Brooklyn Nets Draft Talk + Future of the Franchise | Inside the NBA Agency World ft. BJ Bass

Añadido: 2026-05-18

[00:00:00]What is going on Brooklyn NEF fans?

[00:00:02]Hello everyone and welcome back here into another edition of the Brooklyn Boys Show. I am your host Connor Long and joining me today here on the pod, an NBA agent of RBA showcase, the great BJ Bass has multiple players within the Nets organization, multiple around the NBA, several players on lucrative international deals, and he's kind enough to join us right here on the show. BJ, great to get you on. How you doing?

[00:00:27]>> Wow, what an intro, Connor. Thank you, buddy. And I appreciate you. You are uh you are a very impressive I didn't want to say young gentleman because it doesn't even matter, but I'm you are you are a very impressive young man and I and and uh so anyway, I'm very happy to be here with you.

[00:00:44]>> Means a lot. I'm super happy that you are able to be here and without further ado, just dive into it. And I think this is going to be a a really interesting episode for for me and the listeners cuz you know it's not going to be maybe so much just team specific on the Nets but just for you overarching what it's like um being in Asia and there's so much I think behind the curtain that fans don't see. So I'll ask you what was the process you know a decade and a half ago whatever it was when you decided to you know start RBA showcase and get involved as an NBA agent. What is that process like? because you hear when these guys come out, when they enter the league, it's, you know, the big agencies that always take center stage, the the clutch sports, the CAAs, the the Wassermanman's. So, how were you able to break through and kind of carve out your niche in the NBA agency world?

[00:01:32]>> That's a great question. So, and you're right, it's, you know, there are five or six big agencies that control maybe 85% of of all the players in the NBA. So, if you're not one of those guys, you really got to grind. I mean, that's the bottom line. like we um I think when we met I told you the story about how I got into the business. Um I'm a Roslin guy and I I helped a local kid named George Beaman who was a high school player at the time when around the time when Tobias Harris was here in Dicks Hills. And long story short, I helped George get a scholarship and and nobody really felt that he was a division one guy. Um, and I thought that he was and it turned out I was right.

[00:02:11]And um, and he had a great career at Manhattan and went to the NCA tournament and scored 2,000 points. And that was really the genesis of, you know, being able to scout and and and see things on the basketball court and have conviction on them. I didn't have a huge network at the time. I had some friends at Hofra and some, you know, uh, some buddies at St. John's, so I helped George locally, but I was just trying to help him as a guy from the neighborhood. You know, I had I had uh graduated from Rosland. I still live here. And uh so I'm a Roslin guy through and through. Married my high school sweetheart from from uh from RHS.

[00:02:48]And uh you know, I just really wanted to help George. And um long story short, after I did that, I hooked up with um the Rubenstein, who are also here on Long Island, and they um had just um gotten involved with Basketball City, which is by South Street Seapport, the big basketball facility that that they opened about uh 2015, I'd say, 2014, 2015. And um and it was rolling after that. We kind of put everything together and really started organically trying to find guys similar to what I did with George, >> finding guys in college initially that were a little bit below the radar. We didn't go after lottery picks. We really couldn't compete and didn't try to in that space. But but we've built this organically by >> um using basketball city a lot in the beginning and having NBA people come in and that's really how I built my network. uh in addition to going to Summer League, going to Portsouth, going to all these places, this is what you have to do.

[00:03:47]>> And you have to meet you have to meet everybody and you have to have product >> and if you can if you can if you have a product and you have a network and you can connect the dots, then all of a sudden you're an agent.

[00:03:59]>> Yeah, certainly very well said there.

[00:04:01]And you know, again, the big agencies like you, like you said, you five or six big big agencies, the the Clutch Sports, things like that, the um all those big networks that like you say control 80 85% of the league, and talking about how you guys were kind of able to get started, I I'll say this, while you may not have as big of a portfolio as the the CAAs of the world do, what separates you guys from maybe some of the other agencies that you're competing with for those diamonds? in the rough to try to get those guys over the top.

[00:04:33]>> I think what really separates us is, and this may sound cliche, but it's really all about customer service. You know, for us, we have right now maybe 35 clients. Um, which may sound like a lot or a little, but every single one of those guys gets a laser focus from us.

