Nightcap - Hour 1: Unc, Ocho & Joe debate who’s runs the NBA? & is LeBron done?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Club Shay Shay – Nightcap - Hour 1: Unc, Ocho & Joe Debate Who Runs the NBA & Is LeBron Done?

Release Date: May 31, 2025

In this engaging episode of Club Shay Shay, NFL legend Shannon Sharpe hosts a lively discussion with basketball analysts and insiders Rio (Ocho Cinco) and Gerald (Joe) about the current dynamics shaping the NBA. The conversation delves deep into the influence of superstar players, the evolving landscape of team strategies, and the impending retirement of one of basketball's most iconic figures, LeBron James.

---

1. The Dominance of Superstar Players in the NBA

Shannon Sharpe initiates the conversation by highlighting the impact of top-tier players on their respective teams. The primary focus centers on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant (KD), examining their contributions and potential future trajectories.

• Shannon Sharpe ([15:35]):
  "Giannis has more first team all NBA selections than Kevin Durant. Giannis has seven, KD has six. What more does Giannis need to do to pass KD all time?"

Rio challenges this perspective by emphasizing the differences in skill sets between the two stars:

• Rio ([15:49]):
  "I don't think it's possible. Just because I look at Katie's skill set and like, there's nobody going to be as skill set as KD ball handling. Better shoot the ball, better get to the spots he's going to get to."

The debate intensifies as they discuss who holds greater influence in the league:

• Shannon Sharpe ([21:34]):
  "Because let me ask you this. If I take KD out and put Giannis in there with Klay, Steph, and Draymond, do you still believe they win the NBA championships?"

• Rio ([22:19]):
  "Yeah. I still give it to him. Because then that way, you take Iggy, Donald doesn't have to guard Brown by himself. Now you got two or three bodies that can guard Brown, and that's going to be a little bit different."

This segment underscores the critical role that superstar talent plays in shaping team success and the overall direction of the league.

---

2. LeBron James: The End of an Era?

The conversation shifts towards the longevity and future of LeBron James, one of the NBA's most celebrated players. The panelists speculate on his retirement timeline and the legacy he will leave behind.

• Shannon Sharpe ([24:03]):
  "Giannis has five first team all defensive four first team KD has none. KD does have two finals MVPs, Giannis has one."

• Shannon Sharpe ([35:02]):
  "How long do you think LeBron wants to play? How long is he going to play?"

• Rio ([35:06]):
  "I'm always saying he was going to play till Bryce got in the league. So when Bryce goes to Arizona next."

As they delve deeper, Shannon Sharpe draws parallels between LeBron's career span and that of legendary athletes like Tom Brady:

• Shannon Sharpe ([25:15]):
  "23, that'll be 41, 24, that'll be 42, 25, that'll be 43. That's the same age Tom Brady was when he retired."

Rio and Jalen Rose (guest analyst) weigh in on LeBron's dedication to maintaining his physical condition, predicting a potential retirement around the age of 43:

• Jalen Rose ([35:37]):
  "But he's going to make sure he's ready to go. But again, when he's right, he's one of the best."

The discussion highlights LeBron's exceptional work ethic and his meticulous approach to career longevity, posing questions about how his eventual retirement will impact the NBA landscape.

---

3. The Evolution of NBA Team Strategies and Ownership

Beyond player dynamics, the panel also touches upon broader trends within the NBA, including team ownership and strategic decisions affecting team performance.

• Shannon Sharpe ([44:33]):
  "You know, from the perspective, you know, Jackson Hayes and they had another Alex Lynn."

• Jalen Rose ([45:32]):
  "When you look at Jackson Hayes and they had another Alex Lynn, right?"

The conversation delves into how modern NBA teams are transitioning away from family-run ownership towards investment by tech moguls and young billionaires, altering the traditional fabric of team management:

• Shannon Sharpe ([46:20]):
  "Now these, these tech people coming in there with 4, 5, 6 billion dollars and it's, it's, it's gone kind of, you know, the Waltons just, you know, brought the Broncos."

• Jalen Rose ([48:14]):
  "And so the parents are so, their mind is so, so, so frazzled that can't think appropriately. So they making decisions based off the economics of what they're hearing."

This segment underscores the shifting priorities in team ownership and management, highlighting the tension between financial investments and maintaining the sport's traditional values.

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4. Youth Development and Coaching in the NBA

The episode also explores the importance of youth development and the role of veteran players in mentoring the next generation of NBA stars.

• Gerald ([49:59]):
  "When you were playing, did you know, always knew you wanted to be a head coach? And what's that journey been like for you?"

Jalen Rose shares his journey into coaching, emphasizing his commitment to giving back to the community and guiding young athletes:

• Jalen Rose ([50:37]):
  "So when I was done, I wanted to just go and be with kids. Just Give back what was given to me."

The discussion highlights the challenges young players face, including managing newfound fame and financial opportunities, and the essential support systems needed to navigate their careers effectively.

---

5. Closing Remarks and Future Insights

As the episode concludes, Shannon Sharpe reflects on the evolving nature of the NBA, the impending changes in player dynamics, and the potential future of the league post-LeBron.

• Shannon Sharpe ([56:40]):
  "He ain't got to play for another four, five months. I want to see him look like this when he come back."

• Jalen Rose ([54:20]):
  "The average year, the average career is about three and a half years."

The panelists leave listeners with thought-provoking insights into the future of the NBA, the enduring legacy of its superstar players, and the critical transitions that lie ahead for both the league and its athletes.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon Sharpe ([15:35]):
  "Giannis has more first team all NBA selections than Kevin Durant. Giannis has seven, KD has six. What more does Giannis need to do to pass KD all time?"

• Rio ([15:49]):
  "I don't think it's possible. Just because I look at Katie's skill set and like, there's nobody going to be as skill set as KD ball handling. Better shoot the ball, better get to the spots he's going to get to."

• Shannon Sharpe ([35:02]):
  "How long do you think LeBron wants to play? How long is he going to play?"

• Jalen Rose ([50:37]):
  "Just Give back what was given to me. I was fortunate enough when I was a young boy, had Xavier McDaniels start a little team in Columbia, South Carolina. Gave back Alex English had some camps I used to go to."

This episode of Club Shay Shay offers a comprehensive look into the current state and future of the NBA, enriched by the expertise and passionate opinions of its hosts. Whether you're an avid basketball fan or someone interested in the strategic intricacies of professional sports, this discussion provides valuable perspectives on the league's evolving narrative.

