It's the VC Show. It's the VC Show. It's the VC Show.

It's the VC Show. It's the VC Show. It's the VC Show.

It's the season due show, Season two. Yeah, we back again.

It's the season due show, Season two. Yeah, we back again.

Got the world tune in there for shows, so through with tell of friends my heart got me on the squad us Slam Dumpster whistle blow on there. Kick your feed up so you can listen to me. It's the VC Show. It's the VC Show. It's the VC Show. It's v SSON two least.

Got the world tune in there for shows, so through with tell of friends my heart got me on the squad us Slam Dumpster whistle blow on there. Kick your feed up so you can listen to me. It's the VC Show. It's the VC Show. It's the VC Show. It's v SSON two least.

All right, Welcome to the VC Show of your hosts VC. The playoffs are heating up and it's been a lot of great matchups, performances, and some big names and teams were sent home. We'll talk about that and much more as the VC Show starts now Harder.

All right, Welcome to the VC Show of your hosts VC. The playoffs are heating up and it's been a lot of great matchups, performances, and some big names and teams were sent home. We'll talk about that and much more as the VC Show starts now Harder.

Harder.

Harder.

My guest this week played college ball at LSU, where he was second team All SEC on the SEC All Defensive Team in nine. He didn't get drafted, but was a D League formerly formerly D League All Star fifteen years fifteen year vet played a long time. He's old in this league, fifteen year VET and the current vice president of the Players Association since twenty seventeen. My former teammate LSU Laboratory School's own Garrett Temple Yes I do my homework there, buddy. Yes, make you feel good here in your high school.

My guest this week played college ball at LSU, where he was second team All SEC on the SEC All Defensive Team in nine. He didn't get drafted, but was a D League formerly formerly D League All Star fifteen years fifteen year vet played a long time. He's old in this league, fifteen year VET and the current vice president of the Players Association since twenty seventeen. My former teammate LSU Laboratory School's own Garrett Temple Yes I do my homework there, buddy. Yes, make you feel good here in your high school.

Uh, for sure, bro, for sure, it's good. How you doing, man, appreciate you coming on. Man. How's everything? Man, it's good man, it's good. I'm in your old stumping ground. I heard that Toronto shot out. We had a trying season this year, but you know, it's great for growth at the end of the day. And so just excited to see what's next for me.

Uh, for sure, bro, for sure, it's good. How you doing, man, appreciate you coming on. Man. How's everything? Man, it's good man, it's good. I'm in your old stumping ground. I heard that Toronto shot out. We had a trying season this year, but you know, it's great for growth at the end of the day. And so just excited to see what's next for me.

Whether I play another year or whether I.

Whether I play another year or whether I.

Step into you know, coaching a front officer. Who knows what's next. But family is healthy, family is good, and just ready to play a little golf this summer. As you know, my.

Step into you know, coaching a front officer. Who knows what's next. But family is healthy, family is good, and just ready to play a little golf this summer. As you know, my.

Phone is always on. My brother, my phone is always on. And we're going to get into a little bit of that. But I wonder, you know, and I mentioned you not being drafted because you know, you know me. You we've played together, so for you guys don't know. We were together in Sacramento for a year and uh, you know, young team.

Phone is always on. My brother, my phone is always on. And we're going to get into a little bit of that. But I wonder, you know, and I mentioned you not being drafted because you know, you know me. You we've played together, so for you guys don't know. We were together in Sacramento for a year and uh, you know, young team.

But I think we learned a lot.

But I think we learned a lot.

I learned a lot about being a vet continued, you know, and obviously make great friends for life. So shout out to George Hill. Justin Jackson. You know, we have a group chat that we continue to talk with each other. But you know, I mentioned that you weren't drafted, but yet you had a fifteen year career for a reason. And I want young young people to kind of hear your story because I think sometimes we don't hear it enough, and we always hear about either young guys going one and done obviously having a great career, those prior to the rule change coming straight out of high school or something doing one or two years and have a successful career. But I want you to talk about the grind in your first in your first few years in the league, and how you stay focused and hungry to make sure you stuck to where you are now fifteen years later.

I learned a lot about being a vet continued, you know, and obviously make great friends for life. So shout out to George Hill. Justin Jackson. You know, we have a group chat that we continue to talk with each other. But you know, I mentioned that you weren't drafted, but yet you had a fifteen year career for a reason. And I want young young people to kind of hear your story because I think sometimes we don't hear it enough, and we always hear about either young guys going one and done obviously having a great career, those prior to the rule change coming straight out of high school or something doing one or two years and have a successful career. But I want you to talk about the grind in your first in your first few years in the league, and how you stay focused and hungry to make sure you stuck to where you are now fifteen years later.

Nah As that's real, bro, you know, shout out to my guys and uh from Sacramento, G Hill and Justin. But I think it's what you said, bro, the grind now it was, you know, I kind of I'm fortunate. I was never highly touted in high school or college, so for me, not being drafted wasn't a shock. So I always had that kind of you know, underdog mentality. I had Glenn Big Baby Davis as my high school teammate, so he was overshadow shadowing everybody because of how you played. And then his big personality was greater than everything anyway. So I was always you know, he lived with me for two years in high school, so I was always just under the radar. You know. People used to believe I was kind of riding his coattail, and I was fine with that. However, Yeah, I heard that we went to l s U together. And when I played at LSU my freshman year, we we went to the final four, and I played like forty two minutes a game because we had a couple one or two overtime games. In the final four. I guarded JJ Reddick and helped He was three eighteen. It was his last game as a Duck him up, Lock him up, him up. That's my guy, JJ. But I kind of I kind of got kind of got on on the radar and defense was my calling card. So when I didn't get drafted, I didn't expect to. But I think the mentality of always being an underdog just kept me in that grindset mentality and going into the D League formerly the D League, and and just playing for now Chris Finch who has done done a tremendous job for Minnesota. It was his first year over here with the Rio Grand Valley Vipers, the Houston's affiliate, and played thirty games there, got caught up by the Rockets for two ten day contracts, went to Sacramento for one ten day then went to the Spurs for the rest of the season. Had my first four starts there and just seeing the business of basketball early on. I didn't have a family. I didn't have any kids to have to provide for, and this is my first time being paid to play again. There was no nil. Even if there was, I probably wouldn't have got much. So I'm like, I'm making in the G League. In the D League, twenty two hundred dollars every two weeks they paid for my I'm cool. I hadn't been making any money anyway, so I think just the mindset going in was different. And then I got to play basketball for a living, and I knew my game didn't translate to overseas because I wasn't gonna just go get it score, so I just continued to grind and I wanted to play. Once I got my first taste in those ten day contracts, and I was actually playing in games the you know, I knew I could play in the league. So it wasn't a matter of can I play with these guys. It was just a matter of, you know, when I get my get my moment, seize it. And uh, I was able to start against you know, San Antonio. Let me say this, your first start was do you remember your first start? And who is man? Like it was yesterday. I was with Sacramento for a ten day. I went to San Antonio and then I started against Sacramento. Uh, it's crazy events like and I remember we were on the road. So ge Hill, when we talked about when I got to San Antonio, he was there. We're like, that's George Hill. George Hill, George Hill. We're four days apart. He's May fourth, I May eighth. But he was in the league a year before me, so he was. He was He had played the whole season and was the backup point guard behind Tony Parker. Tony had gotten hurt, so George was starting at point and Minu was the backup Minud. You know, So George got hurt on the West Coast tripp In l a against the Lakers, and he got hurt in like the third quarter. My new finished the game at point. The next game, now I haven't played, I haven't been in the rotation. The next game, I'm playing against wearing Sacramento and coach Mike Budenholzer. It was his scout, he was an assistant and he says, Okay, my nu U guarden, Tyrek Garrett your guarding so and so I said, huh it was this is I said, Okay, my first start playing against Sacramento. I just was playing with these guys, you know, two weeks ago. So my first four starts in the NBA against Tyreke Evans Rookie of the Year twenty five and five. The next game was against Phoenix Suns. Steve Dash Grant Hill. We talked about the Mars start to myer. So they were on Jay Rich.

