CJ McCollum on NCAA Basketball & Wine

for you guys. This week, We've got Portland's Trailblazer, star podcaster and vintner c J McCollum on the show to talk wine being on a Cinderella team and his life in the NBA. Olivia, I'm so excited for that conversation. You took the lead on it and I can't wait for the people to hear it. We're all also going to be talking about how dad's, even famous dads can embarrass us even when they think that they're helping out. And then, finally, on this week's Lions Lock, Peter Andrew

is back from bet MGM. We're going to talk about what Vegas got wrong and what they got right and his locks for the Sweet six team. But first let's jump into some NBA trade talk. Olivia, we spoke about a bunch of the trades that we thought may happen last week, But here we are now a week later. I'm wondering, how are our predictions and what do you make of all of the big moves that happened in the league? YEA speedy with this stuff. Sometimes it's more

of what didn't happen that is important. In NBA's top contenders really stayed mostly quiet. Nothing to blockbuster, but the Clippers, they're currently third in the West. They get ra Gen Rondo for Lemon Pepper Lou Williams. He goes home to Atlanta, a magic city, celebrating it. So I don't know. I'm concerned about him going there. Oh for him, Hey, he's got lou Willville. He's good. He's got a lot of friends in Atlanta, my man, So he is um. He is celebrating, as is the city. But it's great for

the Clippers. They now have a true point guard, Rondo one with the Lakers last year. He's comfortable and staple, so I like that move. The Orlando Magic was busy as expected. They did trade off Evan Fournier Aaron Gordon, but the real surprise with the Orlando was they got rid of All Star center Nakola Vusovich. He's going to Chicago. Vosovic is the only All Star that was dealt at the deadline, So that's that's important. And the Bulls now are really showing that they're trying to make a push

into the playoff conversation. With this move, he averages twenty four and eleven. So he joined Zach Lavine and Company and they're currently tenth in the East, trying to push make that top eight. The biggest thing Toronto did not trade point guard Kyle Lowry. That was kind of a buzz. Is he gonna stay or go? He's a free agent this summer, thirty five years old, but he's asking for a lot of money, as he should. But you know, Adam Leftco told us last week he really wanted him

to go to Philly. There's also some talk of him going to l a to play for the Lakers. And it wasn't there something Adam said last week he played against him in a a U in Philadelphia. He did. He was just name dropping. I think we're all guilty of that. But you know, the Raptors did sell High and Norman Powell. They got Gary Trent Jr. And Rodney

Hood from Portland feel here. Actually, later in the show, their former teammates C J. McCollum was telling me about that and just how bizarre it is when your teammates are traded away. So anyways, I think the Sads more offense to the Blazers. Pale is a more kind of dynamic shooter. He's having a great three point shooting season. He's shooting from three. So that's all very exciting. But over to the East, seven time All Star, LaMarcus Aldridge

goes to the Nets. You're broking Net. They've got Kyrie, They've got k D who's still struggling with the hamstring reported not returning this week. James hard and Blake Griffin now LaMarcus DeAndre Jordan's and they're coached by Steve Nash with Mike D'Antoni on the bench. And as we record, the Spety their second in the East behind Philly just by one game. But how excited are you? I mean, it's it's the most exciting roster we've seen in a

long time. Yeah, I'm I'm not necessarily a super Nets fan, but them assembling this monstars type roster is making me gravitate towards them more and more. I think that the fact that they're able to start five All Stars is absurd. I mean, it's really at this point feeling like it's their finals to lose. I mean, I would love to see them go up against l A, who just picked

up big man Andre Drummond. I think that is a nice addition for l A. But talk about just from a swag perspective, like who's killing it more than Brooklyn right now? I don't know, Atlanta maybe now with lou Will they got Tred Young, but you know in Brooklyn you've got Kyrie k D of course Hardened. We're talking about some of the swaggies players in the league. So I'm excited to see them on the court obviously, but also off the court, just bringing a swag that energy

that the city needs. I think the swag is a perfect word word for Their colors are kind of like dangerous looking about it. My favorite thing about doing a game at Barclay's too. I don't know if you feel the same way anytime you walk in there. First of all, it's so so beautiful. The court is so beautiful. It's awesome. You get off the subway right there, like at the front door. It's it's awesome, But it always to me

smells like chocolate chip cookies. I've asked, I've asked someone who works at Barclays, why does it smell so amazing in here like chocolate chip cookies. They said they pump in sense of that in the sweets. No way, that's what they don't. Try to keep the money in the building. Hey, the money staying in the building, but they're spending a lot of money to Wow. Yeah, I've been in there.

