Feb. 19, 2026

Wide Open NBA, Celtics Rising

A title race without a true favorite changes everything. We dive into why Boston keeps stacking wins with Jalen Brown as a full-fledged primary scorer, how Derek White’s defense and decision-making glue the roster together, and what Nikola Vucevic adds to the offense with stretch-five spacing and hard screens. Then we tackle the hardest question of the spring: when should Jason Tatum actually return? Five-on-five scrimmages hint at clearance, but playoff readiness demands rhythm, timing, and the right minutes plan. We weigh the risk, the reward, and what a measured ramp could mean for seeding and series matchups.

The conversation widens to a league defined by parity. Cleveland’s gamble on pure offense with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden could overwhelm half-court defenses—if Harden settles into a No. 3 role when it matters. Out West, the paths to June feel crowded: Jokic’s inevitability in Denver, Minnesota’s two-way ceiling with Ant at the controls, OKC’s readiness to punch above their years, and a Spurs surge powered by a Wembanyama learning curve that feels more like a leap. This is a postseason where health, lineup versatility, and scheme discipline might trump star names alone.

We also spotlight the quiet shift of eras. Shai, Luka, Wemby, Brunson, and Maxey aren’t waiting for invitations; they’re shouldering crunch time and reshaping how teams defend space. The best news? Less superteam gravity, more organic rivalries. For Boston, that means leaning into pace, five-out spacing, and a defense that can win ugly in May. If Tatum’s ramp is smart and the rotation holds, the window isn’t just open—it’s inviting. Tap play, ride along as we set expectations for the stretch run, and tell us your Finals and MVP picks. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others find us.

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Hosts: Mike Marcangelo, Dave Clarke, Rayshawn Buchanan, Bob Kelly
Producer: Craig D'Alessandro

Inquiries: Craig@mtpshow.com

00:06 - Kicking Off: Football’s Over, Celtics Time

00:53 - Jalen Brown’s Leap And MVP Odds

03:32 - Derek White’s Two-Way Impact

06:55 - Bench Roles And Sixth Man Debate

07:14 - Trade Deadline Shakeup: Vucevic Fit

10:44 - The Tatum Question: Return Timelines

14:15 - Risk, Minutes, And Playoff Readiness

17:12 - The League Is Wide Open

19:58 - Cleveland’s All-In Gamble

24:08 - Mazulla’s Coaching Resume Tested

28:22 - Passing The Torch To New Stars

32:36 - Rapid-Fire West Storylines

43:20 - Finals Picks, MVP, And Wildcards

45:51 - Closing Thoughts And Sign-Off

WEBVTT

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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Missing the Point.

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I am your host, Michael Marcangelo, joined alongside by my OG boy, the real VK Bob Kelly.

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It's our first show without football.

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So we're gonna talk about the NBA, the Boston Celtics, and really what we can look forward to coming into this spring.

00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:28.239
But before we get into that, Bobby, how are we doing, my friend?

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I'm good, man.

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I'm ready to talk about some basketball.

00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:36.479
I'm ready to move on from that football season.

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You know what I mean?

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It was like literally my worst nightmare.

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The Cowboys going down into the pit of despair that they went into and the Patriots rising back to prevalence.

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It was it was literally like I woke up in hell.

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So I'm happy to move on into basketball.

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Celtics are doing great, so I'm ready, man.

00:00:52.799 --> 00:00:53.600
I'm ready.

00:00:53.920 --> 00:01:06.000
Yeah, I mean, I would just say I want to start this off by earlier in the year, once actually after the finals, once the dust settled, DK and I had a wager, and the wager was the Celtics winning more than 50 and a half games.

00:01:06.239 --> 00:01:09.200
I bet the over, TK bet the under.

00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:12.959
Through 54 games, the Celtics are 35 and 19.

00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:15.920
They sit at the number two seed in the Eastern Conference.

