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00:00Out to Michael Thompson, my good friend Michael, how are you and what are you thinking about tonight?
00:08Don't you guys upgrade your equipment from the 80s?
00:11Well, that's what I've been yelling during commercial breaks for the last hour and a half Michael
00:18Exactly get this a 21st century man join the 21st century like the rest of us. Okay now Michael
00:23I don't know what kind of there's a few different types of people in this world
00:25I think I know you pretty well, but this is something that happens for instance when you go to the doctor
00:31Your leg has been hurting every day for two weeks
00:34You can't you can't walk and then you make a doctor appointment and you get to the doctor and what happens leg feels completely normal
00:42And they're like, what's wrong? You're like, well, this thing's been happening. They're like, well show it to me. Well, I can't
00:46This is what just happened with the phone call. Basically Michael. I don't know. Did you send up a prayer cuz you sound great
00:53Yeah, I definitely said you guys got these guys these amateurs need some help up there so take the wheel like you said, yeah
01:00Thank you
01:03The same way the Lakers are gonna do to the Warriors tonight, huh, Michael. Oh, yeah
01:07We got a bully you guys tonight man and beat you up. That's how you beat the Warriors
01:10You can't be finance basketball with them. The Lakers are more physical team even without Anthony Davis
01:15This is the first time you guys will be seeing Luca Lucas a big physical guard
01:19I know you got Jimmy up. There's a physical guy. Uh-huh. I'm on greens a tough guy, but I think we're tougher than you guys
01:26Tougher yes, but also the amount of embellishment Michael you as an old-school basketball player
01:32Do you sometimes blush when you watch Luca and and even LBJ?
01:37Kind of throw their head back in and really beg for calls at that level
01:42Yeah, you're right. It's all around the NBA
01:44It's just not those two guys because I always think of and I bring this up about the flopping in the league
01:48You know when you think about all the greats who played this game
01:51I sound like an old man now, but Kobe never flopped Michael Jordan never flopped
01:54Isaiah Thomas never flopped Charles Oakley, you know Magic Johnson used to complain a lot
01:59but he never flopped and I
02:01Thought flopping was supposed to be now a technical foul a referee was supposed to call that to stop guys from flopping
02:07But they don't call it. So guys continue to do it with all this
02:10Faking these flop guys can't set a screen now and some guy will throw himself to the ground and it's an illegal screen
02:17Michael Thompson joining us on with it and dibs. I think of you and reference you all the time in this conversation Michael because
02:23Literally because of guys like LeBron. I remember you telling me some at some point
02:28You're like you think a man who did you know how hard it is to knock over a man? Who is six foot eight?
02:36265 pounds or whatever. These guys are like
02:41Next to impossible next to impossible
02:43So I kind of like what you said that like the officials are supposed to do something about this
02:48Why is the league not doing anything? I don't know that they act like they're afraid of the players
02:53They're like the referees are afraid to make a mistake because they every time they make a call now
02:57They can't stick with a call
02:58They got a week wave their finger in there like a home run
03:01Signing don't look at a review when there's a questionable call to be made
03:05So I'm tired of seeing the man
03:06Get rid of call reviews and then maybe the referees could just go out there and corrupt the game the way it's supposed to be
03:11Rep and call these floppy all this everybody does this floppy. I'm tired of seeing it
03:15No, I'd love to hear that from you Michael Michael Thompson here on 95 7 the game
03:19I couldn't agree with you more and think about this game tonight
03:22And you know you get the Lakers up by two over the Warriors and the Lakers sitting in the three seed
03:27It seems like LA's been a little up and down since they got Luca when everybody is right and healthy
03:33How dangerous is this LA Laker team with Luca LeBron and so much more?
03:39They can go all the way because Luke has been there up into the finals obviously so is Draymond and obviously Steph and Jimmy
03:45Butler themselves and a bunch of the Warriors have been to the final so they know what it takes to get there obviously LeBron's
03:49been there ten times and
03:51Austin reason these guys are big-time players
03:53so the Lakers are a very dangerous team because they have three of the best playmakers and
03:59Decision-makers on the floor and Luca LeBron and a very underrated playmaker and Austin Reese who can create his own shot and
04:05Get to the basket and set up his teammates
04:07So when you have three guys like that who can create for you off the dribble that makes you a very dangerous team, okay?
