Transcript
Can the Warriors Still Contend Without Jimmy? Plus: Eight Things We Care About. | The Mismatch
From Ringer NBA · Episode page · Watch on YouTube
· 1 h 16 min · 13,358 words · 191 timestamped sections
This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Can the Warriors Still Contend Without Jimmy? Plus: Eight Things We Care About. | The Mismatch", an episode of Ringer NBA published January 20, 2026 (1 h 16 min, about 13,358 words). It mentions 24 people, works and ideas, including Jimmy Butler, NBA, Jonathan Kaminga, Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors.
What is discussed, and when
- – 10:00: Jonathan Kaminga, Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors, Steph Curry
- – 20:00: Jonathan Kaminga, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Pistons
- – 30:00: Carl Anthony Towns, Grizzlies, Tyrese Maxi
- – 40:00: Jonathan Kaminga, Grizzlies, NBA, Dave Jacobe
- – 50:00: Pistons, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxi, Steph Curry
- – 1:00:00: LeBron James, Cade Cunningham
- – 1:10:00: LeBron James, Vanessa Williams, NBA Europe, Adam Silver
- – 1:15:40: Carl Anthony Towns, Dwight Powell, LeBron James, Steph Curry
Notable quotes from "Can the Warriors Still Contend Without Jimmy? Plus: Eight Things We Care About. | The Mismatch"
Hurt. It's just a tough league pass night last night. Verno the, biggest, news, by, a, wide, margin, was the Jimmy Butler injury. The Warriors had been coming on certainly offensively over the course of the last couple of weeks since.
about Jimmy Butler · atThen it ends. Jimmy Butler comes down awkwardly on his leg last night. Steph Curry and the rest of the Golden State Warriors are praying for better news than they got. And…
about Steph Curry · atDramatically, especially if you're kind of in the mix. But you wonder where the season goes from here. You wonder what this means for the Kaminga saga. You wonder what this…
about Jonathan Kaminga · atIt's, interesting,, Berno, when you talk about Kaminga and what the Golden State sort of operation and franchise should do with him, you suggest they should play him to.
about Dave Jacobe · atAnnounced. The big headline from the All-Star being announced was that it's the first time in 22 years that LeBron James isn't a starter. So, we have Giannis, Jaylen Brown…
about LeBron James · atIn, the, Eastern, Conference, behind Giannis. Yes. So that was the thing that stood out to me the most was Tyrese Maxi being that high in the fan voting that and whether that…
about Tyrese Maxi · atThey, said, now, singing, the, national anthem. They said, you see her performing on Broadway in London at the Devil Wears Prada,.
about Grizzlies · atNo lie, Carl Anthony Towns kicked Dwight Powell in the balls four or five times during the game last night.
about Carl Anthony Towns · at
Who and what is mentioned in this episode?
People
- Jimmy Butler — Person · Primary news subject (injury) · 9 mentions · first at
His reported torn ACL is framed as season-altering for the Warriors and potentially career-altering due to age, driving trade-deadline and roster-construction discussion. - Jonathan Kaminga — Person · Key roster/trade subplot · 19 mentions · first at
Central to the Warriors’ post-Butler plan: playing time, DNPs under Steve Kerr, alleged trade demand, and the idea of rebuilding his trade value before the deadline. - Steph Curry — Person · Franchise centerpiece referenced · 9 mentions · first at
Discussed as the remaining star on an aging Warriors core; Butler’s injury shifts the conversation to Curry’s late-career outlook and whether the team can contend. - Chris Vernon — Person · Host · 2 mentions · first at
Leads the episode’s discussion, sets topics (Butler injury, Knicks slump, league trends) and provides opinions/strategy hypotheticals.Welcome to the mismatch. I'm Chris Vernon and joining me as he does every week from theringer.com is Dave Jacobe.
- Dave Jacobe — Person · Co-host · 2 mentions · first at
Co-host who debates roster strategy, trade-value logic, and broader league narratives with Vernon; drives several hypotheticals and takes. - LeBron James — Person · Referenced superstar / legacy comparison point · 10 mentions · first at
Used as a lens for late-career team context and All-Star status; compared with Curry regarding end-of-career competitiveness and motivation. - Carl Anthony Towns — Person · Knicks slump focal point · 5 mentions · first at
Discussed as a lightning-rod for fan frustration during the Knicks’ defensive collapse; highlighted via an on-court incident with Dwight Powell. - Tyrese Maxi — Person · All-Star / matchup problem referenced · 3 mentions · first at
Cited as a Knicks-killer (Sixers matchup) and as a notable All-Star starter driven by fan voting; used to discuss popularity vs performance. - Cade Cunningham — Person · Rising star / team success example · 3 mentions · first at
Used to illustrate Detroit’s defensive identity and winning despite uneven scoring nights; also referenced as an All-Star starter and part of the league’s next generation.You can just pick on and they play so well defense. And I also think that you could look at Kade and say, four for 17, like not a great shooting game, which is true. It wasn't…
- Victor Wembanyama — Person · Next-generation star / rivalry anchor · 1 mention · first at
Discussed as a fan-voted All-Star starter and as part of a potential long-term rivalry with Anthony Edwards, symbolizing the league’s future.Like the fans voted and the fans voted more for WBY than they did Anthony Edwards. Thus, he's there instead of Edwards. That would be the other natural pick to be a starter in the Western Conference. And then on the other side.
- Adam Silver — Person · League commissioner referenced · 4 mentions · first at
Appears in the NBA Europe / international games discussion and is cited commenting on player participation in overseas showcase games.Probable for the London game. So you have Adam Silver going to the podium and saying I'm disappointed that John Morant is not participating in this Berlin game and I am hopeful…
- Mike Dunleavy — Person · Warriors decision-maker referenced · 2 mentions · first at
Mentioned as part of the Warriors’ leadership group evaluating Kaminga’s trade value and post-injury direction.It makes no sense whatsoever. if I am the opposing GM and the second Mike Dunley he says asks me for more than what I offer, I say fine, just keep him.
- DeAnthony Melton — Person · Warriors rotation solution mentioned · 1 mention · first at
Presented as the recently found “third scorer” for Golden State before Butler’s injury, affecting how the team had been trending offensively.To be the third guy cuz obviously the Kaminga drama has been surrounding them all season and it's been my old buddy DeAnthony Melton who has come on for the Golden State…
- Dwight Powell — Person · Anecdotal supporting figure (Knicks-Mavs incident) · 3 mentions · first at
Appears in a comedic/critical anecdote about Carl Anthony Towns’ flailing fouls/kicks, used to underscore Knicks frustration and chaos.And, it, the, last, time, he, knees, Dwight Powell in the balls. This must been the fourth time. With a flailing leg, Dwight Powell responds by kicking him in the balls. We've all seen those like double knockouts in boxing.
- Vanessa Williams — Person · Celebrity performer referenced (anthem) · 4 mentions · first at
Mentioned as the national anthem performer at the London NBA game, used to emphasize the NBA’s production value and event staging abroad.They, said,, Ladies, and, gentlemen,, we would like to welcome recording artist Vanessa Williams. And I went, WHAT?
Companies & orgs
- NBA — Company · Business focus · 2 mentions · first at
Central organization discussed throughout the podcast, with various teams and events under its umbrella.Welcome to the mismatch. I'm Chris Vernon and joining me as he does every week from theringer.com is Dave Jacobe.
- Golden State Warriors — Company · Case study · 4 mentions · first at
Discussed in depth regarding their performance, player injuries, and future prospects.Pass night last night. Verno the, biggest, news, by, a, wide, margin, was the Jimmy Butler injury. The Warriors had been coming on certainly offensively over the course of the last couple of weeks since Christmas. They had a top five.
- Pistons — Company · Case study · 7 mentions · first at
Highlighted for their performance and defensive strategy in the league.Just, a, tough, night, to, be, cruising, around league pass last night. You the Knicks looked terrible. The Pistons look awesome and then Jimmy Butler gets hurt. It's just a…
- Grizzlies — Company · Case study · 4 mentions · first at
Discussed regarding player performance and team dynamics. - NBA Europe — Company · Business focus · 3 mentions · first at
Discussed in the context of NBA's global expansion and partnerships.Last, one., The, NBA, Europe, and, PIFF., Okay, so this is the Saudi investment fund and there are these stories that came out that Adam Silver while he was over in Europe met with Palasol who's going.
