Big $ Talks to Brian Phillips About the Kyrie Trade on CD1025. Listen Here.

The Pencilstorm offices descended in chaos early Tuesday evening as news of the big Cavs / Celtic trade hit the interwebs. The North Coast Posse's Big $ was none too pleased and CD1025 Morning show host Brian Phillips invited him to the studio the following day to vent his frustrations on air. 

Click here to listen to their conversation. 

Ben Galli Hosts an Un-Edited Kyrie E-Mail Thread

I'll get us started...

Ben Galli:  This upset and blindsided me.  The hardest part is coming to terms with this being who Kyrie is.  I'm not one of those, "well the greats back in my day..." guys but this seems very immature, selfish, and short-sighted.  I can think of players considered superstars exhibiting this type of behavior but no one really considered a great.

I guess Irving didn't think the news would go public but if the reports are true about LeBron's camp releasing it, (classic LBJ passive-aggressiveness), it just makes things worse.  The team's two best players want to throw down and Kevin Love is mocking it all on social media.

James Baumann: This story won't go away for 2 reasons. One is ESPN's desire to broadcast prima donna soap operas 24 hours a day and this fits them to a T. 

The second is that this actually has basketball ramifications. I don't know where kyrie realistically goes that either makes them locks for the East and definitely not to beat Golden State. At the same time, i can't think of who the Cavs could get that would push them past GS. 

The Cavs may get building pieces, but NBA playoff games generally come down to who has the best players -- best Plan B, Plan C, etc -- on the court in the 4th quarter. And Kyrie leaving does not help that in the least.

Colin Gawel:  I'm just really surprised by the whole situation. I just assumed Kyrie was thinking "I can't believe how lucky I am to play along side Lebron James. This is so fun." Instead he felt like he wasn't getting his due. I've lost all respect for him. Plus, when we were on good terms, I turned a blind eye to some of Kyrie's faults. Now that the gloves are off, it all adds up, he is a selfish player and a selfish person. He is just another spoiled AAU punk who was hiding behind a winning franchise. I know I come from a different generation, but playing with one of the greats isn't a bad gig. I recently saw Tom Petty and thought the same thing of his band. Does Tom Campbell always get the spotlight he deserves? Maybe not, but he plays sold out arenas every night and is part of a great band. I wonder if he ever looks across the stage and thinks, "I'm just as good as Tom. Why do they cheer him so much? I've got to get out from his shadow so I can solo more". No, Tom Campbell doesn't think that because he isn't an idiot. 

* Since I just called Mike Campbell "Tom" I guess Kyrie has a point. 

Brian Phillips : Doesn't Kyrie believe the earth is flat? He's a dope. He'll end up in Sacramento where he can fulfill his dream of being "The King Of Kings." 

Big $ from the North Coast Posse: Kyrie provided me with the happiest 5 seconds of my life (I know I could of prefaced this with "besides my wedding/kids births etc, but I didn't sue me) so regardless of where he ends up, and how he gets there, he will hold a special spot in my heart. It's also important to remember that only a few short summers ago, Kyrie made a commitment to stay in Cleveland and be the man and the organization was ready to honor that commitment. Next thing he knows this demigod who walked out on Cleveland, comes waltzing back through the door and wam bam kyrie is a distant 2nd fiddle. To make it worse he's a second fiddle to a fella that is no stranger to reprimanding him in public. The ring is nice, but it may not be enough to fully cleanse your palette of being "sonned" publicly. I'm not all together sure that Kyrie can put a team on his back for a season, but I do believe he has mad star power and charisma and is probably sick of losing regional shoe sales to his "Chet from weird science" esque basketball big bro.
      With all that said, I'm also ready for a little shake up in Cavs land. Lbj thrives off new challenges and proving KI dead wrong may be all he needs to turn it to 11 this season. I am also head over heels for Josh Jackson and feel that Bledsoe/Rose is superior to lrving/Deron Williams. Let Lbj call in one of the 8000 favors (new Suns front office exec.) James Jones owes him and make that trade happen. I'll have the popcorn ready.

