Draymond vs. Nurkic, Trade Deadline Winners, Lakers Moves ft. Rajon Rondo | Episode 14 | BULLY BALL

This week on BULLY BALL, the duo of Rachel and Boogie is joined once again by NBA champ Rajon Rondo. The trio breaks down the trade deadline and buyout market winners and losers. Plus, they react to the latest drama between Draymond Green and Jusef Nurkic. They also debate if the Warriors can make a run at a top-6 seed and discuss some of the most underrated stars in the leagues.

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Episode Transcript

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Speaker 1 (02:26):
Welcome to Bullyball, presented by DraftKings. I'm Rachel Nichols. As always,
that's DeMarcus Cousins, and we have a special guest book.
Your friend, my friend, everybody's friend. Two time NBA champ
Rejean Rondo. Thank you for being here, a new addition
to our little family here, so you were going to
see him more as we go along, which is good

(02:47):
news for everyone. We're just talking off the air, guys.
Super Bowl last night pretty crazy at the end, but
you had faith in Kansas City the whole time.

Speaker 2 (02:56):
You weren't sweating that at all. For Jean.

Speaker 4 (03:00):
Was time left on the clock. I felt my home
was going to get it done. That's a great thing.
When he has more than two minutes, I mean, it's.

Speaker 5 (03:07):
You can get ugly.

Speaker 2 (03:10):
But where were you?

Speaker 6 (03:13):
H I'm a little disappointed. On paper.

Speaker 7 (03:17):
On paper, I felt like the Niners were a better team.

Speaker 6 (03:22):
But in my.

Speaker 7 (03:22):
Gut and just seeing everything leading up to the Super Bowl, I.

Speaker 6 (03:27):
Was like, I gotta feeling the Chiefs are gonna pull
this out. You know.

Speaker 7 (03:31):
I was able to experience the game on the first hand,
so just seeing it in action, see how everything played out,
it was.

Speaker 6 (03:38):
It was unreal.

Speaker 2 (03:39):
But I got a.

Speaker 7 (03:42):
Yes, I did, I had to, but I definitely have
I gotta agree with Doe on the point. If Mahomes
has the ball in his hands with time, if it's
it's a great chance he's gonna make something shake. And
that's exactly how it happened. So super dope game, and
you know, congrat.

Speaker 5 (03:58):
The casey Okay.

Speaker 1 (04:00):
I want to know how the stadium felt like in
that overtime because I was so tense in my living
room watching it.

Speaker 7 (04:06):
Man, it was so much energy in the build and
you could hear pin drop at times and then other
times you couldn't even hear yourself think. So definitely a
roller coaster of emotions in there, a lot of energy.
The fans were engaged from start to family shut out
the Usher for killing the halftime show. I thought that
was amazing, But overall it was an amazing event, you know,

(04:31):
you know, and those last moments at that final drive,
it was like I said it was. It was insane
and fans were going crazy and they went out in
my home fashion.

Speaker 1 (04:43):
Yeah, mano, he is so good. He is twenty eight
years old. I just want to remind everyone of that.
He said, we have a lot more to go. I
think he may be right, so we'll see what happens there.

Speaker 2 (04:53):
That was sick. Though both defenses played so well too.
That was always fun to see also, but.

Speaker 1 (04:58):
It was also a is the weekend in the NBA, gentlemen,
I want to move on to some smoke we saw
over the weekend with Warriors and sons.

Speaker 2 (05:05):
You know, the petty is my favorite.

Speaker 1 (05:07):
We saw Draymon continue his beef with Usef Nurkic. This
was started by NRK last night. Though I gotta say
he hits this hook shot.

Speaker 2 (05:16):
He gives the too.

Speaker 1 (05:17):
Small gesture, which old Petty right, considering he's got six
inches on Draymon. Then if you go over A couple
minutes later, Draymond returned the favor does the same thing.

Speaker 2 (05:29):
And later this was his quote.

Speaker 1 (05:30):
He said, you probably outweigh me by seventy pounds and
you get put in the rim. You can't be doing
You can't be a nothing defender and go do something
like that. So that's what he said. Nurgis chimes in,
he said, quote, it's sad that Draymond didn't learn anything. Remember,
of course, it was an incident between the two of
them that got Draymond suspended this most recent time. Nurkic added,

(05:52):
he's going to hit someone again. Take back everything I said.
He didn't learn anything to us. Draymond responded, quote, I
thought I was great tonight. He tried to get in
my head and it didn't work. He said he can
keep rocking with that same horse he rode in on.
He can ride his ass right out of here on
that same horse. It's not working. And Steph Curry also

(06:15):
getting in on the action, calling Nurkic quote idiotic. He
also happened to hit that amazing three to win the
game at the end. There, So, guys, there is a
long back and forth, but you know it was a
long back and forth between them. What do you guys
think of playoff series between these teams? Would be like, bug,
can you picture it?

Speaker 2 (06:33):
For us?

Speaker 7 (06:35):
It's a playoff series. I would definitely want to watch.
I think this is exactly what we're kind of missing
in basketball. You want to bring out that competitive fire,
you want to see guys competing at a high level.
Just throw a little animosity and so called beef in
the mix, and I think you get the results you're
looking for. I think it's great for the game. Who

(06:59):
doesn't you know, who doesn't love a little rivalry between teams.
And I can see this one growing between these two teams.
Obviously it's a lot of history between the two with
you know, the likes of Kevinder and being a former Warrior,
but you know, it's one I would definitely want to watch.
And uh, just to speak on the basketball part of it.

(07:22):
One you can't, on one hand, want to be a
part of the nonsense and part of the circus and
you know, kind of nick pig and you know, act
like you're one of those guys, and then once you
kind of get out of play, then you run to
the principal's office and.

Speaker 6 (07:38):
Well he's not the same and he'll never change.

Speaker 7 (07:41):
That's that's why, right, right, right, right right. I think
that's goofy shit. And you know, Nerd carries itself like
he's this big, tough, you know, big time defender, big man.
Whatever you want to say, like it's not adding up. Brother,
you don't either be the tough guy and take your
licks when they come, or just be quiet and play basketball.

(08:02):
Uh sounds like he barked up the wrong tree and
you know he got the short end of the stick
and leave it the result.

Speaker 6 (08:11):
I just had to put my two cents in on
that part.

Speaker 4 (08:13):
You put a whole lot of sense from that. Make
it all the sense though. I mean everything you said,
I could rebuttal the same thing. I feel the same
way about the game. If you can't go to the
press and try to talk about his character versus you know,
you're playing the game on the court, so you know,
if you're gonna check ball, let's do it. And as
far as the rivalry with the history, as you said again,

(08:34):
you know Katie coming from the Warriors, not only Draymond
and Nurgers. I think obviously you see Draymond and Katie,
So that's interesting. That's gon'll be a fun matchup to
watch those guys. I would love to probably go live
in person actually see one of those rounds. My old
coach Frank Vogel holding it down. But like I said,
they got a great matchup. You know, a dynasty and

(08:55):
you're trying to, you know, assemble the dynasty, which is
the Sun. So I think I'll be I'll be, like
I said, I want to be course out for that.

Speaker 2 (09:04):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (09:04):
I mean, look, I actually really like Nurk and I
think he's been really good for that Phoenix team. But
you cannot you guys are one hundred percent right. Can't
get into it. He started it. You can't start it
and then complain that the other guy finishes it.

Speaker 2 (09:15):
So I don't know.

