Miami Heat, Warriors & Steph, Fred VanVleet Interview | WHAT’S BURNIN | SHOWTIME Basketball

knocked him out in the leventh round. What do you see in that fight? It was a good fight. Kayla Plant came to fight um. He said he was gonna going in and and and standing there with and not run the whole fight, and he did that. I think in order to be a great champ like Carnelo, you gotta not only be able to punch him and hurt him, but you gotta be in great shape. Cannelo was standing up between round sewan he was he was in better shape and showing that why he's the champion. Kayla Plant

was getting tired. He put his hands down and got rocked and it was over. After that, but shout out to Canelo, man, he's he definitely did what he came to do. Yeah, Cannello press the line the whole time, took the fight to Plant Um bullied him. Uh, plant definitely, you know, showed a lot. But to me, I think the question coming in was how I had Planted really really fought this type of level of competition. Obviously, Canello arguably is the is the best fighter in the game.

So uh, you know, took him eleven rounds. Cannello finally warmed down, But I agree Cannello was an excellent uh cardio shape. You know, he didn't look like he got tired the whole entire fight and ended up with the eleven round knockout. Here we go takeing a look at the week ahead. The very impressive Miami Heat head out west through at the top of the tie for the top of the Eastern Conference. Right now, they'll come out

west and take on the Lakers Clippers in Utah. Jack, what are you expecting to see from this team or think they'll learn about themselves on this West coast swing? It it's gonna be good for him. But one thing I love about this team is they're showing the thing there in mid season shape already from the beginning. You can tell that those guys jailed in training camp and they really worked in training camp to come just started season off in great shape, and I think that's why

they're having a lot of success. But they're gonna go out on his West Coast and really and really get to test themselves see what kind of identity they have. But I think they'll be ready. I think they'll come out over five. Yeah, I definitely think they will as well. Um they a Denver UH, and then hit those three teams we mentioned first of all, shout out Tyler Hero. I think he had an off season two UH came out the gate strong and his first season last year

had a down year. But as leading all scores coming off the bench this season, someone he personally said, you know, I need to be mentioned in that Luca UH and um Trey Young conversation. I'm not sure if he's quite there yet, but he's definitely putting up tremendous numbers and and and and a very valuable player to the Miami Heat. They made a lot of solid offseason acquisitions and they look really good to me. And to keep it real, I don't really see the Lakers as a measuring stick

right now. You know, they're still trying to find their footing. Bronze been out, They've bellot into some bad teams. You know, Paul George is playing this hard out, but the Clippers really don't have a lot of Utah is the tough team. UM, so I expect them to possibly. I think they got a good chance to, you know, to sweep this West Coast swing. So Miami is looking good and I'm excited to see what they can do. Obviously out of car Lowry and p J. Tucker and and the rest of

the guys out there. But again, I really like what they did in the off season and set themselves up for this season. Continuing to look ahead, we got the Chicago Bulls at the Golden State Warriors. Bulls from my surprise team of the season. They're off to a good start at six and three. The Warriors have the best record in the NBA at eight and one. They're leading in pretty much all statistical categories. UM Jack thoughts on

this matchup. Um, you know, the Bulls got off to a great start, but the war is that their team that know each other. They've been together. The only thing they added was a was another defensive player in Gary Payton Jr. But this team been jelling together, that's been together a couple of years. They just wait to get Clay back. They're rolling right now and I don't I don't see them not winning this game, especially the way

Steps playing, Steps playing great. Draymond's got some new energy obviously. I think andre Iguadala black in the mix, whether it's actual numbers he's putting up for just his experience back on that team really helps them. Shout out Gary Payton Jr. Man, I've seen a lot of highlights from him. Obviously, he's the defensive mind player, but he's athletic as a motherfuckers out here dunking on people, bringing crowd to that bringing joy and energy to that crowd. Um. Again, we like

what the Bulls are doing. Though, you know, both Damar and uh Levin are at about twenty six points a game. Like this young team still trying to figure it out. Obviously got off to a hot start. They've come back down to earth a little bit. But I like what they're doing. Um. This Golden State team is still without Clay, still without Wiseman, but is one of the top the

