April 15, 2025 • 41 mins
The NBA regular season is officially over, meaning it’s time for the Phoenix Suns to clean house once again.
Matt Barnes reacts to the firing of Suns Head Coach Mike Budenholzer, and lays blame at the feet of owner Mat Ishbia.
Matt & the homie Keyon Dooling analyze the latest shake up in the desert, and speculate on Kevin Durant’s next landing spot. The guys also preview the biggest headlines from Play-In Tournament & First Round of the NBA Playoffs: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks future, the Los Angeles Lakers’ draw & Steph Curry spoiler potential.
Then, UCLA Football Head Coach DeShaun Foster drops in & looks ahead to their upcoming Friday Night Lights! Coach Foster discusses life in the BIG 10 Conference, navigating NIL & the transfer portal, and his coaching debut with Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to another episode of Unplugged, brought to you
by DraftKings. The Phoenix Suns Hath fired coach Bud one
and done. Thirty six and forty six was his record
one season, but this has kind of been a common
thing since Matt Ishbia has taken over the Phoenix Suns.
He's had three coaches and his three years here, starting
(00:21):
with Money Williams forty five and thirty seven. The year
before that he won Coach of the Year and they
went to the finals. He was fired. Frank Vogel fell
victim after that, forty nine and thirty three. After one
season he was fired, and now Bud. Probably the only
one on this list that deserves to be fired is
thirty six and forty seven, and he's out. Obviously, we
(00:44):
know that the Phoenix Suns went to the finals in
twenty twenty one. CP three was in the mix for
three years and I think everyone thought this was a
very promising situation for them. Isba came on board in
twenty twenty three, fired Money Williams, fired Big Vogel, and
now fired Bud. The news has came out this morning
that the Sons will work with Kevin Durant on a
(01:07):
new trade destination. And I think that probably comes out
a little bit out of left field, because let's back
up a little bit. Bradley Beal, who I'm a big
fan of, Dad, Mark Bartlestein.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah, his agent, So Beal's agent is Mark Bartelstein.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Yeah. And then Mark Bartlestein's son, Josh, is the CEO of.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Yes, sir, So there was some inside you guys heard that.
So Marcus Beal's agent, Mark's son is the CEO of
the Sons, So there was some insider trading going on
with that team, and we all know that. Obviously, the
Beial experiment has not worked out. The team has been bad.
He hasn't been very good. I think he's averaged seventeen
and four over his two years with the Sons, played
(01:47):
no more than fifty three games each season, so he's
damn near making a million dollars a game. And to
his credit, he activated his no trade clause with this team.
So I think that clogged up the pop pipeline at
the trade deadline. And since that was clogged up, they
threw Kevin's name in there at a left field and obviously,
as it should, it kind of raised Katie's eyebrows, and
(02:09):
now they're on the verge of losing. Obviously Kevin Durant
this offseason. Another thing to keep in mind, Brad, Jimmy
Butler was very adamant about wanting to become a Phoenix
son and the one person that had from the Sun's
side that had to be in that trade was Beal,
and Bill exercised his no trade clause and completely plugged
(02:31):
up and clogged up and and fucked up that deal. Now,
if you look at what Jimmy Butler has done with
Golden State, injected new life into them and has them
in a playing situation, one just wonders what could have
happened if Jimmy Butler was able to go to the
Phoenix Suns. Very interesting and I just think you know,
of late this last month, I've really been talking about
(02:53):
new owners coming in and not necessarily understanding that this
is not fantasy basketball. Although it is your team, you
are free to do what you want. A lot of
these new owners are making mistakes. One owner partnership I
wanted to shout out was the new Boston Celtics situation
where a group came in paid a lot of money
for the team, but keeping with Grossbeck in charge of
(03:16):
things for three years, so almost a transitioning program for
the new ownership and allowing the old ownership to kind
of show them the lay of the land, because the
last thing they want to do is mess up the
property or the product on the court. And I think
the Celtics have done it the right way. You look
at Dallas and see what they've done. You look at
Phoenix and see what they've done. And we've always talked
about winning start at the top, So I think the
(03:39):
NBA needs to kind of really watch out for these
new owners and making sure they have the right mindset
and spirit and integrity it takes to run one of
these franchises, because we've seen two franchises with promising just
Dallas was in the finals last year and Phoenix in
the finals four years ago. New owners come in and
kind of completely tear down what was built before. Now
(04:00):
we want to welcome in my brother ke On Dueling
to talk about Phoenix. Kde Welcome to the show man, Bud,
it is gone. What are your thoughts?
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Wow?
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Man, I mean, what is that three coaches in the
last three years something like that?
Speaker 1 (04:13):
A coach per year since Ishbia has been here. Not
to cut you off. Every year there's been a new
coach since the owner's been here.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Yeah, man, it's obviously you know, something isn't isn't clicking
right because they're not able to you know, not only
get their talent, retain their talent. There's no continuity you
bringing in new programs every year.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
I don't like it. Something is going on in Phoenix
and it just doesn't feel good to me.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
I always felt like on paper, you see the names
this team's had, from Chris Paul to obviously Devin Booker's
been the constant, Kevin Durant the latest. I always felt
like they were a very top heavy team. I compared
them to a team that only lifts upper body and
their legs are super skinny. Because I said, they always
had super you know, they had the best of the
best up top, but they never had depth because they
(04:58):
poured so much money into those guys. One thing too, obviously,
with the trend of late is being owners kind of
coming in and being a little bit over their head.
I don't know a ton about Eshbo obviously, you know,
walked on to Michigan State. But one thing I do
know is he hired Bartlestein, who was an assistant GM
over in Detroit, who is the son of Mike Bartelstein,
(05:20):
who is Beal's agent. So there's some home cooking. There
was some home cooking with that deal that brought Field
to Phoenix. That's pretty much fucked everything up. And this
is not shitting on Bill. I think Bal's been a
tremendous player throughout his career, but his time in Phoenix
he's at like seventeen and four. You know, he was
a twenty five point plus per game score. He's making
(05:42):
a ton of money, has it. He's played fifty three
games in his first two seasons in Phoenix, so pretty
much he's getting a million dollars per game. We know
that he was the one that didn't want to move
his no trade clause, which somehow Phoenix management thought he'd
be a good idea. Well, shit, if he's not going
to move his trade clause, let's se we can get
with Kevin Durant without asking Kevin Durant. And then now
(06:03):
you see reports this morning that Phoenix is gonna work
with Kevin Durant to find him a new home. So
I don't care how good your team is on paper
in the locker room, KD. We all know that shit
starts up top and it it's a trickle down effect.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
Yeah, man, it's it's unfortunate, you know, because at the
end of the day, like this hurts Kevin Durant's legacy somewhat,
right because like, at the end of the day, if KD,
you know, doesn't doesn't get those championships in Golden State, right,
which they say he wasn't the leader on even though
he was the best player on that team. This was
an opportunity for him to go out band together, have
(06:37):
his own program, and it's just it's a failed experiment.
So I don't like it for KD, but I'm glad
they'll work with them to get him placed in the
right new situation.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Kevin Durant was the best player on that team and
I was there one year. Kevin Durant was the best
player on that motherfucking team. It was Steph's team, there's
no question about it. And Draymond was the leader. But
Kevin Durant was the best player on that team. But
since we're on the Kevin Durant topic, before we go
to the next do where do we see him landing.
Do we see back to Golden State? Do we see
him to the Knicks? Do we see him to Houston?
(07:06):
Do we see him do we see you know, we
know Okac has a ton of things that they can
throw his way or a team's way to grab him. Ideally,
this is probably gonna be, hopefully be his last move.
Katie has maybe two three more years at best under
his belt. Where do you think a good fit for
Kevin would be? If this comes to fruition, then he
ends up leaving Phoenix anywhere.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Kevin Durant Gos is a good fit in my opinion.
He's just that good of a player.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Yeah, not just on the offensive end, but defensively, right.
KD is KD at the end of the day. He's
a hooper to the core. He loves this shit. He
loves it. I think it's the two sleeper locations, right.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
If he doesn't go to like one of the big
contenders like I would have I would, I would think
Miami would try and make a move for him and
get a superstar down here at some point. Pat Riley
always tries to you know, maneuver and make his moves,
especially on the cusp of Jimmy kind of go in
a different direction.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
And then don't be surprised if.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Like you know, the Wizards get the number one pick,
they get Cooper Flag. Maybe KD goes back home. That's
a sleeper that might happen as well. So I'm not
sure where he'll go. I just want him to go
somewhere where he can just hoop, you know, and build
on his legacy.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
I think one thing that's rare about him being one
of those superstars, and obviously we live in the era
where superstars move. He seems to be the only superstar
that moves and fits in seamlessly wherever he goes, because
like you said, all he does is hoop. He don't
cause no problems. He goes out there and plays basketball
every day. He's healthy, and he plays it at a
very high level on both ends. So wherever he ends
(08:39):
up landing selfishly, I love to see him make a
run for Golden State. He's thirty seven, he's got one
million left on his deal. At fifty four million, you'll
probably look forward two to three year extension to ride
off into the sunset. Man, So we wish KD the
best of luck playoffs are here, Man, best time of
the year. The Eastern Conference playoffs picture as as such,
(09:01):
Bucks versus the Pacers, Nicks versus the Pistons. Celtics will
either play the Magic or the Hawks, and the Calves
will play whoever becomes the A seed. Obviously they're sitting
at the top of the East. Let's start with Bucks
and Pacers real quick. What do you like and don't
like about this series?
Speaker 4 (09:20):
Well, I don't like that Dame, you know, may not
be available right I think they had injuries last year.
The Pacers are a team that beat them and put
them out of the playoffs last year. They are dangerous,
you know, especially like with a man down, especially somebody
is influential and impact with his Dame. We could be
seeing Yannis, you know, for the last time.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
And don't say that. I don't say that.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
If they get knocked out the first round. I can
see Yanni's trying to get to a bigger market.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Definitely not mad at that. There's been whispers in the past.
