 Welcome to in the zone. I'm your host Chris Broussard. We have a great show for you today in the zone We have the great actor now. He's an author. Yes He has a book out now, and he's even a tremendous Podcaster none other than my man Michael Rappaport Then of course we got Jason McIntyre here for another segment of knockdown J And as always we start with our top five now Rappaport when I were talking and he's kind of known As the LeBron James hater, but in reality He really knows how great LeBron is and would love nothing more Than for LeBron to take his talents to New York City and the Knicks next summer So that got me to thinking hmm if LeBron leads Cleveland, and I'm beginning to think he will What are the five best destinations for him? Realistic destinations what are the five best so that is this week's top five, and I'm starting out Shout out to Michael Rappaport at number five the New York Knicks. Yes, the Knicks They tried to get him in 2010 Couldn't but maybe who knows they could get him in 2018 Kristoff's for zingas will be a tremendous running mate That's somebody you can go to battle with the Warriors with then they have Courtney Lee Timothy Hardaway Jr. Guys that can shoot the three defend tough minded And I know LeBron have beef within his canter this year But hey canters the type of guy you hate to play against but you love to play with you need some strength Some attitude on that team and then they can go out and get some more shooters around LeBron and Kristoff So at number five I would go with the Knicks and guess what if LeBron went to New York The Knicks went in the East at number four Philadelphia 76ers look I hate to say it this way But they would be higher on the list if I was convinced that Joel and B would stay healthy I'm just not I hope so but he isn't yet even playing back-to-back games So that gives me some pause about the future So that for that reason their number four, but man if they do stay healthy add LeBron James into that lineup Let Ben Simmons run the point when he needs to play off the ball and go in the post which he does LeBron can handle the rock then you got LeBron just as a primary score Don't give you your 27 eight rebounds six assists off the ball MB there's the big man. You got a 3 and D great player in Robert Covington We got to find a way to keep JJ reddit. Maybe he'll take a discount We need some shooters add in a few more and guess what if LeBron James went to Philly They went in the East. All right at number three. I know people think I'm a hater But I'm not the Los Angeles Lakers people think I don't want to see LeBron Come to La La Land to play with the purple and gold. Look, I'm living in La La Land I would love to see the King bring his talents to LA you bring him here. There's one caveat He got to bring Paul George with alright if George and LeBron come to the Lakers now They are in the mix love their young players Brandon Ingram Kyle Kuzma even Lanzo and look Here's the thing you can keep Lanzo don't have to trade him cuz you get LeBron But you you got a silence LeVar you got a silencing LeVar I like you but if you want your son to play with the king if you want a legitimate chance at it You got to close the mouth you can promote big ball of Brandon all that just keep the Lakers name out of your mouth Let your son handle the Lakers and you go deal with the other two young boys and all that stuff in Lithuania Just calm down the circus and you might have a good shot at getting LeBron That would be a team I like add some three-point shooting probably keep KCP because you need three point shooters And then work this thing out at number three the Lakers at number two The Houston Rockets, yes the Houston Rockets Can you imagine James Harden Chris Paul LeBron James and Mike Dantonie system? That's a big three for you. They would put up a ton of points three Playmakers you have to get rid of some of the role-players But you better keep a good number of the three-point shooters Obviously you have to keep them also want to keep Clint Capella. You'd have to go through some financial Gymnastics to make it work, but Darryl Morey is one of the best in the game I think he could do it LeBron James in Houston now That's a team that can compete with the Warriors, but that's not the best scenario For LeBron to win at number one the San Antonio Spurs yes the Spurs if LeBron James really wants to win rings Four five, maybe six. There's no better place for him to go than San Antonio Kawhi Leonard Assuming he's gonna be healthy. I'm gonna give him that benefit of the doubt. He's never been injury-prone I'm gonna give him that benefit of the doubt Kawhi. Get healthy. LeMarcus Aldrich and of course the great Greg Popovich. Here's the deal when you look at all the great players LeBron is compared to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, and how they've won more rings than him Not one of those players has ever won a ring without playing for one of the great iconic all-time NBA coaches I'm talking about Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, and Greg Popovich LeBron's never played for those guys and Magic Johnson won four of his rings with Pat Riley LeBron is way for some very good coaches. I love their exposure. I like Mike Brown, Tyloo, Paul Silas, some good coaches But never that iconic coach. You see how every year Greg Popovich makes lemonade out of limits What could he do with LeBron and Kawhi? They could guard the Warriors and then he's got shooters if LeBron had that iconic coach Who could make him do what is best for the team make him play in the best system for the team to win I believe he'd win more championships down in San Antonio with Greg Popovich Do I think it'll happen? I don't see LeBron going to the Alamo, but again if it's about winning titles Period, then San Antonio is the best destination for the king I am honored to bring in my man my friend one of the great actors of America right now But also you stepping on my toes now, please. I'm not on your level media now I'm not on your level. I am rapper poor podcast on Barstool is killing it. Thank you. Congratulations on that Thank you. Your book this book has ball. I've started reading it loving it so far. I can't wait to finish it Thank you. But sports rants by the MVP of trash talk. That's good. I'm good for that I'm good for that. You know what you're talking about. No, so this is great, man. Michael rapper for it But look, let's start with current events last night or Monday night with the Clippers and the Rockets, you know getting into it after the game or almost getting into it The Rockets four players went to the Clippers locker room and wanted to start a fight You are from New York. Yes, you're a Knicks fan. Yes That was like and every day occurrence for the Knicks back in the 90s in their hey They do you miss the days when the MVP was or the NBA was more physical and you know things like that Happened and it wasn't that big of a deal, you know as far as Chippiness and tough play and lack of tough play in 90s basketball and 80s basketball and 70s basketball Listen Charles Oakley and them they were never going into other teams locker rooms and and and you know, I feel like the the Rockets and the Clippers need to call up Gwyneth Paltrow and talk about uncoupling Because there's like there's so much there's so in their feelings My man Chris Paul might need to take out some state farm insurance because he is salty Um You know, I think that's ridiculous and and and you know Play talk smack get physical and all that but you're going into the locker room and then afterwards like you know The Houston Rockets was like we're a team. We