Ja Morant Returns, Embiid MVP Odds, Cavs Overlooked? | WHAT'S BURNIN

had hope in that second half. Your voice came out tight in the first half, and then we dug our away. We caught our way back and it wasn't enough, which is kind of the story of my life as a fan of Northwestern sports teams. But you know, we got back to the tournament second time ever, and I was very proud of those boys. So I'm give them a little shout out. And you have a sweet sixteen prediction

for your guys. I mean, Gonzaga, you know we've had a you know, I can call it a rivalry, but we faced each other enough, and you know, they knocked us out in the National Championship a few years ago. So obviously health is going to be a big part us as it is in the NBA. But definitely looking forward to all Right, we'll see what happens. Let's talk about MBA in the meantime. John Morant, my friend, is expected to play in the Grizzlies game against the Rockets

on Wednesday night. He was actually eligible to play on Monday night, but it has been a while since his last game. It was all the way back on March third, and the team thought he needed just a little bit more conditioning, so instead he was courtside. He did get a really nice standing ovation though from the crowdy at a nice moment with Kyrie Irving after the game. Matt, what do you expect going forward with job? Because Jaren Jackson Junior told The Athletic the jaw is quote about

to come back and run the league. Oh, I believe it. I believe the league should be on notice now. I think he obviously had a lapse of judgment. Again, I don't judge a twenty three old a millionaire too harshly because there a few people can speak to what it's like to have that kind of money, power and control. So I think he had to come back down to earth a little bit. He took some personal time, which is always important, but I expect him to be a

minister society in a good way on the court. I expect him to come back with a lot of energy. You think about it, it was, you know, a two and a half week break, someone who's logged a lot of menace this season, but a great point of energy art And I hope he comes back to not only a warm welcome in Memphis, but just around the league because I think he's so instrumental to this league as far as one of the young up and coming future faces of the league. Yeah, I hope so too, and

I think he will. I mean, this kid did not commit a crime against humanity. He made some bad judgment errors and certainly took a few weeks to get his head straight. Hopefully made some significant changes in the way he sort of behaves, runs his life, makes choices about who he hangs out with, and maybe it's a wake up call that is preventing more negative incident from happening

in the future. So all those things I think we can actually look at as a positive of what Jah has been going through and doing over the past couple of weeks. I do wonder, and I just don't know this because I've never been a professional basketball player. So much of his game is based on confidence, right, I mean, he's been one of the most confident guys in the league.

Do you think anything that's happened with him in the last month or so will take a little bit of the window out of his sales or do you think he's going to come back exactly the same kind of guy. Well, I think one thing he'll never lack is confidence, and I think I agree with you that that's what makes him so great. He truly believes every night he steps on the floor, he's the best player on the floor, and that's how he should think, because the majority of

the night he is. So I definitely don't think he'll lack in confidence. I don't even think he'll be rusty. I mean, this is a young twenty three year old kid again, with plenty of energy, and I'm excited to see what he does the rest of the way. Well, I mentioned that athletic story where Jaren Jackson was quoted. Here's another interesting detail. We know there have been, of course, a number of incidents with Morant prior to this latest one, and that in an effort to keep Jah out of

further trouble. Even before he left for the suspension, the Grizzlies had already started changing their travel schedule to quote curtail nightlife habits, with the Grizzlies flying out of more road cities, especially the glitzier ones like Miami, immediately after the game instead of staying overnight. Now, Matt, those overnights in Miami, I happen to know you took advantage of some of those to have a little fun. I've heard you tell the stories. What do you think when you

hear this? I mean I giggle initially from a standpoint of obviously this is a serious matter, But I mean that's a part of the best part of being in the NBA is being able to hang out in the er cities, whether it be off night or after a game or whatever the situation is. But I think Memphis understands the importance of, you know, putting him, not putting him in a situation where he can mess up or misstep again, because not only is he important for his team,

but he's important for the league. So if I'm a teammate, I'm a little disappointed, but I also understand the bigger picture. You know, this team very talented and have aspirations of being an NBA champion, and you want to eliminate for the for the shortcoming. You want eliminate, you know, any obstacles they may be sitting there and obviously you know, hanging out after in New York or Miami. I mean, he found something to do in Denver, and that's kind of hard to do. So I think they just kind

of want to eliminate any possible miss this season. And you know, I doubt next season they'll do the same thing. But right now, it's all about business, and I get it. It kind of reminds me of the Lakers, you know, had you know, NBA teams used to long ago had

beer in the locker room after games. And when Kobe Bryant got to the Lakers, he was very famously underage, right, came straight out of high school, and they had to get rid of the beer in the locker room postgame because Kobe was on the team, and that actually caused some resentment among the older teammates. I think, as you point out, Jazz tighter with the guys on this team, and I think they'll be a little bit more understanding.