The reports are that at some point this series Dame
will play thanks to our brother Sham. But if Dame
isn't Dame, him just being on the court is not
enough for this team to advance, and I think we
know that, you know, we've kind of seen since then
winning a championship, this team has not really taken any
steps forward. They've moved role players that they thought they
(10:14):
can get around with. Similar to Denver, I think sometimes
people get fucked up obviously knowing that the stars make
the world go round, but role players are so instrumental
in championship runs. And you look at the PJ. Tuckers
and the Portoises and the guys they had during those
runs that they let go, similar to what Denver did,
you know when they let their Jeff Green and Bruce
(10:35):
Brown and all those role players go there instrumental and
they haven't been able to find that chemistry since. So
I'm definitely not mad at what you said. This could
be the last time we see Yannis wearing that nasty green.
We will have to pay attention. Giannis has three years
left on his deal in a player option for twenty
twenty seven twenty eight season. That's sixty three million, So
(10:57):
that'll definitely be an interesting series is to play close
attention to are we seeing the end of an era?
With Giannis next up? This is one of my favorite
first round matchups. Nicks versus the Pistons. Obviously, Nicks shout
out to Tibbs back to back, first back to back
fifty win seasons since pat Riley did it way back
(11:18):
in the day when we are teenagers. The Pistons, I
want to salute this team man, the way they've been
quietly being able to build a solid, young, versatile roster.
And who's over there coaching. He got the act somewhere.
He didn't even deserve to get the ash from Cleveland, right, Yeah,
fix that completely changed the mentality of that organization round
along with the players. But this is going to be
(11:39):
an interesting matchup, KD. You know Brunson's been struggling with injury.
He's getting back, but we all know the Knicks core
guys are at the top of the league in minutes,
and that fifty win means nothing if you can't do
nothing in the playoff because you're too tired. So what
are your thoughts on this first round matchup?
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Very interesting matchup.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
I think Detroit has such a young team, They're talented,
they're hungry act they know that they.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Belong now right.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
They have really developed that program they embody Coach Bickerstaff
and his personality, cad is taking his game.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
To another level. They got a lot of defensive versatility.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
But I think the Knicks has too much experience to
be outsted in the first round. Tivs is a you know,
he's battle tested, especially you know, in the first round
of the playoffs. I think Kat brings a different dimension,
you know, playoff cat.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
You know, I think big Bodega in New York.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
I think he'll have his energy, and yeah, I think
the Knicks will take care of business against the Pistons.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
I definitely agree. I think this is going to be
a good opportunity for the Pistons to touch the playoffs.
They haven't been there in a while. Good young team
with the Thompson Twins and Cade and all those pieces
they have over there. But I agree, I think the
Knicks do have the depth. I just want to see
how long this depth can last. But you know, whether
they have three guys or four guys in the top
twenty five, guys in the top ten in minutes and
(13:02):
five in the top twenty five, so they're starting five
has played the majority of the season. Although I respect
that and hats off, we all know, man, when it
comes to playoff times, you need them legs agree.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
You know what.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
But the thing about it is those guys have been
playing that those type of minutes the whole year, and
like you can't save them in the playoffs. You get
days in between, so you get a chance to recover. Obviously,
Tibbs plays his guys right, but you know, it's just
a part of TIBs philosophy.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
That'll be interesting to see though, because again, if this team,
I mean, I don't see him losing in the first round,
but it's going to be an interesting second round matchup.
I mean, does that style does that kind of wear
and tear on your core? If you're an owner or
GM or you know, are you looking at that as like, Okay,
we're winning during the regular season, but we have nothing
in the gas tank when it comes to playoffs. So
(13:52):
that'll be something interesting to pay attention to. Celtics, who
are my pick to win it as long as they're healthy.
We'll either see them Magic or the Hawks. If you're
the Celtics, do you prefer one of those two? Would
you rather stay away from one? What are your thoughts
on that?
Speaker 4 (14:06):
I would rather see the Hawks the Magic personally, but
it doesn't matter who the Celtic C.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
I think they're gonna repeat this year.
Speaker 4 (14:14):
I think they're just that good, They're that talented, they
can play a wide range of styles, and so I
don't I don't really care who the Celtic ceed.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
I think they're gonna handle their business.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
I agree, and I really like they've been they've been
kind of slow walking. Porzingis the whole season because he
was in and out a little bit last year when
it met the most. And then obviously Jayalen Brown won't
be one hundred percent, but he's obviously an instrumental part
in the finals.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
MVP.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
But I agree with you. I mean, from Pritchard to
White to the white, who's the white boy that Shootskawseruser
is a notch down shooter. Yeah, Misoula gets the most
out of those guys. And to me, that's the one
team that is locked in last but not least calves
in the playing number one team in the Eastern Conference
all year, uh Donovan, Mitchell Garland Mobilely, this team is
(15:04):
deep and and I think they're ready to make a
run again. Who they play in the first round doesn't
really matter. What are your thoughts on this team? Obviously,
you and I both feel that the Celtics will come
out of the East. Do the Calves pose a threat
and we're looking obviously a little bit ahead because they
were probably playing the Eastern Conference finals?
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Do that? Do that?
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Do the Calves pose a threat to Boston?
Speaker 4 (15:25):
They absolutely oppose a threat to to everybody. Really, the Calves,
they're young, they're talented. Donovan Mitchell is proving proving himself
time and time again, in particular in the playoffs. If
you look at some of his averages in the playoffs,
like young fella.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Be ready during the playoff time.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
They got the defensive versatility, they're well coached, they like
playing with each other. They made some adjustments at the
deadline so they got better defensively. But yeah, they're they're
They're probably the biggest threat to the Celtics in the East.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
In my opinion.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Donovan Mitchell in the playoffs career number twenty eight, five
and five come on now and he's been in the
playoffs every year of his career, so that boys ready.
He knows come April it's time to go.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
And I really like the way Donovan adjusted his game
for Garland this year, Like this was a big mental
year for Garland and Donovan adjusted his game, and in
my opinion, he grew within his game because he plays
on the defensive end now and then he shows selflessness
by just saying, hey, you know what, DG.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
We need you, We need you to perform.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
So that when the playoffs do come around, we can
have that extra weapon.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
I think Donovan Mitchell, to your point, is one of
the most underappreciated superstars we have in this game. He's
done nothing but be great every stop. You know, only
two stops, but every single season in the playoffs. Numbers
are crazy in the playoffs. But I don't think he
gets enough, maybe because he's been just been in smaller markets,
you know, his whole career, the great State of Utah,
(16:58):
Max's favorite, and then obviously Cleveland, you know, not the
biggest Marcus, but definitely I definitely see the Calves in
the season, in the Eastern Conference finals, heading over to
the West where we do it the best. We'll start
off with the Lakers and the Wolves. This shit came
down to last night's game, and I was selfishly looking
forward to Golden State and the Lakers in the first round,
(17:21):
but possibly could get that in the second round. But
let's start with the Lakers. If I'm the Lakers, I'm
I'm happy with this draw that I've gotten. Although Anthony
Edwards led the league in three pointers this year, I
think he lets people off the hook a little too
much because he's shooting that thing so much. But obviously
the big void is losing Cap and Julia Randall hasn't
been able to really elevate the team like they thought
(17:42):
that trade would do. But what is your thought on
this first round matchup?
Speaker 2 (17:46):
I like the match up.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
I think it's box office right, anytime you have that
kind of talent on the court, you know. But I
believe that the Lakers are gonna take full advantage of
the youth of the Timberwolves. I don't think the Timberwolves
have enough offensive weapons. I think they've regressed offensively after
losing Cat. I don't think Julius say is like really like,
(18:07):
you know, stepped up in that way and felt that boy.
But one thing about Anthony Edwards, he loves the moment.
He loves the you know, the limelight. You know, the
lights will be on, you know. But I just think
that the Lakers will take full advantage of the Timberwolves.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
In this series.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
I agree, and I think the importance for the Lakers
to not play with their food. I think it's important
for them to finish every series as fast as possible
and get as much rest as possible for their guys,
obviously Lebron being the main person I'm thinking about, but
just overall, we know at this point everyone's no one's healthy,
everyone's banged up. So the more rest you can get,
the better series like this. You don't want this to
(18:44):
drag six or seven games. You know, you want to
get this Wolves team out of here in five, six
at the most. But I would want to say, you
want to get the Wolves out of here in five
and get some rest, So we'll see how that goes.
Second matchup, we're looking as the Rockets sitting in the
second seed. Congratulations to them, emy Udoka. He's got a
team full of dogs that have basically definitely taken on
(19:04):
his personality, young and hungry. This is gonna be a
fun team for many years to watch. Obviously crept up
into the second spot. They will face either the Warriors
or the Grizzlies. The Warriors are in the playing game
for the fourth time. They tip off tomorrow night. They're
zero to three in playing games, So the Warriors definitely
(19:24):
got the odds against them. That Harrison barn shot kind
of fucked them up, right, that Harrison Barnes in Golden State,
that crazy game winner, and it was in Jimmy's face,
in Jimmy's face to kind of put the Warriors in
the do or die situation. Obviously, last night, Kawhi and
motherfucking James Harden weren't playing, but a former Warrior could
possibly have the Warriors sitting at home if they don't
(19:47):
show up tomorrow night versus young hungry Grizzlies team.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
But for the.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Rockets to play either one of these teams, what are
your thoughts on this series?
Speaker 4 (19:55):
I personally don't want the Rockets to have to see
the Warriors. I think they've had such a fantastic season.
But the Warriors are so battle tested and they played
so well since getting Jimmy on the squad that I
would hate for them to have to run into those
boys in the first round.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
So I'm you know.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
But at the same time, Man Houston, Man, they they're
one of those teams I think that are built for
the future, but they.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
Don't have the experience right now.
Speaker 4 (20:24):
You know, if they was to run into the Warriors,
I think Houston would lose that series.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
I agree with you. I think this is you know,
they're they're on a similar trajectories. Okay, See, we've seen
OKC kind of tread water at the top of the
Western Conference the last few years, and everyone are they're
too young, they're to this, to that. Now they're here again,
and obviously we'll get to OKAYC and what they can do.
