22 (Braydon): 00:24

Welcome in to the Sworn Sports Podcast. I am your host, Braden. And as always, I am joined by that mountain of a pineapple, Alan Pena. Alan, how are we doing today, man?

Montana Pina (Alan): 00:35

Oh, man. I'm just taking my time since this is amazing, but I'm doing good. It's, like, great that we finally get to be here in our first 2024 recording. Should have done our first recording last month, but, hey. It just happens.

Montana Pina (Alan): 00:52

Things were just trying to put together. But other than that, I am doing good. I I can't complain.

22 (Braydon): 00:58

Yeah. I mean, we we wish we had we would we should've done it last time or last month, like you said, but I don't know about you, but life has been crazy lately.

Montana Pina (Alan): 01:11

I know. Yeah. I would say I would say that it'll be very accurate. It has been crazy as well. Here in the Pina household, but we try to do the best we can, and I can gladly say that it's calm me down a little bit.

Montana Pina (Alan): 01:23

Will there be craziness? Hey. It happens. Craziness does happen. But as long as you want to embrace it and find a way through it, it will work out.

22 (Braydon): 01:32

Oh, yeah. And it's it's good that we're finally here. It's it took a long time trying to figure it all out, but here we are ready to go. Right?

Montana Pina (Alan): 01:42

Oh, yeah. Absolutely.

22 (Braydon): 01:44

And we got a lot to catch up on.

Montana Pina (Alan): 01:49

Absolutely. We really do.

22 (Braydon): 01:51

And, where where do you wanna get started?

Montana Pina (Alan): 01:56

Well, we haven't talked about it in a long time, and it's halfway we're close to the to the all star break. And that is what is going on in the association.

22 (Braydon): 02:13

Yeah. We need it's time to talk some basketball, guys. I don't have basketball sounds, but, I think this will do it just fine.

Montana Pina (Alan): 02:25

Yeah. It probably will. It'll do just fine. But where do you wanna start?

22 (Braydon): 02:36

Let's see. Let me pull let's pull up the standings. Allen, I will admit, I as much as, you know, I check-in on the nuggets, box scores every now and then. But, if I'm being a 100% honest with you, I have been much more invested in hockey this year than I have in the association. So let me pull up standings, and, we'll just kinda have you tell me how the season's going.

Montana Pina (Alan): 03:00

Well, you're sure about let's see. Give me one second because I'm like I'm like, you ought to be invested in both.

22 (Braydon): 03:11

I I mean, I I do. I do. But, I, how are the thunder above the Nuggets in the standings? That's crazy.

Montana Pina (Alan): 03:24

Well, that's the thing, Braden, is that we got 4 teams. Let's see. Four teams tied for the best record. And the Thunder are one of them. The Timberwolves are one of them, and the Clippers are not that far off either.

Montana Pina (Alan): 03:49

Think about that, Brandon. Like

22 (Braydon): 03:51

Alright. Who let the Clippers be good?

Montana Pina (Alan): 03:54

Well, she has been with the Clippers, and this they've fought in now. Like, ever since they traded for James Harden, it took time, but they fought in. And everybody has accepted the rules. But can can this last long? Because they had the experience to get to the finals and possibly win it because they got guys that been there.

Montana Pina (Alan): 04:19

But can they stay healthy? That is the question. Because we've seen their history with injuries. It's not good. And as far so once that's why they've been good.

Montana Pina (Alan): 04:29

The Thunder, they are a young team, Braden, and they have been tremendous. And and one thing to look out at as a as a Braden, you know this. We've been on this train and the NBA has for the past years. We've had an MVP coming from a different country. Well, now we have a new addition to that club, and that is Shea Gilgeous Alexander, who played for Canada in the world championship, captain de bronze, like, as we talked about, I said, with the world baseball classic.

Montana Pina (Alan): 05:03

He's one of those players that he's in midseason form because of his play in the in the FIBA World Championships, and they are rolling. And, also, adding to that, since today's the straight line, they get bound by adding Gordon Hayward, someone who has been around the block and helped this young team rise. So don't be surprised if if he ends up winning MVP. I know some people will say, he shouldn't. This has to happen or not, but the line could be everything could line up for Shea to win MVP for Oklahoma City, and they have been amazing as far as, like, you know what?

Montana Pina (Alan): 05:43

We'll play whoever. We're not afraid of anybody, and that's gonna help them come play.

