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A Tale Of Two Octobers (Liv/ARS), El Classico Takeaways, The Mafia & The NBA + Blue Jays in 6 !
12 Plays14 days ago
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- Gambling Arrests
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- Big deal?
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Game of the Week
Friday - Blue Jays vs Dodgers
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Transcript
Halloween and Sports Fever
00:00:08
Emeka
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the spooky edition of Love of the Game podcast. Recording this October 30th, Thursday night, night before Halloween.
00:00:20
Emeka
I'm here with my main man, Chinon Chinon. How you feeling?
00:00:24
Chino Onwuka
I'm feeling good, man. I'm feeling good. You know, it's it's a good time to be a sports fan. You know, everything is on right now. Literally all the all the big five are on and live right now. I think a couple of days ago we had the sports equinox where, you know, the the four.
00:00:38
Emeka
Monday, Sports Equal Dogs.
00:00:40
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, the four big North American leagues were all playing at the same time. So, yeah, it's it's the opposite of scary for us in that case.
00:00:49
Emeka
Hey, it depends what kind of fan you are and what teams you're rooting for. As you know, chopping it up for my man, Chukwu Chukwu, how you living this Thursday?
00:00:59
Chuku
Yes sir, yes sir, what it do? You know, it's good to be back, chopping it up with the boys. You know, it's is that great time of the year where, you know, we just talked about it, but you know, all our major sports going on at the same time.
00:01:13
Chuku
Never a dull moment, and yeah, we got a lot to talk about, so I'm just ready to get it in. Let's go.
00:01:19
Emeka
Yes, sir. And, you know, before we get it in, like I mentioned, it is the the spooky edition. It's probably coming out on on Halloween. I think I know the answer, but I'm going to ask it anyway. What are you guys' thoughts on Halloween?
00:01:31
Emeka
You know, do you have any traditions growing up, trick-or-treating, dressing up, going out? What's your vibes on Halloween?
00:01:37
Chino Onwuka
this this might be the the wrong the wrong group of people to ask that question, but in my in in my house, what is Halloween?
00:01:42
Chuku
I was about to say, as you know, we're...
00:01:43
Emeka
I know the answer i already. But, hey, hey, hey, hey
00:01:45
Chuku
look
00:01:48
Chino Onwuka
yeah what is that What is that devil night?
00:01:48
Emeka
The devil. you worshipping the devil?
00:01:52
Chino Onwuka
What is that? Obviously, there's a couple of times when I was in uni, dressed up, but even that was once or twice. It's not really my thing. you know All that effort to dress up, again, is not really my thing.
00:02:04
Chino Onwuka
you know the whole I don't even watch scary movies. So it's, yeah, I'm a child of God. Let's just leave it there.
00:02:11
Chuku
I mean, for the listeners, you know, tuning in, you know, just to make sure you don't already know, well, now you're going to know. But yeah, where we all come from a Nigerian background. And, you know, when it comes to you know, the holiday of Halloween, let's just say it doesn't come with, a yeah, it doesn't come with a lot of love in the Nigerian community.
00:02:31
Chuku
Let's just put it like that. So, you know, like Chino said, you know, got, I mean, honestly, that I think about it, I mean, will say,
00:02:37
Chino Onwuka
Like, just put it out there. Where where we come from, juju is real.
00:02:41
Chuku
I get, let's not even go too far into that, but it's just one thing, but, uh, you know, they'll get a small taste of it in in uni, you know, but, uh, as far as the holiday, I mean, I just think honestly, it's an excuse for ladies to dress up, you know, in their favorite costumes.
00:02:43
Chino Onwuka
So, yeah, let's just...
00:02:57
Chuku
And i mean, you know, it is what it is. Uh, that's how I feel about it. And obviously you also have the kids, you know, with the trick or treating, uh, with the candies and whatnot, but, uh,
00:03:09
Chuku
Man, I've never been a big fan of you and scary movies and the the whole idea of
Debating Halloween's Value
00:03:13
Chuku
dressing up. But some people love it. And you know it is what it is.
00:03:19
Emeka
I asked that question just so I could sneak in this rant. One of my, I've lived 30 long years, and I feel like my one opinion that gets the most pushback on is that i hate Halloween.
00:03:32
Emeka
I think it is the most overrated quote-unquote holiday, and I use heavy quotes on holiday. Any holiday that I don't get the day off work is not a holiday to me. Don't waste my time with this nonsense.
00:03:43
Emeka
People hype up Halloween and it's cool when you're like 6 to 15. And after that is just a scam. You got to buy this costume, you dress up,
00:03:55
Emeka
You're paying $80 cover to go places. It's cold. That's my big thing as well. We live in Canada. Shots out the great up north. It's cold this time of year. So I'm going outside in a costume, but I'm wearing a jacket.
00:04:08
Emeka
Everything's crowded.
00:04:09
Chuku
All right.
00:04:09
Emeka
i just hate Halloween. I just hate it. And I get so much pushback. Oh, it's fun. You just... I think it's because, like we mentioned, growing up, it was never a thing in our household. I couldn't even watch Harry Potter.
00:04:19
Emeka
So, like, I missed the boat as a kid, and then it just made me turn into a hater. I can't even stampede here. we get a hope We get a day off work. I got nothing for Halloween. You know, it's on a Friday this year, so I'm sure people are to go out and have fun. But, yeah, I just i have no interest at all in it. And I get all these texts from people every year. What's your Halloween plans, bro?
00:04:38
Emeka
What's your Halloween plans? Get off my phone. Let me stay home. I'm glad I don't have to answer the door to kids and give out candy. I could just be a curmudgeon in an apartment downtown. But anyhow, that's my last episode.
00:04:48
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, so that's something, you know, I'm a homeowner.
00:04:49
Chuku
I think...
00:04:53
Chino Onwuka
And that's something I feel bad for the kids on my block who come to my spot because it's going to be lights off, lights down.
00:04:59
Chuku
No candy for you.
00:05:02
Chino Onwuka
Don't disturb me Ain't nothing for you. Ain't nothing for you. Get off my lawn.
00:05:05
Chuku
so
00:05:05
Chino Onwuka
That's what it's going to be.
00:05:07
Chuku
A couple of things I'll say really quickly on it. One, I think you summed it up perfectly, bro. Like, is it really a holiday if I don't get the day off? Yeah, nah, I can't consider it a holiday, bro. So that's just a different, you know, let's just put that to the side.
00:05:21
Chuku
And then, Loki, thank for bringing that up, Chinob. And this is exactly why I've enjoyed my time living in apartment buildings downtown. Because you know what you don't have to worry about?
00:05:35
Chuku
That's right. Little kids coming to your door asking for candy because, boy, I ain't got nothing for you, so let's keep pushing. But yeah, no, I really don't get the whole you know hype about Halloween. It really is just another day or excuse to dress up, go out, you know buy candy, buy costumes.
00:05:54
Chuku
But really, if it's up to me, I'll be chilling at home like any other day. So it is what it is.
00:06:00
Emeka
Yeah, I mean, we've all sacked. I just wanted to get that rant off. But, you know, we're here in Love of
Liverpool's Struggles and Management Woes
00:06:05
Emeka
the Game. we cover all the sports. and I think later on this episode, we're going to have a a podcast first, just a tease.
00:06:13
Emeka
But we yeah we typically start off reviewing the week in football. Obviously, last episode, we we had a full NBA-centric episode, so we haven't really covered Premier League and football at large for a while, so we might talk about the last two weeks or so.
00:06:27
Emeka
And I started off by saying this spooky season. Chinon said, know, time of year for sports is you knows great. And I mentioned it depends what team you're a fan of because if you're a fan of the Premier League reigning champions, Liverpool, I think this has been a very spooky, scary, hilarious, sad time for y'all.
00:06:45
Emeka
The Liverpool spiral has continued as they lost again on Saturday, three two to Brentford, and then followed it up midweek,
00:06:56
Emeka
Carabao Cup, is it a real trophy? Is it not? Who knows? All I do know is Liverpool got spanked 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace. They are now one win in their last seven games, I believe it is.
00:07:08
Emeka
Yeah, it's one win in their last seven games. Six losses. Five consecutive losses in the Premier League. Seven points adrift from the top of the table. We've spoken about Liverpool a lot on this podcast.
00:07:21
Emeka
i we I raised the concern when they were winning games late. You guys said it was nothing. Then raised the concern again after they lost a couple. We said, we don't know. Now they've had a true month from hell. October is over. They've won one game in the month of October.
00:07:36
Emeka
what if your What is your level of concern right now if you're a Liverpool fan? I'll start with you, Chukwu. What would you be feeling if you're a Liverpool fan right now?
00:07:44
Chuku
Boy, ain't no way, boy. Boy, ain't no way, boy. Man, if I was a Liverpool fan, you would might have seen the greatest crash out of all time. Because how the hell do you win a league?
00:07:59
Chuku
Inject almost half a billion to reinvest in a title-winning squad. And you're telling me before November you've already lost more games than you did the year before?
00:08:14
Chuku
That doesn't make sense. Something is going on. And, you know, I think I heard it summarized, you know, by someone in the video best. And I think the best way to put it is you you have to look at the manager. Like there's no other person to to look at or turn to.
00:08:32
Chuku
Because, I mean, yeah, you can crash out on certain players not performing up to par and, you know, this, that, and the other. But last I checked, man, This is the team, like we said, that won the Premier League.
00:08:48
Chuku
And when I want to say won it, it's not just they won it. They literally won it with weeks to go. And you're telling me, you go and add who some might say arguably is the next best striker outside of Haaland in the ISAC.
00:09:05
Chuku
You go and add who some may say is a top world talent, world-class player, best player, or best creative player to come out of Germany in a long time in Wurz.
00:09:18
Chuku
You go and add new additions. You bring one of his best mates from the same team in Frimpong to come and replace, you know, you know your your class player in Trent.
00:09:29
Chuku
You go and get Kerkers, who a lot of people, you know, would say he had a pretty good year last year. And you mean to tell me, I mean, you make some other additions and whatnot, but you mean to tell me you add all this to this squad, right?
00:09:43
Chuku
And somehow, even with retaining the the talents of Salah and Van Dijk, you're telling me this team is not good enough to like even... How put this?
00:09:58
Chuku
I won't say it's over for them to compete, but for you to be where you're at at this moment in time as a Liverpool fan, you have to be worried because there's just no way that I could have ever fathomed a Liverpool side of of this, you know, with this quality of players in their squad or in their team losing.
00:10:21
Chuku
He said it was five games in a row in in the EPL. Is that correct, my brother?
00:10:26
Emeka
Yeah, I think it's five in a row on the EPL.
00:10:26
Chuku
Five games?
00:10:29
Chuku
I'm pretty sure all competitions, in all competitions for sure, they've lost six and seven.
00:10:30
Emeka
I'm pretty sure points.
00:10:35
Chuku
I'm pretty sure. he It's all can factor.
00:10:37
Emeka
Four in a row on the EPL. They've lost six of seven, four in
00:10:39
Chuku
Four in a row in the league.
00:10:41
Chuku
That is abysmal. That is insane. So, yeah, no, if you can ask me know where my panic levels would be as a Liverpool fan, if I was a Liverpool fan, at this stage, I mean, it has to be at least at an 8.5 or 9 at this point in time.
00:11:00
Chuku
And know the reason why I can't put a 10 is because we're not yet in November. And you still got, you know, again, repeat, a title winning squad. So we got to see if they can turn it around. You know, it's a long season.
00:11:14
Chuku
a lot of games, a lot of matches to be played. But boy, oh boy, yeah it's a spooky season when it comes to the Liverpool Football Club. That's what I'll say.
00:11:26
Emeka
Absolutely. Chukwu mentioned the manager there, Slott. So i want I want to get your thoughts on how he's doing it and your faith in turning it around. But a question I want to pose to you, because I've seen it going around and I'm curious your thoughts as a former you know acclaimed football manager manager, is people are coming at Slott for rotating his side midweek in the Carabao Cup. He had a team full of youths.
00:11:50
Emeka
left Salah and other guys off the bench. And there's a school of thought going around that when you're struggling, you can't just throw away games because it just compounds and enters, you know, the vibe now versus we're struggling heavily.
00:12:06
Emeka
don't ever want to risk it in the Carabao cup. Let me just focus full strength on the league. What are your thoughts on that management of decision? And like i mentioned, bigger picture, your thoughts on slot moving forward, turning around Liverpool.
00:12:19
Chino Onwuka
It was a strange one because considering the schedule that every team goes through, you know, you're getting into November, December, that's when games come thick and fast.
00:12:31
Chino Onwuka
I understand rotation. That I understand. What I don't understand is the bench. Arsenal made 10 changes as well. And you could say, oh, it's different. We're in a high point. But we made a lot of changes. But we still had strength on the bench to to come in if things were going wrong.
00:12:49
Chino Onwuka
What was really strange about Liverpool was not them rotating. Because I think that's been pretty consistent with what they've always done. and And I see your point in that, you know, they're a tough period. So is this just a a game they need to back? But...
00:13:02
Chino Onwuka
you know i understand that, okay, Carabao Cup, maybe once we get into the latter stages, you know isn't the biggest priority. There's some guys we got to give minutes to.
00:13:15
Chino Onwuka
the Prem is is the big focus because we're in a slump. I have players that should be good enough to compete. We're at home. But then you look at that that bench and I think that is the mistake that Slott made. And so i'll I'll open that up for for you guys' as feedback on what I've said. But, you know, I was i'm glad you asked that question about Slott because that's what I was really going to focus on.
00:13:37
Chino Onwuka
Really, his, and I don't know if you guys have seen it, I've been alarmed by his comments and his excuses after every game.
00:13:48
Emeka
It's easy to be a gracious winner when you win.
