Trade Deadline Fallout, Mercy Miller Interview, Bucks Best In NBA? | WHATS BURNIN | ShoBasketball

the final week or two, Right goes to Utah. He says he's taking a little bit of time to sort of sort out what he wants to do. The Jazz have said, hey, you can stay if you want, Please report if you want to. They'll pay him his full salary, but they've made it really clear they can't guarantee him any minutes or anything because they want to play the

young players if they do do a buyout situation. Billy Donovan has sort of made it clear that he wants to reunite with him in Chicago, but also, um, we've got a Clippers situation here as well. I mean, it would be crazy if he just switched doors. You, I mean you've done that, want it before we get there. I just want to kind of address the slander. It's just I mean, I felt like we got this with Mellow when Melo was trying to make his way back

in the first time. In all the disrespect Melo got, you know, considering everything he's done for this game and the caliber player he was, uh, and then just the slander that just just I don't know. The former player is frustrating just to hear and being in the media now and just how media take pride and like dogging people not realizing the bigger kind of ripple effect. And you saw his wife speak to it about how they have children and you know, kind of just a negative

backlash they get from simple minded reporting. So I just wish that would It's weird because I think this is a phase we're in and I don't know if it's going anywhere where. It's just more about disrespect than reporting for some people, which is unfortunate. But to your point, um, yeah, yeah, look, I'm gonna I'm gonna stand up for reporters here. Okay, I'm gonna take this please like it's the source that

said it. I'm a little bit I'm over to blame the messenger stuff like someone from the Lakers said that check and that to me is no class because the guy is out the door. There's no reason to kick him when he's already out and gone. Team chemistry already no issue. And that's frankly pissed me off more than hey, this guy reported this or that guy reported that. And I agree. Look, media culture in general, it's like who's got the biggest clickbait and headline and that's just an

overall issue. But in terms of this ship, like, if you're in that locker room, keep it to yourself, there's no reason not to. My question too. With you having such a long history and having really close context with the league, there has been times where you would hear something and you'd be like, Okay, that's going to be good.

But that's probably not that that'll be people if people go crazy from this, but it's probably not something I need to share from that, So that that's kind of so I completely agree with you, because obviously the reporter didn't make it up, so one had to have told him that. But I've been in situations, you know, you know, where I'm talking to guys that are playing and they tell me something like, damn mother, Funer's go crazy if I said this, But I know I can't, you know

what I mean. So it's just un forty. I think it's a two way street. You're exactly right, but I just feel like the disrespect is crazy. I think it's the quality of the journalists or the person who has that information. At the end of the day, I think, you know, the person in the organization knew who they were talking to when they offered up that information and

what could happen, you know what I mean. So I think it's up to the quality whatout what I'm just saying, Like you said, the person who said that he gets paid to report, you know what I mean. And that's the heavy, juicy, juicy piston information to sit on. But at the same time, this started with Ai. To me, when AI was transitioning away, you know, out of Denver

and not being the guy. It was a lot of slander about him being selfish, how he wouldn't take the sixth man role, how he wouldn't put onto a team unless he was a I feel like it kind of started from there. Then it went to Mellow and now to Uss his turn. So I'm kind of over that. You know, if we can't use you as the thirty point score, then we got to diminish what you've done in this league, and and that's just not fair. At

the end of the day. It killed me with the mellow stuff because I you know, I interviewed him in that time he had off, and if you've been around the league, you could tell what he still had left and what he could do. And that's a great point that like, Okay, you don't have to be the person you were before, like you can be something different. And by the way, we asked for us to be something different than everybody gave a hard time before he did it.

He did it, and then to sit there and criticize him because he's not the old guy like it just it drives me, I think. I mean, Richel, you have made a great point for someone with his accolades to actually buy in being a six man and and being effective at um at that role. But I think, to get back to the point of your question, walking down the hallway would be crazy. A lot of guys have made the walk both ways, you know what I mean. So I think that you know, you look at the

Clippers and and they got rid of there too. They got you know, he got rid of John Wald, they got rid of Reggie Jackson. Uh, they're bringing the Bones Highland. Who's a young guy, but he's gonna be asked to play heavy important minutes. Is he ready for those type of minutes in the playoff atmosphere? You know, only time will tell, but I think it would be dope. And I love how Paul George is out there, you know,

riding for his guy. You know, he's very instrumental about how important Russ was um in his Oklahoma City times, and and him having his best years alongside of Russ, so just as a person, and and him being a bruin. You know, I hope he gets an opportunity that he's happy to play in and he's able to produce, because you know, I just hate to see someone who's given so much to the NBA have this kind of kind of back end or or kind of finishing notes to

his career. I like, what the are, what our peers are are doing for him, speaking up for and let him know what kind of teammate he is, let him know what he did with the bubble. The stories are coming down the bubble and how he left all the money for the house cleaning. What type of teammate he is?

