The Mismatch - Recapping All-Star Festivities and Predicting Second-Half Story Lines

Episode Date: February 22, 2022

Verno and KOC begin the show detailing their All-Star Weekend. This weekend’s dunk contest was a complete dud, and the guys debate what the NBA can do to bring excitement back to the contest (00:48). Should the league explore using the Elam Ending in more games (12:54)? After wrapping up the All-Star festivities, the guys play everyone’s favorite game: That’s True, That Might Be True, That’s Ridiculous (19:35). Some of the topics they go through include whether the MVP is Joel Embiid’s to lose (19:55), the Suns' chances without Chris Paul (29:53), LeBron James getting sour with the Lakers (43:37), and whether Jabari Smith Jr. has become the top prospect in college basketball (57:31). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Producer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The press box is here to catch you up on the latest media stories. Hosted by Brian Curtis and David Shoemaker, these guys have the insight on the biggest stories you care about. Check out the press box on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to The Mismatch. I'm Chris Vernon. And joining me to does every Tuesday from the ringer.com is Kevin O'Connor, aka Kevin Obama, Kevin O'Conert, Kevin O'Clymer, Kevin O'Colnyn, Kevin O'Colny Conflict, Kevin O'Blessarian, Kevin!

Burdo! Burdo! What's going on this Tuesday? How are you doing, man? We made it through All-Star weekend. We have not spoken in a week. I was scheduled. How was the trip? How was it? I did not go.

Oh, you didn't go. I did not go. You didn't go to Cleveland. No. On Thursday, we had, I started getting texts early in the morning from the airline saying, your flight's being delayed, your flights being delayed. Oh, no. And then they, so there was, there were.

Bad storms in Memphis, like a wind advisory or something, there was a winter storm warning in Chicago. So our flight that was our layover, it got canceled. It got moved. And we weren't going to make that. And so then they were going to reroute us to Philadelphia. And then our flight at night, which was Philadelphia to Cleveland, that got canceled. And so then they were going to fly us into Akron. And then they sent a text saying your flight might not make it to Akron, which is like, you know, an hour trip probably to where we were staying in Cleveland. And we were like, and then there was no promise of that flight getting there. And that would have been at like midnight. And then Friday, it was dicey. So we were like, all right. Oh, no. Let's just not do this. And you know what? That's too bad. I mean, it was just, it was a mega stressful day. And I did not mind. not being there. The only thing I missed that I really wish I could have gone to was I got an invite to the HBO premiere that Lakers show.

And I really would have liked to have gone to that. Yeah, I know. The new Adam McKay one. I got that email. Yeah, I got that email too. I was like, maybe it would have been cool to be in Cleveland for this. Well, because they were. Shout out to HBO.

You know, COVID messed up. Nobody wanted to do any of the like get-together. the parties, nothing because of, because of COVID stuff. You know, they didn't want their brands being attached to people's Instagram pictures and they're having a party like it matters anymore, but whatever. So a lot of the people that usually do like the big get-togethers, whether it's Jordan Brand or TNT or, you know, and I usually get to see a bunch of people. None of those did anything.

The only one that did anything was at HBO that I, I mean, there were, you know, and then, like I'm saying, the brands didn't put together any of the big get-together. But HBO had that premiere of winning time, the new Adam McKay-Laker show, which looks so good. And then they were going to have, I think, like, Questlove DJing or something. I mean, so I wish I could have gone to that. Didn't feel like I missed anything, particularly on All-Star Saturday night. And then the only thing, honestly, from the whole weekend that I wished I would have been there for was the unveiling of the 75 guys that walked out.

That was pretty unbelievable to have as many of those guys there as they had. And the Steph show in the All-Star game. Like that was, I do think that even watching that on television, I will, I'll remember that forever. Like, that's one of those All-Star game performances. Most do not stand out. That one will stand the test of time. and we will remember when he knocked down 16 threes and was turning around.

And he was like a showman, total showman. So that's the only thing I really regretted. Yeah. You weren't going. So I didn't, I wasn't going to get to see you. Bill wasn't going. None of those guys. Exactly.

Yeah, exactly. We couldn't have done a pot in person like we've done at past events and all that. So I don't know. I mean, I didn't go. I had friends visiting in L.A. the last eight, nine days. So I was like, yeah, well, you know, I'll stay out here in L. spend time with my friends from home and go to some good restaurants, watch stuff from here. And it worked out.

One thing, I mean, like also the LeBron's game winning jumper with the Elam ending. That was cool too. All-Star Saturday. Oh, I mean, the dunk contest, dude, it's just bad. I didn't watch it live. Horrendous. I watched it back. So I didn't see all the downtime between these dunks like Jalen Green going for one for 20 and whatever.

You know, like I missed all that. And I've been to All-Star games and seen All-Star games. and seen All Star Saturday in person. I've never, like, always watching All Star Saturday growing up, you know, like sometimes, like sometimes it was good, sometimes it was bad. But being there in person, like there's so much downtime during commercial breaks and all that. I've never loved the in arena experience for All Star Saturday night, which is disappointing. You know, it should be a great, you know, great experience, a great vibe, the great energy inside

the building, but it's often not. I thought Stephen A. Smith had a good idea. Did you see his? idea for the dunk contest, Chris? I did you see it? I did not. Stephen A. had like a dead ass serious idea. On ESPN on Monday, he's like, the NBA

should find the best dunkers in America. I have a national dunk contest where like it's the best five to ten dunkers across the country. And on All Star Saturday night, you know, they get to compete and entertain and they have the backing of the players.

They're judging. They're watching. You know, they're behind these guys who come out of nowhere and get put in the national stage to entertain. And I'm like, huh, it's not a bad idea because the dunk contest is supposed to be about entertainment, right? I thought it was cool. There's a couple of things you could do. Obviously, the prize money. If you made that worthy, if it was a significant amount of money that was put up by a sponsor in order guys would join. You would get a lot better contestants than you do. The other thing is it's kind of random.

I know we always do this where it's like the dunk contest is dead. The dunk contest needs to be fixed. And then we have Aaron Gordon and Zach Levine come along. And then we have, you know, the Derek Jones Jr. one was great. I was in the arena for that one. You know, probably robbed Gordon in that one. But like that was a great dunk contest. These guys are going blow for blow.

