Steph vs. Luka, Lebron & Melo Breaking Records, Hawks-Mavs | WHAT’S BURNIN’ - podcast episode cover

Steph vs. Luka, Lebron & Melo Breaking Records, Hawks-Mavs | WHAT’S BURNIN’

Feb 09, 202135 min
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Matt and Stak talk all the latest NBA news and results in this weeks WHAT'S BURNIN'. The boys discuss the epic battle between Luka and Steph that took place over the weekend and talk Lebron & Carmelo Anthony's latest record-breaking moments. Plus, they breakdown the Jazz's hot start and if this team is a true title contender. Also, they look ahead to the best matchups this week.

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over and improve your odds on doubling your money. Promo code smoke for a limited time only, a Draft Kings sports Book which team is one big trade away from being odds on favorite this season. Uh, I would have to say, Philadelphia, what do you think for what kind of piece you feel like they need? Though, honestly, matt Um, I just said that because I didn't even know he was answering me the question. I thought you would reading.

How my far I ain't know you was asking me that Monday, February eight, And this is what's burning Jack. We had an instant classic the other night. Stephan Luca had to shootout for the ages. Step drop fifty seven, Luca dropped forty two. Dallas got to win. But how special moments like this? Uh, you know for the NBA fans, man, it was specially it was it was a joy for me to see. Uh. And I want to reinerrate on

some things you said at the beginning the season. You said Steph need to play like this and have amazing games all season, and he's been doing that for go to State to have a chance. Luca has been doing the same thing. But just like you said at the

beginning this season that he needed more help. It's it's excited to watch these two guys go at it and the game is a good hands But to him, yes, uh, you know this was you know, we we talked at the beginning of season this this was gonna be going in the States version of how Houston played with James last year, although I think there's more ball movement and people are involved every single night. Steps gonna have to put up amazing numbers for this team to win. He's

been doing it. You know, they're floating right at the bottom of the playoffs standings. But this is just a beautiful game. Steph's confidence is obviously on another level, and Luca is just a silent killer. Doesn't goes out there, doesn't take no ship, plays hard and and stuff like this happened. So it was a fun game to watch for me personally. I just enjoyed the back and forth and in the ability to hit clutch shots for both those guys. And uh, imagine this and again a seven

game series. You know, if these guys are able to maintain what they're doing and get a chance to play each other in the playoffs, seven games of Luca and step would be incredible. Next up raising their games. Uh, Donovan Mitchell has been on one Uh you know, we mentioned it. Uh, you know a few weeks ago when Shack Loki called him out or actually high key called the matter we both not, you know, instead of using that as a as like a damn, but as a

disc used as motivation. It seems like Donovan has been used as a motivation thus far in februaries. Dropped to thirty point games, almost had a triple double last night, and his team is at the best record in the NBA nineteen and five. What are your thoughts on his play? First and foremost, and how how good the Jazz have been this season. He's doing exactly what he's supposed to do. He's been He's been growing every year as a player, growing every year as a leader. And what Shack said

to him to do nothing but motivated him. A lot of people would have took that the wrong way. He knew the direction he was going, he knew the work he put in and the results are showing now. So salute, saluted Donovan Mitchell. But I also knew what Shack was saying. Yeah, it's good to nineteen and five right now, but that doesn't matter until the end of the season. Where are you That's what matters. You know, you want to be a champion. And and and then, like I said, Donovan Mitchell

is doing a great job of leading his team. I'm not taking anything away from Utah. If you want to get off to a great start, this is the way you do it. But it matters in the postseason. But Donovan Mitchell keep doing your thing. Yeah, Donovan Mitchell has definitely been elevating his game since he's been here. UM one of the best three point shooting teams in the

league right now. Love with Quinn Snyder's doing. We've talked about him throughout this season, but I still feel like this is possibly a team that's going into this trade deadline, Like, look, we're at the top of the West during the regular season. Do we need to make a move to solidify ourselves going into the playoffs. Do we need to grab Zach Lavine.

