Impressive Young Squads, Rising Bulls, Kyrie & Klay's Return | WHAT’S BURNIN | SHOWTIME Basketball

oh man? None? Man, Just continue to win and continue to help people and uh, you know, continue to stack this paper. Baby. It's not bad. That's not bad. Let's get right into it. Our first segment contender or pretender or starting off with my surprise pick of the season. The Chicago Bulls are sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference when eight out of their last ten seven in a row. They went ten and two during December, Leavin and de Rosa leading the team at twenty six

points a game. Billie Chitch is out of double double love, Zoe Kobe White played well off each other, Alex Caruso is out here just I think leading the league and steals. Jack Obviously, this team is surprised. Do you think they're a serious contender in the Eastern Conference this season? I love the success. I think they're one of the hardest playing teams in the league. Six games maybe against the

Nets are Bucks. I still got the next Nets of Bucks coming out these but this team is definitely shocking, shocking the US to conference, shock in the NBA right now and uh the Marta Rosen two back to back game when as these guys are bowling. Yeah, I mean, I think more than ever this this ship is all about luck and who's healthy at the right time. I think this team, they they they've shout out to the management. They've been able to put pieces together. They've come together

seamlessly with no egos. Picked up Willie Chitch last year as excuse me, fifth in offensive cy twelfth in defensive efficiency. They continue to get better. I really like this team, and I think my favorite thing about him is they play hardest fun and when you play hard, you always he to give yourself a chance to win. So I definitely put them up there in the conversation with the Nets, the Bucks and probably the Miami Heat as who will

represent the Eastern Conference. So it's gonna be fun to watch. Do we believe in the Cleveland Cavaliers And I don't even think it's so much believing in them. I just I'm happy for this team. Man. They they've kind of built something over there post Lebron with a lot of young talent. Currently fifth in the East. I don't think anyone saw that. They just picked up Region Rondo all they love. They lost Ricky Ruby, who was playing really good for them. Um Kevin Love has been playing of late,

but we'll get to him a little bit later. Jack, what do you like about this young Cleveland team? Well, first, I'm just happy for the biggest staff, Bigges Staff was around. When he was around, he was always one of the coaches that came over and spoke to the opposing team, and you know, just just was a fan of the game and somebody that that that I always have respect for us. So I'm happy for him. But just for the most part, just to see this organization going in

and winning direction. You know so much. They went to a major low, you know when when they lost um Lebron. So just to have them back in the winning field, to see things going in the right direction is a good look. Yeah, definitely, I mean, they got a young talented team. I think Rondo is only going to help those young players. But Darius Garland, I like Mobley, young talent at the USC, Jared Allen got a hundred million dollars, been playing great marketing. Oh's man, this is this is

a fun team and again excited. Uh Bickerstaff got a multi year extension through the twenty twenty seven seasons, so congratulations to him. But I just like again that this team has found a direction and a new young foundation and they can kind of start rebuilding post Lebron because when he left the first time, they were terrible. When he left again, they went back in the gutter, and now they're really starting to kind of find a new identity outside of him, which I think is important for

that franchise. So best of luck for them. Next up the Memphis Grizzlies, currently sitting at fourth place in the West. Another pleasant surprise. Got five guys and double figures, very deep team. Their seventh and points per game, second and rebounding, and ninth and assist, so they shared the sugar and

everybody's eating over there in Methlis. This team played really well while job was out struggled when he got back, but he closed out the year strong, average nearly thirty five game in the last three games, all which were wins. I like the depth. I like how hard this team plays. Can they make any noise and spoil some people's playings in the playoffs this year? I think they have the upset capability that they can do it. I think they

can upset the team in the playoffs. I don't I don't see them coming out the Western Conference, but I think they can ruin somebody's season or early seed season. But I definitely know that when the playoffs start that that rotation won't be nine maybe nine players. It would be more seven or five, seven, eight. But to see that they have a deep team, to see these guys be able to hold it down when job was at they didn't do them, but make them better and it's

