Hour 1: Who was More Impressive in Win: Steph or Draymond?

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Good morning to you. Yes. Yes good morning. Thank you very much. How are you? I'm great thank you. Who's the other guy? I don't even know. Steven A. Hello. What's up Shay? What's up Shay? You look marvelous. The Blazers are tremendous. What are you? Crazy? Well the Blazers nice but you should have had a different color tie. But it's good to see my brother. I like the blue. Now listen. Now listen. Good morning, Steven A. He didn't even have a tie on yesterday. Don't let him get on you about this. Now he did not. I did not. Kenny Smith is going to join us also a little bit later on today. I didn't mean to call you up. But I had to do it. Let's go to last night. tournament continued to wow we start in the West we got a vintage Steph Curry performance 35 points 11 in the last 10 minutes he drained 7 triples the Warriors got out to a slow start and they were trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter they rallied behind not only a great performance by staff but also L. Horford was clutch so was Dreymond Green defensively essentially shutting down Kauai Leonard late Leonard was held to 2 points one of 6 shooting from the field with Dreymond Green is his closest defender according to genius IQ Leonard went 7 for 11 from the field against all other defenders additionally 3 of Leonard's 5 turnovers were steals by Dreymond Green here's Kauai Andre man and what happened last night. They had a great game plan just being physical game. Make sure I don't get no catch and shoot shots. Listen every you know. Pick and roll. Getting in a pole scene 2 bodies. Yeah and then you know Dreymond Hall of Fame defender so. Yeah it was it was hard to even get shots. To hear. One of the great say that about me like. That's special. You know that's that's why you do it you know because you want you want respect from from your peers. Respect you definitely got Dreymond last night he was really impressive Kauai on the other hand giving his flowers more impressive last night though was it Kerry and what he was able to accomplish or was it Dreymond Green on Kauai Stephen a what do you think. I you know what Steph Curry is just so special so phenomenal and all of that stuff I mean he makes the extraordinary seems so ordinary. But it isn't it's special but I'm going to give this not to Dreymond Green ladies and gentlemen is a four time champion. He's a future Hall of Famer. That was one of his finest moments I mean it was a spectacular performance to hold Kauai led it to 2 points to 2 shot attempts in the fourth quarter to pick his pocket to defend them on the in bounds past it did the shielded from getting the ball to play defense the way that they're doing was playing defense and I don't know whether it was a cramp or something in his left leg prior to that. But the quickness with which he was moving dog the quickness of foot the ability to stay in front of him to defend them to deny the ball to him to put the great Kauai Leonard on lock and key the way Dreymond did it was a spectacular defensive performance and Steph Curry articulated it after the game all the intangibles the tip defensive passes you know the strips the rebounds everything that you needed somebody to do other than shoot the basketball. Dreymond Green did last night I mean it was as far as I'm concerned his fourth quarter performance was spectacular I couldn't I couldn't give him more enough praise it was that special to see him do what he did and even with Steph Curry making those key 3 pointers and it was special. I'll offer it I mean what do you say old man Hoffman 39 years of age 12 points in the fourth quarter for all 4 of his 3 point shots. I mean it's just it's unbelievable but Dreymond Green to me really really stood out because of his defensive performance he religiously wants to be recognized as one of the great defenders to ever play this game and last night was one of those times where he really really showed it was really special. Yeah to me there I mean again he only played 8 minutes in the quarter Leonard you guys want to go wax poetic go ahead I'm not going to do it with Dreymond Green I understand what he brings the team Curry was phenomenal look at look at Horford he came in with 6 minutes to go in the fourth quarter and in the next 3 minutes he made 4 threes. They are not winning the game if you only make 3 threes he made 4 in a row down 8 down 5 the lead listen a lot of it was set up by Curry's brilliance understand that Leonard on the other end of the court I get that the Warriors scored 43 points in the fourth quarter they won this game with offense they scored 43 they were down by they only had a 3 after 3 they finished with 126 to the math that's 43 and Horford I got to go look exactly when they were know one of the hoops came in they were down 5 and other hoops when you're down 8 but he made 4 from the 6 14 mark to like the 3 minute mark he made 4 threes that is true you if he's going to give you that with what Curry is going to give you throw in of course what greens going to do with the intangibles they're going to be tough to beat at the end of these games late and obviously the clippers of the clippers so throw that in there to you got to give them some grief I mean you can't you're at home against the team that's been dead all year and you're up by 13 the fourth quarter when the game. Okay, you got a win game and this is a lot about the clippers but the bottom line is to me they're Stevie J I'm going to throw some bouquets to put to offer it for those for you shots they don't want to game without okay I agree on giving our for what he deserves here but the question is Kerry or dream on one or the other like the