COMEDIAN LOU YOUNG JOINS IT IS WHAT IT IS! | S8 EP71
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The Knicks' loss to the Hawks, despite a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, is attributed to their historical tendency to falter and Jalen Brunson's defensive liabilities.
- ❖Lou Young expresses long-standing skepticism about Karl-Anthony Towns's reliability and Mike Brown's coaching ability, citing Brown's past with LeBron James.
- ❖The Cavaliers are expected to sweep or gentleman's sweep the Raptors, with Brandon Ingram's low scoring identified as a major issue for the Raptors.
- ❖Lou Young suggests Brandon Ingram's relationship with Glorilla might be 'draining his energy,' drawing parallels to the demands of a 'Memphis girl' culture.
- ❖The discussion extends to other celebrity athlete couples, with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift cited as an example of a player who can handle external attention, unlike Brandon Ingram.
- ❖Joel Embiid's consistent injury issues are discussed as a recurring theme for tall NBA players, potentially limiting his record-breaking potential.
- ❖The Dexter Lawrence trade to the Bengals for a 10th overall pick is seen as a good move for Cincinnati, addressing Joe Burrow's call for defensive help.
- ❖The hosts debate the impact of steroids on a player's legacy, using Paul George and Manny Pacquiao as examples where past achievements are questioned after drug test failures.
- ❖The quarterback situation in Cleveland is debated, with Lou Young favoring Shador Sanders over Deshaun Watson, whose performance decline is linked to his legal issues and 'rub and tug' scandal.
- ❖New York football teams now hold 25% of the top 16 NFL draft picks, potentially signaling a resurgence for the Giants, but the Jets' historical mediocrity is highlighted.
Insights
1Knicks' Playoff Faltering and Player Liabilities
The Knicks lost Game 2 to the Hawks despite being up 14 points in the fourth quarter. Mace and Cam attribute this to the Knicks' historical tendency to 'mess up' and Jalen Brunson's defensive struggles against CJ McCollum, despite his high scoring.
Knicks lost 106-107 to the Hawks after being up 14 in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson scored 29 points but was a 'liability on defense' against CJ McCollum.
2Critique of Mike Brown's Coaching and Karl-Anthony Towns's Reliability
Lou Young expresses a lack of belief in Karl-Anthony Towns as a player, regardless of his performance. He also criticizes coach Mike Brown, suggesting 'history repeats itself' and that Brown, like many assistant coaches promoted to head coach, is better suited for a coordinator role, referencing his past tenure with LeBron James in Cleveland.
Lou Young states, 'I've never been a believer of Cat [Karl-Anthony Towns]. I don't care what he does. I can't believe in him.' Regarding Mike Brown, he says, 'He ain't really know what he was doing then [with LeBron in Cleveland]. I don't think he know what he doing now.'
3Impact of Player Relationships on Performance
Lou Young posits that Brandon Ingram's relationship with Glorilla might be negatively affecting his on-court performance, suggesting the 'culture' or the demands of a high-profile partner can 'drain' a player's energy. This is contrasted with Travis Kelce, who is seen as having the 'discipline mentally' to handle a superstar relationship.
Lou Young states regarding Brandon Ingram, 'Got a lot on his plate. Got got glow real at home. Like people got to really start to look at the the the body of work, the foundation. You know what I'm saying? She taking a lot out of my boy.' He later adds, 'I feel like Brandon Ingram is not a dude that warrants that type of attention.'
4The 'Big Man' Injury Curse in the NBA
Mace suggests that exceptionally tall NBA players (7'2" or higher) historically face recurring physical issues, citing a pattern of injuries that limit their careers. This is used to explain Joel Embiid's frequent unavailability and potential impact on his legacy.
Mace states, 'Any player that reach 7'2" or higher, right, they always have something that goes wrong with their body. It's just it's just the history of the game.' He mentions Sam Bowie, Greg Oden, and Chet Holmgren as examples.
5Steroids and Athletic Legacy
The hosts debate how much of an athlete's career should be disregarded if they are caught using steroids. Killer argues that a 'majority' of their history should be questioned because the duration of steroid use is unknown. He uses Paul George's 25-game ban and Manny Pacquiao's performance decline after Olympic drug testing as examples.
