Victor Wembanyama made history in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals by becoming the youngest player in NBA playoff history to record 40+ rebounds (41 points, 24 rebounds, 6 dunks), demonstrating that elite two-way players can dominate both ends of the floor in high-stakes playoff situations.
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FULL NBA TODAY | Wemby making history, Mitchell looks unstoppable, KAT playmaking matters - WindyAdded:
We're live from our [music] New York studios and this might as well be the Iman Shumpert bold.
>> It's your series between the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks. Aman Shumpert of course knows those two teams well, but he's not the only one who's got a ring. Danny Green, he had to show off and have three of them. Thanks.
>> Another former Cav.
>> There you go. Cha Gumay and number one pick and you and I are kind of just sluming over here on this side of the table. Fry Windhurst, Malikica Andrews.
We're here with you for the next two hours and right now we are five hours away from game one of the Eastern Conference Finals. I don't know about you though. Has anyone recovered from from what we saw?
>> No.
>> Last night in the West that was a tremendous game. It's not often that the game that that it lives up to the hype.
This one did that.
>> That photo >> was it aura or or what did you taught me? I didn't know what >> oraura farming.
>> Which one was it?
>> Aura farming is like you kind of go searching for it. But >> this was just straight Aura. Let's take a listen to Wendy. He was watching this moment closely.
>> I got I still got a lot to learn. I want to get the trophy, you know, many times in my career.
>> So, is that why Danny he came out with such a vengeance? Well, remember no dear Fox in this one? He's still working on that ankle injury here. But Victor Wmanyama, he had a double double in the first half.
>> Yep. He's setting the tone. Is Is it crazy to call him a vet at three years in like a three-year vet right now?
>> He certainly has the maturity of one.
Shot Alexander. He did struggle a little bit early on in this game to score points, one of five from the field in the few in the first half. So, you had to think that eventually some way somehow Shay was going to get going in this game. Let's go ahead here to [music] the fourth quarter because Chen, we got a good one. This the Spurs, they were taking care of business, but really Oklahoma City, the key in their back was Alex Caruso.
>> It was Alex Caruso. Tough finish by SGA though, laying it up, but this was the design Caruso to have a big game. He had eight threes on the night, the most he's ever made because they wanted him to take all the shots. And he was making it, which made you feel like maybe they'd still be able to eek this one out.
>> And all of a sudden, is that is it wiping off the ball? So, Caruso on one end, back the other way. Hey, Papa Champi.
>> They needed that one. Huge bucket there from Julian Champi. And then Victor Webyama going to work [music] here, Brian.
>> How about the spin move off the wrong foot? Bigger than you.
And [music] then the other way. Final seconds here of regulation.
>> Go help.
>> Force someone else.
>> I think that Victor should have come over there.
>> Leaving the three-point shooter there.
Victor Webbyama. Emphatic. Can't quite get it to go.
>> Okay, Chad.
>> So to overtime we go.
>> You know, there are some plays I wish I were taking more like the the I think it was the regulation last shot. I would I had an open look, you know, on a way smaller defender, so I should have just taken it.
>> All right, hindsight. It's 2020, but good for us. We get some more basketball.
>> Free basketball.
>> Oh, George said, "No, we do not want the cameras in this huddle at this point."
So, overtime. It's [music] all tied up.
>> Come here. Body to body.
>> That's nasty.
>> He was huge.
>> Don't look at him like that.
>> And then Shay >> gives it back [music] up to Alex Caruso.
>> 31.
>> Put that headband on. Black.
>> You mentioned it. Eight made threes, the most in any game of his NBA career. And then the twoman game. Turnovers were a problem here for San Antonio down the stretch. It's a good thing that they have Jub back and healthy.
>> Yeah, absolutely. He was a game changer for them, especially when it comes to converting from one end to the other.
>> One-point game.
>> Get on that room.
>> Now all of a sudden, >> oh, here we go.
>> Boy, the Spurs are in trouble, right?
>> Here we go.
>> That's what I thought. [music] >> Is that Steph or is that Victor Webbyama? Here's how it sounded on San Antonio Spurs radio.
>> Castle [music] the WBY RISING DEEP THREE. WEE WEE.
VICTOR WYAMA 6 FT BEHIND THE LINE TIES THE GAME AT 108.
>> Dear Fox is hyped about that one. And did this Brian look familiar at all to you?
>> It sure did. Except for this time, Victor gets a two for one. And Steph couldn't even get a two for one.
>> By the way, that was the longest shot of Victor Wimyama's [music] career and it wasn't particularly close.
So why not? Double overtime we go here.
Victor little pump fake.
>> And so that's the thing. Once he knocks down a three, you overreact and then he gets downhill. Who can stop that?
>> Nobody.
>> Well, not not Oklahoma City certainly last night. Victor Webbyama.
>> Think about it.
>> Mouse in the house. Caruso guarding him.
>> Think about it. Oh, and this is when the San Antonio Spurs are really starting to feel it here once again.
>> What are you going to do about this?
>> Mouse in the house.
>> Be ducking in.
>> Castle loving it. He was huge for San Antonio in this game.
>> Jub trying to make something happen.
>> Not JD >> says no. Victor [music] Webbyama and the Spurs go on the road. They get the game one win. Here's Victor after the game.
We as a team are ready to go in any environment, in any place against anybody. And even though we still got a lot to learn, our effort should be over anybody else's. And uh tonight we were relentless.
We want to we want to win everything and we have the chance to have people above us in the organization that know how to do that. So far, it looks like they've put the right people together to give us a chance because right now we got a chance. We still got a lot to do, a lot to learn, a lot of uh trials to go through that we don't even know of, but we have a chance and that's because they've built the team like this.
>> I think drafting him was helpful, too.
>> Yeah, it was helpful, too. This is an awesome game. Can I give you all some numbers though for Victor, right? He became the youngest player in NBA history with a 40.20 [music] rebounds playoff game. He's the first in the conference finals since Barkley in 93. [music] And the Spurs star, he dominated when it counted. He outscored the Thunder 97 in the second overtime. He poured in 16 points in clutch [music] time. That's the most in the playoffs since Dame 5 years ago, right? And after floating a little bit early, he lived in the paint in game one. He attempted 17 layups and dunks, the most in any game [music] in his career here. and Danny Shump, you guys have both played, right, in a game seven. I don't know about you, watching on TV that that didn't feel like a game one to me. What did it feel like to you?
>> It felt like a game seven. Like it was emotionally on both sides. I I remember on the wrong end of it, but game six against Miami, like it was such an emotional game that it was hard to bounce back. And these two teams, we're going to see how they do the rest of the series. Mind you, they all play like 50 minutes. So, we're going to see how they do in game two emotionally, how they bounce back immensely to to prepare for the rest of the series against each other. Yeah, I felt like it felt like a game six. It felt like the Spurs had to win that game. Like that's the the way they carried it.
>> Did they have to win that game?
>> I don't know. I think they did.
>> The way they carried it, it it seemed a a lot like that. Like their guards, the way they attacked, the way they, you know, it seemed like it was very cutthroat to send a statement. Uh maybe it's a do your work early statement that they sent, right?
>> But uh if I'm OKC, even though I know that next game, I can only imagine that check you're going to choice at this point.
>> I would I would hope so, chat, that we we're going to guard Wimby this. I would hope so. I hope we not coming off the help. Coming off the help ain't helping.
>> They can throw, but yes, Spurs, I think, needs to win because they're young. I don't know if a young group can bounce back from that type of loss. OKC has been there. They have championship DNA.
They've been in the playoffs a couple times, so they might be able to bounce back. But right now, they're in trouble.
>> You think the adjustment is there, though?
>> I think there's an adjustment. And for me, it's not just Chad, but you got to play Hartstein.
>> What if What if they actually did a good job on him? I think they did a good job on him.
>> It's not right because >> you you see all them you see all these spinning pins. We saw that >> Jub Caruso that's when it counts when >> I kind of think it worked >> in their favor which is play it again.
>> In the regulation he went nine of 19 and he had 27 points. No, he had 17 rebounds because he's the guys guarding him are so small relative to him. He had all those offensive rebounds, but >> nine and 19, they're going to sign up for that.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Now, in overtime, the idea is not get to overtime. But see, I I thought I loved Victor's game plan here, as you mentioned, going to the to the paint.
>> Yeah, >> he only took two threes and one of them was from 32 ft.
>> I liked his game plan. I got to tell you, I didn't hate the Thunder's game plan, and that's why it's scary cuz I think it kind of worked and still lost.
Oh, >> I mean, you could get Deer and Fox back, which would affect some things, particularly for the San Antonio Spurs and their potential. I think it's bigger than what we're talking about. It wasn't just a statement to the Oklahoma City Thunder. I think this was a statement to the entire NBA >> that Victor Webbyama is here to stay. He doesn't >> It's the NBA. Yes, it's officially [laughter] the NBA.
>> This man is uber competitive. Yeah.
>> And he wants to win at all costs. And to me, I just look at that moment where [music] he was grabbing and clutching Stefan Castle's head, like transferring knowledge and experience at the end of the game.
>> Can we do that?
>> We We did it. [laughter] We did that in commercial breaks. This was one of the best playoff performances I have ever seen because of who was doing it. Victor Webbyama, like you mentioned, he played inside and out. He had six dunks in the game, two times his normal average.
