NBA Playoffs Preview | WHAT'S BURNIN | SHOWTIME BASKETBALL

I'm kind of surprised that it hasn't happened already. Always always good. When we get Stephen Jackson in the state of California, it must be playoff time. So let's get to it all right. Playoff series are locked, at least some of them. I don't want to start out west because Matt Barnes Kings are facing Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson's Warriors. So what do we think about the Matt Barnes Bowl. First of all, atmosphere and Sack. You've been up there a lot this season. Yeah, I think it's

going to be incredible. I mean, We've all seen what Arc Arena used to be in the early two thousands and the Kings heyday. I think the city has desperately been waiting for this sixteen year drought. The one team I didn't want to play was I come speaking like I'm a King, But the one team I didn't want them to play was the Warriors. And it's not that I don't think they can beat them. I just think that experience plays so heavy in the playoffs and that's

the one thing that Kings lack. So I think it's gonna be a fun series. It's going to be an explosive series, you know, two high octane offenses. What scares me a little bit though, again is is King's inexperience and their bottom of the bottom of the standing in defensive rating. I think the Warriors are in the middle. I think the Warriors are ten in offense and like fourteen in defense, and you know their offense is going to turn the celf on come playoff time. So it's

gonna be fun. Two great home court advantages. Kings are great on the road, Warriors are bad on the road. So I think, you know, obviously the Kings get a little nod on that side. But then the Warriors are great at home. So Rachel, I'm really torn. I'll be up there, work in every single game and praying for the best. It's no road games in this series. Oh you think so it's no road games? You think there's

gonna be Warriors. It's too close. It's too close. When I played and we played Sacramento, we drove home after game. So that's how close to doing what? Blowing it down? Hey? But uh, you say they're not good a defense, and that's that's crazy because Mike Brown comes from a defensive background. He's known as a defensive coach. But I'm with you. I just think the Warriors, they always turn it on around as time. It's gonna be good for Sacramento going forward, though,

to get this, get this experience. You know, they made it here. It's the first step to get to the playoffs. Now they're gonna I think they're gonna learn a lot in this first round, but don't think they're gonna make it out past the Warriors. When the Warriors made it like to the halfway point of the season, and they were so much worse on the road than they were at home, I was like, yeah, that's fine. They're not going yet. And even in the last few months they

haven't had Wiggins, you know, and he's coming back. But like, I still don't quite understand the disparity. Can you guys explain to me? Because the Warriors are going in I think they're what twenty eighth in defense when they're on the road. That's crazy. And you put that up against the King's high powered offense. You look at those games in Sacramento. That's not a matchup I would want. How is it so different for a veteran team. They shouldn't be that affected by who's in the stands. No, the

game slows down. I tell everybody that it's different levels from round one too. It's different levels of basketball. And to have that experience, I really didn't understand it. I got San Antonio, okay, you know what I mean when they say, well, the experience matters. And when I got there and seeing in my first couple years when I didn't play, I understood what you know round Steve, Steve Kerr and Steve Smith them learning from them. I seen

the experience because I thought I was good. But those guys have been in league for a while and they knew the game. So that's what's gonna happen with Golden State. They have championship experience, they have all these guys have been together for so long. It's gonna be a learning less for Sacramento. I think to your point, Rich, I think the Words cove up ten more points on the road than they do at home, which is crazy. And obviously you never think teams can turn a switch on,

but I think this team can turn a switch. My question is can the younger guys and the newer guys turn that switch? And you know the Vets can do it. I mean their core. You know, their their core has had a dynasty run, so you know those guys will be ready when the time comes. But again, Rachel, obviously outside looking in, you know this is still the defending champs.

And I don't think you know, too many people are giving the Kings a chance, But I definitely think they do have a chance from a standpoint if they just have such a high power offense. But I pose this question when I was on air when the Warriors played the Kings. Can the Kings beat the Warriors at their own game? So obviously the Kings are the number one offense. But whose offense do they run? Yeah, they run the Warriors offense. Spacing, shooting, cutting, screening. That's the Warrior's offense.