Transcript

[Shannon Sharpe]

This is an iHeart podcast.

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[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay, who the two seed the one seed was what you got. The two seed was who? The Rockets. The Rockets go. You know, I. I can see the Rockets making a play for kd. I can see them making a play for Giannis.

[Rio]

Who do you rather go get, Yo, Giannis or KD with that team?

[Gerald]

I already told you where Giannis going. I don't know why we continue to bring this conversation.

[Rio]

Where Giannis going? Don't say Miami.

[Gerald]

You going to Miami.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's what Ocho say. He going to Miami.

[Gerald]

Hey, Rio, I done said.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You know what? Hold on. Ocho, before you go, Rio, can you explain to Ocho how everybody can't play for Pat? Everybody can't play in Miami.

[Rio]

Everybody can't play for Pat. But I. I can see Giannis coming to Miami, but I don't think he will. I think. I think he stays in Milwaukee.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, you don't think he move?

[Rio]

I think he stays.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But, you know, they're not going to be able to get no help for it.

[Rio]

They better get.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because they.

[Rio]

They gonna better get somebody. I don't know who they gonna. They gonna figure out something.

[Shannon Sharpe]

They got no Dr. Peaks. Hold on. And Dame hurt.

[Rio]

Dame definitely hurt.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You think I'm not gonna play till 26. Yeah.

[Rio]

Damn. I don't know who they gonna get.

[Gerald]

Maybe there's nobody that's gonna make a difference. It's still gonna be a first round exit.

[Rio]

Oh, yeah. That ain't gonna happen. He ain't gonna win. Nowhere he goes, that ain't gonna happen. If he can go to Miami, he not gonna win there.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What if he go to. What about Golden State?

[Rio]

Are you keeping Jimmy or you?

[Shannon Sharpe]

I think you're gonna have to get. There ain't no way you can keep him, Steph and Jimmy and Draymond. Cause Draymond's doing extension. Because Draymond was all deep, all first team, all defense.

[Rio]

That's excellent.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So he's due for a matt if you can't.

[Rio]

If you do that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But max is only 25. 30 million for him. It's not over the top.

[Rio]

Well, if you do that, you get rid of Jimmy. That takes away all your. All your offer. All. All. What Golden State is known for, from the Flash brothers to the shooting. There's no more shooting there. So now what are we scared of going State for? We just put everybody on Steph, and y' all gotta shoot twos while we still shooting 100 threes a game.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay? You put everybody on Steph. And Giannis putting his head down, he gonna get 30, 13 and 6 a night.

[Rio]

Yeah. We gonna come down, shoot 63s. Who gonna win?

[Shannon Sharpe]

I like Steph. I mean, look, I'm trying to. Could he go to Houston? I like Houston. I like it with Houston.

[Rio]

I like Houston, too. I definitely like Houston. I think that'd be his best bet, would be a Houston or I can say Miami. I'm not going to disagree. Thank you. Thank you.

[Gerald]

Thank you.

[Rio]

That'd be a hell of a team.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Let me ask you a question. Are you selling him Brickell? I mean, what? Are you trading Brickell? You trading South Beach? What the hell you trading for him? Because I don't want those pieces. That's not Bam, and that's not Tyler. Hero, you need to tell me what the hell you trading.

[Rio]

He don't want to do criminal superstar that can leave in free agency, either. All right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

How many more years Giannis got?

[Rio]

Two.

[Gerald]

Hey, what you say? They trading?

[Shannon Sharpe]

What the Griff, Zombie, something, Eden Rock, the spouse.

[Rio]

Some part of Miami. Got to go where it is.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because when you look at it real, the only two assets that somebody really want is Bam and Tyler.

[Rio]

Yeah. Hey, that was.

[Gerald]

That was funny. Okay, that was funny.

[Rio]

But you don't want to disagree on Superstar, either. I see Giannis being mad there.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, look, I got. First of all, I got this man, right? For the next two years, he has a player option, 27, 28. So I got him for two years. I'm not giving him away. You know, it. Sometimes Rio, I be my. I want to sell something, but I'm not. Look, I know the value of this car, man. I ain't. Man, you ain't even driving it. Don't worry about it. I'm driving right back in the garage. I backed it out, so your punk ass can see it. Now. If you're not gonna give me what I want for, I'm gonna drive it right back, and you get your ass out by y' all.

[Rio]

He gonna waste his time, and then he gonna be back because they go, he don't have no help. You already got rid of his brother. Dame hurt, Chris Middleton gone.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, he was hurt. So we. We wasn't gonna pay him. Now he healthy. We bring him back.

[Rio]

All right. Good luck with that. We'll see how long that lasts.

[Shannon Sharpe]

We go, we go. We gonna bring it back. We gonna bring it back. So, yeah, it's just for me. I'm looking at the places where he can go Rio that have the assets. Brooklyn has the assets. As far as draft picks, they don't have any young talent that I think Milwaukee would Want OKC got the draft picks and they got the talent, but I don't think Sam Preston is going to want to mess his. Mess his core with either one of them. Houston have the talent and the draft picks. The question is, and that's for Giannis or kd, because you got Shungun, who's an all NBA selection. He's an all star. I'm not letting Amin Thompson go. Jabari Femilk Jr. Okay. Draft picks. Okay.

[Rio]

Yeah. Who else? They got Brad Lample, Dylan Brady. They got Shingoon.

[Shannon Sharpe]

They got Smith.

[Rio]

They got Thompson.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm not gonna let Thompson. Oh, yeah. Yo, Jalen Green.

[Rio]

Thank you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes. Jalen Green. Yes, yes, yes, yes. For KD or Giannis? Yes. I would package Jalen Green.

[Rio]

I can see that happening because you still build around what you got. The nice old court.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You still got Giannis and you still got kd. I'm keeping. I got to keep Van Fleet for the simple fact I need a point guard.

[Rio]

I ain't gonna lie. If I'm kd, I'm going back to okc.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I don't think Sam, first of all, I don't know. I don't know the relationship. Yeah, that's the big story with Sam and kd. What you hear is that Sam was more favorable towards Russ than kd. I don't know if there's any truth to that, but, you know, you hear he left. I. And. And I can't. I'm not. I'm not messing up my core. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not real.

