Season Nine Ep 36

Octavia recaps the first week of preseason action for the NFC East, Ray breaks down a busy week for the Washington Mystics. The Buss family and the latest pending sale of the Lakers was one of many topics discussed in Take it or Leave it. Don't miss Cardell and the team giving their flowers to Russell Westbrook after he announced his retirement last week.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:55

Welcome everybody to another week of the Focus TV. We're happy to be back with you all. We have Octavia White here. We're going to live, Cardinal Dudley Jr. Wilson Torpe Jr. This is season nine, episode 36 of the Focus TV. As a reminder, head over to our website so you stay up to date with everything we have going on currently. That is a lot of Mystic's uh content while they're trying to you know close down this season, try to get to the postseason, which we'll hear about from Ray in just a few. Um you got that the latest episodes of this show, including all of our other content in the coming months, 24-7 live feed from our channels on Roku and Amazon Flyer TV. Uh that plays all our most recent content. And that feed is right, it's right on SmackDab on the front page of the website. If you guys want to check it and uh check that out there as well. Again, um, welcome to this week's show. And uh Ray, Washington Mystics.

SPEAKER_00 1:46

Yeah, man. Uh the Mystics, they were in action three times since we last saw you guys. Uh, they had back-to-back losses in Vegas last week on Tuesday and Thursday. Uh, they kind of raided the ship on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks. Uh, they win that game 80 to 70. Um, you know, it was one of those games Cardell refers to as a trap game. You know, they come off two highly emotional games against um against Vegas. You know, prior to that, they won a seven-game win streak. And you know, those Vegas matchups were kind of a um a litmus test for where they truly were as a team. And you know, naturally they they still got a little bit more work to do, but they put up good showings nonetheless. Uh, they came back home on Saturday and played the Sparks. Uh, just be perfectly honest, they kind of slept all through the first three quarters. Uh the Sparks were they were taking it to them specifically. Ray Ray Borrell. I should finished the game with 20 points on 6-12 shooting. Uh but in the fourth quarter, the Mystics, they woke up, um, dominated that quarter 25-12 and um and got the walk away win. You know, that's it, it wasn't a good game overall, but that's a good win for a team in the position they are. Um, you know, they're they're not a contender, but right now they're a playoff team and they're progressing through the season. But um, you know, they they didn't play well and still won by double digits. So um, so that's a good sign. Earlier in the season, this is uh a pretty bad loss, uh, to be perfectly honest. So um there is some growth there. Um, but the difference between a team in a missing position and a team that's contending for a title is a title contending team stays locked in and they destroy the sparks. Just just plain and simple, uh, you know, just to kind of show the the difference in levels of of those teams. But um, but yeah, man, they they they came out with the win. Um you know, the the usual suspects uh put in the work, uh Kiki, Shakira, and Sonya all had good games. Uh Kiki had 19 and 8, uh Shakira had 17 and 11, uh Sonya 21, 6 and 8, you know, as they continue their stellar play. Uh Lauren Betts 8-5 off the bench. Uh Cody had seven. And um Cassandra Prosper, you know, her her box score doesn't really tell the impact she had in that game. You know, we were talking about it on Outlook, just the havoc she caused defensively, uh especially in the fourth quarter. You know, as I said, Ray Barrera was going off, and you know, Coach Johnson just put cats on her and pretty much shut off a water. And to be perfectly honest, that was one of the big reasons the Mystics were able to um you know to secure the win because they they were having trouble. Uh, but but yeah, man, it's um, you know, good good win for them to get back um back on the winning side of things. Uh they take on the tempo tomorrow, which is a similar kind of game. You know, it's a team that's that's uh well below them in the standings, but you know, they're they're giving the fever a tough contest right now. Uh they're they're down um by 10 in the third quarter, but um but the fever have been playing well. Toronto's they're sticking with them, and they just got Britney Sykes back. So, you know, the motto is you just can't play down to your level of competition. You know, the Mystics they were playing excellent basketball up to a certain point, and they need to find that again. So, you know, when they get when they get into these games late in the season while they're still jogging for playoff position, they don't leave any room for slip-ups. So, um, so yeah, man, just continue to tap in with us and uh you know hopefully they'll um they'll be able to continue uh stacking wins.

SPEAKER_03 5:27

Like Ray said, we'll see you guys twice more this week, I believe. Then that completes the home stand, and then I think they're gonna be on a roll for a nice little bit. Um almost a month, it feels like it's pretty much from the end of September. Um, I mean they'll be home because of that FIBA break, but in terms of WNBA schedule, they're gonna be gone for quite a while. And they they've come back end of September for I think two games, one in Care First and one at Capital One Arena. Um, and obviously we'll know by then what things look like with the postseason. We'll uh keep up to date with this with that with the sixth pregame. And now look, Octavia, um, actual other teams have played NFL preseason games since last week, which was just a Hall of Fame game. So, what you got for us?