But does make me think a little bit back in the day, did you have beer in the locker room when you played at all? Or did that already pass before you left? Where we got there, I was that old, so yeah, it was still there. I mean smiling to the store. I mean, if they're taking the beer out and Kybe brought championships, if that means them flying out of cities early and I'm bringing them championships, I'm sure they'll they'll they'll take that as well. Absolutely all right.

Before we leave the topic at the Grizzlies, we have to discuss Dylan Brooks. You know, earlier this month when Memphis played Dallas, Brooks said this about Kyrie Irving. He said, quote, I can't wait to pick him up full every time and see him get exhausted. Then we get to Monday night, because Memphis and Dallas have played like a hundred games in the last three weeks. I can't even keep track of how many games they've played. But they did play

again on Monday night. Kyrie came out hot, scored nine points in the first quarter, largely guarded by Brooks, and they cameras even picked up Kyrie turning to Brooks at one point and saying, quote, keep playing that dumbass defense. So then we get to the third quarter of this game, Dylan Brooks trips Kyrie. Now, the Mavericks said Kyrie was not seriously injured. He stayed in the game, but he did struggle the rest of the way. He was even

in a walking boot matt afterward as a precaution, they said. Meanwhile, after the buzzer sounds, Brooks still walks up to Kyrie and tries to do a jersey swap. Kyrie dig hand Brooks's jersey. Kyrie had already taken his jersey off like he does after every game, but he just kind of ghosted Dylan. He wouldn't take his jersey. He kept walking. Kyrie later said that he didn't mean it is disrespect.

He was just looking for a job. But what do you make of the fact that Dylan was talking that talk and then try to swap jerseys with kai And then Kaya was like, yeah, never mind, classic classic Brooks.

You know, had love him. He's carved out a niche for himself and he's an important part at Memphis Grizzlies team, and guys around the league may not like him, but I think they respect his efforts because he's going out there, he's playing hard, you know, for the most part, outside of getting testco fouls, you know, he makes winning plays. So I'm sure there's a sour taste in the league about someone like him who has so much to say that hasn't accomplished much. But I think that's what this

memphit steam kind of is about. You know, this is a team, is a young, very confident team, feels like they're the best in the world. And I have no issue with that. Just you know what I mean, you have to show me you have to be solid and the rec then you know, when the real lights turn on off time, that's when you have to back your talking up. So um, I thought it was hilarious that

the Kyrie didn't take the jersey again. I mean's just out the lot and if for an NBA, you know, someone might have to you know, check that, but it's you know the league now is that on his mouth? And to me, I just you know, he has to continue to back up his talking with solid play and his team's ability to win when it matters the most. Do you think that this is going to hurt like because Dylan's kind of picked it guys on multiple multiple teams.

It's not just Draymond Green, It's not just Kyrie. There's guys kind of across the league that he sort of started stuff with. He's going to be a free agent. Do you think this is going to hurt his bag at all? I don't necessarily because again, I mean, his numbers are what they are. I think he's, you know, with the tenders in the league, and I was who, you know, may rub people the wrong soon as I got in that locker room. Guy's love out there talking as much as he was. I was more with the um.

But you know, there was a there was kind of a stigma on me that you know, I hated to play against him, love to have him on the team. So hopefully that'll be his stigma because the kid can definitely and I like it. I like it. I don't know if I would have liked it if he was an opponent. You know, I probably would have had to say something to do something. You gotta shut that mouth up, you know what I mean. So until you can beat them, consistently or knock them out of the playoffs or give

them not a reason to talk. He's gonna talk, and even if you do give this talk, he'll probably still talk again. This is kind of just who that Memphis the team is, and I know he's an important asset to that team. So I like what he does for his team. I love it as a fan. I mean, look, I'm not on the other end of his chirpings, but so it's easy for me to sit on the couch and say, or sit courtside and say, oh, this is fun,

but it's so much fun. Like it's so much fun to watch this entire Grizzlies team and just sort of their confidence, as you said, like I mean, I don't know, I think we need more of that kind of stuff. The NBA is a sport. Sports are fun. Like, let's not take all of this too seriously. I love watching the Grizzlies mouth off and kind of go do their thing, and I think we need a little more of that

in the NBA. So I'm all for it. I am interested to see how many enemies Dylan Brooks makes or whether it's kind of like as you said, like you I mean you're a guy that got so much respect from other players for the exact reason that you're talking about. So we'll have to see if he can pull that off as well. I don't know, it's interesting when you

look at me amphis the go ahead. No, I was gonna say, it's just you know, because it's double pronged now, Rachel, because now you want to see what he does if he come back it up on the corp. I mean you also want to hear what kind of wild shit he's gonna say in portside or in the lock. I was, you know, his little chests hair out with the with the no shirt on. So he's again he's creating a niche in for himself in this league. And I respect it, love it, love it. I Mean it's interesting too when