00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:30.239
It's looking pretty good from my bet, but listen, the first thing we need to talk about before we get before we get into the the Warriors game and post all-star break, JB has gone full alpha scorer MVP.

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His stat line is 29.3975 and a 48% from the field from the field.

00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:45.519
So Bobby, did you expect this rise from him knowing that you know he was going to be the really the only option for scoring this year?

00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:56.719
I mean, that's exactly what we would expect from him, considering what we've seen from his career and what especially the opinion that you had of him coming into this year.

00:01:56.879 --> 00:02:05.359
I mean, I expected it, yeah, I just wasn't sure if that was what was going to happen with the rest of the team.

00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:06.159
You know what I mean?

00:02:06.239 --> 00:02:11.840
Like I knew JB was going to take that leap, but looking at the rest of the team, I just wasn't sure if they were all going to follow suit.

00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:14.719
But yeah, I was behind JB coming into the year for sure.

00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:25.759
Yeah, I think the narrative that I've always had about JB, aside from saying that he sometimes dribbles like Stanley from the office, is that he tries, right?

00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:30.319
Everything that comes naturally and easy to Jason Tatum, Brown works for.

00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:31.840
And like you can you can see it.

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He's gritty.

00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:38.960
And what we've been fed over the last what seven years is that with JB and JT, we have two ones.

00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:42.879
Well, if one one goes out, then you we really want to test that theory.

00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:46.000
And it seems like to me, again, almost 30 points a game.

00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:48.719
He's put himself right in the MVP conversation.

00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:54.080
Do you think like what are your what do you think of the chances that he actually gets that award?

00:02:55.520 --> 00:03:01.840
I mean, I'd give it a probably like a 20% chance at this point, which is pretty high, I'd say.

00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:10.000
I think yeah, you know, I think if you were to look at the wrestling league right now, I think there's like Wemby, and there's a few other guys that are up there, man.

00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:11.919
But JP's definitely in top tier.

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I mean, he's a starter in the all-star game, which I think is completely earned.

00:03:15.520 --> 00:03:20.000
He's definitely in the top 10 guys so far this year, and there's no doubt about that.

00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:22.400
I mean, he won player of the month, what, twice so far?

00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:25.280
I think he won it in I think he won it in December.

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And he won it, I don't know if he won it in January, but I think he won it in November or December, though.

00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:32.000
So he's won player of the month a few times so far this year.

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I also think one of the big questions coming in, obviously, with uh with KP leaving, with Drew leaving, is obviously this could be like a transition year, but listen, number two in the East, that we'll take that so far.

00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:50.000
What would the help be like for JB?

00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:53.439
Like, could Derek White actually step up and be a number two?

00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:59.520
I mean, he's averaging what close to 18 points a game, almost five rebounds a game and six assists.

00:03:59.759 --> 00:04:04.800
Yeah, so I mean, I feel like White's contribution so far, though, has been so much more than what you see on the stat line, though.

00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:14.080
Is like he's been in top consideration for defensive player of the year, which we know that when you're a guard and you're in that talk, you're having a different level defensive season.

00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:17.120
We've seen it once before in a Celtics uniform with smart.

00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:20.879
And that, I mean, that was people call it like a defense DPOI.

00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:26.399
But I mean, if if you're a guard and you get that award, you've earned that shit.

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You know what I mean?

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So I feel like he's he's contributing on at a different level.

00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:35.199
Like night in and night out, Derek White makes an impact, man.

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I can't, I was actually reading an article the other day where it was talking about the impact that he's actually made since he became a Celtic.

00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:45.199
And it's just it's it's unbelievable, man.

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That move that Stevens made that night is just it's it's one of the more underrated moves in Celtics history, for sure.

00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:51.680
I love Derek White.

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Oh, yeah, and and shout out to our boy Hollywood Ray.

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Like, yeah, no, he called it.

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I thought about it when I'm reading when it when I read that shit, man.

