Welcome back to what's burning. I got my you say, brethren, Jollanni McCoy filling in for Stack five, still sending our prayers and well wishes to him and his family. We hope to have him back soon, Gilanni. The West is as wild as they say it is. Through twenty games one through eight is only separated by three games. One through ten is only separated by three and a half games. A good week can have you at the top of the West. A bad week can have you in a
playing or even worse. With the year coming to an end, who do you feel like there's gonna rise to the top in Well, I know the southern California fans expect to see the Lakers and the Clippers, you know, rise back to the top of that list. We've already seen Utah fall out of the top. We can we hope they keep lighting up the beam, you know, for our folks up in the north and come on, man, come on that. But you know what I mean. But let's see what happens with that. But you know, let's see
what the California team do. Those just the California reagion alone could flip flop him. You hit it right on the head. It's about risk right now, and you gotta have you know, you gotta say, okay, your guns blazing right now now, I hear you. I think that's a great call. I mean, obviously the Lakers, I think, five and one in their last six games, but their competition hasn't been that good. They're gonna get tested in these upcoming weeks. I think the Clippers are starting to find
their rhythm Golden State. I think their question mark is their bench, their starting unit the best in the game. Yeah, I don't want to say their plus twenty seven when that starting lineup is on the floor. And then Sacramento, to me, just coming off of seven game one streak, has lost two games in a row. I think they're going to kind of fall back into that lower seven through ten area, um, but they got to keep proving it.
So I think that's a great point. I mean, the California team alone can slide, and I think that's really who I'm watching the most. Speaking of the Lakers, five and one in their last six, UH, schedule has been very beneficial. UH, but they're gonna start playing some tougher competition. They got poor lin Milwaukee, Cleveland Toronto, Philly all in the next two weeks. The other night, Zack Collins went
upside Russ westbrooks Head had him leaking. Lebron not only had a great game, but played trainer for about thirty seconds there. What are you seeing from the Lakers and are you encouraged for them to kind of make a rise? You'll see some bonding together. I see some everybody binding into the roads. You know. Russ is one of the man people who brought into their roles, and he brought into his role as you know, be in the five Lebron's and returnal instincts came out when he saw the Brodie,
you know. And then Zach Collins has a reputation for doing these type of nonsense. And I can see why the Brownie wasn't, you know, really putting up at that. But I see it coming together, and they're coming to come on a good East Coast road trip or some more bonding could come in. Not a lot of places to go on the East Coast right now with the blizzard and the weather, so they're gonna be tied together, eating at the hotel and chilling. So this is a
good although the schedule of us friendly. This is a good opportunity to do some bonding on the road after the incident they just had and put together a nice run on the East Coast. I agree. I think I want to say I was watching the game and they said they have like seven games and like the next two weeks or three weeks, which is very favorable for that their team, and and you know, continuing to get Braun healthy. My question is, we saw a d s
greatness on full display. Why Braun was doubt? Braun comes back and we see Bron's greatness on full display. Why a D is out? I think you made a great point of guys buying into their role. I want to see if these two guys can bring it together, Braun and a D. Because I feel like both of them every night need to be Superman for this team to really be considered UH first and foremost a playoff team, but but a team that can make noise UH in the playoffs. I love how Rust has bought into his role.
Austin Reeves is playing well, Lonnie Walker's playing well, But I think obviously it starts with a D and Lebron and their ability to be at their best together. Next the Mavericks have lost five out of six. Did the Mavericks make a huge mistake by not resigning Brunson. I think they just read that they just signed Kimba Walker uh this morning. I don't know if he's gonna do it, Christian would. I don't know if j Kidd has enough
confidence in him. I know offensively he plays well, but on the defensive end, Uh, he's not given what you would need for him to give. Uh. It looks like they need another ball hand to learn playmaker to take some real pressure off Luca. Luke has been amazing every single game, but I think at this pace he's gonna wear out. Did they make a big mistake by not resigning Brunson. It's looking like it. It's looking like it.
