KD's Knee Injury, Grizzlies Ceiling, MVP Race | WHAT’S BURNIN | Showtime Basketball

display that night in the ring. What happened outside the ring, y'all stop the whole fight, Yeah, it was. It was just a disagreement between me and the boxing. You know, me just felt like everybody from there should have been pulled up a tank with with him selling out and and doing what he's doing for boxing, And it was just a disagreement that shouldn't have got shouldn't have got

to that point. Um. And then they came start knocking my wife down, So that's when I got upset, and uh, you know, I just I just had to make sure that she was okay. But all in all, man, it was one of the best weekends of boxing I've ever been to Brouh The fight car was was stacked, stacked, My card was stacked. You know. Speedy lost, Boo Boo one Boo took care business, Boots took cab business. And of course Tank did what everybody came to see him do,

knock somebody out. I mean he do that do cause? Uh, because I still cost so many left to the face, Matt, I don't. I don't know how he can see an either eye. He was crushing real quick. You got a chance to walk Boots out. What did What did that mean to you? Uh? It meant a lot, Bro, because you know, I'm I'm still new to the space. But uh, I think just the relationship me and him have have have have built. You know what I'm saying, It's been solid.

You know what I'm saying. He's definitely like a little bro and his dad, you know, his dad just I think he's just one of the best people I've ever met, you know what I'm saying, He's so solid all the way around. You know, I'm so how he treat people, not just his son in the boxing, but just everybody around, and how they respect him in the boxing world. Just being embraced by them man have been able to walk him down was one of the best feelings I've ever had.

I love it. Before we move on Tank, Ryan Garcia, is that gonna happen? I mean, you're kind of like my inside boxing glug. Now, So what's what's the scott and report on that? Yeah, and in a couple of months, man, hope hopefully, um late March April that it happened that turnaround. Man, they both playing the fight. They both want to fight. You know, Tank Tank had to take that fight and it was smart for them too. And Ryan didn't want it to take a tune up. You want to get

straight to it. So hopefully they'll get to it around around April, and that's what we all want to see, you know that. Oh yeah, fight of the year. Can't wait? Alright? Well, man, glad that Cooler Hells has prevailed outside the ring. It was a great night of boxing. Shout out to everybody who won. Now we want to welcome uh the newest member of the Showtime family, but also the newest member to the What's Burning crew. We now got a crew of three we want to welcome to the show the

wanted so with you guys. This is great because it makes my week when I get to hang with you guys, and now we get to do it every week. This is fantastic. There you go. And by the way, Stack my hometown d C, d C area I grew up in. I love the way they loved you this weekend. Uh, nothing like a little affection from the DC crowd. Speaking of chocolate, Jack, I didn't know you had clothes, and you look like a big old turd over there, literally the same color color. Hey, But welcome back, though, Bro,

Welcome back to Jack, and welcome to Rachel Man. It's good to have both of you, guys. Let's get this show rolland first up, the Iverson Classic. The Iverson Classic took place this weekend. Uh Time Showtime Basketball in the News series the Blackout Series. This was the first I'm sure of many, um you guys already got the Iverson class going on during the summertime for the kids, Jack, but this was the actual Blackout series brought on by Showtime.

Camden High School faced don Bosco Prep two feature NBA players sons were the stars of the evening five star commits. Uh DJ Wagner Son of Dewan Wagners committed to Kentucky who's the number one player in class and also former NBA or Ron Harper's son Dylan Harper, who had a big game and a losing effort dropped thirty six. Um, Jack, this is something you guys been working on a lot. And tell me a little bit about the growth of this. Yeah,

shout out to the Oves and Classic and the Blackout series. Um, you know, just just for partnering up and doing and doing something great for these kids. But I think, uh, just right quick, I just when Ai invited me to be a part and be a coach, that meant every That meant everything to me because you know what I'm like, I said, once again, we wasn't the guys on the commercials. We wouldn't the guys gett all the doshins while we

were playing. So, you know, for him to respect the way I love the game and treat me like a little brother to be a part of it. I took lead of the game, you know, as far as coaching and help and run the game. And shout out to Bobby and Jappa coming up with the idea and putting it all together. But it's just been great manag just building and the way I love these kids and come back. I think it's beneficial for the kids more than anybody.