question. You can't just change the question that's the question you give it to Kerry those your answer correct would probably give it to Kerry yes, okay, you would give it to Kerry so you and Stephen I do somehow agree there now as far as dream on green goes I agree with you we only played a certain amount of minutes in the fourth quarter, however, it was what Kauai said after the game in terms of like I couldn't even get a shot up that I think made everything so impressive. Speaking of quite yes the season is now over but it was a really impressive year for quite Leonard second team all NBA right and obviously going home early now in the playing played a lot more than we're accustomed to seeing him playing in a clippers uniform I don't know if we should necessarily give him credit for that but nonetheless how we view Leonard season now that it's over Stephen. Well it was a damn good season no question about it, I mean he's in all he's in the discussion for first team all NBA when quite Leonard is on the basketball court we know the brother is a superstar in this game he really really is we're not questioning that the question with him is always availability and you know that for fact because it's breaking news is back page headlines it's a segment on sports center when you see him doing a post game interview because it's a miracle because him talking you actually remember he actually can talk okay so it's always good to see him having to say something having said all of that you know what listen in the end he's supposed to be the face of the franchise and here's what it comes down to the last 5 years the clippers have missed the playoffs. Got bounced in the first round the next 3 years and now they've missed the playoffs again. These are the last 5 seasons so as far as I'm concerned if you talking about how to view his season individually in terms of his numbers averaging nearly 28 and 6 on the season of course those numbers are very very impressive but in the same breath the investment that has been made in him over the years has not reached fruition his ability to carry a team obviously is something that isn't true because he's going home in the first round or they've missed the playoffs the last 5 damn years that's what it really really comes down to and it's solidified the fact that even though he can play he is not the person that you would want as the leader of your franchise it's just that simple he can play his individual skills are what they are but in terms of galvanizing the troops in terms of carrying a franchise on and all the responsibilities that come with it that's not him that's not him period. Yes, he's 100% I can't argue with it. You know I love Leonard to he had a very good year I mean they were with a 6 and 23 at one point just to get to this box and 21 yeah, 6 and 21 Steve thank you I mean just to get to this spot. The problem of the clippers is in this era with throwing hard and is they never have enough wins to be a good seed. So they're always stuck you know in plans last year they were 5 see that played Denver in the first round they're always stuck in nowhere isville as far as the seating situation is concerned they never get a break where they were one of the top 3, 4 seeds which means they get home court and not the plan to play in get a little advantage there they're always stuck where they got to play extra games they got to play a game 7 on the road last year hard was terrible in Denver and that hurts them and Steve's right if you are going to build your franchise over around Leonard he's got to play 75 games and he has to be the leader of the team on a day in day out basis and for whatever the reason is you said about 68 was that what it was about 656865 games a right in front of me I mean you need them to play a little more than that I mean that's all there is to it for the money that he's making he's great he's fun to watch. I know listen he drives me crazy sometimes to understand I probably never should have to spurs as it was a heck of a player and he won't be in ship with the Toronto. Well that's true he did I forgot they did leave that they maybe shouldn't have to run off. I thought he went to Toronto I forget that championship that the rent was heard it wouldn't have wanted if the rent didn't play if the ramp played but I understand the point about Leonard easy easy strange because you pay he's older you pay him 50 million a year is going to play 65 games they're going to underachieve and then they're going to be in nowhere as they'll come playoffs is that worth the price of the mission if you're the owner of the clippers that's a very tricky call. Listen. If we stick into the situation involved in Kauai Leonard. Let's put things in perspective. I have been on the record and I know it's not popular and I'm going to be accused of hating I could give less than a damn no way I stand with this man. I think he's a superstar player when healthy. I think he is the worst superstar in the history of basketball if not the history of sports I've said it many times and I'm going to say it again because I'm not talking to operative word is superstar we know he's a superstar player. But when it comes with the responsibilities of leading of galvanizing of representing a brand etc. He doesn't do that. That's why it's a miracle to see him in the post game conference speaking first of all it was news that he spoke let alone how glowingly he spoke about Drey Mon Green but this is what I'm talking about about representing your franchise representing the product OK you know I'm talking about you know when you're doing commercials and you got little kids speaking because you can't talk and stuff like that. This is the kind of stuff to happen with him. Let's get back to the