Club 520 - Dwight Howard REGRETS leaving Magic, LeBron vs. Kobe, Derrick Rose MVP battle

Summary

Club 520 Podcast – Episode Summary: "Dwight Howard REGRETS Leaving Magic, LeBron vs. Kobe, Derrick Rose MVP Battle"

Release Date: June 2, 2025

Hosts:

• Jeff Teague (@jeffteague)
• DJ Wells (@thatsanopiniondj)
• Bishop B Henn (@outthepearlys)
• Guest: Dwight Howard

---

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with the hosts welcoming listeners back to another engaging session of the Club 520 Podcast, sponsored by Boost Mobile. They introduce their special guest, NBA legend Dwight Howard, and set the stage for a deep dive into pivotal moments and debates within the basketball world.

---

2. Dwight Howard's Reflections on Leaving Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard opens up about his decision to leave the Orlando Magic, expressing regret over the move.

Dwight Howard [03:22]: "I'm really excited about playing in the big three, man. I played five on five, got my hat, my jacket, my award. But this will be my first time hooping with three on three, so I'm looking forward to it."

He discusses how transitioning from traditional five-on-five basketball to three-on-three has been a significant change, highlighting his anticipation and the learning curve involved.

3. High School Basketball and the Impact of NIL

The conversation shifts to high school basketball, with Dwight sharing his experiences and opinions on the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations.

Dwight Howard [05:45]: "I don't really like the NIL thing. Once money gets involved, it messes up the passion and love for the game."

He argues that introducing financial incentives at the high school level could devalue the purity of the sport and lead to corruption, drawing from his extensive experience in the NBA.

4. MVP Debates: Derrick Rose and Others

A significant portion of the episode centers around the MVP debates, particularly focusing on Derrick Rose.

Dwight Howard [46:13]: "That year with Derrick Rose... he should have got MVP."

Jeff Teague and the co-hosts passionately discuss Derrick Rose's performance and the reasons they believe he deserved the MVP title, emphasizing his impact on the Bulls' success.

5. LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant

The hosts engage in a spirited debate comparing two of the greatest basketball players: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

Dwight Howard [56:52]: "Kobe's just trying to get 50. You have to go with Kobe scoring-wise."

Dwight highlights the differences in their playing styles and personalities, acknowledging LeBron's versatility while praising Kobe's scoring prowess and competitive nature.

6. The Evolution of the NBA and Player Conditioning

Dwight reflects on how the NBA has evolved, particularly regarding player conditioning and the physicality of the game.

Dwight Howard [34:53]: "I started doing Olympic lifting with our trainer in Orlando. I wanted to not get pushed around anymore."

He discusses the transition from his high school days to becoming an NBA powerhouse, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness and adapting to higher levels of competition.

7. Bubble Experience and Personal Challenges

Dwight shares his challenging experience during the NBA bubble, addressing both personal hardships and the unique environment of playing in isolation.

Dwight Howard [77:15]: "I had back surgery that year. I was playing on one leg for half the season with a herniated disc."

He delves into the physical and emotional toll of playing in the bubble, balancing his commitment to the game with personal struggles.

8. Final Thoughts and Host Sign-offs

As the episode nears its end, the hosts wrap up with reflections on league dynamics, player legacies, and future projections.

Dwight Howard [81:18]: "If Giannis stays, everything is built around him. If he leaves, it could really disrupt the team."

The discussion underscores the significance of player retention and team cohesion in achieving sustained success.

The hosts thank Dwight Howard for his candid insights and contributions to the episode, teasing future topics and encouraging listeners to stay tuned.

---

Notable Quotes

• Dwight Howard [03:22]: "This will be my first time hooping with three on three, so I'm looking forward to it."
• Dwight Howard [05:45]: "Once money gets involved, it messes up the passion and love for the game."
• Dwight Howard [46:13]: "That year with Derrick Rose... he should have got MVP."
• Dwight Howard [56:52]: "Kobe's just trying to get 50. You have to go with Kobe scoring-wise."
• Dwight Howard [34:53]: "I wanted to not get pushed around anymore."
• Dwight Howard [77:15]: "I was playing on one leg for half the season with a herniated disc."
• Dwight Howard [81:18]: "If Giannis stays, everything is built around him."

---

Conclusion

This episode of the Club 520 Podcast offers an in-depth look into Dwight Howard's career decisions, his thoughts on the evolving landscape of basketball, and heated debates on some of the game's greatest players. The candid conversations provide valuable insights for both avid fans and newcomers alike, capturing the essence of sportsmanship, personal growth, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in basketball.

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Stay Connected:

• Follow us on Twitter: @club520podcast
• Subscribe on iHeartPodcasts, The Volume, and Shay Shay Media platforms.

Next Episode: Stay tuned for more hilarious stories and engaging discussions with your favorite basketball stars and cultural icons.

Transcript

[Host 1]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Host 2]

Okay? Have you heard about this? Last year, Degree changed the formula for their Cool Rush deodorant. The fans rebelled and wanted the old scent back and Degree listened and that doesn't happen often. They admitted they effed up and are bringing the original Cool Rush scent back and it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. There's a reason why it's the number one men's antiperspirant and it's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under $4. You so try it and see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart, Target and try to og Cool Rush for yourself.

[Lester Holt]

Here's why April chose to vaccinate her child.

[Dwight Howard]

I think actually meeting someone who was not vaccinated and now has a lifelong struggle with a childhood disease really cemented.

[Lester Holt]

For me that it's super important that we as parents continue to vaccinate our children. Talk to your pediatrician or visit y vaccines.com brought to you by Merck when it's tip off time at my house, there are a few things that are must haves on my checklist. My fellow friends and fans. Check my favorite jersey. It is good luck. Check an iconic drink that's a fan favorite.

[Guest 1]

Check.

[Lester Holt]

Hypnotic can turn any cocktail into an iconic creation. With its game changing color and tropical flavor, Hypnotic should be in everyone's starting five. I consider Hypnotic the point guard of my game day roster because not only is it versatile, like having it on the rocks or as a base for cocktails, it also finishes smooth. So grab a bottle of Hypnotic and make your next basketball watch party Iconic. Enjoy the vibrant taste with friends and turn every game into a memorable celebration. Hypnotic where every sip is a slam dunk. Hypnotic Liqueur Bardstown, Kentucky 17% alcohol by volume Hypnotic reminds you to think wisely. Drop drink wisely.

[Dwight Howard]

The NBC Nightly News legacy isn't handed.

[Host 1]

Down or NBC News.

[Host 2]

I'm Tom Brokaw.

[Tom Brokaw]

We hope to see you back here.

[Lester Holt]

I'm Lester Holt.

[Dwight Howard]

It's carried forward.

[Tom Yamas]

Tom Yamas is there for us.

[Lester Holt]

Firefighters are still working around the clock. As the world changes, we look for what endures.

[Host 2]

We are coming on the air with.

[Lester Holt]

Breaking news right now.

[Dwight Howard]

We look for a constant and from.

[Lester Holt]

One era to the next.

[Dwight Howard]

Trust is the anchor for NBC Nightly News.

[Lester Holt]

I'm Tom Yamas. A new chapter begins NBC Nightly News with Tom yamas.

[Dwight Howard]

Evenings on NBC.

[Tom Yamas]

The volume.

[Host 2]

All right, we back another episode of Club 520 podcast brought to you by Boost Mobile. We're live in Vegas with a big three draft. It's only right, man. We got some special guests in the building. We're gonna introduce them last. To my far left, we got my dog Bishop B. Hitting out the pearlies. How you What?

[Dwight Howard]

Nasty.

[Tom Yamas]

Nasty. Let's get to it, bro.

[Host 2]

For sure. Long awaited episode. To my far right, my dog, Young Nacho, Young Tig. How you what?

[Host 1]

Chilling, bro. Chilling. Chilling, bro.

[Host 2]

We did the origin story, man. We're gonna have to do order story of Young Nacho one day, man. Y' all gonna have tap in on the Patreon for that show, man. We got some special guests in the building, man, like we said out here for the big three. The new Squiddy La, right? You know what I'm saying? They holding down the set, man. We got the gang in the building. You know the vibes about to start a ride.

[Dwight Howard]

Start a ride.

[Host 2]

White hottest night. What's happening, brothers? How y' all doing, man?

[Host 1]

Good, man.

[Dwight Howard]

Thanks for having us on, man.

[Host 2]

Come on, man. Long awaited episode, man. Appreciate y' all pulling up now. Listen, man, you got a lot of confidence going on with now. Big three, man.

[Dwight Howard]

What's up, Big three, Man, I'm really excited about playing in the big three, man. I played. I done graduated from the five on five league. I done got my hat, my jacket, my award. So I haven't played 3 on 3 basketball since sometimes we have it in practice or whatever. We might do three on three. But this will be my first time hooping with the three on three, so I'm looking forward to it, man.

[Host 2]

Most. David, like you said, man, congratulations as well, man.

[Host 1]

Thank you.

[Host 2]

Well deserved, brother. Well deserved for sure. Three on three basketball. Listen, man, you still got.

[Dwight Howard]

You know what I'm saying?

[Host 2]

You could probably get some innocence in the league now you're in the big three with it. Hey, man, we got high expectations, Dwight. You got to get out here and kill these niggas.

[Dwight Howard]

You right.

[Tom Yamas]

You also get MVP.

[Host 2]

Yeah, we already.

[Dwight Howard]

You already supposed to get MVP.

[Tom Yamas]

You already preseason MVP.

[Dwight Howard]

Doing three a days. Y' all can't just let. I'm 39.

[Host 2]

We just went to the combine. The white line. No excuses.

[Tom Yamas]

Everybody old that motherfucker.

[Host 1]

I ain't gonna lie. It's kind of hard to play, though.

[Tom Yamas]

Why?

[Host 1]

You get tired? You get tired fast as hell.

[Dwight Howard]

303 different.

[Host 1]

Yeah, you got all.

[Dwight Howard]

You know. It's half court.

[Host 1]

Yeah, you get tired fast. I didn't expect it last year, but.

[Tom Yamas]

They just gonna feed the post, bro.

[Host 1]

Ah, hell yeah.

[Guest 1]

What's the biggest difference with three on three and five' five.

[Host 1]

The biggest difference here is, like. It's like playing 21 when you was growing up. So if you get the rebound, somebody's running to the three. And if you tired and don't close out, everybody can shoot. You gonna get blown out. I remember last year we played in Portland. We got beat by like, 40.

[Tom Yamas]

Damn.

[Host 1]

Jordan Crawford. Yeah, they beat us by, like, 40. I think we had, like, six points in the first half. We were so tired.

[Guest 1]

Against Jordan Crawford.

[Host 1]

Yup.

[Host 2]

Yeah, that was that game.

[Dwight Howard]

We.

[Host 2]

Us. I flew in the same day. It was, like, terrible, like, flights and stuff. But across the nation, it was like, real up.

[Guest 1]

You can't beat them. Join them. Y' all gotta come join the ride.

[Host 1]

I know. I seen JC Yesterday, man. I told him, y' all gotta put me on the team.

[Host 2]

I'll take you to free agent pool.

[Tom Yamas]

What's up?

[Host 1]

Y' all gotta put me on the team.

[Dwight Howard]

You go, who you? You playing, right? You playing, but not the whole time.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I play. I just gotta do some stuff. At high school basketball, we got June ball. Gotta go to some of the college campuses.

[Dwight Howard]

How was that coaching, man?

[Host 1]

It's cool. I enjoy it. Probably the funnest part of my life right now. Besides being married, that's cool, too. But coaching basketball, that's cool, too, Coach King.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Okay. Gotta throw that in there for sure.

[Host 2]

Speaking of high school basketball, obviously, you know what I'm saying, your trajectory, how you got to the NBA. How would you feel about the Nil in high school?

[Dwight Howard]

To be honest, man, I don't really like the nil thing. I think only reason I say I don't like it is because once the money get involved in a lot of things that kind of mess up the game. The passion, the love. I know on the NBA level, so much money involved in it, it take away from how you might feel. Cause you know you might not play. Cause the people up top making a decision, it ain't got nothing to do with you or how good you are. And, you know, I just feel like now they bringing that down to high school, college, stuff like that, where people getting paid. And now it could devalue some of these guys once they try to get to the professional side.

[Host 1]

So.

[Host 2]

I mean, I like it to.

[Host 1]

The point, like, see, you ain't go to college, so you don't know that feeling. You ain't got no money. Like, you broke as hell, trying to make it.

[Host 2]

He don't know about that.

