The Ringer NBA Show - Drama in Laker Land. Plus, Could Lamelo Be on the Move out of Charlotte? | Real Ones | Ringer NBA

Episode Date: November 26, 2025

Logan Murdock and Raja Bell discuss the latest drama in Laker land, as the team fired part owners Joey and Jesse Buss from their roles in the basketball operations department on Thursday morning. What does this mean with the new ownership group now in place, and what role might Jeanie Buss have played in this move? LeBron James also returned to the lineup on Tuesday. How did he look playing alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves? Plus, is LaMelo Ball’s time ticking in Charlotte? And how realistic would it be for Tyrese Maxey to win a championship? (0:00) Intro (1:27) FanDuel ad break (2:53) The Lakers fire Joey and Jesse Buss from front office positions (16:07) LeBron’s return to the Lakers lineup (28:17) FanDuel ad break (29:10) Amazon Prime ad break (29:50) LaMelo Ball clowns on reports that he’s seeking a trade (45:32) Tyrese Maxey for MVP? (53:59) Real One of the Week Hit the mailbag! [e-mail] https://www.theringer.com/2025/11/21/nba/lebron-james-kareem-abdul-jabbar-los-angeles-lakers-career The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Shopping. Streaming. Celebrating. It’s on Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's popping? Real ones. Logan Murdoch here. Roger Bell and a few. Me and Roger talk a lot about the Lakers. LeBron, his return. What's next for the Lakers? What's going on? Who's really running the show there? A lot about that. We talk about Lamello Ball. Did he make a trade request? Didn't he make a trade request? Should he make a trade request? We get into all of that. What team would want Lamello Ball? What team could he thrive on? That's not the Charlotte Hornets? What's up with his career, man? It's really weird. He's 24 years has averaged 30 points, has been an all-star, but it seems like no one wants him, right? Like, that's the conundrum that we're facing, or at least no team that is wanting to win a championship wants his services. So how do we navigate this? We talk a lot about that. You know Cliff is on the line, so we always have to talk about the Sixers. So we get into a little bit about Maxie as well and his trajectory and his 54 points against the bucks. Sheesh. And also how Paul George is giving him flowers about how he's consolidated around Maxie and how he's, this team is now Tyrese Maxi's team.

Really fun developments. Also, as a courtesy, please, real onesmailbag at gmail.com, real onesmailbag at gmail.com, real onesmelbag at gmail.com. We are going to be taking your questions for the Thanksgiving episode on Tuesday. Make them open-ended, okay?

Let's talk about your favorite teams. We don't have to get overly analytical. Let's just ask his questions about us. Let's just take it fun, okay? You're listening to the Ringer NBA show presented by Fandul. Fandul now displays your bet directly on your phone's lock screen.

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or 18 plus in present in D.C., Kentucky or Wyoming. Gambling problem. Call 1800 gambler or visit RG-HELP.com. Call 1888-789-777. or visit ccpg.org slash chat in Connecticut. Cliff, played a theme music. It was popping. Real Ones.

Logan Murdoch here, Roger Bell there. Cliff in the motherfucking cut. Roger was mad he couldn't get his shit off like he wanted to on Tuesday. So we'll do the best that we can to make sure he gets his rants off on the original Real Ones Friday episode. Cliff, what's good, buddy? How are we doing? Logan, Raj, man, it's a happy Friday. You know what I'm saying?

And Raj, would you say you say you had a couple minutes for us today? You know what I'm saying? You feeling good, feeling great. Yeah. Yeah, no, I'm good, bro. You got about, what, 25, 26. Hey, bro. That's when you pile the best, when you put it on the timeline.

All right, let's get a crack in though. The Los Angeles Lakers are reorganizing their basketball operations department and they fired executives Joey and Jesse Buss. That name sounds familiar. You know who that is. From their respective front office positions effective immediately, the brothers told ESPN Shams Charania on Thursday. The Lakers also dismissed a lot of their scouting department who found gyms like Austin Reeves, like Kyle Kuzma, and other known players that have gone through the Lakers organization. Now, Joey Bust and Jesse Bust still have their partnership shares in the Lakers, but they are no longer day-to-day operations in the organization.

I mean, that's a lot going on, a lot of family involved there. We know the bust organization is well, well known in Los Angeles. Logan Tia's off here, man. What the hell is going on with the Lakers? I mean, it's just another day in Lakerland, man. It's messy, you know. It's, I think what this is is the new ownership. And we've talked about this in previous episodes.

The new ownership headed by Mark Walter, who owns the Dodgers. They are about to infuse a lot of money and a lot of resources. into this organization and that means a lot of firings and layoffs and people getting replaced with people that, you know, Mark Walter wants to be in the building, right?

And I think that it is a little messy because of, you know, the brothers being involved in this. And we know since Dr. Bust's death that there has been a lot of clashing between the brothers and Jeannie. and this is probably another, you know, extension of that. But what I find fascinating is, you know, the people that are still on the building that are still on the hot seat.

And I'm looking at one Rob Polinka, who has a lot of ties within the old regime of the Lakers and has a lot of ties, you know, with Jeannie. And is on this, is having this balance of the. fact that he got Luca Donchich in the building and that probably has bought him some time. But on the other end around the league, he doesn't have the best reputation of both getting players and building a championship team. And also as an agent, he's, as a former agent, his, his reputation definitely protruded itself. But the other wrinkle in this is somebody who is in Mark Walter's ear is one Magic Johnson who definitely clashed. with Rob Polinka during their time in the front office space during their tenure.

Magic called Rob, I'm paraphrasing here, called him a snake and did not trust him. And so if I'm Rob Polinka right here now, I am very scared no matter what happens because it would look like his days could be numbered within the organization if he doesn't build a championship team quickly. I mean, that 2027 stuff sounds nice. But the clock is ticking to build a championship team around them. Those are the first things that I see.

