In this thrilling episode of the 3-on-3 podcast, the hosts celebrate the Celtics securing their 18th NBA championship banner by defeating the Mavericks in five games. Sharí Nycole doesn't hold back as she calls out her co-hosts Chris Williamson and Terrika Foster-Brasby for their boisterous yet incorrect NBA Finals predictions.
Sharí continues to stand on business as she makes a compelling case for the New York Liberty being the hottest team in the WNBA. Terrika, our resident Connecticut Sun expert has something to say about that. She does point out one glaring issue that might sneak up on the Sun in the long run—their ability to shoot the ball with consistency. Meanwhile, Chris brings up one of the WNBA's sleeper teams in the Minnesota Lynx.
The episode heats up with the debut of their new game, Buy or Sell. The trio debates some of the hottest storylines around the NBA like Jeff Van Gundy being added to the Clippers and Ty Lue's coaching staff.
Tune in for this action-packed episode.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
What's up, everybody? Welcome to another episode of the three
on three podcast. I am Chris Williamson, joined again by
the one and only Sarina Cole and coming back after
little hiatus last week.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
It's good y'all doing what's good? I missed you too, Rika,
Chris did as well. I missed Jack. I got so
excited to know that you were back of joining us today.
You know, you know your girls catchup flights last week,
so that's where I was.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
But I'm here.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I'm back.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
You know how we do?
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (00:47):
You living? If you're living well.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
In the streets, I'll be in these streets, shy.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
I'm trying to get out to the streets. Change been
working out too well for me.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I'm trying to.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Come to your streets. I know that's is popping, not really.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
I want to be here in no time. Everybody pray
my strength and hopefully I find my husband.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
And you know, the screech to Miami though Boston right
because they want a championship. Yes, sir, they said, we're
not partying in Boston because who wants to party in right?
No disrespect, but I don't think anybody's getting up.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Correct all the disrespect because Boston.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
I don't blame them, though, you go to Miami, Las Vegas,
and then we also got the Aces, right, and some
people are freaking out about them, you know, because their
fifth in the league right now. In terms of standings
they've had, they have as many losses as they had
last year off season. But it's not that surprising considering
(01:54):
Chelsea Grace who hasn't played no Kennis Parker, and their
lineup changes have not been as productive as we've seen them.
And then what how about the Minnesota Lynx and the
New York Liberty.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Yo, they're they're doing their thing.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
They're gonna be in the Commissioner's Cup Championship game.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
Okay, it's gonna be a good one.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
They are LEGI w n b A title contenders. Y'all
both agree with that?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Absolutely agree, Absolutely agree.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Based based on over're seeing right now, and I'm reading
Tarika's body language, I think she agrees, but she.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Knows the possibilities that lie ahead.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
So I don't know we'll get there final four, I
could see it.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Okay, all right, Okay, so not completely so yeah, but
that's all right, you know, because we still have so
much more.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Yeah, yeah, we.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Still got a lot of the season left, and you know,
so many things can change, People make trades, whatever. But
here's the thing that really jumps out to me about
the week that we just had, the fact that the
Boston Celtics proved all of us wrong.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
I know all of us.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Who whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
I'm not taking I didn't say the MAVs would win it.
I did not say that.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
You didn't say the maps or I did not, So
I was no, you all can tell take the brunt
of the weight of wrong.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
I'm not going to take on that entire weight because
I don't. I don't deserve it. What you all said
warrants you to wear the weight of being wrong.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
I sat with indifference, I said.
Speaker 4 (03:42):
When I sat with indifference because I understand the capacities
of both teams, and I felt like it was anybody serious.
So I will take if you have a whole of something,
I will take one fourth of the weight of wrong.
You all can take one hundred percent of it. Matter
of fact, Erica, I will give Terrika one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
I will give I'm.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Getting myself five percent. I'm taking fifty percent because I
had the team wrong. I knew this one't gonna be
a series, wasn't gonna show up up up in two
of the three of the five games.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Appreciate you older. Now let's talk about facilitating. It ain't
just about boys, now about voice.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Now to.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Shoot the ball well in those first.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Couple Tarika, Yeah, you got to get into this topic.
Let's get into let's let's go ahead and get into
this topic because what we're not gonna do is this.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Okay, here's what we will do. The Mavericks, right, I
had the Mavericks in seven that all of those I
think you have the maps and five had the no
I gave them six I did, So we were completely
wrong there. Yeah, and you got to give credit to
the Celtics and how balanced the they were. They were
(05:02):
and look, they were the best team all season long.
But myself included and a lot of other people, they
were like, Okay, we'll see what happens during the postseason
because we know they've come up short the last couple
of years and they have not finished a job well
this year, they said, fuck y'all. Okay, Jason Tatum and
Jalen Brown drew Holliday said, I don't care what y'all say.
(05:24):
You want to break us up for all these years
and now we champions, and adding an eighteenth banner to
their storied franchise, one more than their hated rivals to
Los Angeles Lakers. Magic's tweet, yeah, I was here for it.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Magic is my brand of petty.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Like if there is a brand, if there is an
athletic brand of petty that I could be in my life,
it would like Magic.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Would absolutely be at the top of the list. First off,
we get the I ain't gonna be here.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Right then then we turn around.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Then we turn around and get the I'm mad that
they got one more better than.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
We put on a Lakers uniform in thirty years, and
yet you still feel.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Away where anybody? That is my brand of petty.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Simon each it, every time, each it, every time. Listen,
Chris Schari. Okay, I just want to be clear about this. Okay.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
I love when people are real wrong and then they
have like the whole soliloquy that they go into as
when it's all said done.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Accept it. You just have Leo and me accept it.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Right, Okay, I was wrong about the team, but I
very clearly stated that this is not going to be
a competitive theory and I and I knew it wouldn't
be a competitive series. Now, the reason that I thought
it wouldn't be competitive wasn't the re th that it
(07:00):
wasn't competitive, but it wasn't even better reason I didn't
think this would be a competitive series.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Because Boston, and my opinion, had not truly.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Been tested through the postseason, and so my thought process was, yeah,
they'll get a couple games because they're a good team.
But Dallas, on the other hand, had been tested, had
faced some adversity, had been put a little bit.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
More on the line to show that they deserve to
be here.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
And how often had we talked about the Western Conference,
which is a tougher conference than the East. So in
my opinion, I knew that that Boston would win some games,
but I didn't think that any of the games would
be close. Like they've just been too lopsided. Either people
show up or they didn't show up, right, So reverse that,
because that's exactly why Dallas lost, way went through way
(07:52):
too much. Luca and Kyrie tried to do everything, and
Kyrie just was like, you know what, maybe just Luca
do everything, as in the final game, Kyrie didn't show
up at all, so there was no assistance, like they
had no help from anyone.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
You got maybe that one game and was it Game
three or Game four.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
That they won.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
I think they got fifteen points off the bench from
Tim Hardaway Junior. But other than that, it was completely
and solely the Luca and Kyrie show. And with Luca
having been through everything that he had gone through through
the postseason, hadn't been injured, I mean, had not been
healthy excuse me, for at least the last three months.
It was a tall task and so yes, I didn't
(08:32):
think it was going to be competitive.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
It wasn't competitive.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
But I will still say congratulations to the Boston Celtics
because you deserved it.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
Hmm, you know, Tarenka, it makes me very valid points.
I'd like to introduce a few. I said this a
couple This was like around the Eastern Conference finals, and
I said, maybe we are underestimating the Eastern Conference just
in general. And I stand by that, you know, I
think that, you know, I just wonder what it'd been
like to see Dallas play a New York Knick team
(09:03):
or even the Pacers team, and how they would have fared.
So I think that, you know, I can personally say
I at a certain point, my expectations of the Celtics
were actually lower than they should have been because I
was basing it off of a conference that I thought
was weaker. I don't necessarily agree with that anymore. I
do think the Eastern Conference is extremely competitive, but it
(09:23):
just looks different. You know, we have more the Eastern
Conferences filled more with teams that their units, their team units,
they function, their cohesion is based on role players and
how everybody kind of fits into the unit, versus the
Western Conference that just has flat out superstars. And so
I think that's the bigger difference. And I think sometimes
we get called the minutia that I was really disappointed,
(09:43):
and this was before the finals in just some of
the commentators. Like again, I think sometimes we go on extremes.
Somebody has a good string of games and all of
a sudden we go on this like extreme tangent. And
I remember there being a conversation around Luca and Kyrie
being the best backcourt the game, and I'm like, no, Like,
(10:04):
first of all, it's too early to say that they
haven't won a championship together. Stop it like Luca's playing well,
they're playing well, you know, for all intensive purposes, they're
on their way potentially at that time, they're on their
way to his historic run.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
They like they could have won a title. But for
people to go on that type of an extreme tangent,
for me, I just was like, and.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
I think that's Thomas j Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
I just feel like they put extra pressure on them
as well. I mean, we saw Luca and going into
the playoffs, I knew at least he's not a complete player.
He doesn't play defense, but then the entire playoff for
talking about how he's the best player.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
In the world. No, he's not. He might be the
best offensive player or offensive threat, but he's not the
best player because he literally doesn't play defense.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
So you have him out here. He's also out of shape,
doesn't play defense. Was dealing with the chest injury.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Okay, you have.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
Porzingis come back and all of a sudden, literally come
back in the first game and just obliterate any thought
that anybody had by him not being able to be
a factor, Like he was the X factor in that game.
I look at the Celtics and I look at just Theyah,
you got Jaylen, Brad got Jason Tatum. They're superstars, right,
But the way that their team is built, they're the
best team.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
And I think from an individual standpoint, Dallas, yes they're strong.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
You got Kyrie and Luca, can't be denied. But this
is the first time in a long time, and Michael
Wilbond even mentioned this, that we've seen a team like
just a team be the reason that victory happens, not
a big three, not this duo that.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Just overwhelms the whole game and they take over. So
for me, as a basketball lover enthusiast from a player,
I was so encouraged to see it not be quote
unquote these big superstars, a super team, a big three,
a big two like Jason and Jalen do what they do.
But everybody that played in the Celtics uniform of got
(11:52):
that court contributed something and without their contribution, they wouldn't
be here. So for me, I'm just really excited about
the Celtics future.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Obviously, the Western Conference is going to get even more competitive.
You know, you've got John Morant coming back. You know
a lot of teams are going to get stronger. The
Minnesota Timberwolves are going to come back and be a
better team just based on this experience they had in
the playoffs. A long Denver still exists, Dallas will be better.
But I think we're entering into a new era. Michael
Wilbin also mentioned this. We're entering back into the era
(12:22):
where team is the focus and not necessarily how can
I how can we stack a team with a bunch
of superstars and dominate? So I'm excited for the next
iteration of what NBA basketball looks like, at least for
the next few years. So shout out to the Celtics. Yes,
I was I was in between. I was indifferent, which
is not the right That is not the right position
to be in as a as a commentator. So I
(12:43):
will I was wrong to an extent as well, But
go Celtics. Ultimately my heart, I wanted them to win.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Oh my god.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Before before you answer, Chris, I do have one quick
question slash pushback for sureI though, okay, so I understand
the concept of right. I mean, clearly, I'm a Pistons fan.