- Celtics — Company · Case study · 1 mention · first at
Mentioned in the context of their game against the Pistons.Happened. Even with the Thunder, I don't want to call them struggles, but swoon of late. the Pistons last night beat the Celtics in a close game. It was a great game. And the…
- Saudi Investment Fund — Company · Business focus · 1 mention · first at
Mentioned in relation to potential investments and partnerships with the NBA.Last, one., The, NBA, Europe, and, PIFF., Okay, so this is the Saudi investment fund and there are these stories that came out that Adam Silver while he was over in Europe met with Palasol who's going.
Places & events
- NBA All-Star Game — Event · Key event · 3 mentions · first at
Mentioned in the context of player selections and the impact on team dynamics.All, right.,, next, one., We'll, try, to burn through these. Allstars were announced. The big headline from the All-Star being announced was that it's the first time in 22 years that LeBron James isn't a starter. So, we have.
- NBA Finals — Event · Key event · 1 mention · first at
Mentioned in the context of team performance and future prospects.What has happened? Like look, I do think that given our expectations and that a lot of people think that the New York Knicks have a incredible chance of being the Eastern Conference representative in the NBA Finals this year. This has been.
Full transcript with timestamps
Welcome to the mismatch. I'm Chris Vernon and joining me as he does every week from theringer.com is Dave Jacobe. Jacobe,
just, a, tough, night, to, be, cruising, around league pass last night. You the the Knicks looked terrible. The the Pistons look awesome and then Jimmy Butler gets hurt. It's just a tough tough league pass night last night. Verno
the, biggest, news, by, a, wide, margin, was the Jimmy Butler injury. The Warriors had been coming on certainly offensively over the course of the last couple of weeks since Christmas. They had had a top five offense in the NBA. recently they kind of found that third leading scorer that we were talking about like who's going to be the third guy cuz obviously the Kaminga drama has been surrounding them all season and it's been my old buddy DeAnthony Melton who has come on for the Golden State Warriors averaging 17 a game recently and and they really like started cracking. They were doing well.
Jimmy Butler having a really good season. Uh 20 points a game, 5.6 6 rebounds, five assists, all while shooting. 52% from the field and 38% from three. And then it ends. Jimmy Butler comes down awkwardly on his leg last night. Uh Steph Curry and the rest of the Golden State Warriors are praying for better news than they got. And overnight, Sham Shirania tweets out that in fact Jimmy Butler has torn his ACL and it will be season ending. Obviously, everybody's mind goes to is it career ending because of his age and where he is in the context of uh age versus how long careers usually last. Um, and it's a long rehab, right to come back from a torn ACL, especially when you're 36, 37 years old. Um, that being said, we've got we got to dive into a lot of this. Um the Warriors season now gets incredibly interesting, especially as we hurdle towards the deadline. This changes things dramatically. It was a team that
was coming on. Usually the margins are very very thin in the Western Conference. Um most of the teams are pretty bunched up. So you're talking a week can change the standings dramatically, especially if you're kind of in the mix. But you wonder where the season goes from here. You wonder what this means for the Kaminga saga. You wonder what this means towards the trade deadline. Um, this changes everything dramatically for one of the certainly the premier teams, a team that we see a lot on national television and a team that still has Steph Curry who's going to be starting the All-Star game. What's the first things that you're thinking about regarding this Jimmy Butler injury?
Um,, first, of, all,, watching, it,, it, didn't look terrible. It looked bad, but it sounded terrible.
Yeah., And, I, think, if, you've, played, um, as long as Jimmy has and been in so many different situations, Jimmy has been in playoff wars against LeBron and uncomfortable situations at team after team after team. Um I think that he sort of emoted the way he did because he knew the severity of the injury. That was the first thing went across my mind. The second thing that went across my mind was what does this mean for the future of of Wardell, Stephen Curry, and the Golden State Warriors? Because all the rumors for the weeks leading up to this incident last night had been are they an MPJ team? Are they a Lowry marketing team with the age and contract situations that are Draymond, Steph, and Jimmy? Doesn't it seem like this is a last dancy one final push? Put all the chips, in, the, middle, of the, table., Future draft picks be damned. Young players be damned. Let's just develop something
that is a contender that could maybe make a miraculous playoff run to the finals. Let's gear up for that. Let's Steve Kerr in the end of his deal. It just had this sort of like not the last dance which was like in October of that year. Clearly the last dance, but it had that sort of like Steve Kerr sees the sun setting on the dynasty and said so into a mic microphone like but it did feel like there was hope if you are a Warriors fan. after last night. Let's be honest, like that hope is gone. So, what happens next with Kaminga? What happens next with Jimmy? What happened next with Kerr? What happens next with Curry? What does the rest of the season look like?
Do you package? Do you put a trade together? Like, everything changed last night. And one of the focuses of this injury is the future of Jonathan Kaminga. And Steve Kerr, who famously has DMPed Kaminga time and time again including last night after Jimmy Butler got hurt, was asked about Kaminga's role with the team moving forward or whether or not he would look to him to sort of like make up for some of those Jimmy Butler minutes you'll be losing. And here's what the head coach of the Warriors had to say.
Could, you, go, to, Kaminga, if, if, there, is, a need for for that position? Absolutely., Is, is, he, ready?, I, mean,, in practice and all those things.
Yep. Do, you, believe, Curt? Yes., Yes., I, believe, him. Oh,, because, I, think, there's, probably some stress within the building going "Hey, man, this is We gave him the contract in the off season
and, more, importantly,, we, just, had, to deal with this news that came out last week about him demanding a trade. His trade value is demolished, right?" Like I mean so I think this goes two different ways. I think a you don't have other guys to go to besides him. He is the natural guy that you would go to when your starting small forward goes out and he did last year when Curry got hurt in the playoffs. That's what it finally took to get Kaminga on the floor. But B I think if you are Mike Dun, leave me Joe Lake up in the powers that be at the Warriors, you're sitting there going "This guy has no trade val like we have demolished this thing." Like, and now it's gotten to the point where he's saying he's demanding a trade. He wants out of here. And it's like you have now I think it's always hard when, and we'll get to this in another situation later when you are trying to move a player that
it is an unknown what you are getting that you have to speculate right and that has been the thing with Kaminga it's like somebody has seen him it's not like he hasn't played minutes or we haven't seen him in the NBA context but you do have to speculate and you have to say okay he was misused it was a bad fit he had a bad relationship with the coach from the start. We could get a different version and a much better version. We believe in a Jonathan Kaminga that hasn't existed yet in terms of and that's what you're asking for in terms of getting any value for him because right now if you are an opposing team why are you giving up a lot for Jonathan Kaminga?
It makes no sense whatsoever. I mean, if I am the opposing GM and the second Mike Dunley he says asks me for more than what I offer, I say fine, just keep him. Good luck. Like, you're not using him anyway. Fine, just keep him. One of the things I find so interesting about this situation and like well let's let's put the Kaminga thing to the side because I just feel like he's just takes up too much airspace in the National Basketball Association conversation is you mentioned Dun Levy and Lake, right? Let's imagine that they're having a tough time last night. You happen to be in the Bay Area, right? And they're like, "Berno, we're at this dirty Irish dive bar just drinking into our sorrows.
We need your help as a consoliary for the Warriors franchise. We really respect your uh Masters updates. Uh the mismatches the mismatch has gone to [ __ ] ever since KOC left, but that's fine. But we respect your opinion and they're doing tequila shots and and margaritas.
Yeah. And, they're, like,, Verno,, we, don't, have Jimmy. We don't really have a chance. We have the deadline coming up. We have an aging Steph Curry. What do we do? What is What should be our plan for the next two or three years with this franchise?
I, mean,, this, is, a, tough, one, because Jimmy Butler just got hurt. And so this
that's, why, they're, drinking, the, shots, in the market. Yeah,, this, is, why, they're, drinking, the shots.
When, you're, in, a, tough, problem, and you're the front office of an NBA basketball team, there's only one person to turn to. Chris B.
It's, me., Um, look, I don't know the ins and outs of the Kaminga thing, but I, this is what I would say. I would say, look we've got to think about short term before we think about long term because we don't know on the whole like we're going to lose Jimmy Butler for a year. So, that that's out of the plan, right? So, now we have to plan for a life without Jimmy Butler because and we don't have very long on this whole Curry Draymond thing anyway. So, what are we going to try to do to accentuate what we do have right now? You still want to have a chance. You still are in the mix right now. There's no sense in trying to tank this thing out, right? You've got a starter in the All-Star game and everything else. What I would do is my shortterm plan right now, and again, I don't know if all of those guys would be together, but let's just say they are all together and I'm with them. you start Jonathan Kaminga and you try to
get that trade value up over the course of the you have a little less than a a month, right? So over the next three weeks, the biggest thing we can do is get that Kaminga trade value up. Okay if I'm trying to build out and I'm just trying to give myself a chance, right? Like you never know.