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Yeah.

00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:06.000
He he was all over that, but if it feels like throughout the course of the year, that he's really been the stabilizer for the Celtics, right?

00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:09.600
And I think this goes back to I I think you and I feel the same way.

00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:15.120
You know, when Marcus Smart used to jack up threes, you and I would both be like, oh no.

00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:19.839
I don't know about you, but I don't care where Derek White shoot from.

00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:21.920
Whenever he shoots the ball, I'm like, let's go in.

00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:23.439
Yeah, no, I agree.

00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:24.000
I agree.

00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:36.639
It's it's a different field with light, especially when he's when he's when when he's on from three-point, but especially when he's doing the floater from the inside, which rank call from like V1, he's like, bro, he's got that floater from inside, and he still has it to this day.

00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:40.000
He's like one of the few players in the NBA who still shoots a two-point shot.

00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:41.680
But yeah, no, a hundred percent.

00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:44.560
I I trust D White on offensive side and defensive side.

00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:54.639
So to have those guys as one, two, I mean, it just it it is a good feeling knowing that we also have Jason Tater coming back, hopefully, maybe this year at some point.

00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:56.240
Maybe we'll talk about that in a little bit.

00:05:56.399 --> 00:06:06.959
But like it's it's nice to see what these two have done because it's it's really it's not really being talked about that much that these two are what where are they?

00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:08.639
Are they second in the conference right now?

00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:10.480
I know they're it's first and second are really close.

00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.720
So it's second in the conference, first in the division.

00:06:12.959 --> 00:06:13.519
I don't know.

00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:17.279
It's it's it's it's it's pretty remarkable what they've done so far this year.

00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:20.800
Yeah, I mean, you got listen, you got Jalen averaging almost 30.

00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:21.360
Derek White.

00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:25.519
Shireman's playing playing significant minutes every night.

00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:26.480
It's crazy.

00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:33.360
And you got Peyton Pritchard, your rookie of the year from long ago, averaging 17 points a game.

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I mean in 32 minutes.

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So he can win two if you want.

00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:40.160
Six, he can win two two straight six minutes of the year.

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It's very possible.

00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:43.040
I don't, but I don't think he's a six-manager.

00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:45.040
Like he is part of it, right?

00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:49.279
Like, yeah, but he he is it, but he comes off the bench though, technically, right?

00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:55.680
I mean he's he's averaging one and a half minutes less per game than Jalen Brown and Derek White.

00:06:55.839 --> 00:06:57.279
But technically, he comes off the bench.

00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:00.399
So I think that's like I think he's eligible for that award.

00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:07.439
White and Brown start in the bat, or no, Pritchard doesn't.

00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:08.959
I mean, but I don't know.

00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:13.600
He starts he start he starts some nights, but some I don't think he starts most nights.

00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:14.480
But yeah, keep going.

00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:25.360
So I think there were there was a bit of a of a of a mix-up, not a mix-up, but uh I actually maybe a mix-up of the roster with the with also with with the trade deadline.

00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:27.680
Nikola Vusevich, right?

00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:30.319
He get we we get a center.

00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:38.319
We definitely we desperately needed points and rebounds to to fill that void, you know, that that we have left since KP.

00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:41.439
I mean, so far, it's it's not a big sample size.

00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:47.439
He's averaging what 14 points a game, but in the season, he's averaging almost 17 points, nine rebounds.

00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:54.240
How do you feel like how do you feel like he fits and or changes the way that Boston the what the Celtics can run an offense?

00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:59.759
I mean, I just think it adds he's like uh he's like bringing KP back into the offense.

00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:00.319
You know what I mean?

00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:02.720
It's that type of thing, it's that type of impact.

00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:14.160
It's a different kind of impact, but it's that same kind of stretch five where like he he's getting the rebounds, he can hit a three-point shot, he can hit, he can hit like a hard pick and roll.