[Rio]

I think Russ ends up back there just because. Also free agency stuff. So I definitely see Russ being back at OKC for next year, especially you just signed that.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm talking about kd. You talking about. You talking about kd?

[Rio]

No, I. I know I'm talking about kd, but I'm saying I definitely see Russ going back. When you brought up Russ and Sam Presley, I definitely see him going back. But if I'm kd, I will look at the OKC situation. If I'm pressy, I don't think I would take it. But if I'm kd, I'm like, yeah, I'll just go in there and be spot up shooting. Let Shay do it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But if that's the case, go back to Golden State.

[Rio]

They don't have it, though. They don't have enough.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You don't think he.

[Rio]

He and Steph, who you going to get rid of? Jimmy?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, I would get rid of Jimmy for kd.

[Rio]

I'M running it back with Jimmy just because Jimmy brings a lot all around to the game and it makes it easier for Steph in that aspect. Kd, you have to create more shots for kd, which is boot, you don't need that many, but he don't need something. Who going to be the person to create a shot? Create a shot for him? Or you going to have KD going one on one at 35, 36 years old.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He good because y' all go because they still worried about Ste.

[Rio]

Yeah, but.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And Draymond. Hey, Draymond gonna be fine. They be good. I keep coming now. Now, but I. I don't know if you can keep comingo because somebody gonna walk.

[Rio]

Kaminga gone. Kaminga not messing with K no more. He. He so far gone. He. Kaminga might be down here on Southeast tomorrow.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He already. He already out.

[Rio]

He look back up his locker room. He out of there. He. He. It.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It was kind of like what we used to do Rio. We. Once we realized we weren't making the playoffs, man. Last last week or so. I'm living in hotel, packing it up little by little. Hey, it ain't no sense to be paying extra month of rent. Hey, n. We good. I live. I. I live. I live week to week in hotel.

[Rio]

I did that before.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You going to lock me into a.

[Rio]

Six extra six month, six, eight month deal? Nope, I'm cool.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So if you had. If you had to handicap, where do you think, Katie, where do you think KD ends up? Where do you. Where do you think Giannis ends up?

[Rio]

Kd? I think he goes to Houston. Giannis. I think Giannis stays on the East Coast. I think Giannis stays somewhere a Miami. Ah, there we go. Maybe in New York, maybe the Knicks. Brooklyn will be tough just because they. They would have to rebuild everything around him. They don't really have the team to.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Win now, but they got the draft picks. They just don't have to play.

[Rio]

He work.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I mean, he works out, he might as well stay in Milwaukee thinking about Brooklyn.

[Rio]

But I can see him going to the Knicks. He end up over there.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Wow. Hold on. What you gonna get? So you gonna let. What you gonna let go? You gonna let Cat go? You gonna let OG go? I mean, what you letting go for Giannis?

[Rio]

I'm letting OG go. Mikhail Bridges, Mitchell Robertson. Who else?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Anybody except you ain't got no draft. You ain't got no draft picks. Cause you gave up four draft picks to get Mikhail Bridges.

[Rio]

That's okay.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So you ain't got no draft capital that's okay. All you got is players.

[Rio]

That's okay. We'll give it them. Four players, we'll be all right. Three of them. Four players we get.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Giannis will be I damn, you just gutted your depth.

[Rio]

That's okay. We trying to win now with Giannis, Brunson and Cat. That's a hell of a big three. That's a big lineup behind Brunson. Now all you gotta do is find some shooters, some knockdown shooters. You go get a person like what is you gonna get A person like Cam Johnson, maybe find some way will find somebody that's a Duncan Robinson, maybe somebody that's out there that can just help spread the floor. That's all you need when you have those three guys, because your offense gonna go through them.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Well, considering that a Cat would like to be at the three point line and don't have to worry about it, so yeah, he'll be, because Giannis is gonna need that space. Y' all just gonna need that space.

[Rio]

To get down, put Giannis in the post and then let him work through. Work through the post station.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Are you afraid? Because you know what? The Bronson has a very high usage. Giannis has a usage. Are you concerned that the Giannis needs the ball, Brunson needs the ball? Both are most effective when they have the ball in their hands.

[Rio]

No, I feel like they can work that out. They can figure that out because it's just them, too. There's nobody else really handling the ball. Cat don't need to handle the ball. He just need to catch it in his sweet spot. So now when Brunson take his break, you got Giannis handling the ball. When Giannis is taking his break, you got Brunson handling the ball. Now, when it comes to the fourth quarter, first time, I got both of them. Giannis getting the rebound, pushing it. Brunson can go spot up, get the rebound, Yannis taking down. He's in the paint. Now you got three or four people helping Brussels pulling up for three. So it's ways to figure it out. It's just like when Bron and D. Wade play together. It's ways to figure out when you got two ball handlers and then just the two ball handlers.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Real make it sound so simple.

[Gerald]

It is simple.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I tried.

[Gerald]

Listen, I tried to explain.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It ain't simple, Ocho. It's not simple because it's all about buying in. You got two apps.

[Rio]

It's all about buying in.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Thank you.

[Rio]

You want to buy in. You want to win? That's how it.

[Gerald]

He just explained it to you.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He just.

[Gerald]

He gave you a few examples of people that have done it in the past.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You know, but you. But you. But you didn't hear what he said. He says it's all about buying in, and it's a lot easier said. Yeah, or I could do it. I can do it. I give you a prime example.

[Gerald]

We talk about Jalen Brunson, we got talking about Giannis. Two players that are going to Biden.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay? Everybody. I remember everybody saying, it don't matter what I do at Olympic team, long as we bring the gold medal. And now we've had two guys that come out and said they was upset about what they. Playing time. Right, the buying in. Now you just said buying in.

[Gerald]

It's completely different. This is how. Basically because it's only two players. It's only two people.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It was only two players. I mean, look who.

[Rio]

One of them had a reason. Look at the $5 had a reason just because of the season he had just came off of. So I understand his complaint, but at the same time, he wasn't better than nobody playing in front of him.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hey, he said I was better than Holiday and Derrick White that was playing in front.

[Rio]

But you don't bring what they brought to the game. We don't need you to score.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I would've.

[Rio]

We don't need you to score. We need you to go play defense.

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, I'll play defense. I'll play defense. I wouldn't.

[Rio]

We would have. We don't need you to do that. Go ahead. Go ahead.

[Shannon Sharpe]

See, you telling me what I won't do. I'm telling you. I'm trying to buy in. I'm gonna buy in. I'm buying.

