Potential Off-Season Moves, NBA Finals, Fan Questions | WHAT’S BURNIN | SHOWTIME Basketball

a couple more All the Smoke episodes. We've hope you guys have enjoyed season one of What's Burning in season two of All the Smoke. But let's get to what's going on today. We're gonna talk about potential free agent movement and trades this upcoming off season. So we're gonna talk about a few players that are on the radar right now, starting with John Collins. Had a really solid year for Atlanta this year, fourteen points nine rebounds from the field, from the three from the free throw line.

Has a lot of teams interested in them. I didn't know he turned down a ninety million dollar extension at the beginning of season, so he must have known he was gonna come out and do his thing. Yeah, I mean, you know how we look at it. You you get what you negotiate. But I don't think teams see him as a hundred million dollar player by him now. I

think that was a mistake in my opinion. Um, he even though they made it to these conference finals, I still don't think teams are going to give him the max what he's looking for, and that's why he turned the deal down. But he's going to get great money. I just hope he's happy with the with the outcome of this offseason. See, I think a little different. I think normally anytime you here turning down that kind of money, Schroeder turned it down and end up biting him in

his ass. I think he played to his potential here and and and and like you said, he was one of the main contributing factors for this team making an Eastern Conference trying to run so no one thought they were going to go that far. And I think obviously a lot of had to do with him, so played really well in the playoffs. Obviously there's some teams interest in Miami, Dallas, San Antonio, Minnesota to name a few, But I think he's an important corner stone for this

Atlanta team. So I see this Atlanta team paying him what he deserved. So for sure, I ain't gonna give him that. No, they don't. They don't do something. They don't do stuff like over there. But I think Atlanta will, Like I said, I think they understand how important he is that team, a young up and coming player. So we definitely hope he gets his money and he stays in Atlanta. Next step, we have Lonzo ball Um, someone

who I think is finally coming into his own. We both agreed, I think leaving the Lakers was the best thing for his career, um for him to really kind of start developing out on his own. This past season, uh near the fifteen points a game and shot thirty almost thirty percent from the three point line, Which are you know, steady improvements a restricted free agent. And what we're here now is Pelicans are most likely not to

match offer sheets from teams. Two teams that are kind of leading that charging now are the Bulls and Clippers. What do you think about Alonzo and where he may end up. I like the Bulls because you get to move back the veins of the two guard. And he wanted to play point at all. Alonzo is one of the best passers defenders, and he's don't take it. He don't he don't take up a lot of ball space and offense. You know, he no point attended with his name. But he's one of those guys that can fit in

almost anywhere. And I think what he'll bring to the Bulls, that's the look I like. Um. I think he'll give other guys a chance to be better, like like Za zac Lavine as a score another another big man as well, I like. I like the Bulls. I like the Clippers too. You know, I think that he's definitely a playmaker, uh, someone who gets the ball of his hands fast and transition great off the pick and roll. Just a great overall vision, someone that can run that team. Obviously, Rondo's

get a little bit older. Um. Bad news about Kauai. I think he's gonna have to have a minor surgery on his knees, so they're not sure what here with with his staying is for next year. But you know, Alonzo to me can fit in in several different places. Um. Again, I like the fact that he's starting to come into its own. Um. If New Orleans isn't see value on him.

I know someone else will, and I'm sure he'll land on his feet and continuing to rise because I think this kid has you know, has the potential to be an All star. Kauai is on his way back. He had the surgery and it was successful. Yep, so he see starting recovery now. But I like what you said, Alonzo with the Clippers, that is a good look. Next step.

Colin Sexton had a career year twenty four points a game, nearly five assists, forty seven percent from the field, thirty seven percent from the free throw our three point line. Someone who's up for a rookie extension. But everything we're hearing is Cleveland is looking to move him. Um thoughts on this young player and where he may land. The Knicks are really interested in him. Um, we'll have to see. Yeah, he's definitely an NBA player. Um, he's definitely somebody that

can help a lot of teams. But I know a lot of guys who had good years on shitty teams, you know what I mean. It's it's not it's not that hard to put up stats when the rest of the team is not really engaged into the season. And you know you're not looking forward to playing the postseason or nothing like that. They made a lot of trades this year. They had a lot going on with drummings, so that team wasn't looking forward to making the playoffs anyway. There.

