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This is an iHeart podcast.
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Guaranteed Human.
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What a matchup we got, y'. All. This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action.
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The band is rockin and the crowd lit.
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Chance echo drum beatin Everybody showing that school pride. Game like this, yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime.
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And just like that, we're back at it.
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Passionate fans, school colors everywhere.
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And in ice cold Coca Cola.
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That's a winning combo.
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No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going. This is Julian Edelman from Games With Names.
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Good morning, sweet world, and welcome to the no Dunks podcast presented by FanDuel. It's Monday, December 29, 2025. I know a lot of you have no idea what the date is. It's Monday, December 29th. I'm Jay Skeets here in the Classic Factory. And alongside me, as always, Tas Melas.
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I definitely don't know what the day is. Hey, everybody.
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And over yonder making the magic happen, he is back in the Classic Factory. It's Eshua Kid. How y' all doing? What's up, Ash? What about you? Did you know what date it was? Because this is that weird time between Christmas and New Year's That a lot of people have no clue, man. I've been lost on the date. Like, I didn't know what the date was last week at all until it was Christmas. And then. Yeah, nobody knows what the day. No, no, nobody does. Nora on. I guess it was Saturday. Now I'm losing track of the day. She was like, you know, are you going into the Classic Factory tomorrow? I mean, that was Sunday. I'm like, no, we're going to see Marty Supreme. I'm not going to work on Sunday, Marty. Yeah, man. I have thoughts. I'll share them for another podcast.
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B
Oh, man.
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A
Not nearly as good as Uncut Gems. Let's just leave it at that. But it is Monday, and we are doing our NBA weekend Winners and losers. We will have Trey back hopefully tomorrow. And J, at some point is making his way back from Mexico. Will he? I don't know. I never know with him. Don't you ever think sometimes task 20 years in, he's just going to go on one of these trips one of these days and just never return?
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B
That's a good call.
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A
I could see.
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B
I definitely think that, too.
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Yeah. Just leave us the keys to the Classic Factory in his house. Yeah, we'll just make it work.
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B
Is there a reason he's meeting with every family member? You know, there's. There's something going on there.
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A
He's enjoying his time on the beach. But, yeah, we'll have the guys trickling back in later this week. But as I said, weekend winners and losers. We. We had a couple testy days in the NBA over the weekend. A brouhaha to talk about and Giannis getting everybody all fired up. We'll get to that. But first, we had a bunch of wedgies to catch everybody up on. And they happen late last week, a lot of them, three of them did. Number 21, 22, and 23. Happened all on Tuesday night. Paul George stuck the first one there. Then Karl Anthony Towns on the turnaround jumper. That was number 22. Oh, nice. Close up there. Good work by the cameraman. And then Trey Johnson on the fast break. Got one to stick basically under the rim. And then finally this one Friday night, Jonathan Isaac in Orlando sticks number 24. So that's where we're at, 24 wedgies. I went and checked as we make our way to 2026. 24 is not bad. Before the flip of the calendar year last year, 15 total wedgies when we went from 2024 to 2025. So 24, I mean, that's pretty good. We might get another one or two here before the. The year ends.
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B
Yeah. On pace for 57.
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A
Okay.
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Which obviously would be an incredible year, obviously, if you're tracking wedgies like everybody else last year. Yeah, it was. It was a quiet, quiet year. 48 total.
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Yeah, yeah, yeah. It didn't even hit that magical 50. I think we're going to do it, though, this year. Okay. NBA weekend, winners and losers. We'll start with winners. Do a couple mounds, get us started. Where do you want to go?
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Let's start with Yanza Gumbo returning for the Milwaukee Bucks.
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Okay.
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The first question was, how is Giannis gonna look out there? Been three plus weeks. It's been a calf injury. Maybe they're gonna take it slow. He looked like the machine that Yannis at Ted Kubo is. He looks spectacular in that first half. He had three straight possessions in the second quarter with monstrous dunks. Yanni's type of dunks. Bang, bang, bang, bang. Now, they were playing it a little bit slow, limiting his minutes. 24 minutes, but that's okay because Ano is efficient when he's out there. 29 points in just 24 minutes. The second question was, how would everybody play around him? And I think GMPO helped everybody out around him as he does, drawing attention. I think he had a quiet second half. And in that fourth quarter, Ryan Rollins and Giannis played a pick and roll game. Two straight possessions in the fourth quarter, and Yanis basically said, we need you, Ryan Rollins, here you go. He kept on giving it back to him, kept on giving back to him. Ryan Rollins finally said, all right, I'll line it up. Hit a shot. Hit that three. Next possession, same thing. Pick and roll. Another three. So Ryan Rollins, 20 points. Key, key.
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Yeah. Really good game from him.
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Yeah. And he has been the second best player. He's for the Milwaukee Bucks offensively. He's going to get most improved player votes.
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He's.
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He deserves it. Then going down to the wire, as I think you sort of hinted at, Yanis de Kumpo game is over. And y said, Kubo gets the ball. Fast break. He can just dribble it out. Oh, yeah, he doesn't want to do that. This was a clear Yanis, I don't give a she type of moment. An idgaf. Everybody talking about me wanting to get traded. I'm going to throw this one down with a great windmill. Think about this monster of a man able to throw down a windmill like that. Huge. And then Nicola Vucevic and Kobe White sort of getting in his face. It was hilarious. Here.
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A
Well, Yanis took off. That was my favorite part.
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He's just dying.
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He throws down the unnecessary dunk. The unspoken rule that you're supposed to break.
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Right.
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Which we do every single year. But then he just takes off. Yeah, he, like, just does it. It's like he threw a stick of dynamite on the floor, walked away and let everybody else figure it out.
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B
Yeah, they tried to get in his face, and Vuch tried to get in his face. And then post game, Vuch was asked about. He said, well, I guess he heard the reports that, uh, you know, we weren't going to trade for him. We just. We just weren't going to trade for him. He wasn't good enough.
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Come on.
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Like, they wouldn't trade absolutely anything for Giannis. Hilarious stuff. But Giannis is in this mode right now. He's at this point of his career, he just doesn't care. He's really willing to get the Bucks as far as they possibly can. I still think he is not being dealt before the trade deadline. And some other reports out there that GMs have been calling John Horst and the Milwaukee Bucks, and John Horst basically saying, no, we are not dealing him. According to Michael Scotto of Hoop site, the GMs are calling and they're saying no. And you could see that. You could see the way they're playing. I know they ain't great. They're basically on the outside of the play and looking in. But you get losses from the Bulls in this one and then losses from the Hawks and the this weekend, and here they come. They should be with Yanis Der Kubo, of course, that important part with him playing, they should be easily, you know, into the play and playoff picture.
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Giannis did explain his reasoning behind that dunk at the end of the game, too. So I want to hear. Oh, yeah, this is amazing. He said he's asked about it because I was like, what the hell is that? I mean, you know, that's sort of out of character for you, maybe even. Right. Because he's all about, like, following the rules and good sportsmanship and all that. He's played that card before. He said, We're 11th in the East.
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Right?
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Okay.
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Yeah. Yeah.
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Got to keep finding an identity. And if that's got to get a little bit of scrappy at the end, so be it. We're not champs. Why should we play the clock out and have respect and fair play? We're fighting for our lives right now. He's basically like, he is trying to tell us, I did that. Not anything to do with Bulls trade rumors or anything like that. It was like to light a match under his team. A little bit of a spark.
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Yeah.
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Just. And yeah, maybe it is an unspoken rule. And it's weird. He sort of did it, but he's like, I'm doing it for my team to like, get us going here.
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B
Yeah.
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What do I have to lose? What do we have to lose? We got to play hard. That's his reasoning. That's why it is an interesting winner of the weekend. Because I think some people are like, come on, Yanni, if you're on the other side of this, oh, God. You'd do a 10 minute press conference on how you shouldn't do that. And there's rules to this game. Well, well, Tas, I know you're a big Yanis defender, but that could be true. But he's saying, I'm doing it to get the guys going.
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B
Yeah. I don't care about these meaningless or the unwritten rules anymore.
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A
I mean, we do this every single year on no dunks, where somebody does where they throw down a dunk or they score at the end of the game when they shouldn't.
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B
Yeah.
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We have done it almost once or twice every single year. We've done a podcast for 20 years running. I swear to God, we have.
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B
The Bulls sort of got mad. I mean, it was Vuch and Kobe White sort of going up to him and Bobby Portis, the guy who will always defend anybody on his team. He's the guy who came off the bench to help out Giannis.
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But imagine the roles were reversed and Buzzelis threw down a dunk at the end of a game.
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The Bucks would be.
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Bobby Portis would like, fight him.
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B
Yeah, for sure.
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A
Okay.
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B
Though this is definitely an extension of the press conference that he had that we talked about last week, which was the press conference when he was injured that nobody was really talking about when he got up to the mic and basically was trying to squash the rumors. Quash the rumors. As somebody in our comments wanted to correct me on my, my usage of the word squash. Listen, squash has many definitions anyways, it doesn't matter. But it was an extension of that when he was basically saying, listen, I want our team to play better, we need to play better. So, yeah, I could, I could see why. I heard the post game comments on why he did it. It's. It to me, it's just essentially what he wants from his team.
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A
Yeah.
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And. And what he wanted from his team preseason. But now it's reached this level that. Listen, I'M here. I ain't a freaking loser. I, I do not want a losing record. I do not want to miss the playoffs. So that's what it is. You're right. That's what, that's where we are essentially, with the Milwaukee Bucks.
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A
And if Giannis is back and looks like he's at that MVP level and can play a majority of these games, at least they're obviously going to rise in the rankings. I think everybody believes that standings. Of course they will.
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B
Yeah.
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In the Eastern Conference if he plays. But will John Horst and the Bucs, what will they do if they are keeping them? If Giannis has not come out and said, I want to demand a trade, which he hasn't, from what we know, what will they do? What can they do to actually improve this team? Because even currently constructed with a healthy Giannis, they're like, maybe make a second round. Like, nobody has them as a championship contender. They haven't been when Giannis has been there and they don't look that way when he's even played right.
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B
And he knows that and he is definitely pushing. I'll bring up Ryan Rollins again because he knows that he needs him to play better. And Ryan Rollins splashing was a five threes in this game. He's definitely been the biggest surprise. Imagine if he didn't even play well. He's been so important for this team and they're way below.500. So, yes, they're not going to, they're not going to be a, a championship contender with this team. Now, I think with the initial talk that was happening, it was based upon forcing John Horst to go trade one of those draft picks to improve this team to help them here and now, because Giannis was not demanding a trade, but Giannis was saying, to do everything you can because I want to stay. But if they're going to be a team that continues to lose, then I'm going to have to. I'm going to have to leave. And that may happen in the offseason, but I, I don't see it happening this season because Yan's playing means that they're at least playing team, probably a playoff team, and then they go from there. But that being said, if you watch when Yanis misses games, they stink. And so when, when he did go out for, you know, two to four weeks, I was watching every single game. Now they beat Boston, but then they get destroyed by Brooklyn. So if they continue to lose and he was out, then he may have to demand a trade. He may have to in his Eyes. But I think he's going to stick around, especially if he's playing.
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But that's the dilemma. To me, if you're John Horse in the books, it's like, yeah, you want to keep him happy. Yeah, of course you want to keep you honest. But, like, okay, you trade this future.