To me, two thousand and four Pistons are the ultimate
definition of team ball winning a championship.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Right, but I think it might.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Be fair to say that part of the reason that
we can get that assessment is because all of the superstars,
at least what could be considered superstars of the Eastern Conference,
were injured for the finals to the point where they
did not play, and so I think that might be
one of the reasons why it was a little difficult
for us to really see the grander picture because you're
playing Miami, but you're playing in Miami with no Jimmy Butler.
(13:31):
You're playing Philadelphia, but you're playing in Philadelphia where you
only get a sixty to fifty percent Joel Ebid.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
You're playing New York but Jalen.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Brunson is out, and then I forgot who was not
ogn andob of the other he was out for a
little bit, but there was somebody else, Julius Randall out and.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Then you ended up playing an Indiana team.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
But halfway through that series, Tyrese Halliburton is out. And
so maybe not superstars to the level of you know,
an Anthony Words or something of that level, but superstar
to their team, most important piece or factor to their team.
So I think it's a little I would say it's
not a little or better terminology. It would be a
(14:12):
bit misguided for someone to think that they were wrong
and assuming that the Celtics may have had an easier route,
because while they played teams that brought their best, it's
a little bit difficult to see the full picture when
you're missing such key pieces. Boston, yes, was missing Christophers Porzingis,
and we clearly saw what a difference he made. But
it's hard to make an argument that they were missing
(14:34):
their best pieces when they still had Jalen Brown, Jason
Tatum and Drew Holliday, who was officially to me the
ring master here because Drew Holliday went in everywhere he
go now, so there's that. But I mean, I'm just thinking,
I'm just wondering, is it fair to say maybe you underestimated,
because I don't think it's under the estimation when you're
(14:55):
looking at teams that you know could be so much
better if this person was playing, or if this person
was healthy.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
So that's kind I think that's fair. I think to
the underestimation also comes from what you say, So you know,
you don't you have a hampered seventy six ers team
or hamper Knicks team and you're watching Boston still, you know,
have to fight through a conference with teams that if
they're the best team, you should be blowing these people out.
Like and mind you, Boston only had a great run
(15:22):
of the playoffs. It wasn't like they were losing a
bunch of games, which is the tightness of the games
kind of made everybody pause at least for me and say.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Y'all shouldn't be this game, shouldn't be closed, or why
y'all keep giving up this lead and only winning by
two points? And so I think for the same reasons
you say what you say, I say what I say.
So it's difficult because it's we didn't even have a
good measure to your point, a Rica until the finals,
which is interesting, like we didn't really like you could
(15:52):
speculate that Boston was the best team based on the
regular season, but until we saw them against the team
at essentially full strength like at Dallas Maverick Seam that
was very much capable of giving them, I believe in
more competitive finals, we didn't really know because to your point,
the people was out here heard yeah, So that's what
made it odd. I think if if Indiana was at
(16:13):
full straight, if New York was at full straight, the
Miami was at full straight, and Boston was running through
and barreling through. This isn't even a conversation.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
So I think two things in this case can be
right and at the same time absolutely well.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
I do want to be clear, they didn't they didn't
face the Knicks or the true I'm they didn't.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
We're just saying, as we look generally at the East,
the East looks like there were still stars who were missing.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
But no, no, no, Boston didn't face them.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
I mean, think about that. Does New York even get
to the next level if you have a healthy Jaalen
you know, not jailing excuse me, Joel ebid Like, it's
just the dynamic of the East is different when you
have the superstars that could be should have.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Played Donovante as well, you know he was out.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
For forgot about that.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Yeah, But let me say this. You guys brought up,
you know, team concept and how it's not about the
big two or the big three or this great duo
or big three. They the Celtics remind me a lot
of the South Carolina game Cocks from last year, and
not in terms of how they play, but just in
(17:21):
terms of the sacrifices that they're willing to make. There
are no egos on that team. Any person, any player
can give you twenty five each night, and that's what
makes it so hard for you to defend and go
up against them. Because with the South Carolina game, cous
it could be my laser full Wiley, could be Raymond Johnson,
Camilla Cardoso, right, Chloe Kits, Tessa Johnson. The list goes
(17:44):
on and on and for the Celtics, could be Drew Holliday,
Derek White, Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Chris tops razingis all
of those players give you so much versatility and it's
rooted in defense. South Carolina, what do they pride themselves
on defense? The Boston Celtics, what did they pride themselves
on defense? And they showed why because they held one
(18:06):
of the most skilled players. I'm not going to say
he's the most skilled player ever, because I think there
are other people who make that case. Sorry, they made
him look pedestrian, right for three games in Boston, Kyrie
was very ineffective and that is a credit to Drew Holiday,
Jalen Brown one Finals MVP, and just shout out to
(18:30):
Jalen because remember he made that tweet about how his
teacher said, yeah, I'm be looking you up in the
Cobb County jail sale or something five years or ten years,
and now this man is an NBA Champion A Finals MVP.
So shout out to Jalen Brown and everything that he
did to quiet the noise, and it's really remarkable.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Yeah. Yeah, I'm gonna also give a shout out to
Al Horford as a Dominican a dissent. I love that
he is the first Dominican player to win an NBA championship.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
And after sixteen years, all the time.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
You spit in Atlanta, Al, you earned it. But I
guess we can close out this segment with a very
burning question, Guys Boston going back next.
Speaker 4 (19:18):
Year, I think it's very possible, to be honest, we'll
see with Al horror for what he decides to do.
But with or without him, I think that they still
with a healthy Brazilians, just a healthy team, I think
they stand a good chance. It's gonna be tough, harder
than this season, I would say, But I'd also challenge,
you know, Jason Tatum to be the player that we
(19:38):
saw in Game five, you know that was the player
that we've been looking for for quite some time as
far as these playoffs are concerned. But if Jason Tatum
leads in this one in that way, Jalen Brown continued
to continues to be consistent as he's been on both
sides of the court. Drew Holliday just getting in where
he fits in. You know, this could be a very
special run that they make next year.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
I do think it's possible.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
It will be harder, but now that they've experienced it
that that that experience also leads to a level of
maturation that I think could serve them very well next season.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
So I think it's possible.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
It's very possible. I don't think they they will, but
it is very possible. I'm interested about Al Horford. You know,
KP is going to have to get surgery right on
his lower body, on his leg. I believe after you
gutted it out in Game five and then now you're
everybody's gunning for you, So how do you respond to that.
(20:36):
It's different when nobody expects you, because nobody expected Boston
to win, even though they were the best team in
the regular season. But now I can't say that. So
y'all the champs so everybody is going to give you
their best shot. But I don't think they'll repeat, but
I do think they have a really good shot.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
To do so, agreed, I don't think that they will repeat.
Repeating it is tough in every league, in any league.
I mean, that's why you know, we look at the
Aces the way that we look at them, because going back.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
Back is wild.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
So I don't think that they repeat, but I think
they should absolutely be one of the top teams in
terms of the highest odds. I think they certainly have
a legit case. But and we'll also see what, you know,
what the market looks like, and any moves that are
made and how that might you know, change or alter
their roster at all. But for the most part, I
(21:23):
think they they they definitely should be the pre ranked
number one team going into the NBA season, and then
we'll see what happens. But going back to back is tough.
And if anybody knows about that, I just mentioned it,
it's the Las Vegas Aces. They going for a three
p but it's a little tough to do that. It's
a little.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Come back.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
After the break, we're gonna switch over to some w
n B A and we're gonna talk about these Aces
among other teams.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
We'll be back.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
W NBA season has been underway for about a month now,
and I don't think anybody was correct on what we're
seeing it.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Not a nan person was right. We were all okay.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
It has been so fun to watch this league this
year because the parody has been nuts. Everybody has a
chance to beat anybody, to get at anybody. Any player
has an opportunity to go off game to game, and
that's what makes this league so much fun when we
talk about its growth.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
But there are a couple.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Teams right now that are standing out one way or
the other. I'm going to start off with the New
York Liberty because they're on an eight game win streak.
Right They're on an eight game win streak. They just
defeated the defending back to back champions Las Vegas Aces.
They gave the Connecticut son their first loss this season,
and they're doing that without their starting point guard in
Courtney Vanderslough. JJ has been playing fun. Now I'm gonna
(22:54):
looking like the twenty twenty one MVP. And so I
think that at this point last year we were concerned
about the chemistry. We were concerned about what in the
world is gonna happen. Well, maybe y'all weren't concerned, but
I was concerned. I was like, York out here looking
like a joke, right, And this year complete three sixty,
(23:15):
New York looks like they're ready to go back to
the finals. And I still think there's so much more
for them to do. Chris, I'm gonna kick it to
you first, what's going on.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
What I do know is that the Liberty have taken
Kelsey Plum's message from last year after the finals and
what during the finals or after the finals they admitted
or they were like in their feelings right, And I
can understand that I don't know what she's talking about.
But then John Quod Jones, according to the ESPN broadcast
(23:47):
after the game, was like, yeah, I look back at
the film and she was right. So they have much
better chemistry. And what's really key about it is you
can see how much better they work together even without
Courtney Vandersloot, who I'm praying for her. She's been out
for several games now for personal reasons, so hopefully she's
(24:09):
able to get back and her mind said is right,
So prayers out to her. But they're doing it without
her and Sabrina Jonescu. Much of what we talked about
last year her defense right which is still you know,
a bit of an issue, but also the fact that
she didn't really have much of a mid range game.
But she's showing off that floater. She's going to be
(24:30):
able to attack the rim a lot better than she
did in years prior. You brought up JJ Brianna Stewart
is a mismatch problem. All the time you got Leonie Fhoebish,
she has been excellent from deep and also with defense
Kennedy Burke. So there's a collection of things that are
going on here, and I think once you become more
(24:51):
established and you have more continuity with your team and
you actually enjoy playing with each other, that will show
on the court. Now, is it going to result in
a finals championship, I don't know, because I still have
some questions about their perimeter defense. But for right now,
(25:13):
they're one of the best. They're the best team in
the league right now. Right you can say you beat
your son, Okay right twice a day, Chris right twice
today you can be playing the best basketball.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
But I ain't saying.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Okay are fair, fair Connecticut, they are the best team.
Let me trade period. New York is playing the best
ball right now. It's kind of like with the Aces
right where like, oh yeah, they're having a little rough spot,
but they're still the best team from last year. So yeah,
that's what I got going on with the Liberty. And
(25:58):
then I also got a shout out before I go, Charie,
how about the Links? Links?
Speaker 4 (26:09):
I really like the Links, Like, you know, Colliers playing
just out of her mind, but there's a they just
play so well together and they can beat you in
a lot of different ways. And anytime you have a
team like that, watch out. But then you add confidence
onto that, so we see that as we see that
with them as well as the Liberty. I think that's
a bigger difference as well. It's just a confidence thing.
(26:30):
So you start whipping on the better teams or the
teams that are perceived to be better in the league,
your confidence is going to go up. But when everybody's
contributing in whatever way that is, whether it's on the
defensive end, offensive end, what have you, and you're knocking
down shots from the outside, you're getting your getting drafts
of the basket, Like how you're gonna be tough to be.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
They're just to me, very efficient.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
They take good care of the basketball, which is something
like we're seeing the ace to struggle in part because
they're not taking good care of the basketball. I don't
know what's going on with that, but there's a lack
of continuity, and there's some missteps of communication offensively where
they're literally turning the ball over and sometimes I'm like,
are you all paying attention? Like it's just very weird.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
But they're la, they're laser focused, and they're still kind
of under the radar a little bit at least in
my opinion. Like everybody talks about.