So to me, it's going to be hard to beat the Originators at their game. But with that being said, I think it could be anyone's game. You know. I think it's going to be a blast. Two great basketball environments the first time ever, you know, the Highway eighty battles, so to speak. So I'm excited just to be involved. And you know, obviously, you know, my heart is with the Kings right now because it's new to them. But you know, we're also you know, we're we're sworn in

Warriors until we die. So what is what is Wiggins and Pagan gonna bring that They just today said Wiggins will be back for Game one, So two big pickups? Uh that you mentioned, Jack, So it's gonna be uphill sledding for the the Kings. But uh, great test and this is where you're in your stripes. Yep. Look a team like the Warriors, that is the defending champs, and the Warriors until they're out. To me, they have a good chance to win the title. That's just how I

feel about it. I will say, just to get into the building for Game one in Sacramento, the lowest price ticket is four hundred thirty bucks. Matt, I think your seat is free more expensive than it is that at Sancisco. How many playoff games have they been to push Shaw? Yeah, I'll be in the building for free now. I asked for tickets because obviously we're going up there for all the smoke, and they're like, well, what's your price rans, I'm like, what's a good lower level ticket? Off? Five

to six hundred on average? I'm like, that's the average lower level, you know, and that's not even close. That's in the middle, right, So ticket again. I'm happy for the city. I mean, if it's been sixteen years, you know, I'm from there, so just happy to see the energy around the Like the beams. I got plenty of him in my backpack, so we're gonna see what I'm gonna be lighting the beings. Regardless of Rache. I've seen you

on social with those personal beams. It's all good. I want to get to the four or five matchup to the Sun's Taken on the Clippers No. Pg. Thirteen for at least the start of the series, and to me, that's kind of the beginning and end the sentence until he's back in if he comes back, I don't know who defends all of the Sun's players and all that firepower. What do you guys think We always talk about stay ready, Norman Paul, Let's see what you got. You know, they

got him for a reason. He's been a great score, he's been a solid guy. Let's see if you can step up and hold it down to PG gets back. And that's what guys have to do. Everybody's making a lot of money in this league, Rachel. Everybody plays a certain role, but at certain times, certain guys have to step up when guys go down. And then this is a big moment for him. But let's see Kenny. Kenny handled that moment because it's gonna be guys like him that they gonna need to step up to win this series.

I think, you know, to TLU and the Clippers credit, they have one of the deepest rosters and this is the reason why. And then any team can play without a star. They know how to do it. You know, they lost Kawhi and PG was still able to take him to the Western Finals. A few years ago, but it's different now. This Phoenix team is having lost since Kevin got on, the team took in so much pressure off CP three, and I think a lot of people forgetting about Aiden, who is a solid double double guy.

You know what book's gonna do. You know, you know we've talked about before the show. What Kevin Durant splits are the first player ever to go fifty forty fifty five forty ninety two from the free throw line. So I mean, he's just one of those rare superstars that you can pluck and put in anywhere and it just

seems to move seamlessly. So I want to say I wish the Clippers were fully healthy, but I also want to say that I feel like Russ has something to prove, and I think he's been playing a lot better with the Clippers, a team that's encouraging him and you know, giving him all that positive energy. You saw him take that on on the Lakers a week or so ago, So you know, I definitely still think the Clippers have a chance, but I think without a healthy PG, I

would give the nod to Phoenix. Well look, there's no coming out party for a guy with multiple rings jingling in his pocket. But I do think this is going to be one of those Kevin Durant playoffs if he is healthy, where we are just going to be reminded how just fucking good he is. I mean, they're eight no since he got there, and it's not just what he does on the court. You mentioned the pressure he takes off Chris. We've been talking about that for the

last couple months. I was with them on Friday night and DeAndre Ayton could not stop talking about sort of that multiplier effect that Kevin has had on him. I was talking to Monny and he said, oh, you should see the example Kevin setting to DeAndre about how hard he works. So I went over to Eton and I was like, oh, I heard you've been working out with Kevin.

He's like Rachel. He goes so hard in everything. He's like, we were hurt at the same time, so we were rehabbing together and he was like going crazy on that. And then he's like they spent a night staying up all night talking on a back to back. He said, we were up till five in the morning and he was just telling me these stories about how he did this, and he's like that's Kevin Durant. He looked at me. He was like, Kevin Durant's putting in that work, so

then I've got to be giving that. And then's something I think every young player knows appear, but you see it and feel it such a different thing. To your point, Rachel, no one's been able to from what I've heard, it is turn on the light in Aiden, right, you know. I mean there's been such a rift over there between him and Monny and then him arguing with his teammates sometimes. And I'm encouraged to hear that Kde has been able to turn on that light because Aiden is very good.

