December 2, 2025 • 48 mins
Isaiah and C.J. discuss Thanksgiving basketball in the Bahamas, whether the Oklahoma City Thunder can win 73 games this season, if the Mike Brown-led Knicks can finally get over the hump, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and the evolution of Lakers leadership, how the Wizards can make an organizational u-turn, the Clippers recent history of mishandling veteran players, how NBA players create their handshakes & Isaiah’s upcoming documentary, Go Forward.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Welcome to Point Game. I'm CJ. Toldano and I'm joined
by my co host Isaiah Thomas. This week we're talking
thunder Knicks Lakers, another installment and no days off, talking
about everything going on the league. And also we have
a big special announcement happening at the end of the show,
so you got to stay tuned for that. So first
of all, I got to ask my guy here, Isaiah Thomas.
(00:33):
I t how was your Thanksgiving?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Man? Thanksgiving was good.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Got to got to spend time with the family, see
some extended family.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
It was. It was a good time with a lot.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Of smiles and full stomachs, so it was it was
a really good time.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
We needed that. How was your Thanksgiving?
Speaker 1 (00:53):
It was good?
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Man.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
I actually I went to the Bahamas want to uh, actually,
I don't know if you ever do you ever go
to Atlantis? I know that there's a lot of bat
I've been there.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
A couple of times.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's it's a good family spot. But
then it was also it was funny just like every
every corner you turn, there was like a six to
eight point like point forward, you know, from a college team,
and myself was just like looking up to them, and
I was just like, yep, Dada works with a lot
of these players. So we got a chance to watch
some basketball and then go down some slides and stuff.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
So and that's dope.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
One time I was in Atlantas, I've been there like
three or four times. One time me and Jamal Crawford
took a like a family vacation.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Right. This was like early on in my career, my
second or third year.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
And anytime me and Jamal are like together, we find
places to play hoop. Yeah, and you know the basketball
courts over there, yeah, yeah, Yeah. We played five on
five with just regular locals one time and just we
was busting their ass.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
But it was dope because like that was like dope.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Memories for us, just to find a court somewhere so
far away from home and for it to feel as
comfortable as home does.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Just playing like we normally do back at the crib.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
That's crazy. I was talking to all the locals there
and they were telling me like it's an underrated basketball town.
Nasa Mohammas and had VJ. Edgecombe actually just came came
out of there from there, buddy, heel. There's a lot
of guys out of there, so it's not a surprise
that you found some Hoopers there pretty immediately.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Yeah, it was. It was it was some good bump.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
They They definitely didn't get a win against this, but
it was it was good competition.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
But yeah, and then I came home to snowy Indianapolis,
which was a crazy My brain is still kind of
like going crazy because I went from sunny Bahamas and
then a snowstorm here in Indy.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Ah. Yeah, that's tough. So that's a tough deal right there.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
I'm getting adjusted. But I did get a chance to
watch a lot of ball over the break. I wanted
to start off the show because it feels like, you know,
it's almost kind of boring, but it's like they're the
beasts that that can't be beaten right now. But the
Oklahoma City Thunder, we haven't talked about them too much
on the show, but now they're twenty and one. They
just got Jalen Williams back, and I just want to
(03:08):
ask you, like, do you think there is any team
even close to them in the league right now? Like
we are we setting ourselves up to see another repeat
from the Oklahohoma City Thunder here.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
I think they're putting theirselves in position. For sure, they
look scary. They look like the most together team. It's
even scarier that they're twenty and one in Jalen Williams
only play I think two games, maybe three, So that
says a lot about their organization, their coaching staff, their team,
everybody down the line is a line to capture another championship.
(03:44):
So it's definitely scary because we haven't seen them at
full strength yet. But you know, the regular season is
the regular season, and I think come playoffs there'd be
a couple of teams that can test how good they are.
But for right now, they're head and shoulders above each
and every team in the league right.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Now, Like they've obviously had one of the craziest starts,
one of the best starts in NBA history. Like do
you think, you know, with teams like this, we've seen
it with like the Warriors seventy three win Warriors and
the Bulls back in the nineties, do you think that
this is a team even if it's not important, Is
this a team that is setting themselves up? Do they
or do they have an opportunity to maybe even break
that record?
Speaker 3 (04:21):
I think it's still early but I mean they started
off well. I don't think any team wants that record though,
Like what do you mean, Like even the Warriors, Like
they didn't win it that year when they had that record,
and I remember that whole season because I think they
started twenty eight games in a row. You know, my
Celtics was one of the teams to beat them boys.
But I think it's just a lot of added pressure
(04:43):
that you don't want. Like, obviously, it's a good thing,
and to be able to break a record like that
and to be able to be considered one of the
greatest records sleason teams in NBA history is super cool.
But I think there's a lot of pressure that comes
with that. Like if you ask anybody on the Warriors
team that beat the Bulls record, like there was a
lot of pressure, unwanted pressure each and every week, each
(05:06):
and every game when it really shouldn't be that so obviously,
like if you if you can't break the record, you
want to, but I think the pressure of doing it
is unnecessary for a team who is such in good
spirits and good vibes and got good energy around them.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
That's super That's super interesting because I've never actually even
heard that sort of angle on it, like, yeah, so
you kind of want to have a team that goes
through some trials and tribulations. They're kind of like war
ready when they when they hit the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Yeah, it's like that's like in the NFL going what's
sixteen and oh seventeen and oh Patriots and then the
first that's what I'm saying, the first the first round
or the first time you're in the playoffs, you take
your first air.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
You haven't really been through some real adversity.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Obviously, it's hard to win seventy three and nine, seventy
four and eight, Like.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
That's an amazing feat.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
I just know when I was competing against those Warriors
and just being in that space, like it was a
lot of pressure that you probably really don't want when
you're having a successful season like that.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Yeah, and then obviously injuries, it just the dynamics can change.
And yeah, like you said, you got to go through
that adversity. It makes even stronger going into the important
moments for sure. So that's fascinating. There's a team in
the East though that you know, we've been impressed by
them over the years, but they haven't been able to
quite get over the hump. I'm talking about the New
York Knicks, where they've had an incredible start here. They
(06:27):
won the last eleven out of fourteen. New coach with
Mike Brown, so definitely a culture change. What do you
think about them over in the East with the Pacers,
you know sort of out with all those injuries. You know,
it's the Pistons are number one, But the Knicks that
finally you know, they're healthy, they got everyone, they got
the new coach, Mike Brown. What do you think about them?
(06:48):
Do you think this is their year to finally get
over the hump and maybe make the finals, maybe you know,
take a shot at the title.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I think that would be good for the NBA for sure,
for New York to have it. Obviously, anytime New York
has a great team is good for the NBA. To
see that New York in the finals would be amazing,
just because I remember what the last time they went
was ninety nine, the lockout year, I think it was,
and I was ten years old. Just seeing those you know,
(07:14):
seeing the atmosphere and seeing the energy that the city
brings when New York has a good team, shout out
to you know, Jalen Brunson, Kat Jordan Clarkson, who is
an amazing addition with with with you know, one of
the best six.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Men in the league. I think they got an opportunity
for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Detroit Detroit Pistons is going to be a tough matchup
because they're they're they're yelling really well. They got a
young core as well that's really good, and they lay
their hat on the defensive end, which like the Knicks
do as well. So that would be a great match
up to see New York Detroit play against each other
in in in the NBA playoffs. But I think it's
(07:59):
still a little early to to to say they can
they can get to the finals. Obviously they went to
the Eastern Conference finals last year, but they still got
a lot of things to work on, Like their offense
isn't great right now, and I know they have a
good they have a new coach, so that everybody's trying
to jail and figure that out and be comfortable in
(08:21):
that setting.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
But I think they got a chance. But it's still
a little early.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
It's only twenty some games and we got to see
how their whole team shakes out.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
It's uh yeah, when I'm sort of noticing because obviously
Thibodeau was such a veteran coach known for his you know,
his defensive mindset. But honestly, a lot of the guys
were playing. I think people were saying, like a lot
of the guys are getting too much run, you know,
some injuries were happening. But Mike Brown is interesting to
me because I've noticed a lot that culture change is
(08:54):
more more I guess fun. You know, like you were
talking about the Knicks being a great defensive team. They
started doing this thing, kind of like a turnover chain
thing that a lot of culture ball teams do. What
a defensive player of the game. They award one of
the Knixt players a pair of times and a hard hat,
which is, like you, I would never see Tims do
(09:15):
something like that, And the fact that Mike Brown, Mike Brown,
is the mind behind it is interesting.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Look, look, Tims ain't a part of the culture at all.
He has his own way and he's sticking to that way.
Mike Brown's trying to be a part of the culture.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Man.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You gotta you you you're in New York. You gotta
be a part of the Tims culture. The hard hat
bringing your your lunch, bringing your lunch box to work
every day, like all of that really matters. So to
see Mike Brown be able to, you know, try to
change the culture in a fun aspect. Try to get
those guys to smile and have fun as you need
(09:49):
in today's game, it says a lot about who Mike
Brown is. So it seems like those guys are having
a good time. You know, with Thibodau, he's not subbing nobody,
so everybody's tired from.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
The start of the game to the end of the game.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
So it seemed like a little little things are changing
over here, and maybe those little things are going to
get them over the hump this season.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
That's true. Okay, let me ask you this hard question then,
and this is a fast forward. And like you said,
it's early in the season. But say the Pistons end
up shutting down this nix the Nova Cats Knicks you know,
come playoffs. Is that experiment sort of over you think
with the Nova guys plus cat you know, do you
think it's they got to blow that up or they
(10:31):
got to make some big changes on that roster.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
I think you only have a small window to try
to win a championship, and then you got to look
on to what's next. Obviously they got a good group
of guys, but what this would be what their second year,
the third year together? Yeah, that core, So you definitely
have if they don't get there, Like if they don't
reach the finals.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
I think you got to figure something out.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
If they reach the finals, that's added step to what
they got going on and they'll continue to get better.
But if they don't, you got some big decisions I'm
coming up, especially with with Karl Anthony Towns. You got
a couple other guys on that roster that that get
value and you can shake up to look forward to
what's next in the future.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
Yeah, that's interesting. Okay, I want to go over to
the West. I don't even talk about it that much,
but the Lakers, who are my team and the team
you played for a couple of times, they are honestly,
like anyone who's been paying attention to the Lakers the
last few years, it's been Lebron's team. Obviously one of
the greatest to ever play.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
And then they made the move for Luca and because
you know, after several years a D, they're wanting a
D to sort of take that team be the leader.
