 Our parlay did not hit last night, shocking, I know, but I did win my Spurs Nets bet against Eddie tattoos for Eddie. Run it back. Starts now. Run it up. Run it back. Run it up. Run it back. Run it back. Run it up. Run it down. Good Wednesday morning. Wednesday is our Friday, so this is why I'm super excited. I'd like to introduce the panel because look who's back. It's Evan Turner sitting right there looking beautiful. Yeah. Good morning. Of course, stadium insider, Sean Shirania doing his best and Eddie, I don't even know where you are anymore. How do you feel, by the way? No, don't tell me. Hold that thought because we're going to talk about one second. He's home. I know, right? He's like, he's somewhere crazy. Look, a lot of basketball last night, a lot of fun to talk about. Some interesting moments. So let's just jump right in right away and we're going to start with Raptors Bucks drew holiday season high 37 leading his team over the Raptors fourth consecutive game without Yanis. So I ask you this, Drew Holiday last night, Evan, was how impressive to you? Man, he was a 10 out of 10. I've always been a big through fan. He's an unbelievable talent, unbelievable teammate and he's so underrated in situations like this. He really shows his work. Eddie, I heard a guy, I heard a guy this morning. I don't know if some fans somewhere, but he said Drew Holiday is his most favorite player to watch, which I thought was kind of a big statement. What do you think about that? I'm not mad at that to see somebody as aggressive as he is on defense. And then he's also is equally talented in offense. He doesn't always get the opportunity, obviously with Chris and Yanis there. But when he has a chance to be the head of the snake, he can carry the weight. I mean, people probably forget Philadelphia drew and what he was doing out there. And as he grew as a player and became what he is, you know, I think he's a borderline all star this year. I mean, it drew me and your favorite player is not the worst guy in the league to pick as your favorite. He's a champion. He's proved his worth in big games. And he's got a bag. He's got a bag that he doesn't always get the dig in. But you know, you look at the double lefty like that's that's tough. So I love Drew Holiday's game. And you know, he gets all the credit for his defense, but he can get buckets as well. Yeah. Yeah. And I think Drew Holiday, this isn't the aggressiveness that we've seen really throughout his career. Nick Nurse said pregame last night that this is as aggressive offensive as he's ever seen Drew Holiday. But really the circumstances have allowed that because there's been no Giannis and Tito Gumbel for the last week or so. He's missed last four games. Chris Milton's been out about a month with a right knee issue after missing the majority of the season already after having his left wrist. So getting both of those guys back is going to ease the burden on Drew Holiday. I think there is optimism that both Giannis and Chris will be back in the lineup on Saturday in Cleveland. But right now, at least the last week or so, it's been the Drew show. And he's got everything, like Eddie said, the three pointer, the mid range shot, the drives, the defense. He's really a two way player. We just have never seen him in this position of being the focal point night in and night out. It's a nice timing for all of us to go down. My second favorite moment from all of basketball last night is the following. Lopez snatched in the headband right off of the head of Gary Trent, Jr. Here's the referee trying, trying to explain everything exactly that went wrong here. A technical foul for Lopez on two separate acts. He's been for two separate acts so he ejected from the game. Two separate acts, which is my favorite part. First of all, just real quick reactions to pulling a headband off of another grown ass man is what, Evan? It's great improv, if you're that mad, I mean, clearly it's better in a punch, but that was, I had to see, I'm like, damn, that's a $25,000 fine, too, if you're throwing into the stands. So it might have been a triple whammy. Yeah, just to do that off the cuff is just so random. And he was just so disgusted. I always like in these little things, like the guy who breaks it up gets the true ire of the initial, like, look how mad he is at OG. You know he's just trying to break it up, bro. He's pulling you back. But it's like all of a sudden, he's more upset at OG than anybody else. And that's always the funniest part of this to me. I like that Brooke is sitting on the bench and can't believe he's ejected. No, you're ejected, bro. This was crazy. This was wild. What are you thinking? And it's always funny when a Lopez gets upset because they're usually pretty loud manner. So you don't see it. Like even his brother, Robin, when he threw the punch at Ibaka a few years back. Like, what was he so mad about? I don't know. It's why I loved it so much. You just they're just both these giant cuddly animals. And you don't see him like that. But did speak on it, Joe Ingalls. Here you are. Tell them you got dogs on you. Can't feel you just want to know what happened to Gary transit band. That's all I want to know. Yeah. Do you answer Joe's questions or you just ignore them? Should I answer Joe's question? Just driving me so insane. I had to do something. I was talking to you. Why did it end up on the ground? Eddie, how much do you love all of this? This is like 10 out of 10. Like, I like that. He has like the he feels like that's the most valid reason ever he was talking to me. It was it was annoying. Like, what? But this is the entertainment I strive for when I watch the games. Like, I would have never locked into books and raptors. There's no Yanis, no Middleton until I heard that this happened. I was like, all right, I got to see this now. I love it so much, Evan. I I like I want more of this and all the basketball. But this is just so it's almost like a wholesome fight. Like, no one got hurt here. It's like the equivalent of pulling a little hair. I mean, we need more, right? We need more. A little bit. I mean, then the whole narrative of the fake tough guy comes around and then, you know, that kind of shares that kind of scares guy away from scuffles. God, I love it. Where's the why is it on the ground? Yanis, though, did miss his four straight game. Like Eddie mentioned, a lot of people may not have tuned into that game because of that. He's got