ITALKSPORTS Episode 49: James Harden & The Cavs Let Me Down Again + OKC Is A Nightmare Matchup
The New York Knicks have achieved an unprecedented feat by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers, a triumph that has ignited fervent celebrations among their fans, even before clinching the NBA Championship. However, I express my reservations regarding the Knicks' capacity to secure the title, given the overwhelming chaos their potential victory could unleash upon New York City. In this episode, I also convey my profound disappointment in the Cavaliers, who failed to meet the lofty expectations set for them. Furthermore, I delve into the ongoing playoff saga, highlighting the stark contrast between the San Antonio Spurs and the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder, where the latter appears to be an overwhelmingly superior force. Join us as we navigate through the tumultuous landscape of the NBA playoffs, characterized by chaos, frustration, and admiration for the Thunder's dominance. The recent NBA Playoffs have unveiled a rather tumultuous landscape, particularly for the New York Knicks, who have successfully swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in a series that has sent shockwaves throughout the basketball community. While it is essential to acknowledge the Knicks' commendable achievements thus far, I find myself grappling with the stark reality that their championship aspirations may be overly ambitious. The exuberance displayed by Knicks fans, even at this preliminary stage, raises concerns regarding the potential chaos that could ensue should the team ascend to the pinnacle of the NBA. The prospect of New York City erupting into frenzied celebrations at the mere thought of a championship victory is both exhilarating and alarming, leading me to ponder whether an entirely new planetary habitat might be required to accommodate the ensuing madness. In juxtaposition, my disappointment with the Cleveland Cavaliers is palpable, particularly when considering the lofty expectations that accompanied their season. Their lackluster performance in the playoffs, culminating in a swift exit, was not only unexpected but also indicative of deeper issues within the team. This brings us to the perennial enigma that is James Harden. Despite his undeniable talent, the conversations surrounding his playoff performances seem to persist, suggesting a pattern of underwhelming contributions when it matters most. As we delve into the playoff matchups, particularly the encounter between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, it becomes evident that the latter has emerged as a formidable force. The Thunder's dominance raises questions about the efficacy of the Spurs, who will rely heavily on Victor Wembanyama to elevate their game to a level that could compete against OKC's burgeoning prowess. Thus, as we navigate the current playoff chaos, it is essential to appreciate the intricate dynamics at play. The Knicks, while deserving of recognition, may not possess the requisite qualities to secure a championship. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers' early exit serves as a cautionary tale, and Harden's ongoing struggles amplify the scrutiny surrounding his legacy. The ascent of the Thunder signals a shift in power within the league, and as fans, we are left to ponder the implications of these developments. In essence, this episode encapsulates the frustrations, aspirations, and fervent discussions that characterize the current state of the NBA playoffs, underscoring the delicate balance between celebration and impending chaos that defines this exhilarating time of year.
Takeaways:
- The New York Knicks have achieved a remarkable feat by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers, yet skepticism persists regarding their potential to secure the NBA Championship.
- The exuberance exhibited by Knicks fans following their playoff successes raises concerns about the potential chaos in New York if they were to clinch the title.
- James Harden's consistent underperformance in crucial playoff situations has led to an erosion of confidence in his abilities, marking a disappointing trend throughout his career.
- The matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and the OKC Thunder illustrates the disparity in team strength, with the Thunder appearing poised for dominance despite the Spurs' valiant efforts led by Victor Wembanyama.
- Playoff intensity reveals the stark contrast between teams built around superstars and those reliant on collective efforts, as demonstrated by the Thunder's cohesive gameplay.
- The overarching sentiment surrounding the ongoing NBA playoffs is one of excitement mixed with frustration, particularly regarding player performances and team dynamics.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Knicks
- New York Knicks
- Dallas Mavericks
- Arsenal
- Orlando Pirates
- Sundowns
- Shandong
- Mike Brown
- Tom Thibodeau
- James Harden
- Houston
- Cleveland
- OKC
- De' Aaron Fox
- Stefan Castle
- Dylan Harper
- Victor Wembanyama
- Chet Holmgren
- Alex Caruso
- Isaiah Hartenstein
Transcript
What's up?
