East And West Power Rankings, Fan Questions | WHAT’S BURNIN | SHOWTIME Basketball

Published Mar 15, 2022, 6:31 PM

Nearly 1 month left in the NBA regular season and on WHAT'S BURNING Matt is joined by Jelani McCoy to share their East and West conference power rankings and answer fan questions. 

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What are your expectations for this team? If they're able to get a healthy Draymond back, wise men coming back and all the young talent they've been able to acquire, that's a long ask time that those three that haven't played together. But you know, not hear those three names. I hear that song. Brothers don't work it out. Brothers don't work it out, brothers it out. Welcome back to What's burden? I got my U C l A brother Jelinnie McCoy's subbing in for Jack today. Jack is shaking and bacon out there in the streets. But Gelanti, let's get right to it, man. Let's check in in the East, the Nets currently on a three game winning streak. Katie dropped fifty three, nine and six, and Kyrie was courtside to watch it. I don't know which one of those stories is a bigger deal, the fact that Katie comes back and drops fifty three or Kyie is in the building as a fan sitting courtside. I mean they're equally both surreal, Like Katie has just been on a tear ever since he's came back from injury, passing out fifty balls, you know, thirties how whenever he wants to get it, And just the fact that I don't know. I played in the league a little bit, and I know you you have a little bit yourself. Um, have you ever seen one of the hommies sitting on the sideline, you know what I mean, that you just play with and and watch ball while he's sitting across from you on the bench. You know what I mean? That was just a crazy situation. Yeah, I mean, I've never I've seen, like, you know, dudes from other teams come watch our games, but I never had to see my teammate as a fan in the arena, which was crazy because so he was allowed to go to the Duke game the night before, within the arena, he can come to his own team's game, but he can't play. Like I'm just confused on like the nuances of this this policy. You know, obviously everyone has a lot to say whether you agree with Kyrie not getting vaccinated and having to kind of deal with the consequences of not being vaccinated, which I get, But if you're gonna let this man in the arena two nights in a row for two different sporting events, you allow other athletes to come in there who aren't vaccinated. But he can't play, he can watch, So like, what what's the concern there. I'm like, I'm not you're not concerned for the health, because if you're concerned for the health, he wouldn't be in the arena to begin with. Other people fans are unvaccinated. You're allowing opposing players to come in unvaccinated, but Kyrie has to sit and watch. I mean, I think just this just embarrassing. And again again it's it's the nuances of policy. Obviously, you know you hear people talk to mayor talk. I want him to play, but I don't want to, you know, adjust a set of rules for one one person. But I just think the rules are sucked up because this obviously is a new situation for the world. But I think they've messed up on this rule because if you're gonna allow the man courtside in the building, what's the difference if he has sneakers in the next Jersey owner if he's just sitting there. Shame on New York for this one. You know, it's City of New York gotta o this. You know, the katie has something point you to say about the mayory. But you know, hey, let's figure the ship out. But you know that the shame on New York for this way. Kybrie has done enough for Brooklyn and the city. I feel like for them to be making you know, he should be a hometown guy, should get some hometown respect at this point. Yeah. Next up, seventies Sixers shout out James Harden for passing Reggie Miller and the for third on the all time three point list. They took a big loss the other night when Ben Simmons returned back to Philly um chanting his name, saying all kinds of crazy ship. But Katie and then boys went in there and smacked them. Is this team a contender? They that they started off really hot. Uh, they've been kind of brought back down to earth a little bit. They had a squeaker Uh the other night against Orlando. Are they a contender to represent the Eastern Conference in your opinion? I don't know yet. We still have to see and they've got some things to figure out. What Tobias Harris, I know, Joel Embiad has proven himself not only an m v P kinda bit potentially the best center in the league, you know, arguably with with the Joker. We've seen James show flashes early, you know what I mean, tantalize us a little bit with the performance and you know, sell performance team. But in a playoff atmosphere, it seems like we've just seen the same as James Harden as he typically performs in the playoffs, which is sometimes do sometimes don't. So you know what I