And that's not that long ago. I mean, we've had a couple down ones. And there's going to be somebody. come along, you know, that if Jalen Green goes out there and has an unbelievable dunk performance, it doesn't matter what the other three guys do. It's just the fact that all four of them were absolute duds. It was just duds, man. It's terrible. I will say, you know, that gets so much attention because we've all got some kind of history with the dunk contest. Three-point contest was very good and dramatic and Carl Towns. What do you think about that idea, though, Chris? But what do you

think about that idea from Stephen A though? I want NBA guys. What if it's both? What if it's both? What if it's like, you know, a guy that's like amazing dunking at Rucker Park? No. I want, I want NBA players. Just like, I mean, when I watch the NFL skills competition, I don't want a guy from dude perfect competing against Aaron Rogers.

I was into the idea because I thought like the best dunk, the best dunks of All-Star Weekend were from John Morant in the All-Star game. What if you had the NBA dunk contest happened within the All Star Game? Like the best dunk from the All Star Game on Sunday night is the winner of the NBA dunk. I just don't die. I just don't. But that way, but that way you're guaranteed that all the stars are competing in the dunk contest within the All Star Game.

Saturday night would then have kind of like a reality TV show element to it in a way where you bring people across America to the national stage with NBA players there judging, watching whatever. I don't know. I just like it's just a different type of idea that I've never thought about that I was intrigued by, which is why I bring it up after that done on Saturday. I think it doesn't need fixing. It needs better contestants. And if you got a way to get better contestants, but we do this. I've been through this exact same argument three times over my lifetime, at least,

where it's like we have a crappy. This one was just crappy. It can happen. It can happen. Some seasons of TV shows are crappy. You know, some like, it's not, the problem is not to me the contest. It's that this particular iteration was just terrible. And that's a shame because the other stuff was good.

The Carl Towns three-point contest was good. Yeah, yeah, I called that, Chris. I called that, right? It was good. No, you went with Bain, with me. And he had to go first and he was nervous as hell. He even missed a Mountain Dew ball. Yeah, but I didn't say cat.

Like, don't overlook Cat. Don't overlook Cat. He was like last at odds. 12 to 1 or something like that. Yep. I liked skills competition. I liked the change in that. I was entertained by it.

I liked the Rising Stars format, too. I thought that was really good. And I liked the Elam ending. I like the games to 50 and then the game to 25. I thought it led to some drama. And that was good. As I mentioned, the top 75 guys walking out was awesome. very weird.

You know, I know Durant had a death in the family, totally understandable that he wasn't there. It's very bizarre to see how many guys that, like, come on, bro, you were named the top 75 players of all time. And then just the way they did it,

where it was like, you know, they show like Larry Byrne or Carl Malone or Tim Duncan or whatever, and they got them in this, like, room, it's like they're in a friggin hostage situation or something. Like, who is holding?

these other players hostage. They're like trying to wave to the camera in this real awkward way. And I'm like, what is going on? A, why aren't you there? And how busy can you be? And B, like, why are they doing it like this where you've got these all-time grates

just standing in this room with a white backdrop, you know, kind of awkwardly waving at the camera. It was just strange. But it was cool to see all those guys collected at one time. And then the game was lame until the second half. And then the second half, it got amazing, like truly amazing. Steph Curry made that game an all-timer to watch because that's one that if it was on TV again, I'd watch it again just to see those shots again because that was insanity.

Yeah, but one thing I just wanted to note, though, as we were talking about. Them waving. Yeah. Like Tim Duncan, I remember he's waving. He was waving like he was there. Yes,

that was also a part of it. It wasn't waving at the camera. It was waving as if they were in the arena. Right. It's just kind of strange. Which made it more awkward. It was great. It was like act like you're coming on stage,

Tim. Wave around to the audience. Act like you're here. You know, maybe if they had a hologram. They should have done holograms. That would have been cooler. I mean,

you're named one of the best. We get the tech. you're named one of the best 75 players in the history of the game and you're alive. Some of those guys are dead, so they get an excuse. The ones that are alive, like, show up. Come on. Come on, that's terrible.

Jerry Lucas can show up with a cane and you can't show up. Like, come on. I didn't like it. That was a bit of a damper to show so many of those guys. had his, like, very odd wave. I don't know. Scottie Pippen's got a lot going on. It's a friggin' NBA.

Can we get him like a backdrop at least that says, like, you know, got the diamond and the 75 behind it or something. They got them in like a hostage room. Ridiculous. I didn't understand. But then Curry puts on the show. That was great. And then LeBron, it's the game winner in Cleveland.

So that was super cool. Like, all at all, I was entertained by the All-Star game. And that Elam ending, has made that thing so much more entertaining. It really has. Like, they're being a target score. Should they use the element ending in more formats?

Summer League. I'm not against it. I am not against it. Preseason two? G league. G league? Would you like that in the G League? I mean,

where's your line? Is it regular season? I would have to, look, I haven't thought about this enough. Midseason tournament, maybe, you know,

especially. I'm into that thought. You know, if it's not included. Because you do have to take into consideration the whole stats thing of all of this, right? When you move to not that the stats are totally sacred and we have changed things in the past. But you are screwing around a lot with the whole points for, points against. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like you are, that's a drastic change to the record books and towards comparing teams from eras, et cetera, et cetera.

And so I think it is awesome as a novelty. That's what I'd say. I'd say it's awesome as a novelty. But would I want it to be standard? I don't think so. I don't think I'd want it to be standard. But if you want to do it for like the mid-season tournament or something like that, I wouldn't be against that.

That'd be fun. I think that's an interesting idea. But depending on the shape that the in-season tournament, would take, you know, with like how it does affect standings and all that, depending on how, I'd be very, very, very intrigued about having it used there. Because it's great. This is now multiple years in a row now. The Elon Mennig has been an effective way, an exciting way, an entertaining way to end

the All-Star game. So, I mean, he could have the same effect in so many other formats, too. So we'll see. I like it. I'd just rather it be for things that don't matter that, you know what I mean, as much. Well, the, well, the in-season tournament, like, you do want it to matter. Like that's the thing you do you do want it to matter. Yeah, yeah, you do want it to matter, but it's not going to matter as much as I'm talking about when you get the playoff games, the finals, you know, things that are things that can be tinkered with are the G League can be a laboratory for testing things out.

You know, they do the one shot. I don't know how many people know that. I don't know. There's probably a large portion of our audience that does not pay all that much attention to G League basketball. but they do the one shot free throw deal, right? So I get fouled, I go to the line. I take the shot. If I make it, I get two points.

Same thing goes with the three. If I take it and I get fouled on the three, I go to the line. If I make it, it's worth three points. And I do like that, and it speeds things up. I was thinking about this with the G League. Mack McClung, who is like, you know him, right? Yeah.