I have, I must. I've been in a suite in the Barclays, and I've been in a suite at MSG with the Knicks play, and the suits to me at the Barclays are superior to that of the Garden. So I can understand why I feel this way. Now, maybe it's because low key they've been sneaking in chocolate chip cookie sense just to make me want to come back. No, absolutely, But I thought I thought the Nets were your team though, But are you kind of split with the Knicks? No? See,

here's the thing. I used to be a super Kobe fan, right, Obviously, the late great Kobe Bryant is no longer with us. And then after him, I was like, all right, I have no reason to root for l A anymore, so I have to come home to New York. And so I've always just kind of casually like split my fandom between Brooklyn and New York, which was fair because they both stunck, you know, like neither of them were really winning, they weren't really doing much. But now it looks like

the Knicks are gonna make the playoffs. It looks like the Nets are also going to make the playoffs. But just from like a flavor perspective, yeah, I gotta go

with Brooklyn. It's you know, it's just different, and even just the energy around the arena, you know, like when you're around in downtown Brooklyn versus like midtown Manhattan, it's just a different vibe, the vibe even like you said, the colors, the jersey, just like everything about the Nets just brings that aura of like real gritty New York. And that's why they're so fun to root for. Now. I hear you, and you are nothing if not flavorful, my friend. I feel like, if you say something's cool,

it is very cool. So the fact that you sign off on that, I can get behind the Nets too. I'm absolutely honored at that compliment, maybe a top five compliment I've ever been given in my life. Now, coming up next here on Unleashed, we've got c J McCollum on. He's gonna sit down with Olivia. I'm sitting this one out, but I'm excited for the people to hear your conversation. What can the people expect in just a minute, will

we talk about our weddings? We talk about wine, um, everything in between and including this past three agency and in trade deadline, and then what the Blazers need to do to stay focused. You know, he's coming off an injury in January, and and it's interesting to see how this truncated NBA season and schedule is affecting players kind of mentally as well. So it was a great conversation. Fire can't wait. Let's get it to it. Ce J,

thank you so much for being on the show. I'm especially eager to talk to you right now, well about about two things. Your wine label, which I don't even know if you know this, but your people are sending me some bottles and I cannot wait to try it, the new Rose. And then I'm also very excited to talk to you about your n C Double A tournaments. Really two of them that put le High on the map. And if you're okay, I want to start there because it was it put you on the national radar. For sure.

You had already won conference Player of the Year a couple of years, but to make this run as a sick team seed and then as a fifteen seed when you upset Duke, do you feel like now the further removed you are from that and as you watch these games now, does it kind of hit you different, thinking, Wow, we really pulled that off. Yeah, it's it's definitely weird watching the highlights, seeing the baby face, the jersey swinging, it takes me back to a lot of my collegiate memories.

But it was a lot of fun and I'm thankful for the opportunity and the experience to be able to play in the tournament. As you said before, I had success in my conference, but I think from a national standpoint, that stage is as big as it gets for collegiate athletes. And to be able to play against Duke, not the goliath coach k the team that has all those NBA players for me to be able to play against them and have success and be able to help my team win. It kind of stamped me as a as a guy

who can play at the highest level. You had thirty I want to say in that game against Duke, did you feel the pressure of this is an NBA audition? Yeah, definitely. It's it's the it's the opportunity you relish like you look forward to a chance to kind of solidify. I always say, like, I always know who I am, and I think highly of myself, but that's your chance to

kind of show people who you think you are. And if I would have performed not so well, I don't think my situation would have probably turned out the same. But from a pressure standpoint and our pressures, as the saying goes, pressures, you know, the single mother trying to provide for her children. Pressure is the is the person who is trying to figure out how their next meal is gonna come. For me, it's just a basketball game that I've played my whole life, and it's my escape,

it's my happiness, is my piece. It allows me to be able to potentially take care of my family, which is what I do now. At the time, I was just thinking I've worked hard, I've put the time in, just show up, and whatever is meant to be will be. And that's what kind of happened for me. I know that gms and scouts really look at your resume as a whole, but I cannot imagine at that age And was that your junior year, were you? Yeah? Junior, I was twenty, So at twenty years old, I don't think

most people can wrap their heads around that. That truly a life altering night in that game. And you've got to think that that caused a lot of separation for you. I mean that that's crazy. How would you describe that to someone who doesn't understand that. Yeah, I mean I went from relatively unknown to like Justin Bieber and like celebrities tweeting and being on the ESPN Sports Center speaking