the lingering knee issue. Coach Bud says that it's precautionary. Shoms just mentioned he actually might be back on Saturday, which is crazy. Evan, is it is this the best time if you have to take these types of times off? This is the best time for him. Nothing. So right before all star break, you know, obviously there's a lot of, you know, guys down and kind of, you know, preparing to, you know, really make a run afterwards. So I think if you get your rhythm back a little bit, you know, you know, get the team right before all start breaking, you know, come out to break, hit in the ground running, it'll be perfect. You know, Shoms, Fred Van Vliet had had a night in what is a loss, actually. But what is his future there up in Toronto? There's a lot up in the air in Toronto. I mean, when you look at that entire roster, Pascal Siakam, Ojean Anubi, Fred Van Vliet, Gary Trent, there's those four guys are going to be coveted across the league. I don't think Pascal Siakam is a guy that a lot of teams have their focus on in terms of that that Toronto will for sure move. But Fred Van Vliet is a guy who's going to be a free agent potentially in the offseason. He's got a twenty three million dollar player option. And I'm told the Suns and Magic are two teams that are expected to emerge as suitors for him. I think the Suns inclusion in this is interesting because Chris Paul's future there is is kind of up in the air. He's got a sixteen million dollar partial guarantee about half of his salary for next year is guaranteed. And so they could theoretically waive him, open up salary cap space, dump Landry Shamet, or they could move both of those guys, move Chris Paul, move Landry Shamet, move another salary, open up salary space to go get Fred Van Vliet as a free agent, or they can try to do a sign and trade for Van Vliet, maybe trade Chris Paul and multiple first round picks to Toronto. The Raptors would have to engage in that. But you know, the Suns inclusion in this is definitely eyeopening around the league in terms of where they're going and how they can potentially pair Van Vliet with a Booker and Aten, you know, long term. Yeah. But do you like that afterwards? You like the connection between, you know, Van Vliet, Booker and Aten? I think sometimes the one thing that makes Chris Paul so special is his leadership and his guidance. And, you know, the way that he can get to the guys and I think one thing that they benefited from is you have an adult and, you know, you know, a man on the court that's showing you the way and also being a great leader for Booker to really show out a leader franchise. I kind of like how the Suns are. I don't know how much Van Vliet would really move the needle when, you know, we add it up. Wait, hold on, based on that, then would you be shocked, Evan, if Chris Paul is moved, whether it be through this move or something totally different? I'll be shocked if he is moved for Fred Van Vliet, for sure. All right, Eddie, do you hate it or love it? I mean, I think Fred is such a better player right now that that moves the needle. I get what Evan's saying, you know, culturally and leadership wise, but that team is a mess now and Chris Paul is there. So, you know what I mean? No, I dig you, but if you're trying to sit there and they have aspirations of making a deep playoff run, like is that really dangerous in the West? Like if they're going for shot for shot with the Warriors, can those three really take out what the Warriors have? Like I think it's going to take more intangibles over a seven game series to really take out a goat like Steph Curry or whoever else in that West. I don't think that's a dangerous trio. Oh, Eddie. I like it. No, I mean, I like the thought process for sure. I mean, it's what he's saying as well about having to focus on the Warriors for seven games, that's where they beat you up. Is you're defending that for seven games. You're eventually going to have lapses. You're eventually going to be mentally strained. So, yeah, maybe Fred Van Vliet does not provide that for the Suns. But I do like the idea of, you know, that's not exactly a big three book Van Vliet and Aten and it's like, you know, but you will be going against big threes if you do that. So, yeah, I mean, I think it makes them better. It doesn't make them a title contender. No, unless Devin Booker is the best player in the world right now. And, you know, he's nursing injuries. He looked great. He looked great before he went out. But yeah, I mean, that team has holes in swapping CP for Van Vliet. Well, I think you're getting the better player. I don't think it's actually plugging every hole in the boat. Just not enough. It's just not enough. Last night, Joel Embiid, besides just giving another great post game, like classic Embiid, he had 41 points leading this team past the Clippers. And you had Paul George and Kauai on that floor. Evan, is Joel the most dominant player in the league? Dominant being keyword. I definitely think so. I think skill set mixed with, you know, his physical capabilities is just unbelievable. And he's not afraid to hit you. You know, Joel's going into your chest. Joel's looking to draw fouls. He's a seven foot, you know, James Hardin. And, you know, he takes full advantage of all his mismatches. Yeah, Joel is the rare player who is like one of the biggest floppers in the league, but also gets beat on all night. And so, like, I understand why he flops most nights. So he draws the fouls. He is absolutely the most dominant player in the league to the point where it's frustrating when he's not this physically dominating presence and you're watching him and he's having one of those kind of floppy games. And it's like, just go dunk on everybody 10 times. Like, what are you doing, Joel? Right. But I'm happy he's playing, you know, last year he was my MVP. I know Nicola Jokic ended up getting it, but I thought, you know, he had the better numbers and I thought he had the better season. He's right up there again this year. He's second in the NBA and scoring. And that's just my like point two points behind Luca. For as much as we marvel at Luca scoring, Joel beats right there and could pass him. Well, he keeps having nights like this. He might end up leading the league in scoring. He's double digit rebounds and they're going to be a top four seed. He's he's he's probably my MVP favorite at the moment. And we have a lot of a lot of, you know, games to play, obviously. I