00:13:48
Chino Onwuka
I don't, yeah, and I,
00:13:50
Emeka
I absolutely agree with you on that point.
00:13:52
Chino Onwuka
And I don't know what he's saying behind the scenes, but since the first loss, it's been excuses after excuses. Oh, teams are playing us differently than how they did last year. Yeah, duh, that happens every time.
00:14:06
Chino Onwuka
See Arsenal after the magical 2022-2023 season. Teams play differently. Oh, we're seeing a lot of long balls over the top. but Yeah, teams are trying to beat You're the defending champions. You're going to get teams' best efforts.
00:14:20
Chino Onwuka
Oh, everything is a long-thrower set piece. During your five-game winning streak, a lot of your late goals came off set pieces. Every other team also has to defend the same long balls and set pieces. So that is not as that is not an excuse. And so that's that's what's really concerned me.
00:14:39
Chino Onwuka
And it's I've seen it upset a lot of Liverpool fans as well because they're not seeing attempts at finding solutions to the issues. Just excuses, excuses, excuses.
00:14:50
Chino Onwuka
And other teams and managers are taking note of that. They're like, oh, so it's easy to rattle you this way. They're going to put that in their back pocket and and game plan around that. So, you know, I have Liverpool winning the title in my preseason predictions.
00:15:06
Chino Onwuka
I thought, you know, yes, everyone knows the the the circumstances around the league last season. Arsenal dealing with injuries and suspension suspensions. Man City, you know, maybe they were coming out of a cycle i needed to refresh. They also had some injuries as well.
00:15:23
Chino Onwuka
So it wasn't the best Premier League season, but they did what they had to do. And as a sign of ambition, they said, we're not going to rest on our laurels. We know that, okay, maybe that this last season isn't what we're going to face every season. So let's let's stack our decks.
00:15:39
Chino Onwuka
And I thought they did exactly what you had to do. So you cannot come and complain about how our teams are playing you when you have 500 million worth of attacking talent. You cannot come out and say, oh, Chelsea had this on their bench.
00:15:52
Chino Onwuka
Man City had this on their bench. Arsenal had this on their bench. We don't have that kind of depth when you spent 500 million on five new players. that is that is really That is really shameful. i like What we're seeing from Slot is what people think Arteta does.
00:16:08
Chino Onwuka
And that is if people go and see his interviews, he always takes accountability for what happens and say, oh, this might be the situation, but it's up to us to improve. And well yeah, I got heated a little bit there because I have, what what else did I want to say?
00:16:27
Chino Onwuka
can't remember, but I'll stop there.
00:16:28
Emeka
While you think, just want to a quick tangent off your point because it's, you know, and I've been watching football both for a very long time and managers love to moan and make excuses. So I feel like you're saying with slots, but I will just say to Liverpool fans listening, I get it.
00:16:42
Emeka
Managers love to make excuses. I've heard a lot of excuses in my life. Chavvy famously with the grass being too long, club once with the wind. And at one time he said, you know, man, you were injured to ruin our rhythm.
00:16:54
Emeka
I heard a lot of excuses. I got to say, Slott's saying we prepared all week for Man U with Sesco, and then they changed their lineup before they played us. Has got to be top five most ridiculous excuses I've ever heard a manager give.
00:17:06
Emeka
Like, what are you talking about? What you actually talking about?
00:17:09
Chuku
Imagine Arteta said that, bro.
00:17:10
Emeka
Man my two-part show.
00:17:12
Chuku
Imagine if Arteta said that, bro. Like, the way he would get killed by the media would be read astronomical, bro. And I just feel like for a lot of the comments the manager said, or referring to Slott, I just, I don't know, maybe I'm not on the pointing in the right directions. i don't know, maybe you guys can help me out if you guys see it or not. But I just don't think I see enough pundits talk about the lame-ass excuses Slott be making.
00:17:41
Chuku
And I really do think The fact that he won the league the year before is obviously going to paper over a lot of what's going on this year because he's won it. You know what I'm saying? and I just hate the comparisons with Arteta.
00:17:56
Chuku
no Just because, simply put, Slott, don't care what no one tells me, Slott inherited a squad that has won before.
00:18:07
Chuku
Simply put. Not just won before. They've won Champions League and they've won the league. players in that squad they've done it Arteta didn't inherit any of such players type of players he had to build the squad from I mean but when i say bottom up I'm talking about like bottom like bro you're Can people try and remember what Arsenal looked like prior to Mikel joining the club? I'm not trying to say Mikel came in and, you know, took us to, you know, Ray Heights right away because what we all know it was a process. We understand this. But the fact is, looking at what transpired with slots, he inherited a squad that has won
00:18:52
Chuku
major honors. Yes, you know, us the previous manager, Klopp, didn't win the league the year before. Slott came in. They went, you know, he'd make some adjustments. They win the league, know, with those players.
00:19:06
Chuku
Great, wonderful. But I think there's something, I'm very curious to hear what, you know, you guys' just thoughts are on this. But at this point so far, what I'm starting to realize or starting to see is that,
00:19:19
Chuku
Slop might just be one of those great, you know, in terms of like with books, right? They're they're known they authors and then they're editors, okay?
00:19:31
Chuku
And I'm really starting to think, You know, with Slott, he just might be a great editor because what he was able to do, you know, with that, with the Liverpool squad, right?
Arsenal's Promising Season
00:19:44
Chuku
He, you know, he made Gravenberg being, you know, be a thing, right? Which is, which was great.
00:19:51
Chuku
You know, he still had... You know, Trent, who was the main primary playmaker, Salah, Van Dijk, and Mandem, you know, all in the team. And he just made subtle little adjustments here and there.
00:20:05
Chuku
But for the most part, I think it's fair to say that the players kind already knew there was already sort of chemistry already because these are players that have been playing with each other for, you know, for of a vast period of time. So they kind of already know or, you know, have a good feeling around, you know, how to play around each other.
00:20:23
Chuku
And great, it worked. okay They won the league. Wonderful. Now, with this year, this was Slott's chance to be the author and his you know and his in his managerial career with Liverpool.
00:20:36
Chuku
And he started making subtle adjustments to note to a form to formulate the team into his image. We see what he did with Trent Leven.
00:20:48
Chuku
Trent, who was the main creative force for the Liverpool squad, playing at, you know, right back, inverting into the midfield. They replace that. They get, you know, you have, you get Frimpong, you have Conor Bradley.
00:21:00
Chuku
So it's a different style of a fullback. Instead of, you know, people ask, okay, where's the creation going to come from? Well, Slott, know, or Liverpool, they get someone who's supposed to be one of the great, you know, at least up and coming great playmakers for his position in Wurz coming out of Germany, and he was supposed to be that new playmaker.
00:21:22
Chuku
You guess these fullbacks with Kerkhez and Frimpong, and you're asking them to invert is what I'm seeing at certain points, rather than having them do what they were supposed to do or do what they're best at doing from what they've done in previous seasons or previous years, which is for Kerkhez at least and Frimpong as well.
00:21:42
Chuku
They're good overlapping fullbacks. But we don't really see them utilize the fullback position in that manner, at least not enough. And now you're seeing the way the balance of the of of how Liverpool creates chances.
00:21:58
Chuku
Ekotike, Isak, I'm hearing Ekotike could play left wing. you You went and sold Luis Diaz, who in my opinion, i I never understood why they let him go. i always thought Diaz was one of their better players or attacking attacking-wise, better players, you know, as far as creating chances for the team and always someone on I was willing to basically, you know, run in a runa around and apply pressure from up front.
00:22:25
Chuku
You lose him. You make Cody Gakpo as the, I guess, your main focal point at left wing. You know, you have Ikatiki and Isak to replace, you know, RIP, Jota, and Nunes that, know, that also left.
00:22:40
Chuku
And you still got Salah. And somehow, With Slott taking the reins and forming trying to formulate the team into his image or his liking, we're seeing the results now. And quite frankly, a lot has been, you know, I mean, at this point, Slott, the author, is not looking anywhere close to Slott, the editor.
00:23:02
Chuku
from the previous season and we're starting to see that he's getting found out. And I mean, look again, it's still early season. It's early in the season. You know, it's not yet over, but I mean, at this point, you know, with having lost four games already in the league, I just don't know unless some sort of miracle takes place and all of a sudden they just turn up all of us you know out of nowhere.
00:23:27
Chuku
I just don't see how Liverpool can, basically get back to the form that they need to be in order to be challenging for anything major this year. And I mean, we're already hearing, I'm already hearing Liverpool fans talking to about slot out, which is incredible to me because for a manager to win you a league and next season, we're hearing people wanting you out.
00:23:51
Chuku
You have to have been doing diabolical work. for things to get to that point. And I just think, and again, I'm just curious, you know, for what you bought, what what you what you guys think about the whole idea of, you know, slot the, the author versus slot the editor from the, you know, from the year before, like what do you guys think about that?
00:24:10
Chuku
That thought?
00:24:12
Emeka
and
00:24:13
Chino Onwuka
I feel like you you've been cooking that one up for a while and you're pretty proud of that analogy. Yeah, no, it makes sense. Like, you know, obviously he – I don't like that narrative sometimes when you say, oh, it was somebody else's team.
00:24:31
Chino Onwuka
Like, to me, that doesn't matter. You were still the coach. You know, and sometimes people say, well, how important is the coach? Well, I think the coach has a part to play.
00:24:42
Chino Onwuka
He worked with what he had. And, you know, we saw some of the improvements he made in certain players last year. We talked about it on the pod. And so what I said, i remember saying this over the summer, this is now, you know, yeah, they were still playing a little bit of, you know, the way Claude played.
00:24:57
Chino Onwuka
You know, now Slott wants to implement more of his style probably and bring in more of his type of players. And we will see what the result is. And so maybe there is an element, you know, of of what you're saying. I'll definitely give you that. I like the analogy, though, I like it.
00:25:14
Emeka
One week they hate you next week they love you, and back, back, back, back forth. Eight months ago, Slop was seen as the guy came in, first season, winning in the league, walking the league, and now things are falling apart. It's just the nature of sports. it's and Listen, I agree with your point. It's easier to be an editor than an author. That's 1,000%.
00:25:32
Emeka
As someone who edits a lot of things and writes a lot of things, one is a lot than the other. So you're you're cooking with that, for sure. Like, it's... Cartman was with Klopp's team.
00:25:43
Emeka
he did make some changes, but it was mostly Klopp's team that you don't mention. Now it's his team. I just think... It's also just four games, you know, whatever. But i just think it just goes to show how hard it is to win a Premier League. I always say this. Like, it's we take it for granted sometimes. It's hard to do.
00:26:01
Emeka
And it's even harder to repeat. And I think when teams like City come along, they make it look normal. You go and win four in a row. No one's ever done it before. There's reason why it only took once.
00:26:13
Emeka
It's really hard to repeat. It's the hardest thing in sports, many people have said, to repeat. Because when you're chasing it, you have that hunger, that fire. You're like, yeah, I mean, we got to do it.
00:26:24
Emeka
Well, now you've won it. And now got to come back in. And then we forget it sometimes. Their teammate died. Like... Media moves on news cycle moves on Jota died this summer I couldn't imagine going to work and my coworker I'm close with when it calls team environment There's only 20 of us one of us dies in the summer and now gotta just go out there and play nothing happened It's scary to hard to do so there's gonna be some drawback and then Hate to say this because I love these two people
00:26:58
Emeka
but and i was And I'm going to switch up. I was all last year on Team Pay Salah and Team Pay Van Dyke. I'm not switching up, but the risk at the time of paying them is you're paying these guys over 30, and when it goes, it goes fast.
00:27:14
Emeka
Virg is still good. He's fallen off a little bit, and now he's the aura defending isn't hitting that much. Salah has gone from, you know, carrying season of the year, everybody, Ballon dork contender level last year, to struggling this season.
00:27:31
Emeka
And I don't know if it's an age thing or a tactics thing or just whatever, but... It's a scary sight, and us us Arsenal fans, I'm sure this name has been mentioned a million times to Liverpool fans, but it reminds me of Aubameyang.
00:27:44
Emeka
The whole sign to Ting, we rallied for, we wanted it, we got him on the big deal, and then it just went downhill immediately after that. I like Sala. Leaving rivalries aside, I'll always like Sala.
00:27:56
Emeka
The greatest African footballer of all time. I love Mo Sala. I don't want this to be the end, but... This thought risk of signing guys over 30 is the reason why managers push against it. And we take it for granted it seeing the aliens like Messi and Ronaldo and, you know, Tom Brady, LeBron.
00:28:13
Emeka
When they see these guys and they're in their thirty late 30s and even pushing 40 they're still balling out, we think, oh, yeah, anyone can do it. Nah, people fall off fast and it happens quick and maybe that's what's happening now and that's a lot of changes to happen to a team at once. This is the reason why I predicted them to finish fourth because I just don't like changes and on all that stuff. But if I was a Liverpool fan, though, the question ask you, truthfully,
00:28:39
Emeka
I wouldn't even care. and just saw my team win the Premier League last year. Like, if I'm a as an Arsenal fan who's thirsting, thirsting for one, promise you, Arsenal win the league this season.
00:28:50
Emeka
Next year, we could finish eighth. I wouldn't give two singular shits. So, I got no sin with the Liverpool fans. Y'all have seen the Champions League in the last decade, two Premier Leagues, a lot of trophies. Y'all, you know, you're good.
00:29:02
Emeka
So, and he also spent $500 million in the summer on young talent. He'd be good there as well. But, Yeah, I guess it's just a lot of changes for a team, and they're eating their lumps on that one. So, you know, it's tough out here.
00:29:15
Emeka
Any closing thoughts, Chano?