to Charles Barkley Shack. So it was a little weird for me personally because I'm just like a small school kid. I grew up in cant Ohio, small city steel mills. You just you show up and you do your job and you go home type of mentality. So it was just more exposure for me to kind of being a

national spotlight that I'm showing my highlights too. Being talked about as NBA player to the next that actual summer, I end up declaring for the draft, going back to school, and then I start the season off as a preseason first team All American. So it kind of put me in the spotlight as a guy who is elite at his position, a guy who has a chance to become an NBA player, and someone who perform as well in

the bright stage. It's just crazy to think the course of history just how easily it could have gone another way. And then obviously you've deserved improving yourself at this level. It's interesting. My husband played on the two Wisconsin teams who went to back to back Final four's, played in the National Championship, and then himself and Frank Kaminski end

up being the only players drafted from that team. And he always says, and I know Frank agrees, and I'm curious if you have the same experience, There's something very different about how much fun you're having playing the game at that level. You know, in college, it's like your teammates are your roommates, your parents are friends, they travel

to games together, your girlfriends are friends. It's just so intimate, and I'm just curious if you have the same experience as then comparing it to the NBA from just a kind of fun and camaraderie standpoint, when guys are traded left and right all the time. Yeah, I thought I've seen the decker. I thought that was you. But yeah, I think it's I think he's right, he's spot on.

The The experience you have in colleges is unique in itself, and it's unlike anything you've ever experienced from the dorm rooms. It's always joke. It's the only time in your life to where you have freedom with no responsibility. The only responsibility is to go to class and to go to practice. There's no real repercussions for doing so many things you can do as a professional athlete that will be in

the spotlight. So I think that's the funnest time. Like you said before, the girlfriends are close, the parents are coming to games. I remember my mom and dad would come out for games, to come out for the conference championship, we go eat at the dining hall. You kind of do all of those things, and then you move off campus and get a house, and that's really the only time you have responsibility is to pay your rent. Which you get a check from the team or a check

from the university. But to now being in the NBA, the deadline just passed. You talked about guys getting traded. We had Gary Trent Jr. And Rodney Hood get traded while we're in Miami to the Toronto Raptors who are based in Tampa, only to go play against them two days later. It was super weird. It was It was crazy. That kind of shows you the the business of basketball and how in college like guys might transfer, coach might

just leave. But very rarely do you have to worry about like your friends being traded within like the middle of the season. Oh absolutely yeah. I remember one time Sam played four years in the league and he was traded from Cleveland to Washington and they were playing the Wizards the next day and he's like, I know I'll be in the building. I just don't know what jersey I'm wearing, Like, I really don't. It's crazy. It's just crazy. I don't think most people understand that dynamic of it.

But all of your interests off the court, I think make you so interesting to the average NBA fan, regardless of who your team is. I think a lot of people can get behind you, and you've handled yourself with such class. And now this new project of the wine. Tell me how that even started. Because obviously where you are in organ is such a hotbed for this and such a famous region. And my wife introduced me to it in college. Obviously we were off a drinking auge.

Such she introduced me, and I wasn't a big fan of it. And as I pursued her, and as I kind of matured and my palette kind of evolved, I began to like it more. Your fast forward, I get drafted by the Blazers and I taste my first Oregon pino. It was Walter Scott. It was volcanic soil from from Bryant Creek, and I fell in love. I was like, wow, this is actually good. Like I hadn't tasted like high quality pino before. I had no idea what volcanic soil even was until I read the label and like learned

about it. But fast boards some more and I started going to like Shela Mountains, I started going to Willama Valley. Et takes me to some wineries. Evan turned and shout out to my guy, and that's when everything kind of turned, I became fascinated with it. End up, you know, having a six hundred, seven hundred bottle seller. I started becoming a member at different wineries and I told my agency, like, I really enjoy wine. I would like to learn more

about it. Next thing, you know, I'm having conversations with Adol sim about a potential partnership in which I kind of get to the terms. You know what it looks like from educational standpoint of learning about wine, learning about the business of wine. Gina the winemaker would kind of walk me through the process of tasting different varietals and potentially I'll be able to design my own label, put my own name on it, and start my own line.