Let Lebron sort of take that that that back seat
to the whole to the whole ride. But the Lakers
are currently sitting second in the West. The backcourt I
think is the major headline here because not only is
Luca back to being Luca, but Austin Reeves is a
(11:55):
guy who went undrafted and is now putting up numbers
and this has been going around showing averaging a better
stat line in several categories over superstars like KD, Anthony Edwards,
and I think the Devin Booker. So let me ask
you if you watch them, like what is going on
with the Lakers now that is really working and having them,
(12:16):
you know, having the strong start, and what do you
think about Austin Reeves? Like how does a guy like
that go undrafted to now having these crazy stat lens
and playing all star in superstar level?
Speaker 3 (12:27):
First off, we gotta find somebody to blame on them,
twenty nine teams that didn't pick Austin Reeves up in
the draft. Even we could blame the Lakers too, like
you didn't draft them either, like you waited to the
summer league. It's like, who's messing up on these decisions
on a guy that's averaging twenty nine points a game
right now, that makes no sense. And every time he's
(12:50):
had an opportunity each and every year, he's taking full
advantage of it and raised his his level of play
each and every year. So we got to figure who
to blame on each team, first off on making a
mistake of.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Not the draft ar.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
But on top of that, the guy can hoop like
he's a flat out hooper. He's taking advantage of his opportunity.
He's definitely the clearcoach second option right now. It's hard
to say that because we've seen Lebron James, who was
arguably the best player ever, never be the second option,
let alone the third option. And I think for them
(13:28):
to be a really good team, and they've been playing
well to start this season, Lebron James has to be
the third option, like there's no way around it, because
lucas the first option. Austin reeves for the most part,
twenty twenty five games in, you are who you are. Like,
I'm not saying he's going to average twenty nine with
Lebron coming back, but I can see him.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Averaging twenty five.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
He's still there.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Then, Lebron and then Lebron averaging twenty to twenty two
to twenty three points a game and still being that
X fact to come the playoffs because when you're doubling Luca,
when you got to put extra bodies on Austin Reeves
at times.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Now Lebron James is in single coverage in the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
It's crazy.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
That's that's only going to help the Lakers down the stretch.
So I didn't see this coming. I don't think anybody
else seen this coming to where they will play this
well with Lebron James obviously being hurt most of the
season but definitely slowly coming back into into into shape,
into rhythm, into the form that he's used to coming
back in. So we're we're gonna see, like the Lakers
(14:37):
definitely look like a really good team. But the one
thing I would say about the Lakers, their bench is trash.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
So in the in.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
The in the playoffs, you're gonna have to have some
some guys on the bench that can give you real minutes,
and they can give you spotty minutes, but play a
role and be very play it at a high level
to be success because that's a lot of production from
obviously Luca, which can handle that. We haven't really seen
(15:07):
Austin Reeves go in the playoffs and average twenty five,
so that's still questionable. And then Lebron James is in
year twenty three, Like, yes, he's gonna beat Lebron James,
but like it's gonna be tough as well for him.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
But it's exciting to see them in a good space.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
I'm excited to see where Luca takes this team for
the rest of the season and into the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
That's a great take because that bench and like you said,
when it gets into the deep of the playoffs and
like it's these guys who you didn't see it in
the regular season come off that bench to put that
in like I can't. I know that bench has been
changing constantly for the Lakers, and we actually in that
shout out DeAndre Ayton too has been having a crazy season,
(15:54):
like the guys just the starter's output has been pretty incredible.
But after a full season, after a deep playoff run, like,
who are we going to count on coming in? You know,
when the when the guys in at the top aren't
getting it done, Like who's gonna come in and get.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
That That's what I'm saying. So like that's that's tough
like and how they play. Obviously they're they're top heavy
on the starters, like they're gonna play those guys their
minutes that they deserve. But like, can Vanderbilt give you something?
Can he hit corner threes? Can can when Marcus Smart
comes back?
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Is he starting?
Speaker 3 (16:26):
Is he coming off the bench? Can he bring that
same energy he used to bring in Boston when you
know he was just an exceptional role player that helped
the championship contending team get there. And then you got
to go down the line, or a guy like Jackson
Hay is going to be able to give you what
he's given you in the in the in the regular season.
(16:46):
Is that going to be able to translate in the playoffs?
So there's a lot of unanswered questions, But also you
got to give a shout out to the coaching staff
who is putting JJ Redick, who was putting those guys
in position to be successful early on in this season.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Can I ask you a very real question because you've
played on Lebron teams before, and I think as a fan,
I've seen Lebron affect some of these young guys, these
new players who step on to a roster with Lebron,
and it's kind of especially with the young guys, it
can kind of just be watching him, and I think, like,
to me, honestly, the benefit that the Lakers had this
(17:22):
year was Lebron wasn't playing to start off the season,
so these guys went out there and they didn't have
to worry about him by making the right decision, they
were just hoopmant. So is that a real like theory.
I feel like some some fans kind of have that
theory of like people are trying to make sure that
they're playing within Lebron's system and not just playing their
game or playing you know, what the coach is playing
(17:42):
is out there.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
I mean, yeah, lebron system is the system.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
Yeah, so you're gonna have to adjust to him at
the end of the day, and that is tough for
some role players. But I think he understands where he's
at in his career. He's still gonna be, you know,
somewhat of Lebron James, but this is Luca team and
I think he's handling it great. Like this is the
first year in twenty three years where it hasn't been
(18:07):
Lebron James's team and the whole world knows that. So
I think, I mean, knowing Lebron, He's going to handle
it great. He's still going to be who he is
come you know, winning time, come playoff time, come time
where he has to impact winning.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
Austin, You're gonna have to move.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
Over a little bit, and you know, watch arguably the
greatest player figure this thing out. But I think they
all complement each other in a great way, those three,
and we just got to see those role players be
able to step up and give really good production come playoff.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Tops, Welcome back to point game.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
Now.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
We talked about some teams that are having some success
this season, but I wanted to talk about a couple
of teams, a young team and a team with some
vets on it that aren't that aren't it. We were
talking to Break and I was like, I, you got
to stop because we've got to save some of this
from the pod. So the first team I want to
talk about is a team full of young guys who
I feel like have just been in rebuilding forever. I
(19:06):
feel like they've been in rebuilding since you Isaiah Thomas
the Washington Wizards We've had some high draft picks they
and they're just they're sitting at two and sixteen right
now and just showing no signs of progress. So I
kind of just wanted to get from your standpoint, like
what is going on with that team and what needs
to happen for them to show any improvement.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
They're not going to show in any improvement. They're in
a stage right now to where they're rebuilding. They got
a lot of young guys, they're going to have high
draft picks. They got to give those guys reps to develop.
And this is just happens in the NBA every few
years to where a team's just going to be really bad,
especially a team that's very young and a team that
(19:47):
it's hard for those guys to get free, big time
free agents to go there. And not to say anything
bad about the Wizards organization, especially when I was there,
they showed me a lot of love. They gave me
a chance when nobody would really give me a chance
when I was really hurt, and so I got real
love for the Washington Wizards.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
They're just in a tough spot right now in terms
of having vets that need to be on winning teams.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Championship teams because that's what they bring to teams, and
then having real young guys that need the opportunity to
play and show that they're worth something. So they're in
a bad spot right now, but it's one of those
rebuilding spots where it's going to take a few years
to get a big time free agent and to make
(20:35):
something happen in the summer with free agency, and then
to build on their young guys because they got a
good group of young guys. But you just can't win
with guys that's never been in situations to win. And
like I said, those older guys are at a point
in their career. Yeah they're vets, and yeah they're helping
those young guys, but they're trying to win. They're not
(20:55):
trying to waste any valuable years that they still have.
So it's a tough situation there with the Wizards, But
there's a few teams that have a tough those type
of situations that it's going to be a few years
till things turn around.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
Well, so what can they pick up from, you know,
teams that were in their position. I mean, just what
was it two years ago the Pistons were on a
losing streak that was pretty historic. I think it was
like twenty some in a row.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Yeah, yeah, they were bad.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
To look at them number one in the East right now,
even like OKC or even the Pacers who made to
the finals last year, What are some traits from those
teams that they can pick up to maybe sort of
mimic and get them out of this run?
Speaker 2 (21:31):
So I could, I could.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
The Pacers, they've made big trades, like they got Allan Burton.
That was a big time trade that they like changed
the trajectory of their organization.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
But under the ragion right, because it's like Halliburton wasn't
talked about.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
For sure, he wasn't. But those are the things that
you have to do.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
You gotta go through the draft, you gotta get trades,
You gotta pick up somewhat of a star in free agency.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
They picked up Pascal Siakam.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
That was a big piece, I think with the Wizards,
or we can go with Detroit. You got Kate Cunningham.
You didn't know he was going to be this good,
but he had the potential to be this good. You
got a whole new front office in between those years,
you let go of coach, got a whole new coaching
staff in between those years and then started to get
(22:20):
valuable vets in there that can still play at a
high level. But most importantly, this is the right type
of people first and foremost. So it's steps that you
have to take to be able to change organizations, but
you also have to have patients and you have to
have some luck as well. So the Wizards are in
the process of that. I don't know how long it's
(22:42):
going to take. I think Brooklyn is another team that's
in the process of that. This is going to struggle
for a while, But those are two organizations that you
would love to live in a city like Washington, d C.
You would love to live in a city like Brooklyn.
So I don't see them being bad for too much
longer because they can get a free agent. But it's
(23:04):
it's going to be a lot of patience for sure.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Yeah, Well, to go to the other team that I
was mentioned at the top of this segment, who is
a veteran team who has shown some great success in
the last few years, is the Los Angeles Clippers, right
who are just having sort of an atrocious season right here,
and everyone's wondering why there's been some weird stuff being
said by the vets on there. As soon as that
(23:27):
starts happening, you know that there's some things that can't
really be fixed. You know, they got Tyler, They got
guys over there who've done it and are sitting near
the bottom of the West. So what are you seeing
that's going on over there? And what do they need
to fix?