00:29:17
Chino Onwuka
when i was When I was struggling to remember my point, yeah, that was the point I was going remember. like Obviously, there's no way we can imagine or quantify the impact of Jota's passing could be on that team. I think that is an intrinsic situation that there's really...
00:29:33
Chino Onwuka
intrinsic situation that you know there's really No, no, like it's having an impact. How much of an impact is it having? It's it's so hard to tell, but definitely, definitely for Salah, we, I think they had a really close relationship and, you know, you've seen stories about how close they are.
00:29:51
Chino Onwuka
So it's, it's, it's really tough, but I think, I don't know, sometimes
00:30:01
Chino Onwuka
what I think, I know you mentioned, you know, if Liverpool won the league, if Arsenal won the league and then finish it, you wouldn't care. I think obviously it's a different scenario because it's been 21 years since we won one. But I think what probably has Liverpool fans, so like imagine if, okay, we did do that and then we went and bought
00:30:23
Chino Onwuka
Haaland and we went and bought Vinicius. Like in your mind, it's like, oh, it's peak, like, Arsenal, always the bridesmaids. Man City are in a down period.
00:30:34
Chino Onwuka
It could be our time to to be that run. And then you win five games in a row not looking good. And then all of a sudden you lose six games. like It's a lot of jarring emotions. And I think Liverpool fans are are trying to reconcile that and wrap their head around that. It's a big shock. It's a big switch up.
00:30:53
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:30:54
Emeka
Yeah, i look, I get being upset, but I'm just like, the Chukwu's saying people saying slot out. That's insanity. But hey, you're not wrong, man. We're we're all emotional people. I can just say, again, if Arsenal won the league, we could finish 10th with the Hollands for all I care the next year. I'd still be celebrating.
00:31:11
Emeka
Speaking of which, a bad week for Liverpool, a great week for Arsenal. As a one beating Crystal Palace ain't for everybody, you know? It ain't for everybody. The...
00:31:22
Emeka
You know, it was written in the stars. My man, Eberiche Eze, scored in his first Premier League goal for Arsenal against old team. Teglito, a 1-0 win at the weekend. Four points clear of the top.
00:31:34
Emeka
Sitting comfortably. Pulled up midweek against Brighton and tossed out the kids, including someone whose name I might jokingly say later on in the podcast. Won again, 2-0.
00:31:45
Emeka
Hail them product scoring. Vibes at an all-time high. I always say the table doesn't matter until Christmas, and I'm going to be consistent on it. The table doesn't matter until weekend you know into Christmas, stack up the Ws.
00:31:58
Emeka
However, it my brother Chukwu, we talked about Liverpool's concerns. Talk to me about the vibes of Arsenal right now. On a scale of one being the peak Emory years, we're facing 33 shots every game, to 10 being the invincible seasons on the winger.
00:32:15
Emeka
What are your vibes now with this Arsenal season moving forward?
00:32:21
Chuku
Wagwan, boys. you know listen, listen. this I'm just... hu Man. The vibes could not be any better.
00:32:32
Chuku
yeah Before I even list, or before I even put my number out here, okay? Before I give you my my number, man. I just gotta say, boys, did you... Did you guys realize, bro, Arsenal went the entire month of October bro I repeat Arsenal went the entire month of October bro and we didn't concede one goal did you guys know that did you guys know that cause bro
00:33:08
Emeka
One go ahead one shot on target
00:33:11
Chuku
We did not concede one goal the entire month. And the only shot that we had that was on target was the most ridiculous shot on target you'd ever see.
00:33:23
Chuku
with i believe was the Eddie Nketiah header or whatever do you want to call it. The ball was crossed in. Raya came out and Eddie jumped for the ball, contested, caught the ball, whatever. i don't know.
00:33:37
Chuku
But that was what was considered a shot on target. Okay. With that being said,
00:33:45
Chuku
i obviously cannot give us a 10 out of 10 just yet. There's still improvements. 10 would mean we're perfect, invisible. But... I can tell you right now, the vibes cannot get much better than they are right now.
00:34:02
Chuku
And I got to give us a solid 9. Hell, I might even go 9.5. I think we've had we've had our side conversations. you know We've had talks you know outside of the the pod. And i mean, look.
00:34:16
Chuku
I don't know where y'all stand at this moment in time. i don't know. I mean, I have a feeling my bro might be with me on this. I don't know about Chinna as much, per se. He could be there, but maybe he might feel like I'm no i'm jumping the gun a little bit early on this.
00:34:30
Chuku
But, Matt, listen, Arsenal are winning the league, bro. I don't care what no one got to tell me. Arsenal are winning the league. Bro, this squad is... quality from number one to number 24 this team is immaculate bro where the where the hell did they find mascara bro i i need i need someone to tell me where did they find mascara bro this brother this brother bro i cannot speak enough on how highly every time i've seen this guy come in for either gabrielle or saliba bro it's like nothing is missing bro
00:35:10
Chuku
This guy is light years ahead of his age. Bro, isn't he, isn't he, how, how is it, mascara again? If I'm not mistaken, this brother, isn't he like 21 or something?
00:35:21
Chino Onwuka
He's 21, yeah.
00:35:23
Chuku
Holy bogey. Bro, mascara, I mean, I'm here to say, at 21, mascara, what I'm seeing from mascara again yeah yeah Again, I might be overhyping, but I don't care, bro. I think this guy was, first of all, he was lot years better than what Gabriel was when he first came in.
00:35:41
Chuku
From what I've seen so far, not a question, like no debate in that sense, in my opinion.
00:35:46
Chino Onwuka
I don't know where you're going next, but I'm i sure I'll give you Gabrielle.
00:35:46
Chuku
Curious what you guys think.
00:35:50
Chino Onwuka
Slow down wherever next you want to go, please.
00:35:53
Chuku
See, it can be a is a conversation for Saliba. It's a conversation. At the very least, a conversation. But I can tell you right now, Gabriel is, I mean, look, Gabriel, in my opinion, is our best defender.
00:36:05
Chuku
He's turned into our best defender to me. He's better than Saliba right now. That's not a debate to me. yeah can if If you feel like that's debate, you're on your own with that. But what where I'm at is for his age, Musquera looks the part.
00:36:24
Chuku
Everything you want in a defender, he seems to have all the qualities. And an argument can be made, you know, comparisons to Saliba when he first came at the same age.
00:36:36
Chuku
Comparisons can be made. I would still say Saliba was probably better, but Muscara is not far off. And all I'm just trying to say is, we know as center backs, they tend to get better or reach their prime as they get older.
00:36:52
Chuku
And the fact that I'm seeing what I'm seeing from this brother at 21, holy... Yeah, we got we got something there. We got something there. And don't even get me started with Hincapié's appearance.
00:37:05
Chuku
I'm a big fan of Incapié. I think he's going to be really, really good for the team, really, really good for the squad. And the fact that he's and just a fourth option, fourth, fifth option, like what the hell is Arteta building? This squad is ridiculous, bro.
00:37:24
Chuku
It is absolutely ridiculous with the defense we got going on. And, you know, if we can just be consistent with scoring goals off front which I think is going to come, you know, we've been finding ways to score goals. So thankful, thank God for the, you know, set pieces, our ability to, you know, to, to score from, from all different types of goals, mainly set pieces.
00:37:49
Chuku
I just think like we are at the perfect place to not just challenge, but I mean, I, Firmly think that, you know, we're going to... I mean, want to talk too early, but I just think... It's Arsenal's for the taking, man. It's Arsenal's for the taking. like At this point in time, you know, I just don't see how, you know, how we slow down.
00:38:12
Chuku
And I think, you know, as we start to get more and more of our players back, you know, mainly right now, the names I'm thinking about are Havertz and Odegaard. get the Get those two back into the squad.
00:38:25
Chuku
I just think the goal's... Will come. They are coming. They're already here. We're just going to continue. I think we're going to see a much more dynamic team once we get healthier up front.
00:38:38
Chuku
And, yeah, no, the vibes are just immaculate. Okay? 9.9. At this I'm going to talk myself into a 9.5. So, yeah, I think, yeah, if I could give a rating, 9.5, bro.
00:38:52
Emeka
you
00:38:55
Chino Onwuka
how do how how do you How do you follow that up? I would give it a... The vibes are are really good right now at Arsenal. Like Chukwu mentioned, and Emeka, you've mentioned, you know we won, what, seven games in the month of October. Won every single day game.
00:39:11
Chino Onwuka
Did not concede a goal across three competitions while dealing with a pretty lengthy injury list. So it's just really highlighted the depth that...
00:39:22
Chino Onwuka
you know, that they really worked on coming into the season. It's really highlighted our our defensive solidity. and it just highlighted, you know, maybe a little bit of maturity, you know, a lot lot of the games, I think three of the games we won are against teams that we dropped points to last year, you know, teams that we struggled with Crystal Palace, Fulham, and I can't remember what the other team was. So that's really, really high for me. So For me, I would say a 7.5 or 8 because, again, it's it's still early.
00:39:58
Chino Onwuka
Yes, we have, you know, what's yeah yeah let me let me check the table real quick. You know, if you look at it overall, we still only have a four-point lead.
00:40:12
Chino Onwuka
It's not like it's 10 points or anything. We're only nine games into the season. You know, just a couple just a month ago, Liverpool had a five-point lead. So they've already, you know, blown that. So you can see things can change really quickly in the Prem.
00:40:26
Chino Onwuka
So we're yeah we're six points ahead of City, seven points ahead of Liverpool, which, you know, anda i don't think I'm going to be comfortable until it's like 15. But I think we're in a really good spot.
00:40:40
Chino Onwuka
I think we're definitely in the driver's seat for the league. You know, I'm not going to shy away from that. You know, this is a title that the boys need to see through. You know, what would it take for me to give a higher rating?
00:40:52
Chino Onwuka
If one, all of our forwards were healthy, all of our best players were healthy, know, Odegaard, know, I'm looking at you, and the vibes would be higher if, you know, our main striker signing was scoring more goals.
00:41:06
Chino Onwuka
I think it's in him, but, you know, due to multiple factors, we haven't seen them yet. So those are things that would make me feel like, oh, you know, really, really, but again, vibes vibes are really high.
00:41:19
Chino Onwuka
You know, and it's a great time to be an Arsenal fan. Arsenal fans out there, if you're listening to this, enjoy it. It's a long season. We know where what can happen. like I said, it's still early. We're not even the December yet. So just again, enjoy the ride, especially after last season. Enjoy the ride.
00:41:38
Emeka
Amen, brother. just
00:41:39
Chuku
Just really quickly, bro.
00:41:40
Emeka
just
00:41:42
Chuku
Just really quickly, bro. I mean, look, I hear you on the whole, you know, being four points behind our main competitors, you know, because obviously, look, Sunderland, I mean, do we really believe Sunderland are going to be mounting to a title challenge this year? mean, I yeah don't think they're going be Leicester anytime soon, but I digress.
00:41:59
Chuku
But the only thing that, one thing that has me truly giddy about seeing, you know, our rivals, right, and where we're at currently, and I just want to just quickly touch on this, is the fact that, as we already kind of discussed before, look at the schedule.
00:42:15
Chuku
We have already played some of the hardest games away from home this season. And we get to see Liverpool have to play Man City in a couple of weeks.
00:42:30
Chuku
Tottenham going to be playing Chelsea, I believe, is it a Liverpool or Man City and Arsenal and us? Like, lot of the guys in in or around us are either going playing each other or playing other, you know, quote-unquote top teams, you know, within the league.
00:42:49
Chuku
the in the next couple of weeks. So this lead that we have, again, you know, i just I just think in a couple of weeks' time, we could be looking at the table very, very differently, you know, with with the with the gap that's going to be building.
00:43:05
Chuku
And, I mean, look, that that Man City-Liverpool game, i don't even really care who wins because at end the end day, somebody's going dropping points. Somebody's going to be dropping points. And so, look, it's an exciting time, you know. i don't want get too carried away.
00:43:20
Chuku
hard not to, but, you know, I hope, you know, like I said, in a couple of weeks time, we're going to be having the discussion again, and we might be looking at this, you know, with a much, much larger lead, you know, to to to to go by. So it's going to be very interesting the next couple of weeks before the next international break, for sure.
00:43:41
Emeka
Yeah, I mean, there's a reason why I picked Arsenal to win the league. It been long was a long debate, but it was a series of contention last year of some podcasts. I think the even larger Arsenal fan base where people say, if I took Arsenal to win the trophy, would you fire him, blah, blah, blah. And I kept saying, nah, for me, it's the is the journey. Like, I have seen garbage Emory teams. Godspeed, Emory's doing well now.
00:44:11
Emeka
gave us a huge favor in the weekend beating City. But those Emory years, the absolute trash we used to be seeing week in, week out. And now I tune in to see my team, and they are competent, they are good, and I expect them to win. And I just love it. For me, the vibes are just through the roof. The vibes for me are, I'd say a nine, and I equate them to the the first half, you know, we we we joke with Bispic Madme about Gabriel Jesus when he made the transfer at 22, 23, and the vibes are immaculate before the World Cup.
00:44:42
Emeka
Like, that's the kind of vibes I'm feeling right now, where... I just like watching Arsenal. I love hearing fans complain about set pieces and low blocks and whatever. It's in one ear and out the other. It's just I love watching it.
00:44:55
Emeka
I never feel like we're going to lose. And I feel like beyond that, don't think we're going to concede goals. Like, it's just a fantastic time. I really hope it ends up a trophy.
00:45:05
Emeka
It's way too early to say otherwise. It's looking pretty good. But I'm sure you guys are you know aware. There's meme I post in our group chat after every game. It's the famous quote from Lionel Messi before they won the World Cup. and Grandma, it could be this year.