you look at Memphis because all the drama. Look, if it's a distraction, that's one thing. But the drama has not really affected them on the court. They're still the number two team in the West. I think they've won three in a row as we sit here. Of course, the West is a very flawed conference right now. Overall, there are plenty of nights. It seems like nobody would like to win a basketball game. Memphis is strong. The Kings obviously have been steady. We've seen other teams. They'll

kind of go up and down. If I asked you right now, hey, Matt, who is the best team in the West, not on paper where injuries don't exist, but just in reality, who is the team you would put your money on right now? Which team would that be? I wouldn't put my money on a team in the West. I put my money on a team in the Beats because I just feel like the West is literally you look at the top three seed them for Memphis and Sacramento,

they don't have very much playoff history, actual core. You can see then the Western Finals in the bubble, but that's just a little different kind of situations. So to me, as as much as I like or respect Yo Kitchen, as much as I love O see, you know working for the Kings'm out here in I love together, Rachel. So we know the most important thing in the playoffs is experience. So then when you come to experience, you

look at teams that are lower than those seas. So you look at the Clippers, who's made a Western Conference final run and have a Kawhi Leonard who's won two finals MVPs. You look at Golden State, who has the most experience in this you know, in the league. You look at Phoenix Suns, and if Kevin Durant can come back healthy, Devin Booker has been on a terror, Chris Paul's a per floor general still though he's a little

bit older. Uh, they're tough. And then if you look to me, I would I'm someone crazy enough to think that if lebron can get healthy, no one wants to see the Lakers at a one eight or two seven. I don't care who you are. So there's team the most experience in championship peder Bee towards the bottom. These new teams up at the top don't have very much experience. So to answer your question, I couldn't really put my

money on anybody. I mean, it takes the you know, the right time to get hot and make a run and then health, and and that can be from anyone from Sacramento to Memphis to Denver to the teams I just mentioned to, you know, Sacramento, Denver and Memphis possibly getting bumped in the first round because there's quality seven, six, seven, eight seeds. So I'm really excited about the Western Conference.

There's no clear cut teams in the Eastern Conference. You can clearly say that Milwaukee and Boston, and I think Philadelphia has played theirself in that top tier in the in the Eastern Conference. But in the Western it's literally a shootout every single night. You know, Denver's wet five and five in their last ten. You know they're they're they're in you know, Jeopardy, you're falling out that number one seed. I think they have a three game lead.

So I love the West like this. I think it's more competitive and I think we're all going to be surprised who comes out the West, and I don't think anyone can really painpoint who that is at this point. I'm curious what you said about the Lebron thing, because look, any Lebron James Anthony Davis team, and they've got more shooting around those guys now and after the trade deadline

and all that. But with Lebron, even if he does make it back, and the Lakers gave an injury update on Monday saying, you know, it sounded more hopeful that he was going to be back by the end of the regular season. Even so, don't you think that his conditioning and it's been a while, don't you think that the conditioning and kind of just having been away is

going to be an issue. You're not worried about that at all, you know, with technology now, Rachel, I'm sure he's probably been on that underwater treadmill trying to keep his cardio up or on the bike. And obviously you can't late NBA movement, you just can't. But I mean, he's someone who is professional, and it's I'm kind of sad from a standpoint of just being such a fan of him that you know, normally this guy is someone

who sprains his ankle. His ankle bone will hit the ground and he'll tighten and shoots up and jump right back up. You know, we're starting to see just Lebron get old, what's coming to an end. So as a fan, I'm sad. I'm sad for that. We know we don't have too much more time with him. But again, I think conditioning could be an issue. But I wouldn't say, hey, they're gonna lose because Lebron's not in shape or Lebron

has no wind. I think they did a great job of bringing quality pieces in and putting role players that can be stars in their role around Lebron and Inded. But all this is predicated upon those two guys health. But if those guys are healthy enough to be out there on the floor, I mean, I think they're a scary matchup of at seven or eight for a number one or two seats. Well, it's gonna be interesting with them. It's gonna be interesting with the Warriors. I just want

to give a quick shout. The Warriors won a road game on Monday night. Yea. It was against Houston, the worst team in the Western count friends, and it stopped an eleven game road skid for Golden State. We'll probably address that as we go forward more, but hey, they did it so wonderful. I do want to get back to the Kings, because you are up in Sack right now. Literally have the best offense ever right now. Their O

rating is one nineteen point four. Very impressive. Also, you do have to put this into a little context though, because if you look at the twenty teams with the best offensive ratings in history, they have all played in the last four seasons. Matt, I mean, are we at the point with the way the rules have changed the three point shot all that. Should we just actually stop comparing current teams and stats to historical teams because I keep hearing people like, oh my god, King's best offense ever,

