Lakers Struggles, Nets vs. Bucks, MVP Odds | WHAT’S BURNIN | SHOWTIME Basketball

Published May 4, 2021, 8:06 PM

The NBA Playoffs are fast approaching. On this weeks WHAT"S BURNIN, Matt and Stak breakdown the Lakers recent struggles, and preview the week ahead, including a big matchup between Nets & Bucks. Plus, they discuss the MVP race.

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Jason Tatum drops a sixty piece nuggers on the Spurs thoughts on Tatum, I'm surprised Pop didn't retire to that game. I know he's sitting over there like, yeah, so soft, this is pathetic. Yeah, listen, abody to give y'all sixty. We would never and that I was when I was a standing talking a matter of fact on no team I was on. You would never get sixty on me. But I don't care who you is. Y'all couldn't do nothing to stop it from getting sixty. Come on, bro, I'm sorry, Pop, I'm sorry Pop. Welcome back to another edition of What's Burning Jack? What's good? Bro? What's something? My boy? Are you doing? Man? So the weekend and with the boys, Yeah, man, we can talk about Yeah. Man, we got to it out there in Texas. We went out there and ate up. But man, let's get to the show man. Lakers and Lebron. We're gonna lead off with that. Um. Lakers are struggling, have lost seven to ten. Um. Lebron just returned clearly not healthy. One thing he said, and we both completely understand he doubts will ever be a dent again. That man's a lot of miles on his body. Um, but there's a lot of talk about how rusty that he looks. A d looks this team looks headed into the playoffs. What are your thoughts? Uh, yeah, I mean, just it don't look like they have any rhythm. Of course, they can't have any rhythm. The two best players been out basically, you know, for the last couple of months, So uh, it looks shaky there. And coming back from my ankle injury like he had, you know, you gotta get that trust back. Even even though he's Lebron James, one of the best players ever, you still have to gain that confidence back in the ankle. But they're going through a lot right now, and then to me they're spiraling. But if they need anyto players to turn things around, you have them now. You just gotta get them healthy. Yeah. Well, I think one thing that's kind of interesting about this is Lebron has been that one superstar who's kind of avoiding injury his whole entire career. Uh, you know, it's been very durable. Um. You know, got here with that growing injury with the Lakers, and that took a long time to heal. Obviously, this ankle spring has took a long time, and people just have to understand, like he has been Superman, but he's getting old and when you're old, ship takes a lot longer to heal and a lot longer to start really feeling better and trusting. So, you know, he left the game the other night versus the Raptors and didn't return. They have a you know, a back to back tonight which he could possibly rest, which I think would be the smart move. But this kind of reminds me of what we're saying about the Clippers last year. As soon as they get healthy and get on the same page and get that chemistry, they're going to be a problem. But they never had They never had that time. So I think the Lakers are, you know what, seven eight games left in the season right now, uh, in a three way tie right now with the MAVs and Blazers for that five, six and seven seeds. So it'll be interesting to see if these guys can catch their rhythm um in time or if they're still trying to find that rhythm um going into the playoffs. One thing to kind of struck me too, and we talked about this off air, was Lebronn Lebron said, whoever created the playing format should be fired? And then you asked, you know, you asked before we were on air, do you think he would feel the same way if he wasn't end up playing situation. First of all, I love that Lebron is just fucking speaking now, Like he's always been politically correct, and I'm not even talking about this situation. I'm just talking about he's been the superstar that's always had the right thing to say at the right time, and we've always moved forward with it. But of late he's just been letting ship fly. And I kind of like this, Lebron. I mean, like, speak your mind. Like to me, you always obviously want to be prepared when you talk, and you want to say the right things, but sometimes just speaking straight from the cuff is real and authentic and we've made a living off that. What are your thoughts about him saying that whoever created the playing format should be fired? I mean that's how we feel. That's how we feel. You gotta respect you know, the we respected to check it and uh, you know, and Lebron, lebron opinion carries weight. Um me personally, I said, I said at the beginning to season. I like it the old way. I didn't. I don't like all this new stuff they added to the game. But at the end of the day, it is what it is, and he didn't expect his team to be in this position at the bottom of the Western Conference. You know, we'll do it because they and expect to go through all his injury stuff. But it is what it is. Deal with it. And like I said, if any team needed two players to turn it around last minute when they when they at the last seconds, you have the two players to do it. H As a fan, I really like the play in situation because I just you know, obviously we get to see more games of playing situation last year and the bubble was intriguing and exciting. But I felt when he said this from a standpoint because we were I mean, we're on the fourteen year anniversary of the we Believe situation knocking out Dallas. But I understand, when you're fighting for that sixth, seventh, eighth playoff spot and you actually secure it, that ship means a lot. But now what doesn't mean as much if you're if you secure that seventh or eighth spot, you still know you gotta play more to actually get in, so it's not there's no real side relief yet because although there's people securely in seven and eight right now, they're not guaranteed to make the playoffs. So I feel where he's coming from. And like I said, my excitement for the playing situation was as a fan, but I definitely feel where Braun is coming from as a player, like you work your ass off, like said, they would have never been in this position obviously if they're two superstars are healthy, but now they are facing this playing situation and it could be frustrated for teams down there at the bottom. So, like I said, again, I love when Lebron just freely speaks and speaks his mind. And it's been all over the headways today in the news ways, and I think it's funny. But we'll have to see, man, like we we've been saying, Man, a healthy Lakers team is still the favorites in the East. But can they be healthy enough? You know, a DA struggled since he's returned, and