00:45:20
Emeka
And it's early. good It feels like it could be the year. It really does feel like it could be the year. Vibes are through the roof. I'm loving it. And I don't want to say too much before I start jinxing it. But this is why I just like, I don't get anyone who can even say something like, oh,
00:45:40
Emeka
I took out to deliver, blah, blah, blah. but he How is this not delivering? I just don't. I know sports are results-oriented business, but these are results. Like, I've gone from seeing, you know, fans riding in the stadium at the end of Wenger to this garbage Emory football to now wins, Ws every week.
00:45:57
Emeka
I love it. I love their squad. Chukwu mentioned their depth. We're missing so many people, and you don't even notice it because we have guys. It's only a nine because, like Chinon mentioned, I would have preferred – my 50 million pound striker to score some more goals. I'm like, hey, that would be nice.
00:46:14
Emeka
So there's something to work on, but I'm not even worried because he can score zero goals from all I care about. We score enough set pieces that he probably would win the league regardless. So, hey, vibes are through the roof. I'm loving it.
00:46:25
Emeka
We've got injured guys coming back in end of November. Oh, man, it's just a great time. And I really like that point, and I want to echo it again. Arsenal fans, man, smell the roses. I got a lot of Liverpool fans in my life, and one of them, he had a really, he was like, I'm going to enjoy this season because who knows what next season is.
00:46:43
Emeka
Turns out next season was pretty trash. Always remember that. You never know what next season holds. People think it's easy to repeat and dynasties and blah, blah, blah. Smell the roses when they're there. Enjoy the good times.
00:46:55
Emeka
We're in the middle of good times, and I, for one, am thriving in it. It's fan fantastic. Long may continue, but hey, it's a long season, and we're only week nine. So, hey, hopefully, like Juku said, we're going to have more podcasts where we all reflect on the vibes. But I just figured, you know, we always have these segments where Arsenal are losing, we and we he rant and scream and yell, why not, hey, man, now that Arsenal's doing well, let's that's that's let enjoy it for a bit, you know? Let's bask in the moment. It's a nice time.
00:47:24
Emeka
It's a nice time to be alive. What did you say, Sochino?
00:47:29
Chino Onwuka
No, what a time to be alive. Again, enjoy it, it's it's but it's still early again. we're We're nine games into the season. What's the math on that? where What's the percentage?
00:47:40
Chino Onwuka
Let me bust up.
00:47:40
Emeka
Quick maths, what was it? Less than 20%, I'll tell you that.
00:47:42
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, it's I'm not not in high school anymore. I can't do that quick math in my head. 24% through the season, not even a quarter of the way through the season, so it's still early.
00:47:48
Chuku
the
00:47:53
Chino Onwuka
There's going to be – and here's another thing – For myself, for all of us, there's going to be highs and lows. I mean, it's very unlikely we win every single game for the rest of the season. Would I love that to happen? Yes, but it's very unlikely there's going to be games where we should win, where we pepper them, and somehow we drop points, whether that's a draw or loss.
00:48:18
Chino Onwuka
Hopefully there's games where we don't play well and we find a way to win. it's michael Like you said, it's a journey. So I think Arsenal fans, it's hard because it's been so long. We're always being, other teams are always looking for a way to to get us down. So just be composed, enjoy the ride. It's going to be highs and lows. That's that's what being a fan is. All we can do is support our team and cheer on the boys.
00:48:42
Chuku
Hold on, boys. Did I miss it? But what was the rating you gave my bro? Oh, okay.
00:48:48
Emeka
I said nine. You could win 10, but Jokoraz is not scoring.
00:48:50
Chuku
Okay, i must have missed it.
00:48:53
Emeka
He knocked it down one point. That would be perfect 10 out of 10 vibes. But hey, this is great. This great vibes. I'm loving it.
00:49:02
Chuku
Yeah, man. We're McDonald's, man. We're loving it. Let's go.
00:49:07
Emeka
Absolutely. Long may it continue. Well, two podcasts ago, i i said here, Man U are about to face Liverpool, and I and i said if they pulled this off, I wouldn't make any Amarillo jokes for a month.
00:49:23
Emeka
They did do it two weeks ago, and two weeks I've not made a single Amarillo joke, and I've got two more weeks to hold on to it. But we make a lot of fun of Man United, and I say, let's let's be let's be reasonable here. Let's actually give them their flowers when they deserve it.
00:49:37
Emeka
Three wins on the bounce for Reuben Amarillo's mighty Red Devils. Sunderland 2-0, and you laugh, but that's a good win, seeing how Sunderland's performing. Beat Liverpool in Anfield, and then beat Brighton 4-2.
00:49:51
Emeka
Three wins in a row, and I have one question, and I'll start with you, Chico. Is my homeboy going to cut his hair, and will Man U get five in a row? The next two games are Forrest away and Spurs away.
00:50:04
Emeka
Will they hit five wins in a row? My guy gets to hit a tight fade, or is this just a blip? And they were you know they had a lucky schedule break there, and things are going to resume normal service moving forward.
00:50:19
Chuku
I think they're going to beat Forrest. And that's not saying too much. But I believe the next game he said was Spurs.
00:50:27
Emeka
Yep, Spurs are with.
00:50:29
Chuku
Hmm.
00:50:32
Emeka
The funny thing is, if they beat Forrest, like, it's a joke, but I feel like there'll be pressure on the team.
00:50:33
Chuku
Spurs have been terrible at home.
00:50:40
Emeka
If there are four wins in a row, like, suddenly it becomes a real thing.
00:50:43
Chuku
Hmm. Hmm.
00:50:44
Emeka
And the squad probably feel it.
00:50:45
Chuku
True, it's a place they've never been under Emmerin. So, I mean, yeah, the pressure will definitely be there. But you know what? I just think their main players are starting to get informed.
00:50:58
Chuku
Mbemo, I mean, there's a reason why we rated Mbemo highly. Like, you know, he's no Saka or anything. But, bro, he is a he's definitely easily top five player.
00:51:11
Chuku
at least right forwards in the league for sure. No question in my opinion about that. No, Kunia. Kunia's starting to you know look... I mean, he's been looking good, as good as you can be without scoring a goal.
00:51:23
Chuku
And then he finally gets, you know, finally got his goal. So who knows? Maybe that starts, you know, unlocking something there. And, uh, Cesco, Cesco is doing his thing, man. He's doing, he's doing, you know, he's doing bits. He's doing, he's doing his thing.
00:51:35
Chuku
So, I mean, I just, I think there's enough firepower there. You know, I haven't even got into the names of Bruno and, you know, Diallo. Hell, even Casimiro is starting to, you know, unwind the the clock a little bit, you know, it was starting to look, it's been looking good, looking good.
00:51:51
Emeka
Has left him.
00:51:51
Chuku
can't lie.
00:51:52
Emeka
Football hasn't left him.
00:51:54
Chuku
Yeah, yeah, exactly. So I just think, yeah, i'm honestly, I think they do it, man. i really do. I really think they do it because Forrest, like I said, that's a, you know, they have been a disgrace this year.
00:52:09
Chuku
And Spurs at home, like Spurs, when they play at home, for whatever reason, I don't know, they just, they play in front of their fans and it's a problem, you know.
00:52:20
Chuku
From what I've seen, they do a lot better, you know, when they play away. But, yeah, I just think they have more fire firepower than those two teams, and they're probably going to they probably goingnna have enough or do enough to to get those those wins. So, yeah, I have i have them. I have my my my friend getting that sharp fade pretty soon here.
Manchester United's Potential Turnaround
00:52:41
Chuku
Just got to be a little bit patient.
00:52:43
Emeka
I hope if they win five in a row, he goes to the grounds and like, I'm going to cut this hair. i really I really hope this is a a thing. I don't know. I love it. i I don't think they get five in a row. And I think, i have jokingly, like I mentioned, I think if they beat Forrest, it actually becomes a thing.
00:52:59
Emeka
He gets asked about it in the press. The press the players feel it. And it's like, they just they it becomes too much on them. But, I just want to give a quick shout out to, you know, a guy who me you both, yeah, I think, me and you love, you know, have some doubts.
00:53:12
Emeka
The bald brother in Buomo, I just, like, wow. I knew this would happen.
00:53:17
Chino Onwuka
Wait, hold on.
00:53:18
Emeka
I was so upset.
00:53:19
Chino Onwuka
wait, wait, wait, wait.
00:53:19
Emeka
What else?
00:53:20
Chino Onwuka
Hold on. No, no, no, no, no. one I ain't never said a bad word about Mbwemo. The guy i yeah I said would be the flop of the season is Cunha.
00:53:23
Emeka
a a and look
00:53:28
Chino Onwuka
Don't confuse the two. Cunha is the guy I have doubts about, not Mbwemo.
00:53:31
Chuku
But you do realize that Kunia is definitely nowhere close to being the flop of the season, by the way.
00:53:31
Emeka
but
00:53:31
Chino Onwuka
Relax.
00:53:36
Chino Onwuka
Oh, he scored one goal.
00:53:36
Chuku
Right?
00:53:37
Chino Onwuka
Whoa.
00:53:38
Chuku
Oh, my goodness. No way this agenda is carrying on. shot Anyways, all I'll tell you is just...
00:53:43
Chino Onwuka
No, no, no, no, no.
00:53:44
Chuku
squiggle
00:53:44
Chino Onwuka
Okay, hold on, hold on. For real, for real. He hasn't been the flop of the season or anything like that, but out of out of the three acquisitions, the other two have been better than him.
00:53:48
Chuku
Not even close. I mean, I'm so sorry. He's not been anywhere close.
00:53:54
Chino Onwuka
Of the three, he's been, i wouldn't say the worst because it's not like
00:53:56
Chuku
Do you think my United fans feel Sesko has been better than Kunia?
00:54:01
Chino Onwuka
he's... Bro, just just go online.
00:54:03
Chuku
the bro you okay anyways I'm not gonna go there it's okay all all good all good all I'll say is on real quickly on a flop of the season yo yo Yo, there's a brother wearing a Spurs jersey that my eyes have been focused on for a minute.
00:54:20
Chuku
And actually, a couple of brothers. But honestly, one of them particularly. know, man plays, came from Germany. And yeah, let's just say I'm happy we got Eze.
00:54:31
Chuku
And, you know, good for them to know who they got. But yeah, that boy looking fraudulent over there, boy.
00:54:36
Chino Onwuka
and And so, like, this is not to sound like this is not to cast aspersions or anything, but when i remember on this pod months ago when you were flaming Odegaard and you were saying, oh, we should replace him with this player, we should replace him with Simmons, right?
00:54:38
Chuku
so
00:54:58
Chino Onwuka
This is why... me and Emeka preach caution. Sometimes the grass always looks greener. And I still believe Simmons is a great player, but that's why we got so annoyed when you were just like, oh yeah, we could go get, like, it's going to happen again. Everyone gets excited about players, but like, this is a good example. Let's be guided going forward, please.
00:55:27
Emeka
It's funny, we're talking about one German 10 coming to the Premier League, and not the one who cost 100 million pounds more, but that's neither here nor there, for flop of the season. Anyhow, I just want to give some show flowers to the United.
00:55:40
Emeka
Mbwemo is fantastic signing. Cunha, eh. I like Cunha, but he hasn't been hitting the ground as running. said well Sesco, but also... Onana, this is my beef with like, i when City replaced Edison, not that he's ever close to Onana, but I was upset about it because...
00:56:00
Emeka
As an Arsenal fan, I've seen us go from, and I to disrespect anybody, but like the Ospina years, we got Check on his downswing, wasn't that solid. Then we got Leno, that was an upgrade a little bit.
00:56:13
Emeka
Then we got Ramsdale. And it wasn't until we started getting Martinez and now Raya, where I realized that I was being bamboozled that decade when I thought the Ospinias and Cole were adequate.
00:56:27
Emeka
When you have an attitude...
00:56:27
Chino Onwuka
You gaslit.
00:56:28
Emeka
You know, I was gaslit.
00:56:29
Chino Onwuka
You gaslit.
00:56:31
Emeka
I didn't know what I was missing. Because when we had Raya, it made me realize that a keeper changes so much vibes in your team. And when you don't believe in your keeper,
00:56:43
Emeka
it it It just it kills you. And Onana was killing Man United. He really was. I hate to blame African brother, but it reached a point where like years have gone by now so people don't bring it up.
00:56:56
Emeka
Onana single-handedly cost Man United the Champions League group stage that one year. like Single-handedly left him out the group. That's the impact of a bad keeper. And this lineman's guy, like I'm not going to sit here and cap.
00:57:08
Emeka
I had never heard of him until they came to Man United. But just by not being Onana, he is giving them something now. Because now you're not just out of hand conceding a BS goal.
00:57:20
Emeka
For no reason. And he just back on square one. And just that alone gives you so much of a lift. Now all of a sudden, you know, Maguire is looking good again. like you' always play Like, they don't, they look like they have somewhat of of a backbone now.
00:57:35
Emeka
Whereas, you know, now you wouldn't trust them to get any game. You just close your eyes and even Grimsey was giving them something. So... Maybe there's something there, playing one game a week, all that stuff. Like, we make a lot of fun of Man United. i sort of you know like I've been watching their games, and as I mentioned, if they beat Liverpool, I'd say nice things. And they beatler they beat Liverpool at Anfield. And it wasn't like smash-and-grab performance.
00:57:59
Emeka
It was evenly contested. And, hey, like I wasn't shocked when Man United was Man U1. Like, they deserved it. And I got to give props to my guy, Ruben. You know, I made a lot of fun of him, made a lot of jokes.
00:58:11
Emeka
He is nine games, obviously. Table doesn't matter. Nine games. But we make funds. I got to point out, tied in points of Man City, one point above Liverpool. Not bad.
