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It's Superbowl Week ! + NBA Trade Deadline Bonanza Recap
21 Plays1 month ago
Super Bowl Preview
- Is this the “right” matchup?
- What’s a storyline or matchup you are looking forward to?
- Any thoughts on the Half Time show?
- Predictions - Winner and SB MVP
Trade Deadline Fallout
- Giannis Stays Put
- Reviewing Biggest Trades:
- Clippers trade Harden and Zubac
- JJJ to Utah
- AD to the Wizards
- Kuminga for KP
- Other Moves That Caught Our Eye
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Event Preview
00:00:10
Emeka
Welcome, welcome, welcome to episode 47 of the Love of the Game podcast. Recording this on a Thursday, 9 o'clock, right on the heels of the NFL Honors Awards. Shouts out to all the award winners and you know evening of the and NBA trade deadline.
00:00:28
Emeka
Super Bowl weekend is coming up. you know The vibes are hot. Weather is nice. Personally, that's my biggest thing. But you know I'm i'm i out here with the real MVPs. Start off with my man, Chukwu. Chukwu, how you living this Thursday?
00:00:42
Chuku
Yes, yes, yes. Good to be back with another episode. Man, you know, you kind alluded to it earlier, but it's been a beautiful week with the weather. I'm hoping it's going to continue on with the show episode we got going on today. And yeah, I can't wait to chop it up with the
NBA Trade Deadline Insights
00:00:56
Chuku
boys. Let's get let's get into it.
00:01:00
Emeka
you know As I mentioned, we're here on trade deadline day. We got a blockbuster package of of seven firsts and three pick swaps and young prospects, but we can never let go of our star player. Yannis ain't the only one sticking around because I'm joined by the man the man himself, Chinna. Chinna, how you living right now?
00:01:19
Chino Onwuka
I'm here and I ain't leaving, I can tell you that. Like, nah, like, this last week so much has happened, like you mentioned. It was NBA trade deadline today. a couple of days earlier we had the transfer the the soccer transfer window shutting down.
00:01:36
Chino Onwuka
you know, I was going to save this for my shutout for later, but we got we got the Olympics starting in a couple of days. That kind of snuck up on me. So, yeah, man, I'm ready to – lots to chat about today, so I'm ready to get into it.
00:01:49
Emeka
Yes, sir. I mean, yeah we can still shout the Olympics. Like I said, a lot going on in sports.
Super Bowl Matchup Analysis
00:01:53
Emeka
We got some footy happening this week. We had, again, the trade deadline. But, you know, the biggest story in sports and what we got to to kick off this episode is, is, you know, the travesty that my man Drake made that didn't win MVP. No, actually, it's the Super Bowl happening in on Sunday.
00:02:13
Emeka
NFL season is played, and we're now down to two teams. My New England Patriots coming in as somewhat of a sizable underdog against the Seattle Seahawks.
00:02:24
Emeka
A lot to talk about in this game. Just earlier today, both these teams walked away of some awards. The Patriots got the coach of the year, Mr. Mike Vrabel, 12-inch, as he would say. The Seahawks, Jackson Smith and Ningjigba, winning Offensive Player of the Year. These teams are stacked.
00:02:42
Emeka
But, i know, I have heard some scuttlebutt, and I want to just open up my co-host. I'll start with you, Chuku. You know, I feel like most years you look at the Super Bowl and you think, this feels right. These are the two best teams. Like last year, I definitely think everyone would have agreed Chiefs-Eagles was the Super Bowl.
00:03:00
Emeka
Looking at this matchup, the Patriots and the Seahawks, would you say this feels right? These are the two best teams in the league and they're squaring off? Or or is it a little little suspect that one of these teams are here?
00:03:12
Chuku
I mean, i definitely feel like Seattle for sure deserves to be out of the doubts. You know, I think some questions could be you know asked of New England, especially with the there's you know their schedule and you know how things kind of played out.
00:03:28
Chuku
to get to the Super Bowl. But look, at the end of the day, Drake Mays, this was Drake Mays coming up already as far as this this season. And he's he's done everything he's needed to do and been asked of to get his team to this position. So for the most part, I mean, I can definitely say these are two of the better teams for sure this season. And they both...
00:03:50
Chuku
I mean, without a shadow of a doubt, deserve to be there, you know, the Super Bowl. But I'm going to leave, I'm not going to make any predictions as of yet, but I just know that a certain team, I think, how is know deserves to be favored in this in this bout. But we'll get into that, you know, when we get into it.
00:04:07
Emeka
Chinna, would you agree with that?
00:04:10
Chino Onwuka
No, I don't. And I think I said it on the and the championship round preview that I thought the Rams, Seahawks was the true, was the real Super Bowl matchup, was the matchup of probably, my in my opinion, the best two teams of the season.
00:04:29
Chino Onwuka
And the game lived up to that. It was, what, the the round three of the trilogy and the first two games were amazing, showed the quality of both teams and that championship game was amazing as well. So to me, you know, definitely you, you, you probably had more complete,
00:04:50
Chino Onwuka
teams in the nfc for once usually the afc is sort of seen you know as the as the stronger division but you know with a lot of the alien quarterbacks not in the playoffs or their teams having bigger deficiencies than normal you're sort the strength has been in the nfc this time so you know i think there could be multiple teams from the afc that could have made it to this round new england did what they needed to do know some some favorable situations and then some of them just doing what some of those other afc teams haven't been so is new england the best afc team yeah i can i can get with that but are these the two best teams in the league uh and i would say that would be the the seahawks and the rams
00:05:37
Emeka
i mean for I think we're all on the same page that the Seahawks definitely deserve to be here. they they I mean, I call them the best team in the league pretty much all the season, so i mean I'm not surprised at all that they're there.
00:05:48
Emeka
For the Patriots, I mean, it's even taking out my bias aside, for me it's... This is the right matchup because Nix broke his ankle. If Bo Nix was fully healthy, I think the Broncos fully deserve to make it the Super Bowl.
00:06:00
Emeka
And Seahawks versus Broncos would be a nice little rematch from the one of my favorite so Bowls I've ever seen him growing up. Legion of Boom coming out party. But he broke his ankle. And honestly, look at the AFC teams.
00:06:12
Emeka
I don't think that you can make a case of any other team being better than the Patriots, than the Broncos. And... Hey, they played in the championship game. Shout out to Darren Stidham. Still a Foxborough soldier. But Patriots in the Super Bowl right now. And, like, yes, their schedule was easy. on Come on. Really easy. But in the playoffs, they played three top five defenses.
00:06:33
Emeka
They made it through. Like, is what it is. That's how the game goes. And I think you can look at them. Coach of the year. Assistant coach of the year. Second place MVP QB. Like, they look like a Super Bowl team. But,
00:06:45
Emeka
It definitely feels, and it's weird because, like, you never really feel like, oh, wow, this team is is super favorite. Like, usually Super Bowl lines are minus one, minus two.
00:06:56
Emeka
It's minus four and a half, and I'm surprised it's that low even. If I was betting this, I would have the Seahawks as sizable favorites because, you know, I do agree they were the better team.
00:07:06
Chino Onwuka
So for or those who don't understand Yama, maybe explain to them what what the difference is between one and four and a half.
00:07:08
Emeka
You don't understand.
00:07:14
Emeka
So, you know, gambling is now legal. And I can say about a podcast. I'm not going advertise this, man. But setting lines, imagine two teams are equal. And you say, how much, like, if these two teams played, what is the score spread? Like, how much more would one team beat the other?
00:07:31
Emeka
Usually, minus one means I think this team will win by one, you know one point. You're just barely better. For them to be minus four and a half, usually the minus three is the max, a field goal.
00:07:43
Emeka
This team is a field goal better than the other team. This line is the biggest, and I think it's... 14 years in the Super Bowl since the Pats versus the Giants. They're four and a half. They're more than a field goal better.
00:07:55
Emeka
Seattle are substantially better in the eyes of Vegas than the Patriots. And again, I would have them even more. I think the Seahawks are just a wagon. And any AFC team, even any NFC team, I would i would have the Seahawks as a substantial favorite.
00:08:12
Emeka
That defense is so great. And... I got to give it to my man, Sammy Donald, man, the ginger assassin. Like, he's he's really out here proving a lot of people wrong, including his former formerly employed general manager. So, I mean, big ups to the Seahawks. I just, add you know, Luke closed up on this question.
00:08:31
Emeka
I think we're all on the same page here that the Seahawks are, you know, substantial favorites. And they deserve to be here at Patriots and not so much. But, you know, we'll pick we'll save our predictions for later because games ain't played on paper, baby.
00:08:44
Emeka
But, you know, answering to the Super Bowl, and i'll start with you on this channel. Like, what's the storyline or matchup you're looking forward to? You know, in's Super Bowl week this is drama, dramatics. We've sat down for two weeks. What's something you're looking for, looking forward to seeing in this matchup?
00:08:59
Chino Onwuka
For me, it's really the story of the two quarterbacks, you know, and just sort of the different paths they've taken to get here. You know, one hand, you have Sam Darnold, you know, former Top overall pick, I think he was taking number three.
00:09:18
Chino Onwuka
and then just the journey he's he's taking, you know, you had his time with the Jets, all the turnovers, him saying he's seeing ghosts. And then he leaves there and then he becomes a bit of a journeyman bouncing around. And then all of a sudden he he lands in in Minnesota out of nowhere.
00:09:35
Chino Onwuka
He plays well. Is it a mirage? Oh, no, he does it again. Then he goes to Seattle, 100 million man. Okay. He
Super Bowl Halftime Show and Ads Discussion
00:09:42
Chino Onwuka
flamed out in the playoffs. Is he just an empty calories guy that you can't count on when it really matters?
00:09:49
Chino Onwuka
And then he plays really well in the playoffs to get them to the Super Bowl. So that's one story. And then on the other hand, you have Drake May, you know,
00:10:00
Chino Onwuka
Second overall pick, you know, someone I had along with with Caleb, you know, in the in the same tier coming out. I liked Drake May better than Caleb, not because Caleb isn't the most freakishly talented quarterback prospect you've seen in a while, but just a lot of the attributes that Drake May brings are sort of what are more prototypical that you've seen in some of the great quarterbacks in the league. And so he was someone I really liked in full coming out of college. And so I, I really, you know, he's someone I've always liked and was as much as I hate the Patriots, he's got me to actually, you know, look out for them and, you know, wish them not the worst. And so he's come in first year, the stats didn't show up, but his play was great. And then second year, you see the ascension. So just,
00:10:50
Chino Onwuka
The different journeys to different high profile quarterbacks have taken and now they get to me on this stage and knowing what we do, you know, this game is going to set a certain narrative about one of these guys based on the al outcome and I just find that really interesting.
00:11:09
Emeka
Chugu, is there a storyline you're looking forward to seeing this in this game?
00:11:13
Chuku
Honestly, has to be this, just, again, I know we're talking about both quarterbacks, for but for me, I'm narrowing it down to Sam Darnold, man. Like, the journey he's been on, like, being, up but you know, being a top pick, you know, getting traded, moving around, having to find, you know, being resilient, having to, you know, pave his way and in the league.
00:11:37
Chuku
Just his journey, honestly. alone It's just want something that I'm just, a you know, inspired about because it tells a story of of resilience and no not giving up, never giving up, you know, always just trying to, you know, do your best, you know, waiting for your opportunity and take and season it, you know, what when the time time comes. And, you know, I mean, it's just so crazy to think that Minnesota had this guy you know on the team and, you know, again, you know, it sucks. They drafted, a you know, McCarthy and obviously –
00:12:09
Chuku
You got to go with you know your decision if you feel like McCarthy was your guy. you got it It was a tough call you had to make. And that was to the benefit of Seattle, who at the time had Gino.
00:12:20
Chuku
And, you know, they got an upgrade with Darnold and they haven't looked back since. So I just i'm just very fascinated to see how you know he's going to take this opportunity now, you know, playing the biggest lights in the Super Bowl.