Nah As that's real, bro, you know, shout out to my guys and uh from Sacramento, G Hill and Justin. But I think it's what you said, bro, the grind now it was, you know, I kind of I'm fortunate. I was never highly touted in high school or college, so for me, not being drafted wasn't a shock. So I always had that kind of you know, underdog mentality. I had Glenn Big Baby Davis as my high school teammate, so he was overshadow shadowing everybody because of how you played. And then his big personality was greater than everything anyway. So I was always you know, he lived with me for two years in high school, so I was always just under the radar. You know. People used to believe I was kind of riding his coattail, and I was fine with that. However, Yeah, I heard that we went to l s U together. And when I played at LSU my freshman year, we we went to the final four, and I played like forty two minutes a game because we had a couple one or two overtime games. In the final four. I guarded JJ Reddick and helped He was three eighteen. It was his last game as a Duck him up, Lock him up, him up. That's my guy, JJ. But I kind of I kind of got kind of got on on the radar and defense was my calling card. So when I didn't get drafted, I didn't expect to. But I think the mentality of always being an underdog just kept me in that grindset mentality and going into the D League formerly the D League, and and just playing for now Chris Finch who has done done a tremendous job for Minnesota. It was his first year over here with the Rio Grand Valley Vipers, the Houston's affiliate, and played thirty games there, got caught up by the Rockets for two ten day contracts, went to Sacramento for one ten day then went to the Spurs for the rest of the season. Had my first four starts there and just seeing the business of basketball early on. I didn't have a family. I didn't have any kids to have to provide for, and this is my first time being paid to play again. There was no nil. Even if there was, I probably wouldn't have got much. So I'm like, I'm making in the G League. In the D League, twenty two hundred dollars every two weeks they paid for my I'm cool. I hadn't been making any money anyway, so I think just the mindset going in was different. And then I got to play basketball for a living, and I knew my game didn't translate to overseas because I wasn't gonna just go get it score, so I just continued to grind and I wanted to play. Once I got my first taste in those ten day contracts, and I was actually playing in games the you know, I knew I could play in the league. So it wasn't a matter of can I play with these guys. It was just a matter of, you know, when I get my get my moment, seize it. And uh, I was able to start against you know, San Antonio. Let me say this, your first start was do you remember your first start? And who is man? Like it was yesterday. I was with Sacramento for a ten day. I went to San Antonio and then I started against Sacramento. Uh, it's crazy events like and I remember we were on the road. So ge Hill, when we talked about when I got to San Antonio, he was there. We're like, that's George Hill. George Hill, George Hill. We're four days apart. He's May fourth, I May eighth. But he was in the league a year before me, so he was. He was He had played the whole season and was the backup point guard behind Tony Parker. Tony had gotten hurt, so George was starting at point and Minu was the backup Minud. You know, So George got hurt on the West Coast tripp In l a against the Lakers, and he got hurt in like the third quarter. My new finished the game at point. The next game, now I haven't played, I haven't been in the rotation. The next game, I'm playing against wearing Sacramento and coach Mike Budenholzer. It was his scout, he was an assistant and he says, Okay, my nu U guarden, Tyrek Garrett your guarding so and so I said, huh it was this is I said, Okay, my first start playing against Sacramento. I just was playing with these guys, you know, two weeks ago. So my first four starts in the NBA against Tyreke Evans Rookie of the Year twenty five and five. The next game was against Phoenix Suns. Steve Dash Grant Hill. We talked about the Mars start to myer. So they were on Jay Rich.

You were in Oh No, I got there later on in that season. Yes, you were still in Dallas. I think no, I was still in I was in Orlando, still Orlando, and I went from next start was the next star was against your old team, Memphis, Mike Conley and them, the whole grinds. And then the last start against Denver Chauncey Billups j r Smith, Nay.

You were in Oh No, I got there later on in that season. Yes, you were still in Dallas. I think no, I was still in I was in Orlando, still Orlando, and I went from next start was the next star was against your old team, Memphis, Mike Conley and them, the whole grinds. And then the last start against Denver Chauncey Billups j r Smith, Nay.

Nay Kenya Mart. They was squad and I had like eleven points in the fourth In the fourth quarter, I hit some threes. After the game, Chaunce was like, I like the game, young fella. So I was like, that's big shot mane. You know. So those were my first four starts, and then George Hill came back. Hill came back in rotation, and I didn't play anymore. Like I understood the business of you get to play or you don't, and it just is what it is. You you're ready when your name is called. And and that was a great first season for me, just to understand the business of basketball and understanding when to to continue to have your work done. Seeing Tim Duncan every single day work work on the same goal, put his work in every day like that really built a mindset of you have to have a work ethic to be this guy that great.

Nay Kenya Mart. They was squad and I had like eleven points in the fourth In the fourth quarter, I hit some threes. After the game, Chaunce was like, I like the game, young fella. So I was like, that's big shot mane. You know. So those were my first four starts, and then George Hill came back. Hill came back in rotation, and I didn't play anymore. Like I understood the business of you get to play or you don't, and it just is what it is. You you're ready when your name is called. And and that was a great first season for me, just to understand the business of basketball and understanding when to to continue to have your work done. Seeing Tim Duncan every single day work work on the same goal, put his work in every day like that really built a mindset of you have to have a work ethic to be this guy that great.

It also says a lot about you and understanding the moment, taking advantage of the moment because obviously you know you're just built and and I know, guy, and it's easier said than done, but and I know guys don't like it when they get we call it garbage. Minutes, but they tend to be important because that's how that leash gets longer, because they see you see how you handle yourself in you know, bits and pieces, what type of guy you are. Can you handle these adversities because obviously we all want to play, we all have dreams to play, but sometimes it doesn't happen immediately, you know what I'm saying. And you earned that to where you get those callbacks again. You know, once that callback, that year is over. You now you know season's over, you get this opportunity again the next year with Milwaukee. If I'm not mistaken, right, Yeah, So the season was over, I went to some league with San Antonio.

It also says a lot about you and understanding the moment, taking advantage of the moment because obviously you know you're just built and and I know, guy, and it's easier said than done, but and I know guys don't like it when they get we call it garbage. Minutes, but they tend to be important because that's how that leash gets longer, because they see you see how you handle yourself in you know, bits and pieces, what type of guy you are. Can you handle these adversities because obviously we all want to play, we all have dreams to play, but sometimes it doesn't happen immediately, you know what I'm saying. And you earned that to where you get those callbacks again. You know, once that callback, that year is over. You now you know season's over, you get this opportunity again the next year with Milwaukee. If I'm not mistaken, right, Yeah, So the season was over, I went to some league with San Antonio.