Mm hmmm. Absolutely. While they were there, Rachel, Dewan Wagner, and Tim Thomas and j R. Smith were all honored with the first ever Bobby Hurley Legacy Award for outstanding Achievement in the New Jersey area. Speak to them, I mean you've got a chance to obviously, you know, cover Tim and Jr. And how we were talking about off air, how talented Dewan Wagner was, you know before he had

all his medical issues. But speak to you know what, what do you think stuff like that means for guys to be able to come back and then also get rewarded for it as well. Well. I love seeing this. I love that this award exists now because again and you want to see it be it right, so for kids from that area to be able to directly identify with kids guys who grew up just like them on the same courts sometimes and look at what they achieved

in the league. To be able to connect that back and have those guys come back in front of all those high school kids. I think that's invaluable. And I would not be surprised if we see one of those guys and you mentioned them who are definitely bound for the league, if they call back to this night because it was such a great night. Yeah. Absolutely, well, great thing. Again. We're always for the kids. Uh, not that to my

own home. But we just had our first, uh first round of the Sports Academy Cup that I'm holding this past weekend out in l A. So we had the top kids on the West coast and then we also have a South region and an Eastern region. So this h what what we kind of picked up here was this was Kobe's idea of the Mamba Cup initially, and you know, obviously everything that happened to him and he was working with Sports Academy at the time, so everything kind of came to a halt. But you know, we

we vamped it and I'm pushing it now. So first round went off without too many flaws. I want to shout out the Sports Academy team, man, and like you said, we're all in this for the kids, man. So that's what it's all about. All right, guys, let's move out west as we are recording this. The Lakers have won five straight. Now they got a game in Denver tonight.

So to all the people out there in the future listening to this, watching this, no spoilers for us, but really, regardless of what happens, it doesn't change that l A has been on one. Guys, Lebron has been averaging a cool thirty eight points per game since he turned thirty eight years old. Thomas Bryant stellar taken over for a d He's averaging seventeen eleven rebounds. In fact, when the Lakers played that crazy game against the Kings the other night, Matt,

I know how plugged into that you were. L A outscored Sacramento seventy to forty eight. Inside. They in fact have led the NBA in points in the paint over the last five games. All of us brings us to the trade deadline, fellas is exactly one month from now. Do the Lakers still need more help? If so, what do you want them to do? And I just want to throw this out to you. Lebron was asked the same question over the weekend. He told the Athletic quote,

y'all know what the funk should be happening. I don't need to talk, So Matt, what the fuss should be happening? Rachel? Does it feel good that you could say fun while you're working? And so I'm glad that America can now hear that as well. This is um. I also saw also saw Lebron tweeted that it was kind of taken out of context, somewhat long story short. Uh, this roster, you know, it's it's been no mystery. It's not very well constructed. Um. As far as pieces, I mean, obviously

we know they need pieces. Are they going to be able to get them? Considering all their limitations and them not really wanting to give up those first round picks? Um, they need shooting first and foremost. But I mean, I just love what these guys have been able to do. Like I just don't it's better when the bronze in

the playoffs. You know, a D had an amazing run, uh and November in December, Uh, these guys finally get on the same page and a D goes down and then all of a sudden, Lebron turns thirty eight at the end of the year and just has to remind everyone how great he is, as if his twenty nine game wasn't good enough. In year twenty, he's been averaging thirty eight points a game. Since he's been thirty eight.

You know, I got the opportunity to be at that Laker King's game the other night, and it was there was no defense, it was just straight hooping and it was a beautiful game. I hate that the refs called a foul two secons to go and and because of you know, free throws and shutter was everbody knocked down. But all that to say five in a row. Um, I know, personally, I'm still holding out hope for this team.

I think hopefully they can get into a playing situation and and and make that a great and then find themselves in the playoffs. But Jack, what do you feel like they need knowing that their hands are kind of tied. Well, I mean, if they're gonna make a move, just be careful of the move you make. Yeah, we know they need shooting, but they that team has built some nice chemistry. So if you if you're gonna make a move, don't make it one of those core guys you just need.

