Episode 305
The Knicks' Playoff Push: Insights from Former NBA Star Robert Werdann
Hosted by Mike Guidone and Chris Caputo, the show opens with a discussion about the Knicks' playoff run as they move closer to the NBA Finals. Joined by former NBA player Robert Werdann, the hosts break down the team's impressive postseason performance, including their success against tough opponents and the teamwork, toughness, and resilience that have fueled their run. Werdann shares his thoughts on the electric atmosphere at Madison Square Garden, the passion of Knicks fans both in New York and around the country, and how this team compares to some of the great Knicks teams of the past.
Later, the conversation turns to baseball, with a look at both the Mets and Yankees. The hosts discuss the Mets' inconsistency, the importance of key players returning from injury, and whether managerial decisions could help the team get more out of its roster. Werdann offers his perspective on coaching, team chemistry, and adapting to challenges over the course of a long season. Blending analysis, stories, and passionate discussion, the episode captures the excitement surrounding New York sports and the anticipation for what lies ahead for the Knicks, Mets, and Yankees.
Takeaways:
- The New York Knicks are currently on the brink of a championship, signaling a resurgence of basketball excellence in the city.
- Robert Werdann emphasized the importance of experience in the NBA Finals, highlighting the Knicks' seasoned players against the youthful Spurs.
- The podcast discussed the Knicks' strategic adjustments to play in the half court, challenging the Spurs' fast-paced game style.
- Insights into both teams' performance revealed that the Knicks' ball movement is crucial for their success in these playoffs.
- Robert Werdann shared his observations on Victor Wembanyama's potential and the need for him to develop a more robust post-game to dominate effectively.
- The current playoff run of the Knicks has been historic, with only two losses by a combined two points and a remarkable postseason winning streak.
Transcript
The views expressed in the following program.
Speaker B:Do not necessarily represent those of the staff, management or owners of wgbb.
Speaker B:Live from the WGBB studios in Merrick, New York, this is Sports Talk New York.
Speaker A: FM,: Speaker A:I'm your host, Michael Doane, joined as always by my co host, the man we call cappy, Chris Caputo.
Speaker A:516623.
Speaker A: Is the number again, that's: Speaker A:1240.
Speaker A:Got a big show tonight.
Speaker A:Going to be talking, of course, New York Knickerbocker basketball, two games away from the Holy Grail, from the promised land.
Speaker A:Talking a little New York Mets as well.
Speaker A:They're starting to make a little bit of a push here.
Speaker A:We don't want to get too excited, but we got some things going on.
Speaker A:Of course, we'll talk Yankees, we'll talk everything, all sports, including a little football.
Speaker A:But before we get to any of that, I'd like to welcome in once again Cappy Chris Caputo.
Speaker A:Cap, how you doing tonight?
Speaker C:Excellent.
Speaker C:I'm glad we're back in the studio together.
Speaker C:And Mike, this is as close as we have had since we've been on the air together to having a professional sports team win a championship.
Speaker C:If you kind of pull the New York Liberty out of that, I mean, this is, this is really, really close.
Speaker C:And you know, two weeks ago when I was here by myself, you know, the Knicks at that point were one win away from making the NBA Finals.
Speaker C:And man, I just was talking about how really I thought this was a team of destiny.
Speaker C:And every single time they take the court, it's just that much more exciting to see what's going to happen.
Speaker A:It is.
Speaker A:They just keep finding a way to win.
Speaker A:You know, it's kind of reminiscent of many, many years ago at UMass with Sean Copeland versus refused to lose.
Speaker A:They just refused to lose.
Speaker C:It's absolutely crazy how every game you go out there, I mean, they hadn't lost, I think I was talking last time, they hadn't lost in over a month, yet they were an underdog in the game with the Cavs.
Speaker C:And I was like, this is crazy.
Speaker C:And here we are, NBA Finals, two games down on the road that they have won.
Speaker C:And tomorrow night will be absolutely electric at Madison Square Garden.
Speaker A:Absolutely.
Speaker A:We wanted to bring in an expert on the scenario, you know, give us a little bit of perspective from the player, from the coaching standpoint.
Speaker A:And that's New York's own Rob Verdan played at Archbishop Malloy St. Johns and played in the NBA, along with being an assistant coach and coaching some G league he's been on with us before.
Speaker A:We're very happy to have him back.
Speaker A:Rob, Mike and Chris here on Long Island.
Speaker A:How are you doing tonight?
Speaker D:Hi, Chris.
Speaker D:Good to be with you again.
Speaker D:Thanks for having me.
Speaker A:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker A:It's our pleasure.
Speaker A:You know, and you.
Speaker A:You can probably tell from the excitement in both of our voices, just to have any team in the New York area, but especially the Knicks right now on the precipice of a potential championship is just so exciting.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker D:And I'm down here in Charlotte, North Carolina, and I can feel it way down here.
Speaker D:There are a lot of transplanted New Yorkers here.
Speaker D:And you just walk in the streets of the city, you see people wearing New York Knicks shirts and hats and things, and, you know, a lot of people are rallying behind them.
Speaker A:You know, we knew, you know, for to a point that New York Knick fans traveled very well, that they're super passionate, but, I mean, throughout these playoffs, it's really been almost a takeover from Knick fans.
Speaker A:And, you know, for the MVP chants and all sorts of stuff, you know, for this is really right now and hopefully continues on to be kind of the best of New York fandom.
Speaker D:Oh, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker D:I mean, and that it helps when you win.
Speaker D:Let's face it, they've strung so many victories in a row together at the most meaningful point of the basketball year towards the end of the season, and now they're on the precipice of winning a championship.
Speaker D:So, yeah, I mean, the Knicks fans, they do travel.
Speaker D:They always have.
Speaker D:And, you know, this just, just, just adds to that type of story and initiative to get out there and support them.
Speaker C:Rob, a couple of months ago, people were rallying around St. John's University, made a nice run, came up a little bit short.
Speaker C:Did you feel that down in North Carolina as well, what people may maybe up here thinking about with St. John's making that run, because it's much bigger now, but I think back then, people are starting to jump on that bandwagon a little bit.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker D:Well, I mean, you knew Coach Pitino was going to give the university and the basketball program a shot in the arm just based off his record and his long standing winning, you know, teams that he's put on the floor.
Speaker D:So you knew that that was going to happen, but we didn't know to the extent that it would and that people would jump on board and you know, I think he's doing some great things.
Speaker D:And this, this past, you know, the team that he's putting together for next season, I think there are even higher expectations, so it'll be interesting to watch that.
Speaker C:Can you just give us your observations of what you've seen for both of these teams coming into the NBA Finals?
Speaker C:The spurs and the Knicks, because these are two quality teams that have made it there.
Speaker D:Yeah, you know, let's start with the spurs, because we touched on the Knicks quite a bit already, but let's start with the spurs, and they're such a young team and they're probably exceeding expectations at this point.
Speaker D:I don't think anybody thought that they were ready for this stage, the stage that they made it to.
Speaker D:Now they have potentially one of the greatest players in the history of the game in Victor Wembanyama.
Speaker D:So that does help facilitate, you know, reaching higher heights than what you're expecting to reach.
Speaker D:So.
Speaker D:But they've done it.
Speaker D:I mean, they're young and they're aggressive and they defend and they create so many problems for you with the size of Gwen Benyama on the defensive end and how effective he is on the offensive end.
Speaker D:Now when it comes to the Knicks, you know, things are falling the right way for them.
Speaker D:And when you match those two teams and put them side by side and say, well, why, why, why is this happening to San Antonio?
Speaker D:Why are the Knicks doing so well?
Speaker D:It comes down to experience.
Speaker D:For me.
Speaker D:I just look at San Antonio as young and this just isn't their time.
Speaker D:It will be very soon.
Speaker D:It will be very soon, if not next year, the year after.
Speaker D:And, you know, people talk about a potential dynasty there.
