Nothin But Net
Nothin But Net
2nd Round Predictions for the 2024 NBA Playoffs!
Can the Oklahoma City Thunder really make a deep playoff run with their young and dynamic roster? In this thrilling episode of Nothing but Net, we analyze the Thunder's surprising sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans and dive into the ripple effects of Zion Williamson's injury on the Pelicans' future. We spotlight standout performances from Shea Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams and ponder whether this youthful squad has what it takes to shake up the postseason landscape.
What does the future hold for LeBron James and his son Bronny? We explore the tantalizing possibility of LeBron returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the team drafting Bronny. Imagine the impact on the Cavaliers' championship hopes, especially with stars like Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland in the mix. Plus, we examine Anthony Edwards' electrifying performance against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns, questioning the wisdom behind the Suns' recent trades, including bringing Bradley Beal into the fold.
Speaking of strategic decisions, we break down the complex challenges facing the Phoenix Suns after acquiring Kevin Durant. Were they better off sticking with their original core? We also shine a spotlight on Anthony Edwards' potential to lead the Timberwolves to glory, thanks to his exceptional skills and strong mentality. Finally, we dissect the playoff struggles of the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers, offering insights and predictions for the next round. With a focus on standout players like Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey, this episode is packed with expert analysis and compelling storytelling. Don't miss out on our in-depth breakdown and bold predictions!
Hello everyone and welcome back to Nothing but Net where we talk all things and everything basketball I'm Ritam.
Speaker 2:I'm Cole, I'm Kaya.
Speaker 1:And today we're going to be talking about the first round of the NBA playoffs and making our predictions for the second round. So let's start at the top of the bracket. In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunders sweep the New Orleans Pelicans.
Speaker 2:I mean, it's not unexpected. Let's be real.
Speaker 1:I just want to say if Zion was playing, this series would have had a completely different result.
Speaker 2:Absolutely different.
Speaker 1:He tore his hamstring, was it? I think it was against the Lakers. It was the Lakers.
Speaker 3:I mean, if Zion didn't tear his hamstring they would have gone against the Nuggets yeah they would have gone against the Nuggets.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 3:They would have won that game and the Lakers would have made the playoffs.
Speaker 1:No, they would have been the Kings?
Speaker 3:I don't think they would have been the.
Speaker 1:Kings. We'll see, all right, but I just want to say, like this series, a lot of people were doubting the fact that Oklahoma City Thunder is really young. They don't have that much playoff experience. I was one of those people. I thought that they wouldn't get upset in the first round, but once they faced a team like Dallas or LA or you know the other teams on the other side of the bracket that they would have been exposed. But this series really showed me that Oklahoma City is a real threat in the Western Conference and I think that they can make some noise, potentially making the conference finals beating Dallas. You know, um, like not just Shea Gorgeous Alexander, but you got Jalen Williams, who was the 12th overall pick and throughout this entire regular season he's shown that he really plays like a really big point forward. He knows what reads to make, he's a strong guy, he can drive to the basket and he has, uh, somewhat of a perimeter game.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:And it's not just Shades, it's the entire team around him, and I think that OKC, the league should be scared. The league should be really scared.
Speaker 3:The league should be scared. I still don't think they're going to make the finals, though, if I'm being honest, because Denver can probably beat them. Dallas might be able to beat them, because I feel like they're young, but I feel like that if you're looking at a Dallas Kyrie can kind of just if he goes off, then I think Dallas is just going to win the series.
Speaker 2:If Kyrie performs how he did in the first round, I think they could put up a fight, but I don't think they're beating LKC.
Speaker 1:You don't think Mr Predator can guard Kyrie? No Steel's champ. Shea Gildas, alexander, tied with that man right there, de'aaron Fox, for the Steel's champ. But I think that, like the fact is, oklahoma City has dynasty potential and I know that they only won one playoff series. But did you see that video on TikTok? That was like they were all celebrating and Jalen Williams was recording on iTunes live.
Speaker 1:If I was in that locker room, that would be so fun. It would just be like a party to go to every day. They really have a culture with that team and I know that said that last episode. But like ultimately, yeah, and you know I was thinking about like I was watching the um bro, like jerry mccain would fit well with that, he would fit great with that he's like tiktok star, jerry mccain, and do you see that video?
Speaker 1:that was like you know the twin. Where have you been been? No, jalen Williams and the other Jalen Williams did that together right before the playoffs. Like it's just like they have a fun time and they win games, like they're the one seed, it's like they're like the perfect team. You know what I mean. But yeah, so I think this series it didn't really expose any players.
Speaker 1:I feel that CJ could have played a little better. Brendan Ingram he played well, but I feel like that, for the best player on the team that he is and for a potential like an all-star caliber player that he should be, he could have played really better. But Herb Jones and Trey Murphy are really good young stars for the Pelicans to build around. And yes, I know that the Pelicans might want to go on a win-now path, but I think that they need to take a step back, re-look at how their team is, because Brandon Ingram's getting older. He's not getting any younger.
