Can Matas Buzelis become one of the stars of Chicago with Caleb Williams, Connor Bedard, and PCA?

Summary

Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host(s): Dan Bernstein, Jason Bernstein
Episode: Can Matas Buzelis become one of the stars of Chicago with Caleb Williams, Connor Bedard, and PCA?
Date: January 21, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the emergence of Matas Buzelis and whether he can join Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks), and Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA, Chicago Cubs) as one of Chicago’s next generation of sports superstars. Dan and Jason discuss the Bulls’ recent games, Chicago’s evolving sports scene, the unique cultural impact athletes have on the city, and Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement. The tone is playful, sharp, and rich with Chicago sports history and present-day inside jokes.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bulls Recent Games and Player Highlights

• The Bulls have won three of four, with discussion about standout plays and players.
  • Trey Jones’ pass: Lauded as possibly the "pass of the year" ([01:32]).
  • Comparison with a Josh Giddey highlight from earlier in the season ([02:25]).
  • Discussion about other Bulls' performances—Vucevic’s resurgence, Jalen Smith’s impact cutting into Patrick’s minutes ([16:31], [17:41]).
  • Chat about unexpectedly strong games by NBA journeymen, e.g., Bryce Sensabaugh’s eruption for 24 points in nine minutes ([06:17]).
  • Humorous mentions of personal grudge against Malachi Flynn despite his random 50-point game ([06:33]).

2. The New Generation of Chicago Stars

• Discussion of a “core group” forming across Chicago sports, highlighted by Caleb Williams, PCA, Bedard, and Buzelis.
  • Williams and PCA seen at both Blackhawks and Bulls games, with their budding friendship a point of city excitement ([08:35]).
  • Buzelis positioned as potentially the next home-grown Chicago star, given special attention for being a local product ([09:00]).
  • Speakers riff on the “extravagant” and “swaggy” personalities involved, suggesting this group can reenergize Chicago sports fandom ([11:40]).

3. Athlete Culture and City Identity

• Extended reflection on how Chicago athletes, especially those from the city, connect differently with fans.
  • Derrick Rose’s legacy discussed as an example of how local ties can elevate an athlete’s place in the city’s culture ([23:01], [24:44]).
  • The intersection of race, geography (South Side vs. North Side), and generational divides in Chicago sports fandom is unpacked ([25:13]-[26:48]).
  • Quip about “two Chicagos”—not just black and white, but old/young, or North/South side divide ([26:00]).
  • Anecdotes about seeing PCA "out in the wild" and what bars/visibility mean for young celebrity athletes ([12:57], [13:39]).

4. Bulls Trade Rumors and Roster Talk

• Bulls connected to Pelicans in potential trade rumors for Eve Mece and (jokingly) Zion Williamson ([14:50]).
  • Jokes about Zion’s potential Chicago weight gain (“If Zion goes to Chicago, he’ll be 500 pounds if he just sees a deep dish pizza or an Italian beef.” – Dan Bernstein [15:04]).
  • Lighthearted brainstorming of what a “Zion” pizza might be if he joined the Bulls ([15:29]).

5. Derrick Rose’s Jersey Retirement

• Deep-dive into how Rose’s jersey retirement is viewed across demographics; older vs. younger fans, North vs. South Side ([23:01]).
  • Dan, speaking for the younger generation, notes “if I were to see a Bulls player right now wear number one, it wouldn’t look right. I could not imagine another Bulls player wearing the number one…that’s Derrick Rose’s number.” ([24:02])
  • Jason reflects: “I never really understood the depth...of the connection to the city.” ([24:32])
  • The Rose ceremony presented as a symbol of passing the torch to a new generation of stars ([24:44]).

6. Basketball Trivia Showdown

• The episode transitions to a fun, competitive trivia segment about Derrick Rose’s statistical career comps ([36:32]-[47:38]).
  • Notably hard question about which NBA player is Rose’s closest statistical comp—answer: Josh Hart ([44:49]).
  • Brief discussion about Derrick Rose likely being the only NBA MVP not to enter the Hall of Fame ([46:52]).

7. Humor, Culture, and Banter

• Classic Bernstein family banter about bad hats, city bars, New Orleans vs. Chicago cultural quirks, and college life ([11:02], [28:51]).
  • Playful barbs regarding old predictions (e.g., wrongly touting Christian Hackenberg or Jarrett Stidham as “future stars”) ([07:35]).
  • Joking about being a “Tulane student outsider” in New Orleans ([28:18], [32:15]).

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Memorable Quotes and Moments

• On new Chicago sports stars:
  • “When you think about the future of Chicago sports, I think most Chicagoans would say…Matas before they mentioned Giddey, which honestly is a bit…” (Dan Bernstein [09:00])
• On Chicago athlete personalities:
  • “They’re all just really extravagant and out there. And I think that’s what’s so cool, is that they want to be involved.” (Dan Bernstein [11:40])
  • “No, I’m not saying just because Caleb paints his nails he’s extravagant.” ([11:55])
• On Derrick Rose’s legacy:
  • “He gave the city hope...I think it’s a really good time to kind of reintroduce Derrick Rose into the fold of things, to kind of pass the torch in the city.” (Dan Bernstein [24:44])
  • "I never really understood the depth and the significance of the connection to the city." (Jason Bernstein [24:32])
• On generational icons and local pride:
  • "You’ll hear Ayo’s name, and they’ll say from Chicago. They’ll say from Chicago for Matas. And the United Center will just erupt." (Dan Bernstein [23:44])
• On Chicago food and trades:
  • "If Zion goes to Chicago, he’ll be 500 pounds if he just sees a…deep dish pizza or an Italian beef." (Dan Bernstein [15:04])
• On trivia:
  • "Josh Hart is the only current player who is statistically one of the most similar to Derrick Rose." ([44:51])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Bulls Recent Games & Highlights: [01:20] - [07:50]
• Rise of Next-Gen Chicago Stars: [08:15] – [13:56]
• Athlete Visibility & Nightlife: [12:57] – [13:50]
• Bulls Trade Rumor Discussion: [14:50] – [21:13]
• Discussion of Derrick Rose’s Place in City Culture: [23:01] – [27:06]
• Cultural Segregation & Chicago Identity: [25:13] – [28:44]
• Basketball Shoe Memories & Rose’s Era: [29:11] – [34:33]
• Trivia Showdown on Derrick Rose Comps: [36:32] – [47:38]

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Episode Tone and Style

• Highly conversational, fast-paced Chicago sports banter with a mix of deep city loyalty, affectionate jabs, and dad/son rapport.
• Mixes basketball analytics, Chicago cultural history, pop humor, and local color.
• Emphasis on authenticity, unfiltered takes, and celebrating both the city’s past and its promising future across all major sports.

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For New Listeners

This episode is a perfect introduction to the multi-generational, multi-team heartbeat of Chicago sports today. Dan and Jason blend deep historical knowledge, stats nerdery, and local color, capturing what it means for a city’s hopes to rest on a new wave of charismatic talent—while always keeping it real, Chicago-style.

