Luka vs SGA, Kentucky in the SEC Tourney and Can Drake Really Hoop?

Published Mar 13, 2024, 12:32 PM

John and C.J. talk about Drake's concert at Kentucky, his impact on the UK program and if he can really hoop. They discuss Luka Doncic, how John guarded him, his closest NBA comp. and if they would take Luka or SGA to start a franchise. Plus, John answers fan submitted questions, including if he would rather his jersey be retired by Kentucky or the Wizards.

What's going on? Everyone? Welcome to Point Game presented by DraftKings. Don't forget. DraftKings is your home for all the action across the NBA and gets you closer to the game we all love. The crown is yours. I'm CJ Toldonnald and as always, I'm joined by my co host, five time NBA All Star, number one overall pick, John Wall John, how are you feeling, man?

What's something man? I'm great, man. I'm very excited to get back to another episode. It seemed like we'd be taking too long off, but you know, we're giving a episode a week. But I'm definitely excited to be back and get another episode going now.

Yeah, let me ask you, now that you have like this platform you're doing the pod, are you like thinking about it all week where you're like, oh, you're watching a game, You're like, oh, I got a great take here, good opinion here, I want to hop on the mic. How are you feeling now that you got this pod?

I feel great, man, Like I'm very excited to get to a new episode every week. I kind of like watch games and then I mean I'm watching women's game and men's game in a just trying to figure out, Okay, who can I add next to the next episode, who can I add to the next show, and try to make interesting and just trying to pick their brain about what I see in both parts of the game that's going on. And it's very dope because the women game is expanded so much right now, you know, I mean, I think we and I l and they exposure to there, get on that spotlight.

It's very big time for them.

This podcast unintentionally has become a little bit of a Kentucky podcast, Kentucky basketball podcast. So I wanted to shout them out and say, appreciate you guys all listening. And I did want to shout out because a bunch of the current players who we hope to have on the show just got named, you know, got some SEC awards. You know, Shout out Reed Shepherd who just got Freshmen of the Year and Rob Dillingham who got six Men of the Year. What does it feel like seeing those players, you know, who are falling in your footsteps get these awards.

I think it's dope, man, shout out an Tonio Reeves. Also, you know, I mean our first team All Conference and DJ Waddner, he made All Freshman team with those guys, you know, I think just having a team like that, you know, I mean the most important thing is everybody have their own individual accolades they want to get. But when you get to go up there and you got a couple of your teammates up there, they just let you know how y'all chemistry and come out of is and how y'all bonding as a team. And that's one thing Coach Kyle always preaches. So when you come here, you do anything, she just don't try to do it by yourself. And when you got multiple guys that's able to get awards or beat something special in your conference, that means y'all head in the right direction. And we just got a big win against Tennessee, So I was excited to see that. The way they play defense that game, if they can keep that intensity up for the rest of the year, they got a great chance to do something special in March.

And John I wanted to because you mentioned all that, you know, like the hype it is to play at Kentucky. The other fun part that you got to go through was because Drake had a concert. He returned to rupp Arena for the first time I think in like twelve years and he brought Rob on stage. Can you, like we've talked about it a little bit on the show, can you describe that relationship between Drake and Kentucky and how special that is?

Uh, Like Boog said, I think we set the trend, you know what I mean, having Drake come around it was It was funny because he had a concert at the time when we went to it, and it was just exciting. I mean, just building up brotherhood in the bond with him and Kentucky's just school he supports.

You know, I mean, you know what I mean.

He had that picture when he was warming up one time I think may imagine shot the airball. Then he posted a famous picture what he did when de booking and was on the team.

It's just great man.

And for him to have opportunity like all the states he can go to, uh the take and stop in Kentucky and Uh for those guys to get to see it, it was a big time because it comes it comes right after having a big game Saturday in Tennessee. You get that when you come back Sunday and you get to see Drake, a little Dirk and all them come out there so and Jay coach. So that was a big time you I mean to get opportunity to just be out there and see that type of concert in Kentucky. Uh, they very really get those type of shows. So I know the fans appreciated that. And just for the guys on the team, and like I said, getting a great win and get to see meet those guys, I think it was special for them.

Do you think that that Drake has an effect on recruitment at all? Like I think we've seen like coach cal you know, at the house at Drake's house, Like do you think some of these players are being recruited are having tough time deciding? Are like, oh man, Drake's got that affiliation.

I don't really think so.