You need to just get healthy. You know, Lebron is having a great year. Russia's don't like that the core part of this team, and what d Ham has done, it's been solid. They just need a D to come back and be a D. But for the most part, man, this team two weeks ago was in fourteen their game out of ten. So if it ain't if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But shooting, they definitely got to fix

that real quick. Rachel, I mean, I want to give a shout out to Versus d Ham for just taking on the mess and and and somewhat getting in the right direction, but then also getting Rush to buy into that six man roll. And if I'm not mistaken that th he's got to be at least top three in the conversation right now, think the's three. So Rust is

really bought into that role. And I think it's really a testament to Darvin because when you look back at what happened at the end of the season, was an expectation Russ would go right away into that six man role, and Russ obviously was not quite comfortable with it yet, and Darvin basically said, great, you want to start, Let's see what happens when you start, and as we know, did not work out. And then that's when Russ felt

comfortable moving into that six man role. And we saw the same thing with Dwayne Wade right later in his career. It was like, Oh, is he going to start off the bench? Isn't he going to And basically Cleveland let him start for a few games and then decided, Okay, it's gonna work better if we do it the other way. But the idea was guys like that who are huge stars, who have been the guy for so much of their career.

De ham knew how to get him in the mindset to do this, and a lot of people outside the team didn't, And I want to give him credit for that. Yeah right, I mean he possibly could have been the only one outside of them hiring me or Jack could have to be honest with you in fact, because you gotta be real. I gotta Chanlee. Like I talked to d him a lot, and you know, he was telling

me this whole since the summertime. He's just really trying to be building an authentic, real relationship with Russ so they can have these real hard conversations because I think sometimes coaches are scared to have, especially like you mentioned Rachel, with someone with the status of of of Russell Westbrook.

It's not an easy conversation, uh, to have when you know superstars are kind of on, you know, with all due respect, kind of on their back end of their career and and and and buying into what is completely new to them. So definitely, I love that he's gotten a chance to be a head coach. I mean, such a great career both as an assistant as a player. He really deserved the shot and he is making the most of it. Alright. Meanwhile, guys, the Grizzlies number two

out West, winners of sixth straight. This is the last season, y'all before Jaws big contract kicks in. They got two expiring deals to work with. If they want Danny Green, who I definitely expect to go, Dillon Brooks. They don't want to get rid of Dillon Brooks, but again, he's expiring. If something big was on the horizon, do you think that the grizz nate need to make a move before the deadline stack or is their rotation enough out West

to win? I liked the team, but for them for them to go to the next level and to take advantage of these years with John because you know the way he plays, you know, he's just you know, he's like that. He got the Allen Iverson said John, he can get hurt any play, you know, because because you know how small they all. But he played, he played above the room so much. But um, they definitely need to make a big, a big move, Rachel, for them

to be considered the championship team. They're they're a great playoff team. They're gonna make a lot of noise and they might upset somebody. But I think they definitely need another big name or another player to come in there. That helped John at times, especially in playoffs when the game slow down. Jack I couldn't agree more. I mean, I love this team in the regular season and I think they're on the brink of being a really special team.

But I think they're that Robbin too. They're away from that. They need a Robin to Jos Batman and obviously hats off the band. He's had a great year, a career year, Um, Jaren Jackson as well. But we continue to ask who is that On a lot of these good teams, you know, the hoof who the for sure number two is. We don't know who the for sure number two is on this team. And although I'd hate to see Dylan brookslee because I think he brings just such an edge to

that team and I love him. Um, he may need to be packaged up in a situation where they can really bring a real number two in so that Jaren Jackson and Bain aren't counted on if they give you, if you if they give you those number two numbers,

that's only going to be icing on the cake. But you know for sure next to job that there's another twenty two point a game score night in night out, similar to what Boston has, or what the Clippers have, or what the many injuries to that Just getting all their guys out on the floor at the same time has been such an issue this season. You want another guy there just to make sure that you have stars on the floor. I'm bounce a few names off, y'all.

Zach Levine has been mentioned in the same sentence as the Grizzlies. Now the Bulls have not officially made him available, but you know how that works, um. And then Myles Turner in the front court. What do you guys think of either of those ads? If that could happen, if they could work how to deal? I say, Zack Lavina zach Lavina be would be cool with those two guys. Wouldn't be my choices, you know, I would. I mean

I would go for bigger and better rage. I wouldn't even lie even and it might not be out there, but I would still I would still try to get somebody big and better. What about what about the boy from Utah Lowry uh marketing marketing. I mean imagine him over there that could slide, you know, uh young boy down to the five spot marketing at the versatile three four and he's been having I mean, to me, he's the most improved player this year. He's his average jumped,

he's up in the twenties. I mean, I think he's someone with his length athleticism that would really be a I mean, I think he'd be a good fit anywhere, to be honest, as well as he's playing. But I mean I think him to the him till Memphis would be good because you have to be to move a superstar there. Obviously you're gonna have to give up a lot. And you know, with all due respect, market is not a superstar. But he's a really good player. And I think that you know, he's grown and shown us that

he could be that number two behind number one. I think, yeah, it's a good point, man. You don't want to break up the chemistry. That team has such a good vibe going that you don't want to tinker with it too much. But I think you guys are right on the money about what they need because they've made noise right that whole thing. Oh, they can make some noise. They've been doing that. They want to move up to be actually contenders. The Nets are red hot. Steven Jackson, you are guys.