He became super famous white dude out of high school because he can dunk and all that, goes to college, and he develops a, reputation as a score first kind of stubborn player, but now he's like fifth in the in the G league in points per game, like second or third in a assist per game, arguably the MVP of the

South Bay Lakers. And yet, you know, only got the 10 day with the Bulls, hasn't gotten a lot of national attention. He has more than, he is like more Instagram followers than like 80% of the entire NBA. And it's just yet there's a lack of attention on the G league, whether it's the rules

like you're talking about with one free throw or whether it's like this guy who is a star in high school that might be the G League MVP as a rookie. And yet yet there's a lack of attention. People just don't pay attention to the G League. It's very strange. I'm in a weird situation because I oddly do for three reasons. First, there's a Memphis hustle.

It's a Memphis hustle. Second, their coach is a guy that I've known forever. A guy named Jason March who was an assistant in Memphis. He was an assistant for Dave Yeager in Sacramento. great guy and I'm a fan of his. You see a lot of the players, you know, go back and forth. And my producer for my local show is the color commentator for the hustle. Rosa is.

Oh, Rosa's doing color commentation on them. Wow, that's awesome. So when they're on like ESPN Plus or whatever, you know, I'll flip it on to watch him. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I actually saw that McClung and they are trying to turn him into a point guard on that level. Their coach is my assignment, dude. You know, the former, the former Arizona coach, or a former Arizona great, Miles Simon, that's their G-League coach. And he, and he was awesome here.

Maclung was. Yeah. Awesome. Dude, I'm telling like, are you a little surprised McClong hasn't gotten more of an NBA opportunity? Like with his shooting ability, his playing making looks so much better. And he's a little undersized. But I feel like he's answered a lot of the questions that people, including me, had about him out of college. I don't know.

There's a lack of attention on the G League. It's just strange, that's all. I wonder, can the NBA do more to shine a spotlight more? I watch it off of the app, the ESPN app. That's what I watch it on. But, I mean, it's even hard to find there. I got to search for it. You know what I mean?

They don't, until they put it on the stage. And they, I mean, they could put some games on NBA TV instead of some, like, old documentary that we've all seen 20 times, you know, on a random night when they don't have NBA games or they're not. bouncing around everywhere. They can give it a little bit better of a stage than they have in order to make people more aware. Anyways, they're in there. They did try to give some of those guys from the G League Ignite a, you know, a bop this weekend. Yeah.

Stuff like that helps. Yeah, but I don't think anybody came away even knowing those guys, honestly. You know, really? Yeah. I mean, it's not like they were a big part of the Rising Stars game or how. had a big factor in it or anything like that. But a nice little bone to throw them for deciding to take that route instead of another route post high school. All right, Kevin, we have about a fourth of the season left.

Most of these teams have between 20 and 23, 24 games left in the season. Therefore, we are bringing back our favorite game on the show today. The game that everyone loves. That's true. that might be true, that's ridiculous. And we can, a classic, what a classic. We'll do it right after this break.

All right, Kevin, it is time. For the game that everyone loves, that's true, that might be true, that's ridiculous. Ten statements for the last 20 odd games of the season. Number one, the MVP is Joelle M.B.'s two. lose. That's ridiculous. And the reason why is because you still have Nicole Yokic and Yonis

and Nantacompo having equally historic, unbelievable, amazing, how whatever you want to call it, seasons. Those three guys, in my opinion, Yokic, Embed, and Yonis are very, very close to even right now. There's six, seven weeks left in the NBA season. I'm not, I'm not at the point where I'm going to say it's somebody

to lose right now. So right now, like, let's respect all three of those guys. They're in their own group right now. Any of them could win it right now. I will say that there are, I was reading something last night saying there's only seven teams that have an easier schedule the rest of the way than the Denver Nuggets

in terms of win percentage of their remaining opponents. So you could keep an eye out for that because the Nuggets could hit a little run here and he could have a lot of really big games at the end of the season. I'm just saying they're in a spot schedule-wise where they could really bolster their record this last quarter of a season. And that would play a big role, especially because his stats are just silly.

They're silly. And right now, Denver is in the sixth seat, and that's without Jamal Murray. That's without Michael Porter Jr. There are three back from the jazz for the four seed. I mean, I know like standings aren't everything when it comes to voting for MVP, but that is going to be a factor that some voters do consider. If Denver is able to move up to the four seed,

that's going to bolster the amount of people that are going to actually give Yokish the respect that, in my opinion, he deserves. He's better than he was last year than he won MVP. And the Tim Bond Temps, ESPN straw poll, Embeded had 789 total points Yokic had 754 total points Yannes had 512 next closest

was step at 2-11 So Mbid and Yokch were very close together Five people didn't have Yokch on their ballots Which I think is inexcusable Like what the hell is going on here How do you not have Yokch on your ballot Three people didn't have Yonis on their ballots What are we doing here

All three of those guys are in a league of their own right now MVP? they should be unanimous elections in the top five. That's how great they've been, all three of those guys, continuously throughout the regular season, since it began. Those guys should be on every single ballot, in my opinion. And I would expect by the end of the year, that'll be clear as day that they all belong on it and that they will be far and away the MVP favorites. Who becomes the runaway guy? I don't think we're there yet, Chris.

Do you believe your own statement there? It says the loose? Yes. I think it's... You do? Okay. I think if it were, and that's just coming from the standpoint of if they gave it out tomorrow, he'd win it. He'd win it.

Yeah, that's fair. If they gave it out tomorrow, he's in the league. So he can either maintain that. Someone would have to overtake him. If we agree that he would win it today, then someone has to overtake him. Therefore, it makes it his to lose. Is Janus underrated in this MVP race? Of course he is.

They're within a game and their stats are like line up their stats next to each other. That's fatigue. That is Janus fatigue. It is trying to find somebody new. And being at 45 first place votes, Yokic had 43. Yonis had only nine. That's right. He's already won it twice.

Yeah. And that's despite him having a year fairly equivalent to his MVP seasons. And he's still a defensive player of the year candidate as well. Absolutely. He still is. Yep. Number two. There is not enough time for Brooklyn and Philly to come together before a playoff run would begin.

That's ridiculous, too. Wow. There's enough time. I think when you put, I think for the most part, these teams are in a position right now. It's particularly Philly. Philly has enough team chemistry right now with this group inserting Hardin. There'll be some, you know, bumps, I'm sure. But I still think like they've upgraded nearly enough and they can plug him into.

some of their typical actions that they've used, that it won't be like necessarily the hardest thing to figure out. With the Nets, I mean, this team's been in flux the whole year. I feel like this is nothing new for them in that sense. So, I mean, like, we'll see come playoff time. I'd worry more about health and durability with these guys more so than the on-court chemistry aspects. Wow.

