Purple Pants Podcast: Rule Breakers and Game Makers

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[00:00:55] It's a purple pants, it's a purple pants, it's a purple pants podcast.

[00:01:00] You better get your headphones and listen up quick. It's a purple pants podcast.

[00:01:05] You better listen in public, might make your stomach hurt.

[00:01:10] Cash is trying to unwind, you better get that box wine.

[00:01:13] It's a purple pants podcast. You trying to get your snack, you better hurry right back go.

[00:01:18] It's a purple pants, it's a purple pants.

[00:01:21] Hello, hello and welcome to the purple pants podcast play by play edition.

[00:01:26] I serve as your humble and oh so gracious host, Bryce Isaiah.

[00:01:30] And I thank you so much for tuning in to this month's play by play.

[00:01:35] If you could be so kind to ensure you are subscribed to the purple pants podcast,

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[00:01:46] The purple pants podcast awaits for you to subscribe.

[00:01:48] And as always with our play by play content, you can watch this audio podcast on video.

[00:01:55] Head over to the Bryce Isaiah YouTube channel.

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[00:01:59] Give this video a thumbs up and let us know in the comments what you think about this month's play by play.

[00:02:06] I'm super excited to be back covering some play by play.

[00:02:10] I had to call in a great legend.

[00:02:12] You might remember him from season 46 of Survivor.

[00:02:16] We've got Jelinski on the podcast this week and Jelinski and I are chopping it up about the WNBA championship controversy.

[00:02:24] We're giving some updates on the ball brothers.

[00:02:27] We are talking NBA history with father son duos and investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers.

[00:02:35] We are also talking about Angel Reese's Reebok deal and so much more.

[00:02:40] It's definitely a podcast you don't want to miss.

[00:02:42] So listen, strap up your sneakers, get to the three point line and let's get into some play by play.

[00:02:51] Hey.

[00:02:55] It's a purple pants play by play.

[00:02:57] I'm shooting the three for every day.

[00:02:59] They can get beautiful.

[00:03:00] A-OK.

[00:03:01] It's a purple pants play by play.

[00:03:07] What's going on?

[00:03:08] We are back.

[00:03:09] It's been a little while since we've done a purple pants play by play, but with the WNBA season ending, the NBA season starting,

[00:03:17] I felt like it was only right to bring back the purple pants play by play.

[00:03:22] And I felt like, you know, I should bring a legend.

[00:03:25] I feel like somebody that I know can ball somebody that I know is a goat in his own right.

[00:03:32] I'm so excited to have from survivor season 46.

[00:03:36] The legend himself.

[00:03:38] Jelinski was popping.

[00:03:40] Bryce.

[00:03:40] Thank you so much for having me.

[00:03:42] I'm super happy that I'm on the purple pants pod right now doing a little play by play with some sports.

[00:03:47] I'm just now stepping into the podcast scene.

[00:03:51] And so it's an honor to be here, Bryce.

[00:03:53] Thank you for having me.

[00:03:54] Of course.

[00:03:55] So what is your background in sports?

[00:03:57] Jelinski, are you like, did you play sports growing up?

[00:04:00] I know you kind of tall, but like, did you play basketball?

[00:04:04] Did you play soccer?

[00:04:05] What was your sport of choice?

[00:04:07] Yeah.

[00:04:07] So I've been a basketball guy my entire life.

[00:04:10] Big LeBron James fan, but I've got an interesting history with basketball specifically.

[00:04:16] So my dad and uncle both played in high school.

[00:04:21] My uncle was almost, he like just missed the McDonald's all American game in the eighties with like Penny Hardaway, a whole bunch of like NBA legends.

[00:04:31] Who's another Bobby Hurley.

[00:04:33] So another college basketball legend.

[00:04:37] And so I've been in basketball my entire life.

[00:04:40] Um, my dad was also a bookie.

[00:04:41] So that's someone who like facilitates their own sports bets and kind of runs their own casino.

[00:04:45] You know, so sports have been involved in my entire life.

[00:04:48] And then I finally started playing in like middle school.

[00:04:51] Luckily I hit like a big growth spurt.

[00:04:53] I was like six foot when I was 12.

[00:04:55] And that's when my boys started getting low and people thought I was about to be like a seven foot center.

[00:05:01] But you know, the growth slowed down.

[00:05:04] Unfortunately, still a big guy six four.

[00:05:06] So just not good enough to make the NBA.

[00:05:09] But I like to think that my ball knowledge is top tier and I can play a little bit too.

[00:05:14] So.

[00:05:14] Okay.

[00:05:15] It's a interesting to know.

[00:05:18] Right.

[00:05:18] It's funny.

[00:05:19] I have my nephew.

[00:05:20] He is in the 10th grade.

[00:05:22] He's six, seven.

[00:05:24] Um, and so he is, you know, doing his own little realm.

[00:05:27] He's like ranked number 16 in the state of Pennsylvania.

[00:05:30] So it's interesting to like have this behind the scenes scoop of like how these basketball tournaments like he's on the roll every week.

[00:05:38] It's a crazy thing, especially now it's really changed.

[00:05:42] Um, even high school basketball, the AAU circuit.

[00:05:44] It's no joke.

[00:05:45] Like you said, it's constant traveling.

[00:05:47] And I know that's actually something that we'll be talking about later too, with, um, some injury and just back to back games sitting out of it.

[00:05:56] Boy Lonzo, Joel and bead.

[00:05:58] So it takes a toll on the body and people are doing it ever since they're young in high school.

[00:06:02] I did.

[00:06:03] I did see your nephew.

[00:06:05] He's the real deal.

[00:06:05] I saw the video you posted on your story.

[00:06:08] You can't teach defense, great defensive stance.

[00:06:11] He knows what to do with his arms.

[00:06:13] That's hard to do.

[00:06:14] I was impressed by that video.

[00:06:15] You posted.

[00:06:16] I appreciate that.

[00:06:18] He has to get a little more aggressive, uh, because he's playing with some kids so much older than him.

[00:06:22] And although he is taller, he's not as big as the other kids.

[00:06:26] So his dad, um, is a huge sports fan and, uh, we're just getting him molding him to be a little more aggressive, but that is, uh, uncle Bryce's baby.

[00:06:35] And so I love him.

[00:06:37] Shout out to Peyton McClendon, number 30, number 44.

[00:06:40] So keep a lookout on that.

[00:06:42] But before we get into our topics of this week, real quick, season 47 is out new season of survivors going on.

[00:06:49] How are you like, what's life like with Jelinski?

[00:06:53] Life is good.

[00:06:54] Um, I kinda, so, you know, the survivor sphere, um, it's an interesting place to be.

[00:06:59] And I kind of been just taking a step back with the traveling and whatnot, just cause you know, the traveling is no joke.

[00:07:04] You know what the Bryson win, especially booking venues like that is the real deal.

[00:07:09] So I, um, I can't imagine how exhausted you must be, but it's, it's, it's love, you know, like everyone loves to do it.

[00:07:16] I love going out, but I've been keeping my head down, focusing on some sales, slot machine sales.

[00:07:21] And I gained a bunch of new territory, Kansas, Iowa, Florida, Nebraska.

[00:07:27] So I've been building up some accounts out there and hanging out with my family and that's it.

[00:07:32] Okay. Well, we love to see it.

[00:07:34] You're looking good.

[00:07:34] And I'm excited to have you here, uh, for the first play by play in a while.

[00:07:39] And so I feel like we just have to jump right in to some celebration, right?