Transcript

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[Jason Bernstein]

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[Dan Bernstein]

Organizations win championships, a Chicago Bulls podcast with Jason and dan Bernstein on 312 Sports.

[Jason Bernstein]

Welcome to organizations Win Championships, a Chicago Bulls podcast here. As you just heard on 312 Sports, I'm Dan Bernstein, that's Jason Bernstein. And we are brought to you today by our friends at Giordano's. Giordano's is on a roll with its tribute pizzas. They're honoring the legendary Derrick on the occasion of his jersey retirement with a brand new limited edition pie, stacking two layers of Giordano's signature pepperoni and topping it all off with a drizzle of homemade Calabrian hot honey. And since we have last left you, the Bulls have won three of four.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, they have. Yeah, they have.

[Jason Bernstein]

What it means, I'm not certain. That was a very ugly victory over Utah that needed what I think is, if not the pass of the year.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, that was. Although you got to say something about the save by a coral though, right? That was ridiculous.

[Jason Bernstein]

It was. But I looked at that pass by Trey Jones and I was trying to decide if that as he's falling out of bounds and somehow was able to.

[Dan Bernstein]

Stabilize his Caleb Williams throw as well.

[Jason Bernstein]

You're beating me to it. Yes. That he was slightly off balance and he whipped a right through a tiny little window right to Vuch who lays it in. Was that in your estimation a better pass than the baseline wraparound left handed Josh Giddy pass in the first week of the season to vouch in the corner against the Sixers.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh. With his left hand for the high.

[Jason Bernstein]

Arcing three that won the game at home?

[Dan Bernstein]

No, because I think that at the time, with what it was, that was to make the Bulls, what, six and one, something like that.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, yeah. And they remember they were down in the first half by like 20 some points. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

So at the time I think that was a more important pass. Also when Josh Giddey is making the pass, I think that says something too. Just because he is probably the Best player on the team still. And him doing it lefty as well.

[Jason Bernstein]

Is also impressive, isn't he? No, he's not. He's right. No, but he, he's a. He's often a better lefty passer.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's not a lefty though. No, but I think, I think, I think each of them are great in their own right. How. I thought you were going to say the past to commit in the end zone. I thought after mentioning Cave.

[Jason Bernstein]

You still have bears on the brain, don't you?

[Dan Bernstein]

Man, it was a great season.

[Jason Bernstein]

There were the back to backers, the home and home with Brooklyn, a bad loss and then a decent win because Michael Porter Jr. Was out and they just.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's been. He's been bonked.

[Jason Bernstein]

He's really good and he was getting whatever he wanted against the.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I'm just surprised, I'm a little surprised after he was traded from Denver because I thought it was just going to be one of the. Almost like a Jordan pool thing. When you're on a championship team and you kind of score when needed and then you get traded to a bad team and you're the main guy and you just kind of whatever, you know, I'm not really going to care. He's been, he's been saying, okay fine, you put me in this situation. You need a guy to score, I'll be the guy to score. And he's been doing it. And now that Jimmy Butler is out for the season, if I'm Golden State, that's, that's a guy that I'm looking at for the rest of this year. And I saw a meme the other day that was the. I think it was Kyle Jus check and maybe Kittle that were at the warriors game. They showed them on the Jumbotron and not even 30 minutes later Jimmy Butler got hurt.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. But they're not bringing over their practice facility that apparently one wackazoid says is too close to some sort of variation.

[Dan Bernstein]

Their Levi stadium was built on a native burial ground. It's like the shiny.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, I'm serious. I'm serious. There is a kook out there that's gaining traction apparently among players, among NFL players who. Yes. Who has said that there's some sort of radiation creating electrical facility or something? What I heard.

[Dan Bernstein]

What I heard is the reason why they can't win a Super bowl and why they get hurt all the time is because Levi's Stadium is built on a native burial ground. Which is true, I believe.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, it's not true. That comes from Poltergeist. That comes from the movie Poltergeist.

[Dan Bernstein]

I heard it from one person from San Francisco and now I believe it.

[Jason Bernstein]

Would you stop? Don't be an idiot. You can't get your news from TikTok.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's not from TikTok. It's from someone I know very, very well who is from San Francisco who knows everything.

[Jason Bernstein]

I know. But I think he might be misinformed about this one.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't think he's just around.

[Jason Bernstein]

I think he's probably pulling your leg is what I think is happening. The last night's game, by the way, that was a blast.

[Dan Bernstein]

That was. Herder just decided to be a monster for the first half. That was time.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. He's been able to hit a bull in the ass with a snow shovel lately. And then all of a sudden.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is that a term? Yeah. A bull in the ass with a snow shovel.

[Jason Bernstein]

Well, Doug Buffon used to say, hit a bull in the ass with a banjo, and then I.

[Dan Bernstein]

Sounds a lot better. No. Would you hear the snowing in Chicago right now? I wouldn't know. Yes, it's 70 degrees right now. It's really. Yeah. Although it's going to cool off. It's going to cool off, but the weather is pretty nice right here. And something I also wanted to mention. What the hell? Did Bryce Sensible smoke before that game?

[Jason Bernstein]

That was awesome.

[Dan Bernstein]

That was ballin'.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. It's also. When you. When you know you're watching. He had 24. When you know you're watching a random player have the best game of his career. He had 24 points in nine minutes.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's. That's the shit that I live for, man.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Where he's. He's solidified himself as a Jason Bernstein favorite after that one. Not quite like Malachi Flynn. I don't know why Malachi Flynn just kind of annoys me. And he dropped a random 50 burger. He just annoys me. I don't know. He's not that good. But I have always thought that Sensibaugh was a decent player. And he's got a smooth jump shot. And that would be a really, really, really cool jersey to add to the collection. That would only wear once.

[Jason Bernstein]

Of course.

[Dan Bernstein]

That I would only wear one.

[Jason Bernstein]

Of course you do.

[Dan Bernstein]

But the.

[Jason Bernstein]

Do you remember when we were on the. We were in Delavan, Wisconsin. We were at Lake Lawn lodge. We're watching TV. And that was the night that it.

[Dan Bernstein]

T.J. mcConnell. Right.

[Jason Bernstein]

Summer League game. And T.J. mcConnell and D' Angelo Russell.

[Dan Bernstein]

Were going back and forth that's when DLO did ice in my veins for the first time.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yep. But. But T.J. mcConnell was outplaying everybody, and we're just like, who is that guy?

[Dan Bernstein]

And you even said, he's going to be good.

[Jason Bernstein]

I said he might be able to play in the league. I did. I did. I don't get everything wrong.

[Dan Bernstein]

Sure do that.

[Jason Bernstein]

I don't get everything wrong.

[Dan Bernstein]

You get a lot of things wrong.

[Jason Bernstein]

I know. But Jarrett Stidham is going to redeem me. I'm finally going to be right about Jarrett Stidham.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. You loved him.

[Jason Bernstein]

It's one of my worst calls. It's not as bad as my Christian Hackenberg call, because I think when he. When they drafted him, like, he was missing limbs and like, he's not.

[Dan Bernstein]

I said. I said, kevin, when the Bears drafted Kevin White, do you remember how happy I was?