Speaker 4 (27:17):
The liberty, we're talking about the sun, you know, and
we're talking about teams that are mid range teams are
not even good teams because of the press. So we're
spend a lot of time talking about the fever and
the reality is they still suck no shade. But we
waste not waste time, but a lot of other teams
that aren't so great get our attention. The Mystics are
getting our attention because they're just they're finally getting finally
(27:39):
won a game or two, you know what I'm saying.
But the fact that they went that long without a
game without a win, that caused them to get attention.
So I think the Links are in a perfect position
because there's no the level of pressure that's on them.
They don't have the same pressure on them that the
Liberty have. Now they certainly don't have the same pressure
on them that the Aces have. And so with that,
I think they're almost like a low key sleeper team
(28:02):
that we'll look up and say, oh my god, they're here. Yeah,
you know what I'm saying, Like they're in the To me,
they're in the perfect position.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
I would agree with that position to strike, I would
agree with that, and I would put Seattle in that
conversation too, And I agree with Seattle has some things
they need to work on defensively, and I know that
maybe over the last week and a half we've really
started to see Skyler Digns Smith.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
Like get her groove.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
And you know, Neka was out for a few games,
but now she's back, she's posted up like her third
double double in a row or something like that. Like
that is a dangerous team that Noel Quinn has out there,
And the more that they continue to play connected and
really start to defensively hone in because I think Asie
is one of the better defenders in the league certainly
(28:46):
will end up being a defensive player of the Year conversation. So,
I think Seattle and Minnesota are the two teams that
are like.
Speaker 3 (28:53):
Flying kind of under the radar, like you know what.
Speaker 2 (28:56):
They got, you know what they're doing, but you're just
you know, you're just not ready to dive in their
pools and yet, but you're dipping your toe win because
they looking real good. The water looks real good right now,
right So I love that. I will say to your
point about the ass is that I do also agree
that they will be fine. I think they will also
be one of the final four team standing. But outside
(29:18):
of just Chelsea Gray, they really have to use their
defense to fuel their offense. And that's the one thing
that they haven't been doing. They're making a bunch of offensive
misuse because they're giving teams other opportunities to really set
up defensively against them, and it's it's not working. They
also need some additional offensive production in the paint outside
of Asia Wilson and saying hey, Kia, we love that
(29:39):
you're in defensive anchor, but we need you to get
to put some points on the board.
Speaker 3 (29:42):
That's two three.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
They to me haven't gotten a lot of production off
of their bench. I love what Kate Martin is doing.
I think she's getting great opportunities. She's really trying to
provide that spark. But they need more offensive production from
that bench. And so those are things that I think
are fixable. Like that's why I'm not worried about them,
because the more that they play, the more they'll figure
(30:05):
it out. This is a veteran group for the most part,
they'll figure it out. And when Chelsea Gray is able
to come back, she is the point.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
God.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
She knows how to facilitate. She knows how to get
people where they need to be. So I ain't worried
about that. I ain't worried about Connecticut either. I want
them to be a bit more offensively.
Speaker 3 (30:21):
Sound of their defense.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
Is their defense is going to keep them in every
single game They're playing LA on Tuesday night, I'm covering
that game on the sideline, and I'm gonna have the
same story that I have every week.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
Shoot the ball.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
And the first and not wait until the third quarter
to figure it out.
Speaker 3 (30:51):
Like that's what that's that's their issue.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
But I continue to say that they are to me
the best team in the league, because again, that's something
that you can fix.
Speaker 3 (31:00):
But they're healthy. They look so much better than they
have before.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
And if they were a semi final slash final team
with some of the key players that they needed out,
then this year, you know, no knocking on wood. With
a healthy team, with a healthy Breonna Jones within a
list of Thomas who's playing so incredibly well, with Djana
who has elevated her game to the next level, I
see no reason why this team will not be in
(31:26):
the WNBA finals. They're still eleven to one and even
though they lost to New York it literally was a
defensive breakdown in like the final two minutes of the
fourth quarter. Other than that, this team would still be undefeated.
My last point though, is the concern I have for
the Dallas Wings. Yeah, what is going on?
Speaker 3 (31:44):
Say it out with an achilles injury that has her
day to day.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
That's scary to me. You won't have Natasha Howard she's
out with a foot. You don't have Santusalii she's out
with a shoulder injury. You don't got Jalen Brown, She's
out with an illness.
Speaker 4 (32:00):
Don't got a season, just everybody going on vacation for
three weeks and get better.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
Are one of the best worst teams. Yeah, I hate that.
Frustrate me when you look at them. Oh yeah, they're
probably five hundred a little bit above.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
And no, no, they're really bad. What do you say,
they're really bad? You know, yeah, they're like three and ten.
I think like you got to put them in there
with the Mystics and the Fever.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Like they're in the league right now.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
Yeah, they're not. It's not weird to me, Shari get
off the Fever. The Fever are figuring it.
Speaker 3 (32:37):
Out there, running the ball through a lee of Boston.
Speaker 4 (32:43):
To do so, I said, you're gonna win some games
if y'all stop running your offense to k Clark so good.
Speaker 3 (32:51):
So I'm gonna need.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
The Fever to get a little bit more love because
the Fever are starting to figure it out. They beat
this guy twice.
Speaker 4 (33:00):
So no, not only right.
Speaker 1 (33:03):
They're running it, but they're running it through lee in
Boston while also having Kaitlyn Clark get hers as well.
This is the first right where both of them ate healthy,
right where they were full. Yeah, so that's something that
you want to see more and more because it's not
a competition, but oh, you know, Kaitlyn gets hers and
(33:25):
or Leea gets hers. No, you need to have a
system where both of them can enjoy the fruits of
each other's labor and then they succeed.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
I'm with you, I think too.
Speaker 4 (33:36):
Just one of the differentiating factors for a lot of
the top teams. We talked about the sun and the liberty,
you know, and even the Storm to a degree is tempo.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
I mean, the tempo with these teams.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
And even though the Aces are still you know, they're
figuring some things out, there's still a difference in tempo
with these teams for some of the other teams we see.
And so that's one of the things that really sticks
out to me. And that's on both sides of the basketball.
So you know, I mean, I'm really excited for Connecticut.
You know, I wasn't, you know, the biggest connec to
get fan No, shaded Rika just wasn't.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
But I'm like, I'm pulling for them.
Speaker 4 (34:04):
And it's a swag they have about themselves that I
really love, you know, Aces they have their own kind
of team personality that people have latched onto and I
think the Sun have really created that this year, and
it's a team that people are like.
Speaker 2 (34:15):
Ooh, I like them. They're feisty like so shout out
to the Sun. I'm with to Rika. They are the
best team right now in the in the league. Hopefully
you know, for too, Rika, that they can continue to
agenda to do that.
Speaker 4 (34:30):
I think that's dope. And my last point is just
the sky. I'm very disappointed. I think there's a ton
of potential there, you know, And I love coach t
Spoon's energy and just how she's really rallied behind these
young ladies. Obviously a lot of controversies surrounding this team
has been surrounding them for the last three to three
weeks or so now, But I just think they're better
than what they're giving us. Angelica is playing incredible, so
(34:52):
not really her, but they got to figure out they
probably gotta shake that start lineup up and you know, again,
and you know, we'll see what happens with them as
we move a little bit closer to All Star weekend,
but I want to see them turn a corner that
they just for whatever reason, are having some trouble doing.
But again, defense facilitates offense. We've talked about that with
other teams, Sky, same thing, and I've watched them just
(35:15):
have some defensive breakdowns that have really hindered them, excuse me,
on the offensive end.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
So we'll see get it together, Chicago Sky. I'm pulling
for you.
Speaker 1 (35:21):
You know, hey, amen to that. You know who I
want to see get it together. The freaking Los Angeles Clippers,
because they have been continually disappointment, whether through injury or
you know, huge letdowns, blowing, collapsing, giving up free one leads.
(35:41):
But maybe now that won't happen because they added a
very accomplished and respected former head coach in the NBA.
We're going to get into that on the other side
of the break.
Speaker 2 (35:54):
All right, ladies and gentlemen, Welcome back to three on
three pods. Sheria Nicole here with Chris Williamson and Xerica
Foster Brasby, and we are here with a new game
called Bye or Sell. I am your host, and our
contestants are Chris and Tarika And basically, I'm gonna say
a statement. This is what the people told me, The
producers told.
Speaker 4 (36:13):
Me to say a statement as a question or whatever,
and then Chris and Tarika are going to say if
they're going to buy or sell. So I'm just going
to follow instructions here. Please pardon me if I'm terrible,
because this is a new game for me too, so
I do have to have to look at my question
on my phone.
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Okay, are you all ready to play? I'm not playing.
Speaker 1 (36:30):
I'm ready.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
Okay. Cool.
Speaker 4 (36:32):
So the first one, Jeff Van Gundy is the perfect
assistant coach to Tie.
Speaker 2 (36:38):
Loo on the Clippers. Bye or Sell.
Speaker 1 (36:43):
I'm buying. I'm buying that Jeff Van Gundy is a
very respected coach in the w in the NBA.
Speaker 2 (36:57):
And with good reason, with good reason that.
Speaker 1 (36:59):
You have to do of you on your mind, Chris,
I think he's a very respected coach in the NBA circles, right,
and I think having a different voice on that coaching
staff could be very beneficial, especially for guys like Russell Westbrook.
You know, James hard and Paul George getting something different
out of him out of them compared to the current
(37:20):
assistant coaches that they do have. And I think Tyleru
and him will work together probably two of the smarter
minds in the game.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
So I'm buying I'm buying as well, I mean, as
much coaching as Jeff Van Gundy did when he was
calling these games. It's about time somebody put him on
the sidelines actually tell it to the players and they listen.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
So I'm buying this.
Speaker 2 (37:41):
I'm sorry, I am gonna play. I'm going to sell.
I love.
Speaker 4 (37:47):
I love, I love Jeff Van Gundy, and for some
of them, they're the wrong reasons. I think he is
one of the coolest, pettiest jerks in the history of basketball,
and I do think that that might become probably also
considering that he was a former head coach. When you
talk about him and Tylu working together and him making
an imprint on this team.
Speaker 2 (38:07):
I think he might piss some people off. But also
I don't necessarily think him and Tig Gonna. I think
they might have some run ins.
Speaker 4 (38:17):
Jeff Van Gunn I love the man, but for all
the wrong reasons. I love a good, petty, unapologetic, say
whatever you want to say.
Speaker 2 (38:26):
Type human being. He's one of them. But that power,
when it's used not for good, can be a little
bit of a problem for everybody around him.
Speaker 4 (38:35):
So I'm gonna have to sell that cute idea, though
cute idea, though I love we disagree sometimes it's just
kind of fun.
Speaker 2 (38:41):
Every have a different opinion, all right.