I've always really liked him. I think he's a good kid. I think that he sometimes hasn't always been in this situation to make him flourish. And here's a time and place where it seems like all of the pieces are there. He said that Kevin told him that he's one of the best, most talented centers he's ever played with, and he goes, he thinks that about me, and he was like, oh, I told all my friends about that, I told my

mom about that. I mean, that's great, right. That tells you if Kevin Durant says something like, to you, how do you feel well? I mean, a lot of guys been looking at the especially the last two years with the Suns, that it should have been Booker eight and two. But it's always been a Booker Paul eight. It should have been another ball around. I think it should have

slid him into that second role. But I think Katie has giving him the compidence he needs now to make him feel like he belonged, to make him feel like he's a championship player, to make him feel like he's an All star even you know, just just just hearing it and having a guy like that on the team, and it could give a lot of compidence to a young guy. Same thing with Tim Duncan did to me.

So I get it. That's what I was thinking of, Like you've talked about that, how your relationship with Tim, it just takes your game to a whole new level. If he believes in you, Yep, that tells you. And Dandrew said that he told Kadi, he goes, I'm gonna tell you this, this team is going to appreciate you the way no other team has ever appreciated you. So we'll see if that turns out to be the case, but I think that we can see a lot from

them those playoffs. I do want to touch in the playing games as well, especially the Pelicans still being without Zion Williamson as they host the Thunder. The Athletic reported earlier in the week because I am was quote not even close to getting back on the floor, in part because his conditioning was so far off. Then the next day, Zion spoke to reporters himself. He said he feels good physically, but it's more about quote, when I feel like Zion again.

He said, when I go to make certain moves, there's that hesitation. Sometimes there's not, but sometimes there is. And I understand the magnitude of these games coming up, and I don't want to be out there hesitating or doing something that may affect my team in a bad way. That's a lot. What do you think, father, trusting your injury and that he's not new to think, Yeah, I think anyone can tell you that's come back from an injury is you know. I had to trust my knee

when I came back, and that's the hardest thing. When they say, Okay, you're healthy, but mentally you're you baby. It or you hesitating, and I hear him in the playoffs at the place or even the playing is a place you can't be hesitating. I just think it's so unfortunately. You know, obviously Willie Green be and my guy, and the way this team started. This team was number one on the West early in the seasons, you know, kicking ass and taking names, and all of it resides around Zion.

I mean, I love the pieces around him. I love brandon Ingram, love with CJ. McCombs brought to this team on the floor and in the locker room again, love Willy Green. I love the pieces they have. But this team goes as far as Zion, and if he's not out there, even if they happen to beat Okay, see, I don't think they'll beat Minnesota, because I think the Lakers will beat Minnesota. I don't know if they'll beat Minnesota. So it's unfortunate because I mean, he's just scratching the surface.

I mean he's been. Zion is out there. He's playing off pure athleticism, strength and talent. He hasn't even really start to figure out how to play the NBA game, and he's doing all these amazing things. So once he figures out the game, if he can get his get himself out there, he's gonna be a problem. So help me out. What exactly is his injury? Hamstring? Right, thinks him? Okay, right, okay, this is my thing. Okay, He's missed a lot of games, Bro, a lot of games. Got his money, right, missed a

lot of games. At this point, Bro, game one, just see what you've got. This's why I'm at with it, because you you know, like, let's just see what you got. And if you just can't go and it's looking that bad, yeah we'll shut you down, but we just let me see what you got. At this point, it ain't it ain't it ain't. I don't think being off and rehabbing, whatever you've been doing hasn't done anything. Boy, you because you've been out for so long, you've been hurt again.

You've been hurt again. Like I think at this point, if you somewhere healthy where you think about playing and you're not and you're not confident mentally, you got to go out there play and get your confidence by playing and see what you can do sitting there thinking about it where I'm not confident. Men, you don't know go ahead and give it a shot. Then if you hurt and you can't go, then that's one thing. But I think your teammates that will respect you more if you

try to give it a shot. This is the playoffs, this is not preseason, you know what I mean. We have, we have a shot to do something great. I think you should just give a shot and see what he got. Man. I don't think just sitting out as the downs. I'm definitely not matter that anything. If you happen as a tweak it you got the whole summer to heal. The tweek. It's a hamstring. It's not an achilles. You know it's

a hamstring, right, it's a hamstring. As I'm sure that there's fans in New Orleans who hear the word of hesitation and they're like, fine, go hesitate on the court, Like we're okay with that, right, I don't. I don't know if that then lead some more injury. You know. I can't put myself on those shoes, but I do know that to the fans, there's some frustration among the fan. I mean also too and not to come remember how you know, how slow and obviously different injuries, but Embiid

