PMT DB
PMT DB
Ryen Russillo on NBA Misery, LeBron vs. MJ, and Chonk Premiere
The vibes are high for a Friday as the show kicks off with a massive milestone: LeBron James passing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list. While it should have been a crowning moment for the King, the current state of the Lakers made the whole thing feel a bit off. Big Cat couldn't help but notice the contrast between the achievement and the actual team success.
Big CatLeBron James passing Michael Jordan's scoring record felt hollow because it happened on a terrible Lakers team
Obviously LeBron's career is unassailable at this point... But don't you think it felt a little hollow, the fact that he's doing it on a terrible Lakers team? If it happened in Cleveland, it would have been a lot bigger of a moment in my mind.
PFT also has some questions about the supporting cast in Los Angeles, specifically the emergence of Alex Caruso. Between the receding hairline and the sudden NBA minutes, there’s a growing theory that he might be a plant from a Hollywood casting office.
PFT CommenterAlex Caruso is a crisis actor from central casting
Caruso is not a real person. I'm convinced that Caruso is a crisis actor. They went to Central Casting in Hollywood, and they were like, we need somebody that looks like he's had all this talent drained by the Monstars.
Kyler Murray and Anonymous Scout Season
It is officially the time of year when NFL scouts lose their minds, and Kyler Murray is the primary target. After the combine height measurements came in, the skeptics are out in full force. PFT has a few theories on how Kyler managed to gain those extra inches, ranging from inversion tables to specific sleeping habits.
PFT CommenterKyler Murray may have slept upside down or on a decline to temporarily lengthen his spine for the combine
Our speculation was that he [Kyler Murray] may have slept upside down for a few days or weeks... or on a decline because we're told that that lengthens your spine a little bit. So there's a number of ways that you can game this.
Then you have Charlie Casserly, who went on a tirade about Kyler’s leadership and "board work." Big Cat was quick to point out the hypocrisy of the old guard, noting that Casserly’s track record as a GM doesn't exactly make him the ultimate authority on winning quarterbacks.
Big CatCharlie Casserly's criticism of Kyler Murray's leadership is a direct contradiction of his past views
Already Charlie Casserly has contradicted himself. People definitely question Baker Mayfield's leadership, his maturity, the ball grabbing, all these things... [Kyler Murray] has literally lost two games in his entire life playing football from high school on.
The World Premiere of "Chonk (It's Chonk)"
After weeks of anticipation, the guys finally dropped their new hit single produced by Sonny Digital. Featuring Trill Withers, Tyler, and Roan, "Chonk (It's Chonk)" is an anthem for the thick. It’s a celebration of flab, Panorama fits, and the right to not exercise. Be sure to check out the music video at noon on the YouTube channel to see the full vision come to life.
Ryen Russillo Joins the Show
Ryen Russillo made his way back to the studio to discuss his transition to LA life and why the NBA feels like a miserable place right now. Ryen’s big theory is that despite the money and fame, almost every superstar in the league is deeply unhappy. He points to the constant "hating the haters" ad campaigns as a sign of a league-wide mental health crisis, specifically noting how Steph Curry is perceived by his own peers.
Ryen RussilloSteph Curry is the most disrespected superstar in the NBA by his own peers
I think [Steph Curry] is the most disrespected by his peers superstar, which is weird... I feel like a lot of the athletes hate Steph. In some way, it's some bad thing because he had this awesome upbringing... it felt like all five of these guys had ad campaigns built on addressing the haters.
The conversation naturally shifted to the Lakers' disaster season. Big Cat and Ryen analyzed the failed pursuit of Anthony Davis and how the aggressive tactics used by Rich Paul and LeBron might have permanently poisoned the well with the young core in LA.
Big CatThe Lakers' failure to trade for Anthony Davis backfired because they made the process too nasty
I get that they thought they had to go nuclear to get Anthony Davis out of there because you can't ask nicely for a trade. You have to make it nasty, and those guys tried to make it nasty, and it backfired for a million different reasons.
Looking forward, Ryen isn't exactly bullish on LeBron's chances of turning it around. While everyone expects another superstar to eventually join him, Ryen sees a path where the end of LeBron's career starts to mirror the lonely, losing seasons of late-era Kobe Bryant.
Ryen RussilloLeBron James will never win another NBA championship
The easiest thing to do in these shows is you just sit out there and you go, I'm guaranteeing it right now LeBron's never winning a championship. It's actually the better bet to make because these are really hard... People at the end of [Kobe's] run don't want to go play with him now. And that was real... I can see where it could go that way [for LeBron].
To lighten the mood, the guys put Ryen on the spot to see which members of the Golden State Warriors he could actually take in a fight. Ryen is confident he could handle the backcourt, mostly because Klay Thompson simply wouldn't care enough to throw a punch.
Ryen RussilloI could beat up Steph Curry and Klay Thompson in a fight
I don't think Klay would care. Klay would be like, dude, I'm just going to tap out. Is that cool? ... Steph, the thing is, is what if Steph beats me? ... I don't think Steph would beat you. I think you could use your dialing... I'm going to give you two and a half out of five [starters].
Who Cares, It's Louisiana
In a new segment, the guys reacted to the LSU basketball wiretap scandal involving Will Wade. While the NCAA is up in arms over a "strong offer," PFT points out that in the Bayou, legal trouble is basically a requirement for leadership.
PFT CommenterIt is widely accepted that every leader in Louisiana will eventually be removed from office in handcuffs
Listen, it's widely accepted in Louisiana that every single leader is going to be removed from office in handcuffs. And that goes all the way from governor... all the way to basketball coach at LSU.
Big Cat thinks the NCAA needs to adjust its priorities. If you're going to cheat, you should at least have the decency to win a trophy before the investigators show up.
Big CatCollege coaches should only be punished for cheating if they win the national championship
I think you should only get punished for cheating if you win the national championship.
Finally, the show wraps up with a truly terrifying headline for Bears fans. After the double-doink heartbreak, Chicago has decided to sign a kicker named Blewett. Sometimes the universe just tells you exactly what's going to happen.
Big CatThe Chicago Bears should not have signed a kicker whose literal last name is 'Blewett'
Bears signed Blewett to help kicking woes. And that's a headline. Wait, your kicker, what's his name? Why the fuck did we do this? That's the dumbest thing ever... You can't sign a guy named Blewett.
Don't forget to set your 200 clocks back an hour this weekend.