00:12:34
Chuku
And I'm really interested to see how, you know, what the play call is going to be like, because Drake May is no joke. He's no slouch. You know, and New england England's defense, there are no jokes either. So I'm very interested to see how how he plays and how he fares.
00:12:48
Chuku
in this matchup. But again, you know we'll talk more about you know our scorelines and predictions, no I'm sure, pretty soon here. But yeah, no, I think just the general storyline of Sam Darnold has has to be the biggest biggest thing I'm watching this year in Super Bowl at least.
00:13:08
Emeka
For me, I mean, the quarterbacks are always going to grab the headlines. But something I'm really looking forward to seeing is I love a good best-on-best matchup. And I think the Super Bowl, you know, the lot of casuals who don't really follow the sport whos tune in for the big game. And this is going to be coming-out party, I fear, for Jackson Smith and Jigba. Just won Offensive Player of the Year, which kind of surprised me. I thought Puka would get it. But...
00:13:32
Emeka
I think if you don't play fantasy football or you're not really into, like, football, you're not really tapped in, you don't understand what in a season this guy is having. He is...
00:13:43
Emeka
like on efficiency route basis, having a season closer to Calvin Johnson, the people realize like the Seattle Seahawks do not throw the ball.
00:13:54
Emeka
That is the thing that people like, I look at, I don't disrespect Sam Donald, like he's great and he does what he's asked for him, but they don't throw the ball that much. They run the ball a lot.
00:14:04
Emeka
But despite being one of the most run-heavy offenses, when they do throw the ball, they just throw the JSN. And every team knows this is coming, and they can't stop it. And if you i mean if you watch the the championship game, it was just a master class of getting open and in big moments, coming up with big plays. And for a guy as small as he is, like...
00:14:24
Emeka
He takes some big hits. It's it's amazing to see. And you have this monster going up against like one of the most underrated defenders, in my opinion. Obviously, I'm biased. But Christian Gonzalez on the Patriots is a top-five cornerback, shut-down guy.
00:14:41
Emeka
And now he gets to have the biggest matchup of his career or the biggest game of his career. And I'm worried that... people are going to see him for the first time and it's just going to be him on highlights getting cooked by JSN.
00:14:52
Emeka
And that's just going to do irreparable harm to his reputation. But I'm really looking forward to that matchup and I'm, I'm worried that it's going to be, you JSN coming out party. I i don't want to you know, spoil my predictions, but I think it's a big game coming up for JSN. That's a, that's something I'm really, really concerned about.
00:15:09
Emeka
you know?
00:15:11
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, another storyline for me is obviously the the revenge factor. think of them obviously I don't think anyone can forget what happened the last time these two teams met in a Super Bowl and how it ended. So obviously the storyline of now it's these same teams meeting up again. You know, Seattle with a great defense again.
00:15:36
Chino Onwuka
the Seahawks... how does it How does it feel to you? and Let me ask you as a Patriots fan, having these two matchups, does that bring up some fun memories? You know, are you are you hoping that maybe that's going to play in their minds a little bit and it'll lead to, like you said, the game is isn't played on paper, it played on the field. I think that could have an element to the game as well.
00:15:59
Emeka
You think so? Like, for me, it's two separate teams. Like, no one is still there who was there. if this was played five years after that Super Bowl, then yeah, like, Sherman was still there, Picarra was still there, Russ was still there. Like, yeah, it's going on their minds.
00:16:14
Emeka
If I'm Darnold, what does that mean to me? That was 10 years ago. But, you know, as as a Patriots fan, yeah, this is great. But, like, as humbly as I can say in this next sentence, the Seahawks, like, they're just one of many teams beating the Super Bowl. Like, shouts out the Seahawks, shouts out the Rams, shouts out the Falcons. Like, I mean, I saw plenty of these teams and plenty of these great games out here. And,
00:16:37
Emeka
I can complain about Arsenal. i can complain about the Raptors. I will never, ever complain about the Patriots. I have been blessed beyond belief in these guys. And when I thought I was satisfied and finished, they draft my man, Drake May.
00:16:49
Emeka
But, i mean, look, they're going to play the Malcolm Butler interception a thousand quadrillion times.
00:16:54
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, it's going to be a media thing.
00:16:55
Emeka
And I hope... It's going to be media thing.
00:16:57
Chino Onwuka
And like and i I think in terms of like it playing an effective game, I think it's going to have more to do.
00:16:57
Emeka
Oh, yeah.
00:17:03
Chino Onwuka
Like if you're Seattle player, you've seen it, you've heard it. Right. So I think that aspect of, oh, let's make up for, I think that's, it's going to be on there. Yeah. Patriots. I don't think Patriots going to care, but for the Seahawks players, it but might play a factor.
00:17:16
Emeka
I mean, if they get the ball on the one-yard line, I bet they're going to run it. I'll tell you one for free. I bet they're going run it. And if they throw, I know everyone's going to bring it up. And they're going to show Maka Butler in the crowd, hopefully. And, yeah, as I mean, it's going to be a huge storyline.
00:17:32
Emeka
So, you know, maybe you have a point there. And listen, regarding that art Super Bowl, whenever big people bring up the Butler interception, I always have to tell them, go back two plays and look at Curse's catch.
00:17:45
Emeka
That is honestly the most forgotten, amazing play in history. One of the greatest catches ever. If the Seattle Seahawks win that game, they're going play that catch a quadrillion times. But two plays later, they pass the ball on the one-yard line, which I will defend until I die.
00:18:02
Emeka
It was a reasonable decision, but I'm going go into it. Gets intercepted and no one ever brings up that catch anymore. When that catch happened, I was sick. I was sick. And then when the interception happened, like the way I was screaming and jumping, it's so far, my God.
00:18:17
Chino Onwuka
a I will never forget where I was and how I felt in that moment. Like it was complete shock. I will. know It was complete shock and pain because I was so happy.
00:18:31
Chino Onwuka
I was so happy with the way it was going to end. I was ready for the tears of Patriots fans. And I with with B smoke back there. Oh, you know what? Let's not get into that. Let's not get into that.
00:18:43
Emeka
I will stand on the hill that it was reasonable to throw. Now, was it what I thought it? Probably not, but it was reasonable to throw. But yeah, the ecstasy to, oh my God. The funny thing is like, they showed Brady on like, every time the play was happening, they'll cut to him and literally me and him had the exact same reactions. After do the curse catch, just disgust, just looking at hands in my head. I can't believe this BS. They're going to have next to the helmet catch. Bounces off his knee and he catches. This makes no sense.
00:19:13
Emeka
They get the interception. He started ye jumping and screaming. I'm jumping and screaming in enemy territory. I gave him a bunch of Seahawks fans. Oh, my God. What a what a fantastic what a fantastic day. Shouts out, Malcolm Butler. Should have played you in the Eagles Super Bowl, but again, nothing here nor there.
00:19:27
Emeka
Chukwu, do you have any thoughts about you know the history of these two teams that just played 10 years ago? So maybe it's still people's minds.
00:19:34
Chuku
No, I mean, come on, man. Definitely that moment stands out a lot. But to your point, it's like what what you mentioned. likee It's not the two teams there, but the truth of matter is there's not really any players from that era still really playing for either team at the moment. But I best believe a lot of Seahawks fans, I'm pretty sure that moment stood out a lot. And no hopefully history, for I mean, hopefully for them, history doesn't repeat itself, you know? And there's a chance for them to, you know, grab that Super Bowl that they should have probably won 10 years ago, if not for that decision that was made. But we'll see how it goes. We'll see. But, yeah, no, not nothing more to add, really, on my end.
00:20:18
Emeka
No, yeah, fair enough. Before we move on to our predictions, just a a quick fire. And I'll start a few, you know. You know, there's a lot of hoopla and in the in the media about this, but what are your thoughts are on Bad Bunny performing the halftime show en español?
00:20:33
Chino Onwuka
To be very honest, I've not really thought about it at all. Obviously, I've seen some of the stuff floating around and you know what Trump has to say and what, in quotation marks, the right is saying about it. But to me, you know, Super Bowl, you want to see a good performance. Bad Bunny is one of the greatest artist on earth right now so I'm excited to see a good show and and that's that's all it is for me everything else that's going on honestly at this stage in my life I have too many the other things to think about and deal with for for for that to be at the top of my mind right now very honestly
00:21:14
Emeka
I mean, listen, I'm the exact same. But I will say, this is just a tangent, honestly, for me to get this... Bad Bunny is the most famous, successful artist that I have never listened single song he's ever made.
00:21:26
Emeka
Like, it blows my mind. And I reckon he's the know number one streamed artist in America. fact In America, number one most streamed artist. Grabbed him for album of the year. So successful.
00:21:38
Emeka
I promise you, I could not... Gun to my head. They said, you name a Bad Bunny song, I will kill you. i'm Kill me then. I can't. So I'm actually curious to see him perform.
00:21:46
Chuku
Okay.
00:21:48
Emeka
Like, I am... I mean, why not, man? This is the biggest stage. Let me see what he's got. Maybe I become a fan. I will say, though, i'm not going lie, I think it's kind of what crazy that is they have a Spanish performance in the Super Bowl. But hey, man, the people like it. People like it, man. Again, I got way too much of my time to care about anything. And besides, I'm sure for all you patrons out there, there's a true social Super Bowl halftime show with Kid Rock and a bunch of other white people that i don't know about. So, you know, alternate choices, man. You got plenty there for you.
00:22:20
Emeka
Chukwu, any thoughts on Bad Bunny?
00:22:24
Chuku
Honestly, I'm like, Chinna, man. I have not given that one thought. i Look, I guess maybe it's for the international flavor. I don't know. Let's try something different. But look, I'm also with you, bro. like If you ask me to name Bad Bunny songs,
00:22:41
Chuku
my life was on the line. He might as well just kill me right now because I could not do it. So it'd be very interesting to see him perform. I mean, I know a lot of people that swear by him that, you know, they love him, love is is his stuff.
00:22:55
Chuku
I'm sure he's going to be great, but not my cup of tea and, you know, it is what it is. But yeah, I've not really given it much thought to be frank in regards to him performing at the Super Bowl.
00:23:08
Chuku
I don't know if I'll be very interested in watching to honest.
00:23:09
Chino Onwuka
Y'all need to get on that reggaeton, man. Y'all missing out.
00:23:12
Emeka
I was gonna ask you, you know, you're the more cultured of all of us.
00:23:13
Chuku
I guess I must know.
00:23:14
Emeka
Do you listen to Bad Bunny?
00:23:16
Chino Onwuka
I don't listen to i've the the other reggaeton artists that I like better than Bad Bunny, but I think it's one of those things where once you airplay that you've heard it.
00:23:31
Emeka
Hey, fair enough.
00:23:33
Chino Onwuka
You've heard it on features. You've heard him on songs with Cardi B. So you've you've definitely heard his songs.
00:23:40
Emeka
No, listen, fair enough.
00:23:42
Chuku
There's no doubt, like, if you me if if I hear, like, a song, the beats of a song play, then I might recognize it because, you know, Bad Bunny is a kind of artist.
00:23:43
Emeka
no
00:23:50
Chuku
He gets lot radio, you know, radio play. So I might have, in the past, you know, heard some of those hits. But if you ask me to, like, name the song, like, what's the name and and everything, yeah, yeah, you're going miss me with that one because I got no clue.
00:24:03
Chuku
I'll tell you that right now.
00:24:06
Emeka
Again, like he has to be the most successful... used to be Taylor Swift. like I promise you i could not name single Taylor Swift song from the last like four albums. but It has to be Bad Bunny now. like He is so successful that it just shows us how fragmented culture is. that like someone could be and I feel this way about streamers all the time where someone would be like, yo, look at this streamer with 800 million followers and I have no clue who this guy is.
00:24:33
Emeka
Same with Bad Bunny. Yeah, I have fully hands up. He's the most streamed artist in America. Very popular. i just don't... I'm not familiar with the work. So hey, maybe...
00:24:42
Chino Onwuka
Really, really, really good wrestler too.
00:24:42
Emeka
aren
00:24:45
Chino Onwuka
i don't know if y'all seen him in WWE.
