The 2025 NBA All-Star Special

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Twenty twenty five is here, and in the NBA world,
the new year is usually when we start looking forward
to the All Star festivities and then we pretty much
blink in his playoff time. Right, And in fact, with
NBA All Star fan voting returns starting to drop in
the recent weeks, I figured it was a great time
for me to dedicate an entire hip to the game's

(00:20):
episode to selecting my East and West NBA All Stars.
And I should make it clear I'm not necessarily doing predictions. Okay,
this isn't me predicting what the All Star teams are
gonna be because every season has a few surprises. I'm
simply sharing the twenty four players that I personally would
like to see in this year's All Star Game. So

(00:41):
consider it like the NBA H two DG All Stars special, right,
And you know, if I get most of them right, cool,
that's fun. But if not, that's cool too, as I
just wanted to do my personal selections and show some
love to some guys that I believe should be playing
in that Sunday game. So I want to start the
first episode of twenty twenty five with some fun and
do this year's NBA All Stars special. As I said, so,

(01:04):
as always, kickback and get your popcorn ready for another
fun episode of Hip to the Games. Welcome to Hip
to the Games, the podcast for you, the basketball junkie
and the hip hop hit. I'm your host, Desmond and
I too have had hoop dreams and enjoy the beautiful
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(01:28):
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(02:02):
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(02:22):
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(02:46):
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(03:06):
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(04:12):
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(04:34):
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(04:56):
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(05:18):
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your support. All right, and then transitioning into today's show,

(05:42):
given it is and All Star Selections Special, I will
be starting with the All Star starters for each conference
before moving on to the reserves and kind of also,
you know, simultaneously revealing my snubs if you will. And
since this year's game is going to be in the Bay, right,
Golden State is gonna be representing this year's All Star Game.

(06:03):
So I figured this we got a tip off with
the twenty twenty five Western Conference starters. Okay, let's get
it man. All Star Special H two DG styles. Starting
off with the West starters, I could essentially split this
up into two categories. I would say like the we
got next and the ogs. And you'll see why in

(06:23):
a second, because I think these three players are locks. Right.
If we're talking that we got next group, it would
be Shae Gilgess, Alexander Luka, Doncic, and Nikola Jokic. I
think those are pretty easy, right. Shay is putting up
very similar numbers to last season thirty one, five and
six at the time, that's recording two steals in one block.
I mean, like I said, just really building off what

(06:44):
he did last year, and wildly enough. You know, you
never really really hear him in the best two way
player conversations, even though his numbers at least back it up,
you know, supplemented by that effort that he displays through
the eye test. You know, like I said, I think
it's really press that he goes after block shots and
he's really really good on ball and getting in the

(07:05):
passing lanes getting those strips. He's really good on defense too.
You know, he's certainly putting on another MVP campaign and
you know, although again nikoley, Okicic Giannis, those guys are
right with him, but I think Shay is really on pace,
especially with that team success, you know, best in the West.
Once again, I think he's really putting on another great

(07:25):
MVP campaign. So his spot is an absolute locked. You know,
I'm curious to see if he gets some sympathy for
last year's snub or if once again he will be
snubbed because of just his quieter, more stoic personality. But
either way, his spot, like I said, is a lock.
Then we have Luka Dancic for what I have as
the other backcourt spot. As he is this generations Lebron

(07:46):
right in the sense, right, I know, people are gonna
hear names and go wild. He's this generation's Lebron James
in the sense he can single handedly carry a team
to you know, contention and be a triple double threat
night in and night out. You know, to me again,
he is a perennial lock. You're always gonna see him
in the All Star Game. You know, he's exciting, he's dazzling.

(08:07):
He plays the game with joy, you know, again, a
lot like what we saw with a young Lebron. And
even with the help from a guy like Kyrie Irving,
you know, Luca has a great group around him. This
team just made the finals last season, you know, and
equally he helps them shine, you know, with his neck
to create shots not just for himself but them as well.
You know, he's been really good at getting those guys involved,

(08:27):
in seeking ways to get those guys involved as he
gets his own and you know, I respect that. After
a couple thirty point seasons, he's averaging twenty eight eight
to eight, with a surprising career high two steals a
game at the time of this recording, you know, showing
a knack to again get in those passing lands, you know,
get some strips, and you know, which is really good
to see because he's often criticized for his lack of

(08:49):
defensive engagement or energy on the floor. You know, obviously,
again I'll be the first to tell you steals don't
reflect ones on ball defense as a whole, but it
is nice to say, see Luca get into those passing lanes,
get some strips, get some steals. Even more so again
showing that he's willing to exert that extra energy to
get those stops and get more possessions for his team.

(09:10):
And then for one of the front court spots, we
got around it out with Nikola Jokic at center. All right,
just when we thought the Joker couldn't get any scarier,
he turns it up this season after a slower nugget
start with averages of about thirty one points a game,
which is a career high, thirteen rebounds and just under
ten asists. So you know, we'll see if he can

(09:32):
finish the year with a triple double. You know, it's
gonna be tough considering the other the new gen triple
double King and Russell Westbrook is on his team now,
you know, I'm sure they'll be they'll be going at
it as the course of the season progresses. But he's
also getting a career high one point seven steals a
game too, so and again, if I'm continuing with career highs,
it's not just those numbers. He's also shooting the three

(09:53):
ball more than ever, with four point six almost five
three point attempts a game, and he's shooting a mind
blowing forty nine from deep. Okay, Dame Lillard said it
best blood. Don't miss Nicola Jokic, don't miss man, And
he's really showing that this season, you know. And it's funny.
As effortless as Nikola Jokic makes the game, you would

(10:13):
think he would be a perennial fifty to forty ninety guy,
or in this case, darn near fifty to fifty ninety guy, right,
creating a whole different category. But while he has some
ways to go, I think with the with the free
throw percentage, you know, he's a little off there. I mean,
obviously he's shooting a really good eighty one percent. I
believe it is, but you know, obviously a long way
off to ninety. But even with all that said, he

(10:35):
still makes the game look very easy. You know, he's
playing his best ball yet and thankfully the wins are
starting to add up for the Denver Nuggets, and I
think further influencing his MVP campaign as he chases his fourth.
All right, let's be clear about that too. A lot
of worthy MVP candidates in this league, but Nicola Jokic
is knocking on the door of number four. Well, at