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Pick, you know, very little draft, one pick to trade.
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A
So you trade that. You trade. I. There's not a lot of, like, promising young talent even on their team. You want to keep Ryan Rollins, for crying out loud. My point is, what do you even do? What is the move to like, catapult you up in the Eastern Conference contender status? I don't really see it.
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B
Yeah, there's not a lot.
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A
I don't think Zach Levine moves the needle. I don't think whatever Tyler Herro moves, I don't know. I don't see it. I don't know what it is.
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B
I will. I will say that they probably think that Zach Levine moves the needle to some degree because their defense has picked up, but they need somebody offensively. They just need an outlet because their defense is solid with Ryan Rollins and Miles Turner, along with United states Kubo, those three. And then the Kevin Porter Jr. As I brought up, a very good offensive player, has really looked decent in his game so far. He's only been there for half the season. And then AJ Green and all that. They've been, I think, you know, the rankings, like the last nine days, they've literally top four defense. Maybe they're top three defense. I know it's nine days, who cares? But yeah, I think they do think that a guy that can score 25, they need one. And so it could be a draft pick. If the Sacramento Kings agree to a draft pick for Zach Levine, you know, plus another guy, it could be that. Yeah, that's. That's what it could be. Now money has to play into that, though, because Zach Levine gets paid a lot. Could be a three team trade, but all that. Yeah, Zach Levine could be the guy.
- [15:17]
A
Let's hear what the people think on the stream team right now live on YouTube about the Giannis dunk at the end. Was it disrespectful?
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B
I think it was an awesome dunk.
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A
Well, it was an incredible poster. Looks awesome. I mean, he tweeted about it. He knew how good the dunk was. It was like a dunk contest. Like dunk.
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B
Yeah, it was.
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A
Which I always forget. Giannis was in a dunk contest.
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B
Yeah.
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A
Wow.
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B
Yeah.
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A
Sort of unforgettable.
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B
Yeah. Yeah.
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A
Do a whole lot. But do you think it was disrespectful or not? Or do you not give a damn? I mean, I mean, even Stacy King was doing the classic, like, you know, stop him. Somebody could have stopped him. You could have wrapped him up if you even wanted to.
- [15:46]
B
Right, Josh?
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A
Could he like let him go? Then again, you're not thinking he's going to go down and throw down like a 49 or a 50 dunk in a dunk contest at the end.
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B
Yeah, it's pretty sweet.
- [15:54]
A
It's amazing. This guy doesn't care right now. Trying to get the team going. All right, Giannis gets a winner of the weekend in the Bucks from tas. Let's keep it going. I want to give a winner of the weekend to Keonte George and the Utah Jazz. That is something I don't think we've ever said here on no dunks. But the Jazz beat two of the top three teams in the NBA on back to back nights over the weekend. Keonte George played a huge part in both victories. On Friday night he scored 31 points and he hit a beautiful, beautiful floater in the lane with about two seconds remaining for the 131, 129 victory over the Pistons. That's a good defensive team in Detroit and they had difficulty talking about a two man game with Giannis and Ryan Rollins at the end. Lowry, Markkanen and Keonte George were giving them problems, running them off multiple screens. So great win from Utah. And then they followed it up on Saturday as that dynamic duo of Markkanen and Keonte George powered the team to the127,114 road victory over the spurs and they ended their winning streak at eight games. Really quality win from Utah on that one. They led midway through the second quarter. Never relinquished the lead. Yeah, so Marketing with 29 points and Keonte George with 28. So back to back wins over Detroit, one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The best team record wise. Right. And then San Antonio, the hottest team in the league at that point. Quality weekend here for the Utah Jazz. And we can get into more about Keonte George. But thoughts on the victories?
- [17:23]
B
They are a good story and they are a good watch. They could easily put up 140 points any given night against anybody, including the top two teams in the frickin Western Conference anytime. So they are fun to watch. Now they give it all back at the other end. They're one of the worst teams in the NBA defensively, but they will never not be a good league passwatch because they are super fun. They've got super good stories I think within their rotation as well. Cody Williams, a guy who's trying to make it here in the NBA I thought was really good against the spurs. Good defensive efforts, eight points on the other end in transition because that's what he does. A guy who's not part of the rotation all the time showed lots of effort I think not only the Chianti Lowry, but just going down the roster. I thought Walter Clayton was freaking good. Six of six off the bench.
- [18:15]
A
He didn't miss.
- [18:15]
B
No he didn't. He's always fun to watch as well. I got a Little League pass story a little later in the show about Walter Clayton. It's not much of a story, but anyways, it's a note anyway. Keonte and Lowry are also just a great story. Counte George went to Finland in the summer to go visit Larry Markin in super fun. So all that they make a good team, but again, they're going to lose a lot of games. It's going to be very, very difficult for them to make the playoffs and Larry Markkanen is going to continue as the guy who's played the most games in the NBA without a playoff appearance. It sure feels that streak continues 477 at this point. It sure feels that way. Look at the fricking West. The west is just too tough. You'd have to if you receded them east and West 1 through 16. Maybe they make it. But look where look who they're playing behind. Even though they are one of the best. They're, you know, top 12 offensively, one of the best offenses. Still, they give away too many points. You look at the the teams 7 through 10 now, Phoenix, Golden State, Memphis, Portland. Then it's Utah. Then you got the Mavs chasing them. I assume they're going to get better. You know, there's the whole Anthony Davis thing, but they're getting Kyrie Irving back, I assume. And then you got the Clippers who will get to all of a sudden or a team that's hungry. It's going to be really tough for the Utah Jazz.
- [19:32]
A
It's crowded. I will say this. If the Denver Nuggets didn't exist, Keonte George would have a very realistic chance at winning the Western Conference Player of the Month for December because this wasn't just a great weekend from him. He's had an awesome December. Keonte George is averaging in 12 games played in December, a whole lot of basketball, 27, 7 and 5. And the Jazz have gone a respectable 6 and 6, you know, 500 basketball over that stretch of December, he's shooting 47% from the floor, 43% from deep. But again, pretty sure the player of the month is going to go in the Western Conference to a guy named Jokic. And if he didn't exist, it would probably go to Jamal Murray, who's had actually a killer month in December, too. But Keontae, I do think you brought up Ryan Rollins as a most improved guy. I saw Keonte George has cracked the top five when it comes to most improved player of the year. Odds on fanduel, it's Denny Avdia is your favorite at +130, Jalen Johnson at +220, and then Jalen Duran, Josh Giddey and Keonte George. So Keonte George has jumped Ryan Rollins because I know Ryan Rollins was like a top four, top five guy there in terms of odds for MIP for a while. But Keonte rightfully up there because he's also like, hitting game winners. He's got like, it's something like three shots that have put a Jazz ahead in the final couple seconds of games this season. And that floater was pretty. That was no timeout called. Let the guard cook. And he got to his spot and had a little tough floater there to give the. Give them the lead with two seconds to go. Like I said.
- [21:08]
B
Yeah, the growth of him has been surprising. It really has. So he will get plenty of most improved player votes, but they're relying on him a ton. And that team is just literally can be a bucket anytime. Again, those points scored literally could be 140 any game. And Counte George is a huge part of that. They put the ball in his hands in key moments like that.
- [21:30]
A
All right, let's do another round of winners of the weekend. Who you got?
- [21:32]
B
I know a lot of stream teamers are saying, Where's Kawhi's 55? We'll get to that in a second. But a guy who I think should also get most improved player votes is also winner of the weekend. Anthony Black of the Orlando Magic is really important to them, especially with Franz Wagner going down and then Jalen Suggs doing his annual tradition of missing games. Unfortunately, they need Anthony Black. And then he had his best game by far of his career, dropping 38 points against the Denver Nuggets in a win in Orlando on Saturday. He's got that ability to attack closeouts. So even as he said post game, you know, I'm, I'm really good on this team because other guys attract the, the attention with Paolo Bunker out there, with Desmond Bain out there and you get a Franz back as a secondary playmaker. He is really, really good and he's really, really solid. The three point shots were incredible for him. By far the most of his career. He had seven threes in this game. His previous high was four. I know I've mentioned before, I consider them sort of like a bomb. His shooting form is kind of like, kind of like a shot put, a little bit of a push shot, but it's going down. He is, you know, becoming sort of an average three point shooter. They really, really do need him. So I think he will get some votes and I think he had the best play of his career. Put it in the highlight reel. A minute plus left. He's playing the pick and roll defensively with Jamal Murray and Jokic doing their thing. Murray gives it to Yokich. He comes down real quick, swipes it from Nikola Jokic goes the entire other way. Jamal Murray gets in his way, he goes through him and scores. And one. Literally. I think that's the best moment of his career as far as I remember. Put it on the hybrid light tape of his career. 38 points, easily his best game of his career. Offensively, again, those seven threes was extremely important. But Anthony Black and the Orlando Magic, he's needed.
- [23:32]
A
You could see the Nuggets, how they struggle with guards like him, athletic guards like him. When they miss Aaron Gordon, Christian Brown, Cam Johnson now too. I mean, they are depleted on their wing defenders. Right. So a guy like that can go off. But when I shared the most improved odds when I was talking about Keonte, George had a lot of people responding. Like, where's Anthony Black? Yeah, he's plus 5,000 on Fan Duel.
- [23:54]
B
Yeah.
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A
For most improved. I don't think he's going to win it overall, but when you watch the tape, and I've watched a lot of Magic games this year too. He definitely is better. He is improved his game. He attacks a lot more. He's realized he is one of the most athletic guys. As my voice just went there. Come on back. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Back, boy.
- [24:13]
B
Back.
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A
We're back.
- [24:15]
B
Your voice is a dog. Yeah. Come here. Your voice is improved as well. Most improved voice.
- [24:20]
A
Yeah, well, I did that. That Christmas show. I talked for like 40 minutes straight there. Ash wouldn't even talk to me for that one. You had a lot going on at the house. But yeah, like the. When you watch him, he has absolutely improved. So that is good. And that was another entertaining Magic win here. As they pulled it out over the Nuggets. I think the, the last two minute report, though said, oh, we missed one. We missed one. That hurt the Nuggets. There something involving Jamal Murray. I saw.
- [24:45]
B
Oh, but it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. No, but it does matter that Anthony Black plays well.
- [24:51]
A
Yeah.
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B
For this team.
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A
I'm excited to see him in a postseason like series here.
- [24:56]
B
Yeah. You know, the Magic overall.
- [24:58]
A
Yeah, absolutely. And him. Because, you know, I want to see this in games that actually really matter. Right. He's had some, obviously, reps, but I want to, I want to see him pop off here. I think he's going to have like a game or two where he does.
- [25:09]
B
He can.
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A
Should.
- [25:10]
B
He can. He can. Yeah. This is, this is the Anthony Black moment. Year three for him. He'll be 22 soon. This is the best Anthony Black we've seen. And you know, you start putting it all together, putting all the pieces together. You think Franz and Paula Bunchero, who's. Who's been solid helping out, and then Desmond Bane, you know, you start to piece together and yeah, it'd be fun to see them in the playoffs, see what they can do.