[Rio]

Name a coach that told you what you wouldn't do. All of them. All of them.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hey, it is. But it's a lot easier said than done. We just seen a lot of guys on your. Ah, man, I just want to win. No, you want to win and get your 30. You want to win and get your eight for 150 and two touchdowns.

[Rio]

That's the way you want to go. Your way.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Giannis has now more first team all NBA selections than Kevin Durant. Giannis has seven, KD has six. What more does Giannis need to do to pass KD all time?

[Rio]

I don't think it's possible.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Really.

[Rio]

I don't think it's possible. Just because I look at Katie's skill set and like, there's nobody going to be as skill set as KD ball handling. Better shoot the ball, better get to the spots he's going to get to. I don't think there's going to be another Greek freak either. But Giannis's offensive game is not polished enough like KD's for him to be better than KD.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So you just looking at aesthetically, I'm.

[Rio]

Just looking at that. When I look at somebody and I say who's better than somebody? I look at, I put them in a one on one matchup and see who would dominate that one on one matchup to the game to five. And I think KD would get Giannis 5, 4, 5, 3. Maybe I just got him figured just offensively better.

[Jalen Rose]

Wow.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What happens if Giannis gets the ball first?

[Rio]

Same thing. I think KD still figured out how to win. I think Katie gets to stop before.

[Jalen Rose]

How?

[Rio]

One on one because Giannis is all downhill now. We playing three or four.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Exactly. So how can you stop it playing.

[Rio]

Three or four dribbles downhill? Oh, you know what I'm saying? We play now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You gotta tell me the rules. You gotta tell me the rules.

[Rio]

Yeah. NBA players play. We play one on one. Three or four dribbles max. So in that type of setting, I'm not taking Giannis over kd. I'm not taking too many people over KD in that type of setting.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Ocho Cinco]

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[Shannon Sharpe]

Giannis has five first team all defensive four first team KD has none. KD has does have two finals MVP Giannis has one. It's huh. No. Giannis has two regular season MVPs. KD has one. That's gonna be very. That's gonna be very interesting. That's gonna be interesting when their careers.

[Rio]

Yeah he gonna have a hell of a career like that's that's the thing but it's still. You're not better than KD.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I think. I think. You know what I think a lot of that has to do with aesthetically because we like guys that can handle the ball shoot flashy I mean there's nothing like really Yannis game is really like old school 1970 you know just trying to get down he opposed I mean he still I mean he don't three point he doesn't shoot that well. He ain't really got no mid range. His post is not great. He's basically getting downhill laying the ball Up. You fouling or he's spinning, dunk the ball. That's Yanis. It's still hard to stop because he's averaging 30, shooting 60% from the damn floor, so it's still hard to stop.

[Rio]

Yeah, he's still a free.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It's just not as.

[Rio]

He's still a freak athlete.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It's just not as pleasing to the eye, is what we watch KD do.

[Gerald]

Yeah. You comparing two different players and two different skill sets all together, and at that point, regardless of accolades and what they've accomplished on their resume, it depends on. It's all on preference at that point.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, okay, I see that. I see that. It's. It's. But whose impact? Who's impacted the game more?

[Gerald]

Oh, that's damn near the same almost, huh?

[Rio]

Yeah, that's a tough one right there.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Because let me ask you this. If I take. If I take KD out and put Giannis in there with Klay, Steph and Draymond, do you still believe they win the NBA championships?

[Rio]

Yeah. Yeah, I still give. I don't think about the scoring aspect, but, yeah, I still give it to him. Because then that way, you take Iggy, Donald doesn't have to guard Brown by himself. Now you got two or three bodies that can guard Brown, and that's going to be a little bit different. So, yeah, I still give it to Golden.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Now, if I take KD and I put him on Milwaukee, the year they won. The year they won, they beat Phoenix, you think they still win the championship with KD and Giannis out?

[Rio]

I mean, they barely got past Brooklyn, so. Oh, yeah, I think so. I definitely think so. Kd, if he didn't step on that line, Milwaukee don't win that championship.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's. That's gonna be. When it's all said done, that's gonna be a very interesting conversation. That's gonna be a very, very interesting conversation to have. Because they are so diametrically different. Nothing about one's game reminds you of the other one is. As you said, Rio is one of the most skilled players, one of the five most skilled players that we've probably ever seen with this size, being 7 foot tall, being able to handle the ball, he could shoot the three. He can got. He got the midi. He got the. He can fit. Get to the rim. He can fit free throws. He's a 88, 89% free throw, so he's. He's as good as skilled. Because guys that side, they normally play center, they play back to the basket. We ain't See, no guys shoot. And Dirk can shoot the ball. Dirk was not putting it on the ball. Going between his leg, going between behind his back, doing what KD's doing. He just wasn't doing it.

[Rio]

Not even close.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I mean, Dirk had that. Dirk patted that, that one leg, step back. He shooting it. It's going to draw rain. But as skill, you. I don't know if you're ever going to see a guy at his size as skilled as kd, his ability, because just for his ability to shoot the right.

[Rio]

I agree with you on that one. All right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Shams is predicting that LeBron, LeBron's next season, the NBA, will be his last, which will be a poetic end to number 23, year 23. For number 23, they have the All Star Weekend in Los Angeles. So to me, it's a very storybook, if that's the way it goes, but that's a decision he's got to make. Rio, you just watched the man in year 22 make second team all the NBA. If you'd have, if you'd have made first team. I don't think anybody's mad if you put him in over Donovan Mitchell. Donovan got in, bless him. He averaged 24, 8 and 8. He doesn't really have to do the heavy lifting anymore because of Luka. So he's. He and AR is still there. So now you put him in the dunker spot, you let him play off the ball, he's still going to be in the 20 points. How long do you think LeBron wants to play? How long is he going to play?

[Rio]

I'm always saying he was going to play till Bryce got in the league. So when Bryce goes to Arizona next.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Year, that'll be year 23. So in order for him to play with Bryce, he's got to be 24.

[Rio]

24. So I give him 24. 25.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. And if you get 24, you got him out, he might go up 5. It's like, I ain't worried about nobody getting 25 years.

[Rio]

And if you get the 25, you might as well get 30. Everybody can hold up, so you might as well keep it at 20.

[Shannon Sharpe]

23, that'll be 41, 24, that'll be 42, 25, that'll be 43. That's the same age Tom Brady was when he retired. 20.