I know we we obviously we're happy for Jayden Brunson turn to the program, be very happy for his opportunity in New York. How could he turn that down? But it's starting to look like it. I don't even know if kim is the answer. You know, Kim is a more on the small, smaller side of the guards, kind of injury prone in the last couple of years. I don't know if Christian the wood Wood is Jay Kiss
type of player at the end of the day. I know, like said, he's obviously bringing something to the offensive side, but I think like we need some more goons on the defensive side. We need some more two white players. I can't think it just can't be offensive or defensive. Luca needs some help on that offensive side. Hopefully Kimball can be that guy. You know, he's been known to, you know, get some buckets, and hopefully he can be that guy. But we have to wait and see if
we have to wait and see. Hopefully Mark Cuban can make a move, but we still don't know what type of player needs to be around Luca because he's been so ball dominant. I don't know if Kimba is that guy anymore because I think if he was still being able to score, like we know Kimba to score, he wouldn't be being claimed off of waivers UM at this point. I think he would have been in camp UM. I think they made a huge mistake UM not resigning Brunson Um.
You know, obviously I don't think anyone thought he was going to turn into the player he's continued to be. You know, he picked up where he left off in the playoffs. This guy is consistently scoring in the twenties running that team, and like you said, he's a bigger guard, you know, Kimba, someone smaller. I mean, Brunson was able to take down on the post and put work in.
So I don't know who it is, because again, it's hard to bring in, uh, someone of star caliber to fit in with Luca, because Luca is so ball dominant. I think Brunson was perfect because he wasn't yet a star and he was playing his role to a t, and that's when they were at their most effective. But I I said this in the summertime. I don't think Dallas got better this offseason. Obviously they had some pickups, they had Tim Hardaway come back, but losing Brunson was
a huge blow. And I don't know if they're gonna be able to recover from that this season, because like I said, you have to learn on the fly. Who can they bring in. It's gonna fit with Luca, and you already know that Brunson frick great with Luca. Heading out east, them young boys in Atlanta, UH, show boat showtime. They were full of antics. Friday Night versus Houston you
saw Gen make a shot and Jabari Smith on the head. Uh. There was a later game almost scuffle and they ended up losing the game, although Trey and uh de Gen combined for eighty three points. Uh. Then they just again lost on Sunday to the Heat. Do you like their confidence or has it gone too far? I like it, but you know what comes with it. If you're gonna go that route, you know, you gotta take all the smoke, no punitsenda. You gotta take all the smoke that comes
that comes with it. If you're gonna be out there high capping and dancing around. We see the jont do this and the crossover with with just not even an NBA player, You know he was out there turned up. Maybe it's the freedom out of the San Antonio system. He's in Atlanta where the lights are big right now, you know it could be a lot of magic city. Is m in his in his blood coming up coming out on the court. You know, we love to see it. You'd love to see it's the new NBA con Memphis ish.