basketball. Kauai Leonard 7 years with the Clippers played 6 years Mr. 2021-22 season due to injury OK. He's averaged 41.7 million dollars per year he's been paid 291.8 million dollars in his career as a clipper for all star selections he's only played in 60% of the regular season game so he's missed 40% and he's missed 30% of his playoff games OK they've lost 3 straight series playoff series that he has played in he has signed as many contracts with the Clippers as he has won playoff series which is 3 OK he hasn't won a playoff series with the Clippers since 2021 and he's earned 226.6 million dollars in salary since their last playoff series when keep in mind that by missing losing last night and missing the playoffs because they failed in the play in their pick is now going to be a lottery pick which belongs to the Oklahoma City Thunder because this man in coming to Los Angeles what he said was me coming to Los Angeles is not enough. I also want you to go and get Paul George it wasn't like they were boys or something the buzz and buddies and hung out together and knew each other so intimately he decided he wanted that particular player OK who he had never played with before and blackmailed the Los Angeles Clippers to get him by letting them know if you don't pick me I'm joining Anthony I'm I'm going to end up joining Anthony Davis and LeBron James in a Lakers uniform. No one Steve bomber couldn't do that so who did you give up you didn't just give up a load of picks you didn't just give up the Nillogala Nari you gave up Shay Gilgis Alexander the reigning league MVP NBA finals MVP and NBA champion you gave all of that up not even for Kawai Leonard it was for Paul George just because Kawai Leonard wanted it so everything that you look at with the Clippers and all the troubles that they have falls directly at the footsteps of Kawai Leonard who made demands knowing he had the leverage milk them for all the money he has milked them for nearly $300 million and has nothing but three playoff series wins to show for it and oh by the way none of which have come in the last five years that is the legacy of Kawai Leonard in a Clippers uniform and that is why Clippers Nation and basketball fans everywhere who know a thing or two about the Clippers are looking at it and saying excuse me this brother is doing extension you better not give him another one let him go somewhere else we know that he can he can help anybody because he's a superstar player on the court when available but you never know when his availability is going to be there and you damn sure know he ain't gonna help market your franchise all you got to rely upon is his greatness as a player and that is compromised by an absence of availability tantamount to 40% of Miss games during the regular season and 30% of Miss games during the playoffs I don't know about anybody else but that ain't an investment I'm trying to make I get it Steve but what do you want to do I mean what's the solution they play in a huge more move on. I'm talking to get what I'm waiting wait wait wait. Wait a minute. Clippers. Let's I'm doggy what I'm trying to say to you is this based on the level of production what you got to lose he ain't going on it he ain't been home in the first he ain't been in a playoffs twice and he been out in the first round three of those five years what you got to lose it's been five years of futility what you got to lose what not why not start a new why not but paint a new vision if you Steve Ballmer if your Lawrence Frank and people like that why not paint a new vision for the Los Angeles Clippers start a new because you can do that with anybody you don't need paying him an average of 41 million dollars you understand to get the results you get it you can get those results from somebody have to have the price why not what money is the issue because it's a cap thing and they got more money than God you got to fill the arena up you got to be somewhat active in LA you don't have a draft pick and nobody walking through the turnstiles because it's while in it what do you want to do Steve let me let me be very very clear. Coal in it even though even though he's a great player he ain't a box office player you ain't rolling through the turnstiles to see him play oh my God I got to go see Coal in it tonight no you're not that's not what you're doing you're going to see the Clippers you're going to see LeBron James you're going to see Steph Curry you're going to see Ant-Man you're going to see people like that you ain't going to the turnstiles to see Coal in it you're going to the turnstiles to watch the Clippers ask the Clippers fans ask them you are not a nobody then get out of their way to walk through the turnstiles to see him. But you want to be competitive Steve you got to be competitive he makes you competitive I'm sorry. No no for a while you weren't even sure if Coal I was going to play which is why people weren't going through the turnstiles. We're talking about I just looked at the trade details from that Paul George trade I did it in addition to Shay Gildes Alexander Danilo Gallinari that's right and Jaylin Williams Dylan Jones and 3 more first round picks. That's a terrible I was a horrendous trip. Oh my goodness. Okay speaking of George let's go to the Sixers because last night they played in the play in as well so we go to the East now the Sixers relied heavily on Tyrese Maxey because he answered the call without Joe Lnb dropping 31 points and adding 6 dimes rookie VJ Edgecomb also came a big he to double double 19 points and 11 boards for him Philadelphia took care of Orlando one of 997 you heard the crowd yelling we want Boston last night well guess what that is just what you will get a Celtics team that has won 9 out of their last 11 games congratulations