PMT DB
PMT DB
Adrian Wojnarowski, Shane Bacon, Jokic Dominance, and PGA Preview
Big Cat opened the show in a state of basketball nirvana after watching Nikola Jokic systematically dismantle the Timberwolves. Watching the Joker put Rudy Gobert in a blender right after receiving his third MVP trophy was a reminder that we are witnessing one of the greatest peaks in sports history. PFT noted that Gobert's Defensive Player of the Year hardware didn't mean much when Jokic started hitting behind-the-head passes and effortless floaters.
Big CatNikola Jokic is the best basketball player in the world, and that's a fact
I am so happy that I'm alive, that I am blessed to be able to do a sports podcast while Nikola Jokic is playing basketball because holy shit, he is the best. ... remind everyone that yes, I am the best player in the world. And that's a fact.
PFT pointed out that guarding the Joker might actually require a change in philosophy because elite individual defenders just seem to get cooked one-on-one.
PFT CommenterIt is better to guard Nikola Jokic with average defenders than one elite defender like Rudy Gobert
I think it's almost better to guard Jokic with like one and a half slash two average defenders than it is to guard him with one good defender [like Rudy Gobert].
While the Nuggets look like the champs again, the Timberwolves are starting to look like a team that ran out of gas. PFT thinks the ghosts of the Tom Thibodeau era might be catching up to them after a brutal start to the series.
PFT CommenterThe Timberwolves look like they are still exhausted from the Tom Thibodeau era and have officially hit a wall
The Timberwolves actually, they look better at times defensively with [Rudy] Gobert on the bench... I think maybe we need to have the conversation about the Timberwolves. They look like they're still exhausted from when [Thibodeau] coached 'em back in 2018. They hit the wall after game two. I feel like this is it. Classic [Thibodeau] just ran its guys too hard and now they can't win another playoff game.
The Source of All Sources
NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski joined the show in studio to give a peak behind the curtain of the "Woj Bomb" lifestyle. He shared the story of the time Danny Ainge accidentally texted him the full terms of a Rajon Rondo trade meant for the Dallas GM, and how he once racked up a $12,000 phone bill in London just to break the Dwight Howard trade.
Regarding the current coaching vacancies, Woj broke down why the Lakers job is actually a much better gig than the Suns' current situation, despite the constant drama surrounding LeBron James.
Adrian WojnarowskiThe Lakers coaching job is a much better long-term opportunity than the Suns job
I think there's more of a runway with the Lakers. I think the Suns is like more of a, you know what happens in the NBA if you, if they have another season this year... you have this like very tiny window. ... The Lakers have, I think a longer runway. ... If you create a max salary spot with the Lakers, come on, you're getting somebody. Right. Guys are always [wanting to play there].
Woj also discussed the shifting power dynamics in the league, noting that the modern head coach has to navigate a hierarchy where they often rank below the star player's agent.
Adrian WojnarowskiNBA head coaches have less power than ever and rank near the bottom of the team power structure
I think it's harder than ever to be a head coach in the NBA. I think in a lot of cases you have less power and say over what's going on... the owner, the owner's kid... the president/GM... the star player... and the star player's agent is probably ahead of you. And maybe even your second best player in his agent, you're like seventh or eighth, ninth.
Before letting him go, Big Cat finally got Woj to address the legendary 12-year grudge held by Rico Bosco over a DM about Danny Hurley. Woj offered a very specific apology—not to Rico, but for the fact that Hurley ever left the state of New Jersey.
Valhalla and the PGA Championship
Shane Bacon called in from Louisville to preview the PGA Championship. With the course at Valhalla playing long and soft due to the rain, the consensus is that the big hitters are going to have a massive advantage. While everyone is eyeing Scotty Scheffler, Shane thinks there's plenty of room for our guy Max Homa to finally break through for a major.
Shane BaconMax Homa is in my top three favorites and can absolutely win the PGA Championship
I think Max [Homa] can absolutely win here. I think it's a good golf course for him. And I feel like he's been playing better and better golf than we saw early in the season. So absolutely. I think, I think Max not only can win, but I think he's in probably my top three favorites right now.
PFT is a bit more skeptical about the legends in the field, specifically Tiger Woods. While the GOAT always says he's there to win, the physical demands of a wet, 7,600-yard course might be too much for his current game.
PFT CommenterThe British Open is the only major Tiger Woods can realistically contend in at this point in his career
I look at Tiger right now and I think the only major he can really contend in and potentially win is the British Open. Because firm/fast/warm things like that play into his hands. It's just gonna be tough for Tiger to play at a wet and soft golf course that plays this long when he is 40 and 50 yards behind a Scotty Scheffler or a Brooks [Koepka] or a Rory [McIlroy].
Hot Seat/Cool Throne
Hot Seat/Cool Throne featured a chaotic breakdown of the NFL schedule release, specifically the Jets getting another Monday Night Football opener. Memes is already on the edge regarding Aaron Rodgers' health, promising drastic measures if the turf claims another Achilles in Week 1.
MemesI will strap a bomb to my chest if Aaron Rodgers has another season-ending injury in Week 1
If Aaron Rodgers gets another season ending injury [against the 49ers], I'm gonna strap a bomb to my chest and go to the NFL office and blow up.
Hank put Bronny James on the Hot Seat, expressing genuine sympathy for the spot the kid is in as he navigates the combine with the weight of his father's legacy on his shoulders. Big Cat agreed that the draft hype is entirely name-driven, but still expects a team to pull the trigger in the second round.
Big CatBronny James would not be drafted or at the combine if his name wasn't Bronny James
I do agree with you because it's just a simple question. Would Bronny James be at the combine and be drafted if his name wasn't Bronny James? The answer's no.
We wrapped up with Guys on Chicks, featuring questions about ethernet cables running through apartments and the potential performance boost Rory McIlroy might get from his recent personal news. Big Cat is leaning into the logic that a single Rory is a dangerous Rory on the leaderboard.
Big CatRory McIlroy will get a performance boost from his recent divorce filing
Rory McElroy divorce bump... Scotty Scheffler baby bump. Rory McElroy divorce. Divorce bump... I think it might be Rory divorce bump.
Good luck to everyone's bets this weekend, especially if you're riding with the Joker or the big hitters at Valhalla.