Speaker 1 (09:16):
I'm Draymond by the way, nobody wants him to be
like a quiet, you know, like say nothing, do nothing
guy on the court. That was not the goal of
these suspensions. The goal is that he needs to stay
on the court for the Warriors. Doing stuff like this,
he will stay on the court. That is all anybody
wants from him on that team. So I got no
problem with anything that he did last night. I got
to agree with Steph on that one. And the Warriors,

(09:37):
by the way, guys, they have won four straight, six
of their last seven overall. Now they just got back
into the play and they just got back up into
that tenth spot.

Speaker 2 (09:46):
But you look at the standings here, do you think
the Warriors if they.

Speaker 1 (09:49):
Continue like this could actually get into that top six
in the West.

Speaker 6 (09:57):
I think.

Speaker 7 (09:58):
So one thing you're gonna have all always give them
credit for this is the Golden State warris They do
have a top five all time.

Speaker 6 (10:06):
Player in Steph Curry.

Speaker 7 (10:09):
You can never count these guys and all the tastes
them getting hot, and this is a team that's more
than capable of doing that. Once they are rolling. They're
one of the toughest teams to beat in the league.
It's just been a down year for them, and that's
just the facts behind the matter. Like I said, you
can never count them out. If they do get rolling,
they're one of the most dangerous teams in the league.

Speaker 5 (10:29):
Yeah, no team one through four want to match up
with the Warriors.

Speaker 4 (10:32):
I mean, I'm sure they don't say they would, but
you know, the shot they hit the other night against
Phoenix is like, that's those type of players and make
a break a playoffs series.

Speaker 5 (10:40):
So, you know, kudos to the Warriors right now. They're playing.

Speaker 4 (10:43):
Like I said, all the negativity they've had out of
trade rumors to make the moves.

Speaker 5 (10:47):
They're still tall and you know, like I said, I
want to see what they do in the playoffs.

Speaker 1 (10:52):
Yeah, I know it's been hard for Clay these past
few weeks and not playing at the end of games,
and we saw him give a really emotional interview. But
the move is working, right, It is working to have
coming out on the floor when he is. Wiggins has
been playing better, obviously, Steph is Steph. I mean, Dre
has been incredible since he got back. If you look
at the numbers of him, how the team has done

(11:15):
since he's gotten back, and sort of his plus minus
and everything like that, there's just no argument that that
team needs him. All the people who are talking during
his suspension of like, oh, they should trade him and
they should get rid of him whatever, there is no
way as long as Steph Curry is on that team,
he is not going to want Draymond on the floor
because he makes stuff so much better. He makes the
whole thing move like you did though. I mean, he

(11:36):
really just sort of is that presence on the floor
that activates everybody else. So I don't know, I'm excited
for them to see what happens. They said at the deadline,
the reason they didn't make a move is that the
best move they could have made is internally getting better
that they felt like they had a lot left sort
of room there to improve, and so it wouldn't be

(11:57):
any point in trading their guys away low They could
just improve internally, and I think they've done it, so
I don't know, hats off to them. We'll have to
see where they go. There's you know, other teams there
in that bottom seven, eight, nine, ten in the standings
that also want to move up, but some of them
may move themselves. I want to look at the buy
up pickups. Oh, go ahead, Joe, Oh.

Speaker 4 (12:21):
I wanted to say one thing about you saying that
they can improve. I think, yeah, I think this is
a matter of them buying in as a team.

Speaker 5 (12:28):
Interesting.

Speaker 4 (12:29):
You know, if they knew un to stay understood, Okay,
they probably watch a film the scene where they can
get better at or if guys made certain sacrifices like okay,
well we can get better if we do these things.
And once I feel like those guys bought in or
are buying in as we speak now. I think that's
why they stood telling what they didn't make any moves.

Speaker 2 (12:48):
I get that. I can feel that for sure.

Speaker 1 (12:50):
And look, there was a point earlier in the season
where it felt like you know, Steve didn't know exactly who.

Speaker 2 (12:55):
To put out on the floor at what time.

Speaker 1 (12:57):
And I assume as players, you can feel that you
can sort of say, well, do we have a plan here?

Speaker 2 (13:01):
What's going on?

Speaker 1 (13:03):
And I think Steve was just trying to frankly balance
the clay issue, knowing how he's sensitive and he's such
an important part of that locker room. But once he
made a decision there, it seems like to your point though,
that like they they're all buying into it now.

Speaker 5 (13:18):
And also just quickly again just how the same thing
happened with.

Speaker 4 (13:22):
Ray Allen, Avery Bradley when we changed the lineup with that. Yeah,
that took us holl on the team a little bit.
And understand how we you know, at first it was
a big three and then once Avery came in, right,
had got hurt. Avery came in on our defensive rate
and it went through the roof. You know, we're the
best defensive team and you know in some history. So
that was a tough time for us as a team collectively,
and you know it took some time to get through it.

Speaker 1 (13:43):
So sure, well, well they got better internally, or try
to get better internally. We have some teams over the
last week that tried to get better externally. Some buy
out pickups over the weekend, Spencer Dinwiddie joining the Lakers,
Kyle Lowry joining the Sixers. They also said that the
Sixers Darl Murray came out and talked and he said
that Embeid hopefully quote unquote, we'll be back for the playoffs.

(14:05):
And he said, if we didn't hope that he would
be back, we wouldn't have made the moves that we did.
So you can tell our mindset about him coming back
by the fact that we made trades, you know, that
sort of thing. And if they signed Kyle, who do
you think of the buyout guys, Spencer or Kyle will
have a bigger impact. The Spencer thing is interesting because
I mean he was like they just got rid of him.

(14:26):
He got you know, he got traded to the Raptors,
and the Raptors were like, great, we release you. Like
it's not that he was some coveted guy on the
trade market, but he seemed very coveted on the buyout market.

Speaker 4 (14:36):
Absolutely, I think I think Spencer, you know, has a
bigger impact.

Speaker 5 (14:43):
His always going to play. I think he's gonna be
bigger than Kyle.

Speaker 4 (14:45):
I believe when you talk about Kyle and Tyres MAXI,
uh so he's I feel like he's going to be
more of a mentor to Tyre's and give a lot
of great spot minutes, run the show, command the locker
room from a leadership standpoint. You know he's He's an
old sixth class guy, one of my favorite guys I
played against a long time. And uh like I said,

(15:05):
he's gonna be a great He's gonna have a great
impact in the locker room. But I think Spencer on
the floor have more of impact. You know, with getting
through the rest of the season. Give me Spriyan Brown minutes,
be a lot more in the pick and roll, and
I feel like you know him coming back home. Shout
out to Mike g He's gonna be working with this guy,
his strength strength conditioning coach.

Speaker 5 (15:25):
He's ready to go. I think he's real. He'll be recharged.

Speaker 4 (15:28):
He'll be in the pick and roll with a guy
like Anthony Davis, which is the best pick and roll
player he's ever been in the pick and roll with.
You got a guy like d Low his old time
friend played at Brooklyn, so they have that chemist already there.
So I'm looking forward to Spenson having a big impact
on the Lakers, and I think, uh, he'll get it done.

Speaker 2 (15:44):
But what do you think of Kyle at the Sixers.

Speaker 7 (15:47):
I think Rondo nailed it. These two guys they're brought
in for, you know, two different roles, so to say
we have a bigger impact. I think they're both going
to impact their teams exactly the way they were brought
in to do. Like like Rondo said, Kyle's more of
a mentor. Obviously, Tyrese Maxley is coming off his first

(16:10):
All Star. That's the guy I've been playing in the
most minutes at that guard spot. Uh, Kyle to be
brought in spot minutes to you know, keep things to flow,
manage the game while the star gets his rest and
you know he comes in and finishes out the game.
And also just to be that mentor role. Like Dooe said,
you know a lot of things to be new for

(16:31):
as talented as Tyrese max he is, a lot of
things will be new for him on this role. So
what better got to have, you know, got him through
these moments than you know, a guy like Kyle Larry.
So I think that was a brilliant move on Philly's
path and as far as the Lakers, obviously, Smith is
brought in to come in and be a game changer.