how intriguing now is this series between Philadelphia and Boston much better than would have been if it was Orlando so I mean from that standpoint you have a you know right natural rival they played a million times and it's the second best rivalry in the history of the NBA after Sixers after Lakers and Celtics is the next one they play no Chamber and Russell Burr Julius you go on and on and on and it's a great robbery not only for those going to beat Boston we don't know where and beat is but you know for the years got some you know this thing a good back court you know George is in and out of these games sometimes but they still have him they feel comfortable with the Celtics and be maybe he plays in the middle of that first round up the wait and see with his with his surgery there when he might be available or when he is available you never know with him he might play 20 minutes and so that may not mean that much anyway but as far as the NBA is concerned Philly Boston is box office that series has juice because it's the historical aspect of that series and one thing on Orlando before thought to Steve Orlando for the years has been in a main lotteries you know sobs Ben Schurro Dwight Howard and they never do anything. Every single year they got they've had lottery picks for a hundred years and they have never been able to sustain anything they're not going to lose the Charlotte in a couple days they make trains for Bain he has a huge game last night it's funny about the magic they have not been a factor I know they had the one year with Howard getting to the final with Stan but since they lost shot them in a mess we kept on thinking about that last night with the magic you know I love you right like you're my favorite person. Paulo Ben caro I care less than Joe. My favorite he's my favorite is when when doggy just shows a little doggy is a man there on some name that much I do that all the time. You can get you can count on dog you get in the name wrong you can count on dog you get in the name wrong that's just what he does that's just what he does is cool a little carefully but all I write Steve about the magic sooner or later maybe you like to see them win 55 games and be a factor in the eastern conference for quite a lot like how many Jeff it's do you want no no no no question no but no no no quite no question about it and here can play but they got to be better they got to be better and they've been a disappointment to for the Boston Celtics to bench their top 7 players. All last Sunday and for you to lose to them anyway knowing that you will be in a position you would have hosted the game in Atlanta in Orlando rather for the playing had you won that game and the lose that and have to go to Philly and then lose that game is definitely an indictment against the Orlando Magic there's no way about it. I will tell you thank God it's not Orlando Boston because we ain't too interested in that Philadelphia Boston that's definitely something that that's traditional is historic we look forward to that but let's let's be very very clear. Philly fans will will regret saying we want Boston you're not beating the Boston Celtics and let's put this in perspective as well. This is the 12th straight year Boston is in the playoffs longest shooting NBA by about by about 4 years you know compared to anybody else OK this is a Boston Celtics team that parted ways with 4 of its top 8 players. And they still finished as a number to see with Jason Tate and Mrs. 62 games. They still ended up being a top to see in the Eastern Conference with their secondary star in Jalen Brown emerging as a league MVP candidate because Jason Tatum was out for those 62 games. That's the Boston Celtics team we're talking about. This is part of the course for them. They worry they phase they are in the slightest by the Philadelphia 76ers. Tyrese Maxi is going to have to be spectacular in this series VJ Edgecomb and Paul George is going to have to have to add some assistance because nobody thinks that Joel Embiid is going to be available because of the appendectomy or whatever the hell it was that he's going through. You have those issues and Philadelphia is formidable and better offensively when Joel Embiid is in a lineup. If he's not expected to be in the lineup he's not going to be there. The task is even that much more daunting because they were going to beat Philly with Embiid on the court. So you damn sure know they're going to lose to Philly without Embiid on the court. That's the situation involved in the Boston Celtics right now against the Philadelphia 76ers. But we still should be happy that we have this series because it brings back a lot of memories and if Philly can manage to win a couple of games in this series we'll all walk away winners because it would have been a decent series if they had done that. 100% I think that would be the number of Steve just hit it. I think if Philly can win two games he did a heck of a job. So let's hope for a game 6 down the road and not serious. So Philly will have three days off and then they could potentially have 8 days off for their first home game of this playoff series against the Celtics by the way have won 15 of their 22 playoff series against the 76ers. I shouldn't make fun of you with names. I'm going to get it. I butchered one yesterday. I'll tell you. All right please. Yes. Coming up here on First Take 2 heavyweights heading into the NBA playoffs what would be more impressive an OKC repeat or Boston winning it all especially after what they've been through this season plus after the break Seth Rollins fellow Bears fan. He's going to join the show. Stephen A is a few words for him after taking it to his buddy Paul Heyman that's next. If you want to save a few quid British gas