The Basketball Jones Pilot Episode (2006)

Summary

No Dunks: The Basketball Jones Pilot Episode (2006)

Podcast: No Dunks
Hosts: JE Skeets, Tas Melas, Jason Doyle
Original Recording Date: January 11, 2006
Release Date: January 11, 2026 (20th anniversary release)
Episode Theme:
Celebrating the origins of one of basketball podcasting’s pioneering teams, this special episode revisits the never-before-heard pilot of “The Basketball Jones.” Hosts Skeets, Tas, and JD take a raw, unvarnished trip through NBA headlines, heated debates, and the awkward hilarity of their very first try at recording a basketball podcast.

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Main Theme and Purpose

The episode is both an archival gem and a celebration of how far podcasting (and the team themselves) have come in 20 years. Listeners are treated to the unpolished, energetic, and occasionally chaotic pilot that laid the foundation for what became “The Basketball Jones.” The show covers hot NBA storylines of January 2006, including team streaks, trade rumors, the rise of key players, and the signature banter that would define the group’s chemistry for years.

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Key Discussion Points

1. The Pilot Episode’s Vibe and Format Reality

• Skeets introduces the show by warning listeners about the rough-around-the-edges nature (“I can barely talk. I'm nervous as hell. There's a phone that starts ringing at one point. JD doesn't have a goddamn mic…” [00:00]) and celebrating 20 years in podcasting.
• The crew sets out their aims: keep fans current with NBA happenings while experimenting with a segmented format—lookbacks, hot teams, rumors, injuries, and “Crunch Time” debates.

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2. Hottest NBA Teams of the Week (Jan 2006)

Brooklyn (then New Jersey) Nets

• Vince Carter’s resurgence is front and center. Tas admits he isn’t fully convinced:

  “Although they're hot, they really don't impress me…whenever Vince decides to play, do they light it on fire.” [07:05]

• Both hosts reflect on Carter's inconsistency in Toronto, with Skeets observing his aggressive play:

  “The reason he's putting up big numbers is because he's taking it to the hole…he's not settling for the jumper, the lazy Toronto jumper as he fell into.” [07:57]

• Tas refuses to call Carter a leader:

  “He will not ever get in anyone's face. He will not lead a team. He will not put them on their back. He never did in Toronto and he never will. It's just his nature. He likes the game. He doesn't love the game.” [08:47]

Utah Jazz

• Tas praises team-first basketball:

  “I'm a big team guy and that's why I love the Jazz…no superstars, great coaching, just a Jerry Sloan type team.” [10:21]

• They discuss Andrei Kirilenko, Skeets calling him “a human stat sheet—he's like Shawn Marion that way.” [11:05] Tas counters he's not a superstar due to inconsistent health and longevity.

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3. The Perpetual Ron Artest Trade Rumors

• Rumors swirl around Ron Artest, with both hosts rhetorically weighing trades:

  “We forget that Ron Artest is such a good player. He'll make an impact on both ends of the floor…He's just, he is all heart and effort.” —Tas [12:41]

• Skeets worries whether Artest’s volatility is worth the gamble for a young team:

  “Do you want them turning to someone like Ron Artest who has…proven he doesn't really give a crap about his teammates?” [13:12]

• Tas, unbowed, would “take Ron Artest for half of the superstars in the NBA. Give me, trade Kevin Garnett for Ron Artest. I'll take him.” [15:26]
• The debate touches on possible trade partners (Golden State, Clippers, and even a tongue-in-cheek Raptors trade).

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4. Raptors Talk: A Fan’s Perspective

• As Toronto season ticket holders, Skeets and Tas dissect the Raptors’ modest win streak and improved play (five wins in a row).
• Tas on the importance of beating bad teams:

  “Those are the wins the Raps got to get.” [18:26]

• They react to a tough loss to the Bulls, agreeing it was a strong game but indicative of the team’s struggle against bigger, more physical foes (“Big inside. They've got the big bodies with Sweetney and, and even Nocioni…” [19:50]).
• The duo is optimistic about the Raptors’ schedule and youthful energy:

  “[They’re a] young, happening, motivated team…They’re flowing. They’ve got the flow.” —Tas [20:48]

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5. Mike James’ Breakout Year and His Future

• Mike James—then Raptors point guard—gets a full segment. Both hosts debate whether his strong play is due to it being a contract year or genuine improvement.
• Skeets pushes for re-signing:

  “Let's keep Mike James a Raptor…Put the ball in his hands, he will get the job done.” [23:10]

• Tas is wary of long-term backcourt fit and James’ suitability as a point guard versus shooting guard:

  “He's a scorer at will, right? Is he a shooting guard or is he a one?” [21:42]

• They speculate on contract terms (“Give him five…four years.” [23:30]) and weigh the risk of a repeat “Rafer Alston contract.”