- [25:34]
A
There's some similarities to those third year guys in Keonte George and Anthony Black at guard positions. Like, figuring it out. I think it does take guards, point guards, whatever. Generally more time. Yeah. To maybe get it going. If they don't pop right away in the league, we're like, oh, we start writing them off and like, okay, they don't have it. You know, like, give them a little bit of time here. Give them some reps and some games and they can still have something there. So both those guys playing awesome.
- [25:57]
B
Yeah. And Black's only been pushed into the starting lineup because Jalen Suggs is out.
- [26:00]
A
Yeah.
- [26:00]
B
And he's been doing it off the bench for, for most of the season. But they literally need a guy to. That can start because this happens to Suggs every single year, unfortunately, where he misses a bunch of times he hasn't played. I think it's December 13, so, you know, it's. It's not like a game or two that we all make fun of. Like, oh, there's a load management, but you know, that kind of thing which is happening throughout the NBA. Jalen sucks, Ms. Misses stretches. So it's nice to see Black step up to the MIP plus 5,000. I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't do it because there's just too many guys.
- [26:33]
A
Too many guys.
- [26:33]
B
Yeah.
- [26:34]
A
I'm sort of will be shocked if Avdia or Jalen Johnson doesn't win it.
- [26:37]
B
Right. Like it's guys Duran's got to be enduring.
- [26:40]
A
Yeah, true. That was my pick because it's going to be a, it's going to be an All Star level guy.
- [26:45]
B
Right.
- [26:45]
A
I don't think Anthony Black is making the All Star Game. I do not think, I don't think Keonte George is making the All Star Game. If a Jazz does make it, it's more likely Lowry Markkanen.
- [26:53]
B
Right.
- [26:54]
A
So that's what we're getting at. It's going to be Avdia if he makes it. Jalen Johnson should make it. Jalen Duran should make it. Probably one of those guys, but nice. It's cool that there's like a lot of guys that competing.
- [27:04]
B
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Seems like it's improved.
- [27:06]
A
Has most improved player improved? Is that what you're saying?
- [27:09]
B
I think so.
- [27:10]
A
I think you're right.
- [27:11]
B
I think there's way more thoroughbreds out there. I don't know. I think of horses and with most improved player, but there's way more horses in the race. Feels like, like year to year it doesn't feel like there's been as many that have, you know, been content in contention for the award. I don't know. I, I, I'm trying to go back in my brain. Last year, how many players were worthy of the most improved player award? That's hard to, it's hard to really go back.
- [27:36]
A
All right, another winner of the weekend here. Winner of the weekend to Scotty Barnes.
- [27:40]
B
Oh, Scotty.
- [27:41]
A
Insane stat line from Scotty Barnes on Sunday versus the warriors in a win. 23 points, 25 rebounds. That's a lot of roast beef. 10 assists, three steals and a block. The first Raptor ever tasked to put up a 2020 triple double. And he tied the all time franchise record for rebounds in a game either regular season or postseason. I believe it was Bismack biombo with with 25 once upon a time. But man, Scotty Barnes left it all out on the floor on Sunday. He was subbed out in fact with like 48 seconds to go, like under 50 seconds to go in overtime because the lead had ballooned and the Raptors were going to win the game. So they took him out, you know, a little standing o there from the crowd. Well deserved. He laid down on the Raptors bench like he was Chris Kamen taking a nap because he looked exhausted because every shot the Raptors missed or the warriors missed on the defensive end, he, he was going up to get. And when I mean, going up like, you know us, we love. We're like sickos when it comes to rebound highlights. He had like two or three in this game that were like, whoa. He just went and got it. Had no right to grab that rebound, but just obviously went and took it. Now it helped. You're playing a smaller warriors team. Yeah, sort of like the Raptors, if we're being honest. Not the biggest team in the league, but Barnes hustled his ass off. So 23 points, 25 boards, 10 assist. That's only been accomplished by eight players in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain did it 18 times. And then it's like Elgin Baylor did it a handful of times. Bill Russell did it once, Jokic did it once. Couple other legends, right? And then now Scotty Barnes on that list. But he had the big one to tie the game up. It was an offensive rebound layup. Did it all in one motion. Very smooth to get the game into, obviously overtime. And he was just giving them second chance after second chance. So Scotty Barnes bringing it. And it was nice to see the Raptors got RJ Barrett back. The offense looked a little bit more dynamic with him back in limited minutes, but any thoughts on Scotty Barnes or the Raps getting the win there?
- [29:46]
B
I love seeing Scotty Barnes do what a lot of us are doing during the holidays. Just going lying down. I'm tired, just relaxing.
- [29:56]
A
Except we weren't grabbing 25 rebounds in a professional basketball game. We were probably eating or drinking, watching.
- [30:01]
B
Tv, but that's what we're all doing. It also helped him grab boards that Jakob Pearl wasn't playing and he needed to be extremely reliable grabbing boards. And he was getting after it. I liked his post game interview where he's just completely transparent when he was told, you're the first player in Raptors history to have a 20, 20 point, 20, 20, 2020 triple double. I can't even say it. 20.20 rebound triple double. And he said that's tough. You know, he's just like transparent. He's like, yeah, that's freaking good. And. And the only other players in Raptors history to have a 20, 20, 20.20 rebound performance, Chris Bosch and Popeye Jones.
- [30:42]
A
That's right. Popeye made the graphic last night in 1996.
- [30:46]
B
Oh, yeah, I remember that. I remember that game. It's because I remember it because that's when I truly became a basketball fan and only a basketball fan because I was a fan of all other sports.
- [30:57]
A
This is true story you're telling me right Now.
- [30:59]
B
Yeah, it's Popeye Jones made you just a basketball fan. Yeah.
- [31:02]
A
With 20 plus rebounds in a game.
- [31:03]
B
Yeah. Because come to think of it, if it hadn't been for Popeye Jones, I'd been very long time ago. Where did you come from? Where did you go? Where did you come from, Popeye Jones? Hey, hey, hey. Yeah. No, that's not true. I'm a fan of all sports, but I threw the word in there. I'd been varied long time ago because I had to look up. I had been married long time ago. Yeah. I didn't realize that was the word. Anyways, I was very. I needed a word just to sub in for married and varied. Yeah. Anyways, Popeye Jones react to that. If it hadn't been for Popeye Jones. Anyways, where I think the game turned was at the end of the third.
- [31:39]
A
It was. Yep. Go ahead.
- [31:40]
B
Yeah, it was a 10 point lead for the Warriors. They just turned it over. Three straight possessions.
- [31:45]
A
It was brutal.
- [31:46]
B
It was very.
- [31:46]
A
Raptors ripped off an 80 run like that to end the quarter and suddenly are back in the game.
- [31:50]
B
Yeah, End of quarters. They're important, man. Yeah, they're super important. Yeah. Literally Gary Payton the second fell in the backcourt and just gave it over to Jacoby Walter. Just consecutive possessions, super important. And injured DE Anthony Melton really hurt the Golden State Warriors. If he's out there, that stuff doesn't happen because Melton never turns it over like that. So that was really, really key and it was great to see them go into overtime when Scotty Barnes could do the 20 point, 20 rebound thing. Otherwise. Otherwise he doesn't get there.
- [32:20]
A
No, he grabbed a lot more there, extra frame.
- [32:23]
B
That was important.
- [32:24]
A
But you're right about that. End of that third quarter, like we were like, if that doesn' it's more likely we're saying the Raptors are a loser.
- [32:29]
B
The week they lost to the Wizards.
- [32:31]
A
They got killed by the Wizards in the game prior and then got this one in an arena where it's like 50% Raptors fans and 50% Steph Curry fans. Yeah, they did. They did slow him down. Like he had 39, but he didn't score. I don't believe in overtime. And at the end of the play or end of regulation, I guess that was. Jamal Shed got the offensive foul called on Curry because he sort of did like the rip through with the, with the ball. Used it as a weapon almost though, and pop shed in the head and he went down.
- [32:59]
B
Yeah.
- [33:00]
A
You might have an opinion on whether.
- [33:01]
B
That sold it very well.
- [33:02]
A
He sold it.
- [33:03]
B
Yeah, but you're not allowed to use.
- [33:05]
A
The ball like that. We know that.
- [33:07]
B
Yeah. Even the Raptors broadcasters, Devlin and Alvin Williams are saying he hits him with the ball and he has to swing through. But a lot of it was arm. I probably wouldn't have called it because it is staff. But it's very difficult when a guy drops like that. And he sold it to the referee right in front of him.
- [33:22]
A
Oh, he just looked like he was shot.
- [33:23]
B
Yeah, exactly. That was big. That was big.
- [33:26]
A
Related Raptors news too. 7 Foot Center Mo Bamba has agreed to sign a one year deal with Toronto. So he brings some much needed size. We talked about this. Obviously the warriors are small, so are the Raptors without Purdle. And they have decided let's give him a chance here. He was balling out in the G League. If you have not been keeping track of Mo Bamba's career.
- [33:44]
B
I have not.
- [33:44]
A
No. Played really well at the. He actually snapped the Raptors 905 win streak playing against them. So he played really well against them.
- [33:53]
B
That's why they signed him.
- [33:54]
A
He put up big numbers in the G League now a lot of people do, but this deal is for the rest of the season, but it doesn't guarantee until January 10th. So people are saying this could be like a. There's like a two week trial run here because the Raptors will go about $575,000 over the first apron by signing Mo Bamba and that's going to put them about 2.1 million over the luxury tax line. So look, it's very likely the Raptors are going to shed salary here because they're not that great a team and that's just smart thing to do on your books and all that. And they have moves they can make to get under and they probably will at the trade deadline. But here with Mo Bamba, you give it a go until I say that. I mean, why not? They need some size. The guy is a seven footer and he's like a vet at this point, which sounds crazy to say they need size. Been around for a while. So we'll just give him a chance here because I. And look them doing this, probably not a good sign about Pearl's health. They need size in addition to Pearl. But this guy doesn't even play anymore. Like with this back issue.
- [34:53]
B
It is.
- [34:54]
A
So that's bad.
- [34:54]
B
It is extremely wild. The extension they signed to and him not playing. I was gonna do a Bomba number five song but now I won't I'm kidding.
- [35:04]
A
He has his own song. Isn't there a song called.
- [35:07]
B
Oh yeah, there is. Yeah.
- [35:08]
A
The game ops in Toronto must be pumped.
- [35:10]
B
Oh, they got options left and right.
- [35:13]
A
They do have options, right.
- [35:14]
B
Yeah. That's unfortunate. They, they literally need somebody. Like when they signed Bismack Biobo. You mentioned the monstrous Bioba performance. They just needed bodies out there.
- [35:25]
A
Who do you have for another winner?
- [35:26]
B
Well, former Toronto Raptor Kawhi Leonard just dropped 55 points. Him and the Clippers are looking like a different team. The 55 point performance on Sunday against the Pistons didn't look like a Kawhi Leonard. I know. It's been so long to see him do that.
- [35:42]
A
Looked like Raptors. Kawhi. Yeah, it was Terminator. Kawhi.
- [35:45]
B
It was.
- [35:45]
A
Yeah, yeah.
- [35:46]
B
To see him get into the mid range, to see him just locked in. By far his biggest single game performance in regular season.
- [35:54]
A
He had never had a career 50 piece.