Speaker D:And I see it, I certainly see it if they can keep healthy.
Speaker D:But right now, the way the Knicks are playing and how they're having about five or six possessions where there are eight passes in a 24 second shot clock, you know, they're eight passes and they end up with a wide open corner three, and they're knocking them down.
Speaker D:They're getting great contribution from everybody that's on that court, and it's just been exciting and it's been a lot of fun to watch.
Speaker A:So, Rob, I want to go back to Wemby just for a second.
Speaker A:So, you know, 22 years old, listed at 7 4, but I think we would all agree he's a little taller than that.
Speaker A:So if you're on the spurs staff or you're working with him, you know, besides just getting a little physically stronger, what in his game would you look, to work on, on the off season this year.
Speaker A:Just, you know, he, he can't, you know, to say, take the next step is a little bit.
Speaker A:I don't know.
Speaker A:I think he's.
Speaker A:Like you said, he's potentially one of the greats.
Speaker A:But what would you, what would you say to work on in the off season to get him to that next level?
Speaker D:You know, I'll probably say something that isn't very popular right now, the way the game has changed, but he's more or less perimeter oriented as a player now.
Speaker D:At 22 years old, tall, skinny, he hasn't developed the body, the NBA body yet.
Speaker D:Not saying that he's not effective, but he's very perimeter oriented now.
Speaker D:I played for coach Luke on a seca.
Speaker D:Okay, so the easiest way to get an open perimeter shot is to command a double team on the block.
Speaker D:So I'd love to see Wembanyama develop, develop his postgame because you have no choice but to double team him.
Speaker D:And he's.
Speaker D:He's shown that he can pass the ball.
Speaker D:He's shown that he's a willing passer almost to a fault when he, when he throws it away and Brunson picks it off at the end of the game the other night.
Speaker D:But so, so, yeah, I'd like to see him utilized on the inside a little bit more.
Speaker D:However, his body has to be able to withstand that type of.
Speaker D:That type of game.
Speaker D:And right now he might not be there.
Speaker D:At 22 years old.
Speaker D:Will he get there?
Speaker D:I think he could.
Speaker D:I really do.
Speaker A:Is it too simplistic to suggest just developing, you know, a baby hook or even, you know, even a.
Speaker A:You don't want to compare him to Kareem Skyhook, but just something where he can catch inside.
Speaker A:I mean, he's so long and lean and does have such great touch, as you mentioned, to get those post touches to draw double teams, but, I mean, can anybody stop that play?
Speaker D:Nobody could stop him.
Speaker D:Just turning and shooting.
Speaker D:Right, right.
Speaker D:So, you know, developing a hook shot, I mean, that would be something that.
Speaker A:You'd be almost criminal.
Speaker D:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker D:It won't be fair.
Speaker D:It won't be fair.
Speaker D:So, yeah.
Speaker D:So, you know, getting back to that, it's just the inside out game has kind of gone by the wayside.
Speaker D:But a lot of times things in basketball are cyclical and they come back and, you know, he might be one of those guys who brings that back.
Speaker C:Rob, one of the things that I kind of look at and I think you talked about it with being so young is the spurs are trying to win the game in the open court.
Speaker C:They're trying to run and get some easy points.
Speaker C:Exceeding expectations.
Speaker C:You said, you know, their athleticism, their youth.
Speaker C:I think the Knicks made an adjustment in probably mid second quarter of game one.
Speaker C:They tried to make the spurs play in the half court and make the shots a little more difficult on them.
Speaker C:Do you think that is part of the fact that the spurs are inexperienced and the Knicks are trying to find ways to make them work a little harder?
Speaker D:You know, you can use so many boxing analogies with basketball.
Speaker D:You know, they feel each other out.
Speaker D:And I think the Knicks are so seasoned, you know, in terms of having veteran presence and veteran approach to the game, you almost let the spurs jump out really quick at you.
Speaker D:They defend.
Speaker D:They're picking up full court after made baskets.
Speaker D:They're picking up half court after missed basket.
Speaker D:They're putting a lot of pressure on the Knicks.
Speaker D:And it seems like the Knicks are just letting them tire themselves out, like in a boxing analogy.
Speaker D:And then they go for the knockout.
Speaker D:And it seemed like in the first two games, both they got off to quick start in the first quarter, the spurs did, and the Knicks just withstand, you know, the tie there, and then they just go ahead and continue to play their game and keep doing the things that they do.
Speaker D:And I mean, there were some possessions that were just things of beauty by the Knicks offensively in the last game where that ball just was moving and moving and moving and the spurs were trying to recover and trying to recover, and you can only recover so many times before you allow an open shot.
Speaker D:So, yeah, I would tend to agree with what you're saying, but using the basketball analogy, where, the boxing analogy, where, you know, they're tiring themselves out to the point where the Knicks just have to stay steady.
Speaker D:Right.
Speaker A:Rob, when you were with Denver, you played with Takemi Mutombo, correct?
Speaker D:Yeah, that's true.
Speaker A:Okay, so, you know, we were just thinking, Chris and I were chatting about this before.
Speaker A:You see, you know, Dikembe, tremendous shot blocker, rebounder, you know, and then Wembanyama now, you know, in terms of his stamp on defensively, just altering shots and it kind of, you know, all of that.
Speaker A:Have you ever.
Speaker A:Have you ever seen anybody, you know, that you either played with or, you know, a guy like Dikempe who just changed the periphery of an offense of an NBA team like this?
Speaker D:No, I've never, I've never.
Speaker D:You know, you go back to the really, really tall guys like Mark Eaton, you know, they were, they were rim protectors.
Speaker D:You know, basically from the paint.
Speaker D:Remanyama makes you do things from the three point line and yeah, so he really, you know, out of the corner of your eye, you have to know where he is when you're driving, even if he's on the weak side of court because he is going to make an impact on.
Speaker D:You've seen so many guys missing shots that normally number one they would make, but they're missing shots where they're not even hitting the rim because they have to get more arc on the ball and try to get it over his hand.
Speaker D:And you know, he presents.
Speaker D:Nobody has ever presented the same type of problem that he does defensively.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And I think it kind of again, it lends itself to what you were saying with the Knicks.
Speaker A:You know, they still, they do a great job of still, I think, attacking the rim and then being able to move the ball.
Speaker A:So instead of just, you know, shying away or working the ball perimeter wise, it's attack and still kick.
Speaker A:And as you mentioned, there's only so many rotations that you can do.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker D:And you know, it's funny because those types of possessions, when you're on the defensive end and you know you're playing well, which the San Antonio spurs are, they're doing everything right with their rotations and movement and having things covered.
Speaker D:You just can't get to every single one.
Speaker D:And when that ball goes in from the three point arc from the corner, it's demoralizing and it makes you pause and you're like, oh man, that was just tough and we didn't get the job done.
Speaker D:And it weighs on your mentality and maybe you're not moving as fast or maybe you're trying to take chances instead of going to the right place saying, well, I'm going to anticipate.
Speaker D:Maybe they're passing it here and they rotate to the wrong guy so it becomes like the flu.
Speaker D:I mean everybody starts catching it.
Speaker D:So those types of possessions, they can be demoralizing to a defense.
Speaker C:Talking about Rob Rodan, former NBA player Coach Rob the Knicks have only lost two games by a combined two points.
Speaker C:And their closeout games have all been pretty much blowouts.
Speaker C:140 To 89 over the Hawks, 144 to 114 over the Sixers, 130 to 93 over the Cavs.
Speaker C:Could and a 13 game postseason winning streak at this point.
Speaker C:Could this go down as one of the greatest runs if they pull off a sweep here?
Speaker D:Yeah, I think so.
Speaker D:I think.
Speaker D:Who has.
Speaker D:I think it's Golden State.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:I think they have 15.
Speaker C:15 Games.
Speaker D:I think 15.
Speaker D:Right.
Speaker D:15 Games.