(16:53):
They signed gave Vincent earlier in the year, kind of
expecting him to kind of feel that role. For him,
things haven't worked out the way that he wanted it too.
He's dealt with health matters and just not really being
in this rhythm this season. So you know, Spence is
now being brought in to kind of feel that void
that they've been missing this year. He's a bigger guard,

(17:13):
something they do need at the guard spot. More size.
Spence is about six six. He's a playmaker, scoring type guard,
something they also could use. So I can see Spence
having a huge role with this team and starting minutes
and off and bench minutes. So I think that he's
I think he's a player that they can use in
a lot of different ways and it's going to benefit

(17:35):
them in a positive way.

Speaker 2 (17:37):
Yeah, for sure. I mean I couldn't agree more.

Speaker 1 (17:39):
I think that your point about him being big is
really insightful. They're already a big team, and you need
to be a big team to compete with Denver, right,
So the idea of Spencer Bron ad out on the
floor together. You just present in terms of playing a
team like the Nuggets, you're going to be able to
match them in that way. I have a question though,
though you've been, you know, been on that team, on

(18:01):
that bench, in that locker room with Lebron James. We
saw what he did in the week leading up to
the trade deadline, the hour glass, him putting on the
Knicks towel, coming to Knicks colors when they played New York,
tweeting the Statue of Liberty with the crown and all
that stuff.

Speaker 2 (18:17):
He was clearly well, he.

Speaker 1 (18:19):
Was clearly putting pressure on the team to make a
move at the trade deadline, and they didn't. And you know,
Rob Polenka's sort of line was, you can't buy a
house if it's not for sale. But Lebron in the
past has been very unhappy with front offices if they
didn't do what he wanted. And I don't know whether
this was there really wasn't anything for sale. I don't
know if this was the Lakers are like, what are

(18:39):
you going to do? Leave?

Speaker 2 (18:40):
I mean, Lebron is very very.

Speaker 1 (18:41):
Settled here in Los Angeles, Like I don't know if
anyone thinks he would walk out the door even if
he was unhappy. So I don't know if that factored
into it, but I wasn't sure whether he would walk
away from the trade deadline feeling like, man, you know,
I wanted something to happen, it didn't happen, and now
I'm in a bad mood, or that he walks away
after getting Spencer being like this isn't out forty You.

Speaker 4 (19:01):
Think I think he's okay with what he has. You know,
it might have expressed his unhappiness or whatever. He was
taking the time with his hour glass tweets and stuff
like that, but you know that's Brian, and he puts
pressure on his teammates at all time high and if
you can't take it, you know, he kind of fizes
those guys out.

Speaker 5 (19:19):
And you know he's a strong amount of man of person.

Speaker 4 (19:23):
As we all know, He's very calculated and everything he does,
and he's well aware of what's happening within the organization.
So I'm sure robbin him had a lot of conversations
Rich as well, so they probably knew or was hoping
this type of val will come about again. Brian not
trying to carry the entire load playing over thirty five
plus minutes a game. I think a guy like Spencer

(19:43):
Brown a little bit more brilliant, breathing room to see
on the bench and kind of keep his composure and
gain his strength and energy back. So he's a dynamic player.
You know, you put him in a pick and roll,
he can go for forty any give a night. I
can see the lineup finishing with Spencer bron Ady in
Austin Reeves. So it's like that can be a tough

(20:03):
lineup to switch or try to double team the way
eighties passing out of the double this year, it's been
at night and day since I was since I played
with him. So uh again, he's he's exceling each game.
I love the way he's making his reads. And again,
if you swing swing the d lo Austin or Spencer,
it's like, you know, what do you do? I think
those are more of a threat guys, a threat on

(20:24):
the floor, and I.

Speaker 5 (20:27):
Think Brown will be okay with the end of the day.
It would happen.

Speaker 4 (20:29):
You know, he's going to press the button and he's
gonna whatever cars he had, He's gonna play him and
going to play him the best of his ability.

Speaker 1 (20:34):
So I'm interested in you saying that he's put pressure
on his teammates too. I'm curious in the time you
played with him, can you give us an example of
when you saw that sort of lebron glare fall on someone.

Speaker 4 (20:49):
I mean, he just as he's you know, every teammate,
I expect the same thing. You know, you expect greate
this from your teammates. You know, you expect you know, professionalism, uh.
And the guys are going to make mistakes.

Speaker 5 (20:58):
Uh.

Speaker 4 (20:58):
And that's part of the game. But at the end
of the day, if you're giving it, you're all. That's
all you can ask for. But he might go to
the media. He's definitely gonna go to you and practice
and challenge you. I mean, it's just a matter of
you know what greatness. You know, they hold you to expectations,
you know. Same thing with Kevin, the same thing with Paul.
Obviously they weren't as big of a star at Brownie,

(21:18):
but at the same time, first Ballohalla Farmers, and they
do hold you accountable.

Speaker 2 (21:23):
M Yeah, for sure.

Speaker 1 (21:25):
We look at beyond the Lakers, even you know, they
got better. I think with Spencer, a bunch of other
teams around the league. It wasn't like a fireworks trade deadline,
but there were a bunch of teams that made some
nice tweaks around the edges boogie.

Speaker 2 (21:36):
When you look at the teams between.

Speaker 1 (21:38):
The trade deadline on Thursday, the weekend buyout pickups, look
at this kind of last week, which team do you
think has sort of gotten the most betteriest, the bestest
betterist most of the teams over over this last week,
Like who kind of made a little bit of a
leap here?

Speaker 6 (21:54):
There's been two teams. For me, it was the Knicks
in Dallas.

Speaker 7 (21:59):
I think they I think they made moves to fit
exactly what they're looking for to finish out this year
and how they want to finish the year out as
far as the next. They're dealing with, you know, some
injuries right now, but the pieces they complemented their starts
with are absolutely like perfect I can it's in my opinion,

(22:21):
it's it's.

Speaker 6 (22:21):
Long term moves. They were very methodical.

Speaker 7 (22:26):
Obviously they weren't always the biggest and prettiest names at
the trail deadline, but every move made sense and I
think they feeled out their roster perfectly. I'm excited to
see this team in the playoffs. I think this would
be a huge jump for them this season. And uh,
they're just making all the right moves, just moving forward
and looking long term in my opinion. And as far

(22:47):
as Dallas, I think filling out the roster with young
pieces that kind of match up with lucas timeline was
you know, very important.

Speaker 6 (22:55):
And on top of that, just adding talent. I think PJ.

Speaker 7 (22:58):
Washington is you know, very underrated player in this league
at the time.

Speaker 6 (23:02):
And uh, he shot.

Speaker 7 (23:04):
He shoots the ball at a very very hot clip,
something that that's needed around Luca with his playmaking ability
and with how much attention he brings on a nightly basis.
And you also get a veteran lob threat in Godford.
Every every move they made just makes sense and once
again it's something that they can look for towards the future.

(23:25):
And uh, and not only that, but the president as well.
So I think those two teams, you know, made the
best moves.

