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00:00There's no one better to talk to than our Odyssey NBA insider.
00:03He's a former Cavalier, former 76er, teammate of LeBron James.
00:07He's the great Danny Green.
00:09Danny, thanks so much for joining us on Short Notice.
00:12Thanks for having me, man.
00:13I don't know about the great, but I appreciate the intro.
00:16But yeah, man, interesting news today.
00:19Interesting news.
00:20Yeah.
00:22Let's start right there, Danny.
00:23How shocked were you when you saw the post for Shams
00:27and then you saw LeBron's statement on social media
00:29that he's headed to Philadelphia to try and win the 76ers an NBA championship?
00:37Yeah, I was very shocked, honestly.
00:39I think the most shocking thing was, I guess, the amount he took to go there
00:46because he could have taken that deal, I guess, anywhere in the world.
00:49Again, I didn't see him as a person that would take the minimum.
00:53He could have signed back with L.A. for that type of money.
00:56So I think that's why it's the most shocking.
00:58And I think also, again, when we spoke to him on air or spoke to his agent,
01:03we talked to Rich throughout this process, the biggest drive, he said, was happiness.
01:07You know, and he wasn't ring chasing.
01:10I'm still trying to figure that out and make it make sense in my mind.
01:14But I do love this for the city of Philly.
01:16I love this for, you know, Nick Nurse and Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, you know,
01:21Jalen Brown, you had a team that's in contention that could possibly make some special things happen.
01:25But for LeBron James, I'm still trying to figure out the legacy part of how this makes sense.
01:31What do you think of it as a basketball fit, Danny?
01:34It's a good basketball fit.
01:35I mean, you got him at the four, Jalen Brown at the three, Tyrese and Vijay at the two, one
01:39and two,
01:40and then Joel.
01:41But a lot relies on whether or not they're healthy, of course.
01:44We know that aspect of it.
01:46We know LeBron is going to be 42 this year, and him, seeing how many games he can play.
01:51But in the playoffs, you get this group that's healthy, and you're in the East.
01:55You know, anything is possible.
01:56Everybody has a chance of doing something special in East because it's pretty wide open.
02:00But the Knicks, I still think, are the clear favorites, regardless of, you know,
02:05what moves have been made in this Eastern Conference.
02:10I'm sure 76er fans today are over the moon with this.
02:14But also, too, now I think a lot of pressure and expectation.
02:19You played in front of those folks.
02:21We make the jokes about them.
02:23You know, they booed Santa Claus.
02:25I mean, after they won the Super Bowl, the next day they're calling radio stations
02:29complaining about the Eagles' offense.
02:31And, you know, I joke that they're a blend between New York and Boston fan,
02:36but only grumpier.
02:38But, like, just, like, what if LeBron doesn't deliver a championship?
02:43Could you imagine those fans booing him?
02:47Yes, I could.
02:48I mean, again, everybody that's been through Philly has been booed.
02:51They're a great fan base.
02:52They love their teams.
02:54But it's not an easy one.
02:55And if you're not producing, they're going to be on your ass.
02:58Like, that's just, you know, fair to expect.
03:02And he's played in some of the top, you know, organizations with the most
03:05magnifying glass and Lakers organizations.
03:07If you feel like you play there, you can play anywhere.
03:09But those Philly fans aren't just cyber bullies.
03:11You know, they're real-life bullies.
03:14But, again, I think it'll be a fun, exciting year for them.
03:17But you better believe those Philly fans are going to be on you if you're not
03:20producing or doing it.
03:22Because we were, I think, a number one team when I was there at one point.
03:24We got booed because we were not playing well in the third quarter.
03:27We ended up, I think, I don't know if we won that game or not,
03:30but we've been booed for a lot less.
03:32So, you better believe if they have these expectations of what a championship
03:35or being special and they don't come to that, Philly's going to be very upset.
03:39But, again, LeBron James, he's reached and met every challenge.
03:42He's always over-exceeded or, you know, sucked up to the plate when everybody
03:46had these expectations for him.
03:48So, I don't think there's any difference for him here.
03:50Danny Green joining us on the Wiseheart Right.
03:52We make it right.
03:52Call Kyle Wright Hotline.
03:54Of course, he's our Odyssey NBA insider, former Cavalier, former 76er,
03:58former Los Angeles Laker as well, and former teammate of LeBron.