[Jason Bernstein]

I want to get into. As we talk about Derrick Rose, we talk about what's coming up Saturday, I want to get back to you and your youth a little bit and where Derrick Rose sort of is in your personal pantheon. But a couple things I want to do ahead of that. First of all, at last night's game.

[Dan Bernstein]

This is where I thought you were going with that initially. Was that Derrick Rose, you know, being a Chicago star and now you got your kind of next generation with just wait.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, yeah, we are, definitely. But last night, there was Caleb Williams sitting next to Pete Crowe. Armstrong at the game.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, but they were at. They were at the Blackhawks game the night before.

[Jason Bernstein]

I know, I know. And there's this budding friendship now that they apparently like hanging out together. And I'm not surprised. They're both Bedard. They're both worldly guys. And to have the two of them. And Bedard and Mattis.

[Dan Bernstein]

Mattis and Caleb have been friends for a while.

[Jason Bernstein]

Okay. But I don't know if Modest is quite at their level of. He's not a.

[Dan Bernstein]

Because he's a Chicago guy. Because he's from here and because he does have some stuff and he's exciting, people are including him in that bracket when. When. When you think about the future of Chicago sports, I think most Chicagoans would say. Would mention modest before they mentioned Giddy, which honestly is a bit.

[Jason Bernstein]

That's.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know.

[Jason Bernstein]

Correct. Because Giddy's really right.

[Dan Bernstein]

But, but. But Modest is more of a character than Giddy is off the court and on the court. Yeah. But I'm just saying Modest, Caleb, PCA and Bedard are all, like, kind of in this crew. And they all hang out together. And while Caleb was doing the cheese grater thing after beating the packers the first time PCA was with him handing out cheese grater hats and food and stuff like that.

[Jason Bernstein]

Well, it's only cool if they have crime fighting alter egos. If you've got modest Caleb, PCA and Bedard. And then when the big signal comes up over the Chicago skyline, they all snap into action and they get into a van together and then they drive out to defend truth and justice.

[Dan Bernstein]

What I found was funny was that I think it was the Blackhawks game. It might have been the Bulls game. There was a video from the stands that I saw on TikTok of Caleb Williams just walking up the stairs, going to the. You know, probably just going to the bathroom or something. And he looked so sore.

[Jason Bernstein]

He was just like, ugh, he's a football player. They're in car accidents every week.

[Dan Bernstein]

It was just so funny.

[Jason Bernstein]

Could you imagine? I mean, yeah, of course he's sore.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know, but it was just him just laboring up the stairs.

[Jason Bernstein]

NFL season. He played 17 regular season games and two playo. 18. That's right. Yeah. That poor.

[Dan Bernstein]

17 regular season, two playoff games. So that's 19. 19 football games.

[Jason Bernstein]

So of course he's sore. And what hat was. Was PCA wearing?

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know, because it.

[Jason Bernstein]

I swear to God, it looked like he must have lost a bet. Like, one of his friends is like, if you do this, you have to wear this hat to the Bulls game. It's like, no, I'm not wearing that hat to a Bulls game. And they did. I don't know if he's. If it's.

[Dan Bernstein]

Let me see if I can find the picture. Not at the Blackhawks. Him. You're sure?

[Jason Bernstein]

No, positive. It was last night and they set.

[Dan Bernstein]

Everything up so the Instagram is so stupid.

[Jason Bernstein]

So the broadcast would. Would mention them just as they were announced in the building. And they had the whole ovation. And it's. Maybe they. They will be sort of a generational group that comes through Chicago sports together. We were just talking before.

[Dan Bernstein]

They're all. The thing is that they're all just really extravagant and out there. And I think that's what's so cool, is that they want to be involved.

[Jason Bernstein]

What do you mean by extravagant? Like they.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, you flashy.

[Jason Bernstein]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, I'm not saying. Just because Caleb paints his nails, he's extravagant.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, no, no. You mean. You mean like expressive and swaggy and.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, and that's why I think that's what Modest is more so. And Bedard is as. What does his hat even say? Bedard is as swaggy as you can get for a hockey player right now. It's kind of tough in hockey just because they're all basic white dudes. Right?

[Jason Bernstein]

Like, swaggy and.

[Dan Bernstein]

But at the same time, ice fishing gear, the way. The way he plays is. Is pretty swaggy. It's like, no doubt like Patrick Kane had swag. You know what I mean? When he was on the ice.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. You know, guys who play stylishly certainly. Did you.

[Dan Bernstein]

What do you mean?

[Jason Bernstein]

His head.

[Dan Bernstein]

It just says bulls on it.

[Jason Bernstein]

But it's a bad hat. It doesn't fit him.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, it doesn't matter. Did you see Caleb's pants? He was wearing baggy pants, like. Like Brooklyn style.

[Jason Bernstein]

I know.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's it. It's just them.

[Jason Bernstein]

The. When. When PCA is. Is making his. He's around, though. He's. PCA is out a lot.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, I saw him.

[Jason Bernstein]

He's enjoying himself.

[Dan Bernstein]

I was. I saw him at a bar and I mean, I'm not. I don't want to out anybody, but let's just say he was having a great night.

[Jason Bernstein]

Sure.

[Dan Bernstein]

I just kind of felt bad for him, but he looked so tired and just like, ugh. And he had definitely had a couple and everybody was just going up to him. I was just like, leave the man alone. I think he was with his girlfriend and he just. He just. It just. I think he just wanted to have a beer.

[Jason Bernstein]

Then don't go to those bars. If he's at a bar where you are, that's on him.

[Dan Bernstein]

We were right across from Butch McGuire's, so that he was at Butch McGuire. So if you're going there, you're kind of looking to come on.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, but if you're that age and you live in Chicago and you want to go be seen. As long as you're not being caner. As long as you're not, like, you know, pulling your pants down and peeing all over the place and doing all the stuff that he used to do. You gotta be really careful.

[Dan Bernstein]

You can get away with it if you win three Stanley Cups or three World Series.

[Jason Bernstein]

Like, texting the cup guy, like, bring me my cup, bitch. As long as he's not doing that stuff.

[Dan Bernstein]

Hey, man.

[Jason Bernstein]

What?

[Dan Bernstein]

What? Kane's got three of them.

[Jason Bernstein]

So what? You still shouldn't be cutting a swath of chaos through the bar scene like bat did. That was really a thing.

[Dan Bernstein]

Gainer.

[Jason Bernstein]

Bring me my cup. You'd be really excited had you read and I don't know if you did, if you saw Joe Cowley's piece about one of the current Bulls rumored rumors that's out there, but he reported it. He said that the Bulls. That the Bulls have been in talks, have had conversations, I believe is how it was worded with the Pelicans.

[Dan Bernstein]

Eve Mece, I saw it. Right?

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. Zion Williamson's name came up and then I saw Eve, Missy Mece, and I thought, well, somebody's going to be really excited about that.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm more excited about Mece than I am Williamson. Obviously, Williams got the. Williamson has immense talent, but I saw a tweet that said if Zion goes to Chicago, he'll be £500. If he just sees a. A deep dish pizza or an Italian beef.

