PMT DB
PMT DB
Ryan Whitney on Stanley Cup Playoffs, James Harden's Choke, and Kentucky Derby Mud
The NBA and NHL gave us a weekend of Game 7 madness that has left Big Cat and PFT reeling. The Golden State Warriors somehow survived the Houston Rockets despite seemingly procrastinating for the entire series. Steph Curry did Steph Curry things, and Buddy Hield channeled his inner Klay Thompson by going nuclear from deep. While the Rockets' season ended in H-Town, Big Cat is still high on what Ime Udoka is building down there.
Big CatThe Houston Rockets have a very bright future despite their Game 7 loss
The Rockets, as I expected going into this series, they're a very good team. They have a very bright future... they will be back. They could make a move for Giannis.
On the other side of the bracket, we witnessed a legacy-defining performance from James Harden—and not the good kind. The Nuggets absolutely dismantled the Clippers on Saturday night, but the real story was Harden once again turning into a ghost when the lights got the brightest. Big Cat and PFT are officially ready to crown him the most consistent disappearing act in sports history.
Big CatJames Harden is the biggest choker in NBA history
Is he the biggest choker? I don't know if it's choker or just Bright lights scares him away guy of all time because at this point it is now four different teams that he's done this with. It is, he's great in the regular season. He can be great in the beginning of a series... But then when the Bright, the lights get the brightest and it's game seven, he's a complete no show. And it's, it's not even, there's not even a debate anymore. I think he is [number one all time].
PFT CommenterJames Harden stops playing in big games because he simply doesn't want to work anymore
I don't think it's necessarily even an insult to say that to him. Because I, I actually believe that James Harden is like, I don't wanna work anymore. I'm, I'm gonna get paid essentially the same if I, if I get eliminated now or if I get eliminated in two weeks... He doesn't really have any upside besides the glory of winning, which I don't think he necessarily cares that much about.
Big Cat is also calling out the NBA schedule-makers for the absolute absurdity of the turnaround times. Between the Nuggets and Warriors, it feels like the league is setting up these older teams for a disaster after grueling seven-game battles.
Big CatThe NBA's scheduling makes Game 1 an automatic loss for teams coming off a Game 7
Why are the nuggets playing on Tuesday night... that's the most auto loss I've ever seen on a schedule ever... the nuggets in Game one and the Warriors in Game one, it feels like they're just going in to to die. Yeah. They just played a seven game series. Both a little bit older teams and they have 48 hours to turn around.
NHL Playoff Fever with Ryan Whitney
Ryan Whitney joined the show to recap a first round that basically turned into a 10-day bender for hockey fans. We just watched the Winnipeg Jets pull off an absolute miracle, scoring twice with the goalie pulled to force overtime against St. Louis before winning in double OT. Whitney thinks the Jets' netminder is still the guy to beat for the league's top honors despite some shaky moments.
Ryan WhitneyConnor Hellebuyck will win the NHL MVP award this season
Arne [Knott] stuck to his, what what will probably be the MVP of the league. I think he might win MVP, forget the Vezina. He's got that locked up.
Looking ahead to the second round, Whitney is doing his best to be objective, though his heart is clearly with the Oilers. He gave us his full power rankings for the remaining eight teams, and it’s not looking great for the city of Toronto.
Ryan WhitneyFlorida is the favorite and Toronto is the least likely to win the Stanley Cup among the final eight teams
Florida one. Dallas two. Vegas three. Washington four Edmonton five... Winnipeg six, Carolina seven. [Leafs?] Leafs eights perfect. You what? I guys I can admit Edmonton's an underdog here. And they get through Vegas and, and, and, and I come back on like if they beat Vegas, they're number one.
Whitney also highlighted some veterans who are overdue for a ring, specifically pointing to a certain captain in Dallas who has been a warrior for nearly two decades.
Ryan WhitneyJamie Benn is the player who deserves a Stanley Cup more than anyone else in the league
Number one, Jamie Benn. That's kind, that's kind of my, my player right now. Who doesn't have one that, that I feel like, God, that guy deserves one. He's, I mean, I think, 16 years in 17... a warrior, a beast, a true captain, a leader, and he is done it like teammates love him. He's done it for so long that if Dallas were to get one, that's kind of my guy.
Who’s Back and Kentucky Derby Mess
The Kentucky Derby was a beautiful, sloppy mess in the mud, and PFT was mesmerized by the ghost-like Sandman. In Who's Back, PFT celebrated the return of Alcatraz—not for the tourists, but because Donald Trump wants to reopen the prison. This naturally led to a breakdown of why *The Rock* is the pinnacle of cinema.
PFT CommenterThe Rock is the best movie ever made
The Rock is Back. And if you haven't seen The Rock it may, it might be the best movie ever made... It is the perfect movie. It's got everything. Sean Connery, Nick Cage, prisons, terrorists.
LeBron James also made the list after his camp released a report stating he wouldn't have been able to play a hypothetical Game 6 due to injury. PFT isn't buying the timing of the "narrative building."
PFT CommenterLeBron James only releases post-elimination injury reports to build a protective narrative for his legacy
With LeBron it's interesting because the, the whole like you know, build, building in your narrative. Your excuse after the fact. It's something he's done a couple times... but he always has to remind us that he's injured always. And to not play a hypothetical game, it was just so extra to be like, if game six had happened tonight, yeah. He would not be playing.
The Kidney Stone Chronicles
It wouldn't be a Monday show without some medical trauma. Big Cat spent his Derby Saturday in the ER dealing with the return of his recurring nemesis: kidney stones. After being asked by his son if he was "eating rocks," Big Cat decided it’s time to actually listen to a professional.
Big CatI am going to hire a dietician to help prevent future kidney stones
I think this one, I'll say this, I think I'm gonna start making some lifestyle changes. I'm thinking... I think I'm gonna to get a dietician. I understand. But I need someone to tell me what to do. I am not going to do that on my own volition. I need someone to basically be like, here's what you can and cannot eat.
PFT is also trying to turn over a new leaf, or at least a head of lettuce, by promising to make one specific dietary change to avoid the same fate.
PFT CommenterI am committing to eating one salad every single day to improve my health
I've committed to eating salad every day. Having one salad a day is a pretty good compromise that you can make with yourself.
We wrapped things up with an update on Jordon, Bill Belichick's better half, who reportedly forced her way into a Super Bowl commercial just to get a bag. If you're going to use your leverage, that's how you do it.
Always remember to pay your Twitter bets or risk being labeled a loser for an entire calendar year.
