LeBron James on Playing in the NFL, Jordan's Pick-Up Games and Favorite Career Milestone | Ep 123

Summary

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce – Episode 123 Summary

Title: LeBron James on Playing in the NFL, Jordan's Pick-Up Games and Favorite Career Milestone
Release Date: January 15, 2025
Host: Wondery
Guest: LeBron James

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1. Introduction to the Episode

In Episode 123 of New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce, football’s dynamic brothers, Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce, welcome a special guest: NBA legend LeBron James. This episode delves into LeBron’s multifaceted career, his thoughts on potentially playing in the NFL, memorable moments from his basketball journey, and his unique experiences on and off the court.

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2. Addressing Current Events: LA Fires

The episode opens with Jason Kelce expressing heartfelt concern for those affected by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area.

"[04:10] Jason Kelsey: ...our thoughts are with you. There will be a link in the description if you want to support. That's redcross.org."
This segment highlights the brothers' empathy and connection to current events affecting their community.

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3. LeBron James’ NFL Aspirations

Travis Kelce initiates the conversation by asking LeBron about his thoughts on potentially transitioning to the NFL. LeBron shares insights from a pivotal moment during the 2011 NBA lockout when he seriously contemplated playing football.

"[08:34] LeBron James: ...I actually thought about it a little bit back then. I was still young enough, you know..."
LeBron emphasizes that while the idea was tantalizing, his dreams always remained in basketball, often only manifesting in vivid daydreams where he wanders between football and basketball courts.

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4. Transitioning Between NBA and NFL

The brothers explore the challenges athletes might face when switching between the NBA and NFL. LeBron provides a thoughtful analysis, suggesting that basketball players might find it easier to transition to football compared to the reverse.

"[23:41] LeBron James: ...I think it's easier for a basketball player to try NFL. There's no question over the NFL player trying to get into the NBA."
He cites examples of athletes like Russell Westbrook and Anthony Edwards, who possess the versatility to excel in both sports due to their athleticism and skill sets.

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5. Memorable Pickup Games with Michael Jordan

One of the standout moments of the episode is LeBron's recounting of an infamous pickup game with Michael Jordan and other NBA legends such as Antoine Walker and Penny Hardaway during his high school years.

"[41:16] LeBron James: ...I was on the court with Michael Jordan, Antoine Walker, Penny Hardaway... I was unguardable."
This anecdote not only underscores LeBron's early prowess but also his interactions with basketball greats that shaped his competitive spirit.

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6. Favorite Career Milestones: The 2016 Cleveland Championship

LeBron reflects on his most cherished career milestone—the 2016 NBA Championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He delves into the emotional and historical significance of breaking Cleveland’s 57-year championship drought.

"[31:04] LeBron James: ...when you're able to prevail. That first one is so, so special."
LeBron shares personal emotions from the victory, including his tearful celebration on the court and the overwhelming joy witnessed during the championship parade in Cleveland, emphasizing the profound impact it had on him and the community.

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7. Balancing Legacy with Family: Playing with Bronny

A significant portion of the discussion centers around LeBron’s son, Bronny James, and the unique experience of being in the NBA alongside his son.

"[34:51] LeBron James: ...being able to do it alongside Bronny right now, that's like one of the biggest accomplishments..."
LeBron highlights the importance of mentorship, supporting Bronny’s aspirations, and ensuring that both can thrive without the shadow of his own legendary status overwhelming his son’s journey.

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8. Overcoming Expectations and Personal Growth

LeBron offers profound advice on handling expectations and personal development, drawing from his experiences growing up in a single-parent household and the pressures of high-level athletic performance.

"[49:26] LeBron James: ...if you get that opportunity, man, you can't fuck it up. You just can't."
He emphasizes the importance of dedication, maintaining humility, and striving for excellence both on and off the court.

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9. Legacy and Business Acumen

Beyond his athletic achievements, LeBron discusses his ventures into business and philanthropy, stressing the importance of building a legacy that transcends sports.

"[52:45] LeBron James: ...to be able to just put the work in on the court, I have to make sure that I take care of the business off the court as well."
LeBron underscores the significance of being a responsible role model and the impact of his off-court endeavors on future generations.

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10. Conclusion: Insights and Inspirations

The episode wraps up with LeBron sharing his wisdom for young athletes and individuals striving for greatness. He focuses on the value of hard work, integrity, and the pursuit of personal goals without losing sight of one’s roots and responsibilities.

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Notable Quotes:

• LeBron James [08:36]: "The only time I've really taken it, like, super duper serious was during the 2011 NBA lockout..."
• LeBron James [41:16]: "I was on the court with Michael Jordan... I was unguardable."
• LeBron James [31:04]: "That first one is so, so special."
• LeBron James [49:26]: "If you get that opportunity, man, you can't fuck it up."

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Key Takeaways:

• LeBron’s Multifaceted Career: Beyond basketball, LeBron has considered other sports and is deeply invested in his personal legacy and family.
• Handling Pressure: Growing up in a challenging environment, LeBron learned to channel pressure into motivation, a lesson he shares with listeners.
• Legacy Building: LeBron emphasizes the importance of balancing professional success with personal integrity and familial responsibilities.
• Inspirational Leadership: His experiences offer valuable insights for aspiring athletes and individuals aiming to make a positive impact in their communities.

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This episode provides an intimate look into LeBron James’ life, offering fans and listeners an inspiring narrative of ambition, resilience, and the quest for excellence both on and off the basketball court.

Transcript

[Travis Kelsey]

Wondry plus subscribers can listen to new Heights early and ad free, plus unlock access to exclusive episodes of the show.

[Jason Kelsey]

Join Wondery in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify today.

[LeBron James]

Get ready for the AFC Championship game with a Paramount subscription on Prime Video. Prime Video makes it easy to manage your streaming lineup. Prime members can add paramount and over 100 more premium and specialty subscriptions to unlock a world of movies, TV and sports all in one app. Experience the convenience of having your favorite subscriptions in your Prime Video account with one login and one password. Don't miss the action. Watch the NFL on CBS with a Paramount plus subscription on Prime Video.

[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelsey]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelsey]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelsey]

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[Jason Kelsey]

Nailed it that time. You even said it in a way that it made sense listening to it.

[Travis Kelsey]

Dude, I'm pretty pumped. I'm nervous, but I'm pretty pumped. I've always wanted to ask him just everything on My mind.

[Jason Kelsey]

I know it's gonna be hard. You're not gonna have that much time.

[Travis Kelsey]

I'm not. I don't even know what's on the rundown.

[Jason Kelsey]

I'll take care of the rundown. You just free ball it.

[Travis Kelsey]

LeBron, do you think I could play in the NBA?

[Jason Kelsey]

You don't want the answer to that.

[Travis Kelsey]

He saw me try and dunk last week.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelsey]

All right, let's go. Welcome back to New Heist, ladies and gentlemen, a wonder show produced by Wave Sports and Entertainment and brought to you by Reese's New Chocolate Lava. Big cup. Ooh, Big Ed. Kelsey's gonna go nuts over that.

[Jason Kelsey]

Ed. Salivating right now.

[Intern Brandon]

We're your host.

[Travis Kelsey]

I'm Travis Kelsey. This is Jason Kelsey out of Northeast Ohio. Cleveland natives, Bearcat alumni as well. Shout out to the Bearcats. Hopefully you can get it going here. Boys basketball, women's basketball here in the the old Big 12.

[Jason Kelsey]

Come on now. Come on now.

[Travis Kelsey]

Subscribe on YouTube, Wonder plus wherever you get your podcast, follow the show on all social media at new height show with 1s and Jason, tell the people what we got coming.

[Jason Kelsey]

92%. We got a banger. We got a banger. We got a guest. That's been a long time coming. And with the playoffs here, the stakes could not be higher for him to come on the show. He's the King himself. King James is here. That's right.

[Travis Kelsey]

Northeast Ohio's finest get ready for some fun.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelsey]

He's going to help us recap the wild card weekend. We'll talk a little Cleveland. Lots and lots of other fun. Because I've always wanted to talk to the King about everything Cleveland and everything basketball, man. So this is going to be a fun one, man. This is going to be a fun one.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah. Before we get into LeBron, we just wanted to take a second and stop down and say that our thoughts are with everybody in the LA area. Yeah, I think we've all seen the footage and it's insane at this point. No people personally who have been affected by. By these fires and this tragedy. So our thoughts are with you. There will be a link in the description if you want to support. That's redcross.org NFL I really don't know what's going to happen in the even just the coming days, let alone the coming weeks and how this is going to get rebuilt. So just let you know, you know we're thinking about you, everybody. Yeah, we know this is not easy.

[Travis Kelsey]

Did it feel special out there in Arizona at the Rams game?

[Jason Kelsey]

You know, I was walking through the, so normally we're out on the field and we're not in the concourse area, but because of transition, we couldn't have that set on the field in Arizona. And when I was walking through the concourse area, I saw like the LA fire department hat that the Rams were co signing with. I'm like, God dang, man. Like, man, I don't know, it just like hit me right in the moment. Oftentimes football can be a distraction from some of these things and I always enjoyed playing when there was crazy things happening outside of the game and as a way to kind of just not have to think about it for a little bit. So I don't know. Hopefully the Rams went in on Monday, you know, gave the fans and some of the citizens some much needed escape from the things that are happening. But shout out to everyone that's involved in helping prevent rebuild, you know, just the emergency responders that are there helping out the people that are in need. Yeah, it was pretty powerful seeing a lot of the LA fans in that place. I really thought Big Wit killed it in his speech. That ain't the first speech I've heard from him. He always kills, he's always away with words and he's obviously really personally connected to all this stuff being out there in LA. So yeah, let's get on to LeBron. Let's pick up some spirits and get this conversation going. Joining us today, the 69 forward from Akron, Ohio, the number one pick of 2003 NBA Draft, 2004 Rookie of the Year, 20 time NBA Allstar, four time MVP, four time NBA Champion, three time gold medalist, and the NBA all time leader in career points. That's right, 92 percenters. Please welcome Northeast Ohio's finest, Mr. LeBron James.

[Travis Kelsey]

Let's go.

[Intern Brandon]

Oh my God. Yo, yo, Jason, that might, Yo, Jason, that might be the greatest introduction of all time. Found at the end with the powder. Oh my goodness. You guys are unbelievable.

[Travis Kelsey]

This dude is just wearing the powder.

[Intern Brandon]

Right, right.

[Travis Kelsey]

Who's going to clean that shit up now?