gonna make them prepare for the for the playoff runt. Yeah. I like this young team, very deep. They play hard. I could either I could ease you see this team getting a tough five matchup and losing in the first round, and I could also see them mess around and making it to the Western finals. That they're that kind of team. Um from a standpoint of depth and playing hard with a lot of young talent and they don't know no better,

which is a good thing sometimes. So it will be interesting to see how this team, you know, stay healthy obviously most important, and see how they finish out um heading into the playoffs this year. Next up, we got some of the best players in the world coming back to their teams. Let's start off with Kyrie Jack. He'll be his first game this Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers.

Could only play road games. I think it immediately it's going to make a nice impact, But I want to talk to you after you give your opinion what you think it will be like in the playoffs when he only gets to play half the games, but go immediate impact for Kyrie returning to this team, yeah, I mean, I'm a fan. That's my little brother, so I'm happy to see him back on the court where he wants

to be. I know Katie is definitely shown how excited he is to have him back, but that's what He's one of the best basketball players in the world, So just seeing him be able to do, you know, what he does best and what he loves to do, regardless if it's half the time at least I can see some of it. Yeah, I'm interested to see because, you know, barring injury, this is the first time the basketball somewhat been taken away from him. So I wonder now, like

where his appreciation for the game is now. You know, again we've talked about it on the show. You know, we respect his decisions and and and what he feels is right for him and works from him. But I want to know where basketball is out on his priority list, Like is it one into something? Because when he's locked in, there's no one better on the planet, you know, So I want to know. I think his team obviously wants to know, like are we gonna be able to count

on this guy every single night? And if he is locked in and they can't count on him, obviously this is a huge boost for this team that that definitely needs a boost right now. So getting these these big three playing together again, we I think we only saw him what eight or nine games last year played together. Uh, you know, Katie Almos took these guys to the finals when they both went down with the injuries. So to really get a chance to see all three of these guys,

whether it's half the games or whatever. It maybe is definitely gonna be a treat for all of us. So I'm excited about that. He says he's locked in, man, I think for the most part is everything that's went on and him not playing, you know, it was new to him. It was a shock to him. He didn't know how to hand that. He didn't know how to hand to none of it, you know, being away from the game and dealing with all this stuff. So it

took a toll on him too. I mean, you know, we all know human, but um, it took him to a place where where he didn't know what to expect. But to be back on the court, I know that's gratifying for him, man. I know it's gonna be scary too. He's been waiting and watching this whole season, so you know he's gonna be full of energy. Man. So I'm excited for him and his team for him to get back in the lineup this week. Clay is scheduled to come back um this Sunday. Hopefully that will happen. I'm

excited for him. The guy's missed about two and a half years, Jack, so it'll be interesting to see where he's at with it, but he's been practicing with the team, and I say, you can't. You know, you can't simulate the NBA game by anything but actually playing in the NBA game. So we'll see what he's looking like when he gets back on that court. What does this mean

for the Warriors franchise? They were already one of the best teams in the league, one of the best teams in the West, probably the best team in the West, the best team in the league at times. To know they got one of the best shooters to ever Lason Layson up coming back. You see him on I G hit thirty seven threes in a row. It's gonna be scary, bro. There were already a championship team. Draymond is playing like an m v P. I don't know why people not

talk about him being m VP. But to see this team play the way they've been playing to get Clay back scary time. I mean, I think we live in a society so much of what have you done for me lately? I think people forget about Clay and I think he was left off that top seventy list because he hasn't played in two years. But this is some of the Kyrie was too though, Right, you've had thirty seven points in one quarter, sixty points in twenty nine minutes,

like Clay is on another motherfucking playinget. Man. So I'm happy for him to be back. Um, I'm hoping he can stay healthy. Um, you're adding fuel to the fire. Like you said, the best team in the game already is getting one of the best players back, so hopefully. You know, they say he's suposed to start out about eighteen minutes a game and eventually work his way up. Man, So I'm excited to get this guy back on the court. Uh. And see that, and he's gonna start to matt Oh yeah, no,