Normally, he averages three dunks. He had six. He knew that this was the way for him to win, but it came down to and we were we were all talking about it.
The shot heard around the world, >> the three-point shot.
>> It takes co >> Yeah.
>> to be able in that moment >> to know you can step into it, mind you, shooting only two threes in the game, down three to take that one. And you know what's crazy? I looked at his teammate, I can't even remember who it was. They passed it back to him like, "Oh, this is just what he does." Was it Castle? Yeah, it was in transition. He's like, "Oh, no. I'm going to give it to him because I know he wants to shoot this and I know he wants to make it.
>> What's so remarkable about it? It was it was a strategy play. Okay, because they're down three. There's 27 28 seconds left. He's taken that shot >> to get a two for one, right?
[clears throat] It's a strategy play.
That's what that's what about that's so impressive. He's not just physically gifted. The way he thinks the game is beautiful.
>> Yeah, he only made one error yesterday.
The error was not shooting over in regulation. I'm glad he said it. We got no reason to put that down at all.
>> When [music] he takes a one dribble or just a no dribble shot on somebody, it's like at the end of the game, we [music] have to know what you're doing. And I felt like that was an erratic decision.
That was his only mistake.
>> But but if you think about what he did, let's just say to get to overtime and in overtime, we saw him knock down a shot down at the top of the key.
>> Honestly though, he did what he was supposed to. But the diversity of his scoring and his dominance >> until a grown-up guards him, I can't call it his best performing.
>> But you're saying there's no one on Oklahoma City that's grown up that was guarding him.
>> Why was y'all know what I mean? Listen, first off, I'm not saying y'all not grown up. Everybody [laughter] grown.
Amen. We all grown. I mean a grownup. If you're a footer, you have to look at a >> You were on the thunder.
>> And they did that. I would have went over the check. I'd have grabbed him by his chest and his numbers would have been wrinkled up for the rest of the game. I said you are guarding him.
>> I honestly think that the best way is to guard him with the with the wings. We can do that. We can do that all day. At the end of the game, >> you need to guard that man.
>> After he gets the one turnaround and an easy help has to be >> the man grabbing the ball afterwards, tucking it under his arm, doing all had you on him.
>> That's fine. And I would have been cool with it all game. At the end of the game, I'd have looked for my biggest whoever the biggest defender is, Braun.
Who else? Who else want to guard him?
Somebody that's 7 ft cuz he about to shoot over me how dirt used to shoot over.
>> I think that's reason for the Oklahoma City Thunder to be looking around and saying, "Okay, we can feel okay after this." Because there's still some adjustments that they can make. But likewise, there's some mistakes that that that the San Antonio made that says, you know what, we might be able to really get one over these guys. Good thing we have two hours to get into all >> the New York Knicks. They will be facing Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers. And it's it's hard not to be happy for Don. He's finally broken through. He's advanced to the conference finals and it was a journey that took nine years. It was nine years in the making and it's a path that had enough twists and turns to weave a very intricate web here because Don Mitchell, remember, [music] he's never actually missed the playoffs. He started off on a really high note in 2018. He dropped 38 points in game six against the Thunder.
That's the fourth most in a series clinching win by a rookie, trailing only Wilt, Kareem, and Magic. That's pretty dang good [music] company. But then the disappointment came, of course, right?
He blew a 3-1 lead in 2020 in the bubble [music] to the Denver Nuggets and then a 20- 0 lead the following year to that short-handed Clippers team. And you can see the frustration here on Donovan Mitchell's face. But now all of that's changed. He's finally reached the stage and he has the most career postseason [music] points entering his first conference finals appearance in NBA history. Here's his latest diary installment with our Mark Spears.
>> Um, it's been nine long years.
And this topsyturvy series belongs to Cleveland.
I'm >> in a situation where it's like you manifest it, you think about it, and then when it gets here, you have really a few hours to be happy about it to you got to move on, right?
It's it's a milestone, right? Something big for sure, but at the end of the day, still doesn't mean anything without a ring. [music] What's up, y'all? I'm Don Mitchell. This is my diary on ESPN.
>> Cavaliers and Pistons game five.
>> It's really a test on your mental, right? Sure. The pressure, the expectation, almost losing first round, right? That's that's one. Almost losing again after having a 3-2 lead. Um your mind can go places if you allow it to to past experiences. when I've been up against the Clippers or I've been up against Denver and blew a 3-1 lead, right? You can definitely go there or you can allow yourself to just be still in the moment.
>> A blowout game seven win in Detroit to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
[music] >> And then after the game, man, she [music] she's special. She's a big big big big reason why I am where I am today. um in this situation where I'm playing the way I'm playing. I almost broke down, but you know, real I kept it together. That moment, it really really shows what we're about. [music] >> Oh, yeah.
[music] >> Four wins away from an NBA finals. It's not going to be easy for us coming up, right? I know the city's going to be on fire. It's going to be a lot of fun. I know Cleveland's going to be on fire.
This is a fan base on both sides that are very, very rowdy and it's gonna be exciting. They're a really good team and obviously I get to play at home so I get to stay at my house which is great, but at the end of the day we're here to do do a job and and and get to win.
>> Mitchell, takes the runway and puts on a scoring clinic.
>> My earliest memory was wild. Probably watching Melo um Melo and Stockmire play. never been to a playoff game in the Garden as a fan. You grow up in New York, you understand how long it's been, right, for [music] them just getting to the finals, let alone winning. And when you're the team, when you're the guy that's in the way of that, um, it's it's definitely, [music] you know, something you want to go out there and and and and take away.
>> Thank you, Donovan Mark Spears, for that insight. Over here, this is Cavs corner.
By Winhor has been manning Cavs corner for us all season long. your your expectations for Donovan Mitchell. This is a huge stage for him.
>> Look, that was such an important moment in his career on Sunday night because he had to deliver not only as a scorer and a playmaker. And he said after the game, he goes, "I don't," this is what he said to the team in the locker room. He goes, "I don't know why it took us till we get our backs to the wall till we play this way, but we do. And when we do that, we can play against anybody." So, the qu the challenge now is do it starting tonight, right? Because the Cavs got behind in the last series. They had to play from behind the whole time. The Knicks are too good. They will not blow a 20- lead like like the Pistons did.
>> But what's the version of Donovan Mitchell that this Cleveland team needs him to be? Because New York is playing incredible basketball.
>> Yeah, I mean, you expect James to be a facilitator, but Don has to be that, too. He has to be a true point guard and scorer. How he started out the game in game seven. Yeah, >> he got Jared Allen going. He got Evan Mobley going. Sam Merrell, like those guys join the party because I think prior to that game, he had maybe three or four total assists. He had that in the first five minutes of the first quarter. eight assists, zero turnovers.
>> Being that floor general, reading the defense, getting guys involved, also scoring. You're going to need that. And hopefully, again, other guys pick up the slack, and then James can, you know, do his thing with less pressure on him. So, you need him to be that that floor general.
>> Yeah, I liked him coming out early, coming out aggressive. Uh, Donovan Mitchell getting off to the races like that helps everybody. And I think him starting it off with the pass, he it did take him a while to figure it out, but it's like they weren't playing you for that. Everybody thought that you were hellbent on scoring. Yeah, we I wouldn't have game plan for Donovan Mitchell coming out here to distribute the basketball, it's just not in the cards for anybody. Uh so for him to go out there and do that to change the way you have to guard him. Uh cuz in playoff series, you know, a lot of times we can almost pinpoint it and say he's going to get the first two plays called for him.
This is how we're going to tilt. This is how we're going to load up. uh being able to take that away from him with two quick passes, three quick passes uh and then open up the floodgates to score the ball in a number of uh ways. I think it really helps >> between Don and James. That has to be an either or situation. And I think often times we talk about them scoring like how many points does James have? Is he showing up or when is Don going to have another huge 30 plus point second half?
It's about them facilitating because we know Don is going to likely even if it's a bad game get to 20 points. But the impact is when he was able to make sure and fill in those holes for James Harden and distribute. And this team, like if they're gonna have any chance, it's not just Dawn. It's truly their bigs for sure.
>> I think their bigs are the ones that dictate because when their bigs play with force, they win. We've [music] seen it time and time again this postseason.
And so if he's able to just keep the boat afloat, but also make sure those guys are productive. It's very interesting because Evan Mobley and Jared Allen like [music] they need a guard to get them going. They can't do it themselves. But you look in game ones, Donovan Mitchell averages over 32 [music] points a game, right? That's the third highest in NBA history. So, you know what he's going to be looking to do to set the tone early in the series, and [music] that is to score. By my clock, we still have an hour and 25 minutes that we get to talk about this series.
So, let's get to it. We're going to take a quick commercial break, but we will be right back because at Madison Square Garden, $52, [music] but the biggest show in town, it's a good price.
>> Literally the biggest show because I want to focus on the big. Everyone here wants to give the guards the credit here. Our guy Russ in studio is come he's come correct rocking Jaylen Brenton but again it's the biggest show you can leave because listen [laughter] only here Carl Anthony Town is a truly the X factor. I want you guys to see these numbers because he's currently in the postseason averaging 6.6 assists which is more than his past three seasons combined. He is having a renaissance. He is being revitalized. He is the hub of New York. if they're trying to get to the NBA finals, it will literally come down to the ball being in his hands. And let me show you this area of improvement. There's a two-man action here. He's ping the ball and look at it.