know I just said the other day, like, I think Jokic is going to win the award. But I think Joel is having a better season. I mean, I know we're talking Jokic down the road here in a second, but that's a big statement, Eddie. So keep the energy because we're going to come back to it because I feel like this is breaking news on your part. No big deal. On the clipper side of thing, I mean, we got to we got to see PG and Kawhi on the court at the same time. Basketball fans PG with a 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists, five turnovers in 29 minutes. Kawhi had 27 and four rebounds and 36 minutes. Look, this team is clearly banking on some sort of a light switch situation at the end of the season, Evan. But I ask you, if they're both healthy, truly, what is the ceiling for this L.A. squad? Now, I think the ceiling, you know, obviously, there'll be a top four team down the line. I think anytime you have two talents like Paul George and, you know, Kawhi Leonard, those type of two-way players, I think night in and night out, they can go up against anybody's best. And, you know, Coach Ty Lewis, a great coach. I think the adjustments on that team, they have a lot of versatility where guys can, you know, work together, make a click. And they've been through those runs before. And I'm just a big fan of, you know, Kawhi Leonard, man. Like a 70 percent win percentage in a league. That's pretty impressive. I'm taking those eyes. That ain't bad. Yeah, I just, I just have to see it. That's the problem. Like, I understand what they can be in theory. I just have to see it. I had to see them get out there every night. And maybe it is like conspiracy theory. They're just waiting for the playoffs. Maybe it's that simple. And they're not actually having these lingering injuries that are just piling up on them and are concerning and worrisome. Maybe it's just like, yo, we don't really care until March, until April, and then we really play. But yeah, Paul looked rusty and then that's part of the dealing with injuries. And yeah, they they lost the game where James Harden looked like he'd been in LA for five days. So it's it's it's not like a great win. It's not a it's not a moral loss here. They lost a pretty rough game. And for all they can be, they don't show us that consistently enough for me to go, yeah, this is a true title contender. Like Shams is over there. Like, I also, I look, I get the talent on paper. We know how great they are. But it's what are you basing your light switch theory on? Like, you're not the warriors. Warriors have built equity in that department. We kind of wait for them to turn things on and off. It looks like hopefully that's what they're doing this season. But I feel like other than Kawhi being Kawhi and having a track record, I don't know why this Clippers team would depend so much on a light switch situation. Well, like based on what, Evan? I think one thing that they can count on is versatility. You know, you do have like the Morris, you do have a tomb. You do have, like I said, some guys that you interchange and, you know, go small ball with and be very dangerous. Then you look a couple of years ago, you had the similar same roster where those guys are a number one, three-point shooting team and a lead 40 percent. And I think when you turn into that type of game and you try to rely on your stars, which in the past is what you all really have to rely on. That's that's your selling if you're going to look at anything positively. It's going to be interesting. All of this has just been an appetizer to what was the game of the night. Ladies and gentlemen, Spurs. Now, oh, I'm sorry. You know what? I want to go to John Wall because I know John Wall. Look, I what I remember of John Wall yesterday was roasting dudes on a podcast, Shoms. But what is the latest on John Wall? I got too excited. Yeah. I think I think it's a microcosm of the Clippers right now. They have two real needs. They want to see if there's a point guard out there that they can upgrade on. You know, they've had Reggie Jackson, John Wall this year. I think when they look out in the marketplace, that's the position of need. Yes. Coal Leonard, PG, have the ability to flip the switch. But they need a lead guard in there. And I think they've looked into Mike Connolly Jr. as a potential upgrade from what I'm told. And John Wall's contract is one to keep an eye on. He's got six million this year. He's got a team option next year. They've they've dangled his deal in talks, not only for Mike Connolly, but also potentially get a backup big man behind Ibiza Zubat. So look at the Clippers to being active here before the deadline here in the next 22 days to go get a potentially show up that point guard position as well as the backup center position. They've relied on Moses Brown on a two way contract throughout this season to be the backup center. So this is a team that knows it has a couple of holes and we'll see if they'll be able to fill it. Yeah, I'm not going to lie to you. I'm kind of looking for I'm from Chicago. So I'm rooting for D Rose to get one more chance. And I believe if you're going to give somebody a chance, this is judging off of interview I've seen recently. I think he's still locked in. I think he still has more than 11 for him to go. And I think with that pace, that type of energy, I don't know who else you'll find. Obviously, you love Mike Connolly, but, you know, you definitely need some energy and somebody to switch things up a bit. And when you mix that in with a and they need an extra big man, you can go get Jericho Sims as well. Just a live guy that, you know, is a energy guy off the bench if you're not too much in love with Moses Brown. But I like the Mike Connolly thing. But I think I want to see D Rose in LA. I read Sam's reporting and I got into the trade machine and I was looking at everything. And I think they should maybe spring for Fred Van Vleet as well. If they really feel like they need something at the point guard position, he could be a table setter for them. He could be an upgrade for what they have there. Reggie Jackson, who, look, Reggie was great for them two playoffs ago. And I understand why they retained him and kept him. But they clearly need a starter level point guard to help set the the plays up for Paul George, for Kawhi Leonard, for that offense in general. And you know, Tyler of former point guard himself is just itching for someone to come and kind