It's one, the new ownership wanting to get new blood in here, new resources in there, despite what the reputation has been with the old scouting regime. And then also, I wouldn't want to be Rob Polinker right now. Yeah. Yeah, I don't know, bro. I typically don't concern myself with ownership shit. Like I just don't, right? Like, I mean, I'm a worker, bro.

Like, I'll show up to do my job. Like, are to checks still fucking coming? Oh, they are? All right, cool. We keep it moving. I would just say this, because I don't know, you know more about the inner workings of their ownership group, the family dynamics, all of that. I do think, and, you know, to what degree the brothers were involved in the actual scouting

and talent evaluation and stuff like that. You guys would have a much better feel for that than me. So we would just say that they did and you acknowledge that cliff when you were kind of setting it up. Like they have drafted some real talent and they found some real kind of some hidden gems, if you will. So like, you know, flowers must be given. But when you're coming in and you've had success as an ownership group in different,

in different sports and you've got the type of group that they have with the expertise of magic and those people, you just want to make sure that there's a clear voice and there's a clear message and that there aren't too many cooks in the kitchen, so to speak, when it's time to start, like, really moving towards this common goal of winning a championship relatively quickly. So, you know, even if, even streamlining and making sure that everyone is marching and rowing in the same direction becomes really, really important, generally speaking. But when you've had the type of success that that ownership group has had, they certainly know that and they're going about executing that, right? Anything that could, distractions is the wrong word, but anything that could be sowing a seed of doubt or, you know, attached to a regime past that might be sending a different message or was acting on a different accord.

Like all of those things have to be eradicated and removed from the building for us to come in here and execute this plan. clearly as a group have a plan, right? Like I talk about that roadmap to success if you're trying to sell to me as a coach or as a general manager. It's no different from an ownership group. Like how do you see us getting from where we are now, current roster, Luca managing the LeBron timeline to this championship contender. They've had success doing it.

They come in with an understanding of it and a game plan for it. Anything that's going to be slightly in the way of that has to go. I agree with you 100%. I think that, you know, it's the Lakers, when you think about them, historically speaking, you think about the championships, you think about the rings, you think about all these things. What you don't think about is the fact that they, for most of their existence, have been essentially a mom and pop shop, right? Like, it's been a family business. And when you bring in someone like Mark Walter with all the bread that he has and all the corporate ties that he has,

it's going to be different. It's just going to be. And I'm very curious to see how he, you know, puts his resources into it. The Dodgers are a great example. And I think this is the first dominole to fall. Sorry. Yeah. Interestingly, you know, I said magic.

You have a resource like magic. I don't know this for sure. This is just a thought that, like, When sports aren't yours or when yours as accomplished as magic is in terms of winning championships and, you know, business ventures and all of your experiences that make you valuable to an ownership group in different spaces, sometimes it's hard to be that same person when you're now advising on something that's actually your baby. Do you know, like you get, you know, it's like a dad and a kid.

Like I run across this all the time as I coach and now I have kids coming up. Like it's hard to remove the dad goggles at times and just make a pure evaluation on something because of your attachment to it. Like you're, you know, your love for it. And that's going to be an interesting thing to watch, right? Because you talked about the dynamic between Polinka and Magic. And I don't have the right answer on whether Polika's the guy or not. But, you know, that has to be magic's got to do a good job for this. ownership group of keeping his Lakerdom and his experiences as a Laker all-time great

kind of out of the eval process and just keep it business as I'm sure he's done with other projects for them, right? Because he's not attached to them. Yeah, the problem is Polinka hasn't done a great job building the team outside of Lucas. So he would make it easier for whoever is pulling the strings right now to, it would make it easier for them to just cut bait and be like, this is the reason why. Like, we appreciate this, but this isn't one we're looking for right now. And I think for a long time, Magic is in this as well. A lot of people have gotten their jobs in our organization because they have been cool with Jeannie.

Or there is a Lakers tied to Jeannie. Robillink is a good example of that being Kobe's agent. Oh, hey, Jeannie. me and I can also I can build a team if you need it in the way that Bob Myers has done I'm a former agent I can do the exact same blueprint and do that and whisper sweet nothing's in her ear

and magic if you look back to 2017 Jeannie went to him for advice and he said I can run it and then it's like oh okay I guess magic you can be the general manager of the team too right like there's a lot of ties to that and I think that an important thing for Mark Walter to do is kind of to sift through that to be like, no, I have an organization to run.

Like, this is it, this is cool that is the family dynamic. And that's something that I think we need to watch for more than anything is how much genius influence either wanes or, or grows. And I think it kind of wanes as the years go on because we saw it in past. And I don't care if she has, she's officially the governor of the team. That doesn't really mean anything anymore. You saw that with Boston and their ownership group and the consolidation of power, that's happening right now.

And that is, I think, going to happen with the Lakers, but I think there are going to be some growing pains within this, and this is just the first sign of those growing pains. Question for you, though, and I think you touched on it before when we first started this segment. From a player dynamic day to day, maybe not a role player, maybe not, you know, a two-way or a 10-day guy, but what are they feeling during this time and this transfer

where they're seeing these guys in the building, all of a sudden they're not there right now? What, you want me to have an outer body experience and give you a fucking insight in this shit I know nothing about? I mean, you a star on this pod. So maybe I don't know shit. Maybe you can talk, speak to it. I don't know. I mean, I really, I would just be speculating.

I will. I don't think it moves the needle in terms of their day-to-day bandwidth emotionally or, you know, thought-wise, I don't think it moves the needle much. Especially in this situation where Luca just got, like, Luca is the guy. You're not dealing with, like, as far as LeBron goes, it could be a little more interesting. Luca's the guy moving forward, right?

