Chris Mannix

But if they get that far, I just think their defensive versatility is going to be a problem for the Knicks. It's going to be a problem for the Pacers. I mean, you would have thought that Boston, with its defensive wings, could have... slowed Brunson down more than they have. But I look at what Oklahoma City can throw out there.

But if they get that far, I just think their defensive versatility is going to be a problem for the Knicks. It's going to be a problem for the Pacers. I mean, you would have thought that Boston, with its defensive wings, could have... slowed Brunson down more than they have. But I look at what Oklahoma City can throw out there.

But if they get that far, I just think their defensive versatility is going to be a problem for the Knicks. It's going to be a problem for the Pacers. I mean, you would have thought that Boston, with its defensive wings, could have... slowed Brunson down more than they have. But I look at what Oklahoma City can throw out there.

Like you can just send big, strong, long bodies at Brunson all game long. I mean, whether it's Shea, you know, Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason, I mean, they just, they can just send waves at you, physical guys. And Oklahoma City, you know, they're not the biggest team in the league, but I'd argue they're the most physical team in the league. Like one through five, they are extremely physical.

Like you can just send big, strong, long bodies at Brunson all game long. I mean, whether it's Shea, you know, Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason, I mean, they just, they can just send waves at you, physical guys. And Oklahoma City, you know, they're not the biggest team in the league, but I'd argue they're the most physical team in the league. Like one through five, they are extremely physical.

Like you can just send big, strong, long bodies at Brunson all game long. I mean, whether it's Shea, you know, Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason, I mean, they just, they can just send waves at you, physical guys. And Oklahoma City, you know, they're not the biggest team in the league, but I'd argue they're the most physical team in the league. Like one through five, they are extremely physical.

They'll bump and grind you and try to take advantage that way. I just think that's a tough matchup for the Knicks and the Pacers if they get to the finals. I'm just waiting to see what, like I think there's more to come with this Nugget series. I just think Denver, I think a game seven in Oklahoma City is going to be tight. It's going to be really tight.

They'll bump and grind you and try to take advantage that way. I just think that's a tough matchup for the Knicks and the Pacers if they get to the finals. I'm just waiting to see what, like I think there's more to come with this Nugget series. I just think Denver, I think a game seven in Oklahoma City is going to be tight. It's going to be really tight.

They'll bump and grind you and try to take advantage that way. I just think that's a tough matchup for the Knicks and the Pacers if they get to the finals. I'm just waiting to see what, like I think there's more to come with this Nugget series. I just think Denver, I think a game seven in Oklahoma City is going to be tight. It's going to be really tight.

And I think we're going to see what Oklahoma City is made of in a game like that.

And I think we're going to see what Oklahoma City is made of in a game like that.

And I think we're going to see what Oklahoma City is made of in a game like that.

Yeah, there's going to be some payroll pairing this offseason. There's no doubt about it. The question is, how significant is that pairing? I think you can safely assume that Sam Hauser will be the first guy to go. I think the Celtics saw enough of Baylor Shireman in the regular season to believe that he can be a lower-cost Sam Hauser replacement.

Yeah, there's going to be some payroll pairing this offseason. There's no doubt about it. The question is, how significant is that pairing? I think you can safely assume that Sam Hauser will be the first guy to go. I think the Celtics saw enough of Baylor Shireman in the regular season to believe that he can be a lower-cost Sam Hauser replacement.

Yeah, there's going to be some payroll pairing this offseason. There's no doubt about it. The question is, how significant is that pairing? I think you can safely assume that Sam Hauser will be the first guy to go. I think the Celtics saw enough of Baylor Shireman in the regular season to believe that he can be a lower-cost Sam Hauser replacement.

You plug him into those Hauser minutes, and I think they feel comfortable with that. The question then becomes, do one of their high-priced guards go? Can they afford to keep Drew Holiday? Can they afford to keep Derek White? Pritchard's on a great contract. He's going to stay. But you've got the question of bringing back Al Horford. What kind of deal does that look like?

You plug him into those Hauser minutes, and I think they feel comfortable with that. The question then becomes, do one of their high-priced guards go? Can they afford to keep Drew Holiday? Can they afford to keep Derek White? Pritchard's on a great contract. He's going to stay. But you've got the question of bringing back Al Horford. What kind of deal does that look like?

You plug him into those Hauser minutes, and I think they feel comfortable with that. The question then becomes, do one of their high-priced guards go? Can they afford to keep Drew Holiday? Can they afford to keep Derek White? Pritchard's on a great contract. He's going to stay. But you've got the question of bringing back Al Horford. What kind of deal does that look like?

What does that do to your payroll? I think the reality is you're going to lose at least a guy in this offseason. The question is, how important is that guy going to be? How ready are you to replace him with whatever you have in-house or you might sign at a low cost in the offseason? I long believe, Ryan, that this team was, as currently constructed, was only protected by a championship.

What does that do to your payroll? I think the reality is you're going to lose at least a guy in this offseason. The question is, how important is that guy going to be? How ready are you to replace him with whatever you have in-house or you might sign at a low cost in the offseason? I long believe, Ryan, that this team was, as currently constructed, was only protected by a championship.