I would say that might be true because you see teams when they're thrown together to the first 20 games of the season. and it's not that pretty in most cases. Very rarely does it all come together really quickly, especially when you got high usage guys, and you know Simmons is going to have a usage rate, and Durant and Kyrie haven't played together, especially then they haven't played together with the Curry brother.

They haven't played together with some of the guys. David logged even that many minutes with Marcus Aldridge on their team, for goodness sakes, right? So like the way a team functions, you just got a finite amount of time to figure it all out. And you know Hardin is a big time usage guy. And so the way that Philly team functions and the way maxi functions and the way all of those guys function is going to be radically different. So I could see, I could say that being true where they just don't have time to get it all together.

We still don't have a timeline on Durant. We still don't really have a timeline on Simmons. I saw Ramona Shelberg yesterday said it's weeks, not months, weeks. weeks. So who knows on that? And then you got to get to ramp back into the mix. And I do think Philly is going to function much differently than they have. You know, you're changing leading shot takers on a good portion of nights. Probably. Probably. You know, it may still be Embedged your number one shot taker every night. But it might not. But certainly not. That's also a factor in the MVP aspect.

No question. Are bringing it hardin in. That might hurt his numbers and, you know, cause a dip and Janus and Yokic send up. We'll see. Sure. What do you think about the Goren Dragich signing with Brooklyn?

I mean, that's another guy they have to integrate into the mix there too. You know, I was surprised by that. I guess kudos to Steve Nash from what I read this morning. It was him that did the persuading. I had just always assumed he would

get moved, get traded, and join up with Luca in Dallas. Yeah, after getting Dinwiddie and keeping Brunson, that seemed to die out. I was a little surprised, but Goran Dragach is, he's got playoff scars, and he's been in a lot of big games, and I do think a very good addition for them. He will absolutely be in their rotation, you know. I mean, for God's sakes, last year, who they run out, they ran out like Landry Shamet out there in the playoffs, you know, and given their injury issues that they have had, yeah, I like it.

Drag it's tough. We don't know what he looks like right now, but Drag it just tough and Draghi's been in big games. And I think that that was a very nice buyout addition. I'm excited for Ben Simmons, because this is now another ball handler that's going to be able to utilize him and pick and rolls. It's a screener, orange dribble handoffs. You get Kyrie, Patty Mills, Seth Curry, Gorin Dragich, and Kevin Durant. Those guys are all going to be in situations where they're going to be handling the ball before he is. It's going to put him in situations where he can be optimized in the half court and end game situations on paper. We'll see how he's actually utilized once we get

to the games. But I'm very excited for the potential, even more so than I was at the time of the trade for Ben Simmons and Brooklyn. This could be a perfect match for him to see the best version of Ben Simmons that we've ever had. I just think there's a tremendous advantage for, say, of like a Miami or a Milwaukee or some of these teams that they've been at it, Cleveland, they've been at it the whole time with basically the same personnel. And that's a lot of games under your belt.

It's a lot of situations, knowing who moves where, knowing what you go to when it matters, most in the game. Like those teams, they've had 82 games or 60 games at least. And these teams might have like 10. I mean, hell, there's only 20 something games left in the season.

We don't know if Kyrie's going to be able to play at home. We don't know when Simmons is coming back. And we don't know when Durant's coming back. And we don't know how Hardin's going to fit with MB. Yeah. I'm going to change my answer on Brooklyn. With Brooklyn, that might be true. with Philly.

I think you're just all in on the Philly thing. You want that to work so bad. I think it will work. I do. All right. I feel more confident with the Philly situation. There's so many variables with Brooklyn with all the injuries on top of everything else. That's fair.

I just trust the talent with the Sixers right now. I've come playoff time. I mean, Doc Rivers, I don't trust him. That's a different conversation, go. I mean, they've got two guys that have really had a great time staying healthy throughout in James Harden to join the beach. That's like a different conversation though than can they gel.

Number three, Phoenix could make the West Finals even without Chris Paul. That might be true. Which is crazy to say. But like depending on the draw with the plan and depending on how the seating shakes out with the four or five,

that might be true. It's unlikely though. it's very, very unlikely. Is that fair? I think it's fair. I mean, they're able to, they built themselves such a cushion. They're not,

they're still going to get the one seat. Yes, they will get the one seat. Exactly. Now, I do think they would need, it's teetering. I don't want to say it's ridiculous,

but it's hard for me to imagine. They can't go to the West Finals without him. I mean, I think they could win, they could win the first couple of rounds. They could get. get there. How about that? They could get there. Let's just say this first. Chris Paul's injury. He's out six to eight weeks. The playoffs are in seven weeks. That's how the way it was announced. So there's a chance he he misses the start of the first round of the postseason, which could be right now against Minnesota, the Clippers, Lakers, or Blazers? They could beat any of those teams with the way the Lakers are playing right now. They could be the wolves without Chris Paul. They can beat the Clippers without Chris Paul. We don't even know if Dame will be playing for the four. But I don't even know if Dame will be playing for the four. But I don't. I don't know if they could, but I don't know if they could be Dallas, Denver, Utah.

Yes, exactly, exactly. And that's where I'm like, but Chris Paul might be backed by them. So, you know. Right. Well, it is that I talked to my buddy Jeff Stats, who's at in street clothes yesterday about this, because he had posted something about him having surgery on the thumb. And so I guess there's a suture in there. And so the way he was explaining it to me,

was there's a suture in there. And so after they go and check that out, if the suture is still in place, then he's just got to wait for that bone to heal. And then you could avoid surgery. But if that suture got messed up, then you might be talking about having to have surgery again. And it is a little strange that they right out the front said will be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks or whatever because he has hurt that that's it in 2017 he busted that thumb and he had surgery on it and so it is the same thumb and so it's just a you know wait and see it would be that would be horrendous if they got robbed of this because you know he's at the you know he's it he does not play like he's in the twilight of his career but there is a small amount of years left

you know, and so, and he got banged up last year during their run. And so here's hoping that he will be okay. Knowing him, he'd go out there with the busted thumb and play. Seriously. Like, I don't think he's, I don't think you would just sit on the sidelines and watch it take place. And so we can't know. But I think they can win the first round. Man, I don't think they could get to the West finals.