have away you get half price lecky and it's called peak save on every Sunday. It's the smart thing to do if you're regular folk or furry and 11 till 4 let the good times begin. You could charge up the car or take the dryer for a spin. Half price electricity what joy that brings with British gas peak save we're taking care of things. T's and C's apply eligible tariffs and smart meter required. It's the middle of the night in a small town on the Jersey Shore. Someone reports an abandoned car on a bridge. A search gets underway for the missing driver 19 year old Sarah Stern is it a missing person is it a suicide at this point nobody knows old friendships buried cash and a sinister plot that was once pitched as a movie plays out in real life. I'm juju Chang from 2020 and ABC audio listen now to bridge of lies wherever you get your podcasts. I love my man Seth Rollins. I truly do honor to have him on this show. But I'm considering banning him from first take how could he do that to my guy Paul. How could he do that to the greatest heel of a manager in wrestling history. What he means to the sport what he means to the W.W.E. I am a heartbroken. I really am to see my man Paul Haman go out like that it actually hurt me. It actually hurt me. And if Steve power he has no power. W.W.E. superstar Seth Rollins joins us now from Las Vegas where we will be tomorrow. Stephen A. I thought you're going to ban this guy what's going on. I can't I can't because I love him too much I love him too much is the great Seth Rollins but I mean to do that to a defenseless human being like Paul Haman. I can't believe you did that. I just can't believe that you did that. Seth I really can't. I'm very disappointed in you. I'm very disappointed man. Did I hear you correct. Thank you. First of all Shay Stephen A. for having me on. Obviously Stephen A. doesn't have the power he thinks he has because I'm still here on the show can't ban me just yet. But did I hear you call Paul Haman defenseless. I mean let's come on if there is one human being on this planet that deserves what he gets in that ring. It's that man right there Paul Haman and that's just a slice of it. He deserves a whole lot more than that. Oh it looks good. But I mean he had his back he had his back turned and everything. I mean this this is not this is not a fighter. This is just a talk and that's what he is to do that to him and then to stomp his face into the mat. I mean very cruel stuff. I can't believe how cruel you are. How could you do that to him. I just I don't know man. I'm looking at you a little bit different. Oh look look look look look look look look look look look. I at that point I wasn't medically cleared. You know I had to find my way into the building if I if I went through straight face to face through the entrance security was going to get me it's a whole thing. So I had to find my way in had to get the job done Paul Haman. He is responsible at least partially for the injury that took me out last October and so I have to you know revenge revenge is clean it's a respect thing you know you want to come at me like that you want to damage my career you want to take me out you want to take cash out of my wall. I mean this is how it's got to be so payback is cold. It's a cold dish. Listen Seth I don't mean to pile on here but I'm also you on this set because last time you were on first take it was right before elimination chamber. You came on we were talking about elimination chamber everything happening in Chicago you're like oh yeah no I'm not going to be in the ring and then what you do you went out there and you've been causing mayhem ever since you lied right to my face and now you're there at WrestleMania you got gun thers going to be your first official match. How's the shoulder feeling because apparently it's been fine for weeks. Well I don't know if it's been fine for weeks and I got to apologize but look I can't if I gave it all the way to you right there that I wouldn't have been able to get into the chamber and make sure that Logan Paul didn't win the elimination chamber match show in reality by lying to you I have done you a favor because I have saved us all the trouble of seeing Logan Paul in a title match at WrestleMania so thankfully as for the shoulder it feels great I don't know that it's 100% but maybe 8090% and I'll tell you what my 8090 percent is pretty good good enough to get us in a position here we've got a match at WrestleMania you mentioned it against going through who has targeted me actually in the last couple of weeks we kind of figured out why he's got a little bit of a little a little boo boo on his ego he thinks he's the best wrestler on the planet he might be and he's mad that I have been calling myself the best wrestler on the planet for a long time so we're going to find out this Saturday night won a WrestleMania who the best really is and I can't wait. So you're trying to tell me at 80% you think that's good enough to be a good thing. I mean this is your 15th right what is it your 15th WrestleMania match if you would have if you would have win this victory if you want to get this victory where would this rank for you in WrestleMania history in your WrestleMania history. I mean to come back. From an injury like this I'm almost 40 years old to get in the ring with going through who is undoubtedly unquestionably one of the greatest recently retired John Cena recently retired Bill Goldberg recently retired one of the greatest to do it and AJ Styles. If I were to be able to come back late on the line and get a win against Goonther for me it would mean a lot to me to show that not only do I can I still go do I have a lot to deliver but I'm ready to go right now I'm ready to take a crack at my World Heavyweight Championship once