Welcome to What's Burning. I'm here with Paul Pierce, Matt Barnes. Matt, you are fresh off a plane from Atlanta doing a little a T S action. He's got Charles Barkley after I think chasing him for years. Right, Yeah, I mean, big show, big trip to Atlanta. Shout out to everyone who made that possible. Um. Yeah, we were able to lock down Chuck Rachel Lynn. It was just great first and foremost. He said he lost about fifty penalty, said he finally has two good hips. He had hip surgery,
he slimmed down, he looks good. Um. But you know Charles, I mean he's, you know, one of the voices of basketball. And to be able to just sit down and talk to him about you know, current media, what he has going on, his future plans in media, and just kind of going back over his career. Man, we had a great time. Didn't take that big check for the golf, No he didn't, but he got a big check from check. He's going to be okay, is what you're telling me.
He's gonna even have to worry about him, all right. I do want to talk about the Grizzlies, because guys there on a ten game winning streak, tie with the Nuggets for number one in the West, number one defense in the NBA Jaren Jackson junior frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year. Really, their only big weakness if you take a look, is free throw percentage. They are dead last in the entire league they're shooting se Paul, how
concerned are you about that right now? And how concerned about that will you be if it's still that way to come playoff time. I mean, I've been a part of so many games that came down the free throw, So I mean it's a huge concerned. You know, when you get down to a lot of close games come playoff times, we know those free throws is gonna add
up when we look up. If you're only shooting marginal uh percentage at the line, you're gonna kick yourself on the butt come playoff time, because that's important, I mean, regardless unless you you're blowing everybody out and you're gonna need the free throws in the clubs possessions and so that's that's a little bit of concern. But I like, I like what they've been doing. I like where they at this year. Yeah, I mean I agree, I mean, we're at the halfway point of this season and they're
clearly one of the best teams in the league. UM free throws are always concerning. We lost a U championship yesterday because we missed read those, but they are a little bit about that. But on a higher level um that, But also Rachel concerns me is I'm always and Paul
can contest this. I like that. You know, these young teams during the regular season are always exciting and jaw dropping, but when the big lights come on in the playoffs and it's every game, there's adjustments that have to be made. Can those same guys outside of jaw be stars in their roles stealing My concern with this team is who
is their consistent number two. I mean, Desmond Banks had a career year, I think about twenty one points a game, Jaren Jackson's and the high teams, But are those guys consistently gonna be there in the playoffs? You know, most teams that have one are gonna win at least have those two guys. Sometimes have three or four guys are able to get you thirty on any given nights. So
that's my one concern outside of you know, obviously. The free throw woes is do they have that consistent number two night and night out, then go out and get twenty to twenty five when Jaws at thirty. I just feel like the West is so wide open that maybe you don't have to be as good this year coming in as you had some other years, but you can be a little more inexperienced. Jaren Jackson Jr. By the way,
well Rocky when he came back from injury. But he's playing so well and it's like legit defensive player of the Year right now. And I want to pick on them with the free thrill percentage. But it's funny. There's a stat website called eighty two Games and they recently
looked at every game memphisis played this year. They calculated if the Grizzlies went up from seventy one percent, which is what they're shooting now, to just seventy eight percent at the line, not like crazy, best ever number is just seventy eight percent at the line, that they would have gotten five more wins so far this season than they had, which again, they're tied with the Nuggets for first.
It's not like that. I mean, they're you know, they're not struggling, but they could have been well clear of ever. But that's a big jump though. Seventy eight is a lot lot more, you know what I mean. And we know we've all been on teams where free throw shooting is important and normally you are what you are with your free throw shooting. That's not necessarily going to change. Like they're half of this season, you know, so I don't see them miraculous. Let's turn around and get to seven,
eight or eighties. So they're gonna have to find a way to win while being inefficient at the free throw line. Well, Matt, you're here, so you know we have to talk about the Kings. That is required four in the West coming into Wednesday. They're on a four game winning streak. Demontes Sabonis Western Conference Player of the Week. He's averaging nineteen
thirteen and seven. So we got the All Star Game coming up in a few weeks and we're looking at the starters in the West, and look, Yokich obviously a lock for the front court. Lebron I think is a lock for the front court. So you've got one more front court All Star starter. Are you making the case you think Savonis should be that guy. Um, whether it be. I mean, his play has spoke for itself. Um. But you know it's a popularity thing, you know what I mean.