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6. Crunch Time: Rapid-Fire NBA Debates

Format: Producer lobs topics, the hosts must make their case in under a minute.

Highlights include:

• Kobe or LeBron?

  • Skeets: “Easy, LeBron.”
  • Tas: “I think Kobe's more proven right now. If I want a player, I take Kobe.” [25:23]
  • Heated exchange over leadership and supporting casts.

• Top Free Agent (2006):

  • Skeets: “Big Ben Wallace.”
  • Tas: “You take Al Harrington…so much untapped potential.” [26:36]

• Pistons 70 Wins: Possible?

  • Skeets: “No freaking way.”
  • Tas: “The only reason why I think they can do it is because they have a team of guys who never, ever quit...It's a stretch.” [29:38]

• Mike James: Pay or Trade?

  • Skeets: “Pay the man his money. He is ballin out of his head.” [27:50]
  • Tas flags role/player-type uncertainty.

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7. “Wanker of the Week”

• A cheeky recurring segment—Peja Stojakovic is named inaugural “wanker” for his underwhelming play and perceived selfishness:

  “That's one guy I don't sign because he's a wanker, because he doesn't play hard. He's not a team guy. Total stats guy, all about himself. Not a winner, in my opinion.” —Tas [32:45]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He likes the game. He doesn’t love the game.” —Tas on Vince Carter [08:47]
• “Kirk Heinrich had a game. Harry Potter there. Kirk Heinrich.” —Skeets [20:04]
• “Give Kobe Bryant a supporting cast. He will do special things this year. Look at the guy: 45 and four straight.” —Tas [26:20]
• “There it is. Peja Stojakovic, you are our first annual wanka. Enjoy that.” —Skeets [33:24]

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Important Timestamps

• Main Show Introduction & Premise: 00:00–03:19
• Hot Teams Discussion (Nets, Jazz): 04:00–11:39
• Ron Artest Trade Debates: 11:39–15:35
• Raptors’ Week Recap: 17:33–23:33
• Crunch Time Rapid Fire: 24:23–30:13
• Wanker of the Week: 32:26–33:36

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Tone and Style

The episode oozes the casual, candid, and self-deprecating style that became the hosts’ hallmark:

• “Live and direct. Live. Not so much live.” —Banter signals their playful, easygoing vibe.
• The exchanges are mostly good-natured roasting, passionate sports talk, and inside jokes about Raptors fandom and NBA culture.

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Final Thoughts

This pilot episode is messy, spontaneous, and at times hilariously homemade—phones ring, arguments are lively, but the love of basketball and podcasting shines through. It’s a portrait of podcasters learning in real time, right before setting off on a 20-year journey that would help shape basketball media fandom.

The conversations, predictions, and arguments are a time capsule of 2006 basketball but resonate as the true DNA of what “No Dunks” would become—a vibrant, witty, and (always) basketball-obsessed community.

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For more, check out future anniversary content and surprises from the No Dunks crew planned throughout the month!

Transcript

[A]

What's good, everybody? J E Skeets of the no Dunks Podcast, got something special for you today. 20 years ago to the day, we're talking January 11, 2006, I sat down at a dining room table in an East Toronto apartment with Tas Melas and JD to try and record a basketball podcast. We didn't know what we were doing. We didn't know what would become of the podcast. We just pressed record and started talking hoops. Well, we have that show for you today. Now, again, this was a pilot episode. It never saw the light of day. In fact, it wouldn't be until the following week, on January 18th, where we would premiere episode 001 of the basketball Jones to the world. So, in a way, this demo episode is some sort of weird NBA media history. And I'm going to warn you, it's horrible. It is a mess. It's a little rough around the edges. I can barely talk. I'm nervous as hell. There's a phone that starts ringing at one point. JD doesn't have a goddamn mic when we're recording this, but it'll give you a sense of just how far we've come in the last 20 years. And the truth is, I think anything 20 years old is worth celebrating. So we're gonna have a few more fun surprises planned for you a little later this month. But for now, let's take you back to the start. After the break, the first ever recording of the Basketball Jones podcast. Enjoy. This is an iHeart podcast.

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[A]

You're listening to the Basketball Jones with JE Skeets and Tasks. If you'd like to have your say, then give us a call on the Jones line. 416-519-4778 or email us at jonesthebasketballjones.net and now here are your hosts, JE Skeats and Taps Melis. Wednesday, January 11, 2006 it is the Basketball Jones.

[B]

Oh, yeah, we're here.

[A]

Episode 0.1 I am J. Skeets.

[B]

Alongside me, Tasmanis in the house here.

