February 19, 2024 • 39 mins
Marc Stein is in Indianapolis for All-Star Weekend and has interviews with longtime Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, TNT's Charles Barkley and Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II on this Direct From Indy special edition of The Saturday Stein Line.
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(00:04):
Welcome to the Saturday Steinline with MarkStein, presented by Benini Trading Cards and
Collectibles on ninety seven to one TheFreak, the official home to all Dallas
Nevericks games, hosted by legendary NBAreporter and publisher of his substackt The Steinline.
Here's Mark Stein. Hey, everybody, welcome in to the Saturday Steinline,
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presented as always by Panini Trading Cardsand Collectibles and emanating on this special
Saturday from Indianapolis. Yes, indeedthe three to one seven one of the
true Basketball Haven's honors. We're onthe road again. Listen, you know
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your host by now. Don't wantto be away from family. Hate it
when I'm separated from Greenhill School goalkeeperAaron Stein. When big sporting happenings are
taking place, I want to watchall that stuff with him. But I
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must also confess that, yes,I do love being back on the road
in the middle of the action.This is my first NBA trip of twenty
twenty four. Believe it or not, I know all Star weekend it is
not everybody's thing. I know.It's been very popular lately to register calendar
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complaints about how the NBA trade deadlineit's right before the Super Bowl and All
Star Weekend. It's right after thesuper Bowl, and we just had a
Super Bowl that maybe crossed over intothe mainstream more than ever because of the
tailor swift effect. But look,the NBA cannot worry about any of that.
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The NBA calendar, it's a verycomplex beast unto itself. There's a
very finite amount of time to geteighty two games played for thirty teams in
one hundred and eighty something days.And remember there is zero evidence in circulation
to suggest that NBA owners are goingto consider shortening the regular season. This
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is the way it is. AllStar Weekend lands where it lands. All
Star Weekend is here now, andI am physically in Indianapolis to take part
in it Gitalyso I am grateful forthat. So a hearty thank you to
start the show, first and foremostto Scott Shapiro, the senior VP at
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Fox Sports Radio. He's our bosson the podcast that I co host twice
a week alongside Chris Haynes of TurnerSports. That is an iHeart produced podcast
and music is our producer. ScottShapiro is our supervisor. This league Uncut
I hope you are a regular listenerof that podcast with Chris and Me,
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And a big reason why I'm hereis that iHeart wanted Chris and I doing
a special edition of the podcast livefrom the ground in Indianapolis in front of
a live audience here at the NBACrossover FanFest in Indy. With any luck
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fingers crossed, we think we havesecured a top shelf All Star participant guest
to join us. I do notwant to jinx it because schedules are so
dang fluid at All Star weekend,everyone gets pulled in a zillion different directions
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and I don't know what could happentomorrow morning, but we have to brace
for the fact that we are goingto get thrown a curveball. But if
our guest, if this schedule comesthrough a prominent newsmaker from the seasons opening
two thirds gonna be with us onthat NBA Crossover set, and it should
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be a really fun episode. Thereare zillions of shows and outlets and reporters
here all vying for the big get, but we're optimistic. Mister Shapiro sent
me here to make sure that Chrisand I would be together to team up
I've only seen Chris once this season. He did one game in Dallas.
It's the only time we've been together. We barely cross paths that night.
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You're probably seeing Chris all over yourTVs this weekend. He's doing a bunch
of different TNT work as part oftheir All Star weekend coverage. Really glad
I made it. Have to say. I'm having a blast. Always have
loved coming to Indianapolis. It isone of my favorite cities on the NBA
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map, always has been. I'vealready we manage this will also surprise no
one who knows me well or whofollows along. I have already managed to
sneak into my beloved Saint Elmo Steakhousefor the world's most sumptuous and famous shrimp
cocktail, a blazingly spicy shrimp cocktailshow. Sources say I might be returning
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to Saint Almo for a late lunchafter this very show. We also got
a lot of snow here Friday,which I absolutely loved. I am probably
in the minority there because the weatherreally did cause quite a bit of disruption
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Friday. It was snowing for hours. The flight into Indie on Friday for
a certain Luka Doncic, I'm toldwas delayed because of said weather, but
again selfishly speaking only, it iswintertime and I want wintertime on my substack.
On Tuesday, I'm hoping to publishan All Star weekend photo album.
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You guys, by now also knowyou're well acquainted with my limitations as a
photo journalist. Aaron Stein's other primaryoccupation besides high school student, is serving
as the photo editor of my substack. Unfortunately, he's not with me,
so will I Will I be ableto at least generate two or three
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printable photos to give you guys afeel for what the weather's been like.
Fingers crossed there, But yeah,I'm a visitor who doesn't have to drive
anywhere. Indy is compact enough youcan pretty much walk anywhere you need to
go, So that's why I've reallyenjoyed it. I don't mind the snow.
But yes, I'm probably on theshort list of people saying so the
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next two All Star Games, SanFrancisco and Los Angeles, too plush,
too sunny, too nice. Now, Look, I lived in southern California
for many years, so that onein twenty twenty six, that one will
have a bit of a homecoming feelthat I will surely embrace. The Clippers
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will be hosting that not in conjunctionwith the Lakers. The Clippers are going
to be hosting that All Star Gameat the new and Tuit Dome, which
isn't even finished yet, but thefact that the Clippers will be the main
hosts, I can tell you rightnow, I am really hoping and I
will be voicing this hope frequently overthe next two years, really hoping for
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some delicious retro Buffalo Braves gear tobe thrust into circulation. By then,
Mitchell and ness new era give itto us, give Buffalo Braves fans the
gear that they want to see.I really have my fingers crossed on that
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front. But yeah, in general, this is my kind of atmosphere.
Old school NBA city, traditional oldschool NBA and ABA City like Indianapolis.
Lots of former Pacers to see.Darnell Hillman, one of the greatest dunkers
ever. He's judging tonight's slam dunkcontest. I can still picture my first
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Darnell Hillman basketball card, although bythat point he was with the Nets.
What a great dunker he was.I really want to I'm really hoping somehow
I run into him somewhere this weekend. Lots going on later today at the
aforementioned NBA Crossover FanFest. I'm scheduledto join a panel with the Hall of
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Famer Grant Hill Chelsea Gray of theLas Vegas Aces. They'll both be representing
USA Basketball. Okay, okay,okay. I know you want MAVs talk.
I know you want to really laserin on what's going on with the
local squad. The Mavericks were twentysix and twenty three not too long ago.
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They reached the break at thirty twoand twenty three. Suddenly this team's
on a forty eight win pace.I know you want to talk MAVs winning
streak. I know you want totalk about how much the trades they've made
have changed the complexion of the team. Do not worry. You came to
the right place. We will havetons of it throughout the rest of this
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show. Tons of it. MarkCuban. On Friday, he was one
of the star attractions for the NBA'sannual Tech Summit. Cuban joins me.
In the next segment, we're goingto talk about the NBA trade deadline.
We're going to talk about how theMavericks are functioning on and off the court
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in the wake of both the tradedeadline and the recent sale of Cuban's majority
interest in the team to Patrick Dumontand Las Vegas Sans Court. The Cuban
Interview next segment after the break.In segment three, We're gonna have both
Derek Lively, the MAVs rookie centerand All Star Weekend participate for the first
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time and Charles Barkley, another Hallof Famer nowadays, as everyone knows,
he is the franchise player for TNTsinside the NBA squad. I got a
chance to hang out a bit withthe Chuckster on Thursday night. He talked
to me about the Luka, Doncicand Kyrie Irving partnership. And I'm saying
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this now having to fully acknowledge thatI was as loud as any naysayer out
there when this partnership first came together. But they have looked fantastic as a
duo since Kyrie Irving came back fromthe thumb spring that sidelined him for six
games, Dallas is six and zerowith Kyrie back in the lineup, and
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honestly, it's the chemistry between heand Luca that stands out for me.