Speaker D:And eventually you obviously winning it that year, right?
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker D:I mean, I think you'd have to rank this up there as one of the most magnificent runs in the playoffs.
Speaker D:And I gotta be honest with you, I mean, they're not.
Speaker D:These aren't rollover teams that they're playing the NBA.
Speaker D:You know, you got your 82 game season.
Speaker D:When those playoffs hit, a lot of things change within the teams and how they approach games and what their schemes are offensively.
Speaker D:So there's a lot of change there.
Speaker D:And the Knicks have adjusted to everything they see.
Speaker D:And that's something to say for everything that's going on in New York, from the front office to the coaching staff to the players.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And that leads into my next question, Rob.
Speaker A:So last year, Knicks make their run, but obviously don't get to where they want to be.
Speaker A:Tom Thibodeau is ultimately has to go.
Speaker A:They bring in Mike Brown.
Speaker A:Interesting move.
Speaker A:You know, besides the obvious, that they're winning from a coaching standpoint, from what you see, what are the main differences between, you know, a Tom Thibodeau Knicks of last year and a Mike Brown Knicks for this year?
Speaker D:Well, I'll tell you, I think he was.
Speaker D:I think Tibbs was criticized.
Speaker D:I'm a huge Tibbs fan.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker D:Not playing his bench, but his bench was hurt for quite a bit last year, you know, and Mike Brown has given the guys freedom and he listens.
Speaker D:His door is always open.
Speaker D:And this is the things that you read that you hear that everybody who has something to offer, he wants to listen to, he wants to hear.
Speaker D:So that's good.
Speaker D:Yeah, that's good.
Speaker D:But I'll be honest with you that the culture started with Thibodeau.
Speaker D:And this is again my opinion, but you know, I'm on your show, so I'm going to give it to you.
Speaker A:Let it slide.
Speaker D:The culture started with Thibodeau and Mike Brown.
Speaker D:What he's doing is he's just steering the ship and he's just keeping things going that way.
Speaker D:And the guys are responding, the players are responding.
Speaker D:Now, are they playing more players?
Speaker D:Yeah, they made a great pickup in Alvarado.
Speaker D:He's doing some good things.
Speaker D:Mikhail Bridges is playing with a great deal of confidence.
Speaker D:So they're responding to Mike Brown's coaching ability and coaching tactics.
Speaker D:But let's face it, I mean, things were good last year, too, and the ship is just being steered in the same direction.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker C:And there's a lot of guys who are helping him out.
Speaker C:The associate head coach, Chris Gent, I think you probably know him a little bit.
Speaker D:Oh yeah, great, Great guy.
Speaker C:And these guys are doing great.
Speaker C:One other thing I want to talk about is some of the extra stuff maybe that has come out in the last few years.
Speaker C:Jordan Brink is the team's director of video services and player development.
Speaker C:He convinced Mike Brown to challenge a call late in the fourth quarter.
Speaker C:And in their win, there was a foul on OG on Anubi with 237 to go.
Speaker C:After the review, the call was reversed and Ananubi headed to the free throw line for three foul shots.
Speaker C:They say that, you know, obviously he was one of Tibbs guys as well last year.
Speaker C:He's been a master at this.
Speaker C:So, you know, you have to be in a situation where maybe you listen to these guys, you got to be the head coach, but you can't get too emotional.
Speaker C:You got to look over and say yes or no to the guy who does this as his job.
Speaker C:So I guess there's a lot of judgment jobs out there that weren't there years ago.
Speaker D:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker D:I know Jordan.
Speaker D:I work with him in Detroit.
Speaker D:His first NBA job was with the Detroit business when I was doing personnel.
Speaker D:Jordan's really good and he got hired to do this particular job.
Speaker D:And those guys are watching the game on an iPad, basically.
Speaker D:And the coaches have to trust when they say, you know, it's funny, you watch every single player spins their finger in the air.
Speaker D:They want every single play reviewed, but you're going to lose the timeout if you're wrong.
Speaker D:So the coach has to be really, really smart about this stuff.
Speaker D:But when Thibodola would look down at Jordan Brink just like Mike Brown looks down at Jordan Brink this year, and Jordan Brink goes ahead and shakes his head like, let's go ahead and challenge it.
Speaker D:I mean, you gotta do it because that's what this man does.
Speaker D:So yeah, there are a lot of jobs, analytical jobs and their whole analytical department departments now.
Speaker D:Every single team has and they create these charts and graphs and you know, a lot of coaches subscribe to that stuff and I think you should because it's important, it's a tool.
Speaker D:But the, there are also a lot of coaches who place the.
Speaker D:I, you know, use the eye test a little weighed a little bit more heavily than the analytics and vice versa.
Speaker D:So I mean, it depends on how you go.
Speaker D:It depends on who you want as your coach and what, you know, they, they place value in.
Speaker D:But yeah, there are A lot.
Speaker D:A lot of different jobs now.
Speaker D:And it's, it's interesting.
Speaker D:I mean, I'll tell you what, it's been.
Speaker D:It's been fun.
Speaker D:It's been fun watching this.
Speaker D:This whole season.
Speaker D:And.
Speaker D:Yeah, so.
Speaker D:But Jordan's a good man.
Speaker D:Chris James, they got a great staff there.
Speaker D:Great staff.
Speaker C:Rob, when you're watching these games, you know, as you said, you know, you've coached with the Hornets, the, the Pistons, the Bobcats, the warriors, and now you're, you know, throwing names out there like Chris Gent and Jordan Brink.
Speaker C:Like, do you watch it a little differently saying, those are my guys, or is this just, you know, you know, a lot of guys in the NBA and this just happens to be guys that are sitting on the bench in the NBA Finals?
Speaker D:Yeah, no, no, I do know a lot of guys still.
Speaker D:And, you know, it's.
Speaker D:They're starting to be less and less as I get older, I gotta be honest with you.
Speaker D:But, but, yeah, you root for.
Speaker D:You root for the guys that you're like.
Speaker D:A lot of those, those people I was, I was on the road with, you know, as advanced scouts, we started.
Speaker D:Or some guys were video coordinators, used to give me film when I needed film from their team, from their team's game that day, and via DVD that I have to take to the hotel and do some extra work from the, from the game I just watched.
Speaker D:I mean, so you develop these relationships and you root for them.
Speaker D:You want to see them do well.
Speaker D:And so, yeah, so.
Speaker D:But I've known Chris Jense for a long time.
Speaker D:And you know, Brendan o', Connor, he was an advanced scout when I was in advanced scouts, we traveled together.
Speaker D:We were on the road 21 days a month going to the same games.
Speaker A:Rob.
Speaker A:So with it being an advanced scout, and I'm glad you brought this up because this was literally a question I was going to ask you.
Speaker A:So now NBA still has advanced scouts.
Speaker A:In fact, I know one pretty well.
Speaker A:One of the guys, Pat Zipfel from Philly.
Speaker C:Oh, yeah, yeah.
Speaker A:Who's just a great guy and, you know, amazing basketball mind, so.
Speaker A:But with all the advances now in terms of, you know, computers, analytics, you know, immediately you're looking at stuff.
Speaker A:The advanced scout is still necessary, I would think.
Speaker A:But how has that changed now, you know, with how that position or that type of position is utilized?
Speaker D:Well, I'll tell you, when I was, When I started off, this was my first NBA job.
Speaker D:I started off as an advanced scout with the Hornets.
Speaker D:And what I was tasked to do was to Go out ahead of the team and, you know, prepare the coaching staff for what they were going to see three or four games later with the team that I'm scouting.
Speaker D:Now what you do is you'd watch the game.
Speaker D:You'd watch the offensive.
Speaker D:Say you're doing the Knicks and the Nets.
Speaker D:So you'd watch the Knicks watch their offensive.
Speaker D:And now they ran a lot of distance, lot more plays, a lot more orchestrated sets back then.