22 (Braydon): 05:48

Oh, yeah. And it it, you know, youth will help as long as, you know, they you stay healthy. That energy up and down the court, that's always gonna be key. Right?

Montana Pina (Alan): 06:01

Yeah. Yeah. And and as far as Minnesota, Anthony Edwards has been tremendous. But for the and as long as he's there, he's the one that should that will be the one carrying him. But the question, it's gonna come down to our 2 internationals, all Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.

Montana Pina (Alan): 06:23

Because those 2, they are great in both offense and defense, but they're not creating the other. Can they step it up come playoff time? Because we know what Anthony Edwards is gonna do. Outstanding. He's gonna bring it no matter what.

Montana Pina (Alan): 06:38

But in call Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, bring it on a consistent basis. Because from the looks of it, I think they are probably the only team in the West that could stop Denver. The only team. That's it. The Clippers, They haven't proved to me that it they have them in a 7 game series the thunder probably could but they're not there yet.

Montana Pina (Alan): 07:05

Minnesota? I could see them see that happening. And and to hear I don't know what's the the of the nuggets players that said that the I think I don't know if it was Bruce Brown or somebody from the nuggets championship title. They asked him which was the toughest series When they won the title and them saying the timberwolves, even though they they beat him in 5 well, it's gonna get tougher. But it will only depend on how much Karl Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert can really step it up and carry this timber wool and help Anthony Edwards carry this timber wool.

22 (Braydon): 07:43

Yeah. I mean, Rudy Gobert has always had a you know, it's not impossible to guard Jokic. You know, everyone we all know that. But Rudy Gobert seems to have an easier time of guarding Nikola Jokic, which is fair, but which makes it challenging as the Nuggets to get it going. But, you know, I think they'll give them a run for their money, but I still see the Nuggets coming out on top of that.

22 (Braydon): 08:10

Just because I think come playoff time, having that experience of a championship run will come come in handy. But it's you're right. Yeah. They're they're probably the 2nd best team in the west right now, and it's what's crazy is, you know, you you would look at think of it from the start of the season. Right?

22 (Braydon): 08:28

You would think the Lakers, the Mavericks, the Jazz, maybe not. But the Warriors, especially, you some of these teams, you know, you would think would be kinda in its spot, but here they are in the lower half bond standings here. And it's it's, it's crazy.

Montana Pina (Alan): 08:46

The worst, I didn't think so. As long as they couldn't find a big as long as they don't have a great a solitude, great big man, they're not gonna work. Work because now Brandon Look, we're back into the big man. We are the day is of oh, you gotta be like the warriors shooting a lot of threes, which it still is. But it's not like you you can rely on it anymore.

Montana Pina (Alan): 09:10

Or you have to go small like the warriors. Those days are over now. Like, the past 3 championships were other than the warriors of 2022, that was an anomaly. The rest, they've all had big men. And that's why to me and I've said it, and I've and other people have, like, the worst they do need a big man.

Montana Pina (Alan): 09:33

And if they're gonna still compete for an NBA championship, even if they don't win it, you gotta have a big man. Because their big man who they have, Ke'emal Looney, is not enough. Yeah. You gotta have someone that's gonna give you at least 18 points and at least 9 to 10 rebounds. And I'm saying this as someone who has played that position, that reads and studies the big man position, the center position very thoroughly, very precise.

Montana Pina (Alan): 10:01

You've gotta average at least that to help your team get to an NBA finals or win it. And Denver has it for sure. They got 2 guys that can do it. Minnesota has 2 guys that can do it. I would add Oklahoma City to do that.

Montana Pina (Alan): 10:18

And in the east, there are several teams. We'll talk about them in a bit in the bit that could do it. But the worst, I knew right away, not. Minnesota, okay. They would get better.

Montana Pina (Alan): 10:28

The Thunder, I expect them to get better. Denver well, the Denver. Clippers, not so much, but they have been looking impressive. So the West, Braden, it is it is wild. Even the Lakers I think the Lakers, they just need to get their act together ever since winning that end season tournament that the NBA started to have.

Montana Pina (Alan): 10:50

But that's another team, the Lakers. They have a big man that can give you at least 18 and 10 rebounds. That to me is like, okay. You have a shot at least to compete for a championship. But to me, the warriors, they're not there yet, and I won't be surprised if if by the end of this offseason, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins are traded or let go.