Speaker 4 (23:36):
Bog I don't think. I don't think we've ever agreed
as much for you. I mean, I would say the
Knicks and mav as well, you know, you know, playing
against Luca a couple of years ago, in the playoff series.
I tough he is to stop and uh, he's been
asking for a big, a backup big for the last
three years, I believe. And with another dynamic roll up

(23:57):
in preshow Rim PJ. Watch and he has a seven
two wings man. He's a lot more I played than
Grant Williams. So these guys are gonna be the easies
shots they've ever had in basketball since they've been playing
the game, you know. I know they played with Lamello,
PJ played with La Mellow, but at the same time,
he wasn't drawing double teams like Lucas and tripper teams, so.

Speaker 2 (24:16):
He wasn't on the courth haf time.

Speaker 5 (24:18):
Yeah, and like I said, there's levels to it.

Speaker 4 (24:20):
You know, he's you know, he's obviously v one of
the MVP candidates this year.

Speaker 5 (24:24):
And with the dynamic role that he adam.

Speaker 4 (24:26):
To Gafford and being able to go back and forth
with Lovely, it's gonna be fun to watch.

Speaker 1 (24:30):
You know.

Speaker 4 (24:30):
They're they're already a fun team, but you have a
guy like they come to the program as well as
with PJ Washington exciting to see and along with the Knicks,
you know, the Knicks have been rolling. I think they
lost the last two, but you know, as of late,
I think their last ten games have been really, really
would really good.

Speaker 5 (24:47):
So the way.

Speaker 4 (24:47):
Bruns has been playing, with addition to Bognanovich Bergs, they're
gonna play well. Like I said, I think Bob Bobo Boganovich,
he was averaging twenty Detroit. He won't average that obviously
the Knicks, but he's still at throwing floor. With Bronston
being able to get in the paint to this round
will be able to getting to paint kick out to
a guy like that, He's obviously going.

Speaker 5 (25:05):
To stress the floor.

Speaker 4 (25:06):
And then, like I say, any given night he can
give you twenty to thirty points a game. So both
teams did a very good job, and those are my picks.

Speaker 1 (25:14):
Yeah, I mean, look, Bugnanovitch is going to be a
difference maker for them right at the beginning here because
they've got so many other injuries. And then yes, I
think he will move to the bench and be be
strong for them. I got to stay with the MAVs.
I was a little worried about how much they gave
up for the guys they brought in. They've been mortgaging
their future over and over again for a while now.

(25:34):
And you know, it's all to keep Luca. It's all
to keep Luca happy. But I do think that they
have to be a little a little concerned about you know,
when he does have this contract come up, they're going
to have nothing in the cupboard. That being said, if
you don't play well now, he won't even get to
the point that his contract is going to be up.
He's going to ask for a trade before that. So

(25:56):
I understand why they made the moves they made. The
guys are great for them. I totally agree that they
are definitely going to make a difference. I mean, you guys,
when you're with the Clippers, what was it like playing
against Luca in that playoff series?

Speaker 4 (26:12):
If you look at the numbers, it was crazy. You know,
he we threw everything at him. You know, we had
the best defenders in the game on him, you know,
at all times, as much as possible if we switched
one through five. I mean, we thought we threw so
many different looks at him, but he was able to
dissect and still figure out a way to get his
team ws and you know, make a very big impact

(26:33):
on the game at a high level.

Speaker 2 (26:35):
But you're laughing.

Speaker 7 (26:36):
Yeah, man, uh, that's serious. Another six sit well with me.
I'm just a firm believer when it comes when it
comes to the game. With basketball, it's played on both ends,
and the game can be effected on both ends.

Speaker 6 (26:50):
And when dealing with star players.

Speaker 7 (26:52):
Or guys that are just match up nightmares, it's not
always about what defense you throw at him. It's also
about making it and have to guard on the other
end of the floor.

Speaker 8 (27:02):
So, I mean, obviously we talked about we talked about that,
but we talked about that. What's wrong with the What
I'm saying is you can hide those players you can target,
and that's fine.

Speaker 6 (27:17):
We did what we did. We did what we did.
We tried to match up defensively, didn't make them work.
On the other end, we got our ass waxed. So
obviously it didn't work. Well.

Speaker 5 (27:29):
What I saying, you can try to more than one perspective. Yeah,
but again, people have been targeting stuff for years.

Speaker 6 (27:37):
This stuff.

Speaker 5 (27:38):
They have a dynasty.

Speaker 6 (27:39):
We're not talking about stuff.

Speaker 5 (27:41):
Okay, I understand, but I'm talking about that targeting don't
always work.

Speaker 7 (27:44):
Yeah, people targeted stuff, but there's so many other weapons
around stuff too.

Speaker 6 (27:48):
That's why it worked.

Speaker 5 (27:50):
But you still got damn the two non shooters out there.
What do you mean like you said that, you said that.

Speaker 6 (27:56):
Who are the other two non shooters?

Speaker 5 (27:58):
Said that? You and Ramon? I said you and Draymond.

Speaker 1 (28:15):
You.

Speaker 6 (28:16):
We'll argue later on, we'll get back the play.

Speaker 7 (28:23):
As far as just how the game is played, man,
I think you have to make these these match these
matchup nightmares work on the other end of the floor.
And I feel like that's something that's kind of been
swayed away from when it comes to the game as
of lately, making making a guy work on both ends
of the floor. When when your entire night is just

(28:43):
where you're only playing one end and it's just offense offense, office,
you have a greater chance of dominating the game. If
I'm being pushed and and and and work on the
other end of the floor, I can't get the same
amount of effort on the office event. And that's just
my way of thinking about the game. But uh yeah,
like I said, me and dor argue about those points later.

Speaker 1 (29:05):
Well, Luk, I didn't say the other night that Kyrie
coming back from injury, you know, just put took so
much weight off of him. That he'd been so tired
at the end of these games. So to your point book,
you know, you got to make them work a little bit.
But we'll see, it's the NBA in twenty twenty four.
No one has to work that hard because the defense
can't do it right.

Speaker 7 (29:24):
We were agreeing on points and then he just can't
help himself.

Speaker 4 (29:28):
Man, he's just we were doing, we were doing.

Speaker 5 (29:32):
We had the same conversation off of you know, I
mean off cameras home. I don't know how we got
when the show started. I don't know how we got
to say.

Speaker 1 (29:43):
Let me see if I can get you guys on
or off the same page with this next segment. I
think you're going to disagree a little bit. We'll find out.
You know, All Star Game is coming up. That brings
up a lot of thought about, you know, who is
a star, how our guys rated?

Speaker 2 (29:55):
And I want to like.

Speaker 1 (29:56):
Play a little game here looking at some of the
really high level talents in the league and are they
being overlooked, are they underrated, are they overrated or are
they properly rated? Or as I like to say, are
they rated like underrated, overrated or rated? It's like nonchalant
can you just be chalant or non plussed?

Speaker 2 (30:15):
Can you just be plussed?

Speaker 1 (30:17):
These are right there anyway, I don't appreciates my grammar humor. Okay,
Donovan Mitchell, let's talk about him. Overrated, underrated, properly rated.

Speaker 2 (30:27):
What do you got, boogie?

Speaker 6 (30:29):
Underrated?

Speaker 7 (30:32):
This guy has been a winner since he's come into
the league. I don't think he's ever missed the playoffs
a year of his career. He's been a talent since
he's walked in. He changed the Utah organization around. He
actually made them exciting and people wanted to watch Utah basketball.
I don't think that happened since Stockton alone. He's changed

(30:56):
his entire Cleveland organization, which we never thought would happened
outside of Lebron James. He's managed to find a way
to do that. I believe he's averaging about twenty eight
six and six this season. I mean, how this guy
isn't in an MVP conversation or one of the main
guys being said in the conversation blows my mind. But

(31:19):
you know, it's a political league, the best way of
putting that. But I mean, he's having an incredible year.
He's he has the Cavaliers as an actual threat this
season on their top three, top four in the East.
He's doing everything he's supposed to do as as a
franchise guy and as a star in this league. Why

(31:40):
his seine isn't brighter than the other stars in the league,
I don't really know.