So I like the fact that now the players with with with with their voices in social media are just bigger all around, uh, that they can't stick up for him, and they're not getting a lot of backlash forward because like the alternatives us thinking of Russ as some selfish guy who diminished it, didn't want to, you know, gracefully go off into the sunset. So I like what the what the players are doing? For second of for us, nobody's everything right. I mean maybe Grant Hill right, super

talented and like the nicest guy on earth. But beyond that, right, guys have flaws. Guys have you know, strengths all of that stuff, Paul George you mentioned. I mean, he's not just he's not just saying I want him. He is hard lobbing, and I want to read you guys some of this quote he said. I'm a big believer in and a fan of what Russ's work is. He said, I've seen what he can do night in and night out. I still think he's got a lot of game, really

think he can improve the team. We in particular We've got enough shooting to surround Russ where he can be Russ, and I think the floor will be open for him, spacing will be there for him. Now, Lawrence Frank, who has the front office, he hasn't come out and said I don't want Russ, but he has pretty pointedly come out and said I want X, Y and Z, and

those are all things Russ doesn't do. So I guess part of the question too, the Lakers got Russ at least in a large part because Lebron went to that front office and said, I want to get this deal done. PG is basically doing the same thing. And we talked about player empowerment a little bit, right and like guys

saying that they moved together, they want each other. This to me is like a really interesting inflection point in that right because the Clippers had to do what Kauai wanted to bring PG in just to sign him, so I had all the power there. This is a different situation right in that PG is already there. Lebron was

already there, he already signed the extension. That front office could have said no, And it sounds like maybe this front office Clippers might say no, where do you think the power, like, what's what's the dynamic When Paul says I want this, well, I think, if I'm not mistaken, race, they have one roster spot left right, and I think this is a completely different roster from a talent standpoint than the Lakers was. They have pieces, they have shooting,

they have guys, they can do multiple different things. We all know, with all due respect, you know, to the Lakers roster, it wasn't a good fit from the jump. And we can see that with this team, with the versatility of their two stars, their ability to stretch the floor, um, the shooting they have around them. I can see Rust coming in and having that chip of Okay, I wasn't good enough here, but I'm gonna show you what I

still have left in the tank. So um, I always, you know, hold a special place in my heart for the Clippers because you know, we we we made a little bit of history for that team, and I just wanted to see them finally get it. It'll never be a Clipper town in our lifetime maybe ever, but I would just love to see them, you know, really have a chance with Kauai and PG and and and possibly

bringing in Russe. So like you said, Rachel, it'll be interesting who really has the power dynamic And you know what Lawrence and and and the Clippers organization you're going to decide to do with that final spot. If you were running that front office and said to you, I really want this guy, but for some reason as a front office you decided not so much. How do you handle me? Know, it's the hallway situation. So with the Clippers, with not having a foothold in the city, maybe that's

something they want, a petty game. They want to play the pool that locked room, right, you know what I mean? To let him have success on the team, because if your superstar player is excited about a new piece of talent coming, they're gonna figure something out. Kauai. Those those new pieces they got, they got a good coach in TLU, they got a great owner who doesn't mind spending a

little bit of extra bread. So I feel like if they're if they're campaigning for you know, a super a superstarter to Georgia, they're joining the team, they gotta figure something out, all right. Well, when you said it began with Ai slander, I just have to make clear that in this room once again, without question, our greatest living American.

That's all I gotta say. All Right, rough news out of New Orleans the other day, guys, Zion Williamson was in the middle of rehabbing that hamstring aggravated it again doing three on three work. He's already missed what He's only played twenty nine games this entire season. Now he's going to be out at least a few weeks after the All Star break. And it sucks because this kid is a game changing talent. Like he's got great numbers, but was way beyond that to me, when he is

on the court, everything changes. He has only played a hundred and fourteen games in four seasons. So Pelicans are kind of in this bad spot again their seventh in the West, but they have not had the greatest month this past month. But I still working his way back. What do you all think in terms of the playoff picture for them? I think they could be a dangerous team with him healthy. Okay, that's the key. Um. He hasn't been healthy. He you know, unfortunately in his NBA career,

he hasn't necessarily been healthy. And obviously I feel I still feel like the best is yet to come. But what he what he has shown us when he's healthy has been incredible. I mean he's breaking records left and right. And Julyna can attest to this. You really don't understand the NBA game until you get a good three four real seasons under your belt. Right now, he's playing strength, athleticism and just instinct. But he will learn the NBA

game as he gets more time. Um. But I really like I like a healthy New Orleans teams because I love brandon Ingram, I love the veteran leadership. Plus he's still got a lot to add and and uh CJ McCullum, Alvarado. They have a lot of solid pieces around shout out my guy, really green. Um. But this team goes as Zion's availability allows them to go. So with the uncertain um Zion, their season is uncertain. I mean people cannot hear you, people listening to car I mean he just

he just hit it. I mean he said it right there. When Zion is when he's there, he's healthy, but it's almost kind of like the a D thing where you're kind of waiting if he falls to the ground. It's like or if he grabs something. So with a soft tissue injury as a as a herculean human being. You know what I mean, he was working. I guess he was doing three on three when he injured. That's never gonna go away at the end of the soft tissue injuries.

For a guy who leaves the grounds as much as he does and how strong he does, I feel like that's gonna be the around all year. So if he is there, what's he gonna look like when he is there? Seventy percent zion is still good enough to make a playoff. Man, you know what I mean, because at any given moment, to me, working yourself back into shape soft TiO TU injury, you might be you just one sprint away from being another two or three weeks. And the West just got

so much stronger, dressed out, so much stronger. So it's it's you know, because when what they pick a one at some point this year, weren't they one in the Western or two? I know for sure they touched for sure. So you know, this team's really had an up and down season. But a healthy Pelicans team, it's a tough team. But again, we know last week the West got so much stronger. I mean, I believe I love that locker room.