Do we need to grab a Bradley Beal? Do we need to grab that one more score that no one is even talking about the could possibly be on the trade trade uh, on the move during the trade deadline, because like I said, I think they need that one more guy. They're very consistent, um, but I still think they need that one more score that's in that that twenty point range consistently. I love what Jordan Clarkson is doing. I love him. Mike Conley is doing um, Like I said,

a lot of different shooters. But when it comes to the playoffs, are they gonna have enough? We'll have to wait and see next up. Joke, it's drop fifty damn near a fifty point triple double fifteen tw over an eight, but it came in a losing effort. Jack, talk to me about that. Well, you just talked about teams need to make moves. This the team they need to make a move. You can't have yokers do everything. He's doing fifty points and you and you lose the Sacramento nothing

against Sacramento. They got some young stars, but you can't have your star player go for fifty eight and take an al. That's the team that need to make some moves. This is the best big man in the game right now with him and Beat and I just I just don't see him having games like this and having a career he's having and not have another star. I love the young guards they have, but I really think this team needs to make another move before the playoffs. Matt

good point there. Um, you know he's out here doing I made a mistake last week or maybe two weeks ago when I said A D deserves to start in front of Jokings for the All Star I was mistaken. Although a D is a tremendous talent, Jokings has one another planet this year. The way he's playing a D has been up and down of late. So Jerkins definitely deserves to start as center. But he's one of these

unique talents. You know, obviously he could he can use some help, but he's one of these unicorn guys that are you know, skill set. There's not really a hole in his game. His ability to pass the ball like a guard, shoot the ball like a guard, No one can stop him on the block, and just his have basketball que was off the chart. So it's beautiful to see him continue to develop. Um, whether the rest of the young town around him develops as well, it's something

we'll have to see. But you know, just watching him night and night out has been a beautiful thing. Next up Gordon Hayward, who's having a career year. Um, I'm personally happy to see because I thought he was a motherfucker over there in Utah ended up getting hurt, didn't really work in Boston, he signed a big deal with the team took a lot of heat for him getting all that money. Be he's at a career high twenty

three points a game, floating with the fifty um. Has that team, he's the number one option for that team, has that team playing well. He's been able to jail with their younger players. Obviously, LaMelo balls someone we all like, Terry Rosier Miles Bridges is a highlight highlight machine waiting to happen. What else do you feel Charlotte needs there seventh right now the East? What else do you feel they need Jack to continue to improve and possibly make

some noise in the Eastern Conference. Yeah? Well, first of all, you you got to salute the man. You get what you negotiating. He negotiate that money, he got it. But in Charlotte. I played in Charlotte, I got that my first year. We got to the playoffs. They could care less about anything but getting to the playoffs. And that's all MJ cares about. And I think having this guy on on the team and the season he's having, I'm

a fan of him. A lot of guys don't go through the injuries that he's went through, you know, at to bounce back to come back in the league, regardless what team you are, regardless what money, how much money you're making, and back to average in twent three points. I salute him, but he has to get this team to the playoffs in order to be respected. In Charlotte. I completely agree. Um, I think he got lost in

the shuffle. I think there was some stuff going on because they had his former college coach over there, and he came back in after an injury. He went right to the starting lineup, and I think that rubbed a lot of the young Celtics the wrong way. So it's only a matter of time before that situation. You know, they had to make a move there. Um laying on his feet in Charlotte and hits the ground running, Like I said, playing like that Gore that that Gordon Hayward

that you know, the Utah Jazz had. So I'm happy to see it fighting back through all these injuries. Um, this is a very young, talented team. To me, I don't really think you rushed this process. I think you continue to fill out what you have with Miles Bridges, which you have with LaMelo Ball. You know what you have a rosier uh Cody Zeller is playing hard every night. I like what this team is doing, and I like

the path they're on. Uh, you know, I think within the next two three years, you know, they'll definitely be right in the middle of the Eastern Conference, you know, making some real noise. But like you said, none of this ship matters unless you make the playoffs. Draft Kings Sports Book gives you a chance to influence the odds on this Sunday Night's Los Angeles Laker Denver Nugget game.