BUT, TO, WHAT, END, you, want, to, get, value, up to trade for what? A star to go alongside Curry and Horford.
I, don't, know, if, you're, going, to, get, a star, right? like Star does, but I mean I'm trying to build out the best team I can what what are the best ways I can possibly accentuate the Curry the end of the Curry Draymond thing and so what kind of players would be best suited and those don't those are just be role players right and maybe it's not enough but, at least, I've, got, a, fighting, chance if I go and I try to bolster my team if I'm not so right now the deal is try to get the Kaminga stock to somewhere where you could actually get something in return. And even if that means role players, right? But I mean, I don't think that right now your your best player on your team is an aged veteran who is still playing at an allstar level and you still have a puncher chance when you have him. So, I would try to You never know the way this stuff's going to go. PEOPLE GET INJURED.
People get injured every single year in the playoffs and it alters the playoffs right? It altered their season last year. If Steph Curry doesn't go out they probably beat Minnesota. If if let's just say you got in a series with Minnesota and then I told you Anthony Edwards is unavailable.
Still, losing, to, the, Wolves. Yeah., I, mean,, again,, you, could, say, that, but I am I am one of those where you are in the mix right now. you're never getting to the bottom. You're already too far down the line. So, I'm trying to just have the best season I can have. And what's and and if I'm not going to use Kaminga, if if I still get offered nothing for him, then I ride this thing out and hope that he comes along and there's like some kind of, you know great come to Jesus moment with him and Steve Cerr. Otherwise, I mean, what else are you going to do? You just going to say to hell with it and we're just going to blow the whole thing up and like I mean, that can't be. So I mean that's ridiculous too.
Okay., So, well, you're, asking, me, what, I would do. I mean step number one is build up the Kaminga value to try to get something for him. And even if that just means I get vet role players to throw around those guys that I that Steve Kerr will trust and will play and I try to add some depth. Then that's what I go with. That's it. I mean I What else What else am I going to do?
What, else, am, I, going, to, do?, feels, like the right thing to do is because the future looks pretty bleak without Jimmy Butler, not just the end of this year, but presumably some of next year. And honestly, I was not very high on this team fully healthy as it was,
right? And, I, think, you, have, Steph, Curry, into the office and you say, "What do you want us to do?" You know, like I don't think Steph Curry's gonna go anywhere. I think he finishes his career as a warrior. Like where is he going? What is he doing? Right.
Right. But, it, does, seem, to, me, that, this, injury puts us as a basketball NBA Steph Curry loving uh swath of the population in a really bad spot because it does feel like the last let's call it three or four years of his career will be played on non-contending teams.
Certainly, a, possibility., Certainly, a possibility at this point. I mean, it feels like this was the chance. And again, they had been coming on a little bit
over, the, course, of, the, past, couple, of weeks, to, where, you, could, at least foresee a circumstance where they become a dangerous team, a team that you don't want to see when it comes playoff time. And and that's
officially, that, low, seed, you, don't, want to play. That's what they were before last night. And I think after last night that's changed
certainly, with, the, with, the, amount because you have to give credit and you have to give honor to the amount of playoff success that those three guys have had. But now it's two
four, if, you, had, Horford., You, know talking about playoff success like we got to throw Horford in there
right, and, now, it's, two, or, possibly three. So I I mean that that's the only thing you could do at this point, right? You try to you hope that Kaminga could come in can play well for you and build up his trade value to where you could at least get some stuff in return that helps you win. Now again, these are all like I if you're trying to make the most of the end of the Curry era
I, think, it'd, be, really, strange, if, they traded Kaminga for like a secondyear potential upside guy and two draft picks. It's like, no, what are you doing? you building for the 2029 30 season? Like what are we talking about? You, know what, I, mean?, Like
again,, you, you, you, bu, you, you you, get some solid vets and and then obviously look, you hope that these other guys you know, you need Moody and Pods and all of these guys, right? Like when when guys get hurt, that means more opportunity for other guys. And so I would try to bolster this roster because you are getting nothing, like literally nothing out of the Kaminga spot. Nothing. Nothing
at, this, point. Not, even, minutes, right?, Not, even, minutes., You're, getting nothing. So to me, I look at that and go, "Well, that'll be a big bonus. At least if I got some E even if I got some guys with hearts and lungs that are out there, playing, for, me,, at least, it's, a it's better than than that. Cuz this is a sunk cost. It literally is a sunk cost.
Hearts, and, lungs, the, bargain, over, to, to contribute to the Warriors over Kaminga. Hearts and lungs. arms.
Is, it, somebody, that, can, run, up, and, down the court? That's the bar because, because, right, now, the, guy, is, not playing at all.
And, so it, just, it, just, sucks,, man., Sucks because, watching, Steph, Curry, like, score 40 in losses is just like I don't want to see that anymore.
Uh, the, Jimmy, Butler, the, Jimmy, Butler story was mega depressing to say the least. We got eight things we care about this, week., All right, we've got to start with the Knicks. We have to I'm gonna let you start with this.
YOU, ALWAYS, START,, BERNO. NO., NO., We, are, starting, with, the, next. Oh., Do, you, think, that, my, dumpster, fire is burning hotter than your dumpster fire because you guys won a game in London? So now your dumpster fire is cooled off. I think Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. No. No. No. No. NO. IF WE'RE HAVING COMPETING dumpster fires, yours is burning hotter. My friends
look, as far I have not been in a situation where I have been in the home arena and the whole arena starts booing and the owner gets up at halftime and never returns to his seat as he is losing to the 12th seed in the Western Conference who is without seven players.
I, was, ABOUT, TO, SAY,, YEAH., YEAH., Not, only the 12th seed, like the G-League two-way version of the 12th seed in the Western Conference. Oh, I mean you could say that, but I mean it is now nine of 11 that have been lost by the New York Knicks. Um
over, the, last, 11,, they've, had, the, third worst defense and the third worst points off of fast breaks. So, not only do they not defend in the half court, they never get back if somebody gets a run out against them. What has happened? Like look, I I do think that given our expectations and that a lot of people think that the New York Knicks have a incredible chance of being the Eastern Conference representative in the NBA Finals this year. This has been beyond alarming when you get back Brunson and you get back Hart and you're playing this game yesterday and I think everybody has kind of waited over the course of the past week for the write the ship game and this was the complete opposite of the write the ship game against the Dallas Mavericks. This this was the ship is like at the bottom of the ocean. So
can, it, be, revived? I, I, have, to, be, like, 100%, honest, into this microphone right now.
Please. I, don't, know, exactly, how, I, feel, about this swoon. I could make a great case why the glass is half full and I can make a great case why the glass is half empty.
Unlike, some, more reactive, and, emotional, Knicks, fans, that are in my life and in my timeline. Um, I don't think this is a let's get rid of Cat as soon as possible. Trade him for whatever. This team is broken. This roster's broken. The system's broken. Mike Brown sucks. Tom Tibido sucks. James Dolan sucks. Everything sucks. Uh this is the worst. We, you know, we need to completely rebuild this. We tra should have traded for Giannis, blah blah blah blah blah. Um, I think during this 11 run, 11ame run has been really bad. Um, in this run, they lost. These are their these are the games and they're they're not losing to the Wizards or the Pelicans, but the Mavs loss last night was sort of one of the worst. But they lost to the Spurs.
I, mean,, they, lost, to, the, Kings, the, Spurs,, the, Hawks, the Sixers, the Pistons, bad. Then they beat the Clippers, they lost to the Suns, and they beat the Blazers and then they lose to the Kings. And that was bad. Losing to the Kings was bad. That was the
you, think worst, three-point, shooting, game, of, the year. They shot 19.5% from three in that game.