that's no bullshit. You know. Coach Kurr is dope. You know, Coach Kurt is not with the bullshit. Clays a starter, plays a Hall of Famer Clays when he comes back, even though he's been out two years, Uh, he will be a starter. So they moved Jordan Pooled to the bench so he can start getting acclimated. But he's to me,

he's one player who's kind of really found. Actually they've got two players, but Jordan pool is a young player that I think has kind of really found and and and really made the most of those minutes um in the starting role. But I like what Wiggins has been doing over there. Wiggins has been playing his ass off, and everyone's always like, what if you know where you can get this guy to play? And we've talked about

him on the show before. He's really showing who he is and what he could be to this team because I didn't necessarily see his fit with this team when they first picked him up, But now that he's actually in his bag and doing his thing like this dude is a hell of a player and it only makes his team better. So suck out. Wiseman is coming back to another big, agile body. So it'll be fun to see this Warrior team at full strength and and and they're already have the best record in the league too,

so don't let them get fully healthy. Next up on the Radar, presented you by DraftKings. This Friday, we got an Eastern Conference showdown between the Bucks and the Nets. These teams odds on favorite to come out of the East. The Nets are at one point three to one odds, Bucks are at three to one odds, and the dark horse, the Bulls, are at thirteen to one odds. And this is another good playoff rematch from last year there were a toe a long tow away from going to the finals.

Katie is being Katie. At nearly thirty points a game, eight rebounds, six almost six and a half assists the field. I mean, he's he he is who he is. James Harden his last four games since returning at nearly thirty six a game, twelve assists, eleven rebounds a game, three tripled doubles. James is starting to return into form. Unfortunately, Kyrie won't be able to play in this game because it's a home game for the Nets. Uh Janni since

he's returned, has been killing all wins. Last four games thirty three eleven and a half and nearly seven assists, shooting the ball a lot better from the free throw line. Jack, tell me about this matchup, and this could this be the matchup we see in the Eastern Conference finals? Yeah? Yeah, I just you know, the series changed last year when we when Kyrie went down, you know, when he sprained

his angle. The whole series changed. So we know what it looks like without Kyrie, you know what I'm saying, And it looks like a Bucks win. But it's a different year, different team, and uh, it all boils down to what team is healthy and who's on the court,

just like it did last year. But can you imagine if this goes to a Game seven in the Nets of the number one seed Game seven Eastern Conference Finals were rocking at Barclays, jay Z and Bilce in the front row, a lot of other motherfuckers are there, and Kyrie can't play because it's a home game and he's not vaccinated. Yeah, that would that would that would that would completely suck. But I think for some reason that yeah,

that would that would just suck ass. And I think for the most I think James and Katie would rise to the occasion this year. Do they tank and get a lower seed just so they're not the home team in the Eastern Conference Finals? I mean, if it means having Kyrie James, I'm saying this Coach Nash sent him out at the end of the season and let them slide the spot or two now. But that would be crazy.

You know. We talked about that on NESPN too, like, what would it be like if if they get to the Eastern Conference Finals, it's a home game for the Nets and and Kyrie can't play. You know, obviously we all know how talented he is and what he means to this team. Luckily you still have Katie and James, but you know, they're obviously a better team with Kyrie. So that would be a really like you said, would you say, suck ass if that happens? Suck a man.