Speaker 6 (31:44):
Maybe it's the market.

Speaker 7 (31:46):
I'm not really sure, but he's definitely an underrated guy
in this league. He deserves way more credit than he gets.
And he's, like I said, he's been a star since
he's stepped foot in this league and he's continuing to
be that.

Speaker 5 (31:58):
Agree, agreed, We're back on. He'll be back on. The
man is averaging twenty nine, six and six, like I said,
six three.

Speaker 4 (32:11):
Small market, like I said, his right hand guy d Garland,
has been going.

Speaker 5 (32:15):
He's been out, he's been injured.

Speaker 2 (32:16):
Okay, we can't believe the market.

Speaker 1 (32:18):
Okay, there has been a big star in Cleveland that
got plenty of attention twice now, yeah, but.

Speaker 5 (32:22):
The last that's he is the lead though, Rachel. It's
a difference. I mean, he is the NBA.

Speaker 2 (32:29):
I'm just seeing. Cleveland's not a small market. It's a
big city.

Speaker 4 (32:32):
It's a very small market. With all due respect, I've
played Rachel.

Speaker 2 (32:40):
I'm aware amazing.

Speaker 4 (32:41):
Fan base, you know, but it's still considered in our
game a small market, you know what I mean, Like
he needs house. He's always played for small markets, and
I think that may be the only reason, you know,
I mean, he scored seventy last year. Nobody, you know,
it's not like a big deal. He's been doing a
consistent high level for a very long time. And not
go back to how he's came into the year Cleveland

(33:02):
and bought into the system fifth in very well, and
like I said, playing for JB one of my favorite coaches.
He's buying right in. And like I said, I hope
he stays. But at the end of the day, I mean,
I would hope you go to New York and get
his respect that he needs.

Speaker 1 (33:15):
I mean, that's why I wanted to see him in
New York in the first place. I mean, I'm glad
it's worked out in Cleveland, but how amazing would that
have been in New York? And with Jalen Brunson I'm
not saying instead, but with Jalen Brunson.

Speaker 5 (33:27):
I mean, I don't know how that might work out.

Speaker 6 (33:29):
You know.

Speaker 4 (33:29):
I'm happy to where he is now, like I said,
this summer will get there and see what it would
possibly could be. But right now, I'm happy he's in Cleveland,
working with my one of my favorite point guards, Darius Garland,
all the young guys in Cleveland. I think he's doing
a great job coming in, being a leader, veteran in
the locker room, and like I said, keeping everyone points.

Speaker 5 (33:46):
I think they're number two, Is that right, Richard? The
number two?

Speaker 4 (33:49):
And e Yeah, yes, I mean, and I said, nobody
talks about Cleveland, so I think it just goes with
their entire staff, like it goes with JB being underrated,
you know. I mean, I think their whole organization is underrated.
Done a hell of a job consistently.

Speaker 1 (34:02):
I mean JB's got to be one of the leaders
in the clubhouse for Coach of the Year, I think,
I mean, I would certainly put him there, And he's
just done great work their overall. He's a great guy,
he's a great coach. The Cavs overall, they have won.
I want to make sure I get this right. Seventeen
of their last eighteen games, seventeen of their last eighteen games.

Speaker 5 (34:20):
They have been talking about it.

Speaker 1 (34:21):
Yeah, they get the number one defense in the league
over that stretch. And yes, they have moved into the
number two spot. I mean, we're sitting here talking about
Milwaukee and Philly and what's going on with the Knicks,
but Cleveland is neck right in there. So you know,
if they hold on to that, that will be huge
going into the playoffs in terms of the matchups they're
going to get. I just think, you know, they won't
have to face Boston until the end if they get

(34:42):
that far. So I just think that that is a
player and a team to watch. And I'm looking forward
to don have been getting some shine at the All
Star Game because I think he will. I want to
ask you about Trey Young. Guys overrated, underrated, or rated.

Speaker 7 (34:57):
I also think Trey Young is an ready I feel
for this brother. I feel like we've had similar type
situations when it comes to just, you know, being in
a situation being a franchise cornerstone and not getting the
necessary pieces and attention that you need to not only
make your individual talent, you know, shine, but put you

(35:20):
in the situations to where you can win. And the
reason I feel for it because at the end of
the day, when it's all said and done, the legacy
that's going to be tarnished, a stray young and details
of what goes on behind to never get looked at.

Speaker 6 (35:34):
It's gone just always be the overall picture.

Speaker 7 (35:36):
And that's Trayon put up numbers, but he couldn't win,
and that's just not how it works and a team
oriented setting. And I just want this guy to, you know,
either get some real talent put around him to where
he can be the star that he's meant to be.

Speaker 6 (35:54):
But my dream scenario, this.

Speaker 7 (35:56):
Guy could find his way to San Antonio to be
with when I think those two guys together would be unreal.
I think they're a duo that we probably won't see
a duo close to Shaq and Kobe, but I think
those guys could be that.

Speaker 6 (36:13):
And I think he's that talented.

Speaker 7 (36:15):
I think I mean twenty eight and ten to average
ten assists in the NBA, No.

Speaker 4 (36:21):
No, eleven, eleven, don't respect it's eleven.

Speaker 6 (36:25):
Excuse me, cents.

Speaker 5 (36:26):
Yeah, that's that's.

Speaker 7 (36:28):
But to be able to average double digit assists in
the league is I mean done can speak on it.
That's that's really really hard to do, and this guy
just doesn't. And it's easy to you know, overlook him.
Like I said, he's in a losing situation, but his talent.
You can't overlook the talent no matter and now you
try to cover it up, no matter how you try
to say. It's just that you can't deny attack, right right,

(36:51):
I feel for this. He's definitely underrated.

Speaker 4 (36:56):
Definitely definitely underrated. You know, to go about anything you
said about this cis I mean it was hardest hell.
The average leven assists and I couldn't damn their average
twenty eight points. I mean, you had both of those
numbers together on.

Speaker 5 (37:07):
Top of him. Like I said, night and the night out.

Speaker 4 (37:08):
Every team is trying to figure out how to stop
trade young and you're doing this at six to one,
only five years in the league. I mean, he's already
figured the game out, Like I said, a lot of
people don't understand how already is a massive amount of
the game at that level, at the point guard position.
Being that only six to one, you know, every night
he's the smallest guy on the floor, still able.

Speaker 5 (37:26):
To dominate, manipulate the game.

Speaker 4 (37:28):
That's why they changed the game with the free throw rule,
because he had manipulated a game within three years of
playing in the NBA. I mean, how many guys can
go in and change the game completely like that and
give you know, the game is different. You know, he
has the ball in his hands a lot. He is
the only pretty much primary playmaker and you're going to
have numbers, but still to do it at a consistent
level night and night out basis, and you know, take

(37:49):
and make the biggest shots in the game, usually in
the fourth quarter. And that's what he does every night.
And he's learning how to become a better teammate. You know,
I played with him to try to knock him about
being a but he's young.

Speaker 5 (37:59):
You know, he's learning.

Speaker 4 (38:01):
He had had many vets in to come in and
teach him how to be you know, that type of player.
Also having that franchise on your back. You know, I
can't speak from that perspective, but being able to come
in at you know, twenty two years old, have a
whole franchise in your back and still want him to
do so many other things they produced on the court.
You're asking a lot for a young person that you know,
it's just now coming into something new. So he's definitely underrated.

