The Mavs Take Game 1. Plus, What’s Wrong With Ant? | The Ryen Russillo Podcast

Ryen Russillo recaps the Mavericks’ win over the Timberwolves in the first game of the Western Conference finals. He runs through how the Jaden McDaniels vs. Kyrie Irving matchup was a problem for Minnesota, and what the problem is with Anthony Edwards’s offensive approach right now-and whether it can be attributed to health or Dallas’s defense.
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[@pstratos7]

Only thing “wrong” with Ant is that you guys spend a month saying he’s the new Jordan

[@JazzYachtrocker]

So many faxes I’m running out of ink

[@queque5606]

He was looking like Jordan vs weak defenders lmao let’s see if he still got it

[@gabriel-uc1uz]

Really enjoyed the random beach story.

[@David-iv6je]

8:41 cracks me up. Yeah, Kyrie wants to be a guru. He's a great ball players and kind of a dumbass about life. That was RR's point.

[@MikeWazowskisBurner]

Why did that guy come over to him on the beach though? 🤔

[@David-iv6je]

@@MikeWazowskisBurner Dude have you seen Russillo's body building game? Guy was hitting on him.

[@aron.gortman]

@@David-iv6je EXACTLY.

[@KwisBwown]

@@David-iv6je cos he didnt simp for the vax? LMAO

[@mouseinthehouse_]

The amount of mental gymnastics that have to be performed to excuse the continued bad play of the latest media darling Anthony Edwards is astounding.

[@angelogiaquinto1918]

He shoot bad the last few games, but his defense was great in game 7. Continued...hardly

[@pakilo2004]

​@angelogiaquinto1918 Then he's not ready to be dubbed Baby Jordan by the entire sports media 🙄 if he can't do both things like MJ did. They beat the nuggets, wood, Dallas is way different and has 2 assassins.

[@user-wz7eb9lj7f]

Wolves is just a bad matchup for the Nuggets. The Mavs on the other hand is just average against the Nuggets. BUT with the Mavs going toe2toe with the Wolves, i have confidence with the Mavs. Despite what analysts say that Wolves have bigger frontcourt and yes Ant. He aint consistent. Amazing, but not consistent. Scoring yes but unlike Luka and Kyrie, he aint play maker.

[@pakilo2004]

@user-wz7eb9lj7f umm, Jokic had problems with Lively. I think the Mavs are just a better squad and they have size to throw at the nuggets as well.

[@CodemanAmerica]

@@pakilo2004 You realize Minnesota played TERRIBLE compared to what they usually do in Game 1, right?

[@kazoochamp1]

I want nothing more than for ryen and bill to watch kyrie beat the Celtics in the finals and have to think of ways to still throw shots at kyrie but also sing his praises

[@jasonau427]

Its a mental illness at this point

[@frankmaitland1254]

Exactly. Luka PLUS Kyrie something different.

[@rpol8540]

I love how kyrie’s post game has Rusillo seething

[@tadah21]

Yea he dislikes kyrie leaving Boston has made him and Bill members of same club

[@b3ve_stuscemi]

love the addition of the clips to ry's description of the plays good work

[@amc1140]

I thought the NBA didn't allow using clips

[@MangosInTrees]

@@amc1140they typically don’t but sometimes depending on how it’s done they can get away with it

[@mrgjg]

Kyrie and Luka did what they’re supposed to do. They were great, but the unsung hero for the Mavs in these playoffs has been D-Live. Kids 20yrs old and plays like a seasoned vet.

[@scarletspider1240]

Yeah he’s crazy good and very aware of what’s going on in the game around him. I’ve been impressed with him.

[@mrgjg]

@@scarletspider1240 Yup, high basketball IQ. You can't teach that.

[@THE_BEAR_JEW]

@@mrgjg You can teach it. That's what coaching is.