04:01So, you know, pretty good guy to have on right now.
04:03I must say, that's a hell of a resume when you say it out loud.
04:07So, if you are the Cavaliers right now, Danny,
04:10what are you doing to improve this team?
04:12Are you getting on the phone and calling Jonathan Kamiga and begging,
04:14or do you go a different direction?
04:17What do you think?
04:19I don't think you need to beg anybody.
04:20You have a good team as its constructor right now.
04:23I'm sure they're going to probably now get that deal done with James
04:26since LeBron's at the table of that extension and figure out.
04:31But, yeah, you definitely need to be proactive.
04:33I'd get Kamiga.
04:34I think he's a good piece.
04:35You got to make sure you're staying young and athletic and in contention.
04:38But you're a really good team.
04:39Went to the conference finals and bring back that same group.
04:42I think you have a really good chance of being, you know,
04:44pretty good the following year as well.
04:46Danny, on the Game Over podcast,
04:49or one of the many that Rich Paul ended up doing during this LeBron-a-thon,
04:56if you will, when he spoke about the Cavaliers,
05:00he had mentioned James Harden but no Darius Garland being a negative
05:06for the Cavaliers.
05:08Just looking at the situation as a whole,
05:14how James played in the playoffs, which some nights great,
05:18some nights the turnovers were there.
05:20Should the Cavaliers regret that trade,
05:25trading Darius to the Clippers for James?
05:28Regret?
05:30Yeah.
05:31I don't know, man.
05:33I mean, he made the decision.
05:35I don't think it's a regret type of thing.
05:38I mean, Darius and James are very similar.
05:40Darius is younger.
05:41He's a smaller guard.
05:42But when it came to playoff production,
05:44I don't think it was a big difference in that.
05:45You know?
05:49I mean, you made the move.
05:50It was hard to take steps back now.
05:52And you also made the handshake agreement,
05:55which we all assume happened for this extension.
05:57So you signed him because he is a good player.
05:59James is still a really good player,
06:00good facilitator, good playing cards,
06:04and can make some things happen for your team.
06:06And now you've got to surround him and Donovan
06:08with the right pieces.
06:09And I think also keep Evan Mobley.
06:11Everything else, you lost Dean Wade.
06:13That's a tough blow.
06:14Keon Ellis is gone.
06:15You still have Strews there.
06:16You still have Schroeder.
06:18You've got to figure it out.
06:19You've got to get, you know,
06:20try to find ways to get better.
06:21But, I mean, at this point,
06:23I mean, it's kind of soon to regret.
06:25You only had James for like four months.
06:28If you knew this,
06:29if you thought it took you four months
06:30to make a bad decision,
06:31isn't something you knew was going to happen,
06:33you know, before I guess the trade was made,
06:36of my assumption.
06:37So, yeah, I don't know if there's regret there yet or not.
06:41So, word on the street, Danny,
06:42was that there was,
06:43that the Celtics would have been interested
06:45in a Jalen Brown through Evan Mobley type of trade.
06:49Of course, that's all just rumors and rumblings.
06:50And we all know that all this stuff is hot air
06:52until it's official.
06:53But if you're Evan Mobley
06:54and you're looking at what the Cavaliers
06:57possibly decided not to do for you,
06:59is that making you get in the gym and work harder?
07:01And how much pressure is on Evan Mobley
07:03to make that leap?
07:05When you're a star player,
07:06pressure's on every year.
07:07So, I mean,
07:08these moves shouldn't have to ignite anybody.
07:10I think he's just a kid that's self-motivated.
07:12But, yes,
07:13you losing and not be able to win
07:15and get to the finals
07:16and not step up
07:17or people doubting you
07:18and not saying you could do this or do that,
07:19that should be motivation enough
07:21to get there.
07:22But, yes,
07:23seeing the fact that,
07:24you know,
07:25team might be willing to trade you
07:26for this other person
07:27or put you on the block for that
07:28or not set you up
07:29or look at you as a franchise guy.
07:31And, you know,
07:32those things should be
07:34also ulterior motive,
07:36motivations.
07:38But I think Evans is the kid
07:39that will be in the gym regardless.
07:40But, yes,
07:40he's a guy that they need
07:41to start building around
07:42and have found those pieces.
07:44I thought it made the most sense
07:45for Bron to go back home.
