TUE POD @SpenceChecketts on NBA Playoffs, Knicks-Pacers G4, Jazz draft, RSL struggles + more

Eight minutes past the hour of two o'clock.

It is a lovely, beautiful May Tuesday outside, about seventy seven degrees clear and sunny here in downtown Salt.

Lake City, Utah.

And as it is every single day, it's going to have you along for the ride. Spence Checkets behind the Mike Port, Larson behind the glass. Happy Memorial Day weekend to you in the rear view mirror. Hope you had some time off like we did yesterday. Going to be back on air on this Tuesday afternoon. A lot has happened since you and I last spoke on Friday afternoon of last week. Of course, the NBA playoffs continue to

Just a heavyweight fight.

Last night in Minneapolis saw OKC beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in a game where the Timberwolves really did a lot, did a lot of good things, a lot of good things. And we'll get into it and we'll kind of preview what's next.

In the West. Of course, in the East, since you I last spoke, the New.

York Knicks resurrected their chances for now to make this a series. I still have serious reservations about whether or not this thing is going to go more than five or six games. But we have a massive game for tonight in Indiana where the New York Knicks will try to tie the series up at two games apiece after.

Just a big boy win, man, that's what it was.

It was a gutty win over the weekends where the Knicks were able to beat the Pacers one oh six, one hundred on Sunday Sunday evening, and now we march on to tonight to see how it may go.

Indiana is a slight favorite.

They're a two point five point favorite of the last check, and of course they lead the series two one, and we go back to gain Bridge Field House in Indianapolis, Indiana. If the Knicks can get it tonight back to MSG deadlock to two. So we'll get to the latest with the NBA postseason. We'll get to the latest with the NBA draft, as the Utah Jazz are just a number of weeks away now from making a couple of selections. Well, they have two first round picks, they have two second

Agency or trades.

And the Jazz are in the mix of teams that have a bevy of assets that might interest teams that need draft capital and clean books if they want to jettison some talent that hasn't worked. A big story out of the news college football.

Broke a few hours ago.

Greg Sankee has announced that the SEC will be breaking away from the NCAA effective for the twenty twenty eight twenty twenty nine academic calendar year. It's not that surprising, but to hear it and see it and understand that it's actually official is really jarring.

This is a.

Sport that continues to be ever changing, almost on a day by day basis. It's hard to exactly know what it's going to look like just in a couple of months, let alone.

A couple of years.

So we'll get to the latest out of the world of college football OTAs in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers is still playing Possum.

Apparently he wants to retire a Packer.

I don't know what that would look like, but ultimately I still think he lands with Pittsburgh. So that's kind

Clayton was the captain of Team USA.

Logan was second on the team in points and gold medals. Around the next of four u Tom Mammoth players, Amelka also was in the tournament.

So we'll do a little hockey.

Of course, the battle for Lord Stanley's Cup rolls.

On in the world of professional hockey.

We've got some more playoff hockey to get to with the Oilers taking on the Stars. Carolina actually was able to get one with Florida. Man, they might just win the whole thing. Stars Oilers Tonight at six o'clock in Edmonton. Edmonton leads that series two to one. Stars will try to get even tonight. So we'll do the latest on the hockey playoffs as well.

What did we ask of.

Our local soccer club when we second night on Friday?

We asked for a goal. They gave us two.

The problem is the other team scored three, and if I do some quick math, that equals another loss for OURSL, a home loss for RSL to Vancouver over the weekend, and now we say goodbye to Diego Luna for at least a month and a half, if not more.

And when the.

Offense has been even kind of effective about ninety percent of the time it's in included Diego Luna. This feels like a lost season. I don't know what else to say about it. Failures from the front office in the previous ownership. This is not on the Millers, So save your polls that you put out on social media.

They just barely took over.

But certainly Ryan Smith Dave Blitzer, the previous ownership group who decided to not reinvest the funds they were able to snag as a result of moving on from some of the most talented pieces need to wear this because I don't know if there's any way back for ourselves.

I think it's gonna be a really, really long season without a lot of hope. Quite frankly so.

Local soccer club, local hockey club, local basketball team. Latest in the world of college football, of course, NBA playoffs, Stanley Cup playoffs, OTA's in the NFL, A little bit of everything on this Tuesday afternoon edition after being off on Monday.

So thank you for riding along with us on this beautiful day.

Our first guest today Rafael Barlow, who took over from our old friend Chad Ford. Front of the program, chat Ford Shout Out Ford, NBA Big Board Podcasts, NBA big board dot Com. If you want to learn about some of the prospects that could be on the board at five, Raphael's an excellent, excellent asset and resource for you. He's gonna hop on right out of the gates today. Our buddy Lee ellis to talk some NBA playoffs on the program.

Do not do it.

Let us win Game four. That's all I'm gonna say right out of the gates.

Yeah, that would be more along the lines of how I feel, Spence. If I hadn't seen the Knicks lose the way they did in Game one, right, if I hadn't seen the roller coaster that these that these playoffs have been, you know, I would say that. But because of what I've seen and because it's the New York Knicks, if we win Game four, great, But that doesn't necessarily give me confidence we're winning the series. But it would

Done. So there's my take on that one.

You think they win to night, I do, wow, I do, okay, and I think that.

Don't quote me. I think the Knicks are winning the series. Oh okay, Now, now you need to calm down, all right.

When we were on the show on Friday, you were basically in tears, and now you think they're gonna win the series.

I just try to give you the life of a Knicks fan. Okay.

It's up and down, it's it's very much a bipolar experience and I'm just living it. And listen, it's the Eastern Conference finals. Man, how many times in my life. Listen, I've lived now over a quarter century, and I've experienced this one time.

I'm gonna enjoy it. I'm gonna lean in. You should enjoy it. I mean Game three was fun.

Kat earned his Nick uniform and then did not have a New York accent after the game.

I don't know what happened. He lost his New York accent after the game.

I need like his urgency to be a little more consistent. I just I don't under Sometimes he just looks like he's It's not that he doesn't play hard, it just looks like sometimes he's not all there and then he realizes, Oh, I'm like one of the better players in the world. I have to turn it on and then you see what kat is. I don't understand why it's so off and on, but I guess that's that's the experience of being a Knicks fan.

Yes, indeed, so we'll see what happens tonight.

I want to remind you guys that Live Now Events presents the twenty twenty five Granary Live Concert Series. If you've not been to Granary, it rules. It's one of my favorite venues we have in the entire state. I believe camp is coming in a couple of weeks. I'll be there, so come by and say what's up. Powered by Nightingale College in Murdoch, Hundai Utah is number one Hundai dealer. Experience outdoor concerts in the heart of downtown Salt Lakes Granary District. Find more details on ESPN seven

Welcome to the Drive with Spence check its on Utah's number one Sports Talk Now into the studios of ESPN seven hundred to set the scene for the show. The opening tip of the drive is brought to you by Prize Picks. Use the code ESPN seven hundred and run your game with Prize Picks.

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That means he has to a three into two. That's it.

I'm gonna take more on TJ McConnell as much as I want to ring that little dude's neck eight points. I'm gonna take less on Andrew Nemhart eleven point five points. I will go more on Jalen Brunson thirty points. I think he's gonna have a big game tonight. And then I'm gonna go more on Pascal Siakam seventeen point five points. Shoutout, prize pick. Should be a fun game tonight. All right,

I should listen to more Shack takes. But Kenny always says.

Something like, I don't know if you're hot or cold unless you force, you know, eighteen to twenty shots if you're a great player. And that's to me, that's a fundamental flaw in analyzing what we saw last night because after the game, Ann was asked whether or not he thought he played poorly and he said, no, I feel like I made the right play mostly every time. And you know what he did, because here's the deal. What Mark Dagnall did last night for stretches is he went small.

Alexander walker with his step back, three which he never.

Does Dante DiVincenzo corner three money Go, bear causing problems in the pain not a great Mic conny game last, night But nazrid came off the bench gave him some good minutes like ultimately And Terren Shannon, junior who by the, way was a hell of a college player At. Illinois he's kind of been a revelation for. Them minnesota was really really good last. Night but what you saw on

Wing you are in charge of making us.

Go and once you understand your, angles understand how to get to your, spots part of the skill set and the tool belt you need is to draw. Fouls get the other team in foul, trouble get free points to expedite inefficient, offense get to the free throw line and get dunks and, threes like it's not that.

Hard but WHAT sga has learned how to do.

Is dominate the game as an individual offensive initial ciator with a tool belt and the skill set that is totally. Complete and he is six' eight and he, is built and he is sturdy and. HE guards i think it's a. Corny group i'm not gonna lie like they're stuff after the game where, It's, like okay if one person, is interviewed we're all gonna stand here until the. Interview's over then we're gonna walk in the locker, room together, all right nerds and the dancing. The tiktoks like. It's corny

Right now it's the best team in.