stick together You know, we're all for one one for all then why don't you three of you go into the locker? Yeah, where's the rest of the team? That's right And and what are you gonna do you go in the locker room like they snuck in the locker room on some Scooby-Doo Hardy Boys mystery crew, you know, like some secret passage on to do what yeah, I don't think they were gonna fight But so what are you even going in there for it's embarrassing? It's embarrassing to to to Chris Paul who is such a Sort of consummate pro Such a you know like a leader like they're going there like what are you gonna do beat up awesome rivers? He's got a cast on you're gonna like you what's gonna happen? Yeah, it's stupid And and and you're talking to a person who loves physical, you know, leave it out on the floor But when you start going into locker rooms and meeting by buses, I mean, I guess it can happen to all that It could get to that level, but I just think it's ridiculous You know and and and Chris Paul like the reality of it is like you guys lost Yeah, you came back to LA you lost Deandre didn't play James Harden didn't play you're out there trying to punish Milo's who by the way somebody got to get him a razor Yo, what's the name Milo's how he says last name Tia dosage yo my man Milo's tea Whatever your last name is I just don't want to I don't want to butcher it my man You look like you don't belong on a basketball court let alone the NBA. You got a shave you look crazy, man Let me see your face. You're in LA. You look like you just don't smell right, okay? But like you know, he's out there like shaking and baking on him and you still lose it It's still NWA. The Rockets are still never winning anything. I don't care if you got Harden MVP Like I just so there's no threat to Golden State. No, so is anybody a threat to go to in the whole league? I mean, you know threat. I Think that you know, I mean, I think Houston will give them a series I think if they played okay, see they'd give them a series because I think that they'll form and play their best in Russell Westbrook despite the fact that that's a Really bad example of a big three that experiment is not working Um, I think that the the the the the biggest least threat to Golden State is Cleveland that one of the games from Martin Luther King Day showed that Cleveland and I you know, listen, I like to break LeBron's chops But I actually felt bad for him because like, you know, like you like, you know Say what you want to say about LeBron. Obviously, I know how great he is whether he's top three player top five player Whatever he's I'm very aware of that. It despite the fact that I like to you know, poke fun and all that stuff is that You could bring in Dwayne Wade and he had flashes of brilliance and you know, they caught some alley-oops And they ain't beaten Golden State. You they definitely get into the finals Cleveland. I Don't think Boston could beat them. Okay. I just don't think they could beat them in it in a in a seven game series As good as Kyrie is and as good as that team is and as great as the coaches I think with with without Gordon Hayward and just that X factor and that playoff factor and and Boston is a good team I just don't see see them beating them. I think they're gonna improve. I mean Kyrie's a problem but seven games and Tristan Thompson pounding the glass and you know and and and D wait and just the intangibles I don't see them beat him. Do you think they could beat him? I? Give I think Cleveland 80-85% Certain to win the East. Yeah, I mean I just I don't and I'm giving it to LeBron just out of his greatness Yeah, and he's so much better Then you can argue. I think he's still the best player in the league Some people think Durant, but as far as the Eastern Conference, there's nobody close to him yet I don't think you know Probably second best player and then there's nobody close Yeah, this is second-best player and it's not even he's not in the strategy. Exactly. He's not even in and he's not in his stratosphere Like I don't think he's even at his he hasn't reached exactly twenty-two twenty-three. Yeah, he's got a long He doesn't know how to play basketball yet. Yeah, he really doesn't like he doesn't really know how to play Basketball like he hasn't even formed and I'm saying that in all do respect like he's great as great as he is He still has to mature and he's three years away from like I think really having like a full skill set understanding and all of it the whole thing um and And and like and I'm saying that out of respect same with poor zingas It's like you we could say these guys are great, but like those guys aren't even in the Conversation with you know Kyrie is in the conversation of like just he's not as great as he's still a level up below Yeah, I mean yeah, I'm with you on the calves in the East All right, I'm gonna ask you this because you're a big Knicks fan long-suffering Knicks fan I think they should make that part of the nickname long-suffering Knicks All right, and this is serious yes, let's say hypothetically you get a call from Maverick Carter The bronze business manager We're considering, you know LeBron's leaving Cleveland at the end of the year say this happens at the end of the year We're considering New York What would be your pitch to LeBron like Maverick says we gonna meet you for dinner What is your pitch to get him to the Knicks because I know as much as you like you say you like to Crush him you would love to have him in New York. I'm sure Man, what would be my pitch to New York for him to come to New York is is that Jeff Hornacex a good coach It's New York Porzingis is a great two. You're still gonna be one, but Porzingis is sort of 1a. He's very cool with that and This is a great, you know like talk about like You know crowning jewel to take them. I mean it's one thing to take the miserable Cavaliers But but but you don't have to even do as much workload with with the Knicks because you got a budding star with Porzingis I mean They love to play together The thing that I like the most about the New York Knicks this year is that you know, it feels like a you know That a culture. Yeah, they're enjoying each other. They're you know, um, you know, they're gonna have their highs and lows But the thing that I really like about that team is you can see it the Ennis Cantors and the Joe Keems Even though he's barely played and the Porzingis they all Get what it means to play in New York and they seem like they like each other Yeah, and that I think is this intangible thing because they talk about culture of winning culture That's what that is. See you like obviously the LA Clippers We knew they didn't have a culture of winning And we knew something was off based on on the fact that they never achieved But last night was really proof of those years in LA the DeAndre Blake CP3 Years in LA why it never worked that was because you don't see that that much. No, are you right? You're absolutely, right? That was ugly, you know, and it was ugly from a from a class act Chris Paul Yeah, he's a classic and Blake Griffin. These are classics So to get to that point that was ugly and I think like these Knicks are they like each other So that would be If he if he went there and I don't think he will I don't think I don't think it's a bad It's a great situation if he went there. I think they win the East next year I think that if LeBron James went to the Utah Jazz now, I mean If LeBron James went to Orlando, they're gonna win like he's that good when the East LeBron James is If they don't win these they're going to seven. They're gonna be in the league team. He's sick He's sick. Yeah, and you