PMT DB
PMT DB
Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on All the Smoke, Celtics dominance, and Brady's Big Night
Today is Henry Lockwood's 31st birthday, but he spent the night before living every Celtics fan’s dream. Hank was in the building at Foxboro for Tom Brady’s Hall of Fame induction, getting a direct shout-out in the speech from the GOAT himself. While Hank was rubbing elbows with Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick, his Celtics were busy demoralizing the Mavericks to go up 3-0. It is officially Hank’s world and we are all just paying rent.
Luka’s Meltdown and the Celtics Juggernaut
Big Cat and PFT broke down the absolute masterclass the Celtics are putting on, contrasted with the pathetic second-half showing from Luka Doncic in Game 3. Luka spent more time screaming at the officials than he did running back on defense, eventually fouling out and leaving his team in the dust. Brian Windhorst went nuclear on him postgame, and Big Cat thinks the criticism is completely warranted because the Celtics simply don't have a weak link to exploit.
Big CatThe Celtics are a perfect team with no holes
More than just Luca's defense, it's just more of a testament to the Celtics having no holes. They don't have a guy who can—you can sag off of. They don't have a guy that you can basically say we're gonna ignore them. They don't have a guy that you can put your worst defender on and say he's gonna be okay.
While Tatum has struggled with his shot, Jalen Brown has stepped up as the clear alpha in this series. PFT is already looking toward the trophy presentation, noting that Brown’s two-way dominance has made him the favorite for the hardware.
PFT CommenterJaylen Brown should be the NBA Finals MVP
I do agree with Hank that [Jaylen] Brown—it should be offense though, but—[Jaylen] Brown was incredible. Like phenomenal. The Celtics team... [Jaylen] Brown's gonna hit a big jumper to ice the Mavs out at home.
All the Smoke in Studio
NBA legends Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson joined the show to discuss the massive success of their podcast and share some incredible stories from their playing days. The conversation touched on the shifting dynamics of the league, specifically how the era of three superstars teaming up might be over in favor of roster depth.
Matt BarnesThe era of the 'Super Team' is dying because of depth and draft importance
I definitely think it's more back on strategy and management and drafting right and trading right... the [super teams] that really, I look at those as kind of like those weight builders that only lift their upper body and their legs are like [thin]. Like you got a really heavy top three and you don't have any depth. So now it's more important about depth and drafting and trading.
Stephen Jackson didn't hold back on the current state of coaching, specifically regarding the Lakers' vacancy and the potential hiring of JJ Redick. He argued that the path for Redick is one paved with a specific kind of privilege that other veteran assistants don't get.
Stephen JacksonJJ Redick getting the Lakers job is a result of white and LeBron privilege
I love JJ solid dude... but it's a lot of privilege you going on... definitely white and LeBron [privilege]. Yes, definitely... you knowing it was coming. It was the setup and how are they cool? When did they ever, when have you ever seen them cool? This is all, this was all a play.
Jackson also reflected on his own career and the respect he feels he is owed when compared to some of the game's all-time greats. He was a versatile threat who felt he could go toe-to-toe with anyone, even Hall of Fame sharpshooters.
Stephen JacksonI was a better basketball player than Ray Allen
Ray Allen... I'm not saying Ray wasn't great but... I'm a basketball player. I wasn't one dimensional. I just didn't shoot, I just didn't play defense. I did everything. So I look at myself as different than a lot of these guys that were one dimensional... I just felt like I was a better player.
US Open and the Rodgers "Non-Problem"
Moving to the golf world, the guys checked in on the US Open at Pinehurst. PFT has a theory that Rory McIlroy’s sudden change in marital status is the secret to his hot start. He also took a stand on the course itself, claiming that Mid Pines, where the guys recently played, provides a much better challenge than the championship course everyone is whining about.
PFT CommenterMid Pines is way better than Pinehurst No. 2
I think Mid Pines is way better... Way better test. Yep. I love the test talk. Whenever they say it's a great test... None of us shot five under at Mid Pines.
Finally, the guys addressed the drama in New York where Aaron Rodgers skipped mandatory minicamp for an "unexcused" event. Memes tried his best to defend his quarterback, claiming that the media is making a mountain out of a molehill, even though the head coach was the one who flagged it as a problem in the first place.
MemesAaron Rodgers missing mandatory camp is not a problem
There's no problem. The problem is Robert Saleh handled the situation wrong and it sounds like a problem... There's no problem as long as he is there for week one. No problem.
If the Celtics finish the sweep on Friday night, Hank might actually transcend to a higher plane of existence.