that's expected. Lebron has struggled a little bit since he's returned, that's expected. Do they have enough time to turn it around before it really matters we have to see continuing with the week ahead playoff push man, it's it's coming down the home stretch. Stads starting to get real interesting. Uh. The Nets and Bucks had a great game yesterday. Janice went for forty plus, Katie went for forty plus. Bucks edged them out. But it's a real tight ship up there for one, two and three between Philly, the Nets and the Bucks. And the Bucks have been under the radar this year and I think that's where they prefer to be. You know, they've won the conference. You know, they've wonted division a couple of times and really haven't shown out. And I think, you know, Jannice has spoken on that, but this team is playing, you know, below the radar, playing good basketball. Joannice knows what the world wants to see. They want to see him do what he does in a regular season. In the playoffs, obviously, adding Drew Holiday has been a great pick up. Middle teon has been playing well. The Bucks have depth. The Nets have a lot of depth. Hoping to get James Harden back soon. Jack talked to me about this upcoming game. But how these two teams match up. I mean they're both loaded with their with star power and then also supporting cast is really good too. Yeah, two two two great teams. Two teams are gonna be battling for the Eastern Conference. Obviously, you know, you you can't really measure them up when guys like James Harden is not on the court. I think both teams at the point where they're coming to the end of the season and they want to finish the season. Hell is healthy, They're not gonna show all their cards, especially in games like this. They're not gonna show all their cars. They're gonna hold some of their cars, especially defensive uh coverages of the playoffs. So uh, it's gonna be a fun game to watch, but you're gonna see two totally different teams come playoff time. I completely agree what I like about the Bucks because we've always been high on the nets, you know, obviously saying if they get healthy, um, they're they're most likely going to be the favorite coming at least. But what I like about the Bucks, like I said, they've been flying under the radar this year, and they've had a lot of different lineups, you know, but normally they go to try to get the best record in the East and kind of stick with what they know, but they've been playing different lineups small ball, big ball, uh, crunch time lineup, so they've been mixing up expecting different looks in the playoffs, and that's kind of always what's been their roadblock is hitting these different looks in the playoffs, which obviously slows Johanna's down. So, you know, definitely excited for Milwaukee. You know, they've they they've been one of the better teams of the last half of the years, but haven't been able to get over that hump um, you know, the Nets putting their big three together. My only thing with them is I think they'll find their chemistry. I just think once they get all three stars back together, they're gonna have to figure out how aggressive each of them can be. You know, they all have, you know, different games that can do different and bring different attributes to the game. Obviously all great scores, but you know, who is going to be the alpha, Who was gonna be okay with being the third person, you know, as far as getting shots up. So I don't know if that will be an issue just on outside looking in, it could be an issue, But man, I love this coming down the stretch and we can't forget about Philly. You know, Doc has those dudes playing great, and Beat is definitely an m VP candidate. Uh. Bill Ben Simmons getting healthy, They're supporting cast is playing well, man. So the Eastern Conference is gonna be real fun. Uh come playoff time. Continuing the week ahead, We're gonna take a look at the Denver Nuggets right now, who have a tough week ahead of them, starting with the Lakers, Uh, then Jazz rounding out with the Nets on Saturday. Uh. They've won nine out of ten since Murray's went down, moved into the three seed. Jack. This team has really rallied around losing one of their best players. And normally a team will rally around a loss, but then they'll come back to Earth realizing how important that player was. But this team hasn't came back to Earth yet. Uh. And I think the one star outside of Joker who is the front runner for m v P, the one guy who stepped his game all the way up. And I've been talking about this kid since he came in the league is Michael Porter Jr. He's got twenty six points a game, fifty seven from the field from the three point line. Uh. In the last ten games. Um, he's been amazing. Obviously, the addition that Aaron Gordon is gonna help UM come playoff time. But what have you seen from this Denver Nugget team? UM of late, the additional Eric Gordon. You know, I knew it was gonna be special, but it's just refreshing to see them hold it down after Murray went out. You know, you you you didn't know what to expect from this team, but to see them to keep it together. As you said, Jo Yoki is just talking about keeping the team together. No individual uh, no individual awards, no individual praise praises, just keep it as a team and family. And that's how they have to keep it. That's how you have to keep your organization and your team when one of your star players go down and guys got to fill in and step up, and they've been doing that. So I'm just happy to I want to give kudos to the coach for keeping these guys together and being able to win and not fall off and losing such a great player like Murray. Yeah. Absolutely, you know, hats off to coach Malone. But this is gonna bode well in the future for the Nuggets. Obviously still excited to see what they can do with this season. But this opportunity is really allowed Michael Porter Jr. To step in and show that he can be a star in this league. Um. You know, although it's only ten games, you continue to see flashes of his greatness. Um. But I think this is gonna be something here to stay, and I think this is gonna be a good test for him and Aaron Gordon the playoffs. You know what Jokers is gonna give you every night. Joker is gonna be one of the best players on the floor and giving you a complete all around game. But these young, long, athletic, wy are we wing players they have and Gordon Porter are gonna have to step up in the playoffs and play on both ends of the ball. So I'm excited, uh, you know, for this team and for these young players to really see what they can do. And then you know, hopefully Murray comes back completely healthy and they have a real solid core moving forward. Rounding out the week ahead, the struggling Los Angeles