Takes

Lonzo Ball needs to fix his shot after losing to Bow Wow

If you lose to Lil' Bow Wow with no shoes on, you have to then go fix your shot. ... I know everyone says, oh, don't mess with Lonzo's game. [But] you have to then go fix your shot.

NBA players are completely open about having been paid in college

[Do you talk to guys in the NBA circles that you know got paid? Are they open about it?] Absolutely. Yeah. And it's just kind of like, yeah, of course I got paid. Why wouldn't I have gotten paid? Yeah, that's pretty much what it is. It's like, yeah, I got paid. Who cares? They're gone now.

Defense in the NBA All-Star game is not fun

they decided to play defense in the All-Star game, so that's not fun. Especially for those of us that had the over.

Donovan Mitchell will win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest

I'm going to go with my pick. Ready? You want to pick? Donovan Mitchell. Because I feel like to win the dunk contest, you have to have that big time buzz, regular season buzz. He's got that a lot. And so people are going to be like, this is the coronation of Donovan Mitchell.

Brad Stevens made the Isaiah Thomas 'Brinks truck' conversation possible

Brad Stevens basically has, like, he made Isaiah Thomas. I don't want to say made him who he is, but he made the conversation of a Brinks truck possible. ... Have you seen these other guys after they left Boston? I mean, that's a big case in my point.

DeMarcus Cousins will never be the same elite player after his Achilles injury

That Achilles, if you are over 25 years old... the history is bad. Like that you will ever be even close to the player that you are. It's almost, I don't want to be too gloom and doom, but it's pretty gloomy and doomy. Like, you will not be the player you used to be, especially if you're a big guy.

I am officially smashing the panic button on the Celtics

I'm smashing the panic button. Smash. Panic button might be broken. I hit it so hard. I really thought... [the Celtics] could beat the Cavs. Maybe if they got lucky, beat the Warriors. [But after today] there's really no hope for, like, another two years.

The 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.

The Cavaliers' trade deadline moves make LeBron James more likely to leave Cleveland in free agency

The way that [LeBron James] structured these trades actually made it seem like he's, in my opinion, more likely to go. I don't think that he's going to stick around Cleveland. I think that's pretty obvious.

Golden State is still significantly better than any other NBA team, regardless of mid-season momentum from Houston or OKC

As good as Houston's looked against them, as good as OKC looked the other night against them, I just know that there's a version of Golden State that I still trust is better than everybody else... Let's not let 'new' get in the way of what Golden State still is. And Golden State is on year four of maybe the best team we've ever seen in the history of this league.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in serious trouble because they have the worst defense in the league

Up until this week, they had a worse defense than the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns, who are actively trying to lose games. Cleveland is actually trying to win if they were that bad. So yeah, I do think they're in trouble because they can't defend anyone. And their offense, because Isaiah Thomas can't get a shot right now... isn't quite good enough.

LeBron James considering the Warriors is a savvy leverage move

If he opens up the Warriors, it's like everyone's got to compete with that. ... So he just got instant leverage over everyone, which he already had, but now it's even more.

The Cavaliers will be the best team in the East by May

Replay that for us in, like, May when the Cavaliers are by far and away the best team in the East.

LaVar Ball is breaking up the Lakers

LeVar Ball was eventually going to have a problem with whoever was coaching Lonzo and make everything super awkward in L.A. I'm really excited to see how badly he can screw it up, though.

Men's scrimmage teams beat the UConn women's team every day

They beat our ass every day... These guys will all be like college players, like Division III, Division II. And they end up coming to school for whatever reason. They came to Connecticut. These guys are good players. So now, anytime it's a test of physical prowess, of course they're going to win. Of course they're going to win. I mean, that's a no-brainer.

The 2012-13 Lakers with Steve Nash and Dwight Howard was the most stacked team of all time on paper

That team, though, the Steve Nash, Dwight Howard team, that's my favorite Lakers team of all time... When that cover came out, it was like, who the fuck would beat the Lakers? ... When that happened, I was like, oh, my God. This is the most stacked team of all time.

LeBron James will join the Lakers in six months

LeBron and Lonzo had a very secret out-in-the-open meeting... it's either one of two things. One, LeBron just being like, yo, dude, just hang in there because I'll be there in like six months, which I think is probably the case.

The Boston Celtics are officially back

My who's back of the week is the Boston Celtics. Oh, great. They won 12 in a row. They're in first place in the Eastern Conference.