Like, LeBron is the aging star where we're trying to figure out what the farewell tour, if you will, is going to look like. How long are we going to straddle the fence with, like, handing it all the way over? you know, there is a, you know, there is a natural passing of the baton that is coming, right? And it's happening right in front of our eyes. But like, there's a, there's a point where that happens and then the door is closed. And people have typically managed that pretty well in LA, I would think, as far as being star-friendly in that regard. And that could be an interesting

place for LeBron now, right, as you're as you're sifting through new ownership and, and how the end of your career is going to play out. As far as Luca goes or any of those young guys, I really don't think it occupies much of their bandwidth at all. Again, you know, we're dealing with these coaches. Like, we never interact with scouts or, you know, you might interact with the GM more if you're one of those upper echelon players. I've said before, like I rarely interacted with GMs on any real level

other than just say what's up and passing in the hallways. So you're going to deal more with, you're more concerned with the coaches, you know, who's on that staff, who's affecting your day to day, who's affecting your ability to win games, like, in real time as you compete, less so about, like, who's cutting those checks, um, an organizational structure. So LeBron, it could be really interesting though, uh, Logan, just because there may have been a plan in place for, for the last few years that, that we might not even know about, right? Just hypothetically speaking. And as we start to have these organizational and structural changes like that,

that you might want to know, hey, man, do we still, we're still good? Like, are we still thinking the same way, right? Yo, yo, yo. Hey. Remember me? Yeah. Remember me? Exactly. Exactly. You know, you're really growing at this podcasting thing right now because he just did a great transition. Oh. Because we're going to talk about LeBron, who made his season debut this week. Had 11 points, 12 assists, and three rebounds. I mean, he didn't look like in pure LeBron shape, which is to be expected, right?

Like he did, he didn't look like he was. You're being polite. Okay, what's the way? How should I say? No, I mean, and it's, look. It's no shade. Like it's hard.

No, it's not. He's in his 23rd year. He's 40-some years old and he ain't played basketball at that level in a while. He looked really out of shape. He looked very out of shape, looked tired. But he only had one turnover to 12 assists, played really well. But like the other thing that I was struck by with LeBron was he seemed to be really, really just juice to be out on the court. Just like really excited just to be back.

And it felt like there was like maybe a mortality play at this. right, like, I don't know how many more times I have at this. I don't know how many more games I have in me. I'm just excited to be on the court. He was, like, chest bumping Jackson Hayes after Ann ones. He was really engaged. I was really, I was thoroughly impressed with just, like, the engagement of LeBron of this early in the season based on everything that has gone on, like, what you just said, you know,

not knowing what next year holds and not knowing who was going to pay him if he's going to be back next year if his body's going to allow him to be back next year which is a wild thing to say about lebron um this is an interesting quote that he said postgame i want to get your uh your two cents on i can fit in with anybody james said i don't need even understand why that was even a question what's wrong with these people out here i can fit in right away with anybody just guys just watching the guys the first 14 games i was putting stuff mentally in position while i was trying to watch the games of how I could help the team and how I could be successful to help the guys. I'm still able to gain a lot of eyes when I'm driving the ball or have the ball.

Yeah, look, LeBron is as cerebrally gifted on a basketball court as I think probably anybody in the history of the game. He was also blessed with these fantastic physical gifts. That's what made him so unfair, is that he could he could couple the those two things and there was nothing you could do about it. Would he have sat there and figured out ways to be successful with that group? Absolutely. Did you see some of it in his first game out? For sure. It's not always as easy as can I fit with everyone. I think maybe this is unfair, but like when Shaq came to Phoenix, I think Shaq felt like that. And Shaq and I had conversations, and I know Shaq and other people on our team had conversations

because we played a pretty unique style at the time. And it was really contrary to what, you know, Shaq had historically done with teams he was on. So when he got to us, it was, it was a lot of conversation and him saying, hey, here's how I can help you. You know, I remember having these conversations vividly about like, hey, when I get it in the post, you know, here's where I want you to be. Here's how we're going to. And all the intent was there. Shack was being the best version of himself as it related to trying to fit in and play with us. We didn't come out like to the hottest start and we didn't play great that year.

Like some of that was coaching. I don't think it was Shack's fault at all. But I think I'm not mistaken the next year Shack was an all star again because they kind of changed the way they played to get Shack out of Shack. So what I'm saying basically is, yeah, LeBron, like, yeah, I'm sure you think you could fit in with anything. And theoretically, yeah, dude, like, you're that, you're that cerebral of a player. But at what level does that relegate you to as LeBron James? Like, we relegated Shaq to not being Shaq. Yeah.

And clearly he still had the juice because the next year, he was an all-star again when they went back to playing shack-centric basketball. Yeah. So, so, so I've never argued that I don't think in a vacuum, it could, they could work together. My question is what percent of LeBron is LeBron able to be in that capacity? And I don't have the answer to that, right? Because like, what, what I've said before is if you are going to, and it didn't look like that.

I'm not, you know, I watched the game on replay the other night. And, you know, JJ did do a good job of, of, you know, what do you have, 11 assists and, you know, distributing the ball. And, you know, he's coming down the lane and he's dishing it and stuff like that. Like a lot of that, interestingly, to my eye, looked like a lot of his playmaking was when, when Luca, like, they kind of staggered playmaking duties a little bit. Even if they didn't stagger, you know, like, when Luca was out, LeBron, you go. You take it, you facilitate a little bit, right? But if on a large scale when Luca's in the game and even in crunch time, we're asking you to be more of a role player than you've ever been in your career, what level of role player are you? Because not every star can be a great role player.

