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CheezeTalk S1 Episode 32 NBA free Agency and Life with James
25 Plays2 months ago
In this episode, I sat down with James, a fellow Packer-Backer. We discussed #nbafreeagency2024 team by team. At the very end, we talked about something very cool going on in the life of James right now! Thanks again for being on, I really appreciate it!
Transcript
00:00:45
Speaker
What's up, everybody? Welcome to the Cheese Talk podcast. I'm your host, Brian Rago. And tonight I'm joined live with James Jefferson, second appearance on the show. And tonight we'll be talking about NBA Free Agency and something special that happened to him within the last few weeks. right? Yes, sir. Awesome. Then before we get to him, I just want to give a shout out to the old network. They are, it's kind of funny how we're talking about NBA free agency and now the old network is 23 followers away from hitting their goal. 23 is the number of Jai Year Alexander, which is once they hit 523 followers, the old network on Twitter, they'll be giving away a Jai Year Alexander eight by 10 autographed picture.
00:01:36
Speaker
And it's also the number of the gold Michael Jordan. I think you would say his. I didn't think you would say him. I hate to break it to you, but. It's a real deal. It's this man. That's why he said it. It's a debate. different Different eras, different, you know. There's different eras, obviously. Everyone has their goat. And I grew up with Jordan, so I'm going to go with Jordan. that's That's my opinion. And I respect people other people's opinion as well. That's that how it is. One second. Yeah. Maybe tomorrow.
00:02:15
Speaker
Sorry, my mom asking about a Michael Jackson song. She can't remember it.
00:02:21
Speaker
But yeah, no, that's my opinion. I respect other people's opinions on, on, on their favorite player and what they think is the goat and you know, but you know, you like LeBron, I like Jordan. It's, I'm not going to argue, you know, I grew up in the Kobe LeBron era. Yeah. Pretty much simultaneously. Right. Well, what do you want to get to first? Want to get to the free agency you or your, your, your, yeah, let's get it going. Come on. Okay. The Hawks. They added.
00:02:54
Speaker
Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr. Failing great for free. And they just let Johnson Murray walk away and go to the Pelicans. Yeah, they traded in a trade. ah They got Larry Nance via trade with the Pelicans. But yeah, you let him go and you get two scrubs, you know? Yeah. a And they're not going to trade trade young either. No. I can't, I can't stand Trey Young's hair. Reminds me of like an old shade carpet.
00:03:31
Speaker
but
00:03:35
Speaker
Sorry. That's my opinion. yes but say So what now? A what? A shag, shag carpet. Yeah, that's a, that's a good one. He should be a spokesperson for Stanley Steamer.
00:03:54
Speaker
You're wrong for that, but that's hilarious. But yeah, the Hawks, i don't they're not really doing much to build around their ah they superstar. wow think Everybody knows they're going to be tanking. Look, I think Trey Hunk will be out of there by the Trey deadline. You think so? Yeah. He's not happy there. He hasn't been in a long time.
00:04:20
Speaker
just I'm disappointed my Lakers couldn't get them, at least not yet. Not yet. There's always a chance. is How the Lakers can wheel and deal and make all these moves is crazy. But every year the salary cap goes up, right? Yeah. And they get, yeah, so I mean. And they have a new TV deal. The NBA's got a new TV right still kicking in. Okay, so yeah. from So. Yeah, and then their departures were AJ Griffin, went to the Rockets, and what, De'Wante Murray went to the Pelicans. So one of, they lost one of their top dogs. So they'll be, like you said, they'll they'll be tanking. Yeah. For sure. Boston. Oh man. They re-signed Luke Cornett.
00:05:14
Speaker
They brought everybody back from their championship team. Derek White, Drew Hollis, they brought everybody back. Xavier Tillman on a two-year deal. Tatum, a five-year max. Demias Queta returns at a multi-year deal. So I mean, yeah. The East is, I think, the conference to beat, to win the championship, I think.
00:05:43
Speaker
Unfortunately, it goes through Boston. It's too bad because, man, I wonder what one their title was it three years ago now in 21. Yeah, I actually thought they were going somewhere. I really I thought they were going to be, you know, they were going to stick around for at least another two years. But it's amazing to see how fast they fell apart. I i just thought I think let me better this year, I think. I think, well, I think, you mean I mean, I don't know, Dame, hopefully Dame gets to shot down. Yeah, he'll be fine. I hope to get rid of Brook Lopez. See, that's the, I just read a report today that the Bucks are looking for a first round pick for him. I mean, it's 36, man, you're not going to get a first round of for him.
00:06:28
Speaker
Right. But the thing, I mean, he was good. But the thing about him that I can't stand is you get shorter defenders, drive the lane. They're within five, six, seven feet of the basket. And he's like a whole two heads, two heads taller. And he gets his arm up to block a shot after the shots are already in the air. he he he so He's so slow to react. And he's a big man, you know? And they need somebody more athletic. I don't know. Yeah, rumors have it that the Lakers are looking at him. I like him because he can be a service serviceable backup for when Anthony Davis is out, but. See what they're what they really miss and know they need somebody that can score and Lopez can't do that. Yeah. But yeah, but the thing is to the money. I mean, at one point you're not going to be able to forward.
00:07:24
Speaker
who you want, you know, you're going to have to pay Bobby, pay Brooke, pay, you know, Middleton. I mean, it's going to be expensive. And I would back up the truck to be honest, pay him, keep him a buck for the rest of his life. Oh, yes, that's happening. Yeah. But you know what I'm saying? But what do you think about the bucks draft?