- [35:56]
B
Yeah, 45 was. 45 was his career high during the championship year. Oh yeah, 2019. So he hasn't done it since. And yeah, he was literally getting into every possession. It looked like he wanted to carry his team in his dribble package, hitting five threes. But also defensively, this team looks entirely different. Defensively, they're on a win streak. So they beat the Pistons because you know Kawhi is carrying them coming off a win against Portland when Brook Lopez had dropped nine threes. Classic Brooks, 31 in the starting lineup. In the starting line. Yeah. And it's a different starting lineup. So you know Kawhi had 28 in that game. But they're on a four game win streak with now Chris Dunn and Brook Lopez as your starters alongside Kawhi, James Harden and John Collins who did miss Sunday's game against the Pistons through illness. And they have a top four defense over the last 10 days because they are a different team. They beat the Lakers, they beat the Rockets, they beat the Blazers and the Pistons for their four game win streak.
- [37:01]
A
It's quality.
- [37:02]
B
It is pretty quality. You know, there were some injuries to the Lakers. You know, Luca left that game. But either way, you beat the Rockets, you beat the freaking Pistons. You be. You beat headband Cade. What do you think of Cade Cunningham in his headband?
- [37:15]
A
Yeah, don't like it as much.
- [37:16]
B
Yeah, me neither.
- [37:16]
A
Yeah, I don't know why.
- [37:18]
B
Ash opinion. I want to hear an opinion. You're. You're more stylish. So I'm going to you. It looks. It looks. Yeah, I'm stylish. I don't know. You're younger.
- [37:27]
A
The last two days. You don't have a Hawks to come today.
- [37:30]
B
At least when you're younger, I think you got a. You got opinions.
- [37:34]
A
To be honest. I don't know. I'm. I'm not a big headband guy these days. I feel like they're just, you know, back in the day, you know.
- [37:40]
B
Oh, see, that's why I went to you. You're younger, so you're mad that people are wearing headbands.
- [37:44]
A
I date you. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, certain people pull off if they're a little bit older. Like, I was just literally thinking about LeBron, like, should he throw a headband back on? Just. Just because. But yeah, why is Katie got a headband on? I don't like it when Devin Booker puts one on. I hate it when. Yeah, I don't like Booker. Austin Reeves puts one on. Like, what are we doing, Caruso? Whatever. He looks like Elmer Fudd from Space Jam. Yeah, but I don't. I don't like the headband right now.
- [38:08]
B
Okay.
- [38:08]
A
Well, I wish we could bring back the ninja ones. The ninja ones were cool. They banned them for some odd reason.
- [38:13]
B
You're right.
- [38:14]
A
Yeah. Headbands get out of here. I swear, like beef stew. Isaiah Stewart almost gets to rock the. That, to me, looks more like the ninja headband one.
- [38:23]
B
Yeah.
- [38:23]
A
There's more fabric and he's got a lot of hair. It's thicker to keep it all back.
- [38:26]
B
Yeah. Yeah.
- [38:26]
A
That was cool to me.
- [38:28]
B
Well, you know, speaking of old things, the Clippers are super old. And as I said, they're starting Brook Lopez in place of Vita Zubots, who is injured, plus Chris Dunn, who was, you know, their. Their go to guy last year. I thought, as you know, this sort of the perimeter stopper, he is now cemented into that starting lineup. They're going for it. They're. I mentioned they're old because it will be tough to get back into the playoff picture, but they ain't far off now. Two and a half games back of a play in spot. And with Kawhi looking like that, obviously, you know, we all say, well, if he plays, I mean, he looked entirely different. So a great sign that they're picking up just that hunger level defensively. And it's. I. I bring up Chris Dunn, but it also just starts with Coil and I just being cooler.
- [39:16]
A
It does. Derek Jones Jr. Back.
- [39:18]
B
Yes.
- [39:18]
A
For the Clippers. That's going to help you part of.
- [39:20]
B
The rotation for sure.
- [39:21]
A
That's what he's going to do. And you're going to hope whatever else he gives you offensively is golden.
- [39:24]
B
But.
- [39:25]
A
Yeah. Are the Clippers rounding into more of a team here? Like, they were good defensively last year. It was the weirdest drop off. They were a top five defensive team last year, then suddenly they were a bottom five defensive team with basically the same squad. So it didn't make a lot of sense. So, yeah, maybe they'll piece together this, continue this winning streak here. Would you say four games in a row?
- [39:43]
B
Four in a row.
- [39:44]
A
But Kawhi, watch the highlights. If you didn't watch the game or you haven't seen the highlights, that was surgical, Kawhi. That was Terminator Kwai. Like the ball hit the rim. I think he hit the rim once on a jumper or a three because he was also hitting the three ball.
- [39:57]
B
Yep.
- [39:59]
A
I think there was one shot I can remember that rattled in a little bit. When a Guy goes For 55, there are usually the odd shot where it's like, oh, that was a lucky bounce. This is one of those nights, right? Oh, wow. That hit everything and fell in that Not. Not the case with him. He just line drives his jumpers in with his long ass, you know, reach and fingers and they just like, just. I don't know. He's like very little arc when he shoots. It's always been his thing. But they still are not touching rim. It's wild. So good game.
- [40:25]
B
Yeah.
- [40:26]
A
And he got to the free throw line a ton too.
- [40:27]
B
Yeah, he had 16 free throws. He got into his moves faster than I just can remember.
- [40:32]
A
Yes.
- [40:33]
B
It was just quick and literally rolled into defense as well, so. Which is surprising with.
- [40:38]
A
He looked spry.
- [40:39]
B
He did.
- [40:40]
A
He did.
- [40:40]
B
Spry.
- [40:41]
A
I will say too, I think, and this may be controversial because I don't think some people like them. The Clippers should wear those City Edition uniforms all the time.
- [40:49]
B
They're nice.
- [40:49]
A
I like them.
- [40:50]
B
Yeah, the.
- [40:51]
A
The orange with the black and like that little blue. It's like a throwback to the Buffalo Braves and then they move to San Diego. Like that's what they're sort of channeling in those jerseys. I love. I think they're better than the crap they wear. Yeah, I'm team those. They should wear those permanently. The Sixers should wear the Iverson era black uniforms permanently. Go back to those. Those should be them. I think the Pacers, I actually like their City Edition, like sort of remix jerseys. Those are the three. They should make them their mandatory go to jerseys. No, you don't agree?
- [41:23]
B
Well, the Go to. They're nice because they have. They're a little flare away from what they usually wear. I understand that. They're better than the, the Clippers.
- [41:31]
A
Yeah. I just don't like the clip.
- [41:33]
B
Yeah, yeah. Like you see like the Cleveland Cavaliers where they're oranges, which I like.
- [41:38]
A
You like those?
- [41:39]
B
I like them a lot.
- [41:39]
A
Orangey Pete.
- [41:40]
B
Yeah, yeah. Whatever the color is, it's hard to tell. Peach, salmon, orange. But if you just replace, you know, their home and aways or, you know, one of them, it's just like, this is their jersey now.
- [41:53]
A
I like it.
- [41:54]
B
Yeah, I hear you. No, I do. I do like the.
- [41:56]
A
I know I'm wrong because I was looking as I was like, had to make sure. I'm like, what are those? Those? You know, I can't keep track of these, right? I know. City Edition. They are, they are. But I saw when doing that, I'm like, people rank like the 30 city edition jerseys from worst to best. And it's like this Clippers one, this LA one, the orange ones, they were like always dead last. They were like 29th or 30th. I'm like, what? I think they're some of the best ones. What am I seeing?
- [42:21]
B
I don't know.
- [42:22]
A
I'm a fan of them. Ash, you got an opinion on that? You're young. Yeah, I like those. I like those. My favorite ones though are the warriors right now with their court. Oh, you like the Browns? Yeah, they look like. Wow, it looks like a filter. Like, you know, it look like you're watching like it's in sepia, you know. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's unique for sure. It was on a TV the other day and Courtney was like, yeah, like these. This is my favorite jersey. They should wear these all the time. Wow. We were in agreements on that.
- [42:47]
B
Okay.
- [42:47]
A
I can't say I would want to wear them all the time, but they're very unique joints. Okay, other NBA weekend winners. I'll just hit you with a couple quick ones here. Jaylen Brown extended his 30 point plus scoring streak to nine straight games.
- [43:00]
B
It is incredible.
- [43:02]
A
That ties a franchise record. Tatum has never done that. Couldn't believe that Larry bird once scored 30 in nine straight games during the 85 season. So Brown is going to have a chance to surpass Bird's best streak when the Celtics play against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.
- [43:19]
B
He'll do it.
- [43:19]
A
You can lock that in. There gonna be a lot of scoring. He'll probably hit 30. And the Celtics are 6 and 3 during Jalen Brown's hot Streak. So a little mini winner of the weekend to him. The Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards. You know, I showed love to the Jazz here. I could have lumped them all together. Sort of these bad teams that are playing well right now. The Nets, they only played one game over the weekend, but they went into Minnesota and they got the W. They embarrassed the Wolves so bad. That home crowd was booing the Timberwolves after the game. Anthony Edwards, like, yeah, I would have booed our ass too. You know, like he sort of, he sort of took it. But the Nets had Cam Thomas returned. He scored 30 points after missing 20 games with a hamstring injury. And here's the thing. This is like, you know, NBA winter weekend, weekend winner. But the Nets actually are like winning the month of December here. They're seven and three in the month and they have the best defense in the NBA since Thanksgiving. Pretty good sample size. Their tasks where they were the worst, they were like 29th or 30th and now are the best, like by a significant number. Like the gap between their defense and then the Oklahoma City Thunders defense, it's like three points in defensive rating. So they've been good. And Michael Porter Jr. Is on a heater. And now Cam Thomas is back. Parallel defense with those guys that can obviously score the ball. They're winning some games here.
- [44:42]
B
Hey, they're buying into Michael Porter Jr. As their lead guy to see an effort on that team. Now December is a bit of this newly termed Disney December a little bit. But hey, they're playing hard. There's no doubt. And Kudos to the NBA and Adam Silver for putting 10 teams in each conference with hopes of making the playoffs. Because the Brooklyn Nets have some hope of making the play in. Yeah, there's no doubt. So they are playing hard. Yeah, kudos to them. Let's see how Cam Thomas works in. Yeah, because that is the issue with Cam Thomas. If he's going to play a bunch of minutes, if he's going to start, he takes away from the offense at times because it all goes through him and everybody else ain't touching it the same way. That's why he's optimal as a six man, I do think. But he can literally put in 40 points any game.
- [45:35]
A
Yeah. To return from missing 20 games and score 30 like that. In limited times too. In limited time. And then the Wizards, they won back to back games for the first time in forever On Friday. They shot the snot out of the ball against the Raptors. Huge win. Really impressive. Everybody contributing. Keyshawn George was awesome. Good old Canadian boy. And then on Sunday, Alex Saar scored 20, blocked a career best six blocks to help the Zards beat the Grizzlies 116, 112. So that game you saw, CJ McCollum, Chris Middleton came through in the clutch. Anyway, the Wizards, they won two games.
- [46:09]
B
They won two games.
- [46:10]
A
They went from five wins to seven over the weekend. So that's something. Yeah, deserving of a nod here.
- [46:15]
B
Watching a team like that, you hear the announcer after they win, say Wizards win two in a row. They've won four of seven. Like that's some sort of accomplishment. It is. Four and three in their last seven. Yeah, that's it.