(10:57):
least we think he's chasing it, right, you know, judging
by his face on a night and night out Basis,
doesn't really look like he's chasing it. But the stats
say otherwise. Okay, the stats say otherwise. We were onto you, Jokic,
We're on to you now. While those guys got next, right,
some of the ogs still got something to say, right,
And I gotta start with the obvious one, King James himself,

(11:19):
Lebron James. Okay, funny enough, twenty four eight to nine
averages at forty years old is essentially considered declining for
this legend, but is still very much on brand with
his dominant style of play. You know. Something to note
is that even with the rough slump from three point
range to start the season, I think there was a
point where he missed like twenty something consecutive threes, he's

(11:42):
still at this point at the time of this recording
at thirty eight percent from three right, and that remains
among the best percentages from three of his career. You know,
so again showing that he's aging like the finest of wines,
you know. You know, he's led the Lakers to some
huge wins, has kept him in play for kind of
that top six playoff spot, you know, avoiding the play

(12:05):
in You know, people got nervous, I think when they
saw how Lebron started this season. You know, he seemed
to finally show some defeat versus father time. But like
a true old head, you know, he had to act
like he was rusty early so he could start dominating later.
You know, a prime example of how Lebron quote unquote
coasts through the regular season and gets ramped up as

(12:26):
we get close to the playoff time. So either way,
this is the king Man. You know, his spot in
the All Star Game is stamped, has been stamped, and
you know, he's mirroring his place among the all time
greats in this game. Now. Honestly, okay, for this last spot,
I had some trouble. I had some trouble initially, you know,
earlier in the season, I just couldn't decide whether to

(12:48):
move Luca to the front court and give it to
Steph Curry, or keep Luca in the back court and
then give the last spot to Kevin Durant. And you know,
as much as Stephan Curry is beloved against, you know,
amongst all basketball fans, it feels weird for him to
not be an All Star starter, right, And even last
year it was the same thing. It just feels weird

(13:09):
to see a guy like Stephen Curry not be an All
Star starter. And as great and as one of a
kind as Kevin Durant is, it was equally weird to
move him to the bench. Right. So I was struggling.
You know, if you're around my age too, you can
imagine that that thought that I have, this struggle that
I have comes from. How as we got older, we
saw our childhood greats, you know, a noticeably older Kobe Bryant,

(13:32):
Alan Iverson, Right, these guys were still voted as starters
even when statistically they shouldn't have been. You know, we
can be honest in saying that, you know, let's celebrate
and enjoy these icons while we still can. You know,
So I was never mad at Kobe Bryant Alan iverson
getting in as getting voted in as starters despite the
young talent, because again, given the ogs their flowers is

(13:56):
always something. Again, obviously this whole podcast is centered around that.
So even from a young age, I recognize how the
NBA did that. But again, you know that said, we
did also see older guys like Tim Duncan and dark Nowitzki,
you know, get voted in as reserves toward the end
of their careers. So you know, maybe if Steph and
Katie off the bench isn't really that bad. You know, again,

(14:18):
it happens to the best. And I think they both
had you know, scarily, they both had similar arcs this season,
you know, in the sense that they missed some time
with injuries, but they also show that they could still
play MVPs basketball. But I think Kevin Durant he served
to be more consistent in doing so as opposed to Steph,

(14:39):
and so I gave the edge to Kevin Durant because
in the recent month or so, he's been playing more
consistent despite you know, both of these teams playing mediocre basketball.
I think the Slim Reaper, you know, he's doing his thing. Man,
He's averaging almost twenty eight points six rebounds for assists,
still making it look easy as he always has, and
I would argue even easier nowadays at thirty six ye

(15:02):
years old, you know already. I mean, it was crazy
that he was looking like an MVP candidate to start
the season, and I think which says a lot about
his contributions on both sides of the floor, as I believe.
He's also been an underrated defender legit since twenty eleven,
twenty twelve probably, And the name of the game is
about buckets, right, and Katie is still very much so

(15:23):
one of the best in the league, so to me,
he solidifies his starting spot in this year's All Star Game.
All right, So for the West starters, just rounding it
out again, I actually have the same starting lineup as
last season shake Gilgess, Alexander Lukadancic, Lebron James, Kevin Durant,
and Nikola Jokic. Okay, but now flipping eastward, it gets

(15:43):
a bit more fun because to me, there aren't as
many locks as there are in the West. Again, this
is my personal opinion, you know. In fact, I think
the only locks for the East come in the front court. Again,
I know that might be unpopular, that that really might
be an unpopular opinion, but I don't, you know, I
don't try to fall into group think and things of
that nature, but you know, I really think that's the case.

(16:07):
Giannis Antetokoumpo, Jason Tatum, and Carl Anthony Towns, I believe
are all locks. I know, Carl Anthony Towns went down
with an injury towards the end of the Bulls game
on d Rose Nights, So hopefully that doesn't turn out
to be something that is serious and kind of keeps
him out the game. But of course, at the time
of me recording this episode and obviously being way earlier then,

(16:28):
you know, we got some weeks before they actually revealed
the NBA All Star Team. So but just I think,
as of right now, those are the locks in the
starting lineup. You know, Giannis is still a freight train
reminiscent of the Lebron James model. You know, and it's
putting up a career high thirty two points a game,
eleven rebounds, and six assists while still being one of

(16:49):
the more ferocious defenders in the league. He is shooting
a career low from the free throw line, but the
All Star Game ain't for free throws anyway, you know,
so we ain't really looking for that, and I think
he's actually made up for it by adding a consistent
mid range pull up to his game, you know, something
fans like us have been asking for since about maybe

(17:10):
twenty nineteen, twenty twenty ish. You know, Giannis he plays
the game the right way, with heart, with passion and
an intensity that reminds you of stars from the eighties,
from the nineties, from the two thousands and again. He
brings that competitive edge that the All Star Game really
needs nowadays. And you know, he's a sight to see.
He's a lock in the All Star Game. Then we

(17:30):
got Jason Tatum, who has recently been I think compared
to Tim Duncan in the recent year. So you know,
as he's this guy whose team is always in the
championship conversations, right, his play is always amongst the top
five in the league. Yet his laid back personality doesn't
usually make him the popular favorite, which you know, which

(17:51):
is actually kind of crazy to think about. But still though,
you know, he is an MVP level player and without him,
the Celtics wouldn't be the threat that they are in
the NBA with their star averaging about twenty nine points
and career highs in rebounds with almost ten a game
and assists with about six a game, you know, showing
his continuous improvement as a playmaker, as a decision maker.