Speaker D:So what you do is watch it and then write it down and draw it up right at the, at your table, where you're, where you're from, where you're viewing the game.
Speaker D:Nowadays, a lot of what they do is, is then you have to go back to the hotel after the game and, you know, write your report, submit it in.
Speaker D:Yeah, back then we fax it in.
Speaker D:But now a lot of things are, have changed from, from a technological standpoint.
Speaker D:But however.
Speaker D:So what a lot of van scouts do now is they look at the time on the clock and then look at the.
Speaker D:Hear the call.
Speaker D:If there, if there is a set that's actually called, then they go back to the hotel and they get it perfectly because they can rewind the film that they, you know, that they subscribe to.
Speaker D:So, you know, back then you had to rely on what you see and how well you could draw offset.
Speaker D:And nowadays it's just, it's pinpoint, it's accurate.
Speaker D:I mean, everything is perfect.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker A:But you still have to be there to hear the set.
Speaker A:The human part of it is still super important.
Speaker D:Oh, yeah.
Speaker D:I mean, the eyes on.
Speaker D:And you get so much more when you're there, you know, because you can see what's going on.
Speaker D:You can see where a play that was cold was not run properly.
Speaker D:You know, you could see if a guy breaks a play.
Speaker D:Now if you, if you're, if you're watching it on TV or you're watching it on film, you might think that, oh, well, that's the way this play is supposed to end.
Speaker D:It's supposed to end up in a drawing kick.
Speaker D:Well, no, that fellow just broke the play because you look down at the coach and the coach is ticked off at that player.
Speaker D:Now because you're at the game right now.
Speaker A:That's a great point.
Speaker C:Again, we're talking with Robert.
Speaker C:Dan, who played at St. John's has a lot of NBA experience.
Speaker C: -: Speaker C:In case you question, Rob, Nick's up 2 nothing.
Speaker C:Coming back to Madison Square Garden this week for two games Monday and Wednesday.
Speaker C:What changes do the spurs need to make for game three in order to at least win one and get this back to San Antonio?
Speaker D:You know what?
Speaker D:It'd be tough to really know because this is the first time I'm really watching the spurs because I followed the Knicks all season.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker D:So, you know, I watched all the playoffs, but from afar, I wasn't really locked in as I was for the Knickkings.
Speaker D:You know, I just think it's just getting back to that youth and inexperience, starting the games off, moving the ball a little bit better, maybe easing back on the pressure and not tiring themselves out.
Speaker D:But I mean, on any given day that Wembanyama can go ahead and just take the whole thing over and, you know, so we haven't yet seen that.
Speaker D:And I think the Knicks have done a good job defending him, but yet I really don't know what they're really good at aside from having that 7 foot 5 center.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:And I think they're struggling right now to determine whether or not it's the Aaron Fox getting a load of the minutes or Rutgers star Dylan Harper, who, you know, they have to put some time.
Speaker C:And there is a St. John's guy out there too in Julian Champagne.
Speaker C:So you do have the youth out there, but if you go down their roster, it's 22, 24, 20, 21 years old, Stefan Castle.
Speaker C:I mean, this is a young team with an inexperienced head coach as well.
Speaker C:So you are relying on it.
Speaker C:That's why I think at times, you know, maybe you put Fox over Harper, but at other times, you want the youth out there.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker D:And so many lessons are going to be learned and things are going to be taken care of this year, whether they, whether they win a game or not.
Speaker D:To be quite honest with you, what they're experiencing now is going to set them up for the future.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker D:And San Antonio is going to make a lot of noise in the coming years.
Speaker D:So.
Speaker D:Yeah, I mean, you want to go ahead and say, all right, we got to try and get a game, you know, the best way to do that, I'm not sure with this team because like you said, 22, 23 years old, the older guys are all sitting on the bench.
Speaker D:Bismack, Diambo, Harrison, Barnes hardly plays anymore.
Speaker D:Plumly, you know, so where are you going to.
Speaker D:Where are you going to conjure up the game plan with 22 and 23 year olds?
Speaker D:So you don't know.
Speaker D:I don't know either.
Speaker D:And a young coach.
Speaker A:Sure.
Speaker A:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker A:Rob, before we let you go, and we really appreciate all your insight and your experience.
Speaker A:We touched on St. John's a little bit before.
Speaker A:You know, college basketball programs have changed so much.
Speaker A:We could spend an entire program on that.
Speaker A:But you, as a St. John's alum, you know, you mentioned about, you know, the team under Coach Pitino really making some noise now, but it's not so much a program anymore.
Speaker A:It changes from year to year.
Speaker A:All different guys coming in.
Speaker A:As an alum, how is your relationship?
Speaker A:Has it changed at all with St. John's do you still feel that kinship with them on a yearly basis, or is it something where you're like, you played at St. John's and that's your program, but it's just so different year to year now.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker D:I mean, because of all that,.
Speaker A:It.
Speaker D:Is difficult, you know, and I think anybody would, in my shoes or an alumnus would feel the same way, because it's completely different.
Speaker D:Yeah, it's totally different.
Speaker D:The guys are getting, you know, the budget for the basketball team just to bring in great players.
Speaker D:Where it was for us, it was like, well, you're going to get a college education and we're going to stay for four years.
Speaker D:Well, you're a great player.
Speaker D:Maybe you can leave after that.
Speaker D:Maybe it's a good idea now, guys leaving and coming, going.
Speaker D:It's just, it's.
Speaker A:It's the Wild West.
Speaker D:It's tough to go ahead and wrap your arms around and say, hey, I'm going to watch this guy develop as a freshman.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker D:And he's going to be really good when he's a junior, you know, and I can't wait to see that growth.
Speaker D:You just don't have that anymore.
Speaker C:It's tough.
Speaker C:It's really.
Speaker C:It's just a tough situation.
Speaker C:But, you know, at least for St. John's they do have the money.
Speaker C:Micropoli is putting a lot of money not only into the Ponies, but also into the Johnny's.
Speaker C:And, you know, hopefully this year, another big year for them.
Speaker C:And, you know, the.
Speaker C:The field is expanding, too.
Speaker C:They're adding more teams on, so it gives a lot of those teams in the bigger conferences an extra chance to get in.
Speaker C:So we'll see.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker D:And.
Speaker D:But you know what?
Speaker D:In saying that there'll never be another Cinderella.
Speaker C:No, you are right.
Speaker C:100% Right.
Speaker A:There's no such thing.
Speaker D:Well, Robert, that's part of the attraction.
Speaker D:That's part of the attraction for the ncaa.
Speaker A:That's true.
Speaker A:And you know what I mean?
Speaker A:It still is, I think, and I'm sure you would agree with us it's still the best sporting event in the world.
Speaker A:The NBA Finals are great, you know, especially with the Knicks in it, but the NCAA Tournament is just a whole different thing.
Speaker D:Sure, I agree.
Speaker C:I agree.
Speaker A:Well, Rob, again, thank you so much.
Speaker A:We appreciate you joining us.
Speaker A:You always give us such great insights on what it was like as a player coach, you know, and what these teams are looking at right now.
Speaker A:And, you know, just your experience is invaluable to us all.
Speaker A:Best to you enjoying North Carolina.
Speaker A:Hopefully it's not too hot down there already.
Speaker A:You surviving.
Speaker D:The grass is already dying.
Speaker A:All right, well, you can still hit a golf ball across it, right?
Speaker D:That's right.
Speaker D:That's how it rolls now.
Speaker A:Yeah, that suits my golf game as well.
Speaker A:I'm going to have to move down there and try it out.
Speaker A:But really, all the best.
Speaker A:Thanks so much and we look forward to speaking to you again pretty soon.
Speaker D:Thank you guys.
Speaker D:Thanks for having me on.
Speaker A:Always a pleasure.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's great always having, great having Rob on.
Speaker A:He just such a normal guy.
Speaker A:But I mean this is something, oh my gosh.