of set the table for everybody. So I read, I read Tom's reporting. I seen all the people he said that is interested in Fred Van Vleet. And I didn't see the clippers. So maybe they're just not. But I think if he's available like that, maybe it's something they should look into. And Fred Van Vleet's going to be moving. Good for him. That'd be good. But rock out. I'm just saying, like, y'all talking about winning a chip. Oh, I mean, we got to get that out there. You can't watch D-Rolls on the clip. Now, if I'm saying D-Rolls, like that sound crazy to me. I like that. I like D-Rolls. I checked my calendar. It sounded crazy. I didn't know what year it was. But that's fine. No, but I'm saying, but we also are saying, you know, I mean, for a title contender, who should I go get? And I'm not knocking out. I'm a big Fred Van Vleet fan. But like, how about everybody to stay where they're at? If that's the case, you know what I think is happening? This is name. This is like a name bigotry, because I also have a very unsexy name. So I think that sort of holds me back. And I think Fred Van Vleet is one of the unsexier names in the I think that's what's happening now. You guys are just made by that. But get over it. And when you go, when you go viral for this in a few hours, they're not going to put that part at the end. They're not going to remember that. Yeah, clearly. Because I just root it for their girls at the starting point. So people Chicago's gonna love me, but everybody else is gonna hate me per usual. That's all that matters. There's worse things that could happen to you. OK, fine. We can finally get to my favorite topic. God, I was so excited about this. Nets first, Keldon Johnson, career high, 36 points, lifting his team over this Brooklyn squad. Eddie, I know Kyrie was on the bench, but how does it feel to be a loser this morning for you? I think I think Kyrie was I think Kyrie was in the crowd. I don't even know if he was on the bench. I saw him. I saw him. Yeah, it's it's a frustrating. But it's look, this is this is where you kind of look to Ben Simmons and go, yo, is this this should be a game that you as a former All Star as somebody making thirty five million dollars this year is somebody. Look, I understand he's coming back to surgery. I understand all of the I'm not going to call them excuse all the reasons he's not the former Ben Simmons as of right now. But you're going to look to him as a max player to say you should be able to win this game on the road. The Spurs are one of the worst teams in the league. They're actively looking to lose as many games as possible. We need a better performance for you than that. And then to watch Keldon Johnson, a guy who you should be able to guard and disrupt a little bit, have a career high the other end of the floor. Yeah, you have to look squarely at him and put some of the blame on his shoulders. It is frustrating that Kyrie's cast flared up. That happened again a few weeks back as well. And he was nursing that it is frustrating that Kevin is back in Brooklyn nursing his knee. But, yo, these are the games that you should be able to win with with your All Star that you traded another All Star for. So, yeah, that's frustrating to happen for sure. And Michelle Beto gets bragging rights and I'll have to get a tattoo. So it's like really like doubly worse. Are you going to tattoo of Michelle? Like, what's the time? No, I wouldn't do that to you. That's that's just I mean, we can decide together. Words. They can figure it out. Hey, long as it goes under a T shirt, I'll do it. It's fun. Yeah, placements up to you. I mean, you agree with them as far. I mean, look, I think most of us probably thought the Nets could still win that game. But you know what, Spurs, Spurs are fighters. They're fighters. Yeah, for sure. I totally agree with Eddie. I mean, obviously with everything involved, I think Ben Simmons is IQ, his natural ability and obviously the team that they're going up against. I think that's not saying child's play, but he should be able to control the game with all the skill set and gifts that he has. And when you watch the game last night, the Spurs kind of came out, went on a run and hit him in the mouth. And, you know, any time the best player on the court is Keldon Johnson, it's going to be, you know, a rough night for the opposition. So. Yeah. Ben Simmons, you know, for all intents and purposes, it has to be the best player on the floor. It can't be Keldon Johnson on a night like that. And when it is the Spurs winning, they win big. Keldon Johnson looked absolutely dominant, like the way he was driving the ball into guys' chests and he was getting wherever he wanted to get to dunk it on folks. So I think shout out to Keldon Johnson. You know, Ben Simmons, four of 10 from the field, 10 points. Definitely need a better showing from him. But it sounds like Kyrie Irving will be back for the next game in Phoenix. So that's a positive sign for the Nets. But yeah, there's no doubt this is a game in San Antonio after two tough losses after losing Kevin Durant. You have to get that win. And we'll see if this team can turn it around. They're not the same group as they were last year when KD was out. So they just got to go prove it now. So far, they're 0 and 3. Enough about the Nets. OK, just enough because Keldon Johnson had himself a night and I will say this, he started out, he's been a little bit draggy from behind the three, but he shot himself out of it. First Spurs since David Robinson. This is a nice little list to be on with 35 or more points, 10 rebounds and four steals. It was it was a it was an interesting game. We had Jeremy Sohan like going up against Morris and not backing down. Morris had nice things to say about that after the game. Like there was respect shown towards the rookie. It was awesome. But as far as look, the record is what the record is for this first team. And I know a lot of people aren't watching these games, but I am. I'm watching all of them and they are in so many of these games only to lose by three, four or five points at the end. And it's a rebuilding time here in San Antonio. But Evan, if you had to look at the positives for what this team has going for it, what would you say? I think like you said, prior to it's only been a few games for good teams that they've lost three or four by three or four points. So sometimes after a season, you go back and look at those moments. It might be something