(18:13):
You know, he may have that laid back persona, but
his game certainly isn't laid back, and you know, he too,
for me, remains a lot in the east. And then
we round out the front court, like I said, with
Carl Anthony Towns, who has made the biggest jump in
terms of respect, I would say, lots of people getting
on the Cap bandwagon this year like never before. Because
again I think just playing in a bigger market like

(18:35):
New York that helps. But again it helps, but we
got to stop with the market talk all the time, right,
Like sometimes you're just bawling. The better you ball, the
more eyes get on you, right, And that's exactly what's
happening in the Karl Anthony Towns. You know, I think
in this first year playing for his family's favorite team
growing up right, the New York Knicks, it's been beautiful

(18:55):
to watch his evolution. I think what stands out to me,
and I think most of us is his almost fourteen
rebounds a game, which is a career high for him,
and his forty four percent from three, another career high
for him, you know, getting back playing the center spot.
And I think owning the glass down low has been
a priority for Cat and that's something I love. You know,

(19:15):
me old school, I love when my big men get rebounds,
get in the paint, and own the paint. Okay, there
should be no reason why you're six eleven seven foot
averaging seven six five rebounds a game, right, So, so
shout out to Cat man. He's doing what all big
men should do, grabbing those boards. And like I said,
referring to his three point percentage, you know, he's living

(19:37):
up to his best big man shooter in NBA history,
claims from a year ago. You know, I still got
Dirk Nowitzki. You know Cat is close though. You know,
I certainly see where Cat is coming from. The old
head Emmy is definitely going towards Dirk. But you know it,
Cat Cat's doing his thing. He's doing his thing, and
you know, while the Big Cat being traded to the
Big Apple was a sudden shock, he channeled that in

(20:00):
his play and you know, he's playing the best basketball
of his career, you know, earning like I said, that
grander respect league wide, and thus I think again he's
gonna lock up his first career All Star starting spot.
So really great to see now as I go to
the backcourt, though, I want to apologize to Cleveland fans
because it makes zero sense that record wise, the best

(20:23):
team in the league doesn't have a single All Star starter.
Because I'll be honest, at one point, I was strongly
considering Jaylen Brown as opposed to Donovan Mitchell. You know,
to me, Jylen Brown looked pretty energized after being named
Finals MVP last season, you know, wanting to prove to
people that it wasn't by mistake. Again, he too, has
improved his playmaking abilities, much like Jason Tatum. You know,

(20:46):
he's averaging around twenty four to six and five. He's
got some highlight posters already in his career, and especially
this season. You know, he's one of the few wings,
in my opinion, that actually still dunk on big men.
You know, in this small ball era, a lot of
posters that we see nowadays are kind of on wings
and like small ball centers. But Jalen Brown is one
of the few that like legit dunk on centers that

(21:08):
are still in this league. So you know that that,
you know, the highlight factor definitely plays a role. But
that said, you know, I think when I think about
Donovan Mitchell being the best player on his team, uh,
you know, he's having a career year from downtown, shooting
forty one percent from three. Again, he's very similar to
Jalen Brown with the numbers twenty four, five and five,

(21:28):
and which is weird for Donovan Mitchell though, because they
are some of the lower averages actually that we've seen
over the course of his career. But you know, considering
the overall growth of his teammates, that makes sense that
his numbers are going down. Cleveland is playing more as
a team this year and it's and their record shows it.
So I'm actually kind of torn, you know, between Donovan
Mitchell and Jaylen Brown. I think there are cases for

(21:50):
both of them. You know, I want to reward Cleveland's
success and make sure Donovan Mitchell is is an All
Star starter, but I also want to reward Jalen Brown
for his play. You know, he's doing some cool things
out there. But you know, when I as I say
all that, uh, and I know I issued an apology
for to Cleveland fans, I think I'm gonna go with
Donovan Mitchell. Uh. He you know, I think having the

(22:12):
opportunity to lead a team and be the top guy,
you know, best record in the league like this is
dope for Donovan. Obviously, it is something we kind of
seen before. Again, those some of those Utah teams were
the best in the West. Things of that nature. We've
seen him do that for a few years now. But
I think, you know, it's only right to see a
guy like that get in And you know, I made

(22:34):
it through that one. But unfortunately that isn't our last
doozy of this day because for the last backcourt spot
now I'm torn between Damian Lillard and Jalen Brunson. Okay,
so we made it through. We got Donovan Mitchell. Shout
out Jaylen Brown though, but now it's the same one
as last year. Now, again, I want to make this
very clear too, especially if you are a younger fan

(22:54):
watching slash listening to this. I know, I am very
aware of what LaMelo is doing. I am very aware
of his hot start in Charlotte. His popularity amongst the
youth has made him a fan favorite to start in
this year's game. But to me, he hasn't been healthy
as these two veterans, and honestly, LaMelo Ball's game hasn't

(23:17):
translated to wins the way I thought it would for
Charlotte this season. I thought Charlotte Charlotte was gonna immediately
find their way back in the play. In conversation, LaMelo
Ball is exciting as heck. You know, he plays the
perfect basketball for the All Star Game. I, as a
fan of basketball, I want to see that. Okay, let
me make this very clear. I want to see that

(23:37):
if healthy, he should definitely be in the All Star Game.
But Damian Lillard and Jalen Brunson, to me, are the
top choices for that last starting spot. Because again, keep
in mind, the voting returns that come out are strictly
the fan voting returns, So obviously it makes sense why
LaMelo Ball is towards the top. But when the coaches

(23:57):
and the media and the players get together, are they
gonna think the same thing. That's what we gotta wait
and see. But you know, I do want to show
some love to LaMelo Ball because he did start this
season with an unbelievable start. But you know, I think,
like I said, with Damon and Jalen being a little
more consistent as far as playing games being out there

(24:18):
for their teams, I think it should be between those two.
And the crazy thing is, last year I felt that
it should have been Jalen Brunson right, And I honestly
at last year, I can be one hundred and say
I had Damian Lillard snubbed completely out the All Star Game.
I just thought it was he was trying and he
was making it work. But it was a pretty inconsistent