top team in the game right now. There was an interview this week past week with Clay and he talked about you know where he's adding to recovery and also gave a lot of uh love to coach Mark Jackson. We kind of all know that he was the one that kind of started this foundation, uh and coach Kerr came in and kind of took it to the next level. But I love to see Clay show up bar Jackson love because he's kind of been just lost as far as the coaching carolsel goes since he lot, since he

departed the Warriors Jack. The way this team is playing now, they're expected to add Clay and wiseman um and in the not too distant future, is this a team that has a chance to contend for a title? Of course, of course they still got their core guys, and especially if Clay comes back in the form that we are Lokay can play it. Clay can play it. I think that's that's really the deciding factor. What is Clay gonna be when he comes back, And we all know what

he can be and that's what we expect. So if that happens, this team can definitely be a championship contender. No, I agree, it's been it's been a humbling experience. I think this last two years for this team, UH, coming off the dominance they came off of and then have been riddled by injury. But like you said, they kept their quarter together. And again I think bringing andre Igo Dolla back. The numbers may not show, but he's just a security blanket for that team. Getting Clay healthy, getting

Wise been healthy, some new young talent. I really like Jordan Pool to this motherfucker kid could play out of Michigan becoming one of the top young scores in the game. Man. So this team is back loaded um and excited to see what they can be once they get fully healthy. Next step on the radar, presented to you by Draft Kings, We're gonna check out some of the hop rookies UH this season statistic wise in the league. Starting off with Jalen Green odds on favorite three to one to win

Rookie of the Year. Next up Scottie Barnes three and a half to one to win Rookie of the Year. Evan Mobley three are five and a half to one to n Rookie of the year, and then Chris Duarte eight to one odds to win Rookie the Year. All these guys are putting up really solid numbers. Uh, Scottie Barnes is leading with sixteen, almost seventeen points a game and nearly nine rebounds. But all these guys have been playing really well. Um. Each have a unique skill set.

What are your thoughts on these four guys? And do you have a guy you luck out of this group to win Rookie of the Year. I like Jalen Green then, and even though he's not having the most most points right now, you've got guys like Scottie Barnes. He's having a great rookie season. But at the same time, Siaka is not in so he's getting way more shots. He's hurt by Siako is hurt right now, so he's getting more shots than that we will normally get. UH Mobile

and Uh and Chris. They're on teams where they're getting a opportunity to be the number one guy. Jalalen Green is still shanning spotlight with Porter Porter, still doing this thing. He's really leading that team. So if he was leading that team, I think he'll be averaging eighteen tweening right now. So I'm pulling with Jalen Green. Yeah, I mean, I love Scottie Barnes. Tough, toughness and edge and energy he

plays with Evan Mobley is is something special. I got a chance to see him play a lot in college out here. Chris Dortar was someone I wasn't very familiar with. But this kid has kind of took the league by storm. But I agree. I think the flashes you see in Jalen Green, you see flashes of greatness, like absolute greatness. Uh, super athletic, can shoot the ball, can handle the ball. He's this new wave of these young athletic kids that are you know, one and done, could have probably became

straight to the league. So it's definitely been a fun and exciting rookie class. But I would agree with you. Um, if I had to pick one, if I was betting, I'd take Jalen Green. Next up, Secure the Bag presented by Moneyline just In. Jalen Brown is out one to two weeks, but we're gonna start with him. He signed a nice five year deal that expired this year. Um. He recently expressed and freedom and his ability to kind of wear whatever shoes. He wants to kind of find

what works for him. Ob Jack, the shoe game is way different from when we came in the game initially. You never is either black or white shoes period. When we first came in the game in the late nineties early two thousands. Now you're seeing all kinds of wild types of shues, wild colors. There's still a handful of guys that have their own shoe. I'll name a few

of them real quick. Obviously lebron kde Janice, Kyrie, Paul George Steph with the under Armor, Joel and Beat as well Hardened Damon, Donovan, Trey and De Rose and Adidas Kauai in those air new balances, the Jordan brand as Luca Russ Zion CP three and Tatum. Obviously, Lamello just dropped his new shoe. And we can't forget about our favorite Clay Thompson, who's making a lot of bread from Anta. What are your thoughts? You were an Adida's guy and then you were able to get brand Jordan. It's still

a deal post career that I know you're enjoying. Talk to where we're are with sneakers and the sneaker culture, and the sneaker game in the league. I think is that an all time high. You know, when when we was growing up, you know, everybody wanted to wear Jordan's you know what I mean that that was the shoe. You know, nobody wouldn't really weren't Converse or nothing like that. You know, really no other brands now, you know, with with with with Nike really being the leader, with Kyrie

and Lebron's and Katie's. You know, I see all the kids wearing and PG wearing all these shoes these days, especially the different color ones, you know, all all the different color ways, and I think this is That's why I said, I think is at the all time high because everybody's interested in their own swag. Everybody got their own style, everybody coming with their own color way. But for the most part that the youngsters are really are really bringing this to the way it is right now.