I believe in that locker room. And I remember last year Zion wasn't with them, they still made a playoff push at the end of the season. Uh, they were in the tent spot. I think going into the play in they want two games. They actually grabbed that eight spot from underneath. But that's the issue. You grabbed that eighth spot. This year you're facing the I gets see. That's I'm gonna keep saying it. I do not want

to be number eight. I do not want to be number eight in the West because I don't know what the Nuggets are gonna do big picture in the West, in the title and whatever. I know for sure they're gonna be a fucking buzz saw with shipped to prove in the first round. I agree with you, but I would hate to be eight and get a healthy Lakers team at I would hate to be one with a healthy Lakers team at a new team. Yeah, with this

new team, I mean, yeah, why not? Why not? I just feel like it's not only Denver, but I feel like the top three teams are all inexperience when it comes to playoffs. I mean, Denver has some playoff experience with Joker, but you look at Memphis. You look at Sacramento, imagine if it's Lakers Golden States. Have you seen He's incredible, He's coming back. I just have to see it again.

I think it's similar to how we looked. Remember when you taw him a few years ago when they were running through the Western Conference and always had the best record, and then when you know they would sputter complay. So I just want I'm not saying Denver camp because on paper they look great, but ship first round and gets a healthy Lakers team, that's that's going to be a battle. Well, I'll be interested to see what the Pelicans can do.

They're in seventh now, and they do have, according to like player opponent percentage, whatever whatever, they have the easiest schedule the rest of the way, So that makes a big difference to I don't know. We'll see, You're right, It just depends on design healthy or not sign healthy or not. We'll see. I want to go back over the East, though, guys, because Milwaukee has been like I'm the low ripping through the league. Ten game winning streak. They're only a game and a half behind the Celtics.

They're going to play each other on Tuesday night, should be a great matchup. Janice has been ridiculous. I spent time with the Bucks last week. He's putting up thirty two, thirteen and five stat line this season and they just added Jay Crowder. So I wanna talking about that first. What do you think Jay is going to do for that team? It hasn't played all season? Love it. I think it'll take them a little while to get it. You know that those old bones. Uh, couple of weeks,

get those old bones oiled up. But I mean he brings that toughness factor. I think him and Bobby Portis are a toughness factor that that team needed, similar to what p J. Tucker brought to that team. And it wasn't always obviously scoring for p J. Tucker. It was just that toughness in that mindset. And I think I read somewhere Jana said they almost took on p J. Tucker's identity. Uh he you wanna hear the quote. The

quote is amazing, all right. He said, we needed someone who when you walk down the alley and you're going to face the bullies and they kind of run the other way. He said, you I was in the room when he said this. He goes, you think they're running the other way because of you, but it's really the guy behind you. And he said, that's what p J. Tucker did for us. He was the one. When you played with p J, you had that different kind of swag, he said, and he thought that J was going to

do that. He goes, when I played with p J, you felt like you were a bully too. And he's like, Jay brings that toughness. I mean, that's phenomene. I love it. That's a great quote. I mean it's something that you know, you can see the Warriors in their heyday, they took on Draymond's personality, you know what I mean. So I think those kind of guys are important. Um. But yeah, a similar situation, you know, just kind of one of

those guys that they led by example in toughness. Um. But I really like Milwaukee again, they're kind of flying under the radar, as you said, Rachel, with Boston having the season they had. And that's no disrespect to Boston, but I think they understand what it takes. Obviously they've been there. They wanted I think implementing you know, uh, Middleton has been coming off the bench, but you know, once he starts to get his with them back, he'll

be a starter. I mean, and that's a tough team with that, you know that, And to me with what's key Rachels, they've been together for a while and and a lot a lot of teams can say that anymore. So I really like Milwaukee if they could be healthy. Drew was telling me he thinks like the second oldest team in the league. I don't know, we'll have to again, producer. They don't have to come in with the stad at some point. But solid. They've just been solid and adding

another solid piece like Crowder. We haven't seen him this year. I'm with Matti's gonna take a couple of weeks from him to round himself in shape, but they got I feel like Middleton and him working themselves back in the shape is like a good player. Not that they're not. You need to of them to make one, but while they're working things out. Because Middleton was a what was a twenty point of game score, he's like like thirteen

right now. Yeah, but he's got really even in minutes restriction. Yeah, he's like, you know, I feel like still having another good win. You don't have to rush back into it, trying to be your You're a game back, so all right, so give me, give me a position for position, like it's starting court, starting court, Bucks Celtics matchup. So best player on the Bucks, best player on the Celtics, you picking Beanna Certatum, I'm taking, I'm taking Tatum taking, I'm

taking Tatum. And I think the key to the Celtics is Robert Williams availability because he's so big for that team. He has a whole different rim dynamic and rim threat for that team. But I just really like, I mean, I think they've been paying their dues. I mean, obviously he didn't have to his teammate up JT. You gotta buy your teammate a car for breaking car? Does that change anything for the Celtics being out the lineup? I mean,