They are twenty and four since November. Now they're gonna be without k d. He left Sunday's game versus Miami and was diagnosed just today with a sprained right mc L. He will be reevaluated in two weeks, expected to be out for a little longer than that. And look, guys, definitely relief around Brooklyn. This could have been a lot worse. But it is still a blow. I mean, first of all, he's Kadi, but also the rotation really found some consistency

during this hot streak. They topped the league in offense during the streak fifth and defensive rating. So stack, how do the Nets navigate the immediate future without Katie until he can go back. I mean, it's it's gonna be tough. It's gonna be real tough because the chemistry they built, the way they've been playing, they're definitely one of the most confident teams in the league. You know, I think that Katie going down, like you said, Rachel, could have

been worse. It could have been a season in in an injury. But thankful that that he's gonna just gonna miss a couple of weeks. Hopefully he can get back soon. I just I just think it's gonna hurt this team because Katie and and and Kyrie was leading on another level, the way they were playing together, the confidence that the team had with just knowing that if anything happened in this game, just get the ball to these two and we're gonna be all right. All we gotta do is compete.

And I think that's what they've been missing in the previous years, Rachel. They knew that right that Katie and Kyrie can score buckets. But is this team gonna compete? What guys gonna play? Our guys gonna be stars in their role, And and Classon has been playing well, He's been great. All those guys have been coming off the bench, that's been filling in, has been playing their role. And shout out to Jack Vaughan. The job he's been Yeah,

the job he's been doing. Rachel is unbelievable. But then again, you know, he's one of those guys. He was a dog on the court. Rage he played with a lot of intensity and he and he and he's getting those guys to play that way. Um, obviously you're gonna be a better team with Kevin Durann on the court. That's that's no mystery to no one. But I'm gonna take a different approach to this and and look at it

similar to what Golden State has done with Steph being out. Um, although they had finally found a rhythm, obviously they've been able to build theirselfs some cushion. Now this can be a situation where everyone else gets a chance to really really catch a rhythm. T J. Warren is, you know, as someone who I feel could be really big for them. Uh, Seth Curry is gonna be need to be big. Uh the shooting the the Jeck doesn't like what's his name?

Uh yeah, Joe Harris. Not that you don't like it, but he just hadn't really been doing nothing since he got paid. Give Joe Harris sometime to get a rhythm. As you mentioned, Classton could be in that defensive the year Uh conversation. Uh and Ben Simmons. You know, this is gonna give Ben Simmons a chance that you know, you know, have the ball in his hand more and and do some more things and be more of a playmaker,

but also have to put up some offensive numbers. So I think Kyrie is going to be Superman over this stretch. I think he's playing at such a high level right now, and I love to see it because it's just basketball. And that's all we've ever ever wanted to see is just that basketball because we know how incredibly talented he is. So um, they're they're they're gonna slip a little bit.

I don't know how much they're gonna slip, but I think hopefully they can use this as Alright, hey we got what we don't you know, Katie is out two to three weeks. Uh, let's go, you know, let let's grind. Let's everyone get their rhythm, because Katie's one of those superstars you canna put right back in because he's not a ball hog, He's very efficient. He's a team player. So I'm looking at this as you know, everyone else a chance to get their rhythm and and and for

Kyrie to have a superman run. My Katie's down, dude. I mean, he's been on fire seriously since he came back. And I'm not worried about them offensively. I do worry a little bit defensively with Katie out, not because he's the best defensive player on the team, but he really sets the tone being that much of a superstar who also plays hard on the other end, whether he's the best or not, whether he is an elite defender or not.