They are clicking better than ever.You can visibly see it on the floor,
how much they enjoy playing together,playing off of each other, as
much as they have since they becameteammates. Now, I do think people
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have been getting a bit carried awaythis week in general by the six game
winning streak, talking about how beautifulthe statistical production is as a team.
I mean, look, the winstreak does include these last two games were
against Washington and San Antonio. Theseare teams the Mavericks are absolutely supposed to
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throttle, especially at home. SoI think people are getting a touch carried
away with some of the numbers we'veseen here in the last three games,
especially. But this All Star break, Yes, you can actually argue that
it came at a bad time forthe Mavericks because they were seriously starting to
roll. And for all the excitementabout the new arrivals Daniel Gafford and PJ.
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Washington. As relieved as the Maverickscertainly are that Derek Lively the second
is back from that broken nose.The cause for optimism really starts with how
well Luca and Kyrie are percolating intandem. And you know what, if
you don't believe it for me,listen here to ESPN's Tim Legler. Listen
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to how Legler breaks it down withAdam Mahrez on the All City Podcast.
Since they got gafferd he got PJ. Washington, but now you got Lively
out there as well. The depth, the athleticism of this team. Now
they're starting to look kind of scaryat him. They're starting to look scary
because of these two just forces offensivelythat when they play together and they play
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and sink the way that they havebeen so difficult trip by trip to figure
out how you're supposed to stop KyrieIrving and Luca Dogs And now you've got
all kinds of options around them.They've got shooting, they've got athletes running
at the rim, they've got betterrim protection. On the other end,
they've got lob targets, multiple lobtargets off pick and roll for both of
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these guards. Just impressed with whatDallas is doing. I know san Antonio
isn't very good. It's a bottomfeed r. I get it. It's
not about that, man, It'sabout what looking at Dallas and what they
have added, and what they looklike when Kyrie is this locked in,
how good they look at and theylook scary, and they look like a
team that nobody in the Western Conferenceshould even think about wanting to play in
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a seven game series. I meanthat everyone. We are just getting started
on this edition of the Saturday Styleline. Mark Cuban, Charles Barkley, Derek
Lively. The second I think we'vegot a bonus sprinkling of Daniel Gafford to
come as well at the end ofthe second segment that courtesy of our friends
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from the Downbeat. This is ajam packed, truly all star installment of
the Saturday Steinline, and the show, presented as always by Panini Trading Cards
and Collectibles, continues next after thebreak here on ninety seven Won the Freak.
This is the Saturday Steinline wuz MarkStein presented by Panini Trading Cards and
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Collectibles on your official homes all DallasMavericks Games ninety seven one the Freak.
The Saturday Steinline rolls on, presentedas always by Panini Trading Cards and Collectibles.
I am in Indianapolis for All StarWeekend, or at least I will
be by the time you guys actuallyhear this. So two is today's first
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guest, because the Mavericks actually havethree representatives at All Star Weekend in the
three to one seven Luca Dante,of course, playing in Sunday Nights Showcase.
We're back to an East versus Westformat. Derek Lively the second the
Rookie Center despite all of his miserableinjury luck man couple freakish ankle sprains a
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broken nose, but Lively has overcomeall of that. He earned a spot
in Friday Nights Panini Rising Stars Game, and yes, my Palace from Panini
sponsored that too. And now weare going to bring in Mavericks All Star
Weekend representative number three, the team'slongtime owner now alternate Governor, Mark Cuban.
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Welcome to ninety seven to won thefreak Stani. I don't know if
I like your radio voice. Idon't like my radio voice. I don't
like my non radio voice. Asa tweeter once famously said, you have
a face for radio and a voicefor print. So I have to do
(15:58):
it. I gotta live. Igotta live with both of those. I'm
guessing you actually do not know this. I'm guessing you haven't seen this.
The League sent out a list toutingall the speakers scheduled to appear Friday at
the Tech Summit, the annual NBATechnology Summit. To my great surprise,
to my shock, you were numberone on the list. I was first,
(16:23):
the first name on the press release. And not only that, you
are one spot ahead of Larry Bird. Dang. I think it's because I
got the eight am slot. That'swhy. Well, I'm gonna, I'm
gonna, I'm gonna grant you thatyou probably have the more sturdy and accomplished
tech resume than Larry Legend. Butstill, I don't know. I had
(16:48):
a like a really prime computer scienceprogram, you know, I'm sure he
took it. Yeah, in nineteenseventy seven, seventy eight, and seventy
nine. Still for you, that'sa that's gotta be one of your crowning
achievements. Who's says the League officedoes not like you that you're one on
the list. What is on thedocket for the Tech Summit? What are
you going to be talking about?I know you're always one of the invitees.
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Yeah, I mean, I've beendoing it every year, and honestly,
I have no idea, I justshow up. If it's tech,
I'll figure it out when they askme the questions and go from there.
But honestly, I like every singleyear, I don't know what we're talking
about, and then Ahmad Rashad startsor whoever Ernie Johnson or whoever the host
is is like, so, Mark, tell us what you think about da
(17:33):
da da da da, and thenwe go from there. So what are
the chances they ask you something thatyou're not ready for? None? All
right, if you say so.Now Indiana to have the All Star Game
there this You obviously grew up inPittsburgh, as everyone knows what you went
to college in Indiana, I haveto imagine there is some semblance of a
homecoming feel for you. This weekend. Yeah, a bunch of my college
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buddies are coming up for the gameand to hang out and get some drinks
and pretend we're eighteen and all thatkind of stuff again. So I'm looking
forward to that side. I'm notsure if I'll get a chance to drive
down to Bloomington, which is likeforty five minutes away. I'll definitely see
some of my college friends. MavericksAlternate Governor Mark Cuban joining us here on
ninety seven to one the Threek onthe Saturday Steinline presented by Panini Trading Cards
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and Collectibles. Of course we gotto talk trades the Mavericks. Now about
a week removed from the trade deadline. From your seat, how do you
think you guys did with really threemoves you made? Because the trade with
Oklahoma City to acquire that extra firstround pick had to be a separate transaction,
So a busy trade deadline last Thursdayfor the maps, How did you
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guys? Do? I think wedid great? I mean, you know,
if our game against Oklahoma City andthe fourth quarter against Washington is any
indication, I mean, the restof the season is looking good. You
know, we solved some problems.We got more athletic, we got longer,
We got a center that compliments dLive really well, so we can
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have rim protection forty eight minutes agame. You know, PJ. Washington
gives us someone who not only candefend, and if you've watched them these
first two games, has worked hardat really setting a reputation as the defender
but also can attack a close outand rebound and finish a lob. You
know, the athleticism and length thatwe added is really important to us,
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and I think we degree. Ithink you know me well enough by now
to know that I'm always going tobring up the flip side, because,
as you always say, I'm agrumpy old man now and I have to
be the contrarian here. You guysdid surrender quite a bit to make these
moves happen, and now between twentytwenty seven and twenty thirty, you either
have traded the first round pick oryou've surrendered control of it. So how
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much win now pressure does it thrustreally on everyone after making these moves.
That's not really the way we lookat it, right. What it comes
down to is if we need toimprove further, and every team always does
every year, we got a lotyounger. You know, we only have
two rotation players Maxi and Kai thatare over twenty five, and assets who
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play, contribute and have realistic contractsare the equivalent of a first round pick
these days. And so you know, we don't feel like as much like
we gave up a first round pick. We just feel like, you know,
we drafted PJ and we drafted Gaffand you know they're I don't want
to call them valuable assets because Iwant them to be around for a long
time. But if it comes downto that, they're They're very tradable.