Montana Pina (Alan): 11:14

I won't be surprised.

22 (Braydon): 11:16

Yeah. That's and that's a crazy thought on all of its own is those 2 being traded and getting no longer being on the warriors. Yeah. And, like, you know, like you mentioned, the league does seem to be trending more towards the big man, but when you still think about the warriors is you you think of that dynasty, that championship rung because a lot of those guys are still there. So for them to be lower in the standings even with the late league shifting, does seem a bit surprising on one one side of it.

22 (Braydon): 11:47

But you're I I think you've nailed it on the head. It's still so nutty.

Montana Pina (Alan): 11:56

Yeah. But to me, I love it because I get to talk about it. I played it. Granted, the one thing that I didn't do in high school when I played basketball was shoot threes. I had to learn that until after high school.

Montana Pina (Alan): 12:11

Shooting threes, playing in rec basketball leagues Here in rexburg or even up at byu, idaho where I had to develop a 3 point I had Even at at my age of 30, I had to develop still. So now adding that element now as a big, you gotta have all the tools now. And I love that because I get we get to talk about it. And, yeah, I get excited for it. I really do.

Montana Pina (Alan): 12:41

So the bigs are back, and and that's the one thing you gotta have now. Like, you look at the greatest teams ever. Other than the Bulls, they all had it big. Each and every one of the greatest championship teams, they all had big men.

22 (Braydon): 12:58

Well and you can even make an argument for the that Bulls run of Jordan being that big man. Like, he didn't play the center, but he was pretty good.

Montana Pina (Alan): 13:09

Pretty much. Yeah.

22 (Braydon): 13:10

I mean, when you have the goat, there there's only so much, teams can do against you.

Montana Pina (Alan): 13:16

That's true. That is true. But but yeah. Like, those teams, all those 4 teams, they have a big net. And even with the Clippers, I think if if because Zubac, that's another thing.

Montana Pina (Alan): 13:26

If he he does give you close to 16, 18 a game and about 9, 10 rebounds a game. So if he can do that, then the Clippers, look out. So so yeah. Like, that's the gist of what's going on in the west, and I know your nuggets are still doing great. You You just gotta hope that Jamal Murray doesn't get injured, first of all.

22 (Braydon): 13:49

Yeah. You know, without with when Jamal and Jokic are cooking, they're the best one too in the league. There's there's nothing about that might be fan bias coming in there, but I think, arguably, you can make that argument that they're the best one to punch in the entire league.

Montana Pina (Alan): 14:04

I would agree. Even though I have some fires in Boston that would say otherwise, but I would agree.

22 (Braydon): 14:12

And, I mean, since we're on the, you know, well, let's get into the east, and then we there's a an asking point with the whole basketball thing. I'm we I I kinda wanna bring up later, but let's, let's move to the east. And, you gotta be pretty happy. Your, your Celtics have the best, record in the entire league.

Montana Pina (Alan): 14:30

Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. And I'm telling you, I I told you this from the beginning. The signing of the or the trade and then signing Kristoff Porzingis was big. I said it in the off I said it in our recording, and I told you this off camera, and I told this to my wife, we gotta get this guy.

Montana Pina (Alan): 14:52

We got to get this guy. And so far, you have seen, when he's not playing, they look different, like, not good. But when he's out there, he gives him a dynamic of offense where being 72, he could shoot over people, shoot to 3. His post play is good. I think if he gets that going, you can't guard that guy.

Montana Pina (Alan): 15:16

I don't care I don't care who you are. You can't guard him. And, defensively, just with this length alone, that you cannot teach. Length. And so they look that makes the Boston Celtics be like, good luck going against us.

Montana Pina (Alan): 15:30

You're gonna have to go at us because Boston, they will bring it at you. And even the Celtics, they just added depth in the They added Xavier Tillman from the Grizzlies, and that will give Porzingis and even another our international player, Al Horford, more rest as well come playoff time. That way, they're not injured because he could come in. And like I said, like, we we're not asking him to average 18 and 10, but, hey. Come in.

Montana Pina (Alan): 16:00

Give us 10 points, 8 rebounds. Occasionally, he'll have 17 and 12. He didn't come in and do that. No problem. He's done that for Memphis.