You know me, I think like that opportunity was playing in Toronto, you know me at the time. Yeah, So Jake was like, Okay, y'all can use my house to practice. Like that's the type of person he is. So yeah, it's not like every team and every year they're gonna get to go to Toronto and play it, you know what I mean, you get to play in Canada. But I think it was just perfect. They went to play in Canada. I mean, Drake's like, you know what, my house is open to anybody practice there, do anything. But as you let you know what his connection is, we could take you how much you support coach cal And supports the school.

So that's big time for us.

But I wouldn't say help us with recruiting because we don't get to go there every years.

That small chance. So yeah, anyone being recruited right now, think about that. Okay. I wanted to get into some current NBA talk because you know some players right now who are really continuing to impress. I'd love to hear some of your thoughts because I think the great thing about you hosting this pot again is like you've played against some of these guys, Like you have some insights that some of these other panel you know, talking heads are just you know, spouting off, you know, hot takes. So the guys that is really kind of putting on right now. Luka Doncic He's just had six six straight thirty point triple doubles. Last night he came up short. He had twenty seven points triple double, but they also got to win. So I wanted to get your overall thoughts on Luca as a player and what it was like if you guys played each other like six games. Like, what are your thoughts on Luca Special?

I mean very specially to me. He's played against grown people his whole life, you know. I mean, like some of us growing up over here in the States, we've played against older people. But he had opportunity to play the professional league since I think maybe fourteen, and that was dominating, dominating, and just to see the levelages at man, Like, it's hard to guard this league. Know, you can't hand check, you can't be really physical, but that guy like that, it can make all tough shots off the dribble, has a famous step back with he has counters to but his pace, you can never speed him up. He's a big body, he knows how to use it. He's great at getting angles, a lot of pump fakes, a lot of great footwork. His passing ability is impeccable, you know what I mean. And I think that's what separate him because you blitzen him. But he can make every read at like six ' eight. And I think they added some great pieces to their team. Daniel Gravit, PJ. Washington, you know, especially having Kyrie, one of the best one on one players of all time, and those guys just playing at hot level. And you have a great coach and Jason Kidder knows how to break down the game, knows the point guard position, so you know what I mean, Like I looked at it.

I was watching the game.

In the first quarter, he damn near had like fifteen nine and eight when he's about to have a triple dow the first quarter.

But it's just exciting, man, Like you know what I mean.

Right now, he's on a roll, he's in a hot streak, and when he's making that step back jumper, he's really knowing you could do because he's getting to the paint. He has every read he can make. He has knockdown shooters on the wing, and he has a live threat between Dereck Lively and Danie Gaffers. So having those two pieces with a player like that that can pass the ball, score at wheel, and find shooters, it's tough.

You got to pick your poison.

And I'm trying to figure out if there's a player that we've seen like him before. Are there any other players that he likes sort of compares to, or is he just like this.

I feel like, I feel like the run he's on, Like what he's doing, it's kind of like James Harden when he was in Houston, you know what I mean. James did it by itself for a while, then they added CP to the mix, then added Russell to give him another star player. So I think that's what Luca's been doing. We've been seeing it for years and didn't ad Kyrie Eervering to kind of give him some help. But him and James are two different dynamics though. You know me, James is very crabby, killer step back, get to the rim and the confine paces. But I mean lucas more post up footwork and things like that. But that's the only thing I can kind of compare to you, like, not footwork wise and not finishing ability wise, because James is sneaky athletic whenever you want to use it. But the way he's been on the run with Dallas, it's hot. I feel like James was with Houston. Like that's who I can compare to you if I'm thinking about basketball.

Yeah, And the thing is like it's wild because I don't know what the next level of Luca could be, So like what do you think he needs. Is it with him that he needs to step his game up a little bit to contend for a title or what are some pieces you think that the MAVs could use. It can kind of get them there.

Well.

For me, from my perspective, I don't think you need any other pieces. I think they have the right pieces. Then you have Tim Hardaway off the bench that can make shots.

PJ. Washington great fit, Josh bring Derek Jones to those guys.

For me, I think Luke could get off the ball just a little bit so it moves a little bit more to get more people involved, and then whenever he needs to be ball dominant, he can do that a will, you know. I mean, we've seen it already and the only challenge I would have for me is just him committing more on the defensive end. I think he commits a little bit more on the defensive end. H That makes them a better team, you know what I mean. I think the way he's got itself in great shape. I mean because in the past people said he wasn't in shape. But it's kind of tough because when I'm dominated that if I'm dominating, that will out of shape or in shape. It's kind of like I pick and choose which one I want to do, you know what I mean. I think for him, that's whatever he wants to decide. I think he decided to get into best shape he could come into this year, and that's why he got off to a hot start the maverage of one of the best teams in the league.

