March 18, 2025 • 30 mins
The HEAT is ON as Matt and Geno break down Draymond Green's mind games with Karl-Anthony Towns and why KAT's own teammates were dapping up Draymond after the game. Jimmy Butler and Luka Dončić are on fire with their new squads, and the guys analyze what's behind their dominant performances.
Plus, Matt and Geno dive into the LA Sparks' controversial advertisement for male practice players that has the basketball world talking. Matt drops some bars about the NCAA's broken system - how the combination of NIL deals, transfer portal chaos, and agent influence is DESTROYING college basketball. What's the solution to fix the game we love?
We also give an exclusive preview for an interview Ryan Garcia opens up to Ak and Barak in a tell-all interview dropping this week, revealing the personal struggles behind his controversial year.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to Unplugged. This week's episode is brought to
you by Draft Kings. The Crown is yours. First up.
Nicks lose to the Warriors on Saturday, and Draymond was
on Towns's ass to further discuss this back and forth.
Let me bring in someone who wanted to change his names.
But the fans voted and they said, fuck that. Welcome
(00:21):
to the show. The neighborhood hater. The fans are spoken, bro, No,
they did, absolutely did not.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Man, First of all, I've never heard LA's finest, and
I've been around you for more than half my life.
I had to look back at the numbers. The fans said, No,
neighborhood hater. Hate fits you. It is what your hater
is with love sometimes I see that. So, yes, we
got me here? Yeah, I guess so we're here now? Yes, indeed,
did you get a chance to see the Knicks Warriors?
And and and Draymond's antics with Cat?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
I did, and thoughts Cat fell for all that shit
he did. Draymond did what he was supposed to do.
He does it to everybody. He does, you know, And
I've got a feeling he doesn't with.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Cat like that.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Uh huh, but you know who won that game.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Let's trace this back a little bit because obviously, a
week or two ago, Golden State goes into Madison Square
Garden and Cat doesn't play. Draymond on his show with
Bed says that Kat was running from the smoke. Comes
to find out that his girls' family someone had passed,
and obviously you want to send condolences out to everybody,
(01:26):
and obviously death is a tough pill to swallow. But
whether it was running from the smoke or legitimately you know,
wanted to miss it, it gets people talking. And now
fast forward, New York comes back to Golden State and
Dre is on his ass. I love Cat. I think
Cat is probably one of the most talented players in
the league. But his issue is he's a cat. He's
(01:47):
not a dog. Still skilled, still will be a Hall
of Famer, still an All Star, but he's just not
a dog. And I think Draymond can see that and
sniff it out and he attacks.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
I mean, that's Draymond his job to do that. Absolutely,
he's one of the greatest to ever do it. At
that we sit here argue about his Drayma going to
the Hall of He.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Is first ballot.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Is he first ballot?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I think so.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Under ten thousand points.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
I think so. Four time champion, two time Olympian All Star,
Defensive Player of the Year, one of the greatest teams
of all time. I think first battle is stamped.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Times have changed drastically, is all I'm saying. I mean,
it's the truth, like times of change.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
I think if you just look at his statistical numbers,
people would question that. But I think you look at
the accolades and what he's meant for that organization, I
think that puts him over the top.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
Dre, fuck with you. I don't want to hear no
ship later on, you're my.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Dog because he's someone will slap you too.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Hey, I'm not trying to fight with Draymond, so you bet.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
You better go if you're talking about him. But also again, uh,
and I don't know, now the cat take offense to
this or people are trying to make it seem like
he took offense to his team, to his team. Now
his team's dapping out. No, his team dapping up Draymond
after the game. So the fans stirred it up. Okay,
so yes, so yeah, so that's an interesting thing. I mean,
(03:01):
and we got to talking before the show, like obviously
Draymond has smoke with Cat, New York loses, Cat heads
to the locker room, and then you see a bunch
of his teammates dapping up Draymond Me and an old
school mentality such as yourself, what does that tell you
if you see something like that?
Speaker 3 (03:18):
This league is soft and it's changed. And I got
to see you in the locker room about it, Like
you think pat Riley and all that is going for
all of that shit from back in the day, No,
no chance.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Well, I mean I'm to the you know, I was
someone who lost probably six hundred thousand dollars worth of
shit for taking up for my teammates. You know, So
someone has smoke with my teammate and there's real smoke.
It's smoke, period, you know what I mean. And maybe
we'll catch up after the game or in the summertime.
So but what that tells me is like, are they
really riding with Cat like that? Like if someone is
(03:48):
dogging Cat and then after the game, the person that's
dogging Cat, the team is lining up and showing bro love.
If I'm Cat, I'm kind of looking at these niggas, like,
what's the deal.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
But remember you said Cat is a cat.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Cat is a cat.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Yeah, so I don't see Kat really steppingto nobody like that. Okay,
I love you too, Cat, all right, so don't be
like that. When I see you.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Cat won't slap you at all. You'll be all right.
They can't whip us. You might not. He might be
able to whoop you, but he's not real quick man.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Was there ever a time when someone was talking shit
and a teammate had to stand up for you, or
that you had to stand up for a teammate.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Not No one had to stand up for me. I
was always I mean, bro, I lost again probably eighty
five percent of the money. I was fine was standing
up for teammates.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Did they ever pay your fine?
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Kobe was the only dude that bade my fine. Kobe
was the only dude that pay I got in trouble
for Blake, I got in trouble for Chris, I got
in trouble for some other dudes. The only dude to
pay my fine was Cold. But again, like I said earlier,
like if his smoke is smoked, like my teammates and
my family, and if you're talking shit to my teammates
to me, and you were cool. I'm not giving you
no love during that because I got to go to
(04:49):
war with my teammate every day. I again, I'll catch
you in the summertime or in the off season later
that night. But if his smoke is smoked, so I
just think outside looking in, We'll see what the New
York next do. Obviously, it's one game. It's not a
big deal. Brunson was out. But at the same time,
I'm kind of if I'm cat, whether I say some
(05:10):
or not, I'm looking at all these niggas it was
dapping up to do that was dogging me for the
last two weeks, like damn was that that's how y'all feel?
We shall see. So I saw the Sparks are looking
for some male players to get out there and and
and uh give them a good look in practice, and
(05:32):
you kind of came to mind. Actually, I saw Cameron
Brink speak on it and how disgusted she was of
just all the sexually driven energy that came from that post.
But I'm not sure what they really expected. But could
I see you out there with some real sparks out
there and some being gay on your knees and people.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
I'm up, I'm up. Okay, I don't want to hear
you up right now? Okay, no, I want to I
can make a call.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
I mean, is there do you have any juice left
in them kneecaps?
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Yeah? I went to get some shots up. Man, I'm
ready to go. You can be a practice player. Yeah.
Oh come on, man, who would you guard on that team?
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Rickieah, that's what you would guard. Yeah, one on one,
full court.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Oh, man, have her back you down the whole time. No,
but you know they need some physical you know, they
need some physicality.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
But people are laughing like this is. This happens a lot, though,
Like women's teams get men wreck players and former players
to come out there and give them a good look.
But I just thought, you know, as soon as I
saw the question, I didn't even go to the comments
in this she I was like, Oh, these comments are
going to be fucking wild because they put four beautiful
women up there to represent the sparks in which you
kind of like with the pervert mind that men have.