00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:14.879
You know what I mean?

00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:16.959
And on defensive end, he's there in the middle.

00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:19.279
I mean, listen, I love Nimus Keda.

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I do.

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I love him, man.

00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:22.800
I think he's a great center.

00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:29.600
I think I think he I think he is very serviceable, but you he's not gonna get you a championship.

00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:30.399
You know what I mean?

00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:41.679
You can't be like game six, NBA championship, NBA finals against the fucking, I don't know, against against Jokic, and then you're trying Kater.

00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:42.399
You know what I mean?

00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:43.840
Like that can't be what you're doing.

00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:45.919
That just can't be what you do.

00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:50.399
So yeah, Vuji, he he he adds a lot to the team, he does.

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And I don't think he's I've I've I've I don't like giving up Simons, but like you know, but like it is what it is.

00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:01.840
Do they do they needed this more than that?

00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:08.000
Yeah, do they give up Simons if they don't think Tatum's coming back this year?

00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:10.480
Hmm, good question.

00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:18.799
I mean, right, because they love they know that they know the scoring is coming, they know the scoring is coming, right?

00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:24.799
But also like Vusevich changes the the geometry of the Celtics on the floor, right?

00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:34.559
He there's more scoring and spacing at center, more rebounding, which is what we needed, and to your point, like he does give them a different option other than Keda from the five positions.

00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:47.360
So I do feel like you know, DK said uh I just want Brad to draft like to go after a center that's over seven feet, and I feel that I do, but it kind of feels like this guy's a good fit.

00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:53.360
He's like he's like a better Rafe La Friends, not a good not as good of a KP, but it's what we need.

00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:56.639
Yeah, he's definitely better than Rafael Friends.

00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:58.080
Yeah, not as well.

00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:02.000
Rafe LaFriends was an all-star, not here, but not here.

00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:03.519
I in what was it, Denver?

00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:04.960
Was it Denver as an all-star?

00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:06.240
Dallas?

00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:08.480
Dallas, Dallas, Dallas, yeah, it was Dallas.

00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:12.320
Rafael France, what a name.

00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:13.919
That's great.

00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.639
So, you know, I like Bucevic, I do.

00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:18.080
I was pumped when they got him.

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It's a guy where like you got him and you're like, ah, I wish we got him two years ago.

00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:23.600
You know what I mean?

00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:24.960
That's that's that's what it is.

00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:32.799
It's like I wish I wish this was two years ago, because that's he was the type of guy that we were clamoring for, you know, until we got KP, I guess.

00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:36.480
Yeah, let's say if you have if you have him, you don't get it.

00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:38.480
You'd probably not win a title.

00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:39.519
Yeah, that's true.

00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:43.679
Which leads us to the main event of this segment.

00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:44.720
Okay.

00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:49.440
Jason Tatum has been kind of wishy-washy in the media about whether he's gonna come back or not.

00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:52.480
He has started scrimmaging five on five.

00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:55.120
He is practicing in the D-League.

00:10:55.360 --> 00:11:00.639
He's telling people uh in private that he's considering sending out the entire season.

00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:14.559
And the NBC has just bumped the Celtics game on March 1st from the the regular, I think the time was supposed to be right around like 5 30, and now they've moved it to an 8 p.m.

00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:18.639
game streaming on Peacock against Philly.

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I I will be there.

00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:27.840
Do you think nice nice do you think that that is signaling that Tatum will be back by March 1st?

00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:30.080
Oh wow, no fucking way.

00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:31.679
That'd be wow.

00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:37.840
I mean, we saw him we saw him dunking in November.

00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:46.480
It's a podcast, Bobby.

00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:47.440
I need I need I need noise.

00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:49.440
Yeah, no, I know, I know it is, I know.

00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:56.080
I'm thinking, I'm just doing listen, I remember when I'm pondering if if an ACL listen, I'm thinking about what was June?

