I also saw in the comments when when this was posted on the All the Smoke page, people wanted to know what we were talking about when I mentioned David Stern. And so you know, Jack obviously came over from Indiana off of motherfucking gun shootout. I told Jack one day to come out and like assumed the position like he was about to get arrested. So Jack would put his hands on his head and I would frisk Jack. And then we got into the playoffs and David Stern stuff.
He did it again. He's gonna suspend him, and everybody left him when we did that. The second half of the season is officially underway, and this is what's burning. Uh. Joel and b went down Friday night with the hyper extended knee I think had the whole city on their toes. Luckily no structural damage, just to bone bruise. Scheduled to be out two weeks. Bone bruises are tricky, Jack, What are your thoughts on and be going down? It just sucks man having a great year m VP season and
his team needs him. You know that day there was on there was playing good and just not having him on the course sucks man. So I'm just glad it's gonna be for two weeks, not too long. Absolutely, Um, should Philly be concerned, you know with his absence? He obviously he's on an m v P type season. Uh, he's the go to guy in that team. Should they be concerned? In your opinion? I think so, because you gotta figure out who's gonna be able to hold his
team up. You gotta think a lot of that offense, but the other guys besides him, be comes off double teams and a lot of guys get their shots from him from him from him being double teams. So to not having him out there, it's going to change up the offense a lot. And I don't know what guys are good enough to hold this team up. Why he's down, So we'll see. I don't think it's it's that concerning. I think my main concerned is him being healthy because
they have no shot in the playoffs without him. Um, I think there's still some wiggle room at the top of the East. Worst case scenario, they could fall to third. There's still six games ahead of UM the Heat currently which is in the fourth spots, so you know whether Brooklyn overtakes them, Milwaukee slides into two, I think they'll still be a top four team. And uh, you know in bed or within b down, Simmons and Harris's numbers
are great, which will visit a little bit later. So to me, the most important thing is making sure Joel stays on the sideline until he's completely healthy and these guys just go out there and hoop. I think that you know there's time. Luckily this happened early, early in the second half and not later in the second half, so you hopefully you'll have him completely healthy, um come playoff time. So you know with this move, you know Dwight Howard is gonna have an opportunity to step up
and get some significant minutes. You know, as a starter, he's at about eight points and nine rebounds field goal percentage UM. Do you think Dwight can like I said, you can't feel a star like and beads shoes, But you think dwighte can do h an admirable job while he's in there. Yeah, I mean he can go and he can go on and feel a role a little bit, but that's not gonna win them games. But you know, Dwight has always been solid. Why why does the future
Hall of fame. Um Uh, he's gonna do the same thing he did when he was in l A, you know, fill in the rows and do what he needs to do, a rebounding block shot. So he's gonna, right, is gonna do his part, But you don't want to start losing too many games while he's down. And that's my only thing I know do I can do, and I know he's gonna contribute, but he's not gonna win games for him. Yeah, I mean, they beat the dog shit out of the
Spurs last night. They gotta you know, they got some good games coming up this week, so we'll be interesting to see, uh, you know, what they do while it beat is down. In the week ahead Wednesday night, we have a nice playoff rematch between Luca and the Mavericks verse Kauai and the Clippers. Dallas is finally healthy eleven and three over the last fourteen, and in that same time span, the Clippers are eight and eight struggling right now, Um,
I think there's something going on over there. I think there's a little disconnect with lou Will right now. It seems like, um, as much as I love Pat Bev, I really feel like they need a starting point guard, whether that be Reggie Jackson or someone else. Um Jack thoughts on this game, It's gonna be exciting. Like you said, that has been playing well man, Lucas, Lucas finally uh where his team is finally coming along and picking up and playing to his level of play and starting to
get dubs. But the Clippers, man, I've always said this, Man, I love Patrick Beverley as a competitor, but I don't like him as a point guard, and definitely not for that team. Um, they need some They need more of a Chris Paul type point guard that can get guys in position, that know when to get Uh Kauai and Paul George the ball, know when to make plays, just just know how to run the team because it's only so much t Lou can do as a point guard
as being a coach from the sideline. So they definitely need that, Matt, and I think that's what's hurt That's the only thing that's really hurting him right now. Every all other pieces to the puzzle are cool. I think they can get uh, can bring Lou back in into the foe a little more, but for the most part, a solid point guard is the answer. To their problem. Yeah. I mean, I think in today's game, your point guard either needs to be a playmaker or a score and