(06:41):
I don't know what they expected from that post.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
No, they need to get tougher though, and I'm sure
that's why they bring them in in, right, I'm sure, yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Sure, Moving right along the Warriors fourteen and one since
Jimmy Butler has been on the team, second rated defense
overall during that stretch, fifth rated offense over that stretch.
Jimmy's numbers are modest, but I've always you know, sixteen
six and six, but I've always said his numbers don't
reflect his impact, first of all, on the team he's on,
(07:13):
but particularly that game. One thing that has stepped up
during that time is stuff has gone from twenty two
or twenty three a game to twenty nine, six and
four shooting forty two percent from the three point line.
Cominga's back. Now, how serious you are you looking at
the Warriors right now? Real serious?
Speaker 3 (07:31):
I mean, Jimmy is a beast, and plus we've never
seen him when he's happy, and he's happy, No, they
getting w's and this is what happens with him. I
remember telling you guys, I wanted Jimmy with us, Yeah,
when they're good when we first were trading for guys.
And I feel like he's taking so much pressure off
of Dre and Bordell. They just playing at peace now
and we're seeing it right.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Now, I've never been a fan of Jimmy's antics some
sometimes how he forces his way out of situations or
dogs certain people. But I've always been a fan of
his blue caller work ethic. When he's out there and
he plays, he's giving you everything and he's happy. He's
giving you everything he's got. And to see a playoff
Jimmy with the playoff Steph with the Draymond, with the
(08:13):
young Kaminga and that supporting cast, it is going to
be interesting these last game We got fifteen sixteen games left,
this last stretch because obviously we see Okay see at
the top. And I've said this before, This very well
could be the year that Okac says, fuck the Western Conference.
We've taken our lumps and we're gonna represent the Western Conference.
(08:34):
This can also be a year that one of these
more experienced teams, your Lakers, Denver or Golden State possibly
comes out the West. So I think this, this this
stretch run of these last fifteen is going to be fun.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Well, I'm sure the top three teams don't want to
see us, the Lakers. I'm sure they don't want to
see Golden State. Is there a big problem right now?
But I see them winning the championship too, though who
the Golden State? You can see Golden State one only
I don't see. I'm not sure about okay. See. So
to that question Markusov why I couldn't go to state
winning championship this year.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
I don't. I don't necessarily disagree. I mean, I don't
think they have the size necessarily, but they've never really
had the type of size that you would expect from
a championship team. With Looney down there, and and and
Davis and obviously what Draymond brings you, Steph's if Steph
is out of his mind, if Jimmy is out of
his mind, if Kaminga is locked in Porzinski, I mean,
(09:27):
they have the pieces to compete. So I think this
is going to be a great last fifteen and really
excited for what the playoffs are going to bring. On
the flip side, bron went down in Boston, your team
lost four straight on the road. Turned the switch on Sunday,
Luca and them boys really got in the Sun's asses.
(09:50):
And before we talk about what your Lakers were able
to do, KD seems like he's fucking miserable man. His
body languages A and he's been getting into little beasts
with motherfuckers, and Katie has always been someone that always
risen above everything. If there's issues, Katie has always risen
(10:11):
above everything. But I really think that owner trying to
throw him in the trade because Bradley Beal clogged up
the pipeline. I think it fucked Katie's mental enough, and
it really I think he really felt disrespected. I saw
him talk I think Andre Mon Show where obviously he
didn't want to move things during that time, but he
kind of to me left it open to like, Okay,
this offseason, I could be out of there. What are
(10:33):
your thoughts with that just team overall? I mean, the
experiment has failed, There's no question about it. There's been
word that Devin Booker has verbally committed to that team
for the rest of his career. You know, you got
three stars on that team, and it's just a nasty team.
They still have a chance to make the playoffs because
Dallas is down and out, but again, I feel like
they're a top heavy team. They're a team and I
(10:55):
said this last year, they're a team that lifts only
upper body and their legs are super skinny. With the
big old buff my fucking body up top. Thoughts on
this Phoenix team and do they make the playoffs and
if they don't, do you see any of their stars moving?
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I mean I was talking about them from the beginning,
like when they first came together, like volume shooters for
that team for the price surprise. Oh yeah, too many
volume shooters on that team for it to work. People
haven't picked to win the championship, like right right away
as soon as they got together. But I think their
run is over. I mean, it's time to move on
from those three guys and they're almost well, especially Katie,
(11:27):
Like it's sad to see him go out like this
with this mantilla.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
He's such a great Yeah, if Kad were to move,
do you see any particular landing space, And don't say
the Lakers, nigga, Like, let's be real, do.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
You see any landing The only real landing spot for him,
I think is the Rockets. The Rockets, sorry about ok
I guess, but what are they going to give up
to get him back?
Speaker 1 (11:45):
If you're okayc management and understanding the great career start
he had there and he left on kind of sour
terms but obviously one of the greatest players, would you
shake up that lineup to bring up or shake up
that roster to bring kat in for maybe a two
or three year championship run.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
I'm not giving up Chat or one of our top
three guys to get him, though, So if they can
get him with some picks or whatever else magic they
can use to get him there, then yeah, but I'm
not giving up our main guys right now.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
So no Ju, no Chet, and obviously SGA is untradable,
right so none of those three. But outside of that,
anyone else can go absolutely, and you guys can have
all our picks. I wouldn't say all of them, because
you guys have a lot. I mean, okay see has
a lot of but Kti is worth a lot of Yeah,
I mean, if Bridges his five picks and and motherfucking
Rudy Gobert is what eighteen first round picks like, Katie
(12:33):
is definitely still at this age going to demand that respect.
And but it'll be interesting, you know, obviously, Houston's a
young team with udak Over one of the best coaches
in the league, and they got a great young core,
and it'll be interesting to see what those two teams
do in this playoff run because obviously Houston's still young,
so they're still rolling in the dice. But okay, being
at the top, Okay, so he's been at the top
of the division the last two years, and we'll see
(12:53):
if they're be ready to take that job.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Why can't we get them? Why can't the Lakers get Kdi?
What would you have to give up for that? You'd
have to give up AAR and before you didn't want to.
Before you want to give up AAR. But I think
he's shown you his that white boy magic on that
Laker team.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Is strong, going hard. Now that you throw Luca in
that category, he's got a little uh, he's got a
little pigment in him.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Connect actually is balling too, man like.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
He still got that chip on his shoulder, bro. And
Connect is one of those rare four years if I'm
not mistaken, college guys that came in was ready to
play right away, you know what I mean. So I
don't see him going to the Lakers. I don't think
you really do either, but you can be hopeful.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
And he's not going anywhere east, right, I don't know. No,
you never know what KD Man, You never know. I mean,
he may not go anywhere. He may end up staying
in Phoenix. I don't see it, but it's possible.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
Brown. During his time down, he got a chance to
go see Bryce up in Sacramento win the state championships.
Credit congratulations, Sierra Canyon Mission League, Mission League in the house.
Uh s got the championship out there and uh and Sacramento.
Bron was able to catch that, And they say he's
supposed to be back and possibly another week. The Lakers
(14:03):
have four home games this week. Do you think this
team is trying to kind of find something without Braun?
I mean, I'm all for broun resting going into the
playoffs because they're definitely going to need him. You guys
have a legitimate shot to represent the Western Conference right now.