So he had a great numbers, but just just season really tells when you have to have those numbers on it on a better team when you're making the playoffs. But the kid is talented. I hope you get his money. Yeah, I just to me, I wonder what you know, what kind of player is and where he fits into like a real system on a on a team that you know has playoff aspirations. You know, he's somewhat of a wild card. I love his energy, love is a Russian. I love the way he plays, but does that fit

into a winning team? You know, I and I agree sometimes the numbers can be misleading, you know, having great numbers on on a terrible team that has no directions. So again, he's up. He's definitely gonna get his money and we don't have to see where he lands last, but not least. Ben Simmons um someone I've been very

high on. But you know, I think their fan base is disappointed the way their season ended, the way he particularly played, and Doc Rivers came out and clearly said he doesn't know if Ben Simmons is a point guard on a winning team. So that's set this train in motion. You know, they're listening to trades now and you know, to me, someone who's making a lot of money at all Star, I just think his whole thing is mental.

It's a whole psychological roadblock I think he has because I've seen this kid playing the summer, pull up jumpers, three pointers, mid range, and it's it's second nature, you know, and then the lights come on and it's just I think he has a mental block. So I really like Ben Simmons. I think obviously his numbers are downs. I think he's twelve points, nine assists, eight rebounds um, but

only from the free throw line. And that's you know, I've never seen a guard they hack ash act a point guard and I've never seen that in this league. So to me, I think his whole thing is psychological. Maybe he needs a fresh start out of Philly. I would love to see him with someone like the Warriors. I think you load him up with a bunch of shooters around he plays both sides of the ball. Imagine him with Stephen Clay on both sides um you know,

so that would be something interesting to watch. But what are your thoughts on Ben Simmons. It's definitely mental. You can't make it to the to the level of being the NBA player, be one of the best in the world, being an All Star. And I have confidence in your shot. I'm not even attempting to shoot. That's something I would never understand. But also I think he was handicapped from the jump, you know, having a coach, but Brett Brown, I was from Australia that knows him, that coached him before,

he didn't. He didn't push him to get better. He just accepted him for what he was. And it's hurt him now and it's gonna be hard for him to play point guard on any team and not work on this jounp shot, not even the attempt shot. So where he goes if it gets traded, it really matters his position because as you see, he's not an NBA point guard. He's definitely not a point guard that can play with the dominant big man I can be. So where he where he goes is definitely gonna be important to his game.

I think the biggest thing, too, is it's not even so much him. I mean, obviously everyone is working on the shot every scene. It's not so much work, it's just shooting it. You have to shoot it, period. You have to. You have to hold the deference responsible for at least, you know, checking you when the ball is swung. And I I said, I think that's that whole mental block. So I hope more than anything, because to me, this

is not really about his game. It's about his mental and you know, and and and and that kind of that. That side of it is tough. But wish him the best. I'm sure he's gonna help whatever team he goes to if he ends up leaving Philly. You can't be a point guard shooting thirty four percent from the free throw line though. That's just not human, it's irresponsible. Now we're off on our favorite segment, fan questions. Jack, you go first. First fan question Chinky Underscore and who is the most

underrated player in today's finals. I'm gonna go with Bobby Portis. I think Bobby ports was a late pickup by Milwaukee. He's been instrumental in their Game three win. But throughout the playoffs he's played well and he gives him that toughness and edge that I think that team needs. So look for him to, you know, continue to play well the rest of the Finals and get a nice little pay day in this offseason. I'm gonna go with Chris Middleton a lot of times, he is the best player

on that team at nights. He's not the most dominant. Jhness is always the most dominant, but Chris Middleton is the best player on that team a lot of nights. Even when went down, he showed that. So I think he even though he's an All Star now, I think he's still underrated. Ralph three one two. What's the funniest

moment y'all had during the NBA Finals series? Uh, I don't know, because two thousand three was a long time ago and I smoked a lot of weed back then up until now, so I don't I can't remember, bro. Uh mine was two thousand seventeen, but I was injured, so there wasn't really too much funny about it. Um. I probably say the best time was that, you know, my kids got to experience and travel with us and meet the team and hang out and do all that

kind of stuff. But um, as far as funny, I mean, I just think you know the locker room, you always keep the energy light, the atmosphere lighting. When it's time to go to war, you go to war. Ain't ship funny when you're trying to win the championship? Ain't ship funny? Next question at j Underscore Season Underscore twenty two, who's the finals? MVP and y'alls at this point? At this point, I have Chris Paul representing the Phoenix Suns and if Milwaukee UH pulls it out, I got your honest. Your