[Host 1]

Basketball. He don't know about that. Getting that Pell Grant. But, like, it's cool for that point. Like, man, you can take care of yourself in school and have money in your pocket. I think it's cool. But I mean, like, I couldn't imagine making four or five million dollars in college, bro. I would have been filthy. I would have never made to the NBA. That would have been my NBA.

[Guest 1]

The lowest amount of people into the draft this year.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I bet. I mean, if you. We got some kids at Indiana who could have went to the draft, but he went to Louisville, got three, damn near $3 million. He like shout out to Ryan.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, that's a game changer.

[Dwight Howard]

So I could see on both sides how it could be good. And you know, like you said, well, my side, I'm like, man, I ain't never experienced going to college, so I do not understand that part. So I guess the part that I'm looking at it is from being in the league for so long and seeing the corrupt, I would say the corrupt side of sports and stuff like that, and I don't want these parents and these kids to really get involved in that part. But you can't keep it away from them.

[Host 1]

So it's already corrupt. Like, it's probably was people. You was number one player in the country. It's probably people already betting on you on the side. I was 60 and people was trying to give me money on the side even to go to college. They was trying to give you money and stuff. So it was happening anyway. It's just cool that it's in the open now because, I mean, we got money when I was in school, so.

[Tom Yamas]

So I think Josh. I think Josh Smith would have pro. Would have took that paper. He would have been an IU. If they like, Josh, we got 10 for you.

[Host 1]

10 million?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah. Over going to the league.

[Host 1]

Nah, I think he over to the league.

[Dwight Howard]

He going to the league. He going. He wasn't gonna stay in Indiana.

[Host 2]

For what?

[Host 1]

Hell no.

[Tom Yamas]

For tms. Smooth is going to Bloomington. Remember what he said? Remember what he said on the pod? He was like, my daddy was like, man, fuck, that ain't no money in college. So if they would offer him some bread. I'm just thinking that from that side. Cause you young. He like, shit, if we can go get 10 real quick, it. That's the only reason why I brought up Josh. Cause he said that on the pod.

[Host 2]

10 million is a lot to do.

[Host 1]

He probably would have. They offered him about 2 or 3 million.

[Dwight Howard]

He probably would have went, yeah, is a lot for college.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

What crazy.

[Host 2]

Even at that time period, three is a lot.

[Dwight Howard]

A million dollars in college would have stayed there.

[Guest 1]

How long he would have stayed how long?

[Dwight Howard]

How long Josh would have stayed?

[Tom Yamas]

Probably a year.

[Dwight Howard]

A year?

[Host 2]

He couldn't have stayed that long.

[Dwight Howard]

He couldn't have stayed more than a year because it would have got to him.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, you got to get out of there. Get in, get out. Do that little six months of slide.

[Host 2]

That's Robert back there.

[Dwight Howard]

How was college? Like, people saying that if I would have went to college, I probably would have wanted to stay all four years.

[Host 1]

Hell no. They lie. Who told you that lie?

[Tom Yamas]

What school you would have went to, Unc?

[Dwight Howard]

I was thinking about going.

[Host 1]

People be lying, bro.

[Host 2]

You said people be lying.

[Host 1]

They just be loving they school, bro. Don't nobody want to stay in college, bro. That shit is awful. Doing homework, bro? Hell no.

[Guest 1]

Now you got.

[Dwight Howard]

I swear, everybody was telling me, man, you would have loved college, man. I'm like, for what, man? I ain't want to go to school when I was in high school.

[Host 2]

You love campus. Campus would have been fun. But as far as going to class, why the fuck am I go to class where I'm a basketball player, bro?

[Host 1]

I love the NBA, bro. Facts. Like, what are we talking about? Everybody that say, I love college, they must have been a star in college.

[Dwight Howard]

True.

[Host 1]

You the man on campus or whatever, but you was the man in the league.

[Tom Yamas]

It's different experiences though too, though, for people.

[Host 1]

Yeah, that's sad. People n. I'm telling you.

[Dwight Howard]

Look at them.

[Tom Yamas]

Said they had fun.

[Host 1]

The market was gas. And Vuk with the uk, they couldn't even do nothing. They couldn't do nothing.

[Host 2]

They had to real nil, though. That was before the game.

[Host 1]

They couldn't even do nothing. I'm telling you the truth, bro. I always keep it real, bro. When you go to college, it's fun. Like for a second, bro. When you go to the NBA, bro.

[Tom Yamas]

Well, yeah, of course.

[Dwight Howard]

That's.

[Host 1]

Dude.

[Dwight Howard]

What?

[Host 1]

I bet niggas are alive.

[Host 2]

They say, I want to go back. No, I want to go back to.

[Host 1]

The NBA right now.

[Tom Yamas]

So was that an automatic for you, though? I know you said unc, but when did you make that choice to make.

[Dwight Howard]

That lead to go to the league, man? I was saying 10th grade.

[Tom Yamas]

Oh, okay.

[Dwight Howard]

In 10th grade. Nah, for real. I said I don't want to go to college. I feel like that's going to be a waste of time for me and the school. I really just want to go to the league and hoop. It was nothing. Else that I wanted to do besides hoop.

[Host 2]

So you know what's interesting? I wanted to ask you about this. Melo was just talking about on the pod, shout out to J.R. smith. He's talking about how he pulled up to McDonald's game. But seeing how y' all was playing, he was just like, I looked around and seen, oh, yeah, they can go to the league right now. What's that moment when you get around those people that's in the league? That's just like reaffirming that you already.

[Dwight Howard]

Know that I was gonna be. That I could go, man. Every tournament. Every tournament, we played in the McDonald's game. That's when I kind of like. I was like, this is it, man. I'm mvp. Me and JR Shout out to sn. I knew I had a shot. I knew I had a shot then to be the number one pick. But I was just so headstrong on making sure I went number one that, you know, that was my only mission in the first pick.

[Tom Yamas]

You played on a hell of an AAU team, too.

[Host 2]

That's about to segue that. This is shit right here. That was a classic debate.

[Dwight Howard]

Third best.

[Host 1]

Third best.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah. First, bro.

[Host 1]

No, no, it's Indiana. Indiana.

[Tom Yamas]

Nobody's fucking with Shaqa White. I tell these niggas all the time. You niggas don't understand how good Randolph was either.

[Dwight Howard]

Cold.

[Tom Yamas]

Y' all had his coldest front court bro of all time, bro. Swear to God. In high school basketball, in any era, bro. Him, Randolph and Josh.

[Dwight Howard]

Josh. And then we have Javaris, Dwayne Day.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah. Mike Mercer.

[Host 1]

B Rush. One game.

[Dwight Howard]

We had a squad.

[Host 1]

That nigga is from Missouri.

[Dwight Howard]

It all started. We used to come out here in Vegas and play at all the tournament, the big time tournament out here in Vegas. My youngest memories is coming out here with the Atlanta Celtics. And back then, they used to have.

[Host 2]

Them little Atlanta Celtics.

[Dwight Howard]

Nah, coming out here, they used to have these little cars like to the Escorts and all that. You know what I'm talking about? We came out here, they used to have a car.

[Host 2]

The real promo.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, the real promo.

[Host 2]

That's.

[Dwight Howard]

I remember our coach. Not our coach, but Wallace prayed the God rest his soul, started the whole Celtics. He said, if any of y' all mess with any of these Escorts, y' all would never play Celtics basketball again. I said, man, shit, I ain't gonna try this. Cause I wanna go to the league. Everybody was afraid. Cause they was passing out the cars everywhere. But, man, we used to come here every summer, man, and that's what we really got our name playing out here in the big time tournament. Playing around.

[Tom Yamas]

Any memorable matchups from back then.

[Dwight Howard]

Damn, that was a long time ago. What you said.

[Guest 1]

Bassey said he beat y' all team Bassey.

[Dwight Howard]

That was our high school team. Nobody was. Well, the team that beat us was pump and run from there. La. Jordan Farmar.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

What'S the big. He was a center. Some dude that Mata. Alonzo Mata. He was a. He was a glue guy. Yeah, but he was good, man. But they used to always beat us, man. That was the only team that beat us. Is the team team out of la. Jordan Farmar.

[Tom Yamas]

Damn.

[Host 2]

At the crib, we always talk about the Indie Heat team. Versa.

[Dwight Howard]

Indie Heat team it was.

[Host 1]

Who was on that team?

[Tom Yamas]

Roberts, Daquan Cook, Mike Conley, Eric Gordon. Mike Conley. They was pretty cool.

[Dwight Howard]

That's a five squad high school. That's fine.

[Tom Yamas]

It was pretty.

[Host 1]

DQ was nasty.

[Tom Yamas]

Was Josh the coldest white boy at that time?

[Host 2]

For sure.

[Tom Yamas]

He definitely had bounce.

[Dwight Howard]

Greg. Odin.

[Host 2]

Yeah, Mike's still playing.

[Host 1]

Mike?

[Host 2]

Oh, we just watched Mike in the claps.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Just hit a three the other night. I couldn't believe the shit. My gosh. Damn. He's still playing, man. That's crazy.

[Dwight Howard]

So what I think nobody talk about Indiana hoops like that. They should be talked about more.

[Host 2]

Most definitely.

[Tom Yamas]

I mean, we tried.

[Dwight Howard]

Y' all got some Hoopers, though.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, we got a lot. We got a lot, bro. For real.

[Host 2]

We just don't have a lot of superstars as compared to some of the bigger cities as far as consistent players and stuff like that. Yeah, we keep some of them around.

[Guest 1]

So which state got the best Hoopers?

[Host 2]

Which state?

[Tom Yamas]

Oh, it's us, bro. We got all the goo, guys.

[Dwight Howard]

Jersey.

[Guest 1]

Jersey.

[Host 1]

Nah.

[Host 2]

Ooh, Jersey.

[Dwight Howard]

Jersey. Jersey.

[Host 1]

It's California.

[Tom Yamas]

That's where you from, huh?

[Guest 1]

From Jersey.

[Host 2]

Yeah, I guess I see the bias in there.

[Host 1]

I let.

[Host 2]

You could go crazy.

[Guest 1]

Shaq, Kyrie.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Guest 1]

J.R. smith.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Y' all cooked after that.

[Guest 1]

Jalen Brunson, y' all.

[Host 2]

JB for Show.

[Guest 1]

Carl Towns.

[Dwight Howard]

Okay.

[Tom Yamas]

I'm on my mama Jalen.

[Host 2]

Y' all taking Cat is cheating. But I don't respect Chicago, though. He played in high school.

[Dwight Howard]

He go to high school.

[Host 1]

Chicago.

[Guest 1]

He from Jersey.

[Dwight Howard]

Cat from Chicago. Nah.

[Host 1]

Jalen Brunson.

[Dwight Howard]

Jalen Brunson.

[Guest 1]

Chicago in high school.

[Tom Yamas]

That's a fire, y' all.

[Dwight Howard]

Nice.

[Tom Yamas]

That's fine.

[Dwight Howard]

New Jersey. Nice.

[Host 1]

But if you go with la, bro.

[Dwight Howard]

It's crazy big, though. Who LA is? It is. Okay, well, la, you might have to.

[Host 1]

Take LA out of there though.

[Dwight Howard]

Put it in regions.

[Host 1]

Well, just like when. Cause you got just them there. Compton alone. You got.

[Host 2]

You got three hall of Famers.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, you got three other hall of Famers from Compton.

[Host 2]

That's. That's true.

[Tom Yamas]

Russ, James, DeMar. Shit. That's enough right there.

[Host 1]

You can stop right there.

[Dwight Howard]

You can stop right there.

[Tom Yamas]

I give it to on some real shit though. State wise. I give it to New York. Pure basketball.

[Dwight Howard]

New York.

[Host 2]

I go Cali over New York.

[Guest 1]

Hey, Bassey said you can't put New York over Jersey. Look at the lineup.

[Tom Yamas]

Pure basketball, bro. I'm just talking about outside of NBA players, just overall basketball players.

[Host 2]

Who coaches really got that many Hoopers though from there?

[Tom Yamas]

From New York?

[Guest 1]

Not a lot. Not a lot. I'm telling you.

[Dwight Howard]

Who beside Stephan Marbury.

[Host 1]

It's like Kimber, what's that guy shout.

[Host 2]

Out to Cardiac, right?

[Tom Yamas]

For all. Kim, he's from New York.

[Host 1]

Like Mark Jackson, Kenny Anderson, like that. Like.

[Tom Yamas]

Ali, Mo, Al.

[Dwight Howard]

It's not a lot of. I think what he's saying is there not a lot of super superstars from New York City.