mean. I think it's left to be said, left to be said said. You know they've got Doc Rivers. You're a guy over there in playoff battle, playoff test, the championship coach. I just think that they need the rest of the regular season to jail and be on the playoff team that that we think that that that can become M's trip take. I'm glad you said we don't know yet, because I get tired of watching this sports show and people jumping off the cliff or you know, jumping to the moon after one or two games. Like to me, any teams that have made significant moves with stars, we just don't know what then these teams are gon to be it. You're gonna see flashes of brilliance what you saw with em beating hardened early on. You're gonna see them come back down to earth. You may see a poor shooting performance by James, like, it's not the end of the world one way or another. This team has about four weeks to figure out their chemistry and they're gonna need every bit of that four weeks. But the one thing that has been consistent is Joel Embiid has been busting everybody's ass. He's having a great year. I'd love to see it. He's gonna be one of the most unstoppable players in the playoffs. And again is Tobias Harris. That third option is Tyrese Maxi that third option, Um, it's not gonna be able to get over that that hump, be able to make these in game adjustments. Uh. That this team is gonna need to be able to get through the East. All that is yet to be seen. But I think said I think they're they're gonna be okay regardless because they do have James and and b but it we're just yet to see if they're really gonna be a contenter. And that as a big, what you're saying, what indeed is doing as a big that's virtually and stop over the guard is a big. The way he's able to move as a guard and do wings in a short space. Not sometimes he's just off the short corner of the block and then he can back you down from the wing. Is just a tricky situation for any big much alone a mismatch. If he can be dominant like this, they're gonna be They could potentially be a problem. I agree, he's again probably the front runner for m v p M and again James finding his rhythm. James wants to be there, so we should probably see the best James Harden. It just has to be consistent in the playoffs, and then you know, the supporting cast has to be ready to go next up. Janice and the Bucks honest has been as dominant as we've seen him since he's been in the game. He's getting some frontline help and one of the big guys that was a big piece of their championship run last year. Brook Lopez is returning from back surgery, has been out the entire season. We know they picked up Sergey Baka for insurance. Gianni, it seems like the Bucks are rounding into shape. Obviously sitting up being out the whole season. It's gonna be hard for brook Lopez to kind of find his footing and he's a big I worry a little bit about his back um, so well, it'll be interesting to see what he can bring to the table. But again, I think that organization is smart enough to know they probably have the same concerns as we do, and that's why they picked up Sergey Baka. So what do you see for the for the Bucks? Kind of floating under the radar, playing good basketball, uh, defending champs? Do you see them as contenders in the East? I do? I do. I think you hit it on the head, the floating under the radar factor, you know what I mean. Getting Brook Lopez back. He is a member of a championship team. He is part of those nitty gritty playoff of experiences that you've been a part of you can speak to. I think Brooke gives them an extra sense of security. Bobby Porters has been playing well and it's absence, so he doesn't have to come back and shoulder a big offensive love while he's figuring out. I think he can take the rest of the regular season, like he said, get in shape, figure out where he's at offensively, be an extra presence, give him some more size and find They're like one of those veteran NBA Championships teams right now where they're rounding out towards the end of the season, getting healthy, getting their pieces back together, and looking forward to the playoffs. Yeah. Man, I think this is going to be one of the better East Division playoffs we've seen in a while. Like, there's no I mean, some people may have favorites, but I mean Brooklyn is at the bottom of the East, you know, and in the in the eighth position or seventh position somewhere down there. So I mean everyone in front of them is playing good basketball, man, So I really think the East playoffs are going to be dope this year. Moving out west, Luca had other plans for kg's retirement night as he spoils the Celtics. Uh. This past Sunday, Gelanni Dallas is thirteen and two over their last fifteen, with wins over Miami l A, the Warriors twice, and the Celtics. Uh. You know, Luca looked a little hobbled in that first half with the hammy came back dropped eight and eight as the Mavericks continue to