[Rio]

You know, about 25 years of doing profession. That's, that's, that's legit.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's a long man. You a doctor, lawyer, you get that many times. Or, or you in the Damn.

[Rio]

Military. Exactly. So you know what?

[Jalen Rose]

It's.

[Gerald]

It's not only to. Not only to play that long, but.

[Rio]

To be dominant that long, too, to.

[Gerald]

Play at that level, be consistent and be one of the best.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Could average 24 points a game. In year 22. There are some guys that didn't average 24 points for a career. There are some guys that didn't. Didn't. I mean, never had a season in which they average 24. This guy's in year 22 doing that, right? When you look. When you, when you look at it, look. Been around the game. Your dad coached a game, so you've been around basketball all your life. What do you think is the most impressive thing that you like what LeBron is doing? Is it the year 22? Is it the ability to go out there and still Give you average 24? To go out there and give you a game where he can give you 30 average, you know, for a week, give you 30 straight, go get you 40? What do you think is the most impressive thing at this juncture? We look all the. 21 time, first team, all NBA, 21 times all star, so we get all that. But I'm talking about what you're witnessing now. What do you think the most impressive thing that you've seen him, and you was with him for four years. You watched him every single day, come in, get shots up, run cold tub, massage thing. You saw it all real. What do you think the most impressive thing that LeBron is doing currently?

[Rio]

I always said that the way he took care of his body, the way he paid attention to his treatment and stay on schedule with that, that attests to his longevity and never really being hurt or having a major injury. So just the way his body is holding up, like his skill set is going to be his skill set. He puts the work in. You see him putting the work in after games or after practices, he's always the last one shooting or someone getting up shots and working on different moves. So the way what he puts into the game is what he gets out, and also what he puts into his body is what he's getting out of his body. So to me, it's just the longevity of being that consistent of no injuries, no major injuries, bouncing back, and still being healthy enough to. To do what you do and do every day.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You was with it. LeBron got there, so you was there, you was with him 11, 12, 13, 14. Did you have. When you was there with him, did you have any idea that LeBron James would still be playing 12 years later.

[Rio]

No, I did. Just because, like, I tell people this all the time. Bron would really get treatment if he was in the club. Like, he would literally have something on his knees or something on his back inside the club. So it's like, once somebody's doing that, that's real dedication to just be in the club with treatment, ice therapy or whatever he was saying.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Hold on, Real. This man got ice bags.

[Rio]

Not ice bags. They got ice bags on his stem. Like the stem machine, where it's like shooting electrolyte or electricity in your knees and stuff like that. Just hamstrings, like, lower back. Like, he always got something that's recovering, making his body recover. So that's the thing is, like, once you see that, like, that's a different type of dedication. Like, I'm not. I have to take my hat off to that one.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Wow. Wow. All right, Real. We're going to get you out on this one. The big three season eight tips off June 14th live on CBS, Vice TV and iHeartRadio. Your team, Miami's 305 will face off against Nick Young and Dwight Howard's La Riot for the first game of the season. Tickets are available now@the big3.com tickets. That's big3.com ticket.

[Rio]

Who.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Who's on your. Hold on. You and Beasley. You and be Beasley.

[Rio]

Beasley and Lance Stevenson, Reggie Evans and Sean Williams.

[Gerald]

Hey, but y' all don't need no extra body, no extra legs or nothing.

[Rio]

We can always use some extra bodies. But, you know, I think we got it pretty much taken care of this year. You know, we hungry. We got something to prove.

[Jalen Rose]

So I don't know.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Joe say. Joe say. The Detroit team, Joe and Pargo, they say, hey, man, you know, I saw Joe. That's He. He tailor made for the big three.

[Rio]

Yeah, but he got to deal with the mvp, and that's what we got on our team.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So who beat easy?

[Rio]

So that's what I'm saying. Hey, Mario.

[Gerald]

Hey, y' all. Y' all down. Y' all in the crib? Y' all down here at the crib game?

[Rio]

Yeah, we got it right now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I'm coming.

[Rio]

We'll be at, um. Sometimes we was up there today. It just depends what time the trainer get there. But we usually be at, um.

[Gerald]

Oh, I'm coming tomorrow, but I'm coming that down. I'm having a Chuck something.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Y' all don't. Y' all don't. Y' all. Y' all don't. Y' all don't Y' all don't need nobody. Hey, Rio, man, thanks for joining us, man. We really, really appreciate you taking time out your schedule. We know you're busy, got a lot going on. But to take time out to help us break down this game and talk about all things NBA, we greatly appreciate it. When you're not too bus to stop. Back by again, man.

[Rio]

Appreciate it. Let me know.

[Shannon Sharpe]

After the Lakers got bounced, JJ Redick emphasized that the team needed to be in championship sh. Shape. While he didn't mention names, many took the comments as a clear message to Luca, where weeks later, Luca made a significant public appearance. Luca made his first significant public appearance by attending Real Madrid's basketball game and posted these on ignorant.

[Gerald]

You think that's AI.

[Rio]

AI?

[Jalen Rose]

That's what I was about to ask.

[Shannon Sharpe]

There's no way. Hell, if he lost that rig that.

[Jalen Rose]

Fast, why the hell he ain't doing.

[Shannon Sharpe]

It during the season?

[Rio]

Hey.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And that's what I. Hey, I don't care what he look like right now. I'm talking about when he come back to play. I want to look like this when he come back to play. Hey, hold on.

[Rio]

Hey.

[Gerald]

Hey, Uncle J.L. you think he took that Olympic.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Olympic, huh? Nah, nah, he ain't. Oh, no, you can't. I don't think you can take that as the NBA player.

[Gerald]

I have a question. Okay. You can't take that as an NBA player, right? How many weeks they've been out? They've been out of season? What, 3?

[Shannon Sharpe]

2. If that month ain't been that damn.

[Jalen Rose]

Long for him to look like.

[Gerald]

It ain't been that long for you to lose all that weight like that. He probably took that Olympic stuff. I'm telling you, man.

[Jalen Rose]

You know what's crazy? Like, I've watched him, like, when you watch him play with his national team, he always looks thinner.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He does.

[Jalen Rose]

Then he comes back to the United States and it's like he's eating yeast rolls and pasta.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But American food, I mean, you look at Europeans, they're not as big as Americans. It's up about the food.

[Jalen Rose]

Hell, eating a lot.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I mean, if you go. If you go to Europe, you're not gonna see as many. And you know, people that's. That's a little heavier. You don't see a whole bunch of them.

