IT IS WHAT IT IS - MA$E SAYS THE LAKERS MIGHT BE BACK & THE KNICKS CAN'T SEEM TO BEAT THE BEST TEAMS! | S6 EP27

Episode Date: February 25, 2025

Ma$e & Treasure "Stat Baby" Wilson are here with another one!! On this episode, Ma$e says the Lakers might be back!! Luka and Lebron take care of business against the Nuggets, the Knicks can't seem to beat any of the top teams in the NBA after losing to the Celtics again this season, what is going to happen with the Mavericks and Cavs the rest of the season and why Murda thinks KD is a real hooper! What do you think? Tell us in the comments below Please Like the video, comment, subscribe & turn on your post notifications for more content. Listen to the show on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/show/4Brb7BgCw4f4jwgS5v3sXQ?si=811988ecff7b416a Listen to the show on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/it-is-what-it-is/id1719695401 Sign up and deposit for Underdog HERE with promo code [MASE, CAM, STAT, IIWII] to get up to $1,000 in bonus credits and a free pick: https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-itiswhatitis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello y'all, uh I was selling crack on a private jet up in a hell and back But no confusion, this a reunion Hello y'all, welcome back Yeah, Murda here, he countin' money He said, can't man the hell we're at I'm only here to shit on niggas and piss on bitches Welcome ass, I bought jewelry and bikes, nigga

Black fences and white vigas Now I'm out here and I'm lookin' for more chandeliers and light pictures Nah, I don't like niggas, what's wrong with me? Welcome back to It Is What It Is, this episode is sponsored by Underdog. The app is an easy way to make some cash just by making picks on your favorite players. Underdog is available in more than 30 states, including California, Texas, and New York, just to name a few. Make sure to support the show by hitting the link in the bio and downloading the Underdog app. Use code MACE, Kim, or STAT to get up to $1,000

in bonus credits with your first deposit and a free pick. I'm Treasurer Wilson, AKA STATbaby, along with your host Mace, and Kim will return tomorrow. Mace, how you feeling? Stat, you back. Stat, where you been at? I was going through it, but I'm back. I'm better.

I'm glad to be here. Yeah. How are you? You better, better. What did you have? The measles? The mumps? You can't put all your information out there. No. Are you you better better? What did you have the measles the mom?

No, what was going on guys in simple terms because can I just explain I don't understand why people think we take vacation days. Don't take Asian days if I'm not here for a reason had an allergic reaction and that is all but I'm better. I'm great. So it's for a reason. Had an allergic reaction and that is all, but I'm better, I'm great. So you went to all Star Weekend and you had an allergic reaction. Yes, I did.

I had an allergic reaction. Allergies are a thing back. So I'm good now. I was going through it, but I feel a lot better. And I appreciate it. Oh man. I made sure I was good, but yeah. You're a lucky killer wasn't it? I would love to hit with killer. a lot better and I appreciate it. Oh man. I made sure I was good, but yeah I was.

You're lucky Killer wasn't here. I would love to hit with Killer. I was going through it, but I'm good now. We're good, it's great. And I'm glad to be back. So you went to All Star weekend. Did Baggage claim that this happened at the hotel you had an allergic reaction?

No. At a club? Wigs, literally did you have? No. At a club? Wigs, did you? No! No! You was not outside like that. Like I was doing the pickleball tournament, doing events, like it was business. Oh, pickle, you got it at pickleball. No, I didn't get it at pickleball.

I was at pickleball and yeah, it was business. It was a business trip. And unfortunately- Did anybody pass you any drinks? No. Did anybody put anything? No, so nothing was put in your drink? No, no, no, no. I'm good.

Oh, okay. I know what I'm allergic to. So like, that's not, it's not like a secret, but yeah, I was going through it. But I'm good. What is it? If you don't mind my... No, because these people don't need to be in my business. People need to know if they invite you somewhere, if you're allergic.

Yeah, no. And what you're allergic to. Because I'm OK, and I'm avoiding that. OK. All right. Great. But good to be back, and good to see you again. I thought you fell in love, honestly.

No. I don't know. So I'm not, nobody's talking behind your back. I thought you fell in love and thought, hey. If somebody was, if somebody was talking behind my back, I would know. I feel like I would know at least, but no, I'm good. You know, Nick, I thought she fell in love and it got, you know, sometime pause,

the getting get good and you just it got, you know, sometime pause to get and get good. And you just was like, you know, I'll go back after that. But right now, you know, you in love on a two way street. Me and love, we ain't worried about that. We worried about being focused in the business. All right. That's all.

I mean, listen, my name Bennett. Okay. I'm not yapping. This is the this is the truth, but I hear you. Okay. I hear you. No lie detector test here. Not at all. Okay. So Mase, we have a lot to discuss. A lot of things happen. We're going to start with the Lakers. So the Lakers have lost 13 of their last 14 games against the Nuggets. But this weekend was a little bit different. The other day they beat the Nuggets 123 to 100. People are saying the Lakers are back Mace. I'm not gonna take any credit stat. I'm not trying to take any credit But when I join a team they start winning it just comes with the title town aura I told Nick this I told killer this I told you this I said I might be back a Laker fan And it just so happened the day I go to LA, the day I go to LA, Luca turned into a different player.