Next up, secure the bag presented you by Moneyline. Someone found Kevin Love and this dude has been playing his ass off um the December is averaging twenty two minutes a game at eighteen points, seven and a half rebound, shooting nearly fifty from the three point line. Jack, this dude has owed a lot of money over the next

few years. Let me tell you this year's due to make thirty one million, twenty three, he's due to make twenty nearly twenty nine million, and twenty three's an unrestricted free agent with this young team's kind of starting to find their way. Is he a piece that you trade away and see what you can get. I don't think you'll get much for Kevin Love, But one thing about it, Kevin Love is somebody that everything would want, considering it,

considering it from his experience. For what he's starting to peace starting to get his his legs back into the game and be to Kevin Love that we've seen, we know he could do. I mean I've seen him give I've seen him give Blake Griffith, Uh already eight twenty six and like nine and some ship like that, So I know what, I know what Kevin Love could do as Yeah, it's good to see him be a part of the winning field getting back in Cleveland. He's a

big part of that now. I'm happy for him. You know, this is always a good dude, brewing dude with just bad luck with injuries. But again, people quickly forget Minnesota Kevin Love and how much he sacrifices going to Cleveland, But what kind of fucking number monster he was in Minnesota. So this dude's got a lot of game. Happy to see him. He's kind of finding his way being healthy. I think a lot of teams would love Kevin Love, but I don't know if they're gonna take on that contract.

So it'll be interesting to see if uh he's able to get moved before the trade deadline. So John Wall next up, hasn't played a game this season, played forty games last year, last full season was two thousand sixteen two thousand seventeen season, he's owed even more money. Uh one salary is forty four million, twenty three salary is forty seven million, and in twenty three he's an unrestricted

free agent with those kind of numbers. And but again, he came last year and played I want to say average close to like game last year, didn't he was really hooping over in Houston. But they're going a new direction with the young talent. Do you see him being able to contribute with this Houston team or or getting on another team this year. I don't see him working with Houston. I think those young guys and they go

in a different direction. I still think he could help a championship team, an NBA team, you know, I would. I wouldn't mind sitting with the Lakers, you know, Uh, a team like that that you got veterans and and he can come and play a lesser row, still be a starper player a lesser row. But injur has held him back a lot. And you don't know how it's gonna be coming back around to all this time. But one thing about it, my boy got his paper. Yeah

he got pay for that. But I think the only way he moves is for a buyout, and I don't know if if that's in the cards. But I mean, like I said, he came last year, and when when he did he play, he played well. I want to say he after like around eighteen nineteen points a game after being out for nearly two seasons. So you know, hopefully he's able to get back out there and do what he loves. But that contract of the Monster, it's

gonna be hard to to wiggle with that ship. Next up, Kevin Porter Jr. Had an incident with assistant coach John Lucas and decided to leave the arena. Jack, We've all had our incidences with coaches. Have you ever left a game that's crazy? No. I've been kicked out from the bench until go to the locker room, but I've never never left again willingly, willingly. You've never just left the arena? No, never, willingly. No. It'll be interesting. I mean, this kid's got a lot

of talent um. You know, Houston got him from Damn ne or nothing because he had trouble in Cleveland. I want to say he's an avenue right around fourteen points a game this year and sixersists if I'm not mistaken. Uh, he's due to make a little bit over three million this year. He has an opportunity for an extension, does he is? He's someone you extend. You know his his issues have been off the court, in his his his attitude they say, and kind of his mental approach. But

a lot of young talent. Uh do you see him as a part of the future in Houston. Yeah, they just got they got to get the right people around him now. This kid has a lot of talent. He's wanted to seat out of kids, so so we know he has a great group of older guys that he could talk to with Jamal and Isaiah and Brandon Roy and those guys. For the most part, man, I think this kid can be a great pro He just needs

to have the right people around him now. And because the more money and make, the more money and start to throw at him, different things arise and you might not know know how to deal with that. When all the super started he's getting already. No, it's and it's just harder to talk to people as as they make more money. If you can barely talk to him when they're not making as much money as he can, so