That's a bridge too far. He might be back and it'll all be moot. We'll see. That's right. Number four. Zion Williamson has played his last game as New Orleans Pelican. That might be true. It might be true.

Everything that's transpired the past week, even the season ticket holders, like they sent the email out. You tweeted this out, right? They sent out the email to Pelican season ticket holders, renew for next year and there's no mention of Zion Williamson in the email little things like that him not calling CJ McCollum like that's that's so whack and it just represents i was texting with some NBA execs about that over the weekend like hey what do you think about Zion not introducing himself to CJ and the response from everybody was this is not surprising this this reflects the type of

investment he's made into becoming a pelican i mean like everybody's like this is not surprising. And it's not surprising. And it is a little different. Let me say this. It's different with CJ. CJ is the president of the players association. Exactly.

That's why. And it's easily one of the most respected individuals in the entire league. So it is different with him than if you just would have gone and gotten some second year player. He goes from Damien Luller. Those guys like were brothers. Damian Loller's Instagram photo is a photo of. Damon, a Blazers jersey, and C.J. McCollum in a Pelican's jersey right now.

That is Damien Lerlert's default photo on Instagram. Zion won't even give him a text or a call. Nothing. Nothing. Like, that just speaks to the lack of investment that he has into New Orleans. And I'll tell you what, for Pelicans fans, I know nobody likes to hear it for years now. But this is why, like, media don't stop talking about the possibility of him leaving. because everybody in the NBA won't stop talking about it either.

It's something everybody talks about and everybody, whether it's from CAA, whether it's from other agencies, whether it's from any team in the league, everybody talks about Zion's lack of investment in the Pelicans and the potential of him leaving. So this is all of that bubbling up where I think Pelicans fans now are even seeing he won't even call CJ? Yeah, he won't even call CJ. Like it's, I don't know what New Orleans can do in this situation. I don't think they know everything about Zion's current condition.

There's just been so much of a lack of communication between both parties. It's just unfortunate. But that's where that, to me, that was on, you know, a lot of it's been on the Zion end and the not understanding where he's coming from, what's going on, you know, the investment thing. You can surmise all of that. This is from the Pelican side. When you send out, this is the first time where there is an acknowledgement of, you know, of a future that does not include him.

It says, for those that don't know, there is a season ticket holders received an email from the Pelicans about renewal or buying new tickets for next year. And the opening stanza of the email says, led by new head coach Willie Green and players Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valenciunis and C.J. McCollum, the Pelicans are building something special across the street from the Caesar Superdough.

Now, you can do the mental gymnastics and say, well, yeah, they mention those guys because he's not playing. Like, if you're selling somebody on buying season tickets for next year, you know what I mean? I also don't think it's like some, you know, like a hardcore, you know, Pelicans fan who's like their intern is writing up that email and he's pissed off at Zion. I don't think it's that either. All that stuff gets approved by someone higher up. It's that old song by Garth Brooks, right? It's like some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. And I think about that regarding, I mean, look, I just watched John Morant start in the All-Star game and then say, I'm here to rep Memphis and I'm Memphis for life and whatever else.

And it's like that night, when they came back from that break and you're two and one, you're like, oh, my God, what if we get Zion? Now, I loved Morant and thought Morant was going to be a huge superstar. So I was going to be happy either way. But everybody wanted the number one pick in that draft. And look, the only other time I've really felt like that where it was like, oh my goodness, was the year I hosted a draft party, the year the Grizzlies had the worst record in the league and it was the Odin Durant. And there were two standups that were that were by me. And one was Greg Oden in a Grizzly's jersey and one was Kevin Durant in a grizzly's jersey. I wonder who has those.

They made them because it was like, we're getting the number one or two pick. And they announced number four, which was the lowest pick you could get at that time, was the Grizzlies. Now, it ended up with a guy who's going to get his number retired and is one of the most beloved athletes ever in Mike Conley. But you think about the way that played out and how crushed that was that they didn't get Greg Oden. And it's wild. It's white. It's not unlike this. Like I was crushed that night that you didn't get Odin or Durant.

That's franchise changing in your mind. And they ended up with Mike Conlin. I felt the same way. I felt the same way with the Celtics that year. I mean, all year you're tanking, you're expecting Oden or Durant. Oh, you got Al Orford. Yeah. Well, no.

Did not get Al Horford. Oh, no, that's right. Jeff Green. Yeah. Yes, got Jeff Green with the fifth pick traded to the Sonics for the draft night trade for Ray Allen. And there was major disappointment like, oh, not even going to get Al Horford. That's right.

It was like E. Gillian or Jeff Green or Corey Brewer with the fifth pick. And, yeah, it was very disappointing not to get Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. Very sad after losing 19 games in a row. That's a fun year. I loved rooting for the 0607 Celtics. I think if you're Tony, Tony Allen, he tore his ACL that year. But he told Tony Allen before tearing his ACL, he had like two weeks straight of average 20 plus points per game. You ever talked to him about that before tearing his ACL?

I used to have him on, you did? I've talked to him. I've wondered aloud to him if that was in this bizarre way, the best thing that ever happened to his career. Because now you come back and it's like, I'm not Big 12, you know, player of the year. Totally. I can score in this league, Tony Allen.

I am. I better be the best defender and keep the ball moving to the other three guys. and you find, and next thing you know, you got a double-digit year career. Yeah, that's what he turned into and became one of the best defenders of his time in the NBA. Number five, the rookie of the year race is wide open. Sure feels like it. That is true. I'd say that is true.

That is true. Evan Mobley is rightfully the leader, but you got giddy, Cunningham, Barnes. They deserve the respect to say it is wide open. Not according to Las Vegas, Kevin. They would tell you that's ridiculous. Evan Mobley is minus 500. Meaning you would have to bet $500 to win 100. That's too much, man. Cunningham plus 750, Barnes plus 750,

Giddy plus 1,100, Wagner plus 2,000. I mean, Mobley's just going to be on the good team. And his stats are great. And my God, do you see him shooting that thing in the skills? in the one where they had to run around to the spots, he can shoot it. Yeah, I mean, look, Mowbly is the favorite. I mean, factoring in the team he plays on,

but I do think you have to consider the potential of over the last 20 games, somebody just going off. He had to be born so, doesn't it? I think it had to be born, I mean, I think, well, Cunningham and Giddy are both going to be on really bad record teams. Yes. But should that affect the rookie of the,

the year vote, it may, I mean, in the eyes of voters, but should it, should it affect the vote? I think you should get more credit for contributing to winning. I think it's a lot easier. It's a lot harder to put up numbers when you're winning every night. And I think part of what you're touching there is like, if your team's winning, it probably means you're not abhorrently bad on defense either. Right. And you're getting the minutes and you're out there and you're contributing to a winning product. That has to matter. Because, look, These teams are going to score 105 points every night. Somebody's got to get them.

