Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre

Latest Episodes:

True Hoop founder Henry Abbott on LeBron, the Billionaires Behind the NBA, Bill Simmons & More! Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the Phoenix Suns' blowout victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 to go up 2-0 in the series. Phoenix has absolutely dominated the first two games behind the stellar play of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, and the only question at this point seems to be whether the Suns will get the sweep them or finish them off in 5 games. Later, True Hoop founder Henry Abbott swings by to discuss how his website became such a big hit in the basketball world, the trials and tribulations of being an entrepreneur in the sports media game, why there is a large segment of the population who hates LeBron James and how he differentiates from Michael Jordan, why he doesn't have a problem with the current Super Team Era, the shady underbelly of the NBA and how billionaires behind the scenes are pulling the strings, his supposed 'beef' with The Ringer's Bill Simmons, how the sports media world has evolved over the years, if the string of injuries to star players this season (LeBron James, Anthony Davis, James Harden, etc.) could lead to scheduling changes for the NBA next season and beyond, and much more!

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Clippers Still Can't Close, NBA MVP Voting Breakdown & Kevin Durant Going Scorched Earth Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a deep dive into the Utah Jazz' come-from-behind victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1. Utah couldn't hit the red side of a barn early which caused them to fall behind by double digits, but in typical Clippers fashion, Kawhi Leonard and the boys faded late and the Jazz were able to steal the win. Adding insult to injury, everyone saw Kawhi, Paul George and Marcus Morris shrink from the moment on the game’s final possession with a chance to send the game into overtime; Absolutely no one on the Clippers roster wanted to take that last shot. It was a game the Clips should have won, and this one could come back to haunt them later in the series. On the flip side, Donovan Mitchell was fantastic for the Jazz. If it wasn't clear before it definitely is now: Utah has a superstar in their backcourt. Later, the guys share their thoughts on the NBA MVP voting - which Nikola Jokic won in a landslide, as expected - and discuss what it all means in the grand scheme of things. On one hand, Steph Curry finishing with the second-most first place votes tells you how much the media respected what he did this past season carrying a depleted Golden State Warriors roster to the play-in tournament. On the other, the fact that guys like Rudy Gobert, Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose (fan vote) got votes also says that some of these voters need to stop playing favorites. Finally, Jason and Rob G close the show with a deep dive into the Kevin Durant-Jay Williams fiasco that played out in the media. Look, in all honesty, we're willing to bet that KD said exactly what Williams reported on TV that he said about Giannis... but does that necessarily give Williams the right to go public with it? All the same, it's great to see KD ditch the burner accounts and go scorched earth on anyone in the media who he feels has wronged him. In a world where guys like LeBron James prefer to use passive aggressive memes to get their points across, it's refreshing to see someone like Durant say exactly what he feels.

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James Harden was Right about Giannis, KD's Case for Best in the World + The Ringer's John Gonzalez Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the Brooklyn Nets' beatdown of the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2. Remember a few years back when James Harden implied that Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn't all that skilled? He was right! All these years later and Giannis still can’t shoot. It’s almost become painful to watch. The Nets have taken away his straight-line drives to the basket and now he looks as ordinary as ever. At this point, it’s evident that the Bucks can’t beat the Nets in a series and that a Gentlemen’s Sweep - at best - is on the horizon. On the flip side, how impressive has Kevin Durant during this postseason? KD had a case as the Best Player in the World before he tore his Achilles in 2019, and he appears primed to make a run at it again. In the nightcap, the Phoenix Suns absolutely blitzed the Denver Nuggets. Deandre Ayton played Nikola Jokic to standstill while Chris Paul and Devin Booker cooked the Denver guards. With the Lakers out of the picture, the Suns just might be the Best in the West. Later, John Gonzalez from The Ringer swings by to discuss what went wrong for the Philadelphia 76ers during their Game 1 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, the harsh reality that the Sixers are woefully thin beyond their Big 3 of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris, why we could see Simmons on the trade block again this offseason - especially if Philadelphia loses this series to the Hawks - and which hypothetical blockbuster deals make the most sense, the challenges of building around a center like Embiid in today's NBA, why he's excited about Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks moving forward whether they win this series or not, and much more!