Speaker 4 (38:44):
Jay Williams one of my favorite basketball commentators. He said
this on Get Up.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
Quote, I feel like the Los Angeles Lakers are trying
to figure it out with JJ Reddick, a first time
head coach. End quote. It's JJ, the Lakers new head coach.
Are you buying or you're selling?
Speaker 3 (39:06):
Can I Can I do a buying trade?
Speaker 2 (39:08):
Okay? Go ahead?
Speaker 3 (39:11):
Continue, Chris Levy some new ship only.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
I am.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
I am buying that the Lakers would be unwise enough
to make JJ her new head coach.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
But why I'm trading? It's because I don't think the
ship a why.
Speaker 2 (39:36):
Like so I want to buy the the the question
of is JJ the Lakers new head coach? I have
no doubt that the Lakers are unwise enough to make
that man the new head coach of their team, despite
what it could mean between a relationship with him and
Lebron James. Despite that it could not work because new
(39:58):
head coaches should have the great to be able to
fail a year or two in order to get their footing.
Despite all of that, I think he would still do it,
but I don't think it would work.
Speaker 3 (40:08):
I think it.
Speaker 2 (40:09):
Would be the worst thing that they could possibly do,
And therefore, I don't want to keep this shit, so
I want to buy it and put it off when
you want to buy it and sell it at the
same time.
Speaker 3 (40:23):
For something for something else.
Speaker 1 (40:27):
No, now I can't see that's the issue because you
stole my answer because I would take me. I'm buying it,
but I don't think it's going to work out. I
just I see it. It's probably not the worst move
they can make, right. I think Dan Dan Hurley going
from college ranks to the pros might have been worse
(40:51):
because he's dealing with grown men as opposed to young
eighteen to twenty two year olds, and you can only
talk to adults a certain kind of way. You're not
able to get through to them if you're talking to
them by eighteen to twenty two year olds. Maybe I'll
disagree on that, but JJ Reddick is, Yeah, he'll be
the Lakers head coach and it's probably going to be
(41:12):
a disaster. And that's why you have like people close
to him apparently saying are you sure you want to
do this?
Speaker 3 (41:19):
Are you sure?
Speaker 1 (41:19):
Are you sure this is right, because that's a whole
lot of circus going on.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
This job is not desirable, I mean like desirable because
it's the Lakers, and who doesn't want to coach.
Speaker 3 (41:30):
Like the Lakers.
Speaker 2 (41:31):
But in terms of like desirable, as long as Lebron
James is on that roster, don't do it. Do not
do it. You are setting yourself up for failure. Phil
Jackson is not walking through that door. I have to agree.
I think you're both right.
Speaker 4 (41:50):
I'm going to buy it because it's probably gonna happen,
but I'm going to sell it. Number One, you want
to you might want to be very careful about working
with your friends. Doesn't always work out the way that
you would want, so you might go in there and
jam up a whole friendship, And that, to me is
something that would make me awfully sad for JJ Reddick.
Also wondering what other teams has he coached kids or
(42:14):
someone Silence of the Lambs. Okay, so you mean to
tell me that JJ Reddick has enough even more like
we talked about Hurly, but at least he has an
experience with managing personalities. JJ Reddick doesn't have it, So
I don't care how many times you sit in front
of your microphone and go through play by place with
your buddy Lebron James. That is not the same as
(42:35):
managing this level of ego, which.
Speaker 2 (42:38):
Starts with your boy. So if i'm you JJ, you
got that nice cushy job as a commentator, and if
you want to be a coach, I'm all for you
pursue your dreams, but don't pursue it with the Lakers,
because I think you're gonna get your feelings hurt. And
mind you, Lebron has already showed us that loyalty piece,
that loyalty muscle. It's not real strong with him, and
(42:58):
no shade to the man. He's done great things.
Speaker 4 (43:01):
But if you don't do what he wants you to
do or expects you to do, you're gonna be gone,
just like the rest of them. I don't care how
good a friends y'all are and how many podcast episodes
you do together.
Speaker 2 (43:09):
So I am buying and selling as well. Gary, your
last question.
Speaker 4 (43:13):
Clay Thompson, the Man Done unfollowed the Warriors on social
media and he is expected to explore free agency buying
or selling. Lady and gentleman, you know what.
Speaker 2 (43:32):
I'm selling this how you think it's cap so you
so you that mad? Now you so mad? You tell
you what? Delete all the photos out your I gal, then.
Speaker 3 (43:57):
You tell tell me that it is real.
Speaker 2 (43:59):
Come out say like these stuff ain't your boy, no mo,
ain't no royal no more.
Speaker 3 (44:04):
Then you're gonna let me know it's real.
Speaker 2 (44:06):
But right now, just because you unfollowed somebody like that
is the crazy. You know how many times I've accidentally
unfollowed somebody on social media until I get ready to
reach out and I'm.
Speaker 3 (44:15):
Like, damn, my phone out of your trip and I
ain't need to do that. That's not enough for me.
I ain't selling it.
Speaker 1 (44:24):
I'm selling it too. I think maybe a warrior. I
think he just wanted wanted some attention. Now, if they
don't give him the money, perhaps you know he'll he'll
leave and find somewhere else where. He's not gonna win
a championship, but he'll get paid more than what the
word is gonna give him. But yeah, he probably in
his feelings, which is ironic because he was the same
one who said, yeah, I guess his feelings got hurt
(44:45):
about Lebron in the NBA finals, And then we know
what Lebron did after that, But yeah, he probably just
wants some attention. That's awesome. I'm selling it too.
Speaker 2 (44:56):
I'm gonna sell with y'all. I think it's CAP.
Speaker 4 (44:58):
We've seen a couple of players we just talked about
Lebron a moment ago, sit on the sidelines of games,
and you know, people align themselves to play the game
because they may want more money or as you all mentioned, attention.
So I think this is Clay's cry out for attention,
and mind.
Speaker 2 (45:12):
You, I think it's justifiable.
Speaker 4 (45:14):
I think there's some things that he desires that may
be doing these kinds of concepts and acting out in
this way air quotes will get him. I don't think
that he's going to leave Golden State, but I do
think if they don't treat him the way that I
think he's deserve it.
Speaker 2 (45:27):
Of yeah, you should probably say peace out and it's okay.
You got for you got for a championships.
Speaker 4 (45:33):
You you're gonna be all right, brother, Like I know
you're playing with your friends, but sometimes you got to
you got to break that up.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
So we'll see. But I do think he's CAP, and
what I don't what I don't think is CAP is
jump ball, y'all to jump ball. I guess we're talking
about fashion, yeah, but there is a little different Chris.
What we've got.
Speaker 1 (45:49):
We talking about culture, right, We're talking about boxing and
bringing all the stars. It's coming up in just a second,
it's time for another jump ball. We just throw things
up and you know, see what comes when everything falls down.
(46:11):
And this time it has to do with Gavonta Davis
and Frank Martin put on a show. Well, Davonta did
because he knocked Frank Martin hell out in the boxing
match this past Saturday. And the crazy thing or the
interesting thing about this match wasn't just the ko right
the knockout, but all the stars that came to see
(46:36):
this matchup. You had John Wall out there, DeMar DeRozan,
Dejontay Murray, Zach Levine, Kawhi Leonard, Damon Lillard, DC Young Fly,
if you're in the comedian space, comedy space, And it
got me thinking, like is boxing making a comeback in
terms of representing the culture whatever that means? Right to Ricky,
(47:00):
do you do you think so? Or this is just
going off if we're.
Speaker 2 (47:04):
Being honest, I'm not sure it ever, Like boxing never
left in that regard, like in terms of people really
showing up for the fight, because I think it's always
been like folks who like come out and show out
or whatever the for the fight or whatever. And what's
crazy is I was literally just in Vegas and left
the day of that fight. So like that Saturday morning,
(47:27):
I was on the plane back east, and I was
kind of mad at myself because I'm like, dang, I
probably should have stayed, could have went to dres.
Speaker 3 (47:32):
Or something and caught me somebody up in there to take.
Speaker 2 (47:34):
A photo off with it. But at the end of
the day, I love the fact that it is like
the younger stars that are coming out. I think we're
kind of used to seeing some of the older, retired
iconic stars come out to the boxing matches, but like,
you know, having some of the newer, younger guys. Ezekiel
Elliott was there too, Kawhi Leonard. You know, he fooled
(47:57):
me for a second. I thought he cut his hair.
Now he's still what she should have done, but don't
which he should, which we would have appreciated and applauded
for sure. But yeah, I do like the fact that
it feels like the younger generation is starting to really
get more into this particular scene. Is this the heavyweight
scene too, because I know the welterweight scene. Y'all got
to school me on boxing because all I know is
(48:18):
y'all getting a ring in your fight. I don't really
know weight classes stuff like that. If it ain't Tyson,
you know what I'm saying, I don't know, so, but
I know good fashion when I see it, and they
turned Zach Levine looked.
Speaker 3 (48:31):
Good job, gentlemen, good job showing up.
Speaker 4 (48:34):
Good job Zach Levine, the rest of y'all, Okay, I
get it.
Speaker 2 (48:37):
It's cute.
Speaker 4 (48:38):
I like to see, you know, I like to see
athletes supporting athletes. So for me, you know, when you
talk about the culture and also just the culture of sports,
it's always good to see that. We've seen a lot
of cross pollination within the last year or so, especially
when you see like the men coming out to support
the women's games.
Speaker 2 (48:54):
And vice versa. So yeah, I love what we're seeing
right now. I hope this creates a wave.
Speaker 4 (48:58):
I'm glad that boxing is include in that you got
athletes from all different you know, types of play participating.
Speaker 2 (49:07):
Kawhi should cut his hair immediately. Sick of it.
Speaker 4 (49:09):
Get rid of the braids you got on my nerves.
And I don't like being deceived, so I don't.
Speaker 2 (49:15):
Like you right now.
Speaker 4 (49:16):
Zach Lavine, you real fine. You know you real fine.
You carry yourself real fine. You're the only person that
I actually was looking at.
Speaker 3 (49:23):
Like, oh my god, we were objected.
Speaker 4 (49:26):
He sure was, and I sure will continue to do that.
Zach Lavine looked amazing. So yeah, shout out to all
the you know, players from the respective sports that came
out and represented. And it also gives us another talking point.
And then you do see again that merge between sports
and fashion, which is always fun to me. And mind you,
Sorry Chris Tarika. You know they're tall, they.
Speaker 2 (49:47):
Got the broad shoulders. You know, I like, I want
to put a good suit on, a little, a little
outfit on. I'm just saying, keep showing up in your
sun names, keep showing up, Keep showing up, because I
know I can't order, but I'm gonna look at the
New York You can't look and I can't order.
Speaker 3 (50:13):
One.
Speaker 1 (50:19):
That is wrong with both of y'all. No, since no.
Speaker 2 (50:24):
Take the number one, please.
Speaker 1 (50:28):
The number one and number the number three. Gonna take
that combo.
Speaker 3 (50:32):
I'll just have a glass of water.
Speaker 1 (50:34):
Please.
Speaker 2 (50:37):
Water.
Speaker 1 (50:41):
On that note, we need to wrap this up before
you'll getting anymore shenanigans. Okay, it's been a wonderful episode.
