Greatest NBA Christmas Games with Kenny DeForest

I know John Williams has people and he listened to John Williams. People listen to sports podcast making sure. Okay, isn't there like a fair use one that I can do jingle that's got to be out in the Library of Congress. Yeah, Library of Congress. Um, it is Christmas time, almost the end of the year. We are wrapping up so many things. But Christmas means sports kind of sports kind of I mean, yeah, this is and shouldn't bring

our guests bad. I was gonna do a nice little lead up, and you know, NBA and Christmas go together hand in hand for us at least, And I feel like for a lot of our listeners were like, who are some real big basketball heads in our friend in comedian community, And so I thought, do you want to him? You've got this train going, Okay, well here's the train is continuing to go. So we thought we'd bring on

our very very funny friend. You may have seen him on the Late Show, Late Late Show with James Cordon, Late Night with Seth Meyers. Very funny comedian, very good basketball player, Ladies and gentlemen, Kenny DeForest, Oh my god, thank you and thank you for getting my most valued credit there at the end. Basketball players always, I would trade it all. I would trade it all to be

known as a good basketball player. I mean you and I both know it's like that is definitely networking out here, as if you're good at basketball and like can can hang in these games and you're one of the one of the better people. What we were watching like an Elf documentary about the movie not Elves, but I am fascinated and when especially when they sneak in at night. I love those guys. And they were saying that like Elf got made because of a game that was Jimmy

Miller's maybe Mosaic. Yeah, because yeah, they like it was pitched at a basketball game and and like went up the flagpole out a basketball game. They had a whole graphic. I don't know if elves sneak in at night. I think you might be thinking of vampires, but you know, I'm thinking of they're gonna say freaks. Um. I am thinking of that story where like the shoe cobbler couldn't get it done in the day, and then there were elves that would come in and finish the shoes at night,

and he was like, who's you thinking of? Are you thinking of an ad campaign by the keebler? Else? Cook? I think this was like a real story that was actually probably just talking about like marriage, you know, just like a man being like how did this get done? Um? And it's like I want to believe it's his wife. Yeah, exactly, magical little man in the Yes, yes, that finished all my tasks. Um, But there is some sort of oh gosh, I'm seeing a very ugly man on my computer. Just

who's on TV? I just sometimes with the men they put on TV. It's so hilarious to me. Um, Kenny, how are you doing? Happy holidays? Thank you, Happy holidays to you guys. I'm doing that. I'm doing okay. Yeah, like you know, obviously it's a weird year, but it's weird for everybody, and I'm healthy and uh, luckily we have this technology. Man. It's I just did like a Zoom holiday show with the butter Boy crew. They're in New York. Amazing evening. Get to see some friendly faces

and talk hoops, which is my favorite ship. I'm good that show has like a green room too. That's whenever there's like Zoom shows, I'm like, oh, I was kind of here just to like talk ship, and that was my main point. It's weird because there's people don't realizing is there's the people I missed that because I'm in touch with my friends, you know what I mean. I'm

talk to you guys. I've seen you guys some. But it's the people in comedy that if you called them it would be weird, but you're seeing them all the time, you know what I mean. And like I felt like a Partner was one of those people in New York where I just love her so much, but like if I called a partner, I should be like, dude, what is happening? Um? Yeah, I saw her on a bus today and was thrilled, Oh wow, it's amazing. She's on

It's like a Ben and Jerry's Netflix campaign. Her wand to Psychs and Fortune and I waved to them just standing waiting in line to get into the bank. What a sad Wait what you saw them out? No on a but no, like they were like on the bus, you know, like saw herself on the bus. I saw these women. I like, I thought, like the world has gotten so bad, like some of the best comedians we know have to travel on buses and people the sites has just taken the God. Okay, that's good news, good

news that they're on busses and in that way. But um, but yeah, so Kenny, we and I hope I'm not outing you, but we midway through the pandemic where we thought there was gonna be a little bit of a handle, we got tested and then immediately after getting tested, me, you and another comedian played basketball. I mean twenty one, I guess you could call it. Uh and and I

think I've told you it hurt for a week. Oh I was so fun, dude, And like I've been playing a lot before the pandemic hit, like really getting back in the groove, and so it's just that classic story of like, oh I can still just do what I was doing four months ago, five months ago after doing nothing but sitting on my seating, okays, and yeah I was. I was destroyed. I was sunburned. I was like hydrated

for three days. I couldn't drink enough water. And then like two weeks after that, I drove by that court and you know, it was one of the few rims in LA that still had the rim up because the city took him down. Um. I drove by like two weeks after we did that, and there was like fifteen guys standing around playing five on five like stubbing in and I was like, that's it. And then a week

later I drove by in the rim was down. I was like, they it, but that mean that because that was like it was a half court, and like you said, they took down a lot of the rims. And so I know there have been like on Twitter and just like some like feeds I've seen people are like, hey, heads up, I saw a rim still on the backboard. And then almost seeing like through all the basketball accounts that we follow, just full five on five like sanctioned

high school games. I mean, college is still going up, but like high school just like who is who is like make king sure protocols in place. I know, dude, my buddy coaches high school and sometimes I like live stream and watch his games. That's what that's what we're quarantine watching high school boys basketball on the internet. And uh and but yeah, it's like none of the parents were in masks. This is like in the Midwest, so

of course it's just like no masks and uh yeah. Man, It's like I go back and forth on it because on the one hand, it is tragic. If you think about like a high school senior who spent their whole life preparing for this season. Really it's like your senior year is always what you're dreaming of and then to have that just completely taken away. I mean, you know that's your therapy right there, you know. So the part of me that's like, yeah, if they can do it safely,

let him have the season. But you're right, it's like the n b A had billions of dollars making sure those plays, you know, those are like millions, multi hundreds millions of dollars investments. Those they're like, yeah, we're not getting these guys sick. But high school. Yeah, it's just like I guess the honor system, which yeah I heard about a personal or a basketball team was a super sprinter um and the boys like knew they had it, but we're like, we want to play, and so they

didn't say anything. And then you know, I mean, these aren't even high school kids. These are like young kids. But like, okay, you see these games and the parents aren't wearing masks. It's like, okay, well that's that's step one. That's like that's the easiest thing to do. So if they're not even doing that, fucking blow it all up. They're not doing anything. You know, like you there has to be and like the Notre Dame football coaches like

a parents can't come. He was like threatening to pull out. So like, especially in high school, I understand that parents want to be there, but it's like these are the rules, and if you can't do this one rule, then you fucked it up for your kid. I'm fortunately, when they go to therapy talking about their basketball season, they should talk about what a selfish bitch their parents are. Oh yeah, I mean that is like one of my big when I see adults that can't seem to understand that it

should be about the kids. It like sends me into a spiral, honestly, And yeah, that's one of them. It's like, dude, you can live stream the game, you could have the court, you could drop your kid off at the game, wear a mask the whole time, and then go home and do what I'm doing, and like YouTube live. It's like, yeah, it's infuriating. It's infuriating. Yeah, man, it's really And I think about like the college kids that lost March Madness, you know, like the guys that aren't good enough to

play pro, but again spent their whole life. You know, the guy that's like the tenth man for Duke, you know that, Like I get to go to Duke and March Madness and then it's just gone last year, you know what I mean. And we have on record superstars who made their name in March Madness and like bump

their stock up. Steph Curry is one of them, Like Steph Curry became a name during March Madness, and you know, and so like who knows and hopefully fate and all in like there's programs and stuff after or even during this in bubble or something, but like it was, it's handling correctly by and it's because of a lot of egos of not the players h And that's like unfortunate. Dude, did you see that interview Like the Alabama head coach. It was like recently he was like, I don't know

if we should keep going. And then they interviewed, they asked Alabama coach. It was such an ego dick answer where he's like, you really say that if they hadn't just lost yea, which we don't know your name, we don't know who you are. And coach K has seventy five courts named after him, so like him, Um people,