[Jason Bernstein]

Well, I certainly believe that if you look in the corner of the screen right now that our friends at Giordano's would be more than happy.

[Dan Bernstein]

More than happy.

[Jason Bernstein]

Would Absolutely.

[Dan Bernstein]

Sponsored him.

[Jason Bernstein]

I wonder what if he'd have his own namesake pizza.

[Dan Bernstein]

Rose does. But that means Zion. I already got it. I already got it.

[Jason Bernstein]

I already got it. For. It's an extra Z. You make one, you make one of the. A third Z. That's a capital Z for Zion. You could have a Pete Zion or just. Just, you know, workshop this with me. Yeah, we can. We can do this and then we can see what he wants on there.

[Dan Bernstein]

If this is a big. If he goes to the Bulls. Right. So.

[Jason Bernstein]

But he. We. There would definitely have to be a Giordano.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I mean, I don't know if a company. If Cafe Dumond has already done a Zion beignet down here.

[Jason Bernstein]

Was that his food of choice down there?

[Dan Bernstein]

People were calling him Gumbo Zion, but really? Yeah, I don't know. I think that was just a nickname for him being large. But even. Okay, even if he's somebody that they need that type of player. Rim runner, dunk, everything. Block shots, set screens. Not the most talented offensively, but.

[Jason Bernstein]

God.

[Dan Bernstein]

Would he take a lot of pressure off of Jalen Smith.

[Jason Bernstein]

They're asking poor Jalen Smith to do so much.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's been doing so well.

[Jason Bernstein]

I know he's.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's a good player and he's really been cutting into Patrick's minutes. I know Patrick's been battling. Yeah, he's been battling an ankle, but still, even before then, he was really cutting into those minutes and he's been playing. And Smith has been really, really, really good recently. I just think that. I think he could play the same amount of minutes if they trade for Eve Mece. I know we're talking about ifs. And, you know, if Lena had wheels or if my grandma had wheels, she'd be a bike. But wait, your grandma.

[Jason Bernstein]

Your grandma ain't gonna be anything right now.

[Dan Bernstein]

I have multiple grandmas.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, you have a Nana and you have a grandma.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay, If Nana had wheels, she would. Nana is kind of attached to wheels right now.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Stop.

[Jason Bernstein]

You're gonna get both of us in serious trouble, young man. And I would advise you. I would advise you strongly to. Yeah, I know you are the.

[Dan Bernstein]

But if the Bulls were to get Eve Mesey, I think Jalen Smith could play the same amount of minutes but not have to do as much. And he can just kind of chill.

[Jason Bernstein]

You know, I'll say this, too, that the last three games, Vuch has had really good legs. He's looked springier for a 35 year old.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, okay, not leaping Zoobots.

[Jason Bernstein]

Zubots and Brooke Lopez, too.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right? Well, that's what I mean.

[Jason Bernstein]

Like, they're slow, big, tall guys. Big, tall, slow guys.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right? Exactly. It doesn't matter. And Danny Wolf on Brooklyn, he looks pretty good, by the way.

[Jason Bernstein]

Well, he's active, I'll say that. I don't know how good he is, but he plays really hard in the minutes he gets. Absolutely.

[Dan Bernstein]

I like Danny Wolf, but you like.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, you like secondary guys. Your favorite guys are reserves on other teams. Meanwhile, what did you think of Harzone? What did you think how hard he looked? I. I don't know.

[Dan Bernstein]

Harden.

[Jason Bernstein]

You thought he looked like Harden. I didn't.

[Dan Bernstein]

He looked like. I think he looked like old Harden. I think. Yeah, I think he was doing. He can't do what he used to do because he's not as fast. But, I mean, it's. It's James Harden. It's one of the best scorers of all time.

[Jason Bernstein]

Well, I understand that, but so is Kareem, and you wouldn't want to see him out there right now. I mean, Harden is a little different. It was clear in that game that Ty Lu just packed it in. He realized that they had one run to start the third cold man, and they don't have Kawhi. Like, the Clippers started this. This run in the third, like, all right, we're gonna play. We're gonna cut into your league.

[Dan Bernstein]

When you have a guy. When you have a guy named Yannick Coden. Conan Niederhauser.

[Jason Bernstein]

I saw him. He got in. Yeah, we watched him. And he's in his middle name. He is actually named after Conan. The Barbarian, apparently. And this was. They were talking about this last night.

[Dan Bernstein]

God, these names. Holy crap. Huh?

[Jason Bernstein]

The conversation. The Kobe, Kobe Sanders, they said, is named after a steakhouse where his parents used to go that was called Kobe Japanese steakhouse in his. In their hometown or whatever.

[Dan Bernstein]

I mean, it's the same as Kobe Bryant.

[Jason Bernstein]

It's the same as Kobe Bryant. That's what I. Kobe Bryant is actually named after Kobe Beef. So they're both.

[Dan Bernstein]

Both guys.

[Jason Bernstein]

And they said, well, it has nothing to do with Kobe Bryant. And I was waiting. My guys. Yes, it does. The steakhouse and Kobe Bryant are both named after Kobe Beef. Now, Kobe White not named after that. And Kobe White actually made some shots late in that game, and I wanted them at the. The moment the game was over. Trade everybody.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's better, by the way.

[Jason Bernstein]

Better enough to trade, I hope. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And.

[Jason Bernstein]

And she's.

[Dan Bernstein]

I just played. I was gonna mention. Great.

[Jason Bernstein]

He's playing great.

[Dan Bernstein]

He doesn't miss, man.

[Jason Bernstein]

He's been so good and he's gotten so much better. He's worked so hard on his game. That. That's a guy. You could move. Vuch. You could move. Right now we've got what until the.

[Dan Bernstein]

Fifth IO is shooting 46% from three and 86% from the line and 52% from the first field and averaging 14.6 with only one turnover per game.

[Jason Bernstein]

It's insane. And he's a good defender.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, he's averaging a steal and 0.3 blocks.

[Jason Bernstein]

They're calling them stocks now. Have you been following this?

[Dan Bernstein]

Stocks?

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, it's like ops that they're talking about. The steals per game plus blocks.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'll give you a little hint. Just keep that in mind for later in this episode of Stocks per Game. Stocks per game. Just.

[Jason Bernstein]

Okay, stocks. Okay, I'll do that. So I. I would be a yes on eve, Missy, depending on what you're giving up. But that is an intriguing player with the type of game this Bulls team desperately will need. How old is missy? Is he?

[Dan Bernstein]

23, dad, he's. He's a second year player.

[Jason Bernstein]

That's what I'm asking.

[Dan Bernstein]

How old he is.

[Jason Bernstein]

He could be 19. I don't know. Players come out very, very young. I don't know.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's 21.

[Jason Bernstein]

He's my age. He is your age.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's six months older than I am.

[Jason Bernstein]

Okay. A little better basketball than you are.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Jason Bernstein]

I was remembering this as we were talking about some of the Derrick Rose stuff for this weekend and how annoyed.