And here I am now with McCollum herritage. Just put out a rose or rose will be coming out in a week. I had a two eighteen penot Nework going sell in September of last year that sold out pretty fast and minutes. Yeah, should have made more, I guess, yeah, but that's kind of the process. And my right heritage was your nickname as a kid, no, c J. Well, I had a lot of nicknames, but CJS probably the one. But I grew up on Heritage Avenue, so that was

actually the street that I grew up on. So that's that's probably with my heritage, and I'm just big on my heritage in general. So that's heritage. But my wife's favorite flowers and theorim flowers, so that's the flower I put on the bottom. That's so awesome. We'll see. J I'm actually kind of selfishly interested in the process of making your own wine because it's something I've always thought

i'd maybe get into down the road. I used to work at a vineyard in summers in college, and UM have always loved experiencing that, traveling to the Bordeaux Valley, Loire Valley, Kiante, and and learning more about the business. So tell me, how do you even start curating your own bottle? It's tough, but depending on what you're into. For me, it was more about education. I factored in two things, right, quality of wine, what type of wine is it? What type of wine do I like? What

type of education can I gain from this? And then from a live sustainability standpoint, their life certified, which means they care about the environment. So I wanted to make sure that I approached it in a way in which I'm not being a detriment to society. I'm also educating myself and I'm able to enjoy a great product, and there's a lot of great options in the will Emmy Valley and in the Shahalen Mountains. But out of sim just kind of made sense to me if like an

authentic partnership. It felt genuine, It felt like it was the right thing for me to do, and so far we've had nothing but pleasant experiences together and being able to collaborate on a lot of different things. So that was my process. But I don't think there's a wrong way to do it, because no matter what happens, you get to taste wines, which is always a BLUs. You get to learn about wine, and you get to educate yourself on the business of wine, which is a whole

another aspect that the casual drinker doesn't experience. Like now, I look at bottles differently because I had to design a label, I had to get a patent, I had to kind of figure out what I would name things, what years I would try to put out, and then with Britles I would try to put out. So there's

a there's a lot that goes into it. But it's been a very rewarding process because I've been able to see from start to finish a wine with my name on it, with with my taste preference, and then being able to share that with strangers has been has been a really cool experience. Man, that is a dream. But a lot of people now kind of associate the n b A with like it's like a mini wine club, Like when did this happen? I feel like NBA players

have now taken ahold of the industry. And you hear about you know, on the plane two games, you know, drinking like extremely expensive nice bottles of wine or in the hotels, and obviously it's the coaches. I worked for the Atlanta Hawks for three years and Mike Grutenholzer is a big wine Oh he got that from Popovich and and then I would see the whole staff. But they're like, it's such an art. When did this happen in the NBA?

I think it happened over time as players began to mature, begin to get more into the business realm, and I think they got more comfortable with the world of wine. It started with you know, older players talking about it in their interviews Obviously, you've got Lebron, You've got Cep, you got Jimmie, You've got mel All, You've got all these players who've been in the league over fifteen years who have been exposed to a lot and now are comfortable with speaking one. You've got d Way to own wine.

You've got the curries who have their own wine. And now it's kind of expanding to where joh Chart, you know, most partnering with prisoner J. J. Reddix and the y he loves white Burgundy. I have my own wine. So now we're becoming more comfortable with it because it's more socially accepted as opposed to, you know, certain things that just aren't aren't viewed the same. Wine is a It's something that you can enjoy in a mature setting. You can do business, you can do it with teammates, you

can do with family and loved ones. And I think it's become more acceptable in our culture as as a black man, we're more exposed to things, We're more aware of things, and I think in the n b A guys are just more comfortable. Well, I'd be remiss not to talk a little bit about this current NBA season, and I cannot wait to try your wine, by the way, So thank you very much for sending some of my way.

But just shortened season, so many games. You obviously had the foot injury coming back, and you have sixteen games I think in April alone. What's like the mentality of getting through the rest of the season, because I don't think people know how hard it is on y'all. It's brutal,

it's brutal. We're making we're making do with We're saying tests in a few times a day, kind of going through that process mentally, of staying out the way, trying to trying to avoid, you know, a positive test, and there's just scares that kind of happened on a day to day basis. But from playing standpoint, like you said before, I'm coming off a foot fracture. We don't practice because you got testing, you got travel, you've got games every other day, so it's just too hard to kind of

put everything together. So I'm basically getting into rhythm in games, which is trial and error, some great moments and some terrible moments, and then physically you're just exhausted. We flew from Portland to Miami, we landed, we had we had a lift and we had eight am testing, which is five specific five and Pacific time. We played a game that night. We had to back to back play in Orlando and then we flew to Tampa to play Toronto. So the schedule, like you said before, sixteen games in April,