I just think it's going to give. First of all, I think Jame is probably gonna get a mask and come back sooner than we expect it. But it just you know this, at this point, it's gonna give guys that are gonna they're gonna need later on. They're gonna get some quality minutes while he's down, and then obviously he'll be able to rest during the break. I'm sure you probably won't play in the All Star Game. He

might you never know. But I really, I really like the Celtics, and I think, you know, it definitely could have been their finals last year. It won't be easy going, you know, going up against Milwaukee. But I just really like what Jason Tatum and Brown as a duo do for that team. And then they added pieces like Brogg and then those other guys. What type of car? Yeah, what type of car you gotta buy? Jim, he's real rich, so yeah, or above above minimum s five? I'd say

a minimum sixty three? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, obvioulsdly probably a sixty five is gonna run you about two thirty. That seems like yeah, like, I mean new new signature, shoe, ruffles money. Can we get the potato chip to pay for that? All? Right? Bucks? The oldest team in the league. That's crazy to think because but by the way, oldest team only means twenty nine and a half. It doesn't

mean like but it's just changed so much. It's such a young game now to think that's the oldest when you know, normally the oldest on averages thirty two thirty three year old teams. But it's just the shift in the game. Teams aren't set yet. By the way, the buyout market is in full swing. We talked about rus Right possibly possibly being a buyout, and here are some guys that have already been bought out. Reggie Jackson right brought out by the Hornet, signs with Denver. That's a

sneaky good signing that you just talked. Is he to point guard that Danny? I don't know, we're gonna see here. I mean, I thought that was big Danny Green. This surprised me a little bit um not that he was brought out, but that he signed with Cleveland for the Celtics just because yeah, like he could have gone. I mean, guess it was for playing time. And look, he's won

how many rings to three rings? Three? So like, at that point do you just want to play as opposed to give me the best shot to win a fourth? But by the way, if we should all have such high class problems. But I mean, if you were him, would you have picked the playing time over the possible ring? He hasn't played all year? Yeah, yeah, I gotta see what he has in his tank, because if I'm not mistaken, he came off in a c L, Right, isn't he

coming off in a c L? And I just hope he can just get back out there and play in general. So we'll see, we'll see what the minutes come to. It would um three rings, already got three playing time? Playing time, yeah, play time. See he has a ring. He can say that. I didn't officially get that guy to buy the name of two other guys you heard of, but I got one. See, I can't say that the way y'all can. And I could be like now, I would take it. I would take a championship ring. I'm

just gonna say it right there. Um, other notable names on the list. You've got Kevin Love, Kevin Knox, wanted to Kindo Anderson de Rose our guy, but Cousins still out there. Definitely could help another team. Yeah, this might be the last year people are saying his name, but there's some some guys out there to be interesting. Um, you know, the Biot market. I just think this will makes the NBA so great. I mean they you know, they stole the show with the super Bowl, with all

the movement. Lastly coming, Durant had the whole Western Conference in a frenzy. But now they're still you know, very quality players. They could be picked up and really add some depth to these rosters going into All Star break in the second half of the season. So I don't remember the bio market being like this, like a viable way for you to change your teams and free ID and see the last couple of years, well though there

was a handful of guys. But you know, there seems to be like a like a significant more amount of people this year that are in the bio market. I mean in the past, like the front you tried to front office guys, they always say, like, if he could really help your team that much, he would have been bought out, right, So there's that kind of maxim But you're right, by the way, it's just sometimes it's that's

some teams, it's not a fit. And there was there a stigmatism to the buyout Rachel Well, just the idea

of it is we are talking to Rachelcord. I mean just that when when you talk to front offices and you're you're talking to guys saying, oh, well, this guy could really do something for you, what do you think you guys looking to pick him up and and sort of the answer is like, sure, we're looking, but don't don't like sort of overstate the impact changer that if you know, again, the idea would be, if he was a game changer, if he was the guy that could really get it done, he would have been traded or

he would have been, you know, the guy the team would have kept him. Now again, sometimes it's just that the guy doesn't fit and you get him in a trade and the trade in lines passed, you can't move him again, and you just buy him out. So you know, we'll see, I don't know, we'll we'll find out. Um. Terence Rostos situation I thought was interesting because Dallas thought they were getting him, at least those were the reports out of Texas that they were like, they felt really

good that they were getting him. And then the Sun's sneak in and they've been pursuing him too. But still Paradise Valley, Dallas, Paradise Valley, scotts Stille, because Paradise Valley has better houses in Scottsdale. But that's what I'm talking about. Oh, Paradise Valley does not have the um, we'll just call it the nightlife Kevin during I mean he made the

right choice by going to Phoenix. I'm I'm really intrigued with this Phoenix team because I feel like, even though we're not talking about it right now, Kevin Durant is a superstar that you can just really pick up and put anywhere. You saw how seamlessly he fuldn't go to the State. You saw what he does every stop he makes. It's seamless. So someone of his magnitude and his scorn

ability to just be able to plot right. And I was with Chris Paul this weekend because he came back and had some off days, and we were at uh Mamba or Sports Sports Academy watching our kids play, and he was, you know, explaining how tough it was obviously to lose mckel and Cam and the tough night they had and in Atlanta, but just to understand that, like you're traded, if it wasn't for Kevin Durant, you'd still be here, you know what I mean. So him kind