- [46:30]
A
Things are turning around.
- [46:31]
B
Things are something.
- [46:32]
A
And then finally, Russell Westbrook reached two milestones on Saturday. He passed Magic Johnson for seventh place on the NBA's all time assist chart. And he became the 14th player in league history to lock 2,000 steals. So the assist thing is really interesting to me. He can catch two more players on that list this season. Next up is Mark Jackson at number six on the list. 10,334 assists. He did that in nearly 1300 games. And then only one assist ahead of him is number five, Steve Nash. So yeah, Westbrook can catch both those guys in theory if he keeps up the pace he's sort of on. So he can go to top five in all time assists. I just love like right now. I was thinking about this when I was looking at the Westbrook note every. I'm exaggerating a little bit, but it feels like every second night it feels like one of these OGs in the league is leaping someone on some all time list. Right? LeBron, he's done a lot of his work already. Durant, Curry, Harden. Yeah, Chris Paul, he definitely jumped up above somebody earlier this season when he was playing. DeRozan has done it. Westbrook has done it a few times. It's like, it feels like it's like every other day here, Tess.
- [47:49]
B
I wonder if Westbrook would be happy just to stick with Sacramento rather than go to another team where he ain't gonna achieve as much. He. He isn't gonna steal as much and get assists as much. He's just not.
- [48:03]
A
Are you saying Westbrook is stat padding all time stats now? Wow, this is a take.
- [48:07]
B
Well, nah, I wouldn't say that, but I think he's. It's not unhappy to do that. I don't know. I think he would rather go to a playoff team.
- [48:16]
A
Well, he did win that game. Yeah, the one I'm bringing up on Saturday. I think they followed it up with a loss last night.
- [48:21]
B
Yeah, they did. I think he'd also rather have Malik Monk give him the number zero because it is weird to see Russell Westbrook wearing 18.
- [48:29]
A
Yeah.
- [48:30]
B
Period. Why. Why can he. Why can. Why didn't he wear four this year?
- [48:35]
A
He's worn a couple now, hasn't he?
- [48:36]
B
Yeah, He's. He's worn 0 and 4. I don't think the Kings have a guy that wears number four.
- [48:41]
A
I don't know. Off the top of my head, I'm.
- [48:43]
B
I'm looking at it.
- [48:44]
A
Switching it up.
- [48:44]
B
Yeah, I guess he's switching it up.
- [48:46]
A
Kudos to Westbrook there. We'll see how high he gets on the all time assists list. Okay, let's take a quick break. When we come back Weekend Losers.
- [48:54]
B
Every Friday from 6 to 7:30, it's NBA happy hour on FanDuel. Your pregame for the weekend, it's Friday again, then Saturday, Sunday. What we're talking limited time specials you won't want to miss. Boosts, bonuses, surprises, all dropping in the app during happy hour. So before tip off, check the FanDuel app to see the week's special. Then make your move before the shot clock expires at 7:30 Eastern. The shot clock is what the copy says. Kind of odd. I would have gone with the clock or the and the game clock is something weird that we don't really see in NBA circles. But the shot clock is what's expiring at 7:30 Eastern. It's the perfect way to start your weekend. A little basketball, a little action and a whole lot of Friday energy. NBA Happy Hour every Friday from 6 to 7:30pm Eastern only on FanDuel. Official sportsbook partner of the NBA.
- [49:53]
A
Okay, we've done NBA Weekend Winners. Hit the the like button. Subscribe if you haven't here 5 star ratings and reviews podcast platform of your choice. But we gotta do Losers. We didn't do it last week. We were in such a good mood with Christmas right around the corner. But we're doing NBA Weekend Losers and I feel we have a couple to pick from here. Where do you want to start?
- [50:13]
B
I'm starting with the New Orleans Pelicans. They lost consecutive games in New Orleans to the same basketball team. It's hard to do.
- [50:20]
A
That is tough to do.
- [50:21]
B
The Phoenix Suns went in there and smacked them last week when we didn't take winners or losers. I guess it was the day after. Technically on December 23rd, we debated are the New Orleans Pelicans and their five game winning streak capable of making the plan. We had that debate. Well, it's over now.
- [50:39]
A
Oh, wow.
- [50:40]
B
Yeah. Yeah. There's too many teams rising above them when we're having that discussion. There wasn't as many and now there's these Clippers are alive all of a sudden. It just feels like it's very difficult for them to make it. They've lost three games since we had that discussion. Two of them to the Phoenix Sons, baby. And also why I wanted to include this. It wasn't necessarily to talk about the New Orleans Pelicans because I didn't need to rip on them anymore. Not because they don't deserve it, but it's just, it's. It's a little tiresome, to be honest. I wanted to give Colin Gillespie some freaking love with the Phoenix Suns. NBA champ. Colin Gillespie, first game, he hit a key shot, one minute left, the mid range. You don't have to call it a TJ McConnell, but it sure looked like a TJ McConnell to get there. Call it the Chris Paul to get there jumper Cash game two. He hit five threes in the first half against the Phoenix Suns. Very, very key buckets to help them get somewhere that they didn't see themselves going at the beginning of the season. He's taken the spot of Jalen Green right now in the starting lineup. He's definitely capable of coming off the bench when Jalen Green is back. I know there was the discussion when Jalen Green went out and Colin Gillespie was doing this in the starting lineup. Huh? Maybe Jalen Green should come off the bench because Gillespie is key. He should get some most improved player votes, not just from Phoenix media members, but from other people as well, because who saw it coming? I know I mentioned that he was an NBA champ and he gave the look who NBA champ. Yeah, he gets it. He gets the ring. Even though he was hurt that entire year with the 23 Denver Nuggets.
- [52:15]
A
It was the Nuggets. Yes.
- [52:16]
B
Yeah. They give him a ring. They would love to have him around. They need a ball handler with their second unit to take some pressure off Bruce Brown and others. Either way, it was fun. Also Saturday we saw some fists.
- [52:31]
A
We did.
- [52:32]
B
Was wild. Mark Williams coming to set a pick on Jose Alvarado. Alvarado not liking it. Pushing him back. Mark Williams throws a little fist. Alvarado, the real big fist. Oh, yeah. So he got.
- [52:44]
A
He really threw.
- [52:45]
B
He did. And that's why he got two games. And Mark Williams only got one game suspension for that, but a lot of people liking that. For the New Orleans Pelicans seeing some fight, some scrap, they're going to miss him for the next couple of games as the Suns will miss Mark Williams. But what'd you think of that little scrap?
- [53:01]
A
Well, it just looked hilarious. You got a guy that's like, barely six feet tall in Jose Alvarado taking on a guy that's seven feet tall in Mark Williams. So it just looked funny.
- [53:09]
B
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [53:11]
A
One guy's trying to punch up, the other guy's trying to, like, sort of like, Mark Williams wasn't really punching to me. I guess he did connect, but he was like, more like, you know, slapping away. Like, get away from me.
- [53:19]
B
Get away. Fly.
- [53:20]
A
Somebody said. It looked like. I could not stop laughing from this visual, that it looked like Jose Alvarado was, like, trying to steal Mark Williams purse and he's, like, trying to, like, get away, like, you know, like an older woman trying to, like, get a kid away from stealing a purse or something like that. I can't get that visual out of my head now. I forget who said that on Twitter, but it was great fun. It's always great to see an actual, like, a fight. There was definitely punches thrown.
- [53:46]
B
Oh, absolutely.
- [53:46]
A
And they went at it a little bit. Usually it's, you get off me. Ah. You get off me. Hold me back. Hold me back. But it was sort of weird, too. It, like, sort of just came out of nowhere.
- [53:56]
B
Yeah.
- [53:57]
A
This, you know, Alvarado really instigating it, I thought. Yeah, it was great.
- [54:03]
B
It was great.
- [54:04]
A
Loved it.
- [54:05]
B
Yeah. It wasn't. It wasn't like a, hey, let's throw down here. Even the Pelicans broadcasters, I was watching this live. They couldn't even decide if fists were thrown.
- [54:13]
A
Yeah.
- [54:13]
B
I mean, maybe because they're defending their guy in Alvarado, but he threw some punches. But to get some great photos out of it, you put.
- [54:19]
A
Photos were awesome.
- [54:20]
B
You put it up on our YouTube page. I didn't see it, like, live. I thought this wasn't really a great fight. It wasn't really look better.
- [54:28]
A
Oh, yeah, because there's that one where Alvarado is literally punching up at him.
- [54:31]
B
That was hilarious.
- [54:33]
A
And like, in Mark Williams defense, he was just trying to defend himself, I think, to some extent. Like, again, that's why the joke about, like, hey, don't take my purse. Like, he's like, slapping this, like, child away. Like, get out of here. What did I do? I'm trying to set a pick on you, man. What's Your problem. But that's why I think you're right that Jose Alvarado got two games.
- [54:51]
B
Yes, Mark.
- [54:51]
A
Just one.
- [54:52]
B
Yeah. Good for the Suns. Incredible for the suns. That they're at 18 and 13. They're.500 on the road after winning those couple games. They won three in a row. Great season for them.
- [55:03]
A
And did you see Dylan Brooks?
- [55:05]
B
Oh, yeah.
- [55:07]
A
Sitting courtside.
- [55:08]
B
Yeah, I'm going to get to that.
- [55:10]
A
Oh, you're going to get to that. Okay, excellent.
- [55:12]
B
A little later, but in Washington, you're talking about.
- [55:15]
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Amazing. All right. My big loser of the weekend is the Atlanta Hawks. Sad, Kaka. The Hawks dropped two more games over the weekend. Friday to Miami, Saturday to the knicks. They capped an 05 homestand here. They've lost six straight. In all, they gave up at least 126 points in each of those six defeats. Trae Young has been back for a majority of them. It does not matter. And so after outperforming some initial expectations, let's say earlier in the year, this team has crashed back to earth. Atlanta's 15 and 18 overall. You won't believe this. They're an average offense. They're a sub, you know, below average. Excuse me, defense or 19th, I think, in defensive rating on the season. They're just back to being, like, so disappointing.
- [56:06]
B
Here they are.
- [56:07]
A
And like, this is the holiday homestand, man. There was. I went to a couple of these games, you know, there's a lot. There was a buzz at least heading into the home stand. They were pretty good. Like I said, Trey was coming back and they just can't play defense. They didn't stop anybody. Nobody. Everybody could score on them. And with all these losses comes more intense trade rumors, too. And that's what we got over the weekend. We had both Chris Haynes and now Mark Stein reporting that the Hawks may be willing to push in some of their chips onto the table to try and land Anthony Davis. And Mark Stein added, it is also increasingly believed that Atlanta is willing to surrender Zachary Rich Sashay, the former number one pick in the proverbial right scenario, is how Stein put it. They almost at this point feels like they got to do something. I don't know what that is. I don't know what your thoughts are on trading for Anthony Davis, but here we go again with the Hawks, and this is very, very disappointing. And then, I mean, the whole part of this is like, Trey Young, too. Like a guy that they're like basically said, hey, prove to us you're a max contract guy. Right. Without coming to an agreement on a new deal. Izzy. I mean, he still gets stats, but it doesn't translate into much winning basketball. And they're absolutely blitzed when he's out there. Defensively, they're not much better when he's not out there. Like they have no bigs. Porzingis might be coming back soon. Sure, that helps a little bit. But this guy can't stay healthy because of his illness. And you're left with another season that feels like wasted to some extent, but at least there's some talent in here. But what do you think they should do here, Tess?