I don't know if you guys um knew this. But as of I think last week, the Supreme Court has decided to hear a case brought by collegiate player representatives against the n C double A for for pay and for all of these it's not gonna unfortunately, I don't think it's gonna result in like pay, but it may result in like computers and then getting money for grad school and like a different like share in in revenue at least, And so I think that marks the first

time that the Supreme Court will be hearing a case on something like this, and I know all three of us. I think that they should all be paid. So it definitely does feel like a step in the right direction. The reason it went to the Supreme Court all the lower courts rule that's n C double a sucks um and so they just now the Supreme Court just needs

to uphold the lower courts rulings. That's amazing. You know a lot of times it's not the first court case that does it right, just it's kind of like it loosen to the jar and then the next case gets an open type deal. And my thing is, it's like, dude, there's people that work on campus. They have campus jobs, Like you don't have to pay these guys like life altering money, but they are employees of the school essentially. You know, it's no different than working at the bookstore.

I perform for paying audience, Like even if it's just a cut of ticket sales, you know, that's like your jersey or you know, like, I don't even think they need to pay everybody. Some of these people are rich. And you know, I know someone who went to college on a sailing scholarship. You know, obviously she's fine, Okay, she doesn't need the money, but some of these other people you know, Like, that's such a Megan Gaily sentence.

I knew someone. He went to my brother and I thought they were going to get married at when she almost was in my family. Lovely girl. Um, but I did not need a scholarship. You know, you have to be to learn how to sail in Indiana. This was St. Louis. Do you know how to be to learn how to sail in St. Louis? That's almost even rich people from St. Louis. This this person aside, she was lovely. Other rich people

from St. Louis fucking suck. Okay, to shift this back to more fun in the love of the game, Kenny, I do for our listeners because they're your comedian. You can look up all your stuff online. But also I wanted to know a little bit more about your back. I feel like I know a little bit about the real athlete. Yeah, walk us through sort of your early experiences as a basketball playing kid or other sports. When where did you start? Um, well, my dad, My dad

was a hooper, Like he still plays. My dad is seventy two and he is literally trying to keep himself in shape so we can keep playing mentally when things come back. You know, he played at JUCO and he pounced around, played in a couple of smaller schools and landed at JUCO and then got really involved in like the hippie scene and sort of just phased out of basketball.

But I was just kind of like, you know, it's like kind of the cliche born with a ball in my hand, But my earliest memories are I had like a little Fisher Price poop in the basement, and I'm an only child, so my dad would like rebound and feed me the ball. So yeah, exactly, and so I loved it. And even like when my mom told my dad she was pregnant, she was like, do you want to boy or a girl? And like his answer was, I just want a little round baller, like from from

the from the jump, That's what I was into. And so you know, I started off playing like why league. I played soccer too when I was young, like every other kid in America before we all decided that for some reason, we ate soccer and that's why our national team is so bad. But we all play as kids. I don't understand play. My brother Ryan played and he was so bad that my mom didn't even have Michael or me play. She just was like, we're just a

tennis family. I think that's so funny. You suck so bad so they can't because I can't watch this anymore. I'm done. Yeah. And then in fourth grade is when I got a little more serious. There was, in fact interesting who this is. I guess I can name draft here a little bit. Lucas Harrold. He pitched in the major leagues for several years. In fact, one year, so he grew up. I grew up like four blocks from him.

And one year I turned on the ESPN and Tony Kornheiser was giving an impassioned speech about how Lucas Harold is there used to be in the young discussion was like it was when he was went the Astros and they were awful, but he still had like a sub four e r A and he was like, anyone who's only given up three runs on his team deserves to be a discussion. So anyway, he was obviously a very

serious athlete. And so his dad called my dad's fourth grade and there was an AU program starting and they were looking for players, and so he was like can I recommend you? And my dad and I talked, He's like, do you want to do this? It's like yeah, I mean I'm in fourth grade, so as much as I

can think I want something, yeah, let's do it. And I tried out and made you know, made the team and uh so that played you from fourth grade through my senior high school, same team, Springfield Rockets, and uh I just loved it. Man, I just like fell fully and load like I was. You know, it was that deal where every Christmas, every gift was basketball, Every Birthday, every gift was basketball. My room was just basketball, basketball, basketball. It's all I cared about. You know. My A well

messenger screen name was like Rockert. What was my number? I was young Jerry West Baby and so yeah, dude, I was just really really it's all I cared about. And then you know, I played football in middle school and freshman year high school, and then the star basketball player at my high school actually tours a c O playing football, and then the basketball coach is kind of like, y'all need to not do that, and uh so I

quit and just focus fully on basketball. So sophomore years through senior jeff basketball and then yeah, I played soccer through middle school but quit at some point because ay, you just took all my time. So yeah, that was it. And then my senior year had a good season. I was kind of a late bloomer. I was young for my class, and so I thought I wasn't gonna be

able to play college. And then I kind of like filled out towards the end of my senior year and I did one last It's like almost like what I'm sure some of the guys are doing to try to get NBA that missed out in March Madness. It was like a post graduation recruitment camp. It was like all the guys that maybe should play in college that didn't get scholarships, one last look, and uh, I had a really good showing there, and I got recruited to play

at this D two school in my hometown. My high school rival teams coach took over as the head coach that year, so he already liked me, and so I walked on. But you know, it was kind of like your recruited walk on. He even told me, he called me, He's like, I have a plan for you. You're not just a practice squad player or whatever, And uh, yeah,

but I don't know. Mentally, I had started a bunch of ship happened to me at the end of my senior year that, um, we don't need to get to a bunch of difficult ship happened in my life, and I think mentally I started to crack a little bit, and uh, I started boozing, which I've never done before, and started partying a little too hard. And I think also I thought I wasn't gonna play, so I started drinking like I was done, and then all of a sudden I could play. But it's kind of too late,

already already uncorked the bottle. No, we're in the comedian origin story. Yes, yes, Now this is where it's really worry well. It's also it's not that different from hearing you talk about it from your dad's career, Like so was he like, oh, Kenny, not that path or like also like I don't can I not, I wasn't gonna be in the NBA. You're not gonna be in the NBA. Live it up, dog. Yeah, it was kind of that, Like my dad was kind of uh, he was always just so chill, Like my dad never was like, let's