was out the gates. Remember Embiid was hampered by foot injuries and issues coming out the gate, and we all wanted, you know, because we saw flashes. Man, we can't wait to see if this guy's got Yeah, so, you know, being able to be in and out early on, I mean, it's just I'm sure it's tough for him. Um, it's

tough for the fans, it's tough for the team. And you do kind of wonder, like, how how however his teammates looking at him at this point too, so that that's kind of a good point, Jack, So I played with guys that had matter of fact, Baron Davis, it's documented. You remember that he had a hamstring basically pull and bad knee all in one leg in the playoffs that year would be Dallas, and he found a way to

get through it. And not even not even being the top, Baron, but just having him on the court was what we needed, you know what I mean. So sometimes just him being out there to put uplift the team. Exactly your point, Yeah, well, no one, no one's inside his body but him. But you just do, like as a fan, you want to see you want to see him play so talented you want to se him play? All right, let's get over to the East four or five match Knicks Cavs. Let's

get some Jews. Baby Julius Randall status uncertain. That's the only bummer. I mean, they do think he'll play, but it will be on a bad ankle. Jalen Brunson versus Donovan Mitchell, all right, they faced off last year in the West Dallas, Utah. But this is a very different circumstance, the Donovan Mitchell Bowl stack. What do you what do you think here? I think Donovan Mitchell gonna go crazy. I think he just got a point to prove. I think this is gonna be a big moment for the

coach too in Cleveland. Uh, this is gonna be a step up for him to coach these guys out of the first round. Um. I love the fact that New York the Knicks are back in the playoffs, So I mean it's good. I'm not really you know, a Knick fan, you know much I hate on the Knicks, but um, theytually know it, and he's yeah, yeah, I definitely know it. I got I got the Knicks and a giant. I'm a cowboy. So you know, I hate everything over there, but it's good to see him back in the playoffs, Rach.

And you know, basketball is always good when when playoff basketball is being played at the Guarden. Ain't no question about that, you know. And but they they got there, but this where it stops. I think the storyline of what could have been with Mentell possible possibly could have been a knick um. It's great. I hate that Julius random won't be a hundred percent because he was playing so well before he got so well before he got hurt. And I think Javin Brunch's addition took so much pressure

off him. And you know, I think at the beginning of last year, one was thinking, like, how why would they pay Jenna brunts on one hundred one hundred. I think he's underpaid. Jenna Bruntz has had an incredible year, changed the energy around that franchise, and I think they would have had a shot verse Cleveland if Julius was one hundred percent healthy. But with that being said, and things are what they are, I agree. I think Mittell's

gonna go crazy. Uh. He's got a great supporting cast, but I think that's going to be a really probably one of the best Round one matchups. Quickly, you might have a big series. Oh, I think he will for sure. I think the fact that the first two games are in Cleveland, like we knew for a while those teams were probably gonna face each other in the first round, but it was sort of who's gonna be the four,

who's gonna be the five. I do think that with the Cavs, kind of having that home court advantage first is going to put them on good footing in the series. If you're the Knicks, if you're a Knicks fan, and you if you're Brian Daily sitting there, I thought he was over in the corner. I guess not all right, sorry, no, no, no no, I just saw the corner of my eye over here. But it's mister Dillon. Um that uh that uh.

If you're a Knicks fan and you look back and you see Donovan Mitchell drop seventy one over the course of the season, he's had this spate coming into the playoffs of forty point plus games, do you still wish he was a Nick or are you very happy with the way things turned out they I think you wish he's a Nick. I mean, that's fans, dreams are always who you know on what kind of stars we can get.

But I think reality is what it is. But what you said, Rachel, I mean if the Knicks can go in there and steal a game in Cleveland, well then yes, the whole thing changes. Who you know who knows as a Nick As a Knick fan, they don't feel nothing. You know how many players they supposed to get and didn't get over the last five to ten years. You know they all did not even FDA. They numb to everything. Now they don't feel nothing over there in New York.

I'm just wondering. I've heard Knicks fans, you know, I lived in New York for a long time, so i'lled a Knicks fan friends, and it felt like we don't even the way things worked out, we wouldn't even wanted him because we would have been given away too much. That kind of thing. I don't know. I think you always wanted him. This is my opinion, guys. I want to talk a little bit about postseason awards, since we have now reached the cutoff. I turned in my ballot yesterday.