[@vandalissimus]

He is great but the guy has bad hands. You put him with a worse passer than Luka or Kai and you got yourself a problem

[@user-nk9fe1bk4q]

@@vandalissimusWho has bad hands? D-Liv? Have you watched any Mavs games this year? D-Liv has great hands and is a solid passer too for a big. He will continue to improve his game… both of our centers have good hands.

[@daviday87]

Another thing about Kyrie I noticed is he intentionally baits & fakes Gobert on multiple plays, almost as if he’s trained specifically to counter Gobert’s skillset. There was an alley-oop he tossed up but tricked Gobert by holding onto it a split second longer than a usual lob plus tossing it super high up to give the impression he was going for a high arching layup…My mind was blown watching the replay and seeing Gobert’s face getting tricked step-by-step.

[@brandonperez2267]

The crazy thing about that play when Ky just ran up the court with his left and finished with the left was that when he saw KAT and Ant moving to the paint he speeds up and uses the lagging Mcdaniels as a screen to score over three defenders. You can't coach that ish.

[@Jaywrites23]

Twolves are very undisciplined matching up in transition

[@reneewilliams5777]

Can't defend it either

[@kevinc8955]

@@Jaywrites23Because they are 3/4 court pressing like it’s college. That works on below average ballhandlers. Not Kyrie. Kyrie just gets by you and now it’s a 5 on 4 if he doesn’t slow down.

[@dannymcguire3623]

The beach story was priceless😂

[@mdbroncosfan]

I appreciate Ryen's self-awareness sharing the beach story and that he, and we all, are susceptible to a "I'm enlightened and have some sage wisdom to share" moment. Kyrie has more of those than the average dude, but hey, he's fun to watch play basketball.

[@ollytropics1735]

Meh I listen to what ever advice from whoever there's no downside in considering it imo

[@parkerC1990s]

The Ant man hype looking funny rn.

[@kingalexander3198]

Only if you actually believed he was the next Jordan 😂😂😂

[@JuanMota27]

Facts 😂😂😂😂😂

[@parkerC1990s]

@@kingalexander3198 some real clowns over there at Disney man I tell you

[@lukechiarieri3269]

What’s crazy is that Charles Barkley right before game started said to watch out for these Minnesota players to get gassed at the end with how excited the fans were in the beginning. Good stuff from Charles calling it

[@ericheffner112]

And Chuck switched his pick before the game. Smart.

[@lukechiarieri3269]

@@ericheffner112he heard how loud they were before tip off lol

[@THE_BEAR_JEW]

The Mavs are just a different challenge than whatever the Wolves have faced so far. They were able to cruise vs the Suns because the Suns didn't force em to expend any energy on the offensive end. They were able to just gang up on Jokic and not worry about overexerting themselves defensively because they had so many bodies to throw at him. The Mavs have big guys too, and they have PJ, Luka, and Kyrie who can all create their own shot... so it's forcing the Wolves to either pace themselves or be gassed. That said, the Wolves aren't going anywhere and it'll be a dogfight all the way through. It is the WCF after all.

[@Joes35]

It will definitely be a 6 or 7 game series but Mavs present much different challenges than the Nuggets like you said

[@WaRi-rd2we]

Been saying what I’ve seen zero say leading up to game. Minny is good on D, but they aren’t a physical team. The Mavs are actually more physical and I felt it was going to be different for TWolves.

[@willzsportscards]

I kind of knew this was going to happen. Kyrie and Luka both (in different ways) are great at dealing with overly aggressive defenders. Wolves in troooooooooouble.

[@mrgjg]

Kyrie was craaaaazy in the first half! He was doing things that defy physics.

[@user-ec9fs5zp2y]

“Russilo, the Kyrie pice tho..” “Wait, wut?”

[@jackmoon7885]

FREE SLIGHTLY

[@TheDustin151]

If Luka was “gassed” would guys make that an excuse for him in a loss or would you be talking about him being fat and out of shape?

[@claydouglas2526]

Don’t forget about his chainsmoking…dude needs to take better care of himself

[@kingalexander3198]

@@claydouglas2526well judging from game 1 it looks like he’s in better shape than Ant at least.