They've been a lot better since they made the trade.

I just think if he locks in a little bit more consistent on the defensive end and uh, not complain about every call because you I mean, like, damn it, every time he drives to get into the basket, either he's finishing making the right play or he's getting foul. And kind of the same thing like Lebron, He's like every time he drops, like either you're gonna call itfy every time or let him finish and play. So if he don't worry about what the reps are calling the fouls for him or not, and continue to play and compete on the other end.

They'll be special. That's the only take I have on it.

But when you're that challenging that specially, it's kind of like I'm cool where I'm at.

Do you do you remember some of this gutting reports on him or like even just like facing them, did you ever have to d up on on Luca?

And oh, well, me, I've kind of played him a little bit, like most of the time when I was in Houston a lot. Yeah, me is just the most important thing. You just try to stay down on the step back, you know, I mean his step back. He has a great counter to it, and uh me, I just try to stay down on it and contested shot as best as possible, you know what I mean. And then in the post, I just try to stay down to be physical. And I mean those type of guys especially for a reason, because no matter how great defense you play, they make shots. Yeah, And I just try to make it up on as much as possible. And you know, on the other end, with guys like that, they're so talented and so ball dominant in so much of the uses right on the office end, you got to make them work on the other end. So I would try to put him in picking rolls and try to attack him and make him work on the other end so he can be a little bit fatigue or tied on the other end.

Yeah, kind of like hope for the best but you know, with Luca, I think he's a sign of like this new generation, like the MVP talks are some newer names. You know. SGA is another guy that comes to mind, And I know you know he came from Kentucky. So I'm curious what your thought is, like, who would you rather start a franchise with? With Luca or SGA.

That's a great question, man.

More importantly, you probably say Luca because it's how dominant he is pass and rebound and all that. But at the same time, it's like you got to say HGA also because he had the team that's in them one in the West, and nobody expected that young, the youngest team in the league to be up in that platform. And I mean so that unless you know, he's down and the knowing taking over games. But he also teaching those young guys and I feel like they coaches a great coach. I don't know him well, but to get all those young guys that play that level, they're following their leader footsteps. Yeah, so for me, it's a tough decision, but I probably say I will go SGA.

Yeah. I mean, people are like SGA's gone on the crazy I think thirty points run. I think he's like thirty seven.

Yeah, he's od, But like the most important think about it, he plays at his own pace. You're not speeding them up. He's playing smooth, but he's getting all those other guys to buy in compete at a high level, and they're winning some games. It ain't like they're just beating mediocre team. That being some of the best teams in the league and competing against them on a nightly basis, and you know, when it comes down to the fourth quarter, you know who's getting the ball, and a guy like that that's not always getting to the basket, but he's finishing the game off mid ranges. That's very tough to be shooting fifty percent from the angle.

Yeah, it's exciting because we might be able to see mass thunder in these playoffs. And again it's like, you know, we're getting to see this new generation finally as a ride. So I wanted to move on, and I wanted to talk about women's basketball because you're a big supporter of that. You're only shouting out the game college basketball. You know, the tournament's about to come up. I don't know if you saw the other the other night, the LSU South Carolina fight, but things are getting heated. Is it fair to say that the women's game is sometimes more intense than the men's game.

That's a good question. I think.

Now what's going on, Like the spot like that Kaitlyn Clark and Angel Reese I have put on. College basketball for women has been amazing, you know what I mean, from last year and they played in the National Championship game and then you have to shout out Don Staley. But she's been doing at South Carolina, I mean two years in a row undefeated seasons. I think that spotlight is big and I think they might like be bigger than the men's basketball right now in college, you know, I mean because everybody's paying attention trying to see what's going on. And yeah, I think like that's a heated batter, you know what I mean, Like others, you are to the defending champs. Don Staley and them is used to being the champs and they won two years in a rundefeated and you're battling for SEC championship and then something like that happens, you know, I mean, it's competitive, Like you want that type of competitive to go on. I respect what the girl Soycholana said, like, we can get into those battles, but I got to hold my anger on my emotions back a little bit, which is understandable. Then at the same time you have FLA. J. Johnsons brother jump over the table, like you know what I mean. We understand you want to protect your system, but not at this moment, you know not I mean, because that's not what you want. But you understand, like I said, when you're in those emotions and you see somebody that you love or somebody that your teammate that you respect or compete at the high level, you know, I mean, your attention just go quick. I'm glad nothing escalated and nothing bad happened, and just they both had to finish the game with no benches, like nobody was there. But it was great to see them compete. Don Stanley speak up and say what she said, and just hope they can build that fire and going to the NCAA tournament.