So,, I, guess, you, could, do, you, could, do, a little regression game there. Expect, we'll, talk, about, threes, in, a second because I found something when I was looking at this. Then they lose to the Suns and last night they lost to the Mavericks. Tomorrow night they have the Nets. They lose that then I'm just going to uh move to a different country and change my name. Um
they, play, the, Sixers,, the, Kings,, and, the Raptors. The Sixers one is a huge one cuz they've given up a boatload of points to the Sixers in the game and they have just absolutely no answer for Tyrese Maxi. Like none. Tyresese Maxi if Ty if you have FanDuel just do Tyresese Maxi 30 points plus and I and just send me 10% of your winnings. The um here's one thing I found interesting about them because defense is the problem, right? Offense doesn't look great of late but whatever. like the real problem is the defense and the two best offensive players and the two best players frankly just are defensive liabilities. So I started looking into their defense is do you know they give up the fourth smallest amount of points in the paint in the NBA which I was shocked by. I I had to look at the stat like seven times because cat famously is a defensive liability. Mitchell Robinson is a great rim protector but he plays he's on
restriction. and he plays very limited minutes. So, you would think that they would give up a lot of point paints. They don't. But
I, don't, know., You, get, You, do, have, wings that, can, move, their, feet., You, know what I mean? When when they're trying when they're trying.
That's, Well,, that, is, what, it, is., It's they it's it's hard to get around.
Yeah., Hard, wings, heart, bridges, and, anobi are Anobi., Yes., Exactly., They, they, they, stay in front of a a typical sort of like driver. Catch it off a swing up fake drive sort of thing. They're really good at defending those, which makes sense. It's not rim protection really, but they give up 43.9 per points per game for three, which is 28th in the league. They give up tons of threes. And I was watching these this run of of losses. And I kept saying to myself, the other team is just having the game of their lives from three-point. But that can happen once or twice. But when it happens like four or five times in two weeks, you have to start looking in the mirror, instead, of, the, sky., You, know what I mean? Instead of being like, "Oh, just bad luck for us." Because look at these reserve these reserve not like the main guy at the top of the whiteboard as you say. These are the reserve performances
against the Knicks in the last like five games. Zack Lavine four for I mean five for nine from three. Aua two for four from three. And then against the Warriors, Moody was seven for nine from three. against the Suns. Booker, who's their main guy, was four for six. Royce O'Neal four for six, Dylan Brooks 5 for9. And last night, Max Christie 8 for 10. Max Christie was five for six at the half. I It was the first or second possession of the second half. Guess who's wide open from three on the wing? Max Christie.
I, mean,, in, fairness,, that, is, the, game plan. Theoretically, it's like, all right,
but, not, after, he's, five, in, the, first half. Understood. WELL,, I, THINK, IT, ALL, KIND, OF, GOES, BACK TO THE same thing, right? which is I told you how bad their fast break defense or their points off transition have been. It's the same thing if we accept that these guys are good at guarding against points in the paint because they're able to stay in front of people. Most of these teams are doing the paint touch, collapse the defense throw it out, now rotate it around right? So it's swing swing after they throw it out, right? like this is the commonplace offense that you see within the NBA. Well, the same thing that leads to you not getting back on defense is the same thing that leads to not getting out there on defensive closeouts and having that level of intensity.
Therefore, it all comes down to effort. And that's why the fans are booing yesterday. The reason they're booing is because they don't feel like they are getting an honest effort out of their team. And that whether it is cup hangover, dog days of the NBA, you know, then you get to more dastardly uh opinions which are have they given up on the coach? Is his is his is his message not resonating with them anymore? I'm just saying all of these things. But when you have a team that is coming out there, if there's one thing that the Knicks have been able to hang their hat on as they have had this recent level of success over the course of the past couple of years is being a team that gives a honest defensive effort on a regular basis. And if you feel like your team is giving an honest effort and it's not enough, you live with it. But I think that both Knicks fans and the general public do not feel
like the Knicks are two and nine in their last 11 games because of some kind of overhanging problem more so than you're not playing hard. That's what your problem is. If you give it your if you give it an honest effort, this isn't happening. And that's why the booze are raining down. And that's why the owner never returns to his seat.
I, think, uh, it, also, is, worth, mentioning if you haven't been paying close attention that the Knicks during this run have been at times without Josh Hart who is their effort guy. Like that that's that like is his superpower. Like can't really shoot, can't really drive. Great transition on offense. Good defender, but he he is just like an allout effort guy. Any loose ball, any offensive rebound, any any sort of hustle play, that's what he does. and they've been without Brunson for a couple games because of a twisted ankle and that hasn't helped. But I'm not ready to panic yet. I'm not ready to panic.
I, have, only, seen now, you, I'm, sure, that, your I'm I'm sure that your text messages amongst Knicks fans are a hellscape. I have only seen social media but my god I mean the turn on towns has been severe severe I mean it to the point where I and again you can only take what you you know that it's probably a poor example even though in New York I feel like it might not be as bad example as in other places um because they're pretty hard on their guys but I kind of feel Like as of today, if Carl Towns calls a restaurant tonight, like they might hang up. Like it used to be you'd get the best table and if they're like, "Uh yeah, this is this is Carl Towns. I'll see if you got Yeah, we don't have any tables. Like we don't have any tables."
It's, um when, they, turn, on, a, guy. It's, been, a, rough, 10, days, for, Carl, Town.
When, they, turn, on, a, guy, because, when they look when New York turns on you, it turns on you, brother. Buddy, he is he's catching it. I'm not ready to panic. I don't think there's big trades that need to be made. I think that uh I think if anything this is uh some a tough road trip mixed with that rhythm of the season where that like sort of post Christmas pre-allar break sort of like dog days of the season midway point thing is kind of happened to them in this little swoon. But it is a little concerning when you see Brunson, captain, have a little midgame players only meeting
talking, up, the, guys., We've, all, watched the clip online or during the game and there was no response. Just none.
I, did, hear, one, theory um that was proposed by me actually. Does, it, involve, Josh, Hart's, thumb? Because if it does, just move. Just move. Things did start going the wrong way when Josh Hart stuck his thumb up front on national television.
Let's, go, to, the, next, thing., Let's, talk about your stupid team. I, think, that just a theory.
I, hate, it, here. It's, just, a, theory. Oh,, and, my, twins,, my, 10-year-old, twins went to the game last night with one of their friends.
Oh,, great., Hey,, they're, gonna, love Broadway now. They're never Yeah,, they're, gonna, be, Nets, fans, now. I'm telling you. Get him an MPJ jersey.
If, you, build, around, Jaor, Jamon, or whatever his name is. Gilman. How do you say his last name? Gilman. Let's
just, call, him, Igor, Damon., Jesus. Well,, things, have, gotten, a, little, uh different for me, Mr. Jacobe over the course of the past five days because as we recorded uh last week, I told you that by the time I left New York City and got on a plane on Wednesday and saw the John Morant uh practice video, saw the press conference video, I was like, "Oh, we're done here." And this was after you had bered me for having any level of hope uh that things could possibly get worked out. And there's a day where I am in an arena watching John Mor be awesome for the Memphis Grizzlies. And then after we recorded and the team headed off to London, England, it was a series of good news items that came out regarding said situation. And I only mean this in the context of first you have Brian Winhorse going on ESPN and saying you know, you got this Giannis thing going on in Milwaukee. You got this summer that's going to be coming up with
Donovan Mitchell available and this guy available. Don't expect the Miami Heat to be s to make some kind of big push for John Mor. And immediately I was like, "Well, if that's off the table, if I'm that guy, I'm sitting back and going,"All right, well then where where exactly WOULD I GO? YOU KNOW, I MEAN, like the Miami thing, you know, that there was already an article that said the preference of team Morant if he were going to be moved was Miami and that became a thing. And then you have Brian Winhorst and then following him, Tim Bontemps shooting that down and saying, "Yeah, that ain't that ain't going to be the place for John Mor." So first you have that coming out. Then you have a picture of Uncle Phil, who is J's business manager and his father with T. Morant standing on the sidelines and it's and the post says something to the effect I'm paraphrasing but always understand the moment and then there's he's listed as
probable for the London game. So you have Adam Silver going to the podium and saying I'm disappointed that John Morant is not participating in this Berlin game and I am hopeful that he is going to play in the London game. the NBA puts on this huge deal over in London. And so then by Saturday, John Mor is listed as probable and everybody's like, "Oh, he's going to play. He's going to play." And then he comes out and is old John Morant. He has six point or five points and six assists in the first five minutes of the game. He is dancing around. He's smiling. He's high-fiving everybody. He's doing THE SALSA. LIKE, WHAT IS HAPPENING? What is happening?
And the coach is all happy. He's all happy. Like everybody that's watching it is like, is this is this really happening? He was the best player on the floor versus the Magic by a wide margin. then comes out after the game and Mark Stein asks him about the whole situation and the trade rumors and he says "I'm a loyal guy. Everybody knows I'm a loyal guy." Basic and then references the Grizzlies tattoo on his back. Everybody knows where I want to be. Well, if this doesn't throw a wrench in everything. We had gotten to the point where you and I were recording last week and I was like, "Yeah, this is this is untenable right?" Like, where are we going from here? And then you have like if we're continuing your analogy that you did on the show a couple weeks ago, the smoking hot wife has walked back in buck naked and is like, "You know what? Forget it.