Lakers have their plateful this week, facing the Clippers, Blazers, and Sons, all pivotal games. With the way this team is playing right now, Jack, this team can very easily lose all three of these games. Um, what are your thoughts on the week ahead and with eight games to go? How important are these games for the Lakers? I agree with you, Bro, I mean, coming down to end this season, the teams they're playing are all playing well, all fighting for playoffs spots. Uh, Phoenix is trying to win the West. So the Lakers they're in trouble man. You know, like I said, Lebron is not and says he won't be. I don't even think eighties and percent. So they're gonna have to really dig deep and figure out how they could try to end this season on a good note. But the teams they plan are gonna make it tough on them. Well, you gotta think every single night you're gonna get the team's best shot. So although you're playing some of the top teams in the Western Conference, there are no nights off because you can play a team that's out of the race, but you're still playing against the Lakers. You're still playing against Aide and Lebron, so you're gonna get their best absolute shot, you know, and with Lebron possibly resting um for Monday night's game, Uh, the Lakers need to step it up. They definitely need to step it up. So it's gonna be interesting to see, you know, what this team can do in the final eight games, what kind of chemistry they can gain, what kind of rhythm there two stars can gain. And then also let's not forget I mean, with your two stars being gone Solong, it's given other guys like Kuzma and Harold and some other guys getting a lot of shot attempts. So now with those shot attempts decreasing again, how do they kind of find their rhythm in their place? Um, with the stars back, so keep it. We'll keep a close eye on this to kind of see how they can bring this together. Um. But man, like I said, the Lakers have been our pick all season, even during the injuries, thinking, you know, like once they get back, if they're healthy, they'll be fine. But they are back, and you can tell they're not really healthy yet. So health is going to be the key for this team, and then getting their chemistry and rhythm back is next to the next most important. Another question with this, out of those three teams Clippers, Blazers, Sons, who do you think is the biggest or the toughest challenge for the Lakers right now, I would have to still say Clippers, even though the sounds like they're going to win the Western Conference. Um, I say the Clippers just the matchup wise and Boogie Cousins, Surgeon Baka Paul, George Kauai Rondo and some of the guys that ain't comeingp coming off the bench, they are the team that's going to give the Lakers of the most problem in the Western Conference. About far, I completely agree, completely agree with their two stars. So this is gonna be fun. Man. Like I said, there's just a lot of interesting storylines leading into the playoffs. Um, I'll tell you one thing. I know, the Clippers are gonna be I mean, the Blazers are gonna be a motherfucker in the playoffs. You know Utah and Phoenix. Utah Phoenix are doing their thing. Clippers are gonna be ready. You know, the Lakers are still trying to find their footing. Memphis is scary, uh you know, so it's to be you know, Dallas is right there in the mix. So it's gonna be man. This last couple of weeks of the regular season is gonna be fun leading into the playoffs on the Radar, presented to you by DraftKings. Here are some of the top MBVP candidates for this season and their odds on winning that coveted MVP trophy. Joker is minus six hundred and seventy and beat this plus four fifty and Chris Paul is plus ten thousand UM. Quick breakdown of what these guys are looking like currently. Joker has got his team at number three in the West nine in one without Murray. Without Murray's average twenty eight points, eleven rebounds, and nearly nine assists, shooting almost fifty seven percent from the field. Very impressive for the Big Fella because a lot of people are talking about what would they do with Murray going out. He's definitely answered the bell on that. And Bead has his team as the number one team in the East. In the forty five games he's played this season, he's average twenty nine points, you'll be ten and a half rebound from the free throw line, getting nearly eleven attempts a game, so he's up there in the league leaders with attempts. His health has been key. Uh. The Doc has these boys playing great, so I expect them to make it a nice run to see if they can get over the hump this year and last, but not least the fender of the program. My prediction earlier in the season as the team to watch. Never did I think they would be number one in the West. But a shout out our boy Chris Paul has his team the number one team in the West. CP is at six team points a game, nine assists, four and a half rebounds, and only two turnovers, and they have the best road record in the league. And you know, come playoff time, that's very important. So Jack, I gave you top some of the top candidates. Thoughts on each one of them or where they stand. It's a it's it's a nice group there. Um. I think, uh, you know, the guys who get their teams to the top of the Western Conference and the actually winning going to conference, I think they got a better hand bet a chance of getting the m v P. I think Chris Paul was sure deserves the m v P um considering Steve Nash wanted when they were last time they were in this position and they haven't been his position for a while. But I also think Devin Booker deserves it not and I would give Devin, But I would give Devin Booker not before Yokis, even though Yoker just deserves it. He's a great player, He's doing great. I just think for what Devin book and Chris Pards both brought to the NBA, both brought to that team this year, I think it's something that deserves a reward. Now, I definitely think it's something, Uh, to look at. You made a great point. Devin Booker has been playing great, but Chris Paul was that missing piece that Phoenix needed. I've been saying that Devin book has just been letting his career waste out there in beautiful Phoenix. Uh. But CP came and gave his team life. And you're right, you know, numberers numbers that are similar to nash I think in Nashville had a little bit more assists um during his m v P runs. But CP is right there and and and the one thing you can never the numbers never shows his mental toughness and and what kind of competitor he is and and the coach on the floor that he is. So you know, this is three nights and again, and we don't want to selling B short, you know, and B has been playing great basketball when he's healthy. With all due respect to Joker, I think it beat is the