Pro basketball and If, YOU'RE minnesota i think you'll hold your head high because you gave it your best, last night but you lost to the best team in. The League, all right we'll get To The knicks. PACERS tonight i would. Imagine That, tom thibodeau and by, the way thank.

You Coach?

On friday what did we ask? Out loud can you get ten Minutes From? Landry shammitt can you get fifteen Minutes From? Delan wright are you gonna rush off Precious? Precious achiua will you extend your bench a little bit so your starters don't look like they're dying at the end of the?

Fourth Quarter, and tom?

Did it we saw Former You delon wright play a solid defensive. Thirteen Minutes landry shammitt a solid defensive. Thirteen minutes Gainsmanship From rick carlisle after, the game saying it.

Was hard because they were playing their best.

Defensive players the only play in the rotation that was not playing in the fourth quarter due to foul Trouble Was, jalen brunson and it's Clear that indiana wants To hunt jalen as much as they. Possibly Can mitchell robinson got the Start. FOR joshart I give josh so much credit for continuing to play his. Tail off he's one of the most unique REBOUNDING wings I think i've, ever seen and his rebounding was as important as anything else to

Thing, Works man. It's real he's, playing really.

Really well when give, An Opportunity Karl anthony towns twenty points in the. Fourth quarter without, that spurt they. Are dead they were down twenty in the. SECOND quarter i do think one of the more under talked about dynamics is how they closed the second quarter to actually pull it, within thirteen and they got it done down the stretch

You tonight it IS.

On, tnt however we are only weeks away FROM The. Nba draft we'll HAVE Great nba draft coverage. FOR you i will anchor our Coverage Alongside, Gordy Chiason, Richard Smith basketball Lifers With.

Utah jazz let's get to know some of.

These.

Prospects now it's.

Been, a Minute But, RAPHAEL barlow Nba, BIG board Nba big Board, dot com our guest On a, Tuesday, Afternoon Raphael, happy, Tuesday sir how?

Are you i'm?

Doing great how are you guys?

Doing well appreciate, your time, simple question right off. The, top okay in, your opinion best case scenario For The utah jazz at five is which prospect And Why.

Tray johnson simple questions. For Me trey johnson LED the sec and SCORING at i think this year's crop of teams IN the sec is the best group of teams he's ever had in, the conference and the number of teams that they got IN the ncaa tournament reflects that he LED the sec. In scorings he shot thirty nine percent from three on about six attempts, per game and a lot of those attempts were. Heavily contested it wasn't like he was getting open catch and shoot catch and.

The, Future, Okay So trey johnson best case scenario in your opinion, at five as, you reference you know a lot of buzz around this kid over the past three or four weeks that indicate maybe he's not there. At Five, so raphael if we operate off the assumption and the premise that a team in the top four falls in Love with trey secondary best case scenario For the jazz at Five if trey is off.

The board.

That's where it gets tough because you Look at Utah and i've actually talked to some different scouts About the, jazz roster and you just need to like really really hit on on on one of, your picks and maybe not necessarily hit this year because there's a there's there's a kid that's going to be playing a provo next year that's that pretty pretty Dynamic and ajdvasa that that could be available if you if this or next season

COULD fall i.

Mean there's some teams that really Like common moley watch and in his future as far as it's been a rim protector and and floor space or. Defensive anchor teams REALLY. Like, VJ edgecombe I Like. JEREMIAH fears i think that he has the chance to be a star in. This League But isaiah kallier was really Good for utah. Last year what does that Mean? For collier you already have based off Of today Clarkson and Sexton. And KIANTE so I think utah has a really really. Difficult choice but if

For utah is there any chance that you come is there? At five any chance?

At?

ALL yeah i, THINK so i really. THINK so i just don't think that would be a good Fit for utah simply because, is he, you know like a. Dominant scorer is he the type of player that's going to be able to knock down. Open jumpers is he guy that's, going TO like, i said be a creator off. THE dribble i just don't know if if he, Provides that AND but i think he can't. BE available i really.

Do So if i'm, understanding correctly if Both edge Combe and trey are there, at five you THINK the jaz Should go.

Trey now without, a doubt well without without. A doubt, i MEAN like, I said trey lit sec, and SCORING and i know scoring, isn't EVERYTHING but I think trey is the better passor the. Better shooter he measured out a little bit bigger and edgem. Is good people are enamored by the athleticism and what he did For the bahamas national team. Last SUMMER but, I mean trey had a better YEAR and i think he's more ready to come in. And contribute is there.

Any intrigue in your mind at one?

Or two or is IT simply, i, Mean look dallas came out, and, said look we're. Keeping one their ownership, Group, said nico you can't. Trade, it okay we're keeping it and We're. Taking cooper, So Ultimately, patrick dumont, the owner made, the call so We know cooper's. At one any chance It's not dylan? It too or do you feel like it's a lock both one?

And, TWO.

Yeah I mean I think cooper is as much of a lock as you. Can get. Number two i'm not a. BETTING man i, don't GAMBLE but I say i'm about ninety percent Sure san antonio Would Take. Dylan, harper now whether Or not harper plays a game for, this burst that's a, different subject because the fit is. An ideal when you figure that they just Traded For diaron fox at, the deadline And Then, stefan castle who really struggles, to

Nice package do you think there's any Chance the jazz could move up in this draft and maybe Enty san antonio with five marketing something, Like that, you know because, ultimately raphaels, you know this is a fan base that really is looking for, some hope looking for a shot in. The arm it's an organization that needs some hope and

Utilize, their assets their, draft capital.

Their, clean books and would be willing to move on for most anybody if it meant moving up to two and maybe Grabbing A.

Dylan harper Could the jazz be in play to move up to?

TWO possibly, I mean i think maybe three would be a little bit more Realistic since philadelphia their timeline has to be. WIN now, i mean if you think, about It with embid and his health Concerns And paul george on the wrong side of, THIRTY five i don't know how you can make a deal work just, you know, numbers WISE but i would say three is probably the

About ace let me dig In On ace bailey a little, bit more because there are some people, out there, and look there's so many and we we like what. You DO and i was always a big chat. Forward guys so we like having you on the SHOW and i read. Your stuff but there are a lot of mocks, out there a lot of people out there that try to do what you do and, others do and a lot of them have a falling a little bit as a result of the combine measurements.

And such so.

Let's play a game a little bit and let's say he falls to five And the jazz, are just, you know deciding that that's the direction they're they're wanting.

TO go i don't know if he'll.

BE there i don't know if they, like him but if It Is ace bailey, At, five raphael tell jazz fans what you think he can be as a professional when he's, fully developed.

If he maximizes. HIS potential, i mean you're talking about a guy that is just able to score and score with the best, of them still has a ways. TO go i don't know why his stock would be dropping

GET you, one I know the cooper flag is Gonna Be. A dallas maverick, and of course off the, board OF one and i think at the start of the college basketball season maybe there was a bit, of a debate, but he, clearly you know decided that debate. On his own let me. Just ask, you you know you hear a Lot of. The kauhi stuff there are a lot, of you know a lot of. COMPS going AROUND i sometimes i. DON'T love comps i think it puts a bad idea in a fan's mind and sets a prospect.

Up for failure but just are you among the PEOPLE or ol fa all that believe that?

He's generationally special, and you know Do you think dallas really has this superstar type talent that Could Be an all star for ten to fifteen YEARS?

In?

THE nba yeah.

I Think, so i mean the word generational talent is just. Up For debate like i've had this conversation, a few Times Like is carrie irving? A Generational Talent is anthony davis? A generational talent just throwing names out there that. PEOPLE have, ARGUED i mean i have even Had People say dwayne wade isn't. A GENERATIONAL talent so I don't think cooper has to be quote unquote generational to have Like a

Could be wrong let.

Me ask you i've seen a couple of mock Drafts That have jeremiah fears Going to the, Jazz at five and you brought. This up earlier it's, a GOOD point and i honestly can't.

Speak.

TO it uh i know that there are some in the organization That Don't think keyante george is going to be a rotational piece for a good player, for excuse me for a good team. In pro basketball they like the call, Of your kid but if you're lead guard to shoot shooting twenty five percent from THREE in the nba in. Twenty twenty five you're probably not gonna win a. Lot of games so maybe on paper you look, at

Prospect is he raphael.

Hes a guy really. LIKE a lot i think MY brother and i were probably the first to put him in the top ten Range, back in december and it sounded, crazy back then but he has the ability to consistently get two feet, in the paint which Is Something that isaiah khleier was able to do with just his speed. And HIS aggressiveness but i Think, that with fears you

Cooper flags teammate Duke, kan K nipple the malawatch. Kid is Intriguing but The Jazz, WITH walker kestler i can't imagine they'd Want to add Malawatch next to walker unless they're going to Move, on FROM walker which i don't. Think they'll do he's Extension eligible and i'm hearing they, will EXTEND him which i think is. The right thing but tell Us about kN kinneple, a little bit another name that has kind of been Linked to the jazz Potentially at five and do you think five is too High?