People treat me like a winning shrine. When they see me, they feel like they got to win. It just comes with the Titletown title. And I mean, Luca getting 32 doesn't matter that much, but when you got a LeBron getting a 20 and getting 40 at 40 years old, that changes everything. I'm telling you, that changes every single thing because you got Bron balling like he 20 years old and then you got Luca coming in.

I just think it's too much offensive pause firepower for other teams to actually compete with. Even though they may be seated wherever they're seated, they become a formidable opponent because I don't know many players that could stop LeBron for seven games. And I know Cam gonna come back, Mace, now you're a Laker fan. I've been a I've been a lifetime Laker fan. I'm just back. Luke is there but I've been a lifetime Laker fan. I left when LeBron came because I thought he was going to change the culture. But if they plan like this, you know, what can I say is title

town all over again me Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, Michael Thompson. I'm from that time of the LA Lakers, but I would love to hear what you got to say. You know, Jack Nicholson, the real stars of LA, you know, not this other stuff, you know? Well, first things first, I don't even know when you paid your dues to be a Lakers fan, but I know the title town train has been moving. You mentioned Luca dropping 32 points.

I think that does matter because this is the most points that he scored in a Lakers jersey, which is like, this is what we've been waiting from to see from Luca. You know, when the trade happened, it's like, okay, he's unfit. We don't know how he's going to mesh well with LeBron. I think it shows that he can be a difference maker against the Nuggets. Okay. Like the Lakers have not been winning or doing so well, but not only, we can't just focus on Luca and we can't just focus on LeBron because LeBron is going to be LeBron regardless. In this game, they

figured out a way to stop Jokic. That was the main thing. Like he didn't, he didn't make more, Come on stat, don't start that stat. In this game, which isn't even the type of like, to me, this was Jokic's one of his worst games. And so that's progress that we want to see as Lakers fans. They have something to be excited about. I'm not gonna jump out of way, man. You gonna figure out a way though, stat.

Figure out a way is crazy. He did though. This is his first number. It's not that difficult to stop big men. If you want to stop the big men, you got to make it a fast paced game. Anybody that plays basketball knows this, stat. I thought you played on the 40 and under teams, stat.

I did. And that's a whole different caliber. That's a different thing. But yeah. And when y'all was getting paused, blown out by the other teams with Manny Pacquiao and the rest of them and Marquez, they were running y'all like crazy. So it didn't matter y'all had a big man. It's the same way when you don't have a big man to play against a bigger team.

You run them. But you're saying it shouldn't be difficult to stop, to stop big men. We're not even talking about Big Men in general. We're talking about Jokic. This is one of the most unstoppable players. This is one of the hardest players to guard. This is one of the hardest players to stop. So I think it's showing growth,

not only with LeBron and Luka, but with the addition of JJ Reddick as being the head coach as a whole. You know, the two- So you've given this credit to JJ Reddick? Yeah. JJ Reddick as being the head coach as a whole, you know, the. So you've given this credit to JJ Reddick. Yeah. JJ Reddick has a case. I'm going to let you have my white glasses.

Cause you, you're seeing white right now. How are you going to support the team, but you can't support the coach. JJ Reddick has made adjustments that we didn't expect him to make during his coach or tenure right now with the. What adjustment did he make? They lost the last 13 games. But beating the Nuggets is progress. See, you can make numbers that he didn't make.

You're so selective, Stat. You're so selective. Seeing Luca make numbers that he hadn't make it like this is progress. I'd rather see something than nothing. Okay, okay. But I wouldn't even give this to the coach, I would pause. I think when Jokic comes through the tunnel and he doesn't see Anthony Davis,

I think that's the reason. He really probably didn't even get up for the game. He's probably thinking there's nobody over there could even remotely close guard me not realizing we're going to go in a different direction to where we're going to run you guys so much pause that you're not going to have energy to play at the tempo you used to play at. That's always the best, the best answer to having a very dominant big man. Everybody knows this the press speed up the game trap.

Make them move faster than they want to move. And this gets all of the guard play going. And this is how you get Luca out on the brakes. You get Luca out with the ball and a fast tempo game. And you could put up more points and put up a lot of points. And that's why we see them beating them so decisively. It's not just they beat them. They beat them in a remarkable way.

I can't wait to see the game in Dallas. I might have to fly out there for that. Give me a Roya, a Roya blue cowboy hat. Sit on the front floor, you know? No, that'll definitely be a good game to see, but I do think, I mean, yes, like 80s fearful. And I know the Lakers now have Jackson Hayes, which to me, I said this earlier. I wanted them to get rid of Jackson Hayes.

And, you know, unfortunately, that Mark Williams trade didn't go through with the Hornets. I think that he would have been a good piece for them there. But that fear of the Nuggets is still there. They depleted that fear because they broke a stat that they hadn't done in a while with the addition. Like I said, of Luca, you got Ruhachi Moore. They have Austin Reeves who's throwing buckets for a younger player that they have that's going to help their core. I think they're in a good spot.