know like I just want to say in my own defense People like oh LeBron like I'm sitting here saying he's sick do this as a quote LeBron James is sick He's ridiculous. Okay. That being said, he's still got to break his shots. He's sick. Put him on Orlando They're winning the Easter sort of coming out of the East put them on what are the other tanker teams in the in the East? Sack, well the East Sacramento right now Right now and they're making the playoffs. Oh, yeah, they put them on the right now He could go to any team and make the playoffs right now That's how great he is halfway through the season. So if taking yourself away from your Nick's fandom If you were him, what would you do at the end of the season? Let's say they don't win if they give me by Golden State. I Don't know. I don't know. What's a good look? I don't think he's gonna come to the Lakers I think that if he comes to the Lakers, they should get rid of Lonzo ball because Lonzo balls for for You know, it's good bad, you know And he's the 20 year old that he is he needs the ball on his hand to be effective LeBron James comes to Lakers or any team The balls and he's a point card. Yeah a point forward a point whatever. He's he's he does what he does um, I Don't think he wants to deal with the chaos of it and and you could think LeVar ball for that No, and you think how pathetic that is that like that would be a factor Yeah, I'm not coming to that team because I don't want to deal with this dude's father He don't want to deal with the circus think about how pathetic that is and and I blame myself for talking about it I blame you I blame all of us for indulging it. It was cute for a second and it should have been nipped at the butt It's think about that like LeBron won't he'll he'll factor then also. I just don't think that team is ready But I mean again that that Laker team with that young talent and that energy with LeBron James They go from wherever they are to whoop. Yeah, they're contender How would you deal if you were running the Lakers, how would you deal with LeVar ball? Honestly, if I was running the Lakers like magic isn't going to do this and and and uh, what's his name Rob Blinka. He's he's not going to do this, but if I was Luke Walton When he gets asked about it, I would be as rude and disrespectful as like who why are you asking me about this guy? Like I would just shut it down like yo, why LeVar ball who cares about this dude? Like who is he? Like he could now here's the thing. I would be like yo invite him to the Lakers gym. I'm going to play him 101 we could we he likes to he likes to put everything we'll put it all on twitter We can live broadcast it and if he beats me Matter of fact, if he scores a point on me He could take over the coaching reins and if I if he doesn't score a point He could shut his mouth up Could cancel his I'd play him for his twitter account I'm gonna play you for your twitter account and your instagram account and and that's it Like I'll put a muzzle effect on it and be like if I be if if you don't score a point on me You put the mellow back in high school Leangelo back Because you're talking like you know some about basketball You don't know anything about basketball. You never coach anything. This ain't a a you this ain't chino hills Yo, these little valley tournament in this a that ain't real Basketball, you know, and he's like, you know, even like his kids in In lift lift the way and he's like they need to play them together like yo, who are you man? This is not this is not like high school team and like like I think like with him You know, obviously smart. He's done the best for his family Like I think he tries to bully people so to go back to your original question I would just be as rude and disrespectful and his cutting About lavar ball as he is to them. So if I was the qualm be like, why are you asking about this guy? He ain't got nothing to do with anything. He average two points He's a want to be NBA player couldn't do it want to be NFL player couldn't do it. Like, you know, he's just a crazy dudes He raised three kids. He's he's a dudes parent Yeah, he because he's opening it up for for the the next generations of friends parents Cousins sisters mothers. They're gonna be like, yo, lavar balls are making money I'ma start saying I'll just yeah, there will be there will probably be more lavar balls out there Because he is like you said he's making money He's famous and this into I think a lot of us today's society. Yeah, because anybody could do it Exactly social media. Yeah, but I think that I think a lesson was learned on on on the media side To sort of be like, yo, just because it like, you know, you got to sort of sort of see what it is Yeah, I think lion's oh is the only one that could get his dad to stop But he's not anybody seems like a low-key nice guy who'd like But you know, I I agree but I would if you if if your son comes to you and it's like dad, you know Just I love you, you know, I know you're gonna talk about big baller brand and all that But just keep lay off the team because it's making it tough on me in the locker room Maybe maybe you know, I think if he did that I would think his dad would stop right It's you would think we'll see we'll see but I don't know if he it's almost like he can't Can't help himself. No, it's almost like he's addicted to the fame is a very very Listen, you know fame is a very addictive drug. It's it's one of the I mean, it's killed People literally killed people, you know talking about Marilyn Monroe the self-destruction that it does the the the Michael Jackson of it all It's an addictive drug and right now. LaVar ball is strung out on those microphones He is strung out on those microphones. Now, how did you when you first became famous? How did you how did it impact you? How'd you react? I mean When I first became famous and recognizable It was like 92 93 So one of the good things about my journey is that there was no social media Yeah, so so it was really just like what's in front of you You know people recognize you go on a show Even if you went on a show if I went on, you know the Letterman show or you know, you get uh, respect them You never saw it again. Now, like if you do the Letterman show, you could watch it over. It's on instagram It's you know, it's like it just drives the whole thing. So I was at a young age 23 24 Started working as an actor getting uh, you know recognizing all that stuff And and and my nose was to the ground like I just want to keep doing my things So but it was different because of the now fame like you say like, you know, these these youtube people these instagram So like it happened so quick it could be and at a young age it probably would have been more addicting to me um, but but fortunately it wasn't but you know, I kind of the way I grew up And and and how I grew up in a weird way Just the the the the way I grew up in new york city like I sort of I got I was prepared for it and the reason why I say that is because It's very strange But but like growing up in new york city and and and you know hanging out In in in brownsville and brooklyn and harlem in new york Like people were like, you know, you're that white dude from someone's so I you know, you know, weirdly I wasn't thinking twice like you're that white dude who was at you know, union square You're the white dude who's playing ball And and and it kind of sort of like I was sort of a fish out of water And but I got used to sort of Being looked at. Okay. Just being looked at so even before you became but when I was a teenager It's a weird thing. But like, you know, like, you know, I just you know, like I stuck out so