Montana Pina (Alan): 16:11

And even when when Brandon Clark and Steven Adams from Memphis were out and not playoffs with the Lakers, Spencer, he didn't play that bad. Like, he played great, but he wasn't he was solid for them. So him coming in, it will help the depth in the big man and will allow Kristaps and Al to get rested, ready, and Spencer, it's the same thing. And we'll give them that rotation come playoff time because they're gonna have to face the youngest. They're gonna have to face Joel Embiid.

Montana Pina (Alan): 16:40

There's a probability that could happen. You might even see that's who else that could probably face. The Knicks. And the Knicks made a bunch of moves today. So look out for them or even Cleveland.

Montana Pina (Alan): 16:50

That's another team. Like, they got bigs as well. We won our big southeast, and that's why the Celtics, they've been looking tremendous. And you know my expectation, Braden, is ran or 18. That's the expectation.

Montana Pina (Alan): 17:03

It's always been, and I'm never gonna ask less of that.

22 (Braydon): 17:07

And I think especially with so far the regular season they're having being 39 and 12, I think that's a fair fair, expectation of this team is definitely making a championship run. They've been so close multiple times, But they Yeah. They gotta figure something out. And I think you're right. This, Kristoff's guy, he's doing great.

22 (Braydon): 17:32

I I wanted to ask, take off your, green colored glasses here. Is, Porzingis here? Is he in the, MVP race, you think?

Montana Pina (Alan): 17:40

Well, I don't think he's not. He's not, like, he's not in that category, but he could play the same role that Andrew Wiggins did when we play the warriors. And, yeah, Steph deservedly finals MVP. But what Andrew Wiggins did in that finals, awarding Jayson Tatum, not allowing him to get comfortable. And then also adding, like, it it was the 2nd leading scorer in that NBA finals and I think in the playoffs.

Montana Pina (Alan): 18:11

And that game 4, when there were they could have lost that game, but and everybody talks about Steph's 40 some point game that he had in that finals. But don't forget Andrew Wiggins. And we're we're talking international here, Canadian. He had 17 points and 16 rebounds. Well, guarding Jason Tatum.

Montana Pina (Alan): 18:32

That tells you what kind of player he is. Mhmm. Kristoff's exactly that wall, like, where he can score 30 points. The only difference is he can score 30 points and grab all freebounds and can make that impact, and you feel it right away. And we're not asking Kristoff to be the old Kristoff when he came in.

Montana Pina (Alan): 18:55

We're asking him to, hey. Be yourself. And that's the improvement right now. The only concern I have is they better stop playing down to these competitions. Like, they they lost to the Lakers without Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

Montana Pina (Alan): 19:11

And I am like, guys, like, you when their best players are out, you pull them out of here. You're like, sorry. Your trip to Boston is short. We're beating you by 30. Have a nice trip to New York.

Montana Pina (Alan): 19:26

But instead then, we let them cook, and that's that's the only concern I have. They cannot beat themselves down like this. Because if they do, there's gonna be a lot of furniture moving. It not literally, but symbolically in the Pina household. A lot of furniture moving, just a lot pillows being thrown.

Montana Pina (Alan): 19:49

And but, yeah, that's the only concern I have. If they can fix though, there's nobody that could beat them. Nobody.

22 (Braydon): 19:58

And you gotta wonder, you know, when teams are with the Boston's, I think, had this issue for a while where they played down a competition. I mean, I think that was a major point of the the, issue last season in their playoff run. I think they they beat themselves more than their, the other teams beat them, I think. That I feel like that could be a fair assessment. Alan, what do you think?

Montana Pina (Alan): 20:23

Oh, it is. It's not a not just a fair assessment. That's a but it that's a fact. And now they picked it up. And because, look, regular season look.

Montana Pina (Alan): 20:34

It's a it's a marathon. You know this. This is a marathon, and you're gonna have games like that. You are. Absolutely, Ward.

Montana Pina (Alan): 20:40

You can't shoot squat. You can't. But you gotta find a way to still maintain that intent to where you're not being down either. Where it's like, okay. You know what?

Montana Pina (Alan): 20:51

We're do we're like, okay. We're not we're doing the other stuff, but making buckets will come again. And they didn't do that. And, hopefully, they've got they should get back to that where, you know what? Let's just play our defense.

Montana Pina (Alan): 21:06

Like, that's what made that's why the Celtics made the finals because they're a great defense. They can focus on that because their offense, nobody's gonna garner. But when they put their heart and mind on defense, good luck scoring against. And that's where if they can do that again like they did in 2,000 in 2022 when the final finals, then another finals appearance will happen.