[00:07:43] Shout out to the New York Liberty.

[00:07:45] They just won the WNBA championship.

[00:07:48] It's a franchise first for the New York Liberty.

[00:07:51] And I'm not sure if you were following, uh, this playoff series or the, you know, you know, I don't really know the sports term, but the, the championship series against the Minnesota links and the new look, New York Liberty.

[00:08:05] It was such an exciting series though.

[00:08:07] Right? Like I was tuning in.

[00:08:10] I love the celebrity support of the WNBA.

[00:08:12] Also shout out to my girl, big Ellie changing the mascot game.

[00:08:19] Period.

[00:08:20] I love it.

[00:08:21] Look at, look at her fit.

[00:08:22] She's out there.

[00:08:23] That's no joke.

[00:08:24] Ellie plays no games.

[00:08:26] Uh, and so it's like, I want to talk about the Liberty.

[00:08:28] I want to talk about Ellie because we've never seen a mascot soccer, NBA, NFL baseball, like Ellie.

[00:08:37] Ellie is killing the game.

[00:08:38] Ellie is brand endorsement.

[00:08:39] She's performing at shows, having stars.

[00:08:42] Like I love this for the NBA, you know, about big Ellie.

[00:08:46] Uh, look, I'm not going to lie.

[00:08:47] Big Ellie.

[00:08:48] She, she definitely has to put me on game because the, the mascots, you know, they're it's, it's kind of an, I don't want to say like a forgotten about thing, but it's really important, especially in like a growing industry.

[00:09:01] Like the WNBA because they are really stepping up their game, even just this past few years.

[00:09:07] Like, especially the joining of Kate and Caitlin Clark.

[00:09:10] It's no joke.

[00:09:11] Angel.

[00:09:12] I know it's because it's no joke.

[00:09:14] Like these people, Angel Reese specifically, she has such a large following, especially with like her uncle Shaq.

[00:09:20] Like they were bringing in a huge audience that they never had before and having a mascot like big Ellie.

[00:09:25] That's no joke.

[00:09:26] It definitely makes it all better.

[00:09:29] It, uh, it's crazy.

[00:09:30] But again, shout out to the New York liberties.

[00:09:32] However, this series was a tight one.

[00:09:35] Game one Liberty took it 90 to 75 game to Minnesota.

[00:09:39] Took it 86 to 78 game three Liberty.

[00:09:42] Took it 80 to 77 game for 87 to 77.

[00:09:48] And in the final game, there was a little bit of some drama.

[00:09:53] And I want to talk to you about this because I've seen a lot of the press conferences and I've seen what the Minnesota links coach had to say.

[00:10:01] And I want to know your opinion because well, let's just say the Minnesota links head coach.

[00:10:06] Cheryl Reed has some strong words for the referees after the team lost the WNBA championship and overtime against the New York liberties on Sunday night.

[00:10:15] The electric game five matchup, which pushed into overtime after a foul was called in the last 5.2 seconds of the fourth quarter.

[00:10:24] After the links forward, Alana Smith made contact with the Liberty star Brianna Stewart.

[00:10:30] The foul allowed Stewart to tie the game with two free throws, clearing the way for the Liberty to rally an extra time and win 67 to 62.

[00:10:44] Now, the Minnesota links, they was going for a fifth win in the WNBA.

[00:10:50] So for me, like you, I'm a pre-merger.

[00:10:53] I'm always going to root for the underdog.

[00:10:55] So into this series, I was rooting for the New York Liberty.

[00:11:00] I do have to say when I was watching this game, I don't really know a lot about a lot.

[00:11:04] But when they call that foul, I was like, is that a foul?

[00:11:09] Like, I'm not sure, but it helps the Liberty.

[00:11:11] And during the press conference, Cheryl Reese, the man, the Minnesota links, she talked about this third party independent referee having a third party referee because they called the foul.

[00:11:25] They questioned it.

[00:11:27] They reviewed the tapes and the referees that were on the court still said it was a foul.

[00:11:30] However, everybody on TikTok, on Twitter, on Facebook, they reopened my space and they was like, that's not a foul.

[00:11:41] It's not. And beyond that, not only was it not a foul, Brianna Stewart 100 percent traveled before she even got that shot up.

[00:11:51] So not listen, I do think having a third party referee would be incredible.

[00:11:57] I mean, the NFL does it and it is so useful. They refer to them all the time.

[00:12:01] And being a referee, that's a hard job.

[00:12:04] And especially look, so I'm recently the WNBA.

[00:12:09] I'm a I'm a pretty big WNBA fan because my Las Vegas Aces.

[00:12:13] We were going for a three-peat this year.

[00:12:15] And if it wasn't going to be the Aces this year, I wanted it to be the Liberty.

[00:12:19] And on paper, they're a star studded team.

[00:12:22] They're great. Sabrina Ionescu also didn't step up to the plate this series.

[00:12:26] She shot like three for three for 19 every single game.

[00:12:30] It was not good. It was not a performance like Sabrina normally brings.

[00:12:34] So I'm happy that Brianna Stewart was able to clutch up and but I mean the Minnesota links, they have an argument.

[00:12:41] Like, I mean, there's not even an argument because this is the truth.

[00:12:45] Everyone and their grandma saw. I know my grandma Didi.

[00:12:48] She knew she knew that not only was there no foul, but Brianna Stewart traveled.

[00:12:53] She did a quick little hop step before she even put the ball down on the floor twice.

[00:12:58] So that just that doesn't add up.

[00:13:00] I think that it would be super beneficial not only to the WNBA, but all professional sports league.

[00:13:07] I feel like it's a necessity.

[00:13:09] The game moves so fast. It's so hard to catch everything it because if they had that third party, it would have been it wouldn't have even mattered about the foul or not because they would have called the travel.

[00:13:19] So let me ask you this. So the NBA has this third party already in place.

[00:13:24] Mm hmm. How often do you say in a game do they or how often is the third party used to your knowledge?

[00:13:32] It I don't want to say it's all relative, but in situations like this, it is relative and especially in the NBA if it's like a game seven series of oh my God, they're using that almost every single call.

[00:13:43] Wow. Not every single call, but this was a tight close game. If this was the NBA, it would have been used and it's just it needs to be implemented 100%.

[00:13:53] So do you think that this is something like we were talking earlier?

[00:13:57] The WNBA the franchise is growing and we all know they don't put money into their players.

[00:14:02] They don't really shine a light to the WNBA.

[00:14:05] If it wasn't shout out to Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese in this rookie class that came on, it wouldn't even be as a high spectator sport as it is now.

[00:14:14] Do you think that this is a part of the growing pains of the WNBA?

[00:14:18] I think that's a good way to say it, Bryce. It is. There's going to be some growing pains here and it it really puts into perspective like what we were doing before for the WNBA, which was absolutely nothing.

[00:14:29] Players were traveling coach. Some of them still do. So I think they all still do. It's not great.

[00:14:35] There's a lot of change that could be happening here. And I think that's just one of the places to start.

[00:14:40] And like you said, this rookie class, they're bringing in viewership that we've never, ever seen before.

[00:14:45] I mean, I saw a post on Instagram. This was a while back, but I mean, they're well into the tens of millions of viewers now.

[00:14:53] And Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark specifically, I love the reason I love them is because history repeats itself.

[00:15:00] Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, the NBA's viewership didn't have they weren't popping like how they used to.

[00:15:06] But there were two young men by the name of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson who they battled collegiately.

[00:15:12] And then they brought that viewership and duel into the NBA.