The fact that he puts that effort in defensively, I think really sets the tone for the rest of the team, the guys who are elite defenders. And I do worry a little bit about that slipping. I don't know, Stack, what do you think? Yeah, now, I agree, I agree with you that. I mean, that's that's that's the biggest part, you know. Not we don't talk about the scoring. We talked about Katie scoring all the time race, but they

really don't talk about his defense. He's been one of the best shot blockers on their team, him and Claxton, and you know, there's been a lot of times with Katie has been playing the center on that team when they go smaller. So so it's it's good. It's good to see him stepping up on that side of the ball,

but it's definitely gonna hurt them why he's gone. Next up, Money Talks, presented to you by Moneyline, the only money app you'll ever need, Uh, Jack C. J. McCullum just recently sat down with Forbes and discussed the diversity of his portfolio. I got a chance to read a little bit of it. This guy is all over the place with very sound investments, and he spoke to you know what it takes and how they vetted and all that

different kind of stuff. Um, someone who has made over a hundred and fifty million in this game has yet to be an All Star, Uh, which is very unfortunate. But he is someone although he's made a ton of money in the game, he may make more off the court. Um. Obviously, recently you just opened up something out there in Atlanta

called the Bank one of your investments. UM, talk to us a little bit about that, and uh, just how important you think it is for athletes to continue to kind of step out of just sports and and and really kind of take over over. They can take over well, I definitely can fill him on the All Stars part. He definitely, you know, getting snubbed. He's been against Snow for a while, so I know that feeling. But shout out to my to my big bro Will Will platte

Man just for having that idea. I think you They always say you gotta have more more than one streament income, multiple streams and income is the is the best way to be happy in life. You know what I'm saying. You don't know that. As a kid, they tell you get a job. That's all they say, get a job. They don't say you can get multiple jobs if they get a job, right. But as you but as you get older, you know, you see it's more. It's more

aspects of life. So if you if you're able to be as smart with your money, if you if you're able to be as savvy with your money as far like C. J. McCulloch and you basically mastered the game. Because it's not too many people that are able to control, uh, their their money like that, diversify their portfolio and play

basketball at the same time. So kudos and kudos and c J McCullough man, because he's showing a lot of guys it can't be done, because a lot of guys just think it's all about basketball and getting those checks. But it's definitely a life after right, completely agree you know that kind of him in a few different spaces, um and in basketball and should I couldn't imagine making that much money and being able to invest that type of money. So, you know, hats off to these guys

because I think that's dope. I mean again, to be able to have you know, if the business of basketball is more prominent than it's ever been, and and guys like c J and a lot of other people are definitely uh taking advantag jump that. Uh well, that's a rap for money Talks, presented to you by Moneyline, the only money app you'll ever need, Matt. Let's move on to the legendary moments presented by NBA Top Shot Now. Top Shots top ten just dropped on their website ranked

the best performances from last week. So drum roll, let's start at the top three. Number three, Clay hitting those ten threes fifty four point night and that went over Atlanta. That was January two, number two, Jannis dropping fifty five, ten and seven over the Raptors on January three, and number one, how could it be anything else? Donovan Mitchell seventy one point game over the Bulls. So, Matt, which of the particular performances do you think deserves to be

the top Shop momentum before I give you that list? Rache, I think today is the one year anniversary of Clay Thompson returning. Uh so that is great for Clay. Uh he's obviously in this conversation as a top performer. But I'm gon to go Donovan Mitchell. Seventy one points is incredible. Uh, you know, the highest output since our brother Rest in Peace Code put up eighty one. Um, all of them are great performances. You know, Luca had the sixty one and and what ten not too long ago. Guys are

playing at a really high level. But if I had to pick one, that's gonna be Donovan Mitchell. Yeah, Donovan, Donovan did a great job. And seven want is unbelievable. Bro, I don't even I never thought somebody that size we'll scored seventy one. You know what I'm saying in today's game, but kudos to him. I really wish Luca would have been on here for the stuff he's been doing. But the way Yannice, the way Janice did that, how just how it looked. Matt, I gotta go with you, honest.

It was just mean. It was just mean. The way he the way he did that. I enjoyed it. He looked like he was playing with his food right well, Tasha had so many highlight moments overall. When you think about the biggest highlight machine in the NBA right now, who would you say, uh, with Steph being down right now when we just spoke highly on Jannae, I'm gonna

go with Jaw Jaws definitely must watch TV now. Uh. I don't think he really has a hole in his game, and uh man, every time I happen to catch him, I'm never disappointed. My highlight machine is definitely right now. It's definitely, man, It's little. I mean, just everything is going in. Everything's working, from throwing the ball at the rim at the end of the games and tipping it

back into going over top. Everything working. Luca's definitely Yeah. Alright, guys, start your NBA top Shot collections Today at NBA top shot dot com, you can get closer than ever to the game and the players you love. Sign up today. Let's go to on the Radar presented by Draft Kings. So they put out the regular season m VP odds, and here's the latest. Luca don Chech ahead, Nicola Yokit, next, Janice after him, Jason Tatum, and guys, I want to take you through. This is a long list. Paul and