[Guest 1]

Yeah, it's a street ball legend.

[Dwight Howard]

Street ball. It's a street ball.

[Tom Yamas]

They don't count.

[Guest 1]

DMV. I know DeMarcus and Quinn said DMV, PG county and stuff.

[Host 2]

They got some killers too.

[Host 1]

They got some Hoopers.

[Guest 1]

Kd, Mello, Bez, Beez, Bees.

[Tom Yamas]

That's enough.

[Dwight Howard]

That's three right there.

[Tom Yamas]

That went crazy. Well, I'm still taking that though. I'm still taking. I'm taking Indiana, bro.

[Guest 1]

Indiana.

[Dwight Howard]

Growing up for us, Indiana was like. They used to always tell us Indiana's where the Hoopers come from, I guess. Cause what's the coach name who choked the player?

[Host 2]

Bob Knight.

[Dwight Howard]

Bob Knight. Yeah. I remember in high school they wanted us to meet Bob Knight. So that was the time I traveled up to Indiana.

[Guest 1]

So who came out of Indiana?

[Dwight Howard]

Who came out of Indiana?

[Host 1]

I mean, we just like he said, we got A.J.

[Dwight Howard]

Moyer.

[Host 2]

Shout out to A.J. moyer.

[Tom Yamas]

No, he did not.

[Dwight Howard]

That's my dog from Atlanta.

[Host 2]

AJ Moyer.

[Host 1]

Throw him out there.

[Host 2]

Yeah, he had a crazy shit at IU too.

[Tom Yamas]

AJ was the first. First 5 11, powerful.

[Dwight Howard]

That's crazy. On the national was in high school he played power forward and he's only 5 11.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, bro, we know about AJ Moyer number two.

[Dwight Howard]

He had bounce for real. He could play. About to say AJ Moy. He was cold.

[Host 2]

Most definitely. Yeah. Indiana especially high school wise, we. Oh, we keep some. Like every year we gonna Keep some dog. All Americans n Facts.

[Tom Yamas]

How was that rookie year though, bro? Getting drafted? Like, how was that shit?

[Host 2]

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[Lester Holt]

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[Host 1]

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[Lester Holt]

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[Host 2]

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[Host 1]

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[Tom Yamas]

Boost Mobile is Now legit nationwide 5G network. They've invested billions of dollars across the country.

[Dwight Howard]

Listen.

[Host 2]

Visit boost mobile.com or head to your local Boost store today and tap in unlimited talk text ed data. 25amonth.

[Dwight Howard]

Forever.

[Host 2]

They ain't switching up.

[Tom Yamas]

That's 25 forever text talk data no matter what.

[Host 2]

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[Tom Yamas]

Tap in boost mobile.com man, y' all.

[Host 1]

Better tap in 25, man forever.

[Host 2]

So we all made mistakes, right? But owning up to them, it's the right thing to do. But we all know degree Cool Rush deodorant. Well, last year they changed the formula and it did not go over well with the fans, the grease whole thing. It turns up sweat under protection when you turn up the effort. And good thing it does because Cool Rush fans really turned up the effort to bring back the OG formula. One guy even started online petition and degree listen they admitted they effed up and are bringing back that OG Cool rush sent back and it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. It's back at Walmart, Target and other stores for under $4. There's a reason why it's been the number one men's anti perspirant for the last decade. It's the same reason why people are not happy when the recipe was changed. So listen, if you've never tried, it might be a good time to try see what the fuss is about.

[Host 1]

Head to your local Walmart or Target and try the OG degree Cool Rush for yourself.

[Lester Holt]

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[Tom Brokaw]

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[Lester Holt]

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[Dwight Howard]

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[Tom Brokaw]

No purchase necessary VGW Group void Where prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply.

[Dwight Howard]

Man, it was a whirlwind being drafted at 18 coming to into a league where you asked to be the franchise player. I went to the smallest school in Georgia when they had 16 people in my class. So now going from damn, going from small school like that to the league was like a shell shock for me. I was. I ain't know nothing about nothing coming into the league.

[Tom Yamas]

That was a real soon.

[Guest 1]

Yeah, Javar's Crinton went there.

[Dwight Howard]

Javar's.

[Tom Yamas]

Oh okay, okay.

[Guest 1]

That shit's smallish.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, I see it that shit like a damn. Yeah my house is in the league about biggest my school.

[Tom Yamas]

Wow bro. Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

I had a small school, man. Yeah like we really it was, it was 10 girls in our class, six boys. Damn, we had three.

[Host 1]

What made you go there?

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, I know we backpedaling but damn, we gotta tap into that.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, it was a church school so my church, we started a school.

[Tom Yamas]

And.

[Dwight Howard]

I just stayed there my whole life. Yeah, I ain't go nowhere else.

[Guest 1]

5 to 18.

[Dwight Howard]

5 to 18. I went to the same school. I ain't know nothing besides the school. Then I got to the league. I ain't know nothing but the league. I was really the bubble boy like in the movie.

[Tom Yamas]

I didn't know that. Five to 18, that's tough.

[Host 2]

I mean y' all probably wasn't going.

[Host 1]

To a church school.

[Tom Yamas]

I would have Crashed that.

[Host 1]

I know. My first year in the league, I would have been filthy.

[Tom Yamas]

You pastor's kid?

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

I was.

[Host 2]

Locked up as a rookie out Atlanta League. And kids, I'm rich and I got this on here. It's up in Atlanta League.

[Host 1]

You got to think, cuz, at pike, we got like, what, 4,000 students? Yeah, our was like a mini college.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, nice. Y' all got.

[Host 2]

And pike was 60% black.

[Dwight Howard]

I don't even know what it's like to go to school with that many people. Like, I ain't never seen that many people until I started going to basketball games in the league, seeing thousands and thousands of people.

[Host 1]

Yeah, that's hype.

[Host 2]

So what y' all. I mean, obviously the hype was there. Know how good you was. Like, was y' all games crazy? Like, was people pulling up to the game?

[Dwight Howard]

Our games was crazy.

[Host 2]

Okay.

[Dwight Howard]

We couldn't play at our. At our gym.

[Host 2]

Impossible.

[Host 1]

I was like, yeah, there's no way. I feel.

[Dwight Howard]

I think we played one game there. It was the first game, but it was so packed that they was about to shut the. What they call the fire. The fire marshal might come. So we had to play at one of the colleges.

[Tom Yamas]

Damn.

[Dwight Howard]

That was a time, man, playing in high school, when games is packed.

[Guest 1]

And what was y' all ranked?

[Dwight Howard]

We was number three in the nation.

[Host 1]

Did y' all play Lou Will?

[Dwight Howard]

Nah, we didn't play Louville. Nah, he. He was a little bit after me. It was a year after me, but he was. He was like 5A.

[Host 1]

Oh, okay.

[Dwight Howard]

5A, 6A. So they playing all the big schools?

[Host 1]

Yeah. Cause they school big as shit. I went to that school.

[Tom Yamas]

Gwinnett.

[Host 1]

Yeah, That's a big school.

[Tom Yamas]

Nah, for sure.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Our school was small.

[Host 2]

And it's sweet now. Cause, like, he's the coach of our alma mater now. And, like, we was lit. Pike was a really, really good, prominent basketball school. And, like, people didn't even care. Like, people came to games to support shit, but, like, people didn't care. We know niggas good.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Damn.

[Host 1]

They was number two in the nation after LeBron.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

LeBron Senior. Yeah.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah. That was.03. Yeah.

[Host 2]

So, like, it was. The support was always there. But to like, to hear that perspective, to have number one player in a small school like that, and then for y' all to be as good as y' all were, like, putting out pros every three years and everybody, like, people supportive, it was like, all right, cool. We was going to the game Friday night.

[Host 1]

Yeah, that's how it was. It wasn't even a big deal. And we played games.

[Dwight Howard]

Was lit.

[Host 1]

I could imagine, though.

[Tom Yamas]

That's crazy. You got that personality, bro. You went to the school from 5 to 18 that was on the same school. Yeah, bro. Cause with your personality, you would think that you went to a school like us. You feel me? Like, it's like, you real social.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I would imagine you was like a class clown, but with five people in your class. You dead hurricane clown. School clown.

[Dwight Howard]

I was a school clown. On, God.

[Host 2]

I was teaching you like, dwight, I'm gonna have you again next year, the year after that.

[Host 1]

I'm gonna see you tomorrow.

[Tom Yamas]

That's what I'm saying. You don't even have the. You couldn't even switch classes.

[Host 2]

You don't even know what that's like to just.

[Dwight Howard]

No, you right. We was in the same class all day, and the teacher would come to our class.

[Host 1]

All.

[Dwight Howard]

We just had one teacher. Did you have, like, a role at the school? Like a. I was the. I was the school president. Like, we had, like, a little. You know, I don't know how to.

[Tom Yamas]

Little cuddle scout crew.

[Host 2]

I'm just like, who did the election? Just, hey, we went with the white.

[Tom Yamas]

I think I would have grown already.

[Host 2]

Fuck you. There were like, hey.

[Host 1]

That'S crazy.

[Host 2]

That's funny as hell. I want to ask you this question. You talked about this recently regarding, like, the Giannis situation. You say the grass might always be greener. I love to have that conversation with you here, because I know T talked about that, his old teammate, you know, the landscape of the NBA. You know, people always talk about moving around and stuff, but some of these stars is like, you might as well just be where you at and just make it your own.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, man. One of the craziest things I think I did was just leaving Orlando, not knowing what I had until it was really gone, and not seeing, like, when you go somewhere else, you really in somebody else shit. And you think you can come over there and take it, but, nah, it ain't like that. So, you know, being in Orlando, I ain't realized I'm young as hell, man. 22 in the finals, you know what I'm saying? 22, one of the best players already. MVP and all that stuff. Talk. And I ain't know what I was doing down there, you know what I'm saying? So I just tell Giannis, man, you are Milwaukee.

[Host 1]

That's true.

[Dwight Howard]

Where's you going? You know what I'm saying? It ain't going. Ain't nothing else gonna hit right after that, you know what I'm saying? So I just think that his best bet is to just stay put. I mean, they add pieces around him, you know what I'm saying? So it ain't the other way around. Like, he don't need to go nowhere else and try to figure it out. They gonna bring whatever he. And he already won. He already won. What else do you gotta do? He gonna get his. If he stays, he gonna get a statue. The NASA's will get a statue if he stays. Right now, the Nastas coaching job, swear to God, for real, he need to stay, man. Like, I understand wanting to leave and playing with these guys and chasing the ring, but for real, like, that's the one thing I don't like, and I wish I didn't do it, was chase after a ring, you know what I'm saying? Going to teams, trying to figure it out. So I would say, you gotta stay home, stay put.

[Host 1]

Nah. Cause when you was in Orlando, I tell everybody you was the most dominant player. And it was like you was joking with people. Like, we had four. We had four or five bigs. We had all these old team.

[Dwight Howard]

Thomas, Josh Powell, Jason Collins. Jason Collins, one of the grants with the low.

[Host 1]

Yeah, yeah, we had a bunch of people. We had Al Horbatron, Zaza, Zaza, Patuya. Yeah, we had a whole squad to stop you. In my rookie year, y' all beat us by like 40 year game. But our second year, I used to say every game y' all did in the playoffs, y' all beat us by.

[Dwight Howard]

Like 40 with Gilbert then, right?

[Host 1]

Nah, we beat y' all with Gil. Yeah, but y' all first year, I think y' all had heedou.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, y' all did.

[Host 1]

Yeah, we had like the biggest margin of victory and like NBA history against y' all. Y' all like Woody was the coach. We was getting our ass beat. Then the next year we played y' all and we was like, we gonna let Dwight score 50 in the first game? You had like 36 in the first quarter, like in the first half. And I'm like, hey, man, this nigga might really score 50, y' all. They like, nah, it's cool, it's cool. We gotta eliminate the threes. But I was just telling people how dominant you were. Like, it was crazy. You couldn't get a layup. Like, I used to shoot floaters at the top of the rack board. And he would be just laughing like, don't come back here. Don't go.

[Dwight Howard]

Let him go.

[Host 1]

Let him go.

[Host 2]

Hey, let him go.

[Host 1]

I'm like, man, what the fuck? Jameer and them just let you go to the basket. He'll block it. He's a cheat code.