[00:04:54]And we >> are successful because we are very picky about who we take. We won't just take anybody. We want to we we need to know that we believe in them from a basketball perspective on on the court, off the court. Um because there's a lot of work that goes into this and you want to work with people that you like, you know, and so um we're all about um I would say the key differentiators for us are scouting. We've done a really great job of finding guys. As you know, I work closely with Cam. I think you've met Cam Bren, >> um, who's my right-hand guy, and we work really closely. And listen, we don't miss games. We we >> I said we grind. We go to all the games.

[00:05:35]We go to all the G-League games, the college games, the, you know, we're trying to find guys, and I think we're really good at that, at identifying talent, but also, um, personalities that can be successful. And and then I think we've carved a really good niche of there's a ton of guys in the G-League level or even in the European level that can play in the NBA, >> right?

[00:06:01]>> And maybe just need that little extra push and that focus and that credibility of somebody who has done it before, who's has found guys >> Yeah.

[00:06:10]>> to pound the table and say, "Hey, this is the guy you got to bring in." You know, and so we're very good at that. Um and then it's a partnership. Like I said, it's up to the player. They got to get on the court and do what they do, and they have to be incredibly professional um off the court. And then they have to find because you asked me a great question about what we do, but it also applies, I think, to players because they have to find a differentiator, right? It's so important for them to crack to the NBA. They're not looking for them to come up and get 30. They have their max guys. So, they also have to find a niche and really understand what makes them different and what makes them special. So, I think it's a great question and I hope I I gave you some insight there.

[00:06:57]>> Yeah. No, very well said there. And I I want to come back to, you know, your clients with the Nets and your guys currently in the NBA, but I want to talk about the international landscape because it's really interesting. Uh so many different leagues. You have guys uh playing over in China, I Italy, all across the globe. And someone who I I think a perfect example is of going international and then coming back and making a difference in the NBA is Royce O'Neal. But there aren't a million Royce O'Neals in the world, BJ. For every Royce O'Neal, there's someone who goes overseas and kind of rots away after a few years. I I'd say after a handful of seasons in the GLeague, what is that process like when you're trying to maybe transition your client from saying, "Hey, you know, you've been here for three, four years, you haven't gotten a two-way, haven't really made any noise.

[00:07:45]I think overseas is the option."

[00:07:47]Generally, how is that viewed from the client's perspective? And how do you approach that as an agent? I assume it's very delicate.

[00:07:55]>> It is. And [clears throat] it's and it's case by case. I mean, I would I would say this. It's I compare it when you get engaged with players to it's similar to a real estate type of transaction, right? You have an agent and let's say you're selling a house and the agent comes to the house and the agent knows what the other houses on the block have sold for and they they assess your house and they can see what's needs work and the strengths and weaknesses of the house and then they know that based on their expertise your house is worth let's just say 650 grand. Okay.

[00:08:34]>> But you think your house is worth 2.4.

[00:08:35]before.

[00:08:37]>> Okay.

[00:08:37]>> Exactly.

[00:08:38]>> That's the issue. Yeah. [laughter] >> So, if I'm the agent, um I have to decide now um do I want to take that job and is that a realistic expectation? And so, the first the very first conversation, which is a difficult one, but it gets back to what I said to you, which is we we are I mean, listen, we're New York guys, so we are straight shooters. The one thing guys know about us, um we're going to give it to them straight. And guys need to hear that. I believe that guys need to know what the teams think because you have to improve your strengths and weaknesses and you want to get that [clears throat] feedback loop, right? So, we're not bashful about that, but I think that's a difficult conversation. You're right.

[00:09:18]But it has to happen that you've been in the GLeague a couple years and it hasn't happened and now you're going into your third summer, let's say, and summer league isn't there. Yeah. I mean, that's that could be a time to pivot. Now you look at another another guy like um Tyson who we've talked about a lot.

[00:09:37]Tyson Etienne who who who who stuck and he grinded it out for the third year and look what happened. He got he he exploded >> and you know he was in Atlanta. He was in College Park the first couple seasons and I'm I'm sure the first season he probably was pretty close and then he tried, >> you know, the second season and he was close and then he came with us actually when he came up here the third season in Long Island and it just clicked, you know. Um, so it's a little bit different case with Ty because we just got him in that third season, but it shows you that like it can happen either way. Um, so there's never a right answer, but you have to really uh gather all the information, be honest with these guys so that they can make a good decision.