honest has been on the mission. This is always something we questioned, you know, on the biggest stage, which is the finals. Can honestly answer the answer the ballot. He's been doing that and just for me for happy to see CP doing this thing, leading this young team to the finals. What about your yeah? I mean I can't. I can't do not either one of those Chris Pauls definitely leading that team. He's carrying that team. Jannest has been dominant back to back for the point games, so

you gotta give it to him. Where would you ring CP three among all time point guards? If he wins a ring. Good question, Uh, top five, for sure, He'll he'll be top five. He's been dominant for a long time. He's approven one of everybody that played the game, love CP, love the way he's played, approached the game his whole career, and we look at things and they're different than people that never play. So in my mind, cepeople definitely go down his top five. Agree. I think this ring, you know,

solidifies his top five ranking. He's always been someone who's had bad luck when it comes to the playoffs, but when he's been healthy, he's always put up number. He's made every team he's gone to better, and again, we couldn't be happier for what he's doing for this young Phoenix Suns team. Next fan question James Skinneger. Do we lead level athletes still get nervous before big games like the NBA playoffs? Um, I think everybody is different. Uh. You know, I was never someone who was nervous. I

would get more anxious and excited. You know, I just wanted to get out there and play. Some guys get nervous, but you know, I think for the most part, guys handling well. Once you get to this level. I may love depression. I said that back in the day, so I didn't get nervous. I was ready to hoop. That's what I've been doing my whole life. I have been shot at, so that wasn't bad. Playing basketball was nothing to me. Did you ever get pressure pregnant? No? Pulled

out every time? Now I did. Now, definitely wouldn't that. I have a terrible track. We're gonna pulling out? Feel you don't check me? Nine three? Y'all have any wild championship parade stories anything like the t V twelve trophy toss? Now I wanted in San Antonio. You know, everything that was dull. We're on boats, riding through the riverwalk. Yeah. But what I did the night we wanted, Yeah, Yeah, I was a rock. I think I had my uniform

on for three days. So yeah, that's another story. Parade stories now we got, I mean we you know, we rode through the town. It was dope to be able to give that back to the city. We drank a lot and just enjoyed ourselves. But nothing really too uh wild, to be honest with you. At nor Dyne died too. Three years, three different champions. How long before the next dynasty team. I don't know if we're gonna run back

into a dynasty for a while. I think now we're down more to I think the Nets could possibly be a dynasty if they can stay healthy. But but outside of that, to me, for a dynasty, you need that third superstar, and there's only one team that has three superstars. So outside of that, if the Nets can stay healthy, they have a chance to have a small three year run possibly. But outside of that, I don't see anyone

else really. But I also like the fact that there it's it's a new fresh blood coming in and out of the finals now, which I think is great. Yeah, I'm I'm I agree with you. I think Brooklyn could be the next team. But also I'm gonna go and jump out there have Dame goes to any one of these teams that have two stars already, we can see a dynastay as well, so we'll see. Agree Tim Chamman, who is the most important behind the scenes person on an NBA team for players? For me, it was the

ball Boys. The ball Boys they don't get enough recognition. I think what they do as far as getting food, having everything for you and after the game, you know, making sure tickets, right. I think the ball boys are really important. They don't get enough love. That's why y'all be hearing uh, ball boy, pip ball boy pimping, coming soon, coming soon. We've been telling you've been coming soon. We've been sitting on it behind the scenes. I mean to me,

there's so many different people that help. From trainers, the ball boys are very important. The ticket ladies, you know, they're very important to our ticket guys to take care of our tickets. We have to stress out about that ship. There's a lot of stuff that comes our ways that so anyone that can help alleviate some of the bullshit when we're trying to focus on the game, is it's important. That's a good question. Next fan question, Army, that Joe,

Tim Duncan and David Robinson. How hard was it to scoring them. I'm gonna ask you, well, you played with both of them. You got a championship on Robinson's last year. Yeah. They They definitely did a great job of playing off each other and protected the paints best on defense. I remember, you know, I've seen a number of games with Tim had double digits in blocks. Even Game six in the finals, he had a quadruple double with Tim blocks. So they were just they used their size to the to the

to t and they covered for each other. That's why they were called a twin towers because you get past one of them, you gotta go to you gotta try to get over another tower. Man. That's I'm just happ to have to get past your hack and ask first. Yeah, I was gonna file them too, and then let Tim and Day block the shot. But just being able to be a part of a dynasty and to say I was a part of David Champion David Robinson in the

Championships last year, Tim Knuckan and David were the best. Well, we hope you guys enjoyed that addition of What's Burning. You can catch this every week on Showtime Basketball YouTube and on Twitter and Instagram and show Basketball Peace