I had a little bit of money guaranteed for the next year. Twisted my ankle came back, wasn't playing the right way. I got cut two weeks into the season. Them and Pop Popovich cried when he cut me, like he was. That's how genuine he was. We're still very close to this day. I went back to the G League, got traded to another team he is, and Milwaukee called me up and I love Scott Skoles for this. Scott Scouts was my coach. He was, you know, a former player, great guy. At the end of my first two ten days, he tells me we wanted to cut Chris Douglas Roberts and keep you, but the owner of the team doesn't want to pay him his guaranteed money and have somebody else, so we gotta let you go. I love how just straight up he was. It wasn't it just told me what it was. And you know, I've always said if I ever become a GM or president or a coach, like that's the way that I would do things, because at the end of the day, you just tell people what it is. We're grown men. And then I went from there to Charlotte and finished my second year in Charlotte.

I had a little bit of money guaranteed for the next year. Twisted my ankle came back, wasn't playing the right way. I got cut two weeks into the season. Them and Pop Popovich cried when he cut me, like he was. That's how genuine he was. We're still very close to this day. I went back to the G League, got traded to another team he is, and Milwaukee called me up and I love Scott Skoles for this. Scott Scouts was my coach. He was, you know, a former player, great guy. At the end of my first two ten days, he tells me we wanted to cut Chris Douglas Roberts and keep you, but the owner of the team doesn't want to pay him his guaranteed money and have somebody else, so we gotta let you go. I love how just straight up he was. It wasn't it just told me what it was. And you know, I've always said if I ever become a GM or president or a coach, like that's the way that I would do things, because at the end of the day, you just tell people what it is. We're grown men. And then I went from there to Charlotte and finished my second year in Charlotte.

So I want to ask you after that, Charlotte, now you're you're where where's your mind right at that point? Now you know it's like dang, not not yet, not yet. Yes, you finished seasons, but like, not yet, where's your mindset at that point before we move forward? Like where are you right there? Because a lot of guys we're talking this is two years in of here here, here, there, here, there, back and forth, up and down, get on a ten day, but sometimes don't even play. You know that you're used for a security blanket, so to speak, but like, what where is your motivation to keep going?

So I want to ask you after that, Charlotte, now you're you're where where's your mind right at that point? Now you know it's like dang, not not yet, not yet. Yes, you finished seasons, but like, not yet, where's your mindset at that point before we move forward? Like where are you right there? Because a lot of guys we're talking this is two years in of here here, here, there, here, there, back and forth, up and down, get on a ten day, but sometimes don't even play. You know that you're used for a security blanket, so to speak, but like, what where is your motivation to keep going?

At that moment, man, I was living out of a suit KSB. And again it has a lot to do with my faith, uh, being a man of God and just understanding if this is for me, it's for me, you know. The timing is what it is, is God's timing. And at that specific point, I was thinking, I'm an NBA player, you know, especially after the last few games of the season with Charlotte. I had some good games to have my career high, and like seventeen we have I have fourteen against This was against Miami and Miami when everybody was playing, so I was fourteen and the fourth quarter, so I was like, I can play in this league. It's just a matter of getting my chance. And then the lockout hit, so I was like, I don't know.

At that moment, man, I was living out of a suit KSB. And again it has a lot to do with my faith, uh, being a man of God and just understanding if this is for me, it's for me, you know. The timing is what it is, is God's timing. And at that specific point, I was thinking, I'm an NBA player, you know, especially after the last few games of the season with Charlotte. I had some good games to have my career high, and like seventeen we have I have fourteen against This was against Miami and Miami when everybody was playing, so I was fourteen and the fourth quarter, so I was like, I can play in this league. It's just a matter of getting my chance. And then the lockout hit, so I was like, I don't know.

I don't know if I'm going to be having.

I don't know if I'm going to be having.

A roster spot, So let me go overseas to Italy to see what that's like and just be there for a season and get some guaranteed money in my pocket and then come back a little more mature, older and then see what it was. I didn't know it was gonna be kind of out of side, out of mind, but my mindset was I'm gonna get my chance. It wasn't I'm thinking about quitting or I don't know if this is gonna work. It was still all right on to the next and Italy.

A roster spot, So let me go overseas to Italy to see what that's like and just be there for a season and get some guaranteed money in my pocket and then come back a little more mature, older and then see what it was. I didn't know it was gonna be kind of out of side, out of mind, but my mindset was I'm gonna get my chance. It wasn't I'm thinking about quitting or I don't know if this is gonna work. It was still all right on to the next and Italy.

In my opinion at that time, that's not a bad that's not a bad thing because at the time gods are trying to find somewhere to play. They're gonna be looking out there anyway. So it made sense. You get the phone call or now did you so? Washington happens how ten day two?

In my opinion at that time, that's not a bad that's not a bad thing because at the time gods are trying to find somewhere to play. They're gonna be looking out there anyway. So it made sense. You get the phone call or now did you so? Washington happens how ten day two?

So it's interesting. I come back from Italy and I go to training camp with the The next year, I go to training camp with Miami. Now they're coming off the championship in the lockout season, I go to training camp with him. They want a guard and a big so I'm like, okay. They had a guy named Terrell Harris who was my backup in the G League the year before before I went to Italy. The year before, he was my backup for like the ten games I was there, and I'm knowing him for college. He stayed during the lockerow. He stayed with he stayed there made Miami's team went on to win a championship with him. So he's trying to make the team again the next season, and I'm coming in as kind of an outsider, and they pick him over me and Spose still to this day, I talked to him one of the last games of the season because I told the story and Spose one who actually told me I was cut. You know what I'm saying. I don't know. He didn't make the decision obviously, of course, but he still says, gee, I didn't cut. You made it what me, bro, I wanted to keep you right. So I go back to the D League, a third D League team. I'm playing great. I'm playing strictly point guard actually with this team, and I'm playing in Reno, Nevada. We play in LA. The next day we leave to go back to Reno. I get a call walking on the plane VC from Tommy Sheppard, the assistant gym in d in Washington. He tells me, trying to stay in LA if you can, and fly to DC, wanting to work you out. See if Now, before this, I had never been caught up before the ten day contracts. So ten day contracts usually happened in mid January. This was early December. So I was like, I don't have I don't know if I can get another flight, like I'm in a D league. Like I can't get no other flights. So I fly back to Reno, fly go back to LA take a red out of to DC. I work out in front of me and Chris Quinn, who ironically had taken my spots in San Antonio when I got cut, and we work out for Randy Whitman, me and DC. Now DC is three and twenty two at the time John Wall broke his hand. It was Bradley Dor's rookie year. Aj Price had broke had heard something as well, so they Jordan Crawford, who's an amazing player, was playing the one they had cut Sean living Standing. They had cut Gennaro Pargo. So I get we go through the workout, they don't pick either of us. They say we're going We'll be in touch with your agents. Y'all can go home, go ahead, back home. So we're like, oh man, this is crazy. I'll be honest. I was kind of upset at that point. I go back to the G League, I get a we go, I play two more games, we go home for Christmas. I go home in Louisiana for Christmas for like two days. I get a call on December twenty third, Ernie Grunfeld, we love to sign you to be a Washington Wizard. Now let me tell you. I was in Miamis for training camp and my agent had talked to Andy Elsberg and Miami and said, and Andy said, let us know if somebody else comes after him. You know, we kind of want first ride of refusal, or at least let us know because we may be interested in getting it back. So we called Miami up the next day and they're like, yeah, we want him back. We made a mistake. So I have to choose between Miami the former, the former the you know, former champions, or DC where i'ma have a chance to play. But they're three and twenty two and I would be behind obviously Mario Chalmers and Norse Cole. Because I was this, they were looking at me as strictly appointed. So spoke caused me. They Fizzdale text me like they're putting a full press of Fizz your former coach of Memphis. So I'm like, I love it. I loved it there and after like probably a few hours of deliberation. I'll tell them I gotta I tell I got to bet on myself, bro. And he's on the phone like what I like, that's so surprising to me. I appreciate you though, And I ended up going to d C Man and that that that's how I got there. The second game of the season, I started in the second half, and I started the next like probably nine ten games until until aj Price got back from injury. And that was and that was it, bro. In the rest is history. The rest is history. The rest is history, Bro.