What have you kind of seen from this team with
Braun out?
Speaker 3 (14:19):
I mean, guys are finding their place. I'm sure I
watched Bron last night. Just sit back and watch. She
wasn't clapping anything, just saying who the guys will be
when he gets back. But to be honest with you,
is the first time I realized how bad we needed
Bron in games, especially at the end of games, like
you know, we get him help all through the through
the game, but at the end.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Of games you really need him.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
And Luca's Luca triple double guy, right, all he is
is triple double all of a sudden to.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
Me, not all of a sudden, He's been this guy.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
You just didn't want to admit it. We first got him.
True that, true that, But really now that I have
to buy into our team, well just.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Now that you watch him, see you play, see him
play every day like it's crazy. And then this idiot
DeMont is still out here talking shit about Luca. He's
You're the biggest fucking clown in the whole NBA. You
are the biggest clown. Just shut up. Just stop talking
about it, like you fucked up. Take that fuck up.
But shut the fuck up. Bro. You keep talking about
Luca as he's continuing to obviously move on and do
(15:15):
his thing, and you're like the X that continues to
talk about like, man, shut the fuck up, but go ahead.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
Luca's my guy now, okay, so lucas your guy. Yeah,
I'm with you all the way seventy seven. I'm buying
your shoes and everything. Yeah, boy, but we're looking good.
I think when Lebron gets back and all of our
guys come back. It's time to jail and get together.
Like I think we're the team to beat in the West.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
I'm not even mad at that statement. I'm really not.
I don't know. I saw Stephen A. Smith talk about
something this morning on ESPN that he feels like Boston
would probably run the Lakers out of the gym in
the finals. And I think I kind of agree with
that because they do have the youth and the experience.
But he was talking about what an amazing finals would
be with Lebron versus Cleveland. I'd be crazy.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
I mean imagine, okay, see versus Cleveland. No one wants
to see that, I don't think, with all due respect.
And that's two great young teams with Mitchell and Shade,
but I don't think the ratings are going to be
what they're expecting with those two teams. But Adam silver
Man do the shit man button? Yeah, come on, man,
let's go.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
So you want to see Lakers Boston or Lakers Cleveland or.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
They both have storylines, don't they great? So Cleveland trying
to get it against Lebron? Pause you that would be
huge for a television game.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
You can throw golden and state in there the storylines
with greatness absolutely question this is not even all script.
But if Steph gets another ring during Lebron's watch, what
does that do to the hierarchy of the game.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Well, I don't care how many rings he gets. This
man has fifty k. It's a lot of so regardless
of however many rings Steph gets above him, they're building
a whole news like section of the Hall of Fame
for Lebron.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
So do I think it'll wreck his I don't. I
wouldn't say I think wreck You can't take away with
Bron diminish. But I remember, like the talk has always
been like who got it on your watch? Right? Who
got it on M's watch? Who got it on COVID
Shack's watch? Now who's getting it on Lebron's watch? And
if someone that came in is played similar I mean
Bron's he played four more years than stuff off, I think.
But if Steph somehow walks away with five rings and
(17:26):
Lebron walks away with four, does that strengthen anyone's argument
to Lebron's greatness?
Speaker 3 (17:35):
Yes? And I only say that because how could you
let someone get more rings than you?
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Your watching guy? Yeah? And the guy that stayed in
the same spot, yeah the whole time.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
Yeah yeah, But I don't think they'll ever let Steph
move around Lebron, even though they say that he's been
the guy to change the game so much. But I
don't think he'll ever be able to. I don't care
how many rings he gets.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Sobron is top three and if you put them one,
two or three, that's respectable. As Steph cracked the top ten.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
No, yes, I'm sorry, yes, yeah, absolutely has he cracked
the top ten? Com on one thousand threes?
Speaker 1 (18:09):
I'm asking some people probably say.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
No, four thousand threes is crazy. Absolutely, Oh are you
asking me if he's going over magic? Don't ask me
that because I'm from a La baby and nobody's going
over magic for me like that.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
So no, And you gotta think what magic only played
eleven years, went to the finals nine times, got five rings,
three finals MVPs. If I'm not mistaken, I'm just going
off the top of my head. But that's a hell
up of feet. That's herve though. Man, you gotta stop
playing with his name the magic.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Yeah, you gotta stop playing.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
This next segment is brought to you by Rose Sparks.
Is it Sparks or five? Did you see this video
of scal this weekend? This dude at the park? I did,
What do you think about that? I loved it. I
fucked with Scout like we used to go at it
in college. I used to think he was an asshole.
He probably thought I was an asshole. But he's always
had game. And for me, he's always been one of
(19:01):
the most disrespected dudes. But he had super game, has
always had game. This dude, Messiah is an older dude.
I don't know if you want to call him a
park legend, I want to disrespect him. He may be
a park legend out there, but when he plays these dudes,
all he does is fallim and talk shit. And Scout
wasn't having none of that. Skout was ready to scrap.
(19:22):
Have big fella throwing the ball over the fence. Skout
was throwing him on the ground, gave him my elbow
to the chest, and I personally fucking loved it. I
loved it. And I made a comment like you guys
think shit is sweet with pro players, like we were
pros for a fucking reason, you know what I mean?
And actually, the Messiah dude hit me and asked me
if I'm next, and I said, play, motherfucker's your level.
(19:43):
Bro quit talking to me, because if you found me
like that, I'm gonna fight you on the spot. You
didn't found me. Cut it out. But the way this
dude was fouling scal but I loved withal. Shout out, Bro.
I know we're not really close or type by any means,
but I fucked with what you did this past weekend.
Broa it down for us overtired motherfuckers and people who
(20:04):
man just stop thinking shit is sweet. You mean we're
getting older so we may not be able to move
as much, but like we played in the pros for
a reason fifteen years in this shit he asked me
for Like, No, motherfucker, I'm not next. You want to fight? No,
I'm playing. I ain't trying to fight you. You weren't paying.
I ain't trying to fight you now. But I was
happy for it because I think people get the misconception
(20:25):
of guys that may be on the end of the
bench or or or don't play a ton like can't
play like No, they're a pro for a reason. You
give them an opportunity to get out in another setting
and they will dominate. So I think the same is Messiah,
George the Messiah stick to playing dudes that didn't play
real basketball and bullying them because Scout gave you everything
(20:47):
you look for. Had you out there crying, boohooing, throwing
the ball over the fence, pout and talking about fouls
when all you do is foul Scout, wait to bust
his ass, bro. So what we just watched is it
Sparks the fire. That's motherfucking fire. Yes, a great period,
great fire. He was Massai might have been on Sparks,
but Scout was on Skal was on real fire, and
(21:08):
I loved it. Well, Gino man, I appreciate your time. Man.
Hopefully Bron will be back this week or by the
end of next week, so we'll be talking about his
comeback in the team's final ten games headed into the playoffs.
Shout out Row indeed, So March Madness is officially here
and all the Smoke is. Partnering with Jimmy Johns for
(21:28):
the Bracket Challenge, go to DraftKings dot com, slash Jimmy
Johns and fill out your bracket free to enter fifty
k in prizes up for grabs. Obviously, March madness is here.