I do think we do give credit to JJ Reddick because he is part of the reason why those choices were made. But I get it. Stite stat. I get it. You're a teen. First of all, this is your team, Mase. I should give you these glasses.

They're white millionaires. You should be wearing these because you're looking for white millionaires. That now I'm looking for the truth. I'm looking for white millionaires. You want the glasses you got. You acting like JJ had nothing to do with it. And now all of a sudden like, your kitchen's not having a hard time. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but you're putting extra syrup. You're putting extra syrup on JJ right now. Paul, that's crazy.

You don't trust him? You're not gonna gaslight me to go on the record of torturing JJ Rettig. I'm not gonna do it. I'm just here to ask the right questions. I think JJ Reddick. I'm not gonna do it. I'm just here to ask the right questions. I think the people wanna know, do you trust JJ Reddick? I'm a lifetime Laker fan. That's right. That's the answer, that's that. Yes.

I think it's time to start trusting him. He has a lot to prove and he's proving that like, yes, the Lakers aren't where they need to be right now. But I think that they are serious contenders. Obviously. Okay, sees on top. You got the Grizzlies who are performing well right now. Then there's still the Nuggets. That's always going to be a problem. But the Lakers are in a good little spot right now. Like you guys discussed earlier, there's only a couple games kind of determining where those teams will land and I think that they're in a good spot right now. And that's a better question to ask that, do I trust OKC, but do I trust JJ Reddick?

I don't think that merits that question yet, you know? You have asked a woman, asked you where you were, you haven't, but she don't have the right to ask you that just yet. You don't feel like it's time? Like you need time? Yeah, there's probably not time for that question. Well sometimes things come when you're not ready for it.

And I think in this situation, it's time to have that discussion. That you really going for it today. I'm just saying, you're discussing it. And that's a big part of the conversation is JJ Reddick. Do you trust him? And I think people are going to trust him, which is why the Lakers are starting to be in this position. I don't want to drop the gun because it's just one game. I think that's important thing to ask the fans.

If you're watching this show, I need you guys right now to go in the chat. Tell us right now, do you trust JJ Reddick? Forget Mace. Do you trust JJ Reddick? For everybody watching it is what it is. Stat is trying to ask me this question. I'm going to put it out there to the public. Bub, do you trust JJ Reddick? Sin City, do you trust JJ Reddick? Tito, Tito, Charmin, do you trust JJ Reddick? Larry, would you put your money on JJ Reddick right now? That he's gonna win two playoffs game, he gonna win a series, two series.

Do you think so, Stat? I think now's the time to start trusting him. And we will see. Oh my goodness. But again, again. You said this thing about Mike Tomlin. You're the best. I don't have time for this this morning.

It's too early for this. You trusted Mike Tomlin. And you aborted that train. Now, now you want to jump out here with the millionaire, but here I'm for it. That's a valid point. That's a valid point. But my team, we already got our own situation going on.

This is your team. That's all. Yeah, thank you, stat. All my teams got yellow in it. All my teams got yellow in it. I'm glad. Mine don't, but hey. that. All my teams got yellow in it. All my teams got yellow in it. You know? I'm glad mine don't, but hey. Okay. Moving along. Shout out, Sin. Gotta talk about the Knicks and I hate when I, the Knicks, they're literally losing. And this is not intentional. We're here to talk about them. And this is just what they're doing. So the next loss of the Celtics 118 to 105,

the Celtics are actually three and oh versus the Knicks. This makes a losing like, go ahead. It's that this is the night when you're being you pulled up in the jacket. Yeah, I want to talk about that. Go ahead. Finish. I'm gonna let you go.

Given that the Celtics are three and oh versus the Knicks. Let's kind of just focus on Knicks versus Celtics. When does this become a problem for the Knicks, or is it already a problem? To me, this is already a problem, and I'm gonna tell you why. I go out here on the record, I get this jacket, you know the jacket, you know the jacket, the jacket jacket, the New

York Nick Kiff jacket. And when I get this jacket, the first thing on my mind is, hey, I'm about to show the Knicks love. I post Sin City, I DM him, pause, let him know I'm wearing the jacket. He's all excited, makes this what I'm talking about. And as soon as I wear the jacket, they go on this losing path. This is why we're triggered when it comes to the New York Knicks or any New York team, because the moment you get your hopes up high, this is how they return the favor. They did this with Trent Tucker. They did this with Rod Strickland. They did this with with Trent Tucker. They did this with Rod Strickland. They did this with Mark Jackson. I mean, Kenny Smith, not Kenny Smith, Kenny Skywalker. Was that

the light skin dude name that he could jump? I think he was from Kentucky. The Knicks, they're like known for this and I don't want to mess my court side tickets up but they already messed up. Every time you try to go out there and support the Knicks, they do something like this. I'm tired of being let down by the Knicks. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of it. Like somebody been bullying you, Paws, for years.