But I feel like the Rockets, to your point, are
built for the future. But they're here now, and I
(20:50):
agree seeing the Warriors would not be ideal for them
in the first round. So we will see who that
young team plays come tomorrow night. Next up, This is
going to be a very interesting series right here. One
teams won eight in a row, if I'm not mistaken,
the Clippers, and one eight in a row with Kawhi
Leonard on the court and being everything he was when
(21:13):
he was a two time Finals MVP versus the Nuggets,
and the Nuggets can either go two ways, unite team
wise through all the BS that's been going on, or
allow that to fracture that team. And before we get
into the matchup, what is going on over there with
young Kronky. Kronky's all right, do you went to school
with Cronky?
Speaker 2 (21:30):
Right? Yeah, yeah, I played with k Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
You played with Josh Atmazoo, right, I did so interesting
to me, And obviously you tell me your thoughts. Okay,
you want to fire Mike Malone and you want to
get Kavimbu. I mean, I have no issue with that,
but doing it right now, I mean, to me, that
was a very crazy left field move. If you want
to fire the due fire him after the playoffs. But
(21:53):
obviously they felt like you had to go now. But
what are your thoughts on that before we actually get
to the matchup of the Clippers.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Well, think about the Kronkys in that family. They have
a standard they do.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
They real good people, They stand up people, and like,
at the end of the day, if you're not speaking
head coaching GM, if you're not being professional in that setting,
your butting heads and things like that, I don't think
Josh was gonna let that linger, you know, And he
made a swift decision, a bold decision at that moment, right.
And then also, if they don't have plans for the
(22:24):
future for those guys to be brought back. You know,
they maybe they wanted to get out of the get
out of the race so they could get some new
younger talent as a coach, or maybe you know somebody
who else who's been fired. But Kromp don't play like that. Man,
He's he's a hooper red heart. Yeah, he's a hoop
of red heart. And so if they didn't, it wasn't
representing him in the way that he thought was right.
(22:45):
He made his decision.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Playing the Clippers will get them faster to that decision
they want to make, because they could be gone in
about ten days. So who do you have with the
Clippers and the Nuggets. One team is hot at the
right time, and one team has some bs at the top,
and we all know it all starts at the top.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
You know.
Speaker 4 (23:03):
Surprisingly, bro, I think the Clippers is the one team
that really matches up well with.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
The Nuggets.
Speaker 4 (23:12):
In the West. So for me, I think that Clippers
can get them. I personally think the Clippers can get them.
They've been playing well as a team. They have the
pedigree load management, I don't even want to call it
load management, the way that they've been able to manage
Kawhi and his body leading up into this moment has
been beautiful. It's been brilliant. They're well coached. I think
(23:35):
Van Gundy now is their defensive coordinator. You know, Norman
Powell has stepped up this year and brought an additional scoring.
James is facilitating and he's getting his hands on a
lot of balls defensively, and I think Zobak has the size,
who has the size down low to be able to
not stop Joker, but at least make it a little difficult.
I think the Clippers are a very dangerous team coming
(23:56):
out of the West. I think they're dangerous.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
You touched on them, and I'm glad you touched on them.
Is one of the most underrated players in the game.
I think he averaged what what did he average this
year seventeen and thirteen, And like you said, he won't
be he won't be able to stop Jokic, but he's
also going to make Jokic work on that defensive end.
Zu goes about his business. If I'm not mistaken, they
traded him for Mike Muskala and he's been doing his
(24:19):
thing ever since, just under the radar. But this year,
I think he's had a real breakout year. He could
definitely be in the conversation on no field B, but
he should be in the conversation of most improved player.
He just consistently got better every single year. And he's
one of those throwback guys where you can throw the
ball down low and he can get you a bucket too.
So seventeen and thirteen. But to all your points, we
know Tyler's one of the best coaches in the game.
(24:40):
We saw what James did last game, but particularly in overtime.
He took that shit over yesterday. And then obviously Kawhi
is the key. We know Kawhi is the key, and
if we get a healthy Kawhi Leonard this playoff series,
he's gonna piss everyone off because why can't we get
this all the time? But he if he hasn't, now
it's going to be at the right time. And I agree.
I feel like the Clippers one of those teams that's
(25:01):
kind of just floated under the radar of the entire season.
But I would not be surprised at all if this
is the team that represents the Western Conference in the finals.
The one person that's linked to the Nugget situation has
been Bob Myers, I don't know if I see Bob
going up to the cold to run that shit. I
think Bob is waiting for some something in sunny California
to pop off, and particularly down south, to pop off,
(25:23):
for him to slide in one of those situations. I
see Bob obviously he's got a good gig at ESPN
right now and got out at the right time with
the Warriors. I see Bob floating around that Los Angeles
Lakers franchise when the time is needed. I just kick
my feet up if I'm Bob and kind of wait
for that last but not least The Thunder will be
(25:44):
the number one seed in the Western Conference, so you know,
obviously we know all the playing teams and all the
possibilities with the Thunder. I don't really see maybe the
Warriors possibly given them because of the experience, but I
think they may be too young and up and down
for the Warriors myself. But do you see anybody do
(26:07):
you see Oklahoma City coming out of the Western Conference.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
I think it's their time, you know.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
I think they've they've heard all the noise about people
saying they don't have enough experience, they aren't tough enough,
all the all these negative things, you know, in regards
to how they play as a team.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
But I think this is their year to take that step.
Speaker 4 (26:27):
I think it's gonna I think we're gonna see the
Celtics and okay, see in the finals.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
All right.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
So my question, my rebuttal not really rebutal. My questions
of that is who is Oklahoma City's second guy that
will be twenty points a game in the playoffs. They've
done it by committee all year. Who will be their
consistent second guy as a check is a Jalen? Who
is going to be their second guy that you have
to have in the playoffs that is a twenty point
a game a night score.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
I think it's Jalen.
Speaker 4 (26:55):
I think he's a guy who can do it on
both ends of the floor. I think he has the talent.
I think he has the greed. I think he's a
young player eager to prove himself right, and I just
think it's his moment now. I think he's gonna embrace
this like, no, y'all, y'all not gonna point the finger
at me. I'm gonna show y'all that I'm worded.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
I love it. I love it. I'm with you. I
feel like this can be the year that Oklahoma City
has hurt all the rumblings and they paid their dues
and did what they need to do to represent the
Western Conference. This also could be the last year that
someone upsets them and moving forward will be their time.
So it's gonna be interesting to see. I'm really excited
about this playoff. I think there's been a lot of
complaining about the whole season and what should and shouldn't happen,
(27:35):
and this is born, then ratings are down. This is
gonna be a dope ass playoffs. There's a lot of
intriguing matchups. Obviously, the playing is super entertaining. I've always
been a fan of the playing because those games are
such high level. But I'm really excited to get these
twenty twenty five playoffs started with the playoffs here, the
producers put some questions together for us, so I want
(27:57):
to shoot them to you which player player or player
is the most important to their team's success this playoffs.
Here's a couple, guys, I'm gonna throw at you. Kawhi
Leonard last two months averaging twenty five points, seven rebounds,
two steals per game on fifty forty three and eighty
from the strike score thirty three and seven and three
(28:18):
steals against the Warriors on Sunday to seal the Warriors
into the playoffs. Cat Bridges and og you know the Knicks,
we talk about their depth and the new pieces they've received,
got you know, got a gotta target on their back
check and j Dupp who's gonna step up? And we
just talked about who's going to be the second score?
Anybody come to mind with you?
Speaker 4 (28:39):
I would say the young guys from Oklahoma City, Right,
it's really what they do that's gonna determine if Oklahoma
City can get to that conference final.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
In my opinion, Like Kawhi is Kawhi.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
We know what he brings when he's healthy, so that's
not necessarily a surprise there. But like if those young guys,
you don't know, because they improve it, if they can
go out and prove themselves, improve their value, they give
Oklahoma City a great opportunity to get to the Western
Conference Final.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
I'm gonna go on the other side. My pick to
win it all. I think it's Porzingis and Jayalen Brown.
Can they be healthy enough to be right there with
Tatum And I think Tatum's on some redemption shit. He's
quietly had another great probably first team All NBA type year,
was fucked up. Was fucked over last summer with the Olympics,
So that's definitely on his shoulder. Uh, you know, was
(29:27):
snubbed for Finals MVP, so that's definitely on his shoulder.
So I know Tatum's mind is locked in well, Jalen
Brown's health in Porzingis's health allow them to be you
know that that that that big three duo that I
feel like they need to repeat. Young breakout stars last
year was Anthony Edwards. Who do you see as a
(29:48):
young breakout stars? Is it Williams over and okc or Chet,
Is it Amen Thompson, Is it Jalen Green, Kde Cunningham Mobiley.
I mean, there's a ton of young stars that are
you know, really gonna at their teeth this year in
the playoffs, does anyone jump out to you as someone
who is going to steal the shine?
Speaker 3 (30:05):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (30:06):
I think Amon Thompson down in Houston. I think he's
so dynamic on both ends.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Of the floor. He's a freak of nature athletically and
in the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
I think his game is kind of built for the physicality,
so I think he's going to have a breakout, you know,
playoff performance. And he's from Fort Lauderdale at the end
of the day, so I'm staying with the home team.
Speaker 1 (30:28):
Wait is he I thought he's from there. I thought
the Twins are from the Bay.
Speaker 2 (30:31):
Well, they went to high school in Fort Lauderdale.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
Team I don't even know who I want. I mean,
obviously I'm a big fan of the Twins because I
got twins.
Speaker 3 (30:38):
I love Kate.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
I just don't think they're gonna get out the first round.
Obviously going to be someone who has to go a
couple of different rounds, so you're gonna be able to
see that. So Thompson could be mobiley. But whoever it is,
I'm really excited for this year's playoffs.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
Kd.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
Thank you for joining me, Bro and we.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
Will talk to you.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
So you look at you you look you look good
today too. If no one tells you, I'm gonna tell you.
Want to welcome in one of my former classmates, the
head coach of the UCLA football program, Deshaun foster Man.
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (31:08):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
I know you came straight from practice today. Announcement We've
teamed up with you guys for your Friday Night Lights
that'll be taking place Friday the eighteenth. Doors open at
five thirty, practice starts at seven. You pitched us an
idea of Rutger Park for football. This will be your
(31:29):
second time doing it, if I'm not mistaken. Right second,
you guys did it last year? How did how did
last year go? And how are you hoping this year goes?
