IT IS WHAT IT IS - THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS AREN'T WHAT THEY ARE TODAY IF IT WASN'T FOR MARK JACKSON!! | EP.74

Episode Date: December 21, 2023

Ma$e, Cam’ron & Treasure "Stat Baby" Wilson are back with another one with special guest MARK JACKSON!! ***NEW MERCH** Shop the Come And Talk 2 Me Store....https://comeandtalk2me.com  Please rate,... review, and follow the podcast for more content.  Support the show and sign up for Underdog Fantasy HERE with promo code CAM and get a $100 first deposit match, and a Special Pick'em pick. Follow the show and our hosts on social media: It Is What It Is, Cam'Ron, Ma$e, and Treasure "Stat Baby" Wilson.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Welcome back to It Is What It Is. This episode is sponsored by Underdog Fantasy. I don't trust myself, your jewelry. I get it. Welcome back to It Is What It Is. This episode is sponsored by Underdog Fantasy. 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, Florida, 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 Fantasy app. It will also match your first deposit up to $100 and you get a special pick when you sign up. I'm Treasure Wilson, aka Stat Baby,
Starting point is 00:00:51 along with your hosts, Mace and Cam. Hello, what's good? How you doing, man? You all right? Yeah, man. I see in your face like you want revenge from yesterday. I'm watching that, nigga. Everybody. But the word is that that was okay
Starting point is 00:01:07 what I did, but you still up for when you got, you hit me with all the hats you were stat. It seemed like they threw you in a two-step. They said,
Starting point is 00:01:14 y'all lying me. So, I don't know if I, if that was a ploy to get stat back as well for hitting me with the hats, but they said, I'm still there.
Starting point is 00:01:24 They wanted to throw a stat in it. Stat, how you feel about that? It is what it is. for hitting me with the hats, but they said I'm still damn. They wanted to throw a stat in it. Stat, how you feel about that? It is what it is. Well, I bet. All right. Say that. Say that.
Starting point is 00:01:41 All right, Jacksonville coming out. All right, bet. Let's do it. Okay. Well, for today's episode, we are joined with a very special guest. He was born in Brooklyn and was selected by the Knicks as the 18th overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft. During his career, he was an NBA All-Star, NBA Rookie of the Year in 1988, and is sixth on the NBA's all-time assist list. From 2011 to 2014, he was the head coach of the Golden State Warriors.
Starting point is 00:02:06 After coaching, he was recently a game analyst and announcer for ESPN. Introducing Mark Jackson. Mark, what's up, baby? Mark, what's going on? What's happening, baby? Yeah! What's happening, baby? What's happening, baby? Everything good, man. Congrats with everything.
Starting point is 00:02:25 Y'all are climbing the charts, making a lot of noise. I'm honored to be on. Oh, man. Thank you so much for joining the show. And we look forward to everything that you have in the future planned out. And, you know, thanks for joining us before the year's over. This is our Christmas gift to the show, man. We really appreciate it, man.
Starting point is 00:02:43 Yeah, Mark. Man, it's an honor. That's what's up, man. I'm with legends. I'm with it, man. Yeah, Mark. Man, it's an honor. That's what's up, man. I'm with legends. I'm with legends, man. Cut it out. There's no bigger legend in New York City than Mark Jackson, man. You're at the top of your Mount Rushmore of legends. Definitely. You're kind.
Starting point is 00:02:58 Thank you. Thank you. Mark, you know you was on the only Nick team I watched growing up. You're not telling the truth, man. You're not telling the truth, man. You're not telling the truth. I told Killer I stopped watching the Knicks after they traded Strickland. That's when I stopped, though.
Starting point is 00:03:15 Yeah, listen, we always... Was you the one saying to put Strickland? Was you the one saying to put Strickland in front of me or play us together? Oh, that was it. He's watching. Come on, Mark. I thought it strictly should have
Starting point is 00:03:32 came off the bench. You know what I'm saying? I definitely did. Well, look, Mark. I would certainly say we should have played together. Rod is a bad, bad basketball player, all-time great point guard and a tremendous friend. Absolutely. Look, we always, up here, I don't know where your loyalty lies as far as your team outside of, you know, you coached a few different places, or you played a few different places, but we say as New Yorkers, we're always allowed to have a second team because we can't go through the turmoil that the Knicks put us
Starting point is 00:04:05 through. Me and Mace aren't old enough. And of course, that is it. We've never seen the Knicks win a championship ever, ever in our life. We've seen the Giants win. We've seen the Yankees win. We've actually seen the Mets win in 86, I believe it was. The Jets and the Knicks, we have never seen win. So we always get a plan B when it comes to NBA team, when it comes to the Knicks. How do you feel about the Knicks franchise overall since the last championship in 1973? Well, fortunately, I was allowed to be around for 69 and 73,
Starting point is 00:04:41 especially 73 because Earl of Pearl Monroe was my guy, but let's go back. You can't have a plan B. What are y'all talking about? What are y'all talking about? Who said it's okay to have a plan B? That's what I want to know.
Starting point is 00:04:56 I want to talk to that person. Yo, Mark, you got to realize this comes with, this comes with stress and heartache and pain and everything else.
Starting point is 00:05:03 And I know that's part of it. I dig it. But at the same time, see, you got paid. We didn't get paid. We just watched them miss them layups under the basket. You and Finger Roll. Yeah, Charles Smith. He won't dunk the basketball. Ewing Fingeroll. Yeah, Charles Smith. Yeah, Charles Smith.
Starting point is 00:05:26 He won't dunk the basketball. We went through a lot of heartache and pain. I'm biting my nails thinking about the Knicks right now. I'm biting my nails in years. And listen, Mark, you're absolutely right. I got a lot of friends that say the same thing you say. Cam, don't come back when we make it to the playoffs. I don't want to hear none of that because, you know,
Starting point is 00:05:45 when Julius Randle got there his first year at R.J. Barrett, they looked pretty good. So when they got to the playoffs, I was like, all right, I'm back. And they was like, Cam, get the hell out of here, man. You're not back. We don't want you. So maybe you're right. A lot of Knicks fans are going to agree with what you say,
Starting point is 00:06:00 but are the Knicks your team? No. I don't have a team. But are the Knicks your team? No. I don't have a team. To be quite honest, they were my team as a kid growing up. I watched every game.
Starting point is 00:06:13 I listened to games. I went to the park like all of us. I tried to emulate the things that I saw during the course of the game. So they were my team growing up. It was a dream to play for the Knicks. It was a dream to be on the Madison Square Garden court. So that was something I wanted to do. And they were my team growing up.
Starting point is 00:06:36 But when I made it and covering the NBA for, you know, almost 20 years, I didn't have a team. So no, no. And I will go back to the Patrick Newman finger roll. I really thoroughly enjoyed that because it was against my Indiana Pacers. Yeah, he was there. Yeah. You watched Indiana paces. Yeah, you was there. Yeah, you watched them fumble. Yeah, we hated that. We really hated that. That might have been the final straw for me.
Starting point is 00:06:52 That might have been the final straw. Mace was exaggerating the other day. Mace said, I ain't watched a nigga since Trent Tucker played for them, man. Yeah. That was my nickname. That's what's up. Well, before we get into the main topics, I do have a couple of questions that I do want to ask you. So are you ready?