00:58:22
Emeka
Two points above Chelsea. And yet had somehow...
00:58:24
Chino Onwuka
and And that's having played Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. You know, we we talked about how hard the the start of the season was for Arsenal. I think we had the second hardest beginning strength of schedule, and the only team worse than us was Man U. So in spite of the of they hiccups that and we identified our reasons to be worried about Man U, can't remember...
00:58:50
Chino Onwuka
i i can't remember But I think part of it was why we're worried about them is that we knew that they were starting off with a really tough schedule and we didn't think they would come out of that tough schedule.
00:59:02
Chino Onwuka
That's what it was. And they've beaten Chelsea and they've beaten Liverpool. So props to them. out My two cents I just have the feeling based off of their last couple of years, I feel like they dropped points against Forrest actually.
00:59:17
Chino Onwuka
I don't know why. They're the team that's expected to be the They're the team expected to be the protagonist in that game.
00:59:19
Emeka
It doesn't make errands anymore.
00:59:25
Chino Onwuka
It's an away game. You know, it's Sean Dyche at the helm. So maybe that new manager bounce. So I'm actually more worried.
00:59:36
Chino Onwuka
You know, Forrest aren't a Leeds or Wolves, that kind of team. This is a team that we know how good of a season they had last year. We know they have good players. If they have a manager that can get something out of them away at the forest ground, this might actually be a bit of a trap game for them.
00:59:55
Emeka
Is it a trap game when the team finished 12 places above you on the table the previous year? i don't know. Before we move on...
01:00:01
Chino Onwuka
For United fans, we know how United fans can be.
01:00:02
Emeka
one
01:00:04
Chino Onwuka
They're all of a sudden the greatest team in the world again. So I'm just saying it's a trap game based on that perspective.
01:00:09
Emeka
No, I just had to to make a punt. And I will leave on this note. I've been saying too many nice things. Despite all we've talked about, results and all that, goal difference, plus one.
01:00:19
Emeka
I mean, look, improvement it over the negatives, but Maddie Nair's goal difference will internally be funny to me. And until it becomes a respectable double-digit positive, it just – I cannot believe over, like, a three-season now – Sample size their goal difference probably would be negative.
01:00:35
Emeka
It's it's unbelievable. I'm getting for Listener if you didn't grow up under the Fergie years, you don't understand why we make these man United jokes. So I can say there's a generation of kids now who grew up thinking that man Manchester the biggest team is city and you do not understand how crazy that sounds like to my brain as someone who grew up under Fergie It's it's unbelievable.
01:00:57
Emeka
It really truly is unbelievable Shout out to my United fans, though. Listen, you're doing well. No jokes made during this segment. Bob Ribbon Amrit. Promise kept. From the biggest team in England to the biggest team in the world.
01:01:08
Emeka
And the biggest game in the world. You know, we yeah we can be arguably a little too Prem-centric on this pod, but what
El Clasico Intensity and Player Performances
01:01:13
Emeka
can you do? We're all Arsenal fans. That's the league we watched. But we all tuned in to the biggest game in football.
01:01:19
Emeka
El Clasico was held on Saturday. Barcelona versus Real Madrid, a great game full of drugs. You know, watch the Pram and I always like, you know, you get like maybe back when City and Liverpool were at their peak at the Pep Club or whatever, rivalries, blah, blah, blah.
01:01:36
Emeka
It's not until you see an El Clasico game you understand what rivalry really is. When man's are fighting, scrapping, meet me in the back like, that's football. that's That's football there.
01:01:48
Emeka
Real Madrid, you know, they lost three Alcacos in a row. They came back and won two one Mbappe and Jude Bellion from Madrid. You know, it was great a great... So much to cover in this game, but I guess I'm just curious on your thoughts on the game. And specifically, I'll start the Real Madrid fan.
01:02:06
Emeka
What is your thoughts on one Vinicius Jr., who... My opinion was man of the match in that game looked unplayable. When Vinny's on, he's cooking. But the big storyline afterwards was after he got subbed, he wasn't a fan of it, to say the least, and made it known to everybody, went down the tunnel, had a whole thing.
01:02:26
Emeka
Had to give a statement today or yesterday. I can't keep track. But... Mentioned everybody, mentioned the the janitors and his teammates and Papa Flo. Didn't mention his manager.
01:02:37
Emeka
And all these stories are coming out about how Xabi Alonso was losing the locker room because he expects everyone to pitch in and Vinny's used to be intrigued like the star, blah, blah, blah. Do you think there's something to that story or is it just media talk after a great Elkotsko win for Madrid?
01:02:55
Chuku
First of all, Jala Madrid. You know, I just want to just, before I start answering those questions, just want to say, you know, we're watching the best player in the world, Mbappe, having a crazy, crazy season.
01:03:11
Chuku
You know, I just think... He's been going under the radar a little bit or not talked about enough in terms of what he's been doing. But Mbappe, that boy is good. And I just think Xabi is getting truly the best of what I can see of Mbappe consistently.
01:03:30
Chuku
This consistent stretch, we're seeing the best Mbappe in Madrid because under Atrelauchi, like, yeah, you know,
01:03:42
Chuku
Mbappe was still good last season, but what he's doing this year is incredible. And I mean, I feel like he's basically almost scoring, you know, every other game and it's it's just been fun to watch. So I'm just really happy to see Mbappe thriving and in the and this shabby system this year.
01:04:03
Chuku
so So start with that. Now, when it comes to Vinny, We all know Vinny is an incredible player. Should have won Ballon d'Or. Anyways, a separate topic for another day. But it's just uniscusable for you to react with that kind of the way he did, basically. I mean, don't get me wrong. like I can see it from both sides because when you're a player of Vinny's caliber, it should hurt you that you're getting subbed off. you know
01:04:35
Chuku
Especially you know you know in a big game, a rivalry game. like the like we know like we know would know about Barcelona and Madrid. But the thing is, at the same time, I can understand it hurting him having to come off the pitch, but you got to be a professional.
01:04:52
Chuku
At the end of the day, you are a paid professional footballer. So regardless of however you view yourself and know and how will you know how you feel, and end of the day, this is a team sport.
01:05:06
Chuku
You have an obligation to play for your, you know, to basically represent your team to the fullest, you know? And whether that means being subbed off early or the coach feeling like, you know, you should be on the pitch playing longer, it doesn't matter. At end the end of the you're a player.
01:05:26
Chuku
And the coach, if the coach feels like, you know, he wants to bring someone in, he's doing so to help the team win. And, know, That's all that matters. It's not about your personal gains or personal you know fame or achievements or glory. Because think a lot of it is just basically what you were talking about earlier with the reports of Vinny, how he's been treated as you know this big out-of-this-world personality or person in the locker room.
01:06:01
Chuku
I'm glad that Shabby is coming in and is putting a stamp on things because We clearly saw what that looked like when, you know, things were run and under Archulotti. Like, yeah, chunk nots some Champions Leagues were won.
01:06:15
Chuku
But at the same time, we saw what happened last year. It was a disaster class. Madrid got absolutely manhandled by Barcelona last year in in the in the El Clasico.
01:06:27
Chuku
So for me, I just think, look, at this point in time, Vinny just has to, you know, grow up. No player is bigger than the team. And I just think, you know, I'm i'm glad Xavi is, you know, stomping and standing on business.
01:06:43
Chuku
If it means Vinny, you know, retaliates and wants to get sold in the summer or leave, okay, so be it. At the end the day, Real Madrid will be here Vinny was around, and Real Madrid will certainly be here well no well past when Vinny is gone. So at the of the day,
01:07:02
Chuku
No player, like I said, is bigger than the team, and I just hope it's a learning moment for Vinny. and I want him to stay. Don't get me wrong. i still think he's an incredible player, but at the same time, you know if the attitude continues and he chooses to no want to find a different you know a background or or find a new environment...
01:07:25
Chuku
then by all means, and I wish them all the best. But, yeah, I'm just – I'm backing the manager and I'm backing the team. And the end of the day, we're here to get the W, and that's what the team did. They got the W. that you know So it was was all wins and smiles for me. So I was happy to see that.
01:07:45
Emeka
On the other side, you know, I'll get the Barcelona perspective from you. Vinny wasn't the only crash out that that game. One, Lamin Yamal, who apparently, I'm not deep into Spanish lore, but from what I've heard, he went on a podcast, the Death of Humanity will be podcast. I keep saying it to people.
01:08:03
Emeka
Subscribe to our podcast, though. But one of the podcasts and said that they always beat Madrid. They just talk all the months that they're nothing. Barcelona always smacked them up. So after the game, I'm sure you've seen clips where it felt like every single player in Madrid came up to him and give him the talk of too much gesture, trying to beef him.
01:08:21
Emeka
i love when athletes do the meet me in the back and run back there. I hope, if I was a sports commissioner, I would say, if you fight in the locker room, no security guard should be involved.
01:08:34
Emeka
I would pay so much money to see Vinny and Lamin-Yabal fight. But that's neither here nor there. Anyhow, what are your thoughts on, especially Barcelona, but I can want to ask you, as our number one prospect scouter in the world, your thoughts on Lamin-Yabal this season, you know.
Young Athletes Under Pressure
01:08:50
Emeka
A lot of hype coming in People even chatting about Ballon d'Or. He had all the, you know, like the the expectations. And i want to say he's been struggling, but he's been in the media for things outside of football a lot. Now, a lot of it i think is unfair and racialized and blah, blah, blah. But some of it he brings on himself.
01:09:07
Emeka
He clearly knows he's this good. Are you concerned about this projecting moving forward for a kid so young to get so famous? Is it a little too much too soon for him or or is it just media nonsense and we're all just overreacting to a guy who's clearly so talented?
01:09:25
Chino Onwuka
Look, it's definitely too much too soon. there's there's There's no way everything that he's been through is normal for a kid. All of these phenoms, everything that they go through is all too much too soon.
01:09:40
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, what happens as sports fan is we hope that these guys are able to navigate through that period where they're not at their most mature, where their bodies are still developing, where they're in the limelight.
01:09:54
Chino Onwuka
that they can get through this stage and become the player that they can be. You know, sometimes we take players like we take your LeBrons, your Sidney Crosby's, your Messi's for granted, especially our generation, because they all came about at the same time and they all fulfilled their promise.
01:10:19
Chino Onwuka
Spurs' world is littered with phenoms who, for so many reasons, didn't become all that they were supposed to be. Now, in Yamal's case, he grew up in a different generation than we did and in a different generation than a lot of the players he's playing against lived in.
01:10:42
Chino Onwuka
The online trolling, the Talking Smack On podcast, that is what he grew up with. That is the only world he knows. And I feel like he's a little bit like Ant in that.
01:10:54
Chino Onwuka
He will talk his smack. If he backs it up, he'll let you know he backed it up. If he didn't, he will move on and be like, right, I'm going to get you next time. I feel like that's the type of personality that he has. And we love it about Ant. And, you know, what what we're seeing with Lamine is that this is what the sports world does. Media, fans, they build you up only to be ready to to tear you down, especially when you're a young black male.
01:11:23
Chino Onwuka
Now, is he doing a little bit too much off the field? I mean, as a 30-plus-year-old man, I would say yes, but I wasn't an 8, 17-year-old
01:11:34
Chino Onwuka
top 10 player in the world with everything he has who know what I would have done or been like at that age. One thing I will say, and I don't know if like, I've discussed this with people before, you know, his, like a lot of this time, the the situation around you really helps you during this period. You have to have good people around you.
01:11:59
Chino Onwuka
like, His dad is a youth still. I feel like his dad is with him at all these parties.
01:12:04
Emeka
i feel like his dad is... Underrated point, man.
01:12:07
Chino Onwuka
We're turning up. And so that is what concerns me about is like, I don't think he has that parental figure with him to be like, oh, don't do this because he's his dad out there turning up with him. So he's he has the talent. Yes, he hasn't been the best season, but, you know, he struggled with injury.
01:12:22
Chino Onwuka
We've still seen him show flashes during games. So I think he will be all right. But, you know, There's such a limelight where we see every little clip, everything. like He's going to have his his up and downs. He's not going to be 10 out 10 every single game.
01:12:41
Chino Onwuka
He had a bad game on the on the biggest stage, but I think he's going to be fine. you know He does have to be aware of the consequences, some some of these things. you know If you talk that smack, you're going to get the blowback for it. But I feel like he has the mentality to handle it.
01:12:57
Chino Onwuka
One thing that did surprise me, you know, Vinny being upset at him, you know, that's normal. Carvajal was the first one to go at him. And I'm like, Carvajal, that's your Spanish teammate. You're saying he talks too much. you weren't you weren't You weren't upset about him talking too much when he was your teammate for Spain.
01:13:13
Chino Onwuka
So Carvajal, I didn't like what Carvajal did. The other players I get because they're not the same national teammates, but Carvajal, that's kind of weird behavior when you're supposed to be the elder statement. If you have something to say to him.
01:13:26
Chino Onwuka
You have his number, you have his contact. you can You can tell him that in private. You didn't need to show up an 18-year-old kid like that on that stage.
01:13:34
Emeka
yeah Man, you know, you're first preaching on these points. First, it needs to be re-said that Lamin Yamal's dad is 39 years old. His Instagram is hustlehard.
01:13:46
Emeka
i was I'm a millennial, borderline Gen Z. I get it with social media platforms. But there's just something to me about my dad's Instagram handle being hustle hard. I can't wrap my head around.
01:13:57
Emeka
I just can't. his His father is a YN. You see him on Instagram and everything. And I just want to echo that point because I think it's so important. That's your role, that's the role, that's your support.