this all this is all said and done so it would be a huge feather in my cap for sure. Okay other people believe that as well Cody Rhodes Big E they both said on ESPN airwaves this week that your match is the one that they are most excited for WrestleMania. Do you think it would be fair to say your match against Gunther for the title of best non champion wrestler currently in the WWE. Yeah I mean this is a huge match I think you know it's WrestleMania and the whole card is stacked from top to bottom and you've got some huge matches like you know Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar obviously the two main events with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton and seeing Paul can Roman Reigns and I think because this story in this match with Gunther has come together kind of fairly quickly. I think that it's almost getting overlooked a little bit but it's very nice to have colleagues like Big E and Cody Rhodes point out that this this is huge this is a massive match this is a real test of who is the greatest of this generation you know I think Gunther and myself over the last 20 years have proven through our bodies of work that we are undoubtedly when it comes to Bell to Bell in the ring some of the two of the greatest to do it and so I non title matches I mean this is up there with some of the big ones in WrestleMania history. International Championship AJ Lee the wife Becky is Becky Lynch scheduled to go up against her I want to know what your confidence level when it comes to the wife getting ready to have her title match this week and how focused how focused are you on yours considering the fact that obviously you're rooting for her too. Well let me just say this you know one of the greatest of all time if not the greatest Mister WrestleMania himself Sean Michaels was asked this past week if he said if you could name a miss WrestleMania who would it be he narrowed down to two people Charlotte flair respect and Becky Lynch she is without a doubt without a doubt miss WrestleMania huge moments on huge stages incredible matches now look as she had some trouble with AJ Lee absolutely no doubt about it AJ Lee has been a thorn in her side for a long time now but I'm telling you she is as ready as she has ever been she's in the best shape I've ever seen her and I'm very excited for her to get back what is hers and that is the WWE women's Intercontinental Championship. Speaking of your wife you guys just launched your coffee brand is it I'm I'm I saying it right. What went in you got it that's love baby love it okay what went into the I'm a avid coffee drink drive like 3 day will among this set what went into this process why coffee. Oh well we love it too. I mean we've been traveling the world for many many years together and one of the things we had we had a lot of time for was to go out and try these coffee shops and different coffees all over the world in different cities and you know we we kind of cultivated our relationship around our our relationship with coffee it's where we spent a lot of time and so we wanted to be able to bring what we love to our fans and I think that's one of the things that you know everybody drinks coffee but not everybody drinks great coffee and so we kind of wanted to tailor that and so we could give this to our fans who've you know given us so much over the years as far as their love and support for everything that we brought to the table so we wanted to kind of hey you love coffee we know what we got a read on some really good coffee so we're going to get that in your hands so you can enjoy this process as much as we do love it congratulations on that launch also hey NFL draft week from today you're doing any surprise picks for the bears that I should know about set don't we're not green Bay we're Pittsburgh this year so you know what I mean I don't I don't got a troll anybody in green. I can't top last year beyond. I'll be there as part of the extended ESPN family though NFL network I'll be there and Kyle Brown will be on site in Pittsburgh for Thursday and Friday so very excited to see we've been picking around. One. All right, me too set will see in Vegas tomorrow. Thanks for the time. See you guys. Coming up here on first take cannot wait for another round of Minnesota Denver how likely is it that Anthony Edwards gets past though the Joker also would would an OKC repeat the more impressive or less impressive than the Celtics have been through so much with Jason Tatum winning it all Stephen A. and mad dog go head to head on that one next. 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Welcome back to first take so the Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference finals the last 2 years but we'll have to face the Nuggets who have won 12 straight and are getting healthy just in time to capitalize on the T-wolves up and down regular season they face each other and 2 out of the last season so what's building there well here's Ant-Man. Yeah, for sure. I don't think is anything else to call it but a rivalry. I give the league don't see a lot of rivals league and I think it's a lot of rivalries in the league. Yeah, for sure. I think me and Denver is one of. Okay, so Denver and Minnesota arrival Reese even a what do you think. I would say so because I think that Yolkic and Murray can't be severely dismissed a 3 and 1 against Minnesota this year but Minnesota has knocked them out the playoffs before Ant-Man averages 30 against them on 40% 46% shooting and he elevates his level of play because it's required we have to remember that even though Minnesota has had the advantage in the postseason reality is that when you look at the combination of Yolkic and Jamal Murray they can beat anybody when they're clicking on both and when