Let's make this right. That's, not, what's, happening." And, so, that's, how, it, feels., And, so everybody was and I think that once you play that way and once you say what you said, I mean the fan base is now back in on your side and they have six of their next eight home games uh games at home. Um, they very well may still trade him, but I will tell you this, if you are the front office of Memphis, it becomes I will tell I'm I'm I'm boots on the ground. It becomes infinitely less palatable than it was just 5 days ago. It looked like the end. And now what what everybody wants is for John Morant to be available and awesome in Memphis. That's what they want. That is number one on the list. And my opinion has been if he is available and awesome all of these problems go away.
That's it. If he is the John, but if he is unavailable or he is not awesome then these problems exist. And that has been the issue. He has not been available and he has not been awesome. And that's how we got to this point. Now, the hard part is going to be they have not given him a contract extension. If that is the reason for sore feelings that has caused all of this this year, I don't look, as I said in the last show if you want a contract extension, then go be available and awesome and you will get rewarded with said contract extension. If you're mad that they moved uh heaven and earth to give Bane a contract and Jiren a contract but haven't taken care of you, well, you've got to look in the mirror on that. Um but he looked happy and he looked great and we will see. And now it's like the greatest soap opera going because we'll see how he looks. Uh, you know Wednesday night against Atlanta.
It's, interesting,, Berno, when you talk about Kaminga and what the Golden State sort of operation and franchise should do with him, you suggest they should play him to up his trade value.
Correct. Okay., But, when, you, talk, about, John Morance and he has a game like this, you talk about how that makes it hard to move him.
Correct. And, that, that, means, that, he, will, likely stay. Now just this just a thought exercise here, a hypothetical. Imagine a world in which we live in which was the world before the London game which was this is untenable. this relationship is over and both the franchise and the star player want to move on. If those were your goals, the best way to achieve those goals for both parties, the franchise and the player, would be for the player to play well, be happy, get his teammates involved, he had 13 assists in that game, and be smiling and perform well.
That's, what, I've, said., So,, I, mean,, does this performance make it more or less likely that he is actually traded? Because to me, this doesn't convince me that it's all fine now because he got a tattoo three years ago, that he's going to stay with the Grizzlies. This says to me that there's a mutual understanding whether whether verbally recognized or not,
that, this, is, going, to, achieve, both, of their goals, which are to get him on a new get him on a new
Okay,, so, yes,, the, answer, is, yes., That, is exactly as I said last week. Um, what do you want? If you want to be on a new team, you have to go out there and be available and awesome so that they can move you. If you want to be here and get a contract extension, you have to go out and be available and awesome and that will take care of itself, right? Like those are the two different options that we're talking about, right? Staying here or going elsewhere. I think that when Miami is off the table there is a very real possibility that you sat around and you went, "Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, whoa." Like, where am I going then?
Do I want to be in Sacramento? Do I want to be in Brooklyn? Do I want to be? Right. And so that's why the when you held the press conference and say everybody knows where I want to be, that does change the calculus. JONATHAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND JONATHAN KAMINGA IS JONATHAN KAMINGA SAID I GET ME OUT OF HERE.
WELL,, he's, also, never, sold, a, jersey, in his life. No one no one has no one owns a single Kaminga jersey. And if you go to go to a game and you will not see a Kaminga jersey.
HE, ALSO, SAID,, "GET, ME, OUT, OF, HERE." RIGHT? Get me OUT OF HERE. I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE. That's the problem with the press conference. The problem with the press conference is he said I so now you turn the front office into bad guys if they move you because you and you can always say bro I wanted to be there now he has not
that's, his, intent he, has, not, conducted, up, until, Sunday, he had not conducted himself
in, the, manner, of, a, guy, that, wants, to, be in Memphis but if you are saying Milwaukeekey's not trading for you Miami is not trading for you look around who's trading for you Bro, it's not any place you want to go. It's not any place that's going to love you like the place that you are loves you. Maybe there is a come to Jesus moment. You said, you know what, I'd rather just do it this way and things will end up taking care of themselves. Um, I think that is more logical and that's why it's different than the Kaminga spot. The Kaminga thing is like I mean he wants out. He wants to leave. Yeah, he wants to leave.
When you hold a press conference saying you don't want to leave now, they, have, traded, you, and, you
I, know, because, the, player, never, wants, to be the bad guy. You see it happening with Giannis. Giannis just he doesn't want to be the bad guy so much that he refuses to ask out of the situation to his own detriment and I feel like the players want the fan bases to love him. Well, also look, you can conduct yourself in a way. He did literally conduct himself in a way that led to the team saying, "We will trade you."
That's, what, he, did., He, conducted, himself so poorly that the team said, "You know what? To hell with it. Fine. We'll listen.
If, this, is, the, if, this, is, the, John Morant that's going to be here, then we'll trade your ass." I just want to end this by saying that it it hurts me to see so much hope on your face and hear it in your voice.
Why? I, think, this, is, over., Just, like, we, disc we discussed in the last episode. Just because he played well in London doesn't mean that they've turned a corner and the hot the hot wife is back naked. Like Yeah. The only reason she's naked because she was just flirting with somebody else down the block.
Yeah. I think the hot wife saw her options and when I'm You know what? Let me go back to this one.
Next, thing, I, care, about, someone, tells, me we'll, be, talking, about, J, every every episode forever.
This, is, a, little, bit, pegged, to, last night's last night's events. Um, I discuss a lot how I enjoy that there is not this inevitability that we had for the years when LeBron was on the Cavs and Steph and KD were on the Warriors where it was like, well, Cavs Warriors finals once again, here we are. And it just seemed inevitable. Um, at this moment, especially after last night, we have a clearcut number one in each conference
and, is, the, Pistons, and, the, Thunder., And as I extrapolate the rest of the season I see both of these teams establishing that stronger and putting the gap between them and the rest of the conference further than the opposite happened. Even with the Thunder, I don't want to call them struggles, but swoon of late. Um the Pistons last night beat the Celtics in a close game. It was a great game. And the Pistons defense is just absolutely unstoppable. And I want to call these the clear-cut favorites in each conference. I want to say that in the in the great words of Nico Harrison no one ever said this before, Nico Harrison, defense wins championships.
Just give you a few stats about these two teams that are leading each conference. Opponent's points per game Thunder first, Pistons third. Opponent's field goal percentage, Thunder first Pistons second. Stocks per game, Pistons first, Thunder second. Like in my opinion, these are the two best defenses in the league. They have to be the the best team in each conference and I don't see the rest of the regular season playing out barring injury obviously of the gap getting closer instead of wider and that excites me. The other thing that's interesting is the way that the Pistons do play is more of a throwback because I was reading an article yesterday that said they outscore their opponents by over 13 points per game in the restricted area in the paint
which, is first, by, a, wide, margin., By, a, wide margin. Like you just can't keep them off the glass. like they get to the basket and they get to the restricted area and they score from there because we went through a whole swoon where it was like these teams would bomb you out from three. They are they are dominating their opponents right next to the basket. And I think that there was a realistic chance that after that crazy unbelievable start that the Pistons had that it would slow down a little bit. But they just keep on humming. We're halfway through the season exactly.
They're 31 and 10. It's, an, unbelievable, record. Unbelievable, record., And, And, they, have had injuries themselves. LIKE WE'VE DONE SHOWS where we came on here leading with Dannis Jenkins for God's sakes.
Duran's, been, out,, Beef, Stew's, been, out, Ivy's been out. Like, and I really thought that they would, not these aren't huge names, but like I thought losing Manique Beasley, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. and just the shooting that they provided. Beasley hit like more threes than anybody last year. Like he was on fire last year. And I thought Duncan Robinson who played really well last night has stepped into into a really good role for them. And guys like you mentioned like Dennis Jenkins and and just beef Stew and Duran. Like when you say throwback like Stu can hit some threes. You can't just like absolutely leave them alone there.
