 Well, he's a two-time All-Star and an 11-year NBA vet joining us now, Brighton Early, Isaiah Thomas. And you're in Utah because you had your first game last night with Salt Lake City Stars, the G-League. 32 points in 39 minutes. That seems like a really big first night out. How are you feeling? Oh, I'm all right. It's been a first game in a couple years. So, you know, legs is a little dead. Legs feel a little heavy in this, you know, elevation. But everything is good. I'm just happy to be back playing. Woo! Isaiah, what was the preparation like for you getting back after, like you said, you played on a few 10 days. You made a couple rosters a couple seasons ago in 21-22. And when I watch you play, you know, you talk about how you played in Boston, the pop that you still have. I think you still have it. And you still obviously, I think you're more like you were in Boston than ever, those stops in Charlotte and LA when you watch your game now. How do you feel? How do you feel you prepared to get back and now you're trying to get back in the league? I just stay ready. Like I'm always in the gym each and every day. I mean, it's just something that I love. Like I always say, I feel like once the love goes away, then it's time to move on to something else. I'm just ready and I'm prepared and I trust the work that I put in each and every day. When this opportunity came, it was just a no-brainer to get back out there. You know, the ultimate goal is to get back in the NBA. So I'm just trying to do whatever it takes to get on the NBA roster. They spoke to someone last night. They said you were in good shape. So how much, what kind of level do you think you feel like you can reach over the next? How many ever games you play and why the G-League route opposed to any other route for you to get back in the league? I mean, if it's anywhere other than Denver or Utah, like I feel like I'm in great shape. Yesterday, I was a little windy. My legs were a little heavy. But ultimately, like I'm just fighting for opportunity. I'm just trying to show teams that, you know, I'm still able to produce on the court. But I'm also, which most importantly, I'm able to teach these young guys and show them each and every day how to be a professional and things that they're missing. So and then to answer your other question about like choosing another route, it's like, you know, overseas is really dope. Like I see those games. I love the game of basketball. It's just at this point in my life with my family and my kids. It'd be really hard to go overseas unless they was giving out 10 day contracts. Then, you know, I could, I could make it happen. But I think this is the quickest route to get back in the NBA and try to get on a playoff roster to end the season. Yeah. So I see you obviously said your goal is to get back in the NBA. You think you have enough right now to still go and help and play a huge role in a contending team? Because I look at a team like the Phoenix Suns, they've literally had no point guard. Couldn't you plug yourself right there and you could help that team get those three guys into their offense? Look, I can help right. I can help tonight. I'm ready to help tonight. And I, you know, I'm not, I'm not delusional at all. I just, I believe in my, my work. I believe in, you know, I'm very confident in myself, but I just, I know I can play. I know I can still play at a high level if given the opportunity. But like I said, it's not even about that. Like just my presence in an organization each and every day of impacting, whether it be older guys, younger guys, you know, I always say I've been through almost every situation in the NBA. So I know it can help. At least, you know, one young player coming up or one team, this, you know, fighting the battle of winning the championship. So, you know, I'm just staying ready, trying to, trying to showcase anything and everything I can. And, you know, ultimately it works out for me. It's gonna, it's gonna happen, bro, for sure. What, what would be an ideal fit for you? You looking for a contender, you just looking for opportunity. Like it don't matter because I know I'll follow you on social and we speak periodically. And I know, like you, you never stopped, never stopped, never will. You still kicking, still trying to get that opportunity. So you want a contender or it don't even matter. Honestly, it doesn't matter. But like at this point in my career, yes, ideally I would, what, I would love to be on a contender. I think, you know, I would love to be in a position to win the championship, but also the other way around it. Like if I got an opportunity to be on a young teammate and help those guys each and every day, whether it's playing or not, like I was able to do that in Charlotte a few years ago. And I think that's, you know, obviously I Hooper's like ourselves, handler, it's hard to sit back and watch when you know you can play. But at the same time, you always give back the game to the guys that need it, the guys that want it. And the guys that are, you know, the most prepared. So I'm able to step into any situation and make an impact each and