[00:15:15] And now we see it here in the WNBA with two magnificent athletes. And I love seeing that.

[00:15:22] Yeah, it's crazy. But I love I hate to think of like, why does it have to take this long?

[00:15:27] But in the same time, I want to be happy at the progression that we are making.

[00:15:32] I just hope that it happens at a more exponential rate.

[00:15:35] But nevertheless, and I heard some people talking about this on Reddit the other day, right?

[00:15:41] Like, although the refs call was kind of crazy, although I'm not complaining.

[00:15:47] They were talking about like to be a referee, right?

[00:15:50] And the culture of a referee.

[00:15:52] And regardless of if it is kind of like a crazy call standing by the refs and like they are a part of the game.

[00:15:59] They are in the game. They are calling from what they see.

[00:16:01] So I do want to put some respect on the referees because they are a huge part of this.

[00:16:07] However, like we need to get caught up to 2024 and we need to see stuff in 4K.

[00:16:12] And I need a coach to just be sitting at home cooking potatoes.

[00:16:15] And they say, we need you to check this out because literally like if you're just at home, not even watching the game.

[00:16:21] And somebody text you and say, look at this. What you think? Game changer.

[00:16:25] Right. And I mean, for everyone to see it, I mean, for it to blow up how it did on Twitter, TikTok, it's so apparent.

[00:16:31] I mean, I mean, I don't know what my referee credentials are because I know you do got to get licensed.

[00:16:36] But I mean, I think I could have made that call.

[00:16:39] Well, listen, well, we might have to put your name up there.

[00:16:42] We might see Jelensky being at third party.

[00:16:45] Now, shout out to the New York Liberty again for their first franchise win.

[00:16:51] And again, big Ellie, the parade.

[00:16:52] I just loved all the celebration.

[00:16:54] Now, let's take it to something that's even more close to home for me.

[00:16:58] It's no secret. I'm a part of the ball family.

[00:17:01] You know, I love me some LaMelo ball.

[00:17:03] That's my my man, my man, my man.

[00:17:07] However, I do have two brother in laws that come with Mello.

[00:17:12] So who plays for what he used to play for the Lakers.

[00:17:15] Now he plays for the Bulls.

[00:17:16] He has made a triumphant return to the court.

[00:17:20] It's been three years since Zoe has been on the court.

[00:17:23] He's been plagued with injuries and we just haven't really seen much of him.

[00:17:28] And he made a triumphant comeback this week.

[00:17:32] Hopefully he can stay healthy.

[00:17:33] So any updates on Zoe that you want to give us in like this?

[00:17:37] I've talked to some of my sports analyst friends and they're like, they're shocked.

[00:17:41] He's still even with the Bulls that they didn't drop him that they held onto him for this long.

[00:17:48] I'll let you answer that.

[00:17:49] And then I do have a follow up question.

[00:17:51] Okay, so Bryce, you and I, we were talking to this about this all week and a little bit before the podcast started.

[00:17:57] But yeah, I let you know that I'm a big ball fan.

[00:18:00] Like I'm a big ball family fan and I love their show.

[00:18:04] I love LeVar.

[00:18:05] I love LiAngelo Mello and Zoe.

[00:18:07] So they actually had a pop up show a pop up store for big baller brand here back in like 2016.

[00:18:13] And I went I went so I'll have to send you some pictures there.

[00:18:17] But I got to meet LiAngelo and this is before LeMello had his growth spurt.

[00:18:22] So I was still taller than this guy.

[00:18:23] And now he's huge and dominating the league.

[00:18:26] I was I've watched both of his games so far this season.

[00:18:29] Yo, let me not get distracted.

[00:18:32] Let me talk about Zoe.

[00:18:33] Yeah, but I'm a big I'm a big Lonzo fan, especially in high school watching him work.

[00:18:40] I mean, he was the real deal.

[00:18:42] I mean, he was just game changing.

[00:18:44] He was very Magic Johnson comparisons with a jump shot the way not very few people can control the game and make teammates better like he can.

[00:18:53] And I think with the Bulls.

[00:18:55] So I'm happy to see Lonzo back and I love his sleeves his his body work.

[00:18:59] Oh, like he his tattoos like inspirational.

[00:19:02] I love his sleeves.

[00:19:04] I love his sleeves, especially the one on the right is just gorgeous out.

[00:19:07] You see the way that his the Roman numerals.

[00:19:10] It's just so well done.

[00:19:12] So well done.

[00:19:13] But it's a big Lonzo guy.

[00:19:14] And the reason that I'm happy the Bulls didn't drop him because you know, and we could get into some lore here, too.

[00:19:20] But he is just such a versatile player and they paid him a lot of money.

[00:19:25] He was playing great before he really went down and everyone knew that he was sort of injury prone, especially his few years into the league.

[00:19:33] So I'm happy to see he's still around.

[00:19:36] And I see the problem in the Bulls backcourt right now is that Josh Giddy is a very similar player to Lonzo.

[00:19:44] I would say those got that jump shot, though, and I'm biased.

[00:19:47] So if I'm starting a player, it's going to be Lonzo.

[00:19:50] So it's good for the Bulls because I think that they have some room to work.

[00:19:54] They can trade away Giddy, maybe get some more players, maybe move Vooch, a better center.

[00:20:00] So I'm very happy to see Lonzo back.

[00:20:02] But we got to figure something out that's going on in the backcourt because they're too similar of a player for both of them to thrive.

[00:20:09] Interesting.

[00:20:09] Now, was he taking up for Zoe while he was down these last three years?

[00:20:15] So so he actually just they just acquired him from the Thunder.

[00:20:20] OK, so and that was a better system, I think, for Josh Giddy to be in.

[00:20:26] There's still a lot of controversy surrounding him, too.

[00:20:28] So I think that's why the Thunder actually had moved him.

[00:20:32] He he was in trouble for having relations with a minor.

[00:20:37] And I know that that was they didn't know Josh Giddy didn't know it was a lot of investigation going on.

[00:20:43] And basically, Oklahoma was not having it.

[00:20:46] They moved them and now the Bulls are having them and he's playing really great.

[00:20:50] So before I'm trying to think of the guard that was there.

[00:20:54] I mean, Colby White is also stepping up to the plate.

[00:20:56] He's been great.

[00:20:57] He was a rookie, I think maybe four or five years ago now, but he's finally really stepping up.

[00:21:02] He averaged almost 20 points a game last season.

[00:21:05] So and before that, Alex Caruso was also another guard for the Bulls.

[00:21:10] And he actually just got engaged to Big Brother 20s Haley Brocker.

[00:21:16] So they're engaged and about to get married.

[00:21:18] So congratulations to them.

[00:21:20] Both great catches.

[00:21:21] Yeah, exactly.

[00:21:23] Well, we love that and we're glad that Zoe is back.

[00:21:28] Now, let's talk about the main character here.

[00:21:31] OK, the baby boy, my man, my man, my man, my man, LaMelo Ball.

[00:21:36] He recently returned to the court Wednesday, October 23rd.

[00:21:40] He hadn't played since January.

[00:21:42] He was having these ankle issues.

[00:21:44] I believe in that game in January, he had already recovered from an ankle issue injury and then suffered the same ankle injury.

[00:21:52] And so he's kind of been off the court recovering.

[00:21:54] And there was just that this announcement made before maybe during the preseason, but before the actual season started,

[00:22:02] he's going to be wearing an ankle brace all season, which why are you playing Melo like you should have been wearing this the whole time.