00:24:46
Emeka
I've seen clips. I've seen clips.
00:24:48
Chino Onwuka
He does his thing.
00:24:48
Emeka
You can move.
00:24:49
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:24:50
Emeka
Yeah, you can move. Yeah, man, listen. I love it, man. i get Shouts up and out. And I don't really give him a lot of props. Shouts out Roger Goodell for 10 toes after being pressed by all these old politicians.
00:25:01
Emeka
Why are you having bad money? He's like, bro, he's successful, man. What do you want me to do? He he makes money, man. i don't know what you want me to say, bro. He's the most successful artist in America. Why would I not want to have him the Super bowlw Although, I will just say, you know, last year, i got served...
00:25:17
Emeka
Like, they made the Super Bowl for me. It's the halftime show. Literally, like, it was designed for me. So, I ain't going to hold anybody who, like, a Bad Bunny fan out there. This is for you. Like, I don't have to be catered to every single year.
00:25:29
Emeka
They gave me Kendrick Lamar and Uncle Sam and all that stuff. I don't need rap artists every single year. So, shouts out Bad Bunny, man. Like, hey, man, I become a fan afterwards. And if I get the reggaeton vibes and start salsa dancing it and shimmy, who knows?
00:25:43
Emeka
And I'm sure he's going have some crazy special guests, too. Bad Bunny, so. i I just thought it was all the controversy about it it. just cracks me up because like...
00:25:52
Chino Onwuka
like I'm almost betting Cardi's going to be there, especially because her man is playing.
00:25:56
Chino Onwuka
like but but they If he doesn't do that, I'd be very surprised.
00:25:57
Emeka
yeah
00:26:00
Emeka
That's why I think she's not going to be there because she's going to too worried. Diggs is playing.
00:26:05
Chino Onwuka
Fair.
00:26:06
Emeka
What if he is a you know he gets rid getting rocked into the upper moon at first half? You're going there still perform?
00:26:11
Chino Onwuka
Then you call an audible. I don't know.
00:26:13
Emeka
You know what I'm saying? First of all, shout-out Cardi B, and Mrs. Diggs, you know, big fan. But, yeah, before we move on to our predictions, any one-off topics you want to talk about the Super Bowl, commercials, any trails you're looking forward to, you know, it's a big off event. Or, actually, what you any Super Bowl plans? You guys going out with friends or watching home by yourselves? I keep curious.
00:26:34
Emeka
We haven't talked about this off-stream.
00:26:37
Chino Onwuka
Hey, man, you hosting? I'll be there.
00:26:41
Emeka
Word? Because I got think I got people coming over. So, you know, couldn slide in, slide in.
00:26:45
Chino Onwuka
right, we'll talk, we'll talk.
00:26:47
Emeka
Drew Koo, any Super Bowl plans?
00:26:47
Chuku
I'll be on the road.
00:26:49
Chuku
I'm on the road.
00:26:50
Emeka
It matters on the road, eh?
00:26:52
Chuku
Yeah, man.
00:26:52
Emeka
I will say, like, last year for the first time in, I want to say, like, 15 years, just because of work, I watched Super Bowl by myself. It's an interesting experience. I'm not going lie. like It made me be like, yo, I usually watch it with just of so many people.
00:27:06
Emeka
I don't really focus on the game. was it fine enough was a terrible game. I was a blow up. I got really, really bored. But yeah, it was, uh, it was made me think of like, how different Superbowl is to regular games that like, cause you watch it with giant groups of people.
00:27:21
Emeka
Oftentimes you don't really look at the game that much. You just kind of just vibe out. Maybe. am I crazy for that? You know,
00:27:26
Chino Onwuka
I'm different than most people because, you know, when I'm locked into something, especially sports, I'm locked in. But definitely there can be moments like he you almost watch Super Bowl a little bit differently where, okay, first quarter, it's like, oh, what's going on? Then depending on how the game is going,
00:27:43
Chino Onwuka
Second and third quarters, you know, people are talking, discussing things around the game, but not necessarily like on a play by play notice. And then fourth quarter, everyone locks in as you get closer to the results. So, yeah, it's definitely different watching with people than watching it by yourself because there's the social aspect to it. There's the commentary aspect to it. But you know me, I'm always locked in.
00:28:06
Emeka
enough, fair enough, fair enough. And I have a little bit of a platform now. Maybe people listening to this, anyone, i just want to make a quick plea. I know, I know, you know, we're all proud Canadians here. All of us are. Love you. Shouts out Canada.
00:28:19
Emeka
And I get, you know, times are little tricky right now with relationships, but give us the American commercials, man. What are we doing here? Listen, I don't care about ads. I usually pay for ad-free things. The Super Bowl is the one day of the year I can want to see the commercials.
00:28:33
Emeka
i don't want to be seeing CTV ads. Give me the 30 second $5 million dollar advertisements. All right, TSN? Like one day. That's all I'm asking for.
00:28:43
Emeka
We can go back to being CanCon every other day of the year. Give me the American ads again. That's just my little quick plea. Anybody else have any thoughts that?
00:28:50
Chino Onwuka
and on and And one thing with that, I don't know if you guys have seen this, what's whack these days is, okay, we all know about the Super Bowl. We all know about the ads. What is this woke nonsense I'm seeing now where they show Super Bowl ads before the Super Bowl?
00:29:06
Chino Onwuka
Like, what are we doing? Like, that makes sense.
00:29:07
Emeka
That's also trash, I agree.
00:29:09
Chino Onwuka
So, yeah, that's that's that's the only thing i wanted to add on that.
00:29:13
Emeka
But, I mean, I'm not gonna see the ads anyway. Like, that's the thing, we're in they don't show the ads, so I might as well put them on YouTube beforehand, because I don't get to see them.
00:29:20
Chino Onwuka
Put it on YouTube after.
00:29:23
Emeka
I know if I want to be fair.
00:29:23
Chino Onwuka
it on after.
00:29:24
Emeka
Yeah, put it on YouTube after. and Show me the ads. That's all. It's one day. One day. One day is all I'm asking for. Just show me the ads. Anyway, we've yapped long enough. It's time, you know, in this podcast, we love to pick a game every week and give you predictions. There's no other game we can do this week than the biggest game of them all.
00:29:39
Emeka
Grand Ailes Super Bowl. Chico, I'll start with you.
Final Super Bowl Predictions
00:29:43
Emeka
Give me your winner and give me your Super Bowl and MVP prediction.
00:29:48
Chuku
My winner is going to be the Seattle Seahawks. MVP, JSN. You called it earlier. I definitely see them having a huge game in this victory.
00:30:02
Chuku
And, yeah, it's going to be Seahawks. Was there something else we were doing?
00:30:08
Emeka
No, and I'll just keep eyes short as well. Sadly, i have to stick with my gut. it's the I just think they've been the best team all year. I got to go with the Seahawks, and i I set it up earlier. i think it's going to be a JSN coming out party.
00:30:24
Emeka
Usually it's the QB by default for MVP, but I just think because they don't throw the ball that much, it's going to one of those things where maybe Donald passes for 250 yards, but JSN has 170 of them, and he just gets MVP because yeah he's he's that boy. So, yeah, same thing as you, man.
00:30:40
Emeka
Give me Seahawks, sadly, and honestly, candidly, it's Seahawks in a blowout and JSN. You know?
00:30:48
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, it's it's a hat trick on the show. I got Seahawks 2017. I think it's going to be a close game just in terms of score-wise because I think that's something we've seen most of the playoffs.
00:31:02
Chino Onwuka
A lot of the games have been close, not too many blowouts. And, yeah, I got JSN for for MVP as well.
00:31:10
Emeka
Not gonna lie.
00:31:10
Chino Onwuka
Usually our record isn't too good when we all predict the same thing.
00:31:11
Emeka
no i was gonna say, not gonna lie.
00:31:13
Chino Onwuka
I think the only time it meantime it worked was for your Patriots.
00:31:15
Emeka
I feel good now.
00:31:18
Chino Onwuka
so
00:31:19
Emeka
I'm not going to lie. I feel a lot better now because we are terrible when we all pick the same thing. So if we're all picking the Seahawks, I don't like it. I hope I'm wrong. That's what I'm going to say. I really hope I'm wrong.
00:31:31
Emeka
I love the Super Bowl. I mean, it's just sad because it means the NFL season is over and like, I love the NFL. But listen, man, I'm blessed. I'm a Patriots guy. My teams are in there. Drake Mays here, second year guy. Like, matter what happens, I'm happy.
00:31:46
Emeka
I say this now knowing that if it is as close as 2-0 this is, I will be heartbroken if it's a loss.
00:31:51
Chuku
Thank you.
00:31:52
Emeka
If we're going to lose, I would much rather it be a blowout, and I'm over it by the third quarter. If it comes down to the wire, I'm going to very upset. But we're going to cover all that and more next week on this podcast. You already know what it is. But as we mentioned,
00:32:06
Emeka
Today was the end of the NBA trade deadline.
NBA Trade Deadline Recap
00:32:09
Emeka
You know, this is an interesting trade deadline where all the big trades happened two or three days beforehand. And I read a report which made sense to me that last year, the Lakers, if you remember, listeners, the Lakers traded for Mark Williams, had his physical, got spooked and canceled the trade.
00:32:25
Emeka
And now teams are realizing that, Let's not leave things to the last second because what if there's something that happens that we can't renegotiate? So all the big trades happened. i was at work trying to focus. My phone was buzzing on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. And then today, not really much happened.
00:32:41
Emeka
You know, some minor moves here and there. I mean, so many moves happened. there's no way we could talk about all of them. But I think it's fair to start with the biggest move that didn't happen is that despite, you know, all the talk from Shams and Windhorst and everybody else,
00:32:56
Emeka
The Milwaukee Bucks did not trade one Giannis Attetokounmpo. Who could have seen this coming if not everybody with eyes? Anyhow, I have a whole rant I want to get into, but before I do that, I guess I'll start you, Chukwu. Are you surprised that the Bucks kept Giannis through the trade deadline?
00:33:14
Chuku
I mean, initially i'm I was a bit surprised, but when you know when you're hearing what's going on around the league and they weren't getting the kind of offers that they were looking for, I mean, this is Giannis we're talking about. it Arguably, easily know top five, just to be safe, best players in the league at the moment. I mean, you you're going to want a big haul.
00:33:34
Chuku
And if teams aren't willing to supply that haul, I mean, i don't see any reason why they need to rush to accept the trade. So I guess when kind of factored that into the equation, I came out of it feeling a little less surprised that they didn't get traded. So I'll say, nah, I wasn't surprised he got he didn't get traded now.
00:33:53
Chuku
But I definitely think the the right is on the wall. This is definitely most likely his last season in the books. And we can expect starting of next year next season, Yana's going playing for a different team. It's just a matter of which team that's going to be.
00:34:08
Emeka
You're telling me, let me get this straight, Brandon Prosimitsky, Kuminga, and Draymond Green isn't an enticing trade package? Is that what you telling me, Draco?
00:34:18
Chuku
I'm afraid that that seems to be the case, my brother. That seems to be the case.
00:34:23
Emeka
That's the greatest trade package in history. I'm i'm confused. Why would they want Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler in one ACO? I just think... Couldn't believe the nonsense I was hearing. But anyhow, you know, you surprised that Giannis hasn't been traded?
00:34:39
Chino Onwuka
No, and to anyone listening on this pod and to you guys, you'll know that I'm not surprised. It's something that we we predicted that it was more likely to happen in the summer. And that's for for various reasons. One, you know, Giannis wasn't making a a public demand.
00:34:56
Chino Onwuka
And a lot of the teams that could... that have the deepest asset pool are teams that, you know, for all intents and purposes are looking to to see where they're at, you know, at the end of the playoffs to determine how many chips they want to pull in. And so the teams that you had, you know, trying to make something happen were teams that really, if I was the Bucs, would not have anything that really interested me like that unless Giannis came out and said, hey, this is the only place want to go. So your that's your Warriors and whatever they had to offer, the Miami Heat.
