48 Minutes: Celtics & Warriors Struggles, Stretch Run Storylines, Word Association, Card Challenge, & Best Bets

0:00 .... Hello and welcome

0:30 ... Bruce introduces tonight's special guest ... long time NBA journalist Steve Bulpett, the original Greek Freak of the NBA family who taught Bruce the correct pronunciation of his favorite Greek delicacy "Spanakopita."

1:38 ... Opening Thoughts: Bruce moans about his miserable NCAA Tournament experience so far.

3:19 ... World B recognizes the Bulls' improvement since the All Star Break ...

5:14 ... Steve takes issue with Bruce for his attitude about the last four teams (#65-68) in the NCAA Tournament and how Dayton, Ohio is an integral part of the story.

8:48 ... Ross is not happy about Memphis' excuse for Ja Morant not returning on Monday vs Dallas.

9:59 ... Steve discusses what the Boston Celtics need to do to resume their success from earlier in the season.

15:44 ... World B takes the Celtics to task for their recent mediocre play and poor offensive inefficiency.

17:28 ... The Golden State Warriors have been a big disappointment this season and Stebve wonders if their troubles began after an incident during a preseason practice.

21:58 ... World B feels that the Warriors lack of attention to defense during road games has been their biggest issue.

24:20 ... Ross agrees with Steve and World B that the absence of Gary Payton II is a huge reason for the team's poor defense. Ross adds that the loss of reserve guard Damion Lee has really hurt their bench.

24:56... The crew discusses the big storyline for the stretch run and it concerns Kevin Durant and the Suns. Steve is concerned about the depth of the team.

26:56 ... Is Deandre Ayton worth the max contract he signed before the season?

31:31... Steve worries about the cohesiveness of the Suns if Durant isn't ready until the start of the playoffs.

33:53 ... Ross plays Word Association with Steve and asks him about Knicks Coach Tom Thibodeau and Celtics legend Tommy Heinsohn.

34:34 ... Steve launches into some great Heinsohn stories including several of a personal nature .... wonderful stuff for any Celtics fan to hear!

40:18 ... Ross opens a random package of basketball cards and requires Bruce, World B, and Steve to comment "off the cuff" on the players he pulls from the pack. Steve got totally hosed with two of the cards he was asked about but still delivered! Some of the players Ross pulled were Walker Kessler, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Kristaps Porzingis, DeAaron Fox, CJ McCollum, and several other good names.

53:02 ... Steve has a cool story about McCollum and why he missed some free throws in Boston earlier this season.

57:45 ... Final Thoughts: World B with some perspective on the bad blood between Dillon "The Villain" Brooks of Memphis and the Splash Brothers in Golden State ...

59:42 ... Bruce explains why his favorite player to watch during the NCAA Tournament has actually been Steven Adams of the Grizzlies in his commercial for ATT Wireless.

1:01:12 ... Steve has a great story about Cinderella team Fairleigh Dickinson and how the team was "adopted" by the University of Dayton pep band. The FDU players never heard their fight song until it was played by another school's band.

1:02:20 ... Steve slips in a really funny John Stockton/Karl Malone story from years ago.

1:03:33 ... Ross gives us a preview of Tuesday's matchup between the Celtics and the Sacramento Kings and slips in some betting advice ... "Take the Under!"

1:04:43 ... Goodbye and thanks to Steve for joining us

TRT: 1:05:08