PMT DB
PMT DB
Ryen Russillo and Lane Johnson on NBA Trade Deadline and Super Bowl 52
The NBA trade deadline turned into a real-life Godfather death montage as LeBron James decided to settle all family business by shipping half the Cavaliers roster out of town. The Isaiah Thomas era in Cleveland lasted about as long as a cup of coffee, and Big Cat is convinced the King actually knew what he was doing this time by clearing out the veteran minimum friends club for actual athletes.
Big CatThe Cavaliers became a much better team by getting younger and more athletic at the trade deadline
LeBron actually made his team better... He got younger, more athletic. They stopped doing the whole, like, let's just get these veterans on the league minimum to come and all my friends will come and hang out and we'll try to beat the Warriors. Not going to work. So they got younger, better.
PFT has a slightly different theory on why LeBron was so eager to overhaul the locker room. While most analysts are looking at floor spacing and defensive rotations, PFT is looking at the alpha dynamics of a certain Miami-bound veteran and LeBron's alleged obsession with grocery-style intimacy.
PFT CommenterLeBron James forced the Dwyane Wade trade because he is obsessed with 'eating ass'
LeBron James is obsessed with getting his butthole eaten, and that's why he got Dwayne Wade out. [LeBron] wanted to get Dwayne Wade the fuck out of Cleveland because he knows Dwayne Wade's an alpha because he gets his butthole eaten and LeBron doesn't.
Ryen Russillo on the Cavs' Creative Pivot
Ryen Russillo joined Big Cat and PFT to break down why this was actually a massive win for Cleveland. For years, the Cavs' front office strategy was basically just signing whoever LeBron shared a banana boat with, but this deadline felt different. Ryen pointed out that while everyone is already buying LeBron's plane tickets to Los Angeles, the Cavs might have actually done enough to keep the window cracked open.
Ryen RussilloCleveland is not in 'fourth place' for LeBron James; they have a realistic chance to keep him
If I were rating these things, people act like Cleveland is in fourth place for the LeBron pursuit this offseason, and I just don't believe that's true.
They also touched on the Eastern Conference arms race. While the Celtics looked like world-beaters early on, Ryen thinks some of that shine has worn off as the reality of a long season sets in for their younger rotation players.
Ryen RussilloThe Boston Celtics have regressed defensively compared to their early-season dominance
I think the Celtics have actually regressed a little bit defensively. Some of that is that it was just a shock that they were clearing away the number one defensive team in the league because I didn't really expect that, especially with the overhaul of young players.
Lane Johnson on the Philly Special and Pretty Boys
Fresh off a parade that involved 600,000 (or 5 million, depending on your parade sabermetrics) rowdy fans, Super Bowl 52 champion Lane Johnson stopped by the studio. Lane didn't hold back on the "Patriot Way," describing the vibe in New England as a fear-based operation where fun goes to die.
Lane JohnsonThe 'Patriot Way' is a fear-based organization where players don't actually enjoy themselves
I just think the the Patriot Way is it's a fear-based organization. Obviously, do they win? Hell yes, they win... Do I think people enjoy... you can say I had a lot of fun playing there? No, I don't. When they go to interviews they act like fucking robots. Hey, let's stop being a dickhead. We can be cordial for a little bit.
Lane also went deep on the Tom Brady "pretty boy" comments, specifically calling out the TB12 Method's claim that hydration prevents sunburns as total bullshit. For Lane, the underdog mentality in Philly wasn't just a gimmick; it was a response to a culture that he finds robotic and fake. He’d much rather have one ring and a hell of a time than five rings and a misery-filled diet.
Lane JohnsonWinning one Super Bowl while having fun is better than winning five and being miserable
I would much rather have fun and win a Super Bowl than be miserable and win five Super Bowls.
Naturally, the conversation turned to Big Dick Nick and the Philly Special. Lane confirmed the legend of Nick Foles' anatomy and gave us the offensive line's perspective on the play that broke the Patriots' backs. Despite Foles' legendary run, Lane made it clear there is no drama in the QB room moving forward.
Lane JohnsonThere is no quarterback controversy in Philadelphia; Carson Wentz is the starter
No, Carson's our guy. But, hey, you really never know in this business.
Thoughts, Prayers, and Take Quakes
The guys took a moment to offer thoughts and prayers to Adam Schefter, who spent the NBA trade deadline getting absolutely zero scoops and then overcompensating by reporting on Jimmy Garoppolo's contract with the aggressive insecurity of a guy who just got dumped. Big Cat isn't surprised by the massive numbers, noting that the NFL's "next man up" contract cycle always creates a fresh wave of sticker shock.
Big CatThe next quarterback up for a contract always gets an overvalued deal that makes people flip out
The yearly next guy up for contract gets the biggest deal in the NFL, biggest QB deal in the NFL, and then everyone flips out. How could you pay him that much? ... Aaron Rodgers is probably going to sign a deal for a billion dollars.
Finally, the Olympics are technically happening, even though the opening ceremonies haven't occurred. PFT and Big Cat are united in their stance that starting the competition before lighting the big torch is a slap in the face to the pageantry of the games.
Big CatThe Olympics starting events before the opening ceremony is total 'bullshit'
Why does curling start before everything else? They really need that much time to do curling? ... So they don't light the torch, but they play the Olympics. It's bullshit. So-called bullshit.
If the USOC really wants to lean into their new motto of "darker, gayer, and differenter," they should start by making sure we actually get to see the greased-up guy from Tonga light a fire before we have to watch twelve hours of curling.
Keep your head up, Clark Tinder.