[Dwight Howard]

It was fun as hell, man. And I think people took me laughing and joking as not taking the game serious. But I practiced so hard. I worked so hard out outside of the games before the game started that by the time we got playing, I'm like, man, this is fun. Going out there dominating, dunking, blocking shots, doing all that I'm doing. This is fun. Cause I done put in all the hard work. So now it's really a show. That's how I'm taking it. Like, man, I'm finna put on a show. We got all these fans, they ain't never seen me play live. I'm finna go crazy. I'm finna block a shot, smile, talk some trash to the. You know, I didn't mean no harm by it. It's just I just had so much passion about playing.

[Host 1]

Nah, you was dominant, bro. I' ma always give you your flyers on that. That shit was crazy.

[Guest 1]

I think Gilbert had brought it up on the pod when they played Atlanta. His stats was like crazy. Like 40.

[Dwight Howard]

Like 40 when we played against Atlanta. Yeah, 35, whatever.

[Host 1]

Oh, yeah. It's like he had something against us.

[Dwight Howard]

That's what I was about to ask.

[Host 2]

Being from Atlanta, what was it?

[Dwight Howard]

I did one, I was mad cause I wanted to play in Atlanta, you know what I'm saying? So I was like, man, they ain't even. I'm from Atlanta. They could have drafted me. But then it was just like I wanted to beat the Hawks. Cause every game I saw somebody that I knew from growing up talking trash and they cheering for the Hawks. I was like, man, I gotta. And the Hawks, like had like five bigs too. I wanted to destroy every single big. Like that was my whole mission.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, they didn't have no chance to dominate me.

[Host 1]

Nah, they didn't have no chance.

[Dwight Howard]

So that was y' all whole game plan to let me score?

[Host 1]

Yeah, that second time we played, we beat y' all. My second year, the first year, y' all blew us out. But my second year, they was like, let Dwight kill. And you was killing shit. But nobody else was really scoring like that. Cause we was just staying at home and you was just playing one on one. It was killing. Well, I don't know. We figured it out. Jamal had a big sense.

[Dwight Howard]

That was a smart ass game player.

[Host 1]

Yeah, that's what it was.

[Tom Yamas]

For real.

[Dwight Howard]

Cause I'm like, man, I could Keep cooking. But then my teammates wasn't as involved.

[Guest 1]

As four or five.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, that one Good.

[Guest 1]

When you played with Atlanta, you wasn't on that team?

[Host 1]

Nope. I left the Yuri camp.

[Dwight Howard]

That would have been fire.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Tom Yamas]

What did you hit the weight room. When you got to the league? What kind of. Was you home?

[Dwight Howard]

I did. I was skinny. I couldn't. I tried to lift weights before I got to the league. My regiment before I got to the league was. I was waking up. It's every day in high school. I was waking up, 4am going to the track, then the weight room, then the gym. But I couldn't gain no weight. None of that stuff happened. Then when I got to the league, I started doing Olympic lifting with our trainer in Orlando. And I would say after the first. The first year is what hit me. I started playing against the guys that was big and strong. And I was like, man, I'm not gonna get pushed around no more. So I just started lifting and eating weights. Then I got too big. I got too big.

[Tom Yamas]

That's why I asked.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, I went and got a weight room at my house. Every day I'm doing the bench press. I'm trying to get my bench right. I'm like, man, I gotta get close to 500 in the bench.

[Host 2]

I'm trying to get my bench right. Nigga, you bitching.

[Dwight Howard]

500. I'm trying to get to 500. Yeah. I'm like, man, yeah, my shoulders, the bench press. We was trying to. We was doing thousand push ups every day, nigga.

[Tom Yamas]

No wonder then. Cause I'm like, they shot Dwight with that strongest shit. He was like 220 or something. In high school.

[Dwight Howard]

In high school, I was 185. Then I got up to 220, 224. And then when I got to the league, they got me all the way up to 265, 270.

[Host 1]

That's crazy.

[Tom Yamas]

That's crazy.

[Host 2]

That's big, though, and that's crazy. Cause, like, they always compare, like you and y' all said situations like when y' all first came into the league and did like a couple years, I could see that. Yeah, y' all became fucking monsters. I could see that.

[Dwight Howard]

I could see that. I think that he was. He is a. Like Dwight Howard with that could play with handles and, you know, being able to go full court and all that stuff. In my era, they wouldn't allow the bigs to do that. And he had just came in at the right time where he could play one on one as a Five, full court, bring the ball down. I remember playing in Orlando, the coach was telling every time I dribbled the ball, he'll tell them to come take it, don't dribble. So that's the only thing I could do is the jump hooks and dunk the ball.

[Host 2]

That's crazy. And the Atlanta team, we always give y' all credit and y' all flowers because y' all were early. Y' all set the trend like that, Especially in this era, y' all would.

[Dwight Howard]

Have dominated with the threes. Keep the floor space with the threes.

[Host 2]

Come on, man, he do Tucker Blue as the de facto point guard at 6 9.

[Host 1]

Ryan Anderson.

[Dwight Howard]

Ryan Anderson shooting threes.

[Host 2]

Nothing but threes.

[Dwight Howard]

Crazy. Nobody talk about how Jameer played, man. But Jameer was cold, man. His. The way he shot the ball, it was underrated. I don't think people really talked about him. I think after he hurt his shoulder that year. But then having the two OG point guards, Skip Tamalu and Anthony Johnson.

[Host 1]

AJ yeah, we saw him.

[Dwight Howard]

No Neck. That's crazy. Anthony no Neck Johnson, that was my dog. He was one of my favorite point guards. And every time in the game when he got in trouble, he'd just be like, Dwight and throw the ball up for a lob. I'd be like, dog, just anytime you get in trouble, just throw that bitch.

[Host 2]

Up to the rim.

[Dwight Howard]

I go get it.

[Host 2]

Hell, don't talk about that team too. Like you said, Jameer Nelson was doing his thing for sure.

[Host 1]

Skip to my little hooping.

[Host 2]

Like he just hooped like it was N1. Like he didn't care.

[Tom Yamas]

How was that playing with him, bro?

[Dwight Howard]

Man, that was so much fun. He's one of my all time favorites because I used to watch, I grew up watching. And one.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

So like seeing him on and one and then actually being on his team, I'm like, yo, this is sick, yo. Like, this is really skipped to my loop facts. He was one of the coldest, man, but he though was one of my craziest teammates. It was cold and coldest. 6 10. Can shoot anywhere on the floor. Post up, you got handles. I think the NBA back then was such a. Like, I can't. I don't wanna hate on the guys now that's playing. But I feel like we was. Our era. Like that era was really nice.

[Host 1]

It was a good time. I mean, I think it was a lot of cold people. And I think like the best players to hoop was in that era. Like all of y' all are like hall of Famers.

[Dwight Howard]

Just Think about the names of the era. You talking about the Dirt and the whiskeys, the kgs, the Tim Duncan. You got Maury Stoudemire, you got LeBron. You got all the era that we had that was like, say it was.

[Host 1]

All like hall of Famer.

[Dwight Howard]

It's probably one of the coldest eras of basket and the basketball back then was so hard because now the floor is spaced out so you getting all these points. But back then everybody boxes and elbows. It's hard to score. It's hard to get 20 points a game in that league.

[Guest 1]

But then only 10 people.

[Dwight Howard]

It was only 10 people scoring 20 points. So you see how cold the league was back then.

[Host 2]

Yeah, yeah. You talking about the spacing? There wasn't no spacing. They had traditional power forwards and traditional fives.

[Dwight Howard]

Yes.

[Host 2]

And they wasn't shooting threes none until.

[Host 1]

They got em when they start putting Rashad Lewis and Ryan Iverson out there.

[Dwight Howard]

Rashad Lewis was one of the first ones. I think it was Rashad. Rasheed Lewis too. Cause we kinda got that from the Pistons. See, Detroit beat us two years in a row in the playoffs. When I first got into the league. Rasheed Louis. Rasheed Wallace. Rasheed Wallace. That's what I meant to say. Rasheed Wallace.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

I said Rashad named me out.

[Host 2]

It's all me out.

[Dwight Howard]

But no Rasheed Wallace. I would say how Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace and then the guys they had on their team, they kind of gave us the blueprint of what we needed to do to be successful. Like I need to change my mentality to be a beast in the paint. So watching and playing against guys like Ben Wallace, Jason Maxill, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio Mendice. This is all on the Pistons team. So that team right there, the league can blame them for me wanting to get in the weight room and wanting to like go after people. Because for two years straight they bullied us, man.

[Tom Yamas]

Damn.

[Dwight Howard]

They bullied us. And we couldn't beat them in the playoffs our regular season. Damn.

[Tom Yamas]

Nah, that was crazy.

[Host 2]

Shout out to that Pistons team. Jason Maxill and Ben Wallace are crazy.

[Dwight Howard]

Front court and people forgetting about Rasheed Wallace.

[Host 1]

Yo, people wondering how strong Antonio McDyess was. Strong as shit.

[Dwight Howard]

And he had bounce.

[Host 2]

The nuggets was getting buckets.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, he was cold.

[Dwight Howard]

He was cold.

[Tom Yamas]

But Jason Maxell was. What's he like? Six six.

[Dwight Howard]

Jason Max, six three. With a, with a eight foot three wheel. Yeah, that nigga long ass ar looking like a ninja turtle.

[Host 2]

For the others who don't know who y talking about. What's my name? Isaiah up in Detroit.

[Dwight Howard]

N Jason was original Jason Max Facts. Y' all see that video? Him chasing the dude in China.

[Host 1]

China, bro. He was trying to kill that boy.

[Dwight Howard]

He would have killed that man trying to kill that.

[Host 2]

Hey, that basketball get different for show, man.

[Host 1]

They.

[Dwight Howard]

Yo. Oh, God, man. It was sometimes over there. I want to scrap tell you why.

[Host 2]

You cannot find me. They would have canceled your visa. Threw a guy over there.

[Guest 1]

Me, I remember the guy that you threw.

[Host 1]

No, excuse me.

[Dwight Howard]

He just talking shit.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, we gonna pass.

[Host 2]

They gonna be in comments and be like, yep, this one right here.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, TikTok don't find y' all.

[Dwight Howard]

But in China, we did get on Taiwan. We got into a. My team got into a fight. I got kicked out the game. I didn't even fight.

[Tom Yamas]

Damn.

[Dwight Howard]

I was on the bench. That was the one time I actually didn't do nothing to deserve a tech. So it was pretty intense.

[Guest 1]

We gotta get you overseas, man.

[Host 2]

Yeah, it's probably over for me.

[Host 1]

10 days. 10 days. I could do 10 days. How about I say T a T?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, 10 days, man.

[Host 1]

I could do 10 days.

[Dwight Howard]

I started a league over in. In Asia a couple years ago after my first year in Taiwan. And reason being is a lot of guys who've played in the NBA or tried to make it to the NBA once, they don't make it or something like that, they usually tend to just be like, fuck it, you know what I'm saying? Go down the rabbit hole of why they played or whatever. And I really wanted to give a lot of guys opportunities to hoop across the water. The international game, the international love, international money, it's all out there. And I feel like sometimes, you know, we just put ourselves in a box. If we don't make it here, then that's the end all be all. So we started the league three years ago, and it's been booming, man. We got boogie played. Boogie came and played in it. Quinn Cook came and played. We got a guy, 7 foot 7, that was playing in the league for a couple years now, but we got about eight, nine teams. The league is.

[Tom Yamas]

Where your boy at? From Boston. That was on the pod. Big talk. Nick can't wear Taco.

[Dwight Howard]

Taco fall. He was about to come actually. He was about to come actually and play over there. He went to mainland China and played, but.

[Host 2]

Shout out to Taco.

[Dwight Howard]

Shout out to Taco, man. I remember watching him at ucf. And UCF stands for you can't finish. He was at the right school. He could not finish in the paint. I'm like, bro, you seven foot nine, bro.

[Host 1]

Yeah, bro, he ain't got taco fries.

[Host 2]

They was supposed to be Duke. They got cheated.

[Host 1]

They did get cheated.

[Dwight Howard]

I love Taco man, for real. Just to see his real progress. Like, he came into the league, he was not that skilled as he is now. He done got so much better. And he dunk. I know he's 7 foot, 5 six, but he dunking on niggas like he ain't playing around. So shout out to Taco Man.

[Host 2]

It's always funny, like, you see, like, NBA players outside the NBA. Cause we always talk about, like, the Mitchell Robinson highlights. I'm about him not hitting free throws, but he pulling up for transition threes in the summer. Taco Fault got a crazy summer mixtape. He out there putting pats on niggas and shit.

[Host 1]

I said, damn, I gotta check this shit out.