back to backs about just about every week. There's no real time to rest. You just gotta pick your spots. You gotta get treatment. You got iced tub massage, I got dry needling scheduled for twelve thirty today, So just kind of going through that process. But then also for me, being able to step away from basketball has been extremely important, so meditating. I have wine not only to drink, but projects that I'm working on to where I can kind of escape. And I'm big on healthy hobbies, so things

that are healthy but also make me happy. So sometimes they're not healthy, like eating French fries, they make me happy, but then also like hot yoga, So being able to do those types of things kind of gives me an escape to where I don't look at the schedule. So like for you telling me that sixteen games, like now, I know, but I don't look at the schedule past three games. I look at the next. You didn't know that. No, I didn't know. I avoid it. Maybe I shouldn't have

told you. That's okay, don't worry about it. But it's just crazy that the struggle that it is, and I feel bad for these college athletes to watching them, especially teams that are losing in the first round. Everything they had to do to get there just brutal on these guys. It's never been worse, I think, to be a college athlete. So it's it's so great to see the team celebrate and continue to advance. Do you have a team you really like now? Are you able to watch much? I

haven't been watching. I got some friends that coach in college and some friends that play, but I wanted to the oral Robberts, you got it. They had it. They had a young player, number three. He was pretty good, so I was hoping they would When they end up losing, so now I don't really I don't really care what happens. I think it's Michigan out of it, like I don't even know. No, Michigan's in. I hope Joanna Howard does well,

so I like to see them win. Other than that, so CJ, what am I going to expect when I have your rose. That's a great question. I mean, what the taste notes I'm going to get. I love strawberries, so you'll definitely have hints of strawberries. It's a little bit of lemon in it, some plush. It's super smooth. Everything I do is Mr Smooth. But Gina is super

very humble. Thank you, super humble Gina. The winemakers cheesy Lee and I always jump and say she's She's like the one behind the scenes that makes all my dreams come true. I have an idea of how I want something to taste, I have an idea of how I'd like something to be presented, and she she outdoes herself every time. So she's like the She's like the the left guard that protects tom Brady, you know, doesn't get a lot of credit, but without the left guard, there

is no Tom Brady. And I think that's the winemaker in all industries, the one that's behind the radar, doesn't get a lot of credit but does all the work. So it's compliments to her. She just she just brought a lot of you know what my wife and I wanted to see to light in and without her there is no, he heard it's ninety one and there is no great rose. So I hope you do enjoy it.

I've enjoyed. It's very fruit forward. The bottle is pretty compliments of the design team because I just told him I would like to see and they made it happen it. Last question, if Jeane is a left guard, I assume you're Tom Brady in this scenario. Who is your wife? And I love following her on Instagram. By the way, y'all have the most beautiful wedding, and she kept whipping out all these new looks. I was like, she and it was in Vogue? Wasn't in Vogue? Yes it was.

It was incredible. She's beautiful, Thank you for sure. That was fun. That was a lot of fun to COVID small COVID wedding. But we got a lot of pictures and a lot of outfits. But I mean, honestly, if you're talking about in the household, then I'm not Tom Brady. I'm more like I might be grown. Or if I'm Tom Brady, she's uh, what's his name, Bruce Area former Bill Bill chick. But she seems a little bit nice. Is Bill Belichick? Spruce Arians? If I'm the quarterback, she's

the head coach. Love it, so that's kind of how that goes. But it's been fun, it's been a it's been a great process. We've learned a lot, and I'm looking forward to continue to expand. And I would have never put out a wine if I never met her, because I would have never probably dove down this path, honestly. So I'm thankful that she's been able to help me, and I'm thankful that I could put a white out in her honor with it with Anthony and Flower on it.

That's very beautiful. Thank you so much. What a great story too. Thanks for kind of taking us on a deep dive into that process. That's awesome, No problem, no problem at all. Best of luck, moving forward to you and the Blazers. Gonna be an exciting finish, Canna be an exciting April. Can't wait to see how you all do and stay healthy and thanks again for your time, c J. No problem, you guys have a great one, Okay, Speedie.

It was fun this week because my dad does NBA on T and T games. His name is Kevin Harlan and he usually is on Thursdays, but this past week he was Tuesday, which means he was setting it back and forth to the Atlanta studios to our guy, Adam Leftco, who was our guest last week. Yes, so the ironic part is that now everyone's calling the games from home. You know, my dad's got this crazy studio set up in his basement. So what my family kind of likes to do is we have dinner now at my parents

house on the nights he has these games. Because it's so unique, we get to have dinner with them, and then we all watch the game and he goes in the basement calling it. So I gotta ask a question here, So you guys sit upstairs and watch the game live on TV while he's in the basement giving the color commentary of said game. Yes, that is technology is nuts. I'm sorry, that's just blowing my mom. But keep going. I'm sorry. Yeah, And we try to make sure we're

we're a conducive work environment. But my sister's got two little kids who are running all around, we're all having cocktails, you know, the whole thing. It's it's not a good work environment. So I give him a lot of credit for staying focused, but I tell him, you know, Dad, Adam Leftco. You're sending it back and forth to the studio. He's our guest this week, and he goes, Okay, go ahead and write down the name, the name of the show.