I want to hear who you think your winners are, and let's start with Defensive Player of the Year, very close race Jared Jackson, Junior, Brook Lopez, and mobile in the mix. Who you got stack? Now I sit back and think about it, Um, he's been dominant for the last couple of years, win this category. I'm going with jack Jackson. Okay, yeah, just just the way he's he's helped change the culch over there Memphis. Having a shot

blocker definitely helps the team. So I gotta go with jar I'm gonna go with Brook Lopez, and I think the way he's been able to reinvent itself at his older age and still you know, be a stretch five, but be someone who is a shot changer, a shot blocker, and a key rebounder for that team. But Rachel, what's weird to me is he's not even the best defensive player on that team, right, and somehow he's in the top And that's no all, that's I mean, that's that's

a great side for the buckle. Oh wait, let me ask you a questions. So we're talking about Rue Holiday, by the way, who I think is the best perimeter defender in the league. But would you say that Drew Holliday is a better defender overall than brook Lover. I think so. Yeah, I think so because I mean he always takes the toughest player and always slows him down. I mean, good offense is always going to be a

good defense. But Drew Holidays, I mean, I don't think he's underrated anymore because we were saying that when we first started. Man he's the most underrated. I think people understand his talent now and he's been able to win a championship, But I still think he's I think he's underappreciated. Maybe it's the word and then the thing too. Jannis plays defense too, so Bucks are going to be scary.

But yeah, my pick is I'm gonna give brook Lopez because I know Jaren Jackson is gonna win probably three or four these defensive players of years throughout his career. Oh well, I voted for Jaren Jackson's junior. I'm with you, Stack for sure. I do know that I want to go to Brook Lopez's doctor though, because whatever he did over these past couple of years, I want to do most improved flare. A lot of guys really stepped up and rose to the occasion. You go and learn marketing.

Are you going Shay gild Alexander or who I liked the jump marketing his mate, but I like shay Man. Shay is a killer. What he's been able to do for this team that everyone in the world wrote off at the beginning of the season, I think even the

team management wrote that team off. And how he's been able to rally these young guys together, and obviously again shout out to management because they always do such a great job of acquiring young pieces and picks, and you really saw flashes of what's what's to come in this next two or three years from Oklahoma City. So he's going to be scary. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go with SGA all my most improved. He's going to me too, SGA.

No question about this idea what most improved. And people think it's got to be sort of a more kind of my marginal player. Yeah, more marginal player, that kind of thing. I think. I don't know. I vote over the years. I vote for all kinds of guys who when they make that leap to being a genuine star. To me, that's huge. That's the improvement we're all looking for, right, and Pulias Randall could be on that list, I mean

the jump he's made. But to think that Shay is going to be possibly the most improved and I think he's all NBA rates. I don't know how you feel, but I think all NBA. He was a player as well too, so big big offseason for him, big offseason

awards coming up for cha. I feel like when you think about that trade, by the way, and look, I'm not going to criticize the Clippers because it was made clear to them they couldn't get Kauai without making that deal for Paul George, so they were really trading for both players. However, when you look at what will go in the NBA record of what that trade was, I mean, think about the draft picks that went in Oklahoma City's direction.

If you just had Paul George versus Gilder's Alexander straight up, a lot of people would have picked Shake in that trade. So with the way things have turned out, can you remember Doc, the trade almost didn't happen because Doc didn't want to trade Shack. Nope, Nope. It's almost like Doc Rivers knows what he's doing. Lastly, the MVP three person raised Joel Embiid by the Way has been talking about this, especially with us. I've got a new show up here

on Showtime called Headliner. Yea Headliner, say, take a listen. What would it mean to you to finally win the MVP after two times as a runner up? I don't know. I think one thing I says that, you know, if people don't people tell you that I don't care about it a lot, you know, as a best award you can get as a basketball player means a lot, you know. But if I were to win it, and it will be you know, it will validate all the walk that

I put in. That's why I cared. That's why I cared about it, because you put in so much walk, you know, and if you get that what condition and you valued the stack? You didn't wish your time. But you know, like I said, if someone tells you that I don't care, so I bullshit. I think he's the MVP this year, not only for what he's done offensively and led the league in scoring. I mean the three level score, one of the most complete scores we've ever seen. Despite how big he is, he could do it all

and on the defensive end too. I think he doesn't get appreciated enough on the defensive end for his ability to block and change shots and rebound. But at the same time, I also agree with what Yanna said last week that he feels like he should be the MVP the last five years, and I'm not. I can't argue that, you know what I mean. Like, there are certain guys that are in the mix constantly, and Yannis is one

of them. When you look at his numbers, what he's been able to do for his team without Middleton this year, particularly that you know, they lead the league and wins Um, I agree with him, but at the same time, it's it's definitely in Beat's turn because I think he possibly could have got one. You know in the last two years that that both went to Yogurts. With all due respect,