And I think one of the hottest topics of late
has been the NCAA, the nil and these old ass
men playing college basketball. And I want to make this
(21:52):
very clear, By no way do I fault the players
that are taking advantage of a situation that are the
nc DOLA has no control over. But if you look
at a team like Auburn who has an average age
older than the Oklahoma City Thunder, you look at Rick Patino,
who's team, who's is a two seed, congratulations, But he's
talking about I'm not recruiting high school players. Dan Hurley
(22:14):
talking about half his team will jump in the portal
after winning back to back championships. Like, I think there's
a real issue in the NCAA, whether it be money,
and we've always screamed for money, so we can't really
be complaining about the money. But I just think there
needs to be some sort of regulation and age limit
in college because college used to be for amateurs. College
used to be for eighteen year old kids coming out
of high school and looking to get to that next level,
(22:36):
and now you're seeing twenty three, twenty four, twenty five,
twenty six year olds playing college sports and it's to me,
it's ridiculous. And again by no means of my faulting
the athletes, because the money's there and there's no regulations
on it. Get all the motherfucking money and experience you can.
But I just think that shit is wait. I think
college is supposed to be for kids coming out of
(22:58):
high school trying to get to that next level, and
they're being washed out, looked over having to go to
jc's because there's fucking twenty six year old men with
two kids that are playing in front of them. So
I don't agree with that. I think it's stupid. I
think the NCAA needs to do something. The nc LOBDA
was always behind the curve always, They've always been behind
(23:18):
the curve. They've never been ahead of anything. It's always
been a mess. You guys need to let Jay Billis
run that shit. Jay Billis is always talking real shit.
You guys need to get the fuck out the way. Jay.
You need to retire from your analyst job and go
run the NCAA because I think you make the most
sense every time you talk about it. But that's neither
here nor there. Another thing that's been talked about a
(23:40):
lot Shaka Smart and what he's doing over at Marquette,
not allowing agents in the mix to get cuts of
his players in il money or collective money, and some
of his top players are using him as a representative.
He's not taking no bread and these guys are getting
their full money. So it'll be interesting to see. Obviously,
there's a lot of what ifs and that kind of
(24:00):
situation that do you have that kind of trust in
other programs? Who knows? But I love what Shaka is doing.
He's allowing these kids to kind of really eat in
a safe environment without predators praying over the top of
these youngsters. We've been in recent conversations with colleges about
doing some nil stuff and creating content around it, because
we know that content is king, and these kids really
(24:22):
want to learn how to grow their brand. So there's
definitely a laying there and I'm excited that we're going
to be able to start helping some of these college
kids develop their brand off the court. But let's get
to what it is right now. Man March Madness one
of the best times of the year. Myself and the
team got a chance to go to u c LA
(24:43):
this past weekend and host a panel for the women's team.
Shout out coach Corey, who has always been amazing and
goes out of her way to reach out to the
men alumni to be a part and seeing the bigger
picture and understanding it was a really awkward situation because
I went in there on Sunday and the men's selection
(25:06):
show was just ending and I saw my guy, Doug Erickson.
He was kind of surprised, like what are you doing here?
And I was like, you know, Coach Corey wanted me
to come do a panel for the women's team, And
it was just kind of a weird feeling that the
UCLA men's team and coach Cronin and you know, whether
you like him or not, it's really not ever leading
up to me. I don't really care, but how he
just doesn't give a fuck about the guys that came
(25:28):
before at all. No conversation, no effort, no nothing. And
on the flip side, Coach Corey, who's been there for
nearly fourteen years, goes out of her way to reach
out to us, send us gear, send us shoes, check
on the family. I'm like, I never played for her,
never knew her before this opportunity, but she's just amazing
and really wanted to give her a shout out for
(25:49):
just the way she goes about it. But anyway, I
went up there and hosted a panel where I got
a chance to talk to coach Corey, talk to Lauren
Bett's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Kicky Rice
all Big Ten, and Gabrielle hakez Hi MAI's little sister
who was out there doing her things, so it was
really cool. Got a chance to sit down talk to them,
(26:10):
talked about their experience at u c l A, their
upcoming battle, and and and their seed in the tournament,
and it was a great time. They got the number
one seed and we'll be playing at home their first
two games, which is amazing. They're down the road cross
rivals Juju and the USC Trojans got the fourth number
(26:31):
one seed and their coach came out and felt a
little disrespected about that seed. But nevertheless, I know SC
will be ready to rock. You know. The crazy part,
I would say, I will say that the men's there
there's more hype around the men's bracket this year. But
I would also say is there's a lot of hype
around the women's tournament. Uh this uh, this upcoming March,
(26:55):
so really excited to see both. I know the men
are the men, the men are the seventh seed. I
think the play Utahs State in the first round, which
will be a solid matchup, and if they're able to
get by them, they'll play the winner of the Tennessee game.
And Tennessee's playing some good ball right now. So wishing
the men's team well in their journey, and definitely wishing
the women's side well. You know, they got a nice
(27:17):
draw and if it all comes down to it, I
think they would play sc in the final four, which
I was hoping to have that on them on the
other side, and possibly play them in the National Championship.
We're obviously not looking ahead, but if we are looking ahead,
I think it's going to be a crazy final four.
But good luck to all the teams in this bracket,
in this madness. I remember personally, March madness was the
(27:37):
funnest time, one of the funnest times of my life.
So enjoy it, embrace it, play every game like at
your last, because it can be Our brothers Ac and
Barack sat down with the one and only Ryan Garcia
on ring champs, take a look this at it.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
But again, at that time, nothing was gonna get to me.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
Bro.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
I swear, I swear I was in a whole different universe.
To be honest, did you think you would never come
back one hundred?
Speaker 1 (28:01):
I didn't think.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
I'm like, I'm surprised I'm here right now.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
Really.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
I was drinking every day, every single day, even the
day of the fight. Day of the fight, I just
got so involved in just trying to cope whatever was
going on inside. And like I said, I've been struggling
mentally for for years and it just it just wouldn't
stop for me. So, like I said, that's how I coped.
Speaker 1 (28:25):
What was the turning point.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
Turning point is to realize, like, damn, Bro, I'm slucking
my life up, you know, and getting arrested was a
big part of it. Almost losing my kids was a
huge part of it.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Can you talk about what happened that day? Uh?
Speaker 2 (28:39):
I decided to take a bunch of shrooms and something
I was doing already, but this time I took too many.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
And I kind of just lost it. Bro.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
I can't really say anything else.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
I mean, they were saying that you trashed the room.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Oh yeah, yeah, I mean I end up breaking everything
in the room. I don't I really don't remember brow
I was drunk and fucked up to the.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
But to his point, who were you with that day?
Speaker 2 (29:05):
The same people?
Speaker 3 (29:07):
And see, this is the thing though, I'm sure those
people love you.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
I'm sure you know some of them love you or whatever,
but that doesn't mean that they know what's good for
you in your career and your life and your.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
Spirit, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
That's all.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
I'm sure that people love you. I ain't trying to
knock them.
Speaker 4 (29:22):
I'm just trying to say, do you think you should
have been around that kind of people that's comfortable when
you getting drunk and being an athlete?