move up, currently in the fifth position. Thoughts on Luca and the Mavericks. I mean, we all know that the MAVs go every Superstars. You know, health is and and you know indicative of how the you know the team is gonna place, especially going to the playoffs. But you know that Luca Magic is cracking right now. I don't believe he's bought into the J Kidds systems. JA Kid is a point guard. He's got a capable point guard and Jalen Brunson, you know what I mean, with which we both have some familiarity with. So I just think it's you know, I think the hamstrings are tricky. We all know harm strings are tricky. You know, we know Lucas rounding out in the shape, but he goes in and out of shape. But it looks like he's focused right now. I think even the hobble Luca h can get you, but I don't know how far that can get you as far in terms of a playoff run. M hm. You know, I like you touched on J Kid. I think you as a new coach with this team, it takes a minute to kind of put your your fingerprint or or or or stamp on a team. And I think they've definitely embodied what he's about they play hard as defense. Uh. He challenged Luca to get in shape. Luca took that challenge and playing great basketball. Uh really all season, but particularly closed All Star. My question is they have a bunch of nice pieces around Luca, but they don't have that second star. They picked up Spencer Dinwoity, which I think was a huge pick pick up. He hit the game winning three against Boston the other day. But is he going to be that consistent twenty to twenty three point a night uh guy in the playoffs? Uh, he has that capability. I think he has game, but I don't know if he will be So we'll have to sit back and see. I think they could be spoilers in the first round, you know, a five four matchup. I don't see any reason why they couldn't beat the four seed, whoever that may be. Um. But as far as making a real run, um hell bent on Uni that second twenty point of game score in the playoffs. To really make a run, you already know what your superstar is gonna give you. What is your star going to give you? And then what are your role players going to give you? Moving on one of the hottest teams in the in the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves have won seven other last eight games, just beat the Heat, nine games over five hundred, currently sitting at seventh in the West. Julyna, can they play spoiler this year in the Western Conference? I mean another team floating under the radar. This been going silently going about their business. Nine games over five hundred at this time of the year. I can't remember. I can't remember the last time the Wolves have been in this position. Um Cat, the defendant NBA All Star Three Point Championship, has continued to play well on both ends, and he's seen him like he's upsecting a leadership role with that team right now. They obviously got the ant man over there. D'Angelo is being just a solid NBA guard right now. We don't hear a lot about D'Angelo wrestling step him consistently being assisting and scoring at a decent high caliber NBA guard clip and I think it is simmy start talking about Wolves. You know, they've been in the shadow of you know, KG losing KG, losing Kevin Love. You know, they've been out of winning basketball for a while now, and it's good to see them and with young talent having since some sas in a in a large jam in the West right now, because they're just a couple of games removed from snaking up until you know, maybe the six or five positions. I think it's gonna take a huge performance by Cat in the playoffs. Um, but I can easy. I could definitely see them UH being someone that makes it to the second round. Two. Um, for everything you mentioned, you know, D'Angelo Russell is a very solid point guard under the radar, does his job night and night out the young fella and he's a killer. You know, Anthony Edwards. It'll be interesting to see him in his first UH playoff action, how how he raises his game and steps up. Pat Beverley Uh just got an extension, you know, very solid veteran leader dog that you need. Every team needs a Pat bev. So I'm excited for them too. You know, they've had a lot of losing basketball. They got a great fan base over there out there in Minnesota, and it's gonna be fun to see what these guys can do come playoff time. I got a channel with the enter KG, you know what I mean. Cag willed a lot, willed a lot of games out there in Minnesota. So you know what I mean, he's in the right place for a big fellow to make some big time move. Moving on to the Lakers, shout out Lebron first and foremost. Thirty thousand points, ten thousand rebounds, ten thousand assist There's never been another human being on the face of the earth to do that tremendous, tremendous accomplishment, and in the midst of a losing season. And you know how today, how fans are media are you know, he's stat chasing this, this and that, but this motherfucker's