best big in the game. Um, and then I mean ship, but we can't fight with what Joker is doing, you know, I mean the numbers he's putting up, the way he's been able to keep his team together when his his co star has lost to a knee injury for the season. So man, it's gonna be interesting to see, um who ends up picking up this m VP. But there's a lot of great candidates, but definitely Chris Paul needs to be or in this conversation because he took a team that was in the gutter to the top of the toughest division in basketball, which is the Western Conference. So shout out CP and the Phoenix Suns and all the people up for m v p uh nods this year. Now we're into our favorite segment of the show, fan questions. Let's get started, ra mondro Oh. One. This one is for Steven Jackson. What did Coach Pop mean when he told the team to get nasty against Okay See in two thousand and twelve, we were soft? I mean you had a team for for the for the good guy. You know, long people that had a little nasty and them was probably me Kawai and and Dwan Blair and they weren't playing Dwan Blad that much. You know, guys were really just softened. Was back and down and um, you know, you know I played mad man, you play similar. You know, I only played play one way. And he asked the whole team to get like that. And that's what he meant by nasty. Play with some attitude, play with some passion, start a fight, do something, and uh, Pop always he he always preached like that sometimes. But you need that, you know something. Nice guys are good, but when it's time to go to war, you gotta turn that nasty side on. Pop said. Every team that won the championship needs a Matt barn These are runs that run our test needs a guy like that. Every team that was the championship, if you look, you have a guy like Dennis Robbers. You have a guy like that on the team to keep it all together. Next fan question Gaston at Gaston underscore, Oh, if you could play with four players that you haven't played with in today's game, who would it be and why? That's a good question. First, only play with Lebron because he's one of the greatest players ever, one of the most selfish superstars we've overseen. Next, I would want to play with Kyrie because he's just a killer self explanatory. Next James another killer self explanatory. And last but not least, it's like a three way tie between A. D. Kauai and Jayson Tatum. So I'll take uh, let me take Kauai as my as as as someone I want to I wanted to play against we you know, I enjoyed, you know, with my my time with LOBS City because we really used to go at san Antonio, getting get a chance to match up against him as he was coming into his own Now he's a two time champion, two time finals MVP, so I think would be dope to get a chance to play with him. What about you, I would, of course Kyrie. I would love to play with Kyrie. Um. I would have loved to play with Katie as well. Um one of my favorite players. He's been heard a lot, but I would love to play with him. I don't love to play with de Marcus Cousins and four and four UM definitely be Steph Curry. I wish I would have said and got traded the year he got drafted. He didn't believe in him. He didn't believe in him. That's gonna be a classic now if you think about it. Man, We've got to play with some amazing motherfucking players. Man, like everyone you wanted to play with, I got a chance to play with, you know what I means. So it was it was dope to kind of just be there and see that. So the league is in great hands, man, with a lot of great players. So that was a good question. I like that. Next up, underscore l underscore, gringo. What city around the league has the best food after you smoke? Or what's what's your go to stoner stone meal? I ain't gonna lie, man. I remember, Matt, I remember when we was in the playoffs in Dallas Crescent Court. The motherfucker burs Oh my god, right now, man, fucking Burger bro That ship was fire. And I remember remember used to always somehow, I don't know what kind of plug you must have been sucking someone over there or Nelly just really loved you, but you always had like the two story sweet when we stayed at that hotel, so we was always in your room smoking it out. Watching game film. Remember your came through and dropped us with some uh uh, what's staring at the world? Do my rear view from pop too by game Man? Yeah, but the cressing court? What what was the burger called? Who was called the ms keep burger was like Askep barbecue burger. That ship was fired. My goodness, broo, we both agree with that. So that's how you know it was good. As soon as you started talking about it, you said, crescing court. I said that just motherfucker's talking about that burger. Shout out the crescing Court of Dallas Man. That burger was a classic. Next bad question, don't don't check me ninety three. What is one of your favorite moments you've experienced with your mom? Shout out to mother's for Mother's Day on Sunday. Definitely, Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers coming up. Um experience with my mom. I to be honest with you, I think it's the We Believe time because you know, we all have a crazy story leading up to how we got to that We Believe team. But my story was I was on the verge of being out the league. You know, I was about to go try to play football, and um, you know the story has been told, you know how bet hit me up. I went up there and played and go went from end up going playing well in a pick up game to making that Warrior team. But I think my best experience with my mom was she finally got to see me play and succeed and have fun and got a chance to meet that team and all the moms and the friendship she made, um, you know, before her untimely passing the following year. So I would definitely say my my funnest experience was you know, having you know, getting my mom, having my mom get a chance to see that team. Um, knowing that she died the year after. Well, I have to agree with Matt. I think my best specially my best experience was bad basketball was to we believe is because my mom she not only was that felt like my mom, but she felt a part of the organization, She felt a part of another family. You know, I didn't go to state like all our moms were friends and those times at the times and when we talk about basketball, she only talks about those times to go to State. She was in San Antonio when I won the championship, but those times to go to stay, she held, dear, you know, we relationship with your mom and asma. But um also for me, I think from building my mom a house, that was a great experience for me and her because when I built the house, I promised that I was gonna build her and my grandmother house and I was able to do that and to see her face knowing that that I was doing that, that