But I love the way college basketball is.

Going right now, and h it's definitely got some stars in the shoutout Juju.

She's definitely balling for USC. So I like where they're going.

That's what I's gonna say with the women's game, is that it kind of shows what would happen if some of the players stayed longer, you know, like these rivalries really build up, like you kind of can circle those games like counter, I'll be like, I'll see you next year. So like do you agree with that? And like would that kind of fuel like some teams that you you wanted to come back out against if you played future years, I.

Can touch for sure, Like you know what I mean, going to Tennessee and losing, going to South Carolina and losing, like I wanted to go in to feed in the SEC, you know what I mean? And those the only games we lost all years. So like I definitely like if I had another year to go back, I'm like, Okay, I gotta win here this year, you know what me. So you hold those in the back of your mind, like, Okay, you beat me at home, I lost to you on the road. I gotta I gotta win both next time, you know what I mean, Because your homeboy might do your homegirl might go there, and you be like, you know what you want and one this year, I want to go to zero against you. Like those are like rival though are like competitives you grow up and want to do. And it's kind of like you see Carolina and Duke, those guys that be there multiple years. It's like, no matter what game you win lose all year, you gotta win this game. It's like, if we play Louisville, we might lose every game, we cannot lose that game. So it's definitely dope when you have those type of rivals. And like you said, I think kind of with n IL now some of these kids that are pushing themselves to go to the NBA so fast but might not be ready. Then they have opportunity, like you know what, I'm making a little bit of money, I can stay extra year to develop myself and give myself a better draft stock because kind of in the passion, I make some guys that push themselves to the league. And like Cala said, it might not be the year for you to go. You might go second round or go undrafted. Now your career is going to a different path, and that you thought. So I think with NIL you might get opportunity for kids to stay two three years and then you get to see these battles and these rivals.

Keep this Spanish stand more.

Yeah, I want to go back to Kaitlyn Clark because we talked about her a little bit on a previous show, and I think especially with tournament time coming up and you were in the same situation where you know, everyone was saying you're the number one pick, but then you still got this major tournament coming up. Can you talk a little bit about what might be going through her head or some of these obstacles, you know, being in the present with this incredible career ahead of her, like going into this tournament.

I think the difference for her is is she's been in college a couple of years, you know what I mean, and then to go to the national championship game, fall short and come back and then you break records at the record, at the record she has in r Maci's probably trying to get back to the championship game again and then her ultimate goal is to try to win it. For me, it was kind of different because I only was in school for one year and what I mean, So I could have went into the tournament like, you know what, I don't care where we go.

I'm about to go to the NBA anyway.

But that just kind of tells like what type of person you are and what type of character you are for yourself because I knew where my ultimate goal was going to be at the end of the year. My ultimate goal, like I always speak to this day, is I still feel like I failed myself and fail coach cal because I didn't win the national championship, Like that's what I wanted. Like that's what my whole experience of college was was all Right, you're gonna be here, get the best out of everything you can, give everything you got to this, and focus on whatever else afterwards. And I think that's where I put my mind in going into college, like Okay, here's the buzzy, your number one pick, but keep your radar on what you're here for. That's enjoyed college and get the best experience you can out of it. I think it was a lot different for me, but she's been there so many years, so she kind of understanding been there, and I think it's dope for her. She's doing it back home where she's from, and I think that's even more exciting.

But for her to even go.

Into Big ten Championship was like, all right, Katelyn Club went to the championship last year. She's breaking these records, but are she winning? I think her team only lost like three games. So for her to be on that level, to uplift her team, to up lift her coaches, uplift her community, that's amazing at what she's doing. And you can say the same shout out Juju rockins, I me going to USC being home. I don't know the last time they want to pack to uramionship. To go there and do that, that's that's major. And then she's breaking records of the most thirty points in the sec USC freshman year. So she's got a lot more college left. And it's like, imagine what she's going to be in the next two to three years, Like how much more siting she's going to bring college basketball. So Kaitlyn Clark said the bar hod and you had to bring in next school before that, and you had Asia Wilson and those people. But it's just great to see man and can see the women's game continue to grow and continue to get better, and I hope people continue to put that spotlight on them and watch.

How do you think the NBA can help support the w NBA more Like, I think a lot of it comes down to, like we have so much spotlight on the NBA, but like, do you think that the NBA can do some stuff to kind of, you know, give some mores of the stage to the w NBA.