chasing historical ship. So he's just playing basketball. The team ain't playing well, but this guys, you know, dropped two fifty point games in their last four games. Uh they won both those games, but two and seven since the All Star Break, uh, ninth in the West. Is it time to stop talking about them? Or is that even possible? I don't think it's possible. I think the Lakers are you know, primetime basketball, we still talked about the Knicks sometimes. You know, the Knicks make ESPN every now and then, you know what I mean, So I don't think it's stopped talking. It's time to start talking about the Lakers, although it's been a difficult season as a Laker fan, bronze accomplishment, So you hit it on the head. We haven't seen another human being, just historical And if you're not, especially in a difficult season, if you're not chasing a historical milestone for the Laker fans, you know, these these milestons are going to be seen in Laker Laker jerseys at the end of the day. So if he's not chasing those historical milestones, even in a shifty season, what is he doing? You know what I mean? He's always stepped up to the moniker of the king and if they're keenly task to be you know, even in the shitty season, to be knocked off, we would be out. He would be out of his mind not to be knocking off those most I think with all the incredible things he's done over his career, you know, let a three run charge against the Warriors to win a ring, this might be one of the I don't want people to go crazy. Not biggest accomplishment, but maybe most challenging tasks ahead because the world is against the Lakers right now. Everyone is talking about them. People even talking about him with a D coming back, and again us both being former athletes, I knew when they said, you know, six to eight, it was closer to eight to ten. That's a that was a terrible, terrible ankle spray. But if a D can come back healthy, can this team, in your opinion, make any noise get out of the playing or you know, playing, get into the playoffs, but then be a tough matchup for a Phoenix or a Golden State in the first round. First off, the plan gonna be cracking as much as complaining as a bit is about the play, and the player ain't gonna be cracking. The Nets could possibly be in the playing situation. The Lakers could possibly be in the playing situation. Teams that were favored to win the championship at the beginning the season. They're both in playing. Yeah, so I think, like I think they can be a danger out of the playing you know, I think if a D comes back, any type of a D with the combination of how Lebron is playing right now, you know, a D got to be on his good and one leg might be good for a dub and ten you know what I mean. And I think that helps him right now, Rusty, you know what I mean. We still can never wait or we're waiting around. We still can't come count Russell Westbrook, you know what I mean. Yeah, he could turn on an average a triple double and to knock you off in a seven game series, he can have a brillion. He's good for a game or two in the playoffs, especially in the playoff with his everybody's been in his neck too, so him in the playing game is interesting. So I would just love to see that, you know, lebron Is is literally leading the league and scoring if a d can come back, And again, it's not crazy to think that Russ couldn't average eighteen, ten and ten in the playoff series, like I really feel like, and that would be mild numbers for him, you know what I mean, Because this dude has been a killer. So I'm still holding out hope because not that I'm really I feel bad because it's it's going past basketball, But just as a player, you know, as as as as a bruin, as someone who just has always laid everything out there on the line, I hate to see the slander that is being thrown in direction. But that's a new day of media, and that's you know, given everyone a voice. Everyone doesn't deserve a voice. You know. Social media is crazy when you know, and it gives stupid people a voice to kind of say reckless ship. But I say all that to say, I feel like, you know, Russ is, you know, a good couple of days, a good week away from just busting out into to showing flashes of why he is a Hall of Famer, why he's been one of the best players in this League's these came in, so you know, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that particular situation. But the Lakers overall, again, like for everything every reason you said, if they're playing good basketball, they're gonna be a tough out in the first round, and it's gonna be you know, it's most likely gonna be Phoenix or Golden State. You might be able to throw Memphis up in there if they can make a move, but it'll be interesting to see what happens with them switching gears. The n C Double A Tournament is kicking off. Top seeded Gonzaga takes home the number one overall seed. Let's take a look at DraftKings odds to see what teams they think have