Speaker 1:Cj McCollum is already in his 30s, right, and I just feel like they need to take a step back, re-look at how they see their roster, re-look, maybe, build around Zion and keep these young pieces that they have, like Dyson Daniels might be a bust, but Jordan Hawkins had a really good rookie season so they can build around him as they start shooting guard. But they need to take a step back. I know they own the Kings, but take a step back, recollect how they viewed things and prepare for next season. But OKC could yeah.
Speaker 2:They could do it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah. And so the next series is the Clippers versus the Dallas Mavericks. So, Kyle, I'll let you talk about the case.
Speaker 2:I mean honestly it was pretty disappointing. I think the Clippers could have won that, but Dallas really did their big one with that. Kyrie was putting up great numbers, just played great Luka too, the whole team just amazing play.
Speaker 3:Didn't the Clippers win both of their games without Kawhi?
Speaker 1:Kawhi, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:So that raises a lot of questions of like, is he really needed on that team and if he can win with that team, because the best they did was reach the conference finals, but that was. Without Kawhi, yeah, that was also without Kawhi after he tore his. What was it like? His acl mcl was acl acl?
Speaker 1:I think it was acl.
Speaker 1:But you know, like kyle was saying, kairi averaged 26 um, five and four and I he was shooting 50, 40 90, that series um or 50 40 85 um, so he was cooking um, and also the pieces that the ma maps acquired at the deadline made a real impact on this yeah um cole was talking about um a couple episodes ago about how the clippers don't have the big men to contain a yokich carl anthony towns, the the real contenders in the west, chet holmgren and I we saw zubach got exposed by Derek Lively, who's a rookie, and it goes to show like I think the Clippers. And going on with Cole's point about, like you know, is this the time to blow it up for the Clippers? I think it is.
Speaker 3:It is. I think they have to wait a year. Maybe try to pick up a big that doesn't have that big of a contract. Maybe they try to poach a use of nurkic or someone like that. I don't know what they do. I think it's time to make things now. Well. What up? Because they just got james harden. They still have paul, george and kawaii who want to stay paul ge.
Speaker 1:George is um. He's a free agent this summer and he hasn't.
Speaker 3:He's not anywhere near contract talks with the Clippers yet, but he there's rumors that he's talking to the Sixers so I I think if Paul George leaves, he could maybe go a season without him, but he he was the conductor of the train for the this playoff series.
Speaker 3:Like he was the guy when it comes to like james harden was the guy well, yeah, james harden was too, but like I feel like you don't win those two games without paul george, even with james harden kind of doing his all right I see, I see you shaking your head there, guy I think it's not a big news now.
Speaker 2:I think it's going to benefit them more in the future With, like I think, Kawhi is going to be gone soon. Kawhi, I don't think he has as well of a future with the Clippers that people think.
Speaker 3:He needs to retire.
Speaker 1:I think he's still. He's not Stephen A Smith bucko he needs to Like he's had so many knee problems actually I can go on he's had.
Speaker 3:He's torn his acl, he's had a. I think he tore his meniscus. What against phoenix?
Speaker 1:oh no, yeah, he had a meniscus injury.
Speaker 3:He load managed during the playoffs in the same in this in the same, wasn't in the same knee. He had the acl and then he had what and then he had what. Another meniscus history knee injuries after knee, injuries after knee. Like at this way, it's not injuries. Don't get better like you don't loot, like gain injury tolerance after you have an injury, because you're just gonna get a similar injury over and over again. That's what's happening to kawaii.
Speaker 1:He needs to retire are you saying that for like the better sake of his life, because he might not be able to walk?
Speaker 3:there for the team I'm not saying that, but like if you're gonna miss pivotal moments for your team because of injury, then like why play?
Speaker 1:you're right, and Kawhi's contract is 94 million dollars, so he's making that just to. I mean, he played a lot during the regular season. He was really good during the regular season, but during the playoffs is when it matters the most, and he missed three games. So it it's. It's. I get what you're saying about he's negatively affecting the team, but he's still a really good player. It's kind of like a bummer to me because LeBron lost in five, steph Curry didn't make the playoffs. On the other side, damian Lillard lost. On the other side, damian Lillard lost, you know, and now here we have Kawhi Leonard, paul George, james Harden, russell Westbrook All of them eliminated and it's kind of like the new era of the NBA, you can just see a new era forming with Anthony Edwards, luka Doncic, luka Shea Shea All these new players.
Speaker 1:Jokic. I mean, yeah, jokic, luka shea, all these new players, I mean, yeah, yokich, and it's kind of like bittersweet because, like I know, we were very young, because, like cole, oh wait you, oh wait me 2010. But like it's like that's the era that, like you know, was like we, like that's the era that was like popular during our childhood, right, and it's kind of like like that era is finally over. You know what I mean, but it's, it's. It's kind of cool in a way, because anthony edwards, during that series, risk of the suns, where he was talking mad trash to kevin durant, but it's like it's, it's really cool, it's like bittersweet because that era is finally ending, exactly. I mean, last year we saw jimmy, he went to the finals, so that era kind of didn't end the year before steph won right, year before chris paul won right, but it's, it's, it's. I mean chris paul went to the finals but like it's, it's, the era is over. So it's it's. It's kind of sad but like it's still pretty cool anyway.
