integral to their advancement. But um, I definitely like that battle of l A in the Western Conference finals. So we move on to our finals matchup, Perk, who do you have in the finals?

Lakers and Bucks? Lakers, Lakers and Bucks, Lebron and Janice. Yeah, that's what That's what I'm looking at, Lakers and Books and your prediction. I got Lakers back to bag champions. I I just you know, I think as the because the more that Lebron, James and a D continue to play, they're gonna continue to get their rhythm and like we saw lads shield like when they when they're when they are their best, it's no stopping them, like especially a D. Right, A D is one of one, like like he's he's

a he's a kivin going near two point oh. When you talk about how versatile he is, and he showed us that last year, like he dominated like shock and Will Chamberlain numbers like it was it was like that like you just a fucking animal. So I just I don't see nobody stopping them, like not when they I just don't don't see nobody stopping them. Jack, who you got to find? I got? I'm gonna go with the Clippers and the Nets. I just for some reason, I feel like that three headed monster, a boogie Um Surge

and what's the other big guy name? U Box, Big ju Box. I think they're gonna they're gonna make it tough one. They're gonna lean on him. They're gonna lean on him, and Bron is not a hunter percent hell. I think the Clippers would take them and meet the Nets in the championship, and the Net's gonna do what they're gonna do all playoffs, dominate and win the championship. Nets, and you got some picks. I almost want to say the Lakers just so I could not pick the Clippers.

Maybe I was bad luck picking the Clippers last year. You had nothing to do with that, Bro, trust me, when man finals matchup, I got the I got uh the Nets coming out of the East. I'm a big fan of the Nets. Like I said, I don't they're gonna get tested. I don't see how much, they'll get tested, but I definitely feel to get tested in the East. Um coming out of the West. I hate to go against Lebron because I've got Lebron, and I think every time I picked against Lebron, he's proved me wrong. That's

everybody right. So it's their health is going to be key, and I just don't know if they can stay They're not already not healthy, so I don't know through these rough playoffs they're gonna be able to stay healthy. So I'm gonna go Lakers. Excuse me, I'm gonna go Clippers versus the Net in the finals, and I think it'll be a great finals. But I have um k D

winning in his third championship in third finals. NPP. To me ask you a question, real quick, Stack and Matt, tell me who is your dog courses in the Eastern and Western Conference? Like, tell me give me an Eastern Conference dog horse who's come out of the Eastern Conference that not your favorite? My Eastern dark horses. The team you're picking to come out of the East, the Bucks, Like I said, for every reason you said, dark horse will have to be Miami and in the West, mine

Portland in the West, mine in the West. Is is is Portland's for sure? What if they pull it off? Bro, I wouldn't be surprised. We are surprised. Like we're like, we're sitting up there talking about these pigs and in my mind, yeah, but I'm sitting up we're talking about these peaks. But in my mind, I'm sitting up here saying to myself, like, ship really for graphs, right, especially in the Western first time you can say that in

the West. In the West, like, I'm like, it's really up for graphs because I'm sitting up here thinking like Portland could get hot, and then I'm sitting up here saying, you talk could do something like I want to roll with the Clippers. I had them my favorite like three weeks ago, but then they still kind of you know, declining, Yeah, before we get out of here. Obviously, we know these

playoffs matchups are set. Who are some teams you feel that really have a lot of pressure on them to do something that should not necessarily win the championship, but you at least kind of make the conference finals of the finals of the teams that you guys feel that are kind of on the clock as far as team and possibly go in a different direction. Or I would say Boston but they're not healthy. But Portland, for sure. It's with no brain of Portland. It's on the clock.

You know what I'm saying, Camelo. We don't know how much long Camelo gonna play. You got a hold on him. Y'all got a healthy team right now, and everybody had a chance to play a couple of games before the playoffs. So you got your whole team, no more excuses. Let's see what you'll cann do. Definitely, Poling I said it's the Clippers that they're on the clock. And and here's why, because I think what the Clippers do this postseason is go decide what Kauai do for as his contract. You

know you're thinking about that. I mean, he has nobody has option. And I think whatever the Clippers do this year is go decide whether Kauai stays or he goes. Okay, if he goes, where does he go? I like him in Miami, Himmy, Jimmy Yo. Him and Jimmy got a real good relationship, great relationship. I love him in Miami. And to be honest, I tell those are two teams I feel have a little bit of I have some

pressure on them obviously. You know, there's a lot of talk to you know, we've we've got what seven or eight years now, c J and Dame together and you know, I mean, as those two dominant scores, is that back quarter recipe for the championship? I think that's what a lot of people are asking. Like I said earlier in the show, I think the Warriors, you know, got in their way when they had their dynasty run injuries and play that team. I've always been a big fan of

Portland's h Clippers. Again, on the clock, I mean, when you're the little brother in this city and you go out and get all these big free agents, you're always on there. You're always on the clock in LA regardless. But the moves they may definitely put them on the clock. Um. So like you said, I didn't think about that part, but you know, what they do can possibly deter or or or encourage Kauai and what he's want to do. And in the Bucks, you know, I think the Bucks

have a very good team. You know, Janice has been a two time m v P UM again slid under the radar this season, but added some really key pieces um this year and it's not even to me. His name is so much about them winning a championships, about making that jump at least representing, you know, getting to the Eastern Conference files and putting up a fight. So all that said, man, I think it's gonna be very exciting playoffs, as we talked, very you know, evenly matched,

even starting in the first round. So I hope you guys enjoyed this special What's Burning Playoff edition with our Budger Budger Brethren, Kendrick Lamar Perkins. We appreciate you. Man. You can catch us some Showtime Basketball YouTube and the I Heart platform Black Effects, and on Twitter and Instagram at show Basketball