Speaker 1 (29:28):
That's all I was trying to say.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
No, no, I respect that, and now man, I feel
I just didn't have those type of people.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
You can catch that episode this Wednesday with some of
our newest members of the All the Smoke Fight family,
ring champs, our brother Acken barack Man. Congratulations fellas, welcome
to the family and definitely looking forward to seeing this
Ryan interview. That's a wrap for this week. I'm unplugged.
You can catch us on All the Smoke productions YouTube
and the DraftKings Network. We'll see y'all next week.
Welcome back to Unplugged. This week's episode is brought to
you by Draft Kings. The Crown is yours. First up.
Nicks lose to the Warriors on Saturday, and Draymond was
on Towns's ass to further discuss this back and forth.
Let me bring in someone who wanted to change his names.
But the fans voted and they said, fuck that. Welcome
(00:21):
to the show. The neighborhood hater. The fans are spoken, bro, No,
they did, absolutely did not.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Man, First of all, I've never heard LA's finest, and
I've been around you for more than half my life.
I had to look back at the numbers. The fans said, No,
neighborhood hater. Hate fits you. It is what your hater
is with love sometimes I see that. So, yes, we
got me here? Yeah, I guess so we're here now? Yes, indeed,
did you get a chance to see the Knicks Warriors?
And and and Draymond's antics with Cat?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
I did, and thoughts Cat fell for all that shit
he did. Draymond did what he was supposed to do.
He does it to everybody. He does, you know, And
I've got a feeling he doesn't with.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Cat like that.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Uh huh, but you know who won that game.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Let's trace this back a little bit because obviously, a
week or two ago, Golden State goes into Madison Square
Garden and Cat doesn't play. Draymond on his show with
Bed says that Kat was running from the smoke. Comes
to find out that his girls' family someone had passed,
and obviously you want to send condolences out to everybody,
(01:26):
and obviously death is a tough pill to swallow. But
whether it was running from the smoke or legitimately you know,
wanted to miss it, it gets people talking. And now
fast forward, New York comes back to Golden State and
Dre is on his ass. I love Cat. I think
Cat is probably one of the most talented players in
the league. But his issue is he's a cat. He's
(01:47):
not a dog. Still skilled, still will be a Hall
of Famer, still an All Star, but he's just not
a dog. And I think Draymond can see that and
sniff it out and he attacks.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
I mean, that's Draymond his job to do that. Absolutely,
he's one of the greatest to ever do it. At
that we sit here argue about his Drayma going to
the Hall of He.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Is first ballot.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Is he first ballot?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I think so.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Under ten thousand points.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
I think so. Four time champion, two time Olympian All Star,
Defensive Player of the Year, one of the greatest teams
of all time. I think first battle is stamped.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Times have changed drastically, is all I'm saying. I mean,
it's the truth, like times of change.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
I think if you just look at his statistical numbers,
people would question that. But I think you look at
the accolades and what he's meant for that organization, I
think that puts him over the top.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
Dre, fuck with you. I don't want to hear no
ship later on, you're my.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Dog because he's someone will slap you too.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Hey, I'm not trying to fight with Draymond, so you bet.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
You better go if you're talking about him. But also again, uh,
and I don't know, now the cat take offense to
this or people are trying to make it seem like
he took offense to his team, to his team. Now
his team's dapping out. No, his team dapping up Draymond
after the game. So the fans stirred it up. Okay,
so yes, so yeah, so that's an interesting thing. I mean,
(03:01):
and we got to talking before the show, like obviously
Draymond has smoke with Cat, New York loses, Cat heads
to the locker room, and then you see a bunch
of his teammates dapping up Draymond Me and an old
school mentality such as yourself, what does that tell you
if you see something like that?
Speaker 3 (03:18):
This league is soft and it's changed. And I got
to see you in the locker room about it, Like
you think pat Riley and all that is going for
all of that shit from back in the day, No,
no chance.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Well, I mean I'm to the you know, I was
someone who lost probably six hundred thousand dollars worth of
shit for taking up for my teammates. You know, So
someone has smoke with my teammate and there's real smoke.
It's smoke, period, you know what I mean. And maybe
we'll catch up after the game or in the summertime.
So but what that tells me is like, are they
really riding with Cat like that? Like if someone is
(03:48):
dogging Cat and then after the game, the person that's
dogging Cat, the team is lining up and showing bro love.
If I'm Cat, I'm kind of looking at these niggas, like,
what's the deal.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
But remember you said Cat is a cat.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Cat is a cat.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Yeah, so I don't see Kat really steppingto nobody like that. Okay,
I love you too, Cat, all right, so don't be
like that. When I see you.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Cat won't slap you at all. You'll be all right.
They can't whip us. You might not. He might be
able to whoop you, but he's not real quick man.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Was there ever a time when someone was talking shit
and a teammate had to stand up for you, or
that you had to stand up for a teammate.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Not No one had to stand up for me. I
was always I mean, bro, I lost again probably eighty
five percent of the money. I was fine was standing
up for teammates.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Did they ever pay your fine?
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Kobe was the only dude that bade my fine. Kobe
was the only dude that pay I got in trouble
for Blake, I got in trouble for Chris, I got
in trouble for some other dudes. The only dude to
pay my fine was Cold. But again, like I said earlier,
like if his smoke is smoked, like my teammates and
my family, and if you're talking shit to my teammates
to me, and you were cool. I'm not giving you
no love during that because I got to go to
(04:49):
war with my teammate every day. I again, I'll catch
you in the summertime or in the off season later
that night. But if his smoke is smoked, so I
just think outside looking in, We'll see what the New
York next do. Obviously, it's one game. It's not a
big deal. Brunson was out. But at the same time,
I'm kind of if I'm cat, whether I say some
(05:10):
or not, I'm looking at all these niggas it was
dapping up to do that was dogging me for the
last two weeks, like damn was that that's how y'all feel?
We shall see. So I saw the Sparks are looking
for some male players to get out there and and
and uh give them a good look in practice, and
(05:32):
you kind of came to mind. Actually, I saw Cameron
Brink speak on it and how disgusted she was of
just all the sexually driven energy that came from that post.
But I'm not sure what they really expected. But could
I see you out there with some real sparks out
there and some being gay on your knees and people.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
I'm up, I'm up. Okay, I don't want to hear
you up right now? Okay, no, I want to I
can make a call.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
I mean, is there do you have any juice left
in them kneecaps?
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Yeah? I went to get some shots up. Man, I'm
ready to go. You can be a practice player. Yeah.
Oh come on, man, who would you guard on that team?
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Rickieah, that's what you would guard. Yeah, one on one,
full court.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Oh, man, have her back you down the whole time. No,
but you know they need some physical you know, they
need some physicality.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
But people are laughing like this is. This happens a lot, though,
Like women's teams get men wreck players and former players
to come out there and give them a good look.
But I just thought, you know, as soon as I
saw the question, I didn't even go to the comments
in this she I was like, Oh, these comments are
going to be fucking wild because they put four beautiful
women up there to represent the sparks in which you
kind of like with the pervert mind that men have.
(06:41):
I don't know what they expected from that post.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
No, they need to get tougher though, and I'm sure
that's why they bring them in in, right, I'm sure, yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Sure, Moving right along the Warriors fourteen and one since
Jimmy Butler has been on the team, second rated defense
overall during that stretch, fifth rated offense over that stretch.