of breaking that down to the younger guys. But then on the flip side, after we got through with the you know, the sad part of loose nose guys, He's like, Maddie, we got fuck Kevin Durant. Yeah, you know what I mean. So it's just like, you know, for for Katie to come in, you know and be healthy. I've never seen a last day of the trade deadline go the way it did because of what Kevin Durant did comeing to Phoenix. In fact, if you look back, we were trying to

time before the show. We were like trying to figure out when the last in season trade led to a title. And I covered that Detroit Pistons team when she came in, right, and obviously, to me, that was a game changer because I was where you remember, I just remember that. It just like changed the whole locker room. I don't remember the record they were at or anything, but it made it was just a huge, you know, sheet a sheet. He was probably the most talented player on that squad.

Wasn't the best player in the playoffs, but he was talent wise, and you know, you know how he is changes changes the locker room. Talk about giving you that toughness of thinking you're the bully in the alley, right, Um, not that that team lacked toughness anyway, I've Ben Wallace, but anyway, Clyde Drexler went to the Rockets back in five that was another in season trade that led to a title, and um Marcocguire to the Pistons back in the day. That's it. There's only three times in NBA

history has happened and this is the biggest one. Well, it's definitely the biggest player to go on the radar presented by Draft Kings Sports Book, we were looking at the odds to win the title now. A week ago the Suns were twenty to one to win the NBA week ago, they had no chance. It should have been listed as no chance and book are both of my guys, but they knew they didn't have a chance. Right now, DraftKings now has the Sons right behind the Celtics best

odds to win the NBA title at plus four fifty. So, I don't know, do you think that they're the favorite out West? You were just talking about k D and I agree with you. If you're going to have a guy come in in the middle of the season who's such a presence, it could be a thing to try to mention too. The playing style, except if he's Kevin Durant, because he can play anyway. What I look at Rachel is not obviously you know what Kil's gonna give you.

But I love the Ross pickup and then the T. J. Warren pick up because they lost depth, you know what I mean. So to lose those guys, they lost a lot of depth right now. So to be able to add two more guys that can shoot the ball and score the ball, uh to that team, I think is important. And I always think that Katie is an underestimated defender UM as well. So you know, I don't want to jump on the boat and say this is and that, but I might have to jump on the boat and

say this, this and that, like I'm still okay. So you've got a little doubt about Denver, you just said earlier in the show, So I just say in Denver has to show me, like I said, I think they have all the pieces, and the Phoenix does not have to show you this. Now, I know what book does,

I know what? Uh. And with Katie, it's gonna make CPS job easier because now you've got to think, even though he's a little older, he's going to have the third or fourth best defender on him, so he's going to be able to manipulate the game with the way he does. So. Um, I really like Phoenix as chances if they can be healthy to come out the West.

I like that. I like the fact that Katie has a more stout five man, you know, that he's in the that he's in, the that heca he gets to play with you know, DeAndre and is more of on the bigger side. Uh yeah, slim reaper. I think Claxton in Brooklyn more of the think he had a good year, but more of a thing guy. I'm interested to seeing him with a big guy who can take some of the rand protection and rebounding responsibilities away from k D

let him help on the perimeter and be a secondary defender. Um. I think they added some good pieces, although they lost some lost some depth, and I was happy to see those guys immediately able to contribute to their Well, they're just good. There's good quality guys. Yeah, first and foremost people good people. I mean, they're just good guys. So they were going to go in there with a good attitude, and they're like a should I got created for Kevin Durant,

What are you gonna do? I mean, at the end of the day, it is a business, you know, and if you're realizing that you're a part of the pieces that that equalled up to the Kevin Durant trade. You should be you should wake up. You canna able to tell your grandkids about that. Like I was by myself right when the story gets down, it was just it was and him straight up, what do you do? It's fine. I like that Katie is a multiplier on Chris Paul first and foremost for the reason you just said, in

terms of what defender who's got to defend? But also, look, you and I met go way back with Chris, and we know when his mood and overall sort of sense of being is locked in and when he can really do his best and when things are going on off the court. And it has been very clear to me talking to him and watching him this season that just being away from his family has really it's been hard.

He's been really hard on him. And you can do it for a year or two, but once you're really That's what I asked him this week, and right, it's not to catch off. What are you doing this coming home? Bro? Be your b B in l A. So I mean you hit it on the head. I mean it's tough. This business this grind when you have family that has established, like you know, they live right around the corner from us UM in the valley, and I know for sure

that's way on him. And it was funny. He was like, oh, what do you know one of your rare All Star breaks wouldn't gonna be only He's like, I'm coming on with that light, bro. So I think that's a great point. So if you are away from your family, if you are kind of going through it a little bit, when you go to work and you see Kevin Durant there and you're like, oh shame, we could win a title,

you're then it all feels a little more work. Kevin Durant might make his Chris's family come to Phoenix, just I know a little CEP's gonna when he already told the twins they're going, They're going to all the games and all this kind of stuff that might get Chris's family on Phoenix. I know, I know. I mean, he moved them a couple of times, and I think it just felt like false promises from some of the teams he was with, and he didn't want to move him