00:35:36
Chino Onwuka
you know, one on the Bucs and then two also for Giannis because Giannis, the whole reason why he wants to leave is because he wants a chance to win. So, okay, all everything that you need to trade at the Warriors to get Giannis, is Giannis and Steph as great as Steph is and nothing else? Is that winning you a championship? No.
00:35:57
Chino Onwuka
The Heat, okay, maybe the Heat make a little bit more sense, but, you know, the Heat are, they're sort of a weird team, you know, It'd be yeah a Giannis Bam combo.
00:36:09
Chino Onwuka
I think it's a good combo. Does that make them a perennial favorite in the East? It's kind of hit a miss. The one that would have been interesting to me would have been Giannis and Ant. I think that could have been really, really good. So at the moment, and maybe I'm jumping the gun here. went When Minnesota made that trade,
00:36:26
Chino Onwuka
getting rid of Conley, you know, getting some cap relief. I was like, could some, because that's the one trade where if that happened, Giannis to Minnesota, that's when I'd be like, okay, this can be something serious. But I think it's more likely to happen in the summer.
00:36:41
Chino Onwuka
More teams will have, they'll know their cap situation. They'll know where they stand with picks. And we saw a lot more teams, you know, add to their war chest. So, you know, that can open up a lot more rooms for different teams to maneuver, whether that be three team trades, four team trades. I think this summer is going to interesting. I think it's going to be like the summer of LeBron and Kawhi, where, you know, up until, you know, Independence Day in the States, you know you had reporters saying they couldn't take vacation until the trade happened. I think we might see a a similar summer with Giannis. Yeah.
00:37:14
Emeka
If you guys would indulge me, i have minor rant, and I want you to tell me if I'm crazy or not. Because... And I want to preface this by saying that I love Giannis.
00:37:26
Emeka
Great guy. If you don't like Giannis, the person, i think you're insane. Awesome guy. I think he's handled this horribly. And I get that it's a tough decision for him to make.
00:37:38
Emeka
like he's great he He had a great article in The Athletic. If you haven't read it, i highly recommend it, where he talks about what Milwaukee means to him. He's buried his father here. His kids were born here. like i get all of that.
00:37:50
Emeka
Giannis, if you want a trade, put on your big boy pants and say you want a trade. I don't get this thing he's doing where he wants to come out and get all the benefits of being a loyal hometown hero and being like, I love the Milwaukee's my home, and but whatever. And then his agent is running around offering him to every team in the league. He's negotiating with teams about...
00:38:13
Emeka
what to like Is he going to sign a contract extension there? He keeps saying, I want to win a championship, and the Bucs can't do it for me. What does that mean, brother? That means you want to leave. I just don't understand this one-year cake and eating it, too.
00:38:29
Emeka
If you want to stay in Milwaukee, then, brother, you can stay in Milwaukee. No one's forcing you out. Sign a max deal and retire in Milwaukee. You want a ring. I usually have sympathy for guys who've never won before because it's like, I need to leave to win. You want a ring. You can stay.
00:38:43
Emeka
Clearly, you want to leave. So if you want to leave, just say it. Like, the fans will forgive you. You're Giannis. You've won a ring there. Just be like, i I love my time in Milwaukee. Nothing against the city. I want to win a championship. I think it's best if I get traded to a team can win a championship.
00:39:02
Emeka
Just do that. And I'm going to curse your thoughts on this next point, Chukwu, because this reminds me so much of Dwight Howard when he was on the Magic. And he would be like, hey, I love the Magic, man.
00:39:10
Chino Onwuka
Exactly. That's what was thinking of in the world.
00:39:14
Emeka
I'm loyal. And then every summer there would be trade rumors to the Lakers. And then... Stan Van will say, this guy wants to fire me. And then five seconds later, John will come out and be like, nah, man, I love Stan. What are you talking about?
00:39:26
Emeka
And he had a whole campaign about stay, stay, Dwight, stay. Sign a contract extension. Next summer, request of the trade. Like, if you want to leave, just say you want to leave. No one's going to kill you.
00:39:37
Emeka
I don't understand this thing he's doing. and And rant over but like, it's just been annoying me how Giannis has been acting all wishy-washy about it. And like, brother, just say it with your chest, man.
00:39:49
Emeka
Am I crazy for sticking this?
00:39:51
Chuku
You're not crazy at all, my brother. You're not crazy at all. But you know how it is, man. Like, you have to play – how do I put it? There's a character you have to kind of get into, right? is You have to play a role.
00:40:02
Chuku
Like, or what I mean by that is, like, with these type type of, you know, players, like Dwight that you mentioned at the time, Giannis-level players, like, yes, I mean, I guess it separates Giannis, you know, from a lot of those players that were, you know, top players at in and their in their time that hadn't won a ring yet.
00:40:22
Chuku
Yarez has a ring, like he alluded to. So, you know, he he's he's excluded from having to worry about having to kind of be desperate to to go to a contender to get a get a first ring. But the thing is, at the same time, he want you know he has a position himself to secure the the bag, the most money, right? And once that's secured, then that's something that, you know, again, finding a team, a contender, is the next step. know, he wants to have his cake and i eat it too. That's the classic, have your cake and eat it too. Get the contract the contract, get the most money, and then also find yourself in a situation where you're with the contending team, being able to, you know, to vie for another ring. And that's, I think Giannis is just trying to thread down that line to be able to do that.
00:41:08
Chuku
And that's what I think is going on. But, you know, I mean, I'm curious to you as you know to y'all and what y'all think, but I definitely hear you on the rant. I just think it's just part of the game. Like, you just trying to – it's part of the act. You know, he's just trying to position himself to be able to try to get both – the best of both worlds as far as, again, the the max contract and being able to move to a contending team where he can have a chance to win another ring. That's how I see it.
00:41:39
Emeka
Do you know
00:41:49
Chino Onwuka
is trying to play the politician's game. And like you, if he had just come out and said, hey, these are the reasons why I want to leave, I think the team would have forgiven, the fans would have forgiven for him because they can see the writing on the wall with where this team's currently at.
00:42:09
Chino Onwuka
But I think the way he keeps doing this where it's it's, I don't know whether passive aggressive is the right word, but it's one foot half in half out where we all know it's really fully out. I think really that's going to start turning some fans. And so there's only so long in my opinion that, you know, this can last before,
00:42:30
Chino Onwuka
the fans start turning on you. like It's already starting to happen. I think there was a game where they got booed, right? So just come out and say, i do think there's a piece of him that does in his dream world, he would stay if he could, but it's untenable. But it's like, just come out and say it.
00:42:48
Chino Onwuka
Articulate everything, how you feel, and don't like don't act like we're we're dumb because we we can all see what's going on.
00:42:56
Emeka
I think that's what it is, is acting like we're dumb. And I keep going. The one, the time I started turning on this is when this man came out there and said, listen, my agent is the one going around and making trade requests. I'm not doing anything, bro. My agent is, he goes out there Don't think like Giannis, brother.
00:43:16
Emeka
I'm not stupid. Your agent works for you. I hate when people use their agents as an excuse. If Giannis wanted to stay and his agent was making trade requests, he would fire agent the next day. The Milwaukee Bucks had an exclusive negotiating window with the New York Knicks to trade Giannis. That never happens.
00:43:33
Emeka
You want to leave. Just say you want to leave. And to your point, Chukwu, Giannis, you're going to get a max contract. Giannis is one of those players who could blow out his Achilles and he still get a max contract.
00:43:45
Emeka
That's how good he is. I don't want to hear all this. I want to secure the bag stuff. Brother, you make enough money. You can sign a max with any team in the world. So if you're going to sign a contract extension...
00:43:56
Emeka
Then don't be mad for a trade then. Then just, like said, if you want to get the money, then Giannis could have signed a Supermax extension in the summer. He makes All-NBA all the time. He can do that. He didn't want to because he wants to have his options to pick his team.
00:44:09
Emeka
Cool. Say you want to leave then. Don't give me this. Now, you know, he's tweeting, I'm not leaving. I'm not leaving. I'm like, my you know, and again, I hate that I feel this way because I love Giannis. And like, I'm going on this rant out of passion because like I i want Giannis to stay in Milwaukee too. Like I love, I'm a romantic at heart. I love the idea of a one club guy.
00:44:29
Emeka
He's won a ring already. He's won MVPs. Like he's done everything he needs to do. But I also do sympathize with him. When you're that good and you're not in the playoffs, I get it as a competitor, man. Like, I want to win. I fully understand.
00:44:43
Emeka
It's also a job at the end of the day. That's why I'm like, if you want to leave the job, just leave the job. It's crazy. You know, the analogy I saw on Twitter that made me laugh, and I think it's so true, is Yannis is treating this like, imagine you're married to a beautiful woman, love of your life, you've been together since high school.
00:44:59
Emeka
And one day she comes up to you and says, i love you. You know, I love being with you. You're a great guy. But I just need more in life. Like, you're making $100K a year, and I deserve to be with a man who makes a million a year.
00:45:14
Emeka
And it's nothing to do with you. i just think I deserve better, and i I think we should be in a world where I'm with a partner who makes a million dollars a year. And you're sitting there looking at her like,
00:45:26
Emeka
well, I'm not going to million dollars a year next year, so what's what we talking about? i don't want a divorce. I'm just saying I'm not happy, and I want to be with somebody makes a million dollars a year. That's how Giannis is moving. Giannis is like, listen, in Milwaukee, just become a championship team.
00:45:40
Emeka
just Just give me a championship team roster. like It's so easy to do. Meanwhile, the Bucs are out here doing every waving Paying miles Turner trading every first-round pick doing all they can do and was just those there like but you're not you're not championship team though So like what do we go from here?
00:45:58
Emeka
Just say you want to break up with me. Just say you want to leave like it's fine Giannis don't love you regardless and you're so right channel by not doing it if you stay That's when it gets worse now though. I could not imagine being honest his teammate like listen I get it He's the best player or whatever But my best player is going out saying, I don't think this team can win and I'm unhappy.
00:46:20
Emeka
And he goes back to the locker room and he's dap me up. He's got his bum brothers in a locker room too, trying to give me hype speeches. wow what what Why would I care? You don't want to be here either, brother. Just leave. Like again, I've watched the NBA for 20 something years. When it reaches this stage, he's going to get traded. Like, I think it's clear he's going to get traded.
00:46:39
Emeka
I wish it would have been now, but I also don't blame Milwaukee because, like I joked about, the offers they were getting, we know, weren't really doing it. But I just hope when it does happen, Giannis is straight up about it. everyone And he can get his flowers, he can leave, and everyone can move on with their lives. And I don't have to stop reading Shams' tweets about how, you know,
00:46:58
Emeka
Giannis getting traded for 17 first-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies or whatever. I don't know. Anyhow, I've been reacting for too much. I've been talking for too much. any Any thoughts on Giannis, or should we move on other trades?
00:47:10
Chino Onwuka
It's a lot to get to, so I'm sure there will be lots of more Yane's discussion in the future, so let's get let's get to some of these other ones, because...
00:47:18
Emeka
You're right. you know yeah yeah that's what It's funny because, like...
00:47:20
Chuku
I swear, look at this stuff that actually happens. You know saying?
00:47:23
Emeka
It actually happened. I swear, like, you know, everyone was holding up on yeah on the honest trade, and then, like, Utah Jazz was the first team who just said, screw it. I'm just going to trade for somebody else.
00:47:33
Emeka
And after that, JJJ trade happened. Everything else, you know, broke loose. Again, there were so many trades to talk about. So, you know, I just feel like we can just pick one that we want to discuss in depth, and we can go from there, and then we'll see if anyone gets left out.
00:47:47
Emeka
We'll talk about them as well. I'll start with future know and all. What's the first trade that jumps to you when you think of these last few days of crazy NBA moves?
00:47:55
Chino Onwuka
What's the first trade? I guess I'm just going to chat about the the Anthony Davis trade to Washington because it's a really fascinating one on on on on so many angles because one is the culmination of such an epic disaster of a trade. It was just over one year ago where we all thought we got Rick Rolled. We all thought we got trolled. We all thought People got hacked when we found out that Luka the Don Donchich was traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and a bag of chips.