the best chance of reaching the final four. Gonzaga at minus one sixty, Arizona at plus one fifty, Candice at plus one sixty, Baylor plus two hundred, Kentucky, same Auburn plus two fifty, Iowa plus three thirty. Coach Hey and his Duke Blue Devils in his last n C Double A appearance plus four hundred. Same with Villa Nova and r U c l A Bruins, who are built for this time a year under Mick cronin six hundred. Out of all those teams, give me the four strongest teams, regardless to me of bracket or anything. Who do you feel the most confident out of the four all those things we listed again, Zagger like big check. You know what I mean, big check? Home grant is due for a big tournament. You know. Gauzaga is a perenn perennial, you know, site of favorite um Like, you know, I'm going with the coaches. I like Duke is the sexy pick, of course, but you know, I feel like a lot of pressure on them to you know, send coach k out the right way. You know, I don't know if you know a lot of them. I don't know if those guys are built for that. That's what That's what I mean. Like if they had a lot of three four year guys, I wouldn't be able to order stand a little bit. A lot of those guys only been there like a couple of months, you know what I mean. So I like you hit it on the head. I like what Met Crownin does in the tournament. They sweat you on defense, you know, they allow he allows this player. They can hit you from so many different ways on offense, and they're not they're non traditional ways and don't really have a big guy out there, but they're scoring the post. So Villanova is another team. You know, coach the coach over their coach right has been a monster for years. They just play so damn hard. So those would be my picks. I mean, obviously I'm a homer, but I like you c late because again the style their play, how intense they are, attention to detail. But another thing, they're old. They're an older team, you know what I mean that they're they're five star recruit. Peyton Watson doesn't really get much burned, um so he'll be ready to go his next season. But they're an older, veteran driven team who's gone to the championship and we're a crazy shot away from possibly winning crazy a title, you know what I mean. So I like in Zaga. I like Arizona. Arizona is tough, man, Arizona is a tough team. And they got some They got some boys with some tumbs out there. They did in the last game that the Africans that are the protecting the ram boy blocking everything. So it's gonna be fun. Man, again, this is my favorite time. I'll be so busy with life and other ship that I really can't watch college basketball as much as I like to, but I make it a point to be locked in from March Madness fan questions, Let's get right to it. This is talking about something we just touched on. But uh, j c B Underscore thirty five. Who do you guys have winning the n C Double A Tournament this year? And do you guys have a dark horse? You know what time it is, man, you know, you know, yeah, yeah, this is you know, this is the U c L A type of thing with me, you know what I mean, How I'm gonna take us for for for not only for obvious reasons, but for logical ones. Like we said, I feel like this team is built for the n C Double that tournament And to your point earlier, I think this is a good time for Peyton Watson. This is what the tournament has made for. If you haven't been getting burned all the year, you can come in and potentially make a name for your stuff in the tournament and be out of here. We've seen it. We had some armies that did it. Just have good tournaments and get up on out of here and get to the league. So this is an excellent opportunity for young fella to come in there and get his up. Yeah, but I'm going with the Bruins. My dark horse would maybe my it wouldn't be would be the Blue Devils because I think there's a lot of pressure on them. They could easily fold and be out in the first round. So I think that's a young group of fellas to be under that type of pressure. So I'm actually gonna put them in my dark horse spot. Yeah again, I'm I'm I'm gonna rival with U C. L A. I don't think they've got a proper seed, um, but that doesn't matter now. You know, the road to the final four starts, um, and it's time to go and I like, you know, the veterans. They built Gonzaga as a young, fun team to watch, UM, coach you over there has been amazing. So and I'd probably say Gonzaga or U C l A at Levi McDonald's why hasn't Reggie Jackson? Why hasn't Reggie Jackson? WHOA we need to check the grandma. Why hasn't Reggie Jackson doesn't come into consideration for most improved player. He is carrying the Clippers and his stats have jumped massively. Um, I haven't looked at his stats, but I've always been a big friend of Reggie Jackson. He's been a killer. I remember back in the Okay See days when he was like the fourth fiddle, you know, coming off the bench, you know, behind Hardening and in Westbrook and k D. But I