Speaker A:Played in the NBA, you know, coached, you can see he's, when he talked about his guys, you get used up and it's, it's cool.
Speaker A:We'll be heading back here in the second half hour, going to talk a little baseball, might have a surprise guest and hopefully take your calls.
Speaker B:You are listening to Sports Talk New York.
Speaker B:Tune in every Sunday night at 8pm on Long Island's WGPP broadcasting on 95.9 FM and 12.9.40am or listen live online at WGB radio.com stay connected to sports Talk New York on WGBB by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @WGBB.
Speaker B:Sports talk, you're listening to Sports Talk New York on Long Island's wgb.
Speaker B:And now back to the show.
Speaker A:Welcome Back to the second half of WGB Sports Talk New York 95.9 FM.
Speaker A: Again,: Speaker A: Again, that's: Speaker A:And Cap, you know, we just to kind of put a bow on the Knicks, you know, at least for now, going into game three, stats, storylines, all sorts of things.
Speaker A:But I think, you know, when you look at the history of the NBA and its long, you know, seven game series scenarios, no team has ever lost the first two at home and then rallied to win.
Speaker A:Yeah, I'm trying to.
Speaker A:I think it's only happened twice.
Speaker C:It's a magic 95 or 93.
Speaker A:93.
Speaker C:95.
Speaker C:I think the only time.
Speaker D:Right.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:So, you know, even, even coming back, I think Magic got swept.
Speaker A:Suns came back to.
Speaker A:To force a game six.
Speaker A:But yeah, that it is.
Speaker A:It's a tall task.
Speaker A:But you know what, as Rob was mentioning, maybe the youth of the Spurs.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:So they're just.
Speaker A:Yeah, you know what, go and play and I don't think it's going to happen.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:But you know what?
Speaker C:If any prediction wise, if you were to sit here and look at this, spurs had a chance to win one of these games and the next.
Speaker C:And to be honest with you, they were up 14 in the third quarter of the first game.
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker C:So they're getting out to the runs.
Speaker C:They're just not able to sustain it.
Speaker C:One of the things I notice is Victor Weberyama cannot play a full anywhere near 48 minutes.
Speaker C:No, he's coming out 8 minutes, 6 minutes.
Speaker C:And needs a break and needs a long break.
Speaker C:You know, and that's why, you know, some of the other guys on a team like Cornet, they need to play more.
Speaker C:But if you were to look at this, is there a way that they can win?
Speaker C:You know, can they win two games, you know, one out of two and then go back and then try to win both at home?
Speaker C:You know, win, you know, win one at home and they bring it back to New York for a game 6?
Speaker C:Can they stretch it to 6?
Speaker C:Or is this really just, you know, or do you look at this as just like no matter what happens, with three minutes to go, the Knicks are going to win this game.
Speaker A:It's just, it's hard to imagine them dropping this game just with the emotion and coming back.
Speaker C:I can honestly, Mike, I can see the Knicks coming out flat in game.
Speaker A:Really?
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:Just because of the whole, you know, prices of the, of the tickets.
Speaker C:It's $8,000 even.
Speaker C:I forget which guy it was, but one of the next, Josh Hard or something, they were asking him, he's like, I just wish it didn't.
Speaker C:Or call Anthony Towns.
Speaker C:I just wish it didn't cost that money to get in.
Speaker C:But that's what it is.
Speaker C:You know, if you think about it, if you were a New York Knicks season ticket holder, you could pay.
Speaker C:You could sell game three and make.
Speaker C:And make your entire season back.
Speaker C:Plus.
Speaker D:Plus.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:I mean you could, you could have bought that ticket for.
Speaker C:I don't know, $700 face value and sell it for $8,700, which, which is just absolutely insane.
Speaker C:But you know, Trump coming in and Mondami and you know, all the talk about Taylor Swift getting married there.
Speaker C:You know, there's just a lot going on.
Speaker A:There is.
Speaker C:And the Knicks haven't been great to start.
Speaker C:They were down, I believe eight at the end of the first quarter in game one, first half in game one.
Speaker C:And it was a tight game at halftime in game two.
Speaker C:And I just feel like they might have a bad half.
Speaker C:It's just that can the spurs turn it into four quarters?
Speaker C:And I just, every time I watch the Knicks, even if it gets close, I just feel like either A, the Knicks are going to pull it out or B, the Spurs are going to throw up all over themselves.
Speaker C:And I don't know which one happens more.
Speaker A:Well, you know, in the past it was, we always waited for the bubble to burst.
Speaker C:Last year it was the, the three pointer and one, you know, was his foot on the line with the, with the Pacers.
Speaker C:That's all gone.
Speaker C:It is 13 games in a row, Mike.
Speaker C:This team hasn't lost since the New York Giants made draft picks back in April.
Speaker A:Oh my gosh.
Speaker C:I mean, it's been 40 something days since they've lost the game.
Speaker C:How do you root against them?
Speaker C:Not root, but how do you bet against us?
Speaker A:Yeah, it's, it's almost an impossible.
Speaker C:I see nothing but a sweep.
Speaker A:And you know what, how do you argue that?
Speaker A:There's just no logic to even say.
Speaker C:And to me, 15 games in a row and only losing two games by two points.
Speaker C:I asked the question to Rob because I just think that that puts you in such an elite category.
Speaker C:Whether or not this is the top five Knicks to ever be put together.
Speaker C:This team put together is one of the top playoff teams that the NBA will ever see.
Speaker C:And next year they might not even be a top four team in the East.
Speaker C:They might drop off.
Speaker C:This is just such magic that Jalen Brunson being healthy and you know, you see him go down and everybody had a scare in game one and Karl Anthony Towns playing like the big man that he is and Mikhail Bridges taking the ball to the hoop.
Speaker C:He shot the ball phenomenally.
Speaker C:And then you get guys like Landry Shamut here or there going 11 for 12.
Speaker C:You got guys coming off the bench, Deuce McBride putting up some good numbers.
Speaker C:OG Ananubi being healthy is the best thing that the Knicks have going for them because I think he is such a key to this team.
Speaker C:And I don't know who the NBA Finals MVP would be if the Knicks sweep, because it could be a bunch of different guys.
Speaker C:You would imagine it's probably going to be Jalen Brunson, but there's just so many pieces in this wheel that everybody's doing a job.
Speaker C:Now.
Speaker C:He has shortened his bench, but the bench is a big part of them.
Speaker C:They give these guys a blow here or there.
Speaker C:That Josh Hart the other night was in foul trouble.
Speaker C:You know, many points he had in game one and how many rebounds, I.
Speaker A:Couldn't even tell you.
Speaker C:Three points, 15 rebounds, and he only played like 30 minutes.
Speaker C:It's like him and one other guy have done that five times.
Speaker C:It's unbelievable that you could not score double digits but put up and have such a big impact.
Speaker C:And, you know, I'm wearing the shirt right now, the Villanova shirt.
Speaker C:It doesn't hurt to have guys who have done it at the college level.
Speaker A:Absolutely.
Speaker C:To also do it again at the NBA level.
Speaker C:Three guys who have done it before.
Speaker A:It's wild.
Speaker A:And when you see a team put together and the pieces all are performing the way you hoped they would, and everyone's healthy and everyone is playing a role to the best of their ability, and it's just clicking.
Speaker A:It's a beautiful thing.
Speaker C:And if you think about what their roles were when Jalen Brunson first got there, he was not the man.
Speaker C:No, Ryan Archae Diacono was the man.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker C:And like, guys like Phil Booth and those guys, those people, he was a backup.
Speaker C:He was a role player.
Speaker C:Now later on, he became the man his senior year.
Speaker C:But now you're looking at Mikhail Bridges.
Speaker C:Mikael Bridges was never the man.
Speaker C:He's always been that role player.
Speaker C:Josh Hart was the man.
Speaker C:When Jalen Brunson was there, he was the guy.
Speaker C:If you don't even know this, but Josh Hart was second for.