00:48:36
Chino Onwuka
It turned out to be real. Nico swore that, hey, defense wins championships. going to build this team around AD and Kyrie. And trust me, you are going to see that I made the right move. And it just...
00:48:53
Chino Onwuka
an epic disaster. I mean, what, how many games did AD end up? playing He was hurt immediately after the trade. He was hurt this season as well. And eventually it's so untenable that even with the luck of, of getting Cooper flag, who had another great game today, shout outs to him, four straight games of 30 points as a teenager, first teenager to do so.
00:49:16
Chino Onwuka
Like he's someone that you have to ship out because he it's, it's untenable there. He's up for a contract. So, They trade him to Washington for or some more bag of chips.
Wizards' Strategic Moves
00:49:31
Chino Onwuka
Two fake first-rounders, which they're fake first-rounders, but still, in a way, Dallas did good to get them and some some decent young pieces who are sort of lottery projects. So, like, Luka Doncic, you had a finals team, and a year and a half later,
00:49:52
Chino Onwuka
you're now a team that's hoping for ping pong balls in the lottery and starting over again. So that's just horrible. I honestly wish Nico was still around to to to fully be here at the culmination of it all, but he's he's been fired already, so he's not even here to to see this part. So that aspect is just crazy to me. I think, you know, Dallas fans, maybe this gives you the chance to – to close that door, you have a bit of closure and you can move on. And now pin your hopes on Cooper flag.
00:50:25
Chino Onwuka
Hopefully you get a nice lottery pick. I don't know what they're going to do with Kyrie because, you know, Dallas don't, That's why i think even though the two first runners are fake, they don't have any of their draft picks for the next five years because they traded them because they thought they had a a finals contender. So they're not really in a situation to to tank after this year. So it's going to be really interested to see what it's like when Kyrie's back and how that all fits in. So that's one side of it. And for Washington, this is really interesting because they've been a garbage dump for decades.
00:50:58
Chino Onwuka
many years, looks like they they're they're playing the lottery game and they really similar to just like the Utah Jazz are for some reason.
00:51:09
Chino Onwuka
and I think it's because the next two drafts aren't looking that good. They're they're ready to accelerate their their timeline and their rebuild. They have some nice pieces already in Alex Saar. I really like Trey Johnson. They've got Bilal Koulibaly, Keyshawn George.
00:51:28
Chino Onwuka
But Carrington there, so some some nice young pieces there and then. So now with Trae Young, AD, and, you know, ho maybe you a lottery pick this year, they might have everything they need to do to to really rebound in the East. So, you know...
00:51:45
Chino Onwuka
I think there could be some good pairings there because now you have some some veterans to guide a young team. You have, you know, Trae Young and AD. You have Trae Young and Alex Sar.
00:51:58
Chino Onwuka
You have the combination of Alex Sar and AD who can really work well together. But AD needs to be healthy. AD will be wanting a contract extension.
00:52:09
Chino Onwuka
And by having AD and Trey Young, you know, yes, you have some good, talented, talented vets, but will this sort of impact the development of the young guys in any way? So, you know, it's really fascinating trait to me for multiple reasons. So really curious to see how it all turns out for for both those teams.
00:52:31
Emeka
I mean, the Dallas part of that, like, what more could be said? You think you covered it. The Luka Doncic trade is now, i mean, it was always one of the worst trades NBA history. It's now fully rubber-staffed as one of the worst trades in sports because they traded Luka for Max Christie and...
00:52:48
Emeka
Three fake firsts. I mean, Lakers first is whatever. This Thunder first, calling it a first is this is the 30th pick. The Warriors first is first to 20 protected. Anyhow, Dallas part is whatever.
00:53:00
Emeka
The Wizards part, if that's what's really fascinating to me. And you touched on it with the Jazz as well. And I get that you future drafts are are terrible.
00:53:11
Emeka
I don't even can't read comment on that. What I will say is, The Wizards turned CJ McCollum and Chris Middleton's expiring contracts, and again, two fake firsts, into Trey Young and Anthony Davis.
00:53:23
Emeka
Now, this might be, you know, Anthony Davis could play 10 games in the next two years. Fair. But for that level of risk, why not? And... I really hope they do. I would judge the Wizards as a terrible franchise if they extend AD or Trae Young without having them play at least half a season next year.
00:53:42
Emeka
There's absolutely no rush to do so. If they just roll them out next year, I'm curious to see it. Like, on paper, that's a good fit. Like, nice mix of vets and young guys. But my overall point I wanted to say is I like when teams try to be good.
00:53:58
Emeka
early Last season, around this time, the Raptors made a trade for Brandon Ingram, and people online were like, well, they're not going to win a championship. Why trading for Ingram? And I just kept thinking to myself, I watch a lot of Raptors games. i Guess what? I like when my team is is is good.
00:54:13
Emeka
I like when they're not garbage. The Wizards have been garbage since John Wall left. We're now approaching eight years. You can't be garbage for a decade. Like, win some games.
00:54:25
Emeka
There is a world where Trey Young and AD with Saar and Trey Johnson and other Kulibaly, they win like 45 games next year. And you might go, 45 games, what's that, blah, blah, blah. 45 games is double what they were going to win last year. Like, it's fun when your team wins games.
00:54:41
Emeka
So if I was a Wizards fan, I would be ecstatic with this trade. ecstatic like yes ad is always hurt what was i watching otherwise at least let me have the hope if i left washington i might go to wisions game next year trey young and ad are playing i might spend some of my hard-earned money and check that out and to owners that's what matters the most people think all these owners want to win championships If you tell an owner you go the championship, but your arena gets sold 30% or you can sell it every night and go a first-round exit, all of them would pick arena sells out. I guarantee you.
00:55:15
Emeka
That's what makes money. So I love this trade for the Wizards. Do you know?
00:55:20
Chino Onwuka
Do you think either AD or Trey play a second of the rest of the season?
00:55:25
Emeka
Absolutely not.
00:55:26
Emeka
Absolutely not.
00:55:26
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:55:27
Chino Onwuka
Well, even on top of that, like I mentioned, you know, this is a great draft one to eight, in my opinion.
00:55:27
Emeka
you can on
00:55:32
Chino Onwuka
So you know on top of what we've just mentioned, the chance i add another high and talented lottery pick as well. So yeah, Washington could be cooking with gas next year.
00:55:43
Emeka
I mean, exactly. a And imagine they get a Booz or an AJ or and all the other top guys. That's a core right there. Like, I i like when teams try to win games. I guess I don't want to repeat myself, but shouts out to Wizards and shouts out to Jazz. And I hope Carmo rewards them with good picks because they're trying now.
00:56:02
Emeka
Chukwu, any more thoughts on the 80 trade or is there another trade you want to talk about?
00:56:06
Chuku
I think y'all really covered on the AD trade. I mean, look, if you're the Wizards, pardon my language, but You got nothing to lose, you know what saying? Like, this is a chance to get AD for, like, even less penis, you know, pennies on the dollar.
00:56:20
Chuku
I mean, yeah, I think you kind of summed it up perfectly, and my bro. Like, turning the, you know, what was it? It was CJ McCullough and Chris Miller.
00:56:29
Emeka
CJ McCollum and Chris Middleton.
00:56:33
Chuku
Man, turning that to Trey Young and AD, you listen listen, that's, I mean, look, Trey Young, I know he has health problems or issues, but, I mean, we've seen what he's done in the East, taking, like, a team way that far less talented than the Atlanta Hawks and, you know, putting them in a year-end play-in or at least playoff contentions by himself for for the most part.
00:57:00
Chuku
And you're going to add AD to this core group of guys, you know, Alex Sar, Bob Carrington, Trey Johnson. We even mentioned my boy Cam Whitmore that has been having some injuries, but I still believe it's a big talent. And the fact that they can, I mean, well, to answer the earlier question, I think the Wizards would be foolish to have AD or Trey play a single minute, a single game this season because, in my opinion, you should be just trying to get your get your team the best possible draft pick as possible in this year's draft. And a name that I want to be putting out there, I mean, you know, you mentioned his name, or Arenas, but Elijah Arenas, I'm just, hey, if he goes there, interesting. But even if there's just so many names in this draft that, you know, can be
Cavaliers' Roster Changes
00:57:46
Chuku
a special talent to add to this core group of guys, and if if you if you got and who knows what they do in the offseason as well, you know, with free agency and who knows what kind of players
00:57:56
Chuku
They want to join and know play around. you know play play I want to take a one-year contract and play in Washington you know next season. Who knows? But regardless, it's definitely going to make way for a very interesting season. So, yeah.
00:58:10
Emeka
Yeah, I mean, i feel like AD was the biggest. I'm curious. Was he the biggest name? Because, you know, a certain or former MVP, I think that's the biggest name, got traded. News broke. I was watching the Clippers game when the tweet came out that James Harden had requested a trade.
00:58:27
Emeka
And next day, he got moved for Garland. I mean, James Harden treats the NBA like corporate people treat their nine-to-fives. And, you know, the fastest way to get a raise, change jobs, man. Every time he's in a spot, he doesn't like where the vibes are. He's putting that trade request. I almost respect it.
00:58:49
Emeka
James Harden got traded from the Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland, Cavs officially giving up on their quote-unquote core four era. And then the next day, the Clippers trade Ivanka Zubak to the Indiana Pacers for Benedict Mathurin and two real first-rounders.
00:59:07
Emeka
And I guess start with you, Chinon, of those two trades. You know, which one do you think was a bigger bigger ripple in the NBA? The Clippers giving up on Harden or giving up on Zubak?
00:59:18
Chino Onwuka
I, that's a good question. I think the bigger ripple was trading Zubach because I think we'd all been hearing the rumblings around Harden and knowing who Harden is, it was because of, oh here we go again. This is what they do.
00:59:35
Chino Onwuka
Okay. They got a nice piece in in Garland back. Okay. You trade a 36 year old for 26 year old. Okay. We're ready to, you know, keep competing. You know, we're on a good run.
00:59:48
Chino Onwuka
you know, Zubach, Garland, Kawhi, let's do something. But with trading Zubach as well, you know, getting those picks back, it's like, all right, clearly their aim is just to buy time till they clear cap space in 27 and then go again. So to the point where after the Zubach trade, then it was like, oh, what's going on with Kawhi? Where's he going to be? So I think just the fact that, you know, the Zubach trade was them doubling down I think obviously Harden is the bigger player.
01:00:21
Chino Onwuka
He's the better player, a former MVP, still having a great year, but the Zubash trade just makes it seem like, oh okay, now what's really going on? And people trying to speculate if theres there's any other thing or any deeper reason behind these moves that they're making.
01:00:40
Emeka
I'm not going lie. Like, after the Zubats trade, I'm with you. I was thinking, and at this point, trade Kawhi. Just what are we doing here? But then also thought, if you're Kawhi, man, I'm sure he's got some. I think in our group chat you mentioned it. Like, you traded me to the, I don't know the the Pistons. Is my behind-the-table deal traded with me too? Like, why am I was with that? So maybe that's maybe that's the reason why he's sticking around and planting some trees in L.A.
01:01:06
Emeka
for you For you, Chiku, i'll I'll say that, you know, we talked about the Zubat trade a little bit. And you you can talk about that more if you want. But for the harder part of it, Do you think this moves the needle for the Cavaliers? Is Gore from Garland to Harden enough of an upgrade that, you know, the Cavs were kind of wobbly this year?
01:01:23
Emeka
Does it put them in contending status or is it still, you're not convinced yet?
01:01:28
Chuku
I mean, I'll sum it up this way. Is he an upgrade from what they had previously in Darius Garland? 100%. Is it going to be enough to put them over the hump as far as getting to finals and, you know, dare I say, winning an NBA championship?
01:01:46
Chuku
Probably not. And, yeah, I don't think it's going to good enough. But, you know, that's why we watch sports, for the for the excitement of the what-ifs or knows to see what's going to happen. But the reality of it is I don't think it's going to be enough for them to still vie for an NBA championship.