I'll go and B two. And he's right. Everybody cares because nine or ten times those guys that's about to win the MVP Award or have a chance to, they got incentives in their contracts if they win anyp they get the extra million dollars, So all those guys care. Um, But I think he deserved it. You know, he's been dominant for a while now. Rage Um. That was talking about his health playing all the games now, he just

deserves it. I just think just the way he plays the game and all the things he does at that size, it's just it's just special. He got a lot of things you can't teach, so he I think if any year he deserves it is this year. It's interesting what you say about janis not only does he think he should be the MVP, and should have been for the

last five years. If you talk to voters, and there's guys who have come out and said who they're voting for, they've these straw polls that Tim Bontoms does does over at ESPN. They're putting Yan a second, Yan a second, Yan a second, second to Yogic, second to embeat, and then the other guy's third. You could have a scenario this year where Jannis ends up second on a lot of people's ballots but still ends up winning MVP. First

place vote gets you ten points. So if I fill out my ballot, the first place guy is ten points, the guy put second gets seven points from me, and the guy who gets third gets five points from me. Well, you could end up with someone who doesn't have many first place but because they have consistent seconds. What would you think if we an MVP because of someone's second place votes. Well, if it's Janis, I won't be mad. But if you know what I'm saying, I'll be cool

with it. But if it's somebody else, yeah, I probably think they need to redo it over this kind of crazy right. Yeah, essentially I never knew the point system. But yeah, I mean I think it's it's it's all all but sealed and done. I think it'll be honest is this excuse me? It'll be in Beads MVP this year. But again, you know, I think everyone in this room feels that you honest is a year in, year out

can be that guy. But I mean there's been guys like Kobe year in ye could be Braun five years in a row that could have been year in, year out. I'm sorry, I'm gonna keep going back. We get one empty bullshit. Yeah, come on, So, Rachel, I heard you've been on the road shaking and Bacon uh getting back in the mix. Tell us a little bit, a bit more about headline as I heard you're coming out the dates with some heavy Yeah, we got Joel Embiad on the first episode. So that's gonna be fun. It's been

great sitting and talking to guys. It's what you guys do on all the smoke, getting back into the deep background on stuff. One of the things that was fun for me with Joel was even just back in his days in Cameroon, he used to have to sneak out of the house just to play sports. His parents were heavy cardhore that he should just be on the school books, and so he detailed his whole plan of how he would sneak out the window. His mom would lock the door sometimes to try to catch him. I could he

sneak right exactly? He said that they played him fair feet a lot back in Cameroon, so that she would check the bottoms of his feet. I love that. You know. We talked about some of more emotional moments. I'm not sure if you guys remember, but his brother died when he was a rookie. And kid was thirteen years old walking home from school, hit by a truck and it just wrecked him and he went home for the funeral and did not want to get back on the plane

to come back. He was, of course hurt, had broken his foot, wasn't playing anyway. He thought he was just going to give up right there. So to have experiences like that and to come back and at this point be the lead favorite for MVP, it was really inspiring to talk to him about some of that stuff. He's also cheap as hell, I found out and doing research for the art for the interview. He wouldn't buy himself

a couch when he first started playing. He's when millions of dollars with his first rookie contract, number third pick overall. He just had two chairs pushed together like this because he said he want to spend money in couch. Somebody had to give me a couch for free. But you gotta probably think what he was used to back at the crib. So two chairs is the upgrade. But it's weird because you kind of I mean, you hear about that Lebron. You know he's frugal too. I mean, guys

with a ton of money. That's I mean, I respect it. I mean that's the way you hold on to me on the other hand. Me on the other hand, what I say, let it burn. We'll have me a poor water bed sitting outside while you get the keys. He said he's still never bought a piece of jewelry or does he own one? Do you think he's the only NBA player without a single piece of jewelry? Not even watch you don't want to watch. No, not even a nice one. That's gonna change. You can get one when

you get the MVP. Yeah, he's gonna get them. So we got some great shows coming up. I'm really excited about it. Hall of Fame guests, It's gonna be a lot of fun. I'm grow grateful for the opportunity. We're gonna lean on you to get some steal some guests from you too. We need, we need to get some of your guests to do it. Give you so much, you know, my grand plan is to do it all together.