Speaker 3 (31:36):
Last year went great? It went so it was it
was so big and way bigger than we anticipate. That's
why we had to move it to the Drake Stadium,
So moved to Drake. We love just how the fans
came out and the way they were on the field
and just like Rutger you know you right, you can
feel it and that's what I was trying. Now.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
Yeah, but you got some I mean you got three
one oh baby coming out. You got what's what's what's
the what's the oldude's name that's gonna MC? What's his name?
Fit will be MC? And what made you? I love
the move? First of all, I mean, I've always been
a huge advocate of UCLA, but I've also been frustrated
from a standpoint that we always go out and get
(32:16):
outside people when we have a plenty of people that
have been in our ecosystem that have put the work in,
that are talented enough to take a position such as yours.
What did it mean for you to be able to
come back to somewhere you grew up wanting to go
at a successful career at UCLA, went on to play pro,
and now you're back as the head coach of UCLA football.
What does that mean to you and your family?
Speaker 3 (32:35):
I mean a lot. You know, you really can't put
it in the words just because you're not sure if
it's obtainable or what's going on. But UCLA is doing
a good job. Now are finally, like you said, hiring
from inside m H. And you know other sports are
doing that and hopefully we can just continue to do that.
But as long as I can continue to be successful,
I think that there the trend to keep going.
Speaker 1 (32:56):
I think you set the tone. You know, we had
this conversation. I think there's a lot not added pressure,
but outside because again you're kind of the first homegrown
higher for a major sports program we've had, Martin. We
got some other situations coming up soon. This is just
me talking to you I got some people that know,
some people that owe some people. We need to have lunch, man,
we need to sit down and talk. But you know,
(33:18):
I was super excited when they announced you. You know,
obviously text I couldn't make the press conference, but again,
just excited. We came in UC that ninety eight together.
I saw you put your work in on the field
and then just a full circle moment to see you
the head coach and the energy that you bring in,
the passion you bring and I think now coaching and
correct me if I'm wrong. Obviously X and o's will
(33:38):
always be important, but you relate to these kids.
Speaker 3 (33:40):
That's the number one thing right now. You got to
be able to relate to these kids because the portal
is something that's every year, and it's twice a year,
you know what I mean. So if you can't relate
to these kids and get them to want to come
back or buy in or really be in your program
to develop them, then you're in this business.
Speaker 1 (33:55):
So what is your thoughts? I mean, obviously recruiting isn't
the way we're recruited obviously changes the whole dynamic. And
then the portal. You hear college coaches, you know, Hall
of Fame. College coaches like, hey, we're not really looking
at excuse me, for basketball, We're not really looking at
high schoolkids. Don't feel high school kids can help us.
We're going to jump in the portal. Do you guys
have a philosophy or a balance on how you approach
the portal?
Speaker 3 (34:15):
And nil, Yeah, we do. You have to. We're bringing
in twenty twenty twenty eight kids per class a little bit,
so it's kind of depending on what your holes are
or where they're at. But if we recruit a high
school kid, we think he's a draft pick, he has
potential to make it to the NFL. If he lets
us develop him, then we have that chance. And then
the portal guy's those free agents. You know, you got
(34:37):
to get in there and get a couple guys because
some seniors might leave. People leave early, and you got
to plug some holes and fill them early. But you know,
right now, just with the landscape of the business, you know,
I enjoyed. I want these kids to get paid. You know,
we were the number one recruiting class football and basketball
when we came in, so we understand the value of
the school. As long as I can still keep pumping
(34:58):
the school and they understand what you get with coming
with UCLA.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
There's a kid out there, Nico. I don't want to
butcher his last name, but he goes to Tennessee. I
heard he left Tennessee. I know he's from so Cal.
I know you may not be able to talk about
recruits and names, but every time I've seen anybody post
on Nico, I've been put in UCLA football.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
You might as well.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
You might as well come on home, man, bring he bring,
bring your brother with you, bring pops, you know, bring
the whole family.
Speaker 5 (35:25):
Man.
Speaker 1 (35:25):
It's Westwood is a beautiful place, man with a lot
of perks, and we'll take care of you. This is
me talking, by the way. I won't get nobody in
trouble on set, but this is me talking. Your journey
from done playing to running back coach over at Texas Tech.
Come back home and you're a running back coach for
UCLA too, And then when that phone rang to be
(35:48):
the head coach of the Bruins, talk to us about
your journey post career. Because a lot of us are
a lot of players basketball, football, whatever. It may be
kind of struggle when our careers are done and you
been able to transition into coaching has been your journey,
and your journey has brought you back home. But what
is that journey like when you were done playing? And
how long did it kind of take you to kind
(36:08):
of get your mojo back and find what's going to
be your second act post NFL.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
I came back to school just to finish my degree.
So I wanted to finish my degree. I did that,
and so I came back in twenty twelve. I finished
playing in nine and those last couple of years or so,
twenty ten, eleven twelve, I was kind of just going
to see the homies play whoever was still playing, going
traveling the games and enjoying that. And then you know,
you do promise your mom is you will finish college.
(36:34):
So I had to go back and do that. And
as I was coming back, I was going to be
on campus every day. Bobby Fields, the coach that recruited
me to come to UCLA, was the ad over football,
and he was like, if you're gonna be on campus
every day, come by. I was like, okay. And I
still didn't know if I wanted to coach at that time.
You know, I knew I might have wanted to be
around football, but coaching those hours is different. It's a lot.
It's a lot. So we did that twenty twelve thirteen,
(36:56):
I was an undergrad coach. Twenty fourteen, I was a
GA so my master's for a season. That next year
twenty fifteen, I became a player development at UCLA. Then
the twenty sixteen I got the running back job at
Texas Tech and I was mahomes last season. So that's
why I what was he like?
Speaker 1 (37:11):
What was he like in college? Just like he is
with the Chiefs?
Speaker 3 (37:15):
Exactly cold. It's just that you don't know if he
can continue to play at the tyrans on the next level.
Is it going to translate to the pros? And you
do it all over again. I know those all those
teams would go back and draft Pas because of all
those quarterback they took perform, no questions.
Speaker 1 (37:30):
Big ten life. I mean we grew up Pac ten
and it transitioned into Pac twelve. But now Big ten.
I mean, the travel schedule is probably outrageous, But what
is I mean, obviously this was a football move for
our school stuff, So what is that? What is that like?
I mean, obviously you're playing some of the biggest names
in college football. You know, you guys five and seven,
you guys had a very solid first season, fortant for
(37:52):
obviously for a first year head coach, but then transitioning
into one of the most powerful football conferences in the country.
Speaker 3 (37:57):
Most definitely as a competitor.
Speaker 1 (37:59):
I was.
Speaker 3 (37:59):
I was disappoint with our record, but you know, it
was a new conference, new travel, new stadiums, a lot
of new stuff that a lot of our players haven't
been involved in before. So it was a it was
a different It was a lot of change. But you know,
if you want to be great, you want to play
these big time games. You want to play, if you
want to win end of the season awards and all
of that stuff, you got to play these teams and
(38:20):
you got to be in these type of conferences. So
I'm looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (38:23):
Was there any stadium you as kind of the player
in you that you guys went to this year because
you we didn't get the good chance to go to
those kinds of stadiums we're in the pact. Any of
those things, you're like, God, damn, this is dope.
Speaker 3 (38:34):
There was one in conference in one out of conference
was in state. State got out there. Yeah, we didn't.
I was kind of hoping it was a white out,
but we didn't get that base. It was still live
and then LSU. But I played at LSU during Katrina. Okay,
you know what I'm saying. So we played the Saints
inside it, but it was different. It wasn't rocking the
way it was this past season.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
Best part about being the U C. L a Half
football coach.
Speaker 3 (38:57):
Best part is just being back at home. You know,
I'm at a university that I can speak for. I'm
a walking blueprint on what this school can do for you,
and I just try to make sure that my players
understand that. And you know, as long as you're listening
to me and following what our coaching staff can do,
we can get you to your talk.
Speaker 1 (39:10):
Best of luck, new baby. Recently, how has that been?
Is wife you holding? You getting any sleep? How's that going?
Speaker 3 (39:16):
I'm leaving the house at four o'clock.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
I see you guys out on the stairs, still dark.
At first I looked at the thing, I'm like, heyay,
this's motherfucker's dedicated. He's running stairs when it's dark. And
then I looked at the time, like, oh shit, this
was three hours. This is my fucker's running stairs at
four in the morning, five in the morning. Grind, don't stop.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
But I just try to make sure that if the
players can see me doing this, man, you got to
see it to believe exactly. That's all it is.
Speaker 1 (39:34):
Well, congratulations, man, I wish you the best of luck.
I'm happy that we're obviously partnering for Friday and night Lights,
but obviously a bigger partnerships are in conversation and Nico
be waiting on you, bro, come fuck with us. Appreciate you. Yeah,
make sure you guys go check out the latest episode
of Art of War with my brother andre Ward with
(39:55):
his latest guest, Lamont Roach. Here's a clip. Take a look.
Speaker 3 (39:59):
What was your read on your Vonte going into the
fight him personally?
Speaker 5 (40:02):
I think he doubt hisself. Hell of a talent, hell
of a puncher, super super super good accuracy. I think
that's what leads to the most of his knockouts, honestly.
But he doubt his helf and he been doing that
since a kid. Some you know, that's just something I know.
(40:25):
So that played the that played a little a little
bit into the into the fight. I think when especially
when there's not a lot of animosity, cause you gotta
think a lot of people he fought, they just have
differences so that they be into it or whatever the
case may be. I don't got no problem with him,
and he don't got no problem with me. So I
think he was trying to find something to boost his
(40:49):
morale or get him going, or whatever the case may be.
And he tried to, like like the betting me that
he gonna knock me out and stuff like that. That
they didn't go too too well for him.
Speaker 3 (41:00):
Did y'all bet? Oh? We bet?
Speaker 5 (41:01):
And we sugar on it.
Speaker 3 (41:02):
He changed his number? Got that chip? Hey? Got that?
Speaker 2 (41:10):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (41:10):
Got that chip? He changes number slim yeah.
