PMT DB
PMT DB
We are live from Las Vegas for Max’s Bachelor Party, and the energy is exactly what you'd expect when Max is currently alternating between being drunk and hungover. The weekend got a massive jolt from the Sixers taking down the Celtics in Game 7, which meant Hank had to show up to the podcast as Soggy Sorrows. Watching Hank sit there wet and defeated while the DeLente brothers celebrated was a work of art.
Max wasn't just celebrating the win; he was ready to put some respect on his star guard's name after a dominant close-out performance.
MaxTyrese Maxey is a top 10 player in the NBA
Tyrese Maxey is a top 10 player in the NBA. And they're, I think it's pretty hard to debate right now, otherwise, because he has done it all year. ... This series, he proved himself to be a top 10 player in the NBA.
While the Celtics are left wondering what went wrong with their chemistry, Big Cat pointed out that the narrative around the Sixers' big man is finally starting to shift. It’s not a finished product yet, but the "regular season guy" labels are starting to peel off.
Big CatJoel Embiid has successfully shifted his career narrative with this series win
I think Joel Embiid's narrative is shifting. Shifting but not [yet] shifted. ... Shifting-ING is different than -ED. Narrative shifted for sure. ... He's now shown that he's not like just a regular season guy. He's not a choker.
The Celtics' collapse has sparked the usual rumors about whether their core duo can actually win together, or if this was the last time we'll see them in green. Big Cat was quick to jump on the drama, but he also offered a rare defense of Joe Mazzulla, arguing that the roster simply wasn't as deep as the regular season record suggested.
Big CatJoe Mazzulla deserves credit for the Celtics winning 50 games with a bad roster
The Celtics were not that good this year. ... The fact that they got to 50 wins and the second seed is a testament to Joe Mazzulla. Right. Your flaws come out when you're in the playoffs.
The Knicks vs. The World
Naturally, the Knicks fans in the room couldn't let the Sixers have their moment without interjecting. Zac and Memes are already looking ahead to the second round with an level of confidence that can only be described as delusional. Max is rightfully worried about the Knicks fans taking over the Wells Fargo Center, but he thinks the on-court matchup favors Philly.
MaxThe Sixers are a bad matchup for the Knicks
You'll win Monday night because we're gassed. ... But I do think that we win. This is a Sixers is a bad matchup for the Knicks.
Around the NBA & NHL
Outside of the Sixers-Celtics drama, Big Cat was blown away by Cade Cunningham’s emergence during the Pistons' comeback from a 3-1 deficit. Seeing a young star "nut up" in elimination games is exactly what you want from a franchise cornerstone.
Big CatCade Cunningham has officially ascended to franchise player status
Cade Cunningham, that's a like big leap I feel like for him. ... He was insane. ... He was the guy, franchise player. You're down three-one, you're the one seed. Can you fucking nut up and be like, hey, this is my team we're not losing in the first round.
We also touched on the Nuggets' shocking exit. Big Cat wasn't buying the excuses for the Joker, especially given the injuries the Timberwolves were dealing with at the end of that series.
Big CatThe Nuggets' loss to the Timberwolves is an inexcusable failure for Nikola Jokic
It's an inexcusable loss in August. ... You cannot lose that series if you're the Nuggets. You cannot, if I told you Anthony Edwards is gonna miss the end of the series, Jaden McDaniels is gonna get hurt... You cannot lose that series.
PFT also brought up a fascinating post-mortem on the Rockets' season, specifically how Kevin Durant’s off-court habits might have poisoned the well in the locker room.
PFT CommenterKevin Durant's burner accounts were a legitimate internal distraction for the Rockets
The reporting was that the alleged burner accounts that KD had were a significant distraction for the rockets. ... This is an actual real problem if he's talking this much shit about his teammates.
Jerry O'Connell and Dante the Don
Jerry O'Connell and Dante the Don joined us to recap the bachelor party festivities, and it turns out Dante is a savant at "cabaret" etiquette. Jerry was mesmerized by Dante's ability to build literal towers out of one-dollar bills to attract attention, a move now dubbed the "Dante Tower of Money." Jerry also shared his confusion regarding Joe Mazzulla's post-game philosophy on the emptiness of winning.
Jerry O'ConnellWinning a championship feels better than the 'emptiness' Joe Mazzulla describes
Coach Mazzulla in his press conference said something about feeling empty when he won and feeling empty when he lost. ... I'm not a psychiatrist, but winning feels better. It's just my take.
The show wrapped up with the DeLente brothers bringing some pure Italian energy to the room and Zac revealing a minor mystery involving his missing glasses and an exotic dancer. Between the Sixers winning and the bachelor party chaos, it’s a miracle anyone made it to the microphones at all.
Next stop is the 10th anniversary live show in LA, assuming Max survives the drive through the desert.