So we're gonna still work on as well. All right, guys, let's talk a little Top Shot Legendary Moments playoffs live forever on NBA Top Shot from the first round to the final whistle. You can collect alongside the action and win a trip to the NBA Finals. Now that's exciting. I didn't know that. All right. Stakes just got a little higher here in NBA tod Shot Land. It's starting now until April thirtieth, every pack of officially licensed collectibles

you buy will enter you to win that trip. On April seventeenth, a new collectible experience called Redemptions arrives on Top Shot just in time for the playoffs. It gives basketball fans a totally unique way to collect their favorite players best NBA playoff highlights as they happen. So each Redemption you own can be traded for exclusive and limited edition moments from the first round, Conference SEMIS, Conference Finals,

and NBA Finals. All of this is the same Matt Barnes, which player do you think is going to be the most breakout player in the playoffs? The Top Shot it's going to keep an eye on. I don't know about breakout because he's being breaking shit, is KD? Yeah. I think it's going to be a great playoff run for him and praying he and his team stay healthy. I'm

praying everybody stay healthy, particularly KD. I'll just feel like this guy is going to have a crazy playoff run this year because everything has been said and the way he's been playing going to the end of the season. Anthony Davis. I hope so too. I think the day is gonna go crazy. Yeah, I mean, we can't talk about the Lakers because they'll already have played by the time this show airs. And I'm excited. No, no no, I'm just saying I'm excited. We could talk about it. I'm

excited for the run they could possibly regret. We're taking this on a Tuesday. By the time you guys are listening to watching this, it'll be Wednesday. You'll know what happens. You'll know the hy all of you in the future. You're gonna know what happens in that game. Even if the Lakers somehow lose to Minnesota, they'll still have the chance to still be in it and play on the front. They are heavily favored to win, which puts them into the first round of the playoffs, and man, they are

set up you possibly make a run there. They're gonna be if they if they get that seven seed, they'd be playing a team that doesn't have the front court defense that they had before with Steven Adams, Jaron Jackson. There's a foul prone too. I mean, Rache, this is one time not to kind of go off topic, but I wouldn't be surprised if any of the top three seeds in the West got bumped in the first round. What about all of them. I wouldn't be surprised. I

would not be surprised. I mean, as much as I want the Kings to win, I mean it's an uphill bat at the bottom of the West is so strong this year, and those bottom teams have more experience in the top teams, and they're hot at the right time. So it's going to be very interesting while guys. By owning a redemption of a star player, you can help to find the future of that player's playoff journey on top Shot. So start your collection play alongside the playoffs.

Head to NBA topshot dot com. Today, let's get back to on the Radar, presented by Draft Kinnings, the only sports book you need for the twenty twenty three playoffs. NBA Champ. The playoffs are officially starting, so it's time make your pick. Fellas we got Bucks is a favorite at plus two sixty five, Celtics next plus three twenty Sons, the favorite in the West four twenty five six, or is at nine hundred, Warriors nine fifty, Nuggets at eleven hundred.

Make your pick, Oh well, Warriors, get your money. Say that'd be some good money. Get your money right? If you view a gambler. You're trying to make some money. Race. This is a safe bet for you. Trust me, Lizzie. Well, since he's picking the Warriors, I'm gonna stay out. Yeah, I'm gonna stay out. I want my brother Cep to get a ring. I want, so I'm picking the Suns to win it. It's a safe bet. Yeah, that's safe.

I mean, I think it's gonna be so good. I mean, I think Milwaukee is tough, Boston gets hot, they're tough. And then you look in the Western Conference. I think Phoenix in Golden State of the two best teams in the Western Conference as we stand. So I think it's gonna be fun. It's gonna be good. You know. I meant to say when we're talking about headliners. One of the guests we have is Dirk Nabiski, and he had quite a lot to say about that two seven two

thousand and seven series. The thing that maybe smile the most was him talking about how after you guys thumped him out of the playoffs that we believe Warriors, he wanted to go home. I want to go back to Germany and he couldn't because they were gonna give him the MVP, so he had to stick around say very very interesting stuff. He had a lot to say about you guys. All right, there you go, a legend. Closing thoughts here, Houston has decided not to pick up the

option on Steven Silas after three seasons. His record there was fifty nine, one hundred and seventy seven. Detroit's twin Casey, meanwhile, has coached his last game with the Pistons. He's going to move upstairs to the front office. So we've already heard. Kenny Atkinson has been given permission from the Golden State Warriors, where he's an assistant, to go interview in Houston. Is he someone you'd like to see get one of those jobs? Is or anyone else you'd like to see get one