00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:57.200
It was June?

00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:00.320
Yeah, but it was like June is when he blew it up.

00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:03.440
It's just this Achilles, it's just as Achilles, yeah.

00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:04.639
I mean, I guess it's possible.

00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:09.120
And I guess it depends on if they need those games.

00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:15.759
I think they hold them out until the playoffs if they don't need to, except for like maybe the end of the season where they give them some warm-up going.

00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:18.320
But I don't think they need to bring them back three months early.

00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:22.000
If they're first or second in the conference, I don't know if they need to rush that back, man.

00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:23.759
They're gonna wait till that is 100%.

00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:29.840
What do we always see though when stars are you know, players are trying to come back in the regular season, right?

00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:30.879
Towards the end of the playoffs.

00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:35.120
They they do we don't need we know we don't need them to blow it out again, man.

00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:36.240
Just wait.

00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:44.799
But typically they they wait until like the last week of the year, last like last two weeks of the season, and then we we see that that player is gassed in the playoffs.

00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:52.879
What if they just play him three games a month for the rest of the year to get him make sure that all the cobwebs are off for the postseason?

00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:57.279
I mean, also he bet he better wear fucking he better wear fucking high top shoes.

00:12:57.440 --> 00:12:58.399
No, no, no more of this.

00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:00.639
Like, we don't need we don't need to see this anymore.

00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:02.960
Yeah, man.

00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:06.399
I think that'd be I think that's personal.

00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:09.200
Personally, I think that would be early.

00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:10.720
I think that would be a mistake.

00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:12.799
I'm not saying they're not gonna do it.

00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.919
That's not what I'm saying.

00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:19.759
I I'm not saying I but I think if you bring him back early and he hurts himself again, man.

00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:20.799
Let me ask you a question.

00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:26.159
Those Achilles, those ACLs, like you gotta let especially basketball players, he needs to be explosive.

00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:29.360
Tatum needs to be athletic, tatum needs to be the guy.

00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.399
You know what I mean?

00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:33.120
He he you can't he can't come back.

00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:36.399
You know, how long was how long was Duranto?

00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:38.240
That's that's what I mean.

00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:40.480
That's that's the only comparable one that you have.

00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:45.039
Like I think it's a it's gonna be closer to at least 10 months.

00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.480
You know what I mean?

00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:51.519
However, however, so it's April, May.

00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:52.559
You know what I mean?

00:13:52.720 --> 00:14:05.360
May beginning of May and Do you think do you think there's a sh uh any chance that his doctors would have cleared him for five on fives if if he was not actually ready to push it?

00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:12.399
Because I don't think he'd sniff a court right now if if his team thought that there's any chance that he could he could blow it out again.

00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:14.799
More than more than any other person's chance.

00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:15.519
You know what I mean?

00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:20.799
I don't think we'd be seeing him doing running five on five scrimmages right now if he wasn't fully cleared.

00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:22.320
I think he's cleared.

00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:28.559
That's crazy.

00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:35.039
I mean, he did get the surgery really fast.

00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.759
You know what I mean?

00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:39.039
So, like within within 48 hours, he had the search.

00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:39.759
Let me ask you a question.

00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:49.279
If this was football, dude, and you saw a wide receiver who had torn his ACL, Stefan Diggs, Tyree Kill, and they're practicing in pads, they've been cleared.

00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.200
They're cleared to play.

00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:55.200
Now, whether the team lets them March 1st, that's what?

00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:57.840
That's the week and a half away.

00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:08.960
I mean, listen, unless they think Embiid's gonna be fully healthy for that game, and then they moved it from a a 6 30 start to an 8 o'clock start.

00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:16.480
But there's a weird it's weird that Peacock and NBC would pick that game and say, I want it, and move it to 8 p.m.

00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.159
for no reason.

00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:22.399
I mean it is Celtics Philly.

00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:25.600
Yeah, but without Tatum or indeed.