Speaker 2 (41:14):
Hm.
Speaker 5 (41:16):
So you know, but that'd be a conversation for another day.
Speaker 1 (41:21):
That's a wrap for this week's show. You can catch
this episode on All the Smoke Productions YouTube and the
DraftKings Network. We'll see y'all next week.
Welcome back to another episode of Unplugged, brought to you
by DraftKings. The Phoenix Suns Hath fired coach Bud one
and done. Thirty six and forty six was his record
one season, but this has kind of been a common
thing since Matt Ishbia has taken over the Phoenix Suns.
He's had three coaches and his three years here, starting
(00:21):
with Money Williams forty five and thirty seven. The year
before that he won Coach of the Year and they
went to the finals. He was fired. Frank Vogel fell
victim after that, forty nine and thirty three. After one
season he was fired, and now Bud. Probably the only
one on this list that deserves to be fired is
thirty six and forty seven, and he's out. Obviously, we
(00:44):
know that the Phoenix Suns went to the finals in
twenty twenty one. CP three was in the mix for
three years and I think everyone thought this was a
very promising situation for them. Isba came on board in
twenty twenty three, fired Money Williams, fired Big Vogel, and
now fired Bud. The news has came out this morning
that the Sons will work with Kevin Durant on a
(01:07):
new trade destination. And I think that probably comes out
a little bit out of left field, because let's back
up a little bit. Bradley Beal, who I'm a big
fan of, Dad, Mark Bartlestein.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah, his agent, So Beal's agent is Mark Bartelstein.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Yeah. And then Mark Bartlestein's son, Josh, is the CEO of.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Yes, sir, So there was some inside you guys heard that.
So Marcus Beal's agent, Mark's son is the CEO of
the Sons, So there was some insider trading going on
with that team, and we all know that. Obviously, the
Beial experiment has not worked out. The team has been bad.
He hasn't been very good. I think he's averaged seventeen
and four over his two years with the Sons, played
(01:47):
no more than fifty three games each season, so he's
damn near making a million dollars a game. And to
his credit, he activated his no trade clause with this team.
So I think that clogged up the pop pipeline at
the trade deadline. And since that was clogged up, they
threw Kevin's name in there at a left field and obviously,
as it should, it kind of raised Katie's eyebrows, and
(02:09):
now they're on the verge of losing. Obviously Kevin Durant
this offseason. Another thing to keep in mind, Brad, Jimmy
Butler was very adamant about wanting to become a Phoenix
son and the one person that had from the Sun's
side that had to be in that trade was Beal,
and Bill exercised his no trade clause and completely plugged
(02:31):
up and clogged up and and fucked up that deal. Now,
if you look at what Jimmy Butler has done with
Golden State, injected new life into them and has them
in a playing situation, one just wonders what could have
happened if Jimmy Butler was able to go to the
Phoenix Suns. Very interesting and I just think you know,
of late this last month, I've really been talking about
(02:53):
new owners coming in and not necessarily understanding that this
is not fantasy basketball. Although it is your team, you
are free to do what you want. A lot of
these new owners are making mistakes. One owner partnership I
wanted to shout out was the new Boston Celtics situation
where a group came in paid a lot of money
for the team, but keeping with Grossbeck in charge of
(03:16):
things for three years, so almost a transitioning program for
the new ownership and allowing the old ownership to kind
of show them the lay of the land, because the
last thing they want to do is mess up the
property or the product on the court. And I think
the Celtics have done it the right way. You look
at Dallas and see what they've done. You look at
Phoenix and see what they've done. And we've always talked
about winning start at the top, So I think the
(03:39):
NBA needs to kind of really watch out for these
new owners and making sure they have the right mindset
and spirit and integrity it takes to run one of
these franchises, because we've seen two franchises with promising just
Dallas was in the finals last year and Phoenix in
the finals four years ago. New owners come in and
kind of completely tear down what was built before. Now
(04:00):
we want to welcome in my brother ke On Dueling
to talk about Phoenix. Kde Welcome to the show man, Bud,
it is gone. What are your thoughts?
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Wow?
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Man, I mean, what is that three coaches in the
last three years something like that?
Speaker 1 (04:13):
A coach per year since Ishbia has been here. Not
to cut you off. Every year there's been a new
coach since the owner's been here.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Yeah, man, it's obviously you know, something isn't isn't clicking
right because they're not able to you know, not only
get their talent, retain their talent. There's no continuity you
bringing in new programs every year.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
I don't like it. Something is going on in Phoenix
and it just doesn't feel good to me.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
I always felt like on paper, you see the names
this team's had, from Chris Paul to obviously Devin Booker's
been the constant, Kevin Durant the latest. I always felt
like they were a very top heavy team. I compared
them to a team that only lifts upper body and
their legs are super skinny. Because I said, they always
had super you know, they had the best of the
best up top, but they never had depth because they
(04:58):
poured so much money into those guys. One thing too, obviously,
with the trend of late is being owners kind of
coming in and being a little bit over their head.
I don't know a ton about Eshbo obviously, you know,
walked on to Michigan State. But one thing I do
know is he hired Bartlestein, who was an assistant GM
over in Detroit, who is the son of Mike Bartelstein,
(05:20):
who is Beal's agent. So there's some home cooking. There
was some home cooking with that deal that brought Field
to Phoenix. That's pretty much fucked everything up. And this
is not shitting on Bill. I think Bal's been a
tremendous player throughout his career, but his time in Phoenix
he's at like seventeen and four. You know, he was
a twenty five point plus per game score. He's making
(05:42):
a ton of money, has it. He's played fifty three
games in his first two seasons in Phoenix, so pretty
much he's getting a million dollars per game. We know
that he was the one that didn't want to move
his no trade clause, which somehow Phoenix management thought he'd
be a good idea. Well, shit, if he's not going
to move his trade clause, let's se we can get
with Kevin Durant without asking Kevin Durant. And then now
(06:03):
you see reports this morning that Phoenix is gonna work
with Kevin Durant to find him a new home. So
I don't care how good your team is on paper
in the locker room, KD. We all know that shit
starts up top and it it's a trickle down effect.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
Yeah, man, it's it's unfortunate, you know, because at the
end of the day, like this hurts Kevin Durant's legacy somewhat,
right because like, at the end of the day, if KD,
you know, doesn't doesn't get those championships in Golden State, right,
which they say he wasn't the leader on even though
he was the best player on that team. This was
an opportunity for him to go out band together, have
(06:37):
his own program, and it's just it's a failed experiment.
So I don't like it for KD, but I'm glad
they'll work with them to get him placed in the
right new situation.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Kevin Durant was the best player on that team and
I was there one year. Kevin Durant was the best
player on that motherfucking team. It was Steph's team, there's
no question about it. And Draymond was the leader. But
Kevin Durant was the best player on that team. But
since we're on the Kevin Durant topic, before we go
to the next do where do we see him landing.
Do we see back to Golden State? Do we see
him to the Knicks? Do we see him to Houston?
(07:06):
Do we see him do we see you know, we
know Okac has a ton of things that they can
throw his way or a team's way to grab him. Ideally,
this is probably gonna be, hopefully be his last move.
Katie has maybe two three more years at best under
his belt. Where do you think a good fit for
Kevin would be? If this comes to fruition, then he
ends up leaving Phoenix anywhere.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Kevin Durant Gos is a good fit in my opinion.
He's just that good of a player.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Yeah, not just on the offensive end, but defensively, right.
KD is KD at the end of the day. He's
a hooper to the core. He loves this shit. He
loves it. I think it's the two sleeper locations, right.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
If he doesn't go to like one of the big
contenders like I would have I would, I would think
Miami would try and make a move for him and
get a superstar down here at some point. Pat Riley
always tries to you know, maneuver and make his moves,
especially on the cusp of Jimmy kind of go in
a different direction.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
And then don't be surprised if.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Like you know, the Wizards get the number one pick,
they get Cooper Flag. Maybe KD goes back home. That's
a sleeper that might happen as well. So I'm not
sure where he'll go. I just want him to go
somewhere where he can just hoop, you know, and build
on his legacy.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
I think one thing that's rare about him being one
of those superstars, and obviously we live in the era
where superstars move. He seems to be the only superstar
that moves and fits in seamlessly wherever he goes, because
like you said, all he does is hoop. He don't
cause no problems. He goes out there and plays basketball
every day. He's healthy, and he plays it at a
very high level on both ends. So wherever he ends
(08:39):
up landing selfishly, I love to see him make a
run for Golden State. He's thirty seven, he's got one
million left on his deal. At fifty four million, you'll
probably look forward two to three year extension to ride
off into the sunset. Man, So we wish KD the
best of luck playoffs are here, Man, best time of
the year. The Eastern Conference playoffs picture as as such,
(09:01):
Bucks versus the Pacers, Nicks versus the Pistons. Celtics will
either play the Magic or the Hawks, and the Calves
will play whoever becomes the A seed. Obviously they're sitting
at the top of the East. Let's start with Bucks
and Pacers real quick. What do you like and don't
like about this series?
Speaker 4 (09:20):
Well, I don't like that Dame, you know, may not
be available right I think they had injuries last year.
The Pacers are a team that beat them and put
them out of the playoffs last year. They are dangerous,
you know, especially like with a man down, especially somebody
is influential and impact with his Dame. We could be
seeing Yannis, you know, for the last time.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
And don't say that. I don't say that.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
If they get knocked out the first round. I can
see Yanni's trying to get to a bigger market.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
Definitely not mad at that. There's been whispers in the past.
The reports are that at some point this series Dame
will play thanks to our brother Sham. But if Dame
isn't Dame, him just being on the court is not
enough for this team to advance, and I think we
know that, you know, we've kind of seen since then
winning a championship, this team has not really taken any
steps forward. They've moved role players that they thought they
(10:14):
can get around with. Similar to Denver, I think sometimes
people get fucked up obviously knowing that the stars make
the world go round, but role players are so instrumental
in championship runs. And you look at the PJ. Tuckers
and the Portoises and the guys they had during those
runs that they let go, similar to what Denver did,
you know when they let their Jeff Green and Bruce
(10:35):
Brown and all those role players go there instrumental and
they haven't been able to find that chemistry since. So
I'm definitely not mad at what you said. This could
be the last time we see Yannis wearing that nasty green.