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I think it looks like on Luca'sface though, you can see he's pretty
happy with the changes. I mean, how much just does that factor in
to the way you guys approach this, Oh, it's very much important.
You want to keep your superstar happy. You know. It was the same
with Dirk. It's the same withLuca. You know, you want him
to come to the gym every gameexcited and feeling like he's got the pieces
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he needs. And you know,the smile of Luca's face. The last
couple of games has been self evident. Mark Cuban with us here on ninety
seven to one the Freak. Thiswas also an eventful week for the team
because obviously Patrick Dumont made his firsttrip to Dallas took in his first game.
What was it like for you tobe in that host role and show
your new business partner around? Itwas great. I've known Patrick for a
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long time. We're good friends.You know, we like each other.
He's going to be great as theprimary owner for the MAVs. He wants
to win. He's really likable andeasy to get along with, and so
I think, I mean, it'sgoing to pay a huge dividends for all
of us. Let's close with this. I asked Nico Harrison, the MAVs
GM the same question when he cameon last week's show. How different was
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this trade deadline because there is nowa new majority owner of the team.
You know, you haven't been inthat scenario in almost twenty five years,
So what was it like? Whatwas this deadline like for you? The
same? You know? I guessthe only difference is, you know,
we both call Patrick and talk tohim and say, okay, here where
HEAs that, just to explain tohim what's going on. But other than
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that, there was no real difference. All right, sir, I look
forward to crossing paths with you inIndianapolis. Thanks the Mill for doing this,
and enjoy your college reunion. Iwill Steini, thanks for having me
on. All right, We've stillgot one more segment to come here on
the Saturday Steinline. More coverage fromAll Star weekend in Indianapolis. That's next
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here on ninety seven to one TheFreak. It's the Saturday Steinline with Mark
Stein presented by Panini Trading Cards andCollectibles on your official homes Dallas Mavericks Games
ninety seven on a Freak. Thisis Durtin Wwitzky and you're listening to the
Saturday Steinline with my guys Steiny onninety seven to one the Freak. Thanks
(22:48):
everyone for sticking with us here onthe Saturday Steinline, presented as always by
Panini Trading Cards and Collectibles. Weare coming to you from Indianapolis Friday.
We could say it was snowy IndianapolisAll Star Weekend, which tonight, of
course brings All Star Saturday, theDunk Contest, the Three Point Contest,
(23:11):
the Showdown from behind the line betweenStephen Curry and Sabrini and Escu a page
out of the Billy Jean King v. Bobby Riggs book. We had Mark
Cuban on with us here in thelast segment. Cuban, of course,
one of the headliners for the NBA'sannual Text Summit on Friday morning. I've
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got two more mini interviews to comehere from Indy in this segment. First
though, I want to issue thisimportant reminder. If you the listener,
want to be part of this show, if you want to be heard on
this show, if you want tobe an out loud on the air contributor
(23:56):
to the Saturday Steinline. I've madethis. Please repeatedly. The offer is
on the table. It shall remainon the table, even though the NBA's
trade deadline is now in the rearviewmirror. If you have the iHeartRadio app,
download it on your phone, clickto it. You will see near
(24:18):
the bottom there's a microphone icon.Press the microphone icon and then you can
record a thirty second message that becomesan instant contender to air on the Saturday
Styleline. Get some NBA thoughts offyour chest, or ask me a question
(24:38):
NBA related or otherwise, whatever itis you want me to address and deal
with here on the radio. Wewill make you a star. We will
make it happen. Try this featureon the iHeart Radio app. Okay,
trust me, try it. Youwill like it. So this week there
(25:03):
was a lot of national commentary aboutthe Dallas Mavericks, much of it getting
the local fan base all riled upfurious with the national narrative about this team.
If you're asking me personally, Ithink it's all mostly meaningless. I
(25:26):
don't know why the local fandom atthis point, after all these years in
the social media era, Why whyare people worried about what Brian Winhurst thinks
about the Mavericks or Richard Jefferson.It's just one pundit's opinion or two pundits
or whatever. Not every pundit isgoing to like your team or your championship
(25:52):
chances. So what none of thisis really affecting Luka Doncic. He's not
only having a monster season, it'shis best season yet. He's on course
to win his first scoring title,which would be the first scoring title by
any Dallas Maverick. He is insanelypopular worldwide. You can make the case
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he's the most popular international player we'veever seen, bar maybe Yao Ming,
and obviously Yao Ming benefited from beingfrom a country with a massive population to
pump in All Star votes. Lucagets more All Star votes in today's NBA
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than pretty much anyone in the league. He's got endorsements galore. He is
the star of Jordan brand. Heis their number one. Luka Doncic number
one on Michael Jordan's sneaker selling team. Now, granted, I'll give you
this, He's not as high inMVP projections as probably many of you would
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like to see that. I getthat, I am stand that is a
valid concern, But that's not dueto the supposed narrative or whatever is being
discussed on an afternoon NBA show duringthe week. The reality is that the
Mavericks, until this recent run ofsix straight wins heading into the All Star
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Break, they were too close tofive hundred for Luca to have a real
NBA shot. Now, if youdig into the facts, injuries are obviously
a huge part of that. Therewas a very telling stat that circulated this
week about how the Mavericks other projectedstarters around Luca have missed three times as
many games as the starters in Denverwho flank Nikola Jokic or the starters in
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Milwaukee who flank Janis Antetokumpo. Especiallythe starters in Oklahoma City who surround Shay
Gildas Alexander the Thunder have been superhealthy if you compare them to the MAVs.
Still, it's unavoidable that MVP votersare likely going to ignore all that
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They're going to focus on the teamrecord. That is just the way it
is. But two thirds of theway through the season, you can still
say maybe early is the wrong adjective, but there is still one third of
the season to go. The MVPrace has not been decided, and this
Mavericks team, it's starting to looklike a different team since the trade deadline.
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Again, I said this in thefirst segment. I think people are
getting a little carried away with postdeadline numbers that included the wins over bottom
feeders like Washington and San Antonio.But there's still time for Luca to make
an MVP surge. That race isby no means over, and Joel Embiid
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he obviously is not going to rejointhat race. He's not gonna play anywhere
near sixty five games this season.All of that is the prey dude to
say that I have a surprise foryou on this topic, a gift for
you from All Star weekend. We'regonna hear from Derek Lively the second soon.
But first first, I've got almosttwo minutes with TNT's Charles Barkley absolutely
(29:15):
loving on the Mavericks of Dallas.Here's me with the Chuckster from Thursday night,
about an hour before the TNT crewwent on the air. With a
live pregame show from the NBA CrossoverStage here in Indianapolis. When Dallas put
Luke and Kyrie together, what didyou think? I didn't think it would
ever work, and I still didn'tthink it was gonna work. But I
(29:37):
think I really, I said ontelevision, I thought they really got better
doing a trade deadline. I said, you know, the Nicks had a
good trade line. I thought thatMavericks had a really good trade deadline.
Cause they needed another because cause theydon't have to just try to outscore people.
But they needed another big body.And I think gafferd is guy.
(30:00):
And I can say I said thatnight we were on television, now and
says man Dallas had I really likedwhat they did because the Luke and Kyrie
are never gonna be great to fail. They gonna they just want to try
to outscore people. And they gottwo nuclear weapons. Now they got some
more weapons with PJ with Hardaway,and but they needed another big guy,
(30:22):
and I think Gaffard is that guy. Now the problem they got is man
the West. It's gonna be interesting. What's gonna be crazy is I think
the Clippers and Denvers are the twobest teams in the West in my opinion.
But man, if you're Oklahoma,city of Minnesota, can you imagine
playing the Pelicans and the Sons inthe first round. I'm probably gonna take
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the Pelicans and the Suns. ButDallas, man, they got they got
a puncher's chance. Now I reallydo I say, I thought they had
a great trade dead line and theygot a puncher chance, and that's all
you can ask for. I gotit to you. It has become really
for me one of the highlights ofany All Star Weekend that I attend.