the really good ones are both. And you know, like I said, Pat Beverley is one of the best on ball defenders, you know, leaders in this game. But to me, he's not the starting point guard that this team needs to be able to move forward. Um, so this is gonna be fun. Uh. You know, quite addressed last night after their game about consistency, you know, and that's something he feels they don't have. And obviously all good teams
have consistency. So Clippers got to pick it up. Um. Second half of the season, it's time to go, you know. So we'll see what happens moving forward. But definitely looking forward to this game Wednesday night. Wednesday night, we also have seventy sixers versus Bucks UH and Beat down. This is both teams first matchup against each other this year. That's gonna be a huge test for them, obviously without EBID. But the one thing that's encouraging to me is Tobias
Harris and Ben Simmons numbers. While UH E beat has been down, Tobias is at almost twenty five points a game and seven rebounds and Ben's at nineteen seven and a half, seven and a half, so you know they've got two guys stepping up. Um. You know, Janice has been dominant this uh against this team last year at nearly twenty nine and seventeen a game. So this is gonna be a fun game. But it's gonna be a
good test for him to see. You know, how how do they maneuver, you know without inbeat against against some of the better teams in the East. We're not out of ten nights. R honest, is gonna be shock on the court, but not when it beads out there. So he's licking his chops. He's licking his chops for this game. You know, the big fella not gonna be out there. You know, he's gonna be able to dominate and push everybody else around. So he's looking his chops. But like
you said, there's more shots. You know, Harris and Sammon is definitely gonna get more shots. They're gonna have a bigger role with him beat out, and uh, it's gonna be entertaining to see. And the plus side to that, when if n B comebacks healthy and come back playing, how he was before he got hurt. With those guys picking their level of play up, it could be a good thing going into the playoffs. So I think that's a great point that that we didn't touch on earlier.
You know, this gives guys, you know, that rhythm they're gonna need come playoff time. You know, if Beat isn't healthy, some of these guys aren't gonna get the minutes going into the playoffs that they would need to have that
kind of rhythm. So this could be a positive. Like it said to me, the most important thing with with with Philly right now, because I feel like they have a chance uh to come out of the East, is just making sure and Beat gets healthy, so you know, the rest of the guys are gonna have I mean, you remember, you know when the star player on you know, on whatever team we played on when down, that meant
you know, everyone had to step their game up. So it's gonna be interesting to see what these role players can do. Danny Green, Seth Curry getting his rhythm back, h Dwight and and the rest of the guys coming off that bench. Um, but this is gonna be a nice battle. Wednesday night is gonna be a fun night and definitely gonna have to roll up and kick my
feet up and enjoy it. Next up on the Radar, presented you by Draft Kings to round the week out, Lakers and Phoenix Suns matchup two teams at the top of the West UH. Currently, the Lakers are plus one twenty to win the West, Phoenix a little longer odds at plus twelve hundred. Jack Lakers have been struggling since a d has been down. Thoughts on the way they've been playing and when should we expect a D back? Good question, man, I think having a D back is imperative. Man.
You don't You don't want to get too late in the season and put too much pressure on him to try to get in shape and to carry the load and and just and just put a big load on them too soon. You want to be able to work his way back in. But for the most part, two, you don't want Lebron jack Us to wear down. You know, he's been playing a lot of minutes, you know, trying to hold his team together. So it's a funny situation
in l A right now. Man. I think some of the pieces they added are not panning out to the way they want them to. You know, I E Marcosol. So it's it's gonna be interesting to see how how the season ends out with with for them, considering they've been going through so much this year. Yeah, I mean, obviously we know the importantcy of a d being on the court. I think, uh, last thing I heard, he's going to be evaluated in two weeks, So he's probably
a good two and a half three weeks from coming back. Um. Some of their pickups not haven't worked, just haven't panned out the way they thought it was. I thought Marcus would be a good pickup because it's basketball. Que is smart, ability to pass the ball. But it's been an open season on that paint. They really miss Dwight Howard and Jamal McGee. Um. You know, so you hear guys out there on the wire they could be possibly looking at with Andre Drummond being bought out and possibly looking at
the Lakers. I definitely think they need a big man, uh to solidify that middle. Drummond would be a dream come true, I'm sure for that team. Um. But outside of that, you know, it's it's it's not as smooth sailing. And I think he made a great point. You know, how much do you push lebron Um. You know, to me, this team healthy, it doesn't matter what seed they are because there's no real home court advantage anymore with the way uh you know, the COVID has affected the NBA.