I do not want to mess it up. And you know, you and Speedy and Adam, I just want to make sure I nail it because I'm gonna do a little plug. I was like, boy, that is so nice. Yes, we know we're only is this just our third episode, we're getting off the ground. And I thought, boy, that's a big national audience. That's so nice. Well, all write down our show name Unleashed MGM, Adam Left, Go, Speedy Mormon and you know it just it didn't go quite according

to plan. And this is just a very big Dad gaff um and I believe right now we can play it in its halftime was on deck from our studios. Adam left, Girl courts right that being the anchor, there's the Unleashed podcast by b G MGM and every day feature guest m GM. Oh my goodness, this is my freaking this is literally my first time hearing it. As I know, we've saved it for you. Yeah, because I missed the game, I forget what I had going on.

But wow, because I texted you and our producer Maddie, and I said, hey, guys, you know, make sure you're tuned in. My dad's gonna plug our show. This is so great and that you would just missed it, like barely had just missed it. And we said, well, it was really nice he did it, but I kind of butchered the name and we're just giving him a hard time. To be fair, he was also doing March Madness games all week. That was like his twelfth game of the week.

I mean, his the fact that he still even thought of us and thought to do it, I was. I was so flattered, but I was like, that's such a dad thing. That is awesome. But the fact that he shout it up Black Entertainment television is hilarious. Were painted picture for me quickly? Were you in the living room like upstairs and like, all right, here we go, guys, he's gonna announce it and then and then and then

how did you react? What what happened? So my mom and I just gonna look at each other like, oh, that wasn't that, but you could tell? And he comes up after the game, he said, did you hear how was it? Did he hear it? And I go, uh huh, yeah, yeah I heard. I heard it, So just one clipping, and I thought by writing it out, I made it super easy. But I did write b e t mgm in acronym. You wrote ba dot T. I mean, I'm gonna have to look back at the post it. I

just wrote it quickly, you know, bet mgm. So he came up. My mom and I were like, should we even tell him? He's gonna feel so bad? No, but that's so sweet. Does he let me ask you? Does he do things? Is he like a dad's dad that he you know, he kind of embarrasses you sometimes that thing that dad's do, Or is this is this just like a good old fashioned dad slip up. I've got to say, neither one of my parents ever embarrassed me

like my I think my parents. My parents are kind of cool parents every time they come around in a way that they're of such good people. And I remember at my college graduation, my parents surprised me and flew down because I graduated a semester early, so none of my friends were graduating like that weekend, but they all surprised me with this big surprise dinner at a sushi restaurant with karaoke and my dad, who again likes to

kind of fade in the background. You know, he's he's so well known in our circles, in like sports media circles, but you know, my college girlfriends didn't really know who he was and you know, didn't really follow sports. And my dad gets on the mic and start singing Frank Sinata and has a beautiful singing voice, which shouldn't surprise you. Yeah, but that to me, even that wasn't embarrassing him, Like that's so cool. He's just you know, putting himself out there.

And my friends were like, your dad is so cool, but that they don't know much about his career, but they know that he killed it with Frank Sinatra. Shout out to Frank Sinata. They be if they were impressed off Frank Sinata, they'd be so much more impressed at watching him do what he does on a national television So, you know, let me just say, my parents never really embarrassed me either, but you know what my pops does

that that is just funny to me. My dad is so proud of like everything that I do and that I have going on that when he's out and about, like meeting people, he loves to just tell people about

his son and like what his son does. So periodically, like especially pre pandemic, like maybe once a month I get a d M on Instagram from somebody I don't know that says, hey, I just met your dad and he told me about what you do and blah blah blah or wow, I didn't know that you this was your dad, but I follow you already, like it's the funniest thing, but it's really like a dad thing. And then I gotta call him and dead. Let me guess you met someone else in the Apple Store this time,

or you met some best You know. My dad's a big tech guy. He likes to buy like gadgets and stuff. So he's at best Buy at this point. I'm sure every Best By employee knows who his son is, just because he's told to probably one by one by one. Well speed Think of it this way. Maybe he's not embarrassing you as your dad. Think of it like he's your publicist. That's what I'm saying. It's like the street. He's like my street team. You know. He's just like

spreads a good bird. You know what I'm saying. If you if you want to listen to a cool podcast or something, he you know, you got a new podcast now because you know who I am because of my pop. So he's doing an amazing job. Plus I don't even have to pay him, which he doesn't ask for nothing. He doesn't ask me another But you know what, I should start just kicking him ten percent from like here on out. Any any new things that come my way, I'll just assume are by way of his word of mouth.