And through the first round of return ballot through the fans, Sabonis nor Fox or was even mentioned. You know which is You're right, You're right, But like I said, they're the one spot open. Obviously we know if a d was healthy, would most likely be a d Um and then if Zion was healthy, it would probably be Zion. And the fact that neither of those guy are really healthy and and and their status is up in there even if they do come back, I think that's where Sabonis,
you know, fits right in. I mean, I think the numbers speak for itself. Let me get on some numbers real quick, because I had my guy Nate pull some numbers for me, so I don't wanna sheet you where we go. So he's first in the league and rebound first, and rebounds per game first, and double doubles. I think he has twenty one or twenty two consecutive double doubles, number number number two, on offensive writing number three and win shares number three and triple doubles number seven and
assists and number nine in field goal percentage. So not only do I think he should fill that void of that third front court guy, but I also think he should be in the top ten conversation of MVP considering this team has gone on a sixteen year drought with no playoffs. What he's been able to do night and night out for that team, have them sitting has them
city right there in the fourth position. So you know, I'm happy for them as players and really happy for the city that you know, they've been putting out a good product, and really shout out Mike Brown. Mike Brown is completely turned around and thinking has created a you know, a foundation for this organization, which is fun to watch. Sacramento. Actually, everyone across the country. Man show the Kings in love.
It's been a long time. They've been bad for a long time, but Mike Brown has put a great product out there, led by Sabonis and Fox. Both these guys are having great seasons. Uh, they've been bad for a while, but you go check their numbers out sitting forth in the West all by themselves. They need some love. Man, Get these boards to the All Star Game, whether it's starting or coming off the bench. They need to be
there now we don't. Zion is supposed to be back and they're gonna re evaluate him in like a week and a half. Basically a d a little bit more open ended if those guys are back playing, Paul, would you risk playing in the All Star Game after coming off a reason injury or would you say, thanks my god, but I'm old school. If I'm playing in the game, I'm playing in the All Star Game. You know, so everybody know how to All Star Game going, you know, guys taking a little half, say until the end of
the game and so. But you know that's that's a popularity contest. You want to be amongst your peers. You want to be amongst that group. You want to be in that locker room. I mean there is fun times when you get that a week break and you're in the locker room chopping it up and you see Zion sitting here, a dro Luca and they all in one room. You know you want to be there. You want to play and participate because on some level you want to
show them like, look, I'm supposed to be here here. Well, the same question with Katie in the East right if he comes back right before the All Star Game. Does he play in it? Just gonna have to see it. Why just think it's different, Like Paul said, it was a different time when you know he was All Star. Now everything is obviously you know, precautionary with which we understand because for some reason, guys are getting hurt so
much more now these days. So I mean that's a great question, right, you know, particularly with a d and and really all three guys we mentioned. You know, A d Is just has bad luck with injuries, random injuries. You know, Katie, we know the importance of him to Brooklyn success. And then Zion, you know, he's someone who you know, his career has been great when he's on the court, but he hasn't been on the court for
a lot of times. So it's just it'll be an interesting when if it comes down to it, you know, if those guys play or not. Yeah, I mean, I'm with you. But then again, everyone used to be in the dunk contest and everyone now x out of that. So we'll see. Although they got some high flyers and this year has done contest that young boys that could really jump to right, Matt, is it mac mc mccollan or whatever His name is, but I like the Shade and Shark from Portland's Oh my god, dude, he is
out of hands. You guys, we got to talk about the Mavericks because Luca has been on one obviously, but the team has lost four of their last five. We know, speaking of All Star Jalen Brunson is out east there and they've got to watch him likely become an All Star. Mass came into the season hoping for another deep run. What is your temperature check fall for them? I'm not
so sure. In the Masks, they've been probably the most inconsistent team you know, I've seen in the Western car Forence, because one they look like world beaters, the next week they look like they can lose to anybody in the playoffs. Something we know Luca is gonna be Luca. You know, they got Christian Woods, who was their second best player in my opinion, but it's just no consistency with the
other guys around them. You know, they've they've there with some injuries, of course, but they asking Luca to carry so much of a low that if he has any type of of average game, they have no chance are winning. It's just too dependent on him and so I'm not skyrocket high confidence on the Mavericks Uh doing any damage in the playoffs. I mean, I agree with Paul. I mean I think Luke has to be superhuman every night.