That's how it feels like being a Nick fan. They got to feel like they bullied. They got to feel like there's something going on here. Because every time, it never fails that every time we mention something about the Knicks, right, or we give a team that energy, or we give a player, Paws, that energy, they always turn around and not live up to the hype that they're asking for What attention they're looking for now should they have lost the Boston? Yeah, they should have lost the Boston But they lost that thing Cleveland to write they didn't just lose to one of their their future opponents

They lost to both of them. So this is what I'm saying What hopes should I have in a team that lost the two people in which they have to go through to get to the Eastern Conference Finals and also to get to the finals? Right. So if I'm watching this, I'm definitely thinking, this is something we're going to have to, you know, pay close attention to because Cam says something last week when he was talking about Tom Thibodeau, he probably runs the team too much.

He's an old school coach. So though the team is durable by the time they get to the playoffs, they're burnt out. Right. I mean, this could be a part of that. Yeah. What do you think? Yeah.

Would tibetot. And I know Nick's fans are a little delusional delusional. Go ahead and say it's that delusional. That's what they are. Some are feeling like the coach needs to go. And I always feel like that's a strong statement just to urge, but it's not, I'm not saying he need to go, but his bags need to be packed. Yeah.

Not go, but his bags need to be packed. What's the big thing? No, no, no, no, there's a difference. You keep your bags packed just in case, because you know behind your back they talking about you going. Yeah. He's not out the door, but he definitely needed to know where his his possessions are. Yeah. I just feel like I mean, yeah, I guess his bags are packed, but it's like, I don't I don't want to jump the gun and say you need to go. You know, your explanation really

helps, but it's like they are a different team that needs adjustments. Like we've seen, you know, JJ Reddick do well with what he has. I feel like the Knicks are very stagnant because like you said, you can't beat the Celtics. You can't beat the Cavs. You can't score against top teams and you can't slow down top teams. So it's like when you're in that middle ground and there's not much you can do, something's going to need to change. Yeah. I agree with you. Where does that change start? Summertime KD. That's where it starts. Summertime KD. Hey, Nick, save this take, Nick.

This summer, if they get bounced out, second round, KD, might be time to come to New York. Hey, a little birdie, little birdie, you know. Inside source, inside source. Yeah, I might be the black shams. Oh gosh. Of sports. I know things. And that's a that's a take. I don't know if Katie, Katie, but it might be time.

I know Nick can be mad. New York fans would not be mad. They they they trade a few people. Wouldn't that be beautiful? Yeah, that would be beautiful. New York fans don't don't get mad at a lot. And then things happen and it doesn't happen in their Favour and then they mad again like this will be something in their favour

Yeah, they think it's in their favour. That's the delusion They might end up they might end up with KD and what if they end up with KD and Zion Oh New York will fall and Zion. Oh, New York will fall. New York will fall out. New York will fall out. My sources are not telling me anything about Zion, but who knows? And they're not telling me anything about Katia. It's just my insight. Sources. Well, Zion still has plenty of potential. He's a different case to me, I think. But I don't want to talk about Zion. We're not talking about food.

We shouldn't be talking about Zion. If we're not talking about buffets, pause. We shouldn't be talking about Zion. Yo! You're wrong for that. Because we would never talk about no food. You go figure it out. He'll figure it out. Let him figure it out piece by piece.

You know Zion is my guy. Right before he got traded, I saw him on a plane. I was thinking, I said, man, he's not that tall, but he must be that great of an athlete because he makes everybody else look little on the court. Shout out to Zion. We just you know, we just playing. It's a sports comedy show. Yeah. Okay. So I'm just going to jump the gun and ask you straight up because you mentioned the

top teams that the Knicks are just struggling against. Do you feel like they're frauds? Just like that. The Knicks? You're going to call the Knicks frauds? I didn't call them anything. I asked you how you feel. Do you feel like they're frauds?

Yeah, but you, it's the, see I've been through this. Cause when I, when I was growing up doing music, it's not what the interviewers say. It's how they phrase the question. You know, they put you on a cover and say, is Mace for real? Like, like why is Mace for real? Why not say is Mace for real? Like, like, why is Mace for real? Why not say is Mace that nigga? You could have said that too, but instead, you frame it in a way to create the narrative that you want.

I'm going to be smart and say, ask me that question a different way. I'm going to teach young people. So if you're ever in an interview and they ask you about something and you don't like the way it's answered, don't answer it. Tell them to re issue the question. Can you reissue that question? Okay. Do you think the Knicks are legit? See that? Did y'all see that? That's much better.

Don't put the Knicks in that light with fraud. So now you got Knicks and fraud in the algorithm where she could have put legit and Knicks in the, come on, Stat. You just said Timidone has his bags packed. Like that's like the same thing. But I knew what I was doing. You're. You're going iron fist in a velvet glove. You're really actually throwing punches, but you're covering your hand.

I don't think so. You saw Bruce Lee with the man with the iron fist? Yes. He had the glove on it? I think it's a valid question. And I think the Knicks I think the Knicks are legit For who they are Take a quote out of killers book

Yeah, don't ask for the attention because you might not like it when you get the attention. This is exactly what's going on here. They wanted all this attention. Now you got mace wearing Nick's jacket. And I know what Cam going to say. I told you, you played yourself. Well, shout out to the Knicks. We will see if they can finally get over that hump.

And then just on the flip side, obviously we know the Knicks lost to the Celtics. Just in general, how are you feeling about the Celtics' gameplay? The Celtics is right where I thought they would be. They're playing like a team. That's a championship team. Everybody's firing on all cylinders. They don't look like they have no weaknesses. That's the scary thing about this team.