Speaker 1:So, but like, yeah, um, about the Clippers Mavs, I just feel like the Clippers need to blow it up eight first round picks for Paul George and the highest they got was the conference finals and it's. It's really weird to me like you have that much star power and you lose exactly, and it's just I. I think this is the end of the big three, big four super team era, because we we just saw, and we'll get to that a little bit we saw the nets lose a couple years ago. We thus so the suns get swept this year. We saw the clippers lose. We saw so many super teams fail, the you could even say the yadas and dame I think the suns were my biggest disappoint of like past two years and yeah, it's.
Speaker 1:It's really weird, um, but moving on to the next series, we have, um, uh, what's it called? Sorry, nuggets, lakers, and what's funny is the nuggets only led for 17 minutes throughout this entire series and they won four games.
Speaker 2:I did not like that series at all. That's why I think that the Tims are going to beat them in the second round, because I feel like Anthony Edwards and the Wolves could have easily swept the Lakers, but the Nuggets, they struggled. They honestly struggled the games. If you look at the game stats, the game scores at the end honestly struggled the games. If you look at the game stats, uh, the game scores at the end of all the games, they were all pretty close. They were damn close. It was like it was five point caves nearly every game. And uh, to go to go like 4-1 to the lakers when you, when they won a chip last year. I mean a team like the lakers, they're good, they're not that good.
Speaker 3:That shouldn't be happening I think the reason why the lakers lost the series because darvin ham got outcoached heavily by malone and that that, like you can't lead for so many minutes and then lose like you blew like a lead in every game, like you blew a double-digit lead in like pretty much every game that you lost it yeah, yeah, what's funny is um.
Speaker 1:I remember so us three. We have a friend named lucas and he was ranting about how um darvin ham kept playing torian prince like more minutes than rui achimura, more minutes than austin reeves, and every single play torian prince was involved and he kept ranting about they was so funny because, like it's true, darvin ham is not like was because he got fired. Not a good coach for the lakers and he, he would play the. Really really like his matchup level of um recognizability was just recognition was not, not it he was not. I mean, rui Otemura on Jokic was okay, but it was, it's just. Yeah, he got out coached yeah.
Speaker 1:I just feel like Anthony Davis played so well. Lebron LeBron.
Speaker 3:What is his?
Speaker 1:future. Is it this? He's going to Cleveland.
Speaker 3:He's going to Cleveland. He's going to Cleveland.
Speaker 1:Is it this? That would be sick if they draft Bronny.
Speaker 2:They draft LeBron and they're picking up Bron.
Speaker 1:Because the Cavs need a small forward. He would be with the young guys one last ride. That would be sick and I've said that before, but that would be amazing. He got asked in an interview, can you talk about what your future of the Lakers is? And he said I'm not going to answer that. That's what he said in that voice. He said I'm not going to answer that.
Speaker 2:I think he knows his team isn't the lakers.
Speaker 1:He's not meant for the lakers and he's a free agent this summer. So we will see two days after the draft. So we'll see two days after brawny gets on a new team. So if he goes to the lakers then he's gonna stay at the lakers. But he also said playing with brawny is not a priority. But we know damn well LeBron wants to play with Bronny.
Speaker 2:Be so for real right now, but like yeah, and I feel like Bronny's name is going to go extra high in the draft just because his name, just because the name Bronny.
Speaker 3:James. Well, a lot of people are having him go the second round. But if you're going to get LeBron James, for what? Two years pretty much I think that's how many years he wants to play. Like I would take him as high as I possibly could if I could get LeBron James for two years, especially if I have a fringe playoff team like the Sacramento Kings, potentially Like a fringe playoff team, that like if you have a player, a small forward, then like you'll be a championship contender. Like you need to take Ronnie James. Like even if he turns out to be a bust, you can just release him Because Cleveland needs a chip and Ronnie needs a chip.
Speaker 2:That's all I need to say. Because Cleveland they're gunning for a championship right now. They have so many great players on their team and people like Donovan Mitchell they don't want to be there.
Speaker 1:Didn't Donovan say that he was going to leave if they didn't make a conference?
Speaker 2:final. Donovan does not want to be there. He doesn't want to be there.
Speaker 1:They're going to Game 7 tomorrow as we film this and if they lose, that's wrapped.
Speaker 2:If they lose, it's over.
Speaker 1:That's wrapped for Don Sign-in trade.
Speaker 2:Donovan Mitchell to the Lakers. Donovan had 50 yesterday, so now it's like mixed signals. You never know. But I strongly believe that they're going to try to draft Bronny and do something with LeBron and win a chip and after they win a chip he can go. He can do whatever Right off the bat.
Speaker 1:This picture, you know the picture of Jimmy Butler from the 2020 finals where he's like that's Donovan Mitchell yesterday 50 and a loss. 50 and a loss is insane. That's wild. And he is the third most. He has three 50-point games in playoff history and the times that he had it before he blew a 3-1 lead.
Speaker 2:I genuinely feel like no one wants to score, except for him and Darius.
Speaker 1:Darius Garland, might they might let him go this summer.