go do drills. You know what I mean, Like I didn't have that dad. I think he always my parents wanted me to be well rounded, and I think they knew the deal, like this is going to end at some point, you need to have other skills. But yeah, I think, you know, my dad even told me early, like be careful party and you know, I've seen how you drink. And I was like, yeah, whatever, whatever, old man um, but yeah, and then you know, so I think it was kind of like he he would love

to see me play four years. But ultimately I don't even know how much it mattered because my need. By the time practice started my freshman year, my knees started to act up and I got an X rade and I had like fifty tears and both my poteler attendants just from like wear and tear. Like it wasn't one thing I did. It was just all the years of

mileage and the way I'm built. You know, one legs longer than the other and I'm bow legged, and these different things just put so much press on my knees and so I kind of lost this step I didn't have to lose, and so I was just a practice squad player. I lost my confidence and then got surgery. Between freshman and sophomore years. I'm coming back, you know. I like I stopped partying and I really focused and got back in shape and I was like, this is it,

this is my last and then I got surgery. I got the same surgery the Hindes Ward got right before the Super Bowl. It was like you get the plasma injected right in your tendons. Actually was like the first person in the Midwest to get that surgery because my friends dad was like one of the leads orthopedic surgeons in the Midwest. He's like my friend's dad and he's like, I'll do it for free if you'll be the guinea pig. And I was like, okay, so I did so. Yeah,

I needed to say I'll take the vaccine. I don't care, and uh so my knees felt better and I came in and shape and then like as soon as I got cold, my knees just locked up again and it was exactly so I got an X rating in the same situation, and I was like, dude, I'm done. I finished the season because I tried to quit like two months into my sophomore year, and my coach is like we've just finished the year. We need you in practice.

And I was like yeah, I closed it out and it was hard, man, It was really that is the comedian origin stories, c J. Your because it like I was just like, yeah, there's a lot of there's a lot of former athletes in comedy. I think there's a reason. Definitely, you need somewhere to put that energy and you're not gonna sit in the office, you know, and the like the reps like comedy and reps like the reps situation or like mentality came from sports. Do it over and

over again and you'll see results. And just like yeah, at first I thought you meant like agents and managers. And I was like, okay, so your managers your a AU coach, Michael Michael Jordan has had a really good manager. Really send his tape. This is this is sort of like a broader question I have for you your high school basketball coach, being like, hey, I don't want you guys to play football and more because you could get hurt. C J and I have this conversation, like I always

think about this. You know, there were kids growing up who were like three sports, Like my dad played three sports, and then like in college. I think at one point was playing like two sports like that was like an option, and now kids are like, you got to play baseball twelve months a year, no matter what kids are having, Like Tommy John surgery very young, do you do you

wish you had been able to play football? Or like would he have been like, Okay, you guys can play baseball because there's less risk, or like what did it feel to have to just be like, oh I have to do this one thing now for the rest? Yeah. I I've actually thought about that quite a bit. I I do think it's better to let kids do multi sports because, for one, you're training your body in different ways.

I think it might be less wear and tear. Like for instance, football obviously is growing physically, but it's also on grass, so it's not the pounding on your knees. You know, it's the same pounding on a hardwood floor every day for a year, all the time. You know what I mean. It's like, you know, in football, you're working you like your short area burst muscles, and then you run track and that's like your distance muscles. You're long.

You know, it's like working different muscle groups. I think maybe because my dad was a three sport athlete as well, and so he he also had a real problem with that situation with coach and also just practically speaking there, you know, I might have had more of a future in football. You know, three white guy with big hands, that's good for football. That's just like yeah, right, yeah, yeah yeah. So you know, but ultimately, you know, I'm at peace with all of it because basketball with my

favorite sport. And I think one reason that one thing I realized on a philosophical level is I feel like basketball culturally that's like my culture. Now. I'm not an active player. I played pick up. I have fun with it, but I mean I like being in the culture of basketball, like NBA Twitter is my favorite Twitter. NBA people are my favorite people. Like when NBA people talk about politics, I agree with them, you know what I mean. It's like the broader culture of basketball. I'm just glad I'm

in that culture. And that's kind of where I'm at spiritually with the whole thing. That's how I'd come to peace with all of it, which has taken years. But um, I think that's one of the major selling points of basketball in general. You know, I don't know if gymnasts get to have that same you know, just because basketball is so huge and it just permeates and the people are such superstars and you can go to games wherever, like it's you your career ended, but like you're being

a part of basketball will go on forever. And I think and it's also like, yeah, it's just I'm white and from like the whitest part of the country, like you are too meggat Like if it wasn't for basketball, I probably I don't know what I would be, like, you know what I mean, Like that's the ship that

I'm grateful for. Like, you know, I it's nice to be in a locker room where you're a minority and have that experience and get exposed to that at a young enough age where you could adjust your mentality and be like, oh my god, half the should I heard as a child was really dumb and ignorant. But you don't necessarily realize that unless your child, Like you know, the reason that baseball players are still there's like still

trumpy baseball players. Besides Gordon Hayward, there's no trumpy basketball get that should beat out of you practice You're like, oh, yeah, I'm dumb. It's definitely a recurring thing on here, whether we bring it up, our guests bring it up. But like the NBA, we yeah, we look towards them to lead social you know, social change, and like, hey, how should we perceive this, whether it's Madam Silver or the players themselves, like, besides China, besides you know what, we'll

get them there there. You know, when me too happened, I feel like I had this. Maybe even someone else came up. We all get one person that we're like, listen, I know they got me too, but I want to keep them. I'm not subscribing. And then that's like maybe that's the NBA with China, that's the that's their blind spots. But they really like our shoes, guys. That's it's like, yeah, Lebron,

Lebron should not release China edition shoes. Hasn't right now, like just late take the your foot off the pedal a little bit. But did that? The GM ended up getting fired Yeah darn, he's at the Sixers. Oh but he got fired from Houston, right. He laughed and went to the seventies Sixers and was like but we were like, you're right, you're right, and they were like Okay, yeah, okay, So today's topic is going to be greatest NBA Christmas Day Games. Yeah, and we're feeling festive. Gosh, it's a

great lead up to this year's NBA games. So the league starts again tomorrow Tuesday. So excited, so good it is. Um Yeah, I was like dying for it. Ring when if the bubble started, like it really changed moods in this house. Megan sort of saw how tense I was. Is a similar situation with you, Like your mood is

just instantly better. Yeah, And like it was cool for me to to to our point before we jump in, if you don't mind a little small tangent, but to the social justice thing, like my girl is not a huge basketball fan of and trying to get her into it. She's not a sports person. And it's funny when people say, oh, if you're too politically vocal, you'll lose fans or whatever.

But she walked in the room and Doris Burke was just breaking down what happened to George Floyd in a very honest way, and she like sat down and she and like it was like her and I don't remember who she was talking to, what they were like and Brianna Taylor murdered in her bed by police. This is unacceptable. And she's just sat down and was like, oh, is this what the NBA is about? And she like watched

the whole game with me. By the end of that day, she was asking me questions about the luxury text, like, you know, like it was pretty amazing, and you know, black lives matters on the court, it's right there. And so it was really a cool moment because then she started sharing that experience with me, which is all I've ever wanted. And yeah, man, it's it's cool. And she's from Indiana, Like I don't know if you guys know how much Indiana is like basketball is our fucking thing.