It seemed like, and I said this last week, with championships come confidence. You wasn't there, so I'll bring you up to speed. People think you're arrogant or you're cocky. No, it's like once you win in a championship that team shows up with a new Confidence the next year. It's like something is settled in their mind. They know their champions They don't have to wonder are they champion the whole world knows their champions So they you would take a person that was very average, but now they're on a championship team, they won a championship, that average player will now start playing like they're

right under an all-star. And you'll be like, where did this come from? It's the confidence that comes from winning a championship. And every time you win, your confidence get greater that I could do it the next time. Some people like they persevere their whole life but never win. So then there's still this anxiety when they get the clutch moments. When you're a championship, you can be poised about that clutch moment because I know that I could win here.

Shout out to Clutch Sports. See how I segue that? Yeah, I see. Yeah. The mentality, I get it. After you win, your mentality change. You moved it. Your personality change. Yeah.

You know, you no longer gotta park in a deck. You know what I'm saying? You're in ballet. You go from parking in ballet to keep your key, just parking and I give you your key back, you know? You go from paying for stuff to walking out and they say, hey champ, your name changes to champ. Hey champ, the food is free, the clothes are free,

the sneakers are free, you know, and, and et cetera. Yeah. Now I agree. And then you leave out an all star weekend with the mumps. Yeah. You have allergic reactions at all. Why am I catching strays? Oh my gosh. It's incredible. The Celtics are great.

Don't come into work the next week. Yeah, yeah. It's a part of winning. Oh gosh. All the Celtics are in a great position. Definitely have a lot to be excited about. Of course, the Cavs are still at the top slot, but I think every player on the Celtics is doing what they need to do and playing their

role correctly down from Jason Tatum to Jaylen Brown to Perzingiz. All of them, all their starters scored in double figures. So like I said, they're just playing good basketball. Funny to me though, I know you're just talking about the Knicks, Missoula had an interview and was asking, you know, he was asked about how he felt about them beating the Knicks. He said, you know, their record towards them means nothing. So he's not even impressed about them. He's just moving forward and moving onward and upward as Missoula would. So I think the Celtics are in a good position and it's gonna be interesting to kind of see

where they land throughout the rest of the season. Okay, so now this is your other team allegedly, I guess, the Mavs. Excuse me? They don't have Anthony Davis, so I can't be held accountable for anything Why Anthony Davis is not there even Soto 80 was not your guy Listen a palm tree in Denver doesn't do the same as a palm tree in Miami

The weather's different valid Yeah, you can't take a palm tree to Denver and expect it to do well. It's not the right paul saw you for it, you know? People become different things in different climates. I knew, I knew, I knew ladies that in one climate, she's nobody in another climate. She's somebody. Yeah, on one, in one climate, she's on a sex tape.

In another climate, she's half a billionaire. You know? It beats like that. You know? And women become different things with different men, just like players. That is true. They become different things with different people. That is very true.

It's a testament to who you're with. That is true. And with how you move, how you act. Yeah, she was just on the step dance team on another team in another place. Hey, she's the wife. That's true. But also, to be fair, back to AD, the injuries have been consistent. This isn't no new thing, even though he's in a different situation.

So just saying. But yeah. Some girls be the same in every climate, you know? So I hope that's not what you're saying because he's on the home team now. So we gotta cut AD some slack. Allegedly. Allegedly. So. cut AD some slack. Allegedly. Allegedly.

So. You're hating on AD. Did AD not accept your DM? I'm not hating on AD. I think AD is one of the best centers the league has right now. Well, we always talk about the best ability is availability and AD is always hurt. We want to see more from him.

He is a good player. He would have been a great addition for the Mavs. We're just not getting that, unfortunately. Cause when the trade first happened, we really thought that the Mavs were gonna benefit more from the AD trade than Luca, because we didn't know how they, Luca and LeBron were gonna match up.

And now we're seeing kind of the opposite because he's hurt. So it's just something that we don't wanna see. Like I think as a basketball fan, but now that we all wanna see the players that we want to see play, play. And he can't help that he's hurt, but dang, like when is he gonna be good?

Like it's a problem. When is he gonna be good? Or when is he gonna be healthy? See, I don't like that. Healthy, no, no. You always putting these wrong narratives out there and the fans are watching you they always bring it up They say why does that be saying it like that? I'm not saying good. I'm saying like good like we good Okay

Okay, I get you I get you context it depends on the The variable the situation I in when I speak about. Yeah, two things can be right at the same time. OK, so the Mavs lost the Warriors, 126 to 102. In general, how are we feeling about the Mavs? We know 80s injury. Do you feel like they're doing well after this Luka trade? Do you feel like they're going to struggle for auka trade? Do you feel like they're gonna struggle for a minute?

