November 11, 2025 • 44 mins
Isaiah Thomas and C.J. Toledano unpack the passing of Lenny Wilkens and his stature within the greater Seattle area, the state of Isaiah's NBA comeback pursuit, Cade Cunningham propelling the surging Detroit Pistons, Myles Turner's rocky relationship with Indiana Pacers fans, and an eye-popping Deandre Hunter's ankle breaker on Josh Giddey that we won't soon forget.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:12):
Welcome to another episode A point Game with Isaiah Thomas
and CJ Toldano. I'm of course your host, CJ Toldano,
and I'm joined here by the man.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Everyone is here to see it. Isaiah Thomas. It how
you feeling, man, Man.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
I'm good. Always good to be back with you.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Found.
Speaker 4 (00:29):
I appreciate you know, just being here talking hoops, good vibes,
good energy.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Let's do it.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Yeah, I just want to say, like, I've been doing
this podcasting game for a little bit in basketball, and
it's an incredible opportunity to be potting with you. But
like I just want to say, like you've only done
one episode, and you said you're a rookie, but you're
already showing off veteran vibes just even like on social
and stuff like sharing the clips, getting the stuff out
there to the people, Like I've got nothing, but my
(00:57):
dms are full of just people like loving the pot
already only had one episode, So what's your feeling like
after one episode and seeing everything come out and get
to the people.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
I'm just excited.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
I think the biggest thing is just you know, talking
the game of basketball at the level we're talking to.
I am a rookie in this space. But when it
comes to talking basketball, I'm able to you know, just
be able to communicate what we're speaking about and go
from there. But I was excited about the feedback as well.
I was getting a lot of d ms. Everybody excited
(01:27):
about me being able to talk the game on this platform.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Is only going to be, you know, great for the fans.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
We just need everybody to tune in, tap in every
week and we're gonna get it right to you.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
We're gonna get some exclusive content, all that stuff going.
So this is just the beginning, So I'm excited. I
did want to start off this episode on a little
bit of a somber note. We talked on the last
episode that you from Seattle, you live in Seattle, still
Seattle basketball legend Lenny Wilkins passed away sadly, and you
(02:01):
had quite the connection with him. And also just for
any young basketball fans watching this who weren't familiar with Lenny,
I'd love to just spend the.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Show right up top here sort of, you know, discussing.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
The connection you had with him, and also just I
got some accolades that he had.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
But I would just love to hear.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
From your mouth, like why he was so important and
what impact he gave the game of basketball while he
was here with us.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
First off, my condolences to the family. My thoughts and
prayers are out to the family. Lenny was not only
a big piece of you know, basketball in general around
the world. He was a huge piece to the Seattle
community dating back to when he played for the Sonics.
And he's a lefty like myself, so somebody I definitely
looked up to, and I was able to build a
(02:46):
relationship with the friendship with throughout my college years as
he was an analyst commentator for the Pac ten game
sometimes especially the ones that you dubbed, so you know,
before those games, I would be able to sit down
and pick his brain and talk to him, and he
would give me inside of what he sees on my game.
And to be able to interact with such a legend
(03:07):
at a young age is like I was forever embedded
to him, forever, thankful and grateful for him to be
able to I guess somewhat mentored me throughout those times
when I was in college, and then you know, after
college and when I got to the NBA, I would
see Lenny every now and then in the summertime and
he would just you know, put a smiler, not just
my face, but anybody else's face. I think he was
(03:30):
a big part of not just basketball, but the community
part of basketball. I mean, he taught so many of
us guys in the community about giving back, about being
bigger than just a basketball player. And like you said,
I was able to be a little part, a little
part of his you know, statue ceremony this past June
(03:51):
out in Seattle in front of Climate Pledge Arena, and
then the night before just being able to interact with
not only him but his family. I met his wife.
I met Danny Glover, who was a big, you know,
a big supporter and frian of Lenny Wilkins. And that's
like not to go off subject, but like Danny Glover
is like that's angels in the outfield. So I toltally
(04:12):
God when I met him. I'm like, that's one of
my favorite movies as a child. So it's like an
honor to meet you. But I was able to meet
him through Lenny Wilkins, and it was just honor to
be able to be in Lenny's presence. Like I said,
my thoughts and prayers are to his family. He was
bigger than the game of basketball. He was something that
was very important to the community of not just Seattle
(04:35):
and Tacoma, but the state of Washington and.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Forever. Be grateful for the relationship I had with.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Him, and to be able to just interact with him
the last couple of months and put a smile on
his face was everything to me.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Man, you mentioned you dub and him calling your games,
and so obviously his one job was to call the games.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
But I'd love to hear, like.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Were there any specific stories or like just to get
a little bit more into that relationship, Like you're an
up and coming guard. He's a Seattle you know, legend
in his own right. He was a guard as well
in the Lefty Like you said, was there any piece
of advice that sort of stuck with you that he
gave you during that time that you've carried on since.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
I think the biggest thing with him being you know,
a smaller guard as well, not not too big himself.
The biggest thing he gave me was like just believing yourself.
I know that sounds so cliche, but like what got
you here is going to get you to where you
want to go next. And he will always say that
every time I seen him, he will always like, especially
when I was in college, keep believing left he keep believing,
(05:34):
And you know, I would take that and run with it,
Like obviously I always believe myself before a guy of
his stature and guy of of such like a hall
of fame, and I think in three or four categories
to be able to give back and tell me to
believe in myself. And he's a fan of my game,
and like it made my dream become that much more real.
(05:54):
It made my you know it may it made me
believing I can be an NBA player become a reality.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
And I can't thank him enough for.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Just the wisdom and the knowledge, and not only that,
just the friendship and being so you know, humble and welcoming.
Any time I had a question, he was there for me.
And I thank him. I thank him for that.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
I think you're right you talked in the last episode
two of like it's that that lineage that is so
important to you guys like you had Jason Terry and
Brandon Roy and Jamal Crawford and those guys, and you're
passing it on like it's just it goes to show
like that that connection has continued to run deeper ifan
past you know, Jamal and those guys to someone like Lenny.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
So that's great.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
And again just to any young hooper watching this, like
I you know, when when this news happened, I was like,
I just remembered them from the nineties, coaching the Hawks
and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
But his track record was crazy.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
I just wrote some of them down here, Like he
led the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Finals as a
rookie point guard. Like we talked about being rookie, but
like to have that amount of pressure and do that
is insane. You said, you mentioned Hall of Fame three
in three different categories as a player, coach, and assistant
for the Dream Team. So like that to me, like
just making the Hall of Fame once it's crazy, but
(07:05):
three different times is nuts. And this is another crazy
story that I had no idea was even possible. But
in his second season he played in the NBA on
the weekends. His main job was he was a second
lieutenant in the army, So he ended up only playing
twenty games that season because he was serving our country.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Amazing.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
That just that just says the type of person he is.
Like even at the ceremony, like everybody talking up there.
I remember Nate McMillan was up there, Steve Smith, who
played with him in Atlanta Hawks, Gary Payton was there.
Everybody had the ultimate respect for him, not just only
(07:44):
as a coach, but as a person. And that says
a lot when they talk to you in a better
way as a person than a player. And like we said,
he was a Hall of fame. He was a Hall
of Fame player, coach, and he was a Hall of
Fame person. So it is more when these situations happened
and he was able to just be a magnet to
(08:06):
so many people, And it's so many people gravitated to
his likeness and how he how he cared for others,
not just only as a basketball player, but as a person,
which is most important.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
That's dope.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
All right, Well, I'm glad we were able to spend
this first part of the show talking about Lenny.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Kids. You got the YouTube, you got you got the internet.
Look him up.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Like again, a lot of the players that we that
we enjoy today, it's because of a person like Lenny Wilkins.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
So do your homework, do your research, givesignments.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Because I know there's some there's some guys I might
even say Lenny Wilkins's name or somebody this you know
a little older. These young guys be like who. And
it's not even no disrespect. They just don't tap into
their history. And if you're a basketball hooper, if you're
a real hooper, you gotta know you got to give
the love and flowers to Lenny Wilkins.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
So shout out to Lenny for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
There's the flowers.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
All right, We're gonna take a break care on Point
Game presented by DraftKings, and we'll be right back after this.
All right, welcome back to Point Game. I t we
were talking about it earlier in the show. You know,
the podcast game there's full episodes and whatnot, but this
is little behind the scenes, but the social aspect of it.
(09:18):
We're kind of bringing the best of to the channel.
So don't forget to subscribe people. But a quote that
we we didn't think was going to pop off so
much that we put out was the quote that you
had said on the on the last episode that when
I asked you, you know, what was your kind of
status with with the league right now? And and and
your your willingness to want to play, and you said
that you have one more year.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
And that's your ultimate goal. So uh we posted that
and it honestly, it went crazy.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
So I loved reading the comments of people tagging all
the teams that they think that you.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Could be a fit for.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
So I would just love to hear from from your
your own voice, like how was it, I guess to
see that positive feedback, And I would love to just
get in the basketball of it all, like you're watching
the game, like, I'd love to hear if there's a
team out there or teams out there that you feel
like you could be a great fit for and make
an impact with.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
First off, yeah, yeah, that always takes a hit when
I'm you know, when I'm talking about being in the NBA,
like people like my support system when it comes to
the fans is like a one man. So I appreciate
all the love and support with people wanting me to play,
wanting to see me play, wanted me to be a
part of a roster in the NBA. But yeah, my
ultimate goal is to play like I want to. I
(10:32):
want to play at least one more year. That's why
I say at least like if I could get two
or three more because I know I can still play
at a high level, but I want to just honestly,
like I want to play one more year. I want
to be able to help an organization, not just on
the court, but like off the court, because that's I
think most important is a vet presence in them locker
(10:52):
rooms with them young guys, especially young guards that kind
of blind leading the blind at this point with how
young the NBA is going, and I think those young
players as well, they respect older players that can still
play at a high level because they're like, Okay, this
guy can still do it if given the opportunity. And
that's just from my experience in being in the locker
(11:14):
rooms with younger guys. So obviously my ultimate goal I'm
staying ready. I think there's a few teams out there
that they can use a backup point guard, that can
use a guard that can you know, make plays and
and just be an impact out there. But you know,
to be one hundred percent honest, yes I can do that.