meant a lot to her. So those two moments, go to stay and building our house, I mean, that's the best moments I can ever think of. You know, that's dope because that was what obviously, that's what all of our goal is is is once we get into a position too, is to take care of our mom. And I finally that season that got into position where I started making some money. That next season, she died at the beginning of that next season. I think another thing too that that that I really share with my mom that was special was she didn't smoke, but every Mother's Day she would smoke with me. So she would always hit the joint by the end of the day and probably happened here passed out early before before the night end. So that was always a little ritual in a tradition, uh that we have so rest in peace to Mars. But those are some great times, man. Definitely, it's coming up, Jack, Jack is coming up on. This year is going to be fourteen years crazy man, because the Twins Day, the Twins will be thirteen in November and my mom the Twins came home as the year after my mom died. It's crazy. Next question past twenty three X have you ever played a street pickup game and face the player you thought could play as a pro? Keep it up? Salute from Greece, Shout out Greece. Um, Yeah, I definitely probably say some dudes in the men's gym that you run across that you know, end up playing overseas or something like that, that could definitely, you know, get a chance. But it's different. I think everyone thinks that the NBA is so simple and and and and it feels so simple everyone being there. But what people don't understand is the last player on that bench will go into a normal pickup game and bus to everybody's ass, you know what I mean. Like, it's very competitive. Even if you don't get consistent minutes, you can obviously play because you gotta think four fifty guys in the whole world wants to be in the NBA. So salute to all the players in the NBA. There's definitely guys out there that we ran across. Um, they could do it. But man, it's it's a lot more than talent that goes into actually making the league. Yeah, shout out to Greece again. Man, you you're gonna see a lot of guys coming up that should have made it. But just to get the opportunity is opportunities that we get. Um, they're more than more talented. They work out, they play just as good as we do, you know, but they make some bad decisions I think, just gonna go their way. I've seen the millions, millions of guys that I said belong in the NBA. But you know what God has for you, it's for you, and can nobody stop it? And um, you know he got different strokes with different folks. Yeah, well, I mean it's it's such a thin line between you know, we both have friends and family that that that that you know, kept us on that right path because we could have definitely been a statistic for the wrong side. You know, we both got a chance to play fourteen years and make money and have successful post careers. But you know, it could have been one wrong turn this way or run wrong turn that way that we could have been a statistic on the other side. So definitely, like I said, it's always, it's always more than talent um that that defines whether or not you're gonna make it in the NBA Heywood Underscore era. Would Jack ever get in the ring with someone for celebrity boxing? Yea, would you? No, wouldn't. No playing and simple because I'm not a boxing Yeah I'm not. I'm not. I'm not thirsty for money, I'm I'm not holding on by a lot by lifeline. So I'm not gonna go out there and and act like I'm a boxer and embarrass myself for the world. No boxing. I know, I've been a fighter all my life, Matt. I've had many fights in my life. I know the difference between fighting and boxing, and it's a big difference. And if you've never been in the boxing ring and you never felt them gloves, you haven't been sparring your whole life, You're gonna go in there and get yourself embarrassed. As you see, you can be a UFC fighter. But if you don't know how to box, You're gonna go in there and get your block knocked off. So no, I won't. And then again, I don't have the calmness to be a boxer. You knocked me out. The fight is never gonna be over. I'm gonna wait at your call, I'm gonna be at your hotel. I'm gonna put it hit on you. Something gonna happen. So no, I would never do that. Hey, I think you made up a great point though, because me too. I mean, obviously been fighting my whole life, but once I started boxing, it felt like I was starting all over. Like boxing is so much different than fighting. It's it's crazy. So just because you think you can fight it you might have some nice hands, that ship doesn't necessarily trans over into the boxing ringing like we've seen it. It's it's kind of a I guess there's a wave now of you know, people wanting to box and celebrity boxing. We got the logan Paul Floyd Mayweather fight coming up. Um shout out showtime Boxing. We will be in Miami for that. Uh, Steve Espinoza, I hope you see this episode and realize we will be there. We need to be ringside. We could work if you need us to work. We could chill and be fly and hid if you need us to do that. But one way or another, we will be front row with that fight. Um, what are your thoughts on that? You know, obviously Floyd has done some us some charity fights where he knocked out the uh, the the the Asian cat from overseas, uh you know Augusly Floyd one of the greatest fires, if not the greatest fire of all time. Stepping in the ring with one of these Paul brothers who are really taking the taking this celebrity boxing by storm. A lot of people want to hate on them. The boys keep knocking motherfucker's out and they're getting paid, paid, paid to do it. So thoughts on this upcoming fight with Mayweather and Logan Paul the showtime is putting on? Yeah, it's it's it's entertainment obviously. UM, I want to see more real boxing fights, doing or not every six months of fight, you know, I want to see the real boxes fight. But I'm excited because Floyd's an entertainer and this this guy is bigger than Floyd Florida may shure, it's an exhibition exhibition match, So I wanna go on his record, but it's about to pay day, and you know, Floyd's gonna get a big pay day. He don't do anything where he don't make a payd So anytime, how could you go and get somebody getting the check? And that's what Floyd doing. I'm gonna go out here, I'm gonna fight this dude bigger than me and I'm embarrassing him and get a check. So when went for Floyd? Mm hmmm. Now I think it's great. You know. Uh, the celebrity boxing people ask me if I wanted to box llo uh, and I'm just like no. I mean, I can't box my brother, I can't box someone I funk with. So but I ever would I ever do a charity boxing match. I mean, if I was consistently