So it's interesting. I come back from Italy and I go to training camp with the The next year, I go to training camp with Miami. Now they're coming off the championship in the lockout season, I go to training camp with him. They want a guard and a big so I'm like, okay. They had a guy named Terrell Harris who was my backup in the G League the year before before I went to Italy. The year before, he was my backup for like the ten games I was there, and I'm knowing him for college. He stayed during the lockerow. He stayed with he stayed there made Miami's team went on to win a championship with him. So he's trying to make the team again the next season, and I'm coming in as kind of an outsider, and they pick him over me and Spose still to this day, I talked to him one of the last games of the season because I told the story and Spose one who actually told me I was cut. You know what I'm saying. I don't know. He didn't make the decision obviously, of course, but he still says, gee, I didn't cut. You made it what me, bro, I wanted to keep you right. So I go back to the D League, a third D League team. I'm playing great. I'm playing strictly point guard actually with this team, and I'm playing in Reno, Nevada. We play in LA. The next day we leave to go back to Reno. I get a call walking on the plane VC from Tommy Sheppard, the assistant gym in d in Washington. He tells me, trying to stay in LA if you can, and fly to DC, wanting to work you out. See if Now, before this, I had never been caught up before the ten day contracts. So ten day contracts usually happened in mid January. This was early December. So I was like, I don't have I don't know if I can get another flight, like I'm in a D league. Like I can't get no other flights. So I fly back to Reno, fly go back to LA take a red out of to DC. I work out in front of me and Chris Quinn, who ironically had taken my spots in San Antonio when I got cut, and we work out for Randy Whitman, me and DC. Now DC is three and twenty two at the time John Wall broke his hand. It was Bradley Dor's rookie year. Aj Price had broke had heard something as well, so they Jordan Crawford, who's an amazing player, was playing the one they had cut Sean living Standing. They had cut Gennaro Pargo. So I get we go through the workout, they don't pick either of us. They say we're going We'll be in touch with your agents. Y'all can go home, go ahead, back home. So we're like, oh man, this is crazy. I'll be honest. I was kind of upset at that point. I go back to the G League, I get a we go, I play two more games, we go home for Christmas. I go home in Louisiana for Christmas for like two days. I get a call on December twenty third, Ernie Grunfeld, we love to sign you to be a Washington Wizard. Now let me tell you. I was in Miamis for training camp and my agent had talked to Andy Elsberg and Miami and said, and Andy said, let us know if somebody else comes after him. You know, we kind of want first ride of refusal, or at least let us know because we may be interested in getting it back. So we called Miami up the next day and they're like, yeah, we want him back. We made a mistake. So I have to choose between Miami the former, the former the you know, former champions, or DC where i'ma have a chance to play. But they're three and twenty two and I would be behind obviously Mario Chalmers and Norse Cole. Because I was this, they were looking at me as strictly appointed. So spoke caused me. They Fizzdale text me like they're putting a full press of Fizz your former coach of Memphis. So I'm like, I love it. I loved it there and after like probably a few hours of deliberation. I'll tell them I gotta I tell I got to bet on myself, bro. And he's on the phone like what I like, that's so surprising to me. I appreciate you though, And I ended up going to d C Man and that that that's how I got there. The second game of the season, I started in the second half, and I started the next like probably nine ten games until until aj Price got back from injury. And that was and that was it, bro. In the rest is history. The rest is history. The rest is history, Bro.

And then you just finished up year this year obviously in Toronto. Uh, it was cold one.

And then you just finished up year this year obviously in Toronto. Uh, it was cold one.

It wasn't as cold as I expected. It wasn't cold as I expected. Bro. You know that, like when you know that that global woman. Oh that's true. Whatever you didn't get, you didn't get the pleasure. Good for you. Man. It's snowed twice. It's snow two. We had two actual like big snow, big snow. That's crazy crazy.

It wasn't as cold as I expected. It wasn't cold as I expected. Bro. You know that, like when you know that that global woman. Oh that's true. Whatever you didn't get, you didn't get the pleasure. Good for you. Man. It's snowed twice. It's snow two. We had two actual like big snow, big snow. That's crazy crazy.

Well, I want to say, obviously, how have you I was gonna ask how you've enjoyed being a VET in the league at thirty seven? You you you know, we that's you know, when you hit mid thirties, they call you old and can you still do it? But how has it been, you know, being a vet because I remember, you know, obviously I was playing together. You know, y'all used to give me. Y'all used to call me old head and all this, but now fingers turned.

Well, I want to say, obviously, how have you I was gonna ask how you've enjoyed being a VET in the league at thirty seven? You you you know, we that's you know, when you hit mid thirties, they call you old and can you still do it? But how has it been, you know, being a vet because I remember, you know, obviously I was playing together. You know, y'all used to give me. Y'all used to call me old head and all this, but now fingers turned.

To you exactly. Nah, it's crazy. I had. I've had great bets. I've been on so many different teams, so I didn't see one way to do things. And even later in my career, when I was in my sixth.

To you exactly. Nah, it's crazy. I had. I've had great bets. I've been on so many different teams, so I didn't see one way to do things. And even later in my career, when I was in my sixth.

Or seventh year, like you know, like when we played.

Or seventh year, like you know, like when we played.

Together, seeing how you how you did things, how you approach things, how you approach different different young guys, and how you approach them versus how z BO approached them versus how Antonio mcdye did it in San Antonio. Like everybody has their own way of connecting to the young guys. And I just found my lane.

Together, seeing how you how you did things, how you approach things, how you approach different different young guys, and how you approach them versus how z BO approached them versus how Antonio mcdye did it in San Antonio. Like everybody has their own way of connecting to the young guys. And I just found my lane.

Man.

Man.

I love it. I enjoy it. They keep me young. And at the end of the day, I just try to remind myself that these guys are nineteen, they're twenty, they're twenty one, like they're twenty two. Like when you were have said you were still in college doing who knows what you know what I'm saying like, they're just you know, give them the grace and knowledge at the end of the day, drop a little knowledge at the end of the day. I'm never overbearing, but I always let them know I'll throw on my tidbit so they know how that if you need anything, questions about anything, not just basketball, but life, how to handle you know, your girlfriend, your ex girlfriend, all of this type of stuff.

I love it. I enjoy it. They keep me young. And at the end of the day, I just try to remind myself that these guys are nineteen, they're twenty, they're twenty one, like they're twenty two. Like when you were have said you were still in college doing who knows what you know what I'm saying like, they're just you know, give them the grace and knowledge at the end of the day, drop a little knowledge at the end of the day. I'm never overbearing, but I always let them know I'll throw on my tidbit so they know how that if you need anything, questions about anything, not just basketball, but life, how to handle you know, your girlfriend, your ex girlfriend, all of this type of stuff.