[A]

Yeah. The guy that plays in the paint, puts his heart on his sleeve. And I will be your floor general.

[B]

There you go.

[A]

Pass first, pass second, Shoot third. I'm Jay Skeets and with our producer here, Jason Doyle. All right, there he is. Yeah. We are the Basketball Jones. Our first show. And I guess we're gonna try to keep you up to date in the past of the past week in the NBA. Just everything about the NBA. And we're gonna do that through a couple sections and a couple segments actually. We're gonna look back, look back this week, over the week that was. We're gonna take a look at who was hot being. Well, the Nets have been pretty hot.

[B]

Lately with the Jazz out West.

[A]

Jasmine hot. We're talking about the Jazz out West. We're gonna get into a little bit of Ron Artest trade rumors. Ron Artest will never go away.

[B]

No. And he shouldn't go away.

[A]

No. He's too fun. You need characters like that in the emba. We're gonna get into that. But, you know, possibly going to Golden State, a couple other places. We're gonna, you know, might get at the Pistons talk. Can they do 70 wins? Do you want, do you want to say now, hold it.

[B]

We're gonna hold it, hold it. We're gonna quiet suspense.

[A]

We'll take a look at injuries. It's a part of the game. Tas, you had some injuries on the slopes the other day.

[B]

I believe I'm still pretty battered and bruised.

[A]

Yeah, you're on the day to day.

[B]

I am a gamer.

[A]

Okay, good. And you know, we'll get into raps. Talk. We'll talk about the Raps. They started the Week great. And sort of ended the week bad.

[B]

What a team.

[A]

But, you know, bad. Well, yes. Two losses is bad, is it not?

[B]

It wasn't bad to me at all.

[A]

Okay. And we have another little segment. We're gonna try it out called Crunch Time. And, you know, we have a bit of a rapid fire, I guess, PTI like, discussion. We'll have Jason shout out some topics and we'll see what you think, what I think, and we'll argue and fight and stuff like that.

[B]

I'll scrap it up.

[A]

Okay, good. And then we'll get. We'll get to you. Anyway, we got lots coming up. This is the Basketball Jones. If you want to, if you want to get in touch with us, we'd love to hear from you. Hit us up 416-519-4778 or email jones.

[B]

The basketball jones.net that's right.

[A]

So we'll get into it right after a quick break. And it's quick.

[B]

It's quicker than a break. Let's just get this baby rolling.

[A]

Let's do it. This is the Basketball Jones the Basketball.

[B]

We are here live and direct. Live. Not so much live.

[A]

No, this is the podcast.

[B]

Wherever you are, it's live.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

We're gonna talk about this last week in basketball because this is. It's my favorite sport. I just can't help it.

[A]

That's a good thing. You're doing a podcast about it. Well, we got to start off with this past week with the two, I guess, the two hottest teams, definitely the hottest team in the east and the hottest team in the west being the Nets and the Jazz, respectively. What are your thoughts on. On those?

[B]

Let's talk about the Nets first.

[A]

Yeah. Okay.

[B]

Because although they're hot, they really don't impress me. They do and they don't. Because Vince is obviously going off and even a couple other ones without rj. But it's really. Whenever Vince decides to play, do they. Do they light it on fire? Because, I mean, because he, you know, he's off and on and earlier on in the year, he wasn't playing that well. And that's for about a 500 team, weren't that injured, really didn't have any problems. But, you know, there was the same team as last year, it's the same team as now, but it's just Vince deciding to go off.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I really have. I, you know, being a Toronto fan, living in Toronto, I have a problem with Vince and I. And I have a problem with him not playing at full capacity at all times. And that's the way it seems it's going at times.

[A]

I have to agree with you there. It's. It's a. It's a Vince Carter of old. And it's. And exactly. When they win, it's because he's putting up big numbers.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And the reason he's putting up big numbers is because he's taking it to the hole. I think he's averaging something like 13 free throw attempts a game. He's not settling for the jumper. The. The lazy Toronto jumper as he fell into. He's driving to the hole. And I mean, with Kid as the point guard, one of the best point guards still in the league, One of the best point guards ever.

[B]

Isn't it amazing, though? He's just. He's just a spectacular player, like an amazing player at times. Mind boggling the amount of skill he's got on the floor. And then at times, I mean, it's rare now. It's. It's rare that we're seeing it right now, but earlier on in the year, he was just, you know, just lackadays. The old Vince.

[A]

Yeah, he. He definitely. He can disappear in games.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

And that's why he's always been knocked about a little bit. Been knocked about. Is he, you know, quote leader?

[B]

But he's not.

[A]

You don't think he is.

