Club 520 Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: 520 AM - Jeff Teague REACTS to 76ers OT win vs. Ja Morant & Grizzlies, LeBron LOSES on 41st birthday
Date: December 31, 2025
Hosts: Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, Bishop, Mook
Network: iHeartPodcasts & The Volume

Main Theme

This episode dives into recent NBA action, highlighting the Philadelphia 76ers’ electrifying OT win against the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant’s performance, LeBron James’ struggles on his birthday night, and an engaging roundtable on NBA storylines, trade rumors (especially regarding Trae Young), draft class retrospectives, and playful debates rooted in NBA history and culture.

Key Discussion Points

1. Sixers vs. Grizzlies Recap

Segment: [05:27]–[13:33]

• Game Overview: The Sixers defeat the Grizzlies 139–136 in OT.
  • Tyrese Maxey: 34 points and 12 assists
  • Joel Embiid: 34 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists ("He’s back!" – Lou, [05:44])
  • Ja Morant: Electrifying, drops 40
• The guys celebrate Morant’s return and note basketball is better with him on the floor.
  • DJ Wells: “That is the Ja we know—the one we fell in love with and want to keep seeing.” ([05:57])
• Praise for rookie Cedric Cow (28/16/4).
• The chemistry between Embiid and Maxey is called “crazy” ([08:22]).
• Discussion about the Sixers’ real status in the Eastern Conference and their potential if healthy.
  • Lou: “If Joel Embiid can get into just 80% form, that’s a long day for anybody…” ([09:44])

2. State of the Eastern Conference

Segment: [08:50]–[12:40]

• How good are the Sixers when healthy?
  • “Full strength Philly could beat Detroit.” – Lou ([09:34])
• Debate: Would you take Detroit or Philly in a series if both are healthy?
  • Mook, Lou, and DJ go back and forth on Detroit’s depth vs. Philly’s stars.
  • “The Philly team with Tyrese Maxey able to take over games…if you can get two games out of a seven-game series where Joel Embiid gives you 30…” – Lou ([11:40])
• Tyrese Maxey’s growth into a true star and the impact that has on the Sixers’ playoff ceiling.

3. Joel Embiid’s Athleticism & Longevity

Segment: [10:05]–[13:09]

• The internet questions if Embiid’s 30 points per game “look the same” as in the past.
• Mook: “He’s never been that athletic."
• Lou: “I would never see a world where Embiid gets his shot blocked like that—normally that is him.”
• The importance of Andre Drummond’s rebounding and playoff rotations.

4. Trae Young Trade Speculation

Segment: [13:33]–[21:38]

• Lou opens up about his own Atlanta exit and offers Trae advice: “Don’t fall in the trap I did trying to play the villain…You’ll still be loved there.” ([13:48])
• Thought-provoking trade scenarios explored:
  • Sacramento Kings: Lou argues Sac could pay Trae max money.
  • Houston Rockets: Are they willing to risk their development pieces?
  • Minnesota Timberwolves: Could Trae work alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert? What would they give up?
• Mook: “If we got Trae Young and Ant, you’d have to figure us out.” ([18:27])
• The challenge of point guards succeeding in Minnesota is discussed—names like D’Angelo Russell and Mike Conley get referenced.
• Motivation for Trae: Getting paid vs. chasing wins.
  • Lou: “You wanna win, you wanna get paid—that’s just the truth.” ([21:37])

5. Comparing Emerging Talent: Cade Cunningham vs. Luka Doncic

Segment: [35:00]–[38:54]

• The hosts riff on Cade’s two-way impact vs. Luka’s undeniable offensive genius.
  • Lou: “Nobody calls Cade a cone on defense. And no disrespect to Luka, but it’s two sides to the ball, man.” ([36:12])
• Discussion on how Cade could get to 30 a night, his playmaking (9 assists), and defensive effort vs. Luka’s slow-motion efficiency.