But though but they're not a five out team by any stretch of the imagination. And it is a team that has, you know because they they have a lack of national television games. They are going to get their just desserts when it comes to Allstar weekend because JB Bickerstaff's going to be coaching the team. Kade Cunningham's going to be on the team as a starter and Jaylen Duran's going to make that team too as a coach's selection. And so they will have two allstars in the coach and a great record heading into it. And that's when people like the second half of the season people are going to be like start to really notice. This feels a little like what happened with the Cavs last year where these remember we were talking throughout the year and it's like yo has anybody, paying, attention, to the, Cavs, are like 40 and
they, won, 24, games, in, a, row., Yeah. You, know what, I, mean?, and, nobody, really cared and then it got, you know, later in the season it was like, hey, now and then they kind of fell back a little bit because their lead was so big on everybody and didn't close the season like gang busters. This feels like a team that can continue this because as we said, they like their offense can come and go. Kate Cunningham was like four for 17 last night in a win.
Yeah,, he, was, four, for, 17., When, you, hang your head on the defensive end over the course of an 82 game season, we talked about this in relation to Phoenix and them being a surprise team this year. When you give an honest effort and hang your head on the defensive end every night, you give yourself a chance. Offense can come and go, but defense remains. And like Detroit will guard you every night
with, everybody., They, don't, have, suckers. YOU NEVER LOOK UP AND THEY GIVING UP 138 against
there's, no, like, pigeon., There's, no, one someone that they call over to get put in the action every single time. You know, as a Knicks fan, I see it all the time. Like they don't have that guy that you can just pick on and they play so well defense. And I also think that you could look at Kade and say, "Ah, four for 17, like not a great shooting game," which is true. It wasn't a great shooting game, but they loaded up on Kade and you know, Tobias Harris, he's hitting Tobias Harris for a huge three to end the game. He's hitting Duncan Robinson for threes. Like he's dinging up. He's staying in front of Brown. You know, Tobias Harris is stay in front of Brown and like
yeah,, for, 17, is, not, a, good, game, and, and Kate has had huge games his career, but like that for 17 is a bad box scoreer
but, watching, the, game,, I, watched, the second half, just watch some of the, you know, the Indiana Miami thing. Like Kade looked pretty good to me, you know, like he didn't really contribute in sort of scoring points, but he contributed to that win for sure.
All, right., Uh,, next, one., We'll, try, to burn through these. Allstars were announced. The big headline from the All-Star being announced was that it's the first time in 22 years that LeBron James isn't a starter. So, we have Giannis, Jaylen Brown, Jaylen Brunson Cade Cunningham, and Tyrese Maxi as the all-star starters in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference we have Steph Curry, Nicola Joic, uh Victor Wimyama, Luca Donuch, and SGA. Feels like the only ones you could even argue. And again, this is inarguable considering that what are you going to do? Argue with what the fans voted for?
Like the fans voted and the fans voted more for WBY than they did Anthony Edwards. Thus, he's there instead of Edwards. That would be the other natural pick to be a starter in the Western Conference. And then on the other side uh, Donovan Mitchell, who even addressed it last night. is like, "Look, you got to win if you want to like I'm having a great season." But and so Mitchell would probably be the best performer that is not listed as one of these. I will say the biggest thing that stood out to me from all of this because fan voting plays such a big role was the fan voting on Maxi.
And I mean, Philly, stand up because they got their guy in. And you do what? like when it comes to fan voting whether that is the individual market or you know voting goes on worldwide. Um Tyrese Maxi was in the fan rank. He was second in the Eastern Conference.
He, got, the, second, most, vote in, the, Eastern, Conference, behind Giannis. Yes. So that was the thing that stood out to me the most was Tyrese Maxi being that high in the fan voting that uh and whether that is just Philadelphia getting totally behind him. I mean it takes more than just you know your city getting behind you when you're accumulating that number of votes. But I was pretty impressed by that like it what like that the fans had Maxi that high. He's certainly uh moved into a different realm of fame.
Absolutely., And, notoriety., And, I, think that, one, of the, things, about, his, game, which will translate to fan excitement is he's so fun to watch. Yep. and he's so fast and athletic that he plays a little bit differently than sort of like a Kade or a Brunson who's um technical methodical footwork, fouls, free throws whereas Maxi is just a he's like the road runner blurring down the court and somehow finishing a floater over somebody. So, I think that translates to fan voting in sort of a lamelo ball way where it's like you're not I wouldn't have you I wouldn't start a franchise with you instead of Kate Cunningham, but you're gonna cut together a better highlight clip and be almost as effective and have good numbers. That's why I think the fan voting sort of leaned that way.
He's, also, cool. Yeah., I, mean,, this, is, what, happens. It's, a, popularity, contest, likeability. He's cool. He looks awesome. He has highlights. He has, you know, big long threes to win games. Like, you know, he pops up in the algorithm a lot more than a Jaylen Brunson does. He just does.
Yep., And I, think, that's, what, that's, the, that, like that LaMelo Ball effect. Find someone under 25 years old. Be like, who's the best, player, in, the, NBA?, At least, a, bunch and say LaMelo Ball. It's just sort of like the social medification of it all. Um, I'm gonna peg mine to the All-Star starters thing. My next one that I care about is I was watching that game on Saturday. There's a lot going on this weekend with all the the NFL football games and you know just like a you know holiday weekend everything that a lot of people probably miss this
uh, Wolves, Spurs, game, but, my, god 55, from, Anthony, Edwards. Unbelievable., And, what, did, WBY, end, up with? A 39 and N. And just there was a stretch with about between like four and three minutes left in the game where Edwards hits a huge two-point jumper and then Wimby comes down immediately hits a two-point jumper and then Edwards hits like a crazy three from the wet left wing and the place is going nuts and then you know they can't even imagine what's happening. And then Wimby comes down. It's in San Antonio. Wimby comes down and matches the three. And I'm sitting there watching this and then afterwards a reporter is like Anthony Edwards says he's going to try to dunk on you as much as he can in his entire career. And Wemby answers by saying over the years I hope to block him more than he dunks on me. And I'm going to talk about sort of the future of the Durant and Stephss and LeBron in a second. But
that game and the way that he said over the years I plan on blocking him more than he dunks on me just made me feel like the kids are all right. Like between Maxi and Cade and Wimi and Edwards, it just made me feel like there is a next generation of superstars that are under 27 years old that will be taking the baton and running with it. and Saturday was a perfect example because everybody wants to put Cadet and Webby in this rivalry, but like it does feel like Edwards and WBY might be a more suitable sort of tet um back and forth, basket forbasket, big game rivalry that we could see moving forward. And I was just so inspired and comforted watching that game, feeling like, yeah, I could see this in three years being that them having this huge history of big games and big plays against each other.
Forget, three, years., I, mean,, you, just want some more juice in a matchup like that because it's very plausible that we get to the Western Conference semi-finals and we've got Oklahoma City Denver, Minnesota, and San Antonio.
Yeah., I, mean,, depending, how, the, seating works out right?, I, mean, the, way, Bulls, have, been, playing, in, the last month, it's like they're doing whatever the Knicks are doing, the Bulls doing the opposite.
And, and, but, literally,, if, it, is, those four, if those four are the ones that are able to do it there's literally no bad matchup.
You, can, mix, and, match, those, four, any which way and it's amazing. It's amazing.
Well,, all, of, those, teams, in, every combination possible have had Yes., really, good, games, and, tight, series and you know and it is sort of a coin flip in all directions.
Yes., Next, one., The, surging, west, team., So we talked about leading to uh uh Christmas break. We were talking about all right we come out the after the calendar turns and who are the teams that are going to be able to surge ahead. Is there going to be a last year's Indiana that has a uh infinitely better second half than they had first half of the season? And so if we are just keeping an eye on that and we are looking at the surging teams, one of the ones that we talked about as a possibility was the Clippers. Another one that we talked about as a possibility was Portland. And both of them have done exactly what was possible. Um
no,, just, say, say, what, we, said, they would. What, we, said, they, would, do.
Yeah., They're, responding, to, the, mismatch podcast. Well,, we, knew, their, schedule, was, going to break their way. They've the Clippers have now won 12 of 14 games.
Jordan, Miller, a massive piece coming off the bench for them. And their bench, the first John Schuman had this yesterday. The first 27 games of the season, their bench was ranked third from the bottom in the NBA. 27. Now they're fourth over this stretch. Their bench has become the fourth best bench in the NBA over the course of this stretch. And four of their next five games are against teams with losing records of which they have an outstanding record against. They have been able to take care of the lesser than teams. Meanwhile, Portland, also another one of these teams that is 8-2.
They're 6-6 the last time they're 500. They're back there now. They're 8-2 since the calendar turn. A top eight offense, a top eight defense, and four of those wins have been Houston twice San Antonio, and the Lakers. You've had the Caleb Love breakout, and you have this also really strange thing which has compiled their record. They are 18 and4 versus the Western Conference. They are 4 and8 versus the East.