I agree. I definitely think he needs, you know, some people to help break some of his just younger habits. I just think it's young habits. And this again speaks to our points, you know. I mean, like there's no real vets in the league, no more, Like these dudes are all pretty much the same, ay, So I mean I feel them. I'm not you know, am I really gonna listen to him? Motherfucker's maybe two years older than me, Like like I would listen to someone who was thirty

eight or thirty nine and I'm twenty three. Whole different. It's a whole different dynamic man. So yeah, I definitely hope, you know, he lands on his feet from the mental aspect and and just kind of getting his ship together because the kid definitely has a lot of talent. Closing thoughts Antonio Brown, uh decided to take his jersey off and left it on the bench through his T shirt and gloves in the stands, and then we had some high top boots he was waiting for riding um outside

the Jets stadium yesterday. Thoughts on Antonio Brown, big fan Antonio Brown before the last two or three years, is he's been doing a lot acting like a diva. For me, man Um, I was a big fan. I wanted him to go to Tampa Bay and win the championship and continue to win another one, and he did that. But what he did yesterday, Bro, just shows you don't want to play football on him, or we'll never see him in the in the NFL uniform begin after that. They gave him a lot of chances. I gave him a

lot of chances. I stood up on him, But that last move, when you want one of the best teams in the league and have a chance to win the championship and you're worried about your personal ship, I lost a lot of respect for him. It's just it's interesting because you hear Tom Brady, I don't know a b you know. I mean, I'm obviously a fan of his talent on the field. You know, he was definitely on the way to a Hall of Fame career. Uh, he was just a handful of stats away from getting a

big bonus Um as well. You know, you hear Tom Brady speaking and and and people are saying this guy needs some help, you know, and it just kind of makes me think, like he can't be this burnt out. You know, you can't it can't. It can't be this burnt down in a lot of people say it around him or saying that, you know, after that hit in two thousand seventeen that uh Burfett put on him uh in the Bengals playoffs, all this ship has been happening since then, So you know, is it cte? Is it

just crazy? Because I guess they say, you also dropped a song, and it's kind of like making this like a cool situation. And and to me, I think it's more of a c for help. And I hope that he can get some It's not some yes man, because I think he has too many of those, just some real people that really care about him and can get their arms around him and guide him in the right direction.

Because again, he pretty much just threw his career away this past Sunday, and you hate to see it, especially and someone that is so talented on the field, man, and and and and and has had a lot of chances, but I think this was probably the final strike right here. So man, praying for the best for this dude. Man, I hope he lands on his feet. And again, because you can't never really speak to what's going on in

somebody's head. Man, everybody's fighting some sort of battle, and hopefully he can get some help if if he is really fighting some internal battles. More breaking new Specky Hammonds becomes the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces with a nice lucrative deal over there. Congratulations to her, Jack. Do you think her or any women will become NBA head coach in the foreseeable future. I'm not sure, man, I'm just scared for any woman to coach in the NBA. I know how we are, uh, I know. With the

with with the money comes different things. And you know, you think you think you've got players now that won't listen to some older guys that played in the NBA teen years. Just imagine somebody that never played an NBA and she's a female. These guys have egos and no tell her where to come out. Dey MoU So I'm I'm happy for with the w n b A. I think she's gonna do do great there. I just wouldn't want to put a woman in that position with so

many high ego athletes. Yeah, I thought it was a perfect situation if she were good to step in for pop because obviously that the respect she's built with some of those players in John Take Murray, you know, A really a big fan of her, so she's kind of

got the respect in that in that organization. But I agree to go into a fresh organization where sometimes it's hard to just keep anybody's head on straight, let alone you know, a woman, um that's never played in the n B A um trying to keep you know, guy's heads on straight. So that would be interesting. But I definitely think she has the talent for um. I definitely think there's gonna be a woman at some point, so

I think they're gonna have to deal with it. So if it's her, congratulations again on the W at the w n B A job and um man, yeah, best of luck. That's the talented team of that. They've got a big Liz Campaige over there, so hopefully she can get them back to the finals. Yeah. We need to get lives on the show too, Yeah we do. Oh man, Well that's it. You can catch What's Burning every week on Showtime Basketball YouTube and it Twitter, Instagram at TikTok at show Basketball Piece m