Lebron James and Maverick Carter are only two episodes into their run with HBO, but it’s clear that they have something extremely special working for them right now. From the outstanding casting to their unfiltered conversations, it’s safe to say that the unscripted series will receive Emmy consideration in the near future. In the series second episode, the conversation shifts from Victor Oladipo’s vocal talents to Mo Bamba’s eclectic interests. Oh! Drake was there too. Here are the ten best quotes from the second episode of The Shop.
“I Feel Like You Were Just Made For Me, Baby.”
Last season, Victor Oladipo broke out as the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Averaging twenty-three points, five rebounds and four assists, the former Oklahoma City Thunder guard lead the Pacers to forty-eight wins and a seven-game series with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Off the court, the NBA All-Star has emerged as a musical talent. The Pacers guard has released his own R&B album and collaborated with the likes of Eric Bellinger and Tory Lanez. On the second episode of The Shop, Maverick Carter put Oladipo on the spot and the Pacers guard delivered with an a cappella version of Musiq Soulchild’s “So Beautiful”.
“Who Are They? They’re some trolls.”
Alongside the NBA’s Most Improved Player, The Shop welcomes in the NBA Rookie of the Year, Ben Simmons. During his time in The Shop, Simmons didn’t say too much, but when he did speak, he said a lot. James, Carter, and Simmons touched on the maturation Simmons went through during his rookie season in the league. While speaking about his first season, Simmons spoke about how he changed the way he views highlights, his work ethic and more. Among other things, Simmons talked about developing his patience as it relates to his game. Simmons acknowledges that it is going to take some time for him to develop a mid-range shot and a three-ball. However, he believes he will get there. In the meantime, he’ll have to deal with the trolls online that criticize his game. In a subliminal way, one of those trolls could be former Philadelphia 76ers general manager, Bryan Colangelo, who got caught up allegedly using a burner account to talk about some of Philadelphia’s biggest stars.
“There’s No One That Talks To You More In A Day Than Yourself.”
If you’ve heard the name Elena Delle Donne, it’s probably for good reason. The Washington Mystics forward has appeared in two WNBA Finals with two different teams won a WNBA MVP and earned WNBA All-Star honors every year she’s been in the league. On the second episode of The Shop, the Mystics forward provided a much needed dynamic to the show. Early on in the show, the Mystics All-Star spoke about the need to maintain your mental health while playing professional sports. While doing so, she made a very simple, but profound point. No one talks to you more than yourself.
“I Was Told During Pre-Draft That My Biggest Criticism Was That I Had Too Many Eclectic Interests.”
Throughout the summer, you’ve probably heard the smash hit, “Mo Bamba”, from New York’s own, Sheck Wes. However, most people haven’t even heard the man behind the song. The Orlando Magic first-round draft pick is one of the most intriguing rookies in the NBA this season. With a 7’10 wingspan, Mo Bamba is a physical marvel with the potential to be one of the NBA’s best big men. With that being said, the Orlando Magic center has an equally intriguing personality. During the new episode of The Shop, the Harlem native touched on how his interests off the court played a role in how he was viewed on the court.
“I tell people all the time that I’m not a basketball player or a business person.”
Alongside LeBron James, Maverick Carter has been a major presence during the first two episodes of The Shop. The man behind some of James biggest business move has also been great in front of the camera. Carter was especially vital in this episode as it pertained to driving conversation. While most of his role in this episode dealt with facilitating the conversation, he did touch on some things that have happened in his own life. At one point, Carter touches on some of the issues he’s had in the business world. The average businessman may not see the business acumen Carter possesses at first glance and that can be a major hurdle. More importantly, it’s disrespectful considering Carter has brokered major deals for James and beyond.
“I Rather Fail Being Who I am Than Fail Being Someone They Want Me To Be.”
Throughout the first two episodes, LeBron James has proven again and again that he’s got one-liners for days. Being one of the most successful athletes of his generation, it’s no surprise that he has the wisdom to offer on and off the court. In the second episode of The Shop, he was more laid back as he let his guests take center stage, but he did do his part to offer a few gems of wisdom here and there. During this moment of The Shop, LeBron offers a gem to the rookie, Mo Bamba, about how to handle himself off the court.
“We’re Fighting These Battles, So Hopefully Your Daughter Won’t Have To.”
Towards the end of the first half of the show, Elena Delle Donne touched on the pay gap between men and women in the world of professional basketball. During her short statement, the former MVP addresses the double standard that exists for men who ask for more higher salaries versus women who ask for higher salaries. Moreover, she touches on the misogyny surrounding much of the discussion surrounding paying women more for professional sports. Delle Donne ends with this statement and James ends up thanking her for speaking up about this issue in this setting.
“I Was Scared To Tell My Mom.”
As the second episode comes to a close, the focus shifts from athletes to entertainers. More specifically, the focus shifts toward the man of the hour, Drake. Towards the end of the episode, Drake touches on everything from his childhood to his back and forth with G.O.O.D Music. Among the many long-winded quotes Drake had in this episode, one of the more interesting things he says is only four words. For an artist who has made his career off of being easy to relate to, Drake has achieved a level of success that has become harder and harder to relate. However, the matter of him having a child with a woman he is no longer with is very easy to relate for a lot of people. With having a child comes the matter of dealing with family, relationships and much more. In this short quote, Drake is just a person and not an entertainer.
“He’s Already In The Pool Shooting The Basketball.”
Throughout the course of his career, Drake has become beloved by so many because he gives off the aura of an average guy. More importantly, he’s given off the image of the nice guy. Through his beef with Pusha T and Meek Mill, his brand and image have shifted. When Drake talks about his son separate from the beef, he becomes that nice guy. Drake’s face lights up whenever he talks about his son and he becomes the guy that a large portion of America fell in love with. Going forward, it would be nice to see this guy more often.
“I think I asked my Mom one time. Where’s Dad?”
LeBron James has never been shy about talking about his upbringing and where he comes from. Over the years, the public has gotten to know him, his mother, his sons, his daughter, and his wife. However, James has never spoken at length about the relationship or lack thereof, he has had with his father. James has never met his father and on this episode, he opened up about his experiences growing up without a Dad. More specifically, he touched on how his perception of his father and mother have changed over time. At one point, he touches on the one time he asked his mother about his father and she apparently shut that conversation down really quickly.
“There Are Rules In This!”
Towards the end of the episode, Drake, Maverick, and LeBron get into the topic that was addressed in the episode’s teaser. Drake goes from start to finish about how his relationship with Kanye West went sour. He also touches on how he feels about King Push. As he closes up his remarks, Drake gets animated about “The Story of Adidon”. More specifically, Drake gets upset speaking about the bar in the song that he felt crossed the line. Drake feels that Pusha T broke an unwritten rule when he allegedly wished death upon Drake’s close friend, 40. Drake ends by saying that he hopes Pusha gets punched in the face.