in regards to, you know, having less than 20 turnovers a night or, you know, sometimes getting more getting to the free throw line or maybe even shooting 37% each night. Those little things can take, you know, a 21 team to a 41 team or contender like that just by focusing and, you know, getting a little, a little stop in line. Wee! My favorite part of the game, Eddie. Yo, shout out to Jeremy Sohan for, look, he went to the one handed free throw and it's actually working. And I feel like he needs a ton of credit for that. But yo, twin, both of them, they're not they're not exactly guys to be messing around with and he had no fear. So, yo, you got to respect that because those guys have made a reputation in the league for knocking everybody but Nicolio gets down and he wanted that smoke. So, hey, and then he's not afraid at the end of the game. So that's how it goes. Just don't go to Philly if you mess on an FOE. So stay clear, stay clear of Philly. It's not going to give you a clearance. That's all I'm like, you know, I love it. I love that kid. OK, Evan, now, Evan, sorry, Eddie, you can hold on to your MVP stuff because now we got Yolk at shock. And then we can come back to your craziness that you just spit out earlier, but it's triple double leading a team over Portland last night. So, Evan, we'll start with you. Since we know what Eddie thinks now, who is your MVP right now? The Golden Child, Jason Tatum. Oh, I like it. And it's not even close. Not even close. Not even close. You see what he's doing. Dang, but not close. Yeah, I agree. I was saying yesterday. Close is going to it's going to Yolk it again. And I'm straight on giving it three times to Yolk it. Like, I don't know about y'all, but like I want to be last year. But I think this year's Tatum. I was saying yesterday, 31 points a game, the best record in the league and great defense is not being talked about nearly enough. And I understand part of it is because you have a guy like Nicola Yolk is having an incredible season. You have Luca doing what he's doing. You have Joe and me doing what he's doing. So I get it. But, yo, we do not lack for TV time. We do not lack for ink or bandwidth. We have plenty of opportunities to talk about Jason Tatum's incredible season as well. So I love the mention. I love the mention, Evan. And I when I spoke with JT, when they beat the Nets last time in Brooklyn, I had to tell him like, yo, as of right now, you're my MVP and it's been a month since then. He's still in the race. I don't mind that at all in most seasons. Now, the MVP like candidacy and credentials have been skewered in recent years, but in most seasons, being the best player on the best team and having really great stats is MVP thing. And now it's like, we like these other guys border. So it's very interesting. They are spreading the love, although I think. I think averaging a triple double, though, like, that's the thing. He's having a triple double, number one seat in the West. Listen, I'm a voter. I think this is the tough. This is going to be the toughest year, at least I've voted for the last two or three years. This is going to be the toughest year because Yoke is averaging a triple double on the number one seat. Jason Tatum's got his team's got the best regular league. He's been actually dominant this year. You have, you have Luca, you have John Morant. So listen, I agree with each. I agree with ET. I see his point. Thankfully, I'm not voting yet, though. So yeah, you got time. Yeah, look, as we say this, Yoke has had went 13 to 14 from the floor yesterday. 36 points in a triple double. He clearly still hates nerkage for whatever they were dealing with way back when in their rookie years and punished him all night. So let's not make it like he's some slouch. You're right. He's averaging a double double. He's the best team in the West as well. But, you know, I just think these other guys are also equally deserving and it's going to be tough. I'm happy. I don't have a vote. Please don't register me. Don't add me to anything. I don't want to vote. This is too much stress. No, you need to vote. I'm sorry, I just think Yoke, after a while, like numbers become numbers. We see him with triple doubles all the time and that's unbelievable. But don't let me take that away from him. But now after the Yoke is going at twice, now is there a way to judge by a different standard? Like, should our MVP have to make it to the Western Conference finals? Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, eventually, I mean, I don't hate it. I go home the second week every year, you know what I mean? So, like, I think you're right because I think that argument you're making right now is why Luca's not the MVP for me. I think because he does a lot of great things, but the team itself is, you know, I don't have high expectations, whereas Jason Tatum should at least be the second favorite if we're basing it on that, if not the top dog. But it's weird because I don't see Embiid on this list at all. And I believe it was not only 10 minutes ago that Eddie told us that it's the MVP. It's the MVP. Great odds. Look, we've been getting killed in the Parleys, but that's a good bet right there. That's a really nice one. That's a great point, what do I have? We know nothing. Look, on the other side things, we do want to give a little love to Damian Lillard. He did have 44 points, Adesist. You're a former teammate, Evan, so as far as his loyalty, his commitment to just not this team, but the community as well, what are your thoughts on that? Man, you know, he's one of the most loyal guys you ever meet. He's one of the most honorable guys you ever meet because, you know, it's work ethic. And when you know him and everything, you really don't believe he's going to, you know, take an L because his will is so strong. And I spoke to him last night and the only thing he's focused on is just making sure like, hey, we got to turn this around. We're still in good position. I see what we can do, but I think they're going to write that ship. I think they'll make playoff pushes. And I hope he gets some guys around on a really challenge, you know, and make it a contender situation. Because I think if he gets close, he can make some stuff happen. I also want to note, in those clips we watched, there was a lot of Yoke standing there going, pointing where he's got to get about through the screen. And there's a lot of him just watching game. Look, watching