But also I mean, obviously he's still young, but he had a long run to the Western Finals last year, a long summer, you know, a long summer where he won the championship this summer, And then to me, I don't really think I mean, I like Christian with a lot, but I don't think this team got better in the off season. So again to ask of Luke Uh night and night out to be superman, which he can do, but like Paul said, if he doesn't have that performance
that this team doesn't have a chance. So I mean there's guys like you know, Tim Hardaway Jr. And again Christian Wood and you know, some other pieces that can add. But at the same my question with Memphis like who is that for sure if Luca has an off night or if Luca still has his forty, who can give us twenty to twenty five consistently every night? And I don't I don't really think we can say like he's the one. So unless they do something at the trade deadline,
which I don't know if they're even actively looking to do. Uh, you never want to count Luca out, but I'm not bet in the house on Luca. Yeah, I mean a lot of their problems are injury related right now. They got a ton of guys injured. But that's the n b A. You gotta prep for that. Their depth has been exposed, especially defensively. It's like a red carpet to
the rim right now with those guys. Um. I did talk to Mark Cuban and g M Nico Harrison recently at a game about what they're gonna do at the deadline, and the question is, right, do you try to make some little tweaks now with what's available to like help through the rest of this run. Do you wait until the summer when more guys may be available to like really try to go all in and get Luca number two? You know that kind of thing. And they said it kind of depends on who shakes out is available in
each time. And right now, I mean, we're still enough far out that, you know, not a lot of teams are playing their cards yet, but right now, it doesn't look like there's someone who's going to really be able to help them. Now we've got we'll have to see how available he is. Right now. The Bulls are saying he's not available, but we got three weeks, so there could be a lot available. Good thing about this, obviously, like a situation like getting Lebron help there on the clock.
Lebron's on the back side of his career. Luke has a baby, with all due respect twenty three, you know what I mean. So I know they're smart enough over there not to you know, put the house in for a situation this year. So I think they'll whatever move they make, I know it will be best for their team. And if if the summers where they need to reload at the summers where they're reload at. Yeah, I mean, he's the first year of a five year deal, but we all know that doesn't mean that he's going to
be to that team for five years. I don't know if they don't really make a major move this summer, if he's going to get antsy or not. I do know the fan base is really aunty. Luca is one of those unique superstars. It's very ball dominant. So we could say names of who we think would fit in well there, but who do we feel like could really
fit in with someone who is so ball dominant. If you need a second star, I mean it's like you you need a guy who could say, if Luca don't have that game, a guy who can get you because you think that's enough. I think I think I do think he's enough, because I think he is a guy if you if you put him in the right system, he can. He showed that he could be a score in this league and a nice with Luka. Don't got it. If he got a guy like him who can get you twenty five a night. He still got a guy
like Christian Wood who gonna be consistent. Finny Finny, Dennis Smith, Hardaway Joyer. If you get some more talent, need talent, and they'll figure it out, you know, always when it don't matter when you say this is not a good fit. We all said was bosh Aid and Lebron a good fit? But Taylan is gonna figure each other out. Greatness will figure it out once you get it all together. So and lucas case, you gotta put some more great players around here and now figure it out. Yeah, well we
will see. The West is interesting. The East has its own interesting stories Hawks middle of the three game winning streak. They actually just broke the Heats winning streak for three games on MLK Day. Look the back court we saw I was cooking right, fifty two points combined for Dijon Day and Trey. But Matt, you talked to Jon Murray when you were down in Atlanta, and that team has been in a little bit of a state this season,
both on the court and off the court. What did he say about like the status of the team right now? You know, for him being such a young player, I don't think I've talked to someone who's young as him that has his head on the shoulders the way he does. He was very impressive. And the main thing I got out of what he says is, you know he's in stressing to the team. It takes time to figure it out.