Killer states, 'What I just said is a a majority because you don't know how long they've been using it. And just because you get got caught this time, you might not have got caught before.' He references Paul George's 25-game ban and Manny Pacquiao's performance post-USADA testing.
6Dexter Lawrence Trade and NFL Draft Implications
The trade of Dexter Lawrence from the Giants to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick is analyzed. Dexter Lawrence is praised as one of the NFL's best defensive linemen, frequently double-teamed. The trade is seen as beneficial for the Bengals' defense, while the Giants gain significant draft capital, now holding two top-10 picks.
Arabia Tillery notes Dexter Lawrence was 'double teamed at the highest rate in the NFL.' Killer states, 'I'm happy that we got him cuz I heard he's good. And we need some more help on defense.' New York teams now own 25% of the top 16 picks in the draft.
7The 'White Player' Bias in Sports Evaluation
The hosts discuss a perceived bias in how white athletes are evaluated and hyped, using the example of rookie running back Scatabo. They question if his performance is overvalued due to his race, drawing a parallel to Eminem's status in rap compared to black artists like Twista.
Cam asks, 'is Scatible the Eminem of the black running backs?' and Mace elaborates, 'If Twister was white, [people] would be like 'What?'' Killer adds, 'Because he white, because he has good energy, because he, you know, he runs kind of violently. Scatible. Scatterable. Then he go to [expletive] wrestling match. Scatible is a wrestler. That That's point. You made the great point. White, you know what I'm saying? When when it's white, it's all right.'
Bottom Line
The 'energy drain' from a high-profile, demanding relationship can significantly impair an athlete's performance, especially for players not accustomed to intense public scrutiny.
This suggests that team management and player agents should consider the psychological and emotional impact of a player's personal life, particularly their romantic relationships, on their professional output. It moves beyond simple distraction to a more profound 'energy' depletion.
Develop support systems or media training specifically for athletes in high-profile relationships, or for those whose partners are also celebrities, to help them manage external pressures and maintain focus on their sport. This could involve counseling, media strategy, or even 'relationship management' resources.
The historical pattern of injuries in exceptionally tall NBA players (7'2"+) suggests a systemic biomechanical vulnerability, rather than just individual bad luck.
This implies that current training and medical protocols may not be adequately addressing the unique physiological demands and risks associated with extreme height in basketball. It challenges the idea that these players are simply 'unlucky' and points to a deeper, predictable issue.
Invest in specialized biomechanical research and preventative training programs tailored for extremely tall athletes from a young age. This could involve novel strength and conditioning, load management strategies, and early detection of musculoskeletal vulnerabilities to extend careers and maximize potential.
Lessons
- Teams should critically evaluate the 'head coach' potential of coordinators, as many excel in specialized roles but falter when leading an entire team.
- Athletes and their support staff must proactively manage the impact of high-profile relationships and media attention to prevent 'energy drains' on performance.
- When assessing an athlete's legacy or current performance, consider the full context of their health, coaching environment, and any past or suspected performance-enhancing drug use.
Notable Moments
Lou Young reveals his background as a three-star basketball recruit who played against future NBA stars like Victor Oladipo and Quinn Cook, before ultimately pursuing football due to more prominent D1 offers.
This moment establishes Lou Young's credibility and deep understanding of basketball beyond his comedic persona, adding weight to his sports analyses throughout the episode.
Lou Young shares a personal anecdote about how his 'energy in the locker room' extended his NFL career by two years, as veteran teammates advocated for him to stay despite his on-field performance.
This highlights the often-underestimated value of intangible qualities like leadership, camaraderie, and positive locker room presence in professional sports, demonstrating that talent alone isn't always sufficient for career longevity.
Quotes
"If anybody could mess up a league, it's the Knicks. We know this. We grew up watching this. This is the debacle we grew up watching ever since we was young, 9 years old, 10 years old."
"I've never been a believer of Cat [Karl-Anthony Towns]. I don't care what he does. I can't believe in him."
"I think Travis Kelce has a discipline mentally to where he would he won't let the outside affect what goes on in in the trenches. Everybody ain't built like that."
"Once you do steroids, I think you've always done steroids and you just didn't get caught this time."
"When it's white, it's all right. You know what I'm saying? That's where it go."
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