Figure, that, figure, that, out. Wait., Yeah, cuz, you, would, think, it, would, be, the opposite because all of the because a lot of those West Coast trips start in Portland and they go south.
Correct., So,, it's, 18, and, 14, versus, West. Six straight games against the Eastern Conference coming up. So, we will see. um if that record could get straightened out. But and you know, they've had Denny Abdia out, they've had Jeremy Grant out they're getting Drew Holiday back in the mix full-time. They still haven't had Scoot in the mix this year. He hadn't played a game yet this year. Like, keep an eye on this. It's something we said to keep an eye on and it has played out the way we thought it could where you're looking now and these teams are the ones that started off the season uh certainly Portland was kind of holding down the fort more than the Clippers but they have not they've been mediocre to bad uh record basketball teams that then, flip, the, switch, and, all, of a, sudden we're looking up and over the course of 30 games they're like 22 and 8 or something and they have changed the
fortunes of their season completely. Um so far so good on the these teams will be the ones that have a much different second half of the season than first half. I just want to push back a little bit on sort of like putting these two teams parallel to each other because I feel like Portland has a good foundation of players that are just off the national radar like uh you know Kamar and Aia and and Shaden Sharp
they've, got, yeah, clinging, like, they've got really good sort of like plus role players right and they've been pretty consistent throughout the season and there've been a tough out and they've been in tight losses like well coached under Splitter whereas the Clippers were a team that was there's like an overachieving consistently overachieving performing well in Portland whereas the Clippers were a team that was supposed to be a contender
right one, of, the, worst, teams, in, the, league, and no one could figure out why we're sitting here being like maybe it's the Steve Bomber Pablo Tory stuff maybe Chris Paul in the locker room is the problem. Uh maybe it's Kawhi Leonard sort of not being a leader what to do with John Collins.
Yeah., Like, Yeah., Collins, sucked, for, the first month. Like we were JUST LIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING to this team that was supposed to be in the top four and now it's in the bottom four of the West and we're talking about the the the draft pick that the Thunder have and they've completely like I feel like Portland has been consistently overachieving where the Clippers have been wildly underachieving and now wildly overachieving and I'm just sitting there being like what team is the real team like what is this
right?, And, those, are, the, difference between those two teams. But that's a astute and I would say that I really do believe that the real Clippers is what we're seeing now versus what we saw before. Like I I I would not want to play the Clippers in the first round of of the Western Conference playoffs. Um here we go. This is my last one since I went first, which is a little uncomfortable for me. Is um I'm lying in bed last night after watching Jimmy get hurt. And I sort of expressed this before about LeBron when I said that he might retire after this year because I'm like what is next?
And I kind of feel that way about Steph now, too, because Kevin Durant is on whether you call him a contender or a fringe contender, whatever tier you want to put him in, he's on a successful basketball team with young players where he has a defined role and it makes sense for him, right? I don't feel the same about LeBron and Steph as we watch the sunset of their careers. I feel like
Steph's, got, more, juice, left, than, LeBron does. Come on. Totally fair, but I'm talking about the position they are in their team and the position their team is in the National Basketball Association
because, you, want, that, and, I'll, go, to football here. You want that Tom Brady on the Bucks.
Um,, all, they, need, is, leadership,, a veteran quarterback to sort of like organize the offense. The defense is great. We'll put a veteran a veteran leader in this one position and that will get us a Super Bowl. Uh, Pton Manning on the Broncos, similar situation. And I want that for Stephan Lebron. I currently don't see that for Steph and LeBron. You know, I see LeBron deferring to Luca. It's Luca's franchise. Luke's going 40 in losses. They can't stop anybody. And I see Steph now with the second best offensive option on the team being like Moody, Wiggins,
Melton. I, mean,, not, Wiggins. Melt. Yeah,, Melton., I, think, Pods., I, was thinking of Pods, not Wiggins. Um, but it's tough. Like I don't know what the next two years or two seasons bring to these two Titans of the league top 10 players all time. I don't know what it brings. That's something you asked. Like the question is is what do you care about? And I really care about this. Like is Steph Curry going to be on like a playin team for four years in a row. His last four years in the league. Is LeBron just gonna like stay on the Lakers and like lose again and cost the team $60 million?
I, thought, about, you, the, other, day., I almost texted to you. Um, you know, I follow all of these like golf Instagram accounts and I'm scrolling through and there's like this it it was a it was a video of Nelly Corda, who is one of the best uh female golfers in the world. And it was like do this drill that Nelly Corda does to improve your swing or whatever, right? And so I'm looking at that and literally the first comment was LeBron James LeBron James.
And, I, was, like,, "Okay, okay, he's living my life." LIKE I MEAN HE'S WATCHING THE SAME VIDEO I'm watching of a Nelly corded golf drill. I was like, "All right, maybe maybe Jacob maybe Jacob's right and he's like gonna look up and be like, you know what? I would just rather play golf every day." Well, you know who can't wait to play golf with an early in his golf career LeBron James?
Michael, Jeffrey, Jordan. Oh,, for, sure. Michael, Jordan, can't, wait., Oh,, you, golf now. LeBron, here's a private plane to come to my golf course. Bring $400,000 in cash and we'll figure this out.
Okay., So,, one, of, the, things, that, did take place regarding the All-Star game yesterday, and here here's a bet. You could put this on FanDuel because it's minus5 million on FanDuel. LeBron will beg out of the All-Star game and say, "Look, even if you were going to name me as a co, you probably weren't, but even if you were, I'm going to make it clear like, hey, I don't want to be there. Like, I don't I'm not starting in the game, so I don't have to be there. I usually fly in on Sunday and then fly out immediately after anyway.
I'm done with all that." So, it's minus5 million on FanDuel. Allstar weekend will be LeBron James golfing videos.
Minus5, million., Minus, 5, million., That's what I'd put it on. I'm, not, at, the, All-Star, festivities., You don't see me in the front row, but here's where I am. I took this weekend to fly to, you know, Hawaii. Correct. To play the best courses on the islands.
Correct., There, will, be, LeBron, James, golf videos during All-Star weekend. That's minus 5 million on FanDuel if you want to take it.
Don't, you, think, the, coaches, will, make him an All-Star? I, think, they'll, try, to, and, he'll, like beg out.
No,, I, think, he, does. I, got, the, the, sciatica, has, been bothering me, bro.
I, don't, know. Last, one., The, NBA, Europe, and, PIFF., Okay, so this is the Saudi investment uh fund and there are these stories that came out that Adam Silver while he was over in Europe met with Palasol who's going to play a big role in this NBA Europe thing, but also that they met with the guys from uh the Saudi investment firm and PIP. So, let me just say on the front end, obviously I was honed in on watching these games that took place in Berlin and in London over the weekend. Everything about the way the NBA did that was unbelievable. Like truly unbelievable. Like the content that they got out of that and then watching both at the Uber Center in Berlin and the O2 Center in London and watching the fan interaction and the fans trying to pile into those arenas. Then they made the the lighting, the set, like they made it feel like a big deal. The court was awesome. The setting was awesome. You
had all these European fans that never get to see live NBA games that were super excited about it. How about this one? This is when I maybe the most shocked I've been on for those that were not watching the Sunday game uh between the Grizzlies and the Magic. Uh so they make a big deal out of it on Amazon Prime. They've got all these like dignitaries there. They've got uh uh uh Dirk Nitzky and Steve Nash addressing the crowd to everybody the whole thing. And then they come out and they say "Now to sing the national anthem."
And you may not have seen this, Jacobe. They bring out and it is someone who was so significant in our youth that I I for 20 years I have not heard the name.
I, didn't, know, what, I, didn't, know, what happened to it. Hold, on., It's, a, female, recording, artist,
correct? I'm, imagining, English., Not not, English. Not, English. Not, from, the, UK.
No,, she's, an, American. Wow., You, got, me., I, mean,, Tiffany, that, that, would, be, Gibson.
That, would, be, a, good, one. Tiffany, had, an, important, role, in Stranger Things. I was like, ah Tiffany, I remember that.
They, said, now, singing, the, national anthem. They said, you see her performing on Broadway in London at the Devil Wears Prada, ladies and gentlemen. Where's Prada play?
Yes., And, she's, and, she's, a, lead, in, on Broadway in London. They, said,, "Ladies, and, gentlemen,, we would like to welcome recording artist Vanessa Williams." And I went, "WHAT?