(24:38):
year for him in that first year with Milwaukee, which
is really understandable, right, I'm not knocking him for that.
He was solid, but it just wasn't a great year.
And funny enough, though he makes it he starts, he
ends up winning All Star Game MVP. So you know,
shout out, Dame. I'm glad that that was able to
happen for him. But you know, I definitely thought it
should have went to Jalen Brunson. But see now this

(24:59):
year I had it kind of flipped. I thought, you know,
if you asked me about a month ago, I thought
Damian Lillard should be starting in this year's All Star Game.
You know, he seemed to have that bounce in this step,
began playing well with Giannis. Bucks won the NBA Cup, right,
it makes sense. And but the crazy thing is Jalen
Brunson still has a case because they are literally averaging
the same stats twenty five points, seven assists. You know,

(25:24):
Dame's rebounds are higher, you know, while Jalen Brunson's field
goal percentage and his three point percentages are better. You know,
both have shown their flashes of insane dominance. You know,
and there was a stretch, like I said, where Damon
Giannis looked like the best duo in the league. Dare
I say, you know, while Jalen Brunton and Karl Anthony
Towns they could get some you know love in that

(25:44):
argument as well. At times. You know, the Knicks they
have a much better record than the Bucks right now.
So you know, I think Jalen Brunton gets the edge there. Again,
there's there's always been this debate whether or not winning
matters in terms of All Star potential. I think it
has its ways on both sides. But you know, I

(26:05):
definitely do think obviously winning plays a role, and you know,
so for me personally, I think I'm gonna go with
Jalen Brunson. And what was literally a last minute decision
for me, because like I said, if you asked me
about a month ago, maybe even a little less than that,
I would have said Damian Lillard, no hesitation. But this year,
you know, Jalen Brunson, I think he has a bit

(26:25):
more of a case given the momentum of his MVP
caliber season last year. You know, obviously still a very
integral part of the Knicks success. And even if Dame
is having this great game, you know, the Bucks have
still found themselves in the lost column, you know so,
And additionally, I think Jalen has just been a little
bit more just I mean a smidgeon, just a little

(26:47):
bit more consistent than Dame overall. So in my opinion,
you can flip a coin with this one, and I
would be happy with whoever starts in the All Star Game. Okay,
but even as the Bucks won the NBA Cup, the
Knicks are still the better team, and a lot of
that is due to Jalen Brunson running the poort. The point,
even the roster that they have to this day is

(27:07):
because of the success of Jalen Brunson. So I'm gonna
go JB. I'm gonna give it to Jaln Brunson to
round out the East All Star starters, but it could
very well be Damian Lillard again, that would be something
like I said, I'd have no problems either way. But
just as for Desmond Powle of hip to the Games,
I'm gonna go round out the East starters with Jalen Brunson,
Donovan Mitchell, Jason Tatum, Joannasanteto Kombo, and Carl Anthony Towns.

(27:30):
That's my Eastern Conference starters, okay. So those are my
twenty twenty five NBA All Star starters. Okay, but I
can't be the only one making these choices. All right now,
it's your turn, Okay. I gotta do the hard thing.
You gotta do the hard thing, you know, So be
sure to share your starter picks with me down below.
If you are watching on YouTube, or at me on
the socials, at Hip to the Games, or at Desmond

(27:52):
Powell Underscore to do so as I love to know
what you think as well. You know, hit me with
those starters selections. Actually, in terms of those two backcourt
spots in the East, I would love to know where
y'all's minds are at. But in the meantime, we got
to move on to the real fun part. Okay, those
all star reserves. But first, if you do like what
you're hearing so far and want to know how you

(28:13):
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the H two DG lifestyle. Welcome back to Hip to
the Games, and we're gonna pick right off with the
twenty twenty five Western Conference All Star Reserve selections. Okay,
and remember I'm saying selections. I'm trying to make it
very clear that I'm not trying to predict, because I

(28:54):
know people are gonna see the title. They're gonna hear
how i'm talking and probably be like, oh, Desmond, you
didn't predict this person, YadA, YadA. I'm just making my selections.
These are my selections. Again, as I say, you want
to make your selections, put them in the comments. That's cool,
all right, it's all love. But picking up with the
West Conference All Star reserves. After selecting my starters, it's

(29:14):
time to pick these guys who are gonna come off
the bench. And I'm gonna tell you straight up, much
like we've seen the last few seasons, there are gonna
be plenty of guys not happy this season. Okay, we
gotta be outright about that. Whether it's because of injuries,
smaller markets, lack of team success, or simply fans sleeping,
or simply the fact that which is very underrated. You

(29:36):
probably just got beat out by a better player. Right,
They are gonna be the most amount of snubs we've
seen in a minute. I feel like because there are
a lot of deserving guys, but unfortunately not everybody can
get in. And like I said on the previous episode,
you know, it's why I felt that instead of using
the rising stars for this new all star format, add

(29:57):
some snubs, add the guys who didn't really make it,
like with official voting, you know, don't don't put the
rookies and sophomores. And it put some of these guys
that got snubbed, you know, that were this close to
making it but just didn't make the cut. Add those
guys into the Sunday game. But that's neither here nor there.
That's for a different episode. But again, like I said,

(30:17):
this is who I would like to see, even if
it doesn't match up come February. So flipping back to
the West, I want to make it known too that
I believe each conference should have at the very least
two front core players because this game, you know, this
league is so guard heavy. You know, it can be
very easy easy to select six guards and have one
front core guy. Right. I won't even say big man,

(30:39):
have one small excuse me, just have one small forward
or power forward. Even you know, you still got to
have some size on your team. So again, that might
boot out some of these guards, and so, like I said,
it's very easier said to do than done. But thankfully
I believe my West reserves are a pretty solid mix. Okay,
So obviously, again given what I said in the in

(31:00):
my section with the starters, the first one is going
to be Stephen Curry. You know, twenty two to five
and six aside from his nineteen twenty season due to injury,
this is his lowest points per game average since really
the first three years in the league. But you know,
he's still doing his thing as the greatest shooter ever,
you know, showing flashes of his elite proficiency even at

(31:20):
the age of thirty six soon to be thirty seven. Okay,
that's hashed out, Steph. You're a Locke brother. Okay, there
we got Anthony Edwards, still a young, budding legend in
this game. Dare I say? As he continues to show
why he's going to be among the NBA's best for
years to come, averaging about twenty four to six and
four this season. He's one of the most entertaining players