[00:22:08] But I have to say that in I believe it was the Hornets versus the Rockets and last night's game, which we're recording this on Saturday.

[00:22:19] So Friday, but the Hornets versus the Hawks last night, they were ball lit.

[00:22:24] Now, you know, I don't really know a lot about sports.

[00:22:27] All I'm watching is for my man Melo.

[00:22:30] And although the Hornets did not win, Melo is back and he's activated.

[00:22:36] There is just no question.

[00:22:37] It's and again, I'm biased, right?

[00:22:39] Like, you know, I don't I don't I don't I don't play.

[00:22:43] I keep Melo very close to me.

[00:22:47] It's just something about his energy is something about like like he's so I don't want to use the term flashy.

[00:22:54] Right. Because I feel like there's a negative condensation with when you say there's a flashy player.

[00:22:59] But it's just something about Melo's extraness that he just does with ease that I love.

[00:23:06] One of the reasons why I love Melo.

[00:23:09] One of the reasons, I mean, I'm right there with you.

[00:23:12] LaMelo is incredible.

[00:23:14] What I love about LaMelo, too, is even in Ball and the Family, he has always been so authentically himself.

[00:23:19] So, you know, the scene where he talks about BBB, big booty, big booty.

[00:23:27] That that's engraved in my mind.

[00:23:28] And then LeVar had to take him to the side.

[00:23:30] He says, right, you can't be doing that, especially not with the cameras on late.

[00:23:35] But nothing's changed with LaMelo.

[00:23:37] He's so funny.

[00:23:38] And he is one player I've been watching closely this season.

[00:23:42] He's been incredible.

[00:23:44] I mean, it's like he's playing in a video game in real life.

[00:23:47] I was seeing like stick moves with the console with the controller.

[00:23:51] It's he's playing 2K like it's real life.

[00:23:53] And I love it.

[00:23:55] I love it.

[00:23:55] It's been so fun to watch.

[00:23:57] And I think if not that I don't like the Hornets, I love LaMelo.

[00:24:02] I think if Hornets were to get on or if LaMelo were to get on a championship contender team or even just somewhere else, like think about.

[00:24:09] So here's my question, right?

[00:24:10] This is my question that I asked all of my friends, right?

[00:24:15] And I mean this with no disrespect.

[00:24:17] But like you said, the Hornets just aren't a championship team at this point.

[00:24:21] Like we just don't have all the right pieces.

[00:24:23] However, Mello is a franchise player, not many players at his you know, he's only been in the league a couple of years become a franchise player.

[00:24:33] He's making a lot of money.

[00:24:34] He's making a lot of grand deals.

[00:24:36] Do you leave or do you like that's the question, right?

[00:24:40] Because I would assume that everyone plays in the NBA because you want to win.

[00:24:44] You want that ring.

[00:24:44] But also people that you know it is a thriving business is a thriving industry.

[00:24:50] You can make your name.

[00:24:51] What do you say to that?

[00:24:53] And I think Mello's case is specifically interesting because he he's in a system where there's not a system.

[00:25:00] So a lot of those guys are going out there and just having fun, which can be great.

[00:25:04] I mean, we saw the Warriors have a lot of success with that, except they had a structured system under Steve Kerr.

[00:25:10] I think this Hornets team, a lot of the change needs to come from front office and the coaching staff.

[00:25:16] I think if Lomelo can stay and maybe even Jordan, Jordan just gave away ownership, I believe.

[00:25:24] So I think if they're they got to have they all got to have the same goal and they got to start building within that system.

[00:25:31] And I think with the Mello's case right now, he's not concerned about winning the ring because he's making a lot of money and he's doing what he loves.

[00:25:38] However, I would love to see Lomelo go to a team like the Spurs, because I think he could really thrive.

[00:25:44] Chris Paul's about to retire and we'll have Victor women Yama to play with him.

[00:25:50] And I mean, Lomelo, he's one of those he's one of those alley-oop guys.

[00:25:54] So imagine him and Wimby together on the same floor.

[00:25:57] Lomelo has a gift to really operate an offense like not a lot of people can.

[00:26:03] So I think Lomelo's got to get out of Charlotte eventually or Charlotte's got to make some serious, serious changes.

[00:26:09] I agree. Do you know who Anna Montana is?

[00:26:12] I do not. OK, good. You don't need to know her.

[00:26:15] That's the Mello's current girlfriend, but we don't need to know.

[00:26:18] OK, is she the older one or is this new?

[00:26:21] She's the older one. OK, I'm familiar.

[00:26:24] I'm familiar. She, you know, I recently unblocked her.

[00:26:28] She recently unblocked me. So we're trying to work through this, like, you know, figuring out how we manage this polyamorous relationship.

[00:26:37] I do have another question for you.

[00:26:39] Have you ever heard of it is what it is podcast?

[00:26:43] I don't think so.

[00:26:45] Bring it up to me.

[00:26:46] Let me hear you.

[00:26:47] Well, because, you know, I like to quiz my my young soul brothers.

[00:26:52] Do you know who the rapper Cameron is?

[00:26:55] Of course.

[00:26:56] OK, do you know who the rapper Mace is?

[00:26:58] Of course.

[00:26:59] Of course.

[00:27:00] OK, so they have a podcast called it is what it is.

[00:27:04] And so it is a fun podcast.

[00:27:06] It's not my podcast of choice.

[00:27:08] However, when I am traveling, I will listen to it.

[00:27:11] I do think they have some interesting takes.

[00:27:13] It was funny because they were bringing up LeBron and Bronny and talking about maybe last week they were talking about monetizing off of like how LeBron is monetizing off of Bronny.

[00:27:24] And they were saying some choice words and Jell-O got brought up into the mix.

[00:27:30] And we all know Jell-O is my other brother in law.

[00:27:34] And they have some not so friendly things to say about Jell-O and Jell-O.

[00:27:40] And so they have like a podcast now or they do a lot of podcasting.

[00:27:43] And so on one of the podcasts, Jell-O responded to Mace and Cam and basically was like, I'm 25 years old.

[00:27:51] Like none of y'all have ever been.

[00:27:52] I've never heard y'all as top five rappers.

[00:27:55] Like, I'm not sure what y'all talk about.

[00:27:57] And so it just was this you kind of going back and forth with Jell-O and Cameron and Mace.

[00:28:02] And of course, Cameron and Mace were just saying that he just wasn't good enough for the week and kind of trashing Jell-O.

[00:28:08] I hate that for Jell-O because I first of all, Jell-O is with Miss Nikki Baby from Love & Hip Hop.

[00:28:15] He had a son last year.

[00:28:16] She is currently pregnant, getting ready to welcome my niece into the world.

[00:28:20] So I can't wait to meet her.

[00:28:22] But you know me, Jell-O.

[00:28:23] I'm a real big like mental health person.

[00:28:25] And I just have to think.

[00:28:28] I can only at first of all, Jell-O is the middle child.

[00:28:30] So you already know what they say about people, the middle child, right?

[00:28:33] They always are kind of like stuck between the oldest and the youngest.

[00:28:35] And then for Jell-O not to have made it into the NBA, he made it to the NBA for a day,

[00:28:41] then got put on the G League and then kind of got dropped from the G League and kind of like having to navigate his own space in the ball family and to have two big superstars brothers like that.

[00:28:52] But then just to have like older rappers like Mason Cam kind of just like basically like shit on you.

[00:28:58] I just hate that for Jell-O.

[00:28:59] But I just wanted to just bring that up because if we can't talk about one ball without talking about three balls, any thoughts on Jell-O?