still working out doing boxing and I had some time to really really put to it, um, I wouldn't be against it. But it's not again, it's not something I'm looking forward to or really want to do. UM. So I agree, because, like I said, if I hadn't to get knocked in front the world and they're gonna be making fun of me, the fight will never be over, Thank you, thank go ahead. Next fad question at CPS storage was that we believed team the most fun you've had in the NBA, hands down. I think it was because it was so much more than boxing. Uh, so much more than basketball. And today is the fourteen year anniversary of Game six that we knocked him out. You remember we did later this night fourteen years ago where we ended up at the end of the night. Man, do I cloud blowing down the fourth season with Snoop at the end of this night fourteen years ago. But yeah, man, that we believed team was special. You know, like we all were brothers to this day still. You know, our mom's had a friendship. Uh. You know, to think that this team has still talked about this much and all we did was win the first round series. We didn't even win the second round. Uh, but we can look back on that. You know, someone said something interesting today that I saw. I didn't know. We swept Utah during the regular season um that year, and then they had some help with the rest to get us out in the second round. But I didn't know that, mad I gotta go back and do some investigate. Yeah, I didn't know that. I didn't know, I don't know. Yeah, we swept the season series with the Jazz that year and then they beat us in the second round. Uh but yeah, man, that we believe team was special. On the anniversary of Game six today, I think that's dope. I'm definitely gonna have to smoke one for the cars. Uh what what? What what about for you? Uh? Smoking is nothing new. I'm gonna do that anyway. But one thing about it, Uh my years there there I hold I hold dear to me because now you said it wasn't just about basketball, you know. I I grew lifelong relationships with my with with people I called my brothers today and we we made history doing that, you know what I mean. So it just means a lot, you know, to to still have the relationship, you know, with my brothers from that time. That's that's what mean the most to me. Absolutely special times coming up this Thursday, May seven, and we have ESPN s own our sister Rachel Nichols on all the smoke. Enjoy the teaser. Thoughts on how the league and Adam Silver has how did lash has passed events. I don't think you can argue like it's been an overall like huge success right, the fact that they got a league playing and they were able to navigate through a global pandemic and keep everyone safe and nobody has had you know, knock on every surface near me because we're not out of this yet, but no one has had serious health problems while you are trying to move people around the country in groups and a contact sport where everyone sweats all over each other. There's no easy thing. Have there been little things along the way that they may have wanted to do better? You know now that the hindsight they would tell you that, you know, so so sure, but you know it's kind of like I say, like, no one's perfect people. You just got to do the best you can. And I think they've made really good choices a lot of the time. Thoughts on the play in format because I absolutely love it. I love it too. I know a lot of people don't find I think it's awesome. It was really fun in the bubble and it just gives everybody a little bit more skin in the game, but in a way that doesn't feel like it's going to mess with the integrity of who wins, Like I don't think it's going to make it the plan tournament is going to have no effect on who wins the NBA title. I don't think whoever makes it into the playoff game is gonna win. We've never had an eight seed win a title before. Came close a little bit with Patrick Ewing, but never didn't happen. Um And I certainly don't think a playing team is my guests. I mean, who knows someone's now going to do it and they're gonna show this clip I'm looking at the I'm sorry I doubted you who I don't even know, and I don't even know what team this is, but clearly I doubted you, and you can use that as motivation. I mean, if the Lakers slide, you know with a D and braun, if they happen to slide, like to me, if they slide and get into a plan situation, as long as they're healthy, I still think they're the best team in the Western you know, outside of them, No, I think I think that's true. But that's the case of the plan. I just don't think the Plan is going to have a team that doesn't deserve it. I guess that's what I should say, because like in a single elimination thing, in that first game or two the actual playing tournament, anyone can win. But what that team then has to go into the playoffs, right then you have to go into seven game series. So I just don't think you're going to get some outlier team that shouldn't be there win. So I I should, that's a good point. I should. I should have seen I messed up. I should, But I got you, got me, you got me? But yeah, I just think that it's it's only fun. Do you How do you feel about Jack? I just feel like it's an interestant twist, you know. I like the old school way you are. You gotta earn your way in. I don't like all this other ship. You know, top eight everybody else go home, get on that boat early one to three cancoom and uh, you know, everybody else that earned it get in there. I like it because I think it starts to the energy for the playoffs a little bit sooner. And it's a cool format. You know, seven plays eight or yah seven place eight and seven. The winner gets seven and then eight the winner the loser the loser of the seven eight battle plays the winner of nine and that's husay. Yeah. So to me, I just think it's great energy. I just think it gets the playoffs a jump starre and like you said, something different. I mean I get traditioned. But like we said, I mean, we're just a different time now, so why not try something different. I think something that they did that worked well in the bubble. Yeah, they're continuing. I'm an eighth seed. I ain't even to fight for the eight seed. Who you are too, I'm already here what I got to play for. And by the way, the Raptors right this year, it depends on who you are. We've been sorry all you are, Rachel to land in this eight spot. We don't deserve it. The Raptors this year at the trade deadline, this is a team that is two years removed from winning a title, playing in a state they don't even live in, like not even front of their fans, all this stuff, and they basically decided, you know what, We're going to try to keep our core, but we're not going to like go all out to win a playing game. We