Well, I asked you. I asked you that question. To lead up to this, I watched Scottie Barnes exit interview and he gave you a lot of credit for you and well for him watching how you operated, how you went about things kind of some of the same things you just said you did. He said he did and it helped him be a better leader in the locker room and on the on the floor. And you know that's a shout out to obviously to him taking the times, particularly at a young guy actually being able to see that because you said a couple of years in is when you started to kind of develop that, and he's seeing that year too. But you know, guys are coming in, they're they're different now. But he understands that it's his, his, his franchise, But how do I go about doing that? Like, you know, yeah, it's my but like, okay, do I score points? It's more than just that. Now it seems like he understood that and that interview. I was really impressed with that, and it made me smile because obviously, you know, we talk a lot, we played together, and you know, obviously I've seen how you operate with young guys and just to see young guys, young guy like that catch on so early, kudos to you. But how have you enjoyed watching Scotty Barnes play and his growth? And I'm also at R J and E Manuel quickly to that as well, since you had those are young guys who are gonna seem like they're gonna be the cornerstone in the future of the franchise.

Well, I asked you. I asked you that question. To lead up to this, I watched Scottie Barnes exit interview and he gave you a lot of credit for you and well for him watching how you operated, how you went about things kind of some of the same things you just said you did. He said he did and it helped him be a better leader in the locker room and on the on the floor. And you know that's a shout out to obviously to him taking the times, particularly at a young guy actually being able to see that because you said a couple of years in is when you started to kind of develop that, and he's seeing that year too. But you know, guys are coming in, they're they're different now. But he understands that it's his, his, his franchise, But how do I go about doing that? Like, you know, yeah, it's my but like, okay, do I score points? It's more than just that. Now it seems like he understood that and that interview. I was really impressed with that, and it made me smile because obviously, you know, we talk a lot, we played together, and you know, obviously I've seen how you operate with young guys and just to see young guys, young guy like that catch on so early, kudos to you. But how have you enjoyed watching Scotty Barnes play and his growth? And I'm also at R J and E Manuel quickly to that as well, since you had those are young guys who are gonna seem like they're gonna be the cornerstone in the future of the franchise.

No question. And Scotty's third year, so I mean, like you said, bro first, and you're right, Me and Scotty talked so when I was playing against him either his rookie year, I think I was defending him and I was like, young fella, that ain't I might be slender, but you know that that post up stuff, y'all doing ain't happening, so he always brings that back up. But he's very cerebral. He may be the has, he may have the higher It's like Cuba rookie I've ever been around, or like one first, second, third year player, understands the game immensely, is a hard worker, and him getting injured was a blessing in disguise me because, as you know, when when young guys can stop, or in when anybody honestly can stop and has it has to stop and sit down and actually watch the game from a different lens, it's it opens their eyes so much. And he realized that multiple times, and we sit next to each other on the bench when he you know, when he's when he's out. So obviously I wasn't playing. I wasn't in the rotation most of the year, and then it actually worked out that I was able to play, so the young guys could see all all that stuff, not just it's like you can't say, okay, well let me see something, and I go out there and I do any of them. You know, I'm defending Anthony Davis in the post. I'm like, I'm doing all these things, so I think it actually all of that worked out the way it was supposed to for him to be able to see me talking saying that and then see it because he's always been a guy that can that will doesn't is it. You know, some guys in this league you don't want to be too, you don't want to upset your teammates. You may not want to say this to this guy. He's the guy that is willing to do it, but always it's out of love and trying to win the game, and he's not doing it the wrong way. So I think that that helped him.

No question. And Scotty's third year, so I mean, like you said, bro first, and you're right, Me and Scotty talked so when I was playing against him either his rookie year, I think I was defending him and I was like, young fella, that ain't I might be slender, but you know that that post up stuff, y'all doing ain't happening, so he always brings that back up. But he's very cerebral. He may be the has, he may have the higher It's like Cuba rookie I've ever been around, or like one first, second, third year player, understands the game immensely, is a hard worker, and him getting injured was a blessing in disguise me because, as you know, when when young guys can stop, or in when anybody honestly can stop and has it has to stop and sit down and actually watch the game from a different lens, it's it opens their eyes so much. And he realized that multiple times, and we sit next to each other on the bench when he you know, when he's when he's out. So obviously I wasn't playing. I wasn't in the rotation most of the year, and then it actually worked out that I was able to play, so the young guys could see all all that stuff, not just it's like you can't say, okay, well let me see something, and I go out there and I do any of them. You know, I'm defending Anthony Davis in the post. I'm like, I'm doing all these things, so I think it actually all of that worked out the way it was supposed to for him to be able to see me talking saying that and then see it because he's always been a guy that can that will doesn't is it. You know, some guys in this league you don't want to be too, you don't want to upset your teammates. You may not want to say this to this guy. He's the guy that is willing to do it, but always it's out of love and trying to win the game, and he's not doing it the wrong way. So I think that that helped him.

Uh r j Man.

Uh r j Man.

You know, when you see a guy that is so uh that can score so well and is as a score, you have certain preconceived notions about it. But I just got to say that I was so pleasantly surprised by how how much he takes, how much he can take, you know, criticism, constructive criticism. You can tell his dad has really been in his life and he's he understands how to how to be a man. Pick up against row Man, he can, he can. You can tell he understands how to take criticism and and channel it to to you know, the right energy and quick quick has has you know, nobody. He didn't expect to get traded. So he's coming over here and he's kind of being handed the keys of a franchise. He doesn't know how to really play with everybody just yet, so he's figuring all of that out. A score the last the first three years, he was off the bench, go get us sixteen a game in eighteen minutes, so that was his mindset. So he's changing that whole mindset to starting to be a complete point guard. It's very willing to listen and learn. So they have three guys that are really going to be great in terms of going on to the you know, for the future of the team. And I'm excited for the franchise. I'm really I really am. And Scotty's gonna be a great person to lead him because he works hard, he practices hard, and he's all about winning.

You know, when you see a guy that is so uh that can score so well and is as a score, you have certain preconceived notions about it. But I just got to say that I was so pleasantly surprised by how how much he takes, how much he can take, you know, criticism, constructive criticism. You can tell his dad has really been in his life and he's he understands how to how to be a man. Pick up against row Man, he can, he can. You can tell he understands how to take criticism and and channel it to to you know, the right energy and quick quick has has you know, nobody. He didn't expect to get traded. So he's coming over here and he's kind of being handed the keys of a franchise. He doesn't know how to really play with everybody just yet, so he's figuring all of that out. A score the last the first three years, he was off the bench, go get us sixteen a game in eighteen minutes, so that was his mindset. So he's changing that whole mindset to starting to be a complete point guard. It's very willing to listen and learn. So they have three guys that are really going to be great in terms of going on to the you know, for the future of the team. And I'm excited for the franchise. I'm really I really am. And Scotty's gonna be a great person to lead him because he works hard, he practices hard, and he's all about winning.

And he plays that way too. You could tell he goes he goes after and it's great to hear hard. So let's let's pivot real quick. You know, obviously, you know we talked about your role as the vice president. You've been on there since twenty seventeen. What is what are some of the things that you do or as a vice president that we may not know that goes on behind the scenes.