- [57:41]
B
Yeah, it's a very, very difficult decision. I think they don't want to sign Trae Young to a huge, huge deal. That's why they didn't extend him. And you see it out there on the floor. It's getting called out during this home stand by some opposing broadcaster saying he's not getting back here. The home stand here in the holidays. Why not? Because he wasn't scrambling back to help out in a scenario here where you got guys playing. I was very conscious of Jalen Johnson missing games to start his career. He's playing this season. He's played so much. Dyson Daniels, also an incredible defender, playing, yes, no Porzingis. But I knack at Kongu out there helping out the defensive attitude. It's not there. So, yeah, the question is going to for Dallas, going for Anthony Davis. It seems like according to Stein and Haynes, that Trey Young wouldn't be part of the package. And that would, that would make sense to me if I'm the Dallas Mavericks. You just signed Kyrie to a huge extension. Why bring Trey on?
- [58:44]
A
Right.
- [58:44]
B
So that makes sense. Now Reese Suga, they want to take a chance on as a, as a complimentary piece. Sure. But what I see from the Hawks is not to take on a long term deal in Anthony Davis. I mean, long term, it's this year plus two more. I don't know if they do it. I know they get better, but who goes in that scenario? It has to be a monstrous contract. Along with Zachary Reese. I think the front office of the Hawks is just locked in on short term, not short term, payment wise. I don't think they need to take on an Anthony Davis contract, unfortunately. Because Anthony Davis, very much like Kristaps Porzingis, he's half a season.
- [59:26]
A
Yeah, well, I thought it was pretty telling that Luke Canard did receive a DMP CD on Friday night versus the Heat. So zero minutes he was healthy. From what I know, first time this season. I think that's happened because I think he would be involved in any sort of deal here because you could trade Kristaps Porzingis, Zachary Rhys Sachet, Luke Kennard. Some draft capital. Not the juicy Pelicans pick, you know, but they have other swaps and they have other future draft picks from other teams. The Hawks do that. They could put in, put one in even, let's call it that into an Anthony Davis trade. And you would have to have probably a Caleb Martin or a Naji Marshall coming back. So you're saying you still wouldn't do that even if you're the Hawks?
- [60:08]
B
No, actually.
- [60:09]
A
And now I will say like that's poor Zingus going back to the Mavericks. It's like what maybe rerouted obviously third team, but KP Canard Risache draft capital to some extent, but not a lot for Anthony Davis. And let's say Caleb are.
- [60:25]
B
Oh, I would do it in a heartbeat if I was the Hawks. Yeah. Okay. Now that you start depict, you start to put together who they're giving up. Now a pick is extremely important on both sides. The Dallas Mavericks would want to pick and I'm sure the front office there is taking calls to see what they can get. Frantic Davis if they can get something better than that. Because Kristaps Porzingis inclusion is literally. It's just cash at this point. It's, it's so unfortunate. He looks freaking great in Euro basket this summer playing for Lafayette. He looked freaking awesome and he said coming into this season I feel great physically. And he had the, the, the illness, the unknown illness last year. This year it's the, the, the heart rate that has speeded up with the, the pots.
- [61:10]
A
Yeah.
- [61:10]
B
As, as it's called. Extremely unfortunate. Yeah, but, but what, what coming back for Anthony Davis be. I think that's the question. And if it is a really good pick and Kristaps Porzingis essentially, you know, let's hope Reese Ashe can evolve into something better. There's hope for Zachary Risha. If that's it in comparison to everything else, then the Mavs do it and I think the Hawks do it as well.
- [61:37]
A
The only other one I could think of, if Trey Young is being moved out in an Anthony Davis to Atlanta situation, you could do a three team deal and I'll throw it at you. And everybody listening and watching, what do you think of the Hawks getting Anthony Davis, the Kings getting Trae Young so they get their point guard maybe of the future obviously to build around and then the mavericks would get DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schroeder and Keon Ellis. Three team deal. AD to Atlanta, Trey Young to Sacramento. DeRozan and Schroeder and Ellis to Dallas.
- [62:12]
B
I think Sacramento should not do that deal. As good as Trey Young is, they have to make a decision here. We're not just going to stay in the. The world of mediocrity. That's. That's exactly what they're doing. If, if they make that deal, they, they. I think they need some future Jackpix. I'd like to keep Keon Ellis around as well, but if you're Moving on from DeRozan and Zach Levine, get better, I would say, all right, and then.
- [62:36]
A
Checking them out there.
- [62:36]
B
Trey would help out, but they're not a playoff team, that's for sure. I mean, the Hawks aren't a playoff team right now.
- [62:43]
A
No, unfortunately. And I do think, I think it's more likely if they do make a trade for Anthony Davis. They do want to, like, keep Trey Young. They want to see, like, they want to, like. Yeah, like, at that point. Oh, my God, like, if Trae Young can't win games, if they can't win games. If AD was healthy, let's say, because he is a defensive juggernaut still, when he's healthy, when he's out there, that's the big if. And then you've got guys like. Like, at that point, you're trying to replicate what the Knicks are doing, right? You got Jalen Brunson, he's awesome offensively, but you can expose him because he's small on the defensive end. But what do they do? They got og they got Mikhail Bridges, obviously have some bigs behind them. That's what they would be trying to replicate with, like, almost a smaller, scaled down version with Dyson Daniels and Nikhil Alexander, Walker sort of on the wing and Jalen Johnson on the wing. That's what they're trying to do. You get the vision of it all. But then if you can't win with that, like, I'm at the point they probably should have traded Trey Young, like, for being honest two years ago and had way more value because everybody said the same thing. Like, at the beginning of this season, though.
- [63:41]
B
Yeah.
- [63:41]
A
Like, I feel like even on this show we were like, oh, if he can't win with this team, this is his best team. And, like, they were looking a little bit better without him. He comes back, they're 06 with him. I know. And then, like, the trades that you guys are throwing out right now, even with Anthony Davis, it doesn't move.
- [63:56]
B
It doesn't do anything.
- [63:57]
A
Like with the same team. Right. Like, it's just, you just be making trades just to make trades at that point.
- [64:01]
B
Because if Anthony Davis plays, I know it's the Anthony Davis, if he plays.
- [64:05]
A
But we said the same thing about Porzingis. If Porzingis plays. Yeah, but Anthony Davis, like how many games he played this season and what does he look like for the Mavericks injured right now, for crying out loud. 13th groin injury of his career. Not even exaggerating.
- [64:18]
B
Yeah, that's why it seems like this Hawks front office is not going all in on Anthony Davis. I don't see this happening just because he's under contract for this year and two more.
- [64:30]
A
So you just hear the Hawks for an obvious. You're just like, okay, it is what it is. We thought we were going to be way better this year.
- [64:37]
B
Yeah.
- [64:38]
A
But we're a classic.500 Hawks team and we'll maybe make the plan. But let's get off the Trey Young business. Let's not lock ourselves into AD business. Let's get a hopefully high pick from the Pelicans, take one of these potential superstars, whoever it is, a boozer, you know, Peterson, whoever, and go from there. Yeah, slow play it.
- [64:56]
B
You slow play it. I think that's what they did coming into the season, making that great trade for the New Orleans Pelicans deal or draft pick, I should say, and not giving Trey Young a long extension. They are just playing what they've got to help out to admire. Other scenarios in another part of the NBA where teams say we're just trying to get as much talent here as possible, not necessarily sign guys to long term deals. And this off season, another thing they can do is Kristaps Porzing is coming off the books entirely and can make moves then and there just because they can go sign people if they want to come play for the Atlanta Hawks.
- [65:37]
A
It'S probably the right decision. But it's really unfortunate that they botched it this year of all years when the east was open. Right. It's there. There's no Tatum on the Celtics. Well right now might come back.
- [65:50]
B
There's no hell, you need to make a deal before this season.
- [65:52]
A
Like this was the year that they could have, like actually the window was open to maybe bump your way through, to crash through.
- [65:59]
B
What could they have done? Like it could have just been better is my point.
- [66:02]
A
I guess. Of course, traded trailing before and maybe that works out. I'm just saying it's unfortunate. Like, but it's not surprising. Like don't worry, they'll win a couple games here and get within 500. They're three below 500. The world's going to fall apart. They need to be one game within 500 either sub or above. So they'll get there.
- [66:19]
B
I know they were better without Trae Young and Jalen Johnson was looking like borderline number one type of option on your team. And then Nikhil Alexander signing of four years. Great 64 million looked fantastic. But do they get better just because Traeong isn't playing, you know, next season?
- [66:40]
A
They've been better when he's not playing.
- [66:42]
B
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [66:44]
A
Well, yeah.
- [66:44]
B
I don't know if you can rely on again. Games played are important for Jalen Johnson as well. He's playing. Will that continue? I think it'll be a risk.
- [66:53]
A
I mean he's like kid. Yeah, he's good.
- [66:55]
B
Yeah.
- [66:57]
A
He's not Anthony Davis.
- [66:58]
B
He could be most improved player, that's for sure. It would be interesting to see them without Trey. So. So I think what you're saying is maybe if they didn't move on from trade this season. They're trying it out this season but they probably should have done it earlier is what it comes down to. Really.
- [67:14]
A
Trey has a player option too. I don't know if that convolutes things or what he's going to do. Obviously he still gets his numbers, but there's very little demand. It feels like across the league for a guy at the number he makes, the contract he makes taking up the percentage he does of your salary cap. For a guy like that's. It's been tough to prove he's like contributes to a lot of winning basketball.
- [67:34]
B
Yeah.
- [67:35]
A
Some success. Yeah. The conference finals run. Otherwise it's generally a 500 team.
- [67:40]
B
We'll get to a guy who I'm going to bring up right here. But who gets dealt before the trade deadline. Is it Trey, John Morant or Lamelo Ball? Those are swap all three of them. Three guys swap all three of them. Same conversation.
- [67:53]
A
In fact they should be allowed to. Those three teams with those three point guards should be able to trade them. Right. And then everybody gets like a two week trial run and then you trade them again. So they just do the carousel.
- [68:05]
B
Yeah.
- [68:05]
A
See how that works? And then everybody says okay, who do you want? You want. You want your old guy back? Okay, we'll just give him back to you now. You want this new guy? Yeah, try that out.
- [68:13]
B
Let's do creative. And they're super close geographically. They're super close. Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte. I'll go drive all three of them. Okay. We'll do a live podcast, a pickup tray right here in Atlanta. We'll go to Charlotte, pick up Mellow driving to Memphis, pick up Jaw. We'll go to come back to here. Atlanta. That's fun. All right, Live pods. Those are the three guys.
- [68:34]
A
Oh, live pods. From the car with the guys as we drive them to their new team. I like this.
- [68:38]
B
Let's do it.
- [68:39]
A
Okay. Final round of weekend losers.