So to me, the Lakers just have to be healthy as they possibly can going into the playoffs and they'll most likely be odds on favor So it's gonna be, you know, obviously a fun game to watch with Phoenix, you know, being my team at the beginning season to to look out for and crazy to see what you know, Chris Paul has been able to get these guys to do two in the West, and uh you know him
and Book both All Stars. So definitely gonna be a fun game to check out on Sunday with Phoenix sitting at two in the West and their odds of coming out of the West are plus twelve jack and they're the best long shot in the West. I think so, man, the way they've been playing, having Chris Paul directing this team now and it's sitting number two in the West
right now. I bet a hundred odds to win a twel hunting any day, good bet for me fleet Devin Bookers at twenty seven game shooting from the field, CPS at sixteen and nine and leading this team. This was my surprise pick and they definitely haven't let me down. So great odds for them to come out of the West. Our favorite segment coming up. Now we have fan questions, Jack, Let's get right to it from J. S. Middy dot twenty three. Great question to start it off. The Warriors
Big three or Nets Big three? Come again? Come again? Come again? I don't know how to answer that. Man, fun, ain't it? I mean, Katie on both teams, So to exit out you got m vps with Steph uh James, I'm I'm going Net's Big three. I just like the I just like James, Kyrie and and and and Katie together. I mean, you can't go wrong with Steph play and Katie. But I like having Kyrie and James, James and next to Kab. I love the Nets Big three, but I've
seen the Warriors do it. And the reason why I'm picking the Warriors is because of Draymond, not because of the big threes. I think the big threes are right there. They can almost cancel each other out. But what but what Draymond brings the both sides of the floor the Nets don't have. So that was a hell of a question. Though, Man, you can't go wrong with either. But we've all seen them with the Warriors have done with their three. We're excited to see what the Nets can do with their three.
But man, great fucking question to start off and questions, good question, bro at young restipute in one. If you guys wear each other and you're primed today, what current teams do you think would benefit most from players like you both? I'm gonna say the Lakers. I would I would want to go to the Lakers um play with Lebron, bring that defense and three mentality, the way that team can pass the ball, I know I would eat all day cutting two. So my choice is the Lakers. With yours,
I would go to Philly. They need a defensive stop, but they need a tougher guy. They need a guy to take some of that pressure off. And bet he don't. He shouldn't have to be the best player and the protector, you know. So I think I think I would benefit great in Philadelphia. Right now, I will go there be a defensive stopper and uh and and make this team a little tougher than what it is. Uncle underscore Phil. Whenever he leaves San Antonio, does the Marcus Aldrich have
enough to help a team compete for a chip? Oh he's still in the league. I didn't even know that. He don't talk, he don't do nothing like. He was one of the best players in league, one of my favorite playersant But now, just like the last couple of years, he got to San Antonio and with hid in the Alamo. So I don't know, Bro, I don't think. I don't know if he can help anybody. I don't see the drive. I don't see the want to win. You know, you get to San Antonio, you had a chance to feel
Tim duncan shoes, and you just you just disappear. So I don't. Oh, well, that's a good question. Maybe you can help us out with that. I mean he was tough, you know, for a handful of years in San Antonio. You definitely haven't heard from um a lot of late. But you know, someone who can a big that can stretch the floor, I think can help a team. Um, I'm not really sure. I mean San Antonio just hasn't you know, they're San Antonio, you know, so they're not flashy.
We haven't seen much of them. We haven't heard much of them, so I really don't know what his game is like today, to be honest with you. You know, but I remember obviously the markets I played against three years ago was, you know, still doing this thing. So um, they're obviously pardon ways him and Pop have had that conversation. So it'll be interesting to see where he lands um and if he still has anything left in the tank. All right, Next fan question, Rob really six oh seven?