01:14:08
Emeka
That's the guy you look to for guidance. And when my dad is out here turning up with me, no wonder I'm going to wild out. But another point you said, to I love, and I keep mentioning it, to keep myself humble, I will never, ever judge a young athlete for while now because I know in my heart of hearts, if I had a 50th of the success and fame, let me and you might have when I was 18, there will be no podcast right now because i would I'd be, I don't know I'd be making it right now. Like, so props to these guys for, you know, keeping their head straight because I know what I'd be doing if I was their age.
01:14:40
Emeka
But, Man, I just, the the the media coming after him and everything. and But is well for me, I kept thinking of like media hyping this up, the young black man, whatever. black I don't pay attention to it.
01:14:54
Emeka
But it wasn't until this game I really realized that Clearly his contemporaries are feeling this too because even your national team captain is coming up to you and trying to fight you after the game. Like, didn't realize just the podcast comments got all these men so riled up.
01:15:10
Emeka
Vinny is an emotional guy. You know, it is what it is. Again, I would pay so much money to see him fight Lamar, but that's neither here nor there. But Carver Howell, you know, he so he's a also known provocateur. But this is your national team guy here.
01:15:23
Emeka
And you're beefing him that much. And he was triggering, every like, the entire Madrid bench went out of their way to get him to get a rise up. Clearly, he's bothering people. So that tells me that there's smoke to the fire there.
01:15:35
Emeka
It's not just the media thing. there's He's moving in a way that pegg people don't like. And I want him to be the next, you know, the next player. I hate when people say Neymar was a failure because I think you put Neymar's career against 99.999% of footballers.
01:15:51
Emeka
I know it was coming up up top. But people had the expectations of Neymar who was going to be the next Messi. When he turns out to be Neymar, a disappointment. I don't want to talk about Jamal like that where I'm like, listen, he had a great career. It doesn't matter.
01:16:03
Emeka
I want to put him up there with the with the greats. That's a lot to ask from a kid. But the way he started off. That's what it is. And like you said, get excellent points you made. you all We take these Messis and LeBrons for granted when they come up so young, keep their head on straight, and then thrive for 20 years.
01:16:23
Emeka
The Ronaldinho type path is a lot more common where you start off, you burn brights, and then all these guys, like you burn brights, and then you hit your 30s, and then it's like, I've been doing this for a decade plus.
01:16:36
Emeka
Let me chill.
01:16:36
Chino Onwuka
And the reason the reason i I specifically mentioned LeBron, Messi, and Crosby and not, you know, Ronaldo or even your Ronaldinho's or others because, like, when Ronaldo blew up, like, he was an exciting, flashy step-over player at 19, but it wasn't until he was, like, 21 that he became Ronaldo.
01:16:37
Emeka
And the reason I do this
01:16:56
Chino Onwuka
All these other guys, like, Messi at 18, he was getting the Maradona comparison, LeBron at 17, was getting MJ comparison. The next one, Crosby at 17 was getting, so those guys were the ones that have to deal with that limelight from the very youngest age. It wasn't like it was 21 where people recognized what they had and then by that point, 21 is a little better, but like at 17, 18, 19, or some of these guys had been dealing with it from an even younger age.
01:17:26
Chino Onwuka
Like that is the ultimate respect and to live up and even exceed expectations. That is extremely, extremely hard to do. And Michael Jordan was the number two pick in his draft.
01:17:38
Chino Onwuka
he He got cut from his junior varsity team. he'd like
01:17:43
Emeka
He played university for two or three seasons.
01:17:43
Chino Onwuka
jordan yeah Jordan didn't do what some of these legends in the more recent time in the social media age have dealt with.
01:17:46
Emeka
Yeah.
01:17:54
Chino Onwuka
is like there's going to be studies and documentaries on these guys because and for all them to come about at the same time it's really hard and and and now you know 20 years later the the the media landscape in in technology is has changed a lot so now what guys are dealing with now is even worse than what these guys went through 20 years ago so it's it's it's crazy
01:18:20
Emeka
People think I joke when I make this point, but I honestly, i just said ironically, no, I can truly believe it. I really think like Jordan and LeBron comparisons is massive tangent, but I always say like I get points to LeBron for doing this in the social media era.
01:18:37
Emeka
It's a different beast entirely. Like, we talk about Aura and Mystique and, oh, my God. It's so much easier to be Maradona in the 80s, a full-blown coke addict, and it's being reported in, like, a newspaper, versus if Maradona was alive now and doing blow, and it'd on Instagram the next day.
01:19:00
Emeka
It's a different beast. Like, it's just the pressure these guys get. Previous generations were allowed to wild out. Dennis Rodman leaving the NBA Finals, going to Vegas, and being drug in.
01:19:11
Emeka
It's a funny story now. If it happened in 2025, it would be on ESPN every second, every minute, and the system would collapse on itself. There's no thing going be happening anymore because everyone would be going to ask you questions about this stuff.
01:19:25
Emeka
Like, it's a different beast. And I'm really curious now, Gen Z, Gen Alpha plus guys who grew up in this kind of environment where it's normal to them. Like you said, it's normal to Yamal to go on Instagram and talk crap about somebody. Like, it's just what he he sees people doing. Like, we're going to get more and more of this. And I'm so curious, even in sports and in real life and just day-to-day life as well, like, where going to be a generation of kids All they've ever known was Instagram or social media. That's all they've ever known.
01:19:55
Emeka
What has that changed? What's the dynamics like when we actually get these guys as athletes? I can't look when they look to me. Very fun to me as an old man who's trying to cut off social media to see these kids now and grow up and do it. So, hey, it's a fun time, to say the least, I got to say. It's something else.
01:20:12
Emeka
Before we move on, we know Juco is rapping about Madrid. Any thoughts on Yamal?
01:20:20
Chuku
Yeah, no. I mean, look, I kind of second what you all have been saying. i mean, it's kind of hard to, you know, be a professional player, you know, and in today's day and age, let alone phenom of the levels of Yamal.
01:20:36
Chuku
I definitely agree with Chinon's point about, you know, Kavahal. That's kind of odd being, you know, like I said, I understood the Vinny and the Vinny-Yamal stuff. That's, you know, a rivalry there.
01:20:48
Chuku
and understandably so, but Cavalho stepping in as well is just kind of so low a little weird for sure because, again, this is something you're playing with. World Cup is around the corner.
01:20:59
Chuku
What's the vibe going to look like in Spain? Are you just going to shake hands and forget about it? That type thing? like You're supposed to be an elder statesman, so I just think he's supposed to know better. And, yeah, it's a shame that it ended up being that way, but, you know, that just tells you how no serious that Madrid and, you know,
01:21:19
Chuku
Barcelona rivalry, it runs deep, man. It runs deep. So enough said about that. But, yeah, no, Yamal, I think Yamal will be all right. the end of the day, look, I get that he doesn't have – it seems like you may not have the greatest, you know, this not support, but like the greatest father figure based off of, you know, what we see online and we see what Dadaab be doing with with the social media.
01:21:43
Chuku
you The truth of the matter is he's playing for a great and amazing club. He's going to be surrounded with a lot of you know top the talents around him that i think is going to help guide him and put him in you know in the right path regardless of what he has going on you know at home.
01:22:00
Chuku
I think the end of the day, we already know what the kind of talent he is, and I just think there's just no way a phenom of this level you know, with the players he's going to get to be around with at a club like Barcelona, there's always going to be talent in, you know, in a team like that. And I just think it's going to put him into a good position to be able to explore that talent. And I'm pretty sure, you know, with the history that Barcelona has, he's going to be able to get in rooms with certain players, you know, that can also help, you know, who have a, you know, I guess,
01:22:36
Chuku
affiliation with Barcelona, you know, he's going to be able to get in certain rooms to be able to talk to certain people that I think who probably can all see with their own eyes. I mean, look, this is a kid that's before the age of 20 is already being nominated as a top three, you know, nominee for fucking Ballon d'Or. This dude is incredible. Like, this is a serious player we're talking about, and I just think, you know, he's going to be He's going to learn from from this, and he's going to get better. And, yeah, we're only just seeing a glimpse of what this kid is going to turn into because I just think over time he's just going to be even better and better. So I want to watch out for sure.
01:23:21
Emeka
I mean, at end of the day, not many people get anointed by Messi as a kid, so hopefully it all turns out for my man, Yamal. Moving on, we've talked about good old football for a minute, but it's a multidisciplinary podcast, and I did tease. I think we do something for the first time ever at the end of the show, but before we get there,
01:23:41
Emeka
We'd be remiss if we don't touch on the NBA.
NBA Gambling Scandal and Its Implications
01:23:44
Emeka
It's been a little bit over a week now since the season has resumed. A lot of great basketball going on. Big story that broke last week that we didn't touch after we recorded our podcast.
01:23:57
Emeka
You know, opening day was great. You know, a new network on NBC. Next day inside the NBA on yeah ESPN, had its debut. Vibes are high. And then on Thursday morning, I woke up to an alert on my phone that the FBI was having a press conference.
01:24:11
Emeka
They arrested Terry Rozier. They arrested Damon Jones. They arrested Chauncey Billups, NBA coach. As I'm sure anyone listening to this podcast is well aware, the FBI had completed a six-year-long investigation into gambling and gambling-related activities, and Arrested Terry Rozier for allegedly, intentionally telling people to bet his unders and leaving the game early.
01:24:37
Emeka
Damon Jones for, amongst other things, seeing LeBron was not going to play the game and then texting all his friends to bet the Lakers to lose. They won and they demanded a refund. I find that part's so funny.
01:24:48
Emeka
And Chauncey Billups for... Some James Bond villain stuff, like cheating at poker where he'd mark the cards and they'd be wearing special glasses that could see it. like If you haven't seen the clips of it, highly recommend watching it. It literally is some James Bond villain stuff.
01:25:04
Emeka
There's a lot of ways you can go on this topic, and it's a topic that we're very unqualified to give you know legal opinions on. I guess I'll just start with you, Chino. What were your takeaways when you hear all the news breaking on Thursday? Is this, you know, people are saying things like his daughter, he and silver should resign versus I spoiler where I'm standing on is, this is just some people being crazy and we don't that big of a deal until further things come out.
01:25:31
Emeka
I'll say my thoughts until later. I guess, you know, where are you standing on this massive story? Is this a huge deal? Shut the league down type of thing? Or is it just a couple of crazy kids doing some crazy activities?
01:25:43
Chino Onwuka
I don't think it's a shuttle shut the league type of thing, but this is something that the NBA and all other sports league need to come down really hard on.
01:25:43
Emeka
I don't...
01:25:53
Chino Onwuka
We talked about how it's a different world than it was 20, 30, 40 years ago Well, on the gambling issue, it's also a very different world where, you know, just at the press of a button on your phone, you know, with some information, you can go in and bet on unders and and place prop bets.
01:26:13
Chino Onwuka
And that can have an impact to the integrity of the game. Now, all these leagues, they're all they're all betted in with gambling companies. So the the the horse has already left the stable there. But.
01:26:25
Chino Onwuka
They need to be educating these guys on what they can and cannot do. Be super, super restrictive. And someone is going to need to get that lifetime ban like Pete Rose did for them to realize how serious it is and so that players don't leave themselves in in and murky situations because this...
01:26:54
Chino Onwuka
it's just something they have to to find a way to get a control of. How they do it, that I don't know, but, I mean, we've seen multiple situations, you know, with Porter, with Beasley, a lot of allegations now. now you have this situation where Rozier, I'll come to the Billups story in a second, you know, in in in football, in soccer, you know,
01:27:19
Chino Onwuka
Sorry for my North Americans. I mean, see what happened with Tonali, situation with Paqueta. There's probably players in lower leagues that we haven't heard about. And then I don't know if you guys saw the news about, i think it was Turkey, like an insane number of the Turkish referees.
01:27:36
Emeka
90% of reps in Turkish leagues have gambling accounts and bet on games.
01:27:40
Chino Onwuka
Exactly. in so
01:27:40
Emeka
Exactly.
01:27:41
Chino Onwuka
And so that is that is really, really scary. So that's that's one thing. Now, Chauncey Billups, and you know you if you go on social media, you hear rumors of you know other players and coaches that might have been part of these poker games.
01:28:02
Chino Onwuka
and I just saw Pablo Torres say that Tyronn Lue has apparently been in a lot of these games. Now, whether he was involved or not, maybe he was a mark and not one of the people involved. I don't know, but look, I don't know if you're listening to me right now But as someone who has watched The Sopranos, watched Goodfellas, fellas, ladies, whatever you do do, do not get yourself involved with the mafia, with the mob, with La Costa Nostra, because it will not end well once they get your hooks in you and they can make money off you. You might think they're your friends, they're your people,
01:28:44
Chino Onwuka
No, you are there to make them money. And if you don't, they will have something over you and you will find yourself in these situations. Chauncey Billups is an NBA champion.
01:28:57
Chino Onwuka
He's a multi, multi-millionaire. And look where he's found himself because I'm sure they put the pressure on him. I'm sure it started with one small thing he did for them. And then they kept asking him for more. And if he didn't do it, we're going out here. We're going to do something to your family.
01:29:13
Chino Onwuka
And look where you are now. Don't get yourself involved with the mob. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
01:29:22
Emeka
I'd say it's common sense, but look where we are now. Like, I got to say, though, shout out the mafia. I ain't going to cap. I thought they were done. thought the mafia were were over and done. It turns out they're still making moves.
01:29:33
Emeka
I guess they're just making moves in the shadows. But that was one of my big takeaways from this story was, God damn, the mafia still exists? oh I mean, I realized when in the reaction to this story that my brain is just permanently cooked.
01:29:49
Emeka
Probably for multiple reasons. One of them, I'm an unabashed gambler. I love gambling. I do responsibly, quote, unquote. do anything crazy, but I think it should be legal. I think if a man wants to throw his money on a 10-game parlay.