SPEAKER_02 6:14

That is true, but let us all keep it in context that this is preseason, and let us not all lose our minds. But yes, there were other games this week, and every team in the NFC East was able to have their first preseason game. Um, of course, like I said, let's not overreact. Um, but there were some things that came up in some of the games. Uh, so the Philadelphia Eagles did play against the Baltimore Ravens, they lost to the Ravens 24-7. Um, probably the biggest bright spot for them. Uh, of course, well, I won't say of course, but none of the starters played. Um, or the presumable starters. There probably were some ones that might make the cut. But one of the biggest bright spots for them was uh rookie right tackle Markel Bell, who is continuously improving and having an impressive camp. He has already been slightly dubbed as the replacement to Lane Johnson, who pretty much all but stated that this is probably his last season. Um, and they're very excited about what Markel brings to the team. He's 6'9, 346 pounds, and he had a lot of run blocks. One where he drove a defender six yards downfield. Um, it's definitely gonna be a good case for him. Um, hopefully Lane stays healthy this year as well. We know Lane has had some issues with health over the last couple of years, but it's nice to know that we potentially have a replacement for him if something were to happen. Um, rookie quarterback Cole Payton provided one of the few offensive sparks in this game. Again, like we stated, there wasn't really much offensively happened. The offensive wasn't able to move the ball down the field with the first two quarterbacks that played in this game being Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee. I think I was a little bit more, it's crazy to say, but I guess as an Eagles fan, I think I was a little bit more disappointed in Tanner McKee. Um, Tanner's been here for a long time. I I talked to one of my friends earlier today who's a Cowboys fan, and I likened it to how Cooper Rush was kind of like the go-to backup for the Cowboys for a couple of years. I know he's not there anymore. I think he's actually in Baltimore. Uh, but that's kind of how Tanner was. So I expected for him to play a little bit better than he did, um, but he didn't. Um, Andy Dalton, and then at the same time, still remembering that they're all still learning this new um offense. So trying to give them all a little bit of grace. But rookie quarterback Cole Payton provided again one of the few offensive sparks. He was very mobile. He was the only quarterback that was able to move the offense down the field and score a touchdown in this game. Um, so again, preseason. Um, I think the Ravens defense played well, but I feel like we've always known that the Ravens defense on paper is was one of the best ones. We know last year they had a lot of injuries. Um, but for what it was, it was a pretty good showing for that quarterback. On defense, Joshua Waru showed promise and flashing in his mid and excuse me, in his NFL debut, uh recording that quarterback pressure and a tackle despite being a developmental international player pathway project. There is another one on the team who is probably more well known, if you can't be well known as one of those players. But Ur Bernard saw his very first action as playing organized football. Um, we know he's a human, like he's a he's like a giant out there. So it would look a little promising, but again, somebody who's never played organized football in their lives, he's definitely going to be a project. Um, so it'll be interesting to see if he can even make the team. Um, but I think they have so much high hopes in him that he'll probably slide in, if not on the team, on the practice spot. Um, basically, the bottom line coming down to this score to this game. Most encouraging takeaway was Markel Bell. Um, and then a little bit of the signs of Cole Pay in. But probably the biggest questions coming out of this is just about depth and execution. A lot of the things coming out of camp for the Eagles after this preseason game was it was just very sloppy. Um execute, not executed well in anything. Um, obviously, like I said, I give grace for the offense. It's a new offense all over again, and it's just something that happens every year right now. Um, but it's really too early to draw any concerns. Um, I think next week maybe we'll see a little bit more. Um, I was talking to Wilson before the game started. I mean before the uh show started. Um, we're in the era of joint practices. Um, the Philadelphia Eagles will begin their first joint practice sessions of the year, and they will be having joint practices with the New England Patriots. So uh I will be offline for very for the next foreseeable days because people are just gonna be ridiculous. Um, but that should be happening, and they will be playing against the New England Patriots uh this Saturday. Um, one other small caveat, they did sign a cornerback who was a previous uh cornerback for the New England Patriots, Isaiah Bolden. He was signed uh yesterday, more so just for depth. Um, obviously, like we saw, there wasn't some great depth there that they have. So I would expect some more depth signings to be coming within the next week or so, week or so, depending on how this next preseason game shakes out. Next, the Dallas Cowboys. Um, they played against the Seattle Seahawks, who they defeated 17 to 7. I think the Cowboys, I mean, were encouraged by the performance of Sam Howe. Um, again, not many starters played in this game. I know some of them did, but I think Sam Howe, who got the start in the preseason opener, is being evaluated as a backup. Again, I just said they no longer have Cooper Rush. Um, so of course, not wishing any type of injuries on any players at all, but we know Dak has had some injury issues over the last couple of years. So them sewing up a compatible backup quarterback is something that they definitely I would take very, very seriously. And we know Sam Howell, who's kind of bounced around a little bit, um, but he had a decent show, and he was eight of 12, 94 yards and a 39-yard touchdown while also adding 15 rushing yards. Um, he avoided mistakes, managed offense pretty efficiently, and demonstrated why you would think they brought him there for the one-year-old and see how he um plays behind Dak Prescott. Uh Joe Milton also played. Um they're probably gonna give him some more some reps as well in the next upcoming games in the preseason. Um, he did decent as well. Um, but I think a lot of people were really talking about the wide receiver um and Camden Brown. Um, he's been talked about a lot at training camp. Um, and pretty much uh he was able to parlay that into this preseason game. Everything he did in training camp and why everybody was excited for him there, it translated over into the preseason game. Um, he caught uh a crazy one-hitted touchdown pass from Joe Milson. He definitely boosted his chances of making the 53 roster. Um, he kind of balled out for what you can call ball it out in a preseason game. Um, but then of course, Caleb Downs. Uh he played sparlingly, but he had a good open uh NFL debut in it in the preseason. Um, but Malachi Lawrence, they both also saw limited action. Downs' debut was brief, but you know, show some flashes and everything. So, biggest takeaway really is Dallas' young talent, particularly those that we just named, Camden Brown, Caleb Downs. Um, and then just seeing if their defense can sustain again preseason. We have good signs. But the closer and closer we get to the season, the more more we'll see. And it's also worth noting that a lot of these teams on offense and on defense are very vanilla, so they're not really going to show you everything that they're capable of. So take it again with a grain of salt. But they will actually be playing this Saturday as well. They'll be playing against the Arizona Cardinals. Um, that should be interesting because the Cardinals have already had two games under their belt. So we'll see where they are and what type of competition um will be there for Dallas. Next, we'll go to the Washington Commanders. Um, they defeated the Miami Dolphins 20 to 7. Biggest takeaway from their win was the performance of their young players, particularly in their running game. Undrafted rookie Robert Henry Jr. was one of the stars of the game, rushing for 75 yards on 12 carries and a 22-yard touchdown. He consistently hit holes quickly. He definitely has a good view of the field, the gaps, um, and very explosive. Um, and they leaned on him pretty heavily in this game as well. Um, one notable thing, uh, Marcus Mariota, who did start for them in this game, left the game with an MCL strain or spring. Um, so he could be out, I think they said two to three weeks. It's not a good start, knowing that, of course, the injuries that Jaden had last year and Marcus being the number two. Um, so I'll be interested to see if they bring in anybody else or if they're pretty much set at the third string that's behind Marcus Mariota as well. Um, fellow running rookie running back Catron Allen was also pretty productive in this game, grinding out 85 yards and 23 carries as well as a touchdown. Um, definitely physical, definitely was able to, you know, get between the tackles and get open downfield. So it kind of gives an interesting look at what their backfield is going to look like. You know, it was kind of ring around the rosy last year and whose turn it was. You know, they let go of, I can't remember who it was, but they let go of somebody, and then it was Lil Bill's turn, and we'll see if Lil' Bill and them will be able to kind of get a rotation going, but it it gave positive attributes for where they are in their running game so far. Defensively, rookie linebacker Sonny Styles had a relatively quiet debut. I expect this from these top-tier players that are just getting into the league. Um I was surprised across the league that a lot of them played as much as they did. I know a lot of them, if they did play, they played sparingly, but still with the first game in the preseason. Um, he finished with three tackles, but wasn't a major factor. Um, and you know, just kind of stayed within himself. Basically, the bottom line for them is their defense continues to try to have a strong, strong momentum coming out of training camp, going into these games and these preseason games and into these upcoming games as we get closer and closer to week one. Um, but the defense and rebound uh rebuild is really gonna be what we're looking for because their defense was, I don't want to say god-awful, but it wasn't the best last year. Um, so definitely seeing so far they have some early good signs of what's going on for them there. But again, training camp, preseason games, we'll see how that shakes out. Last but not least, we have the New York Giants who lost to the Minnesota Vikings 13 to 10. Oh, and I'm sorry, the Commanders will play against the Detroit Lions this upcoming weekend. Um, one of the I don't even want to call it the biggest storylines coming out of this game, but one of the storylines coming off for this game was Odell Beckham back in the blue of the New York Giants, and he had a relatively okay modest stat line, two catches for six yards. Um, but he was definitely open on a lot of the deeper routes. It's kind of crazy to see him still being able to run that fast. Um, now it's just about being on the same page as the quarterback. I think, of course, the biggest news that came out of this game was Jackson Dark. We might as well just make him in the blue tent like a couple, because he loves to be there, although he definitely stated he does not like to be there. Um I was a little taken aback about him saying he didn't understand why he had to go into the blue tent when this is what happened. We're seeing it in a still frame, but in real time it was crazy. And then he laid there for a second. I know uh reports came out later that he said he had the wind knocked out of him, but that is what the spotters are there to do. They're there to, especially with somebody who has been reviewed for concussions four to five times last season. And granted, this one was no fault of his own. Um, it was a missed block, as you can see. My man on the right on his knees, like, oh snap, what did I do? Um, so no fault of his own, but it just remembers, it just puts a lot of remembrance on what we saw of Jackson Dark last year. And hopefully that offensive line gets it together again preseason. And but hopefully, this doesn't become a recurring thing for him again. Um, never want to see anybody get injured or have those type of issues as well. Um, but he was able to come back in the game after a few plays. Um, he actually threw a touchdown right after that. Um, I mean, again, not to dwell too deep on these preseason games. Um the defensive side, Arville Reese made an immediate impact on defense. Francis Muago had a steady debut as well. The Giants are young, excuse me. They're a young team for the most part. Um, of course, they have some of those sprinkled invets that's been on that defensive side for the last couple of years. Um, but I'm really just looking to see. I feel like they're all rookies all over again because I'm really looking to see how they all gel with uh the new head coach and the new coaching regime that they have there now. So it's just gonna be an interesting thing. And I think another interesting thing that came out today is they actually signed running back Najee Harris, which is actually a sneaky good pickup. I'm interested to see how that goes with him and uh Came Scatterboo and how that works out for them. But I think Najee, you know, he's kind of gotten, I don't want to say a bad rap because I mean what you put on the field is what you put on the field. But I think Najee has been a decent running back in his career so far. So I'm excited to see what happens for him. Not too excited. I don't want him to go out there and start acting like he Saquon in uh New York. Um, but I'm I'm hopeful for him because I think he was a really good running back. And it was kind of I forgot that he wasn't signed until this happened today. So um, yeah, after that, I think pretty standard preseason games, nothing too crazy to really dwell into. Everybody has a lot to work on, whether it's offensive, defensive, or special teams. Um, so just looking forward to see what happens next week. I really won't get too much into it until we really get into the games that count.