much Just just by like the demographic of where I was being a white dude in like, you know, like in In the hoods of new york in the 80s And in the 90s. So by the time I was 1920-21 and I was sort of used to people Recognizing me. Yeah, but again, the social media factor of it all changes everything No, you're right. You're right. There's no hiding now even so since when you you know, when you were on the other network Doing your thing to now No, it's it's you when you change just so quickly, you know, it's it's it's it's changes so quickly I kind of wish technology would just stop for about five years. So I could catch up Yeah, I could catch up and then go on from there. But no, it's it's crazy who I know you've met lots of athletes and all that have and you're used to meeting famous people Have you met any athletes where you actually were all struck? I just I mean, I've gotten to meet the only the only Um person famous person I would say that I've never even seen in real life I saw him play once but I've never met him. I never made eye contact with him is larry bird That's the only athlete that I've never like And and and I hated him I you talk about like like like the my lebron stuff That that that's like, you know, it's sort of like, you know, like I like to think about larry again because you couldn't watch all the games like it was blind hate I hated larry bird and larry bird is one of probably the the the reason why I had this dream of becoming an mba player And in my book I write about I write about an open apology because He spawned this dream when I was nine him in magic But it was him Because he shot the jump shot the way he shot the jump shot and he was blindheaded I was blindheaded and I considered like I could play like that. This is my head. I'm nine. Yeah, you know, but once He got drafted by the boss in Celtics. It was literally and I didn't grow up in a new york family Like the Celtics suck. This is just like dna. Yeah that my new york dna took over and I couldn't stand larry bird I couldn't stand him, but I've never met him But as far as me people I the other day was at runyon canyon It was a place in Los Angeles where we hike you run you could walk you could meander you And and I've met her before but I I was getting ready to start my my little hike and I was like And I made eye contact like from about 20 feet away with serena williams And I was like, oh And I met her I've met her in passing, but I met her literally probably like 20 years when she was just popping off She had just won tournaments. I've always been a fan of her and venus um And I fanned out on her then And and she's come such a long way and she means so much to me I have so much respect for her and just her like the way like to me like she She created and will close her and her sister created and will close a chapter Of tennis that'll never happen again called smash mouth tennis Like they came out slamming beat your ass didn't apologize for it Didn't apologize for their blackness didn't apologize for how they grew up didn't ask questions Didn't weren't thankful to be there kicked ass continue to kick ass. She just had a baby So I saw her running can I was like, oh You know I gave her a hug and she was cool I met her husband and it was just a brief thing But I was so excited to see her because to me It'd be like seeing jordan at running canyon and if people aren't from LA It's like it's like central park. It's like a you know public place and in la you see people but to see her there And having just seen her on the cover of I think it was vogue with her baby And she's so iconic and she means so much to so many people um and talk about you know encompassing femininity but strong femininity and and and and and just she just she just so She's beyond She's like in her in her own space like she's literally in her own space because of the way her sister came up the story um, you know The we're we're so used to it now, but like uh two black girls in tennis with braids Kicking ass. Exactly. That was that was controversial. There's nuts You know that was crazy like they there came out braided up with the beads on their hair Never shook hands and like, you know and just like everything she's done and venus is done And and and the like they'll never like they're the best doubles players ever So to run into her like I was bugging and and it made my workout a little better And I was just like oh And like you know, I didn't ask for a picture. I've met her and you know, it was private You know what I mean? But like like I was just like I was like smitten and I told her I said you are my Your tea lap and she knows what I mean, I mean and it was just a brief thing But like I'm I'm glad for for for me that you know all the people I've met And and and all the little things that I've gotten to do like those moments still mean a lot to me Like the fan in me is still alive and you know, it's same thing like, you know There's certain players in the NBA like Russell Westbrook, you know, I met him like A couple of years ago and I was like oh because I just like the way he plays You know, and he's so unique and you're like and then you see him You're like it's like a person. You're like, you know, I also Remember when I met Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook six four Maybe how tall are you? I'm six three like on the so he was taller than you Six four and a half. How tall is Russell Westbrook? Way shorter. I mean he's listed as six three I think is I I mean, I think he's about six three when I don't I don't know he was taller than you He had bigger shoulders than me I mean he felt like the thing that tripped me out about Russell Westbrook. I mean, he's like on the rim Oh, he's and you're like, yo, and then when I saw and this is the first time I saw him. I was like, yo You're a freak. I'd say you're a freak, man. You are a freak. He was receptive to it. Like totally You know, he's because he kind of is a to himself Totally he totally totally like, you know, but when you you know, like when I look at somebody like that And whether he's the best player best team player or not like he is I equate him to an artist because Whether he makes the other players better or not like watching Russell Russell Westbrook play It's more about the thing that's most impressive to me about him is like You're seeing who Russell Westbrook is Good batter and different like that explosiveness that in determination that never stop Has less to do with his basketball skills and he has plenty of basketball skills and has more to do with like the heart Iverson's same thing. Like, you know, he was flawed shoot terrible form, you know Sort of reluctant passer, but it was a thing of beauty And it was it was true art like it's like, you know, whatever you're into whether it's, you know, uh Picasso painting or or or a Marvin Gaye song or a tupac lyric like tupac Not the best lyricist, but like yo you felt him You you you could feel his his his pain. You could feel his his flaws good batter and you could feel his struggle And Russell You know not struggle, but like you you know who Russell Westbrook is and then when you see him, he's got this like he's like Walter Payton voice Is like any six three like this guy's a freak man, this is a one of a kind freak athlete Yeah, no, and the determination is like it's That's the most impressive thing about Russell Westbrook. You you mentioned earlier. You mentioned larry bird Yeah, and he kind of inspired you to want to play Let me ask you I think bird is the best white american player ever And why do you think there aren't more great white american players? Is there a lot of