00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.799
But it's still second in the conference.

00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:29.840
What is Philly?

00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:30.399
Fourth?

00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.120
Fifth?

00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:34.799
Philly is currently sixth.

00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:35.919
Sixth?

00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:39.679
So it's two playoff teams, you know.

00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:44.159
It's still two playoff teams.

00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:46.399
Okay, but answer my first question.

00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:50.879
Is there any chance that he would actually be scrimmaging five on five if he wasn't cleared?

00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:52.320
No, there isn't.

00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:52.639
No.

00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:56.720
I don't want him to do it again.

00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.720
But yeah, I guess it's very possible.

00:15:58.960 --> 00:15:59.919
Week and a half away.

00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.039
That seems crazy.

00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:04.720
If he returns it even, let's say like 80 to 90 percent, right?

00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:13.600
You gotta you gotta imagine that the Celtic Shark Creation and Matchup Nightmare Factor probably go way fucking up, right?

00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:15.679
It but where they're in a good spot.

00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.840
I think this is the perfect spot for them to be.

00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:28.080
You didn't want to be in the ninth seed coming up and then saying we really need Tatum to make the playoffs, or like the seventh seed, we really need him to get out of the play and because we because we want to make a run.

00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:35.120
Right now, Boston isn't like the Celtics have the best of both worlds, they're they're in the two seed that where they are exceeding expectations.

00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:40.080
They they actually don't need him to play 35 minutes a game.

00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:48.000
But are you telling me that if you have the option to get Tatum to come in and play 15 to 18 minutes a game, you don't do that?

00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:48.720
Why?

00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.399
Why don't you do that?

00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:55.840
You don't want him to get hurt again.

00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:56.960
You don't want to get hurt.

00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:59.840
So he should never play basketball again.

00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.840
No, no, that's not what I'm saying.

00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:09.279
I I just it just seems it seems very early, but 15 to 18 minutes a game, I would get behind.

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:11.920
You just don't need it yet, is what scares me.

00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:17.440
But you're right, you don't want it to be necessity, you don't want it to to press on it, you want to ease back.

00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.079
I get all that.

00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:22.079
So I guess I guess it is it is it is a feasibility.

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.880
Yeah, if he's cleared, he's cleared, man.

00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:26.400
If he's cleared, so nope.

00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:32.240
So operating under the assumption that that that he's cleared, because obviously he wouldn't be able to participate in any of these drills if he wasn't.

00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:33.119
That's just my opinion.

00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:35.039
But you know, we've been around a long time.

00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:37.200
Let's say that we know that he's cleared.

00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:39.200
And he doesn't play.

00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:41.599
Do you think any less of him?

00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.079
No.

00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.319
Really?

00:17:49.119 --> 00:18:01.359
I mean not if the team is not if not not if we're second in the conference and okay, but what if we're second in the conference and we go to the Eastern and we go what do you Bobby?

00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:05.519
What if we're second in the conference and we go to the Eastern Conference Finals and we lose because we didn't have Jason Tatum?

00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:12.000
What if what what if we I mean would he so I'm saying, yeah, if he doesn't come back at all, yeah, for sure.

00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:12.400
Right.

00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:14.319
For sure we're holding that against him.

00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:14.720
Oh, yeah.

00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:15.440
Okay, that's what I'm saying.

00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.000
Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:19.759
Yeah, we find out he's cleared and he doesn't come back.

00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:25.200
Yeah, if he doesn't come back at all, we're definitely, we're definitely holding that shit again.

00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:25.759
100%.

00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:27.759
Yeah, forever.

00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.200
Forever.

00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.880
I love it, but that's forever.

00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.160
Maybe not forever.

00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:38.240
But I mean, you did name your your firstborn after him, so I mean I mean I named my child after him, so correct.

00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:40.400
Yeah, I name my child second.

00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.519
Secondborn.