Top three basketball movies Matt m M. I'm gonna start with above the Rim okay um classic what you got? I'm going with a other room my number one? Two? Okay um, next up for me? Um he got game. Next up for me, I'm gonna go Who Dreams? Oh, Who Dreams? I like that? Uh number three for me? Uh Man, I liked White Men Ken Jump. That is the classic. Matter and I hate not to go with
that one because that is the classic. But I grew up watching this movie and it has nothing in my basketball background was nothing like it, but it was one of my favorite movies. Hoosiers is a classic for me. Okay, I've never seen who used to be honest with you. Some honorable mentions for me are Sunset Park, Uh, Coach Carter Um. Those are also some other basketball movies. I
I enjoyed watching what was the Sixth Man too? With the with with with the with the with the with the waying brother that was disappearing and could come back as a ghost, and some ship. I can't forget Space Jam, Oh, Space Jam, Space TM two is coming. Last question, mahat Bazato. I don't know if that's how your handles said, but that's your fault if it's not. He Uh, they said, we just want some funny or crazy locker room stories. What else? Oh my god, we left it with the
classic bearn story. Yeah, we left him with a classic bearing story. Oh man, we just we just got so many. Man. I wasn't prepared for that question. I thought we gave him a good one last time. Um, what about we're stick around the playoffs? We're in, We're in, We're We're in Utah. And Nellie puts me, you and Barn's room all next to each other and puts a high school Jim fan at the end of the hallway because he
knew we're gonna be blowing it down. Hey you know what, now, Okay, that's a good one because I am ever because men Beati had our last drug test in Utah, and when we came out, Nellie was right there at the tunnel with the high five giving this test. Yeah yeah, Nellie was happy. I remember that. Remember that ship. We all had the rooms on the all had connecting rooms right
next to each other. I think we're in Utah too, Like they don't smoke in Utah, they don't, you mean, like we're They were blowing down the hotel in Utah, and Nellie put that had the big gass Jim fan Uh in the hallway just to look out for us. Man. He wanted his players comfortable. He wanted his players comfortable. He wanted us ready to rock out. I also saw in the comments when when when this was posted on the All the Smoke page, people wanted to know what
we were talking about. When I mentioned David Stern and you obviously mentioned Baron, I was thinking about another story, but the David Sterns ship was when did we start doing it? We started doing a pat down. So when Jack, so you know, Jack obviously came over from Indiana, off of motherfucking gun shootout, So I don't know, you know, me being an asshole, I'm always trying to be funny about everything. So I told Jack one day to come out and like assumed the position like he was about
to get arrested. So Jack would put his hands on his head and I would frisk Jack. And we're doing it for a while. But we got into the playoffs and obviously that's the time we beat Dallas, so the world is watching. So I'm every every pregame Jack comes out. This is the only time in my life I act like I'm a cop. This motherfucker will come out, our cat Jack down and then we do a little handshake and be it. But David Stern kind wind even was
gonna suspend us. David Stern said, if we did it, rest in pieces, David Stern, if we can, because they warned us a couple of times and we just didn't listen. We just kept doing it. And then we got into the playoffs and David Stern stuff, he did it again, He's gonna suspend us. So we that that ship had to come to an end. It was funny too. When I first got to the team, I was on the Seven Games suspitches. So I remember, I remember you coming to me today, like, no, check it out. You know
what I mean? You know, I look when you come out, I'm gonna fish you shape. And everybody left him when we did that when they first I got footage of it. I got footage of it. Yeah. I want to see that ship when they first s people like, you know what the funk? These dudes are crazy fresh out. Yeah, that ship was funny. This week on All the Smoke, we have c. J McCullum patiently awaiting his comeback. Here's a quick teaser of our conversation. Enjoy. What is unique
about your team? I'm although you've only been on this team since you've been a pro, but your mental toughness, your mentality, your ability to stay together when you lose stars or key members of this team. Like I said, I touched on it earlier, but what is that? Is there a person? Is there? A model? Is it the organization? What keeps you guys one? Um? When sometimes with the situation do you guys have been presenting some teams will go on to islands. I think it's a combination that
and you look at our leadership. Um, look at who we have in place. You know, you look at that and he's solid. You know what I'm saying, He's always steady. He's the right type of captain. He's not the type of pilot who's gonna go back there and be like, yo, the the plane going down. You know what I'm saying, Like the pilot come back there and start panicking. Everybody panic. I think that he isn't even killed. This and his