Yes I can still play at a high level. But
(11:36):
I think the most important thing for me in this
point in my career is to be a mentor and
be a vet presence for you know.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
Them young guys. They need it.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
They need that mentorship, they need that vision, they need
to hear it from somebody that's done it at a
high level that they're trying to do it at. So,
you know, not to just say specific teams, but there's
definitely a handful of teams that need a point guard
that can not only make plays and score, but most
importantly be a leader. Like the game is missing leadership,
(12:06):
especially you know, as those young teams are figuring out
their journey, they need a guy in that locker room
that's done it before and it's done it at a
high level, and that there's been a leader at a
high level as well. And it can be you know,
an extension of a coach that can't really get to
his young his young group. So, you know, just watching
(12:26):
the game of basketball and being a student of the game,
there's definitely teams out there that can use a guy
like myself. But you know, until until the team comes calling,
I'm gonna stay ready and I'm gonna stay in tune
with the game of basketball. As if you know, a
team calls them all and they need me to play,
not only play. Just need me to be on the roster,
(12:46):
to make an impact each and every day, and that's
what it's really about.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Yeah, be like pacers.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
But there's a lot this out there. We ain't gonna
say name though, but I mean out the use.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
But there are coaches out the gate saying we need
a point guard.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
So I'm right here, baby, I'm right here, with no
with no ego, with no pride. I'm here to help
make things easier, you know, any way possible for not
only the coaching staff, but the whole organization.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
And they know that though they know that.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
And I think it's very nice to you to say,
like you can offer that veteran mentorship and whatnot, But honestly,
you suited up last season for some G league and
you're dropping forty, Like that's just not you know, like
I'd love to hear what that G league experience is.
It's like you've like the closest evidence that you can
still play, Like what what is it like dropping forty
(13:44):
and like what what are people not paying attention to
your game that you want to highlight a little bit more?
Speaker 4 (13:51):
The biggest thing, like the forties, that's just who I am.
So that's not me trying to be something I'm not.
That's not me like going in there and just making
it about myself. I'm just playing the game of basketball
at the level I know how against the guys that
I'm playing against. But I think it's not necessarily what
they're seeing or what they're not seeing. The NBA knows
(14:13):
what I bring. The NBA knows the game I have.
The people who are watching know that I really haven't
lost a step. I just think the game is changing
as you see. You know, when I came in the league,
or even years ago, when I was really in the league,
those four to five guys that were in at the
(14:33):
end of a bench were older guys that were mentors,
the guys that can play still at a high level.
Now that the two way contractors came in, it's kind
of pushed the older vet out because not most importantly,
it's cheaper to have a two way guy, and it's
given a younger guy an opportunity to maybe they find
a diamond in the rough where they find a guy
(14:54):
that they don't have to pay a lot of money,
but they kind of can can control as well in
terms of, okay, we can give him a.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
Little bit here, We could give him a little bit there, and.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
We cannot give him too much, especially if it's a
guy that's you know, like I said, a diamond in
the rough that's better than what his situation is presenting
for itself. So you know, there's a lot of there's
a lot of variables that come in this and making
this decision. But the biggest thing I think is I
am thirty six years old. I do got a lot
(15:24):
of power in the locker room. That's not always good
for coaches, especially you know, young coaches trying to solidify
their position. So this is just me being transparent and
real to you know, the NBA fan or the NBA
casual that doesn't understand the business side of it.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
And you know, I'm not hurt by it. I understand it.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
But I do know the guys that are my age,
that are still playing out at a high level in
the NBA are making real impacts. Yeah, you know our
lit Russell Westbrook that was counted out they could still make,
you know, have triple doubles that can still play at
a high level.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
So it's it's a.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
Fine line, and you know, I got no ill will
towards it because I understand it. But if they do
give me another chance like I did on the Suns,
you know without even playing and being a leader and
making a real impact, or like I did in the
G League with showing, if you do give me a
chance to play, you know, I could still do it
at a high level. So yeah, you know there's things
(16:26):
around it. There's opportunity there on both sides of playing
and not playing, and you know, I just want to
be a helping hand for sure.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
I love that you mentioned, you know, like the two
way contracts and you've done like the ten day before,
like to the normal person, if you're able to can
you peel back that curtain like and you've always said
you've stayed ready, you're working out, like we've been texting
and you'd be like, I'm working out in the morning whatever,
you're still doing that, Like, can you peel back the
curtain on what it's like to get the call with
(16:55):
the ten day and like having Moose cities, you're a father,
you have a family, Like I have to just hear
the difficulties behind all of that and what goes on,
like when you're staying ready and you get.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
A call, I think early on in guy's career, when
they're in that situation, I'm staying ready and getting a call.
It's probably a lot more difficult for me. My family's
in Tacoma, in Seattle. They're out of age right now
where they're not really going to be moving around like
that anymore, my wife and my kids. So when I
(17:26):
do get those calls, and when I do get a
ten day, I go there first and foremost with the
impression that I got to prove myself and I got
to do what I can to make an impact and
to stay longer. And when I do get that called
to sign for the rest of the season, are another
ten day. I think it gives my family opportunity to
be able to come to whatever city I'm in, spend
(17:46):
a few days with me, see a game or two,
and then get.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
Back to the house.
Speaker 4 (17:51):
Because that's the you know, that's the situation I'm in
right now with being older and having older kids. It's
not a situation where they're going to follow me from
each team to do that. But early on in my career,
I think that would have been a situation where they
do follow me and they and you know, we're on
our heels.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
Each and every day. This ain't that situation.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
It's me staying ready as I can, stay in shape,
making sure my skills are super sharp. So when I
do get a call, you know, I'm ready to be
inserted in the game tonight today, and I make sure
I'm able to be ready in those situations.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Well, I think again that post that we put up,
it shows people want to see it. You know, there's
a lot of teams that I think you can help out,
and yeah, it would be exciting to see you get
that chance. So in the meantime, staying ready, you're potting,
you're breaking down the game with us, So we appreciate that.
I wanted to talk about some stuff going on the
league right now. Again we're still a little bit early,
(18:50):
but the Eastern Conference, which we knew was going to
be a little bit open with obviously the Tyrese Haliburton
being hurt and some people being moved around to the
top teams. One of the big surprised is the Detroit Pistons,
who actually I had an opportunity to work for almost
a decade ago.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
That was my big break in the NBA.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Great organization, great city that is rich in basketball, history.
But finally, you know, because I feel like they were
the joke of the league for a long time and
then they drafted a guy, Kate Cunningham, who is a guard,
but very much you guys are different types of guards,
So one I wanted to know, have you been watching
any of the Pistons. Can you sort of explain their
(19:27):
their rise? And I would love to also hear your
thoughts as another point guard, your thoughts on Kate Cunningham
because he's putting up crazy numbers right now.
Speaker 3 (19:34):
I'm a fan of the Pistons first and foremost.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
It dates back to last year that I think they
caught a lot of people by surprise last year with
the type of team that they have. I think that's
carrier over into the start of this season. And obviously
Kate is the closer, the leader, the number one option,
the number two option, all of that, and I think
his presence lays a foundation on the other guys like his.
(20:00):
I don't know him personally, I've never been in the
locker room with him, so I don't know the type
of leader he is, but from the outside looking in,
it seems that he has the leadership qualities to make
those other guys follow him and they go as as
as much as he is going to take them. And
then you got to also give a shout out to
(20:21):
you know j B. You know Bigger Staff. He came
from Cleveland where he changed that culture around and came
to Detroit to where he just solidified hisself early last
year and it's carried over to this year. I think
they're a young and an up and coming team. I
think they got that pedigree the old Detroit Detroit Pistons
had to where they're a physical, feisty team that's not
(20:43):
backing down from anybody. I think that starts with the
head of the snake, and that's Kate Cunningham.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Yeah, I mean we just watching him, like you see,
he's sixty six point guard. He can obviously score, but
he's averaging almost ten assists a game right now. And
if you have a guy like that's that's a guy
that's a franchise player right there, you know. And then
like I said, like watching Social or like looking at
Social and watching highlights and stuff, these aren't guys around
(21:09):
them that are like you know, getting top ten dunks
or whatever, ankle breakers. It's just it's solid role players
got a star, Thompson, Jalen Duran, they picked up Duncan Robinson,
all these guys, And I guess what I'm sort of
teeing up here is, you know, are these teams with
the older superstars, like.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Are they are they as much contenders as they used
to be?
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Or is it all about kind of getting like that
one guy and really building a deep roster that can
you know, I guess, like sort of survive a playoff run.
Like what's your sort of viewpoint of like what the
new NBA and the team that can contend?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
What does that look like? Is it the Detroit Pistons.
Speaker 4 (21:47):
I think it's a little bit of both, Like his
development is drafting is obviously signing key free agents. So
it's a little mixture of all of those things. And
I think those dynamics change with the with with each team,
like Detroit obviously through the draft they've been They've been
(22:07):
amazing with Kad, with Ivy, with Ashure Thompson, a guy
that I watched when he played at Ote in high
school and I was able to commentate his games when
I was doing that when him and his brother was
out there putting on shows. So I think they're just
doing it the right way. This isn't the formula for
every team. I think okay See is another team that's
worked their way through the draft and obviously had some
(22:30):
good trades with s G A and was able to
find guys that fit around him.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
I think the Detroit Pistons are doing that to a t.
Speaker 4 (22:40):
They're finding the right guys that are gonna fit around Kid,
and they're moving forward with that Duncan Robinson, who is
a shooter who spaces the floor for a guy like
Kid who goes downhill and gets in the paint and
scores that will. So I think they're they're they're they're
signing and they're getting complimentary players for their main guys.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
And then you gotta you can't forget.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
A guy like Isaiah Stewart, like a guy like Duran
those are forces that protect guys like Ky Cunningham. Those
are guys that you know you go in to pay
and you think twice. And I think it dates back
to having guys like Rashie Wallace, having guys like Ben Wallace,
like those type of guys that are physical and you
(23:20):
know they got a culture over there, and like I said,
you got to give a big shout out to Treasure
Langdon You got to give a big shout out to
their front office, like it seems like they're doing all
the right things over there to start the season off
the way they have.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
And not to you know, advertise too much.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
But it's that slow grind like building building slowly, you know,
of like you don't need to go and chase give
up all your pieces that are working for that one superstar.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
So it's been fun.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
It's been fun, honestly to watch this East be open
and the team sort of shift to the top. And
I do want to sort of shift gears a little
bit to another Eastern Conference team. Not too much basketball,
but there's a bit of a beef going on that
I would love to hear your take on. But you know,
the Pacers had made a run to the finals, obviously
with their squad last year, Tyrese got hurt and so
(24:10):
people were kind of considering an off year and in
the offseason they were unable to sign Miles Turner as
he decided to go sign over with the Bucks.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
Obviously. We saw the.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Bucks play in Indiana recently and during the tribute video,
they booed Miles let's be the rest of the books,
and then there's been some jabs back and forth over
social media, like what do you what do you take
in this whole situation with if you were a Miles shoot, Like,
(24:40):
how would you do that?