every day. So I'm just, I'm just ready. Like, like I want to NBA Jersey, I want to NBA roster. I want to go out kind of like on my own. I love this. So you're there. You got all those young kids around you. You walk in. They're like, Oh man, this guy was in the league 11 years, two time all star. What is it like? Are they, do they ask for advice? What is, what has the reception been like when you've gotten there? Um, you know, it's especially young guys, they're, they're a little scared to talk. They got a little ego and pride. But, you know, when I open up to them and tell them like, I'm not here to compete with you. I'm here to help you out any way possible. I think it eases their mind a little bit. Um, but they also, which makes me feel hella old is first thing, a couple of them say, man, you're one of my favorite players. I used to watch you in high school. That's just something to make me feel like, Hey, I'm really getting up there. But it, it says a lot though. I never thought I would be in this position. I remember coming in the league and telling older best like, Hey, you're 36, 37. And now I'm in, now I'm 35 years old and it's, it's, it puts a smile on my face though. It's funny when it happens. No, we never think like, what do you mean in high school? That was five minutes ago. What are you talking about? Um, we, we, we always try to figure out like, what is the difference? We've heard the differences between G league and NBA. There's obviously some, you know, really obvious ones. You've been there a day. What, what have you noticed? Anything? I mean, the hope is the same. Like obviously like there's no LeBron James or those type of guys down here. But when you, when the whistle blows and you're on that court, you're playing basketball. So it's like you're playing in an NBA arena at the back home at the crib. Like it's the same type of feeling. Um, the ins and outs of the G league is a little different. Like, like the, the, the day to day stuff is a lot different that you got to just, you know, wrap your mind around and just, you know, humble yourself a little bit. But like I said, I just love the game. I come in here with an open mind. I have no ego, no pride. I just, I just want to be able to play and showcase what I can do. I see you, you talk about playing, but I know a couple of years ago in Charlotte, a guy like Lamello ball, he was someone that really picked your brain and you guys became close as far as the mental side of the game. You have that as well. So what's harder for you now going into these G league games and hopefully, you know, for you, hopefully contracting the NBA is the mental side or is it physically just getting up and getting ready? I know you play, but is that how do you bounce both sides? I mean, a little bit of both, a little bit of both. Like you just got to come in with an open mind. I think that when I got this opportunity, I was like, whatever they do, however they play me, whatever opportunity I get, I'm going to just give it my all and come in with an open mind. And that's what I've been able to do. And then like you said with Lamello, that's one of my close friends now. Like we really hit it off when I was in Charlotte and it's someone that asks questions all the time still to this day. So those are the type of young guys you want to be around and be able to help because they don't know a lot. They're just, they're just, they're making a lot of money. They're in situations, they're not always great. And you know, you need a vet that's been through some things to be able to tell them each and every day the right things to do, the wrong things to do, and to keep a level head. And that's what I'm here to do with, even with the Salt Lake City Stars. Like I'm here to showcase my experiences to these young guys. I'm here to show them how to be a professional each and every day and serve on the court. Like I'm here to kill each and everybody anytime I step on a court. So. Yeah, I see that attitude, that mindset. I know what's going to happen for you, bro. You deserve it. But also we told Lou yesterday, a 10 day contract pays about 200 grand, bro. Lou started warming up on set. So I can't move anymore. I could barely go play pickleball with some 65 year old ladies after this. But is that incentivized you at all? You know, look, some extra pieces are always good. Some extra papers always good, you know. I thought it was 25 grand. I thought a 10 day was 20. I thought it was the old number. Until a couple years ago, until a couple years ago, I thought the same thing. And then when I signed and seen it, I'm like, oh, I can sign these all year and be straight. What? I want in. I'm back. I love that Chandler's taking credit like a journalist. He's like, I broke the news yesterday that... Yeah, he actually did. The shock was real. Isaiah, we are all rooting for you, sending good juju. Hope it all happens exactly like you want. We appreciate the time. Hey, thank you guys. I really appreciate it. Love the show. You know, it always seems to work out at the end for people who keep going. Yes, it does. Thank you guys. Appreciate it. We'll be back.