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some nice matchups. Um one matchup will start with this Luca and Tray situation, though forever be linked, obviously being traded for each other on Draft Day. I mean, but to me, man, these the trade as great as we think. Luca is Trey has definitely been doing this thing with Atlanta. Has Atlanta sitting at sixth in the East. He's at damn your twenty seven points a game and nine assists, getting to the line almost ten times a game, while Lucas at twenty eight and nine. They're still trying to

find their footing in the West. But this is definitely gonna be must watch TV for two of the bright stars in our league. Yeah, man, this is a game I definitely have to watch. It's gonna be a lot of scoring, a lot of playmaking. You really don't see these guys guard each other too much because because Luca is a lot bigger, but just the matchup and on that you're having to to a future stars on the court.

Both teams really, like you said, still trying to find a footing and trying to find identity for each other. I think Atlanta is kind of leading that with the identity trade is really leading this team, and and they really have their style to play. Lucas still fishing. But anytime these two guys can clash is always good TV. Yeah,

you know, it's crazy. Like I said, I don't think Luca, excuse me, I don't think Trey gets enough credit for what he's been able to accomplish, the numbers he has been able to put up, and where he has his team right now. Obviously, Luca got a lot of the hype, and I think maybe too much hype from a standpoint of, you know, are they living up to expectations? Um, they haven't been able to do it this year. He personally

has been playing well. But Trey has his team on the path, you know, and he was Atlanta was my surprise team this year. I love what they didn't free agency. I like to pick up stay May, but Trey continues to improve. One of the best ball handlers, shooters, skilled players in our game. And it's like I said, this is gonna be a matchup that will be talked about throughout their careers because obviously they were traded for each other. But I must watch basketball this week. It's gonna be

a fun one. Our next matchup to watch. Um Kadie returning to the Bay. Um. The Nets got the best of the Warriors earlier in the season, beating him handily in Brooklyn. Um, Golden State is fighting their footing step is being steph Uh you bre and Wiggins are starting to raise their game. Draymond is showing that the numbers aren't everything. He's out here doing absolutely everything on the floor to keep this team, Uh, you know afloat. And

then Brooklyn. You know, Brooklyn still is trying to fit their pieces together, but slowly but surely rising up in the East. What are your thoughts about Katie returning to the Bay and both these teams at their current point. You know, it would be so much better and we would be anticipating this game so much more if that arena was filled with fans. You know what I mean? Uh, it's gonna. I mean they already they didn't already played. So I think the seeing each other and the brotherly

love and all that, I think that already happened. I think the only aspect of it was seeing him actually come back to that arena with fans. We're not gonna get a chance to see that. So I just, I just I see it being a high scoring game. You know, anytime any team play against Brooklyn, you're gonna get the best shot. And Stephen, Stephen, Steph has been playing well. And then when when when Steph comes with his best shot, As you see, it's gonna be a fifty point night.

So it's gonna be a good game to watch. Um. Yeah, like you said, you know, Steph has been playing great. But to think on the flip side, if Steph doesn't play great, the Warriors don't have a chance. The Nets have three different options, you know what I mean, And if one of those guys played great, they have a great chance. Of two of those guys played great, they have a really good chance. And if all three played great, the other team doesn't stand a chance. And that's having

those three fucking stars on one side. But like you said, I think the key to this is if fans were there, this would have a lot more energy, a lot more excitement. Still, the game will be played. Um thoughts last week on Katie's protocol where he was supposed to not warm up, was able to warm up, doesn't start, plays a little bit, gets taken out of the game, and obviously he has

an issue after the game, as he should. It's crazy, like I think the NBA is trying to figure out this contact tracing ship, but I think that was definitely a frustrating situation for him and his team. Man Free Snipe, Man Free k D. I feel his pain. Once I run up, once I run up and down that court and I bumping it down. We're sweating. I'm playing the game, you know what I'm saying out, Come on, man, let me play the game. Man. They actually was actually was