Like you don't drive by a house without there being a basketball hoop outside. I mean even the Pacers, like intro is like in states it's basketball, but during it's like we're so intense about it. So if that state couldn't make her be into it, I didn't know if anything ever could. So I'm thrilled. And I think them losing fans is a lie um that they tell people to stop doing things. I think they I think it's a net gain. I think they end up gaining slightly

more whoever than whoever they lose. Yeah, ratings were done for everything because people are people that you're like fine losing too. It's like, what like I would it's as comments, we know this. You'd rather have a half full audience that really wants to be there than that's like shitty, and so it's like, yeah, if we're losing the racist then like that's how how were you watching basketball? Anyways? But like, please see yourself out. We're very pleased to

not have you be a part of this anymore. Alright, So to reiterate the topic greatest NBA Christmas Games, should we take a break. Let's take a break and then I'll come back. Perfect, all right, and we are back. We're joined our very funny comedian guest, Kenny DeForest. That's all you, Kenny. Just so Megan's dad will be wondering that as he was listening to what position did you play? I was a like a two three from my AU team, and then I was our starting center in high school center.

That's how That's how you can tell how serious a you is is that you were a t a U but then back in your your local team you're a center. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, we have like a six ten Division one center in high school. That was fun. C J. And I discovered a man this weekend. You'll love this Kenny. He is seven four, a freshman at Perdue, started playing basketball three years ago and now is on a full scholarship at a Division one powerhouse. And he's Asian and he's from

Canada and he played hockey his whole life. And then they were like, you're seven four, we think maybe you should play basketball. And he was like, welly him and hockey pads was a very funny picture. Yeah. I got to look up Joey Joey. Yeah, just getting checked, just getting fully checked at the decap Yeah. Okay, So Kenny, you are going to lead us off with your number three pick for greatest NBA Christmas Day Games. Okay, So

I had to pull up a list. Yeah good, because there was a list that had like a game in nineteen seven. I'm like, you've lost your mind. I saw that. It's like, oh, thank you. Um, I'm gonna go for for number three just because the reason I like this game. Lebron has done enough since then. But it was the two dozen tend Lebron triple double brusha Lakers because he had just gone to the Heat and it felt like

a statement game. And you know, Christmas is cool because it's like the Christmas Day games are kind of the first, like real games and the like, nothing feels like it matters until then. It's just like early there's all that talk and the Christmas Day it's like here we go. And so him to come out triple double against Kobe and I watched that game. You know, I obviously don't remember it like play by play, but you know, it was kind of it was just like a statement game

for him. And I don't think we've ever seen a player. We definitely haven't seen a player that's skilled, that dominant, that's had to prove himself so many different times because we just refused to accept that he's like one of the greatest of all time. We just which I honestly think was good for him because you know, he came into the league the chosen one and that has killed I mean, ask O J. Mayo, how you know what

what that did for him? So I think the skepticism from the public has fueled him in a lot of ways. But yeah, I have a triple double. And also it said in this and I didn't realize this at the time, but he became the only player joining Oscar Robertson, John Halet Check Billy Cunningham as the only players to record a triple double and Christmas Day. So you know, it's like the start of this Lebron Heat era. There's all this pressure from the from the announcement and he comes

out and drops a triple double. That's amazing. And triple double on that Mi Heat team where you have Wayne, Wayne and Chris Bosh next to you like that, that is a lot like I wonder if there was some sort of agreement like hey, Lebron, you gotta go off like because yeah, that's it's a lot of like ball in your hands when you have one of the best teams of all time, right, yes, I believe so, yeah. Yeah,

it's always at Staples Christmas. Yeah. And also if you think about this too, now he's one of the best coaches in the league, but this is the earliest spo too. People don't know anything about at the time. He was kind of this unknown so to get when on Christmas over the Lakers is just it's huge. Do you think his eyes looked crazy then too, was he was he always that intense or has the intense like I feel like when he first came it was more kind of

like laid back, chill Miami guy. And it's gotten more intense with He's got Filipino dad energy for sure. But then it also creeps in that he's like he was a video guy, but he is like a legitimate just like basketball heard and yeah, I feel like maybe early on there's a little bit of faking it, like holy shout, I have to coach Lebron, Wade and Bosch and all these people. But now he's just like one of the most veteran like I love him. I love him. Um. Okay,

great first pick. I will go next. Um. I did not want to be disrespectful to the game that happened in ninety seven. So for any of our listeners that feel passionately about it, it was the New York Knicks versus the Providence steam Rollers, so we can't leave them out. And then the first sentences the steam Rollers no longer exist, like what I have a jersey? I thought they were the best league past team to watch this year. Okay, so my my number three pick is the two thousand

sixteen Calves Warriors. Shoot, that's gonna be a lot overlap. Okay, So yeah, there's only so many games. I picked this one because it was the first time Lebron and Durant we're facing each other since two thousand and twelve. And then it was also the game that put Lebron over three hundred points on Christmas and the only other two players that had done that were Kobe and Oscar Robertson. So it felt sort of like a flagship game for him, like to go when you have like a record like

that and to like go into that company. And also the Cabs came back and beat the Warriors by one, and so it felt sort of like foreshadowing. It was a very long fourth quarter. But Kenny, go ahead, what you what were you gonna say? Oh, I was just gonna have two back in Cleveland, you know that whole that whole narrative to like for him to hit that

milestone in Cleveland after the way. I was actually in Cleveland when he announced he was going to Miami with Ramon, and it was like crazy, it was it was insane to be there. It was like it felt like a like a tragedy asolutely like that, that same feeling and uh so you know, as fun as it is to shift on Cleveland, but you know, we love Cleveland. So my last night told me a good friend of mine told me that I'm an honorary Browns fan, and it meant a lot to me. Yeah, she's her sister got

engaged at the brown Stadium. So I was like, if anybody can tell me, it's you. That's amazing. I want to add to this game because it was one of my picks. I think it was either going to be my first or second. But sorry, no, no, it's totally okay. So everything that you guys saw too was it was it was the Calves beat came back from three one the finals, and then it was they went out and got Katie and we're all Matt like that was again. I still don't know if I'm right with it, but

I love Katie so much. But to have the game in Cleveland, the Warriors are like, no one's beating the Warriors, and just so much ship happened. Like if you watch the condemsed game on YouTube, it is like thirty seconds of quarters one through three and then the last eight minutes or all fourth quarter because it was like Lebron and Katie were exchanging dunks. Richard Jefferson had one of the sickest posters at like age thirty eight. Kyrie again

just was Kyrie. He had like some game winners and then the last shot was like a step three but it was um. We saw what two more finals appearances between them after that, and it really just felt like on Christmas, You're like, you want to see two of the best, and that was probably like yeah, midway through that sort of rivalry. And it was maybe the last Christmas game in Cleveland for a while because I think it went to the Golden State after Is this the

game where you had to watch in separate rooms? That's what I was going to get to so real quickly. For Christmas, I would go spend spending in Vegas with my mom and Yah. It was second year of her boyfriend living in the in their house too. And then this was also the introduction to my mom's boyfriend's daughter, who is a die hard Golden State fan, like Filipino Philippinos from the Bay. It is huge and so we

me and my brother Lebron fans. I mean, he's a Celtics guy, but like love Lebron, So we had to and like there was already tension between our families, and so me and my brother watched it in one room and then his daughter, my mom's boyfriend's daughter watched it in the other room. Didn't speak, just you would just hear like yelling in one room and then the other

as it was going back and forth. And then we never talked about the game out that's so funny, just walked out, like, so he wants to watch who wants to watch it? Some wonderful exactly. But man, so that was that was the first year of Durant in Golden State, all right, Yeah, that's another factor. I mean for them to lose them too, because you know, at that point too, we were already tired of Golden State and Kevin Durant.