04:13I'm gonna ask this one of three ways Michael
04:14I can't tell if you're you know the Lakers are gonna beat up the Warriors tonight thing is this because a you're a Laker employee
04:23B
04:24Because you think the Lakers are a bad matchup for the Warriors or
04:29See you just flat-out think the Lakers are better than the Warriors
04:34Well the record states it doesn't it so obviously the Lakers have a better record of the Warriors
04:38So that's who's right there just that point alone
04:40They're better than the Warriors and the Lakers I think have the better
04:44Playmakers on the team than the Warriors do Kramer's a good playmaker so it's staff of course and so is Jimmy Butler
04:50But our three playmakers are better than your three playmakers, okay, but
04:55Okay, if you're gonna just go straight to the records though Michael a two-game spread over an entire season
05:01When both teams make massive deals at the deadline and are now completely different teams like my take on tonight's game
05:08This is the first time we've ever seen these two teams play. I think they're both that different
05:14But the difference is now that we're LeBron is a much more rested player because of Lucas
05:20He's basically seated the the leadership and the playmaking majority of flaming over to Luca
05:25Which allows LeBron to pick his spots which makes him a more dangerous player in the fourth quarter because he has more energy now to
05:31Attack that he didn't have before so and then Austin Reeves is a player on his way up
05:35He's getting better and better each month
05:37And he's one awesome reason one of the best five one-on-one players in the game today
05:42And is that really where he makes the most of his headway Austin Reeves is with the ball and attacking one-on-one
05:50Well, he can do both see the thing is often play off the ball to the spot of shooter
05:54He can't leave him open he's a excellent shooter one of the best three-point shooters in the game
05:59So that was makes him so dangerous on the ball and off the ball
06:02But this is gonna be a great game tonight very competitive both teams understand what's at stake here seating for positioning in the playoffs
06:08I think the playoffs have already started for these two teams and this is gonna be a reflection of that tonight
06:13You're listening to 95 7 the game KGM ZFM and hd1 San Francisco and Odyssey Sports Station always live on the free Odyssey app now
06:19Coming to you live from the laughing monk studios, and we're talking to Michael Thompson like a broadcaster Klay's dad
06:25I do want to get back to the Laker warrior game
06:27But I don't want to let this get away because I've been waiting all day to ask this to you
06:32I got to think that the Luka trade
06:34Professionally was was wonderful for you, but on a personal level
06:39Maybe not so much like I saw your comments that clay has ended up in purgatory
06:44Now with all the injuries and and what's happened in Dallas, so what were your true feelings when this trade went down?
06:52I wasn't bothered by it at all obviously was good for both teams because when it happened at the time the
06:58Mavericks were kind of healthy they had everybody Anthony Davis was coming in they had
07:02Gafford and lively and of course Kyrie Irving was still healthy
07:05So I told class that you know what if you guys were healthy you guys have the best front line in the game with Gafford
07:10Lively Washington and Anthony Davis now when that trade came down so yes you lose Luka
07:14But you pop you gain the second best all-around big man in the game and Anthony Davis the people act as if
07:20Luka was traded for a b-level player
07:22He was traded for a level player
07:23Anthony Davis is that great of a player and I told clay said with Anthony Davis there and the rest you guys to stay
07:29Healthy you guys can get to the West finals
07:31But it hasn't really worked out that way unfortunately for clay
07:34And you know how has he been is his dauber down knowing that he lost Luka and Kyrie got hurt?