of those jobs? First of all, shot of Steve Siders. They put him in a position. You know, that's my cousin, and he's been going through a lot with it with his father passed and then and he held it together the whole season, So kudos to him. Man. I don't think he had got a fair shot. But it has to be somebody, Rachel that understands the culture. They have a lot of young kids there and have a lot of young guys that that's still learning. They were in

the NBA, they're still learning how to be professionals. That need somebody with some type of experience there that you know what I'm saying. They need somebody with experience and that that has a little of culture. I don't know who it is because I haven't really been looking, but it's gonna have some have to be somebody to have the best of both worlds. Well, I mean, I think that's interesting, Jack, particularly with that team because well, I

mean we'll call it with as a young African Americans. Yes, so you have a you know, you never want to play the race car. But like you said, Jack, they have to fit that culture. And this new culture is a lot different than when we played, and that's a good thing. You know, in their way, they're a lot different. So have someone come in that they're gonna respect first and foremost. It's going to be huge. And I don't know Kenny Atkinson enough to say they wouldn't respect them.

But from the outside looking in, I don't know if that is a fit. And I could be wrong. I'm wrong a lot, but I think you made a huge point. Whoever coaches that team, and they have to understand the culture, respect the culture, and be able to wiggle within that culture because that is a very young team that is is out there. And then like the excuse me, raised to the Houston coature. Like James, he understood the Houston culture. He did his job on the court, but he understood

and that's why they loved him so much. And that's why he had a lot of success there because he understood that would be dope. They can't wait to have him back. I've seen someone of a new distant contract the other night that told me that. I mean, you know, there's some local businesses in Houston that would be happy if he came back his own as well. So well,

I don't know. Here's my question to you, if you're Houston, do you try to hire a new coach now or do you wait until the draft lottery to see if a certain young man from France is going to be in your future. I think you played out see what happens first, and that job could become extremely attractive and I'm sure he could entice some coaches. The coach pool

can get deeper if they get woman Yama. Is that he say his name, and and and there's some great NBA players that had a lot of success in the tournament this year coaching, and to look at some of those guys, Jerry Stackhouse and a lot of those guys, I think he'll be a good fit in Houston for his first job. We will see, all right, let me see Detroit too. I just want to hit on the Dallas before we leave Mavericks GM. Nico Harrison met with

the media clarified a couple of things. First of all, he made it clear that wal Kyrie did not do any sort of exit interview with the media after this season. He did do one with the team, so that's important. He didn't skip out on that. Nico said it went well on all sides, and he expressed quote optimism that Kyrie will resign there this summer. So stack you are close to Kai, what do you expect. Well, Kay didn't

known Niko for a long time. So if Nico said he's he has a good feeling that he can go either way, you know, I'll rock with that and I stick with that. I haven't talked to Kyrie because he's been going through a lot rage and I know a lot of people have been pulling at him, so I kind of kind of not been reaching out to him as much because I know he's been playing and getting traded during the season. I know how tough all that

stuff is. So I did respect in the space. But but one thing I can't see is and I know about Kyrie, he would love to continue his relationship with Luke and Jay Kidd, both point guards. You know, they all see the game the same way, and he look up to guys like Jay Kidd. So if it works, um, it'll be good. But if not, I see him in the like. Plus say, when the Lakers want someone, they get no matter what the cap is, no matter what they have to do, When the Lakers want someone, they

get him. So it'll be very it'll it'll definitely be a Kyrie watch. Um this season much money though, That's what I'm saying. But when when they want someone, they make it happen. So you expect to see him in the purple and goal. I don't expect to see him back in Dallas. To be honest with you, I just don't know if that was a very good fit. Although they didn't have a ton of time to play together, so I could you know, it may need some time to brew, but I just don't think that's where he

lands this summer. Yeah, well, here's what I do know. I know that Kyrie is going to actually look around and as a thoughtful choice as opposed to just sort of signing there or because he got traded there. He can't go through that no more what he's been through. It has to be he got wherever he's gonna rate. This is where he's gonna finish his career. Well. In the last big choice he made Brooklyn didn't work out right, So I think he knows that he's kind of more

more in the spotlight to make this one work. And then he also shows man when he's focused on basketball. Yeah, there's not too in the world. Better. It's gonna be a good summer. It's gonna be a good playoffs. Before that, we will be with you every step of the way. You guys out here shooting some all the smokes as well, So I'm going to take a lookout for that. And Stex got his fighting fighting fifth on Yeah, it's boxing time,

Baby Davis. What's burning? Available every week on Showtime Basketball YouTube. I'm back up, Yeah, come on hand On Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok At show Basketball. Yeah you