22 (Braydon): 21:34

I mean, it'd be it'd be fun for this podcast if, our teams made it against each other and

Montana Pina (Alan): 21:39

Oh, it would be. The finals. And we already each other already. You beat us. You beat us in Boston.

Montana Pina (Alan): 21:46

You were the first team to beat us. We were, like, 20 and o before you guys beat us.

22 (Braydon): 21:50

I remember that. I remember that all over, Nugget's social media for the day. It was crazy.

Montana Pina (Alan): 21:56

Yeah. And the thing is, we'll play each other again in I just saw it. I think we'd play each other again. I think it was March, I believe. Give me one second here.

Montana Pina (Alan): 22:10

I am I am doing some research of when are we playing, and hopefully, we split the season series. But I guess oh, March 7th.

22 (Braydon): 22:21

Coming up?

Montana Pina (Alan): 22:23

Yeah. So it matters that day. But March 7th in Denver, everybody. Everybody. But the fact everybody's healthy, so we can go at it.

Montana Pina (Alan): 22:34

I

22 (Braydon): 22:34

mean, that's all you can hope for is a healthy team. Right? And what Yeah. And, you know, I hate, I you know, we're looking at it. You know, I think we the east is pretty well set, I think, at this point.

22 (Braydon): 22:47

But and you feel sorry for Joel Embiid who just had to go through this knee surgery he went through.

Montana Pina (Alan): 22:53

Yeah. It's a meniscus.

22 (Braydon): 22:55

But, Alan, I I gotta ask you. You're the basketball guy here. Right?

Montana Pina (Alan): 23:02

Do you

22 (Braydon): 23:02

know when the last time it'd be played in Denver was?

Montana Pina (Alan): 23:06

There was, like, 20, 21?

22 (Braydon): 23:08

2019.

Montana Pina (Alan): 23:10

Oh oh, yeah. That's true.

22 (Braydon): 23:13

So, like, you you gotta wonder for this guy. You know? Does he is he obviously, the altitude takes its toll on anybody who comes through Denver. That's what gives Denver Denver real I would argue one of the best home field advantages in the entire entire league. You got passionate fan base now, especially after their championship run, and you got altitude working against your your opponents.

22 (Braydon): 23:41

I think that's one of the best home field advantages. But you bring in this fact that Embiid hasn't played in Denver for almost 5 years. Allen, that doesn't that's not a good look, is it?

Montana Pina (Alan): 23:56

Well, here's the thing. The thing is and I think there's a lot of outrage for it, and I wanna hear your opinion on it before I I I chime in on this is the league I don't know if you heard of this. The n b the league both the owners and the players association where you have to play at least 65 regular season games to be eligible for the m the awards, the season awards, the MVP, the defensive player of the year, the most improved, and the all NBA 1st to 3rd teams and all NBA 1st and second defensive teams. I don't know if you heard about

22 (Braydon): 24:35

I have. Yeah.

Montana Pina (Alan): 24:36

Okay. What are your thoughts on that? Because there's a lot of people that are saying that it's unfair that someone like him, who is the reigning MVP, is not gonna be able to have a chance to defend it? Or there's some that are saying that, you know what? It's actually fair.

Montana Pina (Alan): 24:53

Like, what are your thoughts on it? And do you think this is a good idea? Or do you think it should be modified? Or just get rid of it?

22 (Braydon): 25:02

Well, I think this is a great idea for two reasons. Number 1, how can you call yourself the true MVP of the league if you don't play most of the games? You can build all the stats you want, but a true MVP is someone who's gonna be on the court no matter what. You you gotta think of people like, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, you know, I would I could Nowitzki. Nowitzki, MJ.

22 (Braydon): 25:25

I would maybe put I'm I'm not saying, Steph Curry is up in this in that, but he seems to be one of those guys who will try and play no matter what.

Montana Pina (Alan): 25:35

Oh, he is.

22 (Braydon): 25:35

Because Absolutely. He's he'll Steph Curry also gets the he he cares about the fans. And the number one thing is if you're gonna be the MVP, you gotta think about, you know, what something that Kobe said, and I think a lot of the greats have said is, you know, this might be someone's only chance to come to a game, and they probably came to say me play. If I sit out, how does that look for me? Unless I'm forced to, I'm gonna be there.