[Jalen Rose]

Yeah, so he's doing something, man. I don't know if it's.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Now, J.L. you know this. Their bodies are going to be. Their bodies. They're not going to be sculpted. They're not going to have abs. They're not going to have caps on their shoulders. They're not going to have that much. They all look alike. I've never seen a European player with muscles. You look at Jokic, you look at Luka, you look at Manu, you look at Zubox, you look at any international player. Tell me the one. Sabonis. Tell me the one you say, okay, calves on his shoulder, Ripped up calves. They just. That's how they look.

[Jalen Rose]

There's only one. That's Giannis, that I think is.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, Janice got that Nigerian base. There's a difference. You know, my base is based in Nigeria, so he coming from the foundation. That stock, right, is a little different than what the Europeans, what Luca and Jokic and Manu and all those guys came out of. But he looks good. But like I said, I don't worry about a guy right now. He ain't got to play for another four, five months. I want to see him look like this when he come back.

[Jalen Rose]

Well, it's strange that he would say that now if it wasn't a lot of truth to everything we heard coming out of Dallas. Yeah. And you know, when you look at him, you got kinesio tape everywhere.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jalen Rose]

Like, he.

[Rio]

He.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He's not at 25. And I mean, not at 20. You should have kinesio tape. You shouldn't be, hey. Put together like, hey, like my grandma, coffee table. When we growing up, you should look like that. You know what I'm saying? We had that black electrical tape holding up everything. No, but I'm saying he had Kinesio tape at 23, 24. He's 26 now. I'm like, bro, why you need all that to hold you together?

[Jalen Rose]

But you remember now he missed 91, 92 games the last two seasons.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, you're right.

[Jalen Rose]

He's missed a lot of games at an early age. And clearly it's something behind. When you let a talent like that leave at 25 years old, it's a hell of a lot of things got to be happening behind the scenes, you know, to say, you know what? We're not even going after draft picks, you know, we're not. We just want to go get, you know, get. Get one player. That basically.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So one for one, one for one.

[Jalen Rose]

And we. And we ain't gonna have no more conversations.

[Shannon Sharpe]

So that.

[Jalen Rose]

That said a lot. But you can see where Dallas trying to go with it. It's a risk. He got him number one pick this year. We'll see how that turns out, you know, with the rest of the bigs I do believe that they're gonna have to probably move some other, Some, some pieces to bring on another piece. So you're not gonna have K. Hell, he probably won't have Kyrie the first half of the season next year.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Exactly. I, I don't think Kyrie coming back till in January.

[Jalen Rose]

Well, you know, he do a lot of. He do a lot of meditating and a lot of, you know.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, I mean, it's easy on him. He got a torn acl and it's not like it's a big man that he's got to get up and down. Kyrie is thin framed. I mean, theoretically he could. I mean, it could be seven months because when he tear that, he, he tore his knee in. What? Yeah. So April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Yeah, I see him probably coming back late December by the early, early January jail.

[Jalen Rose]

Yeah, he hadn't been. But when you think about it, he hadn't been a player that will rush back anyway.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Nope.

[Jalen Rose]

Right. In his career. So he's going to make sure he's ready to go. But again, when he's right, he's one of the best.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, he's spectacular. What do you think the Lakers need to do? What is there big. Is there somebody you think the Lakers can get or should get in order to give them a great opportunity to compete for a title? Because at this point in time, I mean, that's all LeBron is really playing for.

[Jalen Rose]

Here's, here's my question is, can the Lakers be the Lakers with LeBron having the ball in his hand at a lesser level? Right. Can, you know, and even with Jokic, I mean, I mean with Luka, you know, can you have a third person that can take some of the pressure off of those two? Right. Because the thing, the problem is when those two have the ball in the head the majority of the time, and obviously LeBron is a different monster. You know, he can make things happen, get downhill, but the ball does stop. And so can you have somebody else that make life easier for those two? Right. Because LeBron is 40 plus years old.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Jalen Rose]

He's not going to be able to have to. He's not going to be able to carry the load like he's typically carried, even though he can still go for 30 or. But you're gonna need. You're gonna need a third person that can really make things easier. And I'm not sure how they do it with the cap issues that they have, but we'll see. But I don't think they have enough right now. I think they're gonna be seventh, eighth, ninth playing, you know, type of deal if they don't make a move.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Oh, they gotta make a move. I think the thing is, first of all, this is what we know. LeBron is better without the ball than Luka. Luka cannot play off the ball. LeBron can play off the ball. Cause you're not putting Luka in the dunker spot. You're not, you're not going to do. There are certain things you're not going to do. And prior to this playoffs, Austin Reeves was that guy that gave him a break because we saw Austin reeves go get 40 against Indiana and without Luka and LeBron. So I don't know what happened. The reports are that he had an injury, he got nicked at some point in time late in the season, or maybe got nicked in that playoff series. And he wasn't as impactful as he needed to be. I thought they had an opportunity in game three. What was that? Was that game three? Yeah, game three, that. But he ended up playing LeBron in 46 minutes and he just wore him out. You got to get. Bro, you playing. First of all, LeBron had already played like 41 minutes in game two. And then you turn around and burning 46 in game three. You got. Look, I don't care what 40 year old. He cannot. Yeah, there ain't been a 40 year old created that could play for in a playoff game after coming out for 41 minutes.

[Jalen Rose]

But that's what.

[Shannon Sharpe]

That's.

[Jalen Rose]

So Phoenix had that idea of that third person being Bradley Beal. Obviously Bradley Beal hadn't been healthy, but I'm talking about an impact player, you know, coming in and supposedly having that, that level of impact on the team where those guys, you know, hell, maybe Brian be able to take a couple more nights off. Right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Jalen Rose]

That impactful. I just think, you know, right now it's only downhill now because Brian is putting up so many significant numbers from a perspective of just scoring, having to score, assist, rebound, set the table to turn the bus on, you know, feed the kids.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, he's still 2488. But the problem is they need a big. Yeah, because you can't start Rudy at the 5 and LeBron at the 4 or Bron at the 5 and Rui at the 4. Because you see Rudy Gobert look like Shaq 20, 27 and 24, you can't. They, they're, they're just too small. Jackson Hayes, you can only. I mean, for whatever reason, JJ's like hell. The hell with it Jackson. We're not going to even play you in game five and he only played marginal minutes in game four. So with that being said, I thought demarc Williams. I don't know why they they they nullified the trade but I thought he would have been a big addition for them jail because they need a big Luka Lee's a lot of threat if you go back and study Luca. Look at Luca. He's his best when he has a law threat.