Speaker 2:He is not playing that well this playoffs season. He had 21 points yesterday I saw. But I mean, that's regular for him, that's a normal thing for him.
Speaker 1:But if you look at the efficiency, he's been shooting like 40% from the field and like 60% from the line. You got to make those free throws you got to make those free throws and he's only been averaging 15. 50 is insane, but he's only been averaging 15. And now he's your favorite player, but do the Cavs want to win? Or do the Cavs want to win soon, or do they want to win in the future?
Speaker 2:Exactly. Our team needs a chip immediately, as soon as possible.
Speaker 1:And Evan Mobley's offensive game hasn't been it. It's been downgrading all season. And you know Jared Allen, when Garland was out, jared Allen and Donovan Mitchell were a great duo, but now that they're back, I think the Cavs really have to make a choice. If they lose tomorrow, like, tomorrow decides a lot, and I know we're drifting away from the original topic, which was lebron, but you know, tomorrow decides a lot it's if they win tomorrow.
Speaker 2:If they win or lose tomorrow, it's gonna be a big thing anyway all right.
Speaker 1:So now that we're done talking about the calves, let's go over to the next series, which is minnesota, phoenix and I saw god, this was bad, this was horrible. I saw Kendrick Perkins say something. He said Anthony Edwards went into Kevin Durant's house and stole that torch. He did not even pass it on. He went in there and grabbed that shit.
Speaker 2:Anthony Edwards was emoting on Kevin Durant mid-game Bro he's there doing the Fortnite bro. And Anthony Edwards knows that Kevin Durant's his favorite player. He's been watching Kevin Durant mid-game Bro. He's there doing the Fortnite bro. And Anthony Edwards knows that Kevin Durant's his favorite player. He's been watching Kevin Durant since he was a little kid. He's in.
Speaker 1:Bro, if you look at his stats, look at bro Anthony.
Speaker 2:That's the future of basketball. Anthony Edwards.
Speaker 1:In this playoff series he averaged 31, 8, and 6. Isn't that wild, cole.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean, especially for someone who's that young, that's insane.
Speaker 1:And emoting on him.
Speaker 2:The Suns. It's just a worst case for the Suns because such a young player just dominated, ran through their team.
Speaker 1:And they have three max contract players Three max contract players to get swept in the first round.
Speaker 3:Aren't those three players, don't? They have a higher payroll than 10 teams.
Speaker 1:And they're borderline above the luxury tax. They're about to be there. The Beal trade was the biggest mistake in NBA history Horrible mistake, horrible mistake. And you know it's funny. So remember at the beginning of the season when, like Draymond and Nurkic, were like I remember Right, that was Gobert.
Speaker 1:Oh no, I mean, that happened again because he did a headlock on Gobert but he punched Nurkic in the face. He was like I remember that, yeah, face. He was like I remember yeah. And then um, so basically um, uh, ner, no, yeah, nurkic treat. Uh tweeted that's all folks after uh draymond got suspended. And then, right after the sun's lost in the first round, draymond tweeted that's all folks like that's like you funny, it's just like I don't even know.
Speaker 2:Dude, because I had so much high expectations. I said they were winning a chip last year. Me too, I said they were winning a chip this year and they're getting swept in the first round by Anthony Edwards.
Speaker 1:That's NBA purgatory.
Speaker 2:And that's how you know. Anthony Edwards is going to be the next. He's going to be the greatest player of all time. He's going to be the GOAT. After my King, lebron James and Darius Garland, he's going to be the GOAT. Wait, wait wait, did you see what he just said? He's going to be the greatest of all time.
Speaker 1:He said, after my King LeBron and Darius Garland.
Speaker 2:I said what I said.
Speaker 3:But in all seriousness, the Suns are in deep trouble because they have no bench depth, which means they can't trade anyone away on their on their bench, except for the big three. They probably have to trade kd and bradley beal away. Maybe try to build around devin booker again exact, but I don't even think devin booker is going to want to go through another rebuild because you don't have a first round pick until 2031 2031, bro, I'm gonna be in college.
Speaker 1:I'm gonna be graduated college by then. I'm a freshman in high school right now. How does that even work? You don't have a first round pick until 2031 that is top level team mismanagement okay, say the suns, blow it up.
Speaker 2:Who would they? Who would they, who would they want?
Speaker 1:Just get picks, just get young players.
Speaker 2:A young roster.
Speaker 1:I feel bad and I don't feel bad, but I feel bad for Devin.
Speaker 2:Booker because he had to go through horrible. Suns. He's playing so well, he's playing just so well.
Speaker 1:Not in the Timberwolves series. He definitely needs.
Speaker 2:He had 30 in three games, didn't he?
Speaker 1:Kai, how much do you bench?
Speaker 2:Not that much why.
Speaker 1:Devin Booker probably benches less than that With the way that Anthony Edwards is bullying him around with his size and muscles. Anthony Edwards needs to put I mean, devin Booker needs to put on some weight, because that's yeah, but like, yeah, um, I just feel like like kose, like I feel like booker doesn't want to go through that again. Steven smith said he might go to new york, which is of course he was, that you might, of course yeah you know what's funny?