work ethic rubs off from the rest of us. And then you look at the top of the organization, from our gyms, to our presidents, to our owners, to our coaching staff. They believe in empowerment, they believe in our culture, they believe in continue to develop guys, and we go after certain types of players who myself like underdogs, who who got something to prove, who had to work for everything they got in life. I wasn't a five star. I didn't go to McDonald's all American nothing, you know
what I'm saying. I was taking ice bats and trash cans. I had, you know, two pairs of shoes that who been for the season, and then they might give you something for the instable a tournament like That's how we got to this point. So now when you get all these resources around you that back you. You got twenty four access to a gym where I used to have to sneak in the gym because we used our our oxygen for wrestling, and then we also took exams in it,
you know what I'm saying. At my university. So I used to have to move the chairs so I can shoot free throws, I can get to my MIDI and I can get to like certain spots at the three point line. But now I got a team with suits, Like, how can I fail with all of these resources you know, set up for me to succeed. And I think our appreciation for the game is different because we we had to to outwork everybody to get to this point, and we still outwork people to this day. Winding down the show,
next step, we have quick hitters. Jack are the Hawks turning the corner? U five OSes, Nateman Millet's taken over Trey Young. That about twenty six points a game, eight assist in that five game run, shooting nearly from the three point line. I know Nate's are really dis defensive minded coaches and holds players accountable. Uh do you think he's what they need to make a little push to
get in the playoffs. Definitely experiences player, was a tough minded coach, play with Hall of famers, coached a lot of great players he's been around. I think having a coach, you know, I'm hiding player coaches, man, I'm hiding players that played the game at a high level, that played on great teams because they know the situations in and out the game to enable to help players make adjustments doing the game. So I love Nate mac millan, and it's not rocket science for them to for him to
step in. They automatically go five and old. It says a lot to the experience he has, and and and and and these guys are actually paying attention and buying into what he's what he's coaching them. But also it gives Rondo the room to be more of a teacher, because I know Nate Millan is giving him free rain to do more of being a coach, and and and and the teacher right now now he now that he's coach. So it's a lot of dynamics that add up when
they being coached right now. And as you see his working, I mean, they're right now they're eighth in the East, but only two games out of fourth. You know, there's a traffic jam right here, so anybody really can make it, you know, a run and hop into you know that five six, seven seeds. So, um, you know, tough young team. I thought they would be better at this point than they've been, but you know, it's all about getting hot
at the right time. You know, Gallinari has kind of had a down year considering you know, what they paid him and what he's normally accustomed to. But with McMillan, his numbers are at nearly seventeen points a game and from the three point line. So I think Nate fresh face, new energy, like I said, like everything you said, Uh, proven experienced winner and coach, and uh it's serving the Hawks right right now. Next up, that Miami Heat are hot as can be, winning ten out of their last
eleven over this run. Jimmy Butler's that nine assists and nearly three steals a game shooting from the floor. Um, we both know this team goes as Jimmy goes. And they were out of the playoff race not too long ago, and they crept quietly up to number four. Thoughts on the heat. They got a dog leading that team. I'm not surprised. It just took a couple of weeks with Jimmy to get back in this folded thing and get healthy. Uh, they're they're a championship team. Especially with Jimmy Butler leading
that team. Everybody goes that he's as he goes. He says the tonal offense, he makes play, I mean on defense, he sets the tonal offense, make plays on offense. He does everything for that team. And I think when his level rises, everybody else level rises, and that's why you see, you know, them having their success. But he fits Miami. He fits Miami. Pat Riley needs a guy like him to be the face of the organization and he fits it and that's the reason why everything's working. Yeah, go
and drop his back. Um. I would like to see Tyler Hero and Duncan Robinson kind of find that form and confidence they had in the bubble last year. But yeah, this team goes as Jimmy goes. Uh. And you never know, you know, last they came from the fifth seed to represent the East. Um, so you can never count out a Jimmy Butler led team. And uh, you know Miami's looks like they're getting back on track. Blake to Brooklyn.
Brooklyn is already the hottest team in the league when he twelve out of the team games, Jack, what does Blake to Brooklyn do for them? Everything? He's a big piece. You know, we talked about big threes and what big three would take with the Warriors and the Nets and you chose the Warriors because it's Raymond. Well, this is why I chose the Brooklyn Nets is because of Blake Griffin.