Speaker 2 (23:41):
I don't know if they could fix what thing go
going on?
Speaker 3 (23:45):
Really, you can tell just me being around the league
is all internal, like it's all inside the roster, inside
that locker room, inside that organization.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Whatever is going on over there, you can.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
See it with these those game interviews from their superstar players,
from their coach. They're saying things that a team that's
really together just doesn't say. And a championship contending team
at that the roster is just like going into the season,
I thought there would be a team that can compete
for a championship, but the roster is saying otherwise, And
(24:21):
I think something has to happen soon. Last summer they
gave up a guy that was really good for them
at Norman Powell.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
They didn't really get nothing back in return.
Speaker 3 (24:32):
So I just think they're in a tough spot right now,
from top to bottom. They got stuff to figure out,
and obviously they got outside influence as well with the
stuff they got going on with other things.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
So I see that thing not changing or not turning around.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
Obviously they can because they're a veteran group that's been
through the trenches at points in their career.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
But that's a tough pill to swallow.
Speaker 3 (24:56):
Man, they got blasted by the Miami Heat.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
That was like, that was like, I mean so disrespectful.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
So even the Dallas Maverick game, like Cooper flag at
thirty five, it seems like they're just not together on
both ends of the floor.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
And it's a tough situation to be in.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
So that's something to look forward to to see if
the Clippers can turn this around or they're just going
to dig a deeper hole throughout the season.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Well, and even in this situation or like where they're
currently standing, how they can continue to just leave CP
on the bench.
Speaker 3 (25:30):
It's like, what are we doing, Like, let's not disrespect
the Hall of Famer. Yes he's not Chris Paul from
when he played for the Clippers years ago, but it's
a guy that was really successful on the Spurs last
year played all eighty two games. What did you bring
them in for to be a VET a VET presence
on a veteran team, Like, what are we doing?
Speaker 1 (25:51):
So?
Speaker 2 (25:52):
I think they got a lot of decisions to make.
They got to figure some things out.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
But I know one thing a guy like him can
can can get that can turn that group around. And
just in terms of his leadership, what he brings to
the table. And I'm not necessarily saying play him thirty
minutes playing, but put him in there, like he can't
he can't make things worse than they are right now.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
Exactly. I feel like they even kind of did that
to John Wall when he was there, like he was
getting limited minutes. I know he was bad on some
injuries as well, but I don't know, It's like it's interesting.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
I mean, I mean, not to cut you off to there,
but they've done that to Westbrook, They've done that to
a few veterans that they brought in. They've done that
to DeMarcus Cousins a few years ago. Like you're bringing
these guys in and not giving them the opportunity to
show that they can impact winning. I just I just
really don't understand it. But like I said, I think
there's a lot of internal things that are happening in
(26:48):
that locker room that obviously we don't know about. But
I mean, if they don't fix it, it's going to
be a disappointing season.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Well, okay, can I I want to further define it,
because yeah, you just reminded me of Westbrook and Cousin
and you know and John, Like, what is it when
these guys who you know, were once superstars in the
league they come to the Clippers and you know, there's
probably some other teams have done it too, and the
team doesn't see them put up those crazy superstar numbers
from like their prime right away, they immediately go, oh,
(27:17):
they don't got it, Go go ride the bench, you know.
And it's just like, well like not allowing these guys
to play through, figure it out and ultimately that that
kind of that works out in their favor. If these
guys can find can you have that rhythm, find that rhythm,
find their fit, whether it's it's a hybrid of veteran
and playmaker, you know what I mean. So like, it
(27:38):
seems like this is a trend in the NBA where
these older, older guys who are not quite in their prime,
but still incredibly impactful get written off pretty easily.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
I think the biggest thing is you sign these guys
and the expectation is for them to be themselves, but
the opportunity that you give them is not to showcase
them to be themselves. That makes sense. I give you,
for instance, an example of myself. I average twenty nine
points a game for the Celtics. I get traded to Cleveland.
(28:09):
Obviously I'm hurt, I'm not fully healthy, but the world
is expecting me to go average thirty because that's the
last thing they seen, not putting in consideration one thing,
most importantly, I'm hurt. Second thing, I'm on a minutes
restriction plan twenty minutes a game. So there's no way
possible for me to be the same exact player that
(28:30):
the world or the people around the organization they expect
me to be when I don't have that same opportunity
to be a star or a superstar like you named
in the Westbrooks, the John Wallas, the DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George,
Paul George at one point, the Chris Pauls, and I
don't even think those guys are asking to be superstars anymore.
(28:53):
They're not asking they're just asking for in a realistic
opportunity to showcase they can impact winning. And when you
don't get a star those opportunities, you put them in
position to look really bad because the world is expecting
them to be.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
Who they've always been.
Speaker 3 (29:10):
And the people who are going to be who they
always been are the guys with the same opportunity they
always had. Example, Steph Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant and
these are the name superstars obviously, but imagine them being
put in a box and not having that same opportunity.
No way they're going to do the same things that
(29:31):
they're used to doing are capable of doing.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
So it's a lot of things.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
That are part of these decisions being made, these situations,
These really good vets are being put in.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
That the outside doesn't understand or see.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
So it's complicated, But as vets, you stay professional, you
continue to come to work each and every day and
you just do what's asked and then when you've given
an opportunity, try to impact winning the best you can.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
I appreciate that insight, because yeah, it's it's the league
moves fast, so.
Speaker 3 (30:10):
It is what have you done for me lately? And
is it's it moves so fast. You can even give
an example of a guy like Paul George, a guy
like mb to where they're saying they're moving on to
to have MAXI be the franchise that fast and not
saying MAXI doesn't deserve it. But that's another example of
(30:31):
what have you done for me lately? And that's the
business of the game.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
It's wild. Okay. One last thing I wanted to cover
in this segment. It's sort of inside basketball, but it
was I knew I wanted to ask these types of
questions when I want to get to sit with an
NBA player like yourself. So Mike Conley the other night,
he hits a three against the Spurs. Now you proceeded
to do ten unique handshakes with each of his teammates.
(30:54):
So I'm just asking you what is the process like,
when do these handshakes get created? How often are they rehearsed?
Tell everyone the fans who are in the locker rooms,
how does that come to be? Because it seems like
a big trend in the league for the last couple decades.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
Oh, it's crazy.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
It's a whole thing it usually happens like during training camp,
everybody's trying to figure out they little handshakes. Like I
didn't really start to see it until I got traded
to Cleveland. And obviously, you know, Lebron's been big on
doing that since the first time he's been in Cleveland,
whether they're doing pregame antiques, they're doing all types of handshakes.
Speaker 2 (31:29):
So he was really the leader.
Speaker 3 (31:31):
Of that in Cleveland, Like everybody got to think of
something dope to do that relates to you know, you
guys as friendship really, so that was really a big thing.
And then every other team after that I've been on,
it's like you better be locked in on these handshakes
because when the camera's on, there's no time to mess up.
So it's really a big thing where guys is in
(31:53):
the locker room.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
You'll look over.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
There in the corner, they're working on a handshake over there.
They're like, man, what do you think doing on this handshake?
So it's serious and if you really watch, nobody's really
messing up.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
No, like no, everybody is just everybody's just tapped in.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
And the crazy thing about it is Lebron is doing
handshakes with teammates from ten years ago that he hasn't played.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
With in years, and he remembers everything.
Speaker 3 (32:22):
So like, shout out to bron Shout out to everybody
who's locked in on the handshakes, because you be locked
in on the game and right when you go to
the bench, you hitting everybody with all these down the line.
I'm surprised coaches don't have handshakes. The next thing we
got to do is have coaching staff. Gotta have dope,
dope handshakes. Yeah, with the coaching staff, that would be funny.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Well.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
I talked to Richard Jefferson too about I mean that
twenty sixteen cas team, and he was saying they were
just like they had no business being the Warriors, but
they were just brothers. It was all on brotherhood and
like the handshake thing. And you've talked about that too
with your Celtics teams. Like the closer you guys are
and that the handshake thing. It seems it could be
silly child's play, but it means something.
Speaker 3 (33:04):
I mean, it means a lot. It means like that's
that says a lot about your friendship. If you got
a quick one, it's like, oh, they're not that.
Speaker 1 (33:12):
I would be watching the games like that. That's quick,
quick one.
Speaker 3 (33:16):
A handshake, A good yeah, they got the pat pats
all that.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
Oh, they go to dinner together for the show.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
So if you were to see Lebron at a game,
would you be able to be able to do your handshake?
Speaker 3 (33:30):
Now, I just go off with whatever he's doing. He's
definitely remembering it. He's definitely I remember we used to
end it with this, so I know, I know, I
know we're ending it with that for sure.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
I don't remember all the other stuff in the middle.
Speaker 1 (33:42):
I love that. I love that. Okay, on that note,
we're gonna go to break, we're gonna come back on
point game, and we got a special announcement. And also
we're gonna continue our segment of no days off. We'll
be back all right time for our Draft Kings King
of the Court segment where you pick who will lead
the league in total points, rebounds, and assists on Tuesday night,
(34:02):
and if you get it right, you can split a
million bucks. So this week, I think I'm liking SGA.
He's on the road at Oracle going against the Warriors.
But crazy stat, he's got ninety three straight games with
at least twenty points, so I feel like that's an
easy bet. It should be another big night from the MVP.
I T who do you got?
Speaker 3 (34:21):
That's that's a good pick though, Like, I mean, that's
that's as safe as safe, Picky, I'm gonna go with
I'm gonna go with Tyrese MAXI. They got the Wizards,
I think, I mean, you might mess around and get
a career night on the Wizards, knowing what they're going through, Soma.
Speaker 2 (34:37):
I'm gonna go with Tyreese MAXI.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
Okay, that's a great pick too. So everyone don't forget
to play King of the Court on DraftKings Sportsbook. Every
Tuesday during the NBA season, download the DraftKings Sportsbook app
and use Point Game that's code Point Game. Bet five
bucks and get two hundred dollars in bonus bets if
your bet wins. In partnership with DraftKings, The Crown is yours.