Speaker B:What are you gonna do with the Knicks?
Speaker B:With the chick, man, what are you.
Speaker B:I told you, a team from the east is winning.
Speaker B:I just didn't think it was going to be the Knicks.
Speaker A:What are you gonna do?
Speaker A:I don't know.
Speaker A:I'm not.
Speaker A:I'm.
Speaker A:I don't know, bro.
Speaker A:I don't think I'm ready for that reality.
Speaker A:I'm not ready for the Knicks to win a championship.
Speaker A:I'm not.
Speaker B:I didn't ask you if you're ready, and I'll ask you.
Speaker B:What are you gonna do?
Speaker A:I'm gonna say congratulations.
Speaker A:What else can I do?
Speaker A:I'm gonna hate.
Speaker A:That's for sure.
Speaker A:I'm gonna hate.
Speaker B:You're gonna hate.
Speaker A:I'm gonna hate.
Speaker A:But I can't even hate, dog.
Speaker A:They like.
Speaker A:I can't even hate.
Speaker A:They playing great basketball, well coached, with a bull at the front and a solid roster around him.
Speaker A:So they can put points on the board, they can defend just good enough.
Speaker A:I mean, I can't hate, bro.
Speaker A:I can't hate.
Speaker A:This is all Nico Harrison's fault.
Speaker A:By the way, Nico Harrison traded Jalen Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks.
Speaker A:Those are two trades that Nico Harrison should get fired wherever, whatever job he gets next.
Speaker A:Fire him just for his past.
Speaker A:Fire him for his past.
Speaker A:Fire him for his past.
Speaker A:That's not fair.
Speaker A:Already you just.
Speaker A:Cause already you can just fire him because he's the guy who traded Luka.
Speaker A:But now he's the guy.
Speaker A:Dog, do you know I wouldn't want to be here, man?
Speaker A:Why?
Speaker A:Dog, you're forever known as the guy who traded Luca and Jalen Bronson.
Speaker A:Think about that for a minute.
Speaker A:Yeah, the guy who traded Luca.
Speaker A:Luca and Jalen Brunson.
Speaker B:I'm known for something, Chief.
Speaker A:You can see, by the way.
Speaker A:Microphone check.
Speaker A:12.
Speaker A:12.
Speaker A:Was good.
Speaker A:Was good, Was good.
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker A:Welcome to it.
Speaker A:Talk sports.
Speaker A:His name is Mukundi and he is I.
Speaker A:And the NBA playoffs.
Speaker A:I can't even do it, bro.
Speaker A:I can't even do it.
Speaker A:I can't.
Speaker A:I can't.
Speaker A:Nj, how are you?
Speaker A:This is nj.
Speaker A:You can't even hear him.
Speaker A:But that's nj.
Speaker A:Nj.
Speaker B:Yo, what's up, man?
Speaker A:Should we do this?
Speaker B:First of all, first of all, this has been a very, very, very weird week for sports.
Speaker B:Very weird sports.
Speaker A:Do tell.
Speaker B:Arsenal won the Premier League.
Speaker A:Oh, yeah.
Speaker A:Shout out Arsenal.
Speaker A:Congratulations to every Arsenal supporter out there.
Speaker A:Jokes.
Speaker B:20 Years.
Speaker B:I can't even.
Speaker B:Can't even hate.
Speaker A:Shout out, Gunners.
Speaker B:Shout out to Arsenal.
Speaker B:Not the Arsenal fans.
Speaker B:I don't like any.
Speaker B:Any single one of you.
Speaker B:You guys deserve.
Speaker A:I'm still saying shout out Arsenal.
Speaker B:The Arsenal fans are not okay, then that's fair.
Speaker B:After that, Orlando Pirates 1.
Speaker B:Shout out.
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:Orlando Pirates won the.
Speaker A:Sundowns won the Champions League.
Speaker B:So it's been a.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:Shout out Shandong.
Speaker A:Shout out Sundance.