Ben Galli:  The media aspect is interesting.  Nowadays with social media, posts and 'likes' and actions at weddings are analyzed non stop while players use the media to make their passive aggressive power plays.  Now a "Source" says LeBron has been actively shopping Kyrie for the last 4 months.   It's hard to know what to believe and it's probably just best to stay away from the drama and pettiness of it all.  Or maybe drama, pettiness, and over-analyzation on social media is the theme of 2017.  And we wonder why LaVar Ball continues to get attention. 

The rumored Bledsoe and Josh Jackson deal probably works best for Cleveland's future.  Another much bandied about trade would bring Bledsoe and Carmelo Anthony to Cleveland with Kyrie going to New York.  That would work best for the Cavs' chances this year, which increasingly seems like LBJ's last there.  This prospect seems less and less likely as more reports are coming out saying Melo really wants to go to Houston, one going as far as to say he's threatened to block a Kyrie to New York deal.  

And if LeBron leaves, Kyrie would have Cleveland to himself, no?  Which begs another question, does anyone want to play in Cleveland? 

James Baumann: I would not be surprised to see the Cavs still finish 1 or 2 in the East even with a Kyrie trade - but who knows with the moves the Celtics and others made. But to do so would (most likely) burn out James by playoff time and definitely finals time. But, by then, the NBA and TNT and ESPN may change the rules so there are 5 days off in between all finals games.  

Colin Gawel: Despite my harsh words, I was prepared to keep a fond view of Kyrie for the reasons Big $ mentioned. He helped get the title and it's pretty much all gravy after that. But I have to admit, seeing him ham it up at Lebron's expense with arch rival Steph Curry turned my stomach. Steph is right to mock Cleveland and Lebron. We are enemies. But geez Kyrie, that dude just beat YOU less than six weeks ago and you cheer him on as he clowns a team mate? I don't care if it was Lebron or Channing Frye,  where is your pride?  Be like watching Eddie George cheer on Charles Woodson goofing on Terry Glenn as at Christmas party in 1995. Bad look Kyrie. 

Having said all that, if we don't get value - DO NOT TRADE HIM. He signed the deal. We can move him or sit him or whatever, but we need to get something in return. 

OK....what trade ideas are floating around?

James Baumann: The trade challenge is do you try to make a 1-1 type trade that has instant results or do you make a 1-3 (or picks) that is more of the long game. And, of course, that is entirely about whether you think James is coming back. 


Whoa! Just had a thought. James convinces the Cavs to trade Kyrie to the Lakers for Ball and a pick or something. Then, next year, James takes his free agent talents TO THE LAKERS ALSO!!!!! James and

Colin G: That's a good thought. My idea was Lebron calls Porzingis and has him tell the Knicks there is no chance he will ever re-sign in NYC. Make the deal with the Cavs or lose me for nothing.

Ben Galli:  Funny you mention the psyche out cause The Ringer and Bill Simmons are saying the exact same thing (LeBron and Kyrie play for the Lakers next year and this is all carefully staged).

I really think Kyrie is jealous of LeBron and James never saw it coming that he embarrassed Uncle Drew.  I think the rift is real but I also think there's a chance that if the right deal isn't offered, in a couple weeks we'll hear of a heart to heart (father-son?) talk where they decided to let bygones be bygones, put out a music video (wedding theme?), and lead the Cavs back to the Finals.  I think they're holding out for Melo and I think that's Kyrie's preferred destination (he's from New Jersey).  Getting Josh Jackson would be nice but what impact can he make in the Finals as a rookie?

Big $: I really think that a multi team deal that yields Melo and Bledsoe is going to happen, regardless of the rumors suggesting otherwise

James Baumann: Oh crud. I normally do read the Ringer, but hadn't seen that. Don't want people to think I'm plagiarizing. 

I still believe the whole LeBron goes to Miami / Cavs stock up #1 picks / he comes back was a long con. I don't know if dummy Dan Gilbert knew about it, but I still think it was real

 

Ben Galli Answers Yours (and ours) 2nd Round NBA Questions

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The first round is officially over and it’s starting to get serious.  With some teams’ seasons over and some teams’ championship aspirations just starting (so you’re saying there’s a chance!), there’s a lot of questions to ask and I’m here to try and answer them.  These are some real questions from some real people with some real concerns.

