If Kadi and Lebron called both of you before the playoffs, would y'all sign with l A. A A. Brooklyn? I think it would be an honor, but it's just not in me no more. I try to play in a celebrity uh rams flag football game on the same playfull my fucking my hamstring and my calf. So I'm out the question. But what about you? I'm gonna need two months in advance. I could, but if they asked in a laugh for me,
not at all. My body ain't got it. Would you go to the Lakers and Nets either or you can't move? Welcome back to what's burning? Jackie good? Good? My bro was the word. Man, I can't call it. The weather is nasty over here, but I am good. Let's get right to its. Starting with the week ahead, The Los Angeles Lakers got their first win Sunday night against a tough, young Memphis Grizzly team, balanced scoring six guys in double figures, Carmelo with off the bench, we'll touch on what that
significance means, and Westbrook with thirteen assists. I think my question to you is, with this team being so many new pieces coming together, how long do you feel like it's gonna take for this team to get their footing. I don't think it's gonna take long. You know, you got a whole bunch of events on this team. You've got guys have been dominant and has been all starts for a long time, all on one team. So the basketball i Q and understanding what they have to do
is there. I think they have to collectively grow on defense. They're gonna score points easy. They've got so many guys that can score and have big nights. I think the biggest thing for them is being a cohesive doing it on defense, and I think that's what all of them talking about. And once they focused on that, I think a lot of stfther people talking about now go away. Yeah. I mean, obviously, anytime the Lakers struggle or start off slow, it's gonna the world's gonna end. But see, I don't
think it's gonna come together as fast. I think it's gonna definitely come together. But I think with all the new pieces they've added and key guys still out and guys not playing every single night, I think what they need is just time together, you know what I mean, Like you can't make up chemistry like, you gotta find that and build that on the court. So I think
it's gonna take a little while. I don't think we're gonna see the best Laker team or or the team that is going to make a running for the title. I think until after All Star Break. I think we'll see flashes of greatness here and there. But I still think it's gonna take some time because you've got a lot of key guys missing time in the rotation. And again,
I think it starts on defense with this team. This is a little bit older team, so this is gonna be more of a defensive team defense than actually individual defense. So I think it's gonna take some time to kind of find that rhythm. Let's touch from Russell Westbrook. Um hasn't got off to a very good start Sunday night. He looked a little bit more like hisself, had thirteen assists, but thoughts on rustling and hit him kind of finding
his way on this team. Well, you know, his rhythm is being able to do everything and when he wants to, you know, get to grab twenty rebounds, grab twenty assists and score up thirty points. He used to doing that, but you're on the team now where he got to figure out the thing that he can. He does everything well, but one thing that he can dominate it because you got Carmelo, you got a d you got Dwight. They're gonna get all those rebounds with Lebron, they're gonna get
up most of the rebound. You're not gonna get ten fifteen rebounds to night assists. I think you can do that. You're still gonna have the battle light. He's still gonna be quarterback in the offense and doing all those things. So that I think the assists and the points fifteen and fifteen, I think you can do that. I think the rebounds are going to drop because you have so many guys that rebound on that team now. So just
just try to be a better defensive player. I think I think Russ can pick up his defense and lead on defense because he's been a great defensive pass career. But for the most part, he's just got one of those things that he's that that that kept him average in the triple double is going to go away being on this team, and I think he got to find a way to be okay with that. Yeah, I think his whole thing is he again to piggyback of what's kind of finding his spots. I think he doesn't want
to step on people's toes. There's always been such a narrative about Russ as you can't do this, you can't do that without him. But I think he's finally starting to prove people wrong. But that narrative, I think Russ can do whatever he sets his mind too. But I think he's in a position right now where he's coming to a team with a d Lebron, Uh Carmelo and some some other good pieces. So I think he just needs to kind of find his his pick and choose
his space spaces. And I feel like the first handful of games he didn't want to step on nobody's cells. But Russ has to be Russ um, you know, for the Lakers to get what they need at of him. So again, to me, it's just timing, it's chemistry. I don't think it will take too long because Russ is a good smart player. But again, once this team is
on all cylinders are gonna be scary. Their next five games to try to find some kind of rhythm and footing there at San Antonio at Okay see home versus Cleveland, uh in two verse Houston. So those are all people that they should win, should beat, So we'll see if they can find that chemistry. But again, like you said, I mean, it's just gonna take some time. Definitely on the defensive end. James Worthy says some uh at the end of last week about he wanted to see a
D more in the paint and more dominant. What are your thoughts on You know, a D is as talent as they come. You mostly find them on the perimeter, but last game he actually did get in the post a little bit more and he was unstoppable. Thoughts on him kind of mixing more of the inside out game, Uh, to be more dominant. I think I think James Worth is right to me, Um, I think it needs to be in paint majority of the time, like all the time. You have a different team. Now you are, you have
to you can beat him Duncan. Now you can catch the ball on the block, take your time, post up every play and if they double anything, you have people to kick it out to all over the court. Yeah. So I think I think now more than ever, he needs to be watching Tim Duncan film. You know what I'm saying. Embracing the double teams and just being dominant. And uh, James reddon know what he's talking about. If anybody talking about that, a D needs to be in
the paint, you know, James Redd is right. Yeah, No, I definitely agree. I think just today's game pushes all of the skilled big to the perimeter and they take a lot of time out that. Not that he's not effective, but there's no one in the game that can stop him down on that block. So you know, with Dwhite and and and DeAndre Jordan not really being go to guys down on the block, a D can definitely be that guy for them. Continuing on with the look ahead,
we have the Hawks versus Sixers playoff rematch. Ben Simmons has stepped away from the game a little bit to get his mental clear. Can that bridge be repaired even if he clears his mental over there in Philly? I mean, I mean I'm the person to ask, Trust me, I know about player step on the way to get their meant to clear. Roan did it to us right in training camp, so I know how they go. But with Ben,