SPEAKER_03 21:13

Carta, were we gonna take it and lead it?

SPEAKER_01 21:16

We're gonna start on that side of the things. Um Giants has Octavia brought up prior. I'll bring it in the veteran running back. Najee Harris has agreed to a one-year deal with New York. Um Harris took a visit with the club on Monday, the number 24 role pick of the 21 draft. Harris suffered a torn Achilles while playing for the Chargers last season. He appeared in just three games before his injury. Uh Harris recorded at least 1,000 yards rushing each of his first four seasons with the Steelers. In uh 2024, he tallied 1,043 yards for six touchdowns and caught 36 passes for 283 yards. One day head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Harris looked good in his workout. Quote, you know, he's not back 100%. Uh he's not in a football shape yet. So if we are able to do something, it'll be the process. But that will be a guy that has got a lot of confidence. I mean a lot of experience. He's a decorated vet. And with those guys generally, you just have to kind of see where they're at when you get them. I'll say we won't kind of start with you and just start on and uh take it or leave it with the Giants. I know they're in your division. I know you don't like them, but with the Eagles bias to the side, what do you think about that addition?

SPEAKER_02 22:29

I like it. I mean, I'll take it. I I like it. I think they need there is no other veteran running back that they have. And I I know everybody is on the Kenton Skedable train. I'm not 100% sold. Um, we only saw what half of a season from him last year before he had that vicious injury. And I don't know how he's gonna come back this year. Um, so I know he has a very large vibrato and very loud, and you know, those are the type of things that get a lot of attention in big markets like New York. Um, but Najee has proven, uh, I understand, and I definitely forgot that he had the injury with the Chargers. So I can understand not being in football shape, still trying to work his way back, but he he would be what they not what they need, but he would be somebody that will be at the forefront of what they would be working with in their running back room. Um, yeah, so biased aside, I'll take it. I wish he would have stayed out of my division, but you know, um I'm not worried about any of these recent additions, and I just forgot, I forgot to talk about the other one, but um I'm sure we'll get to that later.