He throws a nice little over-the-top pass because the paint is wide open.
He's not even trying to settle to score.
He's on one single coverage. Instead, he's getting his teammates [music] going. Most importantly, the teammate being the hero, right? Jaylen Brunson here. Just making a right read. Slow on the uh step out, slow to try to get out to Brunson's shot. You know what happens here? He's going to attack. He's so good. Big body Brunson creating contact.
And last but not least, I just love how Cat again is not settling. He's on the perimeter one-on-one. He could look to score. He could look to attack. He can shoot threes. Most people here would just attack the lane. Instead, [music] he finds OG and an Obi. Him spreading the wealth has been so crucial for them because it allows guys like OG, [music] Male Bridges, Jaylen Brunson, Josh Hart, and company to truly cook. And last but not least, look at what the Knicks are shooting when he passes the ball 73%.
Mind you, he's shooting 62% [music] in the last series. So offensively, this is where this team has truly been separating. Cat [music] on the attack.
Malikica.
>> Yeah, Carl Anthony Towns has been a huge difference maker today in this series.
As we say hello to Vince Goodwill, his henness. [laughter] >> Vince has been, if you can't tell by the drip, he's been covering the New York Knicks for us over the course of this postseason. And you just wrote a story about exactly what Cha's talking about, Cat as the hub of the offense. What's that unlocked for New York?
>> Everything. I think when you you take the pressure off of Jaylen Brunson and there's been this sort of uneasy balance between Carl Anthony Towns and Mike Brown this season because his numbers have not been as plentiful as they were under Tom Thibido. In that film session between games three and four against the Atlanta Hawks after the Knicks go down two games to one and panic was widespread. Mike Brown basically challenged him in his own way and said, "Hey, what are you doing? If you want the ball, go get the ball." And now we've seen Carl Anthony Towns play like Draymond Green, play like Damas Sabonis, players who have played under Mike Brown. He's just a more diverse offensive player than everybody that we've seen.
>> And now you're seeing this lethal shump twoman game between Jaylen Brunson and and Carl Anthony Towns.
>> This what we always wanted. Uh we knew that at the end of games the Knicks do a great job of being in the game, whether that's within six uh plus or negative, [music] but what we couldn't see with them turning a corner is how can y'all do that slugfest going into that timeout where the other team has to call the timeout because we know what's happening, but [music] there's no real adjustment to make. We got to throw something out of out of, you know, left field at them because it's like we can't deal with this. Now you have it to where you can put uh Carl Anthony Towns into the little cat scan. That's what I'm going to call it. That's the cat scan.
When [laughter] he sit up top right there and there he get two cutters going off and he can wait on that late pass.
He's just looking for the mistake to get made. And I think the more he's done that this season, especially with the playoffs, you've watched Jaylen Brunson [music] not only be a great cutter, but a great screener. He's been able to set back screens. He been able to get guys going, but that forces people to be in action and that gives you a closeout.
With Jaylen Brunson at the end of the game, I don't think a lot of people could deal with that.
>> Yeah. I mean, it's something that the fans wanted. Obviously, former Knicks wanted, but it's what they needed. It's what Cat needed because I think they were losing him at one point. And this might have been a situation where we might have been trading Cat, but this opened up the door only not only for Cat, but other guys are reaping the benefits like Muel Bridges. He's getting more looks. Everybody else is getting rhythm. Cat's feeling more involved in offense, even though it's not for scoring, but this is what he needed.
This is what the team needed, and is playing unbelievable basketball since then.
>> We were asking if Muel Bridges was going to get benched after a scoreless game three. He's woken and he's woken up from that basically off of passes and offense from Carl Anthony Towns. He's been the best facilitator on this team.
>> Right. But now the question becomes for the Cavaliers. How do they slow down Carl Anthony Towns?
>> Well, the first thing they got to do is not turn the ball over because the Cavs defense in the playoffs is just it ranks eighth out of the playoffs and down.
>> Okay, they they of the teams that are still alive, the Cavs have the weakest defense. The Knicks have a very strong offense as we saw. Obviously, the Knicks are going to want to attack that. The Cavs have to make them go into the half court. Cat is killing teams in the half court, but in the half court, the Cavs have some weapons. In transition, the Cavs are getting toasted. So, the first thing they got to do is make the Knicks [music] actually use that offense of going to Cat and let Jared Allen and Evan Mobley and Dean Wade, they're guys who have good size and can defend, give them a fighting chance against Cat. The second thing they have to do is control Jaylen Brunson. You [music] know what they're going to do in this game? They are going to get Jaylen Brunson matched up against Donovan Mitchell and and James Hardy. They are going to try to create those matchups that will be in the game plan right at the top. They need to hold their own and stay out of foul trouble because Jaylen Brunson draws fouls. So those are two really important things for the Cavs to stay in the series.
>> Don't forget also in the last five minutes of the game it gets close. You know they're going to go Jaylen Brunson spread ISO. They can still go and use that. They just haven't had to because these games have been blowouts. They have not been tested. If there's a question about the Knicks chump, the Knicks have not been tested while the Cavs have played nothing but stress field games for the past two and a half.
[clears throat] This is the first time though that you're going to watch at the end of the game. Jaylen Brunson might just have a ton of energy because he hasn't been burning it all game using 20 to 25 dribbles on a possession. That's what makes it so.
>> But they're going to make him work on defense, too. You got James without a doubt. They're going to they're going both teams are going to be hunting each other.
>> Lace your shoes up tight. [laughter] >> Lace them up. Well, and then there's also the qu I mean maybe a couple of tests early in that Hawk series that that the Knicks faced here, but certainly the last seven games they have goes walking around though. New York City, I don't know about you guys, it has been orange and blue skies. So, we asked our producers for some help here.
They cooked up the best plays of the Knicks season. So, why don't we just take a little trip down memory lane here starting it off shump with some some top posters. This is against the Rockets >> Carl Anthony Towns. What you doing down here?
>> Poor Jabari throwing it down with one hand. [laughter] >> Oh.
>> And then against the Pacers, OG Anovi OG.
>> And it looks like OG Brian's going to be back here for game one.
>> Yeah, he's probable. I would expect him to get big minutes if he's going to go >> 76ers. Mitch Robinson, >> watch your head.
>> Hey, >> way upstairs.
>> That's Joel Embiid. He slammed it on.
>> Hey, >> up and attach.
How about some Carl Anthony Towns dimes?
May [music] I offer you one against the Hawks here? Cat hits the offensive board.
>> You know, he keeps changing his pocket.
>> Damn, baby. I'm just looking for the mistake.
>> I see a problem. Let me fix that.
>> Oh, baby.
>> And then Cat trapped in the corner.
>> This was a tough one right here. I don't know how he got trapped. You thought he was trapped.
>> Swung it over to >> I love how he walks off the hand.
>> He do the walk-off.
>> He totally does. And then against the Raptors.
Cat comes in, grabs the board, the >> rebound attitude.
Walk >> magic.
>> All right, let's jump to some Nick's most memorable moments here. This is game four against the 76ers. Brunson, he scored five points in seven footwork.
>> The new movie is >> got to send him to the screen.
>> Uhoh, I'm not done. I'm not done.
>> Seven seconds.
>> Honestly, [music] I would needed a timeout after that play.
>> Yeah. And then against the Pacers, Brunson gets to a spot.
>> The game winner by the way.
>> Clutch player of the year.
>> Another clutch shot by Jaylen Brunson.
>> And then against the Celtics, this is Josh Hart.
>> Joshart, >> not one, >> but two clutch threes >> to lead to the Knicks victory here. So, the Knicks have had some impressive moments. They're hoping to add to that collection tonight. Vince, [music] thank you for the insight. Coming up though, we had an alien who landed in Oklahoma City, stole game one [music] from the MVP. So, our panel weighs in on what needs to change for SGA and the Thunder and how they defend Webby.
>> See, >> anybody but SGA is the trend.
>> Misses the three.
>> How about Aaron Wig?
>> Look at the double team kick out. Flyby.
[music] Good opportunity. So OKC was five of 17 on uncontested threes in the first half here. So listen to [music] Mark Dagenalt on Wendy's defense and what he was able to do to this Thunder team.
>> And we're going to have to figure that out. You know, like they're [music] they're good schematically. They obviously have a lot of tools with the point of attack defenders and with Wemama. There's a reason they are where [music] they are.
>> So Dagonal trying to think of ways to kind of counter Wembley [music] here.
Chen, >> I mean it's going to be an infinite amount of ways cuz it's not easy to counter [music] that guy.
>> So in the fourth quarter, OKC struggled to deal with WBY defensively, right?
Webby fakes on the jumper gives up to Dylan Harper.
that can't happen.
>> Acceptable with Chadby.
>> Attacking the mismatch.
>> This is the Embiid the Jokic. Get [music] him at the top of the key where the double team can't come and that's where he finishes.