[Dan Bernstein]

You were that they were tired as a Number.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, look, I understand it's generating. It's a publicity generator. I know why it's being done. I also know it's much more for.

[Dan Bernstein]

You than it is for me.

[Jason Bernstein]

It's much more for you than it is for me.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. And you're just feeling it wasn't good enough to be retired. You just sound like an old white dude, man.

[Jason Bernstein]

Well, I am an old white dude. I come by it honestly.

[Dan Bernstein]

Lame. It the way he. What he did for Chicago to energize the city at the time. And I know it was a while ago, but him being from here, people really care about that. And you'll hear. You'll hear Iowa's name, and they'll say from Chicago. They'll say, from Chicago for modest. And the United center will just erupt. It's almost like for hockey when they say from the United States just because everybody's from Canada or Sweden. You know, the fact that Patrick Kane was from the United States was a big deal for Blackhawks fans. And it's. I don't. I haven't seen anybody energize the city or give the city hope like Derrick Rose up until, I guess, Williams and maybe Kane, but not. Not as much just because it's such a football and basketball city. More so football. And it's. I think that. I think that right now, after what the Bears did this season, the direction they're heading, I think it's a really good time to kind of reintroduce Derrick Rose into the fold of things, to kind of pass the torch in the city.

[Jason Bernstein]

Maybe I didn't. I know that wasn't really the plan.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know. But that's kind of the way I'm thinking about it. It just seemed like the timing is all working out in that. In that way. And I think. I think that's a good thing. And as a Bulls fan, the thing is that if. The reason why I think it's for my generation is because if I were to see a Bulls player right now wear number one, it wouldn't look right. I could not imagine another Bulls player wearing the number one. And that's it. I think it's a number standpoint. It's Derrick Rose that's number one.

[Jason Bernstein]

I think on some of these, I have to. I'm going to defer to you. And I also would say this, that I've come to understand over time in a way that I didn't before. And it's on me for my own sort of lack of awareness. But the Derrick Rose thing Is in sports one of these two Chicago's phenomena where I guess I never really understood the depth and the significance of the connection to the city.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, yeah, Southside, man.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. Because he was from. And of Simeon and one of them. And. And Southside, like, like people on the.

[Dan Bernstein]

South side related to him.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. It's, you know, in a way that. That was far deeper and more personal and more connective than I was able to appreciate. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I, I think, I think in this sense they're two different. Two Chicago's, if that makes sense. Older and younger generation. Also just the north side and south side. The south side bond that Derrick Rose.

[Jason Bernstein]

You can say black and white. You can say black and white. Because, you know, when I say.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't want to say that though, I don't think it is. I think that a lot of it is just the younger generation rather than black and white. But also I think it's two distinct things in this sense. I don't know. Did I just contradict myself? I think I did.

[Jason Bernstein]

Well, no, I'm just saying don't. If you think it. You don't have to use any euphemisms because that is a Chicago thing. We are an incredibly segregated city. We always have been. And trying to.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, he resonates like people on the south side really resonate with him or he resonates with people. I don't know which way to phrase it.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. And there is a way that, you know, being. I didn't grow up knowing anything about the south side. We might as well have been another country to me. And it was your baseball career and going and you going to high school on the south side that really helped me understand and go to these schools and go to your games at Simeon.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm really happy for that experience. I think, I think it was. It was really cool. And it got. I don't want to say got me. I guess it like, especially early in my glory days, it kind of. It got me. It did get me out of my comfort zone and what I was used to.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

And. And I'm. I'm happy for it because now I'm. When you. When I'm in a city like New Orleans, it's like, oh, you know, there is there. I don't want to say anything, but there are so many people here that are just like. So I can tell that they're just not used to it. Like all those Westchester.

[Jason Bernstein]

County jerk off that are just like, wait, I thought you left them all at Bucknell.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, there are plenty of them still.

[Jason Bernstein]

Okay. I thought you left all the private school. White Plains. And.

[Dan Bernstein]

It'S. It. Sometimes it's just really funny when I.

[Jason Bernstein]

Isn't that where Billy Donovan's from?

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, he spent enough time around black people to not to not really think about it.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, I think. I think Billy Donovan is Westchester County. I think so. Probably a little different demo, though, I.

[Dan Bernstein]

Was going to say.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, Billy's been around the block. Yeah. No question. No question. And read that in the nicest way.

[Dan Bernstein]

Sometimes I'll just notice some people talking to locals or something. I'll just be like, you guys look so stupid right now. I've talked to locals before. They hate Tulane students.

[Jason Bernstein]

Of course they do.

[Dan Bernstein]

They're like these rich, entitled idiots.

[Jason Bernstein]

Are they wrong?

[Dan Bernstein]

Not at all.

[Jason Bernstein]

It was like what people in Durham thought of Duke students. Yeah, of course. Bunch of entitled, rich white assholes. And like. Hello.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yes and correct. Yes, all of your.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's so funny.

[Jason Bernstein]

Your concerns are valid.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, it's really funny. Especially during Mardi Gras. They hate us.

[Jason Bernstein]

Oh, I would, too.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, I would, too.

[Jason Bernstein]

I would. Absolutely. I saw you at Mardi Gras.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, you didn't.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, I saw the pictures.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, yeah.

[Jason Bernstein]

Well, the pictures, you. Let me see. God knows I want. I don't even want to.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, you don't not. No.

[Jason Bernstein]

I don't even want to know. So this is what I was. I was thinking about this. We were talking about Derrick Rose. Do you realize. Can you remember, in order, Your. Your very.

[Dan Bernstein]

No.

[Jason Bernstein]

Your shoes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh. Because I believe I. I know my first one. I know. It was that famous footwear. We got, like, these shacks at famous Pay Less.

[Jason Bernstein]

It was Payless.

[Dan Bernstein]

It was Payless. We got the Shacks.

[Jason Bernstein]

It was the same. It was at Addison Mall. Yeah, yeah. By the Target there.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. It was Payless.

[Jason Bernstein]

Payless, yes. Where we got the, like, little. The and one Shacks.

[Dan Bernstein]

It was either. It was Shaqs and maybe like, a Reebok. Because it used to be the Reebok.

[Jason Bernstein]

It wasn't Reebok.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know. It was Shaq.

[Jason Bernstein]

You were like three.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, I was. I was maybe. Maybe three.

[Jason Bernstein]

I don't know.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know that I had a pair. I don't know if it was my next pair. I think it must have been because I played at, like, neighborhood Boys and Girls club. D. Rose Audi 0 twos. I believe it was your next one first.

[Jason Bernstein]

Your very first real basketball. I was good.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know. You were in kindergarten.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, I know you were. But, you know, it happened. Your very first real Basketball shoe was the Derrick Roses. And ii. Yeah. And you. And it was. You didn't want to go to. To Payless. You didn't want to go to Famous Footwear. You wanted to go to Foot Locker.

[Dan Bernstein]

We went to Foot Locker.

[Jason Bernstein]

Got him. We went to Footlocker. Like, it was. It was real. We went to Footlocker, and you tried them on, and the guy with the. With the black and white stripes came over and made sure that. And it was like your first big boy.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. They had, like, a little number one by the laces. They had the Adidas stripes on the back. I remember those shoes. I was balling. You were. You were.