07:41And they've kind of plummeted in the standings
07:43Well it definitely he didn't like losing Luka of course he misplayed with Luka
07:48But I think when Kyrie got hurt that really set him set him back a long way
07:52But now that Anthony Davis is back Lively's back Gafford's back
07:56And it looks like they're finally healthy with the exception of Kyrie
07:59They are gonna be a very tough out for anybody in the play in tournament or they get out of that
08:04And I think they will if they're healthy they'll be a tough first round opponent for anybody in the West
08:08I mean Michael like when you professionally have only known one thing and then you try something new
08:14I gotta think that maybe there were some surprises some things you didn't know like in
08:21General aside from all of this personnel talk how is clay doing in Dallas? How does he like his decision?
08:29He likes it. He's not looking back. You can't you can't look in the rearview mirror. He's gonna. He's looking forward
08:34He's excited to play with Anthony Davis that he's finally getting the chance to play with him
08:38So he's still still having a lot of faith and what they can do in the playoffs and obviously they're gonna miss Kyrie Irving
08:44One of the greatest creators in the history of this game
08:47But they feel like with the healthy squad that they have now
08:49They're gonna be like I said, they're gonna be they're gonna give somebody a real tough series in the first round
08:54It could be interesting if they win the 910 game and they go on to beat the loser the 7-8 and they take on
09:00Oklahoma City that would be a fascinating first round matchup
09:03I want to ask you about Luka Donchik and the fit in LA Michael because you know
09:08He got traded over and it took him a little bit of time to get healthy and start playing
09:12How has he been not only in the locker room, but how has he been received by the fans in LA?
09:19Are you kidding me? They love Luka here. He's not he's not a face of the franchise for the next 10 years
09:23He's 26 the way he plays the game
09:26He can play till he's 40 because he doesn't play above the rim. He plays at his own pace
09:30So they feel like with Luka they've got a face of the franchise for the next 10 years
09:34And of course this being LA just like how San Francisco is a very attractive market
09:38They can really put the right kind of players around him in the coming years as LeBron when the Barchi were blonde
09:44Eventually retired so Laker fans are very excited to have Lucas the new face of the franchise for the next eight to ten years
09:50Michael did I see you recently take a video from the team bus of Luka Donchik signing autographs and you threw out some question
09:59Along the lines of like would any other NBA superstar do something like this? Can you tell me what that was?
10:06Every as you guys know wherever these guys travel fans wait for the for to see them outside the hotels by the
10:13team buses and Luka always
10:15Stops and signs a bunch of autographs for the fans who are there waiting by the team buses for to see these guys
10:21He's the only guy I've ever seen that I've seen Steph do it
10:24I've seen clay do it but Luka does it at every hotel if no other superstar does this and I said
10:30Why can't every superstar have his attitude and sign a few autographs on the way to the bus to appease and make these kids?
10:38Give them a thrill
10:39They're so excited when Lucas stops and you can see the smiles on these young kids faces and Lucas been doing this for years when
10:45He's with the Mavericks and I says why doesn't every superstar have this this attitude?
10:49This is stop get some kick kids some thrills sign a few autographs
10:53Give a few kids a couple of fist bumps and then get on the bus. He is the nicest superstar
10:58I've seen in years to do something like this. I absolutely love that
11:02He's like that
11:03But yes
11:04That was what went through my head when you threw that question out like does any other superstar do this and I was thinking
11:09I'm pretty sure Michaels aware of Steph Curry
11:13Yeah, I don't know if he does it every hotel like Luka does it maybe Steph does and I have seen Steph do it
11:18That's very nice and and uh, and uh, let being a
11:22Approachable to the fans. He's very approachable and very nice all the fans. I've seen Steph do that
11:27So I have to commend him too, but Luka does it at every stop. It's unbelievable
11:32yeah, it's impressive and especially when you get to a new city where he's
11:36Obviously not the most renowned player with the Lakers because you got LeBron James as well Michael
11:42I'm wondering if you could be honest about what the Lakers shortcomings are
11:47I mean, they're the three seed and since Luka came it's not like they win every game when you watch all these Laker games
11:53Why do they not win every game what are their their shortcomings as a team?