doing too much. And I honestly feel katie frustration. You know, you putting them in out the game. It's a big game for him. They're trying to win, you know, and he don't know if he can play a night. You get warm up, lady, you gotta He's not started coming in the game cold like. It's a lot of aspects

to that that that would frustrate me as well. So I get it, man, but they need to get ahold of it because once you're check in the game, ain't no reason to pull you back out, right, And like I said, it's either got to be all or nothing. Either he can play that day or he can't. But don't give him the option to get a sweat, start playing and then pull him out. Like I said, either you're gonna not let him play that day, or once he's in, you're gonna let him rock the entire game.

But I think the in and out is the bullshit. We definitely feel in Spain, and we hope the NBA is able to figure this out so it doesn't have to happen to anybody else. Breaking records and milestones. Uh, congrats Lebron James for passing Wilt Chamberlain on the third third all times career field goals made list, Um Jack, I think Doc Rivers put it perfectly. Whether or not you agree, Lebron is the greatest player of all time. When it's all said and done, he'll definitely have the

greatest career. Um Thoughts on Braun and the level of plays continuing to play at in your e team. I'm just amazed, man, what what is? What is kids? What he's been able to do in such a long time. You know, we we all had high expectations that come him coming in the game, and he exceeded them all and he's continuing to I'm not surprised, man. We just gotta enjoy greatness and understand that we've seen something. We're

watching something that we've never seen before. One of the greatest to ever touched the court man and I'm honored to say I had a chance to battle again some a couple of years and to be able to watch this magic especially, I'm enjoining it. Imagine, I think you made a great point. Who has ever lived up to

all this hype? I mean, the hype from the beginning was was made for him to fail, all the Chosen One, every all the accolades, everything, all the pressure they put on this man's shoulder, and he's been able to live up to it and exceed expectations. He has a chance to pass Karl Malone to go to number two. That will probably take him about four more years of this consistency to get to Kareem. But at the end of the day, you know, they're right in the hunt to

win another championship possibly too. I mean, I don't see what you can say about Lebron negatively, you know, I think it's crazy what people want to talk about his n lost record in the final. The fact that he's consistently getting there is the key to me. Obviously, you want to win, but Ship, he's done everything you can do to win once you get there, so it's gonna

be interesting. It's been beautiful to watch it. I just wish people appreciated him more Steph Moore, James more, Katie more, instead of always trying to critique, because you have to understand, when it's all said and done, these guys are gone. You're you're you're gonna be missing some of the greatest players to ever touch this touch the ball, touch this floor. And I think too often people take more time critiquing

and talking Ship instead of just enjoying their greatness. Next step Carmelo Anthony, passing Dominique Wilkins for thirteen on the all time score list. You know, we've both been big advocates for Melo to get back in the game after nearly four thousand people have played in the NBA to be thirteenth all time as a hell of an accomplishment. Uh. Jack talked to me about Melow, that's the testament to

his career. Man. We all knew what how important Melo was to the game, We knew the dominant offensive player he was, and um, you know, this is just just another testament to all the work he's done. Um, I'm glad he's getting a shot. He's getting a bigger role in Portland now, you know, with with him dealing with a lot of injuries. But I'm happy for Mellow. Man, it's just a testament into career. It shows why he's gonna belonging to Hall of Fame. I definitely want to

salute Mellow for being able to almost reinvent itself. Um, someone who's such a tremendous score. His whole career has always been to go to guys, always consistently got in that twenty to twenty five shots a game range to be able to reinvent itself. And I think for for a minute he was having a hard time, you know. And I think that's why, along with some other bullshit, I think what the NBA was doing, he wasn't able

to get a job. But I think he kind of accepted his role and understood what teams are looking for now and he's still able to be himself. And like you said, with with Portland's UH down in numbers, obviously his role is gonna increase. That's something he's been doing his whole career, so it won't be a problem for him. But definitely glad he got a second chance. Um, I love what he's doing out there. And yeah, absolutely, First

about Hall of Fame uh Karmelo Anthony can again congratulations. Last, but not least, Fred van Fleet, who has been on an absolute tear, dropped a career high in raptors record fifty four points, uh, knocking too Mars record by two points, setting also the record for undrafted player to be able to come and drop fifty signed that big eight five million dollar contract this year. Couldn't be happy for this guy one, obviously, because he's making his dreams come true.