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Speaker 1 (35:32):
Welcome back to point game now. We debuted last episode
a new segment that was created by Isaiah here called
No Days Off, and so I wanted to continue because
it was a hit last week. I want to continue
No Days Off here with it. So why don't you
remind everyone listening and watching at home what is No
Days Off? And why did you create it?
Speaker 3 (35:51):
No Days Off, man, is just the mentality of the
slow grind. So I want to give a big shout
out to you know, guys that are hundred or radar
in the league, Guys that are on that slow grind
mentality throughout the season. They don't get the recognition that
you know, the mainstream media gives everybody else, especially the stars.
(36:12):
So I just want to give a shout out to
the underdogs, the guys that fly under the radar, but
to the to their peers, are really good basketball players
and got respect from their peers, which is most important.
So shout out to you know, the segment no Days Off,
Shout out to everybody that's on their slow grind throughout
this season. And we'll be looking for, you know, guys
(36:33):
that represent the slow grind mentality.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
Nope, okay, So who do we got this week on
No Days Off?
Speaker 3 (36:40):
So this week we got one of my Pacific Northwest guys,
Boston Celtic Peyton Pritchard, who dropped a forty piece on
the Cleveland Clavaliers.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
Someone who is.
Speaker 3 (36:54):
A slow grind member, the definition of the slow grind,
someone who's just taking advantag of each and every opportunity
he's given. An NBA champion, a six Man of the
Year Award winner. I got to give a big shout
out to Peyton Pritchard because coming into this season, obviously
he got the starting nod on the Boston Celtics. His
(37:15):
opportunity is bigger than it's all than it's been since
he's been in the league, and I don't think he's
had the season that he expects to have to start out,
but he's getting more and more comfortable, especially after that
forty piece. He's just he's doing what he's supposed to
be doing. So I got to give a big shout
out to him. He's are no days off. Winner for
(37:37):
the week. Keep it going, stay on your slow grind
and keep killing them boys.
Speaker 1 (37:43):
Man.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Proud of you, bro, Love.
Speaker 1 (37:44):
It man, Peyton Pritchard. What are there any moments that
you can share with us or stories from maybe even
playing in some of those I've talked about the Seattle
programs or playing those runs during the summer up in
Pacific Northwest.
Speaker 3 (37:58):
Shout out to Peyton for coming through my basketball tournament
Zeke and Weekend twenty twenty four.
Speaker 2 (38:05):
He came to show love. He lost to us.
Speaker 3 (38:07):
In the championship, but he showed he showed the city love,
he showed the fans love. He put on the show
for sure, and I'm always going to have real love
for Peyton Pritchell for coming to my city and putting
on the show for the fans.
Speaker 2 (38:21):
So shout out to him.
Speaker 3 (38:23):
Keep grinding, bro, keep showing the undersized guards are the
way to go and keep putting your name out there.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
Bro. All love.
Speaker 1 (38:30):
It's all opportunity. We talked about all the time.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
He's starting out all about opportunity. Bro.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
That's right, Okay, I want to close out this the show.
It was brought to my attention this incredible film we
talked about Slow Grind Media, which this show is brought
to you by as well. This incredible film and documentary
that you and your team created called Go Forward. I
don't want to explain. I think it's best putting your words,
(38:56):
but I got an opportunity to watch it last night.
It's incredible powerful. It's about a story that, honestly man like.
One of the reasons why I wanted to do the
show with you is like, not only were you know
you're an incredible basketball player, but an incredible human being
who has been open. Your story has been shared and
(39:19):
it's been an inspiration and motivation and I had no
idea that this documentary was being made, and I just
think it speaks volumes about who you are and your
initiatives even outside of basketball. So the documentary is called
Go Forward, but I wanted to tee it up to you.
It's premiering here at the Sun Valley Film Festival. So
I want to ask you, like, what is this film
about and sort of why you wanted to make it?
(39:40):
And I have some other questions about the making of
this film.
Speaker 3 (39:44):
So we slow Grind Media we produced the documentary called
Go Forward. And the reason why I wanted to do
this was because when the situation happened with my little
such little sister getting in a car accident back in
twenty seventeen and passing away right before the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (40:06):
I seen how inspiring.
Speaker 3 (40:11):
Me trying to fight through a personal tragedy was for
everybody in the entire world, whether somebody I seen on
the street, somebody I seen back home in Tacoma, somebody
I seen in an arena, who really would stop me
and be like, the time I was going through a
tough time in my life, I was really looking to
(40:32):
you for motivation and inspiration. And when I heard all
those messages being thrown at me, all those people would
write me letters, people would just say how inspiring I was.
And I was only doing what I felt was right.
I was only doing what I felt was normal. But
to be able to inspire the world on something that
(40:53):
everybody goes through, whether somebody passes away in your family,
whether you got to go through grief. To be able
to do that on the national stage was very difficult,
But to be able to show it to the world,
and if I'm able to help one person that's going
through the same similar situations that I've been able that
(41:15):
I've had to go through when it comes to grief
and losing family members, losing siblings.
Speaker 2 (41:22):
That's something I want to do.
Speaker 3 (41:23):
So we've been filming since twenty eleven, Like I got
everything since twenty eleven, so soon we're going to come
out with a movie of my life. And we've been
able to my guy TJ. Riggins, been able to film
and capture some of the biggest moments, some of the
highs and the lows, not only in basketball, but in
(41:45):
my everyday life.
Speaker 2 (41:47):
And this was a very important piece.
Speaker 3 (41:49):
So when it came up to do a short documentary
with a couple other producers, it was difficult, but it
was a no brainer because it was to help others.
It wasn't about myself. And when people sit and watch this,
it's gonna change a lot on how you think about things,
(42:09):
like even when I sit and watch it, a couple
of times I have and put myself outside of who
I am and it being me that's going through this.
It made me realize, like it's bigger than yourself. So like,
if you're going through personal stuff, it's bigger to to
to not just keep it in like you can. You
(42:30):
can help somebody else, and that's what is the most
inspiring thing.
Speaker 2 (42:34):
So we got.
Speaker 3 (42:37):
This film is inducted in the Some Valley Film Festival,
which is a major film festival.
Speaker 2 (42:44):
It's only the beginning.
Speaker 3 (42:45):
It will be showing December sixth in Idaho at the
Sun Valley Film Festival. I will be there and my
family will be there. It's definitely a dope opportunity to
be able to be in the mix in that space
because that's something that I'm very interested in being in.
And it's just going to be a powerful short dot
(43:06):
It's going to change a lot of eyes when it
comes to being able to push through adversity and tragedy
on a national stage where everybody's watching my every move
and shout out to my pops man for being able
to sit down and speak his truth on how he's
(43:26):
going through it, how he deals with grief, and without him,
this would never even have been made. And this was
a tough, a tough goal for him to even sit
down and speak about it. So shout out to my dad,
Shout out to everybody involved, shout out to t J.
Reagan for like, it's it's it's it's tough moments, man,
(43:48):
but it's gonna at the end of the day, it's
going to help somebody else and that's what's most important.
So the film is called Go Forward. It will be
shown this weekend at the at the Film Festival, and
the world would be able to see it soon for
sure because it's going to be that impactful.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
Yeah, man, And and you know a lot of my
work in basketball too is about telling the stories of
the person you know behind. Because everyone knows about that
legendary fifty three point game on your sister's birthday. Highlight
reels are made, edits are made and whatever. But the
fact that you had cameras rolling you were you know,
(44:25):
you were open and not to just be like hey
look at me, like you said, but like this stuff
helps you know, Like I've gone through some grief, you know,
anyone ever has. It's tough, but people we as humans
have to go through and to see someone who went
through it like yourself and then you know, was able
to channel that through basketball, you know, passion that you
had and get through it, and then your family and
(44:46):
how how you guys have worked through it and continue
to work through and make you know, these powerful films
and like that. It's really incredible to see. So I
appreciate it. And so some other questions I had about
it were, how was it you know, getting other members
of the Celtics, you know, yeah, Brad Steam's Auhr for
all these people, How important was it to get them
to be involved and help give, you know, some more
(45:09):
texture to that story.
Speaker 3 (45:10):
It was easy actually because that whole organization went through
a real life tragedy with me, so they understand the
magnitude of what was going through them locker room halls,
what was how the energy was for that whole playoff
run when it was it was a tough situation for
everybody involved. So shout out to everybody who is a
(45:33):
part of the film. Shout out to our horror for
Brad Stevens, a few other Boston Celtics staff members that
took their time out of their day to be able to,
you know, speak about such a personal moment for myself
and my family. So it was easy though, Like when
I asked those guys to be a part of it,
it was a no brainer for them. So the love
(45:53):
and respect they have not only for myself but for
my family is amazing. And you know that feeling is mutual.
Speaker 1 (46:00):
That's great. Man. Well, I highly recommend it. Anyone's a
fan of it, of basketball, who's ever been through having
to deal with grief, I highly recommend you check out
this docu short Go Forward, produced by Silverrind Media. It's
like it said, it's premiering this Saturday in Idaho, December sixth,
four point thirty at the Opera House. The link is
(46:21):
Sun Valleyfilmfestival dot org. You can check out all the
information how to get tickets there check it out. I
think yeah, like I said, I think it's the start
of you telling your whole story, because it's like, you know,
you've inspire people shorter guards and all that stuff. But
also I think there's another layer that when people saw
you deal with this was like, oh yeah, it is
our guy, that's.
Speaker 3 (46:42):
For sure, And when they see this, it's just going
to be real life stuff. So it's going to be
something anybody who's been through something like this is going
to relate to.
Speaker 2 (46:52):
I just was having to.
Speaker 3 (46:52):
Do it on a national stage while in the NBA playoffs,
And I mean, even though it was tough to do
like it's, it's helped me in ways that I can't
even imagine in terms of being able to help others
in such difficult times.
Speaker 2 (47:12):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (47:13):
Yeah, man, all right, well appreciate that. Check it out.
This has been another episode of Point Game presented by
follow Through, iHeartMedia, Slow Grind, and DraftKings. Guys, been loving
doing this. Subscribe to channel, keep hitting the likes, keep
sharing the clips. The clips are going off because I
feel like we're doing the important stuff you were getting
players on. We're sharing real stories, we're not holding back.
(47:36):
So we're just going to continue doing that here on
Point Game. Anything else, I t.