I really don't have nothing to do with the guys in the NBA. To me, it's really the youngst the auth circuit, the high school circuit, those guys that setting the trends. You know, all those kids, it is all over YouTube and and the bather his life. Those young kids are setting the trends with the shorts and the shoes and stuff like that. So but the coaches at all time high shout out the team. Joy you did.

I think what is what has really helped this boom and the reason why Kyrie has the number one selling shoe when I think other brands are custom shoes are starting to copy as the color ways, the color ways of what getting people into the shoe. Kyrie, I think, if I'm not mistaken, has the number one selling shoe because he's the one bouncing all these crazy colors off. Now you see PG doing it, now, you see KG

doing it. Um, there's a handful of guys that really come out with these eccentric colors, and like you said, this next generation, they're not even so much on the type of shoe as much as you know, these colors are crazy, you know what I mean? The crazy colors are Kyrie, PG and KD. So that's why you see those guys at the top of the list. Obviously, LaMelo just came out with his new shoe and it's the

crazy color. So I think colors are what dominate the game now because, like we said, when we first came in the game, is either black or white. There was nothing in between. It was either black or what you know, it was the black and white sock. So obviously with a signature shoe, that's opening other lines of revenue um for these guys. And you really don't have to have a signature shoot. I mean, I think today the game is wide open um as far as players representing their

brand and and being a brand. Like Jay Z said a while ago, like I'm not a businessman, I'm a businessman. These kids these days are their own business, their own entities, and the lines of money are coming through Shout out money line because these young kids are secure in the bag. We like to welcome to this week's episode of What's Burning, NBA champion Fred Van Fleet as he is trying to find his new footing as the leader of the Toronto Raptors.

Mean today are What's Burning guest, Toronto Raptors point guard Fred van Fleet. Welcome to the show, bro Man. Thanks for having me no problems. So going from undrafted to the leader of your current team, Uh, what's the mindset of that? I just try to never forget like where I came from. So it's like just a constant chip on my shoulder. It's actually funny most days to be honest with you, Like y'all know how it is being

the last guy on the on the team. You've been in a million training camps, those guys that come in that got to shoot on the side hoops and all that when coaches get their on rebounds. Um, like that was me. So it's funny like every day to go from that that was only six years ago to being a guy who's you know who. All the weight kind of falls on my shoulders for how we do this year. Um, it's just it's just a blessing. It's a blessing and it's a it's a huge challenge, but I wouln't want

it any other way. Now, you got five motherfucker's waiting to rebound the past that came away. Yeah, I got, I got too many coaches on the court with me now right well obviously getting a chance to win the championship. Uh, to where you guys are now, I don't really think I think the word rebuilding is wrong because you got to have a lot of talent before where you came from winning your championship a few years ago. Um, talk to me just about the current team. Obviously your coach

Nick Nurse Pascal hasn't been healthy yet this year. But Gary Trent Jr. O G was leading to scoring team and scoring Scotty, who's one of the top rookies in the game. And then yourself, like, what is the atmosphere and the energy around your team right now? I was just excited, We're excited, we were confident. Um, we're one of those teams that you don't really want to play against because if you're a top team, you're kind of looking at us like you don't really know what we're

gonna be. But when we get out there, we're playing hard, we're playing together, um, And and it's not you know, you can't take a night off against us, So I think that gives us a good chance on most nights. And it's just a process. Guys is learning. You know. I'm just trying to be the leader and not really focusing on, you know, my stats or whatever. So like you got O G leading and scoring, Scotty is having the ball probably more than um any rookie right now.