But you gotta comfortable with the winds. You gotta come dough with the winds. If the if the older players, the fans like us and and you know in their forties, are gonna, you know, say we with it. It's the young new way. You gotta come through the winds or else we're gonna have the babies out there with the magic City isms out on the court, and we can't have that right now. I don't mind it at all, but they just have to be prepared for criticism when
they don't win. I mean, both these guys are full of antics. Both these guys are very talented. I mean in that Houston game they combined for a three points. I don't know much more with you know how much more they could have done. And I think you hit it on the head. And I've been saying this, the Memphis style of play and antics is going to be the new NBA. So it looks like Atlanta as the next team to jump on that train. And I expect the rest of the leaks slowly but surely as we
see and what I say this all due respect. We see the end of Lebron when we send it. You see the end of k D, when we see the end of this Golden State run. These new young boys are wild and they're having fun while they play, but They just have to be able to take the criticism when they lose, because I don't want them to change the style. I like the style. I like when they're on one. Uh, it makes the game more entertaining. Uh. You know, I'm all for you know, pushing and shoving too,
you know. I mean, I think that's a great part of the game. So I like it. I just think they have to be prepared for the criticism that comes with it when they don't win. Celtics on cruise control right now, Tatum is the league lead I think in m v P odds right now at thirty and a half points, nearly eight rebounds and almost five assist Jalen Brown to me, is the most unsung star we have in this league. Gelynna, you know, it takes a lot of worth of self to be as good as he is,
Okay with being Robin. You know, he's at twenty six a game, nearly seven rebounds and four assists. UH. Celtics have seven guys uh nearly averaging double digits. Best team in the league right now. Considering all the ship they went through in the off season with their coach, they got a new coach. They still don't have Robert Williams back, and I think when he comes back, it's gonna be trouble for the league. What are you liking right now
about the Celtics? First of all, that was a bar that you said about you know, know what was that worth of self knowing what knowing? Whatever? That was? You said that powder line and you said, I don't know how you said whatever it was, but that was it. You know, it takes It does take a lot for a player, a young bull to recognize that he's playing robbing. But he's playing robin to a code as batman. If
he's doing in the team and rebounds, he's playmaking. Uh. Speaking to Tatum, he's got playing at the m v P level. So being robbing to an m v P level of player candidate could open only open up your opportunities in the league for awards for us. He's obviously gonna probably All Star. That whole team's winning habits are just ridiculous. Double digits, you know, seven players almost in
double digits, the way they moved the ball. We already talked about their defensive videntity from from the starts with Marcus Smart, and I was leading down to Jakalen Brown and Jackson Tatum, and once they get big Fella back, they're gonna obviously, like you said, be another whole, another part of a problem. So right now I think they
are the gold standard of the East. Everybody wants to bring up a couple of other teams, you know, our favorite teams that that and you know the Bucks, But right now the Celtics look like they're just on cruise control on the mission. I think the situation to have when the Udoka could have been an excuse and hindered this team, but I think they've used it to bring
it together. And I think obviously that's a shout out to the players first and foremost Marcus Smart, Jason Tatum, Brown, the leaders um, but then also to their new coach. You know, he's stepping into a dicey situation, you know, on him for Beetle to come in and kind of just find who he is as a coach and continue
and I'm sure to learn on the fly. But it helps when you have a team full of guys that, although this is some somewhat on still a young team, they've been to the top of the mountain and they gotta taste of what that finals was like last year, and I think they want more um obviously to pick up up Brogden has been huge for them. I'll Horford the consummate vet so again. I think when they get
Robert William's back, that Eastern Conference is gonna be. I think it's gonna be Boston and Boston and Milwalking when it's all said and done. So we will have to see next up. Money Talks presented to you by Moneyline, the only money app you'll ever need, Gilanni. There's something that's been brewing for the last year and some change. French superstar Victim women Yama. Hopefully I didn't pronounced his
name wrong. It's possibly being the you know, the the biggest prospect we've ever seen, or or the biggest prospect next to Lebron James we've ever seen. B made a report that adding Victor to your franchise can possibly add five million dollars to your franchise evaluation. Uh. Do you think Victor's impact will translate to big dollars in the US once he comes over? Who all half a bill? Yeah? With the with they've already introduced him into the markets
doing Summer League. There he's the only international player. I believe that the NBA TV is broadcasting his games on the NBA TV Act, so they're already putting money behind them. Seven four. It looks like he can do anything, considering the way the game is played now and the way the rules are set up for the offense to have freedom of movement. Um, Pairing him with some of these other young talentton guys that in the league is gonna be awesome in the financial game we've seen with Lebron
did for Cleveland over the last couple of years. The NBA new TV money is coming in, He's gonna have so many off the court opportunities statewise and international. I think it's just gonna perfect balance of the international game mixed with the international advertising that's going on right now. He's gonna be a tremendous windfall for a city organization across the board. So a whole half of bill is a big deal. And you know there's gonna be somebody
after him, Bin Yama, that's gonna be another bigger opportunity. Um. How do you feel about the cashing in on the Frenchman Steer stakes? I mean, I know the NBA is drooling right now, because they love to add international talent. Such international talent like this, it's only going to continue to grow the audience worldwide. I mean his appeal, Like you said, I mean, name another player they've ever shown
his games, you know, on NBA TV. And keep in mind, this guy is a true eighteen year old, you know. I mean, the Twins played against a sixteen year old eighth grader the other day in a fucking au tournament. So this guy is eighteen and really putting in this kind of work, you know what he means. So I'm excited to see what he does. I hope that he doesn't go to a small market team, but most likely he probably will. But if he even ends up on a bad team, it's in a in a decent market.