Jimmy's numbers are modest, but I've always you know, sixteen
six and six, but I've always said his numbers don't
reflect his impact, first of all, on the team he's on,
(07:13):
but particularly that game. One thing that has stepped up
during that time is stuff has gone from twenty two
or twenty three a game to twenty nine, six and
four shooting forty two percent from the three point line.
Cominga's back. Now, how serious you are you looking at
the Warriors right now? Real serious?
Speaker 3 (07:31):
I mean, Jimmy is a beast, and plus we've never
seen him when he's happy, and he's happy, No, they
getting w's and this is what happens with him. I
remember telling you guys, I wanted Jimmy with us, Yeah,
when they're good when we first were trading for guys.
And I feel like he's taking so much pressure off
of Dre and Bordell. They just playing at peace now
and we're seeing it right.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Now, I've never been a fan of Jimmy's antics some
sometimes how he forces his way out of situations or
dogs certain people. But I've always been a fan of
his blue caller work ethic. When he's out there and
he plays, he's giving you everything and he's happy. He's
giving you everything he's got. And to see a playoff
Jimmy with the playoff Steph with the Draymond, with the
(08:13):
young Kaminga and that supporting cast, it is going to
be interesting these last game We got fifteen sixteen games left,
this last stretch because obviously we see Okay see at
the top. And I've said this before, This very well
could be the year that Okac says, fuck the Western Conference.
We've taken our lumps and we're gonna represent the Western Conference.
(08:34):
This can also be a year that one of these
more experienced teams, your Lakers, Denver or Golden State possibly
comes out the West. So I think this, this this
stretch run of these last fifteen is going to be fun.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Well, I'm sure the top three teams don't want to
see us, the Lakers. I'm sure they don't want to
see Golden State. Is there a big problem right now?
But I see them winning the championship too, though who
the Golden State? You can see Golden State one only
I don't see. I'm not sure about okay. See. So
to that question Markusov why I couldn't go to state
winning championship this year.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
I don't. I don't necessarily disagree. I mean, I don't
think they have the size necessarily, but they've never really
had the type of size that you would expect from
a championship team. With Looney down there, and and and
Davis and obviously what Draymond brings you, Steph's if Steph
is out of his mind, if Jimmy is out of
his mind, if Kaminga is locked in Porzinski, I mean,
(09:27):
they have the pieces to compete. So I think this
is going to be a great last fifteen and really
excited for what the playoffs are going to bring. On
the flip side, bron went down in Boston, your team
lost four straight on the road. Turned the switch on Sunday,
Luca and them boys really got in the Sun's asses.
(09:50):
And before we talk about what your Lakers were able
to do, KD seems like he's fucking miserable man. His
body languages A and he's been getting into little beasts
with motherfuckers, and Katie has always been someone that always
risen above everything. If there's issues, Katie has always risen
(10:11):
above everything. But I really think that owner trying to
throw him in the trade because Bradley Beal clogged up
the pipeline. I think it fucked Katie's mental enough, and
it really I think he really felt disrespected. I saw
him talk I think Andre Mon Show where obviously he
didn't want to move things during that time, but he
kind of to me left it open to like, Okay,
this offseason, I could be out of there. What are
(10:33):
your thoughts with that just team overall? I mean, the
experiment has failed, There's no question about it. There's been
word that Devin Booker has verbally committed to that team
for the rest of his career. You know, you got
three stars on that team, and it's just a nasty team.
They still have a chance to make the playoffs because
Dallas is down and out, but again, I feel like
they're a top heavy team. They're a team and I
(10:55):
said this last year, they're a team that lifts only
upper body and their legs are super skinny. With the
big old buff my fucking body up top. Thoughts on
this Phoenix team and do they make the playoffs and
if they don't, do you see any of their stars moving?
Speaker 3 (11:07):
I mean I was talking about them from the beginning,
like when they first came together, like volume shooters for
that team for the price surprise. Oh yeah, too many
volume shooters on that team for it to work. People
haven't picked to win the championship, like right right away
as soon as they got together. But I think their
run is over. I mean, it's time to move on
from those three guys and they're almost well, especially Katie,
(11:27):
Like it's sad to see him go out like this
with this mantilla.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
He's such a great Yeah, if Kad were to move,
do you see any particular landing space, And don't say
the Lakers, nigga, Like, let's be real, do.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
You see any landing The only real landing spot for him,
I think is the Rockets. The Rockets, sorry about ok
I guess, but what are they going to give up
to get him back?
Speaker 1 (11:45):
If you're okayc management and understanding the great career start
he had there and he left on kind of sour
terms but obviously one of the greatest players, would you
shake up that lineup to bring up or shake up
that roster to bring kat in for maybe a two
or three year championship run.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
I'm not giving up Chat or one of our top
three guys to get him, though, So if they can
get him with some picks or whatever else magic they
can use to get him there, then yeah, but I'm
not giving up our main guys right now.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
So no Ju, no Chet, and obviously SGA is untradable,
right so none of those three. But outside of that,
anyone else can go absolutely, and you guys can have
all our picks. I wouldn't say all of them, because
you guys have a lot. I mean, okay see has
a lot of but Kti is worth a lot of Yeah,
I mean, if Bridges his five picks and and motherfucking
Rudy Gobert is what eighteen first round picks like, Katie
(12:33):
is definitely still at this age going to demand that respect.
And but it'll be interesting, you know, obviously, Houston's a
young team with udak Over one of the best coaches
in the league, and they got a great young core,
and it'll be interesting to see what those two teams
do in this playoff run because obviously Houston's still young,
so they're still rolling in the dice. But okay, being
at the top, Okay, so he's been at the top
of the division the last two years, and we'll see
(12:53):
if they're be ready to take that job.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Why can't we get them? Why can't the Lakers get Kdi?
What would you have to give up for that? You'd
have to give up AAR and before you didn't want to.
Before you want to give up AAR. But I think
he's shown you his that white boy magic on that
Laker team.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Is strong, going hard. Now that you throw Luca in
that category, he's got a little uh, he's got a
little pigment in him.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Connect actually is balling too, man like.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
He still got that chip on his shoulder, bro. And
Connect is one of those rare four years if I'm
not mistaken, college guys that came in was ready to
play right away, you know what I mean. So I
don't see him going to the Lakers. I don't think
you really do either, but you can be hopeful.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
And he's not going anywhere east, right, I don't know. No,
you never know what KD Man, You never know. I mean,
he may not go anywhere. He may end up staying
in Phoenix. I don't see it, but it's possible.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
Brown. During his time down, he got a chance to
go see Bryce up in Sacramento win the state championships.
Credit congratulations, Sierra Canyon Mission League, Mission League in the house.
Uh s got the championship out there and uh and Sacramento.
Bron was able to catch that, And they say he's
supposed to be back and possibly another week. The Lakers
(14:03):
have four home games this week. Do you think this
team is trying to kind of find something without Braun?
I mean, I'm all for broun resting going into the
playoffs because they're definitely going to need him. You guys
have a legitimate shot to represent the Western Conference right now.
What have you kind of seen from this team with
Braun out?
Speaker 3 (14:19):
I mean, guys are finding their place. I'm sure I
watched Bron last night. Just sit back and watch. She
wasn't clapping anything, just saying who the guys will be
when he gets back. But to be honest with you,
is the first time I realized how bad we needed
Bron in games, especially at the end of games, like
you know, we get him help all through the through
the game, but at the end.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Of games you really need him.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
And Luca's Luca triple double guy, right, all he is
is triple double all of a sudden to.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
Me, not all of a sudden, He's been this guy.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
You just didn't want to admit it. We first got him.