everything changed. I mean it's hard to it's hard to know what ground you're standing on. I mean, Rachel, this is like, what is it the juice ball era for baseball? You know what I mean, where statistically it's hard to do. You know what I mean? That baseball was dead and they started juicing the balls and juicing themselves and turned it into something that we've never seen from a baby. So I think it is a little I wouldn't say asterisk because you don't diffn't want to disrespect what guys

are doing. But it's just a different game. The pace, the number, the lack of physicality on the defensive end, the freedom of movement on the offensive end. It's really hard to go out there and play defense, especially with these weak ass refs. So um, hats off to the Kings and everyone else that that that is really doing things. But we also know, you know, no matter how high your offensive ratings, you have to be able to play defense to win championships. And I think that's something that

the Kings are starting to understand. As you know, this team is a tremendous offensive juggernaut, but lack defense until the fourth quarter. So I think if they started understanding, we got to start playing defense when the game starts. Uh. You know, Sacramento can makes some noise in and although they're a high seed, you know, I think as they advanced it would be kind of a surprise to a lot of people. But they definitely have that type of talent.

Everyone believes in Mike Brown. I think he's the clear cut coach of the year. Daron Fox's you know, and Sabonis have cemented themselves. I think those guys are both all NBA performers. I'm not sure what tear you want to put them on, but but they've been able to do to their team individually and statistically has been very impressive. So Sachs offense is amazing. I got to get a chance to see it often. But if I have one

area of concern, it's just consistency on the defensive. It Yeah, I mean, look, I don't want to by the way, I don't want to sound like I'm saying what the Kings are doing offensively is nothing. Because if you had told anyone Sacramento was at the top of any list like this, it would be incredibly impressive. A year or two, I mean, nobody would have even believed you. So it

is awesome what they are doing. It is a thrill to behold on offense, it just is not the same game as it was ten years ago even, And I just wonder if we're at this break point where it's hard to see when you're in the middle of it, because we're still comparing things even to like, oh, yeah, well that's different from when Chack and Kobe played or something like that, because it's relatively recent, but it's such

a different game. It's almost like where we just sort of take all of Wilt's records and we say, well, well, it played in a different era and the pace was different, and you can't really compare, you know, the numbers that were being put up then to the numbers going on now. And I sort of feel we're going to look back in ten fifteen years and see this huge break from just a few years ago, and it's going to be considered a different era even from the stuff in recent memory,

even from the Lebron Miami Heat days. Or something like that. I feel we're going to see a pretty big distinction, and it's weird to be right in the middle of it. I just the one thing I hope is again I love the OUTFA offensive out poor. I just hope at some point they allow the defense to catch up to the offense. Just allow a little bit more physicality on and the ability to just guard your man without foul for breathing on him. But I mean, I love Richie.

You know, this game continues to grow globally because people want to see highlights, they want to see dunks, they want to see threes. From having all that is fun, you don't want to see, but Detroit Pistons eighty nine game, you want to see Steph hit fifteen threes and guys dunk and left and right. To me, that's what grows

the game. But at the same time, as someone who played the game it has a defensive mind, I just hope at some point, again I love this offensive or and I feel like these kids are more skilled now than they've ever been. I just hope that the league allows the defense to catch up. Well, I'm gonna not continue this line of discussion because I think if they could find you retroactively for insulting the referees. They would reach back into this podcast and do that from your

playing career. So I'm a saviors of money, but I do agree with you, and I think that I think we might see a swing. I don't know, maybe at some point, I don't know. I want to move on to the New Orleans Pelicans because on December thirtieth, this team was tied for the top spot in the West. It's hard to remember it was only a few months ago. They had depth, they had three twenty point a night scorers. Now they're sitting outside even at the play in and

obviously they've had huge injury problems since then. But as we look forward on this team at this point, you got to just bake injuries into the equation, right, I mean, especially where Zion is concerned. We've bent back and did the math. There's three hundred and fifteen games the Pelicans have had since he was drafted. He has only played in a hundred and fourteen of them. Matt, So what do you think as you look forward for the Pelicans here? I mean, they're a game out of the plan right now,

so it's only one game. Can they get in and do something this season or next year? Can they try to do more? They've got some big contracts. I don't know, what do you think when you see this team. I think injuries are a perfect example of why this team kind of is where they are. And it's been as great as Zion is when he's on the court, he's just not on the court as much. He's played in less than half the games allotted to him in his career.