again and all of that. But yeah, this could be this could be a long haul lot, but this is, you know, I mean with all, this is Chris's last run. You know, Chris is getting older. I think he has one more year after this year. He's thirty seven. Yeah, he's getting older. I mean time is catching up to him. And you know, Rage, like he said, we go way back with Chris and and in line you know him too. I mean I want to see Chris deserves a ring the work he's put in this game, and hate him

or love him. This guy, I'll take him ten out of ten times going to war, and I think this is his best opportunity outside those Lob City teams and maybe maybe that maybe that Houston team he got hurt with. You know, this is this is his last run right here, and you know I always want to see you know, friends do well guys before we move on with the

rest of the NBA. You guys earlier had a special guest here in the studio before I got here, and I gotta say it was quite a scene because I walked y'all had already set up and now well you go you set up? Yeah, I mean Mercy Miller, you know, shout out to MRP is a friend of the family.

We've been knowing him since we are on college. Um, you know his son, Mercy Miller, who was a junior at Notre Dame right now having a really solid campaign and uh, you know, we had him in and talked about, you know, the legacy his father's left, the footsteps he's following in college in I l there in the midst of the Open Division playoffs right now, uh, and just what life is like. You know, being having a father is a legend. So great, little quick sit down and

I'm sure everyone to enjoy it. Welcome to the show. Mercy Miller, junior guard at Notre Dame and welcome to the show. How are you doing. I appreciate it. You guys are in the midst of the playoffs right now, right so, you guys got a big matchup tomorrow against Centennial. Talk to us about that team and your team and kind of what your role on the team is. Yeah, you know Corona, they've they've been one of the top teams in the country. Our team, Notre Dame, we've been

doing good this year. Up and coming program and we got some guys like KYLEB. Foster, Dusty Stromer. You know, we was Kyle not to cut you off. He was at McDonald's snub, right, yeah, he definitely. Yeah, I can't even watch your guys gave me U c l A uh And I remember it was right after the McDonald's team got announced and everyone's saying he was the snub but dust White Boys nice though. Yeah, Yeah it's our team.

We're pretty good. Uh got Corona tomorrow, so we should go who's their point guard or their Jared McCain because they just beat Sara Kenya, right, they just played this Friday, so you're gonna get something. Jared McCain there, Yeah, for sure, talked to you. Had a viral moment last week, if I'm not mistaken, when you went down the lane and dumped on someone made him fall and everything he talked to us about that. I mean I just had the lane, you know, uh clear for takeoff, and I just went up.

He jumped with me, so I just dunked it. So did you noticed? Did you know immediately you had him? When he kept backing up and you had the lane? Like when you when? When do when do you know that you're about to get a banged out? I mean I just know I was gonna jump and then he jumped with me. So I just you know, I had to dunk it. Let the best man win. Um. For those who haven't seen your game, explain your game in one word. Let's say I'm a dog. So you started

at Okhill Academy in transferred to Notre Dame. What was your experience like and did you leave because the coach left or what was your reason for? So I actually actually started mini ha ha went out of SUP like in freshman year, I went to ok Hill o'kill. You know, you had the coach retire, c Smith. He was a good guy. He recruited me over there. So when he retired, and you know, I just felt the best for me to come back home. Man, come to calt the time

to come out west. Coming back to Calfornia way different. How did you choose what school you were gonna go to? As far as high school? Uh so pretty much. You know, I kind of heard about Notre Dame a little bit. I'll drive by Sherman Knows and stuff, just see it. Then I knew a couple of people who went there, and then and I just decide this is where I want to go. I want to play the best teams. You know, they're in the Mission League. They played all the top teams, and I just felt the best for me.

I love it. So Houston Cougars, huh number two teams in the country right now, How did that decision come about? And who else was in your top five as far as colleges. So Houston, you know there was like one of the first teams to believe in me. Uh So that made you know, it made sense for me. I loved them since I was young. It's been a school I liked. Uh So my dad, my dad actually he went there. So he went there and we went to a couple of games when I was young, like we

would go, uh watch games and stuff. I just kind of fell in love with it. So that's just somewhere I liked. And then, uh when I went to Houston, I played for Houston AU team and then coach Sampson he actually he wasn't there. He seen me on the court after the game. He watched and I think I had like forty five that game and then he seen me, so then he called me. He was like, yeah, I want to give you an offer, and not this new in that moment, that's where I wanted to go. He

felt it else. Uh did you have any other colleges in mind? Or was it just kind of one track because you grew up likeing that team? Uh? I don't know, Like everybody likes the blue bloods like Duk and stuff and they're young. But you know, Houston, I felt once they once they called me, that was definitely. Well. You talked about your pops. I'm sure he'd be trying to

tell you old stories about how you can hoop. Yeah, does he still trying to get out there and play with your He just tell you stories of about how good he was. Na, I mean recently, you know, he's been working with his business and stuff. So I'm gonna try. I'mnna definitely try getting the car him soon. Who's gonna end up being the best. I'm the best. I'm the best. It's already, it's already. I mean, POSSI made the league and I know I gotta go. Yeah. I used to be up to U. C l A bully and all

the light skinned people. I gotta do it now, I gotta do it. That's the what's speaking of? I mean how I mean your father is a rapper business mogul made the NBA. A man of many hats? Um, what is it like growing up? Um? Watching him? And it is obviously we have to see it to believe it, and he pretty much has done everything. So what kind of inspiration that your dad meant to you? You know what I mean? It's it's crazy to see somebody like that,