6. LeBron James on his 41st Birthday – Slowing Down?

Segment: [34:05]–[36:12], [64:10]–[67:54]

• LeBron scores 17 in a lackluster Lakers loss; signs of decline are noted.
  • “LeBron James looked old, bro…I was watching that game, he looked old.” – DJ Wells ([34:12])
• The guys compare LeBron’s late-career stats to Michael Jordan’s Wizards stint.
  • Lou: “I never wanted him to have Michael Jordan stats at the end of his career.” ([65:04])
• Expectation: As long as LeBron is healthy, he’ll remain an All-Star starter.
  • DJ Wells: “LeBron can average 12, he is starting in the All-Star game.” ([63:52])

7. Quick Hitters & Nostalgia

Segments:

• Forgotten Hoopers for the Younger Generation ([44:38]–[48:09])
  • Shoutouts to Brandon Roy, Michael Redd, Wilson Chandler, Luke Ridnour, Steve Blake, and Mark Price.
• Debating the best white point guards: John Stockton vs. Mark Price vs. Steve Nash.
• Anecdotes about old-school coaches and shooting mechanics.
• 1990s and 2000s high school/AAU basketball nostalgia—old sneakers, Super Soakers, Expo Center in Indianapolis.

8. NBA All-Star, MVP, and Rookie of the Year Predictions

Segment: [84:43]–[86:52]

• MVP frontrunners: SGA, Luka, Jokic, Cade Cunningham.
  • Lou: “[Shai] can’t really be denied—32, 4 and 6 on the best team in the league.” ([85:16])
• Championship picks: Thunder, Nuggets, Spurs, Knicks, Rockets. Hot take: “Thunder up!”
• Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg and Con Canepa debated as frontrunners.

9. Most Memorable NBA Moments of 2025

Segment: [82:25]–[84:38]

• The Pacers’ unexpected playoff run to Game 7
  • “That was a big shocker to the world.” – Mook ([83:01])
• The Chauncey Billups gambling scandal
  • Lou: “You was head coach, making millions, and then caught in a gambling ring. Never seen that coming.” ([83:22])
• The Luka Doncic trade (“Nobody thought Luka would ever be a Laker!”) and the Mavs winning the lottery with the pick.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ja Morant’s Impact:
  • "Basketball is just so much better when Ja Morant is hooping, bro." — Lou ([06:38])
• On Embiid:
  • “If Joel Embiid can get into just 80% form, that’s a long day for anybody…” — Lou ([09:44])
• On Trae Young's Pending Trade:
  • “Don’t fall in the trap I did trying to play the villain…when you leave, your jersey still gonna get retired.” — Lou ([13:48])
• On LeBron Aging:
  • “LeBron James looked old, bro…I was watching that game, he looked old.” — DJ Wells ([34:12])
• On Defensive Effort:
  • “Nobody calls Cade a cone on defense. And no disrespect to Luka, but it’s two sides to the ball, man.” — Lou ([36:12])
• On NBA Parity and Trades:
  • “That Luka trade made it seem like everybody in the NBA is up for grabs at any point in time.” — Mook ([84:32])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [05:27] – NBA recaps: Sixers vs. Grizzlies and standout player performances
• [13:33] – Trae Young’s future and trade breakdowns
• [34:05] – LeBron’s 41st birthday struggles, Lakers talk
• [35:00] – Cade Cunningham vs. Luka Doncic
• [44:38] – Forgotten NBA hoopers the new generation should know
• [63:00] – All-Star conversations; LeBron’s legacy as an All-Star
• [82:25] – Craziest NBA moments of 2025
• [84:43] – Award-forward predictions for 2026

Tone & Vibe

The show maintains its signature lively, funny, barbershop energy. The hosts bounce between deep basketball analysis, wise advice from ex-pros (particularly Jeff Teague), passionate debates about the modern and old-school NBA, and plenty of good-natured roasting. There’s a heavy dose of midwestern nostalgia and candid reflections on athletic careers, as well as brotherly support for current NBA players facing transitions.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

You’ll walk away with sharp insights on the current NBA landscape, the evolving East playoff race, the dichotomy between star power and depth, and how the business of basketball intersects with life after stardom. The episode is a mix of sharp basketball takes, cultural commentary, playful old-school references, and brotherly advice to today's pros.

Whether you’re here for insider hoop talk, NBA history lessons, or a nostalgic laugh, the Club 520 crew delivers in their authentic, hilarious style.