[00:10:22]>> Yeah. No, certainly entirely agree with everything you said there. And um I I want to talk about the two-way contracts because feel like everyone thinks that, you know, just you get a two-way contract, that's the goal. Okay, a player is technically on an NBA roster and can go up and play NBA minutes, but you know way more about this than I do, but kind of just from, you know, a spectator and and following the league, it's like, you know, some of these guys are on two-way contracts, not even with the Nets, just teams around the league and they're just parked on a G-League roster uh on some of these really talented uh organizations and then they just don't get an opportunity of the NBA. they can't spurn the team to go sign a a standard deal because two-way you have the the full rights over that player.

[00:11:05]>> What for you are some of the downsides of these these two-way deals as someone who's negotiated a flurry of them?

[00:11:12]>> Yeah, I actually did the first one which is incredible, man.

[00:11:15]>> Exactly. For sure.

[00:11:17]>> That's such a that's such a cool thing, man. Eric Griffin I did with the Jazz and like I >> the first year they had him.

[00:11:23]>> But um you know it's luck and timing, man. And I don't and I and I hate to say that because guys kind of don't want to hear that, but like look at Dennis, you know, like >> look at the spot he's in. Dannis is in that spot in Detroit and um you know Cade gets hurt and then all of a sudden he gets an opportunity like that to play on a two-way um and get a get a good conversion, a really good conversion because he got an opportunity to play and prove himself. And like you said, there's a lot of guys that are on two-ways that don't get an opportunity to play. Um, there's some that get it limited. So, I think it really comes back to, you know, you have to have a relationship with the NBA GM and understands where they see this guy in the organization. You know, are they putting him on a two-way just to build a fence around him like you said and put him in the GLeague like that might not be the best thing. Maybe it is the best deal, but >> but it might not be. But you want to know that like the GM has him on a two-way because he's going to play in the league. There's a there's an opportunity to demonstrate your value, right, as a player. Um, so that you can get converted and can get into the multi-year.

[00:12:36]>> Absolutely. And I think it's such an interesting situation and obviously the money on a two-way is much more enticing. It's a little less than the league minimum, but still you're >> nothing like NIL.

[00:12:47]>> That's fair, too. and the way it's kind of affected the and we were talking about this um la last night too. The even how it affects the pre-draft process I think is so interesting. Guys are now more so able to pay for their own stuff and training and meal plans and being able to fly out and it doesn't hinge so much on the agency. But I think that's a solid point to to go to next.

[00:13:08]How do you think NIL has affected maybe guys that stay in college, maximize all that eligibility there instead of coming out and grinding it in in the G- League for a handful of seasons? I I I just know that we need a better equilibrium here because you know Tyson Tyson Etienne and Elijah Harkless and these guys that are on two ways last year that they're doing 650 gross or whatever they're doing and these guys in college that are getting a million, two million, they can't even they can't they're not even on the court with my guys. They would my guys would blow them off the court. They couldn't even stay on the court.

[00:13:47]>> Okay. So, you know, I don't know what's going to happen with this business, but it's got to um, you know, reccalibrate because it just makes no sense. I mean, the guys that are getting this money in college are not good enough to get in and stick in the spots that we're talking about even. So, so there has to be a a recalibration there, number one.

[00:14:09]Um, but yeah, the draft in general, man, I don't know. I I think I have a a feeling about it since I mean when I was a kid as a kid 8 n 10 years old I'm talking um you know 85 86 87 started really following the draft and then you know and and guy and that the the 84 so you got Jordan and then Euing and Elajuan and guys like this that are literally like you could argue in the top 10 top 15 all time.

[00:14:39]>> Yeah. And then you go to the Kobe draft with Nash and Dirk and this type of thing and Garnett and all of these guys and the McGradies and the and the Vince Carters just those guys are not in these drafts. Those guys are gone. And honestly, that's a whole different discussion, you know, about why that is and and we could talk about that and why, you know, the league is really dominated now by the top international guys, the top five, six guys or international guys, but I think that the draft in general for like the last however many years, it's not good. And these guys are not as good and they're not ready. And even the top two guys this year, like, do I think they're going to come in and be rotational guys?