And um, we just got a lot of young guys. That's that's getting good experience, that's going kind of carry over towards the end of the year. And I got a question though, because you guys, you know, having a fairly young team, you guys have an interesting record right now where you guys are four and oh on the road. I mean that to me, that's a sign of a of a team who's really locked in. But you know, I haven't had the same success at home, but winning

on the road is really tough these days. So what do you contribute that too? I mean, that's obviously a sign that you guys got a solid team. Yeah, just what you said, like you're just being locked in. I think when we're all on the same page, Like we're so young and experienced that most of the guys on the team don't even really know how to question the coach or like you know, really have that point of

reference to even second guests anything. So when we go on the road, you know, you gotta shoot around and you go to the to the mill and you lock in. You go to the bus and before you notice, on the court and UM, a lot of times when when young players get uh, when they're a little nervous, they just they just lean on the guy next to him. So you know, me, I just try to keep everybody calming.

Nick is doing a great job, the coach is doing a great job with the game, and so we've been locked in on the road, but we need to figure out, you know, how to do that ship at home. Facts. I'm a fan of the underdogs. I always root for the underdog. And you know, me and Matt damn that got drafted at the end, you same way you. So to see you being, you know, the man of your team right now, it's it's a joy to me because I know what the work it takes to get there.

But I thoughts on the evolution of the game and the point guards in the game today. Oh man, your game is in an amazing place, I think. Um again, it's like it's a testament to all the guys that come before us. So, like you said, you know, you and Matt Um being who you were and and just being so out spoken and being bolder, standing on your own like that allows guys like me to be able to walk into this facility and be the same person

from day one that I am now. Um. And then as far as the point guards goes, just like it just keep getting better. And every time we think that we reached the highest heights, like there's another is another layer that that's added onto it. And the one thing that I'm noticing, you know now, is I'm six years in. It's just like these young dudes they don't care, bro, Like they don't they don't care. They're not checking for none of the O G s. Like they respect the

game and what come performed. But when they are out there in that court, them guys are fearless. Man. I think that's a that's a good place for the game to be in because they're gonna be able to take it to the next level. Facts as the NBA celebrates the NBA seventy, was one of your best memories of

the NBA obviously would be winning the championship? You know what I'm saying, Like there's a few points in my memory of where it's like they told me I made the team, right, Like I can remember that night like yesterday where they so you are you on the fifth team man roster and then winning the championship just because like that's the highest heights you could get to as

a as a basketball player in life. Um, I've never wanted an m v P or nothing like that, but just like as far as the championship, you know that that whole year to two and a half months, to what it takes after the seasons over in the playoffs, to ups and downs. Um, that was. That was a crazy moment um. And then just being able to celebrate all summer and be able to live it up like that was. That was the top of the top. You know, that's the top of the mountain. So that's probably my

best memory. He celebrating in Toronto was different. Yeah, we had a we had a we had a nice we had a nice little tour, so we wanted and they went to Vegas. Then we came home to Toronto and it was it was a movie. And then you got that dude with that ovo out behind you leading the way. Yeah yeah, yeah, don't he don't make it much better, man, I do right there? He had a different animal. Yeah. Yeah.

Make sure you guys enjoyed this week's episode of All the Smoke feature and our brother fam Jamal Crawford dropping this Thursday, eleven eleven only our Showtime Basketball enjoyed the teaser. Tell me about the dynamic of having Ron and Helen Brown the same sangwich. Oh, man, I got some story let me tell your story. Oh my god, let me tell your story. Ron. And you know both of y'all know. So we're playing and Ron sometimes could you know Ron could get old one? He came, he came, but he

always liked me. He always took to me. No matter what are you doing, he talk to me. So he came to practice that day and he said, Mom, I'm all on the day. He said, they brought in somebody, a new player. I'm all one to day. I watched this. It was a ten day guy that had nothing to do with Ron. He wanted to threats, roun not none of that, none of that. He said, I'm all one the day more, he said, I'm all one the day. I said, all right, I said, what're you gonna do?