[Ocho Cinco]

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[Jalen Rose]

Oh that's me.

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[T-Mobile Ad]

T Mobile stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are On America's largest 5G network Switch now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid card. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com KeepAndSwitch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Last 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required card is no cash access and expires in six months.

[Jalen Rose]

But I'm gonna tell you right now, man, like, I don't know, I don't know why the NBA is getting away from the veteran stuff. Yeah, you got a guy like I use Dwight Howard. He always seemed to be in shape, you know, looking for a guy to get rebounds, block shots and defend them.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And he did a better job against Rudy Gobert than Jackson, Hayes or anybody.

[Jalen Rose]

Else did, 100% right.

[Gerald]

I just think he's a bigger body too.

[Jalen Rose]

Bigger body, right. And he's, and, and he's a savvy veteran. He's been one of, one of the best defenders, you know, all the time when it comes down to protecting that rim and rebound the basketball. But you know, again, most teams don't seem to want to go get better in players. And I'm not sure, you know, the NBA needs to, needs to put in a rule right now because if you want the product, when you talk about the issues with people watching the NBA and, and, you know, and, and the, you know, ratings going down, it's because you got the young leading the young, right? So you don't have, you know, you, you don't even have to have, you can take a role of a player, coach role, right. And take that off, off the cap. You know, the NBA can do anything, right? You can get the union, they can make it work, put people in place that helps develop, you know, and you got, you look at Jackson Hayes and they had another, they signed another Alex Lynn. Alex Lynn, right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

If you bring, yes, he, he should be, he should be the tallest high school or college coach next year. But, but that's what I'm saying, that's what I'm saying.

[Jalen Rose]

If you have, let's just call it Dwight Howard, let's use him for example, right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yes. You have somebody in there mentoring this.

[Jalen Rose]

These, these young boys and, and, and getting them, and having them understand the Importance of everything they do or support, then you're in a better situation.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Jalen Rose]

You're not saying you got to go pay them $5 million.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You.

[Jalen Rose]

But just, you know, just don't, don't, don't put a better on, keep him off the team because you have to pay him a little bit more because he's a veteran.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Just created Javale McGee. Javale McGee was available.

[Jalen Rose]

That's what I'm saying, bro. Why not?

[Gerald]

I mean, so is the NBA doing similar to what the NFL is doing also? Yeah, they really going young. They really going young and doing away with all the veterans outside of quarterback, a specific quarterback that is still getting opportunity to play regardless of age.

[Shannon Sharpe]

But. Right.

[Gerald]

It's like the NFL. The NFL.

[Jalen Rose]

NBA.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. Because you know, the minimum Ocho with a certain number of years is a million dollars. When I get a guy right out of college or first year guy and pay him 300, 400,000.

[Rio]

Right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Same 600. What's, but what's 600,000 when you bring, when you get, when you making 300 million. Right. I don't get that.

[Jalen Rose]

Well, I guess the question of basketball, I mean is, you know, do you really want to win? I mean, it doesn't matter. I mean, you know, most of, most of the, you know, basketball is not like football where you have historical, you know, families that's involved with these teams. Right. Basketball's not that. Right.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Basketball.

[Jalen Rose]

Matter of fact, the majority of the NBA now is new ownership. Right? And so from a perspective, you know, what is it that, what is the real purpose, right? Is it, you know, invest into, you know, invest into a team, let the value grow, then sometime down the road.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Sell it, get a profit, right? Yeah, because that's the difference. Because if you look at the NFL, a lot of these owners now, some of these owners now have other things, but for the longest time, Jo and Ocho, these were family run business. These was mom and pop shops. That's all they had. Now you look at guys, teams, people that buy teams now that's not their number one business. That team is not their number one business. Yeah, the Aldersons that just bought the Dallas Mavericks, they're gambling. That's their number one business. You look at a guy that bought the Sacramento Kings, you look at Steve Ballmer who bought the Clippers, that was not his number one business. Now that's what he does now. But he's worth a hundred billion, so he spent two. So that's not what it is. Not like the NFL. It's not like the Hunts now the Hunts have other things, but it's a family. But for the most part, NBA is a lot now they're not family. These young, these tech guys, these guys that made money, invested in Silicon Valley and things like that, they're the one that's buying the team. They're not like, I don't know, I'm trying to think who's the oldest. So you're not gonna find somebody like, like the, like the McClasky's that own the Bears. Her dad, Virginia McCassey, she just passed away. Her dad, George Hallis, founded the Bears, passed it down. You ain't gonna find that in NBA. You're not gonna find the Rooneys like the Steelers own since 1933. You're not gonna find that like the Marrows.

[Jalen Rose]

When did Dolan buy the Knicks? Was the Knicks down to him?

[Shannon Sharpe]

No, he had, I think. No, he, I think he had his dad.

[Jalen Rose]

His dad, yeah, that's something.

[Shannon Sharpe]

He may be the only one, but he might. Yeah, he might be.

[Rio]

No.

[Shannon Sharpe]

What'd you call him? Jeannie Buss? I think he bought the team in 79, so he might be the longest standing. That was the dad, right? Yeah, he passed it down. Yeah.

[Gerald]

Around the Browns too, huh?

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, but we know Jimmy had. Yeah, no Bengals. Mike Brown, it got passed down to his dad. You might ear say he took over for his dad. So they just passed, pass it down. Now these, these tech people coming in there with 4, 5, 6 billion dollars and it's, it's, it's gone kind of, you know, the Waltons just, you know, brought the Broncos. I mean, he's worth a hundred billion. What's, what's a hundred, what's, what's 4 billion to him? We just saw Josh Harris, he just bought, he just purchased the Commanders last year over six, what, six and a half billion. He also owned the 76ers, so it's not, it's, it's different. It's, it's a different time now. But I agree with you, Jo. I think they should have a, the vets on the team to help these young guys understand and navigate their way through. I think they're doing a better job. The PA of both PAs of having guys understand money like bro, you're not a doctor, you're not a lawyer, you're not going to have a 20 year career.

[Jalen Rose]

Right?