[00:29:06] And lastly, Jell-O in one of the recent podcasts that he was on, it says that like he's not in the NBA yet.

[00:29:13] He's going a different route.

[00:29:14] So I also want to follow up and ask you, do you believe that Jell-O can make it into the NBA?

[00:29:23] A lot of props to Jell-O because I mean, I mean, I've been following them since high school.

[00:29:28] And I think there's a lot of truth to what you're saying in regard to the middle child.

[00:29:33] Um, this league is political, even college basketball.

[00:29:38] It's political.

[00:29:38] You got to know people and you've got to represent yourself in a good light that what he did in China, stealing those stealing stealing.

[00:29:46] Um, what do you steal stuff from the Louis Vuitton store? Was that what it was?

[00:29:49] I think it was like sunglasses.

[00:29:51] Yeah.

[00:29:51] Like, you know, he's young too.

[00:29:54] We're, we're all young.

[00:29:55] Like everyone's going to make mistakes.

[00:29:57] And I have a lot of respect for Jell-O, especially now because like you said, I'm all about love and kindness.

[00:30:03] Like it's just not necessary.

[00:30:05] It's not needed.

[00:30:06] So big props to him.

[00:30:08] I think anybody can do it, especially with your two brothers in the NBA.

[00:30:11] I think if there was a time for, I mean, he was in the NBA for a brief time.

[00:30:15] Like you said, I think he could get back there.

[00:30:17] It helps that his brothers are there.

[00:30:20] However, the ball family isn't as big as they used to be.

[00:30:23] And I mean that with LaVar and you know what I mean?

[00:30:25] LaVar was everywhere.

[00:30:26] LaVar was that guy.

[00:30:27] We all saw LaVar and we saw him and heard from him no matter what it was.

[00:30:30] I mean, it could have been something about Pringles and we would have heard from LaVar and his thoughts on it.

[00:30:34] So I have a lot of respect for LiAngelo, especially going through this hardship because it's got to be hard, especially on your mental health.

[00:30:42] Having two brothers who are super successful in the NBA and you're just trying to still figure it out.

[00:30:48] It's that tough road, but it definitely builds character.

[00:30:52] Cameron and Mace, I mean, you know, I'm just thinking of a few songs by them.

[00:30:58] Hey Ma, and then what's that one Mace song that's super popular?

[00:31:02] What's his one song?

[00:31:03] He got a couple can't hold me down.

[00:31:06] I mean, I don't.

[00:31:07] I'm thinking of one.

[00:31:09] It's going to bug me.

[00:31:10] Let me look on my Spotify real quick.

[00:31:12] But I'm surprised with Cameron and Mace like I'm not.

[00:31:17] I'm not.

[00:31:18] You hate to see it.

[00:31:20] Tell me what you want from me.

[00:31:23] Take a look at what you see.

[00:31:25] Tell me know if this right here.

[00:31:27] Is that the song?

[00:31:28] No, I was thinking it feels so good.

[00:31:29] Oh, OK.

[00:31:31] How does it feel so good?

[00:31:32] Yeah.

[00:31:33] How feels so good though?

[00:31:34] Let's play it a little bit.

[00:31:36] Let's play it.

[00:31:39] Oh, oh, oh.

[00:31:40] Dun, dun, dun, dun, dun.

[00:31:42] OK, all right.

[00:31:47] What you know about?

[00:31:49] Oh, no, I don't.

[00:31:49] OK, all right.

[00:31:50] But funny enough about the podcast, they were comparing with the Jell-O's name got brought

[00:31:56] up because of LeBron and Bronny.

[00:31:59] And so that kind of sort of brings us to our next topic.

[00:32:01] This NBA history has been made.

[00:32:05] OK, LeBron and Bronny became the first father and son to play in the NBA together last Tuesday

[00:32:14] night during the Los Angeles Lakers season opener, a dream that LeBron had said maybe seven years

[00:32:20] ago.

[00:32:20] He fulfilled this dream.

[00:32:22] I can't help.

[00:32:23] I know we're talking about Bron and Bronny, but I also just want to say shout out to LeVar Ball

[00:32:28] because LeVar Ball like eight years ago said he was going to get all three of his sons in

[00:32:32] the NBA and whether if it was a matter of 24 hours and 48 hours, he did that.

[00:32:37] And so I'm big on these black fathers fulfilling these dreams with their sons.

[00:32:42] And so it really is great to see Bronny and LeBron James in the NBA together.

[00:32:48] Now your thoughts on that.

[00:32:50] And then, you know, I got to then you then you know where we are going Jelinski.

[00:32:56] I love it, man.

[00:32:57] And I'm a huge LeBron fan.

[00:32:59] And I've obviously been watching Bronny since God, I mean, probably since middle school highlights

[00:33:04] of him.

[00:33:05] I mean, obviously, I'm older than Bronny, but like it's so cool to see.

[00:33:09] And I'm a huge LeBron fan.

[00:33:10] I'm going to support whatever he does.

[00:33:12] He's my goat.

[00:33:12] He is the goat.

[00:33:13] So it's just super cool to see.

[00:33:15] He's a generational capper, but that's what I love about him.

[00:33:18] I love when he was saying he was talking to ESPN and he was like, I was just talking with

[00:33:24] Savannah.

[00:33:25] I recalled this moment back when he was like three years old playing peewee basketball.

[00:33:29] He had this one play.

[00:33:30] He went coast rather rebound went coast to coast and dunked it.

[00:33:34] He I don't know.

[00:33:35] I don't know if he said that, but like I knew he's going to be in the NBA right there.

[00:33:40] LeBron.

[00:33:41] He's hilarious.

[00:33:42] Hilarious guy.

[00:33:43] That was just hilarious to me.

[00:33:44] So I'm happy to see this happening though.

[00:33:46] And I was so pumped seeing him in the game.

[00:33:48] I swore he was going to make that one three.

[00:33:50] He looks good.

[00:33:51] He looked good.

[00:33:53] So I mean, he's got a shot to win rookie of the year.

[00:33:55] No one else has been really stepping up.

[00:33:56] So funny you say that because Bronnie has a lot of critics and there are a lot of people

[00:34:04] saying that it is.

[00:34:06] This is nepotism.

[00:34:07] Now, mind you, I'm going to go on record.

[00:34:09] Normally, I don't love nepotism because nepotism doesn't really normally work.

[00:34:12] It's not really for black people.

[00:34:15] Okay, but this type of nepotism.

[00:34:17] I'm here for it.

[00:34:18] However, people say Bronnie not that good.

[00:34:23] Right.

[00:34:24] And I'm missing that shot.

[00:34:25] And there's just a whole bunch of clips of people hating on Bronnie.

[00:34:29] And I think yesterday or Friday, there was this article.

[00:34:33] I don't know if you read it where they were considering putting Bronnie on the G League.

[00:34:40] Yep.

[00:34:40] I've seen that and it's going to happen.

[00:34:43] Unfortunately, Bronnie is not where he needs to be.

[00:34:45] I think if anything, this speaks to how great LeBron is and how powerful he is.

[00:34:50] I mean, he's the president of the Players Association.

[00:34:53] He's done so much for this league already in a league that Jordan kind of built up Larry Bird,

[00:34:58] Magic Johnson, they built up.

[00:34:59] Now it's in LeBron's hands and he's done a great job with it.

[00:35:03] And no one has received criticism like LeBron has.

[00:35:06] So if there's anyone to coach Bronnie through this, it's going to be LeBron senior.