Starting point is 00:07:11 Always ready. Okay, bet. So considering you were once Rookie of the Year, who would be your frontrunner right now? The frontrunner for Rookie of the Year right now is Victor Wiminyan. Because of what he's doing is absolutely incredible. Looking at his numbers, he continues to get better and the sky's the limit for him. Chet Holmgren is an outstanding player for Oklahoma City Thunder. What he's doing is awfully impressive.
Starting point is 00:07:37 Any other time he would be probably the lead for rookie of the year, but I would have to go with Wimby because of his impact and what he's doing. But we're a long way from sealing the deal on that, but he's the guy, the lead in the clubhouse as of today. Let me actually start in the follow-up on what Stat just asked. Do you think it's fair that Chet is even eligible to be rookie of the year,
Starting point is 00:08:01 being that he was in the league last year? I know he didn't play any games, but he was around the NBA's facilities. He was at practice. He'd been around. He had experience. This was a similar situation. Was it Ben Simmons, Mace? Yeah. And even though he didn't play a game, he was a red shirted rookie, a red shirt NBA rookie. I like that. I like the way you put that. Do you think that that's fair for him to even be eligible for rookie of the year, Mark? I do believe it's fair. And the reason why I say that specifically is because we treat them like rookies as veterans on the team. So that rookie that didn't play a moment during the course of their first year still has to carry the bags, still got
Starting point is 00:08:41 to go get donuts, still have to run routes and do things that a rookie would have to do. So I think it's totally fair because of the fact of the matter is they didn't play one second the previous year. So I got no problem with it. All right. Okay. Also back to when you were playing, I know the Pistons were a pretty big threat. Obviously we know right now, they're on a pretty bad losing streak. And I've asked this question kind of before, what's your perspective on how you think that they could put themselves
Starting point is 00:09:08 back on the map? Like, how do you think that they can fix their team? You know, I was fortunate enough to get a job with the Golden State Warriors head coach that they had not made the playoffs. So I believe one time in 19 consecutive years. So they were not a winning team at that particular time. And the thing that you wanted to instill in them is changing the culture, is making sure we are the hardest working team on the floor every single night. That's the first thing that you have to do. We want to come in the locker room and understand we gave it our all. Not that we were talking about it, but that we actually gave it our all in between those lines and
Starting point is 00:09:46 and when you do that good things follow and you see what has taken place with the golden state warriors and the dynasty that they put together sustained greatness that they put together it starts with the correct habits and when you look at that detroit pistons team that's the thing that you have to sell them not not just collectively but individually it starts. Let's make sure we defend. Let's make sure we hold each other accountable. Let's make sure we play with pride and represent what the Detroit Pistons
Starting point is 00:10:12 have represented for so many years. And when you do that, good things follow. So that would be the first thing that I would say. And then the wins will take care of themselves. Do you think that's the same formula
Starting point is 00:10:24 for that the Utah Jazz needs as well? It seems like they're struggling. They're in the same boat as the Detroit Pistons. I absolutely think so. And when you look at the Utah Jazz, they have more guys that have accomplished in between those lines. Larry Malkin, his success being an all-star. Jordan Clarkson, his success being
Starting point is 00:10:48 sixth man of the year. So they have more proven guys that they can, they have a faster track to getting there. But no matter who you're talking about, the elite teams or the bad teams, it starts with the correct habits and taking care of business on the floor and holding each other accountable
Starting point is 00:11:03 every single night. Real quick, I like his answers. Could you give me an example of when you got to Golden State? And, you know, a lot of people sit there and say, oh, Golden State, they got everybody. They got everybody. You got this one. But everybody that's the main core, when I say the main core,
Starting point is 00:11:28 I say Klay Thompson. I say Draymond Green. I say Steph Curry, even Andre Iguodala to a certain extent. But I'm going to leave Andre Iguodala out of this. These players were drafted. So it wasn't like they made a bunch of trades to get this team together. And, you know, you won't say it because you're such a nice guy, but Isaiah Thomas, big Isaiah Thomas, the OG,
Starting point is 00:11:52 he said that Mark Jackson doesn't get enough credit for changing the game of basketball because another coach may have not let Steph Curry or Klay Thompson shoot these threes. And now the whole NBA is shooting threes because of the system that you let go on at Golden State. With that being said, when you say the right work ethics and the right habits and so on and so forth, what happened when you first got to Golden State and you seen Steph Curry and Klay Thompson shooting these threes and you said, I got to let this work.
Starting point is 00:12:30 I got to see if this goes down. Because obviously you've seen it go down in practice, but doing it in a game is something totally different. Was that something you said, I'm going to take a chance on? Or was just that undeniable shooting that you said, I can't stop it? Well, first of all, you guys are outstanding. I mean, this is tremendous questions and putting pressure on me. And I don't take for granted your brilliance and your greatness.
Starting point is 00:12:56 So there's a reason that you guys continue to climb the charts and that everybody's talking about you. I will say this. Thank you. I will say that Steve Kerr is an incredible basketball mind, an incredible basketball coach, and he's done an incredible job. And he is a guy that will go down in history as one of the best to ever do it as far as coaching, and he's a true champion.
Starting point is 00:13:16 That being said, I'll take the credit that you gave me, but it has nothing to do with me. It has something to do with the greatness of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, that incredible cast of guys that have put together a championship run together. And it wasn't me putting the battery in their back. I truly watched their brilliance and I acknowledged it and I sat back and allowed them to play. And it wasn't anything new. It was something that happened to me as a young kid playing in my rookie year with the New York Knicks.
Starting point is 00:13:51 From day one, we had two point guards playing in front of me when I came in and watched them in camp. Gerald Henderson and Rory Sparrow, two proven guys. Rick Pitino took the basketball out of their hands, put it in my hands, and then also told me that I was the best point guard in the league. Did he believe it? I'm not sure, but it didn't matter to me. It sounded like music to my ears,
Starting point is 00:14:16 and I was convinced no matter who I was playing against, night in and night out, whether it was Magic Johnson, Isaiah Thomas, John Stockton, the greats every single night facing them, I was convinced that they were the second best point guard on the floor. Now, my 58-year-old self today, that was ludicrous. That was absurd. Magic Johnson better than me. He put a line detector in 1987 and asked me that question, I would have passed the lie detector test because the guy that was in the suit and tie convinced me that I was better and he believed in me.
Starting point is 00:14:52 So I instilled belief in the guys that I attempted to coach and it propelled them to greatness. So I don't take credit for it. One thing you can't do is lie. So they got to give you a foundation to make it, make it believable. And those guys certainly did that. That's what's up. When you say that, you just said something that really sparked a thought in my mind about what made you what made you just say, OK, go shoot that, though. Like real, real, like in real time, if you're coaching a team and he come down the court what was the first thing that made you say this guy's brilliant and i have to let him shoot that
Starting point is 00:15:31 shot that's a great question and i'll keep it as simple as this if we all went into the booth me and stat would shut up and watch you guys spit is what you do i watched clay thompson and steph curry shoot the basketball in practice every single day. Before practice, after practice is what they did. It was absolute poetry in motion watching those guys shoot the basketball. So I'd be a fool to not give them the green light and the same shots that I witnessed them shoot, even though the history of the game tell you those are bad shots. And part of the reason that teams are losing against the Warriors is because they're trying to shoot against shooters. It makes no sense.