At this point in my career.TNT very kindly invites a small pack of
(31:11):
writers local TV stations. We getto come in there and visit with the
Chuckster and Kenny Smith and Carrollton residentShaquille O'Neil. We get to do that
before they start their work for theweekend. And Charles Barkley, to this
day, in his sixties now,he still fills up the notebook like no
(31:34):
other. I really feel fortunate tohave broken in to NBA coverage when I
did, and had the chance inmy younger days to be there when Charles
Barkley would sit at his locker foralmost the entire pregame access period forty five
minutes. Sometimes these TNT settings remindme of that Chuckster as a Houston Rocket,
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just talking to reporters for the wholethe whole time pregame locker rooms were
open. It just doesn't happen likethat anymore in today's NBA. So I
could have probably run. I couldhave done ten more clips from Charles Barkley
takes on all kinds of NBA headlinesubjects. But had I done that,
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I wouldn't have had time for ournext guest, who I know you want
to hear from MAVs rookie center DerekLively. The second played in Friday Night's
Panini Rising Stars Game. Shout outto my pals from Panini getting the title
sponsor nod for the Baby All StarGame, as Jason Kidd loves to call
(32:43):
it, the Friday Night Showcase,which features first year players, second year
players, some G leaguers. DerekLively participated. Let's go now to my
chat with d Live from when Icaught up with him Thursday afternoon. He
had just completed his tour of theAll Star weekend media circuit, the car
(33:04):
Wash, as it's known Here here'smy chat with Derek Lively here in the
lobby of the Player Hotel at AllStar Weekend with Maverick Center Derek Lively.
The second I know you just kindof got here and you're still kind of
soaking it all in. But whatdo you think so far of this extravaganza.
You know, it's definitely an amazingexperience. You know, there's a
lot of people here and there's alot of movie pieces, and you just
(33:27):
got to be able to be gratefulfor being able to be put in this
position. Two years ago you werein high school and now you are the
starting center for a team that's tryingto build a champion around Luka Nantic and
Kyrie Irving. When you hear that, what goes through your head? Really?
Do just you tant to be ableto just set up to the table.
You know, there's a lot ofthings being asked of me, and
you just got to be able tosay yes and be able to just provide
(33:47):
for what they need and to tryto do even more from what they ask.
If I would have talked to youthe day before training camp, what
would you have said your expectations werefor this season? Because I'm guessing you've
exceeded them by this point. Reallyjust get out there to try to win
and do whatever it takes to affectwinning, you know, go out there
and to try to be able tofight for respect and just try try to
(34:08):
fight for my spot. And that'swhat I've done going into the draft.
How aware of the MAVs interest inyou were you? I mean, I
didn't really know where I was goingto be. I was hopeful, but
I didn't really know because I heardthat there was rumors that they were going
to take do a trade for adifferent big, but you know, they
traded for me, and I'm gratefulfor it. Who was the other big
(34:29):
you heard them thinking about. Ithink it was like it was Clint Capella
and there was like another big thatI forget. So when you heard you're
going to Dallas, what was yourimmediate reaction? I was umper for joy.
You know, it was a perfectfit for me, and I knew
that there's some place I could gothere and have an immediate impact. And
then I think back to opening night, because you started all through the preseason,
(34:51):
and the MAVs didn't start you onOpening night because they were trying to
lessen the pressure on you, butby halftime you would convince them to change
that strategy. What did you thinkopening night when they said, hey,
we want to bring you just alonga little bit slower. It's really just
waiting for my name to be called, just being there and just sitting sitting
winning, for my opportunity to showwhat I can do. And as soon
(35:12):
as my name got called, Iset up to the plate and just tried
to do what I could do.And just in general, how are you
feeling? Obviously you have had somecrazy bad injury luck in your first NBA
season. How are you in generalwith the nose and everything else that's happened.
You know, it's been going throughadversity, It's nothing new for me.
Just being able to know that Igot to take care of my mind,
my body to make sure I cando whatever I can on the NBA
courts, whatever it takes, towhatever I gotta do to make sure my
(35:35):
body's right. When you came tothe MAVs, obviously you had summer league
and training camp, but just toto to strike up a chemistry with Luca,
how quickly did that come? Ithink it was the first day we
played five on five. Yeah,first day on five on five. It
was probably the fifth pass. Everybodyin the gym was like, Yep,
they're good, They're they're they're perfect. And do you remember when that was?
(35:59):
Was that like just before training camp? I guess, yeah, before
training camp? Actually, yes,it was right around then. So I
mean, I remember I was inLa the night that you had that terrible
landing off the rim and it lookedso awful, and I just remember you
were in the back hall and Ikind of felt like you were trying to
calm everybody down, like I'm fine, I'm fine. Everybody was so worried.
(36:20):
You seem a lot older than yourage. Where do you think that
comes from? Uh? You know, me and my mom been through a
lot of things when I was akid. So just growing up growing up
fast as a kid has definitely helpedme whenever I get into positions like this.
So I always had to try tohave the not my best interest,
but the team's best interest in mind. And what here in Indianapolis? What
do you want to see most?What do you want to do most?
(36:43):
Who do you want to meet most? Have you thought about those kind of
things? Can't wait to see Luca, can't wait to see old teammates,
old friends, you know, oldrivals, just being able to be out
here. I want to just havea good time, learn a lot,
and just be able to just absorba new experience with the broken nose.
Was there any concern that you wouldn'tbe able to play this for sure?
But I had to be able tomake sure that I paid in Wednesday night's
(37:04):
games that I could play here,so being able to know that I'm feeling
good. I felt good in thegame, So I'm just making steps forward
and trying to get back to whoit was. How do you think it
went with a mask in general?How hard was that to play with?
It's definitely an adjustment, but youknow, he does whatever it takes.
It's like taping your ankles. Youjust got to make sure you protect your
faces time. Thanks for stopping,have a great weekend. Congrats on a
great first half season as a math. Thank you going all right, everyone,
(37:28):
I think that's gonna do it fortoday's endeavors from All Star Weekend here
in Indianapolis. Many thanks to thethree guests we managed to score for this
week's All Star Special, Mark Cuban, Charles Barkley, and Derek Lively the
second. Enjoy the festivities We've gotAll Star Saturday tonight on TNT. The
(37:49):
All Star Game itself Sunday Night,of course, with Luka Doncic starting for
the Western Conference. We will beback next Saturday with another edition of the
Saturday Steinline. After the All Starbreak, the season, of course,
resumes Thursday night with a home dateagainst Phoenix and early TNT tip off six
thirty pm. That for radio purposes, you know where to find it right
(38:12):
here on the Freak, Kevin Grayon the pregame show, Chuck Cooperstein and
Brad Davis on the call six thirtyearly tip mas playing host to the Suns
and their super team trio. We'llsee if we see all three sons and
that one. Thank you to theUltimate Glue Guy Groups for his considerable efforts
to help me put this show togetherfrom Indianapolis. It really did require more
(38:37):
glue and assembly than you guys wouldever know. Thank you to Maddy g
back in Dallas for making sure itall flowed and aired as it should.
And remember use that iHeart app,the iHeartRadio app, click the microphone icon,
make your voice heard here on theSaturday steinline, I would love to
(38:57):
incorporate you into next Saturday show.All right, that does it. Next
up it's Vsen Sports Map Radio hereon ninety seven, won the Freak
Welcome to the Saturday Steinline with MarkStein, presented by Benini Trading Cards and
Collectibles on ninety seven to one TheFreak, the official home to all Dallas
Nevericks games, hosted by legendary NBAreporter and publisher of his substackt The Steinline.