SPEAKER_01 23:51

Right. Your division as well.

SPEAKER_00 23:56

Um, yeah, I'll take it. It's a low risk, high reward type deal. Um you know, like Octavia said, they got um Scatterboo, but you know, he's coming off an injury as well. But I mean, uh there is some talent there that we that we were able to see. So just signing a guy like Najee is um somewhat of an insurance policy. I mean, we really don't know what he'll look like coming off a major injury as well, but I mean it it it doesn't hurt him, you know. And if he does return the form, then you know that'll be even better for them. So so yeah, I'll take it.

SPEAKER_03 24:36

Well, yeah, I'll take it. Uh I knew somebody was getting in trouble um as soon as that play happened. Uh I would just pass pro. When when fans always wondering why your favorite young running backs don't play, it's because they can't do their job and pass pro. Yeah, when they get the ball, they're fine. Um, third down, sitting in there blocking your man. So your quarterback doesn't get scooped up like his WWE. Um, yeah, that was top Tyrone Tracy. You were probably no longer eligible for third downs in the Giants organization when that play happened. I saw the clip and I instantly laughing. I was like, oh yeah, that's an old school coach. Yeah, they're not playing that, brother. So uh shout to Najee Harris because that's pretty much what that third down back job is his, unless he really can't do it. Um, it's up to him how much how much more of a role he's able to take. Because I mean, if you look in that room, it's dark when you want to talk about veterans in terms of to trust somebody that's standing there on third down and find the blitzer. And you already know that the young man of the center, he be running into concussions on his own. He don't need any help. So if you can't do your job back there and it protects him from him, like when he whipped on that block, I just like Lord, Harbaugh's gonna go crazy. Like, that's I was surprised Siron Trosy uh still on the team. Um, but yeah, uh Najee's gonna walk in. That's an easy job for him to fulfill. And you brought up his stats career-wise, like he's capable, like it's he's a complete running back, obviously has a reasonful potential from what people thought he could be coming out of college. But like this kind of fits like it feels like you know, uh hand and glove fit with the old school coach, um, understanding pass pro. They're gonna pound the ball. And also, like RB1, like he's doing flips while his legs already don't work. Like, there's gonna be snaps available. There's a lot of people on this Giants team that's make questionable decisions on and off the football field, man. But uh, yeah, I'll take it.

SPEAKER_01 26:38

All right, moving on, staying on the NFL side, take it or leave it. Um, Bar Miller signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Uh quote, the Cowboys have been interwoven with my career playing football and never thought that I had an opportunity. Tim Miller, who signed a one-year deal worth 5.5 million, up to 7.5 million, obviously, with uh incentives. I lobbied a long time, but for that really to come true, it's a dream within a dream for sure. Brian Schonheimer said the Cowboys don't expect Miller to play 40 snaps a game, but his impact can be felt as a pass rusher, especially late in games. Miller 37 had nine sacks last year with the Washington Commanders. For his career, he has 138 and a half sacks, the most amount of active players, and tied for 13th all time with former teammate and Cowboys Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys will work Miller to practice slowly, giving him time to acclimate. But he has been working out Frisco, Texas to remain in shape. Your thoughts. Take it or leave.

SPEAKER_00 27:48

You know, get the ride off into the sunset in front of the fans in his hometown. But uh football-wise, I mean I'm indifferent. Like I guess I'll leave it because like Wilson said earlier, it's 2026. Um I don't I don't expect this to impact much. Um, if it does, then great. I'll be the first one to uh to eat my words, but uh but yeah, Von Ventler in 2026 doesn't move me.

SPEAKER_01 28:21

Well man, you can't have a LeBron longevity dog, goddamn, man.

SPEAKER_03 28:31

Hey man, that's crazy. Shout out to Von finding somebody to take his talents and he can be near home. I ain't mad at you. Um, Dallas, just don't ever stop being you, man. Just on my worst day when my team get on my nerves because of the substation and everybody having magical injuries. I can always be like, as bad as we were sack-wise last year, ain't nobody get up and sign Von Miller. We had 20 sacks last year because the whole defensive line was on IR, and we still didn't call Von Miller. Dallas woke up middle of August in 2026 and was like, Von Miller, come on down. Mind you, they only had 15 more sacks, but like Ray said, for Von Miller, it's good for him because he could walk in. If he gets a sack, he's a hero. If he doesn't, I mean the bars in hell, they had 35 sacks total. Like, it's not on you, anyways. Like, they just redid the whole defense. They got brought in a new defense coordinator. They had to go get Caleb Downs to come in and try to be the dull in the room as a rookie on the back end of a bad defense. Like, a whole lot of stuff had to change. All you gotta do is just run straight. You get to play like 15, 20 snaps a game, maybe. So, I mean, I mess with it, but um, I'll take it for Von Miller and I'm laughing at it for the Cowboys. Uh, and I know that's not an option, it's taking it or leave it. Um, so I'm gonna leave it and laugh for the Cowboys, and I'll take it for Von. I ain't bad at him for that.

SPEAKER_01 29:52

I'll tell you, take it or leave it, Hurt Skiller.

SPEAKER_02 29:58

The what?

SPEAKER_01 29:59

Hurt Skiller.