- [68:42]
B
Yeah, those Memphis Grizzlies and John Rain. I watched him come back on Friday. He came back from his injury. Oh, jaw looks frickin spectacular. He literally did. They beat Milwaukee. He just looked like Ja Morant. It looks so fun. And then Sunday he goes into Washington. They're sitting sideline. Dylan Brooks is there. Dylan Brooks because the Phoenix Suns got there early to play the Washington Wizards. I guess it's the day after. I guess today I think they play Phoenix, Washington. So he's sitting there with John Morant and then the attitude that you, John Morant brings onto the floor, it. It ain't a winning type of attitude. Not that he was horrendous or didn't play hard and all that, but it's the same thing going on with them giving the Wiz their two game win streak. John Rant didn't take on that Dylan Brooks type of attitude onto the floor to help out his team. And the Memphis Grizzlies are, are, are, you know, near 500. It's sort of what we expected of them coming into the season in that same ballpark. That's what they're over under number was. But all that to say you're playing the Washington Wizards, you should win. But that's what happens in Disney December. Teams that shouldn't be getting wins. You know, maybe there's a little lull, maybe there's a, a holiday lull that happens with a lot of teams. It was unfortunate that they didn't go and beat the Washington Wizards. Simple as that. They could literally be a 500 team. But now they're 15 and 17 again after getting an incredibly talented shamarant back from injury on Friday. So it's a disappointing weekend.
- [70:15]
A
And what does this say about, well, either Dylan Brooks or Washington as a city that Dylan Brooks elected to just go watch that game instead of go see the city sites. I've been to Washington. A lot of free museums. Yeah, it's very nice. I had a great time. I agree. In Washington. But yeah, he just wanted to go to the. To the phone booth and watch a game.
- [70:35]
B
So you're saying it's not fun enough? Washington's not fun enough?
- [70:38]
A
I mean, I think it says more about Dylan Brooks. He's just a psycho.
- [70:40]
B
He's just by. He's by himself too.
- [70:42]
A
Yeah, yeah.
- [70:43]
B
Not with any teammates or anything. That didn't look like it.
- [70:46]
A
Spot a ticket, went, watch the game. I like having Dylan Brooks right now in the league. Weird characters.
- [70:52]
B
Yeah, it is great. And the Memphis Grizzlies would have loved to pluck him off the seat in his front row and have them on their team. I know they got rid of him a couple years ago, but he has totally changed. He's a new man. They would love that attitude on their roster. They need it.
- [71:07]
A
Sure.
- [71:08]
B
And they've got a bunch of guys chipping in here. And I mean, the Suns have way more. Way more tude than the Memphis Grizzlies. It's unfortunate. I didn't even like, this is. This is me being extremely picky, but game is over. Memphis Grizzlies against the Washington Wizards. We just lost. And John Morant goes up to Jaren Jackson Jr. On the floor after the final play, after the buzzer, and does his routine handshake. I'm being picky, but they do like the whole. It's like a six piece, seven piece thing. It's like what we just lost.
- [71:42]
A
Right, right.
- [71:43]
B
I have a little too. Against the Washington Wizards.
- [71:45]
A
Right, right.
- [71:46]
B
I'm being picky. It means I guess they're connected and then they're. They're on the same level. Cool. But.
- [71:52]
A
But the same.
- [71:52]
B
Win a game.
- [71:53]
A
Losing.
- [71:53]
B
Yeah, yeah. Win a game. That's an odd scenario there again, Jaren Jackson Jr. Who's signed there forever. And you know, they're going through this extreme lull of a franchise and who they are and what they are. And is he going to stick around? I mean, this is me just speculating. He wants to be there. He signed there. But it's just a whole odd scenario with. With Jaw there as the number one guy, but not the number one guy.
- [72:15]
A
These are, these are franchises in Memphis. In Atlanta's case, I mean, maybe the Hornets case to some extent with Lamella Ball. But like, it's like they're. They're coming to the crossroads of like, what's our identity? Yeah, because their identity has been. In Memphis, we're John Morant. That's our identity. In Atlanta, our identity has been Trae Young. And it's like, do we want to be that anymore? We don't want to be that anymore. Maybe we don't want to be that. You know, they're like. It's a tough decision to make. I mean, these are your franchise guys. They put a lot of people in seats. They sold a lot of jerseys. They're your guys, you know, you got on draft night, obviously.
- [72:45]
B
Yeah.
- [72:46]
A
And are talented players, but I don't know, maybe it's run its course in a lot of these cases.
- [72:51]
B
Yeah. And Trey Young is liked around the franchise, liked around the organization, as. As a player, as a teammate. And he went through, I think, a recovery after the, you know, the bowing in New York. Here we are, we're in the conference finals. They fall down. And then he came back to play a little more on defense and all of that. And so I think there maybe is a spot for Ansi Saleh to sign him to a. A longer term, cheaper deal. But I don't know if it's a good idea for all parties. Really. Yeah.
- [73:24]
A
We'll see. All right. Final loser of the weekend. We got to get to this. The Internet lost its damn mind over the weekend when Joellen Bead scored 31 points versus the Chicago Bulls while appearing to wear no show socks. Or maybe no socks at all, which sounds insane. I gotta believe there was no show socks in those skechers that he was wearing. Now, our guy, Trey Kirby, he was one of the first people online to notice those sockless ankles on embiid. Trey was at the game in Chicago celebrating his wedding anniversary with Laura, and he did. He blasted some photos. And I think there was like, maybe one other person that noticed it before Trey, but Trey was the first to have photos. And then this obviously. Ankles. Yeah. Trey had photos of dwelling bead, like on the floor, like, where the hell are his socks? Because, Tass, you got to admit this is a very rare.
- [74:20]
B
Oh, gosh, yeah, rare.
- [74:21]
A
Look here. I think guys used to do this. Maybe more back in the 90s, a little bit. But anyway, I feel like Tracy McGrady did this once upon a time, but Embiid in 2025. What are your thoughts? Is this warrant a loser of the weekend to you?
- [74:36]
B
He also. He's got some ashy ankles. Got to moisturize those things.
- [74:39]
A
A lot of people pointing that out, too.
- [74:41]
B
Yeah, it looks like the no show sock for sure. It looks like. Like the tongue. I didn't. I never knew that he had. He has his own skechers. It's got j E. I know my shoes. Yeah, I think. I think I will give him props. Just for being able to pull it off. Because I would. I would find it hard to pull it off. Like, how do you do that? How you. You've got some rigorous ankle slash heels to be able to deal with that. He's got to have some sock under there.
- [75:11]
A
Yeah. I mean, a lot of people saying this feels like such a classic embiid move. And what I mean by that is, was this a Skechers marketing gimmick? Because we are looking at photos of these sketchers only because the guy's not wearing socks. We're not looking at them because we're like, oh, Skechers, those are cool. But maybe it's, you know, sly little marketing here. Was it some sort of troll of some sort? I don't know for who or for what, but it's in beads, so you can never count it out. And the final thing would be that he just forgot. Like, I really want to believe that he's playing in no socks. Not even those little weird little no show socks that, like, if you ever are wearing and then you show up at somebody's house that you got to take your shoes off, you're like, oh, God.
- [75:56]
B
Oh.
- [75:57]
A
Oh, no. I'm. I'm taking my no show socks off too. Because that is the weirdest look on a man.
- [76:03]
B
Yeah, those are real Matt Austin. But you like the. The short socks to run in, like, the shorter socks.
- [76:12]
A
But you see the sock, you can kind of see they're low socks.
- [76:15]
B
They're pretty low.
- [76:16]
A
Yeah. I'm not running in high socks.
- [76:18]
B
Yeah, exactly.
- [76:19]
A
Yeah.
- [76:19]
B
And so I think maybe Joel and Beat is using those. No, you saw it.
- [76:25]
A
Those were low cut shoes.
- [76:26]
B
Yeah.
- [76:27]
A
You're seeing ashy ankle. Those are either no show socks. The ones that look like you like, you know, like you have little hooves.
- [76:33]
B
Yeah.
- [76:34]
A
When you wear them. Or none are. None at all. Ash, do you have an opinion? What do you think's going on here? Yeah, I think he's definitely. I don't think he has a sock on at all. I don't think these. I don't think these are no shows. Wow. You don't even think they're no shows. Yeah. I've kind of. With Taz here, maybe he's not wearing socks at all because. Because most no shows, like, even they would peek over that little. They do. You're right part.
- [76:58]
B
Right.
- [76:59]
A
A little bit. This is. This is just no show socks would be falling off. Guaranteed. Within the shoe. Exactly. Rolled up under your foot. Yeah. It's the worst thing. Brutal. But. But playing basketball in no Socks is psychotic. That's crazy behavior, in my opinion. That's first off disgusting and gross. I don't care if he's changing his sketches after every game, which I'm sure they are. But, like, that's gross too, is it not? Oh, it's definitely gross. Oh, yeah, he's got some. Well, my family, he got some hammer toes up under there, you know what I'm saying? There's no way, like his, his feet are jacked up for sure. Most professional athletes are. But I mean, to the max, though. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No show socks or no socks. What's worse? What's grosser? I, I played ball on Friday morning, so we had a big run on Friday morning with the holidays and I tweaked my ankle again. Like, I just keep rolling my ankle so I like, okay, I was at the end, so I was like, all right, I'm done.
- [78:02]
B
You're done.
- [78:03]
A
But it hurt. Like, it legit hurt. So I took off my hooping Sabrina twos right now. I'm about done with those. Gonna keep rolling my ankle. Do love the shoes, though. Anyway, I'm like, I didn't want to put on socks to go home, so I'm like, all right, I'm just gonna slide my sweaty ass feet into like my books and just go home. Because I didn't want to, like, they hurt, so I didn't want to put on a sock. You know, your feet are sweaty too. Tougher to put a sock on. Whatever. So, all right, I'm just going to wear these home. I hated doing that. That was a ten minute drive home. Disgusting.
- [78:32]
B
Gross.
- [78:33]
A
So, like hooping for a couple hours. That's crazy to me, man.
- [78:39]
B
Crazy.
- [78:39]
A
Do you ever work out? Are you like, do you work out in no socks?
- [78:42]
B
Never.
- [78:42]
A
No. Okay, okay.
- [78:45]
B
No, no, I, like I was saying about shorter socks. No, not, not, not the hoof socks, but short ankle type of socks like you were.
- [78:53]
A
Those are fine.
- [78:53]
B
Yeah, they're running shoes or running socks, I should say. Yeah, like the bombas. The bombus type.
- [78:58]
A
I've even hooped in low cut. Like, like, whatever. I don't love it anymore. Yeah, like, I'm definitely going more of a sock. Sock.
- [79:06]
B
It does look. It doesn't look. I keep. It looks. I keep searching back here on the monitor because it is odd because you don't see it. I can't, I just, I can't, I can't stomach it. Seeing under the tongue. There isn't a shoe under the tongue or under a sock. Under the tongue. Yeah. Yeah, it's a strange one, but I. I do agree that it's quite likely it's a Skecher's play.
- [79:32]
A
Oh, okay.
- [79:33]
B
It's gotta be, right?
- [79:35]
A
It's so comfortable. You don't need to wear a sock.
- [79:38]
B
There you go.
- [79:39]
A
Yeah. And also, like, all the NBA socks are Nike too.
- [79:41]
B
Right?
- [79:41]
A
So. Oh, yeah. And they usually do roll them, so they sort of hide the Nike. If you're not a Nike athlete. Yeah. So he's like, screw it, I'm not even wearing a sock. It was a good NBA conspiracy right there. Yeah, it is.