But then he's showing the rest of the guys out here you can still make your regardless some guy that

wasn't drafted. He's small. I'm sure there's a lot of different knocks on him, but this guy is definitely a prominent score in this game, dropping fifties and getting paid and like I said, I just love the fact that he's been able to do what he does, but also encourage the rest of the youngsters out there, letting him know that, hey, you don't have to go to a big name school, you nest, you don't even have to

be drafted. You just have to believe in yourself and keep being a dog and you might get a shot. I'm happy for him. Fred is doing great, man. I think he came into that situation was not really knowing if he was gonna play Trey. He's happening to end up starting Now look at him, He's he's the best score on the team to me. You know, he's playing with a lot of confidence. And it's all about getting an opportunity. Man. A lot of people don't even got get an opportunity to get a chance to show what

they can do. He got his opportunity, took advantage of it, and you see what's happening, big contract. He just showing he belongs in this league. And I don't think this the end of us talking about him this year. I think gonna have a great year. No, absolutely, definitely, one of the scores Uh, one of the best, you know, undrafted scores. We've seen his ability to to to answer when he got his chance. He did that, had a big finals um to help them win, and now he's

being rewarded. Like I said, I think it's it's a beautiful thing for him, but also you know, encouraging to the people coming behind him. Jack, we got a new segment. Uh, it's not a new segment, but it's a new segment for What's Burning, and we're gonna start incorporating our fan questions into What's Burning. So let's get to it. First question from the Black Understore cal Underscore l which team is one big trade away from being odds on favorite

this season? I would have to say Philadelphia. So you got Philly. Um, I think Utah is one trade away. Obviously they're sitting with the best record in the league, but I still feel like they're gonna need some more

firepower come playoff time. Um. So I think, you know, like I said earlier, Bill of Levine, someone we're not even thinking enough to possibly be that that that that either that number two guy or ship number one guy that's gonna get you that twenty consistently every night, I think there definitely one trade away, but you know, both both the team's Philly and Utah are right there and it's gonna be fun to see what they do coming

down the stretch. Next question at slim Underscore Veil, why do you guys think the effort on defense has subsided so much in the past ten years? Um Man, good question. I think it's the changing of the game. Um you know, we hung our hat on defense. Um I'll be obviously able to do other things that they took pride in defense, And I don't think the game is there anymore, um one, because the league wants it more scoring and highlights, and

I think that's where they're at right now. So they would definitely rather see, you know, a one thirty game than nine to nine defensive battle. So I mean, I think scoring is at a premium. Scoring is encouraged, so there's just not that much focus on defense anymore. In the fact that it's like fucking flag football act that you can't really play defense if you wanted to. All the touch fouls they're calling and all that soft ship

they're calling really is a disadvantage to the defense. So I think the way the rules have changed and what the NBA wants. What you're scoring is the reason why we've seen defense non existent. Yeah, the game is definitely grown, but you gotta think all the guys that really played like we played, all the greedy guys, they kicked him out the league. So that's another reason defense is not the way it is no more. Let's be real, Yeah

it is not scoring. The rules are different. But the motherfucker's who got down and cared about stopping motherfucker's dad at home doing what we're doing, especial man, shoutout Trevor reason Man, he's sitting at home right now, still getting paid, which is great, but he's one of those three and D guys. Someone will get in your face and and and he can't find a home right now. So I me, I think that perfectly goes to what you were saying.