I think so, And I think Adam Silver will do a great job. And the star players we have and I lead that's helped control a lot of things and better the situation we have. I think they'll do a job of trying to figure those ways out. But I think, I mean the way that the in big guys are going to WN big ain't supporting them whenever his opportunity to wear a T shirt or do anything and support then we're doing that.

And I think more and more.

You get to see that because social media is so big and give them that type of platform, you know, it's a siting And I think the game is growing for them. I hope to continue to grow and grow better. For me, it's not always about the money, but I hope they can continue to grow and get those girls more money. I think they're more deserving of that, you know. I mean, because if you have a kid that's growing up, you have a daughter and you be like I want to get to the W and baby like all right, well I love the game, but can I be financially stable with this or do I need to go another route? And I feel like that's the next step for them, But just trying to get to the financial stabment spot for those because those women are so talented you to be a professional athlete, I think they should be paid and treated like professional athletes. There's nothing they can control, but you're like, you know, look at it enough, some nils are making more money than WNBA players. So that's the reason why women college basketball player might like I'm a stand screwed two three more years because of what I have in the access I have now. So hopefully what these players that I mean college players in the past or WA players in the past have we're still didn't put into the game of the basketball for women that they can finally get over there, hump and get to that point, because I think it'd be major for those and it'd be a great platform for him.

Yeah. I just think also too, with like the All Star Game, we've talked about it before, that Sabrina versus Steph stuff, like we got to expand on that, like we got to be a little bit more creative, you know, integrate the women's game into the men's game, like shooters can shoot, you know, despite genders. So I thought that was really dope, and I hope that we can see that in future All Star weekends, you know, Summer League and stuff like that, just getting the men and women in the same spot, competing against each other and just you know, same sort of treatment that we get on NBA events as you know for the w NBA events. So totally agree with you. Okay, we're gonna take a break here on Point Game, but when we come back, we're gonna answer some fan questions. This is Point Game presented by Drafts. Welcome back to Point Game now, John. We asked our fans out there and people are listening to drop some questions for you, and so we got a few here that we'd love to ask. This one comes from Twitter. C. A. Huggins, Thanks for listening to the show. He asks, who are some of your favorite NBA teammates all time, all time?

Bradley Beal for sure, Trevor Reason for sure, Marquie Morris for sure. Man I got too many. Paul Appears was a good team, great teammate.

Almost.

Team, Drew Gooding, Andre Miller, It's all great teammates. Man Gore tot was great, like can name all the god there was great man because like I said, like Brad, we just built that chemistry and was one of the best back course in the league. Marqui Morris, just building that bond relationship with him on and off the court, him and my family becoming close and tight. Then I had opportunity to play with his brother. Then all the OG's. Man, they just taught me so much about the game. I mean, like how to be a professional. U just not my work ethic, but how to move off the court, how to do certain things, and just building that bond to have a relationship with them outside of basketball was special to me.

So I would say, those guys, who.

Was the funniest teammate? You're rat Ah.

I don't know, man, I got too many teammates, but was it you were you? I might have been the funniest guy.

You're like me.

I was just living And then shout out my boy Otto Porter two mail in the hell of a in big career, you know what I mean? Yeah, retired won a championship. Shot out Otto Porter.

Next one from the podcast review from a podcast review leaves UK Blue asks if you had to choose, would you prefer to have your drizzy retired by Kentucky or by the Wizards. You can only pick one. You can only pick one.

God that hurt right there.

To me, I would say the Wizards, though I mean I think like a tuck y'all, I love being there. I've been in the Kentucky Hall of Fame already. I think that was special to get that, probably one of the quickest guys to get that, leaving at the one year. But I would say the Wizards getting my judge retired there because being there for ten years, being drafted them on in there, that gave me the opportunity to live out my NBA dream, my mom being able to be there and be on.

That stage to watch me.

Both of my boys are born born in DC, and just the love I built with the community, the fan base giving my all to them, and my dad being born from there.

So I would definitely say DC.

How are you are you still interacting with the DC you know, the communities or like the fan base out there, Like I know people are still talking about how much they love you over there despite it being a years since you last played for them. So how are you still interacting with them?

Still try to do like my foundation and stuff there with my team, try to help out the community as much as possible. And I just think the bond and the relationships I built with all the work I've done and trust and believe. I don't do it for the media attention, for the publicity. I just do it because I come from the bottom of my heart and I know how tough times are and where these people come from. So I always try to get back and put a smile on their faces.

You know. That's something my mom instilled to me.

Like I said before, I always be known as a better person and a better basketball player, and that's some I always trivel on to continue to strive on to make sure she smile and while she's up top.