Speaker 1:he said I haven't spoken to him yet, but I think he might want to go to new york. Brother was making it up. He said, nah, he wants to go to new york. I don't know, I haven't spoken to him yet, but I think he might want to go to New York. Brother was making it up. He said, nah, he wants to go to New York. I don't know, I haven't talked to him.
Speaker 2:You know he wants to go to New.
Speaker 1:York.
Speaker 3:I honestly. Who is going to want to get Kevin Durant? Who's going to want to get Bradley Beal? Who's going to want to get Devin?
Speaker 1:Booker, exactly, is it just me who sees?
Speaker 3:and exactly and that's why no one wants them. That maybe definitely devon booker has. Oh yeah, devon booker has a lot of radley beal and not an aging kevin durant especially because radley beal has a no trade clause.
Speaker 1:That's why he didn't go to miami. He has a no trade clause. So even if, uh, the the randomest team accepts him, like, the sons are stuck. Because if the hornets because the hornets are really incredibly mismanaged if the hornets because the hornets are really incredibly mismanaged if the hornets say, yes, we want beal, and the the beal says no, I don't want to go there, the sons are like, stuck okay, but where do you guys see kevin durant ending his career?
Speaker 2:probably phoenix phoenix?
Speaker 1:no, yeah, phoenix, because unless he gets.
Speaker 2:But I don't think phoenix wants to keep him.
Speaker 1:Keep him that long while no one else wants it because you got to think about the fact that the, the name matters like nobody's gonna the the sons aren't gonna trade kevin durant for two first round picks, right, but nobody wants to give up more than that for an aging kevin durant who's already had injury issues, who's already you know the game is moving on yeah, he's down production wise, so much I mean, he was good in the beginning of the season but like you know, um, I have you guys seen that photoshop.
Speaker 2:That's like lebron, steph and katie ending there. I mean there's no way that would be incredibly tough.
Speaker 3:That would be heavy because kevin's contract is, so you can't move him without having to get back so many players. So then the contract evens out, but I don't think people are going to be willing to, I don't think Matt Ishba might be willing to. Matt Ishba, matt Ishba is, but like.
Speaker 1:Matt Ishbia is. When you go on NBA 2K and you turn off salary cap and you turn off trade exceptions and you turn off trade value and everything, you just start looking through the best players and say trade finder and accepting the first trade, that's literally Matt Ishbia. That's what he's done with the Suns and he's not even the GM, he's the owner and he's like. He's like has a puppet mummy doll over James Jones and he's like telling him everything to do and he just he's messed up the organization so much. And is it a hot take? I think that Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikael Bridges Johnson and DeAndre Ayton could have beaten the Timberwolves.
Speaker 2:I mean could have beaten the Timberwolves.
Speaker 1:Or not get swept.
Speaker 3:They definitely wouldn't have gotten swept. The 2021 Suns that made it to the finals. I think they potentially beat the Timberwolves.
Speaker 1:And they messed it all up for Kevin Durant.
Speaker 2:Just for Kevin Durant, and I don't know why they wanted him that bad, because I mean, he's a great player.
Speaker 3:He was okay in brooklyn, but I didn't see he did almost lead them to.
Speaker 2:But with with the sons, I don't see how he fits now size 16 shoe.
Speaker 1:But um, I just dude, it's just like it's over man, it's over there. It's purgatory. What do they do now? They have to just wait until 2021 and 2031, because they can't trade any of them. They can't waive any of them because there's going to be so much dead money that's involved. It's just too much. All right now, if we're going through this quicker. The Suns just are such a complete mess.
Speaker 2:Absolute mess.
Speaker 1:And I just maybe think they have to wait it out. But dude Anthonywards really proved who he was this series and you know it. Just, he's so strong, he, he can drive to the basket and dunk on you. But he did. No, he could dunk, he could drive to the basket, he can shoot a fadeaway. His body is so nice All right.
Speaker 3:But like in all seriousness, this is why I picked the Timberwolves to win the championship, because I feel like they just have like that mentality they do whatever. If they don't rely on Anthony Edwards, they can just go to Carl Anthony Towns. They have a different type of dog defense.
Speaker 1:They got KD, but we got Jane McDaniels.
Speaker 3:But everyone is just clicking at the right time and I just feel like you know, I heard someone say that they're kind of like the 2011 Mavericks. I see that and I think that, because of how young they are, how good their defense is and how Anthony Edwards can pretty much just determine the outcome of a series like I love that. I love that like that, they're gonna be the champions. I think they can beat Boston in seven games.
Speaker 2:I feel like the Wolves as a whole just have this different type of dog in them. They have like I got that dog. They all want it. They all want it real bad.
Speaker 1:They all want what.
Speaker 2:No, diddy.
Speaker 1:No, diddy, nah, that's wild.
Speaker 2:They all want it.
Speaker 1:He's wild.
Speaker 2:They want to win, they want it Uh-huh.
Speaker 1:What do you mean by that?
Speaker 2:They want the championship.