When he's out there, he's incredible, he's breaking right, but they can't get him on the court. And then you saw it, you know, brandon Ingram, you know, had a long time this year where he was down. CJ McCullum has been that consistent. Obviously shout out to my guilt. I really greed, and we're just trying to put the pieces together and have your guy. But again, you know this, the three top contracts they have are going to take a lot of cap space, so it doesn't really give

them much flexibility in the offseason. But I think they just everyone in that organization praise every night that Zion could be healthy because he is that kind of game changer. He is that kind of force, and I love CJ. Brandon and Zion together healthy because I don't think there's another trio in the league that tough. You know, Brandon Ingram is one of my favorite young players. He's got

a little bit of KD and them. You know. CJ. McCollum as a veteran who learned a lot in Portland with Dame and can get you a bucket when every once and then again, there's nothing Zion can't do out there on the court if he's on the court, so I think again everything is predicated upon their head. I hope that he can get healthy because you know, I think he has so much to offer this game and so much to offer these fans. So if he's not healthy,

this is a lower Western Conference team. If he is healthy, this is a team that Timmy is right in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference. What's tough about Zion's health too, to me is that it's such the axis that the team rotates on. And look, as you said, they've got plenty of other good players, but he is the gravitational force, right. I mean, every time he's on the court, everyone knows how important he is

to the squad. So when he's out and right now we don't know when he's going to come back from that hamstring injury. I would have to think, Matt, it affects guys mentally too. I mean, as I said, they're only a game out of the play in. But if you don't think Zion's coming back or you don't know when he's coming back, if you were a teammate, I would think that would affect you right that you would just sort of been like, yeah, okay, whatever. Well, I mean, obviously,

you know you need your best player. And then, with all due respect to the other guys on the team, he is the best player. Uh Si, Rachel gets there. One us a chance to show what they got, you know, guys that you know that they wouldn't get the minutes if he was there, have an opportunity to kind of in the organization, gets to kind of see who else they have on that front line. Because Zion is so dominant when he's in that he takes a lot of the you know, the the fame or the lights, so

they know they go as he goes. And he has a baby, so of course see they don't. So um, is there a taborturn I had it been home to keep up with it, but you know, hopefully there is and then and hopefully if he does come back, he's able to stay on the court for the rest of the season. We shall see. And I want to go east for a minute, because we haven't talked about the Cleveland Cavaliers that much. They lead the league when you look at fewest points allowed. They have the best point

defferent churl in the game. Are we not paying enough attention to this team, Matt? I mean they're slated to play the Knicks in the first round if everything holds, and then the ideas whoever wins that matchup is kind of considered cannon fodder, right for the number one seed likely be the Bucks. This point is that not fair to the Cabs, And it is fair because you have to earn Although we see potential rachel with physical numbers

on both sides of the ball. We see that. Now we see they have Garland who is an all star double double guy with Jared Allen and the young boy Mobili who whose statistics are nicle if you take a look at them, and then they have nice pieces and they got a really solid coach, but just stronger than that. It has been in the past. So although we may be overlooking them, they have to earn our art to give them that. You know, the only way to do that is to obviously, you know you can. I don't

see why they wouldn't be favored against the Knicks. I liked the nixt and this year, but if the playoffs are the start today, I would probably pick Cleveland. And then the way you earn that respect is going against the Giant in the second round and being a Giant killer. You know, can you knock off? Can you knock off? Joanna said, Milwaukee fully healthy. That's how you stop being overlooked. So they could be overlooked, but you have to earn that that that respect to not be overlooked as Gianness

did it. You know, we were look overlooking the honest for a while. You know, he can't get to the big game or he can't do this, he can't do that, and he's to do everything that everyone said he couldn't. That's why he's looked at up here now. So I feel like Cleveland is kind of a second tier team. And I said back, I think behind Milwaukee, Boston and Philadelphia, Cleveland is kind of a second tier team. But the only way to get to that top tier because they

have all the pieces, is to do it in the playoffs. Yeah, I mean, look, I just want to see that Nick's Cab series before we even move on to the next round, because I'd like to see, you know, Donovan Mitchell in the garden with all the stuff for the drama that went on over the summer. I think it's going to be so hot. And here's a guy who I think is totally up to it, right. He's a performer. He can take that big stage and the booze of the fans and Spike Lee and all of that. I think

it's gonna be really, really good. So we had some good playoff matchups brewing here. I like it. Let's set I want to get. I want to give a shout out to Julius randall Man. He's been playing his ass off. I think he dropped fifty seven the other night in a losing effort, but you know, there was he couldn't do. And I think the addition of Jelen Brunson's allowed him to show the world what kind of offensive machine he is, and he's been playing out of his mind. So I

just definitely wanted to give him a shout out. Although I picked if they were going to play Cleveland, I'd probably picked Cleveland. But I just love what he's been able to do and what that team has been able to do. And I'm excited to see, like you said, that first round matchup. If that's what it is, it's going to be fireworks. You know what I like about what Julius Randall has done this season too, is that he really took time this past summer to take the

criticism to heart. So many players sort of just sort of brush that stuff off or say that I'm getting screwed or they don't understand me, or any of that stuff. And he really took Tom Thibodeau's words to heart. He took you know, some of the other people elder statesmen around him, and changed a little bit the way he was approaching the game, even changing the way he approached