I'm not saying LeBron can't. It's just what it is, right? Like you've only been a star. So and what skill set is necessary to accent like the current star. I think LeBron's going to be great. I think they figured out. I would just argue, though, that, like, as I was watching the game, I think, what was the last part of that quote you just said to me? I just talked a lot, and I forgot what the last part of that quote.

I'm still able to gain a lot of eyes when I'm driving the ball or have the ball. Perfect, perfect. Because that's where I was going. I'd make him score to ball. At this point in his career, I'd make him score to ball. Like, I was watching that, like, two months. Too much collapsing. Too much collapsing. Like, I'd make him score it.

Especially in the shape he's in now. Like, you're not shoulders by a guy threat to like rip the rim off like you were seven, eight, nine years ago. Yeah. You know? So like as he gets in there and he's body and body and I would make him score the ball more than I would collapse on him. It's a tougher thing to do as an older player to carry the scoring load.

That's why it naturally transitions to a younger, more, you know, vibrant athletes. So, like, I would make him score the ball. If I, you know, no one asks me, but game plan-wise, that's what I do. I mean, that's what the Minnesota Timberwolves did in the playoffs. Yeah. Just make him score the ball. I mean, it's a foolproof strategy, especially if, um, if JJ is going to play him 48 minutes in a game.

No, that would probably be helpful for the opposition. But, like, I don't know. I think that, like, he needs, he needs to. get in LeBron shape, and I think once he gets in LeBron shape, I think that's the biggest question right now, right? Like, he's, he didn't look. And he, he, he, I think they have like five practice days in between their next game, which is going to be on Sunday, which they play the jazz again, which means it's probably another cardio session for him. What a perfect, what a perfect coincidental time for LeBron to come back. Right. Yeah. And then they have, and then they have, and then right

after that, they have the Clippers who also could be another cardio game for him, you know? Like, worked that great. But I can see why you would target this stretch to bring him back, right? It seems like he can get into his mode. And I think that I think what LeBron says is true, right? Like when James Hardin, one of Cliffs' favorite players of all time said that he is the system. Like, the way I believe James Hardin that way is the way that I believe LeBron, right? And I think that I would say like he should be, he should probably relegate himself to role

players. I think that's the best play for the team. I think that there was a bit of, I wouldn't say humbling, because you can't humble a guy like LeBron, but there was definitely an instructive, there was an instructive play from the Lakers from a coaching standpoint and from a play standpoint while he was out to say this is where I can, this is clearly Lucas team. and the universe of this offense is clearly centered around Luca. How can I get through on this?

And I think if you were to have him come back in the middle of the season or midway through the season the way that he has, he at least has to start as, I think, that type of complimentary piece until he works his way back into shit. Yeah, I mean, I do too. And this is, I want to be clear with what I'm about to say. This isn't me saying this is what, what's going to happen or this is what I think the Lakers should do,

I'm just, I'm just going to pose a question to you. If you were asking LeBron to be a role player, a part-time playmaker, knock-down three-point shooter and defender, I could probably find people that shoot knock-down threes at a higher percentage, definitely guard better at a much cheaper price for team-building purposes.

You can get this version of LeBron in general for a much cheaper price out. But yeah, but that, but, well, but not, no, because, like, I still believe that if you let LeBron be LeBron, he will do shit with the ball. If it's, if he is the centerpiece of what you're doing, he's still good enough. Like, it's not going to win a bunch of, like, it's not a championship level, but he can do things that other people can't do in terms of the orbit that he creates when he's got the ball in his hands and all of the things that that represents. it's just when you marginalize him to that point, right? Then then that's what I'm worried about. Like that's a way, way, way depressed, marginalized version of LeBron James.

If that's what you're going to ask him to be throughout the course of 82. Now if you're saying, hey, bro, we're going to work you back into semi-Lebron as you get into shape. We get you more touches. is we allow you to conduct a little bit more. We allow you to operate.

Then, okay, because you're going to get a version of that brilliance that is LeBron when he's, when he's doing what he's done for his whole career. But again, if you're turning him into a 3-D dude, then the question that I just asked you would be the question I ask. Yeah. Do you still have them in the same place based on what you saw for it's one game? You still have them the same place that you did preseason in the West and where, you see. I don't remember. Where did I,

or did I have them preseason? I don't. I think we had them about it. I think we got them like, they were not an OKC tier. Yeah, I would still have them. They were like right below. Maybe in the Houston Rockets. I haven't. I haven't seen anything that would suggest yet that they were going to take the step into that

elite tier of the Western Conference. But, you know, I'm hopeful. I'm not saying, you know, again, I'm not saying that any of that is going to derail what they have going on. I, I think it looks really, really good. I'm just fascinated with how he's going to come back

and how they're going to incorporate him when he's in shape and when he feels like he can do LeBron-esque things. It's a fascinating, you know, next month, if you will, for me to watch. Yeah, for sure. Say a quick break, and we will talk

lamello ball at the other side of the break. Wow, that's crazy. Oh, my God, wow. The Ringer NBA show is brought to you by Fandul. Fandle is putting you in control right from Tipoff. That's right. You get to choose your reward. Play it safe, go for it.

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plans are fluid. Somebody's not coming. Suddenly they are coming, and you're excited about it. You want to get them a gift so you hop on Amazon Prime, line that up with their interests, and it's easy to do because Amazon has everything. Prime's fast shipping is always there for you during the holidays, especially when it's last minute and it just can't wait. Need that last minute gift or holiday essential. It's on Prime. Head to Amazon.com slash Prime to shop now. And we are back. Cliff, what's next on the agenda? We have everybody's favorite superstar in the NBA, and that is one Lamello. Ball. Roger, as you know, the trade rumors are swirling about Lamello and Charlotte.