I don't know if it can be repaired. You know, you've got guys that that like a another guy saying that all you gotta do is come in and play and and and do his job, and the fans accept the back and love them. But I don't. I don't think that because I think he's mentally checked out, you know what I mean. He's not just mentally he's just not physically physically not there. I think he's mentally not there either, you know what I mean. And that's why it's cool for him to be away from the team,
because his mind is somewhere else. I don't. I don't think it'd be fixed, man. I think he I think he has to make it. They have to make a move. They're talking to Kyrie Ben Simmons move, you know, all types of stuff like that. But he has to go. Man. I don't think that the relationship can be repaired, especially after the things um ob and beat that said. You know, he tried to fix him up with saying he still his brother, but at the end of the day, he heard what you said the first time and he got
he won't he won't be able to erase that, right. Yeah, I I don't. We're paid to not give a funk with the fan and think, you know, so who cares what the fans say, boo, This isn't that on your home court. It's the internal things that to me makes me seem like this is an unfixable situation. You know,
we've obviously everyone's touched on it. You know what Doc said at the end of that that series would inb just says a few times and again he tried to, you know, cover it up, or fix it or or mend it when he took the mic the other day and said that he's still their brother. But again, when you're not wanted by the by by the people in
the locker room, that's when it is unreparable. So you know, to me, it's on Darryl Morey and Elton Brand to move him, you know, because they're definitely gonna get something for him. I think what's held this process up as they really thought that he would change his mind, but obviously he has checked out. And if a player is
not mentally there, you're not gonna get that done. A Minute's really just going to continue to hold the team back because now every day the team has held hosts with Ben Simmons questions instead of focusing on who the funk they're supposed to be playing, so you know, for being man, take your time. You know this mental that, this this ship is a lot. The game is different now, players are different now, and in mental health is real. So he stepped away from the game to clear his
my Some people agree, some people disagree. At the end of the day, it's his decision. But I definitely feel like the bridge is burned and they need to make a move before we go forward. Though you know they coherst him into saying Ben still our brother, because one, they can't trade him if be not playing, you know what I'm saying, And too they got they paying him why he's somewhere else, children on vacation with the gender girl. So I don't know, bro big brand, too big brand.
But with with Simmons gone, obviously Embadies your go to bias Harris, is that that second guy who is the third guy? You know, Seth Curry had a great game the other day, I think three in the first quarter which Matt only only his brother's Steph had topped him at twenty five for the most points in the quarter this year. Uh, Maxie is coming on strong. You've got green over there in your eyes. Who can be that third option if Ben Simmons is not available for the
for the foreseeable future. It's gonna be hard to say, but I think for the for the most part, I think they you know, they can go twin Towers and try to throw drumming there and let him be dominant and pick up a bigger role. And I know Seth Kurr is gonna do what he do. He's getting off to a great start and he can. He can't be
that guy. But for the most part, I think to help out this team to get for a guy that can go in and dominate rebounding wise and uh, dominated around the basket along wouldn't be I think John could be that guy. M Moving on to the Hawks. I like this team. You know, they obviously surprised the world last year by the run they made and they really
weren't healthy, uh, particularly with their young guys. Uh. You know someone you and I are both high on, Cam Reddish Hunter Danovich, Collins Capella, you know Trades that the head of that snake. I really like this young team and what the what they built in the culture they're building around there. What is the buzz around Atlanta with this team and they can't. They're they're ready for this season to kick off. Everybody's excited about this season. Call
you said, Cam Reddish is healthy. Uh, now we both know nothing. Nothing like coming into a season now that you get your big contract. Collins got his money. Experience is the best teacher this team. This team had a great season last year. They went through injury, they went through ups and downs, they went through loss in the playoffs. So this year, with Nate coming in being secure on his job as well, I think they're gonna they're gonna really shock some people and have a better season and
last year. I mean, the East is tough, but I definitely like what they've built over the Atlanta. Moving on Halloween Sunday, Jazz versus the Bucks. Both teams are expected to have a big season. Obviously, the Bucks coming off a championship. Uh, the Jazz coming off of this disappointing, disappointing second round loss in the playoffs. In your eyes, can they defend the title? I think they can, but
I don't think they will. They definitely have to defend it because they will defend the champions But I don't know, Matt, because not having guys like p Ja Tuck on that team. It's gonna hurt. I think he was. He was a big asset to that team as far as being the dog, being the guy that that can go in there and just and just make things dirty, muff things up on
on any start that comes in the arena. Now it's gonna have to be Middleton, and that's gonna take away from his offense, and he's not used to doing that. He's just not He's a good defender, he's a great competitive two way player, but he's not PJ Tuck on the defensive ent. I think that's gonna I think that's gonna hurt them at the end. And I think I also think not having p JA Tucker um not only just in a regular season, but when they come into
games count Matt. That's what I'm really talking about, you know what I'm saying. In the playoff games they didn't have they don't have p JA Tucker gets Katie in the playoffs, they don't win that series. So not having him, it's gonna be he's gonna be a higher harder to attach for him to come back and try to repeat the champions. No, I completely agree with with p J Tucker and for the casual fan. You you know, everyone looks at stats, but there's so much more to the
game than actual stats. And you know how you can be effective on the court and change the dynamic of the game without necessarily scoring a lot of pointing And p J. Tucker was definitely one of those guys. Um looking at Utah, I mean, this team has, you know, a great coaching Quinn Snyder there the number one team in the West last year, riddled by injury cords the end of the season. Mike Conley's back and healthy. Talked to him the other day. He's in this fifteenth year.
