Dawg Talk goes live in Los Angeles for All-Star Weekend with J Mac and two-time champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hosting in front of a packed crowd. KCP talks about the love-hate relationship with Lakers fans, what LA means to him, and why pressure comes with wearing purple and gold.

Special guest Brandon Jennings pulls up to talk Detroit memories with KCP, the reality of hoop culture in LA, and the decision that changed his life: going overseas out of high school. He opens up about faith, losing his dad young, getting humbled in Europe, and why taking risks can open doors for the next generation.

The crew also gets into All-Star format opinions, the three-point contest picks, NIL and money management for young players, what went wrong for Milwaukee after the championship, and where Giannis might fit if he ever gets moved. Tap in and subscribe — new episodes every Friday.

All recorded live from NBA All-Star Weekend in LA with special thanks to the NBPA for hosting.

Time Stamps:

• 0:00 – Live in LA: crowd energy + intro with J Mac and KCP
• 2:15 – KCP on Lakers fans and the pressure of purple and gold
• 5:05 – Brandon Jennings joins: All-Star Weekend and his golf tournament
• 8:10 – Detroit days: first impressions of KCP + vet-to-rook stories
• 12:10 – “LA hoopers are soft?” The real culture and the talent pipeline
• 16:45 – Brandon’s story: losing his dad, faith, and being the man of the house
• 20:40 – Why he went overseas (SAT situation) + signing big money young
• 25:15 – Overseas reality check: getting humbled, adapting, and growth
• 30:10 – NIL era debate: good money early vs. team, guidance, and stability
• 35:10 – Bucks talk: what went wrong after the title + coaching changes
• 40:15 – All-Star format critique + international vs USA top 5 debate
• 46:10 – Quick hitters: toughest matchup, best trash talker, MVP + Finals picks

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Tune in now! Like, share, and subscribe—we’re on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

Watch on YouTube & Stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your pods.

Follow Us:

Dawg Talk Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedawgtalkpod/

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: https://www.instagram.com/caldwellpope/

Jordan McGruder: https://www.instagram.com/wordsfrommac/

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It’s a special birthday episode of the Dawg Talk Podcast as two-time NBA Champion KCP checks in live from NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. The vibes are high, but the debates are even louder.

In this episode, J Mac and KCP break down the biggest NBA trade deadline moves, debate who really won the Darius Garland–James Harden deal, and react to Porzingis heading to Golden State. They also dive deep into Utah’s future, Triple J’s impact, and whether the Jazz quietly won the deadline.

Then it gets heated.

Who’s the real No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft? Is AJ the safest bet, or do injuries and availability matter more than potential? Should you draft upside… or durability? KCP keeps it real about what front offices actually look for.

Plus:
• Eastern Conference Finals predictions
• Can Cleveland really make a Finals run?
• Is Golden State a contender or pretender?
• The truth about draft evaluations and college availability
• Why “show me you want it” still matters

All recorded live from NBA All-Star Weekend in LA with special thanks to the NBPA for hosting.

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 Birthday Edition Begins
• 01:05 All-Star Weekend in LA Vibes
• 02:10 NBA Trade Deadline Reactions
• 03:25 Darius Garland vs. James Harden Trade Debate
• 05:05 Did the Cavs Win the Deal?
• 06:40 Eastern Conference Finals Predictions
• 08:15 Boston’s Moves & Front Office Talk
• 09:45 Triple J to Utah — Jazz Future Outlook
• 11:40 Did Utah Win the Trade Deadline?
• 13:05 Porzingis to Golden State — Contender or Pretender?
• 15:10 NBA Draft Debate: Who’s Going No. 1?
• 18:10 Availability vs. Potential Argument + Episode Wrap

_________________________

Tune in now! Like, share, and subscribe—we’re on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

Watch on YouTube & Stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your pods.

Follow Us:

Dawg Talk Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedawgtalkpod/

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: https://www.instagram.com/caldwellpope/

Jordan McGruder: https://www.instagram.com/wordsfrommac/

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Dawg Talk Podcast is back in the basement studio, and hosts J Mac, Kenny and KCP are in for a real, unfiltered hoops conversation with Troy Daniels — former VCU Rams standout and 9-year NBA and overseas veteran.

From fashion and confidence to championship locker rooms, Troy breaks down what it really takes to last at the highest level of basketball. He shares stories from his NBA journey, including what separates elite organizations like the Los Angeles Lakers, why veteran leadership matters more than ever, and how overseas basketball can be even more physical than the NBA.

The guys dive into:

• Why playing for the Lakers feels like a completely different universe
• How locker room culture has changed in today’s NBA
• Why Euro League basketball isn’t for everyone
• The mental shift from life as a pro hooper to life after basketball
• Troy’s legendary Shaka Smart era at VCU and the “9 out of 10s” workouts that turned him into an elite shooter

This episode is packed with real stories, laughs, and insight you won’t hear on highlight reels. If you love basketball beyond the box score, this one’s for you.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Intro – Basement vibes, J Mac sets the tone
03:15 Troy Daniels joins + fashion talk & Paris/Vogue World
07:30 Confidence, swag, and expressing yourself through style
11:45 First real linkups in the NBA + Lakers connections
15:55 What makes the Lakers organization different
20:30 Locker room culture, vets vs young players, leadership gaps
25:05 EuroLeague vs NBA – physicality, fans, and overseas pressure
30:10 Life after basketball + identity shift as a pro athlete
34:40 Family, fatherhood, and redefining purpose
38:20 Shaka Smart, VCU culture, and elite shooting development
44:10 “9 out of 10s” workouts and becoming an elite shooter
49:30 Final thoughts, laughs, and episode wrap-up

_________________________

Tune in now! Like, share, and subscribe—we’re on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

Watch on YouTube & Stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your pods.

Connect with Troy:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troydaniels30/?hl=en

X (Twitter): https://x.com/troydaniels?lang=en

Follow Us:

Dawg Talk Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thedawgtalkpod/

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: https://www.instagram.com/caldwellpope/

Jordan McGruder: https://www.instagram.com/wordsfrommac/

Kenny Gaines: https://www.instagram.com/kennygaines12/?hl=en

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