07:46But, obviously,
07:47he had a different choice in mind.
07:50But now it's, you know,
07:51Evan, the floor is yours.
07:52It's your team.
07:53And you need to figure it out
07:54and go take it
07:55and let people know
07:55that you're a focal point.
07:57It needs to be a focal point.
07:58Is that leap in Evan Mobley, Danny?
08:01Say that again?
08:01Is that in him, you think,
08:03to make that leap?
08:05I think so.
08:06I like Evan.
08:07I love Evan's game.
08:08And, you know,
08:08I know his dad,
08:09I know his family.
08:10You know,
08:10they work hard.
08:11And he's the kid
08:12that's gotten better each year.
08:13I know sometimes
08:14the numbers don't show that
08:15an opportunity.
08:16But it's upon him
08:17now to take that opportunity
08:18and let them know,
08:19like, this is my team.
08:20So, I think he has it in them.
08:23What are your thoughts
08:24on the offseason
08:26that Mike Gansey has had
08:27since leaving the Cavaliers
08:28as GM
08:29and going to Philadelphia
08:31and taking over
08:31as their president?
08:32I was offseason.
08:33Yeah.
08:33I mean,
08:34getting Jalen Brown,
08:35getting LeBron James.
08:36I mean,
08:38congratulations,
08:39Nick Nurse.
08:39Congratulations, Mike Gansey.
08:40Like, they're doing
08:41some really good moves.
08:41Bob Myers over there, too,
08:42right, if I'm not mistaken.
08:43Yeah, Bob Myers, too.
08:45They're doing some good stuff
08:45over there, man.
08:46Darryl Moore just missed out.
08:47You know,
08:48Jameer Nelson's over there.
08:49Ellen Brown,
08:49I think, is in a different role.
08:51But Philly's doing
08:52some good things, man.
08:53So, I'm happy
08:53for the city of Philly.
08:54I'm happy for the team.
08:55I'm happy for the guys
08:55out there.
08:56And especially Mike Gansey.
08:57He's making some
08:57really good moves.
08:58Is it wrong of me
08:59as much as I respect
09:00the job that Kobe Altman's
09:01done with the Cavs
09:02that I think that they
09:03might have kept
09:04the wrong guy
09:05in the front office?
09:08Man, that's...
09:09I don't know, man.
09:11I wouldn't say that.
09:12But especially...
09:13Yeah, I don't know.
09:14I wouldn't say that.
09:15I love Kobe.
09:15I think he's done
09:16some great things.
09:16And I think this conversation
09:18would be different
09:19if LeBron James landed
09:20back in Cleveland.
09:21Yeah.
09:21I think now we're like,
09:23oh, this is bad
09:24because you missed out
09:25on LeBron.
09:25We thought that naturally
09:26he would have an inclination
09:28to want to go back home, right?
09:29And finish his career there.
09:31And then maybe
09:32other moves would be made.
09:33They might not keep
09:34a James Harden.
09:35They might move
09:35a James Harden.
09:36They might not keep
09:36a Jared Allen.
09:37It might be some type
09:37of trade or move.
09:39But now the fact
09:40that he's gone
09:42somewhere else
09:43and the roster
09:43sits at where it's at,
09:45you're like, damn.
09:46Now it's like some regret.
09:47But, you know,
09:48it's all because
09:48of the decision
09:49of one person.
09:49But, again,
09:50you still went
09:50to the Eastern Conference Finals.
09:51That's a hell of a season.
09:53That's a season
09:53to be celebrated
09:54as a four seed
09:55to get to
09:55the Eastern Conference Finals.
09:56And then you keep
09:57these guys together
09:58and might be able
09:58to even get better
09:59next year.
09:59You stay healthier.
10:01I know James
10:02is more available
10:02than Darius is
10:03most of the time
10:03during the regular season,
10:04so that'll help a ton.
10:06But, yeah,
10:07I think it would be
10:08a difference, too,
10:08when LeBron made
10:10a different decision.
10:11Danny Green
10:12joining us
10:12on the Rise Heart.
10:13Right.
10:14We make it right.
10:15Call Kyle Wright hotline,
10:16our Odyssey NBA insider.
10:19Just on a total
10:20basketball nerd question,
10:21Danny,
10:22you played for Nick Nurse.