[00:35:11] And he's so good at staying calm and staying a level head and especially tell him Bronnie what he needs to hear.

[00:35:19] So behind closed doors, I'm sure that he's doing a great job in coaching him one on one and telling him what he needs to hear.

[00:35:25] But this can really break you.

[00:35:27] This can really break your self-esteem in your mind.

[00:35:30] And I think once you're at this level, I mean, I saw Bronnie at USC.

[00:35:34] In fact, before he had a he had his heart attack, which is a real deal.

[00:35:38] He had a heart attack before his freshman year at USC started.

[00:35:42] And that's a tough recovery.

[00:35:43] And everyone was scared.

[00:35:45] The James family was scared.

[00:35:46] And LeBron James Jr.

[00:35:48] He was a great player at Sierra Canyon.

[00:35:50] This is where he went to high school.

[00:35:51] And he was he was a very good recruit like he could play.

[00:35:55] So I think he has to keep a strong willed mind and he can find success.

[00:36:00] I think the G League is going to be good for him.

[00:36:02] I think the biggest the biggest problem he's going to have is himself.

[00:36:07] He can't get down on himself or else it will be over before it even starts.

[00:36:11] And I've just read a lot of things.

[00:36:13] So I've seen a lot of hate, but I've also seen a lot of things that it's like it's not that Bronnie is not a great player.

[00:36:18] Just the reality of the situation is, and I mean this respectfully, like if your dad wasn't LeBron, you wouldn't be where you are right now. Right.

[00:36:26] You would you would still be working and like crafting on your skills.

[00:36:30] So I actually think the G League could be great for him to get better at playing at this higher level.

[00:36:36] And so I just again, like we were saying with Jell-O, I know it has to be a hard pill to swallow.

[00:36:42] But in the end, I definitely think it is something that is for the best of him.

[00:36:49] And I'm also first of all, Savannah and LeBron have great.

[00:36:53] They are great at naming their children because, you know, the next one that I am watching is Bryce.

[00:36:59] And it is interesting to see. And what I love again, I'm I by no means am I saying I am a basketball expert.

[00:37:07] I know sports, but I get attached to people. I follow things.

[00:37:11] And like so it is interesting with Bronnie and Bryce. Right.

[00:37:15] I've seen some highlight clips of Bryce and it reminds me of the Ball Brothers. Right.

[00:37:20] Where it's like they're good. They have these skills.

[00:37:22] However, they're so different. Right.

[00:37:25] Like where I feel like the clips that I'm seeing of Bryce are so different than Bronnie.

[00:37:30] And it's just like personality and different things. But my I'm hoping the best for Bronnie.

[00:37:35] But regardless, they made history. And I mean, his last name is James.

[00:37:40] So he's already a step above a lot of other people.

[00:37:44] That's right. And one thing I want to touch on, you really said it best.

[00:37:47] It's he would not be where he is without LeBron.

[00:37:50] And I mean, that's it's just a fact. He wouldn't have even been at Sierra Canyon without LeBron.

[00:37:55] And it goes back from day one. So I think he has a lot of potential and a lot of the material he can work with.

[00:38:03] He's good, but he's not ready. He's not ready. The G League will be great.

[00:38:07] And I hope he keeps his head up. And there's nothing wrong with that. Right.

[00:38:10] Like, it's like, you know, there's nothing wrong with that. And I think I hope that he is honest with himself. Right.

[00:38:15] I think that that's like the biggest thing is like, you know, it might be a step back, but it's a step back for us.

[00:38:20] It's a set up for a step up. Yeah. I love that. I love that.

[00:38:26] OK. All right. Now, let's switch it over to my home team, Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Sixers.

[00:38:32] Now, I'm a butcher his name. I've all I'm in hard blood names, but Joel.

[00:38:38] Embiid. Embiid. OK.

[00:38:42] The theme of this podcast so far is injury. Right. You know, Joel has been injury prone, injury prone to playoffs.

[00:38:50] He ain't never at full steam. Now, at the Philadelphia Sixers opening game, Joel was in my day.

[00:38:58] Then we get this press release that's basically saying Joel said, I'm trying to stay healthy.

[00:39:04] I want to play in the playoffs. I never playing back to back games in the regular season.

[00:39:11] Now, to someone like me, I'm like, OK, if you were star, you could do that.

[00:39:18] However, the NBA on this upcoming Monday is launching an investigation into the 76ers because I guess there is something called I guess it's low carrying something where they're acting like he's injured.

[00:39:33] And so, again, in those case and LaMelo's case, when you are nurturing an ankle, a shoulder injury, right, like we understand you can't play.

[00:39:42] But Joel ain't nothing wrong. Right.

[00:39:48] Well, what's funny about this, he's coming fresh off of the Olympics.

[00:39:53] Like, dude, we we just watched you play basketball every game.

[00:39:57] Even Katie was out and you were playing and Katie always is hurt.

[00:40:01] So, I mean, it's just funny. And what's funny is he said he's not playing back to backs.

[00:40:06] He hasn't played a single one yet. He hasn't even played one.

[00:40:09] We got to play one first before we can start worrying about the back to backs.

[00:40:13] But here's my thing, Jalinski. Why even say something? Right.

[00:40:17] Like what? Like I felt like what? Like why make this announcement?

[00:40:21] Just kind of do it. I don't if they didn't say this.

[00:40:24] I don't think the NBA will be launching this investigation.

[00:40:26] Right. That that is true. And I'm a huge Joel Embiid fan.

[00:40:30] I love watching him play, especially knowing that.

[00:40:33] So Joel started playing basketball when he was 17 years old and he just grew.

[00:40:38] He didn't grow. He was always seven feet.

[00:40:40] But he just grew into the basketball player that he is very quickly.

[00:40:44] He went to Kansas for college and he just excelled.

[00:40:47] He was the number three pick in the draft.

[00:40:49] And he was incredible.

[00:40:50] I mean, he got better and better every single year.

[00:40:53] Um, and he had his one MVP year.

[00:40:56] He's always been in the race for the past like three or four years.

[00:41:00] He finally got his MVP.

[00:41:03] He beat out Jokic.

[00:41:04] And I, you know, it, Joel seems like he's a winning guy.

[00:41:08] He wants to win these games.

[00:41:10] But part of me sees that he won the MVP and it's been different ever since.

[00:41:14] I mean, it doesn't seem like he wants to win a ring.

[00:41:17] They need him.

[00:41:19] They need Joel.

[00:41:21] Jelinski, I've been trusting the process for a decade at this point.

[00:41:26] I'm not sure what the process is that I'm trusting.

[00:41:29] Could you talk more about this investigation?

[00:41:32] Like what is the NBA investigating and what could potentially the Sixers be doing wrong with Joel?

[00:41:40] Right.

[00:41:40] So, I mean, I think a lot of this talk stems from last year because last year, uh, Joel started missing all these games and that made him ineligible for the MVP.

[00:41:52] So, um, the NBA, obviously I'm trying to figure out a good way to say it, but they don't want someone who's on a hundred multiple hundred million dollar contracts doing nothing, you know?

[00:42:07] Cause who, who's to say, I mean the Philadelphia organization, they can say, Oh yeah, Joel practice today.

[00:42:12] The media can say, Oh yeah, Joel practice today.

[00:42:14] And we can see that, but there's just a level of integrity and you signed a contract, you know, you signed a contract with the national basketball association.

[00:42:23] And if we have one player doing this, it's also an equality thing.