That's only gonna make his money go up. But I mean, just think in terms of, you know, by the time he's got his footing and this next uh TV deal comes through, what his rookie extension is gonna look like it's gonna be astronomical. So I hope he has a solid team around him to help him navigate all this goddamn money he's gonna be getting. But I'm excited, you know. Like I said, I just think it's a beautiful thing.
The game has grown so much now and obviously this is going to be the biggest you know, European UH player. And that's saying a lot, you know, because obviously we have we have Luca right now, we've had Dirk, but no one's ever had the hype UH this kid has, and I hope that he's able to stay healthy. UH in love up to it. And that is Money Talks presented to you by money Line, the only money app
you'll ever need. Next up on the Radar, presented you by DraftKings Glani, We're gonna take a look at Western Conference favorites, and this ship is gonna blow your mind because odds on favorite right now at a plus three twenty are the Golden State Warriors, and technically they're not even in the playoffs right now, they're in the ninth position. But I think that just goes to show how tight
this Western Conference is. Followed by another team who is I want to say middle of the pack right now, but the Los Angeles Clippers is a plus four hundred, Phoenix is the plus five hundred, The Nuggets are plus seven fifty and the Memphis Grizzlies are plus seven fifty as well. It also mentions Dallas, the Pelicans, Portland's Minnesota, the Lakers. If you bet on them and they win, you're gonna get some bread. But let's focus on those five we talked about because I think you know, I
was here. You know, obviously I've been talking on TV a lot, and I really felt like the cream would rise to the top. You know, coming into this season, we I think the world felt like the two best teams possibly in the league, but for sure the Western Conference where the Golden State Wars and the Clippers, and they both got off to really slow starts. Other teams like the Utah Jazz, even the Sacramento Kings, some of these teams got hot out the gates, but I think
they're coming back down to earth. And the Warriors and the Clippers odds on favor to win the Western Conference. Uh, you know, by DraftKings are really kind of starting to find their rhythm and and working their way back to the top. Uh what who do you seem? Obviously still very early, but who do you see really I would say probably being the final two teams in the Western Conference. Although, and we're late November, you know, things will change and
we'll check back in on this later. But who are two of two teams that you see possibly representing the Western Conference this year? We knew this was gonna happen, you know, after the long playoff run last year, championship around last year. The Clippers are intriguing, but we don't know what the deal is. Well, you know, PG and Quiet. If you say a betting man, if you can make it bet for the Lakers to be in that top two,
you obviously gonna make some bread. I'm gonna take the easy way of Barnes instead, go to stay and in Phoenix just because of the battle tested and the battle testedness of everything. You know that they have some winning ways. They got some veterans, they've got some young guys they can lean on, some young pieces they can lean on and get in there. But I'm gonna take the easiest right to say I would have to say those two coming out of the West. I'm not mad at that.