True that, true that, But really now that I have
to buy into our team, well just.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Now that you watch him, see you play, see him
play every day like it's crazy. And then this idiot
DeMont is still out here talking shit about Luca. He's
You're the biggest fucking clown in the whole NBA. You
are the biggest clown. Just shut up. Just stop talking
about it, like you fucked up. Take that fuck up.
But shut the fuck up. Bro. You keep talking about
Luca as he's continuing to obviously move on and do
(15:15):
his thing, and you're like the X that continues to
talk about like, man, shut the fuck up, but go ahead.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
Luca's my guy now, okay, so lucas your guy. Yeah,
I'm with you all the way seventy seven. I'm buying
your shoes and everything. Yeah, boy, but we're looking good.
I think when Lebron gets back and all of our
guys come back. It's time to jail and get together.
Like I think we're the team to beat in the West.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
I'm not even mad at that statement. I'm really not.
I don't know. I saw Stephen A. Smith talk about
something this morning on ESPN that he feels like Boston
would probably run the Lakers out of the gym in
the finals. And I think I kind of agree with
that because they do have the youth and the experience.
But he was talking about what an amazing finals would
be with Lebron versus Cleveland. I'd be crazy.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
I mean imagine, okay, see versus Cleveland. No one wants
to see that, I don't think, with all due respect.
And that's two great young teams with Mitchell and Shade,
but I don't think the ratings are going to be
what they're expecting with those two teams. But Adam silver
Man do the shit man button? Yeah, come on, man,
let's go.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
So you want to see Lakers Boston or Lakers Cleveland or.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
They both have storylines, don't they great? So Cleveland trying
to get it against Lebron? Pause you that would be
huge for a television game.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
You can throw golden and state in there the storylines
with greatness absolutely question this is not even all script.
But if Steph gets another ring during Lebron's watch, what
does that do to the hierarchy of the game.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Well, I don't care how many rings he gets. This
man has fifty k. It's a lot of so regardless
of however many rings Steph gets above him, they're building
a whole news like section of the Hall of Fame
for Lebron.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
So do I think it'll wreck his I don't. I
wouldn't say I think wreck You can't take away with
Bron diminish. But I remember, like the talk has always
been like who got it on your watch? Right? Who
got it on M's watch? Who got it on COVID
Shack's watch? Now who's getting it on Lebron's watch? And
if someone that came in is played similar I mean
Bron's he played four more years than stuff off, I think.
But if Steph somehow walks away with five rings and
(17:26):
Lebron walks away with four, does that strengthen anyone's argument
to Lebron's greatness?
Speaker 3 (17:35):
Yes? And I only say that because how could you
let someone get more rings than you?
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Your watching guy? Yeah? And the guy that stayed in
the same spot, yeah the whole time.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
Yeah yeah, But I don't think they'll ever let Steph
move around Lebron, even though they say that he's been
the guy to change the game so much. But I
don't think he'll ever be able to. I don't care
how many rings he gets.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Sobron is top three and if you put them one,
two or three, that's respectable. As Steph cracked the top ten.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
No, yes, I'm sorry, yes, yeah, absolutely has he cracked
the top ten? Com on one thousand threes?
Speaker 1 (18:09):
I'm asking some people probably say.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
No, four thousand threes is crazy. Absolutely, Oh are you
asking me if he's going over magic? Don't ask me
that because I'm from a La baby and nobody's going
over magic for me like that.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
So no, And you gotta think what magic only played
eleven years, went to the finals nine times, got five rings,
three finals MVPs. If I'm not mistaken, I'm just going
off the top of my head. But that's a hell
up of feet. That's herve though. Man, you gotta stop
playing with his name the magic.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Yeah, you gotta stop playing.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
This next segment is brought to you by Rose Sparks.
Is it Sparks or five? Did you see this video
of scal this weekend? This dude at the park? I did,
What do you think about that? I loved it. I
fucked with Scout like we used to go at it
in college. I used to think he was an asshole.
He probably thought I was an asshole. But he's always
had game. And for me, he's always been one of
(19:01):
the most disrespected dudes. But he had super game, has
always had game. This dude, Messiah is an older dude.
I don't know if you want to call him a
park legend, I want to disrespect him. He may be
a park legend out there, but when he plays these dudes,
all he does is fallim and talk shit. And Scout
wasn't having none of that. Skout was ready to scrap.
(19:22):
Have big fella throwing the ball over the fence. Skout
was throwing him on the ground, gave him my elbow
to the chest, and I personally fucking loved it. I
loved it. And I made a comment like you guys
think shit is sweet with pro players, like we were
pros for a fucking reason, you know what I mean?
And actually, the Messiah dude hit me and asked me
if I'm next, and I said, play, motherfucker's your level.
(19:43):
Bro quit talking to me, because if you found me
like that, I'm gonna fight you on the spot. You
didn't found me. Cut it out. But the way this
dude was fouling scal but I loved withal. Shout out, Bro.
I know we're not really close or type by any means,
but I fucked with what you did this past weekend.
Broa it down for us overtired motherfuckers and people who
(20:04):
man just stop thinking shit is sweet. You mean we're
getting older so we may not be able to move
as much, but like we played in the pros for
a reason fifteen years in this shit he asked me
for Like, No, motherfucker, I'm not next. You want to fight? No,
I'm playing. I ain't trying to fight you. You weren't paying.
I ain't trying to fight you now. But I was
happy for it because I think people get the misconception
(20:25):
of guys that may be on the end of the
bench or or or don't play a ton like can't
play like No, they're a pro for a reason. You
give them an opportunity to get out in another setting
and they will dominate. So I think the same is Messiah,
George the Messiah stick to playing dudes that didn't play
real basketball and bullying them because Scout gave you everything
(20:47):
you look for. Had you out there crying, boohooing, throwing
the ball over the fence, pout and talking about fouls
when all you do is foul Scout, wait to bust
his ass, bro. So what we just watched is it
Sparks the fire. That's motherfucking fire. Yes, a great period,
great fire. He was Massai might have been on Sparks,
but Scout was on Skal was on real fire, and
(21:08):
I loved it. Well, Gino man, I appreciate your time. Man.
Hopefully Bron will be back this week or by the
end of next week, so we'll be talking about his
comeback in the team's final ten games headed into the playoffs.
Shout out Row indeed, So March Madness is officially here
and all the Smoke is. Partnering with Jimmy Johns for
(21:28):
the Bracket Challenge, go to DraftKings dot com, slash Jimmy
Johns and fill out your bracket free to enter fifty
k in prizes up for grabs. Obviously, March madness is here.