You know, ask him, ask your dad if he's up for higher too. Maybe I'll ask for him to help me what you need. You need him in your corner, in our corner, we'll how about this will make him the official publicist of this podcast, dad right, which is called Unleashed on b et MGM or bet MGM, whichever way you want to pronounce it. Well, Olivia, thanks again to your pops though he you know, effort is all that matters, and so I'm excited that that we gotta

shout out one way or another. Now, coming up next, we're gonna wrap things up with this week's Lions lock Pick, where our guru from bet MGM Peter Andrew gives you all of the insider knowledge about which picks are worth your bread and which picks you may want to hold off on. Alright, guys, Peter Andrew has joined us. Now

our guy. He is our betting savant from bet MGM. Peter, what's up and how are you good? Am? I considered a co host. Now we've got to check the prerequisites here, but borderline Olivia, you can make the call when you think. I don't know. The prerequisites might be kind of low, so you might be good, Peter, I don't know. Paramentry is rock bottom here with Peter, let's just really quickly recap some of our Lions lock picks from last week.

You made some bold calls. I assume you hit on some and assume that you didn't hit on some others. There's once you just go ahead and run us through. Yeah, So first I think I went to and two. So the Earl Roberts plus eleven was was an easy lock. Obviously came down to the buzzer there heartbreaker for a Smiths, so that one hit luckily. I did say I don't think they come out on top. So it's nice to finally have a winning pick in my back pocket. Gonzaga

continued to roll again really impressive. I don't think we've even seen them scratch the surface of what they can be, which is really scary. And then, of course, on the negative side, Loyola, I think just given that they were playing from behind for a lot of the game, it seemed like they were just out of their comfort zone. They just weren't getting comfortable the same way you saw them in a couple of the previous rounds. And Speedy

obviously the tough ones accused. Um, I think just the way they contain Buddy Beeheim, I mean even off screens, just picking pops kind of shots. He just was contained the shot one of nine. Um, So they did a really good job there and obviously holding to your cust nine points. I mean, you're gonna wincent a time when that's the case. So it's nice to have some wins under my belt compared to last week or two weeks ago. So I'll taken in strides and keep moving forward. So, Peter,

it's Tuesday morning as we're recording this. We only know one of the final four matchups, Baylor and Houston. I kind of like Baylor. They lead the nation in three point shooting. They have a first team All American and Jared Butler and this stellar backcourt with Digan Mitchell, and they're averaging like over forty six points per game. I think those three alone. But this Houston defense, they kind of out tough you, you know, outgret you. They hold

opponents just a fifty seven points per game. So I think it's kind of an old school matchup. I'm not sure if their matchup styles will complement each other. I think it could be kind of an ugly game. What are you expecting in that one, since it's the only one we know. Yeah, so I think there's a stat I read this morning Houston's number two and three point defense, Bailor's actually number one and three point offense. I think

that ends up being the game right there. I think, you know, I'm a cut last night incredible from downtown. I think they were constantly finding the wide open guy. Happened to be him most of the time. I really like Baylor here. I think if you're used and you have to be really concerned about your shooting, I think they shot from the field, something like from three when you're inefficient like that. I think it's gonna be really, really difficult against the Bailor team that again can can

shoot from downtown. They're way more efficient, and it's gonna be a tough task for them. Peter, I gotta, I gotta pull your card here, because you were pretty pretty dead set on Michigan not being a contender. You thought they were going to get packed up last round. Here they are still dancing. How far do you think they go? So obviously we're talking into the future a little bit here, But if you get a matchup like Franz Wagner versus Drew Timmy, that I think is the game right there.