saw talent from him back then. So he has. And also shout out Tyler Man for your two stars. Not to name another team that can take their two stars away. You take Stephen Draymond away, with all due respect to Clay, he's been out. You take Katie and Kyria where you take Embid and you take hard You need to take any of these teams CP and Devin Booker. You take any two teams stars away the entire season and they would be at the bottom of the league. Again, accredit to coach, Accredit to Reggie, but this team should be the odds on favor next year to win the title when they're both their stars return on stof I mean to me, that's not autlantist. These guys are in the seventh seed right now with no superstar. They've been doing their thing, hard nosed team and love what they've been doing. But too, to Levi's point, he should definitely be in the consideration. He's he's had a great year. Um, he's been the star on that team this year and they look good man. I mean, you hit that everything right on the head, Matt Barnes, I mean, Reggie Jackson has been a Laker killer. He's been consistently improving his years in l A uh ty Lou should be, you know, up for Coach of the Year. There aren't two teams who can lose too, especially two wings, you know what I mean, as as ball dominant as those two wings are. Um, he's done a great job and I only think this just helps for the longevity plan of the Los Angeles Clippers. Though, at the end of the day, they got a lot of the young players getting a lot of experience. They're proven that they're building a culture, like you said in identity the Tylers, but building there. So um, he should be up for you know, consideration, and the Clippers should be up for you know, top five title threat for next year at least. Again, I think they've built the team the right way. You look down the hall at the Lakers top heavy. You know, they've had to Reben and that's when we talked about you know, obviously this is not even part of the question, but the Lakers have been top of a conversation all season. But you know, as a former after or a former NBA player, you know, these motherfuckers are building a team. Every season. They got two or three people under contract when that final horn of the championship round goes off, whether they're or not, when the NBA Finals are done. They only normally have tour of this since Lebron has been here, they normally have two or three players under contract when that final horn buzzes in June. So it's it's it's crazy to think that you know, they were able to you know, find lightning in the bottle that first year in the bubble when they built a team from scratch in one but doing that year in year out is hard as a motherfucker. And I think the casual fan don't even think Laker fans understand how hard it is to build a team every single year because they always expect so much. But it takes time to build chemistry. And I say all that to say, that's what the Clippers are doing. The Clippers have built a solid team without stars. So imagine you just insert two stars into what these guys have been doing, and uh, it's gonna be a fun run. So looking forward to what they can uh do next year? Next up s j C four four zero one. If Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Come back before the playoffs, do you see Denver winning the West? Hey man, That ship that the Jugger is doing is impressive, So you know what I mean, He's been able to hold it down while they've been able to get healthy. I'm a big M p J fan. You know that Jamal Mayor obviously you know a friend of the program and a guest on the show, perhaps of young fella, great energy and great uh seemed like he got a good health in our shoulders. It's typically about basketball, like he really enjoys playing basketball, which you don't see a lot. It's easy for a younger player with the money that is handing out not to have basketball out the front of his mind. But he seems as a player, uh that does. They got good coaching, they're hungry. They got Buggy another friend of the program out there, you know what I mean. At the at the right time, I feel like they can do something in the West because again, like they're doing this, they're doing the dirt on on the lonely right now. So to only get ad help like Miami's doing in the East, I feel like that's good money for for Denver right now because it's not like they got a bunch of subpart NBA talent over there. They got a little bit experience. An m v P candidate, a candidate, a resurgent uh n v should be m VP candidate. Butting Buggie Cousins to if it's career isn't drilled by injuries. We were typically talking about him up for m v P every year. I think they got a really interesting situation in MA High. I know They've got an excellent training staff over there. I don't know if Steve has to still over there running things in the strength of conditioning program, but I think if they put all those things together, that can be a real problem