And he plays that way too. You could tell he goes he goes after and it's great to hear hard. So let's let's pivot real quick. You know, obviously, you know we talked about your role as the vice president. You've been on there since twenty seventeen. What is what are some of the things that you do or as a vice president that we may not know that goes on behind the scenes.

You know what I'm saying. I mean, yeah, yeah, I mean even real quickly during the bubble, before the bubble when the lockout hit, not the lockout, sorry, when the when COVID happened. The conversations we were having. Now we were in the middle of interviewing for our new executive director, right and then we had to finagle to a We're gonna have a season this year and what's that gonna look like. So I was on the phone out of a seven day week. I was on the phone on Zoom calls four days a week. And again, none of this is this is not a paid gig. This is just making sure guys are you know, this is what we got to do. And so I think the biggest thing is the conversations that we have, you know, on Zoom, on the phone, through text, the calls. We have to try to make sure things are going the way that they should be going, keeping people in line. On one side of the leisure you know, we have a whole a staff that works for us day to day. As basketball players, we can't focus on these things day to day. But a staff that works for us that you know, may have some some things that happen, internal conflicts or what have you. And I think the biggest thing is the biggest The reason I love it the most is that I'm able to be on the inside and let guys know what we have for them, you know, what we can offer them as a players association because a lot of times, you know, guys don't really understand the benefits of the union and what they can provide for them, so especially the young guys. So all of these things are things that I'm that I'm able to do in my position and try to get as much in possible.

You know what I'm saying. I mean, yeah, yeah, I mean even real quickly during the bubble, before the bubble when the lockout hit, not the lockout, sorry, when the when COVID happened. The conversations we were having. Now we were in the middle of interviewing for our new executive director, right and then we had to finagle to a We're gonna have a season this year and what's that gonna look like. So I was on the phone out of a seven day week. I was on the phone on Zoom calls four days a week. And again, none of this is this is not a paid gig. This is just making sure guys are you know, this is what we got to do. And so I think the biggest thing is the conversations that we have, you know, on Zoom, on the phone, through text, the calls. We have to try to make sure things are going the way that they should be going, keeping people in line. On one side of the leisure you know, we have a whole a staff that works for us day to day. As basketball players, we can't focus on these things day to day. But a staff that works for us that you know, may have some some things that happen, internal conflicts or what have you. And I think the biggest thing is the biggest The reason I love it the most is that I'm able to be on the inside and let guys know what we have for them, you know, what we can offer them as a players association because a lot of times, you know, guys don't really understand the benefits of the union and what they can provide for them, so especially the young guys. So all of these things are things that I'm that I'm able to do in my position and try to get as much in possible.

Hey man, my only beef with y'all was this, you took twenty two teams instead of thirty, and you left the Hawks out so I ain't get to finish with the season. You know what I'm saying, Like, come on, man, just just just let all thirty teams go. Man, Like, okay, you know, get us out the way. Nah, But I understand that was, I mean, a tough decision, and I think the whisper first came out like everybody's going So I was like, okay, because I'm still working out trying to stay in shape, and all of a sudden they were like, you know, then it was like, wait, we're gonna see it.

Hey man, my only beef with y'all was this, you took twenty two teams instead of thirty, and you left the Hawks out so I ain't get to finish with the season. You know what I'm saying, Like, come on, man, just just just let all thirty teams go. Man, Like, okay, you know, get us out the way. Nah, But I understand that was, I mean, a tough decision, and I think the whisper first came out like everybody's going So I was like, okay, because I'm still working out trying to stay in shape, and all of a sudden they were like, you know, then it was like, wait, we're gonna see it.

Then I was like, so, so you don't have a chad.

Then I was like, so, so you don't have a chad.

Twenty two teams are going and the last eight wait, wait we are we we neverne godly we we're part of the eight that's not going. So no, I mean, it was kind of disappointing. But at the same time, I was already in my transition phase, so I mean, obviously.

Twenty two teams are going and the last eight wait, wait we are we we neverne godly we we're part of the eight that's not going. So no, I mean, it was kind of disappointing. But at the same time, I was already in my transition phase, so I mean, obviously.

It'd been great to go play in it, but I understand, you know, I heard the Bubble was challenging, challenging. It was challenging. It was challenging. You would have had a blast because you would have played golf. So I had played. I played eighteen rounds in the Bubble and I was there for a month and period month, a little less than a month and a half, and thank God for you know, for safety. My wife was pregnant at the time with my little man, so she was back in Brooklyn and Brooklyn shout out to Brooklyn the Brooklyn new They did a great job just providing all the families with things. Once the team left and went to the Bubble, which was amazing. So, but we would have had a great time, man, you we would have played live golf. Bro I played a lot of golf regardless, I bet.

It'd been great to go play in it, but I understand, you know, I heard the Bubble was challenging, challenging. It was challenging. It was challenging. You would have had a blast because you would have played golf. So I had played. I played eighteen rounds in the Bubble and I was there for a month and period month, a little less than a month and a half, and thank God for you know, for safety. My wife was pregnant at the time with my little man, so she was back in Brooklyn and Brooklyn shout out to Brooklyn the Brooklyn new They did a great job just providing all the families with things. Once the team left and went to the Bubble, which was amazing. So, but we would have had a great time, man, you we would have played live golf. Bro I played a lot of golf regardless, I bet.

I sll did, but absolutely because and I heard a lot of guys pick picked up golf because you know, they didn't have anything to do. So I'm sure you know, and I know a lot of guys you know now sticking with it. But it was just it was just interesting that, you know, hearing guy's story and I mean obviously testing a lot, but at the same time, you know, shout out to all of you guys.

I sll did, but absolutely because and I heard a lot of guys pick picked up golf because you know, they didn't have anything to do. So I'm sure you know, and I know a lot of guys you know now sticking with it. But it was just it was just interesting that, you know, hearing guy's story and I mean obviously testing a lot, but at the same time, you know, shout out to all of you guys.

In the.

In the.

Vp A and I mean everybody involved to putting it together. I mean, I know they had to hustle, get get something triggured out, they put it together. You know, some people say whatever, they shouldn't have had it. But then at the same time, for the people who said that, when it was on TV, people watched it, you know, and people enjoyed it, you know, and it's just it gave us something to watch. And you know, however they deem it, it's still it worked and you still, I mean, you could tell guys, we're happy to still play, you know, you know, through through it all, shout out to you guys. And I say that to say the NBA is in a good place, you know, with the young talent just teams parody. I love the parody where you can't just go out, you know, people always ask who you're going for. And for many years you could just pick a team all such, that's gonna win it, you know whatever. Now you really have to think about it. You know, you can say, you know a lot of people saying maybe Denver, some people saying maybe Boston. But then at the same time you're like, I don't know about Minnesota, you know, or whatever. So you know, I don't know the Knicks or you know so. And I love the fact that you have to watch and see the ending and the outcome. But with that saying that makes the TV deal now shoot through the roof. And we saw NBC with the with the two billion dollar bid. I mean, basketball and everything together is in a good place.