(38:24):
One of my favorite players I've ever played with. He's unstoppable,
and again, he's so young now. I won't know about
him going to San Antonio. I think that will obviously
be great in the future, but I want him to
win now, you know, I want him to get into
respect now. But you never know how it plays out.
He's super young. Yeah, so many years to play this game.
And wherever he ends up or whoever comes to Atlanta,

(38:45):
you know, wish him the best.

Speaker 1 (38:47):
Look if he went to San Antonio, I don't think
it would be in the future. I think they would
be on a winning path right away. Have you seen
Wenby's numbers. I mean he is like a legit defensive
Player of the Year numbers kind of guy. Obviously they're
not winning that would affect an ords actually that he gets.
But he has better numbers right now than Rudy Gobaert
did in his MVP season. I mean that's defensively what

(39:08):
we're talking about. Obviously can do things offensively we've never
seen before. Is going to have more seasoning if Trey
Young does end up there. By the time that Young
does end up there and then you stick Trey Young
on that team, I mean I can't even imagine. And
the Spurs have a ton of picks. They could definitely
make an offer. I don't know if Atlanta would trade him,
but they would make an offer. And I know that Trey,

(39:30):
you know, he's been a good soldier there. He didn't
ask for a trade at this deadline when people thought
he might. So I want to emphasize that he has
been as you said, he's been a better teammate. No
one's going to call him Drew Holliday ever, but his
defense has gotten better. I mean, he's certainly like making
more of an effort now on defense as well. And
I don't know what's going to happen this summer if

(39:50):
they have the rest of the season goes poorly, Like
I don't know, I completely agree with you, Boog that
he is being influenced and his reputation is being influenced
by the team he plays for.

Speaker 2 (40:00):
He's getting left off all NBA teams. You know, the.

Speaker 1 (40:03):
Fans are voting him higher and All Star votes than
anybody else around the league. And I think that disrespect
has a lot to do with this idea. He's an
empty numbers guy. He's not gonna be any empty numbers
guy if you put him in the right situation.

Speaker 2 (40:16):
So I'm curious.

Speaker 1 (40:18):
I think that is a huge thing to watch as
this next year plays out. When you talk about stars
that could move around, He's not a name we talk
about a ton But you know, I know Hawks fans
are gonna be like, don't trade him off our team.

Speaker 2 (40:29):
But you got to talk about it because it is possible.
I don't know.

Speaker 1 (40:33):
I want to hit you guys with another one that
you both know well. Paul George underrated, overrated, properly rated.

Speaker 7 (40:41):
I'm gonna have to go underrated with PG as well.
He's one of my favorite players in the NBA, one
of the most talented guys I've ever seen at six nine, sixteen,
the ball heading ability, to shot creation, the creativity off
the dribble, the shooting ability. I mean, when you think
about the prototypical wing, you think about a Paul George,

(41:04):
the size, the link, just every all the intelligibles that
come with him and just and then you add the
talent to that. I would say he's one of the
most talented three men ever played the game. I put
him in the likes of the Tracy mcgrady's and things
of that nature.

Speaker 2 (41:23):
Zero growing up on.

Speaker 7 (41:25):
Any given day, I could say he is more talented
than Tracy McGrady.

Speaker 6 (41:30):
Obviously you can argue that point, but I think a
point could.

Speaker 2 (41:33):
Be made that point.

Speaker 7 (41:36):
The way he shoots threw out I mean, Paul jew
I mean, I don't understand the hate that comes with
this guy. He's an incredible teammate, super time. He always
shows up when it's time to show up. Obviously, guys
have bad games, that's a part of this game. Like
why his bad games get highlighted more than his good

(41:57):
games will never make sense. But this is one of
the most talented guys that ever lays up his sneakers,
and he's definitely underrated, just in the fact that he
doesn't get the proper love and credit that he deserves.
He's been a winner since he stepped foot in the league.
He was challenging Lebrons as a young twenty two year old, Like, like,

(42:17):
let's serious here, Like this is one of the most
talent that they ever put on sneakers, and I just
I think he deserves way more credit than he gets.

Speaker 4 (42:30):
I think three for three because underrated, underrated, Yeah, I
would say so. Like I said, I loved enjoy playing
with PG at the time I was there, you know,
watching work, his professionalism, how he is as a teammate.

Speaker 5 (42:45):
You know, he's underrated for sure.

Speaker 4 (42:47):
I will agree with because I mean I think he
you know what, I all do respect him to Trace McGrady.
The game has changed the Mrider, but the way PG
shoots to three out the dribble. I mean, at six ' nine,
you can't really do much about it. You know, he's
kind of a bigger Kyrie than me. You know, he
can finish, super athletic. Like I said, he pats the
ball at ease, and he's like he gets to a

(43:08):
spot and goes like I said, and also not on
the office.

Speaker 5 (43:11):
Avan when he goes on the defense event as well.

Speaker 4 (43:13):
And I think he'll get his respect. I do believe
the Clippers possibly can win the NBA Championship this year.
And I think once he does that, people start to understand, Okay,
look at his career, like, wow, he was doing this Indiana,
he did just do it this and the Clippers and
like I said, well when he was with the Clippers
were kui. They never really had any healthy years together.
So I think they can stay healthy and put it together.

Speaker 5 (43:33):
This year.

Speaker 4 (43:33):
He'll he'll start to get the respect that he deserves,
and I look forward to it.

Speaker 5 (43:37):
He's a great player, great teammate.

Speaker 1 (43:39):
It's just I go to a lot of Clippers games
because I live here in LA. I'm going tonight. He's
so reliable for them this season. I mean, he has
been able to win. He's in games. Obviously there's been
a few he's missed because of health. But when he's
been in games, he just whether Kawai is doing amazing,
whether Kawi is having a quieter game. PG has sort
of been there with those threes. He's kept them in
games and sort of THINKWHI comes and takes over.

Speaker 2 (44:02):
I just it's been very cool. Kawhi is another one.

Speaker 1 (44:04):
I want to ask you guys about overrated, underrated, properly rated,
two time finals MVP.

Speaker 2 (44:09):
What do y'all think?

Speaker 7 (44:12):
I think this is another guy that's underrated. I think
his one championship in Toronto trump's a lot of guys
throughout the history of this game to.

Speaker 2 (44:22):
Be able to Spurs Springs too.

Speaker 7 (44:25):
You know, no, that's fine, but I'm more impressed with
the fashion of how it was done. To be able
to go in there for one season win a franchise
their first championship ever, like to basically take over an
entire country like it was, and I was on the
other end of that. So I really felt his presence

(44:47):
in that in that moment. To be able to do
it in the fashion that he did it, I don't
I don't think we'll ever really see that in the
game again. Obviously, he's had this saus in San Antonio
and it wasn't really credited because he played with so
much talent. He was under the umbrother of Popovich, Tim Duncan,

(45:08):
all those legends that came through there, So obviously he
didn't get as much credit with that group. But that
one championship in Toronto, like, I think that just put
him on the pedestal of superstar.

Speaker 1 (45:20):
Yeah, you played Monno against him in the finals. You
had that great finals game, Buggie, and he just kept coming.

Speaker 2 (45:25):
Back with answers.

Speaker 7 (45:27):
Yeah, he was that boy in that series and he
gained my respect in that series just to match up
with all and obviously a lot of things win against
us in that series as far as health, and if
we were healthy, I think it would have been a
different situation.

Speaker 6 (45:41):
But I can only.

Speaker 7 (45:43):
Speak on the facts and how it played out and
what he did to contribute to winning that championship. You
got to give him all the credit in the world.
That's that's a bad boy. So I definitely think he's underrated.