00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.559
Second, oh that's right.

00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:44.079
Secondborn.

00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:46.240
It feels like it was all yesterday.

00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:46.720
Yeah.

00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:54.720
But listen, I think the theme of this show they're they're four, they're they're four and a one's three, by the way.

00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:56.400
That's so wild.

00:18:56.720 --> 00:19:06.160
I think the theme of this show should really center around currently, right now, the NBA is wide open.

00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:10.240
And and I would just pose this question to you.

00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:16.799
Is this the most wide open that we've seen the NBA in let's say the last 10 years?

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:26.880
I think it's been wide open for a few years, but yeah, it's pretty wide open this year.

00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:28.559
I mean, there's no real favorite.

00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:32.480
You know, there's been a lot of movement, there's a lot of things that happen.

00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:40.640
A lot of the favorite even OKC has been, you know, they've been they took a little bit of a step back, at least recently.

00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:42.079
You know, they were very hot at first.

00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:47.119
I think they started out what 18 and 1, and now they they definitely took 42 and 14.

00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:49.839
I mean, yeah, this is yeah.

00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:55.839
Yeah, I mean, you know, like OKC is definitely the best team.

00:19:56.079 --> 00:20:01.039
But yeah, there it's pretty there's a lot of there's a lot of parry this year in the NBA, for sure.

00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:01.839
For sure.

00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:08.480
Uh so like I would just say listen, right now, like you're not gonna you're not gonna have you're not gonna have a 70-winth like juggernaut team.

00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:14.240
The top seeds in each conference, they feel strong, but it's it's not like they don't feel inevitable.

00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:26.240
And for the first time in quite a long time, the finals matchup might depend more on actual health than dominance throughout the throughout the year.

00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:27.920
Again, aka Tatum.

00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:40.880
So I I right now, I mean, unless OKC goes on a tear, I would just say like the NBA doesn't have a dynasty problem right now because no team really scares you, right?

00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:56.079
Yeah, but there's definitely Miami Heat, there's no Lakers, there's no Spurs, there's there's there's there's none of those guys for sure.

00:20:56.160 --> 00:21:01.359
I mean Yeah, no, I I I I definitely agree with that 100%.

00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:06.640
There's there's there's no there's no established superstar either.

00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.480
I think is really what it is.

00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:18.319
There's there's a bunch of guys that are really, really, really good, really elite, you know, superstars, but there's no guy anymore.

00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:21.359
There's LeBron, but he's what 42.

00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:26.640
So, you know, he's definitely on the back end, you know, he's still there.

00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:29.119
You know, you got Wemby who's young.

00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:32.319
You got OKC out of S C A.

00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:38.000
You know, Spurs Jokic, you know, you got you gotta that's true.

00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.839
There's Spurs are something Wemby.

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.119
Wemby's different level.

00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:42.400
Wemby's different level.

00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:45.599
He definitely is the next guy, for sure.

00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:50.880
But I agree with that that there's no there's no dominant force at the moment.

00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:59.839
So knowing that don't we have to really hold it against Tatum if he decides to sit out the whole year?

00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.519
And not come back for the playoffs.

00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:06.880
Yeah, no, we're definitely all for sure.

00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:08.319
There's no doubt about it.

00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:13.279
There's no because you know you have a chance to win two out of three at this point.

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:18.480
So, you know, that's that's that's something that's on the table for you.

00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:28.160
So, but there are and I would say like a team that does recognize that the East and really the entire league is wide open, is Cleveland, right?

00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:32.960
Cav the Cavs go all in on pairing up Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.

00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.319
Say what you want about James Harden.

00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.400
Do you like comparing?

00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:37.279
Watching it.

00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:37.839
What do you think?

00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:39.119
I mean, offensively, yeah.

00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:45.839
One of the things, you know, James Harden will always be a one, a like a top five choke artist for me of all time.