Starting point is 00:16:08 You look at the game last night, and I don't want to jump ahead, but the Boston Celtics. I don't want to get into a three-point shooting contest with Klay Thompson and Steph Curry. It makes no sense. It's a recipe for disaster, but I witnessed those guys' greatness, and it was easy for me
Starting point is 00:16:23 to say, shoot the basketball and the results will follow. And I got one more question. Yeah, I got one more question. Another thing that you said that was really interesting, I always pay attention to this when somebody says it, accountability.
Starting point is 00:16:40 What does accountability look like for you in coaching that team? When you said we kept everybody accountable it doesn't just mean coaches the players it also means players the coaches I got to show them and sell to them the same way that the same way that they're making shots and doing things on the floor I got to also sell seldom, I can remember being in the locker room and we were playing against a specific team with some star players. And I looked, Steph Curry, J. Mike Green, Clay Thompson,
Starting point is 00:17:12 Andre Goddard, whoever it was, in the eye. And I went individually demanding that you win your matchup. And I then said, I got, and I named the coach. It's me and him. And I'm going to win my matchup. I expect the same thing from you guys. So holding each other accountable and making sure that what the standard is, is a standard. And we're not going to accept anything short of that.
Starting point is 00:17:37 And when you do that, it becomes contagious all throughout the locker room, the bus rides, the plane rides, possessions, offensively, defensively, the unselfishness. And it's sustainable as opposed to we've seen things the other way. You're going to lose. And you're going to put together a losing streak. It's a beautiful thing when you're all in harmony.
Starting point is 00:18:00 What I want to... That was really dope. Mark, you good, man. You good as a mom. Mark, you good, man. Mark, you nice, man. When you're mad, y'all. Right now, this is Green Game of 21. You know why Mark is so good?
Starting point is 00:18:16 You know why Mark is so good? Because of this. You're tremendous, Mark, because you gave such a good answer that you never answered my question. It's a simple yes or no question, Mark. Do you think you deserve more credit for changing the game of basketball the way this is being played now that the credit you're not receiving? According to Isaiah Thomas. I think I get enough credit. And history will look kindly on the job that not just me,
Starting point is 00:18:57 but an incredible coaching staff, an incredible group of guys, incredible ownership, incredible management, that put together something that was able to start a run, play a part in an incredible all-time great run. So I'm honored to even be a piece of it.
Starting point is 00:19:16 That's what's up. I still didn't answer you. Yeah, you know the question. The question is do you believe you was the architect, Mark? We know what Kurt did. Shout out to Kurt and everybody else. Listen, let me tell you something.
Starting point is 00:19:33 Let me tell you something real quick to answer this. And every time I see Mark for the last maybe six or seven years, I always remind him. I bump into Mark periodically, maybe every two or three years, I always remind them. I don't, I know I bump into Mark periodically, maybe every two or three years, if that. But I remember Mark being on air. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:19:51 And I'm going to remind the people who didn't see this game because I was actually watching it live. And it's funny, Lil Wayne used what Mark said in a ball one time. In a ball, yeah.
Starting point is 00:20:02 Yeah, Mark may not even have heard the song, but Lil Wayne took one of Mark's lines and turned it into a bar. So to answer Mark's question, because he's not going to say it because he's that much of a gentleman. One day they was on air
Starting point is 00:20:16 and Jeff Van Gundy was about to come out his face and say something slick. Well, he did come out his face and say something slick. He said, yo, and this was maybe a year or two years after Mark had just finished coaching the Golden State Warriors. And Jeff Van Gundy said something to the extent, I'm not going to say verbatim
Starting point is 00:20:34 because I don't remember verbatim, but he said something to the extent of, Mark, you did an exceptional job with these Golden State Warriors. Tremendous. But it's just something about Steve Kerr when he coaches them that has them doing something different from when you were doing it. And Mark said, what you're not going to do is disrespect the Caterpillar
Starting point is 00:20:59 and rave about the butterfly. I said, ooh. That's what we were getting at. I said, ooh, bombasso. That's the answer. Can I be honest for a second? Yes, sir. Jeff Van Gundy is family.
Starting point is 00:21:14 And am I the only one that miss him on TV? Yeah, absolutely. He's absolutely brilliant. Yo, man. A brilliant basketball mind and family to me. That was a lob to me. So that question that you said he gave, he gave it with the total intention
Starting point is 00:21:28 of understanding that I was standing by the rim, two hands, waiting to catch it. So it was a setup, and it put me in position to put the line at use. That's the shit we need behind the scenes right there to give us the insight. Because if you never told me that, I thought you was checking them.
Starting point is 00:21:48 And that goes to show the brotherhood and the friendship that you two guys have. And yes, absolutely, we miss Jeffery and Gundy and we also miss you too. So it's a pleasure to have you on the show because listen, man, you know, I may do voiceovers for the championship this year.
Starting point is 00:22:04 Just me, myself, and me and Mace. Because I'm not digging what I'm hearing right now. I'm just going to be honest with you. So that's just us, man. Sorry, Sad. I know you have a couple more questions. No, you're okay. This is a good discussion.
Starting point is 00:22:17 Okay. So I'm curious because you prompted an NBA rule change called the Mark Jackson rule sometimes where you can't have your back to the basket for more than five seconds in the post. Do you think that rule changes fair even now? No, absolutely not. Because nobody, I mean, if you haven't noticed, I was slow as a basketball player. Nobody had a problem when those quick guards were crossing me over and going by and jab stepping and using their speed and athleticism to to their strength and to the detriment of me as a defender. So why change a rule when when I was able to capitalize and use the strength of me backing guys down and posting guys up?
Starting point is 00:23:02 The one strength I had was eliminated. Guys like Charles Barkley used it to perfection also. So I was a little salty that the rule was changed. I understand that it wasn't as attractive. Watching the game, watching a slow-footed, plodding, methodical basketball player
Starting point is 00:23:20 post up and wait for a double team is not as entertaining as what we're watching today, but it took away my biggest strength. Yeah, I mean, look, it's only 24 seconds on the shot clock, so at the end of the day, the ball's going to get
Starting point is 00:23:35 shot anyway, and look, if that's your strength, I have to agree with you. If that's your strength, that's your strength. You know, they didn't change the rule, but I remember them talking about they didn't want to do the hack-a-shack. you know they didn't change the rule but I remember them talking about they didn't want to do the hack a shack
Starting point is 00:23:48 I think they couldn't find a way to say damn we can't not foul shack or people are not good at free throws
Starting point is 00:23:56 when free throws are a part of the game whether you're five foot three Muggsy Bows or you're seven seven Manute Bowl
Starting point is 00:24:03 you have to practice your free throws. And I remember them trying to figure out a way to stop the hacker shack. I know they did the more the shack. But to me, if that's your skill set, that's your skill set. It's the other team's job to figure out how to make you not good at your skill set. That's my opinion on that. You're right. Don't let them off the hook. Make free throws and then we won't fire you. Yeah, exactly. Okay. And then before we get into the chunk of the show, my last question is, what was your reaction to Jha's return? And then do you think his sole return can bring the Grizzlies back on track? They've dug themselves quite a hole being so far under 500. But I was thrilled to see Ja bat as a former player, as a man.
Starting point is 00:24:50 It's about redemption. It's about forgiveness. And has he made some mistakes? Absolutely. Hold yourself accountable and be better as a basketball player and more importantly, as a man. And it was so much fun watching last night him back where he belonged on the basketball court,
Starting point is 00:25:10 making spectacular plays, putting his team on his back and ultimately hitting the game winning shot. That's what the league is all about. And it was fun to watch. I'm happy for him. I'm happy for his dad. I'm happy for his family.