Vp A and I mean everybody involved to putting it together. I mean, I know they had to hustle, get get something triggured out, they put it together. You know, some people say whatever, they shouldn't have had it. But then at the same time, for the people who said that, when it was on TV, people watched it, you know, and people enjoyed it, you know, and it's just it gave us something to watch. And you know, however they deem it, it's still it worked and you still, I mean, you could tell guys, we're happy to still play, you know, you know, through through it all, shout out to you guys. And I say that to say the NBA is in a good place, you know, with the young talent just teams parody. I love the parody where you can't just go out, you know, people always ask who you're going for. And for many years you could just pick a team all such, that's gonna win it, you know whatever. Now you really have to think about it. You know, you can say, you know a lot of people saying maybe Denver, some people saying maybe Boston. But then at the same time you're like, I don't know about Minnesota, you know, or whatever. So you know, I don't know the Knicks or you know so. And I love the fact that you have to watch and see the ending and the outcome. But with that saying that makes the TV deal now shoot through the roof. And we saw NBC with the with the two billion dollar bid. I mean, basketball and everything together is in a good place.

Would you say, no question, it's in a great place. Man. And I remember, you know, probably five three years ago, maybe when we were talking about the new CBA and the new TV deal, we were wondering because of streaming, people weren't sitting down watching an entire game, so we were thinking the new TV deal is gonna take up, it's going to go backwards. It We're not gonna make as much. But you know, kudos to to Adam Silver and NBA and just the fans of the game, you know throughout the world that have understood that, you know, live sports is something that you just cannot get anywhere else. The NBA you cannot get anywhere else. You can make all this type of content, but you cannot get live sports that are not staged. And you know, the people that are bidding for this understand that. And I think it's gonna be It's going to be an amazing, amazing deal for the people you know that are continually in the league. You know, five years from now, guys are gonna be making a bunch of money. And uh, the league is in a really, really good place right now, and I'm happy for it. Let's see, five years from now, guys, we're making a bunch of money and I'm forty something.

Would you say, no question, it's in a great place. Man. And I remember, you know, probably five three years ago, maybe when we were talking about the new CBA and the new TV deal, we were wondering because of streaming, people weren't sitting down watching an entire game, so we were thinking the new TV deal is gonna take up, it's going to go backwards. It We're not gonna make as much. But you know, kudos to to Adam Silver and NBA and just the fans of the game, you know throughout the world that have understood that, you know, live sports is something that you just cannot get anywhere else. The NBA you cannot get anywhere else. You can make all this type of content, but you cannot get live sports that are not staged. And you know, the people that are bidding for this understand that. And I think it's gonna be It's going to be an amazing, amazing deal for the people you know that are continually in the league. You know, five years from now, guys are gonna be making a bunch of money. And uh, the league is in a really, really good place right now, and I'm happy for it. Let's see, five years from now, guys, we're making a bunch of money and I'm forty something.

I mean, I still got a jump shot, but about it at that time. Yes, it's just I mean, it's just it's just crazy. I mean to see, you know, where the game is and and I just can't imagine I'll be let me say, I'll be interested to see where that final number ends up. As far as the bidding, I mean that's wildness. I mean we've seen obviously TV deals and heard you know, you can go and look at the history of TV deals and what teams are you know, bid it for over I mean companies have bid it for over the year.

I mean, I still got a jump shot, but about it at that time. Yes, it's just I mean, it's just it's just crazy. I mean to see, you know, where the game is and and I just can't imagine I'll be let me say, I'll be interested to see where that final number ends up. As far as the bidding, I mean that's wildness. I mean we've seen obviously TV deals and heard you know, you can go and look at the history of TV deals and what teams are you know, bid it for over I mean companies have bid it for over the year.

But like it's starting to bill starting, you know, and I'm sure it's it's it's still you.

But like it's starting to bill starting, you know, and I'm sure it's it's it's still you.

Know, just wait to see what Turner and everybody else going to see because everybody's jocking for this young talent and it's a shout out to the young talent, and you know, they deserve that money. It's like in I L I think the players deserve it because they are the ones that bring bring the eyeballs. They're the ones that making these people buy these jerseys. They're the one that making these people sit their butts in the seats. They deserve something exactly for it. So I mean, I think we still need to kind of shape and mold I thing something. Let's come on, let's get But I think it's a great start. You put it out there, and then they wanted to put it out there and they say, hey, let's figure it out because I heard in IL it's getting crazy right now, crazy, you know, so, but it's providing you know, a lot of opportunity for people, you know, like you say, for people who may not get that opportunity to play professionally.

Know, just wait to see what Turner and everybody else going to see because everybody's jocking for this young talent and it's a shout out to the young talent, and you know, they deserve that money. It's like in I L I think the players deserve it because they are the ones that bring bring the eyeballs. They're the ones that making these people buy these jerseys. They're the one that making these people sit their butts in the seats. They deserve something exactly for it. So I mean, I think we still need to kind of shape and mold I thing something. Let's come on, let's get But I think it's a great start. You put it out there, and then they wanted to put it out there and they say, hey, let's figure it out because I heard in IL it's getting crazy right now, crazy, you know, so, but it's providing you know, a lot of opportunity for people, you know, like you say, for people who may not get that opportunity to play professionally.

Look at it that like R. J. Davis.

Look at it that like R. J. Davis.

You know, he's coming back for his fifth year. You know, I'm sure his NIL deal is solid to where you know, I don't get that opportunity yet to play in the league, but I can live pretty good as a as a college student with you know what I'm earning over there, So.

You know, he's coming back for his fifth year. You know, I'm sure his NIL deal is solid to where you know, I don't get that opportunity yet to play in the league, but I can live pretty good as a as a college student with you know what I'm earning over there, So.

No question, I think the biggest thing is guys, you know, having some financial literacy around it as well. That's where when that's what's twenty two because the amount of money that you're bringing in is the amount of money that you can start pretty well, pretty well you're making. You may not even be in the one percent, but you for sure in the five percent. You know what I'm saying of earning some income at that age, and that's when I watching investments and all of that stuff starts start, you know, investments and all of that stuff. And that's another reason I love being in a position in the PA just to educate guys on things like that and just being a vet honestly, you know, these are the things that we talk about. And that's the difference. And when I first got in the league beat versus Now we talk about those things like Dad Young and I when he was on the team beginning season. We're talking about different investments and Scottie Bourns is over there, like, let me get in that one. What you'll talk about? I want to invest, you know. So the conversation is changing.

No question, I think the biggest thing is guys, you know, having some financial literacy around it as well. That's where when that's what's twenty two because the amount of money that you're bringing in is the amount of money that you can start pretty well, pretty well you're making. You may not even be in the one percent, but you for sure in the five percent. You know what I'm saying of earning some income at that age, and that's when I watching investments and all of that stuff starts start, you know, investments and all of that stuff. And that's another reason I love being in a position in the PA just to educate guys on things like that and just being a vet honestly, you know, these are the things that we talk about. And that's the difference. And when I first got in the league beat versus Now we talk about those things like Dad Young and I when he was on the team beginning season. We're talking about different investments and Scottie Bourns is over there, like, let me get in that one. What you'll talk about? I want to invest, you know. So the conversation is changing.

Well, and also the amount of money coming to these young fellows pockets to where you're seeing Trey Young who invested in sports team and some of these guys who are current players investing in sports team in their city like it's they have. They're making that kind of money. And I say, now what I want and what I beg in you know, I hope these colleges in universities hear this. Your guys now you're putting this money in their pocket who are making you know, in their mind, I mean crazy amount of money that's just before they're getting this opportunity to play in the NBA. They're making more money than they've ever had, So it's you know, you got to expect them not to understand how to save it, not to understand when tax time what they need to do. Make sure you protect these players, you know, because they're making a lot of money, because yeah, I mean think about it, you're coming out of high school. Now you're making six to seven figures.