We don't know what's going on with his situation, but yesterday on Thursday night, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports tweeted out that there's growing frustrations between Lamella Ball and the Charlotte Hornets organization and Lamella Ball quoted with a clown emoji. Now, let me give you some numbers on Lamella Ball season. Currently, he's on pace for shooting his worst career field goal percentage, his worst three-point percentage and he's pretty low in points right now with 21.6. That'll be his third lowest of his career since his first two years in the NBA. However, his rebound numbers are up and his assist numbers are up. Seems like Lamello's game is all over the place. Seems like Charlotte is kind

tailoring their game towards more of a team fit with Kalkin Brenner, with Khan Kniepple, Miles Bridges, other guys. Charlotte's looking up a little bit. Raj, how we feeling about Lamella Ball trade rumors? Is there any destinations you would like to see him? Yeah. Before we get to, before we get to, uh, Rogers thing, I just have to do a, a clerical thing. Um, Jake Fisher of Bleacher report said on stream that he strongly has, uh, refuting the Yahoo Sports, uh, reporting, which is definitely just a sign of the current media market that we're in right now. So I will put, I will just, uh, add on to the question. Should, uh, Roger, should Lamello be wanting a trade out of Charlotte at this particular.

Look, if you were to want a trade out of Charlotte now because the landscape looks like they're more developing and emerging players that could theoretically help you and give you guys a better percent chance to win games, then I will have to take back just about everything I said about him as a player because it would suggest that you don't really care whether you guys are winning games, you really just want to be a high volume, a highly clip viral basketball player. Meaning, right, like you're going to do these wild one-leg shots and step by, and winning isn't then the priority.

So when you ask me, should he want a trade, the answer is no? I don't think so, because like I think he's got the most help. and emerging talent that he's had around him since he's been there? If you're saying I'm frustrated, I can't win any longer, I want to win now, and that's the impetus for it. Okay, okay, maybe a different, maybe, hey, my timeline isn't these guys timeline? Like, I don't know if this is going to happen. You know, my body might not feel as great as everyone thinks it should type of conversation.

Okay, I'll listen to that argument and I might even support that one. But I don't think so. You know, I'll play devil's advocate with what I just said. But I don't think so. I don't think that's the case. And so the answer for me is no, why would you want out of Charlotte now? If you didn't want out of Charlotte before when it was super bleak, why would you want out now when you can see some of these pieces?

I think that I'm with you, Raja. I don't believe that I think this is the best chance to get whatever he wants. this team offers the best chance to get whatever he wants. And what I mean by that, you don't get the most shots, you don't get the most glory, you're going to be the front of the marquee at every stop, right? And like, I don't have the impression league-wide that any team that wants to win a championship or striving to that will be, have any interest in taking on lamello ball who can't stay on the court, and when he's on the court, he's shooting 30% from the field. And then, like, he has all of

everything that you've heard about Lamello is that, and I know you've played with players like this, like love the life more than the game. Love that everything that the NBA brings them more than playing in the NBA itself. You know, I'm playing, playing in games and winning. I don't know anyone. Yeah, no, yeah, I clearly know folks like that in it play. Okay, thank you. Okay, okay, It was not going to let you out here just hang me out to drive. No, but that's, that's, that's, is the impression that he is always given, right? And like, even worse than that, he's going to, he's going to earn $37 million this season, has over $130 million remaining over the next three years of his contract.

Who is going to take that on? That's a contender. Right. Well, that's it. Yeah, I agree with you. To complete, great answer to a different question, though, right? Because, like, if you're asking, would anyone want that that could win? Yeah, I think you just laid out the answer to that one.

Is Houston going to take that on? Like, why would they do that, right? Like, is, who, would Minnesota take Lamello ball on to play along? Also, like, that wouldn't work because his game is way too similar to Anthony Edwards, right? They both want the ball all the time. And I would take Anthony Edwards 10 times out of 10 over Lamello. Like, I think Cliff, and I'm about to put all his business out on the streets, he suggested maybe Boston,

Simons for Lamello, which I damn they're almost through the fucking phone because there's no way that Boston is doing something like that at all. Not even as a, like, just as an organizational fit. Like, no. Not even on the court. Just as like an ambassador to Boston, I don't see that one.

That's not happening. Like, Like, is Miami taking on La Mello Ball? Do I even really want Lamello Ball in Miami? Yeah, that's a no, that's on both ends of the phone call. No thank you. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Houston's also like that.

I don't think I want Lamello in Houston, right? Like, I, he needs a shift in focus very clearly, and I don't know if he was ever going to get that in Charlotte, but I think at this point it's just too far gone. Cliff just put in, what about the clippers? I mean, no. Like that could be a thing, sure. But the clippers are at this point where they are trying to do everything that they can do to get Janice Adda-Combo because they have no picks.

They have no way of improving their roster other than making trades like maybe getting a little ball. But what you want to do if you're trying to get a guy like Janus is you're trying to build a team that will be, that will make Janice. excited to come to your team. And I don't think La Mello ball fits that bill. No, I'm not operating in the world where the clippers are targeting Lamello because they think they're one move away from a championship. I was operating in the world with Cliff of if Hardin's on his way out and we're going to basically strip this down, you get something that could be really, really exciting out

in L.A. Fuck it, huh? Yeah, just, right. I mean, fuck it, right. That's what I was, but yes, I understand what you're saying with the, if you're trying to win championships, I think I don't like to come on here and ever disrespect players. Like I, I feel like the media that, that, that, that we are currently a part of that I see and listen to all the time, far too often is disrespectful to these world class one and a million athletes. And I've said this before. Like, you know, some random person who's got a microphone in front of him is saying that someone sucks and calling him out of his name and calling him trash. Like, I think that's so utterly disrespectful. So I don't like to do that.