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Do you understand some of what he's going through and
how he's reacting.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
I understand it.
Speaker 4 (24:45):
I don't understand the booze though, Like I get it
as a I get it as a fan, like you
don't want your players to leave and go to another team,
especially in the same conference, So I understand that, but
like show your appreciation for what he's done for that
organization over the however many years he was there. But
I think Miles Turner is doing it to himself too,
(25:05):
like he's he sneaked this in at times, like he's
he's not being the one that's just doing everything right
and they're just picking on them.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
So I think it's a tell of both sides.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
But I have been in those those shoes before, and
I think Miles Turner's like as a human and a
human feelings, you feel a way as well, So like
it's two sides to it. But yeah, it's it's a
tough situation. I think fans are just really upset. You
go to the finals, then you leave a team that
(25:38):
you compete it against all year in the last few
years at that. So I think after that situation, I.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Think they're both gonna move on.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
Every time he goes to Indiana, they might boo here
and there, but I think they really have love and
support for Miles Turner.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
It's just they gotta do that. As a fan.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Well, let me ask you, have you ever been booting
an arena and had you overcome?
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Have you ever been a villain? Which is definitely not
anything would ever think of you, But have you ever
been a villain?
Speaker 3 (26:04):
I haven't been a villain. No, I haven't.
Speaker 4 (26:07):
I've always liked the fans for the most part, kind
of kind of always showed some love. Like there's been
times like when I was in Cleveland, I wasn't playing well.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
They booed a little bit.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
They boo when I played for the Cows, but I
was hurt, so I understood it. I didn't take it
personal because you're not booing when I'm one hundred percent,
there's no way so and then I'm just I interact
with the fans and that that part of the game.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
So I haven't been booed.
Speaker 4 (26:33):
I remember early on in my career, I played for
the Kings and we played in Madison Square Garden. They
booed me because of my name. They didn't like the
older Isaiah Thomas. So every time I touched the ball,
especially my first time, I was like, they was boring me.
Speaker 3 (26:48):
I was like, what did I do?
Speaker 4 (26:50):
And then I go to the bench they say, oh,
they're boring you because your name. I'm like, oh, I
get it because it's crazy. Like a quick story, I
was in prep school in Connecticut. My friend Jamal Crawford
was on the Knicks. So when I had open weekends
in prep school I would take a train to New
York and go to the Knicks games or stay at
Jamal's house. And I'm sixteen seventeen at this point and
(27:12):
Isaiah Thomas is the coach. So it was that year
when you would go to the games and they would
just bow Isaiah Thomas the whole the whole season. They
wanted them fired. The fans didn't like them. And so
fast forward when I was on the Kings. My first time,
I remember touching the ball and they just they just
booing me right, And then I remember walking by Spike
(27:34):
Lee and he's like, you know, we got to do
it to you.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
It's just your name. It's all good. And it just
that was crazy.
Speaker 4 (27:40):
Spike Lee even knew who I was and mentioned me,
and it was it was definitely a little joke. But
they just don't like that name around there, so I
was definitely smiling.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
I remember after the game my mom calling me. She
was mad. She was like, why are they boring you?
I was like, you got to just relaxed. It's just
the name, that's all. So, yeah, it's semi you and
my dad's fault, but it's all good.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
I'm gonna just take it because everybody don't get booed
in Madison Square gardens, So I'm gonna just you know,
I'm gonna take that one to the chin.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
I was.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
I mean, man, that's another impressive thing. Like you had
that pressure on you from birth to be named Isaiah Thomas.
And I know You've been asked this a million times,
but I guess, just like, what how much did that
affect you growing up? And was it a pretty quick
switch of just like it's it's my name, I spell
it differently, but like, yeah, what was that like growing
up with that name it was.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
It wasn't bad.
Speaker 4 (28:31):
Like obviously, if when I would say my name, people
especially older people, would be like, are you his son?
Are you named after him? Things like that. But I
loved the game of basketball so much. Early on, all
I knew was basketball, So it was kind of like
when my name was Isaiah Thomas, I wasn't.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
Really tripping on it.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
It's just when I got older and say, like especially
like when I first got in the league, when I'm
calling a restaurant and trying to get a you know,
a reservation or anything like that, everybody always thought I
was the older Isaiah Thomas.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
In two I was.
Speaker 4 (29:04):
Able to solidify who I was as a basketball player,
and you know, my career, then the flip, the switch
started to flip for me where they kind of knew
who I was. In case, it was like somebody a
lot older, They're always thinking it's the older Isaiah Thomas.
And you know, to piggyback on that is like when
(29:25):
I got to college, I started to build a relationship
with Isaiah Thomas. So it was like super cool to
be able to pick up the phone.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
To call Isaiah.
Speaker 4 (29:33):
And he's always been since college, he's been a big
mentor of mine. So it's super cool to be named
after such a legend as somebody who paved a way
for myself.
Speaker 3 (29:42):
Love that.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
I'm glad we got that that story on the record.
Here for the pod.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
Okay, we're gonna get through some more where we'll do
a rapid fire a new segment for a final segment
here on point game called restricted Area. When we come
back on point game for Center by Draft Games all right,
Time for our Draft Kings King of the Court segment
where you pick who will lead the league in total points,
rebounds and assists on Tuesday Night, and if you get
(30:08):
it right, you can split a million bucks. So this week,
I think I'm liking Sja at home against the Warriors,
But of course you can watch out for Jalen Brown and.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
Tyrese Maxey in that Celtic Sixers game.
Speaker 4 (30:19):
It Who are you thinking, I'm gonna go with two
of my former teams. I'm gonna go with the Sacramento
Kings versus the Denver Nuggets. And you know, anytime you
gotta go with the Denver Nuggets, you're gonna go with
Joker because he's gonna dominate the whole game. Rebounds, points, assists,
maybe even still so shout out to my guy, Zach Lavine.
If it was anybody else, I would you know, I
(30:40):
will go with my guy. But you got you gotta
be smart about this.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
You gotta be smart, all right.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
Don't forget to play King and the Court on Draft
Kings Sportsbook. Every Tuesday during the NBA season. Download the
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Code Point Game. Bet five bucks and get three months
of league pass plus get three hundred dollars in bonus
bets if you're bet it wins. In partnership with DraftKings,
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Speaker 2 (31:35):
All right, welcome back to point game.
Speaker 1 (31:36):
We're debuting a new segment here with Isaiah where it's
called restricted area. I'm going to bring up a hot
topic or something that just broke or happened in the NBA,
and then Isaiah has the option to either discuss it
and break it down, or he could be like, no,
let's keep it moving.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
That's restricted area. We're not going there.
Speaker 1 (31:55):
But I have a feeling he's been an answering everything
open book here, So we're going to go through this.
I'll bring up a story in it. You let me
know you ready, got you? Got you all right? So
this was all over the feed yesterday. DeAndre Hunter on
the Calves had an insane ankle breaker and I'm saying
ankle breaker on Josh Giddy because it hurt Josh Gitty
(32:17):
Hunter works?
Speaker 2 (32:18):
Whoa Jiddy?
Speaker 3 (32:19):
Hold home? Hi? Right? Real mood? Why?
Speaker 2 (32:23):
DeAndre Hunter as he buckled Giddy and roars of the
whole had the Poles need the time out.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
Oh Mersey, he was limping off the court and apparently
he's listed at day to day so restricted area or
do you want to break this down?
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Now, we're gonna break this down because unfortunately he got hurt. Yeah,
but as a hooper, that that that whole that whole
possession was crazy.
Speaker 3 (32:51):
The move by.
Speaker 4 (32:52):
Hunter was amazing. It was definitely surprising. I don't even
know he had that in his game. So the timing
of it was just bad for Giddy. And then Hunter
goes in bangs on him and he might have got
fouled on the dunk too, which is crazy, but but
that was luckily, like more plays come throughout the next
(33:12):
few days and you can like shuffle that to the back.
Speaker 3 (33:15):
Shout out to Giddy.
Speaker 4 (33:16):
Hopefully he's doing his rehab and getting some treatment. Hopefully
he's you know, he's first and foremost he's healthy and okay.
But man, that was a bad That was a bad
possession to be a part of. Shout out to hundred though.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Man, that was sick. But also guy's having a good
season start to the season two.
Speaker 4 (33:34):
But let me ask you, Giddy and the Bulls are
having a good start to their season, So shout out
to Giddy.
Speaker 1 (33:40):
As a I don't know, we've never seen it, I
don't think. But being a recipient of a of an
ankle breaker or a crossover, what what's like the etiquette afterwards?
How do you like actually recover? And I guess the
most adequate, adequate way possible.
Speaker 4 (33:52):
It's funny because like I've never been I've been crossed over,
I never failed or anything like that. Yeah, but I
was having a talk with my team this week and
my AAU team Slow Grind Eleague, my son's eighth grade team,
and somebody got dropped, right, So you know, especially in grade,
like in around that age, if somebody get dropped, it's
(34:14):
so embarrassing to where you might not get up because
you don't want to look bad.
Speaker 3 (34:19):
I had a real talk with them.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
I said, as we get older and you play against
high level players, somebody's going to get crossed, somebody's going
to get dropped where you sit down, somebody's gonna get
dunk done, and you're going to feel like it's the
most embarrassing thing. But as you play against high level players,
that's going to happen, like it's inevitable.
Speaker 3 (34:38):
It's going to happen.
Speaker 4 (34:39):
The best thing to do is get up, move on,
try to do something at the other end. So in
the NBA that happens on a day to day basis,
the best thing to do is keep it pushing, like,
get up, figure it out, go on the other end,
try to make something happen and move on. Because everybody's
seen it, so it's like it's not like you can
take it away.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
So I always tell, especially young.
