PMT DB
PMT DB
Todd McShay on NFL Draft Sleepers, NBA Playoff Blowouts, and Relegation Watch
It is officially Draft Week, which means everyone is pretending to be a GM while the guys prepare to head to Pittsburgh. But before the picks start flying, we had a weekend of playoff basketball and hockey that ranged from absolute drubbings to the potential end of an era in Golden State. Big Cat noticed that Draymond Green found the most fitting way possible to go out if this truly was the end for the Warriors.
Big CatDraymond Green's ejection against the Kings is the perfect end to the Warriors' dynasty
The ending of what feels like the ending for the Golden State Warriors... Draymond went out in perfect fashion where he got ejected. If his last, if there's another potential last Draymond game, he will get ejected.
PFT and Max spent a good portion of the morning debating whether the 76ers are already dead after a Game 1 loss to the Celtics. Max is already in a dark place, mostly because he's currently suffering through the worst hangover of his life after his first of two bachelor parties this month, but PFT isn't waiting for a funeral.
PFT CommenterThe Celtics have already won their series against the 76ers
Congratulations to Hank and the Boston Celtics. That series is over. You have advanced in the second round.
While the East feels like a foregone conclusion to some, the Western Conference provided a bit more to chew on. LeBron James and Bronny playing together in a playoff game was a cool moment, but PFT was more focused on the tactical shift that actually made the Lakers look dangerous.
PFT CommenterLeBron is at his most fun and effective when playing as a true point guard and pure facilitator
When LeBron is at his most fun to watch, in my opinion, is when he is passing the ball. And that's what he did very, very well over the weekend. He was like a true point guard. I actually think that if he's gonna win a series or maybe two, that's how he has to play.
Bengals Go Big and NBA Hot Takes
In the middle of playoff madness, the NFL reminded everyone it never sleeps. The Bengals shocked the league by trading the 10th overall pick for Dexter Lawrence. Big Cat thinks he knows exactly why Cincinnati was willing to pay such a high price for a veteran defensive tackle.
Big CatThe Bengals only traded for Dexter Lawrence because they are incapable of drafting defensive players
I actually think it's fine because the Bengals are just saying hand up. We cannot draft defense. So we're gonna just get the guy who we know can play defense... maybe you do [trade pick 10] if you're just incapable of drafting defense.
Back on the court, the Magic managed the only road upset of the weekend, which led to some aggressive guaranteeing. PFT is putting his reputation on the line for the Pistons, despite them dropping the opener.
PFT CommenterI double guarantee the Pistons will win Game 2 and the series against the Magic
I guarantee the Pistons win Game 2. I guarantee the Pistons win the whole series and a double G... Never been done before. I don't know a single other podcast that's ever double guaranteed a game two.
Memes also popped in to defend his New York Knicks, though he might have let his bias slip into his evaluation of the roster's talent level.
MemesMitchell Robinson is the best player in the NBA
Mitchell Robinson's the best player in the NBA. I love Mitchell Robinson. Yes. He can defend his trucks. Off the top of my head, I think plus minus, when he's in the Knicks are unstoppable.
Todd McShay’s Draft Breakdown
Todd McShay joined the show to give the definitive look at Thursday's draft. He’s now the number one guy at The Ringer, and he didn't hold back on his rankings, specifically when it comes to the quarterback class. While many are high on Carson Beck, McShay is much lower on his pro potential.
Todd McShayCarson Beck will only be a backup in the NFL
I don't think Carson Beck's a starter. I think he's gonna be a good backup, but I don't trust him.
He also identified a massive scarcity issue in this draft. If you need an offensive tackle, you better get one early, or you're going to be staring at a massive drop-off in talent after the first round.
Todd McShayThere are only 7 offensive tackles in this draft class worth a first-round grade
Offensive tackles. There's just seven of them. That's it. And that's why I went on those rants. That so you better get one in the first. And I think they could all be gone in like the top 25, 28 picks... after that there's not an offensive tackle you feel good about drafting in the second round.
One of the biggest debates heading into Thursday is the ranking of the top skill players. McShay compared this year's top running back prospect to some of the heavy hitters we’ve seen in recent years, and the grade he gave Jeremiah Love should have Cardinals fans very excited.
Todd McShayJeremiah Love is the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley, graded at 95 — just a tick below Bijan Robinson
It's Saquon one, Bijan two, Love three, Genti four. I think I had like a 97 grade on Saquon, a 96 on Bijan and a 95 on Love. And a 94 on Genti. So it kind of just stacks. Not a massive difference, but I think Bijan had a little bit more completeness, a little bit more power. But we're talking fractions here.
McShay also gave us his candidates for the prestigious Mr. Irrelevant title, noting that Sean Payton and the Broncos have back-to-back picks at the very end of the draft to make it happen.
Todd McShayMy Mr. Irrelevant picks: David Gusta or Jaron Kanak to the Broncos
I'm gonna go David Gusta. Interior defensive lineman from Kentucky. And Jaron Kanak — former linebacker that went into the coach's office in the offseason, moved over to tight end. I could see Denver bringing him in as kind of like that versatile pass catching weapon and a guy who's just kind of learning how to play tight end.
Who’s Back and Golf Roasts
Who's Back featured everything from Diana Russini saving lives to the return of "Bitchy Bryson" on the golf course. Big Cat is officially out on Bryson DeChambeau again after his latest round of complaining about course conditions.
Big CatBryson DeChambeau is a 'fucking bitch' for complaining about course conditions
Bryson being a little bitch is back. He just quit. He's a fucking bitch. I think he fired the PR team and he's just fallen back into Bryson. He is just screaming at a rules official about how bad this ground that he has to hit off is. It wasn't that bad either.
We also checked in on PFT’s emotional rollercoaster with the Premier League, where the relegation race is getting dangerously real for Tottenham.
Todd McShayTottenham is now the favorite to be relegated from the Premier League this season
So last week I think they were reversed and Tottenham was plus one 50 to be relegated and West Ham was minus one 30. Now they switched. Now Tottenham is actually favored to be relegated at the end of the season.
To wrap things up, the guys read some of the best YouTube comments from the Spring Break golf video. Memes was the primary target for his legendary "no-belt" look, which the comments sections described as everything from a "dressed up Mike Wazowski" to a "hermit crab that outgrew its shell."
Don't forget to buy tickets for the live show in LA on May 5th, where we'll surely have more stories about Max's degenerate bachelor party month.