the offseason a little bit. And I think that really speaks to we sometimes say players, yeah, they really evolve in their first year or their second year, even a guy who has been around a few more seasons than that. The fact that he was willing to sit there and say I could be better and different. I give a big shout out to that too, and we're seeing the

results on the court, which I like. All Right, Next up, legendary moments presented by Top Shot all right from March twentieth to March thirty first NBA Top Shot and NBA fans are going to decide which of the sixty four Top Shot debut moments is the most legendary in the Top Shot Debut Moment showdown. So basically, in other words, this is an nc double a tournament style bracket for debut moments. So who do you think, Matt, of all the greats, which player had the best debut that should

win this Top Shot Moment bracket? Best debut Shoot? I would just probably say Jaw. I mean, Jaws a must watch guy. You know, you can look at stets on what he's able to do. There's so many talented players, but I just think from Jaw chasing someone down and pinning a shot to the top of the backboard to dumping on an entire franchise, he's just much watched TV. And I think that's I think I speak for everyone. Everyone's just so excited to see him back on the

court because he just is electric. Night in night out, So if I had to pick one moment or one player, I would definitely pick a job. They better get this tournament in now because I think next year, when Victor Webbenyama takes the court for the first time, we're going to see a possibly a new contender in there. So everyone go vote now. You can follow the action on NBA top shots website over your favorite tall march by following an NBA tap shot on Twitter. Learn more and

get started ahead to NBA tapshot dot com. Today on the Radar, presented by Draft Kings, let's talk about MVP Matt. The race had largely been all about Nikolokitch for most of the season, but the Nuggets have been struggling, the Sixers climbing up the standings, and Joelmbiid has officially taken the number one slot. To the odds makers, here they are Joel embiad is at minus two forty, Nikoliokich is plus two fifty, Yannis is sitting there at plus four fifty,

and Jason Tatum is at plus ten thousands. So if you're a Celtic fan and you want to put some money on Jason can get a good return for your investment there. Meanwhile, Janni said last week that the whole thing is hard for him to navigate since there is no agreement on what anyone is voting on, which I mean, thank you, Matt, You've had to sit next to me four years now talking about this. His point was, I

don't even know what criteria people are voting for. What is your main criteria, Matt when you talk about MVP, Let's start there, Let's start with you. I mean, it's just unspoken rules that the voters go by, but unspoken means no one else knows what the hell is going on. You want to obviously want to look at where where do you have your team at? You know what seed

are they sitting, And obviously think that's important. Your ability to not only score but affect the game in different ways, and I think I think in beads and ability to not only score the ball from all three levels very effectively. Uh. He also is a solid rebounder and a rim protector.

So um, you know, you can arguably say, Rachel, every single season, there's two or three guys that can win it every single year, you know, and I think Jannis is one of the once since he's Brian, He's been someone who could win it every single year, and that's not to take away from Yoki. And you know, obviously some people felt that Embiade had won at least one of those last two, but they've been yok So his

numbers solves his ability. He has his team sitting at the top of the Western Conference although they've been playing you know, five hundred ball of late. That's hurt him. But I just think the tear that Embiad has been on um. I think the fact that he's been so close two years in a row. It could have win

either way. Literally, I think what he's done this year, the tear he's been on, getting hot at the right time, getting his team, climbing his team up to you know, I think either a half game out of second or a game out of second in the Eastern Conference is really big. And he deserves it because I was I was someone who thought he deserved it last year. So I'm glad Oddsmakers kind of see, you know, what everyone

else has been seeing. But but to your point, Rachel, there is no criterion, and I think that's what keeps not only players, but fans and possibly voters sometimes confused I'm like, what are we really looking at? You know, what are we really judging? Is it points per game as it wins? Is it defensive efficiency? You know what? Is it impact on the team. So I don't really

know what the criteria is. I just know that I feel like, Wellied could possibly already have one MVP under his belt, but should definitely get his first this year. See that's so you're making the point that he could have won previously, he maybe should have won previously in the mind of some voters and fans, and that factors into your decision. And you're not anywhere near a loan booge because and said basically the same thing on this

podcast last week. And yet that's not who had the best stats this season, And which is why I keep arguing we need to separate out the idea of who has had the best statistical season from who the best player is right now, who is the guy you'd least want to face, especially since are we talking offensive stats? Are we talking defensive stats? And I get the nuance of, hey, it shouldn't just be a straight one factor thing. Otherwise we don't even need to have a vote. We could

just sort of do it robotically. But there's a difference between having nuance in having an argument over MVP, and I like to take into account this, and every voter likes to take into account that, and just having it be totally scattershot with ten different things coming into the equation and nobody being able to even agree on any

of them. So I just think we've gotten so far away from any sort of ability to have a consensus, and the tone of the debate has gotten so toxic, in part because I mean, part of its Internet culture, but part of it is because people are yelling at each other or past each other about totally different things.