Charina Cole, Tarika Foster Brasbey. I'm Chris Williams. And make
sure to follow us on x at D three on
three pod and on Instagram at three on three pod,
and also make sure to check out our YouTube channel,
The Inflection Network, and also subscribe to the podcast, you know,
(51:03):
give us five stars. It's on our heart Radio app,
and make sure you lead some comments to let us
know how we're doing, because we're gonna keep bringing you
this energy you're not getting anywhere else and that's a fact.
And after that we're out, see y'all.
What's up, everybody? Welcome to another episode of the three
on three podcast. I am Chris Williamson, joined again by
the one and only Sarina Cole and coming back after
little hiatus last week.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
It's good y'all doing what's good? I missed you too, Rika,
Chris did as well. I missed Jack. I got so
excited to know that you were back of joining us today.
You know, you know your girls catchup flights last week,
so that's where I was.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
But I'm here.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I'm back.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
You know how we do?
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (00:47):
You living? If you're living well.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
In the streets, I'll be in these streets, shy.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
I'm trying to get out to the streets. Change been
working out too well for me.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I'm trying to.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Come to your streets. I know that's is popping, not really.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
I want to be here in no time. Everybody pray
my strength and hopefully I find my husband.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
And you know, the screech to Miami though Boston right
because they want a championship. Yes, sir, they said, we're
not partying in Boston because who wants to party in right?
No disrespect, but I don't think anybody's getting up.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Correct all the disrespect because Boston.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
I don't blame them, though, you go to Miami, Las Vegas,
and then we also got the Aces, right, and some
people are freaking out about them, you know, because their
fifth in the league right now. In terms of standings
they've had, they have as many losses as they had
last year off season. But it's not that surprising considering
(01:54):
Chelsea Grace who hasn't played no Kennis Parker, and their
lineup changes have not been as productive as we've seen them.
And then what how about the Minnesota Lynx and the
New York Liberty.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Yo, they're they're doing their thing.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
They're gonna be in the Commissioner's Cup Championship game.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
Okay, it's gonna be a good one.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
They are LEGI w n b A title contenders. Y'all
both agree with that?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Absolutely agree, Absolutely agree.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Based based on over're seeing right now, and I'm reading
Tarika's body language, I think she agrees, but she.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Knows the possibilities that lie ahead.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
So I don't know we'll get there final four, I
could see it.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Okay, all right, Okay, so not completely so yeah, but
that's all right, you know, because we still have so
much more.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Yeah, yeah, we.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Still got a lot of the season left, and you know,
so many things can change, People make trades, whatever. But
here's the thing that really jumps out to me about
the week that we just had, the fact that the
Boston Celtics proved all of us wrong.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
I know all of us.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Who whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
I'm not taking I didn't say the MAVs would win it.
I did not say that.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
You didn't say the maps or I did not, So
I was no, you all can tell take the brunt
of the weight of wrong.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
I'm not going to take on that entire weight because
I don't. I don't deserve it. What you all said
warrants you to wear the weight of being wrong.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
I sat with indifference, I said.
Speaker 4 (03:42):
When I sat with indifference because I understand the capacities
of both teams, and I felt like it was anybody serious.
So I will take if you have a whole of something,
I will take one fourth of the weight of wrong.
You all can take one hundred percent of it. Matter
of fact, Erica, I will give Terrika one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
I will give I'm.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Getting myself five percent. I'm taking fifty percent because I
had the team wrong. I knew this one't gonna be
a series, wasn't gonna show up up up in two
of the three of the five games.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Appreciate you older. Now let's talk about facilitating. It ain't
just about boys, now about voice.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Now to.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Shoot the ball well in those first.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Couple Tarika, Yeah, you got to get into this topic.
Let's get into let's let's go ahead and get into
this topic because what we're not gonna do is this.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Okay, here's what we will do. The Mavericks, right, I
had the Mavericks in seven that all of those I
think you have the maps and five had the no
I gave them six I did, So we were completely
wrong there. Yeah, and you got to give credit to
the Celtics and how balanced the they were. They were
(05:02):
and look, they were the best team all season long.
But myself included and a lot of other people, they
were like, Okay, we'll see what happens during the postseason
because we know they've come up short the last couple
of years and they have not finished a job well
this year, they said, fuck y'all. Okay, Jason Tatum and
Jalen Brown drew Holliday said, I don't care what y'all say.
(05:24):
You want to break us up for all these years
and now we champions, and adding an eighteenth banner to
their storied franchise, one more than their hated rivals to
Los Angeles Lakers. Magic's tweet, yeah, I was here for it.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Magic is my brand of petty.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Like if there is a brand, if there is an
athletic brand of petty that I could be in my life,
it would like Magic.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Would absolutely be at the top of the list. First off,
we get the I ain't gonna be here.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Right then then we turn around.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Then we turn around and get the I'm mad that
they got one more better than.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
We put on a Lakers uniform in thirty years, and
yet you still feel.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Away where anybody? That is my brand of petty.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Simon each it, every time, each it, every time. Listen,
Chris Schari. Okay, I just want to be clear about this. Okay.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
I love when people are real wrong and then they
have like the whole soliloquy that they go into as
when it's all said done.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Accept it. You just have Leo and me accept it.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Right, Okay, I was wrong about the team, but I
very clearly stated that this is not going to be
a competitive theory and I and I knew it wouldn't
be a competitive series. Now, the reason that I thought
it wouldn't be competitive wasn't the re th that it
(07:00):
wasn't competitive, but it wasn't even better reason I didn't
think this would be a competitive series.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Because Boston, and my opinion, had not truly.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Been tested through the postseason, and so my thought process was, yeah,
they'll get a couple games because they're a good team.
But Dallas, on the other hand, had been tested, had
faced some adversity, had been put a little bit.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
More on the line to show that they deserve to
be here.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
And how often had we talked about the Western Conference,
which is a tougher conference than the East. So in
my opinion, I knew that that Boston would win some games,
but I didn't think that any of the games would
be close. Like they've just been too lopsided. Either people
show up or they didn't show up, right, So reverse that,
because that's exactly why Dallas lost, way went through way
(07:52):
too much. Luca and Kyrie tried to do everything, and
Kyrie just was like, you know what, maybe just Luca
do everything, as in the final game, Kyrie didn't show
up at all, so there was no assistance, like they
had no help from anyone.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
You got maybe that one game and was it Game
three or Game four.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
That they won.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
I think they got fifteen points off the bench from
Tim Hardaway Junior. But other than that, it was completely
and solely the Luca and Kyrie show. And with Luca
having been through everything that he had gone through through
the postseason, hadn't been injured, I mean, had not been
healthy excuse me, for at least the last three months.
It was a tall task and so yes, I didn't
(08:32):
think it was going to be competitive.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
It wasn't competitive.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
But I will still say congratulations to the Boston Celtics
because you deserved it.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
Hmm, you know, Tarenka, it makes me very valid points.
I'd like to introduce a few. I said this a
couple This was like around the Eastern Conference finals, and
I said, maybe we are underestimating the Eastern Conference just
in general. And I stand by that, you know, I
think that, you know, I just wonder what it'd been
like to see Dallas play a New York Knick team
(09:03):
or even the Pacers team, and how they would have fared.
So I think that, you know, I can personally say
I at a certain point, my expectations of the Celtics
were actually lower than they should have been because I
was basing it off of a conference that I thought
was weaker. I don't necessarily agree with that anymore. I
do think the Eastern Conference is extremely competitive, but it
(09:23):
just looks different. You know, we have more the Eastern
Conferences filled more with teams that their units, their team units,
they function, their cohesion is based on role players and
how everybody kind of fits into the unit, versus the
Western Conference that just has flat out superstars. And so
I think that's the bigger difference. And I think sometimes
we get called the minutia that I was really disappointed,
(09:43):
and this was before the finals in just some of
the commentators. Like again, I think sometimes we go on extremes.
Somebody has a good string of games and all of
a sudden we go on this like extreme tangent. And
I remember there being a conversation around Luca and Kyrie
being the best backcourt the game, and I'm like, no, Like,
(10:04):
first of all, it's too early to say that they
haven't won a championship together. Stop it like Luca's playing well,
they're playing well, you know, for all intensive purposes, they're
on their way potentially at that time, they're on their
way to his historic run.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
They like they could have won a title. But for
people to go on that type of an extreme tangent,
for me, I just was like, and.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
I think that's Thomas j Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
I just feel like they put extra pressure on them
as well. I mean, we saw Luca and going into
the playoffs, I knew at least he's not a complete player.
He doesn't play defense, but then the entire playoff for
talking about how he's the best player.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
In the world. No, he's not. He might be the
best offensive player or offensive threat, but he's not the
best player because he literally doesn't play defense.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
So you have him out here. He's also out of shape,
doesn't play defense. Was dealing with the chest injury.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Okay, you have.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
Porzingis come back and all of a sudden, literally come
back in the first game and just obliterate any thought
that anybody had by him not being able to be
a factor, Like he was the X factor in that game.
I look at the Celtics and I look at just Theyah,
you got Jaylen, Brad got Jason Tatum. They're superstars, right,
But the way that their team is built, they're the
best team.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
And I think from an individual standpoint, Dallas, yes they're strong.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
You got Kyrie and Luca, can't be denied. But this
is the first time in a long time, and Michael
Wilbond even mentioned this, that we've seen a team like
just a team be the reason that victory happens, not
a big three, not this duo that.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Just overwhelms the whole game and they take over. So
for me, as a basketball lover enthusiast from a player,
I was so encouraged to see it not be quote
unquote these big superstars, a super team, a big three,
a big two like Jason and Jalen do what they do.
But everybody that played in the Celtics uniform of got
(11:52):
that court contributed something and without their contribution, they wouldn't
be here. So for me, I'm just really excited about
the Celtics future.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Obviously, the Western Conference is going to get even more competitive.
You know, you've got John Morant coming back. You know
a lot of teams are going to get stronger. The
Minnesota Timberwolves are going to come back and be a
better team just based on this experience they had in
the playoffs. A long Denver still exists, Dallas will be better.
But I think we're entering into a new era. Michael
Wilbin also mentioned this. We're entering back into the era
(12:22):
where team is the focus and not necessarily how can
I how can we stack a team with a bunch
of superstars and dominate? So I'm excited for the next
iteration of what NBA basketball looks like, at least for
the next few years. So shout out to the Celtics. Yes,
I was I was in between. I was indifferent, which
is not the right That is not the right position
to be in as a as a commentator. So I
(12:43):
will I was wrong to an extent as well, But
go Celtics. Ultimately my heart, I wanted them to win.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Oh my god.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Before before you answer, Chris, I do have one quick
question slash pushback for sureI though, okay, so I understand
the concept of right. I mean, clearly, I'm a Pistons fan.
To me, two thousand and four Pistons are the ultimate
definition of team ball winning a championship.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Right, but I think it might.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Be fair to say that part of the reason that
we can get that assessment is because all of the superstars,
at least what could be considered superstars of the Eastern Conference,
were injured for the finals to the point where they
did not play, and so I think that might be
one of the reasons why it was a little difficult
for us to really see the grander picture because you're
playing Miami, but you're playing in Miami with no Jimmy Butler.