SPEAKER_02 30:02

Um, yeah, I'm leaving it. And I I I slightly want to take it for Vaughn because I'm never against anybody getting their money and getting a deal somewhere, but I mean, it's just like he's just roaming around trying to find a team that'll just like, hey, guys, want me to come over here now? Because I don't know how many different teams he's been on in the last like four years. I feel like he's been on a different team every year. Um, but again, hey, get your money. He I think his thing is that he loves football so much he's gonna do it until somebody tells him he can't anymore. So the Dallas Cowboys didn't tell him that he can't, so he will be out there. Um, but yeah, I wasn't it didn't move me when he went to the commanders a year ago. It's definitely not gonna move me now. Like, I mean, no, no disrespect to the legacy that he has had. Um, we know what he's done um in his forum former years, but uh it doesn't move me. It kind of gives me the same thought that everybody gave when um when Brandon Graham came back for the Eagles for that little bit of time, and all of us Eagles fans, like, yeah, and everybody else is like, yeah, okay, sure. So it's kind of like apples and apples at that point, so but I think the difference is, of course, we were excited because he was a stable within our team, like it would be different. I feel like he was going back to the Broncos or something. But I don't know, Cardell. Y'all y'all didn't want y'all didn't want him to come home.

SPEAKER_01 31:36

We good, we good, man. We want we was we we was a fluke injury away, man. We about to get that thing, man. We good, baby. I mean, you come back and retire, man, and be a vet to your old game kind of what I was thinking.

SPEAKER_02 31:49

Like, like maybe come back, just chill, and then retire as Bronco.

SPEAKER_01 31:54

Man, now we look, we got love for Bon, man. He was on he was a monster with us, man. You know what I mean? But all the time, man. And and to be honest, at his age, getting nine sacks at his age is is is pretty good. Like that, they ain't nothing. Like, that's what I mean. And you know, you can kind of see the playing, they can use him as spurts and stuff. You know, use him as spurts. Now, if he's effective in spurts and still getting to the quarterback, hell of a signer, but it's a wait and see type of deal. But if it's one of them deals, man, he just getting held up on blocks, getting pancake, getting knocked back on it. Man, I don't want to see that, man. That that's gonna hurt. Like, come on, man. You know, I definitely don't want to see that. But um, yeah, man, we're gonna move it forward, man. But um, still last question for take it or leave it. Gotta move to the NBA side. Uh, things getting messy in LA, man. It's been one hell of all season for Lakers fans. The Bus siblings are not backing down following a legal challenge from their sister Jeannie to their plan to sell the family's remaining share of the Los Angeles Lakers. A day after the initial sale announced announcement, Jim, Johnny, Janie, Jesse, and Joey Bus released a statement through Sham Sharani of ESPN that they intend to move forward with their plan to sell their collective 17.8% share of the Los Angeles Lakers, despite Jeannie's objection. Um, the buses issued a statement Tuesday in response to Jeannie, who challenged the plan and setting a letter from a lawyer Monday, declaring that any sale the bus family share was void. Quote, the Los Angeles Lakers have never been just a basketball team. They have been one of the greatest privileges of our lives. Our focus has always been on what we believe is best for the Lakers, the fans who have supported this franchise for generations and the greater Los Angeles community. Johnny, Jimmy, Janie, Joey, and Jesse have made the decision to sell the family's remaining stake, and we remain united in that decision. We intend to move forward thoughtfully, respectfully, and through the appropriate process. We have tremendous respect for Bob Iger, Josh Kushner, and believe they understand that what the Lakers represent to Los Angeles and our incredibly loyal fan base, we are confident they will honor everything this franchise stands for while building upon the foundation our father created. Man, uh Wilson, it's eager to leave it. Uh the brother saying, Yeah, we getting our bread, we're getting up out of here, man.

SPEAKER_03 34:20

I'm gonna leave it until um until Jeannie said that thing. So man, I wish y'all the best. Um I'm not saying there's a hierarchy in the siblings, but uh there is y'all thought it was done, and all we heard some really loud from uh from Jeannie's side of things, and things ain't go through yet. So uh I'm gonna leave it. Um I'm gonna run with Jeannie and we're gonna see what happens. But uh, that's messy as hell. Um, and I'm sorry, I don't know another way to I don't know like a grown-up way to say that. This is really messy, and y'all dad wasn't out here doing what he was doing for y'all to be doing this. Um, and I don't think Jeannie about to let y'all do that because y'all know if pops was out here, y'all wouldn't even be thinking this wouldn't even be an option. So chill out, back back, and yeah, I'm just messy as hell, and I'm not going against Jeannie until until Jeannie says the thing sold. Hey man, that's that's her and her pops too old in that team. I ain't messing with it.

SPEAKER_02 35:30

This this feels like the show succession when like all of the siblings were fighting about what was my like this is like the real life where it's like I can't wait for the 30 for 30 on this whole situation to hear all the background stuff, like I feel like one sibling probably got like a gambling problem and like I need this. Like, I don't know. I'm just I'm just throwing stuff out there at this point, but yeah, I'm definitely on Jeannie's side as well. Um, don't like you said it's not a hierarchy, there is, and and a lot of times, and and I don't know, maybe I'm a little bit biased, but a lot of times in groups of siblings, it's usually it's usually a girl that's always trying to run stuff um within the collective of the siblings. Um and I used to always tell my parents I used to wish I had a sister, and they used to tell me, No, you don't. And this is kind of like reminding me like I'm good with just one, so I ain't gotta fight with all these people because that's what it looks like it's coming down to. But yeah, I think Jeannie, um, she like y'all can give as many statements to Shams as y'all want to, but um I'm I'm I'm yeah, it ain't over till Jeannie sings at this point. So I'm gonna roll with her and see what happened. Um, I think she she got the balls for it, so she she up for the fight. Um, because I think she was some, I think she was promised some things as well from the previous selling. So I think she's trying to also make sure that those things stay intact. But I mean, it's her life. Like, I I'll be honest, I'm not that well versed in the rest of the siblings, and if if or what they have brought to the Lakers organization. I'll be honest, I'm not that, but I I know Jeannie, I know she'd be all up and through this, so it's like it's her life. Like, it's kind of like just trying to sell your your siblings' life's work without their consent. Like, that's crazy. But again, this is an episode of succession.

SPEAKER_00 37:32

Right, yeah, I'm believing it. Like Wilson and Octavia said, until Genie says it's sold, it's not sold, and that's just what it is. Um, uh I understand the rest of them trying to cash out, but yeah, man, you need that signature on the dotted line, and I don't think she's gonna give it. So they they can just move on because she literally holds all the cards, so yeah, it's this is a this is an on-issue. Uh, at least it seems to be for her, because she's in a in a position of control in there now.