01:02:05
Chuku
Not at all. So we'll see.
01:02:07
Emeka
You know, like let's leave aside the finals.
01:02:07
Chuku
But...
01:02:09
Emeka
Like, you know, West is whatever. It's in the East. I'm not going curious on that point. Like, what teams would you put above the Cavs right now as constructed? it You know, season ended tomorrow. Everyone's healthy. We're in the playoffs. What East teams are you putting above the Cavs?
01:02:24
Chuku
Simple. Boston, Detroit. They might even have New York, depending on how if they can figure things out. But definitely but Boston and detroit and Detroit, for sure.
01:02:36
Emeka
Okay, so three, you have them like fourth. No, that's I probably have them above Boston. I don't know. It's funny because I thought Tatum would be back by now. So the fact that he's talking about he's missing the year makes me a little eh. The thing is, like, i hate to call guys the the C word of choker, but yeah if any NBA player was a playoff choker, it's going to be James Harden. I love me some Harden, but...
01:03:05
Emeka
The fact that I'm saying, oh, Harden's going to put a team over in the playoffs. you know I just can't even say that with a straight face. I will say, though, I think Garland is very overrated. He is hurt all the time, and he's living off a season from two years ago, and he's small.
01:03:19
Emeka
That's the big thing. Like, yes, he's bad your Howard is bad at defense, but at least he's big because Mitchell's also small. and When you have two small guards, it's asking a lot. At least I can hide Harden on a bigger guy.
01:03:32
Emeka
I could put him on you know a six a small forward or a power forward and just have him linger, where I couldn't do that with Garland. So maybe that kind of helps to function a little bit. And also Harden, above all else, these no people know if I can step back threes and get into the line. What I associate Harden with the most is if you are an athletic big, there's no better guard in the league to make you look better.
01:03:54
Emeka
jar Jared Howard is going to average 25 again. Like, Harden is going to feed this guy logs. Listen, maybe there's something cooking there. Mitchell is a playoff demon, in the and the East is wide open. Like, you know, the Pistons are the best team.
01:04:09
Emeka
are they really Am I really sitting here and picking the Pistons to make the finals? I don't know. So, I respect the Cavs taking a swing at it, but... Yeah, Harden, man. I don't know about Harden. I don't know.
01:04:21
Emeka
I'll go with you, Chennault. Do you think the Cavs are in the upper echelon, East contenders, does this move still have them more of the same?
01:04:29
Chino Onwuka
I do. i really do because it was a thing where, you know, even with the Cavs regular season in the struggles or them not being as good as we expected them to be,
01:04:40
Chino Onwuka
if I was one of those upper echelon teams, like, you know, Detroit or the Knicks, regardless of what's happening in the past, they're of any of the teams below us, they're the team I wouldn't want to face because you know, the level that they can get to when they're right. So, you know, I think we can all agree that they've gotten better. so you know you know, maybe Harden, he's not come through in the playoffs, but new one guy,
01:05:06
Chino Onwuka
who's always been able to elevate his game in the playoffs has been Donovan Mitchell. And so, you know, if you have Donovan Mitchell, you have Harden to take the load off him a little bit better, you know, you can weaponize the bigs a bit more than, then, then maybe it's just that marginal gain more to, to, to have them be more of a threat for the East.
01:05:28
Chino Onwuka
You know, they're not what we thought they were at the beginning of the season where everyone was penciling, you know, Cavs versus, you versus OKC in the finals. But you know I think this does make them better. And I think this does make them more of a threat to some of those Eastern teams, some of whom I thought made some some some nice moves as well, you know particularly Detroit.
01:05:48
Emeka
yeah know hey andnna Yeah, I just guessed, to close this circle on this topic, like the Cavs won so many games last year, got smacked in the playoffs, and then I love that they ran it back. like t I was recording the offseason, I said teams panic too much and make trades, run out, run it back.
01:06:06
Emeka
it was clear the magic was gone. The team didn't believe how they were constructed. They could win anything. So I applaud the Cavs again for making the trade. And I've been saying this.
01:06:17
Emeka
I'm going to say on this podcast now so it's recorded. This trade tells me LeBron's coming back in the summer. They shed a lot of salary now. They can now do some, you know, YO, YO, sign-in trades. Before, it used to be LeBron's coming back and has to take a minimum. Now they can kind of make something happen and offer a little bit more money.
01:06:36
Emeka
The Lakers have made it pretty clear they don't want LeBron to come back, I just think. Him, Mitchell, Harden, like, something's happening there. That's just, that when I saw that trade happen, and there's no supporting evidence for this, I just felt, yeah, LeBron's coming back.
01:06:50
Emeka
Maybe I'm crazy, maybe i'm just wishing it, but hey, that's just my my takeaway when i when I saw that trade happen. And also, shout out James Harden again, like, leave the league in trade requests. if you had told me when he was winning MVPs in Houston, he'd be on his fifth team in seven years afterwards, I never would have believed it, but That's how the game goes, man. if you wanted you want to make waves in life, put in that. Listen to all of us workers out there.
01:07:16
Emeka
The truth of the matter is, if you want to improve your position, you have to be willing take a risk and and go somewhere else. I'm hoping these strip clubs in Cleveland are as good as they are in l L.A.
01:07:26
Emeka
we mean know we've talked I think to the the biggest moves, I mean, there are a couple other trades out there. and i I'll go to you, Chinale. Any other move you want to talk about?
01:07:36
Chino Onwuka
So many, and maybe I'll put it this way. I'm going to list out a couple, and you guys let me know which one you want to yap about. There's, you know, the I would say that the other biggest move, the the the
Utah Jazz's Competitive Shift
01:07:47
Chino Onwuka
Triple J trade.
01:07:48
Chino Onwuka
I know it happened a couple of days ago or two days ago to Utah and what's going on there. So that one's fixed.
01:07:54
Emeka
You know, you're right, actually. I'm tripping. Let's talk about that. Because that is that was the first big trade.
01:08:02
Emeka
You know, I guess it's going to start with you two. Now you're brought up. But what what when you saw that trade pop up, what was your first thought?
01:08:08
Chino Onwuka
My first, honestly, my first thought was like, told you so. Because I remember were talking about it on the trade and you guys were like, I mentioned that, you know, Triple J should be on on the trade board. And you guys didn't see why Memphis would want to do that because obviously he's still a great young player, you know, on a, he's still got term on his contract. But I think,
01:08:29
Chino Onwuka
you know, we've talked about vibes a lot, you know, on this part in teams and the vibes have really been off in Memphis for the last couple of years. First, it started with Morant and all his shenanigans and everything that happened there.
01:08:42
Chino Onwuka
You know, this was a team that what they finished, they finished second in the West, right?
01:08:46
Emeka
they're They're good in the West. You forgot.
01:08:47
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. Second in the West.
01:08:48
Emeka
We're good in the West.
01:08:50
Chino Onwuka
Yama runs that are doing all his shenanigans. And then there was everything with them firing Taylor Jenkins last year. And so everything's just been off. So, you know, looks like they wanted to rebuild and revamp. And so if, if, if Yaw was on on the trade block, then to me, it made sense that triple J would be as well. So I was really surprised by, by Utah because Utah has been, you know, one of these teams that, you know, sort of trying to do the OKC playbook of just, you know, hoarding assets and just keep trying to draft and draft until you hit. But they decided like, Hey, it's, it's, it's time to go. It's time to move.
01:09:27
Chino Onwuka
They saw a, a, I don't want to say distressed asset because they paid a decent price for him, but you know, now they've got a really decent core in triple j you know, Laurie marketing who we thought would be trade bait, but clearly now, you know, that's not someone you trade now.
01:09:47
Chino Onwuka
Keontae George has stepped up and he's, you know, probably in with a shout for most improved player. Ace Bailey, who they drafted last year, you know,
01:09:59
Chino Onwuka
They might win too many games now with with Triple J to to get a top five pick, but they'll still get a nice prospect as well this year. So, you know, Utah, they're they're they're cooking up something. You know, it's a very big lineup, you know, so that's going to be interesting to see. But so I think that that really, like you said, you know, that really, while everybody was waiting for Giannis shoot to drop, that really,
01:10:24
Chino Onwuka
kicked things off and and lubricated you know this trade deadline. So I think that was really interesting. And then you can now see, you know i don't in my mind, I'm imagining Washington being like, hey, yeah, we can do something like that too. And and other teams starting to make moves. So I thought that was really, really fascinating.
01:10:43
Emeka
i mean, everything I said about, you know, teams should win games for the Wizards, you can just copy and paste that for this because, yes, I like when teams try to win games. My first two thoughts after when I saw that notification, well, three thoughts I had. First thought, my first initial first thought when that notification popped up is teams have finally realized Giannis is going to get traded. Thank God.
01:11:03
Emeka
Second thought was... john has to get traded the next 30 minutes. And I'm still surprised he wasn't traded because if you trade up Jared Jackson, you got to blow the roster up. You have to. I just don't understand it.
01:11:16
Emeka
My third thought, which was dead compounded when the Clippers sold Harden and Zubac is... I don't think teams understand what OKC's picks are because OKC has the Clippers pick unprotected this year. Famously, everyone, ever pre people know that now. And thank God they won that winning streak. So it's not likely going to be high. ever though After these trades, who knows?
01:11:37
Emeka
OKC also owns the Jazz pick if it's after eight. So it's protected from one to eight. Utah keeps it. So everyone's like, kidie that that they're tanking this year, clearly, because they want to keep that pick.
01:11:48
Emeka
Then they traded for Drupal J. And they might win enough games where OKC gets like the 10th pick in this draft. And yeah, I know this draft is only like, you know, you said eight man deep, but don't want to give Presti two swings in the top 10 for a team that might win the championship.
01:12:03
Emeka
Like you can move up or do something crazy with that.
01:12:04
Chino Onwuka
Oh, oh no. Oh no. I know this isn't the time to talk about It it is not eight man deep. This draft is deep. So what I'm saying is like in the top eight, you're getting someone who's projecting to be an all-star or more.
01:12:17
Chino Onwuka
Usually maybe the top three, like this, this draft is deep. So that's where like, normally it's like, okay, if we miss out on top five, then it's okay. Like you don't want to miss out on a top eight, top 10 pick in this draft.
01:12:28
Emeka
even going more to my point okc might have two top 10 picks in this draft Craziness. So I hope it'd be little harder to do with Triple J because he's not old or injured. But if the Jazz, I wouldn't be surprised if they try and do some YOYO. He gets the the flu or something. He gets that long COVID or
Trade Deadline Surprises and Speculations
01:12:46
Emeka
something. Because he didn't win too many games with danger zone in the NBA. For real. Like, don't give Presti.
01:12:53
Emeka
And God forbid the Clippers win the lottery or finish top three. hu Don't give Presti that. Don't give Presti that. Chukwu, any thoughts on Triple J or any other trade that happened?
01:13:05
Chuku
You guys kind of summed it up. I mean, i was I just will just reiterate and say I'm surprised JJ, Triple J went before Morant. I really thought, you know, Morant would be the the one out the door and JJ might be the one staying. But regardless, I don't see how, know, Jammerant doesn't get moved in the offseason.
01:13:26
Chuku
Like, clearly, is know it's been a mission to kind of blow things up in Memphis, starting with the Bain trade. Now they've traded JJ, Triple J, and Zjam that's left to remain. So, very interested to see where he ends up going.
01:13:41
Chuku
But I guess the one deal I'll just point out and mention that I feel like kind of went a little bit under the radar that I kind of like a lot, actually, for this particular team is the big voosinage to the Celtics, man. I think I think that's going to be a really, really good good fit for them because that's a big deck that stretch the floor. He's been having, you know, pretty pretty good know career season. Nothing crazy, but, I mean, for guy that's in his mid-30s, still shows he has a lot left in the tank, and I think he's going to be a very good addition to that Celtics squad. So, going to be very interested to see how that looks this season paired up with Jalen Brown, who's having an exceptional year
01:14:26
Chuku
And, yeah, this is back to the whole Celtics being one of the best teams in the East, even without their their top player in Jason Tatum, which has just been a huge – I mean, it's been amazing for the if you're a Celtics fan to be able to see this. So, yeah, I think that big Vush trade doesn't get enough, I guess, and enough attention, but I think definitely feel like it's one of the better deals that went down on the trade deadline.