Donovan Mitchell looks as good as the uh, you know, defending Defense Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. Is Is this the year this team can make the jump and represent the West? No? I just don't think so. I mean, they have a great team, They have a great regular season team. But I know, I just know Matt you know, Donovan Mitchell is a beast, you know what I mean.
But I love Quint Snyder, but you you have guys that can make shots in the regular season, and they just can't make them when they come down to the semifinals. All the finals, all the Western Conference finals. You know, it's just it's just different games, you know. And I don't see them having that guy, you know, they need that, They need a third guy. To me, they need another star then come in. They take a little pressure off off Donovan Mitchell. I like all the other guys. I
like bon Donovich. He can shoot the ball, he makes big shots, but at the end of the day, his game is still limited. This is a good team, like I said, a great regular season team, Matt, but I just don't see them being there when we were watching teams playing for the trophy. I love also Jordan Clarkston to the raining six man. I'm a big fan of Jordan Clarkston. But that's one who's coming off the bench. And I said this last year and when I was on ESPN, and I got so much fucking hate on
social media from it. But like you said, I think they need that consistent and as Mike Conley kind of past that point of his career where they had that consistent second game score, that's what you need every team. If you look at every team that made a real run, they had at least two guys that were gonna give you twenty every night, and I don't really feel like this team has that again. Jordan Clarkson is capable of it,
but he's coming off the bench. Who is going to be that starter that when Donovan Mitchell rests or Donovan Mitchell is not really going can carry the load. And I still don't think they have that again. Mike Colley in the past has been that in his career, but he's in his fifteenth years been troubled by injury the past few years. I don't know if that's still, you know, in his repertoire. So we'll have to see a great showdown Halloween night. Make sure you enjoy that after you've
done before or after you've done trick or treating. Jack, Are you trigging or treating this Halloween? Yeah? But hey, but I'm I'm eating this one. Next up on the Radar, presented you by DraftKings, Big match up Friday Night, Luca versus The Joker MAVs Verse Nuggets last year's MVP The Joker. They have him on as fifteen to win, odds to win it this year and again favorite to win m VP. They have Luca at four to one. Before we talk
about these teams. Jack. Uh, if you were to pick one of those two guys to win MVP, who would it be? Kevin Durant. I'm just saying. I'm just saying these odds. They must be doing it. They must be doing these odds. Matt with with with just uh, they just assuming that Katie gonna play half the season or something. You know what I'm saying, What if he played the
pull season? What if Braun played the pull Sea. We got other guys that we considering Greek freak, We got other guys that we consider the best in the game right now. So I don't I don't like these odds at all, But just for the sake of the conversation, I'm gonna pick Luca. Luca's a Stashi stuffer. He's one of the best players in the game. He does it all, he's exciting to watch, and he's gonna get this team to the playoffs. So I say, Luca, I'm not mad
at that. Yeah. If I were to pick at the two, and really Joker was the first big to win it. In a minute, I want to say, since Shack on it, this is really a guard driven league now, so obviously has out the Joker will be able to grab that last year. But yeah, if I had to pick out of those two, I would definitely picked Luca. But again, if I had to pick in the league, I'm picking k D. I think he's on the mission this year. Their team has started off a little slow, but I
definitely think they'll find their footing. Hopefully they figure out the Kyrie situation. We'll talk about all that later. These two teams. Um, did Dallas do enough in the offseason to get better? Uh? When did Jamal Murray expected back? Because I think if Jamal Murray rejoins his team and could be anything that he was in the past, this Denver Nugget team is gonna be scary. Yeah. Also, I think Tim Duncan wanted to have to check but I think, man,
they need they start. Man, they need they start. He got to get back on the court bad. They need Murray ad just just from what he did in the bubble bro. I think everybody's anticipating to him coming back and and seeing even if he could do that for a full season, you know what I'm saying, their own arena, you know, just just just in the full NBA season. But for the most part, they can get him back, They're gonna be They're gonna be a problem because Yoka
is unstoppable. I just need Murray back to with the dynamic of him and yokas together and everybody else a fall in line. Yeah, and then too. You know another kid that got his rookie max extension, Um, Michael Porter Jr. Someone we both like. Um, he's definitely gonna have to step his game up as far as consistency. He shows flashes of greatness. To me, I've always been a big fan of this kid, So I'm excited to see you
know that. To me, that's their three headed monster. Then you also add Aaron Gordon in the mix, and uh the other pieces they have, Jeff Green, so on, so forth. So this Denver team is gonna be interesting as far as the MAVs go. I mean, lucas a monster, But I don't really know if Porzingis is ready to really be his robbin or not. We'll have to wait and see. But uh, that's should be a good match up Friday night.