01:29:59
Chino Onwuka
look but let me let me tell you quick Let me tell you a quick story before you go.
01:30:00
Emeka
Let me tell you a quick story.
01:30:02
Chino Onwuka
on On the train yesterday, I'm just on my way home, just want to get home, long day at work. I get a tap on my on my back shoulder. What is it? It's this guy. he says, I'm a young black man in case y'all didn't know.
01:30:17
Chino Onwuka
He says, hey, are you into sports? Do you play sports? I say, yes. Which ones? I say, hey, man, all of them. He asked me like 20 questions asking me to help him make 20 different prop bets and I'm like bro like this is all you and he's like no no no he gives me list on list there's this game today this so like this is the world that we live in now and he's like oh how how are how are you gonna know if these bets worked or not I'm like I don't want to know I hope I never see you again because like that is what happened to me yesterday guy I've never met in my life and hopefully i never see a again
01:30:55
Chino Onwuka
And he, I don't know how much, I didn't want to know how much he bet. And he did it solely based off my word.
01:31:02
Emeka
I mean, shots on that guy, man.
01:31:03
Chuku
That's crazy, bro.
01:31:04
Emeka
That's crazy. I don't know. The same way I look at somebody who... is at the liquor store at 8 a.m. when it opens up to to get hammered. Like, if you're, I fundamentally just believe in, if you're, you know, human autonomy, you want to mess your life up doing something, you should do it. But I get what you're saying, though. I'm just, philosophically, i enjoy doing it, but it's not a a big deal for me, but it's also more of like anyone can do it.
01:31:28
Emeka
But my major, my major, my more major point I want to say is my brand is cooked from football. this is such This has been a thing in football since i was before I was born. And it wasn't even like prop bets. It was guys throwing games, match fixing. like Juventus got titles stripped.
01:31:46
Emeka
I always that's one of the most underrated sports stories in in in like my lifetime, how little that coverage that gets compared to like American sports. Imagine the Patriots having their Super Bowl ring stripped because they were bribing referees.
01:32:03
Emeka
They got relegated. They just got kicked out the league for two years. That's what happened to the best team in Serie A. Like five years straight, the all titles were erased. Like, this is just a normal thing in football.
01:32:15
Emeka
So I guess when i see I go from that to American sports now when happening, I just think, man, it's the cost of doing business, man. That's crazy. these you all these These people are wilding out. Like, that's just, I guess my brain is just irreparably cooked from growing up watching football. and just It's just a thing that happens. Like,
01:32:32
Emeka
you know there's some shady stuff going on. You know, man's are fixing games, man's are doing all these things. And now that they're catching a little bit more, it's in the open, like I get this news, but I guess I just grew up with this just being a thing. So when I see it now happening in America, I guess my stance is like, unless you're showing me evidence that guys were actually throwing games. And it's funny I say that because at basketball especially, teams but like institutionally throw games.
01:33:03
Emeka
It's called tanking. But unless you're showing me evidence guys are actually throwing games because of like mob hits, like we're talking Black Sox-level scandals, I really don't care. like That's what it would take for me to actually... like get shook up by a story.
01:33:17
Emeka
It's funny because me and my brother earlier today were having to talk with our our parents about how like all these US senators are somehow just the greatest stock guys that have the biggest market sense in the world. They always beat the market.
01:33:31
Emeka
How do do that? Because you get inside information from people from all these companies. That's what this is. This isn't, like, people have seen it as a gambling story. It's really insider trading story, if you really, like, think about it that way. And, like, that's a crime. Why call it a crime? But it's still a crime. So, like, it's a crime if I'm doing that with stocks or if I was doing that with my under.
01:33:50
Emeka
Like, it's illegal to act on information that's not known to the public. But everyone does it. And yet, FBI let all these men go who are embezzling millions of dollars but want to throw their resources into the NBA.
01:34:02
Emeka
maybe I'm not going to sit right with me. Maybe I'm soft because I watch the NBA and I like these guys. But this is a known I mean, Ferdinand Marta Stewart went to jail for it. But this is a known thing all these guys do.
01:34:14
Emeka
And yet here we are acting like it's the end of the world because Terry Rozier wants to say has a bad, bad ankle. But, again, my brain is cooked. I grew up with Juventus getting titles stripped. This is normal for me.
01:34:25
Emeka
So that's just where I stand. what are you What are your thoughts, Chukwu?
01:34:29
Chuku
I'm going to just keep mine short and concise here. but Look, at the end the day, man, I'm pro gambling. As long as the gambling has no effect in terms of the product and by product, I'm talking about the players playing the game and no one's out here purposely throwing a game here or doing... As long as it doesn't ruin the product,
01:34:57
Chuku
I'm for good no gambling. So all this insider trade talk, I hear you. I agree. That's really what is the gist of most of these betting situations. I just think, you know, sure, no that should be illegal, understood.
01:35:13
Chuku
But I just don't see it. If you're asking me personally, I just I'm not that I don't really see it as a big issue as as as a fan and a consumer of the game.
01:35:19
Chino Onwuka
See, and I think this is... The issue is because it's like, oh it's just Terry Rosier doing. That's how it starts.
01:35:31
Chino Onwuka
And then it's not a big deal until it is somebody other than Terry Jose. It is someone who's a high-profile player. And you find out that he did something in a high-profile game, the playoffs maybe, the NBA championships.
01:35:45
Chino Onwuka
And not only does it ruin the integrity of the game, then maybe for you or other people who are legally gambling, They lose a lot of money because of activity that is criminal. Like that's, that is what you're trying to, that is what you're trying to stop by,
01:36:07
Chino Onwuka
by banning all the harmless stuff so that it does not get to that level. Because and know Emeka said, like, again, watch The Sopranos. This isn't surprise. It seems like the mafia are dead.
01:36:18
Chino Onwuka
It doesn't seem like the mafia is doing anything until they get caught in something and then the conspiracy expands. The first time the mafia had been in the United States for 100 years before it ever came into the public in, what, the forty s or the 50s.
01:36:35
Chino Onwuka
Why would they stop at Terry Rosé? Do we think that's the only level that it's at? If they can make more money, they will find a way to make more money. And it's all fun and games to say, oh, yes, not until it becomes a big deal.
01:36:50
Emeka
I think maybe I'm i'm mistaken here.
01:36:50
Chino Onwuka
And then some of the stuff I'm like,
01:36:52
Emeka
This is a quick point in. I'm not disagreeing these guys should be arrested and should be banned for life in the NBA. I'm not disagreeing on that.
01:36:59
Chino Onwuka
oh I'm responding to what Chukwu just said.
01:36:59
Emeka
not disagreeing that.
01:37:00
Chino Onwuka
like oh it's not a big like it' This is a big deal.
01:37:05
Chuku
I can only speak for myself and I'm not saying that this is not a big deal. i just laid out. So hold on. I'm not saying that this is not a big deal in terms of like what, you know, how it has in negative effect in terms of the integrity of the game.
01:37:22
Chuku
But that's why I started off by simply, I think I'm misunderstanding because I was trying to explain that as long as it's not ruining the product, which I know kind of made clear.
01:37:34
Chuku
was basically the integrity of the game as far as players throwing, like, you know, again, I'm talking about players doing egregious acts on the court to basically, you know,
01:37:47
Chuku
oh the anything that is ruining the product as far as you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing or what you're, you know you're you're not playing the game at your normal or full capacity.
01:38:04
Chuku
That is when there's an issue for me as a fan consuming the the game. So if there's no, if if if if that's not ruined and we're talking more on, you know, Damien Jones situation where we're saying you're telling your buddies that, you know, such and such is not playing.
01:38:26
Chuku
Are you giving the inside scoop about a situation, you know, about a situation which ironically after providing that information is still, their bet still didn't hit. At the end the day, like, yes, this should still be, a you know, a problem or this should still be, you know, punished for doing such because that shouldn't, you know, you shouldn't be able to do that. But at the end the day, that's still not ruining my consumption of the of the game because, again, that's just simply reporting on inside information regarding a player's injury status.
01:39:01
Chuku
And, you know, not saying that is is not a big deal because I can see your point where it starts with this and then it could leave with that. I understand that. But just primarily using an example like that, I'm just saying me personally, knowing that I still, if that's the level where it gets capped I'm okay with that as a fan.
01:39:25
Chuku
But I can still get your point about the importance of, you know, treating those type of violations. you know, strictly to prevent further or any and they elevated cases of, you know, these type of examples coming up in the future. So either way, I just want to make sure my point was clear that as long as it doesn't ruin the integrity of the game, I personally don't really...
01:39:51
Chuku
you know, care too much in regards to the betting side other than having it not be something that, you know, gets further or get you know becomes more of of an issue as far as actually ruining the integrity of the game, simply put.
01:40:08
Emeka
On a lighter note, though, I got to say, I'm sure there are a lot of people in Chauncey Billups' life who, when this story broke, went, bro, no wonder I was losing to poker that night. Like, if I was his boy and I played poker with him and he ran me for, like, 50 Gs and this story comes out, I'm so, oh, man, i need my money back.
01:40:29
Emeka
I really need people to listen this podcast look up, like, the things they were alleged to have been doing. Because one thing to read, illegal poker games.
01:40:35
Chino Onwuka
Like, this is some mission, this is some Ethan Hunt, Mission Impossible type technology that they're like, this is advanced
01:40:35
Emeka
Like, is weird.
01:40:39
Emeka
No! For real! It's James Bond!
01:40:45
Emeka
X-ray glasses and everything. it doesn't make sense.
01:40:50
Chino Onwuka
fake shuffling machines or advanced shuffling machines. They had people with earpieces outside relaying information through through means into people in the room. Like this is like, this is an operation.
01:41:07
Emeka
Man, mafia don't play around.
01:41:07
Chino Onwuka
This is an operation.
01:41:09
Emeka
Mafia don't play around. And Chauncey Bills was the whale, apparently, to get guys to come in and play. So he's bringing his boys in there. And I hope Ty Lue, I really like Ty Lue.
01:41:20
Emeka
So I really hope he was just there as a whale. Same with Kevin Garnett. Those are two other big names mentioned at these card games. I hope they were just being scammed. But, man, if I'm Bills' boy and I'm playing all this,
01:41:31
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, heard I heard yeah heard he he thought it was an after party. When it wasn't an after party, he was like, yeah, this is lame. I'm out. So...
01:41:39
Emeka
Yeah, that's all. you If I was boys, I guess like I said, I'd be i'd be so mad. A new story, but actually my second point I want to say is I mentioned earlier, i listen, I love to gamble. I ain't going to cap to you. I like to gamble.
01:41:52
Emeka
But I don't like to gamble enough where I'm going to strangers' houses with strange men playing high-leverage poker games. I feel like if I'm in that situation, I'm looking around and thinking, what why am I here?
01:42:06
Emeka
Like, what is going on? Why this Italian sweaty guy greasing me up and I'm in a shady room, darkly lit, and they're wearing some. Things are just weird weer to me. Like, this is why I'm pro-legalization because there's rules and regulations when things are legalized. When things are illegal, you start playing mafia games, and then that's what happens now. You get ran up by Chauncey Phillips.
01:42:28
Emeka
My last point before we move on is what a random guy to get. Like, if you had told me an NBA coach would be busted for something like this, I think Billups might be honestly like one of my top five last picks.
01:42:41
Emeka
first I'm getting it wrong. I'm curious your guys' thoughts on this. From where I sit, Billups always came across like an upstanding citizen. Like, you know, and finals MVP, who was the vet on the Nuggets team of Carmelo. He was talking like a true OG.
01:42:56
Emeka
So I was stunned when I saw he was involved in this. Like, i maybe I'm off base there, but from my perception of him, he's the last guy I ever thought would be wrapped up in something shady like this.
01:43:08
Chino Onwuka
I mean, i think I just think I have a I've never really liked Billups and i I think I know where the root of that is from. It's just the seven game series we have with the Pistons against the Spurs.
01:43:19
Chino Onwuka
I just only time I've ever liked that era of Detroit was when they beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals. But apart from that, I hated every single one of those Pistons apart from Tayshaun Prince.
01:43:31
Chino Onwuka
So I've never never never been fond of Billups.
01:43:33
Emeka
Man, you guys one you still hang out. Crazy to me. You won.
01:43:39
Chino Onwuka
I know, but it was a hard-fought series.
01:43:39
Emeka
Hey, I got it.
01:43:41
Chino Onwuka
those Those were when the NBA was ground and pound. is the type of scores you would see. And that's just rivalry and beef. I don't like them.
01:43:52
Chino Onwuka
I didn't like them.
01:43:52
Emeka
right Listen, fair enough,
01:43:53
Chuku
That's hilarious. But fair enough. Fair enough. I mean, I'm with you, bro, because I'm with you, like, in terms of I would have had Billups as, like, one of the last few to be caught up in something like this because, bro, this is someone that, like, every time i heard this, dude, he was on ESPN or, you know, he was well he was a great player, leader.
01:44:13
Emeka
and you.
01:44:14
Chuku
was, you know, you he was doing TV for a bit, became a head coach. And anytime I've ever seen him on TV or on media, he always spoke really profoundly. I mean, everything about the guy just was screen bleeder, right? And I just feel like it's crazy a guy like that, you know, who seems like such an upstanding, like, you know, player and person, individual, could get himself in a situation like this where he was doing all that. Like, it's crazy.
01:44:46
Chuku
No, it's crazy for sure. He definitely would have been, one of the last people I would've thought could've gotten caught up in something like this for sure.
01:44:55
Emeka
Before we move on, i have a question I'll pose to you guys. that it's Something Chenault mentioned about the Hall of Fame. that i got like I'm not a big baseball guy but I always thought Pete Rose was in the Hall of Fame before he got caught. He wasn't, so he never made it in.