UConn Women's Basketball expects to win the national championship every single year

We expect to win the national championship every year. We know it's not possible... You're trying to put yourself in a position to have a shot every year, not to have these, you know, well, this is a rebuilding year.

Pardon My Take broke the news that the Sixers' first pick would be injured before the draft even happened

I think we reported this news first. We broke this news the day before the NBA draft saying that the Philadelphia 76ers' first pick was going to be injured at some point this season. Credit to us. First reported by [Pardon My Take].

LeBron James moving to the Lakers is just him copying my move to LA

I love Ohio. A lot of people say that. But when LeBron leaves Ohio for L.A., he's going to be copying me. I'm just getting out ahead of it a little bit. I'm the first person to ever move from the Midwest to Los Angeles for career opportunities.

OKC Thunder are the first ever 'World Super Team' due to Olympic medals

I think that Oklahoma City Thunder will be the team with the most Olympic gold medals now. So that's pretty big. I mean, that's tough. Super team. A world super team. First ever world super team.

Kyrie Irving requested a trade because he didn't want to be left in Cleveland when LeBron leaves for L.A. next year

My theory is that Kyrie basically said LeBron's going to go to L.A. next year, and I don't want him to basically control my destiny, where it's like, if I have a chance to get to a team that can compete right now, instead of being left in Cleveland when LeBron bolts in a year... I don't want to have that happen to me.

LeBron James is the hardest working player I have ever been around

LeBron is the hardest working guy that I've ever been around. And I've played with Dirk, Tim Duncan, Steph Curry, Jason Kidd... the amount of time that he takes on his body... i'm just saying when I look at how hard the guy works, then I think a lot of that has to do with why he has avoided injuries.

Kobe Bryant retiring both numbers is the most 'Kobe' story ever

Kobe Bryant, they're going to retire both of his numbers. That is the most Kobe story I have ever heard... Kobe Bryant, they're going to retire both of his numbers. [Jordan] is one number. No, but it's two separate numbers in different locations. Different teams.

The NCAA will investigate LaMelo Ball for selling shoes

Yes, this is going to pique their [NCAA] interest a little. If you take any dollar out of the NCAA's pockets, they will come down on you. So yes, I think the NCAA will look into this.

Dwayne Wade and LeBron James are definitely planning a team-up because they are 'going' to dinner

I would say that going to dinner is more intimate than meeting for dinner. Because going to dinner implies that you're going there... Every time you go to dinner, you have to meet somebody for dinner. But every time you meet for dinner, you're not necessarily going to dinner together. I think the act of going is way, way more intimate than just meeting... Not just friends. You don't just go to dinner.

LeBron James is only defending jersey burning to protect his future self for when he leaves Cleveland again

LeBron's statements are right. I'm always a players guy. The owners don't look out for the players. But this, to me, is classic LeBron looking out for future LeBron. Because he knows he's going to leave.

LeBron James will still leave the Cavaliers after the 2017-18 season

It does make a lot of drama, and I still do think LeBron is leaving. Although now it's sourced material from our friend Ryan Russell says LeBron doesn't know what to do because he hasn't decided if he hates Isaiah Thomas yet or not.

LeBron James is definitely going to the Lakers next year.

[Big Cat]: Where do you think [LeBron] is going? [PFT Commenter]: LA. [Michael Rapaport]: If you're a little pussy-ass bitch, you go to LA. ... Lakers. It's already set up.

LeBron James is 100% leaving Cleveland after this season

Chris Sheridan said... NBA Source said today... this will be [LeBron James's] final season in Cleveland. He is 100% leaving. Relationship with owners beyond repair.

The Chicago Bulls' 'TNT Bulls' home winning streak is still alive because they weren't scheduled for any TNT games

The NBA has run away, cowards. They have not scheduled the Bulls, the Chicago Bulls, on TNT Thursday night this year... the record, the 20 straight home wins on TNT, you can't lose if you don't play.

LeBron James is setting up excuses to leave Cleveland by blaming Kyrie and the front office

This is all setting up. You first have the GM situation. You have Dan Gilbert acting crazy as always. You have Kyrie asking for a trade. LeBron can now leave Cleveland and be like, it's not my fault. It was all on you guys.

LeBron James is triggered and definitely not enjoying his summer

LeBron James is triggered... When he hashtags 'enjoying my summer', hashtag 'you do the same', that's a pretty telltale sign he is not enjoying his summer. Because you know LeBron probably told someone to tell Stephen A. Smith, 'Hey, I want to beat Kyrie Irving's ass,' and then when it comes out, he goes to Twitter.