00:07:49
Speaker
Kind of indifferent. it's They still got work to do. Yeah, they really do. It's just what I think they're really missing though. And I just, this is just my personal opinion. They should have traded Chris Middleton, not Drew Holliday. Yeah. cause see Because Drew Holliday was a glue guy defensively. Yep. And if you watch the Bucks all season long, you saw how porous the defense was. they were They went from top 10 to I think 23rd in the NBA. Right.
00:08:24
Speaker
So it just shows you how great Drew Holliday was. Yeah, I wasn't happy. I mean, I was happy we got Dean, but it sucked that we had to give up Drew Holliday to get him, you know? um
00:08:39
Speaker
And yeah, what do you what do you think of Thanasis? The ultimate cheerleader. See, I'm glad you brought that up. because I'm sick of people talking about Bronny and Deppetism. Yeah, I'm sick of that. What I mean, what is what he he doesn't serve much purpose on that team either. He's a cheerleader. Yeah, I know, but I'm just saying, man. But I think that has something to do with like, oh, if you don't, I mean, just kind of keeping you honest, happy. that's the man That's exactly it. I mean, if that's what it costs, keep the honest on the team, I guess. Do it. So be it, you know.
00:09:24
Speaker
But it's just, i'm I'm glad you mentioned that because everybody keeps talking about Brony being there because of his dad. Well, duh, look at Giannis and look at, I mean, there's an appetism across the board, across the NBA. I mean, that's a whole nother discussion for another day, but it happens. Yeah, for sure. As a box, I just don't see them keeping together that something's got to happen. They got to make some type of move. I mean, I know they're almost maxed out with their money, but they got to do something because, I mean, I don't think they're going to be able to keep, uh, Beasley. Hmm. I don't know if they're going to keep Pat Contson either, to be honest with you. If they can get something in return for him. I mean, it has to start somewhere. Yeah. You know, Pat's had good games, but I mean, they brought in what Torine Prince and Delaun, right? Yes.
00:10:17
Speaker
So, I mean, they're, they're good defenders and they're good at catch and shoot players. So, I mean, can you get in for cheaper than Connington? If so, I mean, it sucks, but it's a business, you know?
00:10:32
Speaker
Unfortunately. Yeah. I mean, then that's, they're another, I mean, they haven't done jack squat either. They, I mean, I guess they added og donovich both Yeah, but um I like that deal. Well, I'm about to die from the next. I like that. I actually, truthfully, I like that two-way deal that they did. when Yeah. When those two. I just wish the boxing gets them with the athletic down low. Yeah, that's what they've been missing. Like Mamadi Diakite. Yeah, Diakite. I'm terrible with some of these pronunciations. But and they got Shake Milton too, so.
00:11:13
Speaker
I don't know. you You never know how someone's going to be different scenery. They might play different, be better, had better chemistry with players, coaches. I think too, with the going back to the Milwaukee Bucks, if you are let Doc get his guys in there, they got Darvin Ham back as an assistant coach. You know, on circle form. did And then you still got Vin Baker. You let, you know, and you let Doc bring some of his guys in. Give him a full offseason to recoup and go back at it with his obvious staff that he wanted instead of trying to do it halfway through the year. Yeah, I'm gonna give them a pass because I'm just like you said it was halfway through the season.
00:11:56
Speaker
Yeah. And who knows? they could They could make a trade with Chris Middleton maybe during this during the season, before the season. Who knows? And believe me, I love Chris Middleton. I really do. When he gets hot, he's hot. That's just it. They need another consistent... They need to know that it's much like the Lakers. They need a consistent third... Like a really consistent third piece. Right. Is Middleton it? That's what the Bucks have to ask themselves. Well, Middleton is the one that got him through the playoffs in 21. I mean, just then he's kind of fallen off. Yeah, he's been hurt too. what's Yeah.
00:12:35
Speaker
ah The Hornets, Josh Green and and Reggie Jackson. I like the green pickup. Yeah. I like that. Yeah, I feel bad for Reggie Jackson. Going the going for the nuggets of the Hornets.
00:12:54
Speaker
I mean, it'd be cool, I guess, if Jordan was still the owner, but he's not the owner anymore. So he needs to make his lucky start. He got out of there. Hey, he made money too. He made bank selling the team, but I don't see the nugget or the hornets doing much this year. I don't know. The No, I'm not. Look, look here. I'm from here. I could personally say they're not a good basketball team. I, as you can see, I've never been, I haven't been a fan of theirs in years. Right. They're irrelevant. I hate saying it, but I'm sorry, they're irrelevant. They are. I mean, it's, they pretty much got rid of the one of the best defenders and got- Wait a minute. I saw that trade with Caruso and they didn't even get a first round pick for the man. Yeah. Get a pick at least. Yeah, I mean- And now the corner road was getting ready to walk out the door.
00:13:54
Speaker
I mean, Josh Gitti, yee-haw, you know? which i I'll leave Josh Gitti alone. He has his own problems. Yeah. We had key departures. It was Caruso and Andre Drummond. so yeah was oh Drummond is a rebound machine. They're probably going to be looking to trade Zach Levine too. Yeah. And the part that sucks about Drummond is he went to the 76ers.
00:14:23
Speaker
Well, East keeps on staying big, you know. yeah for the seventy six or yeah but Yeah, right. Isn't that crazy what they got going on in Philadelphia? I mean, Paul George going there was ah it's probably the worst kept secret. Yeah. I call the coming from a mile away. Yeah.
00:14:49
Speaker
Yeah, it would have been nice on nice playing for the Bucks, but nope, not going to happen.