KG we're just talking about this the other day. They feel they can make the case for seven or eight guys. Draft Kings, as I noted, had Luca is the favorite. But I do want to say because when we talk about this, we always throwing guys who are quote in the conversation, which is different from who actually has a chance to win. So let's go over this list, and I want you to tell me three categories one actually has a chance to win, two more in the conversation,

or three. Get the hell off this list. It's not happening for you. So let's go through these guys, right, Luca done, which of the three would you say categories season definitely has a chance to win. Definitely has a chance, all right, Nicole Yoki. Obviously we know he's in that category, right, Um, former MVP winners, We can just put that in there, right, Jason Tatum in that category? Two? All right, k D

in that category. I think hopefully if this is not more than just hopefully this is two or three weeks, you can get back to what he's doing. But absolutely if he can get back to play and then pick up where he left off yesterday, even if it's more than a month, because that's what they're it could be about lit will over a month. Yeah, I mean I still think that. You know, it gives them the last thirty games to play, so I think. I mean, I

think his body worked this season. Yeah, alright. Joel Embid could actually win or just in the conversation stad in the conversation, for me, I would want to say, I think he can Actually, I think he's been close close to the last two years. Uh, you know, numbers aren't just crazy. They've been in the past, but there's still more time. So I got I think you can actually win. What about John Moran in the conversation, can definitely win? Get the hell off the list? What are you talking

in the conversation? You know he's an exciting player to watch. He's definitely, you know, growing by the day in the league as a fan favorite. So he's in the conversation I would say, has a chance to I think I'm going more with KG and Paul Pierce. I mean, I think, like like I said, there's still a lot of basketball, and he's been incredible this season, like everyone we've talked about thus far has been incredible this season. So I think he has a real chance to win. Donovan Mitchell,

where did you put in? I think he's in the conversation for me, despite his his huge game and career numbers. Um, I think it's in the conversation. I love Dmitch, But it ain't happening, bro, not not yet, not yet, not yet, not yet. You know, get get, get, get Cleveland to winning the East. You know what. It makes some noise and you know what I'm saying, like just just having a great year, y'all be at the top of the East at the end of the season. I mean, you know,

going to playoffs something like that. But no, it ain't not yet, not yet. We know in the NBA, you gotta take steps, right. You can't just go from from from kind of doing it to going all the way. So let's see what he does, all right, Matt Stack. A few weeks ago, you guys sat down with Magic Johnson. I want y'all take a look at this clip. It's phenomenal. Every time they do a top seventy five or bring all the top players together, It's obvious that you are

the glue. Everybody comes around you. Magic. It seems like you keep everything together, like even all the older guys, Like everybody's around you. You got everybody laughing. You just a life for party. What's your take on the back and forth with Isaiah Mike right now? I don't like it right. I think they should be done with that. Listen, we played. When we played, we all had to dislike each other to win a championship. We all had to

do what we had to do. But now, uh, what Michael is doing, Uh is incredible to be an owner in the NBA. To his shoe is still number one. I mean, you can put all those guys shoes sales together. They can't even mess with Michael Jordan's shoes and so and then Isaiah is a businessman himself, exactly all the things that he's doing. So why why are we still living in the past. Yes, I think only Magic and fix that ship. I'm definitely gonna try, Man, because they

should be. We all look up to both of them. They're my boys, right, So I guess I'm gonna have to be the one together. We want to see Zzeke and Mike. Someone happened to drink together man for the culture there. I was there for the interview. It was such a hot night, great conversation. I'm really so excited for all you guys to check it out. Stack. What was the most surprising thing you heard from Magic? Um?