(31:42):
on the floor and off the floor, you know, with
sound bites, plenty of sound bites for the media media.
He's a walking high by reel like he has it all,
you know, and really channels that flair and energy of
the two thousand Stars. You know. I think that's why
a lot of us, especially if you're around my age,
you know, we like a guy like Thy Edwards because
he reminds us how the game was played, you know,

(32:03):
when we were getting invested in the NBA. And you know,
I do believe he has sacrificed some of his elite
slashing ability for more threes, but he's making them. You know,
at the end of the day, he's making them, so
you can't really complain, you know, shooting out a forty
one percent clip at about ten attempts a game that's
pretty impressive, you know, which which I think it looks

(32:24):
good aesthetically in this NBA, and like I said, you
gotta respect it because he's accurate. But in my opinion,
this dude can get wherever he wants at the hoops,
similar to what reminds me of prime Dwayne Wade, and
I personally would like to see him do it more.
But either way, his spot is a lock, all right,
And then I'm gonna go John Moran, Okay, we cruising
with the West. Like I said, it's not the westin
wasn't really that hard for me, John Moran. You know,

(32:46):
it's great to see this young brother back where he
needs to be, right in the All Star Game, putting
on a show for the fans. You know, as we imagined,
he has been fairly healthy, and the Grizzlies find themselves
sitting comfortably towards the top of the West some conference.
All right, One player with that kind of fact can
do that to a team, and that's what Jah is
to the Grizzlies. He's reached a point where he's chilled

(33:08):
out a bit. I think, you know, he's finally controlled
his game. He's playing at his own pace, using the
extra athleticism as an emergency button, right, not as a necessity,
but as an emergency button. Twenty one to four and eight.
That's a little bit lower than what we've been used
to in the recent years. But he's still very much
a musty talent, top level point guard in this league.

(33:30):
You know, he said he was dunking less and still
has some highlight worthy dunks and already an insane amount
of other worldly three sixty layups. Like the brother has
been incredible. You know, if he can indeed remain healthy,
he'll he'll death be in that All Star Game, you know,
providing those highlights every fan wants to see. And then
I want to move to the big fellas as Anthony

(33:52):
Davis is my next selection again. This dude, he's pretty
healthy again this season, which is awesome to see. His
dominance on both sides has continued to be, you know,
in that elite category. You know, he's had a great
start to the year and his dominance on both sides,
like I said, is just showing, even to the point

(34:12):
where he was like a very early MVP candidate. But
even as that kind of subsided a little bit, his
twenty six points, twelve rebounds for assists, one point three steals,
and just over two blocks a game, those numbers are
still at an all NBA level and the Lakers have
benefited greatly from it. Okay, So Anthony Davis, you're a locke,
my boy up next. It's gonna be the first of

(34:36):
many for the out of this World Victor webin Yama. Okay,
so we already got five spots locked in. I think
it's pretty easy for the Western Conference. He's building off
his rookie season very well with twenty six ten and
four and just under four blocks a game. Okay, not two,
not three, but almost four blocks a game, all right,
doing the kind of stuff we've seen Hakim do back

(34:58):
in the day, and to Kimbe, you know, his soul
like you know, Victor webin Yama's owning the paint. You know,
like I said, I love to see it. I love
to see it. But the scary part is with Victor
Webinyama is that he still has yet to develop a
foundational game for himself. And he's averaging twenty six ten
and four. He hasn't even bulked up that much and

(35:19):
he's still twenty six ten and four and four blocks. Okay,
so wildly enough, this is still just the beginning for
Victor Webinyama. You know, he's the NBA's latest fascination, taken
off from just outside the free throw line Duncan when
it initially looked like he had no path to the rim,
you know, doing the space jam, armed stretched, you know

(35:40):
what I'm saying, Not on a nightly basis, you know,
just doing something crazy every night while owning the paint defensively,
and it's only right that he takes his rightful place
in this year's All Star Game. Okay. But now, like
I said, this is where it gets interesting, Okay, because
with only two spots left, Okay, it gets very interesting
because I'm going to do this. I'm gonna drop six

(36:03):
names in total. If you follow me, Okay, I'm gonna
drop six names. Two of them will be names that
I personally again would like to see in the All
Star Game, but they may have the opportunity to get
replaced by someone from that group of four. Okay, So
obviously four plus two is six six names. Two of
them are gonna make it. Four of them may not

(36:24):
make it, but may also have the potential to, you know,
make it in real life. We'll see. Okay. But all
this is hypothetical, just for fun. So let's get into it.
So to me, the last two spots on the Western
Conference reserves, Okay, initially this was my thought process. I
believe that they should go to Dearon Fox and James Harden, Okay,

(36:46):
meaning that yes, Kyrie Irving, Jalen Williams of the OKAC
thunder Alprin Sangun of the Houston Rockets, and Norman Powell
of the Los Angeles Clippers would all be my Western
Conference snubs. But of course, should there be an injury
or just to turn turn of events with the voting
things that nature, any one of those four could actually
make it in. Would I would be satisfied with all

(37:08):
those guys make it in, and they're all having great campaigns,
But I would say I picked Daron Fox now he
is more of a lock in my eyes, Like I
really feel confident in Daron Fox because he should have
made it last year too, and this season he's going
arguably even crazier, you know, averaging about twenty seven, five
and six on back to back days, the brother had

(37:30):
a sixty ball and nearly a fifty ball. He dropped
forty nine and sixty in back to back days. Not games,
but literally back to back days. I don't care that
the Kings are struggling. This guy is an all star.
D Aaron Fox is an all star player in any era,

(37:51):
period period. Him getting snubbed in back to back seasons
would be a fumble by the fans, the players, the media,
and the coaches who vote on the resons nerves specifically. Okay,
so Dearon Fox is my pick, and then you know,
touching on this last spot. Additionally, like I said, James
Harden has had this nice resurgence being the primary ball
handler with the Clippers this season. You know, back to

(38:13):
some of those numbers we saw more so during his
early years in Houston, although he did have some flashes
too of those near triple double numbers he had when
he was in Brooklyn. You know, he started the season
off pretty fresh, but since then, you know, he's down
to twenty two, six and eight. Okay, like I said,
still dropping dimes, hitting those step back threes, the usual.
But the knock with James Harden is that he's shooting