[00:42:27] You know, you got to treat every player like that because what's the difference between Josh or not Josh Giddy, uh, Joel and bead and D Anthony Milton.

[00:42:35] Who's now on the Grizzlies.

[00:42:36] He was a sixer, but he's on the Grizzlies now, or where's he at now?

[00:42:39] He might not.

[00:42:40] He's on the warriors now, but you know, Joel's in the spotlight.

[00:42:43] What's making D Anthony Milton not be able to do the same thing.

[00:42:46] Oh, I'm hurt.

[00:42:46] I'm never, I'm not, not only am I not playing back-to-backs I'm never playing again.

[00:42:51] So.

[00:42:54] I mean, interesting.

[00:42:55] I, when I heard this, I was like, I don't understand what the issue is because it's like, I think of myself and my regular job.

[00:43:01] Like I got PTO time.

[00:43:05] If I want every Friday off for the next six months, I can do that.

[00:43:09] There you go.

[00:43:10] So.

[00:43:11] Right.

[00:43:12] Well, you know, there is a level to how serious is his injury because he gets injured every single year and it's always the same injury.

[00:43:20] So there is a lot of truth to what he's saying.

[00:43:22] I think the NBA is just trying to find that exact line of how to prevent Joel sitting out from all these games and making sure Joel plays the games that he can.

[00:43:32] And because especially being an NBA player, it's hard travels hard, especially being seven, one, seven, two, 300 pounds.

[00:43:40] Like that's no joke, especially sitting on those planes and working out every single day.

[00:43:44] It has a serious toll on your body.

[00:43:47] Not only just the basketball games, but the travel it's exhausting.

[00:43:51] Yeah.

[00:43:52] My one friend, she's a sports fanatic.

[00:43:54] And I was talking about this with her before I jumped on with you.

[00:43:58] And so she was saying some of the similar things that you were saying, but she also was saying the fans.

[00:44:03] Right.

[00:44:03] Like you're getting paid this money and you are an athlete.

[00:44:07] But in some, I don't know how this sounds, but like you are kind of like a performer.

[00:44:11] Right.

[00:44:12] Like it's like, you know, I'm paying money to go see Beyonce.

[00:44:14] I'm paying money to go see Coldplay.

[00:44:16] Like I want to see you play.

[00:44:18] Like, like, so there also is that fan aspect where it's like the fans are invested in you.

[00:44:24] They love you.

[00:44:25] They want to see you.

[00:44:26] They don't want to see you on the bench.

[00:44:28] Exactly.

[00:44:29] And that's a really good point.

[00:44:31] You don't see a lot of players like that anymore.

[00:44:34] And it's so sad.

[00:44:35] That's why one player in particular, Anthony Edwards, he's a dog and he, he has come out and said explicitly, I want to make sure that I play every game because you never know if someone is working so hard and they surprise their kids with it.

[00:44:48] They get tickets to go see the Timberwolves play specifically for Anthony Edwards.

[00:44:51] And then, oh, I'm out that game just to rest.

[00:44:54] You know, how big of a pill is that to swallow?

[00:44:56] And there's nothing you can do about it.

[00:44:58] And beyond the basketball game and NBA players, this is a business, you know, and to go back to Bronny James a little bit.

[00:45:06] The that's the smartest thing the Lakers ever did was drafting Bronny James Jr.

[00:45:10] And that hit the first day that they drafted Bronny.

[00:45:13] They had $2.3 million or 2.3 million Jersey sold, which is an insane number.

[00:45:20] It's a business before all.

[00:45:22] And I think that's kind of why to further your friend's point, like that's why the NBA is investigating because it's a business before all.

[00:45:31] I'm just trying to figure out what they're going to find and what they're going to say.

[00:45:33] Like, right.

[00:45:34] Like I want to see the report.

[00:45:36] Right.

[00:45:36] Like, it's like that.

[00:45:38] That's what I'm most excited for is just to see what the actual report will be.

[00:45:43] Um, and for our final topic, I feel like we started with the WNBA and I want to end with the WNBA.

[00:45:50] And listen, you know, everybody loves Caitlin Reese.

[00:45:53] I love Caitlin Reese.

[00:45:54] But for me, I love my girl.

[00:45:56] Uh, I said Caitlin Reese, Caitlin Clark.

[00:45:59] I love my girl Angel Reese.

[00:46:02] And I just want to give her a huge shout out because she has extended her or she inks a new multi year signature sneaker deal with Reebok.

[00:46:11] She already was signed to Reebok, but now she has extended it.

[00:46:15] I believe it's until 2026 and she's going to be releasing a signature sneaker.

[00:46:20] She will only be the second woman in the WNBA to release a signature sneaker.

[00:46:28] Now, why am I bringing this up?

[00:46:30] Because one, we love the Bayou Barbie.

[00:46:33] We love Angel Reese.

[00:46:35] I love everything that she's doing.

[00:46:36] But again, we're talking about this momentum of the WNBA.

[00:46:40] I believe Angel Reese rookie salary was like $78,000.

[00:46:47] I make more than that.

[00:46:50] Okay.

[00:46:51] And so it's just crazy.

[00:46:53] And we know that the WNBA, most of their players make their money overseas and endorsements.

[00:47:00] And so, although this doesn't sound like a huge deal, because like, you know, I'm trying to figure out who's still wearing Reeboks.

[00:47:05] But listen, I'm going to grab me an Angel Reese pair.

[00:47:09] But it signifies the growth and the money.

[00:47:12] And like we were saying, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese being such pillars.

[00:47:17] This is a really big deal for the WNBA.

[00:47:21] Thoughts?

[00:47:22] Well, two things I want to touch on.

[00:47:23] Like you said, I'll start with the Reebok extension.

[00:47:27] Really, really cool.

[00:47:29] I mean, whenever I mean, Angel Reese, obviously one, not only is she a terrific basketball player, but I'll never pass an Angel Reese video on Twitter or TikTok because one, she's hilarious.

[00:47:39] She's cool as hell.

[00:47:40] And two, she's beautiful.

[00:47:41] I mean, who's not trying to watch an Angel Reese video?

[00:47:44] Okay.

[00:47:45] Let me find out.

[00:47:46] She likes the chocolate.

[00:47:48] Okay.

[00:47:48] All right.

[00:47:49] Angel Reese is a different breed.

[00:47:51] She is.

[00:47:52] I mean, I don't want to use the term goddess because like, I want to reserve that for my girlfriend, but Angel Reese is up there.

[00:47:57] She's up there.

[00:47:58] And not even to cut you off.

[00:48:00] Right.

[00:48:00] Because I also, here's another thing that I love about Angel Reese and this new class, even Caitlin Clark.

[00:48:05] Right.

[00:48:05] I feel like when people think about the WNBA players, there's this persona that they have of these players.

[00:48:13] I love the fact that Angel Reese like, flaunts her femininity.

[00:48:20] Right.

[00:48:20] In a very powerful and a very sexy and a very light, you know, like I'm not just an NBA player.

[00:48:25] I remember during like New York fashion week when she was getting all of this criticism because she walked the runway.

[00:48:30] She did all of this and they're like, oh, how you're and she still made practice and they still won the game that she played.

[00:48:35] Like I love her hustle and even Caitlin Clark.

[00:48:38] Like I.

[00:48:39] Okay.

[00:48:39] So I'll be honest.

[00:48:42] Let's see.

[00:48:42] Sometimes I don't watch all of the games of the WNBA, but what I never miss.

[00:48:47] There's like I have the photographers of the WNBA.

[00:48:50] Oh, the tunnel photos every morning during the season.