To, take knipple yeah five.

IS too HIGH i mean i think, at number five especially if you're A, team like utah you're looking for someone that you think can be. A, franchise guy now is it easy to get a franchise. Guy, at FIVE no but i think you're in a situation where you're not just looking for, another CONNECTIVE piece and I, THINK for tom i think that's going to be his ROLE in the nba is as, a connective passer floor spacer. Guy that competes and the role that He played at duke where he, wasn't the man is going to be

JEG or demon, byu point guard there's like this undercurrent of Fear that the jazz are going to draft him at five BECAUSE he's a byu Guy and the jazz owner ALSO helps. Bankroll byu basketball, as you know it was interesting to watch him. Evolve this year oftentimes he had a lot of trouble against Pressure in, the Big Twelve and kevin Young Would play dallan hall against teams

Lands, AND why YEAH i mean I think there's i think. THERE'S a, chance I mean the utah has had a small backcourt for the. LAST few years i do think. THERE'S a, chance i mean everything that you mentioned before could. Be A factor and i guess it just Depends on how utah sees him or sees his potential. As a shooter I've been following yegor since he was. FIFTEEN years old I went to madrid to. Watch him play i've

I'm, not sure guys also out, of Twenty one and i'm not going to pin you to a name. At twenty one i'll, just ask, you generally speaking do you believe this draft is deep enough that some options at twenty one one could? Be intriguing enough, and you, Know it's interesting raphael is the Better picks the jazz have made ever since the ownership change in the front office change have, been later, On You, Know Kyle. Philipowski isaiah collier we'll see What. Happens with, taylor he's hurt but

Of one YEAR.

In the nba but this is a front office that shown the ability to find some things. In the, twenties generally speaking what sort of talent would be there.

At, twenty one.

Yeah there's A player that i Really, like for utah and That is the greek prospect Named. Meopliss ab dallas i've been higher on him. THAN the consensus i think that if he would have went to, college this year we'd be talking about him as, a lottery Pick Similar to Jegor Demon and kaspar shakachonas and some of the. Other international players he just didn't. Have the opportunity he didn't.

All, right Raphael last thing and.

I'll set you loose you, referenced his Name earlier and everything i've seen every Time i've, Watched aj debonca, play i'm just, Like Oh my gosh like I'M not sure that byu fans know what. They have down there i'm not sure that in state college. Basketball fans are ready he might be the best player that, we've ever had

Byu, Getting, in aj Debonca.

Well, you, Have, ben, horan Right yes Yes certainly keith van horne should. Be ON that, LIST like i said, i Could keep going but I'm not sure that KEITH had, The TALENT a Did and i think keith himself.

Would, probably, Admit.

That yeah well, keith went pretty.

High was.

NUMBER two number. Two aj.

Is specials he's special he's got, the, ideal positional size. Athleticism the shot making he was really, good HIS senior year but i felt like he. WAS a, little bored i mean he had been dominating high school since, he WAS a freshman and i think that having a new, CHALLENGE of college basketball i think that's going to bring something else out of him that. We haven't, CONSISTENTLY seen but yeah i mean it's going to be exciting For the FANS in. UTAH and byu fans i think that,

A lot of jazz fans, Curious. About these prospects rafael where.

Can they go? Get all your work you CAN find me at nba.

Big board dot com. It is my newsletter try to put out an article two or, three times A week but then, I Have My podcast nba Big boards on, the LOCKED one network and, i HAVE a podcast but i do at the least, five times a. Week Sometimes even more so i'm. Pretty easy, to, fire all.

Right man, thanks for. The time good stuff we'll, Get, you back, soon.

Okay no problem, Anytime Let.

Me KNOW Rafael barlow the nba draft is a. Matter of weeks away. June the twenty fifth we will have YOU covered here. ON espn seven hundred i will be Anchoring Our coverage Alongside Gordy.

Chisa and richard smith and there's a chance we're going to.

Be out and about so if you're a jazz fan, looking to hang, out grab, some dinner some drinks what have you.

And watch the draft do it WITH us here.

On espn seven hundred raphael stops by today courtesy OF Our Friends. At ifa country stores, when the seasons change if you're, like any good coach you'll put together your game, plan for a healthy green lawn and you'll turn TO. The experts at ifa check out their four plus lawn care program everything you need to.

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Co op we got smitty.

LIVE in studio today i thought we'd Do that on a tuesday to Get You ready. For nick pacers TONIGHT look back on Okcs. Went over in Minnesota we'll do some Jazz. Offseason basketball with smitty spent Forty Years in the. Utah jazz front office now good enough to. Give us some time jp Chunga voice of The, royals and the Stars Host of, the roundball roundup podcast will join Us later on BUT tuesday afternoon more nba basketball with, One

STATEMENT well SOMEWHAT yes i MEAN i wouldn't say. I was the pioneer i think that Really Title goes TO skeets pass and jd because they created A podcast before even i knew. What A podcast, was but i said they did come in and write their coattails, for a while there and we BEGAN THE show on nba tv. Back in twenty, THIRTEEN so you KNOW i wouldn't say i was the number one draft. Pick in THAT sense i'd say i was. A FREE agent signing but i certainly LIKE to feel that i made a. Contribution to the,

What was the name of the pod YOU GUYS? Had on Nba Tv?

Was it no Dunk's?

WAS it the starters i honestly can't remember what THE NAME of the. Nba, Tv, pod.

Was yeah Yeah we WERE THE starters on mba tv AND that was a tv. Show and, the podcast but yeah did that for six seasons and it was honestly one of those sort of pinched me. Moments literally, EVERY day in fact i remember, saying, TO my wife like I CAN'T believe on nba. Tv wearing plaid shirts i'm talking to. My friends. About basketball you Know so one day shaq came in, while we were recording got, me In a, HEADLOCKED and i'm like i don't know how to.

MAN because, i, Can I mean look i'm i'm a basketball. Sicko like YOU are AND SO i WATCH nba tv and i can remember watching back IN the day and i was watching just some recap or highlight, show, and they're like hey don't forget, tomorrow at whatever time tune into the. Starters a, basketball podcast.

I'm, like wait a. SECOND what is this i don't even know what. Any of this, is and you know now.

Everybody has a podcast, we podcast this show and if you're in the ecosystem of, media and sport period chances are if you don't, have a standalone pod you pod your live show, like we do here and would you would you would you characterize it as something that was kind of like beyond anything you dared to dream about

Find, REAL estate, in yeah i mean that's a great way putting, it, because you know again no one really knew what it was or what it. Was GOING to become and i remember again in the early days speaking to those guys because, they, had normal JOBS skeets Tasks and jd who, I'm referring to here so they would record their pot at like six o'clock In, the morning, over skype you know put, the podcast out there then go. About their daily jobs and so there was. No money

IT'S really cool man i always applaud people that have the courage to, just try stuff like, let's we love this so.

Let's go try it let's see.

What it turns into let's, Give it some effort let's give, it some you know some real energy and resources and stories like.

That are, Really cool all right let's Before We get.

TO nick pacers tonight, I, SAID this earlier lee i want to. SEE if You agree i think minnesota last night beats almost EVERY team in the nba except the team. They played right like and there's a lot Of conversation today About Aunt this, and julius randall that and certainly there's some things that we can get into. THAT are probably fair i thought last night was Far More about

THAT yeah well and i think you know what You've seen with the thunder is they were the number one seed, with a you know by A Mile, in the Western conference whereas the wolves. Were the sixth seeds, so any other season if you had the one, versus the sixth seed the number one seed. Should, Win fairly comfortably now game three was that season on the line Type, of response from minnesota and You Could almost see oklahoma city

Let's dig into the ants, stuff for a, Minute because, you know game three he comes out of the, gates completely, on fire and certainly if you want to Say more engaged in game three, OUT of THE gates i guess i.

Can concede THAT point but what i Saw Last.

Night From oklahoma city as mark dagnoldlets to Move off, of the Hartenstein stuff he puts, chad into the, five he goes small and, then, on every dribble handoff on, every pick and roll on, every off ball action you have First of all lout dort who plays defense like, He's A middle linebacker jalen WILLIAMS who's like, All nba defense caliber, shay who's six's Eight And then Either Alex

Ball in the deck they ran.

Two, DEFENDERS at him lee i don't know what you do if your aunt because.

They're just like you go. Back and watch it there's no room for him to.

Get his shots off and he did, MAKE the right play i thought, more often than not and his teammates, did knock down shots so you know. You hear The inside guys like kenny always talks about if you're one, OF the great players i need you to take, eighteen TO twenty shots then i know kind. Of where you're at and if those shots are forced in the face of,

Other players beat us, and they almost did.