We will have to pay attention. Giannis has three years
left on his deal in a player option for twenty
twenty seven twenty eight season. That's sixty three million, So
(10:57):
that'll definitely be an interesting series is to play close
attention to are we seeing the end of an era?
With Giannis next up? This is one of my favorite
first round matchups. Nicks versus the Pistons. Obviously, Nicks shout
out to Tibbs back to back, first back to back
fifty win seasons since pat Riley did it way back
(11:18):
in the day when we are teenagers. The Pistons, I
want to salute this team man, the way they've been
quietly being able to build a solid, young, versatile roster.
And who's over there coaching. He got the act somewhere.
He didn't even deserve to get the ash from Cleveland, right, Yeah,
fix that completely changed the mentality of that organization round
along with the players. But this is going to be
(11:39):
an interesting matchup, KD. You know Brunson's been struggling with injury.
He's getting back, but we all know the Knicks core
guys are at the top of the league in minutes,
and that fifty win means nothing if you can't do
nothing in the playoff because you're too tired. So what
are your thoughts on this first round matchup?
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Very interesting matchup.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
I think Detroit has such a young team, They're talented,
they're hungry act they know that they.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Belong now right.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
They have really developed that program they embody Coach Bickerstaff
and his personality, cad is taking his game.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
To another level. They got a lot of defensive versatility.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
But I think the Knicks has too much experience to
be outsted in the first round. Tivs is a you know,
he's battle tested, especially you know, in the first round
of the playoffs. I think Kat brings a different dimension,
you know, playoff cat.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
You know, I think big Bodega in New York.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
I think he'll have his energy, and yeah, I think
the Knicks will take care of business against the Pistons.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
I definitely agree. I think this is going to be
a good opportunity for the Pistons to touch the playoffs.
They haven't been there in a while. Good young team
with the Thompson Twins and Cade and all those pieces
they have over there. But I agree, I think the
Knicks do have the depth. I just want to see
how long this depth can last. But you know, whether
they have three guys or four guys in the top
twenty five, guys in the top ten in minutes and
(13:02):
five in the top twenty five, so they're starting five
has played the majority of the season. Although I respect
that and hats off, we all know, man, when it
comes to playoff times, you need them legs agree.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
You know what.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
But the thing about it is those guys have been
playing that those type of minutes the whole year, and
like you can't save them in the playoffs. You get
days in between, so you get a chance to recover. Obviously,
Tibbs plays his guys right, but you know, it's just
a part of TIBs philosophy.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
That'll be interesting to see though, because again, if this team,
I mean, I don't see him losing in the first round,
but it's going to be an interesting second round matchup.
I mean, does that style does that kind of wear
and tear on your core? If you're an owner or
GM or you know, are you looking at that as like, Okay,
we're winning during the regular season, but we have nothing
in the gas tank when it comes to playoffs. So
(13:52):
that'll be something interesting to pay attention to. Celtics, who
are my pick to win it as long as they're healthy.
We'll either see them Magic or the Hawks. If you're
the Celtics, do you prefer one of those two? Would
you rather stay away from one? What are your thoughts
on that?
Speaker 4 (14:06):
I would rather see the Hawks the Magic personally, but
it doesn't matter who the Celtic C.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
I think they're gonna repeat this year.
Speaker 4 (14:14):
I think they're just that good, They're that talented, they
can play a wide range of styles, and so I
don't I don't really care who the Celtic ceed.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
I think they're gonna handle their business.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
I agree, and I really like they've been they've been
kind of slow walking. Porzingis the whole season because he
was in and out a little bit last year when
it met the most. And then obviously Jayalen Brown won't
be one hundred percent, but he's obviously an instrumental part
in the finals.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
MVP.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
But I agree with you. I mean, from Pritchard to
White to the white, who's the white boy that Shootskawseruser
is a notch down shooter. Yeah, Misoula gets the most
out of those guys. And to me, that's the one
team that is locked in last but not least calves
in the playing number one team in the Eastern Conference
all year, uh Donovan, Mitchell Garland Mobilely, this team is
(15:04):
deep and and I think they're ready to make a
run again. Who they play in the first round doesn't
really matter. What are your thoughts on this team? Obviously,
you and I both feel that the Celtics will come
out of the East. Do the Calves pose a threat
and we're looking obviously a little bit ahead because they
were probably playing the Eastern Conference finals?
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Do that? Do that?
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Do the Calves pose a threat to Boston?
Speaker 4 (15:25):
They absolutely oppose a threat to to everybody. Really, the Calves,
they're young, they're talented. Donovan Mitchell is proving proving himself
time and time again, in particular in the playoffs. If
you look at some of his averages in the playoffs,
like young fella.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Be ready during the playoff time.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
They got the defensive versatility, they're well coached, they like
playing with each other. They made some adjustments at the
deadline so they got better defensively. But yeah, they're they're
They're probably the biggest threat to the Celtics in the East.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
In my opinion.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Donovan Mitchell in the playoffs career number twenty eight, five
and five come on now and he's been in the
playoffs every year of his career, so that boys ready.
He knows come April it's time to go.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
And I really like the way Donovan adjusted his game
for Garland this year, Like this was a big mental
year for Garland and Donovan adjusted his game, and in
my opinion, he grew within his game because he plays
on the defensive end now and then he shows selflessness
by just saying, hey, you know what, DG.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
We need you, We need you to perform.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
So that when the playoffs do come around, we can
have that extra weapon.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
I think Donovan Mitchell, to your point, is one of
the most underappreciated superstars we have in this game. He's
done nothing but be great every stop. You know, only
two stops, but every single season in the playoffs. Numbers
are crazy in the playoffs. But I don't think he
gets enough, maybe because he's been just been in smaller markets,
you know, his whole career, the great State of Utah,
(16:58):
Max's favorite, and then obviously Cleveland, you know, not the
biggest Marcus, but definitely I definitely see the Calves in
the season, in the Eastern Conference finals, heading over to
the West where we do it the best. We'll start
off with the Lakers and the Wolves. This shit came
down to last night's game, and I was selfishly looking
forward to Golden State and the Lakers in the first round,
(17:21):
but possibly could get that in the second round. But
let's start with the Lakers. If I'm the Lakers, I'm
I'm happy with this draw that I've gotten. Although Anthony
Edwards led the league in three pointers this year, I
think he lets people off the hook a little too
much because he's shooting that thing so much. But obviously
the big void is losing Cap and Julia Randall hasn't
been able to really elevate the team like they thought
(17:42):
that trade would do. But what is your thought on
this first round matchup?
Speaker 2 (17:46):
I like the match up.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
I think it's box office right, anytime you have that
kind of talent on the court, you know. But I
believe that the Lakers are gonna take full advantage of
the youth of the Timberwolves. I don't think the Timberwolves
have enough offensive weapons. I think they've regressed offensively after
losing Cat. I don't think Julius say is like really like,
(18:07):
you know, stepped up in that way and felt that boy.
But one thing about Anthony Edwards, he loves the moment.
He loves the you know, the limelight. You know, the
lights will be on, you know. But I just think
that the Lakers will take full advantage of the Timberwolves.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
In this series.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
I agree, and I think the importance for the Lakers
to not play with their food. I think it's important
for them to finish every series as fast as possible
and get as much rest as possible for their guys,
obviously Lebron being the main person I'm thinking about, but
just overall, we know at this point everyone's no one's healthy,
everyone's banged up. So the more rest you can get,
the better series like this. You don't want this to
(18:44):
drag six or seven games. You know, you want to
get this Wolves team out of here in five, six
at the most. But I would want to say, you
want to get the Wolves out of here in five
and get some rest, So we'll see how that goes.
Second matchup, we're looking as the Rockets sitting in the
second seed. Congratulations to them, emy Udoka. He's got a
team full of dogs that have basically definitely taken on
(19:04):
his personality, young and hungry. This is gonna be a
fun team for many years to watch. Obviously crept up
into the second spot. They will face either the Warriors
or the Grizzlies. The Warriors are in the playing game
for the fourth time. They tip off tomorrow night. They're
zero to three in playing games, So the Warriors definitely
(19:24):
got the odds against them. That Harrison barn shot kind
of fucked them up, right, that Harrison Barnes in Golden State,
that crazy game winner, and it was in Jimmy's face,
in Jimmy's face to kind of put the Warriors in
the do or die situation. Obviously, last night, Kawhi and
motherfucking James Harden weren't playing, but a former Warrior could
possibly have the Warriors sitting at home if they don't
(19:47):
show up tomorrow night versus young hungry Grizzlies team.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
But for the.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
Rockets to play either one of these teams, what are
your thoughts on this series?
Speaker 4 (19:55):
I personally don't want the Rockets to have to see
the Warriors. I think they've had such a fantastic season.
But the Warriors are so battle tested and they played
so well since getting Jimmy on the squad that I
would hate for them to have to run into those
boys in the first round.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
So I'm you know.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
But at the same time, Man Houston, Man, they they're
one of those teams I think that are built for
the future, but they.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
Don't have the experience right now.
Speaker 4 (20:24):
You know, if they was to run into the Warriors,
I think Houston would lose that series.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
I agree with you. I think this is you know,
they're they're on a similar trajectories. Okay, See, we've seen
OKC kind of tread water at the top of the
Western Conference the last few years, and everyone are they're
too young, they're to this, to that. Now they're here again,
and obviously we'll get to OKAYC and what they can do.
But I feel like the Rockets, to your point, are
built for the future. But they're here now, and I
(20:50):
agree seeing the Warriors would not be ideal for them
in the first round. So we will see who that
young team plays come tomorrow night. Next up, This is
going to be a very interesting series right here. One
teams won eight in a row, if I'm not mistaken,
the Clippers, and one eight in a row with Kawhi
Leonard on the court and being everything he was when
(21:13):
he was a two time Finals MVP versus the Nuggets,
and the Nuggets can either go two ways, unite team
wise through all the BS that's been going on, or
allow that to fracture that team. And before we get
into the matchup, what is going on over there with
young Kronky. Kronky's all right, do you went to school
with Cronky?