Here's Mark Stein. Hey, everybody, welcome in to the Saturday Steinline,
(00:28):
presented as always by Panini Trading Cardsand Collectibles and emanating on this special
Saturday from Indianapolis. Yes, indeedthe three to one seven one of the
true Basketball Haven's honors. We're onthe road again. Listen, you know
(00:54):
your host by now. Don't wantto be away from family. Hate it
when I'm separated from Greenhill School goalkeeperAaron Stein. When big sporting happenings are
taking place, I want to watchall that stuff with him. But I
(01:14):
must also confess that, yes,I do love being back on the road
in the middle of the action.This is my first NBA trip of twenty
twenty four. Believe it or not, I know all Star weekend it is
not everybody's thing. I know.It's been very popular lately to register calendar
(01:38):
complaints about how the NBA trade deadlineit's right before the Super Bowl and All
Star Weekend. It's right after thesuper Bowl, and we just had a
Super Bowl that maybe crossed over intothe mainstream more than ever because of the
tailor swift effect. But look,the NBA cannot worry about any of that.
(02:00):
The NBA calendar, it's a verycomplex beast unto itself. There's a
very finite amount of time to geteighty two games played for thirty teams in
one hundred and eighty something days.And remember there is zero evidence in circulation
to suggest that NBA owners are goingto consider shortening the regular season. This
(02:23):
is the way it is. AllStar Weekend lands where it lands. All
Star Weekend is here now, andI am physically in Indianapolis to take part
in it Gitalyso I am grateful forthat. So a hearty thank you to
start the show, first and foremostto Scott Shapiro, the senior VP at
(02:47):
Fox Sports Radio. He's our bosson the podcast that I co host twice
a week alongside Chris Haynes of TurnerSports. That is an iHeart produced podcast
and music is our producer. ScottShapiro is our supervisor. This league Uncut
I hope you are a regular listenerof that podcast with Chris and Me,
(03:10):
And a big reason why I'm hereis that iHeart wanted Chris and I doing
a special edition of the podcast livefrom the ground in Indianapolis in front of
a live audience here at the NBACrossover FanFest in Indy. With any luck
(03:31):
fingers crossed, we think we havesecured a top shelf All Star participant guest
to join us. I do notwant to jinx it because schedules are so
dang fluid at All Star weekend,everyone gets pulled in a zillion different directions
(03:52):
and I don't know what could happentomorrow morning, but we have to brace
for the fact that we are goingto get thrown a curveball. But if
our guest, if this schedule comesthrough a prominent newsmaker from the seasons opening
two thirds gonna be with us onthat NBA Crossover set, and it should
(04:12):
be a really fun episode. Thereare zillions of shows and outlets and reporters
here all vying for the big get, but we're optimistic. Mister Shapiro sent
me here to make sure that Chrisand I would be together to team up
I've only seen Chris once this season. He did one game in Dallas.
It's the only time we've been together. We barely cross paths that night.
(04:36):
You're probably seeing Chris all over yourTVs this weekend. He's doing a bunch
of different TNT work as part oftheir All Star weekend coverage. Really glad
I made it. Have to say. I'm having a blast. Always have
loved coming to Indianapolis. It isone of my favorite cities on the NBA
(04:57):
map, always has been. I'vealready we manage this will also surprise no
one who knows me well or whofollows along. I have already managed to
sneak into my beloved Saint Elmo Steakhousefor the world's most sumptuous and famous shrimp
cocktail, a blazingly spicy shrimp cocktailshow. Sources say I might be returning
(05:21):
to Saint Almo for a late lunchafter this very show. We also got
a lot of snow here Friday,which I absolutely loved. I am probably
in the minority there because the weatherreally did cause quite a bit of disruption
(05:41):
Friday. It was snowing for hours. The flight into Indie on Friday for
a certain Luka Doncic, I'm toldwas delayed because of said weather, but
again selfishly speaking only, it iswintertime and I want wintertime on my substack.
On Tuesday, I'm hoping to publishan All Star weekend photo album.
(06:05):
You guys, by now also knowyou're well acquainted with my limitations as a
photo journalist. Aaron Stein's other primaryoccupation besides high school student, is serving
as the photo editor of my substack. Unfortunately, he's not with me,
so will I Will I be ableto at least generate two or three
(06:26):
printable photos to give you guys afeel for what the weather's been like.
Fingers crossed there, But yeah,I'm a visitor who doesn't have to drive
anywhere. Indy is compact enough youcan pretty much walk anywhere you need to
go, So that's why I've reallyenjoyed it. I don't mind the snow.
But yes, I'm probably on theshort list of people saying so the
(06:48):
next two All Star Games, SanFrancisco and Los Angeles, too plush,
too sunny, too nice. Now, Look, I lived in southern California
for many years, so that onein twenty twenty six, that one will
have a bit of a homecoming feelthat I will surely embrace. The Clippers
(07:09):
will be hosting that not in conjunctionwith the Lakers. The Clippers are going
to be hosting that All Star Gameat the new and Tuit Dome, which
isn't even finished yet, but thefact that the Clippers will be the main
hosts, I can tell you rightnow, I am really hoping and I
will be voicing this hope frequently overthe next two years, really hoping for
(07:34):
some delicious retro Buffalo Braves gear tobe thrust into circulation. By then,
Mitchell and ness new era give itto us, give Buffalo Braves fans the
gear that they want to see.I really have my fingers crossed on that
(07:55):
front. But yeah, in general, this is my kind of atmosphere.
Old school NBA city, traditional oldschool NBA and ABA City like Indianapolis.
Lots of former Pacers to see.Darnell Hillman, one of the greatest dunkers
ever. He's judging tonight's slam dunkcontest. I can still picture my first
(08:18):
Darnell Hillman basketball card, although bythat point he was with the Nets.
What a great dunker he was.I really want to I'm really hoping somehow
I run into him somewhere this weekend. Lots going on later today at the
aforementioned NBA Crossover FanFest. I'm scheduledto join a panel with the Hall of
(08:41):
Famer Grant Hill Chelsea Gray of theLas Vegas Aces. They'll both be representing
USA Basketball. Okay, okay,okay. I know you want MAVs talk.
I know you want to really laserin on what's going on with the
local squad. The Mavericks were twentysix and twenty three not too long ago.
(09:03):
They reached the break at thirty twoand twenty three. Suddenly this team's
on a forty eight win pace.I know you want to talk MAVs winning
streak. I know you want totalk about how much the trades they've made
have changed the complexion of the team. Do not worry. You came to
the right place. We will havetons of it throughout the rest of this
(09:26):
show. Tons of it. MarkCuban. On Friday, he was one
of the star attractions for the NBA'sannual Tech Summit. Cuban joins me.
In the next segment, we're goingto talk about the NBA trade deadline.
We're going to talk about how theMavericks are functioning on and off the court
(09:48):
in the wake of both the tradedeadline and the recent sale of Cuban's majority
interest in the team to Patrick Dumontand Las Vegas Sans Court. The Cuban
Interview next segment after the break.In segment three, We're gonna have both
Derek Lively, the MAVs rookie centerand All Star Weekend participate for the first
(10:09):
time and Charles Barkley, another Hallof Famer nowadays, as everyone knows,
he is the franchise player for TNTsinside the NBA squad. I got a
chance to hang out a bit withthe Chuckster on Thursday night. He talked
to me about the Luka, Doncicand Kyrie Irving partnership. And I'm saying
(10:31):
this now having to fully acknowledge thatI was as loud as any naysayer out
there when this partnership first came together. But they have looked fantastic as a
duo since Kyrie Irving came back fromthe thumb spring that sidelined him for six
games, Dallas is six and zerowith Kyrie back in the lineup, and
(10:54):
honestly, it's the chemistry between heand Luca that stands out for me.