10:23He's got to be
10:23just completely
10:25losing his mind right now
10:26and is just probably
10:27going a beautiful mind
10:28on the whiteboard, right?
10:29Yeah, it's a quick
10:30turnaround for him.
10:31I mean, he was in the dumps
10:32just a couple years ago.
10:33You take the job in Philly
10:34to give a chance to win
10:35and then things go south,
10:37a lot of injuries
10:37and things that have happened
10:39and suspensions
10:40and all the other things
10:41that are taking place
10:42and now you've got
10:43Jay LeBron and LeBron James.
10:44So, like, man,
10:46it's a good day
10:48to be Nick Nurse
10:48and I'm sure he's very excited
10:49about the opportunity
10:50to coach all these guys
10:52and a group that finally
10:53has a chance
10:53to be in contention again
10:55since he left Toronto.
10:57So, yeah,
10:58I'm happy for him
10:59and I know he's excited
10:59about this opportunity.
11:01LeBron did mention
11:02a couple of times
11:03in his statement
11:04about winning the championship
11:05even though Rich Paul
11:08during the lead-up
11:09to all this
11:10was kind of downplaying
11:11that a little bit
11:12and more focused
11:13on the happiness
11:14and I think, well,
11:14the happiness with LeBron
11:15is competing
11:16for NBA championships.
11:18He's looking for
11:19one for the thumb.
11:21He's looking to go
11:21four for four
11:22as far as franchises
11:23he's played for
11:24and winning championships.
11:27I just, I'm wondering
11:30though, you know,
11:33like, does this now
11:34make the 76ers
11:35the favorites in the East?
11:37Does it make them
11:38a favorite
11:39to win the NBA championship
11:40in your mind?
11:42How close does this
11:43push Philadelphia
11:44to ending that title drought?
11:47A favorite?
11:47No, not a favorite.
11:49I would say
11:49they're in contention.
11:51I still have the Knicks
11:52as a favorite
11:52to come out the East
11:54to me.
11:55And, I mean,
11:57favorite to win
11:57the championship
11:58and I, you know,
12:00I like what
12:01San Antonio and OKC
12:03is on, like,
12:03even though Knicks won,
12:04like, those are
12:04the top three teams
12:05to me.
12:05Outside of that,
12:06everybody is content.
12:07People can put
12:08themselves in contention,
12:09but they're not favorites.
12:11So, yeah,
12:12really good team though,
12:13but no, not favored
12:14to win, not favored
12:15to come out the East
12:16in my mind,
12:16but they are contenders.
12:20Danny, you think
12:20we're going to see
12:21maybe a Jared Allen
12:22move coming our way
12:23as well to maybe
12:24try to get Evan
12:24Mobley a little bit
12:25more of a focal point
12:26and a pick and roll,
12:27get him more touches
12:27and more ideas?
12:29Or do you think
12:29that pairing of Jared Allen
12:30and Evan Mobley
12:31is a great fit
12:32and it should stay
12:32where it is?
12:34I mean,
12:35I like how the fit was.
12:37I mean,
12:37I wouldn't mind.
12:38It depends if you get
12:39something better.
12:40I could see a move
12:41happening.
12:41You can get some
12:42better pieces
12:43to surround those guys
12:44and him to make
12:46the fit better
12:46and get them more attention.
12:48But Jared Allen's
12:49a really good big.
12:49He's a great rim protector.
12:51He's a great roller
12:51and finisher around the rim.
12:53He had a great game
12:55sevens against
12:56all the teams
12:57they played
12:58in the series.
12:59So I think he's
13:00very valuable.
13:02But yeah,
13:02I don't know.
13:03I just don't see
13:04anything out there
13:04that's better
13:05fitted right now
13:07that can make,
13:09enhance his team,
13:10especially his role,
13:11Evan's role,
13:12and make James
13:14and Don
13:15better in the
13:16pick and roll situation.
13:18Danny,
13:19thanks so much
13:19for joining us
13:20on Short Notice.
13:21He's our NBA
13:23insider here at Odyssey.
13:24Danny Green,
13:24the former Cav,
13:25former 76er,
13:26former Laker,
13:27former LeBron teammate.
13:28Thanks again
13:29and look forward
13:30to catching up
13:30with you soon.
13:31Thanks, Danny.
13:31Appreciate you, man.
13:32Appreciate you guys.
13:33Tell us.
13:33Let's do it, man.
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