[00:15:24]Of course, they're they're really good, but like I said to you last night, like AJ, like I don't know. He's not ready to shoot, you know, and and and so is he ready to come in and have that kind of impact? Even like a kid at the end of the year like Ace, you know, was doing last year, he was making shots. I mean, it was a lot of things he need to fix, but he was make So, and then Peterson, you know, really, really good-looking player, but like I said to you, I mean, is he so much better than Norman Powell?

[00:15:53]Like, maybe he is. I I don't know. But like >> I just look at the draft as they put so much stock in it and these guys >> they they really end up most of them not panning out. Um and so what's the strategy here, right? How long are we supposed to wait a lot of these teams? I mean I dealt with I watched a lot of the tanking >> last year and then that gets into the product, right? and the, you know, we're talking draft, but it also then it affects the product.

[00:16:24]>> You know, you got teams tanking and hopefully they fix some of that, but the draft, man, I don't know. I, you know, I don't know.

[00:16:31]>> Yeah, definitely. And it's a crapshoot for all it is. It's a crapshoot in the NBA and the NFL, every sport where there's a draft, you really don't know what you're going to get out all these projects. Every guy is a projection at the end of the day. They're all prospects for a reason. And I was talking about this last week with uh Tim Capstra, the Nets radio analyst for for >> I saw that. That was great.

[00:16:52]>> I appreciate it. Check out that episode, everyone, if you haven't already. Um and heaps >> great great guy. I don't know him personally, but he seems like an amazing guy.

[00:17:00]>> Oh yeah. No, he was he was really fun.

[00:17:02]And I think a great point that he made, he was talking about these draft guys who succeeded last year. Obviously Cooper flag in number one was was the headliner and he had a really solid year. uh VJ Edgecomb who was kind of the question mark the defensive tenacity was there but you didn't know about his shooting high guy um he ended up coming in and having a great >> last year was a decent draft decent draft >> and the biggest thing that I pointed out with those two guys is look at the situations they stepped into like the 76ers were a playing team that ended up making you know a couple rounds into the playoffs before the Knicks came in and blew them out of town and the Mavericks shouldn't have had the number one overall pick by any measure and they were competitive I think a lot of the immediate impact as well, BJ isn't necessarily due to the prospect, but also situation they step into. I mean, look at Khan Canipple as well, who was, you know, was at and and and towards the end of the lottery pick and he dominated this. I think there's so much more to the the picture than just who they are as a prospect.

[00:17:59]>> I think those guys you named, I mean, VJ's really good defensively, really good. I mean, more if you can defend, that's the that's the starting point.

[00:18:06]And so, >> um, I think he'll get better and better because I understand he's a great he's a local kid, too. He was at Luhigh here in >> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:18:14]>> And so, you know, I think he'll get better and better. And Cooper's great.

[00:18:17]And I like Coupe because he does a lot of different stuff. Like, he doesn't just shoot the three.

[00:18:22]>> And we talked a little bit about that.

[00:18:24]And I think that's a huge thing that guys need to get back to and sort of developing mid-range and developing. And then there's some organizations that won't let you do it. they just, you know, they were locked into just shooting threes and layups and free throws and um I just think we got away from letting these guys develop um and and reacting and decision making and being able to do a lot of different things on the court and the game has just changed so much that I don't know I don't know if that's affecting the draft the way that these guys are sort of not developing the way they used to. um where where guys could do >> all different types of things on the court, right? You didn't have three-point specialists. I mean, you had your, you know, your Eddie Johnson's and your guy and your Dale Ellis and guy, but also those guys could play. They could pass it. They could >> I mean, those guys were big. They could give you some, you know, weak side rim protect. I mean, they >> I don't know, man. Guys were just better. And I don't know if that's because of the way we are with specialization um or or AAOU maybe and the and the game schedules. I don't know. But um we got to get the game going in a better direction.