Speaker 2 (21:30):
Right? Yeah, yeah, I played with k Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
You played with Josh Atmazoo, right, I did so interesting
to me, And obviously you tell me your thoughts. Okay,
you want to fire Mike Malone and you want to
get Kavimbu. I mean, I have no issue with that,
but doing it right now, I mean, to me, that
was a very crazy left field move. If you want
to fire the due fire him after the playoffs. But
(21:53):
obviously they felt like you had to go now. But
what are your thoughts on that before we actually get
to the matchup of the Clippers.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Well, think about the Kronkys in that family. They have
a standard they do.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
They real good people, They stand up people, and like,
at the end of the day, if you're not speaking
head coaching GM, if you're not being professional in that setting,
your butting heads and things like that, I don't think
Josh was gonna let that linger, you know, And he
made a swift decision, a bold decision at that moment, right.
And then also, if they don't have plans for the
(22:24):
future for those guys to be brought back. You know,
they maybe they wanted to get out of the get
out of the race so they could get some new
younger talent as a coach, or maybe you know somebody
who else who's been fired. But Kromp don't play like that. Man,
He's he's a hooper red heart. Yeah, he's a hoop
of red heart. And so if they didn't, it wasn't
representing him in the way that he thought was right.
(22:45):
He made his decision.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Playing the Clippers will get them faster to that decision
they want to make, because they could be gone in
about ten days. So who do you have with the
Clippers and the Nuggets. One team is hot at the
right time, and one team has some bs at the top,
and we all know it all starts at the top.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
You know.
Speaker 4 (23:03):
Surprisingly, bro, I think the Clippers is the one team
that really matches up well with.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
The Nuggets.
Speaker 4 (23:12):
In the West. So for me, I think that Clippers
can get them. I personally think the Clippers can get them.
They've been playing well as a team. They have the
pedigree load management, I don't even want to call it
load management, the way that they've been able to manage
Kawhi and his body leading up into this moment has
been beautiful. It's been brilliant. They're well coached. I think
(23:35):
Van Gundy now is their defensive coordinator. You know, Norman
Powell has stepped up this year and brought an additional scoring.
James is facilitating and he's getting his hands on a
lot of balls defensively, and I think Zobak has the size,
who has the size down low to be able to
not stop Joker, but at least make it a little difficult.
I think the Clippers are a very dangerous team coming
(23:56):
out of the West. I think they're dangerous.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
You touched on them, and I'm glad you touched on them.
Is one of the most underrated players in the game.
I think he averaged what what did he average this
year seventeen and thirteen, And like you said, he won't
be he won't be able to stop Jokic, but he's
also going to make Jokic work on that defensive end.
Zu goes about his business. If I'm not mistaken, they
traded him for Mike Muskala and he's been doing his
(24:19):
thing ever since, just under the radar. But this year,
I think he's had a real breakout year. He could
definitely be in the conversation on no field B, but
he should be in the conversation of most improved player.
He just consistently got better every single year. And he's
one of those throwback guys where you can throw the
ball down low and he can get you a bucket too.
So seventeen and thirteen. But to all your points, we
know Tyler's one of the best coaches in the game.
(24:40):
We saw what James did last game, but particularly in overtime.
He took that shit over yesterday. And then obviously Kawhi
is the key. We know Kawhi is the key, and
if we get a healthy Kawhi Leonard this playoff series,
he's gonna piss everyone off because why can't we get
this all the time? But he if he hasn't, now
it's going to be at the right time. And I agree.
I feel like the Clippers one of those teams that's
(25:01):
kind of just floated under the radar of the entire season.
But I would not be surprised at all if this
is the team that represents the Western Conference in the finals.
The one person that's linked to the Nugget situation has
been Bob Myers, I don't know if I see Bob
going up to the cold to run that shit. I
think Bob is waiting for some something in sunny California
to pop off, and particularly down south, to pop off,
(25:23):
for him to slide in one of those situations. I
see Bob obviously he's got a good gig at ESPN
right now and got out at the right time with
the Warriors. I see Bob floating around that Los Angeles
Lakers franchise when the time is needed. I just kick
my feet up if I'm Bob and kind of wait
for that last but not least The Thunder will be
(25:44):
the number one seed in the Western Conference, so you know,
obviously we know all the playing teams and all the
possibilities with the Thunder. I don't really see maybe the
Warriors possibly given them because of the experience, but I
think they may be too young and up and down
for the Warriors myself. But do you see anybody do
(26:07):
you see Oklahoma City coming out of the Western Conference.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
I think it's their time, you know.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
I think they've they've heard all the noise about people
saying they don't have enough experience, they aren't tough enough,
all the all these negative things, you know, in regards
to how they play as a team.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
But I think this is their year to take that step.
Speaker 4 (26:27):
I think it's gonna I think we're gonna see the
Celtics and okay, see in the finals.
Speaker 3 (26:32):
All right.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
So my question, my rebuttal not really rebutal. My questions
of that is who is Oklahoma City's second guy that
will be twenty points a game in the playoffs. They've
done it by committee all year. Who will be their
consistent second guy as a check is a Jalen? Who
is going to be their second guy that you have
to have in the playoffs that is a twenty point
a game a night score.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
I think it's Jalen.
Speaker 4 (26:55):
I think he's a guy who can do it on
both ends of the floor. I think he has the talent.
I think he has the greed. I think he's a
young player eager to prove himself right, and I just
think it's his moment now. I think he's gonna embrace
this like, no, y'all, y'all not gonna point the finger
at me. I'm gonna show y'all that I'm worded.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
I love it. I love it. I'm with you. I
feel like this can be the year that Oklahoma City
has hurt all the rumblings and they paid their dues
and did what they need to do to represent the
Western Conference. This also could be the last year that
someone upsets them and moving forward will be their time.
So it's gonna be interesting to see. I'm really excited
about this playoff. I think there's been a lot of
complaining about the whole season and what should and shouldn't happen,
(27:35):
and this is born, then ratings are down. This is
gonna be a dope ass playoffs. There's a lot of
intriguing matchups. Obviously, the playing is super entertaining. I've always
been a fan of the playing because those games are
such high level. But I'm really excited to get these
twenty twenty five playoffs started with the playoffs here, the
producers put some questions together for us, so I want
(27:57):
to shoot them to you which player player or player
is the most important to their team's success this playoffs.
Here's a couple, guys, I'm gonna throw at you. Kawhi
Leonard last two months averaging twenty five points, seven rebounds,
two steals per game on fifty forty three and eighty
from the strike score thirty three and seven and three
(28:18):
steals against the Warriors on Sunday to seal the Warriors
into the playoffs. Cat Bridges and og you know the Knicks,
we talk about their depth and the new pieces they've received,
got you know, got a gotta target on their back
check and j Dupp who's gonna step up? And we
just talked about who's going to be the second score?
Anybody come to mind with you?
Speaker 4 (28:39):
I would say the young guys from Oklahoma City, Right,
it's really what they do that's gonna determine if Oklahoma
City can get to that conference final.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
In my opinion, Like Kawhi is Kawhi.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
We know what he brings when he's healthy, so that's
not necessarily a surprise there. But like if those young guys,
you don't know, because they improve it, if they can
go out and prove themselves, improve their value, they give
Oklahoma City a great opportunity to get to the Western
Conference Final.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
I'm gonna go on the other side. My pick to
win it all. I think it's Porzingis and Jayalen Brown.
Can they be healthy enough to be right there with
Tatum And I think Tatum's on some redemption shit. He's
quietly had another great probably first team All NBA type year,
was fucked up. Was fucked over last summer with the Olympics,
So that's definitely on his shoulder. Uh, you know, was
(29:27):
snubbed for Finals MVP, so that's definitely on his shoulder.
So I know Tatum's mind is locked in well, Jalen
Brown's health in Porzingis's health allow them to be you
know that that that that big three duo that I
feel like they need to repeat. Young breakout stars last
year was Anthony Edwards. Who do you see as a
(29:48):
young breakout stars? Is it Williams over and okc or Chet,
Is it Amen Thompson, Is it Jalen Green, Kde Cunningham Mobiley.
I mean, there's a ton of young stars that are
you know, really gonna at their teeth this year in
the playoffs, does anyone jump out to you as someone
who is going to steal the shine?
Speaker 3 (30:05):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (30:06):
I think Amon Thompson down in Houston. I think he's
so dynamic on both ends.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Of the floor. He's a freak of nature athletically and
in the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
I think his game is kind of built for the physicality,
so I think he's going to have a breakout, you know,
playoff performance. And he's from Fort Lauderdale at the end
of the day, so I'm staying with the home team.
Speaker 1 (30:28):
Wait is he I thought he's from there. I thought
the Twins are from the Bay.
Speaker 2 (30:31):
Well, they went to high school in Fort Lauderdale.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
Team I don't even know who I want. I mean,
obviously I'm a big fan of the Twins because I
got twins.
Speaker 3 (30:38):
I love Kate.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
I just don't think they're gonna get out the first round.
Obviously going to be someone who has to go a
couple of different rounds, so you're gonna be able to
see that. So Thompson could be mobiley. But whoever it is,
I'm really excited for this year's playoffs.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
Kd.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
Thank you for joining me, Bro and we.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
Will talk to you.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
So you look at you you look you look good
today too. If no one tells you, I'm gonna tell you.
Want to welcome in one of my former classmates, the
head coach of the UCLA football program, Deshaun foster Man.
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 3 (31:08):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
I know you came straight from practice today. Announcement We've
teamed up with you guys for your Friday Night Lights
that'll be taking place Friday the eighteenth. Doors open at
five thirty, practice starts at seven. You pitched us an
idea of Rutger Park for football. This will be your
(31:29):
second time doing it, if I'm not mistaken. Right second,
you guys did it last year? How did how did
last year go? And how are you hoping this year goes?
Speaker 3 (31:36):
Last year went great? It went so it was it
was so big and way bigger than we anticipate. That's
why we had to move it to the Drake Stadium,
So moved to Drake. We love just how the fans
came out and the way they were on the field
and just like Rutger you know you right, you can
feel it and that's what I was trying. Now.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
Yeah, but you got some I mean you got three
one oh baby coming out. You got what's what's what's
the what's the oldude's name that's gonna MC? What's his name?