It's like, come on, man. So there's just like narrative that they're infallible, you know, And so for them to lose on Christmas Day, it's always good to be reminded that there's a reason to watch the games, because that's one of the big narratives of people who don't like the NBA. It's like before the season even starts. You already know who's gonna win. There's a whole idea that it's rigged and all that ship, which I think is

so stupid. And for them to lose on Christmas Day, it's like December twenty sixteen in America had a real go into it, you know, like, really we really needed basketball? Yeah we did, we did. That's crazy. He was president yeah yeah, well he wasn't. He wasn't inaugurated yet, he had not been um, he wasn't like sitting yet, but he was president elect during this game. I know. Listen, millennials, we've seen more than we've should have had too. Sorry, okay,

leave me a one star review, you fucking boomers. Pieces of ship. Now if you were if you were piste off about the omission of the Providence basketball, you're also going to be mad about our stance on Trump. That's just accepted. No, there, chill. Anyone who liked him left a long time ago. Um, okay, see give us your no. So I don't want to because we don't have that many picks to go through. So we'll just go to break and we'll come back with our number two pigs.

Oh no, he sounds sad. I'm not sad, all right, and we are back. So Megan, continue to steal my game. And you know what, now that I see it on your paper, I do see it in big. It's bold and big. It's bold and big. No, it's okay. We're just speaking to all these games that are all fan favorite. So can you hit us with your number two? Can I insist that you go first? Since you didn't go

in the first round two games? I have two games that I could pick from here, and actually that I feel like, yeah, and I feel like one of these

might be one of your picks. So I'm going to say, I'm let's say the ninety three Bulls Knicks game Christmas Day obviously because and I didn't know much about this game because I maybe stopped watching for a second because so this this is the first school work got in the way, and it was Jordan's left he went to be retired, and so I think I think it's ninety four, right, I think it was season or no, maybe, but but Pippen, uh yeah, Pippin goes off for thirty six. Yeah, yeah,

that's okay. So and and those are and I need to because I bring it up on his podcast A lot, Man, I want to like watch every game when Jordan retired and just to see how Pippin carried himself and like the pressure, whether he lived up to it or not. And obviously we know about the one playoff game where he just sat down. But I just I do love sort of pipp and revenge games. One it was against

the Knicks on Christmas NBA on NBC. Those are hard to beat, but yeah, I just love seeing pip and flourishing because it is that true answer of like, oh what if Pippin wasn't there, or like Pippen played by himself? Is he a superstar? And this is one of those games where he proved it. This was my this was my this was gonna be number one. But it's fine because I had three other games to from. That's how much I love Pippin. Because I grew up a Bulls fan.

Mom and dad are both from Chicago area, so I was raised die hard even when I was raised Gary, and so we watched all of those games. Who would you been a fan of if you were if your parents weren't from Chicago. That's a good pros. Yeah, West covers all the Bulls exactly. No, you better back that statement up. The Midwest is a big bulla Kenny go on. Sorry, yeah listen unless hear an Austin Crozer fan and then you love the Pacers. Oh no, I just splashed my face.

Um yeah, man, And I just feel like Pippa never got his due, and it was that whole like without Michael Jordan's they wouldn't be anything. And on top of that, coup Coach never got his due, you know, like those two guys were legitimate standalone stars and a standalone superstar. And I think since that era has been left in

the rear view, Pippen has retroactively gotten his you. But at the time, you know, nobody wanted to give it up to him because you know, he played with the go and just for him to go off on Christmas like that, he played every minute of the game. And also to like you watched the last dance, was that narrative of hip and like sitting down he couldn't fight too, motherfucker played fifty two minutes on Christmaers and overtime. Yet

you know, like come on now, that's crazy. So I I love it and I love hip and yeah, I just it was cool to have a season where he got the show buddy, just how good he is. You know. Yeah, I'm always wondering the eating schedule. I think about this, um for this for the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders that have to cheer on Thanksgiving and they weigh in. I watched the show, so they're not eating Thanksgiving. But then I'm like,

do they eat it after? So, like, did Pippin and the team get like prime rib or ham and mashed potatoes after? I just like, or do they just go this isn't Christmas and we're doing Christmas the next day? Like I would love if someone can vlog if they're playing on Christmas, what the experiences like and what they do for their holiday. I would love that. Of course, this is the nineties, they're probably like, yeah, I gotta eat a whole hand before they get right right, We're

gonna burn some calories. From what I've seen, Yeah, it's like there there's like a catered meal maybe after or the day before, like if they're on the road or something like that, they do like a little meal. But a lot of these guys have heard just be like, oh, yeah, we give up Christmas to play in the league. And it's totally worth it. Okay, that makes sense. But then their kids are their kids getting Christmas? Like I just need to know, maybe I just need kids. Their kids

are living in mansions. I'm not going to pass the hat for them, but like, does Santa bite a cookie at a D's house? That's all I'm asking. Okay, okay, can you give us your number two pick? All right, then I'm gonna pick this one. I'm gonna go two three. When Tea mac was at the Orlando he and it was Lebronze Christmas debut, and I I loved Tracy McGrady and I have a big soft spot in my heart for all those guys that came right after Jordan's where

nobody was trying to give them their due. Really, lebron and Kobe, I guess are the ones that kind of snapped that. But like the Jerry Stackhouses, the Vince Carter's, the Tracy mcgrady's, the guys that came in the league and just because they weren't quite Mike, people wanted to act like they were nothing, you know. And so Tea Mack, I mean, and this is not a Christmas game, but that game when he was with the rockets and scored what was it, like, sixteen points in in seconds or something.