They are clicking better than ever.You can visibly see it on the floor,
how much they enjoy playing together,playing off of each other, as
much as they have since they becameteammates. Now, I do think people
(11:16):
have been getting a bit carried awaythis week in general by the six game
winning streak, talking about how beautifulthe statistical production is as a team.
I mean, look, the winstreak does include these last two games were
against Washington and San Antonio. Theseare teams the Mavericks are absolutely supposed to
(11:39):
throttle, especially at home. SoI think people are getting a touch carried
away with some of the numbers we'veseen here in the last three games,
especially. But this All Star break, Yes, you can actually argue that
it came at a bad time forthe Mavericks because they were seriously starting to
roll. And for all the excitementabout the new arrivals Daniel Gafford and PJ.
(12:03):
Washington. As relieved as the Maverickscertainly are that Derek Lively the second
is back from that broken nose.The cause for optimism really starts with how
well Luca and Kyrie are percolating intandem. And you know what, if
you don't believe it for me,listen here to ESPN's Tim Legler. Listen
(12:28):
to how Legler breaks it down withAdam Mahrez on the All City Podcast.
Since they got gafferd he got PJ. Washington, but now you got Lively
out there as well. The depth, the athleticism of this team. Now
they're starting to look kind of scaryat him. They're starting to look scary
because of these two just forces offensivelythat when they play together and they play
(12:54):
and sink the way that they havebeen so difficult trip by trip to figure
out how you're supposed to stop KyrieIrving and Luca Dogs And now you've got
all kinds of options around them.They've got shooting, they've got athletes running
at the rim, they've got betterrim protection. On the other end,
they've got lob targets, multiple lobtargets off pick and roll for both of
(13:16):
these guards. Just impressed with whatDallas is doing. I know san Antonio
isn't very good. It's a bottomfeed r. I get it. It's
not about that, man, It'sabout what looking at Dallas and what they
have added, and what they looklike when Kyrie is this locked in,
how good they look at and theylook scary, and they look like a
team that nobody in the Western Conferenceshould even think about wanting to play in
(13:41):
a seven game series. I meanthat everyone. We are just getting started
on this edition of the Saturday Styleline. Mark Cuban, Charles Barkley, Derek
Lively. The second I think we'vegot a bonus sprinkling of Daniel Gafford to
come as well at the end ofthe second segment that courtesy of our friends
(14:03):
from the Downbeat. This is ajam packed, truly all star installment of
the Saturday Steinline, and the show, presented as always by Panini Trading Cards
and Collectibles, continues next after thebreak here on ninety seven Won the Freak.
This is the Saturday Steinline wuz MarkStein presented by Panini Trading Cards and
(14:28):
Collectibles on your official homes all DallasMavericks Games ninety seven one the Freak.
The Saturday Steinline rolls on, presentedas always by Panini Trading Cards and Collectibles.
I am in Indianapolis for All StarWeekend, or at least I will
be by the time you guys actuallyhear this. So two is today's first
(14:50):
guest, because the Mavericks actually havethree representatives at All Star Weekend in the
three to one seven Luca Dante,of course, playing in Sunday Nights Showcase.
We're back to an East versus Westformat. Derek Lively the second the
Rookie Center despite all of his miserableinjury luck man couple freakish ankle sprains a
(15:15):
broken nose, but Lively has overcomeall of that. He earned a spot
in Friday Nights Panini Rising Stars Game, and yes, my Palace from Panini
sponsored that too. And now weare going to bring in Mavericks All Star
Weekend representative number three, the team'slongtime owner now alternate Governor, Mark Cuban.
(15:37):
Welcome to ninety seven to won thefreak Stani. I don't know if
I like your radio voice. Idon't like my radio voice. I don't
like my non radio voice. Asa tweeter once famously said, you have
a face for radio and a voicefor print. So I have to do
(15:58):
it. I gotta live. Igotta live with both of those. I'm
guessing you actually do not know this. I'm guessing you haven't seen this.
The League sent out a list toutingall the speakers scheduled to appear Friday at
the Tech Summit, the annual NBATechnology Summit. To my great surprise,
to my shock, you were numberone on the list. I was first,
(16:23):
the first name on the press release. And not only that, you
are one spot ahead of Larry Bird. Dang. I think it's because I
got the eight am slot. That'swhy. Well, I'm gonna, I'm
gonna, I'm gonna grant you thatyou probably have the more sturdy and accomplished
tech resume than Larry Legend. Butstill, I don't know. I had
(16:48):
a like a really prime computer scienceprogram, you know, I'm sure he
took it. Yeah, in nineteenseventy seven, seventy eight, and seventy
nine. Still for you, that'sa that's gotta be one of your crowning
achievements. Who's says the League officedoes not like you that you're one on
the list. What is on thedocket for the Tech Summit? What are
you going to be talking about?I know you're always one of the invitees.
(17:11):
Yeah, I mean, I've beendoing it every year, and honestly,
I have no idea, I justshow up. If it's tech,
I'll figure it out when they askme the questions and go from there.
But honestly, I like every singleyear, I don't know what we're talking
about, and then Ahmad Rashad startsor whoever Ernie Johnson or whoever the host
is is like, so, Mark, tell us what you think about da
(17:33):
da da da da, and thenwe go from there. So what are
the chances they ask you something thatyou're not ready for? None? All
right, if you say so.Now Indiana to have the All Star Game
there this You obviously grew up inPittsburgh, as everyone knows what you went
to college in Indiana, I haveto imagine there is some semblance of a
homecoming feel for you. This weekend. Yeah, a bunch of my college
(17:56):
buddies are coming up for the gameand to hang out and get some drinks
and pretend we're eighteen and all thatkind of stuff again. So I'm looking
forward to that side. I'm notsure if I'll get a chance to drive
down to Bloomington, which is likeforty five minutes away. I'll definitely see
some of my college friends. MavericksAlternate Governor Mark Cuban joining us here on
ninety seven to one the Threek onthe Saturday Steinline presented by Panini Trading Cards
(18:21):
and Collectibles. Of course we gotto talk trades the Mavericks. Now about
a week removed from the trade deadline. From your seat, how do you
think you guys did with really threemoves you made? Because the trade with
Oklahoma City to acquire that extra firstround pick had to be a separate transaction,
So a busy trade deadline last Thursdayfor the maps, How did you
(18:42):
guys? Do? I think wedid great? I mean, you know,
if our game against Oklahoma City andthe fourth quarter against Washington is any
indication, I mean, the restof the season is looking good. You
know, we solved some problems.We got more athletic, we got longer,
We got a center that compliments dLive really well, so we can
(19:03):
have rim protection forty eight minutes agame. You know, PJ. Washington
gives us someone who not only candefend, and if you've watched them these
first two games, has worked hardat really setting a reputation as the defender
but also can attack a close outand rebound and finish a lob. You
know, the athleticism and length thatwe added is really important to us,
(19:25):
and I think we degree. Ithink you know me well enough by now
to know that I'm always going tobring up the flip side, because,
as you always say, I'm agrumpy old man now and I have to
be the contrarian here. You guysdid surrender quite a bit to make these
moves happen, and now between twentytwenty seven and twenty thirty, you either
have traded the first round pick oryou've surrendered control of it. So how
(19:47):
much win now pressure does it thrustreally on everyone after making these moves.
That's not really the way we lookat it, right. What it comes
down to is if we need toimprove further, and every team always does
every year, we got a lotyounger. You know, we only have
two rotation players Maxi and Kai thatare over twenty five, and assets who
(20:08):
play, contribute and have realistic contractsare the equivalent of a first round pick
these days. And so you know, we don't feel like as much like
we gave up a first round pick. We just feel like, you know,
we drafted PJ and we drafted Gaffand you know they're I don't want
to call them valuable assets because Iwant them to be around for a long
time. But if it comes downto that, they're They're very tradable.