(13:31):
You're playing Philadelphia, but you're playing in Philadelphia where you
only get a sixty to fifty percent Joel Ebid.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
You're playing New York but Jalen.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Brunson is out, and then I forgot who was not
ogn andob of the other he was out for a
little bit, but there was somebody else, Julius Randall out and.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Then you ended up playing an Indiana team.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
But halfway through that series, Tyrese Halliburton is out. And
so maybe not superstars to the level of you know,
an Anthony Words or something of that level, but superstar
to their team, most important piece or factor to their team.
So I think it's a little I would say it's
not a little or better terminology. It would be a
(14:12):
bit misguided for someone to think that they were wrong
and assuming that the Celtics may have had an easier route,
because while they played teams that brought their best, it's
a little bit difficult to see the full picture when
you're missing such key pieces. Boston, yes, was missing Christophers Porzingis,
and we clearly saw what a difference he made. But
it's hard to make an argument that they were missing
(14:34):
their best pieces when they still had Jalen Brown, Jason
Tatum and Drew Holliday, who was officially to me the
ring master here because Drew Holliday went in everywhere he
go now, so there's that. But I mean, I'm just thinking,
I'm just wondering, is it fair to say maybe you underestimated,
because I don't think it's under the estimation when you're
(14:55):
looking at teams that you know could be so much
better if this person was playing, or if this person
was healthy.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
So that's kind I think that's fair. I think to
the underestimation also comes from what you say, So you know,
you don't you have a hampered seventy six ers team
or hamper Knicks team and you're watching Boston still, you know,
have to fight through a conference with teams that if
they're the best team, you should be blowing these people out.
Like and mind you, Boston only had a great run
(15:22):
of the playoffs. It wasn't like they were losing a
bunch of games, which is the tightness of the games
kind of made everybody pause at least for me and say.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Y'all shouldn't be this game, shouldn't be closed, or why
y'all keep giving up this lead and only winning by
two points? And so I think for the same reasons
you say what you say, I say what I say.
So it's difficult because it's we didn't even have a
good measure to your point, a Rica until the finals,
which is interesting, like we didn't really like you could
(15:52):
speculate that Boston was the best team based on the
regular season, but until we saw them against the team
at essentially full strength like at Dallas Maverick Seam that
was very much capable of giving them, I believe in
more competitive finals, we didn't really know because to your point,
the people was out here heard yeah, So that's what
made it odd. I think if if Indiana was at
(16:13):
full straight, if New York was at full straight, the
Miami was at full straight, and Boston was running through
and barreling through. This isn't even a conversation.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
So I think two things in this case can be
right and at the same time absolutely well.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
I do want to be clear, they didn't they didn't
face the Knicks or the true I'm they didn't.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
We're just saying, as we look generally at the East,
the East looks like there were still stars who were missing.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
But no, no, no, Boston didn't face them.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
I mean, think about that. Does New York even get
to the next level if you have a healthy Jaalen
you know, not jailing excuse me, Joel ebid Like, it's
just the dynamic of the East is different when you
have the superstars that could be should have.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Played Donovante as well, you know he was out.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
For forgot about that.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Yeah, But let me say this. You guys brought up,
you know, team concept and how it's not about the
big two or the big three or this great duo
or big three. They the Celtics remind me a lot
of the South Carolina game Cocks from last year, and
not in terms of how they play, but just in
(17:21):
terms of the sacrifices that they're willing to make. There
are no egos on that team. Any person, any player
can give you twenty five each night, and that's what
makes it so hard for you to defend and go
up against them. Because with the South Carolina game, cous
it could be my laser full Wiley, could be Raymond Johnson,
Camilla Cardoso, right, Chloe Kits, Tessa Johnson. The list goes
(17:44):
on and on and for the Celtics, could be Drew Holliday,
Derek White, Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Chris tops razingis all
of those players give you so much versatility and it's
rooted in defense. South Carolina, what do they pride themselves
on defense? The Boston Celtics, what did they pride themselves
on defense? And they showed why because they held one
(18:06):
of the most skilled players. I'm not going to say
he's the most skilled player ever, because I think there
are other people who make that case. Sorry, they made
him look pedestrian, right for three games in Boston, Kyrie
was very ineffective and that is a credit to Drew Holiday,
Jalen Brown one Finals MVP, and just shout out to
(18:30):
Jalen because remember he made that tweet about how his
teacher said, yeah, I'm be looking you up in the
Cobb County jail sale or something five years or ten years,
and now this man is an NBA Champion A Finals MVP.
So shout out to Jalen Brown and everything that he
did to quiet the noise, and it's really remarkable.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Yeah. Yeah, I'm gonna also give a shout out to
Al Horford as a Dominican a dissent. I love that
he is the first Dominican player to win an NBA championship.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
And after sixteen years, all the time.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
You spit in Atlanta, Al, you earned it. But I
guess we can close out this segment with a very
burning question, Guys Boston going back next.
Speaker 4 (19:18):
Year, I think it's very possible, to be honest, we'll
see with Al horror for what he decides to do.
But with or without him, I think that they still
with a healthy Brazilians, just a healthy team, I think
they stand a good chance. It's gonna be tough, harder
than this season, I would say, But I'd also challenge,
you know, Jason Tatum to be the player that we
(19:38):
saw in Game five, you know that was the player
that we've been looking for for quite some time as
far as these playoffs are concerned. But if Jason Tatum
leads in this one in that way, Jalen Brown continued
to continues to be consistent as he's been on both
sides of the court. Drew Holliday just getting in where
he fits in. You know, this could be a very
special run that they make next year.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
I do think it's possible.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
It will be harder, but now that they've experienced it
that that that experience also leads to a level of
maturation that I think could serve them very well next season.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
So I think it's possible.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
It's very possible. I don't think they they will, but
it is very possible. I'm interested about Al Horford. You know,
KP is going to have to get surgery right on
his lower body, on his leg. I believe after you
gutted it out in Game five and then now you're
everybody's gunning for you, So how do you respond to that.
(20:36):
It's different when nobody expects you, because nobody expected Boston
to win, even though they were the best team in
the regular season. But now I can't say that. So
y'all the champs so everybody is going to give you
their best shot. But I don't think they'll repeat, but
I do think they have a really good shot.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
To do so, agreed, I don't think that they will repeat.
Repeating it is tough in every league, in any league.
I mean, that's why you know, we look at the
Aces the way that we look at them, because going back.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
Back is wild.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
So I don't think that they repeat, but I think
they should absolutely be one of the top teams in
terms of the highest odds. I think they certainly have
a legit case. But and we'll also see what, you know,
what the market looks like, and any moves that are
made and how that might you know, change or alter
their roster at all. But for the most part, I
(21:23):
think they they they definitely should be the pre ranked
number one team going into the NBA season, and then
we'll see what happens. But going back to back is tough.
And if anybody knows about that, I just mentioned it,
it's the Las Vegas Aces. They going for a three
p but it's a little tough to do that. It's
a little.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Come back.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
After the break, we're gonna switch over to some w
n B A and we're gonna talk about these Aces
among other teams.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
We'll be back.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
W NBA season has been underway for about a month now,
and I don't think anybody was correct on what we're
seeing it.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Not a nan person was right. We were all okay.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
It has been so fun to watch this league this
year because the parody has been nuts. Everybody has a
chance to beat anybody, to get at anybody. Any player
has an opportunity to go off game to game, and
that's what makes this league so much fun when we
talk about its growth.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
But there are a couple.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Teams right now that are standing out one way or
the other. I'm going to start off with the New
York Liberty because they're on an eight game win streak.
Right They're on an eight game win streak. They just
defeated the defending back to back champions Las Vegas Aces.
They gave the Connecticut son their first loss this season,
and they're doing that without their starting point guard in
Courtney Vanderslough. JJ has been playing fun. Now I'm gonna
(22:54):
looking like the twenty twenty one MVP. And so I
think that at this point last year we were concerned
about the chemistry. We were concerned about what in the
world is gonna happen. Well, maybe y'all weren't concerned, but
I was concerned. I was like, York out here looking
like a joke, right, And this year complete three sixty,
(23:15):
New York looks like they're ready to go back to
the finals. And I still think there's so much more
for them to do. Chris, I'm gonna kick it to
you first, what's going on.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
What I do know is that the Liberty have taken
Kelsey Plum's message from last year after the finals and
what during the finals or after the finals they admitted
or they were like in their feelings right, And I
can understand that I don't know what she's talking about.
But then John Quod Jones, according to the ESPN broadcast
(23:47):
after the game, was like, yeah, I look back at
the film and she was right. So they have much
better chemistry. And what's really key about it is you
can see how much better they work together even without
Courtney Vandersloot, who I'm praying for her. She's been out
for several games now for personal reasons, so hopefully she's
(24:09):
able to get back and her mind said is right,
So prayers out to her. But they're doing it without
her and Sabrina Jonescu. Much of what we talked about
last year her defense right which is still you know,
a bit of an issue, but also the fact that
she didn't really have much of a mid range game.
But she's showing off that floater. She's going to be
(24:30):
able to attack the rim a lot better than she
did in years prior. You brought up JJ Brianna Stewart
is a mismatch problem. All the time you got Leonie Fhoebish,
she has been excellent from deep and also with defense
Kennedy Burke. So there's a collection of things that are
going on here, and I think once you become more
(24:51):
established and you have more continuity with your team and
you actually enjoy playing with each other, that will show
on the court. Now, is it going to result in
a finals championship, I don't know, because I still have
some questions about their perimeter defense. But for right now,
(25:13):
they're one of the best. They're the best team in
the league right now. Right you can say you beat
your son, Okay right twice a day, Chris right twice
today you can be playing the best basketball.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
But I ain't saying.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Okay are fair, fair Connecticut, they are the best team.
Let me trade period. New York is playing the best
ball right now. It's kind of like with the Aces
right where like, oh yeah, they're having a little rough spot,
but they're still the best team from last year. So yeah,
that's what I got going on with the Liberty. And
(25:58):
then I also got a shout out before I go, Charie,
how about the Links? Links?
Speaker 4 (26:09):
I really like the Links, Like, you know, Colliers playing
just out of her mind, but there's a they just
play so well together and they can beat you in
a lot of different ways. And anytime you have a
team like that, watch out. But then you add confidence
onto that, so we see that as we see that
with them as well as the Liberty. I think that's
a bigger difference as well. It's just a confidence thing.
(26:30):
So you start whipping on the better teams or the
teams that are perceived to be better in the league,
your confidence is going to go up. But when everybody's
contributing in whatever way that is, whether it's on the
defensive end, offensive end, what have you, and you're knocking
down shots from the outside, you're getting your getting drafts
of the basket, Like how you're gonna be tough to be.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
They're just to me, very efficient.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
They take good care of the basketball, which is something
like we're seeing the ace to struggle in part because
they're not taking good care of the basketball. I don't
know what's going on with that, but there's a lack
of continuity, and there's some missteps of communication offensively where
they're literally turning the ball over and sometimes I'm like,
are you all paying attention? Like it's just very weird.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
But they're la, they're laser focused, and they're still kind
of under the radar a little bit at least in
my opinion. Like everybody talks about.