[Jason Bernstein]

I remember a buzzer beater.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. That you hit from left wing. Yes, I remember it. Left wing. I was in kindergarten. I. Why do I remember this? I remember it, but. No, but I was five. I know people. A lot of my friends don't understand why my memory is so good with the most random shit, and it kind of pisses them off. And I'm really good with names, too. With people that I've met once.

[Jason Bernstein]

It's a great skill. That's a great political.

[Dan Bernstein]

But sometimes I feel weird because they're like. They don't remember my name. They probably barely remember meeting me. And I immediately know their name because I can just recognize it. And I'm like, weird.

[Jason Bernstein]

Don't. Don't burn those brain cells with. With IPA and weed. Keep those brain cells.

[Dan Bernstein]

IPA and weed.

[Jason Bernstein]

Keep those brain.

[Dan Bernstein]

What about tequila?

[Jason Bernstein]

Oh, it's like beer. It's like beer. Very well, three tequilas, then.

[Dan Bernstein]

I.

[Jason Bernstein]

We're not Mexicans. We're from out of town.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's what it feels like when a Tulane person is talking to a black person from New Orleans.

[Jason Bernstein]

We're not natives. We're from Westchester County.

[Dan Bernstein]

Do you know where to get a PO boy?

[Jason Bernstein]

What? Yeah. Pretty much any corner. Certainly you guys are. But yeah, he's like a sub. He's like a hog. Yeah. Your first pair of shoes was.

[Dan Bernstein]

And then I transitioned into Curry's, and I haven't really left those.

[Jason Bernstein]

Well, no, then you had those. The Reebok Zigs.

[Dan Bernstein]

Those weren't basketball shoes.

[Jason Bernstein]

Oh, Those are just regular shoes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Because everybody had them. I remember that everybody had them. But the only thing is, I just remember they would always get stuck with a ton of mud. And I remember having. It was a black shoe in, like, the bottom was blue.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yep, that's right. Now give me my Derrick Rose. Memories aren't as important because when you.

[Dan Bernstein]

Say, I thought you'd say, what was your first pair of basketball shoes? And those are Dr. J's, right?

[Jason Bernstein]

They were, they were the low cut converse.

[Dan Bernstein]

Dr. J's converse come back with Shay, Gilgis, Alexander and I think Kelly Oubre is wearing them.

[Jason Bernstein]

Really?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Jason Bernstein]

When you said that Derrick Rose gave the city hopefully. I'm just thinking like, how much hope can you have when every season ends with, with LeBron destroying where it's like there's, you can have hope.

[Dan Bernstein]

And that's like, that's like what happened with the Seahawks. I mean, being realistic.

[Jason Bernstein]

I know, I know. I'm making myself feel better knowing that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Had the Bears won, I could rewind to back before the game. I mean, I guess I would because it would be really cool to experience another win. But at the same time seeing that throw on fourth down, that almost in itself is like fine.

[Jason Bernstein]

You know, whatever you do to me now, I don't care. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. The, the idea that the Derrick Rose every, every season you said gave you hope. It was hope until you see that guy. Because it never ended well when LeBron was there.

[Dan Bernstein]

Pretty good. LeBron's pretty good.

[Jason Bernstein]

That, that was the thing. Like how much hope can you have when like your best player is 6 3. Their best player is 69 and weighs 275 pounds and is guarding your point guard.

[Dan Bernstein]

275.

[Jason Bernstein]

Whatever is 260, whatever. Good luck to you with all of that. It's. It should be a fun night. I, I hope I, I hope that it's not. I. I don't know. I, I guess I. How it's not going to be too mod.

[Dan Bernstein]

Ratchet myself with my, with my nail and it like kind of. Why really hurt my arm? I don't know. I would. My arm was itchy. There was one part of my that.

[Jason Bernstein]

Was a bit Neosporin or something.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think I have hydrocortisone or something.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, that's not gonna. Hydrocortisone is an anti inflammatory. It's not.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'll just put like lotion on it or something.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, no. Do you have like hand sanitizer? Because your fingernails are disgusting and if you cut yourself with your fingernail, it can get infected.

[Dan Bernstein]

I wash. I wash. I didn't cut myself.

[Jason Bernstein]

It's just. Tis a scratch. It's a flesh. Tis but a scratch. Okay, Just making sure you're fine. All right. I know that Derek is not one for a lot of maudlin words. I don't know that he's gonna.

[Dan Bernstein]

Are you saying that because he's not that bright.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, I didn't say that. I didn't say that. I just said he's not. He doesn't. He's a man of. He's a man of few words and I don't know that he's going to want to get up there and grab the microphone on Saturday night and talk a whole. He's probably going to have people talking about him, I would think. I don't know what the whole program is.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think that somebody get. Joke him no out there to do a speech and he'll be fine because that dude can talk forever, especially about.

[Jason Bernstein]

Derek or I think a roast would be hilarious at some point if they really wanted to do that.

[Dan Bernstein]

I guess. I think it would be funny. But not right now. I think eventually, but not at the moment.

[Jason Bernstein]

All right, well, it is our. My question for the showdown is about Derrick Rose.

[Dan Bernstein]

So should we play the music? Yes.

[Jason Bernstein]

So I want to. We can. We can transition here because my question is involves and is about Derrick Rose because that is the.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right, shut up. Let's go to the showdown.

[Jason Bernstein]

The OWC showdown is brought to you by Giordano's. Again this week, Chicago honors a legend. Derrick Rose's jersey goes to the rafters. And Giordano's is celebrating a moment that means everything to this city. From MVP chants to unforgettable nights at the United Center. This one's for Chicago. Derrick Rose's jersey retirement. A homegrown legend, a Chicago icon. We'll be celebrating all week with Giordano's as the Bulls honor one of the greatest to ever wear the jersey dubbed the MV Pizza. The new pie is a Giordano's salute to the youngest MVP in NBA history and one of the city's most influential figures in sports. The MV Pizza celebrates the Chicago natives hefty career with the Bulls by stacking two layers of Giordano's signature pepperoni and topping it all off with a drizzle of homemade Calabrian hot honey. Order yours now@giordano's.com.

[Dan Bernstein]

That actually sounds pretty damn good.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

You.

[Jason Bernstein]

I know you like.

[Dan Bernstein]

I love hot honey.

[Jason Bernstein]

Do you? I know you love Calabrian peppers.

[Dan Bernstein]

It sounds. I would destroy that, especially after a night out if I just had that sat right in front of me. Or just in general. If I was really hungry, they can ship one sat in front of me. Do you have a place to ship me a pizza? That'd be great. I just don't have an oven to warm it up and I could probably. No, but I can go to my friend's house and do it. I could go to Elliot's house and heat that pizza up. So here while we watch Bob Does Sports.

[Jason Bernstein]

Boy, it sounds like a great night. I'm sorry I'm gonna miss it. Although I hate.