So I would, again, as I've said many times, I'd like to see a little awards reform here and have the NBA join the NFL, to join the NHL, separating out some of these awards for best overall player versus

who's had the best season. But I think we're at that point right now where how this vote goes will dictate possibly where people see that criteria laying because Nikoliokich does have some superior statistical numbers in a lot of different categories, but the feeling among a lot of people who watch the NBA right now is Hey, if I had to face one of them, you know, Joel Embid is the guy I fear the most right now of those two were honest, by the way, No, I agree

most of those guys. And I think, you know, the NBA is so progressive, and I completely agree, you know, with just the offensive MVP. I've excuse me, an offense or you know whatever, offensive Player of the Year, you know what I mean, and then an MVP. To me, those are two sometimes they can be tied in one. But I think the one thing that I really like that they've been talking about it late is you have to play a certain amount of games. And I think

you and Boogy discuss last show as well. Yeah, and I think I wonder what that five seventy games. I mean, you think back when we played, I mean it was it was a badge of honor to play eighty two games. You look at Michael Jordan was making his runs. He was playing eighty two plus an in Defensive Player of the Year finals MVP. Like, obviously the game has changing and I don't want to compare errors, but to win such a big award, I think you definitely should have

to play or to win any award. I feel like you should have to play a certain amount of games because there are guys out there that are pushing themselves to try to get to every single game, to play every single game. So I definitely like where that's at. I just wonder what that magical number will be, if

that's something that's implemented. But here's my cynical take on that, whatever that magical number is is going to be a negotiation between the players Association and the league, and I could, pretty much as I sit here guarantee you that that number will not be as high as a lot of fans will want. So let's say that number ends up

being sixty sixty five. I mean, is that really going to do anything for load management or is that going to really do any thing for what you were talking about of that badge of honor and kind of, you know, spurring guys to play a little bit more. I don't think we're going to see a negotiated number between those two sides end up in the seventies, do you. I mean, I hope the lowest that can go with sixty five?

You know you think seventy I mean that's missing twelve games and that's kind of that's a one sprained ankle and maybe a sore knee, a couple sore knees, and you know, a season, but sixty five seventeen games that you can miss, but you think that you can put it to sixty. I mean you can miss twenty two games and still win. So whatever it is, I'm glad I don't have to make the decision. But I hope they said it and stick to it, and hope you that'll raise the play guys to want to be out

there every single night. We shall see. Let's go to Chicago for our closing thoughts. Here to start off, Lonzo Ball just had a third surgery on his injured knee and this was a cartilage transplant math that sounds darly. It is a relatively new surgery as opposed to a full need replacement, so we've never had an NBA player undergo this and return. Honestly, it doesn't sound like even his doctors are comfortable saying for sure what his prognosis is.

They just keep saying this is his quote best hope. So, Matt, what do you think, because because it's not just this surgery, Lonzo Ball has had a lot of injury issues his whole career. What is your gut telling you about whether we see Lonzo Ball back on an NBA court again. I want to say, my gut is going to tell me that it's gonna work. Um. I wanted to work as a fan of his, and you know, obviously Edison has come so far, Rachel, Remember an acl used to

be a career ender and a chill. He's definitely used to be a career ender. And then you look at guys like Clayton back from both you know, Kevin back from that belief. Yeah, I want to have that belief that you know, medical is as at an all time high. But I just I feel bad for him from a standpoint of he's a good kid and it's been a rough ride since he's stepped in this, you know, partly add partly because he hasn't had an opportunity to play.

But when he's healthy, Rachel, he's one of the best court vision guys in the game, and he's someone who is old school. From a standpoint, he'll pick you up ninety four feet and maybe you work and take the ball from you. If he is such an important I think his brother's kind of come in and taking that flare of obviously the ability to put the ball in the basket, but Alonzo was someone who could put the ball in the basket, make plays for his team and

make his teammates better. But then I also really locked in on the defensive end, like he was picking when he was with you know, picking up ninety four feet. I love stuff like that. So I just pray that you know, this is a vision to give him a chance to get back out there. I hope the medicine is you know, again like you said, at an all time high, it always continues to but it just sounds scared. You know, you said, you know, cartilage instead of a

knee replacement. To think someone that his age needs a whole knee ropsman is is just exactly scarity here. So you know, Croston and praying for him and his family for his health because he has tremendous talent. Yeah, I mean it's it's he's as you said, this whole career and it's been all the crazy hoopla with his dad starting out and kind of the attention that's been on him. He sold it through a lot and I think a lot of people around the NBA are hoping this works. Finally,

maybe we will find out. Let's skip over to Washington, DC, my hometown. Magic Johnson looking to extend his team ownership portfolio by joining Josh Harris's bid to buy the Washington Commanders. Now. Magic, as we know, currently owns the pieces of the Dodgers, the Sparks, the LAFC. Harris, of course has a big stake in the Sixers. Now Matt Magic would obviously not be the majority owner in this situation. But I'm just

curious for your take. Do you think if this group is able to pull off the sale, do you think he would have a real voice in the NFL, a league that has struggled sometimes with social issues, how players are treated overall. Or do you think because he's not going to be like the voice, the guy in the chair at those league ownership meetings, he won't really be able to have that impact. I mean, his name is