Speaker A:Shout out Sundown Pirates.
Speaker A:Boom.
Speaker B:That was the only.
Speaker B:And then this morning happened, man.
Speaker B:The apocalypse is coming, bro.
Speaker B:Like, yeah, but we got to do this.
Speaker B:Sports want to do this.
Speaker B:Take it away at night.
Speaker A:I got a job to do, don't I?
Speaker A:Job to do, man.
Speaker A:My dog.
Speaker A:How are you?
Speaker A:Are you fine?
Speaker A:Yeah, me, I'm fine.
Speaker A:Just tell me down there.
Speaker A:Mukundi.
Speaker A:I'm fine, Mukundi.
Speaker B:I'm cool.
Speaker A:What's good with you?
Speaker A:The Knicks are going to the NBA Finals.
Speaker A:The.
Speaker A:The New York Knicks.
Speaker A:In the year of our Lord and savior, the Big Two six are going to the NBA A Finals.
Speaker A:This is the first time this has happened in 27 years.
Speaker A:I don't know how to feel about this.
Speaker A:I wasn't even born yet.
Speaker A:My dog.
Speaker A:Do you realize we need a whole new planet to live on?
Speaker A:You see what they doing to the city in just.
Speaker A:Just for the conference finals, dog.
Speaker A:You saw what they did to the city.
Speaker A:Now these dudes are going to the finals, bro.
Speaker A:But before we get into the meat of things.
Speaker A:Yeah, shout out.
Speaker A:I talk sports, man.
Speaker A:Just.
Speaker A:God, go out there.
Speaker A:If you're on the YouTubes, like, comment, subscribe, all that good stuff.
Speaker A:And then if you're on my Spotify, if you're listening through Spotify, Apple, Apple, podcasts, and everywhere you get your podcast because we.
Speaker A:Everywhere, baby.
Speaker A:We everywhere.
Speaker A:Just go ahead, download, follow the page, and we're going to have a good time because I'm your friend in it.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And friends support each other now.
Speaker A:NBA playoffs.
Speaker A:The New York Knickerbott.
Speaker A:Knickerbo.
Speaker A:What is it?
Speaker A:The New York Knickerbotters.
Speaker A:Knickerbockers.
Speaker A:Knickerboarders.
Speaker A:What is.
Speaker A:No, man.
Speaker A:What does Knick stand for again?
Speaker A:Knickerboarders.
Speaker A:New York Knicker.
Speaker A:What?
Speaker A:No.
Speaker A:Give me a minute.
Speaker A:Give me a minute because I need the full name here.
Speaker A:New York Knicks.
Speaker A:They are called the New York Knickerbockers.
Speaker A:The New York Knickerbockers.
Speaker A:The New York Knickerbockers are going to the NBA finals.
Speaker A:But before I go too far, credit where it's due.
Speaker A:Credit where it's due.
Speaker A:It's the same thing NJ's saying it's not Arsenal, it's the Arsenal fans.
Speaker A:But here I'm kind of hating on the Knicks.
Speaker A:I don't really like the Knicks like that.
Speaker A:I'm not even gonna lie.
Speaker A:I know it's my job to be objective, but I'm not.
Speaker A:But here we are.
Speaker A:Well done to the New York Knicks.
Speaker A:You've been playing the best New York Knicks basketball I've seen in all my years watching basketball.
Speaker A:You are playing great basketball and I love the fact that it's a team effort.
Speaker A:When Jalen Brunson is not up for the task, guess what?
Speaker A:Joe Hart is.
Speaker A:Josh Hart is like, ayo, I got this, bro.
Speaker A:I got this.
Speaker A:Don't worry.
Speaker A:When Josh Hart is not having a good night, Mikhail Bridges is like, ayo, dawg, I got this.
Speaker A:Let me show you what I cast.
Speaker A:Five picks, yo.
Speaker A:Carl Anthony Towns is also trying.
Speaker A:He's doing his thing.
Speaker A:The New York Knicks are playing great basketball.
Speaker A:The New York Knicks are firing on all cylinders.
Speaker A:Hey, yo, what's that?