great white players? But they're from europe. Yeah, well, we got me porzingus Yeah, you know and and miratich is playing well in chicago. Nicola yokic, you know Or mark marketing in chicago. I mean, yeah, I mean steve nasch was the closest thing we got Of course, he's power marketing saw steve nasch You know, why do you think in america for some reason? They're not producing them You know, I think it has to do with you know The aa uification I think kids aren't learning how to play. I think you get a lot of athletic kids come in And and you know, we could say what we want to say about race and we're all the same and we are all the same We should all be choosing but listen, man, they didn't make white man can't jump the movie for no reason Okay, that's real And of course you get your your freaks and you see this kid on instagram and that kid on instagram and you know, you get your Uh, you know, you're you're uh, john barry's and you know But but but the reality of the fact is is that white man can't jump was made and nobody bad and I wouldn't like that's offensive That ain't real like maybe a few white kids So so I think you know if you're not learning how to play the game white black chinese asian latin, whatever properly Yeah, and and you know, you you'll get into the league on pure athleticism in 1920 Obviously, you know, you not know how to play a game exaggeration, but you get these projects Yeah, yeah, yeah you know It's gonna hurt and you're gonna take the athlete over like, you know, the I think it's something to do with that. I think you make a great point I do but that's my theory like if you look at the greatest white players in history birds stockton mullin mullin mackayle On and on jerry west rigby. They had skills Absolutely like like skills where there was ball handling shooting mackayle had great moves They had skills and I think to your point and they played within that skill set. Yes Yes, and to your point in america The game and I think it may be going back to skills But it got to a point where it was just about the athleticism You know, and there's a hook you had guys getting drafted stroll mile swift You know other players that really weren't skilled, but they were athletic Yeah, they could run they could jump and the game went there and like you said an au That's a big part of it and I think Kids in america in general weren't learning the skill. I agree the fundamentals and in europe They're learning they are learning the skills clearly and so they come over with skills clearly and yeah so I think That if if I had white kids that wanted to how can I excel in bass? I would tell them man I would work on your skills I would tell I would tell this to myself play like a white dude stop trying to do all this fly You know you too slow, you know like there's a there again This is there's there's exceptions to the rule But like me growing up if I had just like tried to play like you were good I'm saying But like if I had done like what I'd done best instead of trying to keep up with my friends and keep up with the Pearl washington He had us all trying to cross everybody over and all this and I had been focused more on my spirit animal Chris mullin I could have made a little bit more of myself and maybe made it to a division three You know bench somewhere but but you know, I think you know this and it's this is this is beyond white black whatever like this This instagram, you know shaken, you know making them fall all this you see I don't give a what anybody says you I I know for sure now when the big games come The big games come but you see guys in the nba who are 2021 22 and they grew up on instagram and all the They're playing defense to try to not get shook to not Yeah, that's a good point to you you see it. That's a great point. You see it. You know, like they'll sort of Full go this way or full go that way or you know, you know, you know, you gotta watch And they they don't sell out a lot because they don't want to fall Right, you know what I mean? Like yeah, the nba man. Yeah, it's the nba And you're worried about like, you know, like, you know, you're playing full basketball Like you're gonna get shook You're gonna get done. It's the nba Exactly, you know, but like even like lebron last night, you know when kd When even like lebron, I don't know if you're gonna edit even like lebron versus golden state on On marlitha kings on marlitha king day, you know, kd went up and lebron sort of was like he didn't want that poster And lebron's blocking everybody's shots and punching people stuff from You know punching uh steph shopper. He loves punching steph shopper. He catches it. He gets stuff a lot He gets him a lot and you know and step doesn't bat an eye. He's not embarrassed It happens you're gonna get shook. I mean like I really so Those things and that mentality like and people will say no, I ain't worried about that. I ain't thinking about that I think that if you grow up not wanting to get shook and you play high school not wanting to get shook And you play college and not wanting to get shook and and and and all that stuff It bleeds over to the nba and when the obviously, uh, you know, when when the games get real, you know That'll go away. Yeah, but I think there's just these little sort of Intangibles, but I would tell my white dudes out there. Yo play to your skill set Play to your skill set watch mullin watch burr watch like yo watch the european dudes My american white dudes watch the european dudes because we ain't right now Let me ask you this because obviously the acting You haven't been I don't believe in a sports movie. No, okay Is there if you could and let's even limit it to basketball What would you think what would be your perfect basketball movie where you were the star Man, perfect basketball movie that was a star I don't look I don't look like him enough but I if it was perfect and I could do it my way I could play it, but I don't look like the real guy enough I would love to play jim valvano. Wow. Wow that that 30 for 30 His story His personality I love it. I mean you've seen you saw that survival similarities to I don't look like I'm not a little But I have to really do your makeup. Yeah, and there's other people that but I would That his his story and the way he spoke and his sense of humor and his you know Us against the world mentality. I would that would be like if I if I might be a good movie too I would love to direct it They should make that a movie because you know the Hoosiers and these, you know, remember the titans, you know football The jim valvano Oh my god, I'd be a great, you know and the players and like there's like like that documentary about him every time I'm like you because he was the thing I love about valvano Like he you know like the going through the cancer. I mean his talk about him. That should be a movie Yeah, no, it'd be a great movie and and he he was so all heart Yeah, you know, like there was true Yeah, so I would love like I would love to if I can't play him like directed or just Go to the movie theater and opening day to watch that because what's what's your favorite basketball movie? My favorite basketball movie My my my my two favorite basketball movies aren't even good movies. It's the fish that saved Pittsburgh by doc with doc Kareem all these weird cameos in it. Um, the the the dr. Jay On the date Dunking montage is worth it. Um, and then fast break we gave capital Yes There were both, you know fun basketball That movie could be could be redone the fish that saved Pittsburgh I don't know if it's ever been made in the first place. It was so way out there I mean as a kid I was just so into