Kind of, where do you see them going? Honestly, I think the Mavs is in an interesting place where it's sad because without AD, I don't see them going pretty far. I think that's quite self-explanatory. I don't know no sports media outlet that would say opposite of that. That's actually a going statement that it's not even a season without AD because this is the anchor that they traded for because they watch how they got bounced around in

the pause in the NBA finals because they didn't have that big man that they needed. When Porzingis came in, the whole entire series just went downhill. If you thought they had a chance, as soon as Porzinga hit that three at the top of the key, everything became downhill for that Mavs team because they had no answers for their front court. And now we're seeing this with AD out is now a replay of last year without Luka. And now you have Luka replaced with Klay Thompson and a few other outstanding players, but I don't think that's enough.

And I won't say outstanding players, but outstanding contributors. That it won't be enough against any formidable team. Kyrie alone, without any help, is not going to really do anything. So when you look at this Mavs team, though they got rid of Luca, and they freed up a lot of cap space, that only benefits you in the summertime. Right now that doesn't benefit you because like I said, anybody they run into on the West Coast, they're going to need Anthony Davis ASAP. Just think about it.

They go against check. Who's going to guard check? They go against Denver. Who's going to guard check? They go against Denver. Who's going to guard Jokic? So now who else is there? They go against Memphis. Who they got for ZD? Everywhere you look, that's an ongoing problem that got to be solidified and they got to be established that this is going to be our backup for that plan until Anthony Davis come back or else they're just tanking. Maybe they're not losing enough to get Cooper flag. So it's just a waste of a season actually. Right. That's just sad to see because I mean, there were so much upside. And like even right now they have PJ Washington playing center.

So I just feel like, Oh no, being a master right now is a, it's a sad time to be alive, just to see how it started and like where things were going, then just kind of the decline and even like down to the Warriors game, like Steph Curry making a mockery out of them out of the Mavs like You're doing this third quarter right over PJ Washington after shooting the three like Like Steph is being Steph. That's my goat. So go do your thing. But like dang Go Yes Steph

What a time to be alive.. What a time to be alive. It is a time to be alive. That's why I told you, and that's a whole different discussion. I didn't know how I thought about it. Who's your goat, Chris Brown or Drake? Chris Brown. Oh, OK.

I'm not sure. What is that telling of anything? Like, no. Yeah, because you're of that generation. Yeah. So I wanted to know who's your goat. Maybe that's a good thing. I should just ask you who are all your goals?

Is it is it Rihanna or Beyonce? Beyonce. Beyonce. Yeah. OK. That's good. I think it's valid. I know a little something, but, you know, it's what I like. Steph Curry is my goal. Obviously, I think MJ is the goal. Steph Curry is my goat. Obviously, I think MJ is the goat, but Steph Curry is my goat.

Who's your football goat? LeBron. You said LeBron. See, this is what I'm talking about. I just like, that's just my, Steph Curry's one of my favorite players. You just said he was your goat. Yeah, he's my goat.

Over, like a lot of people's goals. Then why you come back with I'm just saying in comparison like to what people choose Steph Curry's mine Okay, Steph Curry's my go. I mean, I think Tom Brady's the go That's what I'm asking you. I'm not trying to find out who's ready for that my home's Tom Brady conversation Yeah, I gotta see I, I gotta see you. So then you get what we're saying when we say things like that. I get a lot of things, I just disagree sometimes.

But how is it true over here? I'm from a different generation. Shit. How is it true one place but not true in the other place? That's two things can be true at the same time. Oh my goodness. Come on. You say come on like you're a tribute to creating this.

Like are you shocked? But you're using my statements inappropriately. That's not how it was intended to be. I interpreted it how I interpreted it. How I interpreted it. Yeah, see, that's it. But yeah, as far as the Mavs, they have a lot of things to work on. I'm hoping that they get more healthier players, because it's unfortunate to see. With that being said, on the flip side,

Mase, we've seen, obviously, Jimmy Butler is no longer with the Heat, he longer with the Heat. He's with the Warriors, but we're going to do a quick little pick. So Miami is playing the Hawks tonight and we've seen Miami is a little inconsistent, but underdog has BAM at 19 and a half points. Do you have them higher or lower for this game versus the Hawks? 19 points for BAM. Yeah, I've been heard much about BAM this year Ever since I'm falling in love I haven't I

Haven't I haven't seen BAM. Where's BAM been at BAM is my guy He was on splash brothers team, right? He was one of the splash brothers in the in the USA Olympics. I'm going to go higher. Everything Florida, we're going higher. OK, but that being said, we are going to go to break. When we return, we will talk about the Cavs. Don't go anywhere. Yeah. Shout out to Kodak. Welcome back. So now it's time

to talk about the Cavs. They have been unstoppable. They have the longest active winning streak currently at seven games. They just recently beat the Grizzlies 129 to 123. Mase, do you see the Cavs' momentum slowing down anytime soon? Yeah, them beating the Grizzlies, I don't like that. I'm just going to wreck it. I don't like that. Even though they're playing well, I'm just gonna go on the record. I don't like that. Even though they're playing well, I don't like when they beat the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies is a team I'm really rooting for secretly,

if you could see it in my jacket. What? I got the Memphis blue on, the Memphis blue. I'm looking forward to what the Grizzlies and I are gonna do in the off season, and what we're gonna do in the off season, you know, and what we're gonna do in the playoffs. So I don't like this. And in the words of homeboy from belly, I don't like that. Well, I'm happy for Cleveland. It would be remarkable if Cleveland could

win a championship without LeBron. It would nothing would be better for Cleveland than if they win a championship without LeBron. You talk about the healing of their heart, nothing against LeBron, but this would actually bring a lot of healing and a lot of closure to the city of Cleveland. Just think about that. Just think about that as an owner to be able to say, yeah, we did it without LeBron. He would really love that. And I hate that LeBron name is tied to it. I hate that I have to even share that with LeBron's name. You get what I'm saying?

