But even with the Phoenix taking it to the Lakers and tonight, Harden returns to Houston.

We have it all with this panel.

Plastic Israel Gutierrez, Monica McNutt, Jackie McDonald.

Let's go, guys.

We got to go first on the Lakers.

I'm ready.

Shock.

Yeah, we got better tonight.

Character win.

Those are just some of the clothes coming out of Sons 1 14, Lakers 104 and Phoenix doing it without Devin Booker.

We'll get to his ejection in his 2nd 1st.

How do you characterize this win for the Phoenix Suns jacket?

So it's another in a long line of big wins for the Phoenix Suns.

Stone.

And I know what everybody's gonna say.

Maybe my friend in plasma over there.

Well, the Lakers were under the command and all of that, but they don't put words in my mouth.

Okay, I'll try.

Not with but there.

This is a team that belongs in this discussion that we've had.

There are only two teams in the top 10 in both offensive defense.

You know what one of them is, right?

Tony Utah, playing the game.

You play with us all the time it was the Phoenix Suns.

They're also number one in the league and assist ratio.

And you can thank Chris Paul for that.

Everybody was wondering how much Chris Paul had left.

He has plenty enough left to get this team, which is a really nice blend of veterans and young players playing about as good as anybody is playing right now.

And when you're big time score like Booker goes out in the third quarter under those circumstances and you still keep putting your foot to the metal and take care of business.

That's a team that belongs in the discussion among the top teams.

Oh, you were doing great until you told us about the discussions were in the discussion.

Jackie.

Welcome to the discussion.

Let's see who else can talk about Phoenix L A.

Last night.

Uh, Monica, let's go to you, Tony.

Sorry, flashy.

I do love the stats that Jackie mentioned, but I gotta go to the eye test in terms.

This group.

Are they going to be in the top half of the Western Conference for sure, But do they have enough to get over the hump?

I'm not necessarily sold.

I agree that this was certainly a character win.

Yes, they have winds over the Bucks and the Sixers, in fact, back to back.

But it took me back to the loss to the Nets, 1 28 11 24 when they led most of that game and had 1/4 quarter collapse.

So finishing today or last night?

Rather, it was a seven point game when when Booker went out in the third quarter finishing, I think speaks to them growing in their character Israel.

You see a character win for Phoenix last night?

I do.

I also don't think that I know it's Wednesday, but it's not necessarily about getting over the hump.

Sometimes it's just seeing from the top of the hump.

And if your Phoenix right now, that's where they are, they're just going from a team.

That was, I wouldn't say underrated.

I was probably underperformed rather, and now it seems like with Chris Paul can be a playoff team can be a top four team in the West.

I'm not saying that this team has to win a championship even anytime soon, but right now this is exactly what you want to see from them and to say the reason.

I mean, you can say Devin Booker's growth.

You can talk about Monty Williams.

You can talk about DeAndre Ayton.

But Chris Paul Man.

The criticism that he gets for not getting far enough in the playoffs sort of overshadows all the things that he has done.

And you look at the different styles of teams he's been with Houston.

Complete antithesis of this team where it's not spread out with Phoenix, has seven guys averaging double figures.

It was just a two man team, and he thrived there.

He can thrive here in Oklahoma City.

He's just a great player, and it's so much fun to watch this team grow with him.

It looked like Monica took some umbrage with something you said about the aspirations for championship.

We'll get back to that Monica in the second.

Next.

Okay, Bill PLASCHKE Maybe on Sunday, Everybody slow your roll.

Slow your roll.

You know, LeBron scored 2.1 points per direct drive last night.

That's the best of any NBA player this season.

Going to the hook.

It couldn't stop LeBron.

They didn't have Kuzma.

They didn't have Anthony Davis.

Yes, I agree.

Phoenix is 53 since January.

People's words in your mouth for a reason.

Phil, you're talking about they can't stop.

LeBron, like anyone in the history of basketball in the last 18 years, has been able to stop LeBron.

But please go ahead.

Lakers are off, LeBron.

Actually, the Lakers are also also the Lakers play terrible at home because that's a horrible place with no fans.

It's a it's a big vacuum.

It's like a ghost town where the Lakers will be fine.

The Phoenix Phoenix will make well went around.

But maybe that's about because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.

Bill PLASCHKE last McNutt when you made that face, uh, Israel saying title aspirations in Phoenix, Go ahead.

I mean, is he is right in the big picture.

But I just would say that I don't think Chris Paul has the luxury of waiting time out.

I mean, yes, they might not be a team ready to take the jump over the two other L A teams.

Booker's got a super bright future, but Chris Paul is on the back of all right, so But let's just be clear here.

Can't we just say that the Phoenix Suns are a really good team that may be involved in the higher.

And I don't think any of us are saying after tonight that our last night that the Phoenix Suns should win the championship.

There is super well coached team with a great young big man and a premier score and a really smart veteran.

I like that combination.

Isn't that all we're saying?

We talk about the book of rejection because it was four profane language directed at a referee.

Wasn't ejection worthy Israel?

Yeah, mhm.

Absolutely not.

If you watch it, it's just sort of all the same reaction to one call and even the bounce pass that he gives Mark Davis there, which you would say, maybe visually.

That's the reason he got the second one.

It wasn't even Mark Davis who gave him that second technical foul.

I am of the opinion.

There needs to be a 32nd clock that starts the minute the second you get that first technical and then you can just let it all out because there are different variations of what our guys are allowed to get away with, especially after the first one Draymond green gets away with all kinds of history.

Onyx.

Just give him 30 seconds and then made.

Okay, I think I'm picking up what you're putting down panel thumbs up or thumbs down on Israel's idea here.

Oh, I like that.

I would say this.

20 seconds.

10 seconds.

30 seconds is too long time.

A deep breath, 10 seconds The time it takes to cross the ball off over the court.

And that should be enough.

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