00:14:58
Speaker
Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell, resigned to a three-year extension. or He agreed to a three-year extension. No additions, no departures. Just staying where they are. yeah and I think they'll, I think k Cleveland's going to be a ah sleeper team too. Yeah. They've made it far last year with Mitchell hurt most of the, most of the games, you know, so they, uh, they'll, they'll be, they'll be in the playoffs again. I believe now a team that, uh, is intriguing in the West are the Mavericks. I i think getting clay Thompson, I'll tell you right now, they are instantly top three seed.
00:15:41
Speaker
It's going to be OKC, Minnesota, Dallas. Yeah, I can see Clay Thompson just going on a revenge tour. Yeah, I was so mad when the Lakers didn't get him. His dad was, too. Because a three-year, $50 million dollars deal to sign with them when the Lakers offered him four years, $82 million. yeah Granted, his reasoning, I can understand. He said that if he went to the Lakers, it would be kind of like a It would be kind of like with Golden State all over again. He said the term was, uh, it would be like a fishbowl. Yeah. Just the microscope would always be on him, which I can, you know, I can respect that. Yeah. Four rings. He can just go and enjoy his life now. Yeah. Yeah. I got Luca and Luca. And you get Clay Thompson.
00:16:32
Speaker
Yeah. Good luck to the rest of the West. Luca drives to the paint and kicks it out to Thompson. Three pointer. Yeah. called the pointer Three pointer. The easiest catch and shoot of his life. Yeah. For sure. That's that's crazy. I wouldn't be surprised if they made it back to the finals. Right. That would be, I mean, almost par for the course, you know. They made it pretty far last year. And if you get Kyrie in his bag in the playoffs and you get Clay Thompson and you get Luca not shooting. So crappy in those games, you know, one thing about Luca though, he has to quit complaining to the refs. He has to get back on defense. He needs to get back on defense as costing his team every single time. One second. Yeah. Put the fries in.
00:17:32
Speaker
Give me one second, man. I gotta put some fries in you. Go ahead.
00:17:56
Speaker
The Mavs lost Tim Hardaway Jr. and Derek Jones Jr. two good players. Hardware wear is always hurt though.
00:18:21
Speaker
Nuggets.
00:18:45
Speaker
Quentin Grimes. Najee Marshall to the Mavericks.
00:19:29
Speaker
Pistons, re-sign Cade Cunningham,
00:19:34
Speaker
added Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris, Wendell Moore, lost Quentin Grimes, James Wiseman, to the Pacers, the Warriors signed Kyle Anderson, Bodie Heald, D'Antony Melton, Wendy Waters,
00:20:01
Speaker
All right, back to business. Yeah, but I think the Mavs, well, I mean, they lost Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Derek Jones Jr., which, Koy Thompson makes up for most of that. Of course. no ah The Nuggets, ah lost contavious man when they When I heard they lost him, and I believe Bruce Brown walked out the door. And Reggie Jackson.
00:20:29
Speaker
some role players right there. When they let KCP walk, I don't, I don't, I really don't know about what they're gonna do. go They'll make it work.
00:20:44
Speaker
Maybe not. we Maybe we'll have a big fall off. That's what I'm hoping. That's what I'm hoping. Yeah. Oh, a pistons. Could the Pistons be getting better? They agreed to a five-year extension with Cade Cunningham. And they added Tim Hardaway Jr. And they got Tobias Harris and Wendell Moore Jr. from the Timberwolves. I like what they're doing. Obviously, it'll still take some time for them to build. But they might be a contender in probably two to three years. Yeah. Tobias Harris, I always thought he was good. And I always wish he would have stayed on Milwaukee.
00:21:27
Speaker
I'm pretty sure the Bucks drafted him. Let that out real quick. I believe so. Then he went to the post. I think he went to the postings, didn't he? No, I think he went to the 70s. He went from the Bucks to the 76s if memory serves me correctly.
00:21:47
Speaker
I'm looking at it now. Let's see. He went from.
00:21:57
Speaker
You went to the magic. Oh, OK. Let me see. Yeah, I'm trying to find his like find the teams he was on. Oh, no, you know, he was on Charlotte first. And then he went to.
00:22:13
Speaker
And he went to Orlando. And then, yeah, he was originally drafted by the Bucks, then Orlando. Then the whole actually it. No, no, let's see. No, no, no. He was drafted by the Hornets. Then the Bucks traded for him. And then Orlando got him. So yeah, he's he's been he's been around the block for quite a while. Yeah. Wendell Moore Jr. He's another big body. That's good. I wouldn't mind if he was a Buck.
00:22:47
Speaker
Another bust though, right here. I mean,
00:22:51
Speaker
They lost Pistons lost Quinton Grimes and James Wiseman. What happened to James Wiseman? He was listening. He liked the next big thing when he went to the second pick in the 2020 draft. Never panned out. Yeah.
00:23:08
Speaker
Well, I mean, you talk about the nuggets. Kyle Anderson went to the warriors. Well, he was a three-pointer. No, he was just a big body, a big forward, right? Yeah. Who am I thinking of that was a good shooter from outside, from the Nuggets? Anyways. That's KCP. No, it was, I always got Kyle Anderson and somebody else mixed up. Porter, Porter. ah Michael Porter. Yeah. But then the Warriors got Buddy Heald, DeAnthony Melton, and Lindy Waters, the third from the Thunder.