Because they scored forty one points in the fourth quarter against one of the best defensive teams that we've seen. In a long time i'm Just not sure what anne was supposed to do last night in the face of that game plan that was designed to take him.

Entirely, OUT of, it yeah.

I mean it's again, it's a good question and it's a fair way to sort of analyze, it because you know we, always, sort of say like we want the guy to step up and, make the big play and that doesn't necessarily mean, MAKE the. Big, shot i, guess so YOU know, from what i saw he had a

For it Before.

WE move out East A, thought, on julius, randall who in fairness has had the best spring that he's EVER had.

As an Nba player, AS a nick fan i.

CAN speak to it i always was skeptical of THE way the previous nick team Was built. Only because jalen's awesome but if your number Two Offensive, option is julius randall you're going to run into games like we've run into over the past two where he is watching, from the fourth quarter like he's watching from the bench, in THE fourth quarter and i just for, All the ant Stuff i'm looking at, julius one, of seven. Five points five turnovers And The, problem with julius randall this has.

Past, couple, OF games.

Yeah well i mean those First two games in oka see and he was really, aggressive from the start almost, Like, He was like okay i'm going to show the years, of my experience here because he was hitting threes and he was aggressive and. On for his shot but certainly that has Been the criticism of julius, rounds throughout his career where some nights he LOOKED like an, all nba caliber player and other, nights like last night he does

Their chance, last night all right before We get to Tonight, sunday's game, IN indiana you know i was ready to turn it off in the second quarter, and, ready to say okay.

This Is a sweep the. Knicks go, down twenty you know one of the more under Talked.

About, dynamics of sunday, lee in my Opinion Is the way new york closed the second quarter to get. It, down to thirteen now that doesn't, sound like a lot but when they Went down twenty and, halliburton gets the, Steal there's a dunk.

It just felt like there.

Was no way Back even though the knicks have come back, down from you know come back from down twenty points a Couple. Times against the celtics the pacers just felt like. They Were Built differently when nie, smith hurt his ankle

Start of the fourth it reminds you like how special he.

Is when he's engaged but your Main Takeaways with how new york came back from that deficit and Got, it, done on sunday well it WAS.

Quite interesting because tj McConnell had a press availability yesterday and, he was asked like did you guys maybe take you from the gas a little bit when they were up twenty with about seven minutes to go, in the second quarter and, he, said you know. Yeah subconsciously you do you sort of feel like you've got the game in.

Were plus twelve in The seventeen minutes without jalen in minus six and the thirty one. Minutes, which he, played that's of course not An Indictment on who jalen brunson, is as a player but it does make you curious about some of the defensive potential with some. Of the Other, lineups for at, carlisle with, his gamesmanship of course has made a.

Couple of comments that.

Have been SOMEWHAT interesting but before, I say you lose indiana's a two point. Five Point Favorite tonight if, nie smith can't Go My, guess it's ben shephard who's been solid as a perimitterive defensive player and a guy that can knock.

Down threes AS well so before, i set you Loose? Do you have Aleen?

Do you have aleen as far as how you think we're going to, see it go tonight that's.

A pretty good Line i favor THE pacers because again i think they were somewhat Embarrassed how they lost game three and they know they, stole home court, advantage which is great but the worst thing is if you have home court advantage and. You GIVE it back so i Think they know that game five is going to be tough No Matter What, in new york city that we.

But not by much where can People go find you worklee and follow?

Along?

With The journey yeah.

Just lee ellis on all, The, Social, channels there twitter INSTAGRAM TikTok l E i G H E l L, I s and yeah i'll be, at The arena tonight so I'LL be sharing what i see behind the scenes and. All that, good, stuff thank you.

Sir enjoy the, Game, we'll chat soon.

Okay thanks having me, leellis old school podcaster LEGEND as far. As nba podcasters Go he is In indianapolis for The knicks and The Pacers tonight at. Lee ellis on socializ he reference stops by today courtesy Of Our. Friends at courtland roofing there you're reroofing and roof repair experts with over.

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Cortland roofing dot com He's.

The pride of norwich connecticut and An Adopted Son. Of salt lake city after Forty Years, with the utah jazz there's no one better. To Talk Some hoops richard smitty smith Is back ON the drive. On Espn Seven hundred.

Richard smitty smith Is back ON the drive, on espn seven Hundred, Live In, studio smitty, happy tuesday my, friend how?

ARE you sir man i am.

DOING a good spress i.

HAD a good weekend i had had the opportunity to uh to, play a little golf starting A long weekend on friday with an all star foursome that included you right at the, top of The Chart and And Tim. Howells and wesley ruff That was a fun that was a. Fun day for me and then of course by the rest of my weekend went downhill because when you start right at the top of the mountain and you're hanging Out With like The Mount Rushmore of salt, lake city sports scene and then you have nowhere.

To go But downhill that's what that's what it, was Like For me.

The Mount Rushmore Of the salt, lake, City sports Scene Me. Tim and west, ralphie, you, get well hey hey you. Guys are right there you, guys are. Right there right there they're still. They're, still carving.

It sure it's.

STILL going on, now i, imagine Somehow You know soon president trump will, fit in there somewhere because apparently he wants to be in all.

The all, the, stuff, but, sure.

Sure yeah sure well it was. It was a pleasure thank. You for The, invite oh hey spence you.

You are playing well for all of.

Our listeners who here you talked about golfer going out hack or. Whatever you you are you have a very nice swing and you can really tag the ball.

When you get. A, HOLD of it. Now I like that and i think It.

Was sixteen at bontaville we were in the middle of the fairway and YOU had a nice i don't. Know what it was one eighty or something and to the green, and you hit it and the thing just took off and none of us. Knew where it went and we just saw it fly over, the over the trap and over the trees and over the next tea box. And then it disappeared and we looked at each other like that ball must have gone like two twenty.

THIRTY yards or something i don't, know where it, went.

BUT selection.

SIT sir i turned, I. TURNED to you spence i don't. Think you hear IT heard, Me, when i said spence. They, moved the green. Yeah it's over.

Here. It's over here yeah.

And, AT part five. TOO i blew.

It I blew it so i put, it over the, green had to drop was able to, get up and. Down which was nice But Great. TO see tim outse i haven't seen him. In a long time.

Tim is him is. A very good golfer he's been. Playing All, his life, and tim you know. He really, gives back you know he's been involved for a lot of Years with the first tea program Here and here in utah that that helps some young kids get involved with the game of golf and and and exposing them to the to. The game Early on and and tim's been a, big proponent of that and and the heead of that for for for, a while, as well and uh it's Still acted them that and it was good to hang out with him.

On a golf course and for our listeners that, May not be familiar tim was the General manager of the jazz for A.

Few.

Years, the bah yeah yeah he was, there for ten years ten years ninety to two thousand and during The so called hey day, and and you know And and when the jazz finished their run and had won more games THAN anybody in the nba during, That ten year run tim called, the, meeting and said BOYS that's that's.

All i, can do, and uh you know. It's up to you, i'm out of here and walked. Out the Back door and Then i'm Only team i'm teasing. Tim on the air but he did a, great job for us for the for the organization all those.

Years, he, Was.

Involved yeah yeah So shout out sim Als And Of course Wes. Roff.

Hall, Of famer wes okay wes is gonna is gonna push BACK and TELL you i was i Was honored By. THE hall of fame i was Not inducted into. The hall, of fame, he's gonna, you know it's like but but a great honor for him and and way overdue in, my in My opinion knowing what wes has done in the local sports scene forever as well as especially with the with the game of. Golf for so long but you know that that that kind of reminds me that that the semantics in the language spence is a little

I'll take a four.

I'LL take a FORE i feel like i keep, my score with Integrity But at times i'll i'll take a generous strivege and maybe.

Give myself a part but who?

Were supposed to do nicholas was one of the one of the obviously maybe probably. The greatest GOLFER ever and he's i heard him say time and time again over the years and interviews when people ask him for advice or about, the game, of golf he says people forget that, that first and foremost it's supposed to be a fun game that you go out and you enjoy it with friends and family or, new friends or whoever and you.

You for the invite last thing on this and. Then.

We'll move on uh one thing really changed my approach to to the game where one of THE really good, players i play, with and he said if, you want to improve you. Go to the range if, you want to improve. You go hit balls if, you want to improve. You take a lesson if, you want to improve you grab somebody that can help. You understand your swing we're

Having, a good time, spence you know me and, you know my game and you know it's it's it's really in the gut or most Of the time when i'm standing over the ball and, ALL of a sudden i Have eight different. THINGS i'm thinking about I already. KNOW that i'm defeated I already know that i'm only gonna maybe take care of two of those eight, things on. This swing you know and and, when when that happens you know you're you know you're in trouble when you're when you're trying to.

Outthink yourself, for sure all right well let's do let's do the.