Speaker 5 (45:55):
Absolutely, he's he's underrated. He's underrated.

Speaker 4 (46:02):
And I only say this because I think over the
last couple of years, I think the media has overshadowed
him not playing as much and it's trying to kind
of tarnish his reputation of how great a player he is.
You know, he doesn't speak much or make a big
scene about anything. He just goes out and get his
job done. So I think that plays a big role
in like I said, how people perceive him now and

(46:24):
not putting in respect on his name.

Speaker 5 (46:25):
Because of the latest the last couple of years. Oh
he's the choir.

Speaker 4 (46:29):
They put new rules in where guys can't rest. So
I think that has overshadowed again what he's done in
his career with the championship in Toronto and then the
two with San Antonio.

Speaker 5 (46:38):
So but at the end of the.

Speaker 4 (46:40):
Day, like I said, I'm looking forward to him getting
to the finals and then he get it, he gets
his fourth you know. Now he's uh, he's still young,
you know, pg he's still young, they had a ways
to go, and like I said, with that experience as
far as the coaching staff over there, to lose one
a chip already. So it's like I'm willing to bet
with those guys and having that.

Speaker 5 (47:01):
That underdog mindset, you know, they don't.

Speaker 4 (47:03):
I'm sure they don't mind at all being underrated, both
of those guys, and with that chip on your shoulder
that you know, that proving them wrong mentality going to
the playoffs they're looking forward to. People continue to not
believe in them or not even speak on them. So
and I'm sure when people start to jump on a
bad wag, I'm sure they don't want.

Speaker 6 (47:18):
Them, you know.

Speaker 4 (47:18):
So it's like they have that mindset being in that
locker room understanding that I wouldn't want to match up
with him in the playoffs this year.

Speaker 1 (47:25):
Yeah, I mean, look, we made a big deal when
Lebron won his his ring in a third place right
two in Miami, one in Cleveland, and then the fourth
one with La Kawhi would be doing the same thing,
right And again we're saying if if we don't know
if they're going to get to the finals, were don't
know if they're gonna win the finals, but if they do,
I would be willing to put money on the fact
that Kawhi would be the MVP. So if any of

(47:47):
that happens, the idea that he would be finals MVP
in three different cities and in different NBA finals is bonkers.

Speaker 2 (47:56):
So yeah, I don't know.

Speaker 1 (47:57):
I think he may be properly rated just because I
do think knows how good he is or PG one
hundred percent. I'm just saying that he is a chance,
with this team playing so well, to do something so exceptional,
And I do think when his career is all over,
Kawhi We're going to talk about him even better than
we do now. But I do think if you talk
to players around the league, everyone knows how good Kawhi

(48:18):
Leonard is and the fact that he's been healthy this year.
I think the media has sort of circled back around
on him as well. We've talked about him not being
really mentioned in the MVP vote. That has more to
do with the number of other stars on his teams,
and go back and forth on whether that should matter
or not. But that's more why as opposed to not
respecting him. I don't know, He's incredible I love watching him.

(48:38):
He's incredible, and I have to throw in the one
that I told our producers is my underrated Jamal Murray
is underrated, gentleman.

Speaker 2 (48:45):
He's underrated.

Speaker 1 (48:46):
And I know, I know, I'm the standard bearer for
the Nuggets this year among all of our different group
podcasts and shows and stuff, but I'm sorry. They are
the defending champions and Jamal Murray is one of the reasons.

Speaker 2 (48:59):
I mean, I know it.

Speaker 1 (49:00):
Jokic is incredible, but he does not win without Jamal Murray.

Speaker 2 (49:05):
I'm sorry.

Speaker 1 (49:05):
And the fact that because Jokic is so incredible, we
kind of just kind of throw jam all in.

Speaker 2 (49:10):
I'm not wrong here, right, I mean, he's.

Speaker 5 (49:13):
No, not at all. You're definitely not wrong.

Speaker 4 (49:15):
And I had the privilege of, you know, kind of
going to the other night against the Lakers Kobe Knight,
and he made tough shot after tough shot after tough shot.

Speaker 5 (49:26):
At the point guard position. Again, he's another young point
guard that we don't talk about to put enough respect on.

Speaker 4 (49:30):
How many young point guards I wont Amba Championship the
last five years, you know what young pun gress have
can't name many, you know, so if any, he might
be the only one, but the way he plays the
game night and night out.

Speaker 5 (49:42):
You know, he has been healthy.

Speaker 4 (49:43):
But I think when he came on the scene was
win the Bubble when we went to when he went
into the Bubble and went crazy and people people were like, Oh,
it's just you know, it's just a bubble.

Speaker 5 (49:51):
He can't do that.

Speaker 4 (49:52):
Like He's been consistent every since and he's a big,
big piece of why they want.

Speaker 5 (49:57):
You know, he can arguely if he didn't play with.

Speaker 4 (49:58):
A guy like Jokots putting up a triple double every night,
he can easily argue be the MVP. So having a
guy like that on your team, you know, probably go
down one of the greatest bigs of all time, can
overshadow him and not put the respect on him as
a player. But I know, like I said personally in
the Bubble, he hit one of the tough shots in
my life over me, and he did it on a
nightly basis. Like I said, he's just a tough shot maker.

(50:20):
He's fun to watch play, he's a great teammate. I'm
sure he's a great leader. I've heard from him from
amongst other players, and you know, you can't get to
that level if you don't work.

Speaker 5 (50:29):
So you know, kudos to him.

Speaker 4 (50:30):
He's a great player and he doesn't mind like I'm
sure he doesn't mind at all being underrated, but he's getting
the expected to deserves. Amongst his fears, the guys that
played against him every night.

Speaker 2 (50:39):
Well, but you played with him, you were on the
team with him.

Speaker 1 (50:42):
Is he as good as a work ethic guy and
leadership as Joe saying?

Speaker 6 (50:47):
Absolutely, he's everything he said.

Speaker 7 (50:49):
But I'm gonna have to be the guy that goes
against the grain with this one and say that he's
properly rated.

Speaker 6 (50:57):
The reason I said it is actually one of the
reasons Doo just said.

Speaker 7 (51:02):
It's the fact that he is under a shadow. It's
the fact that he is playing with a big that
is one of the greatest ever. You know, lays him up,
and I don't think he's able to display his talent
the way he potentially could. I think he's the top
five PG if the ball is in his hands on
a normal basis, like some of he getting the opportunity

(51:24):
to these other guards getting the league, the Donovan Mitchell's,
the Jalen Brunt. I think you didn't see him and
it's like, man, this guy is a top five PG,
but the fact that he does have to play on
the shadow of Jokic, the fact that he's not in
a traditional point guard setting to where the ball is
being brought up by Jokic more so than it is Jamal,

(51:46):
So it kind of hinders in my opinion, it kind
of hinders his talent. But obviously it's a perfect fit
in how they play off with one another, but just
him being under that shadow of Yokic. And I hate
saying this because this is my UK brother. I got
a number love and.

Speaker 5 (52:02):
I can't be it sounds like you're saying that he's underrated.

Speaker 7 (52:05):
That's what it sounds in a way I am, and
I'm this is based off production with me, the way
he produces with this team.

Speaker 5 (52:15):
Still, I say he's properly rated. He's very fishy. He's
like twenty seven seven, twenty six and six.

Speaker 2 (52:21):
I mean, I get what you're saying.

Speaker 1 (52:26):
You're saying that he is playing with Yokich, so you
kind of have to judge him on that as opposed
to what he could be.

Speaker 2 (52:32):
I get that. I still think he's underrated.