00:23:47
Speaker
He lost Chris Paul and Clay Thompson. Chris Paul. I just just think he's ring chasing by now. He's, yeah he gets under my skin, man. I don't like the guy. i say No matter who you put to replace, um it could be buddy Hill. They're going to be, I mean, I don't care who it is. None of those guys will come close to what clay Thompson did. Right. I just, it still feels weird to say he's not a warrior anymore. Yeah, but the thing is, too, is the money they're paying these three guys, four guys, whatever, they're trying to compensate for Clay Thompson. You would have been paying the one person in Clay Thompson. Instead, you got two or three guys for that amount of money. So I mean, in a way, it might be a small rebuild, but you got to figure how much longer does Dream on Green and Curry have. How long do they have left? Right. So I mean,
00:24:43
Speaker
Rockets, Aaron Holiday, two year deal. ah Added A.J. Griffin, no departures. Everybody keeps saying, watch out for the Houston Rockets. I think they'll they'll make some noise this year. Yeah. ahll probably be ah probably be on the floor probably i be yes They'll probably be they'll be in the plan. I'll probably put them in a seven, eight bracket. Right.
00:25:13
Speaker
But what look out for them, they're coming. Yeah, they've always seemed to not perform too well the last few years. I mean, they got they have a lot of young players, though, too. That's what I like a about them. They're younger, but they they seem to be just, they they have a lot of younger players, but they play like a veteran team. Yeah. Don't they have Jabari Smith? Yes, they do. And Dylan Brooks. And they got some, don't they have like ah green ja was a Was it Jaylen? Jayden? Jaylen Green. Yeah. The Pacers re-signed Siakam and Obi Toppin, the added James Wiseman, and they lost Jaylen Smith. They'll be a good team. Yeah. Get Halliburton.
00:26:08
Speaker
Back healthy. See outcome coming back better top and coming back better. They'll be good. Amazing they made the Eastern Conference finals. Yeah, well, I still think that if Giannis wouldn't have gotten hurt. The Bucks would yeah, yeah, but this is this is what happens. You know you can't go back so.
00:26:36
Speaker
Clippers re-sign James Harden. He's a bum. They let Paul George walk out the door. They added Nicholas Badum and Mo Bamba. And they lost Paul George and Mason Plumlee. They're always L.A. second teams. They're stuck in the basement regardless. Basement of the Staples Center. Yes. And I'm glad you still call it Staples. So do I. I don't even know what this really is, the crypto center or something like that? That's exactly what it is, crypto back.com, you know? Yeah, stupid. Now we're coming up to the Lakers next. They got re-signed Max Christie, LeBron James, and they lost Toreen Prince to the Bucks. How is Toreen Prince? He's decent, isn't he? He's decent, but I'd say the one that really pissed me off, though.
00:27:27
Speaker
They brought back, I mean, D'Angelo Russell, he opted into his contract, but just they they can't find nobody to trade for him. yeah like tradeit Like trade in it, but to replace him. And I just, I'm running it back with the exact same, the exact same squad from last year. So I'm just, I don't know what to make of this team. Yeah. I don't know. I mean, you got a new coach with JJ Radick. which I'm hoping works out, and I think he's going to work out. And I do think Anthony Davis and LeBron will stay healthy again next year. Maybe Ryder can be a coach and a player at the same time. Ripoff is doing he has his jersey on underneath. He's out there. He retired. He retired like maybe six years ago now. Yeah, he retired a while. Yeah, so I don't think I don't think that's happening as much as I'd like it to. That's not happening.
00:28:24
Speaker
Yeah, they'll be an interesting team to watch. They're always competitive. They got AD and LeBron and, you know, I tell you something, the steel of the draft. I still don't know how this happened. They let every team let Dalton connect the deadly shooter from the deadly three point shooter from Iowa. No, he's from Tennessee or Tennessee. My bad. Yeah. Yeah. He fell to the leaf on the Lakers lap. Yeah. He was projected to be a top 10 pick in most people's opinion. Yeah.
00:28:53
Speaker
Well, it's like, rolling it kept falling. It's like the, the, the, I forgot if it was AJ Johnson or whatever player the bucks got from the the G league elite or whatever it was average, like 1.8 points a game. and brawny averaged like 4.8 points a game you just take the guy that you picked him at whatever number the bucks picked and like 52 i believe yeah 55 55 brawny was oh yeah yeah and uh and then the bucks picked the guy like 40 picks ahead that
00:29:31
Speaker
It was like three points less a game, but whatever it with basketball, you never know. You never know when they go from college to the NBA, same with college to the NFL or college to the major league baseball. yeah It's just how you adapt and how you change and how, you know, the game comes to you at the professional level. So it's no, we can all sit here and give our opinions on this person is going to suck or he's going to suck. But you look down the, you know, and in the future and they might be really good. You never know. I actually think Bronny will turn out to be a pretty good prospect. This needs time. That's all. Right. So if you remember, he had the cardiac arrest at June of 2023.
00:30:17
Speaker
Sounds right. Yeah. And he pretty much, you know, he wipe away pretty much all of this, all of his last year. So he only played about 20 something games. Yeah. he's you know he's gonna He's going to be, I think he's going to be good, but he just needs time to develop with you know the Lakers G-League team. Yeah, well, he did he signed a four-year deal, didn't he? Yes, he did, but I think i think actually think he's going to, I think this upcoming year, he'll spend it all on the G-League, and then you know next the year after that, he'll probably play with his dad from time to time, and then he'll take the reins from there.
00:30:59
Speaker
So if he says a Laker, do you think they'll draft Bryce?
00:31:06
Speaker
I don't know. that's a good thing i think Isn't Bryce doing better than Ronnie when he was at his age? That's possible. Bryce is taller, too. Yes, he is.