It's pine like, this guy was electric, an absolute superstar and really was one of the I mean, the post Jordan's days were kind of dark for a minute as an NBA fan, So for him to emerge as a star like that, you know it, it was like him and Ai and Vince Carter, like, do are the guys that sort of breathe life back into the league that post Jordan law? Yeah, Kobe, they really breathe life back

into it. And then Lebron came man and then now we're in this new era that's probably better than the nineties, I would say. But for Tracy to get his on the debut of The Nude Chosen One was kind of cool to me. For him to be like, hold on, don't forget about the guy who came out of high school first, you know what I mean? And so that's why I picked them. Yeah, Team Mack in general, he just deserves so much more love. And I love that

you bring that up because it totally is right. Is the reason why I feel like Tea Mack wasn't talked about in the same echelon as like Jordan and all those guys, because one of the media just wasn't on board in the beginning to sort of shape that narrative and go, man, he's really proving us all wrong. It's just you know, he was just good and we just were like, yeah, we gotta start watching him. But he was Yeah. I mean he was one of the best

players for a good what eight years, nine years. If he had stayed healthy, who knows where he would have ended up on the on the all time list, you know, like his scoring averages, he was on pace to be in that Eche a lot of guys and he just you know, his knees and all that stuff. But I bet he loves that he sucked up Lebron's Christmas. I bet he thinks about that every Christmas. It's like, oh, that was fun. But Lebron did everything he had to do, just like put together a good like solo game. He

was a boy. If anything, Lebron was like still he was probably missing Christmas, Like wait, will you know I'm at the stadium? Does he do we have a chimney? Um? Okay, does this mean it's my turn? Okay, I'm going purely selfish. This is the two thousand nineteen Clippers Lakers Christmas Day game. And I'm picking it because we were at it and it was really fun. It felt super festive and just it's if you have a chance to go to an NBA Christmas game, I like, highly recommended. It was so

fun and like a nice change of pace. It's like the movies, but like times one thousand and then I also picked it because that game, Kyle Kuzma was the Lakers leading score He had four points than A d and Lebron And it was a good game. The Clippers won. They were down the entire game, they had like a huge comeback in the fourth quarter, and um they ended

up winning one eleven, one oh six. And this was really I mean, I know it was only a year ago, but it was really like the Clippers aren't the team to be like it was all about Kauai and Doc and everything they had like done they were. This made them like season series they went up to and oh on the Lakers, Like it's just seemed like they kind of had their number and so I think it's interesting

to see how that played out too. And I think the Lakers were up like fifteen with a few minutes left to go, and the Clippers came back so easily, and I'm like, this is the this I don't if you were asking that, I was like, Clippers are winning the Sea in four short um. Little did we know that the year would just go to complete hell or

the next few months, but things would change. But yeah, I've always I mean, we grew up watching these games on TV and still to this day, like whenever we get to like be feed away from the players or see these games live, it doesn't seem real, and especially on Christmas because as a kid, you're like, you can't I could have been fathom a Christmas away from my family, like not having dinner or just like you know, that's so the fact that we were I mean, shout out

to Megan who like begged her her reps. The agency manager wants to get us some tickets. But that was a really, really fun experience. I didn't even have to beg I just had to circle that. I know, I wrote an email and then I had to follow up on that email and then they were like, Megan, we're trying. That's amazing and it's crazy that I repeatedly through quarantine.

But this year's about like moving through like concrete. And I remember when you guys went to that, know, like I think we talked or maybe I just texted you after I saw a tweet or something, but yeah, dude, I mean last offseason was so exciting and that just happened, you know, like Kauai and PG coming to the Clippers. Then they're gonna move their jet stadium and like fully separate from the Lakers. And I was like, I'm gonna live in l A. When there's this battle frill a

going on, I'm going to games. I cannot wait. And I mean my preseason picked to when it all was the Clippers. I just that lineup was so deep, and I felt like I also at the time did not think Rob Lincoln was gonna be a good GM. He's proving me wrong this offseason. They nailed it. But I

was like, man, they're there too. They don't have enough depth, and the Clippers up so much depth and they have like an amazing defensive lineup with Pbeva on the floor, they have an amazing offensive line up with Loue Will on the floor, and they're just gonna be able to mix it up and interchange so much and they're switched a bowl and all the and then yeah, the Lakers are like, yeah, but we have the two we have two top five players in the sand. Yeah know, what

are you gonna do? Yeah? Yeah, that's awesome, that's awesome. You guys are there for that playoff p r I. Um, okay, let's take a quick break and then we'll be back with our number one picks and we are back. C J. Do you want to go first? Um? Okay? Um, so my well, let's tell Kenny, Kenny, since you our guests, you'll you'll be the big finale. Hopefully we don't take any off the board for you. I'll wait to do my honorable mentions. Okay, okay. So this is another Bulls game,

two thousand eleven Bulls Lakers. So the fun thing about this game was that it was a lockout season. Um and so the Christmas Day games were actually the first games of the season. This is the first year after d Rose won the m v P, so d Ros is like still prime this Bulls team. And I know Kenny chime in whenever, but like this was like one of the this is what got me really back into the NBA. This was like yeah, we were living in Chicago.

It was just like this team that kind of organically came together, hometown kid, and it was yeah, Bulls versus Lakers as Staples Center, Kobe and the Lakers and the Sunday Whites. And it was a very close game. And let's see, I had some notes here. De Rose went off five Kobe and seven Kobe and palstall on the team together. So the last this is the sequence. It was a lull dang Steele de Rose game winner and then there's enough time for a Lakers possession Noah block.

So like if you were a fan of this team, literally everyone doing their part and it was like, oh, this is like the NBA is back, and it was just it was just exciting. One of my favorite favorite games ever, dude, And I agree with you. This is the team that got me back into it. Like joke of Noah just retired. I hope you better sign him to a ten day so we can retire a Bull all time. Honestly, it's like Jordan Pippen, you were tweeting about it. Yeah, you're like, he's like my favorite, and

I loved watching people respond to you. I love him so much, man, He's just it's just like because I remember when they picked him, I was like, like, what you know, it's like this big, sort of undersized, unskilled, seeming big guy. But he was a fucking star. I mean out of that national championship team. It was like, oh, this is like a mega star, household name. So it wasn't you know, it wasn't like a Trabitsky pick, no fense. Yeah,

but it's always scary. Thanks for that. It's always uh, it's always scary though, when those there's those great college teams, there's always one guy that looks incredible on that team because it was so much talent that isn't ready. And luckily it was Corey Brewer, thank god, because Hortford and joke him Noah were both great NBA players. Horford still is and but dude, yeah, and like yeah, the Derek Rose and I'll admit, dude, I wanted easily that draft.

I was like, you need easily. He's a stud and we need a we need a big guy. You know, he's so skilled. I watched the uh the college uh when Derrick Ross missos free throws and started crying, I was like, no, can't have that in this locker room and have people are crying with the miss free throws, No sir, and boy boy was I wrong? And uh yeah,

and he rose. I just loved him so much and uh, I forgot there was a lockout to like to break down on Christmas, like Christmas sort of miracle for everybody that's a good pick man, and uh like you said that secret and lou all ding too. It's another all time favorite fill that Tom Thibodeau almost killed still hooked up to an I V. God. Well, the Lakers are paying him for the next one three three years, so he the Bobby Bonilla basketball Yeah, so yeah, all right.

I mean it feels reminiscent to this year. I think this year is gonna be. I mean, I know they're starting tomorrow, but then the NBA game or the Christmas Day games are going to be the second game. You know. So that's pretty fun too. Not a lockout, just a global pandemic. Okay, my number one pick, Kenny, I really hope I'm not taking your number one, but I fear this is two thousand four Lakers heat. Is this your number one? No? No, I had it narrowed down to two.