[@markbantz9699]

Kyrie is way more likeable than Russillo!

[@k_hack9441]

Troll

[@agayactornamedmichaeldougl6289]

​@@k_hack9441nah, hes right.

[@user-tt1hx2nm4p]

🤡​@@k_hack9441

[@BigtunaG]

Kyrie Hating on another level its embarrassing

[@lucasepps818]

Kyrie is underrated. Best handles, ever, and greatest under the rim finisher of all time.

[@matthewgardner8479]

Beach story was hilarious 😂

[@ireqsavagevocaldinosaur5795]

Kyrie had a great post game interview you hating Kyrie piece, Ruselloooo

[@davincerica7232]

It's not just speed with Kyrie... Fox breaks you with speed. I think with Kyrie, It's the little things, footwork, change of speed, both hands very soft, every shot you like, weird angles, jumps quickly...

[@amazonfinds9157]

McDaniels would start playing him with more space he would adjust

[@davincerica7232]

@@amazonfinds9157 exactly

[@mikeesposito2552]

“wow that guy just fucked me up pretty bad” 😂😂😂😂

[@rulifaller8474]

There have been two heavily populated tunnels in these playoffs: the Knicks tunnel and the Ant tunnel. The reality is that they both had great performances, but both also had bad to mediocre performances. It is part of what they are right now.

[@hairlokk8672]

Forgot the SGA tunnel. Mavs love to fill them tunnels

[@willzsportscards]

Kyrie and young Lebron are the two fastest down the court dribblers I've ever seen. When they hit top speed, it's insane to be honest.

[@BigginsInAmerica]

Is Russillo so ignorant he doesn't know why Luka's injuries aren't mentioned? He never notices all of NBA media says SGA is younger than Luka when SGA was born before Luka?

[@reneewilliams5777]

Luka is not bothered by at all by their lengthy defenders after dealing with Lu Dort for six games. He can easily back down McDaniels and NAW . Where as Lu Dort didn't budge

[@amazonfinds9157]

They would put Naz Reid on it

[@MapMeezy]

Beach story is gold

[@kspence98]

He’s gassed bc Kyrie was working him and having g him chase him all over the floor. Give Mavs credit man

[@natashakuzmanoska9656]

How can you not like Kyrie, just ignore sage/spiritual staff if it is not your thing, but usually he gives good insights and it seems that he was a little bit challenged by Ant comments, he is very much interested about the narrative around him as legend of basketball and he wants respects from youngsters.

[@HonorEmblem]

“I can have a little Kyrie in me.” PAUSE!

[@calvinMcollins]

Beach part was great, our humble king 👑

[@EnthusiasticLock-hn4qp]

I was really interested in hearing these opinions after watching last nights game. I like the highlight added into the video. 👍

[@davidmtorrence]

😂😂 that story will forever live in my head

[@WesleyMarsh9758]

Everyone was so ready to crown Ant as the next guy but it seems we didn’t stop to consider this might actually be Luka’s year. Of course it’s a long series and I expect reactionary takes all the way through until the end of this series

[@briandavey1139]

Curious if ant heard and believed it.

[@kalebduggar4251]

I think many have actually.

[@AdamHammond-]

​@@briandavey1139 I did. I'm a lifelong Mavs fan. I believed the hype (not that Ant > Luka of course, but general MIN hype) and picked Wolves in 6.

[@briandavey1139]

@@AdamHammond- I hear ya.. but Dallas has 2 killers, if they get a little out side shooting min in real trouble.. just curious if ant been reading all the hype and believing it..cause you better be locked in mentally trying to dance w luka/kyrie

[@MrMathsimon]

Mavs in 6.

[@cameronbolden5064]

When Kyrie shows you he can go off in almost every game at anytime. I think we can accept him saying he’s choosing to be passive shooting wise in the first half to get the other guys going. Oh and it’s worked

[@scarletspider1240]

Kyrie ain’t no Jamal Murray…that’s for sure…they ain’t playing the Nuggets anymore.