Speaker 1:Ah, okay, they want the championship guys. They want it. They want it. Really bad, all right. But yeah, anthony Edwards next, jordan, like he looks like him, he plays like him, he has the strength, the finishing, the shooting, everything is like him. He's extremely dominant yeah, cool, I know you, see my, I know you, I see you smiling like that. Okay, but, yeah, um, now, yeah, but, dude, the suns are in purgatory. Timberwolves have a really good chance against the nuggets. Next series is, um, oh, boston. Miami pretty much a sleeper.
Speaker 3:I don't know how miami took a game from them, but this one, simi butler got injured and, yeah, we all knew it was over. I remember it's over.
Speaker 1:As soon as the um celtics won, cool texted um. We want boston famous last.
Speaker 3:So yeah you can't do that Like. I don't understand why any like fan like is going to just chant like we want this.
Speaker 1:We want the best team in the NBA.
Speaker 3:Like you're going to lose the series in miserable fashion. And they just never learn this. It's so funny.
Speaker 1:Tatum didn't play well this series.
Speaker 2:He didn't play well.
Speaker 1:He averaged 21 on only 40 from the field, and you know, derrick white derrick white, bro, did you guys see messi was at the game? Messi probably thinks derrick white is the best player in the mea he has. He went to that one game and derrick white dropped 40. So yeah but likeum, he dropped 21 points 41% from the field and 29% from three. That can't. That's unacceptable For the best player on the team. That's unacceptable.
Speaker 3:But they still won in five games but they still won, but that is with a Jimmy Baller.
Speaker 1:But this really showed the defense of Boston Derek White, drew Holiday, poor Zingas, even the Browns, I mean even the Jays it really shows that they yes, it's only Miami, but they can really compete and I think that they're still my favorites to win the title, even if they lost a game, but I think they're still my favorites. Next series hasn't finished yet, but all that I've seen from cleveland um, what's it called cleveland, orlando, is orlando really needs to step up their offensive game. Nobody else can make a shot.
Speaker 3:No one else can make a shot cleveland needs to step up their offense you're right a single team in that series went on the road can a single team in that series make a shot?
Speaker 1:help, help, help I saw this thing that says um uh watch, uh you're. And for your punishment for murder is to watch a single game of cleveland orlando, no no this.
Speaker 2:If cleveland loses tomorrow, I think I'm gonna lose it.
Speaker 3:I think I'm generally. I don't think they're gonna lose because orlando has played really bad and actually they haven't played bad they because they lost like two games.
Speaker 2:Cleveland doesn't need a game seven for Orlando, cleveland does not need a game seven.
Speaker 1:You know, what's really funny to me is that they purposely tanked at the end of the season so that they would have to face Orlando instead of the Bucs.
Speaker 3:That's failing miserably.
Speaker 2:They were one of the top seats, and then we know what they did you know, you did it cleveland.
Speaker 1:They tanked to face this team and they're going to game seven. How does that happen?
Speaker 2:donovan mitchell 50 point loser is 50 point. Being a 50 point loser is insane. Uh-huh, that's just. Yeah. This just adds to his hate for cleveland.
Speaker 1:I mean not not hate, but like he, he obviously doesn't want to be there yeah, and then um, next series we got is, uh, indiana, milwaukee, and I just feel that we can't really make any um sayings on this series, because the bucks never had a shot, because yannis got injured versus versus Boston in the last week of the season Dame hurt his Achilles, you know, it's just but come on like like losing the first round.
Speaker 2:Two years, two years in a row.
Speaker 1:I just I remember I saw something that said once once the um the Bucks hired Doc Rivers, their season ended that day.
Speaker 3:I mean, yeah, that's true, because Doc Rivers their season ended that day. I mean, yeah, that's true, because Doc Rivers isn't really he's not a good coach.
Speaker 1:Have you seen that meme that's like let it go, bro, it's over. That's Doc Rivers about his 2008 championship ring. That's why people keep hiring him, just because of that ring and it's sick this meme.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean Chris Middleton was kind of like the main guy.
Speaker 1:Chris, you mean Chris Jordan Middleton.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You mean Chris Michael Jordan Middleton, chris Kobe Ryan Middleton Cash. One, chris, he was really good.
Speaker 3:The series really ended when Giannis got injured.
Speaker 1:The series ended before it. Giannis got injured. The series ended before it started.
Speaker 3:Yeah, pretty much. And then I had an insult to Israel. I think maybe they could have taken it to seven games if Damien were doing it to Israel, but then he gets injured.
Speaker 1:Even.
Speaker 3:Chris got hurt. I don't know what they do.
Speaker 1:Damien Lillard said he's really excited for his next season.
Speaker 3:I don't think they should have traded for him. I think it was fine the way it was, without Damian Lillard losing in the first round. Giannis Ruth Holliday, Chris Middleton, Rick Lopez those guys because they won a championship three years ago and then you decide to mess it all up for one player who hasn't really looked up to the hype they didn't give up much for uh dame, though they only gave us holiday, and yeah, they didn't holiday and grayson allen yeah and yeah, but I still don't feel like milwaukee is the place for to see holiday on the team, then, dame, though I think he's because the defense obviously yeah yeah yeah, so that, like that offense runs through yannis and I think it's.