Make sure you guys check that sh it out. Next up, my new favorite segment, Secure the Bag, presented you my money line. Chicago Bulls are off to A three and those start. They made some key free agent acquisitions this year, Jack picking up Lonzo Ball to mar de Rosen, Alex Crusoe. Ball is averaging fourteen points, seven rebounds, five assists right now. De Rosin's at twenty one point, six rebounds, four assists. I love what they're doing over there. They play with
a lot of energy. Let's talk about that team real quick. What are your thoughts on the Bulls. I like them, especially in the East. I like the energy D bring. It's a new look for all these guys. I think all of them are playing free and it's new environment. A lot of times we know how how a new environment helps basketball players. I've been one of those guys. So it's a good look for him, Matt and it's it's it's surprising, but it's a good look to see what they'll be able to do in the East. Yeah.
I love Alex Caruso. I think he's one of probably the biggest spark plug in the game right now. I know the Lakers are definitely gonna miss in this year to go along with Zach Levine and Vossovic. Let's touch on was this a smart investment or not? Alonzo Ball signed a four year eighty million dollar deal. Obviously he secured the bag. Good investment or questionable investment? Great investment, great investment, you got you got. You gotta spend that
money somewhere. You spend it on the solid point guard that that that has a high basketball i Q. That's only gonna get better, that's starting to come into its own with it. He had a lot of pressure on them coming too the league, and I think all that's fallen off of now. I think Chicago he's going to be great. Um, definitely definitely deserve that contract money well spent. Yes, great investment to me, I think we're gonna finally see the Alonzo Ball. We all knew he was capable of being.
Obviously the Lakers, we know what happened there. Uh, New Orleans didn't really get along too much in the in in that system. Um, although Zion Williams really did not want him to go. Now in Chicago again, this team plays fun, free, fast, that's his style of play. He's running the show. Uh So, definitely great investment. Next up our man to Martin Rosen keeps getting bag. He signed a three year, eighty two million dollar deal. Already know what your answer is gonna be on this, but I
have to ask it. Great investment or questionable investment? Great investment man, definitely great investment. Um, if you can get a guy like de Martin Rosen uh Med rage killer guaranteed to get you twenty one to twenty five points a game, gonna compete and the big shot maker. Um, you know, I like it. I like it all of
it around. Yeah, agreed. Another great investment of veteran presence, who's who who's been through the battles can help this younger team and with some guidance and veteran leadership along with his play. Um to me, I think that the Bulls are a top three at worst top four UM in the Eastern Conference. I'm excited to see if they can stay healthy with this team could do. Make sure you check out our brother Dion Taylor, one of the hottest new black directors in Hollywood. His episode is dropping
this Thursday, October. Enjoy the teaser. Who are your film influences? Spike Lee? John sings in at him and specific films? Are song or artists who expired you to Mont John? You know I knew John very well. Rest in Peace. Incredible man. I only got to know him for a short time. I met John in a very weird way. I met John at an event and uh, I had end up talking about a couple of films that I was trying to put together at the time, and Free
Agents was one of those films. And I had just finished doing the movie called Supremacy rehearsal Ali and Danny Glover, and I was getting washed with that film. Man like, we had made this incredible movie and we could not find a distribution for at home for I'm like, man, what is going on? He pulled me to the SIDEHI was like, man, this is just what the business is for you as a black filmmaker. A couple of months later, I was like, I don't want to do no more
serious films. I would have did this movie Meet the Blacks. And John was the first person to call me opening Night and Meet the Blacks and sent me a picture of the ticket. He was like, Nigga, this the funny shit out of Sea, and I remember just being like, damn, this is crazy. Got on the phone with him and you know, and kept in touch with him. But he was always a great person in terms of like not always but over the course of time, he would always pop up at the right time to say something great,
you know what I mean. And but John is a huge influence because I love what he was about. But I really really love the brandon of Tyler Perry obviously, you know, doing it his own way, building his own thing. But I'm a giant Stephen Spielberg fan. Man, I think Spielberg is incredible just for the simple factor what I told you earlier, Like I love the fact that, you know, although he's not a black man, I love that he
jumped genres and did it the right way. So you think of color, purple, think of et you know what I mean. Like, these are completely different films and Jaws, you know. And I just love that. Man. I've always been like, man, I'm gonna be ever to be that prolific as a black filmmaker in the space. We have a very special guest for you guys today. L hef A Stephen Espinoza, President of Showtime Sports. Steve Man, thank you and your busy schedule for making time to talk
to me and Jack today. I just I just wanted to make real clear from the outset, this was a lot of requirement. It's a lot forced upon you. There's legitimate I'm a legitimate guest here there. You got's what I'm talking about. But hey, Jack, But Jack, when you know when you got l president and your show, that means your show is doing well and it's not going nowhere. Just just having them on our show ext hell a little bit, we got a little sense of security. Absolutely. Hey,
well let's get to it. Steve, you came on set one day when we when we had ad reads and we were trying to do the Homeland ad reads. What were your thoughts after hearing me funk up eighteen times? And Jack have to catch yourself a few times. Where did you think the future of this show was going, if there was a future for it. Uh, Look, it didn't change my idea of the future of the show. I just look, everybody has their strengths. You know, everybody's
good at everything. So you know, it's sort of like, you know, all all that big team around you, they're excellent at bringing out you, putting your position to succeed. That just wasn't a position in which you were succeeding. Right, Hey, I don't. I still don't. Hey, I still don't think I know how to say it was that Manny how you saying many Patinkin. Yeah, see, I I couldn't get it. It It took me like eight nine shots. And in the boss is sitting right there, I'm like, funk, we
might not have a job. We get done that damn it. But uh but but on a real note, you know, tell me your thoughts. Obviously, Showtime Basketball being fairly new before we jumped on board. Um, you know you guys struck gold. We struck gold would have been your thoughts over the last two years of the growth of the show heading into season three. I mean, being completely candid, Um, you know, we had high hopes for the show, but this has exceeded everything we really could have wished for. Um.