(20:30):
I think it looks like on Luca'sface though, you can see he's pretty
happy with the changes. I mean, how much just does that factor in
to the way you guys approach this, Oh, it's very much important.
You want to keep your superstar happy. You know. It was the same
with Dirk. It's the same withLuca. You know, you want him
to come to the gym every gameexcited and feeling like he's got the pieces
(20:55):
he needs. And you know,the smile of Luca's face. The last
couple of games has been self evident. Mark Cuban with us here on ninety
seven to one the Freak. Thiswas also an eventful week for the team
because obviously Patrick Dumont made his firsttrip to Dallas took in his first game.
What was it like for you tobe in that host role and show
your new business partner around? Itwas great. I've known Patrick for a
(21:18):
long time. We're good friends.You know, we like each other.
He's going to be great as theprimary owner for the MAVs. He wants
to win. He's really likable andeasy to get along with, and so
I think, I mean, it'sgoing to pay a huge dividends for all
of us. Let's close with this. I asked Nico Harrison, the MAVs
GM the same question when he cameon last week's show. How different was
(21:41):
this trade deadline because there is nowa new majority owner of the team.
You know, you haven't been inthat scenario in almost twenty five years,
So what was it like? Whatwas this deadline like for you? The
same? You know? I guessthe only difference is, you know,
we both call Patrick and talk tohim and say, okay, here where
HEAs that, just to explain tohim what's going on. But other than
(22:03):
that, there was no real difference. All right, sir, I look
forward to crossing paths with you inIndianapolis. Thanks the Mill for doing this,
and enjoy your college reunion. Iwill Steini, thanks for having me
on. All right, We've stillgot one more segment to come here on
the Saturday Steinline. More coverage fromAll Star weekend in Indianapolis. That's next
(22:27):
here on ninety seven to one TheFreak. It's the Saturday Steinline with Mark
Stein presented by Panini Trading Cards andCollectibles on your official homes Dallas Mavericks Games
ninety seven on a Freak. Thisis Durtin Wwitzky and you're listening to the
Saturday Steinline with my guys Steiny onninety seven to one the Freak. Thanks
(22:48):
everyone for sticking with us here onthe Saturday Steinline, presented as always by
Panini Trading Cards and Collectibles. Weare coming to you from Indianapolis Friday.
We could say it was snowy IndianapolisAll Star Weekend, which tonight, of
course brings All Star Saturday, theDunk Contest, the Three Point Contest,
(23:11):
the Showdown from behind the line betweenStephen Curry and Sabrini and Escu a page
out of the Billy Jean King v. Bobby Riggs book. We had Mark
Cuban on with us here in thelast segment. Cuban, of course,
one of the headliners for the NBA'sannual Text Summit on Friday morning. I've
(23:34):
got two more mini interviews to comehere from Indy in this segment. First
though, I want to issue thisimportant reminder. If you the listener,
want to be part of this show, if you want to be heard on
this show, if you want tobe an out loud on the air contributor
(23:56):
to the Saturday Steinline. I've madethis. Please repeatedly. The offer is
on the table. It shall remainon the table, even though the NBA's
trade deadline is now in the rearviewmirror. If you have the iHeartRadio app,
download it on your phone, clickto it. You will see near
(24:18):
the bottom there's a microphone icon.Press the microphone icon and then you can
record a thirty second message that becomesan instant contender to air on the Saturday
Styleline. Get some NBA thoughts offyour chest, or ask me a question
(24:38):
NBA related or otherwise, whatever itis you want me to address and deal
with here on the radio. Wewill make you a star. We will
make it happen. Try this featureon the iHeart Radio app. Okay,
trust me, try it. Youwill like it. So this week there
(25:03):
was a lot of national commentary aboutthe Dallas Mavericks, much of it getting
the local fan base all riled upfurious with the national narrative about this team.
If you're asking me personally, Ithink it's all mostly meaningless. I
(25:26):
don't know why the local fandom atthis point, after all these years in
the social media era, Why whyare people worried about what Brian Winhurst thinks
about the Mavericks or Richard Jefferson.It's just one pundit's opinion or two pundits
or whatever. Not every pundit isgoing to like your team or your championship
(25:52):
chances. So what none of thisis really affecting Luka Doncic. He's not
only having a monster season, it'shis best season yet. He's on course
to win his first scoring title,which would be the first scoring title by
any Dallas Maverick. He is insanelypopular worldwide. You can make the case
(26:15):
he's the most popular international player we'veever seen, bar maybe Yao Ming,
and obviously Yao Ming benefited from beingfrom a country with a massive population to
pump in All Star votes. Lucagets more All Star votes in today's NBA
(26:36):
than pretty much anyone in the league. He's got endorsements galore. He is
the star of Jordan brand. Heis their number one. Luka Doncic number
one on Michael Jordan's sneaker selling team. Now, granted, I'll give you
this, He's not as high inMVP projections as probably many of you would
(26:57):
like to see that. I getthat, I am stand that is a
valid concern, But that's not dueto the supposed narrative or whatever is being
discussed on an afternoon NBA show duringthe week. The reality is that the
Mavericks, until this recent run ofsix straight wins heading into the All Star
(27:18):
Break, they were too close tofive hundred for Luca to have a real
NBA shot. Now, if youdig into the facts, injuries are obviously
a huge part of that. Therewas a very telling stat that circulated this
week about how the Mavericks other projectedstarters around Luca have missed three times as
many games as the starters in Denverwho flank Nikola Jokic or the starters in
(27:44):
Milwaukee who flank Janis Antetokumpo. Especiallythe starters in Oklahoma City who surround Shay
Gildas Alexander the Thunder have been superhealthy if you compare them to the MAVs.
Still, it's unavoidable that MVP votersare likely going to ignore all that
(28:06):
They're going to focus on the teamrecord. That is just the way it
is. But two thirds of theway through the season, you can still
say maybe early is the wrong adjective, but there is still one third of
the season to go. The MVPrace has not been decided, and this
Mavericks team, it's starting to looklike a different team since the trade deadline.
(28:27):
Again, I said this in thefirst segment. I think people are
getting a little carried away with postdeadline numbers that included the wins over bottom
feeders like Washington and San Antonio.But there's still time for Luca to make
an MVP surge. That race isby no means over, and Joel Embiid
(28:52):
he obviously is not going to rejointhat race. He's not gonna play anywhere
near sixty five games this season.All of that is the prey dude to
say that I have a surprise foryou on this topic, a gift for
you from All Star weekend. We'regonna hear from Derek Lively the second soon.
But first first, I've got almosttwo minutes with TNT's Charles Barkley absolutely
(29:15):
loving on the Mavericks of Dallas.Here's me with the Chuckster from Thursday night,
about an hour before the TNT crewwent on the air. With a
live pregame show from the NBA CrossoverStage here in Indianapolis. When Dallas put
Luke and Kyrie together, what didyou think? I didn't think it would
ever work, and I still didn'tthink it was gonna work. But I
(29:37):
think I really, I said ontelevision, I thought they really got better
doing a trade deadline. I said, you know, the Nicks had a
good trade line. I thought thatMavericks had a really good trade deadline.
Cause they needed another because cause theydon't have to just try to outscore people.
But they needed another big body.And I think gafferd is guy.
(30:00):
And I can say I said thatnight we were on television, now and
says man Dallas had I really likedwhat they did because the Luke and Kyrie
are never gonna be great to fail. They gonna they just want to try
to outscore people. And they gottwo nuclear weapons. Now they got some
more weapons with PJ with Hardaway,and but they needed another big guy,
(30:22):
and I think Gaffard is that guy. Now the problem they got is man
the West. It's gonna be interesting. What's gonna be crazy is I think
the Clippers and Denvers are the twobest teams in the West in my opinion.