It's gonna take time to figure this out. So this is really the first you know, they played half a season together, and you know there was a lot of hype on them coming in this season that they could be the best backcourt in the game, and you know they're still trying to figure each other out. Two ball dominant guys again that you know, have to figure out whose turn is it? And then you know John Collins
and and and and there are other pieces Capella. Um, they're young guys, Bogdanovich, you know, coming back off an injury. They have some pieces, but I feel like they're missing something and I don't know what they're missing. So, uh, they're a very interesting team and ability, they're a little bit you'd say, you know, you've heard rumbles about you know, uh, Trey and and and Nate McMillan, So you know there's
a lot of rumblings over there. It'll be interesting to see, you know, when the dust settles, if they make any moves, if Nate McMillan will finish this season, um, and what this team really is because again I think now teams used to be used to have time to get their chemistry and develop, but we live with such in a seven, three, six, five new cycle that stuff has to happen like this, and when it doesn't happen like this, people get an seen, moves get made. So it'll be interesting to see what
happens with this team. Again, a lot of talent, but really I don't feel like they have very much direction. I mean, I think when I look at Atlanta. I think from a couple of years ago they went to the conference finals, didn't They went to the Conference finals, and I think, like I thought they would build on that from that time. Even though the record wasn't good during the regular season, they when you make a deep playoff, Yeah,
they just came out of nowhere. So I thought with the talent that they have today that they would be further along, you know. I thought when you look at Atlanta, they should be building on their success they had a couple of years ago and added more talent and guys getting and they got and John Collins has gotten better, that they would be further along like I would like. Before the season started, I was like, this could be a top four team in the Eastern Conference. And so
I just feel like they're underachieving as a unit. Because that's how much confidence I got in guys like Trey into gen Mary and John Collins and Capella. I felt like they will be a top four See, I just feel like this team needs something, Like you said, if Joe, I don't know if it's coaching, I don't know if it's another player, new general manager, new waterboy or whatever.
Well that's my question, right of how much of the front office stuff creeps out on the court for you guys as players, because the front office has been a merry go round. Um. The Atlanta Journal Constitution just did a big story where they talked to like a bunch of sources like in the team, around the team, around the franchise, and their quote, their lead quote was, this is a team in turmoil. Um. Just yesterday they elevated all around good guy Kyle Korver up to assistant general manager.
And he only joined the team six months ago as the director of player development. So you're going from being a player yourself into coaching now six months later into the front office spot. It's just they've had a lot going on. Does that matter as players? Well? And I didn't get an I didn't get because we didn't get into that with with the John. But I really feel like there's a riff between Trey and Nate and you know,
stars and coaches button Head. You see it over Phoenix with Aidan and and and Monty Williams, you know what. So so you know, you really don't play for your management or owners or anything like that. You know the players control it. But you can tell when there's just there's funk and you know in the locker room, and there's definitely funk over there. So that's something they're gonna
have to figure out. Yeah, one thing when you look at teams for organizations who do well, you the one thing you always look at you you search from the top to the bottom and make yourself how's the culture over there? You know? How you know if their culture hasn't right, how is it gonna spill onto the court? And it starts at the top. And so if they're like like you said, when you're moving guys from player development and now management because maybe the culture is in
the office and they may not be good. Then if your culture and the coaching staff is not good with the players, how can you even win? And so they need to turn their culture around somehow because the talent is there, but they need a culture shock in the your change. I'll believe right well that a g C article said, the current vibe is that you know McMillan will stay through the rest of the season, but he's
strongly considering retirement now. Who knows. Only Nate McMillan knows, And he said he doesn't want to talk about it right now. But it's an indication that yeah, exactly. So we'll see, all right, we got the legendary moments presented by top Shot. Next, Matt, As you know top shot moments, they focus on a lot of current guys and teams, and you have played with a lot of superstars who would be top shot moments? Right? I want to know what former teammate of yours you think had the most