dr. Jayden. It was great, but I would like to watch it now. Yeah to see it was probably but but like I uh, Those were those are probably my favorites, you know, uh, you know white man can't jump was fun. Yeah, it was a good movie You know space jam is good You know for what it's worth and Um, I mean, they're there. What are what are the other ones? I like my two I think my two favorites would be loving basketball. Yeah, I thought that was a legitimately good movie And basketball diaries. Yes. I thought it was a great movie. That's good, too You know, I thought that was a great movie So those are two that are right up there for me. Yeah, it's basketball Uh, um, you know, I had one scene in basketball diaries I have a one I saw it about a month ago And I like I grabbed Lee in order to cap her and like, oh, where's the money? You know, I had to I had just finished higher learning and I like been I smacked He was asking for drugs. Yeah, and I'm like, you know, he was like, I only saw like the second half of it Because it just happened to be the one, but if you saw it again, you'd be like, oh but but you know, like I love that book um and and and You know that that that time and you know, and then New York City street ball and all of it all and You know, but basketball diaries is good, too But I really think, you know, that that that valvano story should should be made man. I love that That's a great point. You're right. I hadn't thought about it. Now you you who you could look like is larry bird I know you know what I mean like that. You could play him. There's no question. I'm still as slow as him Like the good thing about being as slow as me is I never lost a step I still said that's I have an advantage. Most people want they have to adjust I I you can't lose what you never had Look man, we could go on all day. I love talking about basketball man. This is great man. We didn't even get to talk hip hop We didn't even get a full hip hop. Okay. Just one best rapper ever You are not even gonna say that your favorite your favorite. I'm gonna say I'm I'm gonna say it's so subjective Yeah, it's all yeah, and you know, it's all hard to pick who with the errors and all that stuff But I'll say this Black thought Yeah, he was though rocking for 10 minutes on funk master flex. Yeah Talk about you know having the fundamentals and the skill set to me black thought rocking for 10 minutes on funk master flex Was the perfecting of a craft We're talking about a dude who's been rhyming with the roots for years. He rhymed loved it Before they was with the roots. He's on the Fallon show every single night. He's perfecting his craft Talk about a guy like that's like that that and I'm so glad that twitter existed for that because people that don't understand like When you're doing that for 10 years, that's like a miles davis solo or a john coltrane solo or john bynum, you know, uh Uh, you know, like that's it. Yeah, and and and you know these people like rap is a music in the 80s You were saying those like when you watch that guy That's like a guy playing his clarinet Um, that's like, you know, a great piece of art happening right in front of you So right now like that that's the thing that like tripped me out another one that tripped me out Was with black thought and met the man on sway I see that Yo, yo, you gotta watch it And and and and in that that little thing with sway met the man I think stole the show because met the man he wrote his rhymes But he was rhyming and he was reading him off his phone And he was like somebody he was freaking it and it was like he was doing like, you know Like he was breaking in his Spanish But the fact that he had the fact that he wrote on this and then he's doing it I mean and i'm talking i'm not talking about hat cat bat like he's rocking off his phone and I was just like, yo, this is nuts So now with the black thought freestyle He's freestyle, but I don't think black black thought and he'll be the first to tell you I don't think he can necessarily ever freestyle because he's his rhymes He's got so many rhymes in his head. So I think something like it's a mix of Freestyle he's pulling for this and when you're going for 10 minutes like you you probably have said things you said before like But it doesn't matter like What are you doing on funk master flex, you know, you have like some people on the internet these dummies Like, you know, I heard him say a piece of that before it's 10 minutes. Yo, you're rocking Think about if you had to sit here and do a 10 minute monologue right now. You couldn't do that That's tough. That's tough. Just talking Rhyme Yeah, and then we're like just if I had to talk for 10 minutes Like if you you know, obviously you could prepare but like to rock for 10 minutes So like, you know, that's what I love about hip-hop and it's the same thing with these young dudes like yo like I I tell these guys sway and and You know these these sort of benchmark places where mcs go I said you should put on a bend a james brown beat And if this young dude can't rock over that the interview is not happening Like we're not going to talk to you until I see if you could rock for just two or three minutes Give me 36 Well, you don't have to go for for you know on and on and on but like if you can't rock over a basic james brown beat I don't have anything to talk to you about that's that's fundamental basic hip-hop. Can you do the mic and drill? Now did you ever rhyme No, I couldn't do it. I mean really bull crap around like you never got into You know, yeah, you know, I'm flowing. I'm showing but I wish I could if I could rhyme And I could rhyme now Y'all as far as talking crap. I'd be on instagram. Just killing dudes Well, you'd be killing dudes anyway. Yeah, but if I could rhyme and do it like I would be killing dudes All right, my man. Thanks a lot brother. Appreciate it. I appreciate you any time any time any time and I'm coming on your Let's do it. We'll do the next wave of shenanigans whenever you need me. All right. All right, peace All right, here we are for another segment of knockdown j with my man Jason McIntyre and what we're going to do this time is Instead of debating three topics like we usually do Since the all-star team is being announced this week or at least the starters We are going to mimic what the captains are going to do in the all-star You know, there's a different format this year So each of the leading vote getters from each conference is going to pick Their own team from the other 22 players that are named to the all-star team So j mac and i are we're not going to do 12 on each team We're going to do eight five starters three reserves and then my man Josh goldman. We call him goldie. He is going to name. Who has the best team now? Look, this is not Building the best team to win a championship So there won't be role players and things like that These are strictly all-star players that we are choosing and then go deal Give us the verdict good start us off chris I don't want first pick because i'm going to upset you with my first look it's my show And i'm going to destroy you. Oh gosh. I'm i'm very hospitable. I'm very hospitable. This is on the record. I offer it to you I'm hospitable. I will pencil him in the nb. Whoa, there goes my eraser the nba of the m uh the mvp of the nba Mr. Kevin Durant. He's my first pick front court star durant filling it up unstoppable Well, you know your move you got you've got to go with lebron James, you know who i'm getting next go ahead and take stef. Yeah, obviously stef curry. Have you come on? Second best point card in the nba history. That's a fact stef curry number two. So we got durant