Fit will be MC? And what made you? I love
the move? First of all, I mean, I've always been
a huge advocate of UCLA, but I've also been frustrated
from a standpoint that we always go out and get
(32:16):
outside people when we have a plenty of people that
have been in our ecosystem that have put the work in,
that are talented enough to take a position such as yours.
What did it mean for you to be able to
come back to somewhere you grew up wanting to go
at a successful career at UCLA, went on to play pro,
and now you're back as the head coach of UCLA football.
What does that mean to you and your family?
Speaker 3 (32:35):
I mean a lot. You know, you really can't put
it in the words just because you're not sure if
it's obtainable or what's going on. But UCLA is doing
a good job. Now are finally, like you said, hiring
from inside m H. And you know other sports are
doing that and hopefully we can just continue to do that.
But as long as I can continue to be successful,
I think that there the trend to keep going.
Speaker 1 (32:56):
I think you set the tone. You know, we had
this conversation. I think there's a lot not added pressure,
but outside because again you're kind of the first homegrown
higher for a major sports program we've had, Martin. We
got some other situations coming up soon. This is just
me talking to you I got some people that know,
some people that owe some people. We need to have lunch, man,
we need to sit down and talk. But you know,
(33:18):
I was super excited when they announced you. You know,
obviously text I couldn't make the press conference, but again,
just excited. We came in UC that ninety eight together.
I saw you put your work in on the field
and then just a full circle moment to see you
the head coach and the energy that you bring in,
the passion you bring and I think now coaching and
correct me if I'm wrong. Obviously X and o's will
(33:38):
always be important, but you relate to these kids.
Speaker 3 (33:40):
That's the number one thing right now. You got to
be able to relate to these kids because the portal
is something that's every year, and it's twice a year,
you know what I mean. So if you can't relate
to these kids and get them to want to come
back or buy in or really be in your program
to develop them, then you're in this business.
Speaker 1 (33:55):
So what is your thoughts? I mean, obviously recruiting isn't
the way we're recruited obviously changes the whole dynamic. And
then the portal. You hear college coaches, you know, Hall
of Fame. College coaches like, hey, we're not really looking
at excuse me, for basketball, We're not really looking at
high schoolkids. Don't feel high school kids can help us.
We're going to jump in the portal. Do you guys
have a philosophy or a balance on how you approach
the portal?
Speaker 3 (34:15):
And nil, Yeah, we do. You have to. We're bringing
in twenty twenty twenty eight kids per class a little bit,
so it's kind of depending on what your holes are
or where they're at. But if we recruit a high
school kid, we think he's a draft pick, he has
potential to make it to the NFL. If he lets
us develop him, then we have that chance. And then
the portal guy's those free agents. You know, you got
(34:37):
to get in there and get a couple guys because
some seniors might leave. People leave early, and you got
to plug some holes and fill them early. But you know,
right now, just with the landscape of the business, you know,
I enjoyed. I want these kids to get paid. You know,
we were the number one recruiting class football and basketball
when we came in, so we understand the value of
the school. As long as I can still keep pumping
(34:58):
the school and they understand what you get with coming
with UCLA.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
There's a kid out there, Nico. I don't want to
butcher his last name, but he goes to Tennessee. I
heard he left Tennessee. I know he's from so Cal.
I know you may not be able to talk about
recruits and names, but every time I've seen anybody post
on Nico, I've been put in UCLA football.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
You might as well.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
You might as well come on home, man, bring he bring,
bring your brother with you, bring pops, you know, bring
the whole family.
Speaker 5 (35:25):
Man.
Speaker 1 (35:25):
It's Westwood is a beautiful place, man with a lot
of perks, and we'll take care of you. This is
me talking, by the way. I won't get nobody in
trouble on set, but this is me talking. Your journey
from done playing to running back coach over at Texas Tech.
Come back home and you're a running back coach for
UCLA too, And then when that phone rang to be
(35:48):
the head coach of the Bruins, talk to us about
your journey post career. Because a lot of us are
a lot of players basketball, football, whatever. It may be
kind of struggle when our careers are done and you
been able to transition into coaching has been your journey,
and your journey has brought you back home. But what
is that journey like when you were done playing? And
how long did it kind of take you to kind
(36:08):
of get your mojo back and find what's going to
be your second act post NFL.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
I came back to school just to finish my degree.
So I wanted to finish my degree. I did that,
and so I came back in twenty twelve. I finished
playing in nine and those last couple of years or so,
twenty ten, eleven twelve, I was kind of just going
to see the homies play whoever was still playing, going
traveling the games and enjoying that. And then you know,
you do promise your mom is you will finish college.
(36:34):
So I had to go back and do that. And
as I was coming back, I was going to be
on campus every day. Bobby Fields, the coach that recruited
me to come to UCLA, was the ad over football,
and he was like, if you're gonna be on campus
every day, come by. I was like, okay. And I
still didn't know if I wanted to coach at that time.
You know, I knew I might have wanted to be
around football, but coaching those hours is different. It's a lot.
It's a lot. So we did that twenty twelve thirteen,
(36:56):
I was an undergrad coach. Twenty fourteen, I was a
GA so my master's for a season. That next year
twenty fifteen, I became a player development at UCLA. Then
the twenty sixteen I got the running back job at
Texas Tech and I was mahomes last season. So that's
why I what was he like?
Speaker 1 (37:11):
What was he like in college? Just like he is
with the Chiefs?
Speaker 3 (37:15):
Exactly cold. It's just that you don't know if he
can continue to play at the tyrans on the next level.
Is it going to translate to the pros? And you
do it all over again. I know those all those
teams would go back and draft Pas because of all
those quarterback they took perform, no questions.
Speaker 1 (37:30):
Big ten life. I mean we grew up Pac ten
and it transitioned into Pac twelve. But now Big ten.
I mean, the travel schedule is probably outrageous, But what
is I mean, obviously this was a football move for
our school stuff, So what is that? What is that like?
I mean, obviously you're playing some of the biggest names
in college football. You know, you guys five and seven,
you guys had a very solid first season, fortant for
(37:52):
obviously for a first year head coach, but then transitioning
into one of the most powerful football conferences in the country.
Speaker 3 (37:57):
Most definitely as a competitor.
Speaker 1 (37:59):
I was.
Speaker 3 (37:59):
I was disappoint with our record, but you know, it
was a new conference, new travel, new stadiums, a lot
of new stuff that a lot of our players haven't
been involved in before. So it was a it was
a different It was a lot of change. But you know,
if you want to be great, you want to play
these big time games. You want to play, if you
want to win end of the season awards and all
of that stuff, you got to play these teams and
(38:20):
you got to be in these type of conferences. So
I'm looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (38:23):
Was there any stadium you as kind of the player
in you that you guys went to this year because
you we didn't get the good chance to go to
those kinds of stadiums we're in the pact. Any of
those things, you're like, God, damn, this is dope.
Speaker 3 (38:34):
There was one in conference in one out of conference
was in state. State got out there. Yeah, we didn't.
I was kind of hoping it was a white out,
but we didn't get that base. It was still live
and then LSU. But I played at LSU during Katrina. Okay,
you know what I'm saying. So we played the Saints
inside it, but it was different. It wasn't rocking the
way it was this past season.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
Best part about being the U C. L a Half
football coach.
Speaker 3 (38:57):
Best part is just being back at home. You know,
I'm at a university that I can speak for. I'm
a walking blueprint on what this school can do for you,
and I just try to make sure that my players
understand that. And you know, as long as you're listening
to me and following what our coaching staff can do,
we can get you to your talk.
Speaker 1 (39:10):
Best of luck, new baby. Recently, how has that been?
Is wife you holding? You getting any sleep? How's that going?
Speaker 3 (39:16):
I'm leaving the house at four o'clock.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
I see you guys out on the stairs, still dark.
At first I looked at the thing, I'm like, heyay,
this's motherfucker's dedicated. He's running stairs when it's dark. And
then I looked at the time, like, oh shit, this
was three hours. This is my fucker's running stairs at
four in the morning, five in the morning. Grind, don't stop.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
But I just try to make sure that if the
players can see me doing this, man, you got to
see it to believe exactly. That's all it is.
Speaker 1 (39:34):
Well, congratulations, man, I wish you the best of luck.
I'm happy that we're obviously partnering for Friday and night Lights,
but obviously a bigger partnerships are in conversation and Nico
be waiting on you, bro, come fuck with us. Appreciate you. Yeah,
make sure you guys go check out the latest episode
of Art of War with my brother andre Ward with
(39:55):
his latest guest, Lamont Roach. Here's a clip. Take a look.
Speaker 3 (39:59):
What was your read on your Vonte going into the
fight him personally?
Speaker 5 (40:02):
I think he doubt hisself. Hell of a talent, hell
of a puncher, super super super good accuracy. I think
that's what leads to the most of his knockouts, honestly.
But he doubt his helf and he been doing that
since a kid. Some you know, that's just something I know.
(40:25):
So that played the that played a little a little
bit into the into the fight. I think when especially
when there's not a lot of animosity, cause you gotta
think a lot of people he fought, they just have
differences so that they be into it or whatever the
case may be. I don't got no problem with him,
and he don't got no problem with me. So I
think he was trying to find something to boost his
(40:49):
morale or get him going, or whatever the case may be.
And he tried to, like like the betting me that
he gonna knock me out and stuff like that. That
they didn't go too too well for him.
Speaker 3 (41:00):
Did y'all bet? Oh? We bet?
Speaker 5 (41:01):
And we sugar on it.
Speaker 3 (41:02):
He changed his number? Got that chip? Hey? Got that?
Speaker 2 (41:10):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (41:10):
Got that chip? He changes number slim yeah.
Speaker 2 (41:14):
Hm.
Speaker 5 (41:16):
So you know, but that'd be a conversation for another day.
Speaker 1 (41:21):
That's a wrap for this week's show. You can catch
this episode on All the Smoke Productions YouTube and the
DraftKings Network. We'll see y'all next week.
Hosts And Creators
Stephen Jackson
Matt Barnes
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