>> Really no answer here for WBY. All right, but WBY outscored OKC by himself [music] in the second overtime period as well. WBY had nine points, the Thunder had [music] seven, right? But then >> attacking inside. 22 seconds left. JDub drives. Just gets swatted out of the way by Webby.
>> So >> now, >> all hail the Victor. [music] Game one goes to San Antonio. But let's take a closer look here because the Thunder, they've struggled against the Spurs all [music] season, right? They dropped to 1 and5 after their game one loss. That's despite going 71 and4 the rest of the way against the rest of the league. So, let's [music] say howdy to our friend uh in some parts he's called McMahon. On here we just call him Tim McMahon. Uh you're at OKC. You're covering the Spurs and Thunder for us. Tim, you had a front row seat to that incredible defense we saw on SGA by the Spurs. So, what is SGA's mindset? He shot seven of 23 from the field in game one. How does he respond?
>> Howdy, Malikica. Look, SGA held up that MVP trophy during the pregame ceremony.
He holds himself to that standards. He put it real plain and simple. I've got to be better, especially against a team of this caliber. And it is not, it's a lot easier said than done. Victor Wimyama [music] deserves a ton of credit for SGAA's struggles in addition to the point of attack defenders, but especially with Wimi, you know, SGAA says attacking him, you have to be smart, you have to be patient, but you also have to be aggressive. You can't be timid. You can't go in there scared. That's when, as he said, the Spurs are really able to put a strangle hold on the game. So, they're trying to figure out pathways to create cracks for him, how to attack him. But again, you have to be aggressive. You have to he he has to play his game and not allow Wimby to dictate, >> right? But this isn't the first time, right, that Oklahoma City has lost to game one, even at home, right? I'm thinking the Nuggets, right? They stole the first game at the conference semi-finals and then the Pacers in game one of the finals last year. What can they draw maybe even from those experiences to try to even up this series?
>> Yeah, they're not comfortable in this situation, but they are confident. It is familiar territory and this team takes a ton of pride and as Mark Dagenol said its ability to problem solve throughout the course of a playoff series. Now obviously look the Spurs and Wimby present different levels of of problems but again they they believe they get better throughout the course of a series. They believe you know you get a stuff on film they can figure things out. And a big part of that is Shay Gildis Alexander's proven himself in this department. You mentioned game one loss to the Nuggets. Game one loss to the Pacers. In both of those game twos after that, he had 34 points, eight assists, was extremely efficient, and led OKC to win. So, they've been there.
[music] They've done that. Now, they've got to do it against a 62 win Spurs team with a talent unlike anything that we've seen before.
>> Not comfortable, but confident in this situation. I like that. Tim McMahon, thank you very much. We're going to be seeing you soon because this series is going to continue. I have a feeling to be a good one. It's kind of wild to call a game two a must-win, but when you look at the numbers, if a a team loses their first two games at home, they've only gone on a 5 and 33 alltime series record after that. This is of course best of seven series. So Danny, when you're looking at one thing that needs to change here for Oklahoma City, where are you starting?
>> I'm starting with Wimby. Like you got to find a way to keep him away from the basket. Like he's getting offensive rebounds, put backs, dunks. He outscored them because he had dunks and layups and he only shot two threes. It's easier said than done. Not everybody can do it.
Now, people can coach it, but again, I know people are against putting big men on him, but you got to put a bigger body on him at times.
>> Would you put Chad on him? That's >> I would put Chet on some, but again, you don't want to put somebody You want to put somebody that wants to be on him. I don't know if Chad wants to guard him. I think Chad rather be weak side and block shots.
>> So, you say that Chad's scared?
>> I'm not saying that. I'm just saying he'd rather be weak side. I would I wouldn't mind putting the small on him, putting Hartstein on him some and then Chet and doses [music] like mix it up.
You can't give any superstar a steady diet of anything. Yeah. So, I'm thinking of [music] the the guards did a great job on him on the most part, but it's a second chance rebounds and that's because he was so close to the rim. You got to have a weak side guy rebounding and helping, you know, not when we get the second put back on [music] his original shot.
>> Yeah, I I know I'm a mere person panelist here just talking about grown men that are amazing, [laughter] but there's no way at this level that I would not be like if I'm chat, I'm like, "Give me WBY. Give me him."
>> You know, WBY wants him in return. Give me WY. And the help side can come.
Caruso is so good with putting his hands on the ball and coming when WBY turns like let the little guys help you instead of you help the little guys because when the little guy is guarding Victor Webbyama he's like I'm going to respectfully respectfully I'm going to go and camp out on the paint and then that's forcing Wemby's best version of basketball playing inside and out. So he was parked in the paint and that's the last place you want him. I think the strategy is to have Chad as the secondary defender. Again, >> he works.
>> Victor comes in to this series. He he was shooting 54% in the playoffs coming into this game. He goes nine of 19 in regulation. I understand in overtime that that's where it got bad. But we just saw they're five of 17 on open threes.
They go eight of 17. This is a different story. Victor is nine of 19. They can live with nine of 19. They can survive nine of 19. They can survive 27, but they're not surviving, but they're not surviving the matchup problems that happen. So, when you have a little guard on Wimby, now y'all have to tilt. Your defense has changed. Now, you have wide open passes, available ass passes that should not be available. Like, there's plenty there has been plenty of like that right there where Chad just let Dylan Harper, which I don't know why you let him lay that ball up. punt that to the stands, but he laid the ball up because Wimby has everybody frozen in air and he can see over everything. So, it's like if you put check even when he's trying to throw these available passes, Chad can get a deflection. You can get in the passing lane.
>> This is the number one defense in the league.
>> Yeah, >> this is the number one defense in the league. They are deployed all over the place.
>> Okay. C definitely has got to play better. There's no doubt at both ends.
Cadet and Victor are designed to go against each other. that is for a long time they've done this but it is not going to be rustle and wilt >> that's just not going to be the way it is that's not going to be the way it is you want to argue that it needs to happen more >> I'll give you that if you want to argue that in overtime when >> no I mean certain possessions >> you also mentioned that this is the number one defense in the NBA but in the sample size that we saw in the regular season San Antonio has had their way based off of using Victor the way he's been playing >> well and also the sample size in the regular season it says that so Chad Homegrren has had six games he's had [music] six games where he scored less than 10 points.
>> There you go.
>> Three of those games have been against the San Antonio Spurs. So, Chet Homegrren, I'm wondering if this is a fluke game for him against San Antonio or if this is who he is against San Antonio.
>> Well, if they're going to camp down on Shay like they are, they're going to devote two and a half defenders to him.
>> Chad's got to be better offensively, >> right? But you're not going to get another game. They got to be better off.
>> Alex Caruso scoring the way that he was.
Maybe >> to be fair, San Antonio didn't shoot the ball from three that greatly either to start the game >> and they had two turnovers turn. So they shot Wimby's playing so well, we're forgetting about their guards. Their guards kicked their ass.
>> I'm so glad that we have the potential to have six more brand new mock draft.
This is the first one we've seen since the combine wrapped up in Chicago. For now, he is the Wizards selecting AJ Debons with the number one pick, followed by Darren [music] Peterson to the Jazz, and then Cam Boozer to the Grizzlies. Jeremy Woo. He is joining us now. And Jeremy, after the combine, you still believe that AJ is going to go number one. Why is that?
>> Well, Malikica, that's I think that's the prevailing theory around the NBA right now, but I I think it's also important to emphasize there's not a consensus number one pick this year.
These guys are all very strong. So, I asked a lot of people about this and no one's 100% sure what Washington's going to do. Now, DBA really had a strong year. He's come on strong. He did what he had to do at the combine. tested well, interviewed well. Uh, but Darren Peterson is the guy who's also going to be in this conversation for them. Um, now there is a line of thinking here with Washington. They were big fans of Ace Bailey last year. You know, by that same line, you know, the athleticism Debonsa has positional size might be something they covet and someone that's going to fit well with what they have, but what they'll do, there's going to be a process. And remember, there are four candidates, >> right? And Debb as over the course of the year has started to separate himself maybe a little bit more. But Brian, you were actually in the draft lottery room when Washington won that first overall pick. So from the team side, what are you hearing?
>> Yeah, so I think uh Jeremy is right.
There's a general consensus on the top four. Debonsa, Boozer, uh Peterson, and Wilson. I don't think any of those top four picks are going to be moving. I think you'll see those teams fall into place. I do think, however, that there could be shenanigans that happen with somebody trying to to gear themselves in picks five through nine not working out for teams or what have you. And I do think we could see potential action in between picks five and 10 as those get sort of shaped out who prefers whom.
>> Yeah, we've also talked about this as maybe the draft of the point guard in a lot of ways. So looking at your mock though, Jeremy, you have three straight point guards off the board starting where you're talking about Brian at number five and you're saying that Katon Waggler is going to be first of that group. Why is that?
[snorts] >> Well, with with Waggler, it's a little bit about his specific fit for the Clippers. I think you look at what they have on the team with Darius Garland who's a smaller point guard still only 27. Waggler has the size to play both positions. They're a little bit of shades of SGA. People have said that about him this season and I don't know if the Clippers are any remorse from that. But regardless, uh I think I think the fit there is good. Uh Waggler coming in not having to be on the ball all the time. Share it. He's a guy who's going to interview really well. All the background is going to be excellent on him. A very unique story coming from off the radar to now a potential top five pick. So the Clippers will look at Darius Akoff, Kingston, Flemings. There are a lot of good guards here, but I think you can argue Waggler has the most upside. I think he'll get a really long look here at number five.