1. Russell Westbrook and his triple double stats seem to be a lock for the MVP. However a quick comparison of the first round of NBA playoffs is rather disturbing for fans of Russ and his gaudy numbers.

First round: LeBron was 50-92 from the floor. Russell was 59-152. It took him 60 extra shots to make 9 more buckets. It's even worse from beyond the arc where Westbrook needed 29 extra shots to get just 4 more triples than LeBron.

So my question is:
Does Russell Westbrook suck?
Should OKC be excited or terrified if Westbrook wants to sign a long term extension?
Would any top player want to be teamed with Westbrook?

- Colin G. (no relation to Ali G.)

Russell Westbrook does not suck.  For one, that's a comparison to the best player in the world who has a lot more help and two, who doesn't have to take very difficult shots (or a lot of them) to give his team a chance.  OKC should be super excited that they were able to extend Russ in the first place and should be so happy if he signs a longer term deal that they should look in the mirror and ask themselves if they really deserve it.  

There’s no indication that Russell’s not a team guy so I don’t think other stars will have a problem but there is the question of fit on the team.  Russell is going to control the ball.  If a star/superstar feels they need the ball in their hands to truly play their game, then playing with Westbrook will probably be a negative.  

2. Any hope the Cavs can play good enough defense going forward? It's been pretty ragged.
Don't those dopey OKC fans just want someone like Westbrook that they can see on Sportscenter?
Would the Sonics have won their second NBA title by now had those thieves not stolen my team and taken it to the middle of a God damned oil field?
When David Stern dies will he go to hell?

- Brian P. (allegedly no relation to Master P.)

I'm taking a wait and see approach on the Cavs improving their defense.  Facing the Raptors will be a nice test for that aspect of the Cavs that's been their biggest question mark going into the season. These teams know each other and we'll get a better idea of the Cavs chances during this series.

I think the Sonics would have a better ownership group (well, maybe not the one that sold the team from out under the fans and the city) which would have led to putting a bigger priority on winning chips as opposed to making money (hello Clay Bennett).  They would have done what they needed to do to re-sign James Harden.  Harden wouldn’t blossom into a top 5 player like he has now on his own team, but he would be the number 3 (arguably number 2) on one of the all time big 3’s in NBA history.  After David Stern super unfairly nixed the Chris Paul to the Lakers trade, I would simply wish him well wherever he ends up in the afterlife and just sip my cup of tea.

3. Are Cp3 , Deangelo, P. George, Ingram and t.moz good enough to bring a title back to the purple and gold?
Are the thunder a top 3 seed with Blake Griffin?
You get one of these 2 players moving forward: Devin Booker or Lonzo Ball, who's it gonna be?

- Big $, (larger cousin to small money)

To respond to the first 2, the West is loaded. In that Lakers lineup (which is very possible by the way), there are 2 superstars and 2 guys that have disappointed a little but still have very high ceilings.  If Russell and Ingram develop to 75% of their potential, these Lakers are going to be nasty.  But they won’t be nasty next season. It’s going to take a couple years with this lineup to really contend for a title.

It’ll matchup nicely with the Warriors not being able to afford their big 4 and LeBron getting older (possibly).  I don’t know about that guy, Poncé de LeBron.  Blake by himself doesn’t make the Thunder a top 3 seed but if they upgrade Roberson and either do the same with Oladipo or he takes the next step, then I can see it.  They'd be right up there right away though.

To answer the 3rd query, no one likes Lavar Ball and he’s hurting his son’s chances of a nice endorsement deal.  But Lonzo’s talent will overcome the sins of the father and he will be highly drafted.  And Devin Booker is quickly becoming one of the best scorers in the NBA and he’s only like 20.  But in the NBA nowadays, the faithful are flocking to the Point God and because of Lonzo’s very high ceiling in that area, I’d take him over Booker.  Is it greater to be able to create one’s own shot or create shots for others?

4. James Harden - basketball genius or a cheating punk that would get beat down if he tried all that drawing a foul crap in a pick-up game?