So rookie or non-rokey, putting up stats in those situations is just not as impressive. It's just not. You know, where does it fall within the context of I'm winning games? And Mobley right now, I mean, he's averaging 15 points, eight rebounds, two and a half assists. I mean, he's got the stats, too. He's got good stats. And he's excellent defensively. I mean, like, he should, he should win.

But I think, you know, some of those other guys, if they finish the year, like, if giddy has more of those, you know, 20 points, you know, 12 assists to only two turnover games. Like, if stuff like that continues happening, you'll see more interest than a guy like that to win rookie of the year. And they won't be like a plus 1,000. They'll be like a plus 200 in terms of the betting odds. Stuff like that could change. Look at Kate. Kate's number.

I mean, he's averaging, you know, a tick under 16 points, five and a half rebounds, five assists. I mean, he's going to have good, he's going to have some impressive counting stats by the time it's all said and done. He's just been too inefficient. Like if he can, if he can begin clicking, like he had that week, I think it was mid, mid, mid late January where he had, I think two consecutive games with 25 plus points. One of them was against the jazz, a good defense. One was against the nuggets. If I remember correctly, he has more moments like that over a sustained stretch, you'll see hype,

increase for him. It's just it hasn't happened, but it could. It could happen. We've seen guys close up a year strong as rookies post-all-star break. Kevin number six, LeBron James deserves this. And by this, I mean the current state of the Los Angeles Lakers and the drama. I mean, that might be true. He's brought a lot of drama to his own situations over the years and some of the passive aggressive comments this past week certainly play into that. He and, you know, know what was one of the reasons why they traded for russell westbrook not for buddy healed in that group um one of yeah so one of it might be it might be true it might be true but also at the same

time uh i am very very interested to see the the way the way this is being spun from the lakers standpoint and not making a trade is if they wait until summer they can trade their 2027 and 2029 first round picks. It's rather than just their 2027, which is all that they can do now. So from the Lakers standpoint, they're like, hey, we might be wasting this one season with you, but we increase our chances to make a big, you know, change over the summer. That might be true too. But at the same time, if you're wasting, you know, year 19, age 37, LeBron, when he is still

playing individually at an MVP caliber level, that's disappointing and you can't blame LeBron there. That's just disappointing that that year's being wasted, which is partially his fault, though. Partially. All? All? Do you think anything? You think anything was done without his blessing? Really? So you think this is true that he does deserve this. It is his fault. He 100% wanted Westbrook. Like, there's the, there's the, there's the whole they met with him,

recruited him. They called the, interview, interviewed guys for the job. the owner to get it done. Didn't they talk to De Rosen too? Yeah. Wasn't that out there? Yes. They talked to De Rosen. Yes.

They talked to Lillard. Mm-hmm. I mean, they were out there finding somebody. And so, he, he's aware of how Russell Westbrook plays basketball, right? He's aware of that. He's aware now. I mean, he's aware now. That's for damn sure.

He's played against him for the last 15 years. I mean, is this news to you? He sees it first time. That's for damn sure now. Well, and then it's just all, it's all rather strange to watch it unfold. And then the whole, you know, Rob Polinkas of Bozo, Rob Polinko didn't do anything to help us at the, at the, at the trade deadline. And then the other side of it where it's like Rich Paul told somebody this weekend, you know, put the, put the, you know, microphone in my face. We never told anybody to trade anybody, you know, like as if they're powerless.

you think clutch runs that show or you think you think you think this whole rob polinka and Kurt Rambis and his wife runs the show that's what that's how it was presented well I mean isn't isn't it isn't it doesn't I feel like there's a real power struggle happening here though I mean you have the multiple stories that are out there saying polinka is entrenched and the lakers you know for an office that he has the trust of bus and that he's the decision maker there but yet you have this other stuff I think it was Eric pinkis or Bleacher Report put out a story saying how Clutch wasn't happy with the Lakers, how they pushed for a trade for John Wall.

Then you have Rich Paul. He goes straight to Stephen A. Smith and says, put this out there. We did not push for any trades at the deadline. But he didn't deny the other aspect in that Pinkis article saying how that there's friction between both parties there. He didn't deny there to Stephen A. Smith. He found it all very, very interesting what's going down now.

And then you have LeBron. LeBron saying publicly he'll play his last year was the word he said last year with his son, Brony James, who can enter the draft in 2024. So, I mean, you have this possibility of LeBron leaving the Lakers in a couple of years for any team that drafts Brony who even without LeBron being his father is an NBA draft prospect. I texted a few people over the weekend. So what would his potential stock be? people are like early second round people don't really know it's still early

it's still early right now but like first early second 6 3 great you know you're getting his dad your draft you didn't know I mean but now but then I've fallen up but if you know you're getting his dad for at least a year he's a lottery pick dude he's a lot of pick

100% right maybe even top 10 or top five depending on the strength of the draft class so we'll see how we'll see how Brony develops individually in a senior season next year. But yeah. Adam Silver should just walk up there and say with the number one pick, the Oklahoma City Thunder select LeBron James. Yeah, dude, I mean, it's, it's just going to be fascinating to see how that plays out over the next couple of years.

Because you get the Lakers that, by the way, like those picks I mentioned 2027 and 2029, wouldn't you love to get your hands on those picks, Chris, if they're unprotected? Wouldn't you love to get your hands in those picks. The Lakers, when LeBron leaves with 80, who knows if he'll stay around, they could go back to the toilet. The bottom and the NBA, they could. Look. For at least a little

while. I'll be honestly, the Grizzlies have the Lakers pick coming up this year. And when Anthony Davis got hurt last week, everybody was like, oh, no, they might be so bad that we don't get the pick. Because they were... They were falling into the range. It was

almost a sure thing that they were going to be in that range where the pelicans wouldn't get it. And in fact, it would go to Memphis because they've just, nobody would have expected them to be this bad this year. It goes to the Grizzlies if it's in the top 10. It goes to the pelicans if it's 11 to 30, correct? No. No, no, no. It's the opposite. Opposite.