Speaker 4 (35:01):
Kids, it's like the best, the better players you play against,
that's gonna happen. But to answer your question, the reason
why you never seen it on me, I've never been dropped.
I've never been dunck on. There's a picture of me
going up against Lebron. It looks like I'm about to
get dunked on. My kids clowned about that too, but
I found him and he missed the layup, so the
(35:24):
poster looks like he's gonna turn it on me, but
he never did. And I don't think I'm ever gonna
be the guy that gets ducked done just because and
if you ever dunk on me, it's like you're supposed to.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
I'm five nine, so I'm not tripping. I'm not tripping
at all.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
I remember speaking of Lebron because I was a big
Bulls fan.
Speaker 2 (35:42):
I was.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
I was living in Chicago during those like Bulls heat,
those Bulls heat serious les and I remember John Lucas
he had that one.
Speaker 3 (35:51):
Oh choked over him.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
But you know, shout out to guys like you.
Speaker 1 (35:55):
The fact that you even contest that is like you
know you could like that just was it was.
Speaker 3 (36:01):
It was a frustrating play.
Speaker 4 (36:02):
It wasn't the smart play for me to do, but
I did it anyway, just out of frustration. And luckily,
like I was like this for the basketball guys, thank you,
thank you for not putting me on a poster.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
We're gonna show We're gonna bring up the video and
we'll show people that it's not a posters a lot.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
To bring out the video.
Speaker 4 (36:21):
You could show the picture at first, because the picture's
gonna look like it because even my kids, my kids
would make fun of me, like dang you got it's
like nah, my brother, I did not get dunk young
he I fouled him and he missed the layupat So.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
This is why it's great to have an editing team.
Our editing team will.
Speaker 4 (36:36):
Get to work and you'll show it to make me
look good, all right.
Speaker 1 (36:40):
Next one, so brandon Ingram frustrated, he threw a water
bottle down the sideline that bouncing it hit a staff.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
All right, watch out incoming well Ingram upset.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
Yeah, and they're cleaning up the floor over there.
Speaker 2 (36:55):
So you want to break this down or is this
restricted area?
Speaker 3 (36:59):
No?
Speaker 4 (37:00):
It down too, because that's obviously frustration is going to happen.
That's gonna be, that's gonna be, that's gonna happen throughout
the game.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
B I man, be, I's my guy. I hope you gave.
Speaker 4 (37:11):
That that attendant, that that locker room attendant, that ball boy.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
I hope you gave him about five.
Speaker 4 (37:16):
Hundred dollars or something for that, because I was embarrassing
and that was not cool.
Speaker 3 (37:20):
He's just in there doing his job.
Speaker 4 (37:22):
I know you're frustrated, and I think he got water
on his teammate too, So it's like, you gotta be
a little better than that. So I know, be I
I'm pretty sure he apologized, gave the guy you know
some probably some a little bit of bread, and they
moved on.
Speaker 2 (37:39):
Beautiful. Okay, this next one.
Speaker 1 (37:41):
I love your take on this, but Bradley Beal, who
we all know who watched the game, he didn't really
have much of a successful stint over with the Sons.
Speaker 3 (37:49):
He went on.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
Recording quote he said, I wasn't Bradley Beal. I was
asked to play like someone else. So someone who's been
over with the Sons, I would love to hear what
you think about that quote.
Speaker 4 (38:00):
I mean, I think it's just right, like he was
definitely asked to do stuff he normally doesn't do, and
especially coming from the Wizards where he was averaging whatever
he was averaging, being one of the top guys in
the league in terms of putting the ball in the
basket and making plays, and from experience and being there
with Phoenix, I mean, he wasn't asked to do those
(38:22):
things that you know, he's been doing his whole career,
and just knowing that situation, that type of team, Yes,
everybody's going to have to sacrifice and take a back
seat into, you know, the things that they're used to doing.
Speaker 3 (38:35):
But I don't think.
Speaker 4 (38:36):
He was put in position to be Bradley Beal, and
I think he states it, and I think it's been
known in the media, especially like last year with you know,
coach Budenhauser, like there was a conversation of him asking
him to do other things other than what you know
he's special at doing. So that's always hard to do,
especially if you're still around your prime and in the
(38:58):
same age and you feel like you can do those things.
It's hard to take a step back, and not just
a step back, but just to like be a shell
of yourself, be the defender, get guys involved, and when
you haven't really done that at a.
Speaker 3 (39:11):
High level for most of your career.
Speaker 4 (39:12):
So hopefully you know this year with him being on
the Clippers, you know, they could showcase him in the
way he wants to be showcased, knowing.
Speaker 3 (39:20):
That he still has to sacrifice.
Speaker 4 (39:22):
But I think Bradley will adjust and he'll figure it
out nice.
Speaker 1 (39:26):
Okay, moving on to Okay, so you being a dad,
would love your take on this as well. So Kaya
and Anthony over at Syracuse Carmelo Anthony's son, who I
think for a lot, you know, the clips come out
of Oh he's dunking or he's working out with Chris
Brickley or whatever, and he's never going to be as
good as his as his dad, and then he decides
to go over to Syracuse, people are like, Oh, it's
(39:48):
all nepotism and whatnot. But he just started in his
first college start with Syracuse dropped nineteen nineteen points, foist
and three rebounds. So restricted area or do you want
to break this down about the pressures of Kayne Anthony
and what he's he's already starting.
Speaker 2 (40:02):
To do with rest Eracuse.
Speaker 4 (40:04):
No, Usually when we're gonna talk, nothing is going to
go to the restricted area.
Speaker 3 (40:08):
We are I'm gonna find one.
Speaker 4 (40:10):
But kay Kaye Anthony is is amazing young talent. I
think for guys like himself, Lebron Jameson, even like Michael
Jordan's kids at one point, like those Hall of Fame guys,
I think the kids are always going to be in
lose lose situations for people from the outside looking in.
(40:34):
I don't think there's no pressure in kaya Kayae. Anthony's
in himself.
Speaker 3 (40:40):
He's being a kid.
Speaker 4 (40:41):
He's going to the school his dad went to. He
knows he's really good at basketball. I think the opportunity
is going to present himself to show that he's really
good at basketball. I think that the outside pressure is
what what what there is with the media him betting
being compared to his dad. Let him follow his own footsteps,
Like let him Like you're talking about him being compared
(41:02):
to a Hall of Fame basketball player, Like how many
Hall of Famers are in the world today, Like there's
not a lot, Like how.
Speaker 3 (41:10):
Many are in the Hall of Fame?
Speaker 4 (41:12):
So why would we have to compare a eighteen or
nineteen year old kid to a Hall of famer just
because he's his dad.
Speaker 3 (41:18):
So I like to break it down like that.
Speaker 4 (41:20):
I think the kid from the outside looking in is
going to lose, lose, but for him himself, and even
like my kids, I don't think there's no pressure. There's
pressure on the pressure you put on yourself. There's no
pressure in our family, in our household, like we ain't
asking you to be me. I know Carmelo isn't action,
it's signed to be him. I know Lebron isn't action,
(41:41):
it's signed to be him. So that's just outside pressure.
I think he's being a kid. He's enjoying the experience.
He's going to showcase his skill at a high level,
and the game is going to dictate where he goes.
Like if he does all the right things, he's going
to be an NBA player, he's going to be a pro.
He's going to have a hell of her career because
he's really talented and he seems like.
Speaker 3 (42:03):
A good kid.
Speaker 4 (42:04):
So that goes for all you know, professional sports kids. Like, yes,
you're going to be compared to the father or to
the to the mother, But like that's only from the
outside looking in in terms of those types of pressures.
Speaker 2 (42:19):
I like that.
Speaker 1 (42:19):
I mean, to me, I just hate the nepotism thing
about NBA basketball, about basketball in general. It's like they
they could, yeah, say nepotism existed, and they get it
put on these rosters these teams, Like nepotism doesn't allow
them to score nineteen points, you know, for like in
high level D one basketball or at Browny of like
maybe he got drafted because of Lebron, but he's still
(42:40):
playing minutes in the second season with the Lakers, and
the Lakers are at the top, you know, one of.
Speaker 2 (42:44):
The top two teams in the West.
Speaker 1 (42:45):
So like I think it's you know, these guys still
got to play basketball. And I think that's great advice
that you had said, Like remember you just love playing
the game.
Speaker 2 (42:54):
You get out there and you.
Speaker 4 (42:55):
Hoop exactly and like the nepotism thing, like that's happening
in all walks of life, first ormost and I bet
if anybody was in those positions, say Lebron did get
his son drafted. We ain't saying he did because that's
hard to do, but say he did, who.
Speaker 3 (43:10):
Else wouldn't do that? Exactly? Yeah, I bet one.
Speaker 4 (43:14):
Hundred percent of each parent would be able to try
to put their kid in a position to be successful
in whatever field that they want to do if they
can help. But yeah, the nepotism thing is like, man,
he's going out there putting his hard hat on each
and every day and working for his opportunity. And if
he gets the opportunity and takes advantage of it, like
(43:34):
you got to give give you give your hat off
to the kid, not the father or not the parent.
It's like the kid is putting the work in each
and in the every day. The parent is not there
at the gym looking at him like, oh, we got
to do this. It's like it's the kid's time to
take to take the reins on the situation.
Speaker 3 (43:50):
I think they're doing the hell of a job with it.
Speaker 2 (43:52):
That's dope. I'm excited to watch them all right.
Speaker 1 (43:54):
That's been restricted area and this has been another episode
of Point Game with Isaiah Thompson's toldo, I t any
parting words in this episode.
Speaker 4 (44:03):
Man, tap in with us, subscribe with us. We're gonna
be bringing the heat to every episode and I'm getting
a little more comfortable, So don't don't allow me to
get comfortable in this space. Man, we're gonna be talking
about everything. I'm like I said from the jump, I'm
super excited. I appreciate you, I appreciate.
Speaker 3 (44:21):
The team, and let's keep building on this.
Speaker 1 (44:23):
Yup and the Rolodex. You open up the Rolodex to
all your your friends. We've got some big guests coming.
That's all awesome.
Speaker 3 (44:29):
We got some We got some exciting guests coming.