him in threes, watching his guy dunk. And so when I think about the MVP, this is the type of stuff I think about as well. And, you know, that matters. Both sides of the court matters. Great numbers, incredible numbers. And I know like the advanced numbers say like, they're fine on defense when he's on the court. But I watch clips like this and I go, I don't, I don't know, I don't know. Go look at Damien Willer's numbers every time they play versus the Nuggets. The spiritual experience game? Dump them. And then when you break it down, like Yoke is just putting up 80 points of offense and he's giving up like 75 or 80 points of offense. And that's no disrespect to him, it's just the truth. So when we're saying MVP and Tatum is locking dudes up, he's guarding Kevin Garnett. Yeah, that's fair. I mean, Kevin Durant, I'm sorry, Kevin Durant. I know, I thought that was another breaking news. So I was like, wow, really? Yeah, for the girls. Damien, Damien making the all-star push, by the way, I love that because he missed the time and you kind of lose him in the shuffle and the East guards, the West guards, excuse me, are a little jumbled up. And it's like, it's really like either going to be him or De'Aaron Fox. I would pick De'Aaron Fox, me, myself, personally. I'd like to see the young guy get his shot. But I understand if Damien's in the game, he deserves it, he's playing well. He's leading the league and scoring in January. So he's not like he's, you know, he would be a bad all-star. I like seeing him in the game as well. When he just starts shooting half court shots and making them, it's always fun. I feel like the top 75 ever, you should be a shoe in for the all-star game, that's what you think. That's just how I feel. Damien's going to be an all-star. I would assume you would. I'm showing up to Salt Lake every year until I'm done if I'm top 75. You don't want De'Fox to get his shot. Is this a Kentucky thing? Is this like, what is the beef here? No, I'm a big De'Aaron Fox fan for sure. I just, I mean, top 75 to ever. It will feel a little strange if the Kings get two all-stars. I love those fun teams, but it will feel a little strange. It's got to be one or the other to me. Maybe bonus, he's in there. I think so too, but you're right. It's like, we can't go from nothing to two. That's too much, it's too much. Or unless we expand the rosters, which we could do that. Next up, guys, poster time. My favorite, the best dunk so far. And Shoms will make us smarter when Run It Back returns. Welcome back to Run It Back. This is of course the busy season for Shoms. I'm not sure when it's not busy for you Shoms, but here we go, this one close to home. What can you tell us about the latest on the Yacob Pertle trade rumors? So I'm going to tread lightly here because I know you're on here, Michelle, but the Spurs have had a few teams reaching out with interest, including Toronto and Boston, I'm told. Trying to get Yacob Pertle, this is a guy that's going to be a free Asian in the off season. He turned down a four year, $58 million contract extension. Before the season, it's been a standing offer all year. And he's turned it down. And I think there's a belief around the league that he's going to get somewhere close to $18 to $20 million in a new deal in the off season. So the Spurs are going to be in a place where, yes, they want them a part of their long-term future as of right now. But what could you get in the marketplace? What team could reach out and make a crazy potential offer? They're going to have over $50 million in cap space this upcoming summer. So the ball is really in the Spurs court. They're going to be able to dictate in some ways how this goes. But Yacob Pertle has kind of wanted, I think around the league, the belief is that he's wanted a more winning environment. So we'll see exactly how this unfolds over the next couple of weeks. Yeah, he's shown some really big glimpses lately. Like he's very aware. Oh, look, all I ask Shoms is that the national media talking heads pronounce his name correctly. I have the very slowest of bars for what I expect at this point. That's all I ask Shoms. Am I saying it right? No, you nailed it. I ain't talking about you. Yes, yes. But thank you. I know you're on the phone before the show started. There's stuff going on. Get out there, get it. Enjoy your week and the rest of the weekend. We shall see you Monday. Shout out point forward. Shout out point forward. You already know, you already know. You already know. Subtle, I love it. No, you guys aren't going anywhere because we got stuff to do. That man has a family and why not? Why not start with Joel? Blockety, block, block. Yeah, he's scary. Why drive on him? Well, that's a great question. Evan, has he ever blocked you? Of course he's blocked me. Everybody's blocked me. What are you trying to do? I tried to give you the out, man. I thought you could lie. You could lie. You could lie. Bruh, I don't even have enough athleticism to drive past him and then instead and try to get to my family. So I usually drove and kicked the baseline. Smart man. That's what Terrence Manson did right there. And he tried it for some reason. I mean, look, that list is fine, right? Drew Eubanks. Drew Eubanks with a block on Ponchard. What? Bro, he wasn't about to dunk it. I don't even know what to say. He tried to, like, the best dunk of all time. Like, he thought he was going to do it. Why would he? No. And even an announcer was like, then he tried to dunk it. I'm like, bro, get out of here, bro. This is not an NBA commercial. The NBA did not. That's not an NBA commercial. This looks like they're filming a movie. Like, this is how blocks into the movie. They did this on purpose. This is crazy. And those two are the main characters because all the other people are supposed to be doing that was probably Shade and Sharp or something. That's the worst movie ever made. I would just like, by the way, I don't want to be a hater here, but even without the block, that wasn't going to go. I wasn't going to make it. Yeah, I had no clue what his plan was. Nice drive, but. I'm like, I'm not a physics major, but that doesn't look like it was headed in the right direction. All right, that's fine. I appreciate the effort. Josh Richardson. Y'all suck. That was crazy. Yeah, I like that. That was crazy. Now we're talking. Yo, when you pin it like that and clap the board that hard, like that's that's fun. That's got that's got to feel