[Jason Kelsey]

Kylie is not going to be happy about this.

[Travis Kelsey]

Jason. You got to, you got to blow the powder away, Jason. Study the technique, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

Way too much in there. Yeah, all right.

[Travis Kelsey]

This guy looks like a fucking ghost, man. That's just great.

[Intern Brandon]

Dog.

[Travis Kelsey]

You started doing the powder. What year was it your rookie year?

[Intern Brandon]

No, I don't remember if it was my rookie year, Trav, man, I, it was maybe second year, maybe third year, but I, I, I used to just go up to the, to the, to the counter. Man, Go up there, put a little powder because it, you know, I like the resin on my hands and make. I was say.

[Jason Kelsey]

Was that like a move?

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, yeah. I just went up there, do a little bit of something, and then just went to the game. And then, you know, I started doing a little bit more and they started like doing that towards the scores table and they. I seen them kind of like, you know, getting ready for me to do it, and then I started doing like this and I threw it up a little bit. One time he got a little bit more excited. I was like, you know what? Fuck it. I'm just gonna have.

[Travis Kelsey]

It's iconic, man. It's fucking iconic.

[Intern Brandon]

Oh, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

All right, well, we're gonna get into this right off the bat because I think this is incredible. Super wild card weekend. LeBron, you've been working with DraftKings.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

You went five for six. Look at this pit.

[Travis Kelsey]

Look at this football, baby. Got down some football.

[Jason Kelsey]

He had the Chargers to win, Baltimore to win, Buffalo to win. Eagles to win. Commanders to win, Rams to win.

[Travis Kelsey]

That's crazy. That's crazy. Are you. I mean, we knew. We know you played football back in the day at, at St. Vincent St. Mary, man.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Travis Kelsey]

Has it ever actually, like, crossed your mind what you could possibly do in the NFL?

[Intern Brandon]

No, absolutely, absolutely. Absolutely.

[Travis Kelsey]

Like, like, have you ever, like, taken it like a serious thought, like, man, what if I just did one year?

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah. The only time I've, like, really taken it, like, super duper serious. I believe it was. I think it was 2011 when we had the NBA lockout and, you know, and I didn't know, like, when we were gonna make the deal with the, with the owners and, and get our league back going. So I, I actually thought about it a little bit back then. I was still young enough, you know, to get out there with y'all, but, you know, that's the, that's the only time I've actually seriously considered it. I've had serious dreams about this shit all the time. All the time. And my dream never actually, the, the ball is never kicked off. It's like me and the warm ups. It's me coming out, running my routes, and then right when the game started, I like, wake up or some. I'm like, okay, yeah, that lets me know I'm not supposed to be out there.

[Travis Kelsey]

There you go.

[Jason Kelsey]

Time out. Come on.

[Intern Brandon]

Solid.

[Travis Kelsey]

The dreams. Yeah, we know, exactly.

[Jason Kelsey]

Just to let you know, you're still young enough to get out there.

[Travis Kelsey]

We can seriously see how you can get up and down the floor.

[Jason Kelsey]

Exactly.

[Travis Kelsey]

Who do you think your. Your biggest comparison would have been on in the league? Everyone always likes to say Gronk or. Or maybe even Calvin Johnson.

[Jason Kelsey]

Megatron, probably the closest.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, yeah. It's probably like a mix between, you know, Gronk or Randy Moss a little bit, but he's a lot smaller than me. He runs a lot faster, but he's a lot smaller than me. But like Megatron, we kind of have that same, like, stature as far as build or whatever the case may be. Ooh, Tony Gonzalez. With him, his size. And obviously he played basketball as well. I used to love his celebration when he used to dunk on the goal post, too. I always trying to say, oh, actually, I saw you do it too, here.

[Travis Kelsey]

I tried, I tried. I might have just smacked backboard on that one. I don't know if I got up to him, just smack the glass.

[Intern Brandon]

Oh, no. The NFL had a nerve to find you for that. I'm like, come on, man, relax.

[Travis Kelsey]

You already know it was fine. Well, worthy, actually. Tony G. Helped me out with that one. He. But instead of throwing any money at me, I just told him to send it to the foundation. Shout out to Tony G for Tony.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah. Give it up. Give it up for Tony G. Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

The only game you missed in that parlay was the Texans Chargers game. What? I mean, we know you're a big football fan, I guess. What is. How do you watch the games? Like, how do you. How do you stay knowledgeable of all this stuff? You're a busy dude, man.

[Intern Brandon]

Listen, I try to watch as many, you know, NFL games, you know, college games, you know, high school games. And, yeah, I'm very knowledgeable about the game. I remember playing it, obviously, but, you know, just watching you guys out there and seeing the way y'all play, it's not just like, as a fan, which I'm a fan of the sport, but also kind of like, you know, my IQ about the game. So the Chargers, Texans game, I was off on that. I felt like, you know, the Texans, they hadn't played consistent football all year, you know, and obviously losing Stefan Diggs and losing Tank Dale, you know, I just felt like big pieces, you know, big pieces. And, you know, you know, my boy, you know, you know, my boy, you know, C.J. stroud has been struggling a little bit this year. He, you know, he had the rookie of the Year last year, you know, Ohio State alumni, but he was struggling, too, losing those big guys. And I felt like the Chargers was coming in on so much you know, I felt like they had it. I feel like they had an opportunity, you know, been coaching those guys really well this year. But turnovers, we all know the name of the game and in sports, especially in football, man, is turnovers. And that defense for the Texans, they turned them boys over multiple times. You know, that's the game right there.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, yeah. Their defense balled out some tough ones.

[Travis Kelsey]

For Herbert too, man. Through some, through some hands and deflections. It's, it's. Those are just daggers, man. You mentioned Ohio State, man. I gotta ask, man. Did Trussell ever come and knock on the door? I know basketball was always there.

[Intern Brandon]

Absolutely, man. Trust will knock on the door plenty of times. They wanted me to come up there and be a tool, a two sport player, I. E. Travis Hunter. We saw what Travis Hunter did this year, you know, with Colorado, but definitely they knocked on the door. It's like if you come down to Ohio State, we want you to play both size. And I would have definitely thought about that. My best friend at the time, she on cotton, went off to Ohio State, full ride to Ohio State and he played for Ohio State football. So that have been super dope. I could have like roomed with him. Played football during the, during the basketball during the winter and spring.

[Travis Kelsey]

So that would have been dope, man. Buckeyes, man. That would have been crazy to see you in a Buckeyes jersey.

[Intern Brandon]

That have been dope.

[Travis Kelsey]

Maurice Claret was coming from around that northeast Ohio area too. He was, I believe they had just won it.

[Intern Brandon]

Yep, yep, he was. You know what's crazy? Ohio, Mr. Football. When Maurice. Correct. Won his senior year, I was top three in runnings for Mr. Football as well. But he went crazy, man. He went to Warren Harding. Yeah, he went insane his senior year and then his freshman year went on to Ohio State and they was able to beat that juggernaut of the Miami Hurricanes that year, you know, for the national championship. But Maurice, correct. Was a beast, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

Beast was that.

[Travis Kelsey]

Absolutely.

[Jason Kelsey]

2002, right?

[Intern Brandon]

This was 2000. This would have been 2000. Three, four.

[Travis Kelsey]

So they, they, man, oh man, that team would have been nasty. Something that happened over the, over the weekend is, you know, we thought we could relate it to you because you're a big book guy. You're, you're big, big book guy. AJ Brown was seen reading a book on the sideline of the game. Did you catch this?

[Intern Brandon]

I did catch that. I was watching the game and I did catch. I, I can say I've watched the NFL for 35 plus years. Of my life. That's the first time I've seen guys eat Skittles. Marshawn Lynch. I've seen guys with the oxygen tanks. I've seen meditating. I've seen guys slam helmets. I've seen a lot of. That was the first time I've ever seen a book been brought out on the bench. First time.

[Travis Kelsey]

You ever seen that in the NBA?

[Intern Brandon]

No, no, never. No, no, no, no.

[Travis Kelsey]

Like, just. Just something to ease the mind. Just go ahead and read a few passages.

[Intern Brandon]

And by the way, when A.J. brown said the reasoning for why he did it, you know what? It was great. And then they showed the clip when Saquon had the touchdown run and he slid. And you seen Devonte and AJ like, messing around with him, like, man, go score that. And he like, nah, man, you'll chill. I was like, the chemistry is still there, so. Oh, it's, you know, the chemistry's still there. They've been playing good football.

[Travis Kelsey]

That's all that matters.

[Intern Brandon]

You know, I think that's ten in a row for them. They got it going, so, hey, if it's working for them, let them keep going, man.

[Travis Kelsey]

Whatever.

[Intern Brandon]

Whatever works.

[Travis Kelsey]

You know, I'm with you on that.

[Jason Kelsey]

No doubt. What about this Bill's Ravens game? Staying on the topic of these playoff games, man, we got Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson. You had the tweet during the game. Henry King. Henry?

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Man, does anybody that can call somebody a king? I think we're with him right now. What do you like in this game?

[Intern Brandon]

I mean, it's a tough one, man. Obviously, I think Buffalo, you know, has. I don't want to say it's not surprising anymore, but they lost a lot of pieces in the off season, you know, and a lot on the offensive end, too. And then they lost a lot in their secondary, too. You know, Micah Hyde left and. And Poyer left, and Davious. Davious White left, you know, and, you know, all those receivers there. So a lot was a lot of like, okay, will they be able to get to this point where they are. Well, they still got Josh Allen, and Josh Allen has been. He's been unbelievable. So, you know, for Lamar, listen, this is. This is what they want. You know, this is. This. This is why they grabbed Derrick Henry. This is why they, you know, made the change with the offensive coordinator to be able to get to the point where they could play either Buffalo or play Travis and them boys that, like, listen, if you want to be crowned, you have to, you know, beat the top teams in the. In the AFC and the top teams in AFC over the last three, four, five, obviously 20 years. If you're talking Casey, these guys, it's Buffalo or it's KC So, you know, it's up. It's. This is, you know, in order for Lamar to get to where he says he wants to get, he has to go through Buffalo, he has to go through KC So let let the games begin.

[Jason Kelsey]

I can't wait to watch that one.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah, he's been knocking on the door, man. He has been knocking on the door for sure.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, he's been knocking on the door.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yep, Henry definitely helps, man. He was running. He was like a Clydesdale running through that hole. He was freshly out. Seeing him all season. I don't know how. Man, that was amazing.

[Intern Brandon]

Absolutely. Yeah, super. Looks super fresh.

[Travis Kelsey]

Absolutely King Henry, I've been loving the. The commercials of you and Kevin Hartman. I'll tell you what, that's when I thought, because you. It was the celebration one in the middle of the season, I was like, man, I. Every time it came on, I was dying laughing. But the new ones, you guys got some heat, man. You and Kevin are absolutely hilarious together, man. I can't wait to keep seeing these things unfold.

[Intern Brandon]

No, absolutely, man. Me and Kev is one of my best friends, man, when it comes to this. And when we get on set, you know, we have a script, and then it gets to the point where they. We just like, man, let's just riff and let's see what comes out of it. Let's just do it and whatever comes out of it because of our chemistry, you know, it's great working with KF, working with DraftKings, being able to. To, you know, do things like that where it's just easy for us and we knock those things out very easily and happy that people love them, you know, because it's definitely fun. It's definitely fun.

[Travis Kelsey]

You already know. I can only imagine how fun it is.

[Intern Brandon]

Cleveland Connection is great. Exactly. Always.

[Jason Kelsey]

Howdy. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Reese's.

[Travis Kelsey]

Guys, let me tell you about their newest creation that has my entire mind blown. These Reese's Chocolate lava big cups.

[Jason Kelsey]

Reese's. Sorry. Reese's. I keep forgetting they pronounce it differently than I've always pronounced it. Did you know that?

[Travis Kelsey]

Nope. I thought it was Reese's my entire life. It's not.

[Jason Kelsey]

Why did we get that from? It's clearly like reading it. It's Reese's, but we've always pronounced it Reese's. Is that a Midwest thing?

[Travis Kelsey]

It might be a. Like a cola versus A pop. It might just be whatever. You grew up saying it. Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Reese's has told us that the brand says Reese's. So I will continue to call it Reese's because whoever tells me to say anything. Anyway, picture your favorite Reese's. But now imagine they taking a bite and discovering a layer of chocolate lava inspired filling that takes the experience to another. This does sound so good. I can't wait to try this out.

[Travis Kelsey]

They literally took perfection and somehow made it even better than perfection. I didn't even know you could have perfection, let alone something better than all your peanut butter chocolate dreams in one cup.

[Jason Kelsey]

Buy Reese's chocolate Lava big cups now at a store near you found wherever candy is sold. Alrighty. Before we get Back to more LeBron James, it's time for a little look ahead. Look Ahead is brought to you by DraftKings. Joining me now is intern Brandon. Come on in here, intern Brandon.

[Narrator]

I'm here.

[Jason Kelsey]

What's up, bubba? How you doing?

[Travis Kelsey]

Hey, buddy.

[Jason Kelsey]

Thanks for helping out.

[Narrator]

You're in the middle of talking to LeBron.

[Jason Kelsey]

It's pretty crazy. Pretty crazy.

[Narrator]

It feels weird to interrupt LeBron James. It certainly does. I'm not going to not say that.

[Jason Kelsey]

All right, we've got eight teams left heading into this weekend's slate of games. Let's have you, intern Brandon, construct same game parlay extra for your favorite picks for the weekend. For those who are unfamiliar, same game parlay extra is also called a SGPX and it is a parlay where at least two of the bets are from one game and at least one pick is from a different game.

[Narrator]

First pick. I am looking at the Commander's Lions game. I am going to be honest, the Lions have not scored under 30, I think since November. I'm. I'm going to go with the Lions in this game. I feel very confident in them. I am concerned about their defense. Jason, should I be concerned about their defense?

[Jason Kelsey]

The Lions defense?

[Narrator]

Lions defense.

[Jason Kelsey]

I mean, they're banged up, but they're still healthy in the secondary and they play man to man coverage which allows them to load the box. They looked really good against Minnesota. They'll double McLaurin a lot and they're going to pack the box to stop the run. So I think the Lions will win this game pretty handily. I just think that they're a much more talented team up front. But I've been wrong about the Commanders.

[Narrator]

All season, so I feel the exact same way. Yeah, I feel the exact. I'm excited to watch it. Next pick from that same game. I am going to go with Jameer Gibbs to score a touchdown. He has had TD in five of the Lions eight home games this year and I don't know if I trust the commander's D line. I love the way the Lions use him if it's a rushing or receiving touchdown. I feel like he is an incredible red zone weapon where you don't know where he might be springing from.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, I'll be surprised if he does not score a touchdown.

[Narrator]

Let's see. Last pick. Last pick. We are going to look at the game. I think we're all waiting for. This is Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. It's at home. It's in Buffalo. I'm. I'm gonna go with Josh Allen over on passing yards. 250 and a half. 2:50. 2:50. I know, I know. He didn't crack 200 last time they played.

[Jason Kelsey]

I wouldn't say, like, the way their offense functions that I'm expecting a big passing yards number, but I think the game's gonna be close and I think that Allen's gonna have to throw for over 250. So I bet he probably goes north of it. But like, this is a game where I'd go over Allen's rushing yards if that was an option because I feel like in games where he has to win, he usually rushes for more. They're going to have some designed runs in crucial situations. Isn't it going to snow?

[Narrator]

I don't know. I didn't check the weather.

[Travis Kelsey]

Oh, you're right. I should check the weather.

[Narrator]

All right, I'll check the weather if I see snow.

[Travis Kelsey]

We're flipping.

[Narrator]

Passenger rushing. We'll flip past and rushing. You can check out all of those odds for the playoffs, those games. Any games over on DraftKings sportsbook. Jason, do you want to take us home?

[Jason Kelsey]

Alrighty. Now that everyone knows about some of the awesome bets that are available at DraftKings, you're ready for the big game. That's right. Those of you who haven't checked them out yet can get a new customer offer. That's right. All new customers who bet $5 will get $200 in bonus bets instantly. Download the DraftKings app and sign up using code New heights. The crown is yours. Once again, Look Ahead is brought to you by DraftKings.

[Narrator]

Now back to LeBron James gambling problem.

[LeBron James]

Call 1-800- gambler in New York. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text hopeny46 in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas, 21 and over. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG co Audio.

[Jason Kelsey]

Well, let's move on to your football career a little bit. We talked about a little bit ago, receiver at St. Vincent St. Mary. I believe you ran a 4 4, right?

[Intern Brandon]

Yep.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, the highlights are incredible. But we need to settle something. We've started this debate, and I'm sure you're aware what we're about to ask. What is easier to do? An NFL player going to the NBA or an NBA player going to the NFL?

[Intern Brandon]

Oh, my God.

[Travis Kelsey]

From a guy that could, that literally could have played both. You are the, Everybody knows you could have done both. So this, this, this, I respect this decision.

[Intern Brandon]

This is a great debate. And I've been hearing and seeing people's responses and seeing people's questions or whatever and going back and forth. I, I want to say that I think it's easier for a basketball player to try NFL. There's no question over the NFL player trying to get into the NBA. I, I, I, I just, and I know we got some great athletes. I've seen, I've seen Keon Coleman's highlights when he played, you know, and it's a lot of guys that's played basketball. I've seen Zay Flowers play his high school highlights as well.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yes, they fly.

[Intern Brandon]

Super athletic, fast, quick guard, you know, but I would say basketball to, to football. An NBA guy decides to go play the NFL. Yes. It's going to take a transition period, you know, and for me, it would have been like getting used to being hit again. Like, like, I remember just like in high school, I was to go from summer, from summertime, playing basketball, playing AAU ball, and then going into the fall, I had to get used to getting hit again.

[Travis Kelsey]

Like that first three practices, first three.

[Intern Brandon]

Practices, once you put on the shoulder pads and the helmets, like, getting hit again is the most important thing. And then like, you know, getting the cadence back, you know, getting, getting your routes back and all that. But once you get into a groove, you like, okay, you know, I got it. It's like riding a bike. Football going to basketball is such more, you know, coordination and, and, and, and running and jumping and it's like consistent, you know, it's a way different, it's consistent, you know, with football, you know, you say hike you know, whatever your cadence is. Boom. Just quick, quick twitch, you know, and then settle back, reset. Quick twitch, settle back, reset. Exactly six seconds at a time. But in basketball, you can go on for four or five straight minutes with no timeouts, no breaks, and you gotta. You gotta keep your mind fresh. You got to keep your eye. You gotta breathe like, you gotta. You know, Jason isn't.

[Travis Kelsey]

Jason isn't. Isn't Bill for that one.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

I was about to say, listen, I could have definitely played in the NBA. No question about it.

[Travis Kelsey]

Bron. I got to know, if there's one player outside of yourself who you think would be able to make the cleanest transition into the NFL, who would it be?

[Intern Brandon]

I would say, off top of my head, I would say Russell Westbrook or Anthony Edwards. I think Russ be an unbelievable strong safety or free safety, you know, his ability to kind of playing defense. I think so. I think so. You know, and Russ, he comes. He comes with that natural aggression. Off top.

[Travis Kelsey]

He does, yeah, he got that.

[Intern Brandon]

He got that. That. That Derwin James type aggression. He's trying to hit somebody. And I think Edwards, I've seen a lot of his little league football highlights, and also I think he played in high school as well.

[Travis Kelsey]

Oh, I gotta check those out.

[Intern Brandon]

He looked like he could make the transition as well. But off top, I think Russ, for sure.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah. Anthony Edwards has a bit of that mentality as well.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, yeah, for sure.

[Travis Kelsey]

What I've seen, too.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, for sure.

[Jason Kelsey]

As fellow Ohioans, we got to talk about Cleveland. Did you know Trav saw you play when you were in high school?

[Travis Kelsey]

Oh, yeah, baby. Cleveland State, baby.

[Jason Kelsey]

Have you guys ever talked about this?

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, Yeah, I did. We talked about this a couple of times. He came to Cleveland State and watched me rock out, man.

[Travis Kelsey]

Man, I was in. I was. I was in middle school, man. I was just trying to see the king, man. I was trying to see before it went. Went pros, man. I wasn't sure if you were gonna land in Cleveland. Luckily, you did. And I got to see you play. Yeah, countless amount of times up at the. The Gun arena, then the Quick and Loans Arena. Yeah, but, yeah, man, saw you down at Cleveland State. How many times did you. Did you play at Cleveland State? I can think of two off the top of my head.

[Intern Brandon]

But, yeah, yeah, I think I played at Cleveland State prior about five times. You know, I know I played a few times early on in high school and then definitely a couple times in my senior year. So it was definitely. It was definitely a fun time being up in Cleveland playing up there. And I even played at the Gund arena, too, my senior year. Like, yeah, you know, play. We played against Warren. Warrensville Heights, you know, my. My senior year. And I don't. I don't like to talk about this too much, but my game my senior year had more fans than the Cavs had that year. I think the only time they had more fans when MJ played in Cleveland. But that's too funny, man. But that was. That's too funny.

[Travis Kelsey]

I'll tell you what, man, I. For whatever reason, man, I was still, like, one of the biggest Cavs fans, even though they were the worst team in the league.

[Intern Brandon]

Darius Miles, Boozer, all those dudes. Y. Ricky.

[Travis Kelsey]

Ricky Davis, man, all those guys. You would get a few highlights a game, man.

[Intern Brandon]

Oh, yeah, for sure. Yeah, for sure. Like, you knew they was. They didn't win a lot of games, but they gonna give you a couple plays here. Ricky D. You know, D. Miles, Smush, Parker, Booze. Like, all those guys was on that team, you know, it was fun to watch, even though. Even though, you know, they wasn't that successful there, man, but it was fun to watch.

[Travis Kelsey]

Well, you turned them up, baby.

[Jason Kelsey]

But you bring up a good point with, like, you bringing more fans to the gun than the Cavs did. I don't think people now realize just how big you were in high school, like, unless you grew up in that. It was. It was so crazy.

[Travis Kelsey]

Oh, man.

[Intern Brandon]

Right.

[Jason Kelsey]

The level of expectation and fame that you had at St. Vincent St. Mary. Like, I. I've never seen anything like that to this day.

[Intern Brandon]

No, you're right, Jason. And the funny thing is, like, you say, like, and this is before social media, so you couldn't really.

[Travis Kelsey]

That's what it is.

[Intern Brandon]

Unless you was there in real time. You didn't know. It was just word of mouth. It was like, okay, I heard about this kid from Northeast Ohio. It's like, okay, well, like, who's trying to make a trip to Akron, Ohio? Who's trying to come to Cleveland? It's like, you know, but like, if you happen to be, you know, going to the Canton Football hall of Fame, or if you happen to be going to Cleveland to the Rock and Roll hall of Fame, or if you was to happen to be in town and I happened to be playing, you understood what the hype was all about, you know, why it was so much conversation. So I can only imagine if social media was around there, we would. Like. I don't. It would have been too much for Northeast Ohio at that point.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's interesting. Yeah.

[Travis Kelsey]

It's really like you were. You were the last of, like, that legend era of, like, word of mouth.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, yeah, for sure, man.

[Travis Kelsey]

Back. Back when you were playing, when I was playing, like, back, guys had to literally be the absolute best to get some sort of highlight tape. If you. If, like, there was nobody just out here just getting. Just putting their highlight tape on YouTube and getting looks or getting clicks.

[Intern Brandon]

No, no question, Trav. Like, right now, like, if you, if you. You could be anywhere in the world now and because of the phones and because of the things you can capture, you could be recruited and get accepted. Back then when we played, if you didn't have a coach to come see you live, it was going to be hell. And you showed up that day and you had to show up because they was all over the place. Like, they was not just going to come and keep coming back if you didn't show up. Like, and you had to perform in front of those coaches and you knew, you knew those games that those big time coaches was there too. So it put even more pressure on you to show out. Absolutely. You're right about that, man. We had to. Like, us three being Northeast Ohio kids, like, we had to show out when those coaches was there or we didn't know if they was gonna come back.

[Travis Kelsey]

Missed the train.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah. You missed the train. Yep.

[Jason Kelsey]

Not only were you from the Northeast, you end up going to the Cavs, you end up bringing the first title to Cleveland. What was it, like 50 years or whatever?

[Intern Brandon]

I think it was 50. 57 years. 57 years. Something crazy. 57.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Intern Brandon]

I wasn't alive yet. Why do I get this pressure?

[Travis Kelsey]

That's crazy, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

I do. Gotta ask, of your four championships, where does the one in Cleveland rank? I mean, the first one, it's hard to top the first one.

[Travis Kelsey]

Ain't that the truth.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. We all remember our first one. And we know the feeling that we had when we won our first one because of, like, all the disappointment before that, you know, all the hard work, the dedication, the things that people don't see, the nights that we cry about, what the fuck we could have did better in order for us to get that first one. And then you're able to prevail. That first one is so, so special. So, so dear. But, man, there's nothing better for me than that Cleveland one. Just because of everything. Like, like you said, the 50 plus years of no championship of Northeast Ohio, you know, the seven years I was there beforehand and it took me to leave and to come back to it, like, to understand or appreciate even more being down three one with the greatest. The greatest team. 73 and nine warriors with Steph and Clay and Draymond and, you know, and coming back and winning that game and winning that series for the city of Cleveland, for Northeast Ohio. That's why you saw the emotional.

[Travis Kelsey]

Getting me fired up right now, man. You get me fired up right now.

[Intern Brandon]

You saw me crying on the court. It was like. It all just like. Like that one 2016. I would become an old man someday. We will all become old men. I know we got great beards. They're going to be all gray at some point, you know, coming in on the sides.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, yeah.

[Intern Brandon]

That. That year. That's one year I would never forget. 2016. That. That's. It was an unbelievable time.

[Travis Kelsey]

I came back and went to the parade, man. It was absolutely epic. Dog, I appreciate you again for doing. I know I told you a million times, man.

[Intern Brandon]

It's the greatest parade, man. Absolutely.

[Travis Kelsey]

For Cleveland. One time, baby. Cleveland would be the only sports town to win a series. 3 1. And then baseball, the exact next series.

[Intern Brandon]

Lose 3 to 1. We could have been on top of the world forever. We could have been on top of the world forever. But it's all good. Cleveland, by the way, the Cavs look amazing right now as well. They got another opportunity.

[Travis Kelsey]

We are rolling.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, I hope they. I hope they keep it going. They got an opportunity to do something special. So, you know, I'm glad I was able to put on first, set the. Set the trend, and hopefully we keep it going.

[Jason Kelsey]

We go, Cavs.

[Travis Kelsey]

There you go, baby.

[Jason Kelsey]

Well, now that we're in the NBA, you've went viral a couple of weeks ago, I guess. Now, who owns Christmas according to you? I love the NFL, but Christmas is the NBA.

[Intern Brandon]

Well, we are trying to.

[Jason Kelsey]

We are sneaking in on that, Terry.

[Intern Brandon]

Listen, listen, listen. I saw. I saw the fucking numbers after the fact. You guys kicked our ass. All right. Okay. From a viewership standpoint, boy, y'all kicked her ass. You had. You know, the games weren't as great as they should have been.

[Jason Kelsey]

They should.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, well, you have Beyonce.

[Jason Kelsey]

Come on.

[Travis Kelsey]

I thought it was a pretty good game.

[Intern Brandon]

And Travis, you guys go there and kick Pittsburgh's ass, you know, and, you know, Beyonce comes out there. But I had. I had. You know. You know, when you go out there, you got your little brother, and he may gets beat up one time, you're like, hey, we didn't lose that fight. We here. We stand here.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Intern Brandon]

We didn't lose. That's how I felt. I had to stand up. I had to stand up for the NBA.

[Jason Kelsey]

You've had a couple of huge milestones recently. Recently passed Kareem Abdul Jabbar for most points in your career.

[Travis Kelsey]

It's crazy stuff right there.

[Jason Kelsey]

And. And obviously you and Bronnie became the first father son duo ever to play in the game. I mean, I do. What. What career achievement means the most to you besides the titles we already talked about?

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Like this type of stuff. Like.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Which one is the biggest deal to you?

[Intern Brandon]

I think besides the titles? You know, obviously the titles rank right up there. There's something that you, you know, when you. When you get into it, that's all you play for. When you're able to get with a franchise and y'all all believe in the.

[Travis Kelsey]

Same thing, it's like, special, man.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah. We are competing for championships in and every year without a question. And when you're able to accomplish that, it's like, that's exactly what the hard work and dedication for. But for me, you know, obviously, when it comes to the titles, that's one separate thing. But to be able to be in this league and play in this league and also being able to do it alongside Bronnie right now, that's like one of the biggest accomplishments and probably the number one accomplishment I've ever been able to do. Like to. To work with your son, a lot of people and like, not. Not only sports, you know, but I've heard it in business and. And walks of life, and then says the greatest thing you could ever, ever have. And, you know, to see him every day, you know, grinding and going through the. Going through the process of trying to become who he wants to become while I am, you know, sitting there and just watching him and doing the things that he wants to do and being able to just take it all in. It helps me get some of the minutes and hours and years back that I did not have with them because I was playing so much and on the road. Exactly. So to be able to get some of this time back now, man, it's. It's pretty special.

[Travis Kelsey]

He's handled the hype and the scrutiny and everything so perfect and so well. Yeah, you had the hype coming out, but it. There wasn't the expectations of being. Of being as great as you. And.

[Intern Brandon]

And, yeah, and. And I didn't have to deal, you know, we go back to the social media. I didn't have to deal with the social media trolls either. Growing up.

[Jason Kelsey]

Oh, that's interesting.

[Intern Brandon]

You know, and I didn't have to deal with my father being this fucking guy that's on the pedestal. I have to deal with that. Bronny has to deal with all of that. And if you ever meet Bronnie, then you'll realize, you'd be like, I'm such an idiot to look down on him or not want him to do great. He is the most chill, easy, fun kid in the world. He goes to work, he goes home, he takes care of his body, he plays his video games, he reads a little bit. And then he comes back and does the same thing. And he, he's like the best big brother that his little brother and little sister could ever have. So, you know, but he's dealing with all that too. So, you know, but that's going to make him. I think it's going to make him be even greater because having to deal with all of the things that he's dealing with and still being able to come back from life threatening situation and still have motivation, still have the motivation. He didn't have to. Bronny doesn't have to play basketball at all. It's not like he needs the money. Yeah.

[Travis Kelsey]

Smart individual. He's. Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

You know what I mean?

[Travis Kelsey]

He can do whatever he wants.

[Intern Brandon]

He can do whatever he wants to do. Like if he wants to be the CEO of my company, he could be that. I give that to start teaching him right now to be there if you want to. But he's like, this is my career, this is my goals and this is my aspirations and I want to play ball. This is something that I love and I, I love that kid. He's awesome. He's awesome.

[Travis Kelsey]

Can't wait to see him. Keep, keep going, man.

[Intern Brandon]

Man. Appreciate it.

[Jason Kelsey]

At what point do you even realize that that's something that can happen? Like, I look at my kids, I'm like, bro, that's insane. You're playing with your son in the NBA.

[Travis Kelsey]

You also had your first daughter when you were like 30.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's fair. But either way, I just think it's amazing. And I don't know, it's got to be like, at what point do you. Like, I might be able to actually play in the NBA with my. Like, was there a moment or like, it was a.

[Intern Brandon]

You know what? It's a video clip of me. I was that somebody sent to me not too long ago. I think it was about seven years ago. And it's so weird. It's either seven or five years ago or whatever. I think Ronnie was either in the seventh or eighth grade, and it was my 15th year in the NBA and I felt incredible. I think that was the year I played all 82 games. I played every playoff game. I think I played like 105 games total that year. And I came out of that season, I felt so damn good. And I think somebody caught me, like, you know, do you ever think that was possibility that you may stick around and possibly play with one of your kids? I was like, man, the way I feel right now, there is a possibility.

[Jason Kelsey]

And it just hit you right then.

[Intern Brandon]

It hit me right then and there. And God willing and damn bat crazy shit to me, it happened.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yes, absolutely.

[Intern Brandon]

It absolutely happened. But, yeah, it's pretty cool, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

Dude, yeah, that's awesome. Thank you to our sponsor, Accelerator Trav. What flavor you sipping on over there?

[Travis Kelsey]

I'm sipping on a cherry ice pop. Ooh. I've got it at my house. I've got it at the facility. I got a lot of the guys on the. On the team chugging these things. I mean, everybody needs to get accelerated in their life. And what better way to get natural, healthy energy than Accelerator, Baby, if you.

[Jason Kelsey]

Want to be energized like us, with zero crash or jitters, try it now. Zero sugar is proven to increase your metabolism focus and is proven to burn 165 calories per every can you drink.

[Travis Kelsey]

That's why I'm drinking these things every. All day. Every day, baby. I'm up to like 10 a day. You can go find it at Hy Vee, quick trip. And of course, Amazon makes it too easy. Way too easy. You can get it right at your front door.

[Jason Kelsey]

Thank you to intuit TurboTax for sponsoring today's episode.

[Travis Kelsey]

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[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelsey]

Who wouldn't love to kick back with a cup of coffee fee propped up while a tech savvy tax expert makes sure you're getting every dollar out of those business trips. I mean, that sounds like a dream.

[Jason Kelsey]

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[Travis Kelsey]

It's 2025. It's time to file like it now.

[Jason Kelsey]

This is Taxes, brought to you by Intuit TurboTax. All right. Well, we're going to get to this. We got to ask, but you don't have to answer section we're going to rattle off a bunch of questions. Feel free. Off.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelsey]

Just tell us the fuck off, man. We got. We got it. We got to know the answers of these ones.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah. We usually end all of our conversations with this. So we got a list of questions. Again, you do not have to answer. But we do have to answer. Ask them. There's a story about you playing in an infamous pickup game with Michael Jordan when you were 16 years old. What was it like? Is that true? Like, you tell us how you played. Yeah.

[Intern Brandon]

So when I finally was able to get on the court, first of all, mj, Antoine Walker, and the rest of those guys did not let young guys get on the court at all. And I was 16 years old. I was sophomore in high school. And it takes a while to get on the court. It's usually when the older guys, they get tired and they don't want to play no more. They like, whatever. But I did, and I was able to get on the court alongside. I was on the court with Michael Jordan, Antoine Walker, Penny Hardaway, Legend, Roger Legend, Michael Finley. All these guys who guarded you? Nobody. I was. I was unguardable. Listen, I was. There's a. You. There's, you know, with 16.

[Travis Kelsey]

The baby fro.

[Intern Brandon]

Yep, that was the baby fro. I was in Chicago at MJ's court. It was called Hoops. There's a clip right now of actually Metal World Peace. Talking about that moment as well. Like, oh, man, I gotta check it out. When I finally got out there, I was like, I'm busting ass, man. I was nervous as hell, like, being out there with MJ and the rest of those guys. But are you kidding me? I was like, oh, I'm about to go crazy. And I did. I did, man.

[Travis Kelsey]

That's awesome, man.

[Intern Brandon]

I did.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's awesome, man.

[Travis Kelsey]

I wish I was in that gym that day. That's crazy stuff, man. Well, you see all these shoes behind me, man? You already know I'm a sneaker head.

[Intern Brandon]

I know.

[Travis Kelsey]

I collected them over the years, man. Was it always Nike? You used to wear the T Max at St. Vincent St. Mary. I see. I think I've seen you wear the old Iversons. Was it always Nike, Trav?

[Intern Brandon]

No, it was not. It was not always Nike. It was Nike when I was a young kid, when I was a young lad, obviously, you know, you. You know, I've been in love with Michael Jordan my whole life. So come on, you know, I saw him, Penny Hardaway, you know, Ken Griffey Jr. Bo Jackson. I watched all these unbelievable sports figures. So as a kid growing up, it was Nike. Once I got into the AAU program, started playing basketball, Adidas took us over, you know, and it became Adidas. It was Adidas, like from seventh, eighth grade to pretty much my junior senior year. They sponsored us every year. We played in all the Adidas tournaments, big time tournament in Vegas and all over the United States of America. So it was, it was Adidas. And then my senior year, the process began. The recruitments, the, the Nikes came in. Adidas was still there. Reebok came in. Yeah, and one, you know, all these companies came in and I took on three pitches. I did Adidas pitch, I did a Reebok pitch, I did a Nike pitch. The best pitch that I got where I thought I was going to end up was actually Reebok at one point.

[Travis Kelsey]

Reebok.

[Intern Brandon]

I went to their meeting. I went to their meeting and I sat down across from their CEO and the guys that was running basketball at the time. I don't know if you guys remember this, but Reebok had the NFL as well.

[Travis Kelsey]

Just.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, that's what it was when I first got into the league.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, they had the NFL as well. So they, you know, they knew, they knew my love for football as well. So they had all the NFL jerseys, all the Pro bowl looking jerseys. That was going to be the next year. And I'm sitting across from the table. I'm a senior in high school. I actually have to have, I actually go to, I'm going back to class the next day. They flew me in. I'm going back to St. Vincent St. Mary the next day, my senior year. And the guy slides over a check to me at the end of the table. It's me and my mom and Maverick Carter at the end of the table. And he says, if, if you don't go talk to any other companies, this is yours. And I look at it, I look at it. $10 million. 10 million right there.

[Travis Kelsey]

As an 18 year old, I was still stealing change out of my dad's piggy bank.

[Intern Brandon]

I was a high school senior, man. They gave me a check for $10 million if I promise not to go see anybody else. I told him I need a break. They stepped out. I need to believe that, right?

[Jason Kelsey]

I need a time out.

[Intern Brandon]

My mom looked at it and me and my mom were living in an apartment and you know, Section 8 housing in Akron. I'm Going back, I don't have. Whatever. And my mom looked at me, she said, son, trust your gut. If they're offering you this, then who knows what the other companies may offer you.

[Jason Kelsey]

Okay, Mom.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah, Ma.

[Jason Kelsey]

She's composed.

[Intern Brandon]

Yeah, she's super composed. She's like, we ain't got shit already. So it's not like, you know, it changes our life at this moment. Yes, maybe in the future. But I want you to trust your gut and do what you think is right.

[Travis Kelsey]

That's awesome advice, man.

[Intern Brandon]

So they came back in. Boom. I said, thank you. I would, you know, I would definitely like to continue our conversation, but I would be remiss if I did not take those other pitches from the other companies. I may have cried on the way home because I had to leave the team.

[Jason Kelsey]

You're questioning, man, I hope I just made the right decision.

[Intern Brandon]

Like, I could have bought the building, and me and my mom is living in with that goddamn money. What?

[Travis Kelsey]

Easily.

[Jason Kelsey]

I got a similar. My. My rookie year or my rookie contract. I'm coming up on redoing my rookie contract, and I decide potentially, I'm like, okay, I think I might do this myself. I might forego and just be my own agent, negotiate my own contract. And thankfully, my agents were like. They talked me into, like, no, no, no. We need to. You're going to want an agent. Trust me. They sent over the first offer, and I was like, all right, where do we sign? They're like, no, no, no, no. We could get it. We could go high. We can go high.

[Travis Kelsey]

Oh, man, that's funny as.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah. That first time you get. Get a check like that thrown in front of you so you never forget.

[Intern Brandon]

You never, never forget. Never seen that many zeros in your life. Never, never, never. Yes. Yes, man.

[Travis Kelsey]

That's too funny.

[Jason Kelsey]

Have you seen this tweet from 2015? LeBron is 30. This fuckery will go on for much longer than.

[Intern Brandon]

Yes. I saw that tweet throughout my. All of my 30s, and I laughed at it so hard. Put it up in the locker.

[Jason Kelsey]

You just put it right there, like. Yeah.

[Intern Brandon]

And you don't want to know what's funny? When I turned 40, the same fucking guy said, LeBron turned 40. This won't go on much longer.

[Travis Kelsey]

That gold, man.

[Intern Brandon]

So good.

[Jason Kelsey]

So good. Look at that. That's so good.

[Intern Brandon]

Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness. He's gonna be real upset when I turn 50. No doubt.

[Travis Kelsey]

That was classic, man. Ron, did you ever hoop in Heights Gym?

[Intern Brandon]

I don't think I hooped in heights gym, man. Ah, I don't think so. You know what? I was actually thinking about that, and if I. I don't. I know it was never a game. I never played Cleveland Heights in Cleveland Heights, but I might have been there for maybe a summer league game or just for a run or something, man. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Travis Kelsey]

Either way, man, it's Northeast Ohio forever.

[Jason Kelsey]

I. I want to ask one more question, and I know you've talked about this before. How did you. How did you do this from the expectations that were. On your feet, Trav. You touched on this. Like, I just never seen anybody, and I don't know that I ever will handle every step of the way with such just, like, class and grace. Like, I don't know, man. It's just been remarkable to watch the whole journey and to see the whole thing happen. And I know it's not over yet.

[Intern Brandon]

And keep on going, but I appreciate it, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

What is the wisdom? What's the wisdom to anybody else?

[Intern Brandon]

Listen, Jay, Trav, man. One, Knowing where I came from, you know, you. You come from hacker, you come from Cleveland, you come from Northeast Ohio. You know that you are one or two and three and a billion. And. And if you get that opportunity, man, you one, you can't. You can't it up. You just can't.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah, Gotta lock in, man.

[Intern Brandon]

You know, being from a, you know, single parent household and, you know, and just me and my mom, I have no siblings. You know, seeing the struggle that my mom went through and things of that nature, that was another thing that I was like, okay, you can't fuck her up. Like, you just can't, you know, because now you're given this opportunity.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Intern Brandon]

Then I started thinking about my career. I was like, what do you want to be and how do you want to be remembered? Like, do you want to just go out and just play ball, or do you actually want to be remembered when you're not playing ball? So, like, I took that into consideration. I took that into serious account. I was like, I want to be the greatest that anyone has ever seen in the sport, ever. And then I was like, okay. But in order for that to happen, not only do I got to put the work in on the court, I have to make sure that I take care of the business off the court as well. Like, you can't be a shit show. You can't be a piece of shit. You can't be doing things that affects anything, that has anything to do with. With your profession and being available to your teammates, being available to the franchise, being available Every time you get out there, that caused a distraction. I felt that. And when I started to start my family, that was another part. I knew Savannah was the one. I started having kids. I was like, I didn't have that male influence. My dad wasn't around. I was like, okay, I can't that up. So, like, yeah, all of this is, like, piling on, piling on and piling on. And yes, with the weight of the world on my shoulders. I remember I did a interview. I wasn't even in the NBA yet. I think I had just got drafted. I did an interview with, like, Bob Costas or something. I think it was him. And he said, like, how does it feel to know that if you're not a first round ballot hall of Famer, people will look at you, look at you as a failure? I was like, that's a crazy. I said, first ballot hall of Famer. I'm like 18 years old. I haven't even played the game yet. Like, people look at me as a failure. I was like that. I was like, oh, this.

[Jason Kelsey]

Thought about that.

[Intern Brandon]

I haven't even thought about that. Oh, my God. There's people out here that really want me to fail. Oh, my goodness. And I use that as motivation. I was like, I got something for y'all. I got something for y'all. So, man, it's a lot, but it's also just like, to the. To the young guys out there that feel the pressure that, you know, feel like it's maybe too much, like, if you just put the work in. Don't be an asshole. Be a good person, you know, and dedicate yourself to the craft. The game will always be kind to you. That's. Always take care of your body, eat well, you know, give your faith, you know, to the higher above. Because we're. We're nothing without them, obviously. And just be a good person, man. It's not hard. It's not hard to saying, thank you. You're welcome. How you doing? Have a good day. All that type of good. Like, oh, yeah, it's nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong.

[Travis Kelsey]

Leading your life in the right direction, baby.

[Intern Brandon]

There it is.

[Travis Kelsey]

Rewarded.

[Intern Brandon]

Yep, you get rewarded.

[Jason Kelsey]

Everything been inspirational the whole way. Not just as a player, but, I mean, off the field. What you've done from a business side like. Like, Trav, I know you know this, but the impact you've had on players, not just in basketball, but other sports, who.

[Travis Kelsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Seen the success you've had all walks.

[Travis Kelsey]

Of life, empire you've. You've created around yourself. The, the trust you've been able to have with the people around. I mean all that stuff. I, you know, I've taken notes since the, since the jump, man. I give a lot of people very similar to me, close to me and, and around me in the business profession and I took notes from you on it. So I appreciate you doing, doing the right things always and forever and I appreciate you coming on tonight. Thank you for taking the timer for us, man.

[Intern Brandon]

Yes, sir. New heights went to a new height today, baby.

[Travis Kelsey]

Let's go, baby.

[Jason Kelsey]

Let's go.

[Travis Kelsey]

Got the king, man.

[Intern Brandon]

Let's go.

[Travis Kelsey]

Thank you very much, dog.

[Intern Brandon]

Absolutely so much love for you. Best of luck to you in the next, next game, man. I'll be watching.

[Travis Kelsey]

You know what, you know, we get after it.

[Intern Brandon]

Yes, I already know. I already know. All right. My guys love this new year.

[Jason Kelsey]

Healthy habits don't only apply to humans. Give your dog a fresh start too. The farmer's dog makes feeding real healthy dog food easy and convenient. And your dog will absolutely love it.

[Travis Kelsey]

The pre portioned meals are personalized for your dog's needs which makes it simple to help your dog reach and maintain a healthy weight. If you've ever thought about making switch, now is the time.

[Jason Kelsey]

What makes them so different is that food from the farmer's dog is developed by onboard certified vets and veterinary nutritionists to be complete and balanced.

[Travis Kelsey]

It's made from human grade real meat and veggies that are gently cooked with the safety and quality standards of human foods.

[Jason Kelsey]

The farmer's dog delivers their freshly made healthy dog food right to your door on a schedule that works for you and can be adjusted at any time with their 24 hour customer support.

[Travis Kelsey]

The food is pre portioned specifically for your do which makes it easy to help your dog maintain their ideal weight.

[Jason Kelsey]

It doesn't matter if your dog is young or old. It's always the right time to begin investing in their health. That means more healthy, happy full years together.

[Travis Kelsey]

You might not know this, but 60% of dogs in the U. S are overweight. Get 50 off your first box of fresh healthy food at the Farmer's Dog.com New Heights. Plus you get free shipping. That's thefarmersdog.com New Heights. Thanks again to our participating sponsor Audible.

[Jason Kelsey]

This new year let Audible expand your life by listening explore over 1 million audiobooks and exclusive Audible originals that will inspire and motivate you all in one easy app.

[Travis Kelsey]

Maybe you want to kick a bad habit or start a good one. Listening to Audible can help you reach the goals you set for yourself. All you have to do is open the app and whatever your focus or interest is, you'll find titles for that's.

[Jason Kelsey]

Right, like Atomic Habits by James Clear or Outlive the Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia.

[Travis Kelsey]

Get advice or insight from leading professionals and experts on maybe health, relationships, career, finance, investing, a whole lot more. There's so much opportunity to learn and more to imagine when you're listening.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's right, start listening today when you sign up for a free 30 day trial at audible.com new heights holy man.

[Travis Kelsey]

It'S just never enough time with my guy, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

I mean, that flew by.

[Travis Kelsey]

Just want to just grill him. I just want to. And I never want to grill him. And whenever I'm hanging out with him, like I never want to just bring.

[Jason Kelsey]

Up, just bringing them.

[Travis Kelsey]

No, it was Nike always. You know what I mean?

[Jason Kelsey]

Just like put him on the spot.

[Travis Kelsey]

If you had any advice for someone getting into business venture.

[Jason Kelsey]

Perfect. Perfect. That's what I was going to do.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah, just keep grilling him. Oh man, he's the best though, man. What a good dude, man. Ah, that was the, the, the Cleveland kid in me. Whenever we talk to just some Northeast Ohio guys or girls, it's just, it just comes out of me. I feel like I'm like 15 all over again. It's fun stuff right there.

[Jason Kelsey]

There is flower everywhere.

[Travis Kelsey]

Hilarious. Absolutely hilarious. You're like George Washington.

[Jason Kelsey]

Oh, look, it's George.

[Travis Kelsey]

Quick divisional round. Look ahead. Let's talk a little football. Even though we just talked the previous week with LeBron and DraftKings, any surprises for from you specifically on, on, on last week's matchups and the outcomes?

[Jason Kelsey]

Nothing. That's, I mean, in the playoffs, anybody can win. That's why it's the playoffs. Right. So nothing that surprising.

[Travis Kelsey]

Playoffs.

[Jason Kelsey]

You know, Tampa was one of my sleeper teams. I really thought Baker Mayfield, the only part of the season where they dipped down a little bit was when Evans.

[Travis Kelsey]

And Godwin got hurt and they weathered that storm pretty well.

[Jason Kelsey]

I keep thinking Washington doesn't have the roster this year and they keep proving me wrong. So I'm going to stop thinking that. You know what I mean? Like, I just, I keep thinking they're just a year away from having the guys to really get it done. But man, Dan Quinn, Jaden Daniels has been playing out of his mind all year.

[Travis Kelsey]

Taking care of the ball, man, and.

[Jason Kelsey]

They'Re stopping the run. I thought Bucky Irvin was going to have a hell of a day and he played well, but I Don't know. I keep thinking that there's, you know, somebody's going to have a game where they just kind of dominate the trenches on both sides of the ball and it's just not happening. Tampa Bay didn't play bad. Like, it was a good game. They had a couple mistakes at the end that really hurt them. But Washington also was. I mean, they had a couple fourth down calls that like kept. Kept Tampa in it. You know what I mean? Like, I think Washington punt, they're putting like what? None.

[Travis Kelsey]

No times. No. No punts. No. No turnovers.

[Jason Kelsey]

They were, they were moving the ball. They were putting together sustained drives. Like, I've been impressed with Washington all year, but I didn't think that this would be their year to compete with the Big Dogs, and I've been proven wrong. Clearly, Jaden Daniels has had a tremendous season. Their whole defense has been galvanized on an organization and team that I think has lacked a lot of, you know, hope and like, leadership a little bit in like with the whole Dan Snyder thing. And I think Rivera is a phenomenal coach. I just, it felt like that organization was missing something. And for this to turn around this quickly has been remarkable. Shout out to all those guys, man. And Bobby Wagner still playing lights out. It's been awesome to watch. Zach Ertz is out there balling Ertzy, man.

[Travis Kelsey]

I love seeing him get after still in his career, man, for sure.

[Jason Kelsey]

You know, shout out to Baker on a great year. I know it's not the way those guys wanted it. I'm just happy that he's found a home down there in Tampa playing well.

[Travis Kelsey]

I mean, I'm right there with you. I thought that was, that was the one upset that, that I didn't see coming. And they got a, they got a really. I mean, I think they, they're the ones playing the Lions, right?

[Jason Kelsey]

They're playing the Lions this week. This will be a big one.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah. I mean, if you can stop the run, bro.

[Jason Kelsey]

Well, this is the one. Like, I don't know, man. I just. They play so well. Like, they're so well coached on offense and defense, Washington and Detroit. But like, every time I think they're going to get run on. Dan Quinn and this defensive line shows up. Bobby Wagner starts making plays. Like the Eagles had a couple big counter runs on them early the last time they played Washington, Saquon had a big run. He was like over 100 yards in the first like quarter, damn near. And then right after that, you see Bobby start scraping over the top of the Tight end and ruining that play.

[Travis Kelsey]

It's a vet, man, to put it in.

[Jason Kelsey]

Jonathan Gannon used to use this word all the time. They're salty, man. They find a way to get it done. They're a resilient group and now they find themselves, you know, playing in the divisional round. And it's been an incredible year for Washington. I mean, I would be beyond shocked if they get it done against Detroit this week, too. But, I mean, at some point, it's just, they're having a great year. The quarterback is playing really well. They're well coached, and it seems like they're a great group together. So kudos to Washington for getting it done.

[Travis Kelsey]

Shout out to the commanders, baby. Let's, let's. Speaking of next week, let's go ahead and talk some, some divisional around football, baby.

[Jason Kelsey]

Okay. Okay. Well, we got Chiefs, Texans. How do you feel? 25 days since you last played on Christmas. How about that? Gotta feel pretty fresh.

[Travis Kelsey]

Well, I mean, I've been getting after it. I've been getting after it. Never, never too fresh. You gotta keep the wear and tear on the body. You can't let your body get out of the zone. You know what I mean? You got to stay in the zone. You gotta. That's why we were in pads this week. We had one or one practice in pads and we got after it ones on ones a little bit. And that keeps you in the groove, right? That keeps you feeling football. It keeps you kind of having that endurance, that muscle memory that you need to, to come out and, and play fast, man. But the Texans, I mean, you want to talk about playing fast, that D line, that defense, it's a, it's, man, it's a real deal right there. And, and they showed it, they showed it this past weekend against the Chargers on what they can do and they can create turnovers. They're a tough team. They're a tough team, man. And I'm excited for the challenge, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

Their secondary is very good. They can match up with pretty much any team in the league. Their defensive line plays very aggressive. They're well coached. With Demigo Ryan's, I, you know, Matt Burke, dude, it's crazy how many staff members I know for the Texans. Tamika Ryan's, I played with Burke. The DC was with me in Philly with Jim Schwartz. Corey Unlen was with me in Philly. Billy Davis was the DC with Chip. Nate Ollie's the defensive line coach. Like, dude, I know the entire fucking defensive staff. I was, I was doing one of the games, kept walking By I'm like, God damn, you all are over here. They're well coached. They play physical, they play fast. They got a great group, really do. So it's going to be a challenge for you guys. Shout out to Houston and good luck this week. You got any? What's, what's. What's the keys to victory?

[Travis Kelsey]

The keys to victory, man. What's the keys to victory? I heard about that. Play physical.

[Jason Kelsey]

Just give the.

[Travis Kelsey]

Don't turn the ball over.

[Jason Kelsey]

Don't turn the ball over. Get out to a start. It's like the head coach for the keys of victory. Just as like a running like 7 list of like what it could possibly be. And it's just. How do I rearrange into three keys. Turnovers is always there.

[Travis Kelsey]

Take care of the football, which, I mean playoff football. Control the line of scrimmage, big boys up front. You guys control this thing. That's. That's going to indicate the outcome right there.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Travis Kelsey]

No, man. Got to play. Play complimentary. All three phases got to play together like it's. It's football. It's not that hard, ladies and gentlemen. Everybody know that those are the things.

[Jason Kelsey]

Okay, so the same thing that works every week for victory's got it. Okay, do.

[Travis Kelsey]

That's the one, Jason. That's the one. No, obviously this team plays very, very well together, man. And it's going to take all. All 11 on the field. Yeah, I just said these. Another one.

[Jason Kelsey]

You can't. You can't stop. Like, it always comes down to that.

[Travis Kelsey]

It's just the same thing every single time. No, punch him in the mouth.

[Jason Kelsey]

Gotta punch him right in the mouth.

[Travis Kelsey]

Well, let's talk a little Eagles. Rams. Yeah, the Rams coming into town. You think Saquon scores instead of slides this week?

[Jason Kelsey]

Dude, I was like, just go score, baby. And I. What was. He's like, I didn't want to put the defense back out on the field. Is. That was the.

[Travis Kelsey]

I mean. Yeah. You never know what happens. It's very interesting. I remember a play, similar play happening where we ended up scoring a touchdown. The defense goes back out there and somebody gets banged up and misses the next week. So it's like. Yeah, I mean, that was the thing. I'm going down at the one, though.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah. Get all of my yards. I can. But then. I don't know, man. That's why he's. Where he's at. I'm here anyways.

[Travis Kelsey]

Selfless, selfless. Absolutely selfless, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

And he's been like that the whole year. So he's just the ultimate team player. I expect nothing less. Definitely would have scored if it was me, but, you know, that's why I don't play running back in the NFL and get 2,000 yards.

[Travis Kelsey]

There you go. You did average nine yards of carry, though, in high school. Oh, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

All over that turf over in Lakewood. I was flying on that Astro turf.

[Travis Kelsey]

These kids nowadays don't know what. What turf is. Yes, he's that. You ever heard of AstroTurf? It's carpet over a parking lot. Even know it's carpet over a parking lot.

[Jason Kelsey]

People call, well, we play on now turf in Astro turf. I'm like, no, this is different. This field turf.

[Travis Kelsey]

No, this is completely different. All right, you don't.

[Jason Kelsey]

This isn't carpet.

[Travis Kelsey]

You don't have to put strips of.

[Jason Kelsey]

Tape so that your skin doesn't get scrubbed off.

[Travis Kelsey]

We bring extra bottles when the. When the trainers bring extra bottles of. Of. Was it peroxide?

[Intern Brandon]

Yes.

[Travis Kelsey]

All right. Because we're all day just dumping it on wounds. Yeah, Everybody leaves with a raspberry. If you didn't leave with a raspberry, I don't want you playing.

[Jason Kelsey]

But I'll tell you what, when you're young and it doesn't hurt your joints, it's fun because you're fast. You are flying.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah. Everyone. Everyone brings tennis shoes instead of cleats. It's like a reminder to everybody the day before, and don't come with your cleats tomorrow.

[Jason Kelsey]

Guys, I had those little nubs. I had, like, actual Astroturf cleats, dude.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah, those are the best. Yeah. Well, that's impressive. Yeah, I just had basketball shoes.

[Jason Kelsey]

It works, too.

[Travis Kelsey]

There you go.

[Jason Kelsey]

But, yeah, no, I'm excited about this game. I mean, the Rams, obviously, I was just there this Monday. They played a phenomenal game against the Vikings. Matthew Stafford, they're clicking on all cylinders right now in la, so it's going to be a great game. It's in the link. The Eagles got the better of the Rams last time they played, but the Rams have been. Have been getting better. They played so fast this past week, and I don't know if it was having the week off the week before where they rested some of their starters, but they. They look like a very, very good football team right now.

[Travis Kelsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

Matthews still slinging that ball as good.

[Travis Kelsey]

As he ever has laying.

[Jason Kelsey]

So, yeah, it's gonna be a tough game for. For the Eagles, but, yeah, it'll be a fun one.

[Travis Kelsey]

Let's keep this thing moving, man. Hopefully we can get this dub this weekend, man. And keep our playoff hopes alive, baby. Hey, yo, super bowl hopes alive.

[Jason Kelsey]

Finally, last week, we promised we would do a blind ranking of Will Ferrell movies this episode.

[Intern Brandon]

Oh, yeah.

[Travis Kelsey]

Let's get it going, baby.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's right. So, intern Brandon, please do the honors. Trying to remember all of Will's movies. He's got so many, so pulled these.

[Narrator]

Off of his top 10 on IMDb.

[Jason Kelsey]

So is this in order? Are we seeing one?

[Narrator]

No, no, you're seeing them. These are just numbers. These are just numbers. Don't mean anything right now. Just first, first movie, please.

[Jason Kelsey]

I kind of feel like you would have gone in order.

[Intern Brandon]

You don't.

[Narrator]

I'm sneakier than that. Give me some credit. Movie number one, Step Brothers.

[Jason Kelsey]

This is a top. This is definitely a top.

[Travis Kelsey]

Top.

[Jason Kelsey]

If not one, it's top three. I'm trying to think of what's better than Step Brothers.

[Travis Kelsey]

Dude, it's so good. Like, I could watch it right the now, which is damn near every movie Will's in. But I know I'm going.

[Jason Kelsey]

It feels weird to put the first movie we see at number one.

[Narrator]

That's a risk.

[Travis Kelsey]

But we wouldn't be wrong.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's a no. It's definitely not wrong. I mean, this is a lot of people's number ones. It might be my number one. I'm trying to, like. I love old school. I really do love old school stepbrothers.

[Travis Kelsey]

But that.

[Jason Kelsey]

I feel like that gets better and better every time. In Anchorman, I'm also putting Will.

[Travis Kelsey]

If this is Will Ferrell, a movie like old School, he wasn't the lead.

[Jason Kelsey]

That's fair. That's fair to say.

[Travis Kelsey]

You know what I mean? Like, he did. He did. He made probably the most impression on me as a kid as Frank the Tank.

[Jason Kelsey]

Like, does he get considered, like, his Wedding Crashers, a Will Ferrell movie? Even though he's not the main guy. Wedding Crashers, he's Mom the Meatloaf.

[Travis Kelsey]

Oh, yeah. No, you can't put him in there.

[Jason Kelsey]

In a lot of one.

[Travis Kelsey]

When I think of wedding crashes, I don't think it will.

[Jason Kelsey]

Yeah, you think of Vince Vaughn. Think of God dang. What's the other guy with the crooked nose?

[Narrator]

Wilson.

[Travis Kelsey]

Owen Wilson. Owen was the crooked nose. Jesus, Jason.

[Jason Kelsey]

I'm gonna put it at 2 or 3 just because I think Anchorman's my favorite movie. Anchorman's my favorite favorite.

[Travis Kelsey]

I love it. Let's go two.

[Jason Kelsey]

All right, two.

[Narrator]

Second movie up.

[Jason Kelsey]

We're thinking we're going to forget about one. Talladega, you're in My wheelhouse right now. Brandon, you are in my wheelhouse.

[Travis Kelsey]

I mean, it's got to be three if we're going Anchorman's one. So good.

[Jason Kelsey]

And it's one of those that every time you see it, it just gets better. God, it's so good.

[Travis Kelsey]

It's got to be three. It can't be one.

[Jason Kelsey]

I'm just curious, what else is on this list? He's had so many movies, it's hard to remember all of them. All. All. Like, off the top of your head. I got. I think it's either three or four. I can't go lower than that.

[Travis Kelsey]

It's the. Yeah, it's three. I'm going three. It's two if it's not one.

[Jason Kelsey]

It's so fun. It's so fantastic.

[Travis Kelsey]

So it's got to be 3.