Starting point is 00:25:24 Super, super. Yeah, we talked about it already. I'm happy for his dad. I'm happy for his family. Yeah, we talked about it already. Yeah, we were. Take all this nonsense off the floor for him to play that way in the game. Yeah, man. Listen, man, I said this, Mark, yesterday when we talked about it. I said, listen, for me,
Starting point is 00:25:41 and I may be jumping the gun because, listen, and I like the rule changes. I like the fact that you can't be all NBA if you miss more than 17 games. I like the fact that you can't be an all-star if you miss a certain amount of games. You know, Adam Silver and the rest of the Joe Dumars and them guys are trying to find ways of guys cheating, so to speak, low management, if they pinky nail, toenail hurts, all type of ways to stay out of the basketball game. But for me, I said solely, and I may be jumping the gun,
Starting point is 00:26:18 I may have just been excited to see Ja play, but I said for me, after last night, if we're going category for category, he just went third team all NBA for me at point guards last night. Now, I may be jumping the gun. Of course, we got Steph Curry. Of course, we got Luka and Dallas. But I will argue with you about any other point guard right now. Of course, I love Damian Lillard as well, and we have a few others to discuss, but for me, after one game, I put him at third, and it's going to be a travesty that he won't be even eligible
Starting point is 00:26:53 to make any of these all-NBA teams. What do you think about that? He's an incredible player. You can't put him at third after one game, and even you know that. And you forgot Shea Gilchrist Alexander, what he's doing. I like that. You're right. You can't put him at third after one game, and even you know that. And you forgot Shea Gilchrist Alexander, what he's doing. I like that. You're right. You're right. It's
Starting point is 00:27:09 an incredible group. To me, it's an all-time great group of point guards in the league today. The level that they're playing at and it's tough to make any one of those teams, but Josh certainly, it's great to see him back, and it's great to see him better, whole,
Starting point is 00:27:28 and moving forward to being a better basketball player and a better man. Well, you're right about that. I totally forgot about Shea. But let's not forget, Ja was second and third team the year before last. And last year, he would have made it as well if he didn't get in all that trouble. So I'm not really jumping the gun. I mean, I'm jumping the gun because it's one game. Hold on, you jumping, kill him.
Starting point is 00:27:49 You jumping the gun. He plays one game. I'm definitely jumping the gun. I'm jumping, you absolutely right. I'm jumping the gun. But he has a history of making all NBA and last year with all that nonsense, he messed up about 30, 40 million
Starting point is 00:28:05 Not making All-NBA last year And he was on schedule To make All-NBA But you're right I absolutely did forget About Shea And what he got going on So I will say
Starting point is 00:28:15 That I'm jumping the gun But maybe I was just excited I was excited You got it You got it, big bro You got it Understandable So let's get into the
Starting point is 00:28:24 Hold on Hold on Hold on, hold on, hold on. One last question. One last question before we get, because me and Mace was talking about this. And this would go to somebody of your knowledge of being a coach. And to me, certain coaches have GM skills, which I'm pretty sure you have great GM skills
Starting point is 00:28:42 and could still be a GM possibly one day and a coach one day. When you look at the way that how it's panned out so far for John Morant and Zion Williams, we're saying, me and Mace was talking about this yesterday. Of course, the year that they both got drafted,
Starting point is 00:29:04 they went one and two. I was saying, there's no way you don't take Zion. Everybody and their mother would have took Zion. But Mace said, and I have to agree with him to a certain extent, that that's a GM's job to foresee. Is he going to be overweight? Is his body going to hold up? Will he be able to play 82 games, if not 82 games, 70, 75 games, as opposed to what Ja is doing whenever he's available to be on the court? What do you say to that as
Starting point is 00:29:32 a potential GM or a potential coach saying, if we're New Orleans, we could have got Ja instead of Zion? What do you think? Do you think New Orleans made the right decision? Well, going back to that draft,
Starting point is 00:29:48 I said it. They both were home run draft choices. You couldn't go wrong either way. But the way that the game was being played, you need a dynamic, permanent player to have sustained effectiveness moving forward. The best teams have a dynamic playmaker on the wing and the backcourt.
Starting point is 00:30:12 So I would have taken John Morant with the number one pick. Not saying that now in hindsight. Back then I said it. Nothing against Zion Williamson, but the way that the game was going to be played moving forward. New Orleans took Zion Williamson, a guy who's had an incredible start to his career. The one thing I would have done is I'm not looking at Ja or Zion and determining the weight of what you talked about. the weight of what you talked about.
Starting point is 00:30:46 I got to say, are we able as an organization to put this guy in the best possible position, be in the best possible shape to be able to play not just this year, but moving forward, ending up with a championship and a Hall of Fame jacket. So I got to understand as an organization, are we qualified and equipped to help this guy?
Starting point is 00:31:07 And you can hold Zion accountable, but you can also hold the organization accountable. They've fallen short to a certain extent of putting him in the best position to be in the best possible shape. So there's enough blame to go around. But he's an incredible basketball player. One thing I love about him is the way he answers questions. He does not duck or dodge, bob or weave. Stands in front of the microphone,
Starting point is 00:31:32 answers the question, and when he could have got angry and upset at the comments made by him, by reporters, or journalists, or shows, he showed grace and love and acknowledged acknowledged instead of trying to throw punches back.
Starting point is 00:31:48 He said, if it comes from a place of love, I receive it and I thank you. And for the other ones, so be it. I love the way he conducts himself and he carries himself. So how would you hold him accountable? Because I keep hearing that word accountable. I still haven't gotten the definition yet.
Starting point is 00:32:05 I can remember playing for the Los Angeles Clippers years ago. And we had two guys, John Williams, who was an incredible basketball player, and Stanley Roberts, who was an incredible basketball player. But both guys fought weight issues. And to simply put, you get on the plane, you can't eat what other guys eat. You can't have dessert. So, I mean, let's be honest.
Starting point is 00:32:35 That's what I was getting at. Sometimes you need help. And it's coming from a place of love. Sometimes you got to be able to say no. And if you can't say no, I got to be able to look you in the eye and say, big fella, you know you shouldn't be doing it. The same way that if a guy drives past me and my defense is awful and he dunks at the rim, you should be able to come to me and say, you got to be better.
Starting point is 00:32:59 And if we're going to get to where we're going to get to, it takes teammates, coaches, general management, ownership, staff to help this guy, put him in position to be in the best possible shape for us to win. And if you don't do that, you're hurting yourself. And as important, you're hurting me. So what happens when you tell him you can't eat that
Starting point is 00:33:22 and he still pause, he still shows up with the cake and he's still eating it on the plane. Where do you go from there? The problem is not him eating desserts. Because there's guys with championship rings and Hall of Fame jackets that had more than their share of desserts. The problem is when you're missing games and you're not able to play because of an injury, because of in a situation, I don't know his or not, but you're overweight or out of shape. In situations like that, you're hurting the basketball team.
Starting point is 00:33:55 So that's the problem. If you can have a dessert and get me 30 and 15, I'll be the first to bring you some ice cream. That's what's up good point can't argue with that if you know you're not supposed to eat that dessert don't eat that dessert now let's get into
Starting point is 00:34:12 the games on Tuesday the Warriors beat the Celtics 132 to 126 in an overtime win so first how did you feel about that game
Starting point is 00:34:20 before we talk about the remarks to them that was a great game it It was exciting. It had you on the edge of your chair, watching the game, watching the incredible shot making from elite talent on the basketball floor. And it was fun to watch. It was also fun to watch from a strategic standpoint, from coaching standpoint, timeouts, adjustments, out of timeout plays, down the stretch, whether to trap, whether to rotate, all of those things that you look for in a high-end basketball game,
Starting point is 00:34:51 it did not disappoint. Steph Curry's nice. That's just that. You know, at the end of the day. Is that breaking news? No. Is that breaking news? Steph had 30 is not really news.
