Let me start with this…with it being wet in Oklahoma…I watched First Take this morning with our own Kendrick Perkins. I love Perk. Always have.
My son named his chocolate lab puppy Perk back in 2012 and Perk has been a part of me ever since. The difference between the dog and the NBA player is that not once have I seen Perk the Dog drop or fumble a tennis ball on the fly. If Perk the player had Perk the Lab’s handle he would be in the Hall of Fame and the Thunder would have a banner. He never talks about that on First Take.
Perk said on First Take this morning that the Lakers without Anthony Davis tonight will win Game 5 in Phoenix inside of sold out Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Steven A on the other hand says the Suns win tonight inside of Talking Stick Arena even with it full of Crazy Joe Arpaio types.
On my last three hot takes since the playoffs have begun…I’m 2-1.
I was completely wrong about Miami vs. Milwaukee being the most compelling NBA first round viewing. It was easily the worst first round series.
I was right about Norman Powell being a difference maker if the Trailblazers would use him correctly and allow his co-alpha status to blossom.
I was also right in flatly stating the Toronto Maple Leafs would choke up versus Montreal like Mullet King Mike Gundy standing on the sidelines in a Bedlam game. 1-15—Vegas knows, buddy. You’re the only football coach Tyreke Hill has ever had who couldn’t figure out to get the ball in Tyreke Hill’s hands at least fifteen times game.
That’s 2-1.
I haven’t even looked at the Vegas spread tonight per Lakers vs. Suns. I’m not looking. I’m going in Vegas-blind.
This is a great question.
I’m not talking spread here. I’m talking outright winner.
I like Phoenix in this game for the simple reason both Chris Paul and Devin Booker have their respective legacies on the line tonight. This should be personal with both of them. Lose this game to the Lakers without AD and they both look like posers to a certain degree… like the Toronto Maple Leafs of hoops.
You could very well say this is the most important basketball game in the careers of aging Chris Paul and somewhat youthful Devin Booker on the same night at completely different juxtapositions in their respective careers. You won’t ever read ‘juxtapositions’ melded seamlessly like that on Daily Thunder. Trust me.
I’m taking Phoenix outright and openly challenging Jae Crowder and Torry Craig to bring their Big Boy games to Talking Stick tonight. Remember …role players in post season NBA games usually play much better at home.
I’m taking the Suns tonight.
Perk…as far as I’m concerned your banner should be hanging right next to Nick Collison’s. Love you.