[Dan Bernstein]

Hold on. Don't you ever hate on pizza and Bob does sports night on 80 inch television with a couple of brews. Pizza and Bob Does Sports? Let me be in college, okay? Let me just have a college night. I think you should stop judging being a penis.

[Jason Bernstein]

I think you should be doing homework. I think you should be having.

[Dan Bernstein]

What if we get the homework, our homework done beforehand and then we eat pizza, drink beer and watch Bob Does Sports? Actually eat Giordano's pizza.

[Jason Bernstein]

I wouldn't be a party to.

[Dan Bernstein]

With pepperoni and Calabrian chili. Hot honey.

[Jason Bernstein]

There isn't a Giordano's in New Orleans, is there?

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, my God, you're so stupid. Of course there's no Giordano's in.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, they have. They have Giordano's restaurants in other places outside of Chicago. So it's not completely crackers to suggest that. All right, so here's your question. Okay, I'll start with this. I have the list in front of me from basketball reference.com of Derrick Rose's comps.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, okay.

[Jason Bernstein]

Derrick Rose's top 10 all time NBA statistical comps. Okay. Among them, there is one current NBA player who is comp number four. There are also two players with connections to the Bulls. There are two former Bulls.

[Dan Bernstein]

This is a long winded question.

[Jason Bernstein]

All right, can you name the current player? It's hard. This is really hard. I'm just fun. No, Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

I was just thinking because like a couple really good years and then. But it's statistical comps and Derek, what was it, like 25 points a game in his MVP year. But remember, he played 15 years, so it does have to be somebody that played for a while. It's not going to be Mike Conley, is it?

[Jason Bernstein]

Nope.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm assuming it's a point guard.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Played a while.

[Jason Bernstein]

Is playing. Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

And has played for a while.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, I think he's. Well, I think he's only 30.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, is he known for being an athlete?

[Jason Bernstein]

No. Yeah, he's actually, he's. He's played nine years already. Wow. All star.

[Dan Bernstein]

Ever?

[Jason Bernstein]

Nope.

[Dan Bernstein]

Wow. Okay.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, he's never been an All Star, but he's, he's good. He's played for four teams. He's been on his current team for the last four years and a Lot of this. This. The reason why these questions are hard is because you got to remember the different iterations of Derrick Rose, right? And he played a long time, but it makes some of the career comps odd, which is why I found it to be a really interesting question. But over the whole career, who is similar?

[Dan Bernstein]

Is this guy starting right now as the current player starting?

[Jason Bernstein]

I believe he starts. No, he doesn't. He does not start.

[Dan Bernstein]

Doesn't start.

[Jason Bernstein]

Because I don't want to.

[Dan Bernstein]

Get hate for this just because, like, when you think of this player, it's nowhere near as good as Derrick Rose. Although it's not. It's way more than four teams, so I'm not even gonna say it, so it wouldn't work.

[Jason Bernstein]

You're not gonna get hate for anything because.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I was gonna say Dennis Schroeder, but, I mean, just because he's played a decent while, he's.

[Jason Bernstein]

I don't think this guy's as good as Dennis Schroeder.

[Dan Bernstein]

Really?

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. You're. I'm telling you, the comps are going to shock you.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's not like Reggie Jackson.

[Jason Bernstein]

No, no. He's a. He's a. He's a very good player. He's a. He's a responsible player. He's a good defender.

[Dan Bernstein]

And has. Has he started recently?

[Jason Bernstein]

He started 18 games this year of his team's 32. He did start last year, and then for some of these other seasons, he has started. He came off the bench early, and his first year with this team, he didn't start at all. He started half the games in 23, 24. No playoff. Well, playoff team.

[Dan Bernstein]

Does this team. Playoff team?

[Jason Bernstein]

Yes, this team is and will be this year. It's a tough question.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's not Terry Rozier, is it?

[Jason Bernstein]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Jason Bernstein]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

And will probably be. Eastern Conference.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Played for four teams.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

Do you want the four teams not going to be. I'm thinking Miami.

[Jason Bernstein]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm thinking Toronto.

[Jason Bernstein]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

He.

[Jason Bernstein]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

Detroit. New York.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

New York.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

Four teams. Been there for the last.

[Jason Bernstein]

Been there for the last four years. And that is his fourth team as.

[Dan Bernstein]

As a point guard.

[Jason Bernstein]

Not a point guard.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, he's just a.

[Jason Bernstein]

He's a wing. He's a wing. He's been a small wing, small forward, shooting guard, short wing, six five.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, God.

[Jason Bernstein]

He's.

[Dan Bernstein]

He can.

[Jason Bernstein]

He defends the point sometimes.

[Dan Bernstein]

And he said he's been there for a while. Ninth year in the league.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

Around 30 years old. Was he a high draft pick?

[Jason Bernstein]

I don't even remember. I can Tell you he was the 30th overall pick. Yep. So tape was the last. He was a first rounder and I'm.

[Dan Bernstein]

Assuming you said ninth year in the league. So that's like 2017, something like that in.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yep. He was the 30th overall pick of the 2017.

[Dan Bernstein]

Still playing and still. And still good on the New York Knicks.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. Yeah. Still good.

[Dan Bernstein]

Am I just still valuable? Really stupid.

[Jason Bernstein]

This is a glue guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

Poor showing white guy. No.

[Jason Bernstein]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nope. American. Yep. Somebody's definitely gonna be screaming at their phone right now, so I apologize. And you better not tell me went to a.

[Jason Bernstein]

Went to a major basketball program.

[Dan Bernstein]

Duke?

[Jason Bernstein]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

Kansas.

[Jason Bernstein]

Not a blue blood. Not a blue. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, wait. Bridges.

[Jason Bernstein]

Nope. Josh Hart.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, God. Jesus Christ.

[Jason Bernstein]

Josh Hart is the only current player who is statistically one of the most similar to Darren.

[Dan Bernstein]

I would have never. It doesn't. That's a really tough question.

[Jason Bernstein]

I didn't. I told you. I told you how difficult a question it was because when. Especially when I give you the other names and the last two are former Bulls and I'm not going to give you those quite yet, but these are the most similar statistical players career to Derrick Rose in order.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Jason Bernstein]

Dana Barrows, Wesley Person, Derek Anderson, Josh Hart, Monte Ellis, Eric Snow, Eddie Johnson, but the other Eddie Johnson, not the one who went to Illinois. Phil Smith. And then the last two numbers, 9 and 10 are both former Bulls, but they're not active. Correct.

[Dan Bernstein]

Armstrong?

[Jason Bernstein]

No. One was one did not play for the Bulls, but was a former. Is a former Bull. And the other one has been the.

[Dan Bernstein]

Answer rated no or draft night.

[Jason Bernstein]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

Draft.

[Jason Bernstein]

No. No, he's a former Bull.

[Dan Bernstein]

Was he a coach?

[Jason Bernstein]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Mo Cheeks?

[Jason Bernstein]

No, he was a head coach.

[Dan Bernstein]

Doug Collins?

[Jason Bernstein]

Nope. Oh, no. Doug was way better than that former.

[Dan Bernstein]

Head coach Vinny Del Negro.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yep. Vinnie Del Negro is Derek. Derrick Rose's number nine career stat comp.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's crazy.