Speaker 3 (47:40):
Nah, tap in and let us know who you want
to see as a guest man. It don't got to
it don't always got to be a little basketball player.
I know more than basketball players, But tap in, let
us know, we appreciate the love and support.
Speaker 2 (47:54):
Just just just keep keep tapping in with us every
each and every week.
Speaker 1 (47:58):
Love it,
Welcome to Point Game. I'm CJ. Toldano and I'm joined
by my co host Isaiah Thomas. This week we're talking
thunder Knicks Lakers, another installment and no days off, talking
about everything going on the league. And also we have
a big special announcement happening at the end of the show,
so you got to stay tuned for that. So first
of all, I got to ask my guy here, Isaiah Thomas.
(00:33):
I t how was your Thanksgiving?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Man? Thanksgiving was good.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Got to got to spend time with the family, see
some extended family.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
It was. It was a good time with a lot.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Of smiles and full stomachs, so it was it was
a really good time.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
We needed that. How was your Thanksgiving?
Speaker 1 (00:53):
It was good?
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Man.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
I actually I went to the Bahamas want to uh, actually,
I don't know if you ever do you ever go
to Atlantis? I know that there's a lot of bat
I've been there.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
A couple of times.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's it's a good family spot. But
then it was also it was funny just like every
every corner you turn, there was like a six to
eight point like point forward, you know, from a college team,
and myself was just like looking up to them, and
I was just like, yep, Dada works with a lot
of these players. So we got a chance to watch
some basketball and then go down some slides and stuff.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
So and that's dope.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
One time I was in Atlantas, I've been there like
three or four times. One time me and Jamal Crawford
took a like a family vacation.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Right. This was like early on in my career, my
second or third year.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
And anytime me and Jamal are like together, we find
places to play hoop. Yeah, and you know the basketball
courts over there, yeah, yeah, Yeah. We played five on
five with just regular locals one time and just we
was busting their ass.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
But it was dope because like that was like dope.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Memories for us, just to find a court somewhere so
far away from home and for it to feel as
comfortable as home does.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Just playing like we normally do back at the crib.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
That's crazy. I was talking to all the locals there
and they were telling me like it's an underrated basketball town.
Nasa Mohammas and had VJ. Edgecombe actually just came came
out of there from there, buddy, heel. There's a lot
of guys out of there, so it's not a surprise
that you found some Hoopers there pretty immediately.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Yeah, it was. It was it was some good bump.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
They They definitely didn't get a win against this, but
it was it was good competition.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
But yeah, and then I came home to snowy Indianapolis,
which was a crazy My brain is still kind of
like going crazy because I went from sunny Bahamas and
then a snowstorm here in Indy.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Ah. Yeah, that's tough. So that's a tough deal right there.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
I'm getting adjusted. But I did get a chance to
watch a lot of ball over the break. I wanted
to start off the show because it feels like, you know,
it's almost kind of boring, but it's like they're the
beasts that that can't be beaten right now. But the
Oklahoma City Thunder, we haven't talked about them too much
on the show, but now they're twenty and one. They
just got Jalen Williams back, and I just want to
(03:08):
ask you, like, do you think there is any team
even close to them in the league right now? Like
we are we setting ourselves up to see another repeat
from the Oklahohoma City Thunder here.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
I think they're putting theirselves in position. For sure, they
look scary. They look like the most together team. It's
even scarier that they're twenty and one in Jalen Williams
only play I think two games, maybe three, So that
says a lot about their organization, their coaching staff, their team,
everybody down the line is a line to capture another championship.
(03:44):
So it's definitely scary because we haven't seen them at
full strength yet. But you know, the regular season is
the regular season, and I think come playoffs there'd be
a couple of teams that can test how good they are.
But for right now, they're head and shoulders above each
and every team in the league right.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Now, Like they've obviously had one of the craziest starts,
one of the best starts in NBA history. Like do
you think, you know, with teams like this, we've seen
it with like the Warriors seventy three win Warriors and
the Bulls back in the nineties, do you think that
this is a team even if it's not important, Is
this a team that is setting themselves up? Do they
or do they have an opportunity to maybe even break
that record?
Speaker 3 (04:21):
I think it's still early but I mean they started
off well. I don't think any team wants that record though,
Like what do you mean, Like even the Warriors, Like
they didn't win it that year when they had that record,
and I remember that whole season because I think they
started twenty eight games in a row. You know, my
Celtics was one of the teams to beat them boys.
But I think it's just a lot of added pressure
(04:43):
that you don't want. Like, obviously, it's a good thing,
and to be able to break a record like that
and to be able to be considered one of the
greatest records sleason teams in NBA history is super cool.
But I think there's a lot of pressure that comes
with that. Like if you ask anybody on the Warriors
team that beat the Bulls record, like there was a
lot of pressure, unwanted pressure each and every week, each
(05:06):
and every game when it really shouldn't be that so obviously,
like if you if you can't break the record, you
want to, but I think the pressure of doing it
is unnecessary for a team who is such in good
spirits and good vibes and got good energy around them.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
That's super That's super interesting because I've never actually even
heard that sort of angle on it, like, yeah, so
you kind of want to have a team that goes
through some trials and tribulations. They're kind of like war
ready when they when they hit the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Yeah, it's like that's like in the NFL going what's
sixteen and oh seventeen and oh Patriots and then the
first that's what I'm saying, the first the first round
or the first time you're in the playoffs, you take
your first air.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
You haven't really been through some real adversity.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Obviously, it's hard to win seventy three and nine, seventy
four and eight, Like.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
That's an amazing feat.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
I just know when I was competing against those Warriors
and just being in that space, like it was a
lot of pressure that you probably really don't want when
you're having a successful season like that.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Yeah, and then obviously injuries, it just the dynamics can change.
And yeah, like you said, you got to go through
that adversity. It makes even stronger going into the important
moments for sure. So that's fascinating. There's a team in
the East though that you know, we've been impressed by
them over the years, but they haven't been able to
quite get over the hump. I'm talking about the New
York Knicks, where they've had an incredible start here. They
(06:27):
won the last eleven out of fourteen. New coach with
Mike Brown, so definitely a culture change. What do you
think about them over in the East with the Pacers,
you know sort of out with all those injuries. You know,
it's the Pistons are number one, But the Knicks that
finally you know, they're healthy, they got everyone, they got
the new coach, Mike Brown. What do you think about them?
(06:48):
Do you think this is their year to finally get
over the hump and maybe make the finals, maybe you know,
take a shot at the title.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I think that would be good for the NBA for sure,
for New York to have it. Obviously, anytime New York
has a great team is good for the NBA. To
see that New York in the finals would be amazing,
just because I remember what the last time they went
was ninety nine, the lockout year, I think it was,
and I was ten years old. Just seeing those you know,
(07:14):
seeing the atmosphere and seeing the energy that the city
brings when New York has a good team, shout out
to you know, Jalen Brunson, Kat Jordan Clarkson, who is
an amazing addition with with with you know, one of
the best six.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Men in the league. I think they got an opportunity
for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Detroit Detroit Pistons is going to be a tough matchup
because they're they're they're yelling really well. They got a
young core as well that's really good, and they lay
their hat on the defensive end, which like the Knicks
do as well. So that would be a great match
up to see New York Detroit play against each other
in in in the NBA playoffs. But I think it's
(07:59):
still a little early to to to say they can
they can get to the finals. Obviously they went to
the Eastern Conference finals last year, but they still got
a lot of things to work on, Like their offense
isn't great right now, and I know they have a
good they have a new coach, so that everybody's trying
to jail and figure that out and be comfortable in
(08:21):
that setting.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
But I think they got a chance. But it's still
a little early.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
It's only twenty some games and we got to see
how their whole team shakes out.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
It's uh yeah, when I'm sort of noticing because obviously
Thibodeau was such a veteran coach known for his you know,
his defensive mindset. But honestly, a lot of the guys
were playing. I think people were saying, like a lot
of the guys are getting too much run, you know,
some injuries were happening. But Mike Brown is interesting to
me because I've noticed a lot that culture change is
(08:54):
more more I guess fun. You know, like you were
talking about the Knicks being a great defensive team. They
started doing this thing, kind of like a turnover chain
thing that a lot of culture ball teams do. What
a defensive player of the game. They award one of
the Knixt players a pair of times and a hard hat,
which is, like you, I would never see Tims do
(09:15):
something like that, And the fact that Mike Brown, Mike Brown,
is the mind behind it is interesting.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Look, look, Tims ain't a part of the culture at all.
He has his own way and he's sticking to that way.
Mike Brown's trying to be a part of the culture.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Man.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You gotta you you you're in New York. You gotta
be a part of the Tims culture. The hard hat
bringing your your lunch, bringing your lunch box to work
every day, like all of that really matters. So to
see Mike Brown be able to, you know, try to
change the culture in a fun aspect. Try to get
those guys to smile and have fun as you need
(09:49):
in today's game, it says a lot about who Mike
Brown is. So it seems like those guys are having
a good time. You know, with Thibodau, he's not subbing nobody,
so everybody's tired from.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
The start of the game to the end of the game.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
So it seemed like a little little things are changing
over here, and maybe those little things are going to
get them over the hump this season.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
That's true. Okay, let me ask you this hard question then,
and this is a fast forward. And like you said,
it's early in the season. But say the Pistons end
up shutting down this nix the Nova Cats Knicks you know,
come playoffs. Is that experiment sort of over you think
with the Nova guys plus cat you know, do you
think it's they got to blow that up or they
(10:31):
got to make some big changes on that roster.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
I think you only have a small window to try
to win a championship, and then you got to look
on to what's next. Obviously they got a good group
of guys, but what this would be what their second year,
the third year together? Yeah, that core, So you definitely
have if they don't get there, Like if they don't
reach the finals.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
I think you got to figure something out.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
If they reach the finals, that's added step to what
they got going on and they'll continue to get better.
But if they don't, you got some big decisions I'm
coming up, especially with with Karl Anthony Towns. You got
a couple other guys on that roster that that get
value and you can shake up to look forward to
what's next in the future.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
Yeah, that's interesting. Okay, I want to go over to
the West. I don't even talk about it that much,
but the Lakers, who are my team and the team
you played for a couple of times, they are honestly,
like anyone who's been paying attention to the Lakers the
last few years, it's been Lebron's team. Obviously one of
the greatest to ever play.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
And then they made the move for Luca and because
you know, after several years a D, they're wanting a
D to sort of take that team be the leader.