Speaker A:What's that coach's name?
Speaker A:Steve.
Speaker A:Steve.
Speaker A:Steve.
Speaker A:Steve, Steve, Steve.
Speaker A:No, man.
Speaker A:Come on, man.
Speaker A:I had it right here, okay?
Speaker A:Shut up.
Speaker A:Mike Brown.
Speaker A:I'm gonna cut this out.
Speaker A:But they are well coached, bro.
Speaker A:They are playing very well.
Speaker A:Shout out, Mike Brown.
Speaker A:They fired Tom Thibodeau after he took them to the NBA Finals.
Speaker A:And Mike Brown was supposed to be the man who's.
Speaker A:Who was going to take them to the promised land.
Speaker A:Here they are.
Speaker A:They are at the gate.
Speaker A:They are knocking.
Speaker A:They are four wins away from winning the NBA Finals.
Speaker A:The New York Knicks are four wins away from being NBA champions.
Speaker A:It's a bittersweet moment.
Speaker A:As a basketball fan.
Speaker A:I can't even hate.
Speaker A:Like I said, they are playing great basketball.
Speaker A:Beautiful basketball.
Speaker A:Ayo.
Speaker A:The Knicks haven't won a game since April.
Speaker A:Haven't lost a game since April.
Speaker A:They've won the eight of the last, what, ten games?
Speaker A:No, actually that's.
Speaker A:Man, they.
Speaker A:They on a.
Speaker A:Like, they.
Speaker A:Let's see.
Speaker A:Sweep.
Speaker A:Ha.
Speaker A:Damn, dog, they playing good.
Speaker A:Sweep.
Speaker A:Then another sweep.
Speaker A:And then the four.
Speaker A:The four straight wins they've got against at.
Speaker A:Against Atlanta.
Speaker A:That's 12 straight wins.
Speaker A:Which means they haven't lost a game in 12 games in the NBA playoffs against good teams.
Speaker A:So congratulations to the New York Knights.
Speaker A:Well deserved.
Speaker A:Well deserved.
Speaker A:The planet is gonna burn down.
Speaker A:We are gonna lose Earth as a habitable planet.
Speaker A:And I need us to make peace with that fact now, Ayo.
Speaker A:Them dudes are gonna tear the planet apart.
Speaker A:It reminds me of the Bing Bang era.
Speaker A:But you Know what?
Speaker A:It's fine.
Speaker A:Congratulations to the New York Knicks.
Speaker A:Now, the reason they're in the finals.
Speaker A:Excuse me?
Speaker A:Oh, that was rude.
Speaker A:For three weeks, 21 days, I have been talking about one man and one man alone.
Speaker A:A legend in the game changed the game.
Speaker A:One of the best to ever do it.
Speaker A:Certainly not one of the greatest, though, unfortunately.
Speaker A:I begged.
Speaker A:I begged.
Speaker A:I begged him.
Speaker A:I begged James Harden to do his job.
Speaker A:And technically speaking, he did.
Speaker A:He showed up to work, kinda.
Speaker A:He was there, physically.
Speaker A:I begged.
Speaker A:I said, james Harden, I need you.
Speaker A:I need you to have a great game.
Speaker A:I need you to have a great season series.
Speaker A:You need to take the Cavs to the promised land.
Speaker A:That did not happen.
Speaker A:As a matter of fact, I don't even think he tried.
Speaker A:I don't think he bothered.
Speaker A:There is nothing that you can tell me about James Harden's performances in these playoffs that can convince me that he is what he.
Speaker A:That he is what we think he is.
Speaker A:He's not.
Speaker A:I'll tell you what he is.
Speaker A:He's someone who can't get the job done.
Speaker A:I've seen it enough times to know it's true now.
Speaker A:And now we're insane.
Speaker A:We're stupid.
Speaker A:We are.
Speaker A:We are insane.
Speaker A:If you've played Far Cry 3, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Speaker A:Because year in and year out, from Houston all the way until all the way to Cleveland, Ayo he was from.