I would say that I agree with you. I think that any team that considers themselves close to winning a championship, at least in the next few years, I don't think they think that they are a lamello ball piece away. I'm just sad. Is that? No, I mean, yeah. It is what it is, though, right? Like, his game doesn't suggest, like, his game is I'm going to just pull it from three-quarter court.

I'm going to get the points, and I'm not going to win games, right? And it's been like that since he was in high school, right? He's at the same game, basically, since he's been in high school. It hasn't matured. It hasn't changed. He hasn't played within a team concept. I could buy that the front office, because this, let's be honest, man, no matter where the reporting goes and if it's conflicting, that.

that leak is coming from somewhere, right? It's coming from somewhere. And I could see a world where, you know, the Charlotte Hornets have a new front office regime. They're picking really good players. They're trying to get up out of this albatross of a team in the history of what it's been over the last few years. I could see, because if I was a GM,

one of the first things I would try to do is try to trade lamella ball. Like, that's just point blank. That's kind of what you have to do to. just from a culture standpoint and a culture setting standpoint, right? And it's just sad on the other end for La Mello Ball because there's so much talent in there. We talked about that last year and had arguments because of the talent level that is, I will not let anyone disrespect the talent level or the craft. The craft of actually doing incredible things with the basketball in your hands that other human beings can't do.

I'll never let anyone disrespect that. No, not at all. but like, you know, you still have to strive to win. It's going to be... You know what's interested to me? I have three boys. And they were brought up. Like, you know, his older brothers don't seem to have that flare, if you will, that he has.

You know, and Lonzo... Lanzo has a spurt. Yeah, but... Flair is probably the wrong word. Lanzo, I love Lanzo's game, but his game seems more rooted in... and winning. You know, more do what you need to do for a team, you know, to win basketball games. Less about the highlight all the time and more about like the substance of it when it was, when it was good.

He'd still have highlights because he's an amazing player. I wonder if that's personality driven because all three of my sons are different, completely different personalities, right? Like, or if it was the brand of like big baller brand and all the media exposure that it brought to, them in his window of adolescence and coming into his own. Like he only knew cameras. Yeah. He only knew performing for cameras. Yep.

And so if you get the perfect storm of a personality that like really enjoys that. But then it's it's like it's reinforced because I'm living in this world and everybody wants to see this crazy, this, this kind of viral game that I have that just kind of becomes what you are. But that's just a fascinating conversation for me, because I have the three boys with completely different personalities, and they would go about their business, like, and they do go about their business differently. But I always wonder with him if it's just who he is or if it's because those cameras combined with who he might have naturally been inclined to be in the first place. I mean, I think it, for his generation, it's definitely both because I think the generation that he is in definitely chases virality and chases the moment. You know, like you even see what his brother, the tweaker stuff, right?

Like, what was he, what was he chasing? He was chasing, like, a viral moment, and he got it, right? Same with Lamello with the highlights, right? Like, he, he, he, excuse me, and plays where he can throw a simple bounce pass. It's like all over here and right here, I might throw it out of bounds. I might do something. Like, when he was, when he was playing against Cliff Sixers,

and he's yelling for the ball in the way that he's yelling for the ball, like, I do believe in the back of his mind, and he's thinking, oh, yo, this will get on, this is a good clip for sure. Like, this is going to get clip. Everything is going to get clip. Everything I do is going to get clip. I'm going to use this to get clip. You know, like, I can't even fathom that.

I can't even fathom that. I had a weird interaction the other day. It wasn't weird, but I had a local guy who covers a lot of our high school sports. And so he covered Thai a lot this summer as he was on the circuit, my middle boy. And he said something to me, and it just kind of hit me. I was like, wow, that's a weird. world to live in where he was talking about covering high school sports and he said that Ty has something marketable about him in a way because when he makes a play or dunks on someone

or something like that, he plays to the camera. Like he will turn and say something to the camera. Like he's, he's, he's, Thai said it himself. Like, he's not going to dunk on you and then just run down the other court. Like, he's going to say something. And a lot of times there's a camera there. But like, that's so foreign to me. It's so far. foreign to me to hear that that's like a part of someone's reality right that that that and i don't even think tie consciously does it to like build a brand it's just kind of who he is as a person but to have these people sport adjacent that are that are talking about young athletes this way it's it's just a weird it's a weird subculture i mean i see it now with my phone and all of these things in my

laptop and my computer like it feels like we're living in it in an internet world and I know people are like duh but like it feels like where in your generation where cameras were just like kind of accessory to all of this it's like we're now my generation and beyond are living in the camera and living in the TV in a weird in a different way than you guys did where we're you know where we're trying to where did start where where did that start with basketball sorry like what was it like was it that was it that like so many people have had a little like some sort of all right when I grew up

knowing this shit when they made a three got your ass back on defense this is old Kermudge and Raj get off my lawn but then you started seeing you know people slowly come up like you know they had a three they're going to the dome or like you know Kew Rich and and uh

yeah well you know Jordan had the fist pump though he had that yeah I think that was more celebratory that wasn't like that wasn't bigger moments that wasn't like a hey, I do this when I score a bucket.

You know what I mean? Like if MJ won a game. I think I would say like it probably was more instinct than like intentionality. I think it's more intentionality now. Yeah, because I was at a game last night. Every kid. Every kid. They make a bucket.

Like when Jason Tatum says Kobe Bryant quotes verbatim after winning a championship because he believes that's what you should do to win a championship. When you win a championship is to say something like whatever Kobe said, right? Or I don't know, but we play to the cameras a lot more now than, than you guys did. I will definitely say that. Okay. What happened with Maxie, Cliff?