top shot worthy moments in his career. And I want to remind you who you are choosing between. You are choosing between Kobe, Katie, Steph CP three, Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, and Vince Carter. I mean it's not I mean, you know, the obvious names stand out, um, you know with Kobe and Steph and Katie, But one person I would say they kind of has not fallen off, but just you know, transition a little slower was Blake. Blake had a lot of top shot the show jaw dropping, Holy ship, what
the fund did? I just see moments uh dunking on people. So obviously you know Cod, Steph, Katie, you can't go wrong with you those guys. But I'm gonna say Blake Griffin. Oh I like that. I like it. Paul, what about you, because you played with KG Ray Allen and Coors John wall Or is the most top shot worthy person on
any of your teams? Just you? Um No, I'm gonna say Ray Allen, you know, I mean Ray, you know, to play with a guy who was so clutch and just to be able to have somebody who could take that pressure off you, he said, He said, so many big shots and I was just saying what I was able to be there and watch it. It was a joy to be a part of that and watch some of a lot of those moments. Well, you guys out there, you can start your NBA Top Shot collection today at
NBA top shot dot com. You get closer than ever to the game and players you love. Sign up today. We gotta get to on the radar presented by Draft Kings guys, and we have a very open Western conference we're talking before. So if you take a look, here's the DraftKings odds for who is coming out of the West. And we're a little past the halfway mark. As Matt said, So, Paul, who jumps out at you? If you had to name a favorite right now? Who jumps out of the West
A healthy Golden State. Yeah, still, yeah, I mean, I'm never betting against Steph Curry, but I just they will have a harder road. Yeah, but if you got a healthy play and staff. When we look from top to bottom and you look at the number two guys, the number three guy, Never, who's the number two guy? Memphis, who's the number two guy? We're looking at all this, but we know Warriors got a number one, number number three, number four. I don't see them teams at the top.
That's gonna be scary for them, teams at the top. So you're still there even though they're in that traffic jam in terms of the play in, right, I mean, they could just have a pretty tough road even if they're a great team, which they are, even if they get out of playing range by the time the playoffs starts, Like if they're in the play in now, they've got to face the top seeds all the way through. My question is not about the team, but about the road
that they would have. But would you think Golden State or do you think goes to status still and and and I don't I don't like to disrespect obviously, you know, the Nuggets have been a very solid regular season team the past few years. With what you just been able to do. They got their guys back. But I just have to see it in the playoffs. To see Memphis, I have to see it in the playoffs. New Orleans hasn't been in the playoffs, and I don't know how
long I gotta see it in the playoffs. So you know, as Paul said, with God from Steph to Clay to Jordan Pool, Uh, what Draymond brings to that team, They're going to get their young players, you know, in the mix and what they need to do. So obviously it looks like a long shot right now, but you can contest, you can't. Nothing is better in the playoff than experience, and there's not a team in the league that has more experience in them. So if they can get in
the playoffs, uh, they're going to be a problem. Yeah. And still, guys, I mean, all those stars we live around so long, so we kind of feel like, oh, they're old, they're in their privacy, they got I think that this is their last push. I think their windows next this year, next year, and then you know, Draymond said he might not be on the team right like the times Now, Yeah, I just don't ever sleep on seating because you know who you face early and have
you know you might not make it. We'll see, we'll see where they are. Got to talk about Lebron before we go, because he just moved past the thirty eight thousand point career scoring mark. He's of course, only the second player in NBA history to do that, right behind Kareem That record is close in sight. And Paul, it's not like he's backing into this like we see sometimes guys in the league like hitting milestones on their way out, like as part of the retirement to oh yeah, he
got it, now you can retire. He's not doing that. He's like one of the best players in the league right now. I mean yeah, I mean he's he's been the best. He's been one of the greatest for the longest ever. We've never seen nothing like this. I mean I can remember wake up at thirty eight, like thinking do I even want to go to practice when he's
let alone he's all here dropping forty eight um. But like players who are young, players who admired, who look at him, you need to watch what he does, his preparation, what he's done to get to this point. Only he's great. He's done it for so long, but he takes care of themselves. He's been disciplined. Uh, it's just nothing. I mean, there's no more adjectives you can just put on Lebron