He can pass just as well as Raymond, but he's a better score He's not as athletic as he used to be, but he's a better offensive player and that would be a great dynamic for this team. He knows he's not gonna come in any average in twenty thirty points. But what Blake gonna bring to this team is definitely gonna put them over the hump. And I definitely got them winning the East by landslide now, especially if it's
a healthy Blake Griffin. Yeah, I love you know, Blake, Uh getting in a situation to win, uh, you know, getting a chance to play with them with Live City, one of the most talented guys I've ever got a chance to play with. Um. You know Detroit experiment didn't work out. Um, He's definitely not healthy. So my main concern is, you know, will he be healthy? Um, you Brooklyn, but if he is, or anything close to healthy is scary.
You know, Blake, like I said, All Perennial All Star, you add him in the mix with you know, their big three. UM still needs searching for some defense though, because Blake is not you know, someone who's going to control the paint. Um. You know, DeAndre to me is the only one out there that's really kind of controlling the paint. You know, Katie getting back. Katie definitely gets after on the defensive end, but you know, the defensive end, to me is the only thing they're gonna have to
share up. But I definitely think this addition to Blake, if he's healthy and can stay healthy, will definitely pay dividends, uh, you know, for them throughout the East and in the finals and makes him a bigger team man. Shout out cares LeVert, who made his debut after he was traded. Uh, and they found a mass on his kidneys, successfully had that removed, and just to see him back on the court playing, Uh, it's truly a blessing. Man. Yeah, man,
it was good for me to see. Obviously I'm one of them people mat when now when I saw it happening, you know, I said a prayer for him, man, because I love the kids game and everybody speak highly. Um, so that's the last thing I wanted to see taking away from the game. But to see him back out there doing what he loves, you know, making the shots and making and uh being a impact on the court again, it was refreshing for me to see. And I hope he continues to get healthy. Yeah, solid young player was
playing great basketball when he was traded. Um, you know that trading was a blessing in disguise. You know, it's being able to have to go through that physical and find that mass before it got too much. You know. Obviously cancer is you know something that that that took my mom. So I take it very seriously. So very happy to see him back on the court healthy and man.
Continued success in health to you, my brother. One Hall of Fame finalists announced some big names on there, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, great coach, Rick Adelman, Coop from the l A Lakers, some other finalists. My o G mentor big brother, Chris Webber, Uh, Ben Wallace, Tim Hardaway, the first crypt it went to U C l A and Marcus Johnson and Bill Russell as a coach. Loaded class. Uh you know, still looking forward to this class um being inducted. But
that's a great list, you know. I think Chris Webber is someone who's been overlooked his entire career. I think Paul pierces A shoeing, Chris Bosh very deserving. Um, you know, great list. Yeah, I'm happy for all everybody's deserving. Everybody had Hall of Fame career, so it's the only white that they get. If they don't even get in, at least they get a nod. Yeah. I mean Ben Wallace too. Shout out Ben Wallace, HBCU player with the potential to go to the Hall of Fame. I think what four
time defensive Player of the Year Championships. We should definitely see him in there. So congratulations to all the nominees and uh, we hope you guys all get in. And closing, shout out to our brother Steph Curry turning in thirty three yesterday and on his birthday he showed up and balled out at thirty two, nine and five, help them beat the number one team in the West, the Utah Jazz, and the end of the four game skid for them. So definitely shout out Steph Man. Happy birthday the kid chef.
Big shout out to our brother Carmelo Anthony. Uh still need you on the show. But congratulations for passing Hakim Elijah one man. I think he says so many times, your name is on the list for anything next to the Kim. That's a hell of accomplishments. So shout out to Melo Uh surpassing Hakim to become the eleventh all time leading score in the history of the Late the League. Next up, Elvin Hayes. Uh thoughts on mellow Man, I love it, Man. Continue to grow, continue to defy the odds,
continue to do what everybody said you can't do. They tried to count you out. You know, Man, met some of your biggest fans. So continue to grow. Bro, your stories being still being written and we're watching. Well that's a rap. I hope you guys enjoyed today's show. I'm fresh off vacation. I know I'm a little tanner. I feel good, but you can catch What's Burning available every Monday on Showtime Basketball YouTube and on Twitter at show Basketball Peace. See y'all next week.