Speaker 1 (44:32):
Man, appreciate you, all right, everyone, don't forget Point Game
comes out every week. Go to our YouTube channel listen
to us wherever you listen to your iHeart podcast presented
by DraftKings, follow Through and Slow Grind Media. We'll see
you next time on Point Game.
Welcome to another episode A point Game with Isaiah Thomas
and CJ Toldano. I'm of course your host, CJ Toldano,
and I'm joined here by the man.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Everyone is here to see it. Isaiah Thomas. It how
you feeling, man, Man.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
I'm good. Always good to be back with you.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Found.
Speaker 4 (00:29):
I appreciate you know, just being here talking hoops, good vibes,
good energy.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Let's do it.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Yeah, I just want to say, like, I've been doing
this podcasting game for a little bit in basketball, and
it's an incredible opportunity to be potting with you. But
like I just want to say, like you've only done
one episode, and you said you're a rookie, but you're
already showing off veteran vibes just even like on social
and stuff like sharing the clips, getting the stuff out
there to the people, Like I've got nothing, but my
(00:57):
dms are full of just people like loving the pot
already only had one episode, So what's your feeling like
after one episode and seeing everything come out and get
to the people.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
I'm just excited.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
I think the biggest thing is just you know, talking
the game of basketball at the level we're talking to.
I am a rookie in this space. But when it
comes to talking basketball, I'm able to you know, just
be able to communicate what we're speaking about and go
from there. But I was excited about the feedback as well.
I was getting a lot of d ms. Everybody excited
(01:27):
about me being able to talk the game on this platform.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Is only going to be, you know, great for the fans.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
We just need everybody to tune in, tap in every
week and we're gonna get it right to you.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
We're gonna get some exclusive content, all that stuff going.
So this is just the beginning, So I'm excited. I
did want to start off this episode on a little
bit of a somber note. We talked on the last
episode that you from Seattle, you live in Seattle, still
Seattle basketball legend Lenny Wilkins passed away sadly, and you
(02:01):
had quite the connection with him. And also just for
any young basketball fans watching this who weren't familiar with Lenny,
I'd love to just spend the.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Show right up top here sort of, you know, discussing.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
The connection you had with him, and also just I
got some accolades that he had.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
But I would just love to hear.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
From your mouth, like why he was so important and
what impact he gave the game of basketball while he
was here with us.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
First off, my condolences to the family. My thoughts and
prayers are out to the family. Lenny was not only
a big piece of you know, basketball in general around
the world. He was a huge piece to the Seattle
community dating back to when he played for the Sonics.
And he's a lefty like myself, so somebody I definitely
looked up to, and I was able to build a
(02:46):
relationship with the friendship with throughout my college years as
he was an analyst commentator for the Pac ten game
sometimes especially the ones that you dubbed, so you know,
before those games, I would be able to sit down
and pick his brain and talk to him, and he
would give me inside of what he sees on my game.
And to be able to interact with such a legend
(03:07):
at a young age is like I was forever embedded
to him, forever, thankful and grateful for him to be
able to I guess somewhat mentored me throughout those times
when I was in college, and then you know, after
college and when I got to the NBA, I would
see Lenny every now and then in the summertime and
he would just you know, put a smiler, not just
my face, but anybody else's face. I think he was
(03:30):
a big part of not just basketball, but the community
part of basketball. I mean, he taught so many of
us guys in the community about giving back, about being
bigger than just a basketball player. And like you said,
I was able to be a little part, a little
part of his you know, statue ceremony this past June
(03:51):
out in Seattle in front of Climate Pledge Arena, and
then the night before just being able to interact with
not only him but his family. I met his wife.
I met Danny Glover, who was a big, you know,
a big supporter and frian of Lenny Wilkins. And that's
like not to go off subject, but like Danny Glover
is like that's angels in the outfield. So I toltally
(04:12):
God when I met him. I'm like, that's one of
my favorite movies as a child. So it's like an
honor to meet you. But I was able to meet
him through Lenny Wilkins, and it was just honor to
be able to be in Lenny's presence. Like I said,
my thoughts and prayers are to his family. He was
bigger than the game of basketball. He was something that
was very important to the community of not just Seattle
(04:35):
and Tacoma, but the state of Washington and.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Forever. Be grateful for the relationship I had with.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Him, and to be able to just interact with him
the last couple of months and put a smile on
his face was everything to me.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Man, you mentioned you dub and him calling your games,
and so obviously his one job was to call the games.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
But I'd love to hear, like.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Were there any specific stories or like just to get
a little bit more into that relationship, Like you're an
up and coming guard. He's a Seattle you know, legend
in his own right. He was a guard as well
in the Lefty Like you said, was there any piece
of advice that sort of stuck with you that he
gave you during that time that you've carried on since.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
I think the biggest thing with him being you know,
a smaller guard as well, not not too big himself.
The biggest thing he gave me was like just believing yourself.
I know that sounds so cliche, but like what got
you here is going to get you to where you
want to go next. And he will always say that
every time I seen him, he will always like, especially
when I was in college, keep believing left he keep believing,
(05:34):
And you know, I would take that and run with it,
Like obviously I always believe myself before a guy of
his stature and guy of of such like a hall
of fame, and I think in three or four categories
to be able to give back and tell me to
believe in myself. And he's a fan of my game,
and like it made my dream become that much more real.
(05:54):
It made my you know it may it made me
believing I can be an NBA player become a reality.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
And I can't thank him enough for.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Just the wisdom and the knowledge, and not only that,
just the friendship and being so you know, humble and welcoming.
Any time I had a question, he was there for me.
And I thank him. I thank him for that.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
I think you're right you talked in the last episode
two of like it's that that lineage that is so
important to you guys like you had Jason Terry and
Brandon Roy and Jamal Crawford and those guys, and you're
passing it on like it's just it goes to show
like that that connection has continued to run deeper ifan
past you know, Jamal and those guys to someone like Lenny.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
So that's great.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
And again just to any young hooper watching this, like
I you know, when when this news happened, I was like,
I just remembered them from the nineties, coaching the Hawks
and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
But his track record was crazy.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
I just wrote some of them down here, Like he
led the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Finals as a
rookie point guard. Like we talked about being rookie, but
like to have that amount of pressure and do that
is insane. You said, you mentioned Hall of Fame three
in three different categories as a player, coach, and assistant
for the Dream Team. So like that to me, like
just making the Hall of Fame once it's crazy, but
(07:05):
three different times is nuts. And this is another crazy
story that I had no idea was even possible. But
in his second season he played in the NBA on
the weekends. His main job was he was a second
lieutenant in the army, So he ended up only playing
twenty games that season because he was serving our country.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Amazing.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
That just that just says the type of person he is.
Like even at the ceremony, like everybody talking up there.
I remember Nate McMillan was up there, Steve Smith, who
played with him in Atlanta Hawks, Gary Payton was there.
Everybody had the ultimate respect for him, not just only
(07:44):
as a coach, but as a person. And that says
a lot when they talk to you in a better
way as a person than a player. And like we said,
he was a Hall of fame. He was a Hall
of Fame player, coach, and he was a Hall of
Fame person. So it is more when these situations happened
and he was able to just be a magnet to
(08:06):
so many people, And it's so many people gravitated to
his likeness and how he how he cared for others,
not just only as a basketball player, but as a person,
which is most important.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
That's dope.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
All right, Well, I'm glad we were able to spend
this first part of the show talking about Lenny.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Kids. You got the YouTube, you got you got the internet.
Look him up.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Like again, a lot of the players that we that
we enjoy today, it's because of a person like Lenny Wilkins.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
So do your homework, do your research, givesignments.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Because I know there's some there's some guys I might
even say Lenny Wilkins's name or somebody this you know
a little older. These young guys be like who. And
it's not even no disrespect. They just don't tap into
their history. And if you're a basketball hooper, if you're
a real hooper, you gotta know you got to give
the love and flowers to Lenny Wilkins.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
So shout out to Lenny for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
There's the flowers.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
All right, We're gonna take a break care on Point
Game presented by DraftKings, and we'll be right back after this.
All right, welcome back to Point Game. I t we
were talking about it earlier in the show. You know,
the podcast game there's full episodes and whatnot, but this
is little behind the scenes, but the social aspect of it.
(09:18):
We're kind of bringing the best of to the channel.
So don't forget to subscribe people. But a quote that
we we didn't think was going to pop off so
much that we put out was the quote that you
had said on the on the last episode that when
I asked you, you know, what was your kind of
status with with the league right now? And and and
your your willingness to want to play, and you said
that you have one more year.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
And that's your ultimate goal. So uh we posted that
and it honestly, it went crazy.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
So I loved reading the comments of people tagging all
the teams that they think that you.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Could be a fit for.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
So I would just love to hear from from your
your own voice, like how was it, I guess to
see that positive feedback, And I would love to just
get in the basketball of it all, like you're watching
the game, like, I'd love to hear if there's a
team out there or teams out there that you feel
like you could be a great fit for and make
an impact with.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
First off, yeah, yeah, that always takes a hit when
I'm you know, when I'm talking about being in the NBA,
like people like my support system when it comes to
the fans is like a one man. So I appreciate
all the love and support with people wanting me to play,
wanting to see me play, wanted me to be a
part of a roster in the NBA. But yeah, my
ultimate goal is to play like I want to. I
(10:32):
want to play at least one more year. That's why
I say at least like if I could get two
or three more because I know I can still play
at a high level, but I want to just honestly,
like I want to play one more year. I want
to be able to help an organization, not just on
the court, but like off the court, because that's I
think most important is a vet presence in them locker
(10:52):
rooms with them young guys, especially young guards that kind
of blind leading the blind at this point with how
young the NBA is going, and I think those young
players as well, they respect older players that can still
play at a high level because they're like, Okay, this
guy can still do it if given the opportunity. And
that's just from my experience in being in the locker
(11:14):
rooms with younger guys. So obviously my ultimate goal I'm
staying ready. I think there's a few teams out there
that they can use a backup point guard, that can
use a guard that can you know, make plays and
and just be an impact out there. But you know,
to be one hundred percent honest, yes I can do that.