[00:48:53] I scrolled up to see the like the fashion that the ladies are bringing for me is like my favorite part of this.

[00:49:00] And so, like, I just want to piggyback that on Angel Reese because that's my girl.

[00:49:04] It's really changing and it's changing in such a great way.

[00:49:07] This will this will bring me to my next point.

[00:49:09] But to close this one out, it's very Angel Reese to be signed with Reebok.

[00:49:13] I'm if my ball knowledge is not mistaking me and I've got a lot of it.

[00:49:18] Jack's first sneaker deal was with Reebok.

[00:49:21] Well, well, I think it might have been with Kmart.

[00:49:30] Do you remember one?

[00:49:32] It was that that definitely I think.

[00:49:33] Well, I don't know, but I just remember it was either Kmart or Walmart when you will go and they had the shack sneakers in there.

[00:49:39] Yep. And I did not. I saw him, though. I saw him.

[00:49:44] This was before my time, though, in terms of like I wasn't that big of a fan.

[00:49:49] So I was a young man.

[00:49:51] Grab no sneakers.

[00:49:53] I wish I had them now.

[00:49:54] But listen, like, it's really cool to see Angel Reese piggyback off of Shaq.

[00:49:59] Not not piggyback. She's doing her own thing.

[00:50:01] But what I love about Angel Reese is no one else to sign with Reebok.

[00:50:05] You know, that's really cool.

[00:50:06] She's doing her own thing and being influential, not only as a WNBA player, but as a woman.

[00:50:11] It's really, really freaking cool to see.

[00:50:14] And to piggyback off of what you said about the $78,000 salary, the aim the WNBA is growing.

[00:50:21] They brought in so much more revenue than they've ever seen before.

[00:50:24] Jersey sales, ticket sales, media arenas.

[00:50:27] They had to go to actual arenas.

[00:50:30] Yes, it is no joke anymore.

[00:50:32] And the salaries do need to be revisited 100 percent, especially for players like Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu.

[00:50:40] There are so many great players.

[00:50:42] I mean, just on the Asia Wilson, Asia Wilson used to be the highest paid player in the league by a mile.

[00:50:47] She's great.

[00:50:48] Shout out to my aces.

[00:50:50] But I mean, you know, it needs to be revisited and specifically because of these players.

[00:50:54] Not I don't want to say that they're to think because I don't want to forget the legends before at all.

[00:50:59] But you know what my mom always says to me, Jelinski, a rising tide raises all the ships.

[00:51:06] Yes.

[00:51:06] And so I know and I'm like some of the people I hate the fact that Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are the only ones that we see making the headlines when the WNBA has been here for almost a decade.

[00:51:17] There are some I don't like to say dogs.

[00:51:19] I say Panthers because Panthers are like just as scary.

[00:51:22] But like there's some dogs in the WNBA.

[00:51:24] Like there's some legends that I don't feel like get the recognition.

[00:51:27] However, what I do love about a rising tide is that all the ships rise with them.

[00:51:32] And I love how gracious Caitlin and Angel are to paying homage to the legends that are in there.

[00:51:39] And I don't mean to keep talking about this, but I also love this my last point throughout this season, specifically with Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.

[00:51:49] You know.

[00:51:50] You are rookie like welcome to the league.

[00:51:52] We want we want to check again.

[00:51:55] So again, I first of all, my tick soccer is just filled with nothing but like WNBA and LaMelo ball and Lieutenant Dan.

[00:52:03] Do you know who Lieutenant Dan is?

[00:52:05] That sounds I feel like I do.

[00:52:07] Who is that?

[00:52:07] He's like this one legged guy from Tampa, Florida.

[00:52:10] Oh, yeah.

[00:52:11] Yeah.

[00:52:12] And the hurricanes is coming.

[00:52:15] The saga continues.

[00:52:16] He's just a mess.

[00:52:17] But I just love the fact that like people try to make a thing out of it like, oh, my God, I can't believe they did that.

[00:52:24] And I love when you get to the press conferences and they're like.

[00:52:28] We it's a physical game like like I just I love.

[00:52:32] Oh, I love it.

[00:52:34] Welcome to the league.

[00:52:35] Right.

[00:52:36] Hey, hey, hey, hey.

[00:52:38] Angel Reese one.

[00:52:38] She had a great year.

[00:52:39] But to she she really I don't want to say she should have one rookie of the year because Caitlin Clark did step up her game.

[00:52:47] But oh, my gosh, those first two months.

[00:52:50] Angel Reese was a front runner.

[00:52:53] They really should.

[00:52:54] This should have been the first time ever.

[00:52:55] They had a co rookie of the year award.

[00:52:57] They both they both deserved it and they both earned it.

[00:53:01] Does the W does the NBA do a co rookie award?

[00:53:04] Very rarely.

[00:53:05] Very rarely.

[00:53:06] I think it's happened a few times and I couldn't even tell you who it was, but I want to say it's happened a couple of times.

[00:53:12] OK, well, again, shout out to Angel Reese and with her Reebok extension deal and her new shoe coming in twenty twenty five.

[00:53:19] I hope to see more sponsorships, more brand deals for our WNBA Queens because they are definitely legends.

[00:53:25] But that has been Jelinski and myself time.

[00:53:28] I can't thank you enough Jelinski for coming on the play by play.

[00:53:31] Hopefully this could be, you know, maybe a monthly thing, maybe a bimonthly thing.

[00:53:35] I know Jelinski busy selling slots and, you know, getting new territory.

[00:53:39] But it's always great to see you.

[00:53:41] And I thank you again so much for coming on.

[00:53:43] And this is your first time on the Purple Pants podcast.

[00:53:46] That's right. Yeah. More to come. More to come.

[00:53:48] I promise you that even some survivor content.

[00:53:50] I would love if you guys would have me.

[00:53:52] I love those are my two favorite things.

[00:53:54] Basketball and survivors.

[00:53:55] So and the gambling and slot machines.

[00:53:58] So, you know, I'm all about it.

[00:54:00] And next time I would be better fitted because I'm not gonna lie.

[00:54:04] Jelinski's put on a lot of weight.

[00:54:05] Oh, my. Here I go again talking in the third person.

[00:54:08] I swear to God, I never did this before survivor.

[00:54:13] So, Jelinski and Bryce put on a little weight, too.

[00:54:15] But listen, it's OK.

[00:54:16] Listen, we eating good.

[00:54:17] OK, it's look at this.

[00:54:20] I got to get a New Jersey.

[00:54:21] This is like an XL, too.

[00:54:23] So it's not looking good.

[00:54:25] Not a worry.

[00:54:26] But listen, well, thank you so much for coming on for your rookie podcast

[00:54:29] on the Purple Pants Play by Play.

[00:54:31] We'll be back next month talking some more coverage.

[00:54:33] Thanks for listening.

[00:54:34] We out.

[00:54:36] It's the Purple Pants.

[00:54:37] It's the Purple Pants.

[00:54:38] It's the Purple Pants podcast.

[00:54:40] You better get your headphones and listen up quick.

[00:54:43] It's the Purple Pants podcast.

[00:54:45] You better listen in public, might make your stomach hurt.

[00:54:48] It's the Purple Pants podcast.

[00:54:50] You trying to unwind.

[00:54:51] You better get that box wine.

[00:54:53] It's the Purple Pants podcast.

[00:54:55] You trying to get your snack.

[00:54:56] You better hurry right back, though.

[00:54:58] It's the Purple Pants.

[00:54:59] It's the Purple Pants.