Starting point is 00:35:05 Well, you got a firm grasp on the obvious, Mace. You have a firm grasp on the obvious. So at the end of the day, let me make my comments. Is Ja nice? Is that breaking news that Ja Morant is nice? This is what, if I want to say Steph Curry's nice, listen, there's plenty of times you look at Steph Curry as good as he is,
Starting point is 00:35:25 and you'd be like, God damn. But to me, it's more about when are the Celtics going to step up? And I know this is a regular season game. They're in first place in the East, at least last time I checked. Is this Jason? And they just gave the bag to Brown, and if they gave Brown the bag, they're going to give Tatum the bag. I'm asking you, Mace. Is this the bag, they're going to give Tatum the bag. I'm asking you, Mace,
Starting point is 00:35:45 is this the two players that are going to ever get over the hump? What I don't like that Tatum said... Let me answer it. I want you to answer it. What I don't like
Starting point is 00:35:56 what Tatum said during the offseason is, yo, we still young. We got time. I didn't like that. I want now. I need now. I don't need, yo, we got time i didn't like that i like i want now i i need now i don't need yo we got time yo niggas are six nine and six seven athletic could shoot kill and when it's time to perform
Starting point is 00:36:15 on the biggest dance floor y'all don't do it i'm sorry it makes to be long they always they always go vanishing i'm i mean look at look at the stats. You say the obvious, but it is very obvious because this is what normally happens. He ends up with about 15 points or so as Tatum. Tatum is not supposed to be at no 15, especially against a team that stopped you from getting your championship. You're supposed to, every time you see them, punish this team. Every time he plays against Golden State, he's supposed to punish them
Starting point is 00:36:48 because if it wasn't for Golden State, he would have a ring right now. I like that answer. Mark, what do you think about Jalen Brown and the Jason Tatum dynamic duo, so to speak?
Starting point is 00:37:02 Me and Mace both picked Milwaukee to go to the Eastern Conference Finals. We said that Boston could get to the Eastern Conference Finals if Porzingis stays healthy, which he has a history of not staying healthy. But what do you think about
Starting point is 00:37:20 Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown getting the Boston Celtics to the mountaintop. Do you think these two could ever get it done? Well, I love both of them and their impact on the basketball game and winning. They can score, the versatility of getting to the cup, shooting from the three-point line, versatility defensively. To me, the thing that I would point to is the comment that you talked about
Starting point is 00:37:44 being the time and how much time they have. Dan Marino made it to the Super Bowl in his rookie year and didn't get back. He could be foolish enough to think he had time. You never promised that. I played 17 years in the NBA, a bunch of very good teams, and made it to the NBA Finals one time. When you have an opportunity to take care of business, take care of business, or you'll be looking back, regretting it from that point moving back.
Starting point is 00:38:14 Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum are two of the elite talents in this league. They got to, again, hold each other accountable. They got to be willing to take and make big-time shots and big-time plays. It doesn't just mean finishing at the cup. It may mean I got Steph Curry and making sure he's not winning this basketball game. So it's not just about what you're doing offensively.
Starting point is 00:38:34 It's about what you're doing in between those lines for 48 minutes. Put your team in position to win. It starts with your best players, and it trickles down from there. That's what I agree with right there. Now you want to take Mark's take. All right, bro. Listen, listen. Yo, my man, yo, we're not going to start this shit, man.
Starting point is 00:38:51 This is the shit we're not going to start. Yo, I was definitely about to say that. You know what? Do you want to hear what part I was talking about? I'm going to let you say it, Josh. It's been three times Mark says something, doing this whole thing, and you keep looking at me like, what are you doing? Mark, he's validating my expertise. Mark says something doing this whole thing and you keep looking at me like Yeah, Mark is
Starting point is 00:39:05 he's validating my expertise. No, I'm just saying like you act like you've been saying shit that Mark been saying all these weeks. Now what? This is about the dark time
Starting point is 00:39:14 you keep looking at me talking about something. Well, I don't know what you keep looking at me for. Maybe you'll hear from Mark. You know? Mark, you know how it is when you have family members
Starting point is 00:39:24 that don't listen to you Somebody else comes and say The same exact thing And now it's like Voila I've not heard First of all I've not heard you say anything
Starting point is 00:39:34 That Mark said This whole time About accountability I never disagreed with you About accountability No I'm just saying He was saying the same thing I don't have a problem with you
Starting point is 00:39:44 If you said the same thing with Mark, but don't look at me unless I disagree with you. Don't get me? Unless I totally disagree with you, don't hit me with the... All right, man. No, the part that I was thinking about
Starting point is 00:40:02 that you shared, which is the real paramount part is the defense. It's really when Jalen Brown is going to have to decide to guard Stephen Curry. That's where their championship is. Even when they get against Damian Lillard, it's going to boil down to can somebody stop the other team? Damian Lillard is going to boil down to can somebody stop the other team? And Tatum is going to have to be willing to do that the same way he applied that pressure to KD. He's going to now have to apply that pressure to either Damian Lillard or Stephen Curry.
Starting point is 00:40:43 Well, the way Golden State is looking, I don't think he'll have to worry about that in any NBA championship. And at the end of the day, it's not guaranteed that Boston's going to make it to the championship either. I think the East is pretty much up for grabs with three teams and Philly, Milwaukee, and Boston. I would say to me, Milwaukee still has the biggest advantage because to me, they still haven't figured it out. And they're second place. It seems like Giannis gets 60, Damian Lillard gets 12. Damian Lillard gets 40,
Starting point is 00:41:11 Giannis gets 15. They're still figuring it out and they still are in second place. So if they ever do figure it out and if Chris Middleton, if you decide to show back up anytime soon, you know, it's APB. Yeah, you got your money.
Starting point is 00:41:22 Yeah, you got your money. If you decide to come back anytime soon, we'll be happy to see. I will say, I'm sorry, a great point, because when you look at that Milwaukee Bucks team, it's Giannis, it's Dame, the wild card is Chris Middleton. When they were effective winning the championship, Chris Middleton was a guy they can trust putting the ball in his hands.
Starting point is 00:41:43 That was a stretch of ball game. We both said that, Cam. When you got two slashers, you need a good shooter. Cam, Mark, Cam. But I got a grasp on the obvious. No, let Mark finish saying what he's saying. I'm just looking at Mace, Cam. Chris Middleton's the wild card.
Starting point is 00:42:01 You can pick up, Mark. Down the stretch of ball games, they put the ball in his hands, whether it be pick and roll, whether it be isolation, he made plays for them, taking pressure off of the home run hitter. That's what's up.
Starting point is 00:42:13 And then last question before we go to break. Shaq posed the question that is up for debate. He said, is it time to start putting Steph Curry in the conversation as one of the best players ever?
Starting point is 00:42:25 What do you think? No, that ship has sailed. Steph Curry, without a doubt, is one of the all-time greats. That's not breaking news. He is the best shooter of all time, and he is one of the all-time great players that has ever touched the basketball.