Speaker A:He was in the west, then he went at the east, then he stayed in the east, and then he went back to the west, and now he's back in the East.
Speaker A:Hopscotch and teams.
Speaker A:Always claiming that he's playing for a championship.
Speaker A:And when it's.
Speaker A:When it's time to show it, he doesn't.
Speaker A:What is this?
Speaker A:What are we doing?
Speaker A:I said it, and I didn't want it to be true, but here I am proven right.
Speaker A:I said, I know James Harden, and I know what to see, what to expect of him in the playoffs.
Speaker A:And he did exactly what I expected.
Speaker A:He choked.
Speaker A:He made me question if the legend of James Harden is even worth anything.
Speaker A:And I'm.
Speaker A:I'm someone who will sit and tell you confidently, prime Harden was a bad man.
Speaker A:Bad man Prime Harden.
Speaker A:Hey, yo, I'm not gonna sit here and disrespect Prime James Harden.
Speaker A:Damn.
Speaker A:I'm not even gonna sit here and disrespect James Harden.
Speaker A:Now I'm so frustrated because he's so good.
Speaker A:He's too good to be doing this, bro.
Speaker A:How many years now?
Speaker A:How many series?
Speaker A:How Many performances.
Speaker A:You think I'm tripping and you think I'm hating, but just go back and look.
Speaker A:Every time we've wanted James Harden to do something in the playoffs to show us that our faith is not misplaced, he shows us exactly why it is.
Speaker A:Come on, bro.
Speaker A:2 Of 8 from the field in a closeout game.
Speaker A:First of all, you took eight shots in a closeout game, and you are James Harden.
Speaker A:Hey, yo, this brother used to chuck up 30 shots a game,.
Speaker B:And you.
Speaker A:Take eight shots in the one game that we need you to take shots.
Speaker B:Fine.
Speaker A:Low output, high efficiency, right?
Speaker A:No, he made two of those eight shots.
Speaker A:So not only did you not take shots, you couldn't even make them.
Speaker A:Didn't even try.
Speaker A:If you made.
Speaker A:If you took eight shots and six of those with three pointers, you didn't try.
Speaker A:Three pointers, you didn't make over six from three.
Speaker A:You didn't try.
Speaker A:Eight of your 12 points in the game were from free throws.
Speaker A:Fine.
Speaker A:What?
Speaker A:Were you aggressive?
Speaker A:Fine.
Speaker A:But my point is, this is a pattern, and I am officially giving up on James Harden.
Speaker A:That's it.
Speaker A:Right hand on the Bible, right next to my daddy's grave.
Speaker A:I am giving up on James Harden because I know he will never, ever come to work.
Speaker A:And I don't want to beat a dead horse.
Speaker A:I'm disappointed because I had such high expectations and such high hopes.
Speaker A:I love James Harden.
Speaker A:I feel like a parent.
Speaker A:Because I care, and I want to see you do better.
Speaker A:I know you can do better.
Speaker A:That's what's frustrating.
Speaker A:Okay, Moving on to the Wild, Wild West.
Speaker A:Ayo.
Speaker A:At the time of recording the Western Conference, the Western Conference finals are tied to two.
Speaker A:But.
Speaker A:I'm not gonna lie.
Speaker A:I'm not gonna lie.
Speaker A:I'm not gonna lie.
Speaker A:As good as that is.
Speaker A:Two.
Speaker A:Two.
Speaker A:I'm concerned, bro.
Speaker A:I'm concerned.
Speaker A:I'll tell you why I'm concerned.
Speaker A:Don't let the series score lie to you.
Speaker A:No, Don't let the series score lie to you.
Speaker A:Not one bit.
Speaker A:San Antonio won game one, and the Internet lost their mind.
Speaker A:Wimby is the only man that can save us.
Speaker A:Wemby is gonna stop the OKC back to back.
Speaker A:Hey, yo.
Speaker A:I'm here to tell you he's not.
Speaker A:He's not.
Speaker A:I love Wimby.
Speaker A:Damn.
Speaker A:You know this.
Speaker A:But he's not.