But that's what I'm thinking when I think of that, especially when it beat a formidable opponent like the Grizzlies, you start to think, can the Grizzlies, I mean, can the Cavaliers really do it? Can this be a magical season where they just figured it out, where they just finally gave the right money to Donovan Mitchell and he just comes back with 45, like the Jay-Z song? Or do we give all of this credit to Bernie Bickerstaff? You want to talk about J.J. Reddick? Put some respect stat on a black man's name. What about Ernie Bickerstad? Is it Ernie or Bernie?

Bernie. Which one is it? Say come on, you're standing. It's Bernie. All right, put some respect on Bernie's name. We can add Bernie's. They cooking. Yeah. I'm gonna add, first of all, some respect on Bernie's name. It was weak in that Bernie's. They cookin'. Yeah. I'm going to add, first of all, talk about putting respect on their name. Let's put some respect on the Grizzlies. They are second in the West. A lot of people didn't expect all of that

to be happening either, but their core is stepping up to the plate. And I know we're saying it's just the Grizzlies, but the Cavs are still on a seven game winning streak, most in the league right now. I think when we made our earlier predictions to see what teams we thought would be on top, nobody was thinking about the Cavs at the moment, because truly, to keep it up, but 50 the Cavs, I feel like weren't as appealing as other teams, the teams that people are looking at. All right, come on with that stat now. Yeah, it was the Celtics.

You talk about the white boy with his hair moustache, and you can find all the respect for him. I haven't heard you mention Bernie Bickerstaff not once. I don't have to. He's the one doing the greatest job in the NBA? He's doing the best job in the NBA Nobody had Cleveland playing at this level and for him to be a throwback coach that get inserted pause into a pool of new energy pause all of this is crazy and

New energy, pause, all of this is crazy. And for him to take all of those players and bring them to this place is remarkable because it's always been a thing that older mindsets can't communicate with this new generation. Like Kelo always said, this is a team that has done that. This is a coach that has done that. This is a coach that has done that. So when you start talking about you can't put respect on Luca's name without putting respect on JJ Reddick's name, this is when I need two things to be right at the same time. Can you reestablish that conversation? And I totally- With the same respect for the black man, because I know you from Florida, so they might have

conditioned you to like just white boys. And that's okay if that's what floats your boat. I have no one after. But I'm just saying, I mean, it sounds like it. It sounds like it. No. Because you don't have any respect for the black man. I'm just I'm just telling you what people are telling me in the D.

That's very untrue. I have plenty of respect for the black man. Everybody that knows me knows that. OK, say Bernie, let me see how you look. I'm not Bernie Bickerstaff, but I think the credit would still go. How you say his name with disdain, Bernie? I'm saying the credit would go to Kenny Atkinson. Okay.

He's the one that has changed kind of that Cavs offense when we didn't expect it. Bernie gets his credit too, but. I'm just saying we didn't expect the Cavs to be here at all because. Who gives the credit? Who are you giving the credit to stat if we're going to keep it a buck I'm going to give the credit to Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley like those are the two running the game right now that's not what I was expecting they have a great connection and I think the Cavs are in a great spot and will continue to be in a great spot. Okay. We can credit front office, we can credit coaches and they are all...

Is Luca black? No. Is JJ black? No. Okay. I'll rest my case. Case isn't rested. That's a statement.

Like, you don't want to go to sleep. Like, no. They want to go to sleep. No, they don't work like that. Yeah, I'm giving the credit to the Cavs and I'm giving the credit to the Grizzlies. Yes, they lost, but I think they're in a really good position right now too. So that would be my argument.

And I don't- Yeah, shout out to Mowgli. Mowgli is definitely baller. Yeah, I just think the Cavs figured it out. I think they're in a great position and I think it's going to be a good spot. Point blank. I just, I just don't think that they're as appealing as other teams. Yes. To be completely on. And that's not a diss at the Cavs because they're, they deserve what they're doing. They're playing well, but

it's not other teams. It's not. Yeah. It's not as sexy. Let's go. What's the next question? Okay. So let's actually talk about Kevin Durant. So he's going viral right now for clip of him from the quarter goal documentary that happened during the Olympics. He got emotional talking about how much the game of basketball has done for him.

He said, when people get to start laughing and joking for the game of ball. It's cool to me. It gets me emotional. He said the game has saved my life. It brought me and my family out of a lot of bullshit. So I'm just grateful for it. I come from neighborhoods where people don't even talk to each other. There's so much hate in the world to based off of his very real response.

That's how often'll put it. Do you still feel like players have that love for the game or do you feel like that love for the game is lost? I think somebody definitely like Kevin Durant has that love. When I think of Kevin Durant, just watching him when you see him, you ever met him, you can only imagine if he did not make the NBA. Because he gives that gritty look.