And I'm not saying this because I'm on with you guys. Um, I've said it many times. I mean, you guys are one of the top sports podcasts. You got there within the first year, and you know you've arrived because I I hear this all the time. I'm not sure people say it to you, but I get pictures all the time from people saying, well, it's the it's the all
the smoke of club. You know, we want to be the All the Smoke of the NFL, you know, and when you start setting the stage, when you start, you know, setting the curve for everybody else, you know, you've made an impact in a very very crowded field because as you guys know, you know, that's the biggest challenge in podcasting is how do you you stand out? And you
guys have hit it out of the park in that respect. Yeah, Um, coming November four, the best of All the Smoke returns to the actual showtime linear Um tell us a little bit about that. You know, we always envisioned this that in success, it would incubate other projects, you know, and and doing the best of on the channel is sort of is an easy one. And even you know, regular fans of this show, we've seen these, you know, I hear really good feedback because we're packaging them up a
little bit, you know, differently. You know, fifteen episodes every Thursday starting November four, you know, paired with Jesus and Marrow, and you know, this is an opportunity to sort of, you know, put a slightly different format, revisit some of the best of y'all stuff, and we're happy to do it. It it belongs on the network. One thing that I really love over here, and obviously shout out Brian Daley who's listened to this right now. I just love the creativity.
I think. You know, like you said, Stephen, we're able to package stuff up a little different, you know what I mean, We're not just giving you the same raw cut of something else, but we're able to package it up, slice it up and different. And then and the one thing I appreciate it we've I mean, to me, we're more than a podcast, and I think we've continued to
prove that. But you guys have allowed us to be creative within this space because like you said, there's hundreds of thousands, if not millions of podcasts out there, and I think what obviously Jack and Eyes Dynamic is special. But you guys allow us to be creative within this space, and to me, that's what continues to allow us to raise the bar. And now people are trying to emulate what we're doing. You're you're right, calling you a podcast
is starting under selling it. Um, what you guys have done, either with Irison Classic or starting to highlight HBC used, Um, you know that's that's not just sitting down in front of the microphone and go and stream of consciousness. Um, you guys are creative types and again exceeded our expectations. UM. You know Bryan Daily was when he brought it to me, he was he was sort of your your biggest advocate,
and we had high hopes. Um. But again you guys have exceeded that, not just in and what you've achieved, but in the creative what you're bringing to the table outside of the podcast. KG doc um premiers Friday, November twelfth. What was your first impression of KG when you met him? And we can what can people expect from this doc as well? Two questions. Well, it's funny you guys know
no kge, so feel free to disagree. But you know, there's there's a lot of guys who on the field and off the field, or on the court and off the court, are different guys. You know, some guys transform you step you step onto the court, you transformed into your alter ego. UM. You know Dame Lillard, you know he's a he's a beast on the court. He's pretty quiet off the court. Um. KG. I was surprised to find out when we first met him. Um, he's he's
that guy. Twenty four hours a day. I feel like KG rolls out of bed just hype to be up in the morning, talking loud in your face, you know, intensity, and you know it's just it's it's great energy. I met him strangely enough, when we were on an NBA trip. It was a preseason trip. The Nets were touring China and we were all on a flight from from JFK to UH Shanghai or Beijing, and I got introduced in
that flight and we just started talking boxing. Pretty soon they had to separated us because we were making too much noise and keeping the rest of the plane apart. And think that's when, uh, you know, that's when at that point, you know, we started talking about the dock and now probably five six years later we started talking about seriously, and you know, at this point, you see it's a good reminder, you know, Kg. It's been so
long since KG came into the league. People have forgotten what a trailblazer he was, whether it's financially, whether it's you know, setting the stage for more players to come from high school, the kinds of things that he did. I mean, AI gets a lot of credit rightfully so that KG was the same kind of trailblazer. Agreed. Shout out to our guy, Eric Newman. Been working diligently for
a long time on this, on this KG dot. We know it's dropping dex follow up questions, what what can we what what what can our fans and what can we what can our fans expect from this? Uh, it's the personal side. I mean, there's there's one thing, you know, we probably could have done a eight part doc with KG aside from his energy. You guys know, he's he's got to be one of the best storytellers I've ever
recounted anything. I mean, the way he tells stories, you just sit there and before you know it, it's a forty five minute story and you're on the ground laughing and crying and thinking. And that's that's what it is. I mean, it really is the toughest part of making that talk is figuring out what goes in and what doesn't go in, because you know, you've got three or four docks, you know, in his life, absolutely two is gonna be a big you know, big time for Showtime sports,
Showtime Basketball in particular. We're welcoming Paul Pierce to the family. KG is already the Mixed kg's got a podcast coming out. Can you speak to some projects that our fans should be expecting In two I'll go into slightly different direction, but i'll bring back to you. We have a John McEnroe dock h you know, coming up, and that's one that really hasn't been visited in you know, in a really heavy duty, full way. And I sort of feel like McEnroe was the Matt Barnes or Stephen Jackson of
tennis at that point. You know, he was you know, he didn't care what you thought. He went out there did things his way. Um, it's been a whild look, that's early eighties was his real heyday. And people think about tennis and it's you know, the white outfits and having tea at Wimbledon and things like that. That's not John mcilrolle. You know, John McEnroe was. It was a g I mean, all you have to do is go
to the garden and see what kind of hero. You know, mclroe is still to this day to now how he sort of changed tennis and and actually became a New York City icon. That's hard to do as a tennis player. Right, We've got another one from from Kevin Durant which is right up your guys alle. Uh. He did one for us last year on PG County and looking at you