22 (Braydon): 26:01

And I think time and time again is I get load management and why it's important. I do. And this is one of my biggest arguments against LeBron nowadays is I think he sits too much. If he says he wants to be the great can be considered the true greatest of all time. I think he needs to be playing more.

22 (Braydon): 26:19

I get it. He's getting older, but you still gotta play more. You gotta kinda earn it, improve it in a lot of ways. You know? But playing a minimum of 65 games, I kinda agree with, oh, what's his name?

22 (Braydon): 26:35

He played on the Suns. Chuck Charles Brake Hardwick.

Montana Pina (Alan): 26:37

Yeah.

22 (Braydon): 26:38

I think it should have been higher. Make it 72. Because if you're gonna be the MVP, I get for I think for the MVP itself, it should have been higher for all the cause you gotta set the standard for the most valuable player. All the other ones I'm fine at 65. I think MVP, you should there should be a higher standard because you're supposed to be the best of the best.

22 (Braydon): 27:02

And to be the best of the best, you have to be prove it in all environments, all stadiums, all arenas at any point. And for me, this is a I I'm a I'm happy Embiid won his MVP last season deservedly so. I think he could have also gone it when Jokic, his first one was. But my thing is he it the can the MVP race is for the last few years has been Jokic versus Embiid. Right?

Montana Pina (Alan): 27:32

Oh, yeah.

22 (Braydon): 27:32

How can you say and overall, how can you say Jokic is better than Embiid if Embiid sits out of Jokic's home court? For me, that just doesn't make sense.

Montana Pina (Alan): 27:45

Or anybody at some point or anybody's.

22 (Braydon): 27:47

Yeah. Like, how can you make that argument that he's the true MVP if he's sitting out of a match against arguably his true contender for the best player in the entire league, let alone the world. Because we're talking about 2 players who come from Africa and Eastern Europe. These are great players to have in our league representing different cultures and enhancing our league and our game that we love so much. How and this this is it bothers me that he sits out in Denver.

22 (Braydon): 28:18

As a Denver fan, it just bothers me. But as a basketball fan, I don't see how you can justify it. Now what makes it even worse this particular season for me, Alan, is he was supposed to play up until about 10 minutes before the game. And I get it. He's hurt, and I feel bad about, you know, ragging on the guy.

22 (Braydon): 28:39

Like, if he's he was truly hurt at that point, he was truly hurt. But it doesn't look good. Now to the second point with all of the 65 game thing, if you wanna win an award, you have to earn it. 65 games, I think you, you know, you that that at least makes a good point where you can say, I at least have earned whatever award I get.

Montana Pina (Alan): 29:03

Well, everything that you said, it actually sums up what I thought of saying. And you know Draymond Green can complain about it all he wants. Tyrese Halliburton from the Pacers can complain about it all he wants, or any NBA player can complain about it all he wants. But you're part of the Players Association. You signed on on this.

Montana Pina (Alan): 29:32

You did. Like, you should've came out and say, hey. Let's do 70, like you mentioned. 70 would've been great. I have I would have no problem if it was 70.

Montana Pina (Alan): 29:42

But 65, I have no problem with it either. So it that's on the players if the players association say, you know what? Let's do 65 or 70. I'm all for which I what I heard is that they were and now you're changing back on it saying, oh like, it's on the owners' wall. It's also on you, the players.

Montana Pina (Alan): 30:04

Like, you are part of an association, part of a union that's okay. You guys want this? Like, the owners, you want us to play this amount of games? Okay. There's one of us consider this and that one or let's do 70.

Montana Pina (Alan): 30:16

You know, this would have been like, fine. No problem. 70 would be no problem. That way, hey, gives you leeway because injuries do happen. They do.

Montana Pina (Alan): 30:26

But you like, I agree with you. Like, as fans, like, if you're injured or you had to miss because of of a family member passing away, no one's gonna hold it against you. Nobody. Because we understand life. But just because you know what?

Montana Pina (Alan): 30:45

I wanna sit because I don't wanna play back to backs. It's like, what for? Like, as Kobe mentioned, that might be the only opportunity. Someone is gonna go watch me. I gotta play out there.