Jazz stuff this segment THEN We'll save the nba playoffs stuff. For, Our second segment smith he's live with. Us For an hour uh june twenty fifth is. Right, around the corner yeah so WEEKS Away, FROM the nba draft i will be anchoring our Coverage.

With you and gordy. Can't wait for it. That's gonna be awesome we're gonna.

Have a good time what as somebody that were was in these rooms? For basically four decades what what?

What's the?

Process like right now is? Weeks before the draft we're here and so it's. Kind of go time what's what's happening? To?

Prepare for This.

Yeah so now SPENCE the. The the nba personnel, the last few weeks THEY'VE gotten THROUGH The Uh the, nba pre draft camp which is a Couple. Weeks ago, in chicago following that then there were a bunch of what, we call agent workouts most of them sent In two

Out of the.

Gym it really becomes a hodgepodge sometimes depending on who's available and who you want to talk to and who you want. To reach out to and then you're also working with the agents at that time about guys they represent who you may have an interest in, bringing to your market uh for a more full scale workout with your coaches in tow running the workouts and being able to do interviews and and and do a player profiles and. Those kinds of things and so they've, got all that

Uh to their to.

Their their Home market so the jazz are working on scheduling guys to. Come in for workouts they're, working with other teams so they're calling Their their Counterparts in denver And phoenix And And. Sacramento, and golden state hey you bringing In the Kid, From rutgers on thursday can you Send them here on friday so we can get a look at them and. That kind of thing so you're coordinating with the teams as well as. Coordinating with the

Which as you mentioned is The. Last week of.

June so when it, comes to individual workouts the way, teams handle these, workouts and you know it was always one of my favorite things to. SIT back and watch I Can Remember before jeff van gundy was the Head coach of the Knicks and. Was pat riley's assistant he, was the you know he was the honorary chest passer for these young kids THEY'D come, IN and i remember i think it was Ninety two when the knicks had a.

Late first round pick They Used.

It on hubert davis But They worked Out doug christy and ROBERT or together and i was courtside. WATCHING the whole thing i just thought it, was the, coolest thing you know watching these. Things kind of transpire what are you looking for if you put yourself in The Seat. Of the utah, jazz first of all as a team with, the top five pick you have doors opened. All over the place agents want, to talk to you players want

Only, At twenty.

One right so you have. A top five pick people will. Answer your phone call they want. To talk to you what are you trying to accomplish throughout the process of these individual? Workouts and player interviews what are you? Trying to find Out.

Most of it's spence it really has to do with getting to know the individual player and also doing any follow up in terms, of physical testing him making sure he doesn't have a bad knee or you heard that he played during the season. With a sore, back you, want to you know want to check on those things with your medical staff while. They're in town here they all go Through, medical testing in chicago so every team gets the exact same Reports out of the chicago pre

Not very good at.

All, the second round yeah.

But but but we we get him in the, interview, and, We, say hey uh carlos how was how'd you feel out. There in the court it looked like a little sluggish you, were you, didn't work you know it didn't quite, what we, Were expecting you know, and, and, HE said, WELL yeah. I know i apologize I am probably because i don't have a. Lot of energy today and we said is there a reason for that and you know or? Something we should, know, AND he goes. WELL i don't know

Are you?

Talking about you know and and so we actually had him come back for another workout, like two, weeks Later you know and, Kevin, O'Connor, told him look Carlos You go into golden state.

Tomorrow for.

Another workout you're going you, make sure you properly. You do, all that and look if you, ever have a problem here's. My credit card number you just keep it in your wallet and. Charge it, to me he goes don't. Don't be doing that you're you're you're. Playing with Your career and and carlos, was just, being honest you. Know with, THE process you know i, don't Have any money so,

That kind of thing obviously the.

Jazz, do With You know with danny Ainge And guys like bart taylor who have been through, that for you know ten fifteen years now and have a good handle on. Those kind of things so that's that's the stuff you're looking for when, you get, them in you know for a for an on site workout and, trying to, figure out you know mostly who is this guy and is someone that we want to seriously consider.

Adding to our group.

Let me Follow up, about the donovan workout because it's one of these, chapters in jazz history in jazz lore that has a lot, of, Tales SURROUNDING it right AND i can remember i was with the team's radio, station at the time and you started hearing things after the workout Where. The Reports, were dennis dennis lindsey who was running the, team at the time basically told everybody you do not whisper a word about, what we just saw,

We.

Were, Gonna find.

Yeah, YEAH first of all i would respond just To the notion that dennis. May have, said something you know nobody SPEAK about this or i don't if. IF that ever happened i wasn't in the, room during, that time because look we, were at that time we were picking twenty four that year in the draft, and during, the workout, film study, you know internal discussion conversations with other guys we knew around the league who you might have seen

From time. To time you know as far, as the, process itself you.

Know we're we're we're always looking for different guys who can try and. Add to, your group you know it's everything you have, up on the board everything, that you're looking, at everything is monitored is recorded in terms of what. Teams you've talked to if you're trying, TO move you Know i know the jazz are picking five and twenty, one at the moment those are. The picks they have we always would, be careful, about saying you know are

To act like that so there.

They'll HAVE everything open everything's i would think is in play as far as moving and trading and and trying to, compile picks and. Whatever blah blah blah and that's gonna be the interesting part for this next month is all the all the stuff that might be going On leading.

Up to, draft day all.

Right before, we catch a break let's move over to this draft and give me your. Thoughts on on, this so you know when you Look at who the jazz, have on their roster and in a way this Always concerned Me with donovan and mike, as a starting backcourt even though they're both awesome and obviously they've both gone on. To play, well elsewhere You Know we'll use oklahoma city as an example because they're just kind of the. Shining stars, Of Now you know lou dort, Six Five two twenty,

THE board of two i think they need more length than.

ATHLETICISM on the Perimeter i Feel like larry and walker are the Only two players where, I'd, feel confident like okay, we've got those two and then everybody else has a tremendous question, marks in MY opinion what sort i know you said. Everything's on the, table but At five what should jazz fans hope as far as Best case that the jazz, Could, WALK away with well i.

Would think that a number of the guys that are. GOING to be there i think if they, ended up picking five there may be a couple of surprises that happened.

Because those, would be to me would.

Be very interesting Discussions if You're In dallas or san, antonio and you Know and somebody from milwaukee, calls, you and says hey, you got, a minute you know because, for you yeah, exactly and so uh anything could happen

Succeeding, regardless doing well yeah because.

Because they need players, they they they're badly they're at the bottom looking up and so you know you can't, be going for well we. Need a point guard so we'll just take. Whoever the point, guard and, you know you know if if you determine that some other guy uh at another position is going to. Be a better player now that that's always in a in a, an

Has a pro game, and a pro body uh? To go with?

It at that, part at that point is that somebody Like The kid from duke nipple who's who measured uh shorter than than everybody thought He, was in in chicago but is a true playmaker out on the, floor with the ball is. Really a smart guy so do you need do you want a guy like that to? Add to your mix because as we're seeing with these teams that are still, alive in the playoffs they all have guys that fit in round, pegs into round holes meaning

Now about two hours away From tip off In indiana where The knicks and the pacers are.

Going to do battle we.

Have Some breaking news aaron nesmith is available to play after spraining his.

Ankle in game three we'll.

Catch a quick break we'll talk about that game TONIGHT And, we'll talk okc minnesota maybe do a little more Jazz Of time allows richard smith live in studio for one more segment coming up on the other SIDE right here, on espn seven hundred.

About one hour.

And fifty minutes away tip off tonight At, Massive game in indiana knicks are going to try to lock it up at. Two Games a piece the pacers will try to take a three to one lead. Over The next tonight aaron. Neismith available to play after spraining his, ankle in game three he left, for the locker room did come back and. Finish Off the game richard smith, Is, LIVE in studio smithy i wanted to get one more quick JAZZ thing in because i. Haven't Asked you this walker,

Brainer, RIGHT i mean walker.

I feel like after, a great rookie year had, a dip year two but really played. WELL well year three i would imagine this is a formality that They Do.

Lock, Up, WALKER kessler.

Well spence i would agree with YOU in terms of i think he's a guy who who you can actually have as one of your pieces of trying to. Build something going forward so that makes sense to, Me on the surface but you have to, look behind the scenes and you have to look at your whole organization and

Can Wait, and.

See because spence if if you're if you're not holding onto a guy who's helping you to get to a mountaintop, That, you're right near okay if you're just still trying, to build your foundation there are a lot of moving parts and pieces that that that could change between. Now and next summer he could have. A bad fourth year he could heaven forbid blow a knee out. And have something

Talk over with your.

Group and your owner and then you're also you're talking with his his agent and and and trying to understand what all the ramifications are around uh extending him right away, or waiting on, it, or, you know, explaining hey you know we want to wait because next year we. Might, have more money uh he might play himself.