know how that became a breeding ground for some great players. Uh, he's looking at you know, he and his partner, which Kimen, are looking at New York City point guards, you know, in that history, and more interestingly, like asking the question why you know we can all think of when you say New York City point guard, there's a particular type that you can think of, and why is that? You know, And there's there's a lot of reasons sort of about New York City and growing up and playing in the
city and what kind of game you developed here? Mm hmmm, I like that like that and then uh kg podcast, Am I hearing that correctly as well? Same thing. You know, there's just so much good content. It's it's it's a waste. You know, it might end up being the world's longest podcast. I don't know how to put that down. You know, it just might be a continuous stream of consciousness for hours and hours on end. But it won't be boring,
that's for sure. Speak to obviously, I felt like it was unjust m Paul Pierce was let go of ESPN, um, you know, for stuff they thought didn't fit on brand. UM. I think he was a great pick up for our team and our family speak to what we can see expect from Paul Pierce. I feel like the truth is is a great nickname. Um. You know, obviously it applied to him on the court, but he fits in right in with you guys and a lot of our other talent, a lot of other programming where he's not afraid of
the truth um. And where a lot of guys when that happened with that, that sort of thing happened, and and he left ESPN, a lot of guys would have shut down, UM, not Paul Pierce. He you know, he addressed it, addressed it continuously, wasn't apologetic, you know, and he was just you know him, you know. And we're happy to give him another opportunity because he's a unique voice. Absolutely, And last but not least, the education of Matt are
absolutely what's up with that? Hell haf a? Like I said, look, this, that was more than we bargained for. We didn't know we were going to get a TV Star scripted series gotta gotta roll in there. Couldn't do it without Stack as well. And I don't think there's anything like it in television. I can't think of another one, uh that's like it because it's not it's not really about sports. Um, it's about a guy who played sports, but a really a really interesting guy dealing with the transition from one
part of his life to another. And again it's it's all real like this stuff, you know. It's one of those situations. One of the things that I say sometimes about boxing is it's hard to do a good fictional movie about boxing because the stuff that happens in real life is way crazier than anything you can make up fictionally. And that's I think that applies to me Barnes life. We don't need to make stuff up. Let's just take
the stuff right, it's actually happening, and that's an interesting series. Right. Yes. Now, I'm excited, man, to be starring and producing, uh in my own show on this platform, and it's been a dream come true. So again, we appreciate that Jack is gonna be obviously right right there alongside of me making his acting debut as well. So man, we're excited to get to work to that uh early next year. Moving on to boxing, How has the boxing landscape changed since
you came into it and what is it like present day? Well, look, it's sort of it's the same thing, um that is affecting society and other sports. And I'd say the biggest thing is social media, um, and not just the existence of social media, how it's changed the dynamic It is given athletes in general, um, an independence on autonomy, an ability to sort of directly engage, build their fan base, get their story out, and and and really even monetize it.
You know, starting with college now all the way through your career. It so no longer as a fighter reliant on promoters and traditional media to be able to get his story out, to build a fan base, to speak his truth. And I think that's a really powerful thing. Um. Now it's gone already so far that you know, now you have people who have built huge fan bases, like a Jake Paul, who have now used that to leverage their way into the sport. I would never have predicted that. Um. Look,
I think it's an interesting development. There's definitely a lot of interest out there in the business, but that would not have been possible without social media. Agreed, Let's talk about these Philly fighters, two guys that I'm close friends when guys and fans of jaredy and Its and Stephen cool boy Fulton. What do you think about these guys
in the fights they got coming up Philly? Philly has a great history, you know, you talk about New York City point guards, and you know, there are certain guys that come to mind, whether Roder Strickland or Kenny Anderson and Mark Jackson. When you say Phil the fighter, you think of a gritty, tough guy. Joe Fraser, Bernard Hopkins, like probably the two biggest names UM. And in Jeron Ennis and Stephen Fulton, you have two of the guys who could very well be carrying the sport over the
next few years, I mean my money. And Jeron Ennis is arguably you know, the best fighter under you know in the sport UM and it's gotten really tough to get him fights, you know, because that's not he has not shown a weakness yet. You know. Stephen Fulton is a really exciting young fighter as well. He's in a big fight on November unifying the title against Brandon figaroa UM. You know, and you talk to these two guys. You know, Steven's a you know, a big personality. Gern is a
little bit more reserved. But once they're in the ring, you see the dog, and the dog comes out and that's where you see that Philly fighter. November six, shout out to Islaia and Carter Barns. They will be thirteen that day. But also another important thing on that day is Canello steps back in the ring versus Plant. Uh what intrigues you most about this matchup? The consensus pound for pound number one fighter in the sport, you know,
pretty clearly the biggest draw on this court. It's it's the opportunity to see you know, Lebron step query of boxing. But this particular fight, um, the first time we've got an undisputed hundred and sixty eight pound champion at least potentially. Never been anybody in that division that has done that before, had all four belts, and it's only been happened across any division six times at all. So you know people complained too many champions. Well, look, whoever wins that fight,
you know they are the champion. They've got all the belts division, and that's a big thing for Canello even with everything he's accomplished, and it's even a bigger thing Plant to be on the world stage. But the interesting thing about Plant is we we don't know how good he is. You know, he is undefeated, um, but he has not faced anyone in the caliber of Canelo, So I don't think anybody can really tell you what's going to happen. You know, Canelo is obviously only got the
one loss to Void Mayweather. He's been dominant elsewhere. Um, But here we go, we have a little bit of an unknown quantity. You know. They're only way to tell how good a guy is you put him in with an elite fighter and see what happens. Yes, certain, well, Steve, thank you, and um, I think Jack will see you at the fight in a couple of we'll see sir. The boys my best, Matt appreciate it. Next up one of our other favorite segments. I just like talking about