11:58For about six weeks the Lakers are like one of the top two or three defensive teams in the league
12:03They just run on a defensive run where they were just shutting teams down and then for about two weeks
12:07They sort of slacked off with a defensive end
12:10So the only weakness is like they have I see is they don't they they just let their defense slack off a little bit
12:16But when they apply themselves defensively and they put that shut down defense made I dream on green type defense, man
12:22They are nobody's gonna beat them, but they play defense at the level. I saw about six weeks ago, Michael
12:27It's so special when LeBron and Steph get together. You are also a teammate though of Magic Johnson
12:33So I wonder how would you compare the Magic Bird?
12:37rivalry
12:38versus the LeBron Steph rivalry
12:42Not in the same ball ballpark boys definitely brought great rivalry
12:45But and LeBron and Steph of course did in the finals
12:49But you're talking about two iconic franchises there with the Lakers and Celtics the greatest rivalry and team sports
12:55between two of the greatest
12:58Icons that ever played team sports in America. So it's definitely LeBron you write about that
13:02You can't argue about that
13:03but I just think bird and magic because it's the Lakers and Celtics has much more impact than Cleveland and
13:10San Francisco or Cleveland and Golden State I get that point
13:13But isn't it a little different now where you've got a league full of many many more stars
13:19And it wasn't just bird and magic back then Michael
13:23I'm old enough to remember the association and you had Dominique and Julia serving and many other great players
13:28But in this day and age where it seems like every team has a star
13:32Doesn't that make this rivalry even more special the fact that these two in their early 40s and late 30s have still continued to do it
13:40It's a great rival we don't get me wrong
13:43Heigler Hearns Leonard Duran you can compare to that but
13:47Celtics Lakers as Ali Frazier everything else is compared to that. You don't compare Cleveland San Francisco
13:53so on say Warriors Cavs to
13:57People don't compare rivalries to that when they compare rivalries to Lakers Celtics when you talk about great rivalries
14:02So Michael you you truly believe that the Lakers this year. They're an actual contender to win the whole thing
14:10Yes, I do so what a Warriors Draymond game was right when he said I guarantee we're gonna win the title
14:14Yeah, I don't I don't think great drill was crazy for saying that they're playing well enough with Jimmy Butler
14:19They could beat anybody, but I also believe when the Lakers are right
14:22They could beat Oklahoma City the Warriors, Minnesota Denver anybody they've already they have Denver's number this year
14:28Denver's wouldn't want to see the Lakers, but the Warriors will be a tough tougher first round series
14:32Oh, no question about it
14:34But when the Lakers are right when LeBron Luka and Austin Reeves and then Rui and their supporting cast are knocking down shots
14:40They could beat anybody how many true contenders to win the whole thing are there?
14:47Oklahoma Boston
14:49Cleveland Warriors Lakers and Denver I think that's six. I think that's the big six. That's it
14:55Yeah, I think so everybody else will be you know you got to respect them as opponents
15:00But I think that it as far as teams that could win it this year
15:03And if you are the Lakers right now, and you're sitting in the three seed
15:07Who's the one team you want to avoid as a potential succeed as your opponent?
15:13Nobody are you kidding me supposed to be scared of anybody? What kind of attitude is that you supposed to be nervous?
15:17No, yeah, you respect them if it's the Warriors Memphis or Minnesota
15:21But you can't you're not supposed to be scared of anybody scared of what we're not scared of who I don't work down here in LA
15:26Baby, maybe that works up there, but not in Laker land
15:29You probably I mean honestly scared of a Steph Curry Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green who I don't know Michael
15:36Do you think he is the defensive player of the year Draymond Green?
15:39Is either him or Dyson Daniels in Atlanta Dyson Daniels are leading the league and steals by far
15:44And you got to get that young fellow down there some respect a great barrier thief
15:48They call him because he's from Australia so well either him or Draymond's gonna win defense of a beer Michael
15:54Thank you for your prayers. Oh
15:56Yeah, you guys uh
15:58Blessed you guys so you guys in good hands now. Thank you appreciate it. We're not gonna bless the basketball team down there, though
16:04No, not tonight. Maybe tomorrow
16:07Yeah, I know that guys. It's gonna be a great game though. Let's go. Let's go Michael. Thank you. Thank you so much my friend
16:13All right boys