You'll see your on one. So he would start, ah, he would scream. He run around and scream four times blocking people found people. Heart said, oh, Tim Floyd got Tim Floyd got in his face. I've never told the story. Tim Floyd got in his space and saip, what's all? This was always out of control, bro like, but I loved him. Shout. He put me on. He put me

off a narrow brand too. Yeah, yeah, he put me on bread Hey, talk about talk about brand, because before he tore his achilles, Eldon Brand was one of the best power forwards in the game, hands down. Uh he was. He was a walking twenty and ten like they showed me, like his Rookie of the Year campaign and they had a brand of soap. It was like a soap box and they had brand on it, twenty and ten on it. The one you can depend on, like he was walking, He's the one you can depend on. So, yeah, he

was twenty and ten no matter what. He just knew how to get it. Like. He was a beast, workaholic, always works, always was improving, and he was smart. He was very cerebral as well with his talent. So he was a problem. But people would never knew about the Elden brand like they should in this era. Right shoutout El bram Man. He's over there over there working on in the front office with the Sixers right now. But

that motherfucker was a killer. Broker. Fan questions, Jack, you ready coming from our co worker colleague, The truth, Paul Pierce is job Moret a top five point guard in the NBA right now? In your mind? Uh? Top seven? It's kind of hard. When you go top five, you got Dame Steph, Kyrie Russ and Luca Oh. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's why I say he's he's top eight, top top eight, not top five yet, not yet, not quite. I mean I love what Moran has been doing. Man, I think

he's he's on the mission this year. You could tell he definitely got better in the off season and in the next two or three years. I don't even know about top five. I'm thinking like top two or three, um, because this kid is coming with a vengeance. He's a dog and there's no holes enough offensive gaming, plays hard, and he's got you know, this young team playing well. And that's how you kind of measure a point guard when it's all said and done, is what can he

do for his team? And he's doing a lot for his team. So definitely, Uh, I think he's right on the outside of the top five right now, respectfully, but I think in the next two or three years he's gonna be a one to conversation for the best point guarding the league. Next van question that v that be at three. Who are your favorite top three young players in the game right now? Shout out from Brooklyn, Oh That's a tough question, man. There's so many good young

players right now, um Man. I like Anthony Edwards a lot. I like Joe uh Jaden Green a lot. I like LaMelo, I like Davian Mitchell out there and Sack. I haven't seen a young kid come in and play with this kind of defensive mindset before, and he also has an offensive game, and then obviously a few years in the game. But I'm really a fan of Miles Bridges and the way he's been continuing to get better every year. So I can't give you a top three. I think I

just gave you five Jack, who are You're? Who? Where a few guys you follow? I will have to go with it was as well Lamello and um I have to go with Jail and Green as well. Yeah, I mean there's a lot of young this young crop of players, man is. I was talking to this with my home but the other day, the athleticism and skill level is crazy as hell. Like these little motherfuckers are coming in skilled in jumping out the gym, man, So it's a beautiful thing to watch. Next up, Brandon x Butts Top

three comedians you'd want to smoke with? Good car. That's that's As for me, I didn't I didn't smoke with one of them, but I think I want to have him again, smoke with him again. I'm gonna go with Mike Epps, Dave Chappelle and um one of Lawrence m HM, who'd already smoke with Mike Apps asked Mike, he's he's the character. Mine is crazy. Mine is funny because I've got a chance to smoke with this dude a few times.

But I'll tell you a quick story. I remember one time when I'm playing for the Clippers and I was living in the Daria, were smoking, watching Sports Center or something, and all of a sudden, broad get a knock at the door and this is I don't know how the funk you. It's super secure. You have to have the code to get in everywhere. This dude didn't live here, motherfucking cat Williams is at my doorstep. Random didn't call, no, one, didn't say nothing. Just comes in, start smoking and just

fucking acting the fools. So cat Boys is one of my guys. Uh. I've spoke with Dave Chappelle to got him super high one time before he had a show in San Francisco and that's when he started talking about rapper weed and ship. Uh so I got a chance to smoke with Dave, who would be my third I don't want to do. I want to do someone like maybe like Eddie Murphy. I'm meging the game. I love to smoke with Eddie and kind of just pick his brain. Man, he's been a legend in this game for so long.

So those are probably be uh three guys I wouldn't want to smoke with Yep, silent. Next fan question, so cal King thirty two wheld, we're both of you all welcome to the NBA moments at all the smoke I see, we see, so yeah, we step paying attention. Bro Um, welcome to the NBA moment? Um Mine was a grind, my my ship, my welcome to the NBA. But was getting drafted and being cut. I think that was the business of the game and I had to go to the I think it was the what is the G

League now? Was a d league back then and really got me on my grind. So, I mean, my welcome to the league moment wasn't necessarily a playing situation. It was being drafted and then cut and having a grind to get back. My welcome to the NBA moment was, I would say to one started my getting drafted, of course and going overseas the little ground like Mass said, but started my first NBA game in two thousand with the Nets and also uh planning the rookie All Star game.