the bag. I love when these guys are getting their money. I need some of it. Past thems that ship over here. We got fan questions. Jack go ahead and started off fad questions, Young Dot King KP. Who do you think was the biggest nub in the top seventy five list of all time. Oh, I mean, there's there's been much debate about this. Uh. To me, the top guys uh in the conversation should be Dwight Howard, Tracy McGrady, and
Clay Thompson. If I'm forgetting the one forgive me to me, all three of those guys should have been in there. I think d White because we're in such a what have you done for me lately that everyone forgets how dominant this dude was for the first nine ten years of his career until you know, until he had that bad back injury and rushed back with the Lakers. Uh, to me, he was one of the scariest dominant big
men we've seen. Tracy McGrady an instant bucket, riddled by injury throughout his career, but tremendous score when he was on the court. And then what the fund can you say about Clay Thompson? This dude is a winner. Uh does his job to a t one of the greatest shooters we've ever seen. You know. When I was looking at that list, Jack and obviously to be on that this is a tremendous thing, but was reading about some
of the older players. And you never really want to knock none of the older players, but some of those dudes couldn't play in today's game period, or couldn't even play back when we played it. Just their game wouldn't translate. So you you know, when you see guys like the White and t mac and and and Clay missed the cut because they put some of these older guys in there, although they were you know, beneficial for back in the day.
If we're just talking about the seventy five straight ballers that they're supposed to represent this league, some of those old head shouldn't have been on there. In my opinion. Well, I I agree with you, Matt, and you have everybody around the basketball we're calling this guy the most skilled complete player of all time as a point guard, and how is he not on there? And I guess people just you know, they love you one minute, they hate you, they love you again. But how is Kyrie Irban not
on his level? Yeah? I forgot you know what I'm saying. You know what I mean, like like like these people are stuck in that they're just stuck in in the now and just just on some bs. But there's no That's why I say, I don't. I don't really pay attention mat because me personally, it's about thirty motherfucker's on that list that I would have bust they ad you know what I'm saying. So so I don't want to have to cut you off. Let me ask you this.
Do you think that Kyrie was snubbed due to nothing on the court, but maybe some of the off the court stuff in your personal opinion? No question? If you're talking about basketball, how could he not be right? I agree, I definitely forgot Kyrie, but I mean skill wise, people not working with him, so I mean He's lists are crazy. I always see and I hate to see it because I mean, obviously I worked for ESPN, so I appreciate
that check. But the list they be coming up with, like I just laugh at those lists sometimes, like who's picking these fucking lists? Obviously it's people who haven't played. To me, I want to know the qualifications for the
people who are picking these. I don't know, list is is whatever, But you always see, like I said, the ESPN list is always ranking people and had Kobe like at the backside of ten one time, and it's just to me, like they need certain people with certain qualifications to make these kind of lists, because sometimes I think people who never touched the game, and although you could be a reporter or I think they's gotta be more players picking these lists because we were the ones out
there grinding, fighting and have a different appreciation and respect for these guys night and night out. So those lists are hard to make, obviously, And and it's been such a talented league. Uh, you know, there's gonna be a lot of snubs every time you make a list, but you know, obviously those are four notables that should have definitely been on the list. Next up Lepertron Chris. Who was a player who's under the radar that can be
a star? A good question? Uh, the player that's under the radar that could be a star, that's a good question. M I'll let you answer that one first, but I gotta thank you. I'll start actually now shout out the Sacramento Kings since they're paying me. I got a new job over there. Game game. Uh. But as far as players, I like, they got a young kid out of Baylor, man Davean Mitchell, and I've been able to see him
up close these first few games. And when I tell you, Jack this motherfucker is probably one of the best on ball defenders um I've seen in a long time. He's matched up with Dame and and and c J. His first game definitely held his own. Uh Donovan Mitchell, who's someone he looked up to. He gave Donna Mitchell fits the other night guarded steph uh really well uh the
other night. So to me, I think this kid who for rookie to come in on the with the defensive focus and be able to be that effective because you know, obviously defense is the hardest cut thing to kind of pick up rotations and coverages and all that kind of ship when first come in the league, and this kid, it's second nature to him. And talking to the coaching staff over there, they said, this kid is really talented on the offensive end. Two once he kind of finds
his footing. So give this kid to me two or three years and and I think Davean Mitchell out there in Sacramento is gonna be a star. Nice We'll stay. We'll stay with that one. At tyler n seven Underscore Proudest Father Moment, y'all have experienced ps best podcast out there, no question. We appreciate the Tyland this ninety seven score. Man, appreciate the little appreciate you t uh father moment. Man, I get him every all the time, you know, you know,
being a father's great um. But I just think, um, my run with the with the Warriors at the end, you know, being hurt, um and not getting to play in the playoffs, but being a part of that championship team. My favorite part was that the twins were along for the ride the whole entire time. I think Steve Kerr touched on that um when I had a chance to interview him. But you couldn't tell these kids they didn't win a championship and they weren't on the Warriors when
we were on that stage. They were trying to check the m v P trophy from KD, trying to take the championship trophy from staff. They were all over ESPN. So just to see give my kids a chance to be experiencing, uh, you know what it's like to be at the top of the top of the food chain. Um, that was really dope moment for me and the boys. Uh for me, I have so many I have a lot as well because I have a lot of girls. You're a lot of you a lot of kids period. Yeah,
five girls, man, so I think uh probably. Um. The one I can't remember most is my family celebrates Thanksgiving every year and they say whatever, everybody says what they thankful for. My daughter says she thankful for everyone if her dad always have enough back. That meant a lot to me, you know what I mean? My daughter said was my daughter was seven years old, and it made the whole house cry. So so yeah, that was done.