Magic for a reason. You know, whether he's a minority owner or you know, whatever bounds a way, he finds a way to have his voice heard and it should be heard. Question to you, since you know that's your city, what is your thought on I mean management and you know ownership, there's always been issues with Snyder and management there. They're able to put you know, similar to it with the Knicks have beenable that they've been able to put good talent together, but you know, it always starts at

the top with that team. So, as someone who is a hometown girl there, what is your thought on the possibilities of someone like Magic and knowing what he brings to our game, have an opportunity to possibly bring that to your team in the NFL. I mean, look, Dan Snyder cannot sell that team fast enough for me. I mean, as far as I'm concerned, he could sell it to like the guy on the corner selling newspapers and I

would be like, awesome, great new team owner, fantastic. So Magic Johnson of all people, and Josh Harris by the way, who's done great things with the Sixers in conjunction with Michael Rubin and their partnership group up there. But um, you know, it seems like a good group to me in terms of all these guys track record, and I would love to see Magic Johnson's voice in the NFL.

I think that you're Great's your great point. His name is Magic, and I think that even if he doesn't have an official seat at some of those tables, because he wouldn't be the majority owner, his word carries so much weight and that he would get quoted in the newspapers. I mean, he doesn't need to be the majority stakeholder to have a majority style voice. And I think, frankly,

the NFL could use Magic Johnson. So um, I am hopeful that among the many different interesting groups, one of them goes through soon and that team can get a fresh start because it has been miserable for a long time in that city. That is the team that made

me fall in love with sports. They won three Super Bowls during the span of my childhood and college and stuff, and I just I it has been hard to watch and all the stuff, the allegations and the proven proven things that went on in that front office there, and just the degradation of women that has gone on there has just been It's been just stomach churning. And so I would like, I want to buy the team, and uh, I hope that Magic Johnson gets to be one of

those subones. That's all I would say. So that's I have some strong feelings. Can you tell Matt, I don't know is that coming across it. Luck to you and those Commander fans. I would love to see you. Magic is the voice for our people. We obviously know that that not just our people, but we also know you know that the NFL needs some help with just diversity and the way they look at things. And like he said, although he may not have the biggest seat at the table,

he definitely has the biggest platform. Bigger platform than Jerry Jones, bigger platform than any owner in the NFL. So what Magic. When Magic speaks, it's heard. So I would love to see someone who I grew up idolizing on the basketball court, who's become a business juggernaut, have the ability to cross over into the NFL and have a little piece of

that as well. It's interesting that Magic is talking about expanding that presidence in a place like the NFL because we've also got news this past week that Michael Jordan is exploring selling his stake in the Charlotte Hornets. Mj not only the most famous team owner in all of professional sports, he is the only black majority owner in the NBA. He's actually on a lot of committees within

the Board of Governors, so it's not symbolic. He has a lot of say in a lot of places, Matt, what do you think the impact is going to be if he does so? Just another good business move. I mean I saw the evaluation. I think they're up to what one point seven billion, and they were in the three hundred millions when he took the team over. So another solid because Michael Jordan needs money right right, because

some people have critiqued his managements, owner skip whatever. But at the end of the day, I mean, like you said, the only black majority owner in the game, a former player who's done so much for the game. I mean, he just kind of free will to do what he wants. It always seems like somehow he always ends up doing something with some good money. This is no difference, so it'll be interesting to see. Obviously, Charlotte is just a tough place to build something, you know what I mean.

So whether it's him or somebody else, it's just a tough build build. But you know, I'm always going to be a fan of MJ So best of luck to them. Well, as you say, it's it's tough. The fan base has gotten a bit defeated. Two tickets to Monday Night's game against the Indiana Pacers. Matt, We're listed on a ticket resale website for one dollar each. Of course, they were actually fourteen dollars with fees and taxes, because that's our ticketing apps work. But a single upper level seat was

going for three bucks. They do have their work cut out for them. We'll see, maybe a new ownership, maybe maybe a shake up will happen, although I think who he's trying to sell it to is one of the current other owners in the Atlanta Hawks, minority owner. Anyway, we will keep an eye on mat as well as along with everything else in the league. Matt, thank you so much for joining me today, even though you were

brewing and I'm mad at all Bruins right now. I'm gonna I'm gonna try to get over that in the next couple of days. What Burn and Folks is available every week on Showtime Basketball, you Tube, on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok at show Basketball Hm, hm,