[B]

No, there's no way he is. He's not. He's not. He. He. He will not ever get in anyone's face. He will not lead a team. He will not put them on their back. He never did in Toronto and he never will. It's just his nature. He likes the game. He doesn't love the game.

[A]

Vince Carter never put a team on his back.

[B]

He'll put him back. He'll put him on their back for.

[A]

Segments scoring 50 points. Playoff series, practically.

[B]

Hey, it wasn't the whole playoff series.

[A]

He's matching Iverson.

[B]

Night on, night off. It was a night on, night off. Hey, he went off for a playoff series. They won the series or not that series. The series before. He was. He was crap the first couple of games, but he won't. He wouldn't do it for a whole playoff run. It's just. It's just Vince, he had great, great supporting cast there.

[A]

Okay?

[B]

He had oak. He had. He had older players that could help out. That, that would right the ship. And he's just. He's. He's a primary slash, he's a superstar.

[A]

But he's not a leader.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

That's it.

[A]

But the Nets, 11, 11 in a row there before losing the other night. They're leading the titanic division Atlantic. It's horrible. Yeah, it's bad. Well, it's getting. At least the Raptors are getting better anyway. You like the Nets, though? You put money on the Nets?

[B]

Oh, I sure did. Well, I had a good bet. I mean, I. I kind of put one over on a buddy of mine. They did. I just put money on them that they had to finish top six in the Eastern Conference as well as win the division.

[A]

Well, you're looking good right now.

[B]

Yeah. Geez.

[A]

Okay, quickly jumping over to the west, going back three hours here. What's your take on the Jazz and why they've been so successful as of late? I think winning eight of last nine or something.

[B]

Yep. I'm a big team guy and that's why I love the Jazz, because no superstars at Karolenko and Mehmet o' Kerr is their second biggest guy. It's just a total, total team game. Reminds me of the Knicks and how they're doing well out east as well as the Pistons and why they've been such a great team. No superstars, great coaching, just a Jerry Sloan type team. Yeah, like a Larry Brown. Just getting the most out of their players. And I find it really fun to watch. Although it's not. Doesn't get great ratings like on Christmas Day. The Pistons, spurs, which are the same type of game, got horrible ratings as well as the NBA Finals.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But it's great team, fundamental basketball, and that's why they're winning.

[A]

It's interesting. You don't think. You don't see Andrei Kirilenko as a superstar?

[B]

Well, yes and no.

[A]

I. I mean, here's a. He's a human stat sheet.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He's like Sean Marion that way. I think he had the most ridiculous line the other night. I don't know if you saw it. 14, 10, 7 blocks, 6 steals. He's like a quintuple double. I don't even think that's humanly possible. You don't. You don't see him as a superstar, though.

[B]

He's never done it over a long period of time, I guess. And that's, you know, he's got to do it over a full season without getting hurt to really call him a superstar. He's a great player in the league, no doubt about it. Fun to watch, but. Yeah, you can't get superstar status until you've. You've done it over a period of time. You've done it over a year. You're, you're an all Star and he just doesn't have all those, all those feats.

[A]

Fair enough, fair enough. Switching it up to Mr. Ron. Ron Crazy Ron Artest. The trade rumors are everywhere. Mark Stein's bringing out every team. I think the Raptors are going to get him.

[B]

Yeah, the Raptors. Matt Bonner, straight up.

[A]

I wouldn't do it. You don't give up that three point shooting in a big man. Are you crazy? No, but the teams right now, I guess the teams that everyone's talking about where, you know, the possibilities are high of the, the Pacers organization shipping them would be, would be Golden State one and the Clippers two.

[B]

Definitely.

[A]

Yeah. Os, what are, what are your thoughts on. I'll give you one here. I'll give you two Golden State deals.

[B]

All right.

[A]

One Artest for Dunleavy and I believe the guy's name is Petrus or Michael Miko Petrus. He's a rookie, I believe.

[B]

What's your thought on that second year guy? I think yeah, he's a. Saw him play in the. Saw more actually in the Euro Basketball Championships playing for France with Tony Parker.

[A]

So do you do it then?

[B]

Oh, I do it in a heartbeat. I don't even think twice if I'm Golden State. Oh, I do it in a heartbeat. Ron Artest. We forget that Ron Artest is such a good player. Like he'll make an impact on both ends of the floor. He can be a motivational leader. He's not a rah rah guy, but he will definitely bring people's games up. He's just, he is all heart and effort, you know, you have to find the right fit for him. He was, he was really, you know, he was definitely a cancer.

[A]

He makes an end on both ends of the floor. He makes a, he makes an impact in the whole arena when he's jumping into the stands and you want someone like that, him being a superstar or not around, especially Golden State, a fairly young team. And do you want them turning to someone like Ron Artest who has always so far in his career been great on the floor but proven he doesn't really give a crap about his teammates, especially what he's done to the Indiana organization after they stood by him after the brawl.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And then just literally turn his back on them?