Speaker 1 (52:35):
I don't think people realize how important he is to
that team. And I think if they do go on
and win again, he will be another huge part of it.

Speaker 2 (52:42):
But we can we can see, we can see how
it plays out.

Speaker 1 (52:44):
I don't know, guys, I want to talk to you
about All Star. I mentioned it coming up at the
end of this week. You guys have both been named
All Star four times each. A lot of heavy hitters
on this podcast today. I just want to know what
the feeling was like the first time, the first time
you heard that you were an All Star.

Speaker 2 (53:00):
Where were you we watching it on TV? What did
you think? How did you feel? I don't know what
about you, bug?

Speaker 7 (53:07):
My first one came. I was a replacement. I was
actually a replacement for you know, being Kobe Bryant. It
was a year tours Achilles. So you know, it sucks
that it happened in that fashion. You know, you don't
want to wish injury or anything like that on anybody,
but that's just kind of how this game goes.

Speaker 6 (53:26):
So I was.

Speaker 7 (53:27):
Able to get in as a replacement, and I believe
I was actually in the process of planning a vacation. Usually,
you know, around the time we get our a little break,
you know, the All Stars go do their thing for
the weekend and the rest of the league, they kind of,
you know, vacation and do their thing. So I was

(53:47):
in the process of doing that and I got the
call that I'll be a replacement. So obviously I was
super excited. It was a goal of Mina to become
an All Star in the league. And you know, regardless
of how it comes or how it presented to you,
it's still gonna be an All Storr at the end
of the day. So I was super excited and I
was honored, and I was happy to be able to achieve,

(54:08):
you know, a goal.

Speaker 4 (54:09):
For me, it was, you know, a humbling experience. You know,
I think the first year, I think I wanted to
be one. I thought I was an All Star, and
I feel like I got snub and that's what they say,
that always happened. So for me, just motivated me to
come back harder and work even more, not necessarily work
on the focus on individual stats. And I figured, if
we win as a team, you know, me having already
three Hall of Famers on my team, if we just won,

(54:30):
I feel like I was able to make it. And
I was fortunate I did make it early in my career,
and it was a great experience. Like I said, my
first All Stars, I was with my big homies and
they had all made it, and it was just kind
of showed me the ropes.

Speaker 5 (54:42):
I didn't like. As many as many appearances that we
had to do, I didn't. I was it was not
a break and I damn had to spend my old check.

Speaker 4 (54:52):
Because I had to get my family to uh to
the fight because it was bad weather. So yeah, so,
but it was a great experience overall, and like I said,
to to that in me et to try to do
better and continue to make those type of accomplishments on
in my career.

Speaker 1 (55:06):
Yeah. No, I mean the fact that you guys, you know,
we're just talking about Kawhi and not getting the MVP
love because of the teammates he played with. That was
always a question with you guys in Boston of sort
of you know, was someone going to be the odd
man out because of the all the talent, But you
guys were so good that no, bring bring three, Like
bring three from that team. You know, that's fine, that

(55:26):
kind of thing. And I think we're seeing that now
with some of the teams and who made it or
didn't make it in the All Star game this year.
You know, could you put two or three guys from
a team that isn't winning the way you guys were,
dough or like, I don't, I don't know.

Speaker 2 (55:39):
I mean I think it's been that's been part of
the factor too.

Speaker 1 (55:41):
So the fact that you were there, I think really
speaks to what a tight, strong team you guys were.
It's my opinion we got to move on to I'll
take that bet. I will take that bet presented by DraftKings.
I want to look at odds with who will be
the number one seed out West. Here are the odds
Denver plus one fifty five, minnesot plus two sixty, Clippers

(56:02):
plus two sixty five. Okay, see plus five hundred. So
looking at the odds, how much money you would get
back if you lay down one hundred?

Speaker 2 (56:10):
Though, who's better you're taking? Which better you're taking?

Speaker 5 (56:14):
I'm gonna take the Clippers all right to sixty five.

Speaker 4 (56:18):
I'm gonna take that one and play it and play
that bad. I think it'll be a safe bet for me.
Like I said, this is the history of who they
are and it's where they're going, you know, Like I
said that James is just getting started. They playing the
best best basketball in the last month Junior they were
really hot, so I think they'll continue there.

Speaker 5 (56:36):
The streak can go into the playoffs rolling with number one.

Speaker 7 (56:39):
Seed, I'm gonna have to I think I'm gonna have
to roll with one of the younger teams.

Speaker 6 (56:44):
I'm gonna go with Minnesota, Okay. See.

Speaker 7 (56:46):
And the reason the reason I say that is when
it comes to veteran teams later in the year, they
kind of have the tendency to, you know, take their
foot off the gas a little bit. It's more about
getting healthy, is more about you know, tuning up to
find things for the playoffs, so the games don't matter
as much. And these are two teams that have basically

(57:10):
been here before, so it's more about matchups. It's more
about getting the right seed. You kind of figure out
who you want to match up with in that first round,
things of that nature. So those things matter for teams
like that. When it comes to these young teams that
are just you know, obviously want to show they had
an incredible year, the regular season really matters to them.

Speaker 6 (57:29):
It matters to the coaches and things of that nature.

Speaker 7 (57:32):
So being able to say we were a number one
seed or a number two seed coming out of the West.
Those are great bragging points for those young teams. And obviously,
being young, you don't really give a damn who you
match up with. You're happy to be there. You want
to go out and just perform to the best of
the ability. And that's when it becomes a learning curve
for those young teams, after they make this first step

(57:54):
and then start to move forward. So I'm gonna go
with one of the younger teams, and okay, see in
minnesot I know I can't.

Speaker 6 (58:00):
I got to choose one, but I'm gonna put my
money on both.

Speaker 2 (58:04):
Well, Okay, See pays more, so you know he might
want to go for that one. If you're on the fence.
I think the Clippers will still care about getting the
number one seed.

Speaker 1 (58:11):
I just think that organization has been through so much
that the idea of becoming the number one seed in
the West would.

Speaker 2 (58:15):
Mean a lot to them.

Speaker 1 (58:16):
But I do agree with you it is about matchups
because someone is likely going to end up drawing the
Lakers or the Warriors in the first round as a
number eight seed, and I just think that whoever is
jacking for number one is going to care about that.

Speaker 2 (58:30):
So we'll see how that plays out.

Speaker 1 (58:34):
I do have to bring up last week's bet because
you took the bet boogie for the Gatorade shower at
the end of the Super Bowl.

Speaker 2 (58:42):
You said purple.

Speaker 1 (58:43):
I fell on on the job. I said orange, because
indeed it was purple.

Speaker 2 (58:47):
Congratulations, appreciate it with some moral victory.

Speaker 7 (58:52):
My dumb ass didn't put any money down, so.

Speaker 6 (58:57):
Made the right bed. Take my own bite, man.

Speaker 7 (59:01):
I think this has a more big three, and I
guess you'll just start listening to me when it's time
to take a bit seeing them on the right.

Speaker 2 (59:08):
Pa, I'm just saying, dough clear was also an option water.

Speaker 1 (59:17):
So you could have bet a lot of things last
week on draftkingspoort, but he went with He went with purple.
He was right, all right, y'all can catch all episodes
of Bullyball in the DraftKings Network. We're excited about that
the All the Smoke Productions YouTube channel. You can also
listen to us wherever you get your podcasts and be excited.

Speaker 2 (59:33):
You're going to see more of Jean Rondeau across our
entire network.

Speaker 1 (59:36):
I'm very, very pumped about this, dough welcome and especially.

Speaker 2 (59:41):
Here to bullyball. We're gonna have you on a lot,
so thank you so much. Catch the rest of you
next week.