Starting point is 00:42:44 He is a joy to watch. And the thing that I love about him is he's in the best shape of any professional athlete I've ever seen. His ability to run around constantly, sacrifice his body. I can be honest with you. Two points or three points is not that important to me to be running around like a fool waiting to get a wide-open look. not that important to me to be running around like a fool waiting to get a wide open look. I'd rather have the ball at the top and see Reggie Miller running through
Starting point is 00:43:07 different screens to get open rather than be the one doing that. That takes a lot of energy, effort, and commitment. And Steph Curry is absolutely lights out as an offensive weapon because you got to guard him at all times. You know what, Mark? You and Mark are enough with the roundabout.
Starting point is 00:43:24 Let's narrow it down let's narrow it down is he a top five all time best players in the top five
Starting point is 00:43:31 ever this is what Shaq is saying Shaq is like best ever so is he in your top five your top five
Starting point is 00:43:38 because we all because the thing about it is to me Dan I'm sorry no go ahead no what I was going to say is
Starting point is 00:43:44 that to me different age groups I'm sorry. No, go ahead. No, what I was going to say is that to me, different age groups have different top fives as well. You know, you got people that's older than me will be like, well, there's no way you can't put Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Starting point is 00:43:56 because Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a great talent or Bill Russell, so to speak. Like Bill Russell isn't in my top five because I didn't have the privilege of seeing him but his stats are outstanding
Starting point is 00:44:06 to where other people that may be older than me and Mace and Stat of course may have seen him play and be like how y'all not gonna put
Starting point is 00:44:14 Bill Russell in it so it's you've never seen a whole game never you've never seen a whole game never in your life
Starting point is 00:44:22 you don't know what I've seen I know you ain't seen that I know you've never seen a whole game it may not even be a whole game. Never in your life. You don't know what I've seen. I know you ain't seen that. I know you never seen a whole game. It may not even be a whole game of Bill Russell available unless you are part of the Boston Celtics franchise.
Starting point is 00:44:35 I don't think it's a whole Bill Russell game. I've seen a game. Who they play, Mason? I don't have time for this right now. Of course you did. Of course you did. It's Steph Curry
Starting point is 00:44:45 in your top five of all time, Mark? To me, it's not really fair to answer that question because Steph Curry's the best spin master. Mark is the best spin master ever. Back to the basket. This is why they had to make the rule.
Starting point is 00:45:01 Back to the basket. His spin game is crazy. Mark Nell is going to answer the question. This is why they had to make the rule. This spin game is crazy. Mark Miller's going to answer the question. This is why they made the rule. This is why they made the rule. As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, Steph Curry's book is far from over. It's incomplete right now. It'd be disrespectful to me to talk about his greatness
Starting point is 00:45:32 and put a number on the way he fits in the all-time greats. He is one of the greatest players that's ever touched the basketball, and he still has work to do. It'd be disrespectful to me that guys have completed their journeys and have a body of work to insult them by excluding them. He is one of the all-time greats, and I'm comfortably stating that.
Starting point is 00:45:54 No, Mark. I never see nobody this good. No, Mark. You're good, Mark. This is why they had to make a rule. Yo, this dude is good, man. Yo, this dude is one of the best ever. All right, Mark. I'm going to answer it for him. Hold on.
Starting point is 00:46:07 Top 10? Right now? Not done? I'm going to reiterate what I said already. The book is incomplete. He's really one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game. I'm going to answer it for Mark.
Starting point is 00:46:23 If Stephen Curry gets another championship, we got to make him the best point guard ever. I don't know. I'm not going to say that, so to speak. If he wins another championship. Yes, if he wins another one, I got to put
Starting point is 00:46:39 him before Magic and I don't put nobody before Magic. You know what I'm saying? But if he wins one more, I got to go on the record because the reason why I put Magic up there is because how he changed the game and everything like that. When you think of
Starting point is 00:46:55 Stephen Curry, it is nobody that has played in the NBA that he didn't change the game as much as they did. No matter who you're talking about. From from Wilt Chamberlain to Magic is he just the whole game is different, just like it was different in their time. And that's why I say that he's totally changed it. Kids are not even trying to do layups. They're trying to shoot from half court.
Starting point is 00:47:23 I'm not going to sit here and argue against Steph Curry. What I will say is Magic Johnson changed the game. And there's a 6'1 point guard to play with the Detroit Pistons that changed the game, winning back-to-back championships and doing it to the tune of his own music. Steph Curry is one of the all-time great players in the history of this game. And his book is incomplete thus far. You know what I've learned?
Starting point is 00:47:47 I'm going to be translated from Mark. I like that. Because Zeke is up there, too. What I've learned is that I'm just going to translate for Mark. And what Mark told you is watch your mouth. Translation. Translation is watch your mouth and don't be disrespectful. Before he was rudely interrupted I get what he said
Starting point is 00:48:11 Are you doing the remix? Yeah, yeah Cause we get You're so good And you're so Diplomatically No pun intended Correct
Starting point is 00:48:21 That we gonna Translate shit up here Watch them out Better. Watch your mouth. Better yet, watch your tongue. Watch your mouth and watch your tongue. My bad, Zeke. And let me tell you something, to your point
Starting point is 00:48:36 real quick, Mark, before we go to break, I know Stata's like, we got to go to break in a minute. But one last thing, watch your mouth. You're right, Mark. Me and Mace had the pleasure of hanging out
Starting point is 00:48:49 with Isaiah Thomas for about, well, I don't know, we was at some Sun games last season and I think he does some consultation for the Suns
Starting point is 00:48:58 or whatever his position is over there. And we hung out with him and this is the time that he was telling us about how you don't get your credit. But, you know, Zeke, shout out to Lord Zeke. Zeke was like, yo, I'm the best point guard ever.
Starting point is 00:49:14 So, you know, me and Mase was like. Like, word. We're like, ever? But he got a serious face on. He like, yo, what point guard you know better than me? Yeah, he said,
Starting point is 00:49:27 make me 6'8 and give me Kareem. So now I'm scared because now his face, he's dead serious. So I'm like, you think you better than Magic Johnson?
Starting point is 00:49:37 He said, you make me 6'9 and you give me Kareem and you make him 6'1 and you give him John Sally and you see who's the best point guard ever. I didn't have those weapons, just that and the third.
Starting point is 00:49:49 So in Isaiah Thomas' mind, only person he gave a little bit more credit, and I'm not even going to say more credit, he said Nate Archibald. Tiny doesn't get the credit he deserves, but he said there's no point guard ever better than him, including Magic Johnson. You know, it's funny you mentioned that because I can remember years ago going up to Isaiah and saying to him,
Starting point is 00:50:14 I just want to tell you as a former player and a guy that faced you and faced some of the greats ever, I believe that you are the second greatest point guard to ever play the game, only trailing Magic Johnson whoever's number one I'm thinking I just gave him the ultimate compliment he rolled his eyes at me now I understand what it was all about
Starting point is 00:50:34 he wanted to talk about yeah yeah he had a whole attitude he said if he was 6'9 with Kareem you wouldn't even know Magic that's a fact and he said Magic was 6'1 with John Sally and Bill Lambert. Like May said, he said you would have never heard of him. So shout out to Lord Zeke.