Yes I can still play at a high level. But
(11:36):
I think the most important thing for me in this
point in my career is to be a mentor and
be a vet presence for you know.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
Them young guys. They need it.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
They need that mentorship, they need that vision, they need
to hear it from somebody that's done it at a
high level that they're trying to do it at. So,
you know, not to just say specific teams, but there's
definitely a handful of teams that need a point guard
that can not only make plays and score, but most
importantly be a leader. Like the game is missing leadership,
(12:06):
especially you know, as those young teams are figuring out
their journey, they need a guy in that locker room
that's done it before and it's done it at a
high level, and that there's been a leader at a
high level as well. And it can be you know,
an extension of a coach that can't really get to
his young his young group. So, you know, just watching
(12:26):
the game of basketball and being a student of the game,
there's definitely teams out there that can use a guy
like myself. But you know, until until the team comes calling,
I'm gonna stay ready and I'm gonna stay in tune
with the game of basketball. As if you know, a
team calls them all and they need me to play,
not only play. Just need me to be on the roster,
(12:46):
to make an impact each and every day, and that's
what it's really about.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Yeah, be like pacers.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
But there's a lot this out there. We ain't gonna
say name though, but I mean out the use.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
But there are coaches out the gate saying we need
a point guard.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
So I'm right here, baby, I'm right here, with no
with no ego, with no pride. I'm here to help
make things easier, you know, any way possible for not
only the coaching staff, but the whole organization.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
And they know that though they know that.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
And I think it's very nice to you to say,
like you can offer that veteran mentorship and whatnot, But honestly,
you suited up last season for some G league and
you're dropping forty, Like that's just not you know, like
I'd love to hear what that G league experience is.
It's like you've like the closest evidence that you can
still play, Like what what is it like dropping forty
(13:44):
and like what what are people not paying attention to
your game that you want to highlight a little bit more?
Speaker 4 (13:51):
The biggest thing, like the forties, that's just who I am.
So that's not me trying to be something I'm not.
That's not me like going in there and just making
it about myself. I'm just playing the game of basketball
at the level I know how against the guys that
I'm playing against. But I think it's not necessarily what
they're seeing or what they're not seeing. The NBA knows
(14:13):
what I bring. The NBA knows the game I have.
The people who are watching know that I really haven't
lost a step. I just think the game is changing
as you see. You know, when I came in the league,
or even years ago, when I was really in the league,
those four to five guys that were in at the
(14:33):
end of a bench were older guys that were mentors,
the guys that can play still at a high level.
Now that the two way contractors came in, it's kind
of pushed the older vet out because not most importantly,
it's cheaper to have a two way guy, and it's
given a younger guy an opportunity to maybe they find
a diamond in the rough where they find a guy
(14:54):
that they don't have to pay a lot of money,
but they kind of can can control as well in
terms of, okay, we can give him a.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
Little bit here, We could give him a little bit there, and.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
We cannot give him too much, especially if it's a
guy that's you know, like I said, a diamond in
the rough that's better than what his situation is presenting
for itself. So you know, there's a lot of there's
a lot of variables that come in this and making
this decision. But the biggest thing I think is I
am thirty six years old. I do got a lot
(15:24):
of power in the locker room. That's not always good
for coaches, especially you know, young coaches trying to solidify
their position. So this is just me being transparent and
real to you know, the NBA fan or the NBA
casual that doesn't understand the business side of it.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
And you know, I'm not hurt by it. I understand it.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
But I do know the guys that are my age,
that are still playing out at a high level in
the NBA are making real impacts. Yeah, you know our
lit Russell Westbrook that was counted out they could still make,
you know, have triple doubles that can still play at
a high level.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
So it's it's a.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
Fine line, and you know, I got no ill will
towards it because I understand it. But if they do
give me another chance like I did on the Suns,
you know without even playing and being a leader and
making a real impact, or like I did in the
G League with showing, if you do give me a
chance to play, you know, I could still do it
at a high level. So yeah, you know there's things
(16:26):
around it. There's opportunity there on both sides of playing
and not playing, and you know, I just want to
be a helping hand for sure.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
I love that you mentioned, you know, like the two
way contracts and you've done like the ten day before,
like to the normal person, if you're able to can
you peel back that curtain like and you've always said
you've stayed ready, you're working out, like we've been texting
and you'd be like, I'm working out in the morning whatever,
you're still doing that, Like, can you peel back the
curtain on what it's like to get the call with
(16:55):
the ten day and like having Moose cities, you're a father,
you have a family, Like I have to just hear
the difficulties behind all of that and what goes on,
like when you're staying ready and you get.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
A call, I think early on in guy's career, when
they're in that situation, I'm staying ready and getting a call.
It's probably a lot more difficult for me. My family's
in Tacoma, in Seattle. They're out of age right now
where they're not really going to be moving around like
that anymore, my wife and my kids. So when I
(17:26):
do get those calls, and when I do get a
ten day, I go there first and foremost with the
impression that I got to prove myself and I got
to do what I can to make an impact and
to stay longer. And when I do get that called
to sign for the rest of the season, are another
ten day. I think it gives my family opportunity to
be able to come to whatever city I'm in, spend
(17:46):
a few days with me, see a game or two,
and then get.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
Back to the house.
Speaker 4 (17:51):
Because that's the you know, that's the situation I'm in
right now with being older and having older kids. It's
not a situation where they're going to follow me from
each team to do that. But early on in my career,
I think that would have been a situation where they
do follow me and they and you know, we're on
our heels.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
Each and every day. This ain't that situation.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
It's me staying ready as I can, stay in shape,
making sure my skills are super sharp. So when I
do get a call, you know, I'm ready to be
inserted in the game tonight today, and I make sure
I'm able to be ready in those situations.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Well, I think again that post that we put up,
it shows people want to see it. You know, there's
a lot of teams that I think you can help out,
and yeah, it would be exciting to see you get
that chance. So in the meantime, staying ready, you're potting,
you're breaking down the game with us, So we appreciate that.
I wanted to talk about some stuff going on the
league right now. Again we're still a little bit early,
(18:50):
but the Eastern Conference, which we knew was going to
be a little bit open with obviously the Tyrese Haliburton
being hurt and some people being moved around to the
top teams. One of the big surprised is the Detroit Pistons,
who actually I had an opportunity to work for almost
a decade ago.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
That was my big break in the NBA.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Great organization, great city that is rich in basketball, history.
But finally, you know, because I feel like they were
the joke of the league for a long time and
then they drafted a guy, Kate Cunningham, who is a guard,
but very much you guys are different types of guards,
So one I wanted to know, have you been watching
any of the Pistons. Can you sort of explain their
(19:27):
their rise? And I would love to also hear your
thoughts as another point guard, your thoughts on Kate Cunningham
because he's putting up crazy numbers right now.
Speaker 3 (19:34):
I'm a fan of the Pistons first and foremost.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
It dates back to last year that I think they
caught a lot of people by surprise last year with
the type of team that they have. I think that's
carrier over into the start of this season. And obviously
Kate is the closer, the leader, the number one option,
the number two option, all of that, and I think
his presence lays a foundation on the other guys like his.
(20:00):
I don't know him personally, I've never been in the
locker room with him, so I don't know the type
of leader he is, but from the outside looking in,
it seems that he has the leadership qualities to make
those other guys follow him and they go as as
as much as he is going to take them. And
then you got to also give a shout out to
(20:21):
you know j B. You know Bigger Staff. He came
from Cleveland where he changed that culture around and came
to Detroit to where he just solidified hisself early last
year and it's carried over to this year. I think
they're a young and an up and coming team. I
think they got that pedigree the old Detroit Detroit Pistons
had to where they're a physical, feisty team that's not
(20:43):
backing down from anybody. I think that starts with the
head of the snake, and that's Kate Cunningham.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Yeah, I mean we just watching him, like you see,
he's sixty six point guard. He can obviously score, but
he's averaging almost ten assists a game right now. And
if you have a guy like that's that's a guy
that's a franchise player right there, you know. And then
like I said, like watching Social or like looking at
Social and watching highlights and stuff, these aren't guys around
(21:09):
them that are like you know, getting top ten dunks
or whatever, ankle breakers. It's just it's solid role players
got a star, Thompson, Jalen Duran, they picked up Duncan Robinson,
all these guys, And I guess what I'm sort of
teeing up here is, you know, are these teams with
the older superstars, like.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Are they are they as much contenders as they used
to be?
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Or is it all about kind of getting like that
one guy and really building a deep roster that can
you know, I guess, like sort of survive a playoff run.
Like what's your sort of viewpoint of like what the
new NBA and the team that can contend?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
What does that look like? Is it the Detroit Pistons.
Speaker 4 (21:47):
I think it's a little bit of both, Like his
development is drafting is obviously signing key free agents. So
it's a little mixture of all of those things. And
I think those dynamics change with the with with each team,
like Detroit obviously through the draft they've been They've been
(22:07):
amazing with Kad, with Ivy, with Ashure Thompson, a guy
that I watched when he played at Ote in high
school and I was able to commentate his games when
I was doing that when him and his brother was
out there putting on shows. So I think they're just
doing it the right way. This isn't the formula for
every team. I think okay See is another team that's
worked their way through the draft and obviously had some
(22:30):
good trades with s G A and was able to
find guys that fit around him.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
I think the Detroit Pistons are doing that to a t.
Speaker 4 (22:40):
They're finding the right guys that are gonna fit around Kid,
and they're moving forward with that Duncan Robinson, who is
a shooter who spaces the floor for a guy like
Kid who goes downhill and gets in the paint and
scores that will. So I think they're they're they're they're
signing and they're getting complimentary players for their main guys.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
And then you gotta you can't forget.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
A guy like Isaiah Stewart, like a guy like Duran
those are forces that protect guys like Ky Cunningham. Those
are guys that you know you go in to pay
and you think twice. And I think it dates back
to having guys like Rashie Wallace, having guys like Ben Wallace,
like those type of guys that are physical and you
(23:20):
know they got a culture over there, and like I said,
you got to give a big shout out to Treasure
Langdon You got to give a big shout out to
their front office, like it seems like they're doing all
the right things over there to start the season off
the way they have.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
And not to you know, advertise too much.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
But it's that slow grind like building building slowly, you know,
of like you don't need to go and chase give
up all your pieces that are working for that one superstar.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
So it's been fun.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
It's been fun, honestly to watch this East be open
and the team sort of shift to the top. And
I do want to sort of shift gears a little
bit to another Eastern Conference team. Not too much basketball,
but there's a bit of a beef going on that
I would love to hear your take on. But you know,
the Pacers had made a run to the finals, obviously
with their squad last year, Tyrese got hurt and so
(24:10):
people were kind of considering an off year and in
the offseason they were unable to sign Miles Turner as
he decided to go sign over with the Bucks.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
Obviously. We saw the.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Bucks play in Indiana recently and during the tribute video,
they booed Miles let's be the rest of the books,
and then there's been some jabs back and forth over
social media, like what do you what do you take
in this whole situation with if you were a Miles shoot, Like,
(24:40):
how would you do that?