SPEAKER_01 38:13

Yeah, it seems like Dr. Bus knew what he was doing, leaving the controls to her. But you know, you read a bunch of articles and stuff, she was like the main one that was around for all those years. So, yeah, who would you trust? I'm gonna trust the one that showed an interest and was here grinding with me, putting in the work, you know what I mean? So respect her, but I want to pose a question, y'all. And I saw this old social media reporter who covered the Lakers through this out there. Um, because people was like, Well, why they keep trying to sell the team and all that? Um the buzz, why they doing that? He said, Look at it from this point of view, the brothers are getting older, and they don't want to risk the fact that they may die off and nothing's get passed down to their kids and stuff like that. You see what I'm saying? It just gets sold, and and and they're looking at it from that point of view, you know what I mean? So if you look at it from that side of things, what do y'all think? I know Gene, I know she's still in charge, but I'm saying, like, do y'all think she should look at all just be like, uh, y'all gonna have to figure something out? What y'all think about that? Because he threw that out there.

SPEAKER_02 39:20

I'm like he might need to come to the job then, like, what he do?

SPEAKER_01 39:25

What do you do? What?

SPEAKER_02 39:27

Like, what's his what's his occupation?

SPEAKER_01 39:30

Like on the legs.

SPEAKER_02 39:33

I'm saying that like that. What I'm sorry, but what that got to do with me? Like, I hear you, and I get the family aspect of it too, but you talking about stuff that's all the way down the line, I get trying to prepare for your future and all, but that's not the job. Well, I mean, I know rich people do things differently, like I know like that is like what's supposed to supply everybody. Um, but um, that would be the last thing that I'd be thinking about if I was her.

SPEAKER_00 40:11

Yeah, I mean, that's that's not her responsibility, and if that was their train of thought, then they probably should have had a conversation. That's presuming that they didn't, because obviously I don't know what happened, but it it seems that there was no type of communication as to what what the plan was, but yeah, I mean that makes sense from their perspective, and what Jeannie's doing makes sense from her perspective because uh I think Octavia said earlier that's her that's her life's work, and you pointed out Cardell, she was on uh Dr. Bus hip, you know, watching how this thing goes for a very long time. So it's gonna be hard for her to to give that up.

SPEAKER_02 40:55

It wasn't in the gym shoot with her, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 41:00

I like I get that part of it for the other siblings or whatever, but when Pops was here and Jeannie was running, and Jeannie was attached to his hip, y'all all had choices. You all had choices. I'm sure y'all was laughing at Lil Jeannie being tired of Pops' hip, and it was funny and it was jokes, and now we're here in 2026. And Pops probably looked at y'all real funky because some of y'all were sons, and you know, you know, to me inherited just because they were you thought it's gonna be sweet. Jeannie was like, Oh, they don't care, let's go, dad. And y'all just like, oh, ain't no way he's gonna leave it there. Yeah, all y'all, like I say, we said, go binge watch succession. Y'all, y'all, pretty much y'all grew up with shiv, bro. It happened. That's on y'all.

SPEAKER_02 41:47

That's the ball game doing shut everything down.

SPEAKER_03 41:50

She took everything because y'all they were tweaking. The brothers were like, We're boys, dad loves us. Go like if she put in that much work. What do you think? There's gonna be no consequences to you ignoring what your dad built and her being tied to his hood, and y'all just like, oh man, it's cool, cash out, and then like again, I don't know, but just seeing it from outside. That looks kind of corny to me that y'all on the outside trying to strong arm her when she was the one that was with pops. Also, you think her and pops didn't prepare for y'all, possibly doing something like this? Like, it's just messy, it's laughable, but like I get that, but you should have been around. Like, you trying to tell me that like Dr. Bush when he grew up was an older Caucasian male in the times that he grew up, and he wasn't thinking when he had a couple sons, he was leaving that to y'all.

SPEAKER_01 42:46

So they he saw they were unworthy.

SPEAKER_03 42:49

Hey man, but y'all did that. Y'all, y'all was awesome. It's y'all's probably entitled, it's gonna come at you. You thought it was sweet. Genie was like, She bet, I got this, and she there every day. Y'all know nothing about it. You just part of the family that owns it. Oh, it was pops to the daughter, it's literally succession, but shout out to y'all, man. Go go watch it, find out what Kendall was doing. The other two, the other two brats, they about to go out just like y'all. That's crazy.

SPEAKER_02 43:18

But yeah, they need to watch running point too on Netflix. That's uh that that's the other one. Because that's exactly what's happening as well.

SPEAKER_01 43:26

That's probably gonna be in there next season, then the similar shots that'll probably Jeannie Jeannie basically remember remember the Titans, the little girl, the coach. That that's Jeannie.

SPEAKER_02 43:37

That was her she died.