One next question from Kevin McCadney. What team has been the biggest disappointment this season and what team has been the biggest surprise, Jack, biggest disappointment to you this year? The biggest disappointment to me is the Dallas Mavericks. Um. I felt they could they could have did something that someone that helped this guy Lucas just a stub man, one of the best players in the league, and I'm

just disappointed with the start they're getting off too. Obviously, you know, KP is in and out and they just didn't make the moves. Hopefully they'll mak them before the trade. That trade trade their line, but Dallas is definitely a team that hasn't been living up to what I expected.

I completely agree m after what they did in the playoffs last year, the way Luca played, the expectations this year with through the roof that may have been too high, but I agree they didn't really make any moves to strengthen this roster that are really going to be impactful. Um, KP has been in and out. When he's played, he's been outstanding, but getting him to play every night has been the key. So, like I said, those two consistently playing together plus one more trade piece of the deadline

possibly can help them. They've definitely been the most disappointing team to me, UH this season? UH, to you biggest surprise this season? My biggest surprise, I would have to say as Houston, UM, nobody knew how they would jail. Nobody knew how this team would come together with everything the way they started with James and I want to be there. But now you see this thing starting to rolling all the deeper, settling in. John is kind of leading his team, and Boogie and the young kid Chris Wood,

they're really holding things down in the paint. So shout out to Steve Silence for for for dealing with the rough start of the ship. But now he got him smooth sailing. I'm happy with the way um Houston is rolling. I agree that's a good call. I think probably my surprise is the Utah Jazz um always a solid regular season team, so I kind of say this with a little hesitation because the regular season only means so much.

But you know, they definitely put together a great start to the season, best record in the league, shooting the three point ball, and an amazing clip and they're just a fun team to watch. Like I said, we compared them to the San Antonio Spurs earlier, where you can just plug and play guys that they have a great system, great coach. You just plug guys in and they know what they have to do. So they've definitely been a fun team for me to watch this year and looking

forward to see what they do down the stretch. Next fan question and why I underscore Kid fifteen. If you had a third host, who would it be and why? Oh? Good question, good question. I got two people here. I would go with either Kendrick motherfucking Perkins, motherfucker for KG. I think obviously Kg's energy is electric. I think he would being a crazy dynamic to the show. And then Perk. You know, Park cusses more than me and you put together, we can get him off that perk just don't passing

the wet blunt. And I think, yeah, so either one of those two dudes would be good with me. Uh me. I would say a real motherfucker like Carrie Champion or Jamal Hill. I think a woman would be great on our show to add to add another ship, talking dynamic, some another woman that ain't two cents and if they can take our ship talking but also no sports and there's a lot of females out there that no sports like we do. I think that would be a dope asset. Well,

that'd be huge to have a female co host. That would be dope. I mean all that we're doing our thing, that would be dope. Close in the show with Quick hitters. Uh. First topic, Julius Randall twenty two point six, almost eleven rebounds of game, nearly six assists. Jack. Is he worthy of his first All Star nod this year? I think so, man, I mean, hold up before you answer, before you answer, he's got the knicks in playoff contention right now on top of it. Yeah, and it's you know me, I

gotta be real. This is every day. Always want to Nick in the All Star Game for some reason. But he deserves it. You know, he deserves it. I'm just saying he deserved he playing well, bro with you know, in a playoff picture and in the playoffs, there's two different things, bro, you know what I'm saying. A lot of a lot of times, a lot of times you get overshadowed. I wasn't shot at and we made the playoffs and I didn't make the All Star Game. But

he definitely deserves it. And I just wanted them to make it because making an All Star Game and not making the playoffs that's asinine. Uh No, I agree, he's definitely playing the part um. Glad he's found his spot, you know what I mean? In l A. You saw his potential in New Orleans you saw more potential, and then in New York you've seen what kind of player we all thought he could be. You know, he's a he's a bullout bull in the China shop out there.