Speaker 3:It runs through yannis and chris middleton. If you're gonna have it run through yannis dame and chris middleton, it's gonna work you and it didn't I think that when you sit talking about the defense, I think patrick beverly kind of replaced that yeah. But like if again you're gonna add a guy who's like really really good at the three ball with Dame, but your team isn't really made for that, it's not going to work.
Speaker 1:But that's the point. You've got to stretch around the entire court Because Giannis can get to the rim, Chris Middleton dominates the midrange and Dame dominates the three. They got everything. You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:They have everything, but still it's not working.
Speaker 1:Come on 30-13 by Adrian Griffin to get fired as well.
Speaker 2:There's obviously something missing.
Speaker 1:You're right. You're right. But speaking about Patrick Beverly, did you guys see that he got banned from ESPN because he didn't answer a question from Malika Andrews, because she was not subscribed to his podcast?
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:So guys subscribe to Nothing. With Nessa we don't get banned from ESPN. But yeah, speaking of other Bucs, I just feel like I very rarely say this. I very rarely say give them another shot, but just run it back. I confidently believe that if they get a new coach, they get some bench pieces, they get more defense. It's not that hard to fix and I feel that they can. It's kind of like the king's last people who do they get there's a lot of good free agents like defensive free.
Speaker 3:No, yeah I I don't, don't know who they get a coach like they shouldn't have fired bud.
Speaker 1:he was the scapegoat, and even Adrian Griffin they shouldn't have fired him either.
Speaker 3:I think Bud kind of had his stay. I think that coaching-wise, they shouldn't pick up Dargan Ham. They're probably going to pick up Dargan Ham.
Speaker 1:Oh, if they do, Bro. He was an assistant coach on the Bucs before he got hired by the Lakers.
Speaker 3:He's going to pick up Dargan Ham. I think that really, if you're a team looking for a coach, there's not really many available, because Jordy Fernandez was the main guy and he's already been picked up.
Speaker 1:But I mean JJ Redick, maybe Kenny Atkinson.
Speaker 2:You never know.
Speaker 1:I think Kenny Atkinson is going to leave the Golden State Warriors because we all know what's happening with them. But if they hire Kenny Atkinson, that would be a really good hire. He's a really good coach. But yeah, I just feel like running back for the Bucs because just stay healthy, get some guys at free agency, maybe get a new coach. It's not that hard of a fix. They're still a really good team. Giannis is in his prime, dame is just a year off of his prime and he's still really good. Brooke Lopez has a great defensive season. Bobby Portis was almost six-man of the year. They have a really good team.
Speaker 1:It's just bad coaching Bad coaching Bad luck, Bad bad luck yeah.
Speaker 3:But coaching.
Speaker 1:The final series, Nick Sixers. This was the funnest series I've watched in a while.
Speaker 3:That didn't go to seven games, but I think it kind of also ended what kind of a little bit before it started, because Joe Embiid got injured, mm-hmm. You can say he was.
Speaker 1:that's why I just thought, like because he was walking up the court, like did you see him in that game?
Speaker 2:I saw that yeah.
Speaker 1:He could practically he could. He was like he was limping up the court. He couldn't even walk and it's just like he was practically like in a wheelchair. But they needed him and they needed him, it's just.
Speaker 2:But I saw some good performances for this history.
Speaker 1:His knee was bleeding. It's just so astonishing to me how hurt he was, how shrewdly injured he was. He played so dirty during that Game 3, though Was it Game 3 or Game 4? Where he pulled Mitchell Robbins' knee. He flopped everywhere. It was such a bad performance and they won that game. He dropped 50, but it was like Really. Really yeah.
Speaker 3:But I think if you're Philadelphia, you just kind of you kind of just have to stay put because there's not really much you can do or much you can do Tobias Harris to China. Yeah, you need to get rid of Tobias Harris.
Speaker 1:Tobias Harris over me.
Speaker 3:But that's it really. Just get rid of tobias harris. Tobias harris over me, but that's it really. Just get rid of tobias harris. Fill in that spot, get some pieces. Nicholas batum was really good for like two seconds for 20 seconds of the playing game but like you, you need that veteran talent because they have nicholas batum, they have kyle lowry now you mean 2023 All-Star Snub Cali.
Speaker 1:2023 All-Star Snub Cali.
Speaker 3:But, um, I mean, you need the veterans. They have plenty of veterans, but they really just need to get the young guys like tuned in, dialed in like Tobias Harris or like, and they're paying him so much money to buy his hair, yeah, so I think they're kind of just stuck, but I don't know, maybe this is really the death of the process it.
Speaker 1:yeah, I mean, I think the process has been dead for a while, but now they have tyrese maxi and it's it's dude. You know, okay, I know it's kind's kind of like getting weird at this point, but a lot of whenever I scroll through my For you page, it's all top five animals with the most aura, top five presidents with the most aura, top five right, but pulling from half court with eight seconds left and if you miss, you lose the series and you go home and making it that's aura, that's aura from.