>> Interesting. A long look at number five.
And then there's Oklahoma City because we are in the middle of the conference finals here, Brian. And right now they have a couple of first round picks here.
What do you expect from them? Are they going to keep all of them? What's their strategy going to look like?
>> They have picks 12, 17, and 37. I do not believe they will draft all three players because they've only got one roster spot available. Look for them to package those picks. if there's a player they like, try to move up inside that top 10.
>> Interesting. Well, Oklahoma City, they always have options. Jeremy, thank you very much. We're going to be checking in with you as we get closer to the NBA draft here that's coming up in a couple of weeks. Let's just take a [music] look at where the the starters for the Eastern Conference finalist. This is where they've drafted. [music] They three top three picks, Towns, Harden, Moy. We also got a mix of later first rounders. That's Jaylen Brunson of course as well. So, let's get back to the conference finals here. Because the Knicks, they're trying to [music] end a 53-year drought. They're still going to need all the luck that they can get here. If you if you're if you're confused as to what I'm talking about, you don't want to be cursed.
>> I heard that you're a big New York Knicks fan.
>> Yes. Yeah.
>> And you know, I could curse your enemies. However, you've been very, very, very rude to Danhousen.
So unfortunately you are tested.
>> See you later the gingerbread man.
>> Hey you better be nice to D and just ask Stephen A. Smith.
>> How about them Knicks?
[laughter] >> All right. Well, I guess I've been paid so uh the New York Knicks. I guess you can be uncursed temporarily until I decide otherwise. Temporary truce of some sort. So they are uncursed for now unless Stephen A. Smith makes me mad again.
>> A temporary truth. And look who's here.
WWE superstar Dan Housen >> is here with us. We're going to be kind to you.
>> I'm I'm a big fan of yours. I'm just going to say like no curses over here.
So, did you know that that since D Stan [music] over here has lifted the curse, >> Yes.
>> the New York Knicks have gone 6 and0?
>> Can you believe it?
>> I I could believe it.
Like >> I played for both organizations. Don't curse me.
>> Is that Teeth in a Jar?
>> It is Teeth in a Jar. Yes. Teeth of my enemies.
>> You like some?
>> I know.
>> I really I don't like that.
>> Good luck charm or something.
>> I don't want to.
>> Is that human teeth of my enemies? It's okay. Yeah. Check them out.
>> Would you carry them for good luck or >> Yeah, I guess.
>> Does anyone have veneers or is everyone's real real?
>> They got veneers.
>> Yeah, they got new veneers.
>> We're sitting here in the Eastern Conference Finals. I I I would venture to say in part because of the curse that you lifted here. Are there any other curses or maybe even good luck charms that are going to be doled out for the rest of the conference finals.
>> I will take credit for the Knicks winning [laughter] streak. I will do that. That sounds wonderful. I do have a special uh mission I've been sent on and that is for the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight to let them know that they are cursed.
>> Oh man.
>> Why?
>> Sorry.
>> Because we're here. Yeah, we're New York City, the world's greatest city in all of the world. So, we have to curse curse their enemies.
>> Oh my goodness. And we're breaking it here on the show.
>> You know, we have two guys who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers here. Well, >> thankfully, we're not there right now, [laughter] right?
>> Not anymore.
>> Want to be cursed by Dan.
>> Is there Is there any way to lift the If you're a Cavs fan?
>> Oh, no.
>> Only time will tell.
>> The countdown.
>> That's a fine in NBA, by the way. You can't do that.
>> A lot of human money.
>> Okay. Okay. Well, we're I before we dole out any more curses here. So, you're saying that for now the New York Knicks, Stephen A. Smith, I'm sure, is listening.
>> He stays cursed. [laughter] The Knicks are uncursed. He stays cursed for, you know, as long as I watch.
>> All right. Well, the Knicks are going to stay uncursed for now. Stephen A, I'm sorry about it. You may need to have Dan Hen on again, but we have another hour coming up here on NBA Today. Let's do it, my friends. [music] It's going to be fun.
>> Don't forget to take your teeth. Just said some prayers for all of us.
You're watching NBA Today presented by Hogen.
>> Another hour.
>> Let's go.
>> NBA Today. After all, I mean, this is a city that never sleeps. So, [music] you know, we had to keep it going as we continue to march towards tip off of game one of the Eastern Conference finals between the [music] New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. We are here live in our New York studios.
We're actually going to be here all week. We had a great game last night.
So, the Eastern Conference, we're looking at you. There is a tall task to live up to on tap tonight. So, let's get out and run. Tip [music] off is just 4 hours away. Remember, entering the year, the Knicks and the Cavs, they were the clear favorites to get to this stage, but it took some some twists, some turns, maybe a couple of scares to get here. So, Brian, are you at all surprised that ultimately this [music] is our Eastern Conference?
>> I am not surprised that it's happening.
I am surprised how it's happened. If you look at the way the Knicks play, especially offensively, they look nothing like they did back in October.
You look at the Cavs, James Harden is on the team. Dennis Schruder is a key guy coming off the bench. This is not the way they drew this up, but they did get here, which is important because both teams are under significant pressure to do so.
>> They got here, but they are not rested, [music] right? The Cavaliers are coming into tonight with only one day of rest following their game seven win over the Pistons. The Knicks, they got a cool week off. They're playing for the first time since Sunday, May 10th. So, Danny, any rest versus rest here?
>> A little bit. Um, but I would take the rest time times, nine out of 10 times, but it's going to take probably a quarter or two, maybe a half. They've been playing really well. OG has been out for some time, but I expect the Knicks to keep continue rolling like they were in last series.
>> Well, Donovan Mitchell is going to be key for the Cavaliers [music] if they want to keep it rolling. And Chana, this is Donovan's first conference finals ever. James Harden, his first trip since 2018. So, what are you expecting to see from the Cavs backcourt?
>> All right, we had a good little sigh of relief for Donovan Mitchell finally making the conference finals. Finally, we also got a spider appearance. The Venom was out in a different way than expected. This back court will have to be sensational for them to be able to keep up with New York. New York is playing the best basketball out of all teams [music] and so James Harden has to score and distribute and Donovan Mitchell has to be the closer going up against the Jaylen Brunson.
>> All right, so that's Cleveland side of things. But on the flip side, Shump Jaylen Brunson Cat, they have had the Knicks back in the conference finals and for a second straight year that was [music] after a 25-year drought. So what can they learn from last year's experience?
>> I think last year uh they had to do a lot of dependent on Jaylen Brunswick. I think that this year they [music] are understanding time and score tempo trusting and believing in something at the end of the game. Being able to hang their hat on the defensive end. I like this right now. I think that cat's going to go through the cat scan. [laughter] >> I like the cap scan as a nickname there.
And look at this right now. [music] Brunson and Towns are the only teammates. They're the only duo this postseason averaging at least six assists per game. And lucky [music] me, this is actually my second back and forth to New York this week. Earlier I was here when the when the Knicks were resting and I caught up with Cat and [music] Brunson together ahead of tonight's game one.
>> How often do you guys sit down for an interview together?
>> Uh not too much.
>> Yeah.
>> Early January, late December, you all were two and nine. Tell me more about that. What was what was true that was hard during that time? And how did that shape what we're seeing now? I mean, we were two and nine, [laughter] >> but uh you know uh pressure makes diamonds and we came together and we always talked about the unity of this team and we talked about the character in this locker room and we just instead of you know falling apart, we leaned on that unity that you saw so special last year and we found ourselves on the other side of that situation and and and even growing stronger as a team.
>> There was a point in the first round [music] you were trailing 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks. What happened after game three that you all turned it around?
>> It was a lot of things said.
Nothing was disrespectful. Nothing was personal. It It was kind of soulsearching time like what do we want this to be?
>> What was the answer? Who did the New York Knicks want to be?
>> I mean, we want to win and and we saw how far we got last year and there was nothing in our minds that said we weren't, you know, going to get back there. So, just trust experience, trust each other most importantly, and things will work out. And uh like you said, you know, we're here now.
>> There's something special that happens after you guys win [music] and it's a dance party that's happening outside.
Can you just describe the feeling in the city right now?
>> The energy is crazy. The fans really believed and that's something that we were able to provide them, you know, that belief, that hope. So, [music] you know, we got to continue to do our part to give him something to cheer for.
>> Would you ever go out there?
>> I thought about it, then I saw Jared Smith and I [laughter] >> I don't know now.
>> Maybe after a championship.
>> That would that would be the only timeship, >> but still might be even a little crazier then.
>> You're facing the Cleveland Cavaliers.
What is the biggest challenge that they present?
>> I mean, obviously they're a great team, well coached. They have a variety of ways they can beat you. They can beat you with the three. They have a lot of creators, but obviously Donovan and James do a lot of great things for their team. So, I think for us, you just got to kind of lock in and make things as difficult as possible for them.
>> Knicks fans have been waiting to go back to the NBA finals for an incredibly long time. What would it mean to this fan base, to you all to be back there?