And I think one of the hottest topics of late
has been the NCAA, the nil and these old ass
men playing college basketball. And I want to make this
(21:52):
very clear, By no way do I fault the players
that are taking advantage of a situation that are the
nc DOLA has no control over. But if you look
at a team like Auburn who has an average age
older than the Oklahoma City Thunder, you look at Rick Patino,
who's team, who's is a two seed, congratulations, But he's
talking about I'm not recruiting high school players. Dan Hurley
(22:14):
talking about half his team will jump in the portal
after winning back to back championships. Like, I think there's
a real issue in the NCAA, whether it be money,
and we've always screamed for money, so we can't really
be complaining about the money. But I just think there
needs to be some sort of regulation and age limit
in college because college used to be for amateurs. College
used to be for eighteen year old kids coming out
of high school and looking to get to that next level,
(22:36):
and now you're seeing twenty three, twenty four, twenty five,
twenty six year olds playing college sports and it's to me,
it's ridiculous. And again by no means of my faulting
the athletes, because the money's there and there's no regulations
on it. Get all the motherfucking money and experience you can.
But I just think that shit is wait. I think
college is supposed to be for kids coming out of
(22:58):
high school trying to get to that next level, and
they're being washed out, looked over having to go to
jc's because there's fucking twenty six year old men with
two kids that are playing in front of them. So
I don't agree with that. I think it's stupid. I
think the NCAA needs to do something. The nc LOBDA
was always behind the curve always, They've always been behind
(23:18):
the curve. They've never been ahead of anything. It's always
been a mess. You guys need to let Jay Billis
run that shit. Jay Billis is always talking real shit.
You guys need to get the fuck out the way. Jay.
You need to retire from your analyst job and go
run the NCAA because I think you make the most
sense every time you talk about it. But that's neither
here nor there. Another thing that's been talked about a
(23:40):
lot Shaka Smart and what he's doing over at Marquette,
not allowing agents in the mix to get cuts of
his players in il money or collective money, and some
of his top players are using him as a representative.
He's not taking no bread and these guys are getting
their full money. So it'll be interesting to see. Obviously,
there's a lot of what ifs and that kind of
(24:00):
situation that do you have that kind of trust in
other programs? Who knows? But I love what Shaka is doing.
He's allowing these kids to kind of really eat in
a safe environment without predators praying over the top of
these youngsters. We've been in recent conversations with colleges about
doing some nil stuff and creating content around it, because
we know that content is king, and these kids really
(24:22):
want to learn how to grow their brand. So there's
definitely a laying there and I'm excited that we're going
to be able to start helping some of these college
kids develop their brand off the court. But let's get
to what it is right now. Man March Madness one
of the best times of the year. Myself and the
team got a chance to go to u c LA
(24:43):
this past weekend and host a panel for the women's team.
Shout out coach Corey, who has always been amazing and
goes out of her way to reach out to the
men alumni to be a part and seeing the bigger
picture and understanding it was a really awkward situation because
I went in there on Sunday and the men's selection
(25:06):
show was just ending and I saw my guy, Doug Erickson.
He was kind of surprised, like what are you doing here?
And I was like, you know, Coach Corey wanted me
to come do a panel for the women's team, And
it was just kind of a weird feeling that the
UCLA men's team and coach Cronin and you know, whether
you like him or not, it's really not ever leading
up to me. I don't really care, but how he
just doesn't give a fuck about the guys that came
(25:28):
before at all. No conversation, no effort, no nothing. And
on the flip side, Coach Corey, who's been there for
nearly fourteen years, goes out of her way to reach
out to us, send us gear, send us shoes, check
on the family. I'm like, I never played for her,
never knew her before this opportunity, but she's just amazing
and really wanted to give her a shout out for
(25:49):
just the way she goes about it. But anyway, I
went up there and hosted a panel where I got
a chance to talk to coach Corey, talk to Lauren
Bett's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Kicky Rice
all Big Ten, and Gabrielle hakez Hi MAI's little sister
who was out there doing her things, so it was
really cool. Got a chance to sit down talk to them,
(26:10):
talked about their experience at u c l A, their
upcoming battle, and and and their seed in the tournament,
and it was a great time. They got the number
one seed and we'll be playing at home their first
two games, which is amazing. They're down the road cross
rivals Juju and the USC Trojans got the fourth number
(26:31):
one seed and their coach came out and felt a
little disrespected about that seed. But nevertheless, I know SC
will be ready to rock. You know. The crazy part,
I would say, I will say that the men's there
there's more hype around the men's bracket this year. But
I would also say is there's a lot of hype
around the women's tournament. Uh this uh, this upcoming March,
(26:55):
so really excited to see both. I know the men
are the men, the men are the seventh seed. I
think the play Utahs State in the first round, which
will be a solid matchup, and if they're able to
get by them, they'll play the winner of the Tennessee game.
And Tennessee's playing some good ball right now. So wishing
the men's team well in their journey, and definitely wishing
the women's side well. You know, they got a nice
(27:17):
draw and if it all comes down to it, I
think they would play sc in the final four, which
I was hoping to have that on them on the
other side, and possibly play them in the National Championship.
We're obviously not looking ahead, but if we are looking ahead,
I think it's going to be a crazy final four.
But good luck to all the teams in this bracket,
in this madness. I remember personally, March madness was the
(27:37):
funnest time, one of the funnest times of my life.
So enjoy it, embrace it, play every game like at
your last, because it can be Our brothers Ac and
Barack sat down with the one and only Ryan Garcia
on ring champs, take a look this at it.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
But again, at that time, nothing was gonna get to me.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
Bro.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
I swear, I swear I was in a whole different universe.
To be honest, did you think you would never come
back one hundred?
Speaker 1 (28:01):
I didn't think.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
I'm like, I'm surprised I'm here right now.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
Really.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
I was drinking every day, every single day, even the
day of the fight. Day of the fight, I just
got so involved in just trying to cope whatever was
going on inside. And like I said, I've been struggling
mentally for for years and it just it just wouldn't
stop for me. So, like I said, that's how I coped.
Speaker 1 (28:25):
What was the turning point.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
Turning point is to realize, like, damn, Bro, I'm slucking
my life up, you know, and getting arrested was a
big part of it. Almost losing my kids was a
huge part of it.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Can you talk about what happened that day? Uh?
Speaker 2 (28:39):
I decided to take a bunch of shrooms and something
I was doing already, but this time I took too many.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
And I kind of just lost it. Bro.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
I can't really say anything else.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
I mean, they were saying that you trashed the room.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Oh yeah, yeah, I mean I end up breaking everything
in the room. I don't I really don't remember brow
I was drunk and fucked up to the.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
But to his point, who were you with that day?
Speaker 2 (29:05):
The same people?
Speaker 3 (29:07):
And see, this is the thing though, I'm sure those
people love you.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
I'm sure you know some of them love you or whatever,
but that doesn't mean that they know what's good for
you in your career and your life and your.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
Spirit, you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
That's all.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
I'm sure that people love you. I ain't trying to
knock them.
Speaker 4 (29:22):
I'm just trying to say, do you think you should
have been around that kind of people that's comfortable when
you getting drunk and being an athlete?
Speaker 1 (29:28):
That's all I was trying to say.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
No, no, I respect that, and now man, I feel
I just didn't have those type of people.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
You can catch that episode this Wednesday with some of
our newest members of the All the Smoke Fight family,
ring champs, our brother Acken barack Man. Congratulations fellas, welcome
to the family and definitely looking forward to seeing this
Ryan interview. That's a wrap for this week. I'm unplugged.
You can catch us on All the Smoke productions YouTube
and the DraftKings Network. We'll see y'all next week.
Hosts And Creators
Stephen Jackson
Matt Barnes
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