So I try to touch them as much as possible.

I try to speak to them whenever I get opportunity to, and if I ever go back, I try to just have dinner with a lot of people that work with me, a lot of people that's around me. Like I said, when I played my game they last year, when I was with the Clippers, it gave me chills because I bought tickets for everybody that's been a partner the John Wall coming from a little kid to having tattoos and having kids on my own in this world, tickets to the game, and to see the smile on their faces, to see me out there, and just to see them in the stands was amazing. I try to take pictures with everybody afterwards, but it was like, come on, coach, want to do this And I went back out there again. But it's just fun.

Man.

Like I said before, nobody knows how much pressure it is for a kid that's eighteen, nineteen years old to come and be a face of a franchise. Yeah, you're not taking over just one team. The whole city is behind you and they want you to uplift it and it's definitely not easy. So it's another thing I pickedback on it, like having vets that's been through that before to help some of these young guys that's new in the league. They need those vets or need to reach out to those guys that been through it and can teach them how to go through it and the mistakes they made and the mistakes that they can help them from not making. But I definitely enjoyed my time a DC.

Love that Wizards make the call. We got to see that happen. This one is a really good question from our TikTok, which is going off. We all kind of remember this moment, at least I remember as a fan. But they asked, was k D really supposed to join the Wizards in twenty sixteen, twenty seventeen. No, you didn't think so. No any backstory on that. I know people were just like, is he coming back on the DMV. No.

I just felt like he wasn't. I mean, I think it's no pressure for KD. Like anywhere he goes plays, He's built for the pressure. That's how talent and gifted these are he is. I just didn't think he wanted to come back home. And probably it could have been his personal reasons, which I don't know, but I just had a feeling he didn't want to come back home, So I never thought he was really coming in.

Did you What would the team be like if KD had joined? Like? Would it unlock some aspects of your game?

We would have won.

We would have won at least one championship for sure. I mean, don't get me wrong. God was his start player. Brad was coming to his own to being a star. We definitely needed another superstar or another closer, you know what I mean. Like I say this all the time in my career, I never got the opportunity to play with that type of level of talent. I mean, I feel like in my prime in DC, if I had a player like that, we at least would have won one, you know what I mean.

Yeah, do you feel like some of the like the narrative behind the small market teams that sort of changing where I feel like everyone is always talking about I'm trying to go to the Knicks. I'm trying to go to the Lakers, you know, Golden State. Like, do you think it's changed a little bit since you last played for Washington, Like you know, with the star players come to these smaller teams like Tyresa, the Pacers and whatnot.

Well, I think he got traded. That's different now, Like these days, Me's not a small market. I mean, it's one of the biggest markets. Like everybody loves basketball and they're right there. I just think we just didn't get the pieces we could have tried to have. I felt like in that same year we tried to get KD. I felt like we should have tried to get Paul George because that's the year Paul Georgia leave Indiana and went to OKC. And I think if we would have pushed for that, it would have happened because he respected me, he respected Brad, and we battled against him a couple of times with Washington Indiana. So I feel like we could have pushed that more. I mean, because I kind of had a feeling KD wasn't coming. I think we were just stuck minding on that that we ended up getting Paup Piers. And don't get me wrong, it was great to have him there. I mean, he wasn't the same Paul he was in Boston, but it was great to have part of it because he was a closer that we needed at the time to make the big shots. Another one that taught us consistent work ethic and no matter it had a good game, bad game, a day off. He said the same routine constantly, and that's why he became so special. Was great because he matched his work and it was great to have him around for the year we had him.

Yeah, that's a great example of how you were talking about that's matter. That's matter in some of these ball clubs. Okay. Last one from a podcast review, g Bill asks, what is the best pickup game You've ever been a part of?

Best pickup game? Man, I would say Lockout Year. Yeah, that Chris Paul was going to Winston Salemon and playing there. Man, it was everybody there. You had d Way, Brian, Chris Paul, Steph, Katie Mellow, Kyrie Me, Rudy Gay, Yeah.

Mario Chalmers, she's listening. Go on.

So I think that's probably the lebron I know what I'm thinking.

I think that might be the most loaded, you know. I mean like I would say that one.

Or I would say when the Good League played against the jew League, Yeah, start studying, Like we played them in DC and we won that. When we went to LA and played them, we didn't have the same team they didn't and they had too. We all didn't have the same people on both games. So they got us there and we got them there. But I would say probably those two that was like the most star studied the event I've played in.