That was my rookie That was my welcome to them by moments. Next step t x k dot R. What is the NBA's biggest what if? Good question? UH for me? I think the biggest what if was was if Tim Duncan would have went to Orlando with MAC and Grant with Team MC and grand Hill. I think I think that would have that would that would have transformed the league a totally different way and what I would ended up being all the way it is now. If then that would have happened, I think Team MAC would have

definitely been looked at different. Uh he would he would have he would definitely be in the top seventy five ways belong and Uh I think grand he will have

him with Chip m M. I like that. My biggest what is if is if they didn't block the CP three CP three trade to the Lakers at the time m M because that would have put CPS our starting point guard, Kobe as our two, Meta at our three, Paul Gasalt the four buying him at the five, Me coming off the bench, lamar Odom coming off the bench, Steve Blake coming off the bench, Shannon Brown coming off the bench. We definitely could have got a couple of rings, I feel like with that group. Um, but the league

blocked that ship and we'll never know. But it would have been beautiful to see CP three and Kobe played together because they were such competitors. And remember when CP we had CP on the show, they used to always talk before the All Star Game like the all like we're trying to go out here and really hoop. So I would have loved to get them to see then

play every night with each other. Good question. I got another one though, what if after we won the championship in two thousand three, Jason Kidd and Tony Parker was free agents and the Great Great Popular trying to bring Chase Jason Kidd to San Antonio for Tony Parker. What if that would have happened? Oh and his prime too, he was a new prime. Yeah, that would have been scary with you, Nobli, I think. But Tony Parker worked out five him when they get four rings? Five yeah?

Four or four four? Four or four? Yeah? Tim got five and j Hammach. Would Buddy Hill be a better fit for the Lakers than Westbrook? Come on, Bro, I wouldn't let you answer this question first. Fuck No, that's my I don't know if he would be a better fit, but I like getting a chance to uh to see Sacramento a lot now obviously working for them. Buddy Heals is a motherfucking scorer, man, and I think he's kind

of locked in now. So don't be surprised when Buddy Heals in the top five for six Man of the Year. This dude's averaging like almost nineteen points a game. Is a fucking sniper. Um. But I think this, this l A thing is going to be straight. I think people are so especially in l A, is hurry, hurry, hurry, instead of understand there's a real process when you're putting this many stars and this many new pieces together. Um. But again, as we said last year, if this team

is healthy, there'll be a problem. I think of late Russ has been playing. I mean I think he had one. Uh, the last game was bad. Two games before. But outside of that, I think he's he's playing really well man, So I'm excited to see this team once today, John, I don't think we're gonna see the best Lakers until

post All Star Break. Closing thoughts, shout out to my former coach, our former coach, and prior guest on this show, Doc Rivers as he reaches a thousand career wins and despite all the outside noise over there with Ben Simmons, that team has been able to focus and get off to an eight and two start. So Man definitely want to show Docs and love Man getting a thousand win. There's no small accomplishment and uh Congratsman. Yeah, shout out Doc. Man definitely deserve it getting out to a great start

with all the drama going on. Um, not many coaches have done that got thousand wins, So shout out to the DIGGI diggit dot, y'all. Best of all, The Smoke Season two is back on Showtime Jack were on the Real TV, Showtime TV. We're doing something NBA icon additions. We dropped Alan iverson last week. This week will be our brother Kevin Garnett dropping eleven eleven this Thursday, eleven thirty Eastern eight thirty Pacific. Also, don't forget to catch

to Kevin Garnett. Anything Is Possible premiers this Friday, November twelve, only on Showtime. Hey, make sure you guys check out behind the scenes Bloopers, Wild Outtakes, just the ship that goes on with Me and Jack without editing. You guys are definitely laugh and enjoy that um catch up from the beginning of this season to where we're at now and all the crazy shit in between. Got some new heat for coming from you guys. Make sure you guys

stay tuned and that's a wrap. You can catch What's burning. Available every week on Showtime Basketball YouTube and on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok and show Basketball Peace