You couldn't imagine him just being in the corner in the club or somebody's security or any of those things, right? Because he has that grungy kind of grit, that look, that he's not like a smooth... He don't try to come across like no pretty boy or nothing like that. So you can only imagine what that would have turned out to had he not played the game of basketball. And I say that with all respect for him because I grew up with a lot of people just like that, that once you make it to the height of 6'6 or 6'7 and you don't make it. There's people in the hood that's seven feet, one guy, seven feet, he may just stand in

front of the project. It looks so weird. Everybody comes up to ask them, did you play basketball? Are you playing basketball? Where do I know you from? And that being your whole life is like your height just begins to be something that people notice you for and constantly asking you questions that don't help your morale nor your esteem. Thinking about all the places that music has taken me, I can only imagine where basketball

has taken him because he did it at such a high level. It changed his habits, it changed his lifestyle, it changed his family, it changed his legacy, changed his parents. It changed everything when you do anything on a lead level. So I definitely understand what he's saying. Yeah, and I remember what my mother told me. She was basically trying to get me to make the most of what I was doing. She didn't want me to leave basketball because she felt like you play basketball your whole

life. But she wasn't aware that I had something else in my arsenal that will do as well for me as well, which would end up being rap. My mother didn't know me as a rapper. She really didn't want me to rap. Even when me and Cam, we were off of deals together. My mother wouldn't sign the paper. We were off of deals when we were like, I think like 16, 17, because we were that good.

But my mother would never sign off on it. She would never sign off. It can be like, yo, did your mother sign it? I said, yo, she said, she said I'm no rapper. And when I was going to college to rap, my mother said, if you leave college to rap, don't come back here. And so that's kind of how I became homeless a little bit because my mother said, if you rap, you can't come back here. But to make sense of that is just to say that, you know, these talents that we have as young black men, it's

could take us a very long way. But you got to be faithful over the talent that you were given. Because there's only two reasons why things don't work. Either you're not being faithful over it, or you're just not supposed to be doing it. And sometimes people are doing what they're supposed to be doing, but they're not just, they're not faithful over it. That was very well said. A very great story. And I think like also coming down to like when something's like your passion or where

something's for you, you know when something's for you, even if other people might not feel like it is. Yeah. One of those things that you have to kind of figure out within yourself. So like, cause imagine if you were just like, I'm not doing it. Yeah. Imagine if I would have just listened to a, how many songs people would know.

Imagine how many things we would never got to experience. It's crazy. But I'm happy that you continued, of course. Yeah. Because we all got to hear some of that stuff. And then she, you know, you end up being able to be a blessing back to her because even some of she didn't see at the time. So sometimes you're the only one that could see it and you have to be, you have to be faithful of it. Yeah. only one that could see it and you have to be faithful of it. Sometimes you actually

do have the skill. You actually do have it. So for somebody watching this, you're probably the person need to hear this. You actually do have the talent to do what you believe you could do, but you have to be faithful over it because nobody else sees it. And when nobody else sees it, you're the only person that could bring it to fruition because you see it. Right. That's a gem drops. Words of advice from Mace.

And then just even back to KD's point, I mean, he had passion in the game. And it shows even in his gameplay and how dedicated he is to the game. And that's why he has a Hall of Fame career. That's why he is who he is. That's why you are he has a hall of fame career that's why he is who he is that's why you are who you are and at the end of the day y'all believe in yourselves yeah made the most of every situation to kind of keep continuing on so very inspiring very dope to see we all love to see it and i hope that you've inspired more others that you already had yeah

keep going yeah keep going you just gotta be faithful so people can know that you already had. Yeah, keep going. Yeah, keep going. You just gotta be faithful so people can know that you really had that same greatness in you. And I think that's the path that KD is on. He watched a lot of people around him do great things. Mello do great things. LeBron does great things. And now it's his opportunity. And he's even inspiring people like Anthony Edwards. You see Anthony Edwards trailing him at the Olympics,

desiring to have that same kind of career. So it's a beautiful thing to watch because I always say greatness come from greatness. Facts, for sure. And that's why even the younger generation loves to see the vulnerability because those conversations need to be had. Those think pieces need to be said.

I don't think everything has to be so good. Like it's okay to be like, look, I didn't know what I was doing or I figured it out along the way, but I dedicated to my craft and this is what got me where I'm at. Rather than feeling like this can't be a discussion that needs to be had. Yeah, and shout out to and my prayers go out to mrs. Wallace, you know this this week we had a tremendous loss with the loss of Miss Wallace Biggie Smalls mom and

Biggie has meant the world to me He brought me on stage in Apollo and my life has never been the same again Since that time he introduced me on that stage. So shout out to the entire Wallace family prayers go up and it just lets me know that it's a it's a turning of a generation. It's a the end of an era. And just all my prayers go out to the Wallace family. And I look forward to being at that funeral. Definitely, we rest in peace.

But that is all the time that we have for today. Thank y'all for watching. And as always, it is what it is. What you want nigga? Everything nigga supersized, two big necks Like when they doin' them two for five