and what he's able to do over his career. And we're gonna be arguing to go debate for a lot of years once he passed his Kareem it's gonna be like, it's gonna be a tough It's gonna be tough, you know. And people have been saying how I've been critical of Lebron and saying these things, saying that and some of the things rightfully. So some of the things is because of our battle. I have the utmost respect for Lebron and what he's able to do for this league, what
he's able to the bar he's been able to set. Uh, for the players coming up, who's chasing ghold status. It's just unbelievable what he's about. Well, I wanted to ask you this. Kareem has held that scoring record for four decades. Basically, right, Lebron, we don't know how much time once he gets it he'll have at the top. And he actually said recently he thinks Kadi could push him out of that in
a few years. I did some very basic math um, which is at this point all I'm capable of um, and Katie would basically have to play until he was like thirty nine Ford or he forty. He'd have to keep that scoring average up, He'd have to stay healthy. Like do you buy it? Um? I mean, Katie's game will obviously translate for a long time. I mean, brongevity is is his his the bronzevity. They've been witnessing this crazy Um, Katie could possibly do it, Luca could possibly
do it. Lucas, you know what I mean. Luca is definitely you know, they compared those guys numbers through their first games, and Lucas got an edge on him, I think in every statistical category. Um, So that would be interesting. But I mean, Rachel, Paul, we're talking about a a's first guy. We're talking about someone that's gonna finish top five and assists all time in the number one leading score all the time. Like Paul said, once he passes Kareem, it's gonna be hard not to put him at one,
you know what I mean. So we'll have to see
how that plays out. But as far as other guys having a chance, I mean maybe there might be you know, one or two guys, but you know, to be able to sustain what they're doing consistently and be on the court and be able to play, that's a whole another story I think right now with Michael Jordan's still being so recent for a lot of people, and you know when came back again with the Last Dance, but just you know, anyone who like us, who got to be on the court and see him like in his prime,
I think you're always going to have that battle, right
who's number one? Who's number one? What's gonna happen in twenty years ago when most of the people around the game didn't see mj play live and did see Lebron, Like, that's what's going to be interesting to me because you know, Kareem Let's gets left out of that conversation all the time, but that's because it's been so long since people saw him on the court and the will that time will come for Michael two, so we will see James Dolan sent a letter to a bunch of attorneys at ninety
different firms because they are the different lawyers who are representing clients who are suing them, And what did this letter say. This letter said you can no longer come to any MSG property or event and that we will use facial recognition technology to keep you out. And they had a mom who was like leading a girl Scout troope to see the Rock Cats, who happens to be a lawyer. They kicked her out of the Rock Cats
with the girl Scouts. So justin the last week they get the lawyers got an injunction and now it's going to get tied up in the courts. But you know, we had the Charles Oakley thing a couple of years ago. How is this possible that James Dolan keeps doing this stuff. He's a clown. He's a clown. And I mean I think the spike his clown face. The team has has has been able to play well, but I mean he's been an issue for a long time, probably one of
the worst owners, uh in sports. And and and he's petty, you know what, I meaning for him to take it, for him to take it this route, I mean, it doesn't surprise me. To me, it makes me laugh more than anything. I feel bad for the little girl scout true, but I mean it doesn't surprise me. This is what you know, Petty Rich, but what people do nothing surprises me.
I've been talking about him and the next No matter how good they are right now, I don't think they'll ever reach the next level until he gets the next change ownership. I mean, look, I know a lot of people don't have sympathy for lawyers, but to basically say you have find the lawyers who have clients who are suing some part of MG and it's not even them,
it's their clients. And the claim was that like, oh, they could like find out, you know, inside information that could help in the case if they go to a Knicks game or a Rangers game, or to see of Roquettes. Right, what are you hiding? Right? Yeah, I'm sorry, this is just it's too far. It's just too far. Charlotte Man, say, donkey other day. I don't know where we can go after that, So I gotta say what's burning? Available every week on Showtime Basketball on YouTube and Twitter, Instagram, and
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