- James B. (no relation to Lil B who has placed a curse on Harden)

I prefer the term savant for Harden.  A basketball genius wouldn’t completely avoid the 2nd most important aspect of the game.  But Harden’s a savant because he has not really developed his defense but man, oh man has he developed everything in his offensive repertoire.  His shooting, ball handling, ball fakes, and passing are top notch as is his ability to draw a foul.  

And yes, he would be the most annoying player ever to play a pick up game with.  He’d hold on to the ball forever, making 15-20 head fakes and then shoot up a shot while flopping midway through and calling foul, whether touched or not.  Those guys are douches.  I played with one in junior high.  One day he wore a shirt with the confederate flag on it that said “You wear your X, I’ll wear mine.”  Nuff said.

5. Who’s most relieved Dion is not in the playoffs?

- Mike Y. (perhaps as a proxy for Dion W.)

I’m going to say the 2 most recent teams he’s been on since he got to the Heat.  That would be the Cavs and the Thunder.  Probably the Thunder more so because they did not re-sign him and the lack of scoring talent around Russ is glaring.  I put the Cavs here because I can see Dion really getting up for games against them and tipping the scales in a game or two in his team’s favor (although it’s just as likely to be the other way around).

6. What are the chances Blake Griffin ends up in OKC next year?
Where does Carmelo end up next year?
If the Cavs don’t win the finals, who do you see them trying to add?

- Kovic M. (because everyone has Russian connections)

I don’t think there’s a very good chance Griffin ends up in OKC next year.  All indications are that he likes the big city limelight and the draw of home doesn’t draw him.  OKC would also have to work wonders to get the necessary cap space. I think the Lakers, Knicks, and Heat will be bandied about as possible destinations but this early into it, I feel he will re-sign with the Clips because he likes L.A.

At this point, most of us would be shocked if Melo stayed in Phil Jackson’s doghouse.  The Lakers per usual will be brought up but I think their new front office will stay away from this aging superstar.  I see a battle between Miami, Chicago, and the L.A. Clippers for Melo’s still considerable services.

As far who the Cavs will add, it will be another round of: Who wants to chase a ring with LeBron?  The Cavs will want to get younger and more defensive while still retaining shooters.  Here’s a list of the impending free agents for this summer.  (look at that top 3!).  I can see the Cavs having an interest in some lower-tier vets like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Mason Plumlee, or James Johnson. If these players take pay cuts, I can see the Cavs going after Danilo Galinari and Wade or Vince Carter trying out a year here.  

And some final thoughts on the Conference Semi-Finals and the 1st Round:

I had Cavs over Pacers in 5 and they did better than that although too many of the games came down to the final seconds.  I hit on my Raptors over Bucks in 6 prediction but I hope you're as excited as I am for the Bucks next season.

I'd picked the Celtics to sweep the Bulls but you never know what Bulls team you're gonna get and they extended Boston to 6 after winning the first 2.  In my defense, Boston swept after that.  I picked Wizards in 5 but it was Wizards in 6 because you can never trust Atlanta.

Over in the best conference, I got 3 of the 4 series right.  I'd picked Clippers in 6 but Utah bebop skedaddled to a win in Game 7, granted Blake Griffin missed most of the series with an injured toe.  I'd picked the Warriors and Spurs in 5 but Golden State swept impressively while the Grizz grinded to 6 games before falling.  They weren't gonna get rooked. And in the most anticipated 1st round matchup, I'd picked Houston in 6 but they usually dominated and won in 5.

Raptors-Cavs:  I still don't think Cleveland is going to struggle much here and I see them winning in 5 or 6.  It went 6 last year in the Conference Finals but I'll say Cavs in 5 this time around.

Wizards-Celts:  In my preview, I said Washington would upset Boston in this round.  Boston had an impressive come from behind victory on Sunday to take game 1 of this series and the Wizards depth weaknesses were exploited especially after Markieff Morris went down.  I will say Wizards in 7 in what should be a very intense, back and forth series.

Warriors-Jazz - This Jazz team is well coached and on the up and up but they're not on G.S' level.  Warriors in 5.

Spurs-Rockets - This should be a fun series and Houston has a decent shot to upset.  But I pick Spurs in 6.

These playoffs have almost been overshadowed by the incredible post game pressers and this is the best one in years.  Because it worked! Coach David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies: