Lakers & Knicks Ride The Struggle Bus, Kuminga's Hawks Debut, Predicting Team USA's 2028 Roster

Summary

No Dunks - February 25, 2026

Episode Summary: Lakers & Knicks Ride The Struggle Bus, Kuminga's Hawks Debut, Predicting Team USA's 2028 Roster

---

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode breaks down the recent turmoil for the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks amid NBA action, provides detailed reactions to Jonathan Kuminga’s debut as an Atlanta Hawk, delivers quick hits on notable NBA games, and culminates in a spirited debate predicting the Team USA men's basketball roster for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Hosts Skeets, Tas, Trey, and JD bring their trademark banter, humor, and deep basketball insight across all these topics.

---

Breakdown of Key Discussion Points

---

1. Wedgie Watch, Fashion, and Skyhawks Commentary

• Wedgie #51 on the Season (03:10)
  • Bagley III produced a quick wedgie in Brooklyn, sparking jokes about the criteria for an official “wedgie.”
  • Quote: “If there’s a whistle, there’s a wedgie.” – Skeets [03:52]
• Sideline Fashion Banter
  • Trey’s Dickies work suit inspires a jumpsuit vs. sweatshirt fashion show among the crew. [04:32]
• G League Skyhawks Game Recap
  • Hosts recall the Skyhawks' win over Raptors 905, including a blood-soaked timeout after Coach Steve Klye punched a clipboard and injured his pinky:
  • “He invented a new timeout because he wasn't part of blood... Just this pinky. But that was a lot of blood.” – Tas [06:15]
  • Situation compared to Jason Kidd’s classic “spilled soda to get a timeout” tactic [05:53].

---

2. Lakers’ Nightmarish Finish Against the Magic

• Game Recap: Magic 110, Lakers 109 (07:00)
  • Wendell Carter Jr. game-winner with 7 seconds left.
  • Play breakdown: Lakers’ last possession, Luka hesitating on a potential game-winning 3.
  • Luka’s Postgame: “I know I was open, but I just thought I was a little bit far. Tried to take one dribble closer and I probably shouldn’t have picked up the ball and I should have tried to attack.” [07:35]
  • Analysis:
    • Luka’s lack of confidence surprising given his track record.
    • Deandre Ayton failed to clear out after setting the screen, congesting the floor.
    • Overall clutch struggles: LeBron missed a key free throw, defensive lapses.
  • “Not a great clutch performance... LeBron was just no rhythm.” – Trey [08:36]
• Big Picture for the Lakers
  • Offense has let them down in recent weeks, more worrying than expected defensive issues.
  • Austin Reaves’ lack of involvement a red flag.
  • “If they're going to win, it’s going to be because of offensive reasons. So when they struggle there... They don’t have much chance.” – Skeets [10:32]

---

3. Knicks Slump & Cavs Chemistry

• Game Recap: Cavs 109, Knicks 94 (13:14)
  • Cleveland’s defense dominates; Knicks held to 11 points in the 3rd (worst shooting quarter since 2018).
  • Knicks’ offensive issues:
    • Karl-Anthony Towns (CAT) only 5 shots, 1 in the 2nd half, despite making them all.
    • “Every time the Knicks lose, it’s a disaster and B, it comes down to Karl-Anthony Towns... It’s not 100% on Towns.” – Trey [15:46]
  • Knicks appear listless, “just going through the motions... like, ah, wake us when the playoffs are here.” – Skeets [17:48]
• Cavs On the Rise
  • James Harden fits smoothly, boosting team chemistry.
  • Jared Allen ("Black History Month Jared Allen" per Larry Nance Jr.) is thriving since Harden’s arrival: “He sets up good ass picks... holds it, lets James go, then he rolls.” – Skeets [21:10]
  • “Cavs are now 19-2 when Allen scores 15+.” [22:54]

---

4. Jonathan Kuminga’s Hawks Debut

• Hawks 119, Wizards 98 (27:38)
  • Kuminga: 27 pts in 24 minutes (“one of the best games he’s ever played, and the happiest” – Trey [31:30]).
    • 3 threes, 7 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl. Strong in transition, off-ball movement showed former Warriors influence.
    • Got his chance after Jalen Johnson’s early injury.
  • “He passed up a wide open dunk to find Nikhil Alexander-Walker — he was trying to do the right thing.” – Trey [31:30]
• Trae Young’s Return
  • Emotional tribute video, Young signing autographs “with an EarPod in” (Tas found this odd [28:13]).
• Hawks’ Bench
  • Kuminga, Reese Ashe, Gabe Vincent a competent but not elite trio.

---

5. Other Key NBA Game Nuggets

• Dejounte Murray’s Return (Pelicans)
  • Pelicans 113, Warriors 109
  • Murray “looked quick, best with the ball in his hands” [33:43]
  • Zion: 34 straight games, finally hit a 3. “The number one trade candidate of the offseason if he makes it there.” – Trey [34:25]
• Thunder’s Depth
  • Thunder beat Raptors while missing big names. Cason Wallace: 27/8/7.
  • “Wallace just made three straight plays down the stretch.” – Trey [43:53]
• Bulls’ Losing Streak
  • “10 straight losses for Chicago... fifth team this season with a double-digit losing streak.” – Trey [40:11]

---

6. Team USA 2028 Roster Predictions

• KD’s Olympic Aspirations
  • Wants to play 2028 in LA if still impactful: “If he wants to play and he’s healthy, sign him up.” – Trey [48:28]
  • Could be oldest American Olympic men’s BBaller (near 40).
  • “He’d like to get those final shots that went to Steph. He would like that opportunity.” – Tas [49:36]
• Predicting the Roster: CBS & ESPN Offer Competing Lists [50:08]
  • Overlap between lists: Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Con Knipple, Tatum, Cooper Flag, Amen Thompson, Chet Holmgren, Bam Adebayo, Jalen Duren.
  • Debates:
    • Halliburton vs. Maxey as guards (most prefer Halliburton for fit and experience).
    • “The way he moves the ball... and the fact he’s a 40% three-point shooter gets him on the team.” – Trey (on Halliburton) [53:00]
    • Notable omissions: Devin Booker (“was perfect off the ball... was shocked not to see him”), Jaylen Brown.
    • ESPN roster criticized for overlapping skill sets (too many similar wings: Amen, Scotty Barnes, Jalen Williams).
    • “There’s a talent boom right now in American basketball.” – Skeets [60:18]

---

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If there’s a whistle, there’s a wedgie.” – Skeets [03:52]
• “This is the kind of game Paolo needed.” – Trey [12:22]
• “Knicks are just playing like listless hoops... Wake us when the playoffs are here.” – Skeets [17:48]
• “He passed up a wide open dunk... was trying to do the right thing.” – Trey [31:30] (on Kuminga)
• “He sets up good ass picks... holds it, lets James go, then he rolls.” – Skeets [21:10] (on Jared Allen’s play with Harden)
• “If [Durant] wants to play and he’s healthy, sign him up.” – Trey [48:28]
• “There’s a talent boom right now in American basketball.” – Skeets [60:18]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Wedgie Watch & G League Talk: 03:10 – 06:41
• Lakers’ Clutch Collapse: 07:00 – 13:14
• Knicks’ Slump & Cavs Chemistry: 13:14 – 23:39
• Kuminga’s Hawks Debut: 27:38 – 33:17
• Other NBA Games & Observations: 33:17 – 47:04
• Team USA 2028 Roster Prediction: 47:21 – 61:22

---

Engaging/Quirky Moments

• Extended licorice/Nibs/Twizzler taste debate at the end (70:08+).
• “You had me for one second. I’ve heard that before.” – Skeets, on Yeet/Twizzy Night [67:58]
• Banter on losing NBA pick bets and potential on-air challenges (“Twizzy Night in the Classic Factory” [70:02]), and shout-outs to Survivor 50 premiering the same night [72:07].
• JD’s understated “No thank you” to Nibs candy [71:38].

---

Conclusion

The episode offers an entertaining and thorough rundown of current NBA storylines—especially the woes of big-market teams, the joy of fresh starts (Kuminga), and the fascinating crystal-ball speculation of Olympic roster construction. The hosts keep it fun, informed, and unfiltered, blending deep basketball acumen with genuine fandom and community spirit.

---

For listeners who missed the episode:
This summary distills all the main topics, spirited debates, and best moments so you can catch up on game analysis, big-picture narratives in the NBA, and forward-looking Olympic roster talk—with timestamps and quotes to bring you closer to the No Dunks crew’s lively basketball world.

Transcript

[Sarah Spain]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Guaranteed Human for delicious meals, you could go out to eat or spend hours in the kitchen. Or you could just make a Marie Callender's Meal. Yeah, you heard me. Marie Callender's classic Chicken Parmigiana bowl is delicious with scratch made marinara sauce, creamy mozzarella cheese and no preservatives. It's high in protein with 30 grams per serving. Marie Callenders what having it all tastes

[Testbire Ad]

like Low temperatures today can make asthma more difficult to control. When your severe asthma says you can't, Testbire says you can Testbire Tezepelumab Echo is a prescription add on treatment for people 12 and over that treats your type of severe asthma to help you prevent attacks and relieve your asthma symptoms. Results may vary. Testbire is not a rescue medication. Serious allergic reactions like anaphylaxis may occur. Get help right away for swelling of your face, mouth, tongue, hives, trouble breathing, rash or eyes. Allergy can happen. Don't stop asthma treatments, including oral steroids without talking to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection or your asthma worsens. Avoid live vaccines. Sore throat, joint back pain may occur. By helping control your asthma, Testfire lets you be you. Ask your doctor for Testfire. To access important safety information and full prescribing information, including patient information and instructions for use, visit testfire.com or call 1-888-897-7473.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Sound familiar? At Mattress Firm, we understand there are

[Trey Kirby]

many problems that can keep you up at night, like snoring, aches and pains or sleeping hot. Our sleep experts have the unrivaled know

[Jonathan Kaminga]

how to match you with a mattress that can help. And now at Mattress Firm, upgrade to a Tempur Pedic and learn how you can get 3% back plus an instant

[Trey Kirby]

gift for the great sleep you deserve. Visit Mattress Firm.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

We make sleep easy.

[Trey Kirby]

Restrictions apply. See store or website for details.

[Ad Read Voice]

The worst part about loving cars might just be buying them and all the parts. But on ebay, behind every car and part is a story waiting to be shared. There was a guy who bought a 2021 Porsche Cayman that was well loved. I mean, there are plenty of Caymans in great condition on ebay, but this one needed some work. This guy buys it and rebuilds the whole thing, all with parts he found on ebay. And now that nearly scrapped Cayman is out tearing up the track. From Toyotas to Aston Martins, Ebay has thousands of cars and the largest online selection of vehicle parts and accessories. Ebay things People love.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Good morning, sweet world, and welcome to the no Dunks podcast presented by FanDuel. It's Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Some je skeets here in the classic factory. And alongside me, as always, Tas Melis.

[Tas Melis]

Basketball lovers, this is for you.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Next to him, it's my top shot, hot boy, Trey Kirby. Ayo. Ayo. And last but not least, making the magic happen, super producer jd.

[Tas Melis]

Hello.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

There he is. Here we are. Hello to everybody on YouTube. Thanks for joining us. Hit the like button. Subscribe podcast listeners. Five star ratings and reviews. Lots of games to talk about. We're going to also Predict the Team USA 2028 Olympics roster. A lot of people were having fun with that. We'll chime in with our thoughts. But we had another wedgie. Wedgie. 51 on the season, if you're keeping track. Which we are. And it was Marvin Bagley III with a real quickie there in Brooklyn. They were confused. Jordy Fernandez was pissed. He's like, why are we calling this? The thing fell out. He maybe had a point. It didn't stick long, but they blew the whistle. It's a wedgie. In fact, the broadcast, I said, if there's a whistle, there's a wedgie. And I love that saying.

[Trey Kirby]

So that's really great actually.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

51. Yeah. Yeah. So Sarah Czoch was on the call too. She's like, yeah, it stuck there longer in the slow motion replay. Very true. Made me laugh.

[Tas Melis]

If there's a whistle, there's a wedgie.

[Bowen Yang]

Right?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Isn't that nice?

[Tas Melis]

That was very nice.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Put it on a fridge magnet. I said, oliver. Yeah, that's right. That's right. That's right.

[Trey Kirby]

I should put that on a T shirt. Like, that's a cool thing. I mean, we're probably going to set the record for wedgies this year. Quite possible. Quite possible. Knock on wood. Knock on wood.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

13 more to do it.

[Trey Kirby]

But if we do it, new shirt alert with a little saying. How about that?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Oh, I like. Okay, okay.

[Trey Kirby]

You eyeing my jumpsuit?

[Tas Melis]

You got a new shirt? More of a jumpsuit.

[Trey Kirby]

I'm wearing a Dickies work suit.

[Tas Melis]

Of course I am.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, that's one piece.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, that's a one piece.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

How you gonna take a dump, man?

[Trey Kirby]

I got a nervous butt. Ain't no way I'm pooping here.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Wow, it's crazy. You look mad comfy too. Both of you stand up. Look at these guys. Look at these fits from these guys today. Okay, there's the jump sh. Kirkman's jumpsuit.

[Trey Kirby]

Or the athlete jumps in.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah.

[Tas Melis]

Look at this comfortable guy. Okay, comfortable guy.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

A little fashion show. I got on the Skyhawks sweatshirt.

[Trey Kirby]

You're monochromatic.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

At least from last night. We had a blast going down to the Gateway center arena in College park calling Raptors 905 and the Skyhawks game. And for once, with us on the call, we got a competitive game and we got a Skyhawks win. That maybe happened once before, but anyway, it was a close game, which was nice. High scoring. 132, 129.

[Trey Kirby]

That was fun. Super fun. We learned a new tactic that NBA coaches can deploy. Coach Steve Kly of the College Park Skyhawks at one point in the first half, got very upset with this team's performance. Punched a clipboard. Suddenly there's blood all over the court. They had to call a timeout, clean up his blood. Turns out the coach was bleeding from the finger. Free time out. But it was very funny to see him coaching with his hand behind his back as the trainer is taping him up and bandaging him. He's doing everything else with his other hand. Hey, hey, 117 7. Maybe somebody could do that. Like, it's the new Jason Kidd move.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I was gonna say. That's the evolution of Kidd getting his own player to run into him and spill the Diet Coke. They just talked about that on the Hoop Collective. I heard Bon Temps and Wind Horse bringing that up. But, yeah, this is. This is next level tasks. You just gotta cut yourself. You. You compared it to like a wrestler with the razor blade on the forehead. That's what Coach Klye was doing last night.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. Coach Kly came up to us and said, yeah, I invented a new timeout

[Jonathan Kaminga]

because he wasn't part of blood. But yeah, yeah, it was a lot of blood from just the pinky.

[Tas Melis]

Just this pinky. Yeah. And I was confused. I heard the whiteboard hit the ground. I looked on over and I just thought he, you know, threw it on the ground. Yeah, yeah. He must have gave it. Gave it a good punch with that left hand that they bandaged him, then re bandaged him at halftime with a different color bandage. He went from white to black. But that was a lot of blood.

[Matt Rogers]

It was.

[Tas Melis]

It was for a whiteboard punch, but

[Jonathan Kaminga]

it helped inspire the team as the Skyhawks got the win. I think we shared a link to at least the highlights of the game, if you want to check that out there. And you're in the stream team. But let's get into some NBA games. And let's start with the Lakers because they lost a heartbreaker on Tuesday. 110, 109 defeat to the Magic. Wendell Carter Jr. Hit a layup with seven seconds remaining. It gave the Magic a one point lead. But the Lakers ran a play out of the timeout to get a final shot. And you're going to see here, out of the timeout, Luka had an open look here as he gets open at the top for a potential game winning three pointer. He hesitates though. He picks up the rock. He hands LeBron the grenade and his desperation three as time expires. No good. Magic win. Magic win. And there was a lot of talk about this particular play task after the game. And Lucas said, quote, I know I was open, I but I just thought I was a little bit far. Tried to take one dribble closer and I probably shouldn't have picked up the ball and I should have tried to attack. What do you think?

[Tas Melis]

All his teammates thought he was letting it go.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah.

[Tas Melis]

Deandre Ayton set a moving screen to get him open, which was very nice. But he should have rolled to the rim to get everybody away from Luca. Instead he just stood there. And that allowed Palo Banchero to get up closer to Luca. He had nowhere to go. And then he gives LeBron a grenade here. You do it and he has to let it go at the end of the clock. Rui also over there, which doesn't provide any space in the short corner. So it was was absolutely designed for Luca to let it rip. He also just didn't feel good. I'm sure this entire game he was 2 of 10 from 3, 4 of 9 from the free throw line. He did not feel good. But still that play was all set up and there was just a clump of men up there for no reason. He should have just let it rip. Yeah, I guess it's a deep Luca 3.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I mean, for a lot of guys. Yeah, that's the one thing I was like, okay. For a lot of NBA guys. Yeah, maybe not that one. Not for a Luca. We've seen him take that shot a million times. Yeah, very weird.

[Trey Kirby]

Very weird setup to it as well. With all the Lakers just like sprinting after half court, getting organized as quick as possible. And I mean, he had basically two looks at it, right? Like the first screen, he's wide open. He probably could have still forced up the one after the dribble, but like Taz said, 2 for 10 from three. He had a couple of jumpers in the fourth quarter, but for a Lakers team, that's been really good in the clutch this year. Not a great clutch performance all around. I thought like LeBron, this ain't going on his career highlight reel. Missed a free throw with a couple of minutes left. He was guarding Bane on that big three and he just completely lost track of him. It wasn't like Bane was moving around, he wasn't set up on the left wing. But LeBron was ball watching. Nice pass by Paolo to knock it down. And then, you know, would have been an amazing shot if he knocks down that three after the Luca pass. But you know, still off the glass, off the rim. So I thought LeBron was just no rhythm, like he barely touched the ball down the stretch. They got him that layup on the baseline out of bounds play. But other than that it was like he had a fast break opportunity where he basically fell over. He was having trouble getting around Anthony Black. I thought this just a bad loss for the Lakers, I thought. And a really, really great game for Paulo Bonaro.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yes. Which he needed I think here on the resume.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, this was a worse loss than the loss to the Boston Celtics on the weekend. That was in Boston. That where they were destroying them in the second quarter. This Lakers game at home against the Magic, it was a winnable game and so that one was far different. And this one, yeah, they just couldn't execute down the stretch. And Luka, as good as a quarterback, he was in this game like he was doing that pretty well. This was a, it was a lot of dribbling the heck out of the ball watching those possessions and they, they just didn't know what they were doing offensively. And that's the worries and part we know this team's not going to be great defensively with the trio of reeves, Luca and LeBron. It's going to be a struggle bus that's going to happen. But the offense should bail them out. And the last few weeks it hasn't. And that's the more worrisome part here for the Lakers.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, they posted their second lowest point total this season against the Celtics in that game that they lost. And then they shot horrendously from three in this one against the Magic after the LeBron missed nine to 29 as a team. Also Austin Reeves, where are you? He's just like not involved that much. He took five shot attempts in the first half. He didn't score until the third quarter of this game. And you're right, Tas like this team, if they're going to win, it's going to be because of offensive reasons. So when they struggle there. They don't have much chance. And also with all that said, Bankero misses a shot with like 10 seconds to go. Lakers grab that rebound. It's the foul game. Maybe it free throws and you probably pull this out. They couldn't secure that defensive board. It landed in Wendell Carter Jr. S hands and Johnny on the spot there put it in. That gave them the lead before the whole play, which by the way, like I'm seeing like unbelievable play call by J.J. redick. It did result in Luka having an open look. But like what was Bankero also doing? Like, there was not a lot of moving parts on this play. They just all started in the backcourt, all ran up, sort of just bumped into each other. And Banchero just like let Luka sort of get to the three point line. You're right. Ayton then sort of sort of got in the way.

[Tas Melis]

That's a great moving screen right there.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Should have. I mean, I just sort of. I thought he's just like, just left him. If Luca takes the shot and hits it, it's like, what are you doing? So strange because there was another play too where I guess it was Bane that you could give the blame to. LeBron just cut right to the rim on a baseline out of bounds play that put the Lakers leg back up. I think it did. So like, you know, not the greatest defensive stands here for both teams.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, the Bane lay in where everybody was sort of over helping on that possession. And then the, the double offensive rebound, really the one that went to Anthony Black and then ended up in Wendell Carter's hands. Reaction, we're air ball to three. Just bad plays in the fourth quarter for this team overall.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Anything else on this one?

[Trey Kirby]

I did think Paolo was awesome in this one. 36 points, 10 rebounds, six assists. He did have four turnovers, but got to the free throw line 11 times. And it looked to me like he was dictating out there rather than reacting to what was happening or trying to fit in at all. He was getting mismatches. He was exploiting his size for sure. Anytime they were switching a small guy onto him, he was getting to his jumper. And the jumper was okay last night, but he had a lot of rim attempts as well. Then down the stretch, had a three pointer. They left him wide open, but knocked it down. Had a really tough layup and then found Bane for, you know, I guess the second biggest shot of clutch time on that three where LeBron was not paying attention. So this is the kind of game like you're Saying that Paolo needed Magic are striking, putting some wins together here. At the very least. They beat the Clippers, they beat the Lakers, they've beaten some bad teams as well, but they've gotten themselves back into the mix for the sixth seed.

[Tas Melis]

And this was without Franz and without Jalen Suggs, who is their engine defensively. So more a disappointing game for the Lakers than an overwhelmingly good win for the Magic. But they have strung some wins together here back to back in la and. And some other ones as well.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, well, they. Yeah, and they, they lost to that Jalen Green right in the double overtime.

[Trey Kirby]

Fade away, three in the corner.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

You know, that's a potentially winnable game. But this, they're doing okay on the road trip. After beating the Kings, losing to the Suns in double overtime, now beating both the LA teams. Let's talk about another team struggling. But in the other conference, Donovan Mitchell. They're not struggling. He was great. 23 points. James Harden added 20. Cavaliers pulled away in the second half for the 10994 victory over the New York Knicks. Cleveland used a lockdown third quarter trade. 23 to 11 was the score of the third quarter. So 11 points for the New York Knicks. I saw Twitter calling them the New York Bricks because there was a lot of missed shots. Yeah, they shot three at 24. The Knicks did in the corner. The worst shooting quarter by the Knicks since 2018. You got to go way back. But they struggled all night, really offensively.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, Cleveland didn't play all that well offensively in the third quarter either. 23 points. You know, you average it out, that's under a hundred for a game. That's a poor offensive showing. But they blew out the Knicks in that quarter. A couple of their baskets were early on as well, the Knicks, but it just looked like, I thought good defense from the Cavs. I think Carl Anthony Towns is absolutely going to be scapegoated for this one. He only took five shots. Took one shot in the second half. He's got to be more aggressive. But it's also on Brunson, man. Like they can't get him the ball. Brunson, when he touches it, he wants to shoot or he wants to make the pass for the assist. I think it's a little bit on Mike Brown and I just thought there were opportunities to get Towns involved inside on post ups. But the Cavs were doing a good job of sliding a guy over to make it tough, pressuring the ball so that they couldn't really get an inbounds pass as well. So good defense, Towns fading a little bit. But also I just think that the mix with Brunson and Towns this season, more so than last season. But even last year, not perfect. Like they don't really maximize each other. There are times when Towns is involved at the top of the key as a distributor, as a screener. That's not necessarily the best use of his talents, but at least he's trying that. But I think every time the Knicks lose, A, it's a disaster and B, it comes down to Karl Anthony Towns. You're the one who blew it. And to me, even though he didn't have a great game, it's not 100% on towns and it's anytime he has a bad game as well. It's like you forget he just had his three best three game stretch of the season.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yes. Like, yes, he was pretty well now I know it's Chicago, but he was amazing.

[Trey Kirby]

The Bulls, he was huge in the fourth quarter in their comeback against the Rockets as well. But then he goes out and shoots five times. So you're like, come on, man.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Well, the funny part is he's five for five.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, exactly. Four for four in the first half as well. But there are times when he drifts for sure. But I think that there's got to be some sort of a coaching strategy, some sort of a point guard strategy. Get the guy the ball in a place where he can score.

[Tas Melis]

It's so difficult to assess what these Knicks are because they're so bad after breaks after the NBA cup bad after the All Star Game, also bad. It's just like Michael Jordan said about load management. We got to play every game out there. We got to play consistently. It's so odd to look at this team because they're literally 12 and 4 over their last 16 and that was preceded by a 2 and 9 record over 11 games. They are up and down and especially down after the All Star game. They had that bad loss to the Pistons on the Thursday night. They recovered to beat the Houston Rockets barely in the fourth quarter.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Back huge.

[Tas Melis]

They're down 18, so there's three bad quarters. They barely beat the Bulls even though Cat had a good game. And then this loss to the Cavs, who are playing really, really well. The chemistry is there. You can see it. The units, their first unit now with James Harden out there moving the ball along with the new start in Dean Wade, who's taken over Jaylon Tyson's spot since James Harden came just for height. I think that seems to be the, the movement or the move there for Kenny Atkinson, they got the spacing. You saw two threes from Evan Mobley in the first few minutes of this game. I don't care if one counts as a long two. That big toe was on the toe.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

That's the classic Trey Kirby.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Pick up basketball.

[Matt Rogers]

You've gotten better.

[Trey Kirby]

What can I say? Yeah, you've gotten better at getting so big.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I can't control.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. So with Dean Wade starting Jill. And Tyson moves to the bench along with Dennis Schroeder, who is setting guys up. Some beauty passes there, some. Some great looks. They just have chemistry on both units right now, which is not what the New York Knicks have on the other side.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

The dicks, man, they are. They're weird. They're just playing like listless hoops. Like, just like. There's very little fight right from the jump. They just feel like they're going through the motions and they're just like, ah, wake us when the playoffs are here. Now, I don't think they're that good enough to do that. I think that's a dangerous game to play. I get it somewhat. But yeah, they just gotta play way harder. Four minutes left in the third quarter. They're down by 14. I mean, this is a quarter where they can't score. Coach Mike Brown, he tried a lineup of Brunson, Alvarado, Shamit. So he goes with the three small guys. And we've seen that before. Muhammad Diawara and then Mitchell Robinson. Mitchell Robinson, actually, I thought played okay, but same results. And then it got so bad or he got so desperate. Here comes Jordan Clarkson. He's dusted off and try to give him an opportunity to, like, you know, spark something. But not much happened again in that quarter. Just. Yeah, they're just going through the motions right now. And that's not the first team to ever have done that. But they're also not a championship team. It's like you got some things to prove here. Right? And maybe having home court advantage in Madison Square Garden, of all places, could help your chances to go very far. So you may want to stick around here in the standings as teams start tying you if not passing you. Yeah.

[Trey Kirby]

Didn't the Knicks lose a bunch of home games in the playoffs last year? I know they lost game one. Tyrese Halliburton.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

So reverse strategy, you're saying reverse strategy. Okay, well, I take back everything I said.

[Trey Kirby]

I don't know. The Knicks don't feel better to me this year than they were last season. You know, Tibbs, I think gets the most out of a team. At least in the regular season, they are playing more guys off the bench. Shamet finally had it done. He's been playing awesome for them. Poor shooting all around for New York last night. But like I was like, how many threes is Diawara gonna take? Does Mikhail Bridges ever pass the ball? As soon as he touches it, that guy's shooting it. It feels like. So it didn't feel like a team that was united against each other. And like Tass is saying, the Cavs do feel pretty locked in right now. They got so many guys who are playmakers. Harden is setting the table first and foremost off as a starter. But like Schroeder was really good last night. I thought Jalen Tyson kind of being a roll guy and yeah, almost a Draymond like character with these short roles, finding guys in the corner. He only had a couple of assists, but I thought he was a really good ball mover for them last night. I wonder what their final starting lineup is going to look like as we get into the playoffs as we go down the home stretch here because Dean Wade has been a starter for them. If they go him, Mobley and Allen, that's a ton of size, not as much shooting. And I thought they looked the best when they were four shooters and a big guy out there. So we'll see what Kenny chops up here. But a nice win for the Cavs to not play all that well and handle the Knicks pretty easily.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, final thought on the Cavs standings wise. Big win for them because they're tied with the Knicks now for third place in the east, though New York does have the tiebreaker if they have the same record. They've taken two or three against them, but they're just one and a half games back. The Cavs are of second place Boston Celtics, so they're within striking distance. And Jared Allen, I want to talk about him quickly here because he was active in this game last night early he was controlling the paint on both ends. Finished with 19 points on 7 of 8 shooting to go along with 10 boards. His performances here in February are eye opening to the point. I saw this from according to from Fear the Sword. Excuse me, Allen's teammates, especially Larry Nance Jr. They're jokingly referring to this version of Jared Allen as Black History Month. Jared Allen. So they're like saying there's Hoodie Mellow, there's Masked Kyrie and now there's Black History Month. Jared Allen, he's averaging 21.4 points per game, 12 rebounds. He's shooting 74% in February. I think it's been helped out the addition of James Harden too. I don't know if it's just because we were sitting courtside calling the game for the Skyhawks at G League game, but you see these guys, these big guys come out and they set their picks up above the three point line, but they're not staying very long. When they set these picks, they're just touching the guy and running to the rim like they're not really establishing. You see a lot of that. Jared Allen does not do that, man. That guy sets a pick and he holds it. I don't know if Jared, or excuse me, James Harden has told him that's how he likes it. Like really establish it. But then he rolls. I'm saying it's like a. This is a very geeky thing. The guy sets up good ass pick. It's important because it's not just a tap pick or here I am pick. He sets it, he holds it, he lets James go and then he rolls. But Black History Month, Jared Allen, that made me laugh. Larry Nance Jr. Was. I mean, he had Donovan Mitchell dying laughing on that one.

[Trey Kirby]

They mentioned it on the broadcast. But when Harden got to the Clippers, he went through like pick and roll camp with Zubots. And Zubots became an all NBA like player. Nobody is surprised that Jared Allen is playing as well as he is playing with James Harden. They've only played 93 minutes together, but 82% true shooting for Jared Allen in those minutes. In the much longer time he's played without Harden, 64 and a half. Like he sets him up perfectly. Harden is such a good passer. He gets him the ball exactly when he needs it. Never a moment too early, never a moment too soon. He was looking like Bashir Jihad out there.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, he had a Statue of Liberty dunk as well last night. Yeah, there's no, no integration there with black History Month in the Statue of Liberty. But yeah, he looks like sort of a statue setting those picks.

[Trey Kirby]

You're right.

[Tas Melis]

I mean he is.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

There you go.

[Tas Melis]

He is a rock. Yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

The CAVS are now 19 and 2 when Alan scores 15 or more points in a game. That's a hell of a record. Not even a ton of points we're talking about. But that rim pressure obviously opens up things on the offensive end and you know he's going to give you a defense, decent defensive eff. Like he had a dud against the Thunder. That was a bad Jared Allen game. Otherwise in February, he's been pretty lights out, especially with the addition of James Harden.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, those guys have the ball in their hands, Harden and Mitchell. And I think that's why Dean Wade is also out there, just because he doesn't need to do anything out there. While Jaylen Tyson is a little bit more involved in the offense. But the balance of the first unit and the second unit, to have Tyson's ability to cut and do that with Mitchell, excuse me, with Schroeder, it's solid. It's definitely solid. Will it last forever? I don't know.

[Sarah Spain]

Know.

[Tas Melis]

I don't know. But they are the best.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

The Honeymoon Harden Stadium.

[Tas Melis]

They're the best third, third quarter team in the NBA scoring wise. And they're really, really good at home. Yeah, who cares? But they're the best at home especially. So that matters in terms of the standings. Like, they do want to finish ahead of the Knicks and, and I know they're, they're chasing the Celtics, but yeah, that does matter, especially for the second round.

[Trey Kirby]

There was a report early in the season during one of these Cavs games that was on TV that Jared Allen has a book club, a Cavaliers book club. No other players are on it. Do you think at this point they're going to join up?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I mean, they should.

[Bowen Yang]

Yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

He's playing so well.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah.

[Trey Kirby]

Hey, let's see what he's talking about.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, exactly.

[Trey Kirby]

They're in Misery by Stephen King. It's supposed to have been in like January.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

So there is, you say, but isn't it just him or is there like staffers? The other guys are like, we'll watch the movie. We at least talk to him about it. Oh, that's good.

[Sarah Spain]

This is Sarah Spain from Good Game with Sarah Spain, brought to you in part by Vital Farms. Let's talk eggs. Vital Farms pasture raised eggs to be exact. My favorites. The only kind I've got in my fridge. No joke. And here's why. These aren't your average eggs. The hens live on open pastures with fresh air and sunshine all year long. They forage on local grasses and stretch their wings. They're living their best life. That care really shows in the taste. I love mine scrambled with a little butter or whipped up into a fancy frittata. And here's something most people don't know. You could trace your eggs back to the farm they came from. Seriously. Side of the carton. You'll find the farm name. Type it [e-mail] farm and you'll get a 360 degree peek at the pasture. Plus Vital Farms is a certified B corporation, which means they're committed to improving the lives of people, animals and the planet through food. Eggs you could feel good about. So next time you're in the store, look for the black carton in the egg aisle and visit vitalpharms.com to learn more. Vital Farms Good eggs. No shortcuts.

[Matt Rogers]

This is Matt Rogers from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

[Bowen Yang]

This is Bowen Yang from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. What if your WI fi was more than just WI fi? What if your WI fi made everything in your whole house just work together better?

[Matt Rogers]

Well, Xfinity WI Fi pretty much does exactly that. It's powered by their best, most elite, high performing tech.

[Bowen Yang]

Allow us to paint a very realistic example. Everyone in your house, everyone is on their devices at the exact same time. Gaming, working, swiping.

[Tas Melis]

Right?

[Bowen Yang]

Because of course they are. And the finale of your favorite show of all time of the week is on at the exact same moment. Well, you can boost the WI fi to your device with Xfinity.

[Matt Rogers]

And have you ever asked yourself, what if my WI fi could keep watch over my kids for me? Well, probably not, because that's a weird

[Jonathan Kaminga]

thing to ask yourself.

[Matt Rogers]

But Xfinity WI fi has parenting skills, even if you sometimes forget yours. Xfinity's like, don't worry, I'll monitor the WI fi.

[Bowen Yang]

It's completely proactive, fixing issues before they even happen. Bottom line, Xfinity is smart and reliable. You deserve the peace of mind of having WI fi that's got your back.

[Matt Rogers]

Xfinity. Imagine that.

[Velocity]

Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Hey, it's Velocity here to debunk the conspiracy. Less is more. Total lie. Why? Because more is more with Velo Plus. More flavors, more strengths, more comfort. Discover the nicotine pouch with [e-mail] that's v e l o.com underage sale prohibited veloplastic Synthetic Nicotine Pouch Product Website restricted to age 21/ Copyright 2025 MBI One

[Hershey's Ad Voice]

sweet, melty bite of a Hershey's bar and suddenly I'm right back, sitting on the front porch with my grandmother on a slow summer afternoon. She doesn't say much, just breaks the bar in half and hands me a piece. I open my mouth to say whatever a 9 year old wants to say, and she replies with a low sh.

[Ad Read Voice]

Listen.

[Hershey's Ad Voice]

So we sat there listening. That was the first time I learned that quiet can feel full. Hershey's.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

It's your happy Place. All right, let's keep it going here. Jonathan Kaminga scored a season high 27 points in his debut for the Hawks.

[Trey Kirby]

Ka.

[Matt Rogers]

Ka.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Who blew out the hapless Wizards 119.98. We had a more entertaining game down in College park with the Skyhawks instead of the Hawks because they just crushed them. But this was Trae Young's return task to Atlanta. Obviously not playing. But they gave him the tribute video, and he got it very emotional as he was watching it. They showed some fans in the crowd. There was one guy holding up a Young jersey. He was tearing up.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, he was.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

But Kaminga is the story from this one.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Had a great game.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. No story for Trey Young. He was crying himself. He was extremely emotional. He was signing plenty of autographs while he had an earpod in his ear. I thought that was weird. I don't know. Just weird seeing somebody sign autographs with earpods. Anyway.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Why is that?

[Tas Melis]

I don't know. Because he's just on the bench with his team.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Oh, now you're. Oh, okay. Well, I don't know where he was signing the audience.

[Tas Melis]

Well, he's signing them in the. In the tunnel kind of thing. Like. Like from fans in the arena with an earbud.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

You think it would be. You'd be offended, I don't know. If one of your favorite celebrities signed something for you and they could not completely hear you say, can you. Thank you, sir.

[Tas Melis]

Well, can you please pay attention to me rather than what you're paying attention to?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I didn't know he was listening.

[Tas Melis]

Are you listening to the State of the Union? Yeah, you're right. I don't know. I don't know what he was listening to. I have no idea. I actually don't know what time it was. Was it pre game? Was it post game? But there were fans. So I imagine, you know, as we were at the College Park Skyhawks game. Game takes a while for fans to arrive. Yeah. So I imagine. I imagine that was halftime.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Okay.

[Tas Melis]

Pop out the bud. Anyway. Yeah, I think Kuminga also was helped.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Before you touch the pen, pop out the bud. Sorry. Okay.

[Tas Melis]

Maybe he could have a little reminder. His mnemonic device to remind him is having a pen behind his ear. And then. Oh, yeah, I forgot. I gotta pop my butt out. Yeah, that'd be nice. Anyway, also, what helped Jonathan Kaminga was Jalen Johnson got injured really early in this game. Five minutes into this game, Jill Johnson has to sit for the rest of the game with a hip injury. Hopefully he's all Right, Yeah. But Kaminga was able to just go crazy in this game, especially because they're playing the Wizards. And that was part of watching the clips of this game from Kaminga. The guy just got to get in front of him. Justin Champagne, call your bro with the Spurs. Ask him how he does it. Tristan Vukovich. Come on, man.

[Trey Kirby]

Come on, Tristan. Come on, get serious.

[Tas Melis]

Get in front of guys. Gabe went right by Vuchevic, right by him for a beautiful reverse. Everybody just skipping. Gabe Vincent, pull back on that three. I've mentioned him because it's him. It's Reese Ashe. And now Kaminga is their bench. Yeah, that's an interesting bench. It's a perfect like 500 club, 500 team type of bench. But they could score, obviously. So that's an interesting little trio there. Reese Sachet has moved to the bench number one. He hasn't been clicking, but also because he plays beside Dyson Daniels and Dyson can't shoot right. So Rhys Ashe's struggle bus with shooting can't be on the floor at the same time. So that's an interesting bench to watch here. But it was a win over the Wizards, so kudos to Kaminga. Hey, but at the same time, well played.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Come back, make your new team debut against the Wizards. That's just brilliant. Trade there because he looked amazing. Now he hit a trio of three pointers, had seven boards, four assists, two steals in limited time, 24 and a half minutes. But you're right, a lot of these were, you know, transition variety where there was not a lot of resistance from the Wizards. Threw down a couple nice dunks. There was one beautiful play where you were like, oh yeah, he played for the warriors. Like he was moving off ball and cut back door. And I think it was Nikhil Alexander Walker threw him a beauty like left hand dime and got the N1 finish. So this is a great first performance here for him.

[Trey Kirby]

This is one of the best games he's ever played, I thought. And it seemed to me the happiest game he ever played because this dude was cheesing the entire time and like, it was funny to watch much his reactions, but also funny to like when they would cut to the Hawks bench and you see Buddy healed and he's like, I knew what this guy went through and he's having such a good time out there. But yeah, I mean, he was just, I guess he was the best athlete on the court. He was running like crazy. He had all these dunks. Like you're saying, I thought he played pretty unselfishly as well. He passed up a wide open dunk to find the Nikhil Alexander Walker, he could have easily dunked that, but he was trying to do the right thing. You're right. It's weird. He got a bigger opportunity here because Jalen Johnson went down. So shots, minutes to be had on the wing because, you know, Jalen Johnson's the number one guy there. Reese Shea, they still got to figure out what's going on there. He just recently went to the bench. Hasn't had a good sophomore season. That happens with wings sometimes. A decent first year, step back second year, he could still get better. But it's still a question mark to me what they're going to actually do with Kaminga because he's got this team option for next year. Is this a showcase around the league? Is this is it Will build him up and try it again next year with the option. Do we extend him? There's a lot of things they can do, but, you know, for one game,

[Tas Melis]

it was awesome and coming off great time.

[Trey Kirby]

It was loud, man.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah.

[Trey Kirby]

We're going crazy for Kaminga and he's

[Tas Melis]

coming off the bench. Does he want that? Does he like that? Is he cool with that?

[Trey Kirby]

Great question.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, we don't know.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Ziller pointed out in his newsletter this morning, Steve Kerr and the warriors Visit Atlanta on March 20th. First, mark that one down because that might be a must watch, right, with Steve Kerr and that team coming here and will Kaminga put on a show or will they contain them? You know, again, this is against the Wizards. We want to see coming to do this against obviously better talent.

[Tas Melis]

But he'll do it again on Thursday because they play the Wizards again.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Okay.

[Tas Melis]

It's a baseball series. They're still here.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

All right, let's talk about another return. Dejounte Murray came back after not playing for, what, 13 months out rehabilitating his injury, Zion had 26. Pelicans beat Kaminga's old team in the Warriors. 113. 109. Murray played about 25 minutes. Trey, what'd you think of him and his debut here?

[Trey Kirby]

A little rusty, but I thought he was pretty good. You know, he started the game, he closed the game. I thought he was moving pretty well. Looked quick when he went by Moses Moody for a big bucket late in the fourth quarter. He was definitely the best when he had the ball in his hands, which is how Dejounte Murray is the best. So a weird fit when you consider Jeremiah Fears as a ball handler. Queen's gonna be a guy that brings the ball up for them in the future. And then of course, Zion is playing great right now. 34 straight games. He made his first three pointer since November last night. This guy has to be the number one trade candidate of the off season if he's able to make it to the summer. You gotta move off him like you have to. If he's this healthy, you have to trade him for anything.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

So that's what, that's what I would have. What happens though, if the Pelicans have a great like Mickey Mouse march here? Can't you see them just like going, hey, we got something here. We got Dejan, we got Zion, we got Trey, we got Herb Jones. I'm just like, I'm with.

[Trey Kirby]

You're right.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I'm with you 100%. But I'm like fearful. That happens.

[Tas Melis]

But.

[Trey Kirby]

But if they believe in Queen, which it's weird that he's coming off the bench right now, they're starting DeAndre Jordan and he's playing okay, but it is weird to see him behind Jordan. But if they believe in Queen, the fit with Zion is just too weird, I think. And after all of the stop and start nature of Zion's career, to actually have him playing and playing well, this is. His trade value is never going to be better than this off season. But for me, when I'm watching Desante Murray, I'm basically watching for Jason Tatum because their injuries were similar times. January 31st for Murray, May 12th for Tatum. I don't know exactly when Dejounte Murray had his surgery. Hours after wise Tatum's was like less than 24 hours, which is supposedly a big deal. But if I'm a Boston fan and I see Dejounte Murray come back and he was moving around the court looking pretty fresh, I thought he looks. I would be encouraged if I'm a Boston fan, seeing him return, would you say 13 months later? I mean, Tatum, it feels like it's going to push it it to less than 13 months. He's gonna be under 12 months by all accounts, but definitely encouraging for the Pelicans and for the Celtics.

[Matt Rogers]

I think.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. I saw the Zion stat that this was his first three of the season. I was surprised.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I was. I couldn't believe that.

[Bowen Yang]

Yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

And like Trey said, he hadn't attempted one since November.

[Tas Melis]

Right.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

He's like one for four from deep.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. I thought that he'd hit more over the course of his career. Just be when he did actually play, I thought he'd hit more just overall, he's only at 33 for his career in 257 games.

[Trey Kirby]

So he hit four in his first game.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Right.

[Trey Kirby]

That's amazing.

[Tas Melis]

Oh, yeah. When he didn't play that entire time in 2019. Yeah. Who is this guy coming off in that January game? Splash, splash, splash, splash. Against the Spurs. Yeah. That was a wild one. But I do agree it is the time to move him if their front office is willing and their ownership is willing. Tbd. See, because the chemistry with Dejounte Murray is still a huge question mark. Although Dejante Murray. Yeah, he did look good. Great to see him on the first possession, make that baseline cut and get the ball and score. And then, as you said, minute left. He still had it to score. Some classic Dejante turnovers in this.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, classics. Five turnovers total.

[Tas Melis]

Trying to be the pick and roller. Here comes my pocket pass. Here comes the. Anthony Melton's leg.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah.

[Tas Melis]

That should have been credited with a steal, and he wasn't. It's overridden by Dejounte Murray's comeback. That DE Anthony Melton had 28, baby.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

He had the number one play of the night.

[Trey Kirby]

Huge.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

The dunk he threw down.

[Tas Melis]

Sweet dog.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

He must have went crazy.

[Tas Melis]

Carlo. Carla. Carlo. Got it. Carlo Matkovich. Always fun to say that name. Yeah. These on the other side, the warriors injuries, I mean, for them to be in a game at the end of it is just a good sign, period. Even without Steph.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Right.

[Tas Melis]

Without Kristaps Porzingis. Unbelievable. An illness. That's.

[Ad Read Voice]

Okay.

[Tas Melis]

I shouldn't say unbelievable. Two games in a row, an illness. Al Horford's toe hurts. That's getting old.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Stocks called getting old. Yeah.

[Tas Melis]

Left, big toe. You know, it's kind of fun to see the Pelicans not tanking. It's kind of fun to see this. The warriors keep up. I like Brandon for Jemski coming off the bench, but unfortunate for them, obviously.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah. You said Dejante had that clutch, driving layup with about a minute left. That was a big shot. This was a close game. It put them up five points, 109, 104. I thought he looked okay. Yeah. Despite the turnovers, there were a couple nice plays where he was doing a really good job of hitting Zion on the short roll. So the chemistry was sort of there. A few of those were. Yeah, maybe the. He was trying to thread the needle a little too much. But an abysmal game. Shooting wise from deep. They combined to shoot 21 of 85 from three between the warriors and Pelicans. So Zion hitting one is a miraculous Part of that. But dejounte back. Kaminga back for the Hawks there or his first game with the Hawks.

[Tas Melis]

A couple returns and there's a team that's not tanking, the New Orleans Pelicans.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Well, yeah, I mean they can't.

[Trey Kirby]

True.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, their hands are tied on that one.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. But as we're talking about with people at the College Park Skyhawks game, they're watching, they're watching to see how many games the the Pelicans win or lose. But they are playing guys to win.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Let's show you the other results from last night because there was a lot of basketball. We'll, we'll throw up the somewhat crooked looking board here from the score. Our friends up in Canada with the score. It's not crooked. It's. I'm telling you, it's a, it's a weird trick on your eyes. But anyway, any of these games you want to touch on tasks, any other takeaways from last night's slate?

[Tas Melis]

Well, the Celtics staying hot four straight. They are just playing so consistent and yeah, they're playing the Phoenix Suns who are injured. You can't score. Yeah, they only scored 81 points against the Celtics but they also couldn't rebound against the Celtics. That means that they are playing hard. Celtics out rebounded them 61 to 34. So just a good time of the season here for the Celtics who are clicking and awaiting Jason Tatum's return. As Trey was talking about there, the bucks, they've won seven of their last nine games. They're back court cooking. Ryan Rollins 21, Kevin Porter Jr. 32. This feels like the best part of Kevin Porter Jr's career right now. Although Tyler here on the other side for the Miami Heat at a bad shooting night coming off the bench. Yeah and he stayed on the bench since he's returned. So bad night there. And Jane McDaniels who we'll get to later a little later in. Woah. Key for the Wolves. We'll get to get to him later when we go stat line of the night.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

TK Anything you want to address?

[Trey Kirby]

Bulls got destroyed by the Hornets last night. Not even close. 10 straight losses for Chicago. They're the fifth team this season that has a double digit losing streak. I wonder if that's the most ever in a single season. Kings, Mavs, Pacers, Wizards and now the Bulls have lost 10 or more games.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

It's a lot of games to lose.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, Pelicans have two Niners but doesn't quite count. I was trying to get stat head mode. Couldn't do it. Couldn't do it with the streak finder. Too confusing. Too many options. I don't know.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Raider or we need a tutorial. I think sometimes I thought I was nailing it, man. I thought I was on it.

[Trey Kirby]

I could get the stats for one season right. I couldn't do it. I wasn't going to do it for every season. But I wonder. I wonder. That's a lot of teams to have 10 straight losses. But yeah, the Bulls are very bad last night and for the past month. But it was a great night for Chicago because the Bucks also won, which means Chicago moves into ninth spot for the best odds.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Wow.

[Trey Kirby]

In the draft lottery.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Making your way down.

[Trey Kirby]

Slash up Tankathon every single day.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Any luck hitting the number one seed with Chicago Bull?

[Trey Kirby]

Oh, yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Really?

[Trey Kirby]

Oh, yeah. I don't stop until they're done, but I'm happy to see them jump into the top four. They got 7% better. Better last night. And next in their sights, Dallas and Memphis, who both have three fewer wins than Chicago this season, could be tough to catch them.

[Tas Melis]

So they got 7% better.

[Trey Kirby]

They went from possibility 20 for a top.

[Tas Melis]

Top four pick.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, he's not even greedy. See, that's good. No, he doesn't need the number one pick. He just wants top four. That'd be very nice.

[Trey Kirby]

I want three. I want three.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

You want three in particular?

[Tas Melis]

Yeah.

[Trey Kirby]

Bulls drafted a good player, number three once upon a time. Yes, that's right. I'm. I'm praying for Carlos Boozer's son to come to Chicago. We. We had Boozer and now we have. And one more. Come on, Cam. Come on down.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

That'd be fun.

[Tas Melis]

That's why you should be breaking down the stats of the lottery balls behind the scene. Not the lottery balls that we see Mark Tatum pick. But yes, the behind the scenes where they're doing. I don't know, how many lottery balls do they pick out? Like.

[Trey Kirby]

Like a thousand and one or something like that. And isn't like six ball combination or something like that? I want them to rig it. It's time for them to rig Bulls again.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I think they do.

[Trey Kirby]

It's been. I mean they absolutely rigged it for the Bulls in 2008 when the number one prospect was a kid from Chicago. And the Bulls had the worst chance ever that actually ended up at number one. They haven't rigged it for him since. And the Bulls put the play in tournament on the map.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Who do you trust more? Adam Silver, Ernst or young? Ernst.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. What's your name?

[Trey Kirby]

Ernest.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

No, it's Ernst.

[Tas Melis]

Ernest.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

No Ernst. Thunder beat the Raptors last night. I know. That was a good game. Oh, it was a good comeback from the Raps, but what happened is they can't beat good teams. I don't care who's playing.

[Tas Melis]

That's true.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Unfortunately, the Raps are just a classic. Good team this year, but can't beat the great teams, even if the Thunder are missing a bunch of guys. But I jokingly sort of said the other day when we were talking about the Thunder, it's like, yeah, they're missing SGA and AJ Mitchell and obviously Jalen Williams. And there was another guard they're missing. And I was like, it doesn't matter. They have, like, six other guards that could start for a lot of teams. A little tongue in cheek, but I believe it with Wallace. That guy could start for half this league. And a team should be, like, obviously trying to yank him away from the Thunder and throw a bag at him. He's good, man. He's really good. 27 points, eight boards, seven assists for him. Last night they were celebrating. Canada night. Canada basketball. SGA wasn't even there, so that was unfortunate. That's okay.

[Trey Kirby]

He wasn't even in attendance.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

No, no, no.

[Trey Kirby]

Well, Lou Dort was there.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Lou Dort, RJ Barrett, of course, great played and he was all right. But, yeah, no sga.

[Trey Kirby]

Wallace was sweet, though. Raptors did a good job to get back in the game when it looked like there was maybe going to tilt towards a blowout for the Thunder. But then K said, Wallace just made three straight plays down the stretch. This guy is taking the opportunity with Shake, Elgis Alexander and Jalen Williams and A.J. mitchell. You know, being out there is ball handling to be done for the Thunder. And he's showing that I'm not just a defense guy, and that'll pay dividends come playoff time when it's like, you know, maybe Shea picks up foul trouble or something like that. Dorset in foul trouble. Mitchell, he's got a sprained ankle. Who do we turn to? Kayson Wallace?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah.

[Tas Melis]

27 career high for that guy. Yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah. And the stretch is actually scary for the rest of the league. I feel like with all these Thunder guys getting more opportunity here to grow their game and maybe get some reps as they get into a potential or get into playoff series. What? I mean, like, they're only going to go as far as, like, SGA or mvp like, takes you, like you're in a title depending on sga, but, like, these other guys are gonna have to have moments and games. And they're getting more opportunity here and obviously delivering.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. That's why I was. I anointed the Denver Nuggets a potential winner when Jokic went out. Here comes Peyton Watson. Here they come. To collaborate to get those guys in there and get their. Just the reps. And they played well without him. Yeah. Before Yokich. And we'll see how. How the core of Shay returns. Because the abs. It matters. It matters.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

It matters. But he's. I mean he. Look, if these were playoff games the guy's playing, guaranteed. This is a classic. Like yeah, man, just. Just chill for a bit here. We got this. This is. Obviously we went super long last year and all these long series and stuff like that. Get a break. You know, we get. It's interesting, the whole MVP part of it with the 65 games played threshold, like. Like we might have a default MVP winner. Like no offense to some of these guys. Well, it could be a lot of them out of the running, depending on. Depending on three more.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, it's something like that.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah. Not many.

[Tas Melis]

Wow. Yeah. That's why I saw Red Tom Haberstro was advocating for Cade Cunningham potentially winning this thing. He has a good chance cuz he's going to play 65 games and there's a chance that Shay and Jokic don't and. Good chance.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah.

[Tas Melis]

And maybe stuff like that.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

So. All right, let's take a break and when we come back we'll talk a little Team USA roster build holding.

[Tas Melis]

Let me ask you guys something. What is the best part of the season to watch in person?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Doesn't have to be regular season. Oh well, yeah. The playoffs.

[Trey Kirby]

NBA Finals.

[Tas Melis]

NBA Finals. Yeah. We're going all the way.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

First round.

[Tas Melis]

Guy, give me game five in the second round.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, man.

[Tas Melis]

Best thing I've ever seen.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Pivotal game five in the second round. Are you kidding me?

[Trey Kirby]

Oh, I love a pivotal game.

[Tas Melis]

To everyone listening or watching. Well, have you ever attended an NBA Finals game? Well, now's your chance, courtesy of FanDuel. It's simple. All you have to do is use your profit boost on an NBA future and you'll be entered for a shot to win an NBA Finals Trip for two NBA futures lets you lock in your pick for who you think will go all the way. Whether it's a team to win the championship or a conference title. Use that profit boost today. If you're listening, on Wednesday or Thursday or during that happy hour on Friday, just boost it a little bit. Play your game with FanDuel, official sports betting partner of the NBA.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

All right, if you're joining us on YouTube, do us a favor. Hit that little thumbs up right there. Helps other people see the show and find the show, obviously. If you're listening to the podcast, five star ratings and reviews, please, please, please. And shout to everybody leaving comments on the Spotify there. It's a fun little addition that they've done. Okay.

[Tas Melis]

You love the comments on Spotify?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Oh, I love them. You know, it's, it's, there's not a lot of noise. You know, I'm really looking at it, I'm really seeing it, then I can throw an emoji on it. I can respond to it.

[Trey Kirby]

That's great.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

There's just too many places though to comment, if I'm being honest.

[Trey Kirby]

Tough to keep up with all these comments.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

It really is. But we appreciate all them, no matter where you put them. Okay. Kevin Durant. We talked to Ben Gulliver a little bit about this yesterday, but Kevin Durant told ESPN recently that he plans to play in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. KD, four time gold medalist and the US men's leading scorer in Olympic competition. He'll be approaching 40 years old when the next games come around here, but he has told Team USA managing director Grant Hill that he wants to play in the Olympic stateside, but only, only if he can still be a meaningful contributor. And Trey, you sort of chimed in yesterday. He's like, yeah, if he wants to play, there's a spot for him on the roster. Sorry if that means another guy squeezed. He's put in his time. He's the all time leading guy. He is still good and he should still be good at scoring the ball. He'd be on it, you think? If he wants to go.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, I mean, he's 26 a game, basically. 50, 40, 90 this season and somehow he's better in Olympic tournaments. So I think if he wants to play and he's healthy, sign him up.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, there was a belief, he says, you fools, I didn't say anything. That Paris was going to be his last Olympic games. Now that may have just been all of us going, oh, yeah, well, Steph is playing, but he says he's basically going to be done after this. LeBron aged out and then KD like, oh, that's just perfect. Those three guys taking them to the gold medal once again and they'll say goodbye. But Katie's like, no, no, no. LeBron says he's not playing. I don't know about Curry, but I'll play if I Can.

[Tas Melis]

He got lumped. He got lumped in with Stephanie.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, I think it's a fair lump.

[Tas Melis]

Fair lump.

[Trey Kirby]

It was a cool way. If it was the end. That was a cool way to go out.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, no doubt.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

But with Durant's birthday, with Durant's birthday in September and LeBron's in December, Durant would be slightly closer to 40 if he suits up in Los Angeles. So he would potentially take the mantle as the oldest American man to compete in Olympic basketball. LeBron currently holds that record at 39.

[Tas Melis]

And the mantle I think he really wants to take is those final shots that went to Steph. He would like that opportunity. It's not. It's not necessarily a mantle, but he, like, he would love that opportunity because he. He likes that opportunity, period. That's what he does. So I think he would like to let it rip.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Should Durant win his fifth gold medal in 2028. If they do it to do it again, he would tie Sue Bird for the second most basketball gold medals in Olympic history. I can't believe it. Made me laugh. Yeah.

[Trey Kirby]

Tarazi 6. Yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

That's incredible.

[Tas Melis]

It's incredible.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

So he's not even like. Because at first I was like, oh, he must be, like, going to, like, get that to tie it. And then you're like, oh, no, he would just tie. Super. He'd still be one short C in 2032 in. I have no clue. I have no idea where it is. No, No. I can't imagine it's in America. Again, no idea where it is. Anyway, there's been a lot of talk after this news from KD about predicting Team USA's 2028 Olympics roster. 2 media factions actually shared their predictions. I want to share them both with you and get your opinions on which either predicted squad you like more or other guys you would have in the mix. So I'll tell you. CBS Sports 2028 Team USA roster. Sam Quinn went with five guards, four forwards, three centers. The guards were Cade, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell and Con Kniple. The forwards were Tatum, flag, Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant based on seniority. And then the centers were Chet Holmgren, Bam Adebayo and jalen duran. That's CBS's Team USA squad. ESPN. They had a crack at it as well, a little different. Their guards were Cade and Anthony Edwards, and then Tyrese Halliburton and Con Knippel. The forwards, Tatum, Flag, Amen Thompson, and then Scotty Barnes and Jalen Williams of okc. And then the centers were the same Chet, Bam and Duran. So both CBS and ESPN had nine guys. Trey that were the same Cade, Ant, Knipple, Tatum, flag, Amen, Thompson, and then three centers that I named in Chet, Bam, Duran. What were you thinking as the one American here in building this squad? Who got it more right or which guys are you? Like, how are they not included?

[Trey Kirby]

The first thing I was thinking for both was Bam is a guarantee. Eric Spoelstra is the coach. I think that's part of it. Bam does have a reputation with Team usa. He's been there for a couple of runs here, so I can see him being on the team. But I think the number one center there should be Chat Holmgren. I wonder what the Halliburton of it all is. That was one that stuck out to me as well. I think cbs you said chose a different Tyrese.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

That's right.

[Trey Kirby]

Maxi over Halliburton. Maybe it's an out of sight, out of mind thing, but Halliburton I thought was kind of an intern for Team USA in Paris. Come out, you're our 12th man. You're not going to complain about not playing. Hilarious interview with LeBron when he's talking about Steve Kerr in the locker room saying some of you guys aren't going to play. And Halliburton's looking around, he's like, wait a second, everybody here is going to the hall of Fame. I guess that's me.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

He also had the hilarious tweet, when you ain't do nothing on the group project and still get an A while holding up the gold medal. That is an all time tweet.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, but that to me means we're bringing him along to get the team experience to get him in the system and figure out how to play together. I also think he is a good international player, at least on the offensive end. He would be a target. I do believe defensively. Defensively, the physicality that's allowed in international play might cause some problems for Halliburton, but the way he moves the ball, the way he plays so fast and the fact he's a 40% three point shooter to me gets him on the team. But I love Maxi as well. I think he's a great player. I think he's just as good of an off ball player as Halliburton is. But I think I would go, I think I would pick. Assuming Halliburton gets back to full strength and is looking good by 2028. I think I would choose Halliburton just because he's A guy that doesn't need the. But still definitely contributes on the offensive end without needing the ball. Those are two that stuck out to me.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, I totally agree. I like the ESPN picks better because it was less dominant ball players. This is the difficult job for Grant Hill and Steve Kerr because you need some of those guys. I was surprised that Devin Booker wasn't picked on either of them.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, he should be 31 years old.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, he has to be. He was, he was perfect off the ball and doing what he did, did extremely well defensively. That's what he did. He became that basketball player just to compliment to be the fourth option on the floor as a ball handler. You know, with the, the big three there and in a center, he could just be off the ball, period. And so I was shocked not to see that Tyres Halliburn has to be there as well. I think that's a lock. And then you started to get into the minutiae of things like. Yes, I, I understand. He said to Steve Kerr, whoa, these guys are all hall of Famers. That's why I would think Jaylen Brown should be part of this conversation. Why should he not? But then the ball handler thing comes up again. If you're getting ball dominant types of guys beside him. The maxi one is a good point. I would, I would have to drop maxi if I was Grant Hill and Steve Kerr because you, you want guys like. Honestly, Jason Tatum was, was basically in Tyrese Halliburton spot. Yes, they did. They didn't do anything. Yeah, Olympics. So Tatum's role needs to increase as well. But yeah, then, then the brown thing comes up. It. This is, this is tough, but I think you might have to, you know, cut some young guys. I know, man. Thompson is awesome defensively, but I think you can get, get away with, you know, the, the lack of defense. A defender like a Den Booker who isn't as good as men Thompson, but, but the guy can shoot it and the guy can score it. So you have to make some decisions here. And I think Amend Thompson might not make it either.

[Sarah Spain]

This is Sarah Spain from Good Game with Sarah Spain, brought to you in part by Vital Farms. Let's talk eggs. Vital Farms. Pasture raised eggs to be exact. My favorites. The only kind I've got in my fridge. No joke. And here's why. These aren't your average eggs. The hens live on open pastures with fresh air and sunshine all year long. They forage on local grasses and stretch their wings. They're living their best life. That care really shows in the taste. I love mine scrambled with a little butter or whipped up into a fancy frittata. And here's something most people don't know. You could trace your eggs back to the farm they came from. Seriously. Side of the carton, you'll find the farm name. Type it [e-mail] farm and you'll get a 360 degree peek at the pasture. Plus, Vital Farms is a certified B corporation, which means they're committed to improving the lives of people, animals and the planet through food eggs you could feel good about. So next time you're in the store, look for the black carton in the egg aisle and visit vitalfarms.com to learn more. Vital Farms Good eggs. No shortcuts.

[Matt Rogers]

This is Matt Rogers from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

[Bowen Yang]

This is Bowen Yang from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. What if your WI fi was more than just WI fi? What if your WI fi made everything in your whole house just work together better?

[Matt Rogers]

Well, Xfinity WI Fi pretty much does exactly that. It's powered by their best tech.

[Bowen Yang]

Allow us to paint a very realistic example. Everyone in your house, everyone is on their devices at the exact same time. Gaming, working, swiping. Right? Because of course they are. And the finale of your favorite show of all time of the week is on at the exact same moment. Well, you can boost the WI fi to your device with Xfinity.

[Matt Rogers]

And have you ever asked yourself, what if my WI fi could keep watch over my kids for me? Well, probably not, because that's a weird thing to ask yourself. But Xfinity WI Fi has parenting skills, even if you sometimes forget yours. Xfinity's like, don't worry, I'll monitor the WI Fi.

[Bowen Yang]

It's completely proactive, fixing issues before they even happen. Bottom line, Xfinity is smart and reliable. You deserve the peace of mind of having WI fi that's got your back.

[Matt Rogers]

Xfinity. Imagine that.

[Velocity]

Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Hey, it's Velocity here to debunk the conspiracy. Less is more. Total lie. Why? Because more is more with Velo Plus. More flavors, more strengths, more comfort. Discover the nicotine pouch with [e-mail] that's V E L O.com underage sale prohibited Velo plus and synthetic nicotine punch products website restricted to age 21 plus Copyright

[Hershey's Ad Voice]

2025 MBI One sweet melty bite of a Hershey's bar and suddenly I'm right back, sitting on the front porch with my grandmother on his slow summer afternoon. She doesn't say much, just breaks the bar in half and hands me a piece. I open my mouth to say whatever a 9 year old wants to say and she replies with a low

[Ad Read Voice]

listen.

[Hershey's Ad Voice]

So we sat there listening. That was the first time I learned that quiet can feel full. Hershey's.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

It's your happy place. Yeah, I was a little the ESPN one. I think there's no way, at least I think that Ahmed Thompson, Scotty Barnes and Jalen Williams of okc, all three remake the team. I think there might be a little, just too much overlap. These are all talented players, they're all deserving players. And there is the graphic. JD you can go full screen of the ESPN 2028 roster again, just to spell it out for the podcast listener. The guards, Cade Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Halliburton, Con Knippel. I mean, both teams having him in the mix. And Simmons can shoot the record.

[Trey Kirby]

That guy called it before the season started. He's like, Con Knippel is going to be on the 28 Olympics team. And he feels like a shoo in to me at this point. Through 60 games of his NBA career. Fastest guy to 203s though. And he just seems like a perfect international player.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yes, yes. And then flag, of course. Tatum, Ahmed Thompson, Scotty Barnes, Jalen Williams, and then Chet Bam and Jalen Duran as the bigs. You brought up Devin Booker. Where is he? Jaylen Brown. Now Brown did criticize Team USA in 2024 for his belief that it allows Nike influence over roster decisions. Look, I mean, sometimes I can. That can hurt guys chances to make teams like this when obviously there's other guys that they can go with.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. At some point then you say if Nike signs me, I'll join the 2028 Olympic team.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Well, that's smart. And then, you know, Evan Mobley is another name I think obviously could be considered as a replacement of one of these guys. But I think they're at a point here where there was like fear of the American developmental pipeline. And you know, that's not an issue there. There's a talent boom right now.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah.

[Trey Kirby]

And I mean we got three more Americans that are going to be the top three picks in this year's draft. Any of those guys make it going forward? You know, there's a. Since Grant has taken over, there's been a strong Duke influence on these teams. Doesn't feel like Paolo maybe will make it back. Maybe that means Cam Boozer steps in. I don't know. We will see who's healthy at the time and who really pops. Another guy that I see getting zero bucks was for Team usa, Donovan Mitchell.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Right.

[Trey Kirby]

Dude's awesome.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah. Sam Quinn did have him in his mix, but you're right. Otherwise you don't see his name come up a lot. Now he'll be. I guess he'll be 31, a little older like Booker. Yeah, but he's another ball dominant, more type guy. And you might go, well, we got enough of them. We're good. We got Anthony Edwards, you know, even Cade. We got Tatum. Yeah. Yeah. So maybe that's where they just like we don't need the overlap there. And prefer like more of a Halliburton sort of playmaker. Even Maxi with the speed and then like Amen Thompson defensively. So we'll see. It's gonna be a good team. I think it's gonna be all right. I think it's gonna have a chance to win gold. Look, it's gonna lose to the Canadians, which is gonna be fun, but they

[Trey Kirby]

gotta make it there first.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Damn it. You're right.

[Tas Melis]

Are they not scared of spot?

[Trey Kirby]

I'm into a gold medal game.

[Tas Melis]

That's a good point. Yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

They both do trade. They both have to make it.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, but I mean one. One team has a reputation for making.

[Tas Melis]

Making it. For making it and winning it. Yep.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah. So it'd be the time. There would never be a better time for the Canadian team to beat the Americans though, in la.

[Trey Kirby]

That's true.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Do it on their own. Very, very true love. I love of the night sponsored by Top Shot Hot boy. But not you.

[Trey Kirby]

No, not me.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Top Shot hot boy on YouTube. And this is great. I like this. On behalf of the 988 Lifeline, the crisis hotline in USA and Canada. And whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need to talk to someone, caring counselors are there for you at the 988lifeline. So you are not alone. We added that. But shout out to Topshot Hot boy for sponsoring Whoa boy. There were a lot of potential woah Boy winners. Kevin Porter Jr. Great game season high 32 points. Maxi Big in a win against the Pacers. Didn't even mention Joel Abide did play and look good.

[Ad Read Voice]

Good.

[Trey Kirby]

27 points in 26 minutes.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Paolo Banero. He probably had one of his best games of the season, but I felt like highlighting a little bit of defense in the wobo here. And that's why wolves forward Jaden McDaniels gets a little bit, 29 points on 12, 16 shooting. So he shot the lights out 5 of 6 from deep, six boards, only two assists. But look at the defense task. Look at the defense task. Look at it. Steals five, blocks, eight stocks. When you add them all up as they get the win there in Portland.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, Jaden McDaniels is basically the barometer for this team. That's who they are. They lost that game against the Philadelphia 76ers, their previous game, where they didn't have Gobert and they didn't have Nas Reed. And they needed a guy like Jaden McDaniels to be boarding and to be playing hard. And the Timberwolves laid an egg in that game. So you see games like this, when he's ready to rebound, when he's ready to score, they win. And as Anthony Edwards said, that's that. That's our. Our most important player. And it's totally true. He is having his best season. And this Minnesota Timberwolves team is. They're looking good, standings wise, as they always do. I mean, they're there. It's such a great mix. This is a fun mix. Three through six. It's just a game and a half separating Rockets, Nuggets, Wolves and Lakers. Now, they could have been up higher if they just took care of the Joel embiid lists. Philadelphia 76ers the other day, but it is. Every game, every game goes up and down. But it all depends on Jane McNaniels.

[Trey Kirby]

To me, two funny things I thought about Jaden McDaniels. They had Jamal Crawford on the broadcast last night, a Seattle guy, Jade McDaniels, also from nearby Seattle. And. And for us, it's like, interesting to see Jaden McDaniels putting up huge offensive numbers because he's defense first. But Jamal Crawford was like, we didn't know he could play defense like this. What, because he was a scorer in high school? I mean, he's a super athlete who made it to the NBA. I bet he averaged 30 a game when he was in high school. But he was basically like, yeah, we knew he could score. We didn't know he would be one of the best defenders ever. The other thing, did he disrespect the unwritten rules of the game by bouncing a ball off the floor for a windmill dunk up by like seven, I think. Yeah, it was like maybe a minute left. Nobody tried to fight him? No, I say those are usually fighting

[Jonathan Kaminga]

terms, but if anything, it's like he almost was helping the Blazer like you could botch that.

[Trey Kirby]

You could botch.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Like, that's a pretty ballsy move. It's like, okay, it's seven with a minute to go. We've seen comebacks that are obviously with less time than that. Only down seven. So he. He got it to go, but it wasn't clean. No, it wasn't. It could have gone poorly. So, no, I think the Blazers are like, yeah, give it a go. Try it. Sure, try it. Get creative.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, he fell down after that dunk, but I think he knew we're on a three on zero like it was Anthony Edwards. They were right there.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, he didn't mess that one up.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

We. I just thought of this. In looking at the box score, I didn't see a lot of the game itself, just the highlights. But talking centers for Team usa. What about Donovan Klingan moving forward as a big, big boy?

[Trey Kirby]

He's a big, big boy now.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

You know, we brought up Chad potentially. Bam. Obviously has some history with Team usa, an Spoelstra, and then Jalen Duran's a big ass dude. But Klingon, obviously, if he continues on this growth, I mean, that's a guy that's just gonna play defense and get a million rebounds for you and set huge screens. So I'm just throwing him out there.