>> Just because we standing at the door don't mean we opening the door. You know, we got to do our part and uh you know, we've had a long break uh but we've been in the gym and we've been uh hungry for this moment ever since last year when we lost. So, we understand how it is to get to this point. Um, but we're looking for a new experience. How it is to get past this point. [music] >> Will you indulge me for one minute and let's go to June? And there's a parade through New York City.
>> Mhm.
>> Have you allowed yourself to even think about >> No.
>> Why not?
>> It's no point.
>> The job's not >> a lot of work to a lot of work to be done.
You can Donovan Mitchell finally in the conference finals and we did it [music] for the Knicks. Our our producers, they were digging for the Cavs as well. Their best of the season. So Cleveland, this is for you. Spider handles is where we start here.
>> Oh my goodness. Oh my god.
>> Oh no.
>> He did give him a little leg on the leg.
>> But that was bad. Bad news.
>> He was fine and they won the game.
>> Oh my. All right. Against the Clippers.
Little >> Oh, Sham God.
>> Sham Godam. for the step back.
>> Shammy Sham.
>> He's known to pull out a shammy.
Not a >> bogey. Come on, Bogey.
>> Should we try to get Shams to do the sham?
>> Shams. That should be his go-to versus the magic.
>> Crosses over.
>> Come here now.
>> Mortal Kombat is out.
>> You get back to your ankles like the other dude collected teeth.
>> How about the best James [laughter] Harden of the season here? Harden.
>> Okay, beer. lobbing it up for Mitchell.
>> The Cavs dunk a lot. I'm just going to tell you right now, they have a lot of dunk.
>> You think we're going to [music] see some tonight? Harden drives behind the back.
>> I see you changing his pocket.
>> I had sinked you. Dimes >> and Max Stru. [music] What a what a playoff run he's having.
>> Yeah, he's hooping. That boy can play.
>> Sun is rising. That's >> And then Harden >> a fullcourt lob to Evan Mo.
>> That is impressive.
>> That's nice. He ain't even hold the foul. Even more impressive on the catch, too.
>> Those are hard and dimes. How about some best spider moments [music] of the season? This is against the Heat.
>> Mitchell gets the offensive [music] rebound.
>> Get to that three ball.
>> Runs out.
[laughter] >> Somehow nails the three.
>> Send this one to overtime, right?
>> They end up losing that one.
>> I think so.
>> Yeah.
>> W Danny, I got to get there.
>> OG, >> come on. OG.
>> Maybe some foreshadowing of a highlight later.
>> That was nasty.
>> Couple game [music] sevens for us to choose from. This is game seven versus the Pistons.
>> This is when I knew it was over.
>> Pulling up from half with that. It took that long.
>> Yeah. I mean, it was still kind of close at this point. Like eight points, 10 points.
>> Well, those [music] are some highlights for you. But the Cavs title odds, they've taken some wild turns this season. [music] They started 13-2. They dropped to 25-1. That was around Christmas time. Then they started the playoffs are 17-1. And then they dropped to 60 to1 when [music] they were down 2 to Detroit. This is a roller coaster.
The Cavs enter the Eastern Finals 20 to1. Those are your odds. I don't care [music] about the odds. I care about what Donovan Mitchell has to say. Here he is earlier at practice.
>> I think the best thing about it is there's no time to think or overthink.
We're just there. Um but then obviously the rest component is obviously obviously a thing. But end of the day, I'd rather be playing every day. I've been I've been getting ready for more than this for the past nine years at this time of year. So, I'd rather this be the hardest years we've played so far. Um, especially when you have a team that's been off for two weeks, right?
Um, understand they found their rhythm.
I think they're really working for them.
So, um, for us, just continue to do what we've been doing. I understand. So, it's going to take whatever we've done times times 10.
>> Jamal Collier, our reporter covering the Midwest for us. You have been with the Cavaliers every single playoff game, all 14 of them so far this postseason. We heard from Donovan Mitchell. What have you been hearing around the locker room about how they're digesting this tall task at hand?
>> It's not been easy. You know, seven games, you just show that up and down playoff chart for this team. But they said that's good for them because this team needed to show some grit, some resiliency to fall down and be able to respond. And this kind of is a full circle for this team going back to a couple years ago that series at the Garden against the Knicks. Jared Allen became a meme after saying, "Look, the lights were a little bright at MSG." And now they feel like they've come a long way making strides to step forward to fall down 02 to Detroit be able to respond to win a game seven on the road.
Donovan Mitchell said this is a big step for these guys but it's not their ultimate goal. They still have their eyes on getting actually to the finals.
>> Both of you two have spent time in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform.
>> Actually was in that team when we lost to Knicks in the Garden >> and that that's probably you know that's something that weighs on the franchise mind at times. This is they they've been climbing back post LeBron all of that conversation, but they know that this is, as you mentioned, Jamal, a tough task. They are not the favorites in this series. So, so what's it going to take?
>> I mean, it's going to take all hands on deck. They're going to need James Harden to play, going to need the bigs to play.
Again, Jared Allen, that moment said the lights are too bright. Want to see where his growth is at. And even Donovan Mitchell, he's from New York. He's a New York kid and this is a big a moment for him. Opportunity to be in the garden, which he probably grew up idol or like imagining, I guess you would say. Yeah.
So, he's got to come and show to play, too. It starts with him. It starts with James Harden. But everybody's got to play because this New York Knicks team is too deep. They have a lot of pieces even off the bench. Like we've seen Lendry Shamik come in and give you 15 18 off the bench. Deuce McBride. So, they're going to need a lot of guys to step up and play big.
>> Yeah. For me, I think Evan Mobley uh is going to have to come to play. When you look at the other side, you're going to be looking at Cat. Cat's going to have that ball and Cat's going to be doing a whole lot on one end. if you have to deal with that on one end. Coming to the other end, I think you have to put him in some pressure situations. I'm gonna expect him [music] to be aggressive and I'm also gonna expect a lot out of Max Stroo. Max has been great.
>> So, it's been Evan Mobley that maybe you're thinking is going to draw the assignment on Carl Anthony Towns with Jared Allen being more of that free safety.
>> Yeah, they actually flipped it during the last round where Moy was on Assar Thompson. That allowed him to sort of roam around double cage Cunningham knowing you've got Jared Allen on the back end. So, you think it's going to be Jared Allen that's going to drop?
>> I could see that for sure. And at least starting out that way, seeing how the matchups go and and then they got Dean Wade, a bigger, longer defender to throw at Jaylen Brunson. They feel pretty good about those matchups. The last game they played uh in I think it was February or March against the Knicks. That was the how they sort of lined it up and they had a lot of success. They beat the Knicks in that game.
>> I think you know the Cavs have been building towards this for six years, six or seven years. They've been building towards this exact moment. They have a lot invested in this team right now.
When they've been under pressure, they've played very good basketball.
They are a flawed team. You will see them make mistakes, but when they are under pressure, they tend to play at a very high level. We [music] have seen that in two game sevens now. And so, I want to see how they handle the pressure of a team in the Knicks that's playing the best basketball the Eastern Conference. Well, when you talk about pressure, I think about the pressure that we saw [music] them apply to Cade Cunningham, picking him up full court in a lot of ways, 94 feet and that sort of pressure. That's certainly what I'm expecting from Jaylen Brunson and that guy >> Iman Shumpert, he was tasked with doing that to to Steph Curry back in 2016, picking up Steph >> dang near 94 ft.
>> Yeah, it's uh it's one of them things that you have to take on the assignment with somebody that's so ball dominant.
you know this from being in series.
>> You're not saying we're going to shut you down today. We're not saying uh uh we just want to get a late contest. What we're saying is, you know what, you've earned your respect, but I now have no assignment but you. You are my assignment. Uh you want to hold hands as much as you can. If I could hold your hand across the street and we going to go all the way across half court with this thing, that's just what we're going to do. You know what I'm saying? But you have to do that to wear into the legs because especially on the other side, a lot of times when you take on a matchup like that, you're not looking to use your legs on the other end. You know, you're going to get a little bit of rest on the other end. You want to just continue to do it to say at the end of the game, can I get him to miss a free throw, too?
>> At the end of the game, can I get him to have that little brain fart and throw that bad pass off a foot?
>> Sure.
>> Just one little wrinkle, one little thing that I keep in my pocket. If I could do that, I feel like I'm successful.
>> Because these games often times are kind of one around the margins.
>> Yeah. And I'll say one thing about the Cavs late in that series. Remember the beginning against Detroit, they had a lot of turnovers. They were giving Detroit a lot of easy baskets. They cleaned it up by the end and that was a big game changer for Detroit. They couldn't get into off easy offense off caps turnovers.
>> They couldn't get into a rhythm and now it's the Cavaliers that are in the Eastern Conference Finals that we are are inching close.
>> What a night in the NBA. Certainly social media was taking notice. Our group chat was too, but we can't put some of that on on >> that. biggest player, biggest stage. The reaction was pouring in after a game like that. It took two overtimes to [music] decide. So, let's just show you what we're talking about here. Wendy's impact right when he was on the floor plus 16 nonWBY minutes [music] here. Just the numbers, you can show how he impacts the Oklahoma City Thunder.