they're clicking together that dynamic 2-man team doggy I interview coach Chris Finch on your job on your channel my show your channel yesterday and obviously you know what he can see the same thing in terms of who they are what they bring to the table and how formidable they are so I definitely think that Ant-Man is right and I think that's the right attitude for him to have because Denver is clearly capable of sending them home. Yeah, they should I'd be a very good series. I don't look at it as a rivalry though a second round playoff series in the NBA historically is not going to be a rivalry situation so I don't quite look at it that way plus you okay I know this is a tear out of it. You'll catch against when they are my San Antonio Oklahoma City down the road that's got chance to be a big robbery to huge teams and young stars on each end playing for a conference final that I think I think you got a good chance for spurs thunder the next 5-6 years every game being a huge game. I don't look at Denver Minnesota on that level I think Steve's right I think Denver can beat anybody and Edwards gives that gives the gives the temple of the punch of chance because he can go score 15 any of these games. But at the end of the day I will nuggets of playing well right now they won 14 in a row and did a nice job they played well I would think Denver win a series. So the nuggets won the chip we remember in 2023 and then the next year in the semifinals the timber wolves beat him in 7 games so they've kind of built this thing now in the postseason it feels we'll see what happens in the first round this year because there has not been a repeat champion in the NBA in 8 seasons so would it be more impressive now Oklahoma City can do it and repeat or Boston wins it all with Tatum coming off that Achilles injury so early what do you think I think Celtics based on the idea that you know they did nobody expected the beginning of the year for them to be in this situation without Tatum for 70 something game 60 games so to me the Celtics coming back to terrible injury last year and losing the Knicks in which they did now listen the West is much harder you know I beaten Philly the Knicks and Detroit or Cleveland is not as difficult as OKC having to go through maybe San Antonio or Denver or Houston back to back but I do think if the Celtics do get to the champ win the title with the Tatum injury the fact that nobody thought this is going to occur for them to have the where we're thought to win it all again I would think that'd be more impressive. I would disagree with you there I'm going to go with Oklahoma City's dance to this question I would agree with you doggy if Tatum had never come back then that would be different but the fact that he came back after missing the 62 games and obviously he's flow with them over the last 20 games or so getting himself ready for the postseason. I think that the Boston Celtics even though again for the top 8 players are going for Zingas Horford Jew holiday that kind of thing still got Derek White there you still got Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum your two permanent stars obviously you still have a paint Pritchett coming off the bench who's really really formidable for them so I look at it from that standpoint along with the fact that the East is not as tough as the West and I say the answer to this question is OKC you are the reigning defending NBA champions you have a team like the San Antonio Spurs led by a 7 foot 5 superstar in Victor Wimbayama who went 26 and 2 over a 28 game stretch and still wasn't able to catch you for the number one seed in the West even when a guy like Jalen Williams Shay Gilgis Alexander sidekick missed about 49 games this year and Shay himself missed about 12 to 14 games still they're the number one seed in the Western Conference ready to defend their crown. I would say if they repeated back to back looking at Minnesota Denver San Antonio into a lesser degree Houston in the Western Conference standing in your way you get through all of that and then possibly Boston to repeat as NBA champions I would believe that's more impressive back to back then the Celtics winning this year. I would tend to agree you got to remember Oklahoma City just walk into the finals last year that was a very competitive final series with the Pacers Pacers were very close to winning at all of course tell your salad burden getting hurt didn't help them but the Boston Celtics even Steven I just said it like what if they have to go through them Oklahoma City does to win it all member of the number one seed is not the Celtics it is the Detroit Pistons Wendy said it yesterday everyone seems to be sleeping on the pistons in the East do you agree go ahead Steven. I was going to say this one last thing to add about Shay Gilgis Alexander he was injured doggy and he comes back since he's been back 19 and one. Just want to throw that out. 19 and one always sleeping always sleeping on the pistons no and I'm glad you asked that question because I hope the pistons are watching I want them to understand this they've been the number one seed JB because staff is the man outstanding job coach in this team and they've shown a lot because Kate Cunningham goes down well with the you know partial you know long-collapse all of that and these guys yet collapsed on I'm sorry and these guys didn't really miss a beat a matter of fact they look pretty damn impressive without him even without a bona fide consistent legitimate secondary option this kid Jalen Durham is big time I mean he's blossoming no doubt about it to bias Harrison the rest of the crew there and a whole bit and they haven't missed a beat and they held on and then the number one seat you're not sleeping on them because you recognize