[B]

I agree with you. I agree with you to a point. I think if you're going State, you have to take a chance and they haven't had a winning team in a real long time. You need Some toughness on that team. You've got extremely talented players in Jay Rich and Baron Davis, even Troy Murphy, Ike Diogo. But you need some sort of toughness to your team. You need to be. You need to get hard. You need to be able to go through a season and go through the droughts of January and February games and just have somebody to take you through the tough times. And I think Ron Artest can be that guy. He can light a fighter under guys butts and he'll get them there.

[A]

Okay, well, Chris Mullen took a chance on Baron Davis last year, so maybe we'll see it again. What do you think about the Clippers possibility right now? The talks are magetty for Artest straight up by the sounds of it.

[B]

I like it even more than the Golden State situation actually. They have for the Clippers. Yeah, for the Clippers they have, I.

[A]

Guess for the Pacers too.

[B]

I mean that's a, that's a, that's a decent part. Cory McGetti is a decent part.

[A]

I think we got a call.

[B]

We're raining off the hook.

[A]

Sorry.

[B]

No, I don't know. I'm not a big Corey McGetty fan. I'll never like him. He's totally, totally one way player. And I just, you know, we're talking Ron Artest here.

[A]

All right?

[B]

We're talking Ron Artest. You want to put, you want to shut somebody down in a playoff series, you put Ron Artest on them. You want, you want an extra bucket in a playoff series, give the ball to Ron Artest. You know, we're talking Corey McKety here. Yeah, he can score.

[A]

You want a rap album produced.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You get Ron Artest. We'll talk about the raps coming up soon. You need some water in here. You're really worked up over on our test there. It really worked out.

[B]

I'll take, I'll take Ron Artest for half. Half of the superstars in the NBA. Give him train. Kevin Garnett for Ron Artest. I'll take him.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Okay. I'm just kidding.

[A]

All right, well, we're gonna get into the raps talk here. We'll talk about Mike James, bitch. Yep. And. And the week that was for the Raptors right after the break. I'm a soloist on a solo list all I've never on a floppy disk Inca Inca bottle of brick so rebel drink drawn up on the salt I.

[B]

Hey, everyone, it's Ed Helms.

[A]

And I'm Kal Penn. And we are the hosts of earsay the audible.

[B]

And IHEART Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast I am talking to film and TV critic, radio and podcast host and Harry Potter super fan Rhianna Dillon to discuss Audible's full cast adaptation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. What moments in this audiobook capture the feeling of the magical world best for you or just stood out the most?

[A]

I always loved reading about the Quidditch matches and I think the audio really gets it because it just plunges you right into the stands. You have the crowd sounds like all around you. It is surround sound, especially if you're listening in headphones.

[B]

Listen to Earsay, the Audible and iHeart.

[A]

Audio Book Club on the iHeartradio app.

[B]

Or wherever you get your podcasts. Yeah.

[A]

You're listening to the Basketball Jones podcast on the basketballjones.net I'm Jay Skeets with my man Tas Melis and Jason Doyle, producer, superstar. Well, we live in Toronto. We are in Toronto right now. Beautiful city. Not much crime. Well, we're getting a bit of crime but you know, great city. And since we're here we got to talk about our hometown team. We are season ticket holders task and so let's get into a little Raps talk. Let's quickly look at the week that was for the Raps. Hot, hot there for a while. Was it six wins? No, five and five in a row. Five, five, five in a row last week we, I guess, I think we had the Hawks, the Magic and the Rockets. So not three teams, not three of the greatest teams in the league by any stretch of the imagination, but good wins. And those are the, those are the wins the Raps got to get.

[B]

No doubt about it. And this upcoming stretch is the same, same type of games. I think 13 of the 15 or.

[A]

Sub 500 gotta take, gotta take good 10 of those.

[B]

Yeah. And they've been playing and they're 500 in December. They've 10 and eight since they were or 10 and nine I think now since they were started the season one and 15. So things are looking up.

[A]

Things are way up. Things are on the up and up. But they weren't on the up and up. They went a little bit down. We took two steps forward, one step back. I guess. You don't think so with the Nets and then the Bulls.

[B]

I know you're gonna say yeah, yeah, the Bulls. The Bulls loss was a little bit of a, was a little bit of a downtime. But, but the way I look at it is they were hot like fire. They lost to a New Jersey Nets team that is the hottest team in the league.

[A]

Some people are calling it one of the best games of the league. So.