Those those touching moments are always going extra way. And call me Kawan, where do you think Ben Simmons could be moved two that would benefit him and the Sixers other than Portland's good question. I mean the only thing I could think of is you know Kyrie. I agree, and I think I don't know. Maybe what scares them to move the situation is do you mean you know what Kyrie brings you when he's locked in and on
the court. But again, we respect people for their decisions with the with the vaccination and that just may not be an option for them. So I mean, I think Ben Simmons over in Brooklyn would be scary. Definitely be scary. I mean, you know a lot of talent around him, another big body that can handle the ball, move the ball, get the ball to the score. So that's the only team that really comes to mind, although I'm sure there's some other teams out there to work, but that's what
comes to mind for both of us. Last fan question, your boy l Ray. If k D and Lebron called both of you before the playoffs, would y'all sign with l A. Brooklyn. I think it would be an honor, but it's just not in me no more. I haven't. Man, I'm coming up on five years where I haven't really done no ship like that. So I try to play in a celebrity uh Rams flag football game like a month ago, bro, And I was telling myself the whole time,
just you know, pace yourself, pace yourself. I was doing good, Like right before halftime on the same play, pulled my fucking my hamstring and my calf. So I'm out the question. But what about you? You still you still work around a little bit, you could do it still? Well, let me say this is Matt. I'm gonna need two months in advance to get my body right. But if I, if I really had an opportunity just to play like ten minutes, twelve minutes, something like that. Just going to
shoot threes and defend a little bit. I could, but if they asked in a laugh for me, not at all. My body ain't got it. What team would you go? Would you go to the Lakers and Nets? Um? Either are? You can't lose? Right straight up? Closing thoughts, We gotta welcome someone to the family, one of my brothers, Jelanni Jerome McCoy. Welcome ro Ro joins as a content creator development partnerships across all Showtime Basketball. You know they say, when you know, when you make moves, you gotta bring
your folks with you, you know what I mean? And I think that this is definitely one of those things. You know, Gilani has been with me for a minute. Uh. I like to call him, you know, obviously uh an NBA vet. But he's like a seven ft nerd. And I don't mean that in a bad way. This dude is just super smart when it comes to the technological side behind the scenes. This dude is the mastermind. So he's definitely gonna be a great asset for our team. Welcome to the show. We gotta smoke one to celebrate
bro Yes, Welcome roron, Yes, Sir. Next up. Carmelo Anthony moves into ninth all time on the scoring list, passing the late great rest in Peace Moses Malone. Jack. No surprise here, no surprise at all, Man Melow somebody like men, you've both been high on, somebody we loved, even loved to compete the gets. And I'm happy he's getting this. Dude. Man, I'm getting happy to continue to get more records and
and get more accolades for himself. But also now he gets a chance to fight for a championship before he in his corper. So I'm happy. But I'm happy about that. This dude's a bucket getter, you know. And I saw the game the other night against UM Memphis when he passed Mos Malone, and it was something that I've seen. It seems like that he can do for another two three years, you know what I mean. It's seamless. Is his pull up jumpers on point, his mid range is
on point. He can still post up smaller players. Um, this dude is a walking bucket. So you know, very happy for our brother that he's in ninth place. I think next up on the list of Shaquille O'Neil found my mistake and I think that's going to take another season, but I definitely think he's got it in him to pass Shack as well. So Man, so hats off to our brother Man. Keep pushing and get your ring this year. Bro, be on the lookout. This week iverson Classics, something that
Jack is a big part of. Many Doc teaser drops later in the week full Many Doc will drop November ONEE Jack, real quick, how important is it to you to team up with them? And also tell us what else you're doing on the women's side as well for this iverything classic and kids trying to help them take that next step. Yeah. Along along with the Obviouson Classic, you know, me and Bobby based shot the Bobby and
everybody from the Obviously Classes job Manzelle. We've created two other games, you know, the Battot and the Bluff, and also a female female high school game as well. But the Obviouson Classic especially to me because I played the McDonald's game. I played in other games, but if I had a chance to play in Allen Obson High School Classic, I would have loved too, because it's somebody who we all looked up to and somebody gave us confidence to
be who we are, so it means last man. I'm happy to be a part of it, and we just continue to build and to build more games and more opportunities for kids coming up after us. Big shout out to Showtime, Showtime Basketball and Brian Daily for jumping on and getting involved in programs like they use to bring more visiting and opportunity to these kids. I mean, obviously the Showtime family. We've got a great recipe over there, man,
So we love and appreciate you guys. Keep putting on for the kids, Keep putting on for us as we put on for you. Shout Memphis too, Yeah, absolutely, always shout out Memphis. In closing. You can catch What's Burning every week on Showtime Basketball YouTube and on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at show Basketball. We're on TikTok now to look at us touching the youth. See y'all next week.