(38:36):
a career low thirty nine percent from the field, Okay,
not really showing efficiency scoring the ball, and obviously he's
not getting to the file line ten times a game
like he was in his prime. So that makes me wonder,
do I go with the dazzling fan favorite Kyrie Irving instead?
You know, almost twenty four five and five and once

(38:56):
again flirting with that fifty forty ninety club. You know,
a guy who who's just also I think naturally gonna
go under the radar simply because he plays with Luka Doncic,
Or do we reward Jalen Williams right in, ok see
twenty one six and five, almost two steals a game.
Do we let Houston get a representative for their their
you know, really good team play this year, you know,

(39:16):
top top two seed in the West, right with Alprin
Sengun getting nineteen eleven and five. Or do we just
swap hardon and bring out his teammate Norman Powell, you know,
who's risen in a very unique situation for him, you know,
putting up a career high twenty four points a game,
given that he's been in the league for some time,
finally getting that opportunity. So, like I said in the beginning, man,

(39:40):
somebody is not going to be happy. All of those
guys are worthy in my opinion, but I will say this,
I do tend to favor a little bit more towards
guys who've been in the league longer. I can't help it.
Like I said, I'm an old soul. I can't help it.
Jalen Williams, in my opinion, has plenty of time to
be an All star. Alprin Sengun at the same exact thing.

(40:01):
Norman Powell would be a great story. Okay, but I
think I'm going to swap James Harden for Kyrie Irving.
You know, he's efficient, he's exciting, and he plays the
game the right way. You know, he's not just a
highlight reel. Kyrie Irving lets the game come to him.
That's what makes his highlights even better because it's like
he controls it, he doesn't force it. So for me,

(40:23):
rounding out my Western Conference reserves would be as follows,
Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, John Morant, Anthony Davis, Victor Webbin Yama,
de Aaron Fox, and Kyrie Irving. I would be okay
with that. Like I said, there's a part of me
right here. If you can see, I'm touching my heart
where Norman Powell man. I would love to see it.

(40:44):
I would really love to see it. I just don't think,
like I said, it's so many snubs. I don't know
how much of a chance he realistically has. If somehow
he does get in, that would be amazing. Maybe somebody
else on this list would be a snub, but again,
I just can't see it. I think those first five
names are good. I would love to see Deer and
Fox get in. I think it would be a disservice

(41:06):
if he doesn't get in. And I think, like I said,
Kyrie Irvan's been doing his thing, man, and he's consistent
and obviously a fan favored, So I think that would
be a solid group of Western Conference all stars, you know,
But I gotta know, of course, how would you handle
those reserves? Cause again, like I said, that's how I
kind of handled it, But I would love to know
how you would do it. You know, who would you

(41:26):
swap out? Or do you agree with me? You know
you already know what to do. Comment below or hit
me on the socials with your picks. But in the meantime,
before I end with my Eastern Conference reserves, with the
NBA action getting towards its climax, here's how you can
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(42:11):
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(42:34):
All right, welcome back to H two d G, and
we're gonna pick right back up with the Eastern Conference
All Star reserves. All right, my selections for the Eastern
Conference All Star bench, and you know I have a
lot of snubs for them as well. I have even
more for the East than I do for the West.
So buckele up. I'm warning you already, okay, and again,

(42:55):
not gonna be a lot of happy Hoopers because everybody
can't make the team. But before I get into it all,
you know I got a shout out young Magic stars
Polo ban Caro and Franz Wagner, who would have definitely
both of them would have been in this All Star
Game or at the very least a part of my
selections had they not suffered from injuries that would keep

(43:16):
them out of contention. I mean, they were hooping for Orlando,
and they had Orlando looking like sleeper legitimate sleeper contenders.
I mean the way Polo was already doing his thing.
He came out so hungry and dominant, and then Franz Wagner,
you know, Polo got hurt, and Franz was like, it's cool, bro,
I got you Boom. He's turning into this all around star.

(43:38):
And then he goes down and it's like, what the
heck is going on? Like those two guys would have
death shook up my whole list. So, like I said,
we gotta show some love to those guys because they
should be playing on that Sunday game. But really getting
into my selections here, again, given what I said before,
obviously it starts with Damian Lillard. This is a guy

(43:58):
who's looked healthier and more comfortable in his second season
with the Milwaukee Bucks. I went over his production earlier,
so again it goes without saying that he is definitely
a part of the reserves this year. Then again, I
got Jaylen Brown right, same thing I discussed earlier how
he has impacted the Boston Celtics alongside Jason Tatum and
is one of the better wings in the game. You know,

(44:19):
So when we got two right there and then third
boy wonder, Tyler Hero finally makes his first All Star team, man,
give it up for Tyler Hero. Man. I mean, dude
has career highs everywhere in points with twenty four, rebounds
with five and a half, assists with five, you know,
three point percentage with forty one, field goal percentage with

(44:42):
forty eight. A pretty big jump for Tyler Hero considering
he was really around like forty two to forty three.
So for him to be shooting out of forty eight
percent from the field is dope. You know, he's gotten
more efficient. I think he's more decisive and more polished
with his game. That's what I've enjoyed watching the most.
And honestly, you know, he's finally healthy. You know. In
years past, I think Tyler Hero was just either a

(45:02):
snub or was just hurt to the point where he
couldn't develop a legit campaign for himself. But this year
it's different and his improvements should result in an All
Star nod. To me, he's emerged as the Miami Heats
best player this season and it's one of the best
guards in the East. And hopefully he can stay healthy
when it really matters, come playoff time, because he can
get this All Star thing, and I love it for him.