[B]

Yeah, for the best game of the season. Damn right it was, it was a great game. And I left my TV that day cursing myself because I didn't pick that game in our, in our annual draft. But extremely happy. The way they've been playing is just awesome. That was a, that was a great game. There was some things that made me upset, some of the decisions by Sam Mitchell in that game, but it was just a great game. And then, and then the next night you expected them to have a little bit of a fallback.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And against the team that's always owned the. Well, for a long time has owned the Raptors. That's their 11th straight win in a row. The Chicago Bulls.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And we have a. It's a tough matchup.

[B]

They are always been a tough matchup.

[A]

Because they're big inside.

[B]

Big inside.

[A]

They've got the big bodies with Sweetney and, and even Nocioni. Yeah, even Nocioni. But then they've got the three point gunners shooters, kills in Gordon and Heinrich had a game. Harry Potter there. Kirk Henry.

[B]

So they've been playing well. And they've been playing well.

[A]

You expected a loss?

[B]

No. Well, I expected. Yeah, you know, they're, they're definitely tired. Bosch was, was, was exhausted after, after the Nets game was along with James and James had a horrible shooting night in Chicago. But what, what I really liked about is they fought back in Chicago. They were down 23. They're down 23. Down 23 in the third, came back within two in the fourth quarter. That was a fight. It was a real good battle. It doesn't look like Raptors teams of old.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Okay, so I like it. They're flowing. They've got the flow.

[A]

All right, good. They got a. And you're right, they got a lot of winnable games coming up. So it'll be interesting to see how they do one player.

[B]

They're a young, young, happening, motivated team right now.

[A]

They're a season ticket holder. That's why you say that.

[B]

I'm not, I'm not a holder.

[A]

Well, you must be excited then about Mike James. Yeah, he's the way he's been playing. He was Eastern Conference player of the week.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

Last week after the, after the. Off the rap winning streak there.

[B]

What do you think? Do you think that. Because what worries me is that this is a contract year. You think he's coming out to play?

[A]

Because this is his contract year right now, for all Raptor fans, that's literally the million dollar question. You're Babcock.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You. This was your, this was your deal of your entirety so far as a, as the GM of the Raptors trading James for Alston.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So what do you do? Do you keep James? Do you pay him his money and he's gonna, he's gonna, you know, get a lot of offers the way he's playing, he's balling. Or do you try to trade him especially for the, for the trading deadline, which is quickly approaching?

[B]

That's a real, real tough question. I sort of sit on the fence on this one because I don't know who you're gonna pair him up with in the backcourt. He's a scorer at will, right? Is he a shooting guard or is he a one? Are you going to start him at the one and who are you going to put with him? Because if he's a, he's a small point guard or a small shooting guard, I should say. But he really likes the ball in his hands. I don't think he likes coming off the ball. He wants the ball in his hands. If you can have a shooting guard, a real solid defending shooting guard, then I think you re sign him. But if you have, if you have Calderon and Mike James is planning your future in the back of it for the next four or five years. I don't like it at all, to be honest.

[A]

I think they should sign him. And I agree with you. You don't want to look at Calderon and James as your starting backcourt for the next four years. But I think what the Raptors need to do is look at James as an incredible guy off the bench, can play both the 1 and 2. Have Calderon as your starting point guard bring over you when UKIC comes over. Have those two guys.

[B]

If UK comes over.

[A]

Well, if Yukic comes over. But we need some veteran. We're going to need some veterans eventually. We got to stop rebuilding and looking for draft picks.

[B]

And he only. He's 31 and it's your prime. Yeah, I mean, the point guards after 30 do tend to go downhill, but.

[A]

He'S, I mean, he's showing that he can straight up ball and he can put the ball in the basket. Although he's a streaky shooter.

[B]

The only worry is, is he's doing this because it's his contract or is he doing this because finally a city is showing him some love and giving him some starting minutes.

[A]

That's what I like to believe. Let's keep Mike James a raptor.

[B]

What? That guy's a player. Give the put the ball in his hands, he will get the job done.

[A]

So how much quickly, how much would you give him?

[B]

He's making three and a half this year. I expect Phil Duffy, who he just signed his agent to, warrant between five and six.

[A]

Sounds right. Give him five, Five.

[B]

For how long?

[A]

Four years.

[B]

Four years. Wow.

[A]

Yeah. All right, well that's, that's the raps corner, I guess for this week. But we'll get into a little more fun segment here, I guess a little. We're gonna start arguing crunch time coming up right after the break. It's a Basketball Jones.

[B]

Doctor Dre is the name.

[A]

I'm ahead of my game still puffing my leaks still fuck with the beats still not loving police still rock my khakis with a cup and a crease still got love for the streets repping.