[Dwight Howard]

It's different. I think it's different in the league. Sometimes you get. They give you a role or, like, man, you playing against really the best of the best. Like, so defense gonna be on point. Guys is gonna be really ready to lock you down, whatever it may be when you go overseas or something like that. You get the green light. You trying anything, you gonna look like Mitchell Robinson. He got the green light when he out there playing in the park or whatever it's at. So shoot, I do the same thing, for sure.

[Tom Yamas]

At what point in your career did you, like, figure out, like, you was the one in the NBA? Like, when did you feel, like, all right, I can start taking over and leading my team?

[Dwight Howard]

I would say my damn third year, third, fourth year. Then we went to the finals. And then I would say going to the Olympics, too, Man, there's so many different situations. Playing on Olympic team, starting on the Olympic team. That's when I'm like, man, I'm one of these guys. I'm here with Kobe Braun, Jason Kidd, Melo, you know, I'm starting with these guys. And the league was just so crazy back then. Just to be mentioned with Kobe and.

[Tom Yamas]

Bron, you know, that's MVP talks.

[Host 1]

Yeah, he ruined the commercial. The they folks had that finals.

[Host 2]

Come on. I know Adidas loved you for that, boy.

[Host 1]

You fucked up a whole Nike. Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, you talk about the.

[Host 1]

They had the puppets and Shamal.

[Dwight Howard]

I made my own puppets. Hell, I still got him at the crib.

[Guest 1]

Since you brought up mvp, I know that Derrick Rose. What you said he was number two.

[Dwight Howard]

That year with Derrick Rose.

[Guest 1]

Got it. So everybody in the comments, like, man, you wasn't getting that shit over D. Rose. What y' all think?

[Host 1]

Nah, he wasn't getting that shit with D. Rose.

[Tom Yamas]

All hell to Dwight.

[Dwight Howard]

What happened that year. Why he should have got it, bro.

[Host 1]

He had that Bulls team rocking, bro. He was number one.

[Guest 1]

And you had the guard.

[Dwight Howard]

You had the guard.

[Host 1]

Yeah, he fucking.

[Dwight Howard]

They had a whole.

[Tom Yamas]

They had Boozer, they had a good team.

[Dwight Howard]

They had a good squad. It wasn't just you did too.

[Host 1]

Nah, it was just him.

[Dwight Howard]

It was not him.

[Host 1]

Lu Aldean, when he got hurt.

[Dwight Howard]

Boozer, they good.

[Host 1]

They good players. But it was all cause of Pooh, though. Like Pooh made the engine. Like he was the engine. If they ain't had him, bro, it wasn't even hard.

[Host 2]

And he had the city cracking. I think that goes to the effect too. His effect of being at the crib and pulling the Bulls back up like that.

[Host 1]

Yeah. After Mike, same thing with the Magic.

[Dwight Howard]

We did the same. Say you did.

[Tom Yamas]

You did. You did your. You did your big one, bro. But that, that.

[Host 1]

That was crazy, bro.

[Dwight Howard]

In Chicago.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, it's just a better market. He was just exciting. He was a small guard, bro. And they like, bro said, bro, they was number one bro in the league. They was.

[Guest 1]

That's good that y' all said that. So Shay or Jokic this year?

[Host 2]

This year it's gotta be Shay.

[Tom Yamas]

You asked them.

[Host 1]

Yeah, Shay's gonna win. Jokic is the mvp.

[Host 2]

Jokic having. But last year they told Shade that he has to do more and he should got MVP last year. Best work in the league.

[Host 1]

He should have mvp.

[Host 2]

He has to get it. We know the Joker's the best player in the league. Nobody gonna argue that. Yeah, but this sga, first big to.

[Guest 1]

Average a triple double though.

[Host 2]

That bro, he's one of the codas. He's one of the best centers of all time. There's no question. But SJ gotta get the mvp, bro. They out of pocket.

[Host 1]

He gonna win mvp.

[Dwight Howard]

He got to.

[Host 1]

But D. Rose that year, bro. Like people had to link up to beat him.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, beating the Magic.

[Host 1]

Who they made to the Eastern Conference finals.

[Guest 1]

When they got hurt. When he got hurt though, they still was number one. Like the next year, I think.

[Host 1]

Nah, hell no.

[Guest 1]

I think that that's when Jimmy Butler had.

[Tom Yamas]

He probably with Jordan left the Bulls.

[Host 1]

Yeah, they weren't number one in the East. They were still top two solid. I mean. Cause they were. Robinson was hooping that year and shit. But it wasn't the same, bro.

[Tom Yamas]

I mean, take you off the Orlando Magic team.

[Host 1]

They ass too. Not Ass. But they would.

[Dwight Howard]

Hey, my team was cold, man.

[Host 1]

If you don't play, though, if you don't play.

[Dwight Howard]

Dust.

[Host 1]

Who was y' all backup center? Gorte.

[Host 2]

Gortez.

[Dwight Howard]

He was a great backup. Shout out to Marcine, man.

[Host 1]

Yeah, he was good.

[Host 2]

Emma J. Watt was up for a minute. They had a crazy pick around, man.

[Dwight Howard]

That little. What they call that pick and roll.

[Host 1]

The Gore Tes screen.

[Dwight Howard]

He got his own screen name.

[Host 2]

That's.

[Dwight Howard]

That's cold now.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

To be in the league and have a. Or whatever name after you, that's pretty tough.

[Host 2]

Yeah, he was clothesline n on the screen.

[Host 1]

You think you should have got the MVP over D. Rose?

[Dwight Howard]

I'm gonna be. Yeah. I mean, I can't say that. I thought that was my year. I thought that was my year. I mean, obviously, you know, I ain't gonna never hate on D Rose. Cause that's my dog. He's been with Adidas. You know, that's when we first started, you know, kicking it a little bit.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

But I was like, dang. I thought that was my year, bro.

[Host 1]

I thought that was our year.

[Host 2]

You know what's crazy? I think, obviously a crazy hypothetical. If you did that in Atlanta, they would have gave you the mvp. I think the city effect that he had obviously played phenomenal. The way that he brought that city up and that support behind him was so crazy, they was damn near, like, undeniable. Cause that was a basketball city that missed Jordan. They just like, oh, we got the next he from here. He our savior type shit. And didn't have. He was killing either.

[Guest 1]

So what was the biggest snub. MVP snub to y' all.

[Host 1]

It gotta be.

[Dwight Howard]

It gotta be that.

[Guest 1]

I think that, too.

[Dwight Howard]

I was gonna say that one.

[Host 2]

Yeah. That's tough.

[Host 1]

That is.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah. That's a tough question.

[Dwight Howard]

I had to think the biggest snub.

[Host 2]

Shaq could have got one of the mvp.

[Dwight Howard]

I was gonna say the Shaq and the Kobe one.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Shaq or Kobe should have got them.

[Tom Yamas]

MVPs, but Shaq should have won every year.

[Dwight Howard]

Every year.

[Host 1]

Damn near the early 2000s, bro.

[Dwight Howard]

Every year you should have won MVP.

[Tom Yamas]

Early 2000s. Yeah. For him to only have one is out of pocket.

[Guest 1]

And Kobe only got one.

[Dwight Howard]

Why you only think he got one?

[Tom Yamas]

I don't know, bro. Cause it's bullshit.

[Guest 1]

Cause Jokic about to have four and.

[Host 1]

But he really killed in the playoffs, though.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah. Was he killing in the regular season?

[Host 1]

He killed.

[Host 2]

But, I mean, the documentary came. He was coasting until it was time to kill.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

He killed in the playoffs.

[Host 2]

He was still Shaq. He gonna get 25 and 10.

[Tom Yamas]

I mean, which I know who I am though, bro. Shaq. Yeah. Cause I mean, shit, they don't give you the MVP till what, damn near the finals.

[Host 1]

But it's for the season though.

[Dwight Howard]

It's funny, they. What is the actual rules on it? Cause it seemed like every year. Switch up.

[Tom Yamas]

Thank you, Dwight.

[Host 2]

It's supposed to be French season, announcing the postseason, but everybody feels way. So we be like, all right, if the MVP losing the first round, he might not get mvp.

[Dwight Howard]

They need to switch all that up. Yeah.

[Tom Yamas]

And the qualifications of it just. I think it should be who the most important player on the team. Like, if we take this off the team, how good would this team be? Realistically, I think that's how the MVP should be.

[Host 1]

I mean, but that's every team though. Nah, bro, that mean everybody gonna have them there. MVP candidate.

[Tom Yamas]

Nah, nah.

[Host 1]

If your team is like top five.

[Tom Yamas]

But I'm saying like, yo, Jokic, however you said his name.

[Host 2]

Joker.

[Tom Yamas]

Joker. Take him off the team, bro. They mid, bro.

[Host 1]

But you take.

[Tom Yamas]

If you take Jason Tatum off the.

[Host 1]

Celtics, you take Jalen Brunson off the Knicks playoffs.

[Host 2]

So we all made mistakes, right? But owning up to them, it's the right thing to do. But we all know degree Cool Rush deodorant. Well, last year they changed the formula and it did not go over well with the fans. The grease, whole thing, it turns up sweat and other protection when you turn up the effort. And good thing it does because Cool Rush fans really turned up the effort to bring back the OG formula. One guy even started an online petition. And degree listen, they admitted they effed up and are bringing back that OG Cool Rush sent back. And it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. It's back at Walmart, Target and other stores for under $4. There's a reason why it's been the number one men's antiperspirant for the last decade. It's the same reason why people are not happy when the recipe was changed. So listen, if you've never tried, it might be a good time to try. See what the fuss is about.

[Host 1]

Head to your local Walmart or Target and try the OG degree Cool Rush for yourself.

[Lester Holt]

When it's tip off time at my house, there are a few things that are must haves on my checklist, my fellow friends and fans. Check My favorite jersey. Check. An iconic drink that's a fan favorite. Check. Hypnotic can turn any cocktail into an iconic creation. With its game changing color and tropical flavor, Hypnotic should be in everyone's starting. 5. I consider hypnotic the point guard of my game day roster because not only is it versatile like having it on the rocks or as a base for cocktails, it also finishes smooth and just like the banners in my stadium, letting people know that we take championships seriously. Having Hypnotic at my watch parties lets people know that I also take Quality seriously since it's crafted with high quality ingredients for a championship level drinking experience. So the next time you need a break from the action with a distinctive timeout, look no further. Grab a bottle of Hypnotic and make your next basketball watch party iconic. Enjoy the vibrant taste with friends and turn every game into a memorable celebration. Hypnotic where every sip is a slam dunk. Hypnotic Liqueur Bardstown, Kentucky 17% alcohol by volume Hypnotic reminds you to think wisely, drink wisely.

[Tom Brokaw]

Did you know your credit card points and miles lose value while they collect dust? Imagine a credit card with rewards that can grow in value. Introducing the Gemini Credit Card With a Gemini credit card, you can earn Bitcoin or one of over 50 other cryptos instantly with no annual fee. Every swipe at the store gas pump earns you instant rewards deposited straight into your account. Plus sign up now for a 200 bitcoin bonus. To kickstart your rewards, go to gemini.comcard that's gemini.com card. To learn more and start earning today. Terms apply again visit gemini.com card now. Terms apply the Gemini Credit Card issued by Web bank in order to qualify for the Intro 200 crypto bonus, your application must be approved by June 30, 2025 and spend 3,000 in your first 90 days. Terms of Apply Some exclusions apply to instant rewards in which rewards are deposited when the transaction posts. This content's not investment advice and trading. Crypto involves risk. For more details on the rates, fees and other Gemini credit card terms, see Rates and Fees.

[Dwight Howard]

NBC Nightly News Legacy isn't handed down or NBC News.

[Host 2]

I'm Tom Broko.

[Tom Brokaw]

You hope to see you back.

[Lester Holt]

I'm Lester Holt.

[Dwight Howard]

It's carried forward. Tom Yis is there Force firefighters are.

[Lester Holt]

Still working around the clock. As the world changes, we look for what endures.

[Host 2]

We are coming on the air with.

[Lester Holt]

Breaking news right now.

[Dwight Howard]

We look for a constant and from one era to the next, Trust is the anchor for NBC Nightly News.

[Lester Holt]

I'm Tom Yamas. A new chapter begins NBC Nightly News.

[Dwight Howard]

With Tom Yamas evenings on NBC.

[Host 2]

The hell no, no. It's quiet, he said.

[Dwight Howard]

It's Curtains for him.

[Host 1]

Yeah. No disrespect to Campaign. Campaign is the point guard for the Knicks right now. They got.

[Dwight Howard]

They.

[Host 1]

They out there.