Starting point is 00:50:54 Shout out to Isaiah. I'm not arguing with Isaiah because Isaiah almost wanted to fight about it, to be honest with you. Okay. So we're going to go to break. And when we return, we will talk about the sun's loss to the blazers she called this thing about toxic Four years and counting Got you feeling like an option Maybe I'm my own problem, babe
Starting point is 00:51:35 She tired of hearing, I don't know What's happening, me won't fall Dealing with this thing called trust But she really thinking about wanting me free Why am I in this woman's way Welcome back. So let's get into our underdog fantasy picks
Starting point is 00:51:58 of the day. Tonight, the Wizards will play the Trailblazers. Underdog fantasy has Kyle Kuzma at 24 and a half points. Do you have him higher or lower? Mace.
Starting point is 00:52:08 Is this including like rebounds and assists and all that? Just points. Just points. Just points. Ah, 24? Yeah. And a half. Pause.
Starting point is 00:52:20 I'm going to go lower. Okay. And they playing the Trailblazers? Yeah. Both these niggas ain't shit I don't even know why we picked this for Underdog fantasy Look you know I got a problem man You know like
Starting point is 00:52:35 Underdog make you play though Yeah no I'm going to go under too It may be over Even one of these teams play great defense Who knows if they feel like playing tonight If they got their baddies in the stand, they might play. Well, you know, Kuzma, his wife or his girlfriend is my homegirl. Shout out to Winnie Harlow.
Starting point is 00:52:52 Supermodel. Good friend of mine. With that being said, if they got the baddies in the crowd tonight, who really knows if they want to play? Winnie might need to show up. Who might get all the shots? That's what I was thinking. Yeah, I have no idea,
Starting point is 00:53:05 but I don't even know why we picked this game. I know it's a day. Not true stat. It's on the books for underdogs, so we have to pick. I'm going to go lower. I won't be watching, so y'all can let me know exactly what happened.
Starting point is 00:53:17 I wish I would waste my two and a half hours on that I can't get back to watch these two teams that don't put any effort in to get my time. Under. Probably on everything, but go ahead. Dang. Jordan Poole is at 25 and a half points,
Starting point is 00:53:31 rebounds and assists. Do you have him higher or lower? I got a problem with Jordan Poole. You know why I got a problem with Jordan Poole? Because you sat there and watched greatness. And I have to give credit to, I've seen it take the Gilbert Arenas set. So I want to give Gilbert Arenas
Starting point is 00:53:44 a lot of credit for what I'm about to say. And I thought about it when Gilbert Arenas said this. He said, you sat there and watched the greatness of Steph Curry. You've seen the work, I think, every day. You've seen what it takes to win a championship.
Starting point is 00:53:55 You've seen what it took for him to come back from injury because that's how Jordan Poole started getting his shine when Steph was hurt. You see what work Klay Thompson had to put in to Draymond Green, et cetera. And you're not transferring that to Washington.
Starting point is 00:54:11 You're not instilling that in yourself along with your other teammates. You're worrying about Ice Spice. What's the other little shorty who was at the game? Ruby Rose. I knew that, new little Ruby Rose. This is the shit that he's worrying about. I'm going to go higher because I don't know if Ruby Rose is going to be here tonight. If it's a bad girl that he invited to the game, then it might be I'm going to go over because I'm assuming maybe Ruby Rose or somebody of that nature may be there.
Starting point is 00:54:35 And you know another thing about, I'm going to go over as well, but another thing I thought about with Jordan Poole, so you know I just don't have a firm grasp on the obvious, is that when you're playing with so many other great players, people have to guard you one-on-one. That's what's happening to him. Because he was surrounded with so many other players, he was getting the shot. That's the one-on-one shot. Now that he's the man, people are doubling him and people are preparing for him better. And he's not getting his shots.
Starting point is 00:55:09 He's not getting the looks that he would get on that Golden State team. This sounds good, but I wouldn't know because I haven't watched. Yeah, you know, like, when you play with other elite players,
Starting point is 00:55:20 it's like, oh, I could go crazy because you can't afford to double me. I understand that. Now you're the guy, you're the Stephen Curry and everybody's preparing go crazy because you can't afford to double me. I understand that. Now you're the guy. You're the Stephen Curry, and everybody's preparing for you, and he don't know what to do with that. I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I just said I haven't watched.
Starting point is 00:55:34 I wouldn't know. And he's on DC, so the girls are a little bit more ratchet. It's not as laid back as Golden State. So he's under warfare right now. Are you calling DC ratchet? Is that what you're doing? Are you calling the girls in DC ratchet?
Starting point is 00:55:50 That's wild disrespectful. Chocolate City. I would know. You've been. Old Mason better than the new Mason. Yeah, DC is too tough for a light-skinned nigga.
Starting point is 00:56:02 I'm just keeping it real. Because all the chocolate girls are looking for the light-skinned dude. He the a light-skinned nigga. I'm just keeping it real. Because all of the chocolate girls are looking for the light-skinned dude. He the only light-skinned guy there. Who is my light-skinned? But go ahead. But he's taking. That's true. So he's getting all of the focus.
Starting point is 00:56:16 I don't know who's on Washington Wizards besides them two players. They won't get my time until further notice. Shout out DC. Because what? That's another thing. DC, I have nothing to do with that shit. Shout out DC. Because what? Yo, yo, yo. That's another thing. DC, I have nothing to do. Shout out DC. I have nothing to do with that shit.
Starting point is 00:56:29 We love DC. Well, my name is Mason. I stand by this message. I have no problem with that. Listen, first of all, I have to disagree. I'm not disagreeing. DC, we cool.
Starting point is 00:56:42 First of all, you know niggas clap me in DC. They still think I'm Rico. Oh yeah, so let me take that back. We apologize. They shot me in my Lamborghini talking about, yeah, Rico.
Starting point is 00:56:53 DC, we good. I ain't got no problems. But nobody in DC. DC, I apologize. Nah, you ain't got nothing. It's all good. I want to go to a game. You got to stand on business.
Starting point is 00:57:02 You said it. So you said it. I'm a team king with me. Okay. And DeAndre Ayton is at 12 and a half rebounds. Do you have him higher or lower? DeAndre Ayton? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:57:13 Eight and a half rebounds? 12 and a half. No. Lower. Lower pause. I don't even know which team that nigga played for. Which one are you? I love it.
Starting point is 00:57:23 Showblazers. I know. I know since he left the Suns. I know you're the Wizardszers, showblazers. I know. I know since he left the Suns. I know you're on the Wizards of the Trailblazers. Damn you. I know.
Starting point is 00:57:31 Since that nigga got shipped out of Phoenix, I'm like, damn, you just asked the question. I'm like, damn, which team is he on?
Starting point is 00:57:37 Lower, bro. Lower. Absolutely lower. This was such an interesting underdog pick today. Now you're trying to take it back it's too late
Starting point is 00:57:47 you already said what you said and you stand by that message they clap at me because I apologize that's a light DC I apologize okay download the underdog fantasy app
Starting point is 00:57:58 and you can make your picks too we are joined back with our special guest Mark Jackson okay so we got two more before we close the show. Also on Tuesday, the Suns lost to the Blazers 109 to 104. The Suns are 10th in the West. Were the Suns a team you expected to be at this point? Why or why not? Mark first. I expected them to be much better, which is disappointing.
Starting point is 00:58:25 I think if they're honest with themselves, it would feel the same exact way. Not at full strength. Bradley Beal has missed the bulk of the season so far early on. But if you told me I have Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, I would find a way to win ballgames that they have found a way to lose. Again, it's accountability. It's being better defensively Again, it's accountability.