SPEAKER_01 43:40

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, rest in peace. But yeah, given that's all he can handle having that. That was Jeannie through decades of basketball, though. So yeah, it's like this deeper, and we all know Dr. Bus he ain't selling his lifetime. He loved the Lakers, he he made it what it is. You see what I'm saying? So he made showtime, you know, he's the architect. So for them to just try to, and I know he left them bread, so unless they just babble money, but that's some other stuff that we we don't know about. That's personal, but yeah, man, it just that's what it just seems like because they've been beefing since it seemed like towards the end of Kobe's tenure there. She tried to bring the up one of the brothers in. Um, I forgot his name, one of the buzz brothers in and all that, and they had conflict from Jump about the direction of the team, who we should sign. And she just basically pulled Rain like, dog, you you ain't been around enough to be talking. You don't know what you're doing. You ain't hoop, dog. Like, you know, left-hand layup challenge, man. I need to see that before you come get me some ideas. Oh, you you air about it, get up out of here, dog. You ain't hit the back button, get up out of here. I'll let you know we make a decision, man. You can be at the meeting, you can be at the meeting, man, just act important, but nah, that's how I gotta go, man. You see what I'm saying? So I think that's just what it is, man. And I think she know, like it this unstable because they just sold it last year, and she was on board with that. And now with this, you know, it's just less than a year later, or a year later, it's just and I'm letting I know Luca, like, yo, what's going on, man? Like, you like, you know what? I'm just gonna shut my mouth and hoop, but I'm about to hit this this y'all mind, y'all not about to blame me. Like, I'm the one that brought down the Laker franchise to hell. No, sir. So it is, yeah, they gotta clean this up because this one of the most one of the pillars of the NBA, one of the most story franchises and not just the NBA, all the sports. Yeah. So for things to be on shaky ground at the top, you all you all we all know how it goes. Eventually, it's gonna trickle down to what we see on the floor. And once it gets there, that's when the fans gonna get frustrated and all hell is gonna break loose. And you don't want those problems, man. Because yeah, uh Los Angeles is expensive as hell. So it can get ugly. Uh, how much more time? We got a few more questions. Oh man, definitely gotta take it here. Russell Westbrook, man, call it a career. Uh nine time all-star, nine-time all NBA selection, former MVP, and rainy triple-double king announced his retirement from basketball last week. Uh, Westbrook broke the news via video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan that he shared on social media. Two-part question. Do you think he went out how he should have gone out? And just what are your thoughts on the impact of one Russell Westbrook, man? Uh, we're gonna start with you, uh, Octavia.

SPEAKER_02 46:43

Yeah, I I say he went out the way he should have gone out because I do I always love when they're able to go out on their own terms, not because they can't play anymore and you know, something catastrophic happened. I do wish he was able to get more because I think Russell, you know, he's one of the most athletic players that's played in the league. He's one of the most passionate players that's played in the league. And I mean, again, I I don't know how touted he was coming out of uh UCLA, but I think he made a great career for himself out of honestly, like just pure like drive and passion and determination. Like, I don't think that whatever he was coined to be to come out, I think whatever that was, he definitely surpassed it. Um, being one of the top 75 players, you know, the I don't even know what how many freaking triple doubles he has at this point. Um, so I think him going out on his own terms, I'm always happy for him in that aspect. But I think with Russell, just his personality and the way he is, like I look forward to see what he does next. Like, I know, like it's some players that you know like might just like ride off into the sunset. Like, that's not like a Tim Duncan thing where he he pop out every now and then and and just be around. Like, I just foresee Russell's just being involved in a lot of things. Um, so definitely caps off to a great career. I'm sure there were some things he wished he could have done that he didn't get a chance to do, but um definitely much respect to him because I definitely think he over he went well over what anybody would have thought, probably outside of him, um, thought he would have been able to accomplish in the league. And he's definitely gonna be one of the greatest players that played in the league at one point.

SPEAKER_00 48:36

Right. Yeah, um, you know, in regards to did he go out how he should have gone out. I mean, I always feel like that's a that's a loaded question because like everybody not gonna get a retirement tour and all that. You know he he he was his he didn't go out like like Octavia said, he wasn't like forced out by injury or anything like that. So I mean, yeah, that that that is what it is. Um, and he went out, he he chose, he had office on the table. You know, it's not like he didn't have options, but he said to himself, this is kind of not what I want at this point. So, you know, I'm stepping away. So, I mean, obviously he was content with it. So, I mean, I I guess that's all that matters. Um, in regards to on the floor, I think he's one of the more underappreciated players that we've ever seen. Uh, he's he has some faults as a player for sure, but you know, he I just like the intensity he plays with, man. Like every single possession since I started watching him play basketball was at the same level, you know, never took a playoff, was just at everybody neck in front of him. That's that's all you can ask. I wish more players had that attitude. Um it's it's something that's lacking. You know, he's a he's a competitor in every sense of the word, and you don't accomplish what he accomplished if you if you don't have the attitude. Uh and you know, any time when I have to agree with Draymond Green, my skin itches. But you know, Draymond, he he was right. You know, people's all Westbrook, West Brick, this and that for the past have him in years, you know, how he was treated when he was with the Lakers. But now that he retired, everybody remember how great he was. You know, like I you can you can critique people's game without disrespecting what they what they've accomplished. You know, he if he has some bad shooting nights, cool, speak on it. But to talk about him like he's not going to be a first ballot hall of famer, that's that's just crazy. So, you know, I I think and every time somebody like this steps away from the game, it just um it just makes me wish that people would appreciate people more, you know, during their careers instead of waiting until you know somebody retires or or God forbid somebody passes away. We see that much more like you know, when it when they're not available to us anymore, we all of a sudden remember, you know, what they what they brought to the game. So, so yeah, man. Um you know, hell of a career. Uh he he's one of those players that I definitely would have liked to see win a championship, you know, but unfortunately it didn't work out that way. But but yeah, man, I I think he he does he's not gonna have anything to look back and say, Dag, I wish I would have tried harder or I wish I would have gave it gave basketball any more than I gave it. I I think he left it out on the floor, and you can't ask any player to do anything more than that.

SPEAKER_01 51:55

Wilson.

SPEAKER_03 51:57

Yeah, uh kudos to Russell and Hell of Career. Um, like Ray said, the intensity, the ferociousness in which he played, um, that it was set to 170 plus at all times, good, bad, or indifferent. You can't do anything but appreciate it. And it's gonna be one of the things like what he brought to the table, it's just gonna be missed. Um, because that that switch was on the entire time. You never had to wonder about it. Uh, and then yeah, just in this wonderful numbers area numbers age of stupidity. Um, yeah, just unappreciated for sure. Um the triple doubles, what he he he's gonna end his career averaging like what 20, 28, and like I think essentially seven boards, because it was like 6.9 or whatever. So 28 and 7 at the one. Like, brothers, what else is there? Like, yeah, mentioned he won the championship. All right, cool. There's a lot of great players that didn't win championships. This what he put on wax was remarkable, it's crazy. Um, there's nothing to argue about. Uh, and like you said, yeah, you can critique or whatever, but he was a force um the entire time, dude. Like, can't nobody can't nobody ever say, man, there was there was this one time I watched I watched whatever team Russell Westbrook play for, and I didn't I didn't feel Russell Westbrook's impact on the game. That could never ever be said about any game that man ever played in. So uh, you know, job well down to Russ, and and a bunch of the people that's out there with the Westbrook stuff. Y'all are some losers for that. That was just stupid. Um, and y'all, and and there's a good bunch of y'all. Y'all have a nasty, a nasty habit of doing that to great players when they play with your deity. Like y'all just trash all of them, and it's just something that's common, and it's a nasty pattern. Y'all just gotta stop with that, man. One of the greatest point guards, dude. Like he he put in a tremendous amount of work. The body work was crazy. Shout out to Russ.