00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:53.920
But the one thing I'm not gonna say about him is he does like he doesn't sit out games in in a in an era where we're all talking about load management and tanking.

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:56.079
James Harden shows up and he plays.

00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:59.359
You just know he's gonna fall apart in the final in the big game.

00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:01.680
So he plays offensively.

00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.880
He plays offensively.

00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:04.480
He well, he's never played defensively.

00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:06.240
It's not, I mean, it's not what he does.

00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:09.839
That's why you get mobly, that's why you have you know the rest of the guys, I guess.

00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:18.799
So what do you what do you no no, what do you think about I mean, is this Cleveland saying we're going all in and we're just gonna we're just gonna outscore everybody?

00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:22.480
I mean, that's definitely the statement that they've made.

00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:31.039
I think it also tells you that what they think of Mobly now, and if they're healthy, it's just a matter if they're fucking healthy.

00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:32.079
You know what I mean?

00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:40.640
I think that's what it what it matters what what they're what they're betting on is is those two guys being healthy, and that's I think this is their going all in.

00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:48.640
If this doesn't work now, we're gonna probably fucking blow this shit up, I think is what they're doing personally.

00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:50.400
I mean, would you be surprised?

00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:59.599
Would you be surprised if after this year, you know, if if Allen gets hurt, if Mobley gets hurt, those are the two guys that if they get hurt, it fucks the whole thing up.

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:01.039
And that's that's really what it rests on.

00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:04.640
Listen, I you know what you're gonna get from Donovan Mitchell.

00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.599
You know what I mean.

00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:10.960
You know, if Harden shows up, you know what you're getting from James Harden.

00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.880
He's probably not going to.

00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:18.160
Probably not going to, but you know, you know.

00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.359
You know, yeah.

00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:27.519
But yeah, yeah, you know, in the playoffs, you know that James that James Harden's gonna get 15 points on six of 38 shooting, if you let him.

00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.559
So don't let him do that.

00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:36.400
But listen, to your point, I just want to push back on you a little bit because you always say, like you just said, like we we know what we're gonna get from Donovan Mitchell.

00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:38.160
Do we know what we're gonna get from him in the playoffs?

00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:41.839
Has he ever made it through an entire postseason healthy?

00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:43.200
No, that's true.

00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.079
Yeah, that's true.

00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:46.000
I guess we know what we're gonna get from him at night.

00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.799
He's gonna get hurt.

00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:48.880
He always gets hurt in the postseason, too.

00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:58.000
It's always it's always after they're up 2-1 in the series, and all of a sudden it's Donovan Mitchell with some elbow injury or some like this injury, and you know what I mean.

00:24:58.079 --> 00:25:00.880
That's a he's out for two games, and all of a sudden the calves are buying.

00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:08.000
But listen, your starting five is Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Mobley, Jared Allen, Garland.

00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:11.279
I mean, that's formidable.

00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:21.920
And I would say if if you let James Harden be your number two or your number three, I would say number three.

00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.400
That seems really dangerous.

00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:26.799
If you need him to be your number one, he can't.

00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:32.559
He can in the regular season, but in my opinion, he just cannot do it in the postseason.

00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:37.200
So do you think that you know currently Cleveland's in the fourth seed?

00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:42.079
Do they make do they make a run for the top seed?

00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:45.519
Or or do you think they're they're relegated to you know three through six?

00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:50.480
I think they're relegated two to three.

00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:52.319
I don't think they're gonna make a run at the top seed.

00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:55.200
So bring me down to standards right now.

00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:58.319
Yeah, so it's the Pistons, uh, which we'll talk about.

00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:58.960
Number one.

00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:04.160
Uh number two is Celtics, three is the Knicks, and the Knicks can't ever beat the Pistons.

00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:12.799
The Cavs at four, Raptors at five, Sixers at six, Magic at seven, heat at eight, Hornets at nine.

00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:15.519

Wide Open NBA, Celtics Rising

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