basketball pro. Basketball talking. NBC sports.com is here
now and Kurt good to see you, man.
I'm going to spare you.
Unlike what I did last night. I was telling Michael, Holly
earlier that I wasted my precious time. I most valuable
resource our time. I wasted my precious time watching a Lakers
team
that looked like it had better things to do anyway,
so I'm not going to waste much of your time if I can help it
asking you about bad teams like the Lakers. Okay, let's talk
about teams that are. Really going places
and I'm a start. Honestly,
I'm gonna start with a team that we don't talk about enough
because we feel like, we know how the movie is going to end
in the postseason. And that's the Utah Jazz, which won their
eighth and Ninth games.
Nine games yesterday,
Overlook Michael Holly's, Phoenix Suns
- Chris Paul, but nonetheless, still the best team in
basketball.
Should we believe is it still too soon or do you have to
believe it to see it or, you know,
as
Pat Mahomes to say, you know, I'll see it when I believe it.
Should we believe that the Jazz will be any different come
playoff time? They can actually take this momentum and transfer
it into the postseason and go deeper than we've seen him. Go
to last couple of years.
I think they can but like I'm, I'm from Missouri on this one.
They got to show me like, I've just,
I've been there. I've been down this road. I believed in them
and I've been let down and I'm not alone. Like I wasn't
the only person who thought that this team has the roster to
make a real run
only to watch them,
not make that kind of run, not make that
not live up to the potential injuries. Have been part of it
and they were certainly really banged up last year. That was
an issue. This has got to be the year. I still keep hearing
around the league. Look.
You don't bring in Danny Ainge. Look, new owner, brings in
Danny age on top of basketball operations.
That's not a, we're standing Pat. Move like you. It's easy.
He's a gunslinger. So they're going to be doing something if
this doesn't run, right this year. And I
think that they feel that pressure,
but they're also a good team. I think they're one of those
teams where
look, they don't have the margin for error that Phoenix
does when Chris Paul is healthy or a healthy golden state does,
I think they're the third best team and I think they're one of
those teams are
if things break a little right for them.
They they play good defense. They've got shooting if
bogdanovich is playing well and hot and you get some good
nights out of Clarkson and he's not too exposed in a playoff
series and
Donovan Mitchell plays like he did last year on one leg on to
you to like like, I think they can be that good but I still
don't know that their pee. Is this high as
Phoenix or Golden State? So
I kind of got a feeling, it's going to be disappointing. And
then
welcome to the Danny Ainge show, man,
Michael. I just, I just don't want to make the mistake.
Again. I'll sleep in on the Jazz.
Yeah, you know finite right now.
Yeah, I know we did it last year and you know Kurt you
mentioned
a team that I've been curious about. Maybe this is not
the right time to bring it up. Bring up the Warriors after
they blow a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter
to Dallas, but I look at them and I feel like, wow, out of
all the teams in the west. I love Phoenix,
but they've got they've got two extra boost. Okay. One the
the clay, the Clay Thompson booster, which is still Kicking
in right now.
And then I tie said it's the Mike a couple weeks ago. We
never got a chance to talk about it. Come Inga. I mean my
goodness, this guy is starting to few can see it so you can
see him starting to figure it out.
He's coming on. He's coming on strong.
Do you believe that the Warriors you just had to call
her right now? Are the Warriors, all things considered
the best team in the west.
You know, what booster, you forgot? They get Draymond Green
back.
He's pretty good.
Like that's what I mean. 12 says he went down.
Yeah, exactly. Their defense isn't the same, they were
the number one defense in the league. He is the he was on
Pace to be defensive player of the year part, because he
quarterbacks that whole thing. Right? Like he's
he's getting guys in position. He's organizing it. He's so
vocal on that ended drives it, so they get that back. I'm, by
the way,
I fell in love with coming, go back at Summer League. When you
just, you know, again, that's a glorified pickup game, but you
could see the athleticism and I like,
man if he can start to figure it out and I I
think a couple couple people and including a scout. I know,
made a Kawhi Leonard reference with him that
all the physical tools are there. But remember Kauai comes into
San Antonio and he doesn't have to be the man. They they
obviously Parker and Ginobili and Duncan. They're like, this
is Peak Spurs and he comes into
so pop can bring him on a little more slowly and mold him
into the guy that, you know, becomes the all-nba player in
the finals. MVP. I don't know that coming. I don't,
that's the heck.