SPEAKER_01 53:57

Yeah, and that's uh Octavia's question. Uh, about he had 209 triple doubles first all time. But if you had the playoffs, it's 221 altogether record season playoffs, which is obviously first all time. Hell, he had six last year. You know what I mean? So he could still play, you know what I mean. But I just don't think he liked the role and all that. And he's like, you know, I'm gonna go out now because you see the writing on the wall. But yeah, I agree with what you said, Wilson. Things turn it it. Things were different when he went to LA. You know what I mean? Because him and LeBron basically played the same style. They both need the ball. And obviously they're not gonna go against LeBron. So it's like the heat went towards Russ and it wasn't his fault. You know what I'm saying? Um look was was was Russ the I I guess you could say a player without flaws. No. Um, but no play is. Every player has some type of flaw. But the one thing you always can appreciate is he, whatever he he had, he brought, he brought to the court every game, every practice. Like every time you literally see that man play basketball, his balls to the wall just it's it's no slacking. And you can appreciate that in a sport that's notorious for having two cool for school type of athletes, man. Like, yeah, I'm the shit, man. Yeah, give me this ball. So I do this cross-up, shoot this job. Now, he he it's it's refreshing to see that. Um and in the story where I really got familiar about Russ, it was overseas camp. Had a team, my teammate Jarek, played for Western Illinois. They played against the UCLA team with him, Darren Collison, Kevin Love, Luke Maaboute, and all of them. They played against them that season when um prior when we went in overseas camp. And you know, we just sit around talking about guys and we played against them stuff, and it was their rookie year. And we used to, you know, you know, he mentioned he played against them, and we was like, so you know, how was Kevin Love? Just ask him how was he when you battle with him and all that? Because he was the most high-profile guy. And he was like, he was cool, you know, he did his thing, but they blew him, blew him out. But he was like, but Russ the one. He was like, Oh, Westbrook for real? He's like, Yeah, like he the one that like kept coming, even though they was blowing his out, everybody else kind of took, you know, fell back. He did not start, he kept coming. He's like, Wow, she's gonna be the best out of all of them. I was like, damn, man, you dog, y'all up 20, dog. Like, why you come? Like, you you just trying to kill us more. Like, and he was right, he was dead on. You know what I mean? And and that to me, that story when he told me that every time I see Russ play, I always thought about that because he doesn't know how to stop. Even when he came here to DC on one leg, look what he did. On one leg, COVID. He's like, Oh, we're going to the playoffs, dog. Look what he was doing on one leg. I'm gonna go guard Giannis in the four, because can't nobody else do it and they act like they scared the bang. And he went there and was on the block rumbling with that's the stuff I appreciate. You know, so especially with a guard my size and all that, doing all that, like, yeah, that's how it's supposed to be done. And like he didn't win a championship, but one thing I can say about Russ, like when he retired, and when we're obviously retired, but as he moved forward in life, a lot of hoopers get to reach back because they are unfulfilled. A lot of athletes, because deep down they know they ain't leave everything out there. That ain't gonna be him. It's like when Kobe retired, man. Look, I'm a writer now, rest in peace. You got rest of those, I'm a writer now, I'm directing kids' films. He moved on because he's like, I gave everything I had to basketball. I don't need to look back. That's Russ. And and not a lot of basketball players can say that because they was bull job, they ain't take it seriously for whatever reason. But he left it all out there. And if you can't respect that, man, something wrong with you. It's just because he wasn't projected to do that coming out of high school. Hell, he he damn near had to walk on. You see what I'm saying? He was a late, he was a late edition on scholarship. But then a couple years, he's the highest draft pick. You see what I'm saying? So, nah, man, that that dude's a that dude's a warrior, man. You just straight up, man. And and that's the type of guy you want on your team, man. Like, like I fine, what like I said, he wasn't the most efficient, he had flaws, decision making, wasn't the best shooter. You can you can nitpick all you want. But I know if I'm going to win a big game, game seven, or something like that, I need yeah, put Russ on my team. I'd rather have him be on my team than be go against him. You know what I mean? Because we all remember what happened when K E left. They're like, okay, C done. And that man willed him to the playoffs. Dog, hit that game win them, mate, dog, 2020, 20 games. Who the f does that as a point guard? That's that's insane, man. That's some old Will Bill Russell stat line type stuff, man. You know what I'm saying? Like, but he was doing a model today as a point guard. So if you're saying something negative about that, man, you you need to get some therapy, go get some help, look deep down. Um, because you don't even have to be negative, man. It ain't even for that. That man did he he did amazing things, things he wasn't necessarily looked upon to do. And and it should always be respected, man. And yeah, uh he he finishes one of the greatest ever doers, period.

SPEAKER_03 59:26

Yeah, for sure. Uh again, job well done to Russ. Uh, we appreciate y'all uh hanging out with us this week. Cardo, do you have another one or before I close?

unknown 59:39

All right.

SPEAKER_03 59:40

Uh appreciate y'all being with us this week. Close things down. We'll see y'all uh tomorrow and want to say Friday for Mystics uh before they head out on the road. So look forward to speaking to y'all about that, uh, both of those games. Hopefully they got those are the two last games on this homestead before they leave. Um again, don't forget to get over to the folkstv.com and y'all have a great week. We'll see you soon.