[Shannon Sharpe]

The average year, the average career is about three and a half years. Three and a half. So even when you factor in Tom Brady that played 23 and you factor in Peyton Manning, that played 18, 19 and Drew Rees and Rogers and all these guys. A lot of guys just playing one year. A lot of guys not even playing at all. So it comes whittle it down to three and a half years. Yeah, bro. You're going to be 25, and that's the job that you're probably going to have for the next 20 years. It's not going to be in the NBA, the MLB or, you know, whatever the case may be, whatever the profession you starting in, there's a good chance by the time you're 25, you're going to have another job and it's not going to be a professional athlete.

[Jalen Rose]

Yeah, I think too, man. You know, football is obviously significantly different than basketball.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right.

[Jalen Rose]

You guys draft for exact need. Yes. And every pick is a valued pick, Right. I think sometimes right now in basketball, you know, they're drafting, you know, best available, even though you might have. You might draft a point guard and you got three already on the roster.

[Rio]

Right.

[Jalen Rose]

And so, you know, I think that's the difference in basketball where, you know, when you talk about those two or three years or four years, it's a changing of the guard happening in the NBA because you don't get a lot of time. And if they send your ass down to the G League and you're a lottery pick, that already telling you where you at and what they think.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Rio]

Dang.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yep. Gerald, we're going to get you out of here on this. You're the head coach at Dynamic Prep High School in Irving, Texas. Max Prep announced that Dynamic Prep finished number one in the final top 10 high school basketball ranking. Jo, when you were playing, did you know, always knew you wanted to be a head coach? And what's that journey been like for you?

[Jalen Rose]

Listen, bro, I had no idea that I was a head coach, to be honest. But it's been, man, honestly, it's been one of those things where, to be completely honest with you, man, like, I, you know, I was kind of dealing with some stuff. I was dealing my own personal issues when it came to, you know, I had a little abandonment issue, you know, growing up. You know, I met my dad when I was 30 years old. He died 13 months later. I was 13 years into the NBA when that happened. So I've always struggled a little bit with this thing. And. And then obviously after the deal happened in Detroit, I started, you know, I didn't love playing as much anymore.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Jalen Rose]

Because of every day. And so when I was done, I wanted to just go and be with kids.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay.

[Jalen Rose]

Just Give back what was given to me. I was fortunate enough when I was a young boy, had Xavier McDaniels start a little team in Columbia, South Carolina. Gave back Alex English had some camps I used to go to. So I just wanted to give, you know, give back to kids, man. And I just really put my head down and just started investing into the community that way. And we've had an amazing run with Drive Nation, the club. We've had a bunch of lottery picks and first round picks and even second round picks over the last eight years. And I feel like I needed to start at a school which is more of an impact because you get them five days a week versus two or three days a week when it comes to club. So I'm energized about it. Honestly, I don't know how long I'm a coach, I'm a coach next year. But I do believe that you have to give back. If you have knowledge and ability to give back to your community, man, you got to give. You got to give. You take those tools to give back to these young kids, not only these kids, but most importantly these parents that don't quite understand what it is when it comes down to the business of being a pro and the pro shit that you got to do every day to become a pro and not skip steps. And so that's the reason why I do what I do and that's why.

[Shannon Sharpe]

I started Dynamic Prep was you just gotta be honest with him. Your son not gonna be Lebron James, he not gonna be Steph, he's not gonna be Michael Jordan. Because you know, every, everybody, every, every parent think their kid is that kid. But you know what?

[Jalen Rose]

I'm gonna tell you, I'm gonna tell.

[Shannon Sharpe]

You the truth, okay?

[Jalen Rose]

For the first time ever, I hear more parents talk about nil than they talk about the pros. Yeah, really crazy, man.

[Rio]

They worry about that money.

[Jalen Rose]

Well, you got parents that are looking to retire off their kids going to college.

[Shannon Sharpe]

And so when you look at the.

[Jalen Rose]

Product, right, the product now, and, and you know, when you talk about the pros, the deterioration of it is happening at, at the youth level, right? And so now you got everybody in place running to go grab kids. And I got this, I can get you a deal. And so the parents are so, their mind is so, so, so so frazzled that can't think appropriately. So they making decisions based off the economics of what they're hearing. Not knowing that, that, that, that true, that true money. Percent is really 2%. Anyway, getting the money. Everybody ain't getting ain't getting.

[Shannon Sharpe]

All right, right. Yes.

[Jalen Rose]

And so that's the thing where we try to bring some, some real positive information and tools and attach your day to day with what you say you trying to get to. Right. And so for us, our job is to continue to invest into the community to show people, hey, look man, this is about the work. If you do think about Ocho, oh, when you guys coming through, you wasn't worried about you was going to be chosen. Right. Because you was good.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah, I was already chosen, but that's what I'm saying.

[Jalen Rose]

So we worrying about the reps and the work that we got to put in. I ain't absolutely making no all star game or getting picked for this or getting picked for that that was coming no matter what. I just got to figure out can my schedule handle it.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Right. Right.

[Jalen Rose]

But right now people are willing to stop working to try to try to talk about or try to get something they ain't investing. No, no, no, no sweat equity into from the start. And so that's what's problematic about everything. And that's why you see in the transition happen so hard or is becoming so hard. And that's why college now coaches are saying we only trust 25 year olds.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah.

[Jalen Rose]

You don't trust high school kids no more. 25 year olds they actually control by now.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Yeah. And they've been and started asking that. I mean, you know, people was asking, I remember hearing the question whether Blake Griffin was so good, why did he go back for a sophomore season? What? I mean, you know, if, if a guy's good, it's like a basketball. If a guy don't come out after his freshman year, well, man, he must not be that good. I mean, you're not going, you're never, you're never going to see another Tim Duncan. You're not going to see a four year superstar like that. You're not, you're just not. It's not going to happen.

[Jalen Rose]

The volume.

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[Shannon Sharpe]

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[Shannon Sharpe]

Okay? Have you heard about this? Last year ° changed the formula for their Cool Rush deodorant. Their fans rebelled and wanted the old Simbash. That and Degree. Listen, that doesn't happen often.

[Jalen Rose]

They admitted that they effed up and.

[Shannon Sharpe]

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[Jalen Rose]

There's a reason it's the number one.

[Shannon Sharpe]

Men'S antiperspirant and is back in Walmart.

[Jalen Rose]

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[Shannon Sharpe]

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[Shannon Sharpe]

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[Rio]

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[Jalen Rose]

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