Montana Pina (Alan): 30:57

Even if it's 10 minutes, I'm still gonna go out there and play and give it my best. So I'm I'm in favor of this, and I think, like, those players that were I wish about it should've been like, hey. You I signed on on it. Or or, hey. Convince my the VP of the president of the basketball association of the Players Association.

Montana Pina (Alan): 31:23

Hey. We wanna if the owners want this, we we at least give us 70 games. Mhmm. Not because there was talks about 60, but 65, 70 is actually a fair margin. I feel

22 (Braydon): 31:37

like 60 is too high. So 65, I think, is a good minimum.

Montana Pina (Alan): 31:40

Yes. Yeah. 65, 70, it would have been good. I would have had no problem at all. And, yeah, that's how it should be.

Montana Pina (Alan): 31:49

Like like, you wanna be considered for this? Then play. Be out there. Compete. And do what you always do best.

22 (Braydon): 31:57

And I think you also nailed it on the head where, you know, you don't have we're not saying as as a fan. You know, obviously, a player knows their body fairly well. Right? But as a fan, if you're going if the player is feeling like he can't go, that's a different thing. Or if he's being forced to sit that as a fan, we understand that.

22 (Braydon): 32:21

But if you're choosing not to, that's way different. Like, Alan, you mentioned it. Those 10 minutes, we maybe see that player play. That'll be enough for that fan who wanted to come see that specific player played that game. You know?

22 (Braydon): 32:35

Obviously, they would want we would always want more, but 10 would be more than enough to say, I've gotta watch this guy play a game. Because Yeah. You gotta think I think sometimes what these players forget is, you know, because they make so much, not everyone else is making that much money.

Montana Pina (Alan): 32:55

I know.

22 (Braydon): 32:55

Basketball tickets are getting insanely expensive. So some fans, you know, to get to a game, it's a lot harder than you would think.

Montana Pina (Alan): 33:04

Yeah. Unless unless if your team sucks, but even then but even then, they're like, yeah, my team sucks. But their team, like, say say like, oh, I'm a Horns. Say, okay, you're a horn's fan. My team sucks.

Montana Pina (Alan): 33:19

But oh Is jokic coming or is giannis coming? I'm going. I don't care how much it costs. I'm going because that's my only shot, and you know they're always gonna play. So that's a finna get it.

22 (Braydon): 33:34

Yeah. And, Alan, as we we're sitting here with, you know, 2 minutes left on this particular Zoom. Final thoughts, NBA, it you I gotta get more invested in it. You're right. It's a lot more fun, and, you know, hockey's great, but basketball, it you know, you can't just turn it on come play of time.

22 (Braydon): 33:55

You gotta follow those story lines, And that's what we gotta figure out now.

Montana Pina (Alan): 34:00

Yeah. I agree with that.

22 (Braydon): 34:03

Well, Alan, let's, give ourselves a round of applause. 1st episode of 20 24 is in the books. We posted on Instagram. We'll post it on Twitter too. Soarin' Sports lives.

22 (Braydon): 34:16

We're it hasn't died. We're not done with this podcast.

Montana Pina (Alan): 34:20

Yes.

22 (Braydon): 34:20

We We're we like to folk we'll folk we like to focus on the the game, as you heard. But if you haven't noticed, a lot of the players will name by name, unless they're, like, the greats greatest of all time, they're not necessarily from this country. So, we'll keep that in mind and keep stay tuned as we have more content coming at you. Well, Alan, I think we're gonna get off this one and get talking

Montana Pina (Alan): 34:55

talking about baseball hall of fame

22 (Braydon): 34:55

and more NHL stuff as they also just wrapped up their all star break. And I'm ready. We'll get that'll be a sneak peek into next week. But, Alan, anything else you wanna say in the next 20 seconds?

Montana Pina (Alan): 35:06

Other than that, just keep staying positive. And if you missed any of our episodes, we're right there. Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, we're right there. Oh, I guess it's, like, 300 episodes. I'm not sure.

Montana Pina (Alan): 35:20

I could be fine, but they're all there.

22 (Braydon): 35:21

Almost all there.

Montana Pina (Alan): 35:23

Yeah. But we're all there. All our episodes are right there. If you haven't kept any signal.

22 (Braydon): 35:29

Alright. We'll just write this out, guys. Have a great year. We are excited to be joining you in 2024. Keep it we'll keep it going.

22 (Braydon): 35:36

You keep it going, and we'll see you next time.

Montana Pina (Alan): 35:56

Recordings.