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Do you understand some of what he's going through and
how he's reacting.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
I understand it.
Speaker 4 (24:45):
I don't understand the booze though, Like I get it
as a I get it as a fan, like you
don't want your players to leave and go to another team,
especially in the same conference, So I understand that, but
like show your appreciation for what he's done for that
organization over the however many years he was there. But
I think Miles Turner is doing it to himself too,
(25:05):
like he's he sneaked this in at times, like he's
he's not being the one that's just doing everything right
and they're just picking on them.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
So I think it's a tell of both sides.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
But I have been in those those shoes before, and
I think Miles Turner's like as a human and a
human feelings, you feel a way as well, So like
it's two sides to it. But yeah, it's it's a
tough situation. I think fans are just really upset. You
go to the finals, then you leave a team that
(25:38):
you compete it against all year in the last few
years at that. So I think after that situation, I.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Think they're both gonna move on.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
Every time he goes to Indiana, they might boo here
and there, but I think they really have love and
support for Miles Turner.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
It's just they gotta do that. As a fan.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Well, let me ask you, have you ever been booting
an arena and had you overcome?
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Have you ever been a villain? Which is definitely not
anything would ever think of you, But have you ever
been a villain?
Speaker 3 (26:04):
I haven't been a villain. No, I haven't.
Speaker 4 (26:07):
I've always liked the fans for the most part, kind
of kind of always showed some love. Like there's been
times like when I was in Cleveland, I wasn't playing well.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
They booed a little bit.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
They boo when I played for the Cows, but I
was hurt, so I understood it. I didn't take it
personal because you're not booing when I'm one hundred percent,
there's no way so and then I'm just I interact
with the fans and that that part of the game.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
So I haven't been booed.
Speaker 4 (26:33):
I remember early on in my career, I played for
the Kings and we played in Madison Square Garden. They
booed me because of my name. They didn't like the
older Isaiah Thomas. So every time I touched the ball,
especially my first time, I was like, they was boring me.
Speaker 3 (26:48):
I was like, what did I do?
Speaker 4 (26:50):
And then I go to the bench they say, oh,
they're boring you because your name. I'm like, oh, I
get it because it's crazy. Like a quick story, I
was in prep school in Connecticut. My friend Jamal Crawford
was on the Knicks. So when I had open weekends
in prep school I would take a train to New
York and go to the Knicks games or stay at
Jamal's house. And I'm sixteen seventeen at this point and
(27:12):
Isaiah Thomas is the coach. So it was that year
when you would go to the games and they would
just bow Isaiah Thomas the whole the whole season. They
wanted them fired. The fans didn't like them. And so
fast forward when I was on the Kings. My first time,
I remember touching the ball and they just they just
booing me right, And then I remember walking by Spike
(27:34):
Lee and he's like, you know, we got to do
it to you.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
It's just your name. It's all good. And it just
that was crazy.
Speaker 4 (27:40):
Spike Lee even knew who I was and mentioned me,
and it was it was definitely a little joke. But
they just don't like that name around there, so I
was definitely smiling.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
I remember after the game my mom calling me. She
was mad. She was like, why are they boring you?
I was like, you got to just relaxed. It's just
the name, that's all. So, yeah, it's semi you and
my dad's fault, but it's all good.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
I'm gonna just take it because everybody don't get booed
in Madison Square gardens, So I'm gonna just you know,
I'm gonna take that one to the chin.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
I was.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
I mean, man, that's another impressive thing. Like you had
that pressure on you from birth to be named Isaiah Thomas.
And I know You've been asked this a million times,
but I guess, just like, what how much did that
affect you growing up? And was it a pretty quick
switch of just like it's it's my name, I spell
it differently, but like, yeah, what was that like growing
up with that name it was.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
It wasn't bad.
Speaker 4 (28:31):
Like obviously, if when I would say my name, people
especially older people, would be like, are you his son?
Are you named after him? Things like that. But I
loved the game of basketball so much. Early on, all
I knew was basketball, So it was kind of like
when my name was Isaiah Thomas, I wasn't.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
Really tripping on it.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
It's just when I got older and say, like especially
like when I first got in the league, when I'm
calling a restaurant and trying to get a you know,
a reservation or anything like that, everybody always thought I
was the older Isaiah Thomas.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
In two I was.
Speaker 4 (29:04):
Able to solidify who I was as a basketball player,
and you know, my career, then the flip, the switch
started to flip for me where they kind of knew
who I was. In case, it was like somebody a
lot older, They're always thinking it's the older Isaiah Thomas.
And you know, to piggyback on that is like when
(29:25):
I got to college, I started to build a relationship
with Isaiah Thomas. So it was like super cool to
be able to pick up the phone.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
To call Isaiah.
Speaker 4 (29:33):
And he's always been since college, he's been a big
mentor of mine. So it's super cool to be named
after such a legend as somebody who paved a way
for myself.
Speaker 3 (29:42):
Love that.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
I'm glad we got that that story on the record.
Here for the pod.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
Okay, we're gonna get through some more where we'll do
a rapid fire a new segment for a final segment
here on point game called restricted Area. When we come
back on point game for Center by Draft Games all right,
Time for our Draft Kings King of the Court segment
where you pick who will lead the league in total points,
rebounds and assists on Tuesday Night, and if you get
(30:08):
it right, you can split a million bucks. So this week,
I think I'm liking Sja at home against the Warriors,
But of course you can watch out for Jalen Brown and.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
Tyrese Maxey in that Celtic Sixers game.
Speaker 4 (30:19):
It Who are you thinking, I'm gonna go with two
of my former teams. I'm gonna go with the Sacramento
Kings versus the Denver Nuggets. And you know, anytime you
gotta go with the Denver Nuggets, you're gonna go with
Joker because he's gonna dominate the whole game. Rebounds, points, assists,
maybe even still so shout out to my guy, Zach Lavine.
If it was anybody else, I would you know, I
(30:40):
will go with my guy. But you got you gotta
be smart about this.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
You gotta be smart, all right.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
Don't forget to play King and the Court on Draft
Kings Sportsbook. Every Tuesday during the NBA season. Download the
Draft Kings Sportsbook app and use Code Point Game. That's
Code Point Game. Bet five bucks and get three months
of league pass plus get three hundred dollars in bonus
bets if you're bet it wins. In partnership with DraftKings,
the Crown is yours.
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Speaker 2 (31:35):
All right, welcome back to point game.
Speaker 1 (31:36):
We're debuting a new segment here with Isaiah where it's
called restricted area. I'm going to bring up a hot
topic or something that just broke or happened in the NBA,
and then Isaiah has the option to either discuss it
and break it down, or he could be like, no,
let's keep it moving.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
That's restricted area. We're not going there.
Speaker 1 (31:55):
But I have a feeling he's been an answering everything
open book here, So we're going to go through this.
I'll bring up a story in it. You let me
know you ready, got you? Got you all right? So
this was all over the feed yesterday. DeAndre Hunter on
the Calves had an insane ankle breaker and I'm saying
ankle breaker on Josh Giddy because it hurt Josh Gitty
(32:17):
Hunter works?
Speaker 2 (32:18):
Whoa Jiddy?
Speaker 3 (32:19):
Hold home? Hi? Right? Real mood? Why?
Speaker 2 (32:23):
DeAndre Hunter as he buckled Giddy and roars of the
whole had the Poles need the time out.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
Oh Mersey, he was limping off the court and apparently
he's listed at day to day so restricted area or
do you want to break this down?
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Now, we're gonna break this down because unfortunately he got hurt. Yeah,
but as a hooper, that that that whole that whole
possession was crazy.
Speaker 3 (32:51):
The move by.
Speaker 4 (32:52):
Hunter was amazing. It was definitely surprising. I don't even
know he had that in his game. So the timing
of it was just bad for Giddy. And then Hunter
goes in bangs on him and he might have got
fouled on the dunk too, which is crazy, but but
that was luckily, like more plays come throughout the next
(33:12):
few days and you can like shuffle that to the back.
Speaker 3 (33:15):
Shout out to Giddy.
Speaker 4 (33:16):
Hopefully he's doing his rehab and getting some treatment. Hopefully
he's you know, he's first and foremost he's healthy and okay.
But man, that was a bad That was a bad
possession to be a part of. Shout out to hundred though.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Man, that was sick. But also guy's having a good
season start to the season two.
Speaker 4 (33:34):
But let me ask you, Giddy and the Bulls are
having a good start to their season, So shout out
to Giddy.
Speaker 1 (33:40):
As a I don't know, we've never seen it, I
don't think. But being a recipient of a of an
ankle breaker or a crossover, what what's like the etiquette afterwards?
How do you like actually recover? And I guess the
most adequate, adequate way possible.
Speaker 4 (33:52):
It's funny because like I've never been I've been crossed over,
I never failed or anything like that. Yeah, but I
was having a talk with my team this week and
my AAU team Slow Grind Eleague, my son's eighth grade team,
and somebody got dropped, right, So you know, especially in grade,
like in around that age, if somebody get dropped, it's
(34:14):
so embarrassing to where you might not get up because
you don't want to look bad.
Speaker 3 (34:19):
I had a real talk with them.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
I said, as we get older and you play against
high level players, somebody's going to get crossed, somebody's going
to get dropped where you sit down, somebody's gonna get
dunk done, and you're going to feel like it's the
most embarrassing thing. But as you play against high level players,
that's going to happen, like it's inevitable.
Speaker 3 (34:38):
It's going to happen.
Speaker 4 (34:39):
The best thing to do is get up, move on,
try to do something at the other end. So in
the NBA that happens on a day to day basis,
the best thing to do is keep it pushing, like,
get up, figure it out, go on the other end,
try to make something happen and move on. Because everybody's
seen it, so it's like it's not like you can
take it away.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
So I always tell, especially young.
Speaker 4 (35:01):
Kids, it's like the best, the better players you play against,
that's gonna happen. But to answer your question, the reason
why you never seen it on me, I've never been dropped.