LeBron James' next social media move will be posting lion quotes to look like an alpha

This is going to end in a couple weeks with LeBron posting like an image of a lion that says 'lions don't concern themselves with the opinions of sheep.' His next post will be him in the gym just being like 'out here grinding, not worrying about Kyrie Irving.'

Derrick Rose signing with the Cavs is sad and marks the end of his relevancy

Derrick Rose just signed with the Cavs... He's going to be LeBron's little sidekick. Is he going to be Robin? It's very sad how his career has turned out. $2.1 million to play with a guy that he absolutely despised when he was in Chicago.

Kyrie Irving is requesting a trade to control his own destiny like LeBron James

I love it because [Kyrie Irving]'s basically pulling LeBron in LeBron's face. He's like, I want to control my own destiny just like you have. ... Kyrie's like, yeah, I don't want to stick around for you to leave next year and fuck me over.

LeBron James is going to break Cleveland's hearts by leaving again

It's really, though, I'm sorry, I just feel bad for the people of Cleveland because LeBron's just going to break their hearts again.

Lonzo Ball's Summer League introduction was the sixth most popular post in NBA Instagram history

The NBA made a press release today saying that of all the posts that the league has ever put on Instagram... that Lonzo being introduced at Summer League, when they put that up on IG... That's the sixth most popular thing they've ever put up.

Carmelo Anthony's 2 AM workout videos are laughable

Carmelo Anthony was working out over July 4th... it was so laughable that his own team actually laughed at it. I don't know if you saw that clip. No, there was a clip of the Knicks front office sitting at a summer league game watching the clip of Carmelo Anthony working out all laughing at him.

Swaggy P signing is irrelevant to the Warriors' championship chances

The Warriors' odds to win the NBA championship before Swaggy P signed, minus 163. After he signed, minus 163. So Swaggy P is literally irrelevant to the Warriors' chances to win. His wins above replacement is zero.

JJ Redick will sign with the Philadelphia 76ers

My first prediction, J.J. Reddick is going to sign with it... Philadelphia 76ers. [He] bought a condo in Brooklyn, and we're connecting dots. We're getting into the realtor information.

Phil Jackson's master plan was to get paid for screwing up the Knicks

Phil's master plan was to get paid for screwing up a franchise and he's getting paid. He's just like [fucking] the ground, having a good time, getting paid for it. He played James Dolan like a fiddle.

Chris Paul hated Doc Rivers because of the preferential treatment given to Austin Rivers

Chris Paul hated Doc Rivers ever since he brought Austin Rivers on and basically didn't yell at Austin Rivers and treated him exactly like his child.

Bulls front office members Gar Foreman and John Paxson remain fuckheads

Gar Foreman and John Paxson remain fuckheads. [The Bulls] never even began, but yes, it is over. They're dead... You got trainers saying that they're worse than drug dealers. [Paxson], you choked out your coach, Vinny Del Negro, and punched him. Don't tell me that you have morals.

Phil Jackson is the Wile E. Coyote of the NBA

You could just make up a story like Phil Jackson was spotted walking around MSG with his hand in a toaster and his foot stuck in a bucket and he fell off a balcony, and his feet kept moving until he looked down, and then he fell. He's basically become the Wile E. Coyote of NBA.

Phil Jackson is dangerously close to tarnishing his NBA legacy

Phil Jackson, I think we've said this on this podcast, but he is dangerously close to tarnishing your legacy territory... as himself. Phil Jackson, his legacy as an NBA guy, mind, player, coach, GM... You always remember the last thing you did, and if he trades Porzingis and continues to make the worst team in the NBA even worse, that's some legacy talk.

Luke Kennard will be drafted by the Pistons at pick 12

I don't think [Luke Kennard] gets past Detroit at 12.

NBA prospects suck until they actually prove it in the league

I'm of the mindset that the best players in the world are currently in the NBA, and if you're not in the NBA yet, then you suck. I don't see anybody competing against the superstars for the next five to ten years. I haven't seen [Markelle Fultz] play, so he must suck.

Phoenix is a sleeper NBA city with huge potential

Number two, kind of a sleeper city for me, is Phoenix. Young. It's a good time. Great weather always. I like to get in there a little early. Just take my claim, put them on the Mount Rushmore, and then when they do blow up, it's like, hey, I was here from the beginning.