Into a. Better deal.

You know there's a lot of that jockeying around and and uh. Negotiating behind the scenes so there's a lot Of ways that the, jazz could play it but, just for our listeners for them to understand it in general business and, and Team building terms the jazz do not have. To do anything summer if, they choose not to they can ride it, out for another year where then next summer they would still. Have the Final say as with kessler being, a restricted free agent in terms of whether

To make that kind. Of financial commitment too.

Let, me ask you this since You brought, up the hayward stuff there is a narrative that's been out there FOR a while and i don't know that ever.

Fully BROUGHT into it. BUT i don't know.

I have no idea my whole Assertion is the way gordon handled The Exit and. THE player's tribune article i feel like he wanted to sit at the cool kids lunch table, in A bigger market and i feel like he wanted to go play.

For his college coach but some.

People believe as a result of the decision not to simply maxim as soon as he was up for it and give him what he wanted after the rookie deal was able to be extended and tell him to go bet on himself was one of.

The reasons he left do you put? Any, STOCK into that.

No I.

Don't know that i understand. WHAT that narrative was i think it Was more really knowing GORDON the way. That i know him it's just, MY own personal opinion i think when he had the opportunity to go play for his college coach and had the opportunity to go play for a Storied, franchise like the celtics and was going into a good situation where they had a chance to win, AND all that that i think that was too much of.

A pull FOR.

Him i think i do also think that, again my own opinion my own gut tells me that he was more comfortable playing here in this market because He's More Of a salt lake city type guy off the floor Than he is a boston type guy. OFF the floor there, i mean his personality, he's a quiet guy. He's A Family guy salt lake city really fit him to a t in terms of what uh he wants to be

Right a couple, Of minutes left here so let's get to the playoffs that are. Going on right now before, we get TO Tonight. Let's, talk okc minnesota okay see up three to One. And last night, smiddie first, of all awesome game, really fun of one. High level shot Making my assertion is minnesota beats maybe every team in the league last night besides. The, one they played Yeah and you know ants taking a. Lot Of heat today

Yeah Well, I think they yeah i. THINK you're exactly right i think It was a great it was, a great horse race and it came down to the, wire and, one team you, know got you know beat the other team, out by a nose. To use that Analogy, and you, know minnesota you know they have a, ball bounced their way or they have a shot, fall in for them

You know it was it. Was a close game it was a. Fun game.

TO watch you know i do think it's Gonna be hard for minnesota to to ratchet up now because now they're gonna in order to get out of the series and and move, On to the finals minnesota's gonna, have to be okay see three times.

In a row and twice and, twice in.

That building and that that's gonna.

Be a tough warder but as we've seen, early in the playoffs that's why you play them because maybe somebody gets, in early foul trouble maybe, somebody has an injury something

Out in my opinion so in about an hour and, a half in change we have Tip Off of. The pacers knicks game It, is two on indiana AND since you, and I last spoke the knicks pulled a miraculous comeback off as they've done this year in the postseason. A few different times and when they went down twenty, IN the second quarter i almost went. And hit, Golf balls i'm Like i'm not doing. I'M not watching this i don't think enough was talked about as far as the way they closed the second quarter to.

Get it within thirteen.

That doesn't sound awesome but when you're down twenty and all the momentums going the other way and you're able to get a, couple of threes here there are a, couple stops here there and just end the hap with a little bit of confidence so you. KNOW you're not dead i felt like. That that Wasn't nothing the knee smith. Injury changed the game he's. Available to play tonight we'll see.

They were guarding jalen jalen.

Gets in foul trouble when you were in studio last week and when we're on The, GOLF course on friday, i Said to you can tom Find Ten? Minutes for landry shammitt can he find ten to fifteen minutes for precious to you who did not. Get Off The bench former delon wright got some ron. Played really good defense It's weird to see delon play with, so little confidence offensively like he wasn't looking to attack, at all on offense but Did guard well and shaman gave him some.

You, think, HAPPENS tonight.

Yeah well i think, the first of all for all of the, talk all season long, everybody, has the, teams. Themselves the media Everybody, You're, Talking in december january february about who is in the position to have home court advantage in the first, round of the playoffs and everybody's always that's that's. Always The talking point the knicks so far are three and Five At Home and masison square, garden in the playoffs and they're six and.

One on the road so? What does that mean who.

Knows what it means other teams get Up To Play, at Madison square garden the knicks don't play as fluidly maybe or as easy because they got all those the expectations and everything on them that they're supposed to win When they're at The Garden and the new york fans are going to get them across the finish line or whatever. Whatever the mantra is and then they go on the,

To to to.

Uh to their credit and, Then the other night towns just went went on a, heater and you know he had one of. THOSE three point shots i thought he was just throwing up to. Hopefully get a foul they, didn't call the foul but. He banked it, in, but you know okay so. Called, Banks, it in okay okay that that's what's going, on, At this moment okay and he FELT it And and i think indiana felt.

It a, little bit but.

Again the same thing the, ball bounces one way the ball, bounces the other way, a shot goes in one of his shots doesn't, fall, or Rims out whatever, and indiana comes out and all of a sudden they're up, three to oh right and everybody's Talking about burying, the knicks and everything and, now, the talk Is hey can the knicks do it again and and even this series And Get? Back to, NEW york, you, know, I say uh gee i'm looking at, the Playoffs so far and i'm looking

LESS than that tonight. I think it's uh i think.

IT'S fun to watch i think both teams, really get after, It and both teams spence, to your earlier point have done things with their roster where it's, not just you know top draft picks that are that. Are pulling the wagon it's other guys that they've brought in and pieced together to have a full team effect that that that.

Can help you, win.

Should be fun smitty great to see you. Enjoy the game. Tonight we'll, chat soon. Thanks man Appreciate It.

The great, richard smith, all right coming up Join me For The kyle. Van neu golf tournament So, Join me on monday june third for the Twenty Twenty Five Van ney charity Golf Challenge Of the black Desert Resort. In scenic saint george all the proceedings from this tournament go To Benefit The van ney valor foundation that helps foster Kids. And the adoption foundations kyle was, adopted as an infant so this cause.

Is very meaningful to.

Him and His, Family starts on sunday, june the twenty second with a welcome cocktail party at SEVEN o'clock AND. A Q, and a on monday we get going at eight am with a check in And a breakfast. At club seventy three welcomes, at eight forty five, Shotgun start at nine awards. Are at two thirty lunch will be served on The course go to vannigolf twenty twenty five dot.

Give smart, dot com all right we'll get to the five o'clock out of the program coming up.

In just a minute one of my favorite bumps leading into This segment song called montreal By The Ghost. Of paul revere? Porter have you ever have you ever had A chance to visit? Montreal in the summertimes that's something you've ever had?

A chance to do? Montreal? In, the summertime oh man one. WOULD be so LUCKY i. Don't, Think i have okay i've never Even Been, to the montreal well you should know that it's.

On my bucket, list AND you know if i have any friends that ever Plan a trip to, MONTREAL in the summer i just would.

Like to be included. I'll go.

With you thank you let's get, to our next, Guest live in Studio, Voice of the Stars, voice of the Royals Host of, the roundball roundup podcast and former a producer And Founder of THE Drive This Program.

Jp john paul chunga? How are you pal.

I'm honored to do this in person because that would have been hitting me in a different.

Way, over the phone indeed it's. GREAT to, SEE you i. Mean i don't. Know have you been have you been to The fine?

City?

Of MONTREAL before.

No but, i HAVE my passport so i would love to. Go at some point. It'd be really fun.

Do you have any plans to?

GO at?

Any time? I? DO you?

Do.

Yeah I, Do.

Yeah over july i'm Gonna. Be going, TO montreal oh man i got a lot of Stuff.

GOING on, in july I Know.

Big Twelve media days Media, Days is during July, Summer leagues during july and do you have a.

Packed social schedule on top of?

Everything THAT you do so i know that it's going to be very difficult to get you away for a trip if it.

Were to Be in montreal in july. On, the twenty, fifth.

Yeah hypothetically, speaking only hypothetically, SPEAKING let's be clear i probably could not.

Make.

It, happen, UNFORTUNATELY yeah yeah, yeah i know that, which you already knew. Which you, already knew let's see where? Should We Start today john paul lot going on in The Land, Of the utah jazz lot Going on with the.

Royals and the stars what's keeping? You busiest? Right now Right.

Now it's the royals. And what they're doing had a. Game OVER the weekend and i don't know if. You watched the broadcast it was just.

Your boy, on it, solo, style solo style wow, cutting budget more huh.

Two, hours and thirty minutes entertaining people. Who are watching television i'm very impressed actively watching, Tele VISION is this and i, give you great credit going Live two To, six monday through friday, no exceptions except, YESTERDAY well Four Hours.