00:31:18
Speaker
You know what's going to happen is they're going to end up, they're going to end up drafting Bryce. And then then they're going to end up being the first team and in the in the history of the NBA to draft a female player and Bronny's daughter, very yeah ah LeBron James's daughter. You can have all three on the same team playing together, two bros and a sister. Oh, can go to the WNBA. Who knows? She isn't good enough. Yeah, I kind of hope she does. You know, if she does play basketball, it's nice to see, you know, girls excel too, you know. Now the Memphis Grizzlies making heat. what I see absolutely nothing. They drafted Zack Edie. Good luck trying to get through the paint with Jared Jackson Jr. and Zack Edie. Man, everybody's sleeping on Memphis. Yeah, but yeah.
00:32:13
Speaker
And you got Jock coming back too. If he doesn't, if he stays out of trouble and stays healthy, they could be a playoff team too. Yeah.
00:32:26
Speaker
Yeah. I mean, they really didn't do anything but draft. So I mean, there's no, they didn't resign. They didn't add, they didn't lose anybody as far as and NBA dot.com. So they're going to be a really good, I think there'll be a better team next year.
00:32:42
Speaker
Yeah. It was always fun to see the but John Miranda and Steph Curry battles. Yeah. That was i was always fun to watch. wow milwaukee or milwaukee The Miami Heat, they re-signed Thomas Bryant, Kevin Love, and they added Alec Burks to a one-year deal. And they lost nobody so far, it looks like. I don't know if Jimmy's going to stay.
00:33:12
Speaker
Yeah. I don't know. Come to Milwaukee. Yeah, he played at Marquette, so. Yeah, he did.
00:33:24
Speaker
Yeah, I don't know where he would end up. I really don't. Well, we know it ain't going to be Philadelphia. Nope. Cleveland? Nah. Coming down to Mitchell's already. and And they already, they have Darius Garland too. Not unless they trade him. The Knicks.
00:33:48
Speaker
They probably couldn't afford it with what they got. If they would have to trade for him somehow. ah box This is what the Bucks gotta do. they This is a little sarcasm here. They gotta trade Thanasis and Brook Lopez to Miami for Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler. That's a steal. That's a, yes Pat Riley, if you're listening, to we are so sorry. Yeah. He disappears from from the face of the earth.
00:34:33
Speaker
ah The box we talked about, the editorial prints and the lawn, right? So far, they've lost nobody. But I don't see Beasley sticking around. He's going to go make his money somewhere. I like the Prince signing. Yeah.
00:34:51
Speaker
Delon, right? He's from Miami, right? Yes, he is. Yeah. Well, it doesn't say that he was a departure, but whatever. Yeah, he, they have quick catch and release shots. So I mean, that'd be good for the Bucks. You know, when you got Giannis driving to the lane or Dame, they can kick it out and get a quick shot off. So, the Timberwolves, they re-signed Luke Garza on a two-year deal. They added PJ Dozier, Joe Ingalls. They lost Kyle Anderson, Wendell Moore, and Monty Morris.
00:35:35
Speaker
They'll be fine. Yeah. They got, they have a good team. They'll be fine. As long as they got Anthony Edwards, they're not going, they're not, they're not going anywhere. Let's stick it around a while. Well, and they got Kat and Rudy too. So I mean, yeah, they'll be just fine. Yeah.
00:35:56
Speaker
The pelicans, they, uh, Norby signings, according to NBA dot.com. But they added DeWante Murray. They lost Dyson Daniels, Najee Marshall, Larry Nance Jr. And Jonas Vela. you only Another dude that wanted the Lakers to get it and they didn't get him. Yeah, he was a hustler. and he was He had energy. A lot of energy. Yeah. but um Rest in peace in Washington, I guess. He signed up for a three-year, $30 million dollar contract.
00:36:37
Speaker
Legs could have done that. Yeah. I don't know. The Knicks re-signed OG. OG and an OB. Yep. I'm going to tell you right now. The Knicks are going to the conference finals. Yeah. ah Again, barring any health issues. Next, I think next year they will finally make a conference final. It'd be nice to see against the Bucks and the Bucks beat them. They just, they were just so worn out last year. Oh, and they added McCall bridges, key debates, Deope, and Mamadi Deakite. I mean, it's all size. You know, they lost.
00:37:24
Speaker
They lost. thatev virtually a harttenstein end but down a it yo alec burke's harttenstein and shake milton they lost but I think what they got in return is, you know, like probably better than what they lost, you know. I loved it. Yeah. isn Isn't like the four of the guys on the team yeah my vote going over. don Donte DiVincenzo, Jalen Bronson. Yeah. And now... McCall Bridges. McCall Bridges, yep. Isn't that crazy?
00:38:02
Speaker
The Thunder re-signed Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins. They added Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. They lost Josh Gitti and Lindy Waters. So I think, I feel like they got better, big time. Man, how the goal is let Caruso walk away. Yeah. For virtually nothing. Right. Granted, I mean, West Chicago team doesn't screw up a trade, but that's neither here nor there. but I'm just, I'm still astounded that that's all it took. That's it. Yeah.
00:38:40
Speaker
Crazy. The bucks, yeah the bucks, the thunder, the bulls, bulls get worse. The bears get worse. Just when you think you can't get any worse, it's like, here, hold my beer. Well, I'm going to off on the bear for a minute. I'm going to hold off on him for just a minute, because I mean, Caleb Williams is kind of scary, man. I mean, he's damn good. Yeah, when you have a minute. When you have Adrian Cooper and Javon Bullard and Xavier McKinney breathing down your neck and knocking you on your ass, to every other play, it'll bring them on the planet earth real quick. <unk> Like I said, that transition from
00:39:23
Speaker
from college to the pros. It's different for every everybody for everybody. So hopefully his transition, he gets some hard licks in there the first couple of games and it brings him down to planet earth but with everybody else. but laugh The magic, they re-sign Goga, Bitadzi, whoever he is, ah Gary Harris, Jonathan Isaac, Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner, And they added KCP and they lost Joe Ingalls. They got better, I think. That's what helped for sure. That KCP deal. That could be a game that's gonna be a game changer for them. What they really needed was outside shooting. And he's as good as it gets. Yeah.