Speaker C:What's the award they give out for College Player of the Year?
Speaker C:I forget what it is.
Speaker C:The Naismith Award.
Speaker A:Naismith, Yep.
Speaker C:He was second in the running for that.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker C:Like, he was the scorer.
Speaker C:He was the man.
Speaker C:And it's just amazing that these guys all at one point played roles and then at some point had to step up and be a little bit bigger than that.
Speaker C:And now it just.
Speaker C:It all gels.
Speaker C:And I just think it's great.
Speaker C:I give Jay Wright a lot of that credit.
Speaker C:And now I have to give.
Speaker C:Honestly, it's crazy.
Speaker C:But I got to give Mike Brown credit for what he's done.
Speaker C:He really has Allowed these guys to play the way that they know how to play.
Speaker A:And when the Knicks lost Game one and people.
Speaker A:Oh, Mike Brown.
Speaker A:I mean, you think back.
Speaker A:And even middle of the season, you know, Towns isn't happy because the offense, he doesn't know his role, and that seems so long ago, and it really is wonderful.
Speaker A:And if the Knicks do this, win this championship, there's two things I'm going to be so happy for.
Speaker A:First thing, obviously, is that they win that they're the NBA champs.
Speaker A:It's great for the leagues, great for New York.
Speaker C:You know, since the 70s, we haven't had this.
Speaker A:Been a Knick fan my entire life.
Speaker A:And just great stuff.
Speaker A:That's number one.
Speaker A:Number two, we don't have to listen to the summer of Giannis and whether he's coming to the Knicks.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker A:And he wants to come here.
Speaker A:Just get rid of all.
Speaker A:Let it.
Speaker A:Let Boston and the rest of the world deal with that and we just can have the trophy and enjoy it.
Speaker A:Because all that drama that seems to come every single year with whoever's on the market.
Speaker A:LeBron, now it's like, hey, everybody, okay, Even if it is one year and maybe they drop next year, but it's our year, and that's a great thing.
Speaker C:Yeah, that would be great.
Speaker A:Again, your calls if you're out there.
Speaker A: -: Speaker A:Talk about anything, we're going to pivot now.
Speaker A:Little baseball, you know, as most of you know, we are a little Mets centric on this program in being Mets fans, but, you know, we'll talk a little Yankees before we're out tonight as well.
Speaker A:Mets, though, it just seems, you know, Cap, I was out at Citi Field last Sunday with a bunch of coworkers.
Speaker A:Great, great game.
Speaker A:You know, everybody was happy sweep of the Marlins.
Speaker A:And then the Mets just go and they seem to, you know, fall flat for a couple of games.
Speaker A:And then all of a sudden they show life.
Speaker A:Is this what it's going to be all year long or is it going to be they're not going to be able to dig out from this and eventually they're going to have to sell off a lot of pieces.
Speaker A:What do you think?
Speaker C:Not going to hit.500 the rest of the year?
Speaker A:It's amazing.
Speaker A:You know, I was looking at the record and how, you know, they played much better baseball and they're still, what, six or seven under?
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:And that's a lot.
Speaker C:But I think they're only like five and a half out of a wild card.
Speaker C:But there's Just like eight teams between them and getting there, but I just don't see it happening at this point.
Speaker C:There are some guys that they're trying to get back.
Speaker C:But just as much as you want Jorge Polanco to come back, next thing you know he's playing in Double A and.
Speaker C:Oh, is he coming up to the big leagues on Friday?
Speaker C:No, his ankle hurts.
Speaker C:And we think that maybe.
Speaker A:Is he the next incarnation Lowry?
Speaker C:Yeah, Jed Lowry, Right.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:Play how many games?
Speaker C:The freak show to me is.
Speaker C:Is Francisco Alvarez.
Speaker C:He's going to be back this week, and, you know, he was supposed to be out six to eight weeks, and after less than a month, he's.
Speaker C:He's ready to go, which is just.
Speaker C:He's a freak show, which is probably also the reason why he gets hurt so much.
Speaker A:That's true.
Speaker A:But he does come back quickly.
Speaker C:Yes.
Speaker A:You know, and not to.
Speaker A:Not to, you know, point out the obvious that he's a big guy, you know, and that does help, you know, with being a catcher in some respects.
Speaker A:You know, for someone who you think maybe he's not fit, the guy does come back.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker C:And, you know, they're still waiting on Lindor.
Speaker C:I don't know how long that's going to be the end of June, sometime in July, but you never know with those things with setbacks.
Speaker C:Ryan Mauricio is probably a couple weeks still away.
Speaker C:They've lost Clay Holmes pretty much for the year.
Speaker C:I mean, you could hope on September, but let's be honest, like, that's a crucial injury for them.
Speaker C:It doesn't matter if Kodai Sanger is hurt right now.
Speaker C:He's not coming back to help them out, and there's just an injury after injury.
Speaker C:Luis Robert Jr. Is not even going to.
Speaker C:To start anything because he's only getting epidurals in his back.
Speaker C:I mean, we go out and we find these guys and we sign them to big contracts or pick them up in trades and they are damaged goods.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Well, you know, if.
Speaker A:If they turn around, it just seems that in the rest of the baseball world, taking a chance on guys is not at least a.
Speaker A:You know, it's not a.
Speaker A:Not a complete dumper, but you get something.
Speaker A:The Mets, we just seem to.
Speaker A:The worst case scenario happens with potential project.
Speaker C:Yeah, let's go out and get this guy.
Speaker C:You know, he's happy with these problems, and the next thing you know, nothing.
Speaker C:I mean, who have we really caught as lightning in a bottle?
Speaker C:Well, you went to Cesspit is for a while.
Speaker C:Then he falls off a Horse.
Speaker A:Not really Lightning, but Severino, Luis Severino, he was.
Speaker C:You get a year, but then the Mets want to bring guys like mania back and then it's bad.
Speaker A:Although he did.
Speaker A:He slipped a little bit better.
Speaker A:Yeah, but I mean, that's not saying a lot.
Speaker C:It's got loose bodies in there that he probably's gotta get rid of in that elbow.
Speaker A:Well, we went four today.
Speaker A:Got the win.
Speaker C:I'm gonna ask you this question.
Speaker C:I know what your answer is.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker C:The Mets have to have an All Star representative.
Speaker A:Oh, good lord.
Speaker A:Well, of course, Mr. Soto, Mr. Not run to first base.
Speaker C:Well, I'm okay with him not running to first base.
Speaker C:5 Nothing.
Speaker A:Can you tell?
Speaker A:All right.
Speaker C:Why?
Speaker C:Because even if he runs hard, there's a chance that he's pulling something.
Speaker C:Going to first base.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker C:And you're still going to win the game.
Speaker C:Five nothing.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker A:I'm not even saying he should have ran hard.
Speaker A:Just run.
Speaker C:Yes.
Speaker A:I mean, my goodness.
Speaker A:I.
Speaker A:But like, I go faster than the refrigerator.
Speaker C:I know.
Speaker C:Come on, you got to at least try.
Speaker C:But, but, but I had this conversation,.
Speaker A:Sprint man, just, just, you know, three quarters.
Speaker C:I have this conversation at home.
Speaker C:Like certain guys, like, you gotta.
Speaker C:At times, you gotta shut it down because otherwise you're gonna kill yourself on the basis.
Speaker C:But you know, in a.
Speaker C:Close it on.
Speaker C:Exactly.
Speaker A:I mean, listen, that's the killer too.
Speaker A:If you.
Speaker A:I mean, I'm sure most of you've seen this play.
Speaker A:If you haven't, ground ball to second.
Speaker A:Second basement.
Speaker A:Bob was a little bit, you know, Soto's kind of goes, oh, I better, you know, turn on the juice.
Speaker A:And it was literally, you know, it was a bang, bang play pretty much.
Speaker A:But it was embarrassing how slow he was running.