Speaker 4 (27:17):
The liberty, we're talking about the sun, you know, and
we're talking about teams that are mid range teams are
not even good teams because of the press. So we're
spend a lot of time talking about the fever and
the reality is they still suck no shade. But we
waste not waste time, but a lot of other teams
that aren't so great get our attention. The Mystics are
getting our attention because they're just they're finally getting finally
(27:39):
won a game or two, you know what I'm saying.
But the fact that they went that long without a
game without a win, that caused them to get attention.
So I think the Links are in a perfect position
because there's no the level of pressure that's on them.
They don't have the same pressure on them that the
Liberty have. Now they certainly don't have the same pressure
on them that the Aces have. And so with that,
I think they're almost like a low key sleeper team
(28:02):
that we'll look up and say, oh my god, they're here. Yeah,
you know what I'm saying, Like they're in the To me,
they're in the perfect position.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
I would agree with that position to strike, I would
agree with that, and I would put Seattle in that
conversation too, And I agree with Seattle has some things
they need to work on defensively, and I know that
maybe over the last week and a half we've really
started to see Skyler Digns Smith.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
Like get her groove.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
And you know, Neka was out for a few games,
but now she's back, she's posted up like her third
double double in a row or something like that. Like
that is a dangerous team that Noel Quinn has out there,
And the more that they continue to play connected and
really start to defensively hone in because I think Asie
is one of the better defenders in the league certainly
(28:46):
will end up being a defensive player of the Year conversation. So,
I think Seattle and Minnesota are the two teams that
are like.
Speaker 3 (28:53):
Flying kind of under the radar, like you know what.
Speaker 2 (28:56):
They got, you know what they're doing, but you're just
you know, you're just not ready to dive in their
pools and yet, but you're dipping your toe win because
they looking real good. The water looks real good right now,
right So I love that. I will say to your
point about the ass is that I do also agree
that they will be fine. I think they will also
be one of the final four team standing. But outside
(29:18):
of just Chelsea Gray, they really have to use their
defense to fuel their offense. And that's the one thing
that they haven't been doing. They're making a bunch of offensive
misuse because they're giving teams other opportunities to really set
up defensively against them, and it's it's not working. They
also need some additional offensive production in the paint outside
of Asia Wilson and saying hey, Kia, we love that
(29:39):
you're in defensive anchor, but we need you to get
to put some points on the board.
Speaker 3 (29:42):
That's two three.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
They to me haven't gotten a lot of production off
of their bench. I love what Kate Martin is doing.
I think she's getting great opportunities. She's really trying to
provide that spark. But they need more offensive production from
that bench. And so those are things that I think
are fixable. Like that's why I'm not worried about them,
because the more that they play, the more they'll figure
(30:05):
it out. This is a veteran group for the most part,
they'll figure it out. And when Chelsea Gray is able
to come back, she is the point.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
God.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
She knows how to facilitate. She knows how to get
people where they need to be. So I ain't worried
about that. I ain't worried about Connecticut either. I want
them to be a bit more offensively.
Speaker 3 (30:21):
Sound of their defense.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
Is their defense is going to keep them in every
single game They're playing LA on Tuesday night, I'm covering
that game on the sideline, and I'm gonna have the
same story that I have every week.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
Shoot the ball.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
And the first and not wait until the third quarter
to figure it out.
Speaker 3 (30:51):
Like that's what that's that's their issue.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
But I continue to say that they are to me
the best team in the league, because again, that's something
that you can fix.
Speaker 3 (31:00):
But they're healthy. They look so much better than they
have before.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
And if they were a semi final slash final team
with some of the key players that they needed out,
then this year, you know, no knocking on wood. With
a healthy team, with a healthy Breonna Jones within a
list of Thomas who's playing so incredibly well, with Djana
who has elevated her game to the next level, I
see no reason why this team will not be in
(31:26):
the WNBA finals. They're still eleven to one and even
though they lost to New York it literally was a
defensive breakdown in like the final two minutes of the
fourth quarter. Other than that, this team would still be undefeated.
My last point though, is the concern I have for
the Dallas Wings. Yeah, what is going on?
Speaker 3 (31:44):
Say it out with an achilles injury that has her
day to day.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
That's scary to me. You won't have Natasha Howard she's
out with a foot. You don't have Santusalii she's out
with a shoulder injury. You don't got Jalen Brown, She's
out with an illness.
Speaker 4 (32:00):
Don't got a season, just everybody going on vacation for
three weeks and get better.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
Are one of the best worst teams. Yeah, I hate that.
Frustrate me when you look at them. Oh yeah, they're
probably five hundred a little bit above.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
And no, no, they're really bad. What do you say,
they're really bad? You know, yeah, they're like three and ten.
I think like you got to put them in there
with the Mystics and the Fever.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Like they're in the league right now.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
Yeah, they're not. It's not weird to me, Shari get
off the Fever. The Fever are figuring it.
Speaker 3 (32:37):
Out there, running the ball through a lee of Boston.
Speaker 4 (32:43):
To do so, I said, you're gonna win some games
if y'all stop running your offense to k Clark so good.
Speaker 3 (32:51):
So I'm gonna need.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
The Fever to get a little bit more love because
the Fever are starting to figure it out. They beat
this guy twice.
Speaker 4 (33:00):
So no, not only right.
Speaker 1 (33:03):
They're running it, but they're running it through lee in
Boston while also having Kaitlyn Clark get hers as well.
This is the first right where both of them ate healthy,
right where they were full. Yeah, so that's something that
you want to see more and more because it's not
a competition, but oh, you know, Kaitlyn gets hers and
(33:25):
or Leea gets hers. No, you need to have a
system where both of them can enjoy the fruits of
each other's labor and then they succeed.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
I'm with you, I think too.
Speaker 4 (33:36):
Just one of the differentiating factors for a lot of
the top teams. We talked about the sun and the liberty,
you know, and even the Storm to a degree is tempo.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
I mean, the tempo with these teams.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
And even though the Aces are still you know, they're
figuring some things out, there's still a difference in tempo
with these teams for some of the other teams we see.
And so that's one of the things that really sticks
out to me. And that's on both sides of the basketball.
So you know, I mean, I'm really excited for Connecticut.
You know, I wasn't, you know, the biggest connec to
get fan No, shaded Rika just wasn't.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
But I'm like, I'm pulling for them.
Speaker 4 (34:04):
And it's a swag they have about themselves that I
really love, you know, Aces they have their own kind
of team personality that people have latched onto and I
think the Sun have really created that this year, and
it's a team that people are like.
Speaker 2 (34:15):
Ooh, I like them. They're feisty like so shout out
to the Sun. I'm with to Rika. They are the
best team right now in the in the league. Hopefully
you know, for too, Rika, that they can continue to
agenda to do that.
Speaker 4 (34:30):
I think that's dope. And my last point is just
the sky. I'm very disappointed. I think there's a ton
of potential there, you know, And I love coach t
Spoon's energy and just how she's really rallied behind these
young ladies. Obviously a lot of controversies surrounding this team
has been surrounding them for the last three to three
weeks or so now, But I just think they're better
than what they're giving us. Angelica is playing incredible, so
(34:52):
not really her, but they got to figure out they
probably gotta shake that start lineup up and you know, again,
and you know, we'll see what happens with them as
we move a little bit closer to All Star weekend,
but I want to see them turn a corner that
they just for whatever reason, are having some trouble doing.
But again, defense facilitates offense. We've talked about that with
other teams, Sky, same thing, and I've watched them just
(35:15):
have some defensive breakdowns that have really hindered them, excuse me,
on the offensive end.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
So we'll see get it together, Chicago Sky. I'm pulling
for you.
Speaker 1 (35:21):
You know, hey, amen to that. You know who I
want to see get it together. The freaking Los Angeles Clippers,
because they have been continually disappointment, whether through injury or
you know, huge letdowns, blowing, collapsing, giving up free one leads.
(35:41):
But maybe now that won't happen because they added a
very accomplished and respected former head coach in the NBA.
We're going to get into that on the other side
of the break.
Speaker 2 (35:54):
All right, ladies and gentlemen, Welcome back to three on
three pods. Sheria Nicole here with Chris Williamson and Xerica
Foster Brasby, and we are here with a new game
called Bye or Sell. I am your host, and our
contestants are Chris and Tarika And basically, I'm gonna say
a statement. This is what the people told me, The
producers told.
Speaker 4 (36:13):
Me to say a statement as a question or whatever,
and then Chris and Tarika are going to say if
they're going to buy or sell. So I'm just going
to follow instructions here. Please pardon me if I'm terrible,
because this is a new game for me too, so
I do have to have to look at my question
on my phone.
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Okay, are you all ready to play? I'm not playing.
Speaker 1 (36:30):
I'm ready.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
Okay. Cool.
Speaker 4 (36:32):
So the first one, Jeff Van Gundy is the perfect
assistant coach to Tie.
Speaker 2 (36:38):
Loo on the Clippers. Bye or Sell.
Speaker 1 (36:43):
I'm buying. I'm buying that Jeff Van Gundy is a
very respected coach in the w in the NBA.
Speaker 2 (36:57):
And with good reason, with good reason that.
Speaker 1 (36:59):
You have to do of you on your mind, Chris,
I think he's a very respected coach in the NBA circles, right,
and I think having a different voice on that coaching
staff could be very beneficial, especially for guys like Russell Westbrook.
You know, James hard and Paul George getting something different
out of him out of them compared to the current
(37:20):
assistant coaches that they do have. And I think Tyleru
and him will work together probably two of the smarter
minds in the game.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
So I'm buying I'm buying as well, I mean, as
much coaching as Jeff Van Gundy did when he was
calling these games. It's about time somebody put him on
the sidelines actually tell it to the players and they listen.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
So I'm buying this.
Speaker 2 (37:41):
I'm sorry, I am gonna play. I'm going to sell.
I love.
Speaker 4 (37:47):
I love, I love Jeff Van Gundy, and for some
of them, they're the wrong reasons. I think he is
one of the coolest, pettiest jerks in the history of basketball,
and I do think that that might become probably also
considering that he was a former head coach. When you
talk about him and Tylu working together and him making
an imprint on this team.
Speaker 2 (38:07):
I think he might piss some people off. But also
I don't necessarily think him and Tig Gonna. I think
they might have some run ins.
Speaker 4 (38:17):
Jeff Van Gunn I love the man, but for all
the wrong reasons. I love a good, petty, unapologetic, say
whatever you want to say.
Speaker 2 (38:26):
Type human being. He's one of them. But that power,
when it's used not for good, can be a little
bit of a problem for everybody around him.
Speaker 4 (38:35):
So I'm gonna have to sell that cute idea, though
cute idea, though I love we disagree sometimes it's just
kind of fun.
Speaker 2 (38:41):
Every have a different opinion, all right.
Speaker 4 (38:44):
Jay Williams one of my favorite basketball commentators. He said
this on Get Up.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
Quote, I feel like the Los Angeles Lakers are trying
to figure it out with JJ Reddick, a first time
head coach. End quote. It's JJ, the Lakers new head coach.
Are you buying or you're selling?
Speaker 3 (39:06):
Can I Can I do a buying trade?
Speaker 2 (39:08):
Okay? Go ahead?
Speaker 3 (39:11):
Continue, Chris Levy some new ship only.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
I am.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
I am buying that the Lakers would be unwise enough
to make JJ her new head coach.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
But why I'm trading? It's because I don't think the
ship a why.