(45:24):
But the next thing I want to see, the thing
that I've been rooting for since his rookie season, a
healthy Tyler Hero come playoff time. Okay, to show the
world that he can really hoop at that big stage.
But for now, like I said, he can enjoy some
shine among the league's best in the All Star Game. Okay.
And then like I said again, remembering what I said
about La Middo Ball, Okay, the man I'm a go

(45:46):
Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, Yes I did, Yes,
I did. I know the Pistons aren't as good, you know, however,
they are noticeably better than last season and have even
had games this year where you're like, I think they
might be in the play in this year. You know,

(46:06):
like similar to Tyler Hero, the brother is healthy and
he's shooting a career high thirty seven percent from deep
this season and averaging highs in points with about twenty
four a game. Almost seven rebounds and nearly ten assists
a game. I mean, he's really looking like that prototypical
point guard he was drafted to be. Right again, in
this era, you kind of want that six to six

(46:27):
mini Lebron, mini Luca doncc You know, where you can
get your teammates involved, energize them, they'll you know, then
they'll open up the game for you. You know, you
can just put the team on your back with your facilitation,
draw attention, get guys involved, score yourself all those things.
You know. The Pistons, they developed their young guys and
added some vets around him, and they've looked much better

(46:47):
this season, much much better this season. And a lot
of that starts with the franchise guy in Kate Cunningham.
He's healthy and he's doing his thing. You know, I
fear that the NBA is gonna let him be a snub.
I really do. But again, and I think it would
just be foolish to keep these All Star numbers out
of the All Star Game. And again, give the give
the you know Piston some love. They like I said,

(47:08):
they improve, man, and they're competitive and you see it
on their faces, especially a guy like Cad you know,
he looked so unhappy last year losing all those games.
You know, this year you can see that fire. I
would love for him to get a nice little boost,
a nice little morale boost, and make the All Star Game, because,
like I said, that is an All Star player. If
you ask me, you know, it would just it would

(47:30):
just be weird if he wasn't in the game. But
you know, I understand biases and things that nature. I understand,
like I said, not everybody can make the game in
this era, so many talented guys, but I would love
to see Caid in this game. And then from my
last reserve lock at least it's gonna go to a
big man. And you've seen it. I've seen it. Our boy,

(47:52):
Evan Mobley finally came up a bit man. He finally
came up a bit. He's been vocal about how his
offensive aggression has increased and has in turn helped Cleveland
become the threat that they are. You know, I think
a lot of us have said the last few seasons,
if Evan Mobley can can stop settling for the back
seat and sometimes switch between passenger with Darius Garland or

(48:15):
even Donovan Mitchell some games and dare I say, even
just jump to the driver's seat, even if it's just
for a little bit. The Cleveland Cavaliers would truly take
the leap that they are trying to take. And lo
and behold, what are we seeing this year? You know?
Nineteen nine and three, one steal, one and a half blocks,
a career high forty four percent from three. He's knocking

(48:37):
down the three ball. Evan Mobley has finally stepped into
that Miami Chris Bosh role. Man. He finally did it,
and I just can't say it enough. He has finally
found a way to shine in the midst of playing
with two other All Star caliber players, and as a result,
has become an All Star himself. So big shout out
to Evan Mogley. He's doing his thing. He took that

(48:59):
leap and he's rewarded for it. I so next again,
part of like what I just did with the West reserves. Okay,
but this time I got nine names. Okay, with only
two spots left, there are nine names. LaMelo Ball, Darius Garland,
Jalen Johnson, R J. Barrett, Trey Young, Bam out of Bio,

(49:25):
Tyrese Haliburton, Tyresee Maxi and Nikola Vucevic. Okay, And again,
I know some of y'all are scoffing at me right
now that y'all think I'm showing too much love. Okay. Again,
if you're ever confused on this platform about me showing love,
read the bio of the podcast on the Socials and
then come back. Okay, if you ever confused, read the

(49:45):
bio of the Socials. That'll have your answer. But I okay.
My thought process with this though, is that I definitely
need at least one more front court player. Okay. That's
why I threw in Jalon Johnson bam out of bio
in a Kola Vucevich Okay, because I need one more
front core player at least. I lean towards Jalen Johnson. Obviously,

(50:07):
I lean towards him the most because of his rise
as an athletic versatile forward. You know, almost to me,
in my words, it's like Sean Marion reimagined in like
Scottie Pippens's frame. You know, twenty ten five one and
a half steals just over one block. You know, he's
emerged as a great help for Trey Young, you know,

(50:28):
especially in the open court, especially as a secondary ball handler,
you know, somebody who doesn't mind taking charge. You know,
I would love to see it for Jalen Johnson. He's
really deserved it, I think. Again, I feel like Nicola Vusovich.
He I don't think he's gonna get picked, although there
was a small window off opportunity. You know, I just
think with the bulls in an awkward spot, he won't

(50:49):
get in. You know, I feel like people aren't really
checking for him like that. Again, because of how he's
played the last few years. I think there are a
lot of casual fans that may not realize how how
much he's gotten back to kind of that all star
level that we've seen in Orlando. You know, I just
you know, I think he's a sleeper for sure, but
you know, it'd be interesting to see if he ends
up making it. Uh and then obviously bam out of Bayo.

(51:11):
You know, he's still doing his thing on offense and defense,
but numbers wise, he's pretty much back down to his
twenty nineteen twenty numbers. And obviously at that time it
hit different because he was on the rise as a player,
right he was on the come up, so people wanted
to see that. But now that you've been that. You know,
we've known you as an All Star player, we've known
you as one of the better defenders in the game.

(51:34):
For you to kind of dip back down, it's like, eh,
you know, at least for me that that's how I
see it. But you know, I think again, his and
his efficiency scoring the ball is down. You know, I
think he's been fifty percent from the field his whole career,
but this year he's like forty five, forty six something
like that. So you know, eh, I don't really know
about Bam out of Bayo. You know, his assists are up,

(51:56):
which is cool. You know, he's all he's at almost
five a game. Again, you know, it's all good when
he's facilitating. But I think again, he sacrificed that offensive aggression,
so I'd be kind of surprised if he makes it
this year. And then moving again more towards the guards,
r J. Barrett has played some real All Star ball
this season, but he is on the Raptors, So I

(52:16):
feel like people think it's empty stats, right, But I
mean twenty three, seven and six is the kind of
basketball RJ. Barrett was drafted to play. It's final Again,
it's great to finally see him in a role where
he can do that. You know, he couldn't really do
that with the Knicks, but he's doing that with the
home team, you know, with his home team and the Raptors.
And again, if Scotty Barnes could make it last year,

(52:38):
you know, maybe even though he was a replacement, if
Scotty Barnes can make it last year, you know, maybe RJ. Barrett,
maybe there's a window for him. You know, that would
be really cool to see. But again, I just don't know.
I just don't know. Trey Young. You know, this is
a guy who's averaging the most assists of his career
at twelve a game, but he struggled with efficiency scoring
the ball. I think he's picked it up a bit,

(53:00):
you know, in the recent games, and I think, you know,
his natural flair for the game of basketball helps his case. Again,
he's a fan favorite in that regard, but I just
don't know if he's been consistent enough to get in
kind of like James Harden in my opinion, but just
a little bit better, arguably better, I should say. Tyreese Halliburton,
he's finally found his groove. If you've been paying attention.