They just picked up Derek Rose yesterday in the trade, so hopefully that'll help them, uh strengthen their playoff picture. Um, But as far as just individual accolades and and being ready for an All Star, definitely think he deserves that nod this year. Next up, John Moran nearly nineteen points of game seven assists. Memphis is in the playoff mix. The West is loaded with guards. Jack Is Morant ready for the All Star spotlight? Or will he get his

opportunity this year? I mean, is he ready? Yeah, he's ready, His game is ready. But will it happened? No, it won't happen. I mean he's he's a guy that we're hiring on, we love, I'm a fan of. But you gotta look at this competition right now in the West. There's too many guards that that that they're gonna throw ahead of him that's gonna make that team. But it does he deserve it? I think he does. But you've

got too many guards with bigger names. That that teams is at the top of the Western Conference that he got to go up against and that and that's always the case. Yeah, And what kind of scares me about this situation, Jack, is it might be this way for a long time. You know, he's in that Memphis market. There's the West is load of the guards, Damon, C. J. Clay and steph Uh. You know Booker hasn't really got is his nod yet. There's a lot of strong guards

in the West. Is Marans a game at All Star level? Definitely, when he get that nod, it's gonna take out. I don't know what it's gonna take. I think his team is gonna have to probably be like a top three or four team for people to realize his importance. Um, but just as far as being an All Star, definitely think he has the talent, but it's gonna it might be a while before he actually gets an All Star nod for the reasons we just mentioned. Christian would out

several weeks with an ankle injury. Obviously it's better than they thought, but he'll be down for a while. Jack, how does this affect the Rockets? Injuries are a part of the game, as we know, but and and any time one of your guys go down, you have to look at the good side of it. And the flip side is Boogie gets to go in. He should be starting to anyway in my mind. But he gets to go and get more reps and get back in shape, and it gives Chris Wood it's a chance to get stronger.

He still doesn't have that NBA body. This is the time for him to get stronger, kind of put a little musc along so he can come back and deal with the pushing and banging down there in the paint. But I I just look at the flip side of him. It's the good side is Christian wouldn't get stronger, and Bookie gets a chance to get back in the swing of things. Yes, and always the next guy up in this league, and I agree that should be the starting

four and five for the Rockets. But just really happy for Christian Wood and what he's been able to accomplish and really find a home. And then again happy for Boogie to kind of get his funding back, get more minutes in that rotation and work his way back to the level of play we all know and love Boogie for Yesterday, Derek Rose was traded back to the New York Knicks, reunited up with coach Tibbs, where he's played

the best basketball of his career. Um Jack thoughts on Derek reunited with this coach but then going to the Knicks. I mean I like it. I mean I think he was just you know, existing in uh in Detroit. I think he can go there and kind of get a new life back with the new coach. They got some great young guards that quickly has been playing well, you know. And uh they still have the young kid from Duke what's his name, Matt Timber reminder pick all right, j r J. They still have him, Yeah, r J. Barrett

So but these uh, I love it. I love it. I think it's gonna do great. Like I said, it's anytime you get a change like that and going back and playing in the garden, it gives you, It gives you a new life. And I think that would be a good fit for d Ros. Yeah. Happy for d Ros reunited with TIBs. Um you know, want him to find his form and his footing. Still thirty two, you know, I still think he has a handful of years. But I also wanted to touch on the flip side of

this trade and Dennis Smith and salute him. Man. He was someone who was at the end of the bench into to his rotation. He wasn't complaining, asked to go to the D League just to keep his game fresh, and then it gets an opportunity to get traded and hopefully he'll get some time with Detroit. But definitely hats off to him because guys have been in that situation and kind of been floated and they become fucked up

teammates and and and divided the locker room. But that kid went about his business, Uh, you know, asked to go down to the G League and now gets traded. So hopefully you get a new life in Detroit and get a chance to play. But happy for d Rods again to be back with TIBs and hopefully you can find some of that all star form he had with him in Chicago. Jack, we both did something that we said we shouldn't do. What was bet against the goat,

and he proved us wrong. Congratulations on the Bucks for their second Super Bowl and Tom Brady for number seven. UM incredible they dominated from start to finish. Thoughts on the game yesterday, Uh, we said we shouldn't go against him, but we gotta I gotta reinyrate with Tom said. He said, they haven't played good football all year. They haven't played their best game, and they wait to play their best game of the year in the Super Bowl at home.