Speaker 1:Tyrese Maxey like that's King Baldwin level, that's, that's level. Aura bro, like that's actually wild. And that this series he did not play good in. In the final game, in game six, he did not play good, but throughout the entire series this really showed what an rising, astonishing good young player that Tyrese Maxey is and it's going to be a really good duo if Embiid can stay healthy and if they can get more pieces around them, just like you said, and maybe Jimmy Butler can come back because they can get more.
Speaker 3:I don't think Jimmy Butler would be good on that team.
Speaker 1:I mean his best friend is Joel Embiid. I don't know, but yeah, can we talk about Brunson Like he's a top five point guard in the NBA because he is the way he can score from anywhere. He can shoot layups and floaters and fadeaways over centers, he can shoot the three ball. He can literally do anything. He's 6'1" and he's built like he's Strong dude. He's girthy Wait pause but like hey yo.
Speaker 1:But like he's built like that, it was really fun watching him OG dunked on Embiid, which is funny, and the twin towers that they have in New York, I mean.
Speaker 2:Thank you guys for watching. We'll see you guys in the next episode.
Speaker 1:The twin towers of Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein that they have in New York is defensively and strength-wise great. They really contained a meet in that series and I really think that the Knicks can make the conference finals.
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 1:So, really quickly, we're going to say our picks for the semifinals and then we're going to leave you off. So, nuggets, timberwolves, you guys got.
Speaker 2:Timberwolves, Timberwolves, yeah.
Speaker 1:I think that this series really relies on the timberwolves, a defense versus the nuggets offense, and I think that the timberwolves defense can prevail because everybody there, they have so many answers for jamal murray.
Speaker 1:They have jayden mccann dogs, dogs they kill like alexander walker, ansity edwards even he's so much stronger and I think that nobody can guard yokich. Kat can guard the perimeter and rudy guard the inside, but no one can really guard Jokic. But I still feel that the fact that they can contain everybody else they have Jada McDaniels, they have Mike Conley, they have Nikhil Alexander-Walker, all these defensive guys that I think that the Timberwolves are going to win- Jokic isn't going to win this series by himself, series by himself and I, but I think he's gonna go to seven.
Speaker 1:I got tim rosen seven, maybe six. I got six. Yeah, I got six. Next series we have mavericks versus the thunder. I got the mavericks, me too I have thunder.
Speaker 2:I mean it's the safe choice, obvious choice. I feel like. I feel like I don't think it's a safe choice. All right, be quiet, be quiet, be quiet, be quiet because that that was like they're just more experienced.
Speaker 3:They they have better players like I don't. I don't, I mean like they have players that are capable of stealing the series. I don't. I don't think okc has that.
Speaker 1:They don't have it for me, this comes down to the fact that the interior presences of Dallas, when they have Daniel Gafford, derek Lively and PJ Washington, chet and Jalen Williams, I don't think they can contain that. And then also, with the defense of the guards, nobody can guard Kyrie and nobody can guard Lucas. Sure, nobody can guard Shea, but the fact is that the interior presence of the series, I feel like Dallas has the advantage and that's why I'm going to pick Dallas, but I think it's going to go to six games.
Speaker 2:I think it's going to seven. It's going to be OKC, because I'm not going to change it either, because OKC is a great team. Shea, no one can stop Shea. You just said that, and I believe that some of their smaller players players too a little Josh Giddey, a little Chet Holmgren, a little Josh Giddey.
Speaker 1:Those are the words that you chose.
Speaker 2:Yes, that you chose. I feel like they could run that. I'm not going to lie. Kyrie and Luka, they can put some work in, but are they really going to stop this one seed OKC.
Speaker 1:You're right, you're right. Going over to the other side, we only have one series that we have so far and that's the end. Knicks-pacers.
Speaker 2:Okay, this one's pretty obvious for me it's Knicks. Yes, it's a Knicks and I just Pacers are a good team.
Speaker 1:They have a really good team so far, but I just feel like it's they have the best point guard rotation in the league but none of their point guards other than TJ McConnell are really good on defense. Who's guarding Brunson? And then you got Siakam. He really likes to go on the inside. And then you got Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein there and sure he can do his little spin move. Siakam spin move. But if they're on either side of the paint then he's going to spin move. See Isaiah Orenstein spin move. See Mitchell Robinson, like what's he going to do? And that's why I feel that the Knicks can really win the series. And you're not even talking about OJ Ananobi, josh Hart, all these guys. I got Knicks in five.
Speaker 3:Really.
Speaker 1:What you think.
Speaker 3:Four no six, Six or seven.
Speaker 2:I don't think it's going that far.
Speaker 1:But I like how it's revitalizing the classics, because Nick's Pacers were the Easter Conference Finals in the 90s. For a lot of straight years they have a really big rivalry. So, like dang on, the witch is dead, we'll see. And we'll see Cavs game 7 tomorrow.
Speaker 2:We'll see Cavs game 7 tomorrow. Cavs are going to win and then lose to Boston. Whatever it is, cavs are going to win and then I lose to Boston, but whatever.
Speaker 1:We should have Whatever it is. But, yeah, thank you everyone for watching this week's episode of Nothing but Net and we'll see if our predictions are right and we will see you next time. Bye.
Speaker 3:See you, bye.