you know, having at your own dad. It just every day pushing me to want to do something, you know, like to have a dad like him, a man of many, many talents. Uh, He's always coming up with something new. Just inspired me every day. I just want to go pursue my dream. Is there any pressure? I mean he's got to he's got two kids. Yeah, is there any

pressure living up? You know, I know his kids. I feel like our parents did they do a good job and not you know, forcing us to I wanted to like do this, like this is what we wanted to do, right, So I feel it's no pressure. If you really love this, you really want to do this, then you should. You know that you find again I love it. Yeah. You got a chance to play Lebrownie? Right? Yeah? How was that so? Played? Played against him? Uh? You know he's

a good player. He's a dog we grew up together kind of when he came out here in l A. So you know, we've just been friends. Uh. He's a good player, you know what I'm saying. But y'all took him down what twice this year? Then we played him twice, we played him again. It's up and coming Friday, Okay, Uh, then it should be a good game. So how does this Open Division work? Is like a round robin tournament?

Because I think they lost the Centennial, right, so you guys beat Centenna, you guys have a chance to play West Ranch. Uh so pretty much is pool play. So uh, we're in a pool a Corona, Bishop Montgomery and Sierra and then that's us thunder Day. So whoeveryone's out the pool, then you play the other side. Uh so yeah, so if we win, we beat Corona tomorrow, then we beat Sierra, then we'll go to the championship soccer. Yeah. Uh, the

game has changed so much. I mean when we were in college and we got stuff, I'm not saying we did, but it would be considered illegal now with n Ils coming up, Um, you have a few n Il deals, right, talk to us about those and how those came about. Yeah, So one of my most recent n ILS is uh with Reboke. You know, they just they reached out to me. They wanted to do something, and then I was interested too. You know. Uh, my my siblings they love a I

when there is growing up and stuff. So you know, Rebok, it was definitely something I was interested then. And then uh, back in Houston, I'm with this charity program called be a Champion. Uh and then I just you know, it's giving back to the kids. Um. Then uh yeah, that's that's some of the stuff I'm working on right now. And then I'm also with Simply True. You know they're doing in NILS with them too. So you've got some

stuff talk just about. Obviously, hope is in your blood, but business is your blood heavier than So talk to about the stuff you've learned just kind of being around your dad and kind of always being in the business stuff. My dad, you know, he always teaches. Uh. You know, money is worth so much, but also having good credit is worth a lot too. So you gotta have good credit. Um, you gotta have knowledge to you can't just be a

dumb athlete. Knowledge you know, put school and god a bud sports, you know everything else to take care of yourself. And yeah, that's some stuff my dad teaches. I love it. So obviously the NBA is the goal. You've already marked yourself as the best miller outside of basketball because there's so much more to sports now than just actually playing.

What are some other stuff you want to be into once you get to that level, because you see guys that are doing in the league now whatever lead they're in, but they're also doing so much business stuff. What are some kind of business stuff that interest you? Yeah, I definitely when I get to the league and stuff I want to do, no business. I want to run businesses, have other stuff going besides just playing basketball. You know, basketball it doesn't it doesn't last forever. You know you

wanted to, but it can't. So I'm gonna having some businesses for sure. Uh. Just worked on a lot of different stuff, you know, whatever, you know, whatever I find my niche got you or merchanty. Man, we appreciate your time. We know you gotta get to school. You got us on the clock. Best of luck Tom all against Centennial and moving forward in the playoffs, and uh, we definitely have to come check you out. Man, your lucky That was fabulous. And my favorite part is that it wasn't

like a driver who brought him in. It wasn't a babysitter who drove that young man here this morning and then drove him to school after work. Ice cream man, I used ice cream and dropped him all master p And he was a well rounded kid. You would have thought he had media training. I mean, his dad was sitting right across from him, and then like that we were on the time Clode because he had to go back, you know, to get to school. So just saying that

was amazing. The kids well around it. He's thinking about business and basketball and it looks like, you know, Pops is staying on top of him. So he looked I'm excited about his future, and I'm glad we get to get kids before they get to the NBA and they become all stars. I think that's important for what we're doing, tapping in getting in with kids before they become you know, a multimillionaire. So just a little part of the what's

burning habit Ashtreem I like it. Then we're gonna ask to borrow some money since we're in good now once before that, you know, before they come super something shoe he was a rebot. We could use a couple of chucks. We also need a car. I just love that he had the most expensive, richest show for chauffeur. And like all of Los Angeles lengendary moments presented by top Shot, last week, Lebron further cemented his legacy. Right guys, passing Kareem on the all time scoring list. That was that

fadeaway jumper he hit. Tom Shot is going to have that moment coming soon, so you can check that out on the NBA top shot dot com. But man, I wanted to ask of all of Lebron's accomplishments. He said, so many signature moments, what would be the one that you would want top shot moment? Unfair? A fair question, Um, Rachel, to be honest with you, I just think his his brongevity, his longevity. You cannot put that on the top Shot. I would just want a card of him just flexing,