00:40:21
Speaker
Philadelphia though. Oh my gosh. I'm just looking at this. They extended Tyrese maxi. They re-signed Kelly, Uber, a junior, the added drummer and Paul George and Eric Gordon. Yeah, that's awesome competition now. Yeah. Hey, I can't wait to, I, again, health is a, is the cause Paul George has a history of not staying healthy.
00:40:49
Speaker
Neither does Joel and be. Yeah, that's what scares me. I think I've had reached max shelter running for his life, you know.
00:40:59
Speaker
But I I think healthless, you know, if healthy again, that's the big if. I think those are they. It's either going to be Boston and Philly. Or it could even be New York and Philadelphia in the conference finals. Oh no, right? um Somebody could somebody that one of them to another Boston off. one of them. This is somebody has to tell me about it. Yeah, you got the Phoenix Suns, the resign bowl bowl. I think last year he he played for the Bucks in the summer league. Yes, he did. And they got re resigned Damian Lee, Royce O'Neill, they added Monty Morris and Mason Plumlee. They're falling apart. Yeah, they're not really going anywhere either. Durant, and Booker and.
00:41:47
Speaker
They can't stay healthy for the life of them. Yeah, that's the... It wasn't to talk about Durant getting traded or going somewhere else too. Yeah, but that was quickly shut down. Maybe he wasn't going anywhere. That is... And they lost Juyu Banks and Eric Gordon. So I mean, they're just getting worse. Wait till that salary cap... Wait till those... Those deals start to kick in next year. They're salary cap strong for a while. A good while, at least the next three years.
00:42:28
Speaker
How much longer do you think ah Durant stays around the NBA? Kind of like LeBron. i mean well see The thing with Durant is, Health is starting to catch up. I mean, it's caught up to him. We all know about his injury history. on You know, it's his Achilles injury and. You know, I think he's had like one other significant injury to in his career. I can't remember what it is, but. You know, it's just. Time is closing quickly. Yeah. It's closing quickly for him. He's a good shooter. One of the best I've ever seen.
00:43:09
Speaker
Yeah, like his shot. I mean, he gets so high up in the air and nice release and. Yeah. Got Portland Nori signs that added Denis. I've D Deja Deja from the Wizards. They lost Malcolm Brogdon. They'll probably be back of the pack. Yeah. I think the days of C.J. McCollum and Dame Lillis. Yeah. Before that, Brandon Roy. He couldn't say I would be either. I think he's a coach now at college or something like that. He's a college coach or a high school coach. I was reading an article a while back about him. Sacramento, they re-signed Alex Len, Malik Monk. They added Jalen McDaniels.
00:44:03
Speaker
Lost David Mitchell and Sasha Vesekoff. bezingkov So yeah, the Kings, they'll be good again. They got, whatchamacallit. Aaron Fox, man, I love watching his game. I love watching his play. I think that's the bonus. I love watching the two of them. Yeah. And- I think, again, depending on how it stacks out and it stacks up in the West, they'll probably be a top 16.
00:44:34
Speaker
Yeah. Oh, and they got, uh, Harrison Barnes too, don't they? Yes, they do. Yeah. Let's imagine if he would have stayed in Golden State. He was good defense and he had a good outside shot, yeah but he wanted to get paid somewhere else. So, yeah, they'll be, They'll be good. and Um, the Spurs nor resigns, they added Chris Paul and they lost nobody apparently. So Chris Paul just reminds me of, uh, Carlton, I'm the fresh principal there. So can't stand on, he's not going to win a ring in San Antonio. I think he's really just there to, he really be there to be a mentor.
00:45:24
Speaker
to all their younger players, but especially Victor Wimp and Yama. That's the only reason I think they got Harold. It's really just to, you know, help his development along with, you know, that's a, that's a great sign for them. Yeah. Well, if you think about like Will Smith and Carlton, you got Victor and Chris Paul kind of like the same, you know, back of Paris, man. I can't get that out of my head. And I was a big reference fan. Thank you for that. Yeah, I can't get that out of my head now. Whenever I see Chris Paul, I picture him doing with the Carlton dance.
00:46:03
Speaker
Yeah, I can't get that out of my head now. I can't. that's been That's what I thought about him for the longest time. He just reminds me of like, I mean, he just does. It's, I can't help it.
00:46:18
Speaker
Uh, Toronto Raptors, they re-signed Scotty Barnes to a five-year extension. I manual quickly on the five-year deal, Garrett Temple, and they added Davian Mitchell and the Sasha Vezenkov. They lost Jalen McDaniels. So, I mean. We'll see what's around. I mean, it's they're probably just those they're another rebuilding team. Right? Ever since they lost, what, Kawhi? They lost Kawhi. Pascal Siakam. The whole damn championship roster. Yeah. And basically, I think in ah it pretty much, you know, like a year and a half, maybe two years fan, they lost their whole, rot their whole championship roster. So. Yeah.
00:47:07
Speaker
crazy. Isn't it crazy how fast like these teams, it's like fall apart when they win a championship. It shows it takes so much to stay competitive in the NBA. No matter how I mean, it's just crazy. The jazz nor resigns, they added drew you banks. They lost Chris Dunn and Omer. You're at seven. You got waived.