[@gavincarlson3892]

That 2nd play you showed with kyrie is one of those where you say “why doesn’t he do that EVERY time down the court?” See it a lot with Zion too!!

[@nikkrelj471]

So ae are already starting with Ant excuses?

[@digiduge25]

Kyrie is very likable, your ego is getting in the way Ryen 😈

[@Millisecond420]

I think you mean politics

[@David-iv6je]

Yeah he's really not.

[@jackjr2673]

that ebay story is now my favorite

[@sy12]

You nailed it. They have to adjust the way they guard. Keep them in front of you and you have the length to bother the shot on a close out.

[@mxhughes]

With kyrie you hafta expect the unexpected with him.He's so crafty while also so calm and collected internally to never seem like he pressuring too much that's a strong trait to have as a person nevermind playing a sport

[@ChillStudyDate]

Kinda reminds you of another 1-2 punch with Kyrie and you know how that punch went

[@cindyfagerstrom8825]

Size was the Wolves strength in their matchup against the Nuggets. They matched Denvers size. The Mavs have two stars and some role players, playing over their heads based on past performance. Tougher matchup for the Wolves.

[@kalebduggar4251]

12:15 ayyyye!!! The Luka update and it’s positive, #GoMavs!!!🤘🏽🤙🏽✌🏽

[@Jaywrites23]

2:55 Naz gets in the way of Jaden setting an inadvertent screen for Kyrie

[@David-iv6je]

I thought getting both the bigs out to the 3 pt line opens up off-ball cuts and rolls was working better. Without, the Wolves were closed out of the lane. And maybe not run through KAT, but he can pass to Gobert on the roll, he can pop, and he can pass to other cutters. They did this kind of action only a couple times but the lane was a canyon when they did.

[@Matt-Edwards-MEdia]

Well said - two close teams look entirely different at the start of games 2 (because new openers) and 3 (new home floor).

[@thatguy8474]

Oh man, the story about providing unsolicited wisdom and getting shut down killed me 😂

[@kailo99]

The beach story is what I would show somebody when making my argument on why RR is the goat

[@kalebduggar4251]

Tru dat!👏🏽 14:36 #when’sgame2? #goMavs!

[@ineedsaltplease620]

Adding the tape is a good idea. Once you integrate that you're going to really be doing something

[@kalebduggar4251]

10:20 that was a great story. 😂And I wonder if it highlights the difference between successful 25-30 yr olds and well…us. 🤣

[@KwisBwown]

very funny mayne. really enjoyed the beach story. GET DA VAX FOR BIG PHARMA

[@22steve_]

ant is just finally playing a great defense with some sort of rim protection which he didn't face the prior two rounds, welcome to real playoff basketball

[@reneewilliams5777]

Minnesota played right into the Mavericks plan. And Dallas is a really good defense too! With 2 Superstar ball handlers

[@kalebduggar4251]

Connley has to help Rudy for just a second here and pray Jaden knows to jump the first pass. 3:17

[@jimreadey4837]

3:15 Did Gafford interfere with the ball during Kyrie's layup, here? Looks like he came through the rim from underneath, and popped the ball up. Almost like he thought it was about to carom away from the rim, so he needed to adjust the bounce.

[@mrgjg]

Ant is over rated. The media so want him to be the face of the NBA. Anybody but Luka or Joker. Its sickening.

[@pakilo2004]

Keyshawn must be your brother. Cuz yall think so much alike 😂

[@kalebduggar4251]

Completely agree with you on this one. Especially after he’s been completely dogging him on the press all game. Assuming they still want to apply pressure beyond the 3 ( doesn’t seem to be working for them, but…), then you need to step back 2-3 steps and pick him until on the other side of halfcourt. This isn’t a gimpy Jamal Murry you can hamper 72-90ft out. Dial it back to 3/4 court on your side or maybe a high low half court trap. Kyrie is going to take your lunch money for 4 games if this is the game plan. 3:43 Also so it’s known I would prefer he takes their lunch money #GoMavs. Oh ya last thing…is Luka gimpy this series. Hopefully you’ll let us know.