Let's talk about Maxie. Let's get it in. Let's get it in. We got to get our Philly segment of the day in, right? Right, right, rats? Tyrese Maxie last night, the overtime victory dropped 54. Career high on the Milwaukee Bucks.

Now, the six is currently standard nine and six. There's been a lot of injury shuffles this season, but Maxi's on pace for a ton of high numbers. I mean, he's second in the league in scoring right now, I averaging 33 points per game. That's seven points higher, seven points higher than his, than his average last year. As it stands, he's playing a ton of minutes. He's playing about 40 minutes per game.

But yes, he's the most consistent thing in Philadelphia right now as it comes to the Sixers. Because we know the Eagles offense also, it's just, yeah, we don't want to talk about that either. But Tyrese Max, he rides, man. I mean, he's fifth in MVP. He's fifth and I's MVP. He's balling out. He's going crazy. He's probably going to be all NBA.

the first or second team as, you know, if he continues on his pace. Raj, what do you make a Tyrese max in his efforts going on this season? Yeah, it's pretty crazy. I mean, he was 18 for 30, I think, when I looked two last night, right? Like, that's, he was really efficient with that. I mean, he's a bucket. He's continued to develop. And kudos to the Sixers for providing the room.

Some of it was organic with some of the injuries that they had, but it provided the space and kind of the platform for him to do his thing. but bigger picture, it's what I said earlier in the season. That cat's out of the bag. Like that's who you guys, that's who you are, right? And so all efforts now should be to put a cast around that that will support it and help lift the overall efforts to the level that could compete for championships. So it's not as much a take about what he's done or how he's done it.

Like when they put the ball in his hands, how many years ago was that? Before anyone knew that he was a bucket, I mean, he went right to getting buckets, and it was pretty immediate. People were like, oh, shit. Like, look at that. So he was, he was always destined, given the opportunity to continue to,

to up the pace, if you will, in the scoring margin. But I think he's become a better lifter of teammates as well, if that makes sense, right? Because purely scoring can be, and we just talked about lamello, a singular effort at times, you become a better player, leader, teammate,

and you start to lift the players around you, that's when we can start talking about the conversation of, hey, man, how close are we? How many steps are we away from being really, really viable? So I think he's taking those steps in leadership and making people around and better as well. Now the Sixers had to figure out what the recipe is around that. I think, I was watching the game against the Clippers.

Me and Cliff Be Live Texan Sixers games, That's like our, that's our, that's our, that's our bonding strategy. We just, we just, we just, we just, we just text through Sixers games. But no, I, I, I, what I continue to see is just everybody good solidating around Maxi, right? This is, like you said, very clearly his team. Shout out, ringers, Philly Special. Ah, ah, you know, the vibes. That's like, that's like our cousin podcast for sure.

Um, but it almost makes me think, like, damn, could they, could, is there a world where the six could have just, if you could just do a time machine where you didn't have to make the Paul George trade, you didn't have to make the James Harden trade and kind of just built around Maxey beforehand. Then I know that like hindsight is always 20-20, but that was always a frustrating thing that I would see whenever I would see the Sixers. Like you clearly have this guard right here and you clearly have this guy that is maturing into a guard. You keep fucking trading people into the building that plays his position, right? And I kind of wanted to see this maturation. and I think they kind of gotten stunted just because of outside forces.

But I'm really excited to see what he's doing right now. And one of the things that kind of gave me and you, Paul's raw, was how would the integration be with Paul George, Angel and B? Just with the egos. I got to I got to give kudos to Paul George, who was definitely just played his role. He had nine points, I think against the Clippers. He had 21 in a complimentary role against the Bucks last night. I don't know what this. Sixers are going to be, but they're building something right now.

I love VJ. Edgecombe. Every game, VJ. Edgom, he may not get the 30 points that he got opening night, but he always does something, a big offensive rebound here, a big dunk to swing momentum there. He flashes. He's going to flashes. I don't know what he's going to be, but I think that they're, they just have dudes on this team. And I think Maxi, one last thing, Maxi is going to, he's fifth and MVP odds behind Shea, Yokic, Luca, and Janus.

Wait, but why can't he win MVP, though? That's my, that's my question. I'm saying if he doesn't win MVP. Why can't he win MVP? Because I don't think he's, because it's a narrative-based award. And I think that's just the Cliff Homerism in there. Because he's not, bro. This is going to be a two-man race between Yokic, Shea.

I think, I think Wimby's out of it. I think Luca has a chance, but I don't think Lucas winning it because he's in a Western conference with, which Shea and Yokic. And if they, like, he would have to have, he would have to average 40 the entire season. Okay, okay. If not MVP, if he would have. If not MVP, then can we get a first team, second team, all-NBA? Yeah, absolutely.

First team is going to be tough because of a, I'm not sure if they do the position thing where he could get an all-NBA team. Right. I believe. First team would probably be Luca and Che if they remain healthy throughout the season. But I mean, second team, him and Kay, like, that could be something right there, right? Or aunt or whoever. Yeah. For sure.

I think he could be in the mix in that. But all the same is a great season. I want to give some flowers just because you touched on like, Paul George looking really complimentary and really comfortable in that. How long has it been since Joel played? He hasn't played since November 8th. All right. Well, I watched one of those games.

I can't remember which one it was. And maybe it was because of health. But I do want to give him some flowers too because as I watched, I got the feel that he was not hell-bent on being the focal point. Do you know what I mean? So, like, I want to give him some credit, small sample size, sure. or maybe it was because he just physically couldn't do some of the things that we're used to seeing him do.

But I thought it might be appropriate to share some with him too, Logan, because I got to feel watching that game that he was all right in the space that ideally he should be in for this team to be the best version of itself. Yeah. And also, like I think about the margins, man. Like, thank God like James Harden pitch to fit and like dipped. Because it's opened up so much for Maxi.