[B]

213 still the beats bang still doing my thing since I left Ain't too much change still I'm representing for the gangsters all across the world still hitting them counters and them lolos girl still taking my time to perfect a bit.

[A]

And I still got love for the streets Wednesday, January 11, 2006 we are the basketball Jones on thebasketballjones.net I'm Jay Skeets along with Tasmalis. That's right. Well, we talked about, we looked back on the week that was in the NBA. We took a look at the raps and now we're gonna do a little, I guess a little fun, a little more light hearted segment here called what we're gonna call crunch time. Basically gonna work like this. Jay, our producer here is gonna fire out some subjects. We're gonna have one minute. All right, that's it, Tas, one minute. Yeah. You like to talk? Yeah. So one minute. Make it quick here.

[B]

And what are you trying to say here?

[A]

No, I'm just saying give me my 30s.

[B]

Yeah, give your 30 seconds. Don't hug, don't hog the clock.

[A]

Yeah. Okay.

[B]

Hey, don't hog the ball on the floor. I won't hog the time on the clock.

[A]

I'm a pass first point card.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right, so let's get it going. We got a couple here. Jay, what are you starting us off with? How am I going to style? Just. I'll just say stop. Yeah, we'll get a sound effect.

[B]

All right, ready?

[A]

Yeah. Kobe or LeBron? Kobe or LeBron? Easy, LeBron.

[B]

I think, I think Kobe's more proven right now. If I want A player. I take Kobe.

[A]

You're kidding me.

[B]

No. Right now. I want a guy on the floor who's gonna make a shot. Right now, this playoff, if I want a guy who's gonna make a shot, I take Kobe Bryant.

[A]

You want to take. You want a guy that's gonna take 40, 45, maybe 50 shots, then he'll go ahead and take Kobe. I want a guy. I want Magic Johnson. You want. I don't. You want Rex Chapman. Gunner Rex Chapman.

[B]

If I was playing with Smush Parker and Devin George, I'd take all the shots as well.

[A]

Who's LeBron playing with?

[B]

LeBron's playing with Z. Daniel Marshall. Damon Jones, who can hit a shot.

[A]

Damon Jones can't hit a shot. And he's been. It's been proven because Larry. Larry Hughes is out, and now people are guarding him, and he can't tell.

[B]

Me his Surrounding his. His lineup. Is LeBron James just.

[A]

He just turned 21 t. He. This guy is the future, and he's gonna be the most.

[B]

Are we talking about the future? Are we talking about now? I don't care. I take Kobe Bryant. Give Kobe Bryant a supporting cast. He will do special things this year. Look at the guy. 45 and four straight.

[A]

Ready? Yeah.

[B]

Top free agent.

[A]

Easy.

[B]

Tough question.

[A]

Big Ben Wallace. That was my.

[B]

You know, if you want to talk. You want to talk somebody who's going to make an impact in the future. You take Al Harrington this offseason.

[A]

You're kidding me.

[B]

No, I'm not kidding you. He is not. He has so much. Boy, so much untapped potential. Ben Wallace, hey, it's not a bad player. He's a very, very good player.

[A]

Ben Wallace is an all star, all defensive machine. He's not a human. Ben Wallace is not human.

[B]

And it's all downhill from here. It's not. He doesn't have that much. He doesn't have that much more lifespan. Am I right?

[A]

Now, how old is he?

[B]

Geez, I don't know.

[A]

He's got a. Definitely a couple. He's got four, five, six years left in him of being the best defensive forward slash center in the league, hands down.

[B]

Al Harrington has a more. Is. Definitely has a possibility to have more impact on a team.

[A]

All right, well, Ben Watson is going to get the money.

[B]

He should get. He should get the money. Jeez. Yeah, I do talk a lot. Mike James. Bitch.

[A]

Mike James. But we already talked on that. So pay or trade.

[B]

Pay or stay.

[A]

I say pay. Pay the man his money. He is ballin out of his head. As someone once said on ESPN Chat, I read Paul Williamson and oh, my God, you got to pay this guy that money. What, five mil, six mil, four years. I'm loving it.

[B]

Are you going to have another Rafer contract there? Do you want to point a shoot first point guard in Mike James?

[A]

He's not a point guard. He's not a point guard. He's even said it. That's what I like. He says, I am not a point guard.

[B]

But he wants the ball in his hands every position.

[A]

Well, sure he does because he's a scorer.

[B]

Yeah. So he's not going to play off the ball. He doesn't like playing off the ball. He said that as well. He doesn't want to be a 2.

[A]

I agree. I agree. He wants the ball in his hands.

[B]

He's a point guard because that's how he makes it. But he wants to be a point guard.

[A]

Well, he. I mean, he can play the point. Okay. He can score and play the point. He had 13 assists the other night, just. But you don't just get 13 assists in this game.