the fact that their title contenders that they could easily beat anybody in the Eastern Conference as they have shown in terms of the way they've been Boston the vast majority of times they faced them this year and they've shellacked the New York Knicks no doubt about it. The only reason why this question is being asked is because the Boston Celtics got Jason Tatum back and now everybody's looking at the fact that the Celtics 12 straight years in the playoffs Jalen Brown and like his seventh or eighth conference finals Jason Tatum and like his sixth conference finals this is part of the course for them. So because we know who Boston is and what they bring to the table and they're led by two preeminent superstars in this game and Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum that's why we haven't been talking about the pistons as much because they've got to prove to us that they are what their record in the regular season says they are but we know they're formidable we know they're tough we know their physical we know they don't back down to anybody when Kay Cunningham is ready to go which he should be for these playoffs obviously that's going to do well for them we shall see. They could not score against the Knicks in the last five minutes of those playoff games last year they could not score they lost three home playoff games Brunson made every big shot they did not have anybody to match them next to one took cunning him away they had nowhere else to go. Knicks also had towns so to me only one two playoff games I got to see Detroit I so I don't think people are sleeping on him I think they're not that great I I have to see Detroit I unless you're a quarter with Cleveland I thought they were sleep a paper tiger and I got waxed in the second round I think Detroit's got a lot of trouble here in this postseason they're going to win the opening round they'd be the Charlotte Orlando we know that we know that that next round again I don't like carton so maybe they do be Cleveland but I don't think they're going to get by the Boston Knicks series so I don't think Detroit and Detroit's goal here is the champion is the finals they lose in the finals we're going to live with it had a great year Detroit can't be the one seed win 58 60 games ever they won and then show up nothing in a conference final they're going to win 3 playoff rounds to them and think wow Detroit did a great job on I don't think they're going to do that. 3 not to that is utterly that is utterly ridiculous hold on that's all that you know dog the dog he think he's slick so let me get this straight don't give me this regular season crap the fact of the matter is they were going in the first round last year. How is it that they go in the first round and all of a sudden unless they're in the finals the season's a failure that's ridiculous you haven't been when the last time they've been in the dam and deep into the dam playoffs was the last time 2005 with Chauncey billips and rip Hamilton and Ben and Rashid Wallace and Tayshawn Prince with Larry Brown as their coach what the hell have they done since that time you're trying to tell me that the Detroit Pistons is is as much of a basketball purgatory as they were a couple of years removed from a 28 game losing streak a 28 game losing streak and you're trying to tell me because they went to the playoffs and they get bounced out in the first round but then they come back and then number one see if they don't make it to the finals this season is a failure. As far as I'm concerned if they go listen excuse me it's about Boston it's about New York it's about Cleveland potentially standing away if the Detroit Pistons end up going to the conference finals that is a successful season that is a successful. So around you can't say that it's not a liar one round I say finals you say conference finals is that well hold on hold on that that's a but it is a bigger difference you said finals a flop finals a bus that's number one number 2 if they go to a game 7 in the conference semifinals is still not a failure still not a failure. So that can't be that they were the first round last year guys I think they need to win a playoff series let's start there all they got to be they have to win a play of series they got to win a playoff series that should be the bar right now at least and don't you think they got a win a playoff losses to the next last year mean they blown them out every game means nothing you got to know we find out we find out now how about you mean to tell me if they move it moving about moving to go post if they if they take Cleveland is 7 games Cleveland's a very good basketball team and they take Cleveland is 7 games. I'm not a middle and James Harden are not a joke. James Jonathan Jonathan Jonathan James Harden listen listen he's had he's had awful game 7's he's had some awful playoff appearances no doubt but he's one of the prolific score is the game has ever seen and donovan Mitchell is his teammate and you got Mowgli and Allen playing with you to his and you love Kenny I can sit you never thought he should have left Brooklyn. You know what's what's the shame in losing to Cleveland in a deep long lay on long playoff series you tripped they have something to do last year seriously Cleveland's got something on their shoulders all right we got to go coming up on first take we dive into the Warriors incredible comeback last night that's and Hawaiian the Clippers pack and Kenny Smith is going to join first take next to dive into all things playoffs as first take rolls along. What's up it's the most must see WWE superstar of all time the Miz and you're watching ESPN be sure to check out WrestleMania 42 April 18th and 19th streaming on the ESPN app with the ESPN unlimited plan it's awesome.