PMT DB
PMT DB
George Brett and Jeopardy James on NBA Playoffs and GoT Preview
Big Cat and PFT are back from Kansas City, and the energy is high despite a collective case of barbecue-induced heartburn. The Warriors are dealing with Kevin Durant’s calf injury, which has opened the door for the world’s spiciest basketball takes. Big Cat is already looking ahead to how the narrative shifts if Golden State thrives without their best player.
Big CatThe Warriors winning the Rockets series without Kevin Durant will be viewed as an indictment of Kevin Durant's impact.
If the Warriors win this series, it will be an indictment on Kevin Durant by everyone else. Are the Warriors better without Kevin Durant? People are going to ask that. I'm already asking it.
PFT thinks the Warriors might be cautious with the timeline, especially with a potential heavyweight matchup looming in the Finals.
PFT CommenterKevin Durant will sit out the Western Conference Finals to save himself for a potential NBA Finals matchup against the Bucks.
In which case, I think [Kevin Durant] would probably sit out and save himself for the finals against the Bucks. Something to be on the lookout for.
While the Warriors adjust, the Rockets are facing their own identity crisis. James Harden has been putting up massive numbers early in games, but the fourth quarter has been a different story. Big Cat pointed out that the MVP candidate has developed a habit of vanishing when the game is actually on the line.
Big CatJames Harden has consistently disappeared in the fourth quarters of the 2019 Rockets-Warriors series.
James Harden on Wednesday night with 10:47 left, he hits a bucket. He shot one more shot until there's 18 seconds left in the game... The Rockets win game four, James Harden scores 38 points... [but] he scores three points after that, the Warriors come all the way back. That's two straight fourth quarters where James Harden, Jimmy Harden has kind of been nowhere to be seen.
## The Celtics’ Soggy Sorrows Hank is officially in "Soggy Sorrows" mode after the Celtics bowed out to the Bucks. The conversation turned quickly to Kyrie Irving’s disastrous playoff run and whether he has a future in Boston. Hank isn't interested in the "genius" label for the coach or the star power of the point guard anymore.
HankThe Celtics should not re-sign Kyrie Irving and instead let the asset walk.
I feel like I don't care what's going on with the team during the year. Lose that asset. It's all about the assets... for [Kyrie Irving] to do what he did in the playoffs it's like Brad Stevens' problem.
Big Cat thinks the media did Brad Stevens no favors by crowning him the next Gregg Popovich before he actually won anything meaningful.
Big CatBrad Stevens was labeled a 'genius' by the media far too early in his career.
Brad Stevens' biggest issue is that he was inaugurated a genius too early. Like he was called a genius basically from winning nothing... the national media had him as, like, Pop.
## George Brett: Ribs, Weights, and the Shift The guys sat down at Char Bar in KC with legendary Royal George Brett. George is still a force of nature, sporting "guns" at 66 and sharing stories about throwing up in the bathroom after scoring from first. He’s not a fan of the modern obsession with the weight room, suggesting it's why every star player seems to be hitting the IL with oblique strains.
George BrettModern baseball players lifting heavy weights leads to more oblique and muscle injuries compared to the past.
Aaron Judge, someone wrote an article that said it's because they lift too many weights... Baseball players look like linebackers... I personally [think it has something to do with higher injury], yeah, with all the obliques and stuff like that.
When it comes to the hitting records, George is a purist. He doesn't think we'll ever see anyone flirt with .400 again because the days of facing a tired starter in the 9th inning are over. However, he’s fairly certain he would have feasted on the modern defensive shift.
George BrettIf modern teams used the defensive shift against George Brett, he would have hit .450.
If they put the shift on me, I'm not bullshitting you. I'd hit 450. Because I could hit a ground ball to the shortstop or third baseman whenever I wanted... I stood far enough off the plate that it didn't matter.
George also didn't mince words when asked about the steroid era and the Hall of Fame. While he respects the history, he’s not ready to see certain names on plaques in Cooperstown.
George BrettBarry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez should not be in the Hall of Fame.
[Barry Bonds, in or out?] Out. Alex Rodriguez. Oh. [Steroid era guys] had already broke my record... they were always saying, if they let these guys in, I'm never coming back. And I respect their opinion.
## Jeopardy James: The Gambler’s Method James Holzhauer joined the show to explain how he’s systematically dismantling Jeopardy!. While everyone else is focused on his trivia knowledge, James revealed that his preparation involved the children's section of the library and practicing in dress shoes to simulate the physical toll of the stage.
James HolzhauerReading children's books is more effective for Jeopardy preparation than using the internet.
I went to the children's section of the library and I picked a basic book on every subject that I had lots of pictures, kept the reader engaged... usually I'd read two or three books on every subject just to make sure I was covering all the basics. I thought that that kind of intro level interesting books really helped me more than like an encyclopedia [or the internet] would have.
He also broke down why his aggressive betting isn't actually as "risky" as it looks to the casual viewer. For James, it's all about math and protecting a lead.
James HolzhauerAggressive, large betting on Jeopardy is actually less risky than conservative play because it protects a lead.
I'm not sure this is correct, but the way I look at it is it's actually less risky to make big bets because if you think about it, if you have a big lead, you're pretty safe... if you don't have a big lead, the person who's behind you can hit a daily double... You need those big plays to win sometimes.
As a professional sports bettor, James brought that same analytical lens to the NBA. Even though he’s rooting for chaos, he’s not betting against the dynasty in Oakland.
James HolzhauerThe Golden State Warriors will win the 2019 NBA Finals.
Well, I have to say the Warriors. But, you know, as a fan, I'm rooting against it. But, you know, they're obviously the best team, so boring answer, but there you go.
## Chaos in Westeros and Grit Week Hank has reached a level of Game of Thrones frustration where he is now actively rooting for the writers to ruin everyone’s lives. He wants maximum anger from the fanbase, while Big Cat is calling for a major character death this weekend.
Big CatJon Snow will die in the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones.
Well, here's my hot take preview. I think Jon Snow dies on Sunday.
Before letting the AWLs go, the guys announced that Grit Week 2019 is headed to Southern California. They’ll be searching for the grittiest parts of San Diego and LA, proving that you can find grit even in the land of avocados and sunshine.
If the Hurricanes lose on the ice, Hamilton the Pig better start running.