Shouts side to them, shout out, Shouts out to all the black coaches in the head positions, man, and shout out to that defense. I don't think the defense is getting enough credit to shut Kansas City defense down. This is the first my homes quarterback control team that didn't get a touchdown. So shout out to the defense. Yeah, yeah, you know, being able to shut Kansasy's offense down. That can completely agree, Um, what they were able to do. You know, you touched them. They had kept saying they

hadn't played their best football. They obviously saved there for last, but at one point they were seven and five and then the Real Office seven straight wins going into the playoffs, beating Washington, ending Drew Brees his career in New Orleans, beating the m v P Aaron Rodgers, and then being able to beat the next man that's supposed to be replaced Brady, which was the Loans, and they completely shut him down. Um, it was just a beautiful game. One

thing I love though. Two outside of Tampa based coaching staff and and in the diversity within their coaching staff, the people that Tom brought with him. Gronk showed up big in this game. Two touchdowns, a b showed up big in this game, big touchdown. Um, you know, and he was able to bring his guys with him and to get a ring. So you know, there was a lot of talk about was it a Belichick team, whether it a Brady team. What Brady was able to do to come over to the NFC and do what he's

been doing the a FC. His whole career was very impressive and if it's not the most impressive feet of his career is definitely up there at the top. Man again, salute to the Goat and his seven rings. Coaches, directly to the championship players, win championships. Jack. Before we forget, we definitely want to shout out to former guests of the program Charles Woodson and Calvin Johnson on being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year. Man,

salute two of those guys. Happy for him and definitely deserved it. Congrats Bros. Last, but not least Jack Um. All Star is set in Atlanta, and I think, you know, I've been doing a lot of talking on ESPN, and everyone's been doing a lot of talking, but I don't think we really listened to the players and in in the In the last week, you've heard Lebron come out, You've heard Dear and Fox come out. You've heard a few other guys come out and say they really don't

want to play. And I think, you know me personally, I think we obviously made a mistake on not listening to the guys that have to actually do it. You know, I was all for the All Star Game because I think it's been great competition, the procedure, going to a great cause, but at the same time, understanding the position there in you know, with the crazy schedule last season in the Bubble and then coming back to an abbreviated season,

but everything crammed on top of each other. I know a lot of these guys were looking forward to just getting five days off and spending with their family, and now the NBA is pretty much forced them to do the All Star Game. So you know, Um, on my behalf, I kind of want to apologize because being a former player, I think we should have thought more on what the players really wanted to do instead of what the league

wanted to do. Yeah, and in the past, met it made sense because the All Star weekend was beneficial for everybody. If you do an All Star weekend, now it's just beneficial for the league. The families can't come, the players don't really want to be there, They can't really enjoy the festivities of All Star weekend do to COVID and everybody social distance. So no, this is this is a selfish move by the NBA. And just like Caua I said, it's only a business move. It has nothing to do

with the players. And you have to think about your players because they don't want carrying your league. Absolutely, Like I said, it was brought to my intention first with Dear and Foxton and Lebron stamp to Kauai spoke on and a couple other guys spoken, and we really gotta listen to our players, especially in a season like this with all the craziness that's been going on. Um, you know, so I'm always gonna side with players, So unfortunately kind

of is what it is. Hopefully everyone stays injury free and healthy and uh we and consume the second half of the season once this is over. That's a wrap this week on What's Bernie. You can catch us every Monday on Showtime Basketball YouTube and our Twitter Follow us at show Basketball and make sure you follow us on Twitter for the latest. And we'st burning

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