Of a ceiling. I got to want it, but I'm not going to put that
on chaminda, but it's the same type of situation. He gets to
come in with all this athleticism and learned he was
talking about it in.
You know, I talked to him in
Cleveland at all star. You saying that I love being behind
Curry and I'm just trying to soak up and Thompson. All these
guys. I'm trying to soak up everything I can from these
guys and listen to them because they have so much knowledge.
He could be really special in a couple years. I don't know how
much you're going to get out of him this year except for
a couple of real nice highlight dunks in the playoffs.
But
a couple of years from now, I like that team could really
transition into something. And I think, by the way, I still
think
all things being equal, their ceiling is a little higher than
Phoenix is ceiling. I just because I've seen Curry and
Thompson and Draymond do it. I just
I don't know if they're going to get their courage
is not completely out of that, shooting slump, guys. He's had
some good games, but he kind of
is a little up and down right now.
Yeah, I still defer to Phoenix,
but in the west coast and in the west, let's talk about
the team that beat him. I mean, look, Luke Advantage, just
wrapped up
or is wrapping up
a month, calendar month. Statistically. Only Oscar
Robertson and Russell Westbrook have enjoy, which is 34 points,
10 rebounds, and 8 assists for our calendar month.
We're waiting. We're waiting on Luca for a few years now.
So I'll ask you something of a two-part question for Luca, and
both, and for the Mavericks now that they've kind of like
retooled a little bit
is Luka, playing his way into your MVP, top five. We know who
three of them are presumably, yanis, your kitchen bead. And
the other two will probably,
you know, you're still figuring that out. Is Luke is playing as
well as the MVP top five. And is this the year that Dallas
goes a little bit deeper in the postseason.
Or deep at all in the first part of?
Yeah, the first part of that is on my like list right now.
I have it exactly like that. There's a top three
with, you know, like I said, in bead onto kupo and yo Kitsch
in, whatever order they end up being and they're going to be
on the ballot
and then it's Curry and DeRozan. And yeah, Don Cheech
is in that mix now. Chris Paul was and
Well, I'll say this, watching the end of that game against
the Utah. You felt how much they need Chris. Alright, like
are how much you glue at the end of games for them and keeps
them like for making these
Jae Crowder like turnovers. Right.
That said,
he's going to be in the mix. I don't that slow start is really
going to be kind of hard to overcome, but
he wouldn't be the first guy to overcoming and still get on
the ballot. It's distinctly possible. He has been nothing
short of brilliant. I'm still,
is it just me guys? Like
Still need one more
like this. They thought porzingis was going to be
the number two. He's not that guy. I think they can make.
I think they're capable of winning a first-round series
just because Don church is capable of beating anybody on
any given weekend. I'm always going to root for a Clippers
Maverick series because man, those have been fun.
Like, I don't know if we're going to get it this year, but
I don't know that they can go much for you. I like they can
make an upset in the first round, but I don't think they
go anywhere beyond that only because I just don't think they
have the depth on that roster yet. They've got to go find
that. Number two.
Whoever that ends up being
well, the reigning MVP looks like he's about to get his
two and three back pretty soon and, you know, Maria and
Michael Porter jr.
How much are the nuggets are sleeping giant? In the Western
Conference specially the way, your kitchen playing. What do
you take five shots yesterday? Anyone about 32?
Yeah. Did you see that Cross Court pass and he just whipped
over his shoulder into the far Corner
PCS and makes passes that are just
Otherworldly doesn't, it's insane.
Yes, they're there. But I think they're falling into my Utah.
Things have kind of got a break right for them. Mostly because
I just,
what are we getting out of Marie and Porter? Is it 85%?
90% 70%. Like I don't know
where they are. If it's 85 90.
Now, that's a dangerous team. I mean, I I was among the people
who might have picked them a couple years ago before Marie,
you
tore, the ACL
once they got Aaron Gordon that offense was explosive and they
were Pending well, and you notice has become a better
Defender since then
everything kind of clicked with them. That is a really
well-built roster when it's healthy. I just
You know, we've all seen guys come back from ACLS. Right? And
you're like there's physically coming back and then there's
mentally coming back and really trusting it and being able to
kind of not think about it and push off and be the same
player.