the top shot of him just flexing like this. That's all I want for him to be able to do what he's done. I mean, we all know he has were if we named ten moments, we leave ten probably greater moments out right. Um, so obviously hats off to him for passing Kareem, and I'm glad that Kareem was there to kind of pass the throne, so to speak. Twice. I could give him credit for that. I would say probably his first championship in Cleveland. You could take a

moment from there. Maybe that Iguadala blocks that's fine, all right, so we're all in agreement. So that's the answer, right that block, which, by the way, says something. This guy just became the greatest scorer in all time and and his signature moment is a defensive play. And by the way, the entire time he's been in the league, he's been a past first guy. So he didn't go out when he said that night, he's like, oh, I didn't go out to set the scoring rec He did not go

out to I mean, we know gunners. He was not not a gunner. So I just it's super impressive. And the fact that is all of our top Shop moment like really underscores that. A right, you can all you out there. You can start your NBA Top Shot collection today and be a top shot dot com get closer than ever to the game and the players you love. Guys. Super Bowl this weekend. I know I've got NFC forty Niners fan over there who just wanted to see the

Eagles fall off a cliff. You didn't care what happened, Matt, No, I want to see a good game. I didn't. I'm a Mahomes fan and I like good football. I feel like the Eagles went and kicked our asses, forty Niners. They bullied us. That's what I did, Bro, and just give good credit. Yeah, I know we had our fifteen string quarterback in there, but it just shows how good we were. I wasn't. I want to see a good game, and we definitely got a good game. Brianna, Rihanna was

it was amazing. Um. The first of all, it was good to see re read back on the stage and this, uh, you know, Hove took a lot of flight for being the rock Nation being involved and you know the Super Bowl and what they did with the NFL. But I feel like we got two great performance too, great in a row, Two great performances in a row. The fact

that she did that pregnant suspended. I mean, I'm not trying to stand on this table with with not with you know what I mean, as a grown ass man, you know what I mean, just to see her and just how calm she was and the artistry and the dancing was it was amazing. Uh. I wouldn't say it was the one, you know what I mean, but it was good. It was not Prince, It was not Prince, it wasn't Whitney, but it might have been better than Beyonce could have watched the Bee Hive and follow his

I think she. I think she took the the you can't the pregnant can't be excused no more for her to go out there in front of the world, Hey I'm pregnant. She took that up. I just thought it was great, you know. I mean, obviously her fans have missed her for her to come out and do that, um great again. Jay Z. You know, he took a lot of heat for teaming up with the NFL, but he's given, you know, giving us too great uh performances.

It was funny though, because I had my whole a U teav like maybe thirty or forty people over and some I would you know, some people are watching the game. When I tell you everybody was watching halftime, I'm like, this is the Super Bowl. But when I tell you, all the moms, and even that the younger kids wanted to. I mean just to see. I mean, she's just such a she crosses every dem right, She's just such an icon. So all my I didn't see that. I was like,

by the way, we will see that in ad. That was just so she could then run an ad later about that. Here's what I thought coming out of that. What a damn flex to do that with no guests, because think about the past few years, think about last season, last season, last super Bowl, all the guys that came out, both not just announcement, un announced, all the guests. We've had so many people bring someone out that we bring some and so out. She was like, Oh, no, it's

just me. And by the way, jay Z's here, he's in the audience. But but I'm good enough and you're just getting me. I was so hyped for that. I was like, uh huh, you could probably count on one hand how many people can hold just a Super Bowl

show by themselves. I have a question because a friend of mine got in trouble before it came out that Rihanna was pregnant for saying what A friend of mine got in trouble for saying I think Rihanna is pregnant, and the whole like death stairs turned right away, like, how dare you you know what I mean? She just she did. She did just maybe like three or four months ago or it was that she got she said she got pregnant three or four months after the bit.

I'm sorry, I'm getting it wrong, but yeah, yeah, but he got fried you know, and I and I was going to join it. I was going to join the answer. So you saw before, you saw the frying before I was like, you gotta get fried by. I don't care that she was actually pregnant. The answer is yes, you do not say that about a woman. Okay, period does not matter. I don't care if she's actually pregnant or

not pregnant. It is not your place to comment on and it is not your place to make judgments on her body about oh is she like, oh she she get a little fat or she pregnant? No, so it does not matter. It does not matter if she's actually pregnant or not. That is a off the board. That one was for free. Keep those comments in your head. That was for free, thank you, Rachel. But you know what, I like that score and obviously it was. I'm sure it's because she was pregnant, but also, like Brianna comes,

sometimes she comes out and kind of scanty clothes. Sometimes she doesn't, though. And I have two young daughters. They're eleven years old, and they watched all the Super Bowl halftime shows and look, we all loved it when j Loo and Shakira came out. That show was awesome, But those girls were mostly naked, Like it is nice sometimes for young girls to see that that's not what you have to do to be popular on stage. So I was.

I was really into her outfit visual look, with the levels and the contrast between her and the dancers, the red and the white and all that ship. So just again, I'm sure it was because she was pregnant or that was an element of it, but I was psyched to see her look like that because she is so gorgeous and she is so talented, and to just sort of send that message every once in a while, you don't have to be naked, just every once in a while,

free game, Boom, alright, what's burning? You? All? Available every week Showtime Basketball YouTube and on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at Show Basketball