in the West. Yeah, they got a nice they got nice pieces, um and obviously adding two players back to that caliber on paper, you would think, yes, they can easily come out of the West. Just my concern is and as you know, finding your footing. Can you find your footing in enough time with the playoffs looming, um to get some kind of chemistry and find your game in your rhythm. But you know, Aaron Gordon, I like the bones out there now this team, Uh, if those two that you just mentioned can really get their footing back in time and find a rhythm um with Joker has been able to do with this team solo, you know, quote unquote as far as stars go, has been amazing better numbers than he put up last year. Um. Yeah, Denver can definitely, They're gonna probably be if if they can get healthy, they can be the surprise team to come out of the West, definitely easily. A lot of injuries too in the West. Still have to figure out like we mentionederally a Lucas hand thring CP three's hand. They're only getting they're not they're getting a list players back healthy. So if anybody's gonna figure it out, you want your time and figuring it out at Chloe Money. What do you think about Tom Brady coming out of retirement? Did you see this coming? I mean at this point, you know the goat can do what he wants to do. I think his athletes were normally always emotional at the end of seasons, whether that be good or bad or emotional. You know, this guy has done it at the highest level for twenty two years. Um, he takes two months off and wants to come back for your twenty three. He says he has unfinished business in Tampa Bay. The NFL is better when Tom Brady is in it. Um. I know Mike Evans is excited. Um, So yeah, I definitely love that he's coming back, not that he really left, but you know, just excited to see good footb. I mean, you need quality quarterbacks in this sleep because I think there's so many guys who are being overpaid who aren't quality, you know what I mean. So you're happy when you see and Aaron Rodgers get his money. We need him as long as he can be. We we need time as long as we can get him because just as a football fan, there's a lot of mediocre play at the quarterback position at time. So if you, if you, if you have a chance to get a great back, we need him back. Thomasin's uh a run got fifty got a fifty ball per season, you know what I mean? If he getting fifty perceison, how much is Tom Braddy? He'll probably end up taking it. You'll probably end up taking a discount. So they continue to build around the team. Because I don't think it's you know what I mean with Tim, It's not the money, you know. I think Tim wants to win one more so he'll I mean, he probably gonna They're still gonna let him eat. But I don't think it's gonna be as high as Rogers because I think they're more bit I think his more mindset. As you know, this might be my last run. Let's get as many pieces around me to win this motherfucking super Bowl so I could really retire next year. Jay Isabella is the playing worth it when it comes to teams fighting for playoffs, spots are ten games under five hundred or more, and the plan is going. Like we said earlier, the plan. Yeah, I love to play in und what the team's records are. The playoffs are all about who's getting hout at the right time. But go ahead, na you hit you hit it on the head. I'm with the playing. We said, it's gonna it's gonna be ill. It's gonna be big time basketball. At the end of the day, there's gonna be a little desperation with some high caliber athletes. That's always good television. So you know what I mean. I'm with the playing. I don't know the format either, like you said, but whatever it is that you know they need to run that, I'm looking forward to it. All right, make sure you guys check out this week. I've forgotten seasons and we take a look back at the two thousand four Los Angeles Lakers with Friends of the Program in Bruins Julyannie McCoy and Josiah Johnson's They took a lected look at at the last year of Shock and Kobe's duo, some of their feuds publicly privately. Despite the draping of this team still won fifth the six games made it to the finals and we're knocked off by the Pistons. You played with them and oh two. Just looking back when we talk about duos, and you know, obviously Hardening and Beat are coming in mind right now, but you've got a chance to play with and against arguably one of the greatest duels of all time. What comes to mind when you think about that Shack and Kobe duo. Man, I wasn't on the Chicago teams, but I don't know if Mike and Scotty were like the same. We're working in the same pot of like Shock and Kobe, But everywhere we went to them dudes were like superstars, rock stars, and every game they didn't have low management back there. So every time we played, unless it was like something bad that was gonna affect the playoffs, like Kobe and Shock, they showed up in your arena. And you know what I mean that