Phoenix is obviously the top of the West right now. But just what concerns me is, obviously this team is playing good basketball right now. They've got a good young Core, Devin Bookers, everything advertised and more. The head of the Snake is Chris Paul. He makes this team go. CP is getting a little older now, someone who's been injury prone, So that's the only thing that scares me. I feel like this is their last run only because Chris is
getting older. And without Chris, this team wasn't even it wasn't even a playoff team. The pieces around him have improved, But I don't know. I'm hoping because like I said, there was no one in the league I would love to see to get his ring more than my brother Chris Paul. But I'm gonna go with Golden State and the Clippers. You saw Zoo Box had a monster game the other night. The question is what is Kauai MPG? And it's less PG, it's more Kauai. What is he
gonna be able to give this team? I love what John Wall has been able to give this team um off the bench, just that spark on both ends of the floor. So I'm gonna ride with the two odds on favor right now and say that my final four will be Golden State and the Clippers in the West, and Boston and Milwaukee in the East, so let's remember that when it comes April, and that's on the radar
presented to you by DraftKings. Next up, it's been a minute, man, but we got fan questions, so this is a good one. First one at Ben Ferrato. What are your thoughts on Check's comments about Dwight in Taiwan. I don't like it. You know, I love Big Fella. You know that's obviously the big homie, you know what I mean, big homie, big bro. But you know, I'm I'm getting tired of
the whole you know, head against Dwaite. You know, at this point, Big Fella stands nothing again from the you know, from throwing shade at Dwight as a person who played overseas, you know, like he's getting the opportunity to get back and go in his bag. He probably hasn't played this way since high school then, like shooting around and practices.
So it's good to see. I know how I've had an experience in playing in China, going out there competing, you know, forget remember who you are and just being you know, celebrated. For Dwight Howard, you know, his NBA experience as he's getting a chance to go back in his bag and have a good time. And who doesn't want to have a good time at this part of point of their career, especially a guy like Shaq who's known for having a good time. He's seeing to embrace
the culture and in the basketball over there. So uh, it's about time for Big Feller to dad dad and led the White go ahead and do his name. Yeah, I just think it's unfortunate. You know. Obviously we both and I've got a chance to play with Shack. We both love Shack, but I really feel like Shock, like you can keihi ha ha, Shock doesn't like Dwhite, and I think his hate shine through enough to make that official.
Now we don't know the reason why, and he may not even admit it, but to me, there's just too many times whether it's just the unwanted hate, and unhawanted hate just means you really don't funk with somebody at the end of the day. So I mean, I don't like his comments. I understand his comments, but like you said, for every reason, you know, he's out here having fun, Dwight and you know, hoping for a shot back in
the league, and he's having so much fun. He has Dwhite or he has boogie cousins thinking about going over to Taiwan and playing right now. I just saw that the other day. So it is what it is. You know, Shack obviously doesn't like him. Uh, you know. Dwight added his two cents, saying he's too old and too big and just too much to be hating on him like this. But this is I think this is just a real situation.
Whether Shack om it or not, he just doesn't sunk with Dwight, and I think Dwight just has to say fuck it, fuck you if you don't funk with me, and just let it be that at the end of the day. Just let it mean. But we don't have to Yeah, yeah, we don't have to like each other, you know, in this brotherhood that in this NBA thing they called brotherhood. So it is what it is. Pol the official Haliburton in hindsight and win win trade or
too early to judge. That's a great call because Haliburton is league in the league and assists and Sabonus is the only player to average over fifteen ten and six in the NBA, So they're both doing things that are beneficial for their teams. Being close to that Sacramento situation, It was a tough trade for that fan base and even for that team. For Haliburton too, I know, you know that should hit him hard, but he's found a
new home and he's playing the best basketball career. I think he's nearly a twenty and ten plus guy a night, and against the bonuses, I think is right or at like eighteen eleven and like six a night. So they're both doing what they're capable of doing with different teams.
So I would I would say this is a win win for both teams because I feel like, what what what what makes it even better for the Kings is Daron Fox has really been able to spread his wings and come into his own And to me, although they're different players, their production is the same, you know what I mean, Like they're both you know, twenty point scores. Halibert is maybe a little bit better distributor um. But they weren't being able to there weren't gonna be able
to get that off together. So although it's a tough trade, you know, shout out money McNair for for for making them pulling the trade off. And I would definitely say this has been a win win for both. Have to agree with you, both young players and balling. They've been playing with a lot of joy shoutouts and like we talked about, I believe on the last what's burning by how exciting it's been for Deer and Fox to you know, get to get the keys to the ferraris so to speak.
