It is the JR Sport Brief Show here with you coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network. Yeah. And we're living. little bit away, about an hour and change away. From game three of the NBA Finals is going to take place.
in Indianapolis, Indiana, we know that The Pacers are trying to stay out of a deficit.
Meanwhile, we have the Oklahoma City Thunder trying to take a 2-1 lead. There's so many other stories going on in the NBA from coast to coast, all over the country, from the New York Knicks and what they got going on with their coaching situation, even as far out to California.
Okay, and we're going to talk about this with someone from California who covers all things NBA for clutch points. We are being joined by Tomer Azali. Tomer, how are you, man? Yeah. I'm great, man.
Thanks for having me. How are you guys doing? Absolutely. Not a complaint in the world. How are you enjoying this NBA final so far?
I mean, look, you have two high paced, great defensive teams. Uh I'm really enjoying it so far. Two cities that I haven't really had a chance to explore as much, so uh and two rising superstar point guards.
So uh it's been fun. It's been a blast so far. And I mean, based on on on what we've seen. Is there anything that you're looking forward to the most? I mean, the Pacers have pretty much been playing catch-up.
How do you foresee the rest of this series going? Yeah, I mean, I think the defender I've led for like 46 minutes in each game so far. Uh and this is a 1-1 series right now, so Yeah, I think the patients will look to to to play better at home here back in Indianapolis. Uh, and then I think you know, Tyree Halliburton have kind of had a rough game too, so I'm curious to see how he kind of bounces back. uh you know there's there's that old age old age old saying where you know role players play better at home But this Pacers team has kind of been the exception in that way.
They've had big performances from everyone, home or road.
So I'm curious to see if they can get a big kind of performance here from an Aaron Neesmith. TJ McConnell back at home. I think this patient's depth is such a big part of what they do. And uh I'm curious to see if they can get everyone done uh so far back at home.
So, Mayor Azale is here with us from Clutch Points. When you think about some of the, well, this is the largest story going on outside of the NBA Finals. It's this uh disaster with the New York Knicks. They fired Tom Thibodeau. They're now asking all around the country as to uh whether they can grab a Jason Kidd or Quinn Snyder and Finch, it goes on and on.
What is the perception, especially being out in Los Angeles? Are people looking at the New York Knicks right now like a joke? That is an accurate assessment, I would say. I think a lot of people, especially here, having the chance to talk with a lot of the media folks, a lot of people are very confused. As to why they are going after coaches who are already established and already have jobs, I should say.
I think Jason Kidd was one of them, Chris Finchie, maybe Doka.
Now we heard Quinn Snyder. These are all coaches who, you know, I think if they wanted to leave, they probably would. And so I'm very curious as to why they're doing that. You know, a guy like Michael Malone, I know, has been available and. uh very highly regarded in the NBA so A very interesting choice here by the Knicks to kind of go after guys who are taken, but I mean, hey, I guess you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, right?
Well, yeah, you gotta get your hands on something. It seems like they didn't have a plan in that process. Tomer, I know things are rather. Rather stacked. Out west.
I know you're out. You carefully follow the Clippers. Obviously, the Lakers are out there as well. When you think about What the future looks like for the West. And we know there's a lot of trades that have to take place.
We'll get to Kevin Durant. uh momentarily This division, this conference is stacked from top. To bottom, do you see it staying that way in the foreseeable future despite any potential trades? I mean, it's been this way for as long as I can remember, dating back to the early 2010s, maybe even before that. I think it's always been a highly competitive conference, probably the better conference of the two.
And so I I think you know, you've seen a lot of stars leave the east and head west over the years and Um, you know, I I think Giannis was a fear that if Giannis comes over to the West, like what's left in the East?
So I don't think there's any doubt this will be the best conference in the NBA. And uh you know there's a lot of really good teams that you know will just probably fall in the play in or fall out of the top six or even fall out of the playoff spot. because there's such a uh an immense amount of talent. And depth in the NBA, especially in the Western Conference.
So I don't expect that to change anytime soon, although you are seeing some teams prepare for. the ramifications of the new CBA, which was you know, gonna gonna cause some piece to break up their their big cores, so Um yeah, I think a team like the Thunder is a good example of a team that probably needs to win now before they have to pay guys like Chef Holden. guy like Jalen Williams. And so I think they have big decisions to make, so this is why a year like this year and next year will be very important for them. And Tomir Azali is here with us on the J.R.
Sport Brief Show Coast to Coast. We know one of the biggest names still in the NBA is probably going to be on the move. It's Kevin Durant. We heard about all the teams that he potentially could move to or that he might have interest in. Everything from the San Antonio Spurs to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Where do you believe would be the best? a spot and fit for Kevin Duran as he continues his career. Yeah, I mean it it really just depends on which team feels like they're ready to win now. A team like Houston probably feels like they're ready to win now and I think would make sense for him. Uh I see my San Antonio.
You know, like although they did get Deanna Fox and and they have Victor Wembanyalla, like I think there's still a little bit of growing there to do with with a guy like Stefan Castle and if they end up drafting someone like Dylan Harper. Or if they end up keeping that deck. I think there's some wiggle room for them to actually grow. They're not ready just yet, in my opinion. I might be wrong, but.