Speaker A:They won game one in double overtime, and Wimby had to play the game of his life.
Speaker A:And OKC were having an off day.
Speaker A:OKC were having an off day, and Wimby had To play the game of his life, to win and double overtime, let that sink in.
Speaker A:And he made it off a deep three, which made him look like Steph Curry.
Speaker A:But he doesn't make that three.
Speaker A:They don't win that game.
Speaker A:We are saying it's completely different thing, but it's fine.
Speaker A:A win is a win, right?
Speaker A:OKC wins game two, they tie it up.
Speaker A:They win game three, they up two one, they play game four.
Speaker A:Wemby once again has to play the game of his damn life just for them to win this game.
Speaker A:And of course, OKC weren't even playing their best.
Speaker A:Hey, yo, I'm here to tell you, it ain't even fair, bro.
Speaker A:This is where I see the difference between a great team and a good team with a great player.
Speaker A:Wemby's great generational.
Speaker A:We all see that.
Speaker A:The spurs are a good team.
Speaker A:De' Aaron Fox is solid.
Speaker A:Stefan Castle is solid.
Speaker A:That Champagne cat is solid.
Speaker A:Dylan Harper is solid.
Speaker A:You know what I'm saying?
Speaker A:The spurs are solid.
Speaker A:However, OKC is a different beast, bro.
Speaker A:The spurs have us have a superstar in Wimby.
Speaker A:Hey, yo, OKC got the mvp.
Speaker A:Love him or hate him, he is back.
Speaker A:Back to back.
Speaker A:Love him or hate him.
Speaker A:Love or hate.
Speaker A:The decision on paper, we are saying, and historically speaking, we are saying she go just.
Speaker A:Alexander is the mvp, which means technically, he's the best player in the world.
Speaker A:Technically, I'm not saying he is.
Speaker A:And who do we have there?
Speaker A:A solid team.
Speaker A:Chad Holmgren.
Speaker A:Oh, sham.
Speaker A:One day I need to do a whole episode on how Wimby hates Chet.
Speaker A:Hey, no.
Speaker A:Like it's real, bro.
Speaker A:Like, no hate will motivate you.
Speaker A:Don't let them tell you it's.
Speaker A:It's like it costs nothing to be kind.
Speaker A:Don't let them tell you it costs nothing to be kind.
Speaker A:Hating costs just as much and can get you further.
Speaker A:Trust me.
Speaker A:Trust me.
Speaker A:So okc, solid team.
Speaker A:Jalen Williams, two of them.
Speaker A:Chet, Lou Dort, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein.
Speaker A:Ayo.
Speaker A:That Jared McCain kid.
Speaker A:I don't know what Philly was thinking.
Speaker A:Bad idea.
Speaker A:But Ayo, OKC are great.
Speaker A:And it's scary that for the spurs to get a win, which, mind you, is was the first loss for OKC in this entire playoff run.
Speaker A:The spurs had to play great and damn near perfect basketball with Victor Wembanyama playing the game of his life.
Speaker A:And the spurs were having an.
Speaker A:And the OKC Thunder were having an off day.
Speaker A:And the day they showed up for work, they showed you exactly why they are in the position that they are.
Speaker A:And that, my friends, is why playoff basketball is the best time of the year.
Speaker B:World cup season is coming on.
Speaker B:Are you going to be covering that?
Speaker A:Should I?
Speaker B:I don't know.
Speaker B:I think you should.
Speaker A:Should I?
Speaker A:I don't know, man.
Speaker A:You tell me.
Speaker A:If you want me to cover the World Cup, I'll cover the World Cup.
Speaker B:If you're not covering the World cup, the studio's closed.
Speaker A:I'm just saying.
Speaker A:I don't care.
Speaker A:I don't care.
Speaker A:Until then, like I said, like, comment, subscribe and tell me, should I cover the World cup or not?
Speaker A:Until next time.
Speaker A:Go out there, be kind.
Speaker A:Watch.
Speaker A:Go out there, watch more sports.
Speaker A:Be kind to your mother.
Speaker A:And as always, enjoy the violence.