great. Yeah, right. And it is an athletic guy. Edmund Sumner. So to get that, to get up and get that, that's yeah, that's tough. Oh, I love that. I mean, just two hands. Crazy, crazy. Only thing he could have done better was catch it like Jordan, but he's not Michael Jordan. So I'll give him a pass. Next one next time. That was a great moment, though. It's a great moment and what was a pretty sloppy but fun game. I'm not going to lie. Brandon Clark and Sharich. Yeah, I don't know why Dario would jump with him. That made no sense. What don't ever jump. They're down 30, I think, too. So like, look how little Dario Sarge got off the ground. Right. Nice. That's not even in it. Head top. Dario is trying to get some minutes and it's not going to work. It's like that's the way. That ain't it. For a reason. They're talking to me like. You know, when a guy gets the full two foot jump like that, you just just take the ball out. Just in there. It's so pretty. I love it. Jaws even. I mean, that whole team is just they're having fun. Yeah, it's like a big old party every night. Can't hate that. Jordan pool. Oh, that's a lot of work to have to do for a little guy on a big. So I'll give I'll give Gafford some some credit for his defense. That's nice. He made him get deep in his bag for that. Yeah, it's a tough shot, too. I give I give Jordan pool much love on a body control. This is a tough shot leaning fork and finishing off the highlight. I think he was cooking that quarter. He had twenty two in that quarter. So shout out shout out to Jordan Park pool. Evan, did he travel a hop step into a nine in this league? OK, I'm just one in one. So yeah, I know that like in Yanis's NBA, the gather is so many steps. So I don't think anything's a travel as long as you're Yanis's NBA RJ Barrett over Scotty Barnes is crazy. That's a party. That's a nice body. And that was the send it to overtime, which is crazy to me. Oh, it's because Scotty wanted it. He really tried. He was trash talking that game. He was he was going after it. That's that's a tough job at the garden. RJ Barrett, he just found Scotty to play before. So to really come back and, you know, make that play pushing overtime and he's from Canada. So he got that big dunk by the way to put on. Let's see. Look, I like when you I like when the rest lets you look at the guy and tell him you don't ever jump again. I love it. I love it. And perhaps the best a throwback, if you will. I don't even know what today. Oh, it's Wednesday. Yes. Oh, I'm on the brawn. Yeah, that was I think he might be 50 to one. So for every one good play I had, he got me 50 times. But I'll definitely show my daughter that. Hey, Aubrey, you know, we're we're rolling with that. I'm fine with that. I'm great. But I can't believe it went in. And you're so cool about it. I was like, did you get the whistle? Look like a little foul right there. I don't know. I know. I haven't turned. I think I shot two free throws per game my whole career. I don't mean to rest. We just appreciated each other there. That was it. Nice. I do appreciate your your response. It's just very cool, calm, collected. Like, I like that's a nice bag right there. No push. That's I want to. You know, if you give me a little to express myself, it's going to work. It's going to work. I know Brian was pointing at the wet spot. I know I know how he gets down, but that's a nice move. I like that. Brian, luckily, he's always he knew I needed. I'm like, bro, I appreciate you. I need this for a career highlight. Everything else was kind of crazy, but you made it. You made it valid. That's a tough slice in the paint and traffic on that guy. That's I like that one. I like it. Oh, it must be fun. It gets so good. Oh, we take a quick break here when we come back. Who are the guys that these guys are hitting the panic buttons on when run it back returns? Man, it's about that time. So I just got a question for Shakira Pritchett. Will you make me the luckiest man in the world? Will you marry me? Oh, no. Oh, no. Guys, what was that? Yo, that was a man being efficient and innovative. Oh, that was a tough one. Two first class tickets to Paris would have been like 10 or 12 kid piece. He's like, you know what? The bulls are going. They throwing his bomb dinner at this nice restaurant. You know what I mean? Everybody else is just going to go home. So why not me spice it up and I'm loving it and the whole response to the hell? Yeah, that's that was funny. I want to hear. Yeah. After a hell of a diamond. Yeah. Six figures on a ring. Well, yeah. Hell, yeah. Hell, yeah. OK, but first of all, are you allowed to use work time to be doing your personal proposal stuff? But also I don't want to be the hater here because some people know my stance on marriage. It's foolish. It never works. But that being said, Eduardo, is it not a little cringy in there? First, like at first, you're like, this is awkward. Hey, I all for their love. But when I when I saw the team photos and I see a lot of wives and girlfriends on the planes and I said, isn't this a work trip? But it was like Paris. And I'm like, I had the same exact reaction as Evan. These guys are smart. This is a free vacation for you and the wife, you and the girlfriend, you and the fiance. It's on Team Dime. It's these guys got it. They know what they're doing. They know how to play the game ever. So was it a little cringy? Like as everybody's trying to have dinner, I don't think you're allowed to say that. I think you're just, you know, you celebrate the moment. The the Louis knapsack, that was a little cringy, but that was a gigantic rock he had in that gigantic box. Apparently doesn't fit in your pocket, I guess. But, you know, all for that smart guys. I like what they did. I've seen a lot of wives on that plane. And then, you know, if Fandall sends us somewhere, that's Fandall sends us to Paris. I'm going to try to weasel the plus one as well. I see the plus one I get. Of course, we want to bring someone with us. But it's like, hey, everybody, I hate to interrupt your appetizers. I'm going to do some weird, awkward stuff right now in the middle of the room. It's just I'm a hater. I'm a hater. But ask the girl that's been waiting to get proposed to if it's weird and cringy. She's like, no, this is right on time. I will say her reaction was fantastic. Yeah. Nice ring. Nice ring. He knew what he was doing. He got it right. He got it right. I believe that that one's going to last. I