I'm talking about from a Maxie standpoint. He has the ball so much. more in the way that I think he's supposed to and able to lead this offense. It's just a series of fortunate events for him over the last couple of years. And I think that for the Sixers to be successful going forward, and I think a successful season for them right now is probably just playing, like if he can get a sixth seed, fifth or sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, I think that'll be a successful. They're not getting a championship cliff.

I'm sorry, it's not happening in the season. I apologize. But if they can just continue to build on what they're building, right now, siphon out PG or have him continue to have a limited role, have a limited role with Embed, and continue to build around your core of Maxie and Edgecombe and just bring dudes around them. I think they'll be a formidable force, especially as the Eastern Conference evolves from this just obitross. It's been, it's just terrible to watch Eastern Conference game. I'm sorry. Either they have a whole bunch of people that we ain't ever heard of or they have a star that's

out or the star that is just not playing up to potential. It's just, it's just, it's, terrible to watch the Eastern Conference, unless they're the Detroit Pistons. It's tough. It's a tough watch. I was at the gym. I was at the gym yesterday. I was at the gym yesterday. I'd be remiss if I didn't say this. And the guy in the gym, obviously a homer, we're in the Miami market, but really likes their Miami Heat team this year. Thinks the heat should move off with Tyler Hero because of some of the stuff they got going on and see if they can get a few more pieces. This was this gentleman's take on that, but the market down here is really loving what they're seeing out of these minds. me heat apparently.

Okay. All right. Shout out. All right. Throw that in. You're talking about Eastern Conference. All right. Let's get to a little segment we do on Friday that I don't think Rogers

prepared for it, but he's going to go first anyway. Real one of the week. So many candidates. Don't know where to start. Loaded field this week. I'm going to go with a college basketball player. Even within that smaller field, there was a lot of talent to talk about. But I'm going to go with a true freshman.

And again, still a lot of people that could get it because there are a lot of true freshman playing really, really good at NCAA basketball right now, but I'm going to go with AJ DeBansta. He, again, Coup, has been widely reported that he might have reclassed up so he didn't have to be in a class with that

because AJ DeBast is crazy, man. Some of the stuff he does with a ball in terms of getting to spots. It's a pro game in college. It's going to be fun. to watch him continue to develop, continue to produce, and then, you know, watch him in the league. But so far, so good at BYU, it's been fun to check him out. So AJ DeBast a real one of the week. Yes, sir. Mine is going to be a little more somber. I wanted to do it last week, but it was

a lot of news was kind of coming in and out. And it was just really sad from where I'm from, but I want to give it to Coach John Bean from Laney College. You know, Just a tragic event that happened last week. The city is really hurting right now. And by the city, I'm in the city of Oakland. Like, there's just been a lot of stuff going on out here. And that was just, that was a really sad day and a really sad week. I mean, anybody, especially for the football community in the Bay Area,

I actually tried out for John Beam, Slaney College Eagles back in the day. Went there for like two days. It was weight training and I realized, like, I don't want to lift weights anymore. I don't want to play football anymore. I was done. But there's always a nice guy to me in the interactions. But I think that it really put a black mark on Oakland at a time where we're really trying to kind of come out of that. And what I don't want is for this tragedy to make people, you know, not want to come here, not want to invest in this place.

It's a special place. It's a beautiful place. And it's a place that's taken a lot of bruises and a lot of beatings. And I'm just sad for everybody involved. I'm really just like I'm gutted. I was gutted when the news happened. I was gutted as, you know, the person was arrested just as the news was coming out. But John Beam was a pillar of Bay Area football.

And he should be recognized. And he, you know, it was very bittersweet to see, you know, know, like the recognition that he got throughout the weekend because, like, you know, you'd rather him be here instead of just, you know, having all of that and just, it was just a real sad time for everybody. But I think that's all I got before I start crying. By all accounts, like way bigger than football, like, as a human being, right? It meant a lot to a lot of, a lot of people that needed a lot, you know, a lot of help. Yeah, definitely. And, like, like, you know, especially times when, you know, a lot of programs are getting rolled back,

a lot of things are happening in the community that, uh, you need pillars like that. You know what I'm saying? You need people that are going to go, kind of go above and beyond to make sure people are good. So anyways, um, John Beam ruined a week. Um, yeah, man, uh, that has been another edition of, uh, ruins. Uh, we will, uh, see you guys next week. Me, Raj. We'll have a, one show next week on Tuesday. Me, Raja and Howard. Make sure you go tap in with the... Raja always

try to pump fag and act like he's not going to come, bro. It'd be pissing me off. I'm sorry. It'd be pissing me off. Fuck that, bro. I can't have it. No, no, no. But it makes you tap in, Rulwinsmailbag at gm.com.

Room was mailback at gmail.com. Room was made out billback at gmail. com will be doing Thanksgiving mailback. So honestly, make it open-ended. Anything you guys want, let's just answer your questions, bro. We're just about to get ready to eat some turkey. Yeah. They don't, yeah, right?

We're going basketball. It don't have to be all basketball next week, right? Like, this is... Yeah, man. Just make it light, you know? Geez. Don't ask on the overly intellectual questions now. Overly analytical questions.

Because Rajan ain't trying to hear all that shit, bro. Just actually, I don't know the defensive percentage rate against two-pointers shot off the right wing for the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter. I don't know that. That was very specific. But, okay, cool. But tap in my... But no, you know what I mean?

Like, I don't think that time. I'm not going to be able to answer those questions. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyways, we'll see you guys next week. Tap in, ah, all the shits. Bye! Let's be 21 years and older and present in select states for Kansas and affiliation with the Kansas Star Casino,

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