don't have to. Our fans don't expect that. They're not going to be happy with, Oh, we want to play a game, you want a title two years ago. So for teams like that, for teams like the Warrior, I get Draymond being like, I'm not excited, but you know what. We had Darren Fox on the show the other day. He'd like to play, you know, And I get that too for him even if you wouldn't be excited, even though Draymond is not a side know when the ball goes up for you and the ball goes of him, and you guys are gonna play your asses. We're winding down, moving ahead to quick hitters. The DeMarcus Cousins and Region Rondo impact on the Clippers nearly pulled off a comeback against the Nuggets Saturday night. Both played really well. Wander Rondo had eighteen five rebailds, five assists to steals in thirty minutes, but he had sixteen points in fourteen minutes. Jack knees to be difference makers come playoff time for the Clippers. It ain't no question about it. They're already making a difference and these this is the toughness that the team needs. These are the two guys is gonna do all the talking, all the pushing, all the stuff that's gonna keep Kauai and Paul George focused on the game. This was the biggest moves of the season so far with adding them to to the already great Clipper team. I think Tyler is licking his chops right now. He can't wait to get in his playoffs and let these goons loose. The Clippers are scary, and I don't want to gass them too much because I gassed them last year and it cost me a bunch of cush ups. But there wasn't This team that is a much different team. But like I said, similar to what I said about Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference, the Clippers have been floating under the radar r season. You know, Kauai is dealing with a little bit of foot sore news, but I'm sure he's gonna be a go um come playoff time. They're gonna be a tough out and don't be surprised if you see them representing the Western Conference UH in the finals. Tyler has these dudes playing well on the same page. Uh. Like you said, I got two guys that will do all the dirty work plus put solid numbers up. UH. Looking to get Serge Ibaka back soon. This Clipper team is built for the playoffs, so we're gonna have to see now. I mean, there's been such a curse on that that Clipper name since Donald Sterling uh took over the team under under new ownership. Now maybe the cursl end, but this cook of team is playing good basketball, heading in the right direction, getting everybody healthy at the right time, and should be fun to watch during the playoffs. LaMelo Ball made his return after a risk injury had him sidelined for a handful of weeks. They are one and once is to return. Charlie currently sits in the eighth seed, which is in a playing situation that East at five the Hawks, six of the Heat, seven of the Celtics, eight of the Hornets, nine of the Pacers, ten or the Wizards. Jack will the Hornets lock up a playoff spot to be playing in the real playoffs. It's gonna be hard to see. Uh. It's good to see LaMelo back though, you know, he's the he's the the engine to that car um. It's good to see him back and on their team. But like I said, they have a chance. Uh, they having him back gives him a better chance, you know what I mean with a without him on the line up, You know, you just kind of Fishy, the leaders not there. But with this kid back, I think just coming back starting off one and one, him getting his filed back for the game, he could possibly take this team to the playoffs. The energy, excitement, outside of the numbers he's putting up is what he really This team was lacking uh in his absences. You can clearly see that. So I'm excited to get these guys back on track. Um. I definitely think they can make the playoffs. At the playoffs started today, they play the Celtics in the play in situation, I would probably take the Celtics right there to lock up that seventh seed. But then you know, between Pacers and Wizards, to me, the Hornets could beat either one of those teams and lock up the eight seeds. So I hope they do. I think it will be great for the city of Charlotte. I think it'll be great for that uh that team. Like I said, they're excitement. I love the way they play. They're just they're all on the same page. Doesn't seem like there's any egos out there. Obviously they need Gordon Haywood completely healthy to make that happen. But you know, definitely looking forward to see what these boys can do next up. Julius Randall has continued his excellent play this season. The Knicks have won a left and out of twelve games. Man, I think that's amazing. Randall is averaging during this stretch twenty nine points, nearly nine rebounds, really six assists the game, and it has his team solidly sitting in a playoff position in the East. Thoughts on Randall and what he's been able to do to help the Knicks regain some of their former glory, no thoughts at all. But he's playing well. Um. I don't think about the Knicks at all. Um, I haven't thought about the Knicks. Is Mellow left. But I have to give Round of his props. One thing about me, and I would say that I was high on Rounded when he was with the Lakers. I just knew that they weren't gonna get the best out of him. Besides, he had the agility and what he can do as a lefty. I knew he was gonna be good in his league. I just knew it was a matter of time. I didn't know he was gonna be an All Star. But what he's doing right now, I gotta give him his props. Keep carrying that team, young fella, and I don't think you know what you're doing for the city of New York, but you're doing something big for the city of New York, Bro, so keep going. Absolutely, he's a man, He's he's a god out there. Uh definitely probably, I mean playing well enough to be first team All NBA. Most likely will probably be second uh team. But this dude has had a great season, first time All Star and got the Nicks sitting nice um in the middle of that Eastern Conference. So salute to you, my brother. I definitely need to get you on the show. We had to cancel last week because it was two last minute, but we definitely need to catch up with Bro on the show too. Next up, Jason Tatum drops a sixty piece nugger on the Spurs, and what makes it more impressive was the Spurs were up thirty two points in this game, so every Shotty hit was needed and important, becoming or actually tying the single season Celtics record for most points in the game with the one and only Larry the Legend Bird thoughts on Tatum and his development and continued to growth in his game. I'm surprised Pop didn't retired to that game. I know he's sitting over there like, yeah, so solve this is pathetic. Yeah, listen, abody to give y'all sixty. We would never and about was when I was standing talking a matter