believe that one's going to last for sure. And then I'll just because I'm going to break right now evidence of it better. There's a 40 percent chance it makes it 40 on the other side. I think so. Pistons, rookie, Jalen. Come on, Jalen, the youngest guy on the team. He lost his passport. They're trying to figure out a way to get him over to Paris and time for the game. Passport issues are not a joke. What do we say to this young man about passports and where to keep them? So this young fellow turned 19. He's the youngest player in the league. He started 19 in November. I have an 18-year-old daughter. I could not imagine traveling with her internationally and just the idea of, OK, she's going to do all the right things and she's going to be fine and be, you know. So I'm not surprised at all. God only knows where his passport is. It could be anywhere. And you know how packing goes. He's packing for like a five-day trip. He's doing it last minute, of course, because he's 19 and he's rich and he's famous and he doesn't care enough to pack. And yeah, he lost the most important thing. He needed for that trip. That moment, though. I hope he makes it. The moment when he realized he doesn't know where his passport is. That's such a bad moment. Got to be fine. That's like, do I still get paid for this or no? You know, they're like, that's so hot for me. Oh, I'd be so bummed. You know Billy Donovan said a really loud cuss word? Or not Billy Donovan, excuse me, wrong coach. But you know this coach said a really loud, loud cuss word when he says like, are you kidding me? It's just, it's a different world. I'm old enough to remember like you were told if you lose your passport, you're dead. So like the passport is the most, it's the thing I treasure most. So yeah, plus if you ever murder someone, you gotta get out of the country fast. You need to always know where it is. Panic button time. Pacers, you're up first, 23 and 22. You lost your last four. Halliburton of course is out. They were on a nice run for a minute there, Eddie. Are you hitting the panic button on this team? Not necessarily because it's clear. They're missing their very best player. They're all star, they're point guard. So you know that they can write the ship when they get back. The problem is in the standings, they are jumbled up with some teams who really want to get out of the play and the bulls, the hawks, and they're not gonna let up. But if you look at these four games they lost, they lost the four playoff teams. The hawks who were probably the worst of the bunch, they lost on the wild tipping buzzer beater thing. So I'm not panicking just yet, but they need to reach out there ASAP. And I wish Psalms was still here so we could bug them and find out and hopefully he would tell us. But they didn't back ASAP and once they get them back, they'll be the team we saw in all of December. Yeah, I agree with Eddie. I'm not hitting a panic button on them yet. I mean, at the very least, if we're trying to make them a playoff team, if they get into a playoff game, a playing game, I think if they're healthy, their identity is to play hard, play tough, and play together. So once you have a team like that with that type of identity, I think everything would give back to how it was when the health is up to par. Guys, we're gonna take a break here. Our parlays have been just stinky, stinky, stinky hot garbage, but I believe that with Evan here, we can change things around starting today when Run-It-Back returns. A lot of pressure. Bet the NFL playoffs with Fanduil where every play is a rush. This weekend, Fanduil's giving all customers a no sweat, same game parlay during the divisional round. Doesn't matter if you're new to Fanduil or already have an account. You'll get free bets back if your NFL playoffs same game parlay doesn't hit. Same game parlays let you combine all your favorite bets for a chance at a bigger payday. You can even ride with thousands of other fans and bet popular SGPs already made for you. Make every moment more with Fanduil, official sportsbook partner of the NFL. Well, might as well look at what we did last night. And Eddie, you're the only one that earned your money. So, well done to you. What say you on this one? I was ridiculed for my trust in Nick Claxton and he handled business. So take that, Chandler. I don't know if ridiculed is correct. But yeah, no, Clippers are garbage, not doing that again. Okay, so it's Wednesday. This is our last chance to go out on the week as winners. We're gonna give it a shot one more time. I was on such a run, Evan, you have no idea. Eddie, why don't you start this for us? I got the Cavs. This is a lot of points, seven and a half points. I understand the Grizzlies are the hottest team in the league, they've won 10 straight games. But the Cavs are really good and they should be close in this game. I don't know if they're gonna win but seven and a half points is a lot. So I'm taking the points here. Okay, taking the points. I will be representing Chandler on his. He has the Pacers plus four against Oklahoma City. I don't know if I agree with him on that one, but you know what, it's Chandler's pick and we're gonna go to Evan in a second for his opinion on that. Before we can, I'd like to also tell Evan that I am taking the Kings at minus four against the Lakers. That was probably perfect. Okay, he likes that one. All right, tell me what's wrong with Chandler's pick because I saw your face. I already know you hate it. I mean, Thunder's a dangerous team. And you were talking about Pacers, you know, on a four game losing streak without Tyrese Halliburton. And I just think at Thunder, they just beat the Celtics by 50 last week. And they went on a roll to have a lot of good games too. I think those young dudes are playing with a lot of energy and talent. And the best player on the court, I guess in that game is Shay Gilgis Alexander. So we're rolling with the big dollar. I like that. I like that. Eddie, I feel good about yours and mine and not Chandler's and we can shoot him in text and tell him why and make sure he knows it. But that's all. That's all I have to say about that. By the way, real quickly, Jordan Poole at the White House yesterday. A plus, plus? Or what are we giving it? He's enjoying himself. He's enjoying this life he's living. And I understand. I love it. Got the smart glasses on. Evan, appreciate you as always jumping in. See you again soon and everyone. Great weekend.