But man, if you're Oklahoma,city of Minnesota, can you imagine
playing the Pelicans and the Sons inthe first round. I'm probably gonna take
(30:47):
the Pelicans and the Suns. ButDallas, man, they got they got
a puncher's chance. Now I reallydo I say, I thought they had
a great trade dead line and theygot a puncher chance, and that's all
you can ask for. I gotit to you. It has become really
for me one of the highlights ofany All Star Weekend that I attend.
At this point in my career.TNT very kindly invites a small pack of
(31:11):
writers local TV stations. We getto come in there and visit with the
Chuckster and Kenny Smith and Carrollton residentShaquille O'Neil. We get to do that
before they start their work for theweekend. And Charles Barkley, to this
day, in his sixties now,he still fills up the notebook like no
(31:34):
other. I really feel fortunate tohave broken in to NBA coverage when I
did, and had the chance inmy younger days to be there when Charles
Barkley would sit at his locker foralmost the entire pregame access period forty five
minutes. Sometimes these TNT settings remindme of that Chuckster as a Houston Rocket,
(31:59):
just talking to reporters for the wholethe whole time pregame locker rooms were
open. It just doesn't happen likethat anymore in today's NBA. So I
could have probably run. I couldhave done ten more clips from Charles Barkley
takes on all kinds of NBA headlinesubjects. But had I done that,
(32:22):
I wouldn't have had time for ournext guest, who I know you want
to hear from MAVs rookie center DerekLively. The second played in Friday Night's
Panini Rising Stars Game. Shout outto my pals from Panini getting the title
sponsor nod for the Baby All StarGame, as Jason Kidd loves to call
(32:43):
it, the Friday Night Showcase,which features first year players, second year
players, some G leaguers. DerekLively participated. Let's go now to my
chat with d Live from when Icaught up with him Thursday afternoon. He
had just completed his tour of theAll Star weekend media circuit, the car
(33:04):
Wash, as it's known Here here'smy chat with Derek Lively here in the
lobby of the Player Hotel at AllStar Weekend with Maverick Center Derek Lively.
The second I know you just kindof got here and you're still kind of
soaking it all in. But whatdo you think so far of this extravaganza.
You know, it's definitely an amazingexperience. You know, there's a
lot of people here and there's alot of movie pieces, and you just
(33:27):
got to be able to be gratefulfor being able to be put in this
position. Two years ago you werein high school and now you are the
starting center for a team that's tryingto build a champion around Luka Nantic and
Kyrie Irving. When you hear that, what goes through your head? Really?
Do just you tant to be ableto just set up to the table.
You know, there's a lot ofthings being asked of me, and
you just got to be able tosay yes and be able to just provide
(33:47):
for what they need and to tryto do even more from what they ask.
If I would have talked to youthe day before training camp, what
would you have said your expectations werefor this season? Because I'm guessing you've
exceeded them by this point. Reallyjust get out there to try to win
and do whatever it takes to affectwinning, you know, go out there
and to try to be able tofight for respect and just try try to
(34:08):
fight for my spot. And that'swhat I've done going into the draft.
How aware of the MAVs interest inyou were you? I mean, I
didn't really know where I was goingto be. I was hopeful, but
I didn't really know because I heardthat there was rumors that they were going
to take do a trade for adifferent big, but you know, they
traded for me, and I'm gratefulfor it. Who was the other big
(34:29):
you heard them thinking about. Ithink it was like it was Clint Capella
and there was like another big thatI forget. So when you heard you're
going to Dallas, what was yourimmediate reaction? I was umper for joy.
You know, it was a perfectfit for me, and I knew
that there's some place I could gothere and have an immediate impact. And
then I think back to opening night, because you started all through the preseason,
(34:51):
and the MAVs didn't start you onOpening night because they were trying to
lessen the pressure on you, butby halftime you would convince them to change
that strategy. What did you thinkopening night when they said, hey,
we want to bring you just alonga little bit slower. It's really just
waiting for my name to be called, just being there and just sitting sitting
winning, for my opportunity to showwhat I can do. And as soon
(35:12):
as my name got called, Iset up to the plate and just tried
to do what I could do.And just in general, how are you
feeling? Obviously you have had somecrazy bad injury luck in your first NBA
season. How are you in generalwith the nose and everything else that's happened.
You know, it's been going throughadversity, It's nothing new for me.
Just being able to know that Igot to take care of my mind,
my body to make sure I cando whatever I can on the NBA
courts, whatever it takes, towhatever I gotta do to make sure my
(35:35):
body's right. When you came tothe MAVs, obviously you had summer league
and training camp, but just toto to strike up a chemistry with Luca,
how quickly did that come? Ithink it was the first day we
played five on five. Yeah,first day on five on five. It
was probably the fifth pass. Everybodyin the gym was like, Yep,
they're good, They're they're they're perfect. And do you remember when that was?
(35:59):
Was that like just before training camp? I guess, yeah, before
training camp? Actually, yes,it was right around then. So I
mean, I remember I was inLa the night that you had that terrible
landing off the rim and it lookedso awful, and I just remember you
were in the back hall and Ikind of felt like you were trying to
calm everybody down, like I'm fine, I'm fine. Everybody was so worried.
(36:20):
You seem a lot older than yourage. Where do you think that
comes from? Uh? You know, me and my mom been through a
lot of things when I was akid. So just growing up growing up
fast as a kid has definitely helpedme whenever I get into positions like this.
So I always had to try tohave the not my best interest,
but the team's best interest in mind. And what here in Indianapolis? What
do you want to see most?What do you want to do most?
(36:43):
Who do you want to meet most? Have you thought about those kind of
things? Can't wait to see Luca, can't wait to see old teammates,
old friends, you know, oldrivals, just being able to be out
here. I want to just havea good time, learn a lot,
and just be able to just absorba new experience with the broken nose.
Was there any concern that you wouldn'tbe able to play this for sure?
But I had to be able tomake sure that I paid in Wednesday night's
(37:04):
games that I could play here,so being able to know that I'm feeling
good. I felt good in thegame, So I'm just making steps forward
and trying to get back to whoit was. How do you think it
went with a mask in general?How hard was that to play with?
It's definitely an adjustment, but youknow, he does whatever it takes.
It's like taping your ankles. Youjust got to make sure you protect your
faces time. Thanks for stopping,have a great weekend. Congrats on a
great first half season as a math. Thank you going all right, everyone,
(37:28):
I think that's gonna do it fortoday's endeavors from All Star Weekend here
in Indianapolis. Many thanks to thethree guests we managed to score for this
week's All Star Special, Mark Cuban, Charles Barkley, and Derek Lively the
second. Enjoy the festivities We've gotAll Star Saturday tonight on TNT. The
(37:49):
All Star Game itself Sunday Night,of course, with Luka Doncic starting for
the Western Conference. We will beback next Saturday with another edition of the
Saturday Steinline. After the All Starbreak, the season, of course,
resumes Thursday night with a home dateagainst Phoenix and early TNT tip off six
thirty pm. That for radio purposes, you know where to find it right
(38:12):
here on the Freak, Kevin Grayon the pregame show, Chuck Cooperstein and
Brad Davis on the call six thirtyearly tip mas playing host to the Suns
and their super team trio. We'llsee if we see all three sons and
that one. Thank you to theUltimate Glue Guy Groups for his considerable efforts
to help me put this show togetherfrom Indianapolis. It really did require more
(38:37):
glue and assembly than you guys wouldever know. Thank you to Maddy g
back in Dallas for making sure itall flowed and aired as it should.
And remember use that iHeart app,the iHeartRadio app, click the microphone icon,
make your voice heard here on theSaturday steinline, I would love to
(38:57):
incorporate you into next Saturday show.All right, that does it. Next
up it's Vsen Sports Map Radio hereon ninety seven, won the Freak
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