I don't know how long it's going to take Marie to get
there and be the same explosive guy. How much is Porter going
to be
tender? You know,
how careful is he going to be with his back? He's
reportedly pain-free, but
that said on paper.
They're right there with anybody. I'm just not sure
they're gonna be able to live up to that this year, next
year.
And next year is going to be interesting in the west. The
Clippers, get their guys back in the nuggets are healthy.
Suddenly a really deep conference again.
That's so funny. And you said that I totally forgot about
the Clippers, guys. I forgot about Paul George says short-sighted,
we all forgot about Paul George, forgot about Kawhi
Leonard. That's right there. Still Clippers, so
you're right. I want to ask you about this and there's
something to be said for being there. When you're talking
about a story and tell me.
You're a journalist. And you're a Storyteller
being there. It just brings out different thoughts, different
ideas. And I know you were in Cleveland
for an All-Star celebration, but also the 75th Anniversary
team
and to see some of the clips of Michael Jordan talking trash to
Magic Johnson. Put your shoes on right now. Let's go to
the court, Kevin Garnett and
Shaq, and seeing all those guys.
Was there. Anything was there a particular scene or particular
thought was seeing that whole collection of players. Hours
that just made you think of some things or view things
differently. Just want to just love them. No, your observation
to bottom.
It was so much fun to see all of them in one place and they
genuinely seem to
enjoy being there. Even Michael, Jordan. They famously
competitive. Jordan was hugging eyes and doing all this. And
I think you saw it all weekend long.
They are. A number of the Legends were staying in
the 75th Anniversary team were in the same hotel as the media
and
You know, they were hanging out in the lobby and and talking
and
reminiscing. And
just you could see how much fun they were having going back
down, memory, lane with this and just getting to see old
friends and
it was really enjoyable to watch them. Have that
experience by the way, I'll give you the one inside of like
maybe my favorite little quiet experience in the weekend.
They do a media a Hospitality after the game where there's
just some food and beer and wine for media members,
George Gervin walks up in his 75th, you know. Blazer
and they're like the security guards. Like I'm sorry, you
can't come in. You don't have a media credential.
We're about six of us were like, no. No, George Gervin can
go good with George. Gervin. Wants to gain some girl.
He's with us. Yeah, right.
Event that they were securing.
We were talking about the other six years earlier. I'll ask you
like this skirt. Have you seen enough into games
from this embiid heart? And tandem to believe that not only
will it work, but to believe that they are the new favorite
in the Eastern Conference much as I love Milwaukee and that
Championship pedigree
much as I love with Chicago's done in a regular season,
much as I love Miami's culture,
and as much as I'm in love with the what ifs and
the possibilities around Brooklyn,
It watching Harden and be play like they didn't plan together
forever and parade to the line.
I got a hard time picking anybody beating Philadelphia if
they're healthy and and they actually figure it out. It's
still figuring it out. Yeah.
I,
I don't want to get over hyped on this after two games,
especially, you know, you don't realize, it's no Kurt get. Oh,
hi.
I was about to say having said that I look around the East and
said the exact same thing who's better than them right now.
Like honestly, I mean, I can poke it holes in like,
let's see how the defense holds up under better pressure and
I'll who's better than them right now? Milwaukee's, a 500
team since the first part of the year. And yeah,
they'll probably putting it together because I'm again
champ. Pedigree they've been banged up. What have you?
I still think they'll be there. Miami is Miami. And I think
they're Better Built for the playoffs.
But nobody has looked as explosive as Philadelphia
and well, I've got concerns about their defense, with
hardened out. There. They get to start Matisse duyvil. You've
still got Joel embiid back in the whole thing up. Like
I still think their defense is going to be good enough and
they can bring some guys. I just
I watch them for two games and I thought the exact same thing.
I don't know who's beating them in the East because I haven't
clicked there isn't a Phoenix in the East, right? There isn't
a team where you're like,
that's the bar if we're going somewhere. We got to be better
than these guys. I don't know who that is in the East and
Philadelphia by the time we get to
start of the playoffs might be that team. They might be
the bar. They might look like the best team because they
certainly have the last couple games. There's better tests
coming up but
I mean, come on guys,
by the way, okay, 176 points for Maxie Harden and embiid
combined for 176 points in two games.