and curry This is a wrap. I mean it's all you have no chance. I'll give you the next I'm taking james harden. Who's pretty good leaves the league in scorn. I like his game I mean I haven't seen him in two or three weeks. I haven't seen him in a couple weeks. Yeah, yeah Rockets are falling apart without him now. This is a challenge because I kind of want to go With another warrior, but I'm gonna get destroyed if I take clay toms in this early um, so I'm gonna go with a gentleman Who I believe No, you know, this is tough. Now you got me pinned. I didn't think he'd go harden I thought he'd pick westbrook and I would laugh at him. Yeah, that was actually a pretty good move I'm not taking russia westbrook. He is a chemistry killer Make a pick I'm gonna go with the guy who could guard lebron who is an mbp candidate. Oh, there's somebody that can guard lebron Yannis go ahead and say his last name. I don't want to try it and embarrass myself Yes, there you go Yannis G i a m i because you got shooting that's not a bad you off to a decent score I don't know Yannis. I mean come on. Yannis durant and curry That's probably the greatest team in nba history Yeah, this is a tough one boussard. This is a tough one because the front court players are drying up I am going to I want some shooting I want some shooting. Hey, paul george is out there 43 percent from deep this year That's not a bad one That's not a bad one. Lonzo ball still on the board Don't take kuzma. Whatever you do, but you know what? I am going with your nemesis my nemesis russia westbrook joel Oh my god Are you kidding me joel Hold on the sixth pick joel and beat it was yet to play a back-to-back this season. How many games is he? It's all star game on back-to-back. Hold on. How many games is irrelevant? That last comment was irrelevant Stephanie's miss more games than joel and are close. No, we'll find that out We got a fact checker and duranz mr. Handful too. So joel and beat and I like mb, but chris You're out of your mind mb is the best big man in basketball. Jeez. Look at this. What a motley crew You are so in trouble. Do I need to pick someone to defend him bead? I got you right now. Hold on first. You're hating on him bead now. You gotta play 15 minutes You're right. I don't see anybody You know what? I'm gonna go with the most unguardable guard in the league kairi Irving Kairi Irving nobody can check them nobody you couldn't check him with that marker chris kairi Irving. Look at this lineup You know, this is the one episode where you're gonna lose all your youtube commenters The guys who come on says boussard is a goat every comment, dude my team already you do you do make me look good Yeah, every every single week. That's why I got you on knockdown jet I do need some shooting ben Simmons. Why don't you grab ben Simmons? I need some shooting Go ahead and make another 76er from that 500 ball club I I like the sixers by the way I am going to I got hard you can shoot bogey cousins. There you go. Okay another big guy I tell you what He's he's gonna be an all-star and I need some shooting At my second guards. No, no, I'm going with my man clay Thompson. Really? Yes I need shooting. How many open looks is lebron getting him? tons Tons are we being serious this clay Thompson? He's going to be an all-star. Yeah, old George. Are you tracking this over here step boy? Paul george and jimmy butler are on the board Clay Thompson is no you apparently you don't Now I've got a difficult I wish I wish I was just you shoot down my picks and then you sit here and I got a difficult decision I got size protection of the rim size wins I have two tremendous playmakers In lebron and hard who can always get somebody an open look I don't have any of that. I got a three-point shooter in harden I got a three-point marksman in clay Thompson. You know, you're gonna have trouble dealing with me I hate to give you paul george and she's gonna be a Laker next year. Um, and I like the Lakers I I think I'm gonna have to lean Jimmy butler here for defense because he owns lebron lebron's lost to jimmy butler I believe seven times in a row So i'm gonna go jimmy butler one of the best jimmy butler, you mean when he was with the bulls They were beating the calves No, no, I said the last seven games had to head jimmy butlers like dominated lebron the facts are out So butler was playing with the bulls. Yeah when he was with the bulls. So the bulls were beating the cash No, I mean they weren't really killing them But jimmy butler had to head with lebron was it just so jimmy butler's better than lebron Is that is that would you jimmy butler can guard lebron actually j-max he just said jimmy butler I did not he Okay, the warrior's own lebron with a warrior's own lebron. You'll admit that that's one of the best teams in history Okay, one of the best teams in history good and jimmy butler head to head with lebron I believe and we can fact check this seven straight either wins or he outplayed them seven straight times When they beat him by 30 last week the tv commentary all the whole game was boy jimmy butler owns lebron I don't know. You missed that game. I'm sure nobody said owns lebron. I don't know what broadcast It might have been the terminal is broadcast But might have been mrs. Butler on that broadcast. I can have butler on lebron. I could have Giannis on lebron. You're in trouble. So look at this starting lineup, but but if somebody's shutting down lebron potential mvp Lebron nemesis biggest freak in the league and the mvp. I mean, all right I am taking I got I got clay to knock down threes if you don't harden can knock down threes Paul george. I think i'm taking anthony davis. That's a good. That's who i'm taking. Oh, yeah Oh, yeah, oh, yeah Man, come on. Hold it up and just my team is legit, baby My team is legit. I'ma put some marksman on the off the bench. I got joel mb. Who can't who's handling mb I'm just posting mb all night long. I'm afraid you the double trade you Have to double Oh, it's uh, come on. Do we want to let him go first pick for the reserve? Paul george. Paul george. Lock that up 40 you apparently think george has had a much better season Paul george is a top 10 player in the nba. I I'm not so sure about that man. He's on the fringe of it 43% clear high from shooting up Is he was he shooting overall about 42? I don't know. I'm just hooked on his 43. All right, paul george. He's a He's a he's a very good. I love george. He's he's had a great season. I think you're you're Overselling he's actually playing well with westbrook, which is nice giving westbrook has not shared well with others You can't hate on westbrook. He hates on westbrook. Take him take him take your boy. Collin cowler hates on westbrook Yeah off the bench change your pace. Is he a two-time mvp two-time all-star game Oh, i'm taking russell westbrook. What's he shooting? Is your 39 career low? I bet you he's shooting better In your boy paul george No, I really think so. Well, you know what this is this is perfect This sets me up for what I believe is one of the i'm gonna call him a sleeper. Although he's not technically a sleeper I'm going there are no sleepers among all stars victor. Oladipo who by the way is having one of the best seasons In the nba right now. I think he's having 24 5 and 5 away from his squad I like oladipo, but Top 16 players. What he's done with that rag tag indiana. What are they seated? I don't know ripping mb because they're only seated eight or nine superstars number one overall This is not yet a superstar victor oladipo's had four coaches. I think in five years in the nba And take oladipo. Wow and you're mocking you and take miles