[Dwight Howard]

Campaign. The strongest. Left handed. Yeah, he's so left handed. He's crazy. I need you from his ankle yesterday.

[Host 1]

He does.

[Guest 1]

That's the way when Jalen got fouled out.

[Tom Yamas]

Who.

[Host 2]

Yeah, bro, it's. I think you gotta. I think you should at least be maybe top three seed. Cause I mean, y' all not gonna get nobody MVP that's averaging 30 in that seven seed.

[Guest 1]

Yeah, I mean, Jokic won it one.

[Dwight Howard]

Year, but I was like the six. He's like the six.

[Guest 1]

They gave MVP to players that team wasn't top five.

[Host 2]

It rarely happened. But I mean, the way that he dominated was undeniable too, at that time. Period.

[Tom Yamas]

Cause I think KG could have got it a couple more times too, bro.

[Dwight Howard]

In Minnesota.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, KG used to kill in Minnesota. They just wasn't winning.

[Host 1]

He got it at the time. He needed to get it.

[Tom Yamas]

They just wasn't winning, bro.

[Host 2]

MVPs are just really hard to come by.

[Host 1]

I got you. Cause you played with Brian, you played with Kobe. Like, what was the difference between them two?

[Dwight Howard]

Like, Kobe. Kobe's an asshole. Not saying he's an asshole to me. I'm just saying, like, his personality, like, he a asshole. Like, he don't give a fuck. Yeah, Bron give a fuck. He want everybody to like him. He want to joke around, laugh, have a good time. I just think they two ends of the spectrum when it comes to their personalities. And on the court. Kobe's just trying to get 50. He's trying to kill who you think was better. Shit scoring wise, you gotta go with Kobe. How though?

[Host 1]

And Bron got the most points in league history.

[Dwight Howard]

Cause he played for the longest and he getting dunks and layups.

[Host 2]

I'm talking about that scoring, though.

[Dwight Howard]

It is scoring. It is scoring. But I'm saying, like, as far as getting buckets, like shit all the way.

[Host 1]

Around, I be getting buckets. If you can't stop me, get to the basket.

[Dwight Howard]

He.

[Tom Yamas]

Listen, don't fall into that, Dwight.

[Host 1]

I'm just saying. I think. I think Bron the best scorer all time.

[Tom Yamas]

Bron is the best score in different spots, though. Kobe could get to it better than Brian.

[Host 1]

I ain't got to get to that spot. Just run you over.

[Guest 1]

Yeah, you can't really. Because Kareem had the most points before.

[Dwight Howard]

And I think I still would think. I'm always going with Kareem. Cause I think he got the one shot I used to tell them, kareem the Goat. Cause he got the one shot nobody could stop, and he had 30,000 points doing twos. He ain't shooting no threes. That's crazy. That is crazy. He have no threes.

[Tom Yamas]

He did from the three, though.

[Dwight Howard]

He what?

[Tom Yamas]

He was good.

[Guest 1]

He was shooting a shot from the three.

[Host 1]

But he did play 28 years.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, but he's still doing two points to get 30,000.

[Host 1]

That is a lot of money.

[Dwight Howard]

He's the greatest high. He did. He got the most high school and college accolades, all that stuff.

[Host 2]

His career is insane.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

It's what I'm saying.

[Host 2]

I'll take Bron.

[Dwight Howard]

You would take Bron? Cause it just. Nah.

[Host 1]

Cause I just watched basketball, and I'm like, I would take Bron.

[Tom Yamas]

Kareem is literally one and done.

[Dwight Howard]

Who's stopping Kareem?

[Tom Yamas]

But I'm saying, you would never see that ever again.

[Host 2]

Stop.

[Host 1]

It's nothing more.

[Tom Yamas]

Kareem, your dad did not have you in the hood shooting hook shots, like, a thousand times.

[Dwight Howard]

I was doing hook shots on my own. That was one of my favorite shots.

[Host 1]

Yeah, but you.

[Dwight Howard]

You never let go. You never did the Lego. You never look at my highlights. Mine was running hooks. I did all running hooks.

[Tom Yamas]

You was not throwing your leg in the air.

[Dwight Howard]

I wasn't.

[Tom Yamas]

Drop step, babe.

[Host 1]

You did not say, I want to put, like, Kareem on the bar.

[Dwight Howard]

No, I didn't.

[Host 1]

Hell, no.

[Dwight Howard]

No. I don't think nobody said that.

[Guest 1]

He said he made the shot because they banned dunking. Right.

[Dwight Howard]

I want to know how he. Cause the goals. The goals probably wasn't as strong to handle people dunking like that.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Than they are now. So I can understand that. Because when I was in high school, and that's not even that long ago, we couldn't dunk in warmups. You still can't do that.

[Tom Yamas]

Nah, yo, that's a real rule.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah. Cause you. You won't break the goals and stuff like that.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, we know in Jersey they let y' all.

[Dwight Howard]

In Jersey. Let y' all do anything, man.

[Host 2]

There ain't no rules in Jersey, man.

[Dwight Howard]

I think they about to add the shot clock. Y' all don't have a shot clock.

[Host 1]

What?

[Tom Yamas]

We had that in Georgia.

[Dwight Howard]

I don't even remember saying what.

[Host 2]

Like who?

[Host 1]

This is facts.

[Tom Yamas]

Was that the. What was that the game plan, though, in high school? Let's get this together.

[Host 2]

Hold on. Yeah, he answered the question, bro.

[Dwight Howard]

Who better, bro? You right. Damn.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I try to let him get.

[Tom Yamas]

I was trying. Dwight.

[Dwight Howard]

Everything. Everything combined you got to give it to LeBron. Okay, B. Scoring wise, I gotta say, I like Kobe. If it's late in the game, I'm giving the ball to Kobe, okay? I'm not gonna give the ball to LeBron late in the game. I'm gonna give it to Kobe. But LeBron got. He got it.

[Host 1]

I take that.

[Host 2]

That is funny as hell. That LeBron don't get, like. Get considered as a score. He got the most buckets ever. We understand how, but that's crazy.

[Host 1]

I never understood it. He averaged like 25 every year, bro.

[Host 2]

I have the most buckets ever, bro.

[Tom Yamas]

He don't have a careem stat line. Bronze score all over the floor. I mean, of course he get majority.

[Dwight Howard]

So does Braun have a bag?

[Host 1]

I'm bigger, I'm stronger, I'm faster. I don't need. I don't need a bag. He don't do moves.

[Host 2]

First of all, no disrespect. One of the best moves in basketball.

[Dwight Howard]

That one. It's no way I'm letting this man look at his hand and the ball.

[Tom Yamas]

He do he look right at his.

[Dwight Howard]

Hand and look at them and go back.

[Tom Yamas]

That's the part.

[Host 1]

That's how I know he's a goat, bro.

[Dwight Howard]

When he was younger, he used to.

[Host 2]

Get real disrespectful and spin the ball in his hands. And J, I'm like, brian is so disrespectful because we know you're not passing, bro.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, I think y' all might got Brian up. Brian got a bag, bro. He got a Kyrie bag, but he got a bag.

[Dwight Howard]

He ain't got no bag. He got his.

[Tom Yamas]

He do, bro. Cause his passing is. It goes into that too.

[Host 1]

I mean, he could pass like a month.

[Dwight Howard]

He can pass like crazy kind of way. We talking about his bag like he not a handler. Miami.

[Host 2]

Brian was there for 300, bro. I don't need a bag, bro. Get out my way or you gonna die, bro.

[Host 1]

Facts, facts. He don't even know I done seen.

[Tom Yamas]

Brian 2020 pull up.

[Host 1]

I mean, he nice, he's bright, but he ain't got handles like that.

[Dwight Howard]

So you say he better than Jordan? Hey, come on now.

[Tom Yamas]

This nigga podcast today.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I think he better than Jordan.

[Dwight Howard]

He better than Jordan?

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

In what? Shooting everything.

[Host 1]

Oh, it ain't nothing. He can't do that, Mike.

[Guest 1]

I don't know about shooting shit.

[Host 1]

Mike can't shoot threes.

[Tom Yamas]

Mm, mm.

[Host 1]

Mike had a crazy mid range.

[Host 2]

Mike shoot threes elite fade away.

[Host 1]

Yeah, but. Well, he can't do that. Mike did.

[Tom Yamas]

For real. I wanna hear y' all answers besides.

[Host 1]

The final stuff, but I feel like me. I feel like Bron played better players in the finals and had to go to some tougher roles like, ooh wee.

[Dwight Howard]

Shit, they got Detroit.

[Host 1]

Mike didn't play Detroit in the finals. He had to get through Detroit. Yeah.

[Host 2]

Yeah, but he had to play what, the Lakers teams. That was older magic. That 50 sun scene.

[Host 1]

Was magic. Was Magic was old Magic was simple Sonics.

[Tom Yamas]

They played the sun.

[Host 1]

Simple Sonics. No disrespect to gp, but he Curry, Kevin Durant. Nah, but you just said y' all.

[Tom Yamas]

Got the best era.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, we do got the best era.

[Lester Holt]

Okay.

[Tom Yamas]

That's Brian era, bro.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

I played okc. The one I won. I played three hall of Famers in James Harden, Westbrook and kd.

[Tom Yamas]

He had to get through KG and them.

[Host 1]

Then I had to get through Boston.

[Tom Yamas]

Yep.

[Host 2]

Spurs was historically good.

[Host 1]

Spurs got five hall of Famers.

[Tom Yamas]

Yep.

[Host 2]

And that goes. That team's one of the best teams in NBA history.

[Host 1]

NBA history. And then who, Bruh? No disrespect to Mike, but he played John Stockton and Karl Malone.

[Tom Yamas]

That was cold, though, bro.

[Host 1]

They are.

[Dwight Howard]

But that duo.

[Tom Yamas]

Shout out to Jeff.

[Host 1]

That duo is not better than no other duo that we just named that Brian played in the Finals. He taking.

[Tom Yamas]

I don't know. Freaky Carl, bro.

[Dwight Howard]

Was Carl Malone, Y' all taking him.

[Host 1]

Over Tim Duncan Parker.

[Dwight Howard]

Freaky call, though. Crazy.

[Tom Yamas]

Wow.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, I want to stay out of that one. You can stay out of.

[Tom Yamas]

Shout out to Freaky K. He was. He was a buck.

[Dwight Howard]

You think?

[Host 1]

30,000.

[Dwight Howard]

You think that's.

[Guest 1]

Tim Duncan and John Stockton don't he got.

[Dwight Howard]

Why not?

[Tom Yamas]

I'm not either. Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

No.

[Host 2]

I'm taking Tim Duncan all day.

[Tom Yamas]

Oh, facts. He's better.

[Host 2]

Yeah. I'm just rolling.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I'm taking Tim Duncan.

[Host 2]

And from a defensive aspect, too.

[Guest 1]

Yeah, I'm taking Tim Dunck argument. Who better, Tim Duncan or kg?

[Host 1]

Tim Duncan.

[Host 2]

Tim Duncan. No disrespect to kg.

[Guest 1]

Cause I thought Tim Duncan had a better career.

[Tom Yamas]

Nah, I'm taking kg, which I want me to do.

[Host 1]

I got San Antonio lit. Who the fuck want to go San Antonio?

[Host 2]

If he was more of a selfish player, the stats would have been more open.

[Dwight Howard]

Rashid over Tim Duncan.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Tom Yamas]

I'm not mad.

[Dwight Howard]

He must.

[Host 1]

He must have gave you buckets.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

No, Rasheed was cold, man.

[Host 2]

He was cold.

[Tom Yamas]

Made Dwight hit the white room. That type.

[Host 1]

He earned his stripes against him. But ain't no way in hell he think he better Tell though what it ain't no way.

[Dwight Howard]

Hell, come on. Y' all got crazy. Y' all can't do that because Rashid didn't have those comp. Rashid was more of a team. He ain't really care about having that kind of stuff.

[Host 1]

Tim Duncan is the most team friendly nigga I ever seen in my life. Even with his paychecks 50 games probably. What you mean 14 them spurs teams.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Cause on the back end he was getting paid.

[Host 1]

Of course he still probably getting paid. But I'm just saying it looked like it looked good.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Look at Jalen Brunson. Y' all think he just took a L on no. He gonna have real estate New York.

[Host 1]

Yeah, for sure.

[Host 2]

I'm sure some backdoor going on.

[Dwight Howard]

So y' all taking? Okay, so kgrasheed.

[Tom Yamas]

I got kg, I got ticket.

[Host 2]

I'm gonna say kg.

[Host 1]

But Tim Duncan over all them.