[00:19:41]>> Yeah, I I agree. And I just think the way the game has to uh trended, like you said, who can make the most threes and that's resulted in, you know, poor efficiency. And I think what has to be said is building an allaround game and and we're starting to see some of these guys get faded out to a degree. I mean, look at Cam Thomas. He was cut cuz nobody wanted to trade for him at the deadline. And I just think he's a perfect example who's, you know, a really good three-point shooter and can score, but gives you nothing on defense, gives you no sort of playmaking. And I think the draft is really interesting in that regard. But I think a Darius Auff um I I don't know if he's going to be Jaylen Brunson, but you see the shades of his physicality and driving to the rim with authority and that that strong defense, not the strong defense, strong playmaking, needing to develop that defense or even someone like Kingston Flemings who, you know, needs to put on some weight. He has a strong mid-range shot. If he could develop the three, it's just a lot of these guards in the draft are interesting between Waggler, um Flemings, and and Auff and where they ultimately fall. Yeah, I I need to watch more to be honest. Uh if they were signed with me, I would tell you they're going to be 15year pros and hall of famers, but um but no, I don't know, man. I I just, you know, I I'm pretty confident saying they're not going to be Brunson. Okay, Brunson is it's a whole different thing, man. at Villanovavva. You know, if you tell me these guys are going to march through the next couple weeks and he's going to win it and Cat's going to be playing at a high level and they're going to just figure out a way somehow that maybe San Antonio gets through and WMBB's just sort of not ready for that particular stage. Hey, this is what Brunson and Hart and Bridges and Dvachenzo that's this is what they do. this is what they did and that's a different animal. I mean, I really believe these guys have a legitimate shot. So, to put any of these guys in the draft in the same conversation with Brunson right now, and he hasn't done it yet, but he could. He really could. And so, I I would uh it's going to take a a minute before I can put any of these guys in that same breath.

[00:21:49]>> I I got you. And I want to kind of go back to the Nets and the clientele that you have within the the organization.

[00:21:55]most notably Tyson at the end who was on a two-way deal with the team this season. You also have Terry Roberts um with Long Island. I I kind of just want to talk about the development system as a whole. It's something that we've talked about off air extensively. I wrote a a few stories on it throughout the season exclusively over at Nets Daily. Um and just when you talk about what they were able to accomplish, not only this season, but years prior, I think they had four total callups um internal and external total this year.

[00:22:24]Um, and then a few other last season with Killian Hayes and Drew Timmy, most notably there. I I think when you talk about the Nets, development is a priority for every team that's rebuilding, but seemingly the Nets have been able to do it at a rate that other teams throughout the NBA and the G-League have struggled to do. So, kind of talk to me about the uh development system they have going on there from someone who kind of has an inside look at it.

[00:22:48]>> Yeah, Long Well, we're lucky we get we're five minutes from the Coliseum, so I think that's where we met. So, um, >> yep.

[00:22:56]>> Uh, they do a great job. They do. They really, there's a lot of G-League teams that are, it's very messy. There there really isn't a tight integration in terms of how they approach the game at the G-League level and the NBA level.

[00:23:12]Uh, but the Nets have a system where guys are ready, if they're called, to step right in. And it's a lot of the same actions and a lot of the same stuff that they're prepared for. And and they're good guys. I mean, you know, Matt McDonald is a good guy. He's been running Long Island for a few years. And Kyle Hines is there now who's a legend, obviously. Really, really great guy. And um >> you know, they just do a good job consistently year after year of bringing in um you know, good talent and the guys play well together. There's a good chemistry. Um, and uh, and that's not the case with a lot of the other G-League teams. So, I think that's very important for them. Um, in terms of, you know, the Nets getting this thing on track here the next few years. Um, and let's see what they could do.

[00:24:00]>> Uh, definitely. I want to talk about Tyson at the end, the player. Like you said, um, he spent his first two G-League seasons um, in College Park and you guys kind of picked him up and and helped get him that two-way. what you guys have talked about earlier kind of built out your your niche doing. Who who is Tyson at the end the player? We know he's a high character guy off the court and we've seen him a little more year after year in the NBA, but who is Tyson as a player and not not necessarily, you know, what team is he going to go do, but what does his future hold as a player in this league? What do you think he's capable of of accomplishing?

[00:24:34]>> It's funny. I thought I thought you were asking me for like an NBA comp. And it's funny because [laughter] well when when he started going crazy last year in Long Island, you know, it got to the point where if Tyson missed the three, you were shocked.

[00:24:49]>> Yeah.

[00:24:50]>> You know, you were just like, he missed an open corner three. Like that's some that's not right. You know, and and that tells you something [snorts] that like But how you know, and I so I hit Shawn last year and I said, man, I said, this is starting to look like Patty Mills. I love Penny >> and I knew that would get Sean a little bit and um but but he's more than that.