So if low post offense, low post defense, if they can contain him, He's clearly been the best player, maybe in the tournament, but certainly for Gonzaga. So really ultimately comes up to that matchup. I think you've got guys like Jalen Suggs and Kisser that maybe haven't scratched surface yet. I think Sugs in particular, But I think it really comes down to that low post matchup. I think there's good guard play on both sides, but Timmy's constantly putting

up points really really efficient, so it really depends. But yeah, I'm I'm eating my words here thinking Michigan was going to be in early out and look at them now. Well, the Final four starts Saturday, so we're looking forward to that. But I understand this weekend you're going to the Nets Hornets game. We've been talking a lot of NBA on this show. Is is that a set lock? Do you

have a line that you like there? You know, obviously having no Lamello, at least for the next month and potentially for the season, is really tough for the team. I think they played good basketball. They're probably gonna be a four. I've succeed in the playoffs, but when you talk about just what the Nets have been doing over the last couple of weeks, I know Blake and LaMarcus Alds have kind of gotten past their prime a little bit.

When you have those two complimenting guys like DeAndre Jordan's who are interior defense is still second and none, and then obviously have the just victory of Kyrie Katie Harden, it's really really tough to notunt back them. I think the Horners are gonna be in a lot of trouble. They're just not as athletic. I think it's gonna be a tough matchup. I don't know what the line is yet. I think we'll have to wait public closer to Thursday till it's set. But I'm taking taking Nets in the

points and Peter. Obviously we don't know the exact adds, or maybe we do, But what do you think the chances are of the Nets taking it all now and and have their odds increased with the addition of Blake and the markets. Yeah, I think playoff basketball just different. Monster. You need the depth you're gonna get players. Inevitably, they're getting banged up or in foul trouble. Having a couple of those guys again maybe past their prime a little bit, but they can still play ball. I don't see a

team that probably can compete with them. I think you see some of the concerns with the Lakers eighties health, Lebron's health right now. A guy like Drummond is great, but I just don't think it's going to compare to a team that has such good perimeter shooting, can play inside out. Clippers are on a roll right now. I

think they're won six straight. But again, it's hard to find a team that's just gonna be able to compliment or or go against the complimentary pieces of of what the nets bring you, which is just five men that can score twenty points on any given day. Last thing here, if someone had a metaphorical hundred dollars to bet this week on bet MGM, where do you recommend they put their money? Man, it's it's hard again. I've bet Gonzaga

the whole way through to cover. I think you have to put a hundred dollars on them to cover their next game for tonight it happens to be I think it's minus eight and a half right now against usc but but rolling into Michigan it will probably be closer to four or five should they win. I think you have to just ride the wave. They've over to every game, I think probably for the last month, going into the w CC tournament and even into the season. I don't think I've seen him in a couple of months now

be an under ten point favorite. So you have to ride the wave. Maybe you sprinkling a parlay with Michigan to cover as well. I think I think maybe you go you turn that hundred maybe into a quick two or two fifty, But both of those teams are just really really solid and again eating my words on Michigan. They've proved me wrong for sure, But but Gonzaga is

just a whole another level of basketball, that's right. Just this week we learned Isaiah Livers is out and definitely for the rest of the season, but it doesn't seem to matter. Michigan looks as good as they have all seasons, so it's um I like them. If I were to redo my bracket. Actually I had Gonzaga winning. Still love the Zags, but Michigan I think has pulled it together more than anyone expected. I put Michigan and win at all. Yeah. Brandon Johns Jr. Look incredible this weekend. I mean just

really really consistent, really efficient. Again, I know that's kind of a hot word here, but just playing really good basketball. A guy like him at six eight that can take it outside. I think he shot fift from three the other day. But also, like I said, big frame, big body, can take it to the rim. It's gonna be tough for those acts, you know, to to match up with a guy like that. Kissburgh little undersized, not as athletic as John's, so gonna be really interesting going it's funny.

Four should be interesting, indeed, Peter, as always, we thank you for your time and we'll check back in with you one week from now and then we'll see how you picks held up. Sounds good, thanks, guys, He's gro Thank you alright, guys. Well that is it for our show today, Olivia. What a fun episode and what a wide range. Right we're talking sports picks, of course, we're talking b E T M t M and then we're also talking with NBA superstars. Did you have a highlight

from this episode? My highlight had to be sitting down with c J McCollum, you know via zoom sitting down. He's just so multifaceted and interesting, and to hear his experience from his March Madness run, it puts a lot into perspective as we watch these teams still battle it out. Obviously, Final four coming up this weekend. I cannot wait. I cannot wait either, and we'll be back with you all

next week. So make sure to check out all of the action from bet MGM, follow them on all social platforms at bet MGM, and as we learned from Kevin Harland, that is spelled b E T M G m Also, we're only asking one thing. If you here, please leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, and make sure you follow us wherever you listen to your podcast. We'll see you guys next week. Piece