[Host 2]

You can't miss it with either one of them. Those are all three. Probably the top five ticket was the.

[Tom Yamas]

First one to me to do what he did in NBA.

[Host 1]

You gonna take that Jazz team over the spurs team. Tim Duncan, Ginobly and I don't even like Utah.

[Tom Yamas]

I don't like none of that.

[Host 1]

Cause they said bike played a better team.

[Host 2]

And respect to Byron is cooking him for sure. Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh.

[Host 1]

What? That's what I'm saying, bro. Yeah. Bron played better teams.

[Tom Yamas]

He did, bro. Mono was that nigga shout out to Greg Ulster tag. But it's lying.

[Dwight Howard]

Well, nah, we can't even say. We can't even say. Braun did play against better teams.

[Tom Yamas]

Playing against. You got to go through kd, Russ and James Harden.

[Host 1]

All I gotta do is beat Charles.

[Tom Yamas]

Barkley, Kevin Johnson, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green.

[Dwight Howard]

But that's just. We just looking at it from the paper like we not. Actually some of these guys may not didn't have a name like the KGS and all that, but they was cold back then.

[Host 1]

They was cold.

[Dwight Howard]

They defense and all that stuff.

[Host 2]

They all ain't bad player. Yeah, they are.

[Tom Yamas]

It took a 07 Cavs team which half the world can't remember who was on that team for the finals. Bro.

[Host 2]

He don't go crazy. Go crazy Nooble.

[Dwight Howard]

He DJ stop helping. My fault he got his fingers out Count Iran Noble.

[Host 1]

No, didn't say.

[Host 2]

Nah.

[Dwight Howard]

Who else is on that team? The ball. Head point guard.

[Host 1]

See. Well you got to do that Williams.

[Tom Yamas]

Who what's first name start with a M. Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, he was.

[Host 2]

That was E. Snow.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Eric sn.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, Eric Snow. That's hey, that's one of the strongest point guards in the history.

[Tom Yamas]

Another question about his life.

[Host 1]

When you guys start saying one of nigga, One of the strongest ever, you know, you that ain't know. Hell no.

[Dwight Howard]

Who was on that team?

[Host 1]

That's what I'm saying, bro.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, Anderson Barile.

[Host 2]

He was.

[Dwight Howard]

He was on the team. And the tall. What's the.

[Host 1]

Braun was what, 21, 22.

[Tom Yamas]

Freaky Gibb was there. He was there. Two guard. The point guard, Gibbs.

[Host 1]

Come on, bro. Y. Y' all tripping my booby.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Think about when Brian left. No disrespect to Booby Gibson, but what happened?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, bro.

[Host 2]

Not even to the team.

[Dwight Howard]

The city died.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Bron should got mvp.

[Dwight Howard]

So what's gonna happen when Bron retired from the league?

[Tom Yamas]

It's a good hands.

[Host 1]

Yeah, it's a good hands. Anthony Edwards here for sure.

[Dwight Howard]

Okay. Shout out to Atlanta. So he the face?

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

So Ja gone.

[Tom Yamas]

He showed up.

[Host 2]

Ja.

[Dwight Howard]

Ja blew it up.

[Host 1]

He shot it up.

[Host 2]

I don't think that they wanted Ja to be the face of the league.

[Guest 1]

What about Wemby?

[Dwight Howard]

Nah, nah.

[Host 2]

He ain't got no personality.

[Host 1]

No disrespect, but you can't be from like a different country and be the face of the league.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, he got clean his English up some more.

[Dwight Howard]

Clean his English up. Crazy.

[Host 2]

If that's the case, the Joker would be defensively.

[Host 1]

Yeah, he just can't be. But y.

[Guest 1]

He don't. He don't even do no media or nothing.

[Host 2]

But he's white. He's dam quote unquote out of shape for an athlete. He fits the stereotype of everything they would want to promote as me in the face. And he good.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

If he ain't doing it, bro, it's probably not going to be like even Luca.

[Host 1]

Like Luca cold. But you can't be the face of the league cuz they. You can barely understand.

[Tom Yamas]

I give it to.

[Dwight Howard]

He got a win. If he win this shit, they gonna give it.

[Guest 1]

I think it's gonna be Minnesota versus the Knicks.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, I got Minnesota, Knicks finals.

[Host 1]

That's hard. I like that.

[Guest 1]

Finals crazy.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Basically like I gotta say I appreciate y' all coming on the show, but the Indiana pace will be NBA Finals.

[Dwight Howard]

You know what I've been having. I've been. I've been rocking with Indiana. I just think that New York might get them this year because they got a big. They got a big. And that can post shoot do it all. So that's why I Got Knicks over Indiana.

[Guest 1]

Why you think Halliburton was voted most hated?

[Host 2]

Cause they don't like him.

[Dwight Howard]

But it's no way. I heard that it was only 13 guys that said that he was overrated. There's only 13 people who did that vote. That wasn't even a whole bunch of people. For real. They just blew the whole story.

[Host 1]

He not overrated, though.

[Dwight Howard]

But he not overrated at all. He nice.

[Host 1]

He nice.

[Tom Yamas]

He definitely nice. But I think it's cause he was having such a rough at the beginning of the year. It was rough.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Yeah, he looks real.

[Host 1]

Is he a top 10 point guard.

[Dwight Howard]

Right now in the league right now? Yeah. Hell yeah. Hell, yeah.

[Host 1]

All right, let's name him.

[Dwight Howard]

Who better than him? Name eight.

[Host 1]

Why are you looking at taking Damian Lillard or Tyrese Halliburton right now before the injury?

[Dwight Howard]

Tyrese.

[Host 1]

Ooh, just know right now before the injury. If you go look at Dame's stats.

[Guest 1]

Dame.

[Host 1]

I got Dame.

[Dwight Howard]

Any team. Yeah, of course you gotta go with Dame, but I'm taking Tyrese right now.

[Tom Yamas]

Okay, Jalen Brunson, your Shanghai team, nigga. Goddamn. Tyrese on your Shanghai team.

[Host 1]

If you got to take him to China, who you putting.

[Tom Yamas]

Right now?

[Guest 1]

Right now.

[Host 1]

Oh, I'm taking.

[Dwight Howard]

Dang.

[Host 1]

That's how we gonna do this. So you taking if you guys go to Taiwan or you taking Jalen Brussel or Tyrese Halliburton to Taiwan?

[Dwight Howard]

I gotta go with Jalen.

[Host 1]

Okay, you taking Ja Morant or Tyrese Halliburton to Taiwan? Okay, let's keep going. You taking Kyrie Irving or Tyrese Halliburton to Taiwan?

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, man, I'm taking Kyrie. Don't leave a Halle over here.

[Host 1]

All right, all right. This is going to be a fair one. Trey Young or Tyrese Halliburton in Taiwan.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, Trey Young. Come on.

[Tom Yamas]

Come on.

[Dwight Howard]

Bring your ass on, Trey.

[Tom Yamas]

Come on.

[Dwight Howard]

To Taiwan now.

[Host 1]

You in Atlanta.

[Host 2]

Are you trying to get a win? You trying to go back to the finals?

[Dwight Howard]

Who you taking out of who?

[Host 2]

All the people we just named.

[Dwight Howard]

I'm taking Halle. Halle gonna get me there. Yeah. Hallelujah.

[Host 1]

Nah, Tyree celebrating the white P clip farming.

[Dwight Howard]

Hey, listen, man, Tyree got that pat. Pat. What about 1, 2, 3, way back, huh? Kyrie, man, Kyrie is dope.

[Guest 1]

He ain't gonna throw you no lives.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, Kyrie gonna throw me LS but he don't want to play in Taiwan right now.

[Guest 1]

But he said on your Orlando team.

[Tom Yamas]

On your Orlando.

[Dwight Howard]

Orlando team to go back to the finals.

[Host 2]

Dwight Tyrese pick raw feeding families.

[Dwight Howard]

I need Halle. Cause he gonna get me a lot of assists. He gonna be in the paint.

[Host 1]

He talking about who he want to play with. He ain't saying who better?

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, I'm not saying who better. I'm saying the person who might make my job easier is Halle. Cause that's what type of point guard he is.

[Host 1]

Yeah, that's a fact. That's a fact.

[Dwight Howard]

So I can't.

[Host 1]

I think he'd be good with Trey Young, too.

[Dwight Howard]

Cause Trey Young, he throw a lot of lobs. So I'm looking at guys that's gonna be for how I play. Guys that's gonna find me in my spots where I can finish easy and stuff like that. So I know Halle from how he playing me and him in the pick and roll. You can't drop. It's over with. You can't trap him. Cause he's picking you apart. Now if I'm rolling down the lane, I got my four shooters. It's over with.

[Host 2]

Yeah. And I think even. I mean, we're solid scribe, but for the way that our role players excel. But the way he gets them open shots is like really underrated, I think. Cause he creates everything when he don't play. We are sad. We are not a good team when he's not on the court.

[Dwight Howard]

That's why I think New York might win. Because if Allie ain't out there.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Only thing I like my chances with the Knicks is that one cat gonna foul. So I know that cat's gonna foul. Miles are shooters really kind of keep him out the paint. Their wings are really, really good. They upgraded, obviously, but our wings ain't soft.

[Dwight Howard]

And I think the physicality that we shot. I got some good wings now.

[Host 2]

We not soft.

[Dwight Howard]

Y' all not.

[Host 1]

Let's not go into this pace of shit.

[Dwight Howard]

I'm sorry.

[Host 2]

We getting on a tangent. Basketball, you know, I'm talking shit.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Get well soon.

[Guest 1]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

They going back to New York.

[Host 2]

That's about to be a totally different team in the next year. There's some major changes. I can imagine it's gonna happen. Cause they trying to get under that seller cap. And they gonna have to lose some new contracts.

[Host 1]

And they got a new owner, too, so. Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Do y' all think they need some more teams around the league at least?

[Tom Yamas]

That's a good question.

[Host 2]

Seattle deserves a team.

[Tom Yamas]

Las Vegas deserves more players.

[Host 2]

Vegas deserves a team.

[Host 1]

I would love to see a nice team.

[Dwight Howard]

Vegas should have a team. And I think Seattle should have a team. Vegas And Seattle should have a team in it. Vegas.

[Guest 1]

What?

[Dwight Howard]

The Vegas Elite. The Vegas.

[Tom Yamas]

Escorts.

[Dwight Howard]

Oh, wow.

[Host 1]

And with that being said. Wow.

[Dwight Howard]

Did he really just say that?

[Host 2]

Yo, son, what's that mascot gonna be?

[Tom Yamas]

The.

[Dwight Howard]

I mean.

[Tom Yamas]

That's right.

[Dwight Howard]

This ain't no small. I'm just.

[Host 1]

I already know.

[Tom Yamas]

Listen, man.

[Host 1]

Please, y' all. Listen, man.

[Dwight Howard]

Don't do it. We rescinded all that.

[Host 1]

What?

[Dwight Howard]

We said go back to the. I'm resending my.

[Host 1]

Whatever you.

[Dwight Howard]

I want to ask y' all something.

[Guest 1]

Cause we went to the hall of Fame thing. It's going to be Melo and Dwight.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Guest 1]

Next year is going to be a hard decision. I don't think it's a lot of names. Who y' all think it's going to be? Stoudemeyer, Blake Griffin, John Wall, Andre Guodala, and Joe Johnson.

[Dwight Howard]

I think. Go Dala. Get in.

[Host 1]

Yeah, Iggy gonna get in.

[Dwight Howard]

I think Blake might.

[Tom Yamas]

He got to.

[Host 2]

I think Blake should get in.

[Dwight Howard]

There's a high possibility of him getting in for sure.

[Host 1]

I think Joe would get in too.

[Guest 1]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

Cause Joe should get in second.

[Host 1]

Go around.

[Guest 1]

And Joe seven time all star.

[Dwight Howard]

Joe should get in.

[Host 1]

Yeah, Joe would get in.

[Dwight Howard]

And you said stat, right?

[Guest 1]

Stoudemire.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Guest 1]

I ain't know. Stoudemire wasn't in there.

[Host 2]

Mark Stoudemire was. Was.

[Dwight Howard]

He was so cold.

[Host 1]

It was cold.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

I think that's what he used to do.

[Tom Yamas]

He used to Tim Duncan up.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Yeah, he did.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Tom Yamas]

I didn't mean to throw that in.

[Host 1]

I think I see what you were trying to do.

[Dwight Howard]

So if Amari never got hurt, where does that put him in? Power four is all ranking.

[Host 1]

He was gonna be top five. He was crazy.