That was one of them. But I just decided on the other one right before you started. So I literally scrolled down to the I was like, no, I think I want this one and I'll explain why. But that was the other one I was considering. Yes. So this was Shock's return to l A, the first time him and Kobe were seeing each other, presumably since he had left the Lakers for the Heat. It was icy. Um, they wouldn't look at each other, you know, it felt in the grand scheme of like what we know about life.

It felt sort of like petty. But it was great theater, and their feud was really like larger than life. And and now that he's past, you'd like to think that it was not. It wasn't deep. You know. It was like, oh, we we are working, relationship got fractured, but we have like love for each other and I almost kind of want to watch this game again and and be able to like pick that out. But Shaq actually ended up

fouling out. He spent most of the fourth quarter on the bench, and the Heat were still able to win because Kobe missed a game winning shot at the last second. Still scored like sixty I mean, I mean, no, not sixty, but I think ended up being um like forty five points or something crazy, So it like truly delivered on everything that people wanted it to. And I think this also felt really like, Oh, Christmas Day is like when

there's gonna be these crazy must see matchups. I will have to say in closing, I desperately wanted to pick a Pacers game just anywhere on my list. The Pacers have not had a Christmas Day game since two thousand four, That is the year I graduated high school and I get botox a lot. Now it's been too long. It's fucked up. They have stars, Victor Oladiople loves Christmas lights,

give them a Christmas Day game. I even went to like google it and there were all these There were like three articles that were like, well, no, no Christmas game for the Pacers again, Like it seems like it's almost this like snub or this fuck you. No fan base loves Baby Jesus more than Indian or not. Like people will go to church, they'll open their presence, they'll pray to their Lord Jesus Christ, and then all they want to do is watch basketball. And I just need

you all to give it. Is it because our owners are Jewish, what's happening give it to us? Yeah, I don't know. And here's the thing, as a bols find, I guess I'm supposed to hite the Pacers, but I think I love them. I do. I Like I always love Reggie, I always loved Jalen Rose, Mark Jackson. You know those teams drought Rick Smith's. I used to practice that Rick Smith's buzzer beater that steps through from us.

I mean I used to practice that constantly. And I think y'all, y'all are good and honestly you're like you have so many trade pieces too. I think the Pacers are gonna make noises year in the East. So maybe maybe next Christmas, Yeah yeah, let that like it'll be fun. Well hopefully Oladippo will be a hundred. I want because I want to see, like what a healthy Oladipo warrant. Like t J. Warren Nell has had his break out

Brogden's great Miles Turner. I think he's just gotta like maybe he knows since no movement happened, that he's got to prove himself maybe get his value up. So like I'm happy didn't make any blockbuster moves, but also to

like missed opportunities with Pacers Christmas games. I feel like there was maybe a year or two where it would have been awesome to see it a Heat Pacers Christmas Day game if those Cats pacer ge the Cabs Pacers like playoff series were always i mean seven games, like in the first second round, like that would have been a fun matchup that I think they missed. So that's

my Christmas wish. All right, Kenny, bring us on home with your number one pick for Greatest Christmas to Megan's game real quick and then because it'll it'll segue into mind. I watched the highlights of that game the Heat Lakers, and it was like a skeleton crew that Kobe was dealing with two because they lost Shack. Chris Man was the starting center, you know, like Chucky Atkins was the starting point guard, which hey, I got love for Chucky, but he's a six man. He doesn't need to be

your starting point guard. And so the fact that that game was as close as it was just shows Kobe's greatness too, Like the highlights of that game, or just him catching the ball at the high post, backing down, turning fade away like Carl floor, you know what I mean. And it's just like that guy was other worldly good.

Which I'm going to segue into a Lakers win here, since this is the year of Kobe love doesn't eight when the Lakers beat the Celtics rematch, I think we gotta go out with a Kobe win for sure, and a big thing for me, my all time favorite coach, Phil Jackson. This was his thousandths win and so he got on Christmas, made him the fastest coach in history to that mark. I fucking loved Phil so much, and especially after the last Dance, I'm sure you felt the

same way watching him deal with Rodman. That guy like he's a philosopher, he's like more, he's more than a coach. Yeah, the fact that he understood Dennis Robin the way he did let him go, brought him back, just put his arm around him like he was. He deserves it. Man. I love Phil, and so for Kobe to get a big win against the Celtics, which obviously at that time

was the powerhouse team, the first Big Three. People want to act like the first Big Three and no sir um and yeah, man, I just it's funny like Kobe, I have to admit I did not appreciate him during his prime because I was one of those stubborn Michael Jordan fans that just didn't want anyone. But also that shows you how great Kobe was. He was like the first guy since Jordans that I felt like, Oh I got a cheer against this guy. That's how much I

knew how good he was. And also I think I heard him that he modeled his game so much after Mike. You know, it's like you're watching Michael Jordan's two point out. A lot of people kind of don't. I don't think I appreciated it as much because that was the most reason. Yeah, it was like he was like it was like a great cover band, you know what I mean, Like that was great, but that looked just like the guy you're

trying to beat. But man, he he was special, and especially on Christmas man he played he was also one of the all time great Christmas Day performers. So that was my pick. That's great. I mean, the Kobe Jordan's thing. Again, I'll probably talk about this every day till till the

end of time, like but no almost in it. One is death obviously made me look back on just life and just like appreciating greatness and everything he had given to us, and especially what he was doing in the later part of his life with you know, um, you know, trying to put up bringing the women's game up. But also it almost wasn't until I saw the last dance

and he gave credit to Jordan. He was like, there wouldn't be me without or like he should finally not admitted, but like the intention of like no, I did take Jordan's moves. Of course I did. And then I like I factored in with everything else my work ethic, and it's not easy to copy Jordan's and that's it's like, of course, yeah, that's awesome. People are copying Jordan's great Like that's not that's not a bad thing. Yeah, man, it's like, of course you did, you know what I mean,

Like I don't know. I even remember when everything happened with Louis c K. People were like, are you gonna same thing? I was like, no, because I clearly copied him, you know what I mean, Like, it's so obvious that I looked up to Louie that for me to go online and be like what a discret, like it just felt gross. I was just like, honestly, I'm bummed about it.

That's my answer. You know. I feel like as a comedian as supposed, I can get to understanding that ship with Kobe where it's like, yeah, I copied the best, Like, what do you want me to say? You know what I mean, It's what you do. It's what you do when you're learning. When you're learning any new skill, you look at the best to ever do it. You know,

this is all Nicki Minaje wants Cardi B to say that. Yeah, thank you, just thank you, and I definitely took some from your point, so I actually I feel like it's something like that thank you. We were listening to Master. It was the last thing listen to Master. Yeah, I mean, she is a top five rapper of this generation, and I in like, we gotta stop putting the female like qualifier ding again, yeah, and stop beating them against each other curious she's I mean, Jesus Christ, it's insane. I

love Cardi too. I just wanted to be friends. Um one honorable mentioned that. I want to point out there's a lot of Knicks games on this The one I like though, is this Nick's Celtics ninety five. I was not here, Kenny. I don't know if you were here. No, CJ was not here. Um. But this is very much viewed as Patrick Ewing's like coming out the Knicks were down by five, and as a rookie, so this was

his first season, he scored already two points. They went to double overtime, the Knicks ended up beating the Celtics, and then everybody was like, oh, I guess we know who Patrick Ewing is if they had not already known him from Georgetown. So that's for people that were alive and like the next great. And I never appreciated youwing fully either that actively as a Bulls fan. Teams were just wean, but we always crushed him because we had Michael. But so it made me think all those guys sucked.