[B]

No, but look at his game. Look at his game. He can score at will when he's a streaky hot, streaky shooter. But you look at some of the rap. Look at some of the Raptors possessions. And they use 24 seconds on that shot clock and they get a poor weak shot off at the end because the ball's in his hands. Ready?

[A]

Yeah. Last one.

[B]

Pistons 70 wins. That's a tough question.

[A]

No freaking way.

[B]

Why? I don't. I don't see it.

[A]

They're 27 and five now.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So that.

[B]

They're not on pace. They're not on.

[A]

They're not on pace at all.

[B]

No.

[A]

They were playing ridiculous basketball at the beginning of the season now. And not that they. Not that teams haven't done this before, but now teams are bringing it every night against them. The Jazz are taking them even. Even, I believe it was New Orleans last night. They hung in that game for the entire. You know, the one thing I'll give the Pistons is that they can end games. They. They let teams hang around for three quarters and then they finish them in fourth. They're like the spurs that way.

[B]

Yeah. They're really 70.

[A]

Come on. This is not Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson teams here.

[B]

The only reason why I think they can do it is because they have a team of guys who never, ever quit. And it's more about. It's more about the pride. The pride level and playing the game for playing the game as opposed to stats with those guys. So if anything, if those guys. Those guys have a lot to play for. That's the only reason why I think they may do it. It's a stretch.

[A]

All right, Fair. All right. That was crunch time and it was. Yeah, I'm sweating. And you just keep talking. You want to keep talking about the three topics. Go.

[B]

Yeah. Listen, Mike James will never. I'm just kidding. Just.

[A]

You're listening to the Basketball Jones. I'm J. Skeets. That's Sass Melis. We'll be right back after a quick, quick. Destination now. Destination. He's seen his name on the marquee.

[B]

She will never understand.

[A]

Once again, he's leaving.

[B]

Good.

[A]

Time to say goodbye. Destination now.

[B]

Destination now. Foreign.

[A]

You're listening to the Basketball Jones [e-mail] I'm Jace Gates. This is Tas Melas. And now it's time for. I told you to give me a segment. It's coming.

[B]

A quite special segment. This is for our Aussie friends down south.

[A]

Oh, right. I guess the Brits too.

[B]

Yeah, the Brits like it.

[A]

This is for John Amici.

[B]

John Amici.

[A]

You remember him? No.

[B]

He's a baller.

[A]

Oh, what you gonna pay him?

[B]

I wouldn't trade him for on Arteta.

[A]

No, you wouldn't, eh? No. He had some girth, didn't he? Yeah.

[B]

Too bad he never made anything of himself. I thought he'd be good in Orlando.

[A]

John Amici. No way.

[B]

Pat Burke took a spot.

[A]

Yeah. Here it is.

[B]

Ladies and gentlemen, the wanker of the.

[A]

All right, wanker of the week. Basically, we're gonna take someone from the past week and we're gonna appoint them with a wanker of the week. Tass, who is this week's wanker?

[B]

I think you can call this guy wanker of the season so far, Mr. Peja Stojakovic out in Sacramento. I just had enough of that guy. You want to talk about who could have taken his free agent value to another level? Peja Stoyakovich is a free agent this year and just been horrible. Yeah, he's been in and out of the lineup, but that's one guy I don't sign because he's a wanker, because he doesn't play hard. He's not a team guy. Total stats guy, all about himself. Not a winner, in my opinion. I just had an. I just had enough page. I don't want to hear about him. If they train for Ron Artest. If you could get Ron Artest for Peja, that is a steal.

[A]

There it is. Pedro Stojakovic, you are our first annual wanka. Enjoy that.

[B]

Don't you agree?

[A]

I agree. Definitely. I hate him. Yeah, not a player you just crush a lot.

[B]

What? Nothing.

[A]

Well, we're wrapping it up. I mean, it's getting late for you. Well, that was first show and you have been listening to the Basketball Jones on net. As always, we want to hear your feedback though, so you can call us. Believe it or not, we'll put it on the air. You say something smart, say something controversial. Get on next week's show. The phone number 416-519-4778 or email us.

[B]

At jonesthebaskeball jones.net I've been Jay Skeets.

[A]

He'S been Tas Melas, and we've had our producer Jason Doyle running the show. Come back next week, eh?

[B]

Alright, eh?

[A]

Alright, eh. You've been listening to the Basketball Jones podcasting from thebasketballjones.net as always, we want to hear your thoughts. Give us a call on The Jones Line, 416-519-4778 or email us at jonesthe basketball jones.net thanks for keeping up with the Joneses. See you next week. This is an I heart podcast.

[B]

Guaranteed human.