And Haliburton is over there, like he said, he's a better distributor. He fits a little bit more of that Indian the point guard mode. I'm thinking from Mark Jackson to Travis Best and you know, more of those guys who can get the wings off. So uh no freakye, I just like to fit. Like you said, win win for both teams. Were just happy with both fan backs has got something to look forward to. Last question at jam rock oh two, who is your best end game dunker of all time? This is the easy one for me.
Oh half man, half amazing Vince Carter. He is the only person to jump over a whole person. Come on, man, I mean there's a lot of other guys. I mean, you can think about Dominique, think about m J, you think about some some lesser named guys, but still add Rockets up there. Ask Gerald Green James White, who comes to mind for you vcs up there, Man T Mac has some crazy dunks when team last vibe you know what I mean, through the lane and the whole thing started.
That was a whole vibe. But you know, the whole team, on the whole team, that was all Mac. He was throwing on the whole team. Bro Come on, man, it was insulting at first. Remember to look some people's faces on the court. There was like, no, he didn't like four team. Yeah, so a team man comes to mind those two right there. But Vince just I don't remember a person doing dunking over another seven for the like that Olympic setting or not. I don't care who out
there was in the game. It was other pros out there, and he leaped over the whole man. So I'm gonna go at half man closely with a close followed by a team Mac off the glass. Before we get out of here, we wanted to mention man, we had the one and only icon Will Smith joined all the smoke. I hope you guys enjoyed. Take a look at this teaser. Welcome back. I can't even say another addition to all the smokers. This is just not that. This is definitely not this is not that. Man. Welcome to the show.
Will Smid you very happy to be here. Did you know what she was doing for the culture doing the fresh friends When you were showing up with the Fresh Jay's I was literally calling Jordan's Mike please. He was like, man, I don't write that. We just saw the screening of Emancipation top three of your films. Thank you for those who say, why another slave movie? What do you say to that. It's not a black story, It's it's an American story. But what are some stuff you can give
fathers out there? The best thing you can do for your kids is learn and grow yourself. If you can see one guest on our show, who would it be? Have you had things all shut the front door. We appreciate your time and just really want to tell you man, we love you when we appreciate you like I would important you are to our culture. I would important you are to the movement here and be just finished talking to a legend. I know a guy that you probably thought of when you first came up with the idea
of this show. Um, just the whole experience. Give me. I was one of your lines but walk walk me through the Will Smith interview. I mean that was that was a hell of a thing to to watch to produce. Uh, you guys, probably I have to say it's one of you guys best Probably you guys best interview. But just take us from your perspective. How was the Will Smith experience? You know when I thought of this show, he was the north star, Uh, not knowing for we to be
able to get him. We were able to get him, you know, shout out to our team, everyone who helped Melissa Ellen, everyone who was behind the scenes. Uh that that helped us be able to get him. But I mean he was everything and more, you know, transparent honest. Uh. He laughed, he cried, he joked, he talked ship and what was dope too? Because you and I got there first when he white that was the first time I've ever met him. He showed love and energy like he had known us, like he is the homie, like we
went to college with the dude or something. And I knew right there that it was gonna be a dope interview. And obviously thank him for this because he is such a star that you know, you only see you know, he only does you know the a list type quote unquote most of the time just kind of that a list media. And for him to give us a chance and sit down and talk to his core fan base,
people who grew up on the people who love him. Um, I think that was big for us, and I think it's going to be beneficial for him to be honest, because it's gonna be nothing but positive feedback and love and support for someone who you know, who needs it. So I say all that to say, man, don't miss this episode. It could argue to be be our best. Shout out to his team for coming through for sure.
Well that's the rap man. What's Burning is available every week on Showtime Basketball YouTube and on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at show Back Jack. We love you and we'll see y'all next week. I love you. Better see soon. H