everybody hates the Lakers. They got to beat the l a chant everywhere they went. You know what I mean, We're winning three championships in a rub, But I just remember that the fact that they were beefing, you know what I mean, At the time, there's only a certain amount of stress you can put on two outpha males. You know, this is right before being turned into Black Mamba, And you know what I mean that Shock went his own way, so interesting time. That's what the Lakers are built for. You gotta know, if you you play for the Lakers, you know when you come inside that building, it's drama within within the team, within the media. You've got to be really cut out for it. So at the same time, I just saw two brothers going through it. Brothers go through it, and at the end of the day, I know that you know there was gonna be back to one at some point. Yeah, I mean, obviously the Laker franchise, it would be a dope, like a reality series just to watch and if they're just all the curtains were pulled back, and what it's like to be a Laker, just the whole absolute dynamic. I think it would be dope. Obviously, could have, would have, should have? What would have happened if these dudes, you know, put egos aside and we're able to play together, you know what I mean? That have been unbelievable. Make sure you check out Forgotten Seasons on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google podcasts. We have my Sacramento brethren, the fellow fella Mazzi. His episode would dropp this Thursday, March seventeen. Take a look at this Upper Cooming episode. Courtside tickets to any game in history. All right, So they already had me at the Clippers shout out the Clippers didn't put me on the court, nigga teen times and they got letter Clippers and what I'm saying, uh, but you know I've been on court side Sacramento. You know what I'm saying. I was mad they don't put me on the big screen. It was like, wait, hey, nigger nineteen, y'all quit doing that. Ship man, one of them guys at them politics. You know what I'm saying me, don't do that. Do that. But course side course side game in history, any game in history. You gotta you gotta shit me on the floor with Jordan and them. Yeah, you gotta shot on the floor with Jordan and them. Yeah, you got. I was around for that. I was, I was paying it. You know, I ain't gonna lie. Nick. I wanted to play basketball before this rap ship. But I got the high school and realized them niggas was Duncan and I remember Nigga told me you got handles, Nigga, but your jumper off, so he kind of threw the offer there. I'm like, I all that, but I thought I was hot sauce and that come from the and one era, so I thought handles was gonna get me there. I thought AI just had handles. I ain't know he had thought he was a total package, but not for show. But yeah, so yeah, I think I do a Bulls gang Bulls. Yeah, I like the Bulls in Utah. Closing thoughts, Friend of the program up brother Kevin Garnett has his jersey hoisted into the rafters along with so many Boston legends. Big story this Ray Allen made an appearance, you know, at the reunion for his historical moment. Shout out KG uh for that time. I love the fact that Ray was able to make it. And I heard there's something cooking with KG and Ray for Showtime Basketball. So make sure you guys stay locked in Gelannie. Something I'm really excited for is Draymond Green's return. It'll be the first time we see their Big three play together in three years as they take on the Wizards. Uh. Obviously, Draymond's health is key for any championship aspirations this team has. What are your expectations for this team? If they're able to get a healthy Draymond back wise men coming back, and all the young talent they've been able to acquire since their dynasty run. That's a long as time that those three that haven't played together. But you know when I hear that, when I hear those three names, I hear that song, brothers don't work it out. You know, brothers don't work it out out like there neither. That's the one thing that like, there's no drama there. Like these motherfucker's really like each other and know how important each of these guys are to each one of their successes and their team success. So I'm excited. Yeah, I'm feeling good about it. It's got the old soul brother town vibes to it. They're just gonna happen to this just gonna happen to go down in the city. So I'm here for it. I'm happy for Draymond, I'm happy for Clay, I'm happy for step It's time for the Worriors to do their things. Absolutely. You can catch What's burning available every week on Showtime Basketball YouTube. And on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at Showtime Basketball. Good work today, bro. We'll see y'all next week.

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All The Smoke

ALL THE SMOKE pairs two of the most outspoken and controversial players of their time. Known as fier 
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