Yep. Pelicans, if it's in the top 10, grizzlies, if it's 11 to 30. I believe that's true. I think there's a range. Yes, that's correct. Yes, that's correct. I just pull it up. It's the Pelicans if it's in the top 10,

Grizzlies if it's 11 or 30. Right. So right now it's on the fence there. It's at 11 right now. So it would go to Memphis at the moment. But we'll see how that plays out too. I mean, it was a possible lottery pick for goodness sakes that you would be getting.

Certainly would not have expected that to be the case. Number seven, Sacramento will be the 10 seed in the West. What did I say a couple weeks ago, that it'll be the Pelicans when Zion returns? I'm not so sure about that anymore. Can we just be clear on this? Can I, real quick.

Just a quick sidebar, Kev. Trade deadline pod, per usual. Kevin liked something. I hate something. Fan base rakes me over the coals for a week. I end up being right. None of the fan base apologizes. New Orleans, I'm talking to you.

I'm talking to you. It's a dumb trade when it happened. I told you it was dumb. Josh Hart is killing everybody in Portland and has made them good immediately. And you can't guard anybody in New Orleans. I'll tell you what. Josh Hart must be a listener of the pod.

He's making you look like a genius. I love him. I mean, his three games since the deadline, 23 points, 27 points, 22 points, all efficient nights, racking up some assists and rebounds, playing, you know, maybe not against John Morant, but he had some good moments on defense in those other games. Playing great next to Simons, too, playing great next to Simons. Yeah, and Blazers 3 and O in those games.

But, um, Sacramento. The answer is that's ridiculous. They are, they are three and a half games back from Portland right now. I just don't see them surpassing the Blazers. And the Spurs, and the Pelicans, for that matter. I mean, like, you never know. And they could still compete with C.J. McCollum and Yonis Valentunus and Brennan Ingraham. I don't see the Kings leaping into the 10th spot.

I'm sorry, Sacramento. I've been down on you guys all year long, and I remain down on you guys. I would say that might be true. I think they can get there. I do. I think that they, I could see them just on the strength of Fox and Sabonis, you know, winning more games, significantly more games than those other teams we talked about. Like, I could see them hitting a run and winning like seven of ten games or something,

which may be all you would need is to close that gap. I mean, look, whoever gets the 10 seats, it's not like they're going to be a significant threat probably. But I think Sacramento does have a chance. I do. Number eight, the safest bet to have a new coach after the season is the New York News. that might be true who also who also be in that conversation

for safest safest bet well a lot of it's going to be dependent upon the playoffs right yeah you know what I'm saying like I mean look if Philly got wiped out they move off Doc Rivers we know that right

I'm saying if something crazy happened yeah I'd say that kind of stuff can take place I mean we're already seeing the rumblings about Tibbs and the friction with that front office with World Wide West specifically Yeah, I'd say that's the safest bet. That's a fair one.

It's really hard to find. I mean, the other one is Vogel. Yeah, Vogel too. You think it's more likely that Vogel's replaced or Tibbs is replaced? Tibbs. Wow. Really? As much as we've talked about that Vogel thing all year,

I mean, they probably even got to make the play in New York. It was just a huge disappointment after they were so highly ranked last year. they're three and a half back right now from Atlanta for the 10 and Charlotte for the 9 because those teams are tied to the standings right now they get a shot too they get a chance they get a chance number 9 tough Cleveland will end up having to play their way into the playoffs I'm gonna go with that might be true but I don't think it'll happen I think Cleveland will hold on to a top six seed they would have but it might be sure it's close I mean

look so really good chance could get surpassed by Milwaukee or Boston or both. So that moves you to sit. You would have to then hold off Toronto and Brooklyn. I think I'm with you. It might be true. They could, you could see Toronto was pistol hot going into the break. I know he's running them into the ground, but at least they got a little break.

Nobody needed a break worse than those guys in Toronto. They play 45 minutes every day night. They had to go get their Norma Tech on for. a full week. But I can see Toronto or Brooklyn, you know, finishing the year really strong. And I'll be damned after this unbelievable year, it would be a shame for Cleveland to be considered anything other than a great story. They might have to, though.

They might. Those are good teams behind them. I mean, Toronto, Brooklyn, Boston, Milwaukee. And you'd really just have to get surpassed by you're in four right now. So you'd have to get jumped by three of those four. Sticey. I got one for you. Is there any chance the Nets have to win two games in the plan to get into the playoffs?

Right now, they're two and a half up on Charlotte and Atlanta. No. No? Is there a chance? It would be Atlanta. Charlotte and Washington aren't jumping them. So the only thing they would have to worry about is Atlanta, to me. Well, I mean, this next stretch for the Nets coming out of the All Star break, Boston, home versus Boston, at Milwaukee, home versus Toronto, at Toronto, versus Miami, at Boston, at Charlotte, at Philly, versus New York.

That's until mid-March. That's a lot of tough games until mid-March when you get that run against the Hornets Knicks magic. It gets a little easier then. But these next couple weeks, they could drop a lot of games, Chris. You better get Simmons in the mix. You better at least get Simmons in the mix if you're not getting Durant in the mix. I know that March 10th game at Philadelphia on TNT Thursday night. Sixers Nets.

I hope we get Ben Simmons by that night. By that night would be great if he actually plays in the game. He won't play in that game. You think he'll come back the next game Sunday at home? Oh, no. I think he will have bid back and then they'll hold him out for rest of that game. The NBA can't necessarily have control of the situation here, but you've got to have Ben Simmons playing at Philadelphia.

Like, come on. This is entertainment here. It's like he has to play that game. Has to happen. Has to play that game. It'd be so funny if you played that game and like hit five threes and had like a 30 point triple double. It would be one of the most memorable. And then hit a game winner, a game winning three.

Oh my God. as they're just booing him and cars in his name. Oh, man. I mean, before that trade happened, I couldn't stop thinking about the rivalry that could be created between the Sixers and the next. Could be great. It could be great, too.

Especially, yeah, the whole Hardin, you know, bailing on Duran. Yep. It could be great, but he needs to play that game. Number 10, Kevin. Jabari Smith Jr. has become the number one pick. in the NBA draft. That might be true. You saw him the other night what he did.

Jabari Smith's got a shot, but I don't think you can rule out Chet Holmgren, who is fantastic in his own way. Like, dude, Chad Holmgren, you know how much fun? I was watching a lot of his game over the weekend, like looking back at some stuff. It is so fun just watching a seven-footer

dribble into a pull-up three in transition or to get to the basket, to playmate the way he does. Ben Carrow does everything on the court. any of those three guys could go number one, depending on the team that gets the number one pick. That's the general sense that I get from people, you know,

around the league as well when it comes to who goes number one. You have your personal preference and your personal big board, but in terms of mock drafts, it really does depend. It depends on who gets the pick. So maybe. That might be true. What do you think of Holgren as a defender?