- [79:54]
B
Yeah. Oh, yeah. It is a good NBA conspiracy. Yeah. That's a good short right there. Skechers Sketchers. Who wears them?
- [80:01]
A
Skechers should send me a pair, though. I mean, it does say Je on the top.
- [80:06]
B
Oh, right, right, right, right.
- [80:07]
A
It's like, basically my shoe. I'm looking for new shoes right now. I was talking to Ash before he went live. I am. I am thinking about picking up a new pair of shoes to hoop in. So I don't really want it to be Sketchers, but I'm willing to try them out. No show socks or sockless even, if you want me to. Okay.
- [80:26]
B
See, he's the only NBA player wearing Skechers.
- [80:29]
A
I think so Maybe one more. I don't know. I have no idea.
- [80:33]
B
Yeah.
- [80:34]
A
Okay, well, bye. Whoa. Boy of the night. We got a sponsor.
- [80:38]
B
Once again, we do.
- [80:39]
A
Woah Boy, sponsored by Martin, a longtime listener who wrote a book called Hell of a Ride. So he's sponsoring Woah Boy here to pitch his own book, and we got no problem with that. It sounds like actually a pretty good book. Nine years ago, after a number of lows, Martin biked 7,000 kilometers. Yes, kilometers across Canada to raise money and awareness for mental health. And apparently our podcast, no Dunks here, got Martin through some very long hours on the bicycle saddle. Okay. He had us in his ears for a lot of these miles or kilometers. So that bike ride became the basis for a book called Hell of a Ride. It got published last year, won some awards, and it's available to buy. I went and checked it out. I'm intrigued. Paperback ebook version in Canada and the U.S. i've already linked to it in the show notes. So check out Hell of a Ride by our guy Martin.
- [81:32]
B
You're getting a free copy. You're getting a free copy.
- [81:34]
A
I am.
- [81:34]
B
Oh, sweet.
- [81:35]
A
Good thing I didn't buy it.
- [81:36]
B
We haven't agreed on that yet, but I assume so if you're asking for it, you're Getting a free copy sent to you within a Skecher shoe.
- [81:42]
A
Oh, wow.
- [81:43]
B
Yeah.
- [81:44]
A
But the Whoa Boy goes to Kawhi Leonard. He made me do extra work last night. I made the graphic for Scotty Barnes. I was like, the guy went for 23, 25, and 10. Like, that's a Whoa boy right there. And then Kawhi said, no, I'm the real board man. 55 points, career high, as we talked about 11 rebounds. He shot 17 to 26 from the field, 5 of 10 from deep, 16 to 17 at the line, two assists, and then, get this, eight stocks. He had five steals, three blocks in 39 minutes. So Kawhi shows Scotty B, I guess, how it's really done in Whoa Boy. That is a pretty impressive game. I couldn't believe Scotty wasn't gonna get it.
- [82:23]
B
Yeah. I don't even know if we mentioned the five steals while we were talking about the Clippers defense. He looked like he was connected by five steals. Fantastic.
- [82:31]
A
Why, there you go. Thank you, Martin, for sponsoring Whoa Boy. And congratulations on your book. Hell of a ride. Everybody go grab a copy support no dunks fans here. All right? Pick them tonight. I'm in trouble. I'm 6 and 12. Trey is 9 and 9. Tonight's the 29th. There's 31 days in December. Right. I gotta run the gauntlet here for the rest of December to even tie Trey. So you. You're clear. You're not paying off anything. You're 14. 4. What game are we going?
- [83:00]
B
So you're saying that we're picking on the 31st?
- [83:04]
A
Well, let's see what happens.
- [83:05]
B
Yeah, we'll see what happens.
- [83:06]
A
It could be over tonight, and I could be likely piggybacking off to.
- [83:08]
B
It could be. Yeah. We picked a game with Chicago Bulls mainly because Trey would have to make the Chicago Bulls because that's what he does. They're at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are coming off that embarrassing, embarrassing loss. So four and a half, Mike, hold on. Am I getting Minnesota games mixed up?
- [83:27]
A
I don't know. What do you ask?
- [83:30]
B
It's all a blur. Well, they lost to the Brooklyn. That's what. That's.
- [83:32]
A
But that was her last game.
- [83:33]
B
That was her last game.
- [83:34]
A
Yes.
- [83:34]
B
Yeah. Embarrassing.
- [83:35]
A
That's why I took Minnesota.
- [83:36]
B
Me too. Four and a half. They're. They're favored by four and a half, right. They gotta win by five or more. Waltry's taking the Bulls. Just gotta lose by four or less. The two of us are on Minnesota.
- [83:48]
A
There you go. Yeah, I Initially went into this thinking we were doing a show on Wednesday. We probably are. Not now. We'll have a show tomorrow, but. And we'll have a show on Friday, but obviously with New Year's, we'll see on the 31st, but maybe we'll just pick anyway. We could do that yet, but I gotta win. So if Trey covers, if the Bulls cover, then it's over. It's a wrap.
- [84:07]
B
Yeah. I don't know why that Nets game seems so long ago. Where they're embarrassed at home, getting booed. Yeah, you mentioned it earlier in the show.
- [84:13]
A
Yeah.
- [84:13]
B
To lose.
- [84:14]
A
What night was.
- [84:14]
B
I wasn't. It was Saturday.
- [84:15]
A
See, nobody knows.
- [84:16]
B
It just seems like a long time ago.
- [84:18]
A
Yeah, it is.
- [84:19]
B
And they've lost two in a row because of Jokic on Christmas, so here they go.
- [84:23]
A
Okay. And I don't know if that one's on league pass or not. Is that one on Peacock? I'm not sure. No. Okay, well, then watch it. Using our NBA league pass promo. We got a QR code for you and everything. Ash, I don't know if you have that. I think you have that.
- [84:37]
B
Yeah. You got a QR code? Yeah.
- [84:39]
A
Get a discount on league pass. Just get your phone out, take a little photo of that QR code. It'll take you right to the website. You get a little discount by your boys from no dunks.
- [84:49]
B
Yeah. Or we've got links on YouTube and X. But league pass has improved, there's no doubt. Watching it this past weekend, watching the. The split screen, if you've got a large television, you put up games.
- [85:02]
A
Oh, you're going quad, are you?
- [85:03]
B
Yeah, they looked really good. I was actually watching the Jazz and I. And I heard a Walter Clayton with an incredible take, but I didn't have my eyes on that one, so I clicked into the game. I clicked the. The 10 second reverse or rewind. Did it again to make sure I saw it. No problem. I jumped back to the four way. It works seamlessly. You don't know.
- [85:25]
A
What was your Clayton story?
- [85:27]
B
That one. That right there. It was a league pass transition. It wasn't a good one. Yeah, but to see.
- [85:36]
A
I hope you didn't stick around just to hear that.
- [85:38]
B
You shouldn't. You should have. Baller six to six. Hey, could you say that of old versions of league pass?
- [85:45]
A
No, no, it barely worked. Buffer and. Yeah, no, it was crap.
- [85:50]
B
I was surprised to be able to hop from one game right back into the split screen with no problems. Seamless. You wouldn't say that from before.
- [86:00]
A
It turned out the NBA. Taking it back from Turner was the idea.
- [86:04]
B
It worked. You're out of here.
- [86:07]
A
Get out of here. We'll do it.
- [86:08]
B
Yeah.
- [86:09]
A
Okay. That's it for us. That was a long one. NBA weekend, winners and losers. We had all the wedgies. We had. Whoa, boy. We had pick them. I'm sure we missed some of your winners and losers. Let us know know in the comments here on YouTube. You can let us know on Spotify. You can leave comments on each show. You can tweet at us at no Dunks Inc. We will be back tomorrow. Now here's the thing. Hopefully we're gonna be back in the Classic Factory. I say hopefully because got some bad weather coming to Atlanta. Yeah, I say bad weather. It rained here last night. I don't know if it's gonna rain more today. But then it is supposed to dip below freezing and you know this city and ice. I don't want you guys specifically on the roads driving in ice. But if it doesn't rain today, we're probably good. Even if it just gets cold. So we'll hopefully be here in the Classic Factory. If not, we'll jump in the yard. You'll have a show tomorrow regardless. Promise you that. And then we'll figure out the rest of the week. It doesn't sound like we'll be back until Friday afternoon. Yeah. Clipper Bros. You heard it here first. Have a great time. Turn up. Love you guys. Awesome.
- [87:08]
B
Thanks for joining us. And remember, listen, we're soft here in Atlanta when it comes to weather. That's it.
- [87:13]
A
They don't have. They don't have salters. What are you gonna do? You can crash your car for no good reason.
- [87:18]
B
They got the soldiers back, I think. The soldiers back.
- [87:20]
A
Yeah.
- [87:21]
B
Yeah.
- [87:21]
A
Made a trade for salters in the off season.
- [87:23]
B
I didn't know about my old friend Ryan Salters. Lisa Salters. Incredible. Lisa Salters.
- [87:29]
A
Ryan Salters.
- [87:30]
B
That's an old friend.
- [87:31]
A
I don't even know. I've never heard you say the name.
- [87:33]
B
Ryan Salters, but I've never said it before. Wow. Until this day, at least a Salters.
- [87:37]
A
The hell did you know Ryan Soldier? The brain is like literally like grade school.
- [87:41]
B
The brain. You know what, it's funny you say that because my quote was going to be, everyone contains multitudes. And to remember from if you've seen the movie. Anyways, it's a movie. Okay, It's a movie reference. But you asked, have I said that name before? Well, everyone contains multitude.
- [87:58]
A
Skeets.
- [87:59]
B
There's a lot of things going on in everyone's brain.
- [88:01]
A
Yeah.
- [88:01]
B
Yep. Ryan Salters. Lisa Salter. Who's better, Ryan Salters or Lisa Salters? You don't know who Ryan Salters is, so you've got to go. I have no idea.
- [88:10]
A
This guy could be the worst guy in the world.
- [88:11]
B
Lisa Salters. She'll be doing Olympic broadcasting, I assume.
- [88:16]
A
Maybe.
- [88:17]
B
Maybe NBC connection. No. I guess. No. She's abc. Espn, isn't she?
- [88:22]
A
Well, nothing.
- [88:23]
B
Okay, Maybe Ryan Salters will be doing games.
- [88:28]
A
Shout out to Ryan Salters. We'll see you guys tomorrow. Either here in the factory, in the yard. Everybody stay safe. Safe. This is Eva Longoria from Hungry for History with Eva Longoria and Maite Gomez Rejon. Like the song says, it's the most wonderful time of the year and also a wonderfully busy one. All that merriment can weigh down even Santa's sleigh. So keep it wonderful by keeping yourself wonderful with a crisp, cold Coca Cola.
- [89:06]
B
Ah.
- [89:07]
A
Pause for fizzy joy.
- [89:09]
B
Look out for yourself and then look out for everyone else. And together we'll make this season as.
- [89:14]
A
Wonderful as it's meant to be.
- [89:16]
B
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A
You subscribe to 2 cents for 12 months.
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B
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A
This limited time offer won't last.
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B
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A
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- [90:20]
B
This is an Iheart podcast. Guaranteed human.