PMT DB
PMT DB
Brian Scalabrine on LeBron Rumors and the Mt. Rushmore of Seats
Big Cat and PFT Commenter are getting ready for a little July 4th vacation, but not before delivering a massive Friday episode. The NBA world is currently on fire with LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard rumors everywhere, and Stephen A. Smith is right in the middle of it. PFT believes Stephen A. has a physiological advantage when it comes to breaking news.
PFT CommenterStephen A. Smith's receding hairline acts as a satellite dish that helps him hear NBA rumors
Stephen A., his hair has been receding into that cul-de-sac that he has for the last five years. It becomes like a satellite dish of hair. So he's able to hear these whispers at a pace that you or I can't, that mere mortals can't.
With free agency looming, the guys tried to pinpoint exactly where the King is heading. Big Cat is convinced the purple and gold is inevitable, even if it means some other stars have to shuffle around.
Big CatLeBron James will sign with the Lakers
Kawhi's going to get traded to the Lakers. LeBron's going to sign with the Lakers. Paul George is going to stay in Oklahoma. No, I think playoff P is going to L.A.
The White Mamba Joins the Show
Former NBA champion and absolute legend Brian Scalabrine joined the program to talk about his career as the ultimate role player. Scalabrine was refreshingly honest about his talent level and how he managed to stay in the league for over a decade despite not being a superstar. He explained that being a solid presence on a winning team is a lost art.
Brian ScalabrineI would rather be 'bad on a good team' than a star on a bad team
I was on good teams, and I was bad. And I stuck around good teams that were bad for so long. Most guys, they're getting their shot and then they're out of the league. But I was like bad on good teams. ... Your moment can come at any time and you have to be able to deliver.
He also touched on the changing landscape of the league. While Scalabrine carved out a long career by being the reliable guy a coach could trust to not screw up, he thinks the current crop of front offices might not value that same stability.
Brian ScalabrineModern NBA GMs prefer gambling on high-upside rookies over reliable role players
GMs nowadays are looking for, like, the next greatest thing. They'll try like an 18-year-old, see if it works. If it doesn't, they'll try another. They're not going to stick with the solid guy because that's not going to help them get eventually a steal in the second round.
Things got interesting when the conversation turned to his former coach, Tom Thibodeau. While Thibs has a reputation for running his players into the ground, Scalabrine defended his style, especially regarding how he utilizes the bench during the regular season.
Brian ScalabrineThe 'Minutes Police' are wrong; Tom Thibodeau is actually a great bench coach
In the regular season, you [Thibodeau] are such a good coach that you can play any five guys and you guys can win. ... You are too good of a coach to ride your starters. Real good coaching comes in is maximizing your bench. And I think that he is such a good coach. He could do that.
Big Cat, ever the critic of Thibs' rotations, wasn't entirely buying the defense. He argued that the high-intensity minutes in the dead of winter eventually catch up to teams.
Big CatTom Thibodeau doesn't understand how to manage minutes in February
Thibodeau hasn't really kind of figured that out sometimes, whereas the Bulls will always play, you know, under the Thibs Bulls, they would always play really hard every single night, max effort. But sometimes you don't need max effort in February.
Scalabrine also gave his take on the modern NBA's biggest controversies, including Kevin Durant's move to the Warriors. Unlike most of the internet, the White Mamba actually thinks the superteam era has its benefits for the sport.
Brian ScalabrineKevin Durant's move to the Warriors made the NBA better by raising the standard
I think [Kevin Durant] made the NBA better because he sets a standard for what a championship team would be like... The new championship level is what we're seeing with the Warriors.
Mt. Rushmore of Places to Sit
Hank, PFT, and Big Cat squared off for a very relatable Mt. Rushmore of places to sit in or on. Big Cat led off with the classic recliner, while PFT went with the hot tub and the toilet (solitude is key). Hank, however, went with a more psychological pick that only a gambler could truly appreciate.
HankSitting on a winning bet ticket is one of the best feelings in the world
My number four will be when you're sitting on a winning bet ticket. So like when you bet the Capitals and win the Stanley Cup and you know that it's our year and you're just like, I have $1,500 free money.
Tim Tebow and Darren Rovell Updates
In the segments, the guys checked in on Tim Tebow's surprisingly decent minor league stats. PFT is ready for the Mets to stop pretending and just give the people what they want.
PFT CommenterThe Mets should call up Tim Tebow immediately
Come on, Mets, just bring Tebow up this year. You're not going to do anything else... Tebow Tuesdays. I like it. With the Mets.
Finally, the show addressed the latest challenge from Darren Rovell. The business insider apparently wants to race Big Cat in a marathon, a suggestion that was met with immediate and total dismissal.
Big CatI will never race Darren Rovell in a marathon
Darren Rovell has challenged me to a marathon. It is the dumbest challenge ever... You could triple dog, quadruple dog, infinity dog dare me to run a marathon, and I'll just sit there and be like, no, because it looks awful.
Don't forget to check out the special "Football in July" episodes coming next week while the guys are out recharging their batteries.
See you on the other side of the 4th, and try not to blow any fingers off.