[Trey Kirby]

Seems like a perfect World cup guy to me.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Sure, sure. Yeah. Get his reps there and maybe down the line playing in 2032 again, wherever the hell they're playing.

[Tas Melis]

Brisbane.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Oh, Sonny. Brizzy Bris.

[Tas Melis]

Vegas might.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Oh, my. Wow. That's fun.

[Trey Kirby]

That is fun.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I used to live right by there. My sister went to school there for a year. Beautiful part. Beautiful. Beautiful part. I was gonna say one more thing and I've completely blanked on it.

[Trey Kirby]

Well, I'll vamp.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Oh, I know. Okay, go ahead.

[Trey Kirby]

I saw that Dyson Daniels has more air balled three pointers than made three pointers this season. I think he's like 15 to 12. And that's air ball.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

1512 NBA three point.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, somebody went and watched all of his. I think he's taking like 83 point attempts or something like that. You can count the makes on basketball reference, but you got a hand. Count the airballs. That's a significant.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

That's a lot.

[Bowen Yang]

Yeah.

[Tas Melis]

I've definitely seen multiple. So it's not a shocking number, but yes, he's not all. Not all the Dyson form, is there. Something's going on.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Here's what I wanted to address with the Blazers game because I saw this in the stream Team before we went live. It was like the third comment of the day. It was from Basalenka, and this is what it said. I need the guy's thoughts on Twizzy Night. The Portland Trailblazers had with the goat Yeet.

[Tas Melis]

Excuse me?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Never feel older when you read something like that. I'm like, what the hell? So I was looking it up, but what the hell is Twizzy Night? Who's the goat Yeet. From what I can tell, probably a Portland area rapper. And they had him in attendance. And, you know, he's saying he's got new album coming and he's throwing some T shirts in the crowd. I'm sure they played some of his music. So th. Those are my thoughts.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, I saw him sitting there as well.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah.

[Trey Kirby]

I didn't know he was from Portland. Yeah, I. I've never heard a song, but I've heard the name.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Okay. Okay.

[Trey Kirby]

I think he's the one who said the lyric, what a punch down on the Huffman.

[Tas Melis]

Oh, that's a good line.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

You had me for one second. I've heard that before.

[Tas Melis]

Oh, no.

[Trey Kirby]

Oh, you know, song, the Huffman.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

That's Bellis.

[Tas Melis]

The goat's got to eat. I'm sure he said goats got to eat. Yeah, he's. That's got to be a line.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I probably. Yes. Anyway, Twizzy Night, I. I guess was a success, though they lost in the end.

[Matt Rogers]

So.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

124, 121. Pick them tonight, Tas. We have ourselves a battle here. The month of February is wrapping up this week for us when it comes to picking these. So we got a few nights left, and. And we are all tied with a 76 record. Exciting time.

[Tas Melis]

It is absolutely exciting times. Three of us all tied up with three nights to go, and we got a good one tonight. Boston going into Denver, where Denver's favored by four and a half. Feels like a big number, does it not?

[Bowen Yang]

Maybe.

[Tas Melis]

Maybe because we're just in the moment and we're just watching Boston play at its peak, essentially. So why are they four and a half point dubbed dogs? That's a back to. Back to back.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah. Last game of a road trip, right?

[Tas Melis]

Oh, always a tough one going into Denver.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

They're trying to sweep the road trip, are they not?

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, yeah, They've won four in a row. So I guess it's a little surprising that Trey and I both have the Celtics. But it makes sense that you're taking the Nuggets, Skeets, after they didn't perform in their last game.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

No, no, Not a ton of confidence, but I'm with you. I thought the line was a little fun, funky, to the point where I was like, oh, what do you guys know here?

[Tas Melis]

But then I get bounced back after a loss like they just did against the Blazers when they spanked them after the bad game the night before against the Clippers. So that makes sense. But I don't know. I have faith on in the Celtics.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Sure, sure. Even if it's close, you guys got points to play with. I need the Nuggets to win by five, but big game here with all of us identical records at 7 to 6.

[Tas Melis]

What stupid thing are we doing? Doing for the loser at the end of February, early March. We'll do it next week.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I'm sure you got it.

[Tas Melis]

We haven't. We haven't discussed it.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

We haven't discussed. I'll propose something. Twizzy night in the classic Factory. And you gotta just recite yeet songs.

[Trey Kirby]

Perfect.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah. You gotta wear the, I don't know, balaclava or whatever the hell he wears. I'm sure he does. I think I saw him.

[Tas Melis]

Cool.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Sure.

[Tas Melis]

I didn't know that.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

It's got cool choice chain. Looked like a bell to me. I was like, that's neat.

[Tas Melis]

Neat.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I mean, just an idea.

[Tas Melis]

Good start.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

There's no wrong idea to start.

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. Yeah. I'm not a big fan of Twizzlers, so if I lose, I'll eat Twizzlers in honor.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I love Twizzlers.

[Tas Melis]

I'm a Nibs man.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Do you like black licorice?

[Tas Melis]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

So do I. Yeah.

[Tas Melis]

Hell, yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I think we've talked about this before. It reminds me of. Well, I like Uzo.

[Tas Melis]

Oh, yeah.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Similar. Similar flavors. Are you a black licorice guy? Some people hate it.

[Trey Kirby]

I don't hate it.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Oh, okay.

[Trey Kirby]

You know, I'm not fist pounding about it.

[Tas Melis]

Oh, yeah. I love. I love.

[Trey Kirby]

Test them.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Hey, black licorice, my guy. Oh, Twizzlers, my guy. Okay.

[Tas Melis]

The black licorice. Just like Nibs are like a Twizzler candy. Like little teeny guys. There's black, rich licorice candy. Just like. Just like a little black licorice cat. You can just flip it into your mouth.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Is this controversial? I like. I like licorice. I love black licorice. I like Twizzlers. I like red licorice. I don't love Nibs.

[Tas Melis]

Ooh.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I love them.

[Tas Melis]

It's controversial in the licorice community.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

You know, Chew on that. All right. Chew on that, everyone.

[Trey Kirby]

I Just wish they could make it waxier, you know, that's my main thing with licorice. Not quite waxy enough. J.D.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

licorice man. Black licorice man.

[Trey Kirby]

You fist pounding a black licorice.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Want me to come over?

[Tas Melis]

Yeah, fist pounding black licorice, for sure. Twizzlers, Nibs?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

No, thank you. Interesting. Interesting.

[Trey Kirby]

It tastes like nothing to me.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah, yeah.

[Trey Kirby]

It's like eating plastic.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Like wax. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Tas Melis]

Nibs got a different flavor of plastic, though.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Tas Melis]

It's a good plastic.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Oh, you like a good plastic?

[Tas Melis]

Oh, I love nibs.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Oh, wow.

[Tas Melis]

I think the Canadian nibs taste differently. I don't know how, but I think they do. Canadian nibs.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

All right, let's call it there. We'll be back tomorrow. Tomorrow is Thursday. Oh, my God. Survivor 50 premiering tonight.

[Tas Melis]

How pumped are you?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

I mean, I am pumped, but it's three hours long, so I don't know that part when we have to watch basketball and do a show. But once it starts, once we're back on the island with Jeff Probst and 24 castaways returning tasks. Oh, my God. Yeah, I'll be pumped. And we'll have no buffs tomorrow at 1pm but we'll be here at 10am for a little no Dunk. And maybe we'll hit the beach. Send in your questions no Dunks, Inc. Mail.com. or you can drop them in the YouTube comments or you can tweet us at no Dunks, Inc. As well. Until tomorrow, Clipper Bros. You heard it here first. Have a great time. Turn up. Love you guys.

[Trey Kirby]

Awesome.

[Tas Melis]

Thanks for joining us. And remember, black licorice. So good. Especially because it's from anise. But I like to say anus. I mean, how would you pronounce it? I think it goes both ways.

[Trey Kirby]

I thought it was anise, but there you go.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Anis.

[Trey Kirby]

They make like a. I think there's like an Italian cookie, a thin wafer. That's anise flavored, right?

[Jonathan Kaminga]

They're just creating things in anise.

[Trey Kirby]

Yeah, it's a unique flavor. Absinthe, of course.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Yeah.

[Trey Kirby]

The Green Dragon Twizzler. Tastes like anus right there.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Embrace the day, people.

[Velocity]

Morning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Hey, it's Velo Plus. Here to debunk the conspiracy. Less is more. Total lie. Why? Because more is more with Velo Plus. More flavors, more strengths, more comfortable. Discover the nicotine pouch with [e-mail] that's v e l o.com underage sale prohibited Velo Plusive Synthetic Nicotine Pouch Products Website restricted to age 21/ Copyright 2025 MBI.

[Ad Read Voice]

Hey guys, it's Erin Andrews. Breasts get so much attention, but they're still so ignored when it matters most. Everything these days is fighting for your attention. We've got work, family, social media, making it tough to figure out what to prioritize. I got something that should always be at the very top of the list. Your breast health. If you're 40 and over, you should be getting screened once a year. And if you're under 40, it's never too soon to visit YourAttentionPlease.com to learn about breast cancer risk. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Cold and flu season happens. And when it does, your skin deserves comfort. That's why Kleenex lotion tissues are made with moisturizing Ingredients and offer 3 in 1 skin loving benefits helping protect, soothe and moisturize your skin. So whether you're at home, on the go, or just living life, keep Kleenex lotion close for a little extra care that makes a big difference. For whatever happens next, grab Kleenex.

[Matt Rogers]

This is Matt Rogers from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

[Bowen Yang]

This is Bowen Yang from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang.

[Matt Rogers]

Hey, so what if you could boost the WiFi to one of your devices when you need it most?

[Bowen Yang]

Because Xfinity WI fi can you? And what if your WI fi could fix itself before there's even really a problem? Xfinity is so reliable. It does that too.

[Matt Rogers]

What if your WI fi had parental instincts? Xfinity WI Fi is part nanny, part ninja, protecting your kids while they're online.

[Bowen Yang]

And finally, what if your wi fi was like the smartest WI fi?

[Matt Rogers]

Yeah, it's WI fi that is so smart it makes everything work better together.

[Bowen Yang]

Bottom line, Xfinity is smart and reliable. You deserve the peace of mind of having WI fi that's got your back.

[Matt Rogers]

Xfinity.

[Jonathan Kaminga]

Imagine that this is an iHeart podcast.

[Hershey's Ad Voice]

Guaranteed Human.