[Jason Kelsey]

I love the Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

[Narrator]

Next movie.

[Travis Kelsey]

Oh, so good.

[Narrator]

The other guys.

[Jason Kelsey]

Great movie. Great movie.

[Intern Brandon]

Damn it.

[Travis Kelsey]

Does this go four?

[Jason Kelsey]

I mean, so many. This one's more of an underrated one, and I don't exactly know why, because it's absolutely incredible.

[Travis Kelsey]

It is so good.

[Jason Kelsey]

I'm gonna say it's below Elf and Anchorman for me. I also think it's probably below old school. Even though he's not the main in old school, it's just more of an iconic movie. Like this one never got the level of notoriety that all the other ones did, for whatever reason. I don't really know why.

[Travis Kelsey]

I don't really.

[Jason Kelsey]

Because it was absolutely hilarious.

[Travis Kelsey]

Movie reviews or ratings? I just watched the movies, and this is up there for me. So six.

[Jason Kelsey]

I'm going six.

[Travis Kelsey]

No, that's gonna be five.

[Jason Kelsey]

All right, I'll go five. I'll go five.

[Travis Kelsey]

I'm missing so much. I'll concede his movies are so good that I can't even imagine putting anything at 10.

[Jason Kelsey]

This is where we're gonna have to start putting some of these movies down there, Travis.

[Travis Kelsey]

We have to. All right, next one.

[Narrator]

Next movie.

[Intern Brandon]

Old school.

[Travis Kelsey]

This. See, just. I'm just. Because it's.

[Jason Kelsey]

God, he's Frank.

[Travis Kelsey]

Frank the Tank.

[Narrator]

He goes striking with the quad.

[Intern Brandon]

You're crazy, man.

[Narrator]

Do you think KFC's still open?

[Intern Brandon]

You're crazy. I love you. We're going striking, but you're crazy.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah, Frank, the whole town knows you had a good time last night.

[Jason Kelsey]

I think. I think Elf and Anchorman are one in four. Those are the two that we gotta leave.

[Travis Kelsey]

Not four.

[Jason Kelsey]

No, no, I'm saying Elf and Anchorman are one in four.

[Travis Kelsey]

I'm saying Seven. I'm saying this is seven.

[Jason Kelsey]

Old school. Seven.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah, I'm saying just because he's not the main. Yeah, I just.

[Jason Kelsey]

If I'm just rating the movie, I'd put it up higher. Can we go six?

[Travis Kelsey]

No. Dude, there's so many good Will Ferrell.

[Jason Kelsey]

Movies we're missing, but this movie is fantastic. It is, Vince. The cast is incredible. The movie is. Great job. Are we rating this on a Will Ferrell scale or just like the. The best movies that Will Ferrell has been in?

[Travis Kelsey]

That's a. That's. I've been going off of a Will Ferrell scale.

[Narrator]

Come on now, give me a number.

[Travis Kelsey]

Just go seven, dude.

[Jason Kelsey]

Oh, I will, reluctantly. I just disagree.

[Travis Kelsey]

All right, then go six. Fine, six.

[Jason Kelsey]

I kind of want to go four.

[Travis Kelsey]

Then go four. Fuck it. Just get me through this. Jesus.

[Narrator]

All right, we'll lock it in at 4. Next movie. A Night at the Roxbury.

[Travis Kelsey]

That's what I'm talking about.

[Jason Kelsey]

Well, this is a guilty pleasure for us.

[Travis Kelsey]

This one is so pissed that we didn't talk this because it started off on SNL and it fucking became a fucking full on movie. And then I used to work out at Jake Laser's gym, Unbreakable on Roxbury Road.

[Jason Kelsey]

There we go.

[Travis Kelsey]

Shout out to Jake Laser and Unbreakable.

[Intern Brandon]

Okay.

[Travis Kelsey]

Larry Legend. Shout out to Larry Legend.

[Jason Kelsey]

I love this movie. It is an all time favorite of mine. Chris. I feel like Night at the Roxbury, even though it's one of our favorites, objectively not one of his better films. I think you got to go seven or eight.

[Travis Kelsey]

I'll go eight.

[Jason Kelsey]

Eight. All right, eight.

[Narrator]

Locking in at eight. Next movie.

[Travis Kelsey]

Elf.

[Jason Kelsey]

This is where we've ran into troubles. We have to leave one open for Anchorman.

[Narrator]

I got you a little bit.

[Travis Kelsey]

No, 100.

[Narrator]

Front loaded it. I gotcha.

[Jason Kelsey]

So I say six.

[Travis Kelsey]

Cool.

[Narrator]

Kicking in screen.

[Travis Kelsey]

This is what I'm saying. This is what I'm saying, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

I mean, it's a good movie, but I feel very confident this is outside of that top six we have right now.

[Travis Kelsey]

All right, seven then. Because I'm. It's up there for me.

[Jason Kelsey]

You putting this in seven?

[Travis Kelsey]

Dude, I love kicking and screaming.

[Jason Kelsey]

Is it better than Blades of Glory? Is it better than Semi Pro? No, I think this one's 10 for me.

[Travis Kelsey]

All right.

[Jason Kelsey]

I think it's a good movie. I mean, listen, there's not a bad.

[Travis Kelsey]

Will Ferrell movie night at the Roxbury. Should have been 10.

[Jason Kelsey]

Wait, where did you put that 10?

[Travis Kelsey]

10.

[Narrator]

This is 10. Interesting. Next movie.

[Travis Kelsey]

Is so good.

[Narrator]

Semi pro.

[Jason Kelsey]

I'll go nine.

[Travis Kelsey]

Semi pro. Nine. This is. Yeah, we're. We're page. I love Jackie Moon. No, man.

[Jason Kelsey]

Electric. All of these movies are fantastic.

[Narrator]

Next up, we have blades of glory 7.

[Jason Kelsey]

Dude, if you do not have Anchorman with this last few.

[Travis Kelsey]

Such an. If he doesn't have Anchor man, he.

[Jason Kelsey]

Did IMDb top 10. So it has to be Anchorman. I don't even need to see it.

[Narrator]

All right, Last movie, Anchorman.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah.

[Jason Kelsey]

I feel good about this list.

[Travis Kelsey]

Do you. Do you remember Anchorman 2?

[Jason Kelsey]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Oh, yeah. Dude, it's actually really good.

[Travis Kelsey]

It's so you want to talk.

[Narrator]

Surprisingly good.

[Travis Kelsey]

That gets better as you get older. That movie is so funny. Oh, my God. That is gold.

[Jason Kelsey]

Look at that cast.

[Travis Kelsey]

Ah, man. I gotta grill my guy, Paul Rudd about that movie, man. I just got. I need to know more.

[Jason Kelsey]

I feel pretty good about this list.

[Travis Kelsey]

It's a solid list. This is a pretty solid list.

[Jason Kelsey]

Would we change anything with it not being.

[Travis Kelsey]

Probably. I probably switch Night at the Roxbury and either kicking, screaming or. Or semi Pro. I think that one was kind of just a silly one where these ones actually, like, the character was like. I don't know, just. I just felt like those characters were better. Night at a Roxbury is a guilty pleasure of ours, though.

[Narrator]

People are going to want Elf higher. Elf's gonna get some tweets.

[Jason Kelsey]

Well, initially, I was already L for four, but he's got so many great movies. I don't think Elf is better than. I mean, I might put it above other guys.

[Travis Kelsey]

Probably other guys in old school.

[Jason Kelsey]

For me, I'm not putting it above old school. Old school's too iconic to me.

[Travis Kelsey]

God damn.

[Jason Kelsey]

I love Talladega Nights with a passion. I feel very confident. Anchorman and step brothers are one and two, though.

[Travis Kelsey]

Yeah, I think we killed the first. The top three.

[Narrator]

Any issues with the list, please tweet @jchat85. I think that was Jake's handle. Please let him know.

[Travis Kelsey]

Tell us how you feel.

[Narrator]

Tell him specifically how you feel.

[Jason Kelsey]

Tell me.

[Narrator]

Fucked up. Yeah, get him.

[Jason Kelsey]

That wraps up another episode of New Heights. That's right. Thank you to LeBron James for showing up and coming out. Yeah, that was incredible.

[Travis Kelsey]

The best.

[Jason Kelsey]

Still kind of crazy that that even happened. Make sure you're subscribed on YouTube to the new Heights channel and follow New Heights on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. We will be back with another New Heights Wondery exclusive episode dropping tomorrow. You can listen to new episodes of New Heights early and Ed ad free right now by joining Wonderful plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts once again.

[Travis Kelsey]

New Heights is a wondry show produced by Wave Sports and Entertainment and brought to you by Reese's New Chocolate Lava Big Cup. How about that man? Ed Kelsey's gonna have a time of his life. Follow the show on all social media at new heights show with 1s for fun clips throughout the week guys. And thank you to our production for always making us look great and getting guys like LeBron James to come through.

[Jason Kelsey]

Man.

[Travis Kelsey]

Golly, what a guy. And thank you to the 92 percenters for tuning in. Hope you guys had a good one. And thanks to our production and crew for always. Thank you for Did I say thank you?

[Narrator]

It'd be really funny if I just didn't edit any of that.

[Travis Kelsey]

Absolute imbecile. Thanks guys to everyone.

[Jason Kelsey]

The end.

[Travis Kelsey]

Leave it in. Who knows if people even watch the end of show?

[Jason Kelsey]

Everybody's already logged off of their computer.

[Narrator]

Already tweeting about what LeBron said. They abandoned us long ago.

[Travis Kelsey]

Follow New Heights on the Wonry app or wherever you get your podcast. You can listen to New Heights early and ad free plus enjoy exclusive episodes of the show by joining Wondery plus in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify today.

[Jason Kelsey]

Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short [e-mail] survey on.

[Narrator]

January 5, 2024, an Alaska Airlines door plug tore away mid flight, leaving a gaping hole in the side of a plane that carried 171passengers. This heart stopping incident was just the latest in a string of crises surrounding the aviation manufacturing giant giant Boeing. In the past decade, Boeing has been involved in a series of damning scandals and deadly crashes that have chipped away at its once sterling reputation. At the center of it all, the 737 Max, the latest season of Business wars explores how Boeing, once the gold standard of aviation engineering, descended into a nightmare of safety concerns and public mistrust. The decisions, denials and devastating consequences bringing the titan to its knees. And what, if anything, can save the company's reputation now? Follow Business wars on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge business the unraveling of Boeing early and ad free right now on Wondery Plus.