00:47:35
Speaker
Yeah, Utah will be back in the pack. Yeah, I was going to say there's not much to talk about with them. And to save the best for last, the Washington Wizards. Again, how they overpaid for Chris, for Jonas and Alan Shooners, I have no idea. Yeah, well, they re-signed Rickon Holmes, Richon Holmes. Yeah, Sean Holmes and... Malcolm Brogdon. And Jonas, Jonas brother.
00:48:09
Speaker
Yeah, I don't see them being any good. I feel bad for Johnny Davis. He was a Wisconsin boy, got drafted by the Wizards and he think he rides the bench. He was a first round draft pick. He should have stayed in college one more year. He loved he left as a junior and he he he he took Wisconsin pretty far in the tournament and.
00:48:33
Speaker
he wanted sixteen yeah He wanted to get that moment and he went to the Wizards. Here's your prize. Just like when football dreams go to down in Chicago, basketball dies and watched. So, yeah. I wonder if there's any new rumors on the books yet. I've been checking. There's nothing as far as I know.
00:49:04
Speaker
Yeah. and She was a boat. Let me look around actually.
00:49:21
Speaker
Other than Demar DeRosa and rumors. He'd be a nice fit in Milwaukee. Rumor actually, no rumor has it he might be going He might be in Sacramento soon. Kings are looking at him. Yeah. he I think he'd be a really good fit.
00:49:52
Speaker
Yeah, i think he I think he'd be really good for them. Provides mid range scoring.
00:50:03
Speaker
Bucks interested in reunion with former top pick Jabari Parker. Man, he was good before he got hurt. Yeah. Man,
00:50:19
Speaker
I've heard his name in years. He's playing in Barcelona right now.
00:50:29
Speaker
Yeah, man, I haven't heard him. I haven't heard his name circulate the NBA rumor, NBA rumor circle in a long time. Yeah. He, uh,
00:50:42
Speaker
he, uh, he went over to Europe and played something about, he was on the Bucks summer, summer team last year and he left and went to Europe. Wasn't he on the, no, he wasn't on the Bulls when he got drafted. The Bucks drafted him. oh Okay. Yeah. Then I think he went to the Bulls. Okay. Yeah. Okay. I was going to say, yeah, I knew he had to be, a he had to be on the Bulls at some point.
00:51:12
Speaker
Yeah. The Bucks got to do something though with Brooke Lopez. That is this not working out. Robin Lincoln, get your ass on the phone. Yeah. Right. Phone and make this trade.
00:51:26
Speaker
He's too slow. like he His reaction time is terrible. Yes. He's lost his step. I mean, what do you say? He's 36. 36, yeah. He's lost his step. For sure. There's still some good free agents out there. is I think Gary Trent Jr. is still out there. He's a decent role player.
00:51:54
Speaker
Whoever the Lakers have to, I mean, as far as they don't make, they'll have to probably'll still have to make some trades somewhere. Same with Milwaukee, I think. They'll make trades.
00:52:06
Speaker
But yeah, there's got to be... Oh yeah, so who's still available in the open market? Malik Beasley, Pat Bev, Sadik Bey, Miles Bridges. Isn't he the woman beater? Yes. Ain't nobody, ain't nobody don't sign, you know? Well, nor should they that that that dude from the Rockets got signed by a team in the NBA. at oh Didn't he go to a team in California? The Clippers? Damn, I know. Wasn't that a Porter? Kevin Porter? No. No. Oh, damn it. You know who I'm talking about though? Yeah.
00:52:49
Speaker
he He went and played somewhere and then he got picked up by a team within the last week or two. Yeah, I can't remember. Anyways, yeah, we got the Marta Rose and Spencer Dinwiddie, Markell Foltz, Heywood Highsmith, Tyus Jones, Luke Canard, Kyle Laurie. Canard's afraid agent just to. Kayla Martin, Isaac Okoro, Dario Cyric, Gary Trent Jr., Lonnie Walker IV. So there's still some decent people out there. I just need to bring Lonnie Walker back. Yeah. There's something good off the bench. There's something.
00:53:35
Speaker
But yeah, the Clippers, they brought... I'm pretty sure it was the Clippers. Anyway, yeah.
00:53:50
Speaker
Yeah, that's the NBA Free Agency in and ah in a nutshell. I'll tell you who won. I think it's i think the biggest winner was the Dallas Mavericks. Yeah, for sure. Ooh, it seems that it was. Okay, there's two. The Mavericks and the 76ers.
00:54:08
Speaker
Yeah, because you got two high-caliber players joining forces that are already already in place, you know. It's no longer about loyalty. It's about chasing the rain and getting that money. But, uh, yeah, I mean, you saw LeBron opt out, you re-signing for cheaper and then his son signed and got drafted. So, I mean, it, as much as you hate to say it, it's about in Los Angeles, regardless. Yeah. Even if the front didn't get drafted there, he was staying regardless.
00:54:49
Speaker
Yeah, I just think it's even, I guess, better that Bronny got drafted by the Lakers as much as I, you know, it'd be kind of the same thing as, you know, Jordan's kid making it and getting drafted by the Bulls if Jordan started with the Bulls is his tenure in the NBA.
00:55:13
Speaker
Well, ah that wraps up our NBA segment. Is there anything else you want to talk about, Mr. Jefferson? Well, I mean, if you've been under a rock the last two weeks or, you know, you know, you ain't been on Twitter the last couple of weeks. Sorry, ladies. I'm taking that. Awesome.