Starting point is 00:58:46 It's being better defensively. And it's one through 12 going out and getting the job done. To me, I am disappointed in the early season results that the Suns have brought thus far. Excuse me, Nick. I got to close up? Did I say that or not? Did I say that yesterday? We both said that.
Starting point is 00:59:11 And to Mark's point, Mark said, when you match up, they're winning their match up, Mark. What do you got to say about that? Both of them are winning their match up and they're still losing. Kevin Durant had 40 and, you know, Booker had 26. It's more than, when you're talking about great players, it's more than winning your matchup. It's about getting that extra rebound, getting that extra stop, taking the challenge defensively.
Starting point is 00:59:37 Whatever the team needs in the absence of Bradley Beal, in the absence of a third star, they got to find a way to win ballgames. Right now, the Portland Trailblazers are not a better team than the Phoenix Suns. And to lose a game against a team that is still trying to find themselves is disappointing. The goal for the Portland Trailblazers is to be competitive
Starting point is 01:00:02 and build something. The goal for the Phoenix Suns is to win a championship. And if they fall short of that, they will be disappointed. So to me, I'm not satisfied with losing a close game to the Portland Trailblazers. They have to be better. I have zero to say because I said the same thing yesterday morning. It might have been verbatim, Mark.
Starting point is 01:00:24 It might have been totally verbatim. So I have nothing else. I have nothing to say. Okay. And lastly, free agents John Wall and Austin Rivers hosted a workout with almost 15 NBA teams in attendance. Off the top of your head, what teams do you think could really benefit from them?
Starting point is 01:00:44 It depends. To me, it depends on the shape and condition they're in and how willing they are to fulfill a role. That role may be bringing scoring power off the bench. That role may be to be a veteran leader and sitting on the bench, not playing, but saying the right thing, depositing into other guys the right ways to go about winning ballgames. Being an extension of the coach on the bench,
Starting point is 01:01:13 in the locker room, on the plane, on the bus, that's valuable to me. And I think that's something that's missing when you're talking about guys like Austin Rivers, when you're talking about John Wall, even a guy like Isaiah Thomas, the young Isaiah Thomas. You can have valuable guys that have had success in this league that can bring something to the table. That's an extension of the coach that puts teams in position to win ballgames. Let me ask you this, Mark. Do you think their ship has sailed?
Starting point is 01:01:41 Do you think that a team will pick either one of these players up? I think me personally, and just my opinion, I think John Wall's a great talent. I thought it would work out with him with the Clippers last year. Obviously, it didn't. And with Austin Rivers,
Starting point is 01:01:59 I think he's a great seventh man off the bench. But sometimes, my opinion is, and I could be totally wrong, sometimes you're just too opinionated when you're not a good enough player to be opinionated. When he talks, when he's not playing, he says, oh, you shouldn't be doing this, or this person isn't shit, or the league isn't doing anything about that.
Starting point is 01:02:23 And sometimes that may hinder your comeback just my opinion i don't have any knowledge of this what are you good yeah you know because he's very opinionated and i'll be like yo maybe you should shut up bro if you're trying to come back in the league you know i'm saying unless you're trying to go off and start a new career after basketball uh you should chill because i see him in the summertime and i can't remember verbatim uh he was just going off about a bunch of different players, a bunch of different things the league isn't doing, X, Y, Z
Starting point is 01:02:51 so on and so forth do you think that's a detriment to maybe his comeback Mark? I think it points the finger directly to the how secure you are as an organization as an owner, as management, as a coach how secure you are as an organization, as an owner, as management,
Starting point is 01:03:05 as a coach, how secure you are. I think these guys bring something valuable to the table if monitored the proper way. A guy like Jamal Crawford, who's an ultimate pro, you're telling me he can't sit on the bench, stay ready, and guide and teach and nurture and be an echo of what the coaches is saying every single night, it is valuable. Look at the New York Knicks. They picked up Todd Gibson.
Starting point is 01:03:31 Todd Gibson is not, I say this with respect, he's not winning ballgames today, but he's not going to cost you anything. And he's a valuable asset to the culture that's being established. You need guys like that night in and night out.
Starting point is 01:03:45 Yo, Mark, Mark, I'm going to just ask the real question. What does Austin Rivers do? Like, I know Doc Rivers. I love Doc Rivers, you know, Atlanta, New York. But what exactly does Austin Rivers bring to the team? Well, he has size at the guard position. He can score coming off the bench. He can also defend.
Starting point is 01:04:12 So to me, he does bring something to the table. I got no problem with the talent of Austin Rivers. I think it's, I'll be honest with you. The Golden State Warriors are not the Golden State Warriors today. Forget about what I did and what people give me credit for. If you didn't have guys like Jared
Starting point is 01:04:27 Jack, Carl Landry, Jermaine O'Neal, you can go on and on and on. Jared Jack is better than Austin Rivers. Yeah, but I'm not talking about the talent. I'm talking about holding guys accountable
Starting point is 01:04:43 and making sure that the coach's voice doesn't get stale because they were echoing and preaching the same gospel that we were preaching about the culture and winning ballgames. It's not about the talent. 15 guys can't play. It's about making sure that end of that bench is tight. So they're making sure they're ready and prepared to play. And the message is consistent 1 through 15. Those guys are so valuable in this league. Well, I'll have
Starting point is 01:05:13 to say this, Mark, is that... You going to interpret what I'm saying? No, can I say what I was going to say? What I was going to say is this is as much like because today was super dope. Like everything you've done, the knowledge you brought
Starting point is 01:05:28 to the table and everything. It's so sad that we have to go out disagreeing and have to disagree with Mace because Austin Rivers is trash. All right. I don't care what about this size 15. Stay stable on the bench.
Starting point is 01:05:40 Accountability. And he'd be a great player. It's so sad that we have to disagree going out, and I have to agree with Mace. That boy trash. You home now, Cam. You home now.
Starting point is 01:05:52 He made it home, Mark. The Austin River, stay behind the microphone, man. You got a better shot. It's a dub for you, bro. Forget about it. You a wash. John Wall, you got a better chance. Sorry, Mark, we got gotta end the show like this
Starting point is 01:06:05 Cause it was such a lovely time But I gotta agree with Mace Austin Rivers is trash bro Sorry All of them united He said all of them united Yo Yo
Starting point is 01:06:18 Cam you really have a grasp on our audience Mark thank you so much Mark man have a grass on our audience. Mark, thank you so much, Mark, man. We appreciate you being here, man, and we look forward to seeing you again, if not through the holidays, after the new year, man. And also, Mark, you have a new show coming out next
Starting point is 01:06:40 year. Do you have a name for it yet, and do you want to tell anything you want people to know about it? Absolutely. I want to say congrats to you guys. Nothing but love and respect partnering up with you guys. And, uh, it's, it's an honor and a thrill and a privilege do business together. Thank you. Two guys are legends and stat.
Starting point is 01:06:59 What you're doing is legendary. I salute you guys. And I'm, I'm, I'm glad to now call you family. Thank you. Show will be a tight. The show will be titled With All Due Respect. Yay! With All Due Respect!
Starting point is 01:07:13 With All Due Respect! Yo, thank you, Mark, so much for being here and everybody make sure we'll keep everybody updated for the next time Mark's going to be on the show and when his own show will be dropping. Mark, salute. We appreciate you so much man appreciate y'all thanks again thank you thank you we're all definitely looking forward to it but that's all the time we have for today thanks for watching and as always it is what it is

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