of fact on no team I was on, you would never get sixty on me. But I don't care who you is. Come on, na, man, man, Now let's talk about san Antonio. Y'all. Sorry, bro, y'all letting this man get y'all six. I don't care how cold Tatum is. He is cold, but I'm just saying, bro, y'all couldn't do nothing to stop it from getting sixty. Come on, bro, I just I'm sorry, Pop, I'm sorry, Pop. Now, I'm a big you know Jason Tatum fan. I think he just had a birthday to twenty three. If I'm not mistaken, He's one of the bright young stars of this game, will be one of the faces that carried this league forward. Um. Just crazy to see. I didn't get a chance to cast the whole game. I caught the end, but it's like I said, anytime someone dropped sixty in the NBA game, that's a beautiful thing to see. Man. So set up Jason Tatum and hopefully he can get his boys back roll in the right direction. Uh, come playoff time. Closing thoughts, Jack, we got a big week coming up, headed out to Memphis for the Iverson Classic. All the top high school players in the country will be in attendance. What are you looking forward to most about this up? Mean week? Course? And I love I love this time of the year. Man. I get to be around the young the future stars coming up, get to give them all the game and all the lessons we learned so they won't have to make none of the mistakes that we made. And also just you know, just to be around you know, basketball again, you know, being around fans and all this type of stuff is just a good feeling for me to try to get back to normal. But being a part of allan Opson Classics, which is becoming one of the biggest high school classics, uh in the country, the only one that going on this year. Especially to be on our third year, and especially to be coaching again, especially be coaching on the side of you. So a lot of things we're doing, having the first girl being involved with the Civil Rights Museum. We're we're making a lot of history with this event, and I'm just so humbled, humbled, humbled to be involved having Showtime involved this year again too, So it's awesome. Definitely shout out our brother Allen Iverson for providing this platform. Um No, everything you said, I mean, like I said, being able to mentor these younger kids and seeing tomorrow stars. I think it's gonna be dope. Having a female play in the game. I think it's going to be special breaking down walls. So definitely excited to head back to Memphis, get some good food, some good smoke, and uh man enjoy the game. Next up, as you all know, May is mental health Awareness a month. Um. We've had a lot of people jack kind of step outside their comfort zone on our show, which I thought was a beautiful thing and speak on how important uh mental health awareness is. Um. Like I said, it used to be something that was not talked about, very quiet. But you know, you think people like Kevin Love and DeMar De Rosen, uh, Paul George and many more who have come out and kind of broke the stigma of you know, this is not something we speak onto, actually having it a topic of conversation, having a whole having it it's obviously more than just a month, but I think it's a great start to, like I said, have these conversations because these these conversations can save lives. Yeah, man, it's very important, you know. I think as athletes it's important that we can continue to talk about these type of things because people things just because we make a lot of money and that we're on TV and we have all these nice things that we're not human and we don't go through ups and downs. Well, I can tell you what I smoke so I won't go so I won't go crazy mentally, and I've been smoking my whole life just so I won't go crazy mentally. Because you deal with a lot of things. You deal with people that you have trust in and they end up, you know, burning your trust, and those type of things can hurt you when you're doing everything from the hard, doing everything, you know, genuinely, Uh, those type of things from family and friends can really tell you off and really take away your focus from the game and things like that. So it's good for athletes to come out and to be honest with themselves and to speak out on things like this because not only is it helping the people that's listening, but it's also helping the athlete to be able to get it out. No. Absolutely, Like I said, it's a very important conversation. Again, hats off to everyone who's curageous enough to speak about it. Continuing to moving these conversations forward, man, is what's needed. Like I said, at the end of the day, we're opening doors to hopefully save some lives before we do our closing. I want to do a special shout out to um Gianna Bryant may One. This past Saturday was her fifteenth birthday and UM, thank you Vanessa for sending me this Mamba Sita sweatsuit that I think. I'm just yeah, but I'm gonna hit vig and see if we can get you one. But uh, sweatsuits sold out for out within hours. Um. Continuing to push her memory and her legacy. Man, just a tough time. You know, obviously we lost our brother Code, but you know, to lose g and the rest of the little girls and and the other parents on that flight where it was something horrific. But you know, definitely hats off to Vanessa for keeping gigs legacy alive. The beautiful young woman would have been fifteen on Saturday, So again, uh, happy heavenly birthday and uh we definitely miss you guys, sir. Happy birthday. Big news coming next week, Jack, The Hall of Fame class will be inducted next week. Obviously because of the pandemic, it was postponed. Um. But we've got our brothers KG, rest in peace, Kobe and Tim Duncan, along with many others being inducted. UM. Thoughts on this class, some people saying this is the greatest Hall of Fame class in the history. It could be all our brothers, all deserving. Wish Cope was here to hear his speech. But at the end of the day, my brother is gonna get honored. Um. I hopefully Vanessa and the kids, uh well get some joy out of this as well. And but Tim dunk KG two guys who are the best to ever play the game. Tim Duncan, you know how I feel about him, and you know I feel about KG. So it's gonna be a beautiful day for basketball, and I'm happy for all my brothers. Yeah. Absolutely, congratulations to all the Hall of Fame nominees, but definitely shout out to our fan man. What's Burning is available every Monday on Showtime Basketball YouTube and you can find us on Twitter and on Instagram at show Basketball. Before we go, make sure you catch the new Barnes Boys episode coming to you this week. You can find them at their instagram at the Barnes Boys Podcast as well on YouTube. We'll see how 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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