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Luka is like MJ in '86, Harden's Hamstring Could Derail the Nets & What Makes a Good NBA Coach Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick thought on the report that Julio Jones will be traded to the Tennessee Titans in the coming days. Sounds eerily similar to something we told you 2 weeks ago. Just sayin'. Later, Jason does a deep dive into the Los Angeles Clippers 7-game series victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The big story to come out of this one is obviously the play of Luka Doncic; He looked like Michael Jordan going up against the Boston Celtics in 1986. If the Mavs can build even a decent roster around him - and dump the highly overpaid Kristaps Porzingis - they should be set up for success for years to come. As for the Clippers, were you really that impressed by them? If any of Luka's teammates could hit an open three pointer in Game 7 maybe the Mavs are headed to Utah for Round 2 instead. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the Clippers is that Tyronne Lue moved to 4-0 in Game 7s as a head coach; But even then, how much credit does he really deserve? Kawhi Leonard played like 2-time Finals MVP and they beat the team they were supposed to beat. Shifting gears to the Eastern Conference, it's hard not to feel for Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden. Jason already had the Milwaukee Bucks winning the series coming in, but without Harden, it certainly feels like Brooklyn will get eliminated sooner rather than later. Let's just hope that the Nets don't try to force an injured Harden on the floor the way the Los Angeles Lakers did to Anthony Davis. As of Monday morning, 6 of the 8 teams remaining in the NBA Playoffs have a starter that is either out injured or playing through an injury. It truly is a war of attrition.

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06/05/2021 - The Jason McIntyre Show Jun 05, 2021

Show notes

Jason McIntyre reacts to the Clippers forcing a Game 7 and tells you why he still believes the Mavericks will take the series. Jason discusses the Lakers first round exit and what it mean's for LeBron James' legacy. Jason rejects the idea that Danny Ainge's tenure in Boston was a failure. Bucks Beat Reporter for The Athletic Eric Nehm joins Jason to preview the Bucks vs. Nets. Jason previews the fight, or rather exhibition match, between Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul with The Athletic's Boxing Insider Mike Coppinger. Plus, NBA veteran Ryan Hollins stops by to take Jason to task on his Clippers takes.

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The Sun Has Set on Los Angeles, the Lakers Need a 3rd Star + Former NBA veteran Damon Jones Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G give their instant reaction to the Phoenix Suns officially eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers from the postseason. The game was never really in doubt as Devin Booker lit up the Lakers in the first quarter (again). What's more, Anthony Davis was only able to play 5 minutes before re-aggravating his groin injury, which begs the question: Should he even have been playing? Looking ahead, it's painfully obvious that the Lakers will need an infusion of talent this summer to go alongside the aging LeBron James and injury-prone Davis if they expect to continue competing for titles. Do they have the assets to make a run at Bradley Beal? Could Damian Lillard try to force his way down to La La Land? Either way, it should be a very interesting summer for Los Angeles. Later, former NBA veteran and NBA champion coach Damon Jones swings by to discuss what it was like playing alongside a young LeBron, how impressed he was by LeBron's legendary 25 straight point performance against the Detroit Pistons during the 2007 NBA Playoffs, why he believes that Kawhi Leonard - not Luka Doncic - has been the best player in the Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers series, why he thinks Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue doesn't get enough credit for being a great coach, why it's so difficult to evaluate coaches who don't have talented rosters, and much more!