So, like I remember, and again, if people haven't seen those Lockout mixtapes, can you talk about that competition? You know, Like I feel like we need some of that in the All Star Game, because we got the same players playing these games. But the All Star Game is a little bit like too loose and not not as competitive. But these lockout games are crazy.

Yeah, I think just because I think we I don't know, I guess we really just wanted to hoop and we didn't have a season at the time, you know what I mean. So yeah, playing those type of games that was our season for the time being into the season came back. I think it's a little different INBA, you know. I mean, you're playing so many games, and then that's kind of like, man, this is my break, Like I'm happy to be all start, happy to be here, but it's like I'm break because I remember early on when I may all starts. Right after the All Star Game, we basically didn't have no time for vacation. We went right back to the team. I think they give them like an extra three days, two or three days now that we didn't have before. You know, some people like, man, I don't All Star is not really a break for me, like everybody else is getting.

So I don't know.

I think they'll do a great job of trying to figure it out and balance it out. And make it what's best for everybody for sure.

All right, So that's been fan questions. Guys. We appreciate you listening and dropping these questions, and don't forget just reply to all of our socials, share that stuff and drop your questions and want answer some more on some upcoming episodes. All right, welcome back to point game as usual, we're gonna play a little Bucketer Brick reminder. Bucketer Brick is brought to you by DraftKings Sportsbook. DraftKings Sportsbook is your home for all things NBA action, from player props to same game parlays. Check out everything DraftKings sports Book has to offer to make your NBA experience even sweeter. The crown is yours now. As a reminder everyone at home who hasn't seen Bucketer Brick, I'm gonna tell I'm gonna tell John an NBA statement, and if he agrees with it, it's gonna be Bucket. If he disagrees, it's gonna be a brick, and he's got to explain either way why you pick Bucketer Bricks. So, John, you ready for this?

Always?

Okay? So the first one going back to some Kentucky to Kentucky Talk. Kentucky currently has the third best odds to win the SEC Attorney, behind Tennessee and Auburn. Who you know, they just beat Tennessee. But UK's plus four hundred, meaning if you bet one hundred, you're gonna win four hundred. So John Bucket Brick Kentucky will win the SEC Tournament.

Bucket, I got them winning, like I said, going into Arburn and winning that big game against them, that's a tough place to play at. Uh, then losing that home to Tennessee and then redeeming themself and going to Tennessee and was basically manh handling the most of the game. I mean, they had a big lead, then Tennessee did a great job of president fighting back and made it a close game.

Then then it should have been.

But with that momentum of the way they play defense, the way they're scoring the balls, shoot at a high level, I think they have a great momentum going into March and etc. Turn will be a great turn for them to win kind of get and it might move them up and see the spots where they're at right now.

So I have Kentucky winning the SEC Championship.

Yeah, I just saw coach Collin if you saw it on his show, he was like, why are we getting ranked behind these guys? And we beat these guys, So again.

College, what happens when you put that Kentucky on a lot of times you get put in certain situations where you know you shouldn't be, but they that's what you're built for.

Okay, next one. Anthony Edwards will be NBA MVP in the next five years, but could.

Break bucket for sure. Yeah, he's special man, Like it's like you don't really see most guys that can shoot the ball shoot the ball like he can and be a freak athlete, you know what I mean. But what I respect about him was no matter who's in front of him, like he's I feel like he's the best player on the planet and that's how you should be at any moment. And uh, he has that old scream mentality where he's willing to accept any challenge. Like he's like if it's a matchup versus him and Tatum, or him and Jalen Brown, or him and d Book or him and KD Like all right, I'm they guarding me on this shit, and I'm guarding him on the other end. And a lot of times. You don't really get that too often and too much nowadays. But to see that and see his hunger and to see where the mindset he has and the work that he has, He's took that over in Minnesota, and all those guys are following his lead, you know, to see them what they're at, it's very special. I just hope they can stay above floating waiting toil, cat get backs and get back to it for a healthy team.

Now, I know what the internet compares him to. Who would you say, do you see that? Like?

Yeah, see it every time, all the time. You can't do nothing but see it.

I mean, like how athletic he is, the demeanor, the hung he has, the footwork he has, the moments he get in. Just look at the game against Indiana, Like he comes down here to big three, get a stop, come down here to mid range and come down get one of the block where he hit his head on the rim, like he should have been injured the way he failed, like he didn't even know where he was. I mean, he's very special man. He's musty TV. He's very exciting, and it's glad you get a person like that in Minnesota. You know, I mean because they haven't had a guy like I mean probably since KG. I mean to come through it be at that level and Musty TV and making All Stars on a regular basis. So it's great to see for Ann, it's great for Minnesota tim Wards when I know They're city and their fan base or is loving it right now?