Let Lebron sort of take that that that back seat
to the whole to the whole ride. But the Lakers
are currently sitting second in the West. The backcourt I
think is the major headline here because not only is
Luca back to being Luca, but Austin Reeves is a
(11:55):
guy who went undrafted and is now putting up numbers
and this has been going around showing averaging a better
stat line in several categories over superstars like KD, Anthony Edwards,
and I think the Devin Booker. So let me ask
you if you watch them, like what is going on
with the Lakers now that is really working and having them,
(12:16):
you know, having the strong start, and what do you
think about Austin Reeves? Like how does a guy like
that go undrafted to now having these crazy stat lens
and playing all star in superstar level?
Speaker 3 (12:27):
First off, we gotta find somebody to blame on them,
twenty nine teams that didn't pick Austin Reeves up in
the draft. Even we could blame the Lakers too, like
you didn't draft them either, like you waited to the
summer league. It's like, who's messing up on these decisions
on a guy that's averaging twenty nine points a game
right now, that makes no sense. And every time he's
(12:50):
had an opportunity each and every year, he's taking full
advantage of it and raised his his level of play
each and every year. So we got to figure who
to blame on each team, first off on making a
mistake of.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Not the draft ar.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
But on top of that, the guy can hoop like
he's a flat out hooper. He's taking advantage of his opportunity.
He's definitely the clearcoach second option right now. It's hard
to say that because we've seen Lebron James, who was
arguably the best player ever, never be the second option,
let alone the third option. And I think for them
(13:28):
to be a really good team, and they've been playing
well to start this season, Lebron James has to be
the third option, like there's no way around it, because
lucas the first option. Austin reeves for the most part,
twenty twenty five games in, you are who you are. Like,
I'm not saying he's going to average twenty nine with
Lebron coming back, but I can see him.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Averaging twenty five.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
He's still there.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Then, Lebron and then Lebron averaging twenty to twenty two
to twenty three points a game and still being that
X fact to come the playoffs because when you're doubling Luca,
when you got to put extra bodies on Austin Reeves
at times.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Now Lebron James is in single coverage in the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
It's crazy.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
That's that's only going to help the Lakers down the stretch.
So I didn't see this coming. I don't think anybody
else seen this coming to where they will play this
well with Lebron James obviously being hurt most of the
season but definitely slowly coming back into into into shape,
into rhythm, into the form that he's used to coming
back in. So we're we're gonna see, like the Lakers
(14:37):
definitely look like a really good team. But the one
thing I would say about the Lakers, their bench is trash.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
So in the in.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
The in the playoffs, you're gonna have to have some
some guys on the bench that can give you real minutes,
and they can give you spotty minutes, but play a
role and be very play it at a high level
to be success because that's a lot of production from
obviously Luca, which can handle that. We haven't really seen
(15:07):
Austin Reeves go in the playoffs and average twenty five,
so that's still questionable. And then Lebron James is in
year twenty three, Like, yes, he's gonna beat Lebron James,
but like it's gonna be tough as well for him.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
But it's exciting to see them in a good space.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
I'm excited to see where Luca takes this team for
the rest of the season and into the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
That's a great take because that bench and like you said,
when it gets into the deep of the playoffs and
like it's these guys who you didn't see it in
the regular season come off that bench to put that
in like I can't. I know that bench has been
changing constantly for the Lakers, and we actually in that
shout out DeAndre Ayton too has been having a crazy season,
(15:54):
like the guys just the starter's output has been pretty incredible.
But after a full season, after a deep playoff run, like,
who are we going to count on coming in? You know,
when the when the guys in at the top aren't
getting it done, Like who's gonna come in and get.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
That That's what I'm saying. So like that's that's tough
like and how they play. Obviously they're they're top heavy
on the starters, like they're gonna play those guys their
minutes that they deserve. But like, can Vanderbilt give you something?
Can he hit corner threes? Can can when Marcus Smart
comes back?
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Is he starting?
Speaker 3 (16:26):
Is he coming off the bench? Can he bring that
same energy he used to bring in Boston when you
know he was just an exceptional role player that helped
the championship contending team get there. And then you got
to go down the line, or a guy like Jackson
Hay is going to be able to give you what
he's given you in the in the in the regular season.
(16:46):
Is that going to be able to translate in the playoffs?
So there's a lot of unanswered questions, But also you
got to give a shout out to the coaching staff
who is putting JJ Redick, who was putting those guys
in position to be successful early on in this season.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Can I ask you a very real question because you've
played on Lebron teams before, and I think as a fan,
I've seen Lebron affect some of these young guys, these
new players who step on to a roster with Lebron,
and it's kind of especially with the young guys, it
can kind of just be watching him, and I think, like,
to me, honestly, the benefit that the Lakers had this
(17:22):
year was Lebron wasn't playing to start off the season,
so these guys went out there and they didn't have
to worry about him by making the right decision, they
were just hoopmant. So is that a real like theory.
I feel like some some fans kind of have that
theory of like people are trying to make sure that
they're playing within Lebron's system and not just playing their
game or playing you know, what the coach is playing
(17:42):
is out there.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
I mean, yeah, lebron system is the system.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
Yeah, so you're gonna have to adjust to him at
the end of the day, and that is tough for
some role players. But I think he understands where he's
at in his career. He's still gonna be, you know,
somewhat of Lebron James, but this is Luca team and
I think he's handling it great. Like this is the
first year in twenty three years where it hasn't been
(18:07):
Lebron James's team and the whole world knows that. So
I think, I mean, knowing Lebron, He's going to handle
it great. He's still going to be who he is
come you know, winning time, come playoff time, come time
where he has to impact winning.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
Austin, You're gonna have to move.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
Over a little bit, and you know, watch arguably the
greatest player figure this thing out. But I think they
all complement each other in a great way, those three,
and we just got to see those role players be
able to step up and give really good production come playoff.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Tops, Welcome back to point game.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
Now.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
We talked about some teams that are having some success
this season, but I wanted to talk about a couple
of teams, a young team and a team with some
vets on it that aren't that aren't it. We were
talking to Break and I was like, I, you got
to stop because we've got to save some of this
from the pod. So the first team I want to
talk about is a team full of young guys who
I feel like have just been in rebuilding forever. I
(19:06):
feel like they've been in rebuilding since you Isaiah Thomas
the Washington Wizards We've had some high draft picks they
and they're just they're sitting at two and sixteen right
now and just showing no signs of progress. So I
kind of just wanted to get from your standpoint, like
what is going on with that team and what needs
to happen for them to show any improvement.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
They're not going to show in any improvement. They're in
a stage right now to where they're rebuilding. They got
a lot of young guys, they're going to have high
draft picks. They got to give those guys reps to develop.
And this is just happens in the NBA every few
years to where a team's just going to be really bad,
especially a team that's very young and a team that
(19:47):
it's hard for those guys to get free, big time
free agents to go there. And not to say anything
bad about the Wizards organization, especially when I was there,
they showed me a lot of love. They gave me
a chance when nobody would really give me a chance
when I was really hurt, and so I got real
love for the Washington Wizards.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
They're just in a tough spot right now in terms
of having vets that need to be on winning teams.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Championship teams because that's what they bring to teams, and
then having real young guys that need the opportunity to
play and show that they're worth something. So they're in
a bad spot right now, but it's one of those
rebuilding spots where it's going to take a few years
to get a big time free agent and to make
(20:35):
something happen in the summer with free agency, and then
to build on their young guys because they got a
good group of young guys. But you just can't win
with guys that's never been in situations to win. And
like I said, those older guys are at a point
in their career. Yeah they're vets, and yeah they're helping
those young guys, but they're trying to win. They're not
(20:55):
trying to waste any valuable years that they still have.
So it's a tough situation there with the Wizards, But
there's a few teams that have a tough those type
of situations that it's going to be a few years
till things turn around.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
Well, so what can they pick up from, you know,
teams that were in their position. I mean, just what
was it two years ago the Pistons were on a
losing streak that was pretty historic. I think it was
like twenty some in a row.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Yeah, yeah, they were bad.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
To look at them number one in the East right now,
even like OKC or even the Pacers who made to
the finals last year, What are some traits from those
teams that they can pick up to maybe sort of
mimic and get them out of this run?
Speaker 2 (21:31):
So I could, I could.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
The Pacers, they've made big trades, like they got Allan Burton.
That was a big time trade that they like changed
the trajectory of their organization.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
But under the ragion right, because it's like Halliburton wasn't
talked about.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
For sure, he wasn't. But those are the things that
you have to do.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
You gotta go through the draft, you gotta get trades,
You gotta pick up somewhat of a star in free agency.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
They picked up Pascal Siakam.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
That was a big piece, I think with the Wizards,
or we can go with Detroit. You got Kate Cunningham.
You didn't know he was going to be this good,
but he had the potential to be this good. You
got a whole new front office in between those years,
you let go of coach, got a whole new coaching
staff in between those years and then started to get
(22:20):
valuable vets in there that can still play at a
high level. But most importantly, this is the right type
of people first and foremost. So it's steps that you
have to take to be able to change organizations, but
you also have to have patients and you have to
have some luck as well. So the Wizards are in
the process of that. I don't know how long it's
(22:42):
going to take. I think Brooklyn is another team that's
in the process of that. This is going to struggle
for a while, But those are two organizations that you
would love to live in a city like Washington, d C.
You would love to live in a city like Brooklyn.
So I don't see them being bad for too much
longer because they can get a free agent. But it's
(23:04):
it's going to be a lot of patience for sure.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Yeah, Well, to go to the other team that I
was mentioned at the top of this segment, who is
a veteran team who has shown some great success in
the last few years, is the Los Angeles Clippers, right
who are just having sort of an atrocious season right here,
and everyone's wondering why there's been some weird stuff being
said by the vets on there. As soon as that
(23:27):
starts happening, you know that there's some things that can't
really be fixed. You know, they got Tyler, They got
guys over there who've done it and are sitting near
the bottom of the West. So what are you seeing
that's going on over there? And what do they need
to fix?
Speaker 2 (23:41):
I don't know if they could fix what thing go
going on?