And then WBY in the clutch here. It was time for him to show up. All tied up at 99. Webby [music] Yama gets a switch onto Jaylen Williams. WBY working his way inside, >> taking his time.
>> Yeah, he can't double from there, so it's too late.
>> Right before our eyes.
>> Really an incredible shot there, Chana.
And we saw more from Web Mama in overtime. This is the shot though that everybody is talking about.
We pulls up from 32 feet. Here's [music] how it sounded on the Thunder and Spurs radio broadcast. Let's take a listen together.
Gama has a leftwing castle patrolling leaning 30 foot three to tie is in there >> 26.3 to play >> Castle the Wendy rising deep three WE Victor 6 FT BEHIND THE LINE TIES THE GAME AT 108 >> I was stunned a little bit but once the ball went up I'm like oh that's going in this kind of just who he is I mean he's he's one of a kind >> he let it go on his And I was like, "Oh, >> he shot that."
>> Oh, it went in. Okay, cool.
>> Wait, not the Thunder. The Thunder Radio. It went in there.
>> Yeah, [laughter] >> that was a >> little bit of difference in excitement on the radio broadcast.
>> If it looks familiar though, >> that's a hell of a >> That's a great edit.
>> Nightmare [music] fuel.
>> Yeah, that's Nightmare Night. And Wendy kept it going here in overtime. The second overtime here.
>> Oh, look. The health defender came like they planned. a baby off the street, dog.
>> And then >> do that. That's a baby.
>> On the very next possession here, J.
>> Oh, that's a great plan.
>> Somebody come look at this.
>> Look at this. I mean, look at this.
>> Cat drinking milk out the bowl.
>> Look at the bowl.
>> If you know, you know.
>> This is how it sounded in our group chat. Well, let's take a listen to how it sounded behind the scenes [laughter] in Paccom Center.
>> Oh my lord. Everybody had to step up.
Everybody answered the call. It was like sheer willpower.
I had the hardest game I ever played in my life. Double overtime game. Multiple chances to get it done. But it's easy when you got the best player in the world on your team.
Come on.
>> We needed every second from everybody.
And those five guys played, I think, the last 15 or so minutes of game time. And your knees got wobbly and you composed yourselves and you're strong as hell as finished. It's a hell of a job.
Palm sweaty, mom spaghetti, and the Spurs were able to pull it out. Michael C right he had a front row seat for this one. What are the Spurs saying? It's it's a day after and you're seeing a historic performance like that. Are they back down to earth? Are they focused again? What's the conversation around the team?
>> No, they were reflective of Victor Wimyamba's monstrous game one performance because all those guys, they sat on the bench with Victor and Victor took it personal. They were all [snorts] mad. Everybody's, you know, the crowd's going crazy and they're in Papa Smurf blue. That's what it look like out there. But the crowd's going crazy. Vic [music] is kind of getting more and more angry about it and the rest of the team is too because all of those guys believe that Victor Wimmanyama is the [music] best player in the entire world and they're they're like he should he should be the MVP. And so they took it just as personally as [music] Vic did and they wanted to do everything they could to help their teammate really make a statement in game one. And so the Spurs believe they made a statement in game one, but after the game, Kell Johnson, the six man of the year, he told me, "Look, man, we respect Oklahoma City, but at the same time, this is not a situation where we're coming here to try to sneak one in game one." No, we are coming to win this whole thing. So, the Spurs are very confident. They're hoping that confidence carries forward into game two.
>> Well, and a huge part of that is going to be the status of De'Aran Fox moving forward in this series. Certainly something to keep an eye on. Michael Cight, we appreciate the time. Thank you very much. Here it is again. Victor Romanyama. [music] We just Let's take one more look at his box score against the defending champs. This This doesn't even look real. 41 points.
>> Video game stats.
>> 24 blocks. 24.
>> That's what it felt like out there.
>> Three blocks here. [music] >> I'm still reacting to saying get the baby out the street.
>> Well, you know what a stat like line like this calls for? I [music] think it calls for a little tower of power.
>> Oh, all the reflector is so powerful.
That sounds like a job for Wendy's.
Tower of Power.
>> Oh, [music] that's interesting. I'm pulling the ball. Number five, 43 2.
Number one.
>> I say in a voice. Tower of Power.
>> Tower of Power Brian Horse. [music] >> All you Bri.
>> All right. Now, look. This is the top performances in conference finals history.
>> And before you jump on me, >> I took into account where it was in the series. Okay.
>> The later in the series, the more important. Starting with the deuses.
This is good.
>> Having said that, game one.
>> Mr. Wyama.
>> Mr. Wyama. It was a game one, but my god, what a game. 24 points. We've been talking about or 41 points, 24 rebounds.
I don't know if you've seen this yet today. He makes it. It went in. As the Thunder Radio Network said, it went in.
Uh, absolutely tremendous. You know, tour force. Is that French? That was absolutely a powerhouse. It makes the top five. Okay, number four. Jump.
You're going to want to pay attention to this one.
>> Michael Jordan.
>> Oh yeah. Okay.
>> They got Okay. When they're going for their first repeat, they got behind 20 to the Knicks. He comes back to Chicago.
He didn't have home court. Game four.
How about 54?
>> 54 to even the series. Look, there weren't a whole lot of series that Jordan played that were super close.
This was one of them. They came from two back. Jordan turned the series around.
Yeah, you needed a timeout, Pat. All right, number three. This was one of the most memorable games I ever attended.
The 48 special in Detroit 2007 LeBron James game five double overtime. You may recall he scored 29. Oh, how about that?
How about cheat sheet? Couldn't do it to late game. I'll say that right now. Luke Jason Mio LeBron was incredible in this game. 48 points, 29 of the last 30. It was 2-2. They win game five in game six.
They go to the Cats. First ever NBA Finals. Number two, game seven, Charles Barkley, 1993 against Seattle. How about 44 points, 24 rebounds in this game. He also had an incredible game five, but it was game seven on the line. 44 and 24 in a closeout situation.
>> Yeah, hug him up, man. My number one game in LeBron James career was then is now 2012 in TD Garden. 45 points. But you know what? It was really about Oh, I forgot. He kept doing that. This is actually 2007. But you know, I'm going to tell you what happened in 2012. 2012, the Bronx scored 45 down 3-2. Game six in Boston. But it was the first half, guys. He scored 30 in the first half of that game. He ended it in the first half. close out elimination game in Boston end in the first half changed the course of his entire career.
>> But considering all of the the the games that are on your list and the weight that you put in game fives, game sixes, game sevens, the fact that Victors falls number five all time on your list is saying something.
>> I was going to say let's see what happens in the rest of this series.
Let's see what happens potentially in the next series, but it could be re-evaluated if it ends up being super pivotal.
>> It could be re-evaluated. That just goes to show you how incredible last night was. And I'm hoping that we're going to get it some court sort of encore tonight in Madison Square Garden coming up here on NBA.
>> Cleveland [music] Cavaliers, they're back in the conference finals for the first time since 2018. But oddsmakers, they don't see them getting much further. In fact, the Cavaliers, they're 20 to1 [music] to bring home the Larry O'Brien trophy. While all three other semiinalists, they are under five to one. So Chennet, what is it going to take for the Cavaliers to pull off an upset here, my friends?
>> Sis, we've got a little bit of a playersonly situation here. And we always talk about the playoffs being chess and not checkers. Well, we have a new segment. Do you guys [music] like it? Today's chess board where we talk about matchups because close your ears.
New York Knicks fans. [music] If the Cavs were to win this series, it's going to come down to cutting off the head of the Snake. The Snake being Jaylen Brunson. Brunson is near 50, 40, [music] 90 so far this postseason. Their first option, we all know, is probably not going to be defensive with James Harden. So, they're going to have to outscore. So, let's key in on James Harden because he will have to outscore and outwork [music] this New York Knicks squad, particularly attack Brunson.
Let's see the tape because whenever James Harden is in isolation, what did he call himself? The system guys, these are advantages for him because he has the height to be able to overpower, right?
>> Mhm. I like it. I like it. Anytime he can, he tries to get you downhill, but every time he does, he brings up whoever you [music] have on your backline, and that brings offensive rebounding chances for the C. so good at snaking the pick and roll. This gets to his signature step back or he's able to distribute.
They know that he's got the hot hand here. He will have to play big. Again, if you're going up against Brunson, you're going to have to outscore. This is him on an island. He can attack. He can use his physicality. I know it's big body Brunson, but instead James does have [music] advantages here. Now, the second piece in all of this, y'all, is you have to outwork. And this is going to have to take all of the Cleveland Cavaliers. You have to have really good pickup points if you are the Cleveland Cavaliers. We saw this in the Detroit Pistons series because Kade by game seven, what did he look like?
>> I'm tired, boss. He was fatigued.
Dishing 0 for seven. So, let's talk about this. The pickup point was the highest that we've seen in a long time, especially particularly defensively for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shout out to Max Truce. He was moving, as per say, moving them those puppies.
>> Puppies.
>> You know, you know what's interesting though, guys?
>> This kind of looks a little bit familiar.
>> Maybe more so Shump than Manny, but let's look. Let's talk about the pickup.
>> You did it just a longer time ago.
[laughter] >> A longer time ago.
>> We don't have video >> before. We don't before we run the tape.