Well, and also the amount of money coming to these young fellows pockets to where you're seeing Trey Young who invested in sports team and some of these guys who are current players investing in sports team in their city like it's they have. They're making that kind of money. And I say, now what I want and what I beg in you know, I hope these colleges in universities hear this. Your guys now you're putting this money in their pocket who are making you know, in their mind, I mean crazy amount of money that's just before they're getting this opportunity to play in the NBA. They're making more money than they've ever had, So it's you know, you got to expect them not to understand how to save it, not to understand when tax time what they need to do. Make sure you protect these players, you know, because they're making a lot of money, because yeah, I mean think about it, you're coming out of high school. Now you're making six to seven figures.

Bro.

Bro.

Like what we're talking about the meal plan and and and that and that and that. You know that money coming in every month like this is that's the next level. So I just hope you know, I noticed that the give and take and the push and pull with this, but you know, I just hope you protect these young guys and don't put them in situations where they're having tax issues because they don't know any better. They don't know any better. Like, let's this helped them out, like as you've given them and providing them and I know they're coming and asking for it. We're like, you know, this is what we provide. Just like at Carolina, you know, this is it's totally different. But we were we had to do media training, we were so I mean that was understood in the standard where you had to go to media training, whether you played twenty thirty minutes or you played or didn't play at all because you never know when that microphone would be in front of you or or whatever the case may be.

Like what we're talking about the meal plan and and and that and that and that. You know that money coming in every month like this is that's the next level. So I just hope you know, I noticed that the give and take and the push and pull with this, but you know, I just hope you protect these young guys and don't put them in situations where they're having tax issues because they don't know any better. They don't know any better. Like, let's this helped them out, like as you've given them and providing them and I know they're coming and asking for it. We're like, you know, this is what we provide. Just like at Carolina, you know, this is it's totally different. But we were we had to do media training, we were so I mean that was understood in the standard where you had to go to media training, whether you played twenty thirty minutes or you played or didn't play at all because you never know when that microphone would be in front of you or or whatever the case may be.

So it's worth it. So I just wanted to ask you about that. So that's awesome, Nah, for sure, for sure.

So it's worth it. So I just wanted to ask you about that. So that's awesome, Nah, for sure, for sure.

You know you guys didn't make the playoffs, obviously, but let's talk about the playoffs a little bit.

You know you guys didn't make the playoffs, obviously, but let's talk about the playoffs a little bit.

It's been insane.

It's been insane.

It's been great basketball on the East and the West, So let's dive into Since you're on the East, let's start dive into the East real quick. Your thoughts about this Boston Miami Heat series. Obviously Boston wins in for the one. It's just crazy how things happen. And I'm gonna say it now, you know, because it's about a bunch of teams. But you know, the one thing that drives me crazy about organizations, I'll say coaches, is when you get in these situations like you had with a Jimmy Butler, with Giannis, guys going down, and now you're you're handcuffed because you didn't play some of your guys throughout the season in minutes and you don't feel comfortable inserting them in your lineup. Now you're playing shorthanded because of whatever, you don't feel comfortable as the coach or the player is just whatever, trying to find his way and you you know, he doesn't feel comfortable out there or whatever, and you don't want to throw them in the fire like you know, whateverever. And that's why I say it's important over the course of the season, you're playing eighty two eighty two games, you know, utilize your your guys that you know, because you never know if one of your star players or a couple of your star players go down. At least you feel comfortable knowing that in a tough situation, I can put these guys in for spot minutes to give some of your other guys that you're gonna play time. So I think that's what you know happened to the to the Miami Heat. But those guys stepped up and put out of fight. The Miami Heat culture is crazy. But your thoughts of that first is that series?

It's been great basketball on the East and the West, So let's dive into Since you're on the East, let's start dive into the East real quick. Your thoughts about this Boston Miami Heat series. Obviously Boston wins in for the one. It's just crazy how things happen. And I'm gonna say it now, you know, because it's about a bunch of teams. But you know, the one thing that drives me crazy about organizations, I'll say coaches, is when you get in these situations like you had with a Jimmy Butler, with Giannis, guys going down, and now you're you're handcuffed because you didn't play some of your guys throughout the season in minutes and you don't feel comfortable inserting them in your lineup. Now you're playing shorthanded because of whatever, you don't feel comfortable as the coach or the player is just whatever, trying to find his way and you you know, he doesn't feel comfortable out there or whatever, and you don't want to throw them in the fire like you know, whateverever. And that's why I say it's important over the course of the season, you're playing eighty two eighty two games, you know, utilize your your guys that you know, because you never know if one of your star players or a couple of your star players go down. At least you feel comfortable knowing that in a tough situation, I can put these guys in for spot minutes to give some of your other guys that you're gonna play time. So I think that's what you know happened to the to the Miami Heat. But those guys stepped up and put out of fight. The Miami Heat culture is crazy. But your thoughts of that first is that series?

Nah, you know, I figured Boston was gonna win it, especially coming off losing to them last year. Even even if even if Jimmy was was you know, it was was healthy or Terry or both of them. I think once I saw both of them were out. I love Hymie. How can I like him? I love the culture of the heat.

Nah, you know, I figured Boston was gonna win it, especially coming off losing to them last year. Even even if even if Jimmy was was you know, it was was healthy or Terry or both of them. I think once I saw both of them were out. I love Hymie. How can I like him? I love the culture of the heat.

Uh.

Uh.

I wasn't surprised that they got one, but the way that Boston has been has been playing this year, they've just been very dominant. And I wasn't surprised that they came out, you know, last night and just and they had to.

I wasn't surprised that they got one, but the way that Boston has been has been playing this year, they've just been very dominant. And I wasn't surprised that they came out, you know, last night and just and they had to.

I think they had to because they were they were, you know, treading, treading in deep waters. If they continued to get back Miami confidence.

I think they had to because they were they were, you know, treading, treading in deep waters. If they continued to get back Miami confidence.

Any type of confidence. So I think them taking Tyler hero at.

Any type of confidence. So I think them taking Tyler hero at.

The game early.

The game early.

Was what they needed to do, and once he was out of the game, they didn't really have many many other playmakers and you know, Bam started off kind of decent, but you know, I wasn't able to just obviously take it on, so I expected it to be four h four one. So it kind of happened like I expected.

Was what they needed to do, and once he was out of the game, they didn't really have many many other playmakers and you know, Bam started off kind of decent, but you know, I wasn't able to just obviously take it on, so I expected it to be four h four one. So it kind of happened like I expected.

And your thoughts on Nick seventy six is I mean this this man, It's serious, man, I mean it's just just a Imagine what this would be like if Joel and Okay, he got injured but he came back. Just imagine if he didn't hurt that knee.

And your thoughts on Nick seventy six is I mean this this man, It's serious, man, I mean it's just just a Imagine what this would be like if Joel and Okay, he got injured but he came back. Just imagine if he didn't hurt that knee.

He's exactly if he was if he was fully healthy. Man. I mean, like this is great basketball. I really enjoyed. It's great basketball. I would love game I want to say Game two when the Knicks. It was Game two when the Knicks were down five and came back from five. Jalen hit the three and then they got to steal from Tyres Maxie. You know, controversial in my opinion, it was not a foul. You know, you got to play like like like I think Shack said it, uh after the game. We know you don't flail and stuff like that, like you just you just got to be strong with the ball. But just that type of basketball was but you see you are that type of basketball.