This episode is brought to you by Pepsi Max.

With the U-A for Champions League kicking off and a brand new format for the new season,

you've got to wonder, will anything ever be the same?

Well, one thing you can know for sure is that Pepsi Max, as proud sponsors of the

Men's and Women Champions League, will be cheering from the sidelines like

never before. Pepsi Max, thirsty for more. Thinking Basketball Podcast, my name is Ben. Welcome back and yes it is that time of

year. It is the sub-all-star the fourth annual now Cody sub all star Cody

Cody Hodak is here to help me I mean I would say help me navigate this but I think after last week I mean you're just gonna pick me up

after I careen off the walls constantly how you doing I think that's almost better

actually I'm honored to be able to pick up the pieces and and see what the

damages afterwards the damage is what I live for. This is probably my favorite

episode to do every year the spirit of the show if you're unfamiliar with it is that after

the 25 or so players that are selected to the all-star team there is this next group of

really really good basketball players that never gets acknowledged.

There's nothing next to their name.

I would even say that the inspiration for this show, this idea, was someone like Lamar

Odom who plays his entire career.

He's always really good, but never quite good enough to be an all-star.

A couple years ago, someone suggested we call this episode,

The Almost Stars.

That felt a little too negative for me, right?

But it's the idea that there are guys that still move the needle,

...