[00:25:14]He's more than that and he's proved it and his ability to just not just shoot but shoot you know on the run off the catch off the bounce off the I mean he shoots it every every single way and he makes and he comes flying around off screens and he can catch you know out of the out of the inbounds and and get that thing up in a split second. I mean, he is a weapon. Um, but I think the things that he showed at the NBA level this year, not just that he's a 40% three-point guy. Um, but defensively, I mean, he is a real pain, you know, he he'll get up under you 94 feet. A lot of guys don't do that.

[00:25:52]>> Um, and and then, you know, playmaking.

[00:25:55]I mean, he he is he can get around there. He had a a lot of times where he's getting that Nash dribble in there and he's probing and he's f and he's got that handle to get in that NBA paint and and and probe around in there and make the play and not just make the play but make it in time in rhythm and you know so there's >> there's not only shooting guard, there's point guard ability. Um and then you know in that last game we're so happy he had that incredible dunk where he went up and he just threw it on the on the Raptors. And so there's so much in there, you know, on the court and I I I really believe Tyson should be in the league for the next, you know, 8 10 years. Um, but more than that, I I'll tell you something, and I mean I really mean this, like Tyson is an inspiration.

[00:26:39]He's an inspirational guy. Uh, and all the Nets said that.

[00:26:43]>> They all told me, you know, what a culture guy he was and how great he was in the locker room. And there are many accounts of Net players. They asked them, you know, coming in and out of the tunnel different questions. Who's the guy? Who's this guy? Who's the best guy?

[00:26:56]Who's the best teammate? Who's the friendliest guy? Who's the best motivational guy? And everybody's St. Ty.

[00:27:03]>> And it's true. And and >> it not only rubs off on the nets, but it it has an effect on everybody that he comes in contact with. He is a just a a spiritually great, positive guy. and the work. He loves he loves to play and he loves to do the work and I really believe he genuinely loves to um you know just be be friends with people and help people and it's like and and and look we're I think we're all that way. I think part of the reason why we connect so well is you know I told you the story about George like for me like that wasn't about money. I just saw the kid needed help. I want to help him. I knew basketball. I knew I could maybe help this kid, you know, and I just think so.

[00:27:47]Tyson and I have a connection on a level. Um, and all our guys are great. I I really they really are because we we are very selective, like I said, but Tyson is just really really a special guy.

[00:27:58]>> Yeah. Yeah, definitely. And I I want to talk about another one of your players who's on a two-way deal, another undrafted guy, a little similar to Tyson. Um, Elijah Harkas over with the Utah Jazz who put up goddy numbers scoring wise down the stretch. I know Tyson started a couple games towards the end of the season, but as the Jazz really kind of, you know, picked up and the tank and we're playing the younger guys and playing the two ways. Harkless started a bunch of games there and I think one game he had 23 and 10. He had a postgame interview that went a little uh a little viral. Just kind of had that uh I I don't want to compare anyone to Kobe, but that mama mentality in a way where it's like I scored.

[00:28:35]>> He's a California kid, so that's in there for sure. Yeah. No, he's he he's a dog, man. He's an absolute throwback.

[00:28:44]>> Um, >> since we're in the New York audience probably, I'll tell you that uh I saw Van Gundy. So, Elijah was with the Clippers before the Jazz. He was with the Clippers on an E10 in the G-League and then we got him >> and we help we got him from the Clippers E10 to the Jazz 2-way. Okay. But I was out there this year and I saw Van Gundy.

[00:29:06]It was Clippers the opening night. It was Clippers at Jazz and I saw Jeff on the court and I went up to Jeff because I knew he liked Elijah. I had heard he made comments about him and I said >> and I introduced myself um >> because I hadn't met Jeff before and obviously I'm a New York kid and I'm a Euing and Starks Mason Oakley like that's my crew you know and and so it's really cool to meet him and I just said hey you know I think Elijah could have played for your 90s Nick Knicks >> and I knew it was I I didn't know what reaction I was going to get you know I knew I'm I know I'm right I know I'm right okay like I'm telling you like I know I'm right. Like Harkas is a dog and he could have played for those guys. And Jeff looked at me straight in the face and he said, "Man, that kid is some [snorts] effing competitor." And so to me that was like, "Yeah, he could he could have, you know, and >> it's ugly.