Speaker 2 (39:36):
Like so I want to buy the the the question
of is JJ the Lakers new head coach? I have
no doubt that the Lakers are unwise enough to make
that man the new head coach of their team, despite
what it could mean between a relationship with him and
Lebron James. Despite that it could not work because new
(39:58):
head coaches should have the great to be able to
fail a year or two in order to get their footing.
Despite all of that, I think he would still do it,
but I don't think it would work.
Speaker 3 (40:08):
I think it.
Speaker 2 (40:09):
Would be the worst thing that they could possibly do,
And therefore, I don't want to keep this shit, so
I want to buy it and put it off when
you want to buy it and sell it at the
same time.
Speaker 3 (40:23):
For something for something else.
Speaker 1 (40:27):
No, now I can't see that's the issue because you
stole my answer because I would take me. I'm buying it,
but I don't think it's going to work out. I
just I see it. It's probably not the worst move
they can make, right. I think Dan Dan Hurley going
from college ranks to the pros might have been worse
(40:51):
because he's dealing with grown men as opposed to young
eighteen to twenty two year olds, and you can only
talk to adults a certain kind of way. You're not
able to get through to them if you're talking to
them by eighteen to twenty two year olds. Maybe I'll
disagree on that, but JJ Reddick is, Yeah, he'll be
the Lakers head coach and it's probably going to be
(41:12):
a disaster. And that's why you have like people close
to him apparently saying are you sure you want to
do this?
Speaker 3 (41:19):
Are you sure?
Speaker 1 (41:19):
Are you sure this is right, because that's a whole
lot of circus going on.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
This job is not desirable, I mean like desirable because
it's the Lakers, and who doesn't want to coach.
Speaker 3 (41:30):
Like the Lakers.
Speaker 2 (41:31):
But in terms of like desirable, as long as Lebron
James is on that roster, don't do it. Do not
do it. You are setting yourself up for failure. Phil
Jackson is not walking through that door. I have to agree.
I think you're both right.
Speaker 4 (41:50):
I'm going to buy it because it's probably gonna happen,
but I'm going to sell it. Number One, you want
to you might want to be very careful about working
with your friends. Doesn't always work out the way that
you would want, so you might go in there and
jam up a whole friendship, And that, to me is
something that would make me awfully sad for JJ Reddick.
Also wondering what other teams has he coached kids or
(42:14):
someone Silence of the Lambs. Okay, so you mean to
tell me that JJ Reddick has enough even more like
we talked about Hurly, but at least he has an
experience with managing personalities. JJ Reddick doesn't have it, So
I don't care how many times you sit in front
of your microphone and go through play by place with
your buddy Lebron James. That is not the same as
(42:35):
managing this level of ego, which.
Speaker 2 (42:38):
Starts with your boy. So if i'm you JJ, you
got that nice cushy job as a commentator, and if
you want to be a coach, I'm all for you
pursue your dreams, but don't pursue it with the Lakers,
because I think you're gonna get your feelings hurt. And
mind you, Lebron has already showed us that loyalty piece,
that loyalty muscle. It's not real strong with him, and
(42:58):
no shade to the man. He's done great things.
Speaker 4 (43:01):
But if you don't do what he wants you to
do or expects you to do, you're gonna be gone,
just like the rest of them. I don't care how
good a friends y'all are and how many podcast episodes
you do together.
Speaker 2 (43:09):
So I am buying and selling as well. Gary, your
last question.
Speaker 4 (43:13):
Clay Thompson, the Man Done unfollowed the Warriors on social
media and he is expected to explore free agency buying
or selling. Lady and gentleman, you know what.
Speaker 2 (43:32):
I'm selling this how you think it's cap so you
so you that mad? Now you so mad? You tell
you what? Delete all the photos out your I gal, then.
Speaker 3 (43:57):
You tell tell me that it is real.
Speaker 2 (43:59):
Come out say like these stuff ain't your boy, no mo,
ain't no royal no more.
Speaker 3 (44:04):
Then you're gonna let me know it's real.
Speaker 2 (44:06):
But right now, just because you unfollowed somebody like that
is the crazy. You know how many times I've accidentally
unfollowed somebody on social media until I get ready to
reach out and I'm.
Speaker 3 (44:15):
Like, damn, my phone out of your trip and I
ain't need to do that. That's not enough for me.
I ain't selling it.
Speaker 1 (44:24):
I'm selling it too. I think maybe a warrior. I
think he just wanted wanted some attention. Now, if they
don't give him the money, perhaps you know he'll he'll
leave and find somewhere else where. He's not gonna win
a championship, but he'll get paid more than what the
word is gonna give him. But yeah, he probably in
his feelings, which is ironic because he was the same
one who said, yeah, I guess his feelings got hurt
(44:45):
about Lebron in the NBA finals, And then we know
what Lebron did after that, But yeah, he probably just
wants some attention. That's awesome. I'm selling it too.
Speaker 2 (44:56):
I'm gonna sell with y'all. I think it's CAP.
Speaker 4 (44:58):
We've seen a couple of players we just talked about
Lebron a moment ago, sit on the sidelines of games,
and you know, people align themselves to play the game
because they may want more money or as you all mentioned, attention.
So I think this is Clay's cry out for attention,
and mind.
Speaker 2 (45:12):
You, I think it's justifiable.
Speaker 4 (45:14):
I think there's some things that he desires that may
be doing these kinds of concepts and acting out in
this way air quotes will get him. I don't think
that he's going to leave Golden State, but I do
think if they don't treat him the way that I
think he's deserve it.
Speaker 2 (45:27):
Of yeah, you should probably say peace out and it's okay.
You got for you got for a championships.
Speaker 4 (45:33):
You you're gonna be all right, brother, Like I know
you're playing with your friends, but sometimes you got to
you got to break that up.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
So we'll see. But I do think he's CAP, and
what I don't what I don't think is CAP is
jump ball, y'all to jump ball. I guess we're talking
about fashion, yeah, but there is a little different Chris.
What we've got.
Speaker 1 (45:49):
We talking about culture, right, We're talking about boxing and
bringing all the stars. It's coming up in just a second,
it's time for another jump ball. We just throw things
up and you know, see what comes when everything falls down.
(46:11):
And this time it has to do with Gavonta Davis
and Frank Martin put on a show. Well, Davonta did
because he knocked Frank Martin hell out in the boxing
match this past Saturday. And the crazy thing or the
interesting thing about this match wasn't just the ko right
the knockout, but all the stars that came to see
(46:36):
this matchup. You had John Wall out there, DeMar DeRozan,
Dejontay Murray, Zach Levine, Kawhi Leonard, Damon Lillard, DC Young Fly,
if you're in the comedian space, comedy space, And it
got me thinking, like is boxing making a comeback in
terms of representing the culture whatever that means? Right to Ricky,
(47:00):
do you do you think so? Or this is just
going off if we're.
Speaker 2 (47:04):
Being honest, I'm not sure it ever, Like boxing never
left in that regard, like in terms of people really
showing up for the fight, because I think it's always
been like folks who like come out and show out
or whatever the for the fight or whatever. And what's
crazy is I was literally just in Vegas and left
the day of that fight. So like that Saturday morning,
(47:27):
I was on the plane back east, and I was
kind of mad at myself because I'm like, dang, I
probably should have stayed, could have went to dres.
Speaker 3 (47:32):
Or something and caught me somebody up in there to take.
Speaker 2 (47:34):
A photo off with it. But at the end of
the day, I love the fact that it is like
the younger stars that are coming out. I think we're
kind of used to seeing some of the older, retired
iconic stars come out to the boxing matches, but like,
you know, having some of the newer, younger guys. Ezekiel
Elliott was there too, Kawhi Leonard. You know, he fooled
(47:57):
me for a second. I thought he cut his hair.
Now he's still what she should have done, but don't
which he should, which we would have appreciated and applauded
for sure. But yeah, I do like the fact that
it feels like the younger generation is starting to really
get more into this particular scene. Is this the heavyweight
scene too, because I know the welterweight scene. Y'all got
to school me on boxing because all I know is
(48:18):
y'all getting a ring in your fight. I don't really
know weight classes stuff like that. If it ain't Tyson,
you know what I'm saying, I don't know, so, but
I know good fashion when I see it, and they
turned Zach Levine looked.
Speaker 3 (48:31):
Good job, gentlemen, good job showing up.
Speaker 4 (48:34):
Good job Zach Levine, the rest of y'all, Okay, I
get it.
Speaker 2 (48:37):
It's cute.
Speaker 4 (48:38):
I like to see, you know, I like to see
athletes supporting athletes. So for me, you know, when you
talk about the culture and also just the culture of sports,
it's always good to see that. We've seen a lot
of cross pollination within the last year or so, especially
when you see like the men coming out to support
the women's games.
Speaker 2 (48:54):
And vice versa. So yeah, I love what we're seeing
right now. I hope this creates a wave.
Speaker 4 (48:58):
I'm glad that boxing is include in that you got
athletes from all different you know, types of play participating.
Speaker 2 (49:07):
Kawhi should cut his hair immediately. Sick of it.
Speaker 4 (49:09):
Get rid of the braids you got on my nerves.
And I don't like being deceived, so I don't.
Speaker 2 (49:15):
Like you right now.
Speaker 4 (49:16):
Zach Lavine, you real fine. You know you real fine.
You carry yourself real fine. You're the only person that
I actually was looking at.
Speaker 3 (49:23):
Like, oh my god, we were objected.
Speaker 4 (49:26):
He sure was, and I sure will continue to do that.
Zach Lavine looked amazing. So yeah, shout out to all
the you know, players from the respective sports that came
out and represented. And it also gives us another talking point.
And then you do see again that merge between sports
and fashion, which is always fun to me. And mind you,
Sorry Chris Tarika. You know they're tall, they.
Speaker 2 (49:47):
Got the broad shoulders. You know, I like, I want
to put a good suit on, a little, a little
outfit on. I'm just saying, keep showing up in your
sun names, keep showing up, Keep showing up, because I
know I can't order, but I'm gonna look at the
New York You can't look and I can't order.
Speaker 3 (50:13):
One.
Speaker 1 (50:19):
That is wrong with both of y'all. No, since no.
Speaker 2 (50:24):
Take the number one, please.
Speaker 1 (50:28):
The number one and number the number three. Gonna take
that combo.
Speaker 3 (50:32):
I'll just have a glass of water.
Speaker 1 (50:34):
Please.
Speaker 2 (50:37):
Water.
Speaker 1 (50:41):
On that note, we need to wrap this up before
you'll getting anymore shenanigans. Okay, it's been a wonderful episode.
Charina Cole, Tarika Foster Brasbey. I'm Chris Williams. And make
sure to follow us on x at D three on
three pod and on Instagram at three on three pod,
and also make sure to check out our YouTube channel,
The Inflection Network, and also subscribe to the podcast, you know,
(51:03):
give us five stars. It's on our heart Radio app,
and make sure you lead some comments to let us
know how we're doing, because we're gonna keep bringing you
this energy you're not getting anywhere else and that's a fact.
And after that we're out, see y'all.
Hosts And Creators
Shari Nycole
Terrika Foster-Brasby
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