Okay, okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. So look,
look fellas.
There's no Phoenix in the East. You're right. Kurt, but
the East has a bunch of
Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz types,
including Philadelphia.
Now you got hardened and embiid. Yeah, but okay, we've
seen some Duo's. We've seen some Duo's and he's Durant. And
Kyrie
is a formidable, Duo yanis
and Middleton formidable. I mean like Jimmy Butler and
okay. I'm out.
And add a bio or and and our guy coming off the bench
hero. I mean, so
it's not like
Philadelphia is so much better their improved from where they
were. They've gotten a lot better from him being in
a bunch of guys, but I'm not sure. I'm looking guys where
I just see them
go hard, improperly
partner, hyperbole.
Okay, I'm not saying that one of these guys is the other guy,
but this is LeBron and Anthony Davis.
That's what this group is to me.
Like forget about the part, forget about the parts around
the Lakers in the bubble or forget about the parts of our,
these Sixers, as a Duo. You'd be hard-pressed to find
a better twosome,
then the possible if not likely MVP
and a guy that when he's engaged
is in the MVP conversation
like women,
but then you tell me, you think Kevin Durant's the best player
in basketball, right?
Yes. Well, hell, yeah, okay. When he's playing. Yeah. All
right. So Kevin Durant's coming back next week.
So we heard so they say a
lot of people say it though, right.
Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant coming back next week and
Kyrie.
Okay, right? Is that not what could be interesting, our
president but
it's not
you could what you could argue that, it's on Parker, but I'm
saying you got Joel embiid who's a force on like few
others in the NBA right now and you get a James Harden as
putting up a triple-double.
Hey, give him an element that they didn't have from their
point guard position when they were competing for the Eastwood
Ben Simmons.
I just think those to
elevate them in the same. That's why, that's why I invoke
Michael LeBron and Anthony Davis. Remember if the Lakers
had them healthy
whole different conversation, at least for the last few years
this year. Now, so much. That's how I see it. Kurt was like
those two guys in particular giving their Peak.
I just, I don't know that. Anybody can see those two
not to mention to say nothing of the pieces around them.
Yeah, by the way,
my problem with Brooklyn right now is that they're not getting
out of the plan. By the time they get everybody healthy and
back rolling. They're just not going to be able to get up,
catch up to Boston at the 6 seed or whatever.
Now, you like they get through the plan, but now man,
you're on the road against what? Miami or somebody good in
the first round. Like it's just a town hall. Maybe without
Kyrie.
Yeah.
Yeah. I just it's a long road through so I'm not totally
buying that that's where I come back to. I think Philadelphia
has a real shot and
I said, I just they've meshed better. I like the idea of
LeBron and AD in the sense that like their games.
Just, you know, peanut butter and jelly, right? Right. They
just went right together. I wasn't sure that was going to
be the case here.
But me too. They're up. They're running.
They're what they're running
hate hard and set in the pics and the running son like that
pin down Chicago-style drill handoff stuff there. They're
running stuff that both of them are working on and when both of
those guys are going downhill to the rim, there is
good as anybody in the league because they're both. So
physically strong, they're gonna draw fouls. It might not
be
that the over on free throws
in their playoff games.
But
line, 40 times. Yeah,
but yeah, it's it's a lot of time. A TV timeouts for for
ABC, but
I don't know how you stop them. I think that that team's
defense, that team, the way they are rolling. I think they
just don't want to say Crush people, but I
don't know how you slow that combo down. And especially if
Max he's knocking down shots and Tobias Harris, gets
comfortable and Matisse titles, never going to knock down
shots, but you can see in the last game, he started to figure
out when he can
cut and and get to the rim. So like as they start to piece
together, this whole thing. I just
yeah, they're going to be explosive offensively and if
they're just good enough defensively. That Be it.
Well, I feel a lot better. I was telling Michael, how much
I was losing sleep over the reservation, that I know how
well, they would fit offensively. Your infinitely
smarter than me about basketball Curt Schilling.
So I appreciate knowing that I was not alone in my skepticism.
Appreciate you making us better man. Thank you so much for
calling. Hey, thank you. Kurt Anytime by 8. I went on
National radio multiple times and said, Brooklyn one that
trade. So I'm, yeah, I'm looking good right now.
There's still time.