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Luka Doncic is the Best in the World, the Brad Stevens Era was a Success & How Trae Young Can Beat the Sixers Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with an homage to Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic. Luka has firmly established himself as the Best Player in the World during this postseason. He's been absolutely dominant going head-to-head against both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and more importantly, he's making his teammates better. The Mavericks roster can't hold a candle to the Clippers', and yet Dallas is up 3-2 in the series heading home for Game 5. Win, lose or draw in these next two games, it's no question that Luka has taken the torch from LeBron James as 'The Guy'. On the flip side, can someone please make sense of this Clippers team? The last two games they looked like the Best in the West and then in Game 5 they wet the bed (again). We tried to tell you they were a bunch of frauds. Later, Jason does a deep dive into the Boston Celtics' decision to part way with general manager Danny Ainge and promote head coach Brad Stevens to president of basketball operations. Overall, the Ainge Era was a success. He won a title in the first half of his tenure and then drafted two stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the back end. On Stevens, it's incredible that anyone would undersell him as an NBA coach. Not only did he help turn Tatum and Brown into stars but he did so while making 3 Eastern Conference Finals in just eight seasons. For comparison's sake, the 'great' Doc Rivers only made 3 ECFs in 17 seasons. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick thought on Trae Young's virtuoso performance in the first round against the New York Knicks, and explains how the uncertainty surrounding the extent Joel Embiid's knee injury means that we could very well see the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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Suns Burn Up the Lakers, Devin Booker's Place Among the Top SGs & Is LeBron Still the Best in the World? Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G vent their frustrations following the Phoenix Suns dismantling of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5. The game wasn't even close after the first quarter as the Lakers were down 30 points at halftime. Both guys expected that the Suns would win given that Los Angeles was without Anthony Davis, but neither expected a blowout like this. LeBron James, who many expected would 'turn back the clock' with AD down, turned in such a mediocre performance that it led Jason and Rob G to debate whether or not he still has a case for being the Best Player in the World anymore. Would Kevin Durant have allowed his team to fall behind by 30 in the first half of arguably the biggest game of the year? How about James Harden? Would Kawhi Leonard? Or Giannis? On the flip side, Devin Booker lit up the Lake Show for 18 points in the opening period, and it led to a fascinating conversation between the guys about where he ranks among the top shooting guards in the NBA. After James Harden, a case can definitely be made for Booker being the best at his position. Later, the guys discuss what the long-term plans for the Lakers could be given that LeBron is aging, the role players have regressed and Dennis Schroder is looking for a big payday. Do they need a complete overhaul? How much pressure is on GM Rob Pelinka to maximize LeBron's final years? By the way, shout out to Damian Lillard for dropping a double-nickel in a Game 5 loss for the Portland Trail Blazers. Wish we had more time to give you the proper kudos.

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Lakers Need LeBron to Turn Back the Clock, NBA Logos Matter & Jayson Tatum's Future in Boston Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a preview of tonight's Game 5 matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers will be fighting an uphill battle if Anthony Davis is ruled out as expected. Few teams are as dependent on their stars as much as the Lakers, and unless LeBron James can jump into the hot tub time machine and play like his 2018 self then the defending champions are in serious trouble. Perhaps the best plan of attack would be to chalk this game up as a loss and hope a more rested LeBron can put the team on his back in Games 6 and 7. The guys also share a quick thought on Joel Embiid's mysterious injury that knocked out of Game 4 against the Washington Wizards. We can all agree that the Philadelphia 76ers can probably extinguish the Wiz even without Embiid, but would they able to get by the Atlanta Hawks in round 2? We're not so certain. Later, Jason and Rob G discuss the 'incident' that took place in Boston over the weekend when Kyrie Irving stomped on the Boston Celtics center court logo. Not only did it lead to Kyrie getting a bottle thrown at his head after the game but it also led to former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Big Baby Davis taking shots at him on social media the next day. Who knew NBA players still had loyalty like that? This whole ordeal eventually led to a bigger conversation about the Celtics and how their fan base - coupled with the cutthroat attitude of GM Danny Ainge - could impact their ability to attract star players. More importantly, would all the negativity be enough to force superstar Jayson Tatum out of town before his contract is up? Bean Town better hope not.

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Lakers Can't Win Without AD, Kyrie vs. Celtics Fans & the Clippers are Back May 31, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off in a somber mood following Anthony Davis' groin injury in Game 3. The Los Angeles Lakers cannot beat the Phoenix Suns in a series without AD. Point blank, period. LeBron James has been historically great with his back against the wall but the rest of the roster leads a lot to be desired. Dennis Schroder, Andre Drummond and Alex Caruso are fine when they're playing next to LeBron and AD. But when the big guns are off the floor they turn into pumpkins. The Lakers better hope that AD's injury isn't as bad as we initially thought. Later, shares his thoughts on the Boston Celtics fan who threw a bottle at Kyrie Irving on his way off the floor. It was disgusting and embarrassing. In many ways, it was a microcosm of what we see on social media these days. A few bad apples - who don't have the heart to say anything to your face - do something stupid and end up ruining things for everyone else. This recent string of fans behaving badly has almost overshadowed the actual play on the court - which has been fantastic from the Brooklyn side. Kyrie, Kevin Durant and James Harden look as good as advertised, and it should make Nets-Bucks in round 2 must-see TV. Finally, the Los Angeles Clippers rolled in Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks and suddenly seem to be in control of the series. The Clips looked like they were ready to fold early Game 3 on Friday night but came roaring back to win, and they were able to carry that momentum into Sunday. Kawhi Leonard has been unstoppable, Paul George looks great and Luka Doncic is playing hurt. Somewhere, Clipper Darrell is smiling.

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