turner with him for your next pick. All right That is some hardcore dissers. You know that you just killed it. You're never going to get oladipo on the show I like oladipo, but i just think you're going Your last two picks your last three picks have been won. I i'm shaking you should how Throw on some mob deep. You are shook. I'm sitting like you you've just gotten like we are going to run circles around you Why don't you draft another center? Well, you take the mark of cousins go ahead. I know you love big guys Who's on the market bradley biel? I got hold take another point guard there buddy Well, we we how many guards i got? Damian lilor carl anthony towns on the board You know what I love me some carl anthony towns carl anthony towns can't shoot the three is dremont green in play Ladies and gentlemen, he's not having an all-star season I mean you could argue victor oladipo should be starting in the east You could argue that It's i mean he's been tremendous. Why are you discounting what victor oladipo has done? I like oladipo I'm just I think that's a little high for victor oladipo. That's all i'm saying 11th 12th He's been in the league for six years. I'm struggling with my counting today. I I am going to go Lights out with carl anthony towns How many seven footers you got you do realize I'll give your team all the twos you want. He's a seven footer, but he can hit How's his defense? He's the weakest defensive player of anybody here that includes steve curry Uh, I don't know kairi's not a lockdown guy. You can talk all you want about him being a boston He doesn't play a lick of defense and I like towns a lot. All right, so now comes to my final pick Nobody's playing. I kind of want to go off the board. Look. I had all my top guys. They're gone Heck you've almost convinced me to take de marcus cousins but Because the all-star game is you have really three flowing three pointers I I mean i want to give you a guy You know, is ben Simmons an all-star chris i'm going to ask you straight up He is he has slowed down a little bit as the season's gone on. Uh, maybe I'd have to count him out He can't shoot so I I would love to I love ben Simmons. I love how he stepped to kyle lowery said meet me on the hallway I've said that to you business surprisingly tough. At least at least he appears like he was like, I don't play I don't take nothing. He doesn't take no off nobody. So I like Mr. Whitlock I seriously considered steven adams in this final spot. He's been great this year and you don't mess with steven adams All right for my final thing. I like steven adams, but I'm gonna go with you got no you got no muscle, man You don't need muscle. No muscle. This is a fine and d league. You have no you have absolutely no muscle I'm looking at your squad. You know what? I can see him. I'm gonna get really because yannis can't shoot So is he your is he your big? He's my only oh my god. You convinced me just for blitz and giggles I'm gonna go with de marcus cousins. He's a chemistry killer Well, there you go. You're killing your own team You you started off strong. I got it mit with staff and marcus. Come on down de marcus Finally playing for a winning franchise started strong teammates. He's never had a good point guard. No disrespect to uh, What's his name? Uh, the guy uh in new Orleans right now rejan rondo No disrespect to jeru holiday or whatever the king came back in the day drew holiday. You know what? I You really fell off You started strong. Oh, I give you devin. I wanted him. I wanted him a lot, but I need some some muscle inside I'm I'm I'm even gonna let you know who I'm debating marketing. I want some shooting like me some marketing I'm looking at andre drummond. I'm looking at Devon booker. Yeah Damian li'lard or uh Bradley bill, you know because I want some shooting. I'll give you any of those guys. So none of them scare me. I got depo Devon devin really, I don't think devin's devin's not gonna make it this year True story because the three guys you just named victor ola depo is having a better season Then all three of those guys you just named. That's a fact Bradley bill I don't know about li'lard ola depo and ola depo plays did better defense than all you know what? That that was a steal. That's a steal right there. I mean, I wish I could draw emojis I would draw like a something steal for victor ola depo like I don't have to give him an extra. I'm gonna go with Uh, I'm my man is clutch. I'm gonna go with dame and there's a happy face for demarcus cousins He's gonna be happy dame dollar Who dame dollar All right So my my team my starting five james harden clay thompson. Wow, that's a that's a duo Joel mb'd in the middle anthony davis and lebron james Then at my reserves. I got russell westbrook carl anthony towns and dame dollar li'lard I'm surprised you didn't take your buddy isaia thomas. You love him a lot. I know he's only played five games, but I'm going steve curry kairi erving jimmy butler yannis and durant by the way three of my five were in your mvp list Okay, that's how stacked my starting line. I got nice starting. I got paul george Having his best career from uh shooting from victor ola depo career season and demarcus cousins who I will give him props I think he's at 25 and 10 his numbers are his numbers are insane and you know on a good team He's gonna be happy. He's not gonna chirp. He's not gonna argue with the rest What do we got here? Why didn't you wear a muscle shirt this week like that? I'll dip into the tank top Next week All right, we turn it over to my man goldie josh goldman. He's gonna pick you up. What you got the fans All start games about the fans. They really like the muscle shirts You could have got some more extra points and I have to give it to you mac and tear Your first picks were amazing stef kd yannis kairi is an awesome awesome all-star player kairi Steff but steff's miss more and you had me with the jimmy butler stat eight straight wins versus lebron It's eight straight wins versus lebron. That's why you can't you had a magic word that you said Defense no one plays defense in the all-star game at all I don't want to hear who's guarding lebron You could you could be out there lebron. It doesn't matter. You set that up you and lebron just hit up my maverick Westbrook is the an amazing all-star player. He's two-time and nobody's dean of who's stopping him at the rim Oladipo got some revenge Revenge for westbrook. You didn't pass me the ball. I'm gonna lock you up And I feel like there's no clipper or laker that's going to make it I feel like ross is going to be the host they're going to watch oh gross It's going to be paul george paul george. Oh by the way russia westbrook is shooting better than paul george from the field Well, hold on. What's up? What is up? No one's gonna guard him. It's the all-star game He's gonna be shooting dunks. So the winner and the host is christ Thank you. My man. Goldie. My man. Goldie. Oh my gosh. You your team is soft, man. Your team is soft That's that's all I mean you you start off strong. Okay fair enough strong You came all right carl Anthony towns. I'm a tremendous defender. You're right. Yeah, but it's not about defense Yeah, I forgot all I'm running. My can you imagine my fast break westbrook lebron Hard yeah guys filling the lanes my guys are going to the three-point line and splashing I got a few three-point shooters too a few. I have a lineup full of them Look, I wish I could let this be a lesson Adam silver and make this happen. This is hot. Let this be a lesson learned for you Don't come in the zone with that weak stuff. All right. All right, because I swatted away Like your man Kevin Durant