Highest average pickup distance when bringing up the ball. Cade Cunningham, which is wild. But also, we saw that the Pacers found success doing the same thing to Jaylen Brunson. So, let's try to revisit some history here. And uh we going to talk defense. Talk to >> Let's do it. Let's go.
>> Hey, man. Let me take the glasses off of this one. Let me let me take the cool off cuz you can't be cool when this is your job. One, first thing you're going to do, you want to shorten the shot clock down. Whenever they have to enter with less on the shot clock for offense, you're going to let that run. Anytime I was right here, I should have got in trouble cuz I got detached from Steph Curry. You never get detached from Steph Curry. But having [music] somebody bring the ball up under duress all the time, gets into their legs toward the end of the game, but even so during the game, it disturbs their rhythm.
>> Way to support something. Way to support something. If I have to identify one player [music] here that is truly though the X factor, can you guys point to them for their success?
>> I'm going to guess Dean Wade.
>> I'm going to go Moly.
>> Oh, you're going to go Mobly. I have to agree. Evan Mobley when he plays aggressive, [music] this is a team that has rais risen their level because I mean when he's creating, look at this.
When he's bringing the ball up, this [music] is where his gifts are maximized. James Harden is setting a brush screen for him to cook. These are the types of plays that you'll need to see verse New York.
>> Mhm. I think that he's just such a willing passer. He doesn't get talked about enough for it, [music] but I think that when he has the ball, he can honestly mimic a lot of the things that Cat does on the other side for New York.
Uh he can be a distributor and he can go in spots that it is really [music] hard to one send a double team, but >> for us to get help, uh yeah, pop down, >> it's going to take it tough to Thompson.
>> And you talked about his his importance of passing. I believe in the closeout game he had six assists. willing passing, >> but he's just a mismatch problem all over the floor. And this is the potential we saw in him. He was defensive player last year. He also can score, stretch the floor, knocking down threes.
>> Like, you know, they compared him to AD at one point. This year during regular season, not so much. Now in the playoffs, he's showing it.
>> But the good news is that he's having the highest ever amount of touches, which means they found their focal point. Guys, players only players only. One time for them players.
>> It's now time for heat check. It's brought to you by DraftKing Sportsbook as we're just over three hours away from tip off of the Eastern Conference Finals. So Danny, let's start off with you. What's your your your parlay pick here?
>> I got Jaylen Brunson over 28 points.
>> He has been cooking lately.
>> Score him having to not bring the ball up as much. Usage rate is down. He can be more efficient with offense.
>> Well, someone's got to pass Jaylen Brunsw the ball, which is why I've got Carl Anthony Town, six plus assists, which is light work for what he's been doing so far this postseason. Missed a triple double. I'm I'm getting ahead of myself a little bit with that though.
>> Okay, check it out, man. I'm going to go ahead and take Josh Hardy at 10 plus rebounds. They going to be doing a lot of shooting from the outside. Going to be a lot of locking down right now. So, I think that the guards are going to have to corral that long rebound.
>> All right, 28 over 28 for Brunson, six plus assist for Towns, 10 plus for [music] Hart. So, all that adds up. A $10 bet pays $85 with that parlay on Drafting Sportsbook. All customers, they can get a profit boost every day of the NBA playoffs. Download the app. Use a promo code screen when [music] you sign up. All right, those are the predictions, but we still want we still want the questions. We we want to know >> what what >> what [laughter] was you doing when you did it the first time? Did you know like, oh, I cooked with this?
>> No, I didn't.
>> No, you [laughter] got it.
>> Yeah, I cook every day.
>> Okay, let's do it.
>> All right, let's talk to her.
>> Talk to him. Let that man cook. Let's freaking go.
>> First off, tonight Dean Wade is going to get the primary assignment guarding Jaylen Brunson. In the regular season, Dean Wade was a Brunson stopper. Brunson was one of 16 against him when he was a primary defender. Now, I just don't buy that. Dean Wade does have good length, but [music] you know, Brunson doesn't get shut down by anybody. But, can he slow him down? Can Dean Wade be effective that he can be held out on an island against Brunson [music] also bring the double teams? We're going to find out. Aman looks incredulous.
[laughter] >> Look at that. Look at that stat line. I mean, that's okay.
>> That's regular season, huh?
>> I know. Regular season. Okay, but that's a 16. By the way, he's been doing good.
He's been good against K.
>> He's solid. He's a good defender. He's a defender.
>> All right. The other thing I'm going to pay attention to Jared Allen. Now, [music] you guys talked earlier about the infamous quote about the lights being too bright.
>> Yeah.
>> You know, he and you know, Donovan Mitchell had 38 in the first game at the Garden in the series three years ago, and then after that, he didn't have another impactful game. Jared Allen was destroyed by Mitch Robinson in that series. Jared Allen is a different player now. He's had two big game sevens. Let's see if he's a different player against Mitch Robinson. And then [clears throat] number three, new cat. Is new cat the real cat? Is the way we're going to see this high post offense Carl Towns the cat scan >> as calls it the cat scan.
>> Is the cat scan a real thing or is this just a product of teams [music] not being ready for it? The Cavs have had their scouting report. They gonna they're going to know they have good defensive bigs most of the time. Will Cat's offensive new offensive strategy work as well against the Cavs as it did against the Celtics or the >> Scott Report is out now, right?
>> Yeah. I mean, I think this will be his first real test though cuz the Cavs do have what it takes to combat [music] everything that they do. Uh it's going to force New York to try and win in different ways.
>> So, what you're saying is that Carl Anthony Towns has to be the catalyst.
>> Come on now. Okay, come on, journalist.
>> How long have you been waiting for that?
[laughter] >> 2 hours.
>> Well, you're going to have TO WAIT TO USE A COUPLE MORE hours because we still got a few more between us. 3 hours away from tip off between the Knicks and the Cavaliers. And there's just a few more minutes left on our show. And Chen, I usually ask per this, but you know, when you're listening to our sponsor, Mr. Dah.
>> Oh my gosh.
>> Wait, hold on. We manifested this.
>> Are you starting?
>> Is it hogs?
>> Are you starting to maybe get a little bit hungry?
>> I know Perk is upset he's not HERE FOR THIS.
OH MY GOD.
>> WENDY, YOU WERE THERE.
>> Where are you going?
>> I said the excitement is great.
>> He knows where to come.
>> You asked Chana Gum.
>> Oh my gosh. Thank you.
Delivered. Our friends at Hogan.
>> They delivered for us.
>> Cherry dark chocolate.
>> Hey, don't rush indulgence.
>> That's Thank you.
>> Well, while we enjoy our treats, we got a we got a treat for everyone. I'm taking a little stroll down memory lane.
Game ones of the Eastern Conference Finals. Are you doing a little top of the top? We definitely still have two and a half minutes of TV left. Let's just watch the highlights. Let's watch these highlights together.
>> Okay, JK. That's my boy there. That's my boy >> getting doubled.
>> That's my boy.
>> You my boy.
>> That's good. Strawberry's great.
[laughter] >> At number four, we got the Pacers in the Heat. This is game one.
>> Oh, >> Lebanon James.
He took Hibbert off the court. Sean such off the court.
>> Did y'all see uh him looking for any calls? Man, I want all the young kids to look at LeBron. Just push that man off and go down there. Impose your will or leave it all at home.
>> Okay. Oh, man.
>> This is Celtics in the bubble.
>> Yeah, Bam.
>> Iconic block.
>> Taco.
>> Taco.
>> Oh, man.
>> Looking for the call at the rim. Take the elevator.
>> Oops. in this one.
>> Marshall fans.
>> All right, >> that's at number three.
>> How does your thing?
>> Can I do my sh number two?
>> Yeah.
>> You're showing this today.
>> Oh, good.
>> A motivator.
>> That was gaslight.
>> It's a motivator.
>> And then [music] what's number one? What do you think number one is? Do it again.
Do it again. Do I dare? Oh. Oh man. Wow.
Out of the frame.
>> We got to go walk face now because what are you doing to us? This wasn't us.
This was our producer like and their full government names are >> Blank Condis, Jared Y.
>> Oh my producers.
>> All right. So, who's going to be the hero tonight for their team? Hogen is clearly this one. She's She's already in this fight. She is already in it. Sweet.
>> All right. The hero tonight, Mr. Winhurst. When you're looking at game one, what do we think?
>> I think Ojanobi comes back, gets left open on some pick and rolls and big game.
>> All right. So, you're thinking the Knicks maybe are going to pull this one out. DG.
>> I'm going Bridges.
>> Interesting. I like that.
>> He's had a great last series defensively. He's picked up offensively into that mid-range. He's found some new life.
>> All right.
>> Yeah, >> Mr. Shumper.
>> I think they finally let the cat out the bag, man.
>> That's my answer. [laughter] >> Give me cat, man. And I think that the Knicks I just think he's going to be the difference maker and then >> the Knicks the Knicks will prevail at home. I think cosign retweet.
>> A cosign ret.
>> I think we're going to get a big Donovan Mitchell [music] game.
>> However, I I think the Knicks are going to finally >> You deserve a treat. 2 hours posting.
Yes, >> that was a shimmy. Am I >> pick enjoy game one of the Eastern Conference finals tonight. We'll see you same
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