(53:22):
He's finally found his groove in the recent month or so,
as his start was just so so rough. You know,
I think he has a very very small chance at
returning as an All Star this season, but I just
don't think it's gonna happen. I think a very similar
thing is Tyree Maxley, Right, the two Tyreses. I think
they're in the similar boats. Like they they they were

(53:43):
really good last year and this year they've shown flashes,
but it's like, is it enough to make it in
the game again? I don't think so. Tyrese Maxley, he's
averaging twenty five and five, but a career low forty
two percent from the field. You know, he just hasn't
had the same pop and consistency he had like season,
especially as the Sixers have had such an inconsistent start
to this season. And then, of course, like I said,

(54:05):
there's this battle between in my opinion, LaMelo Ball and
Darius Garland. You know, like I said, LaMelo Ball putting
up those superstar numbers thirty points, five rebounds, seven assists,
everything you want to see in the All Star Game, electrifying,
Like I said, I would want to see him in it.
But is he gonna be healthy for it. I don't know.
He hasn't shown to be healthy, and it seems like
he'll play a few games and then boom, it's the ankle,

(54:26):
it's the wrist, it's the kneecap, whatever. So I don't know.
And you know, like I said, the Hornets haven't been
as good as I thought, so I almost think he's
just gonna get snubb due to injury, or maybe he
gets in but he has to be replaced because of
an injury. Like I just, I just don't know. He's
struggled to be consistently healthy the last few seasons, so
I worry for him a little bit. So on the

(54:47):
flip side of that, do we get three Cavaliers in
this All Star Game? Is Darius Garland that good? I mean, sure,
he's back up to twenty points and seven assists this year,
but even then that isn't as good when he actually
made the team in twenty twenty two. At that point
he was getting like twenty two and eight, right, But
he has been the most efficient of his career, you know,

(55:08):
shooting forty nine from the field, forty three from deep,
and of course his team is winning right there, top
of the league right now. So all of that said, Okay,
I think we crossed out a lot of people, but
I think I'm gonna round out my Eastern Conference reserves too.
Jalen Johnson and I gotta get his boy, man, I'm

(55:30):
gonna go. I'm gonna pick Tray Young. Ugh. I mean
that is hard, man, It's hard. It's hard to again
because even right now as I speak, my brain is
like Darius Garland. Darius Garland. But I'll say this, I
would not be mad at all if we get three
Cavaliers in this year's All Star Game. But I again

(55:52):
I did. I rewarded star power and to me, Trey
Young has it. I rewarded flair and to me, Trey
Young has that more. I went for more prime time
and Trey Young has that more. Listen, Like I said,
LaMelo Ball could be healthy and all this could change,
But I had to give Trey that edge because he's

(56:13):
more primetime TV than Darius Garland. That's just the way
I see it, and that's the kind of basketball that
I want to see in the All Star Game. Obviously,
Darius Garland has plenty more All Star seasons left in him.
He is an excellent point guard, crazy handle, great shooter,
plays the game the right way. Mature guy. But this

(56:34):
year I just got to give the edge to Trey Okay,
because like I said, I want to see his flash
in the All Star Game. It's one thing to have
Jalen Johnson in, but Trey Young in some ways is
still the head of that team and lives for those
primetime moments and those big shots. So he, to me,
is more fits that mold of an All Star player

(56:56):
in an All Star Game with you know, all these players.
So for me, my East reserves are Damian Lillard, Jaylen Brown,
Tyler Hero, Kate Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Johnson, and Trey Young. Okay,
so those are my selections for this year's NBA All
Star Game. Okay, again I say those are my selections

(57:16):
for this year's NBA All Star Game. I actually had
a lot of fun doing this, despite some of the
stress it may have caused me. But of course it
was all in fun for this great game you and
I love. No matter who makes the team this season,
all of these guys that I mentioned, a lot of
these guys are just well deserving, and they're extremely deserving
of the honor and hopefully we can get a good

(57:39):
competitive performance where each of these players take pride in
the game's history and honor the privilege it is to
be named an NBA All Star. Okay, and of course
we've made it to the end of another Hip to
the Game's episode with that this NBA H two DG
All Star special, I appreciate you joining the ride with me.

(58:00):
As always, these selections were just my thoughts, so I
want to hear from you. You can always tweet the
show at Hip to the Games or tag me directly
on Twitter and ig at Desmond Powell Underscore and share
your thoughts on any of the topics discussed today, as
I would love to hear or read your thoughts, and
I simply want to say thank you for listening to
another episode of H two DG. I also want to

(58:21):
want to take the time to say thank you if
you have been subscribed to and been staying tuned to
the extension of H two DG in my solo YouTube
channel under my name. Okay, just type in Desmien Pal
you'll see it. I'll if you're watching on YouTube, I'll
drop the picture here. Listeners at desmen Powell Age two
DG is my handle on YouTube. But obviously, like I said,

(58:43):
if you just search desmim Pile, you should be able
to find me. That is where you can find shorter
and more timely content between episodes. So both of those
endeavors are all for the love of the best combo
there is. Like I said, whether you've been up to
what is almost four years of this podcast or have
just recently you know, started with my new endeavor with
the YouTube channel, I just hope it just all bridges

(59:04):
together and messures together and it just continues to do
what I've always wanted to do with Hip to the Games.
Like I said, it's the podcast and then there's the
YouTube channel for that shorter content. So whatever you're consuming,
if you're consuming both of it, both of those I
just really appreciate that, really appreciate that it's all for
the love for the best combo there is. And of
course here is a final shout out, huge shout out

(59:27):
to you for being Hip to the Games and enjoying
this ride with me. Peace out and God bless hope
you enjoyed this episode of Hip to the Games. And
if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to hit up
the socials at Desmond Power, Underscore at Hip to the
Games on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok so you don't miss
out on the fund and please follow or subscribe to

(59:47):
the show and leave a review on the podcast platform
and you're all right now. As your support is great
to appreciate it.

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