I've never been dunck on. There's a picture of me
going up against Lebron. It looks like I'm about to
get dunked on. My kids clowned about that too, but
I found him and he missed the layup, so the
(35:24):
poster looks like he's gonna turn it on me, but
he never did. And I don't think I'm ever gonna
be the guy that gets ducked done just because and
if you ever dunk on me, it's like you're supposed to.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
I'm five nine, so I'm not tripping. I'm not tripping
at all.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
I remember speaking of Lebron because I was a big
Bulls fan.
Speaker 2 (35:42):
I was.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
I was living in Chicago during those like Bulls heat,
those Bulls heat serious les and I remember John Lucas
he had that one.
Speaker 3 (35:51):
Oh choked over him.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
But you know, shout out to guys like you.
Speaker 1 (35:55):
The fact that you even contest that is like you
know you could like that just was it was.
Speaker 3 (36:01):
It was a frustrating play.
Speaker 4 (36:02):
It wasn't the smart play for me to do, but
I did it anyway, just out of frustration. And luckily,
like I was like this for the basketball guys, thank you,
thank you for not putting me on a poster.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
We're gonna show We're gonna bring up the video and
we'll show people that it's not a posters a lot.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
To bring out the video.
Speaker 4 (36:21):
You could show the picture at first, because the picture's
gonna look like it because even my kids, my kids
would make fun of me, like dang you got it's
like nah, my brother, I did not get dunk young
he I fouled him and he missed the layupat So.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
This is why it's great to have an editing team.
Our editing team will.
Speaker 4 (36:36):
Get to work and you'll show it to make me
look good, all right.
Speaker 1 (36:40):
Next one, so brandon Ingram frustrated, he threw a water
bottle down the sideline that bouncing it hit a staff.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
All right, watch out incoming well Ingram upset.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
Yeah, and they're cleaning up the floor over there.
Speaker 2 (36:55):
So you want to break this down or is this
restricted area?
Speaker 3 (36:59):
No?
Speaker 4 (37:00):
It down too, because that's obviously frustration is going to happen.
That's gonna be, that's gonna be, that's gonna happen throughout
the game.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
B I man, be, I's my guy. I hope you gave.
Speaker 4 (37:11):
That that attendant, that that locker room attendant, that ball boy.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
I hope you gave him about five.
Speaker 4 (37:16):
Hundred dollars or something for that, because I was embarrassing
and that was not cool.
Speaker 3 (37:20):
He's just in there doing his job.
Speaker 4 (37:22):
I know you're frustrated, and I think he got water
on his teammate too, So it's like, you gotta be
a little better than that. So I know, be I
I'm pretty sure he apologized, gave the guy you know
some probably some a little bit of bread, and they
moved on.
Speaker 2 (37:39):
Beautiful. Okay, this next one.
Speaker 1 (37:41):
I love your take on this, but Bradley Beal, who
we all know who watched the game, he didn't really
have much of a successful stint over with the Sons.
Speaker 3 (37:49):
He went on.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
Recording quote he said, I wasn't Bradley Beal. I was
asked to play like someone else. So someone who's been
over with the Sons, I would love to hear what
you think about that quote.
Speaker 4 (38:00):
I mean, I think it's just right, like he was
definitely asked to do stuff he normally doesn't do, and
especially coming from the Wizards where he was averaging whatever
he was averaging, being one of the top guys in
the league in terms of putting the ball in the
basket and making plays, and from experience and being there
with Phoenix, I mean, he wasn't asked to do those
(38:22):
things that you know, he's been doing his whole career,
and just knowing that situation, that type of team, Yes,
everybody's going to have to sacrifice and take a back
seat into, you know, the things that they're used to doing.
Speaker 3 (38:35):
But I don't think.
Speaker 4 (38:36):
He was put in position to be Bradley Beal, and
I think he states it, and I think it's been
known in the media, especially like last year with you know,
coach Budenhauser, like there was a conversation of him asking
him to do other things other than what you know
he's special at doing. So that's always hard to do,
especially if you're still around your prime and in the
(38:58):
same age and you feel like you can do those things.
It's hard to take a step back, and not just
a step back, but just to like be a shell
of yourself, be the defender, get guys involved, and when
you haven't really done that at a.
Speaker 3 (39:11):
High level for most of your career.
Speaker 4 (39:12):
So hopefully you know this year with him being on
the Clippers, you know, they could showcase him in the
way he wants to be showcased, knowing.
Speaker 3 (39:20):
That he still has to sacrifice.
Speaker 4 (39:22):
But I think Bradley will adjust and he'll figure it
out nice.
Speaker 1 (39:26):
Okay, moving on to Okay, so you being a dad,
would love your take on this as well. So Kaya
and Anthony over at Syracuse Carmelo Anthony's son, who I
think for a lot, you know, the clips come out
of Oh he's dunking or he's working out with Chris
Brickley or whatever, and he's never going to be as
good as his as his dad, and then he decides
to go over to Syracuse, people are like, Oh, it's
(39:48):
all nepotism and whatnot. But he just started in his
first college start with Syracuse dropped nineteen nineteen points, foist
and three rebounds. So restricted area or do you want
to break this down about the pressures of Kayne Anthony
and what he's he's already starting.
Speaker 2 (40:02):
To do with rest Eracuse.
Speaker 4 (40:04):
No, Usually when we're gonna talk, nothing is going to
go to the restricted area.
Speaker 3 (40:08):
We are I'm gonna find one.
Speaker 4 (40:10):
But kay Kaye Anthony is is amazing young talent. I
think for guys like himself, Lebron Jameson, even like Michael
Jordan's kids at one point, like those Hall of Fame guys,
I think the kids are always going to be in
lose lose situations for people from the outside looking in.
(40:34):
I don't think there's no pressure in kaya Kayae. Anthony's
in himself.
Speaker 3 (40:40):
He's being a kid.
Speaker 4 (40:41):
He's going to the school his dad went to. He
knows he's really good at basketball. I think the opportunity
is going to present himself to show that he's really
good at basketball. I think that the outside pressure is
what what what there is with the media him betting
being compared to his dad. Let him follow his own footsteps,
Like let him Like you're talking about him being compared
(41:02):
to a Hall of Fame basketball player, Like how many
Hall of Famers are in the world today, Like there's
not a lot, Like how.
Speaker 3 (41:10):
Many are in the Hall of Fame?
Speaker 4 (41:12):
So why would we have to compare a eighteen or
nineteen year old kid to a Hall of famer just
because he's his dad.
Speaker 3 (41:18):
So I like to break it down like that.
Speaker 4 (41:20):
I think the kid from the outside looking in is
going to lose, lose, but for him himself, and even
like my kids, I don't think there's no pressure. There's
pressure on the pressure you put on yourself. There's no
pressure in our family, in our household, like we ain't
asking you to be me. I know Carmelo isn't action,
it's signed to be him. I know Lebron isn't action,
(41:41):
it's signed to be him. So that's just outside pressure.
I think he's being a kid. He's enjoying the experience.
He's going to showcase his skill at a high level,
and the game is going to dictate where he goes.
Like if he does all the right things, he's going
to be an NBA player, he's going to be a pro.
He's going to have a hell of her career because
he's really talented and he seems like.
Speaker 3 (42:03):
A good kid.
Speaker 4 (42:04):
So that goes for all you know, professional sports kids. Like, yes,
you're going to be compared to the father or to
the to the mother, But like that's only from the
outside looking in in terms of those types of pressures.
Speaker 2 (42:19):
I like that.
Speaker 1 (42:19):
I mean, to me, I just hate the nepotism thing
about NBA basketball, about basketball in general. It's like they
they could, yeah, say nepotism existed, and they get it
put on these rosters these teams, Like nepotism doesn't allow
them to score nineteen points, you know, for like in
high level D one basketball or at Browny of like
maybe he got drafted because of Lebron, but he's still
(42:40):
playing minutes in the second season with the Lakers, and
the Lakers are at the top, you know, one of.
Speaker 2 (42:44):
The top two teams in the West.
Speaker 1 (42:45):
So like I think it's you know, these guys still
got to play basketball. And I think that's great advice
that you had said, Like remember you just love playing
the game.
Speaker 2 (42:54):
You get out there and you.
Speaker 4 (42:55):
Hoop exactly and like the nepotism thing, like that's happening
in all walks of life, first ormost and I bet
if anybody was in those positions, say Lebron did get
his son drafted. We ain't saying he did because that's
hard to do, but say he did, who.
Speaker 3 (43:10):
Else wouldn't do that? Exactly? Yeah, I bet one.
Speaker 4 (43:14):
Hundred percent of each parent would be able to try
to put their kid in a position to be successful
in whatever field that they want to do if they
can help. But yeah, the nepotism thing is like, man,
he's going out there putting his hard hat on each
and every day and working for his opportunity. And if
he gets the opportunity and takes advantage of it, like
(43:34):
you got to give give you give your hat off
to the kid, not the father or not the parent.
It's like the kid is putting the work in each
and in the every day. The parent is not there
at the gym looking at him like, oh, we got
to do this. It's like it's the kid's time to
take to take the reins on the situation.
Speaker 3 (43:50):
I think they're doing the hell of a job with it.
Speaker 2 (43:52):
That's dope. I'm excited to watch them all right.
Speaker 1 (43:54):
That's been restricted area and this has been another episode
of Point Game with Isaiah Thompson's toldo, I t any
parting words in this episode.
Speaker 4 (44:03):
Man, tap in with us, subscribe with us. We're gonna
be bringing the heat to every episode and I'm getting
a little more comfortable, So don't don't allow me to
get comfortable in this space. Man, we're gonna be talking
about everything. I'm like I said from the jump, I'm
super excited. I appreciate you, I appreciate.
Speaker 3 (44:21):
The team, and let's keep building on this.
Speaker 1 (44:23):
Yup and the Rolodex. You open up the Rolodex to
all your your friends. We've got some big guests coming.
That's all awesome.
Speaker 3 (44:29):
We got some We got some exciting guests coming.
Speaker 1 (44:32):
Man, appreciate you, all right, everyone, don't forget Point Game
comes out every week. Go to our YouTube channel listen
to us wherever you listen to your iHeart podcast presented
by DraftKings, follow Through and Slow Grind Media. We'll see
you next time on Point Game.
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