[@mico6155]

Ant is clearly gassed

[@THE_BEAR_JEW]

And inexperienced.

[@EC52811]

And overrated 😭

[@Joes35]

Lol tired excuses in game 1 for a 22 year old? He played bad, y’all overrated him and that’s ok. Instead of admit that, just make excuses. Mavs are winning this series because they have the best player easily and Kyrie is just a much much better version of Jamal Murray.

[@chll3194ch]

@@Joes35and no one can guard Luka

[@shobhanabista186]

Jayden McDaniels looked more like Stefan Curry than Ant man looking like Jordan ...less than 20 in 2 straight games..what a joke of an excuse?

[@kalebduggar4251]

Ya see I don’t think Kyrie even turned on the “footrace” burners here. He just used 11 as a screen. 3:07

[@travisstewart8655]

It’s not the speed, it’s the quickness they’re two separate things.

[@ricie4]

Luka is that guy .

[@markbantz9699]

Ant spent the first half chasing Kyrie!!

[@kalebduggar4251]

See here my coach is on my ass for that. All that pressure did was advance the ball. He needs to check him past half if he’s gassed or even just that slow. 3:15

[@gamerzwithjobs330]

The amount of disrespect bill and Ryan give the mavs is CRAZY. I love y’all but both of you have been wildin on the mavs

[@garrett2910]

All I heard in the first 2 rounds was Luka wasn’t hurt, if he’s out there he’s fine, I don’t care if ant is hurt he’s playing

[@mariussolerbach]

What about Dallas defense? Not a single word. It's hilarious the disrespect to the Mavs from Bill Simmons and his Ringer Goons.

[@TCRgalaxy]

Steph is clearly the GOAT

[@chadlaughlin-vr7yf]

Look back at the fall he took in game 6 and Ants explosiveness since then. I hate when team's don't disclose injuries because guys wanna be "tough", but Ant has a lower back injury.

[@JTMont21]

Mcdaniels is only 185lbs. Luka is listed at 230.

[@carlosbenedetti6687]

Wow Rusillo, what’s up with the kyrie post game interview hate. Let the man be lol

[@cameronbolden5064]

He was deff calling out Kyrie and Kyrie himself said he was motivated. Look at how ant man was with Durant in round one and with the nuggets in round 2. I think Kyrie saw any go at his boy KD and wasn’t gunna let him clown him like that after him calling him out

[@scarletspider1240]

B..b..b…b…ut he’s the next Jordan and the new face of the league!!!!! Typical media and commentary crowning someone before they’ve fully earned it. Bunch of clowns. 🤡

[@MaxJulien2701]

Kyrie literally said he was motivated by Ant's comments in the post game...

[@johnnevins7666]

So you’re taking shots at Kyrie saying he’s doing this “sage thing”. Basically saying he’s not being authentic. I don’t know you in the least, just another anonymous poder to me. But hasn’t Kyrie proven he’s not the same person that he used to be. Maybe it’s not a sage thing, maybe it’s just who he is as a matured adult man and father. Kyrie seems like he’s in a really good place. Mentally and physically. He’s all positivity and good vibes and I believe that everything he says is truly authentic to the man he’s become. He’s going about things in the right way, on and off the court. Kyrie is the unquestioned leader and glue that is holding this team together. He’s a man that’s made a lot of mistakes, there is no argument there. But this version of Kyrie is the best player and person he’s ever been. It’s time to give the old narratives a rest and see the man for who he is today. He’s come a long way.

[@timothyhester476]

45pts win then 20pts come back win then vs Dallas speed attack yeah I can see that happens

[@jessejamesgames8148]

How are we calling Ant the two way king when tatum is better than ANT on offense and defense...