And then you look back and you're like, nah, he was amazing. He's amazing. Yeah, it's almost you look back on it, it's like tragic at him, and I don't I didn't mean to laugh like him and Barkley and uh stalked in him alone, like they didn't get championships because Jordan was so good. And then you're like, it's not because they're bad. It's just yeah, kind of the wrong. He was so dominant that the most competitive assholes on the planet are still willing to be like, yeah, dude,

I mean, of course I don't have a championship. Michael Jordan was for those guys to say that knowing how they're wired is crazy, and it seems like the only one who won't is maybe Gary Payton. The last dance, he was like, no, I'm better. Like he wasn't saying I'm better than him, but I was like, oh, okay, he was living on an alternate universe. Yeah, which I admire. I guess the baby shout out to Glove, Yeah, shout out to him. Um gosh. I think on Christmas, which

game are you guys most excited about this year for? Yeah, but I know that I think the Warriors nets obviously. I've been watching in the preseason k D and Kyrie, just seeing him on the court again and seeing k D again, like I just like I was kind of mad. I was, no, I was absolutely mad, like Katie went to the Warriors because it wasn't that I didn't want him to get one, but I just felt like we couldn't fully appreciate his greatness because he couldn't take over game,

like he wasn't their only option. No, it felt it felt icky. Okay, he joined the champion at Lebron. It was it was. It was a concept, you know what I mean, like the Heat should be very good. We don't know the words, like, hey, it's one of the all time great teams. And they added Kevin durant Um. So this is the slate. Pelicans Heat. That is the first game, and then Warriors Bucks. I'm kind of excited for that. Nets Celtics, Celtics, Mavericks, Lakers, and then Clippers

and Nuggets. That is a fucking great slate, man. I mean, first of all, Pelicans are gonna be I'm I'm gonna watch a ton of Pelicans is here because I obviously in Brandon Ingram, who I'm really excited about Ingram. So you know, as Pelicans heats, so obviously defending Eastern Conference champions versus Pelicans, that's excited. Was the next game Warriors Bucks.

People forget we keep forgeting about the Warriors. Man. I keep talking about like how good the West is and the song goes, oh yeah, and the Warriors like fun yeah, and like they lost Clay. But people haven't been watching Telli Ubre because he's been not bad teams. That dude is developed. He's not Clay Clay is unbelievable. But Ubre is gonna be able to catch and shoot. Yeah, that's one thing he can do. And Wiggins, I think is in a finally you know, Steve Kurterer. If anyone's gonna

get Andrew Wiggins strained out of Steve Kerr. And so if if Wiggins can take a step and Ubre takes a step, those two combined can help replace play. Yeah, and you still have Draymond and Step you know. So, so then we have nets Celtics that will be very fun, awesome Kyrie back against Boston. That's that's a good story stage the arena, you know. And now it's kind of the Boston team that feels like you can really root for them, you know, like the Celtics team minus Gordon Hayward.

I am like, oh yeah, I'm into them. I love Red Stevens truly. Yeah. Um. And then Mavericks Lakers Lebron versus Luca. Yeah, yeah, that's exciting. Yeah, that feels like the most like fun one. And then Clippers Nuggets Oh boy, the Clippers. It's really um it'll be interesting to see what happened on Serge man. Surge is a great pick up for them well and they say yeah, they say Montrez, while he was a great six man, he just couldn't be the big man that they needed like they were.

That was the only sort of weakness. They're like ship like Whoky guard Yoki. They were trying to throw Zoo back at him. But like Surge is, if you can have them healthy or have him just like in the right spot during the playoffs, they'll blow by most every team. You know. Certain brought up Miles Turner earlier. Miles Turner used to watch Surgeon Baka film because that's what Myles Turner can do. Should I tweet at it? Yeah? He Surge. He surge Miles because he can space the floor. He's

a legit three point shooter. Now he's still a plus rebounder and he's not gonna leave the league in shop blocks anymore. But they don't need him to. You know, he's still quick enough to guard Yoki and that's really what they need. And maybe most importantly is that he's a proven Kauai teammate, like they were talking about chemistry issues. Kauai need like he needed more familiarity in this in the locker room and man at the center position, Surge

is like the exact guy that Kauai pick. I mean he called him or I think he like Texan was like you coming or what which is really funny. So these, um, these games start at nine am and presumably we'll go till about eleven pm, so you've got full day. You don't even you may not be able to be with your family. We got five well not we I didn't do anything, um, but there are five NBA games that

can take the place of your family. I like Lebron better than some of my family, you know, not nuclear, not nuclear mom and dad, but like outside, um, Kenny, where can people? Where can our listeners find you? At? Ken? D E F O R E S T not two rs. For some reason, people want to put a second are in there. Um, I would say Instagram is is what I prefer. I'm also on Twitter, but I think about deleting it every day, So follow me on Twitter and Instagram and then well you know, if I quit Twitter,

then NBA Twitter's like probably the only thing keeping you there. Yeah, and We're in Christmas Eve of NBA Twitter right now, so it's gonna be tough to back out. I'll be on Twitter. You can find you can you just gobble in the fun and leave the rest. I mean that's very I don't know what I'm talking about. My dive head first into the shitty every day. Um, I got all Kenny stand up to Oh yeah absolutely, and um Pro Bowl announcement came out today Rodrigo blanket ship left off.

I'm pretty fucking pissed. I want to recount. I want to recount. How about that? Oh yeah he need Yeah, for sure. The forest Buckler will be there someone as someone else got a spearhead your campaign. I'm spearheading Hot Rods. But the Forest Buckner you got sucked over to Kenny Moore. We got a player named Kenny on her team. Kenny Moore's change good and they both got snow up. Wow. This is wow wow Wow. Um doesn't Kennymore just sound like a guy who lives in Indy. I love that name.

It's just so Indy to me. Um, you can find me at better Megan Gailey on Instagram, at Megan Gaily on Twitter. Oh my half hour is on YouTube right now. The link is in my Instagram bio. I think it's only up for a few more weeks, So gather the family around, or if you don't have family that you can't see, gather me around. I'd love to be your little bitchy aunt or sister or whatever you need me to be. I will be for you all right at c J Tolodonna on everything. And that's it you guys.

Merry Christmas, Happy holidays. Please stay safe but not there yet. Do your do your very very best. Don't drink and drive. I don't know that feels like a holiday when you got to throw out there, Kenny, thank you so much. Merry Christmas, pleasure, Merry Christmas, Happy holidays, everybody, Thank you all right, see you next time. The Greatest is a

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