00:55:38
Speaker
Yeah. My girlfriend, Mary and I, we've been dating the last couple of weeks. just, you know, we haven't met in person yet. We've been video chatting a ton though. Right. She's such a sweetheart. Yup. And if you're a practice man, you you probably, I'll probably know her. Yup. I was on one of her shows back when I first started. Yup. Yup. I was on her show. Well, right before I launched my podcast. So yup. I think it was episode, maybe episode 16, maybe something like that.
00:56:14
Speaker
I don't remember back in April, I believe. So, yeah, it's awesome. Congrats. Thanks. It's, uh, been a long time coming. Yeah, for sure. Well, this daily, the daily video chats and checking in and yeah, it's awesome. It keeps you, keeps you occupied. And it's it's finally nice to have somebody. Right. Lord, Lord, Lord. I wonder, I wonder if she's watching right now. Okay. Well, if you are. Hey, Mary, if she is watching, that is. Yeah. She might be. She just had a podcast today, actually. Yeah. I'll have to get her on one of these days. I have her co-host Justin coming on here within the next month or so. So I'll have to message her and see if she wants to be on.
00:57:14
Speaker
Please do. Yeah, maybe I'll have the both of you on. Please just bolt on if you can. Yeah, that'd be awesome. I'll just sit back and let you guys go you' start talking, you know?
00:57:27
Speaker
But you ya ain't going to run your own. You're not going to run your own show, huh? It's just like, you two go at it. I'm out. I'm out the way. You'll just be, we'll just call it the love connection, you know? Whatever. You know what? That's actually, you know what? You might be, all jokes are aside, you might be on to something. You might be on to something. Yeah. Yeah, but got my co-host right here. I love cats. Big old furball, aren't you?
00:57:57
Speaker
Yeah, sitting next to me on the couch. But yeah, that's awesome. Good for you, man. It's always a good feeling when yeah you got somebody else you can. you and it Full disclosure, she's had feelings for me since the draft and I didn't even know it until she told me. It took me by surprise. It really did. yeah All I had was have a heartbreak after heartbreak after heartbreak. Yeah, that sucks. Yeah, hi I was ah yeah i was on her pod on her podcast and then i was I was the one putting out the day one of
00:58:39
Speaker
you know, asking Tom Grassi to do a podcast. Day two, we're asking Tom Grassi to do a podcast. Oh, you're right. Wow, okay. That was me, yeah. So, yeah, that was me, but. That turned out all right, I'd say. Yeah, I, we always, her and I agreed that I'd be on the episode, but it was only half an hour, so that's fine. She'll get a pass on that one.
00:59:06
Speaker
But I do take credit for that. so
00:59:12
Speaker
But that's awesome. I think we have one more lined up, don't we, James? Yes, we do. We have one more and possibly more down the line. If you don't mind coming on every once in a while, i'd I love having you on down to earth. and You know your stuff and it's always a pleasure. It's always fun getting other people laughing with the Carlton, Chris Paul take. but Funny thing is one of my friends said, this was probably a long time ago, but one of my friends said they remind me of like a ah younger Will Smith and I kind of, I was like, really?
00:59:52
Speaker
Yeah. That's just, I never really thought of that.
01:00:00
Speaker
Yeah, it's always crazy what other people think of you and it's like, really? I don't think I i remind you of so and so, but I guess if you do, you do, you know? Damn sure not Eddie Murphy. I can tell you that. Wesley Snipes. I got that comparison too. Yeah. I, uh, what's that comedian's name? Bill Bellamy. I actually had a chance to meet him in person here in Wisconsin one time down in the Appleton area. He's hilarious. Yeah. He was, he, that was like shit. That was 16, 15 years ago. It's a long time ago. Yeah. And I would took the picture. I was wearing a Packer hat and a Packer polo. So yeah, I was repping. I was repping the Packers back then. So.
01:00:55
Speaker
Oh yeah. Well, this is going to wrap up the show. We will have James on. I don't have my date book by me. August. August, something. But yeah, we'll have him on more. And i feel like I said, if he doesn't mind, I love having him on. He's down to earth, dude. Love talking with him. Appreciate it. Yeah, appreciate you, man. Yeah, for sure. hi ah I'm just going to use your picture with Jordan Love's mom is the as the YouTube clipart. Yeah, go ahead, man. That's safe. Because I was talking to ah nobody follows a killer, ah Kelly, on my lap on my latest podcast before you. And I was like, yeah. i like Do you remember that picture floating around social media of that dude with the cheese head on by Jordan Love's mom? She's like, yeah. i well
01:01:45
Speaker
I've had him on my show. He's like, really? So you're a celebrity, my guy. Take the fame and stride. That's what I do. I wear it humbly. Yeah. That's what my parents taught me to be. They taught me to be humble and just take life and strive. For sure. Absolutely. All righty, my guy. I'm going to wrap a things up here. And where can people find you at? So y'all can find me on Twitter. It's at j16j. If y'all can see that. I'm on Instagram at James Jefferson 945.
01:02:17
Speaker
ah I'm on TikTok too from time to time. I don't really go on it as much as I used to. right after green i'll I'll tweet on my my username and y'all can find me there. right in that sort number eight For me, you can find me on Twitter at cheese talk underscore pod. It's scrolling across the bottom of the screen right now and my YouTube channel is cheese talk podcast. Yeah, so come find me, like, subscribe, and yeah, go back, go. I can't wait for football season, man. Same here. Next next chat, we'll ah we'll see where we're at with preseason, any Packer news coming out, and we'll do some random questions with you. Yeah, of course. Sound like a plan? Yes, sir. All righty. You have a good night. You too, man. joyless right Go back and enjoy those fries. Oh, yeah, I'm going to.
01:03:12
Speaker
See you, man. See you.