Vanessa, Williams, former Miss America. SHE WAS THE HOTTEST THING GOING WHEN WE WERE KIDS."
I, remember, Vanessa, Williams., Are, you ready to Are you ready for me to floor you?
62. Oh,, so, she, plays, the She, looks, editor, of, Vogue, role. She, She, looks, unbelievable., Sounded great.
She, does. Vanessa, Williams. That, was, a, big, deal., Remember, she, was married to Rick Fox when we were kids and like she was Miss America then had the save the best for last song. I mean she was like
I, DIDN'T, KNOW, WHAT, EVER, HAPPENED, TO, HER. I SWEAR IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY Vanessa and I was like I'll be damned Vanessa Williams on Broadway in her.
Yeah., So, I'm, telling, you, NBA, made, the biggest deal. They they got Vanessa Williams to show up. And so anyways you've got this whole piff story. And one of the things I've talked to you about is as a golf fan, you know there's this famous video from a driving range before a tournament when all the stuff was going down in golf and Rory Mroy is caught on a live bike saying "Why don't they just get together and get the money invested here?" And and then of course they didn't do that, right? Like Jay Monahan, who is the head of the PGA, said we don't want anything to do with this. word out of it and then they said fine we'll just start our own league and we'll steal your players because we've got the money to be able to do it and I have and there was a story that came out in February about how oh they're going to start the Saudis are going to start this global league it's going to be six men's teams
and it's going to be six women's teams and what like bro if you're Adam Silver this is like first without everybody knowing they have started to allow uh private equity to get invested in NBA teams and this was their way around it without it just being out and out and everybody saying oh they're sports washing and how can you do business with these you know people whatever so you've got that you've already got like the games that have been taking place in the Middle East and whatever else I mean the most important thing is to get them to be involved rather than be your competition for your business Because golf learned, right? Like you you big bank take little bank when it comes to business., You, know what, I, mean?
And two chains reference. The, biggest, thing, the, biggest, problem would be I think on the WNBA side too
with, this, project, being, whatever, like, I I would imagine that it's like hey we will have you we we will get you a footprint in the NBA. we will get you a footprint in the NBA Europe like hey chill out on that whole other league thing right like because because that could that could destroy the WNBA. It could like they go and again like you might be able to withstand some of it but I mean like especially with labor strife there is no salary cap FOR THEM. SO, IF they want to go and say, "Hey uh, whoever Jaylen Brunson, WE'LL PAY YOU $100 MILLION a year to come be a part of this," like again, if you didn't learn anything from the whole golf situation, it is don't let them be your competition because if there's your competition, you will lose great talent.
There's no way around it. And I think it is much more uh relevant in the on the women's side than it is the men's side because guys like Jaylen Brunson get paid $65 million a year, right? Like so that that one's not as big a deal. But on the women's side, I mean, if they just would decided like, hey, we want to make this and so if you're trying to expand globally, the best thing you can do is have a meeting and say, hey, don't don't do your thing globally. like be involved in our thing and let's let's yeah do this all that's the thing
if, you're, in, the, market, for, a, a, European international basketball league you're trying to start your own guess what we are the NBA
we, are, FIA, we, are, starting, our, own, so instead of you building, something, with, blueprints, and breaking ground why don't you just partner with us makes perfect sense
let's, be, partners, rather, than competition let, me, take, it, one, step, further the previous thing that I cared about what is the future for LeBron and Steph Curry might have something to do with the current thing that we're talking about. You got Stephan LeBron and these kind of like lame duck teams that are not contenders, but they still have one or two years left.
And, you're, like,, I, can, lose, on, the Lakers while Luca shoots 30 shots a game and handles every possession.
Or, no, I, can, go, to I, could, see, LeBron, Barcelona. I, could, see, LeBron, doing, like, the barnstorming tour more so than I could stuff. That seems like a LeBron thing. it give but ownership you get you know part ownership whatever well and I think that was
basketball, club, London, or, whatever I, think, that, was, like, the, threat, right the threat was hey me and Maverick Carter and all our guys we're going to we're going to start
on, the, boat, remember, he, was, on, the, boat with Jokic's Yeah, yeah yeah, if, you're, not, going, to, if you're not going to let me own the Vegas franchise and have a big part in that one whenever you get to expansion then I'll figure out how to be an owner something else that competes with you. I just, think, Adam, Al, Adam Adam, Silver's biggest thing now with the NBA Europe with the Saudi Arabia investment with the LeBron James of Avocardo like the most important thing is to make people partners rather than competition.
Yes,, I, think, that's, true, too., And, u before you go, there's one thing that I didn't mention earlier. Now that we're in the end of the podcast, I have to mention I'm watching the [ __ ] Knicks last night lose to lose to the the the Mavs GLeague team and Carly Towns has been in the crosshairs of the Knicks fans for like 10 14 days now watching the game last night and you might not have caught it. There's a big football
all, that this, dude., And, for, some, reason,, you know, we all have those like players that we irrationally like like for some reason I love Dwight Powell. I don't think he's ever scored more than like 14 points in a basketball game, but I just always ride for this guy. He got a start last night, right? Because there's no Gaffford and there's no Lively and blah blah blah.
He's, You, remember, when, you, were, a, little kid and he played like somebody had to play alltime quarterback? He's all time Mavs.
Yes., Been, there., Been, there., There's, no reason to resign him ever. Like he rarely contributes.
When, they're, successful,, he, does, not, get off the bench. He, does, not, have, a, contract.
He's, just, never, He's, just, never, left. Yeah. He's just never left. His, contract, ran, out, 10, years, ago.
He, sleeps, in, a, sleeping, bag, in, one, of the suites. He, just, never, left., And, he's, like, "If you need me
yeah,, I'll, be, here.", Uh early in the game, Carl Towns kicks him in the balls. and he gets like a flagrant for it. You're like, "Oh, okay." No lie, Carl Anthony Towns kicked Dwight Powell in the balls four or five times during the game last night.
Oh, my, god. And, it, the, last, time, he, knees, Dwight Powell in the balls. This must been the fourth time. With a flailing leg, Dwight Powell responds by kicking him in the balls. We've all seen those like uh double knockouts in boxing.
They, did, like, a, double, ball, kick, and, I'm sitting there being like Carl, Anthony, Towns, with, everything, the internet has to say about you, with everything my group chats have to say about you, with everything that's going on, you've decided to respond to all of this by kicking Dwight Powell in the balls five times during a single basketball game in which you're losing by 30 points to the reserves of the Mavs. I've got to see this.
It, was, just, weird., You, We're, about, to wrap the pod. The first thing I want you to do is just put into search Carl Anthony Towns Dwight Powell. The the broadcast did a like a a montage
of, ball, kick of, ball, kicks, and, elbows, to, the, face. Carl Anthony Towns has no control over his limbs and that is the best and worst thing about him on a basketball court.
Unbelievable. Unbelievable. I, hate, this., If, they, lose, to, the, Nets, I'm not doing the show on Friday right now. If they lose to the Nets, I'm not doing the show on Friday. I'm dedicating the rest of my life to being a better golfer than LeBron James.
Fair. Fair. Thank you, D. I, will, not, do, the, show, on, Friday, if, they lose.
I, don't, blame, me. I, might, not, even, watch, the, game, on Gotham, the Gotham Sports app. I hate it so much. I hate this.
Thank, you, to, our, executive, producer, Jesse Lopez, as always. Jacobe. I'll talk to you maybe later this
Questions about this episode
What is discussed in "Can the Warriors Still Contend Without Jimmy? Plus: Eight Things We Care About. | The Mismatch"?
In order: 0:00 Jonathan Kaminga, Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors, Steph Curry; 10:00 Jonathan Kaminga, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Pistons; 20:00 Carl Anthony Towns, Grizzlies, Tyrese Maxi; 30:00 Jonathan Kaminga, Grizzlies, NBA, Dave Jacobe; 40:00 Pistons, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxi, Steph Curry; 50:00 LeBron James, Cade Cunningham; 1:00:00 LeBron James, Vanessa Williams, NBA Europe, Adam Silver; 1:10:00 Carl Anthony Towns, Dwight Powell, LeBron James, Steph Curry.
What is mentioned in this Ringer NBA episode?
24 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Jimmy Butler, NBA, Jonathan Kaminga, Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors, Chris Vernon. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.
How long is "Can the Warriors Still Contend Without Jimmy? Plus: Eight Things We Care About. | The Mismatch"?
The episode runs 1 h 16 min; the transcript is about 13,358 words in 191 timestamped sections.
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About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated January 24, 2026.