[@pstratos7]

Ant is funny in interviews so he’s the media darling now, JT is just a great basketball player

[@fredrickboudreaux1991]

He can’t help himself from insulting Kyrie

[@pstratos7]

He’s like Bill with LeBron, they can’t resist taking random shots at them

[@TheLilmuzzy]

There’s a little Kyrie in all of us

[@michaelmartinez622]

ANT is young and he dissappears he's done it throughout the season.

[@derekmurrey9655]

The beach story made me laugh. That being said, i think its time to lay off Kyrie a bit. I think he has alot of wisdom to offer considering his on court career up to this point.

[@EduardoOliveira-zx9ju]

Covid happened in 2020! Media did themselves a SIGNIFICANT disservice making Kyrie the villain character! Media is having trouble moving on

[@kalebduggar4251]

2:52 it seemed like; to me anyway that if 11 isn’t going to trap baseline here he owes it to ( whom are we talking about here, Jaden McDaniels?) Kryie’s defender to come up earlier at or before half court to at least get out of the way so that (we’re going to call Kyrie’s defender Jaden for now. I can edit later) he’s at least not being used as a brush screen as Kyrie does here.

[@kalebduggar4251]

This is one of my favorite things to see in a fast break or a defensive breakdown situation where you use the defense’s inability to communicate (double, switch, or simply “move tf outta my mf’in’ way”) as a weapon against him. Now that help is actually used like a caltrop to the primary defender, where now he’s gotta play catch up. In short this is a communication breakdown for me. Which highlights even at the most elite levels there’s may 2-3 guys who do this effectively today. It’s a laughable issue in truth. 2:56

[@Veyronp87]

this is gonna be a long series - minny has adjustments to make and doubt Dallas shoots that poorly all series.

[@kalebduggar4251]

I’m sorry, but was McDaniels primary to Kyrie or Luka??? Because maybe when he was hobbled the last couple games you could leave less than porky defenders on him, but I think in The 4th you may want a big body like Ant on him. Kyrie is great but Ant may be their only closer that has a chance on Luka at his best. 13:20

[@saiwaqa2573]

You fellas had luka 4th in 25 and under smdh

[@tylermiller868]

How about the fact that Rudy is such an offensive liability to where he can’t catch a pass in the paint, or do basic post moves?

[@bcurve]

Ant is a weird player because he goes from looking like one of the best in the league to a below average #1 option offensively. This has been the case for him over the course of the last season or so. His highs get so many people hyped and his lows have so many people doubting him. I can almost guarantee he's gonna have an insane stretch of games this series that have people going back to the Jordan comps. Really just an unpredictable player and I don't know what gets him fired up. Seemed like he didn't even want to play in game 1.

[@smitherines876]

well

[@Dont-Ask-Me-My-Name]

Guy comes up to you in LA after finding out that you're so&so you were right to give some advice cuz why else would a guy that no clue who you were just come up &talk to you. But maybe he wanted your snap but you were right to act like the wise-old-owl. As a Luka supporter which made me a Mavs guy I thought whomever plays better Kyrie or Towns that guys team will win the west. I had Edwards as NBA MVP this year he's the truth but McDaniels has been the T-wolves best player the last 4-games & Towns was their best player in game-6 and game-7 vs Denver. Edwards is similar to Durant in that the more 3's they take the worse they're shooting but if he plays well or even average Minnesota would likely be up 2-0

[@ThePenitentSquirrel]

There was nothing wrong with ANT, he is super inconsistent it's just his highs are soo high that everyone forgets about it. He is still young so he may outgrow it, but the dude takes games off.

[@LARRY113Z]

It was a 3 point loss and their star was tired, calm down, buddy

[@kalebduggar4251]

Shows desperation and young men unable to stick to a game plan. They’ll learn and recover. I certainly wouldn’t count them out before game 4. 5:55

[@trizzoy0069]

Mavs missed a crap ton of open 3's. And took half they usually do. I don't know...I felt that the Mavs played pretty terribly and won on the road.

[@amazonfinds9157]

Naz Reid can do what ludort does