01:14:52
Emeka
I mean, fantastic shot. That would surprise me as well. The Celtics caught Vucevic for, for i mean, Anthony Simons expiring. What a deal. so that That blew my mind.
01:15:03
Emeka
Vucevic is the career leader in double-doubles for the Chicago Bulls. What? Like, I still see him as a magic guy in my head. I know he's been the Bulls a couple years, but he's the career leader. and the The Bulls have been around since, like, the 40s.
01:15:19
Emeka
And he's the career leader in all-time double-doubles for Chicago Bulls. I would have bet a paycheck it was Joaquin Noah. officer I blew my mind. I don't know. But, yeah. it Shouts out the Celtics trade there. i just want to give a quick...
01:15:33
Emeka
a deal, the Warriors, free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, Kuminga is free at last. This brother, him and Steve Kerr, the fact that within 48 hours, it went from Kuminga being a key part of a Giannis trade package to Kuminga and Buddy Hill getting traded for a guy, and I do all do respect to Porzingis,
01:15:57
Emeka
is a non-factor. If he plays more than 20 games for the Warriors, I will i will be stunned. They just dumped him. Ending, in my opinion, the world's stupidest straight saga in history.
01:16:10
Emeka
The Warriors will come out and say all their chest that Kaminga is stupid, he's selfish, he doesn't fit the system, he's everything in the world, that's why we don't play him, we bench him, and in the next sentence they'll say, but we want two first-round picks for him.
01:16:24
Emeka
I just don't understand the asset management. And I can now finally put a rest of that stupidity. And i also think in the same vein, we can put a rest to the light years ahead warriors and their two timeline talk.
01:16:37
Emeka
They had three lottery picks in the middle of a dynasty and ended up with Wiseman, Kaminga, and Moses Moody. And somehow Moody was the best player of all those three.
01:16:48
Emeka
it's I'm thankful we don't live in the world where they nailed all those picks, is all I'll say. any other Any other quick moves or buyouts that caught your eyes before we move on?
01:16:59
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I'm glad you brought up Kuminga. And then just two others I want to mention. i think the Ayo, Ayo Bami, Dosomu trade from Minnesota. I think that's a really, really low-key underrated pick because obviously one of the things they've clearly been looking for for a while is another ball handler.
01:17:18
Chino Onwuka
Next to Ant, you know, was Mike Conley for a while, but obviously he's... He's up there in age, so you know he's declined a lot this year. They traded for Rob Dillingham, Chukwu's boy, but Dillingham hasn't he hasn't been able to overcome some his struggles defensively and hasn't brought anything on offense as well. So I think...
01:17:40
Chino Onwuka
Get this move is a really shrewd move for them now they have another ball handler to pair with Ant. So I think Minnesota is a really good team, a team that's underrated in my opinion. So that's a a nice pickup for them. And then just, you know, some other teams I mentioned did some nice things. You know, I thought, you know, the trades Detroit made, you know, sort of cutting the plug with Jaden Ivey so early.
01:18:02
Chino Onwuka
You know, it's it's it's a ballsy move for them, but, you know, one thing they need is shooting and spacing. And so hopefully Hooter can get back to form there. So I think that could be a nice pickup.
01:18:15
Chino Onwuka
As well, you have the Charlotte Hornets who have been on a run getting Kobe White. I think that's a really nice move for them. i think I definitely see them in the playoffs. So that will be really interesting. So those two those two moves caught my eye as well.
01:18:36
Emeka
It just goes to show on on the Ivy front how you know we spend all this time hyping up these young prospects and you know someone got fifth overall or whatever and how quickly things moved for the NBA. like There was a time, briefly, where the Pistons looked at like Cade and Ivy as like coal building blocks.
01:18:57
Emeka
Cade's now in MVP talks and Ivy's getting shipped. candidly, for for not much. Like, harder. And, yeah.
01:19:08
Emeka
So, it just goes... In the NBA, in sports in general, in life, things can just go by so fast. Like, we... It's just how it goes, man. And i hope the... For his sake, he all his career bounces.
01:19:19
Emeka
He's on the Bulls now. I can't keep track of all the guards they have. I hope he gets a burn, but... yeah I'm sure he's looking around confused too. Like, what happened? I thought I was i thought i was the franchise. Now I'm just getting stripped.
01:19:31
Emeka
But that was a quick shout out to my Toronto Raptors. I pay all these Rogers cable and cell phone and everything bill. I give all this money to the MLSE and what they do for me, they just make moves to go under the tax.
01:19:47
Emeka
That's just how it goes. now the The Maple Leafs don't pay up for. The Jays don't pay up for. The Raps, Not so much. But what can I do? And shout out Chris Paul getting traded to the Toronto Raptors. I hope he plays the game because I would love would be a great Photoshop picture next to Ewing and the Magic and all those other random guys.
01:20:10
Emeka
Chris Paul and the Raptors ending his career, it would be pretty funny. But sadly, it looks like he's getting bought out. And I hope he can find out a nice home and retire. But, yeah. Well, you know, trade deadline teams, you know, improve, don't improve, Stan Pat. I guess, you know, we haven't talked much about the NBA, but just following the the trade deadline, have your thoughts on any of the you know contending teams changed? Do you think a team has took a step forward on a minor move, or is it still kind of how you were seeing the season from the start till now? Nothing's really changed for you. Because start you, Chiku. Has the trade deadline changed how you perceive any of the contenders in the league?
01:20:49
Chuku
No, think for the most part, I still got Detroit the best team in the East so far. They played like it. They looked like it. So they're still my number one for the season. And OKC are still the number one for me in the West.
01:21:06
Chuku
So not really, none of these trades really need to be, at least for this season. Maybe looking at the next season, might be a little bit more intriguing, and especially in the East with Anthony Davis coming into the you know coming to the East now.
01:21:21
Chuku
Wizards, you know, a lot of the teams that made the bigger moves. I mean, Utah, I mean, I'm not really feeling Utah doing anything special or crazy this season.
01:21:33
Chuku
The Wizards, more of again, next season type of thing. Who else? Yeah.
01:21:39
Chuku
I mean, yeah, if notice, none of the big, big contenders. I mean, so sure, Celtics made move, like I said, I don't talked about it. But really, none of the major, major, big contending teams made any big moves in that sense as far as, you know, what they already have. And I think the moves that were made were more – I'd see them more as next season type of – more interesting to see than next season. So,
01:22:07
Chuku
Honestly, yeah, my answer would be no, not really. I still got things as what I had before with Detroit and Boston being the main threats in the East and, you know, OKC and Spurs for me.
01:22:23
Chuku
OKC, Spurs and Houston being the main teams in the in the in the the West.
01:22:23
Emeka
Cina.
01:22:26
Chuku
So, yeah, it's still more of the same for me.
01:22:34
Chino Onwuka
I think you missed out on a big team in in in the West. I'm surprised you didn't have Denver in there, I think. oh Houston's been struggling lately. The the injury to Van Vliet is really, really hurting them. But yeah, like I agree with Chukwu.
01:22:52
Chino Onwuka
the It's still the same teams in the West and the East for me. It's still Detroit and and Boston in the East and then in the West. My top two are definitely still OKC and Denver.
01:23:06
Chino Onwuka
you know You'll have so the Spurs, Houston, Minnesota as you know tough outs and in some of those later rounds in the playoffs. so and and Those are the teams that, for the most part, stood pat.
01:23:21
Emeka
For me, it's... i You just mentioned them. There's a team that I'm disappointed that didn't make a move in. That's the Houston Rockets. that I thought they would try and sneak in you know gar Maybe no there's there's the buyout market so they can could this can change. But I thought they'd make a move. I just thought the the vibes of the Rockets haven't been great. They really missed Van Vliet.
01:23:44
Emeka
His contracts are kind of an expiring deal. I thought they'd maybe have something happen, but... you know They decided to stand pat and see what i see what the season looks like. But I really thought they would make a... How many guards were just getting shuffled around you know last night? like Try steal and steal an Ayo.
01:24:01
Emeka
Try steal even a Tyus Jones or or something. you know But I guess that surprised me the most. An Alvarado even. like Just any guard who can handle the ball, I thought they'd try and sneak one in. But...
01:24:12
Emeka
They decided that they're they're happy with their team, and I guess we'll see in in the playoffs. But, yeah, I really you know i really thought Houston would make a move. Again, on that note, you know we talked about all these trades, but are there any players who didn't get traded that surprised you?
01:24:28
Emeka
And, know, I've said the obvious. Giannis, who we all said was not a surprise. And I'll start off with, I thought the Warriors are going to trade Jermon Green. I'm being real. like he was The way he was talking in the media and the way he was kind of like reflective, I thought it was, when star players start saying, i can you know it was a great run, guys. We had a great run.
01:24:50
Emeka
Usually, you know it means that they have a they have some awareness that it was over. and In my mind, I was just ready to, hey, the Warriors, man, they're just going to give up on this run. they had a great run. it is what it is.
01:25:01
Emeka
ship off Draymond because they're tired of his stuff. And I'm honestly surprised he's still there. Like, i don't know. i Maybe I was reading too much into things, but I really thought it was going to be some weird trade with Draymond today. But, hey, I guess the Warriors dynasty lives on another couple couple months. Were there any players who didn't get traded that kind of surprised you?
01:25:23
Emeka
You, Chukwu?
01:25:25
Chuku
I mean, I think we kind of mentioned it earlier. For me, it has to be John Morant. That was someone i i mean I could almost bet the house that I thought he was going to be treated or going to be in a different team know by you by by this time.
01:25:41
Chuku
But somehow, I guess teams weren't willing to offer what Memphis required to be able to move him, which is, I mean, I can't say I blame them. considering the track record and the off-the-court situations Morant has put himself in.
01:25:58
Chuku
But, yeah, he has to be my biggest surprise because I honestly thought it was was over, especially after that. But funny enough, they did trade – I believe they traded – you guys correct me if I'm wrong, but they traded Memphis.
01:26:10
Chuku
the person The guy that Morant got into that argument with when they were overseas, what was his name again? do you guys remember?
01:26:18
Emeka
Vince Williams something like that
01:26:20
Chuku
I think Vince Williams. I think it was Vince Williams. But I'm pretty sure he was part of a deal that went sent to Utah, if I'm not mistaken.
01:26:26
Emeka
that. Yeah, he was probably you so he yeah was doing the probably the Utah deal.
01:26:26
Chuku
Which is hilarious. So they ended up treat treating his enemies.
01:26:31
Emeka
Hey, man. I still got some sway in the city.
01:26:32
Chuku
So who knows, man? He still got some sway in that locker room. You know I'm saying? Find that front office. But hey, yeah, Jameran got to be my biggest surprise for sure.
01:26:45
Emeka
Chin up.
01:26:47
Chino Onwuka
Hmm, is there someone that didn't get traded that I'm surprised at? Honestly, no, not really, because the the player that I thought it would be was Kamingan, you know, at the very last minute. He got traded, and then we saw teams that we expected to be sellers were actually buying, you know, that being, you know, Utah Jazz and the Wizards. So I guess maybe if anything...
01:27:17
Chino Onwuka
you know and the And the Pacers, yeah, that the Pacers buying as well. If anything, I'm just looking at all the teams here to try and figure it out. you know I'll go with the Sacramento Kings. I mean, the only player they traded was Keon Ellis. That's another move that I thought was kind of underrated. But no considering their situation, you know they still have Zach Levine on their books. They still have DeMar DeRozan on their books. So know considering everything that's happened but happened, those are players that you would probably consider players they'd like to move on on. And I did hear that, you know, DeMar sort of indicated to teams that he would not, he did not want to be waived wherever he moved.