Yeah for sure. Okay, next one, this is gonna be a good one. Bucket or Brick. You have the best high school mixtape of all time.

Bucket for sure. I don't even know why we debate this.

Like, don't get me wrong, It's a lot of great mixtapes out there, like Austin Rivers mixtape is fire, Kill Cards Andrew Wiggins as far as iion Wings is fired. But come on, bro, I have over ten mini views like I set the tree, and I think, like I made mixtapes what they are?

You know?

I mean, really who I was? It come from where I come from. I didn't never expect it to be on that level. But all those guys have great mixtapes. Don't get me wrong, but I feel like I'm Doe.

I mean, like, can I ask you when that came out and you've taught you shout it out? The guy who shot that, Like, what was your reaction? And then when that hit the internet, what was like what was your phone blowing up or people contacting you?

Did it?

Really don't even remember when they dropped. But I don't even think about, well, I don't know when they dropped. Was I in college or still in high school? I'm not sure, Like we got to look at in high school yeah yeah, yeah, so like probably not though, because like I was still a high sco kid from right in Nook, Carolina, so like only my friends would know. But like most people wasn't going to check YouTube back then, you know what I mean. But it was the fans that there was fans of basketball that was doing that. I think more so when I got to college. I got to the league, Like it was like you got that mixtape, Like got that. I go see that John wall Means tape and I'm like, damn, I really lit And the crazy probably is like a lot of those like but a lot of stuff in the mixtape. It wasn't like you had to break it down too much. It was happening like three or four or five times in one game. So it seemed like every time I got the ball, I was like, oh, it's about to be a highlight. Even if I didn't try to make it one, it became one because it was blocking shots. I was ducking on people, I was crossing people, So I think it was just lit. The only thing I wasn't doing shooting jump shots, the only think I wasn't doing.

I think that's when people saw like the behind the back and then your your layup package was like something that's never been seen on the internet before, because this was like even before like Kyrie' highlights were coming on the NBA that it was coming out, So the layup package was crazy. And then I also want to shout this out and again what I want to do a separate video with you, John where we react. Also, your Lockout mixtape is underd.

I was talking about that, but we can talk about it another time.

But yeah, okay, I feel like like I don't know, bro, just me, Like I'm just a person that loves the hoop and I go hoop anywhere.

You know.

Lockout was the perfect year because people just trying to get runs, like you just trying to go anywhere and play, and I was just hooping.

But that and that's something that people don't realize is the transfer rate or like the conversion rate of like dude's got a crazy mixtape and then has like a successful run in the NBA. It's kind of rare. So like you know, you we mentioned him with a kill cart all talented hoopers, but like didn't have the NBA career, So it's tough. It puts kind of a target on your back when you enter in the league. I feel like that you had a crazy mixtape and you know, yeah it just converted.

It's still just give you cheers.

Like you talk to people these days, like they'd be at my John Wall and invitation and turning or just being even being like, bro, you still got the fire his mixtape.

Yeah, so i'd be like cool.

All right, look out for that. We're gonna do reaction video on that. Okay, final one, going back to this, all right, Boocketer Brick. John Drake can actually hoop.

Yeah, Jake and hoop Yeah. I think you hoop.

I think he started working on his game a little bit more at the one Fire for that shot he took Kentucky me Night Madness and the air bought. I think so yeah, he can definitely hoop. I think he's been working out with a couple of trainers and stuff. So yeah, he's been improving his game and he got his own little league at his house.

Have you have you been to that house? I keep seeing that gym like that's in his house. It's wild.

Yeah, that's like you know, like everybody dream of building the house.

Yeah.

After I've seen that house, I don't even want to build a house no more. It's like levels to it, like it's amazing. It's dope. Like I've been to the house before and it's isn't heard up. Bro has not heard up.

John.

I appreciate all the insight and the behind the scenes you keep giving us on the game. Uh, ladies and gentlemen, this has been point game. Please rate, review and subscribe to the pod, and as always, leave us a five star review. And while you're doing that, drop some questions in and John and I will answer them on upcoming episodes. So thanks for watching. It's been point game. Peace. Gambling problem called winning hundred gambler or in West Virginia visit www dot one eight hundred gambler dot net. In New York call eight seven seven eight Hope and y or text Hope and why four six seven three sixty nine. Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call eight at eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit CCPG dot org. Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothell Casino and Resort in Kansas twenty one plus age varies by jurisdiction. VOOD in Ontario, ce DKNG dot com, slash promos for eligibility and responsible gaming resources odds in line subjects a change