01:45:12
Emeka
Charles Bush was in the Hall of Fame. Let's say Clutch doesn't save him and he goes to trial. He gets convicted of fraud. And let's say he's not so intentionally like sabotaging games, but he's relaying confidential information all the other gambling things like he's been charged with. him Would you remove him from the Hall of Fame if you were the NBA?
01:45:34
Emeka
Or would you just keep him in there and put in hysterics? I guess I'll ask the other way. What would he have to be convicted of for you to want to remove him from the NBA Hall of Fame?
01:45:45
Chuku
I'll just go first. I'll just go first and then be very simple. Anything that affected the integrity of the game, out.
01:45:56
Chuku
If it has nothing to do with, like, if it's levels of just insider trading and in terms of information, then in. Anything from that level and and below, I have no issue with that, personally speaking, and would not have any reason to take him out of the Hall of Fame.
01:46:14
Chuku
So simply put, it's only if it affects the integrity of the game that I'll be considering taking him out of the Hall of Fame.
01:46:23
Emeka
So when do you say integrity of the game, is it like i bet the the under today, so I'm benching David Lillard type of type of conduct? Exactly.
01:46:31
Chuku
Exactly. Anything that would change the, like anything that would basically change the plans of what you would normally do to basically bend towards, you know,
01:46:43
Chuku
to be Yeah, basically, you know, it changes the integrity of the game. It's a no-no for me. Like, you know, there shouldn't be any way that, you know, with your position, you're basically, you know, bending what you normally do to appease, you know, parlay or abet players.
01:47:06
Chuku
as As long as, as soon as it can be proven that such, you know, decisions or such, you know, yeah, decisions or acts were made were done or made by him, I'm saying that point, that's ruining the integrity of the game.
01:47:23
Chuku
And that's enough for me to consider him removed from the Hall of Fame.
01:47:27
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, so I'm, you know, the the league where this this comes into play a lot is baseball. And I've always been in the on the stance of, like, these guys were great players.
01:47:43
Chino Onwuka
They were Hall of Fame type players. So acknowledge what they did on the field and put an asterisk, right? The only situation for me that would be too much is if they went out and murdered people or know did you know some sort of sexual act that was you know any type of thing on the air. But...
01:48:04
Chino Onwuka
You know, Pete Rose, A-Rod, Clemens, put them all in the Hall of Fame. So even Chauncey Billups, he's already there. You know, the the this is a poker game, had nothing to do with the actual basketball. He's already there. So put an asterisk.
01:48:22
Chino Onwuka
Hey, this guy did all these things for the Pistons. But in 2025, he was like, let that all be there. It's it's the history of the game. So... that's generally my stance on it. Now, if you go out and you go and shoot 10 people or something like that, then, then you gotta be taken out.
01:48:40
Emeka
It's funny you say that because that was exactly my point. Orinthal James Simpson is still in the NFL Hall of Fame and I feel strongly he should be the NFL Hall of Fame because when he was averaging 2,000 yards or whatever, 5 yards a carry, he wasn't murdering people back then. He's in the Hall of Fame.
01:49:00
Emeka
What he does afterwards, make an hysterics, make a note of it, but don't re send history. I don't know. mean i get i'm I'm a hard line stancher on this. Like, Unless what you did while playing materially affected the game.
01:49:16
Emeka
so I have more of an issue with the steroids even with the murder thing because that's post-career. But even with steroids, I'm of the style of put them in the Hall of Fame just put in hysterics next to it. It doesn't make sense Barry Bonds is in the Hall of Fame.
01:49:28
Emeka
It doesn't make sense to me. It doesn't make sense Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame. And if you're already in the Hall of Fame, there's very few things you can do to for me to say take you out. I just think...
01:49:39
Emeka
History isn't good or bad. It's history. Record it. Asterix said, make it be known. How he said it is perfectly. Charlton Billups played X years, Hall of Fame career, and in 2025 got arrested and convicted for insight, whatever.
01:49:53
Emeka
Make it known, but I'm of the stance of history is history, good or bad. we and We should talk about it. We shouldn't actually exist. But it's a stance here.
01:50:01
Chino Onwuka
Like if a certain if but and somebody can be the president of the United States with all his allegations, then and yeah.
01:50:04
Emeka
You know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? Amen. It is what it is. Let's not get fired. This podcast is going long. i we we live sure it's, you know, itching to talk about some long French man, but we can save for another week.
01:50:27
Emeka
And know I'll save my brother the... the the The timidity of of all the Orlando Magic takes I heard last week. I will not even call them out on them at all. Give them one more week to turn it around.
01:50:38
Emeka
We'll talk about NBA much more moving forward. I teased at the beginning of the podcast that we're doing something for the first time. And for the beginning of the week, usually we pick a football game. Sometimes we do basketball or or American football.
01:50:53
Emeka
I think we deserve, this country deserves football. a full baseball miniature segment for the first time in Love With The Game podcast. Because if you don't know...
01:51:04
Emeka
The 2025 World Series is going on right now between our Toronto
World Series Predictions and Ohtani's Uniqueness
01:51:08
Emeka
Blue Jays. Yes, I said our. I know you're a Yankees fan, you're Canadian, my brother. This is our Toronto Blue Jays versus the evil Empire LA Dodgers.
01:51:18
Emeka
As you're recording this, the Blue Jays are up 3-2. Two games in Toronto, first on Friday, next on Saturday. Our game of the week is a very's very simple question.
01:51:31
Emeka
Chinn'Roll, will there be a Game 7 in the World Series? And if so, who will win the World Series? Two-parter.
01:51:42
Chino Onwuka
Hey, we, and I say we because, yes, I'm a Yankees fan, but if the Yankees ain't in it, then it's Blue Jays all the way. Oh, Canada, maple leaf, maple syrup, all of that. Canada goose.
01:51:55
Chino Onwuka
I think we win it in game six. We are, we the North Toronto has been really strong at home during these playoffs. I think we have a little bit of momentum on our side. i mean, there's always the Dodgers are real. People think is the, if you're not aware in your mind, you might think the Yankees are the evil empire. It's really the Dodgers. They spend billions and billions on their team.
01:52:21
Chino Onwuka
They get all the best players, the, Their owners are billionaires. They get all the Japanese stars. They have the best player of probably all time on their team. So that's what the Blue Jays are up against.
01:52:31
Chino Onwuka
A lot of the players on the Dodgers are players that rejected the Blue Jays to play for the Dodgers. And for the most part, you wouldn't blame them. So little it's a little bit personal in that case.
01:52:43
Chino Onwuka
My boy PK, he I didn't even ask him how much he spent. He is flying right now to be at the game. He's the most diehard Blue Jays fan I know. So for him, for us, for the country, Blue Jays in six. We win it at home, baby.
01:53:02
Emeka
I'm echo that.
01:53:03
Chuku
I feel bad.
01:53:05
Emeka
Listen, bro. it's It's only right in the six. They win this in six. Bring it home, baby. Blue Jays in six, too.
01:53:16
Chuku
Man, I'm not trying to be the heater, but I still got the Blue Jays winning. But I think they get it done in game seven. So I see a i see the Dodgers taking game six, and the Blue Jays do come back, and they take it back in game seven.
01:53:34
Emeka
You said something, Chena. I want to just, again, it's our only baseball segment. I feel like we can we could talk about it a little bit. you I feel like you know you are you're the sports historian out of all of us, so you can be properly placed to answer this question.
01:53:48
Emeka
And it's a broad question, so I appreciate that. You might not the answer the top of your head, but we watch a lot of sports. I say we watch a lot of sports. And i always say i know I'm blessed. I grew up watching LeBron, watching Messi, and you know Michael Phelps, all these guys.
01:54:05
Emeka
and I don't know much about baseball that much, but just the past couple years, I think it's safe to say what Shea Ohtani is doing is the most impressive sports achievement in modern times.
01:54:19
Emeka
I'm going that far. Like, explain to our listeners here what, like, What is a sports allegory you can give people who don't watch baseball for the fact that Shea Ohtani is at worst the third best hitter in baseball and by the way is a great pitcher as well on top of that.
01:54:41
Emeka
like war Try to explain that to people what Shea Ohtani is doing because it does it really just blows my mind when I read his stats.
01:54:47
Chino Onwuka
it is it is It is unreal what he is doing because I don't know how many of us have tried playing baseball. I know sometimes you you don't see them as athletes because of the way the game is played, but those guys are very skilled in the specific things they have to do.
01:55:08
Chino Onwuka
As a hitter, you're trying to hit... 100 mile per hour pitches that are bending and spinning all over the place. You have to get your your barrel on the ball and then hit it where the defenders are not.
01:55:22
Chino Onwuka
Then as a pitcher, you're moving your arm in ungodly angles at insane speeds, stressing your elbow like and shoulder like mad and trying to get it within a certain box.
01:55:34
Chino Onwuka
So just being great at either of those is hard, which is why the best players are the highest. paid players in the world. Basketball is catching up due to the TV deals.
01:55:48
Chino Onwuka
Now, for you to do both, that means not only do you have to be great at both, not only does your body have to be able to withstand both situations, you also have to put in the time to be professional and be the best at both. So that's insane amount of practice to get to this skill level, insane amount of dedication to keep your skills, to be able to to to play at this level. And like the comparison people make is... is is Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth didn't do this at the same time.
01:56:22
Chino Onwuka
He was a great pitcher for a couple of years, and then he became... He did both for, like, a little bit, but not full-time, and then he became the greatest hitter of all time until Barry Bonds. And so what this guy's doing in 2025, when it's not a segregated league, when with... I don't like the...
01:56:47
Chino Onwuka
like when you When you try to think about in other sports, it's like in NHL trying to beat Sidney Crosby and Martin Brodeur at the same time. you know it's what It's like if Deion Sanders was playing was Calvin Johnson and Deion Sanders at the same time, what Travis Hunter is trying to do. in In soccer, I guess maybe midfielders or two-way players, it's like if you're...
01:57:16
Chino Onwuka
Lionel Messi and Beckenbauer at the same time. so like you You can't even compare it to because you you can't. He's doing two completely different things at the highest level at the same time.
01:57:30
Chino Onwuka
it's and i don't I can't really explain it to you because it's just it's just cool.
01:57:35
Emeka
That's why I ask because you can like it's impossible you said it's impossible to explain to people because what he's doing are two divergently different skill sets. People make the deal on Sanders-Jeffers-Hunter comparison, but I'd argue there is a lot of overlap between playing quarterback and playing wide receiver.
01:57:55
Emeka
Whereas there is zero overlap at all between being a pitcher and being a hitter. There two completely different skill sets. It would be like if Messi was also the best goalkeeper in the world.
01:58:08
Emeka
Was also in the best. Every third game he's something as goalkeeper and would be keeping clean sheets. And by the way, didn't like his scoring as well. Like... What he he's doing, as if he never threw a pitch and was just a batter, he'd still be in the Hall of Fame all-time great.
01:58:23
Emeka
He's also an all-time great pitcher. It doesn't make sense. He had, in the ALCS, the greatest sporting game I've ever seen in my life. Six innings, ten strikeouts, three home runs.
01:58:38
Emeka
did Again, I'm not a baseball guy, so I'm linked to the party on this, but... Seeing Otani, like it it literally breaks my brain. And I think this is what people are like watching Will Chamberlain.
01:58:51
Emeka
Just what he's doing doesn't make sense. To me, it doesn't make sense that I have a color HDTV and I can see the stats myself and see what he's like. like it it breaks my brain that he exists.
01:59:05
Emeka
And the Blue Jays are still going to beat their ass because that's what Canada's about. But I sat to... We're baseball corner. I had to give Otani his flowers. and by We should record this after the 18-inning game because it reached the point where the Blue Jays just decided, we're going walk him.
01:59:20
Emeka
You should have done it before. They walked him seven times. And they just walked him every time was at the bat. They would won the game because he hit three home runs beforehand. Like, it just... He breaks the sport, how good he is at everything.
Closing Thoughts on Sports Landscape
01:59:33
Emeka
And... Despite all that and Mookie and Freddie Freeman all everybody else, it's still Jason Six over here, man. That's all I can say. any Any final thoughts before we move on? This is baseball talk. Hey, man.
01:59:44
Emeka
you have any baseball takes, it's the time to break it up because we're not talking about them again, and i promise you, for a very long time afterwards.
01:59:52
Chino Onwuka
I got a lot of takes, I don't think we have the time for it.
01:59:56
Emeka
Fair enough. I thought, you know, like it's we say love with the game podcast, but oh we really only talk about certain types of ball. I thought, hey, man, Canada's about to do something ba Let's give them a shout-out.
02:00:07
Emeka
I hope next time we record.
02:00:07
Chino Onwuka
No, look, look, I'm always down to talk baseball.
02:00:08
Emeka
I'm always talk about the them.
02:00:09
Chino Onwuka
If you if you guys, hey, I'm always down to, so I, in certain situations, I feel like we can and we should. So I'm here for it. Love the love of the game.
02:00:22
Emeka
The Blue Jays are deep deep the playoffs. I'm going to be very real here. I'll be very real here. But, hey, love of the game, baby. Well, it's been a long episode. you know NFL, we haven't even touched on that. We're at the halfway season point.
02:00:35
Emeka
NBA is kicking off. Wemby is on fire. The Magic suck. Arsenal about to win the league. Everything is going on right now. I hope you guys join us for much more great episodes like this. We're cooking. We're consistent now every week.
02:00:49
Emeka
Coming at you live with more Juicy Hot Takes. From my man Chinoff, my brother Chukwu, Your boy Emeka telling you, stay safe out there and Halloween sucks. Thank you for us another episode of the Love of the Game podcast.