Yeah, I think it just depends on which teams feel like they're ready to compete now. The Timberwolves are an example of a team that's probably ready to win right now. We know all about Anthony Edwards and his. Love for KD growing up and their relationship from dating back to the you know Olympic team even before that. Uh I think those three teams, the Timberwolves, the Rockies, and the Spurs.
probably in no particular order are probably team's best suited to go for K D and they probably win right away, but You know, I think it just depends. A lot of this, as we've seen in the postseason, can be a little bit of injury luck. Can you stay healthy? Um and and then avoid the the ticket injuries. down the stretch so uh but those three things I would say are probably the best fits for KD, the Rockets, the Wolves and the Beespurs.
Tomir, I know you cover the Clippers very close to that situation. When you think about. Just it's it's bad, but y y you take a look At Kawhi and his injury history. Thank God he was healthy this past season. What can the Clippers possibly do, if anything?
To kinda keep the the boat and ship afloat towards trying to win a championship. I I feel like they're just kind of stuck in the middle right now. Yeah, I mean look, I think you have to just kind of look at it from the perspective of they went for it in 2019 when they acquired Paul George Y Leonard. Unfortunately, it just wasn't in the car for them to win. They got a little injury prone.
When you add the twenty nineteen finals MVP and the top three finals for MVP, with the core that they had before that, like I think you expect to be a highly defendant team. And unfortunately, they just had you know, Kawhi toward the ACL, they they kind of fell apart in the bubble.
So I think from here you kind of just I think they have a good enough team to be competitive. The playoffs are so matchup paced and and it's it's it's really getting the right matchup. Like I thought they could have beaten Denver if they didn't below game one, if they didn't lose on a football dunk in game four. Like who knows how things change. And so I think when you look at the Clippers team, they have they have the depth and they have some of the pieces to make the moves, but It feels like a team is kind of biding their time until the next superstar kind of becomes available.
I think they if you look at their cap sheet and their payroll, they're kind of lining everything up to be off the boats by 2027. And so you have a couple of free agents that might be available by then. You may have a guy who's an aspiring superstar who wants to come there, request a trade there.
So I think they're trying to remain competitive and not bottom out. While also having a clear eye and keeping some openings for free agency in a year or two, some trades, some guys who might request trade. Over the years.
So I think, yeah, you kind of hit it right in the middle here. They just finished this OKT trade with Chey Gilders Alexander where the picks are finally gone. They can start accruing their own picks back in 2030 and 2031. Um Yeah, I think they're kind of just taking their time here, not bottoming out, like I said, but remaining competitive while keeping an eye on the future. And Tomir Azali is here with us on the JR Sport Re Show Coast to Coast.
Man, you and Indy, what is the vibe in the city? Obviously, there's some anticipation, but I feel from even the Pacers' perspective, their fans' perspective. They know they're the underdogs. How's the overall vibe in the city? Does it feel like.
You know, everybody is waiting on something special to happen, or is it just kind of business as usual? I mean, look, I'll say from watching their finals run from afar, their playoff run from afar, like I don't think anyone thought they would beat Milwaukee the way they did. I don't think anyone thought they'd beat Cleveland the way they did. And once they did, it was like, okay, this team might be for real. And then once they did what they did to the Knicks, I think there's a very, very strong belief, even though they are the underdogs against the 64-win Thunder team.
Ah, this ends up being very, very capable of of putting on comeback wins, masterful performances at home. Like we've seen everything from them. They've shot the lights out of the ball consistently this postseason. It's not Fluke anymore. They are a good shooting team.
And and they have the depth and they have the defensive capability to get out and run. Um I think the biggest thing really is just the turnovers. They if they can keep those turnovers down, especially at home, Uh this Gainbridge field out is going to be rocking. uh tonight and hopefully in game four.
So I think fans here are excited. I think they recognize there's a big opportunity. Like, you stole game one of the NBA Finals, you have home court on your side. I think, you know, I think the thing they've said is that this is going to be like a 20-day series. It's not just.
game one, game two, or these two home games. It's a long series and you have to pace yourself mentally. physically and not get too not get too high or not get too low. And so I think after game one, you have a big win. You try to stay level-headed.
You lose game two, again, try to stay level-headed coming into game three. uh and and the crowd that's going to be very excited to see them.
So I think if they can win one of these two home games here, starting with game three, I think they'll be in a very good position. But people here are so excited to watch. They're hyped.
Alright, so me, you got your earplugs ready? You got them ready? I do actually. I'm all charged up and ready to go. All right, Tomer.
Well, thank you so much for the time. I know you're covering the games, but enjoy them as well. We appreciate the time. Tell everybody where they can follow you and keep up with all your work. Yeah, so you can follow me at T-O-M-E-R-A-Z-A-R-L-Y on Twitter and Instagram.
I also follow beyond clutch points. That's where my work is at. Clutchpoints.com and our social pages. But yeah, that's where you can follow all my content, written and social. No doubt.
Tomir, thank you so much. Enjoy the basketball game and safe travels. We'll catch you down the line, okay? Thank you. Appreciate you guys for having me.
Thank you so much. Have a good one. No doubt about that. That's Homer Azarli coming to us live from Indianapolis, Indiana.