I mean memorial day we take it. OFF for the troops i mean you can knock on us for. THAT if. YOU'D like. I agree i agree you should. Have taken yesterday. OFF and you did i know that was such a difficult thing. FOR you to do.

I didn't want to i asked. To do the show the key. Card did not Work You.

Were like colin cowherd you do not, take breaks every day. No VACATIONS every day but i did the, broadcast solo two HOURS, thirty minutes on kmyu The Home. Of the utah royals you can watch those games Next One, up against racing louisville but following this team ahead of An International break Where ali sentnor the sensation's going to BE playing for the us Women's, national team this saturday against a Top.

TWENTY team in china I. Knew it was china give. ME a little credit I.

Knew it, was CHINA congratulations sir and i bet You also, knew about mandy McGlenn Who's Also on. The utah royals, roster had six saves had, nine the week before including the save OF The.

Week On.

Buyu zone actually hatch people know her from her starring For. THE team down south i know you're not allowed.

To say.

That name thank you you remember she made a save eleven converted penalties Up until.

She met mandy McGlenn.

She's in soaring form, ali's in soaring form and they're getting ready for this INTERNATIONAL break for The. Us takes on china that consumes me right now and as they look to turn the corner on this second year Of Existence.

As the utah royal so.

Two AND A half hours tv solo indicates the. Budget has been cut who's? To Blame For That, DAVID james djack.

No dj wasn't available, his SON was graduating which i absolutely. Understand empathize with that he had to go and. Attend A family, Matter so i. Said i'll do, it. I'll do it solo i'll talk to myself for two, and A half, hours AND i did and i thought.

It went pretty well, did you enjoy it. Because some people don't some people, think that a heavy.

Heavy burden to.

Bear so it wasn't The first time that i've had. To do it solo they had me do a couple of, games last year solo but. It was ONLY radio but for tv you'd just pare it, back a, little bit less words. SO it is fine, i really enjoyed it and it was an awesome performance by one of the best PLAYERS, In All of Nwsl barbara banda with orlando and They have the legend marda who's on and is Still playing the goat, wow of women's soccer. Thirty nine years.

Old she's still. Playing at thirty nine.

She signed a two year extension, to start this year so.

She's playing. Next year that's twelve she's going to play at.

The age of FORTY she got the, nwsl championship last year the only thing, that she doesn't have and then now just trying to.

Add to the. Legacy at thirty nine She's Going to go. Tom brady on.

Us so we got one two and seven minus eleven goal, differential eight goal. Scored nineteen goals allowed what gives why? The lack of results ali's obviously awesome.

Injuries is one hundred percent.

The reason for that they've lost their captain who's supposed to be coming back After, The Break. Against louisville paige monahan she hasn't been with the team since, the very first game and, Then Their, center back kaylee real also has. Been injured as well the top, Earner on The, team chloe la, cast their goal scorer was out with an acl at the, end of last year so they're expecting

Point of, the season that's right they did go on a. Crazy rundown the year while, WE'RE in the space i know that this. YEAR has been.

Challenging i know that.

IT has been trying i would imagine it has tugged at your. HEARTSTRINGS a little bit i don't know. What, you're talking about well last year we have a fifteen. Game on beaten streak we have, records for goals. Scored records, for points, it is you know a season that brought a lot of people out of hope about not just THE, current situation with rsl but what the.

Future could look like, GOMEZ no, longer here I?

Believe is it france they sold them To, A team in france Chicho Scoring. Goals in san, Jose you know what i'm not even Going. To bring up moose I'm going to LEAVE moose aside because i know what. That does to, you but you know a lot Of, Offensive Firepower. GONE anderson, JULIO ando I, mean i call himano but you call HIM whatever you want i call may be, several pieces moved on very. Few pieces, brought In Our

Mean they lost, me AT the beginning.

So i know that how's it even more of a lost season when you've already lost somebody who was with? You since day, one lifelong rsel, fan lifelong was there is there at, meet, The Team, day Meeting Jason Christ, MEETING, Leslie tiger Fitzpatrick, dj countess j knolly all the people for them to see, this regression in results. Aggression and gold production and the only promise that you Get IS That This harriman messi xavier gozo's coming on this team

That's why i'm out All They do is diego Luna well and as ali is headed. To the national team diego is gonna represent the National Team, in the gold cup so they're going to lose him.

FOR six, SEVEN weeks i honestly i.

Just.

Don't SEE it man like i try TO.

Be optimistic and i want that, team to do well but they are so uninspiring.

And THEY'RE so boring and i, like the gosh kid but he.

Just graduated high school, Sign a grown, up sign, an adult you. Know like do something but now we have to wait till. The primary transfer window when the marquee signing is the? Goalkeeper secondary, transfer. Window, EXCUSE me summer.

Yeah i know people. WOULD be correcting you, I don't want Text, i don't want. Yeah they and such they're, still going to.

Text so It's Okay but when ralpha cabral is Your big move and i'm supposed to get psyched about how many, SAVES that he's making i don't know if that that. Moves the needle here knowing that people Like Our great friend nate bench and eight would show up and To your attacking soccer pablo would have. This team playing effervescent they would be, electric on the field and then you see.

Now do You have confidence despite twitter polls out, there who to blame that the ownership transition will lead to economic, Investment in additional talent because. Here's the deal, man as you know once upon a time you could build a good team on a.

Budget in this league that's how we did it in.

Two thousand and nine that allowed that club To Lift down My ls Cup over beckham and donovan and the team of stars against the, team.

Is the star right we. Can't DO that anymore like.

I don't know a grip about any of these players that, are brought in elsewhere but you read the releases where they're paying four or five million dollars, for a, bit winger you know to support the fifteen million. Dollars striker they signed so with The Ownership TRANSITION and mike, guy rai shout out backward hat, Guy in their. Forties no big deal he's got his playfull With, hockey and the jazz. So he Steps aside my guy blitz maintains a portion.

They have to prove it this upcoming transfer window. And the successive ones but looking at the track record with what They've, done with the jazz you have to think that that if they believe that, there's a winner there they, will invest in it because that's what.

They'd done the past.

If you give them good reasons to Go into luxury tax i'm sure they would have Done. It With the, jazz, when dennis asks hey can we start making real Trades to Build around donovan and rudy and This Next, iteration POST gordon hayward can i get that green Light And? Go FOR mike conley Can I? Sign boy on bugdanovic, and EVEN before That Could?

I SIGN niko miritic? Could?

I do.

That yeah you can they gave him the.

Opportunity to do that so if you really have a detailed plan and are ready, TO go for it i have No doubt that the millers would be, able to do that and you.

Need to give them a.

Little bit of time they're Still in the hunter sufice. Sending out, your polls it's, OKAY it'll be. Fine i get it you're in the front row of the supporters section wearing a, tight jersey looks sick.

But it'll, be okay you know you can choose. Your size of jerseys it doesn't have.

To be.

That snug all right, we're all, getting.

Older we are indeed and, one more thing here because you do hear this, thing, where It's like well the millers didn't go into Luxury, tax for the jazz a. Luxury TAX paying team the nba is one hundred and. Eighty five million dollars how much money do you have? To spend, an mls not that but let's talk about, a number for real because you don't have to spend one hundred, and eighty five, mil, but, you ten fifteen, twenty and you know spend seven or?

Eight on one?

Guy don't you know be bringing four Million dollar players, Like Diego is awful lachlan brook can't get, Off the bench. Mark zuke has moments but instead of bringing in three or four like eight hundred, thousand million dollar players go spend seven eight nine million? Dollars on one dude what sort of money are? We really looking at what type of money are we looking at to get this team back to Consistent Competitive Level in major league soccer.

Fifteen, to twenty mil.

Yeah it's around there especially to get. Just, a goal scorer yeah. Because they Needed somebody you saw chico, at a big burden And, Even He. Needed anderson julio andrescomez he he needed things around. Him to be successful but you have to find someone at the most, crazy position in soccer which is being able to score goals when eleven people are trying to stop. You from doing that and it's why all those guys go, for such high,

Is now A, Doctor.

Shout out Robbie Shout, out doctor robbie Russell The Championship. For, Salt lake city yes, saunders on his line and you Think About, not Only robbie Russell But.

UCLA's own tony beltran that isn't the same thing.

That you.

CAN Do Right now a lionel messi is attacking you, ON the other end i don't know how it's gonna faire When he's going against UCLA's number. Three in the back you have to invest in these teams and they have. The Youth, investment thing really well You go OUT to harriman as i am. GRINDING often pounding pavement I know, that watching royals practice you see that the youth. Setup is good there they. Have a great facility people want

First senior team level.

Pablo on the show last, week broke little news because, we're journalists around here hard hitting, at that film shoes that he Was told that the millers. Are, actually, no longer well no, it's not No longer but the millers are not Interested in like Selling diego and developing, gozo and moving on like they want to keep.