[00:30:02]>> He's just he Elijah really has the ability. I think last year he showed some of it like he can be the best on ball defender in the entire league. I don't care if you want to talk about Chris Dawn or I don't care who this kid has the best hands and what he does is something very unique because he dictates he defends in a way that he he dictates the the motion. He by the way he defends he can control how you move offensively.

[00:30:35]It's something it's incredible. It's something you rarely ever see. And if you make a mistake and you get into his trap, he's gone.

[00:30:44]>> And just look at deflections, look at steals, look at just defensive impact.

[00:30:49]When I say he really could be the best on ball defender in the NBA. Now, put that with the fact that he was the best offensive guy in the G-League and he won the the the cup with Salt Lake because they won that G-League Showcase Cup and he was the guy. So the Jazz don't even need him to do that, right? You know, not yet, right? They got marketing, they just got Jiren, they got Walker, they got Keante, they got all these guys. If he can and and the way that he's, like we talked about, carving a niche.

[00:31:22]>> The one thing Elijah I give him huge credit for is he leaned into that defensively and now he's made himself a reputation in the NBA where he's going to stick and he's going to have a very fun next 8 to 10 years.

[00:31:36]>> Certainly. And I think with players like him, we need more of that in the modern NBA. We were talking about the three-point shooting um earlier on and things like that. Guys who have allaround games, guys who can score at not just one level behind the arc, but all three levels in the mid-range, get physical, drive quickly downhill. Um and strong defenders. Like I'm tired of watching these guards um and and just say they're like complete non-starters on defense like Cam Thomas was with the Nets for example. Like I it should needs to get to a point where I hear it too often like, "Oh, as long as he's not a liability on defense when talking about scoring guards, it doesn't matter." I want my guard to have so much tenacity on defense to to play like a guy we were talking about earlier who guards all 94 feet, who, you know, could fullcourt press if you need him and have that physicality, who could average two, three steals a game. And it's just like the closest the Nets have had to that in recent years was like Dennis Shruder who would average three steals a game. And it's just it's not in the modern NBA anymore.

[00:32:33]>> Doesn't work in the playoffs. They will find the liability. They will seek it out and they will destroy it. So you have to be very sound defensively.

[00:32:42]Everybody on the floor and we talked about you also have to have a level of creativity. And if you look at who's won >> um even going back to Jordan and you know Kobe and then even if you want to say you know Kawawaii and SGA and guys that are winning when things tighten up and they slow down and it becomes much more physical um and you can't rely on the three necessarily you need guys that can score in a bunch of ways and you need everybody to be defending.

[00:33:14]>> Yeah, definitely. I agree with that 100%. And I think, you know, getting these guys who are on the two-way deals just all together, the end of the season in recent years has proved to be the perfect opportunity with that. You know, teams like the Nets and the Jazz who deliberately tanking. That's a different conversation, but let's just say not actively trying to win games in in April when you're competing.

[00:33:36]>> No, they were tanking. I mean, they got they were they were I mean, you know, the Nets owner said it before the season. you know, he said it in public and >> and the Jazz obviously, you know, were maneuvering the way that they did. And look, it worked out. I mean, the Jazz got got the pick and the Nets didn't, unfortunately for them.

[00:33:56]>> Um, but that's the game they were playing.

[00:33:59]>> Certainly, BJ, it was a blast going back and forth with you. I appreciate uh you sharing your insights and hopping on with us right here on the show. You got any final thoughts, basketball related, non- basketballreated, before we uh before we wrap things up? No, but Connor, really, you're a really good dude and I appreciate the hustle, man, because you're starting early and you're um you're doing a great job and there's and I tell guys all the time, you know, you don't have to wait. You know, I give this advice. I talk to young people a lot and um I just, you know, people want to intern or whatever the case. And I tell them, man, don't wait, you know, because it's not the way it used to be with with the tools that we have. and um you're a very knowledgeable guy and obviously you're a big you know big fan of the locals and and you know your stuff and so I just you know I appreciate um your grind and I'm happy to jump on anytime.

[00:34:50]>> Of course it was a blast. Definitely do it again ladies and gentlemen. Hit like, hit subscribe. That'll do it for us for BJ Bass of RBA Showcase. I'm Connor Long of Nets Daily right here on the Brooklyn Boys Show saying have a great rest of your morning, afternoon, evening everyone and as always go Nets baby.

[00:35:04]Peace out.