Just the flower? You know, I just hold dearly all the flowers he gave me and Matt you know, just how we idolized. We've been idolizing Magic for years since kids, and Uh, and and not just on basketball, just the human being he is and the things he's been through, how strong he's staying through it all, and Uh, the man he's mogil he's become. It just felt good for somebody at that statue to speak so highly of me and Matt and Uh to even take the time to

come on our show. Agreed, Um, Rachel, I just loved the whole night overall. I mean, the fact that you know, there's no no mystery Jack's you know, lost his brother, and the fact that he mustered up enough to fly across the country and come sit down with us was amazing. Um. Shout out Showtime, Shout out Malco, Shout out to Beverly Hillton, shout out the h Wood Group, Shout out legends, everyone who made this happen. Shout out DJ Quick for coming

through it, and bless us for then. I just think overall, man, it was you know, our first real live show. We got to do a smaller version with KG, but this one, you know, we had a nice little audience. The vibe was right again. Jack came out and and and and spend some time with us, and and and I knew that was good for him too, So I was just really thankful for the for the night. And then you know, as Jack said, I mean, come on, man, it's Magic.

That's my favorite player all time. And the fact that we got to chop it up with him and he showed a lot of love. I was really excited for that. Look, Magic Johnson can work a crowd, and y'all had an electric crowd. It was phenomenal. I don't want to move on quick to All Star voting. It has come out. Let's take a look here, all right? Is it stands right now? Lebron James and Kevin Durant to leading vote getters for their respective conferences. Do you know what that

means these days? Guys, they're the team captains. Also, as of right now, in the West, the fans want to see the starting five being Stephan Luca at guard, Lebron Yogich and a D in the front court. And out east the fans want to put Kyrie and Donovan Mitchell in the top guard spots and then Durant, Janice and Embiid up front. And guys, this is interesting because the name missing from that list up front Jason Tatum. And look those four. It's tough, right you got Johannae Tatum,

Kadi and Embiid. You can only put three in the court at tip off. So, Matt, who are you bumping out of the starting lineup? If you want to put Jason in um it's it's it's it's weird to me, Rachel because he's listed as a front court guy, but he has the ball in his hands the entire game. So and I say this, is all due respect, I would put him over Donovan Mitchell. Of course, I think you know, Donnovan Mitchell has had a great season, but Jason Tatum, to me, he's just had a better season.

And to me, this guy that's literally at the top of the m v P conversation will not be starting in an All Star Game and just really don't seem right. You just talk about the lineup Kyrie Tatum, Kadie Janice and then be come on, man, that's that's a no brainer. Everybody wants to see that. I would, like I said, we're not taking anything away from Donovan Mitchell. No, not by any means. You know what I'm saying. He definitely could be in that spot. But the year Tatum is having,

the way he's playing, nah, that's his spot. But Rachel correct me if I'm wrong. The only he can only start for k D, Janice or Embid right correct. The guard spots to lockdown, so they make you vote sort of buy category, and they decide each year which categories are in. But right now, he's a front court player. So Janice, Tatum, KD, and Bed what are the three you're picking and who's who's on the bench. I don't know if you could take any of them dudes off.

Anyone maybe, MA, come on, I'm mean may maybe MB, but you know, I mean, he definitely deserves to be in there, and he's in the conversation. But I think Tatum is higher up the MVP conversation than em beat is. So if you would take anyone, that could possibly be and B. But it's hard to take any of those three out. Got Oh, I mean I agree, I mean, you don't want to take him beat out, but Tatum is just that guy right now. He belongs in there,

you know what I mean. I don't see how he's not in there, but you know, just to just to see that man Tatum Katie and beating J honest, but real quick. Uh, not to cut you off, Jack, but now with you know, obviously the injury the k D, Katie may just sit out the All Star Game for precaution. Yeah, that's what I mean. Understanding the importance and to understand

the importance of the stretch run. You know, two to three weeks the All Star Games in a month, so you know it could be the situation where Katie, you know, no, it's a great point and it beats Tatum steps in the spot because they're gonna reevaluate him in two weeks with does his mean he's on the court in two weeks. I do think Tatum's gonna end up at the start spot no matter what because the fans, this is a fan boat. Fans only account for fifty of the vote

for the starters. The NBA players actually get a vote there. You got a media panel at so Tatum is gonna be in there. But it is fascinating to see the fans want to pick. And when I saw that list and I was like, Jason Tatum, you remember him near the top of the m V punt. Anyway, there you go, all right, well that's a rap. We want to thank our new UH co host most likely going to be hosts. I always go down to to allow Rachel to run the show, right, But Rachel welcome. We appreciate you, Thank

you very much. Um Jack welcome back. We appreciate you looking good over there. And y'all, Brown, you catch what's burning every week on Showtime Basketball YouTube and on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok and Show Basketball. I think you look great, Sage. We'll see you all next week.