[Jason Bernstein]

And number ten is Kendall Gill.

[Dan Bernstein]

Huh.

[Jason Bernstein]

When I saw that. When I saw that. That Vinnie Del Negro, his former coach.

[Dan Bernstein]

Derrick Rose is going to be the only MVP in NBA history up to this point. That is not a Hall of Famer.

[Jason Bernstein]

Correct? Correct.

[Dan Bernstein]

Because I think. I think already Shade Shay is on track at the moment. He's already got a ring. Jokic is. I'm okay. I'm willing to have a debate about.

[Jason Bernstein]

You'Re going to need another wing of the hall of Fame for Jokic when he gets done.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm telling you, man. I think he's the. I'm Pete. If anybody wants to fight me on this. Catch me in the ring.

[Jason Bernstein]

Nobody wants to fight you.

[Dan Bernstein]

I will. I think Nikola Jokic is the greatest offensive player in NBA history. And I'm just gonna say it.

[Jason Bernstein]

I don't. Okay, let's save that for another show.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's the greatest. I is the greatest most valuable player and like offensive player in NBA history.

[Jason Bernstein]

All right, just save that for another show because I don't want. I don't want to go. I don't want to even respond to.

[Dan Bernstein]

This without doing some homework because his. He like his metrics never. Never seen before.

[Jason Bernstein]

I know. Like the. The ways we can measure impact now with passing and offensive rebound. All that not normal.

[Dan Bernstein]

So my question is a bit more simple. So you know how we talked about stocks, steals and blocks?

[Jason Bernstein]

Steel.

[Dan Bernstein]

Last season there were three players that recorded at least 75 steals and 75 blocks in the same season.

[Jason Bernstein]

Last year.

[Dan Bernstein]

Last year, three players with 75 steals and 75 blocks. At least. I don't know the exact numbers, but there are three players and I want to see if you can get them.

[Jason Bernstein]

Did Wemby play enough?

[Dan Bernstein]

Nope.

[Jason Bernstein]

Okay. How about Dyson Daniels?

[Dan Bernstein]

No. Surprisingly, with the amount of steals he got, he did not watch 75 blocks.

[Jason Bernstein]

How about Go Bear?

[Dan Bernstein]

Nope.

[Jason Bernstein]

It's got to be somebody who plays a ton of minutes who is also a good enough. See, this is hard because there's no like one type of player you could. 75 and 75. How many steals is modest have right now? He might be, you know, because he's got a. He's.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Dyson Daniels had 229 steals last year and 55 total blocks.

[Jason Bernstein]

What about Chris Dunn?

[Dan Bernstein]

229 steals. No, not Chris. Don. So one of these guys is more of a guard, kind of like a combo guard.

[Jason Bernstein]

Derek White?

[Dan Bernstein]

Nope. One of these guys is a big man, power forward, and one of these guys is a wing. So you kind of COVID all the bases.

[Jason Bernstein]

Ooh. Ooh. This is not easy because.

[Dan Bernstein]

And one of them is known for their defense and good player in general, but is really like when you talk about them, the defense is. How about bring up.

[Jason Bernstein]

How about Amen Thompson?

[Dan Bernstein]

That's one of them. Amen Thompson is one of them. Okay. That's the wing. All right. I got one great call. I honestly thought that was the hardest name.

[Jason Bernstein]

I'm just trying to think of other people. It's because you have to be. You have to be on the floor a lot. It's. It's more likely to be an up tempo team. How about Aaron Gordon?

[Dan Bernstein]

Nope. So you Get. You need a big man and a guard now. Like, like a. I mean, the guard. I mean, he's pretty tall for a guard, but he, He's. He's usually the lead guard and the big man. Kind of power forward, center. Does bam. No, but you're kind of in the right bracket of player. Better defender, but I don't think he's quite as good or skilled offensively.

[Jason Bernstein]

How is Bam? I thought he'd be like, ideal for that kind of thing.

[Dan Bernstein]

You're right there. Better defender.

[Jason Bernstein]

Better defender.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I think bigger.

[Jason Bernstein]

Bigger than Bama. To bio. And a better defender. Deandre Ayton.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, not now. Ayton sucks, dude. All due respect. Gets blocks.

[Jason Bernstein]

What about, like, what about Hartenstein he.

[Dan Bernstein]

Did in the season before.

[Jason Bernstein]

Damn it.

[Dan Bernstein]

With New York.

[Jason Bernstein]

Damn it. Because that, you know, that's another.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's a good call, though.

[Jason Bernstein]

Shit. I'm going to be here all day. Scotty Barnes.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think he did in the season before.

[Jason Bernstein]

No way.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Jason Bernstein]

Did he really?

[Dan Bernstein]

I believe so.

[Jason Bernstein]

And now you've got me watching like.

[Dan Bernstein]

There were a bunch of players in 2024 that did it.

[Jason Bernstein]

I wonder why. How about. I don't know, like one of those Bruce Brown types. I'm trying to think.

[Dan Bernstein]

Both. Both of the. Both of these guys are like, really established, like, really good players, man.

[Jason Bernstein]

I. I don't know. I'm gonna. I'm not gonna be able to. I. I think I.1 we have already.

[Dan Bernstein]

Mentioned on today's episode, I believe. Yes, briefly. We have mentioned on today's episode.

[Jason Bernstein]

I think I used all my good guesses.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right.

[Jason Bernstein]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Ready?

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Shay Gilge. Is Alexander. Oh, okay. Like, I mean, he's on the floor a lot. He gets a lot of steals and he's big for a guard.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. But the other blocks is. Is a lot of blocks.

[Dan Bernstein]

The. The only. The other one that I thought you were close to with the Bam Autobio. Jaren Jackson Jr. Oh, see.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Defensive player of the year. I mean, Jeremy Jackson's a really good.

[Jason Bernstein]

Player, but I didn't think that, that, that Shea would average almost a block a game. And he. He probably played fewer than 75 games.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know. He. He wasn't hurt last year at all.

[Jason Bernstein]

Yeah. But just for time off, considering the run that they went on. How many games he play?

[Dan Bernstein]

Because that's 76 games last year.

[Jason Bernstein]

Okay. Wow. Very good. All right, great question.

[Dan Bernstein]

And let me actually check the number of blocks that he actually had.

[Jason Bernstein]

That's.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's why he had 77 blocks 77.

[Jason Bernstein]

Blocks and 76 games for a league guard.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's very impressive.

[Jason Bernstein]

That is. It certainly is. All right, so that'll do it. We have got the big Derrick Rose event coming up at United center on Saturday, and we'll see what happens with the Bulls as we get closer and closer to the looming trade deadline, hoping against hope that maybe we'll get a finally some sort of confirmation of direction or erection if things are going really well. That's Organizations Win Championships what episode did I say it was? 128. And thanks for being here. Like and subscribe and do all the things that you do and spread the word. And thank you for being a part of 312 sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

Organizations win Championships, a Chicago Bulls podcast with Jason and dan Bernstein on 312 Sports.

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[Jason Bernstein]

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