Speaker A:It just.
Speaker A:It wasn't even a semi running.
Speaker A:It was just a jog.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:I mean, five four in the ninth inning.
Speaker C:Obviously you want him to run it out, but I get it.
Speaker A:I'm sounding cranky about it.
Speaker C:I get it.
Speaker C:But I just think that the Mets right now are a tough.
Speaker C:A tough watch for a lot of times, but I would think that, you know, there if, if they don't choose an All Star for a little bit, a little while, I don't think they're going to bring one of the young kids.
Speaker C:They're not that good.
Speaker A:All right, then who are you thinking?
Speaker C:So, I mean, I would.
Speaker C:I would think that you don't have enough from Jared Young.
Speaker A:He's just.
Speaker C:He hasn't been played enough.
Speaker C:But strangely enough, I think the guy who might make the team.
Speaker C:And you could be, you know, say what?
Speaker C:Sometimes you need a reliever.
Speaker C:And I think Huascar Brazovan has.
Speaker C:I mean Brooks really, if he looks at his numbers are better than him.
Speaker C:But I think Brazabon has done so much for this team as far as opening games, closing games, things in the middle.
Speaker C:He has been the best reliever for the Mets this year.
Speaker A:That's, that's not crazy.
Speaker A:And it's true.
Speaker A:I mean, he opened today, right?
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker A:Yeah, he's, he's.
Speaker A:He pretty much.
Speaker C:He, he should not.
Speaker C:I mean, I'm going to nitpick, but they had him warming up for Jonah Tong recently.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker C:And Tong was going to come in in the second inning, so I thought he was going to start.
Speaker C:The second doesn't start.
Speaker C:They let Brazovan start because there's lefties up and they feel Brazban has a change up that's going to get lefties out.
Speaker C:Two lefties get up.
Speaker C:One.
Speaker C:He gets out.
Speaker C:Next guy gets a base hit.
Speaker C:Righty comes up.
Speaker C:No Jonah.
Speaker C:Tom, what happens?
Speaker C:Home run.
Speaker C:What are we doing?
Speaker C:I mean, I just, I'm so down on what Carlos Mendoza.
Speaker C:I just feel that he is so analytic.
Speaker C:And then after the game, you know, that was a game, I think that Sean Mania came in, had 63 pitches but had gone five innings.
Speaker C:One hit a home run.
Speaker C:It was the game that I think both teams had four runs on two.
Speaker C:You know, each had two solo homers.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:And the Mets wound up losing on one other hit.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker C:It wound up going extra innings.
Speaker C:But I just felt like this is a game where Shamani is starting to pitch well and then you pull them and what's your reasoning?
Speaker C:Well, that was the number that we had on him.
Speaker C:He hadn't gone that far.
Speaker C:Aren't you thinking of stretching him out at some point?
Speaker C:Yeah, it's gonna become a starter for you.
Speaker C:How about we go 73 pitches and he pitches 6 innings?
Speaker C:Why we killing the bullpen when this guy has just retired 15 in a row?
Speaker A:It doesn't make any sense.
Speaker A:And that's the perfect.
Speaker A:Do you think it's.
Speaker A:It's Mendoza himself or a little bit of sprinkling from up top telling him this is what we're doing?
Speaker A:I mean, I again, we could probably go back and forth about this and talk to somebody who would be, who's in baseball and I'll tell you, you know, there's no real definitive answer on whether it's the manager or the gm.
Speaker C:I think in game it's probably him, but I'M sure before game they sit down and say, hey, listen, we're cutting them off at this point and we're going to this guy.
Speaker C:And we're not using Rayleigh on back to back nights or Minter or whoever it is.
Speaker C:You know, we're not using these guys back to back.
Speaker C:I think those things are there, but I think sometimes you just.
Speaker C:Mike, you gotta have a feel.
Speaker A:Absolutely.
Speaker C:Just have a feel.
Speaker C:You know, we're talking about that before.
Speaker C:Is it all analytics or is it, you know, is it sometimes you gotta sit there and not just look at the video, but you know, have a feel for the game.
Speaker A:I just think for the human element of the player himself be like, hey,.
Speaker C:We believe in you.
Speaker A:Go out there, you know, give us another, you know, three.
Speaker A:You got three more.
Speaker A:Three more batters.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:Or 10 more pitches.
Speaker A:Whatever you want to say.
Speaker C:And like today they let.
Speaker C:Again, nitpicking small things.
Speaker C:They let MJ Melendez and Carson Benj bad against the lefty.
Speaker C:Both of them hit home runs.
Speaker C:Yeah, okay.
Speaker C:The other night I again, I could be wrong, but I believe it was Jared Young was up in the ninth inning.
Speaker C:They pinch it for him with Mark Vientos.
Speaker C:Okay, who strikes out and then they let the kid Ben hit against a lefty and he grounds out.
Speaker C:Why are you letting a kid hit lefty, lefty, but you're taking a veteran and putting up.
Speaker C:I'm done, Mike.
Speaker C:I'm done.
Speaker C:Mark Vientos, I'm done with him and I'm done with Mendoza.
Speaker C:Both of them, they could leave together.
Speaker C:I'm done with them.
Speaker A:Is there any trade market for Mark fans?
Speaker C:I don't think so.
Speaker C:I mean, the only thing is he's still controllable for a couple more years, doesn't have any more options left.
Speaker C:But I mean, what are you going to get from.
Speaker C:You're going to trade him to a team out on.
Speaker C:A team out on the west coast is looking to get rid of somebody, I guess.
Speaker C:You know, I mean, people say, oh, you go after guys like Raphael Devers and stuff like that, you only got to look at teams that are below you.
Speaker C:And I don't think the Mets are going to take on contracts to give up young kids.
Speaker C:I just think the Mets are going to pretty much stand still this year or get rid of Peralta.
Speaker C:You know, guys that have guys that still have years left on the contract or older expiring guys.
Speaker A:All right, so my last question before we move off to the Mets.
Speaker A:You brought up Freddy Peralta.
Speaker A:They gave up A lot to get him.
Speaker A:You know, sometimes it's five inning Freddy and all sorts of stuff like that.
Speaker A:Did you hear now?
Speaker A:He doesn't go very long, but the guy was, you know, an all star and, and he's, he's a frontline starter.
Speaker A:Would you like to see him back?
Speaker C:I think he's proved that he can pitch here.
Speaker A:Yeah, I agree.
Speaker C:And I think pitching is very important, as you can see.
Speaker C:Even with Nolan McClain, like he's going to have bad days.
Speaker C:You know, he's not a frontline ace starter at this point.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's a big ask for a young guy.
Speaker C:It really, it has been for a year and a half.
Speaker C:It has been really tough to ask these guys to come up and do that.
Speaker C:So I think.
Speaker C:Yes.
Speaker C:Are you going to give him whatever these, this crazy money that he's looking for?
Speaker C:I don't know.
Speaker C:I think the Mets are probably more willing to just wait till the off season, see if they can sign him at a little bit lower number.
Speaker C:But I think he's a good fit for New York.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And I think it can't be understated the fact that he can pitch here.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:You know, while he's not lighting the world on fire.
Speaker A:He hasn't fallen off a cliff either.
Speaker A:No, he's, he's giving you good stuff and you know, I'd like to see a few more innings out of him.
Speaker A:But hey, listen, you know, we get it.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:And there's certain guys who you do get a sixth or seventh inning out of.
Speaker C:Now.
Speaker C:Most of these guys have been really good.
Speaker C:Even Austin Warren, you know, he's been really good.
Speaker C:He tried his hardest last night to pick up a ground ball and tag the base at the same time.
Speaker C:Just didn't happen.
Speaker C:Fell on his hand.
Speaker C:What I didn't like was like at that point you knew that he fell on his hand.
Speaker C:Like have him throw a warm up or two just to make sure that his hand is okay.
Speaker C:Instead, next pitch goes over the fence.