[Host 2]

Yeah. And that's why. And that's no smuth to Steve Nash. But you look at those Phoenix teams and the rosters that they had. Like, he had Joe Johnson, he had stat like Q Rich, Sean Marion.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, they had to give it to.

[Tom Yamas]

They had to give it to Steve Nash, though.

[Dwight Howard]

Man.

[Host 2]

One may be cool.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah.

[Guest 1]

But then playing with a point guard like Nash, Mick Stoudemire.

[Host 1]

Yeah, it did. Most definitely.

[Tom Yamas]

It did. But he was fired with New York, too.

[Dwight Howard]

He was fired with New York, but it was kind of. But he didn't have that.

[Host 1]

He didn't have that point guard.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, but he got hurt, though.

[Guest 1]

Cause you got. Like when Chris Paul was with Clint Capella, it's like Clint Capella being. You know, he left. He wasn't the same. I'd be like saying with him, like, if he had like a real pass. First you gotta think he went with Kobe.

[Tom Yamas]

Clint Capella was cold though, with James.

[Dwight Howard]

James Harden could pass. I think he just, he just choose who he wanna pass.

[Tom Yamas]

Clint was nice with James.

[Dwight Howard]

Cause Clint was, ooh, point.

[Guest 1]

That's just throwing lobs all day.

[Dwight Howard]

You probably would, but that's a whole different era. Like I think Jameer was like that. But then once we started doing the one with a four out, one in, everybody shoot threes, then they kind of wanted a different style from just a pick and roll, get to the basket, dunk that bitch. They wanted more threes.

[Tom Yamas]

You might have looked different though with Rondo.

[Dwight Howard]

When I was in my prime with.

[Tom Yamas]

Rondo, yeah, it would have been different. It would have been different, bro.

[Guest 1]

You gotta think you played with Kobe, then you went with Harden, then you went with John Wall, then you went with what was the other guy?

[Dwight Howard]

Kimball, Walker, point guards. That's true.

[Tom Yamas]

That's a good call, bro. I see what you're saying.

[Host 2]

For real, I gotta ask you, what was the crazier season, the Charlotte year or the Washington year?

[Dwight Howard]

My Charlotte year. You said crazier.

[Host 2]

Yeah, what was crazier?

[Dwight Howard]

Man, I had in Washington, it was a lot of shit that happened that was like, damn. I had back surgery that year. So that year was crazy. And I was playing on one leg for half the season when I played with Washington. So when I did play for Washington, I was so hurt that I couldn't even tie my shoes. The trainers had to put my shoes on my feet. For me, I couldn't sit down on the bench. Cause my back, I had to stand up during timeouts, I had to stand up the whole time during games, on the planes, I couldn't sit down. They had to give me like a bed that I could take everywhere. On the buses, I couldn't sit down. So that year was real tough for me physically because I don't think people understand. A herniated disc in your back is probably one of the worst injuries you could have in life, not just basketball. So me having that injury, trying to play, it was the worst decision I made from doing that. But then I had the surgery, came back and we won the chip the next year. True.

[Tom Yamas]

Damn.

[Host 1]

Respect.

[Host 2]

That's crazy. They always criticize athletes for not playing through the pain or stuff like that. But normal people, they couldn't go to work, right? Bro, you couldn't stand up, you couldn't.

[Dwight Howard]

Tie your own shirt.

[Host 2]

That's causes for you not to be playing.

[Dwight Howard]

I still was hooping. I still went out there and played. I couldn't. And tie my own shoes, like, doing like this. I couldn't do that, you know. So just having to go out there and play with that, that's crazy. Yeah. I don't know how I did it, but I was like, man, I gotta keep playing. Cause I wanna win this chip. That's what I was talking about. Chasing the ring early and all that stuff. I think that's such a bad approach. That's why with Giannis, like, dude, you gonna have some good years and bad years. Michael Jordan played for 14 years. He won six championships. So. So he didn't win the rest of the years. You know what I'm saying?

[Guest 1]

That's his quote, remember in the.

[Host 1]

Who?

[Dwight Howard]

Giannis. Oh, he said that? Yeah, he said that last year. But it's true, though. Like, you know, we as players, we expect to win. Then the fans and everybody else expects for us to win the same way. So now we putting that added pressure on us, you know? And I think Giannis, they lose a couple years, everybody like, man, it's Giannis fault. He gotta do this, he gotta do that, he gotta get better. And it's just all noise, you know what I'm saying? If I could go back, I just shut all that noise off, man, and just continue to focus on getting better. Like, he one of the coldest ever. Like, he should never leave Milwaukee. He gonna get everything he want and more in Milwaukee. He gonna go somewhere else and find out that the people really might not fuck with him like you think they do.

[Guest 1]

They talking about him, like, going to the Spurs. That might be crazy.

[Dwight Howard]

That would be crazy.

[Guest 1]

Him and Wemby.

[Host 1]

Yeah, that's gonna be scary.

[Tom Yamas]

I think people would have pulled up on you if you would have stayed in Orlando. I think people would have pulled up on you in Orlando. I don't think niggas is pulling up to Milwaukee to hoop with Giannis.

[Dwight Howard]

Nobody was pulling up to Orlando.

[Host 2]

You said it was quiet.

[Dwight Howard]

We was trying. They couldn't get nobody.

[Tom Yamas]

Who was somebody that you wanted to come over there?

[Dwight Howard]

Stephen Jackson, somebody for, like, defense and stuff like that?

[Host 1]

Jack.

[Dwight Howard]

Jack, Really? I love my squad. I ain't want to trade nobody on my team. When I wanted to leave Orlando, it was solely just based off me, my decision. I felt like I needed a new place. Being young at the time, like, man, everybody telling me, man, you need a new place, man. You been here for so long, man. Go somewhere else and start over. I'm like, dang, maybe that's what I need. You Know what I'm saying? So, again, I would say he gotta shut all the noise off. Stay silent, man. Cause people gonna say whatever they want to say. People gonna tell you how they would handle the situation. But one, they ain't making $200 million.

[Host 1]

That's a fact.

[Dwight Howard]

They ain't the face of a franchise. They ain't got all this stuff riding on them, whatever they choose. You know what I'm saying? So I feel like he gotta get quiet, get away from everybody. Let him make his own decision based off what's gonna be best for his life.

[Guest 1]

They said that to Dame, too. Leaving Portland, I felt like Dame should have.

[Host 1]

Oh, yeah. I don't believe in leaving. Like, if somebody give me the franchise, I'm staying.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah, he talk about that all the time.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I'm. And making 500 million and just chilling.

[Dwight Howard]

There's one thing I would say, going back, like, damn. When you have something that's yours and it's really yours, that shit was mine. You know what I'm saying? Milwaukee is his. So now you give it up. You leave that bitch hoping for somebody else to come in and take it. You know what I'm saying?

[Host 2]

And the same people that'll tell him to leave or criticize him if it goes as soon as it don't work there, oh, well, he should have stayed.

[Dwight Howard]

He should have stayed. You shouldn't have left. I know how that feel, man. So I hope he made the right, the best decision for him and not for everybody else. And shoot, I fuck with Milwaukee. At one point in my career, I was trying to go to Milwaukee when I played for the Rockets. Oh, yeah, huh?

[Tom Yamas]

Fuck was you on?

[Dwight Howard]

You want me to tell y' all the truth?

[Tom Yamas]

Hell, yeah.

[Dwight Howard]

I was like, I see some potential in Milwaukee. Before y' all won the championship. When you honest, I was like, man, I see some potential in Milwaukee. I want to play with Giannis and all that. Just not play for the Rockets. And then a couple years later, y' all want to chill.

[Host 1]

Well, you had the vision. Cause I showed and see that shit.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, you had a different type of vision.

[Tom Yamas]

Everybody, nigga. And you, Dwight Hard, you out of pocket.

[Guest 1]

You got two NBA champions, though.

[Host 1]

My shit fake. I was just there.

[Guest 1]

What y' all think about that? People would say they both fake. They say the bubble.

[Host 1]

Nah, ours is real, but mine ain't real. I ain't do nothing.

[Tom Yamas]

What was your experience like in the bubble? Speaking of that bad? Did you like that shit or what?

[Dwight Howard]

I liked it. Cause I got a chance to just get Away from everything. But at the time, my son's mom had just passed, and they wouldn't let him in the bubble, so, you know what I'm saying? It was real difficult to be without my son. And at first they told me he could come, so that's why I was like, shoot, then I'm gonna go to the bubble if my son can come. And when I got down there, they was like, nah, you gotta stay over here, and you gotta stay over here.

[Tom Yamas]

Damn.

[Dwight Howard]

And so it fucked with me for a couple weeks. Then I just had to lock in and just kind of block everything out and just hoop. But the bubble was cold. It was hard to play out there. Cause you ain't got nothing but. But time.

[Tom Yamas]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

So it was pure hoops at that time.

[Tom Yamas]

Felt like an AAU tournament, nigga out there. No fans and shit like that. That's how I think. That was different for all the players, though, out there, bro. You gotta be different mentally for that type shit.

[Host 2]

And people tried to discredit it, bro. It was a fucking pandemic, bro.

[Dwight Howard]

Yeah, that means the whole world is shut down. What are y' all talking about?

[Host 2]

It was pressure on everybody, bro. Go dap up with their family.

[Dwight Howard]

People had to go leave their whole family and everything to go down to play, you know, during this time, people get Covid. People get died. A George Floyd situation was just going on. It was so much happening, they had protests outside of the hotel we were staying at when we was there.

[Tom Yamas]

Damn.

[Dwight Howard]

So, yeah, it's.

[Tom Yamas]

That's a real championship.

[Host 2]

That's a real chip, for sure, man. Listen, man, shout the pod out, man. Let people know where they can find y' all.

[Dwight Howard]

Hey, y' all can come find us at above the Rim, the greatest podcast ever. We got my boy Moo Real Jersey's finest. Our other CO host, Snipe, not in the building is not here, but, yeah, y' all can check us out. Above the Rim podcast. Thanks shout out to 5:20 for having us on, man. Been watching y' all for a while, man. We got some Indiana. I got some friends and family from Indy, so, you know.

[Host 2]

Yeah, I appreciate you got some filming that for sure, man. One time for Bruce Mobile for making this happen. We appreciate y' all, man. We got some dope stuff on the way. Stay tuned. We'll be back next time. Club Five Twenty.

[Tom Yamas]

The volume.

[Host 2]

Okay. Have you heard about this? Last year, Degree changed the formula for their Cool Rush deodorant. The fans rebelled and wanted the old scent back. And Degree listened. And that doesn't happen often. They admitted they effed up and are bringing the original Cool Rust scent back. And it's exactly how you remember cool, crisp and fresh. There's a reason why it's the number one man's antiperspirant and it's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under $4. So try it and see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart, Target and try to OG cool rush for yourself.

[Lester Holt]

Here's why April chose to vaccinate her child.

[Dwight Howard]

I think actually meeting someone who was not vaccinated and now has a lifelong struggle with a childhood disease really cemented.

[Lester Holt]

For me that it's super important that we as parents continue to vaccinate our children. Talk to your pediatrician or visit yvaccines.com, brought to you by Merck when it's tip off time at my house, there are a few things that are must haves on my checklist. My fellow friends and fans. Check my favorite jersey. It is good luck. Check an iconic drink that's a fan favorite.

[Dwight Howard]

Check.

[Lester Holt]

Hypnotic can turn any cocktail into an iconic creation. With its game changing color and tropical flavor, Hypnotic should be in everyone's starting five. I consider Hypnotic the point guard of my game day roster because not only is it versatile, like having it on the rocks or as a base for cocktails, it also finishes smooth. So grab a bottle of Hypnotic and make your next basketball watch party iconic. Enjoy the vibrant taste with friends and turn every game into a memorable celebration. Hypnotic where every sip is a slam dunk. Hypnotic Liqueur Bardstown, Kentucky 17% alcohol by volume Hypnotic reminds you to think wisely, Drink wisely.

[Host 1]

Behind every successful business is a vision. Bringing it to life takes more than effort. It takes the right financial foundation and support.

[Dwight Howard]

That's where Chase for Business comes in. With convenient digital tools, helpful resources and.

[Host 1]

Personalized guidance, we can help your business forge ahead confidently.

[Dwight Howard]

Learn [e-mail] business chase for business make.

[Lester Holt]

More of what's yours the Chase Mobile.

[Host 1]

App is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply JPMorgan Chase Bank NA Member FDIC Copyright 2025jpg JPMorgan Chase & Co. This is an I Heart podcast.