You think he's a, do you think he can be modern five protect the rim? Yes. I mean, like, Because that is Jabari. Jabari is like that unicorn of, I can't have him protect the rim, and he also stretches the floor all the way out to 30 feet. I mean, Homer is so lean, but he's such a spectacular shop locker.

Like, he can be, you might want to have a bigger, sturdier, stronger, larger, traditional big for our Yokic matchup, and then you have Homer more spacing out at the four or defending on the perimeter. but in most series or most games, you can comfortably have him at the five. Like as a rim protector, that guy's awesome. He's awesome.

And with Jabari Smith, he can protect the rim a little bit, but he's more of a perimeter switchable piece. He's the guy you want on the perimeter against guards, wings, forwards. So they're different in that sense. These guys are invaluable now, Kemp,

these Mowbleys, Jared Jackson, Jr., you know, and they both might fit that mold. You know, Jabari and Chet, where it's like small ball five. And Jabari Smith, like his, his ability also, like the one difference between Smith and

Holmgren, Holmgren, thus far is a knockdown spot-up shooter. He has not shot the ball well on dribble jumpers. So I said he shoots well, sometimes pulling up from three in transition in the half court, according to synergy. He's one for eight, only eight shots taken off the dribble in the half court, whereas Jabari Smith, that guy's a demon shooting off the dribble. Like some of the turnarounds he hits with defenders draped all over him. It's ridiculous.

A guy at 6 foot 10, the ability to create his own shot. He might not necessarily be like a go-to score type, like a guy averaging 25 plus points. But he is the type of guy, Jabari Smith, I'm talking about. That could be like 20 plus points per game playing with and without the ball and defending at an elite level and being trustworthy as a playmaker. You saw earlier this season against Syracuse with their zone. Arburn was comfortable enough. Bruce Pearl put his freshman and Jabari Smith in the middle of that zone.

He was the guy that was tasked with breaking it down, making decisions. He can do everything on the court, which is why he's my personal number one at this exact moment, but it's close with those guys and who goes number one. It's going to depend on who gets the pick.

I have a hard time believing anybody. By time it's also, I know there's going to be a million dissections of all these guys. I've watched him two or three times this year, Kevin, he is just a ridiculous prospect.

Ridiculous. Ridiculous. I mean, he's calling for the ball at the end of that Kentucky game. Like, yo, give me the ball. And I'm like,

yo, give me this guy. Because he's got the fire, the motor, and just this. Oy, y, I love him as a prospect.

He could trend up. He could trend up, too, because you get Auburn. Auburn's crushing this year. Like, they, they're going to

be in big games down the stretch, the SEC tournament, the NCAA tournament. Like, if Jabari Smith's stardom continues to grow, maybe it gets to the point that, oh, yeah, it's obvious that the 6 foot 10 shotmaker who can defend multiple positions is the number one pig. It could get to that point. But right now, I think you still need to give respect to Chet Holmgren is a seven-footer who can playmate, shoot threes, protect the rim, and Paulo Bencaro, who's a guy that can score in the low post, you can feed him the ball, he can pass.

he's eventually going to be able to space out the three and defend multiple positions. It's a great year to have a top three pick. Put it that way. You have a lot of good options. And the thrilling thing is that unlike last year, we're going to see all these guys in the NCAA tournament. Oh, yeah.

Isn't that great? You know, we've had a couple of years here where it's kind of like, you know, we got to see Suggs for sure last year, you know, making that run. But, I mean, there were just so many of these guys over the course the last few years, whether it was Lamello or even like some of the guys that played in college like Anthony Edwards, where we didn't get to see them on the biggest stage.

All of these kids that are there at the top of the draft are pretty much on good teams that we're going to get to see playing in the NCAA tournament, which makes that so much more fun, so much more fun when not only do you have the tournament, which is already fun to watch, but that the best prospects are there. Because you can really, really bolster or hurt your performance based upon that tournament. We know that. And it's not also just the top three guys. It's like J.D. and Ivy.

It's AJ Griffith. Yo, did you see his dunk this weekend? Yes. Jaden Ivy? Holy shit. Oh. He's a good prospect too, man. I've been hearing about him for a long time because I told you,

Nail Ivy, who is now the coach at Notre Dame, was a Memphis Christie's assistant. And, you know, I'd heard that she had this son, who was a big recruit. and then now, now seeing what that kid has become. And then I saw this weekend, somebody posted that highlight

of him driving baseline and the explosion. God. Yes. Just outrageous. The first step to turn the corner. And then the explosion at the room, it felt like he just was not going to stop. It was like John Morant.

John Moran, when he jumps, it's like he always, he going into orbit here? So he up there with Elon and Bezos? and there's spaceships. With Ivy, it was like that, too. I mean, he just wouldn't stop moving up until the ball went in. You see the stare down at the camera afterwards, too.

Oh. It was well deserved. That was a highlight. For those of me that don't know what we're talking about, go check that out. The Purdue kid, Jaden Ivy, had a dunk on the baseline on guys, on them, on their heads. He's a sophomore. I played one year at Purdue last year,

but he's gotten so much better. If you watch his clips last year, if anybody is interested, like watch Jaden Ivy freshman and then watch Jaden Ivy sophomore, just watch some highlight videos. Like, you're going to see a player that made dramatic improvements to his game

overall, everywhere. Very Morant-esque. And that has been a confidant for him. They're very close because of the mom. Because that was, Job loved her, loved her as an assistant coach. and became very close to her in the family and the kid. And you'll see him promoting the kid, even on Twitter, et cetera.

But yeah, he has. He has certainly made a name for himself. He's fantastic. Jaws great on Twitter. He's a really good Twitter follow. I've been following him a long time since I think, like, his, I don't know, sophomore year of college probably. It's probably when I started following him.

But he's just been continuously a great NBA player Twitter follow. He's fun. He just loves the game of basketball. It's no wonder why he's become what he is. It's because there's genuine love for the game and an appreciation for it. Other players and talents as well. I love Morant on Twitter. Great follow.

Kevin, it's fun to be back after we got a little bit of an all-star break. We will have games starting back in the middle of the week. And I will reconvene with you on Friday. Thanks, our producer, Jesse Lopez, as always. Kevin, I'll talk to you at the end of the week. Looking forward to it.