48 Minutes with Ryan Ward on the Lakers and Much More

0:00 ... Ross hello, welcome, and introduces the gang ...

1:14 ... Ross dedicates episode #150 to Zach "Zeebo" Randolph, who wore #50 in his long NBA career.

1:24 ... Ross live commercial read for BetOnLine ...

2:02 ... Bruce introduces tonight's guest, Lakers reporter Ryan Ward

2:40 ... Ryan shares his thoughts on the "Running Point" series on MAX that is based on Lakers owner Jeanie Buss

3:58 ... "World B" points out how streaky the Lakers have been in March and Ryan shares his thoughts on how the team goes on "Benders" at times and remains a puzzle as to how far they're capable of going in the playoffs.

6:11 ... Ross asks what the biggest difference is when LeBron is on the floor vs. when he is not. Ryan has a great analytical point about how the spacing is affected when LeBron is on the floor.

8:10 ... Ross points out that when Luka Doncic is running the offense, there is better motion in LA's offense and Ryan points out how LeBron causes the motion to stop when he has the ball at the top of the key.

9:50 ... Bruce asks Ryan whether LA has what it takes to win key games down the stretch and secure the #2 seeding in the west. Ryan feels they do not. He is concerned that the Lakers could fold quickly in the playoffs.

11:53 ... LA has really struggled on the road this season and Ryan points out that the Lakers had three straight "back to back" road games and sometimes they were guilty of playing down to the level of their opponents.

13:55 ... Bruce points out that Austin Reaves has been an outstanding "third wheel" with LeBron and Luka and Ryan explains how he continues to amaze and will be relied upon heavily in the playoffs. Ryan sees comparisons between Reaves and Hall of Famer Manu Ginobili.

16:40 ... Ross asks Ryan how much LeBron's endorsement has meant to Reaves' development.

17:46 ... Rookie Dalton Knecht has been impressive after returning to the Lakers after having his trade to Charlotte rescinded. Ryan doesn't really understand how coach JJ Redick is using him and thinks they may trade him again if they can get a quality big man in return.

19:39 ... The guys discuss JJ Redick's coaching job in his rookie year. Ryan likes his intensity, passion, and intelligence.

21:09 ... Ross and Ryan discuss Redick's readiness to coach well in the playoffs.

22:52 ... LeBron James has been acting out lately with battles against ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and Brian Windhorst ... Ryan feels there is a "Wrestlemania" element to the whole thing. Especially when LeBron did it on the Pat McAfee's show.

25:37 ... Bruce feels LeBron acted like a bully in his comments about Windhorst and Ryan feels like Stephen A. came out on top in this situation. Ryan loves how Mike Wilbon also checked in with his thoughts on the whole thing.

28:11 ... Ross has two quick hitters about LeBron's positive comments on Giannis Antetokounmpo and also asked Ryan if he and LeBron ever locked horns over something Ryan wrote or said.

30:20 ... Bruce offers Ryan some advice on how he can mix it up with LeBron and make worldwide news if there is ever beef between them.

31:18 ... Ryan tells everyone how to find him on social media and shares an update on his "Jello Jigglin" podcast.

32:14 ... Show reset and discussion of the Boston Celtics, who won their 9th straight game on Monday night. They appear to be peaking at the right time and are ready to flip the switch. Bruce credits head coach Joe Mazzulla with guiding the team through a long season and giving his reserves lots of minutes so they can contribute in the postseason. World B cautions that the Celtics starting lineup has not been as dominant as we expected.

38:08 ... Ross expands the discussion on how Boston's bench has stepped up and how it bodes well for the postseason. Bruce points out the value of veteran Al Horford and what a luxury it is that Boston has him.

38:24 ... The Taylor Jenkins firing is a head scratcher and Bruce is angry that the Grizzlies GM has not really given a good explanation as to why it was done. Bruce is concerned how the lack of information about the firing casts a cloud over Jenkins since some may suspect him of "shenanigans" when there may not have been any. World B feels like the Grizzlies team has tailed off badly in the second half of the season.

41:37 ... Ross wants Suns owner Mat Ishbia to hire Jenkins as the lead assistant for Mike Budenholzer and run the offense in Phoenix.

42:43 ... The Milwaukee Bucks are a hot mess with Damian Lillard out indefinitely ... Bruce thinks former head coach Adrian Griffin might be laughing at the situation he left behind since he was fired with a 30-13 record last season and the Bucks have been pretty "meh" since then, winning just 59 of 113 games. None of the guys feel the Bucks are capable of winning a playoff series at this point.

46:16 ... Breaking news! PJ Tucker is signing a 2 year deal with the Knicks and will be a steady veteran presence. Ross has high praise for PJ whom he worked with in Phoenix and called PJ "the new Taj Gibson.".

47:03 ... The guys recap the Sunday night Pistons/Timberwolves brawl and discuss the Pistons and their "Bad Boy" culture. World B has had enough of the fake "tough guy" act from Isaiah Stewart. Bruce initially thought there would not be any suspensions as a result of the brawl but Ross disagreed and Bruce was convinced and changed his mind.

53:22 ... The guys make their choices for the college hoop championship ... Ross and World B like Houston and Bruce likes Auburn.

54:15 ... Ross says goodbye ...

TRT 54:30

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