Speaker C:You know, I think it just the little stuff I think the Mets miss out on and it's really tough.
Speaker C:And my big thing is you haven't heard from Stearns and Cohen much.
Speaker C:And I think every time that there's a home stand or the middle of an away stand, you know, like road series, they got to step up and say something, explain what is the culture of the team and where we at State of the Union.
Speaker C:Because on the other side of town, if things are going sour, you're going to hear every once in a While from either the owner or the general manager or you're going to get something big from the manager.
Speaker C:And I think, you know, the Yankees are dealing with stuff with Aaron Judge not being there, but once you get guys like Stanton back, they have guys in there to withstand those situations.
Speaker C:You know, if Anthony Volpe is coming back, someone's going to step up and talk about that.
Speaker C:And I think with the Mets, there's just no talk about Francisco Lindor, no talk about, you know, some of the guys that are, that are injured, some of the guys that might need to come back.
Speaker C:Whether or not what is the plan for the Mets for the rest of the year?
Speaker C:You don't hear that.
Speaker C:And I think a lot of that comes from the top down.
Speaker A:So you mentioned Aaron Judge.
Speaker A:He's going to be out for a while now, I believe.
Speaker A:Intercostal first rib.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Which, you know, he's.
Speaker A:You look at him, such a big strong guy, you figure that he's not invincible.
Speaker A:But.
Speaker A:And it seems each year something comes up with him.
Speaker A:But he still is just an amazing baseball player out there.
Speaker A:But, you know, when you look at the greats of the game, obviously he's one of them.
Speaker A:Shohei Ohtani, who.
Speaker A:He's had his share of injuries here or there, but these guys, they're out for a little bit and they come back.
Speaker A:Do you think these were the, you know, years ago?
Speaker A:Are these things that superstars played through?
Speaker A:Or is it just, you know, and along with that, now there's MRIs immediately, all that kind of stuff.
Speaker A:So we know these things sooner and they're pulled out.
Speaker A:Or is it that they're, you know, just a different breed?
Speaker A:I don't know what the answer is to that.
Speaker C:I think part of it is when guys have a nagging injury now, they go see someone and you could find something.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:You know, you can come back and say it was a pole here or a lat there or whatever it might be.
Speaker C:Whereas years ago they would just say, ah, there's nothing broken.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:And the guy would go back out there.
Speaker C:So I don't think there was as much of the, hey, let's observe and figure out what this is.
Speaker C:Unless the person, something was hanging out, you know, I think they played through a lot more and maybe they would just get an injection and just kind of play through it.
Speaker C:If those guys didn't get injections, then something was wrong.
Speaker C:So I think, yeah, there's probably more things now that we know about that can break down than there was maybe 30 years ago.
Speaker A:And it probably makes sense too, that you're talking about guys who are making north of 50 million a year.
Speaker A:So rather than, hey, you know, let's tough it out, especially in June, we'll shut you down.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker A:Well, let's think about it because the investment is unbelievable.
Speaker C:Does Aaron Judge need to be there in June, July and August?
Speaker C:No, he can come back in mid August and they'll be fine.
Speaker C:Yeah, you know, they'll find somebody, they'll bring up Spencer Jones, they'll, you know, allow somebody to DH and let somebody maybe less offensive play the outfield and they're okay with that.
Speaker C:You know, other teams don't have that luxury.
Speaker C:You know, maybe the Dodgers do.
Speaker C:The Dodgers could, you know, take a random guy and put him in at the fourth string catcher, but most teams can't.
Speaker C:And, you know, that's the thing is you have to be able to withstand injuries or else you're not going to make it in the mlb.
Speaker C:And I think, you know, the Mets can't have four guys hit below their average and three guys get injured.
Speaker C:And that's what happens.
Speaker A:Just some credit to the Met fans, which we belong to that group.
Speaker A:But last Sunday, you know, it was Family Day and I get that, but great crowd.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker A:Really well done.
Speaker A:You know, team played well.
Speaker A:But it was, you know, admittedly my first trip to Citi Field this year and so much going on that the soccer stadium to the side and yeah, it was very good for us because we as a large group, we took a bus.
Speaker A:Yeah, let us ride off there.
Speaker A:So I know, you know, going in a car, trying to take the train, whatever else, but very well done.
Speaker A:And we were with a couple of people who was their first time ever at Citi Field and were Yankee fans.
Speaker A:They couldn't say enough about the place.
Speaker C:Yeah, it's a nice place to go to and it's a good outing for families, kids especially if you haven't been there before and you see all the stuff that's being built around it, I think it kind of gives you promise for future years.
Speaker C:You're going to have soccer there, you're going to have a casino there, you're going to have a mall there.
Speaker C:So I think there are some things that maybe you can get rid of some of the negativity around the stadium, add some positivity, and maybe the club starts to go along with it.
Speaker A:Well, you hope so.
Speaker A:I mean, I just look at what now, they did this outside of the city, but Atlanta built this beautiful ballpark down there.
Speaker A:They have, you know, multi Use things.
Speaker A:There's housing, there's restaurants.
Speaker A:And they.
Speaker A:The team, you know, for a year here and there, kind of might struggle a little bit, but they're always at least, you know, towards the top or in the running.
Speaker A:And I would just love for the Mets to just be that consistent.
Speaker A:Not drop off the face here, especially with the money that they're paying people, but just have a little bit clearer plan.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:You know, instead of, you know, bringing the plug in these.
Speaker A:These weird guys.
Speaker C:Yeah, I would hope so.
Speaker C:Last thing I would bring up to you, Mike, World cup is going to be starting up.
Speaker A:Oh, yeah.
Speaker C:You have matches in New Jersey.
Speaker C:Saturday, June 13, would be Game 5, if the Knicks are still playing.
Speaker C:But that's back in San Antonio.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker C:Game six would be Tuesday the 16th in New York.
Speaker C:France versus Senegal in New Jersey.
Speaker C:You're going to game six at Madison Square Garden and people are trying to get to New Jersey.
Speaker C:Knicks are up three games to two.
Speaker C:What do you think's going to happen there?
Speaker A:Oh, boy.
Speaker A:The city did.
Speaker C:You can't move.
Speaker A:Oh, you can't.
Speaker C:I mean, that stopped on a Tuesday, even.
Speaker A:Even without the Knicks issue.
Speaker A:Trying to get to New Jersey.
Speaker D:Yes.
Speaker A:And you notice now, New Jersey boss, They're not called MetLife.
Speaker A:They're not called.
Speaker A:Because there's some weird naming thing with the World Cup.
Speaker C:Yes.
Speaker A:Somebody was asking me that the other day and I went and I looked into it.
Speaker C:I mean, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, whatever.
Speaker C:I don't know, whatever you want to call it, fine.
Speaker C:But it's going to be pretty bad.
Speaker C:It's going to be really rough, but people like it.
Speaker A:Closing thoughts.
Speaker A:Soccer, football, whatever you want to call it, it's the biggest sport in the world.
Speaker C:Yes.
Speaker A:Shouldn't.
Speaker A:Should not be in.
Speaker A:In North America for the World Cup.
Speaker A:I'm sorry.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:Mexico, maybe Canada and.
Speaker A:Enough.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:You know.
Speaker A:Please.
Speaker C:Well, we'll see what happens.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's going to be interesting.
Speaker A:Thanks again to Rob Verdan.
Speaker A:Cap a great job, you know, great to be back in the studio.
Speaker A:I promise no more vacations, at least for a while.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:But everybody, we can crown a champion here in New York.
Speaker A:Let's hope so.
Speaker A:We'll be doing that the next time we're on.
Speaker A:Thanks to Brian Graves behind the glass.
Speaker A:We'll see in a couple weeks, everybody.
Speaker A:And go.
Speaker D:Nix.
Speaker B:The views expressed in the previous program.
Speaker C:Did not necessarily represent those of the.
Speaker B:Staff, management or owners of wgb.