01:27:56
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, i was reading up on that and I think it's a really interesting point in that, you know, what people have noticed and what he his argument is, is the second you get waived or cut,
01:28:07
Chino Onwuka
then forever after that, you get seen as as a minimum guy after that. And that's not something he wanted. So I think that limited his value. And then, yeah, Zach Levine, he's, yeah, i don't I don't know what the plan is in Sacramento.
01:28:26
Emeka
Hey, neither do they. I promise you, neither do they. Yeah, I mean, uh... The Kings, I feel for the Kings fans. But, yeah, honestly, really good part of the buyout thing. People sleep on it. Like, it's so true.
01:28:39
Emeka
Once you become a buyout guy, you become a minimum guy. It's actually, like, undefeated. Because, you know, the fact the team is willing to give you your money up front, that we ain't trying to touch you anymore, says a lot. And, uh...
01:28:53
Emeka
Welcome the brother Alonzo Ball to the buyout club because he got shipped off and bought out. and It's sad, man. I love Alonzo. Big ball of brands. They did my boy dirty with those shoes.
01:29:04
Emeka
I hate to see a young boy washed, but it is what it is. Anyhow, I think well we've covered, all you know, again I guess so before we move on, I'll start with you, you know.
01:29:16
Emeka
How would you rate this trade deadline? Like, i mean, there are some years where, you know, it's the greatest deadline of all time. Bomb after bomb after bomb. Some years where nothing happens. Where would you say this this trade deadline kind of ranks for you?
01:29:30
Chino Onwuka
i would I would give it a solid seven, again, just because of the surprise moves. And, you know, people thought it'd be a down trade if Giannis didn't happen. But we did have, like, look at all the big names that got traded and the teams that we would have never expected.
01:29:49
Chino Onwuka
Triple J got traded. that's That's an all-star defensive player of the year. Zubac got traded. You know, AD got traded. James Harden got traded. So it ended up being different to what a lot of people expected.
01:30:03
Chino Onwuka
But I think just the it's not just the OK, this guy moved to big contenders. There's some intriguing moves there where it's like, OK, I wasn't thinking about this team. Now you have more teams that could be could be interesting next year.
01:30:18
Emeka
Man, no, fair enough. Chukwu, how'd you rate this trade deadline?
01:30:24
Chuku
I mean, I'll give it a solid 6.5. 6.5 or 7. six point five or seven this is weird That was some pretty decent moves. i mean I mean, it would have been higher if and no certain bigger names also got were part of the deal. I mean, we've still got some big names.
01:30:37
Chuku
You know, Trey and AD and whatnot. JJ, Triple J and whatnot. But I think, you know, Giannis, Jamal Rant in the mix, that could have taken it to a 7.5. But for now, I'll give us solid 6.5.
01:30:53
Emeka
I'm higher than you guys. I'm going to an 8.5. Like, yeah, it's not the, I forget what year it was. It was a year where everyone got traded. But Triple J getting traded hard in Zubac, AD, Kibinga, like, there was some moves. Like, you know, i was I was glued to my phone at work. So, yeah, mean, I was satisfied with this. And I think the reason why people aren't rated this year as high is because trades happened before the deadline. Like, if all these trades happened at the deadline, I think it would be,
01:31:23
Emeka
you know, craziness. But TPLJ got traded on Tuesday. Harden got traded on Tuesday. Like, it was spaced out enough where it wasn't shot 80 on Wednesday. Like, it was, you know, it was more spread out. But still, overall, I'm grouping all this to week together as the trade deadline. And I'm satisfied. I'm just an 8 out of 10.
01:31:43
Emeka
But, you know, I will say this, though. It made up for the, for me, underwhelming winter transfer deadline. And yeah not much happened, except there was one thing, and my guys didn't know about this, but I want to give them a surprise topic.
Soccer Transfers and Winter Olympics Preview
01:32:00
Emeka
Because the biggest move, in my opinion, of the the football winter transfer deadline is Liverpool spending $70 million on some French defender.
01:32:10
Emeka
You guys might not know this, but in addition to being the world's best podcast producer, my brother Chennault is a professional scout. So for the listeners on this podcast, who I'm sure, like many of us, have never heard of this Jeremy Jaquette, can you give us a quick overview of what Liverpool fans would expect from a young Frenchman costing, again, 70 million euros and being delayed for the summer? So trying to do the Saliba special where they buy him and let him marinate.
01:32:37
Emeka
In your expert opinion, is this a fair price or are Liverpool trying to copy our swag and get their own Saliba and overpaying for it?
01:32:46
Chino Onwuka
I think that is exactly what they're trying to do in that, you know, when you have someone of this talent, this highly rated by by all the big clubs, you know, you have to get him early and you have to to pay the price. So just a bit of background, you know, it came out late in the summer that Arsenal were interested in Jeremy Jacquet along with other big clubs. So he's a name that, you know,
01:33:14
Chino Onwuka
Starting probably about you know January last year is when he really started to pop up on people's radars and was really highly talented, 6'2", center back you know with with speed, strength, you know coming through that French defender pipeline you know where they have so many players that they're producing. So he was out there.
01:33:37
Chino Onwuka
And then you know Chelsea, you know who tried to hover up all the all the wonder kids in the world, They were not trying to buy him. you know They have some defensive injuries. But you know their team, Ren, who one of the best developers of French footballers, you know so many players have come out of there.
01:33:57
Chino Onwuka
Kamavinga, Ousmane Dembele, so many others. you know They said, hey, we want a club record fee for this guy. And so obviously Chelsea were trying to haggle and Liverpool used that opportunity to sneak in. Even even with the, the, the, the Kavit that they'd have to wait till the summer, knowing how short they are defensively. So that's how highly rated of a talent he is. And, and that just, that's just, especially when there's competition, that's the, just the going rate for these guys. You know, it wasn't too long ago that United signed Lenny Euro, you know, for a big fee as well. So he's someone that's, that's seen in that caliber. It's the same thing where you're trying to buy that defender young, get him in now. you know, you know, he'll need time to develop it and, and, and, you know, mature, you know, there might be some mistakes, but, you know, this is someone where, you know, in two, three years, it'll cost a hundred million plus to buy him if he's even available.
01:34:57
Emeka
It's just the levels of that football have that this guy has 30 appearances in League One, and he's going for $70 million. Not even $70 million up front. $70 million, and we keep him for six months on top of that.
01:35:11
Emeka
I mean, look, again, I asked my – again, Chino is the world's greatest scout. He knows everybody. I have never heard of this brother before until I saw that Romano tweet from Chelsea first and then Liverpool afterwards.
01:35:21
Chino Onwuka
That is not true.
01:35:22
Emeka
Yeah.
01:35:24
Chino Onwuka
If you go into the group chat, I have mentioned his name several times.
01:35:29
Emeka
You mentioned these young boys names it enters one ear and out the other immediately All these young as soon as I click on their thing and I see you know under 20 I say I can't so that's what I mean like I i come to you for this because oh the with These are the guys who are here because the 70 million 70 million It's just the golden rate of football, man. And I'm glad we got our saliva before this exploded.
01:35:58
Emeka
And everyone's trying to copy our swag. Well, I'm glad you got it.
01:36:02
Emeka
I put you
01:36:02
Chino Onwuka
yeah
01:36:03
Chino Onwuka
if If anything, I would say just it just makes it such a steal of you know the price that we got Muscara for. I think that's really what's important to me.
01:36:12
Emeka
on the spot, man. Oh, 100%. 100%. I think if he was French, he cost twice as much.
01:36:17
Chino Onwuka
Because about it, yeah cause if you think about it like I know we were talking about him the other day, but this is around the same price that Hincapier cost. That's just the price for talented center backs right now. that's That's the going rate.
01:36:32
Emeka
And he's a starter on a trouble winning team. And this is guy who has 30 games in League One. But that's just the rate. That's just the rate. Anyhow, I'm glad you guys are joining us for this episode. As like we said last week, what we'd like to do now is give a quick shout out to just a person, a topic, or team we haven't had a chance to talk about much of the pod. Full circle there. I'll start us off.
01:36:55
Emeka
Quick shout out. So the city of Charlotte and the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets, if you're not watching, are the hottest team in basketball right now. Eight straight wins. Con can nipple.
01:37:06
Emeka
Much respect to you, brother. I not know i was not familiar with your game. I got to be honest. The Shaq meme here. I thought he was just a shooter. He is a baller. Lonzo, I mean, LaMelo Ball, the best ball brother. Like, the Hornets are killing it. And hey, City of Charlotte, you're up as well because haven't listened to it yet, but by time you hear this, J. Cole's album, The Fall Out would have just dropped. So I'm sure the city is the city's up right now. Eight-game win streak for the Hornets.
01:37:32
Emeka
Best rapper the city dropping an album. Hey, man, if I'm a Hornets fan, life is good. So shout-out to the City of Charlotte, the Hornets, and J. Cole. Chukwu, got any shout-out for us this week?
01:37:43
Chuku
Man, my shout-out.
01:37:46
Chuku
I'm going to be lazy on this one, but man my shout-out is going to Kai Havertz, man. If you know, you know. And this someone has been out out you know for a long time with injuries. He's been slowly getting his feedback again.
01:38:02
Chuku
a game And he scored a very, mean, wasn't, didn't need it, but scored a goal over the weekend. You know, that one, you know, it was a pretty, was it was nice to see him out there, see him, know, performing and someone I believe, you know, we're going to be very, very heavily reliant on.
01:38:20
Chuku
if we're going to see Arsenal win some trophies this this season. So hopefully he can stay healthy, stay fit. But yeah, Masha Abbas, like I have, it's his return and his impact on the team that I've seen so far.
01:38:34
Emeka
Listen, the scoreline, but don't need it. The people needed that Kai Havertz goal. So I'm 100% with you. Take us off, you know. Who's your shout-out for the week?
01:38:43
Chino Onwuka
Again, i know I mentioned at the very beginning, but it is the Winter Olympics, you know, the Olympics.
Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser
01:38:50
Chino Onwuka
you know, is, you know, overall, you know, the the greatest sporting event for the world because it brings all these different disciplines, you know, all these different countries of the world.
01:39:02
Chino Onwuka
The Winter Olympics is special because you you get to see something different, different countries. Obviously, you know, we're we're based out of the great wide north, Canada, and, you know, it's the first time NHL players have been allowed to play in the Olympics since what I think Sochi in 2014. So you've got a whole generation of stars that haven't played at this level.
01:39:30
Chino Onwuka
You're Connor McDavid. Nathan McKinnon. So I think, you know, we all remember what happened in, was it 2009 with the golden goal? So I think the whole country, it's the whole Canada is going to be electric for men's hockey during these Olympics. So I think it's an exciting time. You may not know because it's it'll sneak up on you, but events actually started on February 4th. So already a day and a half into the 2026 Winter Olympics. So if you didn't know, now you know. So,
01:40:01
Chino Onwuka
can catch it on your favorite local stations, y'all.
01:40:06
Emeka
Hey, inshallah. Quick shout out to Lindsey Vonn. Skiing with no ACL. All right. These athletes, man. I wake up and pull my hamstring. I'm out of commission. They're out here doing activities of no ACLs.
01:40:18
Emeka
Well, it's been a jam-packed episode. You know, we started off with the Super Bowl, talked about the trade deadlines, and we're going to all the fallout next episode. Hopefully, comes with me gloating about my underdog Patriots overcoming evil.
01:40:33
Emeka
or Otherwise, it's we might skip an episode next week. Who knows? Anyhow, we've got a lot to talk about. Football is packing up. NBA is heating up. NFL drops. and NBA comes in.
01:40:44
Emeka
All that and more. We're sure we might. We're actually getting some Olympics. Who knows? Probably not, but you who knows? Canada as well. We might, but all the topics in the world, as always, i appreciate every single one of you listeners joining with us as we record here. It's always a great time. I'm glad you spent your, you know, wherever you are, in the gym, in the office, driving, listening to us. We truly do appreciate it.
01:41:06
Emeka
Thank you so much for your support. Talk about all this and more next week on your favorite episode of Love of the Game podcast.