THE young players here i thought that was a.

Piece, of good news now If A club In Bundesliga, little inside la lega whatever call and Offer, thirty mil for diego you probably take The. Thirty mil for diego, but until that Happens if, you're an ursel fan that's Good news that maybe diego's here.

For a few years.

That's the whole thing if they're willing to invest in the player that everybody, is going, to watch and frankly every other team is looking to defend and. He still produces right which is the Most amazing part about diego is that he's a marked man amongst a team that

Do you feel like diego is now moon man and?

No?

Longer moon, boy yeah oh yeah.

He's Been Moon man when marizio pochattino talks, about his big manhood that is proof.

That he's a man he's. No longer a.

BOY i'm, with you i mean we could get into the dark Arts, and then done sethary but we can leave that aside real quick before you. GET to, the jazz i know you know this ninety Five days. Away from utah football my question is When do you start we start our countdown at One hundred.

Days for utah football when? Do You Start yours.

When phil steele comes, out with that book when it arrives at the door, after the PRE order that's when, i start my campdown BECAUSE that's that's when. I, Know it's real YEAH and that's when i can start, looking at two, deeps fall, camp battles quarterback, rooms. Tight end ROOMS personnel that's when i start really. Gearing in thirteen personnel we're fans of. That on, THE show all right, a few minutes Left let's.

Socco little jazz here so we're just a few weeks Away from the, draft june twenty, Fifth and you know, i'm watching last, Night and you, know crusoe's six', Five dort is six,' five shay is, six' seven uh and obviously. Chets But but they're, They're perimeter players. Cason Wallace six' four jalen sixty. Six the jazz need Length on the. Perimeter and we'll see what taylor can do like obviously he was hurt. AND so we don't. Know anything about him i still like. Him cody's built had a.

Rough.

Year one we'll, SEE what happens Here two. For OUR listeners jp is a jazz employee so i. Want to put you in a bad, spot but as you look at the draft, what do you hope they, come away, with whether, they stay at five trade up trade down?

What do. YOU hope they Come away, with this year.

I think they for them it's another big swing trying to get that guy. Who can help this team as Everybody's Young because you look at the way okay, see built it a lot, of draft PICKS a lot of young players and. The cba is going to crush them eventually but still that's the way that they're going about building this team. And taking big Swings With their draft picks, you look at danny aingel's history. In drafts him being.

Wings and you.

Need wings as The, Lifeblood of your team so for the jazz i'm hoping that they find someone who can eventually be an impactful player come the time that they're ready to go out and win and pushing the other draft capital. Because, THEY can't use every Single draft pick sure i think of the nets as a team that are they going to? Use four first round draft. Picks this year four first round Draft picks, it's Not the three that the, jazz had and brooklyn's in a, similar

Guys who will be a part of this we keep hearing a lot About the potential of being. Bold and san antonio at two is interesting which. FAVORS the, bold the team is the star i mean we're. Dropping All of the tip bit You need san antonio two. Is interesting in phillya three is also interesting philly's More Win.

Now Because Of m.

BEAT and, paul george the paul george stuff i mean you hear The Stuff about maybe they'll. Move on From paul george and trade, three if the jazz wanted to. Do that it would have to, include marketing if you look at the numbers. There's NO other way to Make It work and i don't Know that paul george, is something that the jazz, would look at even If A men three five and lowry for. PAUL george and three and some other, pieces i don't know maybe there's something there?

Which is sad that, an, owner has. To come out and say yeah sure don't we're. Gonna, do the. Thing that, we should.

Do yep don't, worry ideas pow don't worry but if, two's if two and three are In play would you like to see the jazz get bold and kind of try to do what they.

Can to, maybe get a franchise changing piece of, course because they need a franchise changing.

Piece, they need, somebody that, can be it yeah the guy the coverman the dude who can get this done because that guy currently isn't on the roster. AND you Need them at this top level i Know Indiana, is a very different case with tyrese halburton but he's very very good and they did it. Through shrewd trades to GET to that point but you need those. A Level guys to have some Serious Winning Jalen, Brunson Invested in by the new york, knicks anthony edwards a number one

Find yourself cheering for The tea wolves because of. ALL the ex jazz guys.

On the.

Right i root for. Good basketball.

That's, IT that's, ALL you want that's it well i mean i know how much. YOU'VE been grinding on tape for the draft i just wonder HOW much. SPACE you have, Left for actual nba.

Basketball I watch both i'm Thinking about Both when i, WENT to see dylan and ace. IN person, I, know you Did gum Shoeing, I Know, okay driving From philly to piscataway new. Jersey everybody knows i'm putting in the. EFFORT i'm thinking about, THE next level always i know.

You are i know You are all right we'll call it because I've. Taken us to the top of the hour i've Got to get to, the five, O'clock hour Live, coming up next of. Course roundball round up all? The Great Projects where Can.

They find Them Roundbowl Rounduputah Jazz. Dot com just search utah jazz podcast network you'll be Able to find It and Then catch the royals next week friday racing louisville. On cam y your local Listings for That?

Are, YOU caught UP on friends and neighbors yes.

I completely. I watched it all you did. It's awesome i Have Only one episode deep you. Need a john Hamm On your basketball TEAM you.

Need a.

JOHN hamm and, YOUR tv series, HE'S back i. Like it i am in i.

Love it i'm gonna, go, WATCH.

It Tonight Great to see you buddy Jp john Paul chung a voice of the Royals The stars. And also host of the roundball roundup podcast most.

Notably and importantly a founder.

AND a Former Producer of this Radio Show jp STOPS Spot Today.

Courtesy who our friends.

At ifa country stores when the, seasons change if you like any good coach you'll put together your game plan for a healthy green LAWN. And you'll TURN To the experts at. Ifa got some nhl playoffs coming your way coming up, on The other side.

Of a quick Break. The Oilers And the.

Stars live from edmonton four utah mammoth Players Are now Gold medal winners As The united states of america won the world championships. For the, first time SINCE Nineteen thirty three. And then of course, nba playoff basketball Tonight over on The Fan It, is the Pacers And the new york knicks where the indiana pacers are a two point five point favorite to win tonight at home. And take, a commanding three to one. Lead all right porter vibe check

His ankle role it actually wasn't very severe.

He just.

KIND of went Over On it we'll see i would Imagine Mitchell robinson GETS the start again, for JOSH hart If i Ask you this if i took, jalen and kat off the table and said who needs to step up on offense for the, next outside of their two stars the most give, ME a third Guy You're.

LOOKING for, tonight.

I think it's michel bridges i agree, yep i don't know That it should be but it is mckail bridges because of what, he's shown us his his mid range game his ability to his ability to Kind Of, keep up space against defenders like Pascal siakam. And and, THE link that That indiana has YOU know i go with bridges just because i, think that when he is on the addition, his shooting makes and here's the other. Thing he's going to, play forty plus minutes so if he's

Think it's to be. A bi committee.

Approach you still have confidence i taught you. Four hours ago when we, started the show As We say good night you?

STILL think new. York. Can get this done i think so man there's, we're.

Getting into the point, of this series right, we're seven games in we're several series in and these coaches are to a point now where they kind of, know what the other guy is gonna try and they're starting. To be a little bit of the gamesmanship they're starting to be a little bit, Of the back and forth of, All right I'm gonna maybe throw this Out I'm gonna i'm gonna try something that rick. Carlisle hasn't seen on

Don't let us, win game four as i cantinue, to say don't let us. Win, game FOUR go back, to the garden although, as i said earlier with these two teams home court IS.

Not nearest paramount as. It is, with okc that's just my.

Opinion all right let's get out of here time To watch some basketball and Some puck Tonight porter what comes our.

Way, on a wednesday edition of the.

Program yeah Already, Halfway through the work week ON A Wednesday Tim McMahon Stops, By The nba daily assist. On A Wednesday Neil smith Talking Some puck former nhl STANLEY, cup winner Jason christ Stops by for rssel AND then chris com ronnie entire hour with. Ck in, studio to finish off The show.

All right that'll be a good wednesday program And we. Will say good night for this Tuesday Show, And A, Special Thank, you to rafael BARLOW Lee Ellis Richard.

Smith and our guy jp.

John paul chung always good to see him for any sound, that you made, miss from THE program today website's an option. Which is espn seven hundred sports dot com make sure to download a. Mobile APP and take us on the go the espn Seven Seven hundred app Is available In. The app, store, in the google play store and then finally for what we do, in our space for every. Afternoon four hours Check out The. Podcast page It's called

In the comments give us all.

The Stars It actually HELPS out for Porter i'm, spen sing and i enjoy your. Tuesday evening enjoy some hockey and Some hoops we'll talk to you, on a wednesday show and us as ALWAYS you can catch IT. Right here on espn seven hundred ninety Twefm WE Are proud. To be part of utah's espn radio network