Speaker 3 (23:45):
Really, you can tell just me being around the league
is all internal, like it's all inside the roster, inside
that locker room, inside that organization.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Whatever is going on over there, you can.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
See it with these those game interviews from their superstar players,
from their coach. They're saying things that a team that's
really together just doesn't say. And a championship contending team
at that the roster is just like going into the season,
I thought there would be a team that can compete
for a championship, but the roster is saying otherwise, And
(24:21):
I think something has to happen soon. Last summer they
gave up a guy that was really good for them
at Norman Powell.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
They didn't really get nothing back in return.
Speaker 3 (24:32):
So I just think they're in a tough spot right now,
from top to bottom. They got stuff to figure out,
and obviously they got outside influence as well with the
stuff they got going on with other things.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
So I see that thing not changing or not turning around.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
Obviously they can because they're a veteran group that's been
through the trenches at points in their career.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
But that's a tough pill to swallow.
Speaker 3 (24:56):
Man, they got blasted by the Miami Heat.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
That was like, that was like, I mean so disrespectful.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
So even the Dallas Maverick game, like Cooper flag at
thirty five, it seems like they're just not together on
both ends of the floor.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
And it's a tough situation to be in.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
So that's something to look forward to to see if
the Clippers can turn this around or they're just going
to dig a deeper hole throughout the season.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
Well, and even in this situation or like where they're
currently standing, how they can continue to just leave CP
on the bench.
Speaker 3 (25:30):
It's like, what are we doing, Like, let's not disrespect
the Hall of Famer. Yes he's not Chris Paul from
when he played for the Clippers years ago, but it's
a guy that was really successful on the Spurs last
year played all eighty two games. What did you bring
them in for to be a VET a VET presence
on a veteran team, Like, what are we doing?
Speaker 1 (25:51):
So?
Speaker 2 (25:52):
I think they got a lot of decisions to make.
They got to figure some things out.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
But I know one thing a guy like him can
can can get that can turn that group around. And
just in terms of his leadership, what he brings to
the table. And I'm not necessarily saying play him thirty
minutes playing, but put him in there, like he can't
he can't make things worse than they are right now.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
Exactly. I feel like they even kind of did that
to John Wall when he was there, like he was
getting limited minutes. I know he was bad on some
injuries as well, but I don't know, It's like it's interesting.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
I mean, I mean, not to cut you off to there,
but they've done that to Westbrook, They've done that to
a few veterans that they brought in. They've done that
to DeMarcus Cousins a few years ago. Like you're bringing
these guys in and not giving them the opportunity to
show that they can impact winning. I just I just
really don't understand it. But like I said, I think
there's a lot of internal things that are happening in
(26:48):
that locker room that obviously we don't know about. But
I mean, if they don't fix it, it's going to
be a disappointing season.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Well, okay, can I I want to further define it,
because yeah, you just reminded me of Westbrook and Cousin
and you know and John, Like, what is it when
these guys who you know, were once superstars in the
league they come to the Clippers and you know, there's
probably some other teams have done it too, and the
team doesn't see them put up those crazy superstar numbers
from like their prime right away, they immediately go, oh,
(27:17):
they don't got it, Go go ride the bench, you know.
And it's just like, well like not allowing these guys
to play through, figure it out and ultimately that that
kind of that works out in their favor. If these
guys can find can you have that rhythm, find that rhythm,
find their fit, whether it's it's a hybrid of veteran
and playmaker, you know what I mean. So like, it
(27:38):
seems like this is a trend in the NBA where
these older, older guys who are not quite in their prime,
but still incredibly impactful get written off pretty easily.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
I think the biggest thing is you sign these guys
and the expectation is for them to be themselves, but
the opportunity that you give them is not to showcase
them to be themselves. That makes sense. I give you,
for instance, an example of myself. I average twenty nine
points a game for the Celtics. I get traded to Cleveland.
(28:09):
Obviously I'm hurt, I'm not fully healthy, but the world
is expecting me to go average thirty because that's the
last thing they seen, not putting in consideration one thing,
most importantly, I'm hurt. Second thing, I'm on a minutes
restriction plan twenty minutes a game. So there's no way
possible for me to be the same exact player that
(28:30):
the world or the people around the organization they expect
me to be when I don't have that same opportunity
to be a star or a superstar like you named
in the Westbrooks, the John Wallas, the DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George,
Paul George at one point, the Chris Pauls, and I
don't even think those guys are asking to be superstars anymore.
(28:53):
They're not asking they're just asking for in a realistic
opportunity to showcase they can impact winning. And when you
don't get a star those opportunities, you put them in
position to look really bad because the world is expecting
them to be.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
Who they've always been.
Speaker 3 (29:10):
And the people who are going to be who they
always been are the guys with the same opportunity they
always had. Example, Steph Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant and
these are the name superstars obviously, but imagine them being
put in a box and not having that same opportunity.
No way they're going to do the same things that
(29:31):
they're used to doing are capable of doing.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
So it's a lot of things.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
That are part of these decisions being made, these situations,
These really good vets are being put in.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
That the outside doesn't understand or see.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
So it's complicated, But as vets, you stay professional, you
continue to come to work each and every day and
you just do what's asked and then when you've given
an opportunity, try to impact winning the best you can.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
I appreciate that insight, because yeah, it's it's the league
moves fast, so.
Speaker 3 (30:10):
It is what have you done for me lately? And
is it's it moves so fast. You can even give
an example of a guy like Paul George, a guy
like mb to where they're saying they're moving on to
to have MAXI be the franchise that fast and not
saying MAXI doesn't deserve it. But that's another example of
(30:31):
what have you done for me lately? And that's the
business of the game.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
It's wild. Okay. One last thing I wanted to cover
in this segment. It's sort of inside basketball, but it
was I knew I wanted to ask these types of
questions when I want to get to sit with an
NBA player like yourself. So Mike Conley the other night,
he hits a three against the Spurs. Now you proceeded
to do ten unique handshakes with each of his teammates.
(30:54):
So I'm just asking you what is the process like,
when do these handshakes get created? How often are they rehearsed?
Tell everyone the fans who are in the locker rooms,
how does that come to be? Because it seems like
a big trend in the league for the last couple decades.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
Oh, it's crazy.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
It's a whole thing it usually happens like during training camp,
everybody's trying to figure out they little handshakes. Like I
didn't really start to see it until I got traded
to Cleveland. And obviously, you know, Lebron's been big on
doing that since the first time he's been in Cleveland,
whether they're doing pregame antiques, they're doing all types of handshakes.
Speaker 2 (31:29):
So he was really the leader.
Speaker 3 (31:31):
Of that in Cleveland, Like everybody got to think of
something dope to do that relates to you know, you
guys as friendship really, so that was really a big thing.
And then every other team after that I've been on,
it's like you better be locked in on these handshakes
because when the camera's on, there's no time to mess up.
So it's really a big thing where guys is in
(31:53):
the locker room.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
You'll look over.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
There in the corner, they're working on a handshake over there.
They're like, man, what do you think doing on this handshake?
So it's serious and if you really watch, nobody's really
messing up.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
No, like no, everybody is just everybody's just tapped in.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
And the crazy thing about it is Lebron is doing
handshakes with teammates from ten years ago that he hasn't played.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
With in years, and he remembers everything.
Speaker 3 (32:22):
So like, shout out to bron Shout out to everybody
who's locked in on the handshakes, because you be locked
in on the game and right when you go to
the bench, you hitting everybody with all these down the line.
I'm surprised coaches don't have handshakes. The next thing we
got to do is have coaching staff. Gotta have dope,
dope handshakes. Yeah, with the coaching staff, that would be funny.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Well.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
I talked to Richard Jefferson too about I mean that
twenty sixteen cas team, and he was saying they were
just like they had no business being the Warriors, but
they were just brothers. It was all on brotherhood and
like the handshake thing. And you've talked about that too
with your Celtics teams. Like the closer you guys are
and that the handshake thing. It seems it could be
silly child's play, but it means something.
Speaker 3 (33:04):
I mean, it means a lot. It means like that's
that says a lot about your friendship. If you got
a quick one, it's like, oh, they're not that.
Speaker 1 (33:12):
I would be watching the games like that. That's quick,
quick one.
Speaker 3 (33:16):
A handshake, A good yeah, they got the pat pats
all that.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
Oh, they go to dinner together for the show.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
So if you were to see Lebron at a game,
would you be able to be able to do your handshake?
Speaker 3 (33:30):
Now, I just go off with whatever he's doing. He's
definitely remembering it. He's definitely I remember we used to
end it with this, so I know, I know, I
know we're ending it with that for sure.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
I don't remember all the other stuff in the middle.
Speaker 1 (33:42):
I love that. I love that. Okay, on that note,
we're gonna go to break, we're gonna come back on
point game, and we got a special announcement. And also
we're gonna continue our segment of no days off. We'll
be back all right time for our Draft Kings King
of the Court segment where you pick who will lead
the league in total points, rebounds, and assists on Tuesday night,
(34:02):
and if you get it right, you can split a
million bucks. So this week, I think I'm liking SGA.
He's on the road at Oracle going against the Warriors.
But crazy stat, he's got ninety three straight games with
at least twenty points, so I feel like that's an
easy bet. It should be another big night from the MVP.
I T who do you got?
Speaker 3 (34:21):
That's that's a good pick though, Like, I mean, that's
that's as safe as safe, Picky, I'm gonna go with
I'm gonna go with Tyrese MAXI. They got the Wizards,
I think, I mean, you might mess around and get
a career night on the Wizards, knowing what they're going through, Soma.
Speaker 2 (34:37):
I'm gonna go with Tyreese MAXI.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
Okay, that's a great pick too. So everyone don't forget
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Tuesday during the NBA season, download the DraftKings Sportsbook app
and use Point Game that's code Point Game. Bet five
bucks and get two hundred dollars in bonus bets if
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Speaker 1 (35:32):
Welcome back to point game now. We debuted last episode
a new segment that was created by Isaiah here called
No Days Off, and so I wanted to continue because
it was a hit last week. I want to continue
No Days Off here with it. So why don't you
remind everyone listening and watching at home what is No
Days Off? And why did you create it?
