PMT DB
PMT DB
Todd McShay and Steven Cheah on NFL Draft, Ja Morant's Killer Instinct, and KennysHands.com
The NBA playoffs are providing the perfect chaotic backdrop for Draft Week. Big Cat and PFT are transfixed by the Timberwolves and Grizzlies, a series that feels like watching a car crash in slow motion where everyone is also incredibly athletic. Between Ja Morant’s soul-snatching dunk and the Grizzlies' relentless offensive rebounding, the energy is at an all-time high.
Big CatI want the Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies series to go to seven games because it is so competitive
I agree with you. I want this to go seven. I feel bad for the Timberwolves... this series is so competitive. Every game's a war.
PFT pointed out that the beauty of this matchup lies in the pure youth of the rosters. It’s a battle of the two youngest teams in the playoffs, which leads to high-flying highlights followed immediately by brain-fart turnovers.
PFT CommenterThe Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies series is the most fun series to watch because they are the two youngest teams in the NBA
There's a reason why this series is so fun to watch. Obviously you've got great players... [they are] the two youngest teams in the playoffs, two of the five youngest teams in the NBA, which means that you're going to see some guys that have the ability to do like incredible, amazing athletic stuff, but also make really, really stupid, awful mistakes.
While the Western Conference is a track meet, the Eastern Conference saw the Heat dismantle the Hawks in a performance so clinical it left Trey Young with more turnovers than baskets. Big Cat wonders if the Hawks' deep run last year gave them a false sense of security that blew up in their faces this season.
Big CatThe 2021-22 Atlanta Hawks season ended in a gross way and their ECF run last year might have been a bad thing for the team's development
I think we go back, we revisit like, is it going to end up being a bad thing that they went to the Eastern conference final last year because they went into the playoffs and this whole season being like, we've, we've done something. We can do this. And their season ends in kind of a very gross way... That was a gross, gross ending for the Hawks.
Despite the Celtics sweeping the Nets, PFT is looking at South Beach with real concern. The Heat culture is seemingly invincible right now, even with Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry taking what amounted to a load management night in the clincher.
PFT CommenterThe Miami Heat are the most frightening team in the Eastern Conference
The Heat are such a good team right now. I would be, that's the team that would scare me as a true blue Celtics believer. That is the team that scares me out of the East.
The Brooklyn Womping and the Bus Driver Debate
Speaking of the Nets, the sweep is complete and the Whomp Bet has been paid. Jake took his Black Buffalo pouches like a man after being dragged into PFT’s net-zero confidence. Watching the series wrap up in person, Big Cat was struck by the sheer dominance of Jason Tatum, who effectively ended the "best player alive" conversation for this round.
Big CatJason Tatum was easily the best player in the Celtics vs. Nets series
Jason Tatum is, I mean, he is, he was easily the best player in the series. I like watching him in person. You, you know, like when you're watching a game in person, you're like, oh yeah, that guy is just better than everyone. And that's what it felt like.
Of course, the aftermath has been dominated by Charles Barkley’s "bus driver" comments regarding Kevin Durant. Big Cat is firmly on KD's side here, noting that while Durant didn't have his best series, you can't just delete his Warriors rings from the record books because he had help.
Big CatKevin Durant's championships with the Warriors absolutely count regardless of whether he was 'driving the bus'
I'm on Kevin Durant's side. I think Kevin it's fair to criticize Kevin Durant in this series while also saying his championships absolutely count. And that's just what it is.
Todd McShay and the Draft Landscape
Todd McShay joined the show to help navigate a draft that feels a little light on star power but heavy on intrigue. The big headline is the shift at the very top of the board, where the Georgia pass-rushing machine is making a late charge to the number one spot.
Todd McShayTrayvon Walker will be the #1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft
I think Trayvon Walker is going to be the pick for Jacksonville, which is a surprise, but that's based on conversations in the last three, four days. Honestly, I thought all along that they would go with Aiden Hutchinson.
McShay also cooled the jets on the quarterback hype. While we’re used to seeing teams reach for signal-callers in the top ten, this year might see a more patient approach. Unless someone gets aggressive and trades up, the first half of the draft might be a quarterback-free zone.
Todd McShayNo team in the top 19 picks will draft a quarterback unless they trade up
I'll be shocked that if a team in the top 19 picks that didn't trade up, takes a quarterback... I don't see Seattle at nine taking a quarterback. I think you're going to see the run happen where it should happen. These quarterbacks are back half of the first and early second round quarterbacks.
One of the more interesting shifts in the modern NFL is how teams are valuing the perimeter. McShay argued that the explosion in wide receiver contracts this offseason has fundamentally changed how teams view the draft board, elevating the position to near-quarterback levels of importance.
Todd McShayWide receiver has become the second most valuable position in the NFL
Wide receiver, you could argue has become the second, most valuable position in the NFL. Just look at all the contracts this off season.
Guys on Picks with Steven Cheah
Barstool’s own Junior Draft Analyst Steven Cheah stopped by to share his "data" and his annual draft memories, which include camping out in New York City like he was waiting for a new iPhone. Cheah is high on some prospects but ready to label others as busts before they even put on the hat. He’s especially skeptical of the Trayvon Walker hype.
Steven CheahTrayvon Walker will be a bust
I want to say Trayvon Walker, just because like I'm a traits over production guy and that's what the whole draft is... we haven't seen it on field... What are we doing here? ... I would say if I would pick one bust, it would be him.
Cheah also brought some spice to the linebacker rankings. While Nakobe Dean was the heart of the Georgia defense, Cheah expects medical concerns and "traits" to shuffle the order significantly on Thursday night.
Steven CheahQuay Walker is a lock to be drafted in the first round and will go before Nakobe Dean
Quay Walker is whoa from what I'm hearing, like kind of a lock to be drafted in the first round. And he's a big, he had production, but he was, he's definitely traits over, over production guy.
Before the guys let him go, Cheah gave a shoutout to his beloved Buccaneers. He isn't just hoping for a good season; he’s already planning the parade route, fully convinced that Tom Brady’s un-retirement leads straight to another trophy.
Steven CheahThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers will win the Super Bowl this season
They're like record... Super bowl. Super bowl winner. Yes.
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