Speaker 3 (35:51):
No Days Off, man, is just the mentality of the
slow grind. So I want to give a big shout
out to you know, guys that are hundred or radar
in the league, Guys that are on that slow grind
mentality throughout the season. They don't get the recognition that
you know, the mainstream media gives everybody else, especially the stars.
(36:12):
So I just want to give a shout out to
the underdogs, the guys that fly under the radar, but
to the to their peers, are really good basketball players
and got respect from their peers, which is most important.
So shout out to you know, the segment no Days Off,
Shout out to everybody that's on their slow grind throughout
this season. And we'll be looking for, you know, guys
(36:33):
that represent the slow grind mentality.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
Nope, okay, So who do we got this week on
No Days Off?
Speaker 3 (36:40):
So this week we got one of my Pacific Northwest guys,
Boston Celtic Peyton Pritchard, who dropped a forty piece on
the Cleveland Clavaliers.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
Someone who is.
Speaker 3 (36:54):
A slow grind member, the definition of the slow grind,
someone who's just taking advantag of each and every opportunity
he's given. An NBA champion, a six Man of the
Year Award winner. I got to give a big shout
out to Peyton Pritchard because coming into this season, obviously
he got the starting nod on the Boston Celtics. His
(37:15):
opportunity is bigger than it's all than it's been since
he's been in the league, and I don't think he's
had the season that he expects to have to start out,
but he's getting more and more comfortable, especially after that
forty piece. He's just he's doing what he's supposed to
be doing. So I got to give a big shout
out to him. He's are no days off. Winner for
(37:37):
the week. Keep it going, stay on your slow grind
and keep killing them boys.
Speaker 1 (37:43):
Man.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Proud of you, bro, Love.
Speaker 1 (37:44):
It man, Peyton Pritchard. What are there any moments that
you can share with us or stories from maybe even
playing in some of those I've talked about the Seattle
programs or playing those runs during the summer up in
Pacific Northwest.
Speaker 3 (37:58):
Shout out to Peyton for coming through my basketball tournament
Zeke and Weekend twenty twenty four.
Speaker 2 (38:05):
He came to show love. He lost to us.
Speaker 3 (38:07):
In the championship, but he showed he showed the city love,
he showed the fans love. He put on the show
for sure, and I'm always going to have real love
for Peyton Pritchell for coming to my city and putting
on the show for the fans.
Speaker 2 (38:21):
So shout out to him.
Speaker 3 (38:23):
Keep grinding, bro, keep showing the undersized guards are the
way to go and keep putting your name out there.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
Bro. All love.
Speaker 1 (38:30):
It's all opportunity. We talked about all the time.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
He's starting out all about opportunity. Bro.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
That's right, Okay, I want to close out this the show.
It was brought to my attention this incredible film we
talked about Slow Grind Media, which this show is brought
to you by as well. This incredible film and documentary
that you and your team created called Go Forward. I
don't want to explain. I think it's best putting your words,
(38:56):
but I got an opportunity to watch it last night.
It's incredible powerful. It's about a story that, honestly man like.
One of the reasons why I wanted to do the
show with you is like, not only were you know
you're an incredible basketball player, but an incredible human being
who has been open. Your story has been shared and
(39:19):
it's been an inspiration and motivation and I had no
idea that this documentary was being made, and I just
think it speaks volumes about who you are and your
initiatives even outside of basketball. So the documentary is called
Go Forward, but I wanted to tee it up to you.
It's premiering here at the Sun Valley Film Festival. So
I want to ask you, like, what is this film
about and sort of why you wanted to make it?
(39:40):
And I have some other questions about the making of
this film.
Speaker 3 (39:44):
So we slow Grind Media we produced the documentary called
Go Forward. And the reason why I wanted to do
this was because when the situation happened with my little
such little sister getting in a car accident back in
twenty seventeen and passing away right before the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (40:06):
I seen how inspiring.
Speaker 3 (40:11):
Me trying to fight through a personal tragedy was for
everybody in the entire world, whether somebody I seen on
the street, somebody I seen back home in Tacoma, somebody
I seen in an arena, who really would stop me
and be like, the time I was going through a
tough time in my life, I was really looking to
(40:32):
you for motivation and inspiration. And when I heard all
those messages being thrown at me, all those people would
write me letters, people would just say how inspiring I was.
And I was only doing what I felt was right.
I was only doing what I felt was normal. But
to be able to inspire the world on something that
(40:53):
everybody goes through, whether somebody passes away in your family,
whether you got to go through grief. To be able
to do that on the national stage was very difficult,
But to be able to show it to the world,
and if I'm able to help one person that's going
through the same similar situations that I've been able that
(41:15):
I've had to go through when it comes to grief
and losing family members, losing siblings.
Speaker 2 (41:22):
That's something I want to do.
Speaker 3 (41:23):
So we've been filming since twenty eleven, Like I got
everything since twenty eleven, so soon we're going to come
out with a movie of my life. And we've been
able to my guy TJ. Riggins, been able to film
and capture some of the biggest moments, some of the
highs and the lows, not only in basketball, but in
(41:45):
my everyday life.
Speaker 2 (41:47):
And this was a very important piece.
Speaker 3 (41:49):
So when it came up to do a short documentary
with a couple other producers, it was difficult, but it
was a no brainer because it was to help others.
It wasn't about myself. And when people sit and watch this,
it's gonna change a lot on how you think about things,
(42:09):
like even when I sit and watch it, a couple
of times I have and put myself outside of who
I am and it being me that's going through this.
It made me realize, like it's bigger than yourself. So like,
if you're going through personal stuff, it's bigger to to
to not just keep it in like you can. You
(42:30):
can help somebody else, and that's what is the most
inspiring thing.
Speaker 2 (42:34):
So we got.
Speaker 3 (42:37):
This film is inducted in the Some Valley Film Festival,
which is a major film festival.
Speaker 2 (42:44):
It's only the beginning.
Speaker 3 (42:45):
It will be showing December sixth in Idaho at the
Sun Valley Film Festival. I will be there and my
family will be there. It's definitely a dope opportunity to
be able to be in the mix in that space
because that's something that I'm very interested in being in.
And it's just going to be a powerful short dot
(43:06):
It's going to change a lot of eyes when it
comes to being able to push through adversity and tragedy
on a national stage where everybody's watching my every move
and shout out to my pops man for being able
to sit down and speak his truth on how he's
(43:26):
going through it, how he deals with grief, and without him,
this would never even have been made. And this was
a tough, a tough goal for him to even sit
down and speak about it. So shout out to my dad,
Shout out to everybody involved, shout out to t J.
Reagan for like, it's it's it's it's tough moments, man,
(43:48):
but it's gonna at the end of the day, it's
going to help somebody else and that's what's most important.
So the film is called Go Forward. It will be
shown this weekend at the at the Film Festival, and
the world would be able to see it soon for
sure because it's going to be that impactful.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
Yeah, man, And and you know a lot of my
work in basketball too is about telling the stories of
the person you know behind. Because everyone knows about that
legendary fifty three point game on your sister's birthday. Highlight
reels are made, edits are made and whatever. But the
fact that you had cameras rolling you were you know,
(44:25):
you were open and not to just be like hey
look at me, like you said, but like this stuff
helps you know, Like I've gone through some grief, you know,
anyone ever has. It's tough, but people we as humans
have to go through and to see someone who went
through it like yourself and then you know, was able
to channel that through basketball, you know, passion that you
had and get through it, and then your family and
(44:46):
how how you guys have worked through it and continue
to work through and make you know, these powerful films
and like that. It's really incredible to see. So I
appreciate it. And so some other questions I had about
it were, how was it you know, getting other members
of the Celtics, you know, yeah, Brad Steam's Auhr for
all these people, How important was it to get them
to be involved and help give, you know, some more
(45:09):
texture to that story.
Speaker 3 (45:10):
It was easy actually because that whole organization went through
a real life tragedy with me, so they understand the
magnitude of what was going through them locker room halls,
what was how the energy was for that whole playoff
run when it was it was a tough situation for
everybody involved. So shout out to everybody who is a
(45:33):
part of the film. Shout out to our horror for
Brad Stevens, a few other Boston Celtics staff members that
took their time out of their day to be able to,
you know, speak about such a personal moment for myself
and my family. So it was easy though, Like when
I asked those guys to be a part of it,
it was a no brainer for them. So the love
(45:53):
and respect they have not only for myself but for
my family is amazing. And you know that feeling is mutual.
Speaker 1 (46:00):
That's great. Man. Well, I highly recommend it. Anyone's a
fan of it, of basketball, who's ever been through having
to deal with grief, I highly recommend you check out
this docu short Go Forward, produced by Silverrind Media. It's
like it said, it's premiering this Saturday in Idaho, December sixth,
four point thirty at the Opera House. The link is
(46:21):
Sun Valleyfilmfestival dot org. You can check out all the
information how to get tickets there check it out. I
think yeah, like I said, I think it's the start
of you telling your whole story, because it's like, you know,
you've inspire people shorter guards and all that stuff. But
also I think there's another layer that when people saw
you deal with this was like, oh yeah, it is
our guy, that's.
Speaker 3 (46:42):
For sure, And when they see this, it's just going
to be real life stuff. So it's going to be
something anybody who's been through something like this is going
to relate to.
Speaker 2 (46:52):
I just was having to.
Speaker 3 (46:52):
Do it on a national stage while in the NBA playoffs,
And I mean, even though it was tough to do
like it's, it's helped me in ways that I can't
even imagine in terms of being able to help others
in such difficult times.
Speaker 2 (47:12):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (47:13):
Yeah, man, all right, well appreciate that. Check it out.
This has been another episode of Point Game presented by
follow Through, iHeartMedia, Slow Grind, and DraftKings. Guys, been loving
doing this. Subscribe to channel, keep hitting the likes, keep
sharing the clips. The clips are going off because I
feel like we're doing the important stuff you were getting
players on. We're sharing real stories, we're not holding back.
(47:36):
So we're just going to continue doing that here on
Point Game. Anything else, I t.
Speaker 3 (47:40):
Nah, tap in and let us know who you want
to see as a guest man. It don't got to
it don't always got to be a little basketball player.
I know more than basketball players, But tap in, let
us know, we appreciate the love and support.
Speaker 2 (47:54):
Just just just keep keep tapping in with us every
each and every week.
Speaker 1 (47:58):
Love it,
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